Chapter 10
Stephen woke up earlier than usual. He was excited to work on a real project, not just campus ones. He got ready and went to the tower. Jarvis was at the entrance to welcome him.
"Good morning, Stephen," he greeted.
"Good morning," Stephen replied.
"Tony is in the lab. Please come," Jarvis said.
"Thanks," Stephen said, following him.
When Stephen entered the lab, he saw Tony typing on his laptop. He sat down in front of Tony.
"Hi, have you finished the blueprint?" Stephen asked.
"Yes, take a look," Tony said, turning his laptop to show Stephen his work.
Stephen went through it. He expected a rough draft that could only be done in a day, but it was a complete one.
"Is this the final version?" Stephen asked, surprised.
"Yes," Tony replied.
"You completed it in one day?" Stephen asked in shock.
"Actually, three hours," Tony said, smirking.
"Great," Stephen said.
Tony didn't expect praise from Stephen, and he felt his cheeks getting warmer.
"So, we can start working on this, right?" Stephen asked.
"Yes, or else why would I ask you to come here? To see your stupid face?" Tony said, scoffing.
"Maybe. Some people find this face attractive," Stephen retorted.
"I'm not one of those people," Tony replied.
"Of course. I'm glad to hear that I'm not your type, because I've seen your choice of men. Very pathetic," Stephen shot back.
"What's wrong with my type?" Tony asked, frowning.
"If I had to describe each one, it would take all day, right? You have such a long list of lovers," Stephen said, scoffing.
"That's because people like me, unlike you. I don't even understand how Christine wants to date you. She seems nice," Tony said.
"She is nice, and she has good taste in men. Not like you," Stephen responded.
"You... Stop talking about my taste," Tony said, walking closer to him.
"What if I don't? Will you make me?" Stephen challenged, stepping closer.
Stephen loomed over Tony, his height giving him an air of dominance. The two of them were in a staring contest until the door to the lab opened. It was Steve.
Tony averted his gaze from Stephen and saw Steve.
"Steve, what are you doing here?" Tony asked.
"I just wanted to check on you. If you're busy, I'll leave," Steve said, glancing at Stephen.
"No, no, wait," Tony said, walking over to him. He looped his arms around Steve's neck and leaned in.
"You just wanted to check on me?" Tony asked in a flirty voice.
"Yeah," Steve said, blushing hard.
"That's so sweet of you. You deserve a reward for that," Tony said and kissed him slowly. It was more than the usual peck they shared. When Tony pulled away, Steve was as red as a tomato.
"This is so you won't miss me. See you after this?" Tony asked, smiling.
"Yeah, bye," Steve said, flustered, and left the lab.
Tony turned back to see Stephen, who was also turning red, but not from blushing.
"See, that's my taste in men. Handsome, nice, caring, romantic, strong..." Tony described.
"I'm not here to listen to your dating stories, Stark. Get to work," Stephen snapped.
"Oh! Now you don't want to hear it. Admit it, I have good taste in men," Tony said, smirking.
"Why do you want my validation?" Stephen asked.
"I don't want your validation," Tony said, frowning.
"Then stop this nonsense and get to work. I want to end this as soon as possible. I don't want to spend my days with someone I hate," Stephen said.
"The feeling is mutual, Strange. I don't even want to see your face," Tony snapped back. He sat beside Stephen and started typing angrily.
"This is all hell," Stephen muttered.
"I heard that. You think I'm enjoying it?" Tony asked.
"I don't know, you tell me. I can see your desperation to get attention from everyone. Now you're trying to get mine. Sorry, Stark, you'll never get it," Stephen said.
"Who the hell do you think you are? I don't even care if you exist or not," Tony said.
"Of course, that's why you wanted to get my number, isn't it?" Stephen said, chuckling bitterly.
"That was a stupid dare," Tony said.
"Oh, now you want to call it that, just to save face?" Stephen scoffed.
"I don't have to..." Tony started, but he stopped when he saw Jarvis entering the lab.
"What is it, J?" Tony asked, annoyed.
"Tony, we have to go to the lunch gathering your parents mentioned," Jarvis said.
"It's at 1, right?" Tony asked.
"It's already 12, Tony. You need to get ready," Jarvis said.
Tony checked his watch. It was indeed 12. They had wasted two hours just arguing, and no work was done.
"See? No work done. Thanks to you," Tony sneered at Stephen.
"How is this my fault? You wanted to keep arguing instead of doing actual work," Stephen said.
"And who started it?" Tony shot back.
"I..." Before Stephen could say anything, Jarvis intervened.
"Tony, you don't have time to waste. Get ready fast."
"Yes, coming," Tony said, walking out of the lab. Stephen also took his bag and left the tower.
"I can't work with him, Christine. His ego is bigger than his size," Stephen complained to his girlfriend over the phone.
"Steph, just let him be. You can stay calm. You're going to work; just do that and come back," Christine said.
"You're saying this because you don't know him. He's arrogant, stubborn, and opinionated about everything. He thinks he's the best at everything," Stephen said.
"I know someone like that," Christine said, smirking.
"What?" Stephen frowned.
"Steph, do you know why you two are always butting heads? You both have the same personality. So if one of you doesn't stay calm, your project is never going to end," Christine said.
"I don't know. I think agreeing to work on this project was a bad decision," Stephen groaned.
"Come on. It's just the first day. You two will get along," Christine said.
Stephen also hoped that, for the sake of his project, but he wasn't sure.
"Bruce, he always gets on my nerves. You know, we spent two hours shouting at each other," Tony was telling his friends about his day.
"Why can't you keep silent?" Bruce asked.
"And let him spew all his nonsense? I can't do that," Tony said.
"If you don't, this project is going to drag on, and you'll have to suffer him every day," Nat said.
"Yes, Nat is right. You two should be friends for the sake of your project, right, Steve?" Thor asked.
"Uh, what?" Steve was lost in thought.
After the kiss with Tony, he couldn't stop thinking about him. Steve knew Tony was just acting, but it only increased his attraction to him.
"What happened to you? You've been zoning out since this morning," Nat asked.
"Nothing, I should go home," Steve said.
"Without kissing me goodbye?" Tony asked, smirking.
The others laughed.
"Tony, please..." Steve said and walked out.
"What's wrong with him?" Tony asked, frowning.
"I'll check on him," Nat said and followed Steve.
"Hey, Steve! Stop," Nat said, running after him.
"What?" Steve asked, annoyed.
"Talk to me. What's bothering you?" Nat asked.
"Nat, Tony kissed me. It wasn't like always. It was more than a peck. He just wanted to do it to show off to Stephen. He's doing all this just to show others. I can't do this anymore," Steve said.
"Steve, listen. It's not the time to make a move on Tony. He's more invested in the project. Let's wait for a few more days," Nat said.
"You're saying that until then, I have to act as his boyfriend. It hurts, Nat. Only I have feelings for him. He will never love me back," Steve said sadly.
"Steve, Tony likes you. But he hasn't thought about a relationship with you because he's not ready. I'm sure he would be happy to be your boyfriend," Nat said.
"I don't know. I don't want to think about any of this. Bye," Steve said and started walking.
Nat returned to the tower.
"Is he okay?" Tony asked.
"Yes, he's just tired from the day," Nat said.
Tony knew something was wrong with his friend. He would definitely talk to him.