CHAPTER 54: CHAPTER 054: NEW YORK’S DEEPEST LOVE! SHE DIDN’T OBJECT!

Finally.

On a deserted beach, the heavy rain had just stopped, leaving the world looking freshly washed. A Ferrari sat nearby, keeping them company.

After a long time, their deep, lingering kiss came to an end. When they pulled apart, the affection in Wanda’s eyes seemed almost tangible.

Between Wanda and Gwen, Wanda had been the first to fall for him—and the first to make a move. Gwen’s feelings were real too, but she hadn’t acted as quickly.

By the sea, Wanda wrapped her arms around Lorien. She rested her face against his chest, listening to his steady, powerful heartbeat, as if each beat was striking her own heart.

After a while, without lifting her head, Wanda’s muffled voice came from against his chest.

"That Gwen... she likes you too."

Lorien: ...

We were just fine hugging and kissing—

Why are we bringing up another woman now?

That’s a recipe for disaster!

Even so, Lorien’s heartbeat stayed calm and steady. He asked softly,

"You could tell?"

"How could I not?" Wanda pressed her face more firmly against his chest, her voice even more muffled.

"I’m like a fire, drawn to you—the best firewood in the world. But how could I not sense there’s another fire that wants to ignite you too?"

Hearing those words, Lorien’s heart nearly missed a beat. They were too beautiful—so beautiful they filled him with a sudden pang of guilt.

Without thinking, he tightened his hold on Wanda’s hand. Far from feeling restrained, she pressed herself more comfortably against his chest and went on speaking.

"But in Sokovia, we don’t care about legal marriage certificates. What matters more is the bond between us.

My love for you burns like a raging fire.

But I can feel that Gwen feels the same way.

So..."

Wanda stopped there, but Lorien understood exactly what she meant.

[She didn’t object!]

Yes—if she disagreed, Wanda would have outright said no, or "Not a chance!" or "You can’t!" But now, she hadn’t refused. That meant it was possible.

There were still uncertainties, of course. The matter with the Avengers, Wanda’s personal issues, the complications of being a superhero... all of these weighed on her. Because of that, she couldn’t give a definite answer yet.

But still—she hadn’t refused.

As expected, Wanda added,

"Give me a little time to adjust, okay? Wait until our lives settle down and I’m no longer tied up with so many things. Then we can live peacefully, happily, and search for the meaning of life. It just needs a bit of time."

When she finished, Lorien pulled her into his arms.

"Of course," he replied simply. "And there’s an old saying I want to share with you."

Wanda looked up, puzzled. "What is it?"

Naturally, it was from Qin Guan’s Immortals at the Magpie Bridge: If love is meant to last, why care if we’re together every morning and evening?

After reciting the verse, Lorien translated it for her and explained the meaning.

Wanda closed her eyes, absorbing the sentiment, then opened them again and nodded firmly.

"Mm!"

They gazed at each other for a long while... but the moment didn’t last.

"Beep, beep, beep~~~!"

Wanda’s SHIELD phone rang. Instantly, Lorien could feel her mood sour. She clearly hated being disturbed right now, but she still answered—it could only mean something urgent.

"Hello? Natasha?"

"Yes... okay, I understand. I’ll head back now."

After hanging up, she sighed and looked up at Lorien.

"The United Nations has drafted the Sokovia Accords. They’ve invited many countries to vote. The five permanent members abstained, but most others will probably vote in favor. I have to go back—sorry."

Lorien nodded, patting her back.

"Go on, it’s fine. If the Avengers disband, you’ll be free again."

Wanda smiled faintly. "That’s true."

Lorien then drove her back to the Avengers Compound. He had no interest in meddling with the Avengers’ internal affairs. As for Wanda, he simply didn’t want to interfere in her choices.

As long as no one threatened her, he would respect her autonomy. He wasn’t some overbearing man who had to control everything. He would never say, Wanda, just quit. I’ll take care of you.

If he did, it would be over—because to truly capable women in the West, that would be an insult. Wanda certainly wouldn’t want to live idly, dependent on him. The same went for Gwen.

Things were fine as they were. Lorien was content to remain the man behind the scenes, the one people would quietly warn others about: "Hey, watch out for the man backing them."

That was how it should be.

...

After dropping Wanda off, Lorien drove home. Reaching the rooftop, before he could even scan his fingerprint to unlock the door, he sensed a small spider crouched on the ceiling.

He pretended to open the door, waiting until the little spider slid silently down from behind.

The moment she did, Lorien flung the door open, grabbed Gwen in mid-descent, hauled her inside like a kidnapper, and slammed the door shut with the Phoenix Force.

Gwen froze, still processing what had just happened.

"Ah! No—!"

Bang!

Once the door closed, the sound was completely sealed away.