Stark Syndrome: IronStrange

Realization

Phobos started backing away. "Very well." Is the only thing he said. Tony was half surprised but his optimism was crushed by what he had just endured.
He looked up at the monster and did his best to understand what he was seeing through sweat and tears. Phobos was disintegrating, as that was happening a light started to shine through the cave wall. The entire cavern started to become more gradually visible. Tony looked around for anything that could help cut himself loose. Glancing towards his right, an area of the cave he had not seen before grew brighter. Passed out, hands tied, bruised and bloody but alive was a familiar being. Tony's heart began to pound rapidly, he glanced at the ground where Strange used to lay, even the puddle of blood was gone! "Strange!? Doc?! Doc wake up?!!" Tony was yelling as much as his hoarse voice would carry. Strange stirred a little "Tony?....". Immediately relief flooded Tony and he couldn't help but smile. Strange was alive. "Stephen get up! We need to go!" Tony said and at that Strange hoisted himself to his side. He used a near by sharp rock projecting from the wall to cut his hands loose. He ran to Tony who was standing now  and tried to undo his hands by himself but it was no use. "Hold still." Strange said making a swirling motion with his hands. The bound broke and fell to the floor. "I thought I lost you." Tony spoke out rubbing his wrists, he glanced up to see Strange's reaction. "I know, I'm sorry." Strange held his arm out in the air behind him and his red cloak came flying around him. Tony assumed when Phobos vanished it was set free. He took some steps towards Tony and with no hesitation put both hands on his face and neck, the cloak wrapped both of them up together. He looked Tony in the eyes for just a moment before closing his own as he moved in and kissed him slowly, gently. Tony reciprocated with a surge of emotion he had never felt. Closing his eyes, feeling such a hunger to hang onto the lips that where on his own so tenderly, a touch he thought he just lost forever. Strange pulled away only centimeters from him. ".... I'll explain more later." Strange backed away so he could open a portal in the cave. Tony was curious about where they would go but as long as it was away from here, and as long as it was with him he didn't care. It took the rest of Strange's strength to complete the portal but he did, right before collapsing. He was conscious but could hardly stand. "Doc!" Tony placed Strange's arm over his shoulder to assist the cloak in helping him through the portal.

It opened to Stephen's flat. Tony helped lay him down on the couch. Propped his legs up. There was a small black leather recliner next to it and Tony went for that. Just as he was about to walk away he was stopped. Strange had grabbed his hand. Giving each other a small reassuring grin they let go, fingers grazing each others palms as Tony went to rest. Both men still dirty, to tired to care at the moment just wanted to rest their bodies before they cleaned up. Tony couldn't stop thinking about what happened. How was Strange alive?... "How long were you unconscious?" Tony started the conversation.
Not opening his eyes Strange replied "I went unconscious when Phobos started disintegrating. When he took me from the mutant compound we went strait to the cave. I fought but it was no use. And he gave me a taste of his power every time I didn't cooperate. He also had telepathy. His powers cut me off from saying certain things. It wasn't for lack of trying."
Tony was silent for a moment before speaking. "I don't understand how you survived. I watched you die. I saw you suffer. We where there for hours. You where inches away from me at one point." He choked on most of the words as he was saying them with strong emotions.
"A projection. A hallucination. The most profound part of Phobos's magic besides manipulation. He reminds me of Loki on a power trip and gets off on others suffering. I couldn't say anything but wanted to desperately Stark. The phone, the threats against humanity and me, all part of his manipulation."
Tony looked down speechless. He had been outsmarted, been manipulated and he wasn't used to that. He had admitted things he wasn't used to admitting. He didn't know if he felt relief or embarrassment. Maybe even ashamed he hadn't the strength to admit them sooner. "You were conscious through the end?" Tony asked his voice low and steady. Maybe he hadn't heard? Maybe he was already blacked out? Strange opened his eyes tilting his head towards Tony. "I heard everything Tony." He gave him a reassuring grin. Strange sat up groaning. "Let's get cleaned up. Widow will be looking for us."

Strange walked past Tony towards the master bedroom. He noticed Tony wasn't following. He placed his hand on Tony's shoulder. "Come with me". Tony hesitated but eventually followed him into the bedroom. There was two chairs at the end of the bed. Tony sat in one and Strange sat in the other and started removing his clothes. Bare feet showing now he had already been shirtless. He went to his master walk in closet. Tony pulled out his cell and started a text to pepper. "Hey Hunny, I'm ok. Not entirely stable though at least mentally. I know there was something between us but I realize now even though it was real it wasn't me. I still care for you. Be back soon.".... strange walked out of the closet to turn into his master bath wearing nothing but briefs. They showed his hips and were low around his waste. Tony glanced up from his text with his eyes. He watched Strange as he warmed up the shower water. He saw through the decent sized crack in the door Strange pulled off his briefs. Tony got a whole profile view. Shoulder, side, hips, glutei, so close to seeing everything. Strange got in the shower and Tony looked back down at his phone, he had hit send. Pepper had texted "I know." And nothing else. No harm no foul. Tony was single again. Maybe he should shower. He didn't know what else todo. He was uncomfortable but he knew Strange wouldn't tempt him.... he would leave the decision in his hands. In a way giving Tony control was oddly intoxicating. He started undressing.