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𝗘𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧:     𝗢𝗖𝗘𝗔𝗡 𝗠𝗘𝗘𝗧𝗦 𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗥𝗘

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"THE PRESS IS waiting, Miss Potts."

"Oh, my god, Tony! I swear if you screwed this up..." groaned the current CEO of Stark Industries, Virginia Potts, rubbing her temples in circles. Cassandra held her clip folder close to her chest as she watched Virginia abruptly rise from her chair and march on the backdoor of the New Avengers Facility, the staccato beat of her high heel shoes echoing off of marble floors and granite walls.

Cassandra followed closely behind her, her hair tied up in a bun and her ruby red lips pressed into a thin line. Few hours earlier, she was called by Virginia Potts to arrange a press conference because Tony Stark would be making a huge announcement and so, here she was, standing inside the facility, wondering what it feels like to be an Avenger.

The brunette smiled a little. In her opinion, there was almost no difference between being an Avenger and a Master of the Mystic Arts since heroes like Iron Man and Captain America protect the world from physical dangers, while sorcerers like her safeguard it against more mystical threats.

She watched as one of the security men pushed the doors open for them, revealing two men standing nearby. She easily recognized the man on her right as Anthony Stark, the brilliant industrialist and former CEO of Stark Industries. Cassandra immediately straightened her posture once she caught sight of him, brushing the lints off her pencil skirt.

"Where's the kid?"

"He left." The chubby man, who she assumed was an employee of the facility, deadpanned.

"Everybody's waiting."

This time, it was Tony who responded, turning his body around to face them. "You know, he actually made a really mature choice. It just surprised the heck out of us."

"Did you guys screw this up?"

"He told the kid to go wait in the car." Tony pointed his finger to the employee.

"Are you kidding me?" Virginia exasperated, causing the man to splutter. Cassandra almost laughed at this because she could clearly tell that Tony threw the man under the bus. "I have a room full of people in there waiting for some big announcement! I even pulled Cassandra out from a trade show just for this!"

It was true. Cassandra was overseeing a trade show she organized when Virginia called, and even though she only had little time to prepare it, she still accepted the job and managed the press conference, inviting all news media companies to come to the New Avengers Facility.

Tony's attention flickered towards her and he regarded her for a moment. "Good morning, Mr. Stark." she greeted, grinning. "I'm Cassandra Mason, the -- "

" -- event organizer, yes. I remember your name." finished Tony. "Pep mentions you a lot. Great work, by the way. I heard Stark Industries' reputation boosted a lot after you managed all of our events."

Cassandra paused, her lips hanging open in surprise because she couldn't believe she was being complimented for her work at the moment. She blinked, once and then swallowed. "Thank you, sir. That-that really means a lot to me."

"Tony..." Virginia raised her eyebrow, gritting her teeth. "The press is waiting outside. What am I gonna tell them?"

"Think of something. How about...?" the genius billionaire pursed his lips. "Hap, you still got that ring?"

"Do I -- I?"

"The engagement ring."

"Are you kidding?" said the man, fishing out a beautiful engagement ring out of his pocket and showing it to the couple. "I've been carrying this since 2008."

Cassandra was going to be honest. She had no idea how to react to the employee's -- or close friend since why else would he be carrying a ring for eight years if he was just an employee -- commitment. Anyways, he's an awesome wingman. She thought.

The woman watched the couple in front of her grimace at the same time. "Okay." breathed out Tony, chuckling to brush the awkwardness off of the moment.

"I think I can think of something better than that." Virginia genuinely smiled, leaning in to kiss Tony. Cassandra sighed, feeling happy for the two of them. She felt as if she had just witnessed their whole love story unfold before her eyes.

"Well, it would buy us a little time." Tony reciprocated his now fianceé's kiss and mumbled, "Like we need time."

At this, Virginia spun around on her heel. "I can't believe you have that in your pocket." she murmured, gracefully walking out the door.

"Want me to get the door for you, hon?"

"I got it."

Cassandra gave a short nod to Tony's friend before pulling her clipboard close to her chest again. She started to follow Virginia, but the tech genius got the door first when she was about to pull it open. The chubby man tossed the ring to Tony who caught it with ease. "Come on, planner. You have a wedding to organize soon." he grinned, opening the door wide for her.

Cassandra felt her brain short-circuit for a moment. She blinked. "You want me to plan your wedding, sir?"

"Sure, why not? You're great at that." He shrugged, walking beside her. "As a matter of fact, I'm officially hiring you now as our party planner. All of the events here will be planned by you from now on."

The brunette paused for a moment, her breath catching in her throat. She swallowed. She was now going to need more than just two teams to handle every event they will have. She grinned, thanking him for the opportunity. She was beyond elated because that meant her agency was expanding and she will have to hire more people. She sauntered over to the side of the stage and glanced around to see if everything was still okay. As soon as Tony and Virginia went up the stage, the whole room became quiet, save for a few cameras flashing to capture the moment.

"We are pleased to announce that Tony Stark and I are... engaged." declared Virginia on the podium, sending all of the journalists into an uproar of questions, all demanding for more details.

"Yes, we are getting married soon and... she's our wedding planner." Tony pointed his finger to Cassandra whose eyes widened in shock since all of the journalists turned their heads toward her. Some of them approached her and cameras flashed before her eyes, causing her to wince lightly.

"Can you give us some more details about the wedding?" asked one of the reporters.

Cassandra tilted her head to Tony, and she furrowed her eyebrows as if to say 'what the hell am I going to say, sir?'. He had really placed her in the spotlight and she had no idea what to say. The genius billionaire shrugged. The brunette mentally cursed, inhaling deeply. Putting on a great smile for the cameras, she answered, "Uh, all I can say is that it's going to be the... wedding of the year. Of that, I am very sure."

THE LIGHT PAINTED Cassandra's skin so warmly. The trees around her danced gracefully, choreographed by the wind, in perfect time with one another. They were the life and soul of that early morning, and the woman wondered how many hues of green did her eyes witness. As they stretched upwards and outwards toward the light, drinking in rays as pure as the rain, she stretched her arms up too, fingers spread toward the sun and slowly begin to draw a pattern in the air, flame-colored sparks materializing like flickers of embers.

However, within seconds, her fingers faltered and she failed to cast the spell she studied earlier. It was said that a shimmering, multicolored plane of light will form a towering wall of seven radiant layers, one for each color of the rainbow. In addition to the entire wall creating waves of blinding light, each layer will have a different defensive effect, such as protecting anything behind it from spells, negating ranged attacks, damaging creatures that touch it, and even shifting creatures that pass through it to a different dimension.

She groaned, slightly rolling her eyes. She didn't know why it wasn't working. Cassandra was more than a hundred percent sure that she spoke and performed the correct incantation and gesture to cast it. It was as if her magic just decided not to show itself that day for fun.

Padding over to the table to her right, she flipped the book open again, skimming the written Sanskrit. "What am I doing wrong?" She wondered out loud, biting her bottom lip.

"Is it true? You're avoiding me?"

A deep voice rang through the courtyard, making her glance upwards. It was Stephen. He was wearing his navy uniform and his hands were behind his back.

Cassandra continued on reading, not minding his presence. "And what gave you that impression, Strange?"

"Really? Not Stephen?" he remarked, making his way toward her.

She immediately crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes. "What on earth do you want?"

"You." came his simple reply. The corner of his lips curling into a smirk and his ocean green eyes were twinkling with mischief.

However, Cassandra wasn't at the very least impressed. "You have exactly one minute before I blast you to that wall, Strange. Start talking."

"One minute only?"

"Fifty-seven seconds."

"Okay. You refuse to teach me, you deliberately divert your path whenever we pass by each other, and you even act as if I'm not around when we're being called by the Ancient One. You also postponed our dinner." enumerated he, stopping in front of her table. "Mordo just told me a few minutes that you are really avoiding me. Why? What did I do wrong?"

She cocked an eyebrow, lifting her head. "Karl told you I was avoiding you?"

"Yep."

"Snitch..." mumbled Cassandra under her breath. Putting on her best nonchalant expression, she said, "I'm not avoiding you, Strange. I'm just... busy."

That was a fucking lie.

Because she had been purposely avoiding him for the past two... almost three weeks now. Ever since Karl and Stephen commented that she seemed to be always distracted, she then made a decision to distance herself from Stephen and focus on her work and enhancing her skills instead.

It was there, her growing feelings for him, and Cassandra desperately wanted to get rid of it -- exterminate it like some weed that was threatening her plants because she couldn't let it distract them both. Stephen was the next Sorcerer Surpreme, Earth's first defense against all manner of Mystical threats and she was his companion, his guardian. That meant they will have duties and responsibilities they will need to fulfill. A relationship will surely compromise their obligations. They will be each other's pressure points, something their enemies may use to their advantage. She cannot let that happen.

If ever one day, Stephen would have to choose between saving her or protecting the Time Stone, she'd gladly give up her life to save the universe. She'll keep on choosing to save him and the universe over her own life because that was her purpose? Wasn't she born for that? To protect the Sorcerer Supreme at all costs?

But, is she just that? Is that her only worth? Could she be more? Cassandra shook those thoughts away. She can't let Stephen get too attached with her because she may die anytime and she didn't want that to affect him. Problem was, as the days go by, it was getting harder to stop her growing care and love for the infuriating man in front of her.

"Oh, okay. Great, because I will need to consult with you about the -- "

"Can't you see that I'm practicing a spell, Strange?" She snapped.

Stephen drew back a little, but he maintained his calm composure. "My apologies for disturbing you, Master Mason." he bowed his head. "Also, the reason why you keep on failing to perform that spell is because it requires two sorcerers. One will cast part of the spell which works as the catalyst and the second sorcerer will cast the other half which will conjure the light and form the prismatic wall."

Cassandra frowned, looking down at the spell again. "How did you know that?" She flipped to another page and slapped her forehead for not reading the notes of the ritual.

"I read the book yesterday."

She rolled her eyes. "Of course, you did." She really wanted to try the ritual, but she needed someone else with her. "I'll just ask Karl or Wong to help me with this one." Cassandra then shut the book and started to move around the table when Stephen blocked her way.

"I can help you with it. Actually, that ritual was what I was about to consult with you."

Cassandra raised her gaze, directing them to his crystal blue eyes. It was not a bad idea, really since they might need to cast it together one day especially they'll be partners in protecting Earth from mystical threats. However, that meant she'll have to spend more time with him which she was clearly avoiding to do.

Keep it platonic. She said inside her mind. Nothing more than that.

"Let's try it."

Minutes turned into hours and the two found themselves struggling to perform the ritual no matter how thorough they were. They had already switched turns to cast it, but still nothing. There was something hindering them both, and neither of them knew what was it.

Cassandra grumbled, slamming her hand on the table in frustration. "I really don't get it!" she complained. "We have been doing this for five hours now and we're still unsuccessful."

"I think it's because you don't want to work with me, Cassie, and your magic can sense it."

"What?"

Stephen tilted his head, his ocean eyes staring right at her. Everything about Stephen Strange was beautiful. She loved the twinkle in his eyes and the slight peek of his teeth when he smiles a certain way. He smelt of citrus, fresh spice and something so distinctly him. He felt like home, honestly.

Cassandra loved everything about him.

Too bad, he wouldn't know because she won't tell him... ever.

"Trust me. Let go of your reluctance. I will not hurt you, I promise."

He raised his hand up and urged her to do the same. He then brought their hands together, his warm, callous palm resting against hers, sending a little tingle in her abdomen. Finally choosing to let go and trust Stephen, Cassandra closed her eyes, feeling her magic. It pulsed in her veins, waiting. Their palms glowed white, and the familiar spitting sparks circled their wrists. She watched as Stephen moved their hands in a circular motion. The light their palms emitted accentuated his features and she was certain her eyes had changed from azure to gold for she felt her magic course through her veins. She gasped and looked up at Stephen. His eyes were focused solely on her, not once flickering to anywhere else. Their gaze soon intensified and she tried to look away, but she couldn't.

What she didn't expect to happen next was Stephen would curl his fingers with hers, entwining them together. The light captured their hands and swirled around it. She didn't fail to notice how their hands fit together so perfectly. A shimmering multicolored light swirled around them and just as it said in the tome they studied, it transformed into a towering wall of seven coruscating layers at their right, blocking whoever might try to harm at that moment. Cassandra felt warm and secure like nothing could ever harm them as long as they were standing behind the wall.

Stephen looked around them, his mouth slightly agape at the prismatic wall they both successfully conjure for them. "Wow." he uttered, breathlessly. "D-do you feel that?"

"The wall? Yeah, I do."

"No, I mean, this between us..."

Cassandra blinked, her mind processing what he meant. Unsure, she still nodded, pretending she understood.

"You look very beautiful up close."

"So, I'm not beautiful far away?"

Stephen smirked. "Sweetheart, you're pulchritudinous. Up close or far away, messy or neat, happy or frustrated... you're stunning, always. I can't keep my eyes off of you when you're around."

Heat crept up to her cheeks and Cassandra found herself struggling slightly to breathe properly. She glanced down, feeling shy all of a sudden. Everything just felt so right whenever she was with him and she didn't like it. She lifted her head again and their eyes met. Ocean meets shore. Fire meets ice. His burning stare melted her insides and it was as if time stood still and there was no one in the room but them. Cassandra felt defenseless, vulnerable at that moment. The walls she had tried to build around her heart came undone as he continued staring at her.

And just like two comets colliding with one another, Cassandra finally realized it.

She was falling in love with Stephen Strange.

Shit. Fucking shit.

What happened to I'll never fall in love with him, Cass? She internally remarked.

As he continued standing in front of her, Cassandra realized her feelings for him magnified as she got to know him more. He was more than the attractive flirt she met in that bar and the arrogant neurosurgeon that came to their compound for help. There was no use on denying or even fighting her blooming feelings because it had always been there.

Wetting parched lips, she thanked his compliment, stood on her toes, and kissed his cheek. The prismatic wall they have both conjured soon died down as Stephen's expression softened. "Thank you, Stephen. Thank you for helping with this spell. I appreciate it a lot."

"No, thank you, Cassie. You helped me tremendously. You made me realize a lot of things and never gave up on me -- well, you almost did, but you stayed."

"You're welcome, Stephen. I'll always be here for you, please know that."

"I know."

THE NIGHT WAS as warm as a cashmere sweater.

Cassandra's gaze flickered over to Karl and the faintest shadow of a smirk played on her lips. She also met Wong's eyes when he lifted his head and they screamed determination. The young woman pressed her lips into a thin line as she looked down at the card she was holding and tried her best not to lose her composure.

The odds weren't in her favor.

They were at the far side of the compound, near the other entrance gate. A low, waning gibbous moon hovered tenuously in the twilight firmament, bestowing a very dim light upon the land. As Cassandra looked up through the tree branches it was easy to believe the dark sky was endless, and it went on forever.

"Uno reverse card, suckers! UNO!" victoriously proclaimed Wong as he slammed his card down to the table, bursting into fits of laughter.

"Aish!" Cassandra and Karl uttered, throwing their cards down.

"Oi! You two owe me Tuna melts!"

"Yeah, yeah. We'll buy you two tomorrow."

It was their occasional game night, something they promised themselves to always have whenever they aren't busy so as to serve as a stress reliever. They would often play games and modify the rules like Scrabble, Jenga, Dominion, and etc. to strengthen their bond together. Tonight, it was Wong and Karl who invited her to play with them so she could release her burden.

"Cass," Wong then started, downing his own glass of alcohol. "You know I don't judge people by their choices, but... why Strange? Of all people?"

Couple of days ago, Cassandra opened up to her friends about her conflicting feelings with Stephen since they noticed how troubled and confused she was. They only listened to her as she ranted, comforting her by buying her a tub of Ben & Jerry's Chocolate Fudge Brownie ice cream and two boxes of Pepperoni pizza. As she partially revealed the truth to her friends, Wong sat beside her and told her he completely understood what she was feeling since the Ancient One hinted Stephen's future to him while Karl was still slightly puzzled about what she was going through.

The woman scratched her scalp in frustration and imbibed her Whiskey, growing a bit tipsy. "I don't know!" She threw her hands up, then pointed to her heart. "I can't dictate this shit right here!"

"Language, Cassandra." chided Karl.

"Oh, my goodness, grandpa!" Cassandra rolled her eyes. "It's already the twenty-first century! Don't buzz my kill!"

"It's buzzkill."

"Yeah, whatever. It still counts." retorted she, sticking out her tongue. "You know what, I feel like I don't have a choice, but to love him because it's already meant to be? Like I know fate and all that meant to be shit is supposed to be romantic, but it isn't for me? I don't know!" She spouted, shrugging. "I feel like I don't have any free will. Like I'm being controlled, but also not at the same time. My feelings for that handsome asshole are real and genuine though, it's just that... this is so fucking frustrating."

The woman dropped her head into her hands. "Fuck! My problem isn't even a real problem! Like there are people who have no homes, no jobs, no food... and here I am, moaning about this shit. This is so pathetic. I am so pathetic! I have a roof over my head, food on my table, a stable job, a loving family and friends... this is so fucking minor!"

"Hey, hey, you're not pathetic, okay? This is not pathetic. Your feelings are valid, okay?" Karl assured, patting her back. "We're here for you. You have our support as you go through this."

"Thanks, you guys." Cassandra sniffed, brushing her hair aside.

"Okay, I think it's time we call it a night." announced Wong, getting up from his seat. He then snatched the glass of Whiskey Cassandra was about to drink.

"Hey!"

"No more alcohol for you, Cass. You know you have a low alcohol tolerance. Plus, we need to be up early tomorrow."

Cassandra pouted, glancing at Karl, wordlessly asking for help. He shook his head.

"Wong's right. I also don't want you dealing with a hangover while we're teaching."

With a heavy sigh, the sorceress nodded and followed her two friends, arranging their things, and going back inside the temple. Mellow, Cassandra wrapped her arm around Wong's shoulder and started singing. "I want to break free!" She caroled. "Come on, Wong! We use to belt out to this iconic song!"

Wong laughed and together, they sang, "I want to break free from your lies! You're so self-satisfied, I don't need you! I got to break free! God knows! God knows, I want to break free!"

This time, it was Cassandra who stepped forward and threw her arms to the side, acting as if she owned the corridor they were passing through. "I've fallen in love! I've fallen in love for the first time, and this time I know it's for real -- "

"Oh, nice live concert."

"Strange!"

"Ancient One!"

"Shoot!"

The woman scrambled to get between Wong and Karl, straightening her posture and fixing her slightly disheveled hair. It was as if her senses just went back in a snap because she was suddenly sober, her eyes wide open.

"How... interesting." observed the Sorcerer Supreme, the corners of her lips tugging upwards. She was standing beside Stephen in her yellow robes and was currently holding an ancient tome. She handed the material to the neurosurgeon, her eyes narrowing at them.

"We can explain -- "

"What is there to explain, Master Mordo?" the Sorcerer Supreme interrupted, tilting her head. "You all had fun... well, Cassandra mostly enjoyed for sure. I can only hope you three didn't have too much. You are needed in tomorrow's quarterly gathering after all."

"Yes, Ancient One."

"Very well. Master Mordo, Master Wong, come with me." requested the Ancient One, clasping her hands behind her back. "I have something to discuss with the both of you. It's... urgent."

"I'm-I'm not needed?"

"No." the Sorcerer Supreme shook her head. "I'd prefer if you rest for now, Cassandra. Strange, kindly assist Master Mason to her room. I want to make sure she will be able to get there safe."

"If Cassandra permits it, of course, Ancient One."

Cassandra bit her bottom lip. "You don't need to help me, Strange. I'm-I'm okay on my own. I'll make it. I'm not really drunk."

"I insist, Cassandra. Strange..."

The woman mentally cursed as Karl and Wong followed the Ancient One, turning to a hallway, leaving her with Stephen, the reason for her frustration. "Look," she confronted. "I'm totally fine. I've done this before. I'm okay. I don't need your help."

"Are you -- "

"I said, I'm fine, Strange!" She snapped, moving around to pass by him. Though her steps were wobbly, she still made it through the hallway. "Go away!"

Cassandra simply focused on the dark double doors at the end of the hallway, pushing them open to get to the other building where her bedroom was in. She didn't hear any footsteps behind her and assumed Stephen went somewhere else as she drove him away. She didn't want to deal with him for now, not until she figures out what to do.

The young woman traveled by foot towards her destination. She glanced around the hall and could see the ceiling lights reflecting strange shadows on the walls. Cassandra felt a sudden chill sweep through her bones, like she was being watched. She began to feel a bit of anticipation, feeling like something will happen but she didn't know where or how or even what would happen.

"What the hell was in that drink?"

She hurried along, dashing past the antiques when the ceiling lights flickered once, twice before they all went out, leaving her engulfed in pitch darkness.

Darkness.

Her greatest fear.

"Shit!"

A cold wave embalmed her as the hairs rose on the back of her neck and her mouth ran dry. Cassandra feared the darkness for it leaves her vulnerable and exposed, unable to spot any threats that may be lurking nearby and because she had encountered a powerful entity there once. She was a freshman when her classmates decided to play a prank on her by locking her in the girl's bathroom and turning off the lights. Her Sling Ring was in her backpack and she had no idea how to get out.

That's when she met the entity whose name until now she feared. It pushed her astral form outside of her physical body to absorb it and gain strength.

Fortunately, for her, the Ancient One heard her screams in the astral plane and came to her rescue, but she was never the same again after that.

Cassandra's senses were now alert, but fear crippled her entire body and mind. She traced a pattern through the air to conjure a mandala, hoping that it may shed light on the cold, dark hallway when she heard a sinister sound echo behind her.

That's when she knew she lost her mind. Eerie sounds echoed loud and clear, as if they were pushing her down the hall. She felt her knees weaken beneath her, but she steadied her breathing and picked herself up. She gesticulated her arms, forming a bright mandala. Cassandra refused to give up. She would not let her fear incapacitate her. But, then the sound echoed again. She shivered and the tiny hairs on her skin rose. The young woman felt exposed, with no room to hide into, no stairs to take.

That's when two eyes opened up in the darkness, two dark and twisted eyes staring at her from it and her heart began to pound. She was paralyzed to the spot, the menacing aura holding her in a tightening grip. Her body felt frozen, her limbs numb and she could do nothing to turn away from the sight that was in front of me. But what made it worse, is that it smiled. It grinned a horrible toothy grin, it stared right at her with those teeth.

Cassandra didn't know what it was, she didn't want to know either. The woman desperately tried to look away but her eyes were plastered onto that horrific scene. She couldn't see its body if it had one, all she could see were those terrible eyes and teeth. The sorceress began to notice that the walls started to close in around her as she continued to stare. She heard a high pitched scream; she didn't realize it was her own until much later

"Get away from me!"

She conjured the Ruby Rings of Raggador and hurled them simultaneously at the sight in front of her to no avail. It only crept closer and terror sucked the very breath from her mouth.

"Cassie!"

"Stephen!"

Not even a second later, his warm arms wrapped around her shoulders, spinning her around and pulling her to his chest. He repeatedly chanted her name, his hands brushing her hair aside. She was sweating profusely, her teeth chattering in fear. Cassandra didn't know what happened next after that, but she knew she was safe now.

"Don't-don't leave me here. Please, get me out of here." cried Cassandra, sobbing in his chest.

"I will, sweetheart. I will. I will never leave you. Never."

alright, tell me ur thoughts! love y'all! grace by lewis capaldi i think really fits this chapter!! and i marked this book with mature content because i might include sumthn mature lol-