Chapter Text
The sun peeked through the break of the curtains, filtering past the thick brocade and right into Stephen’s eyes. Since the sorcerer supreme’s house at Kamar-Taj had been remodeled to Loki’s liking, the curtains were a heavy fabric preserved from Asgard by way of Loki’s pocket dimension. No matter how many times Stephen closed them the night before, by morning a sliver of sunlight always managed to sneak its way in.
And since this was Loki’s house—not Stephen’s—Friday hadn’t been installed. Which meant Stephen couldn’t beg her to close them.
He had to admit, it felt odd that a sliver of sunbeam was his biggest problem.
Tony sighed and snuggled closer to Stephen, then got trapped in the sunbeam for his trouble.
“Oh,” Tony said, squinting. “Damn. Friday, curtains, sweetie.”
“Can’t, boss,” Friday said from Tony’s bedside table.
“Ugh. Loki did this on purpose,” Tony said. “He should have at least let me wire Friday into the house for when we’re here. You’re his second-in-command, damn it.”
“Doesn’t matter,” Stephen said, pulling up the blanket over their heads. “He’s due back in a few hours. Everything’s already back home, and we’ll be New Asgard bound by noon.”
“Then London, New York, and…couscous?”
“Nautikos.”
“Hmm. Sounds delicious.”
“It’s the most beautiful world I’ve ever visited,” Stephen said. “You'll love it.” Beautiful and without conflict, it was only natural Stephen would want to take Tony there for their honeymoon.
“Mmm,” Tony hummed happily. “We just need Loki back. This is the last one, right?” Tony asked, sitting up quickly. “Loki’s not going to find another world destroyed by the Empirikul that he somehow missed and we have to cancel our honeymoon?”
“If he does, he can find another second,” Stephen said.
Even with the help of the Reality Stone, it had taken Loki six months to return magic to every universe devastated by the Empirikul. Of course, he hadn’t just portaled to every dimension, restored magic and left. To Stephen’s surprise, Loki had reached out to that universe’s sorcerer supreme, or their Sanctum, in order to reestablish order.
Though, after the events of the past year, perhaps it was time for Stephen to stop being so surprised when Loki did the right thing.
Tony lay back on his pillow, relaxed, and tugged Stephen to lay his head on his chest. Stephen gladly accepted the invitation and smiled as a hand began to run through his hair. “What’s the matter, honey? Eager to leave this paradise of…weird Asgardian stuff?”
“Yes,” Stephen said, even as he ran his hand over the Asgardian silk of their bedsheets. Leading Kamar-Taj while Loki popped in and out over the last six months had been a challenge he’d enjoyed, but he was ready for it to end. “I love Kamar-Taj, but I want to have at least one night at home, in our own bed before we leave for Nautikos.”
“Bless you.”
Stephen nipped him. “Though…I have to say, it’s still surprising to me how much you enjoy living at the Sanctum.”
“The Sanctum loves me,” Tony said. “Which is a really weird thing to say, but hey it’s true. It made me my own closet, it opens the door for me. It’s like its own AI!”
Tony had left out the biggest one. The New York Sanctum loved Tony so much it made its own portal to Kamar-Taj. Now Tony didn’t have to call Stephen to ask for a portal from New York when Loki was away.
The look on Tony’s face when he’d opened what had been a broom closet and saw Stephen sitting at his desk at Kamar-Taj was now a favorite memory.
“Yes, well,” Stephen said, leaning further into Tony’s hand. “You’re the Sanctum master’s bondmate. It will aid you however it can.”
“Well, it’s home now,” Tony said, stretching. “I remember being nervous as hell the first time I stepped inside. Remember when magic used to terrify me?”
It really wasn’t that long ago, but it felt like a lifetime. Stephen remembered holding Tony’s hand as he crossed a portal, Tony shaking in terror at their bonding, Tony nervously walking around Kamar-Taj looking for coffee. “Yes,” he said, running a finger across one of his wrist cuffs. “Seems like a different life.”
“Yeah,” Tony said, settling back down. “Now I can’t imagine life without it.”
“You don’t have to,” Stephen said, rubbing the spot under Tony’s chest where he felt the bond.
“Hmm, yeah,” he said, running his hand down Stephen’s side. He kissed his way down Stephen’s chest and said, “We’ve got time, right?”
“I think we slept in,” Stephen said, but he didn’t pull away. “I need to check in with the novices, see how the librarians are doing on the restoration of those books. Then I promised Loki I’d check in with Wanda, and I haven’t seen her in a few days so—”
“So baby wizards, books, Wanda, New Asgard, home.”
“You forgot London.”
“Oh, damn,” Tony said, pulling away. “Right. Is that today? Did we really schedule an interview for the day before we go on our honeymoon?”
“That’s the reason why you wanted it scheduled today,” Stephen said. “You didn’t want to deal with the fallout, positive or negative.”
Tony leaned back into his pillow with a huff. “Yeah, I’m smart like that.”
Stephen smiled. "Come on,” he said, rolling out of bed. “There’s a lot to do before we can leave. And keep in mind the day will end in New York.”
Tony groaned. “Oh my God, this is going to be the longest day ever. We’re going to go back in time. New York is eight hours behind, ugh. And then we said we’d have Avengers game night.”
Stephen gave a fake gasp. “Is Tony Stark whining about having to go to sleep late?”
“Yes,” Tony said, rolling out of bed and heading to the bathroom. “You’ve domesticated me, Stephen. I’m a family man now. I want a comfortable bed and three meals a day.”
“I’m so sorry I’ve given you a warm bed to come home to,” Stephen said.
“The Cloak is very warm, yeah,” Tony said, then started the shower. “You coming?”
Stephen thought of how many people showed up in the emergency room each year after having sex in the shower, then joined Tony anyway.
*
Everything was set for Loki’s return. The novices were doing well in their training, the librarians were working on books restored by the return of magic, and there were no outstanding threats to deal with. It was almost noon, but Stephen was getting antsy. He couldn’t help but constantly look over his shoulder, waiting for the axe to fall. He had Vincent show him the day’s headlines twice.
Maybe he was being paranoid.
He couldn’t help himself. He was about to leave for his honeymoon, and arranging it between his work and Tony’s hadn’t been easy.
He’d told himself after the wedding that he didn’t really need a honeymoon. He and Tony lived a glamorous life already, even if they both did a lot of dangerous work. They didn’t have to worry about money, they had help at the drop of a Friday, and if they wanted to pop out for dinner or an evening in Morocco or Seoul they could do so.
They really didn’t need a honeymoon.
But after the last six months of being an Avenger, and assisting Loki in his duties as sorcerer supreme, and taking his role in his new family very seriously, Stephen admitted he needed a vacation.
Tony did, too. Aside from a day or two here or there, the both of them had been going nonstop since Thanos had sent his children to Earth. It had been one crisis after another, responsibilities pilling on top of each other, and now they were exhausted.
Of course Tony had been the one to bring it up. He’d immediately outlined a fantastic one-month getaway for the both of them. Two weeks in the finest hotel Tokyo had to offer, then another two in a remote villa in Italy. The finest meals, the best wine, nothing but the two of them for an entire month.
Until Stephen brought up the fact that everyone knew them. And while the media attention was usually positive, it could be exhausting, and part of what Stephen needed a break from.
And so Stephen had made his own plan. He’d contacted the Princess of Nautikos, who lived in a literal ivory tower in a paradise of a planet with pink skies and glittering beaches.
And who owed Stephen a favor.
It didn’t take much convincing to have Tony go with Stephen’s plan. Especially since Stephen’s sling ring made it possible for them to return whenever they wanted.
And, with Loki returning to their universe for good, now would be the perfect time to get away.
And when they returned, it would be to their real life.
Their life in New York, with Tony tinkering away in his workshop for the Avengers and SI. For Stephen, protecting the New York Sanctum, researching and creating new spells, and training novices at Kamar-Taj.
And for the both of them, it meant being Avengers and fathers to Peter.
Stephen absolutely loved his life. Even when he was busy, even when he was tired. He wouldn’t trade any of it.
Which was what was currently giving him pause.
Everything was perfect.
Kamar-Taj was running like a well-oiled machine, his relationship with Tony was amazing and everything he’d ever wanted. Spending time together with Peter, as a family, was a joy he thought he’d never know.
Hell, he was even becoming friends with Steve Rogers. They’d gone jogging twice last week.
Everything was perfect. Which meant something had to give. He didn’t get to be this happy. Any moment now some soul-crushing demon from a hell dimension would pop out of the sky and ruin everything.
How could this be his real life?
Tony gave his hand a little shake. “You okay, Doc?”
“Yes,” Stephen said automatically, shaking himself out his dark thoughts.
“Okay,” Tony said, disbelieving, but respecting Stephen’s wish to let it go. “I mean, I know you’re not. That was kind of a trick, but…”
Stephen sighed. “It’s fine. Just getting lost in my thoughts. Especially since Loki should be here by now. I suppose we could leave Master Devi in charge if Loki is running late. It wouldn’t—”
“Watch out!”
A small red object flew towards Stephen’s head. Before it could make contact, Stephen created a burning blade, slicing the object in half before it dropped to the ground. He formed a shield around Tony, ready for whatever hell creature would spring into existence, then leaned down to examine…
A cricket ball.
“My hero,” Tony said.
“Sorry, Doctor Strange!”
“We didn’t mean to hit it in your direction!”
“Please don’t be angry!”
“It wasn’t even our fault! It was the Scarlet Witch!”
Stephen glared up at Maria, Ayesha, and George, surprised to hear that name for Wanda out of their mouths. “Don’t call her that.”
“But—”
“Stephen?” Wanda said, looking at the ball as she walked over. “What did you do to our ball?”
“He defended me,” Tony said, then drastically threw himself into Stephen’s arms.
Stephen dropped him.
“Oof!” Tony said, landing on his ass. “Guess the honeymoon’s over.”
“Wanda,” Stephen said, greeting her. He was definitely paranoid if he was slicing cricket balls in half. “We’ll be leaving as soon as Loki returns. How are your studies going?” he asked, trying to draw attention away from his dramatic mistake.
“Good, I think,” Wanda said. “It’s more difficult than I thought it would be, but…having more control is nice. I’ll be glad when Loki returns. He understands my magic—” Then she snapped her mouth shut and looked to the ground.
Stephen sighed and placed a hand on her arm. Loki and Wanda had a special relationship for a reason. “There’s a reason why you feel he’s a better teacher for you.” He paused and waited while she looked up and met his eye. “He’s a chaos god, and your magic is chaotic.”
Wanda looked up at him like she knew what he said was true, but she wished it wasn’t.
“You offer something far different to our order than what Kamar-Taj is used to,” Stephen said, looking around. Everything about their order was organized, magic all well-sorted, and tame. Loki and Wanda were like a roaring fire, wild and raging. The difference was vast, but Stephen was convinced absolutely necessary to their survival.
Wanda nodded and let her arms drop to her sides.
“And don’t let them call you the Scarlet Witch,” Stephen said. “They’re nice kids. Maybe put your foot down a little?”
“Let them? I love it. ‘The Scarlet Witch.’” She laughed and tossed her hair back. “Sounds like a name to fear.”
Tony laughed. “Hey,” he said. “I’m glad you found a place here. You made a place for yourself here, and that takes guts. Good for you, Wanda.”
“Thank you, Tony,” she said, and it was like an old wound had finally scabbed over. “You owe me a new ball.”
“Do not!” Tony said. “Next time don’t aim it at my husband’s head!”
“He’ll get you another ball,” Stephen said, taking Tony’s hand and continuing his walk around the courtyard, looking in on the training classes just wrapping up. Everything was running well.
Everything was running perfectly.
Tony gave his hand a little squeeze and Stephen shook off the feeling that something was bound to go wrong.
“Honey, I don’t know what’s bothering you,” Tony said, as they continued their walk, “but everything is fine. Really. Look at this place, Stephen. You’ve got a lot to be proud of.”
It was difficult to look at the whole when Stephen was always focused on the individual parts. How the novices were coming along, how the relations were with the UN, how the spell crafting was going. He forced himself to not look at the groups, but instead at its entirety and stood in awe at how far they had come.
Magic was alive again. Not only returned and restored to them, but the sorcerers of Kamar-Taj were a part of the world like they never had been before. And that wasn’t because of Stephen.
Tony had done that.
Whatever challenges came, they’d be ready for them. Stephen tried to cast off the feeling of an axe about to fall.
He looked up into the sun.
“I’m gonna miss this place,” Tony said, walking hand-in-hand with Stephen. “I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’m really glad we didn’t end up here. New York is home. But…it was nice to babysit for a while. I like it here. It’s…really changed since the first time I was here.”
“I know,” Stephen said, and wrapped an arm around his waist. “This place is going to be very, very different in ten or twenty years. It’s a new era.”
“Yeah,” Tony said. “I can’t wait to see it.” He paused, knowing Stephen needed to take a moment, then leaned up to steal a kiss. “Come on, let’s go to New Asgard. Wanda has a Starkphone, she can call us if all the elder sorcerers suddenly get sick. Come on, New Asgard, interview, then home.”
“Alright.”
He’d only be gone for a month, he told himself. And if it was difficult for him to leave his young charges it was because he knew the truth.
They were his legacy. Or at least a part of it. It was a challenge he was more than willing to accept.
*
Tony stepped from Nepal and the early afternoon to sunrise in New Asgard. It was cool and windy, and the sound of waves crashing against the hillside put him at ease.
The wind nipped at his hands, but he held them out, running them over the tops of the long grass. Wildflowers were blossoming, and the smell of them eased some ache in his heart. Birdsong was the only sound that broke the peaceful morning, Tony and Stephen enjoying the beauty of daybreak in silence.
And as if all that wasn’t like some page out of a book Tony had never read, out of the corner of his eye was a damn Disney prince, complete with magic Cloak.
To think, he never thought he could have this. Thinking back on the last year, on every step they had taken together, every time they fell apart and held each other up, being here was nothing short of a miracle.
But now here he was, walking through a field of wildflowers in a town he’d built with his bondmate—his husband—and happy.
Gently, Tony took Stephen’s hand in his, stealing quiet glances as they walked through the field and onto the main road.
Thor’s ‘palace’ was modeled on his home in Asgard, though on a much smaller scale. It had what Thor called ‘the family wing’ where he lived and Loki had a room. The other wing was for visiting heads of states and wayward Avengers. The interior was a mixture of original Asgardian fabrics and furniture—all from Loki’s pocket dimension—and Pepper’s taste for interior design.
Tony and Stephen had been the first guests of that wing, after Valkyrie had introduced them to Asgardian ale. The fact that they lived to tell the tale alone was a wonder.
The silence was broken by Tony’s stomach grumbling. “Damn, I’m hun—”
“Shh,” said Stephen. “They’re probably already awake. And I didn’t bring anything to trade with.”
“Yeah, their barter system isn’t gonna work for much longer,” Tony whispered, remembering the last time they’d walked through New Asgard. Everyone wanted to feed them, even though they’d just barely crossed the line from ‘just enough’ to ‘enough to share.’ “Tourists are dying to visit.”
Stephen shuddered. “Poor souls.”
Tony was too worried to laugh. And today he was concerned about Asgard’s economy. Tomorrow, who knew? Yeah, sure, everything was calm now, but that was bound to change. The Earth needed New Asgard at its best, needed Thor and Loki, two of its best defenders. There was always something on the horizon. Some new threat, some new challenge…
Stephen bumped his hip, leaning over and kissing his cheek. “Hey,” he said softly. “Look.” He nodded to the few children that were up and about.
A couple of the kids shouted and waved, pretending to make portals and repulsor beams with their hands. It was weird seeing New Asgard and not thinking of problems that needed to be solved. Usually when he was here it was to help with infrastructure or construction.
It was different looking at the town as a whole. Taking a step back, Tony swallowed his worry about the future, and allowed himself to feel just the smallest bit of pride.
This was his legacy.
Tony had made this.
Or at least he’d contributed. Like, a lot. Everything he did was at least a little selfish, he admitted, and this charitable action might be the most selfish of all. Because seeing Thor’s people with a home, after all the tragedy and loss, was worth far more than what he’d paid for it.
“You’re allowed to be proud of yourself, you know,” Stephen said softly, as a blacksmith looked up from his fire to nod at them. “This was all you. These people have a home because of you.”
“I mean, maybe a little,” Tony said. “But…they lost everything. I couldn’t just…not do something.”
“I know,” Stephen said, then leaned over and kissed him. “And in case I haven’t mentioned it, I’m very proud of you.”
Love
Awe
Adoration
Tony shivered. “You spoil me, Doc.”
“Hail, friends!” Thor shouted as he exited his palace and came to embrace Tony and Stephen.
Behind him was Loki.
“Son of a bitch, there you are,” Tony said. “You almost made us late.”
Loki rolled his eyes. “Kamar-Taj is not a child that it must have a minder every moment. Although…with its past leadership that may not be a bad idea.”
Loki wasn’t wearing his helm or cloak, but he still looked like a prince in a way he never had before. The role of sorcerer supreme had seen to the rest of Loki’s transformation from beaten pseudo-villain to a leader in his own right. The last of the uncertainty that had surrounded him since his return to Earth was gone.
Luckily, being responsible for all magic in their universe did nothing to stop Loki from being a little shit. Tony wouldn’t have known how to react if that had changed.
“Everything go smoothly?” Stephen asked.
Loki nodded. “In the coming years we’ll begin to reach out more. The advancement of magic will require more minds, not less.”
Stephen nodded. “I couldn’t agree more.”
“And the Reality Stone?” Thor asked. “Where did you leave it?”
“Alfheim,” Loki said. “Let the light elves worry about it for once. Earth has enough troubles with two Infinity Stones.”
“Right," Tony said, then rubbed his hands together. “So, we good to go, big guy?”
Thor rolled his eyes affectionately, like he thought Tony’s concerns were cute. “Yes, either Loki or myself will be available should the Avengers need us,” Thor said. “You forget New Asgard is not a prison. The Valkyrie is perfectly able to lead when I step away. As I shall tonight when I defeat you in cards.”
“The both of you need to relax,” Loki said. “The Earth won’t crumble to dust if you leave it for a few weeks.” He dropped his arms to his sides and said, “Genuinely. Take your time.”
“Indeed. A warrior needs their rest,” Thor said. “The Earth will be here when you get back.”
“Yeah, easier said than done,” Tony said. “It’s been one thing after another for so long. Now everything seems to be okay and…”
Thor laid a heavy hand on Tony’s shoulder. “I understand,” he said, and Tony believed him. “But there must come a time when you let go. Trust your friends to take care of Earth in your absence.”
“Thank you,” Stephen said. “Truly.”
“The next time you require rest I will take you both on a hunt!” Thor said, wrapping his arms around the both of them. “My brother and our friends always had the most splendid times on a hunt. Sleeping outside under the stars, talking around the fire.”
It was the first time Thor had been able to talk about his past and what he’d lost without getting lost in memory.
Maybe they’d all had some healing.
“Now! Breakfast!” Thor shouted, ushering them all inside.
*
They were sitting in a studio in a high-rise in London, the sunrise just peeking through heavy clouds. The interview was going great and was hopefully wrapping up. Tony was an old pro, and Stephen could turn on the charm when needed.
They both gave a round of canned laughter at the dumb joke the interviewer said, then leaned back with a smile.
The interviewer asked, “So what’s next? Tony, you’ve given the Avengers a home in New York. Stark Industries is changing lives with its new line of prosthetic devices. You created a small country almost overnight. Stephen, you’re credited with bringing Kamar-Taj to the world. The both of you are responsible for saving the universe as we know it. How do you follow that? What’s next?”
It was a good question. Tony had been asked this question a thousand times from a hundred reporters over the years.
‘Tony you’ve just created an AI that can pass the Turing Test. What’s next? Tony, you’ve created unlimited, clean energy. Tony, you’ve saved the world…
It was a good question. And yeah Tony was working on a dozen ongoing projects with a dozen more waiting to be started, but that wasn’t what she was asking.
He’d been going nonstop for so long, just the idea of resting was foreign to him.
But maybe Thor was right.
Maybe Tony didn’t need an answer. Not this time. At some point, some big bad would show up. It was inevitable. It wasn’t even a question of if but when.
And when that happened, Tony would step up. He knew it would happen.
But maybe now he didn’t have to fear it. Maybe it didn’t all have to rest on his shoulders. He’d created a team—he’d reformed a broken team—that he could lean on. He’d made deep friendships with two gods who would back him up whenever he needed it.
And he was married to the most badass sorcerer Earth had ever seen.
“That’s a good question,” Tony said. “But maybe there doesn’t have to be a next. Not right now. I think what happens next…is a vacation.”
The interviewer playfully threw up her hands. “You’ve certainly earned it. And Stephen. Does Tony speak for you?”
Stephen smiled—a genuine smile—at Tony and said, “Certainly not, I speak for myself. But…ditto.”
“Earth’s mightiest heroes,” the interviewer teased. “How does it feel? That being your legacy?”
For once, Tony was speechless. What was the answer to a question like that?
“It feels like a challenge,” Stephen said, stepping up when Tony was about to uncharacteristically babble. “One we’re happy to meet.”
Tony looked over at Stephen, felt his pride in Tony, his love, and took his hand.
“Yeah,” he said to the interviewer. “What he said.”
*
It was sunrise in New York, and Stephen collapsed onto their bed. Tony was washing off stress sweat in the shower.
“Are interviews always like that?” Stephen asked.
“Fake and incredibly stressful? Kinda,” Tony said. “I don't know. I’ve been doing them so long maybe you shouldn’t be asking me.”
“I want a nap,” Stephen said, reaching out as Tony came out of the bathroom toweling his hair. “This is the first time I’ve been in my own bed for a month. Come here and sleep with me.”
Tony slipped under the Cloak. “You don’t need to ask me twice.”
They settled together, wrapped around each other, lights out and draped in darkness. Slowly, Stephen felt himself relax, his body sinking into the bed and the Cloak wrapping itself around the two of them.
“Stephen?” Tony said quietly. “What was that today? Are you feeling better?”
There was something about the cover of darkness that made it easier to talk at times.
But it was difficult to voice his concerns. He knew he was being irrational, but the darkest of fears often made little sense.
“Let me think on it a bit,” he finally said.
Tony was quiet for a beat, then said, “Okay. Tell me soon?”
Stephen nodded. “Soon.”
They rested for a few hours, and woke feeling far more rested than they had in a month. Tony spent the rest of the day in his workshop at Avengers Tower sorting through projects and Stephen played with Tabitha and readied the Sanctum for Wong.
Just as the sun was setting, Tony walked through the front doors of the Sanctum, deactivating the armor and walking into the library.
“Hey,” he said, greeting Stephen with a kiss. “Delivery should be there any minute. Scott and Clint are in town with their families. We got the kids and Peter playing Mario Kart, and the poker table’s all set up. You ready?”
It felt like the last moment to express his fears out loud.
They’d go to Avengers Tower, collapse into bed once they returned, then leave as soon as they woke. He had no desire to carry the burden with him to Nautikos, not when it was meant to be a rest. And even though the problem was a complicated one, he knew he would feel at least a little better if he shared the burden with Tony.
“It feels too good to be true,” he finally said.
Tony squinted. “What does?”
“This!” Stephen shouted, because how could Tony not see that? “All of this. You and I, together. Loki at Kamar-Taj, the Avengers together again. Peter. May, Wong.” He paused and sank down in his chair. “All of it. It’s absolutely perfect. It’s everything I’ve ever wanted in life.”
Tony kneeled down next to him and placed a hand on his arm. He ran a finger along the Cloak while he considered Stephen’s words.
“I know exactly what you mean, Doc.”
“Are you not terrified?” Stephen asked. Now that he’d said his fear out loud, it was as though the floodgates had opened. “Because I am. I know I’m being irrational, but I am. I’m terrified,” Stephen said.
Tony frowned. “Yeah, of course. I know exactly what you mean.”
“Don’t you worry…it’ll all fall apart?” Stephen asked, voicing his true concern. “That it won’t last?”
“Yes,” Tony said, taking Stephen’s hand in his own. He kissed his knuckles, then his wrists cuffs. “But, Doc, if it falls apart… we’ll just put it back together again.”
Stephen next breath was staggered, like Tony had actually taken his breath away.
“That’s what we do, Doc. The life we lead…something’s bound to happen. But we’ll face it together. Like we have done.”
A single tear escaped and rolled down Stephen’s cheek.
“Team Strange,” Tony said.
Stephen cleared his throat. “Team Stark.”
In the center of the library, a portal opened. Wanda stood in its center, standing tall and proud. “The food’s here! Come over.”
“Is that Stark and Strange?” Clint asked from a poker table. “Come on, Tony. I gotta put my kids through college.”
“We got shawarma,” Steve said, gesturing them to come over.
“I say we play for jobs,” Natasha said. “Specifically, the next time someone has to go into a sewer it isn’t me.”
Stephen couldn’t see Peter, but he heard the sound of Smash Brothers in the background. “I got extra ranch dressing for you, Doctor Dad!” Peter shouted.
A look passed over Wanda’s face as she finally truly saw them. Stephen’s turmoil and Tony on his knees comforting him would have been obvious to anyone. She left the portal open, but gave them a moment.
“It’s just—” Stephen gestured towards the portal, to a life he’d always wanted, to family he hadn’t thought he could ask for.
Perfect
“Yeah,” Tony said, his eyes shining. “I know. But we worked hard for this. It’s ours if we want it.”
Stephen wanted. Oh, how he wanted.
But…
“How does it end?” Stephen finally asked. Because everything ended eventually.
Tony looked at Stephen, then towards the portal. Thor and Loki arrived and sat at the same table with Clint. Sam and Scott were playing video games with the kids. Steve was putting food out and Natasha swiped a fry.
Then Tony looked back, his smile shining like the sunrise.
Awe
Wonder
Love
“It doesn’t,” Tony said, then got to his feet.
He held both of Stephen’s hands in his own, as Stephen realized the absolute truth.
Tony was right. Through whatever this world would put them through, in this life and the next, their love for each other was unending.
New York or Kamar-Taj. Earth or Valhalla.
Their life was theirs to enjoy, to share. Their love would go on after it.
“Now come on, Doc,” Tony said, gently pulling Stephen up and towards the portal. Towards life, towards their future, towards everything they’d built and would build together. “I’m starving.”