Trans Tony

Mention of nightmares/slight trauma

~~~

Tony hadn't told Stephen he was trans yet. He's going to, he's just nervous. Right now though, telling him might just be the only option to get Stephen to stop worrying.
Tony's cramps were always the worst when he first starts and the day after it ends, and right now, he was curled up in his bed with his arms around his gut, half wanting to cry from the pain.

Stephen was extremely worried because of this. "Tony, what's wrong? Do I need to take you to the hospital?" he asks, a worried frown ever-present on his face. Tony gave what would have been a breathy chuckle, if it weren't for the pain overwriting his expression. "N-no, no Stephe.."

"Tony, you're on the verge of tears, I'm concerned- the area you're clutching, is that where you're in pain? That would leave something like a burst appendix, maybe something wrong with-" Stephen started to ramble.
Tony managed to laugh a little, grabbing at Stephen's collar carefully. "Ste-stephen, calm down, calm down babe.." he mumbles. Stephen looks at him, waiting for him to explain why he should be calm about his boyfriend being in pain.

"I uh.. Heh, I'm just.. Bleeding-" Tony says. "What do you mean- like internal bleeding? That makes it worse-!" Tony laughs again, sitting up with a groan. "No hon.." he mumbles, standing up and walking over to his dresser, pulling the small bottle of testosterone out and walking back over to Stephen, giving it to him.
Stephen took it, looking at it. "This-.. This is testosterone?..." he took a moment to think about it, then it clicked, realization washing over his face.

Tony took the bottle back with a slightly nervous chuckle. ".. Surprise?" he says. Stephen looks at him. "... Lay down." he says. Tony, after putting the bottle away, looks at him with confusion. "What?-"
"Lay down. I'm taking care of you." Stephen says. Tony scoffs a laugh, blushing a little. "Uh, that can be taken way out of context-"

Stephen smiles a little. "I'm getting you ibuprofen and something warm to put over your abdomen, and anything else you should request." he says.
".. I c-can't think of anything- and what's with that smirk-" Tony asks, sitting on his bed. Stephen chuckles softly, leaving to grab what he said.

Stephen returned within a short while, handing Tony some ibuprofen and a glass of water. "Here you go, handsome." Tony blushes, scoffing and looking away with a bashful smile. ".. C-compliments now?"
Stephen tilted his head slightly and quirked an eyebrow, deciding to test something. "Be a good boy, take the medicine." he says. Tony bit his cheek a little, playfully glaring at Stephen, his blush getting slightly darker.

Tony took the pills, setting the water down. Stephen handed him a heated blanket he found, handing it to him.

~~~

They ended up cuddled together, with Tony sprawled semi on top of Stephen with the heated blanket on him. Stephen's hand was in Tony's hair, petting him softly, and it was putting Tony to sleep. "... Tony?" Stephen mumbled. "Mm?"
"Do you have a binder on? I don't want you sleeping with it on if you do, it's not good for your body." Stephen says. Tony shook his head. "I had top surgery years ago.." he mumbles, yawning.

Stephen gave him a curious look. "You're a billionaire.. Can't you afford bottom surgery too?" he asks. "Mm.. I could. I just chose not to.." Tony mumbles, half asleep.
"Can I ask why?" Stephen asks. "S'for me to know for now, big guy... Mm.. You'll find out, promise.." Tony mumbles, falling asleep shortly after.

Stephen kept his hand in Tony's hair, the other gently rubbing his back. Tony's head was resting on Stephen's chest, the doctor's heartbeat being part of the reason Tony fell asleep.

~~~

"Dormamu, I've come to bargain."

Stephen remembered every single way he died after he said that sentence, over, and over, and over again.
Sure, having a photographic memory was beneficial to getting his medical degrees, but it's also what's causing him to remember each and every way he died, where it hurt, how much.

Being impaled, shot by a beam, incinerated.

__

Tony noticed Stephen's discomfort as he slept, looking up at him with a slightly worried expression. "Stephe.." he whispered.

__

Sometimes Stephen wonders what would have happened if he had been stuck in that loop, if Dormamu never agreed to leave Earth. Would he have given up?

__

"Stephen." Tony says, a little louder, putting his hand on Stephen's shoulder and shaking him a little. Stephen was making quiet noises in his sleep, and starting to hyperventilate.

__

"Can you send me the... Got it."

Stephen knew he shouldn't be on his phone and drive at the same time. That night, that's the night that changed his life. If he just paid attention, he would still be a doctor... But he wouldn't have met Tony, or became an Avenger.. Sometimes, he wonders which one he would have rather been.

__

"Stephen!" Tony says, cupping Stephen's face. Stephen gasps softly, waking up suddenly and looking at Tony. "It's okay..." Tony says, still having a worried and confused look on his face.
Stephen sighs, holding one of Tony's wrists gently. "... Wanna tell me about it...?" he asks.

"... I was killed so many times, Tony.. And I- I remember each time so vividly.. It's my photographic memory, it's a blessing and a curse.." Stephen mumbled, looking away.
Tony frowns, moving Stephen's face back to look at him. "It's okay now.. It's gonna be okay.." Stephen sighs, putting his hand up on Tony's cheek.

After a moment of looking each other in the eyes, Tony leaned down, gently connecting their lips.
Stephen returned the kiss, putting his hands on Tony's hips as the shorter put his legs on either side of him to sit more comfortably.

When the kiss broke, Tony looked at Stephen, who returned his gaze. ".. Maybe the reason I haven't gotten rid of this stupid bleeding organ is because it could still have a use.." Tony says softly after a moment. Stephen blushes slightly. "Are.. Are you suggesting..?"
"M-maybe I want a kid someday, Stephe.." Tony says, blushing brightly. Stephen didn't know how to respond, just kissing him again, holding him by the back of his neck.

"One day, then."