Chapter 27: Diminuendo Chapters: Walk It Back (Part Three)
It absolutely had to be a very cruel joke.
Strange refused to believe that his mentor actually had the nerve to lecture him about incapacitating himself, and then she goes off and self-sacrifices.
Strange just summed it up to a form of complete idiocy, or a joke. He remained in the temple with Steve. He was in a state of shock. He only said one or two things. Steve didn't really want to leave him by himself.
The situation was terrible, but Steve remained in the temple for other reasons as well. There was something that Steve needed to say to Strange. For some reason, his gut was telling him that it was the right time. It didn't seem like it was the right time because of the situation, but Steve rarely ignored his gut.
"Strange, before we go forward I want say something to you." Steve was all supportive of being there for Dr. Stephen Strange.
He had wanted to bring him into the fold for a long time. Now, Steve understood why it was so difficult to accomplish.
The sorcerer stared at the location where the Ancient One sat. He heard Steve's words and he slowly turned toward him. Strange was a bit out of it, but he was listening.
Steve took one step closer to him. He knew that he had Strange's attention.
"You've had the upper hand with Tony for quite a while. You've kept him in check regarding his dimension hopping, his armor, you've shown up when he's asleep, AND you've even threatened his life."
Dr. Strange fought the urge to roll his eyes. He fought really really really REALLY hard. It was a habit for him, unfortunately. He stood there and those eyes took a gigantic roll beneath his eyelids. He crossed his arms and stared at Steve Rogers.
Christ.
"Now, I normally get to a point where I give people three strikes. I've thought about doing that for you because of the obvious stress you've been under..."
Steve brought his hands up to his hips and Strange stood at his actual height. He noticed Steve's demeanor change. He wasn't such a sunshine gumball of goodness any longer. The soldier took one more step closer to Strange.
"I will let what just happened slide only one time. That was it. If you hurt Tony again, I will fuck you up."
Steve meant it. Magic be damned. Steve intended to knock Strange's face down his throat if he ever hurt Tony again. The soldier was the son of Joseph Rogers after all, and that anger that he witnessed as a child was within him when he needed it.
Steve also used a familiar quote from someone that he cared about very much. Someone stood up for him and used those words. It was something that Steve would never forget.
Steve continued to stare at Strange. The sorcerer just sighed and gave a nod. He heard him but he was too irritated to really respond.
He wanted to say, ROGER THAT.. ROGERS. But, he refrained. Strange just headed toward the door of the temple. He was done for the day and it was barely noon.
"Oh, and by the way?" Steve spoke up again and Strange gripped the doorframe. He almost kept walking. He was compelled to just ignore him but they were supposed to function as a unit.
Some unit.. they were aligned five whole minutes. Strange turned his head and he looked back at Steve.
"I've been waiting for you to tell me about those dream adventures you've been having with Tony. Tony's been upfront about it, but you haven't. I think we need to get that sorted out and on the table now that we're all going to spend an eternity together. Do you agree?"
Steve planned to leave the Kamar-taj. He wanted to stick around to lend his assistance for the Ancient One's funeral. That was it. He missed his son and he wanted to be home.
He wanted to clear the air between all of them before he left. That's the reason why he could no longer hold back. He knew that Strange was stressed, but Steve decided now or never.
Strange thought about those dream encounters. He remained silent for a good while and then he turned his focus to the soldier briefly. He also thought that the village boy scout picked a sensational time to call him out. Strange was pretty annoyed about that.
"We don't have to spend it together. The entities we're channeling all came from three different places. Didn't you notice? I wasn't able to figure out why. Got distracted."
Strange was closed off. He was withdrawn and he chose to answer that way. Steve kept those hands on his hips because his question and his topic was ignored.
Steve felt like he had the floor so he decided to pitch his questions regardless of the drama.
"Can you look me in the eyes and respond to what I said. I'm leaving the Kamar-taj for a while and I'd like to know why you keep doing as you please inside Tony's dreams? Just answer that and we're good."
That was the ultimate question for Steve. He accepted Tony for how he was. Tony had a free spirit. He could not be contained and Steve came to realize that a long time ago.
Some people were just built that way. He used to condemn him and punish him for just being himself. Steve really didn't have a concrete opinion on how Strange operated. He didn't know what he felt about Tony.
Steve wanted to know. Strange looked right at him and he gave the situation some thought. The sorcerer just got rid of Tony's emotions. He lost his mentor in order to achieve that and Strange refused to accept it.
He was ready to just walk away from the Captain Rogers interrogation scene. But, when he looked at Steve he was unable to do it. He wanted to be honest with him, but first he had to work it out and be honest with himself.
Strange glanced down at his hands and then he gave Steve the eye contact that he asked for.
"I'm consciously and unconsciously visiting Tony in his sleep because it feels safer in there to express myself. I've realized that I am attracted to him. I'm certain that it is more than a physical attraction, and I don't know if I want to feel that way."
Strange looked away. He dropped the eye contact. The last time he saw Tony in his dream, Strange was unconscious himself.
He hadn't fully processed his behavior, but he spoke the truth to Steve as he understood it. He heard Steve take a small step and Strange managed to bring his focus back up. Steve didn't look angry. He looked almost the opposite.
Strange found that odd and he blinked several times. The truth was, Steve could tell that Strange was attracted to Tony. He could see it and he could hear it anytime they were around each other. He wanted to dig it out of him because he wanted to put a lid on the situation.
"Can I give you some advice then?"
Steve spoke calmly and Strange actually looked at a gentle smile. Advice? The sorcerer became confused. Tony and Steve's relationship confused him. He brought his shoulders upward and he just nodded his head, yes.
"Tony is a shameful flirt. He is a little heartbreaker. He's always been that way and that is how he will always be. I've come to realize that the hard way because I wanted to contain the flame, in a sense."
Steve struggled with Tony for a really long time. He wanted him to be more traditional. He wanted him to love the way that he loved. Steve couldn't figure out a balance.
He figured it out eventually. Tony was ultimately his partner in crime. They were meant to meet so they could help others through their partnership.
They needed to bring others into the fold, together. Their relationship was just some icing on the cake. It wasn't Steve's focus any longer.
"So, don't lose sight of that as you figure it all out. Because it is through fire, the moth knows. Like a moth to a flame I go."
Steve dropped some poetry off for Stephen Strange to digest. He came across that poem through his own journey in and out of the unfathomable being that is named Anthony Edward Stark. Steve smiled at Strange and he just let everything else go.
Steve was the one that walked away. He slowly walked right by Strange and then he went to Tony. He knew exactly where he was and the soldier headed down to that new yet incredibly ancient lab.
Stephen Strange just sighed. He gently rubbed his injured eyebrow and he took a moment to process... that.
The sorcerer left the temple. He mentally checked out of everything. He had to figure out a way to reverse what the Ancient One did. Strange gathered his books and he took two apples.
He ignored everyone on the planet and then he headed to his room. Strange needed to read absolutely everything about the ritual. The sorcerer declared himself officially obsessed.
Down in the lab, Tony busied himself with his Mandarin armor. He had a head piece to fuse inside the helmet. He heard someone enter his lab and he looked up.
Tony smiled at his main man. He stuck his tongue out a little bit as he smiled at him. Nowww there was a snack. Hoo hoo Tony looked back at his armor and Steve walked up beside him.
Steve saw all the work on the table and he ignored it. He walked right up to Tony and he grabbed those hands.
"Hi Tony."
"Herrro Steve."
"How are you?"
He tugged those hands and pulled his little red corvette toward him. Tony smiled and he went exactly where he was pulled. The difference was, both of their bodies felt very different. Tony was warmer than he had ever felt.
Steve wasn't cold, his body just had that strange sensation of a breeze. Neither of them gave it anymore thought. They embraced gently and Tony looked at those blue eyes.
"I'm good. I feel weird, but I'm good. You?"
He pressed his forehead against Tony's and he just smiled. He wanted to stand in the room for a moment and just hold him.
Steve held him for a little while. He kissed his forehead and took a step back.
"I'm good Tony. I'm leaving as soon as this funeral for the Ancient One concludes. What is your plan?"
Tony could stay or go. Steve wasn't in charge of his decision. He wanted to see his son. If Tony went with him, Byron would just steal his focus anyway.
Tony thought about it. He stared at the armor and formed a decision. He missed Sarah, and he knew that his family was worried. BUT, Tony also knew in his bones that they no longer had anything to worry about.
"I need to sort something out, here." Tony calmly spoke to Steve and he looked up at his beautiful face. Steve agreed with that. He understood.
"I did my best to sort some of it out a few minutes ago. It's time for you to finish it up. But Tony, I want you to promise me something."
Steve eased up his stance and he gently touched Tony's chin. He made that little heartbreaker look at him. Tony's face warmed up. Steve's touch seriously did something to his nerves. He swallowed and gave Steve the most innocent and angelic smile he could muster up.
"Yes snookums?" KAHAAA TONY ALMOST LAUGHED. He felt like he was dunked face first into some hot water.
"If he ever hurts you like that again, I want you to tell me." Stephen Strange was on a very short leash with Steve. ACK.. Tony kinda expected that. He winced and wondered if the two of them exchanged some worrdzzz. Tony almost asked.
"I can handle myself. I really can, you'd be surprised." Tony commented instead, and sprinkled his words with just a small touch of sarcasm.
Steve didn't take the bait. He led a stare and he expected to receive his promise. The soldier wanted that verbal guarantee. Tony gave into that stare, he told Steve that he promised and his lips were caught up in a kiss shortly after.
Tony melted up against Steve for a good while and he returned the yummy kiss. They never knew if it was the last one so, they dipped in and held onto it for a little longer than most individuals.
Steve didn't need to know how Tony intended to "sort out" the issue with Strange. He had a general idea, but it didn't matter. Steve kissed Tony's forehead again and he looked back at the stairs.
"I'm going to help them get the funeral together. Then, I'm heading home." Steve updated Tony and he let him go. Their embrace ceased entirely and Steve headed out. The soldier really liked Wong and he wanted to know if he needed any help. Tony smiled at him and he watched him leave.
And yes, Tony checked out his ass as he headed up. Unfortunately, those dojo... karate kid pants were too baggy. It did nothing to harness and really showcase the true shape of the gorgeous sculpture that headed up the stairs.
Steve began his adorable hunt for Wong, Tony began his work on the armor, and Strange continued his obsessive binge reading.
It took an eternity to prepare the Kamar-taj for the funeral ceremony. Tony came out of hiding once he realized how long it was actually taking. They had to build a large funeral pyre and Steve was on the building crew.
Tony started to help as well. After all, teamwork really does make a dream work. The people within the Kamar-taj had beautiful flower garlands around her and all kinds of stuff. She was wrapped up in some red and white cloth and placed on the top of the pyre.
Wong told Tony and Steve that most of the other inhabitants were Buddhists or Hindu. They took death very seriously and they wanted their Ancient One to head on her next journey knowing that she was loved and respected in the life that she was leaving behind.
Tony glanced in the direction of the bedrooms several times. He expected that damn wizard to at least show his face maybe ONCE? Tony didn't see him and he became really annoyed.
The Ancient One really cared about Strange. The wizard prick was too blind to understand that, clearly. Tony thought about it and he rubbed his hands together for a quick bit.
When the sun was no longer in view they began to light the pyre. Tony hated it when the flames reached her body. He stared at the fire and then he felt Steve's arms wrap around him. He leaned back against his main man and he sulked.
The flames grew hungrier. Tony watched them and his eyes fixated on the flames. He couldn't peel his eyes away until someone walked in front of his line of sight.
The douchebag wizard decided to show his face. Strange walked up to the pyre and he held his head down. He looked through all the information on the alignment ritual. He meditated for hours, and debated time alteration. He did all that and couldn't find a way to bring her back.
His heart felt broken. Strange felt like a failure yet again. He stared at the flames and then he just turned away. Steve and Tony watched the expression on his face, and basically his every move.
Their "Agamotto" was very upset.
Tony noticed that Strange switched his clothing. He put on his dark blue outfit with the cool looking strappy things that were on his arms and legs.
He looked better in blue. Tony thought that and he glanced at Steve's face. The soldier stood behind him but Tony still managed to look. He glanced back at the jerkface wizard as he headed off to his room. Tony took in a deep breath at a much slower pace.
They both looked good in dark blue.
Tony concluded that Steven R. and Stephen S. were total opposites. They were like night and day. Everything about their personalities was different, but, almost everything about them physically was somewhat the same. It was freaking Tony out a little bit.
Steve decided that he helped out enough and he wanted to head home. Tony could tell, he turned around and hugged on his hubbie for as long as Steve let him.
"It should be morning there Tony. I'm going to head home now and I'll be back in a few days."
"I'll join you soon. I need to see Sarah and un-freak out the parentals." Tony had to settle some things first. Steve smiled at him and simply nodded his head. Their very warm embrace came to an end. The fire provided a warm glow. Steve was lit up with it and he looked so handsome. Tony noticed that and he felt those lips again.
Ok ok.. all of that ended. They said their goodbyes and Tony watched Steve fly off into the dark sky. He couldn't see him up there for very long. The light from the fire prevented Tony from seeing him. He immediately felt a small chill. Steve's warmth left him and he stood off on the side of the funeral, alone.
The ceremony was over but the fire was a long way away from dying down. It was pretty huge. Tony smiled at Wong and then he relocated his focus over toward the bedrooms.
Tony turned his foot to his right. He put all his weight in one direction and he headed off. Wong saw Tony head away from the funeral. Tony disappeared from their sight and he headed down the hallway.
Tony approached two bedroom doors. One belonged to Doctor Night, and the other one belonged to Captain Day. That thought amused Tony and he headed for the door on his right hand side.
Tony didn't even knock. He just opened the door and he walked right in. Stephen Strange looked up from his book. He stared in DISBELIEF as his room was invaded. The prick face wizard was seated on his bed. He had his book on his lap and both of his feet on the floor.
Tony started to untie that reddish orange ritual garment. He untied one side and he stepped closer to Strange. The man looked pretty shocked.
"What are you doing?" Strange asked and he looked at the door to his room. Uhh, where was Steve? Strange really wanted to know. He stared at Tony and his broken up heart began to race.
Tony got even closer and he opened up the tunic part of the garment. Strange could see his chest and stomach. He swallowed and stared at his arc reactor. Strange had never seen it and his eyes centered on it for a moment. Tony's voice was quiet, it filled the room and Strange looked up at his face.
"I'm sneaking into your room while you innocently read your books."
Tony moved in. He gently grabbed the book off of Strange's lap and he tossed it on the bed. Tony took over the spot on his lap where the book belonged. He climbed onto that lap and he calculated his reaction.
Strange did two things. He gripped Tony just beneath his ribs and he pushed him back. Then, he stopped halfway and he pulled him in close. They finally establish physical contact between them and Strange was burning up.
The sorcerer had kinda been in a state of shock all day so, he stared at Tony. The brunette wanted to sneak in while he was asleep and pay him back. That wasn't an option for him because Strange no longer slept. Two very warm hands were brought up to Strange's face.
The sorcerer just closed his eyes and he welcomed the actual contact. One hand remained on his face and the other one fed over his shoulder and stopped around the back of his neck.
Tony kissed him. He kissed that douchebag wizard and it wasn't in a dream. That kiss was real and once it started, ohhhh it was on. The top part of Tony's ritual garment was pried off his arms. Tony jerked it from his skin and he tossed it onto the floor. He latched himself back to Strange and it felt like a flame drifted in toward him.
Tony was so warm. Strange realized it as his hands touched his skin. He was very fierce and full of passion.
Steve's advice began to make some sense. He enjoyed the feel and the warmth of Tony's kiss. The sorcerer fell into it completely. He shifted his legs beneath him and then Tony got to work on Strange's dark blue tunic.
He untied it. Their kiss and their heated embrace continued and Tony opened it up and stripped that blue garment off of his shoulders. Strange gasped as Tony began to kiss his chest. Little by little the rest of their bulky clothing disappeared. Their innocent little dream encounters turned into reality and it escalated between them very quickly.
For the first time since Tony was eighteen years old, he slept with a guy that wasn't a Steve Rogers. It was very different for him. He had a shit ton of things to process about it. He felt so many different things when it all concluded. For some reason, Tony wondered if Steve felt the same way after he slept with Phil.
You are literally putting yourself in someone else's hands. It felt very good but so beyond friggen different. Just Stephen Strange's hands alone operated in a completely different way than Steve's. But, they both brought out the same result. They both hit that friggen buzzer. Tony didn't want to really explain it.
Tony was on his side and he took over the douchebag wizard's bed. Strange didn't really need it and he was reading. He wanted to know what happened between the Vishanti trio, and why they all separated.
His mind continued to slip back into his behavior with Tony. He'd look back over at him occasionally but then he'd focus back on his book. The moth had officially fluttered over to the flame. He didn't know what the outcome of that would be once Steve Rogers was added back into the mix.
That relationship truly confused him. They both operated like they were free, but they didn't treat each other like it was an open relationship. Strange forced the thought away. He continued to read and he heard Tony turn over on his bed.
"So a douchebag wizard, a soldier, and a mechanic all walked into a bar. What song did the wizard sing for karaoke?" Tony was in a playful mood and the question amused him.
Strange smiled. He stared at his book and then he turned his focus to Tony.
"You're telling it wrong. You meant to say that a DOCTOR douchebag wizard walked into a bar.. and I would sing." He trailed off and thought about it. Tony laughed at his smart ass comment. He stared at Stephen's skin.
He was half dressed. Tony actually wanted to feel him again and a deep blush took root on his face. He also wanted to know his song choice. Tony turned over for the millionth time and he sat up a bit.
"I don't really have a song choice at the moment. But, I do have a song in mind when I look at you."
Strange smiled only a little and Tony's curiosity picked up. Strange had a song for Tony back when he took him to his hiding place. They discussed his love for Pink Floyd and he thought about the song a few times since then.
"I could sing it, it's mostly instrumental so the people at the bar might not like it."
"Who cares about that. What's the song?" Tony pulled up a screen from his robot-like body. He skimmed over his ultimate playlist and he waited to hear the title track.
"Shine on, you crazy diamond by Pink Floyd." Strange confessed his secret song for Tony. His emotions took over and he felt those odd unexplainable sensations in his chest. Science and magic still couldn't comprehend and explain what an emotion actually was.
Strange felt them. He felt them all the time. But, after he was exposed to the emotions of others and forced to really feel, the floodgates were broken open and it was intennnnseeee.
Tony heard his song choice and it made him smile. Shine on you crazy diamond was an intense nine-chapter story created by Pink Floyd. Each part of the song just DID something to whoever was truly listening.
It made you feel things and learn things about sound and music compilation. It takes a unit, a strong conjoined team to put something together that strong and epic.
The song name was also very special for Tony. Once, a very long time ago, someone told him that he was like a small diamond. He only shined under pressure.
Tony put the song on. He quietly played it and he listened to the first sound that filled the room. Strange went back to reading. His eyes skimmed something of use and he was never bothered by his favorite band.
And, he was never truly bothered by Tony.
The two of them listened to Pink Floyd for quite a while. Strange retained enough information from his books and he was able to venture around the Kamar-taj. Tony got dressed and wandered around with him, for a while.
He went back to his work on the armor and Strange could only meditate beside the burnt funeral pyre. He needed to be near the pyre and finally process everything.
Two days had passed. Tony remained in Strange's room for both evenings. He wanted to hear the information that Strange was piecing together and he wanted to friggen feel him a few more times. He felt good and it sorted everything out.
On day three Steve returned. It was late in the daytime for Tony and Strange, and that meant it was the late in the evening for Steve.
The soldier returned and Tony took his place. It was his turn to visit with his family and spend some time with Sarah. Strange was nervous when Steve returned.
He assumed that the village Boy Scout would freak out because they slept together. Tony just told Steve that he "sorted it out" and Strange saw Steve smile. That odd relationship continued to remain ODD.
Tony said his goodbyes and that crazy diamond took off. Steve watched him leave and Strange watched him as well.
The two men left behind brought their focus back to the ground.
"I think it's time for us to train. I want you to teach me the mystic arts." Steve was ready. Strange simply nodded his head and Steve's first lesson began.
Diminuendo Chapters: END
Thank you so much for reading! It is time for me to go away for a while. If anyone is interested in reading more about the Vishanti trio, let me know and I will construct a completely separate fic for them. They will have their own world and I want to distance that story from No-One but you.
had a holiday of sorts and when I have time off I love to practice my writing. I pick this story up off and on to work on my skills. So, if you found this story I hope you've enjoyed it. If some things about it have rubbed you the wrong way or if it made you tune out please let me know.
I might come back to it and fix it up.
I knew when I began writing this story waaaay back in 2014 I wanted to write something where Tony truly truly ascended what happened with Obidiah Stane. I wanted it to include time travel, and I wanted Steve Rogers to break away from being a soldier. Those thoughts created this massive fic.
So, thanks for reading and here is the Diminuendo Music Playlist to take with you if you'd like:
Time - Pink Floyd
Coming Of Age - Foster The People
Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd
No Time - Rogue Wave
The Wizard Turns On - The Flaming Lips
All We Have Is Now - The Flaming Lips
Walk It Back - The National