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"That could have really hurt us," Tony pointed out. "I ignored it as much as I could when the Avengers did something similar and it got me blamed for Ultron's attempt at destroying the world. All of the Rogues had some sort of violent casual touch when it came to me. It bothered me, especially since Fury and Shield had me tricked onto their line."
"Dormammu... If you, Time, and Space can't even notice that we are distressed or in pain then it is very likely that you will kill us in short order even if it is not done intentionally," Stephen said directly to the hovering Dark Lord. "While we are both stubborn enough to refuse to die despite dealing with something that should have killed us we are also flesh and blood. There is a point where our bodies will just give out regardless of our own wishes. Then there is the fact that our species is capable of dying from certain emotions at intense enough levels. The physical body might be perfectly healthy but intense enough grief as an example can cause us to simply stop living enough to let go and die. We often call that particular version dying of a broken heart. Frankly, you've all three just shown that you don't actually care if we survive whatever you choose to put us through."
"We won't refuse, not with what we get out of this deal," Tony added just as calmly. "You made your position pretty clear. We just can't trust you not to do anything that might hurt us badly or even kill us. You called Stephen your heir but what good is that if we are changed so much there is little left of who we were? Or for that matter what use would we be if you broke the parts of us that you see as valuable? We don't want to die or be in pain but from our point of view you don't seem to share that concern right now. Training and stuff like that is one thing but casual disregard? That could kill us if only because you aren't bothering to notice the damage you're doing to us in the first place."
The way their new staff helped them hide for the next few days was incredibly telling. Unfortunately, neither man could actually hide from the two Infinity Stones. So they ignored the stones as best they could while spending time together as they randomly explored their new residence.
Dormammu eventually got fed up with them fighting and ordered them to come to him. Stephen and Tony, fearing for their new staff, obeyed.
