#an old wip that i never got around to finishing! so here's a cropped version instead! | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

brunchable · 2 years

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Can't Love You In The Dark (Part III) || Doctor Strange x F!Reader.

Word count: 8K Genre: Light Angst. Happy Ending. Warning: SHORT SEX SCENE. 18+ Strictly do not: claim, repost, copy, translate my stories anywhere else

A/N:I finally finished this and finally getting it out of my WIPs. It was so hard to write this and idek cekjns. My mushy brain has done it's best.

SONGS TO LISTEN TO:

IF YOU WANT THAT KOREAN DRAMA FEEL, LISTEN TO THIS:

“Hi.” Stephen greeted you with kind eyes and a longing expression on his face.

“Hi, Stephen.” You greeted him back with a soft voice, your smile never fading. There was no bitterness or hard tones, your voice felt like the summer breeze on a warm spring day. The little boy stared at Stephen with his blue-green eyes and clung to your neck with his arms.

“It’s really nice to see you.” He chuckled and couldn’t take his eyes off your features, you looked the same but different.

“It’s really nice to see you too.” You smiled, dropping your gaze and looking back up at him, “How have you been, Stephen?”

“I’ve been missing you so much, every single day.”

You nodded and let out a nervous chuckle, “This is Finn, by the way.”

Stephen turned his eyes towards the boy, "Nice to meet you, Finn.”

In the back of his head, Stephen was doing the maths, he was searching for the probabilities that the child you were holding could be his. He had to be, Stephen could feel it in his veins. Stephen held up his finger, in which the child wrapped his little hands around, and Stephen shook it, “What a polite young man– I didn’t know you were back.”

“Yeah, I have been back for a week, I was planning to come and see you tomorrow, but it seems like the universe had the same plan.” You chuckled and pressed your lips together.

Stephen nodded, "Yeah, that must be.”

“Yo (Y/N)! I got food, let’s go.” Jean called out to you, holding a tray of hot food from outside of the rink. You turned your head and looked at Stephen.

“Coming!” You replied, “I’ll visit you in the Sanctum tomorrow, see you, Stephen.” You flashed Stephen another smile before turning to leave towards the other guy.

•••

2 years ago

You arrived at a small cottage in Switzerland where you were lucky enough to be able to rent for a year from your friend. It was located in the small town of Engelberg near the mountains where you plan to work at a ski resort when winter arrives. For now, you will work in an old friend's bakery. You've always fantasised living a cottage life, with your own garden and crops, it's simple and therapeutic.

It was a huge step down from being the Director of Orthopaedics back in Metro General Hospital back in New York.

You started your new life by rearranging the furniture to your liking. Placing the photo frames you brought with you on the shelves. You were blasting your favourite music using your bluetooth speaker while you cleaned with the windows open; to allow the cool breeze to circulate around the home. The next door neighbours were at least one or two kilometres away from you, so loud music was the least of your worries.

You hummed to Sam Smith's 'How do you sleep?' When the knock you've been expecting finally sounded through your door. You set the broom against the wall and found two of your old friends standing at the door.

Zara screamed as soon as you opened the door and almost tackled you on the floor, "I can't believe that you're here! We haven't seen you in person since our honeymoon in New York! I missed you!"

Jean cleared his throat, "Hi (Y/N), welcome to Engelberg." He smiled warmly and joined the hug.

Jean and Zara were exchange students you met in college and have been in contact with ever since. They were also invited to your wedding but because they had a business to run, they couldn't leave it behind.

"I'm sorry for what happened– Ow!" Jean massaged his arm where Zara elbowed him pretty hard.

"We will not mention anything about that! She came here to heal." The pretty cherry blonde girl squeezed your arms. You chuckled and waved your hand dismissively.

"It's fine. It is what it is."

Zara pressed her lips together, "Well, I hope you like my granny's old cottage. You didn't have to pay me, you know. If you decide to stay for another year, I will not accept your payment!"

You stifle a laugh, "Alright but I must give you back at least something and I love it here already, to be completely honest."

"Helping us in the bakery is enough, we're so popular in town we need all the help we could get!" Zara winked and crossed her arms proudly.

"That's because we’re the only bakers in town, sweetie." Jean grinned and earned another elbowing from his wife.

•••

1 and a half months later

You couldn't help but notice that despite your healthy diet, your weight increased a few kilos, you checked your tracker app to see if your cycle was soon and you noticed that it's late, very very late. You were too busy enjoying your time in your new environment that you've forgotten to check about it.

You placed your hand over your lower abdomen and pressed on it gently. There wasn't any bump, so you tried to convince yourself that you're probably having some hormonal imbalance.

"(Y/N)! I brought some snacks for our movie night!" Zara called out from the kitchen and you came out of the bathroom looking pretty dazed with a messy bun.

"You alright?" Zara asked while taking all the snacks out of a bag.

"Yeah… there's just something weighing on my mind." You replied truthfully while you sat on the high chair, and laid your head against the table.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Zara asked, now busy putting your drinks into the fridge to cool.

"My period's late…" You sighed, "Like, very very late."

Zara spun around slowly, "Okay… um, have you seen anyone since you've been here?" She asked, now leaning against the counter as well.

"No. Definitely not. I didn't come here to sleep around…" You sat up with a grimace and shook your head.

"Then do you remember when was the last time you…?" Zara trailed off since you already knew what she meant by that.

You and Stephen broke off the kiss and stared into each other's eyes breathing wildly. Stephen pressed your knees harder into your chest and started thrusting his hips towards you with all of his strength. You raised your pelvis and met each stroke, begging for every inch of him.

"Baby, I'm so close." Stephen moaned breathlessly and hung his head over your shoulders.

"Don't pull out." You demanded and reached for both sides of his hips to prevent him from pulling out and pushing him towards you with every thrust.

"Are you sure?" Stephen asked, beads of sweat appeared on his chiselled chest as he picked up the pace.

"Mhm."

He began to move his rhythm more assertively, pulling almost all the way out on each stroke before crashing back into you. He drew nearly all the way out one more time and cried out as he plunged deep within you with one last, violent stroke. The sensation of him throbbing and releasing within you drove you to your breaking point, and you erupted into your own powerful rush while writhing under him.

"Ohh noo," You covered your face, remembering the last time you and Stephen had sex, which was a few days before the wedding. You lightly banged your head on the table and Zara placed her palm below your forehead.

"Let's take a trip to the pharmacy! I'll grab you a coat!"

▪︎ ▪︎ ▪︎

Three different brands of pregnancy tests lay face up on the bathroom counter covered with a paper towel to cover up the result. Ten minutes was up and you were dreading to see the results. Zara knocked on the bathroom door to check on you.

"What does it say?" She asked.

You cracked the door open for Zara, "Wanna check with me?" You asked, feeling anxious.

“I would love to!” Zara squealed and allowed herself to squeeze into the bathroom with you, “I take one and you take one, alright?”

Both of you took one each of the tests while trying your best no to look at the results until after three, “One, Two, Three.” You counted and looked at the result.

Zara gasped and a smile grew on her face, “Oh my goodness, congratulations. You’re going to be–”

“A Mom.” You held the tests in front of you and swallowed the lump on your throat. This was real, this was all very, very real. Your eyes watered since you didn’t know whether to be happy or worried. It felt like up until now Stephen has got a hold of you and that was scaring you.

By the tone of your voice, Zara felt that you weren’t so happy about this and placed a hand over your shoulder, “(Y/N), I could only imagine how you would feel in this situation, but I think this is a gift, you used to never shut up about having a baby and now you got one." Zara tucked your hair behind your ear and gently placed her palm over your cheek, "Breathe, me and Jean got your back… and I think you need to make a few phone calls.”

Zara passed you your phone and was referring to your parents. You took it hesitantly and stared at your Mother's phone number and pressed call. It rang a couple of times, before she finally picked up the phone.

"Hello, Rose speaking." Her voice sounds tired and sad, like she's been crying and you felt an overflowing amount of guilt because you knew that you were the reason.

"Hi, Mom."

"(Y/N)?" She asked and you heard your father's voice in the background asking if he was really you.

"Yes. It's me."

You heard her release a sigh of relief, "I'm so glad to hear from you. Are you safe? Are you doing alright?"

Rose didn't want to scold you for running away and making them worried, she saw the hurt you were experiencing because of how much you loved Stephen. She was just happy you decided to contact them.

"I'm safe, I've got really great people looking after me… but I have something important I need to tell you, is dad there? Can you put me on speaker?" You asked.

"Yep, I'm here honey." You heard your father's voice, "What is it?"

"Um… first of all I'm sorry for making you both worry for me, I'm honestly doing great and I'm enjoying my time where I am… however, I've hit a bit of a speed bump."

"Okay, well we're here if you need anything."

"I just found out that I'm pregnant."

Rose chuckled while she exchanged looks with Jack, "W-What?"

"I'm having a baby… You're going to be grandparents." You repeated.

Rose placed her hand over her mouth and felt tears of joy welling on her eyes, the same as Jack, "O-oh my gosh… sweetheart, congratulations! How far along are you?"

"Not too far along, I literally just found out now." You glanced at Zara who smiled at you.

"W-well can we come and see you?" Rose asked, hoping you would allow them.

You paused to think for a second, "Yeah, of course… but please keep everything a secret for now, please?"

"No, of course. Anything you want sweetie. We won't tell anyone."

▪︎ ▪︎ ▪︎

Present Day

You and Stephen sat opposite each other in his study in the awkward silence that followed the ‘hi’s and how are you’s’, the coffee table being the only thing that puts distance between the both of you. You couldn’t deny that his gaze pierced right through you and you found yourself clearing your throat nervously.

“So… the reason I’m here.” You began, rubbing your arm to comfort yourself for having to now confront the father of your child.

“Yeah.” Stephen simply said with his deep sounding voice, the kind that anchors your soul.

“Um. After we broke it off and cancelled our marriage, I left for Switzerland,” You paused and Stephen nodded, since he was aware of that already, “After a month of trying to forget you, I wasn’t aware that I was not alone and after all that time… I was already carrying Finn.”

Stephen never said a word and kept nodding, he already knows what’s coming next. He knew all along that his hunch was correct, he is Finn’s father. Stephen was elated to find out that he has a son, especially with you. However, he couldn’t help but feel sad and disappointed that you waited until now to tell him.

“Finn, he’s your son.” You finally spat out and heard Stephen softly exhale a breath, and yet he didn’t say anything.

Stephen’s pained smile twitched, “I figured. Black hair, blue eyes? Not to mention he looks exactly like me when I was his age. I just wish you could’ve put our differences aside and told me about him from the start.”

Even though he was calm, you could feel the bitterness in his voice. Stephen cleared his throat and stood up to gaze out the window, but all he was doing was hiding the fact that he was on the verge of crying for having to miss the birth of his first child, and probably all of his first milestones. He wanted to ask whether you did it as payback for his mistakes, but he chose not to, because that was unfair on you.

“I want you to be part of Finn’s life, Stephen.” You told him as you remained seated, “That’s if you want to.”

“Of course I want to. I’ve already missed what? One and a half years of his life? But being a part of his life means I need to be part of yours too. The real question is, are you okay with that?” Stephen slightly rotated his body to face you, with hands in his pocket and found a surprised expression in your eyes.

“Sorry I had to ask, because you kept him a secret until now. Did you think so little of me that you thought I wouldn’t want anything to do with him? Because I would trade everything I have to be present at the moment he was born, with you, but you—” took that away from me. Stephen sighed and stopped himself before he got carried away by his emotions and says something he might regret after.

“I was heartbroken Stephen, I was scared that I wouldn’t be able to get over you; that the scars would open up when I see you or hear your voice—everything here reminded me of you that’s why I left—”

“And how did running go for you?” He was quick to cut you off, “Hm?”

Tell her everything, be vulnerable towards her. The advice that Jack gave him two years ago echoed in Stephen’s mind.

You didn't know what to say, because when you were in Switzerland, you only learnt to forgive him, not stop loving him but you were oblivious to that and confused your forgiveness as getting 'over' him. He has every right to feel this way for missing the first year of his son. There were many times you attempted to call him but you didn't have the guts, your own pride and your own fear held you back because he will be part of your life permanently once you tell him about Finn.

Stephen sighed when he didn’t hear an answer from you and also disappointed at himself for holding himself back for being vulnerable towards you, again.

"Can I see him?" Stephen asked instead.

"Of course. We're staying at my parent's house. Come with me." You snapped your head up at his question and invited him over at your parents, where Jean and Zara are also staying.

▪︎ ▪︎ ▪︎

You and Stephen walked through the portal and got surprised stares from everyone that was in the living room. Jean, who is a big fan of Stephen, dropped his jaw and knocked over the jenga tower, making Finn giggle.

"Stephen!" Jack, who was playing with Finn on the floor, got up and gave Stephen a hug, "Long time no see. We're so glad to see you."

Stephen returned a smile towards Jack and patted the older man's back, "Likewise, Jack."

"Can you guys give us a moment please?" You asked everyone and kindly obliged and headed into the kitchen all at the same time. Zara, who was now also pregnant, smiled at you and squeezed your hand as she walked past.

You led Stephen to Finn who was playing on the floor with blocks, you carefully sat on the floor with him and Finn smiled at you, "Mommy!"

"Yes, hi honey." You greeted him, an instant bright smile appearing in your face. Stephen sat next to you with crossed legs feeling nervous about how Finn is going to react, "There's someone who wants to meet you. Someone who's very important, so~ can we stop playing with blocks for a few minutes please?" You gently asked Finn who obediently put the blocks down, shyly glancing at Stephen from time to time.

Finn stood up on his feet and went to you for a hug, his fingers in his mouth as you gently rotated him around to face Stephen, "This man," You patted down Finn's pointed hairs and rubbed his back for comfort and encouragement, "His name is Stephen and he's your Dad, do you want to say hi?"

Finn hummed and nodded, his body swaying while staring at the man who looked exactly just like him. To a little toddler like himself, Stephen looked big and intimidating, especially when he wasn't smiling, "Daddy?" Finn asked and pointed at Stephen.

You nodded and Stephen broke into a smile and nodded, "Yeah, bud. It's Daddy."

"Say hi, do you want to give him a hug?" Finn kept swaying his little body while nodding but hesitated to go towards Stephen.

You noticed Stephen’s closed off body language and mouthed to him to open his arms towards the boy. Open your arms.

Stephen opened his arms towards Finn and smiled at him, "Look, he also wants a hug, go give him the Finn bear hug." You pointed at Stephen and encouraged the boy to go to him. The boy started to walk and when Stephen folded his fingers to beckon him, Finn ran and crashed into Stephen's chest, his little arms too small to go around so he clung onto Stephen's shirt instead.

Stephen folded his protective arms around his son, and his big hands held the back of Finn's head in place as Stephen hung his head down the child's little shoulders, getting a whiff of his scent which had a hint of you. At that moment his heart felt so full of love that he didn't know he had and this fuzzy feeling of his son being in his arms made him tear-up. Stephen kissed the side of Finn’s head and squeezed him gently.

You smiled and wiped your own tears before they fell. You felt genuinely happy for Stephen after finally meeting his boy, you always had this image of him in your mind towards your children.

Finn could hear his father sniffling and looked up at the man, reaching for his face and wiping his tears, "Daddy sad?"

Stephen smiled at the boy's perceptiveness and shook his head, "No. I'm happy." He looked at you, "Extremely happy."

▪︎ ▪︎ ▪︎

Stephen watched by the doorway as you tuck your son carefully to sleep, whispering 'I love you' into his ear before planting a soft kiss on his forehead. He appeared pensive as he stared at you, he thought being a mother suited you very well and he imagined having a moment just like this with you, but he never imagined it as both of you being separated.

But, This. This is what he wanted, he felt complete by finally having you and Finn around. Stephen had plenty of time practising what he was going to say in case you came back but now that you're here, his mind goes blank.

"He's out like a light, I think he's still getting used to the time difference." You stood up straight, glancing at Stephen, noticing the way he was looking at you filled with unspoken emotions, like he already has the whole world in front of him. You quickly snapped your head away from him, refusing to take on the effect that was washing over you.

"Stop looking at me with eyes like that." Says you while you unconsciously bite your bottom lip, looking down.

"Like what?"

You shrug, he was getting you to look at him again and you felt him shift his position by the door, "I-I don't know."

You couldn't find the words because the way he was looking at you, it just made you feel. He was trouble. You're in trouble. You knew the second you indulge yourself with his presence you'd be wanting to chase that rush. You still want him—no, you never stopped loving him.

"Should I put the words into your mouth?" He asks, he sounded really keen on describing it.

"You'd better be going, Stephen. It's late." You say, trying to dig your way out of this. You walked past Stephen into the upstairs hallway since the conversation might wake up the kid. Stephen closed the door behind him and spun around to face you. It would be worse to lead Stephen on, especially when you don't plan on staying in New York. You've adjusted quite well in your new life and were able to convert your Doctor's licence to Switzerland.

He sighed, "Right, OK then." He sounded a bit sad, he really seemed to want to stay a bit longer, "I wanted to ask you something, sorry but I overheard your little chat with Rose. Are you really not here to stay for good? Why?"

"You heard that…" you muttered and trailed off, Stephen seemed to be regarding you intently, with the same pensive look which never left his features, "And I said please, stop looking at me…"

"... with eyes like that." finishes Stephen and adds, "You don't have to tell me if you don't

want to."

"No, no. I've been meaning to tell you, I was just finding the right timing." You say briskly. It occured to you, at this moment, that you will very likely not see Stephen again. And by seeing him, you meant forcing yourself to close your heart on the idea of getting back together with him. You pretty much were already implying that you had no interest in getting back with him since you're choosing to live somewhere far away, "But you can always easily see Finn, right? You got that magic portal."

You look at Stephen, half expecting him to laugh or shake his head, but he just smiles at you, that artless luminous smile which makes him unexpectedly appealing; he seems so radiant that you had to stop yourself leaning unthinkingly forward, as though you might stretch out and warm yourself on him. Apart from taking your arm on occasion when you guided him, he has never touched you, never even tried to hold your hand, but now he leans forward himself, and places his warm palm over your upturned forearm.

"I can't say I'm happy to hear that and I'm not really in a position to stop you but…" he says, brushing the skin on your wrist very gently with his thumb, "I really wish you'd stay, (Y/N). Because it's different when you're here. I wish you knew how much it destroyed me when you left. Every day without seeing you feels like living a lifetime without happiness. I miss you. Stay."

You're taken aback by the sudden intimacy of his touch, and something unidentifiable rushes through your chest as he makes the gesture. You were forced to take a deep breath as Stephen hovered over you, his body near enough for you to feel the warmth radiating from it. You couldn't turn away from the pleas he was making with his eyes; they were like a magnet, particularly as his fingers closed in on yours, and you felt yourself being swallowed whole by him. Your chest tightened, and a blush of heat spread over your face as a result of your clenched heart.

"I can't imagine myself in love with someone else, I really can’t and I wish I could elaborate the depths of what I feel but you already know I'm not good at communicating it." He says and yet there you were in front of him, battling the impulse to kiss the man and simply reassure him that everything is going to be okay. You were tempted to give in, but at the same time, you wanted to put your own needs first for a change.

"I'm happy with where I am now, Stephen." You told him the truth, but he didn't respond; he just attempted to gaze deeper into your eyes, maybe searching for a trace of self-deception. As he couldn't find it, he just removed his hands from yours, and you nearly felt yourself wince when his fingers left yours. You are happy, but that does not mean that your love for him has dwindled in any way.

"Okay." He spoke gently, his voice was nearly as soft as the touch that had just left you. There was an awkward pause followed by complete silence. In Stephen’s point of view, it just dawned on him that you've probably moved on from him because you haven't responded to him at all, each time the subject was about between you and him, you change the subject or give a vague reply.

Stephen cleared his throat, "It's really over for you isn't it? You're going to ask me to do the impossible and move on from you… aren't you?" Sniffling and chuckling in unison, he turned away from you, brushing away the tears that had slid into his inner eyes while he chewed on his bottom lip to keep them from spilling.

"S-Stephen…I–"

"Aren't you?"

You were stunned by the unexpected rawness in his emotions, a side you've never seen before, and it left your mouth drained of words. This man was desperate not to lose you for the second time around. Even if your head was in a total state of disarray, your body looked to be in a placid posture.

"I understand that even if I say sorry, it will not change anything. (Y/N), I regret nothing more in my life than what I have done to you, and if you can’t forgive me that’s justifiable. I was wrong, foolish, and immature, and you do not deserve the pain and grief I have caused you, but it pains my heart to think of a life without being able to see your face, speak to you, to hold you, to kiss you…"

Those eyes stared at you with the greatest sincerity, his bottom lip quivered as he spoke, his voice was a touch gravelly owing to the thickness inside of his oesophagus, and his shoulders sank in resignation. Tears had filled your vision, making it difficult to see clearly. You could feel the barriers you created swaying, but your fear held them in place.

“I’ve forgiven you a long time ago Stephen, but it’s the aftermath of it all… it’s left me in fear that I will lose myself if I ever love again, because when I did; loving you, pleasing you was all I knew, I gave my everything to you, and ripped myself bare and in exchange of that I lost myself… and I’m not blaming you now, because that was my choice.” You gently cupped Stephen’s cheek and wiped off the torrents of tears that ran down his cheek, “And in Finn, I discovered myself again, he was the greatest gift you’ve ever given me. All I want is to focus on being a mother to our child, I hope you understand.”

Stephen leaned into your touch, closing his eyes to savour this moment and nodded even though he wanted to keep convincing you to stay. He knew that once you've set your mind on things, it's hard for anyone to change it. All he could do now is endure the pain of your decision, "I understand, I want you to be happy, and I'm glad you are because you deserve to be."

"Thank you Stephen." You smiled gently, lifting yourself up into a tip-toe and leaving a soft peck on his cheek.

This is the moment when Stephen surprises you by leaning forwards and kissing your lips. This kiss is so delicate that you can hardly feel the warmth of his lips, and you didn’t even try to object. His lips drew back gently as swiftly as they had found yours.

"If you want me to stop, tell me now," he whispered. He stared intently into your eyes and waited for any kind of resistance from you, but you didn't give him the slightest indication that you were going to fight back at all. Now that you're thinking about the kiss, you realise that the distance between your lips is just a few millimetres. You take a deep breath as you stare into his eyes, and when you don't say anything, he tilts his head and this time, it was you who landed a kiss on his lips.

The second kiss he gave you was just as tender as the first, and it made you feel warm all over as your lips melted together and your eyes closed in enchantment. You could feel the two years he longed for you through his kiss. You feel your top lip being snatched into his mouth by the latching of his lips on your lips as they roll back and forth. Your eyes widen in shock, but just as swiftly as it occurred, he releases your upper lip, and then he does the same thing to your lower lip. With each kiss, your top lip is pulled in, then let free, and your knees start to fold, at the same time, your eyes start to shut allowing yourself to spiral down this bliss.

You just manage to crack your lips open for a split second, yet in that time you feel his tongue pass through your mouth. Tingles run through your body as you lock lips and dance with your tongues. You can feel the blood pumping through your body as your chest tightens and your breath becomes shallow. Your body automatically gives in and you reach out to grab his side for support as your hand rests there. As the soft kisses evolve into more intense ones in time with the rhythm of your breathing, you begin to tremble and feel as if you could faint as a result. You are experiencing a rush of adrenaline, and you can feel your heart thumping in your chest as if it were competing in a race.

You reached out with your hands and found Stephen's chest, at which point you gently redirected his kissing away from you in an effort to prevent it from developing into anything more. Your lips are slightly ajar while the rest of your body heaves a small sigh and draws in a deep breath of air.

“Let’s stop here.” You said, still catching your breath, “It’s late.”

“Yeah, it is…” Stephen agreed, pressing his lips together, a portal opening straight into his bedroom and steps aside from you, walking into it, “I’ll see you tomorrow, my parents are excited to meet Finn.” He said looking back, the portal disappearing in a flash.

You brushed your hair back with your fingers, the full weight of his kiss now sinking into you, “What were you thinking?”

▪︎ ▪︎ ▪︎

Three days later.

"Are you guys ready to go?" Jack asked as he entered back inside after heating the car up outside, "Oh let me help you, honey."

Your father hurried over to you and assisted you in bringing your belongings down the stairs. Given that you choose to remain in New York for a few more days, Jean and Zara returned to Switzerland two days before you did. Because yesterday had been such a long day spent with you and Stephen, Finn was still sound asleep and exhausted when Rose held him in her arms.

Since you had a few remaining days left, you decided to let Finn and Stephen have more time with each other and hang out, Stephen insisted that you stay with them on the last day, his reason was he wanted to give Finn a memory where both his parents were together, playing with him outdoors in the snow, going sledding, building a snowman, having snowball fights and making snow angels. Stephen, who may be described as old-fashoined, went out and purchased a disposable camera so that he could take pictures that would be preserved forever. Stephen has assured you that he would provide you with copies, but it seems that he will not be able to do so before you depart for Switzerland.

The car ride on the way to the airport was quiet and sad because it felt good to be home, to see your family and friends. You couldn’t help but think about that kiss you had with Stephen the night he showed you how vulnerable he was when it comes to you. That kiss felt like it was the last time he would ever do that, it felt like pure acceptance of the fact that he was going to lose you, although he does not want to. And it grew to sting you in the end when he decided to put your needs above him, he truly has changed.

You glance over at Finn, who was still fast sleeping, and you can't help but notice how much he resembles Stephen. There is not the slightest indication of your facial characteristics. You speculated that he would inherit several of your qualities and hoped that it would be the positive ones.

Your parents remained with you until you collected your boarding passes and were ready to go through security screening. You turn around to look at Jack and Rose again and wave at them as you are ascending the steps. Even though he was attached to you, Finn gazed up at his grandparents and waved to them too. It's certainly one of the benefits of having Strange's DNA because he was highly perceptive for a child who was only one and a half years old.

"Bye-bye poppa, bye-bye nana~" he mumbles and giggles when Rose sends him tons of flying kisses from upstairs until the both of you disappear out of sight to go through security.

Rose sighed and wiped a tear away watching you and her grandson say goodbye, "I really thought that kiss would change her mind." She shook her head and Jack furrowed his brows, confused as to what his wife was talking about.

"What are you talking about?"

"I woke up to go get a drink downstairs and I walked in on Stephen kissing your daughter, so I quietly backed away." She explained to Jack, who was so confused that night as to why Rose was so insistent with him staying in their room that night, finally knowing the reason why.

"Oh… is that why you came back too quickly?" He asked and Rose nodded, "Maybe they just need another baby–ow!"

▪︎ ▪︎ ▪︎

While you wait for your aircraft to be boarded, you remove Finn from his carrier and grab a seat in one of the empty seats near your gate. Finn remained by your side the whole time, occupying himself quietly with his favourite stuffed animal and nibbling on the chopped fruits you had purchased for him when you offered it to him. In an effort to communicate that he did not want any more, Finn started shaking his hand and pushing your hand away.

"No more?" You asked and he shook his head, "Alright, but you gotta drink water." You pulled out his bottle and gave it to him, instead he tried reaching for the backpack while opening and closing his little hands.

As you switched your focus to your bag, positioning it between you and him where Finn grabbed it and accidently dumped the bag onto the floor, you let out a faint gasp as the contents of the bag poured out into the floor.

"Uh-oh." his little voice peeped.

"Aw Finn.." you sighed and muttered quietly as you got off of your seat to pick up his stuff.

"Sorry Mommy." Finn pouted and sat back down.

"It's okay baby. Use your words next time if you want something from the bag okay?"

"Pictures!" Finn beamed, bouncing his body while staying seated, "Pictures!"

"You want to take pictures?" You asked in an attempt to clarify what he wants.

Finn shook his head and playfully glared at you with a pout, "No. Daddy pictures!"

"What?—" You suddenly jerked your head back and saw a rectangular envelope that you hadn't seen before. When you picked it up, you realised that it contained the photographs that Stephen had taken that had been developed.

You went through the images one by one and saw that most of them portrayed Finn having a good time in the snow by giggling, laughing, and bouncing about. You couldn't help but grin as you looked at the picture you had taken of Finn and Stephen creating a snowman together, as well as the one you had taken of Stephen holding Finn to his body while sitting in the snow with a huge grin on his face and looking at his kid.

You flicked the picture over to the last one and saw how happy Finn appeared to be in it. You looked at your son with teary eyes and asked, "How did you know these were in here?"

Finn looked at you and placed his little index finger in front of his mouth, as if telling you to keep quiet.

▪︎ ▪︎ ▪︎

Stephen stared out of the large sanctum window, watching every plane that flies across the sky, wondering if you and Finn were in it. He flicked through the photos that he took, and his copy mostly consisted of you and Finn, he stared at each one of the photos, searing it into his eidetic memory. Even though you told him to come and see Finn anytime he wants, it still didn't feel right for him to just appear whenever he wanted, especially now that you've built a wall against him.

Stephen sneaked into your bedroom the night before your flight, and Finn woke up next to you, sensing his father's presence. He awoke, blinking his eyes, to watch his father carefully insert an envelope inside the backpack. Stephen noticed that Finn had woken up and put his index finger in front of his mouth, trying to convince Finn to be quiet. Stephen lowered himself to a kneeling position next to Finn's bed and uttered the reason he had come.

"I love you, son. Be good to your mom." Stephen quietly whispered to not wake you up and kissed his son on the crown of his head, "Go back to sleep."

Stephen heaved a sigh as he looked at the picture of the three of you together and ran his fingers down the surface of the photo. He wanted to relive the happiness he had during that moment.

▪︎ ▪︎ ▪︎

“Would all passengers travelling to Zurich on flight LX3421 please have your boarding passes and passports ready for boarding. Flight LX3421 is now boarding at gate 81.” The staff announced through the PA.

You collected all of your belongings, and after that, you fastened Finn back onto your body in a secure position. You made sure to have your passports and boarding passes on hand before getting in line for the priority queue. You were so preoccupied with the rapid beating of your heart and the sensation that anxiety was rising up inside of you that you failed to see that you had moved to the head of the queue.

“Ma’am, your boarding pass and passport please?” The man asked you, waving his hand in front of your face to bring you back. You handed over your documents, in which he scanned, “Here’s your passports back, you can head on through.”

You smiled at the guy, collected your bags, and started walking towards the bridge that headed towards the aircraft. Your thoughts started to drift towards Stephen, and you could almost make out the sound of his voice crystal clear in your head.

“I miss you. Stay.”

You reached the middle of the bridge and then turned around to look behind you. When you moved to the side and simply stood there, people you didn't know gave you weird stares as they went by. You glanced at the only photograph that you had kept in your hands, and it was at that moment that the realisation dawned on you that you didn't want to miss Stephen anymore. You spun on your heels and departed the bridge, strolling past the workers who were perplexed as to why you had returned out of the overpass. You chose to ignore their calls and instead hurriedly made your way out of the terminal while simultaneously contacting your parents.

“C’mon, pick up, Dad.” As you retraced your steps from the direction you had come, you murmured to yourself.

“Hello?” Rose picked up the phone for Jack.

“Mom! Are you still near the airport?”

“Yeah, I think so. Why?”

“Can you turn around please? I’ll wait for you in the pick up area.” You pleaded as you approached customer service to get assistance on going back outside.

“Jack made a u-turn and go back to the airport, right now.” Rose ordered, to which Jack responded with a perplexed expression, but he nonetheless obliged without question and did a speedy U-turn when they reached the next intersection.

“Can you tell me what is going on?” Jack questioned as he experienced the want to rush due to the manner in which Rose was behaving all fidgety.

“(Y/N) will be waiting for us at the passenger pick-up.”

▪︎ ▪︎ ▪︎

Stephen sighed for the hundredth time in one day while placing a now framed photo of the three of you near his bedside, where he could wake up and see it every morning. The photograph depicted both of you planting a sweet kiss on Finn's face as the little boy smiled broadly and flashed his two front teeth. After getting cleaned up in the shower, he changed into considerably warmer attire. America encouraged that they spend their time together outdoors so as to divert his attention away from the sad thoughts that he was having. He was fixing his scarf when he saw a glimpse of your figure over his shoulder through the reflection of the mirror. He abruptly turned around to check if he was hallucinating at the extent of his longing for you and was relieved to see that you were really there, he was worried for a second that he could have been losing his mind.

You raised the photo in your hand, the same one that he has on his bedside, "Do you mean it? Everything you said to me that night?" You asked him, both of you still rooted to where you're standing.

When Stephen found that you were really standing in front of him and not on your way to Switzerland, his eyes glistened and a thin film of tears delicately brimmed the edges of his eyes, "With every fibre of my being."

"Then that's good enough for me." You charged towards Stephen who prepared to hold you as you reached up and pulled him down to you, and the rest of the words he tried to say were lost against your lips. He kissed you softly and tenderly, but it wasn't gentleness that you want, not now, not after all this time, and you twisted your hands into his scarf, tugging him even closer to you. He emitted a muffled groan from deep inside his throat, and then his arms encircled you and gathered you against him. Veins throbbing, hearts exploding. You feel him—the entirety of him—pressed against you, and you inhale his shaving cream, his shampoo, and that extra scent that’s just… him. The most mouthwatering aroma you could ever hope to encounter. His lips taste like honey. His face has the barest hint of stubble, and while it scrapes against your skin, you don't care in the least—you didn't care at all. He feels incredible.

"I still love you too, Stephen." You pull away in a gasp, your heads still pressed together and you hear Stephen chuckle against your lips.

“Yeah, I feel that—but I must say I love you more.” Stephen said in a low voice, unable to suppress the smile that was brought by how happy he was feeling, “So what now?”

You drew your head back and stared at him with a massive smile on your face, “Well, you’re now going to be stuck with me and a mini version of you. And I’m stuck with you and a kid who loves her pizza.”

“Sounds perfect.”

▪︎ ▪︎ ▪︎

Epilogue - Summer time.

"So how was your day?" Stephen knelt down, draping a towel over his son's small figure, drying him off before he sent him to grab some lunch.

"Good!"

"Did you enjoy swimming?”

"Swimming~" Finn repeated the words, beaming excitedly at his father, pointing again at the lake.

"There, all dry!" He pulled the towel off Finn’s head and ruffled it.

"All dwry!!"

"Can you say, love you?" Stephen asked.

"Wove you!"

"Can you say, love you dad!"?

"Wove you Dad!!" Finn stretched his arms really wide, causing Stephen to chuckle at his son’s cute antics.

"Oh that much? You're going to make Mom jealous, can I have a hug?" Stephen spreads his arms and Finn skips towards him and gives him a quick hug. He squeezed the boy, lifting him up and twirling him into the air before placing him back down on the ground, “Alright go ask America for some hotdogs.”

Stephen approached you as you sat by yourself at the end of the dock, swirling your feet into the clear and slightly cold water. You felt Stephen’s presence and looked up to smile at him as he took the spot beside you.

“Not wanting to brag but Finn loves me from his left arm to his right, you know how many bones that is?” Stephen leaned back against his hand.

“Are you really asking me? An Orthopaedics Director?”

“Seventy-six, including his head.” Stephen ignored your question and you threw your head back laughing at him.

“You’re such a nerd. Do you know how many bones I have?” You countered him with a trick question and Stephen scoffed.

“What kind of question is that? Of course you have 206 bones.”

You frowned and shook your head, “No… I have 506 at the moment.” You casually said, looking at the view from straight ahead and gave him a side-eye thinking whether he would understand what you were trying to say.

Stephen scoffed out a laugh, “That’s impo— wait a minute…” his smile disappears.

You just continued looking out into the distance towards the horizon rather than engaging in conversation with him. You caught a glimpse of Stephen sitting up and narrowing his eyes as he looked at you out of the corner of your eye.

“Are we having another baby?” Stephen asked, sounding very hopeful but you didn’t respond to him, “(Y/N) I swear—you’d better stop joking because I—”

“I’m not joking.” You turned your head to face him, looking a bit more serious this time. Stephen froze to stare at you for a second before pulling you into a hug, “Are you happy?”

“Happy? Are you kidding me? That’s an understatement, I’m over the moon. I hope we have a girl this time.” Stephen smiled, kissing the side of your head, “I love you. I’m so lucky to have you as a mother to my children.”

“I love you too, but three is enough. America and Finn together are already a handful.”

“I’m good with that. Three’s a magic number.”

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