[Perspective: Aryan Spencer]
Peter took a sip of water before continuing.
"I was quite surprised to see a massive war going on," Peter explained, his hands gesturing wildly. "And the portal dropped me right in the middle." Thankfully, my suit received an automated message from Mr. Stark explaining the tactical situation, so I understood what was going on."
"You guys are true heroes," I said, raising my wine glass toward him in a genuine toast. "All of you. Stepping out of a portal into a warzone and just getting to work? That takes an unbelievable amount of courage. I applaud everyone from that fight."
Peter looked incredibly embarrassed by the praise, ducking his head and focusing intently on his risotto. "I just... I just wanted to help Mr. Stark."
I took a slow sip of the heavy red wine, letting the complex flavors settle on my tongue.
"So," I asked, setting the glass down. "What is your plan for tomorrow? Are you continuing the European tour?"
"We will be going back to the US tomorrow," Peter answered. "This was just an extended trip orchestrated by Nick Fury, and it was not initially in our school plan. We will be going back because the problem has been solved."
"Oh?" I asked, feigning innocent curiosity. "What problem is that?"
"An ex-employee of Stark Industries had gone mad and became a full villain," Peter explained, shaking his head. "He deceived everyone with their own technology. They were using a highly advanced orbital satellite network to control thousands of combat drones. The drones had holographic projectors on them to create realistic illusions of elemental monsters, and they used sonic cannons and physical weaponry to do real damage to the cities."
Peter looked across the table at Wanda, his expression filled with gratitude.
"But thankfully, yesterday night, thanks to Miss Wanda, we were able to know the truth. She saw right through his lies. If it weren't for her, we would have been deceived the entire time, and he probably would have leveled this city to look like a hero."
I slowly turned my head, looking at Wanda with an expression of exaggerated awe.
"Wow," I breathed, raising my eyebrows high. "You have that power?"
"Yes," Wanda answered, taking a delicate sip of her wine.
"Can you read my mind?" I asked, dropping my voice into a dramatic whisper.
"I have never tried," she replied, a teasing light dancing in her green eyes.
"Why is that?" I pressed, placing a hand dramatically over my heart. "Because of your absolute trust in me? Or because of the overwhelming power of your love?"
Wanda let out a laugh, picking up her fork.
"I can feel the emotions of everyone near me, even without using my active power," Wanda explained softly, looking directly into my eyes, completely ignoring Peter and MJ sitting across the table. "And from you, Aryan... I feel only love for me. All the time. There is no need to read a mind when the heart is screaming so loudly."
I completely froze.
The theatrical persona I had been wearing evaporated in an instant.
I felt a rushing heat flood my cheeks, turning my entire face bright red.
She had taken my dramatic joke and responded with a truth so blunt and beautiful it effectively knocked the wind out of me.
"Oh," I stammered, entirely embarrassed by her straightforward answer. "Well. That is... that is good."
Wanda smiled, her eyes crinkling with satisfaction at rendering me speechless.
She picked up a piece of the wild boar ragu with her fork, reaching across the table to place it directly onto my plate.
"Try this," she commanded.
I picked up the fork, stabbing the meat and bringing it to my mouth. I chewed, trying to regain my composure.
"Wow," I mumbled, clearing my throat. "This is amazing."
MJ, who had been silently observing our entire exchange while eating her risotto, set her fork down with a loud clink against the porcelain plate.
"So," MJ asked, her dark eyes pinning us to our seats. "When did you two meet? What is your story?"
"It's a long story," I said quickly, waving a dismissive hand, eager to shift the spotlight off my blushing face. "I think this delicious food is not enough to sustain the telling of the entire story. It started at the very beginning of the world, when the stars first aligned and..."
"Make it short," MJ interrupted, her expression completely devoid of patience for my poetic rambling.
I choked on the piece of wild boar, coughing violently into my napkin.
Wanda burst into laughter, patting me firmly on the back as I gasped for air.
"Oh, okay," I wheezed, wiping my mouth and taking a gulp of wine to clear my throat. "Short version. Got it."
I leaned forward, resting my forearms on the table, fixing MJ with a serious look.
"The short version goes like this," I began. "Wanda purchased an empty plot of land. I purchased the house situated directly beside that plot of land. She came to town to inspect her property and, somehow, by a sheer stroke of geographic luck, met me. The incredibly handsome guy next door."
Wanda rolled her eyes, but she didn't interrupt.
"During that time," I continued, "the only viable motel in our quiet little town caught on fire. A tragic electrical fault. Wanda had no choice but to seek alternative lodging. I gave her a suggestion: why not move into my massive house and be a roommate? And from there... proximity bred affection. Love blossomed over perfectly cooked tandoori chicken."
I turned my head, looking deeply into Wanda's eyes, reaching out to trace the knuckles of her hand resting on the white tablecloth.
"I think we were made for each other," I murmured, my voice dropping lower, completely forgetting about the two teenagers sitting across from us. "The moment I saw her, I imagined my whole life with her."
"Oh, is that so?" Wanda whispered, her eyes turning an affectionate green. "What did we do in this life you imagined?"
"Of course," I said, a genuine smile pulling at my lips. "We are going to get married. And we will have a quiet house. And we will have two children."
Wanda's eyes widened slightly. The mention of two children... it was a number she had dreamed of herself in the quiet corners of her mind before Westview.
"Why two children only?" Wanda asked, her voice incredibly soft, trembling with a vulnerability.
I looked down at her hand, my thumb tracing the veins on the back of her skin.
"Because," I said. "I used to be two siblings. I had one younger brother. But... unfortunately, he is not in this world."
Wanda's expression shattered, a wave of sorrow and empathetic understanding washing over her face.
She knew the pain of losing a sibling. She knew the agony of being the one left behind.
"Oh, Aryan," Wanda breathed, a single tear escaping her eyelashes and tracking down her cheek. "I am so sorry."
She didn't care about the teenagers sitting across the table.
She stood up, closing the distance between us in a single step, throwing her arms tightly around my shoulders and pulling my head firmly against her chest.
She hugged me, burying her face into my hair, holding me with a consoling strength.
I let out a long breath, wrapping my arms around her waist, burying my face into the soft wool of her cardigan.
"It's OK," I mumbled. "It's been many years. I have made my peace with it. And... I have you now."
"Yes," Wanda whispered fiercely, pressing a kiss to the top of my head, her hands stroking my hair. "You have me now. Always."
From across the table, a dramatic groan shattered the heavy emotional silence.
"Oh my gosh," MJ said, her voice monotone but dripping with absolute exasperation. "You guys should literally go get a room right now."
Wanda and I separated immediately, both of our faces flushing an embarrassed red.
I cleared my throat loudly, reaching for my wine glass with trembling fingers, while Wanda hastily wiped her eyes and sat back down in her chair.
"This is how we meet," I said to Peter and MJ, my voice cracking slightly, attempting to recover the lost dignity of the moment. "Trauma and carbohydrates. A potent combination."
PS: There are 30+ Advance chapters available on the Patreon for those who want to read ahead. www.patreon. com/Drrajnovel