Archive of Our Own

Summary:

Steve goes right to the hospital from having a drink with Sam, spelling out his intent to tell Tony he's in love with him even as Tony may be laid up.

He’s doing this. He’s doing this. He’s really doing this.

There’s a nurse securing a new cath bag to Tony when he enters - Tony, who is hooked up on various wires to keep his limbs up off the bed, save for his right, all in casts; a limp puppet. This doesn’t make any sense. Iron Man doesn’t get this hurt from falling from the sky. His armor makes sure of it. A few hours later, he and everyone else manage to come to one solid conclusion: they'd all thought someone else was taking care of it.

Tony had slipped through the cracks.

Who else is to take care of Tony in these trying times? Steve, of course - Steve, who can't find the right moment to say it out loud.