Chapter 29: Riposa Ora (Rest Now) Chapters: Terrified
At that moment, Steve Rogers was very stimulated. He did such a good job with all his mystic arts chores so he got to go home. He also had a loophole that he happily exploited.
Tony lived with him, so that meant that he got to go with him when he wanted to. And of course, Tony wanted to.
It was always bittersweet for Steve every time he returned to Brooklyn. Byron was getting so much bigger. Steve felt like he was missing everything. He amplified his focus on his training for two reasons. The first one was to earn visitation with Byron. The second reason had to do with the scene he saw when he returned to the Kamar-taj.
Tony was unable to wake up. That scared Steve to death. He didn't like that and he knew that something was wrong. The mystic arts was a world that he thought he was unable to touch. He was helpless against whatever was holding Tony in such a deep state of sleep.
Steve wanted to finish his training months ago. Dr. Strange had a few theories. He thought that his training caused him to not be as deeply affected physically by Agamotto, and the serum caused Steve to not be as affected physically by Oshtur.
Tony had no previous training or serum. So, it was possible that his alignment with Hoggoth was currently too much for him. Steve agreed with that.
Strange also told him that an alignment with their physical bodies might have also been an alignment with the entities that they channeled. That conversation was a little uncomfortable for the two of them to have.
They got through it and Steve listened to his full theory. That one also made sense. He told Strange that he intended to test the waters. Steve planned to "align" with Tony and see if the same thing happened.
Steve was blunt about it and he paid close attention to Strange's reaction. The sorcerer just cleared his throat a little and he gave small smile. Steve took note. He noticed that when Stephen Strange contemplated something he stared at his hands.
It seemed like his eyes traced over all the scars. He agreed with Steve's plan and told him that if Tony didn't wake up after, that... then they might have pinpointed the problem. Strange told Steve to let him know if he was needed to wake Tony up. He avoided eye contact when the two of them finished up their plan and then they went their separate ways.
Before Tony and Steve left, the soldier made sure he asked Dr. Strange a question.
He asked if he wanted to go with them. Steve told him that they could have a gathering of sorts. He mentioned that Strange could invite Christine? Did the sorcerer want to spend some time away from the Kamar-taj?
Strange thanked him for the offer, but he had more work to do with Wong. Steve noticed the way Strange looked at Tony. The soldier had the sling ring activated and the connection between their location and their home was established.
Stephen Strange glanced at Tony only for a brief moment. That small glance was all it took. Steve saw it and he heard the affect that it had on his instructor. He hoped that Strange would have reconsidered.
He didn't want him to feel like there was any sort of separation. They were a trio. It wasn't Tony and Steve plus Strange. The soldier didn't want it to be that way at all. His thoughts on that subsided after he went home.
He was currently very stimulated. He had Tony in one direction and Whitney in the other. The three of them put Byron to sleep and then he was able to properly visit with the two people he was married to and pulled between.
Whitney had to get up and fix her hair. Those damn drama boys came back and from her perspective, they were very different. They always had a hyper energy to them. But now, it was way too much for her. Their skin even seemed a little brighter. It was kinda weird.
She glanced at the bed and tied up her robe. The two of them wouldn't stop and she didn't mind watching.
But more importantly, Whitney needed to get that long hair off of her neck. That was a serious pet peeve. It escalated so quickly with the two of them being home and she had no time to put up her hair. The woman headed into the kitchen. She closed the bedroom door behind her to prevent Byron from waking up.
She got some water and she tightened up her robe. She took a moment to process what she was told and the way that Steve and Tony seemed to her. Steve finally told her that they were going to outlive her and Byron.
She would continue on, grow old, and eventually die. The two of them would stay exactly the same. Whitney looked at the door to the bedroom. That information made her think that she wasn't going to see them for very much longer.
It seemed like they were going to get drawn into this, strange other world. She figured that she might as well enjoy them before they were truly gone.
She really couldn't process that. Whitney headed back into the bedroom and she closed the door behind her.
Hours went by, and all three of them fell asleep. Tony was in the middle of a dream and it felt like he was being interrogated.
He couldn't see the person that asked him questions, but he recognized the voice. He knew it wasn't Steve, it wasn't Strange, and it wasn't Obidiah.
Those three individuals were normally the ones that he dreamt about. The voice was someone else. He kept asking him really bogus questions. Tony stirred around in his sleep because he didn't want to answer.
At one point, he felt two hands grip his neck. He stopped answering so the person in his dream began to choke him. Actually, the thick air around him began to choke him. Tony freaked out in his dream and he woke up in his bed.
Tony quietly took in a dozen quick breaths. His face was on fire and he had to get out of bed. Tony slipped off the bed and he stumbled into his shorts. Black shirt, red shorts. He pulled the clothing onto his body and he headed out of the room.
Tony got to the kitchen sink and he turned the water on. He drenched his face with some cold water. That shit was like ice. He covered his face, his neck, and he ran some water over his hair.
He kept trying to figure out who the person was in his dream. He recognized the voice but he couldn't remember who it was. Tony just rubbed his face and he heard an adorable individual join him in the kitchen.
Steve was glad to see that Tony didn't get locked into another deep sleep. He walked into the kitchen and the soldier leaned against the counter. Tony turned around and he rest his back against the sink.
They both stared at one another and softly smiled.
Tony examined that face. Steve held this contemplative, relaxed look for a short moment. And then, it shifted. Tony saw his expression change as a thought crossed Steve's mind. Tony had to glance back at the sink.
Hereeee we go. Tony thought those exact words and his lips stretched into a giant grin. Lecture time became such a turn on for Tony. He welcomed it, every time.
"What's your actual plan Tony. So far, it's making no sense." Steve was referring to Tony's objective behind Stephen Strange. Tony "sorted it out" with the sorcerer. In Steve's opinion he didn't sort out a damn thing.
He just had sex with him and that was it. It didn't seem like a good play, and Steve wanted to understand. Tony gave a short laugh and he bit on his bottom lip. His smile got even bigger. Steve was put in a serious mood.
"My plan was to get under his skin. I couldn't beat him with all his magic and he always shut down my tech. It became a power play between us and I'd say that I've officially won."
He was under the wizard prick's skin. Tony knew it and it was intentional. Steve inhaled a deep breath and he crossed his arms.
"I think this power play will go on and on for centuries, or whatever. That was my way of putting him in his place."
That sorted everything out in Tony's mind. He knew that it puzzled Steve. But that was the only explanation that he had for his behavior. Tony realized through all the dream encounters that Strange was becoming attached to him.
When he started to show up more frequently in his dreams, Tony felt it. It was confirmed after their third or fourth dream kiss.
"Oh, you've put him in a place. You've accomplished your goal. Now what? Are you going to keep toying around with him.. His emotions are more fragile than you think."
Tony didn't even know half of it. Steve was convinced that Tony flew in with his silly little power plan and he didn't really take the time to understand Stephen Strange.
"According to Wong, I'm not allowed to seduce that Supreme pizza slice any longer. He's been put on some ancient pedestal. It's kinda like he's the new Buddha or something. They don't want him tarnished by someone like me."
Tony found that funny and he began to laugh. Steve laughed quietly as well. The pizza slice comment made him laugh the most. Tony was ssssoooo stupid and cute. Steve couldn't get enough of him. He stepped over in his direction and he pulled him close.
Steve enjoyed that warmth. He snuggled up to him against that skin and Tony laughed a little more.
"I guess, my ultimate plan is to just keep his blood pumping. We can't have him become some sort of shrine wizard. He's no good to anyone like that."
Tony felt Steve's mouth along the side of his face. Tony grinned and he gripped that skin. Steve was ssssooooo yummy and cute. He also didn't have a shirt on so Tony just felt up that skin.
OH YEAH. Tony tried to form an actual point that Steve would accept. He thought about it some more as the two of them melted a little more together.
"The Ancient One and I talked about you both needing my strength. I'm not entirely sure how you both need it, and I'm just doing what is happening naturally. It's not.. very planned out."
There. Tony confessed that and Steve stopped his behavior. He looked at his little red corvette and he smiled. Steve kissed his lips and he took a step back.
That actually made sense to Steve in a very weird way. He planned to tell Tony that it was more than some power play for Stephen Strange. The sorcerer had obviously developed feelings for Tony. Steve debated that discussion.
He decided to let it naturally play out. The two of them spoke for a little while longer, and then they eventually went back to sleep.
They headed back to the Kamar-taj after a few days. They packed up some more of their stuff and Steve loaded his bag into his small bedroom.
Tony headed toward his own bedroom. His was of course on the opposite side of the damn temple place. Tony began to feel discriminated against.. He wondered if the mystic arts had an HR department. He needed to report a serious discrepancy. On his way to his room, his eyes happened upon Dr. Stephen Strange.
The "Sorcerer Supreme" was in the middle of a discussion with Baron Mordo. And, based off of Tony's observation, that wizard prick truly ran the joint. He saw recruits sparring and learning. The atmosphere was actually peaceful and productive. Strange caught a glimpse of Tony and he stopped talking for a moment.
Mordo appeared to be in a bad mood. He looked over at what caught Strange's attention. Tony waved and silently waited. That bad mood was obvious because he was just informed about the Ancient One. He looked very upset to hear the news.
Strange hated to tell the news to him. He actually hated to vocalize anything about the Ancient One. Mordo agreed to partner back up with Strange and he also agreed to handle the training of the recruits.
Tony stood there and of course he listened to the conversation. Mordo taking on that task allowed Wong and Strange keep their entire focus on the Vishanti trio.
He agreed to do the work but he didn't seem too happy about it. That Mordo guy appeared bitter about the whole ordeal. Tony noticed that immediately as he watched. He could tell that he only tolerated the "Chosen Successor" but, it ultimately seemed like Mordo hated Strange.
He kept calling him that, the chosen successor. Not Wizard Supreme Pizza or even by his name.
Tony made a mental note about his behavior as Mordo brushed on by him. He listened to him say his short goodbye to Strange.
Tony froze up. It felt like a ton of bricks hit him right there in that moment. Tony slowly turned his head and he watched Mordo walk away. Strange noticed Tony's face immediately. Tony looked a bit horrified.
Tony stood there for a moment longer and he turned his focus. He stared at Strange.
Strange stared back. Tony was obviously...awake. He thought about how that eliminated his second theory. Strange's face warmed up about a half a degree and then he looked down at his hands.
"Welcome back, Stark."
"Oh, so I'm Stark again? Thanks. I'd watch my back around that Mordo guy if I were you." Tony gave his tidbit of advice and Strange pulled his focus up from his hands. He looked over in Mordo's direction.
Tony stepped toward him and Strange began to nod his head. Wong continued to tell him that his journey had just begun. As the new Sorcerer Supreme, allies were now enemies, and enemies that already existed were far beyond his current comprehension.
"My guard is officially up." Strange felt like he really sucked at small talk. He didn't want to talk about his potential enemies with Tony. It was somewhat stressful for him to think about.
While Steve and Tony were gone, Wong brought him through all the current enemies that he now had. It was a lengthy list. Each one had great strength and billions of different types of powers to use against him. Strange thought about walking around.
He thought that he could maybe walk around the temple with Tony? It was a thought that crossed his mind and he looked off down one of the paths.
He was a bit restless, but, he remained where he was and he waited for Tony to say something to him.
"You look like you got some rest, finally." The sorcerer had to vocalize his observation. Tony rubbed his neck and smiled. Yeah, he slept so friggen good when he was at home. He was in his beautiful bed with two smokin hot people. Steve made sure that Tony was tired enough for sleep.
Tony thought about it and he felt like someone gently poured some warm water over his head. DAMN YOU STEVE.
Strange took a small step backward. He began to wonder what else to say. He thought about Tony's dreams. It was silent between them and he tried twice to start some sort of a discussion. Tony was obviously lost in thought.
The sorcerer looked to his left and remained silent until the person in front of him made a move. He could say something back, or walk away, or.. whatever.
"I'm going to go check in with Steve. I'm sure he wants to continue his training." Strange pointed .. over .. somewhere. Tony looked over in the direction where he pointed and he held the same smile. Oh shit. Hold up.
"NO. Hang on haha don't go anywhere. I haven't told you why you need to watch your back around Mordo." Tony's mind filled with all sorts of stuff. The part about Mordo finally processed and Tony took another step toward Strange. He needed to give that cute wizard some information.
"He was in my dream. It was his voice." Tony looked back over where Mordo went. He was no longer in view but Tony knew that Strange needed to watch his back.
The sorcerer took that information very seriously. Why the hell would Baron Mordo be inside Tony's dream. He looked at Tony and questions began to form in his mind.
"What was he doing? Or what was he saying to you?"
"He was asking me questions. They were just simple questions. And now here he is.." In Tony's opinion, that was a shady coincidence. Strange needed to know more information.
He turned his body completely in Tony's direction.
"I'm going to view your dream. Can you give me a clear path to it? How long ago, which file would it be under, uhh that sort of thing?" He wanted to cut straight to the chase and see the dream.
Tony thought about a way to guide him to it. Hmmm... Tony bit on his bottom lip and thought it through.
"He was in my dream two nights ago. Twice. I woke up, spoke to Steve, then went back to sleep. He asked me questions again after that. And.." Tony tried to think of which dream file it would be under.
When Strange accessed his memories or dreams, Tony's mind was set up like a computer. He didn't really want Strange rooting around in his mind any longer.
So, Tony have him the quickest route to the information.
"Steve and I had a conversation about you. Before I went back to sleep so.. check the douchebag wizard file." Tony hated to admit that but, it was the truth of the matter. He looked up at Strange and he blinked. Strange heard him and he stepped about for just a moment.
He wondered what the discussion was about. Strange cleared his mind and he brought his hand up to Tony. The sorcerer closed his eyes and he gently touched Tony's forehead.
Away he went. He projected his astral form into the unconscious part of Tony's mind. He accessed the douchebag wizard file and he rewound the clock. The dreams that Tony had for two days skipped between different files. Strange figured that out because the scenes that filtered in front of him would show up and then disappear.
He stopped when he figured that he accessed the right part of the dream. He looked upon Tony as he sat on the roof of the Kamar-taj. He began to watch his dream and that was where he sat.
Strange wanted to go sit beside him. He resisted because that would have ruined what he was trying to accomplish. He looked around the scene of the dream and he hunted for Mordo.
He saw a beautiful night sky, the view from the Kamar-taj rooftop, and then his eyes stopped at Tony.
Strange waited. His gut was telling him that he was in the right location. His heart actually began to pump. He looked to his right, then his left. The sorcerer eventually closed his eyes. As soon as he closed them he heard Mordo's voice, clear as crystal.
"Why are you up here? You could fall to a very horrible death." Strange forced his eyes open. He saw Mordo in Tony's dream. The man stood behind him.
Tony couldn't see him. There was no way that Tony could see him because he was actually blinded. Strange could see exactly what Mordo was doing to him. He stood there in his green and black tunic. His arms were crossed and he looked down at Tony.
Tony was completely covered with something black.
"I'm waiting for someone. I need to talk to him. I think I made him mad so, he probably won't show up. OH, and I won't be falling to my death. I can fly." Tony responded to him.
Strange heard what he said and it caused his entire body to fill up with warmth. Tony was waiting for him, in his dream? He thought about what was said and he looked down at the roof.
He looked back at the scene and the dark energy around Tony became larger. Strange could see him in the center of it.
"If you take away all of your toys, you actually could fall to your death. How long have you been aligned with the Vishanti?" Mordo made his point and then he began to question Tony.
"I don't really know." Tony seemed a little out of it. Strange thought it had to do with whatever was shrouding his body.
"And, what about Strange?"
"What about him? I told you, he doesn't sleep. The Ancient One told me that he used a spell. He knocked himself out. That's all I know.."
"What spell?" Mordo became very interested in the information that he got out of Tony. The darkness around Tony slipped closer to him. It blanketed him and tightened over him.
It actually began to suffocate him. Strange clenched his hands as he watched.
"I don't know what spell it was. How the fuck would I know that information? All I know is that he doesn't sleep." Tony repeated his response and the dark matter tightened again.
It was immediately released and Tony gasped for air. Mordo disappeared and Tony was left alone. He looked around the rooftop and Strange watched him hug one of his knees.
He resumed his dream like nothing happened. It seemed like Tony continued to wait.
Strange pulled his astral form back to his body. He shot back into it and he stared right at Tony. He continued to touch his forehead and he watched Tony blink several times.
The trance that he put Tony under was lifted and the two of them stared at each other.
"Did you see the dream?" It was pretty foggy in Tony's mind. He remembered bits and pieces of it but, none of it was really clear. Except Mordo's voice. That was pretty friggen clear.
"I saw it. Yes."Strange answered and he continued to stare at Tony. He thought about his fatigue. That was all caused by Mordo interrogating him in his sleep. Strange held a concerned expression and he started to look over Tony's physical appearance.
Tony noticed what he was doing and he began to look about.
"Do you remember what you were doing, in your dream? You were waiting and, you needed to talk to someone." Strange began to hope that he remembered. The sorcerer wondered if they would be able to talk in person. Tony unconsciously wanted to talk to him in his dream.
He didn't believe those thoughts had been moved to the conscious part of his mind. Strange became quiet and Tony thought about it.
"Uhh no. I remember being pretty pissed off. Mordo's voice got on my last nerve and I think he friggen smothered me or something. I woke up because I couldn't breathe." That was really all that Tony could remember.
Strange dropped his small smile and he looked to his left.
"He's not going to disturb you again. I'm sorry that happened to you Tony. I'll take care of it."
Strange walked away. He let go of everything that he felt. He wanted to talk to Tony but ...putting an end to Mordo was more important.
He went straight to Wong. Strange felt like he had the upper hand because of what he found out. He decided to only involve Wong in the matter and the two of them devised a plan against Mordo.
It seemed like Mordo was trying to get him to fall asleep. Strange had no idea why. It shed a new light on the comment Tony made about him sleeping.
Tony's eyes followed Strange as he walked away. Tony felt very uneasy for some reason. He headed to his room and he started to unpack his things.
Chapter END:
Thank you for reading. Stay tuned for some more.
