Strange Connection (Stephen Strange x OC)

Chapter 10

"It's late, you should stay here." Stephen said from where they stood at the doorway.

"It's not that late. It's only 10pm."

"Still..."

"You're determined to get me to sleep over here, aren't you?" she asked with a smirk.

His eyebrow raised. She was engaging in her own round of flirtation. "In the guest bedroom, mind you."

"Still, you're up to something."

He sighed. "I'm sorry. I know you don't need protecting and all that. You're a completely capable and competent woman who can take care of herself. But I can't seem to shake this desire to keep you close and keep you safe. Especially after earlier."

She smiled. "Don't apologize. It's kind of nice to have someone worrying about me."

"You mean other than Big Brother Tony?" he said with a smirk.

"Yeah, other than that."

"It's definitely not the same."

"What isn't the same?"

"My desire to keep you safe—I can assure you it doesn't come from considering you in any way like a sister."

She momentarily felt light-headed at his words. "G—good. That's good."

"Is it?" He said, continuing to hold her gaze. His eyes seemed to swirl with emotion.

"Yeah, I, um, I think so. But on that note, I really think I should be getting home. It might be a little too dangerous for me to stay here tonight."

He frowned. "I thought you weren't worried about nefarious evil men attacking?"

"It's not attacks from nefarious evil men I'm worried about. It's precisely the opposite."

"I'd never—"

"I know. You're too much a gentleman and for that I'm grateful. But we've known each other for a handful of days, Stephen. Slow and steady wins the race, and my heart isn't feeling very slow and steady tonight. This is as much for my good as it is yours."

"Okay. However—" he stopped and turned his head to face towards the stairs. "Wong! Come walk Arianna to the metro station, please!" he yelled out.

"On my way!" Wong yelled back.

"Stephen. That isn't necessary."

"Please. Just let me do this."

She sighed. "Alright."

"And text me when you make it home?"

She smiled and shook her head. "Okay, okay."

"I'm sorry, but I'm going to worry about you. I care, and that means I'm going to worry."

She looked at him with a bit of awe. "Okay. But if the tables are turned one day, no arguing."

He smiled. "Deal."

Wong arrived by their side at that moment. "Ready?"

"Yeah," she smiled one last time at Stephen. "I'm ready."

"Goodnight, Arianna."

"Goodnight, Stephen."

A few minutes later, Wong and Arianna were almost to the Metro station when Wong finally spoke up. "You know, he—"

"I'm not having this conversation with you, Wong."

"Okay, alright."