Blame the Golden Vapor (2/6)
Title: Blame the Golden Vapor
Author: darklumi
Characters/Pairings: Steve/Tony, Coulson/Clint, Natasha/Pepper, Thor/Jane
Rating: PG (may change)
Disclaimer: All Marvels
Author's notes: Tony's daddy issues takes a whole new level.
Summary: The Avengers get doused with a golden vapor that makes them tell the truth. cue angst, humor, and some love people!
The following day was different though. It was relaxing, the first time in a long while any of them had had a break, the same could be said for the next few days that came after. It wasn't until the fourth day, however, that being quarantined became a problem. Through out the day they hardly saw each other but that didn't stop tensions from running high or bad habits from becoming noticed. Clint left his clothes and archery gear everywhere, leaving the others to pick up after him. Tony, when he was suffering a creative episode to build, would take appliances apart and leave them that way. Bruce mumbled to himself and Natasha tapped. Steve was nosey and Thor's neverending happiness was getting to be a little too much. So, it wasn't until four days had passed, that proved the Avengers were not meant to be cooped up for long periods of time and not to expect consequences.
Despite Tony having a lot of money which meant a lot of different means of entertainment, the Avengers found themselves completely and utterly bored. Coulson would check on them every few hours, sometimes in person or sometimes by phone. Pepper had had the pantries restocked, Thor was ecstatic when he found the special self designated for every kind of pop-tart imaginable. Natasha hadn't spoken a single word since the whole fiasco started, not a peep. Though, she gave a whole new definition to meaning of body language. Bruce had yet to Hulk out, a fact that put the rest of the Avengers on edge. Though Bruce was content to watch Dora the Explorer, the cartoon was starting to become less helpful and a little bit more irritating. Clint had started to practice archery on various targets, ranging from pigeons (no one knew where the bodies were disposed of), to random artistic statues around the building. Most of Steve's and Thor's time was spent in the gym, lifting weights, sparring, or otherwise blowing steam. However, it seemed it was Tony who was most effected by the change. At first he seemed fine, taking the time to work on new projects down in the workshop, but it became apparent Tony did not like to be stuck in one place for too long.
"Geez Clint do you ever pick up after yourself?!" Bruce yelled after having tripped over various items strung across the living room floor. He bent down and started to collect all the arrows, belts, and shirts, but recoiled after getting a whiff of the sock he was about to add to his pile. "And just so you know your socks stink! Do you ever bathe?"
"Of course I bathe!" Clint shouted back, his face was flush with either embarrassment or anger, Bruce couldn't tell, he just shoved the junk towards the owner.
"Well obviously not enough. This sock made my eyes water!" The scientist's eyes flickered green as he held the offending item up, waving it around. "This could probably knock out the Hulk, it's so potent."
"Why are even sniffing it!?" Clint snatched the sock from the man's hands.
"I didn't. I could smell it if it was in the other room."
"Is that a new power of the Hulk? Super sniffing?"
"Gentlemen, I think that's enough." Neither had noticed Captain America enter the room. Steve was a menacing presence to behold, even if he was in a plain t-shirt, striped pj bottoms, and suffering from bed head. "Clint start picking up after yourself. It's getting ridiculous."
"You don't give Tony a hard time when he leaves the radio in pieces." Clint pouted.
"This is also his building, filled with his stuff. He can do whatever he wants but if your're having a problem with the mess then I'll talk to him later."
"Are you sure that's all your're going to be doing?" Clint wiggled his eyebrows, smirking.
"Yes, now pick up your stuff." Steve ordered. Clint immediantly started picking up the rest of his belongings, arms full he rushed to his room. "Bruce, what's wrong? You've been in a pretty bad mood." Steve observed the man before him, the physicist shoulders were stiff and the skin around his mouth and eyes taunt.
"I'm just tired but don't worry I'll be fine." Bruce attempted a smile but it didn't quite make it to his eyes. "I think it's just because the Hulk is getting antsy."
"If your're sure." Steve laid his hand on the opposite man's shoulder, squeezing. "Come on, let's get some breakfast."
Natasha and Thor were already seated at the table, munching on their preferred breakfast material, Thor greeted them with a smile. Natasha didn't say anything but hand Steve the newspaper. Steve grabbing a mug, poured himself a steaming cup of coffee, before grabbing eggs and bacon from the refrigerator. He started on breakfast when Clint returned, who took a place next the fellow SHIELD agent, helping himself to some of the pre-sliced fruit available. Tony had finally re-emerged from the workshop, who had been down there for almost forty-eight hours. It was an unusual sight to see him up this early unless he had been up the entire night previous, which was apparent from the state of his appearance. His hair was sticking up in various angles and directions, grease, oil, and a tint of gold dust was smeared along his face and arms, and he looked almost dead on his feet. Steve silently offered him a cup of coffee.
"God, your a saint." Tony murmured, his fingers grazed the tips of Steve, electricity ran through the mechanic's arm, causing shivers to trail down his back. Tony's eyes locked with Steve's grey-blues for a few moments before he shuffled past to seat himself at the table.
"Iron Warrior we have missed your presence!" Thor gushed, "Here have sustenance! You must be starved." The god handed various flavors of pop-tarts to Tony, who took one of them quietly.
Toni produced a soft, "Thanks buddy." Leaning one elbow on the table, he managed to take a small nibble of one, chewing slowly before stopping mid bite. The man appeared to be nodding off where he sat, pop-tart halfway to his mouth.
"Is he sleeping?" Bruce asked peering closely at the other man.
"No..." Tony mumbled. "Just resting my eyes."
"Che. What have you been doing down there? Have you even been eating or sleeping?" Clint demanded.
"Clint I didn't know you cared." Tony teased.
"Of course I care! We can't just have you die on us from exhaustion. How do you think we will be able to explain that to Fury?" Everyone stared at Clint, who took a few minutes to register what he said before he looked away and grumbled, "Stupid vapor." For the most part, they would make little offhanded comments that were amusing to all who heard them, but it still surprised many of the Avengers when one of them said something nice, especially since now, all of them knew it was the truth. Tony, particularly, found the "niceness" of his teammates a little unnerving. He was use to paying, bargaining, and/or giving something in return for friendship. Jarvis, was a computer, so he didn't count. Pepper, who was a good friend was first and foremost his assistant and had his name on her paycheck. Rhodey, though they grew up together, they were never really friends until Tony was old enough to manage and sell weapons to the army. Even then, their friendship was based off army contracts and business. Tony could say that he Avengers were the first people he didn't pay to have their company.
So, Tony for a moment, looked actually touched by Clint's words. "Just so you know, I was doing my own research on the golden gas." Tony said. "I was looking for any possible cure, but I haven't found any. I doubt Richards is doing any better."
"So we are going to have to wait for the end week." Steve joined them at the table, setting a plate of bacon and eggs, in front of himself and Tony, who dug in wholeheartedly. Steve watched the other man fondly, however, when he noticed Natasha staring at him meaningfully, he was finally able to look away.
"Yep. So we better make the best of it."
"Odd to see you looking on the bright side, Stark." Coulson replied, walking into the room. He grabbed a cup of coffee and settled in a chair near Clint.
"Son of Coul! How nice of you to join us this fine day!"
Coulson nodded to the god before continuing. "Not to be the bringer of bad news but there's a bit of a situation. It appears Dr. Richards has been accidentally removed from this universe. So you have no choice but to wait it out."
"Why am I not surprised?" Bruce asked. "Figures this would happen. It's like gods are against us and want us to spill our inner most secrets."
"I don't know about that, maybe Loki." Thor chuckled. "But I have no secrets! I share everything with my fellow brethren!"
"A little too much, in my opinion." Bruce didn't need to mention the fact Thor had a habit of exposing himself every Thursday. At first, they had all believed the god had just forgotten to dress himself, but soon they realized that wasn't the case.
"What is wrong with sharing with my friends? Jane loves Thor's Day."
"Nothing's wrong, big guy, just some of us can't appreciate a naked god every week." Tony quipped. "I, on the other hand, appreciate it very much. So, Coulson, why make the trip all the way here for that little tidbit?"
Coulson didn't say anything but his eyes did flicker to Clint briefly, who was busy shoveling eggs into his mouth. The SHILED agent cleared his throat. "Well, if we are all done here, I have some business to attend too. Just thought I would check up on you before work. Steve can I have a word?" Coulson stood and pushed his chair in. "Clint, would you join me later this evening, around six?" Coulson walked out of the room followed by the super soldier. Clint was clearly happy, a grin stretching across his face, as he swallowed the last of his breakfast.
"You're not obvious at all." Tony smirked, pushing away his empty plate. He crossed his arms on the table and leaned forward, towards the archer.
"Like your're any better." The comment would have sounded completely innocent and maybe even a little bit funny, if it wasn't the slightest hint of resentment lacing the words. Normally, Bruce was a calm individual, one who never had anything antagonistic to say, but today he couldn't help it. Day after day he saw how Tony and Steve looked at each other, touched each other, and yet they never took their relationship even the slightest bit further. Bruce didn't have a clue why not. It was obvious they both they felt something for each other and yet they continued to dance around one another and frankly Bruce was fed up with it. The two men feelings's usually didn't bug him but the sexual tension was becoming a little too much now that they were all stuck inside the Avengers building.
Now, Tony could have played it off as a joke, but the sinister words had hit a particular chord in him, the one that always made him want to lash out when he was being instigated. "What did you say Brucey? I couldn't hear you because all you do is mumble."
Bruce's eyes flashed green. "Hmmm well, maybe if you if you weren't so in love with your own voice you would hear what other people had to say."
"What are you going to do about it Dr. Jekyll? Gag me?" Tony smirked. He knew he was just adding gas to a fire by provoking Bruce, the chance of him hulking out far greater than normal. At that moment Tony could have cared less.
"I have a better idea." Bruce drummed his fingers in the middle of his chest, exactly where Tony's arc reactor rested. Tony's smirked dropped from his face and had instantly gone pale. Bruce took little satisfaction in his victory, however, when he saw the deep fear lurking behind Tony's eyes. His anger was completely gone and all he wanted to do was to apologize but he somehow couldn't find the words. Bruce expected the worst when Tony was able to recollect himself but Tony grinned instead.
"Touche Brucey." Tony picked up his plate and placed in the sink before exiting the room.
"I expected better of you, Banner." The first words Natasha had uttered and they did nothing but add to the guilt that was building inside him. The raw pain of Tony Stark had been visible for just a few precious seconds and yet they revealed more of the man than any newspaper had. Tony was apparently not the confident joker everyone believed him to be.
"I don't know what came over me. I really didn't mean any of that." Guilt was eating away at Bruce's face, biting his lip, he started to wring his hands. The scientist stared at the red head, her face was completely neutral but her body was wound tight; her arms were crossed, fingers biting into the skin of her upper arms, as if she was trying to hold herself back from attacking.
Thor pushed away his box of pop-tarts, his appetite suddenly gone. "You should apologize my friend."
"This is not how I imagined my morning starting." Clint muttered rubbing his face with his hands. "Tony looked really freaked out. It was nice knowing ya Bruce, you're dead meat when Steve finds out."