Disclaimer: I do not own or make any money off this, so don't sue me.

Hello,

This is a sequel to the One Shot: I Don't Wanna be in Love. There want desire to for a Sequel, so here you go. This is going to be a two-shot. It was suppose to be a One Shot as well, but when I got over 14,000 words, I decided to cut this in half. So here you go.

Just so you don't get confused. Jim is Rhodes and James is Barnes.

And I seem to do angst well.

Summary:

Howard Stark had taught his son a great many things, and love isn't one of them. He had taught Tony that Love is a weakness and that he should never allow himself to be loved or fall in love. By doing so, it allows someone to have control over you, allows someone to use you. So when he starts to feel something deep for his Brooklyn Boys, Tony isn't sure what to call it, and he doesn't voice it no matter how often he wants to. No matter how often they smile at him. As this feeling scares the shit out of him, he keeps it to himself, unsure what else to do.

However, when something suddenly changes in his relationship with his Super Soldier, he's glad that he didn't tell them. He's glad that he has kept those words to himself, so they can't use him, though that could just be his insecurities talking. It could just be him overthinking, driving himself insane, or he could be right. Right that this relationship with Rogers and Barnes is a mistake. Right that he would only be a third wheel to them no matter what they say or do. Right that he will always be the odd man out. Right that they will not side with him.

Or so he thinks

I Don't Want to Lose Your Love Tonight

Chapter One

Tony isn't exactly sure what he's feeling for his Brooklyn Twins—Okay, maybe he does, but he hesitates in calling it love. Though he will never admit it aloud, this feeling, which he has spent years hiding from, scares the shit out of him. He'd been taught since childhood that love is for the weak and if you allow yourself to love or be loved, you are allowing yourself to be controlled. And that stuck with Tony for years with his father enforced that ideal daily. From there, fear grew inside of Tony, creating a wall that most ran screaming from, and hatred grew. He detested the idea of someone having any type of control over him, no matter the level. He would and still will rebel at every turn.

Because of that, the genius doesn't know what to call this feeling that he has for his super soldiers. He knows it's more than just liking them-Definitely more. His mood always brightens up when they're in the room, and his heart skips a beat whenever they smile at him. His chest tightens with every smile aimed at him. Sure, Tony has a sexy smile, which he has been told over a hundred times, but those people haven't seen Bucky and Steve smile. If they did, they wouldn't be saying that. They would be drooling over the Brooklyn Boys' smiles, forgetting everything else around them. Forgetting their name. Forgetting to eat, to sleep.

The world would be a hot messes, too focus on these men's hotness. Though, Tony thinks they can bring about World Peace just by them smiling… Or cause the world to stop and create global destruction as everyone just stares at them, which is more likely the case. Seriously, their smiles should be illegal, because there's no doubt that women will get pregnant just by Steve and Bucky smiling. They can just take a walk through Central Park and boom! Every women—and men if it's possible which Tony is all too happy that they can't as he would probably be knocked up already— no matter the age get pregnant instantly.

So fucken unfair.

But heck, he finds it sexy as hell, and he just melts.

However, that isn't the only reason why he cares deeply for those two. He adores their laughs, the tones in their voices, and he finds himself doing things to make them smile and laugh without even realizing it. Stupid things. Really stupid things that he had never thought he would be doing. He, in fact, had made a rule way back when that when he started dating to never do these things, but here is he doing them… Maybe, that's what his father meant, but Tony doesn't want to look at it like that. He doesn't want to see it as them controlling him. He wants to see it something more, because it has to be if it makes him feel like this.

It just has to be as they also do things to make him smile. This relationship isn't one sided in the least. Bucky brings him food all of the time, making sure that there's always something for him to eat when he comes up for air. No matter how late it is, the former assassin is always up to cooking or making something for him. He hardly has to beg the man, and Tony just loves that. Plus, he adores the look in James' eyes whenever he makes him something.

Then there's Steve, who knows what Tony needs before he knows. He knows when Tony needs cuddle time or alone time, though he never gives the genius too much time alone, as he knows what silence does to him. Someone, he knows the exact time to come down and get Tony, and Tony likes that. He likes that he doesn't have to tell Steve or hide what he needs or wants. He likes that he doesn't have to change like what he had to do with Pepper.

He adores how possessive those Brooklyn Boys are with him. He loves how they like to leave their marks on him; no, they aren't over the top or unhealthy about it like some couples are, but it's just enough to remind him how much they care and want him, him! Which is a good counterbalance for his over the top insecurities. Serious, his insecurities are the size of Mount Rushmore, which makes it's surprising that those two put up with him and his baggage. He expected—still expects them to run for the hills every time he does something stupid, which is quite often considering he's a fucken genius who likes to test his limits.

It also doesn't hurt that Barnes and Rogers are the finest men on the planet. Seriously, Tony could and does drool every time they take off their shirts, and who wouldn't? James and Steve are pure muscle without even one ounce of fat on their bodies, and they're like two finely chiseled gods. Two examples of perfection that everyone- including straight ass men- can't help but look at. And when they wrestle each other in the gym for sport or in— oh, god, help him—the bedroom for pleasure, Tony can't help but watch at times. Seriously, he can get off just by watching them.

Okay, maybe that isn't completely true. He does like to be touched by the both of them, likes to be touched a lot, but he likes to watch at times. He knows they know this as they do stuff just to test his restraint, which isn't a lot. First, they just do this in the bedroom, but then, they start to make out in front of the lab's glass doors, not holding back. One will be pinned against the glass by the other, while both of them rips off the other's clothes, and every time Tony looks up, they give him the 'oh, don't you want to join us' look. Most of the time, Tony can't resist, but there're times where he can. Those times, he just watches them go at each other, fucking each other hard into the glass or bed. When they're finished, they don't take no for an answer and drag him to bed.

Those times, Tony goes to bed happy and satisfied.

And he's this close to saying those three words, even if their presence in his mind still scares the shit out of him. He doesn't know what stops him from saying the words, but he doesn't, even when they're smiling at him. He doesn't say anything as he looks between them. He can see—or thinks he sees- the fondness in their eyes, and though they don't say those words to him either, he wonders if that fondness in their eyes is love. He hopes so.

However, if they love him, they would say it, right? Okay, they said it before when they were getting Tony to agree to a poly relationship, but they hadn't said it since. Was it mistake before? Did they not mean it? Did they learn that he isn't worth it? Or maybe, they didn't mean it? They never say those words around him, even if it's to each other, and he knows the Brooklyn Twins love each other, dearly and truly, but they don't say those words in front of him. They say those words to each other, when Tony isn't around, and he knows this because he has entered a room and come across them in mid-sentence. Granted, they don't even need to say it to each other, because he can see it in their eyes whenever they look at each other. It's like they're having eye sex, which he isn't a part of it.

These are the times that he feels like a third wheel.

This isn't the only reason why he doesn't say those three little words to them, even if they're on the tip of his tongue, but it's a big reason. It doesn't matter how happy he is, as there'll always be this doubt inside of him. He knows he should tell someone, but again, he's afraid. Yes, he knows nothing will get better if he doesn't say what's on his mind, but what will happen if he does? He fears that he may say it and they won't say it back. If that happens, he will break.

There's no doubt about that. No doubt at all.

*O*O*

"No, that movie is shit," Wilson states, loudly, as he takes up an entire love sit near the door. "And we have seen it a hundred times."

"Did not," Rhodes replies, sitting in a large recliner a few feet from him. "Just ask FRIDAY."

Tony chuckles from his spot on the sofa as he cuddles into Bucky's right side with the former assassin's arm wrapped tightly around him. In the past, the genius has never been the cuddlier even during the time with Pepper, but he can't get enough of it with the Super Soldiers. If he could get his work completed while cuddling, he could and would. If he never has to leave Rogers and Barnes' side, he wouldn't. "Well, FRIDAY? Have we?" he asks.

"No, Boss," comes the AI's replies. "Man of Steel has only been played twice since the formation of movie night."

Bucky snorts as he rests his head on the crown of Tony's. "Not a hundred times."

"Well two times too many!" Wilson snaps back. "I hate that movie. It's shit, and you would think you people would get sick of watching Superhero movies, since you know we're superheroes."

"Then what do you want to watch?" Steve asks as he sets two large bowls of popcorn on the table. Knowing how much the Avengers eat, it probably won't be enough.

"What about Battleship?" Rhodey offers as he reclines back in his chair, trying to get comfortable.

Natasha makes a face as she moves toward the empty spot on the sofa next to Tony. "What about a movie without aliens who want to enslave the planet? I had my fill of aliens in my life time," she says, honestly as she eyes the empty spot. There's a smile on her face as she inches over to it.

"Don't you even think about it, Romanoff! Don't you dare!" Steve warns as he gives her a narrowing look, almost daring her. Before she can move, he quickly sits next to Tony, refusing to give up his spot next to Bucky and Tony. It always gives Tony a chuckle when someone tries to steal a seat next to him, because he loves the look on his boyfriends' faces when someone moves anywhere near him.

Plus, it's funny to watch them. There was this one time that Bucky almost strangled Jim for daring to take a seat next to Tony. The genius was laughing the whole time as Bucky forcibly dragged the War Machine's stiff Pilot out of the spot by his feet. Steve was sniggering too as Tony curled up against him; however, the Captain wasn't so pleased when Natasha did the same thing to him the next movie night. Unlike with Rhodes, there's no dragging the Black Widow out of a spot… well unless you have a death wish.

Aware that he couldn't do anything but pout, Steve wasn't laughing, just giving Natasha the puppy dog eyes until she got sick of it and moved. Ever since then, it has become a game before every movie night to see who can steal a seat next to Tony. It's a game that everyone enjoys besides James and Steve, who don't like it all, and they're willing to do anything to prevent someone from stealing their seat: coming early, refusing to let Tony sit before they're both ready, and/or taking as much room on the sofa as possible until all three of them are seated. Bucky may or may not bring knifes as well…

"Geez, Rogers. You're no fun," Natasha chuckles as she takes a seat on a beanbag near Wanda and Vision.

Steve gives her another look before he leans toward his genius, lacing his fingers into Tony's. "Watch it," he says.

"So what movie are we watching?" Bucky asks. "I'm always up for a science fiction flick. I love those kinds of movies." Tony snorts as he pushes out of Barnes' arms, much to his displeasure. "No!" the super soldier whines. "Come back!"

"No longer my favorite," Tony utters, teasing, as he leans toward Steve. "Don't wanna watch the horrible science!"

Steve wastes no time in scoping up the genius, as he pulls him into his arms. "Yea, who wants to watch that hocus pocus," he says as he tucks Tony's head under his chin. He gives Bucky a smile as he reaches a free hand to his other boyfriend.

"Milking this like the punk you are, Punk," Bucky replies, gasping Steve's outreached hand and holding tightly. "I'll remember this later, Stevie."

Jim groans. "Keep the bedroom talk to the bedroom. I don't want to see or hear that."

"Agreed," the entire room replies in a heartbeat. Tony laughs as he buries himself into Steve's side.

"Trust me, you aren't invite to the party with my fellas," Bucky replies, scooting closer to Tony.

Wilson groans. "No one wants to be," he says, whining. "Let's stop talking about their love life." He sounds like he's going to be sick. "And pick a movie. And no Man of Steel. Stupid Movie."

"We get it. You really hate that movie," Clint says, as he suddenly enters the room. "Give it a rest already."

Natasha pushes herself slightly up to get a better look at the Archer who has just entered the room. "You're late," she says. "But we didn't start yet. Can't pick a movie."

Clint shrugs as he moves toward Wanda, Natasha, and Vision. "Sorry, couldn't get the little one down. He wanted to be up, and I had to chase him throughout the house." There's a smile on this face that tells everyone he doesn't really mind it. "So what are the choices?"

Wanda pushes herself up on the sofa, wearing a slight smile as she looks up at the Archer. Clint is one of her favorite Avenger, and her mood is always better when he's around. "What about a Disney movie?" she asks, her accent thick. Even with the amount of times she spends with them, her accent has not disappeared.

Steve smiles. "Sure, why not? They're usually cheery. I'm not in a mood for a depressing flick." His grip on Tony's waist and on Bucky's hand tightens.

Rhodey groans. "What? Are we ten?" he asks. "…We're children in adult bodies, but yet, they tasks us with protecting this world? Geez, what are they thinking?" The groups laughs as Tony starts to fall asleep against Steve's warm side.

"Deal with it," Clint says, taking a seat next to Wanda and Natasha, who don't waste time resting her head against him.

Tony never learns what movie the group ends up picking as sleep takes him easily. With two warm bodies against him, there's no fighting it, even when the group loudly whines at seeing Barnes and Rogers give each other a kiss. Tony does not open his eyes, even if he wants to watch them make out like teenagers. It's hard to be anything but happy at this moment, and it's in a moment like this that Tony wants to say those three words, but it isn't the sleep that stops him.

*O*O*

Tony doesn't know when the Brooklyn Twins had brought him back to his room, but he can recall them crawling into bed with him and pinning him between them. He recalls feeling completely warm and safe laying between them, and he can't help but sleep a whole 8 hours, which hadn't happen in years. It's total heaven sleeping between those two, and he has no interest in sleeping anywhere else for the near future.

However, when he wakes up the next morning, he finds himself completely alone in his huge bed, which is far too large for just him. At first, he thinks his men just left to get something, but both sides of the bed are cold, a clear sign that he has been alone for some time, and even if he tells himself not to, he worries. His insecurities are flooding back, and there's nothing he can do to stop them. "How long have they been gone?" he asks his AI, hoping they're just on their early morning run.

"The Captain and Sergeant left early this morning at 1:58 am, Boss."

Tony can feel his chest tighten as that's too early for their morning run, but there's no other reason for his soldiers to be out of bed…unless they had a nightmare. It isn't uncommon for one of the three to have a nightmare and need to get out bed, but usually, they ended up back in bed later to cuddle with each other. This waking up alone isn't new to Tony, but he doesn't like it, not after having spent weeks with those two in his bed.

However, Tony is willing to look past this, because he knows he's being crazy. He knows it's his insecurities talking, and if he listens to them, he knows he'll lose it. He knows he'll push everything he has away, and he knows he'll lose the Super Soldiers, which is the last thing that he wants. Besides, he knows he's overreacting, and waking up alone isn't the worst thing ever. It isn't the end of the world, and he shouldn't read too much into it.

But, he can't help it. His insecurities are far too big for him to overcome alone, and he knows he should tell them this, but he isn't good at talking about his emotions—Emotions are for the weak, damn it! His dear old dad had taught him that. Plus, he isn't sure what he's feeling, and he doubts Steve and James want to hear it anyways. So, the genius files them all way, never to see the light of day like Howard had taught him. His father's lessons are ingrained in him, and there's no doubt in his mind that there would be a fight to end all fights if he was alive to see his son like this. There's no doubt that he would feel like crap afterward. Like the nothing that he is, which is why he never did and never will say those three little words. It will destroy him.

*O*O*

Tony had thought waking up alone would be a onetime thing, but when it happens for an entire week, Tony gives up on sleeping in his room. For the first three days of that week, the soldiers did go to bed with him, but when the genius awoke the next morning, he was alone. Completely alone. Afterwards, they didn't even attempt to go to bed with him, which did nothing for Tony's nerves and insecurities. They don't even tell him good night when they pass him in the halls as they seem focused something else, and Tony feels like he's suddenly thrown aside like yesterday's trash, which sends him rushing to his lab, the only place he feels comfortable.

He isn't sure—not that he expects them to care anymore- if Barnes and Rogers know he isn't sleeping in his bed at night, but he assumes that if they do, they'll lecture him about it… but they would have to care first, which they don't. Even if they haven't said it to his face, he truly believes that, which is why he gives up on waiting for them to come back. Maybe, this is their way in telling him that they don't want him anymore, which is the only outcome that he ever saw. His angst has been in overdrive since he started to sleep—if you can call it that— alone and it hasn't let up since.

Nightmares plague his dreams every time he closes his eyes, but there's no one to see it, and he doesn't know if he should be happy or sad. He doesn't know if he can take someone sees him like this. He doesn't like the idea of someone seeing him this weak. He just doesn't. He can also blame his father for that, because his father had made sure he knew that. Knew that Stark Men weren't and aren't weak.

He doesn't know why his father still has such a control over him, when he has been dead for years, but he does. Howard Stark seems to be always present in his thoughts, telling him how w-

"Tony?"

The genius doesn't move, only glances at Steve as he enters the lab. His eyes settles on the plate of food that the Captain is holding. He doesn't need to be told that it's Bucky's cooking, though he wonders why Barnes doesn't bring it down himself. "Yea, Steve?" he asks, monotone.

Steve walks over to him slowly. "How are you? I feel like I haven't see you in ages?" he asks as he sets the plate down.

A snarky comment is just on the tip of his tongue and it takes everything in him not to say it. Of course it feels like ages, he bitterly thinks, because Tony doesn't remember the last time he has seen either Barnes or Rogers. The entire time he has been down here, neither of them has come down to see or talk to him. "Yea, just working on something," he says, trying to ignore the pain in his chest. He can take a hint. He isn't stupid.

"Always working on something," he says, placing a kiss to the top of Tony's head. His lips linger as if he's expecting something more from the stiff genius. "Bucky made this for you."

Again, there's a snarky comment on the lips, but he doesn't say it. Pepper will be proud, but in reality, he isn't in the mood for the fight. He isn't in the mood for the truth either, even if there's a part of him that wants this to be over with. "Still isn't wearing the uniform," he replies with a forced, sassy smile on his face. "Still not getting paid." It isn't lost on him that Bucky isn't the one to deliver the food like he has done in the past.

"So why don't we show him tonight after Movie night?" Steve asks, giving him a wink. "Just three of us."

Tony blinks for a few seconds as he pokes at the food in front of him. "Oh, is that tonight?" he asks, truly forgetting in his angst. "Sure, why not." He knows he shouldn't have said it, but he can't help it.

"Yes, Tony," he says with a smile. "You're so forgetful at times." He adds as he pulls Tony into a side hug. The genius doesn't go into Steve's arms easy, but he doesn't fight him either. "Are you okay?" There're a few worried tones in his voice.

"Just a lot on my mind, Cap," he says. "Why don't you go tell Barnes his food is just as good as ever?"

Steve's smile falls as he looks down at the stilled Tony and the untouched food. He doesn't say anything for a few seconds before he kneels down at Tony's side. "Is everything okay?" Tony doesn't say anything, only poking at the food on the plate. "Come on, Tony. Please talk to me." His voice is soft and sad. "Please."

"I'll be up for movie night."

"Tony," he utters, putting his hand on his knee. It sounds like there's something else that he wants to say but he doesn't.

"I'll be up later. Now, can you leave me alone?" he asks, as he pushes the plate away from him. He knows how broken his voice sounds, but he hopes that Steve doesn't call him on it. He hopes that he just leaves. He wants to be alone. Steve gives him a look before he pushes himself up onto his feet and turns to leave. There's a hesitation in his step as he moves to the door, but he does not stop as he leaves. His shoulders are small.

*O*O*

Tony doesn't go to movie night, and no one comes down to get him. He doesn't know if that's a good or bad thing. He decides it's for the best anyhow. He needs to distance himself, because those three little words are haunting him. He's glad that he hasn't said those words yet, as this would've been so worse if he did… Though he wonders if it really will be, as he already feels like shit and an idiot for thinking this could work. He should've known better.

As he stares at the hologram in front of him, he can't help but wonder where it all went wrong. When and why did the Brooklyn Twins decide he isn't good enough? Did he say something in his sleep? Did he mutter something that he shouldn't have said? Or did they just grow tired of him? Tony isn't sure, but he's tired and too exhausted to deal with his insecurities. He needs to rest and he knows it, but he can't.

"So how are Steve and Bucky doing up there? Cuddling fine without me, FRIDAY?" he asks, not really wanting to know the answer. They probably don't notice he isn't there. They probably don't care.

"No, Boss. Captain Rogers and Sergeant Barnes had retired to their shared quarters shortly before the movie started. The Sergeant was extremely distraught and distressed about something."

The words 'their room' echoes in Tony's head, and he feels like he has been shot. It feels like someone has ripped his heart from his chest. It makes him wonder if any of this is real; it makes him wonder if he has been lying to himself the whole time. Did Barnes and Rogers ever care for him? Probably not. If so, they wouldn't have abandoned him so suddenly, and he hates that he has allowed himself to be so stupid. His fucken father was right, and he hates that.

Why did he tell Barnes the true all of those months ago? He should've kept his mouth shut and allowed Barnes to think that he hates him. "I guess Rogers didn't mean what he said earlier," he mutters to himself. "Have they been sleeping in their room together for the past week?" he asks, not wanting to know the answer though he already knows. He already knows that they rather be anywhere else than with him, and that hurts. It hurts more than he ever expects.

"Yes, Sir."

If he doesn't know any better, he would think that he hears pity in the AI's voice, and that makes it worst. He feels like an idiot and now everyone will know it. "Thanks, FRIDAY," he says sadly.

Tony takes a deep breath as he turns to one of his Iron Man suit against the wall. Learning that retirement is never going to stick, he gives up trying and keeps a suit ready. He knows it's unhealthy because the suit is more than him wanting to save people. It's a safety net for him. "Prepare the suit for me," he orders, though he has no idea of where he will be heading. He just needs to go.

"Yes, Boss."

Tony gets up, but before he can take a step, he notices an Avenger on the steps eyeing him. Wanda Maximoff—God, that woman likes the color red- is perfectly still, and it's a scary sight to see her eyeing him. He isn't sure how long she has been standing there, though he feels uncomfortable at any amount of time. "How can I help you, Ms. Maximoff?" he asks with a hint of fake charm.

She eyes him as she suddenly moves and steps into his lab. "Why do you allow this?" she asks, just watching him.

The genius doesn't have an issue with the Enhanced. He really doesn't, but he doesn't feel comfortable around her, not after everything that has happened. The idea that she can fool around in his head on a second notice scares the shit out of him; plus, he doesn't think he can take another one of her visions. "Allow what?" he asks with bitterness in his tone.

"I can feel your angst from-"

"Stay out my head," he snaps. Tony does not need or want her in his head, and it doesn't take genius to know how much damage she can do.

Wanda doesn't look startled at his anger. "Why do you think so little of yourself?" she asks, sounding almost sad.

"Stay out of my head," he says again. He knows there's no denying it, but he still doesn't want her in his head. He can't have her in his head. Not now, when he's so broken.

"Tell Barnes and Rogers the truth. Tell them how you feel."

His heart races, know what she's referring to. Damn it. "No," he says, knowing those three little words would do more damage than good.

"They would not want to see you like this."

How would she know? And why would she care? They aren't friends, and she blames him for her parent's death, which he guess is his fault. His weapons and all. Plus, he's at fault for her brother's death, and for that, he hates himself. Why does everything he touches go to hell? Why is he such an idiot? Why didn't he leave well enough alone? Maybe, he deserves this for causing so much pain. Maybe, this is his punishment for the pain that he has caused. Maybe, Maximoff wants him dead, and he doesn't blame her.

Wanda tilts her head to left as she studies him. "No, I do not wish you were dead."

His hands ball at his side as he crosses to his suit, which opens for him automatically. "Oh, you don't?" he asks, his voice stained. He really, really wants her out of his head.

"And I do not hate you, Stark." Tony doesn't respond as he steps into the suits. He couldn't even if he wants to as he has no idea of how to respond. "And no one can hate you more than you hate yourself," she asks as the suit closes around him. She doesn't try to stop him as he makes a flashy exit. She doesn't say another damn word, and he's thankful for that.

*O*O*

Tony has been flying for hours, soaring until the sun pops up, when he gets the alert to assemble, and he's lying if he says he didn't react. For a few seconds, he fights with himself, wondering if he should stay back. With Captain America, Winter Soldier, Black Widow, Vision, Falcon, War Machine, Scarlet Witch and Ant-Man, he knows he isn't needed, and there's nothing that they can't handle. With the team they have now, no one can defeat them, and they would be a fool if they try. If Tony's a supervillain, he would be pissing his pants, because he knows how deadly Barnes and Rogers are together. He knows how much damage those two can do alone. He knows, and doesn't that just hurt? Besides, he isn't in the right mindset for a battle right now. His emotions are all over the place, and there's no telling what riskless thing he might do in battle.

However, that doesn't stop him from turning on the comm and turning to the Avenger's channel. He doesn't alert the others to his presence as that'll create questions that he doesn't want, questions that he doesn't know how to answer. There's no doubt they had noticed his absence. Plus, he doesn't know what Wanda had told them, not that he expects her to. She doesn't seem like one to talk, but then again, she isn't his biggest fan no matter what she says.

"—the plan?" Maximoff says as the connection is made.

"War Machine, Falcon," Rogers orders over the channel. "We need to secure the perimeter. We can't let these things get pass us. Got it? We got the rest."

"Understood," Wilson and Rhodes replies together.

"Any idea of how to stop these things?" Natasha asks. "They keep morphing every time we corner them and move in to attack. Can't find a weakness."

Natasha sounds worried, and Tony doesn't like that. When she's worried—well when she shows it, it's never good. If she can't handle something, you know it's bad. Making sure the comm is on mute, the genius asks, "FRIDAY, how bad is it?"

"It is not looking well, Boss," the AI replies. "Whenever the team prepares to attack, the droids morph, changing their makeup and making their attacks ineffective."

That isn't what Tony wants to hear, and he rushes back to New York at top speed. He knows Lang, Rhodes, and Vision can come up with something, considering the brain power between the three, but he doesn't like the idea of leaving his team hanging. He needs to be there. He needs to protect them.

"Damn it," Bucky curses, which is like a punch to the gut.

"Report," Steve demands, strongly. "Bucky!" He yells into the comm as the Winter Soldier doesn't reply quickly enough.

"…I'm fine. Just a little bruised." There's a pause before the former assassin adds, "I'll need a nurse later. Any takers? Steve?"

Scotts snorts. "So glad Stark isn't on. I so don't want to hear the three of you flirt."

"Stark won't make a good nurse," Bucky replies with a strain in his voice. "Steve's my nurse. He knows what I like."

Tony's heart does a little flip, but he doesn't say anything. He can't help but feel like someone has slapped him across the face hard, and he feels like a complete fool for thinking that this relationship can work. How did he ever think that they can love him? That he'll be any more than a third wheel? More than some fun in bed?

"Enough," Natasha scorns, sounding very annoyed. "Did we forget we're getting our ass kick?"

"Agreed," Steve replies. "Now someone come up with an idea. How do we shut these things down?"

Tony refuses to allow his emotions to get the better of him. There're innocent people who need help, and he refuses to allow another person to die on his watch. Besides, this isn't anything that he can't handle. He's fucken Tony Stark, and he doesn't cry. He doesn't sit around and do nothing. He's a fucken Genius, and he knows technology better than anyone else in the world. He's fucken brilliant, and there isn't anything he doesn't know. He knows how to look and find hidden frequencies. He knows how robots and droids work. He knows how Operating Systems work and collect data, and he can see flaws just by looking. He can see one now, a delay whenever they morph. He can see the lag in the OS, and he can see the flaws in his head. He can see it all.

"They seem to be operating on a frequency," Vision replies. "I am having trouble locating the specific channel."

No one responds as one of the droids crashes into a building, misdirected by one of War Machine's attacks. There's cursing over the comm by the team, a clear sign to how bad the situation has gotten. Using the views from a few different cameras around the city, Tony is able to scan the area to learn that there're people in the building, and he knows there's no one close enough besides him. Hearing the screams and the cries over the comm, Tony jumps into action. It's up to him, and he won't let them down.

Unmuting his comm, Tony says, "I got the Civilians in the building and an idea of how to shut these things down for good. Friday is sending it to you now. Vision should be able to disrupt the frequency, while rest of you take them out."

"Tony!" Steve calls out. There's something in his voice. He sounds worried, but there's something else in his voice like he's been caught with a hand in the cookie jar.

"Punk," Bucky replies. He sounds like he has been caught in the headlights, but he also sounds relieved like he has finally gotten the thing he always wanted.

"When did you get here?" Scott askes, surprised. "Not that we aren't happy to see you, but were you listen the whole time? Like the whole time?"

"My Man, how were you silent for so long?" Rhodes asks. "Are you feeling okay? A silent Tony Stark is not a good thing. Not all." There's something in a voice, a clear sign that he knows something is wrong.

Oh, look, there are the questions that he doesn't want. "Too much chatter. Let's shut up and get to work. We don't have time for this," he says as neutral as he can. However, his bitterness is clear in his voice, and it shuts the team up almost immediately. He knows they're completely blindsided by his tones, but he cannot allow himself to care. He's on a mission. "I'll clear the building. You stop those droids."

"Not alone. That building only got seconds before it falls," Natasha says. "Wait for-"

Tony knows he needs to calm down and take a step back, but there's so much bubbling inside of him that he can't. "I got this," he says, before turning off his comm. He knows his tone and sudden appearance has only caused worry along his team, but he doesn't care. He doesn't care if he hurts anyone's feeling. He needs to worry only about himself.

"Boss, Captain Rogers and Sergeant Barnes are requesting to communicate with you on a private channel," FRIDAY announces a moment later.

That's the last thing he needs right now. "No," he says strongly. "Only let Vision through if he needs me."

"Sergeant Barnes sounds panicked. It might be wised to-"

"No," he growls. "If he needs a talking down, he can talk to his nurse, Nurse Rogers." He is all but yelling when he spits out those words. Yes, Tony fucken cares and it's killing him that Barnes is about to go into a meltdown, but that isn't his problem anymore. It's Steve's, and if Tony helps or turns to him, it will kill him later. And he needs to move on.

Without a care to his own life, he flies into the crumbing building, reading life signs in the building. He has made a deal with himself that no one else will die on his watch, even if he dies in the process. They're civilians, and they do not deserve any of this it. They don't deserve to die, and he'll make sure they don't get hurt no matter what, which is probably why Tony doesn't recall much after entering the deteriorating, collapsing building. Only a second pass before everything goes black.

*O*O*

Tony doesn't recall much besides extreme pain and isn't sure what's going on around him. He can only make out the shapes that flash in his vision, and he can't make out anything besides loud pounding sounds. He knows someone is speaking to him, well more like yelling, and this person is panicked, but he doesn't know what he or she is saying. He knows this should scare him, but Tony can't seem to focus enough to be worried; the pain is just too much.

The genius has experienced a great deal of pain in his life, and this is nothing new to him. He has been tortured, shot, and beaten within an inch of death. He has experienced a broken heart on more than one occasion, and he knows what pure hatred feels like. He knows how it feels to have the world hate him, even when he's trying to protect it. He knows how it feels when he can't do anything right and how much it hurts to be looked at as a failure by his father no matter what did. He knows how it hurts to want a father's approval and not get it.

To be honest, this pain does not compare to those any of those times, but it still doesn't feel good. It still feels like his body is failing him, like it has given up. Tony doesn't know if that should scare him; he doesn't know if that's a reflection on him. Does he truly want to give us? Is his body just doing what he wants? …No, that doesn't make any sense, because he doesn't want to die. No, he really doesn't. No, he's just tired of fighting.

Trying to focus on anything besides the pain, he turns his attention to the panic voices which has now doubled. There are two of them, and they seem to be getting closer with each passing second. As the distance closes between them, he can make out a few words, even if he doesn't completely understand what they are saying. He can hear the silent prayer in their voices

"…Better not…dead….Punk," one says, panic clearly in his voice even if he tries to mask it with anger. "I'll….back…life just…kill..."

"Tony, come….me," the other one calls out. He is panicked as well. "Please. I…you…"

The genius hears only a few words here and there, and he doesn't know what either of the men are trying to say. However, even if he is able to make out full sentences, he doubt he'll be able to comprehend what they are saying.

"…dumb…plan worked…" The first voice says. "Why….aren't…gloating?"

"Come….where…you…Baby."

"Dollface, answer….."

The terror and anxiety only grow in their voices, which only makes Tony worry though he has no idea why. Is his situation really that bad? Should he be concerned? Okay, he knows he should be, considering the amount of pain that he is in, but with the pain, it's hard to think. It's hard to understand the reality of situation. It's hard to worry about anything when he can no longer feel his body. And he knows he should be worry about the inability to feel his body…if he still has a body. Maybe, he is dead? He knows that's a bad sign, but he can't find it in himself to worry. He is just-

"NO!" a voice yells, clearly angry. "Not leaving him." This man's anger suddenly clears the hazy from his mind, as if his anger snaps Tony's brain back into focus. "If you think I'm leaving him, you're fucken wrong, Rogers." His voice is ice cold, and it sends chills down Tony's spine. "Dead wrong."

Tony doesn't know how he's supposed to feel about the coldness in those words or in his body, but he drifts out before he has to think about it.

Hello, this is the end to the first half of this two shot. I do have the second half finished. Just need to read over it a few times before I post it. Should be posted in a few days.

At first, I was worried that I wouldn't reach 6,000 words this, but this baby turn out to be massive with a lot of angst, so two medium size chapters instead of one massive one shot. I hope you like it. :) I worked hard on this.

Don't you love Angst? Don't worry, there will be an happy ending to this... after some angst. Don't forget: there is always two sides to every story.

Until the next time.