Sep 25, 2024
Mermaid!Stephen saving pirate!Tony from drowning
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Mermaid!Stephen saving pirate!Tony from drowning
My friend got my this custom made color by numbers. I’m really not good at staying in lines while coloring, especially when they are so tiny. So bear with me.
Day 1 of coloring. I started with the magic circle and immediately regretted it. The lines are so delicate.
Consort and King [IronStrange]
Summary: Anthony Stark, King of Midgard, needs a spouse. Whether he wants one or not. So he accepts an arranged marriage with the Prince of Kamar-Taj – a man he has never met in his life to the day they are standing in front of each other at the altar, speaking their vows. Is it possible that the feeling of duty grows into something more? Will their future be happy?
Relationship: Tony Stark / Stephen Strange
Tags: arranged marriage au, royal au, strangers to husbands, enemies to lovers, slow burn, idiots in love, fluff, hurt/comfort, miscommunication, all the good stuff
Author's note: Beta by @kvjjjjjj
Ko-fi | Read it on AO3 | Series Masterlist | Word count: 5.2k | Previous | Next
15 Dealing with the rogues
The portal took Stephen and the other masters to the underground catacombs beneath the temple, where the earlier explosion had been heard. They stepped right into what seemed to be the middle of a summoning.
There were lines and symbols drawn onto the ground and the rogues stood in a large circle, chanting in an ancient language. The black and purple smoke seemed to have originated here.
Whatever they were trying to accomplish, it couldn’t be anything good.
The sorcerer’s of Kamar-Taj immediately attacked; Stephen leading them, sending a powerful beam at one of the rogues. He threw the rogue off his feet. This broke the circle but the others continued their chanting.
It was clear that they were willing to pull through, no matter what.
“They are wearing the mark of the dark dimension!”
Stephen shifted his focus and he realized that the master was right: the rogues had purple glowing marks on their foreheads.
This was bad.
Analyzing the whole situation Stephen noticed that one of the rogue sorcerers standing in the circle had a book hovering in front of him. If Stephen had to bet, he’d say this was the stolen book from the library.
He gritted his teeth as he recognized the rogue's face: it was Kaecilius, a former student of the Ancient One.
And suddenly Stephen had no doubt who had plunged the black dagger into her chest.
Stephen gave the sorcerer closest to him a sign and they attacked Kaecilius together. The other sorcerer, a man around Stephen’s age wearing his brown hair in a ponytail, used a spell to hit the rogue right into his chest.
Kaecilius doubled over in pain.
At the same time, Stephen snagged the book through a small portal – a nifty trick he used to annoy Wong with.
As soon as he got the book in his hand and closed it, the chanting stopped as if a spell had been broken; and all heads turned to him. The marks on their foreheads remained, as well as the hostile look in their purple eyes. It warned Stephen that they would aim to get that book back at any price.
Kaecilius straightened up again, his attention now on Stephen as well. “Look at that! The lost prince has returned.,” he sneered and threw a lightning bolt at him.
Stephen couldn't activate a shield without putting the book down, so he jumped to the side, feeling the heat of the spell way too close for his liking.
For a moment he thought about storing the book in his personal pocket dimension just to keep his hands free. But he couldn’t take on Kaecilius and his zealots at the same time; even with the help of the other masters. They had to split the rogues up.
He weighed his options. He deemed Kaecilius the greater threat. Maybe he was biased, blinded by the image of the Ancient One lying dead on the ground in his mind.
This was personal.
He tossed the book to a younger master nearby; The last time Stephen had seen him before he left for Midgard, he had been wearing the red robes of an apprentice. Now he was wearing the colors of a master.
“Get that book away from here!”
The sorcerer nodded – his face stern – and with a swift motion he opened another portal.
Several sorcerers and rogues followed him, starting a chase. Stephen didn't have time to help him, he was busy dodging another attack from Kaecilius.
“It’s too late,” the rogue sorcerer taunted him. “The channel is already open. The power we draw from it is greater than you could ever imagine. Even your new piece of jewelry won't help you.” His purple blazing eyes darted to the necklace on Stephen's chest, hungrily. “But go ahead. Play with your new toy.”
Only the most powerful mages could actually use it. That was why the Ancient One had had to die.
Stephen summoned a golden mandala, which he threw at Kaecilius. The rogue swiped it away easily.
Both men didn’t hold back in the fight that followed. They threw spells at each other, blocking the other’s magic or redirecting it. More than once, a charge of magic slammed into one of the rock walls and caused the ground to shake.
Stephen noticed that Kaecilius moved mainly within the drawn summoning circle. And it seemed to enhance his magic even further. Like he had said: although the ritual had been interrupted, a channel remained open to the Dark Dimension.
Having this realization, Stephen quickly came up with a plan to get the rogue out of there. And he put this plan into action as soon as he saw an opportunity.
He dodged the falling debris caused by another quake. Using his slingring, he appeared right next to Kaecilius.
As the rogue whirled around to face him, Stephen opened another portal, directly behind him. Before Kaecilius was able to throw up a shield, Stephen hit him with a full blast. He didn't knock the rogue off his feet, but Kaecilius did stumble backwards through the circle.
Stephen followed him, not letting the rogue out of his eyes, and stepped on the roof of one of the temples, which were still surrounded by the black and purple smoke.
The new location up in the air didn’t stop them from continuing to fight. Kaecilius didn’t even bat an eye at it. Stephen simply put a spell on his boots to keep balance, before charging at the rogue.
_________________
Tony helped Wong and some of the other masters to clean up. Most of the damage had been done in the courtyards and between the temples. The sorcerers used magic to repair broken windows and balconies and to get rid of any quicksand.
Overall, it seemed like the attack had been a diversion. And a good one. Tony briefly wondered what kind of enemy Stephen was facing.
Since Tony couldn't contribute much to the repairs with no magic, he assisted a few injured sorcerers to get to the healers.
Suddenly he and Wong saw a flash of orange as a portal opened nearby. Several sorcerers and rogues were running through and past them.
Wong raised his hands for a spell, glancing at Tony, who had his hands on the hilt of his sword. Then he looked back at the sorcerers. He seemed undecided, weighing the potential danger against Stephen's silent plea to protect Tony's life.
The king took the decision away from him, sprinting ahead. “Let's get them!”
That was all the conviction Wong needed, and he quickly caught up to Tony's side. He created a magic rope, similar to the whips Stephen often used fighting, but this time with a knife at one end. He whirled it around and swung it in the direction of a rogue, stopping him from pursuing.
More people were portaling in and out and soon it was a mess to recognize who was a sorcerer of Kamar-Taj and who was a rogue without looking into their faces first; something that needed a few seconds which Tony did not always have in a fight.
Watching them, Tony quickly found that the rogues seemed to be chasing a young man who had an old book tucked under his arm.
Someone grabbed Tony’s arm, and he whirled around to shake off whoever it was – until he noticed it was Wong, who pulled him towards a bunch of portals.
“This way.”
They joined the chase to eliminate the hunters of the book.
Tony recognized the hallway they stepped into next. He had been here in the past two days, even though he wasn’t able to nail down which of the temple buildings it belonged to.
It didn’t matter anyway, because suddenly gravity shifted and the hallway seemed to rotate. Tony elbowed a rogue who staggered too close to him in the side, when the wall that had been to his left was now the new ground.
Man, magic was really annoying.
Tony used Whisperwind to deflect another attack from the rogue he had just elbowed. They had a buzz-cut and their slender form made it impossible to tell their gender. Tony struck their leg, made a lunge to the side and immediately struck them again at the shoulder.
Gravity shifted again. Tony lost his footing and stumbled over a chandelier and right into another portal.
He landed in snow, somewhere in the mountains. It was cold and windy. Tony hated it instantly, but looking up he saw the portal was too high in the air to get back.
He rolled out of the way when Wong came through. The sorcerer landed at his side with grace. He was probably used to these kinds of stunts.
Well, back to the chase.
Tony threw his blade the same time Wong threw his rope dart, both of them hitting different rogues that were still after the book guy. The young sorcerer had toppled to the ground – and he didn’t get back up. When he tried his leg gave in under him, preventing him from getting out of here.
Tony doubted it was his only injury.
The king engaged the rogues in a duel while Wong opened another portal under the young sorcerer with the book; and closed it as soon as he fell through with a yelp.
Now it was Tony and Wong against three rogues. Angrily, they turned towards them.
Tony had Wong's back while he continued to attack them from afar with Whisperwind.
He wasn't stupid enough to face magic without a shield of his own. Luckily, Wong provided one for both of them. Tony had already noticed after today that the sorcerer was a skilled fighter, and between the two of them, the rogues stood no chance.
After the last of the three bodies had hit the snow, he pulled his blade back onto the hilt.
“Can we get out of here?” He asked, freezing from the cold.
He was shivering from the weatherand sweating from the fight at the same time. His breath came in little puffs of white fog whenever he exhaled, and he barely felt his fingers anymore.
Used to the warm climate of Midgard, Tony was not a fan of these winter mountains. Especially when he wasn’t wearing any warm clothes.
Wong nodded and opened another portal. Tony was glad to step through it, and he saw they were back in the garden of the Sorcerer's Temples.
Apparently Wong had followed the sorcerer's magical signature with the book or something like that, because they found the man. His legs had failed him and he had sunk to the grass, leaning his back against a tree.
He panted heavily, his fingers raised for another spell. As soon as he saw Wong, he dropped his hands, relief visible on his face.
“You did good,” Wong reassured the young master as he stepped up to him. “I’m taking this from here.”
The young man nodded and handed him the book. “Thank you, Master Wong,” he sighed, closing his eyes for a second.
Wong hung the book on his belt before making it disappear with a gesture.
“Where did it go?” Tony asked because apparently this old looking book was important enough that people would kill for it.
Wong patted the space where it should be, and there was a surprising solid noise.
“I hid it from prying eyes.”
“Great.” Tony turned back to the injured sorcerer. “Let's bring him to the infirmary. Can you open another one of those magic circles?”
“It’s called a portal.” Wong rolled his eyes, but there was no bite in his voice.
“Of course. Whatever you say.” Tony helped the younger sorcerer onto his feet. The boy groaned in pain as soon as he moved his leg.
Tony put his arm around his shoulders, taking most of his weight.
“Thanks,” the sorcerer muttered. “I’m Aimar, by the way.”
"Tony." Aimar didn’t seem to be aware that he was talking to royalty. Tony helped him limp through the portal that Wong had opened. “Don’t worry, you will be back in shape in no time.”
Aimar hummed. “Did we win?”
“There may be some of them left, but we will get them. You rest.”
The sorcerer nodded.
Tony helped him sit down on an empty bed in the infirmary and Aimar passed out almost instantly. Tony waved over a healer before he and Wong went back outside; this time through the front door.
Just as he was about to descend the steps of the temple, he noticed a movement and looked up. Stopping in his tracks he stared as he saw Stephen fighting another sorcerer on the roof of a temple.
Kaecilius hurled a powerful spell at Stephen, some kind of purple beam. Tony didn’t see what Stephen did, but before the beam hit him, it exploded into hundreds of butterflies. They scattered in all directions.
“Wong!”
Wong, who was instructing some apprentices, whirled around, alarmed by the king’s worried voice. His eyes followed Tony’s pointing arm.
Stephen moved as if his shoulder was injured. His movements were no longer fluid, his face tense. He was biting back the pain.
Nevertheless, he returned the attack. Wind came up, roaring into an almost visible storm of yellow and orange, moving around them. Small, delicate swirls, that suddenly morphed into needles and attacked Kaecilius.
It cut his skin and he let out an angry cry that was heard even in the yards.
Tony hated not being able to do anything to help. Even though he had fought enough wars to know when to join a fight and when to trust others to win. Any interference from him would only hinder Stephen.
He sent a prayer to all known gods that his husband would return safely to his arms.
Stephen mustered up all his strength. He couldn’t just use raw power. Kaecilius simply had more of it.
But he could try the Sorcerer Supreme’s way.
Stephen closed his eyes for a moment. His fingers touched – as he had seen the Ancient One do so often – and he crossed his hands.
The Eye of Agamotto opened, glowing bright green.
Kaecilius laughed. This was Strange’s end. You needed years of training and studies to use the Eye without any consequences. Strange was a fool for trying to use it. It would be his downfall.
As soon as the Eye opened, Stephen felt its power. It was so much more than he had ever imagined. It was like embracing a wave while trying to redirect it with nothing but his bare hands.
His broken hands.
He could only hope it would not drown him.
It was dangerous to experiment with these kinds of powers; it was easy to be corrupted by them – or crushed by them.
At that moment Stephen didn’t care. Anger and grief clouded the rational part of his mind, letting him become careless.
It also allowed him to dig deeper into his own powers.
Kaecilius hurled a spell at him and Stephen wasn’t able to block it; his whole focus went into controlling the Eye. He did manage to stay on his feet, but still slid backwards. It hurt. He was bleeding from somewhere. But there was no time to dwell on it.
The green glowing necklace on his chest felt like a pool of lava. Stephen needed to draw from it without burning his hands. It was an impossible task.
He moved his fingers anyway; in a pattern he had once read about. A spell of banishment, forceful enough for a demon.
A memory of the Ancient One came into his mind. She smiled gently at him – patiently – whenever he had thrown a tantrum. And Stephen had thrown a lot of them when he first started to study magic.
A single tear ran down his cheek.
Another attack hit Stephen and he heard Kaecilius laughing. He clenched his teeth. By now he was standing up only by willpower alone.
“Faith is my sword, truth is my shield, knowledge my armor,” he murmured. It was something the Ancient One had taught him and he had internalized the words.
Everything hurt. Especially his heart.
Stephen's mind wandered to Tony; his brave, beautiful husband, who was still at the temples somewhere. Stephen would defend him, fight for him until his dying breath.
“Let’s see if you still laugh if you meet the demon you planned to summon in person,” Stephen growled through gritted teeth.
The faint green glow that had followed the movement of his fingers, finished its pattern and lit up brightly now.
Kaecilius’ laughter stopped abruptly. There was suddenly fear in his eyes upon realization.
Stephen had done it.
With a grunt he pushed the green magic at the rogue. Kaecilius tried to dodge it, but it was to no avail. The magic wrapped around him, held him tight and confined his movements as well as his voice. The magic had him in its grip and there was no escape.
The green got brighter and brighter until it exploded in a sphere of light, as the rogue sorcerer was catapulted from this world.
Stephen barely noticed it. The blast wave from the explosion had caught him and knocked him backwards off his feet. His focus was solely on controlling the Eye, which was why he lost grip of all the other spells - including the one on his boots that had been holding him on the roof.
And thus he fell.
Tony panicked because it was too fast and Stephen was diving head first. His movements were slow and staggered as he tried to perform a spell.
However, nothing happened – his magic failed him – and Stephen continued to fall, unhindered.
Suddenly, a golden glowing portal opened in front of him; its counterpart leading to Wong, who was controlling the spell. Stephen fell through it, hitting the ground at a shallow angle that abruptly ended his fall. He tumbled across the ground, rolling over several times before coming to a halt groaning.
He felt like he had just bruised everything for a second time today.
Tony ran over to him. “Stephen! Shit, are you okay? Talk to me!”
The sorcerer struggled to get to his feet; his legs trembled and gave way under the weight of his body when he tried to move.
Tony’s hands were all over Stephen, making sure he was alive.
“You’re alright! Everything’s fine.” Tony reassured Stephen as well as his own self. Seeing his husband fight – and almost falling to death – had shaken him more than he cared to admit.
“You’re not allowed to do these kinds of stunts again. You hear me? I don’t… I need you to be safe.” His voice was shaking.
“Is he gone?” Stephen asked, his voice rough.
“That other guy? Yes, he exploded or something like that. He is gone.”
Relieved, Stephen stopped trying to get up and rolled onto his back instead. He hissed in pain. “Can you… get a healer please?”
“Of course!” Tony turned around to pass the request to Wong – because there was no way he was leaving Stephen’s side.
Only, Wong was gone. Always a step ahead, the sorcerer had hurried inside the infirmary as soon as he had closed the portal behind Stephen.
Tony praised his quick thinking. Wong deserved a raise.
Stephen was on the verge of fainting, overwhelmed by the pain that seemed to get stronger the more the adrenaline was wearing off.
He didn't notice a rogue sorcerer creeping up, a black dagger in his hand.
Not all of them were neutralized yet. The rogues were defeated, their plan had failed; but that only made the remaining ones angrier.
It was easy to direct that anger onto Strange, who had stepped in to stop them. Who was wearing the Eye of Agamotto now.
Strange, who had left the temples a while ago to play consort.
Strange, who lay defenseless on the ground. Vulnerable.
The rogue saw his chance for a quick revenge. Even with Tony at the sorcerer’s side, he thought they would be an easy target. Tony's clothes were clearly not from Kamar-Taj, so he wasn’t a Master of the Mystic Arts.
Stephen didn’t notice the rogue sneaking up.
But Tony did. With a swift motion he drew Whisperwind and swung the blade at the rogue. “Don’t you dare touch him!” he spat angrily.
Tony had been trained in sword fighting since the age of nine, when he had been tall enough to hold a wooden weapon in his hands, and wield it. His movements were practiced and precise.
The rogue sorcerer was surprised by the fury that met him. He defended himself but he stood no real chance against the fierce husband.
A blade in his chest stopped the rogue’s beating heart.
Tony stepped to him and connected the sword back into one piece before he pulled out the blade, ignoring the blood dripping from it. His eyes darted around to see if anyone else was stupid enough to attack his Stephen.
There was no one.
“Tony..” Stephen coughed weakly and Tony was back at his side instantly.
“I’m here, Stephen.”
Finally, Wong was back, a healer hot on his heels. He was startled by the freshly dead rogue next to Stephen, but Tony gave him a look that reassured him.
Everything was under control.
Tony stayed at Stephen’s side while the healer moved faintly glowing fingers over the sorcerer’s body. Tony wasn’t sure what kind of magic he did, but Stephen exhaled deeply. His breathing seemed to come easier to him after that and he was in less pain. He was even able to sit up.
It didn’t stop Tony from fussing over his husband and he only stopped when Stephen took Tony’s hands into his.
“Tony,” he spoke softly and waited until Tony looked at him. “I’m fine.”
“You’re fine…” Tony echoed.
And it was the truth: by some miracle both men had survived.
Tony accepted a cup of water handed out by some apprentices in red robes and handed it straight to his husband. Stephen drank from it and then gave it back to Tony, wordlessly asking him to do the same.
They were still sitting on the ground near the infirmary. It wasn't even midday. That such an attack had happened in broad daylight was unusual. The attackers had used the cover of the fog, but they must have been very sure of their victory. Maybe overconfident.
Stephen looked at the place where the body of the Ancient One no longer lay, and he realized something. “She knew it.”
“Who?” Tony asked.
“The Ancient One. She must have known what would happen today. She wasn’t even surprised by the alarm. She probably even suspected she would die today, and I was the person she asked to see before she… I think she wanted to make sure I was happy in Midgard.”
Stephen looked at Tony, his eyes suddenly wet.
Tony put a sympathetic hand on his arm. He had known her only for a day, but that was enough to see what an incredible woman she had been. And she had clearly cared about Stephen a lot.
Tony briefly wondered why she had not tried to prevent her death if she had known. He couldn't imagine living with that kind of knowledge and still letting it happen.
He remembered Donna’s words about time magic.
And who knew… maybe the alternatives had been even worse…
“Luckily we had chosen now to visit,” he concluded his trail of thoughts. At least that had given Stephen the opportunity to speak to his mentor one last time.
The sorcerer made a noise that sounded somewhere between a hollow laugh and a painful sob. “There are no such things as coincidences. Everything happens for a reason.”
Tony didn’t fully agree with that. They had planned this trip and informed the Sorcerer Supreme, or really anyone, only after everything had been agreed on.
On the other hand… if Stephen hadn’t stepped in fighting that evil guy – who else would have? And would they have succeeded?
Wong stepped to their side. He had stayed close to him the whole time since the fight had started. Not only as Stephen's manservant but today, as their guard and – most importantly – as Stephen’s friend.
“Stephen, The Council is meeting to decide how to proceed. They asked us to join them.” He turned his face to Tony. “As Stephen’s husband and ally of Kamar-Taj you are welcome as well.”
Stephen nodded and slowly got up to his feet. He briefly staggered when a wave of dizziness overtook for a moment, but he rejected Tony’s hand that tried to support him.
“I’m fine. Just magical exhaustion.”
Tony didn’t know anything about that. Sure, Stephen's exterior wounds seemed healed; mostly scratches and cracked skin from when he was rolling all over the ground. But he didn’t believe that deeper, internal injuries would heal just as quickly. Even with magic.
Tony was glad to be able to join the Council and keep an eye on Stephen. Although he would have understood if he had been excluded from what was clearly a discussion about internal affairs of the sorcerers.
Some might say it was way too early to deal with the political consequences; the damage caused by the attack was still being recorded. The bodies of the fallen were still being carried off the battlefields.
But this had been an act of war and war didn’t care about sensibility or anyone’s grief.
Tony wasn’t fully familiar with the command structure of the sorcerers, but he knew they were in a weaker position without their leader.
Wong led them to a nearby temple and into a smaller room. Several other men and women in robes of various colors had gathered there. They greeted the three men and introduced themselves to the King of Midgard.
Stephen removed the necklace from his neck and put it onto a pedestal that had the exact shape to hold it. Nobody else touched it.
Tony noticed someone had brought food. It was just a big bowl of rice – nobody had time to cook with the attack - but Tony was still thankful. Breakfast seemed like an eternity ago and everyone knew that council meetings could go on forever.
And really: it started with everyone present telling what had happened from their perspective. It helped to get the big picture; like pieces of a puzzle.
It took a long time and often the stories overlapped.
Stephen was the last to talk, as he reported how he managed to defeat the head of the attackers, Kaecilius.
For once, Tony leaned back and listened quietly. He only talked when he was asked to.
The council meeting was long and tedious. Some people were circling back multiple times to discuss why the incident had happened in the first place.
Tony was used to this; it was similar to holding a council with the nobles. And Stephen seemed to feel the same way, except he wasn’t shy about his opinion on that. There was a lot of eye rolling from his side and he took an active part in the discussion, although he no longer lived here. But he was still a sorcerer – the Ancient One had said he had a forever place here – and he was also still their prince.
Then the question was raised who should become the next Sorcerer Supreme, and instantly silence fell.
Stephen looked at the others and needed a moment to realize all eyes were on him. He frowned.
“No.”
“It was supposed to be you,” an older sorcerer interjected. Tony had gotten to know him as Master Hamir. “You are one of the best candidates we have ever had.”
“I have other commitments,” Stephen interjected. “And I'm going to be king.”
“Not of Kamar-Taj. It's a technicality, but the law doesn't apply in this case,” Master Minoru interjected.
Stephen was truly surprised that all his arguments were discarded and instead he even received encouragement. He hadn't expected that; he had been gone for months and had not planned on coming back for anything more than a visit.
He looked at Tony as if asking him for backup. He had made a promise to Tony the day they had married. The day he had signed the wedding contracts.
But to his surprise, Tony sided with the sorcerers. “We could arrange around your new duties.”
“It would mean that I would mostly stay in Kamar-Taj,” Stephen pointed out.
“I know.” Tony stepped closer to his husband. Stephen flinched and it almost looked like he would draw back, but he didn’t move away, his feet planted in the ground. Gently, Tony took the scarred hands into his. “I don’t want to keep you from this. It’s important to you.”
He remembered the Ancient One’s words from yesterday – and oh god it was really only yesterday they had arrived in Kamar-Taj and met her. It felt like weeks ago.
Even if it meant making sacrifices and only getting a small part of Stephen; Tony wanted him to be happy.
The other masters listened in silence. This was now a discussion between husbands. And between the rulers of a kingdom.
Stephen realized just how serious Tony was. He didn’t know how he deserved this man.
When his parents had presented him the marriage proposal he had thought that this part of his life was done and over. But now Tony offered him a second chance.
Stephen knew what it meant for Midgard and its king: Stephen would barely be there, his attention always divided between two realms that weren’t even close to each other.
How often would they even be able to see each other?
It was a big decision to make and Stephen should take his time for it. But he knew what he wanted for his future; even more so after what Tony had just offered.
“You are right.” Stephen was suddenly clear on what to say. “But there’s one thing that you didn’t consider. The most important thing.” There was a smile on his lips. “I love you.”
Tony looked at him in awe, his mind blanking. He needed a second to find his words. “You… uh, really? You really mean that?”
“I truly do. There are other perfectly fine candidates and-…”
Tony pulled him into a kiss. It was a kiss that spoke of whispered confessions and shared dreams.
Stephen would stay at Tony’s side. He chose Tony.
Tony was enough for him.
He felt like the happiest man alive.
Tony only remembered there were other people in the room when someone cleared their throat. He didn’t care; kissing his husband wasn’t the worst he had been caught doing.
Stephen's cheeks, on the other hand, were tinted red. He stood up a bit straighter when he turned to the other masters, but he kept his fingers interlaced with Tony’s, who was outright beaming.
“I decline,” Stephen announced what they had come to realize was his final answer. “That doesn’t mean I won’t aid you if anything happens. Just not in the position as the Sorcerer Supreme. Instead I propose Loki, Prince of Asgard, for that.”
Now, those words surprised some of the sorcerers.
Some others didn’t seem shocked at all.
“We will consider it,” Master Hamir said.
And somehow that marked the end of this meeting.
_____________
Taglist: @goopierthenyou (tell me if you want to be added/removed)
Mermaid!Stephen
(@riverthunder knows what I'm talking about)
I almost forgot I drew royal! Tony Stark ages ago
Consort and King
Just Tony in a three piece maroon suit. That's it. I worked on a similar suit last weekend and was inspired.
Maybe a more detailed version of this. Probably.
Consort and King [IronStrange]
Summary: Anthony Stark, King of Midgard, needs a spouse. Whether he wants one or not. So he accepts an arranged marriage with the Prince of Kamar-Taj – a man he has never met in his life to the day they are standing in front of each other at the altar, speaking their vows. Is it possible that the feeling of duty grows into something more? Will their future be happy?
Relationship: Tony Stark / Stephen Strange
Tags: arranged marriage au, royal au, strangers to husbands, enemies to lovers, slow burn, idiots in love, fluff, hurt/comfort, miscommunication, all the good stuff
Author's note: Beta by @kvjjjjjj
Ko-fi | Read it on AO3 | Series Masterlist | Word count: 2.9k | Previous
Epilogue: The Coronation
Tony woke up from a ray of sunlight tickling his eyes. He grimaced at the interruption to his peaceful slumber. He squeezed his eyes shut further in a futile attempt to keep out the light.
Grumbling, he turned from his back onto his side, pulling the blanket with him to shield his face from any further disturbance from the sun.
But now something else tickled him in the face.
Tony opened his eyes in irritation – and noticed a flop of black hair with white streaks poking him in the nose and eyes.
Tony’s lips curled into a relaxed smile. He still wasn’t fully used to this; Stephen staying in his chambers overnight, to him being the first thing Tony saw in the morning.
Tony adored it. And he didn’t want this to ever change, their routine that they had built together. One he wished continued, for all the days to come.
A more than pleasant warmth spread in his chest, slowly radiating into every one of his limbs, filling him with deep-rooted contentment and peace. And love.
Tony could tell the sorcerer was still sound asleep by the steady rhythm of his chest. He didn’t want to wake Stephen yet – although he knew they had to get up soon – so he just put his arm around Stephen's shoulder and buried his face in that dark hair, inhaling the scent of his husband.
Stephen must have been only at the brink of sleep, because he stirred. Slowly he moved his head up, in search of the source of the sensation that had torn him from his sleep.
He noticed Tony and looked at him with sleepy eyes, blinking a few times before having any coherent thought.
It was unbearably cute. Tony had no choice but to kiss him, placing a little peck on the sorcerer’s lips.
“Hmm…” Stephen closed his eyes again and hummed delightfully.
“Good morning,” Tony whispered fondly, a smile permanently etched onto his face.
“Morning.” Stephen's voice was raspy from the lingering sleepiness. It was and will forever be Tony's favorite thing to hear in the morning.
The king smiled and lifted himself halfway onto his arms to lean over Stephen's face. He pressed a soft kiss onto his lips.
“It’s your special day.”
Stephen cocked up an eyebrow. “Oh really? I almost forgot because it’s merely the only thing everyone talked about these last few weeks.”
Tony shoved him playfully. “Douchebag.”
But before he could withdraw to the other side of the bed, Stephen slung his arms around him and pulled him close. Tony's resistance was half-hearted at best and died down fast. He settled against Stephen's chest.
“We could stay in bed all day and reschedule to tomorrow,” he suggested.
“Great idea.” Stephen buried his face into Tony’s soft hair. “You’re the one telling Pepper.”
“Absolutely not.
“It’s my special day,” Stephen reminded him. “So I won’t do it either.”
Tony couldn't argue against that. “We can ask Jarvis,” he settled and Stephen agreed, not taking this whole argument seriously anyway.
He moved his hand into Tony’s hair and started playing with it, brushing his fingers against the scalp. Tony let out a content noise and closed his eyes.
It was the day of Stephen's coronation and there were still a thousand things left to do – yet they couldn't seem to care, basking in each other’s presence.
Until a knock on the door finally reminded them of the world outside these four walls.
Jarvis entered, carrying a tray with breakfast. “Good morning, Sirs.”
“Is there any possibility we can stay another hour in bed?” Tony asked, groaning. He turned his head back to Stephen, who had sat up, putting his feet on the carpet. “Don’t get up. He hasn’t answered yet.”
Stephen rolled his eyes affectionately, and fished his robes from where they hung over the back of a chair.
“I’m afraid duty awaits,” Jarvis dashed Tony's hopes of a lazy morning. “Your bath is drawn and Miss Potts awaits you in the throne room afterwards.”
“I’ll use my own bath,” Stephen told him and the manservant nodded.
“I will inform Wong.”
Stephen saw his husband off by pressing another brief kiss onto his lips. Then he left the King’s Chambers – not without taking the tea Jarvis had brought with him.
By now, he almost slept as often in Tony’s bed as in his own; still he enjoyed the luxury of his own space.
______________
An hour later they met with Pepper in the throne room to go over everything one last time.
As the already reigning king, Tony had taken the role of the officiator, signifying that he approved of the to-be king.
He stood in front of the two thrones, solemnly, facing the room. This area was elevated by a step and since Stephen was standing on the lower level, Tony registered with a sly smirk that – for once – he was taller than the sorcerer.
Waiting for him to speak, Stephen noticed his smirk and raised one eyebrow.
“Consort Stephen, are you willing to take the Oath?” Tony asked, quoting the ceremonial speech.
“I am willing,” Stephen said. He had the easier part of the two of them; he mostly had to answer the questions.
“Will you, Consort Stephen, get drunk with me…” out of the corner of his eye, Tony saw Pepper’s eyes shoot up in a glare next to them as he changed the text on the spur of the moment. His smirk got even bigger. “…before the ceremony, to be able to bear all the people and their long and boring speeches?”
“Tony, please. We’re on a schedule,” Pepper scolded him exasperated. Normally used to his antics, she had been extra stressed these past few days before the event she had basically been planning on her own for months.
Sighing, she turned to Stephen and expected him to step in. Between the two men the sorcerer was usually the more dutiful one.
Stephen's eyes were on his husband. “I’m so glad you asked. Please! I really do.”
Pepper threw her hands in the air, giving up. “Not you too! Fine! If you want to make a fool of yourselves in front of no less than seven realms, be my guest.”
She seemed truly upset this time, which was why Tony stepped to her, raising his hands placatingly. “Pep. My friend. Best coronation planner of all kingdoms. We have been rehearsing this for weeks. Stephen and I know every single word and every gesture by heart.”
His reassuring voice made her take a deep breath, calming her down a bit.
Maybe she was the one needing a drink, she thought.
Tony took her hands, smiling at her calmly. He was joined by Stephen, who stepped next to them. “Everything will go smoothly,” the sorcerer promised.
“Exactly,” Tony agreed. “We’ll make you proud.” Like she was a mother of two not always well behaved boys.
“This isn’t about me.” Pepper was quick to object. And really, this was Stephen’s day. He was going to be crowned a King today.
“But we couldn't have done this without you.”
Pepper tried to hide her blush and the smile on her lips. “Alright. I guess I really prepared you the best I could.” She already was very proud of both of them. No matter how this day would go.
“You did.” Tony let her hands go and she shooed them both away.
“Fine. Enough rehearsal. Go get ready.”
Amused, Tony and Stephen took the opportunity to leave. They still had a little time before the guests arrived and they had to get changed.
“Getting drunk really sounds tempting,” Stephen admitted in a low voice.
“It really does,” Tony sighed. “But Pepper is going to behead us and proclaim a republic if we do that.”
“Vishanti forbid. In the end, she will install a democracy..”
“Just imagine.” Tony clutched his heart, dramatically. “The horror…”
Laughing, they went to enjoy their last hour alone before the palace would be filled with people.
__________________
Finally, the time had come for the coronation. The palace was packed; more so than at their wedding. It was so full that some guests were even happy to just stand in the back of the throne room.
It was a joyous day. The windows showed a perfect blue sky – as if even the gods blessed this occasion.
The guests chattered amongst each other, using the event to catch up with people from the other kingdoms that they rarely saw.
But as soon as the music started, all eyes turned forward expectantly.
Tony entered the room from the side door in the front. Everyone stood up respectfully on his arrival. Tony eyed the front row while walking to the center: it was reserved for family and close friends.
He spotted Donna Strange, who beamed happily. He winked at her. Her brother was about to arrive.
Tony stood in front of the thrones, solemnly, facing the room. The music changed and the big double door in the back opened.
Everyone watched the procession with Stephen as the main act. His ceremonial gowns were still robes in the style of Kamar-Taj but in the colors of the House of Stark. It was an art of red and gold.
One of the pieces looked suspiciously like the red cloak Tony had gifted his husband.
Stephen stopped in front of the king the same time the music ended. A cushion marked his place in front of the steps that led to the thrones, and Stephen kneeled on it, lowering his head.
Tony stood straighter and raised his eyes back to the crowd before he opened his mouth.
“People of Midgard, Allies of Midgard, Friends of Midgard. Before you kneels – humbly – Stephen Vincent Strange, Consort of the King of Midgard, Prince of Kamar-Taj. If you have any objections to his approval as a King of this kingdom, you may object now.”
There was a deafening silence. As if everyone was trying not to make even a noise by breathing.
Tony smiled, his eyes back on Stephen. Even though the sorcerer appeared calm on the outside, Tony knew he was nervous. He noticed the little tells: the shaking hands, the tight jaw, and that he refused to even do as much as glance up to him.
They had rehearsed this many times. Like Tony had said: Stephen knew his words by heart; he didn’t do things halfway.
But the public was unpredictable. There was always a last doubt left; would everything go as planned?
As if the hall wasn’t filled with people that loved and adored the man. Not just friends and family but also nobles and members of the aristocracy, as well as citizens.
There were several royal servants assisting. One of them stepped at Tony’s side, presenting him a golden scepter on a cushion. Tony took it and gave it to Stephen, who took it carefully.
“Consort Stephen, are you willing to take the Oath?” he asked his husband, his voice strong enough to carry even to the last row of their audience.
And Stephen answered, “I am willing.”
“Will you solemnly promise and swear to govern the People of Midgard according to their respective laws and customs?”
“I solemnly promise to do so.”
“Will you – to your power – cause Law and Justice, in Mercy, to be executed in all your judgments?”
“I will.”
Another royal servant brought a pillow on which the crown was resting. The boy tried to hide his excitement, but he was only partially successful; the barely concealed smile betrayed him.
Tony exchanged a quick glance with him. He had personally chosen Peter for this task; it would be his last as a servant boy. Stephen and he had agreed that it was time for the boy to get a full royal education.
It was never soon enough to secure the future of the realm.
Tony took the crown – a beautiful piece made by a master of his craft – and turned back to the sorcerer. He held it in the air right above Stephen's head.
“I hereby declare you, Stephen Vincent Strange, King of Midgard.”
He lowered the crown onto his head. It fit perfectly.
Stephen lifted his face and his eyes met Tony’s who grinned proudly at him. Infected by it, Stephen mirrored it. He elegantly rose to his feet and the trumpet call rang out, signaling that a new King now joined the former as rulers of the kingdom. The royal court offered up three cheers.
“Long live King Strange!”
“Long live King Stark!”
“Long live the Kings!”
The crowd was on their feet and the cheers went on when Tony extended a hand – their fingers entwining – as he led his husband ceremoniously to their thrones.
They turned around like the unit they were, presenting their front to the audience. The cheers grew louder as they sat down.
Midgard now had two Kings.
This marked the end of the official part of the ceremony. Next up, guests would present gifts and congratulations to the new ruler.
Donna was first to step up to them and she lingered in a curtsy. “Your Majesty, congratulations and sincere best wishes on this special occasion. I wish you and King Stark a long, successful and joyous reign together.”
“Thank you, Princess Strange.”
Donna looked up at her brother, so very proud of him. A servant approached them, carrying a casket that was opened in front of Stephen.
Donna gestured to its contents. “I took the liberty to hand-select the gifts to the new king myself.” Her smile turned into a mischievous one.
Stephen spotted family heirlooms from the House of Strange. Most of them were normally passed onto the first born child; but Stephen was sure their parents had never wanted them to leave the Kingdom of Kamar-Taj.
Donna clearly hadn’t told them what she had packed.
Stephen was touched by the gesture. It was a piece of his old home he was allowed to keep.
“Thank you, Donna.” He spoke quietly and more intimately than the occasion normally would allow. “I look forward to your coronation.”
He really did.
The siblings looked at each other, smiling softly. When they were children, they would have never thought they would be standing here in front of each other for this kind of event. It was reassuring that after everything that had happened, they still had each other; even when they belonged to different realms now.
With another curtsy, Donna left, heading to the ballroom, where the rest of the festivities will take place.
Next in line were Thor and Loki; both grinning broadly.
“On behalf of the King and Queen of Asgard, we wish you a long, happy and successful reign,” Thor spoke first as the older one, addressing both kings.
A wooden chest was put down in front of them. Loki opened it with a swirl of his hand, revealing – to Tony’s surprise – an axe.
In his eyes it didn’t seem fitting; while it wasn’t an unusual gift for this kind of occasion – even if there were better choices – Stephen wasn’t known for wielding them. Not with his own hands. Especially a heavy one like this.
But glancing at Stephen, Tony noticed him looking at it with awe.
“The Axe of Angarruumus.” Stephen's eyes moved from the chest back to Loki. The gift had definitely been the mage’s idea. “I see you use your time in Kamar-Taj well.”
Stephen had heard that soon after he had proposed Loki for the position of Sorcerer Supreme, Loki started spending more and more time in the Sorcerer’s Temples. Becoming Sorcerer Supreme was a long process with many tests before he was awarded the title. But Stephen had no doubt the Asgardian prince would manage it; if he set his mind to it.
“Actually, this is from the vault of our father. I believe you can make better use of it.”
“I will. Thank you. I’m very honored to receive this.”
“You should also visit me in Kamar-Taj soon. I’m thinking about redecoration,” Loki added, teasingly.
Stephen smiled and had no intention to bite. He didn’t feel the urge to compete with Loki anymore – at least not in this regard. He was happy where he was – at Tony’s side, ruling the Kingdom of Midgard. Maybe he would make plans to bring magic into this realm; which would be a task for a whole lifetime.
“I’m looking forward to hearing your ideas,” he therefore replied.
Loki’s smile grew more honest, they were past their days of competing and one-upping banter.
Thor and Loki left to go to the ballroom and the next guests in line stepped forward. It would take a while to exchange friendly words with everyone but Stephen couldn't mind less. He was happy; this was a joyous day. Not only because he had been crowned a king, but also because of his fantastic husband at his side.
In a short break between two guests, Stephen took Tony’s hand in his. Brown eyes looked at him, silently asking if everything was alright.
Everything was just perfect.
Stephen kept his voice low, when he asked, “I was wondering: is there something like a coronation night.” He winked at Tony, who caught up immediately.
“Oh absolutely.” His smile became wicked. “I will show you how to be a King outside, and in the bedroom.” His words were husky, promising.
"I look forward to that," Stephen said with a smile of his own. "Your Majesty."
_____________
Taglist: @goopierthenyou (tell me if you want to be added/removed)
That's it, folks. You made it to the end of this fic. Thank you for reading! ♥
Consort and King [IronStrange]
Summary: Anthony Stark, King of Midgard, needs a spouse. Whether he wants one or not. So he accepts an arranged marriage with the Prince of Kamar-Taj – a man he has never met in his life to the day they are standing in front of each other at the altar, speaking their vows. Is it possible that the feeling of duty grows into something more? Will their future be happy?
Relationship: Tony Stark / Stephen Strange
Tags: arranged marriage au, royal au, strangers to husbands, enemies to lovers, slow burn, idiots in love, fluff, hurt/comfort, miscommunication, all the good stuff
Author's note: I just love writing ballroom chapters, okay? Beta by @kvjjjjjj
Ko-fi | Read it on AO3 | Series Masterlist | Word count: 3.6k | Previous | Next
Chapter 10: The Ball
In Tony’s opinion it wasn’t proper to be the first to show up at an event, so by the time they reached the ballroom, the celebration was in full swing.
Stephen had humored him, not really caring about these things anymore ever since he joined the ranks of the sorcerers. He figured he should go back to caring, considering he was going to be a king soon. Even if it was just for Tony’s sake. Stephen wanted to be a good partner and spouse to him. One that Tony could rely on.
Wearing the gloves as usual in public, Stephen had his arm linked with Tony’s, who led them to the hosts in order to greet them; as it was custom.
King Odin and Queen Frigga stood near the thrones, surrounded by people that wanted to talk to them. It bore no problem to Tony slipping through and getting their attention anyway – as Stephen noted with amusement.
“Ah, King Stark.” Odin noticed them first. His eyes wandered to Stephen. “And it’s Consort Strange now, isn’t it?”
“Congratulations on your wedding,” Frigga added, stepping next to her husband.
“Thank you,” Stephen said, while Tony and Odin shook their hands in greeting. Then Tony took Frigga’s hand and blew a kiss on the back of it.
“You look lovely as ever. May your upcoming year be as bright as today’s summer solstice.” Tony had his charm on full blast and the Queen’s pleased smile told it wasn’t too much but just enough.
Tony also registered that Stephen kept his hands to himself and didn’t offer them to the king and queen – who in return didn’t seem offended by that.
He remembered what his husband had told him: he had been here quite a lot after his accident, they knew about his hands and were polite enough not to comment on it.
“Thank you.” Frigga gestured around the room. “Make sure you enjoy yourself tonight. Eat, drink and dance.”
“We absolutely will.” Tony barely held back a wink, because that had been his plan all along; he was going to enjoy the evening with Stephen.
He caught Frigga's gaze; she was watching him and Stephen. It made him wonder what the two husbands looked like to bystanders. There wasn’t any tension between them anymore. At least not the bad kind. Instead they had established a flirty banter, and Tony felt a lot of affection towards his partner.
Oh how much had changed since their wedding. Although it had been merely a few months.
Tony preferred how things were now; by far.
He and Stephen followed the request of the hosts to join the guests of the ball.
People were chatting with each other in small groups or dancing to the music. The murmur of voices is ever present in the lovely decorated ballroom.
Some people toast to each other. Stephen heard the clink of glasses and in the corner of his eyes he noticed the light from the chandeliers reflected in the crystal glass.
It was a game that was familiar to him; after all he grew up with this. And as a prince, eyes had always been on him. He knew it was the same for Tony.
It had been a while since he attended an official event. After he had left the Royal Palace of his parents and started the Mystic Arts, he had taken no interest in them. He had thrown the few invitations that had reached him in the Sorcerer's Temples, straight into the trash. But tonight he found himself excited to make the most of it. A pleasant smile took over his face and he angled his body closer to his husband; who was clearly a vital reason for his good mood.
“Stephen.” Someone called from behind them.
The sorcerer sighed, closing his eyes for a second, before his face became a polite mask and he turned around. “Mother. Father.”
Of course the King and Queen of Kamar-Taj were also invited to the ball. Stephen had been a fool for paying it no mind.
His mother hugged him, although it felt stiff and weird, and was more for show than anything else. She had been the one calling out to him, too. His father practically ignored him and turned to Tony at his side instead.
“King Stark. We finally meet.”
“It’s about time, I would say.” Tony had his charm on full blast when he greeted his parents-in-law. But even while trading pleasantries he stayed at his husband’s side, his hand not leaving the small of Stephen’s back. As if to reassure him that he wasn't alone.
Stephen hadn't talked much about his parents, but it was enough to keep Tony on his guard and his smile not entirely honest.
The King and Queen of Kamar-Taj were happy how the alliance between the two countries had turned out. The trade was growing and everyone agreed that the union had turned out well.
Tony was fully engaged in the conversation about politics and Stephen was glad that he didn't have to contribute much. This was even enjoyable. Maybe his relationship with his parents could take a turn for the better; perhaps he just needed more distance after all. And honestly, that had been one of the reasons why he had turned to magic after his accident: to get space.
But then his father said to Tony, “You seem to handle my son quite well.”
Stephen wished the floor would open up beneath him and swallow him up.
“Pardon?” Irritated, Tony looked at the other king.
“Oh, we know he can be a handful, if you catch on to what I’m saying.”
Tony was still smiling, but his voice got a sharp edge. “I don’t. Please elaborate.”
“Tony, don’t,” Stephen asked him quietly, but his husband didn’t listen.
“No, I want to hear this.”
The king and queen were visibly uncomfortable he was insisting on this.
“Well, he has told you about his accident, hasn’t he?” King Strange was suddenly unsure. And rightly so, because it hadn't been mentioned at all during the wedding negotiations. His parents had sent Stephen away to let him deal with it on his own. They had been sure: by this point, more than half a year into the marriage, he had told Stark about it.
Had he not?
Tony nodded and motioned to them to go on.
Stephen's father wet his lips, finally glancing at his son, even if just for a second. “His hands haven’t been the same ever since. He always needed extra attention after it and-…”
“Oh, he gets all the attention he needs,” Tony interrupted him. “And his hands are magical.” He darted Stephen a gentle smile, before looking back at the parents, ready to attack. “He is quite skilled with them too, if you ask me. Kept me up in pleasure plenty of nights – if you catch on to what I’m saying.”
The king and queen looked scandalized, while Stephen was clearly amused. Tony decided that the conversation was over and led the sorcerer away. He was fuming, but for the sake of this event and his husband, he breathed through his anger.
He stopped in a quiet corner of the ballroom.
“I’m sorry about that,” Tony apologized. After all they were still Stephen's parents and ruler of an allied country. Even if they were shitty.
Stephen stared at him in disbelief. “You are sorry? I am sorry about my parents. They are…” He tried to find the right words, when Tony helped him out.
“A handful?”
The sorcerer huffed a laugh. It wasn’t a full chuckle, but he visibly relaxed. And he felt much less self-doubt than usual after talking to his parents, probably mostly due to the fact that Tony stood up for him.
Tony was just glad to see that frown on his husband’s face gone. “I don’t know about you but I could use a snack.”
Without waiting for an answer, he headed for the nearest servant with a food tray and took plenty for them both. Back at Stephen's side, he handed him a tartare.
Stephen took it and bit into it. It was really great. “Thank you, Tony.”
“You really don’t need to thank me for food.” He knew this wasn't about the food, but neither of them said it out loud.
Tony couldn’t get over the fact that even though their son had married someone none of them had ever met before and they hadn’t seen their son for months, they didn’t even ask Stephen once how he was doing. If he was okay.
The more he thought about it, the more angrier he got again.
His relationship with his own father hadn’t always been the best, but he at least remembered his mother’s love that he received before she died way too early. And he knew that his father’s actions were based on grief. That he hadn’t been able to cope with the loss.
It didn’t excuse anything. But Tony had matured enough to understand it.
His mind wandered to Peter, who wasn’t even his own son, but he still treated him with more care and affection than Howard ever did with him.
But a ball wasn’t the place nor the time to think about these things. Tony chased these thoughts away by stuffing the last few bites into his mouth and grabbing Stephen's wrist. "Have you met Lord T'Challa yet?" he asked with his mouth full and when the sorcerer shook his head he dragged him into the crowd.
As they mingled with people they realized that their circle of mutual acquaintances was quite large. Of course, this was not surprising in the sense that they both came from royal families. What was more surprising was the question of how they had managed to not meet before their wedding.
As the evening progressed, they parted company to pursue various conversations.
Stephen was talking to some royal scholars when – unexpectedly – Loki appeared at Tony’s side.
“You found yourself a rather handsome consort. Kudos. I didn’t think you had it in you to pull Strange of all people.”
Tony wasn't sure which one bothered him more: the lack of any manners or the prince’s presence in general. “Jealous?” he asked, not willing to put any effort in this conversation.
The corners of Loki's mouth twitched in a hint of a smirk. He probably had fun annoying the king. “His parents would never see me as a good fit for any of their children.”
That wasn’t a no, and somehow thinking about Loki and Stephen soured Tony’s mood. The two of them clearly had a history, as their meeting in the garden had shown. But of what kind?
Tony tried to sound nonchalant when he stated, “You two seem rather close,” but he failed; judging by Loki’s face.
Instead of answering, the prince requested, “Let’s dance.” It really sounded more like a demand, but Tony decided to play his game. Since his attention was on Loki, he failed to notice that Stephen had spotted the two of them talking in the crowd and furrowed his brow when he saw Tony leading Loki to the dance floor.
It was a slow waltz, which gave them plenty of time to continue their conversation and sure enough Loki did not fail to rub it in his face, “Powerful magic wielders tend to gravitate to each other. Either because of admiration or hatred for each other.”
“And in which category do you two fall into?”
“We haven’t decided yet,” Loki answered cryptically.
Tony left it at that and they continued to dance in silence. His eyes wandered back to Stephen, who was still engrossed in conversation but he glanced over to the two dancers every now and then.
Tony had never thought about his husband’s magic abilities. They were just there. Sure, he had witnessed Stephen using his powers in his everyday life. Mostly for small things, to help with his hands. Tony had come to terms with it, but he admittedly knew relatively little about his magic.
“Is Stephen that powerful?”
Tony had seen a glimpse of something more the day they had been sparring. He had pulled Rhodey off his feet easily.
Loki looked at him as if he was exceptionally stupid. “He would have become the next Sorcerer Supreme if it wasn’t for his marriage with you.”
Even Tony knew that this was the highest position any mage could ask for – no matter if they preferred the Mystic Arts, Seidr or any other form of magic.
“Can’t he do both?”
"There's a reason that in Kamar-Taj the royal house and the path of magic are separated.”
His words made the king pause. He knew that his magic was important to Stephen. They had talked about it. And it didn’t sit well with him that he was the reason for Stephen’s relinquishment – the arranged marriage his parents dictated onto him.
He spent the rest of the dance caught up in his thoughts and Loki let him.
When the music stopped, they did as well. Tony turned to leave the dance floor, but Loki held his hand tightly. He briefly glanced at the crowd before leaning down to the smaller king and whispering into his ear. “For a Stark, you don’t dance half as bad. It’s a shame it comes with that face.”
Before Tony could open his mouth to complain, Stephen suddenly appeared at his side, his eyes on Loki, coldly. “If you don’t mind, I would like a dance with my husband.”
The Asgardian finally let Tony go and stepped back. “Don’t think too hard about what I told you,” he winked at the king before he left.
Tony already knew he would think way too hard about it. He let Stephen lead him into the next dance, as the music resumed.
“What was that about?” Stephen asked.
“Actually, I’m not sure. I think he insulted me at least twice.”
“He does that,” the sorcerer agreed.
There was something different about him. His eyes felt more intense, when Tony finally looked up. They were clear blue like the sea. But a storm was brewing underneath. He looked determined, like a man on a mission.
Stephen led this dance and Tony didn’t even question it. The touch of his scarred hands felt light but for once they didn’t tremble. He had to use magic for that.
Tony blurted out, “Do you miss Kamar-Taj?”
Stephen barely missed a beat. “Yes.” But it didn’t sound remorseful. Instead he added, “I miss how it used to be. But I know it wouldn’t be the same if I returned. I have found a new place. At your side.”
Tony’s smile was gentle, happy even, at that confession.
For Stephen it looked like the early rays of the morning sun.
“I’m glad to hear that. We could visit anyway. I would love to see that place.”
Surprised by the proposal, Stephen blinked. “If you wish.” His eyes had softened, the storm shrinking. But his words were too formal for Tony’s taste.
“No, if you wish. I’m not insisting on it. Just telling you I’m open to the idea if that is something you would like to do.”
When Stephen would look back later, he would realize that it had been this moment for him. The moment he knew everything would turn out fine and that the marriage had been the right decision. That Tony was worth all the former reluctance, their arguments. Everything. It had been worth it.
“Do you want to get some fresh air?” He asked and Tony nodded, not minding the change of topic.
“Sure.”
After the song ended they left the dance floor and with their fingers interlaced, they made their way through the crowd.
A door led them onto a balcony. Despite the late hour, the sun was only just making its way to the horizon. They stepped up to the balcony railing to watch its descent.
Below the palace was the golden capital of Asgard. Colorful lanterns hung everywhere and people were on the streets, celebrating the summer solstice in honor of the queen. People were laughing, dancing and drinking. The air was buzzing with their excellent mood.
Stephen and Tony were content in each other’s presence. Tony was leaning against the taller man, while Stephen had his arm around his waist.
“It seems like we’re in luck to see a rare pink sunset. They are very special,” Stephen explained, his gaze fixed on the endless sky.
And really, the light of the setting sun colored the sky in a pinkish hue. In fact the color changed – slowly but steadily – the closer the orb came to the horizon. From a pinkish–lilac to some kind of orange and yellow.
It was a phenomenal view.
“Isn’t it fascinating how the same thing can look so different, depending on the point of view?” Tony muttered more to himself.
Stephen made a sound of agreeing anyway.
The colorful sky lasted only for a few minutes. Then the sun disappeared and night finally fell. It immediately became darker, but the many lanterns in the city bathed everything in a cozy light.
Tony turned in Stephen's arm, now looking up at him. Their eyes met. At that moment time didn’t matter. It was just them.
Tony cupped his husband's face; and Stephen met the kiss halfway. It was gentle and full of affection. Until Tony opened his mouth and the kiss became more heated.
Their bodies pressed flush against each other, they basked in each other’s warmth.
Stephen was the first to remember that they were at a public event. When he detached from Tony, albeit reluctantly, his cheeks were flushed and his lips swollen. He shared Tony's lopsided smile.
There was so much he wanted to say to Tony. He felt grateful for tonight; to have this handsome man at his side; for being able to call him his husband; how Tony handled Stephen’s parents; everything.
He wasn’t used to things turning out fine and remaining good. Without any catch whatsoever. He realized he was waiting for the shoe to drop.
It was ridiculous.
Stephen was willing to allow himself to just be happy. To enjoy life.
Before he could voice any of that, Tony pulled him towards the door. “Let’s go back inside. I want to dance some more with you.”
Stephen was only too happy to be pulled along and did so without any hesitation.
They danced and mingled with the people. They ate and drank and had a lot of fun. It was late at night when they retired to their guest room. Or early in the morning – depending on the view.
Tony put his crown off his head onto a table.
“Are you fine with sharing a bed?” He asked while his many rings followed the crown.
Stephen scoffed. “We are married. I think I can manage.”
Turning towards him, Tony raised an eyebrow. “That’s not what you said on our wedding night.”
And they really were at that point of being comfortable with each other that they could talk and joke about this without feeling personally attacked. They had come a long way.
“My wish for having a space of my own has nothing to do with my willingness to share a bed with you,” Stephen stated without looking at him. He shed his outer robes and laid them neatly folded over the back of a chair.
Tony blinked at that. He walked to the bed and sat on it to take off his shoes. “Could have fooled me,” he muttered.
That made Stephen pause.
“I have to apologize,” he realized. Tony looked up, surprised, but Stephen continued, before he could open his mouth. “You had been welcoming me into your home and been nothing but nice in those first days, although you were also forced into this marriage. And I didn’t even try to get to know you. I was determined to resent everything.”
The sorcerer wrung his hands, either due to nervousness or maybe even regret. He exhaled, sighing.
Tony’s eyes softened. He patted on the mattress next to him. “Come here, Stephen.”
Stephen sat down, his posture stiff. It wasn’t easy for him to open up about his emotions. And after Tony met his parents, he no longer wondered why.
“It’s true, we didn’t have the best start to begin with and it could have gone better. But we’re over that now. At least I feel that way. I mean, tonight was a lot of fun and you’re quite a decent dancer, so that’s definitely a plus. I guess what I’m trying to say,” Tony concludes because at this point he was starting to ramble, “I’m glad it’s you I’m married to.”
“You’re not so bad of a husband yourself.” Stephen’s smile was gentle. “You never cease to amaze me with your passion and your ability to love; your people, your men, Peter…” He cupped Tony’s face. “And I’m proud to call myself your consort.”
He leaned in and kissed Tony. It was a slow kiss – a promise for the future, for his willingness to make this work.
“You may take your last statement back, if you steal my blanket tonight.” Tony tried to muster his most serious face afterwards.
“Oh?” Stephen's eyebrow shot up, immediately catching on. “Will you be proclaiming a territory of high ground on your favorite bedside next?"
The king grinned ambiguously. "I'd be open for negotiation."
Stephen chuckled, but didn't entertain the idea further. It was late and both of them were more than ready to go to bed; each on their own side.
After the last candle was blown out, it didn't take long for Stephen to fall asleep. Tony heard the steady breathing from the other end of the mattress. Crossing his arms behind his head, the king stared up at the ceiling. His eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness. The light from the stars shone in through the window.
It had been nice to attend the ball with a husband and not alone.
Tony turned his head, watching Stephen's relaxed features. For the first time he truly felt like he was married, like there was someone at his side he trusted – and he had to admit: it was really nice.
With a soft smile on his lips, he closed his eyes and soon after he was fast asleep.
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