shipping | open + overflow post

[He sets a very unfocused gaze up Steve's way, practically sunk into a ludicrous amount of pillows and covers on the bed.]

You look worse than I do. You really didn't have to run. I'm fine. [He reaches, taking a hold of that towel and then plonks it down on his forehead, just holding it there, eyes closing.] Fever'll probably break in a couple hours. You should drink some water. I don't know who keeps the fridge stocked around here but there's a lot in there.

Oh, great. I'll get some.

[ But first, he goes over and presses a kiss to Tony's cheek. ]

Do you want some too? Or juice? I could probably make you a smoothie.

[ He should've thought about that, but he just grabbed the first thing at the bodega. He does pour them two glasses of water, and comes over to give some to Tony. ]

[Tony breathes out a long, soft, and perhaps over-dramatic noise at that little kiss. When Steve starts asking him questions about food- liquids- whatever- he makes a face and shakes his head.]

No. Nothing. I can't- the thought of trying to keep anything down makes me nauseous. [Which is a self-fulfilling prophecy. Not that he thinks there's much to do about any of it.] Really. You should just go home. Before you realize how much you don't wanna put up with me right now.

Tony, if you don't drink water, you're going to get dehydrated. Especially if you've been throwing up.

[ He pushes the water gently at him again. ]

Want me to bathe you? Might cool you down. I can get a cloth and a bowl, do it right here. We wouldn't have to move you.

[It's a little dramatic, the way he jerks his arm forward to rest atop the towel over his eyes. And maybe bratty, too, the way he shakes his head and in a frustrated exhale simply says:]

No.

[He makes an attempt at wetting his lips, but his mouth is dry, which should prompt a backtrack and an ask for water but he just can't fathom it right now.]

No- I'm- I just need to lie here and sweat it out. [That's really the exact opposite of what he needs but damned if he's going to fix it right this second when every part of him feels awful.]

Sure, which dehydrates you and causes chills.

So, you should drink something. It's not gonna kill you.

[ But he knows Tony's being petulant because he's a big baby when he's sick, and that's precisely why he wanted to send Steve away. But Steve refuses to move, kneeling on the floor by the couch Tony's lying on. ]

For me?

Ugh. You're not being fair.

[Yes. Petulant indeed. His arm lets down from his eyes, hand clutching that towel Steve had brought in with him and he turns his head slightly, casting a long gaze at him now that he's closer.]

You think you can come in here with those big blue eyes and that soft stern voice and just boss me around. [He's only mostly kidding. And maybe a little delirious.] Fine. For you I'll drink water. But when it comes back up you should be required to do whatever the equivalent of holding my hair back is.

Patting your back and getting you medication, you mean.

[ He thinks he can maybe convince Tony to keep some water down. Otherwise, they're going to have lots of problems later. ]

Take sips, I don't know why but it helps.

[ He'll even feed it to Tony, if he wants. He gently kisses Tony's hair, softly brushing it back and away from his face. ]

Yeah- the usual finance-soon-to-be-husband duties. [Not that Tony's used to someone being around to take care of him like this. Which is mostly his fault. He knows how he gets but more than that he doesn't like being seen like this. But... it is a nice thought. He's lucky, really, that he's got someone as stubborn as he is.

One hand on the back of the couch, he tries to sit up a bit so he can do what Steve's asking him to. And he listens, too. Taking small sips helps at least abate the queasiness he's been feeling. He ends up slowly drinking maybe a quarter before holding the bottle away.]

It's just a stomach bug. [Who he's trying to convince by saying this who knows. Maybe a little bit more himself than Steve.] Probably one of those interns that stopped by earlier in the day. It'll-

[He takes a long deep breath and then eases back down, feeling the room shift around him.] I'll be fine. By tomorrow. [He knows he looks every bit the mess he is right now. He hadn't even managed to get all the way out of his clothes, sleeves rolled up, tie halfway undone, shirt still hanging on by two buttons near his waist, belt unbuckled, pants unbuttoned and unzipped. He can't even remember where he threw his suit jacket or kicked off his shoes.

He directs a bleary eyed gaze up Steve's way and tries a grin.] You don't have to play nurse all night. If you have a hot date or something. Don't let me keep you.

I'm all out of hot dates, my usual guy's laid up sick.

[ Once Tony lies back down, Steve gets up to go get him his nice robe and comes over to help him out of his clothes. He looks a mess, but he's Steve's mess. ]

Which is a shame, but that's okay, because I love him and I want what's best for him.

[ Despite his big frame and his large hands, he's very deft, extremely gentle. He'd never want to make a wrong move with him out of carelessness, even though he knows Tony doesn't care to be hurt in a physical sense. ]

And we can always go out on our hot date tomorrow, me and my fella.

I ever tell you how he's the light of my life? Can't stand to be without him, not even for a minute. He's a handful, and real stubborn. But he's worth the whole world put together, for me. So whenever he thinks he's not even worth a night of my time, I really gotta dig deep to remind myself that he's a genius.

[Tony very suddenly finds himself trapped and not sure what to do. He starts out by grumbling, wordless noises of dissatisfaction when Steve's got him moving around. He just wants to lie on the couch, space out, feel terrible, and then it'll all be over by tomorrow. Hopefully. That's what he's telling himself anyway. He doesn't need to be taken care of-

Even if it is nice.

But his grumbling is waylaid by the fact that Steve is... well. He's being very Steve. And very soon his bratty moaning is paired with a grin he's trying to hide but can't.

Once he's out of his clothes and into that robe and laid back against the couch again he shakes his head.]

You and your fella... who told you you could just come up here and boss me around and be cute? [Because that's what it is. That's what Steve is. Endlessly endearing. But very quickly he changes his tune, reaching out to put a heavy hand along Steve's chest. Resting it there against the beat of his heart.]

He sounds like a pain in the ass. You sure he's worth all that? Can't I steal you away instead? I'll probably be better by tomorrow. I could take you out.

You did when you asked me to marry you.

[ Loathe to leave when Tony's pressing a hand to his chest, but now that he's not clothing him anymore, he should do something useful. So he takes a seat at the edge of the couch, moves Tony's legs into his lap, and makes good on that threat of rubbing his feet. ]

You know, when I first enlisted, I got rejected four times. Just kept doing it, 'cause I knew I wanted to serve. Everybody was laying their lives down because it was the right thing to do, and I knew that was it for me.

[ He keeps working away at Tony's feet, but he's gentler than he normally would be. ]

My fella's a real kick in the shins sometimes, but I've never been more sure of anything else in my life.

[There's a warm thrum that he's placing with the fact that he's still floored he gets to marry Steve. That everything is falling into place after seeming like it had been over (regardless of whose fault that was, even when he knows it was his). That he gets to have that, have Steve. It draws another hum out of him, as Steve settles and he melts back into the couch a little with that massage.

Easier to do, too, when Steve's just talking to him. He's always been incredibly fond of Steve's voice. There's something to the low, smooth cadence that sets him at ease. Or riles him right up a wall, depends on what they're doing. Right now it's extremely appreciated.]

Sounds like an incredibly lucky guy. Being a giant pain in the ass but you love him anyway. What's he holding over you?

[He's not really expecting a real answer, he's not fishing. But it's just a nice little distraction from all the other terrible things swirling about in his body. And while the foot massage is nice, apparently it's not quite what he's looking for. Because he pulls away from Steve just so that he can reorient himself on the couch, laying his head in Steve's lap then.]

You even come- literally- running when he's in trouble. Even when he tells you not to. I could use a guy like that.

[ It's the little things, he thinks. The massage, the gentle words. Tony had warned he'd be a nightmare but overall, he's not so bad. Definitely not worse than he normally is, at the moment.

And if he thinks that Steve would shy away from a little heaving and cleaning up after Tony hawks up whatever's left in his stomach, then, he's got another think coming. Steve had spent most of his childhood sick and in and out of the hospital. Those kinds of things don't even register to him.

Regardless, even if it were a chore, it's all right. He's just happy to spend time together. They've lost so much of it. ]

Well, he loves me too. In the best ways. Protects me, cares for me. Levels with me when I need it. Supports me.

He's building me a house, too. For us to grow old in.

[ He smiles down at Tony, and then says: ]

I love you.

[ He can't even pretend to say no to Tony while pretending he's different than his fiance. ]

Is that right? Maybe I can't compete.

[He wants to stay here. Curl up into a ball in Steve's lap and just let a few more hours pass by until he feels settled. Just enough to get up and reorient himself. So much time is being wasted right now. Steve's because he came running, his because he has work to do.]

I love you. And I wanna stay here. But you're so warm.

[Which is usually not a problem. He loves that about Steve, especially if it's cold and they're wrapped up in each other. But it feels like an overage. Damp from sweat still and achy with chills. Steve's usually warmth is good and it's bad. Even so, he still doesn't move. His eyes close for a moment.]

Better for you, anyway. Wouldn't want you to get stuck here while I doze off on you.

I wouldn't have minded.

[ He asks FRIDAY for his temperature again, and upon hearing the answer, he gently extricates himself to move away and go wet a towel to cool his temperature again. ]

You know, Tony. It'll be just as hot of a date if we order in tomorrow, eat it up here.

[ Because he'll be thinking maybe it's best he take it easy for a few days, and Steve knows that Tony absolutely will not, he'll march his ass back into the lab. He wouldn't be surprised if he did that, snuck away while Steve's sleeping, doing it because he feels better only to make the fever worse. ]

What do you say? I wouldn't need to get out of my pajamas.

[There Tony is. Not five seconds ago saying he couldn't stay like that- but he would've, anyway. For a while. So when Steve just decides to get up, it's probably about the rudest thing Tony can imagine. Which prompts the noise that leaves him. Bratty and in a bad mood. He then hangs his arm over his eyes as he shuts them tight and breathes out a long, slow push of air.]

Hot takeout date, huh.

[He lets his arm down, looking up at Steve with that slightly foggy gaze.]

You deserve better than the best takeout the city has to offer. But. I don't think at this point I could get you to go. Too stubborn. [He says this, like he's not also the very same way. And also like it doesn't benefit him in this instance, that it's not nice, that Steve came rushing to help him out. Even if he thinks he would've been fine. He's used to operating on his own. Figuring his stuff out. Fixing himself.

But he also did ask Steve to marry him. Which means he needs to expand that view a bit and continue to let Steve in. He reaches out, hand smoothing up the length of Steve's leg.] I wouldn't hold it against you, though. If you duck out. Promise it's not something I'll bring up every fight for the rest of our lives.

[ Rude, even though it was definitely implied for him to get up. But Steve's a good sport and Tony did issue many caveats that he's going to be such a bratty baby over this whole thing.

He comes back with damp, slightly cold towels, and immediately presses them gently against Tony's forehead, brushing away any protests if they should come. ]

I am too stubborn, and Tony, don't kid yourself if you don't think your penthouse has the best views in the city.

[ So this takeout date is bougier and more private than pretty much any other situation that anyone could hope for, even if all they end up doing is getting Chinese takeout and eating it directly out of the carton.

But while he's considering it, here Tony goes again, making himself so self-deprecating. ]

Not gonna duck out. Not even gonna hand off the baton to someone else to do all this. Tony, it's not a chore to take care of you. It's a privilege, for me.

[He lets his arms fall and hang limp while Steve's caring for him. That cold cloth against his overly warm forehead draws a little exhale of relief from him. And sure Steve has a point. They have the best view and best security and neither of them like going to overly fancy places with teeny tiny portions anyway. A "date" here is better than almost anywhere else.

But he still likes to think he should honor promises to take Steve out instead of making him stay in and tend to him.

He's Steve, though. So very Steve, Tony thinks as he looks at him.]

You're such a... you. [It's the same thought. And absolutely makes sense. There's no one else like Steve. So Steve is very Steve.] Don't know what I did to make you love me this way, but I hope I never stop. [As far as he's concerned he's done what anyone else would do and is still trying to find ways to do more. Anyone would covet, protect, obsess over, and love Steve deeply. He's Steve. And he's lucky he gets to have him. So even if Tony's grousing over everything and thinks Steve should go do something better with his time...

He's also glad he doesn't. Selfish though that is.] Can't even return the favor, though. We're uneven. Don't think you'll be catching a stomach bug or the flu any time soon.

[ Steve feels his relief and keeps trying to cool down the rest of him, though he'll probably have to get up at some point to fill a vessel with some cold water in order to continue. ]

I'm such a me?

[ He knows it's the fever, but he repeats it like he's not entirely sure what Tony's saying until he elaborates, and then, he can't help but smile brightly, and look down as he turns a shade of pink. But soon he's meeting Tony's eyes again, and pressing a brief kiss to his temple. ]

All you had to do was love me the way you love me, Tony. 'Cause that's worth more to me than anything else. Don't worry about all the rest, those are details.

[ He thinks about how they're going to walk down the aisle in a few months, and how he's going to probably write down all his vows but then get up there and just speak from the cuff. How he's going to cry when he hears what Tony has to say, how he'll have been holding back tears from ever since he sees Tony in his suit. ]

Once you're asleep, by the way, I'm working on the seating arrangement. Those details I want you to worry about. Do you want a sweetheart table?

I tend to get caught up in details...

[A little faraway sounding admission that both of them know all too well by now. He gets caught up in the big picture and the details that bring it to life. All of it. Sometimes it makes him crazy and he has no doubts that sometimes he must drive Steve crazy, too.

But he must still be doing something right.]

What's a sweetheart table? You gonna make me sit by myself?

[As his preferred pet name from Steve would suggest. Is he kidding about not understanding? Is he delirious? The grin he's wearing could go either way. He reaches back, patting the spot on the couch behind his head.]

Will you- can I put my head back in your lap- I promise I won't complain this time. And we can talk about seating.

Fine. I'm getting more water though.

[ He pads off to go do that, refill his bowl of water and come back to take a seat and place Tony's head back in his lap, taking up his notebook and pencil because he, for some reason, won't use a Starkpad. ]

A sweetheart table's one where just the newlyweds sit. Head table's if we wanted to put the wedding party or the family, but. I think maybe they'll be at regular tables.

Makes it easier for people to come up to us and give congratulations. And for us to thank them for coming.

[Once Steve's back and he's settled in, he turns on his side, snuggling his head down a little more into Steve's lap, one arm under his head. Steve is warm, like always, but it's comfortable now. He makes a very valiant effort to listen, too.]

Mmn. A showoff table. I can get behind that. Because that's all I'll wanna do.

[Steve's wearing his engagement ring now and that's good. For now. But soon Steve will be his husband. And Tony will very much brag about that as often as possible. While also delivering his honest feelings that he may as well be the luckiest man in the galaxy that Steve Rogers loves him. Out of everyone. It's pretty crazy.]

Also gives people a chance to be away from us. Since they complain on a regular day about the level of sap.

[On their wedding day? Forget it. Tony probably won't even register there's other people in the room unless they're literally a few inches away from him. He'll have those Steve's the love of my life eyes all night.]

It'll be our wedding day. I think it'll be weird if we aren't entirely enamored with each other.

[ He brushes Tony's hair back and gives his nose a little tap. The closer they draw to their wedding day, the more he can't wait. But then they're also one step closer to it being over, too. That brings him a little bit of sadness, but also, there's the honeymoon, and there's years of marriage ahead of them. ]

Can't believe we've almost got everything done. Well. Not almost, I think the seating chart's going to be the worst.

[ Unsurprisingly, there will be a lot of people present at the event, and a lot of high security to keep out people like Hammer. ]

It's not too late for you to go to Macy's and scan everything you want onto a register.

[ Tony is probably not expecting gifts, and they'll probably receive some lavishly wealthy but ultimately meaningless trinkets from his business partners. They might get sentimental gifts from the other Avengers, and maybe Happy and Pepper. But he's really not expecting to even need a gift table. ]

Doesn't mean people won't complain.

[Just the regulars, Tony thinks. And only to bust their chops. Only because it's funny. They'll definitely have all the rights to tell everyone else it's their day and they can be as schmoopy and cheesy as they please. He doesn't intend to hold back for anyone.]

Is seating that hard? [He has no concept. Nor any idea why.] Ask FRIDAY to randomize all the tables. That'll keep it fresh.

[He supposes they could also just let people sit wherever they wanted but that's not really how it's done, is it? He's never planned a wedding before and while he is so excited for the day and what it means, all the details of which escape him. A little. He's tried to be very active in participating, since it's the two of them getting married, not just Steve to him. But still... the concept of people being upset where they've been told to sit feels silly.

Maybe it's the fever. Couldn't they just get up and go wherever they wanted anyway? What's stopping them?

Thankfully his wandering thoughts are cut short first by his confusion- Macy's- gift registries. For the two people who need the least. He assumes gift shopping for them might actually be stressful. But he knows what he wants. And, in fact, aims a smile right up Steve's way.]

I already have exactly what I want. One-of-a-kind. Don't think Macy's carries it.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject