Pawprints

When Tony opened his eyes, the first thing he registered was white.

Even though he knew it was stupid, he couldn't help but think, "Am I in heaven?" He tried to move his body but found himself seemingly paralyzed.

The rest of his senses came back to him, and his keen dog nose managed to catch a whiff of that disgusting (to him) antiseptic smell. It was then that he knew he was in the (WORST PLACE EVER) hospital. He groaned to himself. Surely the rest of the team knew he was allergic to hospitals? His injuries couldn't be that bad, could it...

Straining his head, he managed to catch a glimpse of pristine white bandages encasing his body. Ah, so his injuries WERE that bad. The memories from the kidnapping came flooding back, and Tony couldn't help but wince at the onslaught of bad memories. The last thing he remembered was the Avengers saving him.

Speaking of which, where were his teammates? Tony, after exerting a large amount of effort, managed to ease himself into a comfortable position where he could see the whole room.

The room was white, white, white and more white, a perfect hospital room, nothing that wasn't new. And in that room with him was his team mates. Clint was sitting on an uncomfortable-looking fold-able chair, dozing with his head on Natasha's shoulder. (Tony had nearly gasped at that, half-expecting Natasha to start judo-flipping Clint and pulling out knives.) Natasha herself was also sleeping, but her position made it clear that if anyone who she didn't recognize came into the room, she would not hesitate to attack them. ("And protect him", Tony realized.) To Tony's amusement, Natasha had bagged the comfortable hospital chair right next to his bed.

Tony shifted his leg, and it touched something solid. Recoiling slightly, he saw Bruce's head, covered with messy curls, on his hospital bed. The rest of Bruce's body was on another fold-able chair.

Then, Tony glanced to his left, and, to his surprise, saw STEVE, of all people. He was leaned back on yet ANOTHER fold-able chair, and, judging from his face, was definitely uncomfortable.

Tony felt a sudden warmth come over him- He was surrounded by his teammates (Steve), his family (Everyone else (Sorry Steve)). He adjusted his position again, and prepared to go back to sleep...

The door creaked open, and Tony's eyes shot open again, but it was only Pepper, and IT WAS PEPPER! Pepper in the question was holding six cups of coffee, upon seeing Tony's face, she gave a squeak and carefully put all the cups on the tiny hospital table. "You're awake!"

Tony tried to rise but Pepper soon stopped him with a gentle push, murmuring, "You have to get your strength back," before turning to wake each of his teammates. Natasha, who had woken up as soon as Pepper had come into the room, watched Tony with a comforting gaze, taking small sips of her coffee. Once she had Tony's attention, she smiled at him and asked, "How are you feeling, Tony?"

Tony gave a loud yawn in response, feeling the sedatives pumping through his body. He was still so tired, and he found himself closing his eyes yet again, staying awake just to hear Clint grumble, "Oh, great, he's falling asleep again."

***

The next time Tony woke up, only Bruce was beside him, this time awake. "Tony, you're awake!" Bruce grinned at him, instinctively getting up and doing a small check-up on him. "Looks like you're getting better, just hang in there okay?" Tony was wide awake this time, and nearly jumped to his feet as the door burst open. Clint, Nat, Pepper and Steve were there, each rushing in with cries of, "Tony!" "You're awake!" and "Don't you DARE fall back aslee- ow, Nat!" Tony grinned at them, flashing his doggy teeth. Pepper's hands found their way into his fur, and he snuggled into the bed as Pepper stroked him.

After about five minutes of watching this, Clint burst out, "Let's go get our gifts! Pepper, the room is yours." Clint wiggled his eyebrows suggestively, (making Pepper roll her eyes) as he gestured to the others to leave.

You see, someone (Clint) had had the idea of a Get-Well-Soon present-giving competition with Tony as the judge, excluding Pepper, Bruce having helpfully pointed out that, "As Tony's girlfriend, pretty sure she wins no matter what."

Clint figured he'd win, what with him being the (self-proclaimed) Gift Master and all.

Natasha had simply taken to the kitchen, a delicious smell soon wafting out of the door.

Bruce had retreated to the lab, just wanting the competition to be over and done with.

And Steve? He sat at a desk and started penning down an apology.

After waiting in the waiting room (duh), each Avenger clutching their presents possessively, (Well, Clint anyway), Pepper finally came out after ten minutes, a radiant smile on her face. Thanking them for the umpteenth time, she left to the cafeteria.

"Me first!" Clint yelled, (the nurse at the desk shushing him) and he scrambled into the room with his lumpy package, slamming the door behind him. Natasha and Bruce, after a silent conversation, moved up to the door to eavesdrop. (They had heard quite enough of the 'Gift Master' and each had gotten QUITE competitive)

"Soooooo, Tony!" Clint bounced on the (horrible) folding chair. Tony watched Clint with amusement, barking his approval. Clint smirked at him, "We've all decided to give you gifts! Plus, it's gonna be a competition and you can judge!" Not waiting for Tony's nod of assent, Clint continued, "Being the Gift Master, I've decided to give you something that I'm sure you'll love! Wait for it..." Pulling a lumpy package from behind him, Clint dumped it in front of Tony with a flourish. "Ta-da!" Tony eyed it suspiciously, making Clint pout.

"C'mon, man, this isn't a prank!" Clint grumbled as he unwrapped the paper. There was a box inside, which made Clint frown in confusion. "Huh, I could have sworn it wasn't in a bo-"

With a bang, the box exploded, covering Clint, Tony and most of Tony's bed with pink glitter and sparkles. Clint swore (rather loudly) as he gazed down at the 'Happy Birthday Nat!' sign at the bottom of the box. "I mixed them up!"

Tony huffed angrily at him, his once pristine bandages now covered in pink glitter. Clint scowled back, before flopping back on the chair, groaning, "Ergh, I knew i should've double checked!"

He explained, "I was gonna prank Nat for her birthday, which is in two weeks time. I planned to hide it on her floor beforehand, and I wrapped both presents at the same time, so I guess I accidentally mixed it up." Sensing Tony's anger still, Clint held up both hands to placate him, before wiping away as much glitter as he could from his face, saying, "Well, the present I got was really cool, okay? It cost loads of money, and I paid it all by myself! I'll give it to you when we get back to the tower, it's hidden in Natasha's vents..."

Clint's voice petered off as the door flew open, a glaring Natasha and a embarrassed Bruce both standing in the doorway.

"Thanks for the information, Clint!" Snapping a photo of Clint with her phone, Natasha continued smoothly, "And for the blackmail material too!" Clint mumbled something insulting under his breath and pushed past both of them to clean up.

Natasha grinned at Tony, sending shivers down his spine as she stated, "Time for MY present!"