Leaving the restaurant, Wanda clung to James's arm, gazing at Gotham's night sky. "This city feels oppressive," she murmured.
James's super hearing caught the city's pulse: sirens, criminals' low chuckles, Batman's stealthy footsteps in the shadows. "Let's go," he said, taking her hand. "Time to rest."
They strolled through Gotham's streets, settling on a luxurious hotel. James flashed a black card at the front desk, securing a penthouse suite. In the elevator, Wanda leaned against his shoulder, yawning. "This city's livelier than New York."
James ruffled her hair. "You haven't seen Hell's Kitchen."
The suite was lavish, its floor-to-ceiling windows framing Gotham's glittering yet grim skyline. Wanda stood by the window, eyeing Wayne Tower. "Think Batman's watching us?" she asked.
James chuckled. "He knows we're here."
Wanda sat at a table by the window. "Are we meeting him tomorrow?"
James brushed her cheek. "No rush. Let's scope out this world first."
"So," Wanda asked, curious, "do you think Clark could really turn dark?"
James sat across from her. "In the comics, Superman's fall usually needs a trigger."
"Like what?" Wanda tilted her head.
"Lois Lane's death," James said. "In most universes, losing her breaks him."
Wanda nodded thoughtfully. "Got it. The pain of losing love."
"Something like that." James flicked on the TV with a remote. "But this world's more complex."
The evening news played, a stern anchor reporting on the Arkham breakout aftermath. A blurry clip showed Batman leaping off a rooftop, vanishing into the dark.
"Will Batman trust us?" Wanda asked, eyes on the screen.
James smirked. "Bruce Wayne trusts no one, especially not random Kryptonians."
Wanda's fingers sparked scarlet. "Should we be cautious?"
"No need." James clasped her wrist, calming her energy. "If he tries anything, I'll handle it."
Wanda's eyes lit up. "What if Clark's darkness comes from Kryptonite? If someone used it to kill him, and he came back, he might stop trusting humans."
James raised an eyebrow. "Good theory. But here, Batman's already preparing."
His watch projected a hologram of Batman's lab, where Bruce tinkered with a glowing green stone. "See? He's ready."
Wanda frowned. "That's sad. Clark's so kind, yet he faces this suspicion."
James turned off the TV, the room falling silent. Neon lights filtered through the curtains, casting a halo around them. "Every world has its problems," he said. "Like our Hydra and Skrulls."
Wanda stood by the window. "At least we fixed some of it."
James wrapped an arm around her waist. "Tired?"
She nodded, leaning into him. "Used a lot of magic today."
"Rest." He kissed her forehead. "Tomorrow, we travel."
They moved to the expansive bed. Wanda yawned, slipping under the covers. James tucked her in, sitting on the bed's edge. "Not sleeping?" she mumbled.
"Kryptonians don't need much sleep," he said, stroking her red hair. "Sleep. I'll watch over you."
Wanda gripped his hand, murmuring, "Don't overdo it, James."
Morning sunlight bathed the suite, gilding the room. Wanda stirred, red hair splayed across the pillow, faint love bites on her pale skin. "James?" she called, voice drowsy.
No answer. She slipped on James's black shirt, the hem grazing her thighs, and padded out. In the living room, James lounged by the window, shirtless, his sculpted physique glowing in the sun like a Greek statue, eyes closed as if absorbing solar energy.
Wanda leaned against the doorframe, breathless. Even after their intimacy, he still quickened her pulse.
"Enjoying the view?" James asked, smirking, eyes still closed.
Wanda blushed but lifted her chin. "Not enough."
He opened his eyes, gold pupils glinting, and approached, brushing her cheek. "Sleep well?"
"Yeah." Her hair swayed. "Just hungry."
He chuckled, fingers grazing her chin. "Breakfast's coming."
Ten minutes later, the doorbell rang. James waved, the door unlocking, and a cart rolled in, laden with delicate pastries and coffee. They ate, Wanda sneaking glances at James, his presence radiant in the sunlight.
"Where to today?" she asked, mouth full of syrup-drenched waffles.
James sipped coffee. "World tour."
"Like a normal couple?" she teased.
"Close enough," he said. "But with a twist."
Twenty minutes later, they stood on the hotel roof, Gotham's morning mist swirling below. "Ready?" James extended his hand.
Wanda grabbed it. "Always."
His bio-field enveloped them, and they rose, Wanda gasping as she clung to him. "Don't worry," he said, voice clear in the wind. "I won't let you fall."
She laughed, exhilarated, watching Gotham shrink. "This beats magic flight!"
James smiled, accelerating. They pierced the clouds, reaching the stratosphere, Earth's curve visible below, oceans and continents a breathtaking canvas.
"First stop," James pointed. "Paris."
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