Hours ticked by, and perhaps Tony had passed out from exhaustion and pain. Hunched over against his door on the floor of his bedroom, that position would surely hurt his back later. When he blearily came to, he sniffed. Feeling heavy and in a daze. As if someone pulled the curtains over his head to shut out the rest of the world. A yawn broke free of his mouth and he glanced around. 'Good morning, sir.' JARVIS' soft voice came from the hidden speakers in his room. Tony startled only slightly, a hand over his heart as it began racing for a moment. "...J?" He called out, voice weak and crackly. 'Yes sir?' "What time is it?" Tony questioned, taking a shaky breath in. He moved his left arm, only to whine in pain. Seems it hadn't left. 'It is currently seven in the morning, sir. Colonel Rhodes is on his way to the compound.' JARVIS relayed, softly, but he seemed relieved when he mentioned Rhodey on his way. Tony inhaled sharply at the information, confused for a brief moment before his brain caught him up on what his panic induced mind had done yesterday. He groaned, but was inevitably relieved. Tony made a move to get up, but found it hard to convince his body that had been stuck in the same uncomfortable position for hours to move. Stretching out his arms- or well, his right arm as he slowly woke up the rest of his limbs. Hauling himself to his feet, the brunet stumbled forwards. Catching himself on his bed with an arm out to stop himself. "Oh fuck-" He cursed upon the pain that made him wince, collapsing onto his side on the ever soft mattress of his bed. He rolled onto his back to stare at the ceiling. So maybe getting up was out of the picture for the time being. Fingers twitching with sudden anxiety, Tony glanced side to side before sighing. "JARVIS, bring up Project: Malibu Wolf." When the holoscreen appeared, he got to work. Using his right arm more than his left, thankfully he was right handed and not left handed.

Bringing the repulsors to a slow halt as metal clad feet touched the landing surface of the Avengers Compound, the metallic grey suit glanced around before the helmet retracted to show a dark skinned male with dark brown eyes wearing a calculated look. Hair shaved close to the scalp. The suit strode forwards, heavy steps echoing. The door opened upon his arrival towards it. A cheery voice ringing out once he entered. 'Welcome back, Colonel Rhodes.' JARVIS chimed from above. "Nice to see you too, JARVIS." He greeted in return. 'Sir is in his quarters as of currently.' JARVIS would inform as the suit around Rhodey would retract and let him free. He waved a hand and it would take off with the help of JARVIS to go to its holding place. "Thanks, J."

Walking forwards, he aimed for the hallway. Hoping to avoid anyone else in the building. But of course, his luck threatens to stand on his side as per usual.

A blue eyed blond turned the corner, halting in his tracks at the male standing not too far from him. "Colonel Rhodes." His shocked expression was steeled Into that of speculation and wariness. A dominant aura slowly flittering around the blond. He tried his best not to roll his dark eyes, anger poking at the edge of his mind for the fun of it. Trying to coax him into punching the so called alpha straight in his perfect teeth. Perhaps he had been spending too much time around Tony for that last statement. He blinked, swallowing the threatening growl that was slowly crawling up his throat. "Rogers." He oh so not subtly spat out, clearly avoiding the male's titles of 'Alpha' or 'Captain'. The avoidance of his titles seemed to bring a darkening glare to the blue eyes of the blond super soldier. That only pleased Rhodey as he watched the male with calculating eyes. Seconds seemed to tick in the tense silence, feeling like minutes as they passed ever so slowly. "What are you doing here?" Steve finally managed to bite out, trying to keep his voice clear of any anger. Which he failed to do as Rhodey could sense it a mile away. Could smell it rolling off the male in waves. Was he seriously that mad about his title not being mentioned? Jesus, this guy was more stuck up than Rhodey originally thought. "I came to see Tony." Simple response, but there was so much more he wanted to say. To yell in the super soldier's face, to hit him, but he had to bite all of that down for the sake of Tony.

Steve's anger seemed to spike at the mention of the brunet male, nearly making Rhodey reel back at the stench of It rolling off the male in waves. His ears picked up on the faintest of growls and he had to fight every fibre in his being not to snarl in return. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go see Tony." Rhodey continued to walk forwards and around the super soldier. Purposely, he roughly brushed past him before heading into the hallway.

Clearly dropping an Alpha's title while in his territory? Dangerous. Outright disrespecting him? Dangerous. Posing a possible challenge? Even more dangerous! Did Rhodey care? No, because his best friend had been hurt by that "Alpha". And Jesus, did he reek of anger and resentment. That's what threw Rhodey for a loop. An alpha was to protect and love their pack, not resent the members under his or her care. His own makeshift military pack enforced those rules. Shaking his head of those thoughts, he focused on the task at hand and continued through the hallways of the Compound. Guided by the helping hand of JARVIS to where Tony's quarters resided.

Tony startled at a knock on his door, his breath catching in his throat. He prayed to whatever god was out there that it wasn't Steve, or Natasha- or even Bruce! "Tony?" When Rhodey's voice broke through his thoughts he instantly calmed, forcing down a watery hysterical laugh. "C- Come in, honey bear." He stuttered, waving his hand as the holoscreens in front of him dissipated.

The lock clicked and the handle turned, the door opening to reveal a very concerned looking James Rhodes. Had Tony caused that concern? He sure hoped he didn't, he didn't want to worry his friends more than he already did. He was already a probl-

The bed dipping next to him broke his doubtful train of thought. Blinking, he realized the door was closed and Rhodey was now sat beside him. Using his right arm, the brunet pushed himself up. Leaning on Rhodey when his body threatened to nope it out of there. "Tony? Hey, focus on me." Rhodey once again pulled him from his wandering thoughts, golden hazel eyes turning to train on the dark eyes reflecting worry. "That's it." He gave a smile that comforted Tony greatly. "How's your arm, Tones?" Rhodey questioned. Tony moved his left arm, only to wince. It felt at least a little better than yesterday, but not a whole lot. "It's... a tiny bit better?" He tried to sound convincing, glancing to his arm then back to Rhodey. "Platypus, really, it's fine. I'll live- Nothing I haven't dealt with before." The engineer rushed out, trying to ward off some of the worry shining in his friend's facial expression. An arm wrapped around his back gently, pulling him more into the side of his best friend. "Yeah, that's what worries me, Tones. You shouldn't have to deal with this kind of pain. Ever." Rhodey argued, but his tone was soft and caring. Fingers gently brushing through the mess of dark ruffled hair that was Tony's.

A sigh fell from Tony, deflating as he curled up to the male. "If only I had listened to JARVIS and skipped the damned training session, I would've been okay." He muttered, looking to the floor and fidgeting with Rhodey's free hand. "Yeah, you should have done that. It's not entirely your fault, Tony. Majority goes to Rogers. He should not of lost his temper and done that to you. He should of let go the second you winced the first go around." Tony looked up to his friend, confused on how he knew that information. He hadn't told him all the varying details last night. "JARVIS sent me video footage." Oh, that explained it all. "JARVIS, you traitor." Tony huffed in an attempt to lighten the heavy mood. 'Only trying my best to keep you safe, sir.' JARVIS hummed, Tony knew there was more to that sentence that JARVIS didn't bring up. "I know buddy, and I really appreciate it." Tony sighed, resting his head against Rhodey's chest.

There was a pause in speaking for a while, until Rhodey grinned and looked down at the brunet. "So, how about we go get that arm checked out, yeah?" Tony groaned loudly in protest, clinging to his best friend like a child. "I'm fine, I swear!" He whined, silently pleading against the idea of doctors. "So if you move your arm you won't cry out in pain?" Rhodey rose an eyebrow, looking down at him like a know it all mother hen would. Tony huffed, glaring up at him. A pout following his glare. Laughter bubbled from his Platypus at the look. "Come on, Tones. It won't take long, I promise you." Tony humphed and looked away, trying to act defiant.

Rhodey only laughed more, before sobering up. "Okay, you leave me no choice, Tony." He warned with a heavy, playful, sigh. Hands slipped under his arms and legs, lifting him into Rhodey's lap. Tony squeaked, clinging to the male. A chuckle resounded from the Colonel's chest. "You're surprisingly light, Tony. Have you been eating properly?" A critical raised eyebrow and he tried to disappear into himself. Damn his friend and knowing him too well. "We'll talk about that later. For now, your arm needs to be checked out." With that, Rhodey stood up with Tony in his arms.

A while later and Tony was sat on a bed in the medical ward. Having been checked over by a doctor on duty. He waited like an impatient child, swinging his legs back and forth and whining occasionally in the direction of Rhodey. They currently were airing the results of the x-rays taken on his left arm.

"I'm booooored!" Tony drawled, staring at the ceiling and huffing in over exaggerated boredom to prove his point. "You'll live, Tones." Rhodey sighed, having heard this over fifty times the last thirty minutes. "No I won't! You brought me to this, ending me with boredom!" Tony dramatically complained, glaring at his friend. Rhodey shook his head in fond amusement. Both their heads turned to the doctor re-entering the room with a sheet of paper. Tony perked up especially.

"So, no fractures or breaks were found. Just bruising and some tissue damage. Nothing too serious." He informed, looking up to meet the eyes of the Colonel and the over childish Stark. Tony grinned. "So I can leave now?" "In a moment, Mr. Stark." The doctor gave a small smile. Tony held back a pained sigh. "I recommend taking pain killers to rid of the existing pain, but I strongly advise staying away from any strenuous activity to your arm. Yes, that includes inventing, Mr. Stark." That really earned a groan out of Tony. As if the doctor just took away his life force. Rhodey patted his shoulder. "You'll survive, Tones." The doctor gave a smile of thanks to the colonel. "So now can I leave?" Tony urged, looking hopeful. "Yes. But first, a note to give to your boss saying your injury restricts you from any strenuous activity." He handed the piece of paper to Tony who grinned. Before Tony could ask, the doctor nodded. "Yes, you may go now Mr. Stark." Tony whooped and hopped off the bed. Darting from the room. "Thanks, doc!" He called after him.

Rhodey got up, smiling at the doctor and quickly retreating to chase Tony to ensure he didn't get in any more trouble. When he caught up to his friend, he sighed. "Jesus, Tones, you're gonna give me a run for my money." Tony grinned sheepishly up at him. "Besides, where the hell are you even going?" Tony gave him a look. "I haven't ate at all since I woke up, can't a man be hungry?" He questioned, placing his hands on his hips. Quickly wincing. "Alright, let's go get some food in you. I'm starving myself." Rhodey paused, taking note of the wince. "As well as get some pain killers into you to deal with that." He ruffled Tony's hair who gave an indignant squeak of protest. Rhodey laughed, wrapping his arm around Tony's shoulders and pulling him into his side as they continued their walk to the kitchen. "You love me, Tones." He grinned. Tony huffed, seeming to debate it over in his head before deflating and smiling up at him. "Yeah, Platypus, I do."

A/N Writing this chapter really warmed my bitter heart. I think everybody needs a little bit of warmth lately with what the world is throwing our way. More of Rhodey to come!

Anyways,
Have a great day/night and stay safe please! <3