Only a scar: Doctor Strange x Fem!reader

Chapter 23 - Pretty boy

"I've learned things today I didn't want to," Peter pulls the strings of his hoodie to tighten it over his face.

"But Strange did," Sam snickers.

"For the last time, I don't like Y/n like that, she is a friend,"

"Who you hug from behind and cuddle with," Anna holds up the photos making Stephen gawk. "I have sources,"

"Saying 'I have sources' when it's obviously Wong doesn't have the same effect," he quickly says.

"I don't care." The group nod in agreement.

"Fine, then care about this, Y/n is a friend. F-R-I-E-N-D," he spells out loud and clear.

"I'm gonna tell him,"

"Don't you dare," Anna nudges Clint. "Yes, finally a frozen reference, you happy?" She turns to the reader. "Keep reading,"

"If she liked me and I liked her we wouldn't be acting the way we do,"

"Unless you were both in denial," Steve breathes out dully.

"Y/n is the last person I'd like in that way, alright?" Stephen snaps. "She's a friend, it will never be anything more- hell, I would rather date Christine, Christine is just better than Y/n so why would I like Y/n? Prettier, smarter, nicer, I could go on,"

Holding your breath from around the corner of the hall, you let your face scrunch up. Ouch. Shards of your heart started to break away as you held the small snack you had gotten for you both against your chest. Tossing it back into the vending machine for the next lucky agent, you made sure a moment was taken.

Placing a façade on, you pair with a smile. "I heard she's still working in ER, you could visit her,"

"Oh snap," Pietro whispers to Peter as the entire team watches Stephen spin to you.

"Y/n,"

"Don't worry, Doc, I know how their teasing can get," it seemed your laugh only convinced... no one. Especially not Strange. "Trust his word, we don't like each other like that, just friends," continuing down the hall towards the exit, a portal popped up, your figure walking right through into your room, closing it behind simply.

"Good job, Wizard," Tony pats Strange's back.

~~~

Stephen was trying to deny the Cloak's silent whines as well his own. Apologizing is the least he could do. He didn't mean to make it seem you weren't attractive, that you were lower than Christine of all people, that you wouldn't even be the last option if somehow everyone on earth had disappeared. Hell, he would make you his first option if he could bring himself to admit it.

The teasing, banter, smiles, hugs and caring—very rare—kisses to his hands or your forehead. It was so obvious. Apparently not enough.

"Y/n," he knocked once then twice more. "Can I come in?" No reply. "I'm sorry... I didn't mean it like that- I didn't mean anything actually," he blurts out. "I just wanted them off my back... anything I said that hurt you, know that I didn't mean it- actually, everything I said I didn't mean,"

The hall was tense with silence. Old carpet along pattern settled varnished wood stirred not even under his weight as his nerves built.

"You don't have to forgive me, but you..." a breath left him, "you mean a lot to me, and I don't want to lose this friendship because of some stupid thing I said without thinking,"

"You won't lose me." Jolting at the sudden voice behind him, you stood there with a small tub of ice cream which he took into account to help calm his racing heart. "You're an asshole for saying that shit, and I'm going to admit it really fucking hurt,"