*C80 - Is this a Date?

'Inner dialogue/thoughts'

"Normal dialogue"

[System]

[Diary entries]

(Word Count: 1,597)

~ Three days later with Luke, in the Peach Blossom Café during breakfast hours ~

It had been a few days since Luke had his talk with Steve. In that conversation, Steve had made his suspicions known to him, at which Luke could only appreciate the level of intelligence that Steve had shown. Many people in his original world seemed to have forgotten, but Steve had always been an intelligent person.

Luke had confirmed his suspicions and revealed a few things about his past, and how SHIELD had made contact with him in this world. Of course, he made Steve promise him that their conversation would not leave the room and that they would keep it to themselves, as the only reason Luke was even revealing his past to Steve was because he trusted the Steve in his simulated world with his life, and felt that he could do the same in this one.

Since then, Steve had not visited the café as he had wanted to spend most of his time with Peggy in secret. Normally, Steve would not have told that to anyone. However, as Luke had been forthcoming and honest with him, he felt that it was only right that he did the same for Luke.

Currently, Luke was sitting in silence by a table in his café, with a special person sitting opposite him. He stirred his coffee thoughtfully, occasionally glancing at the person, who was happily eating her Eggs Benedict.

"You know." Luke started, breaking the silence, "I turned 19 this year and not once have I ever imagined I'd be having breakfast with someone like you."

Wanda looked up, still munching on her breakfast, "And what exactly did you imagine?"

Luke grabbed a napkin and reached over the table to wipe off the small smudge of hollandaise sauce at the corner of Wanda's lips. "I don't know. Maybe a quiet life, a small café, no drama and no girls. But here I am, sitting with a woman who any man would be lucky to have."

Having the corner of her mouth being wiped by Luke had caused her to be embarrassed, but she managed to hide it by going on the offensive herself as she smirked, "Does that mean that you're feeling lucky?"

Before he could respond, Crystal approached their table with a cheerful smile. "Good morning, you two. Hope you're having a great date so far." Crystal commented, causing Wanda to blush a little as Luke looked on in amusement. "Is there anything else I can get for the both of you?"

"I'm alright, Pup. Thanks." Luke replied, before Wanda added, "No thank you. I'm almost full anyways." As Wanda answered, she took the final bite of her eggs benedict. 'I still can't believe how good these tastes here!'

Acknowledging their responses, Crystal took a look around, then leaned in. "By the way, where's Pietro? I thought he would always be by your side since I've never seen you two separated. Like, ever."

Sensing an opportunity, Luke smirked. "Oh? Do you miss your boyfri- OW! What was that for?!" However, before he could finish, Wanda had kicked his shin from under the table. Seeing Luke's accusing stare, Wanda did not back down and stared right back at him as she squinted her eyes and spoke, "Be. Nice."

Even though it did not hurt due to his physical abilities, Luke still rubbed his shin to play along. 'What? I just wanted to tease her a little.'

Wanda then focused her attention onto Crystal. "He's just out and about, trying to get a better feel for the city at large."

Crystal raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "Really? Alone? What for?"

A faint smile found it's way onto Wanda's lips as she answered. "He's looking for places where we could celebrate our birthdays. We've never really had the chance to celebrate properly where we came from, so he's trying to make up for lost time. He wants to keep it a surprise from me and everything."

'Talk about being lucky! I didn't even have to steer the conversation into that direction.' Luke's eyes widened in genuine surprise. "Birthdays? When?"

"In a few days."

This time, it was Crystal's turn to be surprised. "A few days? That's not much time to plan a birthday party! How old are you guys turning?"

"We're turning 17." Wanda stated, before shrugging her shoulders. "It's just us, anyways. We don't really have friends and family to celebrate with here."

Crystal looked down, her previous excitement dimming. Luke noticed and quickly intervened. "Hey, since you guys are new here, why don't we join the celebration? I mean, we've known each other for a few weeks now, that makes us good friends, right? And you know what they say, 'Whatever you do in life, it's not legendary, unless your friends are there to see it'."

Crystal's face lit up, as she sent her finishing move towards Wanda. The Puppy Dog Eyes attack.

And it worked.

"I'd like that." Wanda said, nodding her head.

Luke grinned. "Great! And since Pietro doesn't know the city that well, don't you think he could use a guide. A good friend, perhaps?" Luke suggested as he winked at Crystal.

Jumping at the opportunity, Crystal energetically agreed. "Absolutely! Wouldn't want him to get lost, and I know the city like the back of my hand too! A win-win situation!"

Crystal then left the two of them to get changed. Both Luke and Wanda chuckled at Crystal's enthusiasm. "You're a pretty good wingman, you know."

Luke took her compliment in stride and displayed the most prideful and arrogant expression he could. "It's what I do for a living."

Seeing him behave in that manner, Wanda sighed and shook her head in amusement. After a moment, she spoke, this time in sincerity. "Thank you, for looking out for Pietro. He's not the most. . . brightest, of the bunch around. But he's my brother. And it warms me to know that at least there's someone out there who could potentially love him just as much as I do."

Luke smiled softly, "It's no problem. But to be honest, I did it more for Crystal's sake. Ever since the battle. . ." He paused, both of them knowing the implication of his silence. "It's just, whenever Pietro's around, Crystal just seems to be much brighter. And it helps that they both get along well with each other too."

A few moments later, Crystal rushed past their table as she muttered her thanks once again, before rushing out of the café while on the phone. Luke thought that she was probably on a call with Pietro to set up a da- a time and place to meet so that they could explore birthday locations together.

However, as Crystal left the café, Luke noticed April walking towards them with a stern look on her face. "Did you really have to?" She asked, standing like the final boss beside Luke.

Luke shrugged his shoulders, "Oh, come on. Let the love birds have their time together. Besides, the café won't be busy today either so it's fine."

Hearing his response, April changed her demeanour. Sensing the shift, Luke looked towards her face and saw the predatory smirk on her lips. 'Ohhh no. . .'

"Oh? Does that mean that I'm interrupting something here as well?" April teased.

This time, Wanda blushed fully. She could take the teasing from Crystal and Natasha, as she felt that it was in their nature to do so. However, seeing April, someone who she saw as a strict person, teasing her? She did not stand a chance.

Luke, with a light blush on his cheeks, cleared his throat as he rubbed his neck, "Is it me or is it getting a little too hot in here?" As he spoke, Luke looked around the café, avoiding the gaze of April and also trying to avoid gazing at Wanda.

April decided that she had her fun. With a smile, she turned her attention onto Wanda, "I heard about the birthdays. Count me in for the celebration. I'd love to help and be there for you guys too."

Wanda nodded and thanked April, before April walked back to the counter to continue her work. Seeing Wanda slump slightly in relief, Luke spoke softly, "That wasn't so scary, wasn't it?"

Wanda collected herself when she heard his question. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Luke leaned in, but before he could respond, a commotion within the café had gotten both their attention. Looking around, they discovered that the commotion was due to a man walking into the café. It was not so much as a man walking in, but who the man himself was.

- End of Chapter 80 -

Next time in *C81 - Hatred, Vengeance, and Loneliness. . .

April's eyes twitched, feeling insulted at his insinuation, "I didn't do it for you, nor did I do it for her or anyone else. We just happened to be friends and that's all it was. No thanks necessary."

[A/N]