Don't deny it again.
Stephen let out a sigh of relief when he was back in Tony's living room. He looked around in adoration and disbelief. This had become his home and he had missed it. The doctor remembered every detail so vividly. Everything.
"Optimus?"
The incredibly fast footsteps he heard at first frightened him but then-
"Stephen!"
Stark basically jumped the other with an attack-hug but it was just so relieving to feel him again. To hold him. Hear his breathing. His heartbeats.
"I missed you", the billionaire mumbled into Stephen's chest as he gave it a kiss.
"I missed you too, Tony."
"I thought you wouldn't come back?"
"What?"
"I thought you would want to stay there. It's kind of your family, isn't it? Those- monks? Merlins? Potterheads?"
"Sorcerers."
"Right. Sorcerers."
"Of course I came back."
"Why?"
"Anthony."
"Oh god. Anthony in B flat. That's not good."
"Because you're my family. You are. No one else."
"Oh", Stark smiled surprised by the pleasant words.
"Come on, we will get you into something more comfortable and all."
Strange nodded and followed Tony to their room. They unpacked a few things he'd taken with him and talked. It was so nice to have a conversation with Tony again. He understood. The struggles of having this insane amount of responsibility. The world lasting on your shoulders. Well- The universe lasting on them in Stephen's case.
"Come on, you need to rest. Look at you."
"Are you implying that I look bad?"
"Yes", Tony honestly said, realizing it just a moment later.
"Oh god! No. You- You know what I mean. Drained. Exhausted. Sexily done. With- life."
"Wow. No, I'm actually not done with life, thank you very much."
"Good. I just thought you wanted a bath and massage to regain your resources."
"I'm so fucking done with life, Tony. All of it."
Stark chuckled.
"Of course you are."
He looked into Stephen's multicolored eyes for a long, long second.
"I love you. So damn much."
"I love you too. Come on, make me that bath and warm your hands up."
"Such a diva. Like- Wow. Why don't you wear Prada yet?"
"Was that a movie reference?"
"Yes. Why weren't you cast in that?"
"You're walking on thin ice, my friend."
"Don't friend-zone me."
"For the love of the Vishanti-"
"The what?"
"Nothing."
"Vishanti. That sounds like a drug. Or alcohol."
"Everything sounds like a drug or alcohol to you."
"No, some things also sound like Kamasutra techniques."
"That we won't practice."
"Why?"
"Because you're old."
"Bratty. Bottom."
"Grandpa. Top."
"Does that make you a sugar baby?"
"Unbelievable. I thought you wanted me to relax and massage me."
"In a Kamasutra position, yes."
"You have ten seconds."
"Oh, come on. I-"
"Nine."
"Steph-"
"Eight."
"For the love of the Vishanti!", Tony exclaimed and raised his hands as he walked to the bathroom.
Strange looked after him in adoration. He was amazing. Just so much fun. After a few minutes, Tony just walked back in, took his hand and led him to take his bath. And yes, Stark knew how to treat him. And yes, he could be very romantic if he wanted to. Rose water, candles, expensive soap, fluffy towels, soft music- violin because Stephen loved it and Tony payed attention to the details- and the perfect temperature bubbly water.
"Come here."
The billionaire slightly pulled Stephen close to him by his wrist, kissing his cheek softly. The man's fingers unbuttoned the doctor's belt and put it to the side.
"Let's get you out of your Halloween costume."
The rest of the clothes followed slowly. And yes, Tony enjoyed it immensely. The little power play of Stephen being completely vulnerable and at his mercy. And the fact he could take care of him. Make him feel good. The engineer helped Strange into the bathtub and as soon as the other sat down, he caressed his back. The sorcerer leaned his head against Tony's as the man smiled widely. They took their time just being in pure love, celebrating their reunion. At one point, Tony really had pushed his sleeves back and started massaging the other's back, following the shape of his muscles. His hands moved determinedly and with great care. He felt Stephen relax fully and thoroughly.
"You- That's good."
"It is supposed to be", Stark added quietly and kissed the back of the doctor's neck.
The water got cold after a while and the billionaire took one of the big towels. He helped the doctor up and instantly hugged him with the fabric, making him feel warm. He rubbed the other dry, enjoying the reaction and handed him some very nice and comfortable sleeping clothes.
"I thought I'd spoil you a bit."
"Thank you. They are really warm", Stephen mumbled as he pulled the sleeves over his hands. He smelled the shirt and it was so perfect and pleasant.
"Lavender. Is supposed to calm you down."
"Yes, I know."
"I know you know, sorcerer of all meditation and esoteric shit."
"I'm not, idiot."
Stark chuckled and pulled the taller down for a kiss.
"It's Friday."
"No."
"Yes."
"Oh."
"God. That was so corny."
"Do whatever you want but I'm not playing Twister. I played Twister in a lot of dimensions a lot and I won't do it tonight."
"I will bring the tragic news to the-"
That was when the door was opened.
"And yes, he has a key now."
"That's dangerous for your Kamasutra plans."
"No, I have everything under control. Friday nights games with the kid, Saturday nights Kamasutra with my wizard boyfriend."
"I can't believe some sentences that you're saying."
"Mister Stark?", the boy shouted into the mansion as Tony took Stephen's hand to greet him.
"Kid. Hey."
"Hello, I thought I'd- Doctor Strange! You're back!"
Stephen just nodded as the boy immediately pulled him into a hug.
"You're just like him", he said.
"I am not disagreeing", Stark shrugged and crossed his arms.
"Thanks for the warm welcome, boy", he added as Peter sheepishly pulled away from Stephen to give him a hug as well.
"Sorry. I was just so excited!"
"No Twister", Stark explained.
"Because we aren't just too old but also too exhausted."
"Fair", Peter nodded.
"Hangman!"
"That sounds reasonable", Stephen nodded.
"Fine", Tony chuckled.
"He really did go with an old people game."
"No. No, no! We played at school today and it was so much fun!"
"Okay, one rule", Tony looked at his partner.
"No medical terms. No fucking Pollumunary."
"Pulmonary."
"Yeah, that. And no integmonentum."
"Integumentum."
"See? That's why we don't use that."
"Okay", Stephen nodded.
"And no bloody engineering terms."
"Stephen, that's literally words like electric, energy, power or voltage. You can't compare that. And Peter, no pop culture references."
"But- But-"
"That was a joke, boy."
"Oh", he smiled.
"Alright, I'll start! You two guess."
Stephen and Tony both nodded and they started playing. And the list of words they ended up with was just wild.
"You are a Nightmare on Elm Street too, Peter", Tony sighed as they once again lost.
"But I'm winning!"
"No, you're just watching too much TV!"
"If we could have more evenings like this I wouldn't-"
"No, sorry kid, my other evenings are already booked, mostly my Saturdays."
"What's on Saturdays?"
Strange glared at the other man who just smirked.
"Yoga. Peter. Yoga. It is good for your body and spirit."
"Oh, I love yoga!"
"We are doing special yoga, boy. Experienced yoga."
"Oooh", he nodded innocently.
"Tony, just shut up", the sorcerer smiled at him.
"Well, this was fun. Let's sleep now though", the billionaire said to the kid, giving him a quick kiss on the forehead. It was so pure and the shining eyes Peter had showed just how much it meant to him.
"Yes. Goodnight", he said as he cuddled up in the pillows and blankets of the big couch.
As Tony led Stephen back to their room, the doctor looked back to where the boy was spending the night.
"He should have his own room."
"What?"
"Peter. He needs his own room."
"You expect me to go to Ikea and buy the kid a room?"
"No, I expect you to go to whoever built the rest of your 2935 rooms to give him a place he belongs in too. The couch is great and comfortable and he'd never ask but he'd feel so appreciated and welcome and actually like family."
"I'm not his father."
"Yes, you are. And don't deny it again. Look at you two."
"Stephen-"
"No. We'll buy him everything he needs. And then he can come and go whenever he wants."
Tony considered it for a few moments, biting his lip.
"I'll think about it."
"You'll do it. Tony, you're his biggest inspiration. You mean everything to him. Come on. Just show him that you care."
"I'm not used to this."
"Of course not. Me neither. But he loves you."
"I love him too. You have no idea. This kid- Alright."
"Alright?"
"Alright, he gets his room."
Strange gave him and overjoyed kiss and smiled in excitement.
"Damn. Will you always have the reaction to me doing something good? Because that'd be motivation."
"Yes. I will have."
The two men laughed quietly as they disappeared behind the door of their room. And the only techniques that followed that night were the perfect sleeping positions.