Chapter 57: Thanksgiving 

"…and then I left the zebra's decapitated head on Ruben's bed while he slept."

"Well, that's slightly… concerning. But alright." Wanda heard Harvey say to Luke after he finished telling his very intricate story.

Chuckling at Harvey's reaction, the chaos magic user looked around at everyone gathered at the long dinner table set up to accommodate everyone. At first, she felt like she and Pietro were intruding on the American family holiday since they weren't too close to the Dunphy's, Pritchett's, and Tuckers. 

Imagine her surprise when everyone was very welcoming to her and her brother, not to mention Amy as well. They never felt out of place since everyone talked and treated them kindly. Gloria, Jay Pritchett's wife, was thrilled to have someone else with a thick accent around and spoke to her ever since they arrived at the very lavish home.

The Pritchett matriarch asked her various questions regarding her and her culture. Questions Wanda was happy to answer but stayed away from the more uncomfortable ones. Gloria always sensed when she pried too deeply and backed off. Something Wanda appreciated. From there, Gloria brought her over to meet Cam Tucker, Mitchell's soon-to-be husband. 

Wanda was surprised at first at how animated and expressive the man was, but she quickly got over it. By this point, she expected everyone here to be very interesting people with their own individual quirks.

"This green pea stew is absolutely delicious, Wanda!" Turning to look at Cameron, Wanda smiled at the compliment. "Is this a family recipe?"

"Yes, it's my grandmother's recipe." Wanda nodded and felt happy that everyone was enjoying the meal she brought.

"Your grandmother is a very talented cook! It's delicious." Mitchell nodded as he took another spoonful. "Lily, eat up."

"I could have this every week. It's so good!" Taking another spoonful, Phil ate the stew with gusto. At that, everyone nodded and complimented her.

"You think that's good? Just try her roasted sausages. You'll want her to cook every night." Harvey told everyone, causing her face to heat up. 

"Now that sounds delicious." Jay said after drinking some water. "Can't go wrong with well-made sausages."

"If you ask me, Wanda's chicken paprikash is her absolute best dish." Pietro served himself his third serving as he looked at everyone. "Out of this world."

"Oh, for sure." Amy nodded and gave her a thumbs up. "Wanda will make someone a very happy person someday."

From there, Wanda felt herself burn up to all the attention she was having. Regardless of the embarrassment, she couldn't help but smile widely. How long has it been since she was in an environment like this? One where she felt like she was a part of a close family. Ever since her parents passed away, she almost forgot what it felt like. 

"So tell me, Alex." Jay looked over to said girl. "Just what exactly is this Stark internship you're so excited about?"

Wanda looked over to Alex as she wiped her mouth. At first, Wanda thought she would feel upset at the mention of Stark, but to her surprise, there weren't any feelings of anger. Could it be that she has moved beyond her old feelings? This was something she would have to think about later.

"You see, Grandpa. This is a rare opportunity for one brilliant student to learn under one of Tony Stark's leading technological experts." Alex spoke excitedly as she looked at everyone. "This is my opportunity to learn under the best in the industry and a chance to earn a guaranteed position in Stark Industries after I graduate from college."

"Sounds boring." Haley looked unimpressed and ate more pea stew.

"Wait." Luke looked confused as he and Manny finished stuffing their faces full of food. "You don't get to work with Tony Stark? So why is it called the Stark internship if you don't work with the guy?"

Wanda nodded and felt Luke had a point. "Luke, Tony Stark is a very busy man. There's a small chance I could meet him, but it's not guaranteed. But the whole point of the internship is to get a feel for what the company has to offer."

Luke nodded and dropped the subject, preferring to go back to eating. Manny noticed Luke try and grab the last slice of apple pie. "Luke, that's mine!"

"No way, I called dibs."

"Luke, stop fighting over pie!" Claire looked over to her son as he and Manny continued to argue over the slice of dessert.

"Manny, slow down." Gloria admonished her son. "There's plenty of food."

Wanda chuckled and took another bite of Harvey's chocolate meringue pie. He grabbed the last slice left and saved it for her, an act that she appreciated. This American holiday wasn't as bad as she initially thought. She could get used to this.

•••

"There you are." 

Alex saw Harvey turn around and smile at her. She's been looking for him for the past fifteen minutes. Who would have thought Los Angeles's most famous vigilante would like to hang around rooftops?

"Here I am." Harvey nodded and turned back around to look up at the night sky. Alex walked over and stood next to him.

The two simply stood in silence and watched the night sky. She then scooted in and leaned into his side. After a second, Harvey wrapped his arm around her and pulled her closer. Alex smiled and rested her head on his chest. These moments were rare for them, but she cherished them whenever they came.

"…are you going out tonight?" Alex asked in a whisper. Secretly hoping for him to say no. For him to stay with her and just forget his responsibilities to the city.

"I think the city will be fine without Vengeance for a night." Harvey smiled and looked down at her. Alex felt her heart race at his statement. "Alex Dunphy, on the other hand, could use Harvey Miller around. What do you think?"

Smiling widely, Alex spun around and hugged his chest tightly. Harvey chuckled and pulled her in close. Alex then pulled away and looked up at him. The two then kissed one another and enjoyed each other's touch. Alex slowly ran her hands up his very strong arms. Once she reached his shoulders, she looped her arms around his neck and felt his hands land on her hips.

From there, the two just slowly danced around the roof and enjoyed each other's company. Alex couldn't help but be reminded of their night together during the homecoming dance. A night she thinks about almost every day.

"Harvey?" 

"Yeah?"

They stopped dancing, and Alex pulled away from him and looked into his bright orange eyes. It was time she asked him a question she'd wanted to ask for a while.

"What… are we?" Alex asked as she looked down at the ground, feeling anxious.

"…what do you want us to be?" Harvey asked silently as she looked up at him. Alex hesitated but steeled herself.

"I want us… I want to be -no!" Alex hated how she was stuttering and unable to articulate her words correctly. "I want you to be my boyfriend. And I want to be your girlfriend. Officially!"

Alex waited and held her breath for Harvey to answer her question. There, she did it. Now, all she could do was wait for Harvey's answer. She watched as he frowned and looked back up at the night sky. Alex felt her heart tightening. She didn't know what would happen if he…

"Is that what you want?" Harvey whispered. "Are you sure you want to be with someone who risks his life every night?"

Alex watched as Harvey approached the roof edge and looked over the neighborhood. He looked sad and distant. Almost… afraid?

"I'm strong, powerful even. But if I learned anything, it's that there's always someone or something stronger than you out there. What I do is dangerous… there's no guarantee that I'll always come back." Harvey turned to her with a sad smile. "Is that what you want?"

Alex took a step back in shock at what Harvey said. Looking down, she thought about everything he mentioned and gave it some real thought. Everything he stated… was true. Could she handle that? Wondering every night if that night was his last. But he was powerful, a force of nature. Was it possible for him to… die? To lose?

"I'm not sure…" Alex whispered, seeing Harvey's expression saddened. He looked hurt. "But…"

"I want to be with you. I'm sure of that." Alex walked up to him and grabbed his hands gently. "Harvey, before we became friends. I always felt like I was… Alone. Like no one understood me, not even my family."

Alex felt her eyes swell, and she blinked away the tears that wanted to escape. Shaking her head, Alex refused to cry. "But then I got to know you and discovered you were this kind and patient person. Even after everything you've been through, you still smile and try to help those in need."

"You're amazing!" Alex smiled and looked Harvey in his eyes. She didn't know if it was a trick of the light, but it seemed like his eyes were glowing slightly. "I want to be with you, Harvey. Do you… want to be with me?"

Harvey's eyes widened, and his hands tightened around hers. Alex saw his face go through several emotions until finally landing on a smile. He nodded and brought her into a hug. Alex returned the hug and smiled into his chest. "Of course I do."

Alex never felt as happy as she did right now. How couldn't she? The man she loved was now officially her boyfriend. After that, the two just spent time together out on the roof. Simply talking and holding each other.

•••

WHAM

BAM

WACK

"Where is my vial?"

Eric's head snapped to the side after receiving another powerful punch to the face. Slowly, he rolled his head up and looked up at the blinding orange light above him. How long has it been since he was captured and beaten? Eric couldn't tell. His face hurt too much to the point it was starting to become numb. He tried moving but still felt his hands tied behind him from where he sat on the steel chair.

"…I told you… that vigilante took it." Eric said through swollen lips.

"Hm… again." A voice from the darkness spoke. Eric closed his eyes as he braved for another punch. He wasn't left disappointed as another strike left him seeing stars. His eyes absently looked around his surroundings, nothing but a small dark room with a couple of men clothed in black military gear.

Eric spat out a glob of blood to the floor and turned his head to look up at the sound of heavy footsteps. Hesitating momentarily, Eric looked up to see a man in a dark grey trench coat. Underneath that were dark clothing with black military-style boots. Most noticeable of all was the purple mask covering the man's head. Only his eyes could be seen through the slits on the mask.

"Then find this vigilante… Otherwise, I'll have to ask your brother or parents where my Ionic Pericles are." Helmut Zemo looked down at him with his cold, emotionless eyes. "We don't want that, now do we?"

Eric nodded quickly and looked away from the man. "No, sir... I'll get the vail back, I promise."

"Good. Very good."