Work Text:
Tony Stark met medical student Jeon Jungkook at an expo.
Tony Stark met uprising hero, the friendly neighborhood Spiderman, when supposed expo took a 180 and a group of mutants slash androids broke out to the streets.
Tony Stark figured out that the doe-eyed and timid, yet well-spoken, medical student is Spiderman not seven seconds after. (Honestly, it wasn’t exactly a challenge, not with how the guy made zero efforts in changing his pitch, posture, or just how he carries himself in general.)
A quick, "Stark Tower, tomorrow. 2 PM. Don't be late," found him having Korean barbecue for lunch with the kid the next day, both sporting bruises here and there.
It was quite a pleasant lunch. Jeon Jungkook is an interesting kid; he remembered thinking somewhere between the pork belly and the cold noodle. The Korean had mentioned that he grew up wanting to be a dancer. A choreographer or dancer for like, you know, Korean idol groups and dance studios, he had said. Now here he is, a third-year medical student aspiring to be a researcher and publish numerous journals under his name.
"I thought you said you wanted to do research? Your presentation during that expo was not half bad."
"Yeah,” the younger had drawled out, “I'm gonna stick with being a rehab specialist for now. I'd love helping people while listening to their stories, you know?"
Teenagers.
But yeah, Jeon Jungkook is an interesting person. He's smart, wore his heart on his sleeves, witty. It's hard to not like the kid honestly. Strange calls it the 'Jeon effect'.
"Hey kid, the boyfriend called while you were in the bathroom."
Tony blinked. Once. Twice. He slowly turned to face the duo on the couch from where he has been toying with one of Strange's tame relics.
Ever since Tony introduced one Jeon Jungkook to The Stephen Strange they had been, for a lack of better terms, attached to the hip. Jungkook is very likable, he admitted. The kid somehow managed to coax the former neurosurgeon into mentoring him.
Tony had simply been curious as to what their 'study sessions' looked like and decided to give an impromptu visit to the sanctum that evening.
"Oh, thanks doctor Strange." Jungkook stretched and reached for his phone. Tony stared as the phone's screen lit up once more before the kid answered an incoming call. "Hello? Yeah, I'm still at the Sanctum. Oh, okay sure, love you hyung."
"What is it?" Tony heard the wizard ask.
"Nothing. Hyung is picking me up, he's already in the area."
"Huh, somehow it sounds more like he's your father rather than your boyfriend," Strange smirked, amused. "Or do you prefer I use the term daddy?"
"Doctor!" The kid spluttered.
Daddy?
"Hm? Stark, something on your mind?" Strange's baritone voice snapped him out of his pondering.
Tony blinked once more before clearing his throat, regaining his composure. "Actually, yes." He turned sharply to face his supposed protégé. "When exactly are you going to tell me about you having a boyfriend?"
Tony Stark was not jealous.
He was definitely not jealous over the fact that Stephen Strange somehow knew about this so-called boyfriend despite him being the one who got to know the kid first. No, he was merely... perplexed.
This time Jungkook was the one wordlessly blinking with his mouth parted, head tilted in genuine confusion. "Wait, Mr. Stark, have I never told you?"
Tony raised an eyebrow at that, "Does my expression look like you have?"
Jungkook rubbed his nape sheepishly. "Must have slipped my mind then. Well, uh, how do I say this?"
Tony noticed how the youngest of the bunch fiddled with his backpack strap, seeming hesitant. "Kid, you do know that your sexuality doesn't matter to me, right?" It was more of a statement rather than a question.
Jungkook frowned as if he was offended that the man thought so little of him. "I know! I just.." He drawled out. Tony narrowed his eyes.
Jungkook let out a big breath. "Please don't freak out Mr. Stark but, well, it's not really that much of a news–"
"Kook?"
Three sets of eyes immediately turn to the door. There stood a man Tony had never seen before, his ears reddening, obviously flustered. "Ah, I'm here to pick Jungkook up. I'm really sorry for barging in Doctor Strange, the door opened when I was about to knock and your cape kinda greeted me there."
"It's a cloak, hyung."
"Oh," the newcomer quickly turned facing the back, "sorry about that."
From behind the stranger the Cloak of Levitation breezed in, waving one of its ends up and down as if telling the man not to worry.
Similar to his relic, Strange waved a hand nonchalantly. "It's fine, it likes you. Stark right here had to wrestle his way in."
The unfamiliar man raised an eyebrow before he seemed to notice the presence of another person in the room. Smiling charmingly, the man quickly closed the gap between himself and the billionaire, extending his hand out. "It's great to finally meet you, Mr. Stark. I'm Kim Seokjin."
Tony reciprocated the gesture with a firm handshake. "Likewise. And please, Tony's fine, Mr. Kim. I'm guessing you're the mysterious boyfriend I've been hearing about?"
Seokjin chuckled, "Then please just call me Seokjin, Tony. I was under the impression that Jungkook has already told you but yeah, I guess I am the mysterious boyfriend."
Jungkook, who at that point was done packing all of his stuff, sidled over to Seokjin, plastering himself to the man's side. "I was just about to tell him," the youngest muttered. Tony paid attention to how the slightly-taller man ruffled his boyfriend's hair with a fond expression.
Seokjin was dressed neatly in a white turtle neck covered by a long dark grey coat, hair styled meticulously even though it was nearing five in the afternoon. Tony has gotta admit it, aside from the looks, Kim Seokjin seems like a very nice guy solely based on how polished he carries himself.
"If you don't mind me asking, what do you do Seokjin?" Tony inquired.
"Ah, well, I teach–"
"Hyung is a psychology professor," Jungkook beat the man up to it, winking at his boyfriend. "He's just modest," he continued. It was answered with a light smack on the forehead.
Well, that explains a lot, Tony nodded thoughtfully.
"That's quite impressive," he said to the older of the couple. He motioned towards Jungkook before continuing, "you sure you want to associate yourself with the pipsqueak right here?"
"Hey!"
"Thank you," Seokjin laughed. Jungkook suspiciously flinched beside him.
"We're actually running late for a dinner party, so if you will please excuse us, Tony, doctor." Seokjin ushered the younger out of the room, before bowing at them. The millionaire nodded, as did Strange, bidding them goodbye. The Cloak of Levitation begrudgingly escorted the couple on their way out, as if it was disappointed that Seokjin is leaving so soon.
"Hyung, don't pinch me!"
"Hey, get off you're sweaty-"
Tony pinched the bridge of his nose. Kim Seokjin might seem like (well, he is, as a matter of fact) a professional and well-spoken man, but he was a hundred percent sure the man is just as 'chaotic' as his protégé (this was later confirmed after the second time they met over fish and chips to discuss 'how Jungkook is faring between the superhero gig and med student life'. Tony discovered that the other had an affinity for dad-jokes and would not hesitate to barrage anyone with it).
"Doctor, your cape won't let us out!"
"It's a cloak!"
But yes, Kim Seokjin and Jeon Jungkook make a lovely couple and Tony silently wishes them the best.
Kim Seokjin and Jeon Jungkook make a lovely couple, yes.
Jungkook might be hot-headed at times but Tony believes that Seokjin is mature enough for the both of them to settle arguments they might have.
They're both smitten with each other. He notices the subtle gestures, like how Jungkook would always blush whenever the older was mentioned or how Seokjin would send cute messages reminding his boyfriend to eat (he might have taken a peek when Jungkook's on his phone, no big deal).
So, why on Earth was there a fresh bruise ('Hickey, Stark. Denying does not make it any less real,' he can almost hear Strange taunting him) on the kid's nape, barely covered by his dark locks, when he knew for a fact that Seokjin had been out of town for the last five days.
Tony frowned from where he was standing behind Jungkook, who was too busy catching his breath to realize the glare that was directed at him (or his neck to be precise). He heard Rhodey in the comms' background saying something about a new swarm of aliens heading his way but chose to ignore it for the time being. New York can wait.
Tony pondered for a bit before starting, "Hey kid, what's the boyfriend doing in Canada?"
"Well, there's this big conference he was invited to-" Jungkook turned to face him, face blotchy from the heat. "Wait, how-"
Suddenly, the kid groaned, aggressively mussing his hair. "Look, I know you two have been all buddy-buddy, Mr. Stark and frankly I'm not the biggest fan of this... thing."
Tony smirked, amused by the reaction albeit his suspicions. "You wouldn't understand adult talk, kid," he quipped, inciting a stream of protests from the younger.
The response had been natural. The kid didn't seem to be hiding something. He didn't even try to cover up that bruise (hickey, his mind supplied). Surely this Childe of his is not that dumb, right? Sure, he's naïve in a way but the Jungkook he met from that day conference's attentive and pays attention to detail. Besides, one doesn't just get a hickey on the neck and just forget about it. Well, he could've been drunk, but-
"Tony, we really need help down here."
Sighing in defeat, Tony called out to Jungkook and gestured to the Spiderman mask laying on the ground. "Put that back on, they need backup down there." It looks like the investigation had to wait. He'll get the kid to come clean, he swears.
"Why did you ask anyway, Mr. Stark?" Jungkook asked on the way down.
"Just curious," Tony answered curtly. Tony Stark will get to the bottom of this if it's the last thing he does.
The next time Tony's alarm had been set off was right after the 'Magnet Guy' (Jungkook came up with the name) attack at Fifth Avenue.
Spiderman had came not long after the initial bombing, just in time to see the maniac revealing his prowess, lifting cars and lampposts with a mere flick of his hand.
Tony eyed the other superhero as he landed on the rooftop, only been notified minutes ago. "How did you get here so fast? Don't you have class?"
"Someone called ahead," Jungkook rushed out as he swerved to dodge a- "Was that a hydrant?"
His question was confirmed when a similar red object came hurtling towards his face.
In summary, a crazy rich man wanted to take revenge on the government for something that Tony didn't quite catch and made a mess of the city by pulling off everything metal as his weapon. The bombing was just something to lure out the cops and officials.
"Ugh."
Tony eyed the young hero slumped to his side, gently easing them to the ground. "You good, murse?" The battle had not been the longest but continuously dodging cars thrown at you 100 mph was not exactly the easiest feat.
Spiderman chuckled, moving to sit on the hard concrete. "I honestly could do with a Big Mac, I'm starving," he said while stretching his neck, moaning when the pain intensified. Tony fought a laugh, opting to focus on the other man's injury instead. "Do you think you need a trip to the med bay or are we good?"
"A stop at McDonald's would be great."
Tony sighed. Never mind then, the kid's good. "Get some rest, kid. You can either swing back home or I'll get your boyfriend to come get you." He had been expecting the kid to make a fuss about him being 'buddy-buddy' with the professor. And he'll reply with how poor Seokjin was stuck with a gremlin. So when the reply had been:
"Which one?"
Tony's brain might just have short-circuited for a second.
"I'm sorry?" He asked before his mind could catch up.
Which one? Does that mean the hickey from before- Was that-
Tony was loss at word. He watched, baffled, as Jungkook fumbled on the ground trying to stand up. Tony can imagine doe eyes widening even further under the mask, mouth slack open. Normally, he would have asked Jungkook to stay put considering his injuries, but the situation was just too perplexing.
Now standing face-to-face, the younger man spluttered out an excuse Tony's brain refused to decipher, too focused on the fact that his protégé, his kid, had possibly just admitted that he was cheating on an amiable and caring man whom Tony have taken quite a liking to.
Tony took a deep breath. Stay calm, Stark. Teenagers and lectures don't go well together.
"Look, kid, you're twenty," he started. He heard the other mutter something but pressed on. "You're twenty. You're too young to be off playing playboy," Tony's frustrated note betrayed his composure. "I told you not to do anything I would do and-"
"And not do anything you wouldn't do, I get it," Jungkook cut him off gratingly. Christ, is this how being a parent feels like? How does Clint put up with three kids? "But Mr. Stark, you're misunderstanding-"
Tony raised an eyebrow. "Am I now?" He quickly interjected.
Jungkook groaned, hand coming up to rub mask-cladded face. There was awkward silence between them then.
Fury's vehement voice calling out to him broke the silence. Tony tsked. He thought of ignoring the calls but Fury would just pull him away before he had a chance to finish. With a huff, Tony stepped away, but not before sending a glare to the kid. I'm not done with you, young man, it seemed to say.
It turned out that Fury only needed him to verify Magnet Guy's identity.
Tony stared impassively at Fury's entertained expression as the man, accompanied by Hill, his right-hand woman, followed Tony. He was hoping that the kid hadn't left and they could pick up from where they've left off. "Really? You two can't figure this shit out on your own?" He asked rhetorically.
Fury hummed, raising both eyebrows, "I could." Yeah, he's clearly amused about something. "But you look like you were going to send the boy to sit in the corner. How's paternal-life faring for you, Stark? I can link you up with a family therapist."
This time it was Tony's turn to groan, throwing his head back. "Yeah, no. Dum-E would get the situation better."
When he straighten back up, two figures standing where Tony left Jungkook caught his attention. Spiderman seemed to be- What are those two doing?
His protégé was standing face to face with a gray haired SHIELD agent, judging from the other man's attire. The couple didn't seem to be doing anything, merely staring at each other. Tony quickly approached the two, startling them by letting out an intentional cough. He was about to ask whether the hero had some personal vendetta against the other guy. Fury was faster though.
"Jeon, do you have a thing for my men or is this just some fucked up coincidence?"
Huh?
Flustered, the gray haired agent quickly straighten his posture, stepping forward as if shielding the kid. "Sir, I-"
Fury waved a hand, effectively muting him. "Save it. Just go back to your squad, Min."
Min grimaced, throwing an apologetic look to Jungkook before marching away. Fury shook his head as he trudged behind this Min, muttering to himself. All attentions were at Spiderman now, leaving the kid fumbled.
"Uh, I–"
"Jeon Jung–"
"Wow, I'm beat!" Jungkook shot his webs before Tony could stop him, "Bye Mr. Stark, Ms. Hill!", and swung away.
"Jungkook!"
Tony groaned for the umpteenth time that day. "What was that all about?" he asked, mostly to himself.
"No need to get so serious, Stark," Hill walked up to him, eyeing him amusedly. "It was probably nothing. I mean your kid's dating that guy Kim from the research team, right? Fury's probably talking about him."
"What?"
That couldn't be the kid.
No way.
Shit, he hadn't even planned to be here. Tony had been strolling around the town when he decided a nice medium-rare ribeye for lunch would be nice.
The place he chose had been packed, which was expected as it was a Saturday. A waitress who had greeted him merrily was escorting him to a booth on the back to ensure the millionaire's privacy. That is when a familiar tuft of hair attracted his attention. What made him stop on his track, though, was the person sitting next to the man he had come to see as his own child.
The other person, as far as Tony was able to observe, was a tall man with smiley eyes, adorning a square-framed glasses. One of his arm was draped over Jungkook's shoulder, fingers playing with the other's locks.
Tony would've brushed the gesture aside as the other man being friendly if not for the way Jungkook was plastered to his side, lips pulled into a pout.
And just when Tony thought it was over, the taller man moved to cup the young hero's cheeks, leaning in, before finally giving him a quick peck on the lips. Wide eyes watched how Jungkook scrunched his nose, face visibly darkening even with the relatively dim lighting of the diner.
"You know what, I'll just seat here," Tony called out to the waitress as he sat down at one of the empty tables, eyes never leaving the couple at the booth. The lady offered him the menu, asking him whether he would feel comfortable as people are constantly passing by his table. The millionaire assured her with a charming smile, quickly scanning over the menu. He can't help the way his gaze kept falling back to the couple a few tables away.
After ordering, Tony leaned in and quietly asked the waitress as she was about to leave. "Can I ask you something? Those two over there," he pointed to Jungkook and his companion, the waitress turning to the same direction, "Did they arrive together? Sorry, I know it's a weird question but they look like someone I know." He admitted it was not the best excuse he could came up with.
Nevertheless, the waitress hadn't seemed suspicious of the question. "Yes, I believe so. They arrived around 10 minutes ago." She turned back to face Tony and added with a smile, "They seem like a cute couple, don't you think?"
"Yeah... If you say so," Tony muttered.
Jungkook and the mystery guy stayed for another hour, and so did Tony. There was a moment where the millionaire felt like cursing himself, acting as if he didn't have more important places to be, spying like an overprotective father whose daughter had went out for a date for the first time. Fury's words from the other day rang in his ears.
Tony clucked his tongue as he watched mystery guy leaned in to dab at the corner of Jungkook's lips.
For the past hour, Tony Stark had observed 3 kisses on the cheeks and 4 hair ruffling by the other man, the last one immediately followed by Jungkook pinching the man's sides, causing the stranger to curl on himself.
He cursed out loud when a waiter finally brought out the couple's bill, calling for another person to have his too. Tony hastily left the cash along with a generous amount of tip, making sure that the couple was still seated on the booth, before rushing to leave the diner.
Tony dashed to the corner of the street, gaining himself several stares from onlookers. He ignored them and proceeded to raise his phone to his ear as if he was taking a call. His eyes, though, were focused on the diner's door.
Only when he saw Jungkook step out of the door, followed by his supposed date, did Tony stuff his phone back into his pocket. He marched towards the couple fervently.
"Jungkook! Fancy meeting you here," he greeted out like he hadn't been spying on the kid for the past hour.
Jungkook seemed startled, doe eyes widened. "Mr. Stark?"
"Yeah, hi, what a coincidence!" Tony laughed, which ended as fast as it started. "Actually, do you mind if I steal you from your date for a bit?"
Ah, he hadn't meant to emphasize the d-word.
"Uh," Jungkook eyed the other man warily, probably sensing the hostility Tony was radiating, "Sure, I guess? Hobi-hyung, do you mind if I..?"
Ah, so this one's 'Hobi'.
Tony led him a few meters away, still eyeing the other man. "Is something the matter Mr. Stark?" Jungkook started, eyeing the man wearily.
That did it for Tony. He took a sharp breath, patience stretched thin. "Is something- Jungkook, is Seokjin- Did he-" He paused, pursing his lips. "Did something happen between you and Seokjin?"
"No?"
Jungkook had barely managed to answer before Tony continued, "Well good, wait no– It's not." He shook his head like a madman.
"Because the last time I checked, which was a week ago, you two were still very much together. And I don't know what crossed your mind to go four timing him! I kept silent about the hickey from that time Seokjin was out of town because who knows? Maybe you got drunk and it was a mistake." Tony suddenly threw his hands in the air, causing the younger to suppress a jump. But Tony wasn't done, he was far from it.
"I also kept quiet about that man– agent– whoever that gray-haired dude was– because I didn't want to start assuming stuff. But then I heard from Hill that you were in a relationship with one of the research guys from SHIELD and now this?"
"Mr. Stark–"
Tony raised a hand to stop him, "Look, kid. I'm not on anybody's side." He took a deep breath, calming himself down, "If it's not working out, please just go and tell him. You can't do this to your partner, it'll destroy them. I didn't want to say this 'cause it makes it all the more real, but no one likes being cheated on, Jungkook."
For a second, there was complete silence between them, safe for the bustling of the city.
Jungkook, who had been pursing his lips, trying to stay still, was the one to break that silence, "Are– are you done? I mean, is there anything you wanted to add?" His eyes widen for a second before rushing to add, "And I mean that in a polite way, Mr. Stark, I'm not trying to be rude. I was just wondering whether you wanted to say more."
It was almost cute how the kid trails off at the end and Tony would've laughed at him had they were talking about anything else. The millionaire raised an eyebrow, prompting the younger man to continue.
The kid ruffled his hair, suddenly chuckling.
"Kid, this is no laughing matter."
"No, no, I get it, Mr. Stark, I really do." Jungkook moved to scratch the back of his head, "I think there's been a huge misunderstanding. Like, Huge huge."
"Would you like to come over to our place for dinner later, Mr. Stark? I swear I'll explain everything. Let's say... Will seven o'clock work?"
Tony sighed for the umpteenth time that day. The kid had sounded so nonchalant yet refused to elaborate.
"I promise no one is cheating on anyone." That had been the only explanation given before Jungkook ran back to his partner. He hadn't even thought of giving Tony his address.
A quick message berating the kid found Tony standing in front of the supposed apartment building later that evening. Tony marveled at the architecture. All along he had thought that Jungkook was living in a standard family-friendly, two-room apartment with just enough windows to have sunlight every morning. This looks like it's far from it, Tony mused as he rode the elevator. He had never really been to this part of the city but it was clear as day that Jungkook was living in quite a fancy area. It's either Seokjin's secretly a mafia boss or being a professor just pays that well.
10.. 11.. 12.. Ah, this must be it. Tony rang the bell. He checked Jungkook's message just to make sure.
"Coming!"
The door opened to reveal Jungkook, looking like he was fresh out of the shower. "Mr. Stark, you're here!"
Tony smiled. The kid looked younger this way, loose shirt ruffled and hair not styled. He was so used to seeing Jungkook either in the Spiderman suit or dressed neatly for class. "I'm here alright. You gonna let me in or what?"
"Oh, sorry, come on in!" Jungkook moved further into the flat, leaving Tony to close the door after him. "Hyung! Mr. Stark's here!"
Tony took off his shoes and placed them on-
He gawked. Why were there so many shoes arranged in the front? Jungkook only wears the same two pairs of shoe every day, so Seokjin? Still, the amount seemed excessive.
Tony started mentally counting, forcefully stopped at 9 pairs of footwear when Seokjin's voice called out to him. "Ah, you can just wear it, we don't mind." Tony looked up from where he was caught staring at the shoe rack. He immediately placed his shoes along with the nine, no make it thirteen pairs of shoes. "No, no, it's fine."
"Come on in, we've just finished cooking everything." Seokjin smiled warmly, gesturing him inside. Seokjin rambled as they walked down the hallway. "I was honestly surprised when Jungkook suddenly asked to cook extra for tonight, but he did mention that you like naengmyeon. Fortunately, we still have some broth from yesterday. Don't worry though, they're meant to last for months in the freezer."
Tony marveled at the flat as they reached what seemed to be the living room, connected to the dining area. It turned out that the place was a bi-level apartment. It was also spacious, as opposed to the narrow hallway he was introduced to. He started to wonder whether Seokjin really is a mafia boss after all.
Tony eyes immediately noticed the dining table across the room, some dishes already set up. What caught his attention, however, was the brown-haired man who seemed to be setting the table.
"Taehyung-ah," Seokjin called out to the man, who immediately looked up from the table. Upon noticing Tony, Taehyung broke out into a smile, which borders the definition of a grin. He seemed kinda familiar, Tony mused. He also seemed to be no older than the two. Was he Jungkook's friend from med school? Had Tony met him there?
"Jungkookie went to get the others to come down, hyung. Is Yoongi-hyung home yet?"
The others? Now that Taehyung mentioned it, there's a curious amount of food on the table and not to mention the eight chairs set up. They must be expecting a crowd.
"No." Seokjin tsked, "He should be soon though, or I'm really never going to pack him lunch."
As if he had forgotten that Tony was there, Seokjin jolted in surprise. He quickly moved to usher Tony to the dining table. "Oh yeah, Taehyung-ah let me introduce you to each other."
Seokjin pat the other man's back. "Tony, this is Taehyung, Kim Taehyung. Taehyung, you know Tony Stark." Smiling, Taehyung wiped his hand on a napkin and moved to shake Tony's hand.
"Tony Stark."
The brown-haired man laughed. "No offense, Mr. Stark, but I don't think you need to introduce yourself to anyone in this household." Tony chuckled, "People don't recognize me more often than you think."
His gaze then nervously fleets between Seokjin and Taehyung. "So," he started hesitantly, "Kim, huh? Are you Seokjin's younger brother then?"
Seokjin stopped himself from spluttering, ears red. "No! No, he's not."
Tony wanted to smack his face there and then. He shouldn't have just assumed things. Wasn't there a saying that 'Kims are the Smiths of Korea' or something? He remembered Jungkook saying that he's met way more Kims than Smiths in the State, what was Tony thinking?
"Sorry," Tony shook his head, "You look familiar though, I thought it must've been due to you being Seokjin's relative."
Taehyung moved to rub the back of his head, "Well, I do model sometimes. Maybe you've seen me in a catalog or an ad?" He asked shyly. Well, that makes sense, Taehyung's totally got the look for it. "I guess so," Tony laughed.
Just then, they noticed Jungkook walking down the stairs with another black-haired man following close behind. "Namjoon-hyung will be down soon and Hobi-hyung is changing," he reassured Seokjin before the other had a chance to even ask.
"Mr. Stark, this is Jimin," he quipped as he sat down on one of the chairs on the dining table, followed by Taehyung.
Jimin, who Tony noticed to have a more petite figure compared to the other three, smiled warmly at him. "Park Jimin, it's nice to finally meet you, Mr. Stark."
"Likewise." Tony shook Jimin's hand before turning to Seokjin, "I don't mean to be rude but are you all living together in this flat?"
"Yes," Seokjin pursed his lips, glancing across the room.
"Actually," he sighed and gestured for Tony to take a seat with the others, "that's a reason why Jungkook invited you to dinner." Tony raised an eyebrow at that, plopping down his seat.
Jungkook whined from his seat across Tony. "Hyung, shouldn't we wait for the others?"
"Don't give me that, you just want Namjoon to speak for you, don't you?" Jungkook lowered his head like a scolded puppy.
He fiddled with the empty glass set on the table, raising it up before placing it back down. The kid repeated the motion once more before seemingly making up his mind. "Mr. Stark, the truth is I'm–"
"Sorry, I'm late."
Tony turned to look for the source of the voice only to hold himself from gaping. There, standing in the hallway, was Min, the grey-haired guy from Fury's team. Just as he was about to ask what's happening, another familiar voice caught his attention.
"Oh, hyung, you're here?"
Tony would never forget that voice, the loud laughs at the diner, the way the guy was clinging to his kid.
Tony turned to the stairs and there he was, 'Hobi' from the diner.
"What on–"
.
.
.
.
Tony Stark calmly set his glass down on the table. He glared at his protégé. "Still, I can't believe you told Strange but not me. You know could've told me sooner, right? That would've saved me the embarrassment tonight."
The tall guy from SHIELD that Hill mentioned to be dating Jungkook (Kim Namjoon, his mind supplied. He apparently was focusing on post-battle environment restoration, something Tony's had only heard now) chuckled.
"We told him to tell you soon but he was going on about how you or Fury were going to sell the information to the news anonymously." Tony didn't fail to notice how Namjoon was staring fondly at the youngest of the bunch. The whole table was, understandably.
Tony raised his eyebrows, intending on teasing the med student. "I wasn't planning to but that's not a bad idea, DUM-E needed money for some repairing anyway."
"I said I was sorry," Jungkook whined, covering his face with his hands. Min– No, Yoongi ruffled his hair from where he was seated beside the kid.
If Tony's being honest, Namjoon screamed field agent more than Yoongi does but he's not going to start assuming stuff again.
Tony moved to take another sip from his drink, a Korean rice wine. Seokjin said it was called makgeolli? He'd have to look it up online because it really goes well with the food. "But seriously, you could've just said you were dating these guys. Now I feel dumb for not realizing it sooner and for acting like a douchebag, accusing you of cheating and everything."
He could hear a few chuckles from the others. "It's alright. We're honestly glad to have someone caring for the baby," Hobi, the mystery date from the diner, cheered.
"Oh, this is Hoseok-hyung. You've met him earlier."
"Hoseok?" Tony raised an eyebrow, clearly confused about something.
As if reading his mind, Jungkook grinned, "His name's Hoseok but we all call him Hobi."
Tony should really ask the kid next time why they call him Hobi. Apparently, Hoseok works as an architect and graduated from MIT. Everything started to make sense with the apartment and everything. Guess the Mafia Don Seokjin agenda can finally be pushed back now. If this isn't an equivalent to a formal meeting-the-parents dinner (which, in this case Tony could say that he is the parent) Tony would've joked that Strange was not so wrong about the boyfriends being 'daddies' instead.
"Well," he moved to stand, "thank you for the dinner, Seokjin. It was all really good. But I believe I should be going now if I don't want to miss the train."
Jungkook frowned. "You don't ride trains, Mr. Stark."
"No, I don't, but I don't want to impose for longer. Now, will you walk me out?"
The weather that night was chilly but not so cold it was uncomfortable. A walk seems like a great idea, Tony mused. He glanced down at the container stuffed to the brim with tonight's dinner. Seokjin had insisted that he bring home some. Maybe he'll stop at Bleecker Street and share some with the wizard. Wong and him never was opposed to the concept of free food.
"Um, Mr. Stark?"
"Hm?" Jungkook's meek voice made him look up.
The kid was fiddling with the ends of his shirt. "Sorry for not telling you. For the record, it's not that I trust Dr. Strange over you or anything. It's just... I guess it was harder because it was you. You know, like how you can tell a stranger in a club your deepest secrets but not your bestfriend."
Tony had half a mind to ask what the kid meant by the last part but instead, he sighed and moved to pat the younger on the head. He kinda did understand the feeling after all. "I should be the one sorry for assuming things, kid. Next time I'll ask."
"You're really not going to tell the press, right?" Jungkook quipped as Tony lower his hand.
"I will if you keep on mentioning it." Jungkook stomped his feet and muttered a few things under his breath, flustered. He waved, ushering the kid to go back inside. "Go on then, scram, skedaddle."
"Thanks for agreeing to dinner, Mr. Stark. You should come over again sometime," Jungkook laughed. Tony watched him waddle to the building's door, very different compared to his superhero persona. He chuckled, it really is hard to not like the kid. No wonder he managed to score himself those smitten six.
"Hey, kid– Jungkook!" he called out before the other was too far away.
The other immediately turned around, "Yeah?"
Tony smiled. "That's a good thing you have right there, cherish it."
.
.
.
"Stark, did you seriously say the kid was four timing his boyfriend with his other boyfriends?"
"Rub it in, Strange. Rub it in," Tony pinched the bridge of his nose. That was one embarrassing dinner.
Strange closed the book in his hand, reaching for another. "You know, there's this method people refer to as asking? Have you tried doing it?"
"Screw you, Strange."
He really should have, he knows that better than anybody.