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[ Tony recognizes the sudden shift in the pub's lighting as a sign to order Stephen a drink. He finishes his own glass and waves the bartender down. ] Another scotch and, uh- Gin martini, extra dirty. [ A beat. ] You- You guys understand what that means, right? More olive brine?

[ The bartender rolls her eyes but makes the drinks as Tony turns around to face Strange. He gulps, but smiles. ]

[ He steps into the pub, sees Tony immediately and feels a very complicated mess of emotions. He licks his lips. ]

Hello.

[ After a second of hesitation he sits down on the bar stool next to Tony. ]

Hi. [ Okay. That was. Neutral. So it really was just the magic, then. That's- That's fine. Tony can live with that. He is definitely not heartbroken, and his face absolutely doesn't fall.

The bartender finishes their drinks, giving Stephen the martini, and Tony the glass of scotch. Tony instantly lifts his drink in a toast. ] To... [ Tony laughs, trying not to look to disappointed. ] I dunno. [ There's a sad smile on his face as he says: ] You pick.

[ Give him a minute. He was never good at this to begin with. ]

To... wait... [ Stephen pauses as he considers the martini. ] Did you get me a drink on your birthday?

[ Well, maybe Tony's not furious with him. Or scared of him. ]

I'm buying the next round.

[ Tony laughs. ] It's fine, Stephen. [ Not doc. Not Strange. He glances up, briefly locking eyes with a slight smile before he looks away. ] People've been buying me drinks all night. I'm allowed to buy one [ He points a finger in the air for emphasis. ] for someone else.

[ He really should stop flirting; he's getting his hopes up. Tony clears his throat. ] But, alright. My karaoke performances can only buy me so much. [ Smirk. ] Next one's on you.

Do you want me to demand you buy me a second one instead? [ Some slight tension drops from his shoulders and he takes a sip of his drink. Tony seems very normal even after everything. He can breath a little easier.

His eyes drop down to Tony's neck as he clears his throat because he can't stop himself from seeing him the hickey he attempted was still there or not. God, what an idiot he was. ]

I don't do karaoke. [ That's Wong's thing. ] But if there's bar trivia we're going to win.

[ The hickey's mostly faded, leaving the slightest little pinkish mark. ] Well, you are a very demanding guy. [ Tony sounds practically out of breath as he smirks lazily and makes the one-liner he can't hold back. He tries to make the very brief "Why did I say that?" wince that crosses his face a second later as unnoticeable as he can. ]

Heh. Okay. Bar trivia. It's a- [ Don't say date, idiot. ] Nice idea. [ He exhales, hating himself. ] Don't know if they do that here, though.

[ Again, Stephen licks his lips. There's a little warmth to have Tony flirt again. It feels almost normal before Stephen lost control. And the want is all his own. He simply doesn't know what to do about that. ] I know what I want. And I usually get it.

[ Maybe flirting a little. He's trying. ]

We could ask the bartender. [ He looks to see if the man is busy. ] Or just start asking me random questions.

[ He chuckles. Yes, usually. Except when the magic cape stops him, Tony guesses. Which, speaking of- ] Y'know, better than bar trivia, I'm curious: How'd you meet your, uh- [ He scoffs, shakes his head with unmistakable fondness. ] Wingman. [ With a gesture towards the Cloak of Levitation. ] If you'll both excuse the pun. [ Get it? Cuz it helps Strange fly... It could (He could?) hear, right? Whatever, it's magic, like the carpet in Aladdin. Doesn't matter. ]

[ The cloak waves since they've been brought up. But really, this was painful to watch. They are surrounded by hopeless fools. ]

The Cloak of Levitation was kept at the New York Sanctum when it came under attack by a dark sorcerer named Kaecilius. I was an apprentice then but tried to defend the place. The Cloak saw and chose me to wear them. [ There is a fondness in his voice when he talks about the cloak. ] I suppose my first efforts at the Sorcerer Supreme business were impressive enough.

[ Tony listens as he drains the rest of his glass. ] I certainly can't think of a better man for the job. [ And it wasn't just kindness (flirtation) making Tony say that; Strange genuinely was brilliant at it. Managed a few good hits on Thanos during round one. Brought everyone to round two. Played 5D chess effectively enough that they even managed to get to round two.

...Tony wonders if he should feel weirder about sharing a drink with the guy who effectively signed his death warrant. Or weird about it at all. Some might, but Tony's gotten pretty used to making the sacrifice play in the name of the greater good. It's kinda been his thing for as long as the Avengers have actually existed.

He leans back to focus his attention on the cloak. ] You sure know how to pick 'em, bud. [ Tony says to the cloak before looking back up at Stephen with a faint smile. ] Bravest wizard I've ever met. [ Also basically the only one he's met, but- Details. ]

[ It was chess. Stephen knew what was coming when he gave up the Time Stone. He knew it would cost his own life in the process. And the lives of billions. A hard move for a doctor. He also knew what the final cost would be.

The brilliant man sitting next to him. And he still did it. Odd, sometimes, to think about his oath. Do no harm. ]

Sorcerer. [ He corrects automatically. ] I currently don't have the job, actually. Five years as cosmic dust put Wong in the Sorcerer Supreme position for Earth. I'm his assistant. Which is good given he's not here so Earth is still protected.

[ He smiles back at Tony. ] But being called the bravest by Tony Stark is no small compliment. You're really bad at celebrating your birthday, aren't you?

[ Tony scoffs into a chuckle, flirtatious smirk on his face. ] Excuse you, I'm great at celebrating my birthday. Just thought I'd try something quieter than I'm used to now that I'm- [ He hesitates for a long moment before he practically sighs out the word: ] Dead. [ His expression falters, face threatening to fall. ]

Sorry. [ The chuckle sounds forced. ] I am bad at this...

[ Inhale, exhale. Tony closes his eyes tightly for a split second before he looks back at Strange, easy smile on his face. ] Either way, I mean it. You're the bravest sorcerer I've ever met. [ A beat. ] And now... I would like to cash in that drink you owe me.

Tony... [ Stephen cannot stop himself. He doesn't even really try. He reaches out and lays his hand over Tony's. He gives it a slightly trembling, as firm as he can squeeze. ] Dying gets easier the more times you do it. Trust me.

[ Because out of the two of them Stephen's experienced death way more often. It hits rather hard sometimes now and then but it's rare. ]

Sure. What can I get you? Another scotch? [ And it's then Stephen realizes he left his hand resting on top of Tony's. He pulls it away and waves his fingers over Tony's glass, refilling it instantly with the most expensive scotch he's ever tasted. ] If that's not to your liking, I can change it. Just tell me what you want.

[ What he wants is to finish what they started when those fucking annoying dandelions were roaming the castle, before the cloak intervened. The casual touch, the easy reassurance, just reminds him of what's right in reach, of what he risks losing.

Tony grabs his glass and takes a sip. It's tasty, strong, a bit spicy. Appealing in a way that wasn't so different from the man who conjured it. ] Mm, that is much more fun than turning water into wine. [ A beat. ] It's good. Thanks.

[ Another beat, Tony takes another sip. ] You gotta teach me how to do that.

[ If either of them were slightly less intelligent they might be able to say something about what they want. ]

You should be good at it, actually. [ Stephen turns his own martini to water and puts it between them. ] It's molecular science. Chemistry. Change water...

[ He does the same little twist with his fingers over his glass. It turns a rich dark red. Does water have all the chemical compounds for the complex changes that must happen for it to become wine? No. Magic doesn't care. ] Into wine. And back again.

[ And in the reverse it's water again. He gestures at Tony. ] If you'd like to try.

[ Tony's eyes dart from Stephen's hand motion to his face a few times before he takes a deep, steadying inhale. Hey, he managed to do the shielding thing pretty quickly; there's a possibility this could be doable too, especially with the extra magical practicing he's been doing since. He focuses on trying to turn the martini glass of water into a nice Cabernet. Full-bodied, high tannins, some acidity- Tony repeats the gesture he just saw Stephen do above the glass.

He practically falls off his barstool when the clear liquid turns an inky red-purple.

But he recovers quick enough to let out a triumphant laugh. ] If that tastes good, you've really given me the keys to the kingdom. [ It won't taste like anything even close to Tony's standards, but it's not... Terrible; he probably would just need a little practice to get this right.

Tony red eyes flick up to Stephen's blue ones as he slides the martini glass full of meh wine closer to him. He's waiting for the sorcerer to take a sip. ]

[ Stephen's expression is full of fondness and pride. Tony has done very well seeing science and magic as one in the same. He's understanding the basic concepts very well. He still absolutely wants to make out with Tony against this bar. It's good to confirm it wasn't just the fae magic.

Also terrible because what the hell does he do about that?

He picks up the glass and takes a sip. Stephen makes a face. ] I think you got the tannins wrong. Otherwise, not bad for a first attempt. It's not balsamic vinegar.

[ Stephen turns the drink back into a martini. ] And it's not prison hooch either. I'll have to get you some apprentice robes but there might be a half-decent sorcerer in you.

[ There's a quip on his tongue, something about first Strange wanted to undress him, and now he wants to dress him. He mercifully doesn't voice it, taking a large sip of his scotch to keep that as an inside thought. ] Just make sure they're red. [ Is what he goes with saying instead, flirtatious half-smile on his face as he glances over at the sorcerer.

Besides, if he was going to learn magic, that meant he'd have a pretty air tight ~~excuse~~ reason to stick around Stephen. Not that he needed a reason. It just- Raised less questions that way. Not that he was avoiding questions about Stephen.

Or maybe he sort of was?

Tony doesn't know, really; he's a bit tipsy. He'd been doing a pretty successful job avoiding the man himself for most of the month to give him space to breathe after... I want this. I want you. Yeah, that. Tony makes a little involuntary noise in the back of his throat before he finishes off his glass compulsively. ]

That's- Very good scotch. [ Said after Tony realizes the awkward amount of silence that's settled in. ] Thank you. Great um- Great birthday present. [ A beat, Tony laughs. ] I'd ask for a bottle, but I'd rather just ask for you. [ Because Stephen can conjure however much he wants! Tony means it mostly-innocently. Or at least currently innocently. What he said hasn't caught up with his brain just yet. ]

[ Well...

Stephen waves a hand in front of Tony and transmutes his clothes into a robe set very similar to his own in a brilliant red with golden embroidery and black belts.

And immediately realizes what a mistake that is because Tony is suddenly about three times more attractive dressed as a sorcerer. He licks his lips as he looks him over and then quickly clears his throat. ]

There you go. The official uniform.

[ He takes a drink and tries to tone down the flirtation. He doesn't want to make this weird when he already did by losing control under the influence of the Spring King's spores. ]

You know how to find me when you want more.

[ Stephen sighs. Yeah, he's doing a great job at not flirting. ]

[ Tony looks down at the new outfit, chuckling to himself. Honestly even he has to admit, it looks pretty good. He admires himself for a few seconds before Strange makes that second, flirtatious comment, and Tony's eyes snap up to look back at him.

That... Has to be on purpose, right? The almost-scoff that comes out of Tony's mouth is accompanied by the faintest flush on his cheeks. ] What if I wanted more right now? [ He flirts back.

And, yes, he should probably stop and not get his hopes up, but- With a slightly predatory smirk he asks ] Can you promise your cape's not gonna get jealous and stop us again? [ He says with an airy chuckle that's only very slightly tight at the edges. Probably shouldn't make light of that, definitely shouldn't make light of that, but he just can't help himself. Tony's never been good at helping himself.

He directs a wink at the cloak itself, trying to make it clear he's just joking, no hard feelings and so on. ]

They weren't jealous. [ The cloak reaches out for a fist bump. They've got Tony's back. ] They were protecting you.

[ Because Stephen was out of his mind with lust and even if Tony had told him to stop he's not sure he would have. It still twists his stomach to think of how heavy an influence those beings had on him.

He is already practicing his resistances and strengthening his mental shields. Stephen won't be overwhelmed next time. ]

I am sorry for that. [ He sits up straighter and takes a deep breath. He's going to get this out. ] For losing control and basically assaulting you. I'm deeply grateful we can still be friends.

[ There's a little hopeful note at the end, like Stephen's not completely confident that they are still friends. They've been flirting but maybe Tony's just trying to be normal? ]

[ Tony bumps his fist against the fabric. If anyone asked him, he would've said he didn't need the protection, but he can't deny it's sort of nice having a responsible adult between the three of them.

Still though, his first petulant thought is he doesn't want to still be (just) friends. He's not quite dumb enough to voice that part. But instead, he goes for an equally dumb option: ] You don't have to be sorry about that. [ With a glance at Stephen that he tries to make significant. ]

I mean- Look, if our friendship can survive both of us dying, I think it can survive... Most things. Even you kissing me. [ He clears his throat. ]

[ It was nice to have the cloak stop them before they did something they'd come to regret. Stephen would certainly feel a deep guilt seducing Tony into something he didn't really want.

Sex to simply help Stephen burn off the Spring King's influence would have ultimately been unsatisfying in the face of his real desires for Tony. Desires that he's rarely had for anyone outside of Christine. Desires he's never explored with anyone but Christine. ]

I saw 1.4 million versions of you and we were very often friends. [ He takes a breath and lets it out slowly. He's doing some math in his head, weighing the odds and chances and the moral implications of his next words. ]

Do you think it might survive us kissing again? Without a magical influence? [ There. He said it. His escape plan if Tony laughed it off was to vanish into the Mirror Dimension and make a hasty exit. ]

[ Tony chuckles nervously for a split second, face briefly matching his armor before he tamps down the nervous laughter. ] You- [ He hesitates, plasters a mildly lecherous smirk to his face. ] Heh. You wanna try it and find out?

[ He has a feeling he knows the answer, though, so he reaches out and puts a hand on one of Stephen's resting on the bar. Tony's bad at sincerity, but he's trying to indicate he actually means it at least. ]

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