Who: Stephen Strange and T’Challa When: April, after Stephen gets the Infinity Stone Where: Stephen’s Place? Or Sanctum Sanctorum. Or wherever you can show off an Infinity stone and Thanos doesn’t show up What: Chatting, Doc Strange has an Infinity Stone Rating/Warnings: Low, just friends chatting Status: Complete.
T’Challa couldn’t believe it. The dreams actually had an Infinity Stone show up in this reality? He was both elated and worried. The concept that this world was just another parallel one to the dreams he had of an alternate life still seemed valid to him, but still, the fact the stone had shown up at all was incredible.
He parked his car outside Stephen’s home and strode up to the door. He knocked twice, firmly, so he was heard.
Stephen had opted to keep the stone secured at his home. It didn’t seem like the sort of thing one should keep in a space that often had a lot of activity, and, soon enough, he’d have a Sanctum Sanctorum in this world to match the one in his dreams. Until then, he’d keep a close eye on the stone.
The knock drew him to the door and he answered with a nod. “T’Challa, my friend. Come in, come in. It’s good to see you.”
T’Challa smiled and stepped inside. “It’s good to see you as well, Stephen. How are you?” he clapped a hand on his friend’s shoulder in greeting. It’d been a while since they’d gotten together, so it was nice to be in his company again.
“I’m as good as I always am.” Once T’Challa had stepped inside, Stephen shut the door. “Could I offer you something to drink? I’d hate to be a poor host. Sometimes I find myself wishing that Wong would show up and take the burden from me.” He smirked, glancing at his friend as they moved through the house.
T’Challa chuckled. “Sure, I could use something. I’m just grateful you don’t have that bizarre assortment of otherworldly foods, yet. If your stomach starts changing for that fare, I certainly hope Wong does show up or you might starve to death.” He teased.
“I have yet to become that much of my dream self,” Stephen quipped. He showed T’Challa into the kitchen, neat and tidy and unremarkable as far as the kitchen of a Sorcerer Supreme goes. In fact, the whole place is relatively normal and Stephen is beginning to find his surroundings dreary. He craves that bizarre and otherworldly lifestyle.
“Coffee? Tea? Something stronger?” “Coffee’s fine, thank you.” It was too early in the day for him to consider drinking. He looked all about him, as he realized this was the first time he’d been in Stephen’s home. Usually they met at Stephen’s store, or some place out to eat or drink, or at T’Challa’s. “I can’t believe I’ve known you for how many months and I’m only setting foot in here now.” He chuckled. “I clearly need to get out more.”
“Coffee it is.” Stephen laughed as he got his vacuum coffee maker and a cannister of beans, which he began to grind. “I suppose I’m something of a secretive person by nature. Not everyone is allowed inside my domain, you know.” He flashed T’Challa a joking smile. “Of course, my door is always open to you. I’ve actually found some properties to look into for my Sanctum Sanctorum.”
T’Challa returned the knowing smile, leaning against the counter as he watched Stephen make the coffee from scratch; the aroma of the freshly ground beans smelled amazing. He was going to have to start doing this instead of the lazy way out with a Keurig.
“Have you now? I’m sure they’ll hardly compare to Greenwich Village. The next time you go please let me know, I’d like to join you.”
“Oh, I doubt anything will ever quite compare to how it is in our dreams. But we do the best we can with what they give us. A few enchantments and one might hardly notice any difference at all.” T’Challa’s request kept the smile on Stephen’s lips. “I was thinking perhaps after summer is over, I might go back. Some universities want me to give a guest lecture so why not make a vacation of it.”
“No truer words have been spoken.” T'Challa smiled back. “I have to admit I have my moments of missing Wakanda.”
He cocked his head to the side a bit, an amused expression on his features. “New York is not exactly my idea of an ideal vacation spot. But I know how much you love the city.” T’Challa didn't care for the overcrowded streets, hordes of homeless (and those with signs pretending to be so), and all the noise, filth and traffic. He was grateful his trips to the UN were brief.
While they waited for the coffee he couldn't help wondering if one Infinity Stone showed up, if the rest might. And if so, would Thanos come looking for it? At least with one of them in Stephen’s guard, he knew it was safe, and that was good enough for him.