Say it Back - [ironstrange]

3: His friends

April 18th 2019

"I—" Tony began but Stephen shushed him and closed his book, looking up at him with a bored expression — showing he already knew what Tony wanted to say.

"The answer is no," he stated firmly and opened his book again. Stephen hushed every attempt at Tony's speaking until the boy sat down on his knees by Stephen's couch.

"You didn't even know what I was gonna ask," smirked Tony, trying to look up at Stephen through the hard cover of his book. Tony groaned. "How many times are you gonna read that damn book?" Chuckled Tony, still sounding mildly irritated. The Odyssey by Homer.

Stephen didn't want to admit that he wanted to falter to Tony's charming attempt at getting his attention, but he did want to give in. However the consequences of doing so were far too horrendous.

"Until I'm bored of it," replied Stephen monotonously but hiding a smirk.

"How come you're more interested in a story you know every detail to, than me; an unpredictable sci-fi story!"

"You're more predictable than you think, Tony," mused Stephen, now unable to hide his shit-eating grin.

"Oh yeah?" Tony snatched the book away from Stephen's grip and put it on the floor for a moment, resting his arms on Stephen's legs while seated on the floor. "Predict me, doctor."

"You came to ask me to attend your football game despite you knowing I hate them."

Tony's smug look faded and he removed himself from Stephen, still sulking on the floor. He really hated Stephen's introversion sometimes, it kept Stephen from joining Tony in adventures he really could enjoy.

It wasn't that Stephen disliked Tony's friends, quite the opposite in fact, but he'd much rather stay at home and read or study. Not like he actually needed it since he had his eidetic memory to rely on. While Tony saw it as something to envy Stephen saw it as an easy way out of actually trying.

"Is it too much to ask that my dearest friend show me support?" Asked Tony in an attempt to gain Stephen's sympathy.

"No, of course not," said Stephen, staring down at Tony.

"Sure seems like it," Tony sighed dramatically, standing up and then walking back to the hallway to take his jacket off the hanger.

Stephen listened to Tony putting on his jacket and typing on his phone, alternating between staring into thin air to hear what Tony was doing and gazing at his book. Perhaps... this once since Tony came to ask me personally, thought Stephen but groaned in his mind.

He'd have to get off his ass and actually go somewhere. He'd also have to leave a note for the ancient one since she was off in Kamar Taj.

Stephen snuck into his room to check up on his hair and change his shirt. He didn't want to go outside and look a mess. His curls stuck out in every direction, but he remembered Tony saying he liked Stephen's curls so he chose to leave them be. Apart from a little ruffling.

He wore a pair of light wash jeans and put on another t-shirt before hurrying out his room. It was hot out, and the evening wouldn't change that much. He figured he wouldn't need a jacket.

"Happy?" Asked Stephen, startling Tony who had been texting his teammates. Tony smiled at the sight of his friend.

"Ecstatic! Let's go," Tony rejoiced and grabbed Stephen's hand, dragging him out of the house and to the driveway where Tony's car was parked.

&

"Bruce and Pietro will be seated there," Tony pointed to a few empty spots on the bleachers and Stephen nodded timidly, trying to hide the fact he was picking at his nails. Tony already knew it was a nervous tick.