stevebucky - hiraeth

6. Finish The Job

(thank you so much for over 50 reads!)

Every time Tony had a moment to himself, he could hear Steve screaming.

The sound had been burned into his brain, the pain on his friend's face immeasurable. He kept seeing the glares of the former Avengers as well, their disappointment like a knife.

It had been a day since they got back from the Raft, and Tony had spent all night building things with Friday. Nothing useful, just things. An apple corer that also played Black Sabbath when used, a mechanized iron man puppet show, and a water bottle with legs.

So he built weird things when he was sleep deprived. Who cared?

Rhodes cared. But he knew Tony, and he knew saying something wouldn't change anything.

Tony took a long sip of coffee, his eyes bloodshot, Steve's cry replaying in his head. 

I'm sorry. I'm sorry, okay? This is my fault.

He took a deep breath, putting down his mug and standing. He wished Rhodes was here, but he was doing some kind of Sokovia Accords-related bullshirt.

He headed upstairs, slowly realizing how unkempt he was. The body odor alone was like a tsunami.

A wave of nausea rolled through him, and he sped to the bathroom, vomiting coffee.

"Urgh," Tony mumbled, his eyelids fluttering, struggling to stay open. Steve's scream split his skull and he bolted up with a shudder.

"You look like shirt."

Tony yelped, his hand whipping out, before he realized he had taken off the suit. The one time he let his guard down-

"Nat?" Tony said incredulously.

"Hey, Tony," Natasha Romanoff said, leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed.

"Been a bit since I saw you," Tony muttered, very confused.

"Has, hasn't it."

"May I ask what prompted this sudden interest in me?"

"Everyone is together on the raft, thanks to you, so I thought it would be time for a daring escape. Plus we have Steve in there, he can throw a few punches for us."

"Steve's out."

"What?"

"They did something to him,  reduced him to a crying, screaming mess. Don't know what, though."

"Bet they used Barnes." Nat scoffed.

Tony chuckled. "Yeah, that's the running theory."

"Those two finally get together after we all fell apart?"

"Somehow, no. I thought they were together for the whole Accords thing, but apparently-" he spread his arms- "They weren't. Surprise of the century. Hey, how'd you get in here, anyway? Security is total Fortress around here."

"Unless you're an avenger." Natasha smiled.

"Where have you been?"

"Had to check up on some old friends of mine.(a/n let's see how this holds up after Black Widow releases)"

"I didn't know you had any other friends."

"Thanks, Tony."

"So, is that the plan? You, me, Rhodes, all break into the Raft and set them free?"

"Basically. Does Rhodes know this plan?"

"...no. He's kind of pro-accords."

"Like you."