Chapter 3
Stephen was really tired, but he was trying his best not to fall asleep. Still, he started nodding off. Tony watched Stephen with an amused smile.
"Your Highness, you're allowed to sleep," Tony said, chuckling.
"I'm not sleepy," Stephen said, startled by Tony's voice.
"I can see that," Tony said.
"Why aren't you asleep?" Stephen asked, looking at Tony’s other friends sleeping soundly.
"One of us has to stay awake to keep an eye on you," Tony said, smirking.
"Oh, right," Stephen said.
"You’ve grown into a fine young man," Tony said in a flirty tone.
"I can see that you haven't," Stephen replied, smirking.
"Your Highness, you have offended me with your comment," Tony said in a serious tone.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that," Stephen said nervously.
Tony could see he was scared.
"Hey, it's okay," Tony said, moving toward him.
Stephen winced and moved to the corner when Tony got near him.
"Your Highness, we're not going to hurt you. I promise," Tony said soothingly.
"I didn’t mean to offend you," Stephen said in a small, scared voice.
"Stephen, it's okay. I missed our banter, you know," Tony said softly.
"You did?" Stephen asked.
"Yes. Can I ask you something?" Tony asked.
"Yeah?"
"Did Kaecilius physically hurt you?" Tony asked.
Stephen nodded.
"I'm so sorry. I assure you, you won’t go back to him," Tony said.
Stephen just looked at him with teary eyes.
"Oh, sorry! I forgot that you don’t trust me," Tony said, chuckling.
"I do," Stephen said.
"Okay, great," Tony said, smiling. "Bruce will be here to take us to Ironland. We’ll be leaving soon."
"Okay," Stephen said.
Natasha woke up from her nap.
"Are we ready to go?" she asked.
"Yeah, it’s time. Bruce will be here any minute," Tony said.
"Clint, wake up," Nat said.
Clint snuggled in more.
"Come on, get up," Natasha said, kicking him.
"What the fuck is wrong with you?" Clint asked, groaning.
"Mind your language, Clint. Our prince is here," Nat said, rolling her eyes.
"Oh yeah, pardon me, Your Highness," Clint said, bowing to Stephen.
"It’s alright," Stephen said in a small voice.
They heard the sound of a chariot approaching.
"Ah, Bruce is here. Let’s go," Tony said.
Stephen followed them quietly. Bruce approached Stephen and knelt before him.
"Your Highness, we’ve all been waiting for your arrival," Bruce said excitedly.
Stephen stood there a little awkwardly.
"Bruce, get up. He’s in disguise," Tony said.
"Oh, sorry. I forgot," Bruce said, standing up.
"Is Asgard aligned with us?" Tony asked.
"Steve has gone to see the king. Hopefully, he’ll help," Bruce said.
"Okay, let’s go," Tony said, walking to the chariot. He offered his hand to Stephen to get in.
Stephen hesitated for a second, then took his hand and got into the chariot. The others followed.
"How long will it take to reach?" Stephen asked.
"One day, Your Highness," Clint said.
"Are you sure about this? Taking me to your home might destroy yours," Stephen said.
"Saving you is our duty. We’re happy to die doing it," Natasha said.
"You’re coming home, Stephen," Tony added.
Stephen smiled at that.
On the long journey, Stephen fell asleep on Tony’s shoulder. Tony watched the man who had once been his childhood friend. He remembered what his father always told him: Tony was born to take care of Stephen. He had failed for many years, but he wouldn't fail again.
Natasha and Clint were watching Tony, who was lost in thought about Stephen.
"Tony, stop ogling the prince," Clint said.
"I’m not ogling," Tony whispered.
"You still have feelings for him, don’t you?" Natasha asked, smirking.
"I never had feelings for him," Tony scoffed.
"Clint, do you remember when the prince fell from the horse and scraped his arm? Tony didn’t move from his side," Natasha said, chuckling.
"That’s because he was my friend," Tony said.
"We’re also your friends. You didn’t give me that attention when I broke my arm," Clint said.
"Can you guys stop it? He’s a prince, and I’m just a knight," Tony said.
"You’re his knight," Nat said smirking.
"Guys, we should focus on what’s important: not getting killed by the evil sorcerers," Tony said, rolling his eyes.
"Yes, we’ll defeat the sorcerers, make Stephen the next king, and you’ll be his consort," Clint said.
"Wow, you’re good at being delusional, Clint. Cut it out," Tony said.
"Okay, okay," they said, laughing.
Stephen squirmed a little from the noise, but Tony soothed him with his hands.
"Shut up. You’re going to wake him up," Tony said, glaring at his friends. But they kept giggling.
Stephen hadn’t slept this soundly in a long time, not even in his queen-sized royal bed. He was always afraid of Kaecilius entering his chamber to hurt him. But he had a very relaxing nap in this wooden chariot, using Tony’s shoulder as his pillow because he felt safe with them.
Stephen woke up and looked around, a little confused.
"Hey, good morning," Tony said.
"Morning. I’m sorry I slept on you," Stephen said.
"Anything for you, Your Highness," Tony said, smiling.
Stephen smiled at that.
"What if Kaecilius followed us?" Stephen asked.
"He will. We want him out of Kamar-Taj," Tony said.
"So, you were using me as bait?" Stephen asked, hurt.
"No, we want to save you because you’re our prince," Tony said.
"I don’t know who to trust," Stephen said, worried.
"You can trust us. We will help you get back to power. That’s our main goal," Tony said.
"Guys, we’ve arrived," Bruce said.
"Come, everyone is waiting for you," Tony said, offering his hand to Stephen.
When Stephen stepped out, a sea of people awaited them. They all kneeled and cheered.
A broad man walked toward him and greeted him.
"Welcome to Ironland, Your Highness. I’m Steve Rogers," he said.
"Thank you," Stephen said.
Steve noticed the mark on Stephen’s neck.
"I told you there shouldn’t be a single mark on his Highness’ body, Tony," Steve said, glaring at Tony.
"I tried—" Tony started.
"It wasn’t Tony’s fault," Stephen said.
Steve’s eyes softened.
"Please, come with us. Our healers will take a look. And Mrs. Stark is waiting for you," Steve said.
"Aunt Maria is alive?" Stephen asked, surprised.
"Yes, she is. Mom runs the tower now," Tony said.
"Come on, there are more people you’ll want to meet," Steve said.
Stephen followed them to the tower.
Inside, the woman who had loved him like a mother sat waiting for him. Stephen felt his eyes tearing up. He thought he’d lost everyone he loved. But here she was.
Maria stood up and walked toward Stephen.
"Stephen, how are you, dear?" she asked, teary-eyed.
"Aunt Maria," Stephen said, hugging her and crying.
"Hey, it’s okay. You’re home," Maria said soothingly.
"I thought I lost you all," Stephen said, sobbing.
"No, you didn’t. We’re all here. There’s also someone you need to meet," Maria said, smiling.
"Who?" Stephen asked.
"May, please bring him," Maria said to a maid.
The maid returned with a five-year-old boy. The boy ran to Tony, who picked him up in his arms.
"Tonyyy, you’re back!" the boy squealed.
"Yes, Your Majesty. See who I brought with me," Tony said, pointing to Stephen.
The boy looked at Stephen with a confused expression but hugged Tony tightly.
"Stephen, do you know who this is?" Maria asked.
Stephen didn’t reply.
"It’s your brother, Victor," Maria said.
"Victor? But he was—" Stephen started.
"No, he wasn’t. Howard fought until his last breath to save Victor. He’s been living here safely," Maria said.
Stephen walked toward Tony, who was carrying the boy. He extended his arms to carry him, but the boy hid his face in Tony’s neck.
"Victor, it’s your brother, Stephen. You’ve been waiting for him for a long time," Tony said.
The boy peeked from Tony’s neck.
"Victor, I’m your brother," Stephen said emotionally.
"Hi, Stephen," Victor said in a small voice.
Stephen took him in his arms and kissed his head.
"I’m so sorry for staying away from you," Stephen said, sobbing.
"Victor, don’t you want to show your brother your toys? May, please take them to Victor’s room," Maria said.
"Yes, Stephen, you need rest," Tony said.
May took them to Victor’s room. Once they were gone, Tony asked Steve,
"How was your trip to Asgard?"
"It went well. The king offered to help us," Steve said.
"Oh! That’s great
"But on one condition," Steve added.
"What's that?" Tony asked.
"Prince Stephen has to marry Prince Thor," Steve said.
"What? This is not a trade. We're asking for help," Tony said, frowning.
"Tony, we don't have an option. We can't fight Kaecilius without Asgard and their sorcerers," Steve said.
"So, you agreed to this?" Tony asked, his voice rising.
"No, I didn’t. We need to discuss this with the prince. If he consents, we can proceed," Steve said.
"I will talk to Stephen about this. But let him rest for now," Maria interjected.
Tony didn’t like any of it. Stephen was not someone to be traded. He was the crown prince, and more than that, Tony’s... childhood friend. Frustrated, Tony stormed out of the room.
Victor was shy at first but soon warmed up to Stephen. Stephen was over the moon—he had his baby brother back.
"Stephen?" the boy called softly.
"Yes, Victor?" Stephen responded, kneeling beside him.
"Aunt Maria said you were confined by bad people. Were you scared?" the boy asked, his voice full of concern.
"Yes, I was," Stephen admitted.
"I'm sorry. If I were a big boy, I would’ve come to save you. But Tony’s my friend, and he came for me," Victor said proudly.
"Yes, he did," Stephen said, smiling warmly.
"You won’t leave me again, right?" Victor asked, his eyes wide.
"No, I won’t. I’ll be with you until my last breath," Stephen said, pulling the boy into a tight hug.
The boy hugged him back, reassured by Stephen's promise.