Chapter 2
Steve was walking to Tony's house—no, the tower. He couldn't bear seeing Tony upset. When Steve moved from Brooklyn to the heart of New York City, he missed his friends and family, especially his best friend Bucky. But that’s when he made new friends. And Tony was something else. He was infuriating most of the time, but Steve cherished his shenanigans. It took him another two years to realize that the feelings he had for Tony weren't just friendship; they were more than that. Yes, Steve had a crush on Tony, and he couldn't help it. Tony was always in one relationship or another, and he had never seen Steve in that way. Steve didn’t have the courage to confess his feelings because he couldn't bear losing him as a friend.
Steve walked into the tower. Tony’s mother was sitting on the couch.
"Hi, Steve. How are you?" Maria asked.
"Hi, Mrs. Stark. Is Tony here?" Steve asked.
"Yes, he’s in the lab. Did something happen this morning? He seemed very upset," Maria asked.
"Nothing serious, Mrs. Stark. You know how he gets upset over silly things. Can I see him?" Steve asked.
"Sure, honey," Maria said, smiling.
Steve walked to the lab and knocked.
"I'm okay, Mom. I'm working," Tony’s voice came from inside.
"Tony, it’s me. Please open the door," Steve said.
Tony unlocked the door and let Steve inside.
"What do you want, Steve?" Tony asked, annoyed.
"I just want to check on you," Steve said.
"I’m okay. You can leave," Tony said.
"No, you’re not. Tony, what happened that made you this upset?" Steve asked.
"Steve, you should have heard the way that dick talked to me. He said no one cares about who I am," Tony said.
"Tony, he doesn’t even know you. As your friend, I know how much of a good person you are and why everyone likes you. That guy is just too arrogant to see it. Leave it. You don’t need his validation. You have me—I mean, us—your friends," Steve said.
Tony was silent for a moment. Then he said, "You’re right, Steve. Why should I care about what that douchebag said? I have you guys."
"Yes, that’s it," Steve said.
"Thanks, Steve. You’re really a good friend," Tony said, hugging Steve.
Steve felt his cheeks redden, but it was just a friendly hug.
"Uh, Tony, the guys are gathering at Thor’s house. Will you come?" Steve asked, trying to retain his composure.
"Sure, let’s go," Tony said, smiling widely.
Steve couldn’t help noticing how cute his friend was, and it made everything harder.
Steve and Tony went together to Thor’s house. Their other friends were already there.
"Tony, you came. I thought you wouldn’t," Thor said.
"Why wouldn’t I?" Tony asked as he entered the room.
"What’s the plan?" Steve asked.
"We could watch a movie, or we can play Truth or Dare," Thor said, smirking at Tony.
"Oh, shut up," Tony said, rolling his eyes.
"But Tony, I can’t believe you got upset by a stranger's words. I didn’t know you were a softie," Clint said.
"I’m not a softie. I just... I’ve never... Nobody has talked to me like that," Tony said, whining.
"Cut it out, Tony. What’s the matter? You’re acting like you really want his number," Nat said, scoffing.
"I don’t want his number. Why would I want his number?" Tony said, protesting.
"I don’t know. He’s kind of cute. I would want his number," Nat said, smirking.
"Okay, then go and get it," Tony said, rolling his eyes.
The doorbell rang.
"I’ll get it," Tony said. He wanted to walk away from the situation.
Tony opened the door and saw the person he least wanted to see. It was him—the arrogant boy he saw in the park.
"Stark, what are you doing here?" the boy asked, frowning.
"I should ask you the same question. What are you doing at my friend’s house?" Tony asked, quirking his eyebrows.
"Is Loki or Mrs. Frigga here? I’m here to get my keys," Stephen said.
"No, both of them are not here. So, get lost," Tony said, trying to shut the door.
But Stephen caught the door before it closed.
"Call someone who is in this house. I need to get into my house," Stephen said.
"That’s not my problem. Can you stop interrupting our party and leave?" Tony asked.
"What a douchebag you are," Stephen said, glaring at him.
"You’re one to talk, asshole," Tony snapped back.
"What’s going on here?" Thor asked, coming to the door.
"Oh, hi, Stephen," he said.
"Hey, my mom said our house key is here. Can I get that? My siblings are waiting in the car, and my younger brother is three. He needs to be fed," Stephen said.
Tony didn’t know there were small kids waiting. That made him feel a little bad for making Stephen wait.
"Oh, sure! Mom told me to give the key to you. Come on in," Thor said.
"No, it’s okay. I have to leave now," Stephen said.
"Okay, give me a minute," Thor said and went inside to get the key.
"Uh, I didn’t know a baby was waiting in the car," Tony said in a small voice.
"Oh, then you would have made me wait longer," Stephen spat out.
Thor came back with the key.
"Here’s your key. Are you sure you don’t want to come in?" Thor asked.
"No, Thor. I don’t want to interrupt your house party," Stephen said, glaring at Tony.
"Okay, cool. Maybe next time, you could join us," Thor said.
"Sure, thanks," Stephen said and left for his car.
"Come on, Tony. Let’s watch the movie," Thor said, closing the door.
Stephen got into the car and started it.
"What took you so long?" Donna, his sister, asked.
"I had to deal with a jerk... a gentleman there," Stephen corrected himself, remembering the little one in the car.
"Steeephen, I’m hungry," Stephen’s 3-year-old brother whined.
"Yes, yes. Let’s go," Stephen said, starting the car.
When they reached home, Stephen took the kid in his arms and got him his dinner.
"When are Mom and Dad coming?" the boy asked.
"Victor, they’re doing a very long surgery. They’ll be late," Stephen said.
"Why are you lying, Steph? Mom and Dad went on a date, abandoning us," Donna said.
"They didn’t abandon us, Donna. They’re always working at the hospital or taking care of us. They also need a break," Stephen said.
"They’re having fun, but we’re sitting here bored. If we had stayed in Nebraska, we could at least spend time with our friends. Here, we don’t have any friends," the girl said, pouting.
"Mom and Dad got really great jobs here. And New York is the best place for our education. As for friends, we can make new ones. I’ve heard there are a lot of kids in this neighborhood," Stephen said.
"Is that true?" Donna asked.
"Yes. Now both of you finish your dinner and get to sleep," Stephen said.
"Okay," the kids said.
Tony was watching the movie with his friends. He was sitting between Steve and Bruce. All of them were enjoying the movie, except Tony. That Strange boy was haunting him. Tony was a very likable person, and everyone loved him. But why did Stephen hate him? He didn’t even know him. Tony was lost in his thoughts.
"Tony, are you okay?" Steve asked.
"Yes, I’m just sleepy," Tony said, leaning against Steve's side.
Steve put an arm around him, making him comfortable.
Steve was right. Why should he think about him? He had great friends. Tony thought and tried to focus on the film.
Steve couldn’t stop smiling when Tony leaned against him. Whatever those feelings were, they were killing him every day. Steve noticed Nat looking at them with a knowing smile. He brushed it off and watched the movie.