PG13

(Not all chapters are ;))

I lift my head from the rushing water of the polished tap, and wave my hand over the top of it to shut it off. Being from the rural midwest, I'm not much for the modern tech Stark brought to every corner of the world. I'm used to stiff handles and rusty water, but that's besides the point. I reach to the left for the face towel, now knowing the difference, courtesy of the random businessman in the lobby. I wipe off my face, and stare at myself in the mirror, admiring the fact that I, Y/N, am staying in one of the many, many Stark hotels, specifically in Kīlauea, Hawaii. I really had no idea where I was until I looked it up on Google Maps, but it really is beautiful. The bathroom is mostly white, with a transparent piece of glass separating the bathroom from the room itself, for couples with no concept of privacy. It does have a shade you can slide in front of it, but the thought of having someone wanting to watch me shower confused me. I adjust my shirt, and wipe off my bottoms before entering the bedroom again.

It's yet again, mostly white, with tasteful monstera and hibiscus plants dotted around the room. The bed is a California king, topped with a stuffed white comforter, with a palm-printed silk robe lying on the corner of the bed. On the back of it, a Stark Industries logo in an annoying attempt to brand the very people that stayed at their resort. I would say overpriced, but not for a bed that hovered above the ground, and moved at will when pushed around. In the middle of the room was a glass table with a bowl of native fruits, and lava rock pebbles providing a base for said-fruit. On the left wall, the exceptionally large television sat, and under it, a white, sleek horizontal refrigerator. I place my hand on the top of it, and the material turns transparent, showing what's inside. There's bottled smoothies, water, and something called Li Hing Mui sauce. Like most resorts in Hawaii, there's a set of sliding doors facing out towards the ocean. Although, there's no handle. I stand for a second, trying to figure out the puzzle I've found myself in the middle of. My eyes light up.

"Alexa? No, wait-- computer thing?" I ask, looking around. The television lights up blue, with a surprisingly simple avatar as a face. It presents itself as a colon and a right-sided parentheses. I let out a little chuckle.

"Is there something I can help you with, Y/N?" The voice is light, and somehow firm.

"Yeah. . ." I gesture towards the doors.

The computer's face changes into a colon with the letter 'D', and slides open the doors. "If you need anything else, my name is Little Jarvis, but you're welcome to call me Jarvis." The TV shuts off quickly, and I step out onto the deck, taking in a deep breath of the salty air. I can see the faint smoke of a semi-active lava spot about a mile away off the coast of a cliff. It doesn't worry me, though. The volcano itself is much farther away. I sit down in one of the chairs, attempting to take in the relaxing aura of the resort, when my cell phone starts ringing. I stiffen up before stuffing my hand into my pocket, and pull it out. The phone is lit up with my friend's contact name, Y/F/N. I sigh and press 'answer'.

"Heyyyy kid! How's it goin' down in Honolulu?" Y/F/N asks enthusiastically.

My face falls. "It's Kīlauea, dumbass. It was your ticket you won, you should know." I huff.

"I haven't got time for that stuff anymore. With the new baby and all. It's also supposed to be a company-paid trip, and you know me. Can't stand the Stark guy. Let alone stay in one of his hotels." They begin to go on a rant, but you stop them before they spiral.

"I know about your capitalistic feud with Stark Industries." I laugh.

"Yeah, yeah. But really, how is it?" They ask.

I begin to answer when I notice a dark gray bundle of clouds in the sky appear, moving in quite quickly over the resort. I stand up, and look closer. During the silence and my friend ushering me to answer, I drop my phone when the smoky rocks explode, tumbling down into the ocean. Frozen with fear, I do nothing but watch.

Lava begins pouring into the ocean, and I watch someone appear seemingly out of nowhere. A monk? Martial arts specialist? No idea. And then, to make matters more like an acid trip, the lava that's falling into the sea crawls on the surface of the water like fiery roots of a hell-tree, and plummets into the water, forming into a hot, fiery portal of death. Another man rises from the portal, and raises his arms. Before I can scream, I'm yanked inside by my ankle, courtesy of Jarvis. The doors shut, and a metal barrier encloses itself around the edges. I spin around, and watch the TV blink on, showing the local news channel. The announcer narrates the obvious situation.

"--Strange attempts to defeat the uprising villain of the United States. Aed, the seemingly undefeatable character from the newest of criminals, currently number two on America's Top Ten Most Wanted." Who's number one? "Oh, look now! Strange is attempting to send Aed through the portal he's created!"

I breathlessly sit down onto the edge of the bed, leaning forwards so I'm closer to the TV. I've seen these types of fights on the news before, but I've never been so close to one.

I shake myself out of my trance, and clear my throat. "Jarvis?"

Jarvis appears on the screen. "Yes, Y/N?"

"Can you turn off the TV? I think I'm gonna get dressed and go downstairs." I pull off my shirt, and drop my bottoms.

Getting dressed in my most fabulous 'don't worry that I'm drinking at three p.m.' outfit, I actually seem to forget about what was happening outside for a little while.

Jarvis unlocks the door for me, and I'm on my way.

Downstairs, there's now a camera crew and mob of people smashed up against the glass and doors. I squeeze past the people and seat myself at the bar. I order one (favorite drink) and keep to myself, watching the crowd out of the corner of my eye.

The crowd roars as the doors swing open. In walks the very man who sent Aed back to hell. As impressed as I am, I'm also a little pissed now that even the bar would be swarmed.

The bartender slides me another drink. The bartender being a little Jarvis on a blocky, wheeled stand. "On the house." It gives it's best smile.

I nod, and look back at the crowd once more. The guy's signing things and taking pictures now. I roll my eyes, and turn back to the bar.

Jarvis deposits a bowl of snack mix near me, and I grab a few things to snack on. I might as well leave after this drink. After a few minutes, I reach the bottom of my glass, and push it away. I turn around, about to stand, when a strong hand rests on the bar. I follow the handsome-yet-scarred hands, muscular forearms, and padded shoulders up to a very-- oh. My intrigued gaze flattens, and I let out a disappointed sigh.

"Another drink for--" He looks down at me. "I never got your name." A small grin lifts the corners of his mouth.

"That's because we just met." I deadpan. "I naturally assumed most of the Avengers besides Thor were of average intelligence."

He pauses for a second, before sitting down next to me. "Let's restart. I'm Steven Strange-- Doctor Steven Strange."

"Who are you?"

His jaw tightens. He blinks a few times. "I'm the one who just defeated someone who could have ended the world."

"I knew that. There's like a hundred Avengers." I think for a second. My face lights up, and he leans back, looking victorious. "You're the magic one, aren't you?"

His face falls, and I can see his cheeks redden. "I can see you'd like to be left alone."

I raise my hand to stop him. "Sorry. I get a little mean when I'm drinking. Erm--" I rub my cheeks, and take in a fresh breath of air. "That was cool, what you did out there."

Strange sinks back into his seat, looking a lot more comfortable. "Probably shouldn't buy you anymore, should I?" He chuckles.

"I'm not refusing." I grin. "I'm Y/N."

"Lovely name." He rests his left elbow on the bar, his chin settled in the nest of his palm. "So, how long are you staying here?"

"About two weeks. I got here this morning." I explain.

"Hawaii is beautiful, isn't it?" He smiles gently. "Have you been anywhere else?"

"Well, I'm from the midwest, so, no. Chicago, yeah, if that counts." I mask my embarrassment with a laugh.

Strange looks me up and down. "You look well-traveled." His tone is deep, and sultry.

I furrow my brow. "I look well-traveled. Thanks." I stand up, and slide Jarvis the money I owe for the first drink. I stumble a bit, and straighten myself out before heading back up to my room.

The sun is setting now. The TV says it's six PM, and looking out into the sunset, the sky is ablaze with warm colors, and lava is still pouring into the ocean just beneath it. The ocean has calmed down, and now just glitters with gold.

What a prick.