Chapter 9
I spend hours in the lab, working on the suit for Stephen alone.
I tune everything out except for the blaring music through the speakers as my fingers dance along the metal, executing the plan from my mind.
Eventually an alert comes over my screens, signaling that someone’s called for a meeting in the living room.
I sigh, turning the music off as I put my tools down, running my hands on my jeans to clear the majority of the oil from them.
I press the button on the elevator to take me to the living room, only realizing I’ve left my phone in the lab as the doors open on the main floor.
A few people are in the room already, Steve included.
I go the direct opposite direction of him, walking towards the bar and pouring myself a drink as Peter bounds over to me.
“Hey Mr. Stark, what’s this about?” He asks, looking across the bar at me.
I take a drink from the glass as I look back at him, shrugging.
“Beats me, I didn’t call it.” I answer.
The rest of the team slowly trickles in, and finally Nat calls the group to order.
“Alright, this’ll be short and sweet.” She says, gesturing behind her to Wanda and Vision. “These two have something to say.”
I raise one eyebrow as they walk to the front of the room, and Nat walks to the back to stand near Peter and me.
“We just wanted to let you all know that we’re expecting a baby.” Wanda says with a smile, her eyes never leaving Visions.
My face creases in confusion as I search the room, looking towards Bruce, just to find his face mirroring my expression as his eyes meet mine.
The rest of the room erupts in congratulations, everyone moving to circle the happy couple as Bruce makes his way to me.
“Tony is that even—?” He starts.
“I’m not really sure.” I answer, glancing back at Vision as he presses a kiss against Wanda’s forehead. “I guess he isn’t entirely robotic… he is a synthezoid.”
Bruce’s eyebrows only furrow deeper.
“I guess so.” He says after a minute, his fingers running through his hair. “I’m going to head back to my lab and look through some things, are you coming?”
I shake my head.
“No, I’ve got some stuff to finish up, let me know what you come up with though.” I answer, downing the rest of my drink.
He nods, and I can practically see the gears turning in his head as he walks back down the hall.
I meet Vision’s gaze as I step back into the elevator, nodding in congratulations to him as I press the button to my lab.
He smiles, ducking his head in thanks as the doors close.
I get back into my lab quickly, but as I step inside, Stephen is standing in the center of the room.
“Hey.” He says with a small smile, looking up at me.
I walk over to him, glad I turned the screens off before I left, silently hoping he doesn’t notice the proportions of the suit on my workbench.
“Hi.” I answer, forcing a dazzling smile, trying to look calm and happy. “What’re you doing here?”
He meets me halfway, resting his hands on my shoulders.
“You didn’t answer your phone.” He says quietly. “I just wanted to see what you were up to.”
I look over on the workbench where my phone lies between scraps of metal.
“I left it down here, I’m sorry.” I answer, resting my hands on his hips.
“For 12 hours?” He asks, ducking his head down to meet my gaze.
I sigh, dropping my hands and pulling away from him to get back to my work.
“I was just busy.” I answer, picking up a scrap of metal and fiddling with it.
I hear his footsteps behind me as I drop the metal back onto the counter, picking up a new piece.
“Do you want to tell me what’s really going on here?” He says quietly.
I sigh again, slamming the metal against the table as I do.
“No.” I answer, my words dripping in bitterness. “Because nothing is going on. I’m busy, Strange.”
I grip the sides of the table, exhaling shakily, feeling the anxiety boiling in my chest.
Stephen says nothing.
I spin on my heels to face him.
“What?” I ask, just wishing he would go so I can finish the damn suit. “I don’t have time for this.”
I try to push past him, but his hands rest softly on the sides of my face, stopping me in my tracks.
“Tony.” He whispers. “You’re having a panic attack aren’t you?”
My heart hammers against my chest, threatening to explode as my breathing hitches.
“No.” I breathe, but my voice breaks as I speak.
I risk a glance up to his face, and as my eyes meet his, everything falls apart.
I stumble forward, immediately gasping for air as the world begins to close in on me.
Stephen’s arms wrap around me tightly as he carefully pulls me to the floor, securing me against his chest.
“Tell me about it.” He whispers, his hand running along my arm as he begins to rock slightly.
I shake my head, and his hand brushes against my cheeks, smearing hot, wet tears along my skin.
“You can do it.” He whispers again, pulling me closer still.
I take a deep breath, looking up at him again.
“Stephen I almost lost you.” I whisper, my voice raspy and weak. “I can’t imagine that again. I won’t let that happen again.”
I reach into my pocket, tapping my screen with shaking fingers until my blueprints of him in the suit project onto the screens around the room.
Stephen looks up at the designs, his eyes wide as he looks between the metal pieces on my table and the screens.
“Tony…” He breathes, dragging his eyes back to mine. “You’re making me a suit?”
I nod, looking away from him now.
He cups my chin, tilting my face back to his.
“Thank you.” He whispers. “No one’s ever cared for me like that.”
I reach up, cupping his cheek in my hand.
“I can’t lose you.” I whisper. “I’ll do anything to keep you safe. I don’t have all of the logistics worked out yet but I’m sure once the first or maybe second prototype is finished—”
I trail off as he nods, twisting his face to kiss my palm.
“You won’t lose me, Tony.” He murmurs. “I’m here.”
He leans down, pressing a soft kiss against my lips now.
“I’m not going anywhere.” He murmurs, his lips brushing against mine. “You keep me safe, and I’ll keep you safe.”
I kiss him now, nodding as I do.
We stay in this position for a while longer, Stephen running his fingers along my face gently as he presses soft kisses along my cheeks, nose, and lips.
My fingers run through his hair, breaking apart his careful styling, leaving his black and silver hair falling messily around his eyes.
“Do you want to see what I have so far?” I ask, gesturing to the metal on the table.
He nods, offering his arm to me as I stand.
I turn around then, offering my hands down to him to help him up.
I walk over to the table, and Stephen wraps his arms around my waist, resting his head on my shoulder as I reach for a metal arm piece.
“Give me your hand.” I murmur, rubbing my cheek against his head gently as I talk.
He complies, keeping one hand around my waist as he extends the other.
I fit the metal around his arm, carefully pressing his fingers into position as I secure the piece of armor.
“Can you move your fingers?” I ask, keeping my eyes on his hand.
Slowly, he flips his palm up before curling his fingers towards the center.
He opens them again, wiggling them stiffly.
“Looks like it.” He says, looking up at me with a smile. “As much as usual anyway.”
I laugh softly.
“Can you make a portal?” I ask.
He shakes his head.
“I’d need my ring, I don’t think it’ll slide over the metal.” He says quietly.
I nod, reaching out to the screen in front of me, tapping to create a note.
“Space for ring.” I mutter to myself. “I’ll need the dimensions of that.”
He chuckles, nodding again.
“You’re a genius.” He whispers, pressing his lips to my neck.
I laugh now, closing my eyes as I cover his hand on my waist with mine.
“Hey Tony, I—oh, gosh I’m sorry.” Bruce stammers, stepping out of the elevator and looking over at me with wide eyes.
Stephen steps away, sliding his hands into his pockets and looking down at his shoes.
“No it’s okay.” I answer, clearing my throat. “What’s up?”
He tentatively steps closer, holding out a flash drive.
“I just pulled up some information and biometrics on Vision.” He says awkwardly. “I compiled anything that might be important onto this.”
I take the flash drive from his hand, nodding as I slide it into my pocket.
“Cool, I’ll check it out.” I tell him. “Thanks.”
He ducks his head, giving a small wave before he hurries back into the elevator, not looking back up as the doors close.
Stephen walks back over as the elevator leaves, returning to his position of his arms on my waist and his head on my shoulder as I carefully pull the metal off of his arm.
“What’s that all about?” He asks as I set the armor onto the table.
I shrug.
“Wanda’s pregnant.” I answer. “And we didn’t exactly think Vision could… do that.”
I laugh as I twist in his arms to face him.
“Oh.” He answers, raising his eyebrows. “Interesting.”
He laughs now, and I rest my hands flat against his chest.
“Do you ever want to have kids?” He asks after a minute, his eyes searching my face in the silence after the question.
I shrug again.
“I have a kid.” I answer. “Have you met Peter? He’s twice the work of a regular teenager.”
Stephen chuckles, looping his fingers through my beltloops and pulling me closer slightly.
“You know what I mean.” He says quietly, sitting back against the counter and pulling my body between his legs.
I take a deep breath in.
“I don’t know.” I answer, exhaling. “Honestly I swore the idea of kids off a long time ago. Saw how my parents raised me and decided I would never try to raise one of my own, too many things to mess up.”
Stephen nods, his eyes still searching my face.
“But after knowing Peter… after having him around here for a couple years, I don’t think it’d be too bad.” I answer, softer this time.
Stephen smiles at me.
“You’re good for him.” He says quietly. “He’s lucky to have you.”
I shake my head, smiling too.
“No.” I answer. “I’m lucky to have him.”
Stephen smiles wider.
“Proof that Tony Stark has a heart.” He murmurs, and I roll my eyes as he kisses me, my smile never leaving my lips.