Chapter 21
All the Avengers had reached the hospital. They had also sustained some minor injuries.
Tony was lying on the bed while Peter cuddled next to him, exhausted from crying.
The poor boy had fallen asleep.
Pepper and Rhodey rushed into the room.
"Tony, are you okay?" Pepper asked worriedly.
"Yes, I am," Tony replied.
"How is Stephen?" Pepper asked.
"He is still under observation," Tony said sadly.
"Hey, he will be fine," Pepper reassured him, sitting beside him.
"Tones, how many times have I told you to be careful? You shouldn’t have gone there alone," Rhodey said, concerned.
"I shouldn’t have. That’s why Stephen came to help me, and he got hurt. When Peter wakes up, he’s going to ask for his papa. What am I going to tell him?" Tony asked, his eyes brimming with tears.
"Tony, Stephen will come back. You need to stop worrying—you’ll scare Peter, too," Rhodey said.
"We should take Peter to the tower. It’s better if he doesn’t see Stephen like this," Pepper suggested.
The boy slowly woke up from his sleep.
"Daddy," he called.
"Hey," Tony said, smiling.
"Is Papa okay?" Peter asked.
"Yes, but he’s resting," Tony replied.
"Can I see him?" Peter asked.
"No, Pete. The doctors are treating Papa. We can't go in," Tony said gently.
Peter pouted.
"Hey, I promise I’ll take you to see Papa when he gets better. But for now, can you go with Aunt Pep and Uncle Rhodey?" Tony asked.
"Pete wants to be with you and Papa," the boy whimpered.
"Hey, you can—but not here. We’ll come to the tower when our 'owies' are gone. Now, please go with them," Tony coaxed.
"Pete, we’ll bring you here every day to see Papa and Daddy," Pepper assured him.
"Okay," Peter agreed reluctantly and went with Pepper.
Just then, Christine entered the room.
"Tony, you’re good to go home. I’ll handle the discharge paperwork," she said.
"I’m not going. I’m staying with Stephen," Tony said firmly.
"We’re all here to take care of him. If you stay here, who will take care of Peter?" Christine reasoned.
"I can’t leave Stephen alone," Tony insisted.
"Fine. I forgot—you’re just as stubborn as he is," Christine said, rolling her eyes.
"How is he?" Tony asked.
"He’s stable now, but still unconscious," Christine replied.
"I want to see him," Tony said.
"Okay, come with me," Christine said.
Tony followed her to the observation room. Stephen lay unconscious, bandaged from head to toe. Tony sat on a nearby chair.
"Steph," he called softly.
"Tony, the loss of blood has caused damage to his brain cells. We’ve started neurogenesis treatment," Christine explained.
"What do you mean by 'damage'? You said he was fine," Tony asked, frowning.
"He will be. But it will take time," Christine assured him.
"How long? I can’t see him like this anymore. I’ll take him anywhere in the world if it means bringing him back," Tony said, desperation in his voice.
"Tony, we’re doing everything possible—the best anyone in the world can do. You know Stephen is my best friend. Give us time," Christine said.
"I can’t lose him, Christine," Tony said, tears welling up in his eyes.
"You won’t. I promise," Christine said, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.
She left the room, giving Tony space.
Tony gently caressed Stephen’s head.
"Stephen, I’m so sorry. For everything. Please come back," he whispered, pressing a kiss to his forehead.
But Stephen remained unresponsive.
Tony couldn't hold back his tears. He wanted to tell Stephen that he still loved him and wanted him in his life as his husband. He wanted to make sure he would never fail in his duties as a husband again. He longed to have the happy life they once shared. But it seemed too late.
"YOU CAUSED THIS, TONY!
Don’t even think of touching me again!" Stephen had yelled, tears streaming down his face.
"I’m sorry, baby," Tony had said soothingly.
Stephen was in the hospital bed, and Tony sat beside him, trying to help him through the birth of their son.
"I hate you!" Stephen yelled again.
"Steph, please take a deep breath," Tony said calmly.
"Tony, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean that. Don’t leave me here alone," Stephen sobbed.
"Hey, I know. I know. I will never leave you. It’ll be over soon. Then you and I will be parents," Tony said, kissing his forehead.
Stephen smiled weakly at his husband.
"OWW… FUCKING HELL!" he screamed as another contraction hit.
Tony recalled the first time Stephen had been admitted to the same hospital after they met. That, too, had been because of Tony—but for a good cause.
Before and after that, Tony had been admitted to this hospital countless times after his Iron Man missions.
Each time, Stephen had rushed to see him, personally checking on him, scolding and yelling at him—only for Tony to calm him down with a sweet kiss.
But the last time they were here together had been different. It had been the accident.
Tony’s heart had shattered when he saw his husband lying in the hospital bed—his long, elegant fingers broken and mended with steel rods, his beautiful eyes and lips swollen, his entire body covered in cuts and fractures.
Tony had been terrified. Really terrified.
He was scared Stephen would leave him. Scared Stephen wouldn’t make it. Scared their infant son would grow up without one of his fathers.
But Stephen had survived. Because Stephen was stronger than he looked. He was a fighter. He always found a way back.
Yes, he will survive this too. He has to.
Tony wiped his eyes and gently caressed Stephen’s head again.