Chapter 4
Tony was looking at the sleeping Ravenette. He remembered the last time they were both in a bed together, how calm he had looked while sleeping. Now despite Tony running his hands through Percy’s hair the tension in his face didn’t ease. Tony felt helpless. It's becoming a recurring thing, Tony realised. Helpless when people die, despite all his power and wealth, helpless to prevent starvation and diseases. Tony just hoped they would be able to get through whatever it was that caused such a brilliant man to be so affected.
Beside him Percy muttered something and shifted. His eyes fluttered open blinking owlishly at his surroundings.
Tony smiled despite the circumstances
“Hey there sleepyhead, how are you feeling?” Tony asked softly
Percy looked at him and then at the room to get his bearings
“Slight headache” Percy rasped wincing “Help me up”
“What do you think you are doing?” Tony asked, automatically supporting his shoulders and arranging him into a more comfortable sitting position.
Percy sighed gratefully
“Don’t worry, I’ve had this happen enough times to know I should be taking it easy for today. By tomorrow I’ll be right as rain”
Tony frowned internally at that.Again? How many times has something like this happened?
“Ask” Percy said asif sensing Tony’s inner turmoil
The avenger took a second to look at his boyfriend.He looked tired but not like talking to Tony was further draining him so he decided to ask.
“What exactly was that? I mean your brother said something about trauma and amnesia but he didn’t give many details” Tony turned to face him a bit more “look, You don’t have to tell me what you went through now or ever. But I just wanted a bit more to see how I can help”
Percy smiled softly and took his hand tracing invisible patterns on the back
“I lost friends, good friends who were as close to me as family…” His breath hitched
Tony held him closer
“They were the best kind of people, brave and kind despite not receiving much kindness in their own lives. Flawed and perfect in their humanity”
Tears were now flowing steadily down his face but Percy didn’t notice, lost in memories
“We thought after all we went through, we had forever” He laughed and it was a sound devoid of any mirth
“Foolishly we were happy” He whispered harshly
Tony didn’t dare interrupt
“They died so easily, like their bodies were made of spun glass. Sometimes I can’t believe they used to walk and fall just like everybody else. How did they not break? Because when they had to stay whole, their bodies broke and I don’t understand why”
Percy looked so confused, the image was heartbreaking. Tony felt stinging in the back of his own eyes as he hugged him harder.
“They stopped moving and I stayed by their side for a long time because I couldn’t believe they were gone, because how could they be gone? They promised to always have my back.”
He closed his eyes and leaned on Tony
“They had dreams, you know? They had things they wanted to do and whenever somebody asked me what I wanted to do I had always said I was happy where I was and I wanted to see where I would go. They were worth so much” He lost his breath towards the end but there was no mistaking his words
“It was all such a waste and according to everybody I was useless once they passed. Then one day I decided I was done moping and I would do everything they wanted to see done in this world but it turns out to make myself useful I had to subconsciously forget a lot of time I spent with them.” He laughed again, a haunting sound that Tony never wanted to hear again.
“Ironic isn’t it, I have friends now that I am supposed to know but I don’t and that I am mourning people some of whom I forgot and still making all this about me”
He looked so tired, a sort of tired that cannot be dealt with by sleeping. At that moment he felt old, just as old and world weary as their captain but without his optimism, and distantly Tony could understand the worry that he saw in Triton’s eyes.
Yet Tony was a problem solver. It was evident that Percy had a lot to work through but right now Tony was more worried about his random recollections that caused such debilitating symptoms. One issue at a time he decided.
He gently eased Percy back onto the bed and started massaging his forehead.
“What did your doctor suggest you do after such a, um-Episode?”
Percy smiled, albeit weakly, but he’ll take it.
“I usually see Dr.D once a month if there are no serious episodes, as you put it. I don’t particularly like him but whatever he does works and apparently you are not supposed to like your shrink anyways.”
Dr.D? Tony mentally made a note to look into this doctor and ensure his Percy was getting the best possible care. Tony has his own team of medical professionals in handy if D wasn’t up to the mark.
Percy opened his eyes and took his hand, stopping their motion.
“I trust Dr.D Tony. He had seen me through more nights than I can count” Sensing his reluctance, Percy continued “You can come along when I go to meet him the day after tomorrow. Knowing Triton and dad, Dr.D already knows and has an appointment fixed.”
Tony grudgingly decided Triton might be less of an ass than he anticipated.
“For now though I am tired and you are comfortable so come here and sleep” Percy said shifting to make room.
He could see Percy was barely holding on to this facade of normalcy but Tony would be damned if he denied his doctor any comfort he could provide. He was not fine, they both weren’t but they would be okay.
They both slept without any nightmares that night.
Tony woke up to an empty bed the next morning. His panic was interrupted by his stomach loudly reminding him that he hadn’t had anything but a measly coffee for over 24 hours. Deciding he could panic better with some caffeine in his system he walked into the common floor as the kitchen there had better coffee.
He walked into such a domestic sight he had to blink a few times to ensure he was seeing right.
By the stove stood Percy wearing a ridiculously bright yellow coloured apron. He was making something that looked like pancakes but were blue so he couldn’t be sure. Come to think of it, the pancakes were also contrasting with the apron which was, as he mentioned, ridiculous. Steve was helping him by making beverages and passing fresh pancakes to everybody. Natasha and Clint were sitting down or in Clint’s case lying down on the table each with a cup of what smells like coffee and the mysterious blue not-pancake.
Bruce was also up with a cup of his usual elaichi chai reading something on his stark tab.
Tony was so surprised he said the first thing that he could think of
“You left me in bed alone, it was cold”
Everyone turned to look at him
Tony flushed embarrassed.
“Good morning Tony” Percy said, smiling that bright smile Tony loved. “Sorry, I woke up early and couldn’t sleep so I decided making pancakes was the best use of my time. Your coffee.”
Why weren’t they married already? Tony wondered. Percy was amazing.
“And You were right Percy, making pancakes IS the best use of your time. These things are outrageously delicious” Nat said, very matter of fact.
Percy blushed and smiled fondly at her
“I am glad you liked it!”
“This is not fair” Clint said, apparently done with his impromptu nap on the table “Why are you associated with Stark? Willingly? Stark gives me a headache. His employees give me a headache. He already lured Pepper to the dark side now you too? You can’t be associated with him, you don’t give me a headache. In fact you make things better” Clint nodded asif he was sure everybody could follow his obvious reasoning.
Percy laughed holding the table for support while Steve just shook his head exasperated.
Tony was so relieved to hear Percy laughing like that, especially after yesterday he would have hugged Clint for doing that even if it was at his expense. But for the sake of appearance he scowled as he walked to the kitchen and hugged Percy from behind, gratefully feeling the rumbles of his laughter while he leaned on him.
“You should have some too” Percy said, pointing to a plate “You haven’t eaten since yesterday. They are my mother’s recipe and I have been reliably informed that they are, I quote ‘outrageously delicious’”
Tony placed a quick kiss to Percy’s forehead in thanks and picked up a plate. He gave the blue a look and then decided it was too early in the morning for suspicion. On his first bite he understood what caused the usually stoic Natasha to complement the chef so much. At his frankly obscene moan, Percy blushed, red as a tomato.
“Why haven’t you ever cooked for me before?The fact that I am just tasting this is a crime.” Tony said not even looking up from his plate.
“It never came up?” Percy said, suddenly shy.
“Stop bothering the poor man Tony” Bruce said,getting up and collecting all the empty plates. “Break fast was wonderful, Thank you Percy”
“I don’t bother him!” Tony said,indignant.
Nobody acknowledged him as they started cleaning up, pushing Percy out to prevent him from helping.
“I don’t” Tony repeated, looking at Percy for support.
“You don’t” Percy agreed patting his back
Tony ate another piece of pancake in victory.
By afternoon all the avengers were settled in front of the television, unanimously deciding to watch something to relax after the week they had.
It was some documentary that no one was paying attention to. Everyone was just enjoying the sense of comfort in such a mundane activity.
Despite everything Tony was feeling happy. He was surrounded by his teammates who insulted him on occasion but had his back when he needed them to. He hadn’t lost anybody he knew other than Coulson and he had his love in his arms, a brilliant man who somehow loved him back. He was sure by the content looks around him that his makeshift family had similar thoughts.
Just then a loud thunder sounded announcing the arrival of their thunder ‘god’. Percy went stiff beside him and Tony rubbed his shoulder to calm him.
“Greetings my friends,” Thor said walking in through the balcony “I trust you all have been well”
Tony rolled his eyes “tone down the dramatics next time sparky”
“Dramatics? Whatever do you mean friend Stark?”
“Your light show, is that necessary?”
Thor looked outside before seemingly understanding
“Oh, the thunder? I am afraid that is the only way I can travel, man of iron, but I will try to reduce the sound if that is acceptable?”
“Yes, that will definitely be better” Tony said leaning back
“Be nice Tony” Percy said hitting Tony’s arm lightly
Tony rubbed his arm in mock hurt
“I am sorry, but I do not remember your name, mate of Stark. Would you be so kind as to reintroduce yourself?” Thor said, sitting down in one of the bean bags and apparently fascinated by them.
Percy, for some reason, hesitated. Tony looked at him questioningly and Percy just shook his head
“My name is Percy, Lord Thor. Nice to meet you”
Lord? Tony wondered. Nobody called Thor lord, then why was Percy referring to him as such?
“My friends call me Thor, Percy. You can too. What did you think about the battle, Percy?”
Percy turned to Thor but Tony could see the tightness in his features.
Percy was a modest man, Tony knew. But maybe sitting with a supposed god was intimidating him, not to mention he was surrounded by superpowered people. Maybe that’s why he called Thor lord. Tony wasn’t about to let him remain uncomfortable, he would remind Percy how accomplished he is.
“Well, It was battle I guess, blood and damage - nothing much to it. I am just glad we are all getting back to normal” Percy said carefully
The Asguardians, as far as he knew, enjoyed power shows and battles. Thor was probably going to think Percy was not warrior enough or something.
“Dr.Perseus Jackson,” Tony said emphasising his title “Is involved in the rehabilitation and relief efforts post battle. He and his company are doing a lot to help the people affected recover from the battle” His pride undisguised.
“Perseus Jackson?” Thor asked, confused “Is that your mate’s name Stark?”
Percy stiffened again “Yes, Thor but you can call me Percy”
Tony was confused,why was Percy so awkward? Usually he didn’t mind Tony flaunting his title.
“That name seems familiar, tell me Percy, have we met before?”
Percy was quick to say “I would have remembered meeting you Thor, Never met you before”
“Ah, no matter. Your work is noble friend Percy. I thank you for ensuring that no innocent is suffering”
Percy slightly relaxed, leaning back into Tony “We are all just doing our best”
But Thor couldn’t let it go, Perseus Jackson, the name was very familiar.