Show Yourself Into The Unknown

Summary: The one where Thanos is dead, Tony has weird dreams instead of nightmares, the Avengers watch dubious Disney movies and mystical creatures are more than real. Oh, and the Cloak totally ships it.

"Can I be the first to say that I'm just glad that's over? Because I'm saying it," Rhodes says in a mock complaining but genuinely tired voice as they watch the celebrations taking place in the Northuldra's village for their successful return and to celebrate the new era Tony and Elsa had begun. Said summoner and dragon were sitting with the former's best friend, eating their platefuls of the feast the Sami had been preparing since they had left this morning in honor of the newly bonded pair of magic wardens, eating and preparing themselves for the new lives they are about to undertake once they return to the US.

"You and me both. I'm glad for Elsa with every atom of my being but this had all been unnecessarily stressful," Tony agreed, munching on some meat he was pretty sure was reindeer. Or stag. He had never tried it before and if it turned out to be reindeer, he apologized to Sven in his mind because he was unsure if he will ever be able to look at the cartoon reindeer the same way again. It feels like a violation.

"You know, that name sounds familiar but I can't put my finger on it where I had heard it before," Rhodey mused, frowning when Tony and Elsa snickered. The genius couldn't help but wonder at the Colonel's reaction if he were to find out he'd accidentally named possibly the strongest creature in existence after a Disney princess. It was tempting to find out right now but he figured the reaction will be even better if he plays the waiting game. Seeing how popular Frozen 2 was at the moment, Rhodey's bound to make the connection sooner or later. Stark was more than patient enough to milk all his entertainment out of this one that he can get. "Still, it's a really pretty name."

"Pretty name for a pretty dragon," Tony shrugged, enjoying the way Elsa purred at his compliment. "You know, she's been in my dreams for months. I'm just glad we're finally able to be together like this."

"She the reason you had such a weird sleeping pattern?" His friend asks knowingly and Tony nods. "Well, I'm just glad that's sorted out, though I enjoyed not having to worry about your insomnia seasons. Especially since I had seriously thought that whole shit with Thanos would fuck you up. It did everyone else."

"I would not allow my Ib to be plague by such nightmares when he is the reason the world is in balance," Elsa assures the pilot of War Machine and he considers her for a moment before nodding approvingly. They strike up a casual chat, Rhodey and occasionally Tony asking Elsa all sorts of questions as the engineer ran a hand over her smooth scales/feathers/hairs/whatever they were, just enjoying the peace and the joy of the moment. Tony was just glad that two so important people in his life - because the connection affected him as much as it did Elsa and he would be a liar to deny his affection towards her, even if they only knew each other a true handful of days; it felt like an eternity and that's all that mattered. With their souls bound the way they were, it would be weird if they weren't so attached already - were getting along, though he shouldn't and wasn't surprised. The both of them just wanted him to be safe, happy and healthy. They'll probably team up more than once to get him to manage regular sleeping and working hours and a normal eating habit.

He let them talk, mind wandering from him as he looked around the big square that the Northuldra had decided to use for this little celebratory feast. It was all traditionally set up, colorful and cheerful with lots of food and alcohol that he felt guilty for wasting these people's food supplies when he was a billionaire. He reasoned he can always give them financial help, though he figured they wouldn't accept it if they knew it was coming from him since he was a very big deal as the first dragon hatcher in generations upon generations. He'll just make an anonymous donation when he gets back home and settles Elsa in.

(He tries not to overthink the logistics behind raising a baby dragon too much.)

The Avengers were torn on how to react to the celebration. Half of them were ill at ease with having anything to celebrate or sticking around any longer in the harsher, colder climate while the other half was enthusiastic. Of course, there were Vision and Nebula, who were curious and stoic respectively, but they were their own category in most other things anyway, so that wasn't anything weird. Besides, Wong and Aidna both had been of the opinion it would be for the best to let Stephen get his magical equilibrium back before they stuff him through a portal to take him back home. Loki had agreed, saying it would only hinder his recovery rate if he were to just be returned to the Sanctum where there was a completely different flow of magic, especially after spending so much time in an area filled with the magic kind, which was so different than any other type of magic to be found elsewhere. Stephen had nearly entirely drained himself and he needed his strength to return to him gradually lest his natural energies become destabilized, something none of the sorcerers would recommend.

Stark had no problem with staying a bit longer.

Rogers wanted them back home yesterday so he can all but tattletale on Tony for ending up being the summoner they had been worrying about.

Tony couldn't wait to see Fury's and Ross' reaction when they find out he was quite possibly the last dragon summoner in the multiverse. They, as well as many others, were still very much uncomfortable with the knowledge that he had survived something that most Asgardians probably wouldn't, not counting the freak of nature Thor and whatever 'Odinforce' he inherited from his daddy when he became the King of Asgard. Though Fury will probably just be relieved it was one of his own that had ended up with the power Loki, Stephen and Wong had went to great lengths to describe as unmatched. He at least knows Tony is ready to do anything to keep the world, the universe - and now so much more - safe.

Rogers and his fellow rouges will never see it that way. All they will see is Tony Stark handed another dangerous 'toy' that should seriously not be in his hands and that they think was better off in Steve's care and that pisses him off. Elsa had chosen him, the universe, the multiverse, magic itself had chosen him to be paired with his beautiful dragon. He will fight tooth and nail and nanite anyone who dares try and take her from him.

Elsa wasn't the only dangerous one in their pair.

"Tony? A word, please?" The still somewhat timid voice of Bruce Banner brings him back out of his thoughts and Tony turns his attention to his science bro. Bruce looks nervous, wringing his hands together and he keeps shooting uncertain looks at Elsa. It's not that the two of them haven't met already - he had introduced her with Lang, Valkyrie and him as soon as they had exited the Temple with a bit of Elsa's fire's help as the Temple of Ahtohallan was still very much under protection from magic or special abilities as it housed more than just a dragon egg - and he hadn't seemed this uncomfortable when Elsa had first given him a throughout, considering once-over.

The slight guilt in his eyes and the way Valkyrie was glaring at the rouges told Tony everything he needed to know. "Did they send you to try and guilt trip me with Ultron?"

The other scientist winced but he seemed relieved he wouldn't have to decide which side to lie to or try to fool with placating words. Elsa still made a displeased rumble in her throat and Tony had to agree with her. Bruce needed to grow a spine. "They seem to be under the impression that you'd listen to me if I were to try and convince you to hand over the dragon - Elsa, right? - to be trained by the Avengers as a group."

Both dragon and human snarled in a beastly manner, startling the poor man and drawing some attention to themselves. "Elsa is not a dog. If they want to train something, they can train Rogers. He'd already a dancing monkey on heels. I'm sure they can teach him a few new tricks that might actually make him seem smart in this day and age." He promptly stands up, taking his and Elsa's bowls and marching over to the three very terrifying women he had somehow befriended. Valkyrie, Hope and Carol easily accepted him and Elsa,cooing or marveling at how cute yet incredibly strong she was for someone so small. He just let them as he glared at Bruce and the rouges before deciding they're not worth the energy and the blood pressure problems.

Instead, he seeks out Thor and Loki in the crowd. The Jotun had transformed back to his more human/Asgardian guise as soon as his magic was free and was now showing a flock of children tricks one usually wouldn't learn from Earth sorcerers. Thor, on the other hand, was drinking mead with the warriors of the Northuldra tribe and sharing battle stories.

Lang and Barnes were a few tables away from them, staring at some dish or another and seemingly trying to guess what was what and which dish had which seasonings. Nebula was being followed around by a reindeer and was trying to lose it while Vision was following them with a baby reindeer tugging on his cape and letting itself be dragged around in the snow, obviously delighted. Tony wondered if the android even felt the tugging on his yellow cape or not. Maximoff kept shooting glances at him but Vision didn't even seem to notice. Tony still wasn't sure what to make of Vision's fascination with Nebula but he was glad that the android had finally ditched Maximoff. The Sokovian woman was toxic.

Wong and Aidna were sitting off to the side and talking about something among themselves and he couldn't see Migil anywhere but the young man had been talking to a woman about his age the last time he'd caught a glimpse of him. It wouldn't be unreasonable he had a girl he liked or dated. Tony wished him the best of luck in his pursuits.

The rouges were none of his concern, though he knows Rogers and Romanov had tried to come over and speak with him. Elsa's 'burps' of fire and smoke have kept them at bay so far so it was no wonder they sent over Bruce. Barton would only piss him off and Wilson apparently had a good head on his shoulders, despite his choice in friends, as he didn't want to have anything to do with convincing a man that had already blasted him in the chest once to give up a creature they had been repeatedly told was now practically bonded to the very essence of his soul.

He'd wondered out loud to Rhodey that Maximoff hadn't been sent to try out her hand against him, only to be treated to a retelling of how Stephen, the only one who was absent as he was still asleep, had nearly ripped her apart when Tony had jumped into the Well.

He really had some awesome friends and Elsa was a perfect addition to his ever growing family.

'I wonder how meeting Peter and Harley will go?' It was sure to be epic and something he will have to get FRIDAY to record and save for darker days. Still, for now he focused on the conversation Valkyrie struck up purposefully having nothing to do with the dragon in his arms, no doubt well aware of what the rouges had roped Banner into doing, which allowed them both to relax for a little bit. Life won't be going as smoothly once they get back to the states and reality catches up to them both of just what living together might imply for them both. 'Pepper will have an aneurysm.'

"Tony?!" The call of his name was preluded only by a sharp bang of the cabin door where they had put Stephen while he regained his magical equilibrium, the noise startling quite a bit of people. Most of the sorcerers gaped at their Sorcerer Supreme as no one had been expecting the man to wake up before at least tomorrow evening, but it would seem Strange was out to exceed expectations today.

The Cloak of Levitation was the first to spot him and quickly floated its master over to their group before startling them all when it hugged him while still remaining on Stephen's shoulder. Elsa squeaked in protest when this brought the two men chest to chest, nearly crushing her in the process, before she was glaring at the sentient magical fabric like she wanted to burn it. The two men also yelped in surprise but knew better than to attempt to fight the stubborn cloth. It was neither the first nor it will be the last time the Cloak acted like this. It was like a puppy, honestly.

"You okay there, Doctor Wizard? You really shouldn't be out of bed yet."

"I- Yes, I'm fine. A bit dizzy but perfectly fine," the former neurosurgeon sounded like it, so Tony didn't make too big of a fuss. He has a feeling Elsa would have warned him if the other was lying and indeed near collapsing again. "You? Are you okay?"

"I'm not the one who had essentially gone from zero to a hundred in terms of magic," the engineer felt the need to point out. The sorcerer just shrugged before his eyes settled on the dragon that clambered back onto Tony's shoulder, blue-gray-green eyes meeting icy blue-pinkish-purple. The Sorcerer Supreme dipped his head to the hatchling, showing as much respect as he could given their position. It only then occurred to Tony that he had never really properly introduced Elsa to anyone. They overheard her name and that was it. Straightening his back with the same pride he felt and showed for his bots and AIs, he tilted his head in Elsa's direction with a gentle smile. "Stephen, I'd like to officially introduce you to Elsa of Ahtohallan, my dragon soulmate."

The sorcerer arched an eyebrow, obviously about to ask about that little tidbit when Wong snapped his name. They both turned to see the stout Asian man making his way towards them, a scary scowl on his face. Stephen blenched and the Cloak actually let them go. Tony ended up having to steady the taller man with the abruptness of the action. By the time Wong made it through the snow, though, the former neurosurgeon had steadied himself and could stand up properly on his own. Wong sent his friend a severe look and Stephen actually quelled under the stare. "You should be resting."

"I'm fine, Wong. See? No need to make a fuss."

"You've done what has been thought to be impossible for centuries, Strange! The amount of magic you called upon and the strain you put your body through ... Anyone else would be dead right now!" They both flinched at that, both at the tone and the words, and the Cloak wrapped itself tighter around its master. "You shouldn't tire yourself out after that. Lay down, get yourself back into balance. Don't astral project for a few days and sleep for once."

"I really do feel fine, though," the other man insisted. "Here, you can check me over yourself."

"He speaks the truth," Elsa interrupted before either of them could continue their little argument. They both turned towards the dragon and Wong immediately fell into a bow. Elsa nodded at him before continuing what she was saying, eyes on Stephen. "He is tired still but he is in balance. It is impressive how quickly he's managed to recover from the feat he has pulled. A worthy Sorcerer Supreme to govern over magic. Though I do agree you should rest more," she said when Stephen looked ready to preen. "You are lucky to be so in tune with magic that you avoided most of the backlash you should have suffered from straining against dragon-made blocking seals and protection wards."

"And I can do that from the Sanctum in New York," he insisted and Tony snorted.

"Wow, the proverb is true. Doctors really are the worst patients." He thought about it before carefully shrugging with his free shoulder, doing it so as not to disturb Elsa. "Then again, I have no place to talk. Pepper has nearly gone gray several times over."

"Hey, don't forget me and my suffering!" Rhodey announced himself before throwing an arm around Tony's shoulder. Elsa gave an offended squawk and he let go, raising his hands in surrender. The women watching the whole exchange were just smirking, Valkyrie even going as far as to give them a salute with her drink. "Sorry. Anyway, this all comes as a relief, you know. The whole dragon-dragon summoner thing."

"Dare I ask how? Or why?"

"With Elsa's life being essential for the universe and connected and dependent on yours," the Colonel said with a great deal of smugness. "You finally have to stop with your unhealthy lifestyle and heroic, suicidal self-sacrificing tendencies. Relaxed and zero percent worried life, here I come!"

Tony wanted to protest, to complain and argue, but just the thought of his actions in any way negatively affecting Elsa had his heart dropping to his feet and his stomach churning in a sickening way that almost made him want to vomit. That's right. It had completely slipped his mind that while he may survive Elsa, she will never survive him. And if she dies, Tony wasn't even sure if he'll care that the world is ending around him. He'll be an empty shell because Elsa had placed her life in his hands, had trusted him with the fate of reality like no one else had or would and he would have let her down.

"Oh my god, I need to cut back on coffee!"

If anything good came from this, at least Stephen laughed and finally relaxed, sure now that Tony won't just slip away. In fact, he seemed rather pleased and supporting of this turn of events, the traitor that he is.

Tony did not appreciate the thought of cutting back on coffee.

(He will do it anyways.)