Chapter 25: Diminuendo Chapters: Walk It Back (Part One)

"Who is that?" Strange was seated on a black leather couch. Tony was directly beside him and the couch faced a very open kitchen. Strange took notice of all the soft colors.

Beige, off-whites, and some very pale blues. The place was rather dull. He turned his focus toward the person that was in the kitchen. Tony just stared blankly. He sat on that black couch and he continued to stare.

Strange was about to nudge his shoulder. He wanted to get his attention and get Tony to answer his question. They were both in his dream so, whatever happened... happened.

"Who is that Tony?" Strange looked into the kitchen again. He saw movement and he watched the person. The man was busy doing something.

Tony brought one of his legs up onto the couch. He hugged his leg and he watched the person as well. His eyes were fixated, but it didn't look like he was present at all.

"That's Obi. He's making me a drink." Tony became quiet after that. He just kept staring and Strange began to dislike the vibe. The energy was kinda dark. He glanced at Tony and then he looked back at the person making the drink.

"Do you want to wake up? I think we're in a bad file." Strange heard the person as he began to head in their direction.

"This is my nightmare file. Can you wake me up?" Tony didn't know how it all worked. He slowly turned his head to his left and he looked at Stephen Strange.

Why, why was he showing up in his sleep? Tony just stared at him and he heard Obidiah getting closer.

"Please wake me up. I don't want that drink." Tony's heart filled with a deep fucking sadness and Strange felt it immediately. Strange leaned in and he pulled Tony toward him. That leg was released and Tony's foot gently touched the floor.

He was given another kiss in his sleep. Tony's eyes were locked open for a good while.

It really overwhelmed him. His eyes began to slip closed and he touched Strange's clothing. It wasn't a shirt. It was his training tunic.

That was not a crisp clean cotton shirt. Tony actually returned the kiss. Tony became startled and he heard Obidiah take two very loud, giant steps down to the lower floor of the living room.

Tony backed out of that kiss and he gasped. He woke up immediately and Tony sat up in his bed. He gasped pretty loudly and he was caked with sweat. He kicked all the blankets off of himself in his sleep.

Tony and Steve couldn't sleep in the same bed. Those beds were waaaaayyyy too small. He did sneak into Steve's bedroom. They did a bunch of sexy shit on that small bed. Tony kept the noises down. He did his best.

After their sexy little hookup, he snuck back to his own room. Tony fell asleep and uhh.. his dream kinda sucked.

Dr. Strange showed up in his sleep AGAIN. Tony touched his lip and then he wiped the sweat off his forehead. That shit was not ok.. he knew that the wizard prick did it on purpose just to get back at him.

Tony knew that Strange felt it whenever he was gettin laid so..

Tony got up from his bed. He was covered in sweat. Uughhhh he pressed onward and grabbed his duffel bag. Luckily, he was married to the best person in the universe. He had an extra shirt thanks to Steve.

Tony tossed his soaked one and he held onto the other shirt. He intended to MARCH over to Strange's room and tell him to stay the hell out of his dreams.

Tony dreamt of Obidiah. Strange couldn't just hang out in his head when his unconscious mind decided to revisit his past bullshit.

FUCK. THAT. Oh, and another thing? ? ? Tony was dream kissed again. He brought his hand back up to his lip and he thought about how gentle Strange was in his sleep. He was a completely different person.

Maybe, he wasn't really there? Tony was so confused and he debated the plan that he formed. If he confronted the prick wizard and he DIDN'T actually show up in his sleep, then that meant Tony just dreamt about him... on his own.

Tony roughly put on his shirt and he straightened it over his stomach. It had longer sleeves and Tony pushed them up to his elbows. He opened the door and left his room.

The sun was barely in view. They only had a gentle light at that moment. The very special alignment between the earth and the sun was almost established and it looked really beautiful at the Kamar-taj.

Tony rubbed his eyes and he headed down the long hallway. His feet were cold but he ignored it. Tony stopped and looked at two bedroom doors.

One led to Steven R. and the other one led to Stephen S.

He glanced toward the one on the right and then he brought his eyes over to the one on the left. Tony ended up looking at his feet. He was fired up and ready to throw stones. That flame in his chest subsided and he picked the door on his left hand side.

He opened the door and headed in.

Steve was being lazy. Tony headed to the bed and he climbed all over him. Steve opened his eyes and he shifted around. He tried to give Tony some room but he basically just had to lay on top of him.

Steve was good with that. Tony's warmth was always welcomed. Steve looked up at the ceiling and he messed around with Tony's hair.

"I had a fucked up dream." Tony confessed the easy part and Steve held his head to the side. He remained quiet for a little while and then he kissed Tony's forehead.

"Strange was there. He showed up again. In my sleep. I'm not one hundred percent sure, so.." Tony trailed off and finished the semi-sorta easy part of the gig. Steve thought about what he said.

"I'm actually worried about him Tony. I told you, we shouldn't have done anything earlier." Steve tried to resist. He did his best but Tony was in too much of a mood. The soldier was seduced after many attempts.

He didn't like the behavior of Stephen Strange. Steve felt like something was wrong.

"He's committing to this crazy ordeal as well. Just like us, he will experience the same things. I want to be able to communicate with him Tony. He's very withdrawn."

Steve didn't want to lose a connection with Strange before it even began. He knew, Steve could tell that the sorcerer had mixed emotions about Tony. That was understandable.

Steve felt like he was somewhat similar to Strange. So, he understood what that little red corvette was capable of.

Tony was addicting. His fire, his energy, his everything. Steve was addicted and he completely understood if Strange was overwhelmed. He was connected to those intense emotions after all, and Steve received some insight on the way Strange grew up.

He planned to have a conversation with Strange about Tony. The timing just wasn't right. Steve noticed that Tony became quiet. He actually fell back asleep. Steve gently smiled and he tried to maneuver the small blanket that was beside him.

He fished it out of it's location and he covered them both up. The soldier wanted to hold all that warmth in because he was selfishhhh when he wanted to be.

Sometime later, Steve was up and out. He made a short round of the place and he greeted everyone that he saw. Steve stopped at the library and he noticed that someone else was at the desk.

He was informed that there was an issue last night, and Wong was with the Ancient One.

Oh? Steve wondered what happened. He headed toward the Ancient One's room and he stopped by the door. Steve brought his hand up to the door that slid open. He was about to knock but he heard voices within.

Steve stopped his hand and he instantly tuned in.

Wong, the Ancient One, and Stephen Strange were in the room. Strange had just been woken up from his spell and he could barely stand on his feet. He was out of it and he touched his forehead.

He hit the side of his face on the front desk. He smacked it good when he took his amazing tumble to the floor. His face was bruised and his eyebrow was bleeding.

"Putting yourself under a spell like that is very serious stuff Stephen. Do you realize you might not have woken up?" The Ancient One was concerned. She studied Strange and he just sighed.

He was still exhausted. It seemed like there would be no rest for him whatsoever.

"You're so dramatic. I incapacitated myself to shut off all those BULLSHIT emotions. I've had my fill and I want it to stop. People do it all the time with something called alcohol... I just chose a simple spell." He actually chuckled at the end of his comment.

Strange was amused with himself. The Ancient One was not amused at all. She approached the demoted sorcerer and she looked at him closely. She could see that he was struggling. Good. She wanted him to struggle and it honestly was just the beginning.

The Ancient One glanced at the door. She felt a concerned, beautiful soul at the door and she smiled.

"Stephen, human emotions are not bullshit. Sadness, joy, passion, and even love can never be bullshit."

"SPARE ME PLEASE. I understand what you are doing. I do actually feel emotions. I'm not a robot." Strange was deeply offended. HE FELT THINGS. He cared about things and he knew what all of those words meant.

"I know that you feel, but your ability to ignore emotions is truly unfathomable."

He disagreed. He loved Christine. In another life Strange felt like he would have married her. Settled down..

Strange looked down at his hands and he tried to process the fact that she wasn't going to be in his life someday. Christine would be gone, just like all the rest. He glanced back up at the Ancient One and he tried to roll his eyes.

He tried to brush it all off. It didn't work and he sighed again.

"Stephen, you hurt yourself last night. That simple spell you inflicted on yourself could have done some serious damage. If Wong wasn't there.. if I wasn't right here? Look at me." Her voice was direct.

She tried to cut her words straight to her apprentice. He brought his eyes to her and he swallowed. He felt like he was being scolded. Strange was very annoyed.

"If I wasn't here, you wouldn't be awake. You would never wake up. Do you understand?" She spoke those words delicately. Steve heard everything and his level of concern amplified. It sounded like Strange was in a bad place.

He was in a place that was very familiar for Steve. He took it very seriously and he continued to eavesdrop. He didn't care if he was caught. As far as he knew, Tony was still asleep. His dreams kept his mind exhausted, so he figured that he just snored and snoozed the morning away.

Steve listened and he was shocked by Strange's reaction. He sounded angry and his frustration level was through the roof.

"Then, TURN THAT SHIT OFF. I'm done. I don't want to feel him anymore and that was the only way I could make it stop. If it even stopped? I can't tell anymore and it is driving me insane."

Wong walked up to Strange. He handed him the books that he left on the desk and the one that went with him to the floor. He heard Strange exhale out his anger and he roughly gripped the books. The Ancient One ignored his behavior and she just responded.

"Soon. When you fully align with Agamotto the incantation I used will cease. You will be free."

"GOOD." Strange turned to leave but the Ancient One stopped him in his tracks. She froze him solid and she looked back at the door. That was Steve's cue to leave. Steve figured that the conversation was wrapping up so he headed back to Tony.

He needed to have a chat with HIM, not Strange. Tony didn't have all the facts about the demoted sorcerer and Steve knew that Tony was playing games.

Steve headed down the long hall and Strange was released from the Ancient One's grip. The demoted sorcerer touched his forehead again and he forced the door to open.

He slammed it open and he took off to his room. Strange had more research on the ritual to do and he didn't want to be bothered any longer. He held his books and he took off in the same direction as Steve.

Their rooms were right beside each other's... so.

Steve heard Strange walking behind him. The soldier stopped and he turned around. He waited for Strange to catch up. The demoted sorcerer came into his view and Steve watched him touch the side of his face. The bleeding had stopped, but his eyebrow was on fire.

Strange saw Steve. He stopped and regretted his decision to head to his room.

"Hello Stephen. Good morning." Steve decided not to go to Tony. He wanted to focus on Stephen Strange. The man stopped in his tracks and he switched his books from one arm to the other.

He was still a bit out of it and he was not in the mood for the chipper soldier. Strange tried not to think about ... what he heard.

"Morning." Strange responded but he wanted to turn around. He couldn't decide which direction was the best escape. Steve Rogers was such a kind person. Strange could see it and he stared at the books again.

"Have you eaten?"

"No, I.." Strange looked behind him. He didn't want to do anything of the sort. Steve held a smile and he walked closer to him.. Strange cleared his throat and he wished he had his cloak. He wanted to just float on out of there.

He felt stuck and his eyebrow really hurt. His brain was on fire.

"Would you like to have breakfast with me? I'd love to hear some more about this insane ritual we're going to be dealing with."

Steve wanted to really know everything. He couldn't read the language, or else he would read it all himself. Strange straightened his stance a little and he closed his eyes.

Christ.

"I've read up on what is physically going to be happening to us, during the ritual. But, that's as far as I got.." He couldn't exactly concentrate. Something really distracted him.

Strange thought about that certain something and his grip on the books tightened. He wished that he could free his mind from the thoughts. Strange's eyebrow was inflamed. The rest of his face began to warm up and he turned around.

"Food is, this way." He just walked off and Steve hurried after him. Steve walked beside Strange and he looked at the books. He did not like what he overheard. Steve was determined to establish a real connection with Strange.

They were technically all supposed to share an eternity together after all. Steve thought that it was a good move to kinda get to know him.

He decided to test the waters and go from there. They entered a large room at the Kamar-taj that acted like a common space. The inhabitants on the grounds all grouped up there for meals and whatnot. After the two of them got some food, Steve asked him if he could join him and show him what he had been reading.

Strange hesitated, but he eventually sat down and he opened the book to the part about the ritual. They both ate their breakfast and Strange started to explain what he learned.

"Fortunately for us, the last people that were aligned with the Vishanti documented the experience. We are seriously going to be shackled to the ground. Our hands and our feet will have to be bound." Strange pointed at the picture and Steve, gulped.

That was kiiinnndddaa creepy. Steve looked at the image and he glanced up at Strange.

"Uh, why is that necessary?"

"The shackles are meant to hold us in our position because the energy we're going to receive comes at us from galaxies away. We will be lifted and pushed up into whatever direction the energy is coming from."

Oh. Steve kinda held his face in a cringed position. Strange found it funny after a moment. He laughed a little at Steve's face and then he flipped the page.

"We're going to feel the energy all the time. It's going to be like a constant power surge that kee-" Strange dropped his words and he glanced to his right.

The demoted sorcerer failed to realize it, but he lost his train of thought completely when he saw the Ancient One walk into the common room. Tony was directly beside her, and Strange began to stare.

Steve looked exactly where his focus went. It went directly to Tony. Strange one hundred million percent could not hide anything any longer. Steve looked at the sorcerer and then he looked back over at Tony.

He was chatting it up with the Ancient One and Steve could see the gold bands that contained the Mandarin armor on his wrists. Strange regained his focus and he looked back down at the book.

He tried not to think about what he heard and felt.

Steve could tell exactly what happened there. He heard it all and he knew that Strange was deeply affected by Tony. He did not fool Steve with his deflection.

"That's about where I'm at with the reading. And, I'm not sure what the exact plan is for today. I do know that those ritual garments were actually worn by the last people that aligned with the Vishanti."

Strange tried not to do it. He resisted but then, he glanced back over in Tony's direction for a moment and then he closed the book.

He didn't want to get any food on it. Strange focused on his meal and he touched his stupid eyebrow again. His face hurt and now everything beneath his skin began to heat up again.

It all felt so damn juvenile and it really began to irritate Strange. He just sighed as Steve started to eat.

He listened to that heart beat and Steve looked over at his little red corvette. Saaaa, Tony Tony Tony. Steve almost shook his head. Tony and the Ancient One were discussing the ritual and the Mandarin Armor. Tony was informed that he was missing a piece.

The ten rings had a headband connected to it, when he wore the headband the language of the rings would become clear to him. Tony was given the headband and he planned to add it to his armor when he had the chance.

"You will learn the skills to purify the armor on your own. It will come to you naturally with your training. I'm sure of that." The Ancient One could see it. Tony would train and learn the mystic arts and then his ability to forge weapons would fall into place.

Tony really wasn't worried about it. He grabbed his grub and he followed the Ancient One back down to his shiny new workspace. Tony didn't even see his main man and the douchebag wizard in the room. He was being filled in and he was pretty excited.

Tony was told that he would align with Hoggoth first. He'd align with the entity after he ate his food and he got dressed. He had to wear those copper red ritual rags that he kinda tossed on the floor.

They were just like the training clothes that Strange always wore. The outfit was really comfortable and he couldn't believe that they were so ancient.

Everyone at the Kamar-taj was told to gather inside the part of the grounds that operated like a temple. It was a gigantic space used for meditation and gatherings. For Steve, it kinda looked like a theater.

He and Strange were told to part ways and the two of them left to get dressed. Wong informed them that the Ancient One was ready for the ritual, and she decided to begin with Tony.

Steve was nervous. He was beyond nervous. Wong told him where to sit. A small mat was placed on the floor and Steve sat down. He re-adjusted his dark blue garment and he looked over at Strange.

His garment was dark green. They looked exactly like the yellow one that the Ancient One always wore. Steve began to wonder if that garment was connected to another entity. He figured that was how it worked.

His nerves began to shoot through the roof. A small, compact-able part of the floor was removed and those shackles on the floor were revealed. He saw two short shackles for the feet, and two longer shackles for the wrists.

Steve looked over at Stephen Strange. The man was seated slightly beside him. They technically had front row seats to the show. Steve swallowed and he glanced back at the chains.

Strange was fully focused on what was in front of him. He didn't glance at Steve at all. The soldier rubbed his forehead and waited.

Tony was ready to go. He was actually excited. He had no fear and the Ancient One pointed that out to him as they both stood outside the temple.

"You are so perfectly matched Anthony. Exactly like Hoggoth. Fiery and so full of life." She touched his hands and she stared at them for only a moment.

A soft sound came from inside the temple. The gong was struck gently and that indicated that they were ready in the room. Tony just smiled at her and he looked ahead to his destination.

"I want you to be their strength. They both need you. Especially, after today." Tony looked at the Ancient One and he nodded his head. He was given the inside scoop behind the ritual and he understood what she was saying.

The Ancient One led the way into the room and Tony followed her. He looked out at the small group of people that were seated on the floor. His eyes stopped at Steve and he grinned.

Steve smiled at him and he almost shook his head. The soldier couldn't believe Tony's face. He looked so unafraid. Fearless. Steve watched as Tony stopped in the center of the room. Wong walked over and he shackled his feet to the smaller chains.

The buckles were locked tight and Tony looked over at Strange. The demoted sorcerer couldn't take his eyes off of him. He stared and Tony gave him a smirk.

The smirk made Strange look away. He focused on the shackles that were secured to his wrists. Tony remained where he stood and he dropped his hands to his sides. Tony looked down at the chains and then he glanced at his main man again.

Hoo hoooo it was time for some crazy shit. Tony turned his head and he looked behind him. The Ancient One took a seat. She was seated on a small platform that had a whole bunch of candles and ritual stuff all around her. Tony looked back ahead and he inhaled a deep breath.

The Ancient One began to speak in a different language. Tony listened. The alignment spell was being vocalized and the party was getting started.

Steve's eyes were wider than they had ever been before. In all his years on planet earth, he had never been so ...

Astounded. That was the word. Steve was a bit overwhelmed with all of it and he was definitely astounded. He became even more so when Tony was covered with an orange light. Strange understood that Hoggoth had to be located somewhere far beneath them. The light was conjured upward from the floor.

That was the direction the energy would be sent. His nerves began to pick up as he watched. He became very fixated with Tony. He looked at the clothing that he wore and his eyes stopped on his face.

Tony looked back at Strange. The two of them just stared for a moment and then the Ancient One spoke louder. Tony could feel something travel through him. He gasped and looked down at the floor. A very intense energy filled his feet first. From the floor it rose upward all the way to his skull.

Holyyyyy shit Tony felt that energy surge through him and he almost screamed from the shock of it all. He was friggen LIFTED. That shit shot through him and luckily he was chained to the floor.

He thought that he was going to get blown off to Kansas or something. Nothing hurt him. It just startled him. He was physically lifted off the ground and that energy found a home in his small frame. Every hair on his head and body stood up. It felt like he was being electrocuted but he didn't feel any pain.

Tony had to close his eyes. It felt like his body filled up with fire. His bones were engulfed and he tried to process all of that crazy shit.

His feet touched the floor and all of that warmth that was around him centered beneath his skin. Tony decided to drop down to his knees because it really overwhelmed him. He couldn't open his eyes at that moment.

Steve was the exact opposite. He was unable to SHUT his eyes. What he witnessed was insane. Tony was lifted upward and he saw all that glowy, crazy stuff go inside his body. He looked like he was POSSESSED BY SOME FIERY CREATURE.

Whoa. Steve Rogers needed someone to pinch him. He looked over at Stephen Strange. Tony didn't look hurt but his eyes were still closed. Tony just needed a minute or two. What he felt in his body could not be described.

It was a warm churn. A constant warm energy churning around beneath his skin. Tony opened his eyes and he heard several gasps around the room. His eyes held a glow for just a moment. He blinked and the glow faded away.

His body did not feel normal anymore. Tony felt like he could jump through the roof. He stood up straight and he looked down at the shackles on his ankles and wrists.

Tony felt like he could snap them up from the hinges. He continued to stand in place and he processed what just happened to him. Wong headed over to Tony and he unshackled his wrists. Tony focused on Steve for a moment.

His ankles were freed and he took a step from the shackles. His body was on fireeeeeeeee. The energy was roasting around his bones and he touched his own skin. He needed to make sure that he was actually still alive.

"Steven, when you are ready you can take Anthony's place." The Ancient One spoke softly and Steve stopped staring at Tony. Hooooolyyy toledo. Steve froze in place for a good while.

The soldier was able to feel his energy before he even got up to his feet. Steve swallowed and rose up. He quietly headed away from his section of the small audience and he stepped up to Tony.

"Are you ok?" Steve looked him over. Tony just stared at him. Oh, he was just dandy. Steve took notice of the warmth. Tony felt ten times hotter and he wondered if he would remain like that for long.

Steve wanted to touch him. He brought his hand upward and he looked at Tony's arms.

"Tony? You doing ok?" Steve had to ask again. He didn't receive an answer, just a look. Tony kept his eyes locked onto Steve. He gave a small smile and stepped to the side.

"I feel.. good. Really good." That was as descriptive as Tony was able to get. He held a small smile and he walked away from Steve. Tony took his place on the floor.

He was seated beside Stephen Strange. Tony noticed that the prick wizard was quiet. But, he didn't fail to notice his glance.

Tony turned his head to his right and he returned the attention. He gave him the same small smile that he gave to Steve.

Strange couldn't believe what he felt. He actually wanted to touch Tony's skin as well. He forced his focus straight ahead and Tony did the same. Wong walked over to Steve and he began to bound his ankles.

Steve was pretty nervous. Tony was a bit too quiet and he hoped to hear something more from him. The soldier watched Wong lock his ankles in place and then Steve looked over at the Ancient One.

He felt one of the shackles close over his wrist and he tried to settle those nerves.

Chapter End:

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