Chapter Text
The beeps of machinery were the first thing that Tony heard.
‘Where am I?” he asked himself in his mind. He was in pain though it was slightly duller than before but, it was still there.
His head pounded with pain and he tried to open his eyes. Wincing at the bright hospital lights he quickly closed his eyes and let out a soft groan.
Turning his head to the right he slowly opened his eyes and looked upon the sleeping figure of Steve. What was he doing here?
Opening his mouth he felt the dryness in his throat. He groaned again. He was so thirsty and, he couldn’t even remember the last time he drunk anything.
His stomach rumbled and the feeling of hunger crept up him. He was starving and if his Little Thing was in there it was probably hungry to.
Glancing at a still sleep Steve he lifted his left hand and stared at the cast. Lowering it he sat it on top of his bulge.
Coughing a bit to clear his throat he began to whisper hoarsely.
“You know little Thing…your…Daddy is in one hell of a mess.” He started as he rubbed his stomach. “I hope you grow into something better…better than me. Because you deserve way more than me” He said as his eyes watered.
Tony was feeling emotional and if Steve wasn’t in the room he probably would’ve began sobbing.
He felt Steve moving and flinched. Frowning he looked over at the awoken blonde who gave him a small smile.
“Tony! You’re up. How are you feeling? Do you need anything?” He asked looking at Tony who gave him a startled look.
“I….” He paused “I need water.” He said softly in a calm voice. Steve nodded and went quickly to get him a cup of water.
Handing it to Tony who drank greedily as if he was scared it would get stolen from him.
Letting out a breath of relief he put the paper cup down and peered at Steve who was studying him with an unreadable expression.
“Am I a liability now?” He asked in a broken voice. “I mean, I know I can’t fight because of little Thing but, I don’t want to be kicked completely out.” He said looking at his uninjured hand.
Steve gave him a look that could only be described as compassion and sympathy. “No…Tony you’ll never be a liability. You’re what makes us…without you none of this would have been possible…you and your…baby will always be welcomed.” He said giving Tony a thousand watt smile.
Tony nodded but looked as if he hadn’t believed a word that Steve said.
“I should probably go get Bruce. He told me to get him when you awoken.” Steve said before walking to the door.
Tony watched him go with teary eyes. He felt so useless. He felt purposeless but, maybe Little Thing would change all of that.
Maybe…
~
It felt like hours before Bruce and Steve walked into Tony’s hospital room.
Tony was lying on his back with his hand on his bump with a dazed expression on his face.
Bruce approached Tony’s bedside cautiously. “Tony.” He said in a calm voice.
Tony began to breathe faster and harder and he shook his head. “No…I don’t want it” He groaned out.
Bruce backed away and Steve clenched his fists as they watched Tony wither in pain.
“Is there anything you can do to stop it?” Steve asked tensely.
Bruce shook his head and pinched the bridge of his nose. “He’s having a psychological episode. I can’t do anything for him” He replied just as tense.
Steve looked at Bruce and watched as his friend quickly left the room. Sighing hard he glanced at the sobbing Tony.
How were they going to fix him?