Traitor

Chapter 3

"Hey, dude. You okay?" Tony continued to limp to the coffee pot, as he did every morning. Only, everyone was looking at him weirdly today. He finally addressed Clint's question when he was a few sips into his warm, delicious liquid gold.

"I'm splendid, Legolas. Why ever would you ask?" He asked irritably. It was obvious to everyone in the room that Tony was in bad shape, even more than his usual binging, unkept state.

"We should take your temperature, Tony." Bruce piped up from the kitchen island. "You're not looking too good." Tony rolled his eyes at the absurdity of the statement. Of course he wasn't looking good, who would look good after pleasuring a super soldier nearly all night long?

"I'm fine, I'll be down at the lab if anyone needs me." There were many sounds of protests from the team as Tony moved to go. "You shouldn't go down to the lab today, get some rest." Clint spoke firmly, he grabbed onto Tony's shoulder to stop him from leaving.

Tony gauged the room in a silent attempt to get help. "Aw, c'mon." Pietro shook his head, siding with Clint.
"You shouldn't be working in that condition." Bruce nodded in agreement. Tony stood in silent defiance, he looked at Wanda but the girl was having a quiet conversation with Vision at the dinner table.

"F.R.I.D.A.Y.?" Tony called in a last ditch effort. "Apologies, Sir, but I'm afraid the workshop is locked due to many safety protocols." Tony gaped.
"Who even installed those damn protocols?"
"You did, sir." The AI responded coolly.

Tony let out a frustrated grunt. Great, now his source of distraction was no longer an option. Clint looked at Tony pointedly, silently willing him to go to bed.

"Fine." Tony gave in, he drained his cup before going to get some well needed hours of sleep. "Sleep well, Tony." Tony murmured something illegible and continued walking towards his bedroom. He couldn't resist the smile that took over his lips, it felt so refreshing to have people who cared. Sure, it could get a bit annoying but Tony appreciated the gestures all the same if they meant he finally had people to rely on.

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In the comfort of their living room, the team was watching a movie. No one had much to do after completing their standard training, and missions had been scarce lately. It seemed like the world was settling down as of late, and for the most part, they hoped it would stay that way.

Voices could be heard coming down to the common area, ones who weren't usually home mid day.
"Hey, mind if I join?" Sam didn't wait for an answer as he plopped down onto the love seat next to Pietro.
Clint opened his mouth to say something, but refrained when he saw Pietro flash Sam a grin and offer him popcorn. He pointedly turned his head to face the Steve and Natasha.

"Why are you home so early? Did you find any leads?" Steve shook his head dejectedly. "It was a bust, we thought we'd find him today but he vacated the hotel before we could get to him."

Clint winced, he remembered how enthusiastic they had all been in the morning before departing, only to come back disappointed. "That sucks, man. I'm sorry." Steve nodded in acknowledgement, he scanned the room briefly.

"Where's Tony?" Steve asked. Usually when the team was all gathered together, Tony would be in their company.

"He's resting and taking some time for himself, he didn't look too good this morning." Bruce answered, despite the fact he knew Tony was getting some sleep, he still worried for his friend. "We agreed that he should go down to med bay if he doesn't feel much better later."

They all looked at Steve expectantly, who looked as if they had been discussing last night's dinner rather than Tony's health. "Right, well I'll go see him."

Pietro bit his lip. "Maybe you should let him rest for a while before you disturb him, he really needs it." Steve paid him no mind, and he continued to make his way to his boyfriend. Clint glared at his back, both because of his inconsideration and for ignoring a team mate.

"What the hell is wrong with him?"

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"Hey, baby." Steve's voice lured Tony out of his sleep.
"Open those eyes for me." Tony did so and sat up groggily at the sight of his boyfriend. "Steve? What are you doing here, is it night already?" Steve gave a chuckle at his boyfriend's disorientation. "No, it's two in the afternoon."

Tony's mind tried to play catch up, and Steve could practically hear the gears turning in his head. "I came home early, it was a bad day.." Steve trailed off, and Tony instantly rubbed his arm up and down soothingly.

"I was thinking we could take this day for some quality time together." Tony recognized that tone anywhere and he was apprehensive about the suggestion.
On a normal day, Tony would have loved to spend the day with his boyfriend, no matter what they would do, but even now he was struggling to stay awake.

"Maybe some time later.. I'm really tired, babe." Tony said hesitantly, he hoped to god Steve understood so they wouldn't have a repeat of the other night.

Steve's arm stiffened under his grasp, so Tony let go. "I see." Steve replied coldly. Tony's heart dropped when Steve began to get out of bed. "Wait." Tony called, feeling tired and horrible, he just wanted to cuddle up to a warm body.

Steve turned his head and looked at Tony expectantly. "I-" Tony only got as far as that when there was knock on their door. "Come in!" Steve called.

Sam came into the room, usually he apologized for disturbing the couple, (Which happened often) but he looked particularly peppy as he delivered news.

"Cap, he was spotted in Bucharest a few minutes ago.." That was all it took for Steve to shoot out of bed and grasp Sam's soldiers.
"We should leave right now, that way there's more of a chance we'll get to him in time." Sam nodded. "I'll get Nat, and we'll start loading a few necessary things into the Quinjet."

Sam left in a hurry and Steve began to go through some drawers, looking for some clothes and things he would need. Tony watched as his boyfriend brightened up for the first time in a long while, he hoped this would be the last attempt to look for the Winter soldier.

Steve only acknowledged Tony again when he finished packing. "I'll see you later, babe. Feel better." It was hasty and abrupt, soon after the door slammed shut behind Steve. Tony sagged down onto the bed, Steve hadn't even said goodbye.

Tony inwardly scolded himself for thinking something so selfish, after months of searching, Steve finally had a solid chance to get his friend back. Tony hated that he had only thought of his feelings in that instance, Steve was probably high on elation, the last thing he'd be thinking about was giving him a kiss goodbye.

While in deep thought, Tony heard another knock at the door, he pushed down the hopeful feeling that Steve had come back to give him a proper farewell, instead he gave the person on the other side the cue to come in.

"How you holding up?" Tony smiled wanly when he saw Clint at the doorway. "I'm okay," Clint nodded, though he didn't believe his words in the least. "You need anything?"

Tony pursed his lips in thought.
"Well.. I could always use a cuddle buddy." Clint looked at him blankly  and turned around. Tony thought Clint was on his way out, when in reality he only closed the door.
"Only for you, Tones." Clint rolled his eyes fondly.

He slipped his shoes off before climbing into bed and enveloping Tony in his warmth. Tony felt an immense sense of gratitude as he cushioned his head on Clint's chest. He hadn't actually believed that Clint would stay with him, but it was a pleasant surprise.

Right as he was surrendering into sleep, he felt a featherlight kiss pressed into his hair, and intense feelings he hadn't felt in a long while; He felt comforted, understood, and at home in his friend's embrace.

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More chapters coming soon.. :)