don’t go. // @lamespider, from here.
Stephen pauses, arms already through the sleeves of his shirt, and then chances a look over his shoulder. The way Peter looks at him-- every bit the kicked puppy, down to the jut of his bottom lip-- makes his eyes downright dangerous. He can't remember the last time anyone ever looked at him like that; the one night stands he had once upon a time only wanted him to stay for sex, not quality time, and it does something to his heart seeing Peter so innocent in his desire.
"I..." Part of him wishes his intimacy issues were the only problem here, but his choice of sex partner is an even bigger one: the longer he stays on Earth-120703, after all, the more he risks endangering the magical balance of the universe. Peter's world didn't even have a Stephen Strange to protect it to begin with.
Last night was meant to be their final meeting insofar as Stephen's cleansing of Peter's energies went. Peter was stable now, and the chances of him tearing little portals to Earth-616 on accident had gone down to zero. He'd be lying if he said he wouldn't miss the company-- there was something about Peter's down-on-his-luck existence that made him a little easier to deal with than the other one's happy ending of a life-- but bonds with someone from another Earth were untenable. The smart thing to do would be to exit Peter's life permanently. The smart thing to do would be to prevent the possibility of an Incursion.
So why, Stephen wonders, did he agree to being treated to pizza and beer last night?
I don't think that's a good idea would probably be the most pragmatic thing to say. Instead, Stephen pulls his shirt over his head and says, "You're going to have to come up with a really good reason for me to say 'yes' to that."
Convince me. Show me how much you want me around.
Fuck. He's pathetic, isn't he?
"You have until I lace my boots to make your case."