Work Text:
Stephen slumped down onto the couch. Med school was exhilarating… but exhausting. Partway through his first semester and Stephen had never been more certain this was where he was supposed to be.
Footsteps caught his attention and he let his head fall to the side to look. A smile tugged at his lips at the sight of Tony, dressed in lounge pants and an old t-shirt. They technically shared the apartment here on the outskirts of Stanford, but SI was still in Malibu, which meant Tony spent a few days every other week gone. Stephen hadn’t realized Tony’d be home tonight. He must have left Malibu early.
It’d be easier, maybe, for Tony to live in Malibu. To keep their schedule of visiting each other twice a month. Stephen far preferred this set up.
“Hey,” Tony said, falling onto the sofa next to Stephen. “You look tired.”
“I am.” Stephen held back a yawn at the thought. “Med school might kill me.”
“Please,” Tony scoffed. “As though med school has a chance against you. You’re entirely too brilliant.”
Stephen shifted a little so he could lean his weight against Tony. “Hmm. Compliment me some more.”
Tony laughed. “That’d keep us here all night,” he said. “And I’m pretty sure you need actual food before you get lost in that biochemistry paper you said was due this Friday.”
Right. Subclinical hypothyroidism. “You going to help me?”
“I will listen intently as you talk to yourself,” Tony said, tone amused. “I’ll be your rubber duck.”
“Perfect.” Tony was the best partner to work through his thoughts with. “You said food?”
“Food,” Tony agreed. He stood, dragging Stephen to the kitchen. Stephen followed, smiling. Med school was where he was meant to be… Tony was who he was meant to be here with.