Chapter 5
Stephen was all ready to meet the prince of Asgard. He knew it was going to be weird, but he had to do it for his people.
Victor was sitting near him.
"You're going to marry the prince?" Victor asked.
"Yes, I am," Stephen said.
"So, you're going to leave me again?" Victor asked, pouting.
"No, I will never leave you. You and I will be living in the Kamar Taj palace," Stephen reassured him.
"In a real palace?" Victor asked, surprised.
"Yes, Victor. You're a prince. You should live in a palace," Stephen chuckled.
"But I'll miss Aunt Maria, Tony, and everyone else," Victor said, still pouting.
"We can take them with us," Stephen replied.
"We could?" Victor asked.
"Yes," Stephen said, smiling.
The boy hugged him and kissed his cheek. Stephen hugged him back.
"Stephen, the prince is here to meet you. Are you ready?" Maria asked, entering the chamber.
"Yes, I'm ready. Let's go," Stephen said.
Stephen walked out with Maria. The prince, Thor, and his brother, Prince Loki, were standing there. The two princes were wearing majestic outfits that made them look even more elegant. Tony and Steve stood beside them.
Stephen felt a little awkward, but he greeted them politely.
"Your Highness, Prince Thor, it is a pleasure to meet you. I'm so glad that you agreed to this proposal," Stephen said, smiling warmly.
"The pleasure is all mine, Prince Stephen. I'm lucky to have someone as gorgeous and intelligent as you as my future queen," the large man said as he walked toward Stephen.
He took Stephen's hand and kissed his knuckles.
Stephen blushed at the gesture and glanced at Tony, who was fuming red.
"Prince Stephen, I would like to get to know you a little more. I would like to court you, if you allow me," Thor said.
"Sure, my prince," Stephen said.
"Great. I'll meet you tomorrow," Thor said, grinning widely.
"I'll be looking forward to it," Stephen said, smiling back.
Thor bowed his head and left the hall, followed by Loki and Steve. Tony was still standing there, glaring at Stephen. A few seconds later, he stormed off, leaving Stephen confused.
Tony stormed into the garden, seeking a bit of peace. He never knew he could be the jealous type, but seeing Stephen with someone else, he couldn’t help it. He was trying to cool off, knowing he was being irrational. Stephen wasn't his to claim.
Steve and Bruce came into the garden.
"Tony, Prince Thor wants to meet you," Steve said.
"What does he want with me?" Tony asked, annoyed.
"I don't know. He's asking for you. I think he likes you," Bruce said, chuckling.
"I don't want to meet anyone right now," Tony said.
"Tony, they are our guests. It’s our duty to be there for them," Steve said.
"Fine," Tony rolled his eyes and stood up.
Tony entered Thor's chamber.
"Your Highness, why do you want to meet me?" Tony asked.
"Hey, Tony. I’m planning to take Stephen on a date. Can you accompany us?" Thor asked, hopefully.
"Why do you want me on your date, Your Highness?" Tony asked, clearly annoyed.
"To help me with this. I want it to work out, Tony. Can you help me?" Thor asked.
"I don't know, Your Highness. It would feel like I’m third-wheeling your date. Stephen might not like that," Tony said.
"I'm sure it won't bother him. Can you come?" Thor asked.
Tony looked at Steve for help.
"Sure, Your Highness. Tony will come with you," Steve said.
Tony shot a betrayed look at Steve.
"Thank you, Tony. You're really a good friend," Thor said, hugging Tony.
Tony didn’t know what to say. Thor was so friendly, yet incredibly irritating with his constant cheerfulness.
Tony walked out of the chamber with Bruce following him.
"So, you're going to be the third wheel on their date, aren't you?" Bruce asked with a smirk.
"Bruce, this prince is a pain in the ass," Tony groaned.
"I don’t think so. He’s the nicest person I’ve ever met. And he’s handsome too," Bruce said.
"What? Are you into him?" Tony asked.
"Who am I to have feelings for a prince?" Bruce scoffed.
"Yes, you’re right. You and I can't even dream about being with royalty," Tony said.
"So, what happened? Why the sudden feelings for the prince? You were saying we were wasting our time saving him," Bruce asked.
"Bruce, when I went to save him, he was trying to commit suicide. If I had been a little later, he would have been dead. He must have gone through so much to feel like that. I honestly thought Stephen was living a happy life with the powerful sorcerer. But he wasn't. Kaecilius was torturing Stephen all this time, and it happened because I failed as his knight," Tony explained.
"Tony, it wasn’t your fault. You were just a 16-year-old boy. We all did what we could. Fate had other plans. But you saved him, Tony. You did your job well," Bruce said.
"I don’t want to see him hurt again. I’ve seen how his beautiful eyes are shadowed with fear and mistrust. I want him to be that confident, charming boy again, the one who loved to butt heads with me and everyone else. He’s not born to just be someone’s wife. He’s more than that," Tony said.
"Tony, I understand what you're saying. But the circumstances aren't in our favor. We need Asgard's help. I’d advise you to stop having feelings for him. It’s only going to hurt you," Bruce warned.
Tony knew his friend was right. The only way to stop his feelings for Stephen was to stop spending time with him. So, he decided to do just that.
Tony and Bruce were heading back to their lab when they heard Victor’s voice.
"Toonyyyy!" the boy called.
Tony looked in the direction and saw Stephen with him. He walked toward them.
"Hey, Your Majesty. What are you doing?" Tony asked.
"I’m talking to my brother. Why didn’t you come to see me these past two days?" the boy asked, pouting.
"I was busy with something, Victor."
"You didn’t come to see me either, after I got here," Stephen added..
"Uh, as I said, I was busy. I went to Asgard to find your groom, Your Highness," Tony said, not meeting Stephen’s eyes.
"So, you’re the one behind my wedding?" Stephen asked.
"Not just me. We’re all trying to find a suitable partner for you," Tony said.
"And you think the Asgard prince is the right one?" Stephen asked.
"Everyone seems to think so. Don’t you like him?" Tony asked.
"It’s too early to say. Do I even have a choice?" Stephen said sadly.
Tony felt bad for him. He couldn’t stand seeing Stephen sad. He wanted to hug him, to tell him everything would be okay. But he couldn’t.
"Your Highness, I need to go," Tony said and quickly walked away.
He couldn’t face Stephen any longer.