Chapter 1: Tony: Today Had Been So Promising
Chapter Text
Fucking Supervillains and their fucking time management skills.
Dodging another spell, because of course this supervillain was a witch or wizard or magic user or fuck whatever this annoying wanna-be-world-destroyer wanted to call themselves.
Of course, they would wait until Strange was off-world in another dimension to do card tricks or whatever it was he was doing when he left the Avengers in charge of fighting his battles.
It wasn’t like destroying Hydra – this time for good hopefully (even though Tony knew they wouldn’t be that lucky) – had left a power vacuum or anything and they were already on overtime in the hero business. If they were, it would be a really shitty thing to do, after all. Thank the empty heavens Stephen Strange wasn’t an asshole.
And while being on that topic: why the fuck had supervillains of all kinds and breeds, be it magical, human, superpowered, geniuses (although that label was given way too liberally in Tony’s understanding), aliens and whatever else walked the earth, such a boner for destroying New York City? They fucking knew the Avengers were protecting New York. Fuck, they knew that they lived there!
That was one of the things Tony often argued when one of them declared themselves to be geniuses. If Tony wanted to take over the world, like for real, not whatever bullshit Fox was spewing at any given moment, he wouldn’t start in New York for crying out loud. He would probably start in Europe, destabilize the economy, make America and Asia feel safe and then boom, use his newly acquired army to stage a coup, some minor attacks for the superhero teams world-wide to get distracted by and then take them where it hurt: the public, the funding organizations and the puppet masters in the shadows. (Australia would be either a problem or he would have to sacrifice it to make a statement – that would depend whether or not Peter’s love for wombats would waver in the future.)
If Thor and Loki weren’t off-world, he would pitch that idea to the latter. Not only because it made everyone else decidedly uncomfortable when Loki and he came up with ideas that would work, but also because it was fun.
Another reason why he wouldn’t start in New York was that he would want the Avengers to be safe long enough for them to have time to either decide they wanted to work with him (preferably, especially since he was dating Captain America and all) or give them enough openings to give them the impression he was mind-controlled so that they would try to catch him. He knew of seventeen plans they would most likely come up with to stop him. And how to counteract them.
Not that he was seriously planning to take over the world. Even if that would mean the power vacuum would be filled and they could finally have a fucking weekend off.
“Iron Man get out of there!” Steve growled over the comms and Tony rolled his eyes, while also rolling in the air, dodging one of their minions. It wasn’t like he was distracted by coming up with a world domination plan that would actually work.
Focusing more on his surroundings he sighed. Apparently, crows weren’t doing it for this Snape-cosplayer. No, why something so simple? The things obeying their every order looked like six-foot-long slugs that had sprouted dragon-fly wings, just because, and could breathe fire. Oh, and they ate humans, or at least two had already tried to eat Clint and Steve.
“I’m-” Tony cut himself off when an alarm blared and he dropped into a dive, escaping two of the flying assholes and a curse sent his way.
And the day had started so promising! Steve hadn’t woken him when he had gotten up for his ungodly morning run – probably because Tony had threatened to kick him out of his (their?) bedroom and less because of the promise that he would actually and literally kill him if Steve woke him up one more time – and brought him coffee when he came back. It would have gotten him at least a heavy make out session if this sin against everything science and physics hadn’t decided to fuck their day up. And that before eight in the fucking morning!
Tony had had plans! He would have gone to the shareholders meeting to calm Steve and then they would have had a whole day just for themselves. Bruce had a science binge planned since his boyfriend (Thor and he had started dating two weeks ago – which meant they had started dating two weeks after Tony and Steve. Which meant at least Bruce had a chance to remember the day before it happened.) was escorting his brother to Asgard and Nat and Clint would have had a meeting with SHIELD (they were right before the finalizing stage of making the Avengers independent of SHIELD. It was probably a good idea for Tony to not meet Fury on his own, come to think of it…).
Dodging another fire breath shot his way, he couldn’t hold back a giddy smile. Thank fuck no one aside from Jarvis could see his face – and the AI knew Tony would actually make him work the customer complaint hotline of Hammer Tech if he ever used any of the lovesick material he had hoarded over the last couple of weeks. (That of course didn’t mean the traitor didn’t send those pictures to Pepper and Rhodey who would use it against Tony because they were both traitors as well.)
Being in a relationship with Steve was… different. And it was comfortable in a way no relationship had ever been comfortable for Tony. It was deliriously new and so familiar he sometimes feared he might have imagined everything.
Then Steve would kiss him. A peck on the cheek. A butterfly kiss to his temple. A gentleman’s greeting straight out of a Jane Austen book. Or the ones he only gave Tony when they were alone. When they were in their bedroom and Steve was looming over Tony comfortingly, stealing his breath and thoughts away.
Aside from that – and the casual touches, hand holding and hugs – not much had changed. Their dynamic certainly hadn’t. The way they acted around each other hadn’t. The way the team interacted with them hadn’t.
Tony would rather die than acknowledge it, but Clint might have been right: they had been in a relationship for months. Hell, they had been sleeping next to each other weeks before Tony even knew Steve wasn’t straight.
That was something that hadn’t changed as well, and Tony was this close to biting into their bed frame.
He would give Steve all the time he needed, of course! And despite all the contrary news articles, he, in fact, wasn’t a sex addict. He could live without it – hell he had, the last couple of years. There had been like two flings he had since Afghanistan and the sex had been… awkward at best.
That didn’t mean, though, that he wouldn’t love to strip Steve off his uniform every time he looked at the gorgeous soldier and climb him like a tree.
He wouldn’t. Of course, he wouldn’t. But he wanted to.
Thanks to his… experiences, sex wasn’t what defined intimacy for Tony. Hell, if anyone asked him, it was harder for him to have sex with someone he actually liked and respected. That in and of itself was probably something he should be telling a shrink, if he thought about it… but the important part right now was, that he loved Steve. He trusted Steve. And he wanted Steve to fuck him right into the mattress.
…as soon as Steve was ready for that.
Maybe Tony craved the sex because he would know what to do in that situation. He often had no clue what to do when Steve was just too sweet for his own good.
What was Tony supposed to do when the super soldier wrapped himself around Tony, murmuring into his ear that Tony please had to come to bed , because Steve couldn’t sleep without him anymore?
What was he supposed to do when Steve packed him a honest to god lunchbox so that he would be able to eat something – aside from killing Clint who almost died laughing.
What was he supposed to do with all the touches and kisses that were just given because Steve loved him and without any ulterior motive that he could think of? Not that he thought Steve would have any ulterior motives.
At least by now he knew that all those touches were innocent.
Steve liked to touch and kiss and hug just because. Just because he loved Tony. Just because he liked to have him nearby. Just because he liked to feel Tony close beside him. And that wasn’t something Tony was imagining or anything. Steve had told him that . With his earnestest and honestest expression. (And yes, if Steve was involved, these were the right words to use, thank you very much.)
He was mostly sure Steve wouldn’t just get sick of him because he had known Tony before. He knew how annoying Tony could be. How single minded. How forgetful.
There was also an at least 85% chance that didn’t have to do anything with Rhodey, Pepper, Jarvis and Peter. He only knew about the kid but there were good chances they had or would give Steve a shovel talk - in Peter’s case almost literally.
The kid had looked at Steve suspiciously for about an hour after they told him (and after he had been happy for Tony and wasn’t that the sweetest thing?), before turning to Nat and asking her loudly, if she would help him hide a body if he needed to bury someone for messing up.
Steve had gone deadly still at that, his expression falling, while he looked towards the spy.
“Of course, little spider. But don’t worry. Captain Dad would never hurt our Iron Mom.”
After that Peter had smiled up at the super soldier, all innocence and happiness as he told him he was so happy Tony had found someone who would make him happy .
Tony loved his kid with all he had long before this, but his weak heart had almost given out when he saw the Spiderling standing up to one of his heroes to protect Tony – not that that was necessary, of course.
Steve would never hurt him. Hell, if anyone was going to get hurt it was Steve. And if it wasn’t Tony – fat chance – it would be the press because of Tony as soon as they found out he had defiled a national icon. And the worst part? He hadn’t!
Come to think of it, he was still waiting for one of his teammates to take him aside and give him the shovel talk. Or read him the riot act. Or kill him dead as a warning.
Just last Tuesday he had been sure Nat was about to do it, when she had pressed a butterfly kiss to his cheek telling him to accept the good in his life. And then she called him kotenok. Probably to make him blush even harder. She was evil that way.
Then, of course the third attack had happened that week, putting his world domination plans in perspective. If he promised to not go all megalomaniac on the world, Steve might even allow it at least long enough to have a fucking weekend with each other without being called out to fight fucking interdimensional ostriches, weaponized hornets, those crap robots on Wednesday, this weird poet-guy or someone who might have been part of the Amish before deciding they were too progressive for him.
Oh and of course those fucking slug-things.
Now, almost three hours since they had started to pick them off one by one, they had been able to prevent any casualties as far as he knew – and Jarvis would have known – even if the property damage was already spectacularly high – Pepper would kill him – and had killed at least half of their fucking pets.
The rest of them were still very much trying to burn them alive, though. And eating them.
At least he had a good excuse why he couldn’t be at the shareholders meeting. Silver linings!
“Jay-” Tony cut the rest of the sentence while pushing all of his focus on Hawkeye, who, of course, had let the fucking abominations against biology come to close and was now leaping off of the skyscraper he had been perched on.
Putting all of the energy into his thrusters, he zoomed through the air, blasting one of the minions out of his way, while also recalibrating his course as Clint was already falling, his hairs slightly singed.
Grabbing onto the gear of the archer, which by now also consisted of a harness for easy transport, he tried to soften the momentum of the fall as best as he could.
“You’re getting slow, Iron Ass.” Hawkeye gritted out, as the harness probably dug too deep into his body.
“Next time I’m just gonna let you splatter on the goddamn concrete, you asshole.”
“Hawkeye, we need you on-” Nat’s voice came over the comms, cutting out at the end but Jarvis already supplied where she was surrounded by five of those flying shits.
“No rest for the wicked.” Clint grinned up at him, as he readied himself for the drop.
“And the day started off so good-”
“Oh god, I don’t want to know how you-”
“No chatter!” Steve bit out and even though he tried to hide it, the embarrassment shone through loud and clear.
“Oh honey, I-”
“NO CHATTER!”
Grinning, Tony swooped down, ignoring the scream of protest when he let Hawkeye fall, knowing full well he would be able to catch himself while already blasting two of those flying things that had come way too close to Nat for comfort.
“Took you long enough.” Nat bit out, a small smile on her lips, as she pulled out another clip for the machine gun she had taken after seeing what they were up against. “How many are left?”
“19- 18 as of right now, Black Widow.” Jarvis replied, calmly. “I think it would be a good idea to assist the Hulk, Sir.”
“On it.”
Shooting another blast at the still withering slug-thing, he shot back up into the sky, almost colliding with the Enchantresses' estrade cousin. Dodging another of their spells, he flew right into the middle of one of the minions breathing fire, presumably because they were freezing their slimy tales off. And why shouldn’t they, it was the end of January and still fucking snowing!.
Thank Tesla this suit was both ice and fire resistant. It didn’t mean it didn’t get uncomfortably hot in his gold titanium alloy shell when those magical misshapes tried to barbecue him.
Flying out of the fire breath, he came face to face with the whoever glaring furiously at him with their amethyst-coloured eyes.
“Stark.” They hissed with a voice that seemed to echo just on its own. There was something there in the voice, something that whispered of old power. Of old magic and blood rituals. Not that Tony gave a crap.
“I’m flattered you know who I am- not that there are many people who don’t know who I am.” He grinned, keeping steady with the flowing figure and ignoring all the blaring warnings displayed on his HUD.
As well as the yelled orders from his Captain. Something else that hadn’t changed since they started dating.
“I think you didn’t introduce yourself.”
“My name is too old for you to know.” The voice said. Without the lips of the magic user moving. That wasn’t creepy at all…
“Sure, sure, but if I wanted to, like chat you up-”
“The Libellschne are going to destroy-”
“The what now?” Tony swooped to the side, firing another repulsor blast against one of the things, decapitating it-
The wizard or whatever was right in his face before Tony could even move.
“I see your heart, Merchant of Death.”
“I got rid of that title.” That was said harsher. Not that Tony was surprised or anything. It just took some attention to ignore Steve’s yelled orders to fall back. To not engage someone they had no clue what they could do.
Because up until now, they had been toying with the Avengers. Sending his Libellschnes - whatever the fuck that meant - and not reacting to anything.
Hell, it almost seemed like they didn’t give a fuck whether or not they would win. They hadn’t even monologued their plans and that was just rude. Didn’t they know nothing about proper etiquette in these kinds of situations?
“It pleases me.”
Tony froze. That they had said right into his mind. Looking up into their eyes, he saw a glimmer. Something like humour?
Before Tony could react one of the slugs slammed into him, throwing him into the concrete almost fifteen floors beneath him.
The fact that Tony wasn’t able to do anything despite the screams in his ears, the HUD blinking manically and Jarvis all but ordering him to do something had less to do with the dragon-slug and more to do with the ice-cold terror vibrating inside his skull and stomach.
He wasn’t the Merchant of Death. Not anymore. Or he wasn’t acting like the Merchant anymore. He wasn’t! He was Iron Man! He had learned from his mistakes. He had-
“TONY!”
Blinking, he came to it. Pushing himself upward, he winced. Aside from probably very impressive bruises on at least 97% of his body, his left wrist was at least sprained.
And there was a 200 pounds slug-thing trying to eat his beautiful armour.
Looking up, he saw Steve sprinting towards him. He must have lost his cowl some time ago. His hair was standing up every which way, there was sooth covering some of his face and his eyes were burning hotter than the dragon breath these wanna be pets were using.
He was beautiful.
Using both of his hands, Tony shot the slug thing off of him, before climbing out of the noticeable dent in the asphalt.
Steve was there a second later, grabbing onto Tony’s shoulder to hold him close.
“Tony-”
“What happened to only code names on the comm?” Ignoring the breathlessness of his voice, Tony let Steve help him up, even if he didn’t need it.
“The same thing as listening to my orders. It died an ungraceful death.” Steve muttered, almost lowly enough for Tony to not hear it.
“Are you okay?”
“Sure, I am.” Tony grinned, knowing full well Steve would be able to hear his smile even if he wouldn’t believe it.
“Only seven more Libellschnes to go and then we can-”
“Get you to medical.” Steve growled.
“50 bucks that he doesn’t get him to medical.” Clint said, before Tony could even answer.
“50.” Winter agreed.
Groaning, Tony made sure Winter was still hidden from prying eyes – not that Jarvis would let any footage of Winter leak. He had been on all of their missions because he had made it very clear that there were only two reasons for him to stay back: Tony and Peter.
And as Peter was in school and Tony was fighting, so was Winter. Even if he kept back, only taking those things out he could without being too suspicious.
He wasn’t an Avenger just yet, not officially at least. As he didn’t want any attention on himself, they had agreed to give him a little more of a grace period. For now.
“The disrespect!” Tony growled, playfully, while taking off straight into the sky, already aiming for a slug-thing that was about to fly away.
“You are right.” A hand grabbed Tony by the throat mid-flight and pressed down on it, denting his high-tech suit without even trying.
The screams got louder, Tony knew, but he barely realized it while staring into the amethyst eyes of the magic user.
“I will show you what they think of you.” It was a whisper, almost lovingly, if it hadn’t been for the sadistic happiness blooming in those eyes. “Don’t believe anything is as it seems.”
“TONY!”
Out of all the screams, even over the deadly growls and screams of the Hulk, Tony heard the terror in Steve’s voice.
Something hot and constricting spread over his body, like the suit heating up, melting to his skin and shrinking at the same time.
The hand on his throat must have let him go because he was falling. Not that he was paying much attention to that, he was fully focussed on not screaming while he felt his body give.
Today had been so promising.
Chapter 2: Steve: Now I See It Too
Summary:
We find out what the magic user did to Tony
Notes:
Hey everyone,
thanks to Justanotherpuff for beta reading.
Enjoy!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Staring up into the sky, looking at Iron Man flying higher as if he hadn’t just crashed heavily into the street, Steve questioned once again, why he even bothered. Tony did what he damn well pleased and Steve would probably strangle him because of it sooner or later.
Or at least handcuff him to their bed… (He would not follow that line of thought.)
Or he would put him into the Hulk cage with the Hulk. Bruce was fond of Tony in any form and would not let him leave if he thought Tony was in danger.
“The disrespect!” Tony growled playfully and Steve knew the glint he would have in his eyes right now.
Blinking, he saw the air shimmer in front of Iron Man and Steve knew what was going to happen. Before he could react at all, the magic user appeared right there, wrapping his hand around Tony’s throat, and squeezed.
“TONY!”
The enemy moved closer to Tony as if whispering a secret to him. The comms didn’t pick up anything and they were too far away even for Steve’s enhanced hearing.
“ TONY! ” He screamed again, his insides twisting violently, knowing full well that there was nothing he could do.
He heard the yells of the others but couldn’t care. His eyes were glued to Tony’s form hovering up in the air and looking like the magic user squeezed the ever-loving daylight out of him.
One of Hawkeye’s arrows crashed into a magical shield surrounding both Iron Man and their enemy. They knew it was there. They had tried that before. It was the only reason Steve didn’t throw his shield.
From one second to the next, the magic user was gone as if they had dissolved in the wind.
And Tony was falling.
Steve started running, his eyes glued to his lover falling to the earth, getting momentum with every second.
Out of the corner of his eyes he saw a shadow move to the same point where he was heading.
“Steve! Winter!” Nat yelled, fury in her voice.
He didn’t care. Didn’t react when an arrow hit right beside him.
“Jarvis!” Winter growled, almost breathlessly.
The AI didn’t answer.
Steve knew he would break his back if he tried to catch Iron Man, but he didn’t care. In the motionless armour was the love of his life and he would do anything he could to keep him as safe as he could.
Even if he failed him again and again.
The armour hit the concrete with a screeching scream.
Steve had been too late. Again.
Throwing himself to his knees beside the armour that had broken the concrete beneath them, his heart clenched, almost cutting off his own breathing.
Winter was just a heartbeat behind him, falling to his knees on the other side of the unmoving piece of metal.
The armour looked mangled. The plates protecting Tony’s throat were dented, showing a four-fingered handshape behind.
“Jarvis?” Steve barely recognized his own voice. He didn’t care. His hands were already on the armour, on the faceplate.
“Tony?”
“I…” The AI hesitated and Steve almost screamed. Leaning forward he grabbed for the emergency releases to break his lover out of his metal shell.
“Something is… not right.”
Steve stopped breathing. Still, he pulled the release. He listened for the faint hissing sound before ripping the rest of the armour open.
“ No! ”
Steve didn’t react to Clint’s shock. Didn’t react when the archer grabbed his shoulder. Didn’t react to the sharp inhale from Nat that could have also been a scream of horror. Didn’t react to the horrific silence from Winter.
Thankfully, the Hulk was still fighting the slug-minions.
Inhaling hurt. Air grating in his throat. Burning in his lungs.
Tony was gone.
No. No no no no no no no no no !
He couldn’t… Tony couldn’t- He-
Out of the corner of his eyes he saw a movement. His reflexes took over, letting his eyes settle on the possible threat even though he couldn’t care less.
The movement was from something small and black in the right foot piece of the armour.
Then it meowed.
The small black ball of fur moved with a broken mewl when it moved, and Steve reacted before he knew what he did. Gingerly pushing his big clumsy hands under the small, almost weightless black creature.
As soon as it was out of the boot he saw the small ears, the twitching tail and knew who he was holding. He didn’t need to see the eyes blinking open revealing a whiskey colour and intelligence far greater than he had ever seen before.
He didn’t need to see a faint blue glow showing out of the silky black fur on its chest.
“Is that…” Hawkeye asked, not letting any of his emotions shimmer through.
“Tony.” Winter agreed, calmly.
“Tony.” Clint repeated, deadpan.
The small kitten pushed itself up on its tiny paws and mewled when the right front paw buckled under its non-existent weight. Blinking up at Steve, he could see recognition and then realisation.
The kitten hissed full of aggressive rage and obviously distressed and pissed off, guessing by his twitching tail, the way his tiny ears pressed themselves to his small head and his eyes narrowing.
“Okay, now I see it, too.”
Glaring at Clint the small kitten growled.
Even though he was still breathless and was sure his heart had taken irreparable damage, it melted looking down on the kitten glaring up at the archer and pressing his body to Steve’s hands.
“Are you okay?”
The kitten blinked up at him, huffing annoyedly and Steve just knew that if he had eyebrows right now, he would raise one at him in his patented Tony Stark™ way.
“Good enough for now.” Clint mumbled, before turning on his heels. “We still need to wrap this up, Cap. Widow, Big Green our Tin Man is even cuter than before-”
The growl of the tiny kitten vibrated through Steve’s hand, and he had to bite back a laugh. This was pure Tony.
He also most likely had just lost it. Or was in shock.
“-and even more travel sized.”
Steve put his hands around the kitten, stopping it from throwing itself at the Avenger, which he would have, guessing by the hissing and how he struggled in Steve’s hands.
Looking up at Winter, he locked eyes with him. “Protect them and then take the suit back to the Tower, okay? I’m going to take Tony back right now.”
Winter looked down on the struggling kitten in Steve’s hands and nodded.
“Protect.”
Steve nodded. He would. Winter would, too.
“Black Widow, you’re in command.”
“Get him home, Cap.”
Lifting the kitten higher, he pressed the fragile body to his chest, keeping it safe with his left hand, while he hefted his shield higher. No one was going to touch Tony. No one was even getting a glimpse of him.
“Jarvis, close the armour.”
“Of course, Captain. Please get Sir back to the Tower. I will research appropriate medical care.”
“Medical care?” Steve askes, as he ducked under one of the last remaining Libellschnes. It seemed they had lost their will to fight when the magic user had left.
Small mercies.
Before he could even lift the shield to attack, Winter was on it, growling at Steve which he took as a hint to get Tony back to the Tower.
Small mercies indeed.
As soon as he had gotten a block away, he ran into some police officers, holding back the public.
“Captain America?”
“The situation is almost contained.” Steve called, without stopping, just barely slowing his running down enough. “New mission!”
The Tower was only a fifteen-minute run away, at least if Steve was the one running.
Glancing down on the kitten he held safe to his chest, he remembered what Jarvis had said.
“Is Tony hurt?” He pressed out, knowing he wouldn’t have to finish the question for the clever AI to know what he wanted to know.
“Sir had bruises, a sprained wrist and bruised ribs before he… was turned into a cat.”
Steve didn’t have the breath to correct Jarvis. Tony hadn’t been turned into a cat. He had been turned into a kitten, looking barely a few weeks older. He fit into one of Steve’s hand from nose to tail for Christ’s sake.
“We cannot predict what this transformation might have done to the Arc Reactor or his already… troubled physiology.”
Fuck.
Steve hadn’t even thought about the Arc. That, of course, could be because he was still on the verge of panic or shock. Or because his heart had melted the second he had looked into those brilliant-beautiful eyes set in the face of a small kitten.
He would never admit to that, of course, or Tony would kill him, never mind he barely weighed a pound right now. Steve wasn’t stupid enough to underestimate Tony Stark. Never mind that he was a kitten right now.
“It’s okay, Tony.” He rasped, not stopping even for a heartbeat.
Abandoning the sidewalk, Steve started running on the road, jumping over parked cars and twice over turning ones. It didn’t matter if he got Tony safely back home.
“Captain Rogers?”
“Jay?” He huffed, glancing down towards the small ball of black fur. It didn’t move. Steve’s heart nearly stopped before the kitten blinked up at him as soon as he loosened his grip around the tiny body.
A boulder the size of Mount Everest fell off Steve's chest – until he was nearly hit by a bus and had to jump out of its way at the last second.
“Please consider concentrating on the road.” The AI’s voice was dry, even if he could hear the worry in it.
“Okay.” Steve huffed out, as he pushed himself upright again. “What-”
“Mr. Parker is on the line. He asks for confirmation that Sir is not in danger.”
“Call back.”
“As you wish.”
Steve heard the dialling tone and almost groaned. He had meant that he would call Peter back later. And he was almost sure Jarvis knew that. He was far more capable of reading subtleties than most humans. But like most humans, he liked to decide what he heard and acted according to his own wishes.
Just like his father.
“Mr. Stark!”
Slowing down, Steve tried to breathe as calmly as he could. Peter was in therapy after everything that had happened in the last couple of months and the last thing he wanted to do was to scare Tony’s kid.
“It’s me, Peter.”
“Captain Rogers?” Dread was already filling his voice.
“Tony can’t come to the phone right now, but he is… okay.” He hadn’t hesitated for much more than a few seconds, but Peter had heard it, nonetheless.
“What happened to him?” Peter sounded so young.
“I… I’m in public right now, Peter, but he is okay. Jarvis can fill you in, okay? And you can come over tonight if May allows it.”
“…okay.” It wasn’t really mistrust colouring Peter’s voice. It was the smouldering hope that Tony really might be okay. That nothing else terrible had happened to his father figure.
“I promise you, Peter, as soon as I know more, Jarvis, Winter or I are going to tell you, okay?”
“…okay.”
“Thank you.”
“I’ll ask May if I can come over after school.”
“Okay. Don’t worry Peter, everything is going to be just fine.”
This time the silence was even longer than before.
“…okay.”
Jarvis cut the call and Steve sprinted the rest of the way, barely stopping enough to not smash the glass doors in Avengers Tower. Jarvis had, again, prepared an elevator for Steve to just run into.
Coming to a halt for the first time since realizing Tony hadn’t been kidnapped or vaporized, something in Steve uncoiled and he sagged against the metal wall.
“Meow.”
Glancing down, he met the big whiskey-coloured eyes of the kitten and his knees actually buckled under him.
“We’re home Tony, just a little longer.” He whispered while holding the kitten right in front of his face.
Tony meowed again, this sounding less like a question and more like a sarcastic remark. Steve hadn’t known kittens could sound sarcastic. Then again, this was Tony Stark. There was probably no version of him that wasn’t sarcastic.
When Steve didn’t answer the sound, Tony moved forward, not using his left front paw, and pushed his tiny head against his cheek. As if to comfort Steve.
Swallowing was hard. It got even harder when Tony made a sound that could almost be purring.
Pushing his face closer to the kitten, Steve exhaled, shudderingly. “We’re okay. We’re going to turn you back as soon as we can and then everything will be okay, alright?”
The small body moved a little and Steve thought he would move away, instead one small paw pressed against his cheek, wiping away some moisture there.
Blinking, he met the eyes of the kitten and couldn’t help himself, he smiled. All the love Tony could feel was open in the honey colour, showing not only how much he cared in general but how much he loved Steve.
It still took his breath away every time.
The elevator door opened, and the moment was broken. Looking up, Steve already moved the shield in front of his chest where he held the kitten cupped in one hand.
Pepper stood in front of him, her arms crossed in front of her chest, her eyebrow raised in a way that demanded to grovel at her feet. Steve was not above groveling if it meant to stay on the good side of Pepper Potts. Even if, right now, he didn’t know what he had done.
“Jarvis told me I had to come up here right now. My office is finally back in working order and-”
Without saying anything, Steve lowered the shield and moved his hand towards her.
Pepper blinked, opened her mouth before her eyes zeroed in on the fine blue glow coming from the kitten’s chest. Her eyes snapped up to Steve before looking down on the kitten again.
“Tony?”
“Meow.”
If meowing could sound dignified and annoyed, it did.
For a heartbeat, Pepper didn’t move, didn’t even breathe. Then, she burst out laughing.
Tony huffed annoyedly, his short tail flickering aggressively while he glared at one of his oldest friends.
“You are adorable !”
Tony hissed.
“Don’t be like that.” Pepper moved forward and reached out to possibly pet Tony. Steve moved the kitten back in front of his chest without even thinking about it.
Pepper just smiled at him and followed his movement, carefully petting the kitten’s head. “Our stocks might drop by a fortune, but our PR team would love a picture of you right now.” She halted for a moment, a shadow settling over her eyes.
Tony, realizing her slip, too, moved forward, pushing his head into her head in a cat like reaction Steve also knew from human Tony and now had to bite down on his own burst of laughter.
Blinking, Pepper looked down on him, a sad smile on her lips, before it turned mischievous. “We should at least publish a picture of Captain America protecting a small black kitten. What do you think that will do to social media?”
Steve shuddered, involuntarily, making Pepper laugh and Tony hiss again.
“I’ll call Rhodey just to let him know everything is fine-ish. Are you going to call Stephen?”
“He is still on a mission in another dimension, but I’ll call him.”
“Good.” Leaning forward again, Pepper moved closer than before, pressing a kiss to the small head of the kitten. Smiling up at Steve, she told him to take care of Tony before she left.
Leaving Steve alone with Tony.
Under most other circumstances he would very much appreciate it, having Tony all to himself. Right now, he almost panicked. What was he supposed to do with a hurt kitten that was his boyfriend?
Thinking about it the panic all but grew when he realized that his hand was as big as the whole kitten, and he wouldn’t even need his super soldier strength to hurt or kill Tony.
Fuck, what if he had hurt Tony on the way to the Tower.
Walking over to the kitchen island, Steve placed Tony on the marble surface with all the care he could muster, before gingerly taking his hand away.
“Meow.” The kitten tilted his head and Steve could have sworn he heard the question in its tiny voice.
“I’m… I don’t know what I’m doing, Tony.”
Tony huffed, limping towards Steve.
“You should-” Steve started, putting a hand towards the small creature, and stopped when Tony pushed his small head against his hand, before laying half down on it. The kitten blinked up at him, his eyes too human for a cat. In them was nothing but trust and love.
It was the same trust Tony showed him every time he let Steve manhandle him. Let Steve push him on the mattress. That Steve wouldn’t hurt him. That he wouldn’t do anything Tony didn’t want.
Not that Jarvis wouldn’t activate a suit the second he thought Steve would hurt his father. Or tell the Avengers. Or Pepper. Or Colonel Rhodes.
And of course, Steve would never do anything Tony didn’t want, no matter how much he wanted him. The point still stood. Tony trusted Steve to not hurt him. After all the people who had betrayed him, who had tried to kill him and who had hurt him in so many different ways, Tony still trusted Steve.
Even now, in the body of a breakable kitten, Tony trusted him.
“Okay.” Steve cupped his other hand around the kitten and brought him back towards his chest, feeling something like a small purr vibrating through the small body.
“Okay.” He was still in uniform, which started to stiffen with the drying slime and dust. It was a wonder Tony’s fur wasn’t already caked with it.
Steve was glad that no one but Jarvis (who hopefully wouldn’t keep the evidence- or worse, use it against him) was there to witness his five-minute discussion with a ruffled black kitten. He also lost the argument, conceding to take Tony with him into the bathroom, where he built a small nest for the kitten and ordered (pleaded) with his injured boyfriend to just stay put for the three minutes it would take Steve to undress and shower.
He had half a heart attack when he came out of the shower and Tony was gone.
He found the wet and miserable looking kitten in the sink. It looked like he had wanted to take a shower too.
Putting his boyfriend in his towel, Steve very very carefully dried him off, biting back a slightly hysterical laugh when he looked down at the kitten that looked like he had licked at a socket.
Steve had barely managed to dress himself and left a message for Stephen to come over the minute he was back in this reality, when thunder rattled the Tower.
“Meow!” Tony hobbled over the thick blanket towards Steve, something like urgency in his expression.
Steve offered his hand and let his boyfriend climb onto it before he moved him in front of his chest again. Keeping him safe.
“Jarvis-”
“I asked Mr. Thor to join you in the living room, Captain.”
Tony mewled and Steve, without thinking about it, started petting him.
The elevator doors opened and Thor in all his Asgardian glory stepped out of it, his hair still ruffled by the travel with the Bifrost.
“Steve, what a pleasure to see you in good health, my friend. Heimdall told me that-” he stopped, his eyes widening when he looked at the small kitten pressed to Steve’s chest.
“-a sorcerer was on earth fighting my shield siblings. Are you alright, Anthony?”
“Meow.”
“Tony, of course, my friend, but are you alright.”
“ Meow .”
“Aside from being a kitten, of course.”
“Meow!”
“I’m sorry, my friend, but you certainly don’t look like a grown ca-”
“ Meow !”
“My apologies, my friend.” Thor smiled. “I just had to think about Natasha calling you kotenok and-”
Tony hissed, his tail twitching viciously enough for Steve to hold the tiny kitten even closer to him, whispering reassurances.
He couldn’t fault Thor for the comparison, he had thought of it too. And all of them had called Tony a cat or kitten before. Although aside from Nat, who used it as a (literal) pet name and Clint who liked to say it to piss Tony off, no one had said it to his face before.
“I didn’t mean to-”
“Meow!”
“My brother is still on Asgard to-”
“Meow!”
“Of course, I shall travel back to ask for his assistance. He will want to come as fast as he can. You are his favourite after all, Tony.”
“Meow?”
“Do not worry, I came here to see whether or not you needed assistance.”
“Do you know who it was?”
Thor looked up and met Steve’s eyes.
“I do not. Heimdall couldn’t see them clearly, just that there was old magic on Midgard. I had asked him to keep an eye out for you. I have learned from my mistakes in the past.”
“Meow.” Tony moved forward in Steve’s hand as if he wanted to get to Thor to comfort him. He had taken it rather hard that he had missed most of Tony’s kidnappings and had only seen the aftermath.
“Thank you, my friend, you are too kind.”
The small kitten huffed, indignantly.
“Do you know how long it will take you to bring Loki back?”
“I’m sorry, I do not. But I shall tell my parents to hurry it along.” There was steel under the pleasant tone and Steve knew Thor would do anything to get Loki back to them as soon as he could.
“Before I leave, is there anything you want to say to Steve, Tony?”
The kitten in his hands stilled, as if thinking it through.
“Might I remind that we still don’t know what kind of injuries Sir sustained and whether or not they were transferred to his new body?” Jarvis asked, sharply.
Tony just huffed again.
Notes:
I'm not that good right now, so updates might take some time.
But I WILL continue.
Stay safe, sane and optimistic if you can!
Chapter 3: Tony: Fucking Magic
Summary:
Tony wakes up as a cat. And is, surprisingly, not amused
Notes:
Hey everyone,
I'm so sorry for not posting anything here for what felt like months. I had a crappy few weeks and only managed to write something that was decidedly not happy... and as I promised to at least *try* to make this less angsty...
Now I'm back and hope I'll be able to write more often. I can't make any promises though. But I'm hopeful!
Thanks to the lovely people who commented and reminded kindly me that there are people waiting.
Thanks to my friend Justanotherpuff for beta reading and being this patient with me.
And now: enjoy!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Tony opened his eyes. And blinked them close almost immediately. It was way too bright. And loud. Biting back a groan, he tried to move. Everything hurt. That of course was nothing new, but aside from bone deep aches and a dull throbbing in his head there was a tingling all over his body.
It was quite disorientating.
They had been in a fight, hadn’t they? Opening his mouth, he wanted to ask for Steve, for Jarvis or any other Avenger. But what wound itself out of his throat sounded more like a whine.
Great. If anyone had heard that, they would definitely baby him, no chance around it.
Everything got even more disorientating when a hand pushed itself under Tony and lifted him back. The hand was too big, soft and well-coordinated to be Hulks.
Had they been fighting giants?
Forcing his eyes open, he blinked into the brightness.
Something was wrong. The world looked wrong .
The face right in front of his was undeniably Steve’s but his natural colours were muted and wrong . Same went for Clint and Winter staying right behind Steve looking down on Tony. He also saw more at the edges of his vision than he had ever before.
Oh. And Steve was gigantic compared to him and- oh god! Was that fur on him?
“Is that…” Hawkeye asked calmly, but Tony could smell the unease on him. Fucking hell!
Looking down on his hands, he realized he was on all fours. That he hadn’t hands but paws and – maybe worst of all – he felt something move behind him. Something that belonged to him.
“Tony.” Winter declared. He seemed actually calm as if this wasn’t a cat-astrophe of epic proportions. Tony hated himself: for making that pun and that no one else would be able to appreciate it because he was a fucking cat !
“Tony.” Clint repeated, disbelievingly.
Not that Tony could fault him for it. This was fucking ridiculous. Pushing himself up, he let a pained sound escape, when his right hand… front paw – whatever – buckled under him. Yeah, he remembered hurting his wrist.
How was this his life? Wait- They had thought some magic asshole and they had said… fucking hell, they had said I will show you what they think of you .
A hiss wound itself out of his throat and he felt his… his tail twitch behind himself. Felt his ears flatten to his head and-
In that moment before pain had overtaken him, he had feared a lot of things. Like having people telling him what they actually thought of him (and that could only end in disaster. Tony knew he was an annoying mess like at least half of the time…). Or that he might get the ability to hear other people’s thoughts. And that he decidedly didn’t want to do an Edward, he had enough to deal with his own thoughts, thanks.
But this was somehow worse. This meant his dear teammates thought he was a cat. And judging by the fact that Steve’s hand was spacious enough for Tony to take a walk on it, they thought he was a kitten .
They thought he was useless. They thought he was defenceless. And annoying and-
“Okay, now I see it too.”
Tony growled, the sound rumbling through his very core, as he pressed down on Steve’s hand, glaring at the archer while Tony thought of a way to jump on Clint and scratch his eyes out.
“Are you okay?”
Tony huffed. No, he wasn’t okay. He was a cat!
“Good enough for now.” Clint mumbled, relieved. “We still need to wrap this up, Cap. Widow, Big Green Tin Man is even cuter than before-”
Tony growled, with all the might that he had. Which was, admittedly, not that impressive right now.
“-and even more travel sized.”
That was it. He would kill him. Or he would have if Steve hadn’t trapped him between his big, warm hands.
Being carried by Stevie while the super soldier held him secure right over his heart was as devastatingly embarrassing as it was cute. Steve was so obviously freaking out that Tony would have given almost anything he had to help calm him.
Instead, he had tried to keep quiet and not vomit. The motion was terrible on his confused senses. It was enough to being barely able to listen while Steve talked with Peter.
What had the kid done to deserve all of this?
When the motion stopped and Steve’s body relaxed, at least a little, Tony tried to ask Steve what was going on or how he was feeling. Because aside from Peter, he was the next in line going coo-coo for coco puffs just because Tony had been targeted again.
At least he hadn’t been kidnapped. Silver linings.
Steve moved his hand a little, and Tony was sure that if he had been a human, it would have made him stumble. As a cat, his tail balanced the movement out no problem. He was not going to acknowledge that, though.
“We’re home Tony, just a little longer.” Steve whispered, desperation tinging his voice, as he held Tony up to his face, a forced smile on his lips.
As if being home will help anything. “Meow.”
This was going to get old fast .
Pepper, although as efficient and brilliant as always, was also an ass. He wasn’t adorable and he would burn down the Tower himself before letting PR publish pictures of him as this tiny, useless thing .
More importantly than his pyromaniac tendencies were the panic gripping Steve when Pepper left them.
Steve was always gentle with Tony. He was always considerate and oh so careful to not even cuddle him too hard. This reached new highs when he put Tony’s cat-body on the kitchen island. Moving his hands away as if he was sure he would hurt Tony. As if Steve thought Tony would ever believe he would hurt him.
You’re not going to hurt me, beloved. “Meow.”
Oh wow, it already was old.
“I’m… I don’t know what I’m doing, Tony.” Steve sounded desperate. Afraid.
Tony huffed, trying to walk over with as much dignity as he could – while being a fucking baby feline and limping because of his freaking wrist. Or what had been his wrist just an hour ago.
Fucking magic.
“You should-” Steve moved one of his gigantic hands toward Tony to stop him from moving, as if that was the problem here.
As words proved to be difficult right now, Tony pushed his small head into the warm hand, before laying down on it. He wouldn’t admit it – and for once he actually couldn’t even if he had wanted to – that he hurt all over. And even worse, he was tired. The kind of tired that settled into your bones and dragged you down, no matter how much you fought.
“Okay.” It sounded as awed as it sounded broken. Gingerly, Steve cupped his other hand around his small body and placed him again over his heart, as if wanting to keep him as close and safe as humanly possible.
Getting himself clean – and Tony didn’t even entertain the thought of licking himself clean, thank you very much – proved to be a disaster. Steve had looked panicked beyond belief and the heavy guilt settling in his tiny stomach felt way too big for his plaything body.
As if Steve – and the Avengers – hadn’t already enough reasons to think he was weak and breakable. Tony bit back a growl. It was probably their fault that he now was barely more than a stuffed animal. Not that he could blame them, it had been him who hadn’t been able to stay out of trouble for more than a second in the last couple of months.
Then, thunder shook the Tower and Tony knew someone who could actually understand him was going to be here.
Not that Thor actually was much of help. And then Jarvis had to remind everyone (Steve) that he was injured. As if this situation hadn’t been embarrassing enough.
I’m fine. “Meow.”
“You must forgive us, Tony, but you seldomly confess to injuries.” The thunderer said, almost apologetically. “And in your current condition-”
Tony hissed, feeling his tail flicker aggressively behind him.
“Something is wrong with his… right front paw.”
Tony huffed annoyed. Of course, Steve had seen it, it was glaringly obvious, but he didn’t need to actually call it what it was!
“Do you have any other injuries, my friend?” Thor leaned himself closer to Tony as if he was able to determine it just by looking alone.
Steve, inexplicably, moved Tony, once again, closer to his chest, as if to protect him from Thor. Which would be ridiculous. Not as ridiculous as it had been when he had done the same when Pepper had dared to move closer… but still ridiculous.
Thor was basically a big teddy bear. What did Steve fear? That Thor would cuddle him to death?
In all fairness, that could, indeed, be a concern. With all of them. Oh please, empty heavens above, don’t make that the way Tony would leave this world. Although it would be fitting, surviving everything and everyone from the Ten Rings to Hydra just to be cuddled to death by his family.
“Might I suggest to-”
Don’t you dare, Jay! “ Meow! ”
“I’m terribly sorry, Sir, but I do not understand you.”
As if he would have listened, even if he had understood him. And Thor, the traitor, didn’t even translate!
“I suggest you find a veterinarian for a medical check-up. My scans suggest Sir’s transformation has been quite thoroughly.”
What had clued the highly advanced AI in. His fucking tail? The whiskers? Or that he had room to move when Steve cupped him in his hands?
“I-” Steve began, when the elevator doors opened.
Tony wasn’t able to see who came out of it, as Steve had moved lightning fast, pressing him to his chest, his heartbeat just a little bit elevated.
As if Jarvis wouldn’t have warned them if it would have been anyone aside from their lovable band of misfits.
“Where is our lovable mascot?”
He would kill Clint. Cats were cruel predators if they wanted to be and if Tony killed him in this form, he would be able to claim he hadn’t known what he was doing. Sorry, officer, I didn’t know it would kill my dear friend Clint when I used his neck as a scratching tree.
The hands holding him moved slightly, one thick thumb moving over his head and Tony, although pissed off, had to bite back the purr lingering in his throat. It felt good. Like all of Steve’s touches felt good and right and safe .
Pressing his tiny body to Steve’s warmth, it seemed as if Steve got even more hesitant in letting go of him. Even though that meant right now, to show him to their team.
“Is he okay?” Bruce’s voice was worried, strained and exhausted.
“We don’t really know.” Steve said, moving his hands enough for Tony to see the other Avengers. All of them slightly singed, covered in slime and looking worried.
Bruce, to no one’s surprise, had moved to stand beside Thor, leaning into the god, as he had one arm around his shoulder.
I am fine. You on the other hand look like half drowned poodles. “Meow.”
“Our Tony isn’t really forthcoming with information about his health situation.” Thor had the audacity to say and then ignore his growl.
Biting back another purr when Steve kept rubbing this perfect place right behind his twitching ear, he glared at Thor.
“I am sorry, my friend, I do not believe that you are fine.”
Winter growled at that and Tony huffed, annoyed.
Of course, I’m not fine! I’m a cat! “Meow!”
“Let me guess, he says the only thing wrong with him is that he is a kitten.”
Cat! He growled as threateningly as he could.
“ Awwww .”
The only reason the archer didn't have claw marks all over his face the next second was that Steve had cupped him in his big hands again, moving him closer to himself and murmuring soothingly to him.
“Shut up, Clint.” Nat murmured, moving closer to them both, her green eyes trained on Tony with an intense gaze. Tony wasn’t sure what she wanted to do until it was too late.
She was petting him.
This time, Steve hadn’t moved away to keep someone else from touching Tony – which would have nothing to do with Steve trusting her more than Thor and everything to do with him knowing Nat would take it a lot harder than the rest if he even hinted that he wouldn’t trust her with Tony - or really any of them.
It was also the only reason Tony didn’t hiss at her. It was worse enough that his boyfriend petted him like a… like a damned kitten . The others didn’t have to do this.
“Kotenok. I’m sorry.” The whisper was so faint, Tony almost hadn’t heard it.
Blinking up at the ex-assassin he saw a lot of emotions flashing through her unguarded eyes. The most worrying one was probably guilt mixed with awe and adoration.
Tony was so incredibly fucked.
It didn’t change that he leaned into her hand. Leaned against the slim thumb rubbing the same spot behind his ears Steve has touched just moments ago.
“I know someone.”
“You can’t be serious-” Clint began but was silenced by one glare sent his way.
“You know a vet?” Steve asked, carefully, his hand twitching just the slightest bit but both Tony (obviously) and Nat (also obviously) recognized it.
The ex-assassin nodded, her eyes meeting Tony’s. She would do anything that needed to be done to get him help. As she was the one who would decide whether or not he needed help, it would be all the same to her what Tony thought of the matter.
Sighing, Tony bit back the mewl that would probably escape his lips with his luck. He knew what it meant for Nat to let someone read her as openly as she had let him read her just now. He also knew that he was incredibly privileged of being able to read her at all.
Fighting all of it was, of course, an option, but after what Tony had put all of them through in the last couple of months, he couldn’t. No matter how disastrous this whole ordeal was going to be for his ‘ Tony Stark is able to take care of himself enough to not be Rapunzel-ed in his own Tower ’ campaign he was working on.
“Are we going to kidnap her again?”
“You kidnapped her?” Bruce asked, incredulously but Clint shushed him, his eyes on Nat. “I’m in, of course, but one more time and we have to give her a present or something.”
“We’re not going to kidnap civilians.” Steve said with all the authority he could muster while holding onto a cat barely bigger than a guinea pig - thank fuck no one here could read his mind.
“Sooo… it would be okay if she wasn’t a civilian?” Clint asked, one eyebrow raised.
“Of course not-”
“Kidnap.”
“Winter, no!”
“Wouldn’t she help us if we asked for her aid? Surely she could not disagree in helping our Tony.”
“Especially if we don’t kidnap her.” Bruce agreed.
“I wasn’t going to hurt her.” Nat rolled her eyes, her thumb rubbing soothingly behind Tony’s ears while Steve’s thumb rubbed along his side.
Tony huffed (trying hard not to purr at the comfortable touches). What a fucking relief. Earth Mightiest Heroes thought about kidnapping a poor vet just for Tony’s convenience, but they hadn’t actually planned on hurting her. And the world thought he was a bad influence on them! (It didn’t matter in the least that Tony would have totally kidnapped the vet with Nat if the curse would have hit anyone else.)
“Are we going to have a road trip?” Clint asked, rolling his left shoulder.
“She relocated after she offered her services to us.”
“You had her bound to a chair, Nat.”
“Her office is now in Hoboken.”
After that Nat, Clint, Bruce and Winter left to shower and Thor, after promising his undying love and utter adoration to Bruce, left for Asgard.
“Do you need to drink something?” Steve asked, both of his hands covering most of Tony as if he feared the air all around them could hurt Tony. Or as if he was sure, someone would try to cat-nap him.
Tony groaned. He had to stop with the cat puns. Wouldn’t be able to respect himself in any case after all of this, but if he didn’t stop with them, he would have to choke himself out the minute he had his opposable thumbs back.
“Are you okay?” Steve asked worriedly, carefully looking Tony over as if he could have been hurt by nothing.
Tony nodded, pushing his head against his thumb to show him he was fine. And he was. Nothing hurt bad enough to even warrant any worries. Not that anyone would listen.
“Sir, Captain Rogers?”
Steve stiffened immediately. “Yes, Jarvis?”
“Mr. Parker is in the elevator as we’re speaking.”
Oh shit.
Meeting Steve’s eyes, he saw the same mix of worry and exasperation in them as he supposed Steve could see in his own.
Before they could do anything – thanks Jay, for not even giving them time to react at all – the elevator doors opened and a distraught teenager all but ran on the floor.
“Captain Rogers! I’m sorry, I know I shouldn’t have come, you told me to wait and-” The kid stopped dead when his gaze found Tony. His big brown eyes widened, making him look even younger than he actually was – and he was basically a toddler.
“Mr… Stark?”
I’m fine, Petey . “Meow.”
“Oh my god, Mr. Stark! You’re a-”
Don’t say it! “Meow!”
“What happened?” The teenager moved forward, stretching his hand out to touch Tony.
Before Steve could move back (and Tony would have kicked his ass if he had, Tony moved forward, trying to hide his limp as best as he could.
Peter’s hand was warm as well, his fingers wandering under Tony’s chin immediately and scratching lightly at his vulnerable throat.
This time, Tony couldn’t bite back the purr that escaped his throat. After seeing the delight in Peter’s eyes, he was glad he hadn’t been able to.
Blinking, a frown formed on his kid’s face. “What happened?”
“It was a magic user, Peter.” Steve’s voice was calm and reassuring.
“What are you going to do to-”
“Thor returned to Asgard to ask for Loki’s help, Jarvis has left a message for Dr. Strange to ask him for help as soon as he returns and-”
It was that moment Peter scratched just right and Tony moved the slightest bit, his hurt paw – wrist! – not being able to hold up his laughable wait and he stumbled.
“He is hurt! Mr. Stark you’re hurt!”
“Peter-”
“We have to do something! What if he is hurt worse and-”
“Don’t worry, Peter, Nat knows a vet. We’re taking Tony as soon as they are done showering.”
His kid looked up at Steve, fear barely hidden in his brown eyes, as he moved closer, obviously feeling like he needed to protect his mentor.
Tony really wished he lived in a world in which this would be insane.
Fucking Magic.
Notes:
About a year ago I started this series. And now it's over 380k words long :D I really don't know what happened :D
I'm INCREDIBLY happy to be able to post this today because it means the upload filters that are in effect since today in Germany don't interfere with my stories. That actually lifts at least the Mount Everest of my chest :D
Please, if you can, stay safe, sane and optimistic my lovely readers.
And thank you so much for being patient with me.
Chapter 4: Steve: Currently Human
Summary:
Steve, Bucky, Peter and Nat take Tony to the vet.
Notes:
Hey everyone,
a Christmas Miracle! I was able to write the next chapter!
It was beta read by the lovely Justanotherpuff and Lou94 and my biologist looked over it too (because I was quite self-conscious).
Enjoy!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Steve sat on the backseat of the heavily armored car, Peter right beside him, who wouldn’t stop petting Tony, who was sitting in a fluffy towel on his kid’s lap. He couldn’t fault the kid for it, of course. Tony was adorable, especially when he rubbed his head against your hand or purred. Which he did almost constantly when Peter scratched under his chin.
Of course, he did. Tony loved his kid. And Peter had marginally relaxed since he was allowed to keep constant contact with his father figure. It didn’t change though, that Steve wanted to pet his boyfriend, too. Which shouldn’t sound as weird as it did.
Still, he wanted to keep contact with Tony, too. Not enough to take this small comfort from Peter, of course. Tony would probably bite him if he did. And that would have nothing to do with him being a kitten right now. He got very protective when it came to his kid and Steve was not stupid enough to get between a father and his son.
He didn’t even want to get between them for heaven’s sake. But his pulse was still elevated. He still felt the dread lingering in his stomach. Because Tony had almost died today. Again. He had been doing nothing while Tony fell from the sky.
Tony could have died today.
He could have lost Tony.
The ice crept closer again, almost freezing him in place. He had thought he had lost Tony a few times already. It had always hurt. It had cut deep, and he had bled.
Now, knowing how it felt to be allowed to love Tony? To touch him, to kiss him, to stay close when he knew what Steve felt for him? Knowing Tony loved him too? That he liked to snuggle up to him. That he called Steve Beloved when they were alone. That he relaxed immediately in Steve’s arms, no matter how high strung he had been before?
If something happened to Tony, it would break him. He would be functioning, yes. He would be able to work, sure. But after everything, after losing Bucky and finding Winter and learning Hydra was still out there, even after he had sacrificed his life to stop them, losing Tony would break him for good.
This might be melodramatic. It might be his fear of losing the people he loved. It still was what would happen if he lost Tony.
Exhaling, he concentrated on Tony’s small purr. He was fine. A kitten, sure, but fine. They would make sure he wasn’t injured too badly and that his paw got treated and then they would find a way to change him back and everything would be fine.
They would be fine.
Glancing forward, he saw the way Nat grabbed the steering wheel, her eyes focused outside, one hand resting in her lap right over the gun. Winter sat right beside her, his flesh hand curled around the handle of a gun and his eyes searching nonstop for threats.
Not that guns would do anything against the magic user. As they had learned rather painfully.
Forcing himself to relax, or at least to not let either Peter or Tony feel (most of) the tension curled in his muscles, he focused on the warm body sitting on his leg. The small claws barely scratching his skin were possibly the only thing reminding him that Tony was actually there.
He was here. He was mostly safe. Mostly okay.
God, please, let him be okay.
Stepping out of the car, Steve exhaled harshly, tucking the baseball cap a little lower to cover as much of his face as he could. Not only to protect his identity, but also to give himself something to do.
Because Peter was holding Tony. Which was a good idea, as he would be able to flee with Tony if something happened while he, Nat and Winter would subdue them. Hopefully.
Glancing over to Nat, wearing a colorful flower dress and a blond wig, he inhaled, calmly. No one knew they were coming here. No one would know to look for them here.
Winter slipped behind the wheel, looking bored, wearing a black leather jacket and sunglasses, while leaning, seemingly relaxed, in the driver’s seat. In contrast to that Steve knew Winter was more than likely cradling a gun in one hand and was watching the whole street for trouble. He appeared to be if not inconspicuous than at least not suspicious. Hopefully.
“Let’s go.” He smiled at Peter, at Tony’s child, who smiled back, holding Tony close in a fluffy towel to hide the Arc Reactor shining through his fur.
Nat fell in step with them on the other side of Peter, her intelligent eyes searching around for any possible danger. They were supposed to be a family bringing their kitten to the vet. An everyday occurance at a vet. Nothing to worry about.
Sitting down beside Peter in the waiting room felt surreal. Having Nat speak in a flawless southern accent and mothering Peter and him was worse.
So was the annoying ankle biter on the other side of the waiting room growling at Tony. The only reason Steve didn’t do anything about it was that Peter adoringly promised the kitten in his hands that he was safe. And that Tony tried to glare up but obviously couldn’t force himself to glare at his kid.
When the dog was finally called in, Steve relaxed a little. Nat chatted with another blond woman who had a slim gray cat in a carrier beside herself.
“Meow.”
“Just a little longer, Mr.- Tony.”
“Your cat’s name is Tony?”
“Doesn’t he look like a Tony?” Nat asked the woman with a smile that was just a little too sharp, but the woman didn’t seem to notice.
After 72 minutes, and yes, Steve had counted, they were finally asked to get into the examination room.
13 minutes later, the veterinarian finally walked in the door.
“Hello, what can I help you with?”
“I need another favor, Kat.”
The Doctor tensed up, her expression morphing to one of fear, before she clamped down on it, glaring at Nat.
“What the hell are you doing here?”
“Asking for help.”
“Well, that’s new.” The woman hissed, her eyes never leaving Nat.
“Last time-”
“Was an emergency. I’m sorry you got dragged into it.”
“That’s not what you-”
“Please.” Peter whispered loud enough for all of them to hear.
Looking down at the kid, Steve wasn’t sure whether or not he played it up, but the tears shining in his eyes were very convincing.
“We need help.”
The Doctor, Kat, hesitated, clearly torn.
“Tony is hurt.” Peter moved his hands, showing Tony’s small body.
“A kitten?”
Tony hissed.
“Right now, yes.”
Looking back at Nat, the Doctor raised an eyebrow. “Right now?”
“This morning he was a human.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“It’s a long story.” Nat shrugged. “If you help us, we’re going to compensate you even better this time.”
“Why do you try to bribe me?” Kat asked, suspiciously. But the fact that she hadn’t yet tried to flee or call for help was a good sign. Even if Steve wanted to grab her and tell her to fucking check Tony over!
“Because you’re going to have to sign an NDA.”
“Why?” The suspicion was back in full force in the Doctor’s expression.
Nat smiled her most beautiful and dangerous smile. “Come on Kat. Who is standing in front of you.”
The Doctor’s eyes widened after looking all of them over again. “No.”
“I’m afraid so. Peter put Tony on the table.”
Hesitating for just a moment, Peter followed the command, visibly unhappy when he had to let go of his father figure and the blue light of the Arc Reactor was able to shine out of his black fur.
Balling his hand to a fist, Steve moved closer to Peter, placing his other hand supportingly on his shoulder.
The Doctor signed the NDA after that.
Explaining to her that Tony was a cat, but still had his human brain seemed to both shock and excite her, as she started to ask questions and appeared to be delighted when Tony answered with nods and headshakes.
Very carefully she palpated the small and fragile body, the excitement vanished to show a deep frown. Then she took Tony away for a CT scan after swearing on her life that she would give any and all material to them.
“It’s okay, Peter.” He whispered to the distraught teen.
Instead of answering, the kid moved closer to him, leaning against Steve, like he did with Tony.
Moving his arm around the slim frame, Steve half hugged Tony’s kid to his side. “It’s going to be okay.”
“Sure, it is.” Nat agreed, typing a message into her phone. Probably to Winter.
Peter didn’t answer, just leaned heavier on Steve.
The good news was that Tony’s wrist and ribs weren’t broken, just bruised. The bad news was that apparently, cat lungs were much more fragile than human lungs and the Arc was putting an enormous amount of stress on the small body.
“It’s best if you, Mr. Stark, stay as calm as possible and that the rest of you find out how to transform him back asap.” Turning, she grabbed two packs of medications and a small container of cream. “One each in the morning and in the evening. One is anti-inflammatory. The other is pain medication.”
“Meow!”
“I expect you to take them, Mr. Stark.” The Doctor glared down onto the cat. “I put some cream onto his carpus. Once a day is enough. Just rewrap his paw for at least a week. If he turns human before that…” she hesitated, as if asking herself whether or not she had actually just said those words. “Then he should see a Doctor again. Not me though.”
None of them said a word on the drive back. Tony, either because of exhaustion or the pill they had made him take, had fallen asleep in Peter’s arms.
Tony’s lungs could collapse, the Doctor had said.
Closing his eyes, Steve focused on breathing. On not breaking. Not in front of Peter, who was close to panicking himself.
Not in front of Tony, who needed to stay calm and relaxed.
Steve didn’t ask if the rest of the Avengers would be okay with him taking Tony upstairs to their floor. He just did it. While Nat and Winter drove Peter home.
Placing the exhausted kitten on Tony’s pillow, Steve had laid down beside him, helping his injured partner when he tried to climb on Steve’s chest, and fell asleep right over his heart.
Seemingly not caring that Steve could kill him if he fell asleep.
Tony also didn’t seem to care that he could die if his lungs collapsed because of the Arc Reactor. Or had he known? Was that something he lived with? Was that something that could happen to his Tony while said man was flying in a suit of armor?
“Captain Rogers?”
Exhaling, Steve looked over to the camera in the right corner of the bedroom.
“Would you like me to tell you something?”
It was what the AI did for his father when the genius was struggling. When he was trying to calm down. To remind himself where he was. That he was safe.
“Are his lungs in danger of collapsing?”
The following silence was as good as an agreement and somehow far worse.
“I am not at liberty to discuss that question with you, Captain, I am sorry. I can tell you that Sir is in no immediate danger.”
Closing his eyes again, he cupped his hand over the small body sleeping on his chest. Tony was one of the most brilliant people to have ever walked the earth, there was no question about it in Steve’s mind. As there was no question that Tony would still be telling them he was fine while actively bleeding out.
Jarvis, who loved his creator, would try whatever he could to protect him. But he was also loyal. He wouldn’t betray Tony. Most of the time Steve approved. Right now, he didn’t.
He heard when Winter stepped onto the floor hours later, making his steps loud enough for Steve to hear. He listened when Winter stopped in front of their bedroom door.
Winter didn’t knock. He didn’t demand to see Tony or drag Steve out to eat something.
That night, Steve didn’t sleep, too wound up by all the thoughts swirling in his mind. Too afraid that he could hurt Tony.
Everytime the small kitten moved, he was hyper focused, making sure the kitten didn’t fall. That he was safe and warm.
And breathing.
“Captain?”
Nodding wordlessly, Steve kept scratching behind Tony’s ear, the small purr the only thing keeping the panic at bay.
“Miss Potts asks all the official Avengers that are currently human to meet her in thirty minutes in conference room A on the 42nd floor.”
Opening his mouth to decline, Steve was already interrupted by the AI again.
“I asked Mr. Winter to take care of Sir for the time being. If you allow me the observation, I would like to advise you to eat a healthy breakfast, Captain.”
“Meow.”
Looking down at the kitten, his Tony, he saw the frown on the small face. Even if he hadn’t known prior that cats could frown.
“I don’t know-”
“Meow!” Tony stood up, his movements a lot smoother than they had been yesterday. Walking over his chest, Steve barely felt the tiny paws. He did feel it though, when the genius pressed his tiny head against his cheek.
“Meow.”
Sighing, Steve carefully cupped his boyfriend in his hand and sat up, looking down in the expressive whiskey colored eyes.
Tony pressed his front paws into Steve’s hand while cocking his head to the side. What’s going on? Steve could almost hear it.
“I’m worried about you.”
“Meow.” Tony moved forward, rubbing his head against Steve’s thumb, as if wanting to comfort him.
“Did you know your lungs were in danger of collapsing?” He asked quietly. Almost too quietly, he was sure. But as the small black ear moved, he knew Tony had heard him.
The kitten blinked, slowly. Once. Twice. Then he nodded. Calmly. As if it wasn’t a big deal.
As if that wasn’t something Steve, all of them, should have known!
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
Tony blinked again, not even meowing. Then he moved forward to the edge of Steve’s hand, his eyes looking straight at Steve, before he made another big step (for such a little kitten) forward into thin air.
Before he could fall, Steve had put his other hand under him, catching him instantly.
He didn’t ask why Tony had done it. He also didn’t tell the genius that it wasn’t the same. That there was a fucking difference between catching him in the field or when he stumbled and not knowing that his boyfriend, the love of his life was in constant danger of-
What if there were other problems he didn’t know about? What else did the Arc Reactor damage? Tony had never once given a straight answer whether or not the Reactor was hurting him or how dangerous it really was to him.
Hell, Steve still barely knew anything about the time when said Arc Reactor had poisoned Tony!
“Captain?”
“...I’m coming Jarvis.”
“Mr. Winter is waiting for you in the kitchen.”
He had been and looked at least as worried as Steve felt while holding the miniature genius.
“You’re okay?”
Winter had looked up at that question, his flesh hand holding the kitten while his eyes screamed panic.
“Just be careful and you’re going to be fine.”
The ex-assassin nodded gravely. “Keep safe.”
“He still needs his medication and something to eat and drink.”
“Meow!”
“And make sure he-”
“Know. Keep safe.”
“Yes, of course. Thank you, Winter.”
“Welcome… Steve.”
Freezing, Steve looked up into the newly familiar blue eyes.
“Promise.”
“I know. Thank you, Winter.” Blinking, he looked down at Tony, before leaning down and pressing a small kiss on the tiny head.
Turning, he squared his shoulders. Right now, the only important thing was finding a way to turn Tony back. And as soon as they knew he was as safe as he could be, he would sit him down and they would talk.
Jarvis must have told on him, as Bruce pushed a platter filled with bagels and fruit salad towards him and Clint pushed juice and chocolate milk towards him, while Nat glared him down.
“Good you’re here. We have a problem.” Pepper said the second she stepped over the threshold, a young man trailing behind her.
“This is Jim Thompson, your new PR liaison.” Pepper didn’t even stop long enough for them to react. “The media is reporting that Tony is either crippled, dying or dead. At least no one has yet found out that he is a kitten. Our problem is-”
“A new article was just posted, Miss Potts, apparently this gentleman believes Sir was working with the last supervillain and the Avengers had to knock him out to protect the world.”
The worst thing? Steve wasn’t even surprised. Angry? Sure. Surprised? Not anymore.
“What’s the plan?”
“We need a press conference as soon as possible.” Mr. Thompson said, handing them paper sheets, although Nat glared at him until he handed her the papers Mr. Thompson had obviously intended for Steve.
“Wait.” Clint looked up from the text he had been reading. “Why do we have to explain that Tony is an invaluable member of the Avengers?”
Tensing up, he reached out for his notes but Nat ignored his silent request and instead stepped closer and put her hand on his shoulder.
“Tony hasn’t been very… sociable in the last few months.”
Looking back at Pepper, Steve wasn’t surprised to see Mr. Thompson shudder beside her. Tony hadn’t been sociable? He had been fucking shot at a press conference! An assassin had tried to kill him in a bathroom!
“He has fallen behind with deadlines and other-”
“He almost died.”
Pepper looked at him, her green eyes calm and guarded, even if he saw her tense shoulders, and the almost hidden anger.
“I know that, Steve. I also know that Tony is Iron Man. Nothing will ever change that. Nothing will ever stop him.” At that, she inhaled, slowly, as if trying to calm herself. “But there are people asking whether or not he is still capable to-”
“Let’s just kill them and be done with it.” Clint balled up the paper and threw it behind him carelessly. “Jay, get us the names and Nat and I-”
“No.” Pepper leaned forward on the table, glaring at the archer. “Believe me, our lawyers are already working on it but the last thing we need right now is the Avengers going rogue.”
She was right. Of course, she was right. It didn’t change that Steve wanted to go with Clint.
“Anything else we need to know?”
“Short answers. Precise answers. Tony was hurt but he is healing. He is a part of the Avengers. He is not stepping down. Stark Industries is still going strong.”
Steve nodded. “Anything else?”
Pepper pressed her red painted lips together as if holding back something more.
“No.”
As it turned out, Mr. Thompson had enough to say to fill the next forty minutes, closing with the question if they had any questions for him.
“Are you spying on us and/or planning to murder us?”
Mr. Thompson blinked, looking from Clint to everyone else before meeting the archer’s eyes again. “No?”
“Are you asking or telling?”
“He is clean, Clint. Jarvis and I checked him, his whole family and all of his friends and acquaintances.” Nat leaned forward, ignoring the way Mr. Thompson gaped at her.
“He chose archery as an extracurricular and has volunteered at a local shelter since he was sixteen.”
“Perfect. Hey, Jim, what do kittens like to do in their freetime and can we make it genius-level-hard?”
Meeting Bruce’s eyes over the table, Steve exhaled slowly. All of them were wound up. All of them were stressed.
At this point the press conference would be a success if no one died.
Or as Tony would say it, silver linings everywhere.
Notes:
Hello my lovelies!
I can't promise anything, but I will try to work on the story. Don't expect any regularity but I'll try my best to write when I can.
Thank you for sticking with me!
As always: stay safe, sane and optimistic my lovelies!
Chapter 5: Winter: Guinea Pig
Summary:
Winter has a question for Peter while they are cat-sitting.
Notes:
Hey everyone,
yes, it's actually me.
If anyone noticed: yes, I changed the "on hiatus" status of this fic. This means I will write more but it will be slow, still. Both my other fics are taking a lot of my time but I want to try to write again for SBTS. Because I really do miss this series.
And now: enjoy!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Peter had sent Winter a picture with the caption people are weird.
Winter had never seen a more accurate thing. Yes, people were weird. And he didn’t even mean Tony being turned into a cat. That almost seemed to be par for the course.
No, people were weird in everyday life.
Weird didn’t have to mean something bad, Winter knew that. Sometimes it just meant weird.
Like the new development between Tony and the Cap- Steve. It had started a few weeks ago, after the C- Steve had gone downstairs to get Tony. Like he often did.
When everyone else had already been around the table, waiting for them, Dr. B- Bruce had asked if something had happened and Jarvis had sent a picture of Steve and Tony, pressing their lips together to all of their phones.
That in itself was strange, as they had never done that before. Or at least Bucky had never seen it before.
That the rest of the Avengers had started screaming excitedly, while the Bl- Natasha had started counting weeks had been even stranger. And confirmed that it was a new development.
The strangest thing though had to be that nothing else changed. Not between the Avengers or Tony and the- Steve. They touched more and seemed to be more confident in them. They also kissed now. But aside from that nothing else had changed. Even if the rest of the Avengers and even Peter acted as if something big had changed.
It was just weird.
And then, two weeks later, Thor and Bruce had started kissing too. And the Avengers reacted in the same manner. Although without as much teasing and exhaustion.
Humans turning into cats was sane in comparison.
That didn’t change, of course, that Winter was all but freaking out when Jarvis asked him to take care of Tony while the rest of the Avengers were called to a press conference.
He would do it. Of course, he would do it. He was Tony’s bodyguard. He was one of Tony’s. He would protect Tony.
But what if he hurt the small kitten?
Tony was fragile at the best of days but as a tiny, breakable furball? He wouldn’t even be able to knock three times as he didn’t have knuckles! And one of his front paws was all wrapped up because he had hurt it!
And the Doctor had said cat lungs were difficult and could easily collapse and Tony still wore the shining light in his chest. The Arc Reactor.
How was Winter supposed to keep Tony safe, if he had no idea if he could even hold the tiny kitten without hurting it?
Worse still, he had told the Captain- Steve just now that he would keep Tony safe.
Taking a step closer, Winter looked down on the defenseless creature, who, just as his human counterpart, did not seem to have any survival instinct whatsoever, as he walked closer to Winter.
“Meow.” The tiny creature took another step closer, his eyes seemingly looking straight into Winter’ mind.
With the help of Jarvis, Winter was able to prepare some cat appropriate food. Tony, though, did not want to take his medication.
Cupping the cat oh so gingerly in his flesh hand, he glared at it.
Unsurprisingly, Tony was not impressed.
“Mr. Winter?”
Not looking away from the cat sitting on his hand as if it was a throne, he nodded.
“Mr. Parker just stepped into the elevator.”
“Meow?”
“It’s his lab-weekend, Sir.”
The kitten huffed, annoyedly, turning on his big hand and looked towards the elevator, his slim tail twitching once.
Winter knew that lab weekends were very important for both Peter and Tony. Both would do everything they could to be there for lab weekend.
Winter, although not showing any emotion, exhaled slowly. Peter, although still a kid, knew more than most people. He loved Tony fiercely and he would know how to help Tony. It was also a chance to ask him what was going on. Peter always tried to explain everything to Winter and never judged him for not knowing or not understanding.
He, too, had super strength but Peter could control it. He had already held kitten Tony and had not hurt him.
Peter could help.
“Meow.” Tony pushed his head against Winter’s hand as if he wanted to tell him that he trusted Winter.
If Winter wasn’t as terrified of hurting the tiny little thing as he was he would have probably smiled. Tony was Tony. No matter the body he was in.
The elevator doors opened and Peter all but jumped out. “Captain Rogers?”
Before Winter knew what to say, or Jarvis could explain, the teen had already rushed into the kitchen, his eyes zeroing in on Tony.
“Mr. Stark!” He all but ran over, already reaching out to the tiny kitten.
Peter was Tony’s kid. Peter was safe. Still, for a heartbeat Winter wanted to hide away the defenseless kitten. Not because he didn’t trust Peter, he did! But because he worried for Tony.
Letting Peter take Tony out of his hand, gingerly, and cradling him carefully to his chest, the teen ignored the meowing and looked into Winter’s eyes.
“Did anything happen? Do we have a-”
“No.”
Peter’s shoulders slumped some. “Crap.”
“Meow!”
“Oh, come on, Mr. Stark! You say way worse things in less critical situations!”
“Meow!”
“Aha, I don’t know what you’re saying so I think-”
Tony hissed.
Winter felt his lips twitch looking down at the Tony kitten hissing at Spider-Man.
“Sorry, Mr. Stark, I have no idea what you want.” Peter said, smiling innocently.
Winter hoped the kid could lie better if he had to.
“Pill.”
“What?” Peter looked up, meeting Winter’s eyes.
“Mr. Winter thinks Sir asks for his medication.”
“Meow!” Tony growled, almost furious.
Peter was able to make Tony take his meds with just a few words and the expression that Tony normally called his deadly puppy dog eyes.
Peter was almost magic. It was a good thing he was a hero or the world would be in big trouble. But he was good. Like Tony was good. Just more innocent.
Right now they all sat on the big couch in the living room, Peter cuddling the small kitten close and telling him all about something he had done in school.
Winter didn’t really listen. He had learned that he wouldn’t understand either way. So he kept his eyes on the situation.
“That was everything, I think. At least the important stuff.” Peter shrugged and smiled, moving a grumbling kitten a little higher on his chest, resuming to scratch it under its chin.
“I have… a question.“
Peter looked up and smiled at Winter. Waiting.
Because Peter, like Tony, always gave Winter time. He didn’t push. And he always tried to explain.
Like memes. Winter thought they were very useful as a form of expressing himself. Even if he would have prefered a more secure form of communicating.
“Cap- Steve.”
Peter’s eyes widened but he didn’t interrupt.
“Steve… and Tony. Different. Strange.”
Peter cocked his head to one side, a frown on his face. But not mean. Not judging. He was thinking. Trying to understand.
“They… changed.”
“Meow?” Tony moved in Peter’s hands, turning towards Winter and cocking his head in the same way Peter had.
“What do you mean?” Peter asked. “I know you don’t mean this.” He held up Tony, who meowed, annoyedly, glaring at his kid.
Winter shook his head. No, he didn’t mean Tony turning into a cat.
“Different.”
Peter frowned for a moment longer before his eyes widened, almost the same moment Tony meowed quietly, his tail flickering slightly.
“Do you mean- Winter, do you mean that they are dating?”
The others had used that expression a few times. Although they had agreed that a dating phase would be unnecessary as they were basically married already.
Winter knew that married meant two people had an emotional connection and therefore you could use one partner to blackmail the other often enough. Although he had also learned that a disturbing amount of married partners wanted to kill the other.
But as everything else that he had been taught while being the Assed with Hydra, he knew it was most likely only partly true - or just a lie.
Nodding, hesitantly, because Winter wasn’t sure, he waited.
“Meow.” Tony said, moving towards Winter before Peter picked the tiny kitten up and held him out to Winter. As if he trusted Winter to not hurt it.
Hesitating, Winter reached out and let Peter put the tiny kitten on his human hand.
Tony moved forward, meowing quietly, before pushing his tiny face against Bucky’s thump.
“I’m not sure I’m the right one to explain this, Winter, but dating… dating means two people like each other very much. Or more actually but it’s most often two.” Peter started blushing, even if Bucky had no idea why.
“They love each other and want to try to… to spend their life together? I mean there are people who- but that’s not important.” He cleared his throat. “Tony and Steve love each other. They have for ages-”
“Meow!”
“Everyone knew, Mr. Stark! It’s not my fault that you didn’t realize it!”
“Meow!”
“I have to agree with Mr. Parker, Sir. We all knew. It’s still a mystery to me that the press didn’t find out before.”
Tony hissed at that, his small body trying to appear bigger.
It didn’t work.
“I was saying-” Peter started again, and ignoring Tony’s hisses, “that Tony and Steve love each other. But they hadn’t told each other that. They were friends before. Although I’m not sure…” Peter blushed even darker and Tony growled.
“They were just friends who helped each other with nightmares and who were worried if they didn’t know the other was close by and safe.” Jarvis said, interrupting Tony’s growls.
That made sense. Tony got kidnapped and hurt too often. Winter wouldn’t stay in another room if he wasn’t asked to. If he didn’t trust Cap- Steve that he would protect Tony.
He knew that C- Steve would do anything to protect Tony. Was that love? But he would also protect civilians and the other Avengers. And Peter.
But S- Steve didn’t look at anyone else like he looked at Tony.
“Okay, yeah, so they were friends before.” Peter said, a slight blush still on his cheeks. “And then that night a couple weeks ago, Steve told Tony that he loved him. And Tony told Steve that he loved him, too. And now they are dating and that means… Well, they are in a romantic relationship and I… I don’t know more.” The way he said it, he didn’t want to know more either.
“Kissing.”
“Yes, that… kisses are a nonverbal sign of love.”
That made sense, too. Tony kissed all of the Avengers, though. But only Ca- Steve got kissed on the lips.
“Different kisses?”
“Yes.” Peter nodded. “Kissing someone on the lips is generally considered to be a romantic kiss between lovers. Kissing someone on the forehead…” he blushed again. “Friends can do that.”
“More commonly kisses on the forehead are shared between family members or between parents and their children.” Jarvis said, his voice warm.
Winter would never understand how he was a machine.
Peter’s blush darkened again.
“Meow.” It almost sounded like agreement.
Winter barely felt the tiny paws when Tony, after pressing his head against his thumb again, moved over to the edge of his hand, trying to get to Peter.
Mirroring Peter a few minutes earlier, Winter handed the tiny kitten over to the teenager, who gingerly took the kitten and let it press its head to Peter’s, when he moved it close enough.
Watching father and son, Winter decided he knew more but didn’t quite understand. But as Peter had seemed to be uncomfortable he decided to ask Tony when he was back in human form what a romantic relationship was and why they did some things differently now and some had stayed the same.
And why it was similar and different with Thor and Dr.- Bruce.
While Peter argued with the little kitten about what movie they wanted to watch, Winter and Jarvis organized healthy food for Peter and the kitten. And Winter, as Jarvis insisted.
Winter knew better than to argue with Jarvis. And just if he hadn’t known better he had just watched the AI tell Peter that he wasn’t allowed to be in the workshop without Tony and that Tony wasn’t allowed into the workshop while he was as big as a small guinea pig.
Tony hadn’t been happy about that.
Then again, Winter wouldn’t have allowed the tiny kitten into the workshop anyways. Dumm-E, although a nice robot, was just too clumsy to be around something so… squishable.
About an hour later, just after Winter had been able to water and feed both the kid and the kitten appropriately, Jarvis told Winter that the Avengers asked for him to join a mission they were currently on.
Tony was not happy about that. Most likely because they hadn’t known they were on a mission and because he couldn’t help the Avengers.
“Protect Tony.”
“I know, Mr. Winter and I appreciate your dedication. It seems the Avengers need your help as both Thor and Sir are currently unavailable.”
Looking back at the growling black kitten, Winter tensed.
“I’ll protect Mr. Stark, Mr. Winter. I promise!”
Looking into the eyes of the teenager, Winter knew that he would do anything he could to keep Tony safe. There was not even a question about it.
“I will make sure both Mr. Parker and Sir will be safe until you return with the Avengers, Mr. Winter.”
Glancing up at the camera, Winter nodded. The Avengers were good people. Friends. He wanted to protect them. He also knew that Tony would never forgive him if he didn’t help them.
Looking back at Peter he nodded.
“Be careful!”
Winter didn’t answer that. He rushed into his bedroom, arming himself even more before Jarvis sent him down to the garage, telling him which bike he should take and drove off to make sure Tony’s- their family stayed safe.
Notes:
Hey everyone,
as said above, I'm not sure when I will post next, but I'll try to make more effort :)
Your comments give me a lot of motivation :D
Please, if you can, stay safe, sane and optimistic, my lovelies!
Chapter 6: NOT A CHAPTER
Summary:
NOT A CHAPTER!
This is, sadly, an “on hiatus” announcement.
Update June 12th 2022: This story is no longer on hiatus.
Chapter Text
September 24th 2021:
Hey my lovely readers,
I’m very sorry but I have to put this story on hiatus for now. The ones reading the SBTS for a while know I started struggling while writing Hydra’s Revenge and now writing for SBTS feels like a chore. I stare at the page and can’t write.
I do plan on returning in the future. I love this story, and I do have at least 13 more installments planned. I have this story basically written out in bullet points.
I just can’t do it right now, and I’m sorry about that. If anyone is interested, I can like post the plans on tumblr or something. But I do plan to come back. To get into the spirit and finish this amazing story. Because I did promise you a wedding. And I do want to deliver.
I really hope I’ll see you around either in this series or some of my other works.
Please stay safe, sane and optimistic my lovelies!
Update December 24th 2021:
I was able to post the fourth chapter. I can't make any promises, but I will try to keep writing!
Thank you for all your support!
Update Juni 12th 2022:
This story is no longer on hiatus BUT the updates will be slow and without a schedule.
Thank you so much for sticking with me!
Chapter 7: NOT A CHAPTER but all my notes and everything I still had for this story!
Summary:
Because of the lovely Claw71, who commented to this story after YEARS I decided to post all my notes and everything I still had for this story.
This is NOT a chapter. This is everything I still had planned. I am no longer active in the MCU fandom and I haven't written for this story in about 3 years. I am so sorry to abandon this story like this but I am unable to finish it.
To everyone who started this fanfic journey with me: I cannot tell you how much it meant to me. Truly. Thank you. I don't know where I would be without all of this. I wouldn't have some of the most important people in my life and it was possible because you went on this journey with me. Thank you for that ❤️
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
11.6 Steve
“Status!”
“Clear.”
“Clear but disgusted.”
“...clear.”
“Good. Widow, get the Hulk. Hawkeye, get the Quinjet. Winter, do you want to come with us or drive back?”
“Drive.”
“Okay, see you at the Tower. Jarvis?”
“No major injuries. Agent Hill is sending agents out. They should be there in about fifteen minutes.”
“Good. How are Tony and Peter?”
“They express relief that there are no serious injuries to mourn.”
Huffing a laugh, Steve closed his eyes. Just for a moment. If Tony was human, Steve would know exactly how he would express that relief. By ranting and fretting.
There was actually a good chance kitten Tony would do the same right now while Peter would try to calm him down.
If anyone was able to do it, it would be Peter.
It took two more hours to sort everything out. Someone who had most likely wanted to become a supervillain had attacked a Hammer Tech factory to steal weapons. He had tried that by using slug-like creatures that could jump like kangaroos and spat glue like slime.
In short: it had been a mess.
The factory was mostly destroyed, thanks to Hulks enthusiastic work and the Sluroos, as Clint called them.
Thanks to Winter arriving in the nick of time they had been able to save all of the employees and reduce their injuries to some cuts and bruises - if his team mates hadn’t pulled a Tony and lied about anything worse.
Sighing, Steve walked over to the back of the Quinjet, pushing his cell phone to his ear.
“Rhodes?”
“Hey, James, it’s Steve.”
James had called Steve after Tony had told him that Steve and Tony were dating. James, as the first to grill Steve about his feelings, had known of course. Still, he had offered Steve first names and told him to call James if he needed anything.
“Hey Steve, I hear Tony is a kitten?”
Of course, he knew.
“Yes. That’s actually why I’m calling.”
“I’m more of a dog person, really.” Beneath the dry humor was real worry. Of course, there was.
“I’ll keep that in mind. Is there a way we can lend you as War Machine until Tony is back to being human?”
“Is something happening?” That was the Lieutenant Colonel talking.
“Not that I know of, but Thor is off world and Tony-”
“I understand.” There came some sounds from the other end as if James was ruffling through some things. “I’ll be there tomorrow or the day after at the latest.”
“Thank you.”
“Of course, Steve. Anything else I need to know?”
Swallowing, Steve pressed his eyes closed.
“Steve?”
“What do you know about… how the Arc-”
“Fuck.”
That answered it, then.
“His lungs?” James asked, the worry barely kept in check.
“Yes.” Although, if James didn’t know much about cats that meant that Tony, human Tony, had problems with his lungs, too. Something Steve hadn’t known before.
Something he couldn’t think about right now.
Ten minutes later Steve walked onto Tony’s- their floor. As Tony insisted.
“Peter?”
“Here!” Walking over towards the open living room, he saw Peter sitting on the couch, holding on to a squirming little kitten meowing demandingly.
Reaching out to the teen, he gingerly took his lover from Peter’s hands and pressed his face to the tiny one. “We’re okay. Just a few scratches.”
“Meow!”
“We’re okay, Love.”
Tony pressed his little head more insistently against Steve’s and Steve had to bite back another sigh. He was a super soldier who was unhurt and Tony didn’t stop worrying about him while he himself was a hurt kitten. While he, apparently-
No. He couldn’t have that discussion with Tony now. Not while he couldn’t speak. Not while he needed to stay calm.
Pressing a kiss to the small head, he handed Tony back to Peter before taking a shower and dressing in something more comfortable.
Right now, Steve had two jobs. As Captain America, and one of the parent of the Avengers, he had to make sure that they were as prepared as they could be and that they had someone filling the open spot - which was why Steve had called James.
As Steve and Tony’s boyfriend, he needed to make sure Tony was safe and calm. And that their family was taken care of, most importantly Peter.
Anything else didn’t matter right now.
A few hours later, and after the mandatory family dinner that Tony had spent laying on Steve’s leg and purring constantly. It calmed the storm raging inside of him at least a little. Tony was here. He was safe - or at least as safe as he could be. Everything else they would figure out.
Like how they were supposed to split Tony’s workload between them in case Tony would stay a kitten for a little longer - no matter that Tony hissed furiously as soon as it was mentioned.
It took them only about thirty minutes to decide who would help out with that. It would have been closer to ten minutes if Tony hadn’t protested and whined all throughout.
James, as soon as he was here, would help out with missions, as would Winter, who ignored Tony’s hissing, just petted the small kitten oh so gingerly Steve wasn’t even sure if Winter even touched him.
Steve, Nat and Clint would go to all functions to keep up appearances. Pepper and the PR team would most likely hate them before the first red carpet was done but it was the best they could come up with. Which was not really encouraging, especially since they would also be the one going in front of the press until Tony was back to being himself.
James, Pepper and Jarvis would help out with the business side of Stark Industries, while Bruce and Peter agreed to help Jarvis if the R&D division needed help. Tony had purred at Peter, nudging his head against his hand until the teen had agreed to help. Noone aside from the teen was surprised that Tony trusted his kid and protege to figure out problems that no one else - aside from Tony of course - could.
That was also the reason why Peter would help James and Jarvis with their equipment, should there be the need for it before Tony was back to being human.
Tony fell asleep on Steve’s chest about an hour later, while they were watching a movie, Peter cuddled into Winter’s side, who looked both startled and honored.
---------
Plot of 11: What They Really Think About You
(6) 7. Cat Tony
🡪 they know how much Tony does; but Tony is surprised
- Tony agrees; he misses being human and he definitely misses human cuddles, although he can enjoy being a cat
- And he definitely enjoys all the cuddles
- He wakes up with the light signal of the Nightmares Suck Protocol
- He goes downstairs to meet Clint and cuddles up with him
- They wake up cuddled together on the couch, Nat sits beside them, petting Tony
- They have breakfast together until the Avengers are called out again
- Tony is very worried but promises, he will not do anything and Jarvis promises to be his cat herder. This time literally – Tony hisses
- Tony is worried because he wants to become a human again, fearing he lets them down and that Steve might not want him anymore
- He cuddles up to Peter who pets him
- A little later the Avengers return and he is so glad, cuddling up to all of them
- Nat says something like kotenok and he like wakes up a little, bristling and worrying because for a moment there all he wanted was being petted
- Maybe teasing he loses his memory but he just settles in his new needs and senses
(6) 8. Winter
- We see some of the fight. It wasn’t going so well, then Winter joined prominently and then War Machine -> they won
- Winter had to step in and fight with them visibly
- Afterwards he runs, but he knows he has been seen and he is worried
- He comes back to the Tower where he looks for Tony who goes to him, trying to calm him. He talks with Jarvis
- The Avengers come back and he sees Rhodey interacting with Tony as a cat
- He is told he has to keep an eye out for Tony
- Cute cat shit between all of them
- Rhodey, Steve, Nat and Clint have to go to a function
- Steve pets Tony before leaving
- Bruce takes Tony to the lab and Winter stays with them
- Hulk feels calm with the small cat and so does Bruce (Tony bristling a little like he isn’t calm with Tony?)
- Steve
- He, Rhodey, Pepper, Nat and Clint are on a fundraiser thing
- The press is terribly harassing all of them on how Tony is, what about Hydra, why so many villains and shit
- there was also a rumor started, most likely by Hammer Tech, that the Avengers didn’t stop the destruction of the factory because of Stark Industries
- Steve tries to keep calm, but he really doesn’t want to. He is furious. And he really wants to bash their heads in
- Then they ask about Winter: who is he, is he the Winter Soldier, is he safe and Clint and Nat get between that before Pepper tells them there will be a press conference soon!
- Then they get a message from Jarvis: Thor and Loki are back
- They leave the thing and run back to the Tower. They trust that nothing bad happened… but still
- They find them in the living room talking; Tony is hissing because Thor just told him how cute he is and that his form is very much suiting him
- Loki looks at Thor like he finally lost it
- Loki explains the process and says, that it would be better to wait to find the sorcerer but Tony hisses very audibly that he will not stay a defenseless fur-ball and be a burden to all of them
- Steve takes him in his arms and tells him he isn’t, but Tony ignores it
- Loki says again that it might get a little disorientating
- Tony doesn’t care
- The rest is tense and asks if it is safe and Loki says, as safe as any magic is, which is not all that calming
- Loki starts the magic
- It ends with him saying ‘oh’
- Tony
Tony has lost his memory, everything about his person and life! All he has is his muscle and procedure memory.
HE DOESN’T REMEMBER HIS TRAUMA! HE IS BRILLIANT, SEES A LOT AND HASN’T LEARNED TO KEEP HIS FEELINGS DOWN
Tony opened his eyes. The world was… different. He didn’t remember. But somehow it felt different. Even though he remembered nothing.
- Tony blinks away, he feels a little funny, something is tingling all through him, there is pain in his chest, heavy and distracting, still most of his focus is on the people right around him. He doesn’t know them, but they seem happy to see him. That is good, right?
- There is a tickling of panic in the back of his mind, like he has to protect himself, like he can’t trust, because they will use it; but then he looks into their eyes, especially Steve’s and sees all the happiness and hope and love
- S: “Tony!”
- Tony smiles, because that is most likely his name. It is a little worrying that he didn’t knew it, but hell, whatever
- T: “Hey.”
- They look worried maybe a question or something and then
- L: “Hm. I didn’t think of that.”
- S: “What does that mean!”
- L: “Tony has lost his memory for the time being.”
- C: “No! Fuck no! I didn’t suffer through TWO YEARS of you two pining for this!”
- All get a little panicked like, what does it mean, oh god, will that change again
- Loki stays relaxed before asking Tony whether or not he might touch him to find out more about it and Tony is like “sure, why not?”
- Says afterwards it’s not going to be permanent it just was some Midgardian magic and he can try some more, but maybe Dr. Strange might be the better option
- They call Strange – he is still not answering
- While the black haired one does his magic thing – and he doesn’t like that at all, but okay, he looks around and categorizing everyone around him guessing their personalities and relationship with him and the others
- Loki
- Sees interest
- Dangerous but not bad
- Thor
- Powerful, kind
- Hides his cleverness
- Clint
- Honest and someone to have fun with
- Hides his cleverness
- Steve
- Instant interest, thinks he is beautiful
- Sees the love in his eyes
- Rhodey
- Instant trust
- Sees it in his eyes and knows they are family
- Bruce
- Trusts
- Sees the hope in his eyes and the brilliance and the way he seems to be worried
- Winter
- Worried, childlike, very protective
- Nat (in the background)
- Knows instantly she can be dangerous, but she definitely likes him
- Clever, sees everything, protective
- Tony is brilliant but doesn’t know it, letting his mind run free
- There are feelings still embedded in him, but a lot of his self-hate and stuff is not there right now
- He is curious, almost carefree in his observations and thinking
- After this he says something like, I’m guessing that you are friends or at least don’t hate me, even if you would, of course, say that if you weren’t so let’s cut the question. What do I have to know?
- He asks about the Arc Reactor and Bruce and Rhodey tell him it’s safe and he is safe and everything is good
- Tony knows it’s bullshit but he is probably as good as he can be, so he accepts that
- He gets info about the people
- That they are a family and the Avengers -> he almost laughs his ass off when they tell him he is a superhero
- Laughing hurts but he hides it away, all of them seem far too stressed already
- By then it’s pretty late already and Tony goes upstairs with Steve and Winter. He isn’t surprised, because Steve is his boyfriend and Winter his bodyguard; still Steve explains it again
- Steve tells Tony that he will of course sleep somewhere else, Tony looks at him and says, but you don’t want to. You want to be close, don’t you? Make sure I’m fine.
- S: Yes… but it doesn’t matter, you don’t know me
- T: but you would suffer, wouldn’t you? (Has seen every time he reached out and didn’t touch him)
- S: that’s okay. When you remember I can sleep beside you again
- T looks at the earnestness and then says: bullshit. As long as sleeping is all we’re doing, I’m fine with you sleeping in the same bed
Tony finds a sketch book of Steve with all the drawings and even though he remembers nothing, he sees the love in the sketches
- Important! It’s from a comment from “13 Things” Chapter 8
- Steve
- Steve wakes up and looks over to Tony on the other side of the bed. He wants to reach out
- Remembers how they fell into a routine; how they cuddle, how happy he is to be able to hug and kiss him; how he loves to see him blink awake and smile at Steve…
- Tony meets Jarvis and after a few questions he just smiles deliriously happy
- Tony seems lighter. He doesn’t touch Steve and is almost shy around him, but still kind and even thought the questions are a little invasive but he seems really interested
- What does Steve see in him?
- He misses his Tony
- But he will, of course, love any version of him
- They get downstairs to the kitchen, and they are eating breakfast and Tony asks all of them to tell them some stories
- He starts with looking at Clint saying: you said we needed two years to get together, why didn’t I tap his ass sooner, I don’t strike myself like the one to not go for what I want
- Silence
- Clint starts telling them about the pinning, how insufferable it was, how long it took them and in great detail how they found out what happened
- Steve cutting in, saying that was not how it went down
- Discussion about the betting pool
- They tell him about funny missions
- About Iron Man
- They tell him about being a family
- They tell him about Peter
- They tell him about SI and his genius
- It is quite obvious that Tony KNOWS they hide quite a bit, but he decides to not ask them about it
- Winter tries to urge Tony to eat more and Tony tells them he can’t eat more, because of the Arc and Bruce and Nat say they thought it would hurt him and Tony is like “you didn’t know?” (Surprised? Suspicious?)
- Steve gets panicked: Tony is in pain? He asks more about that and Tony hesitates and Steve begs him to tell him and he shrugs and says, I’m sure it’s chronically there seems to be stuff I can do to make it easier like lying on my side…
- Nat tells him he can confirm it with Jarvis or Rhodey, but he does trust them, but doesn’t want to bother them, which is bullshit because they want him to trust them with everything and they want to help him and be there for him because they are a family
- They have to go to a press thing while Tony doesn’t know who he is; because Winter is now part of the Avengers -> accusations against Tony that he takes advantage etc.
- Tony and Winter are there too
- Both get instructions how to react
- It’s hard for both
- Steve totally loses it and tells everyone they can stop
- Press: Are you paid by him?
- Steve glares at all of them and tells them that he is gay and Tony is his lover and they can go fuck themselves
- Winter
- Tony didn’t know he was Tony. Winter understands that. He seems happier right now
- The light in his chest hurts him and Winter hates to know that
- The press conference from Winter POV
- He really dislikes it very much
- He wears his mask to protect his family
- He watches Tony who seems worried and very annoyed
- Peter comes over to meet Tony; they like each other regardless; Tony asks some questions and Peter gets flustered but answers them all
- First question: Are you my son? Peter blushes and denies it – and then T looks at him. Even if not in blood, be honest: are you my son?
- Why Mr. Stark?
- He meets DumE and loves him instantly; he starts tinkering with the help of Jarvis and Peter; Winter keeps watch but it seems tinkering comes naturally to him
- Another alarm is rang, and Tony wants to know what that means because he is Iron Man and he has to help
- Jarvis informs him he has locked Tony out because he doesn’t remember how to use it
- They have a fight in which they are joined by the Avengers
- Rhodey calls to tell them he is on his way to join the fight
- They tell Peter to keep Tony safe and Tony tells them to go fuck themselves, he might not remember who he is but he KNOWS he will not let others be in danger while his kid babysits him
- Steve steps forward and tells him he is right and that he is sorry, but he doesn’t remember how to fight and Steve can’t take it if he gets hurt so please, please stay back.
- “Please Tony.” Peter begs and Tony knows this is a big thing, telling him only if he keeps calling him that
- Some bits of the fight
- Tony
- When the Avengers come back they have some small wounds but nothing too bad; Tony still worries about it (Winter and Steve got the worst)
- Peter is sent home
- They go to bed after a family dinner and making sure, all of them are as good as they can be
- They go to bed but Tony can’t sleep. He gets up and tells Steve he needs to think about everything, calming him
- He knows that his past is dark, some they told him, some they didn’t but he is brilliant and he sees it.
- He watches some videos, read some articles
- Also the one about the last press conference telling the world he is forcing himself on Steve
- He thinks about it and then asks whether Nat is awake, because he knows she will tell him the truth -> they meet on the common floor it seems like Nat waited for him
- she tells him his masks are near perfect and he had even her fooled, but he is a good person, he is her kotenok and their heart and they all love him (He can’t help like Tony helps, because he doesn’t have the memories; he can’t relate to them anymore -> he is their HEART)
- T: I’m different though
- N: Yes. But you’re still Tony (but there is something wistful)
- T: but you miss memory-me
- N hesitates: I do.
- Tony nods.
- N: Not remembering can be a gift
- T: Yes. But we can’t learn from what we don’t know, can we?
- Nat nods, because, yes, she knows. She also knows that Tony will do what is right one way or another
- When he comes back to the floor Steve is waiting for him
- Steve wants him to think about not getting the memories back. Tony smiles at him and tells him he really wants to remember all the moments they had together
- S: we can make more
- T: It won’t change that I won’t remember the first time I realized I was in love with you
- S: You can fall in love with me again
- T: It won’t be the same, will it, because you remember all the things you aren’t telling me about
- S hesitates
- T: Don’t worry I’ve researched myself
- S: the papers are wrong!
- T: not about everything. I’d rather remember myself
- Next morning they are at breakfast and the alarm rings again
- Clint: they can’t be fucking serious
- Tony asks to join the fight but is shut down
- They leave him in Jay’s hand
- Tony is angry
- Strange calls him, asking what the fuck now happened and whether or not they know that he isn’t on their back and call 24/7
- Jarvis informs him about what happened
- S: Only you, Stark
- T: Yes, I know, I might not remember a thing but I know I’m kissed by luck
- Strange comes over, telling him it’s the RIGHT thing to do, but maybe you shouldn’t do what’s right this time
- Tony tells him he can’t. He has to protect his family. And he wants to remember them
- Stephen asked if he wants to wait for the Avengers to come back
- Tony declines
- Stephen looks at him and then starts
Last sentence: Tony opened his eyes. The world had changed a third time. He remembered.
------------
This is what I had planned for the rest of the series
|
12. |
X Other Things Jarvis Saw at the Tower Ø Something like 13 things in the Tower Ø Maybe from Jarvis POV again? Ø Funny and fluffy scenes between all of them, taking care of each other Ø Steve and Tony making couples shit Ø Thor and Steve too Ø Maybe Pepper and Nat? Ø IronDad stuff Ø The Avengers being a happy family |
|
13. |
Planning is overrated (said the tactician) Ø Steve plans it and there are 3 or 5 stages to it and they are the chapter titles like 1. The Realization 2. Finding Rings 3. Asking for his hand 4. Deciding on what to do when and how with who in attendance 5. Blurting your proposal out (when you actually meant to say I love you) Ø the Proposal maybe in C4? Like everything is set and planned and then this happens and he feels like he could be a danger to Tony, because Tony doesn’t take care of himself; and he SWEARS to himself he will take care of Tony and will be better. He had huged Tony too tight (or like grabs him too hard during sex or something and sees it afterwards and is devasted; Tony tells him its nothing and Steve get’s really upset and then he realizes in one of the statements Tony says bruises don’t bother me, I lived with them forever, and he stops dead and asks why, because it didn’t sound like the “I’m getting them in the suit” kinda thing and Tony stops dead. Steve freaks out and Tony tells him about his childhood and that its nothing he can’t handle, so Steve shouldn’t feel bad about it. And Steve makes Tony promise to always tell him if he hurts him, always, even if he likes it in bed, he has to tell Steve; and Tony hesitates some and dread starts too pool in his gut because Tony looks guilty. Steve says: I have hurt you before. Tony: You didn’t hurt me, Steve, never. Steve: I did. I hurt you. When? And Tony doesn’t want to answer and then says you remember that nightmare (8.7) you woke up and clung to me like you didn’t even know where you were? And Steve is horrified and makes Tony swear he will tell Steve, and that Jarvis has to stop him, unless they agreed for it to happen beforehand like during sex |
|
14 |
Ø Something “normal” maybe focus on the others like Bruce and Thor? Ø Mentioning that Steve is planning the wedding |
|
15. |
Ø Something short and plotty like 4: a short-ish kidnapping fic? Idea: While the Avengers are actively trying to get him back he is injected with something that either slows his puls and breathing so much that he appears to be dead or something that makes him trapped inside his own body (maybe with a very slow puls or something?) Ø The world finds out they are engaged, because Steve totally looses it and says “they got my fiancé!” Ø Steve fucks up; maybe telling the media something that paints a really terrible picture of Tony. When he comes home Winter is in his PJs glowering at him, pointing a gun at him; Steve sighs and he tries to explain himself. When Tony comes in he is like: chill (idea from Consultingjarvis; C18 of “Winter has Come for Tony Stark”) Ø Steve takes care of Tony so that the Arc Reactor doesn’t hurt as bad Ø Last chapter is an article about Tony Stark and Steve Rogers being engagement; that the writer didn’t believe they would stay together for longer than a few weeks; it’s not nice, especially against Tony; but it’s almost okay; fear that Tony will ruin Steve |
|
16 |
Ø The one where “Mom and Dad” are on a trip and the kids try to keep NYC safe and SI from collapsing und they, Pepper, Jarvis and Rhodey do everything to not call them Ø The media circus starts; figuring out who says what when Ø Last chapter is an article about the fact that Steve and Tony weren’t there, implying that they are selfish -> and that it is probable that Tony made the good Captain go away for that long to have his wicked way with him or such bullshit; think Tony is a very bad influence on Steve and will break his heart and totally ruin the whole Avengers because of it Ø Clint: “I spy with my tactical eye…” |
|
17 |
Ø Something plotty Ø Worsening media circus; inside sources are being revealed and lots of ‘juice’ details; who says what when Ø Steve takes care of Tony so that the Arc Reactor doesn’t hurt as bad Ø Idea from a screenshot (more information in the file 16!) Ø Nat and Clint make a video for Insta: “This is our mom” (pointing at Tony who is having breakfast with Steve, Bruce and Thor; at the moment Steve is trying to make Tony eat some fresh fruit and yoghurt while Tony explains to him that coffee is all the food he needs and Thor is inhaling pop tarts, and trying to make Tony eat them; which horrifies Steve; they have warned Winter to hide) “and this is our dad” (pointing at Steve) “and when we are really good, they give us cookies” Ø Last chapter a terrible accusation about Tony being a slut, has betrayed Steve and will do it again and again and Steve is just too good to see it or Tony has something over him; or he is a mastermind and has him under some kind of control. |
|
18 |
Ø Something with Peter maybe Ø Idea: Peter: Tony, stop! I promised Steve we wouldn’t do anything dangerous!; Tony (holding a grenade launcher): I can’t believe you would lie to your dad like that! Ø Worsening of the media circus; inside sources telling everything; who says what when; the other heroes are in? And start commenting on it? Ø Idea: Tony: I just need to hear those three little words; Steve: I love you; Tony: Try again; Steve (grumbling) I will behave. -> They have to go to a gala or some shit and there will be people who said shit about Tony; maybe more than just the press but also celebrities who talked shit about them, but especially Tony Ø Maybe a few articles? They are all terrible and the Avengers go ballistic because of it |
|
19 |
The Wedding of the Century Ø Notes Ø It’s a media spectacle because two of the most beloved heroes are getting married to each other Ø They all decide on it, planning it to the T; aside from the kidnapping plot in the middle Ø Steve takes care of Tony so that the Arc Reactor doesn’t hurt as bad Ø This wedding was 6 months after the real one; the published wedding date; the “unofficial one” was reported to be a week before that Ø They had it “out in the open” with inside sources telling on everything and drama everywhere Ø Last sentence is Tony to a reporter: Honey, we have been married for 6 months. All this? Just show. >> in the notes: the story about the real wedding will be told in the next instalment Ø Maybe a lot of articles between chapters? |
|
20 |
The other Wedding of the Century (actual?) Ø Notes Ø It’s meticulously planned by Steve; he did it gladly and used all of his impressive strategical genius to do so Ø Wedding was small and very intimate Ø The only thing Tony demanded was that Jarvis & Dummy had to be there and he chose the song (Forever starts today by Tim Halperin) Ø Steve takes care of Tony so that the Arc Reactor doesn’t hurt as bad Ø This wedding was 6 months before the published wedding date; the “unofficial one” was reported to be a week before that Ø In this one only the normal stuff goes wrong; the normal jitters; the planning of the media circus of who will spill what when and stuff like this Ø Their song is Tim Halperin’s Forever Starts Today |
|
21 |
What Steve and Tony did during their Honeymoon Ø Steve takes care of Tony so that the Arc Reactor doesn’t hurt as bad Ø It’s the week from their perspective the Avengers where without their Mom and Dad (instalment 17) |
|
22 |
Ø Something plotty Ø They are a terrible sweet married couple – it’s worse for a while Ø Avengers face off against a new villain who gets shit done; story starts when Tony stands in front of the villain saying: I guess now is the time to tell me your plan? And she says: Why would I? And shoots him in the gut (or with something to counteract the armor). She would have done the gut shot because it’s a safe one and can cause a lot of damage. They get him out but just barely (maybe because of Loki?). A little later she says you wanna be dramatic. Join a theatre group. You wanna rule the world? Get shit done. Loki is quite impressed with her. |
|
23 |
Ø The everyday life in the Tower now that Tony and Steve are married; Bruce and Thor are going out Ø Pepper and Nat are a thing? Ø Winter is pretty good adjusted by now Ø Clint ? |
Notes:
Once again I have to say thank you and sorry.
Thank you for everything because this series gave me so much. I learned so much and made friends I still value.
I am sorry that I cannot finish this series.
My life had some very... plot heavy turns in the last three years. I am in a good place again, but so much has changed that this series, although I still love it, is no longer who I am.
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart for all the comments, for everything you gave me. I am the writer I am today because of this series
I never said it here but this is how I close my comments by now:
As always my lovelies, please, if you can, stay safe, sane and optimistic ❤️If anyone should ever want to write something in this series, please contact me ❤️