Chapter Text
The night sky through the window was breathtaking, the light pollution of the city gone, out here where the Compound was located. Trees casted black shadows across the dark sky, silhouettes in the darkness. Stars twinkled in the dark blue midnight sky. Tony sat curled up on the couch next to the window, phone situated on the table next to him. It was peaceful for once, with everyone asleep and alone in the dark lounge of the Compound. Everything was quiet, except for the occasional chirping of the crickets outside by the windowsill. A small smile twitched at his lips, even though his mind was in turmoil.
What would happen to the pack?
It kept ringing through his mind. He tried to ignore it, but it kept creeping back in. It made him anxious, nervous. Some of these people he needed . What if they split up just because of the Accords? The Compound was only meant for actual Avengers… he scoffed at the fact that Alpha Rogers had welcomed Wanda, who had assaulted his and others’ minds, into the Compound so easily. The team would need to be rebuilt if split up… if the Avengers survived this at all. Suddenly his thoughts were broken by the sound of footsteps coming down the hallway. There went his alone time, as usual. Tony sighed quietly under his breath, freezing up as the familiar scent flooded his nose.
Danger. Fear. Run.
“Omega,” The voice reached his ears, Tony swallowed heavily before turning towards the neutral voice. Steve’s ocean blue eyes met his. Tony’s breathing froze.
When had he gotten so close?
Steve’s hand landed on his shoulder and Tony could feel fear embed itself deep in his heart. Breathe. He tried to convince himself. “Let’s take a walk, yeah?” Steve smiled sharply, almost dragging Tony to his feet. “I want to talk about the Accords.” Tony sighed under his breath, trying to even out his breathing. “Okay, sure.” He nodded, speaking quietly. Steve guided Tony through the halls, silent. It was eerie and Tony wasn’t sure he liked it. However, he refused to speak up unless Steve addressed him. He’d just get hit if he did, after all.
Eventually, they landed in Steve’s room. Tony’s breathing got harsher. “So the Accords…” Steve started off, letting go of Tony and closing the door. Click. The door’s lock clicked and Tony almost forgot how to breathe. There were no weapons in this room, he noticed. The lights shut off and suddenly Steve’s hands were on his hips, breath against the nape of his neck. “I’m going to make you regret your thought of signing them.” Steve snarled.
JARVIS. Where was JARVIS?
“J-” Tony spoke up, shakily breathing. No response came except for Steve’s dark laugh in his ear. “He can’t help you, omega .” Steve’s hands were all over him. Tony yelped at the hand that pressed against the wounds on his back. Tony’s stomach hit the bed, and he whimpered. “No-” Tony struggled, fear lighting a fire in his heart and veins. Steve’s stomach pressed against his back and suddenly he couldn’t move. “Please- Steve!” He cried out, wriggling in vain as Steve forced him down with a hand around the back of his neck as he stood himself up. Steve’s other hand smacked him across the back of the head hard, and he yelped again. “That’s Alpha to you, omega. ”
His pants were around his ankles-
Tony cried out, the hand around the back of his neck choking him as it pressed against his jugular. Tears quickly pooled in his eyes at the sheer pain radiating from all over as Steve forced himself into him. “Please no!” He whimpered out in a choked manner. Steve snarled in his ear, pulling on his long reddish brown tail. A hand clapped over his mouth as Tony cried out again. “Shut up.” Steve’s voice snarled, hand clasping around the front of his neck and squeezing. Tony whimpered quietly, tears sliding down his cheeks. “Pathetic.” Spat his alpha.
“I think it’s time to teach you a proper lesson.” He grunted.
~~~~
“Get dressed and get out, omega.”
It had been the last thing he had heard before everything went blurry and hazy. Tony stumbled through the hallways, in pain and crying. He hadn’t remembered grabbing his phone from the lounge. He didn’t remember climbing the stairs to the roof.
Where was he?
Golden eyes blinked around in a haze, then it hit him. He was on the roof of the Residential Building of the Compound. Breathing harshly, Tony sank to the ground, sitting on the edge of the roof. Hands gripped the edge of the roof hard, tears fell from his eyes. He welcomed the pain that radiated from him as he sat there. Staring at the ground so far down.
Pathetic. Useless. Waste of space.
Steve’s words echoed around his head and he shook violently, tears blurring his vision. He was useless. He never did anything good. A sob bubbled up from his throat and he squeaked trying to hold it in, but it failed and more tears spilled down his face.
Would anyone care?
Would they even notice if he was gone?
If he stepped off this ledge tonight?
Sobs wracked through him, shaking him violently as he held onto the edge of the roof. Tony shook his head, trying to clear his vision but the tears kept coming. He couldn’t stop it.
The only thing you’re good at is taking dick, omega.
A scream bubbled up in his throat as those particular words echoed in his mind. Breathing heavily, he could barely think. Barely see. Barely breathe . He was starting to choke on his tears, as he shook so violently. His hands grasped something. Tony didn’t remember sending off the text;
“Goodbye” .
His phone didn’t take long to vibrate violently in his hand, but he tossed it to the side. Nobody cared anymore. Why would they? He was useless, pathetic, waste of space, a stupid omega, and he’d had enough . Sobs wracked his body still but Tony gripped the edge as he prepared to push himself forwards…
To fall off the ledge finally.
His biceps strained as his vision cleared for a moment for him to see the depth of the dark concrete and grass below him, taunting him to join it. This fall would kill him, he knew that.
So Tony let go.
…
A hand grabbed the back of his shirt, pulling him back onto the rooftop. A hiss of pain exited the person, but arms quickly wrapped around Tony’s crying and fearful form. He didn’t know why, but Tony grasped onto the person back, sobbing. The familiar scent made him cry harder.
Stephen.
“ Anthony. ” Stephen breathed against him shakily, grasping onto him tightly. “I’m- I’m sorry!” Tony sobbed out, shaking violently and holding onto him harder. “Shhh…” Hushed the sorcerer, petting his hair and tucking his head into the crook of said sorcerer’s neck. “Don’t do that again, please .” A choked sob bubbled out of him and Tony shook in his arms. “How- How did you..?” He whimpered, voice broken and quiet. “You texted me.” Stephen spoke back, sounding just as scared as Tony did.
Tony sniffled, violently shaking hands suddenly cupping his face. Golden teary eyes blinked open to find Stephen’s blue-grey ones. He was crying too. “ I can’t lose you .” Stephen choked out, dropping his forehead to gently touch Tony’s. Their tears dropped from their faces, mixing as they fell. “Wh- Why?” Stuttered Tony as he whimpered. “I- I can’t… you’re my best friend. Please , I can’t lose you.” Stephen spoke a little more firmly. Tony blinked at him. “C- Come on, doc, I know you better than- than that…” He stumbled over his words, still crying but the sobbing had stopped.
Stephen weakly chuckled, but there was no humour found in it. “Would you really believe me?” He questioned, voice weak and quiet, afraid of the answer he’d get. Tony nodded, swallowing his tears. “Yes. Of course I would. I trust you .” He spoke softly, gripping the sorcerer’s blue sweater. “Then how about I show you?” Stephen gently asked, whispering as the tears finally stopped falling from his eyes in fear. Tony was in his arms. He was still alive. He trusted Stephen . “Okay.” Tony swallowed, just as quiet.
Suddenly, there were lips on Tony’s. He made a gasp of surprise before quickly falling into the kiss. His tears still fell, but lighter and not as often now. Stephen pulled back, fear still in his eyes. They could feel each other’s breath on their skin, still so close. Neither dared to break away, to break eye contact. Nobody dared to speak. Silence surrounded them but it wasn’t awkward or tense, it was comfortable . “...Was that a mistake?” Stephen questioned fearfully. Tony quickly shook his head. “No! No.” He breathed out. “Just… a lot has happened today and-” He paused, deciding not to think about what had transpired beforehand. “I love you.”
Stephen breathed a sigh of relief, a light laugh exiting him. “I love you too. Please never do that again. Please . If you have those thoughts, come to me. Please .” Tony wrapped a shaking hand around Stephen’s neck and brought him in for another kiss. “I’ll try my best… I- I can’t promise..” The sorcerer stared him in the eyes, lightly shaking hands still holding his face. “That’s okay.” Tony shifted in his spot, the sudden painful reminder making his breathing stop. His fingers dug into Stephen’s skin as his mind reeled. Stephen’s eyes narrowed in worry. “Anthony, are you okay?”
Tony tried to breathe, he couldn’t. Shaking his head, all that came out was a whimper of pain and true unadulterated fear. Shaking scarred hands slid and grabbed Tony’s gently. Standing up, Stephen lightly tugged on them. Tony stood up, but immediately tumbled into the chest of the sorcerer. He was weak, exhausted, and in pain. He hadn’t been sleeping well since the last time they had seen each other. Stephen’s brain suddenly reeled.
A lot has happened today.
Oh. Oh no. Holding Tony close to his chest, he breathed out evenly to stop himself from going and killing somebody. Just what did Rogers do now? He opened a portal, then wrapped an arm around Tony and guided him into the familiar settings of the Sanctum. They could talk about their declarations of love later, his Anthony had been hurt. Tony breathed a sigh of relief as the Sanctum surrounded them, the portal closing shut behind them. Stephen handed him an object that was cold to the touch; his phone.
A flash of red appeared and suddenly Tony stumbled back at the force that wrapped around him in greeting. He squeaked in surprise. “Hi to you too-” He muttered, patting the red fabric that was the Cloak. Stephen chuckled, lightly grasping Tony’s arm still and guiding him to the couch. “Anthony, look at me.” Golden eyes stared into his eyes, they reflected Tony’s emotions easily. Fear, sadness, pain. It all made Stephen angry. “What happened today?” He asked softly. Tony’s breath stuttered. This wasn’t Steve. This wasn’t Natasha, or Bruce, or anyone at the Compound. This was Stephen . He trusted Stephen.
But how will he view you after he finds out?
Stephen crouched in front of him, holding his hands very lightly. Tony held back, being very careful of not hurting him. “Anthony, I promise you anything you say to me won’t drive me away. I love you.” With that statement, Tony inhaled and exhaled deeply.
Come on, Stark.
“Alpha R- Rogers… er-” He watched as Stephen’s eyes turned dark. “What did he do, baby?” Stephen coaxed, despite the already growing hatred in his chest for that awful supersoldier. Swallowing thickly, tears filled Tony’s eyes and he dropped his gaze to their joined hands. “...raped me.” He whispered, barely audible enough for human ears. Oh but Stephen heard it. “Twice.” Tony meekly added on. His blood boiled and if it hadn’t been for Anthony’s hands in his, he would’ve gotten up and straight up murdered the man and thrown his body in the Dark Dimension.
“I am going to murder him. Very, very slowly.” Snarled Stephen, hands grasping on tighter to Anthony’s, ignoring the pain that flared through them. Tony breathed, a small smile pulling at his lips. For some reason that scary declaration made him relax. “I wish you could, but…” “No but’s, he’s dead . Even the Dark Dimension would be too light a sentence.” Tony actually laughed at that. “Please, I just need you tonight.” Stephen sighed, relaxing his grasp. “Okay.”
He’d kill Rogers later. Tony needed him.
~~~~
The morning rolled around and Tony was still exhausted and sore. Sore all over. He sat in the kitchen with his phone beside him and Stephen sat across from him. They had done this before, but something about this time felt different. JARVIS had come back online in the early morning, and once Tony had awakened he explained what went down to JARVIS. JARVIS was rightfully pissed. Tony and Stephen ate in a peaceful silence.
‘Sir, I have called Colonel Rhodes and Miss Potts to your destination.’ JARVIS alerted, making Tony look at his phone a little startled. “Why?” He carefully questioned. ‘Sir, if I may, your mental health is not favourable. I believe that Doctor Strange will agree with me on the fact that you need support at the moment.’ Tony glanced at Stephen who nodded. It clicked in his head. “Oh you little shits, you conspired this while I slept, didn’t you?” He had slept late. Stephen glanced to the side and JARVIS remained quiet. “Fine, I’ll let them come over.” Tony grunted.
~~~~
An hour or so later, Rhodey and Pepper stepped into the Sanctum’s foyer. “Wow.” Breathed Rhodey, Pepper just smiled at him. “Yeah, ancient but pretty.” Stephen appeared out of the kitchen, holding a mug of tea. “Colonel Rhodes, Miss Potts.” Rhodes looked at him with a raised eyebrow. “So this is.. Your home? Not that wizardly to me.” He commented. Tony laughed from somewhere out of sight as Stephen scowled. “Sorcerer.” He corrected Rhodey. “Told you, Steph!” A playful glare was sent in Tony’s direction, who appeared out of the kitchen with a wince. He was still in pain.
The Cloak rests on the brunet’s shoulders, raising a lapel to wave at Pepper and Rhodes. James blinked. “That thing is alive?” “Oh now you’ve insulted him.” Tony pointed out as the Cloak crossed its edges in front of Tony’s chest. Stephen sighed. “Yes, the Cloak of Levitation is a sentient artifact.” Rhodey nodded. “Sorry, er- cloak.” The Cloak stopped crossing its “arms” and flared dramatically. “Yes, yes, we see you. Stop being so dramatic.” Stephen rolled his eyes before turning and heading to the couch in the other room. Tony leaned towards Rhodey and grinned, loudly whispering. “His name is Levi.” “No it is not!” Called Stephen. “Yes it is!” Argued Tony freely.
Pepper looked at James as Tony followed Stephen. Pepper knew something had happened between these two and a knowing smile pulled at her lips. James just knew his best friend was doing better than the last time he had seen him around Rogers. Which had been yesterday. They followed them both into the sitting room. Settling down on the couches, Pepper made note of how close Tony was to Stephen. James noticed that Tony could laugh freely around the sorcerer. “So, Colonel Rhodes, my name is Doctor Stephen Strange. I am the Sorcerer Supreme of this universe and Master of the Mystic Arts.” Stephen introduced.
“So, wizard. Got it.” Rhodey nodded with a grin. Clearly Pepper and Tony trusted this man, unlike Rogers. “Wait, you’re not a wolf?” Rhodey paused to ask, noticing his scent was powerful, but human. “Yes, I am a human.” Stephen confirmed. Tony gave Rhodey a reassuring smile. “He’s known ever since the Gala, that’s how I met him.” “Jesus, that was months ago! How have I not met you?” Rhodey exclaimed, narrowing his eyes at Tony who just grinned. “Because this secret is mine.” He patted Stephen’s shoulder, not his hand, noted James. Pepper gasped. “No way.”
“What?” James asked. “You asked him out?” Pepper stared at Tony, who shook his head. Stephen slowly raised a hand. “I may have er- dropped that bomb.” Suddenly it all made sense to Rhodey who’s jaw dropped. “Well I’ll be damned.” Suddenly he glared at Stephen. “If you dare-” “Hurt him, yes, I’d rather kill myself if that happened.” Rhodey blinked. “Alright… fine. I like him. He’s approved… for now.” Pepper grinned, and Tony did not like it one bit. She then sobered up. “So, why are we here? Was that the big announcement?” Rhodey asked. Pepper and Stephen looked at each other before Stephen shook his head. “No… a lot has happened, Colonel Rhodes.” “Please just call me James, Jim, or Rhodey.” Rhodey smiled. “Alright, James.”
Pepper grew concerned. “What else has happened since I left?” She gently asked Tony, who grew anxious and gripped Stephen’s thigh. Stephen lightly placed a hand over his but kept his eyes on the other two. “Wait, you knew something and didn’t tell me? Is it Rogers again?” James turned to Pepper. The Cloak - or as Tony named it, Levi wrapped around Tony comfortingly. “I can explain if you really want me to…” Tony whispered, quiet and fearful. All of his recent happy facade had gone. Rhodey was alarmed at that, Tony cried the last time he had been with him alone, sure, but what was sitting in front of him was bad . That wasn’t the Tony he knew.
‘Or I can be of service, Sir.’ JARVIS spoke from his phone that Tony had placed on the table. Tony faltered, before Stephen’s hand gently intertwined with his. Golden eyes met Stephen’s and he breathed out. “Go for it, J.” With that, the phone lit up with a holographic screen above it. Scenes that JARVIS could pull from security footage played. The times Steve had insulted Tony when he was the beta, the times he was hit as an omega, how he was degraded, how he was blamed for so many things. How Steve almost sexually assualted him in the kitchen. Then JARVIS began to talk as he stopped pulling footage, as if both Pepper and Rhodey weren’t horrified and angry. ‘Sir has explained to me this morning that Mister Rogers last night cornered him and brought him to his personal quarters to only sexually assualt him for the second time.’ Tony winced, nails digging into Stephen’s thigh as he whimpered at the memory. ‘Sir then went to the rooftop and attempt to commit suicide by jumping off of the roof only for Doctor Strange to save him and bring him to the Sanctum.’
Tony bit back tears as he curled into Stephen’s side, not caring that his friends could see him like this. It broke all three of their hearts to see Tony like this. Rhodey turned to Stephen. “Please, please tell me you were with him through all of this bullshit?” He begged. “For the most part, I was.” Stephen nodded, his voice soft and understanding. James sighed in relief. “Thank god someone was.. Tones I’m so sorry we didn’t notice earlier. I wish I had because you wouldn’t be living there still!” Tony shrugged. “Not your fault.” He mumbled out, still quiet sounding.
Why hadn’t he thought of leaving?
“Which brings me to the next topic at hand…” Stephen sighed, rubbing his thumb over Tony’s hand. “Pepper?” Pepper nodded, exhaling and bringing herself together to be there for her friend. Wiping tears from her eyes, she looked at Tony. “Tony, we want you to leave the Compound and that stupid pack. Please, it’s hurting you, he’s hurting you. You’re not yourself. We’re worried for you.” Golden eyes glanced up. They were right, but he still needed Bruce and Natasha. He couldn’t leave them there, right? …but he also didn’t want to go back and see him .
“Where would I even go…?” Tony quietly questioned, golden eyes looking out at his two best friends. “The tower, or my place?” Pepper suggested. “Or here.” Stephen added in. Tony blinked in surprise at him. Conflicted emotions created turmoil in Tony’s brain, he sighed.
“I- I’ll think about it, okay?”
“Okay.”