Wanda Maximoff was special. She always had been.
Her parents had said so when she had been born. She had come out of the womb frail and sickly. The doctors had said that she wouldn’t survive the week.
Yet she managed to pull through and get better. Already defying expectations.
Strucker, Wanda’s Hydra Handler, had praised her abilities. She was the only test subject that had lived through the scepter’s introduction process. She was so unique. So special.
Everybody had always said that she was exceptional.
But why did Steve not see it?
The Rogues had been pardoned weeks ago, welcomed back into the compound like the heroes they were.
Wanda had thought that the falling out between Stark and Steve would have left her with an opening to wiggle her way into Steve’s heart.
How wrong she was!
No matter how much she tried to gain the good Captain’s affection it seemed to always slip away. Every time she would try to flirt he was distracted by something Stark did or said.
It was infuriating. Wanda deserved to have Steve. She was his endgame.
What was worse was the fact that Stark obviously didn’t reciprocate Steve’s feelings.
Stark had his eyes on a certain doctor wizard. It was sickening to watch as Steve went out of his way to make amends with the man that he loved. Only to have them thrown back in his face.
Stark was a murderer. Steve was a hero. Wanda was a victim.
It just wasn’t fair!
-{[(((0)))]}-
Stephen Strange let out a soft sigh into the cloak’s hem as he sat through yet another one of Steve’s debriefings. It was at times like this that he wished to have never switched from a consultant to full on Avenger. Raising his eyes from the cup of tea set on the table before him he locked eyes with Tony.
He couldn’t help the blush that peppered his cheeks as Tony raised an alluring eyebrow.
By the Vishanti, he really was fucked.
The first time he had set eyes on Stark he had fallen in love. What was there not to like? Tony was sarcastic and kind. He had the wit and brains to keep up with Stephen’s technical mind and photographic memory. Not to mention his physique. His caramel eyes were so deep… Stephen just wanted to dive into them and never come out.
The cloak slapped his cheek and Stephen quickly lowered his gaze in embarrassment.
His shaking hands curled into fists around the fabric of his tunic.
Tony Stark could never want him though. Stephen was a magical sorcerer with no source of income. Stark, as a man of science, didn’t even like magic. Not to mention Stephen’s abysmal personality and broken, useless hands.
Yes. Somebody like Stark could never love Stephen.
Stephen let out a hiss as his left hand flared in pain. Shaking out his hand he started to massage the appendage in an attempt to alleviate the cramping.
When that didn’t soothe it, Stephen excused himself.
Just as he was about to portal back to the Sanctum he heard a voice call out.
“Hey! Dr. Strange! Are you alright?”
That was Tony. His soft voice was unmistakable.
Stephen felt his knees weaken as he turned around.
“Wha- I mean -um- I’m fine Dr. Stark. Erm- Tony.”
Stephen cursed his uncooperative tongue as his face turned even redder.
“You sure? You seemed to be in pain. Are you hurt?”
Stephen couldn’t respond as he looked at Tony’s face. His hair was sticking up everywhere and he looked so concerned. About Stephen.
It had been a long time since anybody besides Wong or the Cloak had been worried about his well being.
Apparently, he had been silent for too long and Tony worriedly approached him.
“I’m fine. Really, Tony. It’s just my hands. They hurt more when it’s cold out.” Stephen finally replied.
Tony’s troubled look didn’t disappear, “Why didn’t you tell me? You wouldn’t have had to come in today.”
Stephen shrugged. He hadn’t wanted to be a burden. Stark was already so busy. He probably didn’t have the time to look after Stephen. Specifically on a bad pain day.
So, when Tony’s hand landed on his shoulders and led him over to the couch, he couldn’t help but feel surprised. Tony fussed over his hands, tracing the inflamed scars with a heated pad.
The cloak flew off his shoulders and behind Stark before tilting it’s collar as if to say: You’re an idiot.
Stephen sent it a glare. Tony chuckled.
Just at that moment the rest of the Avengers exited the conference room. Stephen noticed the way that Steve froze at the sight of Stephen and Tony so close together. Wanda watched Steve with a mix of irritation and longing.
There was obviously something going on here…
Looking back up at Tony, lips caught in between his teeth, something clicked.
The way that Tony was looking at him resembled the way that Christine had used to look at him.
Pure adoration.
He was an idiot. Looking back Stephen could see all the times that Tony had been flirting with him. The way that he tried to get them alone at every opportunity.
In a surge of emotion, without even knowing what he was doing, Stephen extracted his hand from Tony’s grip and pulled Tony’s head closer.
Their lips met in what Stephen could only describe as an explosion of bliss.
Tony was slow, yet passionate in his movements. One of Tony’s hands tucked Stephen’s hair behind his ear. It was gentle and loving in a way that Stephen never thought he would deserve. Tony’s tongue tasted like chocolate and coffee.
Sadly, all things had to end. Gasping for air they both surfaced from the kiss at the same time.
Looking up at Tony’s eyes, Stephen was afraid of what he’d find there.
What if he had mistaken Tony’s intentions?
His worries were soon soothed by Tony's quiet, happy murmur.
“Finally.”
Before they could continue a loud noise broke the tentative peace.
Stephen watched in confusion as Steve stormed away. Maximoff trailing after like a lost puppy.
Tony’s calloused hands landed on his cheek and turned his head back towards the billionaire.
In a rough, aroused voice, Tony whispered into Stephen’s ear.
“Ignore him. Right now all that I want is you.”
Stephen happily obliged.
As they leaned back into each other the outside world disappeared.
Something that Stephen hadn’t even realized he’d been missing slid into place.
Love.
Affection.
Endearment.
Lost in his haze. Stephen didn’t notice the satisfied vibes that the cloak was giving off.
All that mattered was the feel of Tony.
He finally had what he had been desperately wishing for.
And it was even better than he had imagined.
-{[(((0)))]}-
Wanda watched, unable to do anything as Steve sobbed in his room.
How was it that Tony Stark could get what he wanted and yet Steve and Wanda couldn’t?
It was not fair!