I FINALLY GOT OUT A CHAPTER AFTER A LONG TIME. MISS ME? So here is the third part of damaged man. Hope you enjoy it and as always thanks for reading. (I wrote the song by the way. Hence it is quite bad)

Kyle stared at you from the other side of the scenario, his wide orbs set in yours as you both nodded gently. You both faced the crowd of spectating sorcerers, the lights dimming in the café after a few moments of silence. It was no ordinary café oh no. This place was different than others as it was a hidden place from mundane sight where only sorcerers could find it, hidden as a common warehouse. Sorcerers, after all, needed a place to relax and spend some time also.

Tonight was no different than other. A sorcerer, maybe two went upstage and presented their act, whether it was singing or playing an instrument. It didn't matter if you were good or not. Everyone went there to keep their minds off their problems, so judging never crossed their minds anytime. But believe it or not, there was really good talent in there. Talent that wouldn't be able to be showcased to the world, for they were stuck in a world where wars were fought and blood was shed.

That night was your turn, together with Kyle in both a musical and vocal presentation. You would be singing a tune you both wrote, Kyle playing the bass whereas you played the notes in your dark oakwood guitar. You both would be singing together, some fragments in sync and others solo. Your expressions were calm, but your heart beat at an alarming pace, almost outnumbering the rythm you were to play.

Everyone showed respect, watching intently as you slowly leaned in, your mouth lingering on the microphone and your fingers gently grazing the strings of the guitar, a soft tune making its way out and echoing around the silent café. As the notes played, you closed your eyes, your mind wandering off to all that had happened in the past year. The wounds, the permanent scars and the entry to a world in which you realized you were completely blind from the truth before. It was something magical yet terrifying, exciting yet tiring. It was something you hadn't experienced before, and you weren't sure if you liked it or not.

The soft melody spread in waves, gradually becoming louder but not to the degree where it was uncomfortable to hear. Your stomach was full of butterflies, the nerves of being in front of people almost making you run off from stage. You took a deep breath, your mouth parting open slightly as you began singing.

(Italics- You) (Bold- Kyle) (Normal- Both)
(Keep in mind this is a slow song.)

"I don't know what to think,
I don't know how to feel.
I feel like I am on cloud nine
But I am scared and terrified.

My world is now upside down,
I don't know how to move along.
I miss when I was not alone,
I need to accept I'm on my own."

Your hands played the correct notes at the correct time. As you finished your first part, Kyle's bass started playing, accompanying your guitar's tune in a mixture of soft, deep, sometimed high notes. No one sang for a moment, letting the spectators enjoy the tune, letitng them get carried away by the meaning of the song.

Your eyes remained close, concentration crossing your features as you focused on the strings of the guitar, following Kyle's rythm in sync.

"Can it be healed? Will I be able to feel my back again?" You asked in distraught, your voice raspy and broken, pain seeping through your eyes as you observed Kyle's almost lifeless body, half of his face covered by bandages which were already soaked in his dark crimson blood. Ancient One staed at you with such calmness that it almost made you feel as if although everything was alright. But deep below, you knew it wasn't. It was far from being okay, and maybe you wouldn't walk out of that strange place alive.

"Will he be okay?" You asked, motioning with your chin towards Kyle's unconscious form only to be received with more silence. You were getting impatient, anxious to know if you were going to be able to move freely again. You had to take a moment, diverting your gaze from the mysterious woman that had saved you and your best friend just hours ago. Your eyes fixed on the candle sitting on the bedside table next to your cot, trying with everything you had to not let the tears go out. But it was just so difficult, your body ached in the worst possible ways, and there was a possibility that your friend wouldn't make it.

"I just- I" You choked back, letting your hair cover your tired face, losing the battle against the tears. One trickled down your cheek, followed by a second one. You knew you wouldn't be able to stop the sadness from overtaking your body, shaking at the thought of having to leave your normal life.

"Why me?" You asked, this time anger lacing your voice. You tried to sit up, wanting to face that woman strongly, but to your dismay you were weak, your back was basically destroyed. When the wounds were to heal completely, you would be reminded for the rest of your life about that life changing moment.

"It's for the best. You have the vision, you were able to see what would others saw as a terrorist attack. Your friend has been gifted to, and I am certain he will thrive" She set a gentle hand on yours, ushering you to lay down carefully. "Sleep. You will be strong in no time. This may not be what you wanted as a future, but just think about what you saw. This is a whole different world, where we protect the Earth from threats that no human can understand or would want to. I am sure you will consider this. If you still want to go back to your life, you would have lost so much knowledge. This world is amazing in its way too."

And thus... you thrived. Not for you or for him. But for the world.

"Many battles fought,
Some were won, some were lost
But we know we will thrive
Protect this world with all our might.

They live so oblivious of this place,
But it's better that it stays that way.
Because humans fight altogether
Yet fear, weakens our kind.

We will not let the darkness in,
Even if it means we get scarred for life.
Because in the end it will be worth,
Seeing the world safe and sound."

Several sorcerers dance to the rythm, several others wearing sad smiles on their faces. Everyone received a different reaction from the song. But it was so wonderful, seeing them having fun together. It could almost feel as though they weren't sorcerers, some with horrible scars and others with dark pasts. Everyone felt human, normal for once.

Kyle's bass stopped, only your guitar providing the café with its melody. The song was short, but it meant so much for you both. Because you are strong, you thrived even though the world seemed dark. It sometimes was tiring having to cope with the burden of saving the world.

But at the end it was all worth it.

"We will always fight together,
We will watch each other's back.
Cause even though we aren't blood related,
Us altogether make such a caring family.

Many times everything it will always seem so dark.
Many times we will loose each other in the storm.
But together we will work to find each other always.
Because we are a family and nothing will pull us apart.

Sorcerers us we are. Oh.
The angels will defeat the demons altogether. Oh
Heroes of the world we are. Oh.
Oh Oh Oh.
This world won't be ever pulled apart. Oh.

We will stand against the dark"

The music slowly faded until silence remained in the room. Everyone stayed quiet, relishing the music with closed eyes. You leaned forward, flashing a smile to everyone. "Thank you everyone, have a good night." You finished off, the crowd erupting in applause at your act. You felt relief in your chest, glad that it had gone well. Or so you thought.

You both grabbed your instruments, getting off the stage and letting the next couple of sorcerers to do their act. A tall and lean shadow had watched you from the corner, their gray eyes fixed on you with such sadness and happiness. Tears brimmed to their eyes, a trembling hand reaching up to wipe them away as soon as they came out. It was no moment to be doing that. They had to get to you, talk to you as soon as possible. They needed to know how you were, what had you done and why were you also in the world of sorcery.

Should they talk to you? Should they approach you? What would your reaction be? Maybe you will run off and never see you again after that. What if-

"Stephen? Stephen Strange is that you?" Your voice interrupted his thoughts, startling him as he turned sharply. His breath hitched on his throat, his mouth opening to speak words but nothing came out. Yout both stared at each other for what felt like hours, the soft music background the only thing in between silence.

"I- (Y/N)- I- I am so sorry" He blurted out, surprising you at how nervous he sounded. He was definitely different, and you knew exactly there that he was a changed man. You stayed quiet, not really sure what to say. Stephen desperately to hug you tightly, finally easing his worries about you. It had been a long time since he last saw you. And what he last did was horrible and unforgivable. He reached a hand out, immediately retracting it as he smiled sheepishly.

You weren't mad at him at all. It had been long since you had forgiven him, but it still stuck into your mind what he did. You had forgiven but not forgotten, but nonetheless you were happy to see him again. You felt as though a weight had been lifted off your shoulders, your mind finally at ease.

You had fear, fear that he would burst out and do what he had done again, but deep below you trusted he wouldn't. You stoppe that fear from clouding your judgement. You didn't know if that would be the last time you would be seeing him. He started rambling on and on about how he felt horrible, telling you he had stopped drinking a long time ago. His eyes were fixed on yours throughout, almost as if he wanted to memorize that gaze of yours.

"Stephen" You interrupted him, walking forward and pulling him in for a hug, pressing your face against his chest. He stopped talking, his arms sticking out awkwardly before enveloping into a hesitant hug. You could hear his heartbeat, steady but loud, hitting against his chest rythmically.

Badump badump

"It's okay Stephen, I forgive you. I know you were angry, frustrated you couldn't do anything. I've been there already and I understand so much now. Now hush and just hug me my fellow sorcerer. Worry not more and just enjoy the moment." You spoke in a hushed voice, being answered with a simple nod as he tightened the hug.

"I missed you so much (Y/N)." He whispered back, laying his head over yours in an affectionate way. You couldn't see his face, and he was thankful you didn't. His eyes were regretful, but held a joyous touch to them. A single tear had trickled down his cheek.

"I promise I have changed." You looked up at him, his expression now of determination. "I am not the damaged man I was before. Because You... You (Y/N), make me strong. You are the pillar that stopped me from falling."

A genuine smile spread across your face, him smiling back just as joyously.