Stark Syndrome: IronStrange

IronStrange

Big glass windows looked out over New York City. It was a breathtaking view but it wasn't stark tower. It was Stephen's flat. He woke not to long ago, a mug in his hand, wearing only his red robe. He was deep in thought. He wanted to see him again but he knew he would need to let Tony come to him in his own time. Nothing could be forced. He'd play it cool and even tempered like he always had.

Back at stark tower Tony just woke, staring out the window deep in thought wearing nothing but his blue robe and holding a mug. He was going over every minute of his encounter with Stephen Strange the day before.

THE DAY BEFORE
Tony met Stephen at the Sanctum Sanctorum. "The privilege of guarding these gates and your reality has been bestowed upon me."
"Bestowed.." Tony rolled his eyes. Thought to himself, who is this guy really? He looked Stephen up and down and for a split second it almost felt as if he was looking into a mirror. The feeling he had both scared and intrigued him. He was another egotistical genius with a nice looking goatee. "My reality?" Tony questioned Strange giving him a sarcastic stare.
Strange turned to face him and Tony read the seriousness of the conversion in his expression. Strange never showed much emotion but Tony was good at reading people and in this moment he saw Strange's passion for his responsibilities. "I didn't bring you here for no reason Stark." Strange retorted and continued... "If I showed you half of what lies in our galaxy you would break. Even still, you need enlightenment. I've asked you here to open your eyes." Tony always jumped at the chance for knowledge. It was a weakness as well as his strength. "Ok, what do I do?" Tony asked with a half shrug. "Hold still." strange answered as he walked closer to Tony holding his gaze perfectly.
Tony's eyes widened only slightly. He wasn't going to be the first one to show weakness, or so he thought. The second the Doctors fingers touched Tony's temples his vision went black. His eyes turned golden like Strange's magic. He felt his body go numb. What Strange revealed to Tony's mind must have been near his cognitive breaking point. Tony's eyes began to water and a tear ran down his cheek then he collapsed under the shock of seeing things he couldn't have possibly imagined, from monsters to universes and other civilizations on different planets.
Strange's cloak caught Tony holding up his chest and helping him to kneel on one knee. Tony's hands made clenched fists like he was straining to survive the monsters he now realized were very real. Strange had still held on to his temples and dropped onto one knee in front of him. Strange let go and stayed knelt beside him.  Tony's breathing became rapid as he came back to reality. He looked around with wide eyes trying to figure out what his own reality consisted of. All he could hear was his own breathing and he could hardly look up to fix his weak gaze on Strange. He no longer knew what was real and fantasy. "Stark! Stark your fine, come back to consciousness!" But Tony wasn't so sure he was fine. He was terrified. And he couldn't help but show it this time. His eyes were wide as he finally looked up to meet Strange's gaze, their faces so close only inches away. Both knelt there on the ground, strange had put both hands on his shoulders to steady him. "What did you do to me?" Tony finally gasped. "I've given you only some small answers to very big questions." Tony stood and slowly stumbled to the front door. They locked eyes one last time, as Tony realized this man was so much more powerful then simple magic. Without saying anything else Tony walked out. He was speechless and Strange was understanding. He had seen this reaction before and knew it would take Tony time to process what he now knew was real.

BACK TO PRESENT

Tony was buttoning up his undershirt and stopped short of his arc reactor. The blue veins were gone for now. They were caused by side effects from the arch reactor in in his chest. Not sure how or why they healed but something else was happening. He wasn't sure if the pain he felt in his chest was something simple, or a side effect from the encounter with Strange the day before. No matter what he saw in those visions he knew he had to continue his responsibilities as an avenger. He started to mentally prep himself for a meeting with Natalia. The Black Widow was waiting for him. Standing on the Avengers balcony over looking the city, Natalia turned to Tony. "Took you awhile to walk down a flight of stairs." She teased. Tony didn't comment on her tease, instead only half grinned and leaned on the balcony.... "What's so important that couldn't have been said over my secure network?" Tony asked ."Someone successfully infiltrated the new branch of Shield." "The branch that's recruiting the new mutant agents?" Natalia nodded to answer his question. He continued "I thought only a handful of people knew about the Mutant Initiative?" "They do, we think it may be one of the mutants we've recruited." The widow answered looking a bit worried. "I'll see what Friday pulls up on the recruits." Tony replied. Suddenly Natalia turned towards him looking into his eyes. He straitened and turned towards her "can I help you?" He sarcastically asked looking her over. They were inches away from each other. Tony and Natalia were close and there was strong  sexual tension between them.  But then again, anyone who walked up to Tony felt his sensual pull. Both their faces now inches apart. She knew he would put up a front but checked on him anyway. "What's going on?" She questioned seeing the hollowness in his eyes. "We're both standing on a skyscraper balcony talking." Tony said hiding his pain behind sarcasm. She simply replied shaking her head with a disapproving grin "you know where to find me Tony." Offering to be his shoulder if he needed and left.

Tony leaned on the balcony thinking to himself "I need to see him again. I want to know more about his intensions." His thoughts reflected on Strange.