Warnings: PTSD, flashbacks
Steve sat at his desk, rubbing his eyes to keep from falling asleep.
Long day
Sipping from his almost empty glass of water, He quickly started sketching again, the pencil scratching at the paper in long and detailed strokes.
"Jarvis, refill my water please?" Steve said, focused on his drawing.
One thing Steve always did was keep himself warm. He always drank warm drinks, used warm water, set the shower to the hottest temperature, wore extra layers in the winter. Steve hated the cold.
Steve didn't notice Tony come up behind him. Tony placed his hands on Steve's shoulders, causing Steve to jump.
"Hey super soldier." Tony whispered, causing Steve to relax and go back to drawing.
Tony ran his hands up and down Steve's arms, squeezing along the way. Steve groaned, Tony gave the best massages.
Steve leaned into the touch, Tony dipping his head down to kiss the top of Steve's head.
"I'll be right back, ok Cap?" Tony said, pulling his hands away.
"Mhm." Steve mumbled, going back to drawing.
Steve reaches for his newly filled water glass, taking a huge gulp before realizing what it was.
Ice water.
Steve choked on the liquid, but the damage was already done.
The cold was seeping down his throat, into his entire body.
Steve began to shake, shivering intensely. He stood up with such force the chair flipped over, making a huge crash as it collided with the wooden floor.
"Steve?!" Tonys voice sounded almost miles away, even though he was in the doorway.
Steve's whole body was going still and cold.
Cold, ice, the water. Seeping in. Not letting me breathe.
Steve gasped for air, violently shaking. His knees buckled beneath him, and he fell to the floor, Tony rushing to his side in an instant.
"Steve!" Tony was practically screaming in his ear, but Steve couldn't hear it. All he could focus on was the cold.
Cold cold cold.
Steve fell back into the wall, feeling the tears spill from his eyes onto his cheeks.
Cold, alone, always cold. Freezing.
"Steve, look at me, baby." Tonys voice cut through all of Steve's thoughts.
Suffocating, freezing water.
"You have to breathe, Steve, look at me." Tony's hands were hanging by his sides, not wanting to touch Steve just yet.
Steve whimpered, still gasping for air. Tony laid one hand on his chest, and immediately the warmth poured from Tony to Steve, comforting him.
"In, out. In, out." Tony made a point to breathe loudly, and Steve followed, his air coming out in broken gasps.
"In out, you got this baby. I'm right here." Tony voice was soft, and Steve could finally somewhat breathe again.
"Can I..." Tony began, while Steve was already nodding furiously.
Tony enveloped the trembling man into his arms, the warmth spreading all over Steve's body.
Tony touched Steve's hands, to find them ice cold and shaking. Intertwining their fingers, Steve laid his head on Tonys shoulder, sobbing into the soft fabric of Tony's shirt.
"You're so cold." Tony whispered, stroking Steve's cheeks.
"It's the water, the ice, right?" Tony mumbled, and Steve nodded stiffly, leaning farther into Tony for support.
"I'm sorry..." Steve barely got out.
"Don't you dare be sorry." Tony said firmly, and Steve clung to him tighter.
"You're... so...warm..." Steve's words came out in broken gasps.
"I got you Steve." Tony whispered, tilting Steve's head to face him and gently pressing a kiss to his lips.
Steve wrapped his arms around the smaller man, perhaps a little too tight, but Tony didn't complain.
They stayed like that for a while, until Steve's breathing slowed and he stopped shaking so violently.
"Steve, you have to get up. The bed is warm, and I'll be with you in two seconds." Tony mumbled, helping the super soldier to his feet.
Steve reluctantly jumped into bed, curling into the covers. He was still so cold.
Tony walked over to the desk, picking up Steve's sketchbook.
"What... Steve this is amazing..." the billionaire stared at the beautiful drawing. Steve was sketching a picture of Tony in the lab, bent over working on one of the iron man repulsors.
"You like it?" Steve said softly.
"I love it." Tony said, setting it down and crawling into bed.
Steve quickly brought Tony into his arms, needing the stability and craving the warmth Tony brought to him. Tony ran his hands through Steve's hair.
"You're ok. I got you." He mumbled, kissing Steve softly.
"Thank you." Steve whispered, barely audible.
"Always. I love you Steve." Tony said, snuggling into his super soldier, determined to keep him warm and safe.
"I love you too."
