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[Well, he is talking to a literal reality bender.]

They are living things too so maybe it will work? [She smiles and shrugs.] For me, I don't have to fully control it the way I have to control raw power. Or fire.

[Wanda's still working on the paprikash but reaches for one of the biscuits.]

I'll try it. [ He's been struggling with this power, so he's not going to turn down any idea. Plus, making plants grow is, on the grand scheme of things, closer to the kind of things Wanda knows how to do than his normal methods. ] It would be a lot better if it does work that way. I don't know enough about plants to tell them how to grow or shape them the way I would Arc.

[ What a thought. Ugh.

He's basically devastated his share of the salad at this point, though he has been having some paprikash all the while. ]

I'll eventually find some joy in it, too, and that'll help. [ In... plants. Sure. Well, he's got to try. Practice is work, but it's always easier if you're having fun, and he's normally been a happy warrior. ]

How are your own efforts progressing?

When you find a technique that works, I'm sure it will help. I'm less afraid of my fire magic now.

[She wants to see it the way Osiris does but that's a future goal. For now, 'not terrified' is a lot of progress.]

I did all of this. [She gestures to the candles.] I can do simple things - reheat a drink or food that's gone cold, or heat a blanket. And I can make the sword and wings like Osiris showed me, but I think it still needs a little work.

[ He's certainly not afraid of his Emerald magic, just entirely puzzled and frustrated by it, but that's kind of not the point. He'd rather hear how Wanda's doing anyway. ]

All of this? That's very good, then. I've always found small, focused things are much more difficult, anyway. [ Probably because he's a meathead. ] And did you have fun?

[ Because in a way, that's the most important thing, finding the joy in it. ]

If you'd like, I can show you how Titans wield solar. We have some... philosophical differences with how we view it.

[Well, they are, but Wanda has an odd knack for it. She really is greatly like the Warlocks of his world, even though she doesn't seem like one on the surface.]

It's...a fun challenge. Even if the wings don't really do anything.

[Maybe they do for a Guardian? But Wanda can fly on her own.

...she has a feeling that at least half of the reason for the wings is aesthetics, though.]

So you found a way to hit your enemies directly with it?

[ It's very likely an aesthetic thing. Warlocks are like that. Her question makes him laugh. Of course they know how to hit people with solar. ]

Oh yes. And heal our friends. The rage of the undying sun burns my foes and warms my allies.

[Is there anything a Titan doesn't know how to hit people with? They literally found a way to hit people with the Void.]

I don't know if Ruby fire can mimic that, but maybe combined with my powers...it's worth trying.

I'm willing to learn if you're willing to teach.

[ Everything. They can punch with everything. Everything. ]

I'll show you, and we'll see what you figure out. You're brilliant with your Light as it is. [ He knows Osiris has truly stolen her as a student, which is probably for the best considering their relationship, but it still gives his smile a slightly wry cast. ] I'm always willing to teach. Especially you.

[ He's half tempted to say they should go outside right now, because this is an exciting prospect. But there's time, and Wanda's not really dressed for it, because... right. ]

[Wanda smiles and ducks her head, a little bashful.]

I'll look forward to it. And to recharging afterwards, if you want.

[She grins. In some ways it feels a little odd to just openly invite him to some form of synchrony with her, but if anyone is safe to be so overt with, it's Shaxx.]

Maybe I can learn something similar with my own powers too. Fire isn't always the best choice.

[ He offers her a very warm smile. ]

With you? Always.

[ And he doesn't even mean just the sex. While he enjoys that, she was his go-to for synchrony before they were lovers, and he still feels that pull like gravity. ]

We all use the tools we have. What matters is if you figure out what works for you. The rest doesn't matter. We're really only here to... offer you ideas to try.

[Shaxx is...special to her. It's hard to describe, but what she feels really is a sort of gravity. She trusts him above all others here, and even more than some of her former teammates. He's been an unfailing source of support and she knows - she absolutely knows - that he would never have let Ross near her. He certainly wouldn't have turned on her.

She's just fond of him, and there is very little she wouldn't do for him. ~~Bitchslap a Hive god? Sure.~~

Wanda smiles back and lets her mind press to his again so he can feel the warmth he inspires in her. It's oddly fitting that the Guardians call their powers 'Light,' because that's exactly what he's been to her.]

It's better than I'm used to. [And she might not just be talking about training, but before this can get weird and emotional and derail dinner, she continues:] We had ideas...stupid ideas, sometimes, but no one was ever sure if they were even possible. And knowing that it actually works for someone helps.

[She never would have even tried to work on the pseudo-Dawnblade technique otherwise. Because physically it shouldn't be possible, but Osiris can pull it out of thin air like it's nothing.]

[ Fireteams have each other's backs. It's an elemental thing to him now. He's learned since his younger days.

He catches that reminder, of how different things were at home. Now is not the time for his temper, however. There is still the echo of that ferocity, however briefly: I am a wall. I will break those who would hurt you. ]

No idea is stupid if it works. That's something Osiris and I have always agreed on. But it's also easier if you have a framework to build on. [ He thinks about his own struggles with Emerald plant magic. ] ...mostly.

Though I think... from what you've said of your world, your power is unique. That also makes it more difficult.

[Wanda's table isn't a particularly large one, but it's keeping her from kissing Shaxx right now so they might as well be sitting on opposite ends of the big meeting table at home. But that stray thought still makes something in her absolutely melt, and she sends him a promise of her own: And no one will hurt you while I am around.

(She would kill for him if it came to that without hesitation or guilt. There is a viciously protective side to her that the Avengers were never able to soften...but for a certain caliber of Trouble, it's absolutely appropriate.)]

You should have seen me learning to fly. That was a stupid idea. [She laughs, then abruptly stops, features lit up.]

You know...if you got really good with your plant magic, you might be able to make them throw things for you.

[ It's not that the potential for viciousness is what attracts Shaxx, but he definitely considers it a bonus. It's just another aspect of her, similar to her power, part that builds into the whole he finds so strong and attractive. It's only right for them to be so protective of each other, in his estimation. ]

Everyone looks a bit silly when they're flying. But it's still fun.

[ Her suggestions earns a speculative look. ] If they can move that fast... yes, that would be interesting. Good. I'll have to try it.

[She will lose him one day - unless she accompanies him home - but she will not lose him here in combat.]

Now that I don't worry so much about falling, yes.

[That particular kind of stupid.

By this point Wanda's mostly done with her dinner, she's just continuing to munch on her biscuit.]

Happy to help, but...maybe don't try to give them grenades.

[ He laughs. It's not a mean sound, as such, just surprised and amused. ] I would love to have seen your face! A bit like the first time I ever figured out a thundercrash, I bet. [ He'd been more exhilarated than scared, but it had still been...startling. ]

[ The look he gives her next statement is so eloquent, spoken words are not required. Who does she take him for? What a ridiculous suggestion. Of course he's going to give plants grenades, if they're competent to throw anything at all! ]

Stark has a suit of armor that can fly with repulsors on his hands and boots. Vision thought maybe my powers could do the same and it's a little like it? But I don't have to work so hard to balance.

[...nope, not quite in the mood to talk about them right now.

Wanda gives him a Look, then sighs deeply. Oh no. Oh no. Plants with grenades. What has she unleashed upon the world?]

...I'm going to go get the dessert ready. Take your time.

[She's gone for a few minutes cutting slices of the torte for them. She also takes this opportunity to shrug out of her robe so she's left in the burgundy and black lingerie set she'd been wearing underneath. Unwrapping the second dessert a little, in a way - she is getting just as impatient as he is.

Again Wanda levitates the dishes to the table, very casually, as if she's not walking out of the kitchen half-naked.]

I hope you like chocolate.

Huh. Hands and feet seems... unsteady. And you might need your hands for something else. [ Definitely not how Titans jump, though they don't truly fly. And he knows that's not how warlocks do it. They keep their hands free for guns, after all.

Without the distraction of talking to Wanda, he demolishes the rest of his meal in short order while she's in the kitchen. He glances up when she comes back with the cake, struck by the dual thoughts of that's really not suitable clothing for any kind of combat and she could be wearing even less, which would be nice.

Chocolate is something he can take or leave, in the sense that he'll eat it if it's there and if it's not, he's not going to pine over it. But he's never said no to a dessert on principle. He glances at the torte, but he's definitely mostly looking at her. ]

I like what I see.

Good. I wanted to make sure you get a good sample of Sokovian treats.

[Wanda settles back into her chair and arches her back in a nice stretch...which so very conveniently highlights her breasts. And from that grin on her face, she knows exactly what she's trying to do: One last 'appetizer' before second dessert.

But also this cake is very much the definition of death by chocolate and she is going to relish every bite.]

I'm sending you home with some of this so that I don't eat it all and make myself sick. This is one of my favorites.

[ If she's offering, he's looking and not being at all shy about it. ]

You'll make Saint and Osiris very happy men. Even if I'm not going to be wearing that when I hand it over.

[ Not as happy as him, though. Definitely got the best end of the deal, in his estimation. He eats a bit of the dessert, but Wanda wasn't kidding about how rich it was. ]

I don't think I've had anything like this before.

[And it's because his desire is so obvious that Wanda never feels even the least bit self-conscious with him. Is it corny? Maybe. But he clearly doesn't care so neither does she.]

Don't let them eat it all. It never lasts as long as you think.

[It speaks to Shaxx's character that he's even considering sharing it, honestly.]

It takes some time but it's worth it. But with that much chocolate I don't think anyone could ruin it if they tried.

There is beauty in impermanence. [ Look, he's read a lot of poetry. And has thoughts about transient things as someone who is effectively immortal. ]

Let Saint have a crack at it and you might change your tune. Though he is getting better. [ He tilts up his fork. He's certainly not volunteering to try making something like this himself. He knows he's a completely indifferent cook and even less of a baker.

Really, the attempt at conversation is him playing along, but he's about out of patience. ]

I'm going to have two more bites of this excellent dessert, and then I'm taking you out of that chair.

[And that's super fair. But Wanda's going to risk one last round of Titan-bothering and just hope that her furniture survives.]

Two bites? I must not be trying hard enough.

[Wanda reaches behind her back to unclasp her bra, slips it off, and flings it to the side. If ever a grin said 'come and get me,' it's this one.]

[ Oh, he knows exactly what she's doing. Good job, Wanda. But his will is strong. He's a Titan. He does not move.

Shaxx looks at her, intent and intense, and very deliberately takes one bite of the torte. Doesn't rush chewing. Swallows. Another bite. He sets the fork down very gently.

Then he's on his feet so abruptly that the chair falls over, and across the span of the table in a move that somehow disturbs no dishes even though it certainly should have. And as promised--threatened?--he is dragging her out of her chair and into his arms. ]

[Wanda holds his gaze, though it's pretty clear that she's losing this particular staring contest. Her breathing turns shallow and she can feel anticipation coiling in her stomach. She wants, so badly, her torte all but forgotten aside from the few bites she'd managed before they both decided to up the ante.

She's both prepared and totally unprepared for the speed and surprising care he shows when he decides it's (finally) time to make good on that promise. Wanda's squeak of surprise turns into a laugh as she winds her arms and legs around him and leans up to kiss him. She is, as always, careful not to push for more than he's comfortable giving, and when she senses it's time to pull back, she buries her face in his neck and breathes in deeply.

After an entire dinner's worth of teasing, she needs this.]

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