Love and Hate || Ironstrange

I still love you

"I'll have to ask you this question, why did you keep this?" Pepper asked with a frown as Tony was now playing with his fingers. To be honest, he didn't really knew the reason why he kept that picture. It was just so important for him and he didn't want anyone know, especially Pepper.

"I-I...Its memories Pepper, Its something that I cannot just throw away" Tony explained as Pepper looked at him with an annoyed expression, making him sigh.

"You see, this is-" Tony continued to explain as Pepper raised her hand, making him stop.

"Pathetic" She said with trembling hands as she was now getting more furious each second.

Tony scoffed.

If only Pepper knew that Tony also knew what she was hiding from everyone.

"Oh."

He looked at her with a questioning glare, letting her know what was about to happen.

"Yeah right...pathetic. I know, I'm pathetic. But why are you being an ass?" Tony asked as Pepper stood up.

"What did you just-" She half-yelled as Tony cut her off.

"I need to cool down and have some air" Tony said as he quickly went outside the room.

———————
Buzz...Buzz...

Tony's phone continued to vibrate as he decided to ignore it.

"Damn phone" Tony gritted his teeth as he received the twentieth call from Pepper.

She really doesn't know what cool off means..

Tony thought as he stared at the night sky and sighed. Oh how tragic fate was for him, broken hearts and miserable fights were always set on his table everytime he loves someone. He was starting to believe that love isn't really for him. Rather, he was starting to doubt himself.

Did he really want to spend the rest of eternity with her? Is he sure about facing his problems with her? Can things go back to the way they were before?

And yes, he knew the answer. The disappointing answer that he couldn't bear but he knew he had to.

No. He isn't sure.

And he can't go back.

Because he is engaged.

And their wedding is soon.

And with that answer, Tony slowly started to break. His expressionless face was now covered in tears. The atmosphere changed from confusing to a depressing one. He didn't know what to do, and how to fix things.

"Tony?" A familiar voice called his name, making him unconsciously turn around. Stephen was standing at the corner as he was hesitant to come nearer to him. As much as Tony didn't want to talk to him...

...he desperately needed a friend

"Y-you can stay here" Tony said as he wiped his tears, giving way for Stephen to have a clearer mind.

Im sure he had problems too

Tony thought as he started to stare into the night sky, drowning into his thoughts. He stopped drifting from his thoughts when he suddenly heard Stephen's faint sniffs. He felt like he needed to comfort him.

"So...you okay?" Tony asked with concern as Stephen looked at him with a sad look. Shaking his head, he sighed as he said:

"We- I- I'm actually not" Stephen stuttered as he was finding the words that he would say, hence his fingers fidgeting. Tony knew that Stephen was uncomfortable so he felt like he needed to ask if he's ready to tell his problem.