I'm Right Here

Chapter 5

Steve was still having trouble. He leaned down to speak to Tony as he struggled and grunted.

"Relax, Tony. You're okay, but I need you to wake up," he said directly into his ear. He glanced over and saw Peter waking, then seeing Tony, which drove the boy to panic. Before he could call to the boy, Natasha blocked his view and he sighed in relief. Turning his attention back to Tony, he tried again, feeling horrible for what he was about to do. "Tony, you're scaring Peter. He can see you right now and he's terrified. You need. To wake. UP."

Tony's eyes flew open to the size of saucers as he let out a huge gasp. He fought the hands and body holding him down, not knowing it was Steve. Bruce moved to make sure he was completely hidden from Peter, kneeling in front of him right behind Natasha. He put a hand on Tony's damp shoulder and gripped it semi-tightly, just enough to make him look up at him.

"Hey, calm down. Everything's fine," Bruce said, loosening his grip when Tony lost the haze in his eyes.

"Peter," Tony muttered, still fighting to get out of Steve's hold.

"Tony, if I let go, you have to promise to stay right here, okay?" Steve said, still leaning on his back and speaking into his ear. Tony panted, fighting with the idea. "I'm not letting go until you agree."

"I'll stay," Tony spat, forcing himself to relax. Steve nodded and let go, moving off of him and helping him sit up. He kept a hand on his back, feeling him lean heavily into it. Bruce handed Tony a bottle of water, but his hands shook so badly that he would've dropped it if Bruce hadn't kept his own around it.

"Can you slide back here, Tony?" Steve asked, hand on his elbow as well, ready to help him. Tony tried, but he was completely drained. His arms gave out and he fell sideways against Steve, struggling to get back up. "Hey, relax, I gotcha. Let me help."

Steve hauled him back until he rested against the wall. Being that they were both fully grown men, though, it would be difficult to help him drink without spilling it otherwise, so he put an arm around his shoulders, underneath his neck, from the side and brought the bottle up to his mouth, letting him hold onto it as well so he didn't lose all of his dignity.

"You all right?" he asked when he was finished, sliding around to sit next to him with his arm still holding him close. Tony closed his eyes and dropped his head to Steve's shoulder, letting out a deep breath. He rubbed a shaky hand over his face and dropped it in his lap.

"It was bad," he told him, opening his eyes and staring at nothing. Steve nodded and gave him a squeeze, bringing his hand up to rest on Tony's head.

"I know. It's over now, though. It wasn't real. You two got overheated and overwhelmed, probably." Steve saw his eyes searching, slightly leaning his body to see Peter. "He's all right. Bucky and Nat have him. We're worried about you right now."

"He's just a kid," Tony said tearfully, sniffling quietly. He was zoning out. Steve looked at Bruce and nodded. Bruce took the other bowl of water and washcloths and sat down in front of Tony, beginning to wash his face and chest.

"Here, get his back. He's way too hot," Bruce told Steve, handing him another damp washcloth. He moved down to Tony's legs, being as gentle as possible.

"Wanna tell me what happened?" Steve asked, pushing Tony forward a bit so he could wipe his back down. Tony hissed at the cold. "Sorry."

"There was fire everywhere. Thanos, he..he kept dragging Peter away. I tried to get him, but...I couldn't," Tony said softly, dejectedly.

"It was just a dream, Tony. You did get him. He's gonna be okay," Steve replied as he and Bruce finished up. "Let's get you dressed. Probably not great to go back and forth between temperatures."

Tony nodded and Steve helped him stand, giving him his pants and hovering his hands nearby in case Tony's shaking knees collapsed. He then gave him his shirt and straightened it out at his shoulders. He noticed, though, that Tony still looked worried, fearful, staring at Natasha's back as if he could see Peter right through her. Steve laid a hand on his shoulder, causing him to jump. He jerked his head toward the bathroom, leading Tony into it and shutting the door. Tony looked confused.

"C'mere, man," he said kindly, pulling him into an embrace. Tony was stiff for a few seconds, but then all but melted into it, pressing his mouth into Steve's shoulder as the soldier's arms went around his shoulders and middle. He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to stave off the tears. It was just a stupid dream. What was he so upset about? His body trembled with the effort of holding back his emotions. "It's all right, Tone. You don't always have to be so strong. You can let go."

Silent tears made their way down Tony's face, the only sounds coming from him being the huffing breaths of quiet sobs and sniffles. Steve held him, rocking him gently and rubbing his back. Tony gripped the back of his shirt and squeezed him tightly, still fighting.

"I gotcha, pal. I'm here," Steve told him. "Get it out now before you go see the kid."

"I never should've brought him in," Tony wept, dropping his forehead to Steve's shoulder. He felt a hand move to the back of his head and that finally broke him. He sagged against Steve and let all of his emotions go into his shoulder. He expected Steve to pull away, look down at him in disappointment for all this. Steve never flinched. In fact, he held him closer.

"You did what you thought you had to do. And you did your best to protect him. But we're all together now and that's what matters," Steve said. Tony nodded and took a deep breath, letting his friend go and wiping the mess from his face. "Wash up, use the bathroom, whatever, and come back out. Peter wants to see you."

He followed the instructions quickly, taking a few more deep breaths to calm himself. He walked out of the bathroom after a brief pause at the door. The kid needed him. He needed to be strong again. Steve looked pointedly at the trio on the other mattress. Natasha's work had nearly lulled Peter to sleep. Right in Bucky's arms. They had somehow managed to get him dressed again. His head rested on Bucky's shoulder, the boy's left hand clutching the man's shirt collar as he sat in his lap, an occasional hiccup shaking his taxed body. Bucky murmured soothing nothings to him, glancing up as they walked back in. Tony's heart broke when he saw the state Peter was in.