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

[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."

[mysticaldoctor]

"Do you think he'll mind them?" he shrugged his shoulders a little, to indicate what he meant. "Probably can't hide them from him, even if I wanted to."

[drpalmer]

"I think he'll respect why you've done enough not to care."

Christine has always found Wong to be reasonable and fair.

"You can't hide them from me either." She shrugs, "don't need you to."

[mysticaldoctor]

Stephen lets go of the disguise a bit - he still has a multitude of eyes and a set of wings - but he looks less monstrous than before.
"I fought with - a multitude of heroes once - they would have been frightened, and the teamwork probably wouldn't have worked." His voice was more there than it was previously though.

[drpalmer]

"People get so sensitive when you show up with some wings." She teases.

Can it all look a bit intimidating? Sure. But she isn't scared of him.

"Looks like the claws have gone?"

[mysticaldoctor]

He looked at his hands. They were still a little distorted, but they didn't look like paws or tentacles too much anymore. They resembled hands... a bit.

"I put - some of the beastial powers in the other dimensions, used the power to hold it together. It's a bit more powerful than a galaxy destroying blast."

[drpalmer]

"I couldn't have strengthened it enough without you." She wonders if the universe plopped him with her for this very reason.

She takes one of those hands and brings it up to kiss the palm. She was always a bit in awe of his hands, the delicate work of neurosurgery was something very impressive.

[mysticaldoctor]

"I'm glad we... figured that out together." He felt his eyes were stinging and he wasn't one for tears but he'd dearly missed Christine - and thought he'd never be touched again.

[drpalmer]

She already got her tears out of the way when she saw him. She rests his hand to her cheek.

"Palmer and Stange always seem to make a good pair."

[mysticaldoctor]

"The Palmer-Strange method. Only - surgery on the multiverse." He found this amused him, and he liked to sit there and enjoy his wine and her company. "So ... there are things you wanted to tell me, and I'd - like to have creme brulee with you, if you'll have me."

[drpalmer]

"That... makes me surprisingly happy." That in every universe they save lives.

It's nice to have this pleasant company again.

"Of course I'll have you." Seems silly he would even question it.

[mysticaldoctor]

"I think that's the only happiness I've known," he knows it seems melancholy and depressing but it can't be helped. "Yes, but - I don't want to push. Seems ... ungrateful to the universe to - push luck."

He would appreciate being with her.