The Never-Ending Why: Chapter 22: Drop The Game (Part 2)
Bucky and Steve were on their way to an office that belonged to a man named Nick Fury. They met an older version of him long ago, but that was never up for discussion.
They approached a door and Steve hopped to it. He opened it, and held it open for Bucky. The blonde was used to doing that, and he saw the sarcastic look on Bucky's face.
Steve had a gentle smile, and he kept holding that door open. Bucky wasn't used to someone opening the door for him, but he knew how Steve was.
"Tony must love that."
Bucky held a small grin, and he slowly walked through the open door. Steve followed and he thought about the comment. His relationship with Tony did have him opening doors. Bucky's opinion made his smile stretch up a little more.
"He does."
Steve spoiled the heck out of Tony, and he felt spoiled in other ways. Steve didn't really wanna think about those other ways, because his face and hands were already getting warm.
Bucky mentioned that he wasn't surprised, and he gave a small laugh. They finally reached the office, and the gentle commentary between them settled down. Fury was waiting for the two of them, and there were a few other people in the room.
Steve only took on small missions. He wasn't acquainted with everyone, but it seemed like everyone knew him. They always greeted him as if he was familiar. Steve never got used to it, and he just smiled through it.
When Bucky and Steve entered the room, Fury stood up. He told them about several H.Y.D.R.A. nests, and how important it was to flush them out.
"You two are on an odd schedule, so we're sending you in first."
Nick Fury turned on some giant screen, and everyone looked at what was on display. Odd schedule? Steve's face formed a pretty confused look. Bucky saw it immediately, and he leaned toward him a little and explained.
"They only get us until Friday. I'm not available on the weekends, and I figured you wouldn't want to be either."
Bucky quietly explained, then he watched the H.Y.D.R.A. recap on the screen. Steve was puzzled only for a moment. He remembered a small detail that he overheard between Tony and Donna.
Bucky walked her home, and Steve's confused expression slipped away. A mischievous grin slowly formed, and he kept his focus on Bucky.
Sooooo, we're not available on weekends? Okie dokie. That boiled down the timeframe for Steve. Bucky's behavior was hard to follow, and that blonde was curious. He turned his entire focus toward the screen.
Bucky didn't know that he knew, and Steve intended to keep it that way.
~~~~~—~~~~~
Tony was home alone for around ten seconds. He got bored pretty quickly, so he immediately figured out something to do.
Steve was out working and being adorable, while Tony refused to "get a job". He didn't care about any of that, and he fully intended to either build cool shit or just make music.
He almost had an entire song composed at that point. Tony didn't sing with it, but he had some words mixed in with the track. He just... did whatever.
The fiery brunette caught onto something while he was lonely in his apartment, and it caused him to immediately call Donna and Victor Strange.
He asked them if they were busy. They both said that they weren't. Tony formed a portal, and he knocked on the apartment door. Victor opened it, and Donna watched Tony walk inside.
He had never been inside Stephen's place, but it didn't feel like his presence was there at all. Tony glanced around, and he heard Donna ask him what he wanted.
She was extra icy toward him. That little chat they had at the Sanctum Sanctorum rubbed her a bit in the wrong way. Tony spun where he stood, and he looked at the ever so elegant/very-alive/female-version of Stephen Strange, and he smiled.
"You know how I've been monitoring the realm of light?"
"Yes."
"Agamotto's dimension?"
"Yes."
"Stephen's new play-place?"
"...yes."
"Yeah. He's not leaving it."
...
Ok? Donna wanted to roll her eyes. That information wasn't helpful, and she didn't know why Tony bothered to come over. Victor was watching their conversation, and he kept moving about. He was in the middle of his video game, and he was stuck between going or staying.
If the information about Stephen was useful, Victor didn't want to miss it. If the info was bogus, then... he wanted to rush back to his game. Donna was aware of that. She glanced at Victor, and then she gave Tony an unamused sigh.
"Tony, I know he's not leaving it. That's why you're monitoring it."
Donna crossed her arms, as Tony started looking at some adorable pictures. He picked up one photo that had all three siblings. They all looked so young and cute. Tony noticed that Stephen looked very happy.
He looked at ease, and loved. Tony couldn't stop staring at his smile. He remembered seeing that smile several times. Tony had to draw it out of him, but ...
He saw it.
"You're right. I'm monitoring it right now. He's not budging, but his tinker bell princess is."
Tony set down the photograph and he slowly looked over at Donna. Victor stopped fidgeting about, and he sucked in a deep breath. Donna un-crossed her arms, as Tony's demeanor became a little more serious.
"Do you want to have a chat with his precious little pixie?"
Clea had just vacated Agamotto's dimension. Tony wanted to know if they were interested in talking to her. He planned to go no matter what, but he had to ask his siblings first.
Oh, Donna very much wanted to speak to the young woman that suddenly wooshed away with her brother. She had no clue who that magical person was, and she answered yes immediately.
Tony gave a sly little grin, and he looked toward the younger man of the house. Victor Strange said that he needed to save his game and get his shoes, but he was ready to go.
Chapter: END
Thanks for reading.