Faketionship
Stephen's phone rang just as he was drinking his morning tea. He took his time going to get it from across the room . He could have just used magic anyways but he enjoyed making people wait.
When Stephen saw that it was Tony Stark who was calling him ,his chest tightened, he felt anxious and worried. After realizing it could be an emergency he quickly picked up the phone.
"Hello?" Stephen said ,his voice channeling tension and the slightest hint of worry.
"Hey Doc! Listen I need your help" Tony began but was rudely interrupted.
"Is something wrong? Is it Avengers business?"
"No .Relax." A short silence followed. "It's more of a personal matter. "
Stephen was very confused by that statement. Stark has never been one to ask for help especially if it was about his personal life. Anyways, Strange felt a warm feeling in his chest . Apparently Tony Stark trusted him enough to ask him for help.
"How can I help you,Anthony?" Stephen asked curiously .
"I think it'd be best to discuss this in a more private environment."
What could be more private then a one on one phone call but perhaps Tony was scared of someone listening in on them.
Like Natasha Romanoff often did.
She liked to hack into people's lines and listen in on their conversations. Of course she never told anyone what or how much she heard .But after her betrayal in the so called Civil war . Tony wasn't too sure anymore she can be trusted with anything anymore. He wasn't sure about anything to be fair. He wasn't even sure that this hideous plan of his will work.
"Face to face."
Another period of silence passed. Then Tony's voice came at Stephen's end of the phone again. It was almost like whisper .
"Please,Stephen"
Then the call ended. Tony heard the line beeping in his ear.
He couldn't believe he just humiliated himself like that. He looked around his living room ready to go dig a hole and bury himself in it. His career was officially ruined. If this got out the news and the magazines will eat him alive. Tony was already walking on tin ice.And this time he couldn't walk it off because Steve was right there waiting for him to slip up.
But then he heard a hissing noise and a ring of orange sparkles and light appeared. Tony could never explain the way relief washed all over his body,when Stephen stepped out of it.
"You just love to make an entrance?" Tony joked.
The doctor's only reaction was a small smirk ." What is so urgent that we couldn't discuss it over the phone?"
"You might want to sit down." That was a falt joke but a joke nonetheless. He need something to ease the tension that was filling the room.
Tony guided the magical doctor to his couch and sat opposite of him. Tony wanted to make it as short as possible, so he just sat there for a moment trying to find the shortest explanation. Doctor Strange waited patiently.
"I am having a bit of a problem ,with Cap."
Tony said seriously as if he was hiring a hitman. Or maybe he could ask for that ,it will definitely do the job.
No, that was just a horrible thing to think off. It was making him feel like the bad guy .
"Since him and the team came back he's been trying to corner me. Talk to me about "I miss you" and " I still love you" but I am tired of his bullshit." He felt like a school girl gossiping with friends ,just more intense.
Stephen listening carefully. Confusion clearly displayed on his face but he didn't seemed to be bothered by the direction that this conversation was heading in.
"And you might be wondering "what does that have to do with me ?" , well I might have told Rogers something. "
Stephen waited for Tony to continue but he never did.
" Told him what? Tony?"
"I told him that we are dating" Tony whispered.
"Come again?!" The ex-neurosurgeon basically yelled
" You told him what ?" he asked again quietly this time. Worried that perhaps the walls are tin and someone could be listening to their conversation.
"I know! I shouldn't have done that but I panicked and he was being creepy and this was the first thing I thought of. "
The heroes stood in silence for a long moment . Heroes who risked their lives on dayly basis. Yet here they were unable of find a solution for such a simple problem. To be fair with Tony it's never simple. Never was ,never will be.
"Can't you get a restraining order or something. " Stephen asked.
"No can do .The Avengers just got back together you have no idea what will happen to me if I do try this option. "
Reasonable solutions were definitely off the table.
Tony was obviously very tense and desperate. That made the sorcerer soften a little and it could be noticed in his voice and his relaxed posture.
"Sooo you want me to fake date you until your ex leaves you alone"
"I will pay you if needed. Just...please." Tony begged. Something he very reality did (outside of the bedroom).
"No you don't have to pay me. I'm in." Stephen said as he got up.
"Can i make myself some tea? If we are going to have a fake relationship we need to build it first.This will be a long process."
"Yes of course make yourself at home." Anthony said obviously relaxed now.
They were going to be fine.
"Do you want some tea too? I can make a cup for you as well to help you ease your mind."
They were already looking like a couple. They haven't even started and it felt so domestic.
"No thank you, doc" Tony said while a soft smile made its way on his face.
After Stephen made the tea they both sat back down and got ready to build their so called "faketionship". Tony named it and Stephen just let it slide.
"Now! From where shall we begin?"
Asked the sorcerer as he took a sip from his cup.