"It really is Wanda."
Cassius took a step closer. After a careful look, he confirmed that the person on his hood was indeed Wanda. He never expected to run into the Scarlet Witch in such a remote area. She was lying on the hood, and her heavy breaths carried a strong scent of malt. Even from a distance, it was clear she had been drinking heavily.
"Phew…"
"How… how did you get this drunk?"
After some hesitation, Cassius pulled Wanda's hand onto his shoulder, intending to help her up. Like a puddle of mud, Wanda lifted her hazy eyes, their edges slightly red. Noticing the unfamiliar face, she asked with a choked voice, "Who… who are you?"
"Miss Maximoff, you're drunk."
Cassius firmly grabbed her wrist, which was sliding off his shoulder, and pulled the slumping Wanda up a little.
"No… I'm not drunk!"
At his words, Wanda struggled free, her body tumbling back onto the hood. She ended up kneeling on the ground, whimpering and shaking her head, a crystalline tear sliding down her cheek.
"You need to rest."
Seeing her like this, Cassius sighed and stepped forward to help.
"I know... everyone hates me..."
Wanda suddenly looked up, her red-rimmed eyes peeking through her messy hair, tears already streaking her cheeks. Her trembling voice was filled with sobs, and her pitiful face was a mask of helplessness.
Wanda's pained expression and words made Cassius suddenly understand. The recent events must have hit her hard. To prevent massive casualties, Wanda had to throw the about-to-detonate Crossbones into the sky. The powerful explosion, however, still breached a nearby building, causing numerous casualties. She had tried to save more people, but instead of understanding, she was met with endless public backlash.
"You really did your best... nobody hates you."
Cassius walked over, ready to help Wanda up, his voice soft and gentle. To be honest, Wanda's mental state was far more fragile than that of other superheroes. It was no surprise she ended up like this; the online hate must have made her doubt herself.
"Really?"
Wanda lifted her head, revealing a deep cleavage below her snowy-white neck. This sudden movement made her ample chest seem even more prominent.
"Ahem, ahem!"
Seeing this, Cassius, the gentleman, allowed himself a quick glance before looking away and unconsciously touching the tip of his nose as he coughed twice. It wasn't that he was a pervert; any normal man who saw a flower in full bloom would take a look. To not do so would be to lack all appreciation.
"You're lying to me, aren't you!"
Wanda, ever perceptive, noticed his fleeting gaze and questioned him with a skeptical tone. If he wasn't lying, why would he avoid her eyes at a moment like this? He was definitely just trying to comfort her!
"Of course not!" Cassius looked directly at Wanda, speaking with a firm tone. "No one is perfect. Nobody can have a situation completely under control!"
While Wanda was powerful, that didn't mean she could do everything. Even the big purple alien wasn't able to do everything he wanted, much less her.
"You... you're right."
Wanda took a deep breath and slowly nodded. She had done her best, but... she really didn't expect...
"Don't overthink it. The ground is cold; let me help you into the car."
Cassius knelt beside Wanda, ready to help her up. She nodded at him, not struggling, and obediently allowed him to help her into the back seat.
"I'll take her back to the Avengers Compound."
Seeing Wanda leaning in the back seat with a wandering gaze, Cassius shook his head helplessly. Who would've thought he'd run into her here? Just as he was about to put her legs, which were dangling out of the door, back inside the car and close the door, a cold, slender hand suddenly grabbed his wrist.
"What is it?"
He asked the red-faced Wanda with a puzzled look.
"Was... was what you said just now true?"
"Did I really do nothing wrong?"
Wanda's flickering eyes seemed to have found their own personal guiding star. Since that incident, all she had faced was scorn. The public's lack of understanding and the government's selfishness had left her lost, not knowing where to go. That's why she came to this secluded spot to drink away her sorrows. She never expected that this person in front of her would resolve her inner turmoil and even stand by her so resolutely.
"Yes, you tried so hard!"
Cassius's voice was filled with conviction.
The next second, Wanda suddenly pulled him back, a flash of red light appearing in her hand. A force pushed him directly toward her. In the split second of surprise, Cassius could only brace his hands on her shoulders. They both tumbled into the back seat, their faces inches apart, with heavy breathing filling the space.
At that moment, what hit him wasn't just the smell of alcohol but also a faint scent of jasmine mixed with wood. Her face, so close to his, even made his heart beat a little faster, despite his years of experience. Wanda's blue eyes, as brilliant as a galaxy, locked onto his like a black hole.
"That..."
Cassius's mouth opened slightly, wanting to say something.
"Don't say anything!"
Wanda closed her eyes, her eyelashes trembling like flower petals, allowing him to pluck them. Cassius was stunned. He never expected things to unfold like this. If he couldn't understand Wanda's actions now, he would have truly wasted his life. Without any hesitation, he leaned in and kissed her.
When they finally broke apart, a single line of saliva connected them. Wanda blinked her wet eyes, which were sparkling like a clear lake, looking pitiful... The corners of her eyes were tinged with a seductive flush, and her enchanting lips were trembling, perhaps from nervousness...
It had come to this!
To back down now would be like a real-life Sir Galahad, a legendary figure of virtue!
Bang!
Cassius gritted his teeth, flipped over, and closed the car door. He had always lived by one rule: why would you ever turn down something that's offered to you?
Seeing his actions, Wanda let out a small gasp. "What are you doing?"
"What I have to do!"
Under the setting sun, the last rays of twilight fell upon the black car roof. The black Cayenne showed off its proud suspension as it swayed back and forth in rhythm.