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Ever since she moved into the New York Sanctum Sanctorum and under Stephen's wing, America had seen all sorts of weird things Stephen kept in his residence. Sometimes they were things that its existence Stephen wasn't even aware of, and other times they were things that were essential to the Sanctum and are not to be meddled with, despite its… strangeness. She supposed the place fitted its dweller.
Some things were cool, others not so much, and some things were weird. Sometimes they were a mix of both. The things Stephen kept in his fridge to eat fell into the 'weird' category. Maybe even the 'horrifying' category. It was just a horrendous glob of whatever the hell it was, a mix of tentacles and eyeballs and… was it purple goo? She wasn't entirely sure what it was, but Stephen told her it was necessary for him to consume it with reasons along the lines of 'magic sustainability' and whatnot.
She found herself impressed and dazzled and curious and a lot of other things when she explored the Sanctum and its contents. It felt as if the longer she stayed there, the more things there were to discover.
But that day, she found something in the Sanctum that could quite possibly put everything else she ever thought was cool or amazing to shame.
At first, she was just minding her own business–walking down the halls of the Sanctum to go back to her room and shower, then rest for the next however many hours she could slip in after a tiring day full of training at Kamar Taj–when she saw it.
Black, thick fur that flicked from side to side as it swayed in the air, like the end of an animal's tail, before it disappeared as said animal–or whatever it was–rounded the corner and away from her sight. She frowned a bit at that, confused at the notion that an animal was allowed in the Sanctum. Did Stephen have a pet she wasn't aware of? Why didn't he tell her? She would have thought she was probably imagining things right then, but there was suddenly a soft sound that was vaguely similar to a meow and a bit of scratching on what sounded like wood which confirmed that she was not, in fact, hallucinating.
She took careful, measured steps towards it, inching closer to the corner where it had gone to, and froze. America found herself staring at what was probably the coolest cat she's ever seen in existence. She stared at it, mouth slightly agape.
It had white fur, with black patches that formed intricate markings on its body. Its tail was long with thick black fur at the bottom, growing white and thin all the way to its tip where it was a fluffy mass of black fur–something she had a glimpse of seconds prior and was now in full display. Thick black fur covered its chest all the way back to its neck like a fur tippet, and its belly was covered in grey fur. It had a diamond-shaped patch of black on its forehead that she immediately adored, and another black patch under its chin that reminded her of Stephen's goatee. It also had pointed ears–one of them scarred and lost its half top–with thin, wispy strands up the tip, and upon closer inspection and a bit of disbelief, as well as a pair of small antlers atop its head and horns on each side of its face.
This was not just an ordinary cat. She couldn't help but step ever so closer to inspect more of its features.
Silvery green eyes, faded on the right eye–was it half blind?–where a scar ran through just shy of under its right ear and down its face. It also had very… interestingly shaped claws. She didn't exactly know how to describe them. They were like sharp, pointy talons. It also had sharp fangs that were so long they were visible even with its mouth closed.
"Woah," she said, frozen for a moment as she stared at it. "You are a cool fucking cat."
She wasn't too keen on using such language, but the situation sort of warranted it. She figured it was alright since there was nobody there at that moment to tell her off about it, anyway.
It cowered back a bit at her presence, standing on its limbs and body slightly raised in caution.
"No, no, it's fine," she tried to assure it, "I'm not gonna hurt you."
She took several slow steps forward, her shadow elongating across the wall opposite on every step, trying to keep her body language as non-intimidating, open and harmless as possible. It seemed to work, apparently, as the creature did little to protest against her picking it up.
She lifted it, ever so carefully, at eye level.
It meowed at her.
Well, she thought, looks like the resting could wait. She smiled. The showering, however…
*.~ ◇ ~.*
The definitely-not-cat was surprisingly calm in water (granted, she chose warm water rather than cold, but it was still surprising) and didn't react harshly to her touch. It even purred when she rubbed soap over its thick fur or poured water down its head, ears downturned.
When it was clean (she didn't realise at first how badly the not-cat needed a clean up, and was glad she decided to give it one regardless), she had the privilege to witness the markings of its fur closer, clearer and a tad brighter now that she had managed to wash away all the grime and dirt and… whatever it was that stuck on there. She was just glad to be rid of all that… stuff.
She wondered if Stephen would let her keep it.
*.~ ◇ ~.*
"Absolutely not!" Stephen said sternly, and America pouted, shifting the not-cat she held in her hands. He gave a look at it. How did it slip past the Sanctum's wards? Had it gone through the portal from his last interdimensional visit?
"It's dangerous for the Sanctum. It's dangerous for you," he said, sounding exasperated, because he didn't want America to get hurt. She's been through enough.
"Please, Stephen? Look at it! It would barely lay a claw on anyone!" she lifted the cat up to Stephen's face, and he jolted back to avoid it, almost on instinct. The cat blinked slowly at him. "See? It's a good kitty! I promise to keep it safe and cared for and…" she hesitated, but then sighed, "I'll keep it out of trouble."
"Still a no."
America made a sound that could've been a sad whine. When the bottom lip and puppy eyes came out, Stephen knew he was done for.
(He couldn't help but remember about the dog he met in the streets of Nepal, injured and lost and clearly needing help. He couldn't help but feel himself reflected in it. What if America felt the same about this particular… stray? What if his refusal would break her heart? He didn't want that.)
He sighed.
"You know I'll eventually grow immune to that, do you?" he said as she kept making her puppy face.
"But does it still work now?"
Stephen let out an exasperated, resigned groan.
"Fine, yes. You can keep it."
America's face brightened at that, a lovely grin stretching over her lips at Stephen's agreement, and Stephen found he couldn't help but give a subtle, yet genuine little smile in return.
"But," he said, and America nodded along, "Keep your word and make sure it stays out of trouble."
America nodded enthusiastically at that, a bit of laughter slipping past her lips at how much joy she felt.
"Thank you so much, Stephen!"
She placed the not-cat carefully on the ground, which immediately sat down and laid its tail beside itself. She reached forward to hug Stephen, and they had shared enough hugs by then that Stephen wasn't surprised by her initiating it.
God, America was going to be the death of him.
When she pulled back, she lifted the not-cat back up in her arms again and pulled it close to her chest.
"You hear that, kitty? Stephen said I can keep you!" she cooed at it, tapping its little pink nose with her finger. It meowed in response. Stephen, though still very much exasperated, couldn't help but smile at that.
"It's a Calimiris. Not exactly a cat."
America nodded her head at the new information. She knew it wasn't a cat, obviously–it had antlers, of course it wasn't–but it was nice to know what exactly it was called.
"Do you wanna hold it?" she said, lifting the Calimiris from under its front legs into the air and in front of Stephen.
"Oh, no. I don't think it's a good idea to–"
America handed it over to him regardless, and Stephen didn't have a choice but to cradle the Calimiris in his arms. He was a bit stiff, cautious of what the Calimiris would do, but didn't try to push it off his arms. It just blinked slowly at him again as it did before, and then reached out its paw to lay it over his cheekbone with a meow. It seemed to be cautious of its own claws, thankfully, and Stephen tried not to panic at how close the sharp claws were to his face.
"Aww, you both look adorable together!" America said, "What should I name you?"
She danced her fingers atop the Calimiris, like how a mother would to her newborn baby. It stared at her fingers, pulled its paw back, and then let out a little 'mrrp'. She looked up at Stephen and settled her hands on her knees, bending slightly to face it.
"What does it eat?"
Stephen pursed his lips.
"If I recall correctly," which he always does, but that bit was unmentioned, "the same food I eat."
America made a face.
"If it even is food to begin with… yuck."
The patch of diamond-shaped fur on its forehead suddenly sliced open clean in the middle, vertically, to reveal another eye.
America gasped.
"Oh, right. I forgot to tell you about that."
"It has three eyes?" America said, incredulously, and Stephen was surprised she wasn't afraid of it. "That's so cool! Does it work like yours?"
Stephen shrugged.
"No, not exactly. Not that I know of."
America peered at it, looming over the Calimiris.
"You both are practically twins!" she remarked, "How about I name you Stephen Junior?"
Stephen snorted.
"Oh, I can just call you SJ! How's that? You like your new name, SJ?"
SJ meowed, and blinked slowly. Its third eye closed slower than the rest did. America smiled.
*.~ ◇ ~.*
Stephen figured it'd be convenient if he would just read through all the books related to the Calimiris if America really wanted to keep SJ. He'd have to know how to teach her to care for SJ properly.
It took some time to find the book, which was buried in one of the shelves and had collected dust, but it was worth it. He picked the book out of the shelf, blew out the dust, placed it over the table with a thump, and flipped it open–photographic memory helping him remember which page to find. And then he began to read.
The Calimiris was written at the top of the page, a diagram of its species that looked more or less similar to SJ under it. He started reading through the section.
The Calimiris is a magical species of the Merdrel dimension, known to take form similar to that of Earth's Felis catus (commonly referred to as the cat). Its physical appearance includes soft fur with intricate markings, long, talon-like claws made of bones, sharp fangs, antlers and horns.
It is known to be a trainable but dangerous species with multiple abilities commonly used in battle, such as: ability to turn into a larger version of itself, ability to generate heat, ability to set on fire, and ability to determine an opponent's weaknesses or an injury in a body through its third eye.
There was a diagram of a larger version of the Calimiris, with notes at the side explaining that its body would expand to 6 ft by 6 ft along with elongated fangs, and with it, its horns and antlers grow roughly 10 times in size. Its third eye was in full display.
Its flame has multiple uses that serve to be useful during battle. A Calimiris could control its fire to be either harmful or harmless to whomever comes in contact with it. A Calimiris' flame is bright, colourful and has low level healing abilities.
The Calimiris can be domesticated as familiars or used in battle. War Calimiris are often used as a mode of transportation as they are rideable in their larger forms, but they come in many uses in the battlefield with their assortment of abilities. But due to its use in battle and often cruel treatment, the species are rare and often found injured or abandoned.
Stephen frowned. Perhaps that's where SJ got his scars… Was SJ a war Calimiris? Was he a war veteran? His heart swelled in sympathy at that. Perhaps America made the right decision taking SJ in.
He read further.
War Calimiris are signified through a magically-applied and self-tightening band, used to prevent it from attacking soldiers or owners. To unbind it, one must cast upon it a spell with the following incantation…
He read through the incantation, muttering to himself, and then immediately closed the book shut and stood out of his chair.
He was going to free SJ. He'd do whatever it takes. The Calimiris had been through enough, and he's had his fair share of war experience to know that. This was the least he could do.
*.~ ◇ ~.*
When America was told about SJ possibly being a war veteran, she immediately agreed that Stephen should free him from that band. It was cruel and unjust and she felt protectiveness swell inside her at the fact.
They sat down on the floorboards, with SJ on America's lap, and Stephen in front of her. At first, SJ seemed to give a warning meow at Stephen's shaking hands reaching towards his paw and an alarmed look on his face, but when he finally sensed Stephen's intentions, calmed down.
"I'm not going to hurt you," he whispered gently at SJ, "I just want to help."
The band hadn't been visible to them at first due to the fur covering it. It seemed so tight. Far too tight. It looked painful.
"You poor thing…" America said as the band came to view. Stephen wrapped his scarred fingers around the band, muttering the incantation he had read from the book under his breath.
The air became tense for a moment, and everybody in the room seemed to hold their breaths.
And then suddenly the silence was broken as the band opened with a clink, tumbling to the floor and hitting the old wood, and both Stephen and America breathed out a sigh of relief.
The area on SJ's wrist where the band had been revealed red, patchy, irritated skin where the fur had been rubbed off due to how tight it had been. Stephen had pre-prepared for this exact scenario and, after shaving off the fur obstructing the wound in order for him to then clean it, he applied an antiseptic cream on the red and infected–but now cleaned–area. SJ did little to protest throughout the entire proceedings, and Stephen or America would occasionally mutter 'good boy', 'clever boy', or 'don't worry, it'll feel better' in hopes it would assure him.
When it was over, the Calimiris took one look at the band on the floor, and then laid the tip of his tail over it. SJ set his tail on fire, and the band burned away into dust that left the smell of flames in the room in its wake. Stephen looked at the bit of smoke it had made.
"You're free now," Stephen said softly, turning his head to the Calimiris. "You've done your job well, soldier."
SJ turned his head to Stephen, blinking slowly again at him. And then he stood and stepped forward to settle himself on Stephen's lap with his eyes closed, purring meanwhile.
Both Stephen and America smiled softly at that.
*.~ ◇ ~.*
The next few days brought about fun and (probably more than) a bit of chaos.
America had set up a little kitty cot on the window of her room, placing a tiny bed atop it and a blankie she found that she thought SJ would've liked. It was red and reminded her of the cloak–another thing both Stephen and Stephen Jr. had in common: a red, warm blanket. Except this one wasn't sentient.
Well, the cot lasted for a while until SJ fell off of it along with the bed and broke it in a way America couldn't fix. She decided it was best to have SJ's bed on the floor instead. But then SJ decided her bed was more comfortable, and the pet bed was now abandoned. She didn't exactly mind, though. She didn't mind at all. She found that she loved having a purring, soft, extra pillow that just happened to be alive on her bed. She just had to be careful with his claws, antlers, and horns.
She also got around to training SJ. They were banned from playing indoors after (accidentally!) setting the kitchen on fire. But she finally got the hang of it, and SJ would only set himself or other things on fire if A) SJ wanted to (he had free will now, after all), B) America told him to, and C) whenever anyone was in danger.
And she knew that they weren't allowed to play inside the Sanctum, but Stephen didn't mention anything about taking him to Kamar Taj, did he? Besides, he's trained now. He won't be harmful to anything anymore; unless he needed to be. And so she sneaked SJ in, because why not, and played with him in discreet corners during breaks in between training and studying.
She's done it multiple times now, and wondered amusedly how Stephen hadn't found out.
It wasn't until the second week she brought SJ to Kamar Taj that her secret was finally revealed. But it was, with every sense of the phrase, worth it, in her opinion.
America had just come to their usual corner where SJ was always waiting for her–a shady and almost unnoticeable place away from where most sorcerers were–when two students she didn't recognise (they were probably the newer ones, or the ones that avoided her because she was young and reckless and unable to control her powers… a dangerous threat, and all that) passed by. She tried to cover herself and SJ behind a wall, making sure they wouldn't be seen.
They talked for a bit, and at first it seemed like a casual conversation. Training, the weather, personal lives… She hadn't meant to eavesdrop, but they were just there…
None of what they talked about seemed to be of much interest to her, so she paid not much attention. It wasn't until she heard Stephen's name did she become truly curious.
"I wonder how Strange hasn't been kicked out yet."
The other student huffed.
"Tell me about it," they sounded slightly pissed off. "They should've kicked him out after Hong Kong."
"Exactly," the other one said, "I mean, who gave him the right to use the Eye, anyway? All the 'he was meant to be the best of us' bullshit…"
America's hands tightened into fists. She didn't like where this conversation was going.
She felt a sort of rumbling start deep in SJ's chest and vibrating his entire body, but it wasn't a purr. Was SJ… growling?
"He gave it away eventually, right? Stupid move, if you'd ask me. And everyone called him a hero for it. I mean, killing half the universe?" they chuckled in a way that made America feel slightly disgusted. "I would've done better."
"Why is he so famous anyway? Wasn't he, like, one of those asshole doctors before?"
The other one shrugged.
"As far as I know, yeah. Heard he had an accident, ruined his hands. Anybody would've thought he'd be humbled after something like that, but he's still pretty much a condescending dick wh–"
"Attack, SJ."
As soon as the words left America's mouth, SJ grew impossibly larger and set himself ablaze, running after the students who, after noticing that a 6 ft interdimensional being who happened to also be on fire was intending to burn them into crisps, screamed and ran away in a hasty fashion.
They nearly burned down the entirety of Kamar Taj until Wong and Stephen put an end to the chase, but America thought it was worth it. Because that had definitely taught those asshole sorcerers a lesson.
No one insults Stephen. Nobody at all. Not ever, not anymore. Not if she was there to stop it. She'd make sure of that.
*.~ ◇ ~.*
"What in all the hells were you thinking?!"
America scowled, folding her arms in front of her chest.
Stephen counted with his fingers as he listed the things America had done.
"Bringing SJ into Kamar Taj without telling me, hiding him just so you could play with him when you could've just waited until you go back home,"–America would have commented on the fact Stephen called the Sanctum her 'home', but it didn't seem like the right timing–"and nearly burning down half of Kamar Taj because you decided to make SJ attack 2 students?!"
America looked at Stephen's slightly reddened face that was likely so due to his anger, and said: "They were insulting you! I can't let them disrespect you like that!"
Stephen's stern eyes stared for a beat or two, and then softened at that. He looked at her for a moment, and then sighed. Rubbing his temples, all America could do was stand there and watch.
"Look, America," he said, voice softer now in contrast to his near-yelling just moments prior, "Many in Kamar Taj aren't as… accommodating to you."
America looked down, pouting.
"I know that."
Stephen sighed again.
"I'm trying to… I want to show them that you have potential. I want to show them that you aren't… aren't harmful. You're just a kid, for god's sake. And Kamar Taj is a place for people who need safety and help and guidance and…" he closed his eyes, sighed, opened them again, and the blue in them looked sharper to America somehow. "You need those, America. I just…" his eyes flickered away for a moment, "I just want to keep you safe. I want to help you learn how to control your powers… but if you continue to pull acts like these…"
Stephen clenched his eyes shut, bowed his head.
"I couldn't imagine what they'd do to you."
America's posture dropped a little at that.
Stephen was right. And she had been reckless.
"I'm sorry, Stephen. I just… They said very mean things to you. It was rude."
Stephen smiled, a tiny little tug at the edge of his lips, and it looked genuine. It looked fond, albeit a little wary.
"I know. People will talk, America. And though you can't shut their mouths, you can shut your ears. It'll be fine. I'll be fine."
America looked at him, couldn't help the guilt she felt showing on her face, and then stepped forward to wrap her arms around Stephen's waist. Stephen laid his hand on the small of her back, and hugged back.
(Still, though. The whole ordeal became a bit funny to her afterwards, especially after discovering that one of the two students turned half bald due to the fire. Definitely worth it.)
*.~ ◇ ~.*
Alright, yes. She would admit that she hadn't entirely learnt her lesson after that first rodeo on attempting to burn the two asshole sorcerers. Turned out it took more than burning half of Kamar Taj using her not-cat-that-could-set-itself-on-fire to make her see how bad of an idea it was to send SJ to anyone she wasn't fond of.
But it was worth it the first time, and she was sure it'd be worth it the second.
Stephen told her that ever since the fight against Thanos, he had been working more frequently with a group of heroes called the 'Avengers'. At first she thought that was okay–Stephen had little to no friends anyway, and people with unnatural abilities or those who share similar experiences to his seemed like people he could be friends with–but then every time Stephen came home after dealing with 'Avengers stuff', he'd be bloodied and bruised and hurt and… she didn't like that. What were they doing to him?
And then there was Tony Stark. She managed to learn how to use the 'internet' and the 'computer' in this universe and used the Sanctum's (admittedly old based on what she gathered from this age, but functioning) computer to search up… well, everything she needed to know about the man.
And boy, she didn't like how they described him. But Stephen seemed to talk about Stark a lot, and highly about him as well.
She had a few suspicions about that but… She seriously didn't trust this Stark guy. Especially not after what she's seen of how people treated Stephen–best friend turned enemy poisoning him and her during a first meeting? Yikes. She didn't want a repeat of that. And then there were the sorcerers who talked behind his back…
What if Stark would turn out that way?
Stephen deserved so much better and America was going to ensure that that was the case, in whatever way she can.
So obviously when Stephen informed her that Tony was going to come to the Sanctum and 'take him out' (she was quite confused by the term. What did it even mean? 'Take' Stephen 'out'? Did that mean fighting to the death? She had never heard of the term being used in the universes she's been through), the first thing she planned to do was to send SJ over to attack the ex-billionaire.
Well, not attack. Not exactly. She just needed to scare him a little and make sure he wouldn't mess with her resident wizard.
And that turned out quite badly. On both sides. And not in a good sense.
She had hidden SJ and herself near the Sanctum's entrance, expecting Tony's arrival. She had explained to SJ what the plan was–SJ turned out to be an intelligent little guy, he could understand her completely!–and was ready to strike the moment he came in.
As soon as the Sanctum's doors opened up and the billionaire appeared, America shouted "Now!" and SJ pounced.
He embiggened, and then set on fire. Luckily, SJ was mindful about not setting anything on fire or actually causing any harm this time. SJ went immediately for the chest, but before he could do anything, Stark's suit encased him and he managed to move away. America felt Stark's eyes on her, seeing his alarm even behind the faceplate, and was surprised when Stark suddenly flew her way and caught her in his arms to send them tumbling to the side and onto the ground, away from SJ, the suit taking most of the impact.
"Stay here!" Stark's voice filtered through the suit, and America was left gaping.
Did he just try to protect her?
Just as SJ turned around to face him, he lifted his repulsor and it glowed a bright blue with a high-pitched whine. SJ slammed his tail towards Stark's direction and sent him flying to the side with a pained grunt.
"Stop!" Stephen shouted, suddenly appearing on the staircase and running his way down.
"What is all this?!"
Tony looked to the side, still on the ground and struggling to stand up, and in a rush, he said: "Stephen! Take that kid away! I'll deal with this–"
"What?"
The sorcerer turned his head to where America was half laying on the ground, and then to where a 6 ft flaming SJ was standing frozen in the middle of the room, and groaned.
"America Chavez! Make Stephen Junior stop this at once!"
Tony's faceplate opened to reveal his confusion.
"Stephen what?"
America cursed lightly under his breath, and SJ turned into his original size.
Well, America thought, that didn't go very well.
"You are in big trouble, young lady."
Shit.
*.~ ◇ ~.*
Tony sat in what was probably the Sanctum's living room, trying not to wince as sitting made pain flare up his hip during the… rough encounter earlier. This was definitely not how he imagined his day with Stephen would be.
"So you mean to tell me," he said, after Stephen explained the situation, "That you let a twelve year old–"
"I'm fourteen."
"That you let a kid keep some sort of giant cat demon slash beast that was used in war as a pet kitten? I mean, did you see the size of that thing?"
And then Tony shrugged, and grunted an incomprehensible sound that could have meant anything.
"Yeah, okay. Get it. I've done worse."
Stephen blinked.
"...Right."
SJ was sitting quietly on the floor, looking up at Tony silently. He meowed, and then suddenly hopped onto Tony's lap and flicked his tail around to tickle Tony's nose. Tony seemed to panic a bit at that, before America assured him.
"I–It's okay! He doesn't mean any harm. At least–at least not now."
Tony looked at her for a moment, but then tried to relax his posture. It was still stiff and cautious, but he didn't seem to try pushing SJ away.
"I… I'm sorry I made SJ scare you," America apologised, "I didn't mean to make him hurt you like that… I just…"
God, she felt bad. And Stark tried to protect her.
"All good, kid," was his reply.
America was a bit startled at that. Even Stephen seemed surprised. When Tony noticed their looks, he shrugged.
"Been through worse. You should see what sort of stuff Harley does."
Stephen suddenly chuckled a bit at that, looking relieved. And then his face turned soft.
Oh, America thought. Interesting.
"Did you get hurt?" Stephen asked, "I can get the first aid kit if you'd–"
Suddenly, SJ blazed himself on fire and Tony yelped, bodily flinching from the chair.
"No, no it's okay! It's alright! SJ's just trying to heal you."
"He's trying to what? The thing's on fire!"
SJ purred and laid his head on Tony's lap, closing his eyes gently.
"Make it stop!" he frowned, "It's– It's not hurting? Why is it not hurting? God, magic is weird. Just–"
"A Calimiris' flame has healing abilities,'' Stephen tried to explain, "Calm down. It's helping you."
Gradually, Tony settled down.
"Jesus Christ on a f… farting unicycle. That's actually working," he said after a while, stretching himself a bit.
"Oh damn. Even healed the strain I had since last week."
Tony gave an approving nod down at it.
"That's a cool cat. What'd you name him again? Stephen Junior, was it? Where'd you get that idea?"
A smile played on his lips, and Stephen gave a fond eye roll. America giggled a bit.
"Show him, SJ," she said, and SJ's ear twitched a bit. He yawned and stretched, still on Tony's lap, and then rolled over on his back with his belly up and exposed. SJ let his third eye open.
"Holy sh… sugar is bad for teeth, kids!" he said.
Stephen snorted.
"Ok, wow. What the hell. That is weird. Strange, even."
It was America's turn to snort.
"Fits the name, huh?"
Tony huffed out a laugh.
"Yep."
SJ's flames subsided, and he turned around on his stomach to proceed to sleep on Tony's lap.
"Who's looking after the kid and the demon cat while we, uh…" he cleared his throat a bit, "While we go on our date?"
Date? Was that what 'taking someone out' meant?
"I…" Stephen hesitated.
"I can drop her and the kitty cat off on the compound if you'd like? Meet the boys, get to know each other…" Tony trailed off, staring into Stephen's eyes in a way that was completely uncomfortable for America to watch.
Interesting, indeed.
"Would you… like that America?" Stephen asked her.
"The boys are pretty hardcore sometimes but nothing too wild. They don't have a flaming cat from some other dimension, at least. You'll love them. Probably," Tony shrugged.
America considered it.
"Alright," she decided.
Tony clapped his hands together, and the sound startled SJ awake.
"Alright. Problem solved, now…" he looked at Stephen with that weird look again. "You, uh, ready? I got our table reserved and everything…"
Stephen cleared his throat, shifting in his seat.
"Of course. Yes. We can… we may… yes. We shall."
Tony smiled. Stephen smiled back.
Okay, ew.
America snorted.
"Enjoy your… date."
She gave Stephen a playful look. The sorcerer's face pinked at that.
"But also…" she said, biting her lip, "Does this mean I'm out of trouble?"
Stephen pursed his lips.
"Ya know… I think this is a pretty cool first meeting. Greeting me with a giant blazing cat and all that. Besides, I don't mind," Tony said, "The kid's all good, doc."
Stephen looked at Tony, and then at America, and sighed.
"Yeah, yeah. Alright. Fine. You're out of trouble, Stardust."
America smiled.