Chapter 6
The ship was still in outer space. The foursome was playing paper football in teams. Stephen and Peter were on one team, while Tony and Thor were on the other, and they were losing badly.
"Aaaaand score," Peter said, celebrating.
"We won again," Stephen added, grinning.
"No, you two are cheating," Thor complained.
"Yeah, you're using magic to win," Tony agreed.
"I'm not. Losers always have excuses," Stephen said, smirking.
"Oh, really? Let's play one more. Thor, we're going to win this," Tony said, narrowing his eyes at Peter and Stephen.
"We're not going to win. You suck at this game," Thor replied.
"And you think you're good at it? Have you even scored once this whole game?" Tony asked.
"No, because you kept distracting me with your instructions," Thor retorted.
"I was helping you!" Tony said, sounding offended.
"You clearly weren't. You didn't want me to score," Thor shot back.
Stephen and Peter exchanged annoyed looks as Tony and Thor argued.
"Pete, let's go. Let them fight it out," Stephen said.
Peter and Stephen left, leaving Tony and Thor bickering.
"You know what? I don't even want you to win. I'll play alone," Tony said.
"Who are you going to play with?" Thor asked with a smirk.
That's when Tony realized Stephen and Peter had left.
Tony went over to where Stephen and Peter were sitting.
"Scared to run off like that, Doctor?" Tony asked with a smirk.
"No, I'm being merciful, sparing you from another shameful defeat," Stephen said, smirking back.
"You think you're being merciful? Do you want see yourself crying for mercy from me? You'll regret it, Strange."
"Oh, will I? Then I dare you to try," Stephen replied.
Peter watched their exchange, unsure if they were challenging or flirting.
"Oh, I definitely want to try, Stephen. I want you to beg for mercy, and then I'll give you what you want," Tony said, walking toward Stephen.
Stephen blushed but didn't look away.
"Guys, not in front of the kid! He might be traumatized," Thor said, laughing as he walked away.
Tony and Stephen looked over at Peter, who was blushing just as hard.
"Mr. Thor, wait! I'm coming too," Peter said, flustered, as he followed Thor.
"What was that?" Stephen asked.
"What? I was talking about the game," Tony replied, feigning innocence.
"Were you?" Stephen asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Of course. What were you thinking?" Tony asked with a smirk.
"Nothing," Stephen said, flustered, as he walked away.
Tony chuckled, watching him go. He loved seeing Stephen blush and act so cute.
Lately, Peter had been spending a lot of time with Stephen, asking about magic. He really wanted to learn, and Stephen was happy to teach him.
Tony, meanwhile, had been reconsidering his relationship with Pepper. Both of them had sacrificed so much to be together, especially Pepper. Since they started dating, Tony had caused her more stress than happiness. He couldn't even fully open up to her about being Iron Man and the battles he faced.
But with Stephen, everything was easy. They had known each other for only a few days, but Tony felt a bond with him that he had never felt with anyone else.
Stephen adored Peter as if he were his own, and Tony loved seeing them together. Peter would ask Stephen all sorts of questions, to which Stephen would respond patiently, with a small smile on his lips.
Tony realized he needed both Stephen and Peter in his life. Over the past few days, it had become clear to him: Stephen was the person he needed.
Tony knew he had to talk to Stephen before they returned to Earth. Once they got back, Stephen would likely avoid him.
"Peter, Thor was asking for you," Tony said.
"Oh, okay! I'll be right back, Dr. Strange," Peter said, rushing off.
Now alone, Tony turned to Stephen.
"Stephen, I need to talk to you."
"I know you regret kissing me. But it's okay; it’ll stay between us," Stephen said, not meeting Tony’s eyes.
"No, I don’t regret it. In fact, I think I did the right thing, and I want to talk about it," Tony said, sitting closer to him.
Stephen looked confused.
"Stephen, I know I’m engaged to Pepper, and yes, I love her. But something is missing in our relationship. As Peter said, she doesn’t love me fully—she loves Tony Stark, not Iron Man. But I can’t be whole without both parts of myself. You, though—you see me for who I truly am. I’m not lying when I say that from the moment I saw you walk through that portal, I felt something I’ve never felt before. And it only grows each time I’m with you. I’m not saying it’s love, but I like you, and I want to see where this could go," Tony said, holding Stephen’s hand.
"No, Tony. You’re only feeling this because we’re stuck on this ship. Once we’re back, it’ll pass."
"Why are you pushing me away? Why don’t you want this?" Tony asked, sounding hurt.
"It’s not that I don’t want you. But we don’t belong together in this universe. I’ve seen universes where I’m lucky enough to have you, but this isn’t one of them. Pepper deserves you, and you deserve Morgan."
"You’re rejecting me because of a kid who hasn’t even been born yet?" Tony asked, frustrated.
"Morgan will happen to you, and you’ll love her more than anything. You and Pepper will be wonderful parents," Stephen insisted.
"Stop predicting my future and focus on the present! I’ve told you, I don’t want that life. I’m choosing this because I love Pepper, but she’ll be happier without me. I can be happy with someone who understands me, who loves me for who I am. That’s you, Stephen. I need you," Tony said, cupping Stephen’s face.
"I can’t give you a child," Stephen said, his eyes filling with tears.
"I don’t need a child. I have Peter. He’s like a son to me," Tony said, leaning in so their foreheads touched.
"I don’t know, Tony. What if this is a mistake?" Stephen whispered.
"Why would you think that?"
"Because we’re not supposed to be together in this universe. You and Pepper are meant to have a child."
"Stephen, our choices shape our reality, not the other way around. Let’s give this a chance," Tony whispered.
"But, Tony..." Stephen started.
"Shh... stop thinking and let me have that kiss you owe me," Tony said, brushing his lips gently against Stephen’s.
Stephen closed his eyes and remained still. Taking that as consent, Tony kissed him slowly, savoring the moment. Stephen gradually opened his mouth, allowing Tony to deepen the kiss. They were completely lost in each other when Thor walked in.
"Guys, we can see Earth! We're almost home—oh, sorry!"
Thor exclaimed, backing out quickly when he realized what was happening.
"Uh... Thor, we were—" Tony began.
"No need for details, I get it. But just a warning—the kid’s here," Thor said before leaving.
Tony chuckled and turned to Stephen, but Stephen looked worried and sad.
"Hey, what’s wrong?" Tony asked, cupping his chin.
"We’re almost back to Earth. Back to our old lives," Stephen said quietly.
"Stephen, I promise you, the first thing I’ll do when we get back is call off my wedding. Then it’ll be just us—you and me," Tony assured him.
But Stephen still didn’t look convinced.
Tony leaned in and gave him a soft kiss on the lips.
"Trust me. Nothing will change between us," Tony said.
Stephen nodded, but he still seemed unsure.
"Look, we’ll be entering Earth’s atmosphere soon," Thor said controlling the ship.
"Oh my god, look how beautiful Earth is!" Peter said, gazing out the window.
"Yes, there’s no place as beautiful. Asgard was once like that, but it’s gone now," Thor said sadly.
"Alright, everyone, fasten your seatbelts. We’re about to enter the atmosphere," Thor said.
Tony squeezed Stephen’s hand reassuringly.
Everyone took their seats and buckled in as the ship accelerated, entering Earth's atmosphere.
After a few hours, they landed in a barren area.
"We’re home," Thor said with a smile.
"Yeah, we are," Tony agreed.