Work Text:
Tony paces in his workshop, the last Avengers meeting playing on repeat in his head:
“I don’t suggest this lightly,” Clint said. “We’re heroes, not assassins. But we may never have an opportunity like this again. According to my source, magic everywhere is going to be completely inert for a matter of hours. It’s a once in a lifetime event. Less, even. The loss of the Ancient One almost took down the sorcerers. If Strange hadn’t turned up out of nowhere, they might never have recovered. Losing Strange would be a death blow, and this is our chance to make that happen.”
The others had agreed. Reluctantly, but they’d agreed. A plan had been assembled.
Tony reaches the end of his workshop and turns on his heel, pacing back the other direction. And again. And again.
The problem is, Tony knows Strange. Stephen. His hesitation isn’t sentimental. Stephen Strange valued life more than anyone else Tony had ever met. It’s why their relationship ended; Tony’s work for Stark Industries had become too much for the doctor.
Stephen Strange would never join the sorcerers unless he believed he was doing more good than harm. Just because Tony didn’t understand it didn’t mean it wasn’t true. He’d been trying to understand it for years.
But now he’d run out of time.
Unless.
Tony stops pacing and looks down at the phone in his hand and the number displayed there. He’s not supposed to have it, but he’s always been resourceful. He should have told the Avengers he had it, but he never had.
The call connects before Tony quite realizes he’s made the decision.
“Hello?”
Stephen’s voice is just the same as it ever was.
Tony closes his eyes. Lets out a long, slow breath.
“Stephen. There’s something you need to know.”