Early the next morning.
"Did you not sleep well last night?"
Looking at Pietro emerging from the bathroom with dark circles under his eyes, Wanda asked from her seat at the dining table.
"Sort of!" Pietro hesitated for a moment before shaking his head and taking a seat.
In the kitchen, Natasha Romanoff brought over breakfast and placed an extra hard-boiled egg on both Wanda and Pietro's plates. "You're still growing; you need to eat more. Proper nutrition is essential for development."
Pietro struggled internally but eventually nodded. Wanda, however, looked up at Natasha. Recalling the comfort she felt leaning against Natasha while reading Su's diary last night, she unconsciously glanced down at her own less-developed figure. Her eyes then lit up with determination. She gave Natasha a sweet smile and began eating her eggs.
Noticing Wanda's enthusiasm, Pietro tentatively offered her his hard-boiled egg as well. To his surprise, Wanda accepted it without hesitation.
It's over! My suspicions are confirmed! Pietro thought, growing more certain of his theory from last night. Though Wanda wasn't a picky eater, she usually avoided boiled eggs unless necessary. Her eager acceptance now could only mean one thing: she had a crush on Natasha Romanoff! Why else would she eat something she normally disliked just because Natasha made it?
While Pietro's mind raced, Natasha watched with an amused smile. She understood exactly what Wanda was thinking but saw no need to explain that eggs wouldn't actually enhance her figure.
After breakfast, Natasha drove the twins to school. Pietro sat silently in the back, lost in thought.
Once they arrived and Natasha drove off, Wanda turned to her brother. "Alright, out with it. What's bothering you?"
"Huh?" Startled from his thoughts, Pietro met Wanda's intense gaze.
"Pietro, I'm your sister. We grew up together. Did you really think I wouldn't notice your restlessness?" Wanda pressed.
"Well…" Pietro hesitated before whispering, "Wanda, even though you always say you're the older sister, we both know I'm actually the big brother. I thought about it all night, and I've decided… as long as you're happy, that's all that matters. Whoever makes you happy, I'll support you."
Wanda tapped his head playfully. "What nonsense are you going on about?"
"I mean it!" Pietro insisted earnestly. "Your happiness is your choice. No matter what anyone says, I'll always stand by you."
"You… you already know?" Wanda asked, surprised. She assumed Pietro had figured out her feelings for Su Che, her future husband from a parallel world.
"Of course I know! We grew up together—how could I not see it?" Pietro replied, feeling relieved after getting it off his chest.
Wanda fell silent for a moment before smiling. "Let's talk about this another time. I'm still young; there's no rush."
"Alright. Just remember, as your big brother, I'll always respect your choices."
"Hey! I'm the older sister here!" Wanda retorted lightheartedly.
And so, the twins walked to their classroom, each misunderstanding the other's words in their own way.
Meanwhile, in the car, Natasha received a urgent call from Nick Fury. "Natasha, report to S.H.I.E.L.D. immediately. It's about Su Che—something's wrong."
Her relaxed expression vanished. She slammed on the accelerator, speeding toward the Quinjet's location. After all, though she was currently stationed in New York as Wanda and Pietro's guardian, S.H.I.E.L.D.'s headquarters—the Trident Building—was in Washington, D.C.