A decision to trust
After a ton of arguing about how to proceed as a team, Tony's had enough.
"Listen, Steve, I respect all this but we have certain values. And we can't back down. Backing down is weakness."
Natasha looked at him and nodded.
"I have to side with Tony. Of course we don't know about this- thing. But when it strikes, we don't even have another option. We are the protectors of these civilians out there and our job is to fight. And I definitely will."
Stark looked at the woman with a smile.
"How about the rest?"
Bruce and Clint looked at each other before the doctor sighed.
"Yeah, we don't have a choice. As one of the more or less normal guys, I have to say that we will have to do a lot of research but we can't just back off. That's not our thing."
"Maybe there is people that could help us?", Natasha added.
"There for sure is things between the earth and a bigger universe that we can't understand now", Thor said.
"What do you mean?"
Tony looked at him with a frown.
"I just think that we don't yet have everything explored. I am a god, you humans didn't believe in that for the longest time. Why shouldn't there be a greater universe of sorcery and magic?"
"I'm sorry Shakespeare, but the whole Harry Potter thing sounds a bit off to me. I don't want to work with Legolas as well. You and your wonderful brother are enough in my opinion. I really have no intention of dealing with Merlin too."
Steve had crossed his arms at first but just sighed and nodded.
"But they are right, Stark. They are right. There must be something more. Look- I mean- There is no way to explain this stuff without using the term magic."
Ironman nodded and looked at his watch.
"Well, yes. You're right. But that's a discussion for another meeting."
"You having plans?", Natasha asked with a grin.
"Maybe", Tony nodded with a wink.
"Anyways, I'm glad we are on the same team."
Rogers extended his hand to Tony who smiled sincerely at him and shook it.
"Yeah, me too. Alright, laters."
The billionaire got into his jacket which made Black Widow let out a content breath.
"Lucky girl."
"I'll make sure to tell her."
"What's her name?"
"Stephanie."
Stark chuckled to himself and left the meeting, getting into his car. He knew Stephen's address and had no trouble finding his flat. He checked his appearance in the mirror of his car one last time before ringing the bell. Stephen didn't take long to open the door. And he looked stunningly relaxed. In a lazily buttoned and nicely fitting black shirt and a nice pair of jeans. The engineer smirked.
"Darling. I am overwhelmed with joy. It's good seeing you."
He pressed a soft kiss onto Stephen's cheek.
"Thank you. Where did you think about going?"
"Oh, anywhere really. I wouldn't say no to some food. I know a really good Italian restaurant that is actually up my alley."
"So there is no pizza with pineapple, Carbonara sauce without cream and pasta for starters?"
"Did I mention that already?"
"First of all, I might be American but I can appreciate proper Italian food that isn't butchered by this Nation. And secondly- Yeah, you told me about this on February 2nd. One of them."
"Did I talk about it during sex?"
"It was an interesting foreplay."
"Christ, I really hope I'll make our first time better than that", he chuckled.
"Ready to go?"
The doctor nodded and accepted the arm Tony was offering. The billionaire opened the car door for him and got into the car as well.
"What did you do all day?", Stark asked as he started the car.
"Oh. Uhm. Not much. I looked through a box of old memories."
"Ah, was it fun?", the other smiled at him.
"In a way. And in a way it wasn't."
"Why?"
"I found a lot of pictures of my sister."
Tony turned his head to him sympathetically and nodded.
"She isn't with us anymore?"
"No. No, Donna died as a child."
"I'm sorry."
"Yeah, I don't have any family left. Do you?"
"No. No, not really. Well, I consider other people my family now. But my mom and dad were- They died when I was eighteen. But I really only was close with my mother."
"I'm sorry you lost them."
"It's fine. Really. I got to deal with it being supported by a lot of people. And I don't live in the past a lot anymore. I am alive. And I got to live my life without sorrow all the time. There is more to life than missing the people who aren't in it anymore. One day we all leave. And we have a choice to live life as it comes as long as we can or to just spend our entire existence thinking about death and possibilities. I chose life. And I'm happy I did."
"Yeah. I never- looked at it that way."
"I can see that. Don't get me wrong but you are depression on two legs. You never seem really truly happy. Always in that head of yours."
"Well, I didn't have many people supporting me. I had one. Later on two."
"Who was that?"
"A doctor I'm working with. Josh Slippery."
"Ah, yeah! I heard of him. Good man honestly. Helped a lot of the victims I brought in."
"Yeah, he's amazing. Helped me through the worst. Later Christine. Who you know already."
"I figured you two had your past together."
"A strong friendship, yes. I don't know how she keeps up with me."
"Same here. I just don't know how Pepper handles my bullshit."
Strange smiled at his date.
"Well, I understand her."
Tony was letting out an adorable small laugh.
"You're actually very cute when you are like this. And I promise to help you however I can. Add me to the list of people helping you, yeah? Because that's my intention. I don't want you to feel bad or anything. I actually am very serious when I say I care for you on a higher level. And I didn't choose that. It just- happened."
Stark parked the car and got out, opening the door for Stephen again. He closed the door again and gestured to the restaurant.
"Welcome to heaven where all your Italian dreams become a reality."
Tony once again offered Stephen his arm and went to the entrance with him where an obviously familiar man opened for them.
"Tony! Come in", he said with a heavy accent.
"Of course, how could I go a week without your food? Stephen, this is Mario. I met him a few years ago on a mission where I got help from him actually. Well- from some of his relatives."
"Oh", Stephen said as it clicked in his head. "OH."
"Yeah", the billionaire shrugged with a grin.
"And Mario, this is doctor Stephen Strange, my date. But you can call him Stephanie."
"It is lovely meeting you, doctor."
"Likewise."
"I'll show you two to your table."
Mario brought them to a truly nice spot in the restaurant. They had a view over the rest of the room that was filled with beautiful art and had a gorgeous atmosphere. It was all dimly lit and overall the definition of romantic. The Italian put a candle on the table and lit it.
"More romantic. Anything you'd like to drink?"
"Yes. Would you please bring us a bottle of my usual red wine?"
He turned to Stephen.
"It's very good. You'll love it."
Mario smiled and nodded.
"Of course."
Once he was gone to get the bottle, Tony reached over the table and took Stephen's hand.
"Life sometimes changes. Dramatically. From one moment to the other. I am asking you for one thing and that thing is for you to give me a chance to show you the good sides. And that you are cared for. And loved. You are important, yeah? You matter."
"I don't know why you are so nice to me honestly. I really don't."
"Because there will always be people who don't need a reason to be nice. I have a slight hero complex and you fit my loot scheme."
"Oh, how romantic", the doctor turned his eyes lovingly.
"Will you laugh about anything that I tell you that is very serious to me but might just be insane to you?"
"No. You have my word. I honestly want you to just talk. And I'd never laugh about that stuff. Trauma is a bitch. And the bitch is hunting you down."
"Yeah. Well- My sister- Donna sometimes comes to me. In form of hallucinations."
Stark nodded seriously.
"She told me that she'd sent me someone to take care of me. And- I don't know."
"Are you telling me that she said I would take care of you? Because if she did, I will definitely not disappoint her. I promise. Stephen, just relax for once in your life. Give me the control over it. Let me dominate this thing. Let me."
Stephen got shivers at the change in his date's voice. He sounded so caring and loving and serious and at the same time so damn intriguing and intimidating.
"I am trying."
"Good. I can see. You are subconsciously enjoying it at the moment. Your little heart beat way faster when I protectively offered you my arm or held the door for you or even now that I'm holding your hand. All you want is to be protected and loved. You're the most humble person I know."
Mario returned with the wine and filled two glasses, placing the bottle in an ice cooler.
"Thank you. Can you bring us your personal favorites? The two best dishes? Because I never can decide on what I want from you. Your food is way too good, buddy."
The man laughed and nodded.
"Of course."
They talked a lot. About everything. Tony learned a bit more about Stephen and his background. Not all. And he knew it. He knew that Stephen wouldn't open up this quickly. But he also knew that even the smallest baby-steps were a huge success. Because they showed trust. And the will to keep this going. Mario brought the food a few minutes later and it looked damn good. Tony placed both plates in the middle of the table and they shared. He felt like a teenager but he actually fairly often did. And it was obvious that the doctor needed this too. After they were done, the billionaire payed the bill with a more than generous tipping and brought Stephen back to the car. It had got dark outside as the evening had passed so very quickly.
"Have you thought about my offer? Of moving some of your stuff to my place?"
"Yeah. Yeah, I actually have. Very quickly because the decision wasn't that hard."
"Oh?", Tony smiled at him.
"And is the decision a positive one for me?"
"No. I fear it isn't. Because you will have to share from now on."
Stark let out a breath of relief.
"Don't scare me like that, Stephanie. I thought you'd say no for a second."
He laughed and turned on the light, driving the car back to Stephen's place.
"You packed already?"
"Am I that predictable?"
"No, I just hoped so."
"Yeah, I have. I have packed the stuff I want to bring."
"Is it in your bedroom?"
The doctor nodded innocently.
"I'm gonna get it. You stay here."
Tony turned on the heating a bit, so Stephen would stay warm. The younger nodded and handed Stark the key to his apartment.
"Thank you. I'll be right back. Don't you move."
They shared a quick laugh before Tony jogged to the entrance, got the stuff and came back, putting on the backseats.
"Alright", he said as he sat back down.
"Time to go home. We are too old for this shit. To stay out all night."
"We aren't that old."
"I am a bit older than you, Mister."
"Doctor."
The billionaire laughed.
"Oh, of course. You of course are right."
He drove to the mansion carefully, taking Stephen's stuff as soon as they arrived.
"Friday, open the door for us please."
"Yes, boss. Welcome home."
The AI opened the entrance immediately and let them in.
"That's- handy. But also fucking scary."
"She's my girl. She wouldn't hurt me. She could actually but she doesn't because i praise her a lot and am a good boss. Right, Fri?"
"That is correct, boss."
"Okay, that's just frightening to me, I don't know."
Stark chuckled and nodded.
"You'll love her. I'm sure."
They eventually ended up on the couch, cuddled up to each other. Tony had both his arms around the other man, kissing his forehead. He had started caressing Stephen's arm a few minutes ago and felt how the doctor calmed down a bit more by the second. It was crazy how he just let go when he was with the billionaire.
"You can sleep if you want", he whispered into Stephen's ear.
"No, it's okay. I am just- Sorry, I don't mean to be so quiet but you're so damn relaxing."
"That's wonderful. Really, Stephen. I am serious. You need this. A lot."
"I know. Thank you. I- Thank you."
"For falling in love? Didn't have much of a choice."
Strange looked up and searched Tony's eyes for any doubt. They were shimmering in the dim light of the candles they had lit in the living room. But he didn't find any. Just honesty and devotion.
"What do you need? Tell me."
"I- don't know."
"Good."
Tony leaned down and gently kissed Stephen's lips. He moved up and down his arm still, drawing little circles onto his shoulder with his thumb every single time he reached it. After some shy kisses, they got a bit deeper. A bit more desperate. A bit more wanting. Stark moved his hand from Stephen's arm to his chest and eventually slipped it under his shirt.
"I'm gonna show you your new bathroom. Relax a bit and then I'll show you our bedroom, okay?"
The doctor nodded and got up. Tony followed and took his hand instantly as he brought him to his very own bathroom. It was gorgeous, big and almost a private spa.
"I hope you'll get to relax. Use everything here, it is all yours. When you're done, just come to the room on the other side."
He pointed at a huge door.
"That's my actual bedroom. Not the one I bring guests after parties."
The billionaire smiled and disappeared behind the door. Stephen took his time exploring the new area a bit and showered. But the big bathtub was definitely noted and stored in the back of his mind. It'd come into use another time. The doctor dried off, slipped into a really nice shirt and some comfortable sweatpants, got ready and knocked on the other door, sheepishly entering. Stark smiled in adoration.
"Hey, darling."
He got out of the bed where he was resting on with his hair still a bit wet. He'd taken a shower in the bathroom connected to the bedroom.
"Feeling good?"
He nodded and quickly kissed the other, taking him a bit off guard but Stark definitely didn't complain. He joined in eagerly with his hands all over the other again.
"Come on and lay down."
Strange nodded and followed the order. The bed was so damn soft and smelled like roses. And a bit of Tony as well. A good mixture.
"Is it okay if I touch you?", the engineer asked and after a quick nod, he stripped off Stephen's shirt again.
The doctor shivered immediately and did the same with Tony's as well. The man kissed down the doctors jaw and neck, sucking a bit on a very sensitive spot which made Stephen bite his lip. Tony proceeded by moving down to his chest, licking over his nipple teasingly. The cold air that hit the wet spot made them erect even more. Tony smiled and kept going further down. His hands moved over the rim of Stephen's trousers.
"Just enjoy it. You don't have to do anything. Let me take care of you."
Only that thought was enough for Stephen to close his eyes and nod in consent. Tony didn't need anything else to move the trousers down, teasing Stephen with his hand moving over his pants. The doctor's breaths quickened as the other got up to remove his own trousers and pants. He couldn't help but look. Tony was brilliant. Perfect. Gorgeous.
"Do I fit your picture of the perfect future husband?", Stark asked with adoration and a small smirk.
Stephen couldn't say much. He was lost in situations like these. Between trauma and need. Not being sure and being so damn certain. Wanting it all and despising every aspect of this.
"Stop thinking. Hey", Tony quietly and reassuringly said as he caressed through the other's hair, laying next to him.
"I'll take care of you."
Tony moved his hand to Stephen's pants and pulled them down next, leaving them both naked and clearly interested. Very interested. Leaking with interest.
"I've got you, baby."
The man reached for the bedside drawer and pulled out some body oil and lube.
"Turn around", he ordered.
"What?"
"Turn. Trust me and turn."
Stephen swallowed hard but did as Tony said and turned to lay on his belly. He had his eyes shut tightly a bit unnerved to think about the possibilities to follow. He felt panic raising a bit and his muscles clenching up a bit. He didn't want it to happen again. Not that. Not like it did before- Not this. Just as he wanted to turn and tell Tony that he couldn't take it like this, he felt two oiled up, reassuring hands on his shoulders, moving over them elegantly.
"I told you I'd take care of you. Stop cramping up. Let go."
His hands moved down under Stephen's shoulder blades and down his spine, the billionaire's thumbs pressing against it a bit. Strange let out a small sigh as he fully sunk into the bed again, relaxing quickly.
"Why are you thinking I would take advantage of you like this? I will dominate you. That doesn't mean I will hurt you. I will order you but that doesn't mean that my orders can't be valid for your enjoyment."
Tony was testing him. Stephen understood that. Tony was testing Stephen's boundaries and his fears. His possible traumas.
"I was younger", he quietly said.
"Did it happen often?"
"Couple of times. But one time was the worst. Was the day my sister left."
Tony nodded as his hands still moved over the other's back indifferently.
"Did you sue him?"
"It was more people. And- no."
Stark's hands stopped for a second but quickly started doing their thing again.
"Safe word. Okay? I'm insisting on a safe word. Red. Red means stop, got it?"
Strange nodded.
"What's the word?"
"Red."
"Good. I'm not like them, you know that, right?"
He nodded eagerly which made Tony smile sadly.
"I'm glad you think so well of me. In that case, you can trust my orders, can't you?"
Another nod.
"Turn around again."
Stephen did and in the meantime, Tony was pulling on his condom and some lube.
"Just lay down comfortably. You're doing great."
The praises did wonders. Tony had noticed that throughout the evening. Stephen needed a lot of reassurance. Constant feedback and reminders that he did well. That he wasn't doing anything wrong. That he wouldn't get punished or anything. Tony took his time, massaging his lover's body properly. He loved how Stephen melted under his strong hands. After a while, he teasingly moved his hand onto the other's thighs, drawing circles with his thumbs again. Only when the doctor was fully in the right mindset did Tony lube up his fingers and put the first one in. He moved incredibly slowly and carefully, listening to all of Stephen's breaths, looking at every reaction, studying his body. He would understand a safe word, even if it was not said out loud. Once Stephen was prepared enough, the billionaire moved up, kissing him passionately for a while, still lazily moving his fingers.
"Are you okay? Are you ready?"
"Yes."
"Good. Do you want to stay like this?"
He nodded.
"Me too. I want to see your face."
The engineer cupped one of Stephen's cheeks and shortly after pushed incredibly carefully, constantly studying the doctor's face. But all it was was pure pleasure. Not just physically, also mentally. It looked like a humongous burden had fallen of his shoulders.
"You're doing so well, darling. God, you feel good, you're so gorgeous", Tony said with a breathy voice as he started moving easily.
They kissed again immediately as the billionaire sped up. Their fingers were intervened and rested over Stephen's head. Tony felt the moment where his lover lost himself completely, giving all he had to him. It felt incredible knowing how much pleasure he was giving Stephen like this. How words could do that to such a broken person. Tony's mouth explored every single area of the doctor's body he could reach while moving quickly. He was out of breath soon, angling Stephen a bit differently. Their hands never parted. Their mouths constantly seeked the other. They were one the entire time until Tony could feel Stephen get incredibly tight around him.
"Let go, baby. Let go, it's all good, I have you. Stephen, let it happen", he ordered and that was enough.
It pushed the doctor over the edge only seconds later and Tony followed almost immediately. He crashed next to his lover and pulled him into his arms, caressing his arm again the way he'd done it on the couch. Stephen came back to reality more and more and turned his head to Stark who didn't hesitate to kiss him. After a bit of cuddling and all the aftercare in the world that Tony could offer, he got out of the bed to get a towel and clean them. He put their clothes and the towel away and came back to bed. Stephen was shivering a bit which resulted in Tony tucking him in quickly. They kept kissing until the doctor's eyes got too heavy to stay open much longer. The billionaire smiled and caressed his cheeks, giving his forehead a kiss.
"We deserve our rest, yeah? Sleep. I'm gonna hold you. I love you, Stephen."
The doctor smiled contently.
"I love you too, Tony. Goodnight", he yawned as Tony turned off the bedside lamp and cuddled him closely.
He felt the body warmth of the other filling him with comfort as he drifted off. He made a decision this very second.
A decision to trust.