Nothing Can Tear Us Apart | IRONSTRANGE AU

Chapter 2

Three hours later
Stephen, who was still lying with his upper body on Tony's bed, didn't even notice how Bruce entered the room.
With a surprised look on his face, the Avenger took a seat next to the sleeping wizard, not knowing what to do.

Should he just wake him up or let him sleep?

Stephen seemed to have a peaceful sleep which he didn't have in months, just like every other Avenger out there who still suffered from the big fight against Thanos.

Sighing, Bruce put his hand on Stephen's shoulder.

"Dr. Strange?" he asked softly as he shook his shoulder.

Slowly the wizard opened an eye.

"Huh.." Stephen whispered, as he woke up. "Banner? Already here?"

"Well, I don't know how long you've been sleeping here now, but I came in 5 minutes ago. Didn't you say that you wanted to visit Tony at 7:40 am?"

The wizard sat up, yawned and stretched his arms. When was the last time he slept so well?
"Exactly. What time is it now?"

"11 am.. Sorry, I'm one hour too late." Bruce said while scratching the back of his own head "But at least you got more sleep because of it." he mumbled, trying to excuse himself.

Stephen sighed, "It's okay.", he couldn't help but look to Tony's direction again.

Stephen didn't know why, but he had a strong, weird feeling in his chest lately when he visited his friend at the hospital, just like as something big might be coming.
But since the wizard doesn't have the time stone anymore, he doesn't know when something is going to happen. He just knew that this certain energy which was coming from Tony was growing and growing every day.

Does that mean he'd wake up soon?

"So.." Bruce began, following Strange's look "You can go now if you want to, I'll stay here for a while and check if he's okay."

The doctor shook his head. He didn't want to leave him because of the strange feeling which grew over the time he's been visiting Tony.

"No, it's fine."

Bruce tilted his head.
"Are you sure? You've been visiting him a lot lately."

"I know" Stephen answered "I can't help but have a strange feeling which tells me that he's going to wake up very soon. Especially right now. There's a weird power resonating within his body, I have to stay here just in case he wakes up."

Bruce's eyes widened
"Really?? Why didn't you tell us earlier?" he said, almost yelling as he rose up from the chair "It's been months and you didn't tell us anything-"

Stephen sighed and interrupted him, he knew Bruce wouldn't react the way he wanted.

"Woah there partner, no need to yell across the whole room. I don't actually know if he's going to wake up soon or if it's something else. I don't know what exactly this energy is or where it comes from, but I know that it grows stronger from day to day. I just don't want to confirm anything."

Slowly, Bruce nodded.
He understood the wizard, he wouldn't want to confirm any wild theories either.
The smaller male crossed his arms and looked at Tony's direction again.

"Do you mind if I'll leave you guys alone then? You know.. I have someone else I want to visit here."

For a short moment, Bruce seemed to be really upset which Stephen directly noticed.
The wizard knew exactly who he meant and he couldn't help but feel sorry for Banner.

"I don't mind. But it's important to visit him too, especially for you and.. You know. We'll talk about it later. Take care of him and yourself, you'll get through this."

Bruce couldn't help but smile for a short momentum.

"Thanks. Take care of Tony, okay?"

"Always do."

After Bruce left the room, Stephen's cloak of levitation all of the sudden rose up and flew around Tony's bed.

"Huh?" the wizard gasped, confused, following his cloak with his blue eyes.

"Cloak? Did you sense anything?"

Quickly, the crimson cape nodded, it seemed to be excited, or rather shocked.
The sorcerer couldn't figure it out, so he stood up and bent over Tony's bed to see it for himself.
For some reason, the power which was resonating from the millionaire, was growing even stronger right now. Stephen felt it clearly, and it's startled him.

"This almost feels like.... The power of the time stone." he whispered with a concerned expression on his face.

"Can you feel it too?"

Again, the cloak nodded in response.

Stephen gulped.

He didn't know what to do.
Where did this strange feeling come from?
And why was it suddenly so powerful?
Softly, Strange put his hand on his partners cheek, checking on him.

His eyes widened.

Tony's skin was ice-cold,
and before he could do anything,
he heard a lout beep.

It was the monitoring.