Caught In A Web

twenty-three

Getting Tony's hands peeled off your arms wasn't easy. Bruce tried his best, but some of Tony's skin pulled off of his hands. Both your arms and Tony's hands and to be wrapped. Tony tried his best to get you not to blame yourself, saying something about wanting new callouses anyway.

You weren't surprised when, later that day, two therapists showed up. Steve explained that he had hired them to work with the Team permanently. You were more willing to go to sessions than Tony was. But Tony promised to go for you. Because Tony was hesitant to leave your side, you simultaneously had sessions with the different therapists.

When your morning sessions were over, Tony and you would go to work in the lab. In the lab, you and Tony, with Bruce occasionally, were solely focused on the projects at hand. It allowed you and Tony not to think about the events that had happened, which was both good and bad.

At night, the two of you would try to sleep. If one of you couldn't, you'd wake the other up and end up in the lab. You were the one that got woken up the most. Tony would always tell you that you could go back to bed, but you insisted on going with him. He would carry you to the lab and place you on the stool beside him. The two of you would work side-by-side quietly until you got tired and would fall asleep on the couch in the lab. Tony would always kiss your head and place a blanket over you before getting back to work.

This was the routine the two of you had formed that had now been going on for three weeks. The Team was growing worried, finding that some of the habits were unhealthy. Especially since neither of you had left the Tower since being brought back.

"Hey, Tony," Natasha greeted, entering the lab with coffee. Looking around, she noted Tony working at his desk with you fast asleep on the couch beside it. "Long night?"

"Always," he muttered. Natasha placed the coffee next to him. "Thanks." He quickly grabbed a cup and downed it.

Natasha stared at Tony for a long minute. "You two need to get out of the Tower."

"We're fine."

"You need fresh air and a different atmosphere." You groaned, moving around on the couch. When you stilled, Natasha kept speaking, only quieter. "When was the last time you took Y/N on an actual date?"

Tony's moments paused for a moment, like even he couldn't remember. "Too long."

"Then you need to tonight."

"Red—"

"No excuses. It's unhealthy for either of you to be locked up here. Take her out on a date. Anywhere. Stay out for a long time, maybe even spend the night somewhere. Just get out."

"Fine."

"Don't make it sound like this is a bad idea. You and Y/N need some happiness."

"We are happy."

"You know what I mean. If you need help planning, just let me know."

Tony scoffed. "Do you know who you're talking to? I am Tony Stark, the king of romance."

"Then prove it."

~~~

When you woke up, Tony wasn't in the lab. He left a little note with a cup of coffee on a stool near your bed. You reached over and picked up the scribbled note.

Sorry that I left before you woke. Had a meeting come up. Won't be long. ~ Tin Man

It stung a little that Tony left without a word, but you were thankful for the note. You got up, got ready, and went to your therapy appointment.

You sat there, not looking at the therapist, playing with a ball of webs in your hands.

"Y/N," she said, exasperated. "We've talked about your past, your powers, your relationship with Tony. We're working on all of those, and you're doing well. But we need to talk about Tony's disappearance and the mission."