The Sorcerer's Apprentice {Stephen Strange}

Fifteen

Hot Blooded by Foreigner

"So then I said, 'what the hell are you doing with a dick slapped on your forehead'?" Emerson struggles to say as she's laughing too hard. Every other word she can't help but erupt into a fit of laughter.

"What did your father say?" Strange chuckles, amused by her childhood story. He takes a sip of from his glass as he wears sweatpants and a sweatshirt. Emerson finds it weird seeing him in regular, everyday clothes. She's not complaining though as it's nice to see him partaking in something so mundane. He wears slippers that look beyond comfortable and the soldier is slightly jealous she didn't think to bring any with her.

"He was pissed he was late to work! He cursed and tried scrubbing the sharpie off of his head but nothing was working. I don't know what I was thinking but my god was it funny," Em finishes telling him the story of how she was fifteen and drew something quite phallic on her dad's forehead. His grin rests on his face and Emerson can't help but glance at his lips. To her left, a portal opens to show Wong walking in with the desert behind him.

"I've found what you asked for," Wong tells the sergeant and hands her a basket of herbs and flowers. "It was no easy task by the way."

"Thank you, Wong. It is much appreciated. I owe you," Emerson shoots him a small smile before grabbing the basket from his hands. She pushes herself into the kitchen, Strange following in tow.

"I accept cash payment or Venmo," Wong states before walking back into a new portal.

"What's this for?"

"The Ancient One gave me responsibly over the garden and there were a few herbs missing that I need for my studies," She tells the sorcerer as she unpacks the delicately wrapped plants. The many different colors peek out from the basket and she feels herself getting giddy at the sight. The sergeant can point out a few of the plants from her books but one sticks out in particular. It's a bundle of pearl-shaped objects, almost like berries but not squeezable. She holds it close to her nose trying to identify the smell it gives off. It smells of sweet tang as well as a musky pine. The color is like dark wine and the stem is a deep brown. "Although, I'm not sure what this plant is. This was certainly not on my list."

Strange grabs it from her hands, holding it between his gloved fingers. "I wouldn't know what this is. I don't study berries," he remarks with a shit-eating grin. Emerson snatches it back from his hands while frowning at his comment.

"Maybe I'll use the mortar and pestle to crush it up," She suggests while grabbing the tools from the cupboard near her. She sets up a miniature station on the countertop all while being watched by Stephen. The sergeant pops a few of the 'berries' off the stems as she looks for any specific identifiers.

"I'm slightly impressed, Sergeant. You've been learning a lot," he concludes and Em nods in response, a small blush forming on her cheeks at the praise from her Master.

"You're the one to thank," She quips while placing the exotic plant in the bowl. She begins using the pestle to grind up the beads and just as she does a dense cloud of granular powder explodes from it, filling the air. She catches a big whiff before coughing as the fumes reach her lungs. "Don't smell it, I don't know what this is," Emerson tries warning the doctor but it's too late. They both double over coughing and laughing at the situation.

"This was a bad idea. What if they're toxic?" He questions and she shrugs as they begin to feel light-headed.

"Even if it were, we'd be fine. We've got plenty of ways to reverse the effects," The sergeant tries reassuring him but she's suddenly sidetracked by his defined cheekbones and the scent of his cologne. "You smell very good," Em blurts out, unable to stop herself. Her eyes widen in shock as she covers her mouth, afraid she'll say something else.