I'm Here, Tony

It had been several weeks since Tony had freaked out. Ever since he and Steve got together, his panic attacks had calmed down. Now, as he sat alone in the Avenger’s tower, leaning against the couch while flicking away on his Stark phone, something inside him tightened. He let out a sharp breath, and felt his fingers loosen around his phone. Feeling the tears spring in his eyes, Tony sat up, grabbing at his chest and letting out a few shocked coughs.

Images flashed behind his closed eyes. Images of Afghanistan and him drowning and not being able to pull away from the threatening water. The sound of his own screaming as they fried away at his chest, feeling himself struggle against their hands. Scenes suddenly changing to a silent view of an alien ship exploding. The sense of wind running through his dead suit and the feeling of his death so close he could feel the reaper’s hands around his collarbone-

“Tony!” Steve was screaming, the blond leaning over him with his hands grasping his shoulders, frantically shaking the other man. “Tony, you’re fine, it’s okay; I’m here.”

The black haired man shook violently underneath the super soldier, and tears stained his cheeks as he let out gasping breaths. He blinked rapidly, staring straight into Steve’s eyes and willing himself to stop trembling but knew there was no hope. Tony let Steve pull him back into a sitting position, for he had fallen over into the fetal position when the attack had hit him. As the blond tightened his grip on Stark’s shoulders, worriedly checking his face for any signs of injury, Tony couldn’t help but let out a sob.

Struggling to stop himself, cries and whimpers escaped his lips while he rubbed at his cheeks with a shaking hand. Steve’s hard gaze turned soft and he gently pulled the man into his arms, letting Tony cry into his chest. He hushed him, resting his cheek against the black hair while planting soft kisses on his shoulder.

“You’re okay,” he murmured soothingly. “Everything’s okay. I’m here, Tony. Don’t be scared.”

Tony wrapped his arms around Steve’s waist while sitting in the soldier’s lap, crying into his chest. He hated himself for burdening his boyfriend with his tears, but he couldn’t stop. Normally, he was alone when this sort of thing happened. He wasn’t even sure where Steve had come from in the first place, but he was glad he came. He cried harder, and Steve shushed him once more, kissing the top of his head.

“I’m here Tony, I won’t leave you. You’re okay. I’m here.”