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FRIDAY alerts Tony when Stephen wakes up. Tony drops what he’s working on and hurries out of his workshop and down to the medical wing. All indications had been that it was a moderate concussion, but Tony knows better than most that even moderate concussions can have serious repercussions. It’s the brain. There’s nothing worse than possible damage to the brain.
When Tony steps into Stephen’s room the sorcerer is sitting up, a grimace on his face as he rubs his forehead. “Hey, Stephen,” Tony says, crossing the room and hitching one hip up to rest on the edge of Stephen’s bed. “How do you feel?”
Stephen looks up at him, confusion flickering across his face before he breaks into a smile. And what a smile. Tony catches his breath. He doesn’t think he’s ever seen Stephen look like that. “Better now that you’re here,” Stephen says warmly. He covers one of Tony’s hands with his.
“That’s good,” Tony says, a little distracted. Stephen doesn’t let people touch his hands, but he’s holding Tony’s.
“Can we go home?” Stephen asks, brushing his thumb across the back of Tony’s hand. “I think I’d recover better.” His smile takes on a teasing edge. “Assuming you’re willing to play nurse.”
Home? Play nurse? Tony hesitates. “Stephen,” he says carefully, “we don’t live together.”
Stephen frowns. “But… we’re married. Aren’t we?” He lifts his hand and rubs at his forehead again.
“We aren’t,” Tony says gently. “I think you’re a little confused.”
“You rushed in here,” Stephen explains, sounding a little out of it. “And then the way I felt when I saw you, I thought—” He drops his gaze and pulls his hand away. “I’m sorry.”
Tony’s hand feels cold without his touch. Those few moments… Tony almost wishes he hadn’t corrected Stephen. “I’m not sorry,” Tony says. “Maybe we can work on the married thing. Usually you start with a date, right?”
Stephen shoots him a startled look and then laughs. “Usually, yes.” His smile is just as gorgeous the second time. “I suppose playing nurse will have to wait.”
“Just a little,” Tony grins.