In That Everything Worked Out In The End
Tony was happy. So fucking happy that he was happily ignoring everything bad that might be happening in his life at the moment (like the annoying pains in his chest. Man, he had forgotten how the reactor with the palladium core was problematic). Everything in his life (past? New life?) Was going wonderfully well, his father loved him (?) And was proud of him, he had his mother again, Rhodey, Pepper and Happy were with him, however much they now at least twenty years of difference between them, they were still friends, as close as they were, and as close as ever.
Of course, let's not forget the main reason he was so happy, Stephen remembered him. His life just was not better because he still did not have his kids with him (it still hurt like a bitch and he missed Peter and Morgan terribly, but if he got Stephen back, he would get his kids too).
They made contact four days ago and talked every day, Tony was truly happy to be able to talk to his husband (Tony decidedly did not care that they were in another reality and that they did not even have the age to be legally married, but Stephen is his husband and he's going to punch anyone who dares to say the opposite, damn it), again. The two found that they were studying in the same city, Boston, Tony at MIT and Stephen at Boston University, universities were close enough that they could spend the night together smoothly.
Needless to say Tony was looking forward to going back to college. Do not misunderstand him, he hated college (he hated it with a passion the first time, having to repeat it all over again? He almost hit his head on the wall several times when he realized it) and loved his parents and Jarvis, but ...
He wanted to see Stephen.
As fast as possible, preferably.
"Why do you think this happened, Stephen?" Tony asked one night, lying on his bed like a passionate teenager talking to his passion (not that theoretically, he was not one at the time, but ...) "I mean because we come back? Do not get me wrong, it was an okay result, even considering the whole situation, even though we will probably have to do it all over again, which is going to suck, especially considering that I'm now a fifteen-year-old brat, but .. Why did everything change? Why are we back? " Why am I alive? "Was what Tony wanted to ask, but he did not have the guts.
He did not need to because Stephen understood him, he knew him well, after all.
"I suspect it was the work of the stones," Stephen murmured, his tone darkening strangely, so different from the relieved and passionate Tony had listened to in the last few days "but I'll have to check with the Ancient One later. I need to make sure it's not going to reverse. "Tony opened his mouth to ask what was wrong, but there was something in Stephen's tone that made Tony stop for a moment.
Tony knew Stephen for almost thirty years and knew when something was bothering the other man deeply, but since he was not with his magical and stubborn husband, he could not calm him down with hugs if he tried to broach the subject and upset the other ( Stephen could be in a shitty mood, but Tony prided himself on being able to calm his husband by just sitting on his lap and hugging him.It was almost superpower to turn the irritated and angry Stephen Strange into Tony's foolish and passionate husband so, according to Cristine and Rhodey), then Tony let the matter die.
Per hour.
"OK. Do you think we'll be able to live together when we go to Boston? I mean, my dad does not want me to live in dormitories or alone after, well, you know, and I kind of mentioned you to mommy, "Tony murmured, feeling his face warm.
"You talked about me to your mother, Tony?" Stephen asked, laughing softly, the dark dash in his voice fading.
Tony was happy that Stephen was happy again, even if it was his expense.
"I kind of said I wanted to go to Nebraska a lot and visit a friend. Mama was glad I had a friend outside Rhodey and Pepper, even though she said no ... "
"With all that has happened and with your injuries, I'm honestly surprised that your parents are letting you go back to college," Stephen sneered, with good humor. "Of course they would not let you go to Nebraska to meet a friend they never even heard of, douchebag."
"I know that asshole," Tony said, their play flowing naturally. God, he missed that. "I'm not an idiot. I'm a genius!"
"The most stupid genius I've ever known."
"But I'm your stupid genius." Tony laughed humorously.
"My stupid genius."
So focused on the conversation with Stephen, Tony did not see his mother approaching slowly and leaning against the doorframe, looking at the son with an arched eyebrow.
"Do not worry, love." Stephen's tone softened after they stopped playing, the conversation taking a more serious tone again. "It's a few more days and I'll have you in my arms again. You do not have to get caught up and hurt, no matter how much I want you here with me now. "
"I know, but," Tony growled, feeling his face heat up again, damn fifteen-year-old body full of hormones. "I wanted to see you, you know, after all, even if it went wrong. It's pretty dumb, I know, "Tony gave a sad, self-deprecating laugh." You're right, I'm really a dumb genius. "
"Anthony," Stephen said, his voice full of love and affection. "Believe me, when I say you're not stupid. In fact, you were even more rational than I was, because if I had my ring the moment I came back, I would go straight to you. And believe me when I say I would not care at all for the consequences. I had, actually have to see you. As fast as I can, but I do not want to hurt you just because I'm an impatient man. "
"Stephen ..." Tony whispered.
"I love you so much it hurts not to have you here," Stephen swore, "Believe me, even if I didn’t have memories of our time together, the love I felt for you would still be here. There is no world where I do not love you. "
"I wanted you to be here with me, now ..." Tony whispered, feeling where his love reached him.
"And I wanted you in my arms from the moment I came back. I wanted to grab you and take you away from anything that might take you from me again. "Stephen spoke, his voice suspiciously wobbly.
“I love you, Stephen. I love you three thousand," The brunette spoke smiling, wiping the stubborn tears that flowed from his eyes, "Just a few more days and I'll be able to hold you as I wanted to the moment you came back and you won’t be able to do anything about it. "
"You talk like it's bad to have you on my lap." Stephen flirted, laughing.
"Stephen!"
Maria smiled and laughed silently, moving away and giving her child privacy.
So her little Anthony had a boyfriend, huh?
Maria really could not wait to tease Anthony about it and meet the boy who stole her son's, fragile heart.
Of course, set boundaries and threaten them appropriately. Anthony would not be used or betrayed again.
As she returned to her room, Maria wondered if Howard was still in the room or she would have to go down to the lab and drag her stubborn husband. She wanted to research this 'Stephen'.
The next day, Tony came down the stairs of his house almost like a zombie, yawning and his face sweating with sleep. He had stayed up until almost three in the morning talking to Stephen and they only went to bed because Tony was yawning every ten minutes and Stephen realized, telling him to go to bed with the promise that they would talk again in the morning, but Tony had to go to sleep because he was still injured and had to recover.
However, the moment Tony hung up the phone and lay down to sleep, his brilliant brain decided that it was a good idea to start running the schemes of the new reactor core and thanks to that Tony stayed up until almost six in the morning writing schemes and projects. Not that he didn’t know what to do because he knew it, but even though it was the same arc reactor with the same problems, created under the same conditions, it was still different because he was not 30 years old.
He was fifteen and needed to change the original design for his teenage self if he didn’t want to die a painful death.
So it was eight thirty in the morning and Tony slept only two and a half hours. He was very tired and needed coffee.
Urgently.
"Did your chest cause trouble last night, Tony?" Howard asked, looking worriedly at Tony who sat down at the table, tired and sleepy, "Would you like to go to the lab to do more tests? A remedy for the pain? "
"No more than normal, I-" Tony began, yawning and groping blindly for the table for coffee. Where was the coffee? "I slept a little last night. I was talking to Stephen. "
"Stephen?" Howard raised an eyebrow, remembering the name Maria mentioned last night to him. Howard had done his research and discovered that he was a medical student in Boston, but he did not understand how he and Tony knew each other or why he only heard about this ‘Stephen’ last night. Tony never mentioned him before and he caught the attention of Maria, God knows why (Maria did not say that Stephen was Tony's very likely boyfriend because she knew Howard and he would go completely into Overprotective Dad Mode and Maria wanted to see who this Stephen was and if he really made his son happy. If not, he would suffer the wrath of Howard as Tiberius Stone had learned when he hurt his precious son.)
"Yeah, I was talking to him, but-" Tony yawned again and finally reached for the coffee cup, taking a sip and giving a groan of satisfaction. "When I went to sleep, I started making the schemas for the new element to replace the palladium core-" Tony took another sip of coffee, feeling more awake, "I already have the theory made, I just need help with the execution, I ran some tests with JARVIS and they all gave positive results, "Tony said, sleep quickly being replaced with enthusiasm.
"Element? Did you create a new element?” Howard asked incredulously. For a moment, Tony was not seeing present time Howard, but the Howard that he grew up with, who seemed annoyed and, he dared to say, even envious of when Tony spoke or showed off some brilliant invention.
"Y-yes, I mean, it's not created-but I've got all the schemes done and I've run through various simulations, I did not mention it earlier because you were late and I did not want to bother." Tony stammered nervously, closing his eyes when he saw Howard stand up.
He did not have to be afraid, he was the Invincible Iron Man, he faced Thanos and left alive (?)!
And this version of Howard loved him ... Right?
The image of the Howard that he had in his mind soon shattered when he felt a heavy but loving hand on his head, messing with his hair. Tony opened his eyes and saw Howard in front of him, a warm, proud smile on his lips and being addressed to him.
"I'm proud of you, Tony!" Howard turned to Jarvis, an enthusiastic expression on his face. "Jarvis, did you hear that? My son created an element! A new element at that!"
"In fact, I can see, sir, that the young master and really clever." Jarvis laughed, amused at seeing Howard's enthusiasm.
"Maria, our son is a genius!" Howard turned to his wife, who smiled at the sight of her boys.
"Yes, Howard, I can see," Maria shook her head as Howard began to chatter to Jarvis about their son's intelligence. Decidedly a proud father, as always, Maria laughed to herself.
Whoever said that Howard Stark was not a drooling father for his son really did not know him.
"Tony, show me your designs, let's run them right now in the lab!" Howard exclaimed, pulling his son by the hand to the lab, Tony moving quickly, chattering about the project, the element, and how it should be performed.
Maria and Jarvis watched them walk away with smiles on their lips.
"Boys."
After a few weeks (one and a half, more specifically) Tony was leaving home to return to MIT (and Stephen), his parents are at Stark's private airport with him, his mother hugging him firmly and his father giving him advice last minute.
"Are you sure you’re not forgetting anything, Anthony?" Maria asked, holding her son's shoulders, with a worried look. "Are you wearing your sweaters? Boston is cold this time of year, you have to take care of yourself and not get sick. "
"Sweaters are not important, Maria, he can always buy a new one if he's missing a few," Howard said, analyzing Tony from top to bottom, looking for any sign of discomfort that his son may be hiding and making himself a quick checkup. "You're wearing the suit of kevlar full body? Do you have your panic button with you? How about the reactor reserve? "
"No need to worry, Mom, Dad." Tony stepped slightly away from Maria and looked down at his parents with a soft smile on his lips, "I'm wearing my sweaters and coats, I'm also taking the arc ballast,” Tony pulled the high collar off his red long-sleeved shirt and revealed a black and fair blouse with a metallic glow underneath, "I’m earing the body suit, and here’s the panic button,” Tony said as he raised his hand and showing his father the metal bracelet that he was wearing “J.A.R.V.I.S. and the reserve reactor are also here with me, I didn’t forget anything. "
Howard and Maria share a worried look.
"Are you sure you don’t want to wait longer before returning to M.I.T.? We just replaced the palladium core to the Starkium core last week. "
"Don’t worry, dad, I have everything under control and I'm protected. You also arranged a large sheltered space where I can work and sleep without worrying, and-" Tony stopped when he saw the concern in his father's eyes and felt warm inside. It was still very strange to have parents (especially his father. God, this Howard really loved him, sometimes he felt like he was in a weird dream) who loved him and cared about him "I'll be fine. No need to worry. "
"Of course we'll worry, bambino." Maria pulled him back into her arms and Tony hugged her back.
"We're your parents, Tony, worrying is part of the package when you become a parent, you know," Howard teased, putting his hand on Tony's head and messing up the cute brown curls. Tony sighed happily, feeling the love and affection of his parents. Sometimes in his old life, Tony did not feel how much he missed his parents until he made some discovery or something he was proud of, and then when he came to celebrate, he remembered that his parents were gone. over there. Before he met Stephen, that was very painful, even if he had Rhodey, it still hurt to know he would never get a smile from his mother again or get a chance to win his father's pride.
So in this new life, he took advantage of moments like this, when a simple hug or affection in his hair made him all melted and calm because his parents were here and they loved him.
(Not that Tony was not an affectionate addict, he was one and proud, thank you very much, but the affection of his parents was ... well, it was the affection of his parents and that alone was self-explanatory.)
"About the place where you vacuum, the apartment and in a protected condominium, you will officially have two floors, one for your personal laboratory and another for the apartment itself" Howard explained "J.A.R.V.I.S. is already connected throughout the building and you are the only one living there, sorry, I know it's going to be lonely, but it is for your safety. "Howard apologizes, but Tony just nods in understanding.
"I understand, safer alone than with people you can’t be sure you can trust because you end up relying on them and it ends up bad for you." Tony shuddered, treachery was a very delicate subject for him, especially considering the whole his past life and the absurd amount of treachery he suffered.
"Yes," Howard squeezed Tony's shoulder in sympathy, his face hardening, thinking of Stane, which was still a delicate subject for the Starks, "Let's have at least one visit a month to see how you are."
"And we'll call you every day," Maria finished, giving her son a final squeeze before releasing him.
"Sorry to interrupt, but..." Jarvis called, and the three Starks turned to face him "the plane is already prepared. The young master will be late if we do not leave soon. "
Jarvis would accompany Tony from New York to Boston, where he would leave him in the condominium and then return to the mansion. Howard himself wanted to make the journey with his son, to make sure he would be all right, but because of Stane's betrayal and the discovery that he was selling his weapons to terrorists, Howard was conducting an investigation into the Stark government, trying to find every one of their weapons sold on the black market.
Of course, that meant only that he was stuck up to his neck at work and meetings, not being able to do things like taking his son back to college, so he would have to rely on Jarvis to put Tony in safety.
"Very well," said Howard, looking at his son. "If anything happens, anything, you press the panic button, understand? You'll call the authorities and show the location of the nearest hiding place."
"All right, Dad," Tony agreed, and Howard breathed a sigh of relief.
"Be careful, Anthony." Mary pulled him and kissed his forehead.
"I'm going, Mom, I promise"
"Here you are, young master," Jarvis said, placing the last of the three suitcases Tony had brought, into the living room of his new apartment. The place was spacious, beautiful and looked a bit like his house in Malibu and he bet that the laboratory was amazing too, but if Tony was honest, he really wanted to rest, because even though it was a five-hour trip and five hours was nothing compared to the hours he spent without sleeping in his lab before, but Tony was tired. Anxiety had not let him sleep last night and he just wanted to rest, in Stephen's arms preferably.
"Do you need me to stay the night?" Jarvis asked worriedly.
Tony blinked.
"Nah, it's okay, Jarvis." Tony nodded, with a carefree smile. "I'm going to take a nap, and then I'll go to the lab, I'll be fine, you don’t have to worry." Jarvis stared at him for a moment before sighing. He walked towards the teen and pulled him into a hug. "Jarvis?"
"I know your parents have spoken several times, but take care, yes? You gave us such a scare months ago, please don’t do that again. If anything happens to you, we would all feel very sad.”
"Okay," Tony muttered, squeezing the other man. In his old life as well as this, Jarvis had always been like a father to him.
"Take care, young master, please." And with one last squeeze, Jarvis let go of Tony and went out the door, leaving the brunette alone in his new apartment.
Tony stood for a while, staring at his new living room before crawling up to his couch and sitting down. He was tired and wanted Stephen, but he could not have Stephen yet, because Stephen's vacation would only be over in a week.
"JARVIS, track Stephen's cell phone for me and see if he's home if I'm not mistaken, he said he was going to teach Donna to go swimming in the public pool with his brother tonight." Tony murmured and laid on his spacious couch, releasing a long sigh. God, he was tired. "Oh, send him a message that I've arrived, okay?"
"Of course, sir" the voice of J.A.R.V.I.S. resounded through the room. He was very clever and advanced, but he was not yet his J.A.R.V.I.S.
"Oh, that reminds me," Tony muttered, settling on the couch to get comfortable. He was just going to close his eyes for a few minutes. "Give me a ring when you're done. Have I put Stephen on the same priority list as Rhodey and Pepper....." The brunette grabbed one of the pillows from the couch and hugged him tightly, closing his eyes and falling asleep a few moments later.
A few minutes later, a small beep came from Tony's cell phone, which was lying on the table with the information he wanted, but the brunette was asleep.
Stephen stopped in front of a large building, looking at his cell phone for a moment before facing the building once more and walking to the porch. The site is a large edifice and reminded Stephen of the old Stark tower. Stephen, however, ignored this detail. He managed to convince his parents that he wanted to go back to college early and got back a week earlier than expected, and when he was sitting on his bed in his apartment, his cell phone rang and he quickly left the door after reading the message that his Anthony was in town and Stephen would not spend more time without his love in his arms.
Stephen was now in front of the porter, ringing the intercom. His hands were shaking, even though he had not suffered the infamous accident and his hands were perfectly fine, but only the fact that he was a few steps away from seeing his husband again...
Stephen was anxious.
Although this Tony was much younger than his Anthony, he was so eager to see him, it hurt.
Finally, finally, he would have his precious Anthony, alive and well in his arms again. He could hug him, kiss him, share his warmth (so different from before, that his love was cold, so cold, dead -) -
His life would finally make sense again.
Holding his cell phone, Stephen called Tony once more, sighing when the call dropped to voice mail. Stephen wasted no time and rang the intercom.
He did not want to do that, if he was sincere, explaining who he was to safety would be problematic, but he was adamant to leave without seeing his Anthony.
"Mr. Strange." The voice of J.A.R.V.I.S. pulled him out of his thoughts and he took a step back as the door to the room opened, releasing his entry "Access Level, Alpha. Released. Welcome, sir. "Stephen smiled broadly.
"J.A.R.V.I.S., where's Tony?" The wizard asked, swiftly past the entrance and heading for the elevator, tapping his fingers impatiently on the buttons and entering.
"Sir currently on the living room sofa, sleeping. I would recommend taking him to the room. "A.I replied, but Stephen did not respond, just nodded, folding his arms impatiently, when the elevator was not fast enough for him.
The moment the doors opened, Stephen came running into the room, stopping only when he stood facing the beautiful creature sleeping on the couch. The fluffy brown hair, larger than the style he used to wear before, fell rebelliously over his face, his long lashes falling on his rosy cheeks, large, pink, kissable lips were open and moist. His thin chest was covered by a long-sleeved red shirt that came up and down, the arc-like glow of the arc reactor calmed his tempestuous heart.
His love, his Anthony was alive.
Stephen knelt down and touched Tony's face softly, charmed by the warmth at his fingertips, where he was touching him.
Despite being sure that his Anthony was alive, seeing him here, breathing, being able to touch him and feeling the heat radiating from his skin made Stephen tremble and his eyes began to water. Suddenly, everything he spent on Titan and the final battle against Thanos was just a
dark shadow in the back of his mind. All that mattered was your husband here, alive and well.
His Anthony.
"We finally meet, my love," Stephen whispered, taking one of Tony's hands to his lips and kissing it tenderly.
Suddenly, the hand he was kissing closed and squeezed his in a tender grip. Stephen opened his eyes and found himself staring at the most beautiful brown whiskey orbs he had ever seen.
"S-Stephen, it's you ..." Tony whispered, wide-eyed and hopeful as he tried awkwardly to sit on the couch. "Wah!" Tony screamed as Stephen grabbed his other hand and pulled him toward him, sitting up as the brunet landed unceremoniously on his lap.
"Anthony ... My precious Anthony ... At last, you're in arms again," Stephen whispered, smashing his face into the brunette's neck, running his arms around Tony's waist and steadying himself. Tony can feel his skin damp and he can hear the small broken sigh Stephen let go.
"I missed you so much, Stephen ..." Tony hugged him tightly around his neck, hiding his face in Stephen's soft hair, tears streaming down his brown eyes. "My Stephen ..."
The two of them hugged each other, hanging in the middle of the living room, the tears of happiness running unashamedly down their faces.
"You know ..." Tony whispered into Stephen's hair, he did not know how long the two had stayed there, sent and crying one on each other's arms, but Tony knew it was late, the sky was in an orange ending in the afternoon and he was aching for having stayed there for a long time without moving much, but honestly he did not care at all. Not when he had Stephen back in his arms. "For a while, I thought I'd never have it after Titan. I would never feel your arms around me like that again. " Tony laid his head on Stephen's hair, melting on the other's lap. "I spent five years mourning, for you, and for Peter. I think I just put up with Morgan ... "
"I never wanted to leave you," Stephen whispered, his voice hoarse and trembling against Tony's neck, squeezing Tony's waist more forcefully.
"Titan was never meant to end up like that. I've seen more than fourteen million futures, several losses, few victories, but only one you'd survive," Stephen gasped and Tony could feel tears streaming down his neck, "But you died. When I finally found you, you were gone forever." Every part of Stephen shook as he stopped talking, grabbing onto Tony's body with gallows as if he feared he might disappear in case he let go.
Tony took his hands into Stephen's hair and pulled his face from his neck, Stephen went willingly, though his body was still shaking. Tony looked into his husband's eyes, so young but they were in so much pain and suffering.
"I'm here, Stephen," Tony whispered, leaning his forehead against Stephen's, his arms wrapped around the other's neck. "I'm here and I'm not leaving. I will never leave you again, no matter what. "
"Don’t leave me," Stephen whispered, broken "I can not handle it, not again. I did not get it last time and if you leave me again ... Please, Anthony ... "
"I will not." Tony grabbed hold, pulling Stephen against him and kissing him gently. "I spent five years in a world without you, Stephen Strange, it sucked, I hated every moment and I do not intend to spend another second." And Tony kissed him again.
Amid the tears and kisses, the two were happy and contented in a way they had not been for a long time. Suddenly, everything seemed small, the terrible past, the future uncertain, nothing else mattered, because now they had each other again.