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Stephen is struggling.
It’s been a long time since he’s bothered to try to charm someone into liking him. It just hasn’t mattered to him. But Pepper and Rhodey are important to Tony, and their disapproval of his relationship with Stephen is wearing on him. Stephen is sure Tony wouldn’t break the bond over it, but he wants Tony to be happy, and he wants their relationship to continue growing, and that means he needs to wiggle into Pepper and Rhodey’s good graces somehow.
Unfortunately, while they’re being polite, drinks and appetizers are already done and they definitely haven’t warmed up to him at all. Stephen’s stomach is in knots that have him dreading the entree. Stephen and Tony’s affection for each other and their bond—probably mostly the bond—had gotten Pepper and Rhodey to agree to dinner, but it sure isn’t a get out of jail free card, and Stephen can’t figure out what to talk about. They don’t know anything about medicine, and he doesn’t know anything about business, or the military. They’d discussed the weather. Stephen has never felt so at sea in his life.
Despite knowing it’ll be a strike against him, Stephen excuses himself after the appetizers are cleared away and retreats to the bathroom for a breather. He’s leaning against one of the sinks when the door opens and Tony slips inside. Stephen groans. “I’m sorry. I just needed a minute.”
“It’s fine,” Tony says, coming over to lean against the wall next to him. “They’re being pretty remote.” Tony makes a face. “Honestly, I’m not sure they’re holding up their end of the deal. Freezing you out is not giving you a chance.”
“Please don’t argue with them on my behalf,” Stephen insists. “That’ll probably only make it worse.”
Tony grimaces in a way that says Stephen is right. “How can I help, then?”
“Topics of conversation,” Stephen says. “Apparently I’ve lost the ability to talk to anyone but doctors and potential donors.”
“We never had any trouble,” Tony says, smiling.
That’s not at all down to Stephen. “You listen to me about medicine. And somehow, everything you talk about is interesting.”
Tony laughs. “I think you may be the only person in the world who thinks so. I ramble, people start tuning me out.”
Stephen snorts. “Idiots. They don’t know what they’re missing. Literally.”
Tony gives him a brief, soft smile before shaking it off into something more businesslike. “Topics of conversation. Pepper has an art collection. Well, I have an art collection, but she manages it, it’s really more hers at this point. Rhodey is always good for college shenanigans. Other options…” They brainstorm for another minute before returning to the table, Tony’s hand resting warmly in the small of Stephen’s back. Stephen draws on that sensation to fortify himself before settling back into his chair.
By the time dessert comes, Pepper has thawed enough to smile and Rhodes is laughing. But the real victory is the happy sparkle in Tony’s eyes.