Back at the Avengers tower you are the first group to be back. You once again glance at the slip of paper the Doctor handed you, reading the telephone nummer written onto it.
Doctor Stephen Strange gave you his telephone number... you still can't believe it.
You head straight to your room, still somewhat flustered by what had just happened. Flopping down on your comfortable bed you take your phone out of your pocket and type in the number, making sure to save it, maybe staring for a moment to make sure that it indeed is his number you just saved.
Then, you turn your gaze to the window, just now realizing it is already dark. You barely slept the last few nights. The Wrecking Crew kept you and a couple of the others awake. But now it seems to be a quiet night. It's calm and comfortable, something you aren't used to at all anymore. Especially with so many people so close around you.
Getting out of your clothes you brush your teeth and wash your face before you lay back down to sleep.
Next morning you are woken up by a loud bang outside. You open your eyes, for a moment slightly blinded by the little shine of the rising sun coming from a small gap between your blinds. Your eyebrows rise as you hear another crash. Are Thor and the Hulk training together again? Why do they have to do this so early?
You quickly get up, getting dressed in comfortable, baggy clothes. Dragging yourself out of your room like a zombie, you join Tony and Vision in the kitchen. And indeed, from the level of the training rooms comes Thor's thunderous laughing, followed by one of Hulk's 'Hulk is the strongest!'.
"Hey guys. They woke you up too?"
They nod.
"Yeah. It's a miracle the others are still asleep with that noise and practically the whole tower shaking." replies Tony.
"It is indeed. I wish I could have slept longer. I was having a very good time with Wanda last night." Vision adds.
You would joke about not needing to know that much, but you know that they are dancing around each other since quite a while now. It is starting to get a little bit frustrating. Though it is still cute.
You smile to yourself, taking the cup you just prepared yourself to take a sip.
"Yeah? What were you doing? Wanda told me you'd go out together. Was it a date?" you ask with a grin. He looks down flustered, then looks back up with those puppy eyes.
"It's...we...I am not sure. We went to see a movie in what you call a cinema. I know that often it is called a date when you do that, but I am not sure if..." he travels off mid-sentence, glancing at his steaming cup of coffee.
"You should ask her on a date, y' know? If you want it, you shouldn't let anything keep you from doing it. I am sure she'd be happy about it." you encourage him. He looks at you, silent for a moment, thinking, before a smile spreads on his lips.
"I will try it then." he replies softly.
You just give him a toothy grin and a nod, then get up again to get a bowl, milk and cereals.
That's when Scott and Clint decide to join you three in the kitchen.
"Aaah, good morning guys. And how did you sleep, future Mrs Strange?" Scott teases.
You reply with an "Shut it before I throw you outta the window.", though grinning, while everyone else in the room straightens up with interest.
"Future Mrs Strange?" Tony rises an eyebrow, amused.
Scott opens his mouth to reply, but quickly a shadow shoots out of the ground, wrapping around his mouth to keep him from answering.
"Don't you dare, Scott Lang. Don't give Tony more reasons to tease me."
He raises his hands in surrender, so you remove the shadows, letting them disappear back into the ground. You turn to your bowl so you dont see him opening his mouth again.
"They were staring at each other the whole time!" he cries out quickly.
"SCOTT!" you cry out. You aren't really upset or angry though. It is the usual teasing.
"Welp..." Tony shrugs. "Does it have to be Mister 'sorcerer supreme' though? Mister Magic... Why not someone else? There are so many heroes out there. Hell, even Fury would be better."
"Tony, just because you say magic isn't real doesn't make him a bad guy. He's nice. Also, ew, don't give me nightmares."
"Fine, I still refuse to believe it is magic though. It is sience, I just don't understand it yet."
"You not understanding science? Very unlikely. Just accept it already."
"Magic. Duh. It's energy. Nothing else."
That starts an hour long discusion about magic and science, during wich most of the others enter the kitchen, also throwing in their opinions. Tony keeps refusing that it is magic, using his science language to try and change your opinion.
During that hour you can't help but grin at how close Vision and Wanda are. You wonder if they even realize it, or if it just happens automatically.
Once the discussion is over you go back into one of the training rooms, 'suited up' as Cap likes to say.
This time you don't fight robots though, you are sparring together with Natasha, building a team with her, fighting against Clint and Scott.
You all throw kicks and punches, blocking others. Natasha trains with you often, teaching you some of her skills. You aren't as talented as her by far, but mixed with your powers it makes you a hard enemy. Especially when you don't hold back.
You see an arrow speeding towards you when it's almost too late, though you act quickly, feeling shadows seeping into you, turning youur skin pitch black, and the arrow flies straight through you. They thought to distract you with it, so when Scott comes up from your side and the shadow disappears from your body again you land a hard punch directly to his face, causing him to fall back onto the floor.
"Whew..." he breathes out as he stares at the ceiling. You laugh softly, offering him a hand to help him up.
"That was a punch, (y/n)..." he laughs, rubbing his jaw.
"Sorry." you grin. You can see a bruise already forming.
"Okay, I think we've trained enough for now." Natasha speaks as she walks over with Clint.
"Yeah, we don't want (y/n) to beat Scott into a pulp." Clint smirks, nudging the other man teasingly.
"Yeah, yeah, just make fun of me now, Barton." he chuckles.
You all leave the room, and a thought comes up in your mind.
"Hey? Shouldn't we be sparring with those other heroes too? I mean, if we should fight alongside them some day, shouldn't we know their styles so we don't get into each other's ways?"
"Guess so... Fury probably didn't think about that. We should talk to the others about it." Clint replies.
After a quick shower you sit on your bed, dressed, and staring at the number on your phone. He said you could call for whatever reason. So maybe you could just...ask him if you could see him? Talk some more? There are more things you'd like to ask him, about his magic, about him...
You bite your lower lip, and before you can change your mind you press the call button, lifting the phone to your ear.
It rings a few times before he picks up.
"Hello, (Y/n)." How does he know it's you? He doesn't have your number.
"Hey... uhm...how did you know it's me?" He chuckles at your question.
"I know more than you would ever be able to imagine, (y/n)." he replies. You roll your eyes, though with a grin.
"Is there something you need?"
"Oh, right. Uh, well...I just... wanted to ask if you have time. For a talk?"
"Of course. Anytime for you."
"Cool. I'll come over soon."
"Until then, (y/n)." he just replies and ends the call.
You put away your phone, heart beating wildly in your chest. Okay, calm down, it's not a date.
Quickly you dress up into proper clothes, brush your hair and leave the building, calling for a by-passing taxi.
You arrive at the Sanctum Sanctorum, paying the cabbie and getting out of the car. The taxi drives off, leaving you alone, staring at the huge doors for a moment before you walk up to the porch. Again the door opens for you before you could knock.
You step inside, the sight now familiar but still...unusual.
"It is nice to see you again, (y/n)." you hear him speak as he enters the entrance hall, coming from a different room. He smiles, a small smile, but it is there, and it makes him even more handsome. His cloak sways slightly behind him as he comes closer.
"It is, yes." you reply, smiling too. He stops in front of you, taking your hand to kiss it.
"Would you like something to drink?"
"Uh, tea or water would be nice." you reply, blushing slightly as he still holds your hand. Though, as he starts steping away he lets go.
"You know where to sit." he states as he disappears into a hallway.
You walk into the sitting room where you have been yesterday, sitting on the sofa and waiting for him. You take a look around again, this time studying the relics a little longer.
He enters soon, a cup of tea in one hand, glass of water in the other. He puts down both on the wooden table, sitting beside you.
You are sitting close to each other, though not close enough so you are touching.
"You are very mysterious. It's making me curious." you state as you look at him. He chuckles softly.
"I can answer your questions."
"How did you start? Or how did it all start? The magic..." His smile turns a little sad as he thinks back to the beginning.
"I was working as a surgeon years ago. I was the best at what I did, in great demand. It was my whole life. Though..." he hesitates for a moment, glancing down at his gloved hands. "One day I was involved in a car crash. Glass shards cut through nerves in my hands. I couldn't move them properly anymore, and I had to stop."
You can see and feel the sadness, how much it still bothers him. Gently, you place your hand on his. His hand turns beneath your's until his palm is up, and his fingers wrap around yours. His hand is warm in yours, so much larger than your own.
He continues.
"But then I heard of a man. The Ancient one. I was told he could heal everything with his magic. I didn't believe in magic myself, but I didn't have anything else left. So I searched for him. I started traveling, have seen almost everything in this world. I finally found him in Tibet, but he rejected me. Instead he asked me to stay.. He offered me to teach me, so I could heal myself. First I wanted to refuse, but I ended up staying. He trained me and instead of using my powers for my own gain I used them to protect others. I became his replacement once I was strong enough."
You are listening with interest, feeling with him.
"So you first didn't want to study magic?" you ask, head tilting slightly to the side. He shakes his head.
"No, at first I didn't. But now, I am glad I did. I am still able to safe people, even if it is in a different way."
"Wow, that's amazing."
"At first the Vishanti didn't accept me though. I was too egoistic and arrogant. I had to learn to change my ways. The ancient one made me train with Wong, one of his other disciples, and it helped me until finally the Vishanti accepted me."
"You? Arrogant and egoistic?" He nods.
"Exactly. But that was long ago."
It's silent for a little while, and you stare down at your joined hands. You look up though when he speaks.
"Though, now it is your turn to tell me about you. You have incredible powers..."
"Well... I can't remember a time where I didn't have them. I was born with them, but it took me a long time to learn how to control them. I don't know where they come from though, but I am trying to find out. I know that the people I grew up with aren't my real parents. So, if I find my real parents I will most likely find out more about my powers." He nods in understanding, interest clear on his face while he listens.
"Anyway, there never really happened anything special in my life. I was never really popular at school, I also haven't been bullied, I was just...there. I tried to keep people from seeing my powers, but it all changed when Director Fury found out that I was Shadow Angel. People started noticing me then."
"It's a shame a unique lady such as you didn't get the attention she deserved. People should have tried to 'take the stars' from the sky for you."
Your eyes meet, his intense gaze boring into yours. You don't know what to reply to that. A man such as him complimenting you... especially HIM complimenting you. It's a dream come true.
Before you can think for a reply your phone starts ringing, startling you. Both your gazes move to your phone as you take it out. It's Steve.
You answer the call, holding the phone to your ear.
"Hey Steve."
"(Y/n). Where are you?"
"I am at the Sanctum. Why?"
There is silence from the other line for a moment.
"You are with Strange?"
"Yes. That's what I just said."
"Okay... never mind then. I'll just... see you later." And with that he hangs up.
You put your phone away, biting your lip in thought. You don't want to leave Stephen, but you don't want to abandon your old friend Steve.
"I should go now. Cap wants to see me. I don't know what's going on."
Stephen nods at that, leading you to the door with a gentle hand on the small of your back.
"It was good seeing you again, (y/n)." he smiles at you.
"Thank you for letting me come over Stephen. Even though I couldn't stay for long I enjoyed it."
"So did I."
He kisses your hand once again, and when he lets go of your hand you leave.
Steve's P.O.V.:
(Y/n) isn't anywhere in the whole Tower. I was looking for her, everywhere. In her room, the kitchen, living room, the labs, the training rooms...
I need to talk to her. I finally need to ask her out on a date. I was already waiting for far too long.
I take out my phone, looking through my contacts until I find her number. I dial it, and wait for her to answer it. Soon enough I can hear her voice on the other end.
"Hey Steve." Her voice sends a shiver down my spine. I love listening to her melodious voice. It is gentle, always full of emotion. During times where she tries to lie about how she feels, her voice betrays her.
"(Y/n). Where are you?" It's the first thing I want to know.
"I am at the Sanctum. Why?" The Sanctum...She is with Doctor Strange. My heart drops in disappointment. Why is she with him? And she sounds eager. Happy to be with him. It sends a cold feeling down my back, like someone tips ice water over my body. I have to hold back a disappointed sigh, licking my lower lip.
"You are with Strange?" My voice is somewhat strained.
"Yes. That's what I just said."
"Okay... never mind then. I'll just... see you later." I hang up quickly. I sigh and lean back in my chair. She just met him! Why would she want to spend time with him and be so eager about it?
Well, after all she was so eager to talk to him when Fury sent the names... it was already making me a little jealous then.
But right now it is bugging me. I don't like the thought of her enjoying it that much to be with him.
I don't know how long I was just sitting in my room until there is a knock at my door. I get up to open it and there she is.
"Hey!" she smiles at me. Her cheeks are a little red, and it makes her so much more beautiful.
"Hey, come in, please." I wave her in and she sits down with me. There are two armchairs beside a bookshelf where we are sitting now.
"So... you were spending time with Doctor Strange?" I purse my lips slightly. Her face brightens at the mentioning of his name.
"Yes, I asked him if I could come see him, he said yes. We talked a bit and he told me about how he became a sorcerer. He is great, really kind and so charming."
I swallow down the sour taste in my throat at the fascination in her voice.
"Yeah...that's great." I reply with a little bit of frustration, and gladly she doesn't seem to notice it. Clearing my throat I turn my gaze away.
"So what do you want to do? Now that I am here we can do something." she suggests with a smile. Looking up from where I was staring at the ground I turn my gaze to face her again.
"I was thinking that we could watch a movie and order take-out, or we go outside for a while, maybe take a walk or something like that."
"Movie and take-out sounds good to me." she replies happily and gets up, taking my arm to pull me up too, dragging me with her.
Maybe it is still going to turn out to be a good day.