Chapter 19
"Thor, did you hear anything from Tony?" Bruce asked.
The group of friends was gathered at the park.
"No, he hasn’t responded in the group chat either," Thor said.
"He told me yesterday that he was going to meet Stephen this morning. I even told him to make a move on him. I called to get an update, but he’s not picking up," Bruce said.
"Bruce, why did you ask him to do that? Stephen must have made a fool of him. You know how harsh he is with words," Thor said.
"Tony was so into Stephen. I didn’t want him to keep hoping and end up heartbroken. That’s why I told him to do it," Bruce said.
"If Stephen had given a positive response, Tony would have called one of us. But he didn’t, which means he’s heartbroken," Nat said.
"What should we do now?" Thor asked.
"Let’s go to the tower," Clint said.
"If Steve were here, it would’ve been easier. He knows how to calm Tony down," Bruce said.
"Let’s see what we can do," Thor said.
Bruce, Thor, Clint, and Nat went to the tower to check on Tony.
"Mr. Jarvis, is Tony here?" Bruce asked.
"Yes, he is. But he’s very upset. Since returning from Stephen’s house, he hasn’t come out," Jarvis said worriedly.
"Can we go inside?" Thor asked.
"Yes, please," Jarvis said.
The group went and knocked on Tony’s door.
"Tony, please open the door. We need to talk to you," Bruce said.
Tony opened the door. His eyes were bloodshot. When he saw them, he hugged Bruce and started crying.
"Hey, what happened?" Bruce asked.
"I’m an idiot, Bruce. I shouldn’t have feelings for him. I don’t deserve someone like him. I’ll never have a dating life like others," Tony sobbed
."It’s okay. We’re all here for you. Stop crying," Bruce said, hugging him closely.
Bruce guided Tony to the bed and made him sit down. The others followed.Tony calmed down after a bit.
"Can you tell us what happened?" Bruce asked gently.
"Like you said, I went to tell him how I felt. And then…" Tony started sobbing again.
"Did he make fun of you? I’m gonna kill that bastard," Thor said, fuming.
"No, Thor. He didn’t. I couldn’t tell him. His girlfriend showed up before I could say anything," Tony finished.
Thor calmed down.
"They’re so perfect together, Bruce. I never had a chance with him. Stephen said they’ve never even fought. But with me, we’re always at odds. Christine is good for him," Tony said, sobbing again.
"Come on, Tony. Let it go. There are plenty of people who’d want to be with you. What’s so special about Stephen? You’ll find someone better," Thor said, pulling Tony into a hug.
"No, Thor. I’ll never find anyone," Tony said, crying into Thor’s chest before eventually falling asleep.
Thor laid Tony on the bed and tucked him in.The group left the room.
"Poor Tony. I’ve never seen him like this before," Bruce said.
"Me neither. Why is he chasing after that guy when he has real friends who care about him?" Nat said.
"I don’t see any fault on Stephen’s side. He doesn’t know Tony has feelings for him," Bruce said.
"Then why was he flirting with him? He was clearly playing with Tony," Thor said angrily.
"It’s good that Steve isn’t here. If he were, he’d probably break Stephen’s face. Guys, don’t tell him anything about this," Bruce said.
"Oh, actually, I already did," Nat said.
"What? What did you tell him?" Clint asked."That Tony confessed his feelings to Stephen, got rejected, and is heartbroken," Nat said.
"Fuck. Now we have no idea what he’s going to do," Bruce said.
Stephen was cuddling with Christine on the couch, watching a movie. But his mind was still on Tony. Was Tony really going to confess his feelings toward him, or was he being delusional? Apart from some petty flirting, Tony had never shown any serious attraction toward him. Maybe Tony had been talking about someone else and needed Stephen's help with that.
Yes, that had to be it. Tony could never have feelings for him because that was how Stephen treated Tony.
Stephen was drowning in these thoughts.
"Stephen, are you okay?" Christine asked.
"Yes, I am," Stephen said, smiling reassuringly.
After some time, Christine fell asleep on Stephen. He took his phone and texted Tony:
"Hey, are you okay?"
"Can we meet at the lab tomorrow?"
"Are you asleep?"
Stephen waited for a response for several minutes, but nothing came. He put the phone down. He wanted to talk to Tony and check if he was okay, but he would have to wait until the next day.
Tony was sleeping in his room, emotionally drained from everything. His friends stayed with him to ensure he was okay.
"Stephen might come over for lab work. What should we do?" Bruce said.
"We shouldn't let him see Tony. It will only hurt him more," Thor said.
"Steve texted me. He's on the way here," Nat said.
"Nat, we should keep Steve away from Stephen, too. You know how protective he is of Tony. We can't predict how he’ll react," Bruce said.
"I might punch Stephen if I see him," Thor said through gritted teeth.
"Thor, we can't blame Stephen for what happened. We don’t even have the full picture," Bruce said.
"Why are you defending him, Bruce, when Tony is in this state?" Thor asked.
"I'm not defending him, Thor. I'm just trying to think practically right now," Bruce replied.
Tony woke up after some time.
"Hey, good morning!" Bruce said.
"Morning. Did you stay here last night?" Tony asked, confused.
"Yes, we did. How are you feeling now?" Thor asked.
"I'm okay. Sorry you guys had to see me like that," Tony said.
"Tony, we’ll always be here for you, no matter what," Thor said, putting an arm around him.
"Go and get ready. We’re going out today," Clint said.
"I can’t. Stephen will be coming over to work with me,"
Tony said, but even saying Stephen’s name made him sad.
"No, no more working. You haven’t spent time with us in ages," Thor said.
"Yes, Tony. We missed you all these days. Come with us. Steve is also coming," Nat added.
"Alright, let’s go," Tony said, smiling faintly.
Tony went to get ready while the others waited outside. At that moment, Steve came rushing in.
"Hey, where’s Tony? Is he okay?" Steve asked.
"Yes, he’s fine now," Nat said.
"What happened? Did Stephen hurt him?" Steve asked angrily.
"Steve, calm down. Tony will tell you everything. Right now, he needs a break. Let’s hang out in the park. Don’t bring up Stephen to him," Bruce said.
Tony came out and saw Steve. He rushed to him and hugged him.
"Steve, where were you? Why didn’t you respond to my messages?" Tony asked.
"Hey, I’m sorry. I went to see my mom," Steve said.
"I thought you were mad at me for making you act like my boyfriend," Tony said, pouting.
"I could never be mad at you, Tony," Steve said, hugging him back.
"Come on, let’s go," Thor said.
The group headed to the park.
Stephen was getting ready to go to Tony’s. He wanted to know how Tony was doing. He checked his phone again, but Tony still hadn’t read any of his texts.
"Stephen, where are you going?" Christine asked.
"To work in the lab with Tony," Stephen said.
"I thought we could hang out together since I’m here," Christine said.
"Christine, you know how important that project is," Stephen replied.
"Yeah, but just for today? Tony will understand," Christine said, pouting.
"Alright, let me inform him," Stephen said.
Stephen knew texting was pointless, so he called Tony instead. But Tony didn’t pick up.
"Christine, he’s not picking up. Let’s go to his house and tell him. I don’t want to make him wait for me," Stephen said.
"Sure, I’ll get ready," Christine said.
Stephen walked to Tony’s house and rang the bell. Jarvis opened the door.
"Hello, is Tony here?" Stephen asked.
"No, Stephen," Jarvis said curtly.
"Oh, okay. Is he okay?" Stephen asked.
"Why wouldn’t he be okay?" Jarvis asked in return.
"Nothing, I’m just asking. Can you tell him to call me back?" Stephen requested.
"I will," Jarvis said.
Stephen walked back to the car, feeling uneasy about Jarvis’s tone. Jarvis was usually very polite, but today he spoke grimly.
"Did you see Tony?" Christine asked.
"No, he’s not at home. Let’s go," Stephen said, starting the car.
In the park, Clint was telling a funny story.
"...and then Loki made Thor wear that slutty skirt and walk through the park," Clint said, laughing.
"I’m never playing truth or dare again," Thor said, pouting.
Tony laughed.
"Oh, I missed that! How many people hit on you that day, Thor?" Tony teased, giggling.
"Shut up, Tony. It’s not funny," Thor retorted, still pouting.
"Thor, you were really slaying that skirt," Bruce added, laughing.
"If you keep talking about it, I’m leaving," Thor warned.
"Okay, okay, we won’t talk about it anymore," Tony said, still chuckling
Tony missed this—spending time with his friends. He loved his time in the lab with Stephen, but this was something else entirely.
The group continued laughing and sharing stories. Tony listened intently, leaning against Steve. Then, out of the corner of his eye, Tony saw Stephen and Christine walking through the park, their hands linked, laughing together.
Tony couldn’t stop staring at them.
"Tony, leave it. You have us," Steve said, holding him close.
Tony nodded slightly with a sad smile.
Stephen noticed Tony and his friends in the park. Seeing Steve holding Tony made Stephen feel a pang of anger. He knew Steve was Tony’s best friend, but this felt different.
"Christine, there’s Tony. I need to tell him something," Stephen said.
"Okay, I’ll wait," Christine replied.
When Stephen and Christine approached, Stephen immediately felt the cold glares from Tony’s friends.
"Hey, Tony," Stephen said hesitantly.
"Hi, Stephen. Are you on a date?" Tony asked, smiling tightly.
Stephen ignored the question.
"I tried calling and texting you. Can we talk?" Stephen asked.
"Tony doesn’t have anything to say to you," Steve said coldly.
"Let Tony speak for himself," Stephen snapped back.
"Stephen, we can talk later. Your girlfriend is waiting," Tony said.
"Tony, what’s going on?" Stephen said, annoyed.
"Strange, leave now," Steve said, standing up.
"Who the hell are you to order me?" Stephen shot back, stepping closer.
"You’ll find out if you keep bothering Tony," Steve growled.
"Wow. You can fool everyone by saying you’re Tony’s boyfriend, but I know the truth. You’re nothing to him," Stephen scoffed.
Steve’s anger boiled over. Unable to hold back, he punched Stephen square in the face. Blood began streaming from Stephen’s nose.
Stephen was stunned but quickly retaliated, landing a punch on Steve’s cheek. Though not as powerful, it left a visible bruise.
"Guys, what the hell is wrong with you?" Tony yelled, stepping between them.
Both men glared at each other, still fuming.
"Stephen, leave," Tony said firmly.
"Tony, I—" Stephen started.
"I said leave," Tony said with finality.
Stephen shot Steve one last glare before storming off.
Tony, unable to bear the scene, stomped off toward his home.
"Tony, wait," his friends called after him, but he didn’t stop.
Steve ran to catch up, grabbing Tony’s arm.
"Tony, please stay," Steve pleaded.
"Hands off, Rogers," Tony said angrily, pulling away.
"Why are you upset now?" Steve asked, exasperated.
"Why am I upset? You started a fight in my name! Why would you punch Stephen?" Tony demanded.
"Because he hurt you! I don’t want to see you hurt," Steve said.
"He didn’t hurt me. I hurt myself by falling in love with him. I knew he had a girlfriend and would never feel the same, but I still fell for him. That’s on me, not him," Tony said, tears streaming down his face.
"You’re in love with him?" Steve asked, his voice breaking.
"Yes, I am. I want to know why did you attacked him. You can't punch people like that for me. I'm just your friend" Tony said.
"Because, Tony, you're not just my friend. You're more than that. I love you. I have been in love with you, all this time." Steve snapped back.
"Steve, you love me?" Tony asked shocked.
"Yes . Tony, why him? What’s so special about him? I could treat you better," Steve said, his own tears falling.
Tony struggled to process everything.
"Steve, I need to be alone right now," Tony said quietly and walked away.
Steve stood there alone, tears streaming down his face.
Stephen stomped toward his car, holding a tissue to his bloody nose. Christine followed him, concerned.
"Stephen, what happened? Can you tell me?" Christine asked worried.
"I got punched in the nose. That’s what happened," Stephen snapped as he got into the car.
Christine got in beside him.
"Who did it?" she asked calmly.
Stephen was speeding the car.
"Steve Fucking Rogers. He thinks he owns Tony. But I know Tony doesn’t want to be his. Tony wants to be mine. I saw it in his eyes. And Rogers thinks he can take him away from me? That’s never going to happen. If Tony wants to be mine, I’ll make him mine. No one will come between us," Stephen said, shouting.
Then he realized what he had just confessed. He glanced at Christine, whose eyes were filled with tears.
Stephen stopped the car.
"Christine, I—"
"You like Tony?" she asked in a small voice.
"I... It’s not like that," Stephen stammered.
"All this time, you’ve had feelings for him while pretending to be my loving boyfriend?" Christine asked, her voice breaking.
"Christine, I’m sorry. I was confused," Stephen said.
"I don’t want to hear it," Christine said and got out of the car.
Stephen shut his eyes and leaned back in the seat, feeling the weight of everything crashing down on him.
Tony lay crying on his bed, overwhelmed by everything. He felt terrible for hurting Steve, for using him unknowingly. And losing Stephen to someone else broke his heart even further.
He didn’t know how to fix any of it.