Chapter 9
A month passed in relative peace, the media still fixated on the new couple but having eased off lightly.
Derek and Stiles had been coined Sterek, similar to Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt being Brangelina. The media was already betting when the wedding was going to be and when they would adopt children. Tumblr and twitter abuzz with fan fictions and fantasies about the couple, much to the avengers amusement and Stiles’s horror.
Said person was in the parking lot of the avengers tower with Steve who was giving him a riding lesson with his own Motorcycle.
Cap was soft spoken but firm as he gave instructions. "Now take your hand off of the break slowly but firmly."
Stiles did as he was told and whooped as he drove off slowly, doing a few loops around Steve, feeling the bike under him and getting used to balancing himself under the powerful beast.
Steve grinned, giving him a thumbs up. "Doing good Stiles, you can speed up a bit now and start going around the cones."
Stiles focused and used the clutch as Steve had taught him to speed up, going around cones, that Steve had set up as his own personal practice course.
He ended by parking the bike safely next to Steve and turning it off.
Steve offered his fist up to bump. "Good job Stiles, a few more days of practice and you'll be ready for your road test."
Stiles grinned, climbing off of Steve's bike. "That’s awesome! I can’t wait!. Derek is picking me up in half an hour to go look at motorcycles, want to come help pick out my bike Cap?"
Steve nodded. "I'd love to help, however, I don't know how good I'll be in helping when it comes to new features and models."
A voice from behind them spoke up, smug and confident. "That's why I'm joining in, Can't have Stiles ending up with a subpar vehicle, that would look bad on the avengers."
Stiles laughed, shaking his head. "You're just jealous and don't want to miss out on the right of passage of a man getting his first bike."
Tony gave Stiles an imperious sniff. "Keep that up and I won’t trick your new ride out with latest stark tech."
Stiles sidled up to Tony, locking his arms in with the man's. "Tony, you bright, fantastic, genius of a man...."
Tony smirked amused. "Yes Stiles?"
Stiles dropped his smile, frown firmly in place. "You should know that I won't be bribed. If you want to come with us, ask nicely, but trying to bribe me with things will get you nothing."
The smile on Tony's face dropped, most definitely not pouting. "Can I come with you to help pick out your bike Stiles?"
Stiles arm curled around Tony's shoulder his smile much more natural this time. "Sure you can Tony; I'd love your input."
Tony's tension eased and he melted against Stiles lightly, much to Steve's amusement.
Stiles called in and booked his road test as they made their way downstairs to wait for Derek.
When the werewolf arrived, Tony tensed his obvious dislike showing as he moved closer to Stiles.
Derek just smirked at the move, amusement heavy in his eyes as he ignored the billionaire and moved into Stiles space, hugging him tightly, the two of them putting on a show of being a happy couple as he kissed Stiles cheek and grabbed his hand. "Hey honey, ready to go see a man about a bike?"
Tony scoffed, at the randomly disgusting pet names they flung at each other as jokes, rolling his eyes as Stiles beamed, grinning. "Sure schnookums, Mind if Tony and Steve tag along?"
Derek's eyes twinkled, much too amused as they met Tony's scowling face, pulling Stiles tightly to his side, kissing the side of his head. "Sure Sweet pea, the more the merrier, Though we might need to use another car since I drove in with the camaro."
Stiles hand went to his chest, eyes lighting up in delight. "You brought the camaro? Dude, I thought you sold it or something when you stopped driving it! You are right though, wouldn’t be comfortable in the back for Tony and Steve."
Tony sighed deeply, knowing he would do anything for Stiles but hating to have to accommodate Derek. "We can use one of my cars, come on."
Derek beamed at him, eyes still sparkling with mirth, even with the less than happy offer. "Thank, Tony. That's really great of you."
They were definitely not taking the Aston Martin...
Ten minutes later they did in fact find themselves in Tony's newest Aston Martin convertible thanks to Stiles, eyes sparkling like a kid at Christmas and gushing poetry over the damn car.
Tony was driving with Stiles riding shotgun and Steve sitting next to Derek.
The billionaire was definitely going to find some way to thank Cap for taking the back and forcing Stiles to ride shotgun, maybe buy him some new riding boots or something since Cap wouldn’t let him trick out his bike.
Arriving at the first dealership, they looked at a few bikes, mainly Yamaha's but nothing caught Stiles eye, Their second stop was had Stiles drooling over a few Ducati's but Stiles admitted he wasn’t crazy for speed bikes and liked a more classic motorcycle. Their third and final stop had Stiles finally deciding on a Harley Davidson Street Bob with yellow and brown trim.
Much to Tony's surprise, Stiles had no issues shelling out the money for all of the extra features, tricking it out and putting it on order.
When they turned to leave, Tony took the time to fall back and pass the salesman his black credit card. "Charge it to my card instead and have it rushed. He goes for his road test in a week and his birthday is two days later. Money is no object, do I make myself clear? Just rip up that check."
Stiles called to Tony, urging him to hurry and he called back dismissively. "Be right there, just getting myself some peanuts."
Grabbing a bag of peanuts he raised a brow to the sales agent who gave him his card back, waving him away. "On the house Mr. Stark."
Tony, saluted, pocketing his card and walking away, a bounce in his step as he opened the bag of peanuts, popping a few in his mouth.
Derek smirked as he eyed Tony, causing the billionaires feathers to ruffle, realizing that Derek most likely heard the whole thing.
He glared at Derek, trying to get the message across that he would end him if he let Stiles know.
The werewolf just guided Stiles to the back of the Aston Martin, forcing Steve to ride shotgun.
Stiles was like a kid at Christmas. "I can’t wait to go shopping for some riding gear! I’ll need an epic helmet and jacket and gloves. Definitely need some good riding boots too."
Derek chuckled. “Squishy human having to worry about all the protective gear."
Stiles shoved him laughing. "Shut up, I'm human, I need protective gear."
Tony scoffed. "I'll design you a helmet if you want Stiles. We can even have it patched into Jarvis."
Stiles perked up. "I'd love that Tony! Maybe you can have the avenger’s symbol on it."
The billionaire smirked."I already have a design in mind."
Stiles continued chattering about his bike during the whole drive, bringing a smile to Tony's face.
The smile stayed firmly onto Tony's face for the rest of the evening as he worked on his new suit , stopping to stare at the suit that Stiles had finally finished a week ago.
His lips were still curled upwards when he made his way up to Stiles room to ask him out for dinner.
The smile however faded when he opened the door without knocking, only to find Stiles and Derek kissing
Stiles flailed back in shock, while Derek blinked, lips smirking lightly as he stared back at Tony, obviously having heard him coming a mile away, quite literally.
The billionaire turned on his heels, walking out, trying to ignore the pain that shot through his chest, It was heartburn nothing else, He'd just take an antacid when he got to his workshop.
Feet were heard running after Tony's long strides. "Tony wait up!"
Tony stopped, turning to look at Stiles.
Stiles looked sheepish. "Sorry you had to walk in on that. Derek decided we should try to see if there might be a chance of us really being a couple. There wasn’t -"
Tony cut him off. "I don't know what you were thinking Stiles. Why do you think you and Derek would ever be a good idea?"
Stiles back stiffened. "What you don't think I could land someone as hot as Derek Hale? Screw you Stark, I'm catch! I could have anyone I want."
The billionaire scoffed. "Please Stiles; it has nothing to do with you and everything to do with the fact that he's not good enough for you."
Instead of being placated with those words, Stiles looked even more incensed. "You know nothing about Derek, with all the crap he's been through he deserves someone a thousand times better than me. Just because no one is ever going to be good enough for the great Tony Stark doesn’t mean that they aren't good enough others, Now if you excuse me, I'm going to go back to Derek and make sure his feelings weren't hurt since I'm sure he heard you."
Tony clenched his fists, turning around and quickly changing his course to the landing platform, he needed to get away and blow off some steam.
Suiting up he shot off into the air and let the moving scenery distract him.
~*~
Stiles sighed after showing Derek out of the tower.
They had a long talk about how neither of them really had any chemistry and wouldn’t do well together in a relationship, Derek teasingly telling him someone else was already interested in him anyway.
Stiles gave another long sigh. "Jarvis, where's Thor?"
The A.I. quickly responded. "Mr Odinson is in the kitchen, having lunch."
He rushed at those words, heading to the elevator and pressing the right floor.
When he finally arrived to the kitchen, Thor beamed at him, mouth full of turkey. "Stiles, my favorite Midguardian, how fare you this fine evening?"
Stiles groaned. "Thor, you promised you'd be my drinking buddy and I need one right now."
The god of thunder popped the last of his sandwich into his mouth, rubbing his hands together and motioning Stiles over before opening the cupboard next to him, showcasing the vast bottles of spirits and liqueurs.
They both grabbed a few bottles, making their way to the living room.
Once Thor had placed the bottles on the table he eyed stiles. "Should I order us some sustenance? Perhaps a pizza or Chinese food? Jane enjoys these when she has had a bad day."
Stiles couldn’t help but chuckle. "You just finished eating."
Thor raised a brow. "That sandwich will not stop me from eating more if it is available."
He shook his head. "I have no idea how you aren't fat by now."
Thor chuckled. "Jarvis, order us two pizzas and our regular Chinese food order."
With the confirmation that Jarvis had ordered the food, they both curled up on the couch, Stiles booting Netflix and taking deep pulls of the first open bottle, which was rum.
Within two hours Stiles was lying on the couch with his head in Thor's lap while the God playfully rubbed his scalp, which hello head rubs were fucking awesome.
Chuckling lightly, his words came out more than a little slurred. "Dude, I'm so hammered. Hah, hammered, get it, because I'm drinking with the god of thunder?"
Thor’s laughter boomed, head thrown back in drunken amusement.
Stiles joined him for a moment before his smile fell. "I don't get it Thor, why did he have to get so upset over a kiss?"
The god patted Stiles gently. "People act strangely when they love someone."
Stiles blinked looking up at Thor before scoffing. "There is no way that Tony is in love with me. Have you seen him? Have you seen me?"
Thor huffed, taking a drink from the almost empty bottle he was holding. "Stiles, Stark has been courting you since the day that you came to live with us. He does not allow anyone else into his inner sanctum; he has bought you baubles and makes sure you want for naught. It's fairly easy to see, just as easy as it is to know that you love him as well."
Stiles jerked up. "I do not love Tony Stark!"
The god stared him down, not taking his shit and Stiles blinked, thinking of the billionaire who was not only drop dead gorgeous but who would smile like Stiles had hung the moon when he figured something out.
Tony loved to tease his teammates just to get a rise out of them, but secretly loved them all and Stiles had caught him more than once bending over backwards to try to make one of his teammates feel better all the while making it look like he had nothing to do with it and didn’t give a damn.
He was the man who donated millions to charities anonymously over and beyond what Stark Industry already donated.
He acted big and tough and like he didn’t care about anything yet Stiles had been with him when he bought a teddy bear for a little girl who kept staring at it through the window with big eyes and yet had not whined or cried when her mother had tugged her away, telling her that they could not afford it right now.
He had then anonymously sent enough food and essentials to practically fill their house and had just glared at Stiles when he had tried to mention it, mumbling that he had noticed her ragged shoes and did some digging and realized how her mother was barely making enough to feed the both of them and no little girl should go hungry.
Tony was the man who at the end of the day, would make sure to wish him a good night no matter how busy he was.
The billionaire saw Stiles and appreciated him for who he was and anytime Stiles would think of something, he would then think, "I need to go tell this to Tony.
That smile that he gave Stiles when he came up with a great idea made him want to bend over backwards to get another one.
Stiles sat silent for a moment before groaning. "Oh god, I love Tony stark."
He hyperventilated for a moment, sinking his head between his knees, Thor rubbing his back. "What am I going to do? I love him."
He loved that stupid, egotistical, loving, sweet yet cocky bastard of a billionaire who used his snark to keep everyone at arm’s length all the while going behind everyone’s back to try to take care of them.
Thor kept rubbing his back. "What you are going to do Stiles, is to go to bed and in the morning, announce your feelings to Stark. Do not worry, Stiles, he shall return your feelings."
Stiles was silent for a moment, weighing everything before sighing deeply. “Can I just lay here, you’re a comfy pillow and I think that if I go to bed right now I’ll just lay in bed hyperventilating.”
Thor just chuckled, running his hands in Stiles hair.
Stiles took another drink of the rum, sighing when he noticed the bottle was finally empty and mumbled a “But why is the rum always done.”
Realizing that Tony would have laughed at that comment, and possibly being a little, scratch that, way too drunk, Stiles started to cry curling into the back of the couch and getting snot all over Thor’s stomach.
Instead of being disgusted or offended, he just shushed Stiles, gently rubbing his back in soothing circular motions.
With the alcohol, the tears draining his energy and the soothing hypnotic movement of Thor’s hand against his back, Stiles found himself unwillingly slipping into slumber, thoughts of tony following him into his dreams.
.