Chapter 9
"Pep, I was thinking of opening a wing for medical innovation. What do you think?" Tony asked.
"Medical innovation? You mean we’ll be making medical equipment like weapons?" Pepper asked.
"Yes, kind of. We could do research as well. We need to recruit a talented team for this. I'm assigning it to you," Tony said.
"Okay," Pepper said, surprised at his sudden plan.
"And you can add Stephen to the team. He’s a doctor in the making, right?" Tony said.
"Oh, okay. Now I get it," Pepper said, smirking.
"What?" Tony asked.
"Nothing. I’ll get on this," Pepper said and left the room.
Stephen liked spending time with Steve. He was different from the other alphas, who just saw him as a piece of meat. Steve was a good friend. He looked forward to their little talks, but Steve hadn’t come to see him for the past few days.
Wanda and Natasha helped him with his walks.
Stephen was sitting in his room, hoping Steve would come to help him walk.
Pepper came in to check on him.
"Stephen, ready for your walk? Wanda will help you," Pepper said.
"Where’s Steve?" Stephen asked.
"Steve accompanied Thor Odinson to our Malibu office. Why?" Pepper asked.
"Nothing. I haven’t seen him in the last two days," Stephen said, a little disappointed.
"Mmh… Stephen, I came to share some good news," Pepper said.
"What?" Stephen asked.
"SI is opening a new division for medical innovation. We’d like to recruit you," Pepper said.
"Medical innovation? Really? Stark’s now trying to profit off people's illnesses?" Stephen asked.
"No, this is actually to help people who are suffering. You could be a part of it," Pepper said.
"I need to think about it," Stephen said.
"Sure, take your time," Pepper said, and left.
Stephen and Wanda were walking through the garden area.
"Wanda, how long have you been here?" Stephen asked.
"Since I was eight. My parents died in an explosion, and I had nowhere to go. That’s when Mr. Stark took me in," Wanda said.
"Did Mr. Stark ever hurt you?" Stephen asked.
"No, he didn’t. Sometimes Mrs. Stark let us play with Tony. She was really nice," Wanda said, smiling at the memory. "You know, Mrs. Stark was an omega, but she used to run SI along with Mr. Stark. She always told us that being an omega shouldn’t stop us from dreaming big. Mrs. Stark even gave us books to study."
Stephen had heard about Howard and Maria Stark. They were known for their philanthropic activities. SI wasn’t like a mob engaging in criminal activities as it had once been. But how could their son have turned into such a criminal? Stephen thought.
"Did you say yes to Stark?" Christine asked over the phone.
"No. Pepper said they’re making a new team for medical innovation or something. But I don’t know what to say," Stephen said.
"What’s there to think about? Say yes. You need the money, and you can’t get it from a barista job."
"I don’t trust him," Stephen said.
"You don’t have to. It’s a job, and you’ll get paid. That’s it. You don’t have to think about anything else," Christine said.
"Mmh… I’ll inform Pepper," Stephen said.
"Great. I’ve got to go. Talk to you later," Christine said before hanging up.
Stephen felt lonely in his room. He wanted to take a walk outside, so he grabbed his crutches and went out.
He started walking through the empty hallways, where he saw Steve talking with Rhodey.
"Steve!" Stephen called out, happiness filling his voice as he saw his friend.
Steve turned, concern filling his eyes as he saw Stephen limping toward him. He hurried over to help him.
"Stephen, what are you doing here alone?" Steve asked.
"I was bored. Why didn’t you come to see me these past few days?" Stephen asked, pouting.
"I… I was busy," Steve said.
"I missed you," Stephen said.
"You shouldn’t. I’m not your friend," Steve said coldly.
"You said we could be friends," Stephen said, hurt.
"We can’t. I’m not allowed to," Steve said.
"Why?" Stephen asked, frowning.
"Stephen, go back to your room," Steve said.
"No, I want to know," Stephen insisted.
"Because Tony doesn’t like it. He doesn’t want us to be friends," Steve said.
"Why does his opinion matter?" Stephen asked.
"Because he’s my friend and my employer," Steve said.
"Oh? I thought you saw me as your friend," Stephen said.
"I don’t want to cause you any problems," Steve said.
Stephen didn’t respond. He started walking briskly away.
"Stephen, wait. I’ll come with you," Steve said.
"You don’t have time to care about me," Stephen said, limping back to his room.
Stephen felt agitated. It was as if Stark was controlling his emotions, even his relationships.
"Jarvis, I know you can hear me. I want to see Stark," Stephen said coldly.
There was silence for a moment, then Jarvis responded.
"Boss is coming to your room."
Stephen waited for Stark. After a bit, Tony entered with a worried look.
"Why did you call me? Are you okay?" Tony asked.
"I’m not fucking okay. You ruined my life, Stark. And when I tried to end it, you brought me back. For what? To torture me more? To make me your slave for the rest of my life?" Stephen snapped.
"Stephen, I have no such intentions," Tony said calmly.
"Then what are you doing? I loved Steve’s company. You told him to stay away from me. Who the hell are you to decide who I can be friends with?" Stephen said angrily.
"You love Steve?" Tony asked, a little hurt in his voice.
"What if I do? Are you going to kill him? Or cast me off, just like you did to his husband?" Stephen scoffed.
"You don’t know what his husband did to me. He conspired to kill me and my family," Tony snapped back.
"Oh, I don’t blame him. I wish every day I could kill you myself. I hate you that much. I hate you because you wrecked me. You made me hate myself," Stephen said, hyperventilating.
Tony noticed Stephen's distress.
"Hey, Stephen, you need to calm down," Tony said, walking toward him.
"Don’t come near me. If you touch me again, I swear I’ll kill myself," Stephen said, panic rising.
Stephen started breathing rapidly, then collapsed onto the bed, unconscious.
Tony quickly checked on him.
"Jarvis, call a doctor and Pepper," Tony said urgently.
"Miss Potts is on her way. The doctor will be here in a minute," Jarvis informed him.
Tony cupped Stephen’s face gently. He was hurt by Stephen's words. Stephen had every right to hate him, but part of Tony’s heart still longed for Stephen's forgiveness, even though he knew it would never happen.