AU details:
* Highschool theatre kids
   * It is impossible to lie to your soulmate (this includes body language, writing, and texting)
   * If you lie to someone in your soulmate's presence, a feeling like a static shock passes through their neck (Can cause temporary winded sensation)
* The bigger lie you tell, the stronger the feeling will be for your soulmate

CW: Outcast/rejection sensitive Tony, mention of anxiety

Stephen knows magic

~~~

Tony had just joined theatre this year, and didn't know many people. He was a freshman, and started off being on the set crew. On their first competition of the year, everyone was pretty much pushing Tony aside, because he didn't know a lot yet.

So, Tony was currently in the hallway, wiping his eyes. Stephen, one of the stage actors, goes over to him, tapping his shoulder carefully. "Are you alright?"
Tony went to say he's fine, but the words stopped in his throat. Slightly bewildered, he looks at Stephen, who tilts his head. "... I just feel a bit left out." He says. Not a lie, technically, so he could say it.

"Left out why?" Stephen asks. Tony wanted to tell him it's not important, or that he wants to be alone, but both of those were lies. And he got frustrated. Stephen, noticing Tony's frustration, squints curiously at him.

"Stephen, fifteen minutes until we're on stage. You too, Tony." The teacher tells them. "Oh, Tony, are you alright?"
"I'm fine. Leave me alone." Tony grumbles, crossing his arms. Stephen flinched slightly, holding his neck for a brief moment.

The teacher walks away, leaving just the two of them. And they both now knew. They look at each other for a minute, nothing being said between them.

"I... Have to go get ready for the show. Meet with me after, kay..?" Stephen says, walking away.

~~~

After their play was over, Stephen found Tony helping the other stage managers take everything off the stage. "It was Tony, right?" He asks. Tony looks up, turning a little pink and nodding.
"My name is Stephen.. it's nice to finally meet you." He says, offering a small yet genuine smile to Tony. Tony returns the faint smile and nods.

~~~

The next day, during rehearsal after school, Stephen noticed Tony sitting on the floor, looking exhausted. He went over, sitting in front of him. "Hey. You okay?"
Tony wanted to say he was fine, or nod, or something, but he couldn't; he was physically incapable of it. He huffs, glaring at the floor.

Stephen chuckles softly. "Sorry you can't lie and make me go away. What's wrong?" He asks. "I didn't sleep.." Tony grumbles.
Stephen tilts his head. "Why?" Tony looks up at him. "Anxiety attack.." Tony mumbles, crossing his arms. Stephen frowns, holding Tony's hands carefully, making Tony blush slightly and look up at him.

"Why don't you come over today, if you want?" Stephen offered, rubbing Tony's hands with this thumbs softly. "You could help me rehearse." Tony tilts his head. "First, why me? And... How? I'm not an actor, I'm a stage manager.."
"You're my soulmate, right? Why not you?" Stephen asks. Tony blushes more. "You really believe in that stuff, huh.." Stephen was patient, giving Tony a soft smile. "I believe in it because I've seen it, Tony. Come here." Stephen stood up, holding his hand out to Tony. Tony took his hand, standing up and following Stephen to the supply closet.

"Why are we in here, Stephen..?" Tony asks, perplexed. Stephen looks at him. "Try to lie to me." He says, his hands glowing blue as he casts a small spell. Tony looks at Stephen's hands, shocked. "What is-"
"C'mon Tony." Stephen eggs on, looking at him. Tony sighs, a bit bewildered, but complied. "The sky is-.." he couldn't lie. He looked at what Stephen was doing, and noticed a whispy thread around them both, intertwined with each other. Part of the thread circled around both of their necks.

"These ties are what prevents us from being untruthful with our soulmate. They stop any form of lie from coming out when you speak directly to your soulmate." Stephen explained, looking at the threads in what seemed like awe before dissipating the spell.
Tony took a moment, then looks up to meet Stephen's eyes. "... That.. that was magic. That's impossible-.." Stephen put a finger up to his own mouth in a shushing motion. "It's a secret, Tony." Tony nods a little. Like anyone would believe him if he said anything, anyway.

~~~

Tony ended up going over to Stephen's house after school, helping Stephen practice. He was actually having fun, and it made him happy. And Stephen was happy too, which made it better.

"Hey Stephen, come here." Tony says. He was currently sitting on Stephen's bed, while Stephen had been walking around his room rehearsing. Stephen went over, sitting next to him. "Yes?"

"I wanna try something.." Tony says, blushing a little. Stephen tilts his head, looking at him. Tony smiles a little in a mischievous way. "Yeah, stay like that for a minute." He says, placing his hand on the nape of Stephen's neck, kissing him.

Stephen's eyes widened slightly, then fell shut, a giddy smile on his face as he kissed back. Stephen moves his hand to hold Tony's free one, pulling him closer with the other.
Tony ended up under Stephen, not quite laying, but not quite sitting up either, holding himself up with one of his hands. Stephen pulls back, the both of them panting softly and blushing. Stephen seemed happy, though.

In a fit of joy, Stephen threw his arms around Tony, pouncing on him and causing Tony to fall onto his back. He smiles, though, putting his arms around Stephen as well.

They ended up watching a movie together, cuddled up to one another.

"Do you believe in soulmates now, Tony?" Stephen asks. Tony snorts. "Hard not to when someone shows you literal magic-" he jokes. Stephen chuckles softly, petting him. "I got more magic I can show you."
Tony gave him a look, scoffing playfully. "Is that so?" Stephen nods with a him. "Well, maybe you should show me sometime." Tony states. Stephen smiles.

"Maybe I will."