For that moment he was forced to turn his head away
to try and gather his composure. He had watched his
friends before, in fact Arnie’s death was still fresh to
him, and it was because of him being in a hospital too.
Hospitals weren’t exactly Steve’s favourite place. He
tried to keep that smile on his face to at least help
reassure the woman in front of him that was thanking
him for being there but it was difficult – when he could
feel his heart forcing itself to pulse, and with every beat
there was pain, a dull drum that sent pain throughout
his chest every time he heard the chime of the monitor
or caught Tony’s pale complexion in the reflection of the
window. “There’s no need to thank me, I just want him to
get better. He means a lot to me…” He muttered that last
part, maybe it was a bit of a secret how much Steve cared
but now he was kicking himself for hiding it for so long.
Now it was too late.
She shakily glanced over to Tony’s body. The way
he just laid in the bed. He looked like he was just
peacefully sleeping. Wiping her face with the back
of her hand, she quietly pulled away from Steve,
her hands grabbing Tony’s bony ones. “He… hasn’t
been eating,” she said quietly, knowing that he was not
even awake to eat and put more weight on his body. A
weak laugh escaped her lips. Lips that did not have any
shade of lipstick on. Even her eyes did not have any type
of make-up on. Kissing his hand, she started to cry again.
“Tony, you can let go if you want… Don’t torture yourself
for my sake. Or Steve’s. Think about what you want…for
once in your life.”