Stephew Oneshots.

When Worlds Collide

People always talk about how the first step is the hardest. Others complain that relationships are never really worth the amount of effort you put into them, that there will always be issues and problems that could break you apart from the one you love. Stephanie Patrick didn't care for their negativity. Her relationship with the handsome man on the sofa next to her was worth the heartache and every argument. They had been through so much together that she couldn't imagine a life without him. Heck, she could barely remember a time where he wasn't by her side. Everything before Matthew seemed so much darker, lacking the light that he had brought into her life. That was ok though. She wouldn't trade her precious memories for anything the world could offer her.

The Patricks were sitting on the sofa underneath a blanket, a tub of popcorn on the table in front of them and the newest episode of Game of Thrones playing on the television. A blanket lay across the pair, the couple using the blanket's shorter length as an excuse to cuddle closer to one another. Stephanie's head lay on her husband's shoulder, perfectly content. Matthew had an arm wrapped around her side; his fingers drawing shapes on her thigh lazily – a comforting sensation that made Stephanie feel slightly drowsy. It was a lazy Saturday evening, one where they could just spend time with one another doing very little and not feel guilty about meeting deadlines or missing meetings. It was just the two of them since Skip had decided to nap out in the garden where the setting sun was still warming the patio.

Looking up at Matthew, she fought back a laugh as she noticed that he had fallen asleep. His head lolled to one side and his chest rose and fell rhythmically. She had told him to sleep more and not to work himself so hard but of course, he didn't listen. Despite his best efforts to remain subtle, she knew about his early morning escapades to work on scripts – how he would sneak away for a few hours then slip back into bed just before she woke up. Biting back a snigger, she turned to grab her phone to snap a picture to use as future blackmail material. Maybe she could get him to help fix that wonky tile in the kitchen that she kept tripping over...

Picking up her phone, Stephanie noted the two strangers standing across from her and gave them a quick wave before turning back to Matthew's sleeping form. Wait, what? The two strangers stared at her in utter confusion, an expression that she mirrored. She shook Matthew awake, unable to tear her eyes away from the odd duo that had materialised in their living room. Groaning, her husband's eyes opened – confused as to why Steph had awoken him. He got to his feet, planning on going to the fridge and getting a Diet Coke. However, the moment he saw the strangers that Stephanie was staring at, he moved in front of her – shielding her from any potential attack.

They couldn't believe their eyes. In front of Matthew and Stephanie, stood Matthew and Stephanie. At least, themselves from their college days. The scruffy hair, the hesitant physical contact, and the obvious signs of an early relationship – it flooded the modern duo with nostalgia. The college couple held hands, tightly grasping one another as if they were anchors in a storm. For the modern couple, it was weird to think about how they had been during the first year or so of their relationship, now that they had been married for so long. Shaking his head, the modern Matthew asked the question that was on everyone's mind:

"How is this possible? How did you even get here?"

College Matthew responded just as quickly, his voice not as deep as modern Matthew's – highlighting the difference in maturity between the two.

"You are us... from the future? At least I assume it is the future considering we haven't been together that long and you look a lot older than us. No offence."

Both Stephanie's chuckled at college Matthew's comment, their laughter causing their respective partner to turn their attention back to them – the look of adoration being identical in both Matthew's eyes. Sure, modern Matthew was a lot different now than he was in his college days but his love for Stephanie was something that had never changed. Modern Stephanie gave her husband a quick peck on the cheek before taking control of the conversation, making a key point that nobody had thought about yet.