Stringless (IronStrange)

Part 3

Tony hadn't forgotten about his promise to help Peter train in the compound. His time just became...misplaced. The work, the expectations building, forcing him to stay up a little longer, work a little harder. It wasn't surprising he fell ill, but he'd never let it stop him before.

It had never stopped him from fighting either.

Standing on the remains of the latest battle from some wannabe alien dictator, Iron Man bent forward, hands on his knees as he coughed. His vision swam, not just from his injuries or a possible concussion but from illness. Waving the clean-up crew forward, he asked FRIDAY to do a scan for any lingering hostiles, any potential threats before he took to the night sky.

'FRIDAY, time?'

'Twelve minutes past two, sir.'

'What day is it?'

'The fifth.'

'Shit... didn't I have a-'

'Yup, a date with the wizard.'

Tony reached his hand up to rub his face, forgetting he was in the suit.

'Only seven hours late then, can you pilot the suit to the Sanctum for me?'

'Boss, your heart rate is elevated, your left arm is fractured, and you are extremely fatigued. I strongly suggest you return to the tower before the suit gives out on you, and you're left stranded. Safety protocols demand I bring you back to the compound.'

'No damn it, Sanctum, now.'

'Boss-'

'Take me, or I'll override your control and pilot myself there, then you can explain to Peter why you let me die in a heap somewhere.'

The AI was silent for a moment, contemplating. Tony wasn't sure what this thing between him and Stephen was, they were friends, they trusted each other, and the sex was outstanding. Even if he couldn't put words to his feelings, Stephen deserved more than this, even if he didn't want anything more than friends with benefits. He was already letting Peter down by being an absent mentor. He couldn't fail in this too.

'I promised myself it wasn't going to be like this again, that I wasn't going to be like this again. I've fucked up enough for at least a million lifetimes, please FRIDAY.'

'ETA five minutes,' FRIDAY told him.

'Atta girl,' Tony smiled, grimacing as it stretched the wound in his cheek.

It wasn't the cleanest landing, showy or impressive. FRIDAY managed to get him to the Sanctum with his limited power and injuries, but not to the front door, they smashed through the window, showering glass all over the floor.

'Stephen is gonna kill you for the mess, Fri.'

'I think he's going to be more concerned with you, boss, after all... you forced my hand in this.'

'Stark?'

Tony looked up, the image of Stephen rushing into the main room with orange disks glowing around his hands almost making him laugh. The world lurched sideways, the momentum making Tony sink to the floor. He was going to throw up...why was it suddenly so hot?

'I know I'm late, I'm sorry, but at least I made it right? Hey, we agreed to first names!' He snapped, pointing at Stephen accusingly and then groaning, cradling his arm to his chest.

'Late?' Stephen shook his hands to dispel the orange glow, looking confused. 'Late for...you mean our?' He swallowed, Adam's apple bobbing, an eyebrow-raising. 'You came here from a fight because you missed our rendezvous?'