Work Text:
Steve was in the penthouse of Stark tower, idly roaming and painting the scenic New York skyline in the dark, twinkling with lights from apartments as well as multiple vehicles passing by.
It was late at night, an eerie silence lingered in the halls. He soon heard the sound of the elevator ding in the living room and the distinct thumps of boot heels, muffled by the expensive heavy carpet. Steve entered the living room and laid his eyes on the discarded suit jacket on the hand of the sofa and his eyes soon followed the man beside, who was loosening his tie.
Tony had had a stressful day at the office. Multiple meetings, paperwork and administration about the new green tech, especially at the end of a financial year were not very relaxing. He had been struggling with everything recently. Alcohol was incredibly tempting to him but he had sworn to Steve not to drink again and did his best to resist.
Steve went forward towards Tony intending to kiss his cheek and embrace him after a tough time at work. Right before his lips could place themselves on Tony’s neatly bearded cheek, Tony had turned and started towards the direction of the kitchen. Steve felt extremely put off by this. It wasn't the first time Tony had avoided affection, particularly while not being in the best of mood, but this time it was as if his husband didn't even notice him. Deciding to give his spouse some space, he got ready for bed and laid on his side.
Later when Tony fell into the bed with a thump, startling Steve awake, he moved forward to manoeuvre Tony in his arms, only for Tony to shift on his side, back facing his husband. Steve hugged him from the back. Tony’s body shook as his silent cries and tears damped the pillow below. Steve could do nothing but hold him. That night, Tony had felt a different kind of warmth around him which had oddly comforted him.
****
The avoiding and ignoring had been going on for days now. At times Tony would look him in the eye with a certain type of annoyance, walking toward him. But instead of talking to him he would change his direction or bend down to pick up his tablet from the table. The other times he would talk on the phone loudly as if his grunts and whines and complaints were not disturbing whatever book Steve was trying to read. Tony cooked for himself, more often than not would sleep without eating anything. Tony would also ignore whatever Steve was trying to say and follow his routine without saying a single thing himself. It was all worrying and annoying at the same time.
It wasn't until a few days later, a day before their wedding anniversary where Steve was seated on their bed beside Tony at exactly 11.11pm. They were just about to fall asleep after changing into their pyjamas– for once that Tony had emerged from either his workshop or home office and come to bed at an appropriate time– Tony took out a picture from the drawer in the nightstand. He placed the picture and his wedding ring, now removed, together in his palms.
It was the picture from their wedding day, Tony in a black and gold suit with red linings because according to him, “Steve darling these are my colours and you cannot steal them from me. Find your own”, and Steve in a neat and clean white suit which had a blue tie and a nice red rose in the pocket. They took it right after their vows were done being said and right before their friends (no family because all of them are orphans) started to cheer at them to kiss.
Steve wondered why his husband had taken it out until Tony spoke lightly, “Steve… It is our 3rd marriage anniversary tomorrow. I'm sure you already remember due to your eidetic memory you keep annoying me about,” he gave a watery chuckle which was anything with joyous, “and I want you to know you have made me the happiest that I ever could be. I just- I just wish you were here with me Steve. I miss you so much and I can never forget you. And if you were here with me right now Steve, I would've done everything to make sure that wonderful smile of yours would never leave that gorgeous face,” ending with that, Tony broke into heavy sobs and was inconsolable.
And when a confused Steve went forward to embrace him, his arms went right through him and a ghost of Steve realised what had happened after all.