The Sanctum was supposed to be quiet. Instead, there was the unmistakable sound of power tools echoing through the New York Sanctum, followed by a shower of sparks and a very familiar voice muttering, “Okay… that’s definitely not supposed to be glowing.” I closed my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose. There were countless threats lurking beyond reality—ancient gods, rogue sorcerers, creatures from dimensions that had no business existing. Yet somehow, the greatest disturbance to the balance of the mystic arts was Anthony Edward Stark with unrestricted access to my workshop. When I stepped inside, he looked up from a half-disassembled relic resting beside one of his holographic displays. “Before you say anything, I’m fixing it.” “You’re taking apart a relic older than civilization.” “I’m improving a relic older than civilization.” “You’ve attached an arc reactor to it.” “It was asking for one.” I should have been furious. Instead, I found myself smiling before I could stop it. Tony noticed immediately, wearing that infuriating grin that somehow survived alien invasions, time travel, and near-death experiences. “There it is. Knew I’d get you eventually.” “I wasn’t smiling.” “You absolutely were.” “I was experiencing profound disappointment.” “Mhm.” The Cloak of Levitation drifted over and settled around his shoulders like it had chosen a side. Traitor. I sighed, crossing my arms as the Sanctum hummed softly around us. “The fate of reality,” I said, “rests on the shoulders of a billionaire who keeps trying to optimize magic with engineering.” Tony shrugged. “And a wizard who’s secretly dating that billionaire.” “…That information is classified.” “So is most of my lab. Doesn’t stop you from walking in whenever you want.” Perhaps Wong was right. Perhaps allowing Tony Stark this deeply into my life was reckless. Then again… recklessness had always been one of our shared talents. I stepped closer, quietly fixing the runes he’d accidentally disrupted with a flick of my fingers. His hand brushed mine for only a second before he looked at me with that familiar expression—the one hidden beneath every sarcastic remark and every impossible invention. The one that reminded me why, despite our constant arguments, impossible schedules, and opposite ways of seeing the universe, I always found my way back to him. “Try not to break reality today,” I murmured. Tony smirked. “No promises, Stephen.” Somehow… I wouldn’t have it any other way.