After leaving Xavier's School, Johan and Wanda walked down the tree-lined driveway toward the main road. The afternoon sun filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the pavement. Wanda expected they would return to Kamar-Taj for their daily training session with the Ancient One, but Johan surprised her by hailing a taxi that happened to be passing by.
"We're not going back to train?" Wanda asked, sliding into the backseat, her brow furrowed in confusion. The routine of rigorous magical practice had become so ingrained that breaking it felt almost wrong.
Johan shook his head, a smile playing on his lips as he settled beside her. "Not today. I think we've earned a break." He leaned forward to address the driver. "Downtown shopping district, please."
As the taxi pulled away from the school gates, Wanda cast a questioning glance at Johan. The mansion receded in the rearview mirror, along with the day's tensions and revelations.
"I've been thinking," he explained, his voice softening. "You've spent most of your life in labs and slums. Always training, always surviving. When was the last time you just... had fun?"
Wanda blinked, considering the question seriously. Her childhood memories were a blur of cold concrete buildings, shared rations, and the constant struggle to stay alive in Sokovia's most dangerous districts. After that came the experiments, the power, the fighting. "I... don't know," she admitted finally.
"Exactly," Johan nodded, his expression softening. "Today isn't about powers or quests or saving the world. Today is about being normal teenagers for once."
Wanda looked out the window, watching as the rural landscape gradually gave way to suburban neighborhoods and then to the city proper. She'd been so focused on training, on controlling her chaos magic, on preparing for the battles ahead that she'd forgotten there was a world out there—a normal world filled with normal pleasures.
The taxi dropped them at a bustling shopping center, its glass storefronts gleaming in the afternoon sun. Wanda stood motionless for a moment, taking in the sights and sounds—people laughing, music playing from store speakers, the scent of coffee and pastries wafting from nearby cafés. It was overwhelming after the hushed, disciplined atmosphere of Kamar-Taj and the tense conversations at Xavier's School.
"Where do we start?" she asked, a hint of uncertainty in her voice. She felt suddenly out of place in her practical training clothes.
Johan grinned, taking her hand and pulling her toward the entrance. "Clothes first. My treat."
The first boutique they entered was bright and airy, filled with colorful garments that caught Wanda's eye immediately. She hesitated by the entrance, fingering the price tag on a scarlet blouse.
"This is too expensive," she whispered to Johan, glancing around as if expecting to be thrown out at any moment.
Johan chuckled, pulling out a sleek black credit card. "Don't worry about it. Emma gave me one of her bank cards to use. Said something about 'investing in potential assets.'" He rolled his eyes. "That's Emma-speak for helping friends."
Wanda's eyes widened at the casual mention of what must be a substantial line of credit. "She just... gave you her card?"
"Emma Frost doesn't do anything without calculation," Johan replied with a knowing smile. "But in this case, her calculation works in our favor. So let's take advantage of it."
Tentatively, Wanda browsed through the selection, occasionally touching a fabric or examining a pattern. A saleswoman approached with a friendly smile.
"Can I help you find anything specific today?"
Wanda nearly flinched at being addressed directly, but Johan stepped in smoothly. "My friend here needs a complete wardrobe refresh. Something casual, something dressy, and everything in between."
The saleswoman's eyes lit up at the prospect of a substantial sale. "Wonderful! Let's start with finding your style and colors, shall we?"
What followed was a whirlwind of fabric, mirrors, and gentle encouragement. Wanda, accustomed to practical, often secondhand clothing, approached each suggestion with initial hesitation that quickly gave way to genuine enjoyment. She tried on bright colors she'd never dared wear before, styles she'd only seen in magazines.
"What do you think?" she asked, emerging from a fitting room in a deep red dress that complemented her dark hair and brought warmth to her pale skin.
Johan looked up from his phone and momentarily froze. "Wow. That's... that's definitely your color."
A faint blush crept across Wanda's cheeks as she twirled once, the fabric swirling around her knees. "I've never had anything this nice before." Her voice held wonder, as if she couldn't quite believe she was the same person reflected in the mirror.
"Then it's decided," Johan said, the black card appearing between his fingers like a magician's trick. "That one's coming with us."
They left the first store with three bags, and continued their shopping spree through the mall. Johan was patient, encouraging Wanda to explore styles she'd never considered, occasionally offering suggestions but mostly letting her discover her own preferences. By the third store, Wanda was laughing as she modeled an outrageously large sun hat, her earlier self-consciousness melting away.
"I could get used to this," she admitted, trying on a pair of sunglasses that made Johan burst into laughter.
"Being normal suits you," he replied, and the simple truth in his statement made something warm bloom in her chest.
After several shopping bags had been accumulated, they found themselves at the food court, surrounded by options Wanda had never experienced. The aromas of a dozen different cuisines blended in the air, making her stomach growl audibly.
"I don't even know what half of these are," she admitted, eyes wide as she surveyed the international cuisine options. In Sokovia, meals had been simple, often bland—whatever could be made cheaply to feed many mouths. Even in America, her experience had been limited to basic convenience foods.
Johan laughed, the sound carefree and infectious. "Then we'll try a bit of everything."
They loaded their trays with small portions from different vendors—tacos from a Mexican stand, dumplings from a Chinese kiosk, fresh sushi, Middle Eastern falafel, and American burgers. Finding a table in the bustling food court took some maneuvering, but they eventually secured a spot near a large indoor fountain.
Wanda tentatively tried each dish, her expression shifting from cautious to delighted with each new flavor. The explosion of spices in the curry, the delicate texture of the sushi, the satisfying crunch of the falafel—each bite was a revelation.
"This is amazing," she said between bites of a gyro, savoring the blend of tender meat, fresh vegetables, and tangy tzatziki. "We never had food like this in Sokovia."
"Food is one of life's greatest pleasures," Johan replied, stealing one of her fries with a mischievous grin. "Especially when you share it with someone."
Wanda swatted his hand playfully, then pushed the fries between them. "You could just ask, you know."
"Where's the fun in that?" Johan countered, his eyes alight with mischief.
After eating, they continued their exploration of the city. They wandered through a bookstore where Wanda lingered in the fiction section, running her fingers along spines of novels she'd heard of but never had the chance to read.
"You can get as many as you want," Johan told her, noting her longing gaze at a collection of classic literature.
Wanda hesitated, then selected three books with careful deliberation. "These should last me a while."
From the bookstore, they made their way to a nearby park where street performers had set up along the pathways. A violinist played near the entrance, the haunting melody drawing them closer. Wanda stood transfixed, the music washing over her like a physical presence.
"It's beautiful," she whispered, closing her eyes to better absorb the sound.
Johan watched her rather than the performer, struck by the calm that had settled over her features. For once, the constant tension she carried was absent, her face relaxed and open. It was a rare glimpse of who Wanda might have been without the trauma that had shaped her life.
As the sun began its descent toward the horizon, they wandered through an outdoor market where vendors sold handcrafted goods. Wanda was drawn to a stall selling hand-dyed scarves, the vibrant colors reminding Johan of the chaos magic she wielded.
"This one," the elderly vendor said, draping a scarf with deep red and purple swirls over Wanda's shoulders. "It suits your energy."
Wanda started to protest, but Johan had already handed over Emma's card. "She's right," he said simply. "It belongs with you."
As evening approached, they found themselves at an ice cream parlor. The display case featured dozens of flavors, many Wanda had never heard of before.
"Chocolate or vanilla?" Johan asked as they joined the line.
Wanda shook her head, studying the colorful display. "I want to try something I've never had before."
They ended up on a bench overlooking a small pond, Wanda savoring a scoop of lavender honey ice cream while Johan tackled a towering sundae of chocolate and caramel. The setting sun painted the water in oranges and pinks, ducks paddling lazily across the surface.
"Thank you for today," Wanda said quietly, watching the scene before them. "I don't remember the last time I felt so... normal."
Johan glanced at her, noting how the stress lines around her eyes had softened, how her shoulders no longer carried their usual tension. "We all need days like this. Even people with the weight of the multiverse on our shoulders."
"Emma's very generous," Wanda observed, nodding toward the shopping bags at their feet.
Johan laughed. "Emma Frost is never generous without reason. But I think in this case, she understands what we're up against. And she knows we're stronger together when we're at our best." He paused, considering. "Today was as much strategy as it was kindness."
"Does that bother you?" Wanda asked. "Being part of someone else's strategy?"
Johan shrugged. "Everyone has an agenda. Emma, Xavier, Strange... even the system has its own plans for me. The trick is finding where those agendas align with what I want."
"And what do you want, Johan Smith?" Wanda asked, turning to face him directly.
Johan was quiet for a moment, watching the last rays of sunlight dance across the water. "To matter," he said finally. "In my first life, I barely left a ripple. This time... I want to change things. Make a difference."
Wanda nodded slowly, understanding in her eyes. "Is that why you helped Jean today? To make a difference?"
"Partly," Johan admitted. "But also because no one should have their own power hidden from them. No one should have decisions made about their future without their consent." He glanced at Wanda. "You of all people should understand that."
She did understand. Her own powers had come through deception and manipulation. "Do you think she'll be okay? Jean?"
"Jean Grey is stronger than anyone gives her credit for," Johan replied. "She'll find her way through this. And maybe with the truth, she'll be better prepared for what's coming."
As darkness began to settle over the park, they gathered their shopping bags and began the walk back toward the taxi stand. The city had come alive with lights, streetlamps casting a golden glow over the sidewalks, buildings illuminated against the darkening sky.
"You know," Wanda said thoughtfully, "I've spent so much time thinking about what was taken from me—my parents, my childhood, my home. I've been so focused on revenge and survival that I forgot there are still good things in the world worth experiencing."
Johan nodded, understanding in his eyes. "That's what we're fighting for, in the end. Not just to prevent the bad, but to preserve the good. Days like today."
Wanda stopped suddenly, turning to face him. With a swift movement, she leaned forward and kissed his cheek. "Thank you for reminding me."
Johan blinked in surprise, then smiled. "Anytime."
As they hailed a taxi to take them home, both were quiet, content in the simple joy of a day spent not as weapons or warriors or pawns in cosmic games—but simply as two young people enjoying life's simple pleasures. Tomorrow would bring training and quests and the looming threat of the Sentinel Program. But today had been theirs.
And in the complex, dangerous game they were playing, that might prove more valuable than any power the system could provide.
Back in the taxi, Johan's phone buzzed with a notification. He glanced down to see a message from Emma:
I see you've been putting my card to good use. Consider it an investment in our future. P.S. Did you get what you needed from Xavier?
Johan smiled to himself and typed a quick reply:
More than I expected. Jean knows the truth now. The seed is planted.
As he slipped the phone back into his pocket, Johan caught Wanda watching him.
"Everything okay?" she asked.
"Everything's perfect," he assured her, glancing out at the city lights flashing by. "Just perfect."