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Tony knows exactly what he did. He won’t say what he did wrong, because he doesn’t think even Stephen thinks Tony acted inappropriately, but he’s definitely responsible for the problem they’re having now. It doesn’t matter that Stephen knows very well that when Tony flirts at these parties, it’s a business decision, not a personal one. It doesn’t matter that they’ve talked about this stuff. It doesn’t even matter that Tony went home with Stephen and not anyone else. Watching your partner behave like there’s a chance they might choose that person over you still fucking hurts.
Because they have had those conversations, Stephen isn’t picking fights, but he hasn’t been smiling, and he’s been going to Kamar-Taj for his classes without complaining about the necessity, and… Well, they haven’t had sex since the party.
Tony can’t figure out how to fix it. He can’t promise to never do it again. Even if it wasn’t a pretty ingrained habit, flirting is a very useful social tactic. He’s involved in too many high stakes negotiations—business, Avenging, and other—to give up a tool like that. They’ve already talked about it.
Fortunately, Tony can call in a consult for this one.
“Give it to me straight, Pep,” Tony says. “After one of those parties, when you resented this stuff, what did you wish I’d done?”
“Tony,” Pepper says hesitantly, “you really should be talking to Stephen.”
“We have talked about this stuff!” Tony protests. “We both know where we stand emotionally and why I do this shit. But clearly it still feels shitty. Honestly, I don’t think Stephen knows what would make him feel better. I think he’d tell me if he knew.”
Pepper gives him a long look and then sighs. Tony straightens up and gives her an expectant look, because that was absolutely a sigh of defeat. “You paid special attention to someone else, and it made him jealous because he wants to be the only one you pay special attention to. So give him some attention that’s more special. Something that you wouldn’t do for a one night stand or a casual relationship.”
That made sense. Tony sat back in his chair and took a sip of coffee, studying Pepper for a moment. “How come you never asked me to do that?” he asked eventually.
Pepper shrugged one shoulder. “Partly, I didn’t realize until much later that that’s what I needed. Partly, I wanted you to want to give me that attention without being asked. It took me a long time to realize that not wanting to do it wasn’t the same as not knowing to do it.”
Tony smiles. “Thanks, Pep.”
Fortunately, Tony comes up with an idea right away. It’s a bit of a cliche, but cliches are cliches for a reason: He makes Stephen breakfast in bed.
With FRIDAY’s help, Tony is able to set a tray of tea and hot food on the side table and slip back into bed just as Stephen’s sleep cycle is ending so that he can wake up in Tony’s embrace. He snuffles adorably and mutters, even before opening his eyes, “Do I smell bacon? And scones?”
“There’s jam, too,” Tony says, carding a hand through Stephen’s hair. “And tea. FRIDAY made sure I didn’t steep it too long.”
“Thank you, FRIDAY,” Stephen says, but his tone is teasing, not dismissive. He finally opens his eyes and favors Tony with a small smile. He also accepts a kiss before moving up to recline against the pillows. “All right, let’s see this spread you’ve put together.”
By the time breakfast is done, they’re laughing together and fencing over the last piece of bacon with their butter knives.