Chapter 1
It is said that whatever humans do in life, good or bad, have consequences. Unless it includes killing mutants which apparently has no consequences.
When Scott Summers had killed Charles Xavier, he had done so in cold blood. Or that’s what everyone around him mentioned. But all he remembered was the fire burning in him, trying to kill him when the professor threatened to do the same. And what was he supposed to do? Let himself get killed? No, he had come too far to let others treat him like he didn’t matter. Under the control of the phoenix, he realized that Xavier had to pay for all the miserable ways he manipulated and used him to the bone. Scott still didn’t understand how he killed Xavier. The possession had left gaps in his memory. But he agreed to pay the price for his crime.
The sound of the doors brought Scott back to the present from the darker areas his mind often traveled to. "Nice place you've got here, Scott." Tony stark's sarcastic tone echoed through the privately-owned prison that housed the infamous mutant leader.
"Stark, why are you here?" Scott asked from where he sat on an uncomfortable and tacky chair that squeaked each time he moved. He placed his locked hands on his lap and wondered what a man like Tony Stark would want from him. Hadn't the damage been already done? He had accepted to pay the hefty price of being in an unsafe prison for mutants after all the allegations the Avengers and Wolverine threw at him. And yet, the Avengers now visited more often than when he was not imprisoned.
"During the phoenix incident. I was the tech lead, I studied the phoenix force..." Tony started but was soon interrupted.
"You tried to blow it up." Scott delivered deadpan. Face neutral, showing no weakness or emotions which frustrated Tony.
The hideous ruby quartz goggles were attached to a helmet and marred the leader's handsome face which Tony had admired from time to time. "Only to start with," He admitted and saw no point in lying, especially when he felt partly responsible for the unfortunate event which led to a fellow hero being labeled with words that he never thought would be used. "Point being... I am still trying to make sense of it. I'm expanding the lines of attack, research-wise..." He confessed.
"You won't control it with science." Scott reiterated as he had before, for the millionth time.
"No, it's not about controlling it. I just want to understand." Tony replied. He hesitated for a moment before he could say more. "You were in possession of the force during a dark phoenix event. You survived. I want to try and get readings while everything's still fresh. I've started thinking about this and, Summers, I just can't stop."
"After everything, I can't think of a single reason why I'd help you." Scott frowned. He had nothing to say to him anymore. Not when Tony was partly responsible for the chaos and destruction.
Tony sighed, "...in the end. With Hope. The distorter. Everything. I knew it would create mutants." He admitted to knowing the consequences. In his heart, he knew Scott was right. Had always been right. And it was because of him that Scott became the Dark Phoenix. He felt guilty about being unable to save him from being an outcast all because of the fucking Phoenix Force.
Tony’s confession surprised Scott, but he didn’t show it. Face as blank as ever, he uttered, "Get your machines, Stark. You can take as many readings as you want." He stood up as the guard removed his cuffs and his collar which Tony had insisted upon being taken off.
“Great Job, Sherlock. Mind removing his helmet too? I’m measuring his powers, not his dick.” Tony quipped sarcastically at the guard who was refusing to unlock Scott’s helmet for fear of the mutant leader killing him.
“But sir…” The guard hesitated
“If Summers wanted to kill you, you’d be dead already, with or without powers.” Tony rolled his eyes at the guard’s lack of a mind and intoned the last words in a deliberate way. The guard whimpered in shock and fumbled over the locks, letting Scott free for the first time. Scott squeezed his eyes shut while Tony handed him his ruby quartz glasses.
“Mutie scum!” The guard muttered underneath his breath. Tony felt offended for Scott. He narrowed his eyes at the guard and was ready to tear him a new one when Scott placed a hand on his shoulder. “Don’t, Tony. He’s not worth it.”
Tony looked back and shuddered for a second. The contact, however brief, sent a jolt through his body. He reprimanded himself for taking off his iron man suit while they were on their way out or, without a doubt, the guard would have seen a giant hole in the building.
Back at the lab, Tony was busy assessing Scott’s powers, astonished at the strength of his optic blasts. While Scott kept his eyes shut, Tony glanced at Scott’s features and felt something akin to the beginnings of a spark. Summers had looked so young and innocent without the glasses that he almost couldn’t identify the steely and imposing leader. He cleared his throat and went back to checking the stats displayed on the holographic system.
“Can you give me my glasses?” Scott’s question fell on deaf ears. He called out the other man’s name to no avail. “Tony!” He tried again.
“Huh?” Tony looked up in surprise. “Sorry, I was…busy. What do you want?” He didn’t understand why Scott’s presence caused goosebumps on his skin. He knew Scott was an attractive man, like any other good-looking guy. But, today felt different. And since when did Scott look so hot? Maybe it was the five-o-clock shadow on his face that made him weak in the knees.
“Can I have my glasses back?” Scott repeated, now curious about what kept Tony busy and rather lost.
“Sure.” Tony grabbed the glasses and put them on Scott, concealing his eyes. His fingers brushed against Scott’s face, making him shiver at the contact. The lens brightened as Scott opened his eyes and Tony realized he was mere inches away from Scott’s lips. Tony swallowed and licked his own dry lips. He studied the X-Man with interest. His eyes shifted from the thick chocolate-brown hair that flopped cutely over his forehead, to the sculpted cheekbones. His eyes finally landed on lips that were meant to be kissed and savored. Admiring from a distance was one thing, but looking up close at Scott made Tony realize how gorgeous the man in front of him was.
“I should go…” Scott spoke tenderly, as awestruck at Tony who looked captivating in his eyes. Never in a million years would he have thought that he would feel something for Stark. Emma’s voice spoke in his head, ‘It’s because you’re so touch-starved, darling.’ But it wasn’t Emma. They had broken up. It was his own subconscious in the form of Emma.
“Yeah,” Tony stuttered and looked away. Tony stepped in closer right when Scott got down from the examination table, leaving no space between their bodies. He looked up at Scott who was now standing awkwardly, pressed against him.
“Right.” Scott felt the warmth of Tony’s body and heard the faint whiz of the arc reactor. It had been a while since he had felt an irresistible attraction. It happened before with two other people in his life. One, Achmed, and the other, Warren. Both, wonderful men in their own aspects, and both now lost to the present age and the wars they had faced. While Achmed was lost in another reality, Warren lost his memories and his identity. And now, he was in prison and life felt hollow. His job was done. He was of no use anymore. Wasting away.
The sound of Scott gulping brought Tony out of his reverie. He stepped away and let Scott pass. “Summers,” He spoke after a moment.
Scott turned to face him; an invisible question painted on his face. “What happened….we’re trying our best to make sure you are safe,” Tony stated. He felt disturbed about having to say this to him. “Don’t… don’t do something you’ll regret.”
Narrowing his eyes at Tony, Scott said, “Is that a threat?”
“No,” Tony replied. “Just.. stay safe. Not everyone is as tolerant. Considering the prison is full of bigots, we’re trying to work out a deal with the government.”
“Who’s ‘we’?” Scott questioned and waited for Tony to answer.
“The Avengers,” Tony answered. “We’re trying our best, but our hands are tied.”
Provoked by the hollow words, Scott growled, “I’ve learned to not trust the Avengers and the government after all that your lot has done to mutants.”
“Scott, my hands are tied,” Tony confessed in a rare moment of acknowledgment of his defeat.
“Don’t worry, Mr. Stark. May I be pardoned to go to my prison cell?” Scott hissed. The displeasure was evident on his face and his body which seemed more closed off.
“One more thing. No one else may think this, but, Scott, I know you didn’t kill Xavier in cold blood. I know it wasn’t you and you could barely control the Dark Phoenix from taking over. So, don’t go and be a martyr, Summers. Stay alive.” Tony finished and sat back in the comfortable chair.
“Then why am I in a fucking prison, Tony?” Scott exploded, unable to understand why Tony was saying this now when it held no real value.
“Because not everyone believes what I believe in.” Tony maintained his calm even though his urge to fight back grew tenfold at the sight of Scott raising his voice. And if he was being honest, It wasn’t Scott’s anger that made him angry, it was his own failure to help mutants, to help Scott, to save him and the world.
But now, there seemed no point in it all because the government wasn’t budging and Steve for some reason, hated Scott and was more inclined to help a corrupt system. And even he had to admit, that his arguments alone weren’t enough when the rest of the Avengers and Logan ganged up on the X-Men leader to tear and destroy the man he was, out of spite and the truth they could never understand: Once a mutant, always a target.
Scott didn’t look back and walked away.
Tony had a long time to ponder over why he reacted the way he did when Scott was around last time and had reached the regretful conclusion that he wanted Scott Summers.
At first, his reaction was to reject the idea of even flirting with Summers. But when Steve had visited him that evening, spitting hate over everything Scott did, he felt weirdly protective of the incarcerated X-Man. And flirting with Scott would be a bonus as it'd drive Captain America and Wolverine furious. Tony cast a serene smile.
"Whatever idiot thing you're planning, Tony, stop it," Cap warned.
"Sure thing, Capsicle. While you're at it, you can tell missing link to stop staring at me. It's a tad creepy." Tony bit back and glared at Logan, who was rage walking in the corner.
On hearing that, Logan let out a growl, itching for a fight. Steve gave Logan a pleading look. "I will not have bloodshed in my vicinity."
"Don't worry, Cap. You leave the room and I kill him. Easy." Wolverine growled and unsheathed a claw.
"Get real, dollar store claws. You two won't leave the room until your bitch fest is done and I end up with an astronomical migraine from hearing you wail and growl. Ask Starburst over there." Tony quipped while Steve sighed.
"Clearly you're in one of those moods again. We'll talk later." Steve stood straight and strode away. "Logan." He commanded, as the short-tempered mutant decided to follow Steve, still grumbling.
Tony bit back the urge to snark further and went to his room. He knew Scott and Logan shared a complicated friendship. And it wasn't that he hated Logan. But, he didn't want to suffer through another round of 'Let's hate on Scott Summers.'
The second time he had summoned Scott, the guard brought him over.
Tony examined the disgraced X-Man's worn-out form and frowned. "Did those goons try to hurt you again?" He reached forward to examine the scratch left on Scott's arm.
Scott nodded. "I dealt with them. I can't say how long I can keep Jake safe. He is a mutant who is unfortunate enough to not have any combat experience."
Stark sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "The government is not budging. We tried... convincing them that mutants needed a separate prison. The higher-ups don't sympathize with mutant problems."
"Shocking." Scott rolled his eyes and looked disinterested.
"Right," Tony grunted at Scott's sarcasm and gave him a sly smile. "Didn't hurt 'em too bad, did you?"
"Nothing they can't recover from… in a day or two," Scott smirked and relaxed. He stretched his chest to soothe the tightness that had burrowed in his back.
"Pity," Tony remarked dryly. "I was looking forward to examining a few bodies."
Scott chuckled at the dark joke and shook his head. "I'm alive. And you're examining me." He pointed out.
"You have a point. If I'm being honest, I'd rather not touch them with a ten-foot pole. You, I don't mind touching." Tony flirted as he moved towards the monitor to track Scott's vitals.
"A straightforward answer from you, Stark? Should I be worried? Has Bruce replaced you with a favorable bot like I suggested the last time we spoke?" Scott teased.
"In your dreams, bright eyes," Tony answered back. "This is the very hot international billionaire you're still speaking to." Tony joked and turned around to give Scott a full view of himself. This time, the conversation flowed smoothly.
Scott rolled his eyes. "You're not the first very hot billionaire I've come across." His cheeks turned red because he didn't mean to say that out loud.
"You think I'm hot?" Tony studied with keen interest, searching for a confirmation.
"Um." Scott fumbled with his answer. Didn't know what to say. "What difference will it make?" He asked, knowing in his heart that Tony couldn't care less what Scott thought.
Tony stayed uncharacteristically quiet and examined Scott further. "Take off your shirt." He commanded. "I need to check you for bruises and scrapes. We don't want you to die from tetanus, Summers."
The innuendo made Scott pause for a moment. He shrugged it off and criticized his overactive imagination. "I'd take that any day over mutant killers," He grumbled and undid the buttons on his shirt.
"I'd rather you not die, period." Tony responded, "Unless it's a figurative death from an orgasm I give you." He whispered under his breath. "Cough." He added, louder, in a monotone voice.
Scott coughed dutifully. "I heard that."
Tony's eyebrow quirked up, and he smiled shamelessly at Scott. “Which part?” He asked on purpose, eager to hear the dirty words from the rival leader’s innocent mouth.
“You know which part,” Scott uttered and looked away. When Tony’s fingers ghosted over Scott’s abs, they both felt a jolt of electricity, which made them flinch.
“Static Shock,” Scott muttered, a bit taken aback.
Tony flirted and fiddled with the edge of the cold table. “You know what’s a great way to get rid of static electricity?”
“Grounding your body and humidity,” Scott answered.
“And I know one way to build up humidity.” Tony continued flirting, and Scott continued being oblivious. “Sweaty, hot....”
“Is this your way of asking me to run on the treadmill so you can monitor my heart?” Scott asked, innocently. But Tony swore, Scott avoided looking at him.
“There are more fun ways to break a sweat.” Tony hinted again and traced his fingers over the X-Man’s chest while Scott stared at him blankly until it dawned on him that Tony Stark, Ironman, Avenger, Superhero, genius, playboy; was flirting with him, Scott Summers.
“Tony…” Scott gave a disapproving gesture. “You don’t want me in your life. Not like that.”
“Shouldn’t I decide that for myself, sweetheart?” Tony asked, ready to fight for Scott’s affection.
“Not when it comes to me. You’ll ruin your reputation.” Scott got up and moved closer to Tony.
“In case you didn’t know, I already have a bad reputation,” Tony answered. The heat of Scott’s naked chest radiated over Tony’s fingers. His heart raced. Scott gently removed Tony’s hands from his chest and buttoned up his shirt, ignoring Tony’s comment.
“It’s for your own good,” Scott mumbled, entranced by the handsome man in front of him. His hand barely ghosted Tony’s lips when he realized what he was doing and pulled back. With a rueful smile, he exited the room.
“Six times,” Scott declared. “Can’t get rid of you, can I?” He teased when he sat on the same spot as he previously had. It had been a month since they started meeting on a regular basis. Well, as regular as a mutant hating prison would allow. Talking to each other was getting easier. Flirting, even easier. While they had both opened up to each other, they still had a long way to go to get to know each other.
“You know how these things are.” Tony referred to the test results. “You are, after all, very special.” He murmured as he placed the ruby quartz glasses on Scott’s face.
“Right.” Scott replied and waited for a moment, “So…” he got up from the examination table for the sixth time in two weeks until his thighs pressed against Tony’s hip. This time though, Tony didn’t bother moving away. Neither did Scott.
“Tony.” Scott swallowed and took in a sharp breath when Tony looked up. Lips so close that he could almost smell the sweetness of cinnamon on his breath.
“Scott,” He heard Tony whisper and close the distance with a gentle kiss.
“Tony!” Scott whispered. He had kept himself from physical contact for far too long. He grabbed Tony by the waist, unwilling to let go. Afraid, for the first time after the Phoenix possessed him. Afraid, that he might want to live again. And afraid of having hope. Scott felt Tony hold the back of his neck and delved deeper into the kiss, bringing his mind back to the moment and the touch he so desperately sought. His thighs bumped against the table when Tony inched forward. Withdrawing from the kiss, Scott stood in silence.
“Scott,” Tony started, “do you…do you want to take it slow?” He asked, worry written on his face.
“I am incarcerated, Tony. And I don’t know if I’ll even be allowed to live. Do you think I have the time to take it slow?” Scott asked while he inched forward for another kiss, much more passionate, a lot wilder than Tony thought anyone was even capable of.
“Fuck.” Tony bit back a moan and pushed Scott on the table while he climbed on him, straddling the unbelievably sexy man beneath him. He licked Scott’s lips, trailing his tongue down, stealing a taste of Scott’s now clean-shaven chin and darting further below, licking the adam’s apple, right when the table creaked under their combined weight.
Tony looked around and got up from the table. “A multi-million dollar lab and the table can't even bear the weight of two men. How about we take this somewhere more… private?” He asked. Scott gave a nod and that was all it took for Tony to hold Scott’s hands and lead them to his bedroom on the other floor. “Jarvis, turn on the lights and set the mood to Romantic,” Tony commanded. “As you wish, sir.” Jarvis complied.
Scott hid a deliciously small smile which Tony noticed immediately. “What, you turning shy on me all of a sudden, Summers?” He teased and squeezed his hands.
“No.” Scott laughed for the first time in so long that Tony would have likened the sound to that of his sleep sound machine. Peaceful, beautiful, and relaxing. “Only amused with the ambient lighting. Makes me feel like I’m on a date.” Scott teased back.
“And what if I were to ask you on a date?” Tony queried while tangling his hands in Scott’s thick brown hair, carding through it as Scott leaned forward for a wet, erotic kiss.
Scott pulled away from the kiss much to Tony’s regret and gasped out, “Then I’d say you’re mad!”
Tony sat on the bed and pulled Scott towards him, “Why does wanting to date you make me mad?”, watching his movements with keen interest.
Scott sat on Tony with legs spread wide. “Where exactly are you going to take me on a date? To prison cell three? I hear they are trading canned food for Ramen” He joked.
“Hey, if you love Ramen, I’d be happy to send you some supplies.” Tony retorted and reached forward for another kiss. His whole body tingled from the way Scott’s frame was so close to him. He pulled his partner in. Their warm breaths mingled. Eyes dimmed. Heady with lust, claiming his mouth as their bodies pressed heatedly.
Scott’s tongue pressed between Tony’s parted silken lips, sweet from the cinnamon roll he was eating earlier. He pulled back and spoke, “Then, they will think something’s going on between us…” his breath hitched, “… for Tony Stark to send me Ramen,” as Tony busied himself with Scott’s neck, nibbling and sucking.
“So what if the world knows?” Tony’s muffled voice that was buried in Scott’s neck reached his ears. Scott felt a faint buzz on his neck from Tony’s lips when the other spoke, arousing him further.
“They’ll burn you at the stake with me.” He gasped out and ground his hips against Tony’s, eliciting a moan from the other man.
“I won’t let them,” Tony promised and moved his hands to cup Scott’s ass, giving it a firm squeeze.
Scott threw his head back in desire. “An hour ago, you couldn’t even convince the government.” He taunted.
“Hey, I will have no talk of governments and teams while we are in bed together.” Tony pointed out and continued to trace his hands over Scott’s body.
“Sorry.” Scott apologized with a sheepish grin.
“You’ve got nothing to apologize for, butterscotch. Now, where were we?” Tony flipped Scott on his back with speed comparable to one of his cars.
Scott laughed at the nickname and the acrobatic display as Tony crawled on top of him, unbuttoning the ugly orange shirt and unzipping the awful orange pants that were frankly a crime on a masterpiece like Scott. “The date.”
“Yes. What would you like to do on our second date?” Tony asked as his lips glided over the insides of Scott’s knees when he spread his partner’s mile-long legs apart and saw the erection that tented the briefs.
“Mmh.. Tony,” Scott moaned out, unable to contain the pleasure that swept through him because no one had done that in ages.
“Yes. You’ll definitely be doing me on our second date.” Tony teased and licked Scott’s navel. “But, what else would you like to do on our second date?” He purred.
Scott reached up to take off Tony’s clothes. “You’re wearing too many clothes. Off. Off. Off!” He pulled at Tony’s shirt impatiently. Very eager. Very needy. Touch-starved.
“Impatient, are we?” Tony discarded his clothes. “You are the most divine man I’ve ever seen.” He complimented Scott’s body. “I have been aching to see you like this since the first day.” He coaxed Scott to stretch upwards for a kiss.
Scott admired Tony’s body and let his eyes travel to the hard-on that was peeking through the tear-drop patterned black sheer boxers, leaving him breathless over the fact that Tony wore something drop-dead sexy for their time together.
“Thirsty?” Tony winked at Scott and pointed to the pattern on his boxers.
“Parched,” Scott replied huskily.
Tony gave a flirtatious smile. “Then let’s solve that, shall we?” He leaned and splayed his hands across Scott’s chest, dusted with fine brown hair. Moving his hand upwards, he grasped Scott’s chin, running the tip of his tongue over the reddened lips, coaxing him to open and swirled his tongue around his partner’s, earning a wanton groan. “Look at you! Gorgeous!” Tony slurred, concluding that watching Scott’s lithe form writhe beneath him was the most sensual act he ever had the pleasure of seeing.
Scott raked his fingers across Tony’s bicep, and hooked a leg around his waist, pulling the man closer to him until their hips met. He tugged on Tony’s earlobe with his teeth while their hips rocked together, making Tony curse an “Oh fuck, Yes!” from the frantic movements.
“Shit, butterscotch. Keep doing this and I won’t last.” Tony inhaled sharply.
“Sir.” Came a voice that Tony’s dizzy mind barely recognized.
“Not now, Jarvis,” Tony muttered before he bent down to remove Scott’s briefs with his teeth.
“Maybe we should…ahh…let him speak.” Scott swallowed hard and stroked Tony’s hair.
“But, sir.” Jarvis’ voice interrupted again, “You instructed me to refuse anyone who tries to enter the penthouse. Captain America is coming your way and isn’t leaving.”
“Dammit!” Tony cursed. “I’m so sorry, Scott.” He apologized, feeling terrible about having to interrupt their time together.
Scott got up from the bed, seeking his clothes. “It’s fine, Tony” His voice was thick with disappointment. Avoiding Tony’s gaze, Scott put on his clothes in haste.
“Scott…” Tony’s tone was soft and laced with regret, but Scott interrupted him, “Look, it’s no big deal. Besides, if I’m gone for longer, the prison guards will start suspecting.” He placated. “It was a far stretched wish anyway.
“Don’t say that.” Tony frowned. “Look, why don’t you go to the lab while I find out why Capsicle is here. I will deal with him, beautiful.” He genuinely didn’t want their time together to end and he had every intention of leaving Scott satisfied.
Scott sighed. “If anything is out of place, you know he won't leave me alone. He’s not stupid, just a fucking hypocrite.”
Tony winced at Scott’s words. “Ouch. I’d hate being Cap right now.” He smirked and gave Scott a sweet kiss and a reassuring hug. He may have disliked the truth Scott spoke of. But, it was true. And Scott of all people had every right to berate Captain America and the Avengers. “Although, I hope you don’t feel the same way about me. It would be such a shame because hate sex isn’t my thing.” Tony teased.
“I don’t hate anyone, Tony. Especially not you. But, I’m still angry that a fascist man gets to walk free, while I’m labeled as a terrorist.” Scott frowned and gave into Tony’s touch, anger dissipating away.
“You’re not a terrorist. And he’s not fascist. You’re both leaders. And you’re both being pigeon-holed into something you are not because of misinformation and misunderstanding.” Tony sympathized. “But, don’t ever let Cap know I defended him.” He joked to lighten the tense moment.
“Tell that to Captain Hypocrisy while you’re talking to him.” Scott scowled.
Tony gave the scowl a peck feeling guilty and upset about the enormous rift between the Avengers and Mutants, Scott especially. “I’ll make sure to relay that to Capsicle.” He added dryly, hoping that Scott wouldn’t see them as assholes and vice versa.