Chapter 8: A Triple Braided Cord
Rating: T (lots of angst)
Summary: Tony Stark isn’t enhanced. His superpower is his brain, not his body. After Civil War he is left broken and on the verge of death. Too bad the answer to saving him leads to the worst revelation of his life. Cue the angst.
“So what do you think? How does it feel? Is it too tight?”
“No, no it’s… it’s okay.”
“Are you sure? Cause it’s no problem to loosen them up. I noticed they were a bit stiff. The range of movement isn’t up to where it should be but I have plans to fix–.”
“Tony it's fine. It’s not their range of movement that’s the problem.”
“Right. Shit. Right. Okay.”
“It fits well T. These are great, man. Just give me a few days to get used to it.”
“Now can you please sit down,” Bruce huffed from the other side of Tony, arms crossed and clearly upset but eyes still trained firmly on Tony’s wobbling frame.
“You worry too much, powerpuff,” Tony quipped, wincing as he turned too fast and started getting short of breath. He could feel a tickle in his nose, but sniffed it back and ignored it. “But yea okay. I’ll sit. See? Sitting. I’m a good boy.”
The simultaneous snicker from Rhodes and Bruce made them look up at each other in amusement, even as Tony’s face took on an affronted look.
“I’ll have you know I listened to everything the doctor said. He said I’ll be ready for more aggressive PT next week.”
“The doctor said not to overexert yourself,” Bruce stated plainly as he turned his attention to the still struggling Rhodey.
“And I haven’t!” Tony protested. “Exhibit A, I’m sitting when I need to. I get to bed at a reasonable hour. I eat all my fruits and veggies. Even Dr. Brooks says I’m doing well.”
“Three a.m. is not reasonable,” Bruce huffed.
“It’s totally reasonable. Tell him Robocop.”
“It’s… an improvement,” Rhodey allowed with a huff as he took a few more steps, arms shaking on the bars.