The Right Partner

Chapter 9

The alarm was in his ear. Thankfully, JARVIS was considerate enough to recognize that Tony wouldn't want to wake a sleeping Steve and rerouted the alarm through an implant in his ear. He may have been glad it didn't wake Steve, but that didn't mean he was happy to be awake.

Typically, Tony wouldn't care if he "dined and dashed" this early in the morning, but this was Steve. He'd been taking it slow and wasn't going to screw it all up by just leaving him. Quietly he got up, stripped off his pajamas and was about to leave when he glanced back. Steve lay there obliviously, his golden hair tousled and his chest heaving slow and steady breaths. Tony walked over to him, brushing off his growing hair from its place in front of his eyes. Steve felt his hand and shifted towards him, rolling onto his side, Tony let out a breath he couldn't remember wanting to hold. Steve just looked to peaceful, as if oblivious to the world. He was still marveled at how well Steve seemed to slip into the reality of the 21st century, anyone else probably wouldn't have lasted more than a day. But not Steve.

He had to resist the urge to kiss him, not wanting to scare him, and still a little unsure of where they stood. Last night had been a confirmed date, but that didn't mean that Steve was ready or even wanted to jump head first into all the things that couples typically did. Steve had just confessed to being a virgin the night before, Tony wasn't gonna wake him in any way that could be taken wrong until he was sure Steve knew what he was getting into.

Giving his hair one last gentle ruffle, Tony made his way to his kitchen. He himself wasn't hungry, but knew that when his super soldier- he liked the sound of that. His super soldier. Woke up that he'd want something to eat. Pancakes had been one if the few things his mother had taught him to cook before she passed, making sure he knew exactly when to flip them so they'd be just right. Pouring the batter into the pan made him smile as he remembered Sunday mornings when his father would be sober and happy to enjoy one of his son's delicious pancakes. One of the few good memories he had left.

"JARVIS, when you see Steve start to wake, put on some eggs, coffee and heat up the pancakes. He'll love waking up to the smell of breakfast." Tony grabbed a light jacket and covered up his black sabbath shirt. His arc could barely be seen unless you were within a few feet. He smiled to himself as he rode the elevator down to the communal floor, needing to pick up somethings before he went to check on Harley and Liz.

Unsurprisingly, Natasha was waiting, a smug smile on her face. Her eyes held an air of satisfaction at the knowledge she had no doubt already gotten a hold of.

"How was South America?" Her smile tightened for a split second, Tony just barely caught it.

"Clint took one in the leg." Tony's eyes widened, a look of sympathy and shock on his face.

"What happened?" Her smile dropped and her eyes went hard.

"Enemy fire. He was on the ground, trying to get to me. If he had been in his perch..." Tony knew where her train of thought as going.

"Not your fault. Clint is a man who chose this profession and knows the risks. He did what he thought was best. How long till he's out?" He moved across the room to lean behind the counter, opening a drawer and pulling out several hard copy files JARVIS had made for him.

"Next week. I stayed as long as I could, but Fury called me to a meeting. I got out an hour ago and came here. He isn't awake yet." This was probably the most talking Tony had ever heard Natasha day in complete seriousness and with no secrets.

"I can give you a ride to the hospital. But I'm going to go check on Harley and Liz first, just to give them some updates. Should I tell them about Clint and that you won't be here for..." He waited for her to tell him how long she'd stay.