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Stephen had not slept for almost three days since the incident had happened. Almost like a guard dog he did not leave Tony's side unless if it was to eat or bathe, and although he was beyond exhausted he needed to see for Tony's wellbeing. Not only was he worried for the outcome of the spell, but he needed to make sure this dimension stayed on the right track.
He had seen many different realities and outcomes, some had been good and others had been very unfortunate. Some even made him wonder very interesting things and some had awoken different feelings. For instance when he visited reality 3490 he never expected for Tony to be a woman, a very beautiful, smart and courageous woman. Who had managed to stop the Civil War by marrying the one and only Captain America.
He felt jealous and hurt, at the fact that Natasha Stark had chosen Captain America to marry, even after all the misunderstandings. Not that Steve Rogers was a bad guy, but it was due to his own actions that the Civil War had happen in the first place. And Natasha Stark, as any other Tony Stark would choose the option that led to less bloodshed and the safety of everyone. Maybe it was because of this that he admire Tony and his genius, or maybe it was the fact that they shared many common ideas, whichever it was he was glad to have Tony as his friend.
That's why he worried for his friend and this reality, he did not want to think of the worst outcome for this one or loose Tony all together. He tried using the time stone to look into the future and prepare for when Tony woke from his slumber, but like its previous mentor he was stuck in the same image. A surgery room, blood and a hand holding his. All the outcomes ended there, and no matter what he always ended there in a blurry image. What did this mean, he did not know and it terrified him not being able to understand this vision of the future.
"You need some rest Dr.", Wong spoke from the other side of the room. Wong had stayed as much as he could. But from time to time he checked on the Temple and realities to help the Sorcerer Supreme, who at the moment was caring for Stark. He was worried for his friend and mentor, every time he looked forward into the future with the time stone he could feel the tension and worry in the Doctors aura. It was troublesome to see someone with so much knowledge and power look lost.
"That is a good suggestion Wong, I do need to shower and get some food. I will leave the caring of Stark to you in the meantime", Strange got up and left. His thoughts still could not comprehend the same image of the future. It was obvious the surgery room meant someone was either at risk of losing their life or an operation of some sort was happening, blood only assured him it was something dangerous. Now, the last piece that threw him off was someone holding his hand gently and caressing it. The hand did not look feminine in one bit, but rather more masculine yet soft, if that even made sense anymore.
Once he reached his room he dropped on the bed and stared up at the ceiling for a while. Sometimes he wished the weight of the Universe and Realities would disappeared or give him a break. But his decision had been made the day he took the title of Sorcerer Supreme and protector of realities, and even if he wanted to as a Dr. It was his duty to protect and save lives.
His mind went back to Stark, the defeat and almost death experience made his chest feel uneasy and heavy. He should have been there to help him, he should have been, what kind of friend and protector almost lets his friend die. He rub his face with both hands in frustration, maybe some of the stress would disappeared if he took a shower and learned more about the spell he put on Stark to save him. He needed to be prepared for anything once he awakens.
He stood up removing The Cloak of Levitation and letting it rest for now. The relic had stuck to him like gum on a shoe ever since he found it on the temple in New York. Rather than treating it as an item or pet, he had learned that it was alive and understood just as much as a human being. And thus it had become a great ally and friend in his endless battles. From saving him from what Stark called "Squidward" to trying to stop Thanos himself from using the Infinity Gauntlet. He could not deny the comfort and support this friend provided for him, even if it was a garment.
He looked at himself in the mirror, he had not noticed how tired he looked nor the puffiness under his eyes. Then again he was used to endless nights with no sleep when he worked as a surgeon. He rarely slept sometimes, but as a Dr. he knew he needed the rest if was to have energy and keep doing his best as Sorcerer Supreme. His beard and hair hand grown these past couple of days, maybe he need a good trim and haircut. He ran his hand through his hair and noticed how the sides of his head now had a nice touch of white. Another thing to stress about was him getting older, then again he still didn't look too bad.
He grabbed a towel and his bath robe and headed to the hot springs located on the other side of the temple. He really needed to relax his muscles and his mind for a while. He reached the small bathroom area for undressing and leaving garments, he removed his clothing, starting from the countless layers of shirts and then his pants. He grabbed the towel and wrapped it around his waist, turning around to look in the mirror he took noticed of something he had paid little attention to. He had gained a little more muscle in his shoulders, arms and chest, not that he was anywhere near Thor or the Captain, but he wasn't too bad either.
Maybe he could finally put that Dr. Charm to work and get Natasha Stark's number. But then again she was married, unless her disagreements with Steve had finally led to a divorce. He chuckle at the thought of being a home wrecker, not that he would mind having that in his conscious. But something like that would not be fitting of his title and moral code. He imagined "Dr. Stephen Strange the Sorcerer Supreme, Protector of realities and homewrecker", it did add a nice touch to it if you said it eloquently in a British accent. He laughed at himself for how dumb he sounded, a small tear formed in the corner of his eye and his stomach hurt a little for laughing.
He walked towards the hot springs and removed the towel from his waist. He stepped down into the spring, his feet touching the hot water and giving him a comfortable sensation. He sat down and laid his elbows on the edge of the spring, closing his eyes he could feel his muscles relax as the warmth of the water. He closed his eyes, thinking of Tony again and again he could not get him out of his mind. He replayed the vision again, the surgery room, blood and hands holding his. Maybe he needed more guidance about these visions, the only other person who could teach him was dead. But maybe he could find more answers in the forbidden books or the worst he could always go in to the dark dimension for the person who had known just as much as his mentor. Maybe he just needed to let time do its job and let these vision come to life. Maybe everything was just a small portion of a bigger plan, and he was just a pawn in this game.
To be continued….