[etfuturist]

#𝗘𝗧𝗙𝗨𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗧 est. 2016: ɪɴᴅᴇᴘᴇɴᴅᴇɴᴛ, ꜱᴇʟᴇᴄᴛɪᴠᴇ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴘʀɪᴠᴀᴛᴇ ʀᴏʟᴇᴘʟᴀʏ ʙʟᴏɢ ꜰᴏʀ ᴛᴏɴʏ ꜱᴛᴀʀᴋ. ᴄᴀɴᴏɴ-ᴅɪᴠᴇʀɢᴇɴᴛ, ᴍᴜʟᴛɪꜱʜɪᴘ, ᴍᴜʟᴛɪᴠᴇʀꜱᴇ, ᴏᴄ-ꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅʟʏ. ᴍᴀɪɴᴛᴀɪɴᴇᴅ ʙʏ ʙᴇᴇʙᴇ ( 30+ ʏᴇᴀʀꜱ ᴏꜰ ᴀɢᴇ, 15+ ʏᴇᴀʀꜱ ᴏꜰ ʀᴏʟᴇᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ ᴇxᴘᴇʀɪᴇɴᴄᴇ, ꜱʜᴇ/ʜᴇʀ ). // ᴀᴅᴜʟᴛ ᴄᴏɴᴛᴇɴᴛ ᴘʀᴇꜱᴇɴᴛ. ᴘʟᴇᴀꜱᴇ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴜʟᴇꜱ ʙᴇꜰᴏʀᴇ ꜰᴏʟʟᴏᴡɪɴɢ //

━━ ◤ ᴅᴀᴛᴀ ʟᴏᴀᴅɪɴɢ ◢ : carrd || rules || about ━━ ◤ ꜱᴜᴘᴇʀ ꜱᴇᴄʀᴇᴛ ʙᴏʏ ʙᴀɴᴅ ◢ : @astrangemagic , @walkingthroughfire , @holdingontostardust , @evervinter

[etfuturist]

Merry Christmas, kiddo. You know, I’ve built a lot of impressive things in my lifetime—things that made headlines, changed industries, and even saved the world a few times. But nothing I’ve ever created even comes close to you. Watching you grow into the smart, strong, and stunning young lady you are today has been my greatest achievement.

This gift? It’s a little piece of me for you. The arc reactor has always been a symbol of who I am—light in the dark, power when everything seemed lost. But now, it reminds me of you. You’ve got this incredible spark, AJ, and it lights up every room you walk into. Never forget how proud I am of you, how much I love you, and how lucky I am to be your dad.

Love you 3000, Dad

— @walkingthroughfire

[kepnerisms]

𝑻𝒐 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒂 𝒎𝒂𝒏 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒊𝒔 𝒂 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒐 , she knew what she was getting into the moment that she fell in love with him. But that doesn't mean that she doesn't want him to sometimes put himself first over the world. Maybe, selfishly, put her first before the world. She knows that she can't ask him to do that , but she can let him know what she's thinking and feeling and this is what she's thinking and feeling right now.

April doesn't want him to do this. He refuses to face her and she knows why. If he looks into her eyes to see that she wants him to stay it'll be hard for him to do what it is she knows he needs to do.

There are days, truly, she hates that he managed to get her to question her faith all the more though it's never unwavering. If God is real, why isn't he helping? Why burden Tony with all of these things and make him be the hand that does the deed? But she has to realize that there are things that are happening for a reason. Even if she doesn't understand it. No one made a handbook for this kind of thing.

And she hates it.

❝ Tony...❞ she sighs. ❝ Please...you're not the only Avenger. So why..why does it always have to be you ? ❞

[etfuturist]

𝒘𝒉𝒚 𝒅𝒐𝒆𝒔 𝒊𝒕 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒉𝒊𝒎 ? He doesn’t flinch, doesn’t shift, but the question settles deep in his chest like a weight. He stares at the holographic display in front of him, but the numbers, the projections, the threat they represent—it all blurs for a moment. Her voice is soft, almost broken, and that’s what gets to him. He knows she’s right. She always is, in that frustrating way of hers. But Tony never learned how to stand still. He’s always been the guy who acts, who calculates the odds and does what needs doing because, for him, there’s no alternative. And yet, the way she says his name—it’s the same tone she uses when she traces the scars on his chest after one of those long nights where sleep refuses to come. He doesn’t turn to face her. If he does, if he meets her eyes, he’ll falter. And faltering isn't an option. Not when the stakes are this high. But the crack in her voice echoes in his head, and for the first time in a long while, Tony feels the pull of something more personal than the mission. It’s not the world needing him this time. It’s her.

He breathes in sharply, letting the silence stretch between them like a fragile thread. " April, " his voice is low, almost too quiet for the space they’re in, "I don’t know how not to be this guy. " It’s not an answer, not really, but it’s the only truth he can give her. He’s spent years convincing the world that Tony Stark has it all figured out, that he’s the man who can save everyone. But when it comes to this—putting her before everything else—he’s lost. Helpless, even. And it’s terrifying. " I wish I could tell you I won’t go. " He clenches his jaw, resisting the urge to turn around, resisting the urge to close the space between them. "But if I don’t... What if something happens ? What if it all falls apart because I wasn’t there ? "

[astrangemagic]

𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒐 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒂𝒘𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒏, and Stephen greets him with open arms, pulling him close to him when Tony shoots him that look. He puts his hand lovingly on the boy's cheek. " I know, Theo...I know." He rubs his son's back as he watches Tony, and he watches AJ. What is going on that would leave her there a moment longer than the two of them?

She's at the portal, just watching in the distance ; heart shattering watching her father sacrifice himself for everyone before she turns and rushes into the portal behind her. Within moments, She's stirring and she jolts awake, her hand grabbing at her heart as she looks around frantic. She doesn't feel Theo next to her anymore, but as she turns she looks up and sees her dad. ❛ Daddy! ❜

With tears her in her eyes she's reaching out and grabbing him, hugging him as tight as she can, and without hesitation she starts sobbing ; she can't hold it in. ❛ I'm sorry, I'm so sorry...❜ she tells him though for what? The use of magic to get into her own head to show Theo what she sees all the time when she dreams, or what he went through in her dream.

After all, she's still somehow convinced that's exactly what it it is. Elaborate dreams she can't control.

Stephen sighs, still holding Theo as he looks at AJ, then back at Tony.

❝ We'll give you two a minute...❞

[etfuturist]

𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒛𝒆𝒔, watching her, his heart pounding in his throat. And when her eyes find him—when she whispers, "Daddy!"—something inside him breaks. The tears in her eyes, the way she reaches for him, pulls him from the crushing weight of helplessness he’s been drowning in since this nightmare began. He’s at her side in an instant, his arms wrapping around her, holding her as tight as he can without letting go. The sobs come, and each one feels like a punch to his chest. "I’m sorry, I’m so sorry... " she cries into his shoulder, and Tony’s heart twists. Sorry ? For what ? He doesn't care about the magic, doesn't care about the reckless boy who dragged her into this ordeal. He doesn’t care about anything right now except the fact that she’s here, alive, in his arms. His fingers thread gently through her hair, his cheek pressed against her head as he whispers, " Shh, baby. It’s okay. You’re okay. I’ve got you. " But the words feel hollow, inadequate. How could he explain to her that what she saw wasn’t some dream ? That she had been trapped in the darkest day of his life—the day he thought he’d never come back. The day he left everything behind to save the world. And she watched it. Lived it. The thought rips through him, and he swallows hard, trying to keep it together for her.

He hears Stephen in the background, offering to give them a minute, but Tony barely acknowledges it. His world is AJ, clinging to him, shaking with sobs. The guilt gnaws at him, relentless. How could he have let this happen ? He should’ve done more, been smarter. Anything to keep her from going through that. " Don’t be sorry, " he whispers, his voice breaking, " You’ve got nothing to be sorry for, okay ? " He pulls back just enough to cup her face, wiping the tears from her cheeks with his thumbs, his eyes searching hers. " You’re safe now. I’m right here. "

[etfuturist]

// ❛ 𝗒𝗈𝗎 𝗋𝖾𝗅𝗒 𝗈𝗇 𝗐𝗂𝗍, 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗉𝖾𝗈𝗉𝗅𝖾 𝖽𝗂𝖾 𝗈𝗇 𝗂𝗍. ❜ // — @walkingthroughfire

𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒑 𝒂𝒔 𝒂 𝒌𝒏𝒊𝒇𝒆 𝒂𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒅 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒂𝒕 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒔𝒕. He leans back, arms folding across his chest, the familiar armor of sarcasm and deflection already rising to the surface. Maybe he’s not wrong. Tony’s been running on clever remarks and technological brilliance for so long it’s hard to separate the man from the mask. But the implication that lives are lost because of him—that stings. More than he’s willing to show. A part of him wants to snap back, fire off some snide retort about how Steve relies on righteousness and blind loyalty, and how that hasn’t exactly saved everyone either. But Tony doesn't say it. Not this time. Because deep down, there’s a truth he can’t ignore: sometimes wit isn’t enough. And when it fails, the consequences are all too real. He’s seen it. He’s lived it. Yinsen, Sokovia, the Accords—all of it flashing behind his eyes like a highlight reel of his failures.

He swallows, forcing his expression into something neutral, though his thoughts are anything but. " Yeah, " he mutters, his voice quieter than intended, but still laced with that biting edge. " Maybe you're right, Cap. But the alternative ? Well, people die on that too. "

[etfuturist]

// ❛ 𝗉𝗅𝖾𝖺𝗌𝖾 𝖽𝗈𝗇'𝗍 𝗍𝖾𝗅𝗅 𝗆𝖾 𝗒𝗈𝗎'𝗋𝖾 𝖺𝖻𝗈𝗎𝗍 𝗍𝗈 𝖽𝗈 𝗐𝗁𝖺𝗍 𝗂 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗇𝗄 𝗒𝗈𝗎'𝗅𝗅 𝖽𝗈. ❜ // — @kepnerisms

𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒐𝒆𝒔𝒏’𝒕 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒏 around to know the expression on her face—somewhere between fear and frustration, maybe even a little desperation. April has that effect on him, making him second-guess, making him want to be more than just the man in the suit. But old habits die hard, and Tony Stark has always been a man driven by the need to fix things, to stay one step ahead of disaster, even if it means stepping into danger. He exhales, dragging a hand over his face, eyes closing for a brief second. The irony isn’t lost on him. April was supposed to be his anchor, the one to pull him back from the brink, and yet here he is again—on the precipice of something reckless, something she won’t understand.

His gaze sharpens as he opens his eyes, still not turning to face her. The guilt snake its way up his spine, a familiar, unwelcome sensation tightening his chest. His jaw clenches instinctively, and his fingers curl into a fist by his side, knuckles whitening as if he can physically crush the feeling away. He forces his gaze back to the holographic display, the cold, logica l numbers grounding him in the illusion of control. " April, " he starts, his voice quieter than he intends, almost pleading. He doesn’t want to hurt her, but he’s Tony Stark. He can’t not be the guy who does what needs to be done, even if it scares the hell out of her. " I have to do this. Because if I don’t... who will ? "

[poohsources]

🐝  *  ―  𝑬𝑷𝑰𝑪: 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑴𝑼𝑺𝑰𝑪𝑨𝑳 𝑺𝑬𝑵𝑻𝑬𝑵𝑪𝑬 𝑺𝑻𝑨𝑹𝑻𝑬𝑹𝑺.

Troy Saga ❛  do what i say and you'll see them again.  ❜ ❛  what do you live for? what do you try for?  ❜ ❛  say no more, i know tat i'm ready.  ❜ ❛  the blood on your hands is something you won't lose.  ❜ ❛  is the price i pay endless pain?  ❜ ❛  something feels off here, i see fire but there's no smoke.  ❜ ❛  we should try to find a way no one ends up dead.  ❜ ❛  why should we take when we could give?  ❜ ❛  i see in your face, there's so much guilt inside your heart.  ❜ ❛  have you forgotten the lessons i taught you?  ❜

The Cyclops Saga ❛  it's almost too perfect, too god to be true.  ❜ ❛  what gives you the right to deal a pain so deep?  ❜ ❛  your life now is in my hand.  ❜ ❛  remember them, we're the ones who carry on.  ❜ ❛  what good would killing do when mercy is a skill more of this world could learn to use?  ❜ ❛  i am your darkest moment.  ❜ ❛  i don't know where i went wrong but i warned ya', and you failed the test.  ❜ ❛  that's just like you, why should i be surprised?  ❜ ❛  unlike you, every time someone dies i'm left to deal with the strain.  ❜ ❛  i'll remind you i saw you as a friend but now we're done.  ❜

The Ocean Saga ❛  at this rate, we won't make it out alive.  ❜ ❛  please don't tell me you're about to do what i think you'll do.  ❜ ❛  yes, but how much longer til your luck runs out?  ❜ ❛  you rely on wit, and people die on it.  ❜ ❛  you're like the brother i could never do without.  ❜ ❛  and suddenly you doubt that i could figure this out?  ❜ ❛  keep your friends close and your enemies closer, never really know who you can trust.  ❜ ❛  'cause the end always justifies the means.  ❜ ❛  do you know who i am?  ❜ ❛  you are the worst kind of good 'cause you're not even great.  ❜

The Circe Saga ❛  whatever you need to say can wait some more.  ❜ ❛  there's no length i wouldn't go if it was you i had to save.  ❜ ❛  wouldn't you like a taste of the power?  ❜ ❛  don't thank me friend, you very well may die.  ❜ ❛  did you do something to them?  ❜ ❛  if you make one wrong move, then you're done for.  ❜ ❛  you and i are now evenly matched.  ❜ ❛  you've given me no reason to bestow you with my trust.  ❜ ❛  who's to say, with the mistakes i've made that they will be the last mistakes i ever make?  ❜ ❛  this is the price we pay to love.  ❜

The Underworld Saga ❛  all i hear are screams, every time i dare to close my eyes.  ❜ ❛  i no longer dream, only nigtmares of those who've died.  ❜ ❛  when does a man become a monster?  ❜ ❛  now you tell us our effort's are for nothing?  ❜ ❛  how has everything been turned against us?  ❜ ❛  do i need to change?  ❜ ❛  i'm the only one whose line i haven't crossed.  ❜ ❛  what if i'm the problem that's been hiding all along?  ❜ ❛  what if i've been far too kind to foes but a monster to ourselves?  ❜ ❛  if i became the monster and threw that guilt away would that make us stronger?  ❜

The Thunder Saga ❛  you wouldn't have spared me. i made a mistake like this, it almost cost my life.  ❜ ❛  i've got a secret i can no longer keep.  ❜ ❛  you know that we are the same.  ❜ ❛  we must do what it takes to survive.  ❜ ❛  tell me you did not know that would happen.  ❜ ❛  if you want all the power, you must carry all the blame.  ❜ ❛  how are we supposed to trust you now?  ❜ ❛  how much longer must i suffer now?  ❜ ❛  someone's gotta die today and you have got the final say.  ❜ ❛  please don't make me do this.  ❜

The Wisdom Saga ❛  you've made your worst mistake here.  ❜ ❛  this cruel world doesn't give out presents just for being good.  ❜ ❛  you're my friend, i couldn't ask for more.  ❜ ❛  did you know you talk in your sleep?  ❜ ❛  i'm what you want here, i'm what you need here.  ❜ ❛  you don't know what i've gone through.  ❜ ❛  i know your life's been hard, i'll stay inside your heart.  ❜ ❛  life would be so much worse if you had died.  ❜ ❛  you dare to defy me, to make me feel shame?  ❜ ❛  no one beats me, no one wins my game.  ❜

[astrangemagic]

𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒆, 𝒊𝒇 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒂𝒘𝒆 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝑺𝒕𝒆𝒑𝒉𝒆𝒏 where there shouldn't be in this moment. How is AJ capable of this ? He knows that her mother has mutant DNA in her ; but he thought certainly it was not passed down to the child. And yet somehow biology decided to play a game, a trick it seems to give the child something of a power of her own. Though how to explain it, define it was not something that Stephen himself could do. His only touch to the past was with magic, an amulet who allowed him to test time within certain bounds. But this girl in her dreams is time traveling, watching everything happen that she shouldn't. How ?

When Stephen arrives to his destination, he finds Theo holding on tightly to AJ as she screams, she cries begging her dad not to go. She fights against the young man trying to find a way to somehow run to her dad ; but he's not yet her father in this. He's Iron Man, Tony Stark, and he's doing what he can to save the world. She knew the stories -- there was no way to hide from them. But to see it with her own two eyes was a whole other matter.

Stephen understands. As he hears Tony's words echo, he takes hold of the kids and pulls them away from the chaotic scene, AJ still in hysterics. Stephen pauses and looks to her, telling her this is the past, what she is seeing has already happened and her father is still alive and waiting for her to come back. He needs to calm her before they travel out of this time warp. With Theo's help they manage. It's not easy, but they manage.

While this is the past and they are there more like shadows, it doesn't stop Stephen from taking precautions. He will not risk having the kids be injured on their way out.

❝ We're on our way out. ❞ he informs Tony.

Upon finding the portal he used to come in he rushes the kids through.

[etfuturist]

𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆, his heart pounding, eyes glued to Strange, straining to catch every word. He fights to keep his mind from spiraling, to block out the images of the horror AJ must be experiencing—reliving the day that fuels his nightmares, the day that drove him to spend countless nights in his workshop, trying to ward off any future danger from the world and everything that he holds dear. The way Stephen speaks, the calm in his voice, but without Tony seeing how he's trying to calm AJ, only amplifies his helplessness. His gaze keeps drifting to her still form on the bed, every muscle in his face tight with terror, each second stretching unbearably as he waits for any sign of her coming back to him.

Stephen’s voice cuts through the haze, “ We’re on our way out. ” Tony doesn’t waste a second. He bolts to AJ’s side, his heart in his throat, and gently but urgently removes Theo’s arm from around her. His fingers tremble as he strokes her face, the desperation clear in his eyes. " C’mon, baby girl, " he whispers, his voice strained and unsteady, the raw edge of impatience and desperation clear in every word. He needs her to wake up, to come back to him, to reassure him that she is okay. Theo startles awake first, gasping for breath, disoriented. His eyes lock onto Tony, panic flooding them as he realizes they are back. He opens his mouth to apologize, but Tony cuts him off with a sharp look. Theo scrambles to his feet, stepping back to give Tony space, his eyes darting from AJ to his own father. Tears well up in the boy's eyes as he stammers, “ I am sorry, Dad. I... I just wanted to help her. ” His hands fly to his hair, fingers trembling, his voice cracking. “ I just wanted to help. ” Tony barely registers Theo’s words, his entire focus locked onto AJ. His hand trembles as he gently strokes her cheek, the pounding of his heart echoing in his ears. " C’mon, AJ. Wake up, " he murmurs.

[astrangemagic]

𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒔𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒖𝒕𝒆 𝒊𝒇 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆 , all the while his eyes are scanning the scene before him. He knows Tony wants answers, he can hear him as an echo against his ears. Steady breathing before he answers.

❝ It's 2012 ... The Battle of New York. Every detail, every single one. Tony, this isn't a dream. This is the past.❞ Did he somehow do the spell wrong and end up somewhere he shouldn't ? This is what Stephen truly thinks until he hears the screaming again. Carefully listening he starts to move toward the sound. The closer he gets, the more he recognizes it.

❝ AJ...❞ he continues down making sure to dodge anything as he's not sure if he's visible here or perhaps an echo simply witnessing the past first hand. He's never seen anything like this before ; and he's seen a lot of things. When he finally finds the source of the yelling it is in fact the young Stark being held back by Theo ; watching as her father flies off to stop the nuke that was aimed toward the city.

❝ I think I understand now...❞ he mutters, his voice softening. Though he doesn't say anything more in the moment. For a long hold there is silence. ❝ She's watching you sacrifice yourself ... ❞

[etfuturist]

𝙃𝙄𝙎 𝘿𝘼𝙍𝙆 𝙀𝙔𝙀𝙎 stay glued to Strange, every muscle in his body coiled with tension, waiting for any sign, any clue about what’s happening to his kid. When Stephen finally speaks, his words hit Tony like a gut punch. 2012 ? The Battle of New York ? AJ wasn’t even born then. How could she possibly be there ? The confusion twists in his gut, a knot tightening alongside the fear gnawing at him. His mouth goes dry, his throat constricting as he struggles to find his voice. The impossible reality crashes over him, leaving him momentarily paralyzed, a thousand questions and no answers tearing at his sanity, twisting his gut into tighter knots. He grabs his chest, pacing back and forth, the movement doing little to ease the crushing anxiety. Then Stephen’s voice cuts through again, telling him that he understands now—that AJ is watching him sacrifice himself. His eyes snap wide in shock as he whirls back around to face the sorcerer.

He remembers that moment all too well—his mind flashes back to the blinding light, the deafening roar, the paralyzing fear as he flew into the void. The suffocating feeling of finality, the grim realization that he might not make it back, and the powerless sensation of having no control. It was the day that birthed his nightmares, a chapter of his life he wishes he could erase. But AJ ? Seeing it all ? It can’t be. His legs feel weak, and he grips the back of a nearby antic chair to steady himself, knuckles white against the dark wood. " No... no, no, no, " Tony mutters, shaking his head as if he can deny the reality Stephen is describing. " Stephen, you have to get her out of there ! She can’t... she shouldn’t be seeing this. "

[astrangemagic]

𝑯𝒆 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘𝒔 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒔𝒐𝒏 𝒊𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒊𝒏𝒇𝒍𝒖𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆, he's too much like his father and he knows it. The need to show off, the need to be the center of attention. Stephen gets it completely, of all the things he could pass down to his son. But he is also willing to help as seen by this situation of which he's holding AJ and in her head. Stephen takes some steps back and with the wave of his hand he relights the candles that are in the room. Leg's crossing he levitates in the center murmuring words to draw in a connection between him and the kids and the dream state they're in. He gives one glance to Tony before he falls deep into it. ❝ Lucky for you...I can keep you updated. ❞ though he doesn't think he can entirely trust Tony in the moment -- he's going to try.

Words echo against the walls as he moves his hands accordingly. Stephen's eye shut tight and when they open they're glowing blue, a soft mist seems to circle around them as he steps in to the dream , stepping out of the portal made.

At first it's a bright blur, barely coming into view. When it does he stands , looking around to get an idea of where he is. Where has this taken him, and what is going on in AJ's mind that would warrant someone's intrusion.

He can hear people screaming for help, running through the streets. As he takes a closer look he can see the sky filled with alien life forms all too familiar to him and anyone who was alive that day. The sounds, the flashes of light, the destruction.

❝ Impossible...❞ Stephen mouths softly, his words lower than a whisper. His eyes while in the room with Tony flutter in chaos but within the dream state he just looks toward the sky in both awe and concern. Did he somehow take a wrong magical turn? Pronounce a word wrong? No, Stephen doesn't do that. They are right where they need to be.

Then he hears a scream and his head jerks both in his meditative state and in the dream.

❝ This isn't possible...❞ but he knows better than to say that, but for AJ it should be. She wasn't born yet to see this. Hell, she wasn't even a thought so how is everything so accurate down to the letter...

[etfuturist]

𝙩𝙤𝙣𝙮 𝙬𝙖𝙩𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙨, unease gnawing at him, as Stephen steps back and waves his hand, causing the candles in the room to flicker back to life. The flickering flames cast long shadows, adding an eerie quality to the scene. Stephen’s legs cross, and he begins to levitate, murmuring words that Tony can’t understand but knows are vital. Tony shifts uncomfortably and the glow of the mystic's spell reflects in his eyes, but all he feels is a growing dread, a sensation he can’t shake as he watches Strange weave his magic. It’s maddening to stand idle, every instinct screaming at him to take action, but all he can do is wait and hope. When Stephen glances at him and says he's lucky to be kept updated, lips press into a thin, grim line. He forces himself to stay silent, but the tension is evident in the way his jaw tightens. Trusting someone else, especially in a situation as dire as this, goes against every instinct he has. But he has no choice. Not now. He nods, a terse acknowledgment of the gesture, watching as Stephen’s eyes shut tight, then open to reveal a glowing blue light. A soft mist circles around the sorcerer, its tendrils weaving through the air like ghostly fingers. Tony feels a chill creep up his spine, an icy sensation that has nothing to do with the room’s temperature. The ethereal fog seems to seep into his bones and his heart races as he stands there, helplessly observing. It feels like torture. Then he hears Stephen’s voice, faint but unmistakable, “Impossible...” His breath catches in his throat, and he steps closer, his eyes fixed on the wizard’s face, desperately searching for any hint of what’s unfolding. But Stephen’s expression remains an enigma, offering nothing to ease the mounting dread gnawing at Tony’s insides. The uncertainty tightens around him like a vice, squeezing every ounce of his composure.

" What’s happening ? " Tony demands, his voice sharp, edged with panic. " What do you see ? " Stephen’s eyes flutter, a chaotic dance that offers no answers. Another murmur escapes his lips, and Tony's frustration reaches a boiling point. " Dammit, Strange ! What’s going on in there ? " he barks, his voice tight with barely controlled panic. He feels the weight of dread settle in his chest, a suffocating pressure that makes it hard to breathe. His heart pounds while his mind races with possibilities, none of them good.

[thanksbarton-archive]

"Just because we ended up exactly where you thought we would? That doesn't mean that what you're doing is right. None of this is right. I agree we need to be held accountable for the things that happen when we go out there and work. But you can't tell me that this stack of papers is the way to do it." When would them being on opposite sides ever end? It was exhausting to say the least. He didn't want to fight with Tony. He had thought they were friends. But this entire situation seemed to be disproving that.

"I don't consider it a blind spot. I know what's right, Tony. I know in my heart what's right and this isn't it." What if they couldn't help people because they didn't get the go ahead? What if something happened and people died because of this paperwork. "I'm not going to sign it and I'm not going to follow it. The government isn't someone I trust and I never have fully trusted them."

He trusts them even less now though especially after the SHIELD and HYDRA situation. "It's not a schtick, Tony. It's who I am. Captain America may be a mantle that can be passed to others when I want to retire. But the ideals of Captain America are very much my own. People deserve our help and no one should be allowed to tell me, you, or the team that we can't."

[etfuturist]

𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙙𝙖𝙧𝙠 𝙚𝙮𝙚𝙨 stare at the stack of papers on the table between them, and his mind races, gears turning behind his sharp eyes, each thought a spark in the intricate machinery of his intellect. When Steve speaks, it's with the resolute tone of a man who believes in his heart’s compass, unyielding and uncompromising. It’s both admirable and infuriating. Tony leans forward, the mask o f casual nonchalance slipping just enough to reveal the raw edge of his frustration. " Steve, it's not about being right in some moral high ground sense. It's about being pragmatic. We ended up here because the world is watching, and they want accountability. This isn't just some stack of papers. " A hand rubs over his face, the weight of countless arguments etched into the lines around his eyes. His shoulders sag under the invisible burden of their ideological war. The man across from him isn’t just a colleague, he’s a friend—or at least Tony thought he was. Yet, here they are, lines drawn in the sand, on opposite sides of a battlefield neither of them wanted. " Do you think I like this ? Any of it ? " Tony’s voice lowers, a glimpse of fragility slipping through the cracks of his usually impenetrable facade. " This isn’t about trusting the government. Hell, you think I trust them ? But we can’t just keep going rogue. There has to be a middle ground. "

He looks up, meeting Steve’s gaze. There's something in those blue eyes—a certainty Tony almost envies. Again almost. Deep down, he wishes he could share that certainty, but his mind is a maze of calculations and contingencies, always questioning, always doubting. " You say it’s not a blind spot, but what happens when your heart's compass leads you astray, huh ? What if it means people get hurt because we didn’t act within the bounds of some oversight ? We need to be better than that. " Tony leans back, the smirk returning, but it’s softer now, tinged with a sadness he can’t quite shake. " I don’t want to fight with you, Rogers. But I’m not backing down on this. We owe it to the people we protect to at least try and find a way to do this right, even if it means compromising a bit of our ideals. " He lets out a breath, the tension easing slightly.

[astrangemagic]

𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒂 𝒕𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒎𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒉 , 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒓 , as though he's biting down on his tongue hard to not say the things he wants to say to Tony in that moment. He mentions that if something happens to AJ he will kill him. Stephen scoffs, shaking his head. ❝ You know damn well I will never let that happen. Not to your kid, not to mine. ❞ the words come out as bullets hoping to hit the armored man where it matters most. He needs to put some faith in Stephen, he did once before. But this is the matter of their children so he can understand exactly why this isn't going to go the same way it had before.

He takes a step over and looks to their children, Theo's arm draped over AJ with their hands holding and he sighs. What was he thinking ; really, to cast a spell of this magnitude?

What could AJ be going through that she would need it.

❝ I know what I need to do ; and I'm going to let you stay. But if you try anything and interrupt the connection, Tony, I swear I will cast you out and I can't promise you'll find yourself anywhere comfortable. ❞

[etfuturist]

𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙟𝙖𝙬 𝙘𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙨 as Stephen’s words hit him like a series of gut punches, maybe even go through to him. This realization forces him to confront the uncomfortable truth: Stephen is fighting for his son just as fiercely as he is for his daughter. It’s a sobering thought, one that tempers his anger with a heavy dose of understanding. Damn, Tony just hopes this doesn’t go any further south. She’s the one who brought light into his darkest hours, her innocent questions breaking through his brooding thoughts. Her spark of curiosity, the way she’d marvel at his gadgets, always asking “How does it work, Daddy?” She is all that he isn’t—the best of him. When he looks at her, he sees the future he wants to protect, the embodiment of every hope he’s ever had. Losing her is not an option. It would shatter him in ways he can’t even begin to fathom. As Stephen steps closer to look at their children, Tony's gaze follows, his eyes narrowing at the sight of boys’s arm draped protectively over AJ, their hands clasped together. The trust AJ must have felt in Theo to allow this, to let him into her mind, stirs something deep and conflicted. Anger bubbles up again, mingling with a sharp sting of fear, but beneath it all is a begrudging acknowledgment of the bond they share. Why did she let this happen ?

When Stephen speaks again, threatening to cast him out if he tries anything to interrupt the connection, Tony’s temper flares, his instinct to argue kicking in again. But he reins it in, forcing himself to take a breath. " You know I wouldn’t do that, " he says, his voice tight, controlled and yet almost mocking the wizard. Normally, he’d be right in there, convinced he knows best and ready to take charge. But this is different. This is AJ. His little girl. He knows he has to keep himself together for her sake, to trust someone else’s expertise, even if it goes against every fiber of his being. The stakes are too high for his ego to get in the way. His eyes lock back onto Stephen, the anger still simmering beneath the surface, but held in check by sheer force of will. His jaw tightens, the words almost choking him as he forces them out. " Just...make it right, Stephen. For both of them. " His voice carries a raw edge. He hates this—hates feeling powerless, hates having to rely on someone else. But as his gaze flickers to AJ, he knows he has no choice. For her, he’ll swallow his pride. For her, he’ll do anything, even if it means putting his faith in someone else and enduring the tearing ache of helplessness.

[astrangemagic]

𝑯𝒆 𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑻𝒐𝒏𝒚 𝒊𝒔 𝒂𝒇𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒅 ; 𝒉𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒂𝒔 𝒘𝒆𝒍𝒍 but fighting will not solve this problem. Even with barbed words that were meant to cut Stephen tries to find grace in the moment. But there is only so much of a verbal lashing that Stephen could take when it came to his parenting.

Turning to Tony, he holds up the spell that his son has used to enter AJ's mind. ❝ Perhaps before you start throwing around accusations of bad parenting, Stark, you should ask yourself why my son feels the need to go into your daughter's head to begin with. ❞ now was it to say that Tony is a bad father? Far from it ; he's seen how fatherhood has changed the man and how deeply he cares for his kid.

But there is something going on here, something in which magic was required. A spell like this isn't something to use for a temporary get away from reality -- after all they've been known to take portals if they wanted that. This was deeper, and he too wondered why his son would go to extremes like this without talking to him first.

❝ And let's not forget, that is my son laying there as well ; so before you decide that you're going to push a button and get into your fancy suit and try and kick my ass ; let me do what I need to so I can get them out of there. ❞ from friend to foe in a matter of moments ; the curiosity grips at Strange as he needs to know why his son would take a risk like this. He knows why he's doing it for AJ -- it's no secret he cares about her. But this magic is not something one simply toys with . It takes dedication, practice, skill, and it takes an overwhelming desire to get to the root to the source of dreams.

❝ Do me a favor. ❞ snaps Stephen. ❝ Get out of my way. ❞

[etfuturist]

𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙛𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙨 𝙘𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙝 𝙖𝙩 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙨𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙨, every muscle in his body tight and his eyes lock on Stephen, the words ringing in his ears like an accusation. The heat of his own anger rises, mingling with the cold dread that has settled in his chest. The voice of reason is somewhere in there, trying to break through, but the care for his daughter blinds him to it. The logical part of his mind is suffocated, leaving no room for anything but the desperate need to protect his little girl. However, he knows this isn’t his field. The realm of magic and mystical spells is as foreign to him as the inner workings of an arc reactor would be to a caveman. There’s nothing he can do except stand by as his daughter lies there, her life hanging by a thread. The gnawing helplessness eats at him, every second stretching into an eternity. He has to put his trust fully in Stephen Strange, the wizard whose reckless son is the cause of all this. That boy, Theo, has always acted before thinking. The countless times he’s seen the kid dive headfirst into situations without a second thought Why should Tony even begin to consider the reasons behind Theo's actions ? No matter how noble Theo's intentions might be, or how much he cares about AJ, it doesn’t change the fact that his impulsiveness has led to this nightmare. He knows Stephen is doing everything he can, but it’s little comfort. His trust in Stephen is both a necessity and a bitter pill to swallow, overshadowed by the ever-present fear that it might not be enough. All Tony can see is the harm done to his only child, a child who’s a miracle to even exist. He clicks his tongue, a sharp sound of frustration, glancing to the side for a moment, trying to think. The rational part of him knows he needs to back down. This isn't a battle, not one he can fight with repulsors and ingenuity. His head turns back to Stephen, his eyes glazed over.

“ I swear to you, Strange, ” he says, his voice low and trembling with barely controlled rage. He takes in a shuddering breath, “ If she dies, I will kill you. ” Tony knows the logical absurdity of it. Stephen’s wife, a powerful sorceress in her own right, would undoubtedly prevent it. But that knowledge won’t stop him from trying.

[etfuturist]

"ɪ'ᴍ ɴᴏᴛ ᴀ ᴄʏɴɪᴄ; ɪ'ᴍ ᴀ ʀᴇᴀʟɪꜱᴛ." - ᴇꜱᴍᴇ @walkingthroughfire

𝙝𝙚 𝙡𝙚𝙩𝙨 𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙖 𝙙𝙧𝙮 𝙘𝙝𝙪𝙘𝙠𝙡𝙚, the sound bouncing off the walls of his sprawling, high-tech lab. " Realist, huh ? " He picks up a spanner from the workbench, twirling it absently in his fingers as he speaks. " That's just what cynics say to feel better about their lack of faith in humanity. " His eyes meet Esme’s, catching a glimpse of something familiar buried beneath her defiant exterior. A fleeting moment of recognition. For Tony, it’s like looking into a mirror of his own past—years of battles fought, both in the field and within himself. The loneliness, the relentless drive to be better, to fix what’s broken, even when it’s himself. But it’s gone in an instant, he pushes the thought aside, focusing on the task at hand, burying the shared pain back under layers of wit and armor. " I've been around the block a few times. Being a 'realist' means seeing the worst, but choosing to believe in something better. It's what keeps us from becoming the monsters we fight. "

He leans back against the workbench, crossing his arms over his chest. " So, call it what you want. Just know that in my book, if you can't find a sliver of hope in the chaos, you're already losing. "

[etfuturist]

" ᴡʜᴀᴛ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ᴘᴏꜱꜱᴇꜱꜱ ʏᴏᴜ ᴛᴏ ᴅᴏ ꜱᴏᴍᴇᴛʜɪɴɢ ꜱᴏ ꜰᴏᴏʟɪꜱʜ ? " - ᴍɪʀᴀɴᴅᴀ @walkingthroughfire

𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙚𝙮𝙚𝙨 𝙣𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙤𝙬, the flicker of defiance blazing within. Foolish ? Sure, if you squint hard enough. Necessary ? Without a doubt. Tony’s mind races, a storm of justifications and second-guessing swirling behind his steely facade. He folds his arms, leaning casually against the edge of the sleek, modern couch that takes up far too much space in the room. It’s ironic, he thinks, how this symbol of comfort now feels like a battleground. His eyes lock onto Miranda’s. " Maybe it’s the fact that no one else had the guts to step up. Or maybe it’s just that I can’t stand by and watch everything go to hell. " He springs off the couch, his footsteps echoing across the polished floor like a ticking clock.

Reaching the opposite end of the room, he halts abruptly, spinning on his heel to confront her once more. His eyes soften just a fraction. " You know me, Miranda. This wasn’t some impulsive stunt. I did it because it had to be done. Because someone had to. For us. For everyone. "

[etfuturist]

" ɢᴏ ᴏɴ; ɪ ᴋɴᴏᴡ ʏᴏᴜ ᴄᴀɴ'ᴛ ʀᴇꜱɪꜱᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴜʀɢᴇ ᴛᴏ ꜱᴀʏ 'ɪ ᴛᴏʟᴅ ʏᴏᴜ ꜱᴏ'. " — @thanksbarton

𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙙𝙖𝙧𝙠 𝙚𝙮𝙚𝙗𝙧𝙤𝙬 𝙖𝙧𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙨, the corners of his mouth curling into that trademark Stark smirk as he reclines in his chair. His fingers drum a steady rhythm on the armrest, each tap in sync with the ticking seconds on the wall clock. He takes his time, letting the silence stretch, savoring the moment before locking eyes with Steve. ❝ Steve, you’ve got me all wrong, ❞ he starts, the words rolling off his tongue with the casual confidence of a man who’s danced this dance a thousand times. ❝ It’s not about the urge to say 'I told you so.' It's about the inevitability of it. The fact that it’s like clockwork—predictable as the sunrise. I did tell you, and now, here we are, just as I expected. ❞

Tony lets out a sigh, a weary sound that seems to echo in the quiet of the tower. He shakes his head slightly, a gesture as much for himself as for Steve. ❝ For someone who's always talking about doing what's right, you have an impressive blind spot for inconvenient truths. I laid it out for you, but you were too wrapped up in your Captain America schtick to listen. ❞ There’s an undercurrent of frustration in his voice, but also something deeper—an old, familiar ache of being unheard. Tony wonders, not for the first time, why they always seem to end up here, on opposite sides of the same battle. It’s not just about being right; it’s about the damn futility of it all. He looks at Steve, seeing both the idealist and the stubborn soldier, and for a moment, he almost envies him. Almost.

[etfuturist]

"ᴅᴏ ᴍᴇ ᴀ ꜰᴀᴠᴏᴜʀ? ʟᴇᴛ'ꜱ ꜱᴀᴠᴇ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴍᴀʟᴇ ʙᴏɴᴅɪɴɢ ꜰᴏʀ ᴀɴᴏᴛʜᴇʀ ᴛɪᴍᴇ." — @astrangemagic

𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙧𝙤𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙨 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙢𝙨, his brow furrowing as he glares at Stephen Strange. His eyes, usually sharp and sardonic, narrow further, reflecting his own irritation. ❝ Sure, Doc, ❞ he says, his voice dripping with sarcasm. ❝ Because obviously, the fate of our kids doesn’t warrant a little team spirit. Forget the male bonding; how about we focus on the fact that your mystical mumbo jumbo landed us in this mess in the first place ? ❞ He takes a step closer, his posture rigid with barely restrained annoyance. The words are harsh, more than he means, but it’s the fear talking, masking the dread with barbed comments. Tony’s gaze flickers before the anger reasserts itself, his voice sharp and cutting. ❝ You are a father who failed to protect his kid from himself. And now my kid is paying the price. ❞ Despite the fact that the boy is trapped just the same, Tony finds it hard to muster any sympathy for him.

Once, he respected Stephen, saw him as an ally, even a close friend. But now, seeing AJ—his little girl—lying there, trapped in a coma because of Stephen’s boy, it’s like a dagger to the heart. The respect he once felt ? It’s tangled up in a mess of anger, fear, and betrayal. Everything’s changed. Tony doesn’t know how to reconcile the Stephen he thought he knew with the father who couldn’t control his own son.