Archive of Our Own

“I must speak with you on an important matter.” The Watcher said as he stepped through the portal from his world to Stephen’s. 

“I’m all ears.” He said sarcastically. 

“I would like for you to explore a dimension for me. I would do it myself, but my presence would easily be sense and cause an imbalance.” The Watcher explained. 

“Oh, and my presence will surely be welcomed.” Stephen retorted. 

“If you remain undetected all will be fine. There is not much to worry about this dimension as it will be very different from the one you’ve seen before.”

“Do go on.”

“This dimension has no traces of magic, no otherworldly threats, and no heroic teams. It’s a dimension where magic doesn’t exist.” The Watcher said and Stephen’s brows raised. 

“So, introducing magic by allowing me in is a good idea?” Stephen challenged. 

“As I said before, remain undetected and simply observe and ensure the world is at peace. That is all I ask,” The Watcher answered, “It would be a good idea for you to...Get out more.” 

“Oh, I’m so sorry if only the fate of the infinity stones wasn’t at stake!” Stephen got up from his chair and growled at the being. 

The Watcher created a small orb that floated by the doors, “When you are ready to go, simply touch the orb.” The being then disappeared and left the sorcerer alone.

Stephen huffed in anger and paced around. The Watcher’s words repeated in his head. On one hand, it wouldn’t hurt to explore a place where no magic exists, in fact, it might even be entertaining. On the other hand, Stephen had enough of the Watcher ordering him around. Then again...It would be nice to get some fresh air.

Dammit!!

Stephen huffed and made his way to the orb that would grant him access. He took a deep breath and placed his scarred hand on the top. The light from the orb began to glow brighter and enveloped the sorcerer. Stephen covered his eyes with his arm as he was teleported. The light faded and he lowered his arm to look at his surroundings. He found himself at a small park with a few trees and a walkway that led to a condo complex.

Stephen noticed how silent the entire area was and he felt at ease. He noticed he was still in his sorcerer garb and raised his hands to transform himself into a black German Shepherd with a red collar. It was a perfect disguise; he could freely explore and not be bothered by the inhabitants of the dimension. Just as he was about to go forward, he heard some voices and quickly hid behind the nearest tree. His blue eyes flashed as two figures came into view on the walking path. He stayed put listening and watching closely. He got a better look at the two, it was a couple, a man and a woman.

The man was wearing a black hoodie, grey jeans, and white sneakers, and he wore a buzzcut with a fade on both sides of his head. The woman was wearing a pink sweatshirt, black pants, and dark blue sneakers, and her hair was tied up in a ponytail.

You were off work and invited your boyfriend over to walk around the complex for fresh air. You started to vent to him about your work and how it’s been draining for you when he interrupted you mid-way. 

“I just don’t understand why you’re letting them bother you so much, babe.” He said as he walked alongside you.

“Because I’ve told you, it’s my job to make sure things run smoothly.” You retorted. 

“You just need to relax, stop letting it bother you so much. Otherwise, you’ll keep talking about you.” He scoffed. 

You stopped in your tracks and bit the inside of your cheek. You were quiet now, deciding this conversation was over, deciding that when you got home you would need to reconsider this relationship since this happened for the fourth time in a row now. You looked to your left where the grassy hill was and saw an ear-popping out from behind the trunk of a tree.

A distraction, thank god... You thought and began to walk toward the grass. “Hey sweetie, are you lost?” You crouched down and tried to make out what kind of animal was behind the tree. 

“Babe, what the fuck are you doing?!” Michael ran over. 

“Shush! You’ll scare it away!” You said to him and turned your attention back to the animal.

Stephen grinned to himself, why not have some fun? He stepped out of his cover and approached you slowly.

“Wow...You’re a big boy, aren’t you?” You gasped. Stephen smirked and sat down a few inches from your hand that you extended for him to sniff. 

“Holy shit!! That thing is like a small bear!” Michael began to step back. 

“Would you stop screaming, dogs pick up on fear!" You rolled your eyes and patiently wait for the animal to sniff your hand. 

“That’s not a fucking dog! You know what if you get bit, don’t call me!” Michael shouted and ran away from you, muttering something about animal control. Stephen watched the man run away and now there was only you. He tilted his head; he was curious to see what you were going to do. 

“It’s okay, you’re safe with me. I just need to read your collar and find your owner; can I do that?’ You slowly moved closer. Stephen stepped back and bared his teeth. He lunged a little toward you and let out a ferocious bark. You fell back and quickly got up. “Okay, okay, I’m leaving, I’m sorry!” You scurried back onto the walkway; you began to jog away back to your unit. When you disappeared from his sight he settled down and let out a huff.

Serves you right.

He ran off further to the outside of the complex. He sees a small plaza with boutiques and decided to explore the rest of what this place has to offer. Stephen ran toward the center and his nose began to twitch at the delicious smell of the various baked goods and coffee. He could hear his stomach growling and huffed in annoyance. 

I’m regretting this form.

“You are so cute!” He heard someone say to him and his ears twitched slightly. He turned to see a family sitting at a table in front of one of the cafes. The husband was on the phone, the son was looking at him with big eyes, and the wife broke off a piece of bread and offered it to Stephen. He looked up at the woman.

Foolish woman! You have no idea what power I possess and you offer me a piece of bread? I see that intelligent life clearly lacks here...

Stephen huffed and gently took the bread from the woman’s hand. The boy clapped his hands in excitement, he couldn’t have been more than 5 years old. The wife leaned over and pet the fur on Stephen’s head. “I wonder where your owner is?” She said seeing his red collar. 

“We’re not taking it home honey.” The husband said. Stephen saw the woman reach for his collar and he stepped away and ran off. He continued the rest of the day exploring the center and running off anytime somebody gets too touchy. It was exhausting.

Night came and he began to make his way back to the complex, deciding it would be a good place to rest for the night. He stopped when he saw someone coming toward him. He bolted to hide between two cars and watched from afar. His eyes grew wide as he recognized you. He saw you throwing a trash bag into the dumpster where he was standing in front of previously. After you were done, you stopped.

Was that...Sniffling, he heard?

His ears perked up to listen closer and he could hear you saying the word ‘asshole’. Stephen tilted his head and stepped out from his cover. Curse his curiosity! He began to make his way to you, following you in the shadows as you were walking away from the dumpsters and toward your unit. There was no way you’d notice him; you were too occupied on your phone. Stephen was watching his steps, careful not to make a single sound. He was so occupied with taking careful steps that he didn’t notice you turning around. He froze as his eyes met your teary-eyed ones.

“Y-You’re back...” You said cautiously and turned on the flashlight of your phone to verify. Stephen scurried away from the light of your flashlight not wanting to be seen again. “Wait!” You called out as he ran off. You sighed sadly and turned off the flashlight and made your way back into your first-floor unit. You stepped into your home and found the box of dog treats you had that you offered the neighboring dogs with. You took one out and walked back outside, standing on the porch. “Hey buddy, I have a treat for you!” You called out again but heard nothing back. You sighed again and sat down and set the treat aside. You pulled out your phone after you heard a notification. You read the text from your now ex-boyfriend as of an hour ago.

You’re fucking ridiculous, you know that? Fine by me, good luck finding anyone to deal with your difficult attitude. It’s really a relief for me. Bye.

You chuckled weakly, “Whatever...” You wiped a few more tears from your cheeks not wanting to spill anymore for this asshole. You heard sniffing and looked up to see Stephen in front of you. “Hey...” You smiled softly and stayed put. Stephen moved to sit next to you, not taking the treat but looking at you with his cerulean blue eyes. “Wow…You have such pretty eyes.” You said softly carefully reaching your hand out to pet his head. Stephen allowed it, wanting to provide you comfort. He wasn’t sure why he wanted to but seeing you sad made him want to help.

“People suck you know...They say they like you but treat you like shit...” You sighed sadly and felt the buzzing of your phone again. You took a quick glance to see who it was and turned it off when you saw it was Michael again. Stephen put his paw on your arm, wanting you to pet him more. You chuckled a little and scratched his head again. He felt a strange and pleasant sensation from your scratches. He raised his hind leg and began thumping it on the ground out of happiness. You laughed softly, “I found your spot!” You continued scratching him and Stephen practically melts under your touch. You eventually stop and lightly stroked his fur.

“Do you wanna come inside? It’s really cold out here.” You gestured to the door. Stephen looked at the door and then at you. He wasn’t sure if he should do so, but his decision was made quickly when he shivered. “Come on.” You smiled and got up to open the door. Stephen stepped inside your home, and you led him over to the living room. The moment he did, the lights flickered in the room. You stopped looking up and the flickering stopped, you shrugged. You turned to Stephen, “You wanna sleep on the couch, buddy?” Stephen answered by jumping onto the couch, eyeing the lights. He heard you giggle, and his ears perked up, liking the sound of your laughter. His tail began to wag as he saw you put a blanket over him and scratch his head.

I could get used to this... Stephen rested his head on the couch cushion and closed his eyes. “Goodnight.” You said and placed a kiss on his head. Stephen’s eyes opened and he watched you walk to your room. He jumped when he saw sparks flying in the room and into the kitchen. The sparks threw open the cabinets and a few dishes fell and shattered on the floor. Stephen ran toward and barked loudly at the cabinets, stopping the sparks. 

You ran out of your room and grabbed a knife. “Who’s there?!” You shouted and headed to the kitchen. You stopped when you saw Stephen and the broken dishes. “Really? I let you in and really?” You sighed angrily and rolled your eyes, “I’ll deal with this in the morning, stay away from the dishes, okay? You’ll get hurt!” He saw you walk back into your room. Shit…I may not have long here in this place… Stephen closed his eyes and magic sparked to reverse time and the dishes were back in the cabinets, completely fixed. He jumped back up onto the couch, keeping an eye on things. He would have to continue his exploration the next day while you were at work. If all was well then he would go back to his reality…His sad, broken reality…Or…He may stay here, in this vibrant world, a world where no magic exists.