Forfeiture

I want you to stay

Tony was wading out in the gently rolling waves of the picturesque beachline, searching for conches. He pulled his pants up to his knees so not to get too wet, hoping to get a shell beautiful enough to impress Stephen, who was inside making food for them. He reached down and lifted a magnificent shell out of the water. "Perfect..."

"Anthony!" Stephen called from a distance, having found where the mechanic had been. A smile on his face to go up to Tony and kiss him.

Tony didn't turn around when he heard his name though, he was still searching for more shells in the water. But after a couple minutes, he saw the sorcerer drifting down the cliffside so he sighed and started coming back. "I'm coming!"

Stephen turned around and awaited for his boyfriend to approach closer.

Tony walked up to the dry sand in the shore and smiled brightly, holding up the shell. "I thought you might like this..."

Stephen looked at what Tony was holding in his hands and smiled more. "Oh Anthony it's so beautiful.." though he felt nervous to take it, with his shaking hands it worried him that he'll probably drop it and embarrass himself. He leaned and gave Tony a kiss on the cheek. "But you're far more beautiful.."

Tony blushed and sauntered away, heading back up the beach wood steps of the cliff to the top. "I think our lilacs need watering!" He called, but really his reactor had been throbbing again. He ran inside and dropped a cup of water down his chest, letting out a sigh of relief. "Maybe I'm the one that needs watering..."

Stephen had already floated over and stepped in behind Tony after he did his personal watering. "Well try not to give them too much water- what happened?" The sorcerer could see Tony's back but on the floor he could see water droplets.

Tony tried to compose himself and giggled innocently. "Guess I spilled a little," Tony watered the plants sheepishly then pruned them to be a little more lively looking, his back turned to Stephen.

"Hmm...alright but do watch out next time" Stephen went over and stood next to Tony. "The lilacs look amazing, for a mechanic you have such a green thumb" he chuckled lightly

Tony smiled and blushed slightly as he finished tending to the flowers. He turned around to face his boyfriend and sighed. "It's a surprise for me too, but I guess I've mangaed since you came along. I never thought anyone living or dead could make me watch Pride and Prejudice," he giggled.

"Aren't you just darling" Stephen smiled softly and kissed Tony's forehead. "I love when you're happy.."

Tony wrapped his arms around Stephen's neck, giving butterfly kisses to the skin there, smiling. "This is all so perfect... but sometimes I wish something would happen. A quiet love life just isn't me," he looked up to Stephen. "Whenever you're here it's perfect, but then I just can't stand it here so I go back to New York in hopes I'm man enough to start work again, but I just can't..." He sighed and stroked Stephen's cheek. 

"It takes time Anthony.." Stephen leant into the touch. "I know you are strong and soon you will be able to go back and do what you want. I believe in you"

"But I'm torn, Stephen..." Tony whispered as he traced his jawline softly. "I'm not entirely sure who I am anymore... Am I ironman, or am I meant to stay here with you... Am I an avenger, or just a coward..."

"You're not a coward..." Stephen held Tony's hand even though it was shaking a bit. "Answer me this....what do you Tony Stark want?" He wanted the mechanic to be happy but he could tell part of him was falling apart. Tony couldn't have it both ways could he? Might be too much

Tony frowned in thought. "I-I don't know..." He bit his lip slightly and gazed at the flowers, wanting the right answer to come to his lips. "I guess... I just want to be with you," he smiled and laughed a little. "Silly I know, you're gone a lot, but that's the only part of my life I care about anymore..."

Stephen felt himself frown. "I don't mean to be gone so long... I wish I didn't have to leave, I don't like doing that. I love you so much yet I'm not doing much on my part for you.."

Tony shook his head and kissed him softly to hush him. "Don't be stupid Stephen, you've done more than enough for me honey," he smiled softly at him. "To be honest, you've saved my life more than anyone else ever has, and cared more than anyone else has cared," he chuckled.

Stephen pulled Tony into a hug and stayed like that for a while. "You do mean everything to me .." he kissed the side of Tony's head

Tony sighed and wished that Stephen didn't have to leave. "If this becomes more serious and we want to have a more certain future together... will you still always have to leave?..."

That really hit Stephen, this was something he had to do as sorcerer supreme. There really wasn't much of a choice for Strange. He sighed. "It's something I have to do Anthony....I don't have much say in the matter..." He looked down slightly, unhappy with his own response

Tony was disappointed in the answer, but he wasn't really surprised by it. He sighed and rubbed the reactor to soothe the pains and looked away. "I knew it was too much to hope... That's alright, if you need me I'll be back at the shore..." he walked past him for the door.

Stephen sighed, it's moments like these he wished he didn't have to leave. He wanted to stay to make Tony feel better but times were ticking. He opened a portal and took one last look at the back of his love and stepped through. He had some thinking to do himself..