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It was an innocent looking relic. A small hand bell that was golden in hue and decorated in etchings of various angelic figures. The feathers were especially detailed and almost seemed soft to the touch. Stephen had no doubt that if he were to hear it ring, the sound would be perfect.
Not that he would, knowing what it did.
The Bell of the Seraphim was a rather ancient relic that originally gave Christian’s the idea of what angels ‘looked like’ compared to the horror of which they were actually described as in the Bible. Not only that, it slightly inspired the movie ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’.
After hundreds of years, the relic had finally been rediscovered and found a home in the New York Sanctum. Stephen would have to be extremely careful with the relic so he wouldn’t not trigger its magic, he was unable to restrain it by magical means.
“Honey! I’m home!” A voice called from the foyer and Stephen couldn’t help but let out a resigned smile. His relationship with Tony Stark was a relatively new venture. A year after Stephen had become a sorcerer, he had been battling some demons and Iron Man came to help. After one battle, Stephen had been smitten by the man and Tony seemed to be just as smitten with him. The only difference was that while Stephen would’ve shoved his attraction to the back of his mind and carried on with his day, Tony decided to face his crush head on. He flirted with reckless abandon until Stephen agreed to a date.
It had been about a year since then and Stephen was honestly happy.
“I’m up here!” Stephen called as he turned to look for a book on the properties of the bell. Despite being lost for a number of years, there was a surprising amount of references to the relic.
“So I got all the presents for Peter and Wong ordered. For Pepper, I just hand her my card at this point so I figured we could do the same with Christine and- wait. What’s this?”
Stephen turned in horror to see Tony picking up the bell and before he could even get a word out, the man had rung it.
He barely heard Tony shout in alarm as pain enveloped him. It was as if two daggers had been plunged into his back and twisted.
It was almost a relief to fall unconscious.
Tony had always thought himself as not the best of people, but today’s events had cemented the fact that he was an absolutely horrible person into his mind. He was a certified genius in the field of science and robotics but absolutely a dumbass in everything else.
He knew stuff in the sanctum was dangerous. He knew that like his lab, you weren’t supposed to just walk in and touch things you didn’t know anything about. Yet that fucking bell…
Tony hadn’t physically killed his boyfriend but it looked like any mental presence of Stephen Strange was gone, replaced by something else entirely. The physical transformation was absolutely horrifying. He hadn’t been expecting it in the slightest. Witnessing someone growing wings was not for the faint of heart and he couldn’t get Stephen’s screams of agony out of his head. The wings themselves were beautiful: dark black feathers with almost a navy blue reflection to them and his wingspan was massive. They took up nearly the entire room so they had to be at least sixteen feet when extended.
It was after the transformation that the horror show began.
Tony tried calling out for Stephen to try and help him but the man was completely unresponsive verbally. He could only hear chirps and oddly enough, croaking coming from his wizard and wasn’t that terrifying.
Then Wong burst in and things went from bad to worse.
Stephen’s eyes were fully dilated as he went absolutely manic in terror. Feathers flew everywhere as he thrashed. Stephen’s leather boots were shredded in an instant as large black talons overtook his feet and the fingers on his hands grew as well, turning into deadly claws.
“DO NOT LET THAT BELL RING AGAIN.” Wong yelled as he stalked closer to Stephen. Tony had no problem with those instructions whatsoever. Curled around the bell so it had no chance of ringing, he watched from his position on the floor as Wong tried to get close only for Stephen to attack in defense. If Wong had been a second later in shielding himself with his magic glowing disk, the sorcerer would have lost an arm.
“Stephen!” Tony called, ready to try anything, “it’s okay, we’re not going to hurt you!”
The thrashing seemed to pause for a moment. Slowly, the large wings retracted to reveal his boyfriend; still confused but his head cocked to the side. There was absolutely no humanity in those eyes and wasn’t that just a repulsor to the heart.
“That’s right, Strange magic. It’s Tony!” He crawled across the floor slowly, passing the bell carefully upside down to Wong who took it and backed the fuck up. Stephen’s full attention was on him and he was occasionally chirping. God, Tony was such a horrible person for doing this to him. “We’re both fine. Will you let me come closer?”
Stephen seemed to ponder this for a moment before the talons seemed to retract as the man calmed down. Good. Baby steps. Tony scooted closer, right in front of Stephen, and looked up at his boyfriend. The man looked confused, the vacant expression looked completely alien on the sorcerer’s face. It took a moment, but Stephen dropped down next to him and nestled into his side, wrapping his wings around them both. He was barefoot and the torn remains of his shirt were wrapped around him.
Somehow the inventor had made a bigger mistake than Ultron. Taking the mind, even by accident, of someone had to be one of the cruelest acts he had ever done. Especially when that someone was Stephen Strange, who prides himself on his mental fortitude.
“I think I have it from here Wong.” Tony called out. He was unwilling to look away from Stephen when the man was attached to him like a lifeline. The feathery barrier between him, Stephen, and the rest of the world would be comforting if they didn’t come at the price of his wizard’s sanity. For something so beautiful they came with such a heavy toll.
“I will research what has befallen Stephen in the meantime. I have heard that many who have fallen to the Bell of the Seraphim disappear almost immediately and this may explain why.” Tony heard footsteps walking away and Stephen’s body lost what tension it had left.
Tony hadn’t cried in years. Hell, he couldn’t even remember the last time he did so that wasn’t an anxiety attack or exhaustion. He found himself with tears streaming down his cheeks as Stephen cooed at him and began to carefully preen his hair with precision. Clearly some instinct was guiding him but Tony didn’t want some bird. He wanted his snarky wizard boyfriend back.
“God, Stephen. I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry.”
Stephen woke up slowly to feeling incredibly warm. Almost as if he was wrapped up in a couple down blankets. He also seemed to be cuddling with someone if the hands gently carding through his hair was any indication.
“I should have known better, Stephen. I pulled the ultimate dumbass move.”
Ah, Tony. That should have been his first guess but his mind was still a bit hazy. He went to stretch and it felt like the best one of his life if his back had anything to say about it. He just wasn’t expecting the large rush of cold air to hit him.
“What are you blaming yourself for now, Tony?” He asked groggily and wasn’t expecting to hear a gasp. Stephen blinked his eyes open to find Tony staring at him with so much awe that it was overwhelming.
“Stephen? Is that really you, honey?”
“…why wouldn’t it be?” He asked and his boyfriend let out a sob mixed with a laugh.
“It’s been a long eight hours” Tony replied and rubbed his eyes. Stephen was still confused as to what they were doing on the floor of the study. “Do you remember what happened?”
Surprisingly no. He responded as such.
“I pulled a complete asshole move and rang that bell you were studying and you kinda got mojoed by it.”
The bell…the bell… oh .
The bell.
He looked over his shoulder to see a massive black wing attached to his upper back and for some reason, the sight did not trigger any sudden panic.
“So I’ve been asleep for the past eight hours?”
Tony looked sheepish and altogether exhausted.
“Not exactly. It was like the lights were on but only a bird was there. Except the bird just wanted to cuddle and preen me. It also absolutely hated it when Wong came by.”
Well that was disturbing.
“So, I was entirely gone mentally?”
To his utter astonishment, Tony began to sob. Based on how red his boyfriend's eyes were along with the tear stains on his face, this was nowhere near the first time this had happened today. What the fuck had happened?
“Stephen, I thought I killed you. The part of you that makes you the snarky asshole I fell in love with. You knew me but it was like you switched brains with an animal and I honestly thought I killed you. I barged into your space and messed with stuff I shouldn’t have and you took the consequences and I am so sorry Stephen.”
Stephen stared at Tony for a moment before pulling the man into a hug. It was slightly concerning that he was wandering around purely on bird instincts but the fact that he recognized Tony was a sign that he wasn’t completely hopeless.
“You know, I’m surprised you didn’t take the easy bait. A few treats and ‘Polly want a cracker’ would have been low hanging fruit,” He murmured into Tony’s hair. The smaller man huffed in annoyance.
“Didn’t I just say I thought you were dead? Teasing me after pouring my heart out for hours and lying to my kid about my whereabouts? Bird Stephen was much nicer to me.”
“I don’t know,” Stephen mused, pulling back slightly. “I think I’m plenty nice. I’m going to be your space heater now. I know how often you’re piled under six blankets when no one is looking. I also know about the Snuggie you use like a robe and walk around in. You look like sorcerer Mickey.”
“First of all,” Tony pulls away and Stephen tries to smother the smile forming on his face, “Your version of Hogwarts would be honored to have sorcerer Mickey in their ranks. Secondly: I have a heart condition and it affects blood flow so I get cold easily.” Got him. Stephen looked at Tony with so much love. What did he do to deserve this idiot of a genius? He was so caught up in his musing that he didn’t notice when Tony began to frown again.
“How-“ Stephen’s eyes snapped over to him where the billionaire was struggling to piece together his words. It was such a surprising sight that Stephen couldn’t help but stop and stare at his flustered boyfriend. “How can you not be mad at me? I just ruined your life and almost left you nearly brain dead?”
“But you didn’t.”
“You have giant wings?! How is that not going to ruin your life?” Tony shouted and Stephen pulled him close again, rocking slightly. It was for his benefit and not just Tony’s.
“I’m not going to let it. One of my apprentices at Kamar-Taj is a Minotaur. A pair of wings are unusual but manageable. I might be able to find a way to keep my wings in the mirror dimension while in this physical plane but I’d have to experiment.” Stephen shrugged. “Magical accidents happen all the time. This is hardly the worst thing that could happen other than the cloak getting annoyed. It won't be able to rest on my shoulders as easily.”
Tony still looked absolutely distraught and Stephen couldn’t help but coo in response. The man flinched and Stephen’s heart sank.
“Why don’t you hate me?” Tony asked quietly, looking down at his fidgeting hands. “I essentially shoved something permanent onto your body that will change everything and you don’t hate me. I would hate me.”
Stephen was confused for a moment before the realization suddenly hit. The arc reactor. He had never asked for the arc reactor but having something life altering happen to you could be invasive to the highest degree. Here Tony thought he had committed the greatest sin because it was the greatest sin done to him. Oh Tony…
Stephen caressed Tony’s cheek and angled the other man’s head so it was facing his.
“I don’t hate you. I knew the risks when I agreed to start studying magic and I could have easily done it to myself. I love you, Tony Stark and we’re going to figure this out.”
Tony stared at him for a moment before letting out a soft smile that melted Stephen’s heart.
“I suppose it’s fitting that an angel is resolving me of my sins-“
“Oh my fucking god, Tony.”
“You shouldn’t take your dad’s name in vain.”
“I changed my mind. I actually hate you.”
Life continued on.
Peter had been ecstatic to see Stephen’s new wings and the sorcerer couldn’t say no to the kid. The teen would often straighten out feathers or just pet them when he was distracted. Tony would have a sweet smile on his face as he watched the two most important people in his life getting along.
Christmas was even closer now and Stephen had drafted Peter to retrieve gifts on his behalf. He still hadn’t gotten control of his wings. Well, at least how to hide them. The sorcerer had traveled to various mountain ranges and had tested out his flight capabilities. It had to be one of the most freeing things that Stephen had ever done. The Cloak would flutter around him like a mother hen, but Stephen was far more focused on the wind carrying him gracefully through the sky. It truly took an effort to go back home to the sanctum where he was cooped up. No wonder so many of the people affected by the bell had disappeared if nature was this appealing.
Stephen was vaguely aware of Tony and Wong whispering when he was out of earshot. They looked concerned but he felt fine, if not better than before he gained his wings. Peter would often ditch his father at the sanctum doors and beeline to Stephen to ask new questions. He seemed to have new ones every day.
It wasn’t until December 22nd that things changed. Wong said that he would be unavailable for the next forty-eight hours as something had popped up with a relic that he had to attend to. That’s fine. Normal even. It’s the fact that Tony and Peter both drop off the face of the earth at around the same time that is weird.
When he reached out, Friday informed him that Stark the elder and Stark the adopted younger are both out of commission from an illness. Stephen offered to help, he was a doctor after all (even if he was a surgeon), but was shot down saying that everything is under control. He would be contacted when the event has passed.
Going from being visited every day for the past two weeks to sudden radio silence from everyone is jarring. Stephen tries not to take it personally but it never quite sinks in. He finishes decorating the sanctum, wraps presents, teaches more classes at Kamar Taj (he’s that desperate), and more. It isn’t until Christmas Eve that he finally gets answers.
It’s about eight in the evening when an exhausted Wong portaled into the sanctum. Stephen has never seen him that ruffled before and immediately stood to interrogate the other sorcerer when he spots what Wong is holding.
The bell.
Fuck.
“What the fuck? I thought that was secured.” Stephen exclaimed, his wings flaring as he stared at the relic. Wong merely rolled his eyes and jerked a shoulder back at the open portal.
“Just go. Merry Christmas Bird-Brain.” The Sorcerer Supreme wandered off leaving Stephen confused. It doesn’t stop him from following instructions however, and Stephen realizes the portal took him to the Avengers Compound. A small inkling of dread pooled in his stomach as he creeped through the halls. As much as Stephen has grown to love his wings, the inclusion of it here has him concerned. Wong hadn’t told him anything and it rankled. Out of everyone, Stephen was the best candidate to deal with this relic.
The halls were absolutely empty. The Christmas decorations didn’t help in the slightest. For a place that seemed to exude energy, this sudden shift in tone only heightened Stephen’s unease. When Stephen reached the common room, he was floored. Sitting there on the rather torn up couch is Tony and Peter, both sporting their own wings. Tony’s a charcoal gray speckled with black while Peter’s is a chestnut brown, not dissimilar to his eyes.
“What-“ Stephen breathed and it drew the attention of his boys. Both looked exhausted but Tony got up carefully and made his way over to his boyfriend.
“Couldn’t let you have all the fun, could we Peter?” Tony asks with a smirk, looking over his shoulder at the teen who is nodding enthusiastically. Stephen’s brain had stuttered to a halt at this point.
“Was it by accident?” He asked and Tony gave him a soft smile.
“No.”
“But why?!”
Tony gently led Stephen over to the couch, seating him in between himself and Peter. He grabbed one of Stephen’s hands as he began to explain.
“Ever since you got your wings, Wong had been researching to see if there would be any more information on your new condition. Any side effects to worry about. There weren't any immediate ones but there was one glaring issue.” Tony looked Stephen in the eyes, squeezing his hand as gently as possible.
“There’s a reason why people thought people with wings were angels. They are incredibly long lived. The few that the sorcerers had managed to interview had been alive over eight-hundred years and still looked to be in their prime. My mistake cost you the ability to have a normal life, Stephen.”
“My life has never been normal.” The sorcerer replied automatically. Honestly, his brain was still blue-screening. The thought that he would live thousands of years didn’t register, that sort of thing was always an option when working with magic. It was the fact that these two had known that and decided to do this…
Peter let out a snort beside him but Tony was still focused entirely on Stephen.
“I love you. I wasn’t going to let a dumb mistake on my part turn our relationship into some dumb tragic pseudo-Greek love story. So, I decided I would join you and then the kid didn’t want to be left out so now we have a kid who’s human, bird, and spider.”
“If you call me Spider-Bird, I am leaking those videos of you dressing up in Stephen’s robes and pretending to do magic.” Peter said with a grin and the inventor paled.
“You did what?” Stephen laughed, a grin forming on his face. Tony smacked the back of his head with a wing and it only had Stephen and Peter laughing harder. It took a few minutes to calm down, but the three wound up cuddling on the couch together. Stephen could not think of anywhere he would rather be.
“Tony, I would gladly spend the rest of my life with you. I wasn’t expecting a proposal on Christmas, but-“ Stephen trailed off with a smile as his boyfriend began to freak out. God, he was in love with this man.
“Shit, this was a proposal?! I don’t have a ring. Do you want a ring? Jewelry stores are closed right now but I could make you one-“ The inventor rambled and Peter took the moment to throw a pillow at his father.
“You just gave up traditional humanity for your boyfriend. I think that’s more than proposing.”
“Shush genius child, I am freaking out here!”
Stephen could only laugh as the two most important people in his life bickered. Yes, growing wings was certainly not expected but he wouldn’t trade this for anything.