Work Text:
Steve first sees him hours after the Avengers had wrapped up a mission, on the ‘Rogues’ floor.
Steve was all too aware of Doctor Stephen Strange’s existence. He’d seen him plenty of times appearing on the news, dealing with a magical threat or something from an entirely different dimension. Most recently had been the final battle with Thanos, with Stephen being one of the many sorcerers to open portals, transporting an army of allies to assist in the takedown of Thanos and his children.
That had been almost an entire year ago.
He’d heard from the others that Doctor Strange frequented the tower often, and yet this was the first time he’d actually bumped into the man. His usual attire of his sorcerer robe and cape were gone, leaving him dressed in casual wear, and he seemed to be searching for something within the storage room.
“Doctor Strange,” Steve greets him, watching him carefully, “Can I help you with something, Doctor?”
Stephen doesn’t bat an eye at him as he continues searching through the boxes he pulls from the shelves.
“I’m quite alright, thank you,” He says, his tone civil.
Sam had mentioned that Stephen wasn’t much of a conversationalist and Clint had called him a smug dick, but Wanda seemed to enjoy the lessons she had been getting from the former Sorcerer Supreme. Wanda’s strength of her power had come a long way from when they found her in the Hydra Base, along with her brother, but Strange’s lessons definitely helped improve her control. Surely he couldn’t be as bad as Sam and Clint claimed him to be.
“What exactly are you searching for?” Steve asks curiously, stepping a little closer to the closet.
“Peter had mentioned Bruce had made him a custom rubix cube when they had first met,” Stephen states, his words clipped, “He last recalls playing with it on this floor.”
Steve knows exactly what he’s referring to. It had been about a month after the Invasion of New York when Tony had introduced his two young sons to the team. Harley had been 12 at the time, while Peter was only 8. He’d never mentioned he was a father, nor was it ever exposed to the press (at the time). It still made Steve recoil when he remembers his own words that he threw in Tony’s face during their first meeting.
“Big man in a suit of armour - take that off and what are you?”
Natasha was the only one who knew of Harley and Peter’s existence before the Avengers had been formed. Not that was too much of a shock to the rest of the team. The kids (mostly Peter) had been at awe at the Avengers for about a week before they lost interest, but Bruce had quickly become their favourite after surprising the pair with gifts. For Harley, it had been a rubix cube with the cubes being different materials such as metal and glass, and for Peter, it had been a rubix cube that colours changed depending on how much sunlight it absorbed. Peter’s gift being made after Tony had offhandedly mentioned that Peter had low Vitamin D.
“I know the one,” Steve nods and offers politely, “I can help you look for it, if you’d like.”
“That won’t be necessary.”
Stephen continues searching as Steve watches him, perplexed. What was with this guy? All he was doing was extending a hand to him.
“You sure?” Steve asks, glancing at the boxes he’d already searched, “You look like you could use some help.”
Stephen turns to look at him for the first time since Steve had approached, “And you look like you could use some hearing lessons,” He remarks coldly with furrowed brows, “I don’t need your help.”
Steve recoils at the sudden hostility before he glares, “I didn’t realise offering to help someone was considered rude these days,” He can’t help but snark.
Maybe Sam and Clint hadn’t been so far off with their readings on this guy.
“I’m sure back then the military didn’t require testing for IQ, but I’m sure most people would recognise that someone constantly insisting when someone says no; comes off as rude,” Stephen stares at him with irritation masking his features before he turns away, muttering beneath his breath, “No wonder Tony divorced you.”
The words are a whisper, barely audible to the average person. But something about Stephen’s demeanour tells Steve that the sorcerer is all too aware of Steve’s enhanced hearing. The insult sends a sharp icy cold dagger into his heart that melts with the anger that begins to boil within him.
“Excuse me?” Steve grits his teeth, hands clenching tightly at his sides, “What the hell is that supposed to mean?” He demands.
Stephen turns to him with a sharp glare, “It means I’m wondering how Tony could even sleep in the same bed as you with how big of a head you have,” He sneers, “Your ego and your constant need to be in the right is sickening.”
Steve steps forward, his anger dragging him, “Now hold on-”
His words are ripped from his lungs as he’s suddenly pushed back by an invisible force, sending his feet sliding across the floor before he catches himself. He stares at Stephen with startled wide eyes, the sorcerer’s gaze livid. Steve takes in the sudden distance between himself and the sorcerer, a good couple of feet separating them now. Stephen calmly reaches into a box next to him and pulls out an all too familiar rubix cube, before stepping out of the closet. Steve’s eyes track every movement, caution radiating through him.
“I’m only going to say this once, since I have no plans of ever wasting my breath talking to someone of the likes of you again - but if you ever hurt Tony again,” Stephen starts, his words eerily calm, “I’ll drop a mountain on your head.”
Steve arches his brow at the threat.
“Figuratively?”
The prominent blue from Stephen’s eyes suddenly vanish, and his now pure white eyes begin to glow sinisterly, the air in the room suddenly becoming ice cold around them.
Stephen’s lips pull back in a snarl, “Geologically.”
Then, Stephen simply walks away and disappears into the elevator without sparing another glance his way. Steve stands in place for a long moment before he silently closes the storage room door. Perhaps it’d be best if Steve and Doctor Strange didn’t bump into each other again…