ourladytrees | the magician and the sorcerer

[ America Chavez. A teenager who can move through the multiverse like a Traveler. It makes her think of Penny-23 and the way he'd crossed over to Timeline-40, which of course leads to thoughts of how he'd very firmly stayed by her side the past few weeks. She isn't his Julia and she knows Kady explained just how different they are, but he'd still been set on supporting her and keeping a watchful eye. She's not his Julia but that's almost made him more determined to make sure she doesn't meet that Julia's fate.

But that's not a road she's interested in traveling down. She isn't looking for a relationship with anyone but— ]

I hope so. It'd be nice to meet someone else you actually like.

[ The gentle teasing comes naturally, like stepping back into an old familiar routine. And she really is looking forward to meeting America one day. We helped each other bodes well for the friendship established there, and if there's one thing Stephen Strange needs in his life, it's more friends. ]

It's a very limited, very privileged list. You're very special to be on it.

[ Just as teasing in return. But then it occurs to him, sitting in this chair by her bedside — with Julia in her pyjamas, in bed, exhausted from having her power and her divinity ripped out of her — that he hasn't really been in this position before. Even as a doctor, he'd done his job and then gotten out. Other people had always been in charge of the convalescence, the consoling bedside manner, the slow recovery afterwards.

And yet Christine had sat patiently by his bedside. Had waited there for hours so he would have company when he first woke up after the accident, after the surgery. Had read books while he slept. Had sat there and sat there and come back again and again.

The shoe is on the other foot for once and now he's in this position, and he should be terrified of it, but he finds that he isn't. But he does internally flounder for a second, before grasping at a thing he can safely offer: ]

Would you like me to put the same wards on your bed that I have on mine? I never offered it before because there wasn't much chance of people tracking you down in your dreams, but now, all things considered... The Sanctum should be enough and I still don't think it's much of a risk, but if you're worried about being found, it could help.

[ There's something about hearing him say she's special to be on that list. He's just teasing her right back, she knows that, but it still makes something in her chest go tight and fluttery in a way she hasn't experienced in a very long time. Even with James, she'd never really felt any sort of heart-pattering romantic vibes, they'd just sidestepped from friends to something more, like that's what they were always supposed to do. This feels different. She'd be lying if she said it wasn't a little scary, but that fear has nothing to do with her past trauma and everything to do with her not wanting to lose this.

She doesn't want to lose him.

His offer leaves her stunned for a second, followed by a moment of her expression crumbling into something far too emotional before she gets herself pulled back together. Nodding, she offers him a slightly watery smile in genuine gratitude. ]

Please. That would mean a lot to me.

[ Even if the Sanctum does provide enough protection, she'll sleep better knowing there's that little bit extra. And it means the world that he'd thought to offer it. ]

I'll cast the spell when I head out. It's no trouble.

[ And it is staggeringly simple and easy, it turns out, to just sit here and keep her company and talk. Stephen is so chatty that he can more than easily carry the conversation in a gentle roll of words, filling her in about the Sanctum's everyday happenings (which aren't so everyday compared to the life of a civilian, but y'know), a new antique book purchase he thinks she might be interested in, and so on, and so on. Whenever Julia starts to peter out, he picks up the slack, the conversation like a susurrus to start to lull her towards sleep.

She's here; she's home; she's safe. ]

[ Is it hours they spend together or just a collection of minutes? They drift by easily as the conversation continues, the sound of Stephen's voice and the topics themselves combining to relax her mind and body. She's home; she's safe. Each word they share reinforces those feelings as she finishes her tea and settles properly back into the pillows, propped up slightly but in a way where she'll still be able to fall asleep.

And before long, she does begin to drift off, her eyes staying closed for longer and longer stretches as she fights to hold on for just a bit more. But then she realizes she doesn't have to — she will still be at the Sanctum tomorrow and Stephen will still be in her life. She can rest now.

So she does, falling into slumber in the middle of one of his stories about a new book he's acquired. It really does sound interesting — but she'll ask him about it tomorrow. ]

[ The minutes trail by and her responses come slower and slower, until they don't come at all, and then Stephen leans a little forward to check on her. Julia's breathing is steady and low and even, as she's curled up against those pillows; she's finally fallen asleep.

Getting back to his feet, he reaches out and carefully retrieves the long-empty cup from her hands. He magics away the tea set, tiptoes across the room trying not to make the floorboards creak, and then stops at the foot of her bed to press various corners of the bedposts with his fingertips, his mouth forming incantations that he doesn't say aloud (once again, it's the intent that matters). Then there's a faint glow of light as the runes layer themselves into the wood, protective wards established. They require topping-up every six months, but it'll do for now.

And that done, Stephen quietly leaves, closing the door behind him. ]

the magician and the sorcerer — psl

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