strangeironaf

[strangeironaf]

“Hey.” 

A nudge to his side accompanied the word, pulling Stephen away from his book. Stephen looked up, raising an eyebrow in what he hoped adequately conveyed ‘you better have a good reason to be interrupting me’. Tony was, as ever, immune, nothing more than an amused grin tugging at his lips. “What?” Stephen asked, only a shade politer than the look he’d sent Tony’s way.

“Happy Birthday,” Tony said. 

Stephen blinked, momentarily baffled. He glanced at his watch. 12:01. Well, look at that, it was his birthday. He wasn’t exactly sure how to respond. Stephen didn’t exactly put much stock in birthdays. They seemed a general waste of time to him. So what? He was a year older. That was hardly cause for celebration. 

But then this was Tony, who had turned at least half of his parties into a spectacle. Though it’d been several years since his last birthday spectacle. At the very least, none of his birthday parties had made the news—the bar was low.

“Thank you,” Stephen said after a moment, figuring it was a safe enough answer. “But really, birthdays are a social convention that should have died a long time ago. I’d prefer there be no fuss.”

Tony arched an eyebrow at that. “Define fuss.”

Stephen did not think it was a good sign that Tony needed a clarification on that point. “No party.”

Tony smirked, eyes glittering with amusement. “Define party.”

“Tony.”

Tony grinned. “What can I say, Stephen? There are a lot of people out there who want to celebrate the fact that you’re in our lives.”

Stephen grimaced. 

Tony sighed. “What about a dinner with the group, and then I take you out somewhere, just the two of us?”

Stephen considered; that seemed… doable. “No party?”

“No party.”

“Deal.”

[strangeironaf]

ironstrange-616 morning coffee (with a little magic✨)

[strangeironaf]

Boy nobody looking at their textbook.

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evening after a very bad Stephen's day💔

[strangeironaf]

I think homeless Stephen (aka him with the long unkempt hair and beard) is hot so obviously I must project onto Tony. Stephen has a mission that takes him away for several months (whether Tony experiences the same amount of time is up to you) and when he gets back Tony fawns over his new beard

Stephen tugs on his beard as he steps through the portal into the penthouse and wonders if he should have stopped by the Sanctum before coming home. Tony knows that Stephen’s trips into other dimensions sometimes last longer than it seems, but he’s never been confronted with such obvious evidence. But Stephen had promised to come straight home.

Regardless, Tony appears, no doubt alerted to Stephen’s return by FRIDAY. When he catches sight of Stephen, he stops, eyes going wide. 

“I know,” Stephen says wryly, and makes himself stop fussing with his beard. “Chkriktk amenities aren’t designed for humans. Give me half an hour and I can clean up.”

Tony quickly crosses the room and tugs Stephen in by the hips. “Don’t,” he says, eyes wandering over Stephen’s features. “It suits you.”

Stephen raises his eyebrows. “I look like an unwashed hobo.”

“Or a wild man,” Tony teases, reaching up and running his fingers through Stephen’s untrimmed beard. “I kind of like seeing you less than perfectly put together.”

“You’re serious,” Stephen realizes.

“Very.” Tony pulls him into a kiss. Stephen’s hesitant at first, unsure what the full, rather scraggly, beard must feel like to Tony, but quickly loses himself to Tony’s enthusiasm. It’s a long time before Tony pulls away, and when he does his eyes are sparkling. “Yeah, that definitely warrants further exploration.”

Stephen laughs, a little bemused. “Of course, if you like.”

“I like very much,” Tony says, and tugs him into another kiss.

[strangeironaf]

nearly forgot to post this onto my tumblr today (im so used to just posting to IG and then being done but i must now take care of my tumblr page too hehe)

[strangeironaf]

Tony has been told his whole life that he’s selfish, narcissistic, not the type of person to lay down on the wire to let another person cross, not worthy of being a hero, nothing without his suit, overall a ‘bad person’. I think it would mean the world if someone he thought highly of (Peter) (the epitome of pure intentions, integrity, and love) was certain he was good too.

I wouldn’t think Tony’s usually told that he’s good. I think he would know it partly, because he’s not an idiot; he KNOWS he’s done good, but he would think he has done just as much bad. Realistically, I think a sentence with the words ‘you’ and ‘a good person’ is something he needs to hear.

[strangeironaf]

Stephen: Guys it’s September please don’t-

Tony:

Peter:

Harley:

Wong:

[strangeironaf]

Stephen goes to the past to solve some kind of problem and stumbles into teenager Tony

Stephen cursed under his breath. The sorcerer he’d been chasing had finally been caught, after almost six days where Stephen had traveled through over thirty-two different points in time, cursing the existence of the time knife and his opponent’s possession of it.

His opponent was back in their proper time, now. Stephen just had to get through himself.

Except, he was worn. He was an expert in time—he’d had to be, for this—but six days of traversing through time, on top of the fighting he’d done, had taken its toll.

The bench at the bus stop just ahead looked entirely too welcoming and Stephen moved to it, falling down onto the bench with a relieved sigh.

A boy at the other end of the bench glanced at him warily. He was hunched in a ball, making himself smaller. He couldn’t be more than fifteen. Stephen glanced at him absently, then froze. Ice crawled down his spine. The boy had a long cut on his jaw with bruises disappearing beneath his shirt.

He swallowed hard. “Are you okay?” he asked, trying to keep his voice gentle and his body language unthreatening.

The boy narrowed his eyes, then nodded. “I’m just waiting for someone,” he said, voice a tired whisper. Stephen itched to do something, but magic didn’t heal in the traditional sense. 

“Do you need help?”

Brown eyes met his. “I can save myself.” There was an emptiness to the words.

Stephen’s heart twisted. “You shouldn’t have to.” He ached to be able to do something, to help this boy who looked so utterly hopeless.

The boy’s expression ached. “What other choice is there?”

Stephen didn’t have an answer.

He survives, Time whispered in his ear, loud after six days in its power. And someday, Stephen, you’ll save him.

[strangeironaf]

An anxious Tony asking Rhodes for reassurance about his crush.

“Okay, what’s going on with you?” Rhodey asked, following Tony into the safety of his lab. “You were squirrely as hell in that meeting.”

“Was not,” Tony said automatically. Rhodey just gave him a look. Tony deflated. There were some downsides to someone knowing him since he was fourteen. Tony fidgeted with one of the displays for a moment. “What do you think of Stephen?” he finally asked.

“Strange?” Rhodey looked surprised. “Powerful as hell. Could play better with others, but he manages when needed. Why?”

“Not a tactical evaluation,” Tony said, impatient now that he’d actually brought it up. “What do you think of him.”

Rhodey blinked, then broke into a grin. “You like him.” Tony fought down a blush. He must not have been entirely successful, because Rhodey’s grin broadened. “You really like him!”

“Just answer the question,” Tony groaned.

Rhodey’s expression softened a little. “When you’re not looking, he looks at you like you hung the moon.” 

“And you weren’t going to mention it?” Tony asked, surprised.

“If you weren’t into it, why borrow trouble?” Rhodey said, shrugging. “I don’t think he ever plans to say anything. If you like him that much, you’re going to have to make the first move.”

Tony drummed his fingers on the table. “Hung the moon, huh?”

“And then some.”

“Good.” Tony smiled slowly. “That’s good.”

[strangeironaf]

Stephen wasn't sure if Tony was trying to interrogate him or seduce him - Ironstrange identity shenanigans?

They hadn’t made the choice lightly, to erase Kamar Taj from the memory of the world. People had been afraid. Frightened people were dangerous; the tension the world over had been growing.

So, no, the choice hadn’t been made lightly.

Stephen hadn’t made the choice lightly, to guide his path to cross with Tony’s in the aftermath. Stephen had been lonely and longing and so very, very in love—the first wasn’t true anymore, the second lingered, and the third would never change.

So, no, the choice hadn’t been made lightly.

By some miracle, he’d managed to wrangle something like friendship with Tony. Marred only by the fact that Tony didn’t know.

Which was why this moment right here had Stephen on edge. He might love Tony, but he couldn’t ever give in to that emotion. Stephen couldn’t have a relationship where Tony didn’t know the truth, and the moment Tony discovered the truth, he’d never forgive Stephen for what they’d done.

Tony leaned against the table, inches away from Stephen, crooked smile aimed in Stephen’s direction. “So,” he said. “What would you do, if I lost my memory of you?”

Stephen’s gut twisted. It could be nothing more than a reference to the movie they’d just watched—by the Vishanti, he should have said no when FRIDAY had chosen it for them; apparently she liked it—or perhaps a subtle come on, or maybe… maybe Tony was searching for deeper answers.

“What would you want me to do?” Stephen asked, trying to divert from what he’d done. He hadn’t been able to let Tony go, even though he should have.

Tony’s hand came up and his fingers brushed Stephen’s cheek, just a moment then gone. He pulled away. “Doesn’t matter,” he said. “I could never forget someone like you.”

[strangeironaf]

I know you have done this before but I saw this on Instagram and couldn't resist 😅

“What happened to my shoes?” Tony demanded.

Stephen blinked at the shoes Tony was waving in front of his face. He couldn’t see anything wrong. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Tony glared at him. “Stephen. Did you touch my shoes?”

“No,” Stephen said, confused. He glanced down to see Tony already wearing shoes, though not the dress shoes they needed for the reward ceremony tonight. “Why would I touch your shoes?”

Tony let out a frustrated noise. “Stephen. I can’t go out like this!”

“I genuinely have no idea what you’re talking about,” Stephen said, completely at a loss. “Just put on the shoes and let’s go.”

“I can’t,” Tony said. “We’re cancelling.”

Stephen glared murder in Tony’s direction. “Christine is giving a speech, if I don’t show up, she’ll murder me. If you don’t come with me, I’ll murder you.”

Tony muttered something about hippocratic oaths under his breath. “Stephen. I’m…” He sighed. “Fine.”

He stormed out of the room. Stephen assumed he was putting his shoes on so they could go. It took almost five minutes—it was shoes, how did they take so long?—before Tony came out.

“Fine, I’m ready.” Tony didn’t seem happy about it. Stephen paused, because something… 

“Tony,” he started. “…what was wrong with your shoes?” Did Tony….

Tony glared at him. “Do not ask.”

Oh god, he did. “Tony, do you were lifts?”

Tony turned around. “I’m not going.”

Stephen caught his arm before he could escape. “Tony, we’ll be late!”

“Not doing it.” 

Tony couldn’t abandon him to a night with West without Christine to play mediator. “Tony!”

“Nope.”

“No one will notice!”

Tony paused, then glared at him. “No pictures.”

It was a reward ceremony, not a reporter-frenzy. They’d be fine. “No pictures,” Stephen agreed.

“Fine. Let’s go.”

[strangeironaf]

Hi, I am huge fan of your works and how you depict Tony and Stephen. Thanks for writing!!!

Tony and Jarvis/bots gossiping about random stuff about what’s happening in SI and Stephen finding it very cute and joins in to indulge them. Please write if it interests you:)

“Sir, the printer has broken again.”

Stephen looked up in confusion at the words. He’d been consulting with Tony for months now on several biotech products. Their current meeting to discuss prosthetics had gone long, but Stephen wasn’t in a hurry to leave.

He never was, these days.

Tony lit up. “Who did it this time?” asked.

“I believe it was the floor manager,” JARVIS said. “They remain persistent in their attempts to get Miss Callahan on her date with Mr. Drews.”

DUM-E beeped in excitement and rolled over.

Stephen blinked, trying to make sense of what was going on. 

“Betting time,” Tony said. “Will they figure it out this time?”

DUM-E shook his claw no, letting out a sad whistle. 

“Good point,” Tony agreed.

“Wait—” Stephen held up a hand. “What are you talking about?”

Tony grinned at him. “The accounting department on sixth is trying to set up Callahan with one of our IT techs, Drews. They’ve pretended to break almost every piece of technology on that floor to get Drews up there. JARVIS says Drews and Callahan have excellent chemistry but Drews is too respectful to make the move. DUM-E thinks Callahan is too in love with the job to notice Drews at all.”

“And you?”

“True love,” Tony said, as though it was obvious. “They’ll figure it out.” 

Stephen’s heart raced. “Some say you should keep work and personal relationships separate,” he pointed out. Christine had told him that after their failed relationship and when she’d noticed Stephen starting to notice Tony. “It might be best if they stay oblivious.”

Tony scoffed. “True love, Stephen. No stopping that. Drews is going to make the move.”

Stephen’s heart tripped. Wondered if it meant what he thought it did. “True love, maybe. But my bet is on Callahan.”

[strangeironaf]

Ironstrange in Multiverse of Madness?

Tony crossed his arms over his chest and glared at Stephen. Stephen copied the posture, refusing to feel guilty. “Let me get this straight. Cthulhu is chasing a ten year old you found on the street?”

“Why does every Tony Stark say that!” America said. “I’m fourteen. And he didn’t find me on the street.”

“Right,” Tony said absently, still focused on Stephen. “And you didn’t think to call me until after you went and talked to Wanda about it? At which point you discovered that it’s actually her that’s trying to kill the ten year old.”

“Fourteen!” America repeated.

“I don’t see your point,” Stephen said. “You were busy touring MIT with Peter, MJ, Ned, and May. You’re not even supposed to be back, yet. Much less in Kamar Taj”

Tony arched an eyebrow. “You think FRIDAY didn’t inform me the moment Cthulhu registered on her sensors?”

“It’s called Gargantos,” Stephen said. He really should have considered FRIDAY. But he’d been… distracted. Gargantos and seeing a dead version of himself had thrown him off his game. “You can’t just call every creature you don’t know the name of Cthulhu, Tony.”

“You are trying to distract me,” Tony said. “Seriously, Stephen? I know I stay out of dimensional matters, except when needed. But this is the multiverse, that’s a whole different ball game. Who do you think Vision talked to about his theories!? I know more about them than Wanda does, and I’m your husband. Why the hell did you not call me?”

Stephen bit his tongue, not knowing how to explain. He’d never keep Tony out of the fight… but Tony was still healing, Stephen wasn’t ready to pull him back into the fight, either.

But the choice was made.

Stephen would just have to keep them all safe.

[strangeironaf]

Tony: FIGHT ME, YOU NERD ASS SLUT!

Stephen : At least try to sound slightly more sophisticated when you threaten someone.

Tony: Oh, I'm sorry. I should ask; dost thou want to engage in a duel, my good bitch?

Stephen : Somehow that's worse.

[strangeironaf]

Tony: Everyone synchronise your watches.

America: I don't know how to do that.

Peter: I don't wear a watch.

Stephen: Time is a construct.

[strangeironaf]

I’m a patron of the arts (I leave nice comments on aO3).