Work Text:
“Date with Lia, tonight?” Stephen asked Tony as they analyzed the strange slime the monster of the week had gotten everywhere.
Bruce looked up from his side of the table then made himself scarce.
Tony hummed, still focused on the slime. “Nah. Too much to do. Might reschedule for tomorrow. But she’s got a conference coming up, she’ll be traveling. Hit or miss if we’ll manage something.”
Stephen’s stomach twisted, jealousy stirring. It would be easier if Tony was trying to make him jealous. Stephen would know how to respond. But Tony wasn’t trying to make him jealous. Tony didn’t think Stephen cared if Tony was dating Lia or not.
It was the opposite, really. As awful as it sounded, Stephen suspected Tony was dating Lia at least partially to make Stephen feel better. Tony thought Stephen was uncomfortable and was ‘helping’ by ‘moving on’.
Except… nothing had changed. Their nights were still their nights, Tony made time when Stephen showed up, Tony still visited the Sanctum. No, Tony hadn’t thrown Stephen over because a woman was involved. Tony only mentioned Lia when Stephen made ‘casual’ inquiries.
The Avengers weren’t nearly so circumspect about bringing her up, encouraging Tony relentlessly.
Would Stephen feel like this if he didn’t know Tony loved him? Tony had never dated anyone seriously in the time they’d known each other—was Tony serious about Lia?—Stephen had no reference. Would Stephen be jealous in other circumstances?
Because he was jealous.
It wasn’t fair. Stephen had no right to be jealous. He looked up; Tony was bent over the table, dropping the slime into a chemical neutralizer, eyes alight with burning curiosity.
Stephen’s gut clenched. He didn’t want Tony… did he?
But if he didn’t, why did the thought of losing Tony to Lia terrify him?