The Stately Manor That's Apparently the Apartment Above Stark Industries, Sunday Evening

[imafuturist]

After the absolute disaster of yesterday's soiree, Tony had spent his time cloistered in his office, drawing up papers that torn his heart apart. Those his feelings meant nothing in the face of Steven's happiness. The mere thought of a smile on his beautiful face was enough to spur him forward in his business.

Only once the annulment papers were completed with full permission from the church (as they had never truly shared their marital bed in all this time) did he call for the his faithful and somehow corporeal butler Jarvis to fetch Steven for him.

[for the impoverished hero! I LOVE THIS TROPE]

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[heroic_jawline]

Steve had been wandering through the garden that they apparently had now and came in as reluctantly as he could while still being punctual.

"You asked for me?"

[imafuturist]

Maybe they'd meet up at the stables next!

Tony cleared his throat, looking completely rumpled with his cravat ever so slightly out of place before he took a sip of The Good Brandy Kept For Serious Conversations In The Billiards Room. "Steven. I have something for you to sign."

[heroic_jawline]

Steve sighed unhappily. "Has Uncle Pierce found yet more portions of the estate to make me rid myself of?"

[imafuturist]

"No. No. My lawyers have taken care of that," Tony replied, looking away before he lost his nerve. "This is... good news for you."

AND HEARTBREAKING NEWS FOR TONY.

[heroic_jawline]

Steve smiled. "I like good news," he said, coming closer.

[imafuturist]

Tony turned away to look out a window that highlighted his vast, vast estate. That was real. All because he couldn't bare to see Steve's look of relief at the annulment.

Yes. Relief. That was what was going to happen.

[heroic_jawline]

Steve let out a gasp--and not the good kind.

"It was only a dance!" he protested. "It meant nothing! Now you're turning me out onto the street?!"

[imafuturist]

"What?" Tony said, turning around to face him once again. "No, I'm giving you your freedom!"

That you wanted, right Steve? Right?

[heroic_jawline]

Steve turned with the papers clutched in his fist and tears in his eyes. "This isn't freedom!"

It was life without Tony!

[imafuturist]

"Your debts are paid!" Tony replied, clutching his brandy close like a shield. But oh, how that would forever remind him of his beloved Steven. "There is nothing to keep you from following your heart. Wherever it may lead you."

Away from him, of course.

[heroic_jawline]

Steve stared at him, absolutely gobsmacked.

"My heart led me here."

He was too shocked to be decorous.

[imafuturist]

"Steven, you need not pretend any longer," Tony replied sadly. "I would have gladly helped your family, helped you. My heart--it cannot take this sham any longer."

Oh, the draaaama.

[heroic_jawline]

"You think I have been faking my regard for you?" Steve asked, moving closer. "Husband, I am a very poor actor."

[imafuturist]

"Your regard for me?" Oh, curse these tragic series of misunderstandings!

[heroic_jawline]

"You're the best man I've ever known," Steve murmured. "How do you not know that?"

[imafuturist]

"A good man would not cage you," Tony replied hotly, loosening his cravat further.

Possibly because it was the only fashion term easily remembered.

"I am far from a good man, you cannot see what lies within my heart."

Used to be shrapnel!

[heroic_jawline]

"Because you've never told me!" Steve said, waving the annulment papers. "Is this truly what you wish for?"

[imafuturist]

"What I wish hardly matters." So no. "I cannot be selfish any longer, binding you so unwillingly to my household!"

Wow, they were just missing the point spectacularly.

[heroic_jawline]

"I apologize," Steve said, chewing his lower lip, "for giving you the impression I was here unwillingly. That was most assuredly not true."

Such clear language, Steve!

[imafuturist]

"You... you truly wish to be with me?" Oh, how he wished to trust this!

[heroic_jawline]

Steve swallowed hard and then flung the annulment papers to the ground. "I do."

[imafuturist]

"I would nothing more than that," Tony replied faintly. See, all it took was a dramatic confrontation!

But, oh man, they missed out on having this in the rain. Possibly on horseback.

[heroic_jawline]

There was still time for someone to flounce out and race to the stables they probably had!

"Truly?" Steve replied because a man who looked like Steve did had crippling self-doubt to make him relatable and not an asshat.

[imafuturist]

He was the Victorian version of a nerdy girl with glasses and a ponytail!

"Truly," Tony said, feeling a swelling in his chest. Not pants. This was a romance.

[heroic_jawline]

Steve took a cautious few steps forward (but not Too Forward as he was but a Poor Hero and Tony must make the first move) and gave Tony a cautious smile.

"Truly?" he repeated for he had not been edited well.