Title: Drowned
Fandom: Marvel Cinematic Universe
Rating: Teens and Up
Character/s: Steve Rogers, Tony Stark
Pairing/s: Steve Rogers/Tony Stark
Length: 500 words
Warnings: Drowning, Blood and Injury, Vomit
Major Tags: Hurt/Comfort
Author notes: Also for my STB Bingo prompt "Slowly Running out of Air"
Summary: Steve tries to escape, desperately, but he fears he might not be walking away from this one.

~ + ~

Desperately he claws at the glass, his lungs spasming, begging him to draw in a breath. He couldn't, doing so would only earn him two lungs full of frigid water.

Escape was impossible. The glass walls were too thick. Not even with all his strength could he crack the glass. He was trapped.

Steve's fingers, raw and wounded, leave streaks of blood on the glass.

He watches Tony through the glass, fighting Hydra's goons. There wasn't much time left for him, and Tony knew it too. Tony shoots wide, hoping by sheer luck he hits the tank as Hyrda dogpiles on him.

His throat clenches tight, trying to force him to cough. It works.

Water, cold and sharp, floods his thoughts.

He kicks out at the glass. Panicking.

The sound echoes like crushing ice and twisting metal. Like cracking seals and rivets popping under the crushing press of the Arctic Ocean.

Steve cries out, choking on the water.

It was so dark. And cold.

His eyes slip shut and he lets go.

______________________________________

Steve comes to with a gasp, his body trying to draw in as much air as it could. Fire burns up his side and he chokes, hacking and gaging.

Strong hands roll him over onto his side, just as his body empties itself all over the floor. Most of it water.

"That's it," Tony's familiar voice says. "You're okay. I got you,"

Panting, Steve looks around the room. He spots the tank, cracked and broken. His eyes drop to the bloodied floor. There was so much blood. Everywhere.

"Keep still for me," Tony says, holding his shoulder in place. "This... probably isn't going to tickle,"

"wha-?" Steve gasps, throwing a glance over his shoulder he instantly regrets.

The burning pain up his side intensifies to a raging fire, stealing his breath. His body tries to curl in on itself protectively, but that only serves to make it worse.

Steve tries to grab his side, but Tony captures his hands, stopping him.

"Steve, stop! Relax!" Tony says, his voice tight. "You got caught on the tank. Cut you up pretty bad. I just need to seal it, then we can get out of this hell hole,"

He nods, not trusting his voice to make the words. Steve lets his head drop back down to the blood-soaked floor, shutting his eyes.

As Tony quickly sets about cauterizing his wound, Steve focuses on breathing. His thought feels tight and raw. Every breath feels like he's swallowing sandpaper. The burning in his side doesn't help matters much either.

"Almost done," Tony whispers, giving his shoulder a comforting squeeze. "I promise,"

He doesn't know if that was the truth, or just a lie to make him feel better. Time passes him by unnoticed.

Soon his side is sealed, and he is being pulled up into the arms of the armour.

"Okay, let's get you home," Tony says.

Steve breaths out a tired sigh of relief. Nothing had ever sounded like a better idea.