"Then, family," Luke said as he moved toward the entrance, already slipping into his coat, "I've got a job. It involves a missing U.S. president and Tony Stark. I'll be gone for today. Take care of the guests."
He reached the door, then paused.
Luke glanced back over his shoulder.
"Wanda," he said casually. "How's your magic training going?"
Wanda blinked. "Me?" She straightened a little, clearly caught off guard. "Uh… it's going well, I think. I can levitate objects now. And… confuse people's minds a bit."
Pietro immediately grinned, nodding enthusiastically. He puffed out his chest like a proud older brother—despite the fact that he'd been her unwilling test subject more times than he could count.
"She's good," he added quickly. "Really good."
Luke studied Wanda for a moment, not critically, but thoughtfully.
"I see," he said. Then, without warning, he smiled. "In that case—come with me."
Wanda's eyes widened. "W-with you? Where?"
"Field test," Luke replied, already opening the door. "Real situation. Real pressure. Best way to learn."
Pietro's grin vanished. "Wait—what?"
Wanda hesitated for half a second, then nodded before she could overthink it. "O-okay."
Pietro immediately spun on Luke. "Hey—why does my sister get to do that? When I asked, you said I'm too young to run around using my powers."
"Because she's older than you," Luke replied without even pausing.
Pietro stared. "I'm the older brother. She's my little sister."
Wanda walked past him and came to Luke's side, stopping just beside his shoulder. She looked up at Pietro with a flat expression.
"By a minute."
Luke glanced at him. "Let me ask you something. Why do you want to use your powers?"
"To help people," Pietro said instantly, puffing up his chest.
The silence that followed was brutal.
Wanda gave him a long, unimpressed look. So did Luke. So did everyone else in the room.
Pietro's shoulders slumped. "…Okay. To be popular."
Luke nodded once. "There it is."
He stepped closer, tone calm but firm. "Grow up first. Powers aren't toys, and they're not shortcuts to fame. If you chase attention with them, you won't get applause—you'll get yourself killed."
Pietro swallowed, suddenly much quieter.
Luke turned back toward the door. "When you're ready to use them for the right reason, we'll talk."
Wanda glanced at her brother, then followed Luke outside.
"Is chasing popularity really that dangerous?" Pietro asked. In his head, it still looked like glory—being known, being admired, standing beside heroes like Iron Man or Captain America.
Selene answered without hesitation.
"Being at the center of attention isn't always a good thing," she said calmly. "Most of the time, it just brings more trouble. And trust me—your mind isn't anywhere near ready to make the decisions that come with that kind of spotlight."
Alice nodded, her tone lighter but no less serious.
"Yeah. There are people who'll sweet-talk you, praise you, and before you realize it, you're working for them forever."
Jill tilted her head, smirking slightly.
"Luke does that too," she added. "At least to his enemies. He's very good at screwing people over when they deserve it."
Pietro fell quiet, the image of easy fame starting to crack.
Luke stopped just outside the door and glanced back over his shoulder.
"So, Wanda," he said casually, hands in his pockets, "are you ready for our date?"
Wanda froze mid-step.
"D-date?" she repeated, blinking. A faint flush crept up her cheeks as she looked from him to the others. "I thought we were… you know… testing my abilities."
Luke raised an eyebrow, clearly amused.
"We are," he said. "Field test. Real world conditions."
He paused, then added with a straight face.
"I just call it a date because it sounds less terrifying."
Before Wanda could even process that—
Luke stepped in and scooped her up effortlessly, one arm under her knees, the other at her back.
"W–wait—!" she gasped.
"So," Luke said calmly, adjusting his grip like this was the most normal thing in the world, "are you ready? It's going to be a busy ride."
Pure instinct took over. Wanda's arms snapped up around his neck, gripping tight, her breath catching in her throat.
The world lurched.
They shot straight into the sky.
Wind tore past them, the ground dropping away in a dizzying rush as Wanda let out an unrestrained scream, eyes squeezed shut, clinging to him with everything she had.
Luke didn't even flinch, holding her steady as the city shrank beneath them, his voice calm despite the chaos.
"Yeah," he said lightly. "That reaction's about right."
***
Triskelion
Natasha stood at the main entrance, arms crossed, dressed in her familiar SHIELD tactical suit. Agents passed by in a steady flow—some nodded, most pretended not to stare. She still felt it anyway.
"I really miss the days when no one knew my face," she muttered under her breath.
Then the air shifted.
A blur dropped from above and landed a few steps in front of her, smooth enough that only the faint rush of displaced air gave it away. Natasha looked up—and immediately regretted it.
Luke was there.
And in his arms was a young woman with dark brown hair and wide, startled eyes.
Natasha pinched the bridge of her nose.
I really need to stop expecting better from him.
Wanda slipped out of Luke's hold the moment her feet touched the ground, taking a breath as if she'd forgotten how to breathe mid-flight.
"Hello, Natasha," Luke said casually, spreading his arms as if inviting a hug. "Long time no see."
Natasha gave him a flat look that said absolutely no.
"…Still not a hugger," Luke sighed, letting his arms fall.
Her gaze flicked to the girl beside him. "Why did you bring her?" Natasha asked flatly. "This is a mission, not a field trip."
"She's here to help," Luke replied without hesitation. "And don't let the age or the face fool you."
Natasha raised an eyebrow.
Luke continued, tone matter-of-fact. "She can solo Iron Man, Captain America, and even Thor if she actually cuts loose."
Natasha looked back at the girl—really looked this time.
"…Her?" she asked.
Wanda shifted awkwardly under the attention, shoulders drawing in just a little.
Luke reached out and patted Wanda's head, casual and familiar. "Relax. She's more than capable."
Wanda smiled. Who wouldn't, when the person you had feelings for praised you?
*****
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