the rock show (IRONSTRANGE)

prologue

The tap of his foot, the randomized guitar riff, the checking mics and amps, all lead up to the "A one, two! A one two three four!" from the lead singer of the band, Other Paths.

The lead singer, Tony Stark, began singing the riveting melody of Driven To Tears by The Police. It was what they usually covered when they opened for larger bands, and used to sound check.

Tony's sultry voice carried through the empty venue, the rest of the bands accompaniment echoing as well. The only sounds to be heard was their music and the busy venue workers hustling around, preparing for the show that night.

It was a typical Friday night for their band, playing shows became a routine for them. If they stopped, they'd lose their sanity. It was what kept them going. Especially for Tony.

Tony left his parents house at eighteen, the determination to move to Manhattan and start a band. Cliché as it sounds, it did in fact happen. Because when he sets his mind to something, he gets it done. It was a mantra his Pops told him as a kid, and from there it just stuck. His parents had plans for him to attend MIT, but Tony knew in his heart and soul that music was the only thing he could ever want to do.

It got him through his hard times, like an anchor. All the times his father was dismissive to him, when he was spending time at boarding school, and other not so joyous occasions - which were quite often - music was there for him. He wanted to return the favor, and be there for others.

So he moved to Manhattan with a friend of his, Rhodey, but they eventually got separate apartments due to the fact they could afford it, and the two didn't seem to click living together. Saving their friendship, ya know?

So there Tony was, on a small black stage in a discreet area of Manhattan, living the dream his six year old self would have to pinch himself over.

And along side him, his band mates strung out the chords that mixed with his voice in the most chill-giving way. Clint was their guitarist, he was kinda old, has a wife amd kids the whole middle-aged crisis ordeal; but boy was the band glad they had him. He was probably the best guitarist on the whole Manhattan scene, it was obvious they lucked out.

On drums was Steve, and it clearly fit him. The muscles bulging through his tshirt made him want to take it off before they even went on stage. Steve loved the drums more than anything else, which was saying a lot. Dude is a total health junkie, always drinking protein shakes backstage, or going on a five mile run with his boyfriend, Tony, every morning. But no one played the drums with as much passion as Steve. No one could keep the beat like him, no one could fuel the passion like him. He was truly the heart of the band.

Last but not least, Natasha on bass. Her fiery red hair matched her spirit to a t. She has so much passion when she plays. She's easily a pro, despite bass being a simple instrument, Natasha studied at some prestigious private music school she's always reminding us of. She can be a bit of a health nut too, joining Steve and Tony on their runs in the mornings.

All together, Other Paths was a perfect team.

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Their show was usually a routine, so it went well as always. And when shows went well, that's when Tony invited them all to his apartment for a drink or two and to catch up, as if they missed anything from eachothers lives.

So they all sat in his living room, all sharing a drink, a laugh, a smile, playing Tony's favorite playlist of Metallica songs. It was about 3am, but no one seemed to be tired after stage rush of course.

It was as Tony was banging out his best electric guitar to Fade To Black when he recieved a knock on the door. He immediately straightened his posture, looking to the others with a furrowed brow, all of them bewildered that they weren't the only ones awake in his apartment building at this hour.

Tony opened the door to see someone he barely recognized, he had dark brown curly hair and the soft complexion of his face was quite angry.

"Sorry to interrupt your party but, some people kind of want to sleep. And by some people I mean your next door neighbor who is me." The man quickly said, the bags under his eyes evident.

"Woah sorry dude, didn't know people in New York had actual good sleeping habits." Tony snidely joked, biting his lip knowing he'd regret that.

"Yeah well I have to save some lives tomorrow, so, if you could just keep it down it'd be appreciated. I clearly didn't realize how thin the walls are in this place." He scoffed, pearing in at the apartment. "Perhaps you and your music junkies could get some sleep too."

"Hey hey hey, what do you have against music?" Tony asked, leaning against the door frame as he crossed his arms, suddenly feeling more insulted than before.

"Oh nothing, just I got my PhD and Doctorate at the same time, I just don't think our kind mix well." He said simply, a smug smile meeting Tony's exasperated expression.

"What's your name?" He asked, still talking to him despite the protests of his band members. "Stephen." The man replied. "Doctor Stephen Strange to you of course."

"Well Doc'," Tony began to say, sizing him up the best he could due to size differences. "I'm gonna make you like music. Whether you like it or not."

When Tony set his mind to something, it was done. Everyone knew that, even his Pops he never got along with. So when those words left Tony's mouth, he knew he made a promise. Everyone else in the room went quiet, the tension building between the two men who shared similar glares. All that could be heard was the Metallica song continuing to play.

"Just turn it down for now." The mab requested, before storming back into his apartment. Tony quickly shut the door and then announced "Alright, everyone out I gotta mixtape to make." He quickly bid everyone goodnight, including his boyfriend, before heading to work. Determination surged through him, he loved making people love things, especially when it came to music.

Tony also loved keeping promises, and like I said before, especially when it comes to music. So it was no surprise that at 4am he placed a fresh mixtape in a case with "Doctor Stuck Up's Mix." written on it. That'd show him how to love music. And perhaps the one mixing it too.

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authors note :
yay prologue! more up soon hopefully! i don't have a set schedule for updatinf but i update when i can <3 there will be two playlists for this story, both will be linked in my bio. make sure to vote and comment for more xoxo thank you for all of the support