A/N -
IronStrange
Tony Stark and Stephen Strange
Marvel
—————

...Flashback...

Young Stephen's PoV -

"Tony!" I called out before tackling my best friend in a hug.

"Steph, I missed you so much," Tony hugs me back. My head rests on Tony's shoulder and from here I can see his father, the King, glaring at our act. Reluctantly, I break away from the hug.

"Let's go play, my dada has a meeting all day," Tony exclaims before taking my hand and dragging me along.

Eventually, we come to a market. Vendors are set up along the street selling their goods. We wander around a bit. Tony purchases a few items. We're snacking on some caramel corn when we stumble upon a ruckus in the otherwise calm market. Tony and I nudge our way through the crowd. A young lady dressed in jewelry and a black pointy hat struggles to free herself from two large burly cops. "What did I even do?!" She questions, still struggling.

"You haint, you know what you did, you practice the devil's work and now you must suffer the consequences," one of the big men responds.

"I was just telling people's fortunes. I'm not a devil worker," She defends herself.

"Tell that to the law, witch."

The men drag her off. The crowd follows and Tony and I get dragged along with the crowd. "What are they going to do with her, Tony?" I ask.

"My father doesn't like magic workers, it will be his decision, they're probably taking her to my father now," Tony responds.

Tears stream in my eyes. Poor lady. She wasn't doing anything wrong. Tony sees my tears and grabs my hand and gently pulls me close to him, "It's okay, Stephen, I'll protect you."

     Just as Tony predicted, the woman is taken to the King. The two large men explain the situation and the King listens to their story. The crowd listens silently.

     "Can't you see I'm in a meeting, I'm busy? Just burn her at the stake and go away," the King decrees.

     Tony pulls me close. Everyone stands quietly except me as I sob on my best friend's shoulder. Tony rubs my back and whispers sweet words to me. The men haul the screaming and kicking women off and the crowd follows. Tony manages to pull us out of the crowd. We're walking away from the scene when an orange blaze of the fire glows from several blocks over followed by painful shrieks and cries for help. Tony covers my ears but the pitiful pleads for help still get through. After the screams vanish the silence is almost just as loud.

     By the time Tony has lead me to the woods my sobs have died down. We sit under a large oak tree and Tony holds me. "Hey, Steph..."

     "Yeah, Tony?" I sniffle.

     "Why did all that bother you so much?" Tony questions, "I've never seen you so sad or so scared."

     I turn around to face, Tony. I'm halfway sitting on his lap. Quickly I look around. We're alone. I'm safe with Tony. "It's because I'm the same as her," with that I form a small shield-like circle of orange light in my hands.

      Tony stares in amazement before tears start to form in his eyes. Tony grabs my hands in his causing me to break the spell. "Don't ever do any magic again, I don't want my father to kill you, I love you, Stephen!" Tony pulls me closer to him so we are hugging, "I'll protect you, Stephen. I'll keep you safe but no one can know."

     I nod into Tony's shoulder, "I promise."

     We spend the rest of the day cuddling and crying in each other's arms.

...Flashback Over...

Tony's PoV -

     I'm lost in thought as I sit next to my secret lover, Stephen. We cuddle together by a small fireplace in Stephen's home. His magic grows more and more every day. It's becoming near impossible to control and even more difficult to hide.

     Though I have come of age to rule my father still occupies the thrown. Recently, my father has become sick and I'm beginning to wonder how many days he has left. If Stephen can just control and hide his magic till my father dies then my lover won't have to worry. I'll be King and I would never do anything to hurt Stephen.

     Poor Stephen has been a prisoner in his own home since he turned 16 and he's both 20 now. After his 16th birthday, his magic became too much. He couldn't control it so we decided that it would be best if Stephen stayed inside. I bring him everything he needs and I visit him every day but I know he misses his freedom. I often find him staring outside through his window, watching the world go on without him. I remind myself, that it's for his safety. He just needs to hold on a little longer. I'm pulled from my thoughts when a book flys past my head and lands on Stephen's lap. Stephen sighs, "Sorry, love... I was just thinking about finding a book to read but I didn't want to disturb you... then this book just kinda flew over to me...I didn't mean to do it."

     I pull Stephen close and gently rub his back. "I know, love."

     "You're so accepting of me, Tones," Stephen smiles at me, running his fingers through my hair.

     "Always, my love..." I yawn as I lay in Stephen's lap.

     I need to be getting home. I wish I could stay with my secret lover all night but that would make people question. "I should probably get going."

     "Are you sure you can't stay the night," Stephen pouts.

     "No, my love. I need to go check on father," I sigh but I leave Stephen with a kiss, "Good night!"

"Good night," Stephen replies and I shut the door and make my way back home.

The night is cold and I wrap my jacket closer around me as I silently walk though the streets of my father's city. The time alone brings my mind back to worries about my Stephen. I tell myself that once I become the king, everything will be okay. However, a part of me disagrees. The people of this town have been cruel to magic-user for ages. Will they really respect my boyfriend once I become king and make magic use legal? I doubt it. Maybe I should give up the thrown and take Stephen somewhere safer. Next time I see him, tomorrow, I'll propose the idea.

I find myself back home at the castle. I sigh knowing I will need to check on my father. I quietly climb the steps to my father's bedroom. He's coughing pitifully which means he's still alive. "Hello, father. How are you feeling?" I ask.

My father is unable to answer but he makes the effort to turn his head and glare at me. I help him to get a drink of water all the while he's gaze tells me of his hatred of me. I have half a mind to dump the remaining water on his head but I swallow my pride and decide against the idea. "Good night, father."

I leave the king and make my way to my own room. Finally, I can get some sleep and in the morning I can go see my lover again. That night I'm woken to an orange blaze shining in through my window. I hear screams and yelling from outside in the streets. I hurriedly wake and peer outside the window. A small house is on fire and people are running through the streets carrying buckets of water to attempt to put out the blaze.

I hurriedly rush down the stairs and make my way outside into the night. I ask an elderly bystander about what's going on. "There's an elderly woman and a young child inside that house!" She seems terrified, "Please do something!"

What should I do? I can't just let a child and an elderly lady burn to death! With that thought, I put all thoughts of safety behind me and rush into the burning building. Flames bite at my skin but I ignored the searing pain. I need to find those people.

Stephen's PoV -

I watch through the window as people rush through the streets. A fire burns down the street and I contemplate whether I should help. I'm terrified of fire! I continue my contemplation when I notice Tony among the people trying to put out the blaze. He seems alarmed. Is the someone still inside?! My question is answered when Tony rushes into the fire. No! He will never survive that!

I rush out of my home and into the street swarming with chaos. My mind and magic works for me. I have no choice. I need to save my lover and the residents of this home! I concentrate and I feel my magic flowing through my veins. I chant a spell and make intricate hand movements I wasn't aware I knew. In an instant a downpour is conjured over the house. The flames are immediately extinguished. A sopping wet Tony walks out carrying a frail elderly woman and a young boy. He must have known who extinguished the flames and immediately sets the elderly woman and the baby down and rushes to me. "Tony you're hurt," I run my hand over burns on my lover's skin and they heal immediately at my touch.

"Stephen, you shouldn't have done that!" Tony holds me close.

"You wouldn't have survived that, Tony! I had to!" I cry as I hold my lover close.

I only now realize that a swarm of citizens have formed around us. They look scared. "Another witch!" One of them states.

"I'm a sorcerer actually," I complain.

Mumbling and chatter erupt from the citizens. "Tony, what should I do?!" I question in a stressed whisper.

     Tony appears to be in thought but is interrupted by the young boy rushing over to us. "Thank you for saving me and my aunt, prince Stark and prince Stark's boyfriend!" The you boy wraps us in a hug, "my name's Peter Parker!"

     A few of the bystanders "awwww" at the sight.

     "Wow, thank goodness that storm happened when it did... I wonder how that happened..." a citizen states.

     "Yeah, no telling but let's not worry about that..." another states.

     Soon enough everyone has agreed to forget the magic they just witnessed and the citizens go about their business.

     "You did good, my love," I smile.

     "As did you."

     Standing in the middle of the now-abandoned street, I kiss my lover.

——————
A/N -

I just watched Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnesses yesterday! Has anyone else seen it? In my opinion, it's one of the best Marvel movies.
——————