tony stark imagines

𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐬

tony stark x reader
warning: panic attack, waterboarding
via youngmoneymilla on tumblr

the water engulfs your mouth, your nose, down your throat. strong hands hold you down, thick fingers from the hydra guard curl in your hair. your mouth opens and more water chokes you.

you feel light-headed, chest burning and your nostrils ache. your fingers claw at the hands holding you down but, they're steadfast.

as darkness creeps into your vision the hands are blessedly removed and powerful bands of metal wind around your waist and tear you from the water.

"fuck," tony shouts. "steve i need you to perform cpr."

your suit is ripped open and hands press against your sternum. hard and fast and rhythmic. your ribs snap under their strength but, the pain is secondary. a wet mouth slides across yours, breath hot and muggy shooting into your own.

you come back in a wave of pain, your chest and lungs opening as you gasp for breath. black flecks dance across your eyes as you vomit water across the floor.

"sweetheart?"

tony is staring at you. doe-dark eyes shining with worry.

you nod slowly, press a shaking hand to your chest. your ribs shift together and steve lifts you up gingerly.

"let's get you to the jet."

╰☆╮

- 9 months later -

it's an accident.

you're dressed in a long, velvet evening gown – carmine red and heavy. tony's latest charity gala is a breathtaking display of riches: bunches of pearly peonies, champagne towers, glimmering ice pyramids. glowing orbs of golden light dot the pool's surface.

a drunken guest is stumbling passed you when he trips and pushes you straight into the pool.

shocked – your mouth fills with water, your dress is soaked and weighs your body down until you feel your back hit the rough bottom. you struggle against it, the water is frigid and thick and everywhere. your lungs burn in your chest and suddenly arms are wrapped around your waist and you're tugged upwards.

at the surface, you cough up water – cling desperately to the warm body who holds you. tony stares down at you – the moon fat and white hangs behind him and you find yourself unable to focus on him. he pushes strands of wet hair over your forehead, passed your eyes.

"y/n? sweetheart?" he murmurs.

he pulls you to the side of the pool where he drags you out. you're boneless – limp. deadweight at the bottom of the pool and suddenly you imagine your back underwater – liquid rushing into your nose and eyes and your ribs snapping hot beneath hands.

your heart races unbearably beneath your chest. dizziness overtakes your head and you stumble against tony as he clutches his hands into your wet dress. numbness tingles your toes and legs and you fall to your knees. you can't breathe. your chest is burning.

"baby" tony tries again, pulls your hair back.

"i can't breathe," you sob. "i can't breathe."

startled – tony grips you beneath the arms and hauls you to a doorway. he pulls you inside – shutting the door with a violent shudder.

he looks at you apologetically. gripping your chin, he speaks to you in a hard, unyielding voice.

"look at me, honey," he demands. "look at me. focus on me."

your eyes find his before they wander off again – they travel around the room as if they could leave fingerprints in their wake.

"it hurts," you cry weakly, hand coming to your chest.

"i know," he soothes. he strokes your shoulders, your arms. "you're alright – keep your eyes on mine. i know it's hard. i need you to breathe. just breathe."

another sob falls from your lips and you shakily hold yourself together, wrap your arms around yourself. you can't focus.

he frowns before bodily turning you around and pressing you against him – back to his chest. water soaks the floor. your hair is plastered to his cheek.

his breath falls light against your shoulder and he speaks again – gentle and soft.

"listen to my breath," he croons. "breathe with me. follow it."

you feel his chest move behind yours and attempt to match it – it's awkward at first but, soon you find yourself rising and falling with him. the buttons of his white shirt press into your skin. you focus on his breaths and on his lips lightly trailing across your throat. he lovingly caresses your arms, your waist.

"breathe with me, honey," he continues. "that's it. there you go."

you curl your fingers into one of his hands, turn your head so that your nose is pressed against his cheek.

"i'm sorry," you murmur weakly. "i'm sorry – that was so dumb. i don't know what happened."

he hushes you, kisses your mouth lightly. "not at all. don't apologize. never apologize for what you've been through."

you sigh – comforted by the even, deep rise and fall of his chest.

END OF IMAGINE.