Chapter 4
Tony Stark, former billionaire genius and currently a smug little cat, had made a decision.
He was getting bored.
Sure, the Sanctum was nice—plenty of warm spots to nap, an endless supply of good food (thanks, Wong), and a Sorcerer Supreme who was unknowingly letting Tony make himself at home. But after a few days, even a life of luxury got dull.
Which was why, when Stephen Strange left the Sanctum to get coffee, Tony decided to follow.
Stephen noticed, of course. The man was too absorbed in his usual brooding and muttering about how the world constantly needed saving to care.
Tony padded behind him, keeping a respectable cat-like distance, weaving through pedestrians without much trouble. He was getting good at this whole cat thing. He had the slinky movements down, the casual tail flicks, the expertly timed stretching.
Being a cat was easy.
What wasn’t easy was suddenly getting scooped up into someone’s arms.
“Oh my God, look at you!”
Tony barely had time to process what was happening before he found himself pressed against a warm chest, being absolutely smothered by eager hands scratching behind his ears.
He immediately recognized the voice.
Oh, for the love of—
“Who’s a good kitty? You are! Oh, you’re so soft!”
Tony cracked an eye open and groaned internally.
It was Peter.
Peter Parker. Spider-Man. His unofficial intern and the kid who saw him as some kind of mentor.
And the kid had no idea he was currently hugging Tony Stark.
Stephen, meanwhile, had already stepped into the coffee shop, entirely unaware that Tony had been intercepted.
“Aw, where did you come from, little guy?” Peter cooed, rubbing under Tony’s chin in a way that was way too good for Tony’s pride. “Are you a stray? You don’t have a collar…”
No, Peter, I am not a stray, Tony thought bitterly. I am a grown man stuck in a cat’s body, and this is extremely undignified.
But, against his will, he let out a purr.
Peter gasped. “Oh my God, you like me!”
Tony immediately regretted everything.
Peter adjusted his hold, cradling Tony like a baby. “You know, you kinda remind me of Mr. Stark. He had that same snarky, ‘I’m-better-than-you’ look.”
Tony resisted the urge to dramatically put a paw over his face.
“Hmm…” Peter squinted at him. “Maybe I should take you home! Aunt May loves cats. She’s been saying we should get one.”
Oh, no. No, no, no. Abort mission. I am not becoming May Parker’s house cat.
Before Peter could come up with a full adoption plan, Tony wiggled just enough to break free, landing gracefully on the sidewalk.
“Oh—wait! Kitty, come back!” Peter called.
Nope. Not happening.
Tony bolted toward the coffee shop, slipping in just as Stephen was grabbing his drink.
Stephen barely spared him a glance. “There you are. Thought I lost you for a second.”
Tony flicked his tail, casting a wary glance outside where Peter was still looking around for him. That was way too close.
Stephen took a sip of his coffee and started walking back to the Sanctum. “Come on, let’s go home.”
Tony trotted beside him, feeling oddly relieved.
He never thought he’d say this, but—for now—he was glad to be Strange’s cat.
At least until he figured out how to fix this mess.