"Then we got some work to do." Tony clapped his hands and started tapping on the keyboard. "I've done my homework on Asgardian magic—don't ask how boring that was—so I've got a few ideas. End of the day, magic's just energy doing cartwheels. I just need to dial in on this Chaos magic of yours and help you figure out how it ticks."
Wanda stood silently right beside Tony, looking at the screen. At times she felt his shoulder brush against her. She'd tried to find Tony's motives behind helping her and her brother all those months.
She'd written a long list of possible motives. One after another, she crossed them all out. The more she read about his actions over the past four years, the more she became certain. Tony Stark simply had no thoughts behind his actions when it came to helping someone. He just did it because it was the right thing to do. It was his job.
Or so she liked to believe. It didn't make sense why he'd fight against all of the political and business world, taking massive risks; why he'd liberate nations and give them electricity, means to grow. No loans, no shady deals.
She'd seen politicians and this wasn't how they were most often.
"Why are you helping me with this? I understand helping Sokovia. My brother. Stopping Hydra. But this… what if I lose control? What if I hurt you? Or other people?"
Tony smiled without looking at her. "The fact that you're even asking that kind of answers itself. A friend once told me—with a straight face, mind you—that with great power comes great responsibility. She was talking about me being President at the time, but I'm pretty sure it applies to superheroes, too. And hey, think of it like an itch you can't scratch. If I couldn't use everything I've got to solve a problem, it'd drive me nuts. Doesn't it bug you? Not knowing just how far you can go?"
Wanda lost it there. She hoped he'd say something selfish. Something that'd make it easier to dislike him.
Yet again, she felt annoyed by his answer. It was too perfect, too kind, and she hated how it made her feel. That calm, speedy rhythm in her chest. Confusing and warm.
"Thanks."
"Too early for that. Now, step over there and use your magic on the sensors."
####
It wasn't easy. It wasn't a small undertaking. Understanding magic was akin to understanding calculus while being a caveman. Tony used sensors of all kinds and took readings. Even borrowed many from Reed and Bruce. But that was the easy part. Understanding the readings and making a sense of them was the hard part.
As days turned into weeks, Tony and Wanda spent days and nights working in Stark Tower's lab. Of course, Tony went to the White House now and then to deal with things. Most of the other times it was Jarvis. It was a type of experiment, to see if Jarvis had the ability to manage the country for a short time.
It was a short glimpse into the future. On how the world would someday run. Efficiently, calculated, without making any mistakes. Without any greed, or hunger for power.
Many other things happened over the weeks.
Pepper Potts resigned from the position of Stark Industries' CEO. It sent shockwaves throughout the world. She was the most powerful person in the world after Tony Stark. Many speculated what was going on. Of course, none had the real idea behind it.
The Avengers Initiative was also growing constantly. New additions kept appearing. Recently, Luke Cage, Danny Rand, and Jessica Jones joined. Though they were members of the Avengers US branch and not full international members like the Captain and Bruce.
Bucky Barnes was still working around the world, hunting Hydra remnants. Working as intended by Tony.
Peter Parker also debuted officially as Spiderman in New York.
There was so much happening that Tony simply didn't have enough time. But he had capable people handling things. Even Wakanda wanted to join in with him now. T'Challa sought a meeting with him but kept getting denied. Tony didn't want to deal with him as the US President.
And his days as the President were numbered.
####
As September rolled in, Tony started to get closer to the end of his research. It had been 4 months since he and Wanda started working together. He'd also made countless upgrades to his Iron Man suit, granting it immunity and defenses against certain magical attacks as well.
"Pizza, Tony?" Wanda brought in a box of pizza, opened it, grabbed a slice, and raised it to Tony's face, letting him take a bite.
Working together for four months, day and night, was enough time to get closer and become friends. However, in their case, the lines had been blurred a little more. Wanda had become comfortable around Tony in a way that couldn't be described.
A few times, things had gotten dangerously close to getting messy. Thankfully, Tony held himself back. It was hard to deny a beautiful lady like Wanda. But he didn't want to mess up his impression.
Still, he rather liked that closeness with her. It was comforting.
"Thanks. I'm thinking we'll have it wrapped up by tomorrow night," Tony said, taking the slice from her hand. "Looks like a watch, sure—but it's packing more tricks than a magician at a kids' party. Your Chaos magic? Think of it like a boxer's fist. The more you throw it, the sharper it gets."
Wanda nodded, eating a slice too. She'd discarded her red leather jacket, boots, and stockings. She had often noticed how Tony's gaze would linger on her long, slender legs whenever she sat down on the couch.
A few months back she'd never have done something like that. But now, although she felt stupid doing it, she sought his attention. This was the first time she felt this way about something. She knew what it was. She knew she shouldn't. But Tony felt like the right choice, however short this experience may be.
"So… I'll be moving back to my apartment downstairs after that?" she asked softly. After four months in Stark Mansion, it had started to feel like home.
"Why?" Tony glanced at her, noticing the sullen emotions in those kohl-clad eyes. "Addicted to my vibe?"
Wanda smiled, her white pearly teeth in full display. "Maybe."
"Careful there, I might bite," Tony said and focused back on the watch he was tweaking. He didn't fail to notice Wanda's long, loud exhale, disappointment evident.
He'd see those expressions often. And he liked to believe he was under control. Sadly, women were his weakness. Especially those who came close to him like Wanda did.
That day, he gave it his all and worked on the watch. It was meant to help Wanda exert her powers without losing control. Chaos magic was a type of energy and her body had limits to how much it could produce.
Finally, as the night approached, Tony finished working in the lab, tired.
"Just a little left," Tony said with a yawn, tugging off his gloves. "I'm calling it for now—gonna hit the shower. See you at dinner. Maybe after, we can go celebrate almost finishing this thing. Emphasis on almost—I don't want to jinx it."
"I'd love that. I'll go change," Wanda replied gloomily.
Tony watched her follow him. He almost believed she was going to walk into his room and enter his shower together. But at the end point, she turned towards her room and left him alone.
It's risky staying with her here.
He walked into the shower and wiped himself clean with some fresh-scented body wash. Music blasted around him, throughout his bedroom. In just two more months he'd be done being the President. He didn't know what past presidents felt at the end of their term but he felt really excited.
At last, he'll be a civilian again. Almost, but those details didn't matter. No more meetings with foreign leaders. No more useless dinners. No more time wasted giving speeches.
Good times are coming back.
He turned off the shower, wiped himself with a towel, and put on a bathrobe. He didn't bother tying it up from the front and stepped out of the bath.
"I'm on the highwa—" He sang along and looked into the wardrobe to find something casual to wear.
Knock! Knock!
"Hm?" Tony quickly tied the bathrobe and opened the bedroom door. "Wanda… What are you…"
Wanda stood there in nothing but a bathrobe, similar to Tony's. It was knee-length, white, and tied around her slim waist. "Tony... can I use your shower? Mine has no hot water."
That's impossible.
"Sure." He stepped aside and let her walk in.
I'm playing a dangerous game now.
______________________
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