Every one of your team members raised their hands in agreement, either avoiding your eye or shooting you pitiful glances. Steve nodded in acknowledgement and you rolled your eyes as he looked at you meaningfully.

You didn't want their pity.

You'd gladly shove it back down every single of their throats, but your leg and left shoulder was still in the process of healing, compliments of a now-dead HYDRA agent. So the chances of getting anywhere near them to do any damage was very minimal.

Having to go through rehab was hell and this was the first mission you actually thought you'd be ready for.
Unfortunately, the majority thought otherwise.

"You've got to be kidding me." You muttered.

"We're doing it for your own good. There's no other option." Natasha stated firmly.

"What use would it be if you got even more injured, Y/N? We don't want you to take that risk." Clint said, leaning forward as though it would help his words weigh on you.

"What use would it be?" You repeated venomously.

"You know what he means." Sam interjected.

"I don't care what you want. I want to go, so I'm going."

You crossed your arms stubbornly.

Steve sighed and shook his head.

"We can't let you on this mission. You're not ready, Y/N. You've only just started your therapy."

A surge of rebellious anger rose in your chest and a few well-chosen words about Captain Crunch almost escaped your lips when Tony gave you a "don't-you-dare" look.

"You're not gonna help me on this one?" You hissed.

"Cap's right and you know he's right. Give rehab a month or two." Tony pressed.

Stunned, you turned to the others to see if any of them would consider vouching for you, but even you knew the extent of your injuries. As much as you didn't want to admit, it was gonna take a lot more than just a few weeks.

"Fine. I give. Bring me back a souvenir or something." You said tiredly, pushing away from the table to stand.

Sitting for too long had made your bad leg stiff and as you tried to get up, you wobbled and Pietro was immediately at your side, supporting you by your waist.

"It's okay, Piet. I'm okay."

You patted him on the arm gratefully.

"Call me if you have any trouble getting around." He offered and you nodded as he sped back to his seat and you half-stormed, half-limped your way out of the conference room.

"Y/N, wait up."

You tried to go faster, but your damn leg wouldn't cooperate and Tony caught up to you in the kitchen, gently turning you around.

"What?" You said flatly.

"You know I couldn't approve."

"I know."

You wrenched your arm out of his grip and steadied yourself.

"It would be nice to have a supportive boyfriend, though." You snapped.

"Sarcastic, yes. Egotistical, somewhat. Supportive, all the time. But, not on this one. You're already injured enough." He said firmly.

You shook your head in disbelief and tried to shove him away.

"I'm just as capable of going on that mission as you are." You growled.

"I'm not saying you aren't, I'm just saying you should listen to them!"
"So you're taking their side?"
"This isn't about sides-"
"Damn right! What next, you tie me down to a hospital bed like I'm some kind of-"
"YOU COULD HAVE DIED!"

In the aftermath of the shout, the silence seemed deafening and your breath caught as you tried to hold back the sudden tears. Tony took a step closer, clutching hold of you.

"You could have died," he repeated, his voice soft and on the verge of breaking.

"Seeing you bleeding out in my arms? I nearly lost you. Really put things into perspective for me. If you want to make this about sides, I'm on whatever side keeps you alive. Can't you see that?"

A sob broke past your lips and he hugged you tightly as you cried into his chest, all the emotions you've been holding in pouring out of your eyes.

Clint was right.

What use were you to the team if you couldn't move as fast? Every doubtful thought about your condition weighed heavily on your mind and you wanted to tell Tony every single one, but such vulnerability was something you weren't used to.

"I feel so useless, Tony." You admitted weakly.
"Hey now. "Useless" isn't the word I'd use. More like "disabled" or "leg-in-repair."

You let out a sniffled laugh, making him smile despite the situation.

"You could never be such a thing, sweetheart. We all need you. I need you."

The tone of his voice made you look up, but he met you halfway, capturing your lips with his.

You gripped the front of his shirt as he cupped your face in his hands, sending warm tingles down your spine, mouths moving in perfect sync.

"Tony, do you have—"

You reluctantly broke away to see Steve and Bruce rooted to the spot. Their eyes darted back and forth and you could almost hear the gears in their head turning furiously.

"I—I'm sorry, but are we missing something?" Bruce stammered, pointing between the two of you as Tony laid an arm across your shoulder. You meshed your fingers with his and gave the men a bright smile.

"About five months of "something," Doc." Tony said.

"Five months? But, you never told us."

Steve looked so confused, you had to bite back a giggle as Tony rolled his eyes.

"Well, now you know. Spread the word, my dears. Me and Y/N have been an item for quite awhile. Under heavy wrap, of course."

"We were waiting for the best time, but there never seems to be a best time around here."

You shrugged.

"Makes sense, but me and Banner aren't saying anything. You're doing all the explaining tonight at dinner."

Steve gave you the eyebrow quirk before walking past you with Bruce on his heels.

"Gear up, sweetheart. It's gonna be a long night." Tony said, squeezing you closer.

You sighed and pressed a kiss to his hand.

"Don't I know."