No-One But You (The Star Child's Eclipse)
Chapter 49: Daydreamer (Part 9)
…
After the strategically random "Surveillant Council" meeting finally came to an end, Tony Stark and Steve Rogers ventured home to Brooklyn, New York.
…
Steve's adorable face was all pushed out of shape at times, but he maintained a playful smile whenever his eyes met Tony's.
Tony's playful grin held strong too, because they both were still inwardly LAUGHING about someone's rude-ass comment that was directed toward Steve.
The word "grubby" was forever stuck in their heads, and some might say it became a little inside joke between the two of them.
…
"I'll pass on the grubby sandwiches Steve Rogers, but thank you for the gesture."
…
HAH. Tony inwardly died again after he recalled the moment, and Steve's bothered behavior about it was the friggen cherry on top.
I mean, what nerve. Steve hadn't really encountered a person like that before either, so…
Well… he'd been bullied all his life, there's that, but the blonde had never really interacted with someone who was that sophisticatedly rude.
Doctor Doom didn't seem to spare anyone from his salty attitude either, except for Ezekiel Stane and Sofia Strange.
With those two… Doom was showing a side of himself that was gentle, sympathetic, and protective… but that's as far as it went.
He didn't act that way with anyone else, so what gives? What's the friggen difference?
Steve Rogers was pondering over all that as he hunted around for his keys to the front door…
…
"Goodbye Mr. Stark! It was good to see you today."
…
The sweetest little voice suddenly pierced through both of their thoughts, then Tony and Steve stopped everything and looked toward the source.
Donna and Sofia Strange were still together after the meeting, and that means they were basically traveling to the same location.
OH YEAH. Hah. Tony smiled at Sofia, then he gave them both a cordial wave.
Whoa. It felt like they hadn't seen Bucky Barnes in a friggen century, so Steve made sure to check in with him as soon as Donna Strange opened the apartment door.
Tony didn't follow along.
He walked into the humble apartment that he shared with Steve, then he started looking at a tiny screen.
The lights were on in their apartment, but Tony wasn't surprised by that.
They technically had a guest, so Tony glanced back at Steve for just a sec… then he took off his jacket and shoes.
…
Details, details, details… Tony ditched the shoes and ventured further into the space.
He saw that their "guest" had already made himself at home, just like old times…
…
"You did well today, Tony, with Doom… I wasn't sure you were gunna pull it off."
…
"Jeepers Stephen, thanks for that."
…
Tony smiled at the forever-noble Stephen Strange, then he checked out the pile of snacks that he had building around his thinking space.
Who knows how many versions of the "former" Sorcerer Supreme were currently out and about… wandering the cosmos.
Tony did a quick calculation about that in his head as he inspected a stream of important information.
Hmmm…. there might have been five Stephen's out wandering around. That was Tony's guess.
…
Steve perfect-face Rogers entered his apartment shortly after Tony spoke to Stephen Strange, and it didn't take the blonde long to figure out that they had a visitor.
He was beyond thrilled to see Stephen, and eager to hear his thoughts about what was happening.
A war was definitely brewing, so Steve half-expected the Vishanti Trio to meet-up again and talk things out.
…
"Wanna hear something funny, Steve?"
…
Tony gave that blonde another smile, because he had some epic information to give him.
Steve quickly noticed that Tony was looking at a lot of information. It looked like a report of some sorts, so…
…
"Of course I do, and how are you and Clea doing, Stephen?"
…
Stephen Strange slowly closed his eyes after Steve Rogers asked his delicate question. How were they doing? Uhh.. not good.
Clea wanted to be alone, and Stephen was doing everything he could to keep his daughter distracted.
Another version of Stephen was still there, with Clea, in the Realm of Light... because he wasn't going to leave his wife's side.
There was no fucking way Stephen was ever doing that, actually, so he wasn't sure how to respond.
…
Tony decided to shift Steve's adorable focus and totally dominate the conversation.
He had something to tell both Steve and Stephen, but the feisty brunette was brushing up on his homework first.
Tony finished reviewing the information that he gathered just as Steve started removing his jacket and shoes.
Oooohhh, the info Tony had to drop on those two was so yummy and good..
Tony was beyond proud of himself about it, and Steve started catching onto that as he studied the gigantic grin that he had on his face.
…
"I sent Doom's stupid Doom Bots right back to his friggen castle in Latveria while I was questioning him during that mandatory meeting. He fell for it, Steve, and now I can see what he's been up to…"
…
Ever heard of the expression, all's fair in love and war?
Well… fucking with Clea Strange means war, and the Vishanti Trio was getting themselves ready.
Oh, Steve Rogers had the biggest smile on his face after he heard what Tony said, and he didn't GIVE A SHIT about how Victor Von Doom felt about it if he found out.
Stephen Strange had a large smile on his face as well, and honestly… he couldn't wait to hear more.
…
"Doom's got the Scarlet Witch in his bullshit castle right now, and there's definitely something going on between them. He'll be aligned with her when shit hits the fan, for sure, so… get ready."
…
Tony really wasn't fucking around, so he cast out those "Doom Bots" and made sure to close up shop just as the meeting was coming to an end.
He didn't want the ruler of Latveria snooping in on the fact that HE was now doing the snooping, ON HIM, so… yeah..
Tony looked over the information with a shit ton of caution…
…
Chapter: END
Thanks for reading.