Dark Arrow

Chapter Forty Seven

I couldn't help but check on Tony. Bruce's words had been stuck in my head for the last week. I was distracted from everything, it was only when Steve told me to go that I finally took the final step. Pepper saw me coming as I drove down the small dirt path towards the cabin that Tony had moved them into. I stood by the car for what felt like hours before I actually moved towards where one of my best friends was waiting for me.

My hand hovered over the door, palms sweating and heart pounding so loud in my chest you could probably hear it in Wakanda. Just before my knuckles met the wood it opened. Tony stood in front of me, his signature smirk on his face.

"Took you long enough Legolas."

***

Going running was not on my to do list, but Tony had always had a way of getting me to do the things I didn't want to do. Today was no different. It had been months since I'd been in Central Park, the sun high in the sky as people enjoyed what was left of the summer. I slowed down to a jog, realising just how out of shape I'd become since we'd left New York.

"You know when I said I wanted to talk to you, I didn't agree to this torture first." I grumbled, leaning against my knees.

Tony offered me a bottle of water and a hand to help me upright. "So talk, and I thought Steve would have you running laps around me by now."

"Our cardio is slightly different to this sweet hell."

I gave myself a few minutes to recover, the water tasting like sweet nectar as it glided down my throat. I gave no thought to if Tony wanted any, he could suffer after this. Once I was sure I wasn't going to pass out we carried on, walking this time. I updated him on my entire conversation with Bruce, letting him in on every detail about the injury and what had caused it. In true Tony fashion he didn't try and hug me or make me feel better. He knew that wasn't what I wanted or needed. He simply listened.

"Dr Cho." He stated with no explanation. "She could do it. Look at how she healed you last time."

Bruce had mentioned the healing cradle at her lab in Tokyo, but we weren't quite sure if it would truly be an option or if it was simply wishful thinking.

"T, that wasn't something inside my body. That was a superficial wound at best."

"It will work. While we're on the subject, I can't believe you went to Bruce over me."

I rolled my eyes. Only Tony would turn this situation around onto him. "You were busy being stubborn." I reminded him. We still hadn't addressed the whole Bucky situation, barrelling straight into drama that wasn't as awkward to resolve.

Tony stopped, grabbing my wrist to look at him. There was something behind his eyes. He sighed, taking my hand in his.

"It wasn't my finest hour, shutting you out the way I did and making you run. But it's me Rain. You always come to me."

I pull him into a hug, there are no words that will convey how much that means to me. To him too no doubt. For a moment we stand not saying a word until he pulls back. Both of us suddenly feeling slightly awkward.

"So..." I continue walking. "She just puts me in this cradle and I'm magically fixed?"

"I'm not saying it will work. I'm saying it's a strong possibility."

"And I can't go on blind faith Tony. I can't give Steve that hope if we're not sure it's one hundred percent. Hell I can't give myself that hope."

Before Tony can say anything a swirl of orange sparks begins a few feet away from us. The small circle gradually growing in size until a man steps through. His red cape floats behind him, immediately my senses are heightened.