No-One But You (The Zephyr Endeavor) - Part 2
Chapter 40: The Power of Love (Part 10)
Before we move on to the next section of these Endeavor chapters, there's one section of the story that needs to pick up the pace.
Victor Strange was the character who was technically lollygagging, and the only thoughts on his mind had to do with Seagate Island looking super bland and dull.
The baby Strange was looking up at a tall gate when that thought crossed his mind, and he inwardly recalled the fact that he'd heard of the prison before.
His newly appointed "ex" was once a resident of Seagate Penitentiary, but that was a long time ago.
It was weird for Victor to think of Ezekiel Stane as his "ex-boyfriend," because truthfully speaking… it never felt like they were together in the first place…
They tried for a long while, and in so many different ways… but…honestly, being friends… felt… better. It felt weirdly natural too, and Victor studied that energy before they left for Japan.
UHHH, Victor pumped the brakes on his intrusive thoughts… then he looked over at the person who actually wanted to be in a relationship with him.
Clint Barton was looking up at the giant "gate" too, but his focus was on Nick Fury. The director of S.H.I.E.L.D. wanted to be there for the baby archer's brother as well, and he had some things to explain to them both.
Victor was mainly a tag-along, but it felt like a good time to meet his boyfriend's brother. Whoa, how crazy was that? Victor held a small smile after he processed his own thought.
It was a big moment for him, and he really didn't want to fuck it up. SO, the baby Strange decided to drop his thoughts about some crime lord that he used to know, and from that moment on he kept looking forward.
Eventually, that big boring gate by the sea opened up, and Victor drew in a short breath when he saw three men walk out. Oh wow, he could tell which one was Barton's brother right away.
The guy's blonde hair and smile gave him away immediately. They looked verrrryyyy similar, but the archer's brother stood a foot taller. He kinda towered over him, like most big brothers do, and Victor really liked his energy.
He had a good energy, and the newly appointed Sorcerer Supreme was learning to tell the difference. His sister and brother told him to do that, and together they were making a mental map of everyone's vibe.
Anyway, Victor was naturally awkward as fuhhhhhkkk sometimes too, so in a way he was kinda hiding behind his baby bird boyfriend.
Charles Bernard Barton said a cheery goodbye to the two prison guards who were his escorts, then his eyes happened upon his baby brother. A sarcastic smile took over the man's face, because not too long ago he told his brother to GO, live, and enjoy his life.
He didn't want to offend him or tell his brother to leave tho, so the man bit his tongue on that and stepped in front of the group.
…
"Did you have a good birthday?"
…
He better have.. Bernard noticed a sudden change in his brother's body language after he asked him about his birthday. Clint's focus turned briefly toward the young man who was standing behind him, and things started getting kinda weird…
…
Birthday? Wait. What birthday? Victor's soul friggen froze up immediately. The baby Strange didn't even know what day it was, and it's safe to say that he wasn't expecting Bernard to say that…
HOLD THE FUCKING PHONE. Victor silently started freaking out. Whose birthday was he talking about?
…
"Yup. It was great. So, Fury says you're going home?"
…
"Yup. Mr. Fury says I'm going home. That's where this rehabilitation thing is going to take place too. Didn't you know?"
…
Nick Fury was standing there, so Bernard figured he could speak for himself. A moment of silence struck, and Fury glanced between the brothers and picked up on the awkward vibes.
That awkwardness hit a few members of the group immediately, and Fury recalled the small celebration for Clint Barton at the S.H.I.E.L.D. base.
Natasha Romanov threw the archer a small birthday, thing, but other than that? The director didn't have a clue. He was there to escort Charles Barton to his hometown, so yeah all of that information was correct.
…
"I've been briefed on where you're going, and… this is Victor. Victor Strange. I wanted you, to… meet him."
…
UHHH, Victor was still stuck in a frozen state of disbelief. Holllyyy effing shiiiittt… the baby Strange felt like such a friggen idiot. Wait, first off, he missed his boyfriend's birthday?
What day was it? AND WHY did the good vibes suddenly take a flying leap off the cliff?
OH. Bernard looked at the young man who was standing there behind his baby brother. Strange? That was a weird name, but how cute was he? He looked like one of those video game nerds. Actually, his hair made him look like a rich yuppie punk meets emo street kid.
It took the older brother an eternity to figure out what was actually happening in that moment, and he began to recall what the archer said to him when they last spoke.
WAIT. OK. So, his little brother was into guys? And… that's the person he was with? This is his non- girlfriend? Bernard wasn't sure if he was reading that right, so he had to scan the group and say something to clear the air…
…
"Victor, Strange? Hello Victor Strange. I'm Charles Barton."
…
"Hello. It's nice to meet you."
…
Saaaaaaaa… Victor definitely wanted to scream. Yes. He hella wanted to be there, but now the birthday thing and the sudden meet and greet was making the moment awkward as fuhhhkkk.
He gave the archer's brother a friendly smile, then his focus immediately dropped down to his boyfriend's left arm. It was right there beside him… and it looked very comforting. Victor wanted to hug it and hold him tight.
…
"You know, I've heard of your last name before, Strange. Mr. Strange? That guy, he's some kind of a super powerful wizard, right?"
…
Ehh? Victor quickly processed and blinked at what he heard, then he slowly glanced up at Charles Barton. Of course he's heard of his brother. Victor expected nothing less, so he gave the question a proud smile.
…
"That's my brother, Stephen, but he's not a wizard. He's Doctor Strange, the real Sorcerer Supreme."
…
There was no replacing Stephen. Victor agreed to support his brother, learn from him, and help him till the bitter end… but deep down the baby Strange knew that he could never be replaced.
That thought carried over the moment for a short while, because Victor made his mind up on that a long time ago.
Chapter: END
Thanks for reading.