Chapter Text
Tony was down in his lab working on the design for the new Stark-phone, feeling like death warmed over. He suddenly was hit with a huge coughing attack.
"Sir? Might I recommend a visit to medical? Your fever has gotten worse," JARVIS said.
"I know. What are my oxygen levels?"
"Down by 20%. Shall I call Ms. Potts to let her know?"
Tony bit his lip. Him getting sick was him playing with death. He only has 76% of his lungs in use on a good day because of the arc reactor. He started to cough loudly.
"Please call Pepper," Tony said before he started to cough again.
"Tony. This better be good. I have a meeting in a few minutes," Pepper's partially annoyed voice rang out over the speakers.
"I'm sick," Tony got out between his violent coughs.
"Shit! Are you breathing okay?"
"Not at all. Can you take me to medical?"
"Yeah. I'll be there in a few minutes. Just sit down okay?"
"Okay," Tony said before the phone call ended. Tony collapsed in another fit of loud coughs. After they subsided, Tony curled up on the floor. He felt like he couldn't move.
Pepper arrived shortly and sighed when she saw Tony. She helped him up and placed a hand on his forehead, "You're burning up. Why didn't you call me sooner?"
Tony shrugged and said, "I don't like medical."
"I know. JARVIS, what's his oxygen level?" Pepper asked.
"Down 22% Ms. Potts."
"Thank you JARVIS. Come on Tony. Let's get you to Medical. Happy is waiting for us outside."
Tony nodded in acknowledgment and coughed a few more times causing Pepper to frown.
~~~~~
"I never thought I'd see the day that Mr. Stark came here willingly. What seems to be the matter?"
Tony gave her a pleading look; he hated doctors. He didn't want to talk to him. He really didn’t want to talk to him. Pepper sighed, rolling her eyes, and answered, "He's sick. He has a bad fever and a nasty cough. JARVIS said that his oxygen levels are down 22%. He can only use 76% of his lungs because of the reactor on a good day."
Tony nodded and started to cough. The doctor's eyebrow raised at the rugged dry rugged dry sound. He took out his stethoscope and placed it over one lung then the next.
"I think I know what's wrong. I believe that he has croupe. It's better than pneumonia, but not by much and can easily turn into a bad case of pneumonia. He's going to have to wait it out. There isn't much that I can do. I also believe that he has a sinus infection. I'll have the pharmacy prepare a prescription for antibiotics."
Tony spoke up, "I can't. I'm allergic to all antibiotics."
"That's a little bit of a problem. Try and keep your sinuses clear. Give him cough medicine and tea. That's the only thing you can really do. He'll need to be extremely careful the next few weeks. If he isn't, well, he could die."
Pepper nodded and thanked the doctor before she helped Tony get to the car in the slowest pace she could get away with.
~~~~
Pepper helped Tony into bed and covered him in the soft and warm dark red comforter. After placing another yellow blanket on top of him and adding another fluffy feather-stuffed pillow under his messy hair she asked, "Do you need anything? I'm going to go grab the humidifier and get you a glass of water. Don't move okay?"
After she came back, placing the crystal glass on the nightstand and plugged the penguin shaped humidifier in. Pepper continued to mother him and yet again asked if he needed anything. Tony shook his head and she sighed, "Okay. I'll let Steve know that you aren't feeling good. No going on Avenger emergencies, and no going to the lab. Got it?"
"But I have work that needs to get done. I can't just sit in bed all day. The team already thinks..." Tony trailed off as the more recent cruelties from the team ran through his mind. He barely shook his head as if it would banish the thoughts from his mind. Never mind, but I can't miss out on the emergencies."
"You could die if you strain yourself. I don't even want you walking to the bathroom by yourself, let alone trying to save the world. Please promise me that you won't strain yourself Tony."
"I'll try. Don't tell Steve. You can tell Bruce though. I'm okay with him knowing. Please don't tell anyone else."
"Fine. Feel better. Okay?"
"I'll do my best," Tony said before Pepper gave him a tight hug.
"Try and sleep. I'll check on you soon."
~~~~~
Bruce was down in his lab when Pepper came in. "Hello handsome," Pepper said as she gave him a kiss.
"Hey Pep. Why are you down here? I thought you had meetings all day."
"I did, but Tony's sick. I had to take him to medical.
"How bad is it?" Bruce asked in a worried tone. He knew how dangerous any illness could be for his friend.
"He has croup and a sinus infection. If he strains himself, he'll most likely die. You need to take care of him," Pepper pleaded.
"Of course I will babe. Why didn't you ask Steve though? He's more of a mother hen. Steve would make sure that Tony makes it through this without so much as a single worry."
"Tony didn't want him to know. You know how he feels about him. He probably doesn't want Steve to see him like that."
"That makes sense. When do you have to go back to work?" Bruce asked.
"In an hour or so."
"Then let me take you to lunch. Please?" Bruce asked her.
"How can I say no to you? Come on."
~~~~~
Tony was beyond miserable. He was in the middle of another coughing fit when Pepper came into the room. She waited for him to quit coughing before she sat on the end of the bed.
"Are you feeling any better?" She asked concern pouring from her eyes.
"No. I'm feeling worse."
"At least you sound better."
"I just did that God awful nasal rinse thing. It won't last though."
Pepper rubbed his back and said, "Just keep resting. You'll get better soon. I have to leave tomorrow morning to go to that meeting in Japan."
"Wasn't I supposed to go to that? Not that I'm complaining about getting out of a meeting..."
"Yes you were, but I don't want you to strain yourself."
"Okay. I'm tired," Tony mumbled sleepily.
Pepper kissed his forehead and said, "Get some sleep. I'll be back in a few days," Tony mumbled something along the lines of okay before he drifted off to sleep.