𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐖𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐘-𝐅𝐈𝐕𝐄 — that was kinda dark

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 𝐄𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐀'𝐒 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐌𝐀𝐂𝐇 𝐖𝐀𝐒 alight with nerves.

 She had no idea what would be the best course of action from there on out; they were stuck in space, in a ship that surely only Tony knew — or at least could figure out how to pilot. But would he, Tony Stark, the man who wanted nothing more than to shroud his world in a case of metal, take them home?

 Would Tony Stark, self-proclaimed — and rightly so — hero, take the small team of misfits back to their world, stone in tow? Or would he rush headfirst into another battle, doing anything, and everything to keep the fight far from those he loved most. Then again, one of those 'loved ones' was standing on the very same ship as he.

 Peter Parker. It was no mystery to anybody aboard the ship — except maybe Peter himself — that Tony cared for the boy in the same way a father cared for his son. Emilia had caught Tony's calculating hazelnut gaze soften into a dollop of melted chocolate when his eyes had landed upon the teenager who stood to the back of their group, keeping his wringing hands to himself.

 The man in question, Stark, was mumbling to himself. His finger was smoothing over the lines that shrouded his thinned lips as he trailed his eyes over the technology before him, "The ship is self-correcting its course. Thing's on autopilot..."

 Stephen perked up, something akin to hope allowing his trembling fingers to laxen, nails no longer etching crescent moons into the skin of his palm, "Can we control it? Fly us home?"

 Tony didn't respond.

 "Stark?"

 "Yeah." Tony finally conceded, snapping his line of sight to fall upon the Doctor who regarded him with narrowed eyes.

 "Can you get us home?"

 "Yeah, I heard you. I'm thinking... I'm not so sure we should."

 "Under no circumstance can we bring the Time Stone to Thanos. I don't think you quite understand what's at stake here."

 Stephen wanted to grab the man by his shoulders, shake him to make him understand the severity of their situation. The Stone resting within the Eye of Agamotto felt as though it was burning through his robes, singing his chest. Making him aware that a threat was well on its way, ready to snatch up the Stone, and half of humanity with it.

 Stephen's eyes unwillingly found Emilia who was already eyeing him, clearly having caught his minute change in emotion like a hawk. She always did say he was an easy read. He surveyed her, eyes softening with each passing millisecond until cerulean snapped to emerald.

 The fear that he had grown so accustomed to seeing was still present in her eyes, yet somehow — even in the face of their biggest threat — it was dull. She was keeping it under lock and key — trying to keep her head. Stephen, Emilia and Tony were all logical people, seeking science and fact over hope and wishes; Stephen could easily lose his cool when his ego was challenged. Tony was very much the same, but in a sense, he and Emilia were far more alike than he'd care to admit.

 Tony Stark lost all logical thought when he was scared — when his world was threatened. He did foolish things and threw himself into battle. He made plans that sought long-term solutions, and whilst that might have been good, he never accounted for the short-term.

 Emilia retreated when she was scared, that was the difference between herself and Tony. One threw himself to battle, the other ran from it; too terrified that both friend and foe would be swallowed by her powers, leaving only herself behind to wallow in guilt and loneliness. 

 Stephen's words seemed to have angered Stark. A fire built behind his eyes, honeyed flecks that littered his warm eyes built into quivering embers, "No. It's you who doesn't understand. Thanos has been inside my head for six years... Since he sent an army to New York and now he's back!" His voice broke, swiftly hidden by the clearing of his throat. But each of them caught it. "And I don't know what to do. So I'm not so sure if it's a better plan to fight him on our turf or his but you saw what they did, what he can do. At least on his turf, he's not expecting it. So I say we take the fight to him." Tony swallowed, risking a look to Emilia, and then back to Stephen. "Doctors. Do you concur?"

 Stephen looked ready to fight him once more. Be it out of logic, or just a competitive, petty rivalry. But Emilia's heavy steps echoed against the metal grating beneath her, pausing Stephen in his tracks. Emilia's heart was pounding furiously beneath her hand that had risen up to rest on her chest, "Does it matter?"

 Stephen recoiled, "What?"

 "Does it matter where we go?" She muttered, "If we take the Stone home, we risk Thanos coming after it again, we risk Thanos hurting whoever steps in his path and we risk him taking the Stone anyway. If we take it to him, we risk the Stone again. I..." A dull sigh fell from her lips as she brushed the stray hairs from her face, teeth threatening to split her lip as she chewed away, "I don't think it matters where we go. That... thing failed to get the Stone, which means Thanos will be coming next. Whether we're on earth, or some random planet in the galaxy — he'll come. Maybe... Maybe Tony's right."

 Silence followed. The creaking ship was the only thing offering any solace. Stephen's lips were parted as his mind recited her words, again and again. She was right. Just like always. They could run, they could hide, they could fight. Either way, a glaring target was painted on their backs, and nothing would stop Thanos from pursuing them. 

 Tony just looked dumbfounded that someone actually agreed with him. Emilia of all people.

 Emilia elaborated, "If we do as Tony says, we at least have some element of surprise. If we run home? Then we're just sitting ducks and Thanos will come all the same." Her fingers were twitching by her side, "I don't like it, I really don't... But what else do we have? The Stones will be separated," Emilia nodded at Tony, "And I have no doubt that your fellow Avengers are doing whatever they can for Vision and his own Stone... They could be buying us time... Or we could be buying them time, giving them a chance to figure something out"

 A quivering breath finished her sentence, and all eyes were trained heavily on her form. Stephen blinked, willing himself to think of a sound argument, anything that could possibly serve as a rebuttal against Emilia and Tony's conclusion. But he couldn't. It was a sound argument, it all made sense. From saving the people that'd likely get trampled by Thanos in his pursuit of the Stone, to potentially buying time for the others back on earth.

 They had to hope that Vision, and the mind Stone, were in safe hands.

 Tony blinked, his hands cosily tucked away within the pockets of his oversized jacket. He hadn't really expected any of his company to back up his idea. It was stupid, but it was all that they had. Emilia had made good points, he couldn't disagree with them, even if he had wanted to. Clearly the magical Doctor couldn't either, for Stephen stood as still and as silent as a statue.

 "Alright." Stephen finally breathed, bringing all attention to him, though his eyes were only on Emilia, "We take the stone to him."

 He trusted her beyond all doubt, a sentiment that was wholeheartedly returned and both of them knew it. His hands were hurting, aching — just like they always did. But now, under the pressure of white knuckles, under the crushing pressure of his own fear of failure, and fear of something happening to the woman in front of him, they were throbbing. Fire was trailing through his veins and he winced, subtly shaking them out behind his back, flexing them. Emilia caught the action.

 She said nothing and her lips remained clamped shut as Stephen rolled his shoulders back, standing taller as he finally regarded Stark, "You have to understand one thing, Stark."

 "Mhm. I'm listening."

 "If it comes down to saving you, or the kid, or the Time Stone..." His face hardened. Stephen was nothing but sharp lines and hardened edges within that moment, "I will not hesitate to let either of you die. I can't, because the universe depends on it."

 "Nice. Good. Moral compass..." Tony murmured as he patted Stephen's arm, ignoring the eye-roll sent his way. Then his eyes landed upon Emilia and he just couldn't help himself, "And Emilia?"

 Emilia reacted faster than Stephen. Her eyes hardened as her arms crossed over her chest. She knew what Tony was entailing, what he was trying to coax from Stephen; would the doctor save the Time Stone, or her?

 "He wouldn't have the choice." The furrow that nestled between Tony's brows was enough for her to elaborate, "If it was between myself and the Time Stone, I'd remove myself as a variable. I'd make the choice."

 The resolution in her tone made it impossible to argue; Emilia Clemente presented herself as a kind woman — and she was, but when that line appeared between her brows, when her lips tugged downwards and when her eyes and voice grew cold... You knew that there were two sides to her; the kind scientist with magic in her palms, and the resolved woman who defended the earth alongside her sorcerer.

 Stephen dropped his gaze, his insides twisting at the mere thought of her words coming to fruition. He knew what she said was true, she'd give herself up in a heartbeat for the Stone, for Humanity, it was simply in her nature. Emilia was somebody who'd suffer so that others could thrive. She'd even uttered such words to him before, and they had hurt him, cut as deep as a sword — just as they did now.

 Stephen knew that if such a scenario were to happen, if there was ever a time where Emilia's selflessness would come to light and tear her away from him, it'd be now. This fight. It was the biggest fight any of them would have thrown themselves into, the one with most consequences and fatalities; Stephen Strange just hoped, almost prayed, that she of all people would at least survive the fight to come.

 It was selfish, but Stephen knew himself to be a selfish man; he'd give anyone up for Emilia. Without hesitation.

 Emilia knew it. She and Stephen were two peas in a pod. They were lonely, and broken, and desperate for one another to stay by their side and never leave as all others had done so before. They were what was most important to one another, and there was some tiny little voice that rattled around in Emilia's mind that told her Stephen would give the Stone away if it meant keeping her alive.

 That was exactly why it would be her choice, and her choice alone. If the time came where it was herself, or the Stone left to save... She'd make it an impossible feat to save her. Be it as blood fell from where her heart had once rested, or using the powers in her palms to pry oxygen from her lungs. She'd make it completely, and utterly impossible.

 "You know..." Tony piped up, his hands falling from his pockets as he patted her shoulder. A grim smile was on his face as he spoke from the corner of his mouth, words muffled, "That was kinda dark... Anyway!" He chimed once more, clearing his throat as he swiftly approached Peter, brandishing his arm like a sword.

 He gave the teenager — who until now had been silently spectating the three adults, watching warily without input as they discussed their best course of action — a tap on either shoulder with the side of his hand, "Alright, kid. You're an Avenger now."

 Though Tony's voice lacked any and all enthusiasm, and his eyes had a particular spark of disinterest, Peter straightened his back. The boy narrowed his gaze and hardened his features, a sharp nod directed to his mentor, as well as himself.

 "I'm an Avenger." The boy repeated, though his voice was a mere whisper that simply served as a means to reassure himself, "I'm an Avenger."

 Emilia, who was closest to the teenager once Tony had departed to return to his former place beside the controls of the ship, easily picked up on the little whispers of self-assurance from the boy. It brought a small smile to her face. It broke through the unsettling feeling brewing around them, the anxiety of what was to come, the fear of loss and losing vanished momentarily as the corners of her lips crept higher, watching the boy ball a fist, pumping in the air just once.

 He was so incredibly carefree despite the mess that they were in. It was obvious he was scared, but the trust he appeared to put in Tony, and now herself and Stephen, seemed to counteract the fear like an antidote. Still, she couldn't help but feel sorry for him.

 "How old are you, Peter?" She spoke, voice as soft as a feather.

 Peter's cheeks immediately blossomed a vibrant pink with the realisation that she had heard him talking to him... Had heard him making a fool of himself again. His suit-clad fingers scratched at a pink-tipped ear, "I'm — I'm seventeen."

 Emilia nodded, schooling her features that wanted to contort with shock, or sadness, or both. Just seventeen, not even an adult, and he was with them, ready to fight for his life.

 "You're very brave." She muttered, eyes crinkling at the edges as she offered what she hoped to be a fond or somewhat reassuring smile.

 It seemed to have done the trick, for the red on the apples of his cheeks deepened and he stuttered for a moment as he watched her turn her back on him, light steps carrying her closer to the controls of the ship that continued to creak and drone.

 "Oh, my God," Peter whispered to himself, feeling his cheeks burning. His hands slapped away at his cheeks for a second, relishing in the coolness of the metal that coated his palms, "She thinks I'm brave!"

 Tony, who had turned the moment he'd heard Emilia approach, rose a brow. His eyes flickered behind her, landing on Peter like a magnet, just like they had the entire time. Even from where he stood, he could see Peter's mouth moving as he talked to him; not an unusual occurrence. But the red in the boy's cheeks was glaringly obvious, and again, not an unusual occurrence. For a boy with a brain that would one day rival Starks, the poor kid had no sense when it came to speaking to others.

 "You embarrassing my kid?" Tony asked, his lips thinning.

 "Your kid?" Emilia grinned, pearly teeth displaying as Tony's smug smile dropped at his own mistake, "Adorable. But no. I'm just making sure he's okay. We are on a spaceship, about to try and corner a titan with the power of the Infinity Stones, after all."

 In a rare moment where Tony Stark allowed arrogance to falter from his words, he furrowed his brows. The lines in his face became more prominent as he, once more, dared a look at Peter. "Is he? Doing okay, that is?"

 "I think so. Elated at being an Avenger. Flustered from being called brave. Doing better than I would have if I was just seventeen."

 "Yeah... He's a good kid."

 Emilia hummed lightly as she watched the man turn away, busying his itching hands with the technology before him. In the short time they'd been aboard the ship, Tony's mind had already cracked the code of the technology at his fingertips. Piece of cake, he'd muttered after twiddling with the controls for less than five minutes.

 Emilia watched him work, well aware of Stephen's gaze burning into the side of her face. A confrontation was bound to happen. It always did. There would be moments where the two were engrossed in the what-ifs? Of their lives, the what-ifs? Of fights that they were certain would soon find them. Each ended the same way as all the others; with Emilia reiterating the fact that the Time Stone was far more important than her own life.

 And it was. There was no argument to be had; the Time Stone was filled with and housed such vast power. It was the primary weapon used to fight against mystical forces and Emilia... She was just one person. No matter how angry her statements would make Stephen, she was right.

 The Time Stone had to come first... It was the only thing that she couldn't trust Stephen with. It hurt her heart, made her bones ache, upon seeing the utter despair within Stephen's beautiful eyes when she'd say such things; but in the end, Stephen was just a man. He was a man with a terrible, haunting past that he never wished to repeat. He had lost so much, and whilst Emilia would never in a million years, wish to cause him further pain... She had to. If the Time Stone, and her own life, were on the same scales, she'd have to give herself up.

 "Emilia." His gravelly voice finally broke the silence they'd all settled into.

 She glanced over her shoulder, a single strand of hair falling before her eyes. With a dreadful sigh, she turned her body and finally left Tony's side, shaking her head as the billionaire muttered 'yikes' beneath his breath, chuckling shortly after. She wanted to throw something at him.

 "Stephen..." Emilia drew out, eyes slipping shut in what one might have thought was sheer fatigue, but really it was to banish that expression she'd seen on his face, "We've been through this."

 "I know we have, and I know you'll keep saying it, but that doesn't mean I have to like it." He paused, taking the moment to slip his fingers between her own, intertwining them. The touch made her eyes open, "I'm not going to argue."

 A laugh tumbled from her lips as she brought her free hand to rest against his forehead, eyebrows furrowing in the way he loved. She had to push herself onto her tiptoes to reach, "Are you feeling okay?"

 "Stop it."

 He couldn't help but grin at the action himself; a small moment of peace before the inevitable was to arrive. He wanted to prolong it because for the very first time he knew that the situation they alluded to, the one that had caused countless arguments and tears on both sides, might actually come to fruition this time. It might be unavoidable.

 "I know it might happen." He finally bit out, his voice a mere croak. He was already missing the warmth her hand had blossomed on his forehead.

 "It might."

 "And I know that the Time Stone needs to be the priority." The words felt like razors coming out of his mouth.

 "It does. Which is why you have to promise me that the Stone comes first."

 A beat passed.

 "Stephen?" She whispered, urging him to answer.

 He swallowed the knot in his throat and nodded. That strand of hair that bothered him so damn much, tickled the spot where Emilia's hand had once been, "I promise."

 "It'll be okay. We'll be okay."

 Emilia truly wished she could have said those words with more conviction, made them sound stronger and true but she couldn't. They didn't know if it'd be okay. There had already been so much destruction at the hands of Maw and his companion, and they hadn't even crossed paths with Thanos yet... All they had were Bruce's terror wrapped words of warning.

 Stephen, however, didn't repeat her words. His mind was murmuring the very same sentiments as Emilia's, thus he settled on the only words he could possibly offer to bring peace to either of them, "I love you."

 A chaste kiss graced his lips, warm breath glossing over his shining skin as Emilia pulled back. Her hand was on his cheek now, thumb gently sweeping circles into the skin that rested upon his sharp cheekbones as she uttered, "I love you."

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23-02-2022

i hope you all enjoyed this chapter! please remember to vote and comment, let me know what you think as i do require a certain amount of comments before i post another chapter!!

we're very quickly approaching the last few chapters of act two already! there are just five more to go!