The dining room glowed softly, Wanda's Sokovian stew, golden bread, and fresh salad filling the air with warmth. She sat across James, nervously watching him taste the beef.
"Nice texture, good spice balance," James said, forking a carrot. "Fire's spot-on."
Wanda's eyes lit up, her shoulders relaxing. "Really? I worried it was overcooked…"
"Better than last time," James teased, pouring her wine.
She laughed, sipping, her cheeks matching the wine's hue. As they ate quietly, Turing projected a hologram of Tony Stark's grinning face.
"Hey, James, interrupting your candlelit dinner?" Tony quipped, eyeing Wanda.
"You are now," James replied, slicing steak.
"Monaco Grand Prix, two days. Pepper and I got a VIP box," Tony said, swirling champagne. "Join us—more fun than training your little witch."
Wanda's fork clinked loudly. James glanced at her, then shook his head. "Pass."
"Come on! Fastest cars on Earth!" Tony gestured wildly. "Plus, Monaco's got better eye candy than your black armor."
"Speed doesn't thrill me," James said, sipping wine. He glanced at Wanda. "And eye candy? I'd rather not have my house torn apart."
Wanda choked on her wine, ears red. Tony whistled. "Got it. Superman's playing house with a witch."
"Tony, maybe I should visit you," James said coolly.
"Shit—bye!" Tony cut the call.
Silence returned, only clinking cutlery. Wanda kept her head down, hair hiding her face.
"He's… always like that?" she mumbled.
"Punchable?" James grinned. "You'll get used to it."
Wanda peeked up, catching his relaxed smile. Her heart raced. She fidgeted with her napkin, scarlet energy flickering.
James's gaze lingered, then he resumed eating. The air shifted subtly.
Wanda cleared her throat. "You're really not going to Monaco?"
He raised an eyebrow. "Why, you want to?"
She shook her head, hair swaying. "No, just… you never go out."
"Don't need to," James said, wiping his mouth. "Races, parties, spotlights—that's Tony's thing. My power's not for show."
Wanda nodded, understanding dawning. This man, who could reshape the world, chose simplicity—not from aloofness, but clarity.
"I get it," she said softly, clearing plates. Scarlet energy floated them to the sink. "Thanks for today's training."
"Your control's improving," James noted, watching her work.
She smiled. "Someone said I've got too much energy. Gotta do something."
He chuckled, heading upstairs. "Training's at dawn. Don't oversleep."
"Early?" Wanda groaned.
"Strength doesn't sleep in," he called, vanishing around the corner.
Wanda pouted, but her smile lingered. She waved, dishes washing themselves in scarlet mist. "Turing?"
"Yes, Miss Maximoff?"
"Find me Monaco Grand Prix data—Tony's races."
"Retrieved five years of footage. Play now?"
Wanda curled on the sofa, red hair spilling over her shoulders, watching roaring cars. Upstairs, James leaned on the balcony, his golden eyes catching her engrossed expression, a thoughtful glint in them.
Late at night, Wanda slept. James stood on the terrace, his super vision piercing light-years. Across the continent, in a Canadian mountain range, a black SUV rolled over gravel, headlights cutting the dark.
Natasha Romanoff gripped the wheel, her red ponytail swaying. She glanced at the rearview mirror at Adam Bernard—once Blue Marvel—silent in the back.
"So, Adam," she teased, "what did Fury offer? Not his 'world needs heroes' speech, I hope."
Clint Barton, in the passenger seat, toyed with his bow. "Five bucks says it's a pension plan."
Adam's gaze shifted from the window, fingers tapping his knee. "He mentioned someone."
"Who?" Natasha raised an eyebrow.
"Superman."
The car went quiet. "Fury says he can punch through buildings, shoot lasers, freeze streets," Adam said. "Sounds like a comic book."
Clint whistled. "Welcome to the club. I thought it was Stark's hologram prank until he showed up globally—Senate included."
"So you came," Natasha noted.
Adam's eyes narrowed. "If someone like that exists, the world needs more guardians." Blue energy rippled in his palm. "Or a counterbalance, if he's not what he seems."
"He seems decent," Clint said.
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