Point of No Return

Only if you want to...

Tony had cried himself to sleep. His breathing had evened out after awhile but Stephen didn't stop his rocking. The sorcerer, at some point had even started humming songs he could think of.

The Cloak appeared from around the corner and made itself known, it gestured to Tony in a questioning manner.

Stephen nodded and the Cloak fluttered over wrapping itself around Tony. The sorcerer let go of the sleeping man and the Cloak proceeded to lift Tony up, cradling him in it like a hammock.

"Take him to my room I'll be right there" Stephen whispered and moved through the Sanctum to the kitchen. Grabbing a mug he poured himself tea, and grabbed a glass of water. Walking silently through the quiet building he walked into his room and found Tony curled up in his bed on his side, in a fetal position, while the Cloak laid protectively over the genius.

A small smile tugged at the sorcerer's lips.

Guilt then tugged at his heart as he examined the sleeping man further seeing the tear stained cheeks of the man he left behind so long ago. Bruises of exhaustion were prominent under his eyes even while sleeping he looked exhausted.

Tony had been through so much, how he was alive let alone standing Stephen had no clue.

Stephen went to retrieve some ibuprofen and set the water and medication on the nightstand beside the bed.

Stephen silently pulled a chair over to the bed, grabbing a book off the nightstand he sat and read, sipping at his tea. It was peaceful, until it wasn't.

Small noises were escaping Tony after about an two hours of silence. Stephen set his book down and leaned forward slightly rubbing his hand across Tony's cheek unsure of how to proceed. A crease was placed between Tony's eyebrows where it had been relaxed a while ago.

A cry escaped Tony as he jolted upwards. He was clutching at his chest in panic. The Cloak was surprised at the sudden shift and skidded away.

Stephen moved swiftly to sit in front of the panicked genius. Cupping his face gently between his hands they stared at each other. Tony's eyes were wide an darting around as his breath was labored. Stephen realized that he wasn't actually seeing what was in front of him, but that of his nightmare.

"Tony, you are here with me. You're safe. No one is trying to hurt you." Stephen murmured quietly. "It's about 1 AM you're in my room at the Sanctum that's in Greenwich Village. You are safe. I got you."

That broke Tony out of whatever was going on in that head of his, as he suddenly crumpled into Stephen's arms. Silent tears poured down his face.

Stephen adjusted them so they were laying down.

Tony curled into Stephen, his silent crying almost as heartbreaking as the loud ones from earlier.

The Cloak laid itself over the genius and doctor.

Stephen adjusted himself a bit, to get comfortable, and pulled Tony closer to him, The genius appeared to have fallen back to sleep, though it was definitely restless.

Stephen was tempted to cast a sleeping spell but decided to talk with Tony before doing such an action especially with his shaky past of magic exposure.

Stephen soon drifted off after another little tug to ensure the genius was close and safe.

******

Light filtered into the room. Stephen squinted, blinking away the blurriness in his eyes. It took him a moment to reorient himself and when the cobwebs of sleep left his brain he realized he was alone in the bed. Where was Tony?