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[mysticaldoctor]

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[drpalmer]

That makes her smile, seems all Christine's have a similar gift-giving sense.

She takes her time kissing him, and learning the feel of his body. She is going to savor every sensation.

"You've not tried using magic in bed, have you?"

[mysticaldoctor]

"Mm. Yeah. A few times. Not ... with anyone, though." He snapped his fingers and the clothes were folding themselves into a pile in one of the chairs. He smiled a little at the fact they were both naked. "Better?"

He wondered if she wanted anything a certain way - with magic - or if she just wanted to touch and be touched. He wasn't sure - he wanted all of it.

[drpalmer]

She giggles at their sudden undress, "cheating, but in the best way." She can pull him close to feel nothing but skin against skin.

She just wants the slow build of lingering touches until she is begging for more.

[mysticaldoctor]

He chuckles at that, thrilled that he's impressed her in a way but also quite happy to just touch, and be touched and let things build into a natural frenetic rhythm.

[drpalmer]

And it does build, until she's putty in his hands.

She lays next to him, catching her breath and looking at him. She didn't expect their little meeting to end up like this, but she has absolutely no regrets.

"If we didn't have so many responsibilities I would be happy to just stay in bed with you forever."

[mysticaldoctor]

"Don't tempt me," he murmurs at her, touching her cheek with fondness. "I think it's just one of the sacrifices I have to make." He tucks her hair behind her ear, loving the look in her eyes in the afterglow.

He didn't want to let her leave and go back to her universe, but - he also wouldn't stop her if she wanted to go. "We might have already caused an incursion, but - I'm sure it's worth it."

[drpalmer]

"Me too." It's a sacrifice for both of them.

"Totally worth an incursion." She laughs, wrapping an arm around his midsection. "And if that's the case, I may as well stay a little while."

[mysticaldoctor]

He put his arm around her and kissed her head and closed his eyes.
He might as well rest, after all.

[drpalmer]

She is awake for a while, happy to be curled up against him. She can hear as his breath relaxes into a smooth, even pace.

She has missed this so much, the simple intimacy of lying next to someone.

[mysticaldoctor]

Stephen slept for a while but woke immediately, and he had to get his bearings.
Christine was here. Not his Christine. Obviously. Different universe Christine.

"Do you... need to get back?" he wanted to know. He wouldn't talk about what he'd seen and touched his forehead briefly.

[drpalmer]

She had drifted off and wakes with a start when he does.

"What's wrong?" She's seen that look on his face enough times to know something is up.

[mysticaldoctor]

"I - it was probably just a dream. You know. People have them, it's not always a multiverse journey or a reality."

He was evading. He really didn't want to talk about the fact that a version of her died and it hurt. Nor did he want to know if it was current or in the past.

[drpalmer]

"It still seems to have rattled you."

Of course there are universe's where she has died, that wouldn't surprise her at all.

[mysticaldoctor]

He pulled her close. "I had to make sure this is real, for once. Since it is, I just need to keep an eye out that it's not a possible future that I can prevent."

He knew he was being a bit too clingy, but he didn't want to suffer any more loss.

[drpalmer]

Lucky for him, this Christine is honestly, just as clingy.

"I'm very real." She assures him with a light kiss. "But I understand. I had to remind myself; waking up next to you has been a reoccurring dream for years now."

[mysticaldoctor]

He kissed her back but still clutched at her slightly. "Yes, but - my dreams involve you dying and that is ... something I am not willing to face."

Not scared, or not ready or not ... anything. Not willing. He will prevent it.

[drpalmer]

"Surely there are universes without me, just as there are ones without you."

She is clinging to him just a little bit in reply.

"I have no intention of losing you again."

[mysticaldoctor]

"Yes, but - there is without where one or the other wasn't born, or - otherwise. There are ones that you die in - and I can't stop it. I know I can't control everything but that is one thing I would like to."

It felt awkward putting words to it.
Also she wasn't from this universe, so she couldn't stay. They could visit.

[drpalmer]

She's quiet a moment, just holding him close.

"Train me." She has access to a sanctums library and resources. She has the potential to learn to be a sorcerer herself.

[mysticaldoctor]

"Teach you." He sighed and thought about it. Probably might get in trouble for it, and it might be worth it. "Very well, it's beyond portals and shields though. It's weapons, and knowing what energy you're pulling from to craft what you need in the moment. It's a lot of snap judgement, and here - in this universe - knowledge isn't forbidden, it's certain practices. The reason the Darkhold was forbidden is ... you're used as much as you use the book itself. There's also ... time. We don't have the time stone anymore, but - still one could use some of the spells, cause an incursion, even unknowingly. It takes years of study and practice, constantly knowing different battle techniques.

If your Mordo is anything like mine he won't approve."

[drpalmer]

"I'm not a complete stranger to the mystic arts." She brushes her thumb along his cheekbone, "I know what I'm asking. I also have a Sanctum's worth of books at my disposal."

And then she chuckles.

"Mordo can fuck off. He doesn't approve of anything. But he also spends weeks at a time in the London Sanctum."

[mysticaldoctor]

"Be careful what you open. Start with Practical Sanskrit, as most of the spellbooks are written in it. Don't open the Book of Cagliostro until you're ready for it, read the warnings after the spells before you cast it, and don't try to Astral Project here, either. I'm sure there's other rules but that's why Wong is the Sorcerer Supreme of this universe."

He knows he's going to get in trouble for agreeing to this without consulting the Sorcerer Supreme but - Stephen knows Wong won't agree, and he won't like that an alternate version of Christine is visiting, either - so Stephen doesn't intend to reveal this until it's necessary.

[drpalmer]

"Don't immediately use the time stone? There goes all of my plans." She gives him a little look, "I will be fine Stephen. I'm not the reckless sort. Usually."

She did cross into another universe to see him, so a hint reckless.

"I'll be safe, I promise. Maybe someday I'll be the Sorcerer Supreme for my universe."

[mysticaldoctor]

"You're here." Stephen was amused. "As for Sorcerer Supreme, don't tell Mordo. You'll also want a sling ring and be able to walk into the mirror dimension, so you can practice your spells in a place where you aren't disturbed. I wouldn't mind if you took mine, but we don't want an incursion - and considering an item of my universe in yours - it could."

[drpalmer]

"We have sling rings in my universe. They look at bit different from yours, but work almost exactly the same." It's entertaining to note all the little differences between their worlds.