Find Them
Rhodey wakes to a familiar series of screams.
“Tones, it's just a nightmare, time to wake up,” Rhodey called, rubbing the billionaire’s shoulder.
Tony groaned and trembled.
“Tones, come on buddy, you gotta wake up,” Rhodey said louder, this time shaking the man.
Suddenly, Tony's eyes shot open with a gasp.
Rhodey placed a soft hand on the man’s chest. “Breathe, Tones. Breathe. It was just a nightmare, you’re okay,” the man soothed.
Tony’s hard breaths started to slow down after several minutes and soon he was blinking with awareness. It was not long after that Rhodey had to shove a bucket under Tony’s chin as the younger man started vomiting.
Ever since Wanda’s attack, Tony had been plagued with horrible nightmares and constant migraines. They had to keep him in the ICU because they were so severe. There were many times the migraines would attack suddenly, causing his neck to go stiff, his brain to fog, and his vision to blur. They were unsure exactly what Wanda did but were hoping the effects would soon wear off. But three days later, that didn't seem to be the case.
So much had happened while Team Iron Man was trying to ensure their namesake’s health.
During the commotion of Wanda’s attack, the Rogues had escaped, running away before they could be captured again. This time, they did not go to Wakanda, and none of the other world leaders had any news of them being seen either. To be honest, Rhodey wondered if they were actually looking.
Ever since Wanda’s attack, a new fear had washed over the world regarding the Rogues. Everyone knew they were dangerous, but seeing their power being used against someone defenseless, someone already down-for-the-count, instilled a new villainistic view of the Rogues.
Rhodey knew people were scared to confront them- scared of being granted the same fate as Tony. They were fearful and have every right to be. Heck, Rhodey was scared! He was scared for himself, scared for the broken remains of the team, scared for Tony. Everything was so uncertain. He will constantly live with a tickle on the back of his neck until they find the Rogues and put them away.
“How is he?” Sam asked, walking into the hospital room. Sam had been a big help these past few days. While Rhodey focused on Tony’s wellbeing, Sam helped with the things Rhodey couldn’t be bothered with doing or remembering- like reminding him to eat, catching up with news reports, communicating with Pepper and the UN. Rhodey was grateful for him.
Rhodey pulled up Tony’s oxygen mask as the man’s O2 monitor started making a loud noise. “The same,” he answered, mouth tight in a straight line. He helped Tony recline back slightly and placed the sick bin on the bedside table. He vaguely noticed Sam pick it up and bring it to the bathroom.
“Get some more rest, Tones,” he said softly to the genius who was squinting his eyes in pain.
“I can’t,” he squeaked. Tears pricked at the corners of his eyes and he closed them in shame.
Rhodey sighed and placed a gentle hand on Tony’s forehead. “I know it hurts, Antonio.” He ran his fingers through Tony’s limp hair and grinned slightly when the action caused Tony’s shoulders to relax slightly. He looked over at Sam when he walked in with the freshly-washed bin. “Do you know when Vision is coming back?”
Sam looked up from where he was drying the basin across the room. “Yeah, he should be back tomorrow morning.” Vision had gone after the Rogues after it was established they had escaped.
“Any leads?” Rhodey quietly asked.
Sam sighed, looking back down at the towel in his hands. “He hasn’t said.”
Rhodey deflated, but nodded. He turned back to Tony who was starting to doze with Rhodey’s continuous hair massage. He heard Sam fluttering around the room quietly but he continued focusing on Tony’s pain-filled face that was thankfully falling asleep again. “I’ll be right here, Tones,” he whispered. That seemed to help Tony relax the rest of the way because his eyes fell shut and his breathing deepened.
____________________
James had no idea where they were going.
Just as he was running over to see if Tony was okay, he was being yanked by Steve, Natasha, and Clint out of the conference hall and outside into a van. Scott looked just as confused as he was but since the man stayed silent, so did he.
Everyone was telling him to be his own person, make his own decisions, but he couldn’t do that because he didn’t know who he was. Yeah, he knew he wasn’t Bucky, but he didn’t know who James was either. How can you be yourself when you don’t know who yourself is?
Everything is just safer and easier if he follows orders. It's what kept him alive this long. He tells himself he isn’t Winter, but nothing will drive away that desire to listen to authority and follow the rules and commands he is given. It is extremely less complicated and he has no desire to unpack the mix of emotions that constantly swirl through him. Following orders leaves no room to factor in feelings.
So as he stares out of the dark van and out at the endless road and sea of grass, he forces down that unruly part of him that wishes he were with Tony Stark. Because that is not the orders he was given.
______________________
Sam was the only one in the room when Tony started seizing.
The whole day his migraine seemed to grow worse to a point Tony couldn’t even have his eyes open because of the intense dizziness that would constantly cause him to vomit. Rhodey had been sitting at his bedside all day, holding Tony’s hand as the man groaned for relief but there was not much he was able to do.
Rhodey had stepped out to grab a nurse when Tony literally started shouting because it felt like someone was slamming his head with a jackhammer over and over. But only a minute after he left, Tony went dead silent and his body started seizing.
His body jerked and twisted so suddenly, scaring the shit out of Sam. He shouted for Rhodes as he ran over, turning Tony into recovery position as best as he could. Foam spewed out the man’s mouth as he grunted loudly. “It’s okay, Tony,” Sam tried to soothe.
Luckily, Rhodey and Dr. Cho came running into the room as the machines started beeping loudly and the doctor immediately inserted medicine into Tony’s IV. They all watched with wide eyes as his jerking started to slow and his eyes fell shut. “He’s okay,” Dr. Cho said to a still-panicking Rhodey. “Seizures are known to happen after intense migraines. We’ll keep an eye on him, but with the Diazepam he shouldn’t have another one.”
Rhodey nodded but made sure to stay up all night to keep watch on Tony. No one knew what magic Wanda did on his best friend and he prayed this wasn’t a slow death sentence.
Rhodey had never been more relieved in his life when Vision came back that morning. The android had reported that there was no sign of the Rogues, but he was confused to see Tony still in the hospital. “Has the spell not worn off yet?” he asked, head tilted.
“No, it seems to be hurting him worse, actually,” Rhodye said wearily.
Vision floated over to where Tony was resting and closed his eyes. The room was silent for several moments as the yellow glow from Vision’s infinity stone grazed over Tony’s head. Finally, Vision stepped back as Tony’s eyes shot open. “He will be okay now, the spell was not a hard one to subdue but-”
“Subdue? You mean destroy?” Rhodey said, eyes hard.
Vision sighed. “It seems Wanda has unintentionally attached the spell to herself. I cannot disconnect the spell until she is near, but I have managed to dampen its effects-”
“Are you saying, they’re like….connected?” Sam asked.
Vision considered this for a second. “Well no, but yes.”
Rhodey, who was exhausted and frustrated, rubbed at his face. “Vision, please.”
“I do not mean to cause distress, it is just that magic is complicated to explain to those who are unfamiliar with it.” He thought for a second more. “Do you recall that film we viewed? ‘Harry Potter’ I believe was the name?”
Sam snorted as they all nodded. “Well, it is similar to the boy’s mental connection to the villian. While they will not be able to communicate verbally, it is likely Tony will be able to feel when she is near- at least until they are disconnected,” Vision explained.
Rhodey groaned. “So now all the more reason to find them.”