Right There With You

Author's Note: I am so sorry that this took as long as it did. I was just so stuck on this part because I wanted it to be perfect and then I got distracted by writing Criminal Minds.

Notes on this chapter: This is the final chapter. It's not the end of the story though. I was originally planning to end this when it reached the end of the movie. The sequel, which will be posted within a few days of this being posted, will pick up from the end of The Avengers and dive into more of Tony and Steve's story.

Disclaimer: All recognizable characters belong to Marvel and their original creators. Everything else recognizable also belongs to their original owners. I do not claim to own anything; this was written for entertainment and not for money. I'm a poor Marvel fangirl; this is how I live my life.

Chapter 8

All The Things You Keep Inside

"If it's all the same to you, I think I'll have that drink now."

SHIELD had met them at the top of Stark Tower, both agents and medics. The agents properly bound Loki and led him to a waiting quinjet.

The medics had immediately accessed both Natasha and Barton's injuries. Nothing too major. There was no reason to look over Thor. Nothing was too serious, all he really had was the small stab wound in his stomach. Bruce was completely fine, the change back from the other guy to himself leaving him exhausted.

Tony and Steve were the ones who were being checked over the most, injuries easily displayed.

"For falling from another dimension, I'm surprisingly not that harmed," Tony sent to Steve, quickly making eye contact with the man across from him.

"Anything serious?"

"Multiple lacerations from crashing in the suit, a concussion and a few other small things. Nothing I'm not used to."

The medic cleared Tony, recommending pain management. After thanking the man, Tony sent a quick glance Steve's way before turning and making his way towards his bedroom.

"So, what's the damage?" He asked as he stepped into his closet and changed.

"3 broken ribs from landing on the car. They've already set and wrapped them, should be healed in a few hours. Some lacerations here and there, the biggest thing is the blast I got in the stomach. Considering it was done by alien technology, they're unsure of how long it will take to heal."

"Are you clear to go?" Tony asked as he made his way back to the group. The feelings of anger, guilt and protection radiated through him.

"Don't."

"Don't what?"

"You're projecting. Do not feel guilty, please."

Tony smiled, the feeling of love that projecting back from Steve helped him calm down. Quickly replacing his poker face, he stepped back into the room holding the rest of the Avengers.

"So how about that Shwarma?"

Twenty minutes later they found themselves in the Shwarma closest to the tower. When they had arrived, the employees were trying to clean up the damage from the battle and went to turn them away. After recognizing Stark, they quickly welcomed them.

After ordering their food, they sat down at the remaining table. Bruce and Steve on the ends, Thor and Tony next to each other across from Barton and Romanoff.

No one said anything. Tony had finished his sandwich and was leaning back in his chair, his mind going over what had happened through the day. Thor was making his way through his second or third sandwich, seeming to have tuned out the other people surrounding him.

Clint and Natasha was turned in towards one another while Bruce slowly made his way through his order.

Glancing down towards the end of the table, Tony had to bite his cheek to prevent himself from smiling.

Steve had his right arm propped up on the table, head resting on top of his fist. His sandwich was half eaten and still sitting in the basket in front of him. His eyes were slightly open but every few seconds they'd close before and quickly open again.

"Someone's tired," Tony teased.

Steve shot him a quick glance. "It happens."

Nothing else was said as they waited for the others to finish their food.

"So where do we go from here?" Banner had asked.

"I think I can answer that," a voice said from behind them. They all turned as they saw Nick Fury walk into the restaurant. No one said anything, waiting for the man to speak.

"First, I would like to say what you guys managed today was amazing and everyone should be appreciative to all of you. Second, our first priority is to handle Loki."

"What is going to happen with my brother?" Thor asked. "Surely he can not be punished on Midgard as he's from Asgard."

"We know that. We were waiting to speak to you about that, so when we're done here I would like to request you return to headquarters with me?" Thor nodded.

"What about the rest of us, Nikki?" Tony asked. He smirked when he saw the one-eyed glare in response.

"That's up to you."

"What do you mean?" Clint asked.

"Until we have finalized the plans to deal with Loki, you're free to do as you please. You'll be recalled once everything is set." He looked around the table and nodded. "I'll leave you here then. Mr. Odinson, if you will?" Thor stood from the table and followed Fury out, leaving the other five to figure out what to do.

Tony pulled on the bond to get Steve's attention since the soldier look dangerously close to falling asleep. "Come on Cap, wake up. I'm not going to be able to carry you without the suit."

"What do you need?"

"I'm going to suggest you come back to the tower with me, fight it a little though alright?"

"Roger."

"So, what are plans for you lovely assassins?" Tony asked.

Clint raised an eyebrow in amusement. "Like we're going to tell you, Stark." He stood up, Natasha following him and they made their way out. "See you in a few days," Natasha threw over his shoulder and the two left.

"What about you, Bruce? If their untouched, the R&D floors make a great stress relief."

Bruce looked at him and shook his head. "No, I'm fine. Really. I just need a few days to figure things out."

"Then you can do that in my Tower, same goes for you Capiscle," Tony teased, turning towards the other man.

"No thanks, Stark, I've got my apartment in Brooklyn. I'm fine."

Tony shook his head. "Sorry, I don't like being said no to, so you're coming with me."

"Tony, I couldn't possibly-"

"Yes you can. Plus you need more clothes. I have stuff in your size, so don't worry," Tony said, grinning.

Bruce sighed and then turned towards Steve. "I will if Steve does." Steve looked from Tony to Bruce a few times.

"Fine," he said as sat up straight, wincing slightly. He moved his arm to wrap around the spot on his stomach where he was hit from the Chitauri blaster.

"You alright?" Bruce asked.

Steve nodded. "Yeah, it just hurts a little. Just not healing the way everything else does."

"That better be it," Tony sent him, resisting the urge to go over and hug the man.

"Don't worry," Steve sent back, trying to reassure his bonded.

"I could check it more for you when we get to the tower," Bruce told him as the three of them stood up.

"That would be appreciated, Doctor."

They arrived back at the tower an hour later. Tony left Banner and Steve sitting at the bar while he won't to grab the first aid kid, some clothes and a few other things that Bruce had requested.

"Has anything changed?" Tony asked as he shifted through some cabinets.

"It doesn't feel any better but it doesn't feel any worse. That's a good thing, right?"

"Yes. I should've up in a few minutes," Tony responded, chucking slightly.

As he reentered the room, Bruce was slowly cutting Steve out of his uniform top. As he walked closer, Tony could see that they had a managed to get most if off. It was also the first time Tony got to see the mark on Steve's stomach.

"I got the stuff you wanted, Banner," Tony announced as he stepped up and placed everything on the bar.

Murmuring a quick "Thanks", Bruce opened the first aid kit, pulling out a pair of gloves and scissors. He quickly began to cut away the rest of Steve's uniform and the under amour. Steve hissed slightly as the fabric was pulled away.

"Jesus Capsicle," Tony said in a hard whisper as his eyes glanced over Steve's chest. His entire chest was covered in small lacerations which also seemed to continue onto his back. There were large bruises fading to dark purple and yellows. The chitauri blast took up a majority of the area above his ledger hip.

"It's not as bad as it looks." Steve told him, wincing as Banner carefully put light pressure on the both the bruises and the chitauri blast.

"This should've healed already," Banner mumbled as he taped a bandage on the wound. "Everything else has."

Steve shrugged. "That depends on a number of things"

"Like what?" Tony asked.

"Anything from exhaustion to hunger."

"It's probably a mixture of both," Bruce deduced and smiled at the curious look Steve was giving him. "I know your file better than I know most people. You require almost fourteen thousand calories a day to keep up with your metabolism. I'm also sure you haven't been sleeping much since they found you in the ice?"

Steve knew it was a rhetorical question and remained quiet.

"That's something we're definitely discussing later," Tony told him, Steve holding back the smile when he felt the annoyance seeping through the bond.

"I'm prescribing sleep and a lot of food when you wake up. That should be easy," Bruce teased slightly.

"Okay Jolly Green Giant and Uncle Sam, follow me your generous host as I lead you to your chambers of slumber"

Bruce snorted as he and Steve followed Tony to the elevator. "Where to, sir?" A posh-voice came from the speaker system, causing both Bruce and Steve to jump.

Tony laughed and turned towards them. "Sorry about, should've warned you. Say, hi JARVIS!"

"Pleasure to meet you Captain Rogers and Doctor Banner."

"What is that?" Steve asked, feeling slightly nervous and confused.

"Calm down," Tony told him before verbally responding. "JARVIS is my AI, runs the house, the suit. Basically everything. Guest rooms a few floors down."

"Right away," and JARVIS' voice disappeared as a number showed up in the light display above the elevator doors and the elevator began to move. A few moments later, there was a ding and the doors opened.

"And here is your stop, Doctor Banner. There are three bedrooms on this floor, two full bathrooms and a kitchen. If you need anything, just call JARVIS and he can get to me."

Bruce smiled and nodded as he stepped out onto the floor. "Night guys!" He said yawning, waving as the doors closed.

"My floor JARVIS!"

As the elevator moved again, Tony and Steve instantly wrapped their arms around one another. Both squeezed as their bodies melted together.

"This makes me feel so much better," Tony mumbled into Steve's chest, grinning when he felt the love, passion and desire seep through the wavelengths of the bond. "Holding you, knowing you're here."

Steve emotionally relaxed and blocked out all the other feelings as he held Tony to himself as tight as he could. "I was so scared. So scared," Steve whispered into Tony's shoulder.

As the elevator dinged and the door to Tony's floor opened again, Tony took Steve's hand in his own and pulled him towards his own bedroom. Neither said anything, nothing needed to be said.

Tony opened the door and turned on the light, pulling Steve towards the bed.

"Tony- I-"

Tony quickly cut him off with a kiss. "Don't worry," he whispered as he pulled away and held onto Steve's face with both of his hands. "I know you're not ready, when the time comes, we'll both feel it."

Steve nodded and let Tony guide him to sitting down. "All we're going to do tonight is sleep, possibly talk, but mostly sleeping, okay?" Tony asked.

Steve nodded again and gave Tony a small smile, causing the other man to grin in return.

The two moved in sync as they scooted back to the head of the bed. Tony pushed some pillows around and sat against the headboard. He gently pulled Steve closer so that the soldier's head was resting on his shoulder.

Immediately feeling the fear from Steve, Tony squeezed a little tighter. "You're going to be fine, it's okay to fall asleep. When you wake up, I'll be right here with you," he whispered.

Steve began to relax and fell asleep almost instantly, Tony quickly following.

They were recalled the next morning.

Both Steve and Tony had slept through the night. Peaceful, no nightmares and extremely happy to be alive.

When they received the call, the two of them quickly designed a plan on what was to happen after they saw Thor off. Tony had immediately offered Steve one of his dad's bikes and Tony would be driving himself and Bruce there.

Before leaving, Bruce had informed them that he would be returning to Calcutta after promising Tony that he would return. Tony would drop him off at JFK before returning to the tower to meet Steve.

The Avengers met in Central Park, Selvig bringing the tessteract with them. They made a circle around the bound Loki and Thor. A silent thankful and departing look was given to each before Loki and Thor disappeared back to Asgard.

For show, Steve walked over to Tony and shook his hand, giving the Avengers the idea that the two had settled their differences.

They all spoke for a few minutes, congratulating one another, thanked them for the teamwork and all set their own ways.

Natasha and Clint disappeared in a SHIELD model car heading to who knows where. Bruce climbed in next to Tony and they made their way to the airport as Steve got on his bike and drove away.

"Meet you at the tower in an hour?" Tony asked.

"I just need to as JARVIS right?"

"Yes, just step in the elevator, he'll direct you where to go."

"I love you."

"I love you, too".

"They've gone their separate ways, some pretty extremely far. We get into a situation like this again, what happens next?"

"They'll come back."

"Really sure about that?"

"I am."

"Why?"

"Because we'll need them to."

END.

Author's Note: This is the end, holy crap. I would like to thank all the lovely reviewers, to all the favorites and follows. Everyone who read this story, thank you so much! The sequel, Fade Into Me, should be up in a few days! Thank you all, again!