Chapter 25
Tony couldn't believe it—he had woken up beside Stephen, the love of his life, after three years.
Stephen was sleeping peacefully, an arm draped over Tony. Smiling softly, Tony gently massaged Stephen's head, causing the man to stir awake.
"Good morning," Tony said.
"Morning," Stephen mumbled before snuggling closer, hiding his face in the crook of Tony's neck.
Tony chuckled. "Are you sore?"
A muffled "no" was heard.
"Okay," Tony said.
"Let's send Peter to school, and then we can go to the hospital. Christine will be checking on you." He tugged gently at Stephen's hair, making him lift his head to meet his gaze.
"Hypoxic-ischemic amnesia won’t heal with medicine," Stephen reminded him.
"Okay, then what would you suggest as a neurosurgeon?" Tony asked.
"Memory training exercises and regular cognitive activities might help," Stephen said.
"As in?" Tony prompted.
"Recreating old memories—visiting places with the people I was with, redoing the things we did, looking at photographs… things like that," Stephen explained.
"Oh? And where do we start?" Tony asked nervously, unsure of what Stephen had been up to during the past three years.
"You’re asking me?" Stephen scoffed.
"I think we could start with Wong and the job I was doing. What do you think?"
"Hmm… that might help." Tony said.
But, Tony, I want to remember us first—our memories, and Peter’s," Stephen said
"We’re always here. But Wong is a really busy person, so let’s get that done first," Tony said
"Okay," Stephen agreed, then looked at Tony with a small smile.
"What?" Tony asked.
"Thank you for keeping me sane," Stephen said. "I don’t know how I would have survived if you hadn’t been by my side."
Tony felt a pang of guilt. He hadn’t been there for Stephen when he was hurting—but he wouldn’t make that mistake again.
"Come on, let’s get up," Tony said, pressing a kiss to Stephen’s head.
"Have a good day at school, Pete," Tony said, kneeling in front of the boy.
"Will Papa be here when I come back?" Peter asked.
"Of course, I’ll be here," Stephen assured him.
"Okay! Bye-bye!" Peter grinned, kissed both his parents' cheeks, and ran off with May.
"Why does Peter seem so worried about me leaving?" Stephen asked, frowning.
"Because you were away from him for a long time due to your sorcerer duties. I told you," Tony reminded him.
"But… it’s like he doesn’t trust me. Like he thinks I’m going to abandon him," Stephen said.
"You’re overthinking. Come on, let’s go to the Sanctum," Tony said, steering him away from his thoughts.
When they arrived at the Sanctum, Stephen felt something stir inside him—a familiar sensation. He looked around, taking in the gothic-style mansion with intrigue.
While he was still absorbing his surroundings, a piece of clothing suddenly floated toward him and wrapped itself around him, clinging tightly. Startled, he looked down at it.
"What’s this?" he asked.
"It’s your friend, Levi," Tony said with a smirk.
"Is it?" Stephen hesitated.
The Cloak of Levitation gently brushed against Stephen’s cheek, as if checking on him. Stephen chuckled.
"Seems like it missed me," he murmured.
"Welcome back, Stephen," Wong’s voice rang out as he descended the grand staircase.
"How are you?" he asked, concern evident in his eyes.
"Better," Stephen said. "But I still don’t have my memories. Maybe you could help?"
"How can I help?" Wong asked.
"We were thinking of recreating past events to help Stephen regain his memories," Tony explained.
"Oh, I can help with that," Wong said. He reached for Stephen’s hand and led him inside.
Tony watched them walk away, their hands linked, and felt a sharp pang of jealousy. He kept quiet, though, following them without a word.
Wong led them to a large room, where a strange eye-shaped locket rested on a pedestal.
"Do you remember this place?" Wong asked.
Stephen stared at the locket, then shook his head.
"No."
"What about this?" Wong asked, handing him a sling ring.
Stephen shook his head again
"And you don't even remember Levi?" Wong asked.
"I don't remember anything! What is this place? A damn museum? Was I its security guard?" Stephen snapped.
"No, this is the Sanctum Sanctorum, and you are the master of this place—the Sorcerer Supreme," Wong said, taking Stephen's left hand and slowly slipping the sling ring onto his fingers.
He stood behind Stephen, guiding his hands to form a circle.
Tony didn’t like any of this—Wong being so close to Stephen, touching him like he owned him.
Stephen, confused about everything, stared as golden sparks appeared. Finally, a golden circle formed.
"Is that a portal?" Stephen asked.
"Yes," Wong replied.
"But how could I...? What’s...?" Stephen stammered.
"The magic is still in you, Stephen. You haven't forgotten it. Try to remember—how did you become a sorcerer?" Wong asked calmly.
Stephen shut his eyes, trying to think. Memories flashed before him—wandering alone in a strange street, begging someone to teach him, being trapped on a snowy mountain, fighting unfamiliar people.
His head felt like it was exploding. He fell to his knees, crying out in pain.
Wong caught him before he collapsed.
"Hey, relax. It's okay," he said soothingly, holding him close.
Tony immediately stepped in, pulling Stephen away from Wong.
"Tony, it hurts. Thinking hurts," Stephen sobbed into his chest.
"It's okay. Don't think. I'm here," Tony murmured, pressing a kiss to his head.
Wong watched them sympathetically.
"I want to go home," Stephen whispered.
"Yes, let's go," Tony said, helping him stand.
"I’ll make a portal," Wong offered.
He created a portal leading to the tower. Tony guided Stephen through it and laid him down in their bedroom. Stephen blacked out the moment he hit the bed.
Tony pulled the blanket over him and stepped outside, finding Wong waiting.
"Stark, it seems you haven't told him what you did to him," Wong said with a smirk.
Tony remained silent.
"If you need help with Stephen, you can call me anytime," Wong said, this time sincerely.
"I don’t need your help to take care of my husband. I don’t know what you two were, but Stephen is my husband, and I don’t want you coming between us," Tony said before turning and walking back into the bedroom, leaving Wong confused.
Tony lay next to Stephen, holding him close. He had lost Stephen once, but this time, he wouldn’t allow it to happen again. No one could take Stephen away from him.
He didn't know how long they had lain like that, but he waited for Stephen to wake up, determined to reassure him that he would always be there.
Stephen slowly opened his eyes.
"Hey," Tony said with a smile.
"Did I sleep for a long time?" Stephen asked.
"Yes," Tony replied.
"Sorry, I'm bothering you a lot," Stephen said.
"No, you're not. How are you feeling?" Tony asked gently.
"I don't know. I had some glimpses of memories—me walking alone in an unknown street. Why was I alone? Why was I in a foreign place? I can't understand anything, Tony," Stephen said, his voice rising in panic.
"Relax, you don’t need to think about it," Tony said soothingly.
"I want to think. I don’t want to be a charity case for you to take care of. I don’t want your pity, Stark," Stephen snapped.
"Stephen, you are not a charity case, and me taking care of you isn't out of pity. It’s because I love you. It’s my duty as your husband to be here for you," Tony said firmly.
"You don’t have to bear me just because I’m your husband. You can leave me if you want," Stephen said, this time without anger—just sorrow.
Tony remembered those same words from years ago and how he had reacted back then. He had yelled at Stephen, called him crazy and unreasonable just because he couldn’t do his job. He had accused him of being stupid for grieving over losing the one thing he had built his whole life around. How cruel he had been.
Tony cupped Stephen’s face.
"Steph, look at me. Why didn’t you leave me when I came back from Afghanistan—crying and yelling like a mess?" Tony asked.
Stephen chuckled at that.
"Because you love me, right? Or was I a charity case for you? Were you using me as a sample patient to practice bedside manners? Because you definitely needed that," Tony teased with a smirk.
Stephen chuckled even more.
"Answer me, Stephen," Tony said, grabbing his cheeks and pulling him closer.
"I stayed with you because I love you," Stephen admitted.
"Yeah, and that’s my answer to you too. I love you, and taking care of you is something I cherish. I will take care of you for the rest of my life if I can," Tony whispered, his lips just a breath away from Stephen’s.
"Do you understand?" Tony asked.
Stephen nodded.
"Say it, Stephen. I want to hear it," Tony said, his voice deep.
"Yes," Stephen murmured, his eyes glassy.
Tony kissed him fiercely, pouring all his passion into it. When he pulled away, his gaze darkened with hunger.
He gently pushed Stephen onto the bed, undressing him with one hand.
"Now? Really?" Stephen asked, arching an eyebrow.
"Why not?" Tony replied, pressing kisses along his neck.
"Peter could be back at any time," Stephen groaned.
"We have time until then," Tony said, biting into Stephen’s milky skin.
Stephen moaned.
"Make it fast. I don’t want my kid traumatized," Stephen warned.
"I know you want this, Stephen," Tony chuckled, slipping off his clothes.
That evening, their passion was wild and intense, Tony making sure Stephen knew that he was the only one who could touch him this way.
Both lay panting afterward.
"What was that?" Stephen asked breathlessly.
"What?" Tony asked, frowning.
"You being so... wild?" Stephen questioned.
"Was that a problem? I thought you liked it," Tony said, narrowing his eyes.
"I did. But... why?" Stephen asked again.
"What do you mean why?" Tony asked, sitting up.
"If I remember right, the last time you were this wild was after the Met Gala SI hosted—when I ran into my ex, Nick."
Tony stiffened.
"What’s your point, Strange?" he asked, annoyed.
"You were jealous when Nick touched me. But what made you jealous this time?" Stephen pressed.
"What the hell are you talking about? I’m not jealous," Tony said, crossing his arms.
Stephen just stared at him.
"Okay, you’re ruining the mood right now," Tony huffed, rolling his eyes.
"I don’t know, Tony... I feel like you’re not telling me something," Stephen said, watching him closely.
Tony tensed. Had Stephen regained his memories? Was he testing him?
"Stephen, I—" Tony started.
"Boss, Peter and May are here," FRIDAY interrupted.
"We better get dressed," Tony said quickly, avoiding Stephen’s skeptical gaze.
The duo quickly got dressed and went downstairs to meet their son.
Peter happily ran toward Stephen."Papa!" the boy shrieked.
"How was school?" Stephen asked.
"It was good! Papa, I'm going to Ned's for a sleepover!" Peter said excitedly.
"Sleepover? That's not necessary," Stephen said.
"Papa… I want to go! Daddy said I could," Peter whined.
"Who is going to take care of you there, Pete?" Stephen asked.
"Ned's mom, dad, and granny will be there. They're nice people," Peter reassured him.
"I don't think it's a good idea…" Stephen started.
"Stephen, he's three now, and he's gone for sleepovers before. Nothing is going to happen. Let the kid have fun," Tony said.
"Okay, but if you feel uncomfortable there, call us, okay? We'll come to pick you up," Stephen said.
"Come on, Stephen. What could go wrong?" Tony said, picking Peter up.
"Pete, go with May and pack your bag. We'll drop you off," Tony said.
"Okay! Thank you, Daddy!" the boy said, grinning as he ran off with May.
Stephen still looked tense.
"What's wrong?" Tony asked.
"He's been to sleepovers before?" Stephen asked.
"Yes," Tony confirmed.
"And I let him go?" Stephen asked, frowning.
Tony thought, You weren’t there to let him go. But he didn’t say it out loud.
"Yes, you did. Now, I have plans for us tonight," Tony said, changing the subject.
"What plans?" Stephen asked, still frowning.
"A date. Do you know what day it is? It’s Valentine’s Day," Tony said, kissing Stephen’s palm.
"So?" Stephen smirked.
"It’s been a long time since we spent time together alone. We could have a date night," Tony said, wrapping his arms around Stephen.
"I don’t feel like going out," Stephen admitted.
"Okay, then we’ll do it here. Friday, set everything up," Tony instructed.
"Noted, Boss," Friday replied.
"What’s gotten into you?" Stephen asked, chuckling.
"Just know that I love you," Tony said, giving him a soft kiss.
"Papa, Daddy, I’m ready!" Peter called out, running toward them.
The duo quickly pulled away.
Stephen and Tony dropped Peter off at Ned’s house and returned to the tower.
As expected, Friday had set everything up, bringing a Valentine’s Day vibe to the room.
"So, it’s just us," Tony said, pouring Stephen a glass of wine. The two settled on the couch, cuddling and kissing, while a movie played in the background.
"Tony?"
"Yes?"
"I want to see our photos. You, me, and Peter. I don’t remember anything, but maybe seeing them could help," Stephen said.
Tony tensed up, and Stephen noticed.
"What happened?" Stephen asked, frowning.
"Stephen, can’t we do that tomorrow?" Tony asked hesitantly.
"No, I want to see them now," Stephen insisted.
Tony didn’t move. Stephen understood something was wrong.
"Friday, play the video of Peter’s second birthday," Stephen commanded.
Stephen felt as if Friday hesitated, waiting for Tony’s order. But when Tony said nothing, the video began to play.
Stephen watched as Peter cut his cake with Tony’s help. May, Rhodey, Pepper, and all the Avengers were there. But Stephen wasn’t anywhere in the video.
A chill ran through his veins.
"Play the Christmas celebration," Stephen said.
Still, there was no sign of him.
"Now, play last year’s wedding anniversary," Stephen said, glaring at Tony, his eyes glassy with tears.
"There is no video of that, Doctor Strange," Friday informed.
Stephen turned to Tony.
"Care to tell me why I’m invisible in my son’s life?" he asked, his voice breaking.
"Stephen… something happened. You and I were kind of… estranged," Tony admitted.
"What? What happened that made me leave you and our son? Was I that selfish?" Stephen’s voice shook.
"No, it wasn’t your fault. I… we were going through a difficult phase," Tony struggled to find the right words.
"And what was that phase?" Stephen demanded, frustration lacing his voice.
"Steph, I was the reason. I messed up," Tony admitted.
"What did you do?" Stephen asked, fear creeping into his tone.
He was scared of the answer—scared that whatever Tony was about to say would hurt him.
Tony felt like he was standing in that dark room again, desperately trying to make Stephen stay.
"It was a drunk mistake. I slept with someone else," Tony confessed.
He could have lied. Stephen would never know—at least, not until his memories returned. But lying would feel like betraying him all over again.
Stephen had feared this answer, but he had still hoped Tony would never do that to him. He sat there, stunned, unsure of how to process what he had just heard.
Silence filled the room.
"Steph," Tony finally said, breaking the stillness.
"I need to leave," Stephen said.
"What? Where are you going at this time?" Tony asked, alarmed.
"Call Wong," Stephen said, already knowing where he belonged.
"Stephen, let me explain—" Tony started.
"Do you want me to go to the Sanctum alone at this hour?" Stephen interrupted.
Tony fell silent.
"Friday, call Wong," he finally said, defeated.
The call connected quickly.
"What happened, Stark?" Wong asked.
"I want to come back," Stephen said softly.
A few minutes later, a portal opened.
LWithout another word, Stephen stepped through.
Tony wanted to beg him to stay, but he knew it was pointless.
Stephen had left him again.
Like it was meant to be.