𝐈𝐍𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐄, doctor strange.

Confession

                           Ana sat in her bed, her legs crossed in front of her as her mind ran wild, the pale moon overhead the only sign of how late it was. But her mind didn't seem to care as Mordo's cold and vile voice still echoed in her head, preventing sleep. She felt she was the only one awake in the house at the stillness that hung over it, and she cautiously and warily tiptoed from her bed and down the hall to the stairs, making sure to avoid the boards she knew creaked under pressure on the hardwood as she reached the banister quietly, her breathing loud in the silent space.

                           The darkness in the foyer was haunting and the moon cast odd shadows on the wall, and Ana slightly shivered, her slight fear of the dark catching up to her from her past. Her bare feet padding across the wood, she slowly approached the living room, her arms wrapped around her, her head hung low in the chilling cold. Rounding the corner into the living room, she lifted her head, gasping and jumping back in sheer fright. Steven sat on the couch, his head buried in his hands, his body hunched over as he breathed deeply, continually sighing in defeat. He looked up at the sudden noise, his eyes puffy and red, and he glanced over at Ana with a surprised expression, before quickly wiping his eyes and sitting up straight, rubbing his hands awkwardly.

                           " Oh, Ana. Didn't think you'd be up," he said quietly, struggling to keep his voice straight. Ana cringed at his broken expression, and smiled sadly as she softly sat by him, rubbing against his shoulder as she looked over at him, eyebrows furrowed in worry. " Can't sleep?" she said, swallowing nervously, which surprised her, really. She never was this nervous. He nodded swiftly, still not meeting her gaze as he looked around, trying to distract himself, her warm gaze in his peripheral. Ana inhaled sharply, nodding understandingly, as she looked down at her fingers, twiddling her thumbs. " Me, neither," she whispered, biting her lip. He finally looked over at her, eyes solemn and sad as he furrowed his brows, sighing. " Nightmares for you, too, I guess?" he said, his jaw tense.

                                      Ana shrugged lazily at his question, avoiding his gaze as she felt she might fall apart. " Can't have nightmares if I can't fall asleep in the first place," she muttered, barely loud enough for him to hear, and he swiftly took her head and laid it on his shoulder, feeling anxious about his decision but confident as she slightly tensed before sighing and leaning into him, her small frame curled up beside him. Steven looked down at her with pure admiration, before frowning deeply with guilt and looking down at his feet, not noticing Ana's stare on him. " It's not your fault, Steven," she said again, shaking her head, his strong peppermint and fire-like smell making her slightly dizzy. He was becoming dizzy, too, at her own strong lemon and mocha coffee smell about her that made him slightly smile mentally, but then he heard her statement and inhaled sharply, not believing himself to be innocent.

                                       " I let you die, Ana, and that had plagued me for the whole time since its happened," he said, anger and guilt building, and he felt Ana squirm beneath him, avoiding his gaze. " But you saved me, didn't you?" she said after a long pause, looking up to him with a hopeful gaze. He shook his head, still keeping his eyes from hers as he stared blankly in front of him, his mind running wild. " I wouldn't have to if I had protected you like I told myself I would," he said again, solemn and his voice low and quiet. " I vowed to myself that I would protect you from any dangers, I told myself I would, and then..," he paused here, his voice beginning to break. " And then I didn't, and the bravest and strongest person I had ever met died." His voice cracked at the last words, and he looked down at Ana, who had cringed at his words, her eyes full of melancholy and a small frown playing upon her lips. She then smirked, looking up at him also, their eyes meeting.

                                          " I didn't realize I was the most important and greatest person you'd ever met," she said softly, grinning as he blushed wildly, his cheeks rosy as he realized what he'd said, breaking their stare. " I- mean- um- You, you, are...," he said quietly, drawing the last part out. " You matter to me the most than anyone else, Ana," he whispered, smirking pridefully to himself. Ana gasped mentally at this, her cheeks like tomatoes as her heart flopped, and she realized what he meant. Leaning upwards, she tentatively placed her lips softly to his cheek, and he tensed before relaxing again, letting her lips linger there for a moment before she leaned back down, and Steven reached a hand up to touch the place where she had kissed him, his face flushed red, as he smiled away from her sight, eyes bright. Ana swiftly stood up and started towards the banister of the stairs, and Steven watched her go, before she quickly turned around and grinned. 

                                          " I love you, too, Steven. "