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I watch Y/N, allowing a half smile on my face as she talks animatedly with her hands to her father, her face and body language practically radiating happiness. “-and guess what, Dad! I got the result back for my test and-”
I glance towards the door, seeing Peter entering behind Y/N, and I nod at him in greeting, a half smile flitting across my face when the boy waves widely in response. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Tony’s face light up when Peter walks in.
“Underoos!” Tony exclaims happily, patting Y/N on the shoulder as he walks away to talk to Peter. “We’ll talk later, Y/N.”
I watch as Y/N’s face falls, sadness clouding her eyes, her entire self seeming to deflate, arms wrapping around her waist as her eyes lower to the ground. “Oh. Of course.” Suddenly, I’m furious at Tony, unimaginably so, but I cool my rage, walking towards my upset love. I gently reach for her, allowing time for her to pull back, before kissing her ducked forehead.
“Darling…” My voice is soft and gentle.
“I’m sorry.” Her voice breaks when she speaks, and my heart fractures at her vulnerable whisper. She steps away from me slowly, before all but running from the room.
I watch her leave, waiting a few seconds before stalking over to where Tony is talking to Peter, the latter smiling and jerking his chin towards me. I watch with narrowed eyes as Tony turns, his mouth opening, but my human hand shoots forward, a satisfying crunch echoing beneath my fist.
“What the fuck, Barnes?!” He scowls as he stumbles back, holding his nose as blood pours from it and down his shirt, dripping in a steady flow down his hand and face.
“It’s not fair for you to treat Y/N the way you do, always ignoring your own blood in favor of Peter or the team.” I bite out, shaking off Steve’s hand on my shoulder when I stalk out of the room, leaving so I can find Y/N.
I find her a few minutes later, opening our bedroom door to find her on the bed, curled up into a ball as she hugs her raised knees, head resting on them. The soft sounds of her near silent crying reaches my ears, and my heart breaks as I step closer, climbing behind her and resting against the headboard, pulling her close to my body.
“It’s okay love, I’m here, let it all out.” I coo, feeling her body turn, facing me as she pulls me closer, face burying into my shoulder, tears soaking the cloth.
“All these voices in my head get loud, I wish that I could shut them out…” Her voice reaches me, the meek, watery whisper causing me to pull her closer, wanting nothing more than to banish her demons, but settling for trying to comfort her as she has always done for me.
I run my fingers through her hair, unbraiding it as I pull her closer into my lap, keeping her tucked as close as I can when she wraps her arms around my neck, offering my presence, warmth, and any comfort I can.
“I know, love, I know, I’m here.” I soothe, voice deep as it rumbles in my chest. I hold and caress for what could have been minutes or hours. Eventually, her body stops shaking, and she pulls away, giving me a sad smile when I offer the same. I cup her cheek as I did earlier, and this time, she presses into it, eyes closing.
I lean my forehead against hers. “I may or may not have broken your Father’s nose.”
It’s a balm to my soul when she laughs, her mirthful eyes meeting my own sheepish, yet unapologetic ones.
When we walk into the kitchen the next morning, Tony is nursing a coffee and reading the newspaper, no one else is around. My eyes widen in shock when he looks up, surprised to see a black eye, a nasty dark purple accompanying the one surrounding his bandaged nose.
Y/N turns to look at me, one eyebrow raised in questions, and I hold my hands up in defense.
“Cross my heart, I only broke his nose, doll.”
Tony saves me, a snort leaving him before he winces. “Don’t worry, manchurian candidate here didn’t give me the black eye, underoos did.” I watch her grab mugs for us both, passing me a cup of hot black coffee as she gets the milk and sugar for her own.
I lean against the counter, watching Tony. She joins me a moment after the fridge closes, eyes guarded, but sympathetic.
Tony stands, and puts his hands in his pockets, looking as if he is guilty and had some sense talked - or punched - into him. I fight the urge to step in front of Y/N.
“I owe you an apology. Or a thousand.” Tony starts, and I give Y/N a questioning look.
Do you want me to leave?
When she nods, I kiss her lips gently. “Call if you need me. I’ll go to our room.”
I nod my head, keeping the smirk off my face when I turn to Tony, seeing his scowl at the PDA. “Be careful, Stark.”
As I walk out, I smile, happy they are finally working things out.
“I’m sorry that it took me this long to…” Tony’s voice gets fainter as I walk, Peter showing up at the other side of the hallway, his smile widening then falling, cheeks reddening in embarrassment.
“Mr. Barnes, sir! Listen, I wanted to apologize - I didn’t realize or know and I should have - y’all both mean so much to me, and I would never want to hurt you or Y/N -”
He stops, gulping, when I place a hand on his shoulder gently. “It’s not your fault, Peter.” I start to walk again, before turning back. “And Peter? Good job.” He puffs up in pride, and I let a smile flit across my face when I turn around, walking back to Y/N’s and mine’s shared room.