"I'll be fine, Tony," Steve huffs. A few fractures are, to him, nothing to worry about; the serum will have him healed up in no time at all. He's not protesting the bed rest right now, but if Tony tries to keep him in bed for more than a few days, he'll take matters into his own hands.
Truth be told, there's something heartwarming about Tony's concern, about the way he frets over him like a mother hen. If the tables were turned, Steve knows he'd be exactly the same way - though Tony is a lot more fragile than he is. Steve can't help smiling for a moment, though he does it when he thinks Tony isn't looking.
Tony drowns out Steve's insistence by talking over him: "Rest of the day! No exceptions!" He knows Steve's healing factor; he won't force him down for longer than that. But Steve has already pushed himself past the point of injury when not in a life-or-death situation. (See exhibit A: last night.) If there's no further protest, Tony slots himself under Steve's arm to again play the crutch. "Can't believe I'm turning out to be the responsible one," he grumbles.
"Don't worry, I'm sure you'll get your turn to be irresponsible soon enough," Steve retorts cheerfully. He doesn't protest when Tony offers his support, just leans some of his weight onto him as they head for the master bedroom. He probably needs something to keep his back stable more than he needs a crutch, but he won't spurn the help, either.
Steve receives another exasperated glare on their trek to the master bathroom. Tony has half of mind to be the most responsible man on the planet to be contrary and rub it in Steve's face, but truth is he's already trying to be better. More careful and considerate of his actions and how they affect the world. He messed up with Ultron like he messed up with his weapons, so he needs to be better. Again. Still. This time, hopefully, in the right way.
By the time he's scrubbing shampoo into Steve's hair, Tony has loosened up. He talks more easily, more smoothly. It's familiar, this. He doesn't love Steve, not yet, but Steve has become his motivation. Steve has given Tony back what he lost after Ultron and Pepper: a future he can see.
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Truth be told, there's something heartwarming about Tony's concern, about the way he frets over him like a mother hen. If the tables were turned, Steve knows he'd be exactly the same way - though Tony is a lot more fragile than he is. Steve can't help smiling for a moment, though he does it when he thinks Tony isn't looking.
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By the time he's scrubbing shampoo into Steve's hair, Tony has loosened up. He talks more easily, more smoothly. It's familiar, this. He doesn't love Steve, not yet, but Steve has become his motivation. Steve has given Tony back what he lost after Ultron and Pepper: a future he can see.