Kintsugi

“I’m sure you and Wong have already noticed that several sorcerers have been disappearing,” announced Mordo once they exchanged pleasantries and ordered their respective drinks.

“Yes, more specifically, the people who only came to the temple seeking for help,” Stephen said, noticing the surprised look on Mordo’s face.

“That’s… right,” he said nodding. “Have you gathered any other clue?”

“Unfortunately, no,” said Wong.

Stephen had to admit the search for answers was becoming more and more frustrating, especially when considering that the numbers would probably double if they were still in contact with all the former students. He thought about mentioning it to Tony a couple of times, given that he might have some technology to locate them, but the other sorcerers from Kamar-Taj were against it, reminding him that some things were better kept hidden from the public eye… Which took him to the next point: “How about you? As far as I know, you decided to… well, vanish yourself. How do you know about these things?”

“I have been traveling a lot and visiting old friends, and let’s just say the word spreads faster than you can imagine.”

“Well, I’m glad to see you, even if the circumstances are rather worrying,” he said trying to lighten up the mood a little, a habit he had taken from Tony… someone he definitely didn’t want to think about.

“Me too,” Mordo smiled, “and actually, I was thinking we could work together on this, just like old times.”

“That I would like,” Stephen admitted, “we could really use some help on the matter.”

Wong nodded.

“I´m glad to hear that! I think I have some information that might interest you,” Mordo announced.

And maybe Stephen had found the perfect distraction.

***

When Steve said that they shouldn’t waste any more time waiting for their wedding, he wasn’t kidding. In the spam of two weeks, the compound had turned into the epitome of each and every wedding rom-com to ever exist. Decoration and costume designs had come and gone, and now the place was covered with golden and white decorations, only leaving enough place for the flowers that would be delivered the day of the wedding along with the catering.

“And they are going to release doves?” Of course, Stephen was the least informed about the wedding plans-well, he and Peter, who had been pretty busy lately with schoolwork-. Just when Tony admitted that he might have some feelings for the wizard and decided to actually do something about them, the man in question had to get really busy with who knows what and spend all his time working with Wong… and Mordo.

“Yeah, apparently they are supposed to symbolize freedom, something very important considering we are talking about the Captain America’s wedding,” Tony explained, remembering Miss Mydma words with a grimace. That woman was insane.

“Right, the Captain America,” Stephen repeated rolling his eyes.

“Don’t get bitter, I’m sure they would let you do some magic tricks if you asked.”

“I think we've already established that I'm not an entertainer,” he said, irritation slipping into his voice despite how much he tried to conceal it.

“True, Lang makes way better card tricks than you,” Tony remembered mockingly.

“I have never-,” he started to say but stopped. “You are really annoying when you want to, you know?”

“Thank you, it’s a gift,” he responded with a mocking bow, his smile widening as he noticed Stephen's amused expression. “Anyway, I was wondering if you already had someone in mind for your plus-one?” he asked crossing his fingers not to have to listen to the name “Mordo”, or any other name, really. However, Stephen’s change of demeanor warned him that he should expect even worse news.

“About that… I’m afraid I won’t be able to attend to the wedding,”

“What? They gave you an invitation, didn’t they?” He asked and, just in case, he added: “And if they didn’t, you can always be my plus-one.” Smooth.

“No, I received the invitation, and Wong too, but Mordo has found a lead on the case we are working on so we are planning to travel there-”

“Can’t you just do your teleportation mumbo jumbo like you always do?”

“Not if we don’t want to draw the attention of whoever is behind what’s happening,” he explained.

“Of course, right. And when are you leaving?”

“Tomorrow,” he said, sounding almost bashful.

“Tomorrow?” For his part, Tony didn’t bother to hide his indignation.

“Yeah, I know it sounds sudden but this is a matter of extreme importance that must be treated as such,” explained Stephen.

“I understand that, but...” But what? It wasn’t as he had any right to complain. “I would have organized a farewell if you had warned me with more time… First Steve doesn’t want to have a bachelor party, now this.” Stephen chuckled.

“Well, how about this? If we succeed, I'll let you organize a party to celebrate,” Stephen said.

“Careful, Doc, I might consider that offer,” Tony answered with a smirk. “Maybe we could do something, just you and I…” He was so close he could hear Stephen gulp.

“Actually, that would be…”

“Great! Just who I was looking for! Mr. Stark, could you please tell me where I have to go to fix the lighting?” interrupted Miss Mydma who burst inside the room followed by an evidently embarrassed couple.

“Sorry,” mouthed Steve.

“You’re dead to me,” Tony mouthed back. “Yes, Miss Mydma, follow me,” he said resigned, guiding the woman towards them.

“You know, we still haven’t solved what those attacks and abductions were about,” commented Bucky once they were far enough. “You could stay and help us with that until the wedding and then leave.”

“I’m really sorry, but unlike what happened here, for this we do have a clue and maybe it's the only one we’ll get in a while. We can’t miss it,” Stephen explained with genuine regret. Both Bucky and Steve exchanged looks without saying anything.

“We understand, you do what you have to do,” said Steve, resting a hand on his shoulder to give him a couple of pats before retiring along with his fiancé.

“He really acts like a grandfather sometimes,” Stephen murmured watching them go with disbelief.

“I know,” said Tony, a satisfied smile on his face after getting rid of Miss Mydma. “Anyway, as I was saying…”

“Right, as you were saying,” he said returning his smile.

“We could…”

“Mr. Stark, I don’t want to alarm you but Miss Mydma is in the house! Did Pepper finally get fed up with you and Doctor Strange tiptoeing around each other?” And now he had to get rid of certain Underoos before he accidentally revealed his secret identity.

“Guess I’ll see you around,” Tony said lamely.

“Yeah, see you around,” Stephen smiled.

***

The day of the wedding finally arrived. Of course, given the importance of the event (and Rogers' refusal to keep it private), big television networks sent their representatives to broadcast it, which was why Peter was dressed in his Spiderman suit that day. Well, at least Tony lent him a tuxedo to wear over it.

“Are you really trying to keep your identity hidden or do you just have a very ugly face?” Asked Shuri, a grin on her face.

“It’s not fair, not everyone can come as royalty without drawing attention,” he replied unable to not feel embarrassed.

“So, you’re not royalty, interesting…” He groaned, earning a new laugh. “Come on, Stark said you would show me the labs until the wedding started.”

“Oh, right!” Peter said suddenly excited. “This way!”

Tony watched them smile with a small smile on his face. At least they were having fun.

“Still no answer?” Asked Pepper watching the teenagers along with him.

“Nope,” He sighed. “They should’ve landed by now, I don’t understand why he wouldn’t… Am I sounding too crazy?”

“No more than usual,” Pepper answered helpfully. “I’m surprised he hasn’t texted back by now, but maybe his phone isn’t working well.”

“That’s what happens when you don’t get a Stark Phone…”

“Right, right,” Pepper said rolling her eyes. “Care to accompany me in my search for a seat for the ceremony?” She requested offering her arm.

“It would be my pleasure,” He answered returning her smile.

“May I offer you a canapé?” they heard more than once as they moved through the crowd.

Everyone had come, Avengers both new and old, including Clint, who had taken a day out of retirement to attend, along with Fury, Maria Hill and a surprisingly alive Phil Coulson, as well as the self-proclaimed “Guardians of the Galaxy”, probably the weirdest group of the party.

And yet, none of them were prepared when, surprise, surprise, little Miss Hadrea Mydma turned out to be the head of Hydra’s resurgence, going as far as to reintroduce herself as Madame Hydra. Of course, she had to be that kind of villain.

As soon as they all started coughing and doubling in pain-result of the poisoned food and drink-, the waiters took off their aprons, revealing the weapons they had been hiding under them and started firing while they all rushed either to seek shelter or attack. To make matters worse, the systems had been hacked so he couldn’t ask Friday to contact any kind of help.

“But we destroyed Hydra!” exclaimed Natasha.

“You know what we say, if a head is cut off…” started saying Madame Hydra.

“…two more shall take its place.” Steve completed, standing next to Madame Hydra with a rather calm expression on his face.

“Steve?” called Natasha, confused by his sudden change of attitude.

“Hail Hydra,” Steve said, knocking her out.

And that’s when the fight began. Bucky was the first to get to Steve, but no matter how much he tried to reason with him, there was no use, and it ended with him giving a blow that sent Steve flying against the nearest table.

“I’m sorry,” he mumbled, turning now towards Madame Hydra with a furious expression on his face.

“Should I feel threatened by that?” Madame Hydra asked while raising an eyebrow.

“Take it from a guy with experience, you should,” said Tony, his suit ready to attack now that he knew the few civilians invited were under cover. However, all he got was a sly smirk.

“Lucky me, I have reinforcements,” Tony looked at her soldiers.

“They might be good enough for one Winter Soldier, but let’s see what they can do about Gods like us and the Hulk!” exclaimed Thor, who along with his fellow Asgardians seemed to be least affected by the poison. It was difficult to say how well Bruce was handling the poison, but he was already turning green so they could all guess he would be okay.

“I think we will manage,” Madame Hydra said as a golden ring appeared in the middle of the saloon. For a moment, Tony feared that they had somehow managed to brainwash Stephen too, but then he saw the face and recognized it immediately.

“Mordo,” he spat, watching him quickly make a couple of enchantments with which he got rid of the Revengers. The only thing he could hear, was Loki’s brief: “Not the fall again!”

“Aren’t you supposed to be helping Stephen and Wong?” he began asking when the man turned towards him, but then something more alarming went through his mind: “What have you done to them?”

“I don’t owe you any justification,” Mordo answered, “but just so you know, they are fine. After all, Stephen doesn’t need to know what’s going on here and I’m sure that, with the right guidance, both him and Wong will eventually see things my way,” he explained with a twisted smile as new sparks left his hands.

At that moment, Tony realized that to die fighting an alien invasion didn’t sound so bad when compared to dying at his ex-crush's wedding.