Lessons In Love: Chapter Fifty-Five: Paradise (Part 4)


"And, what is that?"

Tony looked up from his energy suit. He was asked a question about something in the room. He had already answered over a thousand questions, so he was getting a little annoyed.

"It's... a wand. It has a weird name. Watoomb I think. My older self knows more about it."

Tony answered the question. Victor Strange was levitating above his workspace. Stephen's sibling was not allowed to be at his brother's side. He also wasn't allowed to talk to Clea any longer.

The two versions of Clea Strange had disappeared, so that left Victor with only one option. He decided to hover around Tony, and the questions wouldn't cease. Baby Tony didn't mind it at first. He thought that it was a good thing.

He wanted to get to know Victor. So there he was, all prepped up and chipper. His energy reminded Tony of a happy little puppy. Victor was cute, talkative, and curious.

He asked about everything in the room. Tony was almost finished with his suit, so the questions were getting on his nerves. He didn't want to snap at the kid.

Tony looked up from his work. He glanced at Victor and noticed the resemblance of Stephen. It made him think about the odd conversation that he had with the would-be-sorcerer.

"I won't break it, I swear."

Victor started lifting the artifact up from it's resting place. Tony gave a sudden gasp, then his eyes sharpened into a glare. AY. That shit was OFF LIMITS. Tony wanted to snatch it and push him out the door. He refrained and told Victor not to mess with anything in the armory.

Victor was becoming a PEST. He ignored everything that Tony said, and he brought the item closer toward his face. Victor mentioned that it was weird looking. He inspected the wand and he reached over to touch it.

The young man stopped abruptly because someone was entering the shop. The older Tony entered first, and he was followed by the older Stephen. Victor lost his focus on the wand, and the artifact smacked down onto the table.

"Out. You're training with me."

The older Stephen stared at his younger brother, and he only focused on him. Actually, he stared at his dead brother. Victor hesitated immediately. He thought that version of his brother was cruel. He didn't want to go anywhere with him.

He thought that the older Stephen looked just like his father.

"These two need to get to work."

They had a suit to finish, and whatever else the older Tony had planned. Victor continued to hesitate, until he turned his body toward the exit.

...the younger Tony stared at that cape, and the person in it. The clothes were peculiar, but he couldn't help but stare at the older Stephen. He looked very strong and sharp.

The younger Tony thought that he was very good looking. He was scary, but handsome. He wanted to say it out loud. Tony wanted to confess what he felt. The Stephen that he knew was older. Tony started thinking that he was too mature and too busy to listen to how he felt.

When that thought crossed the younger Tony's mind, he saw that mighty sorcerer look in his direction. Those sharp eyes locked onto him immediately.

Baby Tony almost hit the floor. He didn't expect the older Stephen to look at him. Tony was about to self destruct. It actually felt like he was going to combust and explode from the shock.

Luckily, Victor finally said a stubborn goodbye. He stole the focus of the older Stephen, and then the two of them headed out. Tony controlled his panic. Before long, he was all alone in the armory with his older self.

He kept quiet for a moment, and he just stared at the staircase. His young mind was deep in thought. The older Tony held a smirk and he decided not to comment about the Dr. Douchebag Wizard Pizza Supreme that just waltzed up the stairs like he owned the place.

Big Tony decided to comment on something else. He wanted to pry that young mind away from stubborn wizards.

"How was the date?"

Aw, Big Tony watched that young face get all rosy. The young one looked down at his hands. He processed the question, and that mind started scattering about. His date with Steve went very well.

Steve was so kind. Tony had never been on a date like that before. He looked up at his older self and gave him a sheepish smile. Tony realized that his focus on the date was cut short.

His parents being alive became his main thought, then the great Bucky Wonder showing up made him think about other stuff.

"I think, it was probably my favorite day."

Tony answered the question honestly, but his response made him feel a little sad. His older self caught onto it immediately, and he sunk his posture to one side. His baby self looked a little blue.

He thought about how to remedy the look on his face, but the answer to the question just continued.

"I want to date him. I liked how it felt, but ..."

Tony looked over at that ring. His older self wore it proudly, but he didn't feel like asking him about it. The car ride between him and Steve Rogers didn't happen.

Baby Tony did not see it happening for a long time.

"He's figuring things out with Bucky. I think I'll just keep waiting on that. Maybe."

Baby Tony shrugged his shoulders and he brought his hands back over toward his work. He needed to busy himself, and the older Tony gave a quiet sigh.

Saaaaaaa... the blonde bombshell. Big Tony knew all about waiting for Steve Rogers to see the light. Steve never rushed into anything, and it was FRUSTRATINGGGGGGG.

"Would it help to tell you that he's worth the wait?"

The older Tony held a gigantic grin. He looked very playful and he almost laughed. His younger self stared at his smile and he gently bit at his lip. He stared at that ring again, and that Baby Tony rolled his eyes.

"Take it from someone that has been dimension-hopping, terminator-ducking, guardian-drugging, hydro-suit building, Thanos-killing, Kansas-searching, shark-dodging, baby-raising, wizard-seducing, almost-drowning, parent-losing, and vishanti-fusing my way toward getting exactly what you want."

The grin continued.

All of the words that came in Baby Tony's direction overwhelmed him for a moment. He let out a short gasp as he stared at his work. He tried to translate everything that he heard.

His heart was pumping at a pretty accelerated rate. Tony watched his younger self blush his way through the conversation. He kept quiet and carried on with his work.

The suit was almost complete. The two versions of Tony Stark were very close to trying it out.


Chapter: END

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