I trained myself to give up on the past

[valuedstrength]

The situation with AIM was bad enough. He didn't even hear about it until a week after the fact, Steve was (suspiciously) busy with his work at SHIELD. Much of it was additional training in just about everything imaginable (computers, fighting, everything a modern soldier needs to know in order to be effective in the field would be the short of it) but, of course the field tests just happened to take place during that mess. He's cleared by the time news of Tony's surgery comes up. It would be a lie to say he isn't tempted to say it's none of his business and call it a day. Tony clearly doesn't need him if the situation with the Mandarin is any indication. Major surgery applies even more so. 

Something nags at him to at least try so on a whim he goes for it. He takes a few sick days and heads out to the hospital where Natasha says he's recovering. Truth be told, he doesn't know what he's doing. It couldn't be more clear when he actually gets there. How exactly is he going to get into a hospital holding a celebrity? No one in their right mind will buy his ID is real. He's not sure it's wise to break in given what Tony has been through lately. Eventually it dawns on him he still has the man's card from after the Battle of New York.

He frantically punches in numbers into his new cell and waits the phone to ring. Hopefully the number still works after all these months.

Comments

[letmetakeaselfie]

He nods, Pepper stealing the words from his mouth as he hands the bag over too, actions ginger and minute to avoid pulling his chest. "I hate this morphine. Can you talk to someone about taking it out?" It's making him sleepy and he wants to visit. He knows he should be more focused on recovering etc but Steve just got here and he already feels like he might nod off again. "I'm totes jealous b-t-w. What I wouldn't give to have a metabolism like yours." His hates him, more often than not. And the meds are giving him even less appetite than usual.

[valuedstrength]

"Thank you, ma'am." He's accepting the bag from Tony. Since he's got the go ahead, he'll just eat normally which translates to very politely inhaling his food. He smiles in amusement at Tony's jealousy and quips between bites. "It keeps my local supermarket in business."

He looks from the meds to Tony and adds carefully, "You sure you want off that stuff? Not that I'm one to talk, but I think that's going to really sting once you're off them." He cants his head towards his chest.

[efficacy]

Pepper's lips quirk at the ma'am, suggesting with some amusement of her own, "If you can learn to call Tony by his first name, you should try the same with me."

She shares Steve's concern with the medicine, a light frown knitting at her brows as she considers Tony's request. She knows how much he hates the way the morphine makes him drowsy, but he probably shouldn't be off it entirely just yet. She slips off the bed anyway, compromising, "I'll check and see if they can lower the dosage a little, okay?"

[letmetakeaselfie]

"What's wrong with 'ma'am?'" he questions, mustering up a tiny inkling of unserious jealousy despite his apparent exhaustion. "I had to call you Ms. Potts for nine years." Come on!!!!

But then she's saying words he does want to hear and he concedes rather easily with a tiny sigh, squeezing her hand before she can disappear. "Thanks, honey."

[valuedstrength]

Steve smirks. He's glad they're on the same wavelength with Tony. He didn't come here to watch the man suffer. "I don't know. Pepper has a really ring to it..." He sobers up a little. "Good luck, Pepper."

[efficacy]

Pepper tosses a fond smile at Tony, patting his leg one last time. "Oh shush," she hushes him jokingly, nodding at Steve with a small smile before leaving the room. She's been gone roughly about ten minutes when she returns with a nurse in tow who, chattering cheerfully all the way, fiddles with the morphine drip and checks the readings on the machine before leaving them be again -- but not before throwing a blushing glance Steve's way. Pepper takes a seat on Tony's bed again and remarks to Cap with some amusement, "You may have to leave through the window if you don't want to get ambushed by lovelorn nurses."