18


The sun poured its golden rays across the room, illuminating the chaos of thoughts swirling in your mind. "Who needs to eat?" you pondered, caught in a whirlwind of creativity that demanded to be released. The idea of waiting dulled your inspiration, yet you knew there were still matters at hand—villains lurking in the shadows, bread awaiting your culinary mastery, a mere prelude to the day's adventures.

Your focus returned as you lumbered to the refrigidor—a sanctuary of nourishment. "You need to discover what lies within," Jarvis intoned, a voice of reason amidst your chaotic musings. With a hum of agreement, you retrieved the bread and a glass of warm milk, an indulgent breakfast for a mind in the throes of brilliance.

Just then, Sam descended the stairs, clutching a book with an air of triumph. "Oh, hey, you're awake," he greeted, his curiosity piqued by your morning ritual. Little did he know, this seemingly mundane moment was but the calm before a storm of imagination ready to unfurl.

A wry smile crept across my lips as I greeted Sam. "Well, good morning to you too," I chuckled, my voice a low rumble. Leaning back in my chair, I took a leisurely sip from my milk glass. "Where's Tony and Steve off to this morning?"

Sam plopped down on a barstool, his sandwich dangling from his hand. "Well, there's not exactly a lot of room here to test out Tony's new rocket boots," he said, shrugging. "Not sure if you'd even want to try them, considering how fast you already are on your feet."

You tilt your head slightly, a hint of skepticism in your eyes. "Oh, is that so?"

Sam nods, a confident gleam in his eyes. You shrug, a playful smirk spreading across your face. "Well, I can always use something to hunt," you jump off the barstool, landing lightly on the ground. "I see you."

As you enter the training room, you find Tony and Steve engaged in a lively sparring session. Poor Steve is being tossed around by the rocket boots, looking slightly disheveled. You grin, a mischievous glint in your eye. "Well, well," you say, your voice dripping with amusement. Tony grins back, a playful spark in his eyes. "Aren't you going to put him down?"

Tony shrugged carelessly. "In a minute."

Steve kicked off the boots with a practiced ease, and the two of them soared towards you. Tony ducked instinctively, but he wasn't quite quick enough. A sharp blow connected with his back, sending him reeling. Steve landed gracefully on the floor, his blue eyes meeting yours. "And that's how you land on your feet," he said, a smirk playing on his lips. "Oh, hey Scarlet."

You dipped your head respectfully, a gesture of acknowledgment. "Hello, Steve," you greeted, your voice carrying a calm, steady warmth. With a purposeful stride, you crossed the room to where Tony stood, your eyes sweeping over him with a discerning gaze. "Well, you definitely got booted in your bump," you remarked, a playful glint in your eyes. Tony snorted, shaking his head with a rueful smile. "Sorry about that," he said, his voice tinged with embarrassment. "Just thought they'd stay on."

You sighed, a sound filled with both exasperation and concern, as you brushed off the dirt clinging to Tony's clothes. "Come on, Tony, let's get you to the infirmary," you urged, your voice gentle yet firm. Tony shook his head stubbornly, a determined glint in his eyes. "No, no, that's not necessary," he insisted, his voice steady despite the pain. "I can take a kick to the back."

Your eyes narrowed, golden flecks dancing with intensity. "Tony," you growled, your voice low and threatening. Tony ducked his head, a reluctant sigh escaping his lips. "Oh, fine, but it's nothing really, just a bruise," he muttered. Steve stepped in to help, and together you carried Tony to the infirmary. There, Jarvis scanned him thoroughly. "Mr. Stark is just fine," the AI reported, its voice calm and reassuring. "The bruise will go down."

As the sterile hum of the machines filled the small hospital room, Tony shifted in his bed, his brow furrowed in a mix of frustration and concern. Weak sunlight filtered through the blinds, casting striped shadows across the stark white walls.

"I could've told you that," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper, but the words carried weight. He propped himself up on one elbow, the thin blanket slipping down to reveal a bandaged arm, a stark reminder of the battle he'd been fighting.

With a slow, deliberate motion, he began to peel away the tangled wires that connected him to the heart monitor, the beeping sound slowing to a stillness that felt strangely liberating. He sighed deeply, allowing the tension in his shoulders to melt away, if only for a moment.

"Scarlet, you worry too much," he added, attempting a half-smile that didn't quite reach his weary eyes. He could see the shadows of concern etched on her face, the way her hands fidgeted with the hem of her sweater—classic signs of her relentless anxiety.

Scarlet shook her head, her expressive eyes narrowing. "How can I not? You're the one lying in a hospital bed like a patient in a bad movie," she shot back, her voice teetering between exasperation and affection. "It's not like you have a choice, Tony."

He chuckled softly, the sound warm and rich despite the situation. "That's true. But if you're going to play the worried girlfriend, at least make it look good." He gestured to his bedside, where a forgotten bouquet of wilting daisies sat by his nightstand, a makeshift offering meant to lighten the mood but which had already begun to droop in resignation.

Scarlet's expression softened, and for a moment, the air between them was charged with unspoken words and lingering fears. "I just don't want to lose you," she whispered, her voice breaking slightly as she fought back the swell of emotions that threatened to overwhelm her.

Tony reached out, his fingers brushing against her hand, grounding her in that moment. "You won't," he vowed, staring into her troubled eyes with a fierce determination that surprised even himself. "I'm not going anywhere."

They held each other's gaze for a long moment, and the chaos of the outside world faded away, leaving just the two of them in that small room filled with echoes of beeping machines and the smell of antiseptic. It was a fragile peace, but it was theirs, and for now, that was all that mattered.

Steve cleared his throat. "Okay, you guys, let's go back to training." He turned to Tony and added, "And I'm not using those boots again. I like having my feet on the ground, thank you."

The group exchanged glances, some chuckling at Stbe's notorious encounter with the enchanted boots that had sent him stumbling into oblivion last time.

"Come on, Stbe," Tony chuckled. "You can't shy away from a little adventure. Besides, it was hilarious!"

Stbe rolled his eyes. "Hilarious for you, maybe. I was the one who ended up almost toppled over the edge of that cliff. No thanks!"

"Alright, alright," another team member chimed in. "Let's stick to the regular gear for today. We'll save the boots for a special occasion."

With a reluctant nod, Stbe led the way, determined to get back into their training routine, all while secretly hoping for a less chaotic day.

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