#edwardleeds

In the privacy of his own mind, Tony screams it.

Rhodey is the most beautiful man to ever exist. He makes me feel safe, he makes me feel sane, he makes me laugh. He saves me every day.

But that’d be too emotional and Tony Stark is not an emotional person.

.

“Everyone leaves me,” Tony says it like a fatality he has accepted long ago. “You’ll leave me too, Rhodey.”

“I won’t.”

Tony nods. He wants to believe him, he really does.

.

Rhodey never leaves.

.

Rhodey does not leave when Tony comes back a broken man with a hole in his chest.

Rhodey does not leave when Tony refuses to listen and fights him physically.

Rhodey does not leave when Tony creates a murderous monster that could have wiped out the planet.

Rhodey does not leave when Tony gets him shot and hurt.

Rhodey never leaves, even when Tony gives him every reason to.

.

In the privacy of his own mind, Tony screams it.

I love him. I can’t lose him.

But Tony never says it out loud.

.

If they ever kissed, Tony thinks sometimes, he’d be during a heated argument. He’s not blind, he can see Rhodey is somewhat attracted to him, but there’s no love there, not the kind Tony longs for.

There’s brotherly love, companionship. Nothing romantic. And it’s enough. It’s got to be enough.

.

“You’re such an asshole,” Rhodey tells him but it’s soft, loving.

And something wonderful happens: Rhodey kisses him.

Tony was right, Rhodey’s lips feel like home. They also taste like the coffee Rhodey drank earlier, and they’re real. This kiss is not just a daydream, it’s actually happening.

Rhodey is kissing him, is holding him like Tony is the most precious thing. Rhodey kisses him with a tenderness that Tony’s not accustomed to, it makes him feel hole and at peace.

When they stop, seconds or hours later, Rhodey smiles and Tony feels his heart beat harder and his breath hitch.

“Wha - why did you kiss me?” Tony asks, afraid of the answer, still unable to realize what’s happened.

“Always wanted to, and you looked so alive, I couldn’t help myself.” He frowns a little, “Was it okay?”

“Yes!” Tony would be embarrassed by how fast his answer is if it weren’t for anyone but Rhodey. “You can do it whenever, wherever.”

Rhodey smiles again.

“What about right now, right here?”

Pepper watches Tonywander around his former lab in the renamed Stark tower as he prepares to fullyintegrate F.R.I.D.A.Y. into the systems now that he returns here full time,along with Vision and Rhodey.

There is no need for theCompound anymore.

Her heart goes out to himbecause of what happened here.

Pepper remembers whenRhodey told her about J.A.R.V.I.S.’ death and her reaction to meeting Visionfor the first time.

Tony hasn’t stoppedhurting but few people actually cared.

Taking a deep breath, shedidn’t want to waste her breath thinking about them, not when there is someone worthier of her every actionstanding in front of her; well, one of them anyways.

Tony suddenly sits downon the couch then places his head in his hands.

This is the signal she’sbeen waiting for.

Pepper enters the lab andcrosses the room until she’s in front of him before kneeling down so she couldlook him in the eyes.

“Tony?”

Reaching out, she gentlypulls his hands away from his face then cups his cheek as his eyes remainclosed. He leans into her touch without thinking.

“Youknow, it’s okay to cry.”

He stiffens at her wordsand she fears she pushed him too much when she feels something wet hit herhand.

Suddenly, Rhodey appearsand takes one of Tony’s hands in both of his so Pepper grabs the other one withher free hand.

They sit in silence for afew moments.

With the exception ofHappy, Rhodey and Pepper are the only two people who know how much J.A.R.V.I.S.meant to Tony and believe he needs the chance to properly grieve for him.

Tony leans forward andwarps his arms around Pepper and Rhodey the best that he can then they let goof him so they can do the same.

Feeling the slighttremors in his body, Rhodey rubs circles in their boyfriend’s back while Peppergently kisses the top of his head where he rests it against her shoulder.

Tony whispers causingthem to strain to hear his words.

send me a ship and I’ll tell you who holds:

The umbrella, when it rains - Nicole because of the height difference 

The popcorn at the cinema - Waverly holds it on her lap, eats with one hand, and holds Nicole’s hand with the other 

The baby, when it cries - Aunt Waverly 

The ice cream cone, when they share - Nicole

The remote, when they sit down to watch a movie - depends on who gets it first 

The basket, when they go shopping - they use a cart everytime 

The door, on dates - both

The other’s hand, most often - Nicole 

Their breath, upon seeing the other on their wedding day - they both hold their breath and smile at each other with happy tears in their eyes 

pls