A Revelation of Rain

Being Born

The liquid in the tank was warm, and Tony slowly became aware that he could feel it. He could FEEL it! Weakly, he opened his new eyes to stare at the face of the mage who leaned over him. Holly was in the room now too, on the other side of the tank. A towel in her hands, and a bathrobe nearby slung over a chair. It was time to drain the tank, and help Tony into the nearby wheelchair to be taken to a room where he could rest and recover.

"When the tank is drained, we're going to bring you up to a vertical position again. Don't worry about falling, the straps will hold you steady. Then Holly and I will wrap you up warmly and take you to the guest room. She will give you a sponge bath and help you dress in some of my pajamas, and then we'll get you to bed."

"I feel like I've been hit by a truck." His words came out a little slurred, owing to the fact that he actually had a tongue and lips again and didn't quite know how to use them. Everything felt heavy. Even his eyelashes. Normally, he'd be making some smart remark about getting a spongebath. But he was exhausted, like he'd just run four miles with a bear chasing him. 

Stephen touched his shoulder as Holly drained the tank, the liquid vanishing into a drain in the floor.

"That feeling will pass, Tony. I promise. This is uncomfortable right now, but it won't be for very long. Three days at most, then you'll regain even your minor motor functions. You'll still need extensive physical therapy, but we'll see to that. We need to get some food into you, too. You're going to need time. Don't worry about a thing. We have time to spare, and you're in capable hands."

"I love you, Doc."

Stephen sighed. "He's delirious. Alright, I'm tilting the tank up now. Are you ready, Holly?"

"Yes Master." She moved into place, ready to wipe Tony down and then wrap him in the robe as soon as he was on his feet. Stephen rotated the tank slowly, and after a few moments Tony could feel that he was in a more or less upright position. He forced his eyes to open, looking over at Doctor Strange. Stephen's eyes met his, and there was relief plain in them. It had worked. What was lost had been returned. All the hard work, all the studying, all the preparations and the sleepless nights and the worry were finally worth it. 

He waited for Holly to blot the fluid off skin that flinched from even the softness of the towel, and then undid the straps holding Tony into the tank. The man collapsed into his arms, but Stephen was able to hold him up while Holly eased first one arm, then the other through the sleeves of the robe. Together, they lowered him into the wheelchair. Adjusted his feet into the rests. Covered his lap with a blanket. He was shivering violently, suddenly freezing. 

"Say Doc, you wouldn't happen to have another blanket handy, would you? I'm about to experience shrinkage here."

Stephen gave Levi a tug, and the Cloak gracefully floated off his shoulders and down to wrap securely around Tony's body. His shivering stopped almost at once. The Cloak gave off its own heat, a living thing of fabric that seemed to nestle against all the coldest spots and provide comfort.

"Think I love your cape too."

"Levi is a Cloak, not a cape. What do you think I am, some sort of superhero? Should I wear bright blue tights next?"

"Wouldn't be a bad look on you." Tony chuckled. Even laughing hurt. But God, he felt good. He was ALIVE. Actually alive. He could feel everything, feel the air on his face and the warmth of Levi and the soft seat of the wheelchair below him. He could feel the hair on his head as though it too had nerves. He looked around the study in a daze, and was shocked at how many colors there were. And he couldn't stop smiling. 

Holly wheeled him carefully out into the hallway and toward the guest room while Stephen walked beside them, deep in thought. There would be a great deal to do, of course. Making sure Tony could eat and digest properly, that his vision and hearing were working right, keeping him warm until his body got used to normal temperatures.