The Perfect Illusion

He Seems Odd

Narrator's POV

-ding-

"Tony."

"Yeah?" Tony turned to Bruce's voice. He was setting the alarm system in the tower while he was going away.

Stephen was standing outside.

You could see him on the other side of the blue tinted windows of the tower, waiting patiently for Tony outside.

Bruce made his way out of the elevator. "Are you sure you two will be fine? All that stuff Stephen talked about seemed really dangerous."

"Bruce." Tony said. "Everything will be fine. He's a wizard, and I'm a rich handsome man with a metal suit. It'll all be fine." He said, tapping on a tablet.

"I don't know." Bruce said. "This whole things doesn't feel right. It seems sketchy."

"Quit over reacting Bruce." Tony said. "I'm sure, it'll just be a few punches and we'll be done."

Bruce looked over at Stephen, who had a white stick in his mouth. He watched as Stephen took something silver out of his pocket.

A lighter.

A cigarette.

Stephen ignited a small spark to light his cigarette.

"Doesn't Stephen seem a little odd to you?" Bruce asked. "He seems different. More...edgy."

"Hey, hey. Don't you go offending him like that. He's our friend." Tony looked up, seeing Stephen pull the cigarette out of his mouth and blow a cloud of smoke before sticking the cigarette back in his mouth. "So he smokes. Big deal. We all have faults." Tony said, going back to the tablet.

"He just doesn't seem like the Stephen we used to know." Bruce said.

"It has been twenty somethin' years. People change, Bruce." Tony said.

A sound cane from the tablet.

"Aha." Tony smiled. "All set." He said. "Now." He tossed Bruce the tablet. "No one will be able to break into the tower, the antivirus has been installed."

"Tony, wait-"

"Jarvis will alert me if there's any sort of emergency." Tony said, stepping out the door. "But feel free to contact me as well."

"Tony-"

"Bye Bruce." Tony said, exiting the tower. He joined Stephen, who dropped his cigarette and put it out by stepping on it.

Bruce watched as the two made their way into one of Tony's cars parked outside.

"Okay." Bruce said, holding the tablet in both hands. "I'll be here just in case..."

Tony and Stephen drove away.

"...you need anything." Bruce sighed.

Is there anything I can do for you, Dr. Banner?

"No thank you, Jarvis." Bruce said. "You can rest if you wish." He made his way back to the elevator slowly.

Very well

///0///0

"Once we get to the airport, we'll be in London in a couple of hours." Tony said, keeping his eyes on the road.

"Great." Stephen said.

It was silent in the car.

"So..." Tony spoke. "...how long have you been smoking?" He said.

"A few years now." Stephen answered.

"Oh." Tony said, nodding.

"I know it's a nasty habit, and I know being a doctor and all doesn't really help much." Stephen said. "I'm trying to quit, I really am. There's just sometimes I-"

"No, no. I get it." Tony said. "I totally get it."

Stephen looked at him.

"We all go through some rough patches that force us to find refuge in the most awful things." Tony said. "After what happened in Afghanistan..." Tony started. "...I didn't feel safe. Every minute of my life, I spent looking over my shoulder. found refuge in alcohol." He said. "I felt like I had to have some sort of protection always, and alcohol was where I found my safe place. I almost hurt my secretary with the suit, that's when I realized I had a problem."

Stephen looked at him, his doctor senses going off; worrying about Tony's liver.

"If I hadn't found Bruce, I probably would've been in a wooden box six feet under right now." Tony said.

Stephen looked away.

"I quit drinking and worked on myself. This is my fifth year sober." Tony smiled. "With a little bit of dedication and a lot of hard work, along with some help from friends along the way; you can overcome anything." He said.

Stephen looked away, over at his hands now.

He was questioning himself now. Had he done the right thing? Life without his work was nothing, but Tony was a perfect example of the opposite.

No, no. Stop.

He couldn't let himself get distracted by silly things like friendships. He wasn't a kid anymore. He had a mission to complete. He had his life to recover.

"I'm really sorry about..." Tony paused for a little. "...the Ancient One." He said.

Stephen closed his fist and looked up, through the windshield. "Um...yes." He said. "Let's not discuss that." He sighed.

"I understand." Tony said, continuing his driving.

It was quiet in the car as they drove deeper into New York.

Tony reached for the radio and turned it on.

You know I'd do anything for you
Stay the night but keep it under cover

I just want to use your love tonight
I don't want to lose your love tonight

Tony's head perked up. "Hey." He smiled. "Remember when we sang this song at the top of our lungs in our hotel room during spring break?"

Stephen looked up, a bit confused. "Uh...yeah." He said quietly, looking down at his shoes after.

Truth was, Stephen didn't remember a single thing. His transformation had completely wiped his mind. He could only remember bits and pieces, but nothing whole. His childhood memories were gone, everything, everyone.

"As you're leaving please would you close the door? And don't forget what I told you~" Tony sang, laughing. "Oh, don't leave me hanging. Sing with me, Strange."

Stephen came up with a quick excuse. "Oh, you don't want to hear me sing." He said.

"What are talking about?" Tony asked. "You loved singing. I can only imagine how much better that voice of yours has gotten."

"No, no really." Stephen faked a small laugh. "All the mirrors in the car would break."

"It can't be that bad." Tony said.

"I just don't feel like singing right now." Stephen finally said.

"Oh." Tony said. He turned off the radio. "I understand." He continued driving toward the airport.