Chapter 43: Homecoming

"What do you think?"

Pietro heard Harvey ask as he stepped into the living room. Harvey was dressed in a dark blue suit and black dress shoes. Opting out of wearing a tie, Harvey had the top three buttons unclamped. His hair was brushed back and slick, a massive departure from his usual loose and unkempt look. Pietro almost couldn't recognize who was standing in front of both him and his sister.

"…You look handsome." Wanda said after a short pause.

"Well, what do you know, you clean up nice." Pietro said as he walked up to Harvey and patted his back. "You should dress like this more often."

"Not really my style." Harvey said as he looked down at himself. "I miss my sneakers."

"Here, let me take a picture!" Wanda said excitedly as she held up her phone.

Pietro and Harvey smiled as they stood side by side and waited for Wanda to take a photo. After a few were taken, Pietro called Wanda over and took her phone from her; he told her to get closer to Harvey so he could take a few of them.

"Okay, Wanda. A bit closer! And there!" After a few snaps, Pietro looked down at the photos and smiled. Nodding in satisfaction, he walked up to Wanda and Harvey and held up the camera.

"How do you say- say cheese!"

The three smiled as Pietro took a selfie of them all. Once they were done, Pietro handed Wanda back her phone. She promised she would send the pictures to them both later. Harvey nodded and looked up at the time.

"It's time." Harvey said as he began walking over to his garage. "Pietro, remember that Sharon will be giving you a call later. She should have our transport information ready by then."

"Aye, aye, captain." Pietro said as he wrapped an arm around Wanda. "I'll take care of it."

Harvey nodded and opened the door to his garage. Pietro walked up behind him and saw Harvey grab his helmet and an extra one for his upcoming passenger. The young vigilante opened the garage door and drove off on his motorcycle. He had to go pick up his date for the night.

"You know you should have said something." Pietro said after walking back into the living room. In front of the window stood Wanda.

"…what are you talking about?" Wanda said without turning around; she was still looking out the window.

Pietro could only shake his head and thought back to the day Wanda's behavior towards their brown-haired friend changed. The day Harvey couldn't go on training due to sleep deprivation, Pietro decided to go on a run. It just so happened that he forgot his over-the-ear headphones, so he ran back and went to his room. As he was about to leave, he saw Harvey's bedroom door open. Pietro's curiosity got the better of him, so he decided to look and check if Harvey had ended up falling asleep.

To his shock, Pietro found Wanda and Harvey sleeping together. His first instinct was to get angry and march over to Harvey and kick his ass. But when Pietro saw Wanda's smiling face as she slept, he quickly lost his anger. It's been a long time since he's seen her sleep like that; bad dreams and nightmares usually plagued her. Their parents' deaths affected her much more than it did him; Wanda had deep underlying scars.

So, for her to sleep so peacefully was a welcomed surprise. It helped that they both were still in the clothes Pietro saw them in before Wanda dragged Harvey in. She must have passed out due to overusing her magic again, and Harvey must have fallen asleep before her. Shaking his head, Pietro left the room that day and just let it pass.

Wanda must be growing attached to Harvey. It was surprising since she never really interacted with anyone else but him. She grew to fear getting attached to anyone; her fears of losing anyone always stopped her from trying to make friends. Hopefully, she could befriend the Dunphy family Harvey brought over yesterday. Harvey told them both that the family were good people and could be trusted.

Pietro stopped thinking back and looked up at his sister. Sighing, the speedster turned around and headed upstairs to his room. He had to prepare. For tomorrow, they begin their search for the real culprits of who took their parents away. It was shocking that the people they hated with everything they had were located somewhere back home in Sokovia.

•••

VROOM

Harvey parked his red Honda motorcycle in front of the Dunphy house. Turning off the bike's engine, Harvey removed his helmet and turned to the front door. Sighing, he looked down and stared at his helmet.

"Okay... I can do this."

Harvey was a little nervous about tonight; after all, this was the first dance he ever attended. It was the school's homecoming dance, a significant event for any young adult in high school. Harvey noticed the fliers and decorations around the school regarding the event. He decided the day they announced the dance that he wouldn't go.

After all, Who would have wanted to go with the school's pariah? But it seemed his original plans had to change when Alex asked him to go with her. At first he assumed it was as friends. But Alex quickly corrected him and said that she meant it as a date.

Getting off his bike, Harvey set down his helmet and walked towards the front door. Stopping at the door, Harvey lifted his hand to knock but hesitated.

Remembering last night when Alex asked him to go to the dance with her, Harvey could still remember how flustered he got. Alex's face resembled his if her blushing face was anything to go off by. He absentmindedly said yes. The rest of the night was awkward because he didn't know how to interact with his friend. The twins and Luke and Haley noticed their awkward interactions.

"How long were you planning on standing out here?"

Harvey was surprised to see Phil standing in front of him. It seemed he had opened the door without him noticing. Phil smiled and invited him inside.

"Nice suit, Harvey!" Claire said as she walked up to him. She seemed to notice some of his hair be out of placed because she reached up and fixed it. "You look very handsome."

"You sure do!" Phil said as he stood next to Claire.

"Ah... Thank you. Phil, Claire." Harvey said, embarrassed. "Is Alex ready?"

"Haley is helping her get ready. Alex should be down soon." Claire smiled at him widely. Harvey saw a Canon camera in her hand.

"And Harvey, Just remember. That's my little girl." Phil said as he walked up to Harvey and grabbed his shoulders. "Superpowers or not. You better treat her like a princess, otherwise..."

Harvey smiled nervously at Phil's fatherly threat. "Of course, Phil. I couldn't imagine doing anything to hurt her."

"I know you will, buddy. I'm just busting your chops." Phil patted his shoulders. "We trust you."

"Just remember to have fun tonight!" Claire told him as she walked up behind Phil. "Alex has been excited about this all day."

"Ladies and gentlemen!"

Harvey, Phil, and Claire turned to look up at the stairs. Haley stood at the top and held her hand to the side; Luke stood a few feet behind her with his phone out.

"I'm proud to present you, Alex Dunphy!"

Harvey felt his jaw drop when Alex walked around the corner. She stood in a blue grand exit satin skater dress that accentuated her figure; on her feet were white sonora heels. Alex's hair was styled in voluminous layers. A light application of makeup was on her face. Alex looked down at him with a heavy blush on her face.

"That's the reaction I wanted to see!" Phil said happily as Claire took a picture of Harvey. "Did you get that?"

"I got it." Claire answered as she looked down at the camera.

Alex then walked down the stairs and stopped in front of Harvey. She stood and smiled nervously. Harvey shook his head and smiled back.

"You're stunning." Harvey declared.

"Oh, thank you." Alex whispered. "You look very handsome yourself."

"Oh! You two are so cute!" Claire said as she pushed Alex and Harvey close together. "Let's take a picture!"

"Mom!" Alex exclaimed.

"It's fine. It's fine!" Claire said as she snapped several pictures of them both. "Smile!"

Harvey looked down and smiled at Alex. She fidgeted slightly and smiled back. They then got closer and smiled for the camera. Claire then took several pictures and smiled happily at them both.

"Okay, I'm satisfied." Claire said.

"Oh, thank god." Alex said to herself. "We're gonna be late."

"Oh, Relax. You'll get there on time!" Claire spoke as she looked over at Phil. "Phil will drive you two there since Harvey's motorcycle could ruin Alex's hair."

"Makes sense." Harvey spoke, nodding at that.

"Okay." Alex sighed.

"What are we waiting for?!" Phil said in excitement as he grabbed his keys.

•••

Alex watched her father drive off with a sigh. Turning around, Alex looked at the school gym and saw several decorations lining the outside. A large banner with the words 'Homecoming Dance' hung over the gym entrance. A large mass of students hung outside the gym; they were all dressed for the event.

"You ready?" Harvey asked her.

"I am." Alex answered as she felt her cheeks warm up.

Harvey looked down at her hand, a nervous expression on her face. "Can I... hold your hand?"

"Oh- yes." Alex said shyly as she held her hand out.

Alex felt Harvey's larger, rougher hand grab hers gently. He smiled at her and started walking forward to the gym. Alex's heart was beating quickly as she let herself be guided by him. Alex felt like she was on the moon. Looking up, she saw how well-decorated the inside of the gym was. She almost couldn't recognize the room where they held wrestling matches.

"Wow." Alex said in awe.

"It's pretty impressive." Harvey looked around and smiled at the love and attention the school and the students put into the dance. "Let's go find a table."

Alex smiled and nodded. From that point on, the two enjoyed the school dance. They had fun by just hanging around and talking. Sienna even found them alongside her date; the four spent most of their time together, talking or eating whatever snacks or drinks the school provided. But when the DJ started playing the slow songs, Sienna stood up and smiled at them all.

"We have to go dance!" Sienna said excitedly as she pulled up her date. "Alex, Harvey! Come on!"

Alex felt her cheeks warm up when Harvey stood up and offered her his hand. He looked like a prince from a movie to her.

"Alex." Harvey spoke. "May I have this dance?"

Alex nodded and took his head. Harvey led them both to the dance floor, where several couples danced. Everything by Lifehouse was playing through the speakers as everyone slowly danced. Harvey took her hand and held her close by her hip; Alex placed her free hand on his chest as they swayed to the music.

Alex and Harvey stared into each other's eyes as they danced, almost like in a trance. Feeling a tightness in her chest, Alex slowly inched her face forward. Harvey's eyes grew wide slightly and he too inched forward. Once the song reached its crescendo, the two finally met in the middle and kissed.

The rest of the night passed by like a blur to them both.

•••

It was midnight, and Harvey sat on the roof of his house and stared off into the night sky.

Phil picked him and Alex up around nine thirty to bring them back home. After Harvey and Alex kissed, they spent the rest of the night dancing and having fun with each other. It was honestly the most fun Harvey has ever had since he was revived. It was refreshing. Harvey touched his lips and smiled; the kiss with Alex made his heart flutter. It was a magical experience. She was, after all, his first kiss.

"Wow! Looks like someone is in love~"

Harvey smiled and looked up at the sky. Amy floated in the air, her two ethereal wings flapping slowly behind her. She floated down and sat beside him; when she was close enough, she bumped his shoulder with her own. Harvey raised an eyebrow at her, only to receive a chuckle from his.

"Angel of love, remember?" Amy told him with a wink.

"Ah, right... So this feeling is love?" Harvey asked as he held his hand over his chest.

Memories of Alex flooded his mind. When they first met back in the library, The first time they shared a meal, even when he carried her out of the water on that horrible night. And everything else in between it all. Harvey never truly realized how much he came to look forward to seeing her every day. How could he not have seen it?

"Yes, it is. A young adult's first love is a special thing." Amy told him as she hugged his right arm to her chest. "I'm happy for you, Harvs."

"Thank you."

Harvey and Amy sat silently and looked up at the starry night sky. Amy rested her head on his shoulder and hummed.

"Amy, are you sure you want to come tomorrow? I'm sure we can handle it ourselves." Harvey told his friend; Amy only shook her head on his shoulder.

"How can I say no to a request made by my friend." Amy raised her head and smiled at him. "I also can't wait to meet my new roommates too!"

"I told them a little about you, but I'm sure they'll love you." Harvey spoke with a chuckle at the end.

"Of course they will; everyone loves me!" Amy declared as she puffed her chest in pride. "Hey! Do you want to hear about what I've been doing for the last two weeks?"

"Sure, what happened?" Harvey asked with a chuckle.

"Okay! So there's this hidden place called Wakanda..."