Peter parker & Avengers// One shots

What are you//Tony

(Based on a prompt I found on Pinterest)

The equations for the newest stark phone model swam in front of his eyes with a nauseating spin. The blue light they produced was headache inducing when stared at for too long, but he had no choice. They were due two days from now and if he didn't finish them the company would have a fit.

So he drained his cold coffee and focused on reading through the plans. Making changes here and there, perfecting, always making sure it was up to standards and beyond.

Big man in a suit of armor...

The words had been cycling around his head since they were first spoken. Steve Rogers has underestimated him, but Tony hadn't been able to properly defend his name. He was tired, weak and slightly dizzy from a cold he had just shaken. So the only words he said were words that were drilled into his head.

Genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist...

The numbers continued to file through as he checked them off. One by one but all at the same time. He was tired. There was no other word to describe him at the moment. Tired of the same thing, numbers, tired of the same words, what are you, tired just because the last time he slept properly was before everything went to shit.

"Tony" that wasn't in his head this time. He swiped away the rapidly spinning equations and turned to see who had called.

Of course it was mr. star spangled man with a plan. He kept his face void of any emotion and looked the blonde man straight in the eye.

"Yes" he spit out, but coupled with his exhaustion it didn't sound how he wanted it to.

"I-Uh"

"Spit it out Rogers" he spat again, a little more bite this time.

"Why is it every time someone tries to speak to you you rush them along like you're too good to talk to them-" Rogers started on his rant.

"Look, I'm broken and tired and it's your fault so please just, just leave" he sighed turning around. He didn't listen for foot steps because he knew Rogers wouldn't leave like that.

"Tony I'm sorry" he mumbled.

"Sorry, yeah thanks I guess. An apology's great, I love apologies it's a weird thing. Supposed to show regret or remorse for something you've done but it's become more of an excuse now. People say it to avoid doing what they should, expecting that saying that one overused word will suddenly change the past. The past can't be changed but it can be used to prevent things..." he let his words teeter off as he felt himself growing weaker. A rant and argument with Rogers was going to knock him out. He'd barely had coffee today and hadn't slept in a very long time. He didn't even register that he'd stood up and turned to face Rogers during the rant.

"Sir please take a seat, your vitals are very unstable at the moment." Jarvis's voice rang out, concern for his creator somehow leaking from the emotionless voice.

Sitting would be good but it's too bad his vision is too blurry to find a seat. So he does the next best thing. He sits on the floor. Forgetting Rogers is there in his sleep deprived stumble.

"Tony? What's going on are you ok"

"I'm-finaejuswango" Tony slurred his words together.

"I don't understand what your saying" Rogers was starting to freak out he'd never seen Tony less than the man on screen. Perfectly pressed suit and tie, hair gelled to perfection with a blinding and unwavering smile.

This Tony was different, he had sweats and a t shirt on both of which were covered with oil and grease. His hair was fluffy and curling lightly at the ends, also with oil and grease. His face held no smile, it sagged down slightly and his lips were parted as he breathed in and out, his body lightly shaking and his eyes dropping from exhaustion.

Acting on impulse the super soldier picked up the man he had broken. He had driven him to work until exhausted. Maybe not by directly telling him to keep working, but his words from a few days ago were buried in Tony's brain. Telling him to do better and work longer. "Rest is for the weak" is what Tony has said once, he thought it was a joke but now that's how Tony thought.

He carried the delirious man to his bedroom and laid him down, grabbing a glass of water and placing it next to the bed. The blanket was a thick grey one, he laid it over the tiny mans body and turned to leave. Before he stepped out the door he realized that this was the perfect chance.

The perfect chance to apologize.

So he took a seat at Tony's desk, grabbing a pen and a white lined paper. He got to work filling the page with his apology. The man had said that sorry was never enough, it was heartless and an impulse and routine. People said it for things they didn't do and things they did do, there was no line. No line to separate when someone says it out of obligation or choice.

So he made a few calls, struggling to use the every changing technology. He'd gotten pretty used to it but he still had difficulties sometimes.

Within the hour Tony's meetings for two weeks had been pushed, all work orders for the same two weeks were postponed, and a private jet was booked to take Tony to his vacation home. The one without the lab.

He didn't know what qualifies as an actual apology in the Stark book, but he figured it's the beat he could do. He set the paper down next to the water and looked at the man once more. He hurt him without batting an eye lid, sure Tony had said somethings to him too but he only said them because Steve had pushed him to.

He never wanted to make that mistake again, so Steve Rogers left the sleeping man to rest and walked out of that room changed. Maybe not majorly, but Tony would definitely notice the subtle niceties the older man would show.

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There will be a part 2 soon, about Tony's vacation. Thanks for reading 🖤