Chapter 61: Welcome To New York
The streets of New York were quieter at night, though the city still hummed with life even in the late hours. Wanda Maximoff walked hand-in-hand with Natasha Romanoff, the cool evening air brushing against her face. The bright neon signs and flickering streetlights illuminated their path, casting playful shadows as they strolled.
"It's not exactly Sokovia," Wanda remarked, her crimson eyes darting toward the towering skyscrapers above them.
"Few places are," Natasha replied, her tone wry. "But it has its own charm. If you like constant noise, overpriced food, and the occasional smell of trash on a hot day."
Wanda smirked, glancing at her companion. "You make it sound so inviting."
"Oh, trust me," Natasha said, squeezing Wanda's hand gently. "You'll learn to love it—or at least tolerate it. Besides, it's safer with me around."
"I'll hold you to that," Wanda teased.
Their banter was interrupted when a figure darted out from a nearby alley, blocking their path. The man was young, scruffy, and jittery, his eyes wide with a mix of desperation and adrenaline. In his shaking hands, he held a gun that he pointed directly at them.
"This is a robbery!" the man barked, his voice cracking slightly. "Give me all your money!"
Wanda blinked, tilting her head as she turned to Natasha. "Is this the classic New York hospitality you told me about?"
Natasha let out a dry chuckle, her expression unbothered as she sized up the would-be thief. "Hardly," she said. "This is just how they greet tourists."
The man's brow furrowed in confusion, his grip tightening on the gun. "What is this, some kind of audition for a Broadway play? I said give me your money!"
Natasha raised an eyebrow, her smirk widening. "We don't have any," she said matter-of-factly. "We steal everything we need."
Wanda nodded thoughtfully. "That sounds about right. Who expects a super-powered queen of her own country to pay for anything?"
The man's face twisted in anger, his frustration boiling over. "You're both crazy!" he shouted. "Now give me your money before I—"
Before he could finish, Wanda's eyes glowed faintly, and her hand twitched ever so slightly. The gun flew from his grasp as if yanked by an invisible force, hovering in the air between them. The man's eyes widened in shock as Wanda clenched her fist, her chaos magic crushing the gun like a tin can.
The crumpled remains of the weapon fell to the ground with a dull clatter. Wanda took a step forward, her crimson eyes narrowing slightly. "What were you saying?"
The man stumbled backward, his hands raised defensively. "Y-you're freaks!" he stammered before turning and sprinting down the street, disappearing into the shadows as quickly as he had appeared.
Natasha crossed her arms, watching him go with a faint smirk. "Thieves these days," she said dryly. "No follow-through, no professionalism. Makes me miss my old days in the Red Room."
Wanda rolled her eyes, a small smile playing on her lips. "Oh, please. Don't tell me you're going to lecture me on proper criminal etiquette."
Natasha shrugged. "I'm just saying, if you're going to do a job, do it right. That guy? Amateur hour."
Wanda let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. "You're impossible."
"And yet, you're still here," Natasha teased, her green eyes sparkling with amusement.
The two resumed their walk, the brief encounter already fading into the background of the city's noise. Wanda glanced at Natasha, her smile lingering. "You know, I'm starting to see why people like New York. It has a certain... unpredictability."
Natasha grinned. "That's one way to put it."
They continued down the street, their hands brushing as they walked. The momentary adrenaline rush from the encounter had given way to an easy camaraderie, the kind that had grown between them over months of battles, close calls, and shared victories.
"You handled that well," Natasha said after a moment, her tone softer.
Wanda glanced at her. "It wasn't exactly a challenge."
"Still," Natasha said, her smirk returning, "it was impressive. You didn't even break a sweat."
"I had a good teacher," Wanda replied, her voice light but sincere.
Natasha raised an eyebrow. "Now who's impossible?"
Wanda laughed, the sound cutting through the night like a melody. "I learned from the best," she admitted.
As they turned a corner, the city's lights reflected in the puddles on the pavement, creating a kaleidoscope of colors beneath their feet. Wanda's thoughts drifted, her mind replaying the past few weeks. Sokovia, the Morlocks, the battles they had fought—it felt like a lifetime ago.
Natasha's voice broke through her reverie. "You're quiet. Thinking about something?"
Wanda hesitated, then nodded. "Just... everything. Sokovia, the Morlocks, this new journey we're on. It's a lot to take in."
Natasha's expression softened. "You're doing fine, Wanda. Better than fine, actually. You're leading people, inspiring them. That's no small thing."
Wanda looked at her, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Thanks, Natasha. That means a lot coming from you."
Natasha shrugged, though her cheeks colored faintly. "Don't get used to it. I don't hand out compliments easily."
Wanda laughed softly. "I'll treasure this one, then."
As they continued walking, Fracture's voice hummed in Wanda's mind, her tone thoughtful. **"Your bond with her is deepening, Maximoff. She's a leader, like you, destined to inspire and protect those around her. And you... you're becoming something extraordinary."**
Wanda rolled her eyes slightly. "You sound like you're trying to write a romance novel."
**"Perhaps,"** Fracture said, a hint of amusement in her voice. **"But I've seen many stories unfold, and yours is one worth watching."**
Wanda shook her head, her smile lingering as she glanced at Natasha. "I suppose there are worse people to share a story with," she murmured.
"What was that?" Natasha asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Nothing," Wanda replied quickly, her cheeks coloring slightly.
Natasha smirked, her expression knowing. "Uh-huh."
The two eventually arrived at their temporary lodgings, the city's noise fading into the background as they stepped inside. Natasha glanced at Wanda as they paused in the dimly lit hallway.
"Not bad for your first night in New York," Natasha said, her voice teasing.
"Not bad," Wanda agreed, her smile soft. "I could get used to this."
Natasha's smirk softened into something more genuine. "Good. Because this is just the beginning."
With that, they parted ways for the night, though both knew the bond they shared had grown stronger in those few stolen moments on the streets of New York.
Tomorrow is another day, and Wanda was sure for her it held another armed robbery attempt. Just another typical day in New York City, the land of opportunity or opertunisim Wanda was not sure which yet.
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