𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐈𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬

bits of yourself- tony

Tony had been watching you for a while, watching the smile slip from your face as soon as the person you'd been speaking to left you to your own thoughts. He'd of course always notice when you'd finally had enough of the current little gathering and he'd make quick work of clearing the room for you as subtly as possible, tapping shoulders and offering little smiles as everyone departed from the main room of the tower.

"How's my girl?" he breathed with a tired smile as he approached you, your dazed stare shifting to accommodate his body as he placed his glass down on the coffee table.

"I'm fine," you lied, knowing as soon as you said it that he wouldn't buy it, calloused hand already tilting your face upwards by means of a finger under your chin.

"I'm not as easily fooled as our friends, Y/n," he noted, and you sighed, hand moving to his wrist as he guided you up from the couch. "Let's get you to bed," he insisted and without much objection, you folded your arms around his bicep as he led you to your shared bedroom.

He was careful with you, always was, knew that when you reached your end, you needed some gentleness. He helped you undress, slipping you into one of his shirts, knowing you'd enjoy the remnants of his cologne that was weaved into the material. Your eyes were eager as they watched his every move, a small smile being offered to you whenever he'd meet your gaze, a small kiss placed on your lips whenever he had the chance.

"Tony," you breathed after far too long, his concern slipping slightly when he heard your voice.

"I'm here," he replied instantly, and your heart swelled at the notion, aimlessly reaching for him as he dropped your dirty clothes on the chair across the room, walking to you quickly where he kneeled in front of you. "Do you want to try and tell me what you're feeling?"

"I'm not sure," you admitted, and he nodded, hands falling to your knees where they entwined with your own. "I'm overwhelmed, I think," you pondered, though the word didn't do your heart justice. You'd been doing nothing difficult, of sorts, been doing no more than usual. Helping where you could, offering your shoulder, your hands, your words, your time, your praise- offering bits of yourself to whoever found themselves lacking. Though, it seemed you'd have given away too much, finding no more left for yourself as you sat empty in front of the man you loved. "I feel so strange," you admitted, and he frowned. "Can't explain it, really, don't know if I'm allowed to feel like this."

"Feel like what, sweet girl?" he encouraged, not pushing you, knowing you were coming to understand yourself the more you spoke and though he'd want more than anything to know what plagues you, know what he could do to take it away, he wanted you to feel safe more, safe to figure out the emotions stirring your soul before attempting to explain it to another.

"Am I allowed to say that I am tired of having to take care of everyone," you pondered, and he squeezed your hand with a little nod. "I just-" you sighed, gently tugging him closer so he was almost hovering on your lap. "I seem to be trying so hard to make people happy, that I no longer mind that it causes me to feel the exact opposite."

"You care so much, hmm," Tony agreed and made sure your eyes didn't stray from his as he moved his head to mimic the movement of yours. "I fear sometimes you leave yourself behind in the process."

"I don't want to stop caring, Tony," you told him and though you'd tried to fight it, you could feel the stinging on your eyes announcing tears to be beginning to fall. "I just feel so drained, so worn out," you insisted, and he kissed your hands, repeatedly, as if the action alone could take away the emotional fatigue that was very clearly suffocating you.

"I know, sweet girl, I know," he cooed, and you sniffed lightly. "Can I do anything for you? Can I hold you for a while, that usually soothes you?" he questioned lightly, smiling when you offered him an eager nod. You watched him as he abandoned you where you sat for a second, situating himself in the center of your bed as he sat back against the bedframe. "Come here," he instructed with a small nod, gently tapping his chest when you looked back at him.

"Tony-"

"Just come here," he smiled, and you obeyed, nimbly crawling up the bed where you sat back against his chest, fitting perfectly against his chest as you rested your head against his shoulder. "You comfortable?" he mused, and you allowed his arms to snake around your waist to keep you close.

"Extremely," you breathed and turned slightly to be able to nuzzle yourself into his neck.

"Good," he hummed, a kiss placed to your forehead when you sighed lightly, overwhelmed by the amount of comfort offered in such a simple little gesture. "You know," he began, smiling at the little noise of acknowledgment you offered him. "You are my everything, Y/n," he informed you and when your eyes closed, body melting into his, he knew you were calming down. "You may take care of the whole world, if your heart desires it, as long as you allow me to be the one to take care of you. Can you do that for me?"

"Yes," you mumbled, smiling at the little squeeze he gave your waist to ask you to speak up. "Yes, Tony," you confirmed and leaned back, pouting your lips to silently beg for a kiss, one which he happily provided, humming softly as your smile grew. "You have a piece of me that the world can never take away, Tony Stark."

"And what piece is that, sweet girl?"

"My heart," you explained, and he smiled, chest filled with pride as you turned even more, to be able to hold him in return.