#just the villains and pseudovillains this time

[rosalind-hawkins]

Interpret "partner" with whatever your personal nuance is: platonic, romantic, or otherwise. Share your thoughts in the comments/tags!

[amethyst-noir]

Was thinking about pseudovillain!Stephen, then started thinking about jealous!Tony. Jealous because Stephen's started paying more attention to one of the other Avengers? (Stephen's trying to keep the team together, and there are issues with all of them, okay?) Because Stephen's fighting people other than him and the Avengers? (mostly an accident, or else a magic thing) Because Stephen's started spending a lot of time with another person/villain? (he's not sure why, or how to get out of that one)

Oh, jealous!Tony would be awesome! Maybe Stephen concentrates on Steve or Bruce for a while because he already has Tony securely on his side (and bed?) or he tries to get Clint fully onboard and Tony is. Just. Seething. With. Jealousy. His eyes are almost glowing green, okay? There is this wonderful, brilliant man who came back in time to help them all and he’s all Tony never knew he wanted in a partner (how the hell should he have known that he would go for snarky, sarcastic, hot, intelligent, fucking annoying assholes?) and now the guy of his dreams is talking to and training with everyone but him.

And Nat. Because she doesn’t need combat training. Or tactical training. Sadly, she’s also the only one Tony doesn’t see as a threat to his and Stephen’s brand-new bliss.

J E A L O U S. So, so much. Also, sad.

Stephen watches the whole debacle for a couple of days, dialing it up even more, dying of laughter on the inside, until he realizes that his behavior really hurts Tony. It’s the first time he truly sees the depth of Tony’s insecurities. Why should Stephen spend time with him when he can spend time with Captain America? Even his own father would have preferred the guy, so why should Stephen not?

Stephen feels like hell and does everything to make Tony feel secure in their love again. The rest of the team helps with enthusiasm. Because this is the timeline where the Avengers are family and finally realize what a fucking mess Tony is on the inside. They all band together to make it clear to Tony that he doesn’t have to be afraid. Stephen’s his and his alone.

Stephen takes Tony out to a romantic dinner in Paris or something. Tony (JARVIS) arranges for a night the most expensive hotel available on such short notice and they sort themselves out. Amongst other things.