phoenix personified

Tony stifled a yelp of surprise against his husband’s lips as he was dipped, eventually wrapping his arms around James’ neck and returning the kiss eagerly. They’d both waited on this for so long, it made sense he hadn’t been able to wait any longer. He sighed as they parted and rested his head against Rhodey’s chest. “Guess I can’t keep one anymore if I try.” He joined in his husband’s laughter. “So anyway, I was trying to sneak around and start emptying space out for a nursery and a playroom. Didn’t exactly succeed, but no regrets.”

“Very good. Told you to trust me this time.” When Tony finally got to watch James open his eyes and see the contents, he broke out in the huge grin he’d been actively fighting to hide since that morning. He couldn’t keep a secret from his husband anymore if he tried. “We’re gonna be Dads.” He confirmed. “I managed to keep it a surprise for...” His grin was so wide his face hurt. “Let’s say, three hours?”

Tony relaxed into James. The firm grasp on the back of his neck was difficult enough to escape without the scrutinizing eyes on him, even if he’d wanted to. “Wouldn’t blame you.” He leaned up and placed a kiss on his husband’s cheek. “Trust me this time, okay?” There was no chance of hiding it until Valentine’s Day with Rhodey watching his every move. “C’mere.” He wrapped his hand around the other’s and guided him to the home office he’d established. “Close your eyes.” He left Rhodey at the doorway and rummaged in a couple different file folders before coming back and letting him open them again. “Here.” The folder he’d pulled out contained the adoption acceptance letter they’d been waiting on for months. Tony cleared his throat. “I was gonna wait until Valentine’s, but this works, too.”

“I did. Because you were.” Tony’s hands hung in the air for a moment, unsure what to do with themselves now that they were empty. “Not worried, no. Good things this time, promise.” He knew what Rhodey was getting at. “I know what you’re thinking and if this was a repeat, I’d tell you first.”

“If you must know, I’m donating them to a good cause.” Pause. “I love you, too, honey bear, even if you’re being a little judgy.”

“What? What’d I do this time?”

 “What’d you get me?”

“... Christ, no.” Tony watches his brother-in-law break down in giggles and shakes his head soundly. “Even if I could, who knows what it’d do. Just saying you could offer.”

“ hey. i’m nice. i mean, you drive me bonkers, but i’m nice. most of the time. i’m trying to be a good better brother-in-law. “ he drops back against the same sofa, watching bruce. “ you don’t always make it easy, y’know. for one, the whole not sharing thing. i mean. yeah, i can’t have any right now anyway, but offering would’ve been nice. “