Little

Chapter 23

Out of the hospital room, Stephen was now washing his hands, even though he hadn't operated at all. Maybe it was just the muscle memory.

He didn't know what to feel. Scared? Sad? His thoughts were a mess.

The Cloak decided to give him some space. It was in the back of the room. Peter had been outside the operating room. He didn't know.

Christine had left afterwards. Stephen didn't know where she had went, or if she was coming back.

The door opened and Stephen turned his head to see who had come in. It was Peter. His face was a confused expression.

"What happened?" he asked.

Stephen didn't say anything. Should he tell Peter that the Ancient One had died? If he himself was this distraught at the Ancient One's death, he wasn't sure how Peter would process her death.

But then again, at such a young age, he'd already lost his entire family. And besides, had Peter even really known the Ancient One like Stephen did?

Stephen sighed, sitting down in a chair in the back of the room. "The Ancient One," he said. "In the yellow robes?" Peter nodded. "She--she's dead."

Peter's mouth dropped one in surprise. "D-dead?" he said.

Stephen nodded, with each mention of her death bringing him closer to tears. The Ancient One was the first person who had actually told him to look beyond his own interests and passions and embrace other things. That was a life changer. And now, she, who had caused that, was dead.

Peter sat down next to next him. He didn't look sad, he just looked at Stephen, who was currently looking like he was about to cry at any minute.

Stephen felt something grab his hand. It was Peter's hand. He looked like he wanted to help Stephen and make him feel better. That's exactly what Stephen wanted. He held his arms out, as if asking Peter for a hug.

Peter gladly accepted. He hugged Stephen, and that was it. Stephen cried openly, his tears flowing down his face

It was all backwards. It should have been Stephen trying to make Peter feel better, not Peter making Stephen feel better. Then, Peter said the words Stephen could have never brung himself to say.

"I love you," Peter whispered into his ear.

What a journey it had been. Stephen went from despising Peter to loving him like his own son. "I love you too, kiddo," he said back to Peter. He pressed a kiss on top of Peter's forehead.

But it wasn't over for both of them yet. They still had to regroup with Mordo and figure out a way to defeat Dormammu. Would Stephen even be alive after that? Peter? He wasn't sure for either of them.

He knew he had to go, but part of him wanted to find Christine and say goodbye one last time. He didn't know where she was.

The door opened, and Christine walked in. One look at Stephen's red eyes and him cuddling Peter like there was no tomorrow told her everything she needed to know.

"Are you okay?" she asked him. She sat down next to him and held his hand. Stephen shook his head. How could he be okay? Peter had made him feel only a bit better.

"I have to go now," he said shakily. "I'm sorry."

"Where?" Christine asked.

"I have no idea," Stephen said. 

"What about Peter?" she asked.

"Stay," Peter said, further nuzzling his head into Stephen's chest. "Stay with Da--Stephen."

Christine sighed. "Just be safe, okay?" she told them. She enveloped both of them in a hug."Don't get hurt."

Stephen nodded. He stood up shakily. Christine turned to leave. When she reached the door, she turned to say something, but decided against it. She quickly left the room

Seeing Christine leave without saying much to him nearly started to make Stephen cry again, but this was no time for sadness. This was time for bravery and strength, which they needed to fight Dormammu.

He set Peter down, took his hand, and using his other hand, took the Cloak and tossed it around his shoulders. It landed this time, perfectly, but one part of it petted Peter's head and the other fussed, trying to wipe away Stephen's tears. 

"Stop!" he told it. The Cloak looked offended, then decided to pet Stephen's head too. Peter giggled.

Stephen forced a smile for Peter's sake. He opened a portal and headed back into the fight.