Christine Supreme AU

[drpalmer]

In all the infinite universes, there was sure to be one in which Stephen Strange didn't survive his car accident, and in this, particular version of such an event, Christine had been with him. It had been a different path that led her to magic. The universe needed a new sorcerer, be it Stephen or someone else.

She had trained and devoted herself to the mystical arts just as she had devoted herself to medicine. Healing magic and defensive spells came most naturally for her, it was in her blood to help. In this universe Christine Palmer became an incredible power, she saved countless lives.

Of course, she had never truly stopped mourning Stephen, but she carried on and fought in his memory.

When the walls between universes started to crack it was as if a call was put out for all the Sorcerers in every universe to find ways to help repair the cracks.

Something was coming and she could feel it. She was pacing around the Sanctum, whatever was on the way was going to come here, of that she was certain.

Comments

[drpalmer]

"It is."

She does as asked, letting her magic reinforce what he's done, they seem to work together, their magic intune almost immediately.

"That's looking a but better."

[mysticaldoctor]

"I agree." Strange realized that a lot of what he possessed was destructive energy, but it might be channeled into something stable that would hold under pressure. It would take a lot of power to crack it again. It also took some sorting as to who belonged where, before it was reinforced.

Odd that they hadn't been bothered by any of their other selves, or any other Sorcerers Supreme.

[drpalmer]

She wonders if the wall is being reinforced from the other side, it would make sense. Especially without anyone else popping through the cracks.

"Are you using the entities?" She sees a whisp of a claw being added into the spell.

[mysticaldoctor]

His eyes glowed, odd - different, inter-dimensional colors. "Yes. I think it will stay better that way." Plus, he had thought - quite hard in that glass prison if he ever chanced to ... be rid of what he'd taken, that he'd do it in a certain way - even if he remained - a monster in appearance.

He doesn't need to tell this Christine that, does he?

[drpalmer]

"It probably will." With all the energy of those creatures, and Christine adding stability it's likely the patching will be very stable.

She can imagine it will feel a bit better for him with fewer entities fighting for space within him.

[mysticaldoctor]

There are fewer - definitely - he felt lighter and less exhausted as he'd grown accustomed to.
"I think for now that will suffice. Also if there are any stragglers they can hopefully be portaled back but - I did scry for those not quite belonging in their distinct worlds."

[drpalmer]

She nods, the cracks are well sealed and not moving.

"Now how do I protect you?" Because with the universe safe, her biggest concern is keeping him intact and alive.

[mysticaldoctor]

"I don't know if my universe exists anymore, it was already quite small."
He also doesn't know how he managed to stay alive, if he deserved to be... not allowed to die after his actions. If the creatures still made him immortal, or if - something else did.

He also knows that's bad humor, but - it can't be helped. "If I die, or vanish into the vacuum of space, or - whatever else it is. I - I can accept it, and I think even if you want to protect me, maybe you should too."

[drpalmer]

She closes the space between them to caress his face, she is not prepared to lose him again.

"I don't want to. I've lost you once, I really don't want to do it again." She's practically blanketing him with her magic without even noticing, trying to wrap him up in some sort of shield made of her love and loss.

[mysticaldoctor]

He felt it again, it was like being in the dark and cold and finally feeling the warmth of the sunshine.

Allegory of the Cave? It's been a long time that he doesn't remember.
"Christine." He murmured her name, let her blanket him in that shield. The loss parts he understood too well. He thought that her Stephen must have known she loved him.

[drpalmer]

They are bonded by their respective losses, that innate understanding of how lonely those times had been.

"I want to be very selfish and keep you, whatever the cost." She desperately hopes the cost is reasonable. Maybe the universe would see fit to cut them a break after saving it.

[mysticaldoctor]

He nodded and folded her into his arms. "I will stay as long as - the universe will allow me to. It might help that - I defer to your position as Sorcerer Supreme. I'd also ... let you keep me."

His Christine definitely deserved better.

[drpalmer]

They could be happy together, she thinks. These two broken Sorcerers, trying to mend together.

"You look a bit less worn out, I imagine losing some entities would make you feel a bit lighter."

Her fingers brush some of his hair back into place.

"It's so odd, to feel like I know you so intimately despite having only just met."

[mysticaldoctor]

He leaned into the touch, it had been some time since he was touched - even when he fought in the multiverse he wasn't - touched. It was a battle and he was congratulated on his work, not - this soft intimacy that he had missed for centuries.

"Yes," he did not want to remind her that he loved Christine very much.

[drpalmer]

She knows he loves his Christine, she doesn't aim to be a replacement.

He isn't her Stephen, though she thinks he would have appreciated the ego boost of her only wanting a Stephen Strange.

"I've missed this, just being able to touch someone. Wong never likes it when I hug him."

[mysticaldoctor]

He chuckled at that the image of Christine hugging Wong.
"Does he tell you something about not being physically affectionate?"

He suddenly missed his - version of Wong too, as odd as that was.

[drpalmer]

"Yeah." She chuckles, "I've gotten less huggy and he's gotten more tolerant."

She stands taller to kiss his cheek.

"Should we have a celebratory drink?"

[mysticaldoctor]

He nods, having forgotten what anything celebratory might have tasted like?
"We should, after that." Hopefully the universe will let him stay.

[drpalmer]

She will likely do a bit of research, but she's wondering if she can use some of her life force to stabilize him, to keep him here.

"You still have the same expensive tastes in wine?" She slips her hand in his to walk him towards the study.

[mysticaldoctor]

He sighed, wondering if he was allowed to magic it and decided that he wouldn't for now. Before - it was just - it didn't matter if that world collapsed - because it was anyway, with all the brain eating creatures.


"Yes." A pause. "Do you still like creme brûlée?" There was a faint tear in his eye, as he remembered certain things, the weight of her hand in his, and what it felt like. What her skin felt like against his. Maybe not his Christine, but similar enough. He would not beg for more favors.

[drpalmer]

"Yeah." She nods. She will be the one to summon them a bottle from her wine collection.

"I know I will never replace her, and I don't want to even try to. But maybe we both get a second chance at this."

[mysticaldoctor]

"I always wanted one, but - I didn't think I would ever be granted one, much less deserved it. I'm not your Stephen either - but. Perhaps we can try whatever this is."

He looked quite pleased at the wine she brought.

[drpalmer]

"I think we can relate pretty deeply." On loss and magic.

She pours them two glasses of wine and holds hers up to him.

"To saving the universe."

[mysticaldoctor]

He blushes a little and clinks his glass against hers. "To the universe, and all who guard it."
He took a sip and liked the taste, and he was rather fond of just this - particular treasure. Christine and himself together, sharing a decent bottle of wine.

[drpalmer]

It felt like lifetimes ago that she had been able to do this. To drink with Stephen, she would have kept him, tentacles and all.

"I'll have to introduce you to Wong later, that should be interesting."