Marvel: The Devil’s Reign

Earlier That Day…

After an intense morning dealing with multiversal disturbances, JM finally settled into his study within the Obsidian Order's headquarters. His system notifications had been piling up, yet his focus was elsewhere—on a particular blonde super soldier who had been dodging his calls.

JM exhaled, reclining in his chair. "System, locate Steve Rogers."

A soft chime echoed in his mind.

[Target located: Brooklyn, New York. Current Status: Seated in a café. Emotional State: Frustrated.]

JM smirked. "Frustrated, huh?"

Without hesitation, he activated a teleportation rune, stepping through space and arriving just outside the café. Through the rain-splattered window, he spotted Steve sitting alone at a corner table, staring at his untouched cup of coffee.

JM walked in casually, his boots clicking against the tiled floor. He slid into the seat across from Steve without invitation.

"You're avoiding me," JM said, cutting straight to the point.

Steve's jaw clenched. "I'm not."

JM arched a brow. "Then why haven't you returned my calls?"

Steve exhaled sharply, his fingers tightening around his mug. "Because you're impossible to deal with."

JM smirked. "Elaborate."

Steve shot him a glare but hesitated, clearly struggling with his thoughts. Finally, he muttered, "You make decisions for me without asking. You push me into situations without explaining why."

JM leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand. "And? You don't trust me?"

Steve hesitated. That was the problem—he did trust JM. More than he should.

Before he could respond, JM's system chimed again.

[Emotional fluctuation detected: Defensive. Probability of Steve Rogers lashing out verbally: 67%. Suggested course of action: Disrupt his thought process.]

JM smirked. "You look cute when you're mad, Steve."

Steve's entire face turned red. "JM—!"

A chuckle escaped JM's lips. Then another. And then—he outright laughed.

Steve glared at him. "Can you stop laughing?"

JM only laughed harder, leaning back in his chair as if he had all the time in the world. "Oh, come on. You're adorable when you're flustered."

Steve groaned, burying his face in his hands. "You're the worst."

JM finally calmed down, though amusement still danced in his eyes. "Steve, I push you because I know what you're capable of. I challenge you because I see the potential you refuse to acknowledge."

Steve looked up, his expression conflicted.

JM's voice softened. "You think I don't see the way you doubt yourself? The way you hesitate?" He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping lower. "I believe in you, Steve. More than you believe in yourself."

Steve swallowed hard, his heart pounding.

JM smirked again. "And maybe, just maybe… I enjoy watching you squirm a little."

Steve let out an exasperated sigh, shaking his head. But there was the smallest hint of a smile on his lips.

JM saw it.

And he knew he'd won this round.

Back to the Present…

The storm continued its relentless assault on the city, but under JM's umbrella, Steve was safe—for now.

Steve's grip tightened around the edges of JM's coat. "Back at the café… what you said—do you really mean it?"

JM glanced at him, a knowing smirk tugging at his lips. "I don't say things I don't mean, Captain."

Steve exhaled, glancing away. The intensity in JM's gaze was almost too much to handle.

JM took a step closer, his voice a mere whisper against the rain. "So tell me, Steve…" He tilted Steve's chin up ever so slightly, forcing their eyes to meet.

"What are you afraid of?"

The storm raged on, but all Steve could hear was the pounding of his own heart.