Transition

Tony stared at the ceiling, almost vibrating with nervous energy. All he wanted to do was sleep but he just couldn't and he knew Steve was going to tell him off soon as he fidgeted again which was probably keeping his fiancé awake. 

Tony just wanted morning to hurry up but at the same time he wanted the sun to never rise. 

"Babe, come on," Steve rolled over to face him, his paint stained fingers reaching over to brush his cheek, "You need to sleep or you'll be exhausted in the morning." 

"I know, I just... I can't Steve, I'm..." 

"Excited?" Tony sighed. 

"Scared, I'm scared." Steve propped himself up on his elbow and turned Tony's face to look at him. 

"What's making you scared, my love?" 

"What happens if they say they don't think I'm suitable for treatment?" 

"Babe, they do this 'live life as a man for a year' to see whether it's what you want and honey, you've been living life as a man with me for the past ten years, there's no way they'll say no." 

"I'm just being stupid but I think I just can't believe it's going to happen." 

"Well you best believe it babe, Carol has been telling me how much you come along since you first started therapy with her." Tony laughed and smirked at Steve. 

"What about this patient confidentiality huh?" 

"Oh shush, you know she'd never tell me anything else." 

"I know," Tony rolled over and kissed Steve, "Can you believe that I could be staring on testosterone soon?" 

"I honestly just can't wait, you've blossomed so much since coming out," Steve smiled, "Despite all that shit." Tony nodded. He knew exactly what Steve was talking about. 

It only took a week after his announcement for the whole world to know and Stark Industries crashed, Tony feared he was going to go bankrupt as big investors began talks of pulling out deals. Thankfully, he had Pepper on his team as well as new clients from LGBT communities wanting to be part of SI, then when Tony announced the start of his charity 'Transparent' which helped people within LGBT+, whether it was giving them shelter in the hostels he built or helping people just like him get treatment, the larger investors suddenly changed their tune as the noticed their profits increase thanks to associating with Tony. 

Stark Industries was once again flourishing and was doing even better than before. 

"I'm just thankful everything worked out." Tony laced his fingers with Steve. 

"I knew they would, you amazing man," Steve pressed kisses all over Tony's face, "You're a genius, I knew you'd come on top." 

"You say the sweetest things." 

"It's all true, I promise you," Steve smiled wider, "Tomorrow will be brilliant news and in a year we'll be married and everything will be perfect."

"I love you." Steve kissed Tony, using his free hand to wiggle underneath his boyfriend and pull him close as he ran his tongue over his bottom lip before pulling back, making Tony whine. 

"I love you too, now sleep." Steve kissed his forehead. 

"I'll try." Tony said, moving to rest his head on Steve's chest, Steve pulled up the covers and held Tony close. 

"Goodnight." 

"Night." Tony kissed Steve's chest and shut his eyes, the butterflies finally settling down so he could sleep. 

-

"So, how are you feeling Tony?" Carol asked, a warm smile on her face. 

"I'm feeling great, yeah, nervous probably but yeah," Tony barely met her eye, fiddling with the hem on his shirt and cursing himself for messing up his sentences so badly. God, he wished Steve was in the room with him.

"Why are you so nervous?" Tony shrugged, "It's okay, you can tell me."

"The papers keep referring to me as... She, I just hope it hasn't an impact on this session."

"This has nothing at all to do with the press, just about your progress which has been phenomenal." 

"Really?" 

"Yes Tony, I mean it," Her smile grew, "I'm going to refer you to Wanda at the clinic and she'll take over, however I would like to continue seeing you if that's something you would want to agree on?" 

"What?" 

"Is Tuesday a good day for you?" 

"Wait... What?" Tony asked again, staring at Carol, "What do you mean?" 

"I mean, the press have nothing to do with your treatment and if Tuesday is a good day for you, I'm going to refer you to Wanda where she'll take over and continue your treatment."

"As in... Hormone therapy?"

"Yes, that is what you want isn't it?" Tony smiled, he could feel the tears in his eyes. 

"Yes, oh my god... I mean... Yeah, this is amazing." 

"Ever since your first session I could tell this is who you really are, it's definitely time to further this progress." 

"Thank you," Tony wiped his eyes, he /really/ wished Steve was in the room with him, "Thank you so much." 

"Hey, this is all you, I just have the power to sign the go-ahead box," They both laughed and Tony felt a little stupid for feeling so nervous, "Here is your referral, take this to the front desk so they can make further arrangements, and I really do hope to see you again." 

"Same time next week?" Tony asked with a smile, taking the slip of paper that held the key to his future. Carol laughed. 

"Same time next week, yeah." Tony stood up and so did Carol, they both went to shake hands and Tony pulled her in for a brief hug. 

"Thank you." 

"Good luck, you deserve this." she rubbed his back before pulling away. Tony gave a nod and a smile before walking out of her office. 

Steve was pacing slowly by the door and Tony couldn't help but start crying as soon as he saw his fiancé. 

"Babe?" he came closer to him, "What is it?" 

"Tuesday," he wiped his eyes and handed Steve him his referral sheet, "Remind me to get Pepper to clear my day." 

"Oh my god," Steve whispered as he read the slip, "You start treatment on Tuesday?" Steve looked up at Tony and smiled widely, pulling him into a hug, "This is so amazing." 

"I can't barely believe it," Tony said, "One step closer to being a man." 

"Babe, you're already a man, you're my man," Steve kissed the top of his head, "This is just a helping hand." 

"God, I love you, every time I think I can't love you any more you just go and prove me wrong." 

"You dork, I love you too," Steve pulled back and laced his fingers through Tony's, "Come on, let's go get this appointment booked." Tony leaned up and kissed Steve softly. 

"Lead the way then." Steve just laughed and dragged Tony down the hall; referral sheet grasped tightly in his fingers.