Through The Multiverse [Dr. Strange]

Proof That Tony Stark Had a Heart

It's my life, it's now or never
I ain't gonna live forever

Song after song didn't make the reality of his death change but it eased the pain just the tiniest bit. Today we say our final goodbyes and yet I still wasn't the slightest bit ready. Tony was my safe haven during five years of abnormality. He even made me a playlist to help me through it when he wasn't available, which happened more often during the last year. Tony put the superheroing behind him once Morgan was born but that never stopped him from checking in at thee compound or even at the sanctum. Life without him was going to be quiet and sterol, but I know he'll always be with me in these songs and in my heart. "Are you almost ready, Jodie?" Stephen's voice interrupted my thoughts, pushing me along to finally let the last curl fall on to my shoulder. If I finish getting ready, arrive at Pepper and Tony's cabin, and send him off properly, then that means it's all real. No fever dream, no resurrections, just straight up gone.

I opened the bathroom door to see Stephen in a suit for the first time in all actuality. There weren't many moments as a master of the mystic arts you'd get dressed up or have a reason to. It was different to see him so proper compared to comfy clothes or robes like every other day before the "blip." A small, fake smile grew on my face as a way of telling Stephen I was ready but he gave me a look like he saw right through me. "Would you like to listen to the playlist in the car?" I looked at my phone and noticed that one of our favorites was about to start just before I paused it.

"You don't mind?" Stephen had his own taste in music and though it was a wide variety, I was still always nervous to listen to my own beat when around him.

"Not at all, Tony's taste in music isn't all that bad. Plus, I know how much it means to you." Stephen and I have only had the doctor's visit to really talk. It was there he asked me how I ended up getting so close to the Iron Man. It was tough to talk about Tony in the past tense but I had been so used to doing it with Stephen, speaking of someone's passing became second nature for me but the pain was always new and difficult. Stephen bent his elbow in my direction waiting for my hand to lace around it. When it finally did, we walked out of the sanctum sanctorum and out to the car, taking our respective seats while Wong took the back.

Plugging my phone into the stereo, I pushed the triangle button and my senses relaxed into the passenger seat. Paint it Black by The Rolling Stones rang through the speakers of the Audi making me remember all of the times Tony and I were taking joy rides through the woods or working the labs on Pepper's suit. It was always special being able to spend that time with him, he was the one person I felt like I could talk to about anything, even though there was always a pop culture reference or smartass comment involved.

My body had fallen back into so many fond memories, I hadn't realized we arrived at the cabin. I remember helping Tony with the layout for the garage and Morgan's room before they began to build. Even before Pepper got pregnant, he knew that there would be Morgan. He always saw it in his dreams and it was admirable that he always believed that it was meant to happen. Stephen's fingers slowly laced with mine in a sympathetic grasp. Turning my head my eyes locked with his, I know this was hard for him too. Having the knowledge of knowing someones untimely death without being able to tell them had to be one of the biggest guilts in the world, I couldn't imagine how hard today was going to be for him. I gave him a smile that I was ready to get out, Wong had opened my door and I slowly got out seeing all of the somber faces made the smile on my face that much more tainted.

Stephen stepped behind me once again bending his elbow for me to take. Wong did the same. It was relaxing to know that Stephen and Wong were here for me today. As two of my teachers turned friends, one turned to a longing crush, I couldn't help but ease up the tension inside of me as my hands slowly bent to grasp them gently. My heart broke seeing Pepper with Morgan in the living room from outside. The windows that I had helped Tony put in on one of the most gorgeous days. Morgan's eyes were caught with mine when she turned to look out the window, holding on to Pepper. Tony and Morgan shared the same eyes, that's what makes this so much harder.