A simple gesture

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After I had confirmed that I had understood what she had said, I felt Wanda give my hand a gentle tug, as if to guide me into the hallway. However, before moving on, she stopped and gave a command for the kitchen lights to go out.

"Friday, turn off the kitchen lights, please."

Wanda ordered, giving the command for the artificial intelligence that Tony had programmed in the house to do the deed.

As soon as Wanda said those words, she received no response, but the lights went out immediately afterwards, indicating that the artificial intelligence had listened to her command.

Because of the short space of time in which nothing had happened, I could sense a slight discomfort forming in the air. Wanda had probably been put off by the whole thing. To break the mood, I decided to be a little softer and more playful in my comment.

"I think I'm going to have to get used to all this automation that Tony has put in the complex."

As soon as those words left my mouth, I noticed a slight smile forming on Wanda's lips. Somehow, my plan had worked.

"It's still strange for me too, but I think you'll get used to it over time."

Wanda murmured, squeezing my hand a little tighter.

After Wanda said that, we started walking towards the elevator, and I could see that she was a little more relaxed. As we moved down the dark corridor, only the soft LED lights on the floor illuminated our way to the elevator.

"It's been quite a busy day for me today. Without even realizing it, I ended up walking about eight times."

I began, trying to keep the conversation light, hoping to get a laugh out of her. And as it turned out, my grand plan had worked, because as soon as I said it, she gave a soft, cute laugh and then turned to me and replied to my comment.

"I'd almost forgotten why I liked you so much...."

Wanda had whispered those words to herself. However, as she was a bit disconnected at the time, what she swore was only going on in her head ended up being revealed to me. From the look on her face, she hadn't even noticed what she had just said.

To outsiders, it looked more like a confession than anything else.

(What happened to Wanda during the time we didn't see each other?)

I asked myself, really surprised by the words I had just heard.

Before I could say anything - like a thank you or something - I was interrupted by Wanda, who seemed to have something else to say.

"You, in some way that I can't explain, manage to lift the spirits of everyone around you."

As soon as Wanda said those words totally directed at me, I'm not going to lie and say I didn't feel anything, but I was a little embarrassed by it. After all, her words were full of sincerity and affection. I felt a blush creep up my cheeks, a little embarrassed.

"Thank you, I don't even know what to say."

I said, rubbing my hand behind my head awkwardly. Wanda smiled again, and I could see the softness in her eyes. The silence that followed was comfortable, filled only by the soft sound of the elevator descending.

"Hurry up, elevator."

I thought to myself as I waited impatiently for the elevator to descend.

As soon as the elevator reached the floor we were on, we entered it and, from that moment on, an awkward silence took over the room. This silence only dissipated when the elevator stopped at the floor of our rooms.

When the elevator stopped and we both got out, we headed towards our rooms. However, the ride from the elevator to our rooms was silent. I didn't want the evening to end in such a tense atmosphere that it felt more like we'd had a fight. So, I decided to turn the tables and break the ice by being as comical and funny as I could be at the time.

"How good it is to be home again."

I commented, making a little face as I smoothed my door.

Wanda let out a soft laugh when she saw my funny scene with the door. She seemed more at ease now, the smile on her face revealing a little relief.

"You always know how to make things seem lighter."

Wanda said, as you saw the sparkle in her eyes become more evident.

"Thanks, I just try to do my best."

I replied, giving her a slight smile.

"So... I guess that's it, huh? Madame has been safely delivered. See you tomorrow."

As soon as I said those words, I was about to enter my room. However, before I could do so, I was caught by surprise by Wanda's hand, which pulled me away. When I turned around, I was again taken by surprise, but this time by a kiss that Wanda ended up giving me on the cheek. This left me feeling completely awkward and not knowing what to do, let alone what was going on. After all, it was new to me.

At that moment, the world seemed to have slowed down, and I was completely dazed. My brain was in a state of momentary denial, not knowing how to process the gesture.

Wanda, realizing the state I was in, gave a small, sincere smile and whispered 'good night, Spider-Man' before going into her room.

Because of what had just happened, I ended up going into shock and was paralyzed. After almost six seconds of lying still, I finally came to my senses. I took a quick look around and, when I realized that there really wasn't anyone in the corridor, I breathed a sigh of relief and celebrated.

"Good one, Parker. That's it. You thought you'd lost the fight, but you're winning the war."

I commented to myself, unable to hide my joy.

As soon as I said those words, the only thing I could hear was Steve's voice almost shouting from his room, scolding me.