-Unbetaed and non native speaker so please kindly point out any mistakes
-Warning: a slight spoiler about Shang Chi, nothing major.
"Wong, what's that contraption doing here? We haven't resorted to physical torture, have we?"
"Which one?"
"That big ugly one at the corner. The fact that you need to ask which one is worrisome." Wong looked at the direction Stephen pointed.
"Oh, that." He shrugged. "It's the Pilates machine."
"Pilates?! Why?"
"You haven't exercised for the last five years. You need to get fit."
"Are you calling me fat? I blipped for five years. I didn't exist so I didn't need to exercise."
"I prepared it for you because I've faith that you'll be back from not existing to annoy me. It's all part of your scheme."
"If it's a backhanded compliment, it's not working. You made it sound like I planned something sinister."
"Didn't you?"
Stephen huffed and crossed his arms in front of his chest. "I didn't plan to get kidnapped and tortured. I just used whatever I had to make the best-case scenario." Sensing his tension, the Cloak started to do some shoulder massage which she must pick up from watching too much YouTube.
"I'm sorry, Stephen, I didn't mean to reopen old wounds."
"That's fine. Most of us make it out alive." He forced a grin. "You got that contraption on sale, didn't you?"
Wong breathed a sigh of relief. "Of course, 80% off. Who knew that the economy went down the drain when half the population went missing?"
"Definitely not Thanos. That guy might be a mad genius but he definitely didn't know anything about economics. Why are we talking about the economy?" Stephen narrowed his eyes. "Did you just decide to get that machine because it was on sale?"
"Why not? I was helping the economy. Besides, I always fancy one but I couldn't afford it before. Now with the stipend as the Sorcerer Supreme at least I could afford it when it's on sale."
"Rub it in, will you?"
"I'm sorry, Stephen. I didn't mean to replace you but we could not afford not to have a Sorcerer Supreme."
"That's fine. I understand. I'm still getting used to existing and having limbs anyway." Stephen looked away from Wong and examined the pixie running on his cabinet as if that was the most interesting thing in the world.
"You literally created hundreds of portals and fought Thanos' army when you just came back. Which part of that showed that you were not getting used to existing?"
"Even as the Sorcerer Supreme, you fought in illegal cage matches and fixed the fights to earn extra money. We have our own quirks." Stephen went to approach the pixie but when it growled and showed all its teeth. The collars of the Cloak tensed up but relaxed when he stepped back.
"You knew about those fights."
"Of course. I know about the Karaoke session with Shang Chi too. It's rude not to invite me."
Wong recognized the extended olive branch. "I didn't know you were interested. I'll invite you next time. Are you sure you're OK not to be the Sorcerer Supreme?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. Initially I felt like I had just been demoted not by the fault of my own. But then I saw that as an opportunity to do what you called as my hobby, research. Besides, we didn't get much pay even as the Sorcerer Supreme. The so-called glory didn't match the sacrifices. So yeah, I'm cool with that. I might gibe about it occasionally because I'm only human." He touched his heart when he said it. "I truly believe you deserve it more than anyone else in this universe. I'm happy for you." Stephen flashed a quick sincere smile at Wong before looking back at the pixie who was now crawling on the wall. "Can I use the Pilate machine?"
"Yes, as long as you don't break it. Read the manual and do your hobby, some research."
"Fine. I will." He smiled much wider this time. "Besides, it'll scare some guests off when they see this."
"I think the content of our fridge is enough to scare anybody."
"You're right. The problem is we need visitors in the first place. How come we haven't had visitors for a while? I think you're too good at doing your job."
"Well, thank you." Wong mock bowed. "About visitors, don't worry. I have a feeling we will have some soon and you can direct them to our basement."
Stephen grinned widely. "I definitely will."
Notes:
-Wong and Stephen are very domestic and have great comradeship. I'm glad they still maintain that in "No Way Home".