Regular (Non superhero) AU

Warnings: Ex run-in, mention of past relationship, fake to real relationship, mention of heart problems, fainting

~~~

Tony was at a bar, drinking a beer, when suddenly Pepper walks in. An ex girlfriend, things didn't end well between them, and he didn't want it to seem like he was drinking to drown the pain.
So, he turned to the nearest person and said, "Hey, can we pretend to be dating?" the other person, Stephen Strange, looks over at him. "I..."

"I'll pay you." Tony says. "... I don't need your money, but fine. What do you want me to do?" Stephen asks. "Just act like we're dating- yeah so anyway, noon work for you on Saturday?" Tony says as Pepper walked closer.

Stephen looked over; he's observant, and realized Pepper was who Tony was trying to avoid. "Yes, that works. I have that day off, so I'm free."

"Interesting you choose a bar for a hookup." Pepper says. "What, this? This isn't a hookup, this is my boyfriend. Which you'd know nothing about, considering you can't keep one." Tony sassed.
Pepper scoffs. "Give it a few weeks, he'll realize just how much of a pain in the ass it is to date you, and he'll dump your ass."

Stephen, not liking arguing nor being in the middle of it, decided to step in. "Maybe we should go home, dear, you've had a few drinks and the last thing you want is a drunk fight, right?" he says, giving Tony a look. Tony rolls his eyes, paying the tab and leaving.

"Pathetic... Still an alcoholic- I feel sorry for you, you poor soul. Out of everyone, why him?" Pepper says. Stephen furrows his eyebrows. "I'm beggining to see why you two didn't work." he says, following Tony outside to make sure he didn't do anything stupid.

"You're Tony Stark, aren't you? Howard's son?" Stephen asks. Tony sighs. "Oh goodie, you know all about me. Rich guy, immediate asshole right? Daddy spoiled him rotten huh.."
"I know about you because your father is a billionaire. Donated a lot to the place I work." Stephen says. "Good for him. Such a good guy." Tony responds, sarcastically, then sighs, putting a hand to his head.

".. Are you okay? You had one beer, you shouldn't be drunk at all from that." Stephen says, looking at him.

"Yes- I'm fine.." Tony responds. He wasn't though, he was dizzy, felt like he was going to faint.

He is going to faint.

Stephen noticed, holding him under the arms and carefully sitting on the ground with him. He felt for a pulse; there was one. A fast one.

Tony started coming to, mumble slurring things like ‘what the hell happened?’ and ‘Christ almighty..’
"You fainted. Are you going to be okay?" Stephen asks. Tony sat up. "Yes... It's just this... Heart issue I have, I'm dumb I forgot alcohol can trigger it.. I'm fine.."

"You have arrhythmia? Are you on medication for it? How bad is it?" Stephen asks. Tony scoffs. "Who are you, my doctor?" Stephen looks at him.

".... You're a fuckin doctor, of course you are-" Tony rubs his forehead. "My name is Doctor Stephen Strange, pleasure to meet you, ‘darling’." Stephan teased.

Tony blushed, scoffing and standing up slowly. "Don't call me darling-" Stephen stood up as well. "Okay, hon. How long am I putting this act on for you?"

"I-if I need you to again, I'll say so- for now, here. For tonight." Tony hands him $200 before walking away.

~~~

Their encounters happened a few times, eventually they started actually hanging out with each other. They were currently at a park, sitting and getting to know each other.

"So, don't have a good relationship with your dad, huh?" Stephen asks. Tony shook his head. "Not really. I mean he doesn't hate me or anything he's just... Not always emotionally there."
"I see. And that girl a few weeks back?" Stephen says, looking at him. "Pepper... Yeah uh... See I was planning on proposing to her but I caught her kissing some guy so we fought and broke up." Tony answers, throwing a rock.

"Oh.. How unfortunate.." Tony shrugs a little. "So what about you? When did you become a doctor?" he asks. "Oh, about 2 years ago." Stephen answers, smiling a little. Tony nods. "That's neat.." he says, panting softly.

"Well look who it is. I thought you were kidding about him being your boyfriend." Pepper says. Tony looks over, rolling his eyes. "I'm not the liar here." he says.
"Really? You always made excuses to not go places, saying ‘my heart is bad’, but I never saw any proof of that." Pepper crossed her arms, Stephen deciding to jump into the conversation.

"A medical condition is not something a non doctor can diagnose or claim false." He says. Pepper scoffs. "And you're a doctor?"
"I am, actually. Currently an ER doctor trying to become a neurosurgeon." Stephen responded. "Oh boring. Whatever."

"Why are you wherever I am? Are you stalking me?" Tony asks. "Hah! Don't flatter yourself. It's plain coincidence." she says before walking off.
Tony sighs, rubbing his forehead. "She gives me a headache.." Stephen looks at him. "So.. Well... I have a question. You don't have to answer if it's personal." Stephen says.

Tony looks at him. "What is it, Stephe?" he asks. "What's your sexuality?" Stephen asked. "Ooh, never thought I'd be asked. I'm bi. You?"
"Omniromantic demisexual." Stephen responds, then continued. "Nobody's interested when you tell them that.."

"I'm interested." Tony said, looking at him. "I mean, over the past few weeks, I've.. Grown to like you. A lot, actually."
Stephen blushed slightly. "Like.... Like like me?" he asks, to which Tony nods. "So... Well do you want to.. Actually go out-?"

"I wouldn't mind an upgrade." Tony joked, chuckling. Stephen rolls his eyes, smiling a little. "Then I guess we're actually dating now."

"I guess we are."