Chapter 18
"Tony, we have been sitting here for the last 15 minutes. I never thought the great Tony Stark would be this silent on dates," Helen said, chuckling.
"Helen, I'm past the stage of wining, dining, and flirting. So, I'll directly tell you what I'm expecting from this relationship. My only priority is Peter and his happiness. If my boy isn't happy with any of this, I might end it. Also, you might know I'm not fully out of the relationship with Stephen, and it will take time for me. And, of course, I'm Iron Man; I could never stay away from that. If you're okay with all this, we can date, or you can leave. I'm not forcing you into anything," Tony said.
"Tony, I said yes to this knowing everything. And I will try my best to impress Peter. I love that kid just from what Pepper said, and I'm eager to meet him," Helen said, holding his hands.
"Sure, I’ll arrange that," Tony said, smiling.
"Shall we order something?" Tony asked.
"Yeah," Helen replied.
They both were eating and chatting, becoming tipsy with wine. Helen leaned toward Tony and whispered,
"Can you take me home?"
She intertwined her fingers with Tony’s.
"Yeah, let's go," Tony said.
Tony and Helen walked to the car.
"Steph, you can’t let Pepper say such things to you. You should have stood up for yourself. How the hell does she know what you've been going through? I’ve seen it. If Stark has something to say, he should’ve said it directly to you—not sent his PA to do it," Wong fumed.
"Pepper’s right. I was being selfish, leaving my son behind," Stephen said.
"Stop saying that, Stephen. There’s no fault on your side. If anyone’s at fault, it’s Stark," Wong said.
"He’s met someone," Stephen said in a small voice.
"So what? Stephen, for the last time, stop thinking about him and live your life," Wong said, frustrated.
"It was my decision to leave him. But why does my heart still go after him? Was it the wrong decision?" Stephen asked.
"Stephen, do you still love him?" Wong asked softly.
"Yes, I do. He’s the only one I’ve truly fallen in love with. But..." Stephen trailed off.
"But what?" Wong urged.
"Now, when I look at him, all I think about is our last fight. The words he told me still ring in my ears," Stephen said.
"Do you think you can live with him, forgetting what he did to you?" Wong asked.
"I don’t know," Stephen said.
"Then find out. If you want him back, I’ll drag him and put him in front of you. I don’t care if he has a new girlfriend or not," Wong said.
Stephen looked at Wong, surprised. He knew Wong cared about him, but he didn’t realize the extent of it.
"Take some rest and think about it," Wong said.
Stephen sat back in his chair and closed his eyes, tears streaming down his face.
"Steph, I’m sorry. Please come to bed with me," Tony said, sitting down on the floor while Stephen lay on the couch, his back to Tony.
"You know I can’t sleep without you beside me," Tony said, kissing Stephen's hand.
"If I was so special to you, you wouldn’t have stood me up at the restaurant," Stephen said, still facing away.
Tony joined Stephen on the couch and spooned him.
"I’m so sorry. The meeting with SHIELD ran over. I told the ‘Pirate of the Caribbean’ that my loving husband is waiting for me at the restaurant and would get mad at me if I didn’t show up for our monthly date. And you know what he said?" Tony asked, kissing Stephen's neck.
"What?" Stephen asked, turning to face Tony.
"He said, ‘Stark, this is not the time to be selfish. The world might face an Avengers-level threat. We should be ready,’ and blah-blah-blah," Tony said.
"And I told him, ‘I can’t keep my husband waiting like that. You’re just jealous you didn’t get a gorgeous husband like I have,’" Tony said, cupping Stephen's cheeks, his thumbs drawing circles on them.
A small smile appeared on Stephen’s face.
"You’re just full of words. If you really meant it, you would’ve come to the restaurant," Stephen said.
"I did. I revved up the engine and reached the restaurant. But you weren’t there. You could’ve waited a little bit," Tony said.
Stephen glared at him.
"Okay, sorry. I know I said 8, and I reached there at 9. But I’ll make it up to you. Please come to bed with me. You know we can’t be mad at each other for more than a night," Tony said, pouting.
Stephen chuckled.
"So, we’re good?" Tony asked, smirking.
"Yeah," Stephen said, smiling.
"I’m sorry," Tony said genuinely.
"Shut up and kiss me," Stephen said, leaning into him.
Tony chuckled and kissed him, grabbing his head.
Stephen opened his teary eyes, but the memory brought a smile to his face. He walked to Wong and said,
"Wong, I want him back. I can’t lose him to anyone. I’m going to tell him that."
"Wait, I’ll come with you," Wong said.
"It’s okay. I’m fine."
Stephen didn’t waste time. He used his magic to find Tony and portaled there. Stephen wanted to tell Tony that he wanted him back and hug him, never letting go.
But what he saw was Tony and his new girlfriend coming out of the hotel. The woman leaned toward Tony, giggling as she spoke. Stephen knew he was too late. He’d lost Tony already.
The whole car ride, Helen's hand rested on Tony's right thigh. Tony knew what she wanted, but he wasn’t sure if he could give it.
When they reached the tower, she began kissing him, one hand grabbing his hair and the other unbuttoning his shirt.
Tony was surprised at first, then tried to go along with her pace. He closed his eyes, but it was Stephen’s face that came to his mind.
This is wrong. Like what he did that night.
Tony suddenly pushed Helen away.
"Hey, what happened?" Helen asked.
"Helen, I’m sorry. I can’t," Tony said.
"Why? Are you still thinking about him? I think after tonight, you could completely forget him," Helen said, slowly walking toward him, one hand running down his face.
She leaned in to kiss him again, but Tony pulled away.
"Please, I can’t. Not today," Tony said.
Disappointment was clear on her face.
"Okay," she said, sitting on the edge of the bed.
There was a deep silence between them. Tony couldn’t bear seeing anyone else in Stephen’s spot. It was only for Stephen, always.
"You can sleep in the guest room. Come with me," Tony said.
"You don’t even want me in your bedroom?" she asked, smirking.
"Not that. I just don’t want you to feel uncomfortable," Tony said.
"I already am. You don’t have to bother. Friday will show me the room," Helen said, walking out of the room.
Tony sat on the bed, sighing. He’d ruined this too.