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As the auctioneer called his name, Stephen stepped out of the wings of the stage and strode across it to his mark, stopping and smiling at the crowd before doing a slow spin. He was wearing a tuxedo instead of his robes, and no matter what Wong said, it wasn’t because he was trying to win their bet via sabotage. Actually, Stephen was certain that the tux would tip things Wong’s way. Anyone who wanted an evening with him thanks to his sorcerer’s skills would already be aware of them. Anyone bidding based on looks was going to be far more interested in an outfit that showed off his body. Besides, the robes looked wrong without the Cloak, and they had declined to participate.
As the auctioneer listed Stephen’s desirable qualities, he took a turn around the stage, picking out audience members and making eye contact with a smile.
He returned to his mark as the bidding started. It moved at a respectable pace, but nothing like the fast and furious bids that had come in for Steve Rogers or Thor. There was no way Wong was winning this; he’d completely overshot the mark by betting on $250,000. Stephen slipped his hands into his pockets, his smile taking on a smug edge in anticipation. And then, as if in rebuke…
“Five hundred thousand!” A voice called out.
Stephen froze. Even the auctioneer faltered: the bidding was only at $150,000.
The auctioneer scanned the audience for the bidder, then abruptly relaxed and smiled broadly. “I have five hundred thousand dollars from Mr. Tony Stark!”
Startled, Stephen found Tony in the audience. He looked thoroughly pleased as the auctioneer concluded the bidding.
Apparently, Tony had been serious all those time he’d asked Stephen out.
Wong was going to be insufferable.