CW: Anxiety attack, nightmares, crying, fainting

~~~

Of all the times to have an anxiety attack, why now?

Well, Tony knew why- partly because talking to Stephen reminds him of the war, where he almost died getting rid of Thanos. It also reminds him of Stephen and Peter both being blipped away.
But he didn't want it to. He likes Stephen; he wants to be closer with him. But how's he supposed to do that when he's freaking out?

It was alright for a bit- they talked, joked a little. But then, Tony's head started racing with memories, and he felt his heart speed up.

Not now.

"Tony, are you alright?" Stephen asks, noticing as Tony's facial expression changed. "Shut up, just- just shut up!" He says, starting to hyperventilate a little as he leans against the wall.

Stephen quickly figured out what was wrong. "Tony, you need to steady your breathing." He says. "Don't- don't you tell- nonono- you-" Tony hit his head against the wall; prattling without being able to speak normally, he feels pathetic.

His hands and feet were going numb, a tingling feeling going through them. Stephen held Tony's shoulders. "Please try and take deep breaths. You'll faint."

And that is what happened. Stephen sat down with him, making sure to keep his head up. After a minute or so, Tony started regaining his consciousness. "Tony," Stephen spoke carefully. "I want you to do me a favor, okay? Tell me five things you can see."
Tony looks at him. "... You.." he mumbles. Stephen nods. "That works, keep going." Tony looked around. "Books, cloak,... Windows.. floor?.. Why am I doing this..?"

"Four things you can feel." Stephen says, directing Tony's attention away from the question for now. Tony sighs, running a hand through his hair. "I don't know, I-.."
"Focus, you're alright." Stephen says. Tony shrugs a little. "Hair.. Your hands, uh.. clothes.. air..? Stephen-.."

"Three things you can hear." Tony looks at him, then at the ground. "Uh.. your voice, my voice, and.. well my heartbeat.." Stephen nods. "If possible, two things you can smell." He says. Tony took a moment. "I don't know. Me and you?.."
"That works. And one thing, if anything, you can taste." Tony shook his head, mumbling 'I don't know'. "That's okay. Do you need to talk about that?" Stephen asks. Tony shook his head again.

Stephen nods. "Okay. I'm going to get you some water, okay?" He says, standing up and walking off for a moment.

Tony had mixed emotions right now. Embarrassed that he had an attack, somehow calmed in a way, empty, yet flustered.

Stephen came back, handing Tony the water. Tony took it, taking a drink before talking. "... What the hell did you do?.." Stephen sat next to him. "Sensory countdown. It can help people who suffer from anxiety and panic attacks come back to the here and now. It helps them focus on the present, rather than what has or could happen."

Tony looked down into the cup of water. "... I just.. I really want to be friends with you, Stephe.. But every time I see you now, I'm just... Reminded of... Everything.. Reminded of Thanos, you dying, Peter dying, me almost dying... I.. I don't feel like I can physically handle anything else anymore."

"Your mind created a link between the war, and me?.. Interesting.." Stephen mumbles, thinking for a moment. "Why don't you stay the night here?" He offers.
Tony looks up at him. "I mean I guess I have nothing better to do.. Okay. Just give me a sec." Tony put a finger to the side of his glasses. "Friday, tell Happy and Pepper that I'm staying in the sanctum for the night, please."

"Of course, boss."

~~~

That night, when Stephan and Tony were both asleep, Tony started dreaming about what had happened during the war. Being a light sleeper, Stephen woke up to Tony's sleep mumbling, and quietly got up, going over to him.

Stephen felt bad for Tony. He likes him, really he does. Sure, the ego is a bit annoying at times, but Stephen would be a hypocrite if he said anything about it.
Stephen used a simple telepathy spell, putting his hand to Tony's forehead carefully. It let him see what was going on in Tony's mind.

Stephen let a tear fall. It hurt him that Tony was still suffering like this. And he understands Tony's pain, too. He's had to overcome trauma from battles.
Stephen ran his thumb across Tony's forehead, casting a spell to calm him down a little. Tony stopped mumbling and stirring, rather curling in the direction Stephen was.

"You're alright, Tony.." Stephen murmurs softly. "Stephe..." Tony grumbles, barely audible. Stephen was caught a bit off guard, looking down at him. Tony, though, was still asleep.

'He said my name in his sleep?'

Stephen ended up falling asleep next to him, being tired as it was only four in the morning.

~~~

Tony woke up a few hours later, looking over at Stephen, who was next to him, facing away. He blushes slightly, though he's not exactly sure why. Is it because Stephen was cute asleep? Is it because he's so close to Tony? Is it because he's allowing himself to be vulnerable around him?

Tony sat up, effectively waking Stephen up. Stephen turns over, looking at him. "Morning.. how are you feeling?" He asks, rubbing his eyes. "Sorry. I didn't mean to wake you up." Tony says. "I'm a light sleeper."
"Well.. I remember having a nightmare but then.. then it stopped being a nightmare.." Tony said, visibly perplexed by his own words.

"... You said my name." Stephen admits, sitting up. Tony looks at him. "What?" He asks. "In your sleep, you said my name. 'Stephe'. That's.. why I was right here. I wanted to make sure you were alright."
Tony blushes. "I wasn't aware I talked in my sleep..." he mumbled, he and Stephen making eye contact.

A long moment of silence passed between them. Neither one knew who moved first, all they knew is that they were inches away from kissing.
And Tony hesitated for a second, pulling away very slightly before connecting their lips. Their hands wound up laced together, and Stephen's free arm wrapped around Tony's waist.

When they break the kiss, Tony was blushing quite a bit, looking up at Stephen. "Fuck, I'm in love with you." Stephen nods, giving Tony an 'I already knew' look.

"I know. And well.. I love you too, Tony."