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cap_ironman2008-12-17 09:22 pm
kijikun.livejournal.com) wrote in cap_ironman2008-12-17 09:22 pm
Entry tags:
Storybook (2/?) (R)
Title: Storybook (2/?)
Authors:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
kijikun and pandanoai
Rating: R
Pairings/Characters: Steve/Tony (implied), James "Bucky" Barnes
Warning:Strong Language
Word Count: 3822
A/N: Skrulls? What Skrulls?
Summary: They aren't in Kansas anymore and Tony and James can't stop bickering.
Chapter1
Tony’s shirt stuck along his back and he could feel the cool dew of grass on his neck. He tried to remember why he was lying on the ground... and why he would be outside... but nothing came to him. He hoped that opening his eyes would improve the situation, but the woods were so dark he could barely see a thing.
Woods.
Tony blinked, but the scenery didn't change.
Trees were everywhere, crickets were chirping, it was cold and wet... yep nature. It was everywhere. He was definitely in the woods.
He pushed himself up into a sitting position, trying to ignore the way his head protested. He was about to access Extremis and get a GPS location of where the hell he was, when he noticed James lying next to him.
He was still out cold, and still gripping Steve's shield.
Tony didn't see any visible injures on the younger man --and he refused to think about the fact that James was technically older than him. James’ chest rose and fell, so it was safe for Tony to assume that whatever knocked him out had gotten James as well.
Tony pinched the bridge of his nose and resisted the urge to pull the shield away from James. That would be petty and with his luck Steve's ghost would show up and frown at him.
The thought of Steve and the shield sparked Tony’s memory -- the feel of the metal turning white hot as he touched it… the sound of Steve saying Tony's name before he blacked out…
Tony looked down at his hands. There were no burn marks.
James groaned softly and shifted. Tony transferred his attention towards him, watching as James pushed himself up, cradling his head. He swore in Russian then looked up and around. When his gaze settled on Tony he glared, then winced. "What the hell did you do, Stark?"
Tony snorted. "I'm sorry. When did teleportation get added to the list of things I'm guilty of? For all I know it’s something Namor had already set up to get us out of his hair."
"Fuck you," James snapped, snatching up the shield. "Where are we?"
"The woods." Tony supplied, smirking slightly. "Observation’s not your best subject, is it?"
"I can see we're in the woods, Stark," James ground out, clutching the shield to his chest like Tony would grab it from him at any moment. "Hook your brain up to GPS or whatever it is that you do. I'd like to get back to New York sooner not later.”
Tony crossed his arms over his chest. "I was about to, when you woke up. What's your hurry? Hot date?" He stopped himself from adding 'with Steve's ex-girlfriend' because that would be low and unfair to Sharon.
James climbed to his feet, still holding on to the shield. "Some of us put duty before pleasure."
Rubbing his forehead, Tony bit back a retort and focused on accessing the closest satellite to pinpoint their location and --
Nothing.
Just. Nothing.
Tony shook his head slightly. What the hell had happened when he'd been knocked unconscious? Extremis usually didn't putter in and out.
He tried again.
"Well?" James questioned him, anger evident in his tone.
Tony still couldn't connect to anything. There was a blank spot in the universe where his Extremis links should be.
"I can't... nothing's there." Tony retorted, standing as well. He closed his eyes and tried to concentrate on a specific frequency, a specific location to ping. There was nothing.
Tony looked up. There were so many stars in the sky. Too many. Wherever they were it wasn't New York. Even the location near Atlantis had too much light pollution to show so many stars.
"Your computer brain died?" James replied, deadpan. "Great... I guess a pick-up isn't an option. Lots of walking for us." James positioned the shield on his back. "Hope you can keep up."
Tony just continued to look at the stars.
"Which way is North, Stark? Can you at least tell me that?"
"There isn't a North." Tony replied, his voice slightly strained.
"God, not this again." James put a hand to his forehead. "Listen, can you please go crazy on your own time?"
"Bucky look up." Tony said, trying to suppress the panic in his voice.
"Don't call me--"
"Look up!" Tony interrupted him. "There is no North Star. I can't find any constellations that I can recognize. And I know them all."
James grunted. "I doubt you know them -- " the words died on his lips as he looked up. "That -- that's different.”
Tony didn't comment.
"The North Star does not just disappear. The stars don’t just change." James said in a low tight voice.
Tony looked away from the sky and towards James. He almost felt sorry for Bucky -- James -- whatever -- for just a moment. It was better than panicking. He rubbed his forehead again, trying to find any sort of electronic signature.
"It can if we're not on Earth, Bucky," Tony sighed, pushing down his unease. If this was an alien planet, he should at least be able to connect to some alien tech. If he could get a connection --
"What do you mean 'not on Earth, Bucky'?" James demanded, storming over towards Tony. "And don't call me Bucky."
Tony rolled his eyes, still focusing on trying to pick anything up -- even on the most primitive of worlds he should be able to pick up Shi'ar or Kree communications -- unless –
"As in, not Earth. As in, an alien world full of aliens…and crickets, apparently. But I still should be able to find -- where the hell are they -- I should be able to find --"
Bucky grabbed Tony by the collar forcing him to look him in the eye. "Where have you taken us?"
"Because you threatening me is going to help the situation." Tony stated, as calmly as he could be for the pressure around his neck.
"It might make me feel better." James said, letting him go. Tony coughed and took a deep breath. "What did you do?"
"Again, I didn't do anything." Tony coughed a second time. He rubbed his throat and began to walk around the perimeter of the clearing. All he could see were trees. With a sigh, he picked a direction and started walking.
"Somehow I don't believe you." James said, hesitating for a moment before following after Tony.
"Believe whatever the hell you want. I'm half-inclined to think Namor really did do something." Suddenly Tony stopped and spun to face James.
"Let me see the shield."
James didn't budge, the look on his face clearly defined what he thought about that prospect. "How will that get us back to Kansas? I doubt if we both hold on to it and click our heels together Aunty Em will make us pancakes."
For a split second, James and Tony shared a look like they should actually try that option. And then both looked away. Tony actually laughed. "I'm surprised. An Oz reference?"
"I saw the movie before the war," James said with an almost practiced nonchalance. “It’s not my fault it got so popular.”
Tony shook his head, and then continued with his previous thought. "We both touched the shield then woke up in a forest," Tony said aloud, testing out the logic of it.
It failed miserably.
"We both touched the shield and we wound up in a forest," Tony repeated.
Nope, didn’t make sense.
Unless it was...
"Magic?" James ventured.
"God, I hope not." Tony shut his eyes in disgust. It did make sense though. It was either magic or he'd had a complete break with reality and really had gone insane. Though that didn't explain why James was along for the ride. Unless Steve's little brother was his brain’s way of torturing him.
Insanity or magic...Tony wasn't sure which he preferred.
“I hate magic," James mumbled.
"Good, we agree on something," Tony voiced sarcastically. "I'd prefer to believe something is just blocking me and the stars are simulated. For all we know Namor is working with Doom again." That brought magic back into it, but at least with Victor it was magic mixed with science.
"Brilliant," James muttered, running his fingers through his hair. "Are you sure you're the smartest man on Earth?"
Tony frowned and started walking again. "No, that would be Reed. I think I'm the tenth, maybe." He tried to remember when he last cared about something like that. There had been a time when it was almost a joke between him, Reed, and Hank -- but those days were long gone.
“You know you're the tenth. I'm sure you agonize over what rank you are." James said, seemingly reading Tony’s mind.
"Trust me I agonize over other things." Tony said in return.
They continued through the woods, jabbing each other back and forth with verbal barbs. Tony refused to admit that he had no idea where he was going. James seemed okay with that fact, as he had no better option to give.
They were both no further along in knowing how they had gotten there, or how they were supposed to get back.
What if there were no other life forms here? Tony had no idea how to get out of a magical reality, if that was what they were trapped in. Frankly, he was hoping for some other explanation even if that meant he hadn't really seen Steve.
Tony wanted to slap himself. If this was magic -- Doom's doing or not -- he'd fallen right into a trap.
'Seeing' Steve in his dreams, and once while he was awake -- he should have gotten his head checked, not rushed off to find Namor. What if it was all a trap and the voice that had sounded so desperately like Steve's was just a mimic?
"I'm getting sick of you just ignoring me like that." Tony registered James saying. He looked up at the other man who had been leading the way.
"What?" Tony asked curtly.
"Oh nothing, really." James crossed his arms in front of him. "Just that there's a house up ahead, Number 10."
"Thank you for pointing that out, Bucky," Tony said snidely. "Let's hope it isn't made of gingerbread."
"At least we could eat it then," James pointed out.
Tony gave him an incredulous look. "Yes, because that's always a good idea. Eating someone’s house." He scoffed. "I might refuse to believe that this is not just some simulation or alien world, but I'm not stupid enough to eat a gingerbread house."
James scowled. "It was a joke, Stark. You've heard of those haven't you?"
"It wasn't funny," Tony rubbed his forehead again, trying to fight the headache he was getting. He couldn't help but try to access things with Extremis. It was almost second nature to do half a dozen things at once, and even with that dead-space where the connections were supposed to be, he kept trying to pull up email and stocks without thinking.
"Steve would have thought it was funny," James muttered, walking closer to the house.
Tony clenched his teeth. "Well Steve isn't here," he snapped. "And I really don't like the looks of this."
The house looked innocent enough, which was why Tony didn't trust it. It was too well kept for a house -- a cottage really -- in the middle of a forest.
He barely remembered the Italian folk tales his mother had told him as a child, but what he did recall featured a lot of them not trusting things on sight. Which worked well enough for simulations and magic spells so…
James shrugged. "Looks safe enough."
Tony pretended he didn't hear James mutter "and whose fault is it that Steve isn't here?" under his breath.
“That's why I don't like it," Tony told him. "What are you proposing? Go up to the front door and knock?"
"That was the general plan. I want to find out where we are and talk to someone who isn't crazy."
Tony started to bring his hand up to rub his forehead then dropped it. It wouldn't help. It never did. "I doubt my sanity, or lack thereof, has anything to do with the difference in the stars or our random teleportation."
"Doesn't mean I want to be stuck with you," James grumbled, and started towards the house again.
"Trust me the feeling is mutual." Tony muttered under his breath.
He didn't like going into situations without more of a substantial plan... but James just worked on a different wavelength then him. He'd have to just go with it if he wanted to keep Steve's shield around.
He still hadn't forgotten that desperate voice that haunted his dreams and even if this was an elaborate trap set up by an obviously bored supervillian, Tony wasn't capable of doing anything but trying to help Steve.
It was a weakness. Steve was a weakness and he always had been. The one time Tony had decided to ignore that weakness, the unforgivable had happened.
It wasn't worth it.
So, Tony followed James up to the front door and heard him knock, the echo of it surrounding them in unforgiving tones. All Tony could do was hope that whatever came from inside the house could help them-- help him, make everything right again.
There was no answer at first and James knocked again. When there was still no answer he turned towards Tony. "I guess no one is home..."
As soon as he spoke, the door behind him creaked open.
"Oh that's reassuring," Tony commented, eyeing the opening suspiciously.
James didn't look very at ease himself.
"Well, come in. Come in. No sense standing out there bickering." A female voice sounded from inside.
It sounded vaguely familiar to Tony and his first instinct was to not go in.
James looked – less then calm-- as he reached up and smoothed his domino mask. "I guess we go in."
"Or we don't," Tony said firmly.
"What and never find out anything? Stop being paranoid, Stark!"
As Tony followed Bucky into the house, the first thing he noticed was the immediate change in temperature.
Outside had been balmy, but inside it was practically an inferno. Tony tried to take deep breaths as his brain was robbed of oxygen from the humidity. The stench wasn't helping either. Tony recognized the smell of death and he shot the Winter Soldier a warning glance.
James looked back at him hesitantly.
The only light came from the fireplace at the far side of the cabin. It cast both of their features in a dark glow.
"Ma'am." James finally ventured. "Can we use your... do you know what a phone is?"
The cottage was silent for a long while. A sudden squeak had both men turning their heads in the same direction.
"The wings of communication are fleeting. The eyes tell you all you need to know." A response came from the shadows of the old cottage.
"Yeah…" James sighed, trying to find where the voice had come from.
"We can just pretend that means no." Tony said quietly.
"I came in here to get away from crazy." James responded.
"Such manners… you should watch your tongue boy," the female voice sighed.
There was a rocking chair in front of the fireplace where there hadn't been before. An old woman sat rocking. "Drawn together by love and yet you fight as if the other is your enemy."
James laughed. "I'm not drawn to Stark by anything," he grumbled. Then his face grew serious. "Um, could you possibly tell us what country we're in? Or directions to the nearest town?"
Tony swallowed hard. It felt more difficult to breathe every second and his chest felt --- tight. An ache was forming where there had once been metal and scars.
He tried to just shake it off. There was no use in his having a heart attack now. It'd simply be embarrassing.
Tony laughed at that thought. The noise got an annoyed look from James. Tony shut his mouth, but the pain in his chest wouldn't go away. He pressed a hand hard against his heart and looked at the old woman.
"Ju-- just tell us how to get out of here and to the nearest town and we'll leave you alone." Tony stated, rubbing his chest.
The woman smiled. "Time for that is dead and buried. Bringing such anger into my woods. It destroys the earthen spirit. Damages things beyond repair. You must now pay the price." She stated bitterly, still rocking back and forth, knitting quickly, her eyes away from the needles. “You pick your own punishment.”
Tony tried to come up with something to say to that, but then the pain in his chest turned into blinding agony -- it felt like the shrapnel all over again -- like every recharge to his old mechanical heart, times ten. Tony's knees buckled under him and he knew he'd cried out, but all he could hear was the clacking of knitting needles.
He hit the floor clutching his chest, and there was dampness seeping through his shirt. Oh god -- he was dying -- this wasn't a heart attack this was --- "Ghh, god please.” Tony gasped out.
"Stark?" He was barely aware of James at his side trying to haul him up. "Tony? What did you do to him?!"
Tony couldn't see from the pain, his heart felt like it was being ripped from his body -- again. But he had to -- "James run."
James simply dragged Tony to his feet. "What did you do?" He repeated.
But no one was there. Even the rocking chair was gone. The only thing that proved the old woman had ever been there was a pair of kitting needles on the floor.
Tony's mind felt like it was drowning. It was getting difficult to think, the pain in his chest wasn't going away.
"We're getting out of here." James said, though his feet didn't move. "Get better now. I really don't feel like carrying you."
Tony swayed on his feet, grabbing his chest, and almost collapsed again before James caught him. His hands were bloody. "My heart," he rasped.
"I don't have time for your bullshit, Stark," James snapped, trying to pull Tony up straight again.
Anyone else and Tony would have thought that that was panic coloring James' voice, but it couldn't be. James half dragged him towards the door. Every step hurt. But he could see the door, maybe if they just made it to the door…
Then everything went black.
***
For the second time that day, Tony Stark awoke in a strange place. At least this one had silk sheets. And no bugs.
Tony heard a groan. It took a minute for him to realize it was his own voice. He fought to open his eyes.
Bright light poured in through the window to his left.
"Oh good." James' voice uttered. "You're not in a coma."
"Sorry to disappoint." Tony replied, tripping over the thickness of his tongue. He shifted himself in bed to see James wearing odd clothes, Steve's shield rested against the wall beside him.
"I was getting tired of hauling your unconscious ass all over Never Never Land." James shrugged. "I'm glad you're awake." He then said. He looked away from Tony's gaze. "I have no idea where a hospital is, if they even have them." He quickly added.
Tony started to sit up and grimaced. "I do prefer being conscious. You could have just left me."
James sighed, deciding to ignore the comment. "This place is... honestly unlike any place I've ever been." He said instead. "And magic is starting to sound like a more and more plausible explanation." James stood and crossed over to the window.
Tony took a deep breath. He felt lightheaded and nauseous. "Why do you say that?"
"Well… the faun running the inn sort of tipped me off, but --" James turned from the window briefly and gestured to Tony's chest. "You've been given an unasked for upgrade -- well more like a downgrade."
Tony glanced down at his own chest. Imbedded in his skin, where the artificial heart had once been, was… well for all appearances, another artificial heart. Only it had gears like a clock or a music box and in the center of it was a small key.
"Oh...” Tony touched his chest. “Shit."
"Looks like our friend in the cottage didn't like you very much," James quipped, looking back out to the sun.
"We brought hate to her forest." Tony remembered solemnly. "Wait..." His face twisted in concern. "Did you say faun?"
Bucky nodded from his position at the window.
Tony looked back down at his chest. The golden metal shone back up at him, blissfully unaware that it was scaring the hell out of him.
"What did she do to you?" Tony thought to ask.
"Nothing," James turned his face enough so that Tony could see his smirk. "Maybe the shield protected me."
Tony could tell he'd meant it as a jab, but he found himself nodding. "Maybe."
James turned full around and ran his fingers through his hair. Tony noticed for the first time that the domino mask was gone.
"I was joking," He sighed.
Tony shrugged and went back to staring at the moving gears in his chest. "I know. But it's a possibility.” He furrowed his brow in frustration. “God, I hate magic. This is Dr. Strange's area, not mine." He tapped the metal. "Do you think I have to wind this thing up? There is no logical way this thing can really be working."
"Well then you'd better not mess with it then." James replied shortly. Tony looked up at him.
"Thank you." Tony uttered. "For getting me here." He looked away again. "I'm sure when all is said and done... this is going to end up being all my fault."
James actually laughed at that. "Regardless of whose fault this is, I think we have bigger issues at hand."
"What?" Tony inquired, not quite certain what could be bigger than a land full of mythical creatures, a clock-work heart, and the fact that they still didn't know where Steve had been taken -- if he'd been taken at all.
"We don't have any money that's good here. I wasn't quite sure what worked in the barter system of this inn." James started.
Tony blinked at him.
"I think I might have sold us into indentured servitude or something."
"Oh." Tony replied. "We should run away."
"Yeah." James agreed, looking at Tony like that was the best idea he’d heard all day. "We really should."
Tony started to climb out of the bed, and then stopped.
"Hey… where are my clothes?"
Chapter 3: The Path and the Meadow
Authors:
kijikun and pandanoaiRating: R
Pairings/Characters: Steve/Tony (implied), James "Bucky" Barnes
Warning:Strong Language
Word Count: 3822
A/N: Skrulls? What Skrulls?
Summary: They aren't in Kansas anymore and Tony and James can't stop bickering.
Chapter1
Tony’s shirt stuck along his back and he could feel the cool dew of grass on his neck. He tried to remember why he was lying on the ground... and why he would be outside... but nothing came to him. He hoped that opening his eyes would improve the situation, but the woods were so dark he could barely see a thing.
Woods.
Tony blinked, but the scenery didn't change.
Trees were everywhere, crickets were chirping, it was cold and wet... yep nature. It was everywhere. He was definitely in the woods.
He pushed himself up into a sitting position, trying to ignore the way his head protested. He was about to access Extremis and get a GPS location of where the hell he was, when he noticed James lying next to him.
He was still out cold, and still gripping Steve's shield.
Tony didn't see any visible injures on the younger man --and he refused to think about the fact that James was technically older than him. James’ chest rose and fell, so it was safe for Tony to assume that whatever knocked him out had gotten James as well.
Tony pinched the bridge of his nose and resisted the urge to pull the shield away from James. That would be petty and with his luck Steve's ghost would show up and frown at him.
The thought of Steve and the shield sparked Tony’s memory -- the feel of the metal turning white hot as he touched it… the sound of Steve saying Tony's name before he blacked out…
Tony looked down at his hands. There were no burn marks.
James groaned softly and shifted. Tony transferred his attention towards him, watching as James pushed himself up, cradling his head. He swore in Russian then looked up and around. When his gaze settled on Tony he glared, then winced. "What the hell did you do, Stark?"
Tony snorted. "I'm sorry. When did teleportation get added to the list of things I'm guilty of? For all I know it’s something Namor had already set up to get us out of his hair."
"Fuck you," James snapped, snatching up the shield. "Where are we?"
"The woods." Tony supplied, smirking slightly. "Observation’s not your best subject, is it?"
"I can see we're in the woods, Stark," James ground out, clutching the shield to his chest like Tony would grab it from him at any moment. "Hook your brain up to GPS or whatever it is that you do. I'd like to get back to New York sooner not later.”
Tony crossed his arms over his chest. "I was about to, when you woke up. What's your hurry? Hot date?" He stopped himself from adding 'with Steve's ex-girlfriend' because that would be low and unfair to Sharon.
James climbed to his feet, still holding on to the shield. "Some of us put duty before pleasure."
Rubbing his forehead, Tony bit back a retort and focused on accessing the closest satellite to pinpoint their location and --
Nothing.
Just. Nothing.
Tony shook his head slightly. What the hell had happened when he'd been knocked unconscious? Extremis usually didn't putter in and out.
He tried again.
"Well?" James questioned him, anger evident in his tone.
Tony still couldn't connect to anything. There was a blank spot in the universe where his Extremis links should be.
"I can't... nothing's there." Tony retorted, standing as well. He closed his eyes and tried to concentrate on a specific frequency, a specific location to ping. There was nothing.
Tony looked up. There were so many stars in the sky. Too many. Wherever they were it wasn't New York. Even the location near Atlantis had too much light pollution to show so many stars.
"Your computer brain died?" James replied, deadpan. "Great... I guess a pick-up isn't an option. Lots of walking for us." James positioned the shield on his back. "Hope you can keep up."
Tony just continued to look at the stars.
"Which way is North, Stark? Can you at least tell me that?"
"There isn't a North." Tony replied, his voice slightly strained.
"God, not this again." James put a hand to his forehead. "Listen, can you please go crazy on your own time?"
"Bucky look up." Tony said, trying to suppress the panic in his voice.
"Don't call me--"
"Look up!" Tony interrupted him. "There is no North Star. I can't find any constellations that I can recognize. And I know them all."
James grunted. "I doubt you know them -- " the words died on his lips as he looked up. "That -- that's different.”
Tony didn't comment.
"The North Star does not just disappear. The stars don’t just change." James said in a low tight voice.
Tony looked away from the sky and towards James. He almost felt sorry for Bucky -- James -- whatever -- for just a moment. It was better than panicking. He rubbed his forehead again, trying to find any sort of electronic signature.
"It can if we're not on Earth, Bucky," Tony sighed, pushing down his unease. If this was an alien planet, he should at least be able to connect to some alien tech. If he could get a connection --
"What do you mean 'not on Earth, Bucky'?" James demanded, storming over towards Tony. "And don't call me Bucky."
Tony rolled his eyes, still focusing on trying to pick anything up -- even on the most primitive of worlds he should be able to pick up Shi'ar or Kree communications -- unless –
"As in, not Earth. As in, an alien world full of aliens…and crickets, apparently. But I still should be able to find -- where the hell are they -- I should be able to find --"
Bucky grabbed Tony by the collar forcing him to look him in the eye. "Where have you taken us?"
"Because you threatening me is going to help the situation." Tony stated, as calmly as he could be for the pressure around his neck.
"It might make me feel better." James said, letting him go. Tony coughed and took a deep breath. "What did you do?"
"Again, I didn't do anything." Tony coughed a second time. He rubbed his throat and began to walk around the perimeter of the clearing. All he could see were trees. With a sigh, he picked a direction and started walking.
"Somehow I don't believe you." James said, hesitating for a moment before following after Tony.
"Believe whatever the hell you want. I'm half-inclined to think Namor really did do something." Suddenly Tony stopped and spun to face James.
"Let me see the shield."
James didn't budge, the look on his face clearly defined what he thought about that prospect. "How will that get us back to Kansas? I doubt if we both hold on to it and click our heels together Aunty Em will make us pancakes."
For a split second, James and Tony shared a look like they should actually try that option. And then both looked away. Tony actually laughed. "I'm surprised. An Oz reference?"
"I saw the movie before the war," James said with an almost practiced nonchalance. “It’s not my fault it got so popular.”
Tony shook his head, and then continued with his previous thought. "We both touched the shield then woke up in a forest," Tony said aloud, testing out the logic of it.
It failed miserably.
"We both touched the shield and we wound up in a forest," Tony repeated.
Nope, didn’t make sense.
Unless it was...
"Magic?" James ventured.
"God, I hope not." Tony shut his eyes in disgust. It did make sense though. It was either magic or he'd had a complete break with reality and really had gone insane. Though that didn't explain why James was along for the ride. Unless Steve's little brother was his brain’s way of torturing him.
Insanity or magic...Tony wasn't sure which he preferred.
“I hate magic," James mumbled.
"Good, we agree on something," Tony voiced sarcastically. "I'd prefer to believe something is just blocking me and the stars are simulated. For all we know Namor is working with Doom again." That brought magic back into it, but at least with Victor it was magic mixed with science.
"Brilliant," James muttered, running his fingers through his hair. "Are you sure you're the smartest man on Earth?"
Tony frowned and started walking again. "No, that would be Reed. I think I'm the tenth, maybe." He tried to remember when he last cared about something like that. There had been a time when it was almost a joke between him, Reed, and Hank -- but those days were long gone.
“You know you're the tenth. I'm sure you agonize over what rank you are." James said, seemingly reading Tony’s mind.
"Trust me I agonize over other things." Tony said in return.
They continued through the woods, jabbing each other back and forth with verbal barbs. Tony refused to admit that he had no idea where he was going. James seemed okay with that fact, as he had no better option to give.
They were both no further along in knowing how they had gotten there, or how they were supposed to get back.
What if there were no other life forms here? Tony had no idea how to get out of a magical reality, if that was what they were trapped in. Frankly, he was hoping for some other explanation even if that meant he hadn't really seen Steve.
Tony wanted to slap himself. If this was magic -- Doom's doing or not -- he'd fallen right into a trap.
'Seeing' Steve in his dreams, and once while he was awake -- he should have gotten his head checked, not rushed off to find Namor. What if it was all a trap and the voice that had sounded so desperately like Steve's was just a mimic?
"I'm getting sick of you just ignoring me like that." Tony registered James saying. He looked up at the other man who had been leading the way.
"What?" Tony asked curtly.
"Oh nothing, really." James crossed his arms in front of him. "Just that there's a house up ahead, Number 10."
"Thank you for pointing that out, Bucky," Tony said snidely. "Let's hope it isn't made of gingerbread."
"At least we could eat it then," James pointed out.
Tony gave him an incredulous look. "Yes, because that's always a good idea. Eating someone’s house." He scoffed. "I might refuse to believe that this is not just some simulation or alien world, but I'm not stupid enough to eat a gingerbread house."
James scowled. "It was a joke, Stark. You've heard of those haven't you?"
"It wasn't funny," Tony rubbed his forehead again, trying to fight the headache he was getting. He couldn't help but try to access things with Extremis. It was almost second nature to do half a dozen things at once, and even with that dead-space where the connections were supposed to be, he kept trying to pull up email and stocks without thinking.
"Steve would have thought it was funny," James muttered, walking closer to the house.
Tony clenched his teeth. "Well Steve isn't here," he snapped. "And I really don't like the looks of this."
The house looked innocent enough, which was why Tony didn't trust it. It was too well kept for a house -- a cottage really -- in the middle of a forest.
He barely remembered the Italian folk tales his mother had told him as a child, but what he did recall featured a lot of them not trusting things on sight. Which worked well enough for simulations and magic spells so…
James shrugged. "Looks safe enough."
Tony pretended he didn't hear James mutter "and whose fault is it that Steve isn't here?" under his breath.
“That's why I don't like it," Tony told him. "What are you proposing? Go up to the front door and knock?"
"That was the general plan. I want to find out where we are and talk to someone who isn't crazy."
Tony started to bring his hand up to rub his forehead then dropped it. It wouldn't help. It never did. "I doubt my sanity, or lack thereof, has anything to do with the difference in the stars or our random teleportation."
"Doesn't mean I want to be stuck with you," James grumbled, and started towards the house again.
"Trust me the feeling is mutual." Tony muttered under his breath.
He didn't like going into situations without more of a substantial plan... but James just worked on a different wavelength then him. He'd have to just go with it if he wanted to keep Steve's shield around.
He still hadn't forgotten that desperate voice that haunted his dreams and even if this was an elaborate trap set up by an obviously bored supervillian, Tony wasn't capable of doing anything but trying to help Steve.
It was a weakness. Steve was a weakness and he always had been. The one time Tony had decided to ignore that weakness, the unforgivable had happened.
It wasn't worth it.
So, Tony followed James up to the front door and heard him knock, the echo of it surrounding them in unforgiving tones. All Tony could do was hope that whatever came from inside the house could help them-- help him, make everything right again.
There was no answer at first and James knocked again. When there was still no answer he turned towards Tony. "I guess no one is home..."
As soon as he spoke, the door behind him creaked open.
"Oh that's reassuring," Tony commented, eyeing the opening suspiciously.
James didn't look very at ease himself.
"Well, come in. Come in. No sense standing out there bickering." A female voice sounded from inside.
It sounded vaguely familiar to Tony and his first instinct was to not go in.
James looked – less then calm-- as he reached up and smoothed his domino mask. "I guess we go in."
"Or we don't," Tony said firmly.
"What and never find out anything? Stop being paranoid, Stark!"
As Tony followed Bucky into the house, the first thing he noticed was the immediate change in temperature.
Outside had been balmy, but inside it was practically an inferno. Tony tried to take deep breaths as his brain was robbed of oxygen from the humidity. The stench wasn't helping either. Tony recognized the smell of death and he shot the Winter Soldier a warning glance.
James looked back at him hesitantly.
The only light came from the fireplace at the far side of the cabin. It cast both of their features in a dark glow.
"Ma'am." James finally ventured. "Can we use your... do you know what a phone is?"
The cottage was silent for a long while. A sudden squeak had both men turning their heads in the same direction.
"The wings of communication are fleeting. The eyes tell you all you need to know." A response came from the shadows of the old cottage.
"Yeah…" James sighed, trying to find where the voice had come from.
"We can just pretend that means no." Tony said quietly.
"I came in here to get away from crazy." James responded.
"Such manners… you should watch your tongue boy," the female voice sighed.
There was a rocking chair in front of the fireplace where there hadn't been before. An old woman sat rocking. "Drawn together by love and yet you fight as if the other is your enemy."
James laughed. "I'm not drawn to Stark by anything," he grumbled. Then his face grew serious. "Um, could you possibly tell us what country we're in? Or directions to the nearest town?"
Tony swallowed hard. It felt more difficult to breathe every second and his chest felt --- tight. An ache was forming where there had once been metal and scars.
He tried to just shake it off. There was no use in his having a heart attack now. It'd simply be embarrassing.
Tony laughed at that thought. The noise got an annoyed look from James. Tony shut his mouth, but the pain in his chest wouldn't go away. He pressed a hand hard against his heart and looked at the old woman.
"Ju-- just tell us how to get out of here and to the nearest town and we'll leave you alone." Tony stated, rubbing his chest.
The woman smiled. "Time for that is dead and buried. Bringing such anger into my woods. It destroys the earthen spirit. Damages things beyond repair. You must now pay the price." She stated bitterly, still rocking back and forth, knitting quickly, her eyes away from the needles. “You pick your own punishment.”
Tony tried to come up with something to say to that, but then the pain in his chest turned into blinding agony -- it felt like the shrapnel all over again -- like every recharge to his old mechanical heart, times ten. Tony's knees buckled under him and he knew he'd cried out, but all he could hear was the clacking of knitting needles.
He hit the floor clutching his chest, and there was dampness seeping through his shirt. Oh god -- he was dying -- this wasn't a heart attack this was --- "Ghh, god please.” Tony gasped out.
"Stark?" He was barely aware of James at his side trying to haul him up. "Tony? What did you do to him?!"
Tony couldn't see from the pain, his heart felt like it was being ripped from his body -- again. But he had to -- "James run."
James simply dragged Tony to his feet. "What did you do?" He repeated.
But no one was there. Even the rocking chair was gone. The only thing that proved the old woman had ever been there was a pair of kitting needles on the floor.
Tony's mind felt like it was drowning. It was getting difficult to think, the pain in his chest wasn't going away.
"We're getting out of here." James said, though his feet didn't move. "Get better now. I really don't feel like carrying you."
Tony swayed on his feet, grabbing his chest, and almost collapsed again before James caught him. His hands were bloody. "My heart," he rasped.
"I don't have time for your bullshit, Stark," James snapped, trying to pull Tony up straight again.
Anyone else and Tony would have thought that that was panic coloring James' voice, but it couldn't be. James half dragged him towards the door. Every step hurt. But he could see the door, maybe if they just made it to the door…
Then everything went black.
For the second time that day, Tony Stark awoke in a strange place. At least this one had silk sheets. And no bugs.
Tony heard a groan. It took a minute for him to realize it was his own voice. He fought to open his eyes.
Bright light poured in through the window to his left.
"Oh good." James' voice uttered. "You're not in a coma."
"Sorry to disappoint." Tony replied, tripping over the thickness of his tongue. He shifted himself in bed to see James wearing odd clothes, Steve's shield rested against the wall beside him.
"I was getting tired of hauling your unconscious ass all over Never Never Land." James shrugged. "I'm glad you're awake." He then said. He looked away from Tony's gaze. "I have no idea where a hospital is, if they even have them." He quickly added.
Tony started to sit up and grimaced. "I do prefer being conscious. You could have just left me."
James sighed, deciding to ignore the comment. "This place is... honestly unlike any place I've ever been." He said instead. "And magic is starting to sound like a more and more plausible explanation." James stood and crossed over to the window.
Tony took a deep breath. He felt lightheaded and nauseous. "Why do you say that?"
"Well… the faun running the inn sort of tipped me off, but --" James turned from the window briefly and gestured to Tony's chest. "You've been given an unasked for upgrade -- well more like a downgrade."
Tony glanced down at his own chest. Imbedded in his skin, where the artificial heart had once been, was… well for all appearances, another artificial heart. Only it had gears like a clock or a music box and in the center of it was a small key.
"Oh...” Tony touched his chest. “Shit."
"Looks like our friend in the cottage didn't like you very much," James quipped, looking back out to the sun.
"We brought hate to her forest." Tony remembered solemnly. "Wait..." His face twisted in concern. "Did you say faun?"
Bucky nodded from his position at the window.
Tony looked back down at his chest. The golden metal shone back up at him, blissfully unaware that it was scaring the hell out of him.
"What did she do to you?" Tony thought to ask.
"Nothing," James turned his face enough so that Tony could see his smirk. "Maybe the shield protected me."
Tony could tell he'd meant it as a jab, but he found himself nodding. "Maybe."
James turned full around and ran his fingers through his hair. Tony noticed for the first time that the domino mask was gone.
"I was joking," He sighed.
Tony shrugged and went back to staring at the moving gears in his chest. "I know. But it's a possibility.” He furrowed his brow in frustration. “God, I hate magic. This is Dr. Strange's area, not mine." He tapped the metal. "Do you think I have to wind this thing up? There is no logical way this thing can really be working."
"Well then you'd better not mess with it then." James replied shortly. Tony looked up at him.
"Thank you." Tony uttered. "For getting me here." He looked away again. "I'm sure when all is said and done... this is going to end up being all my fault."
James actually laughed at that. "Regardless of whose fault this is, I think we have bigger issues at hand."
"What?" Tony inquired, not quite certain what could be bigger than a land full of mythical creatures, a clock-work heart, and the fact that they still didn't know where Steve had been taken -- if he'd been taken at all.
"We don't have any money that's good here. I wasn't quite sure what worked in the barter system of this inn." James started.
Tony blinked at him.
"I think I might have sold us into indentured servitude or something."
"Oh." Tony replied. "We should run away."
"Yeah." James agreed, looking at Tony like that was the best idea he’d heard all day. "We really should."
Tony started to climb out of the bed, and then stopped.
"Hey… where are my clothes?"
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It's been fun to write with Panda. I know my other fic isn't everyone cup of tea but she'll squee about more comments on Moth. ^_^
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whoops sorry. ::contains self::
take all the time you need :D and we hope you enjoy! it's been really fun writing this fic.
(and your moth comments have been a PLEASURE to read)
xoxo
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and also!-- thanks so much! we're glad you like it so far :D
we were inspired by the fairytale challenge... and just couldn't help it :3
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And just because, more Dr. Horrible.
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he takes that hammer to bed with him you know! kiji showed me! ::nods::
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hmmm i think i need a bucky icon >.>
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And I love the constant banter between Tony and Bucky. It really works well. And that cabin...has got to be the creepiest thing evah! That lil' old lady....*cowers in the corner* Don't hurt me, grandma...please.
Methinks the two guys are learning how to get along. 'Bout time. *nods*
Can't wait for the next one, you two! XD
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DUN WORRY MIZU I'LL PROTECT YOU FROM THE EVIL WITCHEY-TYPE PERSON!
oooo you know me and banter! and kiji loves it too! *hugs kiji*
xoxo
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It all comes together now.
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thanks so much
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so glad you're liking it! <3
oh james and his shenanigans ::shakes head:: we'll just have to see what other mischief they get into :3
xoxo
LOL. Us knitters are bad mama jammas
I'm half expecting these two to go, "The best thing about you is Steve!" (that seemed to be Steve's strength, he got along with almost everyone, and most people tried to keep the peace because they didn't want to disappoint him).
I'm having fun with this piece, and hope that you continue.
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I love the way they just bicker between each other it makes for a very amusing read. I can't wait to see what other wacky hi-jinks these two get into! You guys get a big ol' thumbs up from me! Hope you continue the awesome work.
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I love the dynamic between these two. Bucky's insistence on Tony being crazy is both hilarious and well-founded, and Tony's tolerance of Bucky on the basis of him being one of Steve's favorite people is sweet and sad. Their dislike (or loathing, on Bucky's part) of each other is so much more interesting than if they were buddies. And it brings attention to the fact that, like each other or not, they're still willing to go out of their way for a fellow human being. There's been so much dismalness in comics for so long that it's really warming to see such reminders of what being a hero and a good person is about.
The scene at the cottage was beautifully written, with just the right touch of haunted creepiness. It was utterly lovely for their refusal to bail out on each other, and also for the experience and professionalism of two guys who've been doing this long enough to be on the same page about magic, the smell of danger, and weird alien worlds/dimensions. I love it when my superheroes are competent.
Speaking of the witch's cottage: the tin heart! I wonder what she would've done to Bucky... I had this horrible feeling that that was Agatha Harkness, and I haven't completely shaken it. But...hey, did you start this for the fairy tale prompt? If so, I think it may narrowly edge out
Anyway, you've got me completely tied up in this, and now I desperately want to see where it goes. :D
Re: LOL. Us knitters are bad mama jammas
And yes, we're half expecting them to do that as well. At the moment their love for Steve is the only thing they really see they have in common.
Steve was amazing.
We will! :D We're glad you're liking it so far <3
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hope you continue to enjoy :D
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:D :D :D
::nods:: they really don't see themselves as having anything more in common then both loving Steve at this point, but that doesn't mean they wouldn't fall all over the place to save each other-- heroes will be heroes after all :D
we're so glad we can convey competent superheroes ::cheers:: they have been doing this for YEARS and YEARS-- they aren't as intimidated as newbies but they certainly know they signs of when things are going to hell. (damn magic ::shakes fist:: making everything more complicated and less fun for Tony's computer brain)
yes! the tin heart! let's see what happens! <3 and we-- actually we came up with this story before the fairytale prompt (but since there are so many fairytales in it we really wanted to see other's take on fairytales and that's actually why i ended up issuing the fairytale challenge in the first place :D - that and Kiji's Beauty and the Beast was awesome and I wanted more "and they lived happily ever after") :3
there will be more! we promise!
thanks again for the awesome review ^__^
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I can totally see them bickering like little kids. You do it! No you do it! You do it! No you do it! Or like those kids who are squabbling in the back seat of a car.
Oh I am pretty sure I will continue to enjoy this story very much.
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(And don't piss off the faun, boys, things get pretty ugly pretty fast when they're angry!)
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(and yeah, i totally agree... hopefully the boys escape all ninja-like <3)
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gtcbyo fvbs adfybguvhjnsuibg;
♥
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*shot for reference*
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....ya know, one of LJ's 404 pages is....actually, lemme c/p it: (ohgod, i got it first shot)
Narrator: In A.D. 2006, Web was beginning.
Captain: What happen ?
Mechanic: Somebody set up us the journal.
Operator: We get signal.
Captain: What !
Operator: Main browser turn on.
Captain: It's you !!
CATS: How are you users !!
CATS: All your base are belong to Frank.
CATS: You are on the way to 404.
Captain: What you say !!
CATS: You have no chance to reach your page. Make your spelling correct.
CATS: Ha Ha Ha Ha ....
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thanks :D
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',
sgl;jl;hjdsag
slfjsllssllslslsgfnsalf
KEYBOARD MASH OF JOY!!!!!
I'm loving this so so so much.
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Also, Tony so has more experience with magic than James, regardless of the fact that Tony hates it. You can tell. *g*
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*G*