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“Great practice today.” Stephen adjusted the cuffs on his sleeves walking down the grand staircase, “At this rate you should be mastering liminal space in no time.”
You hummed at the praise. The sorcerer became accustomed to the routine here. It wasn’t too long ago when you first started training, although it felt long enough. You snapped out of your trance once Stephen spoke up once more:
“It’s Friday so you know what that means,” he paused, “takeout tonight, any place in mind?”
You internally grimaced, of course he’s so nice to you, a night that you already had plans for. Both of you reached the main level, Stephen glanced over to look at you, anticipating your response. You nervously laughed, “I would love to choose but I’m afraid I already have plans for tonight.”
Before you could make your rash escape, Stephen turned towards you sharply, “May I ask the occasion?”
“Oh just visiting a friend for the night,” you answered, “We’re planning on going to a friends party.” As you mentioned the reason of visit, you noticed Stephen tense up a little.
“I’m not opposed to visiting loved ones but I prohibit you from partying tonight.” Stephen declared before making haste to exit the main floor.
“Hey wait a moment!” You called, catching up to your successor, “May I ask what’s with the opposition to my plans?” You did your best to remain professional and cool.
“You really wouldn’t want to waste your time partying, all with a bunch of obnoxious college kids getting drunk or high the whole night?”
Well, you wouldn’t say no, at least not in front of him. “But haven’t you partied in school before?” You retorted.
“Loads and it was a waste of my time and so would be yours,” Stephen turned to face you, “I don’t want to discuss more on the topic, that remark was enough for me to punish you to dusting the library all night if you so wish, but luckily for you, I have other preparations in mind, so just return to your studies.” Stephen commanded. With his ring, Stephen hastily opened a portal for himself, leaving the scene.
Internally you were fuming. Usually Stephen was much more lenient with your requests. Not like that was very common for those in study, quite the opposite in fact, but you were the apprentice. Maybe it’s just the expectations set for you? No, your mentor broke the rules too frequently. Such a hypocrite you would think, despite knowing that soft spot you have forgave him almost immediately, again, almost.
You’re dead-set on this party now, especially since Stephen didn’t even asked what you wanted for takeout.
__
Currently getting ready in your bedroom, you were wearing your “party” outfit, or your most snazzy attire, you know your style, it’s rocking and it’s going to be a hell of a night.
Fixing yourself up in the mirror you text your friend, informing them that you’re on your way to their apartment in a few minutes. Sliding your sling ring on your finger, you started conjuring up a portal, until startled by the abrupt knocking on the door.
“Y/n? It’s me Stephen, May I come in?”
You froze upon hearing Stephen, Before he could even allow himself in you abruptly started shouting, “Don’t come in! I’m naked!”
There was a lack of response, presumably caught the doctor off guard. Using your magic, you quickly transformed back into usual robes. You went to approach the door to let Stephen in. Before opening twisting the knob, he began to speak up again once more:
“I didn’t mean to come off as harsh earlier, actually I-“ you cut him off,
“No! No, it’s all good you’re right parties are totally stupid,” you lied, “In fact I actually just don’t feel really good, maybe from too much practice, I’m going to bed early tonight I’m sorry.” You apologized.
There was a pause before you received a curt response, “Very well have a good night.” You noticed his becoming distant, a bit disappointed in tone? You wondered as the guilt started to consume you. Before overthinking the situation, you quickly changed your attire back to your party garb, before taking leave.
Upon arriving to your friend’s apartment, they greeted you with open arms. Letting you in, the both of you decided to finish touch ups and pre-game before the big party. While touching up your fit, you and your friend caught up, it’s been awhile. “So what’s this party for again?” You asked.
“Oh it’s this formal for the frats but because so it’s open house tonight, which means it’ll be fucking nuts.” Your friend informed you, “I need you here cause you’re my friend and I want you to meet my colleagues, plus, I really need to get laid tonight.” You rolled your eyes,
“Course.”
“Hey you might be able to find someone tonight you know, lot of cute guys will be here tonight.” You snorted, “Appreciate the thought.” Finishing up your look, you go over to where your friend’s drinks are and prepared yourself a cocktail. What you weren’t expecting was your friend tailing right behind you.
“You’re not still into him are you?” You took a sip of your drink, “No, please it was just a thing in the moment, nothing more.” You bluffed.
“Right.”
It wasn’t something you would choose to bring into light but just maybe you have feelings for your mentor, Stephen Strange. He doesn’t, however, have feelings for you. To your knowledge you’re pretty sure he’s still caught up on his ex. Even to like him affectionately wasn’t professional and you just know he would nag you if he found out, even worse, send you away from your home in the Sanctum. You know your friend is trying to converse with you, but you tune them out briefly as you reminisce on those special little memories you cherish with Stephen. He’s arrogant and pompous but you knew how gentle and caring he was through the small gestures he would make for others, and it always made you smile.
“You know, you are drinking what we call liquid courage.” Your friend informed you.
“Is that so?” You snorted, looking at your cup. “I couldn’t imagine confessing to Stephen sober, let alone intoxicated.”
Your friend shrugged, “You never know until you do it.”
“Okay maybe so but it won’t stop me from flirting tonight, I guess.” You smiled as your friend started getting excited for you. Raising both of your cocktails, you two toasted before finishing your drinks. Eventually, the colleagues your friend referenced hanging out with showed up, maybe tonight will be good after all.
_
Meanwhile back at the Sanctum, Stephen was pacing, with his beloved cloak following behind him.
“Stephen.”
Stopping mid-pacing he glanced over at where his name was called, it was Wong. He held out his arms in confusion, “What are you doing?”
“Just pondering.”
“Pondering what exactly?” Wong walked over to his friend with his hands now behind his back. The Cloak drifts over by Wong, wondering Stephen’s behavior as well.
“Y/n wanted to go to some college party tonight and I didn’t let them.” Stephen looked out the nearby window.
“Then why ponder?” Wong prompted.
“Cause,” Stephen turned to look back at Wong and the Cloak, “I didn’t really have the call to prohibit them, I considered telling Y/n they could go if they wanted but,” Stephen sighed before snapping back into his pompousness, “Doesn’t matter, Y/n retired early, now if you excuse me,” As Stephen started to walk away, his cloak flew over and turned him back at Wong, who was snickering at his friend’s stubbornness. Stephen glared at Wong before he readjusted to his stoic state, “You perhaps aren’t jealous of time you were to miss with Y/n were you?"
Stephen scoffed, “Of course not, I am rather busy after all.” Wong walked closer to Stephen, staring straight into his eyes, “You didn’t ask me about takeout today.”
“I was going to-”
“Oh please, soon as you got rejected you didn’t even bother asking Y/n what they wanted either.”
“So what do you want?” Stephen asked.
Wong just shook his head, “My usual.” Before walking away.
Stephen walked over to your room before knocking once more, “I don’t mean to wake you, would you still like something to eat?” He asked politely, no answer. After a few more moments he asked again, and once more, silence.“Look, I didn’t mean to forbade you from that party, I just-“ Stephen sighed, “I really enjoy my time spent with you, and honestly?” Stephen turned his back and leaned on the door, “I just don’t want to witness you bring some excuse of date back here, most of the people who go to those aren’t worth your time, you’re something else.” The edge of Stephen’s lip pulled upward into a simper. After his brief pause he cleared his throat, “Ahem well anyway Wong wants his usual but if you’re feeling better you can go to that party if you so please.” Again, there was lack of a response, something Stephen would’ve expected at this point. Growing suspicious, Stephen opened a small portal within your room to view in, seeing you nowhere in sight. He bit his lip in frustration, he should’ve known.
_
“This party is soo fun!!” Your friend cried. It has only been an hour since the doors opened up and the house was already packed. You felt good, but it was a bit overcrowded for your taste. The waft of skunk reeked across the room, you can see the dribbles of vodka on the floor, this place will be totally trashed by tomorrow morning. Partying with your friend was fun of course, but you couldn’t help but feel out of place as you were just a stranger to your friend’s group. You sipped the punch from the cup in your hand, might as well have fun while you were here.
While dancing you noticed someone rather tall and handsome approach you, wanting to ‘get out there’ like your friend encouraged, you danced along with the stranger. As you and this person kept dancing and drinking with cup in hand, eventually you got bored of fraternizing.
“Hey wanna go take a break?” You shouted, as the music was blaring quite loudly.
The stranger smirked, “Yeah let's go.”
It didn’t take long to find enough space on a beat-up raggedy couch in the corner of one of the rooms. Sitting down, the person who accompanied you asked what brought you here.
“Friend brought me,” you continue sipping your drink, “Trying to get out there.”The guy chuckled and wrapped his arm around your shoulder, scooting you closer to their rigged body, you noticed his scent of booze and musk and their cocky smile, rolling your eyes, how charming you thought.
“Oh yeah? I didn’t know someone as gorgeous as you would be single.”
You blushed at the remark, “Thanks,” you giggled, “I’m actually getting over someone at the moment.” You confessed.
The guy raised his brow, “Now who would reject you?” You finished your drink before drunkenly sharing more intimate details about how you were enamored by your teacher, of sorts, it was rather complicated talking about being attracted to the Doctor Strange, and not only that, but how you shared the same living space, and happens to be your mentor.
“Yeah uhm, I’m kinda close with my professor,” you crossed your fingers to show what you meant to this guy without giving out any specific details about your situation. To him you were just a college student, not someone practicing the mystic arts. He rather curtly mentioned how that sucked, disinterested in your drunken ramble. You two continued to chat for awhile until you noticed a few sparks from the corner of your eye, maybe you were just paranoid.
“Hey,” your dance partner leaned toward your ear, “How about we go back to my place?” Before you could answer, someone walked up to you two.
“(Y/n) has other plans, don't you?”
You and the guy turned and looked up, you immediately pulled yourself away from the guy once realizing that Stephen was standing right in front of you, clearly pissed at what he was witnessing. You got up, “Stephen I-“
He grabbed your hand, “Let’s go.”
Before Stephen could drag you away, the guy you’ve been talking to stood up and tried to step in front of you.
“Who the hell are you old man?”
Stephen looked at the guy, “None of your concern, now excuse us.” Stephen tried to pull you away once more. As you stumbled along, the guy just would not quit.
He caught up and started laughing in disbelief, “Wait, are you that professor they’ve been fucking?”
Stephen turned towards you, glaring. You internally died, you shook your head in confusion as if you had no clue what this guy was saying, of course this idiot would say something like that. You meant close but not like that. Now you really feared for your fate. You tried to look at Stephen as he just ignored that comment and dragged you out of the frat house. It hurt noticing he was now avoiding your gaze too.
As you managed to keep pace, eventually you realized that Stephen was leading you to a nearby park close to where the party was located. You let go of Stephen’s grasp once approaching a bench with a light source right by. Stopping in your tracks you asked, “Why haven’t we just portal home yet?”
Turning to face you, Stephen looked down at your glossy eyes.“I wanted some privacy to ask what the hell that was about?” You scoffed and shrugged, “I dunno some guy was talking to me before I was pulled out of sight.”
Stephen shook his head before continuing, “I know you are under the influence, you don’t hide that quite well so I’m going to be frank: not only am I disappointed that you deliberately lied to me, I’m asking abut what that douchebag was talking about before we left.”
“A complete misunderstanding on his part,” you answered truthfully, “I said we were close but not like that.”
“Well that’s not something you bring up while trying to hookup, you know.”
You walked over to to the bench and slumped down, “Look,” you gripped the bottom edge of the bench, “Maybe I’m attracted to you and quite frankly, you’re handsome, kind, a smart-ass, and well, maybe I just wanted a break to sort my own feelings.” You confessed, refusing to look up at Stephen, expecting judgement. At this point you realized maybe you drank a lot more than anticipated. You wiped a tear shedding on the corner of your eye, “I’ve been over it,” you lied, “In fact I’m totally okay to just forget mentioning it so just drop it okay?” You pleaded. It was silent for a moment. You chose to look down, averting your gaze.
“Y/n.”
“I can totally transfer back to Kamar-Taj if I must—“
“Y/n.”
“No no it’s all good I promise, I’m totally okay with it, really.”
“Y/n!” He rose his voice a little louder to stop you from blurting out more excuses. You looked up and watched Stephen walk over to sit right next to you on the bench. Your breath hitched as you were staring right back at him. Before you could make anymore excuses, Stephen leaned in and kissed your forehead.”
“I’m not sending you to Kamar-Taj.”
You smiled upon hearing the reassurance you needed. You loved the Sanctum, and maybe someone else who lived there. You loved how beautiful Stephen looked under the afterglow of the park lighting. Something about the shine within the dark atmosphere of the park late-night.
“You always loved those Friday nights,” Stephen paused for a moment, “I love those Friday nights.” Correcting himself.
“I really do too.” You agreed. Leaning on the sorcerer’s shoulder, you enjoyed the tranquility of the night for awhile, hearing the noise of the late night critters within the area, it was peaceful. You felt love in the air. Sighing you turned your head to face Stephen, who was already looking fondly at you.
“So am I rejected orrr?”
“Of course not, you’re too drunk to hear that.” You immediately bolted up in panic, “Wait so am I or not?” Stephen chuckled to himself.
“Stephen??”
“Of course not, making sure you’re awake.”
You pouted, that was mean. Stephen got up from the bench and circled a portal that led to your bedroom. Taking your hand, he escorted you back.
You immediately slumped onto your bed. You looked up to notice Stephen walking along your night stand, using magic he teleported a glass of water, “Now be a good girl and drink some water and I will see you tomorrow morning okay?”
You blushed at his choice of words, “Sure,” grabbing the glass of water, you took a sip of water. You couldn’t help but notice Stephen fondly watching you. He was about to exit your bedroom.
“Goodnight Y/n.”
You smiled, “Have a goodnight Stephen.”
Maybe drunken confessions weren’t always such a bad thing after all.