I just want to let everyone know that since school has just started for me, this story will probably not be getting daily updates anymore. I'm at a new school, so I don't know anyone (I did make some friends though) and I'm going to have more homework. Once I get into the swing of things, updates will start coming more frequently. I just wanted to let everyone know. 

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I miss my old math and history teachers. :(

EDITED AS OF NOVEMBER 5, 2016.

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Stephen walked with a new bounce in his step to his room. He knocked on the door to let Rachael know he was coming in. He opened the door and saw her on the phone. She help up a finger to let him know she would be with him in a minute. 

"Yeah, something's come up. I think I'll have to drop the show," she was saying. "I know, I know. If I can be in it again, I'll call you and let you know. Thank you for being so understanding. You too. Bye." Rachael hung up and dropped her phone on her chest before looking at Stephen. "Yes?"

"I came to tell you something important," he said. Rachael gave him a nod that said to go on. "The Ancient One wants me to train you in the ways of the Mystic Arts."

"What?!" Rachael said. "Does that mean I can go back to New York?" 

"Well...not exactly," Stephen said. "We will be going to the New York Sanctum Sanctorum, but you can't go back to the city. If it's any consolation, it means that you'll have powers like me. We're going now, so get ready."

Stephen and Rachael collected the few possessions they had with them and then went to the doors that led to the Sanctums. Stephen led Rachael through the door to the New York Sanctum. They went to the master bedroom and put their belongings in there. Rachael flopped down on the bed, and Stephen laid down next to her.

"We can start your training whenever you want," he said. 

"Can we start in maybe two days? I'm still kind of trying to wrap my head around the fact that you aren't dead and that all this magic isn't just something in books," Rachael said.

"Of course," Stephen said, sitting down next to her and kissing the side of her head. "We need to have a talk about us."

"What is there to talk about?" Rachael asked. 

"If I'm going to be your mentor, I won't be able to be as nice as I usually am. I'm going to have to push you to your limits, and I don't think you'll like me for it," Stephen explained. "It's not like we'd have a normal relationship. When and if you go back to New York, I don't know if I could come with you. I don't know if Kaecilius would attack you or not. He knew I was close to you, but I have no idea how. We'd never met before that encounter at the apartment, so it's not like I would have mentioned you to him." 

"Who is he?" Rachael asked. "Kaecilius, I mean?"

"He was one of the Ancient One's disciples. While being trained, he was tempted by Dormammu to the Dark Dimension," Stephen explained. "After a battle with the Ancient One, he fled and hasn't been heard of since. It appears that he has risen with new allies at his side."

"Wait, who's Dormammu?" Rachael asked, tilting her head. 

"Sorry, I should have explained," Stephen apologized. "He's basically the ruler of the Dark Dimension. He's very dangerous, so stay away from him."

"Stephen, how the hell would I even get in a situation where I would be anywhere near him? I don't have your weird cosplay necklace thingy," Rachael held the Eye of Agamotto in her hand before flinging it and making it spin around Stephen's neck. Stephen grabbed it and forced it to stop.

"It's not a weird cosplay necklace thingy," he muttered, making sure it was okay. "This is how I save lives now, Rachael. I need it and it's fragile, so please don't spin it around my neck like it's a toy."

Rachael gave Stephen a playful roll of her eyes, making him glare at her. Rachael gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Oh, come on, Stephen, you can't be that mad at me. You know you love me."

"You're right, I do love you," he said, nuzzling her. Rachael giggled.

"Stop! That tickles!" she laughed. Stephen gave a low chuckle and buried his face further in her neck. "Stephen, stop! It tickles!"

"No," Stephen said, flopping down on top of her. His face was still buried in her neck and he was making a point to tickle her with his beard. Rachael tried to push him off, but he was too heavy. 

"Get off!" she said. Stephen just laughed. "You're heavy! Just- OW!" 

Stephen sat up immediately and looked Rachael over. "What's wrong? Did I hurt you?"

"No, I just said that so you'd get up," Rachael sat up and brushed herself off.

"Bad girl," Stephen rebuked. Rachael stuck her tongue out at him, making him crack a smile. "You haven't changed a bit since we met, you know that?"

"What do you mean?" Rachael asked. "I've changed a lot. I'm not that chubby little six year-old anymore."

"I mean your personality," Stephen explained. "You're still as sweet and silly as the day I met you."

"I think it was you," Rachael said. "I always felt like I could act silly around you because you wouldn't judge me since you're the one thing that's remained constant my whole life, and you're my best friend."

"Now boyfriend," Stephen pointed out.

"Yes, now my boyfriend," Rachael said. "Oh, let's see how Mom reacts to this."

Stephen groaned. "I'm really looking forward to telling her."

"Same," Rachael said sarcastically. "She's never liked you. No offense."

"None taken," Stephen said. "I've known it since I first came over to your house. If it's any consolation, my mom would be thrilled for us. She always used to tell me to just man-up and kiss you already. She wouldn't hear anything about it not being legal." 

Rachael laughed. "That sounds just like your mother." 

"I really miss her sometimes, Rach," Stephen sighed sadly. Rachael made a sympathetic noise and hugged Stephen tightly.

"I miss her, too," she said. "I liked her a lot. Not as much as I like my own mom of course, but still. She was kind of like a fun aunt. She'd be happy for us."

"I know," Stephen nodded. "I know."

Rachael kissed the side of Stephen's head. "How did we get from talking about our relationship to talking about your mom?"

"I don't know," Stephen laughed, shaking his head. "God, I need to sleep..."

"Then get some rest," Rachael encouraged. "I'll stay with you, if you want."

Stephen knew that he should start preparing to train Rachael, but he wanted to stay here and rest with her. He decided that he would make up for the hours he'd missed later when he woke up. He nodded to Rachael and laid down on the bed. Rachael cuddled up next to him and wrapped her arms around him. They looked into each other's eyes and smiled at each other.

"You're so beautiful," Stephen murmured, running his hand over her face softly. Rachael giggled and leaned into his touch.

"You need to get some sleep," Rachael said, gently pushing his hand off of her face. "You've barely gotten any since basically breaking and entering my apartment."

"Sorry about that," Stephen sighed.

"I'm only teasing, silly," Rachael giggled and shoved Stephen. "Let's get some rest. You need it and I want it."

"Okay," Stephen said. He let himself relax and then closed his eyes.

 Rachael started humming softly to put him to sleep. Stephen smiled softly. She'd used to do that when she would try to calm him down while he had a breakdown when he had been getting surgeries (if that was even what they could be called) to try and make his hands better. Stephen felt himself dropping off into a long, peaceful nap.

Rachael stopped humming once Stephen had fallen asleep and studied him. He looked so different from when they'd last seen each other. In addition to having shaved his beard and cut his hair, he looked like he'd lost some weight. There hadn't been a problem with his weight before, of course, he just looked slightly thinner. Rachael could also see that there had been a change in Stephen's manner. He was happier than he'd been even before the accident. He reminded Rachael of how he'd been when they were younger. Rachael felt her eyes beginning to droop. She shifted closer to Stephen (he was always quite warm) and let her eyes close. 

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When Stephen woke up, he yawned before stretching. Rachael's left arm was wrapped around him limply. Stephen gently pushed it off of him. He sat up and stretched a little more. That had been one of the best bits of sleep he'd gotten in a long time. He didn't know why, maybe it was because Rachael had sung him to sleep (sort of). Still, he was grateful for it. 

After a few moments of just sitting in bed and thinking about nothing, Stephen heard Rachael murmur his name. He looked behind him at her and saw her stretching. She was smiling sleepily at him. 

"How long were we asleep?" she asked. 

"I don't know," Stephen shrugged. "It's probably early evening."

"Great," Rachael muttered. "This will totally mess up my sleeping cycle."

"Same here," Stephen said.

Rachael laughed and sat up. As she and Stephen were leaning in towards one another, there was a large blast outside of the room. Both of their heads swivelled towards the door. Rachael looked up at her boyfriend.

"What was that?" she asked.

"I don't know," Stephen said. "I'm gonna go check it out. You stay here."

"What? No, I'm coming with you," Rachael protested, getting up and following him to the door.

"Rachael, stay here," Stephen said firmly. "I don't want you to get hurt."

"Well, I don't want you to get hurt while I'm not there!" Rachael said. "I'm coming with you, and that's final!" 

Stephen knew he couldn't argue with Rachael and win. In all the years that they'd been friends, he'd never won a fight or argument against her. He'd always said that she should become a lawyer or join the debate team at her high school. He finally sighed and nodded.

"Fine, fine," he said. "Just stay behind me and do exactly what I tell you. If I tell you to be quiet, you be quiet. If I tell you to hide, you hide. If I tell you to run and leave me behind, you run and leave me behind. Do you understand?"

"Yes," Rachael nodded. 

"Good," Stephen said. "Come on."

I swear, if she gets hurt because she's an idiot and tries to protect me, I'll kill her then bring her back to life and kiss her, he thought.

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I'm so sorry this has taken so long to update. I've been so stressed because of the amount of homework I have and I'm legit freaking out because I don't want to go back tomorrow. I'm watching Sherlock to calm down but it isn't really working. Speaking of Sherlock, check out the Victorian dolls that are getting released!

Here's Holmes:

And here's Watson:

I want Holmes so badly. If I can't get Watson, I can't get Watson but I definitely would love to add Holmes to my collection. I really want them to make a Fatcroft figure and I want it to be squishy. Don't judge me. Maybe I can convince my mom to get him for me as a, "You made it through your first year at your new school without completely falling apart" present. John can be a b-day present or something.

Todays soon-to-be-released Doctor Strange merchendise is:

The Funko Pop! Doctor Strange set, featuring Doctor Stephen Strange, the Ancient One, Baron Mordo, and Kaecilius! I don't have any of these figures, but maybe I'll start collecting them now!