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Tony doesn’t begrudge Stephen his responsibilities as a sorcerer. Stephen was very clear when he agreed to be the liaison between the Avengers and the Masters of the Mystic Arts that the order would always come first and that it wouldn’t be uncommon for the Avengers—and their associated bureaucracy—to have to make do without him.
Even once their relationship became more personal, Tony didn’t resent the rarity with which Stephen could assist with Avengers duties. But that didn’t mean that he didn’t wish Stephen could be around for some of the more difficult ones. Today, he and Janet are representing the Avengers at the reading of impact statements regarding an Avengers battle from almost a month ago. It had done a lot of collateral damage. More than anyone liked. This is an important part of the process, but sitting through hours of detailed descriptions of how they’d failed the people they were meant to protect… it sucks. Ten minutes before they were due to be called into the room, Tony texts Stephen: I wish you were here with me.
Not even five minutes later, a portal opens six feet away and Stephen steps out, dressed appropriately in a dark suit. Tony stands and greets him with a soft kiss. “You didn’t have to come.” That hadn’t been his intention.
“I know,” Stephen says, clasping Tony’s hand in his. “But you don’t ask for much.”
Tony lets out a quiet breath. “Thanks.”