CHAPTER 23: CHAPTER 023: TONY’S ARRIVAL! IF ONLY I’D MET HIM SOONER!

Seeing Stephen’s constipated expression, Lorien instantly knew he still had no clue.

Of course, Lorien wasn’t a matchmaker, nor was he the kind of guy who played best friend to certain girls. So he simply said,

"Some things can’t be explained in words.

Some things you’ll never understand until you experience them.

So I’ll just leave you with this—

I’d rather make a mistake than do nothing at all."

The meaning was generally positive, but it worked for love too.

Stephen thought it over and got the point.

"Alright, I get it."

"Mm."

Lorien nodded casually, and that was the end of it.

It wasn’t his love life, after all. And love? Lorien never went chasing after it—he just waited quietly for the right time.

Don’t ask why.

Because screw love.

...

After making sure Lorien hadn’t been hurt the night before, Stephen was ready to go. After all, he was a top surgeon, performing major operations almost every day. Free time wasn’t something he had much of, and he couldn’t come find Lorien to hang out whenever he wanted.

Stephen glanced at his watch.

"I’ve got another surgery at noon, so I need to head out."

"See you, Lorien."

"See you." Lorien waved him off.

But right then—

Clang!

The office door swung wide open.

A man in a fitted suit, high-tech wristwatch, sunglasses, and a small goatee stood in the doorway and asked,

"You guys in counseling?

Should I wait outside, head home and wait for a call, or can I pay to cut the line?"

The moment that cocky voice hit his ears, Lorien didn’t even need to look. He knew exactly who it was.

Tony Stark.

"Iron Man?" Stephen also recognized him. Technically, the two had crossed paths before Tony became Iron Man, but they hadn’t actually known each other.

"No, no, no." At the mention of Iron Man, Tony waved his hand. "I’m not wearing the suit right now, so I’m Tony Stark, not the superhero Iron Man. Same difference, maybe, but I’d rather talk to you as a regular guy."

Sure enough, even speaking "normally," Tony still came off... well, flashy. Yes—flashy. There was always a laid-back arrogance in his tone that could make serious people squirm.

Luckily, neither Lorien nor Stephen were all that serious. Stephen might be, someday, once he became Sorcerer Supreme—but Lorien never would.

"Alright, Mr. Stark." Lorien gestured for him to come in. "We were just chatting, you can join us. Didn’t expect to meet one superhero yesterday and another today. How should I put it... honored, I guess?"

That said, he only pulled up a chair for Tony. Then he thought for a moment and added a bottle of milk tea for each of them.

Tony eyed the milk tea but didn’t drink. Friday was already analyzing it through his glasses. Instead, he straightened his suit and said,

"Actually, I’ve had your card for a while now. Didn’t expect to meet you today, though. But tell me—counting me, how many superheroes do you know?"

That was easy. Yesterday’s Wanda, today’s Tony, and Banner from before. Just three.

Lorien took out a photo of himself with the Hulk and handed it over.

"Three, plus Bruce Banner."

"Wow." Tony examined the photo closely. "Nice shot. I’ve never had one like this with the Hulk. Mostly because I didn’t dare. I’m a normal guy, you’re a normal guy—but you pulled it off."

Stephen, meanwhile, was frozen in surprise.

You know another one? And you just... never mentioned it?

Sensing his thoughts, Lorien shrugged.

"He was a client first, then a friend."

Tony set the photo down, glancing between them.

"The best psychologist in the country. The best surgeon in the country. I should’ve met you both sooner. Would’ve saved me from a serious case of anxiety—and from the shrapnel in my heart that almost killed me."

Lorien and Stephen exchanged a look... He wasn’t wrong. Those were two problems they could’ve fixed.

Taking a sip of his milk tea, Lorien said,

"And now? I can read your reasons for coming here. Twenty percent for Bruce Banner, twenty percent for the Avengers, twenty percent for yourself... and forty percent out of curiosity."

Under Tony’s surprised gaze, Lorien added two words.

"Am I right?"

...

(80 Chapters Ahead)

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