Archive of Our Own ^beta

The metallic sound of the door closing echoed through the hallway. The clock in the tower read almost three in the morning, and the mansion was plunged into a heavy silence—the kind of silence that Tony always hated.

—“Stephen?”— he called, dropping the keys on the counter. No response.

He climbed the stairs with slow steps, his brow furrowed. The bedroom light was on, a yellowish streak escaping through the crack in the door.

When it opened, the air seemed to break into a thousand pieces.

Stephen was there - disheveled, his eyes lost, his movements too slow for someone like him. Confusion was evident in every gesture. Beside him, a woman was trying to compose herself, surprised and nervous.

For a moment, Tony couldn't breathe. Everything seemed to freeze.

- What is that? — the voice was hoarse, almost a whisper, but full of pain. —What the hell is this, Stephen?!

Stephen blinked slowly, as if it took him a while to understand where he was. — Tony... I... it's not what it seems...

Tony took a step back. He laughed—a bitter, desperate laugh. —Isn't it what it seems? Are you kidding me? I leave everything to come home and find... this?

Stephen tried to stand up, staggering, his mind clouded. — I didn't... Tony, I swear...

— Swear what? — Tony interrupted, his voice breaking. — That you don't know what you're doing? That I should believe you again?

Tony's eyes filled with tears that he refused to let fall. The iron man, broken inside.

And Stephen... just stood there, unable to react, unable to understand how everything was falling apart so quickly.

— Look at me, Tony... — Stephen tried to take a step, but stumbled, leaning on the dresser. — I'm not well. I... something happened...

— Ah, now comes the excuse? — Tony shouted, his voice echoing off the walls. — There's always something, isn't there? A spell, a collapsing universe, a damn variable I don't understand!

Stephen squinted, trying to concentrate. — I never wanted...

— What did you want?! — Tony cut in, slamming his hand against the wall. — Make me look like an idiot? I trusted you, Strange! I defended you to everyone!

The woman had already left, silently, leaving the two alone in the chaos.

Stephen took a deep breath, his hands shaking. — I swear on everything, Tony... I don't remember. I'm trying to understand what's happening to me.

Tony laughed, but the sound was harsh, painful. — Of course you don't remember. It's always like that, right? 

— Tony, please! — Stephen took a step forward, but Tony retreated.

Tony's eyes burned red. — Don't touch me. I don't know who you are now.

Silence fell again. Heavy. The distant ticking of the clock seemed to mock them.

Stephen tried to say something, but Tony was already reaching for his coat.

— When you remember what you did... — Tony said, without looking back — ... don't look for me.

And the door slammed shut, leaving Stephen alone in the room—the air smelling of alcohol and regret.

_______

The mansion's gate closed behind him with a metallic clang. The night was cold, and the air bit Tony's face, but he barely felt it. He walked quickly, almost tripping over his own steps, his hands shaking.

The chest hurt. A suffocating weight.

— Damn... — he muttered, passing his hands over his eyes. — Damn, Stephen...

The cell phone vibrated in his pocket. He pulled it out with trembling fingers, almost dropping it before pressing the name he trusted most at that moment.

— Rhodey.

The call was answered quickly.

—Tony? What's up, man? Are you okay?

The sound of the familiar voice almost made him collapse. He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself.

— I... I don't know, Rhodey. I don't know what happened. I just... — the voice trailed off. — I went into the house and... h-he was there. With s-someone else.

On the other side, silence. Rhodes took a few seconds to respond, his voice low, careful. — Tony... where are you now?

— At the gate. I walked away. I... needed to get out of there.

— Okay. Breathe. Tell me where I can find you.

Tony swallowed hard, looking at the deserted street, the city lights twinkling in the distance. —Anywhere other than here.

Rhodey sighed. — I'll come get you. Stay where you are, Tony. Don't do anything stupid, you hear?

Tony nodded, even though he knew his friend couldn't see him. — Just... come quickly, Rhodey. Please.

The call ended, and he stood there, breathing deeply — trying to understand at what moment everything had fallen apart.

The genius. The hero. The iron man.

And yet, completely defenseless in the face of a broken heart.

________

The sound of the approaching engine broke the early morning silence. Rhodey's black car stopped near the gate, its headlights illuminating the empty road.

Tony was sitting on the sidewalk, his face buried in his hands, breathing heavily. When he heard the door slam, he raised his head — his eyes red, his face devastated.

— Dude... — Rhodey approached slowly, his voice low. - What happened?

Tony laughed humorlessly, shaking his head. — I wanted to know.

Rhodey crouched down beside him, his gaze worried. — You're shaking, Tony. Tell me what happened.

Tony was silent for a few seconds, trying to organize the chaos inside his own mind.

When he spoke, his voice was hoarse, broken. — I got home, Rhodey... and h-he was there. With someone. A woman.

Rhodey frowned in surprise. —Stephen?

Tony nodded, swallowing hard. - I don't understand. He seemed... out of it. Confused. But... — he took a deep breath, clenching his fist. — I couldn't stay there to hear anything. I just... couldn't do it.

Rhodey sighed, sitting down next to him on the sidewalk. — Tony, look... sometimes things aren't what they seem. You said yourself that he looked strange, right?

— Yeah, but what if it's exactly what it seems? — Tony muttered, looking at the floor. — What if I'm just trying to make excuses to not admit that I lost him?

For a moment, Rhodey didn't respond. He just placed a firm hand on his friend's shoulder.

— You haven't lost anything yet, Tony. But you need to breathe before making any decision.

Tony passed his hand over his eyes, exhausted. — I don't know if I can see him again.

— Then leave it for tomorrow — said Rhodey, calmly. — Today, you come with me. Get some sleep. Tomorrow, we'll see what to do.

Tony hesitated, then nodded slowly.

As the two walked away, the cold wind swept through the mansion's gate.

_________

The morning was gray. The sky, covered in dense clouds, reflected exactly what Tony felt inside.

The car stopped in front of the mansion. He stayed inside for a few seconds, looking out the window — the gate, the entrance, the memory of the previous night.

Everything seemed colder, more distant.

When he finally came down, the ground felt heavier. The wind hit his face, messing up his already disheveled hair.

He hadn't slept. The reddened look, the deep dark circles under his eyes, betrayed a whole night of anguish and anger that alcohol had failed to erase.

He opened the door slowly.

Silence.

And then he saw him.

Stephen was on the couch, his head in his hands, his eyes fixed on nothing. The messy hair, the same expression of someone who had spent the night being devoured by their own mind.

When Tony entered, the sound of the door seemed to not exist.

Stephen didn't even notice.

He breathed deeply, as if trying to understand the inexplicable.

And, even without remembering everything, the only image that came back to his head was Tony's face - the hurt look, the hatred mixed with despair.

Tony stood still for a moment, watching him. His chest tightened again. Part of him wanted to leave; another part wanted to scream until he collapsed.

— So... — Tony's voice was low, hoarse. —Are you going to pretend you didn't see me too?

Stephen started, looking up. The heart raced. — Tony... — the voice almost trailed off. — You're back.

— Yeah. — Tony crossed his arms, trying to keep himself steady. — I thought I should at least... get my things before I disappear.

The silence returned, even heavier.

Stephen swallowed hard, his mind trying to piece together disjointed fragments.

— Tony, I... I don't remember anything about last night. I only remember you... and your look. I swear... I would never do anything to hurt you.

Tony laughed, tiredly, bitterly. — You're always full of beautiful words, Strange. But this time... I don't know if I believe it.

Stephen looked down, feeling the weight of guilt even though he didn't know why.

Tony turned his face away, blinking several times to keep away the tears that threatened to fall.

— I just wanted to understand — he said, his voice breaking. - Just that.

Tony stood still, his eyes blank, trying not to let himself be carried away by the memory of what he had prepared — the dinner, the ring, the speech he had rehearsed so many times in front of the mirror.

It all seemed like a cruel joke now.

Stephen slowly got up from the sofa, still a little shaky, his eyes pleading.

— Tony, I would never do that to you. — His voice broke mid-sentence. — I don't know what happened. I swear. I just remember flashes, being dizzy, confused... and then... your face.

Tony clenched his fists, looking away. — Stop, Stephen. Just... stop.

- No! — Stephen took a desperate step forward. — I need you to believe me! I would never cheat on you, Tony. Four years... you know what that means to me!

Tony closed his eyes, breathing deeply, fighting not to give in. — I wanted to believe. I really wanted to. But what I saw…” His voice shook. — What I saw is recorded here, and I can't erase it.

Stephen felt his chest tighten. He took another step, extending his hand, hesitantly. —Then let me try it. Let me find out what happened. Please, Tony.

Tony opened his eyes—there was anger, hurt, and a trace of broken love there. — I spent weeks planning to ask you to marry me, Stephen. — The sentence came out in a whisper, almost inaudible. - And now...

Stephen turned pale. - What?

Tony laughed, humorless. — Yeah. Surprise. Or at least... it was meant to be.

The silence that came after was cruel.

Stephen took a step back, unable to say anything.

Tony took a deep breath, picked up the coat left on the chair and turned around. — If there's any explanation... find it. But this time, don't try to convince me with words.

He walked out the door slowly, and the sound of it closing echoed throughout the house—as if each knock was the sound of a heart breaking.

Stephen stood there, motionless, his entire body shaking.