Don't worry, happy ending

Also, in this universe, Thanos was defeated another way.

~~~

It all started after the war. Tony would be a bit short of breath, sometimes cough a little. But nothing too serious.

But now, this coughing fit was worse. He felt like he couldn't breathe, and he was on his knees, holding onto the wall with one hand until he finally coughed something up.

A petal from a Blue Flax Flower.

'Oh shit.'

See, Tony had caught feelings for Stephen Strange, however, the feelings were not (yet) reciprocated. Tony panted a little before getting up, the petal falling out of his hand to the floor.

"Hey, Mr. Stark, I heard you coughing, are you okay?" Peter says. After May died, he moved in with the Avengers.

Tony took a deep breath. "Yeah. I'm fine, kid. Just.. had something in my throat." He says. Peter looks at the floor, tilting his head at the petal. "Is that a flower petal?"
Tony looks at it. "Uh.. yeah, I accidentally dragged it in from outside." Peter didn't believe him, but nodded. "I'm going out for a bit, be back later-"

~~~

Peter knocks on the door to the New York sanctum, and was teleported inside.

"Parker. To what do I owe the pleasure?" Stephen asks, drinking some tea. Peter looks over at him. "Uhm, sorry to bother you Sir but I-i was wondering if you had any books or something about uh.. what's it called.."

"If you need a book, why not go to the library?" Stephen asked, tilting his head. "Because it's a magical thing that people think is fake, it's like, a flower disease-" Peter explained.
Stephen rose his eyebrows. "Hanahaki? Why do you need to know about hanahaki?" He asks. "Um... S-someone I know has it.." Peter says, biting his lip a little.

Stephen took a breath, looking surprised. "Good luck. The only cures for the disease are surgery or, whoever the victim is in love with must reciprocate those feelings."

'Or he'll die..' Peter pursed his lips, holding back tears. "I can't lose anyone else.." he mumbles, nodding at Stephen before walking out.

~~~

A few days go by, and Tony's coughing fits started happening more often. There were flower petals all around in the lab and in his room.

He decided, if this is only gonna get worse, he's gonna at least hang out with Stephen. Even just once. So, he got his phone out, dialed the number, and hit call.

S: "Hello?"
"Wizard- uh.. Stephen, hi, I was just.. do you.. uhm... Can we.." Tony sighs, his breath a bit staggered due to not being able to breathe properly. "... Hang out.. or something?.."
"Odd request, but fine. Where? And are you alright? You sound like you've just had a panic attack or something."
"Nonono, I'm alright.. uh... How's the coffee shop at 4?"
"That works. I'll see you there, then."
"Yeah, see ya.." Tony hung up, taking a deep breath before getting ready.

~~~

Tony was sitting in the coffee shop waiting, desperately holding back his coughs. Stephen showed up, dressed normal, and sat down with him. "Hello, Stark."
Tony looks up and smiles, though gasped quietly for air. "Hey. Get whatever you want, it's on me." He says, putting a hand to his chest.

Stephen looks at him. "Are you sure you're alright?" Tony nods. "Yeah, just.. y'know, heart problems, I'm fine."

They talked for a bit, Tony buying Stephen some coffee. Until Tony couldn't hold back his coughs anymore. Not wanting to draw attention to everyone else, he quickly walked outside.

Stephen followed, a little worried. When he got outside, he saw Tony, again on the ground, with a hand on his throat, and a small pile of blue petals under him.

'Peter was talking about him?'

Stephen walks over as Tony struggled to catch his breath. "You need to go to the hospital. Immediately." Tony shook his head, mumbling a 'no' as he gasps for air.

"You will die, Anthony!" Stephen says, sternly. "And live for what?" Tony snapped, looking up at him and standing.
Stephen frowns slightly. "If it means so much to you, why not tell the person how you feel? If anything, it's a chance."

"... Enjoy your coffee, Stephen."

~~~

For some reason, after that encounter, his coughing fits didn't happen as often, but when they did, there was blood on the petals.

It wasn't until Tony coughed up a whole flower that he decided to at least tell Stephan.

So, he called him, but Stephen didn't respond. Rather, a few seconds later, he walked through a portal, looking around and seeing the flower petals, then the flower.

Odd, blue flax is one of his favorite flowers.

He looks at Tony, who despite his state, still gave  his signature grin. "What, miss me?" He teased. Stephen knelt down, putting his hands on Tony's shoulders. "You can't just leave someone at a coffee place after coughing up 13 flower petals, then call them a week later- Anthony you need to have this taken care of!"

"Stephen," Tony says, catching Stephen's attention. He had to pause as well, coughing up another flower. "Do you... By chance.. happen to like blue flowers..? Heh.."

Stephen's eyes widened slightly as he responded, barely above a whisper, "Tony..."

Tony panted, looking at him. "I uh.. like you." He says, nodding a little, then scoffing a laugh. "Yeah.." he continued, then sighs.

Stephen stayed quiet, processing. He then moved his hand to hold Tony's cheek softly. Tony leaned into the touch, smiling a little. "That's nice.." he breathes out, closing his eyes for a moment.

Stephen then kissed him.

He doesn't know why, but he didn't regret it. It felt so nice- so warm, and soft..

Tony looks at him after they broke the kiss, blushing brightly. "Wh-why did you..?" Stephen shrugs a little. "I don't know... Something in me told me to?" Tony nods a little, touching a hand to his lips softly.

He started feeling better after that, and he and Stephen started going on dates more often.