No-One But You (The Mystic Consultant) - Part 2

Chapter 67: Sorcerer Supreme (Part 7)

Bucky Barnes spent his afternoon talking to Stephen Strange. The two had lunch, and they caught up on life as old friends normally do.

If felt good to chat with someone about Natasha who wasn't directly involved. Stephen had always orbited the world of S.H.I.E.L.D. but he was considered to be an outsider from the organization. Now, the former Sorcerer Supreme was being viewed as an outsider from every organization, because his place was in the Dark Dimension.

Bucky was good with it, because Stephen had a wife and daughter to think about. He kept his opinions to himself most of the time, but the truth was… he was actually very old fashioned. Growing up in the 1920s-30s had that affect on a person, and the Winter Soldier was no exception.

Bucky spoke to Stephen about some of the arguments he had throughout his relationship with Natasha. He spoke specifically about them getting married "down the road" or her comments about them having children. The Widow was cruel as fuck with her approach, and it felt good to finally get all of that off his chest.

Steve and Natasha were close, so yeah… talking about that was a no go with him.

Stephen was listening, and he understood. Arguing over domestic issues was difficult, and painful. It was clear that Bucky and Natasha co-mingled together on two very different planets. The sorcerer simply took in the information as it was delivered. They also caught up on Bucky's behavior around Tony….

That's where Bucky started skating around on some thin ice, because Stephen Strange was TEAM TONY all the way. He didn't cut Bucky any slack when it came down to him being a douchebag toward Tony. Stephen never gave Bucky the time of day when Tony was involved, or Steve. Steve Rogers wasn't as innocent as he made himself out to be, and Stephen made sure that point was known.

"I think he wanted to kill me. You should have seen Steve's face."

"Oh don't worry, I saw it."

Stephen was very in tune with the Steve/Bucky/Tony situation, despite living dimensions away. Bucky Barnes slowly wiped his hands with his napkin as Stephen gently spoke. The Winter Soldier rolled his eyes a bit, because Stephen knowing everything annoyed him like you wouldn't believe.

The former Sorcerer Supreme finished up his meal, then he studied the look on Bucky's bothered face. Stephen told Bucky to get his shit together ages ago, but it seemed like the man was in the same exact place. They spoke about his failed love life, his ridiculous attempt to derail Tony once again, and they spoke about Stephen's new life out in the Dark Dimension.

Bucky even filled Stephen in on something that he already knew. He was aware that his brother was going through training at the Kamar taj, and that Ezekiel Stane was back in his life. Stephen was patient with all of that information as it was sent in his direction, and he continued to give Bucky Barnes a kind smile. He began to think that the two of them covered just about every topic that they had on the books, with the exception of one person.

…

Bucky felt it coming. He could feel the "big brother" vibes from a mile away. The Winter Soldier braced himself for the real Stephen Strange, because the subject matter they were previously discussing had run its course. There was one person out there who they had never discussed…

"You know, Donna's never told me why she left your apartment."

…

Bucky felt the ice suddenly crack beneath his feet. Stephen Strange spoke out his thought, and Bucky kinda smiled his way through it. I mean, he had a general idea about why it happened, but the man didn't have an explanation to deliver. His mind went back in time, to a bold declaration that Stephen once made about his sister, back in the day.

"If you're actually dumb enough to hurt my sister, I will make you beg for death."

That's what Stephen Strange said to him, years ago. Bucky recalled the moment with an awkward grin. He failed to respond to what the brother said in that present moment, but thankfully something magical happened. Bucky Barnes felt saved by some magical mystical bell, because Stephen's focus went toward something else.

A peculiar wind picked up and Stephen's body received a message that he was unable to ignore. Bucky was officially off the hook from the Donna Strange subject, because Oshtur was requesting to communicate with Agamotto. The former Sorcerer Supreme processed what it meant, and he returned his focus toward Bucky for the moment.

"I have to head to Victor now. Would you like me to take you back to the Kamar taj?"

Bucky's presence was needed there. Stephen had arranged all of those details a while ago. The older sibling stood up before Bucky could react, and he took the lack of response as a suppressed yes. Stephen didn't have time for indecision, so he dropped Bucky Barnes back off at the Kamar taj.

He dumped him off by the library, then Stephen transported himself within the realm of Oshtur. Bucky was shocked with the sudden change of scenery, but he stood up and adapted to the drop. He brushed off his pants, then his jacket. Stephen just dumped him off… so…

The first person he saw was Wade Wilson, because the guy stuck out like a sore thumb.

Chapter: END

Thanks for reading.