Traitor

Chapter 1

Tony smiled at his sleeping boyfriend, his face was illuminated by the soft morning light glow. It was only a matter of time before Steve would get up and continue on his search for the Winter Soldier.
The past few months had been tough, ever since Steve found out his best friend from the past was alive, he had been looking for him obsessively.

It had, admittedly, taken a toll on their relationship. Steve barely paid Tony any mind, instead he spent his days strategizing with Sam and Natasha. That was until night fell, it was then Steve insisted on physical comfort.

Tony never once complained, he understood why Steve was away after all. It wasn't as if he was an insensitive boyfriend, Tony didn't want to burden Steve further by nagging him about their relationship. That could wait, so Tony just had to learn to settle for the time they spent ravishing each other in bed.

It wasn't long until Steve's eyes began to flutter open, Tony's smile widened when Steve's bleary gaze landed on him. "Hey, Good morning." Steve only smiled briefly before he got out of bed.

Tony had to swallow the sigh that threatened to fall from his lips, instead he drew back the covers and began his morning routine. "I was thinking, maybe we could start off the day with a steamy shower.." Tony's eyebrows raised suggestively.

Steve ignored his boyfriend's advances and continued to pull a shirt over his head. "You know I don't have time, Tony." His tone was dry, startlingly different than it had been the previous night.
"I just think you owe it to yourself to destress a bit." Tony rubbed at his shoulders.

Steve hummed absentmindedly and shrugged Tony's hands off. "That's what last night was for." The words were like a slap in the face, since when had Tony only served to be a quick reliever? Suddenly, he felt disgusting and used. Which, in hindsight, was ridiculous because last night's sex was completely consensual.

Tony reassured himself that Steve had simply worded that wrong, but Steve had always been a sensible person, surely he wouldn't say something he didn't mean and walk away so hastily. Tony didn't even know anymore. He just hoped James Barnes was found, and soon, because the situation was tearing Steve and Tony apart.

"I'll see you tonight, Tony."

Tony didn't bother to respond, for he knew his words would be left unheard as Steve left their room. The sight of Steve turning his back on him was becoming increasingly familiar, and Tony didn't like it one bit.

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"Hey, come over here, you little bastard!" Clint's voice carried all the way down the hallway. Tony smiled knowingly when he walked into the kitchen. Clint was gesturing wildly, trying to get a hold of the blur that was Pietro Maximoff.

"No running in the common areas, Speedy. We've been over this." Tony called as he beelined for the pot of coffee that he swore was calling his name. Pietro came to an abrupt halt, pouting childishly at Tony.

Using his distraction as leverage, Clint pushed Pietro against the counter, he slammed his arms on either side of him to ensure there wouldn't be an escape. "Hand it over." Pietro gulped at the closeness, and promptly handed over the apple clutched tight in his hands.

Even though Clint had retrieved his stolen breakfast, he continued to stare down at Pietro, just as the other was as well. Pietro's face flushed a pretty pink and Clint didn't seem to mind the sight.

They only snapped to attention when Tony cleared his throat. At that, Clint drew back and granted Pietro the chance to speed away. Tony rolled his eyes, he obviously had no regard for the clean marble floors.

Clint gave a frustrated sigh before he bit into the fruit roughly. Tony gave a low whistle to aid the tense atmosphere that remained. "All that, over an apple?" Clint glared at him, but there was no real heat behind it. "Couldn't you have just gotten another one?"

"This was the only one left." Clint replied gruffly. Tony shook his head disbelievingly, with the amount of apples they bought every week, it was very unlikely they were already out. It had only been two days since their last restock, for crying out loud!

"Well, I think.." Tony drawled, before taking a long sip from his coffee. "That you'd find any excuse to get close to him, even bicker over an apple."

Clint scoffed unconvincingly. "Why in the world would I want to do that?" Tony smiled slyly, but said nothing more. They stay in a comfortable silence before Clint asks; "So, is Steve around today?"

Tony laughed humorlessly, shaking his head.
"When is he ever, these days?" Clint have a half smile, sympathetic as ever. Tony waved his hand, as if to say; 'Don't pity me.'

"Once this is all over and Barnes is found, Steve will come back to you." Tony wanted to believe the words, but he couldn't imagine Steve changing his ways so quickly. It was as if his new persona was embedded into who he was.

"I don't know.. when he's around, he's not really around. It's like he's on autopilot." Tony faltered for a split second before giving his award winning smile.

"We're okay, I just have to let him do this on his own." Tony was mostly reassuring himself. Clint saw through the act but decided not to press any further. He pushed himself off of the countertop he had been leaning on, and headed to the hallway.

"Things will get better, Tony."

Tony nodded absentmindedly, watching him leave. He had no idea how true Clint's words would become in a matter of time. Like most good things, however, it would get harder before it got better.

Tony opened the refrigerator, in search of the slice of chocolate cake he had left in the depths of the fridge. He snorted at what he saw, there were at least a dozen apples arranged neatly smack in the middle where everyone could clearly see.

"Clint, you son of a bitch."
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First chapter! <33