#Doctor Strange x OFC

[sobeautifullyobsessed]

'It's Not the Years, Honey - It's the Mileage'

a Whumped Doctor Strange one-shot

Inspired by a couple of pre Multiverse of Madness articles comparing Stephen Strange to Indiana Jones😉😁

genre: whump, hurt/comfort, light humor

rating: general audience

characters: Stephen Strange, Tess O'Neill (Healer of Kamar-Taj, OFC); established relationship; Cloak of Levitation

word count: 1.9k

It was supposed to have been date night, but Stephen was overdue. Three hours overdue. Again. Tess had taken these things in stride, right from the start. After all, you can’t be lucky enough to be the significant other of the Sorcerer Supreme without being incredibly patient, understanding, and flexible. Besides which, he was always so adorable when he finally found his way home, sincere in his apologies, and more often than not, presenting her with a fresh bouquet, which he managed to conjure even before he uttered a single word. Tonight’s transgression was bound to be a two dozen roses mea culpa--and she just knew he’d make them her favorite: pale pink American Beauties.

Not that he ever needed to. His company was dear enough recompense for any time he kept her waiting. Except for the worrying, of course, but Tess had quickly adjusted to that, and so far she hadn’t made any complaint, no matter how late her Stephen managed to show up. She’d rather spend their precious time on more pleasant pursuits--and on showing him however she could, how happy he made her simply by being...him. 

And so, Tess had adjusted down their plans. First, from dinner out and a movie, to take-out and the latest blu-ray release. And then from that, to something she could whip up, quick and easy, in the Sanctum’s smaller kitchen. Stephen was bound to be hungry when he arrived, and she had a hearty pot of stew simmering on the stove and a batch of honey cornbread ready to pop into the oven while he cleaned up. 

Tess had just given the stew another stir, when she felt a tapping on her shoulder. She turned to find Cloak looking battle singed and...well...harried. How this being without a face could express such a wide range of emotions was a continual wonder to her--but right now her immediate reaction was to ask if Stephen was alright. 

Cloak’s collar shook a clear ‘no’, and then it tugged at her arm, to get her moving. She turned off the stove and moved the stewpot to another burner, and followed Cloak down the grand staircase. And there sat Stephen on the third step, head bowed and shoulders hunched, his bloodstained tunic rent in several places. Tess’s heart leapt to her throat, though she tried to remain calm, realizing that he needed her as a Healer tonight, far more than as the woman who loved him. 

She dropped to one knee in front of him, noting that the shelf of his jaw bore a dark bruise, and that he had a nasty cut across the bridge of his nose, a black eye and a split lip. “Hey,” she said softly, reaching her sure hands towards him, studying his wounds with practiced eyes, evaluating which she should address first. Thankfully, the blood on his clothing was dried, so that Tess concluded he wasn’t actively bleeding. “What happened,” she asked quietly, concerned to see him breathe shallowly, as breathing any deeper appeared to make him wince. 

“You don’t wanna know,” he muttered, as she placed both of her palms on his chest and closed her eyes, searching for any internal damage. 

“Ow...ow...ow...owwwwwwww,” he grumbled, “Is this really necessary?” 

Cloak was flitting back and forth, giving the closest approximation of pacing as possible. “It certainly is, as well you know...Doctor.” To that he only grunted, then followed with a heavy groan when she palpated his lower ribs and abdomen. “Stephen,” she informed him patiently, “You’ve got at least three cracked ribs...” 

“I know,” he replied curtly, “Don’t you think I know that?”

Tess tried to placate him. “Of course you do--but there’s no need to be pissy about it. It’ll just take a simple healing spell to start them knitting properly together.” 

“I...know,” he repeated through gritted teeth, attempting to stand. Cloak had to swoop in to keep him from landing hard on his bottom. 

Tess rose and wiped her hands on her denim capris. “Cloak, can you get him up to the infirmary, so I can take care of him properly?” 

Cloak nodded, but Stephen had other ideas. “No infirmary--just get me to my room...” 

Honestly, doctors really do make the worst patients, she thought, although she held her tongue, telling Stephen instead, “Nope. It’s the infirmary for you.” He huffed, but didn’t speak up. “And that’s Healer’s orders, Stephen. I outrank you in this, at least for the moment...” 

“Yeah, yeah,” he grumbled dismissively. He handed her his sling ring, “We can portal there--it’ll be quicker and a less bumpy trip than relying on...” He wagged his head in Cloak’s direction. 

Tess had to suppress a chuckle, as Cloak’s reaction to that perceived insult was to turn its back to Stephen. “Alright,” she sighed, slipping his ring on and bringing the golden circle to life. She returned to his side and offered him a hand to help him stand up. “Just lean on me, and we’ll be there in a jiffy.” 

She could feel his aversion to appearing so needy, even as he braced himself with an arm across her shoulders, but knew well that it wasn’t on her account. Stephen generally disliked showing weakness to anyone, although as their relationship had blossomed, his trust in her had been enough for him to reveal much of what he hid from the world behind sarcasm and bravado. Tess had always taken such precious trust as both a privilege and an honor. Stiff lipped against his pain and leaning on her heavily, they hobbled through the portal and Tess led him to sit on the nearest bed. 

The infirmary was empty but for them, and she took a moment to close the portal, and then rushed to gather her supplies. Disinfectant and a basin of warm water, along with a washcloth and the softest, fluffiest towel she could conjure, for after she got him cleaned up. And bandages. Lots and lots of bandages. Tess returned to Stephen’s side to find him struggling to remove his tunic. She set down her things, telling him, “Here...let me...” 

“I’ve...got...this.” he grunted, though it was clearly hurting him to raise his arms above his head. 

“No. No you don’t,” she corrected him gently, “Please--just let me do my job, Stephen.” 

“Alright...alright...” He did his best to relax as she worked the garment over his head and off. Tess gasped at the network of contusions across his shoulders and upper chest. “Dammit, Tess...that hurts!” 

“I know, darling. I know.” To her relief, most of his bruises appeared superficial. “Let’s start by getting you cleaned up, okay.” Stephen nooded, and closed his eyes as she washed the cut on his nose, and several shallow scratches on his cheeks and chin, finally seeing to the split on his lower lip. 

Next, she addressed the wounds on his back, circling behind him and perching on the edge of the bed. She was relieved again to find that they were rather shallow as well, and made quick work of cleansing them. Tess chose that moment to speak to him as his woman, rather than as a Healer. “You know--you’re extremely fit for a man your age, darling. But it wouldn’t hurt to be a little more careful out there.”

“It’s not the years, honey...” he snorted, “...it’s the mileage...” Stephen had stiffened despite her gentle approach, but when she applied the disinfectant, he hissed out a string of very un-Stephen-like curses. 

“Don’t be such a baby,” she muttered, her patience beginning to strain.

“I’m not,” he responded petulantly. 

Coulda fooled me, she thought, but bit back that retort. A few minutes more and she had his wounds properly bandaged. Tess set aside the basin and the towel, telling him, “Now let’s see about those ribs. Do you think you can lay back? It’ll be easier that way.” 

“Of course I can,” he barked, “I’m not an invalid, you know.” 

No, you’re just the crankiest Master of the Mystic Arts that I've ever encountered. Bravest and most selfless too, so I suppose I can forgive your churlishness.

He winced when she placed her hands on his shoulders, helping to ease him onto his back. Closing her eyes again, she skimmed her hands above the skin covering his damaged ribs, whispering the charm needed to bolster his body’s natural healing ability. Satisfied that she had succeeded once she could feel the spell take root, Tess pulled her hands away and opened her eyes. Stephen’s were closed, and his face had gone slack with a look of relief. Good enough, she concluded, hoping he would sleep a long while to aid in healing. 

Still, she thought she could do a little something to speed the reduction in the nastiest of his contusions--and it would be best to try while he was asleep. She reached tentative fingers to Stephen’s right shoulder. His eyes flew open with a start, “Owwwwww...that’s still tender, you know!” 

“I’m just trying to help...” 

“Well...I don’t need a nurse anymore,” he groused, “I just want to sleep.” 

“If you let me see to these now, you’ll feel much better in the morning...” Tess trailed her fingertips along his jaw, channeling her own energy into relieving his pain. “Any better?”

"A little,” he pouted, “But it hurts...almost everywhere...”

There seemed to be no pleasing him this way--but still, it was her nature to try. Exasperated, she blurted out, “Well, dammit, Stephen--where doesn’t it hurt?” 

Looking defiant, he showed her his elbow, “Here.” Tess laid the softest kiss she could upon it. 

“And...and here,” he added, pointing to his forehead, his whole demeanor softening in response to her tenderness. Cautiously, Tess leaned in and planted a loving kiss there. Momentum had turned in her favor. 

Stephen pointed to his un-blackened eye, “Um...here?”

Tess smiled softly, watching his eyes flutter shut, and then brushed her lips as lightly as she could upon his eyelid. There was a moment as her face hovered over his, and the look when he opened his eyes made her heart start to melt--for within their mercurial depths, she saw both gratitude and an apology for his childish behavior. Stephen tapped his lips and murmured, “Here.” 

She wondered if he felt her indulgent smile as their lips finally met, but before too long their kiss had gone from chaste to something deeper and more enduring, as he relaxed completely under her loving ministration. When she finally pulled away, Tess found that her kiss had worked a magic of its own, and her beloved Stephen was out like a light. 

Tess arose and draped the sheet across him lightly, then levitated the next bed over and landed it flush against his. Her hunch was that he’d sleep through the night, but she wanted to be close by if he should need her. 

Come morning, she awoke to find him gone--can’t keep a good Sorcerer down for long, she mused--but in his place, he’d left three dozen pale pink American Beauties, and a small piece of handwritten parchment. It was brief but to the point:  

Thank you, honey. For everything. Love - your Stephen xx

tagging: @hithertoundreamtof23 @stewardofningishzida @ironstrange1991 @mousedetective @aphroditesdilemma @icytrickster17 @groovyqueer @battledress @aelaer @mckiwi @couldntbedamned

#my writing #whump #doctor strange whump #stephen strange whump #hurt/comfort #light humor #established relationship #'It's Not the Years Honey- It's the Mileage' #tw: blood #doctor strange fan fiction #doctor strange fanfiction #stephen strange fanfiction #stephen strange fan fiction #marvel fan fiction #marvel fanfiction #mcu fanfiction #mcu fan fiction #doctor strange x ofc #doctor strange x oc #stephen strange x ofc #stephen strange x oc #doctor strange #stephen strange #Tess O'Neill #Strangebatch #My Eternal Muse #Benedict Cumberbatch #My Constant Muse

[ebiemidnightlibrarian]

𝕺𝖙𝖍𝖊𝖗 𝕱𝖆𝖓𝖉𝖔𝖒𝖘

𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓

𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐕𝐄𝐋

𝑻𝒂𝒍𝒐𝒔

𝑳𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝑻𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 | 𝑻𝒂𝒍𝒐𝒔 𝒙 𝑴𝒖𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒕!𝑭𝒆𝒎!𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓 — 𝑻𝑩𝑨 [𝒐𝒏𝒆-𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒕]

𝑺𝒕𝒆𝒗𝒆 𝑹𝒐𝒈𝒆𝒓𝒔

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑻𝒆𝒎𝒑𝒆𝒔𝒕 | 𝑺𝒕𝒆𝒗𝒆 𝑹𝒐𝒈𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒙 𝑭𝒆𝒎!𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓 — 𝑻𝑩𝑨 [𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒕-𝒇𝒊𝒄]

𝑫𝒐𝒄𝒕𝒐𝒓 𝑺𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆

𝑳𝒂𝒅𝒚 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒖𝒔𝒕* | 𝑫𝒐𝒄𝒕𝒐𝒓 𝑺𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒙 𝑭𝒆𝒎!𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓 — 𝑻𝑩𝑨 [𝒐𝒏𝒆-𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒕]

𝑫𝒓𝒚𝒂𝒅* | 𝑫𝒐𝒄𝒕𝒐𝒓 𝑺𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒙 𝑭𝒆𝒎!𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓 — 𝑻𝑩𝑨 [𝒐𝒏𝒆-𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒕]

*the names might change later

𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐝

𝑫𝒓. 𝑷𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒑 𝑲. 𝑫𝒆𝒄𝒌𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒌𝒂 𝑶𝒍' 𝑩𝒖𝒕𝒕𝒐𝒏𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒆

𝑭𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒉 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑭𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒔𝒚 | 𝑷𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒑 𝑫𝒆𝒄𝒌𝒆𝒓 𝒙 𝑵𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒃𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒅!𝑭𝒆𝒎!𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓 — 𝑻𝑩𝑨 [𝒐𝒏𝒆-𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒕]

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐆𝐢𝐫𝐥𝐬

𝑫𝒐𝒓𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒚 𝒁𝒃𝒐𝒓𝒏𝒂𝒌

𝑯𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒂 𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕 | 𝑫𝒐𝒓𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒚 𝒁𝒃𝒐𝒓𝒏𝒂𝒌 𝒙 𝑳𝒊𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒂𝒏!𝑭𝒆𝒎!𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓 — 𝑻𝑩𝑨 [𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒕-𝒇𝒊𝒄]

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐞

𝑷𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝑯𝒖𝒎𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒌

𝑷𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒔 & 𝑺𝒆𝒂 𝑾𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒔 | 𝑷𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝑯𝒖𝒎𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒌 𝒙 𝑷𝒊𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆!𝑭𝒆𝒎!𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓 — 𝑻𝑩𝑨 [𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒕-𝒇𝒊𝒄]

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐲 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰

𝑫𝒓. 𝑭𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒌 𝑵' 𝑭𝒖𝒓𝒕𝒆𝒓

𝑰𝒏𝒔𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒚 | 𝑭𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒌 𝑵 𝑭𝒖𝒓𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒙 𝑭𝒆𝒎!𝑺𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒔𝒕!𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓 — 𝑻𝑩𝑨 [𝒐𝒏𝒆-𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒕]

𝐒𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤 𝐁𝐁𝐂

𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒌 𝑯𝒐𝒍𝒎𝒆𝒔

𝑴𝒖𝒓𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝑰𝒔 𝑶𝒏 | 𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒌 𝑯𝒐𝒍𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒙 𝑭𝒆𝒎!𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓 — 𝑻𝑩𝑨 [𝒐𝒏𝒆-𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒕]

#sherlock bbc x reader #frank n' furter x reader #prince humperdink x ofc #prince humperdink x reader #dr. decker x reader #dr. decker x ofc #dorothy zbornak x ofc #dorothy zbornak x reader #talos marvel x reader #talos marvel x ofc #steve rogers x female reader #steve rogers x ofc #doctor strange x ofc #doctor strange x reader #ebie's masterlist #ebie's writing

[cherryfinolahobbes]

Autumn Leaves

Prompt Series #1

Shipping/Pairing - Cosmic hearts (OT3 Stephen Strange/OFC/Wong)/ Magic Hearts (Stephen Strange/OFC

A/N: I really want to get back into writing and I found this lovely little list of prompts that aren’t too specific, but aren’t super vague either. I get a lot of my inspiration for Stephen from @mastersofkamartaj but I am also working into making him my own. This is my first true snippet trying to write the mystical doctor.

Warnings: None (just some fluff and suggestive talk…I mean cocktails)

Tagging: @mastersofkamartaj @kakashibabe02

If you’d like tagged in this series, please let me know!

Disclaimer: I dont own anything Doctor Strange or MCU or Marvel. I only own Cherry and my own plots. This is done for entertainment only.

PROMPT: Leaves Crunching Under Your Boot

The smell of autumn was the best time. The air always seemed smokier, full of scents, especially when the leaves littered the ground. Cherry smiled, enjoying the sound of the crunching carpet of red, gold, and brown under her boots as she walked through the park. The scent was unlike anything else. It was sweet and fresh but with the underlying cloying notes of decay. It was one of those scents a candle always tried to capture and failed, like the scent of ozone after a summer rain or of fresh cut grass or baking bread. There was nothing like the scent of breaking leaves, ground to essence by the trampling of feet, hearing them crackle and giving up their perfume like taking her mortar and pestle to spices.

“You’re far away,” Said a voice at her elbow and she nearly forgot that she wasn’t alone. Tall, lean and ruddy cheeked, Stephen Strange walked beside her, a newly acquired coffee in hand that steamed from the vent in the lid. Autumn really was here in full force.

“Just enjoying the weather,” She said with a smile, looking over at him. “You don’t like the leaves?”

“I’d like to be on a beach with a mai tai,” He countered as she took his elbow. He took a pull on his coffee and Cherry chuckled. So, he was going to be prickly today.

“That does sound nice,” She admitted, walking a little closer to him. “But that’s not what I asked,”

The cold made his hands hurt and when his hands hurt he withdrew, and when he withdrew this was what he greeted the world with. It probably didnt help he and Wong were out all night battling some *thing* they equally agreed she shouldn’t be told about so who knew what else he was battling with inside his head.

Stephen let out a long suffering sigh as she prodded him and seemed to take a moment, looking around them, with the trees in a riot of colors and some naked, just black skeletal forms dotting the landscape around them. The park was beautiful today with its overcast grey sky that seemed to make the colors of the trees even more bright, but it was cold. They were both layered against the insistent wind that tugged at their hair and kissed their cheeks rosy.

“The leaves are beautiful,” He admitted, before turning his sea glass gaze to her and she could see the thorny walls he kept up to keep out the world lower. “But I think of something I’d rather be looking at,” He leaned down, his mouth stretching toothily as he was close enough for her to feel his breath on her skin and his voice, low and velvety, was just for her ears. “And *doing*,”

A small giggle escaped her before his lips, warm from coffee and tasting like it, captured hers. Now her own cheeks were heating up as she pressed her mouth back to his, “Mmm, more than mai tais on the beach?”

“Maybe *sex on the beach*, “ He grinned, a long elegant, but shaky hand coming to pull at her waist, bringing her closer to him. “ or a *screwdriver* or a *long screw against a wall*?” He kept teasing in the low tone of his until her toes curled.

“Stephen,” She laughed breathily at him,leaning up for another coffee flavored kiss.

“What? Just wanted to give you options if you didn’t like Mai Tais, Pet,” He chuckled, his eyes glittering with mischief before wrapping an arm around her and guiding her further down the sidewalk.

#cosmic hearts #shipping tag #fluff #Drabbles #fanfic #doctor strange x female reader #doctor strange x reader #doctor strange x ofc #doctor strange x oc #mcu oc #autumn #autumn prompts #writing #cherry close to my heart #mcu #Doctor Stephen strange #magic hearts

[mysticartsydaydream]

When Stephen and Annabelle’s car drives off the rails and into the metaphysical unknown, things get a little... trippy.

Find out what happens next!

#the chain (keep us together) #doctor strange x ofc #stephen strange x ofc #annabelle rogers #stephen strange #doctor strange #amelia stark #thor odinson #scott lang #kate bishop #clint barton #my fic

[girl-of-many-fandoms]

distractions

Pairing: Stephen Strange x Reader

Summary: Y/N needs a distraction from it all and her fiance is more than willing to give her one.

Warnings: SMUT! 18+ MINORS DNI! Unprotected sex (do the right thing), bondage, Stephen being a tease.

MASTERLIST

---

Y/N’s been stressed out lately with work for the past couple weeks. Just like Stephen, Y/N was also a well known neurosurgeon and lately her list of expired patients has grown exceptionally. For the life of her she couldn’t tell what exactly was the problem; was it her or was her patients too far gone before they got onto the table?

Releasing a heavy sigh, Y/N let herself into her home and locked the door behind her. Stephen closed the book in his hands and put it off to the side, his charming smile slowly dimmed once he saw the glum look on his fiance’s face. He watched as she dropped her keys and purse on the table in the hallway and kicked off her sneakers while fighting to hold back the tears.

“Hunnie?” 

“I’m gonna go take a shower.” 

Y/N headed straight for their bathroom, removing her clothes in the process. She needed to take a shower to wash off the sucky ass day she had, she didn’t even want to be around Stephen because all she saw when she looked at him was the neurosurgeon she’d never be and that made her even more sad. With the cold water running, Y/N stepped under, soaking her entire body from head to toe. 

“I’ll see you when you’ve finished working your magic doc.” 

“I’ll be right here waiting when you wake up.”

The sound of the water hitting the bathroom tiles muffled the ugly sobs she produced as she finally allowed herself to fall apart. Y/N held her hands to her chest, crying at the thought of what her patient’s last words to her were. She failed him, she failed herself and for some reason she felt like she failed Stephen too. 

 Stephen lightly pushed the bathroom door open and his heart broke seeing her in this state. He didn’t waste time stripping down and joined her in the shower; he pulled her back into his chest and wrapped his arms securely around her.

“Stephen please leave me alone.” She hiccupped trying to wiggle her way out of his hold but stopped once she realised that he didn’t plan on letting her go anytime soon. Stephen kissed the back of her head and shoulder, feeling her relax into his touch.

“I’m a failure.”

“You’re not, you’re an incredible surgeon who’s just going through a rough patch right now.”

“I failed my patients, their families, myself, you…” Stephen turned her around to face him but she found more interest in his pectoral muscles than looking up into his eyes. Using his index finger, Stephen tilted her head back forcing her to look at him as he spoke.

“You could never fail me darling. We’ve all lost people on the table, we all knew the risks and doing surgery on someone’s brain isn’t an easy thing to do. You did your best but sometimes, our best isn’t enough.” Stephen was right but she couldn’t help but blame herself still for the loss of her patients. 

“Kiss me.” 

“What?”

“Stephen I need a distraction so, kiss me. Kiss me until I forget everything.” Cupping her face in his hands, Stephen closed the distance between them, gently capturing her lips in a much needed kiss. Y/N guided her hands up his biceps up to his hair and grabbed a handful of it, ripping a groan from his chest.

Stephen backed her up until her back came into contact with the cold tiles; their innocent kiss took a sharp turn. Y/N broke apart for a second lightly biting down on his bottom lip in the process. Stephen’s hands roamed every inch of skin that they came into contact with on her body; she dragged her hands down his chest and abdomen.

“Mhmm.” 

Stephen’s eyes shut feeling her wrap her hand around his shaft, jerking him a couple times. Y/N trailed kisses along his strong jawline and column of his neck, nibbling on his exposed flesh. Stephen nudged her legs apart, running his fingers through her slick folds returning the favour. Y/N bucked her hips into his palm, grinding down on it for more stimulation on her clit. 

“You’re so needy baby.”

With his eyes locked with hers, Stephen lowered himself to his knees and hooked her right leg over his shoulder; he flattened his tongue against her lower lips, coating it in her sweet juices and dragged it up to her bundle of nerves making her squirm above him. Y/N tried to pull his head closer but the sorcerer used one of his handy moves, binding her hands together and holding them above her head.

“No touching.”

“I hate you.” 

Stephen smirked at her before delving back into her nether region licking and sucking, eating her out like a man starved. Y/N’s moans grew louder as Stephen brought her closer and closer to her much needed release. Rubbing his thumb back and forth on her clit, Stephen inserted two of his long digits into her needy hole, curling them to hit the particular spot that always had her squirming and begging for more.

“Fuck…don’t stop.” 

Y/N’s eyes shut in the midst of the pleasure that she was receiving from the sorcerer between her legs. Stephen loved hearing the sweet sounds she produced every time they had sex and he planned on hearing them all night long. Y/N’s walls pulsed as she got closer to her climax.

“Come for me baby, that’s it.” Stephen kept thrusting his fingers into her, smiling at the feeling of her release coating his hand. He replaced his hand with his mouth, lapping up her sweet juices as she grounded her cunt on his face.

“Stephen, I need you.” She dropped her leg from his shoulder as he stood up. Stephen motioned for her to turn around and she did, bending over with her palms on the wall for support. He jerked himself a couple times, lining himself up with her cunt. Stephen slowly inserted the tip of his cock in and removed it a couple times teasing her with what she craved most right now.

“Stephen please, stop teasing.”

“Where’s the fun in that?” 

Stephen didn’t leave room for her to rebut as he buried himself in her heat, stretching her out completely. Placing both hands on her hips, Stephen began pounding into her at a moderate pace. Their moans mixed with the slapping of skin on skin filled the bathroom which only encouraged him to continue his actions. 

Stephen pulled her hair back into a ponytail and pulled her head back to crash his lips against hers. Y/N pushed herself back to meet his thrusts; his fingers found her bundle of nerves again, stimulating her further.

“O-oh shit. I’m gonna-”

“Hold it.”

Stephen continued to fuck her into oblivion ensuring that Y/N was too preoccupied thinking about his cock buried inside of her rather than the recent crap she’s been dealing with at work. His thrusts became uneven as he chased his release; Y/N chanted his name like she was saying a prayer, begging to come. 

“Come for me babygirl.”

With a cry of his name, Y/N came on his cock, her walls clamped down on him which triggered his climax as well. Stephen bit down on her shoulder as he emptied his seed deep within her. He thrusted a couple more times as they rode out their high before completely removing himself. 

Y/N smiled feeling his sticky release seep from her cunt and down her inner thighs. Stephen released her arms from their binds and shut the water off.

"Come here." She pulled him down to meet her halfway, crashing their lips together. Stephen hoisted her up and she wrapped her legs around his waist. The sorcerer took them into their adjoining room and placed her on the bed. 

"Uh uh Strange, my turn." 

Y/N mustered all her strength and flipped them over; she was now straddling his lap while he lay there admiring her blissed out state.

"As you wish." 

---

MARVEL Taglist:

@dorks2022 @sophiaedits @peakascum @anonymoustip217 @iiddaaa @panaitbeatrice @n3ssm0nique @mintphoenix @inas-thing @sketch-and-write-lover @friskae @bernthalbabe43 @trinkets01 @blackcat420 @justreadingficsdontmindme @bakingpotatoes21 @hardcoppizzasludge @tanyaherondale @creatingjana @calimoi @rootcrop @louisianalady @chrisfucksblog @thummbelina @vicmc624 @leyannrae @janaev4ns @queenofkings1212 @believinghurts @poor-unfortunate-soul-85 @stumbleonmywords @youarethereasonimsmiling @juxtaposition-exe @wanda-1 @katzenwahnsinn @v0idl1nq @winksasleeplesseye

#stephen strange smut #stephen strange x ofc #stephen strange x reader #stephen strange x you #stephen strange #doctor strange x you #doctor strange x reader #doctor strange imagine #doctor strange #doctor strange smut #doctor strange multiverse of madness

[dexnnovk]

Where is my love?

a/n: can you tell how much I adore angst? Idk how i feel about this one, but i kinda like it??? Hope you’ll enjoy <33

summary: Stephen finds himself in a different universe. He goes to the Sanctum Sanctorum where he meets someone who’s been long gone, you.

pairing: Stephen Strange x variant!reader

word count: 1.8k

warnings: hurt no comfort, angst

The darkness around him felt heavy, oppressive, almost surreal. He was in New York, but it was nothing like the city he knew. Silver moonlight broke through heavy, dark clouds showing him even more of an atrocity that he wasn't able to see at first. A few mockingbirds were sitting on a dead tree, they tried to sing, but the sound that came out was almost like screams of tortured souls. This universe was rotten down to its core, even howls of the wind were dreadfully unwelcoming. He was pretty sure that he got stuck in an empty universe with no one to help him.

He walked through vacant streets wondering what happened to this place. All of the buildings were destroyed, with no grass on the ground, only dirt. Street after street of abandoned houses drowning in the darkness of this world looked the same. Each house was once a home, a home belonging to a family and now there was only hollowness and coldness. If there was hell he was sure that this was exactly how it looked like. The closer he got to the Sanctum Sanctorum the quieter the world got, even the wind seemed to be gone. When he finally saw the building shivers went down his spine, he had never seen so many dead birds laying around one place. He was never the one to believe in bad omens but this one made him want to turn around and run as far away as he possibly could. The dead bird is considered to be a symbol of discontentment, loss, grief and hopelessness. They also symbolise that the place that you're in is unsafe and he was aware of that. He looked at one of the birds lying next to his feet and noticed something on its crown, a symbol that he has seen only once before, in the book about the darkest magic. It looked like whoever did this was in possession of the darkhold and what was even worse, knew how to use it. He took a few deep breaths and walked towards the doors. If there was a way for him to come back to his universe it was through objects and books from the Sanctum. As he approached them the smell of rotten corpses was unbearable. Whatever was inside was probably as vile and wicked as what was outside.

Before he was able to push the door open, a portal appeared underneath him causing him to fall. He hit the wooden floors of the building's hallway. He immediately stood up ready to fight the person that opened that portal, but he was alone. His only companion was the silence that allowed him to hear his shaky breath. Much to his surprise, he didn't smell the corpses anymore but the sweet, familiar scent of paperwhites. He decided to follow it and as he did he entered the living room that looked just like the one in his New York except it was messier. He looked around and found plenty of ancient magic books tossed around the tables, some artefacts and a few weapons. What got his attention was a small frame laying on the floor a couple of metres away. It looked oddly familiar. He wiped out the thick layer of dust that revealed a broken glass underneath which was a picture of you and him. He was always happy while being next to you. No matter where his life was taking him as long as you were near he felt safe. Tears formed in his eyes, in his universe you were gone, you sacrificed yourself for the universe. Another version of him probably went through the same loss. Lost in the memory of you he didn’t hear someone coming down the stairs.

“Hello, Stephen” this voice, the one he would recognize anywhere, yours.

His eyes widened, you looked nothing like he remembered, you were tired, no, exhausted. Dark circles were under your fatigued eyes. Your face was sickly colourless, almost corpse-like. He was carefully analysing your features. He didn’t even realise that a sad smile formed on his face. You walked towards him and for the first time in this universe, he felt comfortable.

“y/n,” he said, trying not to break down in front of you. He missed you dearly. Back at home, he thought about every possible way to bring you back or at least to let him say goodbye. He tried to touch your cheek but you stopped him by grabbing his wrist. That’s when he noticed your fingers. They were black, cursed by the magic of the darkhold.

“Why?” he asked you.

“There was no other way” you stated. Before you were able to continue you got interrupted by coughing up your blood. “Fuck” you mumbled to yourself.

“It’s killing you,” Stephen said, it was obvious how concerned he was. You weren’t his, but he couldn’t bring himself to act like he does not care.

“I know” you responded.

“Then why? Why are you using the darkhold? I’ve seen this world… it’s almost dead” his voice was a little shaky.

“Because as I said there was no other way” you don’t remember the last time that you said anything and considering your health condition it was a miracle that you still were able to do so. “We fought against Galactus, we were losing. If we’d lost that day the whole multiverse would have paid a horrible price for it. You absorbed the power of all six infinity stones just to buy me a little time” you chewed on your lower lips nervously as you felt tears filling up your eyes. “You distracted him and I tried to trap him in a pocket dimension but he was too powerful already. I managed to do so but…” you took a deep breath.

“But even the spell from the darkhold wasn’t enough to keep him locked up. You have to protect it” he finished your sentence.

“Yes, that’s why I look like this” you turned your head and felt disgusted as you saw your reflection in a window.

“Did… I leave you?” he asked anxiously.

“In a way,” you said and he felt his heart stop. How could he leave you knowing the price that you had to pay for keeping the multiverse safe? “You couldn’t handle the power of all the infinity stones. I killed you and destroyed all of them except for the time stone” you explained. “I kept the time stone so I can be here and protect the spell” you continued.

“You’ll be here until the end of everything?” he tried to touch you again and this time you allowed him. The feeling of his palm on your shoulder made you grin.

“Yes,” you sighed knowing that all that you can expect is pain and suffering.

“You don't deserve this, you deserve the world. That’s not how things should be for you” he said, his voice shaking.

“Where am I in your world?” you asked and just by the expression on his face you knew the answer “Sometimes we need to put ourselves aside Stephen. I’ve had plenty of time to learn about the multiverse and us. In every universe, one of us, if not both, has to deal with eternal sacrifice. I wish it wasn’t like that, I wish there was at least one version of me and you living a happy life” you smiled at him. “But I don’t think it’s meant for us”.

He would love to say that you were wrong but he’d be lying. He was trying to remember if he ever dreamt about you laying in bed playing with his hair and not having to deal with any sort of threat. His dreams were always the same, either you or he were dying.

“Can I ask you about this picture?” he pointed at the frame he found earlier.

“That was the day you proposed. We went to my favourite restaurant in Italy…” you closed your eyes and gulped. “I miss my Stephen, every day. Being here all alone isn’t helping with that, but trying to change anything is just a pointless resistance to the destiny” you coughed again. “I miss you too. I mean my version of you. I had all of you and then none of you, in just a few seconds I lost everything. I didn’t even get to say goodbye. I watched you die and I couldn’t do a thing about it” he said.

“I’m so sorry” you gently cupped his cheek and looked into his eyes. After a moment of hesitation, you placed a gentle kiss on his temple.

“You came here because you need to get out, right?” you said. You could read his thoughts, this one was buried deep down, almost hidden. Not from you, but from him.

“I don't think I want to” he responded.

“I can help you” you stated. “I know a spell that can open a multidimensional portal. It will send you home” shy smile formed on your lips. “How is your universe?” you asked.

“It’s beautiful. I wish I could show it to you” he grabbed your hand. “Leave this universe, leave with me, please” he was practically begging you.

“If that was an option for me I’d do it ages ago. If I leave and the spell breaks…I can’t afford that risk. I’ve carried the burden of the darkhold on my shoulders and I’ll do it for as long as I’ll have to. You see Stephen, everyone in the multiverse plays a part. I wasn’t born to be happy and have my little, sweet, dreamy life. I was born to suffer, take burdens and cause destruction. That’s how it is, was and always will be, all so the others can live in a peaceful world. The same goes for you” you sighed. “You're not meant to stay with me. My death was an absolute point in your life and yours was an absolute point in mine. We can not change it.”

“I know,” he said. You walked towards the large windows and within one swift move of your hand, you created a circle out of candles. He walked into it and stood next to you, your bodies inches apart. “I want to try something,” he said and pulled you into a kiss.

“Thank you” you wished you could keep the warmth of his lips forever. “Once I start we won’t have much time left. I want to say goodbye”

“This is our last goodbye, isn’t it?” he asked.

“I’m afraid it is” you answered and he nodded. Dark mist filled the room and you began to cast the spell. His eyes weren’t leaving yours until the light beam blinded him.

He was on his earth surrounded by so many people and yet he felt lonely. Then he noticed something in his palm, a paperwhite from the sanctums living room on the other earth, a symbol of hope.

MASTERLIST

#doctor stephen strange #stephen strange angst #stephen strange fanfiction #stephen strange fluff #stephen strange x you #stephen strange x reader #stephen strange x ofc #stephen strange #mcu doctor strange #doctor strange angst #doctor strange fanfiction #doctor strange fluff #doctor strange x reader #doctor strange x you #doctor strange x female reader #doctor strange mcu #marvel fanfiction #marvel #marvel x you #mcu angst #marvel angst #marvel fluff

[thatlittlered]

Let Me Come With You | Stephen Strange

Summary: There are approximately ten versions of this earth that Stephen knows you exist in.

"I know that each one of us travels to love alone, alone to faith and to death. I know it. I’ve tried it. It doesn’t help. Let me come with you." Moonlight Sonata - Yiannis Ritsos

There are approximately ten versions of this earth that Stephen knows you exist in.

In three of those you’re strangers, divided by time and consequence. He changed but not enough and you stayed longer than you should but a particular delusional alien and his plans were quite the wake up call. There was no time to be spent in pain.

There are a couple more he doesn’t think about, not by choice at least.

Bad things happen there.

In 1376 and 1838 you’re married to a smiley brunette who makes you laugh. He remains nameless in Stephen’s head on behalf of stealing a life from him.

He is simple, uncomplicated; everything you wanted. You worked together, fell in love, had a darling little blue-eyed boy like the fantasy you’d shared with Stephen late one night. Only this boy got his eyes from your side, an unlikely event, but like you once told him “Blue runs in my family too.”

You always walk at the brunette’s left, little Odie between you, holding both of your hands.

These ones he thinks about often.

There is one single reality in which you are together, inseparable and happy without a worry in the world. He has retired from his duties, all is marvelously at peace and all he need do is observe.

It is simple and uncomplicated.

Your little boy has his eyes, it cannot be mistaken. You say ‘I love you’ at breakfast and over an evening cup of tea, make up for the rest of it in casual affection. You always walk at his right, as you would in every universe you’ve known each other, and little Dominic likes to hold your hands and swing.

This, of course, is not his reality.

A/N: This was written right after watching MoM a while ago, but it's also the first fic I've written in over a year so I was doubtful about publishing. Regardless, enjoy!

#doctor strange x reader #doctor strange #marvel multiverse #doctor strange x you #stephen strange x reader #stephen strange x ofc #stephen strange #marvel #fanfiction #multiverse of madness

[tinuvielbianca]

*Y/n is talking to Stephen*

Y/n: Because all the people I love are gone.

Is it me, I must have some curse.

Strange: You have no curse, Y/n.

Y/n: are they because they die?

Strange: That's life.

Y/n: but it seems to me she is much more cruel.

First my parents

*Flashback of parents*

Then my friend who was like my brother

*Flashback Pietro*

Then the man I loved

*Flashback Loki*

Let's not forget my best friend and father figure

*Flashback Nat and Tony*

Maybe I am the embodiment of death?

Since everyone I care about dies.

I miss them so much.

Strange: I know, but everything happens for a purpose, maybe the reason they leave is to fortify you.

Y/n: Maybe they're still there, taking care of me.

Y/n: my mom once said that even dead stars still shine in the sky.

*Y/n looking at the night sky.*

Strange: Nothing is impossible for the universe.

*Strange says smiling*

#avengers #marvel #marvel pov #pov #super hero #stephen strange #doctor strange #multiverse of madness #benedict cumberbatch #yn #stephen strange x you #stephen strange x ofc #fanfic edit #fanfiction #writing #povs #pov shot #fyp #flashback #doctor strange x reader #doctor strange x you #doctor strange x female reader #one shot #yn pov

[marvel-snape-writes]

Thoughts? 🤔

What about a Stephen one shot before the accident where his boss is a high up female figure within the hospital and one of them manages to seduce the other and they either have their way with one another over papers and wine at one of their apartments or in her office…

Arctic Monkeys faintly playing in the background;

“ᵢₜ’ₛ ₙₒₜ ₗᵢₖₑ ᵢ’ₘ fₐₗₗᵢₙg ᵢₙ ₗₒᵥₑ, ᵢ ⱼᵤₛₜ wₐₙₜ yₒᵤ ₜₒ dₒ ₘₑ ₙₒ gₒₒd… ₐₙd yₒᵤ ₗₒₒₖ ₗᵢₖₑ yₒᵤ cₒᵤₗd…”

#benedict cumberbatch #marvel #doctor strange #stephen strange #multiverse of madness #marvel cinematic universe #doctor strange in the multiverse of madness #marvel multiverse #fanfic #fanfiction #doctor strange smut #stephen strange smut #benedict cumberbatch smut #stephen strange x ofc #doctor strange x original female character

[sobeautifullyobsessed]

Wrapped Up In Christmas Memories

a Stephen Strange x Hope Collins fic

Part One

genre: fluff & Christmas to begin with; angst, catharsis, with healing later...and as always, love❤️💚

characters: Stephen Strange, Hope Collins (OFC), established relationship

word count: approximately 3.1k

moodboard by the very generous @strangelock221b 💙🩵💜

Stephen should have known that he had fallen in love with a Christmas person. Should have been prepared for what was in store for him come late November. Hope's enthusiasm for all things Yuletide was exactly in keeping with her nature--and of course, she had no way of knowing that when it came to Christmastime, his past had shaped him into a bit of a Grinch.

A week or so before Thanksgiving, she'd brought a mysterious shopping bag to the Sanctum and set it discretely in a corner of the living room portion of his suite. When he'd asked what was inside, she'd flashed him a pert smile and smiling eyes as she answered, "Darling, that's for me to know, and you to find out. Eventually." Then sashayed away, humming 'Good King Wenceslas'. Yup, he should've known then that Hope was...was very much a Who.

They had shared a quiet, homey Thanksgiving; Hope had eagerly prepared a little feast for them, along with far too many desserts prepped in a flurry of baking in the 48 hours ahead of time. "There's supposed to be an abundance of leftovers," she had insisted when Stephen groused that they could never finish it all, "And in my family tradition, the freezer was always stuffed with packages of turkey, potatoes, and what have you--enough for a meal a week 'til nearly Christmas." And she'd relished the sight of him digging into those leftovers--along with a healthy serving of her apple-ginger pie--as a midnight snack, looking every bit the adorable 'told ya so' when she grabbed a fork to help him polish off the pie.

When they'd finally settled into bed and snuggled close, Stephen was happy to tell Hope it had been his best Thanksgiving in decades--and that perhaps it could be the start of traditions of their own. "Good," she replied, kissing his neck and then resting her head on his shoulder, "There's more I'd love to share with you. If you don't mind...starting tomorrow."

Stephen's own family traditions always felt like dusty, ancient history now; memories he seldom allowed himself to dwell upon for the heartbreak of the losses of his sister Donna, and later his mother Beverly, who had never fully recovered emotionally from Donna's death. He sighed hard, not wishing to spoil the moment, but feeling he should give his love fair warning. "If it's Christmas related, Hope--I'm really not that guy..."

"Oh, Stephen..." she started to protest.

"I don't wanna disappoint you, honey, but I...I gave up Christmas a loooong time ago..."

"Gave up Christmas?" Hope tutted. "You don't strike me as a Scrooge..."

"I'm not. Of course I'm not," he countered gently, "There's just a lot of...baggage...that I gave up carrying. Decades ago." For my own peace of mind, he thought but didn't add. "I mean, I'll be happy to see how you embrace the season, Hope, but um..."

He felt more than heard her sigh, understanding that she would not be deterred--while well aware that as ever, whatever form her persuasion would take would be gentle. Patient. Quiet. Stephen couldn't help but love that about her.

"Alright," she told him, laying her palm above his heart, which he always found soothing. "I promise to be mindful of your...baggage...if you help me with just one tradition tomorrow."

Stephen's turn to quietly sigh with his intent to cooperate, "Just the one? Seems a fair bargain to make...if you can stick to it."

"Just the one--I promise," Hope laughed softly, "And after that, well...I'll go about my Christmasing without the sort of fuss that might bother you."

Though he could practically feel the wheels in her head turning to come up with a way to change his view of the season, he chuckled, "It's a deal then. So what will we be doing tomorrow?"

"Getting a tree, of course. That's my mom's thing. Tree goes up the day after Thanksgiving...and comes down on New Years Day. Although, since I've been on my own, I keep it up however long I want. It's an excellent remedy for the mid-winter doldrums."

"A tree it'll be, then," he promised, reaching to turn off his bedside lamp, "And then I'm out."

"Like a light", Hope assured him. "Now, do you wanna be the big spoon or little spoon tonight?"

"Big," he replied, flipping onto his side, then sliding his arm around her waist when she turned to fit herself against him. Stephen brushed his lips on her ear, "For what it's worth, honey, I hope you have some sugar plum dreams tonight."

"Thanks, Stephen," she murmured, clearly on her way to sleep, "Love you too."

By the time Hope awoke the next morning, Stephen had already worked out a plan to keep his promise. One which would involve him in as little Christmas fuss as possible. A quick online search had yielded a few spots in the Village itself where they could find fresh cut trees. After breakfast, he discreetly portaled the two of them to a side street off of Hudson Street, where they found a popular Christmas market adjacent to a city park.

Hope had been so delighted by his initiative that he had felt it necessary to remind her that this would be his sole contribution to the Christmas decorating. She had batted her eyes prettily with her reply, "As you wish," but to Stephen, it had felt more like she was saying, "We'll see about that."

They settled on a seven foot Balsam fir, which Stephen had insisted on paying for out of his Sanctum Master's monthly stipend. The warmth of the lingering kiss she pressed to his cheek in thanks was absolutely worth that investment, and Hope's happiness was a gift that thoroughly warmed his heart. Being quite pleased by how swiftly they'd accomplished their chore--and surprised that the task felt far more pleasant than he'd anticipated--Stephen arranged to have the tree delivered to Bleecker Street by mid-afternoon.

Hope had wandered over to a group of stalls featuring hand-crafted Christmas decorations, and by the time he joined her, she had a small brown shopping bag in hand. He offered her his arm, "Shall we?"

"Shall we what," she countered impishly.

"Head back home."

"Oh...well...", she bit her lip, mulling over her answer for a few moments, "You go on ahead, darling. There's just a few more things I'd like to pick up..."

Stephen hummed, studying her face for any sign that this was a coy play to get him to stay after all. Seeing only sincerity, he found himself offering to stick around anyway. "Thanks, but no, Stephen," she assured him, "I shouldn't be too long--and I did promise not to bother you beyond the tree. You won't even have time to miss me; I'm sure I'll get there before the tree even does."

Stephen hadn't expected her to be so easily accommodated. "Are you sure, honey? I can spare a while longer if...if you'd like me to."

Hope moved in close, placed her hands on his shoulders, and kissed his other cheek. "I appreciate the offer, darling," she husked, "But how about you get a nice fire going in the hearth in your quarters, so they'll be all toasty for when I decorate the tree this afternoon?" She backed away and beamed him a smile, then turned to explore the market further without a further word.

Stephen stood on the sidewalk, the relief at being let off the expected Christmas hook colored with the surprising disappointment that Hope hadn't even tried to ask for more beyond her promise. She's probably got other plans in mind, he decided; bet she's just softening me up for that. Hands tucked deep into his coat pockets against the growing chill in the air--they'd begun to ache in the way that told him snow was on the way--he headed back to the side street, and portaled back home.

The snow arrived before Hope did, with the tree being delivered about a half-hour later. By then, Stephen had a crackling fire going in the hearth and had even used magic to set up a tree stand before one of the front windows of the living room.

Rosy-cheeked from the cold and bearing two Balsam wreaths decked with red ribbons, sprigs of holly & berries, and mini white lights, Hope appeared to be the embodiment of Christmas cheer. "I figured now that it's no secret that a magical building is part of the neighborhood," she explained in answer to the question in his eyes, "You'd at least want the Sanctum to look a little festive..."

Stephen gave a heavy sigh as he conceded that point to her. And though she didn't ask, he cast a spell to keep the wreaths in place on the Sanctum's double doors, with reinforcement to keep them fresh and green for however long they hung there. He would go on to use the same spell for the Christmas tree awaiting decorating in his quarters.

After lunch, Hope practically shooed Stephen from the room when she began to string lights on the fragrant evergreen. With a vintage selection of Christmas carols playing in the background, she was determined to keep her promise to him. "Besides, I'd like to surprise you with the ornaments I've picked. So go keep busy with whatever wizarding stuff is on your agenda, and I'll come get you for the big reveal."

Lazy snowflakes continued to fall well past dusk, looking pretty and perfectly seasonal outside the Sanctum windows, though little stuck to the streets and pavements. Hope had finally popped her head past the door to his study several hours after she'd sent him away and invited Stephen to come check out the product of her efforts. Her excitement felt contagious--and once he spied the tree, Stephen knew she had good reason for her enthusiasm.

She had dimmed the lights for maximum effect, showing off the slow, steady twinkle of the white lights that graced every branch of the tree. The ornaments were a mix of dark blue and gold bells and balls, variously sized, and many of them sprinkled with golden glitter. Featured among them were larger, glassblown ornaments shaped as suns, moons, and stars, as well as other traditional celestial symbols. The total effect was breathtaking--and a telling reminder that Hope was an Artist, deep down to her soul.

Watching him take in the full picture, her eyes sparkled with joyful anticipation of his response. Stephen's jaw had dropped, and he remained speechless as he circled the tree before he came to stand at Hope's side, pulling her to him with one arm around her back. "This is...marvelous, honey. Fantastic. Beautiful...and...and..."

"And nearly perfect for a Master of the Mystic Arts," she replied, a slight tremor in her voice, "Don't you think so, anyway?

Stephen nodded and laid a kiss on top of her head. "I can't imagine anything more perfect, Hope," he agreed, his voice grown thick with emotion. "You were planning this for a while, weren't you?"

"Only since mid-September," she laughed, then pointed to a stained-glass disk depicting the zodiac circling a stylized sun. "I saw that one at a craft fair, and it just sort of...inspired...the whole thing."

"I should've expected something this..." Stephen searched for the perfect word to describe not only the tree, but the sentiment her gift had him feeling, "...grand...from you, honey. Grand. Grand and perfect."

"It's actually a little short of perfect, Stephen," she confessed difidently.

"No, Hope...honey...it's perfect for me," he insisted, "Both as a wizard and as a man."

"I don't mean in that way, darling. It's...it's unfinished," she sighed, motioning to the crowning branch. "It's in want of a star."

"Aaaaaaah." Stephen let the moment linger before smirking, "And is that by design, or just something you overlooked?"

"I just can't reach it," came her plaintive, honest reply.

"I see." Stephen could feel how hard she was trying not to ask for his help, in light of her promise to him. How dear that was to him! A simple yet lovely truth about this woman he loved. How could he not offer to help? "You know, I wouldn't mind adding the finishing touch, honey. If you'd allow me to, of course."

"I suppose that'll be alright, darling. If you wouldn't mind too terribly."

"Not at all," he told her, truthfully. "Do you have one, or shall I conjure something to match your theme?"

"Hold on," she replied, making a beeline to a dark pink box perched on the side table by the sofa. Hope removed an object swathed in tissue paper, unwrapping it very gingerly when she returned to his side. "This star is over a hundred years old. It came to America with my great-grandmother when she arrived from Ireland back in 1921. It passes to the eldest daughter in each generation..."

"And you're the lucky winner," Stephen observed in a hushed tone, immediately adopting the same reverence with which Hope handled the fragile antique.

"Yes," she sniffled softly. "Mom was the middle child, but her older sister didn't have any girls, so when she passed, it came to me. That was during The Snap years. Once she came back, my mother never really recovered from finding out her sister had died alone, without the comfort of family near."

Stephen's first thought was of his mother, Beverly, and of the colorless Christmases between Donna's death and her own. In the face of Hope's bittersweet revelation, he couldn't bring himself to express his observation; that grief had been his mother's cause of death as well.

Hope took note of the pain that briefly flickered across his features. "Stephen, are you alright? You looked so sad, all of a sudden."

"Oh, honey, I'm just...just so, so sorry for your loss. I know that grief doesn't take holidays, and there are times it hits so hard, it feels like the one we've lost...that it only happened yesterday." Mindful of the crystal star in his hands, he drew Hope into his arms, then rested his chin atop her head. "But the best comfort, I'm told, is remembering the best of times you shared with them."

The smallest voice in his head gave an ironic retort. Doctor, why don't you take your own advice and heal yourself for a change? Share your story with Hope, and by doing so, maybe you can put your own ghosts to rest.

Maybe so, he told himself. But not now; not tonight. I'm not ready to face that kind of pain just yet. And the small voice answered: of course you aren't. It seems you never are.

Stephen shook off that moment of weakness--as he always did. And with the gentlest charm he could manage, he floated Hope's star to the top of the tree and fixed it safely in place. That drew from Hope her prettiest smile, so that he dared a change of subject. "Well, in light of the heavy lifting I've just done, I think it's time we fix ourselves some turkey and gravy sandwiches and maybe watch 'The Grinch'. It's one of the few Christmas movies I actually enjoy."

"Jim Carey or the DreamWorks one," Hope asked as they headed, arm in arm, toward the closer of the two Sanctum kitchens.

"Jim Carey," he asserted with a grin, "The other is far too sentimental for my liking."

[to be continued🎄]

If you enjoyed this little fic so far, you can read more about how Stephen & Hope met and fell in love in my stories 'Friday in the Park with Stephen' (meet-cute, flirtation & fluff), and 14,000,604 (hurt/comfort, angst, passion/smut, lovers reunited against impossible odds).

In addition, I've written a couple of one-shots/prompt fills as part of their ongoing series, The Wizard and the Artist

tagging: @strangelock221b @mousedetective @icytrickster17 @ironstrange1991 @darsynia @ben-locked @hithertoundreamtof23 @aeterna-auroral-avenger @lorelei-lee @stewardofningishzida @thelostsmiles @mrs-cookie @paperclippedmime @groovyqueer

#my writing #Wrapped Up In Christmas Memories #Stephen Strange #fluff #Christmas comes to Bleecker Street #Stephen Strange x Hope Collins #Hope Collins #OC #OFC #established relationship #Doctor Strange #stephen strange fan fiction #stephen strange fanfiction #doctor strange fanfiction #doctor strange fan fiction #doctor strange x oc #doctor strange x ofc #stephen strange x ofc #stephen strange x oc #mcu fan fiction #mcu fanfiction #Strangebatch #My Eternal Muse #Benedict Cumberbatch #Christmas #Christmastime #The Wizard and the Artist

[americasass81]

!!WARNING:- 18+ ADULT CONTENT. BY CLICKING ANY TITLE BELOW YOU ARE ACKNOWLEDGING THAT YOU ARE OVER 18 AND CONSENT TO VIEWING THE CONTENT INCLUDED.!!

YOUR MEDIA CONSUMPTION IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY SO PLEASE READ ALL THE WARNINGS PROVIDED.

NO REPOSTING (rewriting, copying or translating on another platform claiming it’s your’s or saying I gave you my explicit permission. I didn’t). If you see my work anywhere other than my Tumblr please let me know.

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Beneath The Moonlight (dark Avengers)

Synopsis:- Leaving your comfort zone and joining your best friend at her boss’ party, you never thought the shattering of the multiverse would ever affect you in such an irreversible way.

Total Word Count:- 6,171

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Super Soldier Rescue (soft-ish Steve Rogers / soft-ish Bucky Barnes)

⭐Named Female Reader⭐

Synopsis:- What happens when two super soldiers decide to try their hand at rescuing a damsel?

Total Word Count:- 5,485

Written as a gift for @navybrat817

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Love’s Embrace (soft Stucky)

Synopsis:- Finally restoring the world to the way it should be, can two super soldiers who’ve known nothing but war find the peace they’ve secretly longed for.

Total Word Count:- 2,580

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Toys 'R' Us (dark!Steve Rogers / dark!Tony Stark / dark!Natasha Romanoff)

Synopsis:- Whomever told you Halloween parties were supposed to be fun never heard of those involving Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. What will happen when you accept an invitation to Tony Stark’s latest shindig?

Total Word Count:- 8,278

Written for @jtargaryen18 Halloween Challenge 2023

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Embracing The Darkness (dark-ish Avengers)

🔥Original Female Character🔥

Synopsis:- Accepting an invitation to Tony Stark’s annual Halloween party, what will you do when an unforeseen interference with your costumes causes far reaching consequences for you and all of humanity?

Total Word Count:- 9,565

Written for @jtargaryen18 Halloween Challenge 2023

#Tony Stark #Steve Rogers #Stony #Stony x OFC #natasha romanoff #Natasha Romanoff x Steve Rogers #Natasha Romanoff x OFC x Steve Rogers #Natasha Romanoff x Reader #Clint Barton #Doctor Strange #Bucky Barnes #Steve Rogers x OFC x Bucky Barnes #Stucky

[farfromstrange]

Foreigner's God | m.m

Previous Chapter ° Series Masterlist

Chapter Forty-Six: Human

Summary: The court of public opinion is a cruel thing. The press would rather paint her as the villain than the villain itself, but there is no going back now that the Hydra files are out there. She thinks the plea and preliminary hearing are going to be the hardest challenge, but someone comes the way that proves to her that the worst is far from over and Viktor Volkov is the least of her worries.

Warnings: ANGST, SMUT (oral f!receiving, fingering), Multiverse, Doctor Strange Spoilers, bad lawyer talk

A/n: I'm so sorry for the long hiatus, my life is a huge mess right now. This has been sitting in my drafts for two weeks, but I didn't get around to posting it until now. I'm trying my best to finish all my requests, but I'm lacking time and inspiration, so it's gonna take a couple more days until those are finished! As I said, this has been sitting in my drafts for a while because it's been done for a while. I was actually excited about this chapter because I've had the idea of this introduction for quite a bit, and the character that appears here will play a crucial part in how I portray Season 2. I mean, we're already in it, might as well roll with it. Timeline and canon be fucked, I'm gonna do this my way.

Breaking news: 

The FBI just announced in an official press conference that they arrested a man named Viktor Volkov who is suspected of leading a sub-group of the terrorist organization Hydra. They first made headlines again in 2014 when it was revealed that Hydra infiltrated SHIELD and burned the organization from the inside out. It was reported that Hydra fell with the destruction of SHIELD. All parties responsible were arrested. He is facing serious murder, espionage, and illegal human experiment charges, among other things. 

“Are you sure about this?”

The night was cold and dark, the lights of the city hidden behind the brick wall as they stood over the empty barrel on the roof of Matt Murdock’s apartment. 

She grabbed the cardboard box off the ground and flipped it over the barrel, emptying the contents into the abyss. It thudded against the metal. Following the cardboard was a pile of leather clothing. The face mask stayed behind, but the suit and the matching gloves landed with the rest of her belongings on the floor of the barrel. 

“Yeah,” she said, taking the bottle of gasoline from his hand, “I’m sure.”

Eliza poured the fluid over everything she had once owned in another life and dropped the lit match into the barrel. Her belongings caught fire, lighting up the night with bright orange flames and a ghastly smell of burned leather and paper. 

Matt wrapped his arm around her shoulder as she stared into the flames and he felt the heat on his cold face. “I’m proud of you,” he said. 

She ignored his words, leaning into his shoulder in an attempt to escape. Her body filled with dread; it caused her pain. Setting her life on fire had been easy, but she knew that the new life she had was in danger of burning alive, too. 

“Things are only going to get worse from here on,” she voiced her horrible thoughts, and it still wasn’t enough. 

He squeezed her hip. “I know, but we’re going to stand through it together.”

“You and me against the world?” 

“You and me against the world,” he said, pairing his words with a gentle kiss to her temple. 

The explosion at the apartment complex of the infamous Avenger Eliza Bennett who long went by the alias The Red Angel was Hydra’s doing, as we have just been told, and all of the crimes she was accused of a couple of weeks ago were actually executed by the men answering to the suspect Viktor Volkov. 

In the eye of a hurricane, there is quiet. She watched the news and everything around her went dead silent. The storm was heading straight for her, but there was no sound, only the faint beating of her heart reminding her that she was still alive. 

The phone on Karen’s desk was put on speaker and the voice that sounded from the other end was welcome, but it didn’t break the silence. It didn’t break the silence in her head, the emptiness in her chest, or the looming fear that came in the form of a hurricane.

“I’m trying my best to control the damage the publication of that file caused,” Tony spoke from the other end of the line. “I usually cause the damage myself and then find a way to pay myself out of it, but fuck, Nick Fury, that asshole, made it ten times harder for me.”

“I made that choice,” Eliza said, and she was surprised at how stable her own voice sounded. 

“I know, kid, and I understand why you did it, but I can’t fix this with money.”

“I know you can’t. I never asked you to.”

“Let me do this for you. I’m going to try my hardest to somehow get the press to shut up. Public court of opinion can fuck with this whole case. Am I right, lawyer brigade? The front line not looking so peachy there, huh?”

We just got word that a huge pile of legal files has been published, laying the crimes of Hydra open and accessible to the public. The base also known as the White Room has been destroyed and the leader Viktor Volkov has been officially charged by the District Attorney. 

Matt stood with his hands on his hips, Foggy leaning against the door to his office with the file, and Karen, sympathetic as she was, stood next to the phone with her eyes on Eliza. She was the only one who looked at her. She felt her gaze burning through her skin and she wanted the pity to stop. The world already knew what happened, who she was, and what Viktor had done; Karen wasn’t supposed to treat her differently just because she was a victim, but humans can’t help but show pity when another person has suffered. It is a natural response and she had a whole collection of those.

Adding to Tony’s voice, Happy appeared and it made her nauseous. “It’s bad enough she has to testify,” he prompted. 

“The press is doing everything to get details on this case, and most of them are more than willing to destroy Eliza in the process,” said Karen, “because they want to be right about mutants. They want to be right in labeling you as a monster.”

“We won’t let that happen,” Matt said, his voice determined and his hand reached out as he gestured, “Stark will continue doing damage control while we focus on the legal aspects, but no one is giving up.”

Tony hummed, “I like him.”

“The feeling is not mutual.” He pressed the hang-up button. 

Foggy glared at him. “Dude!”

“He was pissing me off,” he said. 

“He didn’t do anything,” he retorted. 

“He was breathing, that’s enough.”

The stakes were high, they were all on edge, but they still somehow managed to work together, even with their differences in mind. However, Eliza was nowhere near mentally present for any of it. She went along, but she only felt numb no matter what she did, and Matt’s gentle loving didn’t manage to pull her out of the dark hole she had fallen into, not this time.

Just in: Hydra files reveal not only the crimes of the newly apprehended Russian spy Viktor Volkov, but they also reveal the many crimes the Avenger Eliza Bennett committed in the name of the said terrorist organization. They go beyond what the former Hydra operative was pardoned for seven years ago. Though reports from the DA’s office state that she has been granted immunity in exchange for her testimony to put Viktor Volkov behind bars. So far, only the FBI and NYPD have gotten involved, but the Department of Damage Control will soon follow. 

She needed to forget. The reports only got worse the closer the court date came. The plea hearing didn’t include her, but she would be there, she wanted to be there. Her testimony would only first come important at the preliminary hearing if Viktor truly plead not guilty, and then it was on the prosecution to prove that a trial was absolutely necessary. And after that, the decision, if he went to prison, was on the jury and the jury alone. 

Her mind was so full all the time, full of information, full of tasks, full of demands, and she started to lose the air in her lungs. The weight was pushing her underwater and slowly suffocating her from the inside out. Her legs were flapping and she tried to swim to the surface, but the weight kept on dragging her down. 

They were laying next to each other in bed. His lips ghosted gentle kisses over her neck and collarbone, a way to distract her from the noise only he could hear, but she could feel it. She could feel everything deep in her bones and it was too much to handle.

His nose brushed over the sensitive spot behind her ear. “You’re not okay, are you?” he asked. 

There was no use denying it. She shook her head, tilting her head to find his lips. Her hand tangled in his hair, and she did something she had never done before. She was afraid of asking what she wanted, but this was a necessity. She needed to forget. 

She pushed his head, hoping he would get the hint. His lips slipped from hers and toward her breasts. Nope, he didn’t get that. And he knew better than to tease her. Sometimes, he needed a second to understand, especially so late at night.

She pushed a little harder. “Can you just-” she swallowed. 

“Eat you out?”

She nodded again. “Like after our date, please.”

It had rendered her mindless then, it would surely work now. 

She guided his head down until he reached the hem of her panties. She was wearing nothing but his t-shirt. He didn’t waste time peeling her underwear off. Instead, he shoved it aside and flattened his tongue over her folds. 

“Guide me,” he said, “show me how you want it and I’ll give it to you.”

On command, she started rocking her hips against his face. He greedily lapped at her folds, pushing his tongue into her hole and relishing in the way she tasted. With every thrust of her hips, his nose bumped against her clit, and he could smell her now, too. She sent his senses into overdrive and his eyes rolled back as he moaned; she was using him and it was delicious in more ways than one. 

Her back arched, letting out the tiniest of whimpers as her hands fisted the sheets. She forced his mouth closer, a little higher until his lips hovered over her clit and he took it as a sign to suck the bundle of nerves into his mouth. 

Through a strangled moan, she reached for his arm that lazily rested over her lower stomach, stroking his hand over the skin at the same time he licked and sucked at her slick core. 

He hummed in confusion when she practically shoved his hand away. “Fingers,” she stated. 

“As you wish,” he purred against her cunt. He covered his middle and index finger in her arousal and shoved them in slowly. She took him almost greedily, grinding on his mouth and forcing him deeper. He only had to curl up ever so slightly to hit the spongy spot inside of her that felt just right. 

“Shit,” it was the first curse that came out of her mouth that night and he felt the rough tone of her voice creeping up his spine and into his reddened ears. 

The hand that had fisted the sheets moved to the pillow above her head, her back arching dangerously high as the pleasure inside of her abdomen did the same, climbing higher and higher and higher until she stumbled toward the edge of the cliff of absolute euphoria. 

Not a single thought was left in her mind, only Matt and his mouth and the orgasm that chased after her. She chose not to run, she chose to submit. She chose to let herself stumble, tumble and then fall. 

She came crying out for him, holding onto his hair and the pillow for dear life as the pleasure wrecked her entire body. The white-hot pleasure tore right through her, turning red and her vision black. Her eyes rolled back, thighs shaking next to his head and keeping him locked against her, and he licked up all the cum she gave him. He was starving and she was what he needed to eat. 

Her entire body quivered. If it was her state of mind or his mouth that made the orgasm so much more intense, she wasn’t sure, but the relief and the now missing weight on her shoulders allowed her to break the surface and breathe fresh air. 

Matt gently pried her thighs from his head. Her knuckles cracked. She was still holding onto the pillow, her eyes screwed shut. He chuckled, making his way up the length of her. 

“You okay?” he asked. 

She whimpered. 

“Not quite there yet, huh?”

She managed to shake her head a little. The aftershocks were nothing like what she usually experienced and only after a few minutes did she manage to loosen her grip on the silk. Her legs shut and she curled into a ball on her side. 

His hand gently guided her head to his chest and she latched onto him like a koala. “You’ve never been this spaced out before. You okay?”

“I’ve never-” she shivered. “So intense.”

“It’s okay, you were wound up. Orgasms can feel like explosions when you’ve been stressed for a while.”

“Did I soak the sheets again?”

“Small price to pay,” he said. 

She took his hand and intertwined their fingers over his heart. “Stay with me?” she said. 

He kissed the top of her head, “Where else would I stay?”

Eliza Bennett has blood on her hands! As we found out earlier, it isn’t even her real name. She is Russian and always will be. She killed in the name of a terrorist organization, stole government secrets, and killed innocent people. Her mutant powers may stem from human experimentation, but that only makes her so much more dangerous. We saw what she could do in the video clip released four weeks ago, and we saw it during the Battle of New York. Her violation of the Sokovia Accords was stricken from the record. Are the District Attorney’s office and the government trying to cover up their involvement, or is she really just that good at manipulating law officials into giving her a second pardon?

Foggy watched the man on the screen with narrowed eyes. “The Daily Bugle really has no shame or respect, huh?” he said. 

“He has nothing left over for heroes,” said Karen. “He is a horrible, judgmental man. And his mustache is a fashion disgrace.”

“Hey, do you think I should call them? Just to check in on her.”

She took one of the files from her desk and handed it over to her. “You better prepare to prepare her for the preliminary hearing. They need their privacy.”

“What do you me- oh!”

“Sex is an amazing stress relief.”

“Thank you,” he blinked wildly, turning toward his office, “That is not a picture I needed in my head today.”

Karen’s tired yet amused laugh rang out and filled the otherwise empty office space with some lightness instead of the harsh, painful reality that lay ahead of them. 

District Attorney Reyes went on the air again that day, answering a crowd of reporters about what her office revealed. “We strive for justice for the families of the children that were tortured at the command of Viktor Volkov and his organization. We are going to fight for the families of the murder victims that also died at his hand. And we are going to fight for those names to finally be heard, and to bring Hydra’s terrible acts to light,” she said, and it was sorted as her official statement to the accusations against Viktor Volkov. “We need to protect the nation and the people and in the process avenge the lives that were lost. We’re not doing this for publicity, we’re doing this for justice. A man as dangerous as Viktor Volkov needs to be put into special containment, and we are working closely with the DODC to form a viable case.”

Rumor has it that Eliza Bennett is considered a key witness since she is one of Viktor Volkov’s many victims. So far, no more information has been released, but it is said that she might just be the key to getting him behind bars. 

“At least they called me a victim this time,” Eliza murmured as she read over the article in the Bulletin.

Matt appeared behind her with a cup of coffee, replacing the paper with the mug. “Stop reading the news,” he berated her. 

She poked her tongue out. “I need to know what’s going on. Reyes won’t tell me anything.”

“That’s because we need to protect you from the court of public opinion.”

“There is no protecting me from that,” she said, “and you know that.”

He sighed. He left it uncommented because he couldn’t say anything that wouldn’t have been a lie. She already stated the truth. He couldn’t protect her, not from this.

Instead, he said, “I love you.”

She smiled back at him, tired but it was a smile. “I love you more,” she said.

“Impossible.” 

Volkov’s attorneys stated in an official report that the accusations are outrageous and they are going to fight to keep their client out of jail. It is said that the evidence of the defense will cancel out all the prosecution has. They are certain that the case is not viable and they have information that a judge is going to be more than interested in. Information surrounding his arrest and the contents of the file. What it is, they refuse to say, but we are going to see soon. 

The date for the plea hearing in the case of the Hydra operative Viktor Volkov has been set and it is as soon as tomorrow. The DA rushed the date due to the case’s urgency, and she told Fox News that she is going to do anything in her power to make sure he stays behind bars. A deal has not been made, and Volkov’s attorneys refused, so it is up to the court now to decide whether or not this case will go to trial.

The big day was closer than ever. They already knew he was going to plead not guilty, but there was still hope for a change of mind on Viktor’s end or at least the possibility that he might change the plea after they turned down the DA’s deal offer. Now that they refused, Reyes was ready to destroy the defense completely, but for that she needed Eliza. Without her, the case was a bust. The media didn’t need a full report of the events to figure that out. Her immunity depended on it. 

“I’m curious - Eliza Bennett is an Avenger, she broke the Sokovia Accords, she is a mutant and she still got pardoned? The information she has must be fatal if the DA was so willing to grant her immunity.”

“A person like that poses a danger to society. We should get her off the streets.”

“Eliza Bennett is and will always be a hero. She doesn’t deserve all of this backlash and she should be praised for what she is willing to do to put this criminal behind bars. Her story should be told and people should view her as a human being who suffered a large trauma instead of a dangerous mutant that is out of control. It is simply not true.”

“An Avenger as a key witness. Can we even trust them anymore? Stark has not spoken up and neither has his company. I doubt he is going to play a part in this. He’s always had a way of getting himself out of trouble and letting others do the work for him.”

“Whether or not Eliza Bennett is a danger to society, the DA is positive she will blow this case wide open, and Volkov’s attorneys are scrambling to find a reason to get her testimony thrown out. This is going to be one of the most public court proceedings since OJ Simpson, and we are going to be there to report life on the direction this case is going. Back to you, Janet!”

Eliza slammed the laptop shut. One more day until the plea hearing. One fucking day and she couldn’t even escape the talk about her when she tried to watch something else for a change. Her search always led her to the news, or in this case, a whole collection of News channels that were set out to ruin her. 

She was used to being criticized by the public, but the backlash she received was a death sentence to any mutant out there if they lost the case. 

She decided to go through the mail to kill time. Matt would be home sometime later, having told her to take the day off, but she was dying of boredom. Her thoughts weren’t any better. 

The mail consisted of a pile of bills and advertisements, including the daily paper, and when she saw her name on the front page she groaned in frustration. She shoved it away. She was done reading about herself as an evil spawn. Think what you need to think, she decided. She wasn’t put on this earth to please anyone but herself. And by speaking her truth she had done a good thing, the right thing. 

From the pile she was holding, a small contact card soared out and landed on the floor. She bent down, picked it up, and took a look at it. 

221 Bleeker Street.

As far as she could remember, the address on the card was in Brooklyn, where Bleeker and Sullivan crossed. It was a long way from Hell’s Kitchen - that was an overstatement. It wasn’t that far. 

There was no name on the card, only the address. Suspicious didn’t even cut it close. Eliza should have thrown it away. It could have been the address of a serial killer, for all she knew, but there was a reason it landed in her mail. She felt compelled to check it out, even if it was just to check if a serial killer was after she or the press decided to play a cruel joke on her. She was curious and curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back. 

Matt would once again kill her, but it didn’t matter if a serial killer did it or her boyfriend for being a reckless idiot. She was done pleasing other people for the sake of being liked. She owed them nothing. 

Viktor didn’t get to destroy the person she was, and if the media couldn’t see that, at least she could hold onto it. 

The hood of her jacket hung low into her face. Curious eyes stared after her, but they weren’t sure if it was truly her. The whispers haunted her and fingers pointed at her. She was an animal in a zoo and everyone was watching her. They didn’t see her as a person, she was more of a spectacle than a human, and they made sure to treat her that way. 

Bleeker Street was quiet, thank God, and there were hardly any people who cared about someone with a hoodie walking the street. She crossed, approaching the gigantic doors to what appeared like a fancy brownstone, but she couldn’t quite believe it. The window at the top of the building seemed a little far-fetched, too. Old architecture made it look like someone utterly special was living there. So perhaps this was a trap constructed by the media, after all. 

Eliza wouldn’t have been Eliza though if she didn’t go ahead anyway. She lost all of her fucks a couple of days ago. She might as well have some reckless fun if her life was about to be over and her reputation completely destroyed. 

As Taylor Swift once said, ‘They’re burning all the witches even if you aren’t one’, so she might as well fuck around and have some fun. Her reputation was ruined, anyway.

She knocked on the door, but instead of waiting for someone to answer, they opened at her touch. “Creepy,” she muttered to herself. 

The corridor was gigantic. She expected a lot, but this wasn’t it. A huge staircase led to the second floor, parting in the middle to allow you to walk on either side. The walls were high and decorated sparsely. The walls themselves looked ancient, made out of wood and stone and the paintings were something to get used to. There was a fireplace, for whatever reason, set into the wall. Why would an entrance hall need a fireplace? The entire building reminded her of an old mansion or an old art museum. The statue next to the stair looked like a pot - whoever lived there was certainly not an interior designer. 

She felt the presence of someone behind her and the knife she had already slipped from her sleeve turned out to have been a good choice. Eliza took a deep breath, then turned around and went after whoever snuck up on her with her backhand. The knife cut through thin air. It took her too long to notice what was happening. Fabric reached for her and she flipped her weapon over the invisible arm, trying to injure whoever was hiding behind whatever was attacking her, but she hit the air again. Instead, the red fabric wrapped around her wrist and the other end hit her in the nose. She stumbled with a surprised yelp and hit the ground, her knife sliding to the other end of the room. 

Holding her nose, she dared to look up. Did she just—

“Well, now that was just sad to watch,” a male voice sounded from the top of the staircase. Her attacker disappeared and she stared after it, face wiped clean of the anger she had displayed, she was simply confused now. 

Her head turned to the stranger descending, the red fabric wrapping around his shoulders as it had never in the first place. His get-up reminded her of a children’s costume, but a cool one. 

“Did your cape just attack me?” Eliza asked. 

“He’s a cloak, not a cape, and yes, he did attack you.”

“He?”

“Are you going to lecture me for gendering my cloak? ‘Cause I heard that’s what your generation does.”

“This raises so many questions.” She rose back to her feet with a grunt. “Do I need to get my knife back or are you not planning to kill me?”

The knife in question disappeared suddenly, floating toward the man. He shoved it into his back pocket. “No need for sharp weapons,” he said. 

“Says the one with the floating cloak that just happens to have serious anger issues.”

She never thought a piece of fabric could look offended until the one on the man’s shoulders lowered its edges. 

“No offense,” she added. “No, actually, full offense.”

“I suppose you got my card?”

“Yes, that is why I’m here. Why else would I come?”

“I don’t know, we’ve been having a little trouble with posting lately. Mail that doesn’t reach the person it should go to and vice versa. I’m still waiting for my Amazon package,” he said. 

She frowned even deeper. “What?”

“Oh, right, I totally forgot. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Doctor Stephen Strange and I asked you here because you have something very valuable in your blood that you don’t seem to understand.”

It sounded as if a beat dropped in the distance. Silence settled in between them, her eyes roaming his face and costume. “Yeah,” she said, “I’m not following.”

“Oh, for Christ’s sake.” He made a distinctive move with his fingers and the necklace he wore around his neck, the one that looked like an eye, opened up. She stared at it. As soon as the metal parted with a rattle, the sharp pain in her frontal cortex reappeared. Her fingers tingled, her eyes glowed, and her veins seemed to burst with power. But most of all did she see the green shards she had dreamed about floating around her head and disappearing into the galaxy. 

Her arms shot out, “Woah!”

The green stone was glowing at the same time her hands did. It was subconscious and yet felt so neutral, as if she had been in control all along. The whispers in her ear grew louder, once again speaking a language she didn’t understand. Her forehead screamed and burned and it pulled her toward it, but she refused. 

“Where did you get that?” she asked. In her mind, she told herself to calm down and make the glow go away, and it somehow did because when she glanced at her reflection in the stone, the point on her forehead was gone. 

Stephen descended the last two steps. “It was given to me by someone who understood the power and importance of the infinity stones, and it is my job to protect it,” he said. 

“Okay, I know your outfit makes you seem like some magical wizard who does balloon animals for children’s birthdays, but can you try to be a little less ominous and just flat-out tell me what the fuck is going on?”

She had a problem with authority. 

“Ah, you’re everything I thought you’d be.”

“What’s that?”

“Annoying and reckless.”

“So I’ve been told,” she said. “How exactly do you know about me and where I live? Are you planning to kill me? If so, can I have my knife back to even the stakes?”

He chuckled. “I’m not trying to kill you. If I wanted that, I would have shown up at your apartment instead of sending you my card. No,” he said and stepped forward, to which she took a step back, “I asked you here to talk about what’s in your blood, Eliza.”

“How do you know my name?”

“Everyone does. With your face all over the media, it’s really no surprise.”

She pouted, “Touché.”

“Let me introduce myself again so that even your childish brain can understand, I am Doctor Stephen Strange and I am a master of the mystic arts, which, in your simple words, means magic of a higher order. I am the protector of this Sanctum and your reality.”

“Right, right,” she didn’t buy it, “So you’re not just a wizard without a hat, is that what you’re trying to tell me? You’re actually just very schizophrenic and think you’re some sort of superman?”

“I think you understand, you just don’t want to see it,” he said, and at this point, he was getting rougher with his words. “You know better than anyone the concept of reality and how fragile it is, so you must take my words to heart.”

“Do I?” she retorted.

“You don’t have a choice.”

“I always have a choice, and this is not it.”

“Eliza, we need to talk!”

“Talk to your cape,” she said and turned around to head back through the door she came through, but the cape she mentioned wrapped around the handle before she could leave. “I said talk to it not make it stop me from leaving!”

“I can’t let you leave, not before you hear me out.”

She narrowed her eyes at the cape—cloak. “You are a loyal piece of outerwear, aren’t you?” She couldn’t believe she was talking to it. 

Perhaps she had completely lost her mind, after all.

Turning around again, Eliza looked Stephen up and down again. Her nostrils flared and she huffed. “What do you want to talk about?”

Stephen nodded in satisfaction. “As I said, I’m in charge of protecting our reality. Part of that is unlimited knowledge. I know you, Eliza. Or should I say, Alina?” he said. “I heard about Hydra, I followed what you did, I knew you almost died. I’m impressed, but I’m also concerned. You need to understand who you are. That’s why I asked you here. You want answers, I’m here to provide them.”

When was he before she talked to Viktor? She could have spared herself quite a lot of pain. Then again, she confronted him and it felt good. She asserted her dominance. She needed that. 

If this stranger could give her answers, whoever he was and however important he might be, who was she to turn it down? The cloak wasn’t human, and what the man himself could do wasn’t either. The stone in his necklace called for her. He knew more about the infinity stones than she did. She had to listen to him, he was right, because she was slowly losing herself and if her head continued splitting, she would soon drop dead. 

She hesitated, and he noticed.

“You pose a potential threat to the universe. Your powers are raging freely and you have no means of controlling the true extent of them,” he stated. “If you know what’s good for you, you stop arguing and allow me to explain it to you. You don’t have a choice, kid.”

“I’m a risk?” Eliza sneered. “What the fuck does that even mean?”

“You long for answers, I know it. Someone like you isn’t easily satisfied with half of the truth. You have two options: Follow me and let me talk to you, or I will have to restrain you. I really don’t want to have to do this the hard way. You’re not the only one who’s tired.”

“You’re an asshole. I appreciate it.”

“Thank you. I try my best.”

“Clearly. Well, I really don’t have the power to argue, so ten minutes,” she said, “That’s all you got. As long as you tell your loyal piece of outerwear to let go of my hand before I burn it to ashes–“ it turned to her, then let his edges fall again, pointing toward the floor. “Oh, don’t look so offended. You’re fabric. You shouldn’t be able to have feelings.” She rolled her eyes when it started to hang even lower. “I’m sorry,” she couldn’t believe she said, “You’re a nice cape– cloak, I mean cloak.”

It finally let go of her hand, flying back to the shoulders of its owner.

“This entire thing is so fucking weird.”

“Then you’re going to absolutely hate this part. Watch out!” He circled his hands on the hair, bringing them together in the middle. The energy sizzled and when she opened her eyes from blinking, they were standing in what seemed to be a library. The window she saw from the outside was right in front of her, overlooking the skyline.

Eliza wobbled. She caught herself on the bookshelf to her right. 

“Woah!” she gasped. “What the- how did you just do that?”

“Magic,” Stephen stated. “Want some tea?”

“I-“

They moved to a table, again with the flick of his wrist, and a tea kettle appeared on the table. Their cups were brewing with the hot liquid, creamer, and honey already stirred inside.

Her mind exploded. She wasn’t sure what she watched, but it was nowhere near natural. She wasn’t either. There was a world beyond hers, one she didn’t have the willpower to understand, but he somehow seemed to believe she did. He acted almost as if this was natural — it wasn’t.

“Sit down,” he pointed to the chair across from him, the one she stood behind, “We’ve got a lot to talk about.”

“You’re not the type of guy to spare my feelings, are you?” she said.

“No. I prefer the radical approach because I don’t really care what you think.”

“Fair.“ She sipped her tea. It wasn’t poisoned, so that was a start. “So, Doctor Strange, what is it that you have to say about my existence? Make it quick because I have someone waiting for me at home who’s going to raise absolute hell if he’s unable to find me.”

“Yes, Daredevil. I’ve heard about him too.”

She somehow expected this to happen. He didn’t lie when he said he was a sorcerer, magic of the highest order. After an alien attack, a sorcerer wasn’t so far off. Magic wasn’t so far off. The infinity stones supplied her with enough energy to manipulate reality and that was not natural, either. Her mind exploded but her curiosity multiplied.

“I should be offended, but I think someone like you knows how to hide a secret. You’re honest, I feel it. So yes, Daredevil. He almost lost me once, he’s not gonna let that happen again,” she said.

“Lucky for you, I have no intention of keeping you here forever. But the reason you’re here is serious and I need your undivided attention.”

She clinked the spoon against the mug. “You’ve got me tea. I don’t have a choice.”

“Great. The reason I asked you here is that the reality stone has been acting up and therefore has caused your powers to gain a strength that a person should not possess, but it somehow chose you, so it is a part of you now. What’s dangerous is the fact that you can’t control it.”

“No one taught me how to.”

“History calls it the Aether. You might know it as the reality stone. A friend of yours, Thor Odison, mentioned it before.”

“He did.”

“The Dark Elves managed to turn the reality stone into liquid – somehow, after it got trapped in stone, parts of it landed on earth. I don’t know how, but your parents found it. An object this powerful is in a million event,” said Stephen. He sat leaned back in his chair, legs crossed and his elbow propped up on the armrest as if it was the most natural thing.

“They’re energy sources. I suppose that’s how they found it – they were scientists, and analyzing the atmosphere was part of their job description. Eliza, your mother bore the entire force of an infinity stone,” he said, “No human being has ever survived a blast like that. The reality stone makes people sick because it’s too strong for humans to handle. We’re the weaker species. Your mother was bound to die the second she touched that rock. You’re the only human being who ever survived being subjected to the power of an infinity stone. With the reality stone, it’s a slow disease that inevitably kills you. You stayed alive. Your mother got sick, but you didn’t. The stone killed her, not you. You were just a fetus and you survived. It’s not supposed to be possible but it happened.”

She grew more confused by the second. “Just tell me what it means,” she begged.

He put his finger to his lips. Patience, he silently told her. It’s a virtue. 

“The reality stone carries the ability to protect itself against potential threats. If you anger it, it tends to hit back. The Aether became one with your blood. That’s why it’s no longer trying to protect itself; it’s trying to protect its keeper, and that’s you. You’re one with the infinity stone and that makes you one of the most powerful beings in the universe.”

“Hold up,” she sat down her tea, “I am what now? No, no,” Eliza said, chuckling, “You’ve got it wrong. I’m nowhere near as strong as you say. I mean, what have I done that could be considered all-powerful? Right, nothing. This is stupid.”

A strange force pulled her back into the chair, trapping her there.

“I’m not done,” Stephen said in his most demanding voice. “You saw what you can do. You didn’t know the power was inside of you at first because the stone was trying to protect you, and that’s exactly why you haven’t been able to control it. Hydra messed your head up good. The experiments on your Amygdala gave you the ability to manipulate emotions, but the Aether inside of you keeps you alive. It is partly responsible for the way your powers manifested. Without it, none of this would’ve worked. But then you almost died and your brain recovered, leaving you with the reality stone.”

She slowly started to piece the puzzle together. “Emotions are basically part of reality. That’s why I could see the story behind their emotions and manipulate it. I changed reality over and over again,” she said.

“Yes. Reality as we know it works a certain way, but there’s a subjective reality, it’s what we see and think of the world. Hydra only made you stronger.”

“God.”

“Now that the reality stone is no longer trying to protect itself but rather you, it doesn’t react as harshly. It reacts when your body reacts. You now know what’s inside of you and what you can do, now all you have to do is learn how to fully control it. You’re messing with powers you don’t understand yet. The Aether may protect you, but it’s still too powerful for any human to handle. So if you don’t learn how to control it and use the powers it’s granting you, you can cause more damage than good. And it’s an infinity stone, the power belongs to the universe – the universe was never meant to cause any harm. The stones were made to protect said universe not destroy it. Although they have the power to do so if they happen to fall into the wrong hands.”

He opened the cage of the green gem again. The shrill frequency went straight to her head and she hissed, holding her throbbing forehead.

“It’s like it’s—“ she searched for the right words, “calling for me. Talking to me,” she said. “Why?”

Stephen was quick to explain, “You’re alike. The stone inside of you communicates with the time stone. It’s normal. While the reality stone is still out there, you’ve become a version of it that’s just as powerful. The time stone knows that it feels drawn to you the way you feel drawn to it. I’m here to protect this stone with my life, I learned how to use it, and you have to do the same. You have to learn how to handle yourself.”

“God, I didn’t sign up for this! Why is it always me? I just wanted a normal life.”

“With great power comes great responsibility,” he said.

“Bullshit!”

“Hear me out. You can’t do it on your own and since I’ve sworn to do everything in my power to prevent threats such as yourself to mess with the universe, I’m here to help you control the power of the stone. Because if you learn to use it the right way, you’re gonna be unstoppable. Your fate could change millions of lives. It’s a good thing, but all good things have a dark side. That’s why you’re here, to make sure that dark side stays in the dark and doesn’t come around to bite you in the ass. If it comes down to it, I won’t hesitate to put the universe before you. And I don’t want to have to do that.”

At least he was honest, but she didn’t like what his honesty entailed. She had to get out. He was messing with her head and the time stone was messing with her bloodstream. Her brain told her to flee and she considered it. If she stood a chance, she wasn’t sure, but the power was astronomical. If she was who he said she was, she stood more than a chance against him.

She swallowed the last sip of tea. “No thank you,” she said then, as civilized as she could. “I’d rather not be shaped into something I am not again.”

He sighed wearily. “Honestly, if you weren’t threatening actual lives, you’d be more of a nuisance, really. But your existence is threatening the universe, your dreams are starting to warn you about what could happen, and you don’t really have a choice but to let me help you,” he told her, “because as the sorcerer supreme, it’s my duty to make sure no one threatens the universe.”

“I’m not a threat. I don’t hurt people, not anymore.”

“You don’t have to do it consciously. You know how fragile you are, don’t play it down.”

“Shut up!”

“I’m getting under your skin. Good, are you starting to see the full picture now or do you need me to portal you to the North Pole?”

“I’m leaving,” she decided. “Thanks for the tea though.”

“She has manners. But manners don’t buy me anything,” Stephen said. 

As she got up, he flicked his wrist again and sent her hurdling forward into the library. She landed on her ass.

Eliza groaned, rising back to her feet. The whole portal-ing made her dizzy and nauseous. “Why won’t you just let me leave? I heard you out, but I don’t like what you’re insinuating because it’s simply not true!”

“Your head is splitting.”

“It is, but there has to be another explanation,” she said, already sounding desperate. “There has to be an explanation that doesn’t portray me as a monster.”

“Strength doesn’t make you a monster,” he said.

“You’re making it sound like the universe is gonna die if I don’t let you turn me into whatever it is you want to turn me into.”

“I want to teach you how to control it.” He stood before her now, arms crossed and sighing like a disappointed father. “Would you just let me?” he said.

She ground her teeth. “Why are the stones warning me?” she asked. “And why do I keep seeing broken pictures as I fall through what appears to be a multiverse, which is so far-fetched that I’m starting to think you’ve manipulated me so I’d listen to you.”

His posture stiffened. He didn’t seem to have known that. “Multiverse?” he questioned.

“Or it’s something else, I don’t know. Does it matter?”

His voice dropped, “What did you see?” 

“Blue and purple, space and time, memories that weren’t mine but somehow are, things that could happen but never did, and then there was this mirror I fell through—“

“The mirror dimension,” he murmured. His head lifted and he asked, louder this time, “What else did you see?”

“The stones,” she said.

“What else?” Stephen bared his teeth. He seemed more on edge than he had before and she realized that this wasn’t just about her anymore, this was about her dreams that could easily turn into visions.

He was confusing her. If her dreams were as dangerous as he made it out to be and her powers posed a threat, she had to let him teach her, but then again she hadn’t seriously hurt anyone and lately it seemed as if she was in control of the darker parts of her, so he could just have been exaggerating.

With her head already split in two, she wasn’t sure what to believe and her mind instantly categorized Stephen Strange as someone who wanted to trap her like Rapunzel in a tower and make her dance to his beat because he was apparently so much more special than her. She didn’t want to fall for the games of a man like that ever again, not after she was so close to putting Viktor behind bars. 

She was her own person and she would find a way to do this with Matt or on her own.

“There was this purple guy, but I only saw him briefly and I couldn’t make out his face,” she told him.

He began to mutter something under his breath. “Now it’s even more important you let me analyze your powers and teach you how to use them in a way that could protect the universe from potential threats,” he said then.

She shook her head. “Not gonna happen.”

“Eliza, you don’t have a choice, and I mean that.”

“I mean it too when I say that I won’t be anyone’s toy anymore. No matter what you say or do, I won’t believe you.”

“These visions you’ve been having… There is a multiverse but it is supposed to be safe, not breaking. The mirror dimension is not supposed to be breaking. I can’t believe I haven’t seen it before—“

“Yeah, right. You know, I’m starting to think your entire magic thing is just a fancy trick. There is only one God so there is only one universe, which makes you a liar and me a little more fucked up than I am, but then again I have an infinity stone inside of me, so perhaps I gotta trust where it leads me. Just because you can manipulate time doesn’t make you any more special or better than I am. So if you know what’s good for you, you let me leave, Doctor Stephen Strange.” 

Her hands started to glow, but he was the last person to get scared of that. His fists knocked together before he brought them back out, now holding two plate-sized red circles that held runes she had never seen before. 

He sighed, “Do you really want to fight me on this?”

She stared at him through her red eyes. Threat, her body screamed. He backed her into a corner, she felt like a bird in a cage all over again, and it terrified her. Her fight-or-flight response was activated, and as soon as that happened, whatever was in her blood was ready to defend her. 

“You don’t want to make me angry,” she bellowed. 

“You do realize that your powers could either annihilate the universe or yourself, right? This isn’t a joke. This isn’t some childish game that I want to play with you just because it gives me a kick. I asked you here because you not knowing who or what you are, at least not to the full extent you are eventually going to grow to, poses a danger both to the reality I’m trying to protect and to you and everyone you love! Think about your boyfriend–“

Her teeth bared and the color in the palm of her hand grew. “Keep his name out of your mouth,” she said, and while she stayed calm with her voice, the threat in her red eyes became clearer at the mention of him.

“You can twist and turn reality however you choose,” Stephen continued, taking another step toward her. He looked so confident, not at all scared like everyone else, and that made her even angrier.

Her body screamed to run. Her mind reeled and her veins were on fire.

“You can do that and so much more,” he said, “which is precisely what you should beware of. Because a power like that is nothing to be played with, and I am trying to be reasonable with this because I don’t want to hurt or restrain you, but I will if you don’t choose to let me help you out of your own damn will.”

“I don’t answer to you.”

“You see, that is not your choice to make. Not anymore. Not after what you told me and what I’m seeing in your terrified little eyes right now. There is something so strong inside of you, it’s twisting your mind and that is going to be the death of you.“

“Fuck you! You don’t get to decide who I am. I make that decision. I won’t be your prisoner and I am not your test rabbit.”

“Eliza, think this through,” he said. “Only one of us is in full control of their powers, and it sure as hell isn’t you!”

“Oh, Stephen,” Eliza brought her hands up, “I have never been more in control.”

“Okay, let’s do this another way.”

The world around her changed suddenly, it split in two and grew in glass around her. She stood amid endless mirrors, the world outside unreachable. 

Threat.

She looked around in panic, the pictures of her dreams returning in her head. She saw herself in the mirrors, her red eyes and hands, and she multiplied wherever she looked. There was no way out. Stephen stepped through the glass and in front of her, that much was real, but the mirrors seemed surreal, like a nightmare come true and she would wake up any second. 

Upon the move of his hands, the bookshelf split apart and started spiraling down. That was enough for her to act. She wasn’t sure what compelled her, but she did the same thing that she did when she fell – she broke through the mirrors, her hand pushed out at her side and the red hitting the glass with such a force, it splintered. 

Stephen seemed taken aback. Whatever had been done to the bookshelves stopped and the glass soared through the floor. The first set of books flew toward him.

“How is that possible?” he growled, dodging the attack. 

Eliza panted when she told him, “Let me go!”

“No can do-”

“Fine!”

At the same time he conjured up the glowing red strings, she channeled her anger into her hands and pushed forward. Both of their powers met in the middle, the same way the alien tech had clashed against hers, but she was stronger than him this time and it only sent him flying back, and Stephen crashed into one of the displays. 

She stared at her hands, shocked and partly impressed. He was still breathing, his groans told her as much, but she didn’t have the time to stick around. She needed to get out. She had made him angry and he would trap her if she didn’t run, she was sure of that. The panic drove her down the stairs and toward the exit. 

From behind her, his faint voice rang out, “You can’t run from who you really are!”

He obviously had never met her.

How long had she been in the Sanctum? New York had gotten dark outside, the lights of the city offering some guidance on her way toward the more crowded street. Her phone started to vibrate and she pulled it out. Somehow Stephen must have intercepted her service because she had several calls and text messages on her screen, most of them from Matt, but there were also some worried questions coming from Foggy’s end. 

She sighed heavily, her hand reaching out to flag down a cab while she deleted the notifications and pulled out her credit card instead. “Hell’s Kitchen,” she told the driver. 

His eyes got stuck on her. “Oh, my God, you are-”

“I’m not gonna hurt you,” she said, already having expected that reaction, but the more they waited the closer Stephen would get, “Now drive!” 

He hit the gas. 

During the thirty-minute drive, Eliza typed in Foggy’s number and waited for him to pick up with a bouncing leg. “C’mon,” she murmured. 

Finally, after what felt like forever, his voice rang out, “Liz, where the fuck have you been?”

“Is Matt still at the office?” she asked.

“No, he left about two hours ago. Seriously, we couldn’t reach you for hours. Where are you?” 

“I did a very stupid thing,” her breath hitched, “and he is gonna be so mad at me. Did he say he was, y’know, going out to find me?”

“He didn’t say anything, he just said he needed to make sure you didn’t get yourself killed. What do you mean you did a very stupid thing? And don’t ignore my question now.”

“Oh, fuck me! This is not gonna end well. I’m in a cab right now. I can’t answer your question, not right now, so just— I need to get home and talk to Matt. He’s probably gonna kill me, but right now, I don’t really care. Thanks, Foggy. I’ll talk to you later.”

“Liz, wait—“

He was cut off by the line clicking and going dead silent. She hung up on him. 

The cab dropped her off a couple of blocks from the apartment. She paid and made her way to what she suspected was her certain death. 

She quickly unlocked the door, storming through and locking it back behind her. She closed all possible deadbolts and even then it didn’t seem enough. The light in the apartment was on, to her surprise, but she couldn’t care less about that right now.

Matt jumped from the couch. “Where the fuck have you been?” he asked, the worry clearly written on his face. But most of all, he was angry.

She ignored him, quickly moving onto the windows and pulling all the curtains shut. 

“Eliza,” he urged.

“Just hold on a second,” she said. She jumped up the stairs to the rooftop access door and locked that one too. In the bedroom, she closed the window and the curtains. She made sure all entrance points were locked before he forcefully pulled her in front of him and glared at her. 

“Where have you been?” he asked.

“I did a very bad thing.”

“Oh, what did you do?”

She bit her lip. “Can you let me go?” His fingers dug into her upper arms. “You’re hurting me.”

Matt blinked out of it, instantly letting her go. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to–“

“Would you believe me if I told you that a wizard without a hat but a floating cape is after me?”

“What?”

“Yeah, I reacted the same when I first saw him, but then he continued talking about how he knew me and he knew a lot of things that the media didn’t state, so he seems to really have unlimited knowledge, and he told me that magic is very much real. And he has the time stone, which is– they’re all calling for me, but seeing one in person was, like, so intense,” she said. “And then he continued talking about how the reality stone came to be, how it got into me, and how I should not have survived, which kind of makes me special because the universe chose me, but I also pose a threat to said universe because my powers are so strong and I need to be controlled because he’s supposed to protect the universe and he’d put it before my life if I ever became a threat, so yeah, a wizard just threatened to kill me if I don’t learn how to control this power raging through me and he wanted to keep me there to shape me into whatever he wants me to be, and I said no.”

“Eliza, slow down–“

She wasn’t planning on it; her body was burning brightly with adrenaline. 

“And then he kept talking about how my dreams were some sort of vision and that there is a multiverse, which I told him is ridiculous because you said there is only one God and I believed that, so I blamed it on him, which also seems plausible because he sent me a card that led me there and he knew who I was, so I suspect he gave me those visions to make me feel like I’m going crazy and he can use me for whatever perverted purpose he has for my powers or something like that because he is a wizard after all. After aliens, that’s not so far off and that’s not what struck me. I mean, look at me, I’m not human either, so he could have given me visions, definitely. I refused to let him persuade me to follow him because I am done following men the way they want me to, and then we fought, I kind of broke some sort of mirror dimension, which also should not be possible, and then I fought a wizard and his cape and then I ran, so now I’m here. Don’t be mad at me, please, I am very terrified right now and I don’t know how to place my emotions so I am about to break down and I fear that if you don’t hug me, I might fall apart.”

He opened his arms. “C’mere.” Her arms wrapped around him and squeezed tightly, her eyes crowding with tears and then she was crying again, and he held her because he wasn’t sure what else to do.

She sobbed, “I’m scared, Matty.” She never admitted she was scared. 

He rubbed her back, lips pressed to her hair. “I know, baby,” he said.

“Don’t let him take me, please.”

“I would never, you’re safe here. I’ve got you. He won’t touch you.”

“I’m so sorry I left.”

“Don’t worry about it. What matters is that you’re safe. I just need— I’m confused too, I need a moment to process what you said, but I got you.”

He held her face and she whimpered. Kissing her tears, Matt tried not to panic. Her words made sense to her, but not to him. He was confused and he was scared that he couldn’t understand. He wasn’t made for this kind of life, and she had told him that once. It had been an emotional reaction, something she didn’t mean because she had endless faith in him, but he started to lose faith in himself and God because this world completely wrecked his brain. It drove a bulldozer over his belief system. 

He tried to be strong for her, but it was only getting harder. She was crying and she needed him to hold her, to be strong and make the fear go away, protect her from the ghosts and demons of her past and present, but how could he help her if he didn’t even know what he was helping her with?

Matt set her down on the sofa. She was still shaking violently. He took the comforter from the backrest and wrapped the plaid around her shoulders. 

He kissed her forehead. “I’m gonna grab you some water. Sit tight.”

Her eyes focused blankly on the wall before her, the painting that hung there, and the cracks in the stone. She pulled her legs up to her chest. Her head was splitting and she felt the hole in her chest. She felt the power and it ran her dry. She needed more while at the same time, she needed nothing at all. She wanted the spiral to stop.

And she began to think, as she thought back to what she had done to Stephen and what he showed her, perhaps he was right. Perhaps there was something about his true words and she needed help. She knew she needed help, but the kind he had offered was. Or did she? 

He handed her the water bottle. “Can you explain it to me again?” he asked. “Slower this time so I can understand.”

“I don’t–“ she swallowed, admitting honestly then, “I don’t understand.”

“Take a deep breath and then tell me exactly what happened. We can go from there.”

Eliza took a deep breath. She could remember what happened, she remembered everything and so she recalled everything that happened at the Sanctum and what Stephen said and did and told Matt every detail. She still didn’t understand what she was talking about, but the story met his ears and he started thinking about it. The more she said, the more the hairs on his arms stood up. Goosebumps covered his skin. His heartbeat was up to his throat.

In the end, she was wracked with sobs again. “I’m so sorry,” she cried, “I don’t know what’s wrong with me. Viktor’s gonna plead not guilty, which means I have to testify and I have to face him and I really thought that was it. I thought I would never have to worry about being wanted for what’s inside of me ever again. I’m so scared, Matt, and I don’t like being scared because it messes with my head.”

“He called you a threat, but he doesn’t know you as I do,” he said.

“But he’s a wizard, he has the time stone. What if–“ Eliza took a sip of the water, “What if he’s right and I pose a threat to the universe? I can’t possibly understand what I’m facing, what he’s facing, what we’re all facing. He does. So either he’s a master manipulator or he’s right.”

“Baby, I’m gonna be honest with you, I didn’t understand a thing of what you said. All of this– it’s new to me and I’m scared, too. I’m scared that I can’t help you and it’s killing me inside, but I do know one thing, you are not a threat and you are not a monster. He had no right pressuring you like that and you did the right thing running because he doesn’t get to have power over you. No one does. It’s your choice and you said no, which is exactly what you should have done.”

She took in a shaky breath. “Okay,” she nodded slowly. “So I’m just gonna have to sit it out and hope he doesn’t come after me?”

Matt smiled softly. “Yes.”

“How? I mean, he could come back any second. He could haunt me in my dreams. He’s a wizard,” Eliza said. “He can do the weirdest shit, I saw him do it, so coming to get me and chaining me to his little palace for all eternity wouldn’t be so hard.”

“He’s not going to get you. He can come, but he has to go through me and I am going to put up one hell of a fight. I’d rather die than let him get to you,” he said.

She sniffled. “You’re gonna be here to protect me?” 

“Always.”

He settled down next to her and pulled her into his chest. His heartbeat calmed her, she focused on that and she focused on his steady breathing. She allowed her heartbeat to align with his, finally relaxing enough to breathe.

Her eyes fluttered close eventually. It was a small nap, probably only fifteen minutes before there was a knock on the door. She shot up, eyes wide. “He’s here,” she breathed.

When she jumped from the couch, Matt reached his arms out in a soothing motion. “No, you’re okay, it’s just Foggy,” he said. He could hear his friend’s familiar heartbeat on the other side. 

“Are you sure? Maybe he’s just pretending to be Foggy to fool you into letting him in.”

“No, baby, I’m sure. His heart sounds a certain way and he smells… well, I can’t explain it, but you can’t fool me. In that regard, my heightened senses are foolproof. Just breathe, alright? You’re okay, you’re safe.“

She remained standing, eyes narrowed at the door. He unlocked it, allowing Foggy inside, then locked all the deadbolts as she had before. 

Eliza reached for the fruit ball on the dinner table. He opened his mouth to greet her, but instead Foggy was met with an apple straight to his chest. The fruit pearled off of him and he followed the trail, clearly confused. He didn’t fight, he didn’t change forms, he simply stood there, lost and confused.

“Did you just throw an apple at me?” he asked eventually, regaining some of his composure.

Her defensive stance slacked. “Tell me something only you would know,” she said.

Foggy exchanged a confused look with Matt who only nodded, a silent plea for him to indulge her because she was scared, she was sweating and her heartbeat sounded through the roof. He needed her to calm down and if this was what it would take, he had to play along.

He took a second to collect himself. “Matt likes to stuff his sweatpants into his socks because he hates it when the temperature of his ankles and the rest of him are different. It triggers his, uh, super senses? I don’t know what they’re called,” he said. “But he does it every time he wears sweatpants, which doesn’t happen often, he’s always liked to walk around with as little clothing as possible. Now please–“ Foggy pointed at her hand, “would you put the banana down?”

Eliza relaxed, she put the fruit back in the bowl and straightened up. “It’s really you,” she said, sighing a breath of relief. “I thought you were– I’m sorry. I had to make sure you were real.”

“What’s wrong?” he asked. 

“My bad decision is coming to bite me in the ass.”

“What exactly did you do?”

“You wouldn’t get it even if I explained.”

“Try me.”

For the second time that night, she gave a recap of what she went through with Stephen Strange, the Doctor who also happened to be a sorcerer. 

Foggy looked just as distraught as Matt, and the latter was even more confused upon hearing it a second time. His fist tightened around the tea he had brewed for them. He handed one mug to Foggy, the other to his girlfriend and he held the other to his chest.

Foggy blinked the fog in his eyes away. “So basically you just met a wizard who wanted to force you to stay with him so he could train you because of that stupid infinity stone that’s in your blood?” he said.

She nodded, “Pretty much.”

“Cool. That’s cool. Cool, cool, cool–“

“Something tells me it’s not cool,” she said.

“Because it is not!” He threw his hands up. “A multiverse, are you kidding me? What is this? Scooby Do? The Matrix? Fucking Avatar? What the fuck, Eliza?!”

“Dude, I don’t know!” Eliza retorted. She shrugged so high, her shoulders hurt. “I’m just as confused as you are, except all of this isn’t all that new to me. But I am freaking out and telling you everything doesn’t just make me gain infinite knowledge. I am scared, Foggy! I’m scared and I hate my life. So whether or not we understand doesn’t matter, I just don’t want Stephen Strange to come in here and get me so that he can trap me like he told me he would. I wanted answers, what I got was much worse and now I’m even more confused than I was before!”

She broke down again, head in her hands as she sobbed. Matt instantly wrapped his arms around her, shooting a warning glare in Foggy’s direction.

He sighed. “I’m sorry, you’re right. This wasn’t– I didn’t mean to react like that.”

She waved him off.

“Hey,” said Foggy, “You had every right to get out of there. He’s an asshole. He doesn’t get to tell you who you are. Bad enough Viktor already fucked with your head. No,” he took her hand, “You did the right thing. Fuck him and fuck his floating cape!”

Her chuckle sounded broken but somehow Foggy always managed to lighten the mood. “Thank you,” she said.

“You have more important things to worry about.”

“The hearing.”

Eliza gnawed at the inside of her cheek. She completely pushed it away. “I hate that I have to see him,” she admitted quietly.

Matt sat back down beside her, Foggy settling on the other side. She leaned her head on her boyfriend’s shoulder, her best friend holding her other hand. 

Lips pressed to the crown of her head. “We’ve got you,” he murmured. “And once that is done, we focus on the wizard.”

“You think he’ll come after me?”

“I’d like to see him try,” Foggy said.

“If he hasn’t come to get you yet, he’s not going to tomorrow,” Matt told her. “And even if he does, I’ll protect you with my life.”

She was satisfied with that answer. She could worry about him once Viktor was locked away. She could worry about herself once she put the man who ruined her life behind bars. 

You pose a threat to the universe.

She scoffed. Stephen Strange could fuck himself.

At 221 Bleeker Street, the mood was lower than usual, but it wasn’t ill intent that laid in the air. Hurt pride cut it the closest.

Stephen Strange got to his feet, snapping his fingers to put the glass cage back together. He had barely brushed the shards off when Wong came sprinting up the stairs.

“What’s wrong?” he asked. “What happened?”

“Eliza Bennett happened,” Stephen answered through gritted teeth.

“You got her here? Where is she?” Wong looked around, but his friend merely sneered.

“She left.”

He took a moment to eye him closer. “Why do you look like you’ve just been thrown into a wall?”

“She wouldn’t listen, so she left. That’s all you need to know.”

“So, a kid beat you?” he said.

Stephen lifted his finger, his eyes wide and lips pressed into a thin line. “She did not beat me!” he said. “And she’s not a kid, she’s an adult.”

Wong laughed. “She did beat you.”

“That’s a lie. I let her go.”

“If you actually did that, you’re dumber than I thought.”

He sighed in exasperation. “I underestimated her,” he admitted. “Seems like her mind knows what to do. The stone is communicating with her, keeping her in check and in control. And the dreams she’s been having… Wong, if this keeps happening, we might have a bigger problem at our hands than that girl.”

“Then we should get her back,” said Wong. “Right now, we’ll get her and force her to help us.”

Stephen shook his head. He stood at the top of the stairs, turning to his friend before he said while descending, “She’s gonna come back.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“Because she was simply scared. As soon as she realizes she can’t do this alone, which she will, she’s gonna come back, begging at my feet.”

“Oh, even though she didn’t hesitate to beat you?”

Halfway down, he twirled around. “She did not beat me!” His voice echoed off the high walls, but Wong’s laugh only filled the room once again as he disappeared.

“She totally beat you.”

"Wong!"

#matt murdock #daredevil #foreigner's god #matt murdock smut #matt murdock x ofc #matt murdock fic #matt murdock x female!oc #daredevil fic #matt murdock x oc #matt murdock imagines #human disaster matt murdock #doctor strange #mcu multiverse #mcu spoilers ahead #marvel #matt murdock angst #matt murdock fluff

[mysticartsydaydream]

Four: Listen to the Wind Blow

The past resurfaced brings Annabelle apprehension, and in a new old world where mischief reigns supreme, the outsiders' snooping around for answers find themselves in reality-threatening danger.

#the chain (keep us together) #Stephen strange x ofc #Doctor strange x ofc #Stephen strange #Annabelle Rogers #Loki Laufeyson #Matt Murdock #Agatha Harkness #my fic #my fic tag #lady sif #Valkyrie

[girl-of-many-fandoms]

"I don't get jealous."

Pairing: Stephen Strange x Stark!Reader

Summary: In order to get the job done a little flirting is necessary.

Warnings: mention of needles and light smut

NOTE: This fic is set just before the events of Civil War and Doctor Strange where Stephen is a regular neurosurgeon. I've been sitting on this one for some time now.

MASTERLIST

---

"Ignore it." Stephen continued to kiss my neck and jawline, rolling me onto my back in order to keep me from answering my phone that kept buzzing on his nightstand.

"It's important-mhmm.." A moan fell past my lips as he grounded himself against me. Stephen crashed his lips against mine in a lazy kiss; my hands roamed from his shoulders to his chest and using enough force I successfully rolled us over.

"This really better be important." 

"Oh relax, we've been going at it for hours." Stephen held onto my thighs, rubbing small circles into my exposed flesh with his thumb. I hugged the white sheet close to my body as I reached over to pick up my phone.

"Tony?”

“Shake your ass sunshine, we’ve got a mission.” Stephen smirked cheekily at me, thrusting his hips upwards which earned him a playful smack on his abdomen. 

“I’m sure you’re capable of handling this one yourself.”

“I would if I was able to flirt my way into this man’s apartment to get what I need.” Stephen sat up moving his hands from my thighs to my ass giving it a firm squeeze. His stubble burned against my neck as he left a trail of kisses on my exposed flesh.

“Can’t Nat help you with this because I’m in the middle of something.”

“Kiss the doctor goodbye and let’s get going.”

“How did you- Friday. Fine, I’ll be there in twenty.”Hanging up I threw the phone onto the bed, leaving kisses on Stephen’s collar bone. 

“You have to go.” 

“I do.” I couldn’t hold in my laugh as he securely held onto me, dragging me down with him as he laid back on his pillow. Stephen ghosted his fingers along my spine leaving goosebumps in their wake. 

“I don’t want you to leave just yet.”

“I don’t either but just like you doctor, I have to leave whenever my phone rings.” He opened his mouth to make a remark only to be cut short by his ringtone. Reaching over I grabbed it, a broad smile made its way onto my face once I saw the caller ID.

“You were about to say something?” He took the device and answered it, holding it up to his ear. I moved to get off of him but he kept me in place with his free arm. With my eyes trained on his face, I left a sizeable hickey on his chest as well as a few love bites here and there.

“I’ll be there in an hour.” 

“Not a word Ms. Stark.” Hooking his index finger under my chin he tilted my head back to kiss me a couple times before pulling away.

“See, you know I’m right.” Groaning at my statement, he rolled me onto my back; his blue eyes locked with mine. Reaching up, I ran my fingers across his stubble that was surely going to be removed before he goes to work.

“Yes, you were. Now let’s get out of this bed before we never leave. Just do me a favour, be careful.” 

“The most work I’ll be doing is flirting my way into some old dudes condo, nothing that’ll land me on your operating table.” 

“I’m sorry, what?” 

Smirking, I pushed on his chest and he got off of me, planting both his feet on the hardwood floor. Stephen stood in all his glory showcasing his entire physique for me to see.

“Oh relax, I’m not going to sleep with the guy.” I threw the covers back and got out of bed. Stephen located his boxers from last night and pulled them up while I was in the middle of slipping on my clothes.

“You better not.”

“Is that a hint of jealousy Doctor Strange?” Stephen towered over me with both hands on my hips. 

“I don’t get jealous.” 

—

“You know I forgot to say this earlier but you do look lovely tonight sis.” Tony’s voice came through my comms. Bringing the cocktail glass up to my lips, I took a sip of my drink, eyes searching the sea of faces to find our target.

“I’m sure your doctor friend would’ve loved to see you in that dress.”

“What are you doing Tony?” Our eyes locked from across the room, he had a smirk on his face which told me that he was definitely up to no good.

“When do I get to meet him?”

“Never, so please drop it.”

“He makes you happy, that much I could tell. You’re blushing.”

“I’m not, it’s the alcohol. I’ve got eyes on Colin.” 

“Go work your magic, just don’t take it too far. I wouldn’t want you to cheat on your lover.” Smiling at Tony I subtly flipped him off as I downed the contents of my glass. Colin walked over to me at the bar with his arms open to greet me.

“Mon ami! It’s nice to see you here.”

“Colin, it’s nice to see you again.” He kissed both my cheeks and took my hand in his, smiling as he took in my appearance.

“You look just as beautiful as I remember.” Colin and I started catching up with each other, well, he was mainly telling me more about his company. Information that I really don’t care about. Colin knocked back his whiskey, snaking his hand onto the small of my back just above the curve of my ass.

Time to get the show on the road Y/N

“I’m really glad to hear about all of that but maybe we could take this conversation somewhere more private?” Colin and I had a thing going on back in college so when Tony briefed me on who our target was I knew this was going to be easy. Batting my eyes at him, I toyed with the lapels of his suit jacket.

“I don’t see why not.” Taking my clutch in one hand I slipped the other into his and followed his lead to the elevator. Colin had my back pressed against the wall the minute the doors shut behind us, kissing every inch of my skin that was available to him.

All I kept thinking about during the ride up to his penthouse was the neurosurgeon who was in the middle of a surgery blocks away from this building. The doors opened and he guided me to his door, thankfully there wasn’t anyone in the hallway to witness me jabbing him in the neck with a sedative. His limp body hit the ground and I grabbed the key to his condo to unlock the door. I pushed the door open and dragged him inside.

“Did you sedate him yet?”

“I did. This part shouldn’t take long.” I retrieved the tiny bug device Tony gave me to place on his computer and headed straight to his study.

“Jackpot! Okay Friday, take the wheel.” I placed the device on his computer and looked at the download bar on the screen.

“So you’re really not going to introduce me to this man?” 

“Exactly, I really like this one and you would only mess it up for me.”

“He knows that you’re an Avenger. What could I possibly do to mess it up?”

“I don’t know Tony and quite frankly, I don’t want to find out. Stephen is too good to me, he’s normal and makes me happy. That should be more than enough for you to know about him.” 

“I’m running a background check-”

“Tony Stark, do not do that!” All of Colin’s files were downloaded and Friday wiped the computer clean. I grabbed my clutch on my way out of the room and walked straight past Colin who was still unconscious on the ground.

“Well this was fun.”

“Always nice working with you sis.”

—

There was a knock on my front door and I paused my movie to answer it. Stephen’s smile dimmed once his eyes landed on me which made me slightly confused.

“What’s that?”

“What’s what?” I stepped aside to let him in and he immediately titled my head to the side to get a better view of my neck.

“Why do you have a hickey on your neck?” Stephen cocked an eyebrow at me pulling his lips into a thin line.

“I told you I had to flirt my way in and no, I did not cheat on you if that's what you were thinking. Hell, I didn’t even kiss Colin.” Stephen shrugged his jacket off and threw it over the back of the sofa. 

“I don’t like it.” There was no denying that he was jealous at the fact that another man had his hands on her while he was away.

“You know, for someone who doesn’t get jealous you sure are right now, Strange.” Stephen scoffed, crossing his arms over his chest. I closed the distance between us and wrapped my arms around his waist.

“I’m not jealous.”

“Prove it.”

Stephen wasted no time in crashing his lips against mine, leaning down a bit to lift me off the ground. My legs wrapped around his waist as he circled the sofa to lie us down on it.

“You’re going to regret saying that Ms. Stark.”

---

MARVEL Taglist:

@dorks2022 @sophiaedits @peakascum @anonymoustip217 @iiddaaa @panaitbeatrice @n3ssm0nique @mintphoenix @inas-thing @sketch-and-write-lover @friskae @bernthalbabe43 @trinkets01 @blackcat420 @justreadingficsdontmindme @bakingpotatoes21 @hardcoppizzasludge @tanyaherondale @creatingjana @calimoi @rootcrop @louisianalady @chrisfucksblog @thummbelina @vicmc624 @leyannrae @janaev4ns @queenofkings1212 @believinghurts @poor-unfortunate-soul-85 @stumbleonmywords @youarethereasonimsmiling @juxtaposition-exe @wanda-1 @katzenwahnsinn @v0idl1nq @winksasleeplesseye

#doctor strange x stark!reader #doctor strange x you #doctor strange x reader #doctor strange imagine #doctor strange #stephen strange x ofc #stephen strange x reader #stephen strange x stark!reader #stephen strange x you #stephen strange #doctor strange smut #stephen strange smut #benedict cumberbatch imagine #benedict cumberbatch

[callsignangelxx]

Prologue

Pre-Accident!Stephen Strange x Neurosurgeon!OFC

Series Summary: Meet Blake Shepherd, The Daughter of Derek Shepherd and Addison-Montgomery-Shepherd, and a Neurosurgery Attending at Metro-General Hospital in New York City after Needing a break when Her father died from a car Crash, During which that Time she met the Other Attending Neurosurgeon, Stephen Strange, Now In Present time they are actually dating and two of the most Famous Neurosurgeon's in Metro-General, Watch as Blake navigates her life alongside her best friend and boyfriend Stephen Strange.

Chapter Summary: With The Emergency Room on High Alert with Multiple Trauma and Neuro Cases, Blake and Stephen find themselves Swamped with so many cases ending the day being completely Exhausted.

Chapter One: Keeping Peace in a Crazy time.

CW//TW: Medical Terminology, Drama, shouting, Surgery, Head Trauma, Cursing, Stephen Getting mad at The Interns, a Bunch of Different OC's, Blake and Christine are Best friends, Mentions of Derek Shepherd's Death, Trauma, Flashbacks, Blake also calls Cristina who is your Best friend from Seattle, Blake Loves Good Surgeries as Does Stephen, Injuries, Stephen being a doting Boyfriend.

It was Supposed to be a Peaceful and quiet day in the Hospital, but Blake Supposed That it Never was, When Her and Stephen first arrived They were immediately Swamped with a 911 In the ER. In Blake's Residency in Seattle Grace she was a Trauma Surgeon before she got her qualifications as a Neurosurgeon Much Like her Father, Which she was applauded on, Greatly on, Right before Her Father's Death she was awarded for both Qualifications.

Right now Blake was going between different Patients, Both with Significant Head traumas, Which Luckily were just some Mild Concussions. she was talking to one of her Interns, Shelby, about what to do, "Get a Repeat CT Scan on both Patients in about an Hour Just to make sure, If there is no Brain Bleed then Prescribe them some Medication for the Pain and Discharge them with the Instructions to come back if they have any Worsening Symptoms, If there is a Brain bleed Page me and Strange Immediately." Blake ordered. Shelby Nodded her head Immediately, "Of Course, Doctor Shepherd." She responded.

The Rest of Blake's Interns, which were Two men and a woman stood there aimlessly, "Amy, David, James, What are you standing around me for, It's My Lunch Break and I'm sure you all have tasks to do, David I know I told you your covering the pit for that little Incident Last week." Blake said, Glaring Slightly, they Spooked off while David Groaned, walking off towards the Pit. Blake sighed as she went off to her Lunch Break, Already Exhausted from how many Traumas she had to deal with during this time, going towards the Break room, Blake Grabbed a coke and a bag of chips before settling down on the couch sighing.

Blake zoned out until she heard that familiar deep voice calling her name, she opened one of her eyes, "Ah, Stephen, you finally got a break?" She hummed. He Chuckled at her Exhausted tone, “Yeah, ER was totally Swamped today especially the Neuro Department.” he commented grabbing his own Drink before Settling down next to Blake. Blake Closed her eyes in Apology, “I’m so sorry I wasn’t able to join you in the OR, Chief had me on trauma Service so my interns could learn something for once.”

Stephen waved her off, “It’s no Problem, babe, I know how The Interns are.” he responded, Blake Scoffed, Letting her Blonde hair down from the Ponytail. “After that last stunt David Pulled Last week, I might as well Stick him in the Pit.” She said, Scowling.

“Oh? And what was that?” Stephen Hummed, Obviously In the mood to hear what stupid Thing David Did to anger Blake. She Snorted, “He Tried to Steal a damn organ for a Donor Patient.” Blake Said. Stephen blinked at What Blake had said, Wow Interns really were Idiots, Which made him glad he wasn’t working with them.

“Yeah, Completely Idiotic for him, He won’t be Scrubbing in on any of my Surgeries anytime soon, it will be the Pit for him for a while.” Blake said, rolling her eyes, not to mention, tomorrow, a Late bloomer to the Residency Program would be added to her Service. Stephen Chuckled lightly, Wrapping his arm around her Shoulder.

Blake Snuggled into his Shoulder, Relaxing for a bit. Until Amy Came Into the Break room, “Doctor Shepherd we need you!” She said, stress Written all over her face. Blake sat up, “What is it Amy?” She asked. The Intern Panted as She saw them Both There, “James is Killing a Patient, and Shelby is Unconscious from a Freaked out patient.” She said.

Blake immediately got up as did Stephen, they ran towards the ER, “James! What happened?” Blake Asked while Stephen Examined Shelby who looked to be in bad Shape. James Shrinked under her Authoritative Tone, “Mr. John here, Came in Extremely Combative and under the Influence of some Hardcore Drugs, he attacked Shelby Pretty bad, and then Collapsed right after, I can’t Control his Arythimas and get them back to Normal.” James said.

“Doctor Strange, is Shelby okay?” Blake asked while she tried to keep John Alive, “Yeah she’ll need a Head CT to be safe but I assume she’ll wake will with a Nasty Headache and Concussion.” he responded. Blake nodded.

Finally Blake had Gotten John’s heart beat back to Normal, “Amy, Get a Angiocardiogram to see what caused that Minor Heart Attack.” Blake ordered, the Intern nodded before tapping away on the Tablet in her hands. James was about to argue but Blake held her hand Up to cut him off. “Uh—Uh, you Are not talking, you are listening.” She said.

“You almost killed that man because you were standing around like a Idiot.” Blake Said, Stephen Right behind her, “You almost would have left Shelby to Die from an Untreated concussion because you were standing around like a Moron, Amy had to Come get me and you know she has a Asthmatic Condition!” She added. Her Blue Eyes Showed compassion for her patients and Injured Colleagues but also Anger for the Misconduct James had done.

“Guess what? Your off Surgical Cases for a Month, your on Scut, Charting only and Consults, no surgeries.” Blake Ordered, expecting him to argue back but he Didn’t, which was good, it Meant he Recognized his Mistake.

A Few Hours Later and It was time for Both Blake’s and Stephen’s Shifts to be over, Blake Slung a warm coat over her shoulders, Signing a few Papers for some Patients at the Nurses station, the Main nurse or Charge Nurse, Malia. Malia Mostly worked the Night Shift, She too over watch over the Patients like a hawk. “Please make sure none of my interns on the night Shift, Either A, Die, or B, Kill someone.” Blake said.

Malia Chuckled, “Shepherd Do not worry, I’ve got this.” She said, Blake Continued Signing herself out, She Rubbed her eyes Tiredly. “I hope your not Driving your Self home.” Malia Pointed out. Blake Snorted, “Oh hell no, Stephen’s not as Tired as I am so he will be Driving us Home.” Blake Replied.

Malia Smiled Sneakily, “You and Stephen Huh? I never would have Thought you two.” She Snorted, as Blake handed back the Clipboard, She Smacked Malia’s arm. “Shut up, it’s only been 3 weeks since we went Public with it, well More Like one of my Stupid Interns walked in on us and announced it to the whole Hospital.” She replied.

Malia Laughed, “Well Girlie, here comes your man.” She said, Blake Turned as Stephen Carried Her Coat that she had Left in her Office, helping her into it. “So caring.” Malia Playfully Cooed. Stephen Laughed as Blake Shushed her. Blake Pushed her Keys into Stephen’s chest, “Your Driving. I’d rather not Crash my Car from Exhaustion.”

“Of Course.” Stephen Replied, giving Blake a little Peck on her Lips. They left arm in arm as Malia Prepared to get ready for the Night Shift.

Blake was so happy to have Stephen In her Life, Especially when they had very Demanding Jobs, They were careful knowing that if one of them got Injured there was a Strict rule about working on family or loved ones, if you were too Personally Involved you were not going in that Trauma or OR Room.

But nothing could Prepare the couple for the Storm of Emotions and bad things coming there Way.

#grey's anatomy #pre accident stephen strange #surgeon stephen strange #stephen strange x oc #doctor stephen strange #OFC #Doctor ofc #surgeon oc #neurosurgery #Interns #cristina yang #Derek shepherd

[karolamurdock]

Accidental Marriage Pt.1

Stephen Strange x OFC

Warnings: Implied/referenced sex, light angst and english is not the author's first lenguage

Summary: For the prompt "Accidental Marriage."

“So… Do you put on my last name, or will this get a little Stranger?

Or: Cassandra Paulssen meets Stephen Strange twice. Once as master and student and once as husband and wife.

Not in that particular order.

Pt.1 Pt.2 Pt.3 Pt.4

The first thing Cassandra noticed when she woke up was how soft the warm sheets felt against her bare skin.

Gradually, consciousness took over the numb senses that remained alien to the environment around her. The mixed aroma of colognes in the environment; the barely muffled sounds of The City that Never Sleeps swarming in the distance, and the softness of the thin sheets that touched her bare back.

Frowning slightly, her eyes still closed at the remnants of heaviness in her system, she wondered how she had slept to roll up her pajamas so sharply. Curling her toes against her bare calf, she also noticed that it wasn't in her favorite worn sleeping pants.

A particularly loud horn thundered in the distance, and Cassandra opened her eyes, finding, to her utter bewilderment, the steely gaze of some not very familiar blue orbs.

A second passed. Cassandra blinked, almost stunned, and when she realized that the image in front of her eyes was, in fact, very real and not one of the perverse machinations of her juiciest dreams, her stomach fell to her feet.

The man blinked mechanically. Leaning as he was against the dark high headboard behind him, Cassandra took note of his chiseled, naked and slender figure. His bare chest was wide, his arms strong and his collarbones soft.

Slowly standing up, with the stranger's eyes still stuck in her figure (Oh, surprise! Also naked), she took her time to recognize the anomalous environment that surrounded her and notice the particularities that were slowly revealed in front of her. The man's face was thin and angular: his high cheekbones and dark hair, falling into a disheveled curl over his forehead (Cassandra had the impression that that hair must have been well combed the previous afternoon), and his blue eyes were sharp, with dark eyelashes and frowning eyebrows that contrasted richly against his light skin.

Finally, sitting on the edge of the wide bed of expensive sheets, Cassandra concluded two things:

One, Cassandra did not arrive at her apartment the day before, as was the plan to finalize the Congress to which she had accompanied her friend Hank.

And two: Cassandra, always surpassing herself, still had an exquisite taste.

Tilting her face subtly as she crouched down to pick up the forgotten underwear peeking out from under the bed, she allowed the curtain of brown hair, loose from the confines she regularly found herself in, to hide the pernicious smile she drew on her repentant lips.

"So..." Cassandra began, standing up and with her face again drawn in an impassive expression. Her state of semi-nakedness was suddenly reminded to her when the man's eyes briefly strolled through her tall figure; her arms defined, her chest barely covered by the dark strands that fell a few centimeters below her breasts, and her long legs. The man's gaze stopped abruptly when he took note of the various scars that decorated her skin. Cassandra didn't bother to manipulate the subject's mind to blur the marks. (Except for one particular stroke that jumped to attention on her lower back. That mark was an exception to any appeal to her prudence.) After all, the same man didn't seem particularly embarrassed by his undressed state either.

"Good morning," the man finally replied, and his short cordiality would have made her smile if not for the worry that was beginning to swirl in the bottom of her stomach. He exhaled, as if blowing his reservations, and shouted at last what he formulated in his own thoughts: “I don't know you.”

Cassandra hummed, okay, and watched him pass a long, well-groomed hand through his messy curls.

A little docile strand curled around a silver band around the man's ring finger, and Cassandra's heart skipped one, two, and then three beats before breath returned in a race to her constricted lungs.

“Are you married?” She whispered, her eyes flying around the room in search of evidence of a spouse who, in her drowsiness, may have been lost.

The man stood up. When the sheet slipped and fell back on the bed, Cassandra noticed that he, unlike her, was wearing pajama pants. She wondered then, if the man had had the opportunity to look for clothes and return to his senses completely after a night like the previous one (Cassandra, in truth, could not remember when it had been the last time she had slept so deeply)... How long had he watched her sleep?

"You tell me," he spoke. His deep baritone voice echoed in her eardrums and caused a shudder that only became evident when she made a gesture to his own hands, loose at her sides.

Slowly, her left hand rose in front of her face. Cassandra suddenly felt like she wasn’t fully awake. The silver band that shone around her own finger and perfectly matched the wedding ring of the handsome stranger seemed something straight out of a dream.

"Who was going to say...?" Cassandra rambled in her thoughts. Her stoic face revealed nothing of her inner anxieties. "Long lives fantasizing about my wedding day, and here I am now. Without remembering my own husband's name."

"Oh," Cassandra exhaled at last. Rubbing her eyes with the hand with which she did not carry the offending object, she decided to first address the most pressing issue for both of them. “Have you seen my clothes?”

~ • ~

Fifteen minutes later, less exposed in a baggy white shirt and knee-high sports pants, Cassandra sat on a high stool with her arms folded over the polished marble island. The man, no, the Doctor Stephen Strange, as he had succinctly presented himself to her moments before, walked around with his thumbs spinning around each other. She barely had a glimpse of his soft hands and long, slender fingers before Stephen, her husband, continued to drum with his fingers on the surface of the cold bar. 

“I think we need to discuss the circumstances of our... situation.” he spoke sternly, and Cassandra just nodded softly before his measured face. “How did we get here last night?”

"We were in the Convention room," she replied. She resisted the urge to turn the icy band around her ring finger as she continued: “Dinner had been served. I... I was there with a friend.”

She thought of Hank's professional expression as he listened, his blue brow frowning with interest, to the impressive talks that swarmed around him. Most of the conversation had passed over her. Cassandra had attended just to accompany him; for it had been no wonder that he was invited to the annual convention of the American Health Association.

"I was invited to deliver the opening speech," Stephen said. Cassandra blinked, lethargic, as last night's details were blurry, and while she didn't commit to remembering the faces that figured at the party any more than she tried to keep an eye on the exits and another eye on her glass of frothy champagne, she thought she should have remembered the first person to appear on stage.

"Impressive," she said, after a silence that lasted several seconds, "Have you seen my phone? I think I should report to my colleague.” Before the X-men show up here and accuse Stephen of kidnapping, she thought, Machiavellian.

Stephen made a brief gesture to the luxurious leather sofa behind her. Cassandra turned on her high chair and watched her small handbag, hurriedly thrown against the cushions, and her thick black coat wrinkled next to the carpet.

Pursing the lips with disapproval; Where was her dress? she lazily came down from her bench and walked over to the sofa. Checking her cell phone first, and looking at the flickering green dot in the corner of the screen, she deduced that Charles and the rest had already noticed her absence. 

To her surprise, she only had a couple of messages in the mailbox. One was Hank's — and Cassandra felt instantly terrible for having left him behind the night before in her unexpected unconscious state — another was from Ororo — who, to her delight, had only stopped to wish her a good day: "Take care, Cassie! I hope your departure will cheer you up a bit!"  and the last one was Tony's. 

With an inaudible sigh for her unexpected company, she left the cell phone back inside the carry-on bag. Consciously ignoring the unwelcome weight of anguish at the last message in her tray.

“Where did we go after the party?” He ventured to ask Cassandra.

She heard the sound of measured footsteps approaching from the open kitchen, and caught the sound of paper hitting the wood before seeing the crumpled documents on top of the coffee table.

There is no way that's official, Cassandra thought. Leaning a little to better observe the letters printed on the accusing document, she felt her breath get stuck in her throat when she observed her signature, the signature she used for her official documents at the time, carelessly scrawled over the black line at the end of the paper. Beside it, she read the neat, if perhaps slightly crooked, lyrics of Mr. Stephen Vincent Strange.

Well, heck. It was official, indeed. 

“So... Do you put on my last name, or will this get a little Stranger?”

Cassandra observed the doctor's exasperated profile, his frown and tight mouth, and thought, belatedly, that perhaps her husband did not appreciate jokes as easily as she did.

For a brief moment, Cassandra let her gaze wander absentmindedly in the distance. The wall next to them was made of floor-to-ceiling windows that allowed her to appreciate the wide landscape of the city around her. In the distance, the Avengers Tower stood as a beacon of hope for vulnerable citizens under the shadow of its imposing figure. Cassandra pondered, gently stroking the ring with her thumb, whether to remain in the spotlight; stripped of the value of clandestinity, venturing into "heroes" businesses and getting exposed, stripping herself of her covers and revealing them to the eyes of others those evidences of a perfidious and veperian past as it had not been allowed from what seemed an eternity ago, if it had been worth the price of the honor in exchange for sabotaging a life that she would never have the pleasure of experiencing.

"This is serious," she heard Stephen murmur. Cassandra didn't look away from the sun's rays that swept behind the surrounding buildings. “We have to think about the next course of action. I need to talk to my lawyer, I'm sure Christine will know what to do... God, Christine... She'll think I'm an idiot!”

He ran his hands over his face. The stress very obvious in his defensive posture. “This can't be made public. Do you understand me? I am a recognized Neurosurgeon! I have a reputation to maintain.”

He walked a couple of steps, going back and forth between the kitchen and the living room, and continued to mutter through clenched teeth: “If something like this gets public, that I married... a stranger.“ The tone of voice with which he spoke the word settled badly in Cassandra's eardrums, and she frowned, finally looking at him as he continued with his infamous tone of voice. “It will be a media circus. The famous Doctor Stephen Strange, united in sacred marriage with a wallow of one night.”

He stared at her for a moment, and questioned aloud, "Did you lie when you denied knowing who I was when I approached your table last night?" He let out a curse and shouted, his body agitated and his face hard. “Of course. How convenient for you, and unfortunate for me. This was your plan since the beginning!”

"Let me stop you there," Cassandra lashed out at last. She tasted the bitter savor of disappointment in her mouth, and consoled herself by reminding that, according to her own background, her good taste for couples had never been accompanied by good judgment. As usual, all the pretty faces she romantically matched ended up being complete assholes.

"I have a name," her proud father and courageous mother had taken care of it, thank you very much. And while Cassandra hadn't been the name she was born with, she had come to harbor quite a bit of affection for it. “And I won't appreciate being dismissed as an opportunistic whore for a consented night of sex. I'm not fully aware of where our converged paths took us last night, but it takes two persons to dance this tango, and I won't be staying here to hear how your olympic narcissism allows you to keep trampling on me."

Snatching her purse from the couch and dressing in the wrinkled coat she rescued from the floor, she gave Stephen a glacial gaze, suddenly blank and with tight lips as he watched her walk away with great strides in the direction of the door.

“Goodbye, dear husband.”

And, emboldened by her blind anger, she closed the door behind her with a resounding final blow.

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