master-of-the-mystic-arts-inc

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1/18

Sometimes, I look at humanity and wonder if Thanos was right.

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Stephen was currently switching from feeding on this tense interaction to wishing things were normal semi-constantly, the two so close as his grip on Rogers only grew tighter. Try harder felt like a taunt, as if the sorcerer hadn't tried to purge the soldier from his thoughts, try to find someone different in a mass of dancing bodies. Every time, he could only see Steve's face in those strangers, every time, he leaves the interaction feeling hungered for Rogers.

Within a moment, that craving was fulfilled, Steve closing the small distance between the two. Stephen's eyes flickered close as he reciprocated, free hand dragging up Steve's back to pull him closer. In those moments, his headache dissipated and his heart soared.

Strange was the one to pull away from the kiss, eyes burning with a familiar intensity as he stayed close to the other. "You missed me." The sorcerer murmured with a little crooked grin. In his heart, he knew it to be true. "You miss me. C'mon, admit it." The man edged on, grip on Captain's collar loosening.

His ego was through the roof, thumb rubbing circles into Steve's back, smug look clear on his face.

" Well, isn't this a sight. Didn't think I'd find you wandering Central. "

A little grin found the sorcerer's lips. Stephen pleaded innocence, disregarding the fact he'd gone looking for Rogers, leading him to the vibrant park. These days, the Doctor needed a punching bag, and the do-good soldier checked all of Strange's boxes. "Captain." He nodded once in greeting.

It was cold. Which to Steve is apparently the perfect time to wear layers of clothes considering how he hated the harsh winter. Central Park was always his ideal place to stroll through, though the snow made it seem...less welcoming. But yet, there he was, sitting on a bench with a pen and small book in hand, small enough to fit in his pocket for drawing.

He couldn't help but sigh the moment he heard the voice- It was Stephen. He hated how he knew it was Stephen. His head tilted up in acknowledgement of Strange's presence, eyebrows raised.

“Strange.” He greeted, pocketing his book. “Are you stalking me again?”

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"Well, I find you interesting in many ways. The modern technology thing is more of a curiosity I've always wanted to ask you." Strange admitted with a flash of a sheepish grin. The mention of the universe and civilization internally brought his spirits a little lower, wondered if Rogers could feel the beginning of something dangerous. The incursion will destroy the complexity, destroy his knowledge, demolish the entire world as we know it. "I'll tell you a secret, yeah?" Stephen leaned forward, although it didn't do much- more for the effect than anything else.

"I wish I didn't. The universe is a terrifying place, Captain. The mystery is horrors, whether that's human cruelty or something beyond, there's always something." And maybe that something was sitting in the room with Steve, but that was besides the point.

The man chuckled, nodding in agreement. Tony would've dropped dead, and nobody wanted that. At least, the people in that living room. As Rogers continued, his eyes stayed steadily on the other, leaning his chin on his gloved knuckles. "I don't blame you.. it's harrowing, isn't it? Not even a decade ago, I couldn't imagine believing in what I do today.. and yet,"

Strange motioned to himself with his free hand. "I'm a sorcerer who's gone through the Multiverse." Sometimes, Stephen wished he could go back to being a surgeon; him being blissfully unaware of the world's being right up until the very end. Alas, saving the world helped more lives than being in the hospital did.

"Mm, I'm alright for now. Thank you though." The Doctor bowed his head in appreciation. "You're an interesting fellow too, you know. I've always wondered how you managed to adapt to modern technology."

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ooc; Stephen in the midst of a crashout

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At this point, the sorcerer was internally seething, trying his best to not let his rage show on his face. It all would feel fear-monger-ish, if not for the speaker being a legitimate God standing before him. The fact that the King Of Gods was right only made Stephen clench his teeth through his smug expression.

The offer to 'steer it back', Strange flashed a conflicted look. Was the God willing to draw the Darkhold out of him? It was the perfect offer, it would've gotten his life back into shape- and yet, hissing voices told him otherwise. A sense of protection for the dark energy fell upon the sorcerer before he could fully understand what was going on.

"Not a chance. Gods, you all are greedy. The world could've ended countless times, where was your help? You do not deserve this power, much less rid me of it." The Doctor pivoted on his heel then, creating a portal. Enough of this lunacy. "Fate can go to hell, along with your false prophecy. I can change my path without your help." All three eyes were open wide as Stephen stepped through the portal, and away from the God.

SORCERER SUPREME

MASTER OF THE SO CALLED

MYSTIC ARTS

PAH!

A CHILD'S ATTEMPT

AT TRUE POWER!

...BUT THERE IS SOMETHING

DEEPER

YOU CARRY A SHADOW ON YOUR SOUL

A SCAR FROM SOMETHING

THAT NO MORTAL SHOULD DALLY WITH

EVEN YOU, STRANGE

SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER

THAN BE TEMPTED BY THE

DARKHOLD

"How you manage to insult me so much within moments of greeting me is baffling." The sorcerer spatted plainly, piercing eyes glaring daggers at yet another God. At this point, Strange should get an award. "And I am perfectly capable of keeping the Darkhold's power safe. It wasn't for temptation sake, I just did what I had to, to save this world from the Scarlet Witch. Certainly you can understand a sacrifice."

[master-of-the-mystic-arts-inc]

muhammad fatchurofi

[master-of-the-mystic-arts-inc]

Sanctum Sanctorum Marvel Rivals ~ NetEase Games

[master-of-the-mystic-arts-inc]

A different me. Those words almost sent Strange off into a tisey right then and there, if not for the frantic stamping of a deep set anger that briefly coursed through his veins. Different? He was the result of loss after loss, all wrapped up nicely to look like savory wins. He couldn't help but to feel a jealousy for that version of himself, still well-rounded and kind. All he could do was snarl, lip curling.

"That Stephen was a coward, a man without the guts to be a true hero." The last word felt bitter in the sorcerer's mouth, as if even he couldn't believe himself. The fight briefly flickered out of his eyes as Rogers spoke once more, blue eyes gazing at the man. Only for a moment, before he felt a dark spiral filled his thoughts, and he was grabbing Steve by the collar before he could process his actions.

"You don't think I've tried, Captain?" Strange spat, feeling that headache return to him. "I can't help it, you're so easy to anger, to push your buttons. It's addicting, Rogers." The sorcerer was so close, Steve smelt like home and Stephen couldn't have him- truly infuriating stuff.

" Well, isn't this a sight. Didn't think I'd find you wandering Central. "

A little grin found the sorcerer's lips. Stephen pleaded innocence, disregarding the fact he'd gone looking for Rogers, leading him to the vibrant park. These days, the Doctor needed a punching bag, and the do-good soldier checked all of Strange's boxes. "Captain." He nodded once in greeting.

It was cold. Which to Steve is apparently the perfect time to wear layers of clothes considering how he hated the harsh winter. Central Park was always his ideal place to stroll through, though the snow made it seem...less welcoming. But yet, there he was, sitting on a bench with a pen and small book in hand, small enough to fit in his pocket for drawing.

He couldn't help but sigh the moment he heard the voice- It was Stephen. He hated how he knew it was Stephen. His head tilted up in acknowledgement of Strange's presence, eyebrows raised.

“Strange.” He greeted, pocketing his book. “Are you stalking me again?”

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Strange wished he could decipher why he was here again, why he was staring down at the soldier with such an emotion-clustered gaze. He missed him, but it was something more, deep rooted and carnal. Sometimes, his feet simply led him to the location.. sometimes it led Stephen right to Steve's door. Time and time again, he turned away. He didn't have the control to turn his heel today.

"You did. It was flattering, you know. You're talented for a soldier." The sorcerer mused, making no attempts to sit next to Rogers on the bench. Felt too close, too comfortable. He was practically eating the energy that the man's coldness gave him. "Sometimes, I just like to hear you talk about your talent. It's amusing."

Blue eyes drew down to the pen flying across the page. The skill radiated off of the Captain, like colorful bursts. "Curious, are you trying to ignore me?" Strange taunted, feeling his headache ebb away. "Years ago, I was the only thing you could see."

" Well, isn't this a sight. Didn't think I'd find you wandering Central. "

A little grin found the sorcerer's lips. Stephen pleaded innocence, disregarding the fact he'd gone looking for Rogers, leading him to the vibrant park. These days, the Doctor needed a punching bag, and the do-good soldier checked all of Strange's boxes. "Captain." He nodded once in greeting.

It was cold. Which to Steve is apparently the perfect time to wear layers of clothes considering how he hated the harsh winter. Central Park was always his ideal place to stroll through, though the snow made it seem...less welcoming. But yet, there he was, sitting on a bench with a pen and small book in hand, small enough to fit in his pocket for drawing.

He couldn't help but sigh the moment he heard the voice- It was Stephen. He hated how he knew it was Stephen. His head tilted up in acknowledgement of Strange's presence, eyebrows raised.

“Strange.” He greeted, pocketing his book. “Are you stalking me again?”

[master-of-the-mystic-arts-inc]

Strange eyed the small notebook curiously, feeling a bit of shock that the soldier actually had any hobbies. Honestly, the Doctor simply assumed he spent all his time training. As he heard the little sigh, Stephen couldn't help but to feel giddy- an emotion that he could cling to, able to ignore the way his head pounded. That was the goal after all, the sorcerer couldn't possibly suffer alone.

"Stalking is such a harsh term, don't you think? Purely coincidental." Though, something about the way he was leering at Rogers told his lie. The sorcerer loomed over the sitting man; there was this certain oddness about him. It almost seemed uncanny. Needless to say, Strange had a couple of rough days.

"Is it for journalism or art?" He queried, referring to the book.

" Well, isn't this a sight. Didn't think I'd find you wandering Central. "

A little grin found the sorcerer's lips. Stephen pleaded innocence, disregarding the fact he'd gone looking for Rogers, leading him to the vibrant park. These days, the Doctor needed a punching bag, and the do-good soldier checked all of Strange's boxes. "Captain." He nodded once in greeting.

It was cold. Which to Steve is apparently the perfect time to wear layers of clothes considering how he hated the harsh winter. Central Park was always his ideal place to stroll through, though the snow made it seem...less welcoming. But yet, there he was, sitting on a bench with a pen and small book in hand, small enough to fit in his pocket for drawing.

He couldn't help but sigh the moment he heard the voice- It was Stephen. He hated how he knew it was Stephen. His head tilted up in acknowledgement of Strange's presence, eyebrows raised.

“Strange.” He greeted, pocketing his book. “Are you stalking me again?”

[master-of-the-mystic-arts-inc]

The man chuckled, nodding in agreement. Tony would've dropped dead, and nobody wanted that. At least, the people in that living room. As Rogers continued, his eyes stayed steadily on the other, leaning his chin on his gloved knuckles. "I don't blame you.. it's harrowing, isn't it? Not even a decade ago, I couldn't imagine believing in what I do today.. and yet,"

Strange motioned to himself with his free hand. "I'm a sorcerer who's gone through the Multiverse." Sometimes, Stephen wished he could go back to being a surgeon; him being blissfully unaware of the world's being right up until the very end. Alas, saving the world helped more lives than being in the hospital did.

"Mm, I'm alright for now. Thank you though." The Doctor bowed his head in appreciation. "You're an interesting fellow too, you know. I've always wondered how you managed to adapt to modern technology."

The brunet listened attentively to Rogers. It was pleasant, having words he enjoyed filling his mind- rather than the sinister latter. A warmth filled his chest as Strange was given full permission to visit, nodding once with a look of appreciation. He was a silent listener, using the time to sip on his tea, as Steve spoke of Bucky. From terrorist to Avenger? That's certainly a good change. The man internally remarked, eyebrows raising a tad in surprise. As the soldier went on to.. well, Stephen saw it as a grandiose way to compliment the man's brains, the sorcerer couldn't help but to snicker.

"Well, I'm flattered. And you're right, Stark would have a heart attack from an overinflated ego." And perhaps Strange was letting it get to his head, but he was a lot better at hiding it, letting Rogers continue on. It felt odd to be talked of so highly by a hero like Captain America. Then again, the two were seemingly on the same level.. perhaps Steve might've saved the world a couple more times, but who's counting? Nevertheless, a charming smile spread across his lips.

"It's been a journey. I spent my life wanting to help people, one way or another. Though, I will say.. magic is definitely an upgrade." Strange placed his now-finished cup on the table. "Excellent tea, by the way."

[master-of-the-mystic-arts-inc]

The brunet listened attentively to Rogers. It was pleasant, having words he enjoyed filling his mind- rather than the sinister latter. A warmth filled his chest as Strange was given full permission to visit, nodding once with a look of appreciation. He was a silent listener, using the time to sip on his tea, as Steve spoke of Bucky. From terrorist to Avenger? That's certainly a good change. The man internally remarked, eyebrows raising a tad in surprise. As the soldier went on to.. well, Stephen saw it as a grandiose way to compliment the man's brains, the sorcerer couldn't help but to snicker.

"Well, I'm flattered. And you're right, Stark would have a heart attack from an overinflated ego." And perhaps Strange was letting it get to his head, but he was a lot better at hiding it, letting Rogers continue on. It felt odd to be talked of so highly by a hero like Captain America. Then again, the two were seemingly on the same level.. perhaps Steve might've saved the world a couple more times, but who's counting? Nevertheless, a charming smile spread across his lips.

"It's been a journey. I spent my life wanting to help people, one way or another. Though, I will say.. magic is definitely an upgrade." Strange placed his now-finished cup on the table. "Excellent tea, by the way."

"It's actually one of the Sorcerer Supreme's favorite beverages."

The brunet bowed his head in a nod, feeling a little zap of relief that the other hadn't simply shut the door on his face. Stephen had always expected the reaction, as if the other somehow knew of his latest faults. Steve Rogers was a good man though, Strange knew that.

"Apologies for the sudden intrusion, by the way." The brunet wore a sheepish look. "We, ah, haven't really had much chance to speak yet. I'd like to change that." Strange decided to leave out the need the interaction to keep the Darkhold's urges at bay, didn't seem very casual to admit.

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Strange clenched his teeth behind the curl of his lips, feeling quite over being taunted by this deity. "I don't enjoy being berated, especially by something that knows nothing of me or my life. Or do you enjoy watching my struggle for fun?" The sorcerer practically hissed, feeling a sharp pain in the dead center of his forehead. "I am no mere mortal, and perhaps I have more self control than God's. Sorcery does things to a man, y'know." Stephen flashed a little grin, before continuing.

"Enjoy the show, it won't be very entertaining."

SORCERER SUPREME

MASTER OF THE SO CALLED

MYSTIC ARTS

PAH!

A CHILD'S ATTEMPT

AT TRUE POWER!

...BUT THERE IS SOMETHING

DEEPER

YOU CARRY A SHADOW ON YOUR SOUL

A SCAR FROM SOMETHING

THAT NO MORTAL SHOULD DALLY WITH

EVEN YOU, STRANGE

SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER

THAN BE TEMPTED BY THE

DARKHOLD

"How you manage to insult me so much within moments of greeting me is baffling." The sorcerer spatted plainly, piercing eyes glaring daggers at yet another God. At this point, Strange should get an award. "And I am perfectly capable of keeping the Darkhold's power safe. It wasn't for temptation sake, I just did what I had to, to save this world from the Scarlet Witch. Certainly you can understand a sacrifice."

[master-of-the-mystic-arts-inc]

ooc; what are these fucking ads man

[master-of-the-mystic-arts-inc]

[master-of-the-mystic-arts-inc]

@giftober 2024 + @mcuchallenge prompt Day 9: Numbers.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

[master-of-the-mystic-arts-inc]

SORCERER SUPREME

MASTER OF THE SO CALLED

MYSTIC ARTS

PAH!

A CHILD'S ATTEMPT

AT TRUE POWER!

...BUT THERE IS SOMETHING

DEEPER

YOU CARRY A SHADOW ON YOUR SOUL

A SCAR FROM SOMETHING

THAT NO MORTAL SHOULD DALLY WITH

EVEN YOU, STRANGE

SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER

THAN BE TEMPTED BY THE

DARKHOLD

"How you manage to insult me so much within moments of greeting me is baffling." The sorcerer spatted plainly, piercing eyes glaring daggers at yet another God. At this point, Strange should get an award. "And I am perfectly capable of keeping the Darkhold's power safe. It wasn't for temptation sake, I just did what I had to, to save this world from the Scarlet Witch. Certainly you can understand a sacrifice."