Proof that Tony Stark has a Heart

Chapter

*Harry's POV*

It's going to be today that I'll Awaken Tony.

Because I was done waiting.

Tony was in the bathroom when I entered the room's sitting area. My eyes caught a vase lying on its side, the greenish water leaking from a crack. Was Tony clumsy enough to knock this over? I set it upright again at the same time that Tony came out from the hall.

He smiled at me enthusiastically. His smile never failed to please me, no matter my mood.

"You're back," he said before throwing his arms around my neck.

Tony. "Yes." I breathed in his scent, briefly caressing his hair before I pulled away from the embrace. I studied him at arm's length. "Have you made your decision?"

His face fell slightly, but he couldn't be surprised my patience is wearing thin.

"I have more questions," he said, climbing onto the bed again, waiting for me.

I gave him this small concession. I followed him to the bed and looked at him on the edge. He was still the same, but... something was off. I couldn't put my finger on it.

He pursed his lip. "How long would it take? When you awaken me? Is it instantaneous?"

"It depends. With you, it shouldn't take that long. You would drink from me after I drink your blood... with your body frame, it won't be a long process."

He nodded slowly, with not even a shudder. But his heart was beating fast. Unnaturally fast. "And then what happens?"

"Your body expels all the unneeded fluids," I said. "Admittedly, it's not pleasurable, but you'd get over that quickly. Only the squibs and humans have difficulty with that part."

"Would I have to feed immediately after?" he asked as if he did not hear my answer. It was like he wanted something to get over and done with. I couldn't... fathom it. Strange.

The thoughts made me pause before answering. "Yes, that would be ideal. I would make sure your first meal would be a magical being. A noble, if I could manage it."

He gave a little nervous laugh, stress on his pitch. "Would it make a difference? I suppose it might be strange to drink from a dhampir; maybe I wouldn't be able to handle it. Or would I? I mean, if I became awakened, they'd all be the same anyway—"

Ah. I finally see it.

I cut his babbling. "Tony. If I didn't know better, I'd say you were stalling for time."

"Of course I am!" he said indignantly. "This is a big deal. You think this is easy for me to do?"

"Do you think it's been easy for me to wait this long?" I countered. He flinched. "The only ones who get a choice are magical beings who willingly kill, like the Lestranges. No one else gets a choice. I didn't get a choice."

The unnatural fastidiousness in his eyes disappeared. "And... don't you regret that?"

I've thought about this more than a thousand times, and the truth was still the same.

"No," I said firmly. "Now that I'm who I was meant to be. The only thing hurt is my pride—that Markus forced me and that he acts as though I'm indebted to him." I gritted my teeth at that part, giving him a hard stare. "This is why I'm kind enough to give you the choice now. for the sake of your pride."

He looked away, a foreign expression crossing his eyes—like he was about to cry. I didn't understand it. Tony was being very, very strange tonight. He was tense and strung like he was about to break, but not in the way I wanted.

In noticed a bead of perspiration trickling from his temple. "You're sweating. Why?"

"Because I'm scared." He said in a small voice, reaching out to touch my face. I will never get used to his touch. He was the only one who could do this to me. Did he even know this?

"I... I think I'm ready." Tony swallowed noisily. "But it's... I don't know. It's such a big thing."

He was ready.

I could have sighed a breath of relief, not a moment too soon. The moment Tony was awakened, Markus will back off.

I brushed his cheekbones, his eyes, and his wonderful mouth that would all be completely mine, finally.

"It will be the best decision of your life, Tony,"

"Tell me again. One more time," he demanded, suddenly fierce. "Why do you want to awaken me so badly?"

Tony... don't you still understand? "Because I want you. I've always wanted you." Like I have wanted nothing else. Only him.

He smiled. His eyes had a strange hardness, but before I knew it, his mouth was hard on mine, kissing my coherent thoughts away. His heartbeat was erratic, his breathing speeding up. He had never desired me this much before. And so did I. This was the last concession. After this kiss, I would bite him. And there was no turning back.

Without warning, something stabbed into my chest, making me stumble back.

I felt it through my heart. Pain... I was surprised to feel the excruciating pain but more surprised to see whose hands had buried the stake deep into me.

Deadly certainty was all I could see on Tony's face. There was no remorse there, not even indecision.

And then everything went black.