Chapter Text
It had been three long, exhausting days since the Stephen–Wade rumor first began to spread through campus like wildfire.
Three days of whispers in the corridors.
Three days of curious glances, smothered laughter, and shameless speculation.
Three days of Tony trying—failing—to get a word with Stephen.
And Stephen, true to his stubborn pride, had ignored him every single time.
When Stephen walked down the east corridor that morning, the air was thick with murmurs. He caught snippets—
"Secret relationship."
"Did you hear they were caught in a… compromised position?"
"Apparently Wade swept him off his feet—literally."
The absurdity of their imaginations made Stephen’s jaw clench. It wasn’t just gossip anymore; it was turning into full-blown smut fiction, and he was the unwilling protagonist.
"Stephen, just ignore them," Wong murmured at his side, his voice calm, as though trying to soothe a cat with its fur bristling. "This will pass."
But Stephen knew it wouldn’t—not with Wade Wilson involved.
As if summoned by the thought, Wade stepped into his path with that maddening, lopsided grin. His eyes glittered with mischief, like a boy who had just set fire to something valuable and was proud of it.
"Hey, Stephie," Wade greeted in a singsong voice, overly sweet. "Good morning."
Stephen stopped short, his patience already frayed. "What do you want?" he asked, his tone sharp enough to cut glass.
"What? Can’t I meet my boyfriend in the corridor?" Wade tilted his head, feigning innocence. "We are exclusive now, after all."
"You should stop this," Stephen warned, his voice low with irritation. "People are going to believe it."
"Let them," Wade replied breezily. "I’m enjoying it. The golden boy of campus is my boyfriend—do you know how good that sounds?"
"I’m going to put a stop to this. I’ll tell everyone it’s a misunderstanding."
Wade chuckled, unbothered. "Okay, then. Let’s see who believes you."
Stephen narrowed his eyes. "Why are you doing this?"
Wade’s grin widened into something sly. "Because you’re the golden boy. You choosing me? That’s a privilege. And I want to make sure everyone knows—even Logan didn’t get you, but I did."
"I’m not a prize to be won," Stephen fumed.
"Oh, you are, dear," Wade said, stepping closer. His tone turned almost teasingly affectionate. "And I’m going to flaunt it while I can."
Before Stephen could react, Wade caught his hand, lifted it to his lips, and pressed a lingering kiss against his knuckles. Then, with a wink, he sauntered away.
"Fuck you, Wilson!" Stephen snapped, glaring after him.
Wade didn’t even look back. "I’ll let you, dear—if you wish," he called over his shoulder, laughing.
Stephen’s temper was ready to boil over—but then his gaze shifted.
Tony was there. Standing at the far end of the corridor.
And the look on his face… it was like Stephen had kicked a puppy.
Stephen’s heart twisted, but he looked away, turning sharply on his heel.
Across campus, Tony sat with his friends on one of the courtyard benches. The group was deep in discussion about prom decorations, but Tony’s mind was far away, tangled in thoughts of Stephen.
Three days without a single real conversation. Three days of tension. He just wanted to talk, to fix whatever had gone wrong. Rivalry be damned.
And then—there he was. Stephen, walking with Wong, sunlight catching in his hair. Tony’s heart gave a ridiculous little leap. Maybe this was his chance. Maybe—
He started to rise from his seat.
But before he could take a step, Wade appeared. Wade, with that smug, flirty expression. Tony watched from a distance, helpless, as they spoke. He couldn’t hear the words, but then—then—Wade kissed Stephen’s hand.
A flare of rage shot through Tony’s chest.
Wade had no right to touch him. No one did. No one except Tony.
"Tony, what are you looking at?" Pepper’s voice broke through his fury. She leaned toward him, curiosity in her eyes.
"I need to go," Tony said, his voice clipped. He slammed his palm against the bench as he stood.
Pepper frowned. "What’s wrong with him?" she asked aloud.
"Tony’s gone crazy since he lost the game," Thor chuckled.
"I think so too," Clint agreed.
Bruce, however, was watching Tony closely. "Let me check on him."
Tony strode away from the bench with the single-minded focus of someone heading into a fight.
"Tony, where are you going?" Bruce called after him.
"Why are you following me?" Tony shot back, not slowing his pace.
"I know where you’re going," Bruce said evenly. "And you’re making it worse."
"I don’t care," Tony snapped. "I’m not letting anyone play with my boyfriend. Fucking Wilson is clearly taking advantage of the situation."
"Tony…" Bruce’s voice was patient. "Nobody knows he’s your boyfriend. And you know what will happen if anyone finds out."
Tony stopped abruptly, turning on him. "What will happen? My friends will hate me because I love someone? Then what’s the point of being friends?"
Bruce raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure about this?"
"Yes. I am. I want him. He hasn’t talked to me for three days and now I know exactly what I want."
Bruce studied him for a moment, then nodded. "Then go ask him to prom. Make it public."
Tony hesitated. "But I’m the captain of—"
"If our house makes you step down as captain just because you love someone from Magus, I’ll stand with you all the way," Bruce said firmly.
A wide smile broke across Tony’s face. He pulled Bruce into a quick, fierce hug. "Thanks, man."
"There are only two days left," Bruce reminded him with a grin. "Ask him before someone else does."
"Yeah," Tony said, determination sharpening his voice. "I should plan something special."
Without another word, he turned and sprinted back toward his dorm, already scheming.
The chatter in the common room had been loud and scattered until Mordo’s voice cut through it like a sudden gust of wind.
“So, guys, did you get all set for the prom?” he asked, leaning back against the table, arms crossed, eyes glinting with curiosity.
“Yes, we’re!” a chorus of voices rang out, full of energy and anticipation. A couple of people even threw their hands in the air like it was a battle cry.
Mordo’s gaze shifted, sharp and mischievous. “What about you, Stephen? Since your secret boyfriend is not a secret anymore.”
Wanda didn’t even try to hide her smirk, tilting her head like a cat who’d cornered its prey.
Stephen’s eyes narrowed. “How many times do I have to tell you guys? He is not my boyfriend.” His voice carried the tight edge of someone repeating the same sentence for the hundredth time.
“And how many times have we asked you what you were doing out with him during that time?” Mordo quirked an eyebrow, every syllable heavy with implication.
“That’s none of your business,” Stephen shot back, his tone clipped.
“Then,” Mordo said with a mock shrug, “we believe that Wade is your boyfriend.”
Stephen muttered something under his breath. “I have no friends.”
Loki, lounging in the corner with his usual air of dangerous amusement, tilted his head. “If you considered us your friends, you’d have told us the truth.”
Before Stephen could retort, Wong stepped in, his voice smooth and deliberate. “Stephen told me what happened. He was just trying to practice the teleportation spell that night. Thought no one was there. But Wade happened to be passing through. Then Professor Fury caught them together. That’s all it was. He played along because he was scared of getting expelled.”
Stephen’s eyes darted to Wong, surprise flickering in them. He hadn’t expected the sudden rescue story, but he stayed quiet.
“That’s it?” Wanda asked, sounding almost disappointed.
Stephen gave a short nod.
Mordo wasn’t convinced. “So Wade is just… boasting about making out with you in the dark corridor? And about all the so-called ‘steamy moments’ he had with you?”
“Nothing happened,” Stephen said, his voice sharper now, frustration bleeding through.
“That motherfucker,” Mordo muttered darkly.
“Everyone believes it because Steve said it happened,” Wanda added, folding her arms.
Stephen ran a hand through his hair. “What should I do to stop this rumour?”
“If this rumour needs to stop,” Wong said, “Wade himself has to say it’s a lie.”
Stephen’s shoulders slumped. “He will never do that.”
“Then we’ll make him,” Loki said smoothly, a hint of a smile curling at his lips.
Stephen eyed him suspiciously. “How?”
“The only one he’s scared of in this entire campus is Logan. If Logan says it, Wade will listen.”
“And why,” Mordo asked, “would Logan help Stephen?”
Loki’s smirk deepened. “Because Logan wants to ask you out for the prom. Say yes to him, and he’ll end the rumours.” He shrugged like it was the simplest bargain in the world.
Stephen frowned instantly. “But I don’t want to go to the prom.”
Christine leaned forward, exasperated. “Steph, are you crazy? Just go with Logan! Everyone’s been waiting for him to ask someone out, and here’s your chance. Plus, you’ll finally be free from these ridiculous rumours.”
Stephen hesitated, glancing between his friends. “I… I need to think.”
“Okay,” Mordo said, “but the prom is in three days.”
The room quieted just enough for Stephen’s thoughts to grow louder in his head. He looked down, jaw tightening.
He needed this rumour to die—at any cost.
He could tell everyone the truth about that night. But doing so would mean exposing himself to a far worse humiliation—letting the entire campus know he’d fallen for Tony’s elaborate scheme. His friends would hate him for it, and the ridicule would never end.
So… maybe this was the better option. Saying yes to Logan would be easier than living as the unwilling protagonist in Wade’s filthy, fabricated story.
The decision settled like a weight in his chest. He knew what he had to do.