Chapter 16
It was the final day of the gala. Tony was feeling very relieved that he could go home and spend time with his son after this day. Tony was checking himself in the mirror.
Pepper walked in and stood by him.
"Tony, how are things with Helen?"
"She is nice and smart. She has some great ideas about robotics," Tony said, tying his tie.
"Mmh... I knew you would like her. So, can I schedule a date for you two when we're back home?" Pep asked, smirking.
"Pep, I don't know... My only priority is Peter's happiness. I can't do anything..." Tony started.
"Tony, Helen knows everything about your life, and she is ready to take care of Peter. Do you think I will bring you someone who can't accept Pete?" Pepper asked.
"I know, but first, I need to end things with Stephen first, or it will be like I'm doing the same mistake," Tony said.
"Sure, now come, the gala will start now," Pepper said.
Tony nodded his head and followed.
"Papa, Daddy will come tomorrow, right?" Peter asked, sitting in the library while Stephen and Wong were arranging the books.
"Yes, Pete, Daddy will reach here tomorrow morning," Stephen said.
"So, I have to leave here tomorrow?" Peter asked, frowning.
"Yes. What happened? Don't you want to go to the tower?" Stephen asked.
"I like there, that's my home. But..." Peter said.
"But?" Stephen urged.
"But Papa is not there," Peter said.
Stephen smiled and sat near the boy.
"Papa will come there whenever you need me. Or you can come here whenever you want. I told you, your Daddy and I can't live together," Stephen said.
"I know... because of some disagreements," the boy completed in a small voice.
Stephen could see Peter was disappointed. He took the boy into his lap.
"Pete, do you want to see some magic?" Stephen asked.
But the boy didn't say anything.
Stephen made some blue butterflies, and they started flying around Peter. Peter's eyes started shining. Some of them sat on his nose and cheeks, which entertained the kid, and he started giggling.
"Come, Pete, it's time for bed," Stephen said.
"Are you not coming?" Peter asked.
"Papa has work to do with Uncle Wong. I will join you,"
Stephen said.
"Peter, take your Papa with you. I can't complete my job with him here," Wong said, annoyed.
"Seriously, Wong?" Stephen asked, offended.
"This can be done by myself. You go and take care of your son," Wong said.
"Come, Papa, let's sleep," Peter said, tugging Stephen's sleeve.
"Okay, okay, come," Stephen said, taking him into his arms.
"Good night, Uncle Wong," Peter said.
"Good night, Pete," Wong said, smiling.
"And Stephen, I will be going to Kamar-Taj early in the morning," Wong added.
"Okay," Stephen said.
Stephen carried him to the room and laid him down, then lay beside him.
"When will Daddy reach here?" Peter asked.
"Daddy will be here when you wake up tomorrow. Now go to sleep," Stephen said, kissing his head and cuddling him.
Tony was so excited to be back home. He knew it was too early to visit the sanctum, but he couldn't wait to see Peter.
Tony was about to knock on the door, but it opened for him. Tony walked inside. He expected Stephen to be there, but there was no one. The cloak flew to him and started tugging on Tony's hand.
"Where are you taking me? Where is Stephen?" Tony asked, confused.
The cloak took him to Stephen's bedroom. Tony walked inside and saw Peter and Stephen sleeping soundly, hugging.
Tony's eyes softened seeing that. Tony was going to wake up Stephen, but the cloak stopped him.
"What?" Tony asked in a whisper.
The cloak shook its "head" in a no.
"Is he tired?" Tony asked.
The cloak nodded yes.
"Okay, then what should I do? Wait till he is awake?" Tony asked.
The cloak nodded again.
"Alright, I will wait downstairs," Tony said, trying to walk outside.
But the cloak pushed him to the bed and put the rest of the blanket on him.
"What are you doing?" Tony asked.
But the cloak didn't acknowledge that. It flew away outside and closed the door.
Tony chuckled at that. The room was dark and cold. He watched the two figures he loved the most beside him. Stephen looked so serene. Tony couldn't help it; he gently caressed his head. Stephen made a sleepy sound and leaned into Tony's touch. Tony chuckled lightly at that.
Stephen felt so relaxed. He slowly opened his eyes. Peter was cuddling him, but he felt an arm around him. Stephen got alarmed and sat up.
He couldn't believe what he was seeing.
"Tony?" Stephen called.
Tony also woke up slowly, stretching his arm.
"Hey, morning," Tony said sleepily.
"When did you come? The sanctum didn't inform me of your arrival. And why are you in my bed?" Stephen asked.
"Hey, hey, calm down. Your cape made me sleep here. It didn't want to wake you up," Tony said.
"It's not a cape. And it's not an excuse to sleep on my bed without my permission," Stephen said.
"Cool, fine, I'm leaving," Tony said, removing the blanket.
Peter woke up, listening to this.
"Papa?" the boy called sleepily.
"Yes, Pete," Stephen said.
"Is Daddy here?" Peter asked.
"Yes, he is here," Stephen said.
"Hey, Pete. Did you miss Daddy?" Tony asked, caressing his head.
"Yes, a lot. Can you lie with me for some time?" the boy asked sleepily.
Tony looked at Stephen. Stephen nodded his head, saying he could.
"Papa, you too," Peter said.
"Pete, Papa has work. Don't you want breakfast when you wake up?" Stephen asked.
"Please, Papa, for some time," the boy said, whining.
Stephen didn't want to make the boy upset, so he laid down.
The boy took Stephen's hand, wrapping it around him, then cuddled to Tony's side and went back to sleep.
Tony kissed his head.
"Did Peter bother you a lot?" Tony asked in a whisper.
"No, he has been a good boy," Stephen replied softly.
"I was busy with all the meetings and galas. Sorry, I couldn't check on Peter," Tony said.
"I know. I saw it in the news," Stephen said, scoffing.
"You know they are just rumors," Tony said, frowning.
"Why would I care if it is or not?" Stephen said coldly.
"Why would I care if it is or not" Stephen said.
"Oh yeah, why would you have to care" Tony said sadly smiling.
There was a deep silence in between them.
"Stephen.. " "Stark"
They both started.
"You go first" Tony said.
"Yeah, I was thinking about filing for divorce. We could end all these rumors in the best way" Stephen said.
"Uh, okay. I will talk to Pepper. She will handle it. And you can ask whatever you want. I'm ready to give" Tony said.
P
"I don't want anything. I'm fine with what I'm doing" Stephen said.
"Okay" Tony said.
"Stephen?"
"Yeah"
"I haven't slept with anyone. They are just rumors" Tony said.
"You don't have to prove me. Even if you do, I don't care" Stephen said coldly.
Tony felt like his heart was breaking. Stephen being cold to him was the one thing that broke him, but he couldn't do anything about it.
"Pete, bye. Take care. Papa will come next weekend," Stephen said, kneeling in front of the kid.
The boy was all ready to go back to the tower.
"Okay, Papa. Will you call me every night to say goodnight?" Peter asked, pouting.
"Yes, I will," Stephen said, kissing his forehead.
Tony took the boy's hand.
"Pepper will send you the docs. You just have to sign them. The rest I will take care of," Tony said.
Stephen nodded his head.
"Come, Pete, let's go," Tony said, and he walked out with Peter.
Stephen stayed there, watching them go.