Epilogue
The newspapers have a heyday when word leaks that Tony Stark has married Dr. Bruce Banner, a fellow Avenger. The New York Times is the first paper to find the photo of their time together at the science camp—and yeah, okay, Tony totally leaked that—and run it side-by-side with a photo of the two of them in Central Park.
At that point, pretty much everybody decides that their romance is epic, other than a few detractors. The story changes from a whirlwind romance brought about by the heat of the moment, to that of two star-crossed lovers who finally got their happy ending.
Right now, Tony is in bed with his husband, feeling fucked out and lazy, Bruce curled into his side. The rest of the world can believe what they want. Tony’s got everything he ever wanted right here.
Bruce stirs slightly and presses a kiss to Tony’s shoulder. “We should get cleaned up.”
Tony wraps an arm around him. “Why? We’re on our honeymoon. We don’t have to be anywhere.”
“I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling a little sticky,” Bruce objects.
Tony grins. “You’re just going to get dirty again.”
“Maybe in a few hours,” Bruce agrees with a laugh. “I’m not eighteen anymore, Tony. Neither of us are.”
“Good thing, too,” Tony murmurs and closes his eyes. “The nice thing about growing old is that you stop giving a fuck about what other people think.”
“That’s one nice thing,” Bruce agrees. “I love you.”
Tony smiles. “Yeah, I know.”
“I cannot believe you just Han Solo’d me,” Bruce complains, but Tony catches a glimpse of his smile.
“The fact that you would say that just reinforces the idea that we’re perfect for each other,” Tony points out.
“Well, we always have been on the same wavelength,” Bruce replies. “By the way, Aunt Elaine wants to take us out for a celebratory dinner soon.”
“Yeah, okay,” Tony agrees. “Wait, doesn’t this mean she’s my aunt, too?”
“You’ve always been family, Tony,” Bruce murmurs affectionately. “This just makes it official.”
Tony smiles. “In this case, I don’t mind official.”
“Didn’t think you would,” Bruce replies.
And Tony sees the next few decades stretching out in front of them, and he knows it’s going to be great.