The soldier and the metal man

So long, farewell...

Ch. 8

Bruce had ended up staying in Steve's room. Keeping him in the medical center would have attracted attention, and Steve didn't want anyone to know what was going on. Not yet, at least.

The two men had discussed it during the night. Steve mainly seemed to be afraid that the rest of the team would reject him. And, he had no idea how Tony would react. He had questioned whether he even wanted to tell Tony about it, but decided that he had to. It was the right thing to do. Even if Tony wanted nothing to do with the child, even though he had treated Steve like shit, he still had a right to know that he would soon be a father.

00

It was now 3:21 in the morning. Steve had yet to fall asleep. Bruce was tired, and wanted to sleep, but was staying up to keep Steve company. They were still on the subject of talking to Tony.

"What if he throws me out? It's his tower, after all."

"Then I'll help you find a place to live."

They'd been over this a few times, but Steve kept coming back to it. He seemed to want reassurance that at least one person would stick by his side.

"But then the rest of the team will hate you for helping me."

Bruce sighed. "For the last time, Steve, I really don't think that the rest of the team will hate you."

"Fury's going to be mad."

"Probably. But I doubt that even he would hate you."

"What if he throws me off the team?"

"He won't. He values you too much."

"But what if he does?"

"Then you can fight the baddies on your own like you did before."

Steve frowned. "I had a bunch of good guys helping me back then."

"I don't know what to tell you," Bruce said, trying to hide his annoyance. "I will always be there to help you and be your friend. Does that help at all?"

"Actually, it does."

"Good."

There was a silence for a few minutes. Eventually both men fell into an uneasy sleep.

00

Steve decided to tell Tony about the baby the following day. If he waited any longer the nervousness he felt would tear him apart. Best to just get it over with. He had asked Bruce to come along both for moral support and in case Tony thought that he was lying.

Around noon, the two went down to Tony's lab. He had been spending almost all of his time there lately, hidden away from everything.

Steve went down first, followed by Bruce. Tony heard their footsteps and turned around.

"Oh. Hi," he said, looking a bit disappointed. He didn't really feel like dealing with some type of guilt trip right now. He had heard that Steve had gotten sick and figured that Bruce was going to try to put the blame on him for it. If he hadn't hurt Steve maybe he would've taken better care of himself, or something stupid like that. Tony wasn't going to take it, though. If things started going down that path he would tell Bruce and Steve to leave.

"Hi," Steve replied, softly.

"Steve has something to tell you," Bruce said, looking Tony straight in the eyes.

Tony crossed his arms over his chest. "And what's that?"

"I'm pregnant and the kid is yours."

Steve had said the sentence very quietly. Tony had to strain to hear him, but he must have heard wrong.

"Can you say that again? I thought you said that you're pregnant and that the kid is mine."

Steve took a deep breath. "That's what I said, yes."

Steve had expected Tony to get angry, to tell him to pack his stuff and never come back. And he was right, Tony was angry, but for a different reason than Steve had imagined.

"You know what?" Tony said, stepping closer to Bruce and Steve, "I'm tired of your sick fucking games. Both of you. You especially, Banner. If you think it's funny to come down here and play mind games with me then you're fucking with the wrong man."

Steve's eyes got wide, and he took a step back. He looked like he was about to cry. Bruce remained where he was, though.

"He's not lying, Tony," Bruce said, "Nor am I. He's really pregnant. I can prove it if you don't believe me."

Tony was surprised that Bruce had stuck to his guns.

"So you can prove that Steve, a man, who by all rights should be completely unable to get pregnant, is in fact pregnant? You are a far worse doctor than I ever imagined," Tony spat.

"You may not want to believe it but it's true. I did all the tests three times over, I sent them out to a third party lab, and I did an ultrasound on top of it. He's pregnant. The baby is yours. Steve felt that it was right to tell you about it."

Tony and Bruce glanced over at Steve, who was still standing by himself, looking very upset.

Tony shook his head. "Get out of my tower. Now. I want you both gone in an hour."

"Tony-" Bruce started, but Tony held up his hand, as if telling him to stop.

"Out. Steve, I'm sorry that I hurt you, but this has gone too far. I thought you were better than that."

Bruce half expected Steve to argue with Tony, or at least to say something to defend himself. He didn't, though. Steve just looked at Tony sadly, and agreed to leave.

00

Two hours later, Bruce and Steve were checked into the Millennium Hotel. This would be where they would call home until they could find somewhere more permanent.

They had separate rooms, but Steve preferred to stay near Bruce. He knew it was pathetic, that he was likely annoying his only friend, but the thought of being alone, where he would have nothing to do but think about everything was worse. Bruce said nothing about it. He let Steve take a nap on the bed while he researched potential apartments.

That was another thing. Bruce doubted that Steve would be okay living alone. Not right now, at least. Maybe in a few months... but then, someone ought to be there in case there were any complications with the pregnancy.

As he was writing down the phone number for a leasing office, Bruce's cell phone rang. The caller ID stated that it was Clint calling. Not wanting to wake Steve up, Bruce took the call out on the patio.

"Hey, Clint."

"Hey yourself. Where are you guys? We searched everywhere for you but Tony said that you left."

Bruce rolled his eyes. Of course Tony wouldn't take blame for this.

"Tony told us to leave."

"What? Why? By the way, Tasha's here with me."

"Hi Bruce!" Tasha called out.

"Hi. Listen, it's really hard to explain. I think Steve should talk to you about it."

"Well put him on!" Clint answered.

"He's sleeping now. Can I have him call you back when he wakes up? He really needs to rest, especially now."

"What's that supposed to mean? Wait, is Cap sick or something? I know he's been kinda pale lately but I didn't think it was that bad."

"He's not really sick. Like I said, it's hard to explain. I'll have him call you later."

"Okay," Clint agreed. "But just so you know, we're worried about you guys."

"Thanks. We'll be okay. I'll talk to you later, alright?"

"Okay."

Bruce hung up the phone and walked back in. Steve was still sleeping. Bruce went back to his computer and continued his search.