Chapter 4
Many days had passed in space. Stephen and Tony hadn't spoken to each other all this time. Peter and Thor had been acting as intermediaries between them.
"Thor, are we anywhere near Earth?" Tony asked.
"Yes, we’ll reach Earth in a few days. What, are you bored here? We're having fun, right, Peter?" Thor responded.
"Yes, you're great company, Mr. Thor," Peter said.
"Well, I'm not having fun. I'm fed up with staying around people who don’t even like my existence," Tony said, glancing at Stephen before walking away.
"What's the problem between you two? I thought you were friends," Thor asked Stephen.
"We're not friends," Stephen replied.
"But you were. I saw how close you two were on our way to Titan," Peter said.
"We’re not close. That was just for the battle," Stephen said.
"No, Mr. Stark cares about you. He's not the kind of person who opens up about his feelings to just anyone, but he did with you. That means he sees you as a friend," Peter said.
Stephen stayed silent. He knew Tony saw him as a friend. He had hurt Tony because of his own stupid crush. It wasn't Tony's fault. He needed to talk to him.
"I'll talk to him," Stephen finally said.
"Yes, you should. We've only got each other these days. We can't stay like this," Thor said.
Stephen nodded and walked toward Tony, who was working on his suit's helmet.
"Tony," Stephen called.
"What?" Tony responded without looking up.
"Can we talk?" Stephen asked.
"What's there to talk about? We're not friends. We’re just colleagues," Tony said.
"I'm sorry for saying that," Stephen said.
"Oh, are you? What changed your mind? Did Thor and Peter send you here?" Tony scoffed.
"No, I wanted to talk to you," Stephen said.
"Okay, sit down and talk. Tell me why you’re acting like a jerk toward me. What did I do wrong?" Tony asked, crossing his arms.
"It's..." Stephen began, still standing.
"I said sit and talk," Tony insisted.
Stephen rolled his eyes at Tony’s stubbornness but sat in front of him.
"Tell me, why were you acting indifferent toward me?" Tony asked.
"To be honest, I like your company. But the thought of us reaching Earth and becoming strangers again kept crossing my mind. I thought it would be easier if I distanced myself now," Stephen admitted.
"You think I'll forget all of this once we get back?" Tony asked.
"Why would you want to remember any of this? Tony, I've lost so many people in my life. I can't lose one more," Stephen said.
"Stephen, you know the Avengers, right? They're not just fellow superheroes to me—they're my family. We met during world-ending situations, but we’re still friends. You can be that, too," Tony said.
"Don’t you get it? I don’t want to be just your friend. I want more. I know it's stupid. That stupidity made me choose you—choose this reality out of fourteen million others," Stephen snapped.
"What did you just say?" Tony asked, surprised.
"I'm sorry. I should go," Stephen said, trying to stand up.
"No, tell me what you meant. You want more than friendship? Like what?" Tony pressed.
"I... It’s nonsense, just leave it," Stephen said.
"I’m not letting this go, Stephen, and you know you can’t run away from me," Tony said.
"I’ve fallen in love with you, every time I saw you in different realities," Stephen finally confessed.
"What happened in those realities? Why did you choose this one?" Tony asked.
"You died in every reality fighting Thanos, even in the one where we won. I chose this reality because you survive in it. But it was a shot in the dark. If anything had gone wrong, the consequences would have been immense," Stephen said.
"You saved me at the risk of the universe?" Tony asked.
Stephen nodded.
"And you love me?" Tony asked, looking at Stephen.
"I know it's stupid. It will pass. I shouldn't have told you," Stephen said in a small voice.
"You saved me because you love me," Tony said again, watching Stephen.
Stephen, flustered and embarrassed, snapped, "Yes. What do you want now?"
Tony stared at the man turning red, his blue eyes reflecting fear of rejection and disappointment. Tony couldn’t figure out what he was feeling, but it wasn’t new. He had felt it since the moment he saw Stephen. But now it was stronger. He didn’t want to think about anything else. He wanted to act on his emotions.
Tony grabbed Stephen’s face and kissed him. Stephen was stunned and didn’t kiss back.
After a moment, Stephen pulled away.
"What are you doing, Stark?" Stephen asked, hurt and confused.
"Stephen, I don’t want to think right now," Tony said, cupping Stephen’s face again.
"You have to. You have a girlfriend and a wonderful life with her," Stephen said.
"Ssh... What if this is what I want?" Tony whispered, leaning closer.
"You don’t want this. Pepper can give you Morgan. I can’t," Stephen whispered.
"Morgan? How do you know that name?" Tony asked, surprised.
"I saw her in many realities. Your daughter. You were happy with her and Pepper," Stephen said.
"Steph... I don’t know what I’m feeling right now, but I want this," Tony said.
"Do you love Pepper?" Stephen asked.
"Yes, but..." Tony began.
"That’s it, Tony. I don’t want to come between you and her. I don’t want to take away the happiness you deserve," Stephen said before walking away, leaving Tony alone.
Tony loved Pepper—that was true. But their relationship had always been on and off. She deserved a happy life without any danger, something Tony could never promise. He couldn't stay away from danger. Iron Man and Tony Stark were one and the same. But with Stephen, Tony felt like himself again. He wasn’t sure if it was love or something else, but it felt right.
Tony went to where Thor, Peter, and Stephen were sitting. Stephen avoided looking at him. Thor noticed the awkwardness.
"What happened? You two are acting like you kissed," Thor joked.
"What? No, we didn’t!" Stephen and Tony said in unison.
"Calm down, I’m just joking," Thor said, laughing.
Peter observed the two adults, both blushing. He’d seen this in many rom-com movies. He had felt the same way about MJ. So he knew exactly what this was.
Mr. Stark and Doctor Strange. It was weird and cool at the same time. Peter liked them both, and them being together would be awesome. He had to do something, Peter thought.