Forfeiture

a lie within the "truth"

Tony was currently standing on his balcony of the tower, looking out over the city like he was in a dream or something, with searching eyes. He seemed to be waiting, like he knew a certain presence would show. “What’s up, Capsicle?”

Steve stopped walking when at a good distance from Tony. "Hey Tony.." the blonde looked at his direction. " I wanted to check up on you"

“That’s kind of you, especially after you tried in vain last time,” Tony chuckled. “No need to be so nervous Cap, I’m in a much better place.” He turned his head and smiled softly at him. “Come, talk to me.”

Steve stepped closer to Tony. "Has something changed?" Something must've happened since their last conversation for the mechanic to seem so calm now

Tony smiled more and just looked back out over the city, like he was hiding some sort of inside joke. He rested his head against the blonde’s shoulder, like they were living the old times again. “Yes,” he said quietly, “I suppose my heart is in the right place now.”

Steve smiled softly at how at peace Tony seemed. Whatever happened makes him glad to know that Stark is gonna be okay. "I'm happy to hear that.."

Tony nodded and closed his eyes peacefully, enjoying the moment with his old friend. He seemed so much different than the last time they had fought, like a whole different person. “I’ve really missed you...”

Steve sighed happily,  enjoying everything about this moment. "I've missed you too....I'm glad things are going good for you Tony.."

Tony nodded then slowly pulled away from him, feeling the reactor painfully throb. “Agh...” He shook his head as if he was dizzy from standing there. “Y-Yes, well I’m sure you’re busy with more important things...”

Steve didn't really notice much, and he did have to go back to Scott. "Yeah....gotta look for Scott" 

Tony nodded again and gave his hand a squeeze before he left through the doors. He then turned his gaze back to the city, whispering to himself, “I need you now, Stephen...”

Minutes later the mechanic has left the balcony and stumbled down into the lab, clutching his chest. “J-Jarvis, bring out the jumpstart equipment, we may need it...”

Stephen had just finished dealing with an evil sorcerer and was putting away a relic he had taken to keep an eye on when he felt something was wrong. "Anthony..." 

Tony laid down on a table, panting frantically as he removed the reactor and placed two cables on the hole on his chest, connected to a large generator. “Give me level two pulses just to keep me functioning, but once this medicine starts to spread turn it on full...” he injected himself with the stuff shield had given him long ago for this type of problem, acting like insulin.

Stephen quickly made a portal to Tony and hurried through. "Anthony-"

The power switched on and blue light was emanating from the cords as it surged through Tony’s body, making him vibrate violently like he was having a seizure. After a couple more seconds, it shut off and he gasped, sitting straight up, panting. “Oh, hello Stephen... back so soon?”

"Oh Anthony" Stephen hurried to his side and put a shaky hand on Tony's arm and the other on the mechanic's cheek. The sorcerer examined him. "I-i felt that something was wrong, I came as quickly as I could. What happened!?" 

Tony sighed as if he had been caught in a crime. He leaned into his touch and gazed up at him for a moment before looking away sadly at the little object on the table, the light glowing weakly, fading. “I think... I think the reactor is dying, Stephen...”

"what?" Stephen looked at Tony with worry growing inside. "But....you can make another right..?" He held the mechanics hand which were shaking more slightly. "Right?"

Tony smiles at him sadly and caresses his cheek with a weak hand. “Think of it like cancer, love... there’s some way to cure it, but there’s just not a precedent solution...” 

Tears started to take over Stephen's vision. "You're scaring me Anthony..."

Tony hushed him softly and continued to stroke his cheek softly. “There’s no need to be, my Stephen... I can wear a temporary until I can get this fixed. I promise, I won’t rest until it’s resolved, I am a genius after all...”

Stephen felt a bit reassured but he gently held Tony. It felt like he could lose the brunette. Now he doesn't want to ever leave, not when the mechanic is like this. "I'll be with you through this.."

Tony held onto him even though his chest burned, and he wished he didn’t have to lie to Stephen to his face. Because the truth was, there was no possible way he  could see himself lasting the month...

Stephen carefully let go and cupped Tony's cheek. "I'll stay here and help in any way I can and be there for you..." Strange didn't want to lose the brunette. He was already everything to him and it would pain him if....no, nothing bad would happen. The sorcerer won't let it.