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Oh, Wong was going to enjoy this way too much. Stephen tried to move forward, tripping over his own feet as he did. It didn’t help that he now had two more than he normally did.
Stephen loved magic, he did. But sometimes it was a real nightmare.
He was a cat. Why was he a cat? He lifted one paw, examining the dark black hair, before turning in circles trying to get a better view of himself. Yes, he realized grimly, he had very much turned into black cat; if he were a superstitious man he’d consider that quite a bad omen, but he was sure this would be easy enough to undo. Mostly sure at least.
The Cloak of Levitation hovered above him, poking at him lightly. Stephen batted at them, hissing a little before stopping in surprise at the sound coming from his mouth.
Stephen glared up at his desk and the book that rested innocently on it.
He still didn’t understand why the writers of these books didn’t seem to see the use in putting the warnings before the spells. But, it was his own fault, really, he should know better by now.
Not that he was going to admit that to Wong.
He turned, once again tripping over his paws and glared at his body, fallen dramatically on the floor.
This did not feel like a higher-form of his astral form like the book had described, though it had separated his soul from his body quite effectively.
Now, how to reintegrate his soul with his body?
He jumped lightly up onto his body, settling down on his own chest and tried to ‘fall’ back into his body the same way he did when he was in his astral form.
It was, perhaps unsurprisingly, rather ineffective.
It didn’t stop him from trying a couple more times before he gave up, jumping from his own body, to the chair, and then scrambling up to the desk, falling only once—landing on his feet, thankfully—before his cat body seemed to realize that it knew how to do this.
Good to know that at least some of this was instinctive, or Stephen was going to be tripping everywhere, which was really an entirely embarrassing prospect.
He settled in front of the book, skimming the words as he read. It took him a moment to figure out how to turn the pages without letting his claws come out. Wong would kill him if he ripped the pages. It didn’t do him much good, however. According to the book it was as simple as releasing oneself from one’s new form.
Well, he’d tried that.
This was truly infuriating. He had taken to his astral form with astonishing ease, one of the first bits of magic that he’d really achieved. This should have been natural for him.
He jumped back down from off the table, barely avoiding landing on his human body.
Stephen eyed his body for a long moment, considering his next course of action. There was nothing for it but to try again. And then hope that Wong decided to come visit soon.
He cringed at the thought of Wong finding him like this, but it was better than the alternative of being stuck like this.
Finally, he climbed back onto his body, perhaps this time he would be slightly more successful at reintegrating his soul and body. Perhaps instead of trying to switch from cat to human he could use his astral form as a go between.
He focused on the feeling of throwing himself out of this cat form and into his astral form, but where the movement was normally almost instinctive it felt as though there was some sort of block keeping his soul trapped in this form. He didn’t know how long he’d been trying and failing to escape when the magic of the sanctum shifted a little to let him know that someone had entered.
Stephen let out an annoyed meow. Oh, there was one person worse than Wong to see him like this, and they had just entered the sanctum.
There was, after all, only one person that the sanctum let in quite so easily, much to Stephen’s dismay.
Tony Stark.
Wong had said it was Stephen’s own fault, clearly laughing at Stephen behind his placid mask. As master of the sanctum Stephen had some small control over the sanctum, the building reacting to his own emotions and desires. Unfortunately there was some part of Stephen that always wanted to let Tony in, that wanted to have Tony close, that wanted to keep Tony protected within the walls of the sanctum; the sanctum reacted accordingly.
“Hey Strange,” he heard Tony call out. “Brought you a sandwich from the deli you and Wong are obsessed with.”
Perhaps if Stephen did nothing, then Tony would assume he was out and just leave… Hopefully leaving the sandwich behind.
The Cloak, however, didn’t seem to get with the program, abandoning Stephen and flying out the door. Stephen glared after them. The traitor.
He heard Tony greet the cloak, voice teasing as he asked where Stephen was.
Stay downstairs, Stephen thought desperately. Don’t see me like this. The thought of Tony seeing him in this form, an example of his sheer incompetence, made him cringe.
But Tony’s voice was coming closer, an edge of concern layering it as he called out Stephen’s name again.
And then Tony was at the door. “What the hell?”
Stephen jumped off of his body, darting underneath the desk, hoping that Tony hadn’t seen him.
Tony practically tripped into the room, dropping to his knees beside Stephen’s body. “Stephen,” Tony’s voice was almost too loud in clear distress, and Stephen watched as Tony reached desperately for his neck, fingers scrambling for Stephen’s pulse point.
He could see the moment Tony found it, his shoulders slumping in relief.
“You’re going to give me a heart attack one of these days,” Tony muttered. “Don’t you know I have a heart condition?”
For a moment Tony just knelt there, bent over Stephen’s unconscious body, pressing his forehead against Stephen’s own as he slowed his breathing. Then Tony was pulling back, and Stephen watched as Tony picked him up. He grunted a little, almost stumbling before he managed to straighten himself, Stephen cradled in his arms in a ridiculous display, given that Stephen was several inches taller than Tony and nearly dwarfed him.
The cloak darted forward, helping to support Stephen’s weight.
It was thankfully only a few steps to reach the bed and Tony gently laid him down. Stephen couldn’t quite help the way his heart twisted at the thoughtful action.
From his position beneath the desk he could see one of Tony’s hands brush against his cheek in what Stephen would swear was a caress. His heart beat loud in his tiny body at the action. That had looked almost… intimate. But, surely not? That was just Stephen’s imagination, his aching desire interpreting what was an innocent action into something that meant more.
Tony looked up at the Cloak of Levitation. “What happened?” he asked.
The cloak pointed at the book on the desk and Tony stepped closer to the desk, looking down at the open book.
“Of course it has to be in some long dead language,” Tony muttered, he pulled his sunglasses from his pocket, slipping them on. “Friday, you’ve been studying, right? What does it say?”
Stephen couldn’t hear what Friday said but Tony let out an explosive breath.
“So he’s in his astral form somewhere?” Tony asked, glancing at the cloak.
The Cloak of Levitation made a so-so gesture before floating down to point under the desk.
Tony crouched down to look and Stephen could see the moment that Tony saw him. One eyebrow raised. “Please tell me that’s not you, Stephen.”
Stephen let out a tired meow, before moving closer to Tony. No point lying.
That earned him a disbelieving laugh. “You’re a cat? Really? Was the spell supposed to do that?”
The cloak shook itself in negation and Stephen hissed a little. The cloak could be a little more understanding about these things instead of letting Tony know that it was a mistake on his part. It wasn’t like Tony understood just how finicky magic could be. Sometimes these things happened.
Not that that excuse was going to work on either Tony or Wong.
Tony lifted his hands in a false gesture of surrender. “I’m sure there’s a very good reason for it,” he said, clearly aiming for pacifying.
Stephen stuck his nose up, making it clear he wasn’t forgiving the slight.
Tony let out a low laugh. “Come here,” Tony reached out a hand, gently scooping Stephen up and into his arms.
Stephen let out a disgruntled noise. He was not a stuffed animal, thank you very much. But Tony had brought him in toward his chest, cradling him there and Stephen had to admit it was a somewhat comfortable position.
It didn’t last, Tony placing him on the desk as he stood. “So, do you got this, or should I be calling Wong?”
Stephen was forever going to regret the moment Wong decided that Tony was tolerable and had given Tony his number. The two of them were constantly ganging up on him.
He turned his back on Tony, settling himself in front of the book again and feigned reading it.
Tony snorted. “Right, I’ll give Wong a call then.”
He heard Tony retreat from the room, and Stephen immediately turned to watch him go. He wasn’t sure if it was better to not hear Tony’s conversation with Wong or if he would prefer to know just what the two were saying.
In the end his curiosity won and he hopped gracefully off the table, landing perfectly on the ground. It occurred to him that this form had to be more soul than body, because his front paws didn’t ache at the landing as they would if the nerve damage in his hands had translated into this cat body.
At least that was something in his favor. He didn’t want to imagine how uncomfortable it would be to have to walk on all fours with the pain in his paws making every step painful.
He followed Tony out the door, finding him standing at the top of the staircase.
“—I’m not kidding.” Tony paused for the moment. “He’s a cat, Wong, I can’t exactly ask him.” Tony glanced toward him as Stephen padded up to him, and if Stephen were in human form he would scowl at the almost amused grin that Tony sent him. “All right. I’ll stick around until you can get here. Not that there’s anything I can do if your precious sanctum gets attacked, as you like to remind me.” Tony was quiet for a moment. “Of course I will. I’ll see you soon, then.”
Stephen waited impatiently as Tony ended the call, sticking the phone back in his pocket. He tilted his head in silent question.
“He said he’ll be here soon,” Tony told him. “Apparently he’s putting out some sort of metaphorical fire at the moment and it will take him some time to finish up.” Tony shrugged. “And he said you’re a cat, not dying, so it doesn’t qualify as an emergency.”
Stephen let out another annoyed hiss. Wong was probably right, but that didn’t make him any happier about the situation.
Tony crouched down, reaching one hand out tentatively, waiting a few inches away, clearly asking for permission.
Stephen debated it for a few moments before an almost painful desire for Tony’s touch caused him to reluctantly push into Tony’s hand.
Tony let out a quiet hum, scratching gently. Stephen couldn’t quite help the purr that escaped him, the touch soft and gentle and far too enjoyable.
“You know,” Tony commented. “You’re kind of adorable.”
Stephen pulled away, hoping that his expression was able to show just how little he appreciated the comment, but he wasn’t quite sure his cat face was expressive enough for that.
“Oh come on,” Tony teased. “I walked in and you were unconscious on the ground. You being a cat is far better than any of the assumptions I was making there for a minute.”
Stephen tried to picture that, walking into a room and finding Tony sprawled out unconscious on the ground. He let out an unhappy noise, and butted his head back into Tony’s hand. He supposed that, in comparison to some of what he would imagine, Tony being a cat would be better than Tony being hurt.
Tony’s smile was a little soft as he rocked back on his heels. “Now, I’m gonna be honest, I have no clue what to do now.”
Stephen butted his hand against Tony’s hand again, a sudden, probably inappropriate thought occurring to him.
He moved forward, twining between Tony’s legs, laughing inside when Tony startled and fell backward. He jumped up onto Tony’s chest, butting his head against Tony’s chin and then settling down on his chest.
It was entirely inappropriate to steal Tony’s affection this way, but all Tony did was let out a startled laugh, bringing his hand up to scratch at Stephen’s ears. “Really, Stephen?”
Stephen just let out a purr, nuzzling into Tony’s chest. It wasn’t like he could get away with cuddling with Tony when he was human.
“I thought cats were supposed to be aloof and all that?” Tony said, and there was that teasing in his voice. “Though I have to admit, this totally proves me wrong about all that wizard nonsense.”
Stephen looked up at him suspiciously.
“Clearly, you’re a witch.”
Stephen batted at Tony’s chin with his paw in exasperation.
Tony laughed. “I am never going to let you forget this.”
That gave Stephen pause for a second, but then decided that that was probably par for the course and he wasn’t going to let that inevitable teasing stop him from nestling into Tony’s chest. Despite his best efforts, there was a part of Stephen that was still painfully selfish, and oh, he wanted Tony. Would steal every bit and piece of affection that he could, whenever he could.
There was a shift of air above them and Stephen looked up to see that the cloak was hovering above them, collar tilted inquisitively. Stephen got the sense that he was being judged, but he couldn’t quite bring himself to care.
Finally the cloak made a little shrugging movement before fluttering down and covering him and Tony both.
“You know, we really could have done this somewhere more comfortable than the floor,” Tony muttered.
Stephen didn’t bother to respond to that. If Tony wanted to move he was more than capable of dislodging Stephen from his place on Tony’s chest.
But Tony didn’t and some secret part of himself wondered if maybe Tony wanted this as much as Stephen did. He forced himself to dismiss the thought as nothing more than self-delusion. True, Tony and Pepper had broken up. And true, Tony had been spending an awful lot of time here at the sanctum. But Tony had never shown any indication of wanting more.
Tony’s steady breathing, his fingers scratching gently behind Stephen’s ear, was lulling and Stephen found himself dozing.
Wong’s voice pulled him from his nap. “What are you doing on the floor?”
“Stephen wanted cuddles,” he heard Tony say.
“Of course he did,” Wong grumbled and Stephen hoped Tony hadn’t heard that, and that if he had, that he hadn’t realized what it meant. “I still don’t see how that ended up with you on the floor,” Wong continued, his voice at a normal volume this time.
He could feel the shift as Tony shrugged. “He’s a cat, he tripped me. I’ve been reliably informed that that’s what cats do.”
Stephen stretched, digging his claws into Tony’s shirt, careful not to hit skin. Tony’s fingers trailed down Stephen’s back, before he sat up, carefully dislodging Stephen from his chest.
“He’s not an actual cat,” Wong pointed out and Stephen nimbly jumped to the floor, sauntering away from Wong.
Tony snorted. “The first time I met him, he and his cloak slapped me, somehow him tripping me seems completely in character for Stephen.”
Stephen could feel Wong’s judgment as Tony stood and the two of them followed him back to Stephen’s room.
Wong moved immediately to the still open book, scanning it quickly. Stephen jumped up onto the table, settling beside the book.
He was unsurprised when Wong let out a tired sigh. “Only you, Stephen. Only you.”
“So what was the spell supposed to do?” Tony asked, sounding interested.
“Well, he didn’t necessarily do it wrong. Though I suspect he misunderstood what it was supposed to do in the first place.”
Stephen flicked his tail unhappily. He’d read the spell very clearly. It was supposed to free his soul from his physical restraints, allowing—for lack of a better term—spiritual enlightenment.
“Doesn’t answer my question, Wong.”
“It’s supposed to bring him into a form that will allow him to let go of his fears and worries, giving him the opportunity to express himself freely.”
Tony was quiet for a moment. “Really,” he said neutrally. “That… explains a lot.”
Stephen flicked his tail again, a little nervous. He could feel Tony’s gaze on him, but kept his gaze focused on the book.
“It does, doesn’t it,” Wong said. “I hope this means you’ll both stop being idiots.”
Tony didn’t answer.
“Anyways,” Wong continued. “I suspect that if Stephen has done exactly what the spell was meant to help him do. If he tries to slip back into his body he should have no problems this time.”
Stephen stiffened in understanding and this time he couldn’t stop himself from looking at Tony who was watching him with too knowing eyes.
The only thing Stephen had done since he’d been turned into a cat was give into his desire to steal Tony’s affection. Tony was too much a genius, no matter how emotionally obtuse he could be, to miss the meaning of that.
For a moment he considered that he really didn’t want to return to his body. Not when it would mean having to have an actual discussion with Tony about what that all meant.
“Let’s see you try, Stephen. I want to see you back as a human before I head back to Kamar-Taj,” Wong said, voice slightly impatient.
Stephen couldn’t quite help the displeased hiss that escaped.
He glanced at Tony again, shaking his head.
Tony pursed his lips, but then nodded. “I’ll leave the deli sandwich in the kitchen. I probably should be going anyways.”
“Sandwich?” Wong asked.
Tony grinned, though it was half-hearted. “Of course I got one for you, too.”
Wong nodded, pleased, then turned to Stephen. “If you’re not down in five minutes I’ll be coming back up.”
Stephen bobbed his head a little in a nod.
Tony turned to leave, pausing at the door before shaking his head and leaving.
Wong gave Stephen a stink eye. “I hope you know you’re being ridiculous, Stephen.”
Stephen ignored him, jumping off the desk and moving towards the bed.
He waited until Wong left the room and he could feel the shift of Tony leaving the sanctum before settling onto his chest again.
It was easy this time, the block that had kept him trapped in cat form was as though it had never been there and he slipped first into his astral form and then back into his body.
He opened his eyes, letting out a deep breath. “Great,” he muttered to himself, rubbing at his face. “Talk about humiliating.”
“He didn’t reject you,” Wong pointed out from the door. Stephen glanced at him to see that Wong was munching away on a deli sandwich. “Thought I should point that out. I literally found you both on the floor while you cuddled him.”
“I was a cat.”
“And you were still Stephen.”
Stephen closed his eyes. “All the worst parts of me. Selfish, demanding.”
Wong rolled his eyes. “Yes, because asking for affection is so selfish. That’s human, Stephen. And it’s probably ridiculously telling that you didn’t let yourself be human until you were not human.”
Stephen made a face at that, offended.
“Of course I let myself be human.”
Wong shook his head. “Stephen, I know what the Ancient One told you and she was right, but she never meant for that to be about every element of your life. Sometimes it’s allowed to be about you.”
“Not at the expense of Tony,” Stephen pointed out.
Wong rolled his eyes. “No, not at the expense of Tony, but in case you missed it, this isn’t at Tony’s expense. Which you would know if you’d actually communicate with him.”
Stephen sat up, running a trembling hand through his hair. “Tony and I have something good going on.” They were friends, good friends. Tony was a part of his life, which was more than Stephen could have thought to hope for when this ridiculous yearning for Tony had started. “I won’t ruin that by asking for more.”
Wong let out a sigh. “Hopeless, the both of you.”
But Wong didn’t push it any further, instead leaving Stephen to his own whirling thoughts.
He wouldn’t ruin what he had with Tony by asking for more. He wouldn’t.
He felt the shift within the sanctum’s magic when Tony entered.
It had been two, almost three, weeks since Stephen had seen him last when he’d asked Tony to leave after the humiliating venture of being a cat.
“Stephen?” Tony’s voice called and Stephen focused on the magic of the sanctum to transport Tony from the entryway to the library.
As always Tony let out an exasperated sigh. “You know, walking is a thing.” The cloak floated over as Tony complained, wrapping around him in a quick hug before retreating back to where it’d been floating through the stacks.
“I’m just saving time,” Stephen said, the same thing he said every time. “And making sure you don’t have the opportunity to go touching ancient relics that you really shouldn’t be touching.”
“Lean on the magical cauldron one time and suddenly a person is being judged for life.”
“It was twice, and then there was the time with the—“
Tony plopped down on the seat across from Stephen. “Okay, okay, so it was more than once. Your point is made, I don’t need a list of my transgressions.” Tony reached out and grabbed one of the books Stephen wasn’t currently reading, slipping his sunglasses on, presumably so that Friday could help him read it.
Stephen watched him for a moment before turning back to his own book.
They both read in silence before Tony shut the book and leaned back in his chair. “We going to talk about this?”
Stephen didn’t look up from his book, though he suddenly found it impossible to concentrate enough to actually read. “I don’t see why we need to.”
“Of course you don’t,” Tony muttered. “You know, I went to talk to Pepper after you kicked me out last time.”
“I didn’t kick you out,” Stephen protested, not thinking about what it meant that Tony had gone to talk to Pepper.
“You did,” Tony said easily. “But that’s fine. You were forced into a vulnerable position and you needed space. Trust me, I get that.”
Stephen wanted to deny that he’d been vulnerable. But it would be a lie and one that Tony would recognize immediately as one.
When Stephen didn’t respond, Tony kept talking. “Anyway, Pepper and I talked; she’s always been far more emotionally astute than me.”
“And so what,” Stephen snapped, a little irritated. “You’ve figured out your problems, getting back together?”
Tony snorted. “I’m not going to say that Pepper deserves better than me, because last time I did Pepper gave me a lecture about acknowledging my own worth and I don’t need that again. But I will say that Pepper deserves something entirely different than me. And you know what, I deserve something different, too.” Stephen heard the shift as Tony leaned forward. “I’m not going to claim I deserve you, Stephen. Because it’s not about deserving. But I won’t lie and pretend that I don’t want you.”
Stephen froze, the words on the page blurring. “What?” Stephen asked, not quite sure that he could trust his ears.
“You heard me,” Tony said easily. “I want you. I’ve wanted you for months.”
Stephen forced himself to look up, his gaze meeting Tony’s almost immediately. Tony’s eyes were serious, nothing to indicate that this was some terrible joke.
“You don’t have to say this just because—“
Tony let out a laugh. “Stephen, you know me. I’m not the sort to pretend to feel things I don’t just to spare someone’s feelings.”
Stephen thought that was a lie. Despite what Tony said about himself, Tony was self-sacrificing to a fault, and he would hide his real feelings to make someone more comfortable. But then, probably not to this extent.
But then, Tony probably didn’t realize just how deep Stephen was.
“It’s more than that,” Stephen said finally. “I don’t just want you, Tony. I…” He swallowed. Vishanti, was he really doing this? “I love you,” he admitted finally. “Pretty irrevocably.”
Tony’s eyes widened in surprise. “You love me,” he repeated.
Stephen nodded, throat painfully dry. “Yes.”
Tony leaned back in his chair, gaze flitting over Stephen’s face. “You really mean that.” He let out a sharp breath. “Well, good. That makes it less awkward when I say that it’s mutual. I love you, too.”
His heart gave a traitorous flip. “You don’t—“
“If you say that I don’t have to say that just to make you feel better, I swear I’ll throw a book at you and put up with Wong’s inevitable lecture when he finds out. I wouldn’t lie about something like this, Stephen.”
“I wasn’t going to say that,” Stephen lied.
The look Tony gave him made it clear that he knew that was exactly what he had been about to say. “Christ, Stephen. Why is it so impossible to believe that I love you? That I want you?”
“Because I want that,” Stephen tried to explain. “I want it so much that the thought of having it terrifies me.”
There was a flicker of understanding in Tony’s eyes. “Why do you think it took me three weeks to come back?” Tony asked quietly. “You’re not the only one afraid of this.”
“Then—“
“But I’m even more afraid of the thought of us having a chance and losing it because neither of us was willing to take a shot.”
“I don’t want to lose you if this goes wrong,” Stephen said.
Tony shrugged. “I think we’ve both proven that we can make the transition from friends to lovers and back to friends. I mean, look at Christine and Pepper. If we can hang onto those friendships, then we can hang onto ours too.”
Stephen had never really thought about it that way, but he supposed there was some merit to the idea.
Tony leaned forward again. “Look, I’m not going to try to push you into this. If you don’t want to try, then we don’t try. It’s that simple. But I wanted you to know how I feel.”
Stephen felt almost helpless, his emotions twisted up inside of him.
After a moment Tony seemed to realize he didn’t have an answer and nodded, standing up. “Whatever you decide, Stephen. I can wait for your answer.”
Stephen watched him go, not sure if what he was feeling was regret or relief.
The cloak drifted in front of him, lapels pushed forward and edges crossed over themselves like a disapproving parent.
“Don’t look at me like that,” Stephen told it. “You wouldn’t understand. I’m not ruining this.”
The cloak somehow managed to add a sense of exasperation to go along with the disapproving.
“He’s my friend. It doesn’t matter if I love him. He doesn’t—“
Except Tony did.
As much as Stephen struggled to fully believe it, Tony wasn’t a liar. At least he wouldn’t lie about something like this.
Tony thought he loved him.
And Stephen was just letting Tony walk away.
What was wrong with him?
He reached out to the magic of the sanctum, searching for Tony and finding him almost to the door.
It was the work of moments to latch onto Tony and to use the sanctum’s magic to transport him back, standing as he did it so that when Tony arrived Stephen was there, cupping Tony’s cheek.
“Whoa, Merlin. A little warn—“
Stephen kissed him.
For a moment there was no response, Tony clearly shocked.
And then Tony was kissing him back.
The press of Tony’s lips against his was everything Stephen had imagined it to be and more. Vishanti, he should have done this sooner.
He pressed Tony back until Tony was against the bookshelf, and Tony let out a quiet moan. “Stephen,” he gasped.
“I want this,” Stephen whispered against his lips. “I want you. You and your love. I want every ounce of affection you give me. I want every word, every stupid nickname, every touch.”
He could feel Tony’s hand at the back of his neck, and then Tony was pulling him down for a second kiss.
Stephen didn’t know how long they stood there kissing, but he did know that he never wanted to stop.
Finally, Tony pulled away, head falling back against the bookshelf. His eyes were hooded as he stared at Stephen.
“Stellar answer, by the way. 10/10, you can answer all questions like that from now on.”
“Don’t think that would actually be a relevant answer for 99% of questions,” Stephen pointed out.
Tony shrugged. “True. I’d manage though, don’t you think?” There was a teasing look in his eyes as he asked the question and Stephen didn’t have the heart to deny him, leaning forward to kiss Tony again.
It took another few minutes for them to end this kiss and Stephen wondered if it would always be like this, a desperate need to get their fill of each other.
“You know,” Tony said, fingers playing with the short hairs at the nape of Stephen’s neck, “if we ever get married, Wong’s going to have the best-worst best man speech ever; I can already picture him telling everyone that you had to be turned into a cat before either of us made a move.”
“Married?” Stephen repeated, raising an eyebrow. “Moving a little fast there, aren’t you?”
Tony shrugged. “You tell me. Am I?”
Stephen thought about marrying Tony, thought about swearing the rest of their lives to each other. This might be new, but loving Tony certainly wasn’t.
The thought was too appealing.
“Maybe we should go on an actual date, first,” Stephen said, instead of saying what he really thought.
Tony ginned at that. “A date, I think I can manage that, but first…”
Tony kissed him again, slow and sweet and perfect.