Archive of Our Own

Yawning, Tony flexes his stiff, aching fingers against the edge of the flight console.

The Avengers had just finished apprehending an Asgardian who'd come to Earth with the intention to 'conquer and rule' when the Cabal opportunistically enacted their own plans for domination.

Exhausted, the fight with the Cabal lasted longer than it should have.

Tony was looking forward to a hot shower to soothe his muscles and a long nap curled up beside Steve. They'd be back home at the Tower soon. But not soon enough.

Temptation was to let JARVIS fly them home. And he could, JARVIS was very capable. But it was best to have more than just JARVIS watching out in their line of work. Everyone was tired, but he at least had the protection of the armor, so he was taking watch this time.

He hears a soft noise beside him. Tony looks over to find Steve asleep in the co-pilot chair. It seems Steve had finally lost the battle against exhaustion.

"Take over for a moment, would you, JARVIS?" he asks softly.

A light to his left flicks amber, indicating that JARVIS has assumed control of the jet.

Tony gets up from the pilot chair and makes his way towards the back of the jet.

Natasha sits toward the front, eyes closed. Outwardly, she looks to be asleep, but Tony'd bet money that she's ready to spring into action if needed.

Clint sits in the center, watching something loudly on his phone. It doesn't look like the archer is really taking in what he is seeing, just noise as a distraction.

At the back, Thor was snoring, head resting against the back of the seat, hammer clutched close in his lap. Sam sits beside him, awake but barely, listening to music with his headphones.

It was the Hulk's day off, so he wasn't here. Though Tony wished otherwise, they could really have used him today.

"Turn it down, please, or get yourself some headphones like Sam," Tony says as he passes Clint.

When he reaches the back storage, he pulls a blanket out of one of the compartments and heads back.

Clint hasn't turned his volume down.

"I mean it, Clint," he says. "We're all tired. Please."

Clint mumbles something Tony couldn't pick up as he reaches the front of the Avenjet.

With care, Tony drapes the blanket over Steve. Gently tucking in the edges to keep him warm, taking care to be extra careful with Steve's bruised left side.

Finished, he takes a moment to stare at Steve's sleeping face. Dirty and bruised from the battle, but soft and lax in sleep. Wishing he could take away Steve's hurts and keep him safe in the Tower.

He reaches forward, caressing Steve's cheek, right below the gash there. Slowly, he leans in, pressing a kiss to Steve's forehead.

A loud, low-quality soundbite of an explosion, followed by a sad trombone, fills the space.

Tony tenses, holding his breath as he watches for any sign that Steve had been woken by the sound. But Steve sleeps on.

He lets out a slow breath and turns to Clint.

"Clint!" he grounds out, trying to keep his voice low as his frustration rises. "I'm serious. This is your last warning: keep it down."

He waits for Clint's acknowledgement, staring down the archer.

Clint rolls his eyes and sighs.

Somewhat satisfied, Tony sits back down in the pilot chair, taking over control from JARVIS.

For five blissful minutes, he thought Clint listened.

Then there's another loud explosion from the phone.

"Clint..." he whispers, hands clenching the jet's yoke tightly, patience wearing thin.

A triumphant trumpet and a cheering crowd.

A soft moan beside him on his left.

He turns to see Steve slowly blinking his eyes open.

Tony stands. He was done.

"JARVIS?"

"Taking over, Sir."

He makes his way towards Clint.

"Wait! Sorry!" Clint says, quickly tucking his phone into his pocket.

As he passes Natasha, she hands him her Widow Bites to taser Clint, looking as grumpy as he feels. Maybe she really was asleep earlier.

Clint cries out as Tony descends on him, body contorting with the dampened shocks. "Help! Sorry! I'll keep it down!"