Stephen watched Ancient One from afar, curious for answers, but too afraid to ask.
"What happens if someone shares their mind with yours?" Stephen asked as he made his way to her side. the Ancient One's face filled with astonishment and surprise.
"Why, have you been trying to do that?" Her tone raised an alarm within him, he felt the cloak press a warning against his wrist. She suddenly sounded a lot less philosophical at the moment, sending a sharp stab of awareness at him.
"No, I just read it somewhere. Seeing if it's possible…I like asking questions if there's something I don't understand." Stephen answered quickly.
"Oh…Well, it's possible, but only those that are on a true level of understanding are able to reach such a connection. It isn't to be taken lightly either." She waved her fan close to her chest.
"The misgivings of the human soul can cause such a uncertain future, which can lead to untimely and consequential results." She added.
Stephen wasn't exactly sure what had quite sparked between he and Kaecilius, but nothing had compared to it. He'd only held his hands…physically, but mentally? That was an entirely different story. The Ancient One suddenly sounded like herself, but the earlier rise in her tone sent a warning to him to tread carefully.
"It is possible, but to do it wrong could render either person in a state of excruciating pain, when the body reaches its limit, the mind can endure far more, the mentality of a human can be shattered in an instant, Supreme." She continued. Stephen wasn't sure how he felt about her calling him that, given her status and energy se gave off, he could only nod in response.
"It was just something I was curious about, if any sorcerers had ever done it before." He truly was curious, but he didn't delve too far, for fear of either of them finding out.
"It would tear a human's psyche apart." Mordo answered, causing a wave of sickness to wash over him, he didn't want to talk about it anymore. Did Kaecilius know what he'd done? Stephen hoped not, but he was pretty sure that he certainly did and took advantage of the doctor's lack of knowledge and experience when it came to magic. He chewed his lip and left the sanctum. He needed a break from the raging silence. He headed towards the library and nodded at Wong as he passed by, glancing on the shelves about different kinds of spiritual connection.
"I have a feeling this has very little to do with the human…Christine Palmer, does it?" Ancient One asked. Stephen said nothing, refusing to say anything that would cause his reality to force itself to the surface.
"I am asking because she's asking a lot of questions, I'm not quite certain that I have all the correct answers for her." He lied through his teeth.
"I see, it's innocent, but tread carefully when it comes to sharing minds, it's very different from a body." Her smug smile made him flush.
"I wasn't that awful." He felt heat against his face.
"You might be experienced with the physical part of love, but the mind.. you'll see, is far more intimate."
Stephen felt wisps of white tendrils play around his aura. He knew right then she understood everything he'd done, unknowingly so, but she said nothing. He felt her aura, white with wisps of pink pull at him, a force in and of itself. It was ancient and full of love and wisdom. There had been no darkness there, he without a doubt she may have been a hypocrite at one point, but in Stephen's eyes, nobody was worth not saving His compassion for her had dulled her uneasiness towards Kaecilius and she did allow him to remain in the sanctum. He wasn't a keeper, but it wouldn't take long with a sorcerer of his skill set to be a protector, defender once again.
She turned and placed a book in his hands.
He looked down and saw two forms and they were joining hands, but they had no discernible separation or physical bodies.
"The joining of spirits." He read aloud and flushed slightly, able to read the hieroglyphic title.
"Thank you." He didn't say much else, but Ancient One nodded and he was already heading out the door. He managed to grab another book about teleportation just to see if he could master it. That part sent a thrill up his spine. He smiled smugly as his books were stamped by her, not Wong.
"He can't know everything, some secrets are safer the less others know. It's possible you've changed his destiny." She smiled lightly. Stephen blushed slightly, surprised by her kindness, but he didn't waste any time and headed towards his quarters. He clutched the books closely and headed for his room. He opened the teleportation book first and chuckled, it was going to be easy, as easy as it was to open the eye of Agamotto. He held the book in front of him an enunciated the incantation, felt the ripple of energy flowing through him, it was an enamoring purple and sealed with gold. He relaxed and felt himself phase slightly out of the physical world, it was almost like entering the astral plane, but not quite. It resembled somewhere in between. He closed his eyes and he meant to be in the corner of his own room, but ended up much farther in Steve Roger's room. He stilled and his blue eyes widened.
"Shit." He muttered, looking around and taking in the images, sketches, shields, military memorabilia, and everything was tidy and neat. There was no doubt it was his room.
"Oh, hey." Steve's voce snapped him out of his reverie.
"I…" He mouthed, blue eyes widened with surprise.
"It's alright." Steve smiled in that American-boy handsome way that made him uniquely Captain America.
"You're welcome any time, it's always good to have you." He smiled at the doctor. Stephen glanced around the room and saw a sketchbook that had Tony's features etched over the front, but it was incomplete, Steve's face blushed slightly as he slammed the book shut with a force he hadn't meant to. The slap sound of the leather cover against the page was deafening in the silent room.
"D..Don't say anything." Steve commented, "Please." He pleaded.
"Honestly, you think I'd ever inflate his ego any more than it already is?" Stephen laughed louder than he'd meant, but it was an honest sound.
"I'm just trying to draw him." Steve admitted.
"Believe me, I have my own share of problems now." Stephen scoffed.
"Stark reminds me of my past and how I gave absolutely no care to others, selfish, condemned to a life of ignorance." He snapped, making Steve jump slightly as his retort.
"Maybe you can change that." He smiled lightly.
"We'll see." Steve smiled.
"Hungry?" He looked at Stephen's pale complexion.
"Sure." He folded his robe over his hip, readjusting his dressings. He followed Steve through the hallway and the size of their mansion hit him. It was similar to his flat with the tall glass windows. He reached and pressed a hand against his wrist, feeling the shattered face of his watch, a new tick he'd gotten after the time loop. It was a reminder of how close he came to losing everything. A loud and drawn out sigh fell over the room as he looked to the left and saw Tony. He was not a fan of magic, but he tolerated his presence in the mansion.
"Would you prefer if I knocked?" He asked.
"Yeah… Actually I would." Tony snorted, Stephen glanced at Steve's posture going more rigid.
"You know you don't have to be so arrogant." Steve snapped. The doctor felt a sense of rage fall against his skin. The energy between then was almost tangible. Then a different wave of energy wafted through his senses and he knew right away that Steve was enamored with Tony, he could feel how Steve loved to argue with him, it brought out a desperate need in Steve that was always quelled once Tony started snapping back at him, knowing his heart was in it.
"Too bad." Stephen scoffed, unwilling to jump on their argument. He felt a loving energy push at his senses, he knew right away it was Wanda before he met her eyes.
"Stephen." She smiled. He hugged her, their capes flowing lightly against one another.
"I have a lot of catching up to do, later, now it seems too early for anything." He muttered, but she went past him and Clint came into the kitchen, sandwich in hand.
"Here" He smiled, handing it to Stephen. He looked down at it and saw that it was tri-tip.
"Oh God." He carefully wrapped it in foil, preferring to save this temptation for later. Clint smiled as he watched the sandwich disappear into Stephen's satchel.
"Thank you." He smiled, and Clint winked. He reached down and picket up a black cat and it purred against his face. Stephen looked at the cat, eyes narrowing.
"Don't be jealous." He scoffed and walked away with the cat. Stephen sensed something off about the animal, but he said nothing to Clint. There was some kind of magic surrounding it, but he didn't want to take it away from Clint. He didn't trust the cat's energy at all; it wasn't what it seemed to be. He'd find out when he wasn't around to protect the cat. He wouldn't hurt it, but he would find out what it really was later.
You're not the only one with magic… The cat told him. awareness bit at Stephen's spine, knowing the rest of the Avengers probably heard nothing. He glanced at Wanda and she retracted herself from the room quickly. Stephen followed right behind her.
"Who is that, I know you know." Stephen whispered under his breath.
"His name is Loki." Her accent thickened.
"Wasn't he responsible for a lot of chaos in New York?!" Stephen gasped.
"Keep quiet sorcerer, he's different now." She warned. His eyes widened with surprise.
"Why is he hiding out here then?" Stephen asked.
"He's capable of being a decent person and he's kind of enamored with our archer after everything that has happened." Wanda smiled.
"Did he tell you this?" Stephen asked.
"No, but look at him. He hasn't left Clint since we've been back to the mansion since Zircovia." She cooed in delight.
"I see…" He eyed the only room cautiously.
"You should know more than anyone that he is also capable of redeeming himself." Her smile was wide. Stephen paled slightly at the comment and Kaecilius' face blurred through his mind.
"Where's Pietro?" He asked, desperate to change the subject.
"At the movies with Scott." She folded her arms.
"Oh." Stephen flushed and stepped into the living room.
"It's great to see you again." Steve smiled, shaking his hand firmly. Stephen nodded and pulled his hand away, slightly sore.
"Seems you've made up." He mentioned with slight smile, uncertain if they had or not. He glanced over at Tony who was hiding his face in a technological magazine, but his energy was raw and crackling. He hoped it wouldn't last long, but they apparently were always going at it.
"I will see you all later when duty calls." He smiled lightly and saw Vision press a hand against her hip as she sat down with him on the sofa. Stephen went down the hall and to Steve's room where the circle of heat ignited from his ring. He was tired from teleporting. It wasn't painful, but it depleted his mental state and he was in need of nourishment, but as he stepped into the ring he felt a sense of calmness sweep over him. He sighed deeply and made his way to the stairs and his room. He waved a hand and lanterns filtered with a soft glow of magical light. He hung his satchel against the coat rack and decided to opt for the bath instead. The water was warm and inviting. After shedding his robes, he laid his head back and sighed once more, enjoying the heat almost stinging at his skin. Prickles of awareness rippled against his body.
"Kaecilius…" He whispered under his breath. He wasn't sure if it was an invasion of privacy or not. The water suddenly felt like ice and he couldn't keep warm. Stephen dressed in lighter, but longer robes for the evening. He preferred them over jeans in a heartbeat. He clutched the inseam of the robe against his arm, clenching his teeth. He was annoyed. His gaze loomed over the Great Hall, looking for a certain silver-haired sorcerer. His blue eyes narrowed as his saw a familiar ponytail reflected slightly from the lantern light near an alcove.
"Hey!" Stephen grumbled, louder than he realized and some heads had turned. Stephen flushed slightly and arrived beside his form. Kaecilius turned, his face seemed smug, but his mouth hadn't smiled. Sjocks of awareness bit harder at Stephen's spine.
"What are you doing to me?" He hissed through his teeth.
"I have done nothing…I'm afraid you're mistaken." He answered quietly.
"Oh I think you know," Stephen growled angrily. "I've saved you a from a fate far worse than death and now you taunt me?" He moved closer towards him, anger snapping at him in waves. He was face-to-face with him and got the reaction he wanted when his eyes narrowed at Kaecilius, given he was three inches taller, it had the effect Stephen had hoped for…
Kaecilius' amber eyes lit up with amusement, causing a sinking feeling in Stephen's gut.
"You have it very wrong, Doctor." He leaned in and whispered. Stephen felt a wave of heat press against his senses. pinpricks of light dotted against his peripheral vision, though he strained to see it. He could feel Kaecilius' aura, radiating from him.
"Ancient One has told me that you've been able to conjure a portal again." He smiled knowingly.
"Y…yes." He stammered, remembering how stupid he must have looked running away from him.
"How are you?" Stephen felt her omnipotent energy before he even saw her.
"I am well." He smiled lightly, looking at the floor with nervousness.
"Let's take a walk, shall we?" Her curt smile encouraged his feet to follow. Stephen felt his cloak brush against his wrist in a gesture to comfort him. He clutched the edge of the fabric in response. She led him to a room with rippling lights than seemed to come from nowhere until he concentrated. The floor was made from water and bioluminescent light filtered through it.
"Your soul is not at ease with your body." She stated. He watched her carefully.
"An evening here will calm and cleanse your mind as well as your body." She sounded genuinely sincere. Stephen smiled and nodded, taking note of how they arrived here.
"Kaecilius seems to have grown on you." She smiled.
"I…I know." He answered.
"Do not enrich yourself with a monistic lifestyle and simply disregard it for something impractical." Her energy flowed against his aura, white, intelligent, and utterly fierce. He looked up at her soft intelligent eyes.
"He's not impractical." Stephen answered quickly without realizing it. Ancient One's eyes widened slightly and then she smiled wide. The doctor flushed slightly and she left him there in the quiet room with purple and blue lights. Had he just told her everything? He wasn't sure, but he did know she probably knew everything before he even thought about it. He furrowed his brow and stalked from the watery room in favor of his own. The sandwich sounded about perfect right now. He shut his door and locked it, just in case Mordo happened in. Stephen pulled the foil cocoon from the leather case. He held it in his hands and took a deep breath of the tangy scent. His mouth watered and he pulled back the foil and took a huge bite.
"Mmmfff." He almost moaned without realizing it. It had been a long time since he'd eaten any meat he realized. It was amazing. He bit through the sandwich in a matter of seconds. After looking at the crumpled wrapper, he felt as though maybe he should have savored it a bit more. Stephen tossed his trash away in the bathroom and removed his outer robes. A silky single layer brushed against him, almost translucent against the lanterns. He looked at his cloak and ran a palm over it. It almost purred in response to him. Its energy felt warm and inviting against him. He knew Ancient One called it fickle, yet it saved his life already more than he could count, he did love it. It had it's own aura and almost what could have been a soul, Stephen realized as he felt the silky yet strong fabric. It rested against the coat rack, settling for floating beside it instead. Stephen smiled, because it was a lot like him. He turned and saw Kaecilius behind him. Stephen's face filled with heat as he pulled the robe tighter.
"Wh…what are you doing here?" He stammered, hating himself for his voice breaking.
"You called me." He turned around and faced him, pacing the room with similar robes, but his were a deep gray. Stephen blushed slightly, and then anger plumed in him.
"Why do you always seem to irritate me, come into my quarters without asking?" His voice rose to a venomous tone he was prouder of than his last question.
"The energy…your energy." He smirked and moved closer, grace and sway was on his side as Stephen swallowed thickly.
"It calls to me, whether you're aware of it or not."
"Stop forcing me." Stephen snapped vehemently.
"I am not forcing you to do anything, yet here you are, out of your own free will, are you not?" Kaecilius smiled, but it only reached the corner of his mouth.
"Shall we?" Kaecilius' smile made him sit in the middle of the floor, accepting it without much of a fight.
Stephen closed his eyes, feeling a thick haze visibly flood through his system, both mind and body, he wasn't sure which happened first, but he welcomed it. He wasn't sure where this would lead or if he was emotionally ready, but his mind opened like a floodgate. Ripples of heat emanulated from Kaecilius. He gasped in response to the hit. Goosebumps flushed over his skin beneath his robe. Awareness bit at his skin, he loved the thrill of it, unlike anything before… unlike any human he'd ever experienced.
He smiled wide at him, knowing his cheeks were red, but he couldn't find the courage to be nervous. It was like he'd drank a heavy and exotic glass of wine. He watched through a heavy fog and saw Kaecilius' smile in return. At least the sense of feeling stupid had long gone. Emotion became something visible and subtle against his face. He felt a deep sense of awareness stab at him, snaking up his spine, as if each bolt was a connector to every vertebrae. He reached forward and held his hands out, desperate, and greedy for that same feeling again. Kaecilius knew, and his fingertips ghosted the underside of his hands and shocks exhilarated Stephen's body. He gasped, uncertain how to respond. Purple synapses exploded behind his eyelids. Indigo fire ebbed against his skin and he leaned closer, inhaling the raw crackling energy.
"It feels…" He managed, and the tone felt like he as in a tunnel, organic and breathing, humming with life. He couldn't bear to open his eyes and escape from the beauty of it.
"Unimaginable." Kaecilius' exotic tone mellowed through his conciseness. He nodded and somehow managed to move closer. Delta waves reverberated off him, Stephen felt them push and pull at his conciseness. He was entirely open and receiving to them. He let out a shudder as his energy started to get stronger and more vibrant in response to Kaecilius' well-toned soul. His fingertips felt like lighting trails on his skin, rippling and licking at his body. Kaecilius clenched his hands against his fingers, exploding them with vivid beautiful colors. He sighed, but it felt like a ripple of pure heat against him. He could see the sound waves as Kaecilius mouth opened and closed, it sounded more like a melody and not human language by any means. Stephen gasped deeply against the mellow and soothing tones. Clusters of dense stars filtered through his body, billowing like glass shards around them. Stephen winced as Kaecilius' aura pushed against his, dominant, yet kind. The sultry tones filled his lungs. He felt the waves push against him, both physically and mentally. Stephen visibly winced against him, at some point his hands had strayed from Kae's palms and sifted deeper, higher against his arms, sensing their lethal potential. An electric shudder rippled up his spine and he pressed his cheek against his neck. Lightning thundered against his back as a hand was gently pressed there. His chakra sifted against him in rainbow hues. Stephen knew every one and what they stood for. He hadn't seen them before, which meant something had changed between them. Stephen sighed softly against him, feeling his aura pull lightly against him in a cacophony of glittering light. It was exhilarating, painfully deep, yet the endorphins exploding through his receptors was obvious. A soft sound left his lips and Kaecilius responded with a sultry hum. Stephen clutched him tighter and breathed in the husky atmosphere. At some point they'd moved, but he hadn't felt the physical shift of motion. He laid there against a blanket of stardust, shimmering quietly. His hand clutched Kaecilius' tightly.
At some point he'd slept, uncertain where reality, mind, and dreams all fused together.
A sudden wave of heat rolled over him, and it hadn't felt good.
"Hff.." Stephen sat up and felt a stab of pain in his stomach, he lurched forward and stumbled his way to the bathroom, hunched over the toilet and threw up.
"Oh God…" He heaved and clutched the side of the toilet.
"Stephen?" Kaecilius fumbled his way through the darkness to the thin halo of light from the bathroom.
"What have you done to me?" Stephen winced.
Kaecilius ' went rigid.