Did he do well to invite the sorcerer for a drink? ?

Anyway, it was too late by now. Tony leaned on the bar and took his glass, swirling the amber liquid. From a distance one might have thought it was whiskey, but it was a simple Ginger Ale, allowing him to make himself comfortable in a bar without people questioning the fact that he didn't drink. He had been sober for 7 years now and he intended to keep it that way.

He had been impressed by Strange's wisdom during their fight on Titan, the fact that he had been able to see 14 million possible futures and found the one in which they would win was something even Tony had trouble conceiving of. Of course when he first came back from Titan to Earth, Tony was angry that the sorcerer gave the Time stone to Thanos, because it had led to Peter's death and Tony didn't see how it could lead to their victory with half of Earth population dead.

But after calming down, long after his return -5 years in fact- with the help of F.R.I.D.A.Y. he had visualized everything that had happened on the planet and he had analyzed the situation. In particular everything Strange had done and said, and Tony realized that the sorcerer really knew what he was doing and for Tony it was clear at that moment that all the sorcerer's words and actions made sense. That's why Tony changed his mind and joined the compound and the rest of his ex-team. He had succeeded where the others had failed, they had made that trip back in time, retrieved the stones and eliminated Thanos.

Tony would never forget that moment on the battlefield, at the end, when Strange's eyes met his own and the sorcerer lifted his finger just to make him understand that it was that one chance in 14 million. Tony had done what he had to do, that almost cost him an arm and a long period of convalescence and healing.

The Snap -as people called it- had taken place almost a year ago. With Thanos defeated, it took Tony months to realize that the threat above his head had disappeared. For the past year, he had been living apart in his tower, partly because of his convalescence and partly because, having lived for so many years with a sword of Damocles over his head, he had never taken the time to stop. Now he had finally been able to take time to reflect on his life, his relationships, without getting carried away by the urgency of events. Tony had strengthened his friendship with Pepper, Rhodey and Happy, his ties with Peter, assuming his role as protector with the young man he was so proud of. He didn't need more people in his life, just those he could trust completely and who knew who he really was.

Tony has fully transferred the rights to Stark Industry to Pepper, making her the CEO. He has decided to focus on what he loved most, creating and inventing. Passing time with his machines without being accountable.

He used this reason to reconnect with Stephen Strange, even though deep down he knew that what he really wanted was to get to know him, to confirm a feeling that he had had in the short time they had fought together, the feeling of meeting someone who could stand up to him intellectually and understand him.

He had said goodbye to almost no one after Thanos. The last contact with most of the Avengers was at the first and last press conference Tony attended. There he announced his desire to take an indefinite sabbatical. Most reactions were sceptical as if people doubted that Tony would be able to leave the spotlight for so long. And yet...

Tony had said goodbye to Stephen before leaving the conference room. Stephen had waited for him by the door, they shook hands without saying a word, they exchanged a heavy and meaningful look, the look of those who had shared strong experiences. It was the kind of farewell Tony liked. The kind where there was nothing to say.

He took a sip of Ginger Ale thinking about the past few months.

Tony was feeling better since he was concentrating on his passion for creation. He was no longer creating for logistical reasons such as improving armor or weapons for other Avengers, but for what he had always wanted deep down inside, to create in a completely selfless way to improve life. And he wanted to share that with Strange because he felt that maybe they could do amazing things together.

He was finishing his drink, when he felt a warm hand on his shoulder and the sorcerer slipped on the stool next to him with that half smile of his.

Last weekend, Peter had come to work with Tony in his workshop like he did every weekend and told him that he had met Strange and that the sorcerer had asked about Tony. Two days later, as this discussion with Peter was turning in his head, he told himself that he had to take the bull by the horns and he sent a message to Strange.

-Hi Doc! It's been a long time I know! The kid told me that you had seen each other last week and I thought that maybe we could have a drink together, just to catch up.

The answer was not slow in coming.

-Hello Tony! If I had known that a few words to Peter would be enough to bring you out of hibernation, I would have talked to him sooner! I would like that very much.

-So how about meeting at Bar XX around 10-10:30 pm tomorrow?

-Perfect for me.

-Great. So good night Doc and see you tomorrow.

-Good night Tony.

Tony was a little surprised at how easy it had been for them to reconnect. Strange's direct responses had really been to Tony's liking. Tony thought that he was lucky, even after 10 months of silence, he had answered him as if nothing had happened and agreed to meet him the next day.

So there they were. It was almost eleven o'clock. The smile that stretched Strange's lips seemed sincere and Tony smiled back in the same way, as if the two men were able for a moment in each other's presence to drop their masks.

"Good evening Tony," says Strange, pointing to Tony's empty glass, "I hope you didn't wait too long."

"It's okay, I have time," said Tony.

Tony was having a little trouble looking away from Strange. It was the first time he had seen him in casual clothes, without his sorcerer's outfit. And the result was stunning. The sorcerer wore a chimney-necked sweater in charcoal grey mottled on jeans with a cut that highlighted his silhouette. Tony had to refrain from gasping.

"Another for Mr. Stark," Strange waved to the bartender. "And I'll have the same." Then he turned to him.

Tony quickly said, "You know that I don't drink alcohol, don't you?"

"Yes," Strange looked at him and smiled slightly before continuing, "I don't drink anymore either, practicing magic with alcohol in your blood isn't very wise."

He waited for the bartender to bring them their drinks before continuing, "It was a nice surprise, that message. Are you all right? " Strange asked with an honest concern.

"I'm fine. Really." Tony said firmly, because he knew Strange wasn't asking the question as a courtesy and was waiting for a serious answer. "I'm taking my time. I'm going back to my basics and I really feel much better. There are still a lot of things to work out, but I'm taking one step at a time".

Strange studied Tony's face carefully and then, seeming satisfied with what he was seeing, he replied, "I'm glad about it, just as much as I'm glad that you contacted me. You are right to take your time, and not to go too fast. After all you've been going at a hundred miles an hour for so long, you can slow down a little."

Tony considered this for a long time before asking "What about you Strange?"

"Please, call me Stephen, after all we've been through..."

"Okay Stephen. And you Stephen, how are things going for you?"

Stephen took a sip of his ginger ale. He looked tired. A lock of hair fell back onto his forehead. Tony was dying to push it back.

"Well, as Sorcerer Supreme, I'm supposed to watch over the Earth, which in concrete terms means being in touch with all the Sanctuaries all over the world and checking that in every place everything is in order. And when I am not doing that, I train new recruits at Kamar Taj twice a week and learn new techniques for myself."

Strange emptied the rest of his glass and looked at it, pointing at Tony's. "I'm a little ahead," said Tony, shaking his head. Strange shrugged his shoulders and ordered another drink. He stretched out and put a large, slightly trembling hand over his face. He just looked tired.

"Tony, may I ask why you wanted to meet?"

Tony had been trying to answer that question since the day before, but he had failed. Was he trying to make up for lost time with a former teammate? No. Did he feel bad that he hadn't kept in touch after they had worked together? Yes. Was it because he really had a soft spot for this calm and confident man? Maybe it was.

"It's just that...we met in the middle of intense events, and we didn't get to know each other in a normal situation and without armor. So... " Tony said simply that. What more was there to say?

"I wasn't expecting it and as I said, it was a nice surprise," Stephen smiled.

"As nice as the one I got when Peter told me about your meeting," he said, letting Stephen know that he wasn't fooled and that he didn't mind.

Stephen wasn't looking at him at that moment, so Tony let his eyes wander over his silhouette. Tall, thin, a few muscles. This man was made to wear jeans. As his thoughts began to wander, Tony realized that Stephen had turned his attention back to him. Tony let his eyes slowly follow Stephen's curves to his face. Stephen gave him a surprised but amused look. Tony didn't care, because one of the decisions he had made for him was to be honest with his own desires. So he watched him openly as much as he wanted. Stephen smiled and said nothing. Tony was glad to see that Stephen seemed to like it and even thought, if he was not mistaken, he watched him in the same way.

"What are you working on right now? " asked Stephen.

"That's the beauty of it, I'm not working, or rather I don't consider it work. Right now I'm working on prostheses made of nanoparticles allowing people to return to a normal life, the difference from before is that I don't have fighting parameters to take into account but parameters of everyday life," Tony commented passionately and a little shyly.

Stephen smiled: "That's really generous Tony, and for what kind of patients?"

"Every sort, those suffering from paralysis, amputation, fracture etc... and I want it accessible at a lower cost. No criteria of choice according to wealth, on the contrary. I want everyone without exception to have access to it. If possible, I would like the veterans to have free access to it, and that there is also a whole medical structure around to help patients with rehabilitation, physical and psychical."

Stephen was happy to see the excitement with which Tony was talking about his project. To see him freed of that "End of the World" weight was amazing. He seemed to be getting younger.

"It seems fascinating! Can I help you with anything?" Stephen asked as he turned and leaned closer.

"Well, as it turns out, yes. The part about reconnecting with the nerves in amputees is something I don't understand well, yes yes I admit I don't know everything." Tony said, raising his eyebrow ironically before continuing, "The synaptic junction is extremely painful and I would love to improve this problem. I could really use your advice and knowledge."

"Whenever you want Tony, I'm happy to be able to use a little bit of what I know from my old life," answered Stephen, a shadow passing over his face. Tony resisted the urge to lay his hand on Stephen's to comfort him. He was happy to be able to provide a reason for the sorcerer to work on something he was passionate about, but he didn't want to awaken old pain either.

"When do you want me to come? "Stephen asked.

"When your obligations as Sorcerer Supreme allow you to," smiles Tony.

Stephen finished his second drink and ordered the next one for himself and Tony.

Tony was having a great time. He leaned forward a bit because he was attracted to Stephen's scent, a fragrance of old books, tea and incense. He let himself be intoxicated by it.

"Tomorrow?" Stephen's voice took him out of his contemplation and Tony looked at him a little surprised.

"Hm?"

"To help you? I'm available tomorrow in the late afternoon."

"Oh perfect." Tony rejoiced inwardly that he didn't have to wait long to see the sorcerer again.

Tony raised his glass as if to make a toast "So to our future collaboration" Stephen sneered and made his glass clink against Tony's in response. Tony, not wanting the evening to end, started the conversation again: "What else do you do when you're not running Hogwarts?"

Stephen smiled at the pun and was surprised to see the engineer take an interest in his life. "I do a lot of meditation, I read, I only have one friend outside the Sanctum and no family, so I am alone most of my free time. I don't complain about it, on the contrary, when you live in a house full of people 24 hours a day, you need time to be by yourself".

By the time he finished speaking, Stephen had rolled up the sleeves of his sweater and Tony was having a hard time looking away from his exposed arms.

"No dating? "Tony asked, looking up.

Tony didn't care that he was bold, he didn't care if the question went too far, at least then he would know and that would prevent him from continuing to get hope.

Stephen raised an eyebrow and smiled in a way which made him look even sexier if possible, at least from Tony's point of view.

"I thought that's what we were doing," replied Stephen boldly.

Tony took a deep breath, he didn't know how to go on from there. The sorcerer had just shut him up.

Stephen didn't let it stew for long and asked him, "And you, Tony, you talk to me about what you're working on, but what else are you doing?" Tony, carried away by the ease of the discussion between them, told him about the moments spent with his friends, Peter's exploits, the pleasure of simply sitting to read, listen to music or watch a movie, or of suddenly going to his workshop to work on a new idea. Stephen let him speak, reacting from time to time, happy to see facets of the man he didn't know, to see that the shadow that was on his face the first time he met him, had disappeared.

"No dating either?" Stephen asked in echo to Tony's previous question. Now that Tony had retired from public life, the newspapers no longer had juicy stories to tell, so it was impossible to know what was going on with Tony's love life.

Tony tilted his head and winked at him: "I thought that's what we were doing," repeating word for word what Stephen answered back.

In spite of the lightness, however, Tony seemed a little uncertain, as if he was testing the waters.

Stephen chose to answer simply: "Who knows?" The silence dragged on a little, but it was not uncomfortable. The two men took advantage of each other's presence without putting any pressure on it. It was almost one o'clock and suddenly the bar had welcomed a group of people who were quite drunk and it became too noisy for their taste.

So Tony leaned closer to speak into Stephen's ear.

"I'm getting tired, let's go."

Stephen agreed. They went out at the same time, and by mutual agreement, they both went to an alley adjacent to the bar.

"See you tomorrow then?" said Stephen, asking for confirmation while he had started to make the complicated movements to open a portal directly into the Sanctum.

Tony, fascinated as always by the orange sparks, replied as his Iron Man armor unfurled around him, "See you tomorrow Doc, I can't wait." before taking off.

Stephen watched the bright and blue light of the propulsors move away in the sky until it was only a dot and as he passed through the opened gate he said, "Me neither Tony, me neither."