Traitor

Chapter 2

Tony was belting out the lyrics to 'Thunderstruck', as he made his way around the lab, tinkering mindlessly. He had lost track of the time he had been down there, it was a recurring cycle that everyone was familiar with.

Tony would grab a coffee every morning, maybe eat a small breakfast, and then he'd go down to the lab, only to be seen again when Steve came home.
F.R.I.D.A.Y. would alert Tony whenever Steve returned, and Tony was quick to go upstairs and greet his boyfriend.

Tonight, however, he was wrapped up in his latest project. Tony had been working on Clint's arrows all evening, he wanted the archer to be able to magnetically call the arrows back during a battle. It would prove to be useful on their longer missions, seeing as Clint often complained into the coms whenever he ran low.

The invention was Tony's way of thanking Clint for his words the previous morning, gifts and offerings were mostly the way Tony communicated. What was the point of being a billionaire if he couldn't spoil his friends and loved ones?

Suddenly, his music stopped and Tony opened his mouth to complain when F.R.I.D.A.Y. spoke up; "Sir, Mr. Rogers has entered the building." The AI informed.

"Thanks, Fri." Tony looked up from his work desk and debated whether to go up or not, it would only take an hour or two to wrap up for the day. So, he opted to stay and see Steve later on, surely he'd understand.

Only half an hour later, Tony was leaning over his desk, willing his eyes to stay open. The lack of sleep was catching up to him, and he found that the thought of his bed was extremely enticing. He jerked violently when he felt arms wrapping themselves around his waist, only to relax when he turned his head and was met with familiar blue eyes.

"Why didn't you come up to see me? Don't you care about me anymore?" Steve teased, but there was a slight edge in his voice. Tony turned completely to face Steve dead on. "Of course I care, Steve. I was just finishing up down here."

Steve hummed at that, saying nothing more as he leaned in to kiss the frown off of Tony's face. The genius was enjoying the nice warmth of the other's lips when he felt Steve's hands slide down his jeans.

Tony pulled away, frowning. "What are you doing?" Steve smiled with faux innocence. "Nothing we don't do every night." He tried to take a hold of Tony once more, only for him to step away. "I'm not really in the mood today, I'm exhausted. Maybe we can watch a movie together and wind down?"

Steve looked down at him with an incredulous expression, Tony realized this might have been the first time Tony ever rejected Steve, no wonder Steve looked so openly shocked. If anything, he blamed himself for denying Steve out of the blue.

"But, babe.. it would really help me release some tension. What do you say?"

Tony crossed his arms and looked at Steve seriously to convey his mood. "I already said no." Steve frowned, as if he thought asking a second time would make Tony change his mind.

"I can't believe you, I've been under so much stress and you can't even be here for me the way I need."

Tony narrowed his eyes at Steve, he was in defensive mode even though Steve's insinuation had stung.
"I've been there for you since the search started! I gave you space when you wanted to search for Barnes without my help, I reassure you at night, I respect every single one of your damn wishes. How dare you say that?" Tony's voice broke with emotion.

Steve looked on, he at least had the decency to wear a slightly guilty expression. "I'm sorry, Tony. I- I guess all this time apart made me loose some sense." Tony's hands remained  sided against his chest when Steve hugged him, it was awkward and tense.

Steve pulled away with a heavy sigh when Tony made no move to reciprocate. "I think I need some time to myself, I'll be up in the bedroom." Tony's mouth dropped. Steve had just told him he hadn't been there for him, and he was the one that wanted space?

For once, as Steve walked away, Tony didn't mind.
After all, if Steve was so hell bent on getting some space, why shouldn't he?

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Later on in the night, his lab door opened a second time. Tony heard it that time, given that there was no longer any music playing, and he instantly thought Steve had come back to apologize.

He was proven wrong as he met the eyes of Natasha, smooth as ever, she had seated herself on one of the lab tables. Tony raised a brow in silent question.

"I saw Steve earlier, he looked upset." Tony shrugged, and kept fiddling with an arrow. "Well, it's mutual."

"Look, I don't mean to impose, but Steve's been trying hard. I know, just as you do, that Bucky's disappearance has really affected Steve." Tony bowed his head, he had known how much Steve had been struggling lately.

"Just take it easy on him, okay?" Because, of fucking course, if there was ever a problem between them, it was always somehow Tony's fault. He was most prone to relationship sabotage after all.

He was all over the place, but the most prominent emotion was guilt. Horrible, nasty guilt, clawing at his insides. His boyfriend had been struggling for months, and he couldn't give it up for one more night?

When worded like that, it sounded incredibly selfish of him. He had to fix this, he could hang on for a bit longer.
As much as Tony wanted to preserve his dignity and fragile ego, the desire to make up with his boyfriend was much stronger.

That's how Tony ended up in front of their bedroom door, he chewed on his lip, contemplating whether or not he wanted to go through with something his body surely couldn't handle.

As he thought back to what Natasha had said, he was resolved to go in and please Steve.
Tony opened the door, the hallway's light poured into the room. Steve lifted his head from its place on the pillow, his face was surprisingly smug. Almost as if he had known Tony would come around.

Tony swallowed his pride. "I'm sorry." He whispered.
Steve didn't hesitate, he patted at a spot on his lap.
"C'mere, babe."

Tony complied, and when Steve's hands started to roam his body, he kept quiet. He tried to tell himself he was enjoying it too as Steve's moans resounded throughout the room moments later.

Only, Tony knew it was a lie, he wasn't an idiot. It all felt superficial lately, but if it meant Steve was happy, Tony was willing to do it every night.

When Steve finally fell back on the bed, satisfied, Tony curled into himself. Finally, he was able to drift off, nothing had ever felt sweeter.
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