Heart Defect Pt3
There were complications during surgery. Of course there were, he’s Tony Stark- A guy who never does things the easy way. But just like Tony Stark is known for, he pulled through despite the odds.
Steve was scared to visit his husband in the ICU- too afraid that this was all a dream and his mind had tricked him that Tony was here because it was the end of his life and not the start of a new one.
But when he walked into the room to hear the loud heart monitor, steady beats he hadn’t heard in weeks, he immediately fell to his knees, sobbing in relief. The rest of the team hugged him, just as relieved.
It took a day or so for Tony to wake up, but when they did, they decided to put him back under due to the immense pain. Tony had so much trauma to his chest area, more than any human should ever have, so they decided to give him another day or respite from that pain before he would have to face it head on.
But when they did finally wake him up and decrease the pain medication, the team was there to support him.
Tony’s voice was raspy from the breathing tube he had during the surgery and the day after, so he only spoke in one word sentences. The only words he could get out through the pain were ‘hurts’ when the pain became unbearable, ‘sick’ when he felt nauseous, and ‘water’ when his throat became dry.
It was two weeks after the surgery when Tony’s physical therapist wanted to get him out of the bed for the first time with his new heart. The whole team gathered in the spacious room for support.
The Doctor stood at Tony’s bedside next to Steve and across from two nurses. “Ready to get mobile, Mr. Rogers-Stark?” The doctor asked enthusiastically.
Tony hesitated before nodding slightly. He was not happy at the idea of leaving the bed, knowing how aching his body was bound to be. Tony’s chest area was constantly buzzing with pain from the incision and the extra shifting of his insides they had to do due to the leftover trauma of the reactor. But even so, he wanted to be able to leave this sickly place.
They got in position, Steve by his head, and the doctor by his feet. First Steve helped him cross his shaking arms over his chest while the doctor picked up his legs and bent them up. Already, he could feel the ghosts of pain licking at his senses.
Steve followed the doctor’s instructions and placed a hand over Tony, touching his far shoulder. In one motion, the two nurses pushed Tony’s side towards him while he pulled. “Mmggguhh,” Tony groaned as they turned him onto his side.
“How are you doing, Mr. Rogers-Stark?” The doctor asked.
Tony took a minute to catch his breath before nodding. “If the pain gets unbearable, please let us know.”
The doctor pulled Tony’s bent knees over the side of the bed. Then Steve and the doctor pulled Tony’s torso so he was sitting up. Tony breathing grew fast as he fought the twinges in his chest. When Tony’s eyes closed, Steve pulled the man’s head up in alarm. “Tony? Tony?”
“M’ okay,” the genius groaned, blinking his eyes open again.
The doctor checked the monitors to confirm Tony was okay. “Ready to stand?” He asked.
Tony sighed but nodded.
The doctor positioned Tony so that he was leaning, with his arms still crossed, against Steve’s chest who had his arms wrapped around his husband. On the count of three, they stood- Steve pulling Tony up while the man mainly focused on not passing out.
Tony's knees shook and Nick had to come over for extra support. “Hurts,” Tony cried as his chest twinged at the change in gravity. His whole body was aching at the change.
“You’re okay, baby. Just breathe, take your time,” Steve said softly, keeping a firm grip on his husband.
The doctor, who now sat on a rolling chair, moved himself towards the group. He shifted everyone so that Steve now stood behind Tony, Fury to his right, and Clint came over to support Tony’s left side.
Tony's body was shaking with exhaustion, but the doctor wanted him to take a few steps before resting. Slowly, Tony, with the help of his team, shuffled the few steps toward the doctor. It was slow, and Tony was sweating, but he did it. And while he was exhausted afterwards, he was happy to know the tiredness was coming from the strains of his body and not his heart struggling to beat.
When Tony got back into the bed, Natasha immediately laid next to him and pulled him close. “Great job, Antoshka,” she whispered as his eyes fluttered close.
Tony’s recovery was long and hard, but he kept at it. He was using a walker when he was first discharged, but after a month, he was able to walk unaided. It took awhile before he was able to walk long distances, but he constantly pushed himself (sometimes too much, but don’t tell Steve).
The day he flew again in the suit was simply magical.
It was the first time in Tony’s life he was not constantly plagued with the idea his body would give up on him at any second. He actually had a life to look forward to without constantly worrying when it was going to end.
And being given the gift of more time to spend with his family, well, that was all he ever wanted.