Welcoming to the fold: Dr. Stephen Strange
(sorry this took so long :'))

CupcakeLailaKL

You flicked a Froot Loop in Stephen's direction, quickly changing your giggle into a cough as it bounced off of his forehead. He looked up from his phone, shooting you a glare before turning back to the little device. He was still irked you'd woken them up at 5 in the morning due to your restless cleaning, but you couldn't help it. You were dead bored. Wong was too busy indulging in the plate of eggs and toast you'd made for breakfast and you were too jittery to have some yourself. Stephen was a lost cause when it came to food in general, his idea of it being a cup of hot jasmine tea. Honestly, he could drink it by the gallon.

"What's on the agenda for today?" Wong asked around his mouthful of half-chewed eggs.

You slumped over the wooden table with a big sigh.

"I'll be in the library." Stephen chimed.
"You're always in the library, Strange. It's like your missing the gene in your body that lets you have fun. Ya know? Fun? Spelled F-U-"

"I know how to spell fun, Y/N." He growled, finally looking at you.

You smirked.

Stephen didn't know what it was about you that made him lose his cool so easily. Usually, he was able to hold his own when it came to a verbal competition, but you never failed to get under his skin and it would drive him crazy. What was worse was he knew you did it on purpose with that self- satisfied smirk of yours and even when he knew that, it still continued to bother him.

But, Strange being Strange, would never admit that to you or Wong. Mostly because the two of you loved your gossip sessions and he wasn't about to be a night's highlight.

"Then, lets go!" You said excitedly, pushing back your chair. "I know the perfect place to relax!"

When neither of the men moved, you exhaled in irritation.

"I'll buy you churros."

Wong was on his feet in a flash, a piece of toast in his hand.
"Where are we going?"

You gave Stephen a triumphant look and he rolled his eyes before setting his phone down and waiting for your answer.

—————

"A carnival? This was your genius idea?"

Stephen immediately closed his mouth after seeing your slightly offended expression. You'd always wanted to travel and as it was that time of the year, the 50th State Fair was up and running. A good choice on your part and one Wong applauded as well. When all three of you arrived, it was 11 at night. That gave you one hour to have as much fun as you could.

"Don't be such a buzzkill, Strange. Carnivals are the best." You trotted over to the nearest booth, Wong right behind you.

He scoffed.

"Yeah, if you're 8."

Stephen was having a hard time trying to conjure up the desire to not care, but he really couldn't. Not if you were gonna look so darn cute hopping from booth to booth with a plethora of stuffed animals. It had become too much for the men to carry and so one of the workers provided you with a clear trash bag. You insisted upon dragging it along yourself and Stephen couldn't help admiring the way your face glowed with happiness, emphasized by the colorful carnival lights, and every time you turned to smile at him, he'd hesitantly smile back. He wouldn't admit it, but he was having fun. Very much so, and only because he was watching you bubble over with excitement every time you won something.

He was falling hard.

And Stephen Strange did not know what to make of it.

"Stephen!"

Jolted out of his thoughts, he came to when he realized you were waving a hand in front of his face.

"Yes?"
"Wong's busy stuffing his face with funnel cakes, so you're coming with me on the Ferris Wheel." You pointed to the large ride and Stephen shook his head.

"I'd rather not." He tried to protest, but cut off at the deadly look on your face.

"I didn't ask."

By the time you got back to the Sanctum, you were dead on your feet and the bag of stuffed animals appointed to Wong to heft around. You'd sparked a portal at the top of the staircase and was so exhausted, you'd almost toppled down the stairs if Stephen hadn't caught you. Thing is, he didn't exactly let go, either. Wong, sensing the awkward situation you two had found yourselves in, babbled about taking your animals to your room and disappeared in a flash.

"You should get some rest." Stephen said, stepping back.

Without thinking, you gently laid your hands over his, stopping them from leaving your waist.

You didn't think he'd be interested in you. Hell, it seemed he was only ever interested in himself at times, but you'd caught him staring at you on more than one occasion and it would send a tingling sensation down your spine.

You liked having his eyes on you.

You liked him and it was clear his feelings were reciprocated by the look on his face, one you knew all too well.

He was struggling with himself, trying to figure out what he really wanted and you decided to make the decision for him by moving your hands to twine around his neck.

"You want me to leave?" You asked, keeping direct eye contact with him. He moved closer, bringing his lips mere inches from yours as you tilted your head to grant him more access. A shadow of the moment on the Ferris Wheel. Metaphorical sparks flying in every direction.

"I didn't say that." He whispered.

CRASH!

You jumped out of his arms with a little yelp at the deafening sound. Stephen's cloak whipped around and came to rest on its master's shoulders as he spun and pushed you behind him, Wong rushing through the halls, alerted by the crash. The three of you moved as close as you could to the gaping hole that had just been formed in the staircase, wooden beams broken and spilling into the hole as clouds of dust twirled through the air. You pounded your fists together, conjuring the familiarly bright yellow shields before peering in.

A man you'd never seen before was lying in the destruction of the staircase and you swore you saw his skin fade from a bright green color to normal human flesh. He was covered from head to toe in dust and you didn't know how such a small man could have fallen through the ceiling, collapsed a staircase and survived. He was looking at his hands with fresh terror in his eyes and when he looked up, piercing darts hit the center of your chest. He was clearly terrified and so much that you could almost feel the wild fright that was emanating from his gaze, from the tremble in his hands and legs.

"Thanos," He said breathlessly as though it was a tremendous effort to do such, "Thanos is coming."

You gave Stephen a confused look.

"Who?"

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