something has changed (I Need A Doctor sequel!) (IRONSTRANGE)

why didn't you tell me?

this chapters song: cold by aqualung
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"Stephen?" Was all that Tony could seem to muster out. But he instantly regretted it. What if he was just seeing things? That this guy was wearing a disguise? Like always, Tony began to overthink, but was quickly snapped out of it by the man replying.

"Tony?" It was as if the rest of the world melted away. That they weren't in some sketchy location in Queens, that the world was just pinks and blues and all that remained were the two. Just one word. Just one mention of his name and Tony's heart melted.

But... he couldn't let it go any further.

"What the hell is going on here?" He asked coldly, keeping his composure despte his conflicting emotions. The one who he loved the most, yet who hurt him the most, stood right in front of him. Today was a lot more difficult than he had ever imagined.

"A bit hard to explain right now, I'll explain back at the sanctum." He simply stated, opening a portal beneath Tony's and Peter's feet, the two quickly falling and landing in a building filled with artifacts and many stair cases.

"Uh Mr. Stark?" Peter began to say, tapping Tony's shoulder. "Where are we?" Peter looked around at their surroundings, slowly growing weary. "Do you think this is where Mr. Dr. Strange has been all this time?" He then asked, facing Tony.

"Maybe." He replied, coldly. "If so, it's kinda rude how close he was and how he never said a thing." He concluded, but then continued. "It kinda sucks how he just up and left too, so I'm not sure I entirely trust him right now." He finally concluded.

"So should we... leave?" Peter then asked, since it seemed like that's what Tony wanted to do.

"Oh no, he said this place is safe we're staying." Tony decided, sitting on a bench in a shady area. "But you just said you don't trust, okay whatever cool." Peter said, trying to put things together in his head.

The two of them stayed in what Stephen called "The Sanctum" for awhile, waiting upon his return to leave. About half an hour passed until Stephen arrived, stepping back in through a portal once finishing the fight.

"Okay first of all, how the hell can you do that." Tony said, standing up to approach Stephen. "And second of all," Tony sighed, unsure if he wanted this answer. "Where have you been. Why didn't you tell me you were so close by,"

"Uh Mr. Stark, that's three things." Peter interjected, correcting his grammar. "Hey the adults are talking why don't you," Tony said, making a brushing motion with his head "Scoot for a sec kid."

"Okay to answer your questions," Stephen began to recount the things Tony said, looking down at the floor and suddenly making eye contact with Tony. "These past two years I've been studying and training relentlessly to become a master of the mystic arts." He confessed. "The reason I didn't reach out was because, I thought you'd be mad at me." He added with a sigh. "And you have every right to be mad."

"So you know what I don't get," Tony said, clearing his throat. "Is that after a year of us being so in love, you just left, affirming all my anxieties of a relationship. And then you come back and you say oh I'm not gonna tell Tony I'm back, It'll be fine. Nope nope now I'm mad because," He put his head in his hand for a second, sighing before continuing. "I really loved you and It's just shitty you only thought about yourself in that circumstance."

"I was extremely selfish, I see that now. I'm sorry." Stephen said, honestly in his words. A lot had changed since he left with all the powers and fighting but, had he actually become humble? Genuine? Sympathetic?

"Sorry doesn't cut it for me right now." Tony said with a huff. "C'mon Peter," He then said, drawing the boy in. "We'll be leaving."

"Oh, no you won't. I should've mentioned this earlier." Stephen said, face palming. "Yeah those guys, after fighting, it's best to stay inside somewhere safe for a day. Sorry if that ruins any plans but we have to keep people safe. No matter the circumstances."

Well, Tony decided that this was going to be a longer day than he had hoped indeed.

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