#insecure Stephen strange

[popcorn-plots]

angsty PalmerStrange smut with a/b/o dynamics? bottom Stephen Strange? Insecurities and unconditional love?

if you don't like it, then don't read it. if you do like it, enjoy! tissues will be provided ;)

[eviesaurusrex]

"ʏᴏᴜ ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴇʀꜰᴇᴄᴛ." | ꜱ. ꜱᴛʀᴀɴɢᴇ

Stephen Strange x Witch!Reader

summary: [request] How about strangexofc where they are dating and going to meet your family for the first time. But there’s an age gap and you’ve kinda been keeping your relationship a secret. Then you catch strange trying to dye his grey hair and stop him and tell him you love the grey and maybe show him how much you love him … 😈 Also like an epilogue of him meeting the fam and they love him??

word count: 3.3k

warnings: insecure!Stephen (and his showing clinginess and touch starved behavior), fluff, Wong being Wong, encouragement, smutty allusions but nothing graphic, more fluff, boyfriend!Stephen because yes, he is a warning, loving parents (we’ll see how I gonna suck at this part lol), more fluff, my inability to end fanfictions, not entirely proofread

author’s note: Another pretty old request! I’m not sure what today is all about, but I’m trying to work through those I deem interesting and fun xD Hope you enjoy it! The dividers belong to @enchanthings-a and @strangergraphics <3

The double door to the Sanctum Sanctorum opened with a swoosh of New Yorker winter air following the arriving woman; snow crystals dancing over the floor of the foyer and forming intricate details in the woman's braided strands. A shiver ran through her body for the hundreds of times this day, reminding her again that winter most definitely had arrived in her most loved city.

With a groan, YN shrugged off the heavy coat and shook it to deliberate it from the layer of frost, snow, and half-melted ice before hanging it on the detailed wooden clothes rack standing next to the doors. The frost-crusted scarf and beanie followed closely. Now, only armed with her trusty souvenir bags, which she had acquired in every city she had ever visited—it wasn't an obsession, nope—YN put the grand staircase behind her and entered the second floor. She turned right, followed the hallway, and let the bags pile onto the kitchen island after getting there. Wong turned at the sound—steaming cup in hand and letting another one appear in front of the frozen witch.

"I know again why you're my favorite sorcerer," the woman sighed, closing both hands around the warm mug, her eyes falling shut in a flutter as the warmth seeped into her skin. "Tell me that again when he is in the same room, and I'm tempted to believe it, Elsa." YN opened her eyes again and grinned over the mug at the older man, softly shrugging her shoulders and rolling her eyes. "The movie insults won't hurt me, Maui," she returned, winking at the sorcerer with a grin still on her lips. "And I will say it in front of him when he infuriates me again. Give us a few more weeks; the closer we get to Christmas, the more likely it will become."

She loved Stephen with all her heart and every fiber of her being, but this man never knew when to shut his mouth—especially if she was already stressed out because Christmas was a huge deal for her. She loved Christmas. She lived the Christmas season as soon as nasty Halloween lay behind humanity and Thanksgiving was finally coming up. But Christmas was also the most stressful season for her, and now, as part of the Avengers, it seemingly grew increasingly frustrating. YN never had to think about so many presents because before, it had always been only her parents, maybe some co-workers, and Stephen and Wong after the sorcerer had entered her life.

Speaking of which…

"I will keep that in mind," Wong said after taking a big sip of his tea. YN turned to see if Cloaky had already come floating through the hallway like it usually did as soon as she came home but was greeted by emptiness. "You don't know by any chance where he is?" The woman had turned back to him, but Wong couldn't even open his mouth because the sound of a portal interrupted them. They looked both in the direction of approaching steps, and Stephen appeared in the hallway, seemingly not expecting any of these two to see here. His brows knitted, and YN cocked an eyebrow at the sight of him trying to hide the paper bag from Target behind his long legs.

"What are you doing here? I thought you said something about errands." His voice held an edge to it she couldn't pinpoint, so YN's brow wandered up even further until it almost reached her hairline. "Well, I was done sooner than expected. But I can leave again if you prefer it that way." The witch had already turned to find her purse, not hearing as the paper bag dropped to the hardwood floor and Stephen's hurried steps came closer to her. His hands softly took hold of her shoulders before the Sorcerer Supreme snaked his arms around them and leaned his forehead on her right shoulder. "I didn't mean it like that. I'm sorry, darling," he whispered, not caring that Wong stood opposite them and chuckled behind his mug.

To be honest, the other sorcerer had seen much worse in the past one and three-quarter years ever since Stephen had brought his girl to the Sanctum. And yes, he counted the months since the woman in his arms had told him she loved and came home with him. He was the luckiest bastard on this damned planet after all.

Stephen pressed a soft kiss to YN's neck, tightening his hold. He could hear her sigh before she settled her back against his chest and caressed one of his hands with the tips of her fingers. The sorcerer closed his eyes at the feeling of her lips against his reachable temple and how she leaned her head against his. "Is everything okay?" Her soft voice asked, and Stephen nodded quickly, not wanting to let her into his head to see the boiling mess in there—she would probably laugh before running away, changing her mind over everything that concerned him and their relationship. He couldn't let that happen. Not so shortly after he had finally found the one woman who could keep up with him and who loved him with every single damned flaw he possessed. "You can talk to me, Stephen. Whatever might be bothering you, I am here to help. It's my job."

She meant every single word because YN knew how the man in her back tended to be as soon as he spiraled. And because she knew every single red flag, she was worried to her bones—his behavior right now was a single big, screaming red flag. But she also knew she couldn't push him, so she had to wait and sit this one out as long as it might take.

"I know, darling, but it's nothing." He grew silent for a moment before continuing. "Would you mind cooking alone? I… I need to check some books that arrived this morning from Kamar-Taj, and they can't wait until tomorrow." YN furrowed her forehead at the shakiness of his voice, his barely audible stutter, and counting more red flags. Even Wong seemed not convinced. But instead of calling Stephen out now and not in their bedroom later after dinner, the witch only turned in his tight grasp and cupped his cheeks with both hands. She smiled up at him. "Of course, love. Go and do your work. I will get you when dinner is ready. Mousse au chocolate for dessert, or does Doctor Strange prefer a chocolate cake tonight?" Stephen pressed a long, lingering kiss to her forehead. "Whatever Miss LN is up to tonight," he returned with a soft whisper, followed by another kiss on her head.

And then he disappeared upstairs—but not without the ominous paper bag.

YN turned to Wong with heavily furrowed brows and deep creases between them. "Something is wrong," both spoke in unison and sighed before they started to prepare dinner together, a heavy silence dominating the kitchen.

Knuckles knocked gently on the hardwood door leading to Stephen's study after almost two hours of cooking dinner—lasagna just like he loved the dish—and baking his favorite cake—chocolate, with a soft chocolate core. She even got him his favorite whiskey in preparation for a cozy night in front of the fireplace, with some of their favorite vinyl playing in the background.

At the silence greeting YN from the other side, even after another soft knock, she huffed and opened the door without another warning. "Stephen?" But the study wasn't even lit, and twilight was all the witch saw. The snow still fell in front of the massive windows leading to the nonetheless busy New Yorker streets, and curiosity got its best of her. So the woman wandered into the grant but still cozy-looking room and rounded the wooden desk. Her fingers stroked over the scattered books—some opened, others closed—and got a hold of an opened letter written by one of the masters back at Kamar-Taj, dated a week ago.

"Books my ass," the witch mumbled under her breath and left the study again after a last displeased look at the books Stephen most definitely had already worked through. She closed the door behind herself because she was taught to be a decent human and raised her right hand softly. YN tried to not get distracted by the ring Stephen had gifted her at their first anniversary—a promise to a future, as he had called it. But she couldn't admire the piece, not now. Now, she had a task to fulfill.

Her pointer and ring finger twitched, barely visible, and the warm-feeling magic glided almost gracefully through the hallway and highlighted a golden path leading upstairs to the second floor. The witch followed her conjured marks, not really having to pay close attention to them because now, she was sure where she would find her boyfriend in distress. And that's where the path brought her—right in front of the door to their shared bedroom. This time, YN didn't bother to knock. Instead, she pushed the wood open and was faced with twilight once more, but the golden gleam of the bathroom lighting drew her steps closer.

And what she saw there let her pause dead in her tracks.

Stephen stood in front of the mirror, only wearing his sweatpants, a towel hanging over his shoulders, and his left hand held a plastic bowl with something thickly dark inside. His right hand had a tight grip on a brush, typically used for hair accidents requiring a re-touch before an important occasion. Inside the sink laid an assortment of at-home hair coloring products, all ripped open, and the instructions scattered around the sink's edge—one was even taped to the mirror in front of him.

YN gently cleared her throat before Stephen could even think of smearing this stuff into his hair. "Would you mind telling me what you are trying to do, love?" She leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed in front of her chest, and eyes settled on his widening eyes before the sorcerer turned to his girlfriend—stupid contributors to his spiraling mind still in his hands. He looked from the brush and bowl to the woman he loved, the unpleasant smell of hair dye lingering in the air. "Would you believe me if I said nothing is happening right now?" Stephen had to try to lighten the mood a bit, at least, but YN couldn't have any of that. She pushed her body off the frame and walked over to him before taking both items out of his hands and placing them into the sink.

Her entire focus was settled on him.

"Did you try to dye your hair?" At the confused sound of her voice, Stephen only shrugged. "But why?" Another shrug followed, but because he didn't dare to look into her eyes, YN already guessed where his mind had wandered off. "Is this because we're gonna see my parents next weekend?" His heavy swallow was answer enough, and the witch couldn't hold back anymore. Her hands gently cupped his face, just like earlier, before her fingers carded through his salt-and-pepper hair. "Oh, Stephen…," she mumbled and pulled him closer until she could feel his hands resting on her hips. "I wanted… I… You…” His deep rumbling sigh was evidence enough for the woman to feel the boiling emotions running havoc in this usually composed man. "It's okay." She took one of his hands and pulled at it. "Come on, love," she encouraged him to follow her back into their bedroom.

YN's hand flicked to light up the many candles inside their room while she pushed Stephen to sit down at his bedside. She stayed in front of him, right between his thighs that spread to make space for her, and her hands were back on his handsome face, grounding him and clearing his mind at least a bit. He never knew if it was just inherently YN or her magic that pushed through to him. Either way, he didn't object in the slightest.

"Tell me what's going on in that brilliant mind of yours." She sounded as if she was begging, and maybe she was because YN had felt a pit forming in her stomach ever since seeing what Stephen tried to do. He started to play with the hem of her oversized hoodie—his Columbia University hoodie. "I tried to dye my grey spots to seem younger," the Sorcerer Supreme mumbled, ashamed to admit it out loud. YN stayed silent to give him enough space to sort through his thoughts and let them out in the open. It took a moment until he spoke again. "I never met parents before. I never had to think about how I appear in other's parent's eyes… All I can think about is how old I look and how old I am compared to you, and I thought that it might help my case in convincing your parents that I am good enough for their pride and joy if I dyed my hair to at least look somewhat your age." He sighed deeply and let his forehead fall against her chest, letting it rest there.

YN started to comb through his soft strands, staying quiet once more because she had never thought about what the question of whether Stephen wanted to come with her might do to him. She had only thought about the fact that this man was the one she wanted to spend the rest of her life with and how much she wanted her parents to meet this handsome, loving, and compassionate man she had stumbled upon—quite literally. The witch would've never suggested it in the first place if she knew what it would do to him, and now, guilt washed over her, but she had to take care of Stephen's spiraling mind before she could tend to her very own troublemaker up there.

Tenderly, she took his chin between her thumb and pointer finger and nudged Stephen's face up so he would look her right into her eyes. "You will listen to me now, love," YN started, and Stephen stared into her eyes, unmoving. "You are not old. We may have a slight age gap—but nothing as vast as you picture it—and yes, some may object to it, but not my parents. They are happy if I am happy, and I can tell you, I never was happier in my entire life. You make me the happiest and most content version of myself, Stephen, and this is all that matters." YN stopped to press a soft kiss to his forehead, easing his deep worry-wrinkles. "And now, to the one point I may never have made perfectly clear." Her voice dropped to a whisper, and the witch cupped his face again. "You will never touch those grey spots, do you understand?"

Stephen still stared at her, utter wonder written in his eyes and on his face, and his hands grabbed her hips to coax her into his lap. "Are you trying to tell me you secretly love them?" A grin tucked at YN's lips, and her eyes wandered over his grey strands, her fingers following close as they combed through them once more. "I think they make you incredibly hot and deadly handsome, love," she giggled before burrowing her fingers in the short hair at the nape of his neck. The sorcerer let out a raspy groan at the feeling of YN's nails scratching over the sensitive skin there. He cupped the side of her own neck with his much bigger hand, his thumb caressing her jawline slowly while his eyes took in the beauty that was her face. "Oh, really?" Stephen asked, almost teasingly, and pulled her closer to him until their chests were pressed against each other. YN nodded softly, a gasp leaving her parted lips, and a moan soon followed when Stephen dared to steal a deepening kiss from her. "Those spots make you appear like damned fine wine, aged into perfection and promising me the most perfect taste of summer, dreams, and sunsets. Don't you dare touch them as long as I am here," she whispered against his lips, drinking him in when the sorcerer kissed her once again, reveling in his taste and the feel of this man who had chosen her of all the women he could've selected from. "You are perfect just the way you are."

Stephen's hands gripped her hips in a tight, almost bruising hold and pulled the witch flush against him, tickling out yet another moan when their cores made contact. "You mean that?" He still felt insecure about this whole ordeal despite his mind slowly stopping to spiral out of control, but Stephen would be damned if he didn't ask for more reassurance, knowing well enough that YN would never hold back with it. The following smirk growing on her face? He did not expect that, nor what she had in mind for them, his eyes following her gorgeous body when she slowly sank down on her knees, right between his parting thighs.

"I have no qualms in proofing my words," the witch giggled in anticipation when the palm of her hands caressed his strong thighs, up and down, her eyes never leaving his. "When I'm done, there won't be a single lingering doubt, Stephen Strange, I promise you that."

—

And she would be correct.

"Stop fidgeting." Trying to soothe his over-worrying mind, YN smoothed out the lapels of his pristine coat as they stood in front of her parent's home in the dainty and quiet suburban around New York City. "Easier said than done," the sorcerer grumbled back and let her push back a salt-and-pepper strand, and after rising to her tiptoes, she pressed a gentle kiss to his cheek, leaving a faint mark of her lipstick on his skin. Humming, YN erased it with the pad of her thumb, perfectly timed with the sound of steps echoing behind the front door. "Everything will be fine, Stephen, believe me," she all had time but to whisper before the door opened and welcomed them with a wind of warm air.

Her mother smiled brightly as always when she took in her daughter, arms already wide open to gather her in a tight, motherly hug. "Oh, my sweet girl. Look at you." She held her at arm's length, eyes mapping and cataloging everything she could see under the thick coat and layers of fabrics. "How is it possible that you still turn prettier every time I see you again? It must be magic," Mrs. LN smiled widely, and YN pressed a loving kiss to her mother's cheek. "Oh, please. You over-exaggerate."

"She is right, darling," Stephen chimed in, his unoccupied hand finding the small of her back when he stepped closer. Her mother instantly took him in as well, eyes like a hawk observing its potential prey, but the hardness vanished as quickly as it had appeared, and her smile returned. "You must be Stephen. I've heard so much about you—welcome!" YN had already grabbed the transport box filled with chocolate cake, so they could shake hands, but instead, the Sorcerer Supreme found himself in a welcoming and tight hug, making YN giggle in delight. "Come in, come in! It's freezing out here."

They both got ushered into the warmth of her childhood home, and the sound of her father rummaging in the kitchen welcomed them as her mother accepted the cake and watched with a softening expression when Stephen gently helped her out of the cloak and kissed her cheek while doing so. "You two are just too sweet," the mother hummed, showing them to follow her.

YN gathered Stephen's hand in hers and squeezed it softly, her other hand naturally wrapping around his bicep. "See? I told you," she whispered as quietly as possible, letting one brow rise when the man beside her huffed. "I still need to survive the introduction to your father, sweetheart," he answered just as quietly when they arrived in the living space with the open kitchen and her father smiling warmly at them. "I think this will run smoother than you give yourself credit, love."

And again, she would be correct.

Thank you so much for reading! Please consider leaving a like, a comment, and a reblog. It would mean the world to me <33

[airas-story]

Thank you for your stories!

Prompt: Stephen is insecure, and things happen that make it worse. Finally, Tony catches on and does something to counteract.

(If only part of it fits into the drabble, that's still superb!)

Stephen stared up at the ceiling, the early morning light casting shadows around the room. Next to him, Tony breathed, slow and steady with sleep. Love curled in Stephen’s chest and with it...

Stephen wasn’t used to this. This twisting feeling in his chest as he looked at what he could offer and realized that it was simply… not enough. The thing was… he hadn’t realized he was in love with Christine until after they’d broken up. And, yes, he’d heard the whispers about whether he was capable of loving anyone but himself.

But he hadn’t cared, because… well, he hadn’t been trying to prove to anyone, not them, not Christine, not himself that he loved her. It wasn’t until it was over, not until he’d learned to see himself that he’d started to wonder… 

Now here he was, and he knew he loved Tony, but those whispers he’d ignored so easily then… they echoed in his ears: Stephen Strange, the man incapable of loving anyone other than himself.

He’d said the words last night, I love you.

Tony had laughed, kissing the words from Stephen’s lips and teasing, of course you do, you’re pleasure drunk.

In the aftermath, the words had curled ugly in Stephen’s chest. Because Tony didn’t believe him. Who would?

“You okay?” Tony’s asked, voice a low murmur, half asleep. “Shouldn’t be this tense this early in the morning.”

“I’m fine,” Stephen said. “Just… thinking.”

“Hmm.” Tony nuzzled his shoulder. “‘Bout what?”

How did Stephen answer that? “Love.”

Tony didn’t answer, immediately. Had he fallen asleep again? “Say it.”

Stephen frowned. “Say what?”

“Say you love me.”

“I love you,” Stephen whispered, ache in his chest, because how could Tony ever…

“I know.” Tony pressed a kiss to Stephen’s bare shoulder. “Trust me, Stephen. I know.”

[allthosepeopleilovetofangirlover]

Dating Stephen Strange Headcanons

Let's be real, this man is OBSESSED with you.

Stephen is the kind of guy who's either not into you at all or he's absolutely in love with you. There's no in between for him.

When you two got together, Stephen would follow you around, trying to see and remember basic things about you like your everyday habits, what you like and dislike. He did this because he wanted to know what would keep you happy and what wouldn't.

His love language is gift giving. Anytime if you even look at something and your eyes light up, he will remember what that was and will get it for you. No matter the cost.

You always reprimand him for buying something way too expensive for you, but all he replies with is : Darling, you're the most precious thing I have. This is the least I can do for you.

He's a hotshot surgeon, but he holds interest in nobody other than you. You're it for him.

You get jealous of women who tail him around, who can't get it in their heads that he's in a serious, committed relationship with you.

If you start doubting yourself and start feeling insecure, Stephen is always there to reassure you, calm you down, and doesn't even hesitate to show all those women that he belongs to you.

But he also doesn't hesitate to show other men that you belong to him.

Stephen is very possessive, and hates it when any other man gets too close to you. You're his, and no one else gets to be too close for comfort.

If he ever spots you laughing with someone, or talking to someone for too long, he'll try to revert your attention back to him.

God forbid, if he ever finds a man flirting with you or bothering you, his deadly glares with turn into violent punches.

He's also deadly protective, always touching you in some form at public events, and keeping an alert eye on your surroundings, searching if anyone is giving you unwanted attention.

Though you've told him dozens of times that you can protect yourself just fine, he's always unconvinced.

Though he doesn't underestimate you, he just wants to be a man who protects his lady.

He'll be hesitant to introduce to the fellow Avengers because he's worried that you'll be overwhelmed, but you insist that you'll be fine.

You constantly worry about his safety and well-being whenever he's on missions, that's something you cannot stop doing even after tons of reassuring from him.

He's arrogant, and has plenty of anger issues, but you motivate him to be a better person. And he likes it.

Your smile can melt his heart, and he'll keep the world at your feet if you just asked.

Despite being responsible and secretive about his powers, Stephen wouldn't hesitate to use them once in a while to make you feel happy.

You're a gem in Stephen's life, just like he is in yours. You're eternally grateful to have each other, and love each other unconditionally.

Masterlist

[bonniesfamiliar]

My reason for liking Gojohime (Gojo Satoru x Iori Utahime)

The main ship dynamic I’m obsessed with is “opposites attract” combined with banter. I love when two characters with completely different personalities, backgrounds, and worldviews come together, and the contrast sparks this kind of intense relationship dynamic. It’s not just about having differences; it’s about how those differences create tension, growth, and genuine connection.

In these kinds of ships, there’s always a push and pull—one character challenges the other, forces them to look at the world differently, and sometimes even changes how they approach their life. The tension makes for the best moments, but the growth makes these ships so rewarding.

Examples:

Bonnie Bennett x Damon Salvatore (The Vampire Diaries)

Bonnie is all heart, driven by love, family, and morality, while Damon is sarcastic, emotionally detached, and deeply cynical. Their constant bickering, where Bonnie calls out Damon’s worst qualities and Damon pushes Bonnie to see beyond her own principles, creates this tension-filled relationship. And somehow, they end up understanding each other in ways no one else can.

Klaus Mikaelson x Hayley Marshall (The Originals)

Klaus is a tortured soul, raised in violence and deception, while Hayley is a strong-willed, independent woman fighting for her family. Their relationship is full of conflict, yet they share this deep understanding and respect. Klaus's control contrasts sharply with Hayley’s more free-spirited attitude, but somehow, they balance each other in a way that strengthens them.

Hope Mikaelson x Lizzie Saltzman (Legacies)

Why it fits: Hope is burdened by her powerful supernatural legacy, often distant, intense, and emotionally guarded. Lizzie, on the other hand, is emotional, unpredictable, and eager to prove herself. Their contrasting approaches to life—Hope's serious, heavy-hearted nature versus Lizzie's more impulsive, lighthearted attitude—creates a tension-filled dynamic where they clash often. But, despite their differences, they push each other to grow and ultimately come to understand each other in ways no one else can.

Matt Murdock x Frank Castle (Daredevil & The Punisher)

Matt believes in justice, redemption, and compassion, while Frank sees the world in black-and-white terms—no room for mercy. Their constant ideological clash makes for incredible banter, but it’s also what forces them to grow. They push each other’s boundaries, and their relationship isn’t just about saving the world, it’s about learning how to do it.

Tony Stark x Stephen Strange (Marvel Cinematic Universe)

Tony is impulsive, reckless, and emotional, while Stephen is disciplined, precise, and strategic. Their personalities are worlds apart, and their banter reflects that. Tony’s ego and impulsiveness often clash with Stephen’s pride and ego, but their partnership grows because they challenge each other in ways no one else does.

Bruce Wayne x Hal Jordan (DC Comics)

Bruce is brooding and emotionally intense, while Hal is carefree and cocky. Bruce believes in order, control, and the strict rules of justice, while Hal has a more flexible approach. Their bickering and constant clash of philosophies make them both stronger and force them to realize that there’s more than one way to save the world.

Hermione Granger x Ron Weasley (Harry Potter)

Hermione’s perfectionism and drive to always be in control often clash with Ron’s more laid-back attitude. She’s focused, while he’s insecure and occasionally a bit of a mess. Their banter is legendary, and while they argue all the time, they ultimately help each other grow, and their differences become what makes them work so well together.

Rory Gilmore x Logan Huntzberger (Gilmore Girls)

Rory is determined, focused, and often a little high-strung, while Logan is charming, rebellious, and loves to push people’s buttons. They have this dynamic where they’re constantly challenging each other—Logan pushing Rory to take risks and live a little, and Rory keeping Logan grounded and focused. Their back-and-forth banter is one of the highlights of their relationship, and the way they grow from each other is amazing.

Han Solo x Leia Organa (Star Wars)

Han and Leia have one of the most iconic opposites attract dynamics ever. Han is the cocky, roguish smuggler who does things his own way, while Leia is strong-willed, no-nonsense, and very focused on duty. Their chemistry is undeniable, and their constant bickering is just a front for their deep respect and affection for each other. It’s one of those ships where the banter makes the relationship.

Spider-Man (Peter Parker) x Deadpool (Wade Wilson)

Why it fits: Peter is awkward, idealistic, and a little bit of a nerd, while Deadpool is chaotic, crude, and doesn’t follow any rules. The contrast between Peter’s earnestness and Deadpool’s unpredictable humor creates the best kind of banter. They push each other’s limits, and Deadpool’s unfiltered attitude forces Peter to lighten up, while Peter helps Deadpool remember there’s more to life than chaos. Their constant back-and-forth is hilarious, but underneath, there’s a genuine bond.

Gojo Satoru x Iori Utahime (JJK)

One of the main reasons I love this ship is because it perfectly embodies the “opposites attract” dynamic. Gojo and Utahime couldn’t be more different in terms of their personalities and how they see the world. Gojo is brash, cocky, and full of confidence, while Utahime is calm, reserved, and more pragmatic. The way their contrasting energies clash creates this incredible tension that I can’t get enough of.

These ships, with all their banter, tension, and contrasting personalities, are what I love. They might not be everyone’s cup of tea, and I totally get that.

At the end of the day, these are just my thoughts and preferences, and they reflect the kind of stories and dynamics that speak to me.

If this post isn’t for you, no worries—just keep scrolling! Everyone’s entitled to their own tastes, and that’s the beauty of fandom.

But if you do get it, or if you love these ships too, then I’m so glad we’re on the same page!

[brunchable]

Untamed Chaos [Request] || Doctor Strange x Scarlet Witch!reader.

Genre: Oneshot, Light-hearted romance, Teacher/Student Words: 5.4K The Request: a fanfic where the reader is Scarlet Witch and she is very insecure and afraid of her powers and Stephen Strange helps her control her powers. A/N: First request in such a long time. I mayhaps liked this idea a bit too much I got carried away but I hope it can make someone's day. Thank you to the GIF creator. For @honeymoon-salvatore

You've always been afraid of your powers. They are immense, unpredictable, and often seem to have a will of their own. It wasn't until the incident in your hometown that you truly understood the magnitude of your abilities. 

You had only meant to defend yourself, but in the blink of an eye, the entire street had been engulfed in a swirling vortex of energy, leaving destruction in its wake. The fear and confusion in the eyes of those around you still haunt your dreams.

Since then, you've kept your distance from people, isolating yourself to prevent any further harm. Your powers feel like a ticking time bomb, always on the verge of exploding. 

You can't control them, not fully, and the unpredictability is what scares you the most. One moment, you could be sitting peacefully, and the next, you could be unintentionally causing objects to levitate or shatter around you.

You've tried to manage them on your own, practicing in secret, but the progress has been slow and often discouraging. Each failed attempt chips away at your confidence, leaving you feeling more vulnerable and isolated. The frustration builds within you, feeding into the fear, creating a vicious cycle that's hard to break.

You often find yourself alone, both physically and emotionally. The isolation is a double-edged sword; it keeps others safe from your powers, but it also leaves you without support, without someone to reassure you that you're not a monster. You yearn for connection, for someone to understand your struggle, but the risk of hurting someone is too great. The potential destruction you could cause keeps you at a distance, even from those you care about the most.

In moments of despair, you imagine a life where your powers are not a curse but a gift, where you can use them without fear. But those are just dreams, far removed from your current reality. Every day is a battle against yourself, against the fear that one wrong move could lead to disaster. You live with the constant reminder that you are different, that you are dangerous, and that there might never be a place for you in the world as you are.

Despite the fear and the isolation, there's a flicker of hope within you. A hope that maybe, just maybe, someone out there can help you. Someone who understands what it's like to wield such power and can guide you in controlling it. This hope leads you to the doors of the Sanctum Sanctorum, but standing there, you hesitate. Your hand hovers over the grand door, and a wave of shame washes over you. What if Doctor Strange sees you as a lost cause? What if he thinks you're too dangerous to be helped?

× × × × 

As you approach the grand doors, your heart races with anticipation. You take a deep breath, steadying yourself before knocking firmly. The sound echoes in the silence, and the massive doors creak open seemingly on their own, revealing the grand entrance hall bathed in dim, mystical light.

At the top of the sweeping staircase, Stephen stands tall, his presence commanding and imposing. His cape flows dramatically behind him, catching the light in a way that makes it seem almost alive.

“Ah, I’ve been expecting you,” he says with a knowing smile.

“Expecting me?” you ask, chuckling sheepishly. You can’t shake the feeling of shame that lingers, making you want to shrink away.

“Yes. I could sense your presence,” he replies, descending the stairs. “And besides, you’re not exactly subtle.”

You manage a small, nervous laugh, looking down at your feet. “I actually came to ask for your help, Doctor Strange. My powers… they’re out of control. I-I don’t know how to handle them.”

“Hmm.” Stephen nods, his expression turning serious but not unkind. “Come with me. Let’s see what we can do.”

As he turns to lead you deeper into the Sanctum, you can't help but blurt out, “Are we starting already?”

Stephen glances back at you, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “No, we're going to have a tea party first. What do you think?”

You roll your eyes but feel a bit of the tension ease away. “Very funny.”

“I thought so,” he replies with a smirk, leading you to the doors that lead to Kamar-Taj.

The morning air at Kamar-Taj is crisp and fresh, the early sunlight casting a warm glow over the ancient courtyard. Birds chirp in the distance as you and Stephen stand in the center of the tranquil space.

“First things first,” he says, “Do you know the true nature of your powers?”

You nod, feeling a familiar weight settle on your shoulders. “I know. But I don’t know how to control them. It’s like trying to tame a storm.”

He nods, seeming to have expected that answer. “Your powers are unlike any other. They’re rooted in something very ancient and very potent—chaos magic.”

“How do I control something that’s inherently chaotic?” You sigh, looking down at your hands, a flicker of crimson energy dancing across your fingertips. 

“By understanding it, accepting it, and learning to channel it. It’s not about suppressing your emotions, but rather, learning to use them to your advantage.” Stephen steps closer, his voice gentle but firm.

“That’s easier said than done.” You scoff, frustration coloring your voice.

Stephen raises an eyebrow. “Is it? Or are you just making excuses?”

You glare at him, but there is no malice in your eyes. “You’re really good at this comforting thing, aren’t you?”

"I try," he says with a smirk, “Look Y/N you came here asking for my help. I know the media doesn’t really paint you. . . gracefully. So, from now on try not to let your self-doubt eat you up.”

You look down. Even though that was a hard pill to swallow, he was right.

“Come with me.” He leads you to a secluded area of the courtyard, where ancient runes are etched into the stone floor. 

“This area should have ample space to practice powerful magic. It will be a safe place for you to practice control.”

You nod, taking a deep breath to steady yourself. 

“First, we’ll start with some basic exercises. Focus on your breathing, and let your mind clear. Feel the energy within you, but don’t try to control it yet—just observe.” Stephen begins to demonstrate, weaving his hands through the air, creating intricate patterns of golden light. 

You close your eyes, following his instructions. You can feel the familiar hum of your powers beneath your skin, a constant presence that you're trying to grow accustomed to. Slowly, you begin to breathe in rhythm with the energy, letting it flow through you without trying to shape it.

“Good, you learn quickly.” Stephen’s voice breaks through your concentration. “Now, open your eyes and focus on a single point in front of you. Imagine your energy flowing towards that point, like a stream of water.”

You do as he says, but suddenly, a surge of power rushes through you, causing your body to twitch while you attempt to contain it. Your eyes snap open in panic. Your powers spiral out of control. Crimson energy begins to swirl around you, leaves and dust spiraling  around leaving you at its center. The ground trembles, and a strong wind whips through the trees around you.

"Dammit!" you shout, sinking to your knees as you try to contain the chaos. "I can’t do this, Doctor. It’s too much."

Before you can even process what's happening, Stephen is already moving, his hands weaving complex patterns in the air. Golden bands of light appear, encircling the wild energy and containing it. Sweat beads on his forehead from the effort, but his eyes remain focused and determined.

“Stay with me, Y/N,” he calls out, his voice straining as he tries to contain your powers. “You can do this. Focus on my voice.”

You try to calm your racing heart, taking deep breaths as you attempt to regain control. The golden bands tighten around the chaotic energy, slowly but surely bringing it under control. 

Finally, the room falls silent, the wild energy dissipating into the air. Stephen kneels beside you, his hand on your shoulder. 

“Hey, hey, it’s okay,” he says softly. “It’s okay to struggle. You’re learning, and that takes time.”

You look up at him, your eyes glistening, “What if I hurt someone? What if I hurt you in the process?”

“You won’t,” he assures you, placing a hand on your shoulder, “Relax, it’s okay. You’re safe.”

You take a deep breath, trying to steady your racing heart. “I’m sorry, Stephen. It just… it just got away from me.”

He smiles reassuringly. “It’s all part of the process. Let’s try again.”

You picture the crimson energy within you, flowing outwards in a controlled stream. To your surprise, the energy responds, a thin tendril of red mist extending from your hand and touching the ground where you’re looking.

“Excellent. Now, try to maintain that flow, but gradually increase the intensity.” Stephen smiles, clearly pleased with your progress.

You concentrate, feeling the energy surge within you. The tendril of light thickens, glowing brighter as more power flows through it. You can feel the wildness of the chaos magic, but it no longer feels overwhelming—it’s like riding a powerful wave, guiding it with subtle movements.

“Remember, your emotions are your fuel,” Stephen reminds you. “Channel your focus, your determination, and your control into the magic.”

You nod, feeling a growing confidence. The energy flows more smoothly now, the thread of light dancing in intricate patterns at your command. It’s exhilarating, feeling the power within you and knowing that you’re in control.

“Alright,” Stephen says, taking a step back, his expression serious. “Now, let’s test your control under pressure. I’ll create some moving targets, and I want you to hit them with precise bursts of energy.”

He raises his hands, and several glowing orbs appear, floating in a precise formation. They begin to move, weaving through the air in unpredictable patterns. “Focus, Y/N. Use your emotions to guide your power.”

You take a deep breath, focusing on the first target. You extend your hand, and a tendril of crimson light shoots out, striking the orb dead center. It shatters in a burst of golden sparks.

Stephen nods approvingly. “Good. Now, try the next one.”

You move to the second target, feeling a surge of confidence. This time, you channel a stronger burst of energy, the crimson light brighter and more intense. The orb explodes, scattering shards of light in all directions.

As you continue, the targets move faster, their patterns more erratic. You struggle to keep up, the energy within you becoming harder to control. Sweat beads on your forehead, and your breath comes in shallow gasps.

“Stay focused,” Stephen encourages.

But the pressure mounts, and the chaos magic within you begins to surge again. One of the targets moves unexpectedly close to Stephen, and in a moment of panic, you release a powerful burst of energy.

The crimson tendril lashes out, striking Stephen’s arm before you can stop it. He stumbles back, a pained expression crossing his face as blood begins to seep from a cut on his arm.

“Oh my god, Stephen!” you cry out his name accidentally, rushing to his side. “I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to—”

“Don't. It was an accident.” He grits his teeth, his hand applying pressure to the wound.

You remained quiet, even though guilt is a close friend of yours, it still felt corrosive. 

× × ×

The morning training session had taken a turn you hadn’t anticipated. Now, sitting in the quiet, dimly lit infirmary at Kamar-Taj, the reality of your lack of control weighs heavily on you. Stephen sits on a low bench, his shirt discarded to reveal a nasty gash on his arm, inflicted by your uncontrolled magic. 

His Cloak of Levitation hovers nearby, holding the first aid kit with its hem, seeming to watch over him protectively.

“Let’s get this cleaned up,” Stephen says, his voice smooth despite the pain. He gestures to the hovering Cloak, which gently extends the first aid kit towards you. “Can you take the antiseptic and bandages?”

You quickly reach for the items, your hands shaking slightly. “I’m so sorry.”

“Y/N, it’s okay,” he interrupts gently, a small smile playing on his lips despite the grimace of pain.

“Let me help.” You kneel beside him, the sight of the deep cut making your stomach churn. The Cloak hovers closer, as if wanting to assist but unsure how. Stephen takes the antiseptic from you, but you gently place your hand over his. 

He nods, relinquishing the bottle. 

You pour the antiseptic onto a cloth and carefully dab it on the wound. Stephen hisses, his muscles tensing under your touch. His skin is warm, the contours of his body highlighted in the soft light of the infirmary. You try to focus on the task at hand, but it’s hard not to notice how close you are, how vulnerable he seems.

“Sorry,” you whisper, your voice trembling.

He reaches out with his uninjured hand, gently tilting your chin up so you meet his eyes. “Y/N, it was an accident. I know you wouldn't mean to hurt me.”

You nod, feeling a bit more at ease with his reassurance. Carefully, you finish cleaning the wound and reach for the bandages. The Cloak, as if sensing your need, floats closer, offering the bandages to you from its folds.

As you wrap the bandage around his arm, you can’t help but ask, “Does it hurt a lot?”

“I’ve had worse. Much worse.”

You can’t help but smile at his attempt to lighten the mood. “Well, you’re lucky I didn’t turn you into a frog or something.”

Stephen laughs, the sound filling the small infirmary. “I think I'd rather handle a few cuts and bruises. But I appreciate the concern.”

“There. All done.” You finish wrapping the bandage and tie it off, your fingers lingering on his skin for a moment longer than necessary. 

Stephen flexes his arm slightly, testing the bandage, “Now I have a new scar to show off. Women dig scars, right?”

“Well, it certainly adds to your mystique.” You laugh, the sound a bit shaky but genuine. 

He chuckles, standing up and pulling you to your feet with his good arm, “Go get some rest and clear your mind. Don't wallow too much on this. Really, I'm fine.”

× × × × 

The days turn into weeks. You find yourself growing more confident in your abilities, but there are still moments where the fear and frustration overwhelm you. Stephen’s consistent support and guidance have been invaluable, and you've begun to see glimpses of what your powers could be if fully controlled. However, the road to mastery is far from smooth.

One afternoon, while practicing a particularly challenging spell, your powers spiral out of control. The room around you blurs as a surge of energy erupts from within, sending you flying across the room. You crash into a stone wall with a sickening thud, the impact knocking the wind out of you. Pain radiates from your shoulder as you realize it’s dislocated. Before you can even catch your breath, you hear a creaking sound above you and look up to see a massive pillar beginning to topple over.

Panic courses through you, but before you can react, a burst of golden light encases the pillar, stopping it mid-fall. You turn to see Stephen, his hands outstretched and eyes glowing with a focused intensity as he uses his magic to stabilize the structure.

“Are you okay?” he asks, his voice steady despite the obvious strain.

You nod, still dazed from the impact. “I... I think so,” you stammer, though the pain in your shoulder is excruciating.

He waves his hands, and the pillar rights itself, settling back into place with a groan of stone against stone. Only then does he turn his full attention to you, his expression softening as he kneels beside you.

“You scared the hell out of me,” he admits, “Let me see your shoulder.”

You wince as he gently examines it. “I think it’s dislocated,” you say through gritted teeth.

Stephen nods, his expression serious. “We need to fix this. It’s going to hurt, but I’ll make it as quick as possible.”

You brace yourself, biting your lip as he carefully but firmly maneuvers your shoulder back into place. A sharp, intense pain shoots through you, and you can’t help but cry out. But just as quickly as the pain flares, it begins to subside as Stephen’s magic soothes the injured area.

"Better?" he asks, his voice gentle.

You nod, tears of pain and relief streaming down your face. "Thank you," you whisper, leaning against him for support.

Stephen clenched his jaw when he suddenly felt his heart racing. He wraps his arms around you, holding you close. “You’re incredibly brave, you know that?”

You manage a small, shaky laugh. “I don’t feel very brave.”

He pulls back slightly to look into your eyes, his expression earnest. “You are. You’re facing your fears and pushing through the pain. That takes real courage.”

“I couldn’t do this without you, Stephen.” Tears well up in your eyes again, this time from gratitude and the overwhelming emotion of the moment, “Thank you.”

He smiles softly, brushing a tear from your cheek. “You’re not alone. We’ll get you there.”

After that grueling session, you collapse onto a sofa in the library, exhausted. It was worth every sweat though as you felt being more in control compared to when you first set foot in the Sanctum. 

“Here, this will help,” Stephen joins you, handing you a cup of tea and sitting down beside you.

You take a sip, the warmth of the tea soothing your frayed nerves. “Thanks,” you murmur, glancing at him. “For everything.”

He smiles, his gaze warm. “It’s my pleasure.”

A comfortable silence settles between you, the flickering firelight casting soft shadows around the room. The warmth from the fire is a stark contrast to the chill in the air outside, and you pull a blanket tighter around yourself as you sip the tea Stephen prepared. The aroma of the tea mingles with the scent of old books and the faint trace of incense, creating an atmosphere that feels both intimate and soothing.

You find yourself drawn to Stephen, not just because of his wisdom and strength, but because of the kindness and patience he shows you every day. His presence has become a source of comfort, a steady anchor in the tumultuous sea of your emotions and powers. Yet, as the days pass, you've also become acutely aware of the growing attraction you have for him. Maybe because you never knew about this side of Stephen.

You glance at him out of the corner of your eye, admiring the way the firelight dances across his features, casting shadows that highlight the sharp angles of his face. There's a certain grace to the way he moves, even in the simplest of actions like turning the pages of a book or adjusting his cloak. You wonder if he's aware of how often your eyes linger on him, how your heart races whenever he looks at you with those piercing blue eyes.

Stephen breaks the silence, his voice low and gentle. “You've been making remarkable progress. You should be proud of yourself.”

You smile, feeling a warmth spread through your chest. “I couldn't have done it without you,” you admit, your gaze meeting his. “You've been my rock through all of this.”

He chuckles softly, the sound sending a pleasant shiver down your spine. “I'm just doing what any decent teacher would do.”

“No,” you say, shaking your head. “It's more than that. You've been patient and understanding, even when I wanted to give up.”

Stephen's eyes soften, and he reaches out, placing a hand over yours. The touch is light, but it sends a jolt of electricity through you. 

“You have an incredible strength within you,” he says quietly. “Sometimes it just takes someone else to help you see it.”

Your breath catches in your throat, the intensity of his gaze making it hard to look away. You can feel the tension building between you, a magnetic pull that draws you closer. The room feels smaller, the air charged with unspoken emotions.

"Stephen," you begin, your voice barely above a whisper, "I... I don't know how to thank you for everything you've done."

He smiles, a tender expression that makes your heart skip a beat. "You don't need to thank me," he replies. "Seeing you grow and gain confidence is thanks enough."

The fire crackles, filling the silence that stretches between you. You can feel your pulse quicken, your mind racing with thoughts and emotions. You want to tell him how much he means to you, how his presence has become a source of light in your life. But the words stick in your throat, your nerves getting the better of you.

As if sensing your hesitation, Stephen moves closer, his hand still resting on yours. "It's okay," he murmurs. "You don't have to say anything."

You weren’t sure if you were hallucinating, but you felt him drawing closer to you, his breath heavy and hot. The space between you seemed to shrink with each passing second, your heart pounding louder in your ears. His eyes, intense and unwavering, locked onto yours, creating a magnetic pull that you couldn't resist.

Your mind raced with a whirlwind of emotions—anticipation, fear, desire—all blending into a heady mix that left you breathless. His presence was overwhelming, his scent intoxicating, and you felt an inexplicable connection that seemed to transcend the physical space.

Stephen’s hand brushed against yours, sending a jolt of electricity through your body. His touch was both gentle and commanding, grounding you in the moment. You could see the flicker of uncertainty in his eyes, mirroring your own. Despite the chaos surrounding you, this moment felt strangely right.

He leaned in, his lips just inches from yours, his breath warm against your skin. You could feel the tension building, the unspoken words hanging heavy in the air. The world seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of you in this suspended moment of longing and vulnerability.

Just as his lips were about to meet yours, the sound of footsteps echoed through the room. You both jumped apart, hearts racing, as Wong entered, his expression a mix of curiosity and amusement.

“Sorry to interrupt,” Wong said, raising an eyebrow. “But there’s an urgent matter that requires your attention, Strange.”

Stephen cleared his throat, taking a step back and running a hand through his hair, trying to regain his composure. “Of course, Wong. I’ll be right there.”

Wong nodded, glancing between the two of you with a knowing smile before leaving the room.

You exchanged a look with Stephen, the moment between you lingering in the air. He gave you a small, apologetic smile. 

“We’ll continue this later,” he promised, his voice soft and filled with a mix of regret and hope.

You nodded, your heart still pounding. “I’ll hold you to that.”

As Stephen turned to follow Wong, you couldn’t help but feel a mixture of excitement and apprehension. The connection you felt with him was undeniable, and despite the interruption, you knew that this was just the beginning of something deeper and more profound.

The door closed behind Stephen and Wong, and the room was left in a charged silence. You could still feel the lingering warmth of his presence, the ghost of his touch on your skin. Your mind replayed the moment over and over, heart racing of anticipation.

You sighed and turned towards the window, trying to steady your breath as you watched the city lights twinkle below. The weight of what had just happened, what almost happened, settled over you like a warm blanket. It was exhilarating and terrifying all at once.

A few moments later, you decided to distract yourself by focusing on your training. You knew Stephen would handle whatever urgent matter Wong had brought to his attention, but you needed to regain your composure. The Sanctum's library was quiet and filled with ancient texts and artifacts, a perfect place to lose yourself in study.

You selected a tome on elemental magic, hoping the intricate spells would keep your mind occupied. As you read, the words began to blur, your thoughts drifting back to Stephen. His intense gaze, the way his touch had sent shivers down your spine, and the unspoken promise in his eyes.

Suddenly, a soft knock on the door brought you back to reality. You looked up to see Stephen standing there, his expression a mix of determination and something else—something softer.

“Hey,” he said, stepping into the room. “Sorry about earlier. Wong has impeccable timing, as usual.”

You chuckled, setting the book aside. “It's okay. I understand. Is everything alright?”

He nodded, taking a seat beside you. “Yes, just some minor mystical disturbance. Nothing we couldn't handle.”

A comfortable silence settled between you again, but this time it was tinged with a palpable tension. You could feel the unresolved moment hanging in the air, drawing you closer together. Stephen reached out, taking your hand in his. His touch was warm, reassuring.

“I meant what I said,” he began softly, his eyes locking onto yours. “About continuing this later. I don't want to rush things, but I also don't want to ignore what's happening between us.”

Your heart skipped a beat, his words sending a rush of warmth through you. “I feel the same way, Stephen. It’s actually, kind of. . . really hard to ignore. . .”

Stephen stood and offered you his hand. “Come with me. There's something I want to show you.”

Curious, you took his hand and followed him through the winding corridors of the Sanctum. He led you to a secluded terrace, the city spread out below like a sea of stars. The cool night air was refreshing, and the view was breathtaking.

“This is my favorite spot,” he said, leaning against the railing. “It's where I come to think, to clear my mind.”

You joined him, the two of you standing side by side, looking out over the city. “It's beautiful,” you whispered.

He turned to you, his eyes filled with a mix of emotions. “You make it even more beautiful,” he said softly.

Before you can respond, he leans in, capturing your lips in a searing kiss. The world around you seems to vanish as his lips move against yours, firm yet tender, igniting a fire within you. You respond eagerly, your hands sliding up to tangle in his hair, pulling him closer.

The kiss deepens, growing more urgent and intense. Stephen's arms wrap around your waist, drawing you flush against him, his body warm and solid against yours. You can feel the heat radiating off him, mingling with the crackling energy of your powers, which glow softly around you both, bathing you in a crimson light.

His lips part slightly, and you take the opportunity to explore his mouth with your tongue, eliciting a low groan from him that sends a shiver down your spine. Stephen's hands roam your back, his touch firm and possessive, as if he never wants to let you go. Every touch, every movement sends waves of desire coursing through you.

You press closer, the feeling of his body against yours heightening your senses. His hand slides up to the back of your neck, his fingers threading through your hair, pulling you even deeper into the kiss. The intensity builds, and you feel as though you might melt from the heat of it all.

Breaking the kiss for a moment, Stephen's lips trail down your jawline, planting soft, lingering kisses along the way. You tilt your head back, giving him better access, and he takes full advantage, his mouth finding the sensitive spot just below your ear. His warm breath against your skin sends a thrill through you, and you can't help but moan softly

“Stephen,” you whisper, your voice breathless and filled with longing.

He pulls back slightly, his eyes dark with desire as he gazes at you. “Y/N, I need you,” he says, his voice rough with emotion.

Without another word, you pull him back to you, your lips crashing together in a passionate kiss. You pour all your pent-up emotions into it, the fear, the longing, the love. When you kiss Stephen, the energy around you seems to respond to your emotions, wrapping around the two of you in a protective cocoon of light. His hands grip your waist, and you feel the familiar surge of your powers, the crimson The light shimmers and sparkles, creating a captivating dance of colors that is reflecting the intensity of your connection.

Breathless and flushed, you finally pull away, resting your forehead against his. His eyes, dark and filled with emotion, hold your gaze, and you see your reflection in them, your powers glowing softly around you both.

“I'm so happy you came to me,” Stephen whispers, his voice low and sincere, “And now that I have you, I never want to let you go.”

You smile, feeling a warm sense of certainty. “You don't have to, l'm yours.”

He kisses you again, this time with a gentleness that speaks volumes. It's a promise of unwavering support and love. The crimson energy around you pulses gently, a testament to your newfound control and the harmony between your powers and your emotions.

As you stand there, wrapped in each other’s embrace, you realize that this is just the beginning. With Stephen’s guidance and your own growing confidence, you’re ready to face whatever challenges lie ahead. 

The night air is cool, but the warmth between you keeps the chill at bay. You lean into Stephen, your heart steady and sure. With him by your side, you know you can handle anything the future holds.

Stephen pulls back slightly, a mischievous glint in his eye. “You know,” he says with a smirk, “if you wanted to spend more time together, you could have just asked instead of throwing books around.”

You laugh, shaking your head. “Oh, so now my out-of-control powers are just an excuse to see you more?”

He raises an eyebrow, still smirking. “I wouldn't put it past you.”

“Well, maybe next time I'll aim for the kitchen. Then at least we can have snacks while we train.” You roll your eyes playfully. 

Stephen chuckles, pulling you closer. “Deal. But only if you promise to keep the chaos to a minimum.”

“I'll try,” you say, grinning. “But no promises.”

He smiles, his eyes softening. “That's good enough for me.”

Together, you step back into the Sanctum, ready to embrace the future and the challenges it brings, knowing that with each other, you are unstoppable. 

As you walk through the grand halls, Stephen's hand remains firmly in yours, a silent promise of support and partnership.

“So,” Stephen begins, glancing sideways at you with a sly smile, “what's the next item on our agenda? More power control exercises or should we finally tackle the mystery of the enchanted teapot?”

You laugh, the sound echoing softly in the spacious hallway. “I think the teapot can wait. Besides, I’m pretty sure it's been spying on us for weeks.”

“That would explain a lot. It's always the quiet ones you have to watch out for.” Stephen chuckles.

You squeeze his hand, feeling a sense of normalcy and contentment that you haven’t felt in a long time. “You know, this whole training thing isn’t so bad when you have good company.”

He raises an eyebrow. “Good company, huh? I suppose I should take that as a compliment.”

“Don’t let it go to your head, Doctor,” you tease, nudging him playfully with your shoulder. “But seriously, thank you. For everything.”

Stephen stops walking and turns to face you, his expression sincere. “You don’t have to thank me. I’m just glad I could help. You’ve shown incredible strength and courage, Y/N. And I’m honored to be part of your journey.”

A warmth spreads through you at his words, and you lean in to kiss him softly. “Well, you’re stuck with me now, Sorcerer Supreme. Hope you’re ready for that.”

He grins, a boyish charm lighting up his features. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

[space-mermaid-writing]

Of monsters and men [IronStrange]

Summary: Some kidnappers fucked up big time and now Tony is bonded to this strange demon he continues to summon by accident.

Tags: demon!Stephen Strange, Hurt/Comfort, Fluff, Angst, Whump, body horror, protective Stephen Strange, Stephen Strange needs a hug

Author's note: This chapter is NSFW. Beta by @harpywritesfic and @kvjjjjjj.

Read it on AO3 | Masterlist | Word count: 5.8k | Previous | Next

Chapter 16: Wine and dine

Tony pricked his finger with a needle. If everything went right today, this would be the last time he summoned Stephen with blood.

He was actually a bit nervous. He wasn’t thirty anymore; hell, he was approaching the end of his forties.

His thoughts were interrupted when Stephen appeared.

The demon looked around, perplexed to see Tony working in the kitchen for what looked like dinner. He frowned and asked, “Did you summon me early by accident?”

He had expected to be called straight into the bedroom; maybe to the couch in case Tony didn’t want to share such an intimate place with him.

He had not expected this domestic image of Tony in an apron, putting aside oven mitts.

“I thought it would be nice to wine and dine you before we get to business,” Tony winked, switching his nervousness for casual charm.

He looked at Stephen with a quizzical expression, his eyebrows arching slightly as he tilted his head in curiosity. “Did you do something with your hair?” he asked.

Stephen instinctively ran his hand through his hair, almost shyly, as if trying to comb out any lingering insecurities along with the stray strands. He had made a conscious choice to mind his appearance, even in the absence of any products at hand. After all, he wanted to avoid looking like some wild creature freshly emerged from the depths of hell.

Overall, he was pretty dressed down in the monster department for this occasion; whatever it took to make the ritual of a new bond as pleasant as possible for Tony. Even his horns seemed smaller than usual.

“I did,” he confessed, a hint of embarrassment creeping into his voice as heat rushed to his cheeks. He felt silly admitting it.

Except, Tony eased his worries with a smile. “I like it.”

Tony noticed that Stephen didn’t quite meet his eyes, an almost bashful demeanor replacing his usual confidence. There was a sweet innocence in the way the demon regarded the kitchen furniture, and that subtle hint of vulnerability was utterly adorable to Tony. It struck a chord deep within him, igniting a warmth that seemed to wrap around his heart.

“Take a seat. Food is almost done,” Tony said, his voice smooth and inviting as he walked Stephen over to a table that was set for two; with fancy silverware, tablecloth and everything.

That was the moment Stephen realized: this was a date.

Dumbfounded, he looked at the table. Until Tony put his hand on the small of the demon’s back and gently steered him to it. Tony even pulled out the chair for him.

“Can I take your cloak?” he asked jokingly, reaching his hand out to it.

The cloak curled around his arm like a snake, greeting him. Before Stephen could give an answer, the cloak crawled over to the engineer – almost like a kraken – and settled on his shoulders, squeezing him gently.

Tony patted it lightly. “I’m happy to see you too.” His voice carried the fondness he felt for the cloak. When he turned his head back to Stephen, he caught the demon staring at them; his blush an even deeper shade of purple watching their interaction.

The cloak had become an extended part of himself and seeing it wrapped around Tony’s shoulders felt like a claim Stephen was too afraid to make.

Again, he was distracted by Tony’s smile.

“I’ll be right back,” the engineer told him and moved back to the kitchen. With the help of the cloak, he took a casserole out of the oven.

He returned with two dishes of lasagna, and also poured them red wine before he finally sat down as well.

Stephen picked up the plate, ready to devour it in one; like he did with the sandwiches – or really for any food that was bigger than a snack.

When Tony cleared his throat, he paused, looking up.

“I would appreciate it if you ate this in regular bite sizes and actually tasted the food. It’s one of my best dishes.” His voice was rather amused than annoyed. It was just a friendly reminder.

Stephen put the plate back down and looked at the silverware in front of him. Hesitantly, he reached for his knife and fork.

With the first bite, Stephen's eyes widened. “This is really good.” A genuine smile broke across his face.

“Thank you. Jarvis taught me how to make it. Human Jarvis.”

The distinction didn’t come as a surprise to Stephen. Tony had mentioned the butler in the past.

“I didn't know you enjoyed cooking so much.”

“Just a few Italian dishes. This one is my favorite. I often sat with Jarvis and Ana in the kitchen and watched them make it as a kid.”

Stephen knew Tony allowed him a rare and intimate glimpse into his personal life. This wasn’t something you could read in people's magazines.

This wasn't what Stephen had expected from this visit.

In the weeks leading up to it, they had discussed the technical side of the ritual; going over all the intricate details several times to ensure that nothing was overlooked. And they had clarified any questions that had arisen during their conversations, leaving no stone unturned.

Tony, in particular, had expressed a keen interest in understanding how the magic involved worked, indicating a genuine curiosity about the underlying principles.

Initially, Stephen believed Tony's inquiries were aimed at pinpointing the absolute minimum requirements needed for the bond to take place.

He should have known Tony better than that.

The delay wasn’t for simply stalling time. Tony had made an actual effort to set the mood. And Stephen liked to think he did it for both of them.

Stephen's plan had been to just get over with it while making it as pleasant as possible for the engineer. He couldn’t deny the changes his body had been through. Like he had said: he wasn’t human anymore.

It weighed heavily on him.

That nagging voice in the back of his mind reminded him of the truth laid bare in front of him: his current appearance was a stark contrast to what anyone would consider desirable. Even if Tony liked him for his company, Stephen wouldn't blame him if he found the demon's appearance repulsive. Too grotesque to get intimate with him.

Plus, there was still the threat of Dormammu resurfacing. Stephen had talked with Wong about it during one of his visits at the Sanctum, and the sorcerer had helped him by adding another layer of spell protection.

But still… Stephen knew he had stepped over a line when he lost control in the lab.

Yet, Tony put so much trust in him with this. It was like soothing honey pouring over his pain and it made Stephen feel more lightheaded than any alcohol ever could.

Tony gave each of them second servings.

“You dig in good for someone who doesn’t eat a lot of human food,” he commented on the way Stephen's eyes lit up when he took another bite. His voice revealed he was pleased that Stephen liked his cooking.

“I don’t think I could live solely on it. I just forgot how good it can be.”

Tony’s smile grew even wider with the compliment. He noticed the way Stephen relaxed during the dinner; while he had been looking a bit out of place at the start of it, almost like he felt an intruder in this domestic place, the demon was now leaning back comfortably and held eye contact.

Tony refilled Stephen’s glass. He kept the bottle of wine on the table, but only nurtured one glass or two through the whole night. He didn’t intend to get drunk, and Stephen appreciated that. The demon wouldn’t blame him if he did get drunk – liquid courage did make things easier.

It was just another one of Tony’s considerations and his consent to this.

The wine didn’t do much for Stephen. He didn’t think he could even get drunk anymore, but it added to the feeling of this meal being a dinner date. Going through the motions of taking the glass in hand, and looking at his partner over the brim of it while listening to him talk.

It took him back to feeling human again – and if he didn’t glance down to see his black-tinted hands, he could imagine that. Easily even, with the way Tony was looking at him. His smile shone through his eyes. The human was relaxed, with a slight blush to his cheeks; from the excellent food and wine – and maybe from the company as well.

Stephen forgot the existence of the Dark Dimension and magic for just a moment. And he briefly wondered if their paths would have crossed at any point if he had stayed human.

He wondered if they would get along the same way. If Tony would look at human Stephen like this.

There was no point in hypotheticals. They were sitting right here, right now.

Life surely took funny turns.

“Are you afraid?” Stephen dared to ask.

He didn’t need to specify what he meant. Tony knew it straightaway.

“It’s a careful anticipation of what’s to come,” he admitted, looking at the glass in his hand, before he raised his eyes to meet Stephen’s. “I know you won’t hurt me.”

It had been another one of Stephen’s concerns. Still was, if he was being honest. But he had chosen to trust Tony’s faith in him.

It couldn't be more different from their first encounter, when Stephen had been summoned in the catacombs; called by Tony’s blood.

The same blood was still calling for him, but in a different way now. Something had shifted. It had become more alluring, more intimate.

Still, like on that first day, Stephen would kneel before Tony again anytime, offering his services, and even the command over his very being.

Maybe it was due to their bond.

Maybe it was due to Tony’s winning nature.

Maybe it was because Tony had been the first person he met that showed him kindness when he was in a dark place. And Stephen had latched onto that kindness; had imprinted on Tony like a duckling, on the first friendly face he had seen in a long time.

Stephen would do anything for Tony. The engineer only had to name it. Not because the blood bond demanded it, but because Stephen wanted to. He had devoted his very being to this human. And he had silently sworn to protect him at all costs.

The demon would grant Tony the new bond just for this dinner – for being reminded what it meant to feel human. But alas, it wasn’t in his power. He didn’t make the rules of the magic involved with the ritual.

He knew he got the better end of the deal: full access to Earth.

It would be dangerous if it was given to any creature with ill intentions. It could bring true harm to this realm – and to the other bearer of the bond.

Tony said he didn’t like the blood bond as it was because he held this big amount of control over Stephen. He was losing that control with the new bond. It was a downgrading position.

If it really was about control, he could just stop summoning Stephen altogether. Or try to find a way to break the bond. There was always a way – especially since he was in contact with the Order of the Mystic Arts now.

Then Tony never would have to worry about the demon ever again. Stephen would stay in the Dark Dimension and not bother him anymore.

When Stephen had suggested that option, Tony had thrown a screwdriver at him. He didn’t want to hear anything about it, had been downright angry at Stephen for just mentioning it.

The engineer wasn’t fooling Stephen. He was doing this to help Stephen; to make life a bit better for him. Maybe the affection blooming in the demon's chest wasn't so one-sided.

Stephen would be forever grateful for the mercy. He would spend the rest of his life paying it back.

Eventually their plates were empty and Stephen looked at Tony; an unspoken question on how he wanted to proceed with the night. He let him take control.

Even if Tony called the ritual off, it would have been a great night.

Tony held his glass in his hand, swirling the red liquid thoughtfully. Then – as if he suddenly made up his mind – he straightened up and pulled himself back into the present, looking over at Stephen.

“Shall we go to the bedroom?” he asked, then winced and chuckled at how that had come out. “That was awful. I swear I’m normally smoother than that.”

Well, it wasn’t a normal situation and his words hinted at the nervousness that was still left. Stephen seamlessly took the lead. "Show me the way," he smiled as he got to his feet.

Tony emptied his glass – there wasn’t much left – and stood up as well.

Stephen was familiar with the penthouse but had never walked down the hallway that led to Tony’s personal bedroom.

He found out that it was spacious and modernly furnished in neutral colors. It would have looked like the engineer didn't spent much time in it, if it weren’t for the pieces of projects that were scattered around. Not enough that the place seemed messy, just enough that it added a personal touch to the room. Like it was Tony's way of decorating his personal space.

The bed was a king’s size, and Tony led Stephen to it, stopping next to it. He turned to Stephen, looking at him from under his lashes.

“Can I kiss you?” he asked, his voice deeper than it had been before.

Stephen's mind momentarily blanked, hit by the sudden shift of mood in the air. His senses were invaded by Tony, who was crowding his personal space. Stephen could feel the warmth radiating off of him, the scent drawing him in like a moth to a flame. Tony was so, so close to touch.

“Yes.” Stephen's voice was hoarse, but he didn’t care, because he was distracted by the kiss that followed his single word of consent.

The world around them spiraled away; it was just the two of them, lost amidst a flurry of sensations. Tony’s lips were inviting and gentle, yet they ignited a desperate hunger within Stephen.

It wasn’t simply the kiss; it was the connection, the overwhelming connection that he had sought unknowingly for so long. Stephen’s heart hammered wildly in his chest.

There was a needy sound that came from the back of his throat. Despite the hunger, he was still holding back, still hesitant.

The cloak was neither of those things. Its tentacles eagerly started to undress Tony, pulling the both of them closer together.

In return, Tony shed Stephen out of his robes down to his underwear, with only the cloak left on his shoulders; all while their lips stayed connected.

Tony only broke the kiss when he moved back and onto the mattress. Stephen moved forward, chasing his lips on instinct with his tongue. A very long and split tongue.

Tony’s pupils dilated, wide and deep, a look of wonder washing over his features, as if he was seeing it for the first time.

There was an unspoken curiosity reflected in his gaze – a hesitation mixed with excitement. Stephen had always kept most of his unusual attributes under wraps, intent on suppressing the more demon-ish aspects of his nature so as not to startle Tony or put him off.

But now, watching its slither, the demon could see Tony’s mind wander to what else the demon might do with that tongue.

His attention snapped back when he remembered what they needed to do. “You can start the ritual now,” he told Stephen, his voice no more than a whisper.

The words pulled the demon out of his own haze and he nodded, as his hands moved on their own.

The magic around the ritual was actually pretty simple. He created a magic bond between them; on the basis of the kiss they had just shared. When studying the spell, Stephen had found it interesting that consent was quite important. The absence of it could have serious consequences.

A soft glowing string appeared briefly between them, going from Stephen's chest to Tony’s, connecting them. The bond would strengthen once the ritual had been finished.

Tony felt warmth spread in his chest, taking course through his whole body and pooling between his legs. He had done enough drugs in his youth to recognize an artificial aphrodisiac. That certainly helped with what they were about to do – even though he knew it wouldn’t have been necessary. At least not for him.

“Right…” Tony tried to get his brain to work again. “Show me what we’re working with.”

He gestured to Stephen's pants, and the demon took them off.

Tony’s eyes went wide, his gaze shimmering with a blend of keen curiosity and genuine uncertainty.

He wasn’t sure what he had expected. Stephen’s dick was mostly humanoid. Mostly. Except it was longer and thicker than anything he had seen so far – and he had seen his fair share of genitals back in his playboy era. The most inhuman part were the rows of scale-like ridges that ran the length of it.

Stephen moved to Tony on the mattress and captured the engineer’s lips in another kiss – soft but charged with meaning. The kiss was more chaste this time, more intimate.

He was relieved Tony hadn't start running straight away. It was too late for that anyway. The ritual had started and had to be carried out.

Tony’s hands started to explore Stephen’s body, feeling the texture of his skin. “I will need thorough preparation for this.” His voice no more than a breath against Stephen’s lips.

Stephen nipped at his jawline. “Nobody said it has to be this way around.”

That made Tony lean back and looked at him, processing what the demon just revealed. They had not talked about that option. He had simply assumed the whole time.

“You mean…?”

“Yes.” Stephen caressed Tony’s thigh.

“And that would be okay for you?” the engineer inquired.

Stephen’s smile was the one of a domestic shark; all sharp teeth but soft eyes. “Oh, more than okay.”

Tony hung his head, exhaling in relief. Then he realized what that must look like and he felt immediately guilty. Quickly he explained, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it like that. It’s just-..”

“I know.” Stephen cupped the engineer’s face to raise it until Tony met his eyes. His voice was soft, soothing. Understanding. “It’s fine.”

He kissed Tony’s forehead in a tender gesture.

Then he manhandled them to switch positions: Stephen with the back on the mattress and Tony over him.

The cloak didn’t want to be trapped between the demon and the bed and it pooled away, almost like liquid; a pure mass of tentacles by now, crawling over his shoulders and along his side. Any resemblance of fabric was gone.

“You’re in control,” Stephen told him.

Tony really had needed to hear that. With the smirk returned his eagerness as well. “I’m going to make this so good for you.”

When preparing the ritual Stephen hadn’t even considered his own fun. His sole focus had been on Tony’s comfort. But he had no doubt in the engineer’s words.

Tony continued to explore the details of Stephen's body. He traced the scars on his chest, where the necklace, the Eye, was burned into the flesh. Leaning down, he kissed the healed skin tenderly.

The demon’s body was unique, both in shape and color. Long limbs, defined muscles, and a few spots of – surprisingly – scales.

He encouraged Stephen to touch him in return as well, gently taking his hand and guiding it to rest on his waist, an inviting gesture. Stephen had always felt hesitant when it came to physical contact outside of healing Tony; his fear of accidentally harming the human’s delicate skin with his sharp nails causing him to hold back.

Now Tony liked how those nails dragged over his skin and he leaned into the touch like a cat into a back scratch.

As he moved like that, their dicks touched, sending a wave of heat through them both, eliciting gasps filled with surprise and desire.

Tony allowed himself to forget all the careful plans he had made for a moment. Instead, he surrendered entirely to the sensation of Stephen beneath him, relishing the complete skin-to-skin contact. His hips instinctively rocked against Stephen’s.

Both of them moaned, feeling hot and electric.

For a few minutes it was just that. Both of them trying to get some friction, hot breath and small noises from their throats.

Tony had to pull himself mentally together to sit up again and get some space between them. The ritual had requirements that had to be fulfilled.

Meanwhile, Stephen let out a disappointed noise at the loss of contact. He reached out for Tony, but the tentacles of the cloak had wrapped themselves around his limbs – he hadn't realized it because he'd been distracted by Tony – and prevented him from touching the engineer.

“Beautiful,” Tony muttered, looking at them, mesmerized. “Absolutely stunning.”

He held his arm out to the tentacles and one of them approached him, sneaking around his arm like a snake. It was soft and warm – and wet. While Tony had sometimes witnessed sharp spikes protruded from the suckers, he now noticed a liquid oozing out of them. It had no scent and was colorless.

“I already figured you two came as a package deal for this, but this is even better than I imagined.”

The tentacle squeezed his arm softly, a reaction to the compliment. Tony smiled at the sensation and pressed an affectionate kiss on it.

“The cloak looks gorgeous on you this way.”

The tentacles moved Stephen's legs apart and Tony continued to give out kisses to both of them, now moving along Stephen's thigh.

Stephen tilted his head back; his wimpers grew louder the closer Tony traveled to his midst. His plan to spoil Tony had gotten thrown out totally. He was completely at Tony’s mercy – he hadn’t been touched like this in a very long time, and he had totally forgotten how it felt. He could cry with his heart bursting, at the same time it wasn’t enough, and he greedily yearned for more.

He wanted to stay with Tony in this bed forever.

When Tony’s mouth latched on his dick, Stephen's brain stopped working.

He thought he heard the engineer muttering something along the lines of ‘..could work up to that..’ - but it was quite possibly just his imagination.

Tony mouthed at it, tracing the ridges with his tongue, and gently sucked the head, until Stephen was too close to the edge. He held back by sheer willpower. He had done nothing so far and he didn’t want to let Tony do all the work.

“Wait, stop,” he panted, and Tony pulled back promptly.

“What is it?” the engineer asked, concerned. “Did I do something wrong? Did I hurt you? Do you want to back out?”

Stephen shook his head; hell no! Anything but that. He focused on his brain-to-mouth synapses to form a cohesive sentence.

“Too close too soon,” he mumbled, his eyes closed. “I… I need a minute.”

Tony nodded, understandingly, as he brushed a hand over Stephen’s stomach and side. “Take all the time you need, sweetheart,” he whispered softly. The term of endearment caused Stephen to blush in a whole new way.

“Just breathe,” Tony encouraged, feeling the tension of the demon shift into something more intimate.

"You good?" Tony asked after a few moments when Stephen finally met his eyes. The blue was almost gone completely, exchanged for a deep dark purple. In it swam desire and something deeper.

"Yes, I'm... we can go on. Are you… are you all good?"

Tony smiled. "Believe me, I'm great,” Tony reassured him. “We can get straight to the main course, if you want.”

He had stored lube away beforehand. It had been meant to be for his own preparation, but now it was for Stephen’s.

“Just relax. I’ve got you,” Tony said, his voice low and inviting.

Stephen nodded, feeling a rush of anticipation mixed with vulnerability. The shift in their dynamic was palpable, a promise lingering in the air, when Tony inserted his first finger, slowly exploring the new terrain.

With gentle hands, Tony began to prepare him, his touch both reverent and methodical, ensuring Stephen was comfortable. Each movement slowly ignited the tension that had built between them, strengthening the invisible bond forged from trust, desire and magic.

Stephen became a beautiful mess while Tony fingered him. Delightful noises escaped his lips – rich, melodious moans that danced through the air. Tony's gaze remained locked on Stephen, whose breaths became quickened in response to each careful stroke.

The intimacy wrapped around them like a warm blanket, igniting something profound between their entwined souls. Stephen's moans grew louder, weaving a melody of need and longing that pushed Tony onward.

"Please… more." Stephen rasped and Tony didn't want to wait longer. He withdrew his fingers, getting a whine in return.

“I’ve got you, darling,” he murmured again, aligning his cock with Stephen’s entrance.

When he entered Stephen it was like coming home. The feeling in his chest where the glowing string had been anchored intensified, and he started to move almost immediately.

With each slow thrust, Tony felt the warmth of their connection deepen, the world outside fading. Stephen’s gasps spurred him on, each sound a testament to their shared intimacy. Their rhythm synced beautifully, an unspoken language of pleasure binding them tighter. Tony’s hands gripped Stephen’s waist, guiding him to meet each forward motion, sensual and purposeful.

He glanced up at Stephen's face, took pleasure at the way the demon looked like a writhing mess under him. He noticed Stephen was doing his best to keep his eyes open and look at him, didn’t want to miss a thing.

Tony imagined holding Stephen at his horns while the demon was on his knees in front of him, putting his ridiculous long tongue to good use.

He was getting off-topic…

The tentacles bound the two of them together, without restricting Tony’s movements. Instead they offered a comfortable pressure.

One of them sneaked up Tony’s thigh; gliding so effortlessly that he only became aware of its presence when it ventured deeper, gently pressing against his butt hole. A soft gasp escaped his lips, the sudden jolt of surprise mingling with mounting anticipation as he realized the nature of this unexpected intrusion.

The initial surprise quickly melted into a deep, throaty moan. The tentacle was wet, and warm, and so good.

It distracted him in the best way possible.

Tony didn’t even realize he had stopped his own movements, his head hung low, while he was still connected deeply to the demon.

Tony moved his knees wider apart, widening Stephen’s legs in the process, while the tentacle probed and pushed inside him. It felt almost pulsating and so very life-like.

He pushed backwards, rocking against it. Then, Tony thrusted forward and felt the tightness of Stephen.

He was in heaven. He must have died somewhere along the way and went to heaven, because there was no other explanation for this.

With every grind forward he felt Stephen, with every rut back, he was filled deeper. The tentacle moved on its own, slowly writhing, changing its angle and probing around until it found that sweet spot of his prostate.

Tony keened. He was spurred on and fell into a fast rhythm.

Between the two of them, the atmosphere was thick with gasps, groans, and grunts, symphonies of pleasure woven into one another. Their bodies melded together seamlessly, skin upon skin. It was hot and too much and just enough.

He didn’t know who was coming first; he or Stephen. He just knew that suddenly it was even hotter and tighter. His eyes were shut closed, yet he was seeing stars.

Tony rode his – their – orgasm out, the movements more mechanical than an intentional choice of action.

When Tony came back to his senses, he was sprawled over Stephen's chest. It couldn’t have been long; Stephen’s breaths were still going heavily. Tony helped him catch his breath by rolling off him.

He felt exhausted but great, and kinda sweaty. Even though he was pretty sure a good amount of the clamminess came from the ooze of the tentacles. He noticed the cloak had released Stephen from its grip, had draped lazily over both of them.

The exhaustion came with deep relaxation. Tony moved his hand to his chest. It felt like something had snapped, being cut and replaced by something else.

Maybe he just imagined it; his feelings were all over the place. He blamed the spell Stephen had put into place at the beginning of the ritual – and he just now realized he had had ritual sex with a demon. It should be absurd, yet Tony regretted nothing.

“Did it work?” he asked, voice still hoarse from the overuse.

Stephen paused to feel for the magic. Then he nodded. “The new bond is in place.”

“Good.” Tony closed his eyes again, basking in the low voice he found so incredibly sexy.

He heard the rustle of sheets when Stephen climbed out of bed, and he glanced at him with one eye. Stephen walked around the bed – Tony noted with proud satisfaction that he was limping a bit – while the cloak on his shoulders slowly returned to its regular cloak-shape.

At first Tony thought he would go into the adjoining bathroom – ridiculous! A demon didn’t have to go to any bathroom.

Stephen picked up his robes from the floor and Tony’s heart dropped.

“Are you leaving?” he asked carefully.

It would not be surprising. This had been a transaction. Stephen already confirmed the ritual had worked and he was no longer bound to Tony’s summoning.

Tony had done his fair share of hit and runs in the past, no strings attached. It had been fun while it lasted.

Still, he couldn’t help but feel a pang of disappointment.

There had to be something of that in his voice that seeped through, because Stephen paused and turned to him.

He looked at the engineer’s naked body, which was only carelessly covered by a blanket. The demon spotted the little dark bruises, that newly formed where he had tasted the delicious skin. Something growled in his chest, something possessive and dark. It whispered that Tony was his; his alone.

Except, Tony was not.

“I didn’t think you would appreciate a demon overstaying his welcome in your bed.” Every word was carefully chosen.

Tony sat up. “I mean, you’re free to come and go as you like, right?” Stephen nodded again and Tony continued with a slight shift in his posture. “Then, I don’t mind this demon staying overnight. In fact, I would even appreciate the company.”

He bit his lower lip.

“That is, unless you have other places to be,” he added with a gentle, almost rehearsed casualness. There was a distinct vulnerability in his question.

He didn’t mean for his invitation to come off as a demand or an obligation. The demon was free to do as he liked. Tony merely wanted to ensure that Stephen was still valued and welcome without pressure.

Once again, the cloak reacted before Stephen did, sliding off the demon’s shoulders and crawling over to Tony, to settle over him like a weighted blanket.

Its preference was clear. Yet, Stephen didn’t move. He held Tony’s gaze, searching for something in his eyes. Tony patted the cloak affectionately, but kept his eyes locked with Stephen's.

He could drown in those deep blue eyes.

Finally, Stephen looked down. He put on his pants, but slid back into bed, welcomed by Tony and the cloak.

“I rarely ever sleep,” he informed Tony. “But I can stay until you fall asleep.”

There was a soft smile on Tony’s lips. “Then you might stay longer than you think.”

He couldn’t deny he was tired; worn out from what they did. He felt more drained than usual after sex and he suspected that the ritual was to blame for that.

Stephen settled next to him, too far away for Tony’s taste, so he pulled him closer and into his arms. Stephen didn’t complain. Quite the opposite. As if this simple gesture had granted him the permission he had been seeking the whole time, he nestled against Tony. He seemed tired as well, despite what he just said.

The engineer brushed his fingers over the demon’s horns, using the excuse to touch and explore his intriguing body a bit longer.

“You know, I still expect you to come over for movie nights.”

“Of course.” Stephen closed his eyes and let out a soft hum of contentment as he felt Tony's fingers gently moving through his hair, caressing him with a tenderness that sent a wave of relaxation throughout his body.

This had always been his weak point; he had forgotten about the soothing power it held until Tony's hand brought that comfort back.

The engineer was delighted to discover this little fact. The cloak pushed the two of them even closer together – enveloping them in a cocoon of warmth – and provided Tony a better access to the demon’s head.

The sensation made Stephen feel both protected and exposed in the most enjoyable way. He didn’t know when was the last time he was this relaxed. The Dark Dimension was a dangerous place. Letting your guard down could become fatal. That was why Stephen only rested when it was absolutely necessary – fortunately he didn’t need a lot of rest due to his powers.

But right now, it was hard to resist.

He even yawned, opening his mouth wide – unhinging his jaw and revealing sharp teeth and a long tongue. Tony could even see the back of his throat.

He smiled, amused, watching the demon grow sleepy in his arms.

Stephen found that staying awake became more and more of a task. With the comfortable weight of the cloak on top of him, the soft bed under him, and Tony’s hands on him, he didn’t even realize he was slowly drifting to sleep.

The last thing he felt were fingers that continued to play with his hair – and a kiss to his temples.

[lokisprettygirl]

Under his influence (Post Avengers! Loki x female reader)

Read chapter 36 here/ Series Masterlist

Chapter 37

Summary : Loki reminds you of the time you were made to forget.

Warning: 18+, Smut HUGE Canon divergence (Just me making shit up), timey wimey stuff topics dealing with cheating and falling out of love, infertility, discussion of pregnancy

Since you met Loki things have been strange to say the least, turns out Stephen hadn't invited him to his birthday party for no reason, there was a threat looming over everything in the name of a mad Titan named Thanos but they fixed it, Avengers did, and Loki was one of them now. His popularity had increased since then, he was a hero, he was the one who knew all about Thanos and helped Avengers come up with a plan, he finally had his chance at redemption and you had a feeling he'd forget all about you slowly once he realizes what earth had to offer to him but he didn't.

After the war with Thanos had ended, he was there at your door bruised and hurt, his eyes were teary, for a moment you thought he'd kiss you but he didn't. You had no idea how hard it was for him to resist.

After tending to his wounds-even though he didn't need it, you grabbed a towel and passed it to him and you had no idea why his eyes welled up when you ruffled his hair and asked him to wash his hair. Maybe he didn't like it when you told him that he looked like a pine tree.

The more time you spent with him the more he felt like a dream come true, he was soft and precious but he was also protective and fierce everytime he was in public with you, he wasn't afraid to be seen with you, he treated you as if you belonged to him in every possible way and you didn't know how to feel about that.

He was famous now and you didn't understand why he'd choose you of all people but the way he looked at you at times made you feel as if you were loved so deeply by him but why would he love you that way? It has merely been two months since he knew you.

There was a celebration at the Avengers tower and he wanted to take you with him, you weren't his girlfriend, not yet, so you felt really nervous about it, however you didn't deny the offer, you just wanted to be around him as much as you could, you wanted to cross all the lines of decency and devour him but something held you back, maybe it was fear, you feared that he'd lose his interest in you once he had you in that way.

You had been in the same situation a plenty of times before and you didn't want to ruin this friendship you had built with him so you stayed quiet and kept your feelings to yourself.

---

Loki knew he had to tell you the truth sooner or later but he wanted to wait for the right moment, he wanted to gain your trust, your forgotten memories would feel too much at once and he didn't want to scare you away from him or make you feel as if he'd harm you or manipulate you in any ways.

That night at the tower as you accompanied him to the celebration he took you to his room, the room you both had been in countless times in other realities but you didn't remember, that's when he showed you his real self, his jotun form.

He just wanted to see how you'd react when you weren't really in love with him in the way you were before but the moment you hugged his giant blue body so tightly and showed no sign of discomfort, whatever miniscule amount of insecurity he had vanished as well.

You were made for him, just for him and he'd never let you go again.

"Happy birthday darling" you smiled as you heard his voice on the phone, so deep and raspy, his voice was one of the many countless reasons you were awake at night these days with your fingers playing with yourself.

"Thank you mister..you said you'd come see me but I don't see you here" you mumbled softly, you were in the kitchen making a cup of tea for yourself, you weren't really enthusiastic about turning 37 but having a new friend in life, a friend that actually cared about you was nice, you had no idea how you'd get over him if someday he'd leave you as well.

"You'd see me if you come to the door" as soon as he said that you leaped towards the door and there he was, in a fancy suit while you looked your usual homeless self. That was another thing you didn't quite understand, he never made you feel as if you had to pretend to be something you were not in front of him.

"What's the occasion?" You asked him as you looked at his fancy self so he smiled and walked closer to you to kiss your forehead.

"It's your birthday and I want to take you somewhere"

"I have to get ready?" you groaned so he cupped your cheeks and kissed the top of your head this time, his soft little kisses always made you yearn for more.

"You can come with me just the way you are love, you look beautiful" he mumbled in your ears as he kissed your cheek, you felt your skin tingling, one of these days you were going to cross all those boundaries you had confined yourself in.

"I'm not going out like this lo" he chuckled as you said that, you asked him to sit down on the couch as you went to the bedroom to change.

He liked this new place you had now but he didn't like it as much as he liked your old tiny apartment. He missed that place and if he was going to tell you the truth, it would be right there. That's where he had ended up the first time, that's when he had seen the prettiest girl in all of existence.

The place that had changed the course of his life should also be the one to change yours.

Once you got ready he teleported you both to your old place, just outside the door.

"Are we here to see Mrs Geller?" You chuckled as you asked him so he shook his head and took out a key to open the apartment you used to live in for what felt like ages ago.

"Why do you have the key?" There was a look of confusion on your face so he smiled to assure you, he hoped he wasn't coming across as a deranged killer.

"I own it now"

"You do?"

"Yes sweetheart"

As you entered the apartment you couldn't believe your eyes, you had left this place when you got married to Stephen, other tenants arrived and left in the meantime so you were surprised to see it look the same way you used to keep it, the furniture and by furniture you meant that ugly little sofa was still there, it even had the tiny little bed you had bought for yourself which surprised you because you had a feeling the other tenant had replaced it..

"I used to live here"

You turned around to look at him so he smiled,

"I know..do you trust me?" he asked you as he approached you so you nodded almost immediately. You trusted him with all your heart.

"What's going on lo?" You asked him softly, you did feel a bit apprehensive of the situation but it wasn't because of him, deep down in your heart you knew he'd never hurt you.

He hesitated before speaking, trying to find the right words to convey what he needed to say. "I need to tell you something important," he finally began. "It may be a lot to take in, and I know it's not easy, but it's something that happened to us, to me and you"

He looked at you with a mix of nervousness and excitement , not wanting to overwhelm you

"What do you mean? I don't understand" He cupped your cheeks and placed his forehead down on yours, his thumbs grazed over your cheekbones gently,

"Have you ever felt as if you were missing something, a part of your life that you couldn't remember?" He asked you softly and he could see the conflicting look in your eye,

"I did..all my life but more since I got older..i ..what's going on lo?" You asked him, suddenly feeling extremely anxious about what was to come..

"This is going to feel a lot at once my darling, but I need you to put your faith in me" Before you could say something else his fingers grazed over your temples and you finally recalled everything you had forgotten. Was it really forgotten or you never ever lived it at all? You couldn't figure it out just yet, he wasn't wrong it did feel overwhelming.

You saw it all, you went back to 2012 and you were here in the kitchen threatening him with a knife and then you remembered everything that had happened between you two after that. The friendship that bloomed, falling in love with each other..visit from Stephen and other Loki, reversing the timeline and then losing him again and then again, you suddenly had all those memories including the life you had lived in the past few years.

Your head was threatening to explode so you took a step away from him, he could tell that you felt scared of the situation and were trying to rationalize it, that's why he had to remember you because this would have been so much more difficult if he didn't.

"Princess"

You broke down into a fit of cry as he addressed you like that, the memories hit you like a wave in that moment and you weren't sure if you wanted to hold on or get swept away in it. It was like being pulled in two directions at once - you wanted to hold on to the memories and not forget, but at the same time, the pain and heartbreak that came with those memories was almost too much to bear. You weren't sure if you wanted to cling to the past or let it go, but either way, you knew that this moment would change everything.

"What is going on" you gulped as you questioned him, voice choked on your own tears, that was all you could manage to say to him.

Seven years you had been separated from him, for seven years you had to suffer just so the world could go on and be the way it was destined to be.

"I know it's a lot to take in sweetheart"

"You bet it is..i ..I don't...Oh god" you felt dizzy and he was immediately by your side to grab a hold of you, he'd never let you fall again "How did i…how could I forget you like that? Lokiii ..how couldn't i remember you..whyy didn't i remember you?" you whimpered as you looked up at him.

If you loved him so deeply then how did you forget?

"Because that's how it was supposed to be my love.. none of this was your fault" he placed his forehead down on yours and allowed you to cry because he knew after this he'd never ever make you cry like this again.

When you didn't remember him you felt so hollow and it all made sense now but now that you did remember him you couldn't fathom how you had gone seven years without him. It felt impossible.

"Please tell me we are going to be okay now, please I can't..I can't do this again baby" the pet name rolled off your lips so naturally that it didn't even make you flinch, all of a sudden you felt as if the life you had been living in the past seven years was an alternate reality that has never happened to you,

"I'm never ever leaving you again..I gave you my word didn't i? I'd tear apart the multiverse if it means I'd get to have you by my side"

He assured you and as he felt your arms around him everything was back to how it was supposed to be. He picked you up in his arms and walked towards the bed to lay you down on it, your face looked swollen from all the crying and he found it so adorable, as he took his jacket off you thought he was going to make love to you but as soon as he laid down next to you and snuggled himself against you, you knew he just needed to hold you in his arms. And you needed it desperately too.

That's how you both stayed there for what felt like hours even though it's barely been minutes..

"Lo?"

"Mmm"

"Who made you remember? Did she come?" You asked him so he looked at you and his eyes were filled with tears,

"She didn't have to make me remember" he propped himself on his elbows as he rubbed his face with his hand,

"What do you mean?"

"My memories weren't erased, i wanted to remember" you sat up on the bed as he said that, he had a feeling this would make you upset.

"Why? Why did you remember?" You asked him, you were shocked to say the least,

"So I could make you remember me when the right time would come..i didn't want to live without your memories.. didn't want to take a risk . I wanted to make sure I'd end up here with you" your eyes teared up so you crawled towards him and hugged him tightly,

"You remembered? How did you..god lo" you couldn't understand how he went seven years this way, waiting for the right moment to come back to you, you don't think you'd have been so strong and able to do the same and maybe that's why you had to forget him.

As you pulled away you kissed him as lovingly as you could and he pressed his head between the crook of your neck to suck on the soft exposed skin, your eyes fixated at the kitchen area and it felt surreal.

Time had come full circle.

Being here with him in the apartment where you had seen him the first time felt unreal, it felt like a dream but it was your reality, a beautiful reality that you'd get to live now.

"Do you want to do this?" He asked softly, always needing your consent even though his fingers were already fiddling with the zipper of your dress, instead of answering him with words you took his shirt off and that was all he needed.

He laid you down on the bed and he didn't even need to do much, you were already dripping wet for him so he waved his fingers and there was a condom in his hand,

"It's old..I sure hope it won't rip sweetheart"

You chuckled as he said that before your eyes teared up as you remembered something.

"It's ok..I can't..ummm I'm not really fertile" you gulped as you told him that but instead of a frown or worry there was a smile on his face,

"You are perfectly fertile my love"

"No you don't understand – with Stephen ..we tried ..i–" he placed his finger on your lips as you began to stutter.

"Shhhhh don't remind me of the fact that he got to touch you like that"

"I'm sorry..I'm sorry..did you ummm..did you sleep with other people?"

"Nooooo.."

"You haven't had sex in seven years?" Your eyes widened in surprise as you questioned him, sure he remembered you but he was a man, with needs, how did he not give into the temptations?

"You really think I'd betray you like that princess?"

"Lokiii..i wouldn't..god i love you" you wrapped your arms around his neck as you pulled him closer to you to kiss him, a gasp escaped your lips as he slipped his cock inside you at the same time, building up a slow rhythm he kept his eyes on you, reeling in every second of this glorious moment..

"Haven't you noticed something?" He asked you so you looked at him intently,

"What?'

"You haven't aged a day since you turned thirty?"

"I have..I'm older now lo" you giggled and norns he had missed all of this so badly he still felt as if he was in a dream.

"You feel that way but you don't look so" your eyes flickered in confusion as he said that, "That last day..the last time we fucked against your wardrobe, I did something to you.. without your permission and I'd apologise but I'm not even apologetic about it"

"What do you mean?" You smiled as you questioned, nothing he said would faze you anymore he had figured but he needed to come clean.

"I didn't use contraception that night, you remember?"

"Mmm" you mumbled as you tucked his hair behind his ears,

"I took you as my mate, not just as a god but as a Jotunn. We are a different species altogether, destined to have one partner for life, one to wed and mate with until death do us part. I planted my seed within you, it's waiting to be flourished whenever you'd become ready to be the mum, and from that moment on, you became my chosen one, unable to have another man's children"

Your mouth stayed open as you processed the information, that's why you weren't able to get pregnant even though your body was completely healthy "I'm sorry I made that decision for you, you can choose to leave yourself out whenever you desire princess, I'd never ever force you to be with me"

"Shutup ..lo" you flipped him underneath you as he said that, your hips rolled back and forth as you began to ride him slowly. Was this supposed to make you upset? You didn't know, Maybe you'd have felt so if it was some other man but you knew loki would never ever do anything to hurt you "You could have just told me lo"

"You wouldn't have remembered"

"I know..did you do it to stop me from aging? Holy shit am I immortal now?"

"Not immortal..you'd just age the same way I do"

"Thousands of years…together?" Your eyes teared up as you looked at him so he cupped your cheeks and as his thumb grazed over your lips you sucked on his digit and an indecent moan escaped his throat,

"Forever my love, you'd be mine forever..that's not why I did it though" you looked at him confused as he said that, "It was atrocious enough that I had to watch you belong to another man for those years, there's no way I'd have allowed him to breed you in such a way"

You smiled as he said that, he was so possessive and you loved that. As you made love to him all night, you still felt as if you were in a fever dream where everything was going your way and you were living the life you had always desired but for once life was on your side. For once time was your friend.

It all made sense now, you were destined to be his forever, that's why you had felt so lonely all your life, feeling as if you were missing a part of your existence, now you knew he always had it with him.

"I dated Mark Johnson" your eyes widened as you remembered that, before you married Strange you dated this other doctor for a while, he was nice but he wasn't the love of your life, none of them were.

Everything made sense now, you gave Loki the fake name in the first timeline because you were supposed to date a man with the same name in the future, the future Loki you met in the first reality one was this same Loki that was underneath you at the moment who went to the alternate reality to warn him of his own future.

"Marry me darling..I can't take it no more..I need to tell the world you belong to me" he asked you as he pulled out a ring out of nowhere, you remembered the ring, it was the same one he had given you before, but this time you knew he belonged to you the way you belonged to him, he had waited and he was only yours for seven years.

All the fears, the trauma, the insecurities you had vanished in that moment. You knew you'd marry him for the reasons this time.

You remembered what Loki had told you, your loki, this loki, he knew.

"So will we really get married in the future?"

"In six months of meeting each other"

It all made sense now.

💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚

Note: Just one more chapter left/ more like an epilogue.

Taglist

@annoyingsweetsstranger @mcufan72 @nixymarvelkins @stupidthoughtsinwriting @fictive-sl0th @eleniblue @violethaze @anukulee @ladymischief11 @12-pm-510 @wolfsmom1 @whylokiissocute @pics-and-fanfics @daddylokisqueen @olivertwistrabbit @blog-the-lilly @prettylittlepluviophile @vanilla-daydreaming @somewiseguy @yaaamadaa-blog @dragonmurray @elthreetimes @gruftiela @thenotoriouserg @greep215 @yallgotkik @janineb86 @sflame15-blog @nyxlaufeyson @lokidokieokie @purplekitten30 @nikkig496-blog @frozenhuntress67 @qardasngan @rosecentury @lokiswife-dark-fox-queen @hrefna-the-raven @jennyggggrrr

@cosniffee @lotsoflokilove23 @oreo-cream @aesonmae @salvinaa

[salted-snailz]

Marvel Masterlist

Characters: Logan Howlett, Bucky Barnes, Loki Odinson, Stephen Strange, Peter Parker, Charles Xavier, Tony Stark

Genres: fluff, comfort, NSFW

Logan Howlett

His and His Only | gn!Reader 🔞

Summary: Drabble where Logan marks you so everyone knows you’re his. -Request? Nope

psstt, heads up! everything past this point is kinda old and not super well written IMO, do with that what you will

Bucky Barnes

His Caretaker | f!Reader

Summary: Bucky being insecure about his scars/injuries and you helping take care of them -Request? Yep!

Brown-Haired Rapunzel | f!Reader

Summary: Bucky’s been starting to grow his hair out a lot longer than usual, but never really says why. It’s not like you mind though, you love playing with his hair. -Request? Yep!

Stimming With Bucky | gn!Reader

Summary: Bucky with an autistic significant other who uses his metal arm as a stim toy. -Request? Nope

Grocery Shopping With Bucky | gn!Reader

Summary: Silly headcanons of going grocery shopping with Bucky. -Request? Nope

Dating Bucky Barnes | f!Reader

Summary: Headcanons of dating Bucky as a Hard of Hearing person. -Request? Yep!

Loki Odinson

Thunderstorms With Loki | gn!Reader

Summary: Loki comforting an autistic reader during a thunderstorm. -Request? Yep!

Having Tics Around Loki | gn!Reader

Summary: Dating Loki as an autistic person and seeing how he reacts to you having a tic attack. -Request? Yep!

Fear Of Bugs With Loki | gn!Reader

Summary: Loki comforting an autistic reader who has a huge fear of bugs. -Request? Yep!

Head Pats | f!Reader

Summary: Loki having an autistic girlfriend who likes her hair played with. -Request? Yep!

NSFW Alphabet | implied afab!Reader 🔞

Summary: Letters A, D, F, I, K, M, W, X of the NSFW alphabet. -Request? Yep!

Peter Parker

Dating Peter Parker | f!Reader

Summary: Headcanons of what I think it would be like to date Peter Parker. -Request? Nope

Stephen Strange

Meeting Stephen Strange | gn!Reader

Summary: Meeting Stephen Strange for the first time as an autistic person. -Request? Nope

Charles Xavier

Migraines And Mind Palaces | f!mutant!Reader

Summary: Charles helps reader with her migraine. -Request? Nope

Tony Stark

Tony Stark With An Autistic Kid | gn!kid!Reader

Summary: Tony Stark having an autistic kid with a special interest in marine biology. -Request? Yep!

all graphics are made by @saradika-graphics <3

[marveltrumpshate]

December 2024 MTH fills

Happy new year! What better way to usher in 2025 than diving into fanworks? Here are the MTH fills shared with us in December.

The best way to see all the fills that have been shared with us is our monthly roundups tag or our #MTH-fills channel on our Discord, but you can also view them through the following methods:

Our Tumblr tags: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024

Our AO3 collection (only has works posted to AO3; see "subcollections" for specific auction years)

Completed works tag list

To find specific content, use our completed works tag lists above which includes instructions on how to search for a particular character, gen or romantic relationship, universe, and fanwork type. 

SOLO CHARACTERS

Bucky Barnes

Dogsled - "The Lost Day One Journal of James Buchanan Barnes, formerly The Winter Soldier" (handwritten journal belonging to MCU Bucky retelling his journey after the fall of Hydra and filled with recovered memories) for @buckybarnesdeservestobehappy

Kurt Wagner

@tiffycat - Art of 616 Kurt Wagner in his Uncanny Spider-Man costume, holding a glowing sword for @thelonebamf

Remy LeBeau

Jason K Jones/@jkjones21 - Art of 616 Remy flinging his cards for @corsets-and-cardigans

Steve Rogers

@secondalto - Cross stitch of the Captain America shield and the phrase "Obidience [sic] is not patriotism" for @betheflame

GEN/PLATONIC RELATIONSHIPS

Clint Barton & Loki

Griselda Gimpel/@griseldagimpel - "What Happened in Budapest" (MCU fic where Loki visits Natasha and then Clint to get their account of what happened in Budapest) for @pawpawholler

Jeff the Land Shark & Kamala Khan & Gwen Poole

Jason K Jones/jkjones21 - Art of 616 Jeff the Land Shark, Kamala, and Gwen Poole enjoying a day at the beach for Lore

Loki & Natasha Romanov

Griselda Gimpel/griseldagimpel - "What Happened in Budapest" (MCU fic where Loki visits Natasha and then Clint to get their account of what happened in Budapest) for pawpawholler

SHIPS

Bucky Barnes/Clint Barton

@ghostcwtch - Podfic of "Lucky in Love," a non-powered Bucky/Clint AU fic where they meet when Clint thinks Bucky is trying to steal his dog for @drgrlfriend

PoliZ's Stuffed Marvels/@polizwrites - Sleepy hand-sewn Bucky and Clint dolls wearing pajamas in each other's colors and symbols for @rufferto9

Bucky Barnes/Clint Barton/Jason Todd

@carcrash429 - Podfic of PandaMoth's "How to Acquire a Crime Lord in 3 Easy Steps," a Bucky/Clint/Jason MCU/DC meet-ugly crossover fic for @esoxwrites

Bucky Barnes/Emily Prentiss

ReformedTsunderePodfics (ReformedTsundere)/@film-in-my-soul - Podfic of "Her Guns to His Knives" (MCU/Criminal Minds season 6 Bucky/Emily crossover fic) for @hermit-writes

Bucky Barnes/Peter Parker

EvilDime - "But the Cat Likes Him" (post-No Way Home Bucky/Peter fic where Bucky thinks there's something off about his neighbor whose window Alpine keeps climbing into) for @maukree

@maukree - "Killer Moves" (hitman!Bucky/dancer!Peter AU fic) for lifflufflaff

Bucky Barnes/Sam Wilson

@daisytarget - Mood board for "No More Mistletoe," an MCU Bucky/Sam Christmas fic for @ineffable-snowman

phobean - Beta service for "No More Mistletone," an MCU Bucky/Sam Christmas fic for ineffable-snowman

Rubick - "Worn Around the Edges" (non-powered Bucky/Sam AU fic where Bucky helps Sam heal as he grieves his partner's death and Sam does the same as Bucky grapples with trauma) for phobean (MTH 2022)

Logan/Wade Wilson

@farmhandler - "Thunderstruck" (MCU/X-Men movieverse Logan/Wade fic where Logan is soft with an insecure Wade) for @some-stars

@finelydressedspacemen - "Heat of the Moment" (Logan/Wade A/B/O AU fic where Logan goes into his first heat in 20 years after a mission goes awry) for @spammooseubi

@panties-on-boys - "Tame" (MCU/X-Men movieverse Logan/Wade fic where Logan is jealous of Wade showering Mary Puppins with love and care) for @lintillathearchaeologist

Loki/Stephen Strange

Laily/@lailyn - "Pretend I'm Not Here" (Loki/Stephen hospital AU fic) for @ruquas (MTH 2023)

Peter Parker/Wade Wilson

Li Izumi/@li-izumi - "Assigned Couple By Ride" (616 Peter/Wade fic where they get paired up on a roller coaster that pairs up singles for the ride) for Hope (MTH 2023)

Peter Quill/Richard Rider

@manofbeskar - Art of 616 Richard Rider flying in space with Peter Quill in his arms for @magicasen

Pietro Maximoff/Peter Parker

@ruquas - "Rhythm of the night" (MCU Pietro/Peter fic where Wanda brings back Pietro from the dead and Peter finds him annoying) for maukree

Steve Rogers/Tony Stark

@elwenyere - "However Stern and Iron" (Steve/Tony North and South fusion fic) for @betheflame, @corsets-and-cardigans, @jehbeeeh, @gottalovev, @festiveferret, @vanilla-shoes, @bella-dahlia, and @tehroserose (MTH 2021)

Raine/@meralasan - Art of Tony bandaging boxer Steve's hand for @nostalgicatsea (MTH 2023)

@secondalto - Cross-stitch of Avengers Assemble Steve and Tony relaxing on a couch for @tehroserose

Vanessa Carlysle/Logan/Wade Wilson

@notesappwitch - "where is your boy tonight? (i hope he is a gentleman)" (MCU/X-Men movieverse Vanessa/Logan/Wade fic where Logan backs off from Wade so Wade and Vanessa can rekindle things except they don't and then the trio gets together) for some-stars

[popcorn-plots]

Febuwhump 2025 Day 3: Pinned down

Title: the pain weighing me down

Words: 211

Summary: The easiest way to take down the Sorcerer Supreme is to go for his hands.

XXX

Ao3 | Tumblr Masterlist

The easiest way to take down the Sorcerer Supreme is by going for his hands.

Stephen didn't like showing his hands all that much. He thought they were ugly, always shaking and scarred. They were monstrosities, something to be hidden away and afraid of.

The way he viewed his body, the way he held himself and reluctantly used his hands outside of magic, meant that no matter how hard he tried, his enemies always learned the Sorcerer Supreme’s weakness after a period of time.

Always go for the hands.

The Maw knew this. Had dug it out from the confines of Stephen’s mind.

Stephen had tried to hide it, tried to keep it a secret, but anyone could figure out Stephen's weakness if they just looked at him for more than a few moments, studied his hands and the way he held them.

Most people didn’t. The hidden powers of selective attention. And yet the Maw had figured it out within seconds. Had found Stephen’s weakness while invading his most personal and treasured spaces.

The micro needles pinning his hands to the ground burned more than the disgust of the Maw’s invasion, the feeling of being violated so… carelessly.

The Maw stepped over Stephen’s taught form and smiled.

Stephen just sobbed.

Ao3 | Tumblr Masterlist

[doctorofmagic]

Marvel developed a habit of teasing its next events in some books. This year's Timeslide #1 showcases a few of them. There are the obvious and confirmed ones, but as a Strange stan, I'll try and predict Stephen's possible involvement.

> Eight Deaths refers to the current Amazing Spider-Man arc. Stephen is already part of it, but I'm still curious (and a bit insecure) of how it will be concluded. Good thing is that Peter confirmed Stephen remains in the Sanctum (some people were worried Victor would take the place as Loki did, but apparently that's not the case this time). > One World Under Doom is this year's big thing (curse you, MCU synergy). Ryan North already confirmed Stephen will have an important role, and that makes me excited. I really adore his Fantastic Four run, so there's hope he will treat Stephen with care. > Strange of Asgard is the obvious next volume. I have no thoughts on this one, I'm just waiting patiently and hoping for some fun. > Dormammu invasion of Earth: now THIS IS NEW. Dormammu gets his shoot once every two or three years, but let's not forget that this time around, Victor will be the Sorcerer Supreme, AND there's an unused plot post-Guardians of the Galaxy involving the two of them. Will it be explored? Who will write the book? I have no idea. But I'm looking forward to it. > Ultimate Incursion: not that I have hope Ultimate Stephen will be featured in the Ultimates universe, but incursions and Secret Wars? That's some Illuminati business. So perhaps 616!Stephen might get a call or two. > What became of Emily Bright: definitely tied to the Dormammu invasion, definitely tied to Strange Academy. But then again, even when Stephen was alive, he wasn't much a part of this series (and when he was, it was terrible). I'm keeping my eye on this event anyway. > The Will of Doom: OKAY THIS IS WHAT GOT ME THE MOST. One World Under Doom was expected, but a second event/arc? I have many theories, none of them can be confirmed. And what about Stephen? It's obvious he's getting the mantle back, but what's his role in this? I NEED TO KNOOOOW.

I don't believe the other events are connected to Stephen, they're referring to Thor, Spidey and X-Men shenanigans. And yes, I know Stephen will be in Asgard, but I don't believe for a second that his role there will be significant to the main book (Immortal Thor). They just shoved our doctor to a random place, I'm not expecting a life-altering book whatsoever.

Aaaaand that's it. I'm surprised Stephen was even mentioned in this book (usually, Marvel doesn't care lol). Do you guys have any two cents to throw here?

[airas-story]

Hope it's not to late for this one!

Stephen got hit with a strong insecurity spell, but he interacts with people and does his work like nothing happened. Tony gets suspicious - has Stephen always just been pretending to be confident?

Your writing is amazing BTW!

This was strangely hard to get in the right word count, even though it was a totally reasonable prompt. So there was some slight adjustment.

“So… you’re not dying,” Tony said. “Because, I’ve gotta say, if you’re secretly having your organs liquefied that’s something I want to know before you drop dead.”

“Stark,” Strange interrupted. “I’m fine. It was an emotion enhancer. Hardly life threatening. It will fade quickly enough.”

Tony narrowed his eyes. Emotion enhancer. “Are you going to go Hulk on me?” he asked. 

Strange looked exasperated. “No.”

“Start singing musicals because you’re overwhelmed with joy?”

Now Strange looked like he wanted to strangle Tony. Which was normal, which didn’t narrow things down much. “No,” Strange said. “And you can stop asking. I have it under control. Masters of the Mystic Arts are trained to handle our emotions.”

…yeah, Tony was definitely calling bullshit on Strange’s constant assertion that they weren’t monks. That sounded totally monk-like. 

He should let it go, but concern niggled in his chest, demanding he know so he could prepare. If Strange was about to burst into tears, Tony wanted to have tissues ready while he fled the room, okay? “Just, are you sure…”

Strange looked exasperated. “Stark, it’s nothing more than a boost of insecurity.”

The words took Tony aback. Strange, insecure? He could hardly imagine it. “So, spells like these, are they instant or…”

“Yes,” Strange said. “As mentioned, I’m entirely capable of controlling my emotions. I am, as I have said several times now, fine.”

Tony believed Strange. Sorta. Except in the ways he didn’t. 

Insecurity. That was a pervasive one. Poisonous. Cruel.

Instinctively he would claim that someone like Strange couldn’t even conceive of what insecurity felt like before right now. And maybe he didn’t. But maybe…

“Okay,” Tony said. “But, just so we’re clear, if you’re ever hit by a spell that liquefies your organs, tell me.”

Strange rolled his eyes; Tony took that as a yes.

Tony hesitated, considering what to say and how to say it. He didn’t want to  come off patronizing.

“Well Strange, emotional guru that you are, I suppose next time I’m in emotional crisis I’ll come bother you so you can set me right.”

“Tempting,” Strange drawled. “I’ll pass.”

Tony grinned at him. “But Strange, you’re the only one I trust!” Something flickered in Strange’s eyes, surprise, disbelief, and… Tony felt a rush of satisfaction, because that was comfort. “And not just with my fragile emotions,” Tony added. “With everything.”

[dick-helmet-magneto]

Top Five Fanfictions you've read, and top 5 fanfictions you've written!

Jesus Kay...

I'm so bad at keeping up with fanfics i've read. I genuinely have no idea but I'm starting with my bookmarks and working from there Top five fanfics i've read (in no particular order)

Misunderstandings Galore - xXQueenofDragonsXx in which Erik thinks Peter is Charles's son. I've read this fic so many times i keep thinking about it and coming back to it. I love a good misunderstanding

Drive My Way - Schatz2020 Race car driver Erik, surgeon Charles. They meet and Erik crashes his car. cannot be sold enough race car driver Erik. The world needs more. Especially with hurt Erik? Tear that boy to shreds. I once lost this fic and spent weeks looking for it.

If It Happens One More Time ('More Than Adequate' Remix) - Butterynutjob Charles and Erik meet, Erik is insecure. Charles finds out it's because Erik's wife is controlling and emotionally abusive. Another fic I've spent weeks looking for at one point. I just love Erik being hurt and Charles caring for him. There's a big theme going on here.

The next two aren't cherik related but live in my head rent free. both are by @rammyrue (hope the tag is okay)

Emergency Contact Sebastian is bought a sex worker, then is mistaken as the sex worker's emergency contact. It's been so long since I've read this fic but I think about it so much. It's been a while since i've read any mormor fics but this this one has stayed with me in the best way

Profess Sebastian goes to the wrong lecture, falls for Jim and for the woman Jim lives with. I've read this more times than I could count. At least once a week it enters my mind. There are parts that I just suddenly remember and go back to reread like I'm watching my favorite episode of a show.

I could take the easy way out and give the like over all most popular fics i've written but I feel like that's not the goal here. almost 350 fics to sort through. Top five fanfics i've written (in no particular order)

Pawns and Rings 5 Times Charles and Erik play chess and 1 time Erik proposes to Charles instead.

Professors Stark and Strange Tony and Stephen are professors they're married, no one knows. It's a whole thing. This is on the list just because it is objectively, looking at hits and kudos the best fic I've written almost 12k hits, over 1.5k kudos, over 100 bookmarks.

See for Yourself Sebastian is going blind and what good is a blind sniper?

Not Who You Think I Am Sub Erik, dom Charles. Everyone worries that Erik is abusing Charles because of how intimidating he is. Less about the fic, more about the plot. I love fics where everyone thinks Erik is dangerous and going to hurt Charles but around Charles and Charles only he's the softest, kindest, most caring boyfriend.

Secret Dad-ing Unknown to everyone in the school, in the dead of the night, when everyone else sleeps, Erik steals some moments alone with his son.

[omgstarks]

Shadow of Doubt (Stephen Strange x Reader)

Summary: A hidden revelation about Stephen's attendance at Christine's wedding casts a shadow of doubt on your relationship, provoking emotions of insecurity and uncertainty.

Warnings: SMUT over 18+ ONLY, creampie, unprotected sex, porn without plot, hint of angst

A/N: this was supposed to be a short, angsty drabble, but I got caught up in the smut oops (but not really) also just wrote quickly so if you see mistakes, what mistakes?

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“Sweetie?” You heard Stephen call from outside the bathroom. You wrapped yourself in a black robe before stepping out to meet him. 

“Stephen.” You gave him a smile, knowing full well that he had just been at Christine’s wedding. It was just last week you noticed a card sticking out from his coat pocket. Upon further inspection, you read it as an invitation card to Christine’s wedding. 

He rarely spoke of her with you, just saying she was an old co-worker who he used to date in his surgeon days. But a part you knew it was something more. From the broken watch he still wore on his arm, to this, you knew very well Christine wasn’t just some ex.

He moved across the room and hugged you tightly. You wondered if he had spoken to her today. If he felt a sense of regret letting her go seeing her in a white dress. If he even loved you. 

“I’ve missed you, sweetie.”

“Yeah? Busy day today?” You replied, trying to remain oblivious. He only nodded, dodging the question all together.

“Just needed to see you.” He kissed your cheek and rested his forehead against yours, holding you by your waist. You grazed your fingers against the side of his face, studying his features carefully. He took your head in his grasp, his fingers weaving through your hair before he kissed you. You leaned into him, submitting to his passionate kisses, moving your lips in tandem of his. 

Stephen pulled away slowly, looking down between you and moved his hands down to the knot at your bathrobe. He slowly loosened it, opening it with ease. He pushed his hands between the silk fabric and touched your bare skin. His warm touch always made you quiver slightly, which he was able to calm with his lips. He leaned down to place a soft kiss on your shoulder before moving his hand around your waist-  squeezing firmly. 

Stephen looked up at you with his cold, blue eyes. It expressed a particular longing expression- one of which you knew he wanted to take this further. He rested his forehead against yours once again as his hand slowly moved down from your stomach. Slow and careful until he brushed his middle finger against your sensitive bud. He pushed it back and forth, teasing your slit until you coated his fingers in your slick. He watched your every reaction intently, gauging when to slow or to move faster.

You bared your neck to him as your head fell back and let out a soft moan.  He continued his work between your legs, moving his lips to latch on your neck. His fingers thrummed against your clit, as they circled around it. 

With the other arm, Stephen wrapped it around your waist and lifted you up, placing you gently down on the bed. He pushed the robe off your shoulders, moving his lips down from your collarbone to your shoulders. He made sure both sides were taken care of, then helped you to lean back onto the bed. 

With a sudden change in pace, he quickly removed his clothes and got on top of you, spreading your legs wide with his knee and settling down between your legs. You looked up at him and saw a primal hunger on his face. Before you knew it, he was pushing his cock into you, desperate to be wrapped in your heat. And you let him. He grunted with every thrust, trying to chase his high. 

You reciprocated his hunger- hooking your legs behind his, pulling him close to you, wanting to be engulfed by him. Although, a part of you still hung on those questions but in this moment, it was only you and him.

He breathed against your temple, his breath hot and wet against your skin. You took his face in your hands, kissing his deeply, you took his bottom lip between your teeth and playfully bit it. This only made Stephen more lustful, his eyes growing darker as he claimed you. 

His movements started to become erratic, almost animalistic as he chased his release. His hold on your waist would probably leave bruises in the morning. The sweat that was beading above his brow fell onto you with every thrust.

He moaned and you could feel his cock throbbing inside you. After a couple more thrusts, he stilled and you could feel his cock twitching with every spurt of his cum.

“Oh fuck-“ He grunted through his teeth before collapsing on top of you. He kissed you messily before rolling off and settling by your side. 

You remained on your back, laying in the silence apart from heavy breaths. After a couple minutes, Stephen turned to you and smiled with closed eyes and an exhausted expression.

“I love you, y/n.” He spoke before drifting off. Your mind lingered on that statement, constantly fighting whether it was really true or not.

A flicker of doubt crossed your face, a silent reflection of the turmoil within your heart. Knowing his secret attendance at Christine's wedding had shattered the trust you had in him and made you question any authenticity of his past and future affections. 

Could you ever truly trust Stephen again? Or would the ghost of Christine forever haunt your relationship, a constant reminder of a love that never truly belonged to you?

[marveldcnerdys]

Dr. Doom vs. Doctor Strange: A Battle of Sorcery, Science, and Souls

In the world of Marvel Comics, few battles carry the complexity, gravitas, and sheer mystique of a showdown between Doctor Victor Von Doom and Doctor Stephen Strange. As two of Marvel's most powerful and enigmatic characters, Doom and Strange have often clashed over ideals, ethics, and the balance of magic and science. Their conflict represents an age-old dichotomy: science versus magic, ambition versus humility, and ego versus enlightenment. Their famous encounter in *Doctor Strange and Doctor Doom: Triumph and Torment* captures not just a battle of powers, but also a journey into the soul of two very different men.

Who are Doctor Doom and Doctor Strange?

To understand why a confrontation between Doctor Doom and Doctor Strange is so significant, it’s essential to delve into who they are, their origins, and what they represent.

Doctor Victor Von Doom

Victor Von Doom, better known as *Doctor Doom*, is the despotic ruler of the fictional European nation of Latveria. Doom is a genius inventor and scientist, a master of advanced technology, and a skilled practitioner of dark sorcery. Driven by a deep sense of pride, Doom views himself as a savior destined to bring order to a chaotic world. Beneath this, however, lies a tragic figure scarred both physically and emotionally by a traumatic past.

Doom’s fascination with both science and sorcery started in his early years, as he sought to free his mother’s soul from the clutches of Mephisto, a powerful demon. His ambitions and insecurities have consistently driven him to greatness—and madness. Armed with advanced technology and magical knowledge, Doom is one of the most formidable characters in the Marvel universe.

Doctor Stephen Strange

On the other side is Doctor Strange, Marvel’s Sorcerer Supreme. Once a brilliant but arrogant neurosurgeon, Stephen Strange was forced to abandon his career after a car accident left his hands crippled. Desperate to regain his old life, Strange sought out the mysterious Ancient One, hoping for a cure. Instead, he found himself on a path of enlightenment, becoming the world's foremost defender against mystical threats. Strange's journey taught him humility, selflessness, and a profound respect for the balance between realms.

Strange's power derives from his training in the mystic arts, his connection to powerful artifacts like the Eye of Agamotto, and his deep knowledge of ancient spells and magical lore. While Strange occasionally embraces the trappings of arrogance, his fundamental mission is to protect Earth from supernatural threats, often at great personal cost.

The Conflict: Magic, Ego, and Redemption

The animosity between Doctor Doom and Doctor Strange is rooted in their fundamental differences. Doom, the consummate authoritarian, views power as a means to control and shape reality to his will. Strange, by contrast, respects the delicate balance between realms and sees himself as a guardian of order rather than a ruler.

Their conflicting philosophies came to a head in *Doctor Strange and Doctor Doom: Triumph and Torment*, a graphic novel written by Roger Stern and illustrated by Mike Mignola. This story stands as one of the most memorable explorations of their rivalry, and it delves deeply into their complex motivations.

Triumph and Torment: A Journey into Hell

In *Triumph and Torment*, Doctor Strange and Doctor Doom are compelled to join forces on a journey to the underworld to rescue Doom’s mother, Cynthia Von Doom, whose soul is held captive by Mephisto. Every midsummer’s eve, Doom attempts to rescue his mother’s soul, only to fail repeatedly. Doom’s pride and guilt fuel his determination, but his hubris has always been his downfall. Realizing he needs help, Doom turns to Doctor Strange, who reluctantly agrees, bound by a mystical pact to aid Doom.

This mission places Strange and Doom in an uncomfortable alliance. Doom’s motivations are deeply personal and selfish, rooted in pride and an almost obsessive need for redemption. Strange’s role as the Sorcerer Supreme obliges him to aid anyone in need, though he remains wary of Doom’s true intentions. Their partnership is uneasy, filled with mutual suspicion and philosophical differences that make their journey more than just a rescue mission; it’s a clash of wills.

The Descent into Mephisto's Realm

Their journey into Mephisto’s realm is a terrifying ordeal that tests their skills, endurance, and resolve. Mephisto’s domain is an ever-shifting nightmare where physical and psychological horrors abound, designed to torture and manipulate those who enter. Doom and Strange must navigate this landscape while grappling with their own inner demons.

The battle against Mephisto is brutal, and their combined powers are barely enough to withstand his onslaught. Doom, for all his cunning, finds himself vulnerable in the face of Mephisto's psychological manipulations, while Strange’s sense of duty and compassion drive him to protect Doom, even when it might not be in his best interest. At one point, Strange saves Doom from certain doom—a moment that Doom neither thanks him for nor acknowledges. This is emblematic of Doom’s pride; he views Strange’s assistance as weakness rather than nobility.

Doom’s True Nature Revealed

In the climactic confrontation, Doom is given a choice: sacrifice his own mother’s soul to gain greater power, or relinquish his ambitions and truly rescue her. Ultimately, Doom chooses to prioritize his mother, rejecting Mephisto’s temptations. This act reveals a rare vulnerability in Doom, hinting at a sliver of humanity beneath his iron mask. For Doctor Strange, it’s a moment of vindication; despite Doom’s arrogance, he is capable of genuine selflessness.

Yet even at this moment, Doom’s pride is evident. He does not thank Strange for his help, nor does he admit any weakness. Instead, he returns to Latveria, resolved to continue his quest for power, tempered but unchanged by his experience. Doom’s complexity lies in his duality; he is at once a tyrant and a tragic figure, a man striving for redemption yet bound by his own unyielding ego.

A Philosophical Battle

The battle between Doctor Doom and Doctor Strange transcends physical combat, existing more as a philosophical clash. Where Doom sees magic as a tool to be wielded, Strange views it as a responsibility. Doom believes in dominance over fate, while Strange believes in humility before forces larger than oneself. This difference in perspective defines their relationship.

Doom’s willingness to break boundaries contrasts sharply with Strange’s respect for the natural order. Strange often perceives Doom as a cautionary example of unchecked ambition, while Doom sees Strange’s restraint as weakness. Their clashes are a reflection of the Marvel universe’s broader exploration of power and responsibility, a theme that resonates in the stories of heroes and villains alike.

Legacy and Impact

The legacy of the Doom-Strange conflict has echoed throughout Marvel’s subsequent stories, influencing many other characters and story arcs. The dynamic between Doom and Strange encapsulates the challenges faced by any hero or villain wielding immense power. Can they maintain their humanity, or does power inevitably corrupt?

Doom's journey with Strange reveals that even in his pursuit of absolute power, human frailties haunt him. Strange, on the other hand, demonstrates the importance of empathy and humility, embodying the virtues of restraint and wisdom. Their encounter leaves both men changed—Doom, briefly humbled, and Strange, reminded of the complexities that define human nature.

Beyond the Comic Book Pages

The Doctor Doom and Doctor Strange dynamic has captivated fans and creators alike, spawning countless fan theories, alternate universe narratives, and discussions. In other media adaptations, such as animated series and the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), there are endless possibilities for exploring their complex relationship. With both characters having appeared in the MCU—Doom through teases and Strange prominently—fans continue to speculate about whether a similar showdown might one day grace the big screen.

In a cinematic adaptation, the Doom-Strange relationship could offer a fascinating exploration of morality and the nature of power, with visual opportunities for mystical battles and psychological drama. Given the depth of both characters and the nuances of their story, a Doom-Strange rivalry could serve as a powerful narrative, rich with potential for emotional and philosophical impact.

Conclusion: An Eternal Conflict

The rivalry between Doctor Doom and Doctor Strange is an iconic and deeply symbolic one within Marvel Comics. It is not merely a clash of fists or spells, but a profound exploration of contrasting ideologies and human weaknesses. Doom’s pride and Strange’s humility create a rich narrative that speaks to the dangers of unchecked ambition and the strength of selflessness. The tension between them encapsulates the Marvel tradition of exploring not only physical battles, but also the internal struggles of characters caught between their flaws and virtues.

In a world where heroes and villains often battle for power or survival, the Doctor Doom versus Doctor Strange dynamic stands out as a clash over the soul itself—both the souls of these two powerful men and the souls they seek to save. Their conflict serves as a reminder that true strength lies not in the power to conquer, but in the courage to confront one’s own inner darkness.

The story of Doctor Doom and Doctor Strange remains one of Marvel’s most compelling narratives, a testament to the complexity and enduring appeal of these characters. Whether they stand as allies or enemies, Doom and Strange will forever be linked by their shared journey into the unknown, their unyielding wills, and the battles they wage within themselves.