Enchanting Sparks | (Doctor Strange x Female!Reader)

Chapter 5 - We're Not Savages

- (Y/n)'s POV -

"No... No!"

Stephen yelled, frustrated as he banged his fist against the door. 

"No, no, no, no, no, no, no! Open the door! Please!" 

He was desperate. 

After having rejected the idea and then experiencing the very thing he failed to even try and consider, he now wanted to try. 

He wanted to learn.

You and Mordo looked back to The Ancient One, and you all shared a hopeless expression.

---

Hours had passed. 

The banging on the door hadn't stopped. 

Stephen was determined to change The Ancient One's mind, and for that, you had a little respect for him.

Returning with Mordo to The Ancient One, you couldn't help but wonder why exactly she threw him back to the streets.

"You think I'm wrong to cast him out?" She asks you both, seeming to read your mind. 

She was simultaneously focused on her work: monitoring a projection of the globe, watching over the other three sanctums. She was no doubt waiting for Kaecilius to strike.

"Five hours later, he's still on your doorstep. There's strength to him." Mordo spoke, also finding Strange's determination quite commendable.

"Stubbornness, arrogance, ambition... I've seen it all before." She states, and it suddenly hits you.

"He reminds you of Kaecilius?" You ask as she glances up to meet your gaze.

"I cannot lead another gifted student to power, only to lose him to the darkness."

"You never lost us." You replied.

"I wanted the power to defeat my enemies. You gave me the power to defeat my demons. And to live within the natural law." Mordo added. 

You had seen his progress since he arrived, not just in his strength but in his character, and you wondered if the same could be done for someone like Strange.

"We never lose our demons, Mordo. We only learn to live above them." She replied.

"Kaecilius still has the stolen pages." You interrupt, moving around the projection to stand opposite The Ancient One and Mordo, forming a triangle around the globe. "If he deciphers them, he could bring ruin upon us all. There may be dark days ahead." 

Your voice was stern. 

Someone you had once considered a friend had betrayed you, your home, and your family. There was no more sympathy left for someone like Kaecilius.

"Perhaps Kamar Taj could use a man like Strange," Mordo added.

The two of you glanced at The Ancient One, before she nodded, signalling for you to bring in the stray.

---

Strange laid back against the door after 5 taxing hours of banging and yelling, unsure if anyone was even listening. Were you all just ignoring him or laughing behind the door at his dumb attempts? 

Just as he was about to give up, the door swung open and he found himself on his back. Looking up, he met your smug look and you offered him a hand to stand up.

"Bad timing? I could always come back later?" You joked. A small smirk tugged at your lips.

He gratefully accepted your hand. Usually, he would add something quick or witty to your sarcastic statement, but he was too tired and just incredibly thankful someone let him in.

"Thank you." He spoke as you led him through the temple; his new home. 

He barely met your eyes as they were too busy studying this new unfamiliar environment. You glanced at him, and you could now see the exhaustion evident all over his face.

"It wasn't me. The Ancient One had a change of heart. She couldn't ignore the doctor on her doorstep forever." You smiled down at the floor. 

None of you could ignore him, not really. Not only did he leave quite the impression on you and Mordo, but he was just so damn loud. You didn't notice but he caught your smile, something you didn't realise you were doing.

"I meant for what you did back in the alley." He corrected after you caught his gaze.

"Ah, yeah, well, as Mordo said, I just can't not jump at the opportunity to punch someone." You said, rolling your eyes. Strange, picking up the sarcasm, let out a small chuckle.

You both made your way through the temple, letting him admire the space around him. The sun was starting to set, and so, the temple was starting to calm from its busy day, like every other day. Students were finishing their training and starting to relax. Strange saw humanity in small acts like this, though unknowing to him at the time, he appreciated it. 

Finally, you reached a door between many in a hall and gestured for him to go in.

His new room. 

It was small but cosy, fashioned with a desk, dresser, and bed, with the bathroom off to the side. He began to set his things down, taking in his new living space.

"Bathe, rest, meditate if you can. The Ancient One will send for you." You said flashing him a cordial smile. 

Just as you were about to leave, you recalled a small piece of paper in your pocket and handed it to him.

"Uh, what's this? My mantra?" he joked.

You smiled and shook your head. 

"It's the Wi-Fi password."

You looked to his desk, which he followed, and realised there was a small laptop on it. He grinned, not expecting that. 

"We're not savages." You added in a sarcastically offended tone as you walked out the door, shutting it behind you.

And he just couldn't help but smile.

It's late, and I've been writing ALL day. I'm so tired. 

Hope this was a satisfying ending to the previous chapter. I'm excited for you to read about Strange in Kamar-Taj, I have some chapters which are mostly original writing. Spookyyy

Until next time <3