<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua'"><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ffffff">Steve's hold was a good hold. It was strong, stable, reassuring; everything that Tony was not at that moment. He stayed there, letting it comfort him, letting it quiet his fractured mind. He had missed his friend, more than he could have ever said or admitted but he hope that right then Steve understood that. Eventually, and reluctantly, he loosened his embrace on the other and stepped back while rubbing his eyes and trying to smooth back his hair. He appeared calmer, more collected and he gave Steve a small apologetic smile. <br/>
<br/>
"Sorry about that. Thanks. I'm-I'm-I'm a wreck," he stated as he opened his arms and looked down over himself. Disheveled, unkempt, mismatched even. His brows rose as he took in the view. <br/>
<br/>
"You're a brave man, Steve. I would have never hugged this mess." he chuckled just a bit; a sign he was coming back a little to his normal self. "I-I-I know you probably want to go right away, and so do I, but...clothes. I should probably do the clothes thing, right? And at least a quick shower, for everyone's sake. You can tell me everything that's going on. I'm in, Steve, I'm totally on board."<br/>
<br/>
Even though he still looked far from ok, his interest and enthusiasm were real. He believed Steve when he said there might be a way. He wouldn't believe anyone else, but it was Steve Rogers, a man who practically didn't know how to lie and if there was even the slightest chance there could be a way, Tony had to take it. "Come on, follow me," he headed off to the master bathroom that was the size of most people's bedrooms. "Don't worry, I won't subject your eyes to anything they can't handle seeing, and the shower  is frosted glass, so your safe. Just sit at the vanity table and tell me everything. Tell me the plan, tell me what I can do."<br/>
<br/>
Tony was off and rambling again, only this time it had real energy driving it, not anxiety and stress.<br/>
<br/>
"Hey, did you know it's Peter's birthday today? yeah. Eighteen today. My little boy is all grown up."<br/>
<br/>
_____<br/>
<br/>
Doctor Strange stopped short and looked down at the young man an expression that gave no hint as to the thoughts going on behind it.  He watched. He listened. He didn't say a single word as Parker moved from one emotion to another and from that to another still. Children. They came in all ages it seemed. This was a teen, the other was thirty something, and both acted twelve most of the time. Well, Parker wasn't really quite that bad. He at least knew how and when to say please and thank you. <br/>
<br/>
But still, for all his understanding of Parker's desire and wish to know more, he wouldn't impart any further information. He presumed it would be taken as some sort act that 'sucked' and was 'mean', but Strange had his reasons for everything he did, and he was right on the mark when he'd told Parker he wouldn't understand. Very, very few people could. it was just par for the course in a practice such as his. <br/>
<br/>
"I already told you how you can help. "No disturbances. Utter and complete silence," he paused just briefly.  "And keep your 'brother' quiet and occupied. I can't stress enough how important this is. If I am disturbed, all is <i>lost</i>."<br/>
<br/>
That wasn't really the truth, but he ventured that is he was dramatic and secretive enough, he might actually get what he needed for his task and maybe a little extra time after for a quiet nap.<br/>
</span></span>