https://youtu.be/k_YGKon6iIk?si=TDTEIHg555vX1G0L
PODFIC ^^^
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“Dude, we just went through hell and back together. Tell us how we can help you!” Sam insisted, getting several nods of agreement and mumbles of “yeah!” and “exactly” where heard. Stephen signed, understanding he wasn’t going to get out of this any time soon.
After the team had won against Thanos, most of them returned to the tower that Tony had bought back during the blip years, all too afraid to separate from one another just yet. Tony was currently sitting in the center of the room, arm being scanned and kept stable until they could replace it. Stephen scrubbed his face.
“I’m fine, guys.” He insisted again. Wong raised his eyebrows, shaking his head.
“No, no you’re not. You cant visit as many realities as you did,”
“Fourteen million six hundred and five.” Stephen clarified.
“Exactly! There’s gotta be something that you’ve taken with you through all that!” Sam continued. Stephen leaned back in his chair, making eye contact with Tony.
“Okay, now,” Tony spoke up, making everyone turn to him. The whole team always did anything Tony wanted as he was in constant pain until they could replace his arm and plus, he saved the whole world. “I’ve got a feeling this has either got someone to do with me or you’re excepting me to help you shut them up, which I won’t do by the way.”
Stephen closed his eyes, nodding. He knew that his new friends wouldn’t leave him alone about it, so might as well.
“There’s this guy,” he started, making everyone hyper focus on him. “he and I, we…” Stephen paused, talking a deep breath. “He played a key part, or dare I say, the key part of all the realities I lived. For years and years I got to know this person over and over again.” He looked up at the selling as he continued, to avoid eye contact. “I grew to love him more than I’ve ever dared to love anyone else. I…” he paused again, sighing. “I love him so much. So much so that now, I cant tell the difference between platonic and romantic love, when it comes to him.” Stephen paused, letting what he just said sink in. “If he were to only want a friendship, I’d be more than happy to do that. If he were to fall in love with me, I’d let him choose where we’d go. It’s…” he smiled softly. “He has me wrapped around his finger like a worshiper.” He admitted.
The whole team were silent for a minute, before the sorcerer continued, voice a little, weaker, shakier this time. “I’ve…I’ve watched this man die repeatedly, over and over in my arms, next to me, with me, you name it.” He looked back at the team. “I watched the man I love more than anything die over and over, to the point where I have to physically stop myself from reaching out to him here, just to check if his body is warm.”
The team all stared. Some in awe, some in shock and others just frowned, feeling bad for the man.
“Well,” Natasha spoke up. “I believe whoever he is, he’d be glad to let you do that if it helps you.” Her statement was met with nods and agreements.
Stephen looked over at Tony, who was nodding. He took a deep breath and stood up. Everyone paused, waiting to see what the man would do. He walked over to Tony and put his hand on Tony’s bare shoulder. The inventer looked up at him as the sorcerer let out a huge breath he didn’t know he was holding at the feel of Tony’s warm skin against his own.
Stephen closed his eyes, excepting Tony to push him off or say something to retort or do anything, but…he didn’t. Stephen looked down again, making eye contact with the hero. Tony was looking at him, eyes insanely soft with a hint of shock. Stephen knew he should let go, but a part of him just couldn’t.
“I’m sorry,” Stephen apologized. “I- I know I-” Tony shook his head.
“no, no shut up.” He disregarded Stephens apology. “I don’t want to hear your apology’s for nothing. Please, Steph, I’ll help you in any way I can.” The sorcerer signed in relief, squeezing the other mans shoulder slightly.
“If there’s anything I can do for you,” Stephen knelt down in front of the man, hand still on his shoulder. “Let me know.”
“You can start by hugging me every morning.” Tony smirked. Stephens smile widened and he nodded. As months went by, The Avengers started slowly healing.
Tony’s arm had been replaced and him and Bucky now bonded over having a prosthetic arm. New and old friendships formed in the tower, leaving everyone warm and comfortable.
Tony wore tank tops often, leaving his skin out in the open, specifically for the sorcerer and Stephen was the first person to arrive at 4:56 in the morning in Tony’s room to keep his nightmares at bay and slowly, the love was no longer one sided.