Chapter Two
It has been a few months since the war between Thanos and the Avengers, during his time as Iron Man, Tony Stark suffered through nightmares and PTSD, his most frequent nightmare was watching Peter die in his hands over and over again until he woke up screaming and shaking from the terrible images that played through his mind.
When he and Pepper had been together, she would usually lay with him, her head would rest on his chest and it soothed him, knowing that he had someone with him whenever he had experienced nightmares about the fall out between him and Steve, or nightmares from Afghanistan, no one had known about this but the only way that Tony could sleep was having someone he could trust with him.
But sadly this secret was short lived when he had fallen asleep on Stephen's chest during the movie, Peter had decided to play the first Harry Potter movie, of course Tony made a joke about it, but Stephen had noticed that Tony looked exhausted, when was the last time that Tony had slept?
Tony had settled next to Stephen on the sofa, he had gotten himself comfortable, with his legs propped up onto the coffee table, Peter sat next to Tony, Stephen thought it had been cute how Peter was curled up into Tony's side while they watched the movie. During his time at being with the two of them, he had gotten to know Tony along with Peter seeing as the kid was always at Tony's hip, Stephen didn't mind of course, he loved spending time with them.
Stephen had been too focused on the movie to notice that Peter had fallen asleep half way through, a chuckle left his lips seeing that Peter had rested his head on Tony's lap, he saw that the engineer had his fingers running through lazily
“Maybe you should get him to bed, you look tired yourself Stark.” Stephen moved to stand up, he turned off the television which made Tony groan, knowing that Stephen was right, he could get some sleep but maybe he could sleep here on the couch, with Peter, the thought of being alone in his bed after Pepper had left not even a week ago still stung.
“Why don't you take Pete to bed, I'll go have some coffee.” Tony murmured he saw the frown forming on the doctor's face.
“Tony, when was the last time you slept?” Stephen asked genuinely worried and curious about Tony's heath.
“I don't think that's any of your business Strange.” He shook his head before lifting up Peter from his lap. “Hey Pete, let's get you to bed yeah?” Peter whined not wanting to get up from his comfy spot on Tony's lap.
“But I sleeping just fine there Mr. Stark.” Tony chuckled shaking his head, he moved to stand up with Peter making sure that the kid was stable.
“Say goodnight to the nice doctor kid, You'll see him soon.” Peter yawned and rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand. Watching the sight made Stephen forget just how young Peter was.
“'night Mr.Strange.” Peter mumbled, he hugged Stephen which didn't catch him off guard as it used to when the kid tried to hug him the first few times.
“Goodnight Peter, sleep well.” Stephen smiled as he watched Peter walk down the hall towards his room that he usually slept in whenever he was staying the weekend at Tony's.
“So, is there a reason as too why you don't want to sleep Stark?” Tony sighed wiping his face with his hand before heading over to the kitchen so he could pour himself a cup of coffee. Normally after Peter fell asleep he would take his coffee and continue to work in his lab but seeing as Strange is here tonight that idea slipped away.
“It's nothing you need to worry about Doc, I'm completely fine.” Stephen knew Tony was lying, he wished that Tony would open up to him, or at least Peter or Rhodey, someone he trusted, he could tell that Tony was falling apart slowly and it was eating Stephen up knowing Tony refused his help.
“Tony.. you're not fine.. I'm looking at you right now, you're exhausted, you're not taking care of yourself.” Tony pursed his lips, his fingers circling around the mug that Peter had gotten him for his birthday, well more like made him it was cute, Tony treasured it.
“I just.. I want too.. I can't sleep.. on my own.” Tony said softly as he sipped his coffee, his eyes now focusing on the steam that came from the mug. Stephen frowned, he moved closer to Tony.
“You can't sleep on your own?” Stephen had known about Tony's past, about his playboy years, he knew that Tony had a woman or man with him in bed every night, it had been part of the way he was exposing himself. But Tony was a changed man, he didn't do that anymore, and after Pepper, Tony hadn't had a single person in his bed.
“That's what I said doc, so go ahead and make fun, A grown ass man can't sleep in his own bed alone, How fucking stupid is that shit?.” Tony chuckled. Stephen shook his head . “It's not stupid Stark, after everything you've been through, I understand why.”
Tony sighed, he ran his fingers through his hair. “Look, Why don't we just drop this conversation okay? I'll go down to my lab, i'll be taking the kid out for breakfast tomorrow morning if you want to join us you're more than welcome.” Tony said as he moved past Stephen.
Strange shook his head, he reached out and grabbed Tony's hand that was free. He could feel his heart racing in his chest at the feeling of Tony's fingers in his. “Why don't I sleep with you?” Tony smirked a little and took a sip of his drink.
“Well doc, I had no idea you felt that way towards me, though I don't sleep with someone without a first date or drinks.” Stephen rolled his eyes and pulled his hand away, missing the feeling of his fingers instantly.
“That's not what I meant .. I just.. maybe I could help you sleep? Clearly having someone next to you is more beneficial and I'm not going anywhere until you sleep so ..why don't we try it?” Stephen swore he felt his cheeks turn pink.
Tony pursed his lips, he glanced down at his coffee he sighed placing the mug on the counter. “Alright then doc, you have persuaded me.”
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“Come on Tony, I don't bite.” Stephen smirked a little when he saw that Tony was hesitating in joining him on his bed.
Tony swallowed hard, having Strange in his bed, without the intentions of doing something sexual related made Tony feel things he had only ever felt towards Pepper. He glanced down at the doctor's naked chest, Tony suddenly felt over dressed as he wore a Stark Tower tank top and IronMan boxer shorts.
“Really Tony, this is the only way you will be able to sleep. Now stop being stubborn.” Tony sighed before sliding into the bed, he pulled the covers over them.
Stephen waved his hand making it so that way it was dark. “Come here.” He murmured watching as Tony hesitated again before moving closer to Strange letting his head rest on his chest.
“Thank you.” Tony said softly he felt a little better now knowing that Strange was with him. “You're welcome Tony, get some sleep.” He murmured letting his eyes close.
It took a few minutes before Tony finally was able to close his eyes and listen to the sound of Stephen's heart beating that made him easier to sleep.
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