Don't jump. That's all I want to say.
After a while, the last award was given out. Stephen’s. And yes, the last one. One could argue that it was because it was the great finale but one could also just say that fate wouldn’t want him to leave earlier. As his name was called and people around him cheered and clapped, he quickly made his way onto the stage and accepted his award.
“Thank you. It is an honor standing here tonight. Among people who achieved so much. I want to thank doctor Christine Palmer, the gorgeous Lady who is with me whenever I need her who has helped me so much throughout the years. I hope we’ll get to improve more and more. Thank you for this.”
The guests clapped and even gave a standing ovation. Stephen’s work was well known. It wasn’t a secret that he was one of the best doctors to ever exist. But this crowd just overdid it for his liking.
“Party time!”
Stark announced with a wide smile as the music started again. The dance floor filled.
“Come on. Give me one bloody dance.”
Christine said while giving him a little kiss onto the cheek, wiping the red stains of her lipstick away immediately after. Then Stephen heard the song.
“Oh, come on. That’s a sign. Pleeease.”
“Only if you won’t sing.”
“Deal.”
Christine chuckled and pulled him onto the dance floor. And yes. Baby, it’s a wild world.
Tony couldn’t help but search the crowd again for Stephen.
“And that’s exactly why we didn’t work out.”
Pepper smirked at him as she basically led him through the dance.
“Always looking at other asses.”
He turned to her and put his head to the side.
“No. We didn’t work out because of Mark- what was it again?”
“Mark 46. Yes. True.”
“I understood it, Pep. I did. And I’m glad about the friendship. Probably with benefits?”
“Certainly not.”
She said without even thinking about the answer. Tony laughed and pulled her a bit closer. He enjoyed his free life. Sharing his bed with the world. He wasn’t gonna lie.
“Fine. As you wish.”
“Yeah, I wish that. I have the feeling I saved myself a world of pain.”
“And money, and good food, and great sex.”
“If you could have actual sex with yourself, you would have it. I know. Poor woman who will once claim you.”
“No one claims me, Pepper. You tried and you miserably failed.”
“Not just me. You did as well. And I just had the balls to pack my shit and go at the right time.”
“Fair. And we both managed to stay friends, isn’t that a win?”
She smiled at him.
“Yeah, it is.”
“And now, if you’d excuse me-“ He said as the song ended “-I’m going to find myself a bed-share.”
Pepper turned her eyes and let go of him.
“Poor. Woman.”
Tony winked and walked into the crowd. He casually looked around and smiled at a few lovely girls there. He saw Stephen walking away from it and quickly followed.
“Excuse me, Miss Palmer, I’ll have to steal him one more time. To congratulate properly.”
Stephen turned around with a frown and looked at Christine in annoyance when he saw Stark once again. He gave Christine the keys to his car.
“I’ll be right with you. To do that- thing we were talking about.”
The woman winked and went outside.
“Listen-“ Tony started “-I know you think I’m an asshole. I am. I’m proud of it. But you are too. In a way. But we both have seen people on the edge of their shit and sentences like What’s the point of a fucking window if you can’t throw yourself out of it are ringing some bells with me. I’m not someone who will text you a little message everyday to tell you that you are valid and needed and such a lovely person because just the thought makes me fucking sick but ending anything doesn’t make sense. Yeah?”
Stephen was taken off guard.
“What?”
“Don’t jump. That’s all I want to say. It’s- That shit is just stupid.”
Stephen crossed his arms.
“Stark, you don’t know anything about me. I don’t have anything to do with you for a good reason. This whole party lifestyle, this bragging and fucking another desperate woman each night without feeling anything- that’s not my world.” He held up his award. “I came here for this, I got it, you can fucking stop bothering me. Because it’s just worthless. Whatever you say. Your opinion and your assumptions don’t matter to me.”
Tony frowned and took a step back.
“Fucking hell, mate. Is this your reaction to anyone who cares? Because you must be fucking lonely if it is.”
“Bye, Stark.”
The doctor turned around and closed the door of the mansion behind him, leaving a confused Tony behind.