p • r • e • s • s • u • r • e

nervosa

"Uhm..."

"I'll have a macchiato. Tony?"

He stared blankly at the table.

"He'll have a cappuccino."

She hurried off behind the counter.

"Hellooo? Earth to Stark."

He was lost. Images swirled in his mind's eye; the battle, Peter disintegrating in his arms. Yinsen dying, Rhodey falling, Bucky tearing him apart.  And it was so cold. And it was cold in space. And it was cold on Titan, and on the Q-ship. And it was cold outside the window, where his breath fogged up the glass and his fingers punched little holes of clarity through the glaze of condensation.

He remembered pain. He felt pain.

"Tony, c'mon. You're gonna-look at me. Tony."

Bruce took his hand and held it away from his chest.

"Hey," he breathed. Tony gulps.

"Hi."

"You were um...y'know."

He was breathing hard, too hard. He wasn't sure why, but fingers crept up his neck and his pulse was thready and weak, desperately tapping against his hand. It felt as if his blood vessels had shrunk.

"Tony, when was the last time you ate?"

He blinked owlishly.

"Dunno."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"I don't remember. I'm pretty sure I had an apple when I was down in the garage-oh wait, I had some chicken broth last night."

"Doesn't count. I mean a full meal."

He stared guiltily at the table again, and the waitress walks up with their coffees.

"Thanks."

"Hey, can I get the...toasted walnut waffle?"

"Sure."

"Bruce..." he protested.

"We gotta get your blood sugar up. That's probably why you're so cold. You should probably get some sausage or something for the protein, but I'm hoping the walnuts will be enough."

"I'm not hungry."

"Yeah, well, I don't care. You're going to eat. Besides, you look like you got...hit by a train."

"If only," he muttered under his breath.

Bruce sent him a concerned glare.

"What am I gonna do with you..." 

"I think the senate's got a few ideas. Also the Real Housewives of New Jersey. The ones that are left. Can we still call them that, aren't they just Wives now?"

"Tony, come on."

"What??"

"This! Stop being so...miserable."

"What a fantastic idea, how did I not think of that? My god, you really are the victor in our battle of wits. Thank you so much, for your concern, Doctor Banner. I feel considerably enlightened."

Bruce messed with his coffee mug. He looked hurt.

"I'm sor-" Tony started.

"Don't."  

They sat in silence, and the waffle was brought to their table. The cafe was almost empty, so it came quickly. Bruce watched him expectantly, Tony took exacty three and-a-half bites.