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Tony was restlessly pacing around in his and Rhodey’s dorm; his fist was clenched tightly, rigid, and sweaty. He was tense and nervous.
Keep yourself together… you can do this… its just Rhodey. You can do this.
He thought with uncertainty, as his mind was conjuring up scenarios where either Rhodey was laughing at his face or his face was full of disgust at Tony’s confession.
He met James Rhodes three years ago, although their first impressions of each other were not all sunshine and rainbows. James knew all about his roommate before: Tony Stark, a child prodigy and heir to Stark Industries. And he apparently constructed a whole motor engine from the scrap metal in his garage. Yes, he knew all about it because that news made headlines.
He already hated that kid, pompous and spoilt. When he finally met Tony, however, he was completely taken aback. Tony was not at all what he had expected. He was shy, timid, and gentle, yet brilliant, bold, and so so beautiful. James was enamoured with him instantly.
Tony was carrying a huge cardboard box filled with his essentials, a deep frown etched on his face as he navigated through the bustling dormitory hallway. It was his first day at MIT; he was naturally skittish and highly strung.
As he strode forward, an unexpected collision sent his box tumbling to the floor, its contents spilling out in all directions. A clatter of textbooks, a laptop, and a metal toolbox echoed in the hallway. Thankfully, he was already close to his designated dorm room.
“Watch where you are going!” Tony exclaimed, his voice dripping with annoyance. His nerves were already frayed. So much for the first day, Tony whispered under his breath.
The stranger who knocked off his things bent down along with him to help him gather his belongings.
“Sorry about that," the stranger said, sounding genuinely apologetic. “I wasn't watching where I was going," he said with a warm smile, revelling in a pair of friendly brown eyes.
Tony actually looked at him; he was tall and well built; probably an athlete, Tony thought.
Tony’s irritation melted away as he took in the helpful stranger. “No harm done; I should've been more careful.” Tony was relieved; he didn't stammer, even though he was nervous.
“You are Tony, right? We are dormmates.”
Well, shit, Tony knew who he was, and he had some idea from the other kids what everyone thought of Tony Stark.
“Oh, oh, I didn't realise. Sorry, I'll keep out of your way.” Rhodey was bemused at Tony’s attitude; he was hoping for a more arrogant and boisterous remark from the moment he bumped into Tony.
“Hey, as I said, no harm done; we’re okay. Come on, let me help you, as we’re going the same way.” Tony signed out in relief, and Rhodey watched his face and gauged his every expression.
“I’m James Rhodes; its nice to meet you finally." -James reassured him-” looks like we are off to a smashing start.”
Tony chuckled. “Well, let's hope the rest of our time here is a bit less crash-prone.”
However, the warmth and kindness seeped out of Rhodey’s pore; he was the epitome of everything nice. Tony thought to himself that maybe this wouldn't be so bad, and he could actually be friends with him.
“I think I'm going to call you Rhodey; James is too mouthful.”
“How is that even-” Rhodey stumbled and almost crashed into the door.
Tony tutted, "Ugh, Rhodey, you should be careful where you walk; who knows when you knock someone innocent and unuspecting down along with all their toiletries and essentials?” Tony jibed in a playful manner.
“You little shit, you’re the one who knocked into me.” Rhodey countered, his eyes twinkling, amusement evident.
“Are we still going on with the blame game?"
And that is how their friendship started. Well, now Tony was confused. He started having feelings for Rhodey, but Rhodey treated him like his little brother, and Tony was sure what he felt for Rhodey was far from brotherly. Tony freaked out when he realised what it meant; he had been longing and lusting after his roommate. He was in love, so deep in his labyrinth of emotions that he felt like he was drowning in it.
After the shocking realization passed, Tony couldn't bring himself to care anymore.
With a determined nod, he straightens his back, and with confident steps, he strodes out of his room as his feet take him to where Rhodey was supposed to be studying.
James Rhodes was in the secluded section of the library. It was mute and soundless; the rustling of papers and a slight scratch of a pencil on parchment were audible. Maria sat across from him, a bored expression on her countenance, peering at her phone. During these sloe days, she would often fudgel at the desk, making it look like she was indeed studying, when in reality she was just wasting time and annoying Rhodey.
"Ugh, can you not?" Rhodey exclaimed in a hushed voice to avoid the librarian’s wrath.
“Can you not?” Maria replied with a twinkle in her eyes, and a smug smirk adorned her face. She was up to something, and Rhodey was even more puzzled. "How's your loverboy, by the way?”
“I have no idea what you're talking about.” James was exasperated. He just got up and left, leaving an apologetic Maria behind.
Although he didn't blame her and wasn't truly vexed at her, she was just looking out for him; he knew that, and he was also aware of the fact that his friends did not approve of Tony.
Yet he often finds himself replaying moments they have shared—an oil streak on Tony’s forehead—and prattling to himself, the way he smiles, and those tender moments shared together. How could he not fall for someone like Tony?
He was troubled and overthinking; all he wanted was to work out and burn out those persisting thoughts.
Rhodey was in their shared dorm right now, a long and exhausting sigh leaving his lips as he rolled his sore shoulder. Hunching over his laptop for hours wasn't a good idea.
He rubs at the tense muscle from shoulders to neck. As he takes a seat on the edge of his bed, he pulls his shirt up; his head snaps towards the door when he hears and sees the door open, revealing a freshly showered Tyr. He was looking unusually skittish and avoided eye contact.
"What's up, man?” Rhodey was not expecting him.
“Are you busy?” James shakes his head, dropping the sweaty shirt on the floor.
“Nice day we had, huh?” Tyr said with a fond expression as he dropped down behind Rhodey. James hums in agreement.
"Yeah, but I was supposed to meet Tony like 15 minutes ago, and now I can't find him.”
“Might be in the library; I saw him cozying with that redhead.” Rhodey knew who he was referring to but chose not to comment.
Tyr lays his hands on Rhodey’s tense shoulders carefully, so as not to spook him. Rhodey was completely oblivious to his intentions.
He slightly pulls back, but after a few moments, as Rhodey’s shoulders relax, he lays his palms fully on his shoulders.
He starts with a slow, soft rhythm, circling the knots with his hands. James groaned, a deep rumbling sound that was positively sinful. He was so engrossed that he failed to notice how closely Tyr had shifted towards him, his warm body pressing against his back.
He was about to express his discomfort, but at that moment, the door slammed with a loud thud.
Tony seemed nervous; for a second, a big smile graced Rhodey’s face, which withdrew when he noticed a deep frown on Tony.
James shrugged off Tyr’s hands as he opened his mouth to speak. He ceased as Tony held his palm up.
"No, its fine, honeybear; I'll come later.” Tony left as quickly as he appeared.
Rhodey’s frown deepened, shaking his head as Tony closed the door behind him.
"Rhodes, just let him go; I'm sure it's nothing important.”
James felt a spark of anger as well as doubt and insecurity creeping in like an ominous cloud on a sunny day.
“Not important? Didn't you see how upset he was?” Rhodey almost lost his cool.
He stormed after Tony, unaware of where he had gone off to.
_
Tony ran. He ran as fast as he could. All his emotions were clustered; his heart pounding and a constant ringing sensation clouded his judgement. Students were throwing odd looks in his direction, but he was unstoppable.
His stomach dropped at that sight. Tyr was so close to Rhodey. He knew he had no right to be mad at Rhodey, but he was so restless and infuriated.
Tony slammed the door closed as he pressed his back against the door. He was now at Sam’s dorm; thankfully, Sam was busy with student council this week.
He slowly slid down as he brought his legs towards his chest, resting his head on his knees.
Tyr was just giving Rhodey a massage, simple and innocent; nothing was about to happen.
"God, I feel so stupid,” Tony grumbled to himself.
It still hurt him, no less, because he wanted to be the one giving Rhodey a massage.
A whirlwind of sentiment overflowed within his head.
It was quiet for a moment. A loud knock from the outside broke his reverie.
Tony was startled for a moment, fearful that his clandestine location had been discovered, but when Rhodey spoke, his discombobulated face turned into a glare.
“What do you want?” Tony inquired, his voice wobbly and thick with emotions.
"Tones, please let me in; I need to know if you're okay.”
“I'm fine, Rhodey, just uhm.” Tony gulped; he didn't know how to explain his situation.
“I know you're not fine, Tony, Please talk to me... what's wrong? Is it something I did to upset you?” James was anxious; he was aware Tony had sudden bursts and tends to isolate himself, but that was usually after the vacations with his dad.
Tony almost growled under his breath as he rapidly shook his head left to right and vice versa, even though nobody could perceive him.
He just huffs and continues, "No, you didn't do anything; its just i-”
He felt his throat closing in, suffocating and stifling his windpipe.
“I'm sorry for interrupting whatever was happening between you and Tyr.”
“Tony wha-”
"I just thought that I meant something more to you, because you clearly mean so much more to me.”
When James didn't say anything, Tony just continued. Its now or never; he wanted to get everything out. All those myriad emotions plaguing and tormenting him made him feel so worthless and unlovable.
Tony averts his gaze and stares at the dust specks dancing in the sunlight.
“Um, I've been meaning to ask you this but never felt confident enough, and everything I tried, it's just that we got interrupted.”
Rhodey waited patiently outside the door; he wanted to know what was going on and how to make things better.
“I kind of want to tell you now, but I don't think I can do this face to face.”
"Of course, I'll wait for you outside if it makes you feel at ease. You know, I'd never judge you.” Tony’s heart skittered at his confession because he knew what he was going to say could possibly change everything. Friendships were at stake.
“I like you, Rhodey, not like I like Pepper, but I think I like you more than I should. And I am honestly so scared of you not reciprocating, and my heart will shatter if my stupidity costs our friendship.” There it is; it was out, the cats out of the bag. Tony was holding his breath for the inevitable; Rhodey could probably call him slurs and never talk to him again.
For a second, it was pin drop silent. Tony was convinced that Rhodey left, if not for his deep honeyed voice, which commanded him to open the door.
He unlocked the door with great difficulty, against his will. Rhodey stared down at him with a smouldering intensity. An inferno rose deep in his belly. His breath hitched as James strode towards him in three steps; he had Tony pinned to the wall.
A warm heat flows up to Tony's face; his pale cheeks turned cherry red from their proximity; he felt lightheaded already.
James didn't say anything; he just gazed at Tony, following as Tony glazed his lips with his tongue.
A coiling sensation churned in his belly, sparking desire and passion.
“Rhode-” James did not allow Tony to finish as he leaned down, his lips softly brushing against Tony’s now wet lips. His hands skated along Tony’s waist, firm and grounding.
Tony froze completely; his eyes grew comically wide.
Tony stops thinking instantaneously and just dives up and presses his lips against Rhodey’s. It wasn't soft and gentle; it was full of heat and passion intertwined with lust.
It was a battle, with tongues clashing and hands gripping each other like anchors. Tony probably heard a few buttons clattering on the floor, but he paid no heed. He was lost in this kiss.
Rhodey hums in delight as his hands slide down to Tony’s bum. A small shudder goes up Tony’s spine, and along with it, a gasp leaves his mouth. Rhodey uses that to his advantage and slides his tongue, tracing Tony’s wet heat.
They both ravaged themselves until they ran out of breath.
"So I take you like me too?” Tony proclaimed it with a smirk, yet his uncertainty was evident. Rhodey knew Tony well enough to gauge out his feelings and everything that went unsaid.
Rhodey just kissed him again, but this time it was gentle. He wanted to convey that Tony meant the world to him, and yes, he loves him.
“Of course I like you, Tony; how could I not?” James replied with a gentle smile.
Tony growls as he leans up to kiss Rhodey passionately.
He squealed slightly when he felt Rhodey lifting him up slightly. Tony tightened his grip around Rhodey’s neck, and a giddy giggle left his mouth as he felt his chest spreading with warmth.