Fondue
Working Things Out

"It seems to be common, someone not realizing how important they are to someone else..." Wong said quietly.

Stephen nodded, shooting a glance in Mordo's direction.

Fury simply passed the microphone over to Mordo.

Mordo took it and gave a slightly wry smile. "Sometimes even those in authority might make mistakes. It's important to remember that none of us are perfect...."

****

Mordo was packing.

Well, packing wasn't entirely the right word for it. He'd started and stopped doing so, several times over. In spite of the hurt and sense of betrayal he was feeling, part of him didn't truly want to leave. He just couldn't think of another possible path to take, given how much emotional turmoil he was in.

Wong had watched Stephen moping for the last day, unable to reconcile what he'd felt was the right decision with Mordo's upset and complete disagreement with the decision. He could tell the other man would spiral if he and Mordo didn't settle things, but Stephen seemed reluctant to confront Murdo to do the settling. Because of that, he went looking for his brother, hoping to convince Mordo to talk with Stephen. He was honestly surprised to find the other man packing. "Are you going on a trip?" he asked suspiciously.

"I'm leaving." Mordo meant the words to sound certain...sure...but they came out more hesitant than he'd hoped. If he'd really wanted to leave, deep down, he would have been packed and leaving by this point.

"Why? There is no need..." Wong felt a momentary panic that his brother would go and never be seen again before he realized Mordo didn't truly want to go. If he was patient and said the right thing, the crisis could be averted.

"Because I cannot reconcile what has happened with my own beliefs," Mordo said. "I can't see any other path open to me."

"There is always another path. The simplest path in this instance is to talk to Stephen and me- since I assisted Stephen- and come to an understanding..." Wong said calmly, though he wasn't truly calm.

"What is there to talk about?" Mordo asked. "I cannot agree with or condone the actions that were taken."

"Then you handle it in a way that lets that be known without leaving. Without discussing it." Wong's voice was firm and he couldn't hide his disappointment that Mordo would throw away everything without even a small attempt to find a way to reconcile his feelings and beliefs with what was done.

"I don't know how," Mordo said. "Every time I try to think about how to fix things, I can't let go of them. My feelings. The anger, hurt, feeling of betrayal. I can't let them go."

"I'm not asking you to let them go. I'm asking you to not let them dictate your actions. You don't have to leave because of a disagreement. You've made it clear you don't agree with what was done. But there weren't many, if any, other options available that wouldn't result in thousands dying." Wong sighed. "Your input is crucial. It might prevent us from being in the same position in the future. But only if you are here to offer your input."

"My input has been ignored once already," Mordo said. His eyes shifted to his open pack...half-filled with clothing and books he didn't want to leave behind.

"Only because Stephen couldn't see any other options and at heart, he is a healer. He saves lives. Did you expect him to just do nothing? Your objections were noted, but you didn't offer any alternatives." Wong's voice was stern.

"I wasn't listened to." Mordo could hear he sounded like a petulant child, even to his own ears, and he winced and put a hand to his head, closing his eyes for a brief second. Below the surface, he was hurt. Deeply hurt.

Wong heard the hurt and gave Mordo a worried look. "You must realize that just because someone chooses a different path than you recommended, doesn't mean you were ignored or not listened to? Stephen heard every word you said. But when he took your opinion and put it against all the options, he made the decision that he had to do what you were against. And he feels horribly about it. He explained it to me when I had to stop him from running away and doing something ill-advised."

Mordo felt a stab of worry, because, in spite of everything, he did still care about Stephen and worried about the oher man. "I take it you succeeded in preventing him from running away," he said quietly.

"Yes. Just barely. And then only after I gave him incentive to stop and think first..." Wong said, with a hint of exasperation that 'incentive' had been needed and eying Mordo sternly. "Do I need to incentivise you?"

"It feels like leaving is the better option." Mordo wasn't exactly arguing. And he didn't want to leave. But his mind wasn't in the place it needed to be so that he could deal with this with a clear head. Leaving was running away...but it felt safer than dealing with his own hurt and sense of betrayal.

"Yes, well, your feelings and pride were hurt. Listening to them, without giving yourself time to calm down and think things through without the negative feelings, serves no one and you'll regret it," Wong asserted, reaching out and taking Mordo by the wrist and tugging him toward the bed. "So I'm going to give you incentive to wait until you calm down to make such a life-altering decision."

Mordo really thought that he should argue...that he should protest, even if it was just a token one. He didn't. Instead, he found himself following his friend...his brother. He hoped Wong could help him.

Wong truly hoped this worked. It wasn't just because Stephen would have a difficult time moving forward if it didn't. He was more worried about what would become of Mordo, should his brother let bitterness and disillusionment consume him. As soon as he reached the bed, he sat, then tugged Mordo over his lap. Pulling the other man tight against him to keep him securely in place, he then bared him.

Mordo took a deep breath and slowly reached down, closing his fingers around Wong's ankle. He didn't say anything, but his trust in his brother...his belief that Wong would help him...was clear.

Steeling himself and taking a deep but silent breath, Wong raised his hand and let it fall in the first firm smack. Soon, he was peppering Mordo's backside with the hard swats. There was no rhyme or reason... no pattern... he needed to break Mordo from the self-pitying anger that was holding him hostage, and the best way he could see was making it so Mordo could think of nothing but what Wong was doing.

Mordo couldn't stop the tiny whimper that escaped him at the first smack. He managed to avoid making any other sounds, even though he couldn't help shifting, as the spanking continued. Wong was swatting in such a way that made it impossible to predict or prepare himself for when the next one would fall, making it difficult for Mordo to get 'lost' inside his own head.

Wong shook his head at Mordo's stubbornness; the man was refusing to allow himself to respond, though he really wasn't surprised at the fact. If Morgo wasn't stubborn in his belief that only he could be right and anyone who had a different opinion was deliberately ignoring him or disregarding him, they wouldn't be in this situation. He turned Mordo's backside a uniform pink color, then began swatting already smacked territory. "Being disappointed when someone decides not to follow your advice is understandable. Being offended and deciding their difference of opinion means they don't value or respect you is unfair and unreasonable. Deciding to leave without word or having a discussion with them is just wrong."

Mordo hadn't really been fighting the punishment, even though he'd been fighting...or at least resisting...his reactions. At the words Wong spoke, and the worsening sting, he felt tears fill his eyes, blurring his vision and beginning to trickle down his cheeks. "I didn't want to leave," he whispered.

Wong allowed himself to lessen the strength of the swats, even if he didn't stop them. "And I'm very glad that you didn't want to leave. But you were still going to do it. You were going to leave, which wouldn't have solved any of the problems and would have made you miserable. How is that good for anyone?"

The tears became more vocal, even though Mordo wasn't outright sobbing. "It's...not," he admitted, his voice breaking around the words. He didn't say that he'd been unable to face his own emotiions and feelings of betrayal. Even if they weren't logical or right, he hadn't been able to let them go.

Wong slowed the smacks and then stopped them completely when he heard the sobs. Resting his hand on Mordo's back, between his shoulders, he said softly, "I know you feel lied to... Betrayed. The Ancient One led us all to believe one thing while doing the very thing she spoke against... But Stephen wasn't saying one thing and doing another. He was just doing his best to save people in the only way he saw available. And he feels guilty for doing so. Don't leave angry at him. Talk to him. Do whatever is necessary to repair the rift between you, if that is what you both want. Don't throw away your own happiness and future because we put our trust in a flawed human who ended up being a hypocrite. Stay, brother. We need you. I need you."

Those words, and the touch, brought more tears down Mordo's cheeks and he slumped over Wong's lap, crying. "I'm sorry," he whispered through his tears. "I don't want to leave. I won't leave. I'll talk to Stephen," he whispered.

"Good. That makes me very relieved and happy," Wong admitted. He carefully fixed Mordo's clothing before helping him to his feet. Standing next to his brother, he enveloped him in a tight hug. "You aren't alone..." he whispered.

Mordo wrapped his own arms around Wong, hugging his brother tightly. "I feel that," he whispered. "Thank you."

"You are very welcome. You are family. My brother. I love you too much to let you leave," Wong admitted brusquely.

"I appreciate that, and I love you too." Mordo drew in a deep breath. "I won't leave," he promised.

Wong relaxed at the words, believing his brother. "I'm very happy at that. I know someone else who will be very happy and relieved about it as well," he responded, hinting heavily.

Mordo couldn't help the tiny smile that touched his lips. "I will speak to him," he promised.

Wong nodded. "I told him to go rest. Dormamu... Was not kind to him. He didn't say anything, but the look in his eyes...." He sighed.

Mordo winced. Wong wasn't exactly accusing him, but Mordo was aware that his distance hadn't done Stephen any good. "I wouldn't be surprised if he wasn't actually resting," he admitted.

Wong frowned at that. "Well, I certainly hope he isn't practicing magic. He could become quite ill with strain if he doesn't allow himself time to recover."

"It would not surprise me if he is. I'm fully aware of how stubborn Stephen can be." Mordo stepped out of Wong's embrace, a little reluctantly, and wiped at his eyes.

"He is that. And I suspect you are correct about what he is likely doing. Perhaps you can help him realize he hasn't lost you as feared..." Wong smiled.

 Mordo nodded. "Are you going to come?" he asked.

Wong slanted his head. "If you need me there, I will. But I think it would be good for you both to settle your differences without my input."

"I think you are right," Mordo agreed. "If I do find that I need you, I will send you a message." He gave his brother a peaceful smile, then left the room in search of Stephen.

Wong nodded in agreement and watched his brother head off to find Stephen.

***

Stephen had intended to go to his room and rest, as Wong had advised. But once there, he was too guilt laden and heartsick about how he had hurt Mordo to be able to rest effectively. He'd brought some old spell tomes to his room to study, so instead of resting, he began to practice the spells inside.

Standing outside Stephen's room, Mordo knocked on the door.

"Yeah..." Stephen responded distractedly, focusing more on the spell he was clumsily attempting (being tired and wounded wasn't helping concentration or ability) than on the door.

Well, that answered the question about whether Stephen was awake or not. The obvious note of distraction in his voice was also a good indicator that the other man wasn't resting and was probably doing the exact opposite of what Wong had ordered him to do.

Mordo opened the door and stepped into the room, pulling the door closed behind him.

Stephen was so engrossed in what he was attempting, he didn't even glance to see who had entered the room. He assumed it was Wong, because Mordo had been furious with him and he was positive the other man would never speak to him again. So, without even making sure, he began to make excuses. "I know you told me to rest, but I really can't relax enough to sleep and just lying there staring at the ceiling, tossing and turning, wasn't helping...."

"Stephen." Mordo took a deep breath, not quite sure how to say the next words. In a normal situation, he would have immediately known what to do. It wouldn't have mattered which one of them had told Stephen to rest.

Stephen jerked at hearing Mordo's voice instead of Wong's, a haunted look flittering through his eyes before he put a mask of indifference up. "I thought you had left," he said faintly, unable to hide the hurt, worry, or guilt he felt.

"I'm not leaving." Mordo hadn't missed the haunted look on Stephen's face...nor did he miss the other emotions his brother was feeling. He took a step nearer to Stephen, looking over the other man.

Stephen swallowed hard, fidgeting and glancing away, unable to look Mordo in the eyes while the other man looked over him. "You were furious..." he said uncertainly, the unspoken 'with me' hanging in the air between them.

"I was," Mordo said quietly. "I'm not anymore." He moved closer, to the point that he could reach out and touch his brother. "Where are you wounded?"

"I'm not... Or at least, I don't think I am. Everything was done, and redone, and undone so many times..." Stephen winced at the frightened, lost little boy tone in his voice that he couldn't prevent. He felt like he'd been scrambled like an egg, physically and mentally.

"You should let me take a look," Mordo directed softly. "I might not be medically trained like you, but I have experience in dealing with injuries caused by magic."

Stephen swallowed hard again, still unable to face Mordo. "I... I can't..." he whispered. "I don't deserve your help and if I hurt, it is only a result of my own actions. A fitting reminder of my pride causing my fall...."

"No, Stephen," Mordo said firmly. "You don't deserve to hurt. And I'm not going to leave you in pain. Not when I can do something about it. Not when it isn't necessary for you to be in pain." Worry and concern for his brother overwhelmed every other emotion.

"I hurt you... I didn't want to. I hate myself for doing it, even if I saw no other way. I can't..." Stephen stopped talking, helpless to explain and not certain Mordo would understand anyway.

Mordo didn't try to claim that Stephen's actions hadn't hurt him. They both knew otherwise. Instead, he said quietly, "I understand now why you took the actions you did. And I don't blame you. I love you, brother. Let me help you. Please."

At Mordo's words, Stephen finally looked up. It was obvious he was being tormented by guilt, as well as what had happened to him in Dormamu's realm. He searched Mordo's face. "Would that help you feel better?" he asked, in a small voice.

"Taking care of you will help." Mordo could see the look on Stephen's face and he couldn't help but respond. He stepped forward, wrapping his arms around Stephen and hugging his brother. The embrace didn't have a lot of strength behind it, as he didn't want to hurt Stephen worse, but he held as tight as he felt he safely could.

At feeling Mordo's embrace, Stephen slumped against the other man with a tiny little sob. If Mordo was hugging him, then he could trust that his brother didn't hate him. Even if he was still disappointed or angry. "I'm sorry..." he whispered.

"I forgive you," Mordo whispered back. While he held onto his brother, he took advantage of their close proximity to carefully begin checking Stephen over...searching for injuries or wounds.

Physically, Stephen had a few cuts and scrapes... A few more bruises... But it was mentally and spiritually that the wounds were deep. At Mordo's words of forgiveness, he began to cry, hard; heaving, choking sobs that cut off his breath. He didn't fight Mordo checking him over. He made it as easy as possible, shifting where needed to give his brother access. He even moved his clothing when necessary, stopping short of disrobing, but only because undressing didn't occur to him.

Mordo was examining Stephen mentally and spiritually as much as he was physically. While he wasn't a healer of physical wounds, he could help with the spiritual and mental ones...and he did so, soothing the mental wounds. He kept close to Stephen, even as he began to strip his brother of his clothing, so that he could check Stephen over as thoroughly as possible.

As Mordo worked on healing him, Stephen slowly relaxed. By the time he was naked, his sobs had quieted to sniffles and he was obviously doing his best to obey whatever Mordo asked verbally or silently. He felt so guilty for hurting Mordo, even if he hadn't seen any alternatives he could have taken. "Will you punish me? For hurting you? Please? I can't make it right and I'm so sorry...." he whimpered softly.

Mordo hugged Stephen a little tighter and whispered, "I will punish you. I have already forgiven you, though. And I still love you. I'm not angry anymore," he promised. Finishing the healing and treating the cuts and bruises he could see, he then guided his brother over to the bed and took a seat on it.

Stephen visibly relaxed at the words, calming further at knowing Mordo would take care of him. He followed meekly as Mordo went to the bed.

Taking a seat on the bed, Mordo guided Stephen into position across his lap, securing him with an arm wrapped around his waist. Once he was sure Stephen was secure enough that he wouldn't fall, he lifted his hand and let it fall in a firm smack that he then repeated.

Stephen immediately went limp, holding onto Mordo's ankle. He didn't fight at all, too relieved that his brother would stay. Too relieved that the guilt would be taken care of. "Thank you...."

"I love you," Mordo said, softly and reassuringly, even as he continued to swat, making the smacks more stinging than truly hard. This was more about the two of them reconnecting than it was true punishment, after all.

"I love you too... So much... Was tearing me up inside... Thinking I'd destroyed our family..." Stephen admitted in a tiny voice, holding more tightly to Mordo's ankle. Even if the swats were only stinging, the sting was building up. It felt like a real punishment, even if it wasn't harsh.

"You haven't," Mordo promised. "You haven't destroyed our family. I'm here. I'm here and I'm not leaving. I will never leave you." He continued to swat as he spoke, covering every inch of Stephen's backside before starting over from the top.

"You'll stay? Even when I infuriate you? Even when I disappoint you?" Stephen let out a tiny sob.

"I'll stay. No matter what," Mordo promised. "I'll stay with you, my brother."

"Good. Can't live without you..." Stephen whispered.

"You won't." Mordo had completed the second circuit by this point and he began a third, swatting a fraction harder and faster.

Stephen whimpered softly, unable to stop himself from squirming. By this point, the sting felt more like a slight burn. It helped him feel closer to Mordo, though; like he was truly paying for hurting his brother.

"I've got you," Mordo said. "I'm here, brother." As he continued to swat, his other hand rubbed gently over Stephen's back, keeping in constant physical contact with his brother.

"You... You have me... You forgive me... We aren't broken..." Stephen gasped out, before beginning to cry hard; not because of the spanking, though his bottom was very sore by this point, but because he finally could believe he hadn't lost Mordo because of a choice he'd needed to make. He still had his family, whole, and it was all he needed. He finally slumped, boneless. This time, the submission wasn't because he felt guilty and in need of being punished; it was because he was leaving everything in Mordo's hands. His brother would decide when he'd had enough. All he needed to know was that his brother was there.

Mordo stopped spanking and moved Stephen carefully into his arms, cuddling his brother tightly on his lap. Kissing the side of his head, he murmured reassuringly, "I have you. I forgive you. We aren't broken. I love you and I'm here," he promised.

"I was so scared, Mordo..." Stephen cried softly, clinging to his brother like a life-line. It was clear he wasn't just talking about losing Mordo. His experience with Dormamu had changed him. He wasn't as cocky or over-confident, even if he pretended to the outside world; inside with his family? He let the fact he was uncertain and afraid show clearly.

Mordo tightened his embrace. "I know," he whispered. "You're safe now, but it'll take time to really believe that. I think I should stay with you at night, for the rest of this week at least." He suspected it might need to be longer, depending on how bad the nightmares were, but they could see how things went for the week.

"O...okay..." The fact Stephen quickly agreed instead of arguing was telling. Dying repeatedly for millions of years in millions of ways, he knew he was lucky to have retained his sanity.

"I'll let Wong know," Mordo said. "He may think it's a good idea for the three of us to stay in the same room." Stephen's lack of arguing was slightly worrying. "Have you slept at all?" he asked softly.

"Afraid to sleep..." Stephen reluctantly admitted, obviously ashamed.

Mordo nodded, not that surprised. "It might help if you're not alone when you try to sleep. It would also likely help to talk to a therapist. We do have some we can reach out to...."

Stephen nodded, pressing closer to his brother. "If you think I should, I will..." he said, unwilling to go against his brother's advice when it wasn't necessary and was good advice on top of that.

"I think it would be a good idea," Mordo said. "Having a professional help you."

"Okay..." Stephen whispered, snuggling against his brother. He was obviously having more difficulty dealing with what had happened than he'd been admitting, even to Wong.

Mordo brushed a kiss against the top of his head. "I've got you," he promised. "I'm here for you."

"I thought I'd lost you... I didn't know what to do..." Stephen said, in a tiny voice.

"You haven't lost me," Mordo whispered reassuringly. "I love you, Stephen. Nothing has changed between us."

"I love you too... So much. My big brother..." Stephen sniffled, continuing to snuggle.

Mordo held his brother close, the turmoil he had been feeling now soothed entirely.

Stephen, finally free if the anguish of believing he'd lost his brother snuggled close, yawned, and fell asleep in Mordo's arms.

Mordo situated Stephen enough that his brother would be comfortable, drawing a blanket over him, and then settled in to hold and 'protect' Stephen while his brother slept.

****

"I remember when that happened... I was in Malibu at the time and trying to figure out how to fight something like that when suddenly, the crisis was averted. I knew you were involved, but I couldn't tell how badly it affected you...* Tony said quietly.

"Yeah... well... No one outside of your immediate family could tell how badly the battle against the Chitauri affected you. So... Guess we're all good at pretending we're alright. At least with those who don't know us well." Stephen smiled crookedly.

"More like the only ones you can let yourself fall apart around are those you trust implicitly and know have your backs." Fury snorted softly, smiling slightly.