Chapter 2
Martin smiled. He had been so scared of this day, not only because he had been making himself nervous about the date and seeing Tony again, but also because this day was the day he told Tony he didn't get paid. Of course the billionaire immediately proposed to pay his bills and make sure he lived in a nice house, but he had refused that, of course. After all, he was still Martin Crieff, the most stubborn pilot of them all.
He had driven them in his old father's van to the restaurant, since Tony didn't really have any cars hanging around - and even if he did, they would be asking for unwanted attention. Nobody can go to a dinner in a Ferrari without being stalked by the press. By now, the paparazzi have no doubt discovered that Iron Man had left America - they would be stupid if they hadn't - but Martin hoped they would have a couple of days left of peace and tranquility.
Of course the people who worked at the bar recognized the man, not everyone lived under a rock like Carolyn, and somehow, his status got them into a small, private corner of the pizzeria instead of in plain sight. Martin was grateful for it and for the first time since he and Tony were officially dating, he relaxed in public. He did suspect that Tony had bribed the staff with signatures, because they were all so much nicer to him - and the billionaire - than usual.
'So what do you want?' He asked his date as soon as their waiter had brought them the menus.
'Do you have any recommendations?' Tony grinned.
'I really like the Quattro Frommagi here. It's simply delicious!'
'I'll have that one then,' he smiled. He put the menu away and waited for the waiter to come back and take their orders.
That didn't take long, since they had their own private waiter - again, bribing with some signatures - he would have to talk about that - and they both ordered the pizza with the four cheeses - it sounded like a bad comic: Iron Man and the adventure with the four cheeses! (What a cheesy joke) Martin was getting a bit nervous with all the attention they got from the staff. What were they saying about them as soon as he - or Tony - couldn't hear them anymore? Or what would they say?
It was probably nothing to worry about, but he still felt the uncomfortable tingle at the back of his neck, telling him to be careful with what he did and said.
As Tony smiled at him, he relaxed again, letting his mind be filled with the billionaire.
'Are you okay?' Tony asked.
'Yeah, I'm fine, just.... Just thinking a bit... About stuff, you know.' Martin knew he was a lousy liar, but what else could he say? Besides, technically he wasn't lying at all.
Tony grabbed his hand. 'It's fine if you're not, you know. I realize my life can be a bit overwhelming at first, especially when you get to live it up close. I would've warned you, but by the time we hit off, it was too late.'
'No, no, I'm-I'm fine, I really am.'
'Okay, I believe you.' Tony gently squeezed his hand and smiled reassuringly.
Martin pulled his hand back and stared at his empty plate. It would be alright. Everything would turn out perfectly fine. And there wasn't a kid that looked up at Tony like he was some kind of hero to him and that kid was most definitely not walking towards them. Martin looked at Tony, hoping that he hadn't noticed the kid but of course he had... It's not fair, he thought. Why can we never get a date in peace?
And then it hit him. This was going to be my life, he thought. If he kept dating Tony than he would have to get used to this and even more when Tony would announce publically that he was dating him. The thought alone freaked him out. Would there be paparazzi? Oh God, there are going to be journalists who will want an interview. Oh God. Oh God oh God...
He looked at Tony in panic, but his lover didn't notice because he was too busy giving the kid a good time rather quickly so that the little git would go away and leave them alone. At one side he wanted the billionaire to notice how freaked out he was, but on the other side, the more rational and less selfish side wanted to hide it, scared of being dumped.
'I just need a moment,' he said to Tony. 'I'll be right back.'
'Yeah sure, love.' Tony didn't even look up at him as he got up and almost ran to the toilet.
Once he was in the toilet, he held his head in his hands and gently rocked himself. Oh God. It was going to be like this every time he got out. What if people would come up to him for a chat? Oh God, he didn't want them to be all dissapointed because in real life all he does is stutter. Oh God he would have to go to a stutter teacher... Oh no, he didn't want that. Besides, he totally didn't have the money! And no way was he going to ask Tony, he was already trying to do enough for him. He needed to talk to someone. Somebody who would tell him how ridiculous this all was so that he would get over it. And there was only person he knew that could do that. Douglas Richardson.
*
Tony Stark looked up to find his partner gone. He was a bit confused. Last time he had checked, before the kid had come up and talked to him, Martin had still been there, smiling, feeling good, but now, obviously, he was gone. He looked up at the boy's mum, who was very pretty by the way, if he hadn't been dating Martin, he'd definitely try to get her in his bed, and asked if she had seen where Martin had gone.
'He went to the bathroom' she answered dryly. She looked disapprovingly at him, like he needed to keep better track of his partners.
Tony got up, thanked the woman and walked to the bathroom. 'Martin?' He knocked on the only locked door. 'Martin I know it's you.'
'Go away, Tony, please. I-I need some time...'
'What's wrong? What happened? Was it the kid? I knew I should’ve told him to piss off. Or was it the mom? I would've picked you over her, really.'
'Tony, it's not you or anything you did. I-I'm just being a bit stupid...'
'Don't ever say that again. You're one of the smartest people I know! And besides, you're Martin Crieff, the man who became a pilot even with all the things that were trying to stop him from doing so. You should believe in yourself a bit more, Martin, because you are amazing in every little aspect. Now, please, tell me what's wrong.'
Martin didn't really respond immediately after that. And when he did, it sounded very hesitant. 'Do you really think that I'm amazing?'
'Yes, yes of course I do! Martin, you are the best human being I ever met.'
Martin smiled weakly. 'T-thank you... I-I was probably just overreacting again... It was just... The kid, I realized that if we were to go into public, it would probably always be like that. People coming up to you, talking to you, a-and when we go to premieres or things like that they will want interviews and what if they don't like me, Tony? What if the press hates me?'
'Martin. You come out of there immediately.'
Martin hesitantly opened the door and stepped out. Tony walked up to him and immediately wrapped him in a loving embrace. 'I don't care if the press likes you or not. I like you, no, I love you and that's all that matters to me.' He kissed Martin lovingly on his cheek. 'Don't ever think that what other people think is more important than what I think.'
Martin let himself be hugged and wrapped his own arms around Tony's neck. 'I-I love you, Tony. I really do'
'I love you too, and don't you ever forget it.' He smiled and leaned into the other man's touch.
'Maybe we should go back before the waiters think we did a runner.'
Martin nodded. 'Y-yes, that sounds like a good idea.'
*
After they had finished their date, they went back to Carolyn's house to have some fun. When they had just arrived, Tony needed to check on JARVIS for a moment. He took out his suit and woke up his AI.
'Good evening, sir. How are you?'
'I'm great, JARVIS, I'm absolutely wonderful.'
'You look very happy, sir, happier than you have in years.'
'Thank you, I feel happier.' He smiled brightly. 'I'm going back to Martin now.'
'Of course, sir.'
He grinned and went back to his lover, thinking about all the things they could do that night.