Strange Connection (Stephen Strange x OC)

Chapter 22

Stephen Strange stood at the bottom of the stairwell, unsure of himself. Was he overdressed? Underdressed? They hadn't discussed what they'd wear, but he suddenly felt the need to wear a nice suit—something to remind her of their relationship outside the Sanctum. He saw motion out the corner of his eye and turned quickly, thinking it quite possible his heart might stop in his chest at the sight before him.

She was gorgeous, and he was beyond thrilled that she'd picked that dress. He could tell she was also feeling incredibly nervous and shy as she slowly walked down the stairs.

"You look amazing," he said quickly but quietly.

She gave a small smile. "Thank you. I'm sorry, this is really the only dress I own. I wasn't sure if we were dressing up or not, but it just seemed—right."

"Are you kidding me, I love that dress on you." It was the same dress she'd worn that night, years before at Tony Stark's party, just days into their friendship. He watched her come down the rest of the stairs and took her coat from her arm, helping her into it. "I still remember the first time I saw you in this dress."

"At Tony's party," she responded, tilting her head a bit to the side towards where he stood behind her.

His hands remained on her shoulders a moment, having just adjusted her coat for her. "Yes. I only went to that party because of you."

"We'd only known each other a few days."

"It was enough. You'd already captured my heart. I'd have gone to the dark dimension if you asked me to."

She chuckled. "I didn't even know what the dark dimension was then."

"True." He came around, carefully holding out his arm for her to take. "Shall we go?"

She frowned, noticing he was having a hard time holding his arm up. "How are you feeling?"

"Still a little sore—but better."

She sighed and he saw her starting to withdraw again. "Ariana, I'm fine. I'll be fine. I'll be better if you take my arm so I can lower it." He ended with a smirk.

"Where exactly are we going?"

"A restaurant just a few blocks away. I thought we'd walk, if that's alright with you?"

"Umm, okay," she said before cautiously taking his arm.

**—**—**

An hour later they were sitting with their desserts in front of them laughing whole heartedly at a story she had just told him. As the laughter died down, he watched her as she took a sip of water then looked up to him and smiled.

"Thank you for coming to dinner with me, even if I didn't win."

"I told you, you did win."

"I yielded. You didn't have to come. What—what made you come to me last night?"

"I was concerned about your injuries. But, really? Guilt. Pure and simple. I've been terrible to you these past few weeks. But, I was horrible to you out there on the sparring court—right there in front of all the other Masters and apprentices. I'm so embarrassed."

"Don't be. Your feelings, Ariana, they're not unreasonable. Anyone would understand why you were so upset."

"But to take it out on you the way I did."

"I'm the one who stepped up to spar with you."

"Yes, you did. Why would you do that?"

He looked into his wine glass a moment before finally looking back up at her. "Because you'd been doing your best to ignore me when possible and only interact when it came to matters regarding the Sanctum or other such things. I thought that perhaps if I put myself in the ring with you, you'd have to look at me. To see me. To confront what you were feeling."