31 | happy birthday

Tony

Eight Months Later

Malibu, California | May 2, 1995

"You keep mentioning Mr. Stark, who the hell is Mr. Stark?"

"That would be me."

"Why, did you do any bloodsucking there?"

"I'll suck yours if you don't shut up."

"I know I shouldn't be turned on right now, but those words combined with me being magically chained up to this couch is kinda hot."

"Your full name is Anthony Edward Stark?"

"N-No."

"So, it is."

"I said it's not."

"You are a bad liar, Anthony."

"We can be friends, you know. Not just allies."

"You want to be my friend?"

"Yeah, why not? You can make me the most powerful man in the world and I can...fetch you blood bags."

"Wow, what a start to a beautiful friendship!"

"Was it fun? Was it fun playing me? Watching me fall in love with you only for me to realize that I actually fell in love with a fake?"

"I can't believe this."

"What, that you had sex with the genius, most handsome man in the planet?"

"That the genius, most handsome man on the planet likes someone who's damaged beyond repair."

"You're far from damaged."

"Andrea!"

"Same dream?" He asked.

Eight months. Eight months since the dreams started. Eight months since I've gotten a peaceful sleep. But six months since I've been seeing a shrink. Which I do not like to admit, by the way.

But the dreams have been bothering me for so long that I started not to sleep at one point. Then, they prescribed me sleeping pills that's supposed to send me to a tranquil slumber.

Bullshit.

"Yes and no." I answered.

Seeing a therapist wasn't even my idea. It was Happy's. He was tired of me ranting on and on about this dream that plays in my head every night to the point that I've already memorized each scene.

"Care to elaborate?" Dr. Bell said.

"Andrea!"

"Remember how I told you that I have no idea who this woman is?" I asked, my arms crossed against my chest as I leaned back on the couch.

"Yes." He answered.

Well, that's about to change.

"This dream...It mentioned her name." I said, averting my eyes away from Dr. Bell's and settling it on the floor. "Andrea."

"That's good. That's progress." Dr. Bell answered as he slowly nodded. "I'm sure with a tech genius like you, you've already found her?"

"No." I answered shortly.

I hate shrinks. I already know what they're going to say about me even before I even thought of my first appointment. That I have daddy issues and abandonment issues. That I am compulsive, ignorant, and–admittedly–a textbook narcissist.

I already know all of those, so why would I need someone else to tell me the same thing?

Simple, it's not all about just me. It's about me and her, whoever she is.

"You haven't found her?"

"I haven't tried."

"Why not?"

Good question. The answer? It's because I already have an idea on who she is.

"I already know that I won't be able to find her." I looked up to meet Dr. Bell's gaze. I could see the confusion in his eyes. Poor guy, he must be so baffled listening to me. Who wouldn't? With all of the things I told him but minus the supernatural things kind of doesn't make sense.

But if I tell him everything–including everything supernatural–I bet he'd be more confused.

"Well, you need to know what the dream is about in order to have some sort of closure. Isn't that what you want? To stop the dreams?" Dr. Bell explained.

Do I want to stop the dreams? Another good question, Dr. Bell. But it isn't quite as easy to answer as the previous one.

I don't know what to do with the dreams.

3 hours earlier

What the shit?

For how long am I going to wake up on the wrong side of the bed? Every night for the past eight months, my head has been plagued with the same goddamn dream over and over again. It's like an out-of-context, third-rate short film on the loop inside my head, playing every time I fall asleep.

But there is something different in the dream today.

There was a name.

"Good morning, sir. It's 7:23 in the morning of May 2, 1995. Today's a very exciting day." J.A.R.V.I.S. announced. Goddamn, it's only 7 AM. Fuck these dreams.

But wait...today's supposed to be exciting?

It's not my birthday yet. I don't remember celebrating anything in May aside from my birthday. So what makes this day special?

"Why?" I asked while I hopped off of bed.

"According to your calendar, you labelled this day as 'Andrea's birthday'." J.A.R.V.I.S. answered.

Andrea's birthday.

"Andrea!"

I remember screaming out the same name in my dream. Though, I doubt it has any connection. Besides, it's not like I know any Andrea.

But why is it labelled in my own calendar?

"Who's Andrea?" he asked.

"Well, your girlfriend, of course." The A.I. responded.

My girlfriend? Now he's just messing with me. The last thing I could possibly have is a girlfriend. I have not even had a fling for months, let alone a girlfriend–not that I'd even bother to get one in the first place. Relationships are too complicated.

"I don't have a girlfriend, J.A.R.V.I.S., you can strike that event out of the list." I told him.

And I won't be having one anytime soon.

"I'm pretty sure you have one, sir. Ms. Andrea was the most important person in your life until eight months ago." He explained.

Eight months ago. That's when the dreams started.

I furrowed my eyebrows as I tilted my head, letting my brain dwell into my suspicions as I tried to connect the dots.

"What happened eight months ago?" I asked.

"You tell me, sir. One minute, you can't stop talking about her and the next, you've not mentioned her." He answered.

It is times like these that I wish I could see J.A.R.V.I.S.'s face so I could see what expression he has on because I have no idea if he's messing with me or all of these—as confusing as they may be—are true.

"Why haven't you said anything?!" My frustration is already getting the best of me. Seriously, it's hard talking to an AI sometimes.

"I did, sir. You simply dismissed me the first week I was mentioning her. Don't you remember?"

"I thought you were referring to some random girl or something!"

"Why would I bring up a random girl?"

"I don't know! Why do you ever do anything?"

"Do you want the short version or the long version?"

"None of the versions." I don't think I've ever been more frustrated than I am right now. The direction of this conversation is just chaotic and I need some answers immediately. Especially when the answers have already been hiding inside my own house.

"J.A.R.V.I.S." I said, closing my eyes and trying to reduce my irritation. "Who's Andrea?"

"Accessing the 'Spunky' folder."

The television in my room switched on and opened a particular folder that I didn't even know exists in J.A.R.V.I.S.'s system. Inside the folder were many files, some just photos, some videos. But all came from the security cameras surrounding the house.

And one by one, it was shown to me, much like the dramatic slideshow of my dreams.

All of it was taken in my previous house in Miami. I saw how magically tied up I was on my own couch before she compelled me to forget. I saw her dragging my unconscious self by the foot, coming home from god knows where before placing me on the couch. I saw how we trained on the porch. How we laughed and teased each other while eating. How she watched me work on my repulsor gloves. How we infuriate each other in the living room. How I kissed her on the beach. How we stayed up all night talking and laughing while still in our formal attire.

How I chased her at the beach eight months ago after disappearing into thin air.

"Andrea." I whispered.

Was my life a lot better with you in it?

—

"That's why I came here today." I answered Dr. Bell. "I need your opinion on what will be best for me."

"Okay?" He said while he leaned back on his chair. I actually asked one time if we could switch positions because that chair looks a lot more comfortable than the couch I'm sitting on right now. But anyway, that's not the point.

"I have an idea to stop the dreams. But I'm not sure if I should do it." I said.

"How so?" He asked.

This session just became 20 questions.

"Because those dreams would become real memories. I don't know which one would be harder to live with." I answered.

Having those dreams every night was hard. But if those dreams were actually my hidden memories and I unlocked them, would it be better for me?

"So you're actually dreaming of past occurrences?" He asked and I nodded. "Well, did this woman seem important to you?"

Important? From the looks of it, it was as if she was the only person I would ever die for.

"Very." I answered.

Dr. Bell narrowed his eyes on me as if trying to figure me out. He does that sometimes. When he knows I'm hiding something. I'm hiding a lot.

"I want to answer you straightforwardly, but I have a feeling that that's not the whole story." He told me. "So instead, I'll ask you this question and the first thing that pops into your head will be your answer."

He leaned in, placing his elbows on his knees with his hands clasped together while staring directly into my eyes—making sure that he sees the answer in my eyes as he asked me. And he's good at that.

"Who's Andrea?" He asked.

Andrea. She's a number of things based on the folder I have of her. But for some reason, I answered with this.

She's the love of my life.

A genuine smile stretched on my lips at the thought of her. I don't even remember her completely yet but the mere thought of her is already making me smile. As if my brain had forgotten her but my heart hadn't.

"You have your answer?" Dr. Bell leaned back against his chair and crossed his legs, a small smile evident on his lips. He knew I already got the answer.

"I do." I said before standing up and buttoning my coat again. "Thank you, Dr. Bell. Lucky for you, this will be the last time I'll be your burden."

"Well, thank God for that." He joked.

Upon leaving the building, I was dialing a number in my phone. Once I reached the outside, I placed the phone in my ear, listening to the ringing tone before he picked up.

"Klaus-y, I have news." I said. "But first, please tell me you know a powerful witch."

Hope

"Once again, I'm not interested."

I opened the door to let Peter out of my room. He has been trying to convince me for the past ten minutes to hear him out. I actually did hear him out. But I'm not at all interested in his plan.

"But Mr. Stark—"

"Mr. Stark does not remember me. You're mistaken, okay?" I said. This man is rather stubborn. What will it take for him to leave me alone? Or at the very least, leave my room?

"If he doesn't remember you, then why did he have an AI named after you?" He said.

I furrowed my brows. An AI named after me? What, like Jarvis?

"A Nifty, Digitally Reformed, Extraordinary Assistant. In short, A.N.D.R.E.A." He added.

"Why did you name him Jarvis, anyway?"

"Jarvis is an acronym. It stands for Just A Rather Very Intelligent System."

"Cute. Is that it?"

"My family had a butler. Jarvis had taken care of me most of my childhood before he died."

"Is that his real voice?"

"Yeah. I remember it so well, I added it into his system."

Tony named an AI after Jarvis because he was important to him. Could it really be that he remembered me?

No, I'm not falling for this. This is just another trick to get my humanity back on. I won't be fooled.

"I don't believe you." I responded. "If you won't get out, then I will."

I turned around to walk out of the room. And I would've successfully left him there, if it weren't for me suddenly hearing that familiar voice.

"Hey there, kid."

I stopped right at the doorway, my whole body feeling as if it turned into cold stone upon hearing his voice. It sounded a lot mature, but I could still hear the one I know.

"If you're getting this, well, that means I'm dead and probably playing strip poker with the angels." Oh, that's him, all right.

Hesitantly, I slowly turned around and there I saw Peter holding something in his hand where it emitted a holographic video message from one Anthony Edward Stark.

Even if it was holographic, I could see how much he changed. He aged rather well, if I say so myself. Life must have treated him well?

"The reason you're getting this is because I need a favor from you. I need you to do this...and Andrea."

He said my name.

I couldn't help but swallow hard. Just the mere sound of his voice was sending me into a wave of confusion. I was fighting it. I was fighting the emotions that were so eager to hit me. I wasn't ready.

"You don't know her. But E.D.I.T.H. will let you access the files you need to get to know her. Now, I need you to listen very carefully." Tony said. "We just finished building the time machine to get the stones back. If you're watching this, that means we're successful. In ten years, I want you to find a woman named Hope Andrea Mikaelson."

Hearing him say my name like that had me convinced that he really remembered me. But how?

"Once you found her, take her to the Avengers facility and send her back on the night of May 2, 1995 in my previous mansion in Malibu, California through the time machine." Tony said.

Stones. Avengers. Time Machine. What is happening? What the hell is he talking about?

"Yes, I know it sounds crazy, but I need you to do it. Don't get me wrong, I love Pepper and Morgan. God knows I love them. But Andrea never left my heart. Not even a second. With that being said, I want us to have another chance, at least from a different timeline." Pepper and Morgan. I heard he had a family. Must be nice.

The way he talked about me. I could almost feel it. The emotions were just one reach away. It was dangerously close.

"She deserves it. She deserves happiness more than anyone I know. This is the only way I know to give her that."

And then it clicked.

All I could feel at that very moment was pain.

I dropped to my knees when I felt my whole body weaken.

"Shoot." I heard Peter mutter under his breath before running towards me.

I felt it again. Everything. The pain, the grief, the loss. But also the great love that I have for him.

"What's hap—" I heard Kaleb's voice from behind us. I forgot that the door was wide open. "It's back on. What did you do?"

"What's back on?" Peter questioned.

"Nothing. Just...Don't leave her. I'll be right back." Kaleb said before I heard the whoosh of his exit.

I felt my chest heaving up and down as I tried to get as much air as I could. All the emotions rushing back at once had me gasping, like I could not keep up with the speed of my own feelings.

"What can I do?" Peter asked me, his tone worried and scared.

I looked at him and saw kindness and sincerity in his eyes. Tony had someone this kind and genuine by his side. I'm glad.

"He remembered me?" I asked.

His worried expression was replaced by a comforting one when he gave me a small smile and nodded. "He did."

The tears that brimmed in my eyes now continuously rolled down my cheeks as I smiled and nodded in relief. I reached for Peter's hand and he gladly held it.

"Thank you." I said.

Peter Parker...I'll always be grateful to you, whoever you are.

—

Y'all have no idea how excited I am for the next chapters aaaaahhhhh.

I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter!