Chapter 12
Stephen and Tony were working together in the lab. They were doing well; they didn't make mean comments or friendly talk, but that was good for their work.
"We're good for today, right?" Stephen asked, putting his laptop in his bag.
"Yeah," Tony replied.
Tony noticed a Black Sabbath T-shirt inside Stephen's bag.
"Are you a Black Sabbath fan?" Tony asked.
"Yes, why?" Stephen responded.
"Nothing, you just have good taste in music," Tony said.
"Yes, I do," Stephen said.
"Then why do you hate me?" Tony asked, frowning.
"Do we need to talk about this now?" Stephen asked.
"Yes, I want to know what's so unlikable about me and what I've done to make you hate me," Tony said.
"I don't hate you. Actually, I was very much obsessed with your work."
"Everyone is," Tony said, smirking.
Stephen glared at him.
"Alright, I'll shut up. Where were you? Oh yeah, you were obsessed with my work," Tony said with a smirk.
"I'm not doing this," Stephen said, standing up.
"I'm sorry, please go on. You didn't tell me why you hate me," Tony said.
"I said I don't hate you. When I got here, all I could hear about you was how much of an attention seeker you are and how you use people for your own purposes. I didn't believe any of it. But when you made a move on me, like you could have anyone you want, I felt they were true," Stephen explained.
"Made a move on you? Are you talking about the park incident?" Tony asked.
"Yes."
"Stephen, for the 100th time, it was a dare. Loki dared me to get your number. I've never approached anyone ever; it's always the opposite," Tony said.
"So, you weren't hitting on me?"
"No. Tell me, what else?" Tony pressed.
"What?" Stephen asked, frowning.
"So, this is all. You hate me because I'm always in the spotlight?" Tony said, chuckling.
"Okay, now you tell me. Why do you hate me?" Stephen asked back.
"Have you ever listened to yourself talking? You can cut people into pieces with your words. Have you ever talked to me nicely?" Tony asked.
Stephen remembered the way he talked to Tony when the road accident happened.
"Uh, I'm sorry if I hurt you," Stephen said in a small voice.
"What was that?" Tony asked with an amused smile.
"Don't make me say that again," Stephen growled.
"Oh, your pride must have been hurt, right?" Tony said, chuckling.
"Okay, your apology is accepted," Tony added.
"That's so graceful of you," Stephen said, mocking him.
Tony chuckled again.
"Okay, let me go," Stephen said.
"What's the hurry? Do you have weekend plans with your girlfriend?" Tony asked.
"No. Christine is not here. She went home. Why? Do you have any plans with me?" Stephen asked, smirking.
"Oh! You wish. Remember, we're not allowed to spend time together outside work," Tony said.
"Of course. I don't even want to," Stephen said, scoffing.
He started walking to the door.
"Have a shitty weekend, Strange," Tony called out.
"You too, Stark," Stephen said without looking back and left the lab.
Tony chuckled at that comeback. Nobody has ever matched his quirk, intelligence, or character. But Stephen could do it effortlessly. Tony knew a part of his heart had started liking that arrogant boy. Tony couldn't help it.
Tony was in his bedroom, reading the book Stephen had given him. There was nothing special about that book; Tony already knew everything mentioned in it. But Tony kept smiling as he read it. He didn't even notice Bruce entering the room.
"What are you smiling at?" Bruce asked, which made Tony jump.
"Bruce, can't you knock? You gave me a heart attack," Tony said, sitting up.
"What are you reading that has you this invested? First of all, when did you start reading?" Bruce asked, sitting near him.
"Stephen gave me this book. I was just going through it," Tony said.
"So, now you're on speaking terms?" Bruce asked.
"Yeah, he's not that bad. And Bruce, the knowledge he has about neuroscience and biology is unbelievable. Anyone could listen to him talk about science. You know, he has a comeback for everything I say. Nobody can do that. He's not just cute, Bruce; he's more than that," Tony rambled.
"It seems like someone has a crush on Stephen," Bruce said, whistling.
"What? I don't have a crush on him," Tony said, frowning.
"Tony, you called him smart, intelligent, and cute. Also, you're reading a basic science book, smiling only because it was his gift. You need more proof?" Bruce asked, smirking.
Tony was also shocked by the revelation.
"Do I?" Tony asked.
"Okay, let's assess this analytically. Tell me, do you like spending time with him?" Bruce asked.
"At first, I didn't. But now I look forward to our lab time. But it's just because he's a good work buddy."
"Alright, do you think he's attractive?"
"He's attractive. Everyone can see that," Tony said, rolling his eyes.
"Do you feel jealous when he talks about his girlfriend?"
Tony thought about that for a second.
"He has never talked about his girlfriend. So, I don't know," Tony said.
"Okay, if your answer to my last question is a yes, you definitely have a crush on him," Bruce said.
"Bruce, stop saying that. I don't have a crush on him. I can't..." Tony said, groaning and lying down.
"Tony, it's okay. It's normal to have feelings," Bruce said.
"I don't have feelings," Tony said, glaring.
"Okay, then can I take this book with me?" Bruce asked, taking the book from Tony.
"Why do you want this? I haven't finished it yet," Tony said, grabbing it back.
"Of course, you don't have feelings," Bruce said, chuckling.
"Good night, Tony. Dream about Stephen," Bruce sang as he left the room.
Tony was confused about what Bruce had said. But he would figure it out. He was a scientist. Like Bruce said, if the answer to the third question was also a yes, Tony would have his answer. But Tony didn't see Stephen for two days, which disappointed him a little.
Stephen was having dinner with his family.
"Stephen, how is your project going?" Eugene asked.
"It's going pretty well. We were stuck on finding the code to transform neurosignals to mechanical signals, but we figured it out yesterday," Stephen said.
"Great. You're doing a great job, Stephen," Eugene said.
"Actually, Tony solved it. His brain is one of a kind," Stephen said.
"Of course, how many 16-year-old kids get admission to MIT? So, you and he are friends now?" Eugene asked.
"Not friends, but we don't fight like before," Stephen said.
"I helped him, Daddy!" Victor perked up.
"Good job, Vic" Eugene said smiling
"Yes, he did," Stephen said, chuckling.
"Stephen, why don't you invite Tony here? We could meet him personally," Beverly suggested.
"Mom, I don't think he'll come. I told you we're not friends," Stephen said.
"No surprise there. Would any sane person be your friend?" Donna said, smirking.
"How many friends do you have, Donna? You were whining about not having anyone to hang out with before," Stephen said, smirking.
Donna kicked his shin. Stephen knocked her head back.
"Stephen, Donna, stop it. Don't act like babies," Eugene warned.
"Dad, I'm so bored here. We should have stayed in Nebraska," Donna said, pouting.
"Don't worry, tomorrow we're going for a picnic. We will spend the whole day playing and having fun," Eugene said.
"Seriously?" Donna asked, excited.
"Yes," Beverly confirmed.
Donna and Victor squealed with happiness. Stephen chuckled at that.