Chapter 18
Tony was sitting in his room listening to music when Bruce entered.
"It seems like you're in a good mood," Bruce said.
"Yes, I am. How did the picnic go?" Tony asked.
"It was fun. You and Steve missed it," Bruce replied.
"Steve didn't come?" Tony asked.
"No, Steve left for his hometown. He didn't tell you?" Bruce asked.
"No, he hasn't replied to my texts for the last two days.
Something is wrong, Bruce. He's not talking to me," Tony said.
"It's nothing, Tony. He must be busy with something. Leave it. How are things with Stephen going? Did you meet him today?" Bruce asked.
"Yes, I went to his house," Tony said.
"Oh... this has reached that stage," Bruce said, smirking.
"No, Stephen is sick, so he didn't come to the lab today. I went to check on him," Tony explained.
"Tony, you should make a move on him," Bruce suggested.
"Brucie, how can I? He doesn’t see me like that," Tony said, pouting.
"But you’ll get an answer. Or you'll be heartbroken," Bruce said.
"What should I do?" Tony asked.
"Tell him how you feel tomorrow. If he's not interested, you should stop pining over him."
"Okay," Tony said in a small voice.
After Bruce left, Tony took out his phone and texted Stephen.
"Hey, how are you feeling?" Tony sent.
He had to wait a couple of minutes for a reply.
"Better. But I don’t think I can come to the lab tomorrow. The fever’s still there," Stephen replied.
Tony felt disappointed.
"Okay. I know you won’t be needing any help from me because your parents are doctors, but just saying, you can call me if you need anything," Tony typed.
"Wow, Stark has a good heart! I didn’t know that 😏" Stephen replied.
"Actually, I’m going to be alone tomorrow. My mom and dad have a surgery to attend, and my siblings are at a camp," Stephen added.
"Are you asking for my company? 😏" Tony replied.
Stephen saw the message but didn’t reply immediately. Tony was about to type something else when Stephen responded.
"What if I am?" Stephen sent.
"You’re lucky my schedule is clear tomorrow," Tony replied without hesitation.
"😂 Good night," Stephen sent.
Tony put down his phone. Like Bruce had said, he should tell Stephen how he felt. If he got a negative response, he would stop chasing after him.
The next morning, Tony went to Jarvis.
"J, what should we eat when we have a fever?" Tony asked.
"You have a fever?" Jarvis asked, worried, and touched his forehead.
"No, J, not me. Just tell me," Tony said.
"Chicken soup would be good," Jarvis replied.
"Can you make some chicken soup?" Tony asked timidly.
"If you don’t have a fever, then who is it for?" Jarvis asked.
"It’s... for Stephen," Tony said.
"What? Doesn’t he have anyone at home to give him food?" Jarvis asked.
"His parents are busy, and he’s alone. Please, J, can you make some?" Tony pleaded, whining.
"Okay, okay, I will. But Tony, having feelings is normal at your age. Be ready for what comes," Jarvis said.
"Jarvis, I don’t have..." Tony started, but Jarvis interrupted him.
"Tony, I’ve raised you since the day you were born. I know you better than your parents. I don’t want to see you get hurt," Jarvis said before leaving for the kitchen.
Stephen was sitting on the couch, watching TV, feeling bored when he heard the doorbell.
Stephen was confused about who would come over at this time. He opened the door and saw Tony standing outside with a vessel in his hand.
"Tony?" Stephen asked, surprised.
"Were you expecting someone else?" Tony teased.
"No, why do you ask?" Stephen replied.
"You look shocked to see me," Tony said.
"I didn’t expect you to come," Stephen admitted.
"I told you my schedule was free. Aren’t you going to invite me in?" Tony asked.
"Oh, sorry. Come in," Stephen said, moving out of the way.
Tony walked in and sat on the couch.
"What’s this?" Stephen asked, looking at the vessel in Tony's hand.
"Oh, it’s for you. Chicken soup," Tony said.
"I only have a fever, and you’re trying to give me diarrhea?" Stephen joked.
"FYI, I didn’t cook it. Jarvis did. And he’s the best. You’ll be fine," Tony said.
"Oh, thanks," Stephen said, taking the vessel.
"Here, have it. It won’t be good cold," Tony insisted.
Stephen opened the lid and took a spoonful.
"Mmm... it’s good," Stephen said.
"I told you, Jarvis is the best," Tony said proudly.
"You're lucky you get to eat such tasty food every day," Stephen said, eating more.
"Yeah, and I'm lucky to have him in my life. He's not just a butler to me. He's my friend, a parent, and my guide. His presence helps me stay away from loneliness," Tony said.
"You have so many friends, and your parents are the wealthiest people in the world, yet you're lonely?" Stephen asked, scoffing.
"My friends are always there for me. But in the tower, I'm always alone. You have a loving mom, dad, and sweet siblings. You'll never understand that," Tony said sadly.
"Tony, you don't have to be alone. You can come here anytime. I've told you, my family likes you," Stephen said, smiling.
Tony felt warmth in his heart when Stephen said that. It felt so nice when Stephen talked sweetly, though it happened only occasionally. Tony realized he had been staring at Stephen for too long and quickly averted his gaze to the TV running in the background.
"You're watching Titanic?" Tony asked with an amused laugh.
"Yes. What's so funny about it?" Stephen asked, frowning.
"I never thought you'd watch a romantic movie," Tony said.
"It's not just a romantic movie. Every part of the film is extraordinary. Look at the cinematography and technical brilliance. Honestly, I'm more interested in the non-romantic parts of the film," Stephen said.
"So, you're saying the Jack and Rose love story isn't interesting?" Tony asked, offended.
"You know, there's a theory that Jack is just an imaginary character formed by Rose's traumatized mind. None of it actually happened," Stephen said.
"What? Why would you say that?" Tony asked, whining.
"What?" Stephen asked, chuckling.
"You've ruined the movie for me," Tony said, pouting.
"Really? You think this is a great love story? Letting your boyfriend die and escaping alone? Aren't you an engineer? There's enough space on the plank for both of them," Stephen said.
"I'm never watching a movie with you again," Tony said, pouting. "And Titanic isn't even my favorite love story."
"Okay, then tell me—what's your favorite?" Stephen asked, sitting to face Tony.
"I'm not telling you. You'll ruin it for me," Tony said.
"No, I won't. Tell me," Stephen insisted.
"It's The Notebook," Tony said in a small voice.
"Oh, that's a nice one," Stephen said.
"You like it?" Tony asked, surprised.
"Mm-hmm. I had a huge crush on Rachel McAdams for a long time, so I enjoyed watching it," Stephen said.
"I also watched it because of Ryan Gosling. But the story is good, too," Tony said.
"Yes, it is. Very sweet and very unrealistic," Stephen said.
"See? You're doing it again. How is it unrealistic?" Tony asked, challenging him.
Now the two of them were sitting face-to-face.
"Finding true love doesn't happen to everyone. Some people are lucky to have it. The movie sets an unrealistically high standard for love," Stephen said.
"If you want to find an Allie, you should try to become a Noah first," Tony retorted.
"Mm-hmm. So, did you find your Noah yet?" Stephen asked, smirking.
"I think I have. But that asshole isn't ready to be the one. Maybe that's because he already has someone else," Tony said in a small voice.
"Oh? And who would that asshole be?" Stephen asked, a little excited. He secretly wished Tony would say his name, though he knew it was a ridiculous hope.
Stephen could see Tony's face turning red.
"Uh, Stephen... I... I want to tell you something," Tony said, stuttering.
"Sure, go on," Stephen said.
"I... It might be stupid, and you might laugh at me after I say it," Tony said, still stuttering.
"I won't, I promise. Tell me—what is it?" Stephen asked, leaning closer to him.
"Stephen, I think I—" Tony started, but he was interrupted by the doorbell.
Stephen startled as well.
"Wait a minute. Let me check," Stephen said, getting up to open the door.
Stephen opened it to see Christine standing there.
"Christine?" Stephen asked, surprised.
"Hey, Steph," she said, hugging him.
"You didn’t tell me you were coming," Stephen said.
"You surprised me at my house last week. Can't I do the same? I wanted to check how you're doing," Christine said, walking inside and linking her arm with Stephen’s.
She saw Tony sitting on the couch.
"Hi, Tony. You're here," she said, smiling.
"Hey, I just came over to check on him," Tony replied.
"Great, you two are friends now. Stephen used to complain about you every day to me," Christine said, sitting on the couch with Stephen.
"Steph, you're watching Titanic? Tony, did you know we watched it on our first date?" Christine said, leaning in to kiss Stephen.
But Stephen pulled away.
"Christy, I'm sick," Stephen said.
"I don’t care. I missed you so much," she said, kissing him anyway.
When they pulled away, Stephen looked at Tony. He could see the hurt in Tony's eyes and felt angry at himself for causing it.
"Uh, Stephen, I'm leaving. Come to the lab when you're better. We need to finish the project ASAP," Tony said, standing up and walking quickly to the door.
"Excuse me," Stephen said to Christine before following Tony.
"Tony, wait," Stephen called from the doorway.
"Yeah?" Tony asked.
"You were saying something," Stephen reminded him.
"It's nothing. I was just playing around. Bye, Stephen. Go back to your girlfriend," Tony said with a forced smile, walking away.
Stephen knew what Tony had been about to say. He had seen it in Tony's eyes. But he didn’t know what to do, especially with Christine there.
Tony cried all the way home, tears streaming down his face. He felt stupid for thinking Stephen could ever have feelings for him when he had someone as pretty as Christine. He should never have let himself feel this way.
When Tony got home, he locked himself in his room and lay on the bed, still crying. Stephen's scarf was lying nearby. He threw it off the bed and kept crying.
Falling for Stephen had been a huge mistake.