Chapter 11
Tony decided to visit Steve the next morning at his home. When he arrived, the house was locked, so he waited outside. Soon, Steve came back all sweaty from his morning jog.
"Tony, what are you doing here?" Steve asked.
"You won't pick up my calls, won't reply to my texts. What have I done?" Tony asked, frowning.
"I wasn't feeling well yesterday," Steve said.
"Steve, talk to me," Tony insisted, staring at him.
"It's nothing," Steve replied.
"I know what it is," Tony said.
Steve tensed up, worried that Tony knew he had feelings for him.
"You don't want to act as my boyfriend. It's making you uncomfortable. Am I right?" Tony asked.
"Tony, it's not like that," Steve began.
"I understand, Steve. I was selfish to ask you to do that. If you're uncomfortable, you don't have to. You're important to me, Steve. I can't lose you. I just wanted to escape people seeing me as a slut, and I couldn't think of anyone but you to help me. I'm sorry," Tony explained.
"Tony, why do you have to pretend? You could get a real boyfriend," Steve suggested, struggling to be direct.
"Steve, I don't want to jump into a relationship right now. If I'm looking for a relationship, it should be something special. It's okay, Steve, you don't have to do it," Tony said.
"Tony, I want to help. I can do that," Steve said, placing a reassuring hand on Tony's shoulder.
"Are you sure?" Tony asked.
"Yes," Steve replied with a smile.
"Thanks," Tony said, hugging him.
"Tony, I'm all sweaty," Steve pointed out.
But Tony didn't pull away.
"I know you're uncomfortable with me kissing you. So I promise, no more kissing on the lips," Tony said.
"Alright," Steve replied, chuckling.
"Okay, Steve, I have to meet Mr. Douchebag at my lab. I have to go," Tony said.
"Tony, if you want me to talk to him, I will," Steve offered.
"Not needed. I can handle him," Tony said with a wink as he walked away.
Steve couldn't stop himself from having feelings for Tony, but he would wait for Tony to be ready for that.
Over the next two days, Tony and Stephen tried to work on their project, but it was in vain. One of them would always start an argument that would last for hours.
Stephen was at home, playing with Victor.
"Stephen, how is your project going?" Eugene asked.
"It's... going well," Stephen said.
"Have you guys made a working model?" Eugene inquired.
"Uh, no," Stephen admitted.
"Then what?" Eugene pressed.
"We've made a blueprint," Stephen said in a small voice.
"What? You've been working with him for three days, and all you've got is a blueprint?" Eugene asked.
"Dad, I told you, I can't work with him. We're always arguing," Stephen said.
"Stephen, this is a very important project for SI. I convinced Mr. Stark that you would do well. Don't fail me," Eugene urged.
"Dad, I'm trying. But he..." Stephen began.
"I don't want to hear about Tony. I'm talking about you," Eugene said sternly.
"Okay, I will try," Stephen said.
"Yes, you should," Eugene replied before leaving.
"Stephen?" Victor called out.
"Yes?"
"Why are you always fighting with Tony?" Victor asked.
"Victor, some people are not easy to deal with," Stephen explained.
"You know how I made Sam and Eddie friends in my kindergarten? I gave them chocolates, and they said thank you. Then we started talking about the things we like, and we became best friends," Victor said.
"I wish it were that easy," Stephen said, chuckling.
"You should try it. You might become friends," Victor suggested.
"Okay, thanks for the tip," Stephen said, chuckling.
"Anytime," the boy said, giggling.
At dinner, Howard asked, "So, Tony, when can I see the final model of your project?"
"Uh, we're still working on it," Tony replied.
"Okay, I'm asking for an ETA."
"We haven't started working on it yet."
"What do you mean you haven't started? I told you this is an important project for SI," Howard said, his tone sharp.
"Yes, but..." Tony began.
"I don't need to hear excuses. Start working on it and submit the final draft to me. Do you hear me?" Howard demanded.
"Yes, Dad," Tony replied in a small voice. He left the table without finishing his dinner.
"Howard, why did you speak to him like that?" Maria asked.
"Maria, he needs to be scolded sometimes, or he'll become lazy," Howard said.
"He's sad," Maria noted.
"He'll be okay," Howard replied and continued eating.
Tony felt pressured by everything. He didn't know how to work with Stephen. The arguments they had might seem silly to others, but to them, they were worth fighting over. Still, he knew they needed to stop and finish the project. Maybe he could convince Stephen by speaking normally. That might help.
The next day, Stephen decided to follow his younger brother's advice. Victor was only three, but his idea might work. Stephen didn't necessarily want to be friends with Tony, but a non-hostile relationship might help their project.
Stephen stood in front of Tony's lab door, took a deep breath, and entered. As expected, Tony was working. Stephen approached him.
"Good morning, Tony," Stephen said.
Tony looked surprised. Stephen had never greeted him before or called him by his first name.
"Morning," Tony replied suspiciously.
"Robotics is your favorite, right? I came across this book at the bookstore about the past and future of robotics. I thought you might like it," Stephen said, taking a book out of his bag.
"I prefer audiobooks over reading," Tony said, still looking suspicious.
"Oh, okay. Then I'll return it," Stephen said, putting the book back in his bag.
"Who are you, and what have you done with Stephen Strange?" Tony asked.
"Uh, Tony, I know you don't like me. But if we need to work together, we should forget about the hostility and stop arguing," Stephen suggested.
"Mm, I agree. But what are you proposing? Being friends?" Tony asked.
"We could be work buddies with fewer arguments," Stephen proposed.
"Okay, so shall we start, or do you want to keep pretending to be a nice guy concealing an inner asshole?" Tony asked, smirking.
"See? You're not helping," Stephen said, glaring.
"Okay, okay. I was just testing you. No more mean comments," Tony said, chuckling.
That day, their work surprisingly went well. They made a lot of progress, and both felt proud of themselves.
"I think that's enough for today," Tony said.
"Yeah, we did great," Stephen agreed.
"And we didn't have a single argument," Tony added.
"Yes, that's a nice development. See you tomorrow?" Stephen asked.
"Yes."
"Okay, bye," Stephen said, slinging his bag over his shoulder.
"Uh, Stephen? Can I see that book?" Tony asked.
"You said you don't read books," Stephen reminded him.
"Reading is a good habit that I want to start," Tony said.
Stephen smiled slightly and took the book out of his bag, handing it to Tony. Their hands brushed a little as Tony took the book. He had never seen Stephen smile at him before. It made him look handsome, Tony thought, feeling his cheeks heat up.
"See ya," Stephen said and left the lab.
Tony sat in his chair and opened the book, a wide smile spreading across his face. He didn't even know why he was smiling.
Stephen walked home, where Victor was playing with Donna. He picked up the boy and tossed him gently into the air, catching him, which made Victor giggle.
"Thank you, Victor. Your tip worked," Stephen said.
"I told you, didn't I? That's how I make friends," Victor said proudly.
"What are you two talking about?" Donna asked, frowning.
"It's our little secret, right, Vic?" Stephen asked.
"Yes," Victor agreed.
Stephen went to his room while his two siblings argued in the background. He sat down, thinking about the day. Tony had called him by his first name and even smiled at him. Stephen loved the look on Tony's face. It made him look even cuter. Maybe being friends with him wouldn't be so bad after all.