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Tony fiddled with the sleeves of his suit jacket. He didn’t know why he was so nervous. He’d been dating Steve since Steve graduated college. That was 5 years ago. He believed he was ready to take their relationship a step further. Hell, he used to think he was in love with Pepper in college until he met Steve… and he’d been dating Pepper since high school. But, fuck… he adored Steve.
Steve had changed so much since they first met. Well… the time they met after a few years. You see, Tony’s first job was as Steve’s babysitter. He hated having to babysit someone. He was rich! Why didn’t his parents just give him some money? Why did he have to ‘earn it’? Of course, he understood in time- and he was still disgustingly rich. He just didn’t need to ask for the money now… cause his parents were dead. That was beside the point. He was getting too lost in his thoughts.
Back to the point, Steve had changed so much since he started college. Who would’ve thought the tiny guy could end up looking… like that?! Tony couldn’t understand. What kind of drugs had that kid done to get like that in just a few months?! Like- he still couldn’t wrap his head around it.
“Tony?” Tony shook his head slightly as if he were trying to forcefully clear his mind. “Is everything alright?" Steve’s voice was soft. He sounded worried… hell, he looked worried, too. And that was killing him. “You’ve been looking at the empty plate for quite some time,” he said, meeting Tony’s gaze as he looked up. “Is there anything bothering you or…?”
Tony smiled and shook his head. “No, I just got lost in my thoughts.” He was aware he’d been doing that a lot for a few weeks. And he knew Steve was worried, but he just… he didn’t know how to avoid getting too caught up in them.
Steve stayed quiet and Tony knew that look in his eyes. Despite looking like that, Steve was still quite insecure when it came to what people thought about him. He didn’t seem to understand that he was perfect. There wasn’t a single thing Tony would change about him. Not even those that Steve thought were shameful or not good enough. Steve was perfect.
Tony wanted him to know that. He wanted to tell him how much he adored him every day. He wanted Steve to move in with him. That was why he’d invited him over. It was simple. All he had to do was ask him if he wanted to move in with him. It wasn’t that hard. And yet, those weren’t the words that came out of Tony’s mouth.
“Marry me.”
His eyes widened as the words left his lips. Shit. He didn’t mean to say that. Of course he wanted to marry Steve. He wanted it more than anything. But he didn’t think Steve was ready to get married. He didn’t think Steve was ready for that kind of commitment.
Steve, on the other hand, choked on his drink when he heard that. He put the cup down, coughing a couple of times to catch his breath. He looked at Tony. He had not just asked him to marry him. “I’m sorry, what?” he asked.
Tony’s face fell and whatever confidence he felt was completely gone. “I- I didn’t-“ he stuttered, making Steve panic slightly. “Nothing…”
Steve shook his head. “No, I didn’t- I didn’t mean it like that, I just- I don’t think I heard you right,” he said. Tony shrugged, wanting to move on. The longer that lasted, the more he wanted to leave and hide. “Tony. What did you say.” He wasn’t asking. He was almost demanding Tony to repeat himself.
Tony couldn’t help the scoff that left his lips. Tiny Steve would never have the confidence to do that. “Marry me,” he said, keeping his voice as steady as possible. Steve didn’t say anything for a few seconds, so Tony continued speaking to avoid the shame that was drowning him. “I love you, Steve. Screw that, I’m in love with you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Reassuring you that you’re perfect… I want to hold you and keep falling in love with you over and over again. I want to wake up next to you every morning and fall asleep with you in my arms every night.”
Steve opened his mouth, but nothing came out as tears started running down his face. “I love you,” he said quietly. “I love you so much, Tony…” That didn’t sound good. Tony forced a shaky smile, not sure of what to expect. “I- Fuck, of course I’ll marry you,” he said, looking at him dead in the eyes. “I’ll marry you.”
Tony felt the biggest wave of relief wash over him. He’d never been happier for fucking up so bad. He got up and pulled Steve to his feet, kissing him lovingly. “I love you…” he mumbled against Steve’s lips.
Steve smiled and pulled back for a moment, trying to look serious. “Buy me a ring,” he said.
Tony chuckled. “I’ll buy you the entire jewelry shop if that’s what you want,” he said, pulling him in for another kiss.
Biggest fuck up in his life and it could have never turned out any better.