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Stephen got home to Tony sleeping on his couch. He smiled, removing his shoes so he could move silently to check on him. Tony slept a lot, the aftermath of his surgery, but he was healing nicely.
They weren’t really anything, yet, still getting to know each other.
At the same time, Stephen had already given Tony access to his apartment, he’d never done that in any of his actual relationships. It probably meant something, but Stephen didn’t particularly care to dissect the situation.
Tony stirred as Stephen did a visual check on him. “Hey,” Tony’s voice was raspy with sleep. “Thought you’d be home earlier.”
“Had dinner with Christine and Nic,” Stephen said. He’d tried, the past few months, to ’socialize’ more. “If I’d known you’d be here, I’d have skipped.”
Tony hummed, eyes fluttering a little with exhaustion. “You know, nurses are the worst gossips,” he said.
Stephen arched an eyebrow at the non sequitur. “I work in the hospital. I’m aware.”
“They said you hated Nic.” Of course they had. “What’s up with all the dinners?”
The question surprised him. “He…” Stephen paused. “He saved you, Tony. After that.” He shrugged. “A little more patience felt appropriate.”