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space-mermaid-writing · 7 days ago

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Choices of a Crowned Heart

IronStrange Week - Day 4

Summary: The invitation in Kamar-Taj came as a surprise. Even more so when Tony realized the invitation asked to send a potential suitor for the future Sorcerer Supreme.Tony wasn't interested in getting wed off to a strange wizard, but his council had deemed this a great opportunity to do some diplomatic work and insisted he at least attended the ball. And since he was not yet king but only a prince, Tony had to listen to them. So he agreed. After all, what could possibly go wrong?

Tags: First Meetings, Nobility, Royalty AU, Prince Tony Stark

Author's note: Day 4 of IronStrange Week @ironstrangehaven. The prompt: Courting. Big shoutout to my beta @kvjjjjjj for working overtime on this.

Ko-fi | Read it on AO3 | Word count: 10.2k | Part 1

2 Courting

“Master Strange asks if you'll be joining him for dinner.” An apprentice – a young woman with flowing dark hair – looked expectantly at Tony as she awaited his response.

“Tell him, I accept his invitation,” Tony replied, his voice steady despite the whirlwind of thoughts swirling in his mind.

The apprentice nodded and gracefully exited the room, leaving Tony alone with his thoughts. He closed the door to his chambers with a heavy sigh, the sound echoing in the quiet space. What had initially been a brief visit to Kamar-Taj had unexpectedly morphed into a week-long stay. None of this had been part of his plan, and yet here he was, entangled in a web of diplomacy and magic that he had never anticipated.

His gaze drifted to the baby griffin nestled comfortably in her makeshift bed, who stirred awake from her nap, letting out a wide yawn. Tony had named her Friday. Somehow the name had felt right.

He ambled over to her, and she chirped softly, demanding his attention with an endearing insistence. As he reached down to pet her, she let out a satisfied sound, her soft fur and even softer down inviting his touch.

“Did you have a good sleep, baby girl?” he asked, his voice laced with affection.

In response, she rolled onto her back, exposing her fluffy belly, asking for rubs. Of course Tony indulged her; she was simply too adorable to resist. A small, cat-sized ball of excitement, she radiated a warmth that momentarily eased the tension in his chest. Strange had mentioned that it would take a year or two until she reached her full size.

Strange... Tony still wasn't sure what to make of him. Of the whole situation. The sorcerer had clearly made an effort to spend time with him every day, whether it was showing him the ancient temples or sharing meals that were as exotic as they were delicious.

Strange was properly courting him; there was no other way to describe it.

Yet, despite the charm of Kamar-Taj and the allure of its mystical wonders, Tony found himself grappling with an unsettling restlessness.

He was accustomed to being engulfed in work, bask in the satisfaction of problem-solving. Sitting around idly, being courted by a sorcerer, felt foreign and, at times, frustrating. There wasn't much else Tony could do. Strange had shown him the library on their second day and now Tony spent most of his time reading.

“You want to join Strange and I for dinner?” he asked Friday, scratching her chin affectionately. He had made a conscious decision early on not to take his frustration out on her; after all, she was just a baby, an adorable and wickedly smart baby who was not responsible for his situation.

The griffin chirped again and turned to tuck her head back under her wing. The message was clear.

The prince let out an amused chuckle. “Alright. You do you.”

An hour later, Tony was looking at a selection of food. A lot of it still felt very exotic to him, albeit delicious. He had found that he particularly liked the rice with pickled meat.

“How was your day?” Strange inquired, his tone casual yet attentive as he took a seat across from Tony.

“Just like yesterday. And the day before,” Tony replied, a hint of exasperation creeping into his voice. He knew he was being difficult, but the monotony of his routine was beginning to wear on him. Each day felt like a repetition of the last, and that quickly became tiresome.

Strange regarded him with a long, contemplative glance, as if weighing his words carefully. “Why did you accept the invitation?” he finally asked.

Tony frowned. “Because I was hungry and you made a point of seeing me once a day. I figured why not kill two birds with one stone.”

“I meant the invitation for the ball. But it's nice to hear that dinner with me is convenient for you.” Strange's voice was dripping with sarcasm. At least he didn't seem to take offense at Tony's words.

“I told you,” Tony explained, “to satisfy my council. I had not expected to be an actual suitor material.”

Strange hummed. Then he followed up with another question. “And why did you lie to me in the forest?”

“What kind of interrogation is this?” The prince shot back, a defensive edge creeping into his voice.

Strange cocked an eyebrow, his expression patient and expectant, waiting for an answer. When he remained silent, Tony exhaled, feeling a bit deflated. He turned his gaze to the side, contemplating his response. “If you really need to know... I’m not sure,” Tony admitted with a shrug. “I thought you were going to hunt down the griffin, and... I guess I didn’t want you to kill it.” He briefly glanced at Strange, whose eyes had softened with understanding. “The mother griffin crossed my path. I... it may sound weird, but she looked at me like... like she knew me.”

“That doesn't sound weird,” Strange said softly, as if he was understanding something about Tony. After a moment of thinking, he added “Six weeks?”

“Huh?”

“ If you are willing to stay that long,” Strange continued, his tone earnest, “I can teach you everything you need to know to raise Friday in that time. And if you are willing, I will use that time to court you as well. Kill two birds with one stone, as you said.”

Tony was taken aback by the unexpected offer. The notion that he had a choice in the matter was surprising. But also... “You'll send Friday with me when I leave?”

“Of course!” Stephen said without missing a beat. “She is your companion. I would never separate the two of you. But I would feel better if I knew she was properly taken care of.”

That was a reasonable request, and although Tony was reluctant to extend his stay, he realized he had no idea how to care for a baby griffin. The thought of leaving with her unprepared gnawed at him.

“If the time is over and I still choose to leave, I don't want that to negatively affect the relationship between Midgard and Kamar-Taj,” he reaffirmed, his voice firm.

“It won't. You have my word. You and Friday will always be welcome here, no matter how this turns out.”

This was as good as it got.

Tony accepted with a nod. “Six weeks.”

“Six weeks.” Stephen looked pleased. “Tomorrow I would like you and Friday to meet Levi. He has been asking for her all week.”

“Who is Levi?” Tony asked.

“My companion.”

_____________________

Levi turned out to be a fully grown griffin adorned with reddish fur and feathers. He was roughly the same size as the griffin Tony had encountered in the forest, which made him quite large and intimidating – if not for his almost childlike excitement.

They had decided to meet outside on a patio by the gardens. The air was filled with scents of blooming flowers and freshly cut grass, a peaceful setting.

Tony carried Friday on his shoulder. It was her favorite way to travel; Tony suspected it was because it made her feel taller. She sat with one of her tiny claws clutching the edge of his shirt, her bright eyes flicking around, from flowers to birds, curious about everything.

Stephen was talking quietly to Levi when Tony stepped outside. But when as the prince made a slow, careful approach, Levi’s gaze snapped onto Friday with a sudden, intense focus.

He immediately became more attentive, tilting his head and leaning slightly forward. Impatiently, he shifted from one foot to another, but didn't dare step forward without permission.

Tony slowed down, assessing the griffin's intention.

In that moment Stephen turned around, a subtle smile on his lips as if he was genuinely happy to see Tony. Levi leaned in as close as he could over the sorcerer's shoulder. He opened his beak, and... “Is that the hatchling?” he asked.

Tony had read a lot of books on griffins this past week but it was still fascinating to witness one of them actually speak.

Friday let out an affronted chirp.

“Friday,” the older griffin corrected. “I am Levi. It is nice to make your acquaintance.”

She chirped again, continuing the conversation. Griffins started to speak the human language after about four weeks, but Levi seemed to understand her just fine.

Suddenly, Friday slid from Tony's shoulder and he barely caught her in his arms, meaning to hold on to her. But she wiggled herself free and landed – admittingly not very elegantly – on the ground. She shook her body like a cat, before darting a glance at Tony, as if he was responsible for her less than perfect figure in front of a peer.

Tony shrugged apologetically, which seemed good enough for her. She walked around Stephen, who she ignored since he already had met him and stopped in front of Levi, who leaned down to greet her.

Friday talked a lot and fast, in a range of noises, and Levi answered with a mixture of words and noises. Together they moved to a bowl of berries on a nearby table.

Tony had already noted, Friday loved to snack on fruit.

He watched her climb onto the table, refusing the offered help from Levi. Size-wise, she really looked like a baby next to him.

“She is safe with Levi, right?” Tony found himself asking. He had to make sure.

Stephen seemed to understand Tony’s worry. “Griffins are naturally protective of their younglings, even if they are not their own. He will protect her with his life.” He gestured towards the gardens. “Would you accompany me on a walk?”

Tony was reluctant to leave Friday alone, but he told himself that she was safe and protected. It was weird how protective he had become over this little creature, even though he only met her a few days ago. Yet he couldn't deny the connection he felt to her. It almost felt like a bond that was slowly forming.

He nodded and walked beside Stephen along the path. The garden was simplistic yet remarkably well-kept, a testament to the care and attention it received. Flowers bloomed in hues Tony had never seen before – blues deeper than twilight, reds that pulsed like heartbeats, and silvers that shimmered like moonlight on water.

Stone pathways wound like meditative thoughts through beds of glowing moss and dream-touched herbs, inviting contemplation and reflection.

"I have traveled to Midgard several times, but my visits have always been limited to the small towns situated near the borders. Unfortunately, I've never had the chance to explore the royal palace itself. What is it like?" Stephen asked.

Prompted by their surroundings, Tony began to describe the gardens of the palace in Midgard. It was more like a park. However, hidden in a more secluded area was the rose garden that belonged to his mother. She had passed away years ago, yet Tony had made it his mission to ensure that her garden was still taken care of, a living tribute to her memory. The roses, vibrant and fragrant, were a reminder of her love and the lessons she had imparted to him.

He added an anecdote about how Jarvis – their former manservant – taught him how to plant seeds when he was a child. Those were the days when he would sneak away from the tutors his father had summoned for Tony's education.

“Jarvis was also the one who encouraged me to pursue my passion for blacksmithing,” Tony continued, his voice tinged with nostalgia.

“It was something my father actually supported. Turns out I have a talent for crafting weapons: swords, daggers, lances...” Tony trailed off, realizing he was rambling. He turned to look at Stephen, who had mostly listened, only throwing in the occasional question.

“Sorry, I've gotten off topic. I didn't mean to bore you,” Tony said, a hint of embarrassment creeping into his voice.

Stephen shook his head, a warm smile gracing his lips “Don't be sorry. I wanted to get you know you better, and that I did.”

The way he said it made Tony think he actually meant it. It felt too honest to simply be a polite phrase, a mere formality of diplomatic conversation. Overall, he was pleasantly surprised by Stephen's demeanor as a whole. He was beginning to like this man, who was not like your typical noble court member. There was a depth to Stephen that intrigued him, a sincerity that was refreshing.

And somehow, Tony found he wanted to get to know him better as well.

They turned to walk back to the griffins, who had become suspiciously quiet.

_____________________

Tony lay awake at night, Friday curled up against his side, already fast asleep. He ran his fingers through her feathers, smoothing them out. It was his new favorite thing to do.

Watching Friday interact with Levi today, made him realize how important it was for the young griffin to be around her own kind.

Even though Tony agreed to those six weeks, he didn't plan on staying much longer. Yet, it didn't seem fair to separate Friday from her home. She was just an innocent baby, born into a situation she had no control over. Tony had the urge to protect her. When he closed his eyes, he saw her mother in front of him in the forest. The griffin who had been robbed of her egg. A family torn apart.

Tony didn't like that. He would find a way to fix that.

_____________________

“You know, when you said you want to take me out for a ride, I didn't expect this.” Skeptically, Tony looked at the saddle on Levi's back.

Stephen checked the straps one last time, before turning to the prince. “We can take horses, if you prefer that, but I warn you: Levi will take offense. Besides, once you try flying, you never want to go back.” Stephen's smile was almost challenging.

Tony mirrored it. “I didn't say I want to back out. I'm just surprised, that's all.” The prospect of flying was exciting rather than intimidating. “Let's go!”

Stephen got into the saddle first, Tony followed right behind him.

“Hold on tight,” the sorcerer told him, taking the reins.

“On what?” Tony asked, but by then the griffin had already spread his wings and taken to the air. Tony's arms wrapped around Stephen's waist, holding firmly onto him. He felt more the vibration of the sorcerer's chuckle in his chest rather than he actually heard him. Maybe he had planned this.

They quickly gained height, the wind rushing through Tony's hair. It was exhilarating. When he looked down, everything looked small.

Stephen peered over his shoulder. “You okay back there?”

“I'm great,” Tony replied breathlessly.

“Good. We can speed up then.”

Levi immediately quickened his pace, gliding smoothly through the air, and even attempted a few minor maneuvers that sent a thrill coursing through Tony's veins. His grip around Stephen was still tight, but he couldn't help but laugh, the sound bubbling up from deep within him. This was amazing.

He understood Stephen's earlier words now; the experience was unlike anything he had ever encountered. It was different from riding a horse, which, while exhilarating in its own right, could not compare to the sheer freedom of soaring through the sky. He had always thought that galloping across a meadow at full speed would give him a feeling of utmost liberation.

But this – flying - was unmatched.

As Levi soared higher, the world below transformed into a patchwork quilt of greens and browns, the landscape stretching out in a breathtaking panorama.

“When will Friday be old enough for me to ride her?” Tony asked.

“When she's an adult and fully grown.”

So that meant at least a year. Tony was willing to wait that long. He would wait a lifetime to have this kind of experience again.

“Do you want to sit in the front, take the reins?” Stephen offered, his voice laced with a playful challenge.

“Sure,” Tony said easily. He figured they would land soon and switch seats. However, to his surprise, they remained suspended in the air.

Stephen tied the reins to the saddle pommel and gently loosened Tony's grip around his waist. Suddenly, in a move that left Tony utterly flabbergasted, Stephen lifted one foot onto the saddle, heaved himself up onto his knees, and then, with a surprising burst of confidence, stood on the back of the griffin.

Tony's eyes widened in disbelief as he watched Stephen balance precariously on the creature's back. Levi stayed midair, gently moving up and down with every beat of its wings, the wind billowing Stephen's hair and robes. He threw a smirk at Tony, knowing exactly what he was doing.

“Scoot forward,” he instructed the prince.

Tony did, but still, there was little space. Stephen took a calculated step around Tony. One wrong move, one moment of distraction and he would lose his balance and fall to certain death.

“You're insane,” Tony said, holding his breath until Stephen took seat behind him.

“A sorcerer always has an ace up their sleeve,” Stephen replied with a confident grin. “Plus, I know Levi will catch me before I hit the ground. But it is nice to know, you are worried about my safety.”

Hearing that, Tony was actually impressed by the amount of trust between Stephen and his companion. His heart was drumming in his chest, and he told himself it was because of the adrenaline and not because of the way Stephen wrapped his arms around Tony's torso, creating a warm, solid presence at his back.

“I didn't say I was worried,” he said just to contradict. “I merely questioned your sanity.”

“You didn't need to say it.” Stephen's voice was low and very close to his ear. “I saw it in your eyes.”

Tony was glad he was sitting in the front and Stephen couldn't see the blush that crept up his neck. Again, he convinced himself it was the adrenaline. For once, he welcomed the cold wind in his face.

He took the reins. “So, how does this work?”

“Like riding a horse. Additionally, when you lean forward Levi will go up; and if you lean back, he moves down.” While he was speaking, Stephen pulled them both a little bit back – and Levi dipped down. Fast.

It wasn't quite a nose-dive but it was close.

Tony let out a scream – half excited, half surprised.

They weren't even close to the ground when the griffin pulled out and smoothed into a horizontal glide. Tony laughed. Now there was definitely adrenaline pumping through his veins.

“Again!”

Maybe both of them were a little bit insane.

_____________________

“So what's going on with your hands?”

Tony's question startled Stephen and he paused briefly, before he smiled wryly. The fact that the prince managed to catch the always spotless sorcerer off-guard, told Tony he had hit the mark.

“I didn't mean to hide it. I just haven't found a good opportunity to tell you.”

Hearing the insecurity in the sorcerer's voice, made Tony regret asking. “You don't have to tell me,” he offered softly.

It had taken him a while to notice. Stephen was always wearing gloves, and his touch, if ever, only brief.. He never offered his hands for anything, rather kept them behind his back or even completely out of sight. All those little clues added up. Tony had watched him over the past two weeks, assessing, before he came to the conclusion that Stephen didn't want Tony to notice his hands. There had to be a story behind that.

Stephen sighed. “I guess it is relevant if I want this courtship to be successful,” he conceded.

Tony noticed he was open to that outcome, as surprising as it felt. Silently, he watched as Stephen took off his gloves.

“Before I turned to magic, I was a healer,” Stephen started to explain. “The reason I stopped working as a healer is because I had an accident that had my hands destroyed.”

The back of his hands were scattered with scars, his fingers crooked and trembling.

Tony reached out but didn't touch yet. Instead, he looked at Stephen questioningly, and only when the sorcerer nodded, Tony carefully took one of his hands in his own. His thumb brushed over the rough skin.

“I've seen you use your hands for magic.” It was a question.

“It is different when I cast spells. The damage doesn't limit my ability to use magic.”

Tony didn’t fully understand, but he nodded anyway. This was important to Stephen. “Thank you for showing me...” he started, but stopped halfway into the sentence, thinking about how to best phrase this.

“You don't have to hide them because of me,” he finally said.

“They're not a pretty sight.”

“Maybe, but I don't mind them. I'm not sure what to tell you to make you feel better about this. I guess I'm not good at being reassuring.”

Stephen cocked his eyebrow, looking at where they were still holding hands. “You already reacted far better than I anticipated.”

“Really? How did you think I'd react?”

Stephen hesitated. “This is based less on my impression of you, rather than my own fears.” Tony waited, blankly, until Stephen slowly admitted, “It involved you calling me names or being disgusted. Disappointment at best.”

Tony frowned. That sounded bad. “Well, you were wrong.” He didn't take it personally; he understood that Stephen's insecurity about his hands was rooted deeply inside him. “I'm not doing any of those things. There's something else though...” He raised Stephen's hand he was still holding to his lips, pressing a soft kiss on the trembling knuckles.

There was a faint blush on Stephen's face, his lips parted in surprise.

This was far better than whatever the sorcerer had imagined.

_____________________

Friday was very playful. Above all, she loved to chase prey. She regularly chased any butterfly or mouse she spotted. Currently she was tailing a dragonfly that got lost in the prince's chambers. She hadn't caught it yet, but she didn't give up.

Tony let out an amused chuckle, watching her jump and fluttering her wings. She wasn't even close to flying yet and the movement only scared the firefly off.

It felt domestic.

Tony turned back to his book, while Friday continued playing around. She had been growing considerably ever since she hatched, and was now the size of a medium dog.

After a while Friday climbed onto Tony's lap, the dragonfly in her beak. She placed it right on Tony's book.

Yikes.

Still, he praised her. “Good job, Fri. You showed the dragonfly who's the boss.”

“Boss!” The griffin chirped happily.

Tony froze. Had he imagined that? “What did you say?”

“Boss.”

“You talked!” Excited, Tony scooped her into his arms. She let out another chirp. It didn't look like she would offer any other words for the moment. Still, this was a huge step. “That's amazing. I'm so proud of you!” He stood up, the book forgotten. “Let's show Stephen!”

It was hardly surprising that the sorcerer was not in his chambers – he rarely seemed to be there. Tony asked a random master and was pointed to a room next to the library.

Thinking Stephen was researching something, Tony burst in without bothering to knock first. “Stephen!”

He saw several sorcerers sitting at a table, looking alarmed at his interruption. Stephen was on his feet instantly, moving towards him.

“Tony? What happened?”

“Friday said her first word!”

At the mention of her name, Friday jumped from Tony's arms into Stephen, who avoided letting her fall just barely. It had become rather difficult for him to carry her ever since she outgrew the size of a cat, because of his hands. Still, he did his best, working purely on instinct.

“Friday, tell him what you just said to me,” Tony told her.

The griffin looked at Stephen. “Not boss!”

The prince broke out in a laugh. Stephen felt like he missed the pun of a joke, but he was happy for them regardless.

“That's fantastic,” he agreed. “She is an early developer, but I didn't expect anything less of her. She's very intelligent.” Stephen glanced at Tony. “You know, we have a saying: companions are alike,” he added, as he handed Friday back to Tony.

Tony eyed the sorcerers at the table, who looked various stages of being confused, some even annoyed. “I didn't interrupt anything important, did I?”

By their faces he most certainly did. But Stephen waved it off. “We're just having a meeting.” He lowered his voice, so only Tony could hear his next words. “I needed a short break anyway.” He winked at Tony. “How about a celebration dinner later tonight?”

“Sounds great.” Tony beamed at him. “See you then.”

“Great,” Friday agreed.

As Tony left the room, he found himself mulling over Stephen's words.

Companions are alike.

Glancing down at his griffin, he wasn't sure if he agreed. Friday was young, carefree and full of energy. In stark contrast, Tony often bore the weight of responsibility on his shoulders, a burden he had grown accustomed to carrying. He hoped, with all his heart, that Friday would never have to shoulder such heavy expectations.

Yet, he recognized the complexity of her situation: she was born into something she didn't ask for. In many ways, she had been robbed of the freedom to make her own choices. Not to mention the unspoken expectations that loomed over her like a shadow. This realization stirred a sense of empathy within him

She also – like Tony – demanded a lot of attention.

Levi was the only other companion he had spoken to. Tony had seen a few sorcerers and their companions – creatures of various species and sizes – in the temples, but mostly in passing or from afar.

Levi, much like Stephen, exuded a sense of self-assuredness that was both admirable and slightly intimidating. He was undeniably talented. Yet, there was a distinct playfulness to Levi that set him apart from the more serious demeanor of his sorcerer counterpart.

Although Tony had already learned that Stephen was more social than he initially appeared, he couldn't help but wonder if there were other layer to his personality that remained hidden beneath the surface, but were hinted at through Levi.

Tony decided to keep an eye out for that.

_____________________

The nights in Kamar-Taj were cold. Tony wrapped his coat tighter around his body and tried not to shiver as he followed Stephen. A small, glowing light helped them to not stumble over a root or walk right into a tree as they walked up a hill.

“We are almost there,” Stephen told him.

They had left the Sorcerer's Temples well after sunset and soon reached the forest by the mountains.

“Where's there?” Tony asked, because the sorcerer had been secretive about that ever since he cryptically asked Tony to join him for a walk tonight.

This better be worth it. He could be lying in his warm, comfortable bed; like Friday who had refused to leave her favorite soft pillow.

“You will see,” Stephen replied just like the last two times Tony had asked about their destination and the reason for this walk.

Finally, the sorcerer stopped and turned to Tony. “We arrived. With just a few more minutes to spare before it starts.” He offered his arm to the prince, who took it and stepped next to him – and caught his breath.

They were standing on a cliff. The temples below them in the valley, illuminated by lanterns. Above them the sky was full of stars.

“This view is amazing,” he admitted. It looked straight out of a painting.

Still, the clear sky meant the night would stay cold. This time when Tony shivered, Stephen noticed. Instead of commenting on it, he moved his hands as if he was grabbing a piece of fabric right out of the air – and a blanket appeared out of thin air. He wrapped it around Tony's shoulders.

The prince instantly felt warmer. He followed Stephen's example and sat down next to him. Tonight felt special, even though Tony wasn't sure why.

“Thanks. How are you not freezing??” he asked.

“My robes are enchanted to adjust to all temperatures. Like the blanket I just gave you.”

Tony smirked. “Does that mean you don't want to join me under here?”

Stephen paused, considering the option of cuddling close to Tony. “I didn't say that,” he eventually conceded and scooted closer to the prince.

Tony chuckled and put the blanket around them. The warmth of Stephen's body was comforting and familiar.

He had to admit, being courted like this was nice. Flattering even. Any way, it was very effective. Affection for Stephen bloomed in his chest.

In his mind he entertained the idea of what their future would look like if they pursued this courtship even after those six weeks were over. Eventually, one of them had to give up their home and their throne; or they would have to fuse both realms – both options felt impossible and difficult. Tony didn't know how that would work or even look like.

They would need to talk about it eventually.

But not tonight.

Tony felt Stephen's hand on his under the blanket. Tonight he wasn't wearing his gloves, and the prince recognized the trembling fingers. This was the first time the sorcerer reached out on his own.

Tony turned his palm up and caught Stephen's hand, holding it gently.

They didn't acknowledge it.

Tony noticed that the lanterns at the temples were being extinguished one by one. Only a few remained lit and left the temples in almost complete darkness.

“What's happening?” Tony asked, quietly, as if the darkness they were wrapped in also dampened his voice.

“Tonight is the Night of Falling Stars,” Stephen explained. “It only happens every few years. Look.”

As Tony turned his eyes up, he spotted the first shooting star streaking across the vast expanse of the night sky. It was long and brilliant, lingering for several seconds before it faded into darkness. Then there was another, and a third, each more dazzling than the last. More and more stars lit up the sky until it seemed as though the sky was glittering with celestial jewels.

“Beautiful,” Tony whispered. “We should make a wish.”

“A wish? Why?” Stephen asked. He felt Tony's gaze on him and turned his head.

“If you see a shooting star and make a wish, it will come true. But only if you don't reveal your wish.”

“An interesting custom.” Stephen's eyes flickered to Tony's mouth, and back up.

And maybe, maybe in that moment, they shared the same wish, for Tony, emboldened by the magic of the night, placed his hands gently on Stephen's cheek. Slowly, he leaned closer, their breaths mingling in the cool night air, and then he kissed the sorcerer.

The kiss was soft and tentative at first, a delicate exploration of their feelings. But as the seconds passed, it grew firmer and more assured.

When they finally broke apart, Tony felt breathless for some reason.

Stephen smiled, a warm and genuine expression that lit up his face, and then he turned his gaze back to the sky, as if the stars held the answers to all their unspoken questions.

Tony's hand fell down, slipping beneath the blanket that enveloped them, while the other remained intertwined.

He leaned his head on Stephen's shoulder as he continued to watch the sky.

_____________________

“What will Friday's and Levi's relationship be like if we... you know, end up betrothed?” Tony asked. He dodged some water, splashed by the two griffins in the pond. Perhaps it would have been wiser to set up the picnic a bit away from the water. “Will they become mates as well?”

The griffins got along great, coming up with a lot of shenanigans. Sometimes it felt like watching two kids.

Stephen refilled their drinks magically. “That is a possibility,” he admitted, throwing up an invisible shield when Levi came out of the water and shook the water off like a giant dog. “Although due to their age difference it's more likely their dynamic will resemble those of siblings. They already are menaces.”

“They really are.” Tony chuckled. He was relieved to hear that assessment. Somehow it was weird for him to imagine Friday with anyone. Even though Levi was protective and great, Friday was still a baby. Barely a month old.

Fortunately, Tony didn't have to worry about potential mates until she was a fully grown adult.

The young griffin had left the pond as well and stalked over to them and flopped in Tony's lap – still wet. Tony quickly shoved her off.

“Rude!” She had learned that word way too quickly.

“You're soaking,” he explained, not giving in to her puppy eyes. Instead he reached out for her paw, and started to play with the beans of her toes. She squealed with delight.

“Cake,” she then demanded. Her sentences were still limited to one or two words.

“No cake. Last time it made your stomach hurt,” Tony reminded her. “You can have some fruit though.”

Friday thought about it, but then found the suggestion acceptable. “Fruit,” she agreed, happy when Tony fed her.

Levi sat down next to Stephen, leaning his head down to inspect the sorcerer's plate. Stephen pushed it away.

“Don't even think about it.”

Levi promptly brushed his still somewhat wet wing over Stephen's head and through his hair. He skillfully dodged, when Stephen tried to shove him away, and used that distraction to steal a piece of meat from Stephen's plate.

Friday found this extremely funny. She jumped to her feet, caught a whole string of sausages in her beak and ran across the picnic blanket, scattering droplets of water all over the food. Together the griffins fled the scene.

Stephen sighed. “Menaces,” he muttered.

_____________________

“Why a griffin?” Tony asked. “As a companion for me, I mean.”

“Because my companion is a griffin and it is custom to choose the same kind for the suitor of the Sorcerer Supreme – if they don't already have one of their own.”

“So if your companion had been a dragon, I would have gotten one of those?”

Stephen made a face, “Dragons don't make good companions. Their alignment is questionable at best. And having two of them close... is not advisable.”

Tony was glad about that. A griffin was one thing, a dragon quite another. “How did Levi become your companion? Was he your hatchling?”

“No, he found me when I was fighting a rogue sorcerer. I was still fairly new to magic, and it didn't look good for me. Without Levi I probably wouldn’t have survived the fight. He has stuck with me ever since.”

“So it is his choice to stay with you?” Tony asked.

“Of course. In the end, it's always the companion's choice. I would never force Levi to do anything.

Tony believed him; still it felt different with Friday. She was taken from her family. She had nowhere to go. She would never survive on her own; she was way too small for that. If she had been raised in the wild, it would have been different.

Tony sighed. He had yet to find a solution.

_____________________

Tony stepped out of the room. He had just finished a long lecture on how to maintain a griffin's health and how to treat their injuries. It was only for future emergencies, but hearing what could happen to Friday had Tony worried about his baby girl.

Usually he had lectures given by Stephen, so he had been surprised when he saw a different sorcerer waiting for him today. He was told that Stephen had been summoned to an important meeting.

Tony understood. Stephen was the heir of this realm, of course he had duties and responsibilities. He had spent a lot of time with Tony over the last few weeks, yet the prince knew that this was a special treatment.

Tony went to return to his chambers, when he heard a familiar voice call his name.

“Tony.” The prince turned around. Stephen walked towards him with long strides. His face was serious, which was why Tony wasn't surprised by the sorcerer's next words. “I'm afraid I’ve got bad news.”

Tony tilted his head. Stephen didn't look worried enough for the news to be devastating. More like inconvenient and annoying.

“What is it?” he inquired.

“An incident in the east requires me to take a team and go sort it out. I will be gone for two or three days.”

Tony frowned. “An incident? What kind?”

“Some sort of magical breach. We need to hurry to contain it, but I couldn't leave without telling you in person.”

The prince smiled at that. He appreciated the gesture. He watched Stephen pull something out of his pocket.

“And I wanted to give you this. A charm I made. It was meant for a more romantic setting, but I guess there is no time like the present.”

He handed it to Tony, his fingers brushing against his as he did so.

It was a pendant made of red leather with a gold embossed inscription.

“It's beautiful.” Tony looked at the unfamiliar symbols etched onto the leather. “What does it say?”

“It's for good luck and protection. You can wear it on your belt, if you want.”

Tony took his words for the hidden request that they were and knotted it to his belt. Then he looked back at Stephen. “Thank you,” he said sincerely. “I don't have anything for you. Except...”

He leaned in close as if he wanted to whisper something into his ear. At the last moment, he turned his head and pressed a lingering kiss on Stephen's cheek.

“Safe travels.”

He stood straight again, throwing a wink at him.

Stephen put his hand on his own cheek where Tony had just kissed him, surprised by the gesture. Then a smile crept onto his face.

He nodded, before he turned to leave.

_____________________

“More griffins back home?” Friday asked one morning.

Tony shook his head. “No.”

“Why not?” she pressed, her voice tinged with a mix of innocence and concern.

“We don't have griffins where I come from. To be honest, before I came here, I didn't think griffins were real.”

“I'm real!” Friday demanded, her feathers ruffling slightly as she puffed up with pride. Tony couldn't help but smile as he reached out to pet her.

“You are very real,” he agreed, his voice filled with affection.

“So, I'll be alone?” Friday's voice wavered, and Tony felt a pang in his heart at the vulnerability in her question.

Tony swallowed, because his heart ached at the question from the hatchling. “You have me.”

Friday nodded, her expression shifting to one of approval. Having Tony by her side was enough for her. “Levi visit?” she asked.

“If he and Stephen want to, they can visit. Or you can visit them,” he offered.

“I with you.” Friday rubbed her feathery head on his side. “Always together.”

Tony felt a warmth spread through him at her words, but he knew he had to temper her expectations. “There might be times we can't be together,” he interjected gently, not wanting to lie to her but also wishing to remain realistic. And he knew it would be a difficult task on its own to explain to his court and Stane why he brought a griffin into the palace.

Friday frowned, her beak clicking softly in frustration. “I stay with you.”

“We'll see,” he said evasively, not wishing to spark an argument or delve deeper into the complexities of their situation. He wanted to protect her from the harsh realities of the world outside their little bubble.

Friday nipped at him with her beak. “Without you, I alone. No griffins.”

Yeah, that was exactly the problem. Tony scratched her under her chin and down her neck, trying to soothe her worries. “I'll figure something out,” he finally promised, his voice firm yet gentle. He wanted to stop talking about the issue, to shift the focus away from the uncertainties that loomed over them.

_____________________

The Ancient One found Tony on a balcony, leaning against the railing and watching the apprentices’ training.

“You look troubled, Prince Stark.” Despite her words, her eyes seemed amused. As if she knew something Tony didn't.

“Everyone has been nothing but nice. I have yet to thank you for your hospitality.”

The Ancient One looked at him, expectantly. “Well?” she asked when he didn't offer anything else. “You say you have yet to thank me, but haven't done so.” Her voice was amused.

Tony smiled wryly. He now knew where Stephen got his humor from.

She was right, of course.

“Thank you for your hospitality.”

“You are welcome. Now, with that out of the way, you may feel comfortable enough around me to tell me what has you troubled. It's surely not simply because Master Strange is gone for a few days.”

“It's not that,” he agreed. He thought about the best and most considerate way to put it.

“I... things didn't go as anticipated,” he finally said.

“Life rarely does,” she pointed out.

“This is different.” Tony shook his head. “This is important.”

“We always think that. But we adapt. That is what we do. It is our choice to either face or avoid responsibilities. Stephen knows that.”

“I'm not Stephen.” Tony found himself becoming frustrated. It wasn't her words. It was because he was used to finding solutions to problems. But so far he had come up with nothing. “I didn't ask for any of this,” he sighed.

“Neither did Stephen, when he first arrived.” The Ancient One ignored his sour mood, not impressed by it. “Has he told you why he learned magic?”

“Because of his accident.” At least that was what Stephen had told him. “He told me he was a healer before.”

“He learned magic to fix his hand and go back to his old life. But then he found a bigger purpose.” She turned her head, now looking at the apprentices Tony had been watching earlier. “In Kamar-Taj, the next Sorcerer Supreme is chosen based on skills rather than bloodline. Stephen is exceptionally talented. Nevertheless, he had a choice: to fix his hand permanently and go back to being a healer – a very successful one. Or to step up and face a bigger responsibility.”

The Ancient One looked at Tony again.

“He also didn't initially want a suitor, but he chose to at least give it a try; even if nothing would come out of it. It will be your choice if you want to continue this courtship.”

This was the longest Tony had ever heard her talk.

Choices.

They had consequences.

But in the end, it wasn't his choice alone. He would make sure to provide options though.

_____________________

As soon as Tony heard that Stephen was back at the temples, he went to see him.

The sorcerer had returned to his chambers. He looked up when he heard the knock on the door and the prince entered.

“Tony,” Stephen greeted, a hint of warmth in his voice. “Did you miss me?” he teased, noticing the eagerness radiating from Tony.

“I've actually been waiting for you. I need a favor.”

Stephen cocked his head, curiosity piqued. He gestured to Tony to go on.

“Is it possible to find Friday's mother? The griffin in the woods?” Last time it seemed like a difficult task for the sorcerer. Yet, he wanted Friday to meet her, which was why he added, “It's quite important.”

“That... can be arranged. Is there a reason for it?”

“I've been thinking... I want to give Friday the opportunity to stay with her family, if that's what she wants. For that she has to meet them first.”

Stephen was genuinely surprised, and he jerked back slightly. “You want her to leave? Why? You know she's yours no matter what," he said, his tone a mixture of confusion and concern. Even if they didn't continue their courtship after those six weeks; that had been the deal. And he would keep his word.

“It's rather selfish of me to take her with me to a place she doesn't know and with no other griffins.” Suddenly, another idea sparked in his mind. “Or maybe she can stay with you and Levi. The two of them have grown close.”

“I'm sorry, but where is this coming from?” Stephen asked, irritation creeping into his voice. “What happened?”

“Nothing.” Tony shrugged. “I had some time to think while you were gone. About the importance of choices. And that taking Friday with me when I inevitably leave might not be the best option.”

A flicker of something crossed Stephen's face – perhaps disappointment or even a hint of hurt – but it vanished before Tony could decipher it. He suddenly felt a pang of regret for dumping his request on Stephen so soon after his return. The sorcerer was likely exhausted from his journey.

“I'm sorry. This could have waited until tomorrow, I guess. How was your trip? Have you been successful in containing the magical breach?”

Stephen blinked, still trying to make sense of the prince. “I... did what I was meant to do. Now, if you excuse me, there is a hot bath waiting for me,” he replied, his tone clipped, as if he were eager to escape this conversation.

The dismissal felt cold, but Tony blamed it on Stephen being tired. “Yeah, of course. See you tomorrow,” he said, forcing a smile as he turned to leave.

He received no answer as he stepped out of the sorcerer's chambers.

_____________________

The next day Tony, Stephen and Friday sat on Levi's back, flying over the woods. Tony held Friday nestled against his chest. Stephen sat behind him, his arms at Tony's side with the reins in his hands. There was little space left.

He was looking for a place where they could land.

Stephen had approached Tony in the morning and asked him if he was still adamant on his request from the day before. Tony said yes and the sorcerer told him to get ready. They would leave before noon.

That was faster than anticipated.

“Why didn't you use Levi the last time you chased the griffin down?” Tony wondered. Stephen had been alone when they met in the woods. The sorcerer would have been quicker if he had flown with Levi.

“Retrieving a suitor's companion is a challenge traditionally faced alone. It has a greater meaning this way and shows my devotion to you and this courtship.”

“You did not have to go to all that trouble because of me.” Whether Stephen had used a mount or not on the task made little difference in Tony's eyes. He knew the sorcerer was skilled. Otherwise he wouldn't have been chosen to be the next Sorcerer Supreme.

Stephen didn't reply. His face remained neutral, but he pursed his lips. Something was off about him ever since he had returned. Usually, he was more open around Tony.

He wondered if something had happened while the sorcerer had been gone. The sorcerer barely talked to Tony.

At a signal from Stephen, Levi descended between some trees. Tony held Friday a little tighter.

They landed and Tony demounted first.

“Is everything alright?” he asked Stephen, as he watched the sorcerer dismount as well.

Stephen turned to him and looked at him weirdly. “Your request merely took me by surprise,” he replied, his tone measured. Before Tony could ask what he meant by that, the sorcerer turned to Friday. “I need one of your feathers.”

She ran her beak through her plumage and handed him a small one. Curiously, she watched him using it as a component for a spell. The young griffin was buzzing with excitement, eager to meet her family – and to show off her skills and her companion.

Tony hadn't told her of the true reason they were here yet.

Between Stephen's fingers appeared a glowing arrow, almost like the needle of a compass. It turned a few times before adjusting itself in one direction.

“The griffin is that way,” Stephen announced and started to walk. Levi followed him, and Tony and Friday started to move as well.

Friday used the opportunity to ask a lot of questions. She wanted to hear everything about the time Tony had met her mother. Tony couldn't tell her much, but he did his best to satisfy her curiosity.

Stephen didn't join the conversation, concentrating on his task to find the way through the dense woods.

After what felt like an hour, the sorcerer stopped. “She's nearby,” he told Tony. “It's better if you and her hatchling approach alone. Levi and I will wait here.”

Tony nodded. That made sense, even though it felt like there was more to it than Stephen let on. The sorcerer handed him the magic arrow. The magic between his palms was warm with a low buzz, and it felt surprisingly like Stephen.

Tony and Friday continued to walk alone through the woods. Friday's excitement was palpable, she jumped over fallen branches and chirped happily. Tony followed somewhat slower, cradling the spell with both hands, careful not to let it fall.

Suddenly there was a rustling in the bushes on their left, and the griffin Tony had met a few weeks ago stepped out. “The two of you are very noisy.” Her voice was softer than Levi's, more thoughtful.

Friday stilled for a moment, looking at her in awe. Then she moved forward, greeting her mother eagerly with a mixture of chirped noises and human words.

The older griffin watched her fondly. She leaned down and preened Friday's head.

Tony smiled. It had been the right decision to come here. Friday deserved a family.

“That's my human,” he heard her say. “Boss.”

Tony met the mother griffin's eyes, and once again, he felt the weight of her scrutinizing gaze upon him. “Tony Stark. It is nice to meet you – again,” she said, tilting her head slightly, her feathers ruffling in the gentle breeze. “You took good care of my child.”

“I tried my best.”

“Thank you for bringing her here so I can meet her.” The griffin's gaze intensified. “But is that really the only reason for your visit?”

She was smart, Tony had to give her that. He crouched down, lowering himself to Friday’s level. “Come here, Friday,” he beckoned gently.

She waddled over to him, her little wings fluttering with curiosity. “What is it?” she asked, tilting her head in that adorable way

“Do you want to stay here? With your family?” he asked, his voice soft yet firm.

Confused, she looked at him. “You want to live in the woods? What about Stephen and Levi?” It didn't make any sense to her.

Tony shook his head. “No, just you,” he clarified. “This is where you belong.”

Slowly, it dawned on her what he meant. That Tony was asking her to stay behind. Her eyes went big and the excitement shifted to dread. “You... want to leave me?” There were no tears but her voice was close to crying. “But we're companions. Everyone says that.”

“It doesn't matter what everyone says. It matters what you and I want.”

Friday flinched back.

Shit, that came out wrong.

“You don't want me?” Her ears lay flat and she tugged her tail between her legs, looking like the small baby she still was. She was trembling, and before Tony could clarify what he actually meant, she let out a distressed noise that pierced his heart. “Is this because of the pranks? Please! I will stop them. I will be well behaved! I won't even steal your grapes anymore. Please give me another chance!”

Tony gulped. “Oh no. No, baby girl!” He reached out to scoop her up into his arms, but she winced back. He had to do damage control, and fast.

“It's not like that. This isn't about me. I want you to decide where you want to stay. Whether you stay with your family, with Stephen and Levi, or with me. It's your decision.”

“I already chose you. When I hatched,” Friday cried confused, and still very much distressed. But when Tony reached out again, she finally allowed him to touch her, albeit hesitantly.

He cupped her head gently, his thumb brushing against her soft feathers. “You were five seconds old.” Friday looked at him blankly, not seeing any issue with that. Tony sighed and pulled her into a hug. “I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. You're perfect. I'm more than happy to keep you if that's what you want.”

Friday chirped in agreement, still not comprehending how they ended up in this situation, but she slowly seemed to be calming down. Her claws dug through his clothes and into his skin, but Tony didn't comment on it, only held her tighter.

He turned his face to the other griffin, who had watched them silently. Tony was glad she hadn't interfered or even attacked him when she saw her hatchling in distress. That would have made everything much more messy.

Instead she had remained calm, almost like a mother who watched her children fight and inevitably make up again. She only spoke up when she saw Tony's attention shift to her.

“Do you know about the importance of companions? Especially regarding the Sorcerer Supreme and his mate?”

Tony frowned. What was that about? “I was told the meaning of them,” he said vaguely.

The griffin tilted her head, thoughtfully. “You should talk to your sorcerer about your intentions today. I believe you ruffled more feathers than you think. Even though you only meant well.”

“What do you mean?”

“Talk to him,” she replied cryptically, before turning her head to Friday. “It was good seeing you, Friday.”

She replied with a short string of noises, but didn't leave Tony's side. As if he would suddenly disappear if she didn't hold onto him.

Tony felt bad about that. He hoped this trip didn’t do too much damage.

He left the place with more questions than answers. He found himself relieved that Friday was adamant about staying with him. He would have missed her immensely. Even though he could have done without the breakdown.

The mother griffin's words stuck in his head. What did she mean? Why did he need to talk to Stephen? Well, he would find out soon enough.

Stephen and Levi were still where Tony and Friday had left them. The sorcerer sat on a log, standing up when he noticed them. His eyes darted to Friday, whom Tony was carrying in his arms like a child.

“Did you find the griffin?” he asked.

“We did. But we ultimately decided that Friday stays with me.”

Stephen nodded, not betraying any of his emotions – as if the answer was indifferent to him – and stepped to Levi. “Let's head home then.”

Levi's eyes were on Friday. He seemed to notice the state she was in, and he turned to Stephen. But the sorcerer ignored the hint.

Yeah, something was up. It looked like Tony had accidentally fucked up big time.

“Stephen,” he said, waiting until the sorcerer turned to face him. “Please explain to me why you're upset about the fact I wanted Friday to see her family.”

It was the only thing he could think of that might be the problem. Even if he didn't understand why. Judging by the sharp look Stephen threw at him, he was right.

Stephen didn't answer right away, so Tony pressed “Was that an offense?”

“It's not because you took her to her mother.” Stephen turned his head away. “But because of the fact you wanted to expel her.”

Friday clung tighter to Tony at his words.

“That's not...” Tony sighed, feeling the weight of the misunderstanding settle heavily on his shoulders. He didn’t want another argument; he clearly lacked information he was expected to have. “Please explain.”

“I admit your rejection of this courtship had me blindsided. I thought we were going steady.” There was a hint of hurt in Stephen's voice. His words hit Tony right in his chest.

“What rejection?” he asked, flabbergasted.

“You clearly didn't want to keep her. And she is part of this courtship,” Stephen explained in simple, almost annoyed words, as if he were trying to clarify something painfully obvious. “I told you, she is yours to keep, even if you and I don't end up together. Expelling her – your companion – means that you are completely breaking with her, this realm and its magic.”

Tony's face fell as realization hit him like a cold wave crashing against the shore, and he breathed out a curse. “I didn't know that!” He stepped closer to Stephen, “That hadn't been my intention. Please believe me!”

Stephen hesitated. There was something raw in his eyes, his expression a mixture of uncertainty and hope. “So you don't want to break off this courtship?” he asked, his tone carefully neutral.

“Hell no!” That's the last thing Tony wanted to do. He wondered how Stephen came to that conclusion and he replayed their last few meetings in his mind.

When Stephen came to tell him he had to leave a few days ago everything seemed fine. He had given Tony the token, and Tony had given him the impromptu token of his own.

Then, when Stephen returned last night, Tony had dumped his request on him without even giving him a proper greeting. A request that had Stephen believe Tony rejected him and his culture.

It didn't look good for Tony.

The only defense he had was that no one had told him this was a thing.

He took another step forward. “Actually quite the opposite is true. The six weeks we agreed on are almost over and I have to leave soon but I had hoped we would find a way to continue this.” Tony had planned to have this conversation at a later point, but he felt that if he didn't want to lose Stephen completely, he had to be honest now. “That is, if I didn't totally blow this.”

“You mean that?” Stephen’s eyes searched Tony’s.

“I swear by my heart.” Tony would have moved his hand over his heart to underline his words, but he was still carrying Friday, who remained quiet, listening intently to the exchange, not even wiggling one feather.

Stephen looked at Tony inquiringly. Then – determined – he stepped right into his space, and cupped his face with a trembling hand. He paused for a second, assessing if Tony would retreat.

Tony did not.

And so Stephen kissed him, claiming him with a sense of urgency.

“I am willing to give you another chance.” Stephen's voice was low, almost a whisper, as he parted just enough from Tony to speak.

“Thank you.” Tony couldn't help but exhale in relief. “You should teach me about your cultural history on our next date. I think I need that lesson.”

“I think so too.” There was a hint of humor in Stephen's voice. Tony clung to that. Then he clung to Stephen, because he was kissed again. This time more deliberate, slow; like he was reclaiming what he thought he had lost.

Tony's heart jumped at that. Yeah, he would see that he held onto this one.

The atmosphere during their flight back was more relaxed. Like air cleared after a storm. Stephen – sitting behind Tony again, holding the reins – leaned his chin on Tony's shoulder. “I was thinking about accompanying you when you head home,” he confessed. He had had that idea for a while.

“Oh?” Tony turned his head to look at the sorcerer.

“You spent six weeks here with me. It is only fair if I spent the same amount of time in your kingdom, learning more about you,” he explained.

The smile on Tony's face was blinding. “I would love that.”

_____________________

Tony pushed Friday on the back of his saddled horse, before following her. The stallion was nervous, clearly not used to having a predator touching it. Tony patted its neck reassuringly, whispering soft words of comfort. The horse had to learn that neither Friday nor Levi bore any danger.

Stephen steered Levi next to Tony's horse, which did nothing to calm the stallion.

“Ready to return home?” Stephen asked the prince.

Tony reached out to hold Stephen's wrist and gently squeezed it. “I'm ready.”

“Let's go!” Friday uttered excitedly, her voice ringing with enthusiasm. She couldn't wait to see Tony's and her kingdom.

Tony chuckled at that enthusiasm. “I was thinking...” he said to Stephen, his tone playful yet sincere. “I really enjoyed being courted by you. And it's about time I give you the same treatment.” He winked, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

“I've got no objection to that,” Stephen replied, a smile spreading across his face that Tony mirrored.

Tony might have come to this realm pressured by his court, but he had stayed because of his own choice, one that felt right in his heart. And now he was looking forward to what else the future had in store for them.

It sure seemed promising.

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