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After his discussion with Soul, Tony almost doesn’t go to see Stephen that night. They don’t have coffee and tea every night—although it is more often than not—so not showing up wouldn’t necessarily imply anything. Even if Tony has usually texted Stephen something about his alternate plans when he doesn’t.
He’s actually leaning that way when Soul grumbles, Now I understand what Rhodey means by ‘self-sabotaging.’
The comment brings Tony up short. Rhodey had said that about Tony and Pepper’s break up. Tony hadn’t been able to explain himself to Rhodey’s satisfaction, especially since he couldn’t share the main impetus for ending the relationship, which left Rhodey firmly convinced that Tony was just getting cold feet over the idea of committing himself to someone for life.
If only Rhodey knew. Tony’s relationship with Stephen—whatever the nature of it—was going to last a lot longer than a single lifetime.
And if Tony and Stephen are going to be partners in immortality, well, Tony knows himself well enough to know that they’ll end up dating at some point, even if he doesn’t know if it’ll last. Might as well give it a shot right out the gate, right? That way, if it doesn’t work, they can get over it before they’ve built up too much baggage between the two of them.
So he goes. Soul’s relief is almost tangible.
“Tony,” Stephen greets him as he enters the sitting room. Coffee and tea are already set out, still steaming. Intangible warmth wraps around Tony as it always does. Stephen’s love. Tony pays it a little more attention than he has before. It’s deeply rooted. 14 million lifetimes worth, according to Soul. “Why didn’t you tell me you’re in love with me?” Tony blurts. He covers a wince. He hadn’t meant to open with that at all.
But Stephen doesn’t seem upset, only a little surprised. “Partly because I didn’t want to unduly influence you,” he says. “Partly because I assumed you already knew, thanks to Soul.”
“I didn’t recognize it as love,” Tony admits. “But I was talking to Soul about dating you—”
Stephen perks up. “You want to date me?”
“—and— Yes, but—” Tony breaks off and laughs, shaking his head. “I’m doing this all backwards.”
“If it ends in us dating, feel free to do it in any order you please,” Stephen says, smiling.
Tony gives up. “Stephen, would you like to go on a date with me?”
“Very much,” Stephen says. His love swells and Tony can’t help but smile.
They’ve got plenty of time to get to the rest.