Meniere's Disease
It was movie night and the whole team was sprawled on the couches watching Harry Potter. It was a movie that appealed to their love of action but without the multitude of gunshots and cars flipping that would start up their PTSD.
They were halfway through the movie when Clint heard his boyfriend humming softly. Tony was sharing a loveseat with him so he was most likely the only one who heard the sound over the loud movie playing. Taking a look at the man, he quickly realized what was happening. Tony had one eye shut and was rubbing at his left ear frustratedly.
Clint tapped him gently and signed, “Ringing?” Tony nodded and put a hand on his forehead as if trying to force away a headache. Clint sighed and pulled the slightly smaller man towards him. He rested Tony’s head on his chest and ran his fingers through the genius’ hair.
He knew Tony wouldn’t be able to focus on the movie with his left ear ringing annoyingly, but he knew Tony would want to stay in their company anyway. And because he knew Tony wouldn’t want anyone on the team to notice his struggles, he waited until everyone left the common room after the movie ended to help Tony to their room.
He held out his hands for the genius and carefully the man stood, leaning on Clint to keep his balance. Clint held him still for several seconds as the man swayed. “I got you, baby,” Clint said. Tony’s eyes blinked quickly as he fought away a headache. He helped the man to bed and snuggled him close as Tony fought to ignore the ringing in his ear.
When they woke up the next morning, Tony’s hearing had gone in that ear. It was nothing new, it had happened before, but Tony still hated it. Everyone knew Clint had hearing problems so they would adjust by talking louder or making sure he could see them when they spoke, but since they did not know about Tony’s condition, he struggled with communication when he had hearing loss episodes. He knew he would be sticking close to Clint today because of this.
Tony still had the remains of a headache when he got up but Clint would not allow him the satisfaction of sleeping in later. He forced Tony out of the bed and helped him put the hearing aid in his ear.
Since it was team bonding day, the Avengers were all going to the mall today to shop- it was all Natasha’s idea. Tony was anxious when he learned of it, anticipating the loud noises and bustling crowds, but since he did not have a valid excuse why he couldn’t go, he stayed quiet.
The car ride there was fun as they fought over music choices, but arriving was its own heart attack in itself. Clint was forced to pull Tony to the side when the man almost screamed when they entered the mall. The noises pierced his ear, freaking out his hearing aid as it tried to pick up everything. Clint quickly pulled out the aid and adjusted the levels as Tony fought off another headache. After the levels were tuned lower, they joined the group again and started walking. Tony still found the lack of balance between his ears daunting, but he tried to not let it show on his face.
They went into many shops and most people ignored the group in favor of their own shopping adventure. It was towards the end of their trip that things went downhill.
The group was in the middle of a store, following Natasha around as she looked at different outfits. Tony was wandering with Clint through the aisles when the attack hit him.
The world spun and danced before his eyes and he couldn’t tell which way was up. It was pure luck he was able to grab onto Clint who was examining something on a rack. “Tones?” Clint asked in concern.
Tony whimpered in response as his world tilted to the side. Clint quickly dropped what he was holding and grabbed Tony by the waist. He pulled the dizzy man toward himself and let Tony’s head rest on his shoulder. He moved the man’s arms around his neck and cradled the back of his head. “You’re okay, baby. Breathe it out,” he said softly while looking around for Bruce.
When he spotted the man not too far from them looking at ties, he gestured him over. Bruce ran over just as Tony started groaning. “Vertigo,” Clint supplied. Tony had these episodes often because of his disease, but this was the first time it happened in public.
Bruce nodded and went to speak just as Tony groaned louder. “Clint, I can’t- I gotta,” he panted just as his body collapsed. He was still leaning against Clint but his knees had given out. Bruce quickly put his hands on Tony’s waist to help support him.
“Do you want to lay down, baby?” Clint asked into the man’s good ear.
Tony’s head flopped in a nod before he grimaced. Clint nodded to Bruce and gently they lowered the genius to the floor. Clint sat himself down so that Tony’s head was placed in his lap and held steady. He knew Tony’s vertigo worsened if his head moved a lot.
It was then Clint noticed the other Avengers surrounding them, preventing shoppers from seeing the commotion. Bruce was checking Tony’s temperature and vitals while Steve spoke to the lady who ran the store. Clint tuned them all out and focused on Tony who’s groaning was growing more pain-filled. “Relax, baby, you’re okay,” Clint said softly.
“BB?” Tony whimpered Clint’s nickname.
Clint looked at Tony’s rolling eyes and knew he wasn’t able to see or focus on him. “I’m right here, baby. I’m not going anywhere,” he said reassuringly, placing a hand on Tony’s cheek. Tony whimpered and grasped Clint’s pant leg. His eyes closed and his head rolled slightly.
Steve came over with a water bottle. “The owner cleared out the store and also gave us this,” he said, handing Clint the water.
Clint rubbed a gentle finger over Tony’s face. “Hey Tones, you want some water?”
Tony hummed and Steve helped lift Tony into a sitting position. Immediately he tilted to the side, unable to hold himself up. “I got you, Tones,” Clint said, settling Tony into his lap. Tony rested his head against his boyfriend’s chest and Steve helped him drink a few sips of water. Tony groaned as the water went down his throat and Clint lightly rubbed his neck. “You’re okay,” he whispered soothingly. Tony groaned and tucked his head into Clint’s chest.
“Should we get him to the car?” Steve asked from his side.
Tony whimpered at the idea of moving. “Another five minutes then we’ll consider it. His attacks usually last about 20 minutes,” Clint informed Steve. The supersoldier nodded and stood to talk to Bruce.
“I feel sick,” Tony rasped into Clint’s neck, a full body shudder going through him.
Clint played with the hair at the nape of Tony’s neck. “You need to throw up?” He asked, rubbing Tony’s arm.
He felt Tony’s frown before the man shook his head. “Can you take it out?” Tony slurred after a moment of silence, gesturing lazily to his left ear.
Clint nodded and retrieved the hearing aid, putting it in his pocket. He then shifted Tony sideways so his legs were hanging off of Clint’s bent knees and his arms were curled into his chest. His head rested against Clint’s heart and he was able to watch Tony better this way. “How do you feel?” Clint whispered. He had to repeat the question louder when he realized Tony didn’t hear him through his one working ear.
Tony sighed, opening his eyes. “Better,” he rasped. While his eyes were slightly less wobbly, they still didn’t focus.
“We can wait a little longer, Tones, no rush,” Clint said, a bit pleadingly.
Tony took a deep breath and shook his head slightly. “Wanna go home,” he said. Tony started wiggling to get out of Clint’s lap.
Clint knew Tony didn’t feel the best still but was probably embarrassed at appearing so weak in public. Clint sighed, understanding Tony’s dilemma. “We can go home.”
Clint called over Steve and together they helped Tony stand. Tony’s eyes drifted closed and he swayed, lightheaded. “Tell me when you’re ready, Tones,” Clint said softly into the man’s hair.
“M’ okay,” he slurred, stepping back from Clint. Tony looked down at his feet and Clint could practically see his swimming vision as he tried to focus.
“Take it slow, okay? Let me know if you have to throw up,” Clint said. He saw Steve’s eyes widen at the exchange but he ignored him. Tony almost always threw up during a vertigo attack and knew he was trying hard to hold it back now.
Clint watched as Tony’s mask was put in place before he walked past the curious crowd outside the store. He walked confidently and normally but Clint felt the biting grip on his arm that said one stumble and Tony was going down.
As soon as they got Tony into the car, Clint shoved a bag under his boyfriend’s chin as he threw up. Clint buckled him in and rubbed his back as he threw up during the majority of the bumpy ride.
They spent the rest of the day in bed as Tony was extremely lethargic after his vision finally cleared. Clint held him close and kissed his hurts away.