Chapter Text
Stephen Strange had a hard time watching things from the sidelines in any situation, but watching Christine Palmer getting married to Charlie was a completely different level. He stood in the sidelines for their vows, their first marital kiss, and during their first dance, sipping at his glass and flashing her a convincing smile whenever she looked over. She seemed to glance in his direction more times than he imagined she would, but he paid it no mind.
‘A big fan’? He thought to himself, repeating the words Christine had said to him regarding Charlie’s comments about her once lover. Stephen and Charlie had yet to speak to one another, and Stephen knew they should do it sooner rather than later if drinks were going to continue into the night. Christine asking him if he was happy before he had a lot to drink was safe, but once the drinks continued to flow, it wasn't. Sober Stephen could lie, drunk Stephen not so much. Thankfully, he had yet to lose his tolerance to the alcohol this evening.
He scowled to himself when he suddenly lost sight of her on the dance floor and brought his cocktail glass back to his lips, coughing against the rim of it when a tap on the shoulder startled him.
“Hey.” Christine smiled when he turned around.
“Hey.” Stephen smiled back after swallowing the liquid hard.
“Wanna dance?” Christine raised her eyebrows.
“Dance? With me?” Stephen laughed out his words.
“M’hm.” Christine crinkled her nose.
“Are you crazy?” He scowled, though segments of the smile still played on his lips.
“Maybe.” She shrugged, giggling, “Come on, come on!” She tugged on his arm, playfully pouting her lips, “You can't have come here for me and Charlie and not even attempt to do something I ask.”
“Alright, alright!” Stephen chuckled and finished what was in his glass before setting it down on a table and walking in the direction of where Christine was pulling his arm.
“You do know how to dance, don't you, Stephen?” Christine squinted her eyes, looking up at him.
“I... can't say I do.” Stephen shook his head, standing with his arms by his sides.
“Here,” She took his hands and placed them on her hips, “Like that.”
Stephen’s lips parted to speak but no sound came out, exhaling quietly instead as he blinked quickly to try and cover up the emotion that was beginning to fill them. He prayed that the material of her dress was thick enough that she wouldn't feel the trembling of his hands. His lip twitched as Christine placed her own hands on his shoulders, gazing up at him with a soft smile.
“Lucky you,” She crinkled her nose as the music dipped slightly, “A slow dance isn't exactly the most complex choreography.”
“Yep...” Stephen swallowed hard, hoping Christine didn't notice his ever growing sweaty palms upon her hips as he repeated in his head, ‘lucky me’.
“Are you enjoying the wedding?” Christine asked, looking up at him.
“Beautiful.” Stephen nodded, unsure of whether he meant the event itself or the woman who was involved that he was referring to.
“I do hope you invite me to yours.” She teased, squeezing his shoulders gently.
“O—Oh, of course!” Stephen chuckled out his words, “Top of the list.” He winked.
“I expect no less,” Christine giggled, “But... isn't the top of the list supposed to be the bride and groom?”
“It... well, yes.” Stephen shrugged, smiling awkwardly for a second, “I haven't been to many weddings.”
“What do you think of this one?” She lightly pressed her fingertips into his shoulders.
Stephen froze for a moment and absentmindedly allowed his eyes to dip to her lips as she parted them, finding himself holding onto her hips slightly tighter as he fell into a trance, his heartbeat raising.
“I—I think... that we should perhaps stop this little dance class before I start to receive death stares from your husband.” Stephen joked and let out a singular chuckle, attempting to change the conversation so that he wouldn't say what he was actually thinking while bringing his hands to his sides.
“Oh, he understands that we have a past, Stephen.” Christine shrugged, smiling reassuringly.
“I still think that, you know...” He fought with what to say in his head, knowing that in any other situation shared between them both he would solve this awkward silence with a kiss.
“I know, Stephen,” She smiled softly and brushed the back of her fingers against his cheek, “Thank you for coming, I really appreciate it.”
“You’re welc—” Stephen began before Charlie called over.
“Christine, the photos!” He gestured for her to go over to him.
“Coming!” Christine spoke back to him before turning to Stephen on her tip toes and gently pecking his cheek, “I’ll see you at the dinner, yeah?”
“Y—Yeah...” Stephen swallowed hard, praying that his cheeks hadn't turned as red as they felt, “Of course.” He spoke almost silently as she walked away.
He chewed his lip as he watched Christine walk back over to her husband and inhaled shakily when he saw them share a kiss and then walk away together holding hands. Shaking his head from his thoughts — or trying to, at least — he walked back to the bar, exhaling deeply as his gaze fell to the floor. He wanted nothing more than to have his hands upon her body — whether it was under the dress or on top of it, he didn't care. But Christine allowing him to hold her like that on her wedding day to a man that wasn't him created scenarios and cravings in his head that even surprised himself.