Chapter Text
With a gasp, Tony kicked his feet out and desperately twisted, trying his best to shove his attacker away. Nothing worked.
“Stop it. Don’t make me shoot your kneecaps.” The masked man grunted, pressing his gun further into Tony’s neck and instantly Tony was taken back to the moment he was kidnapped in the compound. He slowed his struggling and stared the man down.
“You’re one of Ross’ men? Did he send you?”
But Tony already knew. The man had the same mask design as the men who’d imprisoned him. A slightly darker shade of black wasn’t exactly going to hide that.
Tony would’ve scoffed if he didn’t have a gun pointed at his head.
“Do you guys just derive pleasure in ruining my life!? Can’t you just leave me the fuck alone!?” He yelled and suddenly burst out in hysterics. Tears nearly started streaming as he laughed.
This was his life. The minute something good started to happen, it would just get snatched away by some asshole that wanted to screw with him.
Either that or everyone was just out to shoot him.
“You need to come with me. And no struggling otherwise I shoot. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” The man let him go but didn’t give Tony much space to do anything except sit up. Gaze dashing back and forth between his attacker and the hedges, Tony desperately looked for an opening but couldn’t see one. Above him, the man fiddled with something and suddenly an earpiece was held in front of him.
“Put this on.”
Once slipped over his right ear, Tony turned as instructed and stood with the man standing behind him. The cold steel of the gun dug into the small of his back.
He swallowed and tried to keep his voice steady. “Where are we going?”
“There’s a helicopter waiting just outside the border to Wakanda. We’re going to be take the jungle route.”
The memory of the panthers felt distant now. Was he expected to be paraded through the jungle without so much as a squeak?
Cold metal shoved him forward and every step he took made his heart sink further. They exited the maze with few words and by the time they’d crossed the gardens to the east side, it was night. Totally pitch black with only the stars to watch him.
They stood before the dark, looming presence of the forest. Not a soul remained in sight.
“You will follow my instructions or I’ll shoot.” The sound felt tinny from the device crackling in his ear and Tony resisted the urge to rip it out. His hand clenched but he stepped forward, already plotting his next move.
“The Dora Milaje have been taken care of if that’s what you’re relying on.” The man broke through Tony’s plan to scream and shoved Tony hard. Tony was sure he was gonna bruise-he could already feel the imprint.
“Move!”
They kept going. Tony didn’t really put up much of a fight, instead just going at a really slow pace but he did keep trying for information.
“So why does Ross want me now? For my suits?”
“Your assets have already been seized. The state has control of all weapons including the armours.”
Tony stopped dead and the guys shoved him again. But he felt like he was drifting. “The armours?”
“Yes, we have them all. Virginia Potts was brought in for questioning last Thursday-“
“Pepper?” Tony whispered, his voice uncharacteristically small. What had they been doing to her while he’d been gone?
“Shut up. Stay quiet or I’ll shoot.”
Frankly, Tony had had enough. He spun around and shoved the man back swiftly, but the man was too quick. Far too quick.
He shot Tony thrice, and when Tony looked down blearily, he realised he had two bullets trapped in his upper left arm and one that had gone clean through. He felt sick and the metallic smell of blood hit him as he began to bleed.
His mouth breathed out a small ‘oh’ and then black spots danced in front of his eyes. His breathing picked up, chest beginning to move rapidly. The pain. The pain.
It hurt so much. He didn’t know what to do.
“Stop panicking. You’ll make yourself sick.”
“I-“ His breath sounded loud to him. The sky spun above him in the darkness. Did anyone even hear the gunshot?
“Breathe. We get to the helicopter and I’ll patch you up. There are medics on board, we’re not out to kill you Stark.”
“Yes you are.” Tony croaked and pressed a shaky hand to the wound. His palm slipped and slid over the blood but he clamped down and cried out.
The man swore and stepped towards him. “Shut up and move! Don’t make me shoot you again!” The man hissed, clearly nervous at the fact that Tony was turning hysterical.
“J-just let me g-get something to p-patch up-“
With a grunt, the man lifted up the gun and reeled back before slamming Tony’s head with the hilt. Tony went down without a fight, feeling his vision go fuzzy.
When he blinked away more spots he realized he was moving, folded over the man’s shoulder like a sack of potatoes. He tried to squirm but the man jostled him and he screamed out in pain. His arm was in a horrible position against the man’s back.
“Shhh Stark. We’re not far. Ten more minutes.”
Heart beating out of his chest, Tony bit his lip to keep himself from crying out. It hurt so much and he could admit that he was starting to feel afraid. If they got to the helicopter then-
He’d be back in the Raft in no time with no chance of being able to save Nat or Laura or Pepper-
Or at making amends with the team and...Steve.
It was a gamble and he had to be prepared to make it.
Taking a deep breath, Tony gasped and then;
“HELP ME! SOMEBODY HELP ME-!”
“Oh fuck you Stark.” The man snarled and dumped him on the ground and somehow managed to shove something thick into his mouth before tying it around his head. Then he jabbed the edge of the gun into the bullet wounds that were weeping blood and watched Tony scream quietly behind the leather gag.
“Now shut. Up. You’ll be fine.” And Tony was slung over broad shoulders again.
His vision was blurred and he felt woozy beyond belief. Something wet dripped down his cheek and he honestly couldn’t tell whether it was blood, sweat or tears. What did it matter anyway?
He might as well accept his fate.
He grunted and felt more tears of frustration leak out. God, all the time he’d spent and all the effort he’d made with the team and Steve would be for nothing. All that effort just gone in the blink of an-
A whizzing sound flew past Tony’s ears and the man carrying him screamed. When Tony flashed a glance to his left, he realised why.
An arrow was lodged just below the mans shoulder blade, fairly deep and sparking. His attacker groaned and fell to one knee, dropping Tony onto the floor. And Tony seized his chance to scramble back despite the way his head spun and his stomach rebelled. He was about to stand when the man yelled at him to stay where he was. When he pulled the gun out again, Tony felt his body quake.
“I said stay!”
Tony swallowed and shook his head silently. From the way his attacker was sounding, Tony knew he was close to panic and if that was the case then-
He was probably edging closer towards trigger happy.
“Please...” Tony whispered but it was muffled by his gag and he squeezed his eyes shut as the man yanked the arrow out of his back and crawled over to Tony, gun clicking.
He couldn’t watch. He kept his eyes closed and braced himself.
“Back off. Or I shoot.”
Tony’s eyes shot open. That voice...
As he looked up, his body sagged with relief. Above him Clint stood, bow angled towards the assassins head and judging by his tone, Tony guessed he was thoroughly pissed off. His shoulders looked tight and he wasn’t budging from where he stood above Tony’s form.
Flashing a quick glance over his shoulder, Clint gave Tony a once-over which seemed to upset him even more. If anything he shifted his body closer to blocking Tony from sight.
“You okay Tones?” He spoke softly but deliberately and Tony found himself jerking at the force of his gaze on him. Beyond the concern, Clint was seething.
He nodded but started to really feel his heart pound. Clint’s voice sounded quiet and echoed. He felt hazy and noises were starting to fade. A ringing pitch filled his ears.
A quick series of motions happened in front of him and he missed all of it. He was more focused on his hand which kept slipping off the bullet holes. Blood everywhere-it was sickening. The ground reached up to meet him and his grip went slack, everything fading out.
“Tony...Tony!” Clint’s faint voice pierced his ears and he felt Clint lift him up.
Things went dark.
Then-
He could hear voices over a com.
“-here! I found him, sending coordinates now! He’s been shot and he’s going into shock. Bring the med team. Now!”
“Clint...” He mumbled and tried to lift his hand. He just didn’t have the energy and he felt cold as ice. Beside him, the gag lay torn on the ground.
“Tony, stay awake for me. You’re fine, you’re going to be fine but you need to stay calm and breathe. You’re going into shock.”
“I’m...shocked?”
Despite the situation, he heard Clint scoff and pull him closer. “Yeah buddy. Shocked is right.” With little force, Clint pressed his hand against his forehead, voice turning solemn again. He sounded stressed. “Gave me a bit of a scare there Tones. You went completely white on me and passed out. You’re still looking a little too pale for my liking. Not to mention, you’re really cold.”
Against his instincts, he opened his eyes and searched Clint’s worried gaze in the darkness. It made him feel safe and...warmer.
He smiled tiredly and whispered; “You stopped him. Thanks.”
The grip around his shoulders tightened. “Never a problem. What were you doing out here alone anyway?”
“Was lost...trying to find my way back and was attacked.”
Clint frowned and shook his head. “It’s been hours. There’s a search party out looking for you.”
Tony’s whole heart lit up. People were looking for him? “Really?”
“Yeah. Steve said you needed space but that changed when he started looking for you and couldn’t find you indoors. We pretty much worked out what happened from there.”
“That ma-Argh!” Tony bit his lip and cursed when Clint grabbed his white shirt and bound his arm with a torn strip from his shirt.
“Careful! Hurts!” Tony gasped but let Clint continue. The man tilted his head in apology.
“Sorry. Need to keep you in one piece.”
A couple of torn strips later, Tony’s arm and shoulder was covered but it was only a temporary solution. The bullets were still there.
“I-I’m lucky I don’t have super soldier healing. Otherwise I’d heal with the bullets still in there.” Tony said, swallowing when he stretched his arm out carefully. Twinges of pain shot up his whole limb in protest.
After opening his fist a few times, he looked back up. Clint had regret written all over him.
“What-What’s wrong? You okay?”
It took a moment but Clint shook his head and huffed out a laugh. “You have the worst luck. I was just thinking about when you’d finally catch a break.”
It was certainly true. How many people could say they’d nearly been kidnapped from one of the most secured palaces in the world? Then again, he was not exactly an average citizen.
“I’m pretty sure I have one of the highest records for attempted kidnapping ever.” He laughed, though it felt bitter. Tony guessed Clint mirrored him out of pity because even he felt like pitying himself at this point.
“You may not be wrong. But hopefully that’ll deter them. We’ll take the guy for questioning and don’t worry, that arrow will last for two hours. I mean you built it so.” Clint winked at him and grinned when something caught his eye.
“The cavalry is here. Better brace yourself-“
“TONY! CLINT!” Steve roared, storming past the trees and reaching the pair within seconds. T’Challa, Vision and Sam followed with Dr. Shira and a few other medics.
“What happened?” Steve practically barked, actually close to looking out of breath.
“Tony was nearly kidnapped. Again.”
Before Tony could say anything, Steve was there, yanking the doctor down and pulling out a long bandage strip for the doctor to use.
“His arm. He’s been shot here.” Clint added and angled Tony’s arm gently for the others to see. Steve’s eyes widened further before his expression shuttered.
“We need to get him back. Let’s-Captain!” Dr.Shira didn’t have a chance to finish because Steve had swept Tony up and was already storming his way back.
Tony didn’t say a word. He just watched the soldier with half-lidded eyes and bit his lip to fight the pain.
Somehow, they made it back to the med room in one piece which was a blessing considering his luck.
Once they reached the room, Steve immediately set Tony down and ordered the doctors to get to work. Thankfully they did otherwise Tony would’ve been concerned that one of them would’ve lost a leg. Steve might as well have been the one firing the bullets at this point.
Rhodey and Vision had already been waiting outside in the corridor, along with the other Avengers. Clint updated them and Tony could see them through the viewing window, discussing the kidnapper.
He’d been given a few drugs for the pain and a light sedative to calm him down but not enough to knock him out. Currently he was sat on the bed, being stitched up and cleaned by Dr. Shira again. She had inspected him from head to toe and was telling Steve everything. As usual.
Steve had not left his side obviously.
“A concussion and three bullet wounds in his upper right arm.”
“That’s it? That’s everything?”
Tony rolled his eyes, gritting his teeth as the doctor finished off the last few sutures. There was always that sharp sting with any stitches and nothing short of knocking him out would get rid of that. It felt like he was being pulled at the seams. “What? That’s not enough for you?”
“Oh, it is. It’s just never enough for you.” Steve sassed back, though his posture screamed angry drill sergeant. He was watching the doctor with a flinty stare, arms folded and hovering very close to Tony.
Tony narrowed his eyes and winced at a particularly sharp tug. “Don’t be pissed at me. I didn’t exactly plan to get attacked.”
“No. But you just ran off and that was completely reckless-“
“We are in Wakanda, arguably the most technologically secure country in the world. I thought I was fine!”
“You hid from me and it got you in trouble! All because you were, what? Embarrassed? Ashamed?”
Tony knew Steve was just going to get angrier and angrier. It was clear as day, his jaw was clenching now and he kept his arms folded to contain the energy.
And like a genius, Tony prodded him more and more.
“Oh please.” He scoffed, ignoring the doctor’s gesture to hold still. He pointed at Steve with his free hand and leaned forward, jabbing his chest. “You didn’t know what was going to happen and neither did I!”
“You’re supposed to be the genius! And yet I turn up and see you bleeding because you got shot-“
Tony poked him harder and snarled, ignoring all warnings. He leaned even closer, breath just brushing Steve’s arms. “And who’s fault is that!? I could’ve been killed because of you and it’s always-OW!” He yelped, immediately reaching for his arm but not before the doctor’s arm was seized by the furious soldier.
“DON’T TOUCH HIM!” Steve roared, pulling Tony against his chest with the other arm.
A hot rush flooded Tony’s system and he blinked against Steve’s chest.
He froze. He didn’t breathe.
He stayed completely still, waiting in the warmth of Steve’s body. Mentally he began to count to ten.
“Captain, you need to let me finish my work.” Dr. Shira said, holding up the needle with an anxious frown. “You’re lucky I cut the thread before you...otherwise you would’ve pulled out his stitches.”
Above him, Steve blanched and let go of the doctor as if burned. Then he released Tony with a shaky breath and looked at him. Really looked.
“I’m sorry.” He said quietly in the space between them and cupped the back of Tony’s neck, sending a shiver down his spine.
Dr.Shira cleared her throat and shuffled forward on the bed again. “Can I continue?”
“Yes of course. Sorry.”
“Steve.” Tony sighed, relinquishing his arm but lifting his gaze up. “What’s really going on? You’re not mad at me.”
“I’m not mad at you. Sorry.” Steve looked away but squeezed Tony’s neck gently. Patient as always, Tony waited.
After a moment Steve blew out a breath and ran fingers through his hair, musing the blond strands into disarray.
“It’s-okay, you rejected me. That’s one thing. But then as soon as I let you out of my sight you got hurt. I promised you’d never get hurt again under my watch and I let you down.” Steve explained, looking absolutely crushed.
Tony didn’t actually recall rejecting Steve but he understood why Steve thought that. And kidnapping was just really bad luck. He wasn’t sure how to make that clear to Steve though.
Mulling over his words, Tony waited for the doctor to finish his stitches and check his eyes and head again. He felt fine but Steve insisted he get checked at least three times. This was the fifth time.
Dr. Shira gave the all clear and just before Tony could say anything, T’Challa and Rhodey walked in.
“Steven. Tony.” The king greeted but was nearly shoved aside by Rhodey. He stood beside Steve and assessed Tony, clearly cataloging injures.
“Hey Tones.” Rhodey said, looking far too upset for Tony’s liking. There was something sad in his eyes and Tony almost squirmed under the gaze.
“I’m fine, I promise.”
They’d been through this song and dance before. Afghanistan had only been one of a few times. It had been the worst by far but there had been plenty of attempts.
Still, Tony couldn’t help but feel this one was worse. Like it was inevitable that he’d get hurt.”
“I know man. It just sucks is all.” Rhodey sighed and glanced at Steve.
“Do we have any intel?”
Steve shook his head. “Not that I know of. I just brought him here and that was it. Clint and Wanda are on it.”
The room sank into a bleak silence. T’Challa began to discuss everything with the doctor, possibly in the hopes that it would distract everyone from the obvious.
Someone had almost successfully gotten him out of Wakanda. They’d kidnapped him and almost succeeded in getting to the border. And for all it’s defenses and technology and advancements, not even Wakanda had prevented that.
They’d keep coming. And Tony knew it was only a matter of time before one of their attempts was successful.
“Tony. Breathe.”
He side eyed Rhodey and deliberately took a breath. “I’m fine. Just...thinking-“
“Well don’t.” Steve’s voice was sharp and desperate. He sounded feral. “I don’t want you conjuring some ridiculous thought in your head that has no ground whatsoever and makes you do something reckless.”
Since when did Steve get so good at reading him? He had to admit, there had been a few times recently where Steve had caught him off guard. Then again, he’d been badly off his game recently.
“Why are you so snappy? You’re acting like someone’s personally insulted your dog.”
Steve rolled his eyes and clenched his jaw in that way that Tony knew meant trouble. “I have a responsibility to keep you safe-“
“Since when!? When have we ever been like this!? I don’t recall you ever giving a shit about me until Ross kidnapped me! If I hadn’t been, you’d still be long gone and I’d still be the only one left!”
The room fell into a terse silence. T’Challa and Dr. Shira were respectfully looking away from the fight but Rhodey was like a deer stuck in headlights.
When Tony stopped and looked up, Steve was staring at him, looking extremely upset.
Well it’s all true, why is he surprised?
“You think I’d have just left you forever? I told you before, I was keeping an eye on you.” Steve’s voice was low and vibrating, a dangerous line between anger and guilt. He stood there with his arms folded and his head tipped down in an image of submission. Like he was seeking forgiveness but waiting to kick up a storm.
Tony shrugged and looked away, feeling a stone wedge itself in his throat.
“Yeah well. Doesn’t really matter because we’ll never know. Everything that’s happened is pretty hard to ignore.” He sighed.
“You’re right. But Tony-“ Steve suddenly rushed to sit beside him and wrap an arm around his shoulders, eyes wide and frantic. “Does everything I’ve done after Siberia mean nothing? Do you really still think I don’t care? Do you seriously think that?”
“No. Not anymore.” Tony looked him in the eye. “Sorry, I’m just exhausted. And it’s hard to forget but I’m trying.”
Steve went quiet but something like longing filled his eyes. His arm slid off Tony and he smiled bitterly.
“I want to care about you. I do care. You know why even if you don’t feel the same.”
Time to bite the bullet I guess. Can’t really let the facade carry on anymore otherwise we’ll never be honest with each other.
“I think I do. Feel the same, that is. I think that’s half the problem.” Tony replied, pointedly looking away from Steve’s shocked expression.
Steve was about to say something and Tony braced himself but they both jumped when Rhodey spoke.
“Wait wait wait. What the hell is going on? What are you talking about?”
Tony scanned the room and sent a pleading look T’Challa’s way. Thankfully, the king nodded and gestured for Dr. Shira to leave, following after her and closing the door. It was just him, Steve and Rhodey now.
“So explain. What’s going on between you two? I haven’t seen Tony this flustered since he had arc reactor poisoning.”
Steve stepped forward and sighed. “Earlier I told him I liked him. He didn’t know what to say and now we’re...” his eyes darted between Tony and Rhodey but he stood rigid. “...trying to move on from it.”
It took a moment for Rhodey to digest it. Tony could sympathize honestly.
Finally Rhodey blew out a breath and squared his shoulders. “Okay you know what? You both have issues. But I think you can sort it so I’m gonna walk out and give you guys fifteen minutes. Talk it out or I’ll lock you in a cupboard.” And with that, Rhodey dodged around Steve and left.
Tony smiled crookedly, for once out of his depth. “Well he just-“
“Do you feel the same?” Steve cut in, fixing him with a laser-like gaze. His body was ridged but Tony was sure he could see his chest moving just a bit faster than usual.
“I-“
“Answer honestly. Please Tony.”
Tony fell silent. He had his answer but saying it would make it a reality. One that he couldn’t hide from any longer.
“Tony.”
He looked up. Steve looked seconds away from heartbreak. But something must’ve given him away because Steve started to gape. He frowned and let his folded hands fall to his sides.
“Tony, you-“
“You know my answer Steve.” Tony whispered, looking away when Steve knelt before him. He felt fingers pull his chin gently and what he saw, made his heart skip a beat.
Steve was looking at him with such adoration, like he was capable of eclipsing the sun or ending wars. Like Steve could see all the possibilities in him and truly believed in him.
Tony’s heart picked up. He felt his lips start to lift up despite themselves and Steve mirrored him.
“I think you know exactly how I feel.” Steve smiled gently and let Tony go. “So the question is, what are we gonna do about it?”