#muliverse

    Stephen was never one to outwardly show his emotions, even to his own daughter. Before her mother passed, she would always tell her daughter that the only time she's seen Stephen cry was the day Stella was born. He cried for nearly six hours, almost refusing to let the little babe go because she meant so much to him at less than a day old. Stella never heard him say 'I love you', but always showed it. He would attend every dance concert, every project fair, every career day, and every meaningless meeting to show Stella he loved her. Even as the Avengers grew and the threats became often, Stephen would protect Stella above all else. Their love for one another was unbreakable and unspoken.

    The reminiscing had Stella seeing things, like her father's red cloak dipping around the corner ahead of her. She shakes her head free of these thoughts. It was only someone grieving their hero. Pasco pulls gently on the leash, yipping in excitement as he does when he sees a squirrel. "Pasco, the squirrels don't want to play today," Stella sighs, trying to keep the excited pup under control. The more she pulled, the more Pasco did until, eventually, the leash broke and flew back, almost hitting Stella in the nose. Pasco runs down the street, turning the corner where the cloak disappeared quicker than Stella can yell his name.

    Stella pushes through the few people walking her way as she screams for Pasco to come back. He was usually such a well-behaved dog; she had no idea what got into him to cause such a fuss. "Pasco!" She yells, spinning in circles on the cement, looking for her now missing dog. He was the only thing she had left from her family.

    There were two other people on the street that Stella could spot, one of which was dressed as her father. It felt a little disrespectful to her, people dressing as her father to mourn every year, but she wasn't going to make a fuss after all these years. "Excuse me?" She calls, running up to them.

    The facial hair was what caused Stella to pause on a dime. It was perfect. The hairs flowed naturally as if he'd grown the goatee himself. His eyes didn't sparkle the way Stella remembered, and his lips curled in disgust as Pasco continued to lick the man's face. It was terrifying, almost like looking at a zombie. A dead man walking.

    "This your dog, ma'am?" The man asks, trying to hand the wild dog to his rightful owner. Stella nods quietly, looking over the man's face for any flaws. Any evidence that it was only realistic makeup. "Got to keep an eye on those wily white dogs," He chuckles as Pasco wiggles in Stella's arms, trying to get back to the stranger.

    "Who are you?" Stella asks, voice low and afraid of the answer. The multiverse was rumored to be true, but her father wasn't dumb enough to mess around in it. Would he?

    "Doctor Steve Strange," He introduces, holding out a hand in greeting. "And you?" Stella's nose burns and vision blurs as the tears pour out of her eyes freely. Pasco's feet hit the pavement gently before Stella pulls the man into a tight hug.

    "I hate you," She sobs, clutching the shirt of the other Stephen. "I missed you so much." Stephen gently pats her back before pushing her away lightly.

    "Do I know you?" He asks, one eyebrow raised. Stella nods and wipes her eyes and nose on her sleeve quickly. The emotions of this being a real version of Stephen had her acting before thinking. She missed her dad so much that she'd hug a random stranger.

    "Other you did," Stella starts to explain. Stephen looks over at the girl standing awkwardly next to him.

    "Other me?" Stephen asks again, eyebrow still raised. "You know of the multiverse?" Stella nods, wiping her face again.

    "It was a rumored here, and Dad put so much research into it," Stella pauses a second, rattled with grief at what she's about to say. "But he died before he could finish anything. Is that why you guys are here?" Stephen nods, eagerness falling upon his face as he had finally found someone to help them get out of this universe and back to his.

    "You said you knew the other me. Was he an assistant to your father? Where could we find him? Me?" Stephen stumbles over the words, confused by the slang to use in this case.

    "I can show you where to find you, him, but I'm not sure it's going to be very helpful," Stella states with a slight, sad shrug. Pasco claws gently at her leg and lets her lift him into her arms. He licks away her tears gently, making her chuckle. "You see, Stephen Strange in this universe... was my dad. And my dad sacrificed himself six years today to save the rest of the universe from Dormammu," Stella trails off, tears escaping her eyes once again. Stephen sighs and lays a comforting hand on her shoulder.

    "I'm sorry to hear that, kid." Stella shrugs and wipes her tears again.

    "It's fine, death happens. I still have the Sanctum Sanctorum family and most of the Avengers," Stella explains. "Tony's actually having a get-together tonight for everyone and making me go," She rolls her eyes. "He refuses to leave me alone on the anniversary." Stephen nods, keeping his hand on her shoulder. "Anyways," She shifts, straightening her back. "What do you need help with?"

    After Strange explained his and America Chavez's predicament, Stella knew what to do. She leads them to the Sanctum and sneaks them inside, towards her dad's old room. Wong agreed not to touch a thing in that room until she was ready. Even after six years, it was nearly impossible to step inside. But she'd do what she had to, to save her other father. It was weird to think about, so Stella didn't overthink it as she rifled through her dad's stuff.

    America and Other Stephen helped, being gentle and putting things back where they belonged. Stephen stops short at his counterpart's bedside, picking a dusty framed picture. The old wooden frame was decorated in shells and glitter, too crafty to be store-bought but better than a child's hand. Inside the glass was a yellowing picture of Dad Stephen and Stella pressed cheek to cheek in front of their sand castle on the beach. Stella looked no older than thirteen in the picture, eyes bright with wonder and love, while Stephen looked loose and relaxed. Something this Stephen hasn't felt for as long as he can remember.

    "That was one of our last trips before he passed," Stella explained from across the room. The lack of shuffling caused her to look up. "About five years before," She explains as she gently holds the picture she took from Stephen. "I made the frame and everything for that following father's day." Her voice is low, heavy with such sadness Stephen's heart broke for her. He knows why Other Stephen did what he did, and maybe he would do the same thing. But seeing how broken it left his daughter nearly a decade later, he regretted that decision on the other's behalf. How could he leave such a loving daughter?

    "I'm sorry for your loss," Stephen says again. What are you supposed to say to your daughter, who's not really your kid? "How old were you?"

    "Here?" Stella asks as she gently runs a finger over her dad's face. "Fifteen. Twenty when he.." She stops. This was the most she's talked about her father's passing. It was both releasing and added to her grief. It was also awkward talking about Stephen's death with him beside her. "He was so proud of this stupid castle," She laughs with a shake of her head, remembering how he asked a stranger to take a picture of the two. Tears fill her eyes again as she continues talking. "This was after one of the most complicated surgeries he did.

"Sixteen hours, only to go back again not an hour later for another twenty. He decided he needed a break. Took me to a beach house, and we stayed an entire week. Didn't have a care in the world except to relax and spend time together. It was the best week of my life," She finishes. Setting the picture back in its rightful spot, Stella wipes her tears again. "Jesus, I can't stop crying," She laughs awkwardly. Stephen rubs her back and gives her, what he hoped was, is a reassuring smile.

    "You're a good kid, Stella. He'd be proud of you." Stella nods and walks away, wiping the new set of tears before they can fall. America finds the folder they were looking for not too long after, giving Stella something to focus on besides the growing grief filling her at the thought of losing the other version of her father.

    She knew this Stephen wasn't her father, but he felt so much like him. The same chuckle, smile, hands. Even the same frame. It was hard to admit that this Stephen was almost a carbon copy of her dad. Which meant it would be just as hard letting this one go too. Knowing he was out there, somewhere, thinking of her too. It was once something that gave her hope, but now that she had it confirmed, it nearly wrecked her. In another universe, she and Stephen were happy, together, and still at that beach house, having the week of their lives.

    The lab at Stark Tower was beyond anything Stephen had witnessed in his universe. It was bounds and leaps ahead of the Avenger's facility in his. Maybe, if his Tony were still alive, it would be similar. He wandered around slowly, looking at all the futuristic machines before his eyes landed on Stella.

    Stella is hunched over a machine, glasses low on her nose as her eyebrows knit together in concentration. Stephen can see the similarity. She had his bushy eyebrows, his ears, and when her hair was pulled up the way it was now, a small streak of silver on the nape of her neck. He never thought about that being genetic; he chalked it up to the stress he was under his whole life.

    Sparks start to form in the air above the lifted plate in the center of the room. Stella mumbles under her breath as she watches with bated breath. "C'mon, c'mon, c'mon," She continues, crossing her fingers. Stephen stopped watching the machine and looked at her. She acted so much like him without even knowing it. Stephen was never for luck. He worked for everything in his life and everything he's done to save people. Of course, he'd never tell anyone, but he'd cross his fingers every now and then for that extra bit of luck.

    A blue glow casts over Stella's face, which quickly turns from worry to happiness. "Oh my God," She laughs, pulling her glasses from her face. "Oh my God, he was right. He did it. Dad fucking did it." Stella rests her hands on the top of her head, smiling widely at the opened portal. She had finally finished her dad's work and got a tiny bit of closure.

   Stephen glances between the portal and Stella, a heavy weight on his shoulders. On the other side of that portal is a world without Stella, without the daughter he never knew he wanted. He'd only known her for a few hours now, but the thought of leaving her again weighed him down severely. So severely, he couldn't move as the lab doors opened, and a young teen rushed inside.

    The boy stops in his tracks as he sees the glowing circle and two strangers with Stella. "Woah," is all that comes out of his mouth before he looks at Stella. "You're not supposed to be here yet," He mentions.

    "I know, Pete, I know. I had to help some friends get home," Stella explains quickly, walking up to the boy and holding his shoulders tightly. "You cannot tell anyone I was here, okay? This has to stay between us." Peter nods quickly, still not understanding what's happening.

    "Okay, but why?" Stella sighs and glances at Stephen.

    "These guys aren't supposed to be here," She starts.

    "Are they bad guys? Are you in trouble because I can help if you are," Peter starts, puffing out his chest to look stronger.

    "No, Peter, they're good guys. They're just in the wrong universe." Peter's eyes nearly bulged out of his head as his brain tried to comprehend what he had just heard. He stumbles over his words, not stringing together a single comprehensive sentence before Stella shakes him slightly.

    "It's real?" He asks, eyes wide as he looks over at Stephen and America. He wiggles out of Stella's grip and rushes in front of Stephen. "What's it like? How's your world different? Does it hurt? Which world do you like better? How did you get here?" Peter rambles before Stella spins him back around to look at her.

    "Peter, shut up," She chuckles lightly. "It's all very amazing stuff, yes. But their world is in danger, and they need to get home as soon as possible. I'll explain everything when they're there safely, okay?" Peter nods silently. "Okay." She looks over at the pair preparing to leave.

    "It should be set to the right universe and time. I used Tony's time travel machine and made a few modifications. It should allow you passage both ways until we get to the right universe, like a Monster's Inc door situation." Peter giggles at the comparison. "If you're not back through in five minutes, I'm going assume you're in the right world and close it, okay?" Stella asks, mainly directed towards Stephen. It was still hard not to see her father in him. America nods and looks up at the older man, who nods along.

    "If we don't see you again, thanks for everything, Stella," Stephen says, pulling the girl into a firm hug. Stella melts into it for a minute, savoring the feeling of her dad in her arms again. "You're a bright kid. I'm proud of you, so I know he would be too," He continues, hugging Stella harder and pressing his cheek into her hair, the way her own dad used to. "You're a good person." Finally, he finishes and pulls away, the glossy look in her eyes making his heartbreak. He couldn't leave her all alone again. He had to, though.

    America was the first to step through, followed closely by Stephen, who throws one last loving look at Stella before disappearing into the blue portal. Peter steps up right next to Stella and looks at her, breathing excitedly as he waits for her to stop looking and start talking. However, Stella couldn't tear her eyes away, hoping they would return. Hoping she got it all wrong and they'd come back, and she'd have more time with the man who could be her dad. Unfortunately, no such luck came after a minute.

    As Stella explained everything she could to Peter, who sat on the edge of his chair, she continued to glance at the portal at any movement or noise. She willed them to come back, take her with them or stay with her. She'd known them for only a few hours, but the bond between Stephen and her was already stronger than most of her other relationships with people she's known for much longer. It was organic and naturally flowing. Like they'd known each other all her life. It felt as if she'd lost her father twice in six years.

    The buzzing came first, then the sparks, causing Peter and Stell to jump at the ready. Stella's hand hovered over the abort button, ready to close the portal to stop whoever it was from entering. Peter and Stella wait anxiously, waiting to see if it was America or Stephan coming back for help.

Finally, Stephen's head popped through, looking for Stella as she stood behind the desk with Peter. Her hand moves away from the button, sighing in relief that it was only Stephen. "Stella," He asks as he walks all the way through. She nods for him to continue, worried something terrible happened and he needed her help. "I was thinking, and this world seems awfully drab to live in by yourself." He starts drawing out what he wants to ask. It wasn't exactly normal to ask your alternate self's daughter to join you in another universe.

    "It is pretty drab-y here," Stella replies with a  smirk, hoping he was going where she thought it was going.

    "How about you come with me?" Stephen asks, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. "I have the New York Sanctum, we don't have the Avengers, but I can fill you in on all that," He waves off that last statement. "We have beaches and everything," Stephen rambles. He hoped she'd say yes. His heart hurt without her, even if he barely knew her. She was the daughter he never had but always wanted. Stephen couldn't let her go that easily. "So, what do you say?"

    Stella runs around the computer counter and jumps into Stephen's arms happily. "I was hoping you would ask. I know this isn't conventional, but you're so much like my dad, and I couldn't bear to lose you too," Stella nearly sobs with happiness.

    Pasco, who had been sleeping soundlessly under the desk while Stella worked, caused Peter to jump in fright as he barked and ran up to Stephen and Stella. It was like he knew what was going on and wanted to join.

    Stephen grabs Stella's hand after she scoops up her dog and smiles down at her. "Ready, kid?"

    "Ready, Stephen," She replies, walking up the metal steps towards the portal.

    "You can call me Dad whenever you're ready," Stephen adds with a small smile, as if embarrassed but wanting to be called that.

    "Some day soon, I hope." Stella looks over at the bewildered Peter. This was all happening so fast in front of him. One minute he's learning about the multiverse, and the next, his 'aunt' is walking through it with her 'dad.' "Take care of Tony, okay, kid? And tell Wong he can dust my dad's room finally." Peter nods silently, still in shock. "I'll see you around, okay? Be good until I get back," She winks at the boy.

    "Bye, Stella," Peter says with a wave as he watches her step into the alternate universe with Stephen. He blinks a few times before shutting power to the machine and walking out as casually as possible. It was too much to comprehend at the moment.

_____

    "Where the hell is she?" Tony Stark grumbles as he pours another glass of whiskey. "She wasn't at home or his gravesite, so where the hell is she?" He was starting to worry about the young woman.

    "Ever thought she'd want to be alone today?" Steve Rogers asks, taking a sip of his bourbon. Tony settles him with a glare.

     "Of course, she would. That's why she can't be. We all need to be around people when we grieve." Peter hides his knowing smirk behind his glass of soda. "You got something to say, kid?" Tony remarks, seeing the look Peter miserably failed to hide.

    "Stella just wants you to know she's safe and happy. And she won't be around for a while."

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