1. Little Red Riding Hood
An innocent youth was walking around the woods, following a familiar path that leads to his sweet grandmother's house.
The innocent youth was called, Anthony.
Now there is a reason why the word innocent was emphasized twice in the beginning. Because the word already explains the nature of this boy for he is far too innocent and everyone who knows him wanted to keep it that way.
Unfortunately... He is too innocent for his age and his parents are regretting it a bit for it and so they decided to give him an adventure, on his own, to his grandmother's house to deliver some delicious delicacies that was made by the one and only Maria, Anthony's mother. The journey could at least teach the youth a little bit of independence.
But before he could go, his parents strictly reminded him to stay on the yellow road that takes a long walk to his grandmother's house instead of the shortcut.
And so, here he is, walking down the familiar road with no sense of cautiousness in his mind. And unfortunately, he forgot about the most important thing and that is to stay on the yellow road.
The 16 year old boy was now skipping towards a very dangerous road that was known to have man-eating werewolves , but of course, our innocent protagonist couldn't have known about this, for he is too innocent.
Without knowing the danger ahead, Anthony skipped happily through the road, not knowing that a lone wolf was eyeing him from the distance.
Now this lone werewolf, Stephen, was walking around the woods, searching for his friend, who brought him along to hunt some food. They hunt in the middle of the day so that they can feast in the night. Of course, they feast on other animals and not humans because in his pack, they are strictly following their own rules and that is not harming humans.
While searching for his friend, Stephen sniffed a very pleasant smell, a faint scent of lavenders mixed with an earthly smell. He was so entranced over the scent that he didn't realised that he lead himself towards the scent.
When he finally realised, he was already far from where he originally stood, and was standing behind a big willow tree. The scent was strong but he could tell that the scent was moving and so being a curious person, he followed the scent until he was met with a very beautiful youth. The most beautiful boy he has ever seen. With the scent much more stronger and alluring as he watched the youth from a distance.
He could feel the urge to hug the life out of this boy and the feeling on wanting to have this boy all to himself, but there was a tug in his heart, telling him to be patient. And so, here he is, following the boy the whole time.
Anthony, however was oblivious with his surroundings that he didn't even realise that a lone wolf, was staring at him longingly and following him the whole time. Until a rogue werewolf appeared in front of Anthony.
Anthony knew that this wolf was very dangerous and he means to hurt Anthony on the spot. Anthony was too afraid that he started slowly walking backwards without alarming the rogue wolf.
But him being the clumsy person he is, tripped on a stump that he didn't notice and instantly fell on his bum. Anthony knew he was in trouble and all he could do was close his eyes shut, praying that the wolf would leave him alone.
Until a very soft and manly voice was heard.
"Are you alright?"
Anthony slowly opened his eyes and was eye to eye with beautiful sky blue eyes. He didn't realise that he was looking at him for too long until he finally snapped out of it.
"Can you hear me? Are you alright?" Stephen tried to get his attention which eventually did. He was relieved but also pissed that some dirty scums dare to try and eat his human. Stephen huffed, glad that he already killed the wolf and then instantly went back to reality, to check his lovely human.
"I- I'm fine... Th-thank you for saving my life... Umm...." Anthony mumbled, giving a hint that he wanted to know the stranger's name.
"Ahh.. my name is Stephen... And your welcome... I couldn't help but feel the need to protect you from that rogue werewolf. This is a dangerous area in the forest, I'm surprised that there are still humans who takes this short but dangerous path. What business do you have here...?"
Anthony blinked, and stuttered while trying to tell Stephen his name.
"M-my name is Anthony and ummm... I'm on my way to my grandmother's house at the end of this forest."
As Anthony told Stephen his main purpose, Stephen finally realises who Anthony is talking about.
"Oh! You mean the nice woman who lives in a very small cottage in the forest? Well this short path may lead to her house but this road is very dangerous and so a new road should be made by now..."
And that is when Anthony realises his mistake.
"I FORGOT ABOUT TAKING THE YELLOW ROAD INSTEAD OF THE SHORT CUT!! I'm such an idiot!!!" Anthony cried, as he was so angry for being too care free and didn't remember his parent's warning back at his house.
Anthony was too busy, freaking out that he forgot about Stephen. Stephen, however could only sweat drop, seeing his beautiful human panicking over his mistake.
"You know Anthony, I can accompany you back to the yellow road again to get to your grandmother's house. I don't really mind." He really mean the last part. Because as much as he is worried about his friend hunting all alone, he couldn't just leave the poor human all alone in a very dangerous forest. Plus he's taking his chances to get closer to Anthony.
And so, the wolf and his human went back to the yellow road again and walked for hours until they reached a small but beautiful little cottage.
They were then greeted by Anthony's grandmother who took them in for a cup of tea but it wasn't long before the lone wolf, Stephen had to leave.
Anthony and Stephen was outside the cottage, both unsure where to look because they were standing in front of each other. Anthony was pretty much shy in front Stephen because he realised he didn't want Stephen to leave so soon.
Stephen was also contemplating whether he should leave Anthony to go back to his pack or just stay. But he knew he had to go back. So instead of being awkward, not doing anything other than being flustered by each other's presence, Stephen took the first move.
He slowly grabbed Anthony by his waist and a hand from the back of Anthony's head and instantly gave Anthony a kiss on the lips. It was soft but it wasn't long until Stephen had to release the kiss.
"This kiss shall be a promise that we shall see each other another time in the future. So for the mean time, wait for me, my love." Stephen whispered in Anthony's reddening ear.
After that, Stephen left Anthony and the cottage after giving another kiss on the forehead. Anthony was too surprised that he didn't move from his position and stood outside the cottage.
Anthony's grandmother saw everything and was giggling at his grandson.
"They are made for each other." She smiled at her own thought and went back to the kitchen to cook dinner for both her and Anthony.
2. A Surprise Visit?
In the tower of Stark Industry, stood a man with a very swollen looking stomach, walking around his work shop, aka lab, while his hologram moved with him.
Tony was still working on one of his machine's new features and wasn't gonna stop for another few hours.
He was always reminded by his husband to never work on his lab for another few months until he gives birth to their son, but Tony already developed the habit of working and sometimes, he couldn't help but do his activities secretly while his husband works at Kamar-Taj.
Since his husband was a literal wizard (Tony's nickname for his husband), Stephen has to be in Kamar-Taj and at the sanctum all the time because he has to help his master, the Sorcerer Supreme, to teach her students and protect the Sanctum after.
But even so, Stephen made sure to come home early for his lovely husband just to spend some time. But since they have a child coming, Stephen has been very protective of Tony.
And there are times when Stephen would appear out of nowhere with him using his portal. And so Tony has been very careful about doing his work secretly.
By now, Tony was already sitting on one of the sofas in the living room, with his hologram in front of him. He has been making some adjustments when he finally heard a women's voice.
"Doing something secretly from Stephen isn't a good thing now is it?" Tony was startled as he saw a bald women with a yellow robe, sitting on one of his sofas while drinking some kind of tea from a cup.
Tony could only gape at the woman upon realising that this is the Sorcerer Supreme, Stephen's master.
"I-I wasn't doing anything except sitting around with my hologram." Tony quickly defended himself while unconsciously raising both of his hands.
"I know what you have been doing Anthony, but don't worry, I won't tell him." She winked at Tony.
"I made Stephen really busy back at Kamar-Taj just so I could visit you, Anthony. I wanted to see how my future godchild's growth." She smiled as she put her cup on to the coffee table.
"This bundle of joy has been growing pretty healthy for the past 8 months. I only have a few weeks before I'm due." Tony slowly and lovingly caressed his belly while thinking about his child.
"I'm sure your child will be wonderful, Anthony. Since I willingly became this child's godmother, I shall give this child a gift once this child is born."
Tony smiled at the kind women. She was always kind around Tony that Tony himself has started to see this women as his mother figure.
He knew Stephen cared for his master as his own family.
The Sorcerer then stood up from her seat, taking her cup with her and created a portal.
"I guess that's all then Anthony... I'll be going now... I'll tell your husband to come home straight away. Until then, see you later." The woman gave Tony a slight wave and she disappeared in to the portal.
Tony was left all alone in the room, smiling all to himself while lovingly caressed his swelling belly.
"I can't wait for you to come to this world, Peter..." Tony mumbled and went back to his bedroom to take an afternoon nap.
A/N
Hey guys!!! So this is another part 2 on the IronStrange shorts. As to compensate my late update on the previous chapter.
I hope you guys like this cute short story on IronStrange UwU.
Until the next update, see ya!!