Chapter 14: Infinito Chapters: I And Love And You (Part One)

TONY STARK'S OFFICE, 1997.

Tony was sitting at his desk. All on his lonesome and lost in his thoughts. He had a few meetings to get to but, he wasn't in the mood.

He had a call come in. Tony actually answered it himself. At that point, Pepper was second in command. She was just too good to be a secretary. Tony tried out a few other people to do all the secretarial work but, meh, they just didn't feel right.

Now, he was a big boy and he answered the phone all on his own.

"Hello, this is Tony Stark."

"Hey kid, how the hell are you?"

Tony's heart smiled. His heart filled with warmth and then his face reciprocated the feeling. His smile stretched wide.

"Hello my father. I'm good. How are you?" He was so happy to hear his father's voice. Howard Stark was happy to hear Tony's as well.

"Very good. Your mom says hi. You all need to stop by before she goes insane."

"Done. We're all on our way. Right now." Tony smiled again and he looked at the actual date on the calendar. Hmmm he knew he could round everyone up and visit with his folks within that week.

"I'm calling to get you guys here. And, I'm also calling because someone wanted to verify your whereabouts." Howard looked at the person that he referred to. He gave that person a warm smile and then he focused back on the phone.

"Wha?.." Tony was a bit confused. Why was his father selling out his location. Tony smirked and started to mess around with stuff on his desk.

"He's been going back and forth, back and forth. Should I, or shouldn't I? Maybe, I dunno. I've finally convinced him to talk to you."

"... who is it?" Tony was officially spaced. He thought it was some business dude that was scared to talk to him.

"Love you kid. Get over here soon." The line went dead and Tony looked at the receiver. WHAT THE EFF? His daddy hung up on him?! Tony sat at the desk. He looked perplexed and he hung up the phone. The second he did he saw that suit. It rifted through the office space and the older Tony appeared from his dimension.

The year for Baby Tony was 1997. The last time he saw him was 1992. He stared at his older self and his eyes almost filled with tears. It's true, you know? Absence really does make the heart grow fonder.

That suit disassembled and Baby Tony saw that smile. That sly smile was wide.

"Hey Mini-me." The older Tony stared at his younger self. He never actually got used to seeing him. It was always a friggen trip. It got really really quiet in that office. The younger Tony stood up at his desk and he remained silent. His older self looked very different. He looked well rested, relaxed, and very calm.

"I saw your hubby earlier today. I gave him something that I want you to look at. The gift was supposed to be a substitute for our face-to-face but, dad wouldn't let me wimp out any longer."

Big Tony just spoke out the thoughts in his head and the other one continued his stare. He looked at the clothes that his older self wore. Normally, when he looked at his stolen clothing it sent Baby Tony on a rampage. Not this time. He saw one of his shirts, and he definitely saw his pants.

"Those are my jeans.." Baby Tony finally spoke. His older self laughed at the comment but then he brushed it off with his sass.

"Technically, my ass has been in them longer. They're mine till the end of time. I've taken my old room back again. I...missed it.

Baby Tony just smiled. It was all he could do. His mind started to reflect on all the memories of his older self. Sure, at times it was a day-light nightmare. But, without him, Tony would have never learned the most important lessons in his life.

The older Tony could see that his younger self was getting emotional. He cleared his throat and made it worse.

"I didn't want to see you at all. I thought, how does one seriously look themself in the face and, say goodbye? How does one do that?" Big Tony looked down at his shoes. They had strategic plans in place. Backup plans would be a Hail Mary for sure, but, whatever. It was time for them to face the music.

Baby Tony DID NOT like what he heard.

"What are you talking about?" He walked around his desk. He stopped at the edge and he continued to stare at himself with a horrified look on his face.

Big Tony walked a bit to his right. He glanced at the desk and he saw another set of adorable pictures. He stared at one of the pictures of Baby Steve. He looked so happy and surprised. The older Tony wondered what the scenario was for the picture to be snapped.

He pointed at the pictures.

"That right there? That is all that Big Steve and I want for you. We want adorable pictures in adorable little offices." Yup. The older Tony couldn't help it. He started to show some emotion.

"I said, what are you talking about?" Baby Tony wasn't gunna listen to him dodge the point. He could read between the lines and he wanted his older self to cut the bullshit.

"I'm talking about our connection ending. It's all going to end soon. I'm closing it off completely. Now, my gift I gave your hubby will provide you with a way to reverse it. If, you absolutely have to. But, I hope that you never do."

The older Tony wanted all the time-hopping drama to cease. He wanted to relax by his lake and be with his people. The younger Tony froze where he stood. He continued to stare at his older self and tears really started to form in his eyes.

Big Tony started to fill the silence. He started to talk about his plan. That fucker named Thanos was mentioned. Seriously? FUCK. THANOS. Baby Tony still didn't have time to hear about some space loser. That irritated him. His older self told him about his daughter, Morgan.

Baby Tony knew that he had a child. The younger Steve told him that he walked in on him dancing around like an idiot. He said that he saw Pepper Potts and a small baby. He knew that it wasn't Sarah.

The younger Steve also confessed ALL THE KINKY SHIT that Big Tony friggen did to him on that ship. And on the moon, AND at his place in the future. Baby Tony tried to supresssssssss.

Big Tony mentioned to him that they never defeated Thanos in their time. Both of the older versions were afraid to die, but, they had plans in mind just in case one of them bit the dust. All of that was explained to Baby Tony as he stood in his office.

All he did was stare..

"He plans to go back to his past if I bite the dust. And, if he is gone for good then, well...it's back to the lake house for me. I love your office."

The subject was a bit thick. Baby Tony failed to hold those tears inside his head. A few slipped down his face and he tried to wipe them away quickly. He couldn't say shit.

He thought, maybe Big Steve and Tony could stay in his time? They could live in that little shack by the beach? Anywhere.. just don't go. The silence was torture for the older Tony. He closed his eyes and walked closer to his younger self.

"I have another gift. I want you to have something. This is going to be the best gift you will ever receive. Ready?" He watched that mini version of himself pull himself together. He wiped away tears and tried to be strong.

It was kind of adorable. He was older, but at that point he still looked very young.

Baby Tony nodded his head a few times. His older self retrieved something that was built into his armor. Big Tony made it take the form of something that looked familiar to his younger self. Baby Tony stepped closer and he stared at the object in his hand.

"This is kinda like a contraption called an IPod. Those don't get invented till the early 2000's. This is my version of one and you'll have my entire music collection at your fingertips. Most of the music is from the future of course, but, you'll get to be inside my head anytime you want. Here you go."

Baby Tony gasped. An IPod?! He remembered his adventure to hunt down the older Steve. The man that drove the diesel truck had one of those. Baby Tony was so happy. He smiled and then ten more tears started to fall down that face.

He didn't grab the item from his hand at that point. He just stepped toward his older self and he gave him a hug. All of it hurt his heart so much. Baby Tony really grew to love his older self. He became his secret guide which shaped him into a better person.

His older self and Phil Coulson showed him the way.

Big Tony returned the hug. It was a long one. He tried to look down at his younger self but his movement was limited. It started to make him laugh. The older Tony eventually just relaxed and gave into the embrace.

He decided not to rush their goodbye. He held onto him and remained in that office a lot longer than he originally planned.

BACHELOR SUITE OF DR. STRANGE, 2009.

Baby Tony couldn't really be considered a baby any longer. He was all grown up and some say he had even matured. He fell back asleep in a bed that belonged to some douchebag wizard. He had no idea how long he had slept, but he opened his eyes and thought about his older self. He tried to contact him a few times after that. He received no response.

Some comments were made about his older self. Or really, about him in general. It made him think and it made Tony go down memory lane. Shit. He needed to wake the fuck up. His older self was content with all the plans that were made. He knew that Big Tony was happy with whatever the outcome became.

Baby Tony decided in that moment that he couldn't dwell on it any longer. It was a disservice to their older selves to not respect their choice. He had to keep going, no matter what. His body felt butchered. It was magically fucked around with by wizard people. He chose to brush it off and he made his way off that bed.

His feet touched the floor and Tony rose to his feet.

He walked through that bedroom and he hunted around for Doctor Stephen Strange. He ventured and looked all around. His eyes locked on target and he headed straight for him.

His place had a giant balcony. The sorcerer was outside and he stared off at the scenery. Strange heard the door to the balcony open and he turned around. Stark survived another day. The sorcerer smiled and then he turned his focus back to the city.

"I have a few questions Strange." Tony leaned against the railing and he looked at that doctor. He was dressed in normie clothing. So, did that mean that he wanted to wear his old skin? Tony wondered as he looked at his clothing. The clothes were very sharp, extremely clean, and nicely coordinated.

Tony kept staring at him and Strange looked in his direction.

"I'm developing my telekinetic skills. People won't even have to ask me questions at some point, I'll be able to read minds and just give you the answer." Strange liked it that way. Waiting for people to form a question took time away from him doing other things.

His journey with the mystic arts wasn't exactly new. He wasn't in "training" with the Ancient One. He graduated in a sense. But, the Dr. Strange that existed in 2009 had a different life from the one that existed in the future.

His time was altered. But, that really didn't matter. He waited for that question, or some response.

"You don't wanna be reading my mind. ANYWHO, when do I go home? Do you have any food? And, when do I get my suit back?" Those were very important questions. He waited OH SO patiently for a response. Dr. Strange stared off ahead. He thought about the questions and then he looked at Tony.

"You can go home whenever you are ready. I do have food and, I've already given you your suit back. The one inside your body is operational. We're linked remember? So, you can have your suit." Strange explained away and Tony started to operate his armor. He covered his hand with his tech and he started to grin.

"The other armor is a different story. The rings are being purified right now. We will return it soon." He started to stare at his scenery again and Tony nodded his head a few times.

"GOOD. Thank you. When I get home I fully intend to figure out ways for you magicians to NEVER disable my shit ever again. Got it?" Tony challenged that tall jerk. Strange turned in his direction and he began to smile.

"Good luck with that." Strange held his smile and Tony kinda stared at it. It was hard not to. The magician comment irritated the sorcerer. He let it go and just stared at that short jerk for a long while. Strange felt challenged.

That stubborn monster could try all he wanted, but Strange knew his tech would not cancel out the mystic arts. Uhh Tony started to scratch the back of his head. He felt something. It was the strangest feeling.

"Are those mine? Or yours?" Tony referred to the emotions that he felt. They were officially linked and Tony just felt something swirl around in his chest that didn't belong to him. Tony couldn't pinpoint what the emotions were.

"Those are definitely yours." Strange replied.

"I don't think so." Tony quipped back and an eyebrow was raised. He stared up at that wizard for a moment or two longer. The emotions came from the growing admiration Dr. Strange had for Tony. He admired him, and subtly wanted to be similar.

It was strange for Strange to grasp that. He wasn't at that level at that point. So, he figured the emotions belonged to Tony. That shameless flirt just smiled and turned away.

"I'm gunna raid your fridge." The brunette disappeared into the casa and he started to invade the kitchen. He was hungry. His plan was to eat all of Strange's food and then BOUNCE.

The sorcerer remained on the balcony. He didn't have anything to say in that moment. He turned back to his view and he started to process a spell that he had been reading. He scanned his memory bank and went to work.

Chapter End:

Another short but sweet chapter for you. Thanks for reading. Just one more is on the way. Feedback is always love and stay tuned!