Forbidden Love (IronStrange)

Epilogue

Winter, The Year Of Our Lord 1630
Stark Castle, Isle Of Stone, a province of Emperor Julian I
Tony

The emperor won what is now known as the Fourteen Month War. Vampires and werewolves have been granted equal citizenship to humans and now freely live among our people. Soon, all will be well. The only reason all isn't well already is that my wedding is in an hour and I'm really nervous.

"Tony, breathe. I am not responsible if one groom dies of self-induced asphyxiation an hour before the wedding," Rhodey says, adjusting his tunic and grinning at me. Steve chuckles from the other side of the room and I have to offer a small smile. Rhodey walks over to me, adjusts my sable, and sets my coronet on my head.

"Look, man, you're going to be fine. Vows, I love you, kiss, honeymoon. That's it. Relax." I nod nervously, breathing deeply. Rhodey squeezes my hand and smiles before walking to where Bucky and Sam are getting ready. Bucky is the ring bearer and Pepper is the flower girl. Thor is helping oversee everything because Victor is Stephen's best man. I smile as I imagine Stephen and Victor getting ready in the tent next to ours on the huge field the wedding is in.

I mentally tick off everything in my head. Rings, check. Flowers, check. Musicians, check. Food, check. Benches, check. Official junk I have to carry, check. Crushed gravel pathway down the snowy hill to the wooden platform I'll be standing on, check. Priest, check, not that I care, I don't follow any specific religion. I take another deep breath and smile at Rhodey, who is now doing a last minute make up check.

"All ready? Okay, processional begins in roughly five minutes. Do. Not. Mess. Anything. Up. Before. Then," Rhodey yells. I nod as he attacks Steve's hair, then Bucky's. I hear loud music from the base of the hill and watch Bucky walk out with a careful, slow, step. Steve walks out, he should be walking with Wong, followed by Sam and Loki. Then Rhodey will walk with Victor and I'll walk down with Stephen. Rhodey smiles at me as he leaves the tent. I count to ten and follow.

Stephen walks out beside me and it takes all my willpower not to stop and stare because he is gorgeous. I breathe deeply and give him a side look, checking out his hair. Soon, we're standing across from each other and I'm ogling him as the priest says something to the crowd. Stephen is wonderful in a black ceremonial tunic with blood red leggings that complement his red eyes and black hair perfectly. I focus as the priest starts the promises.

"Do you, Anthony Stark, take this man, Stephen Strange, to be your husband for better and for worse, in rich and in poor, in sickness and in health, in wealth and in suffering, in happiness and in anger, in joy and in sorrow, in war and in peace, for as long as you both shall live?"

I look at Stephen, at the man I love, and say simply, "I do."

"And do you, Stephen Strange, take this man, Anthony Stark, to be your husband for better and for worse, in rich and poor, in sickness and in health, in wealth and in suffering, in happiness and anger, in joy and in sorrow, in war and in peace, as long as you both shall live?"

Stephen smiles at me. "I do."

"Then, with the power invested in me by Lai, I pronounce you man and husband. You may now kiss the groom." I pull Stephen in fiercely, wrapping my arms around him as I kiss him.

When we finally stop, the priest turns to the people gathered and says, "I now present to you, for the first time, Lord and Lord Consort Stark-Strange." I smile, waving to the crowd. Stephen follows my lead as I walk back down the walkway to where the carriage is waiting. Rhodey and Victor walk with us to make sure we're all good.

"Stephen, I'll take care of your clan, okay? You have a good time," Victor says, hugging Stephen.

"Headbutt," Stephen mutters as Victor squeezes him.

"Idiot," Victor replies jokingly.

"You know the plan, don't get ambushed, be safe, bring me back something," Rhodey tells me.

"Okay, I will. See you in two months." I hug Rhodey and get in the carriage. Stephen climbs in beside me as the carriage starts to move. We share a quick kiss and Stephen squeezes my hand.

"I love you."

"And I love you too, darling," I say, toying with his hair. All is well.

Fin