These Little Moments / Ironstrange

10~ Dinner

The past few days were quiet and lonely. I was left only with the company of nurses and doctors, flitting about from patient to patient. It was now a calm Thursday night and Ihad elected to spend the last of my waking hours that day reading. Well, it was less reading and more researching. Wong had been kind enough to bring over a few books on various forms of magic for me to study while I was in the hospital, so I planned to make quick work of them. That was, however, until a nurse opened the door to my room and peeked in her head.

"Doctor Strange?" She asked quietly and I nodded, putting down the book. "There's someone here to see you."

I glanced over at the clock next to my bed, reading 18:00. "I thought visiting hours were over?"

"Well they are, but he made quite the argument as to why he needed to see you. May I send him in?"

"Sure. I could use some company," I chuckled ruefully and she smiled sympathetically, stepping aside to push the door open. The door swung open to reveal a suit-clad Tony Stark, grinning widely with a bouquet of forget-me-nots, blue salvia, and white dittanies in his arms. I gasped, taken aback by it all. As if this wasn't sweet enough, a cart with serving dishes was wheeled in behind him, silver domes covering the plates. On the bottom of the cart was a delicately wrapped gift box, with a blue satin bow around it. I was truly speechless.

"Hey Stephen," he said, his voice like music to my ears.

"Huhh utowey," I mumbled, full on gibberish leaving my lips. I mentally face palmed and Tony laughed, waving the nurse away.

"Don't go having a stroke on me now, I was just starting to enjoy your company," he stepped all the way through the door as the nurse shut it behind her. "Plus, we have some unfinished business."

   I cleared my throat, making sure to compose myself before speaking. "A-And what might that be?"

   He closed the distance between us, taking a seat beside my bed and placing the bouquet in my hands. "I seem to remember you asking me on a date before you almost died. I'm holding to that offer."

   "Ah, yes, I almost forgot," I teased, causing Tony to playfully poke my cheek. I moved the flowers to the table next to me, inhaling their sweet scent as their petals brushed my face. Tony stopped me taking them from my hand and placing them on the table himself.

   "Allow me, my dear," he bowed and a giggled, taking in his outfit. It was a new blue suit with gold accents, reminiscent of my sorcery robes. The tie, however, was red. It was less of a maroon, like the cloak, and closer to the bright red of the iron man suit. He almost looked like a circus performer, but it was such a sweet gesture, and he was so handsome, that I couldn't have cared less. Without thinking, I smiled at Tony and cupped his jaw in my hand. His beard was freshly shaved, my thumb tracing its sharp edges. It traveled up, running abruptly into his lip. Oh his lips. At this point, my mind had left my head and I started patting his lips with my thumb. He didn't seem to mind though, a smile growing on his face as he scooted his chair closer. I was leaning up now, drawn to him, but a hand on my chest stopped me and pulled me out of my daydream.

   "Don't overexert yourself," he whispered comfortingly, pressing me gently back down. My hand fell back to my side as I snapped myself back to reality. I looked back and saw the cart of plates again, confused. "Remember how we were going to go to DeMarco's?"

   "Yeah?"

   "Well I figured since you had to take a raincheck on that date," he pulled the cart up to his chair. "I'd bring the date to you." With a flourish, the domes were pulled off of the trays, revealing a delicious assortment of pastas, salads, and seafoods. Tony reached down and pulled out two bottles of wine, pulling off the tops with ease.

   "Tony, I don't think I should be having alcohol right now," I groaned as I took a bowl of salad from the cart. He only laughed and poured the liquid into two glasses.

   "Oh I know," he said placing one on the cart and beginning to fill another. "This is rebottled grape juice. Just wanted to give you the full experience." He smirked and passed me the glass, holding it by the stem.

   "It's all lovely, Tony," I took a bite of the crunchy lettuce, moisture bursting from the leaves. The vinegar dressing danced with the olives, tingling my tongue as it traveled down my throat. Finally, the last notes of garlic and pepper rested on my taste buds, leaving me in heaven."Mmm..."

   "Is it good?" Tony asked from his bowl of pasta, a trickle of pesto coming down his lip. I chuckled and wiped at it with a napkin. He blushed and hid his face in another forkful of noodles.

   "It's amazing," I smiled and ran my thumb along his cheekbone. My face fell as I thought for a moment. "Though, you probably do this for every single guy you seduce... I'm just one more in your list of trophies." A choking noise came from beside me before a few sputters and a roaring of laughter. "What's so funny?"

   "Nothing nothing," he managed between giggles. "It's just that you're actually the only person I've done this for and are the first person I've taken an interest in in years!"

   "But you-"

   "Stephen, wanna know a secret?" I nodded and he leaned in closer. "That whole 'Playboy' thing? The media made it up. They just made it up. One day they decided that would make for some interesting stories and pulled it out of their ass."

   I was shocked, "So I'm the first one in years?"

   "It's been about 5 years, yeah," he confirmed, taking a sip of his 'wine.' "It's all bullshit."

   "Then can I tell you a secret, Tony?"

   "Hm?"

   "I really really like you."

   "Well that's not a secret but okay," he smirked, taking my empty plate and putting it back.

   "I'm not finished."

   "Okay?"

   "I'd like you to be my boyfriend." His eyes widened in some indiscernible emotion and my blood went cold with fear. Before I could say anything else, he shook his head. "Y-You- I mean- I'm sorry I didn't mean-"

   "I wanted to be the one to ask," he threw his head back and groaned like a child. "I had this whole big plan with a necklace and a blanket and some cookies but no. You had to go and ruin it."

   "Is that a yes then?"

   "Oh it's a yes but I'm still pissed off," he said as he glared at me. Unable to contain my joy, I shot out from my covers and wrapped my arms around his neck, enveloping myself in his arms as he hugged back. "Okay, on second thought, I'm not as pissed off anymore."