Shut Up And Kiss Me (Book 1 - Avengers)

~Chapter Six: The Heart In Tatters~

Tony stared at Steve in shock, his jaw hanging slack. Steve's voice had sounded so fearful and frail... broken almost. Tony didn't know what to do, his heart pounding so loudly it should've woke Steve up. 'Should I comfort him? No... shit-' Captain stirred and Tony slipped out, the door shutting with a tiny quiet click. Tony 's heart was racing, 'The hells up with me!?' He shook his head and paused as the sudden realization that he hadn't called Pepper hitting him. Tony headed to his room and grabbed the phone- only to see a thousand million missed calls and texts.

Tony began walking back to the kitchen as he read them.

~11:00 p.m.~ ^Pepper^: Tony I'm worried sick, I've called four times now and this isn't like you...

~12:42 a.m.~ ^Pepper^: Honestly I can only think of three reasons you wouldn't be answering. 1: You got drunk- 2: Your out saving the world again- or 3: Your cheating on me. All of which are things that could get you killed! (Including by me)

~1:01 a.m~ ^Pepper^: I'm going to text you in the morning Tony- your lucky I haven't called Nat or anything... I'm sorry if I seem over attached lately but I'm worried about you. I. Know you.

He walked into the kitchen with his eyes glued to his phone. A somewhat hurt and worried expression etched into his facial features.

"Everything alright Tony?" Nat asked, though he seemed to completely ignore her. They all stared at him as he barely looked away from his phone to get more coffee. Clint sat on one of the far left stools while she sat in the middle, Bruce on the other side of her.

~8:30 a.m.~ ^Pepper^: Tony I really couldn't sleep last night because I was so worried! I can not keep doing this! I've had it! I'm so sick of you ignoring me when I do everything for you! I run your company, pretty much keep you alive with how I have to force feed you half the time! I'm always in some kind of danger or afraid! and so are you! Honestly, I don't think this is a healthy relationship anymore- If you love me it really hasn't felt like it...

"Come on man- seriously what's wrong? Cap got your tongue?" Clint teased, hoping to somehow lighten the horribly tense mood that sat in the air of the room. Natasha looked at Bruce, they both gave each other the 'silence is a bad sign' look. Tony read the last message slowly,

~8:42 a.m.~ ^Pepper^: Tony I really don't want to hurt you here... but, I have to break up with you. And I would do it in person- I would. But I know those dopey eyes of yours will somehow stop me, and as usual, I'll fall right back to you. I can't do it. I'll be back Monday. Then I'll get my stuff and leave, I'll stay working for the company if that's okay. I still want to be friends if that's possible... I'm sorry Tony.

Tony took in a sharp breath, facing his full cup of coffee on the counter, his back turned to the others. He set the phone down and swung his hand at the coffee cup which went flying and broke against the nearest right wall. Natasha jumped and eyed him- "Tony?" Bruce sounded more curious then he meant to,

Stark looked over with no emotion readable on his face, now noticing Steve had also joined them in the room. Those wide piercing blue eyes staring at him and his brows scrunched in confusion. Tony turned back to the cabinets and pulled out a full bottle of booze that no one could seem to see the label of.

"I'll... be... in my room..." His usually steady and sarcastic voice was replaced with a heartbroken whisper. No one tried to stop him as he walked by- as soon as they heard his door shut Banner slid over the counter and picked up Tony's phone. 'Negative... Tony needs anger management... maybe.'

"What are you-?" It took Steve a moment and a worried look from Tash to understand what Bruce was doing, "Your gonna hack Tony's phone? Tony's phone? As in the Tony Stark? One of the smartest people in the world?" He asked and Banner simply nodded.