They spent the next day touring the city together and it had been wonderful. They had taken a boat ride along the Chicago River and he'd helped Wanda tie her hair back into a half ponytail when the wind and spray of the water in her hair had all but driven her crazy. They had ridden a double decker bus on the top floor and observed the city from a vantage point neither had before. They hopped off the bus and wandered through The Art Institute of Chicago, as well as The Museum of Science and Industry. They walked hand in hand talking with one another about the exhibits as well as their friends.
Wanda giggled when he yelped and jumped after kissing her deeply only seconds after she'd eaten ice cream. The sensation had shocked him and she'd found it incredibly amusing. They fed birds in a park near the river and then visited a few shops.
Wanda bought him a snow globe with the Chicago skyline inside despite his protests telling him it was a belated birthday gift. Unable to argue with her further, he accepted her gift already picking out a place in his room back at Stark tower to keep the treasure. He didn't dare leave such a thing in his quarters at The Avenger's compound. There were too many government eyes and ears around.
They were on their way to a restaurant for dinner when Wanda's phone rang. She furrowed her brow and pulled the device from her pocket her eyes widening as she looked at the screen.
"I have to take this." She said to Vision apologetically before stepping away from the main sidewalk and ducked against a wall and lifting the device to her ear. "Steve? What is it?"
Vision stepped close to her blocking her from view as best he could with his body, looking down at her with curiosity and worry. Wanda's eyes widened and she lifted a hand to her hair.
"I see. When?" She paused and her eyes lowered her free hand lifting to lay on Vision's chest. "So soon?" She whispered her hand fisting in his shirt as she leaned towards him her forehead gently bumping into his shoulder. "I understand. Three hours in front of the Biograph Theatre. I'll be there." She sighed. "Yeah, you stay safe too. Bye."
"You have to go." Vision said softly laying his hand on her shoulder.
Wanda nodded wrapping her arms around his waist. "There's a rumor that 'Falcon' was spotted in Chicago that just popped up today. It's stupid since we get those all the time because he has a cousin that lives here, as well as the large African American population in this city, but he is here right now so the safest option is to pull both of us out now just to be safe."
"I understand." Vision said pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "You'll eat dinner quickly and then I'll take you to where you're staying and help you pack."
"I hate this." Wanda grumbled squeezing him tighter. "It's been so long… I want more time with you."
Vision wrapped his arms around her and leaned down until his mouth was by her ear. "Your safety is paramount, always."
"Vis…" She whined.
"We will meet again." He assured her. "Let us get you ready to go."
Wanda sighed and slipped her hand into his. "Alright Vision."
After a quick dinner at a local sandwich shop, they arrived at an old brick building in one of the rougher parts of Chicago and Vision frowned at the obvious thugs hanging out on the nearby street corner eyeing his well appointed outfit consisting of a blue sweater, a white collared shirt, and slate grey slacks with obvious dislike.
"Why are you staying here?" He demanded Wanda telepathically. "This place is crawling with criminal activity."
Wanda chuckled and took the stairs three floors up opening one of the old, faded doors with the flick of a key.
"I'm on the run." She said locking the door behind him before entering her tiny studio apartment. "I can't live in a nice apartment building with high tech security. The cameras will get a good shot of my face and you'll be on my doorstep in minutes with a set of handcuffs instead of a thermos full of tea."
Wanda pulled out a small black suitcase and began carefully putting things inside. Vision walked around the tiny space frowning at the lack of comforts available to her as he put several pieces of jewelry including the earrings he'd given to her, into a small ceramic jewelry box that appeared to be hand painted in hues of navy and scarlet with little highlights of yellow.
"Vision. Stop brooding." Wanda said sternly from the partially open bathroom. She stepped out with a toiletry bag packed and dressed in a dark purple hoodie and jeans, knee high brown boots on her feet. "I'm used to living this way. This apartment is bigger than the one Pietro and I shared for years in Sokovia." She said folding up the red dress, and cardigan Vision had given her and laying it in the suitcase.
"That doesn't make it right." He protested handing her the ceramic box that she wrapped several times in a scarf before tucking it away in the bag he'd given her in Wakanda. "You should be home. Your bedroom alone is larger than this entire space combined."
She smiled and pressed her lips to his cheek. "It's alright." She assured him cleaning out the tiny closet. "This isn't the worst place I've stayed in, not even close."
Vision's brow furrowed at the sudden hollowness of her tone and gently probed her thoughts. An image of her cell at The Raft suddenly appeared in his mind's eye and he gently put down the book in his hand on the bed and reached for her, pulling her against his body.
"Never again." He said softly but firmly. "You will never be imprisoned like that ever again." He kissed her temple and then her forehead. "I will protect you.
"I know. Even in this moment right now, you're protecting me." Wanda said wrapping her arms around him. "I know that I am safest when I am in your arms."
Vision felt his heart swell with her words. Even after beginning their romantic relationship he'd always sensed that she was a little nervous in his presence. That part of her was afraid that he would betray her again. Now after nearly a year since the fall out, she trusted him completely, he had earned that precious gift back.
He lifted his hands to her face and cupped it, tipping her head gently upwards in order to kiss her. How he loved her. His tongue danced with hers for a time until she gently pulled away cupping his face with her slender hands.
"I wish we had more time." She said softly pressing her forehead to his.
"So do I." He replied pressing a kiss to her forehead before reaching for the book he'd put down and putting it inside the brown messenger bag.
WxVxWxV
Their cab stopped outside the old style theatre and Wanda took a deep and then sighed long and low.
"Here we are." She muttered. "I guess I'll see you later." She said turning towards him as she adjusted the bag across her body. The cabbie hopped out to grab her suitcase from the trunk.
Overcome by the knowledge that their next meeting might very well be months away, Vision leaned towards her and captured her mouth in a searing kiss. She squeaked quietly in surprise but he only deepened the kiss bringing his hands up to hold her face more firmly against him. His fingers slid back into her hair as he pressed himself closer to her forcing her back against the seat.
"Wanda." He whispered against her mouth, his hands clutching desperately at her waist as he pressed closer to her, nearly laying her back completely on the seat.
"Vis." She whimpered wrapping her arms around him clutching desperately at his neck and shoulders.
"Excuse me. Your bag is waiting." The cabbie said nervously shifting outside the car.
Wanda moved her hands to his face kissing him a few more times before gently pulling away.
"I have to go." She whispered stroking his cheek bones gently.
"I know." Vision replied pressing lips to her forehead. "Please let me know when you're safe. I don't feel comfortable leaving you alone in a place like this." He admitted glancing around.
Wanda chuckled and smirked. "Sweetheart, I literally put you through multiple floors. A couple of street thugs are no match for me."
"And you, my love, were literally shot out of the sky by an untrained simpleton just a few months ago. I believe I have earned the right to worry about your safety." He growled in her mind kissing her hard one last time before he sighed and leaned away stroking her hair and then her face. Wanda offered him a sad smile and returned the gesture before stepping out of the cab.
"Contact me if you need anything at all." Vision called out as she reached for the door.
"I will." She replied gifting him with one last warm smile. "I love you."
"I love you too." He quickly returned.
Wanda closed the door and turned away taking her bags with her.
"Silversmith Hotel?" The cabbie said as the car moved away.
"Yes." Vision replied.
"Long distance girlfriend?" The cabbie asked after a few moments of driving.
"Pardon?" Vision replied turning his attention to the man.
"Well you sound British and she sounds like she's from here. Is seems like a long distance relationship to me." The man said with a shrug. "Or is it secret? Like her parents don't approve of her dating an older man and so you're sneaking around." He said smirking at him through the rear view mirror.
Vision couldn't help but mirror the man's expression as he thought about the driver's assessment of his and Wanda's relationship.
"I suppose you could say it's a bit of both." Vision admitted.
"Ouch. That sounds rough buddy." The cabbie said with a sympathetic shake of his head. "She worth it? There are plenty of fish in sea."
"She is completely worth it." Vision replied thinking of his lover. "I will always choose her no matter the hardships we might face."
The cabbie whistled long and low. "That sounds like true love right there. You lost her once didn't you?"
Vision was surprised at the man's perceptiveness and nodded. "Yes I did. She was hurt terribly because of it. I will never let her go again."
The man nodded as he parked in front of the hotel. "You're a good man Mr. Shade. I wish you and your lovely lady the best."
"Thank you." Vision said paying the cab fare and adding a generous tip.
Humans never ceased to amaze him.
Author's Note: Sorry for the disgustingly small chapter. I just didn't quite fit anywhere without making the other chapters around it stupidly long. As a consolation, I will be posting a second chapter today so you aren't left feeling so dissatisfied. Thank you!
