Stephen groaned as he stretched his stiff body.Maybe staying in bed all night reading wasn't such a good idea. He was actually waiting for Y/N to return from Kamar-Taj, but she most likely decided to spend the night there. It wasn't anything out of the ordinary.
Seeing the sun beaming through the window finally made him get out of bed. He ran a hand over his face, before reaching for the shirt lying on the floor. Stephen went to the bathroom the freshen up and maybe to trim his beard a little too.
After completing his usual routine, he thought that he should start preparing America's breakfast before she wakes up. The girl has a bad habit of eating sweets before meals, and he tries to stop her because he knows it's bad for her, especially since America is losing her appetite.
Stephen knows he has already lost the battle with her when she pouts. It shouldn't be that difficult to say no to a person.
He makes his way out of the room and silently closes the door before going to the kitchen.
The sorcerer gathered all of the ingredients for the pancakes while also placing some bacon strips on the skillet. After adding the wet ingredients, he began to gently stir the mixture.
While the bacon was finishing up, he poured the pancake batter onto its own skillet and waited for bubbles to appear before flipping them. While Stephen sliced some strawberries and bananas, a smile appeared onto his face feeling America's energy near the entrance.
"Morning," he said, placing the fruits in a small bowl.
"Good morning," she mumbled as she approached him, rubbing her eyes slightly.
"Did you sleep well?" the ex-doctor inquired as he finished the pancakes and placed them on a plate alongside the bacon.
"Yep," she said as she sat down at the table, "though perhaps I should have stayed in bed a little longer."
He chuckles slightly before placing the plate in front of her and conjuring up some cutlery with a simple spell. "Just because it's Saturday doesn't mean you should spend the entire day in bed. Besides, I don't have classes today at Kamar-Taj, so we can do whatever you want."
"Believe it or not, I'd like to try some new spells today," she said as she began to eat, enjoying Stephen's slightly shocked expression.
Both of them were startled by the familiar sound of crackling magic before he could respond. They weren't expecting Wong to collapse on the floor. Stephen took in his appearance, relaxing a little because he wasn't hurt except for some cuts on his face.
They went to help him, America completely forgetting about her breakfast. "What happened?"
"We're being attacked. We require immediate assistance." the Sorcerer Supreme said, slightly out of breath. Stephen didn't hesitate to walk through the portal with Wong as he quickly changed into his robes with a spell.
“Wait! I can help." America said as she wanted to accompany them before being stopped in her tracks by the Cloak of Levitation. She was perplexed before hearing Stephen speak, not knowing where Levi came from.
"Please, America, stay here." Feeling the cloak dissapear before appearing suddenly on the doctor's shoulders. "I don't want you to get hurt."
"But you know I'm a hell of a fighter!" She yelled, slightly enraged.
"I'm not going to repeat myself," he said as the portal closed in front of her.
As if she would stay here knowing that others are in danger. She went straight to her room to get her sling ring, completely disregarding what Stephen said.
—
He wasn't ready to see Kamar-Taj in this condition again. Buildings were destroyed, and the majority of the courtyards were on fire, destroying the foundations. As selfish as it may sound, he was only thinking about Y/N at the time. He couldn't possibly lose her again.
His train of thought was interrupted when some shadow creatures snarled and surrounded him, along with some students from Kamar-taj. They opened their mouths to reveal rows of razor-sharp teeth. He wasn't bothered by it and simply lifted his arm before sending a red wave their way.
A few creatures vanished into the ground, evading his attack, but that wasn't what surprised him. What really did is that they weren't from this universe, giving their odd energy. How was this even possible?
The shadows then began to recede, he supposes, in one of the main courtyards. Stephen opened a portal to the Sanctum and went after the creatures after ensuring that all of the students were safe.
He wasn't expecting to see a fucking shadow demon today. Those winged humanoid creatures with sharp claws were an annoyance. The only difference between this one and the others he saw in the past was that its body trailed into nothing.
He suddenly became aware that it was absorbing some of the masters' energy. That can't be right; they're not supposed to be capable of anything like this. His heart sank, when he saw Y/N among them. In his rage, he sends a powerful pulse of magic into that demon.
It simply absorbs the magic without much fuss, which concerns Stephen, but at least it has forced him to leave the masters alone. He looked at Y/N, who looked at him with surprise, but seeing how relieved she was, he felt at ease.
The only problem is that he didn't pay attention to the creature. It launches bolts of his own magic at him, and even if he did summoned a shield, he is thrown backwards into a wall.
He looks up at the demon, his frustration growing as he recovers from the impact. It is clear now that no matter how many regular spells he casts on it, they will not harm it in any way. Instead, he lets a whip-like tentacle lash out and whacks the demon into another wall to buy himself more time.
He quickly rushes to stand in front of you, not knowing exactly what to do, but then he’s startled by the demon “Ah, yes. So you must be Stephen Strange.“
"Do I need to know your name?" The sorcerer growls slightly.
"Have you ever heard of Dov Son Of Mortem?" The demon looks at him with pride, but when he sees that the doctor doesn't recognize the name, he quickly adds, "Nevermind, but to be honest, I was expecting the multiverse threat I'd heard so much about to put up a fair fight with me. I'm so disappointed that everything they said about you turned out to be lies."
Stephen cuts the demon's ramblings short by sending a vicious bolt towards it that he learned from the Darkhold thanks to the incident with Wanda. The creature barely defends itself before Stephen, against his better judgment, loses his human form, even though you are present.
If the demon desires a challenge, Stephen will provide it. Before the doctor sends more offensive spells his way, a tentacle slams him hard into the ground. The sorcerer recognizes that the shadow is no match for him, but he is now the one who is disappointed. "Didn't you say you wanted a fair fight? You've just wasted my time."
He casts one of the three paths spells without thinking too hard, knowing that a demon couldn't possibly survive a spell from the Book of Vishanti. Stephen notices how the shadow demon snarls before being changed into dust. He showed him mercy, he could have done so much worse.
"Is everyone all right?" He inquired, and the majority of the masters responded. You were the only one who did not respond. He knelt down, slightly concerned, and turned to face you. "Hey, look at me, are you all right?"
Your head felt like it was about to explode, and the ringing in your ears didn't help. Because you couldn't understand what Stephen was saying, you simply extended your hand to him. His oversized hand gently held you while he brushed some hair behind your ear.
“Y/N?” He asked, distressed, and this time you heard him.
"Yea," you said out of breath, then felt a sharp pain that made you gasp.
"Oh my God, are you all right?" Pulling you closer, but you stopped him by placing your hand on his chest.
"I'm fine," you said as you swayed slightly, and the sorcerer tried to hold you, but when you pulled away from him, he stopped.
"Are you certain because—"
"I told you I'm fine, Stephen. Thank you very much." In an irritated tone, you interrupted him. You couldn't look at him when he was like this.
He frowned, but before he could respond, he heard Wong yell.
“Strange!” The all-powerful sorcerer turned to face him. Imagine his surprise when America and Rintrah followed the Sorcerer Supreme closely.
Seeing America with a large scratch on her face caused his heart to race.
"Before you get mad, just so you know, Rintrah would have died if I hadn't been here." The girl spoke quickly, not giving him a chance to respond.
"But isn't he a better sorcerer than you?" You questioned, not understanding how she could have saved him.
"With all due respect, Master Strange." Her multiversal punches are lethal. She was responsible for the deaths of more than half of the creatures." The minotaur elaborated
"America, when we get home, we're going to have such a long talk." If looks could kill, America would be for sure dead.
The other masters have already left, leaving only the five of them in the courtyard.
"Look, this conversation doesn't need to go any further; let's get you both to the healers." Getting up, the doctor slowly pulls his wings, tentacles, and other inhuman features back inwards, leaving him looking human.
"Don't worry, I'll accompany them." Wong said, slightly strangely looking at Stephen.
"You don't have to—"
"I said that I will accompany them. You can thank me later." Finally realizing the meaning of the look he gave Stephen, Wong created a portal, leaving only Stephen and you in the courtyard.
There was an awkward pause between the two of you, before he started talking. "Are you sure you're all right?"
"I am; don't worry." you asked as you turned to face him with an expression he couldn't read. "And you?"
"Why wouldn't I be? Stephen looks confused at you.
"Well, you were thrown against a wall." He looks embarrassed, and you chuckle just a little.
"Uh, yea. I simply wasn't paying attention because I was a little distracted. " he says awkwardly while looking down at his feet. "I'm sorry."
"You look at him confused as he further explains "I know you're frightened by my appearance and I didn't want to make you feel uncomfortable earlier,"
"Sorry, what?" As he finally has the courage to look into your eyes, you watch him in total confusion. "When did I ever claim to be afraid of your appearance?" As Stephen watches you in astonishment, you move a step closer to him.
"You're not? " He inquires with a slightly trembling voice because, if he were being completely honest, the way you behaved around him didn't give the impression that you were not afraid of him.
"Of course not, Stephen." He was at the very least shocked.
"But I—I don't understand" He looked at you for an answer as he painfully sighed.
"You really believed I was afraid of you?" You stare at him as he nods slowly, feeling your heart break, and you finally give him a hug after a long time. He immediately envelops you in his own arms to keep you close.
You pulled away from him and Stephen found himself mourning his wife’s warmth.
“Steph..” you say as you put a hand on his cheek and he leans in “My heart drops whenever I think of what you’ve done to yourself for me. When I see you like that, all that I can think is that you destroyed yourself just so you can be with me.”
You try to hold back some tears without much success “Was it worth it?”
He steps back a little and gently wipes away your tears, which makes you feel even worse about yourself. “I would do it again in a heartbeat. I was so miserable without you, Y/N. How could I live without you when you are my world?”
Your voice betrays you and you simply can't tell him anything. Instead, you grasp his robes and simply pull him down for a kiss. It is slow and tender, but when you try to back away to catch your breath, Stephen grabs you by the back of the neck with one hand and pulls you closer while planting a soft kiss on your lips once more.
Even then, you don't part from each other when you stop kissing. The tips of your noses lightly brush as the sorcerer taps his forehead against yours. Both of you close your eyes as you slide a hand into each other's hair and simply enjoy each other's company.
This was more intimate even after the two of you had kissed; you could both feel the magic and energy between you.
In comparison to him, you could feel how much weaker your magic was. His was so heavy and dark, while yours was so light. Even so, you didn't feel threatened by it; somewhat, it seemed to be trying to protect you.
"Oh God, how I missed you." He gives a shaky reply.
“You know that I love you,right?” At that the neurosurgeon feels his heart will melt
“I love you so much. You can’t even imagine.” He says as he kisses your hair