Chapter 65: Symbiotes 101
Talia Stark's private laboratory was everything Wanda expected—sleek, efficient, and stuffed with technology so advanced that it might as well have been magic. Holographic displays flickered around the room, showcasing blueprints, schematics, and chemical compounds. Every inch of the lab gleamed under sterile lighting, and the faint hum of machinery filled the air. Wanda could sense the passion and obsession that went into creating this space, and, admittedly, it was impressive.
Natasha Romanoff leaned casually against the doorway, her sharp green eyes flicking between Talia and Wanda as they stepped inside. Wanda trailed behind Talia, trying to appear unimpressed by the technological marvels.
"Welcome to my inner sanctum," Talia announced with mock grandeur, her ice-blue eyes scanning the room as if searching for flaws. "This is where the magic happens—or, as the eco-losers on the street like to call it, the source of all evil."
Wanda smirked. "I've seen worse."
Talia turned to her, raising a perfectly arched brow. "Oh, have you? And what would that be? A Sokovian palace with broken windows and bad plumbing?"
Natasha chuckled from the doorway, but Wanda simply crossed her arms. "Let's just say Hydra wasn't big on aesthetics."
Talia rolled her eyes and gestured for them to follow. "Come on, I'll show you my latest projects. Maybe they'll give you some ideas for how to upgrade that red smoke thing you do."
Before Wanda could retort, a subtle ripple of energy coursed through her body. She felt it before it happened—the shift in her core as Fracture stirred, emerging from her skin like liquid shadow. The symbiote stretched out lazily, forming sleek, crimson tendrils before solidifying into a humanoid shape beside Wanda.
"What the hell is that?" Talia demanded, instinctively stepping back.
Fracture tilted her head, the amorphous black-and-red texture of her face shifting as if she were smiling. **"What am I? What are you?"** she shot back, her voice a silky contralto laced with amusement.
Talia blinked, momentarily stunned by the response. Then, to Wanda's surprise, Talia laughed—a genuine, hearty laugh that lit up her usually icy demeanor. "Okay, I'll admit, I wasn't expecting that."
Wanda smirked and crossed her arms. "Talia, meet Fracture. She's my symbiote."
"Symbiote?" Talia repeated, her curiosity immediately piqued. "As in... bonded alien parasite? Because I have so many questions."
"More like bonded partner," Wanda corrected. "She saved my life. Back in Hydra's labs in Sokovia, they experimented on me with the Mind Stone. It unlocked my chaos magic, but the symbiote is what gave me the strength to escape."
Fracture chimed in, her tone playful. **"That's right. I'm the reason she's still standing here, looking all intimidating in her fancy coat."**
"Fascinating," Talia said, stepping closer to examine Fracture more closely. "So, what exactly do you do? What's your purpose?"
Fracture extended an arm, morphing it into a sleek blade before shifting it back into a hand. **"Oh, you know, the usual. Heal wounds, boost strength, stamina, speed—basically make Wanda unstoppable. I can also eat people."**
Talia's brow furrowed. "Eat people?"
**"And gain their abilities and memories,"** Fracture added nonchalantly. **"You'd be amazed at the things I've learned from snacks."**
Wanda gave her symbiote a side-eye. "Let's not advertise that part too much."
Fracture shrugged. **"I'm just saying—I'm versatile."**
Talia's laughter returned, but her intrigue deepened. "Okay, but let's get real for a second. You're clearly more than just a glorified healing factor. What else can you do?"
"Well," Wanda said, her voice laced with sarcasm, "Fracture is also a great suitcase."
Natasha raised an eyebrow. "A suitcase?"
Wanda nodded. "She can store pretty much anything in the Knullic Hive. It's like a pocket dimension where her soul resides. I keep my luggage there when I travel."
Talia's eyes widened. "Wait—you're telling me you've got an interdimensional storage space just... hanging out inside you?"
"Basically," Wanda replied. "It's convenient."
Fracture grinned—if an amorphous face could grin. **"You wouldn't believe the weird stuff she's shoved in there. Clothes, weapons, leftover snacks... I'm basically her walking closet."**
Natasha couldn't help herself. "So, not only do you boost her powers, but you're also her personal storage unit? Impressive multitasking."
Talia crossed her arms, her sharp mind already racing with possibilities. "Alright, Wanda. Let me run some tests on her."
Wanda hesitated for a moment, glancing at Fracture. "You okay with that?"
Fracture shrugged. **"Sure, why not? As long as she doesn't poke me with anything sharp."**
Talia grinned, clearly enjoying the challenge. "Deal. I just want to understand what you're made of. I promise I'll be gentle."
Natasha watched the interaction closely, her expression neutral but her mind racing. She couldn't help but notice the way Talia's ice-blue eyes lingered on Wanda, the unspoken admiration in her gaze. It was the same look Natasha had caught herself giving Wanda recently—a mix of respect, curiosity, and something deeper she wasn't ready to name.
Her internal monologue interrupted her thoughts. Get a grip, Romanoff. You've been in the field too long. Wanda's your ally, your... friend. But could she be more than that?
As much as Natasha hated to admit it, Talia's confidence and charm were impressive, and she couldn't ignore the potential chemistry brewing between her and Wanda. But the idea of sharing Wanda—or losing her entirely—made Natasha's chest tighten.
If anyone could handle two women like us, though, it'd be Wanda, Natasha mused, a faint smirk tugging at her lips. She's definitely not a one-woman kind of woman.
"Natasha?" Wanda's voice snapped her out of her thoughts. "You okay?"
Natasha nodded quickly, covering her lapse with a wry smile. "Yeah, just wondering how Talia's going to handle a talking blob of sass."
Fracture snickered. **"I resent that. I prefer the term 'charismatic entity.'"**
Talia waved them toward one of her lab tables, already preparing her equipment. "Alright, Fracture, let's see what you're made of—literally. Wanda, get comfortable. This might take a while."
As Talia began her analysis, Wanda leaned against the table, her crimson aura faintly shimmering in the sterile light. Natasha watched them both, her sharp instincts now tempered by the faintest flicker of something unfamiliar—hope.
Maybe, just maybe, this strange trio of women had the potential to become something more. And maybe, Natasha thought, she was ready to fight for her place in Wanda's life.
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