IronStrange Haven, formerly IronStrangeHQ

being tony and stephen's baby is almost like... good cop/good cop? they work in tandem for all the caregiving duties, whether it's your bedtime routine or the gentle handling of a tantrum.

between their shared wealth and general appreciation for the finer things, you're the most well-dressed baby this side of the hudson! your closet is decked out in silk pajama sets, cashmere onesies, designer accessories, and all the diaper cover patterns you could ever want if that's your style. they make a game out of it sometimes where they each pick an outfit for you and let the baby decide which dad is the most fashion-forward. tony usually wins that one.

just like their personalities, tony has the ~cool dad~ vibes while stephen is your softest place to land. tony always plans the best activities while stephen can clean and bandage a boo-boo so gently that you never shed a tear.

a day with them would look like this:

you wake up sleepy and ready for snuggles as soon as you open your eyes. most mornings, you wake up in your own room, decorated in intricate astrology designs (stephen's idea) or a sleek, high-tech layout (tony, of course). if you've had a nightmare the night before, though, or you'd just wanted to be closer, you might wake up cradled between them. tony will swear he doesn't snore, and he has the tickle monster on speed dial if you tell anyone he does!

stephen is usually up cooking breakfast before either of you are up, but if you're awake early enough, he doesn't mind if you join his morning meditation. sometimes its just an excuse for you to go back to sleep for a few minutes, this time being held in stephen's lap while he does his breathing exercises.

on days you sleep in (or want tony first thing), he'll be there in his bathrobe lifting you into his arms despite not being awake enough to speak yet. those mornings, he has his coffee in one hand with a baby on his hip and a tablet mysteriously balanced somehow in the midst of it all.

after breakfast (tony put more syrup on your pancakes than stephen said he should), they gently walk you through your morning routine. stephen helps you take meds and brush your teeth, while tony washes your face with a warm cloth in one hand while responding to an email with the other.

mid-mornings are soft and low-stakes. tony might have a meeting or a conference call to get to, but he makes sure you have a play area set up with blocks and coloring supplies and plenty of plushies to keep you company. stephen keeps an eye on you while he does his ritual spells and magical work, and he's always close by in case of any bumps or overstimulation moments. if neither of them can keep you close, FRIDAY and stephen's cape are the best babysitter duo!

if you're at the tower for the day, lunch is that special slightly-chaotic blend of avengers company and a pretty much unlimited kitchen. still, stephen likes to make sure you have a balanced snack plate whether you're feeling super hungry or not. tony's the one who slips in a cookie or a piece of candy on the side!

if it's lunch at the magical sanctum, it's quiet with soft music on the speakers and a little mug of warm tea beside your plate. any time you need a brain break at this point in the day, stephen brings you to a quiet room where he can read/annotate his books and you can nap on the daybed. the cape tucks itself around you like a blankie and stephen's humming soothes you to sleep.

afternoon is the best part of the day, because you're wide-awake and ready to play again! this is also the part of the day where tony almost always tries to make it back to you, and once he's home, it's a no-business zone. he needs you just as much as you need him!

stephen likes to take a walk if the weather is nice, and if you feel like tagging along, he'll hold your hand while pointing out different plants and bugs. you always have lots of questions for him, and he's always so patient answering every single one.

for dinner, they like to relax with takeout and watch television with you! tony insists it's his turn for cuddles because he's been away for so long, and you're happy to oblige. it's always the gentlest part of the day, because then it transitions smoothly into bedtime.

they keep bedtime soft, sweet, and sleepy. one of them runs you a warm bath with scented oils and plenty of bubbles, while the other one heats a warm sippy/bottle of milk for you to have once you're all squeaky clean. by the time you're bundled up in soft pajamas, they have you cradled in their arms and trying not to doze off before they put you down. tony whispers, "love you 3000, sweetheart," as you close your eyes, and stephen lights up the room with protective charms and sigils to ward off the nightmares and make you feel secure. you're safe every single moment of their care, even when they're away from you.

-

Stephen laughs as Tony manhandles him into the bedroom, stripping his clothes off without care for their quality. The jacket survives; Stephen’s dress shirt isn’t so lucky. At least two buttons go pining off of furniture, and Stephen swears he can hear a seam let go. “I’m not going anywhere,” he teases Tony.

“I warned you I was going to rip that suit off you,” Tony shoots back. He undoes Stephen’s belt and fly with impressive dexterity and shoves him backwards onto the bed, somehow stripping his pants off at the same time. Stephen has to admit it’s hot how ridiculously capable Tony is at getting him naked. That doesn’t stop him from pulling off his own undershirt as Tony handles his boxer briefs.

“One of us,” Stephen says, leaning up on his elbows to meet Tony, kneeling over him, for a heated kiss, “is overdressed.”

Tony kissed him again, long and hard, before answering. “You let me worry about that.”

Stephen doesn’t have much of a choice: Tony’s kisses are all consuming, rough and possessive, tongue tangling with Stephen’s, lips pressed hard together. Stephen isn’t really thinking about anything except keeping up, his blood growing hot. When Tony finally breaks away Stephen sucks in a breath and then releases it in a startled laugh, because somehow Tony is totally naked now.

Grinning, Tony shimmies down Stephen’s body. “You really shouldn’t doubt me.”

“It wasn’t doubt,” Stephen protests, and then thumps flat onto the bed, moaning, as Tony dives down onto his cock. Fuck his mouth is even hotter on Stephen’s cock than it had been to kiss. A moment later a slick finger slides into Stephen and he bucks, shouting. “Tony!”

There’s no answer—Tony’s too busy sucking him off and opening him up at the same time. Stephen pants, grabbing hold of a pillow for dear life as he’s stretched with ruthless efficiency. When he’s ready, Tony releases his cock and flips Stephen over, a show of strength that sends a jolt of electricity through him. “Tony,” Stephen gasps again. Hands on his hips pull him up to knees and elbows, and then Tony’s cock is plunging into him. Stephen cries out, eyes rolling back as Tony fucks him, rough and greedy. 

“All that teasing,” Tony says breathlessly, hips slapping loudly against Stephen’s. His cock is so hot as it strokes into Stephen. “I hope you like what it got you.”

He does. Fuck, of course he does, is there any better feeling in the world than having Tony lose it for him? To know that Tony can be so hungry for Stephen? “Always,” is all Stephen manages to get out.

“Fuck,” Tony groans, redoubling his efforts.

There’s not much talking after that, just sweat and moans and the throb of building arousal and heat and need and when Stephen finally breaks tears run down his cheeks as he climaxes. Tony all but collapses next to him, wrung out, and Stephen rolls over and pulls Tony into his arms, whispering praise and nuzzling him rather than kissing.

It takes a few minutes, but eventually Tony brushes a kiss over Stephen’s cheeks. “Love you,” he murmurs.

The words were a little more cryptic than Stephen thought necessary, but he nodded anyway.

Stark stepped closer, right into Stephen’s space. The kiss, when it came, felt like it was the only thing Stark could have ever done. It was soft and gentle and Stephen tried to return it, to give Stark something, in this moment of selfishness.

Stark pulled back after a few long moments. “I miss you, Stephen,” he whispered. “But I promise you… when you finally meet me, I will do everything in my power to make you happy. I don’t know that, yet. The Tony you meet won’t know that. But it’s true, anyway. I promise, I’ll make you happy as long as I can.”

Stephen could see the truth in Stark’s eyes. “I believe you,” he said quietly. “And I may not remember this, but… I think I’ll be waiting for you, anyway.”

That made a slight smile tug at Stark’s lips, though the grief in his eyes didn’t falter. He took a deep breath and took a large step back, shifting the butterfly—the key he’d come back for—in his arm to a more comfortable position. “Love you, Merlin.” The next second, he threw back the vial and disappeared.

And… that was it. “That’s it?” Stephen asked. He looked at the Ancient One. “We forget now?”

The Ancient One nodded. “If you’ll retrieve the letter you wrote yourself,” she said. “It won’t do for you to remind yourself again. I will wait for you here.”

Stephen nodded, slipping out of the room obediently. It was strange, walking through a frozen Kamar-Taj. He’d known they were in a time bubble, but he hadn’t seen it. But now he passed an unmoving world.

It didn’t take him long to retrieve the letter he’d written to himself and he stared down at it. It itched at him, that he’d forget, no matter how necessary it was. But at the same time…

An idea came to him. A dangerous, terrible idea. But… just maybe. He bit his lip, reviewing everything Stark had told him about the timeline in the future. There had been almost no time between the Stephen of the future putting the key into the timeline and the Stephen of the future dying.

The Stephen of the future had to die—Stephen had to die—if the timeline were to stay intact. Except no one had seen it happen. Stark had said as much. Had said that something had happened to their bond and that the reason Stark hadn’t died with him was because Stephen had saved Stark’s life in his last moments.

But what if the real answer was that Stephen…

But no…

But what if?

He bit his lip, then grabbed a pen and wrote everything. He’d only successfully cast the spell to open the time stream once. He didn’t know what he was doing. He’d barely managed last time.

And yet… Stephen closed his eyes, and desperately reached for the magic. He thought of Stark. Of living. Of keeping the happiness that Stark had promised to give him. Of being loved. He felt something opening for him. He let go of his hold on the letter and felt it disappear.

Stephen opened his eyes and let out a deep breath. He hoped, desperately, that he hadn’t done something really, really stupid.

He returned to the Ancient One, who looked at his empty hands. “I take it the letter is gone?” she asked. Something in her voice, even as it was, sounded knowing.

“Yes,” Stephen said. “It’s gone.”

She nodded. “Then it is time to forget.” The Ancient One raised her hands and Stephen watched the magic start to form around her fingers.

Stephen took a deep breath, preparing himself to forget.

He had already missed a date, and although Stephen had been more understanding than Tony could have ever expected, he wanted to show him that he was as invested in their relationship as the sorcerer was.

This was something he had failed to do in all his previous relationships.

Ruling out the usual places—restaurants, bars, and cafes—he invited the sorcerer to dinner at his place. He wanted them to be free from outside pressure and not have to look over their shoulders.

Tony spent the day preparing for the evening, determined to make it perfect. He made plans meticulously, precisely, and creatively. 

Contrary to popular opinion, he knew how to cook; he just thought it was a waste of time. All the more reason to do it for Stephen. 

Following a recipe wasn't complicated, especially when an AI was dictating it. He had cooked coq au vin and braised vegetables, which were resting on the hot plate in his open kitchen. He had a bottle of vintage Pinaud noir. He had even set the table for two elegantly, but without ostentation. This time, he had received help from Pepper, who had not hesitated to tease him, saying that she had never received the same treatment.

She had reassured him, saying she was happy to see him invest in something other than his workshop. She made him promise to tell her all about it afterwards.

After five years, Tony had learned a few things about his lover. For example, he knew that Stephen was a jazz enthusiast and practically unbeatable on the subject. Tony had asked Friday to put together a playlist to play in the background while Stephen would be there.

Everything was ready, but it wasn't the meal, the atmosphere, or the place that made Tony nervous.

It was himself.

Most of his past dates had been preludes to quick flings. Not a lasting relationship. Tonight, the stakes were different. 

If there were any stakes at all.

With Stephen, everything was going too well.

And when everything was going well—

"Boss, Peter Parker is here to see you." 

Friday's voice snapped him out of his spiraling thoughts.

He let out a small sigh of relief. Peter was the perfect distraction he needed.

"Tell him to come in, Fry."

Just a few seconds later, Peter entered the apartment through the elevator with his backpack slung over one shoulder. He approached Tony with bouncing strides.

"Hi, Tony."

Then he came over and hugged Tony.

"Hey, kid."

It had taken a few years, but Peter was finally able to call him by his first name, finally understanding that the distance between them wasn't necessary.

As curious as ever, Peter looked around, then frowned and sniffed before exclaiming, "Wow, Tony! You've been cooking! I'm going to have to sit down! Are you sure your oven still works?"

In response to Peter's mockery, Tony threw a cushion from the couch at his head. 

"Haha, very funny. Getting cocky, are we?"

Peter plopped down on the couch. Tony felt a pang of fondness seeing his young protégé so comfortable in his home. He sat down across from Peter, who continued his stream of questions.

"Oh, I see the table is set... oooh, for two? Is it a date? With Doctor Strange?”

Tony replied automatically. "He told you to call him Stephen."

"Haha, you're not denying it."

Tony leaned back against the couch.

"Yes, yes. It's dinner. With Stephen.”

He continued in a low voice.

"I'm sure I'm going to mess it up."

Peter, with his super-sensitive hearing, had heard him and exclaimed, "Screw it up?" From what I can smell, it smells really good." His eyes shining, he added, "I can taste it if you want."

Tony let out a liberating laugh.

"Are you okay, Tony?"

"Yeah, kid. You're just what I needed to stop stressing out."

Peter leaned forward with his hands on his knees and asked in a serious tone, "No, seriously, what are you worried about?"

“Myself?”

It was so easy to be honest with Peter.

Peter shook his head. “Stephen knows you. You know that. I don't think there's much about you he doesn't know, especially considering how many futures he's seen. He's probably seen you fail more than once, don't you think? And yet he's still here. You know what? It's okay. You make a mistake, you regret it, you apologize sincerely, and that's it. Well, unless it's Steve." 

Tony laughed again at the last words, but he considered Peter's simple words. Stephen had told him that he didn't want to change him. He knew him. So far, they had overcome every obstacle relatively smoothly. 

Tony realized he had to stop thinking about the "what ifs" and focus on the present.

"Tell me, kid, since when are you wiser than me?"

"Probably since we almost got killed by a giant purple guy. Near-death experiences tend to make you see life differently."

Tony nodded. "You're not wrong."

He got up, went to the kitchen, and came back with two cans of soda. He handed one to Peter. 

"So, why the surprise visit?"

“Oh, right!”

Peter opened his bag, took out his laptop, and showed Tony his plans for upgrading his Spider-Man suit.

They talked for two hours, their brains racing, until Peter suddenly jumped up in a panic. "Shit! I have a date with MJ in fifteen minutes."

Tony practically pushed him out the door, saying, "Go on! Don't be late. I'm in no position to give advice, but treat her well. That starts with being on time for your dates.”

Peter rushed into the elevator and waved goodbye to Tony as the doors closed.

Tony felt better than he had before the younger man's visit. 

There was still a little apprehension, but that was normal—a bit like stage fright before a performance.

At least Peter had given him something to occupy his mind until the evening with his plans to improve his suit.

Half an hour before Stephen arrived, Tony put the coq au vin on to simmer on low heat, checked that the wine was at the right temperature, and asked Friday to start playing the playlist the A.I. had put together. Then, he went to get ready.

A little later, he came out of his bedroom wearing black jeans and a burgundy shirt.

"Friday, dim the lights."

"Yes, boss."

He went to light the two candles on the dinner table, and two minutes later, at seven o'clock sharp, the elevator doors opened to reveal Stephen.

The sorcerer had swapped his tunic for a black V-neck sweater and charcoal gray pants that fit him so well that Tony almost drooled as Stephen walked toward him.

"Hey."

Stephen leaned in, and they kissed tenderly to greet each other, just as the song on the playlist changed.

Stephen exclaimed, "Dave Brubeck, 'Take Five,' live in Belgium in 1964—it's—"

He stopped because Tony was laughing softly and said sheepishly, "Sorry, I got carried away."

Tony shook his head.

"Don't apologize. There's nothing more beautiful than seeing a passionate man. Besides, it's not the first time you've done this in front of me. I'm always amazed by your memory and all the details you remember.”

Stephen winked at him and said in a voice like a caress, "But there are still plenty of details I don't know, and I can't wait to learn them."

Tony blushed slightly.

The tone for the evening was set: light and sensual. The conversation flowed smoothly without any awkward pauses, as it always did when they met. The only difference was the slight anticipation in the air, without any pressure. It was accentuated by subtle gestures, like when Stephen placed his hand on Tony's arm to emphasize a point, lingering in a gentle caress, and when Tony's fingers intertwined with Stephen's over their dessert and final glass of wine. 

Stephen let go of Tony's hand to brush some crumbs off his sweater, then stood up and, once in front of Tony, held out his hand and said softly, "Dance with me." "

Without hesitating, Tony took his lover's hand. This time, there was no hesitation or apprehension when he pressed himself against Stephen, arms around his waist. Nor was there any when Stephen wrapped his arms around him and pressed his head against his. 

They began to move to the slow music.

Stephen whispered, his lips close to Tony's ear, "This is better than last time."

Tony hummed, and they continued dancing like that for a while. Then, Tony stepped back a little, placed his hands on Stephen's shoulders, and said softly, "It's better because now I can do this."

He pulled Stephen toward him with gentle pressure, and when their faces were near enough, he captured Stephen's lips with his. Stephen moaned into the kiss, his arms sliding around Tony's back and pulling him closer. 

The kiss intensified as Stephen's tongue traced the outline of Tony's lips, which opened in response to welcome him in. This time, it was Tony who released a moan into the kiss, overwhelmed by the sensation of their tongues slowly and sensually sliding together. They continued kissing, and they lost track of who was moaning. They were only aware of the intense heat of their bodies pressed against each other, the pressure of their lips, their mingled breath,  the way Stephen's hands roamed Tony's back and the way Tony arched under the caress. 

When they finally separated to catch their breath,they remained like that for a moment,  foreheads touching, panting.

Until Stephen whispered hoarsely, "It's late. I should probably go.”

Everything about his attitude contradicted his words: the reluctant tone of his voice; the way he held Tony, as if he didn't want to let him go; and the way his lips strained to continue the kiss.

Tony replied in a voice without a trace of hesitation, "Or you could stay."

Stephen stood up, placed his hands on Tony's shoulders, and asked him, looking him in the eyes, "Are you sure, Tony?"

Tony laughed softly, cupped Stephen's face in his hands—his thumbs caressing the square jaw—and said with the same firmness in his voice, "Stephen, I've rarely been so sure of anything in my entire life."

A slow, bright smile lit up Stephen's face. 

"Then I'll stay."

Read more On Ao3

_________

Still not beta'd

Still not my native language

Still hoping you'll enjoy this story 🥰

Still thanking you for bearing with me 😝

Tony ran fast. He ran as fast as his legs could carry him. He had to find Stephen. Once he found him, Stephen would be able to help him. Tony did not where he was, but all he knew was he had to find Stephen. Tony kept running, the town he was in was both familiar and unfamiliar to him. Stephen’s town was a place that he didn’t go to often, only when Stephen brought him to visit his magical family. Despite not visiting the town often, Tony knew the places the two teens would often visit. Slowing down a bit as he ran, Tony looked began to look around look for his favorite food stalls, and his favorite vendors. He found neither. Tony was even more worried now and ran faster as his legs took him to the spot that Stephen liked.

The two teenage boys might be a little antagonistic with each other, but Tony knew that Stephen would always be able to help him. Despite saying that the Clow Cards were his birthright, Stephen had always been quick to help and support Tony in catching the cards.

Tony ran towards the lake, and recognizing the back of Stephen's head from anywhere slowed down.

"Stephen! I need your help!" wheezed out Tony, as he roughly placed his right hand against his chest as though that would that help Tony bring in more air into his lungs.

"Who the hell are you and why is my birthright in your possession?" growled out Stephen, moving towards Tony in a move that Tony recognized as the intent to hurt.

In move too fast for Tony to follow, Stephen whipped out his sword and if it weren't for Tony's athletic abilities kicking in at the last minute, the sword would have cut him. Tony quickly stopped moving when Stephen's sword stopped at his neck.

Tony's heart broke a bit when he recognized that tone of voice. It was the one that Stephen had used for weeks to always antagonize Tony because he had apparently stolen Stephen's birthright. It took weeks for Stephen to tone down and often a tiny bit.

"Stephen, chill dude, I thought you accepted the fact that Friday chose me," mumbled Tony.

"I never told you what my name was so who are you and how do you know me?" asked Stephen menacingly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Return to it guise you were meant to be!” Yelled Tony, the light blue magic staff in his hands held above his head swung down and stopped as though it had hit something.

The space around Tony and Stephen became chaotic as the light breeze picked up and began to work around the two boys. Dust flew around them almost blinding them as it hit them in their face. The dust they was picked up by the torrent winds began to condense in front of them and to the two boys, they saw two figures begin to form.

The first figure was that of an old man, in a pale cloak slowly appeared from the dust and wind. Its face was both somehow and wrinkled, and the figure covered in a big billowing cloak of a pale yellow. In the figure’s hand, it carried a large hourglass, and the dust that was flowing around Tony and Stephen, floated towards the hourglass. It was then tat Tony realized that the dust was sand. The imagery of the hands of a clock on the figure's hood made had Tony realizing that whatever this card was, its power was related to the powers of time.

The second next to the old man had started to form. Tony was starting to notice that the second figure was similar to the first card, except that this figure looked feminine, its facial features were soft and round where the first card's were sharp and angular. It's pale blue hood had the same clock hands that the other figure had, but what made the two even more different from each other was what this card held in its hands. Within the figure's grasp was a giant clock, of a deep blue color and its hands reading five o'clock.

As the heavy gust of wind seemed to stop around the two figures, Tony didn't wast his time and yelled out

“CLOW CARD!”

“Stephen,” said Tony as he looked at Stephen, disappointed that the look that he recognized on Stephen's face was the look of anger and malice that stephen had given him on his first day of school and not his flustered mean look that Tony was used to by now, “I know that you don’t like me now, but I hope you’ll open your heart to being friends with me in the future.”

"tch, whatever, I'm not going to because the Clow Cards are my birthright," snarled Stephen, his brows furrowed angrily, as he turned his head to the side, "also you're in my space"

"Ohhh…uh shit, well, I think it's time for me to go back to my time then," coughed Tony as he took a couple steps back from Stephen, realizing again that this Stephen wasn't the Stephen who was used to Tony being in his personal space.

Taking out the RETURN card, Tony focused his magic and lifitng the hand that held his magic staff incanted,

"Creation of Clow, Lend your power to my key, Bestow the magic of the card unto my key!"

"Return me to my original time! CLOW CARD, release and dispel!"

Tony made eye contact with Stephen as the wind started to pick up again and swirled around him. Closing his eyes, Tony clutched at his staff and waited.