Young rhodeytony where Rhodey affectionately says Tony is like a little brother to him, meanwhile Tony has the biggest crush on him and hates it. It's super obvious to all their friends except Rhodey.
Tony getting all pissy and even more childish when Rhodey wraps his arm around his neck and rustles his hair, "little bro"ing him in public. Tony shoves him off and stomps away. Rhodey just thinks he's embarassed.
Then Tony tries to make himself appear more mature, drinking and smoking and hooking up at parties. Always in front of Rhodey, or telling him the story the next day to make him jealous. He just wants to be seen as desirable. All it does is make Rhodey worry and take care of him more though, practically babying him and tucking him in bed which Tony both loathes and soaks in the affection.
So Tony shoves it down, assuages his feelings and chases other people who aren't afraid to take advantage of a young genius, and eventually forgets about wanting anything more than a best friend in Rhodey.
Years later Rhodey will run into a friend from college, get a cup of coffee together and catch up. They'll ask how Tony's doing, recalling how inseparable the pair were back then.
"He was so gone for you man, it was adorable."
"Tony, dude. He was crazy in love with you. Like a little puppy always nipping at your heels, trying to get your attention. Then you'd call him little bro and his face would get all red—hilarious," they laugh at the memory.
Despite never even considering the option—Tony was too young, too vulnerable, too busy, too much. Rhodey never had a single second to spare a thought other than worry for his friend—it hits him hard.
Tony isn't that little runt anymore; he's not getting bullied by upperclassmen that are envious he's smarter than them, isn't shyly asking him how to do laundry because he's never had to do it before, doesn't get exceptionally excited when he agrees to a game of backgammon.
Tony grew up. Doesn't need him anymore, in more ways than Rhodey knew he could stop needing him.
So Rhodey thinks about it. Tony Stark liking him, flirting in all the ridiculous ways a 15 year old boarding school kid could, trying to make him jealous. Hindsight is 20/20.
The man Tony is now is so far removed from that eager teen, and Rhodey thinks about him now instead. His wit, that gorgeous brain, his masterful hands, the smile lines that bless his face when he laughs at his own jokes.
Rhodey wants it. Painfully, agonizingly late. He wants it.
He supposes this is pay back for never acknowledging Tony's feelings. Now he gets to watch, admire, and never touch. Two trains that stop at the same station, yet cursed to never arrive at the same time.
Rhodey still gets on. Once he was handed the ticket there was no way he was avoiding this ride.
At least the experience of loving Tony Stark is beautiful.
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