Chapter 3
POV: Tony Stark
I wake up in the lab to the sound of something vibrating, with my hands folded under my head on the table as I slowly sit up.
A groan escapes my lips as I stretch, my entire body is stiff from spending the night hunched over the lab table.
My phone vibrates again beside me as I run my fingers through my hair, the caller ID popping up on the lenses of my glasses.
Stephen Strange.
My heart stutters as I reach for the phone, sliding my finger across the screen to answer it.
“Hello?” I ask into the phone, clearing my throat try to hide the fact that I just woke up.
“Hey.” He says on the other end, his voice easy and calm. “Did I wake you up?”
“No.” I answer quickly, and he laughs lowly.
“Alright.” He says, laughing again. “Well I just wanted to know if maybe you wanted to spend the day with me.”
My heart beats even faster.
“Sure.” I answer.
“Cool.” He says back. “How about I pick you up at 11?”
I check the clock on the computer in front of me, it’s already 10.
“Perfect.” I answer, making my voice sound as calm as possible. “I’ll see you then.”
“I’ll see you then.” He replies before hanging up.
Shit.
I run to the elevator, pressing the button that’ll take me to my bedroom and pacing along the back wall as it takes me up.
“FRIDAY turn on the shower in my room and start the coffee maker please.” I say as I go up.
Finally I step out into my room, stripping my clothes and leaving a trail from the elevator to the bathroom as I get into the shower.
I shower quickly, stumbling through my routine as I rush to get ready.
I dress just as quickly, picking out clothes that could be for a variety of occasions as I’m unsure of what exactly this wizard is taking me to do.
I down the coffee as I dress, running my hands through my hair to style it as it dries.
“FRIDAY, I’m going out.” I tell her as I step into my shoes. “I want you to turn my tracker off.”
“Are you sure Mr. Stark?” She asks. “It would be a safety protocol violation.”
I sigh, remembering how adamant I was to make sure that everyone kept their trackers on for emergencies.
“Yeah, I’m sure.” I answer, standing up and checking my watch.
10:57.
I sit on the edge of my bed, drumming my fingers along my legs as I count the seconds down, my eyes flitting to the window again and again as I wait for a car to pull up.
Suddenly, an orange portal opens in the center of my bedroom, and my breath catches in my throat.
“Hey.” Stephen says as he steps through the portal, leaving it open behind him. “You ready?”
I stand up, throwing on an easy smile as I walk towards him.
“You know, when you said you’d ‘pick me up’, I was kind of expecting in a car.” I mutter, and he reaches a hand towards me.
He laughs, blue eyes sparkling in the orange light as I take his hand.
“What, is Tony Stark afraid of a little magic?” He asks, pulling me closer.
I slide one hand around his waist as he leads us back towards the portal.
“Oh you wish, Magic Man.” I answer, and he pulls us through, shutting my bedroom out behind us.
I look around, finding us to be in a quiet park.
Grass rolls over small hills until they reach a small dip in the center, where a clear blue pond glistens in the sunlight.
Stephen doesn’t let go of my hand as he guides me down one of the hills, closer to the water, until we reach a small picnic blanket.
In the center of the blanket, there is a bottle of champagne with two glasses and a basket.
“A picnic?” I ask, following his lead as he sits down on the blanket, letting go of my hand as he does.
He smiles softly, looking at me out of the corner of his eye as he pops the top of the champagne.
“Not up to your standards?” He asks, pouring the champagne into the glasses.
I shake my head, laughing softly.
“No, that isn’t what I meant.” I answer as he hands me a glass. “No one’s ever asked me on a picnic before.”
He smiles wider this time, setting the bottle down.
“Well, then if this one sucks you’ll have no reference point.” He says with a low laugh. “Works out pretty well for me.”
He extends his glass to me, and I clink my glass against his in a cheers before we drink.
“Where exactly are we?” I ask, looking around at the park again. “This can’t be near the city.”
Stephen opens the basket, pulling various items out.
“It’s not.” He answers, opening a bag of bread. “It’s a few hours out, I grew up around here.”
I smile at him as he sets out two paper plates.
“It seems nice.” I say quietly. “Peaceful.”
He looks at me for a moment, analyzing my answer before smiling softly.
“It is.” He replies, his voice just as quiet. “Now, do you want peanut butter and jelly, or ham and cheese?”
“Peanut butter and jelly, obviously.” I answer, taking a drink from my glass.
He grins, raising his eyebrows.
“Good choice.” He says, pulling out a plastic knife.
He raises his hands, using his magic to manipulate the knife into each jar, spreading the peanut butter and jelly onto the slices of bread.
“Sorcerer Supreme uses his magic to make sandwiches, huh?” I ask, watching with intensity as he meticulously levitates the objects.
“Surprisingly this is easier than using my hands.” He replies, forcing a tight smile.
I look at his hands as he subtly flicks his fingers, directing the magic through the air.
I remember reading about his car accident when I researched him months ago, shortly after I found out who he was.
Each finger has a scar from the base of his nail to the top of his knuckle, each of them trembling slightly as he moves them.
He drops his hands into his lap as he finishes using his magic, and I reach across to gently take both of his hands in mine.
His eyes lock onto mine, his entire body tensing as I slide my fingers along the scars.
I look between his eyes and his hands once before leaning my head down, pressing my lips against the long scars on each finger, not even sure why I’m doing it, just sure that it feels right.
He keeps his eyes on me, calculating silently.
As I kiss the last scar on his hand, I sit back up, looking back into his blue eyes.
“You’re so different than I thought.” He whispers, letting his hands stay rested in mine. “So different than I could’ve ever imagined.”
I smile at him, running my thumb along the back of his hand.
“A good different?” I ask, my voice low, unsure.
He smiles finally, his body relaxing.
“A very good different.” He replies, pulling one hand out of mine to cup my face. “You want everyone to see this cold, calculating billionaire, and for a while I did see that.”
His thumb trails along my cheekbone as he talks.
“But you’re not all that.” He continues. “You’re softer, warmer than anyone knows.”
I smile, rolling my eyes slightly.
“Okay, but don’t go around telling everyone.” I mutter.
He laughs, leaning forward and pressing a kiss against my forehead.
“It can be our little secret.” He replies, using the hand on my face to tilt my head up as he kisses my lips softly.
He leans back after a moment, pulling his hand away from my face and using his magic to pull the two plates forward, resting one in his lap and the other in mine.
I smile at him as I let go of his other hand, reaching for the sandwich.
He follows suit, and we eat with a comfortable conversation falling between us.
The sound of the water in the pond splashing slightly with the breeze, along with the trees rustling, creates a warm and comforting atmosphere, one I would be content to never leave.
Peaceful hours pass on his picnic blanket, and I find myself laying beside him with my head against his chest.
I listen to his heartbeat as he traces soft designs against my back with his fingertips.
Eventually the sun begins to set, and we watch it sink below the pond.
“Are you ready to go?” Stephen asks, sitting up and pulling me up beside him.
I nod, stretching as he stands up.
I stand too, helping him fold the blanket before he opens a portal and sends it through.
“Thank you for taking me here.” I say in a low tone, looking up at him.
He smiles as he reaches forward, resting his hands on my waist.
“Thank you for coming.” He answers.
He leans down, kissing me again, and I wrap my hands around his head, linking my fingers behind his neck.
“I’ll see you again soon.” He murmurs against my lips.
I nod, pulling him closer.
Moments later, he steps back, opening a portal in front of me.
My bedroom sits just inside of the brightly glowing circle.
“Have a good night, Tony.” He says, winking at me.
“You too, Stephen.” I answer, smiling back.
I step through the portal, blinking at the harsh light in my room.
“FRIDAY, any updates?” I ask, sitting on my bed and pulling my shoes off.
“Steve has asked for your location five times and the group has requested a meeting upon your arrival.” She reports.
I roll my eyes, sighing as I rake a hand through my hair.
“Great.” I mutter. “Turn my tracker back on and tell them to meet me in the conference room in five.”
I walk down the hall, taking the stairs to get to the second floor where the conference room is.
Unfortunately, most of them are already there when I walk in.
“Hey guys.” I say casually as I walk to the table, sitting in a chair and leaning back.
Steve glares at me as I scan the faces in the room.
“Where’ve you been?” Rhodey asks playfully, walking in and sitting in the chair beside me.
“I was with Stephen Strange.” I answer, savoring the look on Steve’s face as his eyes widen and his jaw tightens.
“Why?” Nat asks, her eyes narrowing. “And why did you turn your tracker off?”
I sigh, spinning slightly in my chair.
“Well, I’m sort of seeing him.” I answer, giving up on hiding from them anymore.
Rhodey grabs the armrest of my chair, spinning it slightly so I’m facing him.
“Seeing him how?” He asks, his eyebrows raised.
I lean my head to one side as I look at him.
“However you’re probably thinking.” I answer flatly.
He nods, letting go of my chair and leaning back in his own.
No one says anything, instead just looking at me or at their hands in their laps while they think.
“Well, good for you.” Rhodey says after an agonizingly long moment of silence.
I turn to face him again, narrowing my eyes at him.
“You found someone you like right?” He asks.
I nod, hesitantly.
“Then screw whatever these guys think.” He says, gesturing to the rest of the silent table. “I’m happy for you man.”
I give a small smile to him, nodding my thanks.
“Hey man, you do what makes you happy.” Sam says in a quiet voice from across the table. “We just didn’t know where you were, that’s all.”
I look at him, finding a genuine smile from him on his lips.
I give him a nod in thanks as well as I lean forward onto the table.
“Yeah Tony, you could’ve told us.” Nat says, reaching across the table and putting one hand on my arm. “Congrats.”
She smiles softly.
I smile back at her, patting her hand on my arm once before she pulls it away.
Steve says nothing, keeping his jaw tight as he stares at the table.
“I’m sorry about the tracker.” I say finally. “I just needed time to figure things out. Without any of you knowing why.”
A few people nod in agreement, others mutter words of understanding.
The group dissipates after a few minutes, everyone going back to their own activities.
“Mr. Stark?” Peter asks, stepping closer as he stands from his seat in the back of the room.
“Yeah kid, what’s up?” I ask, looking up at him from my chair.
“I was just wondering if you wanted to watch a movie or something.” He says, scratching the back of his neck. “You could pick one of your old people ones even.”
He tries to fight a smile as I fake a glare at him.
“Wow, I can even pick one of my old people ones?” I ask, standing up and putting an arm around his shoulders. “Are you sure you won’t be too bored?”
He laughs as we walk out of the room.
“As long as it’s not the stupid time travel ones again I think I can handle it.” He says, shooting me a sideways smile.
I gasp dramatically.
“Just for that we’re watching the whole Back to the Future trilogy.” I tell him, messing his hair up with my hand. “Someone has to educate you, and it looks like it’s gotta be me.”
He laughs again, and for the first time in a while, I feel happy.