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"Okay," Tony huffs out, adjusting Stephen's new mechanical wings carefully. This is the moment they've been waiting for. Tony takes in a shaky breath, turning to Stephen.
"You ready?" he asks, assuring himself repeatedly that Stephen is taking flight in a safe, secure place and within his sight in case things didn't go as well as expected.
They were in a secluded, clear field, the sky above them bright and blue. He checked the area multiple times to make sure no one is in their vicinity. He's brought some of his bots, EDITH, and made sure his suit is with him in case things go south.
The wings attached to Stephen's back has been a project he's spent the last few months trying to perfect. When the accident happened, Stephen had been the most devastated Tony had ever seen him. His wings had been damaged horribly beyond repair, and taking flight in its state is near impossible. Tony hates seeing him that way. Since then, he had made it his mission to make sure Stephen could fly again.
It took so long to perfect, but here they are now.
It surprisingly did not take a lot of convincing for the Wakandans to lend him some vibranium for it. He thought about using nanotech instead, mainly due to its flexibility and his familiarity with it from past projects, but he wanted nothing but the best for Stephen. And if that meant one of the strongest metals in the world? Then he'd fight hell and back just to get it.
His nervous eyes meet Stephen's gentle ones, a small smile stretching the sorcerer's lips.
"Yes," he says, "Yes, I'm ready."
There was certainty in his voice. It calmed Tony's nerves.
"Alright," he says, turning to DUM-E. "Look alive, DUM-E. You're gonna stand by for fire safety." One can always trust DUM-E for fire safety. Even if the bot does a shit job at it. (He just can't bring himself to get rid of it.)
There really isn't any possible fire hazards but, well, who could blame him for being prepared? (Perhaps he just wanted to bring DUM-E along, but whatever.)
He points to another bot at a far distance, the camera attached to it turning to Tony. "You, start rolling."
He claps his hands together and takes a step back. "It's gonna take a while for you to adjust to flight again."
"I know."
"It's gonna be hard to balance it, but there isn't any wind currently so you should be good. Oh, and make sure not to put too much of your weight upon landing."
Stephen chuckles. "I know."
"And y–"
"Tony," Stephen cuts him off, and Tony gives him a look. Stephen responds with a reassuring smile and a slow recline of his head. "I've got this," he says, gently, "You've told me everything I need to know. We prepared for every possible wrong thing that could happen. Hell, it's mostly guaranteed it won't go wrong. Even if it does, I won't be in any major harm. Don't worry."
Tony nods curtly, more to himself than anything, jaw clenched. He breathes in.
"I just can't stop worrying that it'll just blow up or something." That gets a surprised laugh from Stephen. The edge of Tony's lips tilts up on its own at that.
"Which won't happen," Stephen shakes his head as if the mere idea is ridiculous. It is. "You know it won't."
"Yeah, you're right."
"How come you're more nervous than I am?"
Tony cards a hand over his hair, chuckling as he shrugs. "I just... I really want this to work, Stephen. It can't go wrong," his tone turns serious just as suddenly as his eyes stare intently into Stephen's. "It just can't. I... I want you to fly again."
Stephen smiles, hand reaching up to cup Tony's cheek, who leans into the touch immediately. "This means a lot for me, Tony. And you've spend so long for it. It's going to work," he says, "Thank you."
The edge of Tony's lip tilts up. "Yeah, 'course. For you, Stephen, I'd give the world if I could."
Stephen laughs a little bashfully. Tony expects him to call out how sappy he's being, but instead he says, "You have," and with gentle eyes, "It's you. You're my world."
And with that, Stephen steps back. Tony moves to a safe distance, enough to give Stephen space when he takes off.
"Okay," Tony says, "Take off in 3, 2..." He stares nervously, "...1."
Stephen takes flight.