Time to seize the fucking day

Stephen buried his face in the pillow. He really didn’t want to get up. Couldn’t he have a damn break? He tried to escape the brightness but with a sigh turned around again.

“And the sun shone having no alternative. Well, it’s time to seize the fucking day", he mumbled to himself and opened his eyes.

“What the-“

He turned. His bed, his table, his windows, his walls, his flat.

“-fuck.”

He got up, looking around. This was his flat. Not some hallucination or dream.

“I am home!”, he said in relief.

“And I had a major drug trip!”

Stephen turned on his heels and went to the bathroom.

“Good morning, shower. Good morning, toilet. Good fucking morning to you too, sink.”

He looked into the bathroom mirror.

“And good morning to you sexy mother-“

Then he saw it in his reflection. Stephen looked down and there it was. The Eye of Agomatto hung around his neck.

“No. Oh, no, fuck you, fate.”

So in fact it wasn’t a dream. It wasn’t all made up in his head. This- was there with him. Real. Stephen couldn’t do this anymore. All this messed up magic. And then, when he pulled the necklace off of himself, he realized that his hands were in fact fine. They weren’t shaking. They weren’t even scared.

“Fine. I’ll take it", Stephen smirked.

He didn’t care. He didn’t need these idiots anymore. His hands worked, he was home- That was all he wanted. The young doctor brushed his teeth happily. And yes, it brings you joy to be able to do that without hitting your nose with the toothbrush because your hand thinks it’s got to go there to say hi to your nostrils. Once he was finished, Stephen grabbed some clothes and was about to go out as he saw a little sticky note on his door.

“I’m always here to talk. See you at the hospital, lots of love xChristine”

The doctor frowned. Hadn’t he removed it? Well, now he definitely did. He walked outside of his flat happily and made his way to the hospital. Josh looked at him in confusion once he arrived.

“You’re- happy.”

Stephen turned his eyes.

“Yeah. Why shouldn’t I be?”

The older doctor raised his eyebrow.

“Just Christine. I don’t know, she thought you might be a bit down.”

“Christine? I haven’t seen Christine in days”, Stephen chuckled.

“Mate, you’ve seen her yesterday.”

Josh put his hand onto Stephen’s forehead and jokingly asked

“What date is today, Sir?”

“I actually am not quite sure.” Stephen laughed.

“The 14th? Maybe a bit later actually.”

“Oh, how we all laughed.”

Josh turned his eyes.

“What date is it then?”, Stephen asked.

“You know it. Today is the date that you dreaded for three days now. 2nd of February or as you like to phrase it, the day you actually have to attend Stark’s party.”

That was when Stephen’s mouth fell open. He quickly got his phone out and looked at the date. 2nd of February.

“That- is impossible.”

“No, your ass just doesn’t want to go there but eventually these dreaded days come around, idiot.”

And with that, Josh turned around and left a completely confused Stephen behind. He quickly regained his composure and ran to his unit where he found Christine. She was on her break as- as she was days before. Once the young woman saw Stephen and that he actually was okay, she smiled at him.

“Are you in the party mood?”

“You asked me that before.”

Christine smirked.

“Yeah. I usually do that. When we go to shit parties like this.”

“No, I mean- we were to this fucker’s party before. I’m not going through that shit again, once was enough for me. Can you just- explain to me in what fucking hell I’m trapped?”

Christine sighed.

“Only once, once in my life, do I want to fall in love with a guy whom I can actually bring home to mom.”

“And you said that before as well! Listen, Chris, I did this once before. All of this. The 2nd of February shouldn’t even be on our minds anymore.”

Christine looked at him with a raised eyebrow.

“What kind of drugs were you doing when you ran out on me last night?”

“I didn’t run out on you last night. Listen, I-“

Christine’s beeper went off.

“Gotta go, Steph. Pick me up later and everything is going to be alright. Okay? I won’t leave your side.”

“Well, last time you fucking did when Stark invalided my personal space.”

Christine shook her head with a chuckle and left to go back to work.

“Is everyone in here going crazy or am I high?”, Stephen asked himself quietly.

He wiped his eyes and just decided to get his mind off things. The doctor grabbed his coat and asked Josh what he could do. After being assigned his duties, he opened the door of his first patient. She looked- familiar. He checked on her to actually find out that, yes, he had operated on her two weeks ago. Or- a day ago?

“Thank you doctor. For- Thank you. You saved my life.”

He looked at her with big eyes.

“You’re- welcome. I mean- it’s my job.”

He turned and opened the door.

“If- You can press the red button for help. Is it possible that we talked before?”

She smiled at him.

“No, Sir. I came in yesterday and honestly, I wouldn’t be here anymore without you. You saved me. God bless you. I’ll pray for you tonight.”

Stephen nodded drily.

“I’m an atheist.”

Then he closed the door and let out a breath. He treated a few more patients and yes, he recalled them all. Not as quickly as he wanted his photographic memory to work though. He was apparently paying less and less attention to his patients. After it already got darker outside, he once again walked to the exit, looking into the kids station. The shy boy walked up to him again sheepishly and looked at him with his big eyes.

“Doctor? I-I wanted t-to say thanks.”

The boy stuck his hand out once more.

“Yeah, you’re welcome. Be careful. You are recovering. I don’t want you to suffer any complications.”

Stephen was way more taken aback by everything. He took in his surroundings more than he did the first time. This time, he noticed the little girl a few meters next to him coughing violently and a nurse kneeling by her side. His attention was quickly with Christine though as she appeared with the book in her hands.

“Doc- Doctor Palmer? I will see you later", he smiled at her.

The woman smiled back and nodded. Then Stephen left and he didn’t really know what to say or do. Was this real? What the fuck was happening? He got ready anyway and looked into his mirror with a sigh. In the reflection he saw the Eye of Agomtto which he had thrown onto the bed when he left so damn confidently. The doctor walked towards it and inspected the thing properly for the first time. He saw the symbols, the material and inside this- green stone. This slightly glowing green stone. He had read about the infinity stones and that they worked if a person or god powerful enough connected with them but- that couldn’t be the case. Stephen wasn’t powerful in that regard. He was a doctor for fuck’s sake. He wasn’t damn Legolas. The man shook himself out of his thoughts when his phone rang. He looked at the display.

“Hey, Chris. I’m on my way. How do you like the dress?”

“You do like blue”, she replied with a chuckle.

“Yes, well, that doesn’t answer my question.”

“It is gorgeous. Very, very, very gorgeous and I just wondered when you want me to start calling you daddy.”

Stephen laughed as he got into his car.

“I’m buying you things to make you look presentable, not to spoil you.”

“Fair enough.”

“I’ll be there in five.”

Then he hung up and drove quickly to Christine’s place. Once the car came to a hold and the doctor looked into his mirror, he saw the small box laying on the backseat. Right. He took it and looked at the present once more with a tiny smile. Stephen got out and rang the doorbell. Chris opened a bit.

“Hello, Mister Bond.”

“Yeah. Still not me.”

She pushed the door up fully and let her date in.

“I’ve got something for you.”

“For me?”

She took the box.

“Not a ring though. Still no rings here.”

“Is that a fucking replica of the heart of the ocean necklace? Was that why you made that stupid reference to Leo and the Oscars and Titanic?”, she said with wide eyes.

“Yes. Because you are my Rose.”

She smiled with teary eyes.

“Thank you.”

“And you look gorgeous and no, not everyone looks gorgeous just because I buy them this stuff and if Josh was in that dress he’d still be not an attractive redhead but an iceberg sinking my ship and no, that is no penis-joke.”

Chris laughed and pushed Stephen out of the door.

“Come on now, you can’t run away from it.”

They got into the car and as soon as Stephen was starting it, Christine turned the volume up.

“If I guess the next song correctly, you pay the next pizza", he said to her as he took a turn.

“Fine. What is it?”

Stephen pretended to think.

“Cat Stevens, Wild World.”

“You wish.”

“It’s our song.”

He smiled at her sincerely. And as soon as he said that, they were playing it.

“Oh, what a surprise”, Stephen said drily.

“No way! You lucky bastard!”

He shook his head at her and laughed. This girl still was his dork and just pure gold.

“UUUUUH BABY, BABY IT’S A WILD WORLD…” Christine sang dramatically. “I’LL ALWAYS REMEMBER YOU, LIKE A CHILD, GIRL.”

Still adorable. He pulled up in front of the mansion again and parked the car. Then he got out with Christine a bit quicker this time. He knew what to expect.

“Okay, let’s go.”

He offered his arm to her and she gladly took it. And of course paparazzi and the press were immediately on their heels again. After a minute of being yelled at to look into this and that direction which he always hated, he brought Chris inside and ordered them the same as last time.

“You okay?”, she asked concerned.

“What? Yeah. Why?”

“Because you haven’t insulted anyone yet or- thrown a tantrum. Or, you know, complained about the fact that Tony stark got paparazzi and photographers and a fucking red carpet outside. You’d normally tear him apart. So again, are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m just- used to it now.”

“Okay”, Chris nodded and looked around, spotting Tony first.

“Damn. That’s a man.”

“Okay, Those words still hurt. Ask him for your precious ring then.”

“Well, apparently I’m not getting anywhere with you on that matter.”

She kissed Stephen’s cheek, wiping away the stains of her lipstick.

“Oh god, he’s coming over.”

Stephen nodded.

“Yeah, I know.”

“You’re not even looking.”

“I feel him”, he turned his eyes.

“And I smell that disgusting cologne.”

“How do you know Tony Stark’s cologne? And that is a serious question. Oh god, forget it, he’s approaching you.”

Stephen had to smile at her.

“He is just a guy. Just a dude with two very short legs, a horrible goatee and a mediocre dick. That’s why he has to brag about his manliness constantly and sleeps with a billion women. Because he can’t stand being around the same girl anymore after he’s almost finished and she asks him if he’s in yet.”

“Tony Stark", he heard moments later next to him.

“But you already know that.”

The man shook Stephen’s hand.

“And you are the gorgeous Christine Palmer. Pleasure meeting you.”

Christine smiled and quickly shook his hand as well.

“It is my pleasure. Beautiful place.”

“Yes, isn’t it?”, Stark grinned.

“Worthy for a hero.”

“The hero is your suit though, isn’t it?”, Stephen smiled at him.

“Hm? Oh, yes. The suit does a lot for me, but never forget who built it.”

Stephen nodded. Fair point, he wasn’t gonna lie. Christine just stared at the man looking at each other without saying a word.

“I’ll just quickly say hi to my friend. Just spotted her. I’ll be right back, Steph.”

She kissed his cheek again and walked off.

“Isn’t she absolutely gorgeous?”, Stephen asked Tony.

“Beautiful woman. You really got a 10/10 on your hands.”

“Yes, well, she’s a fantastic friend.”

“Friend? With benefits. You’re one of those guys, doc?”

“She is a friend. And colleague. Who is nice enough to accompany me to events like these.”

Tony took Stephen’s glass of whiskey out of his hand once again and took a sip.

“So, in fact you’re single then.”

Stephen frowned at him.

“I am very much married to my work.”

“Your work doesn’t get you off though.”

“Most women failed at that as well.”

“Is that your coming out, Strange?”

Stephen took his whiskey back.

“You wish.”

“I am sure most men wouldn’t mind that.”

“I am sure there is more interesting topics to discuss than my private life, thank you.”

“Come on. Lean back and enjoy the party.”

“What exactly would I enjoy. It’s a party. And a very wise man once said that you’re not meant to enjoy it. This whole thing just makes me want to jump out of your bullet prove windows and yes, I recall that I can’t open them but theoretically, Stark, theoretically I would.”

Tony put his head to the side.

“I am wondering how much truth is in those words.”

“I am still wondering who gets windows that don’t allow you to throw yourself out of them. Think it through next time.”

As Stephen wanted to walk past him, Tony caught his sleeve again.

“Hey, I don’t know if it is your humor or serious right now. You gotta talk?”

Stephen shook his head.

“Let’s get the awards over and forget that we ever met.”

Tony let go of his sleeve and nodded with concern in his face.

The general awards went exactly the same. Almost identically. But Stephen this time searched for eye contact to Tony as well. Something- made him do it. The doctor had a weird, heavy feeling in his gut. Once he had his award and walked off stage, he took Christine’s hand.

“Listen, I just- wanted to say thank you. For everything you always did for me. In general.”

“Of course. Hey, of course. It’s okay, Stephen, really.”

He looked towards the dancing people as their song started playing.

“Oh, please. Please, please, please, this is a sign and you’ll give me this one dance.”

He smiled and nodded, pulling her onto the dance floor. Mid song, Stephen leaned his forehead against Christine’s. She caressed his shoulder reassuringly.

“Hey, you okay?”

The doctor nodded and continued until the song ended. He smiled at her and gave her his keys.

“Go to the car. I’ll be right with you. Just gotta talk to someone.”

Chris smiled and walked out to the car. Stephen stayed where he was until he felt a hand on his shoulder.

“Hey, Strange? I- What I said earlier, I meant it. I don’t know if something’s wrong. And I kinda like you. From your interviews and all. You remind me of myself.”

“Rude”, Stephen rolled his eyes.

“No, listen, I actually mean that seriously. If you- need someone, stay. Stay here. Don’t go if you have something stupid on your mind.”

“Have you just asked me to stay?”

“Would that be so horrible?”

“I just don’t know what you’re implying.”

“Well- Depends on what you want me to imply”, Tony said calmly. Almost- lovingly.

“Listen, I’m not one for that. For what you do.”

“What?”

“Enjoy your playboy life. But- I seriously don’t know what you mean by stay but that’s not my lifestyle.”

“Just- call me. If you need a shoulder to lean on. I mean it. I’m not used to people resisting this. You are something else. Just so you know.”

Stephen nodded.

“Thank you. And I mean that.”

He gave Tony a quick hug.

“Was nice meeting you.”

He went outside to where Christine was waiting and let a very concerned and somewhat hurt Tony behind. The man turned back around and vanished in the crowd as Stephen got into the car and started it.

“Wanna go to your place or mine?”

“What?”

“Frozen pizza at your place or mine?”, he asked again while starting the car.

“Yours”, Chris laughed.

They soon arrived at Stephen’s and watched a movie while eating their pizzas. After a while they got ready and went to bed. And this was why Christine was wonderful and the best friend Stephen could ask for. They lay there, Christine in one of Stephen’s t-shirts with him right next to her while she had a huge ass crush on him but she didn’t do anything. She didn’t try to seduce him or touched him at all or kissed him or anything. She just lay there and as he eventually took her hand, she just squeezed back.

“I like you”, Stephen said.

“As way more than a lover. You’re- the closest thing to family I’ve had in ages.”

She smiled at him and closed her eyes. Stephen was asleep shortly after while he heard the cars in the background, rushing over the streets of New York.