It was nearing the end of their long month of training. Tessa had found that the change of scene was much needed – it had been a refreshing, relaxing and tranquil experience (between passing out after working herself too hard). The Entity and the sorceress were growing closer and learning more about each other every day. When she had blacked out, the time she was out for was indeed getting less and less. Resistance training was all she needed (or so they thought) and currently, they had been able to get her time down to an hour and a half. A cat nap, she called it, which had always perplexed the Entity.

Painfully early as usual, Tessa had awoken and had decided to enjoy the early mid-October morning by having a little walk around the temple. She saw an odd handful of other students who were early birds just like her and gave them a warm smile and wishful greeting as she wandered on by. Stopping at the main outdoor training area, she saw Stephen, with three large books in his arms, headed towards her and smiled.

"Morning."

"Morning, Tess." The sorcerer greeted politely, "I'll be in the training area – our training area – in about ten minutes if you want to me there?"

"Alright," She nodded, "See you in a bit."

Stephen smiled back at her, lingering a moment before slipping past her dropping a book as he did and groaned. Knowing he wouldn't ask for help, she quickly darted down to pick it up for him and placed it back on top of his pile. She placed a hand on his shoulder, stopping him from leaving for a moment as she pointed her finger at him. Stephen looked at her, a little wide-eyed and worried as to what she would say or do.

"You might be master of a sanctum but don't for one second think that excuses you from the consequences of damaging any of these ancient masterpieces." She warned playfully.

Stephen laughed through his nose, "Yeah, alright, it was an accident."

"These books are thousands of years old. We only have one copy of each."

"Point taken." He smiled, starting to walk away, "I will see you soon."

Tessa watched him go, shouting after him, "Protect them with your life!"

When will you be 'making a move'?

"What?" She paused, "What do you know about 'making moves'?"

It was in a 'TV show' you watched. You wish to make a move on the sorcerer?

"No. I swear to God, Tee – "

I can hear and see your thoughts as I said before – why do you wish to see him topless?

A blush rose in her cheeks and she clenched her jaw. Private thoughts. There were private thoughts one had that one never really acknowledged too much. But when there was another whole consciousness living inside your head, private things that you didn't tend to acknowledge were then acknowledged – embarrassingly so.

Tessa?

"No. No, we're not – no – Tee, there – there is a box in my head – a box where you just shouldn't look – a private box. Thoughts like that...that you may have seen or heard should remain in that private box never to be mentioned or acknowledged in any way, shape or form and especially not out loud. Capiche?"

But...there is no box...

"A metaphorical box. Any thoughts like that, don't – don't mention it to me, okay?"

Very well, child.

"Thank you."

Composing herself, she took a breath, walking in the opposite direction to Stephen, heading to their secluded training area.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

Tessa jogged on the spot, warming herself up as she waited for Stephen to appear. Her auburn hair had been tied up into a high ponytail and swished from side to side as she continued her warm up. A hand laid itself upon her shoulder and within seconds, she had spun to restrain Stephen's arm behind his back. Gasping as she heard a yelp and saw who it was, she let him go instantly.

"I'm so, so, so sorry, Stephen, are you okay?"

Stephen rolled his left shoulder, massaging it with his opposite hand as he did, "Yep." He paused, looking at her apologetically, "I didn't mean to startle you, but I feel bad for anyone who does so in future."

"Sorry," She bared her teeth in an awkward smile, "It is a bit of a reflex. Tee is on high alert practically all the time."

"I should've known better."

"At least now you do?"

He smiled humorously.

"So...what training are we doing today?"

Wrestling?

Tessa almost swore at the Entity, but she heard it laugh in her head and it was a pleasant laugh – mischievous – but pleasant. Pleasant enough for her to overlook the comment as it was the first time she had heard the being laugh. Its laughter wasn't menacing but one of genuine humour and she found it sweet that the Entity was learning to be more...human despite its teasing and mischief.

"I was going to suggest hand-to-hand combat – a little break from the boring stuff – but now I am questioning my own suggestion."

"I go back to – you can take on Dormammu but – "

"Yeah, yeah, alright, fine."

"Yeah so, stop being such a big baby about it." She smirked.

"I go back to – not exactly your average sorceress." He smirked.

Tessa rolled her eyes, Stephen shook his head, playfulness lighting both of their expressions. The sorceress moved to the centre of their training area, beckoning Stephen to follow. She bowed, showing respect to her inexperienced mentor before getting into a fighting stance. Stephen followed, both now circling each other and waiting for the other to move.

"Get ready because I'm about to kick your ass again." She chuckled.

A nervous laugh left Stephen's lips, "All I'm gonna say is try not to kill me."

"I'll – "

Before she could finish her sentence, Stephen had landed a kick to her middle, making her stumble back. Offended by this, she looked at him with her mouth agape and her brows raised high. Stephen shrugged, beckoning her to come forwards, to bring it on, accompanied by a cheeky smile.

"Less talking or you'll lose your focus."

You will beat him, but he does have a point.

Without a word, she nodded. Alright, we'll bring it then. Tessa sprinted towards him, leaping and kicking at him as she did – he blocked it, caught it actually, but not well enough as she brought her elbow down on his shoulder. He grunted at the impact, backing away to gain some distance from her again. She followed, knowing that if she took on the role of the attacker before he did that, she would stand a better chance of winning. She grabbed him, tussled with him for a moment until she held her elbow by his neck. Stephen smiled as he recognised this move and knew exactly what to do next.

"What are you smiling at?"

"Oh...nothing."

And then he took her arm, spinning her around so that he now held her by her neck, locking his arm in to make sure she wouldn't be able to get out easily. Tessa laughed, recognising his second move well.

"Mordo taught you, didn't he?" She asked as she held onto his strong arms.

"You knew Mordo?"

"I was in the same class as him when I was twelve. Met him when I was eleven," She struggled a bit in his grip, "The Ancient One asked me to take on a small group of people in a fight, him included and he was fascinated by my skill. Of course, they didn't know that I was technically cheating – they all just thought I was some prodigy. Some of them thought I would be the next Sorceress Supreme. Where did he go?"

"Mordo left. I used the Eye of Agamotto to stop Kaecilius' plans, but he viewed it as us going against the natural order."

"For the greater good."

"He saw it as corruption and wanted no part in the mystic arts if that was what it would lead to."

"Classic Mordo. Stubborn as ever." She slammed her elbow into his ribs, and he let go.

Stephen backed away, holding his side. So that's what that had felt like at the time? The sorcerer looked at Tessa and dodged as he saw her running towards him again. He grabbed her from behind now, pinning her arms down by her sides.

"Can we say I won this fight?" He whispered to her.

She laughed, "No chance – you're right where I want you."

"What – "

Tessa took a large step to the side, dropping her body as she did and swung her right leg behind his left leg. Her hands reached down to grab the material of his trousers and she lifted his leg up. They both fell but Stephen took the brunt of it and groaned as she rolled off of him. Turning to hold him down, she saw that he had already rolled away from her too. Smirking, Tessa shook her head.

"Give up! You know I'll win."

"And here I thought I was the cocky one." He said as he stood again.

Tessa stood again too, inching closer to him. Both sorcerers watched each other's behaviour like hawks, both trying to spot when one would make a move. Stephen paused for a moment, lowering his guard and looking straight past her.

"Who's that?"

Tessa naively looked, only to then feel his hand on her shoulder. Rapidly, she spun, throwing a back fist that caught him on the nose, literally stunning him as he processed the shock, before she dropped down and swung a kick at his legs. Again, the sorcerer fell on his back with an 'oomph' and just to make sure she had won, she mounted him, using Eldritch sorcery to bind his hands, keeping them out by his sides and bound to the earth, and looked down at him triumphantly, playfully as he panted.

"I believe I win."

"You're – you're good – how are you not out of breath?"

"Enhanced stamina." She smiled.

He nodded, "Can I get up now?"

"But I was having such fun winning."

"Very funny. Haha." He said between breaths.

Tessa swung her leg off of him, standing and offering Stephen a hand up to which he gratefully took. But as he stood up straight, a red stream fell from his nose.

"Oh, I'm sorry."

Stephen tilted his head forwards, pinching the bridge of his nose as he did, "Don't worry about it – "

"Here," The sorceress jogged over to her sports bag and pulled out a small towel, rushing back over, "Let me help." She started to dab the towel under his nose, catching the stream of blood.

"You have one hell of a back fist." He paused, "Thank you."

She smiled and nodded.

"The Ancient One taught you well."

"Everyone teaches me well."

"Thank you – "

She laughed, "You haven't taught me anything yet. We've merely trained together, and you've only observed me."

"Well...you have a point. I will find something to teach you."

"Good luck." She smirked.

They shared a look. A rather innocent look but one that spoke many words, neither of which would really acknowledge properly. His stormy sea blue eyes looked at her, enchanted, and her emeralds stared back at him, captivated.

The Entity knew her feelings towards the sorcerer had grown over the past month and sensed that Stephen may feel the same way. But if all they were going to do was stare at each other, then nothing would be done about it. Naturally, the Entity considered this a good point to intervene for the sake of hurrying things along. Tessa's eyes closed, the black veins raced to her eyes and opened to reveal those enthralling black orbs.

Tee, what are you doing?

"Entity." Stephen greeted as he took the towel from them, still holding it against his nose and took a step back, "Everything alright?"

"Yes." It paused, "No. Tessa – "

Don't you dare!

"Tessa would like to go out this evening. She wishes for you to join her."

Tee, stop. Just stop.

"Oka-a-ay." Stephen nodded, "Any reason why she couldn't say this herself?"

"You were staring at each other for too long."

"Huh."

Oh my God...

"I had to...'get the ball rolling'. That is something you humans say, is it not?"

"No. You're right but – "

They shut their eyes again and the black veins receded rapidly again. Tessa stared back at them, her cheeks receiving a light dusting of red. She took a breath, gave a very brief smile, raised her hand to rub the back of her neck and dropped her hand again, taking another breath, opening her mouth to speak but shut it again.

"Tessa? You good?"

"Yeah..." She nodded, "You?"

"Bleeding but fine." He nodded, asking her just to be sure, "Did you...want to go out this evening?"

"Are you asking?"

"Well, you asked first."

"Tee asked first."

"Asked a question they said you had."

"Do you want to go out this evening?" Tessa raised the question again.

"Yes. You?"

"...Yes..."

"Shall we say...seven?"

"Sounds like a plan."

Stephen beamed, nodding, "Great, that's - great. Do you want to spar again? Or continue with different training?"

"I'm afraid that I'll give you another bloody nose if we spar again." She teased.

"You're not going to let that one go, are you?"

"Not a chance."

They laughed. Stephen wiped the last of the blood from his nose, lowering the towel in his hand and motioning with his other back to the centre of the training area. They walked over together.

They smiled. They trained. They laughed.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

The two took a slow walk back to their rooms, opting to travel the long way which meant they stuck to the outside paths. They chatted, spoke about his past as an award-winning neurosurgeon and Tessa's time with the Ancient One. They spoke about his fight with Kaecilius and Dormammu and smaller conflicts that Tessa had assisted the Ancient One with. They lingered outside the dormitory section of the temple.

"So, we still on for dinner?"

"Oh, so it's dinner now?" She asked, silently thanking the Entity for its successful intervention.

You are welcome, child.

"I mean, it doesn't have to be. It can be. But it doesn't have to be."

"I think dinner sounds nice." Tessa smiled.

Stephen smiled back, "Right, well, I'll let you get ready then."

"See you in a bit."

Tessa turned to head into the dorms and Stephen began to walk away.

From a rooftop above, a slovenly Marcus watched with a bow and arrow in hand, aiming it directly at the talented sorcerer who paused in the walkway, turning around to look at Tessa again. The sorceress lingered by the door, beaming back at her 'date' for the evening but the Entity sensed something was wrong. Her expression fell as she felt the Entity's unease and looked around, spotting Marcus on the roof top. It took her a moment to realise he had a weapon and another moment to understand who he was aiming it at.

Marcus let the arrow fly.

Tessa shrieked, "Stephen!"

______________________

A/N - The name's Hanger...Cliff Hanger 😂

That was such a cringey joke I apologise 😂