John sat on the edge of his bed and rocked back and forth. How am I supposed to live like this? Brownie whined, rubbing against him like a cat. John smiled. "Let's just play hooky and sleep the rest of the day away, shall we?"
Brownie barked his approval and they both scurried under the covers.
Strange hovered outside of each of John's classes, frowning when he didn't show up at any of them. Maybe I should go check on him? No, he wouldn't like that. I'll send a student over with a dinner tray and some tea, the kind he likes.
John groaned, when the tapping on his door wouldn't stop. I've just gotten to sleep and now there're at me again. This is worse than being in the military hospital. "Just a minute," he snapped, surprised when he noticed that it was dark outside. I must have been asleep much longer than I thought.
When he opened the door, a student stood before him. "I brought you some dinner and tea."
John looked around, disappointed that Strange hadn't come himself. Coward. Then he picked up the tray, thanked the student and went inside, shutting the door behind him.
Strange hid around the corner, wanting to catch a glimpse of his wayward student, but not having the courage to face those piercing blue eyes again. So, angry. So, sad. So, beautiful. With slumped shoulders and a heavy heart, he went back to his room—defeated.
John set the tray on the bed, while Brownie wiggled around in excitement. He grinned. "Oh, look here water chestnuts, your favorite." Then he threw the little dog his snack, delighting when he caught it in mid-air. "Good dog." Brownie lapped up the attention, begging for more. Why can't we be like animals? They express their wants and needs without duplicity. But then maybe we don't always know what we want. This thought saddened him and he picked at the rest of his food, wondering why his appetite had eroded into a type of emptiness that churned at his insides. I've got to eat something, or I'll get sick. He then picked at the rice, drank the tea and set the tray of uneaten food on a high shelf. Brownie whimpered.
"Now, don't you start. I fed you before our little nap and you've eaten half of what was on my dinner plate. I don't want you getting ill and throwing up." Then he smiled, patting the blanket, where Brownie crawled over and lay down by his side.
Strange shivered under his blankets, regretting that he had kicked Brownie out. Maybe he should go read. He could use his sling ring, buzz into John's room, then back out again. Somewhat unethical, but if he were quick John would never even know he had been there. This plan of action gave him renewed energy and Strange put on his full dress uniform beckoning to the cape of levitation. Then he hunkered down, made a portal and in a flash of swirling light he was in John's room.
Brownie yipped, and Strange put a finger to his lips, giving the little dog a garlic tofu treat. His eyes narrowed at the amount of food left on the tray and he sighed. Then he looked down at John. He slept on his stomach. The covers had been tossed to the floor. Chill bumps stood out on his arms and legs. Strange let his gaze linger over John's body, noting the thin T-Shirt and boxers that covered a perfect round ass. Jesus, what am I doing? I'm staring at another man's ass. I must be more tired than I thought. Then Strange picked up the blankets, covering John with care. He froze, when he murmured something, staying rooted to the spot until he felt it was safe to move, then in a swirl of light he was gone.
John opened his eyes and yawned. It smells like sex and Christmas. Then he sat up. "Strange?" There was no answer. The only sound in the room was Brownie licking his lips. He lay back down, burrowing his nose in the folds of the blankets. Like sex and Christmas. Then he fell asleep with a smile on his face.
Over the next few weeks, John's strength grew and there were times when he didn't have to use his cane. He should feel elated, but he didn't. Though he had his eyes closed, sitting in meditation pose in the garden, he knew from the crackle of energy along his arms that Strange was near. He opened his eyes, squinting up at his tall imposing figure.
Strange moved to the left so that John wouldn't need to shield his eyes. "Hi, how are you doing?"
John looked up into Strange's mesmerizing green eyes, feeling like a prey animal. He shifted a little. "Fine, Master Strange and you?"
Strange winced at the formal tone. "I've come to fit you for a sling ring."
John sat up straight, unable to keep the enthusiasm from his voice. "Really? That's great."
Strange smiled. "You are doing very well…John. Now hold out your hand and relax."
Strange took out a sling ring from the folds of his jacket and slipped it over John's fingers. "You need to relax or I won't be able to get a correct sizing. It must fit loose enough to easily come off, but not so loose that it falls off. Your hands are so dry."
John held out his hand for the ring, then licked his index finger to lubricate the inside of it. Strange watched in fascination when the tip of John's tongue shot out a few times to re-wet his finger. "There, that should do."
Strange swallowed, then cleared his throat. "Yes, that will do." He then slid the ring on and off John's fingers in piston like movements until the fit was right. His bottom lip trembled, while he concentrated on his task.
John looked up at him, masking a smile when the tip of Strange's tongue shot out his mouth. "There the sizing is complete. I will take the sizing ring to the shop and your ring should be ready tomorrow."
"Thank you, Master Strange."
Strange and John stared at one another, then Strange cleared his throat. "See you in class."
John nodded, watching Strange's retreating figure with a puzzled frown on his face.
When John opened his door the next day, there was a little box just outside. He bent down, picked up the box and snapped the lid up. Inside lay his ring—his sling ring. Cool, I can't wait to get to class and try this thing out.
Strange smiled when John came to class with a smile on his face. Another student told him to put his ring in the pile with the other rings. John frowned. "How will I know which one is mine?"
"It will heat up under your touch," Strange answered.
John flushed, then got in line with the rest of the students. After a complete workout, Strange told them to get their rings. John felt bewildered when the other students picked of their individual rings without pausing. He stopped, looking at the tangle of rings in front of him. "Put your hand over the rings and feel the heat," Strange whispered in his ear.
John closed his eyes, then did as Strange suggested. He opened his eyes in surprise when his palms grew warm, then he picked up his ring and slipped it on."
"A perfect fit," Strange commented, looking down at John's hand.
John swallowed. "Yes, it appears so."
The rest of the class went by in a blur and John felt disappointed that he wasn't able to transport anywhere on the first try. He avoided Strange, seeking refuge in the library. Wong approached him. "What can I get for you Watson?"
John shrugged. "I just needed a place to cool down."
Wong put a hand to his forehead. "Well, you're not running a fever, but you do feel a little warm."
"Yeah, that ring heated up my whole body. I feel like I'm on fire. Is it supposed to do that?"
Wong looked confused. "The ring only grows warm when it seeks its master. If you're feeling warm it's from something else."
John sat down, rubbing the back of his neck. What could it be?