Renzo had no choice but to leave Bucky in another world.
Tony's obsession ran too deep—especially after watching the footage of his parents' murder. His mental state had become even more unstable. Only by killing Bucky could he resolve the knot in his heart.
Steve, however, was the complete opposite. He didn't want Bucky to die. Bucky was his best friend, his brother—the only person who shared eighty years of memories with him.
If Bucky died, some would grieve. If he lived, others would never let go of their hatred. So Renzo chose a third option—send him to another world. Out of sight, out of mind. Steve would know he was alive; Tony would believe he was dead.
As for how Steve and Tony would handle things going forward—that was their problem. Renzo had no time to worry about other people's relationships.
"La-la-la… Potter, what's moving in your mouth is a pig…"
Renzo hummed a tune, chopping rapidly with a kitchen knife. The carrots on the cutting board didn't stand a chance.
He was in a good mood. As expected, Tony hadn't completely lost control. His razor-sharp tongue had been unleashed to the fullest, leaving Ross speechless. He had even rejected the Sokovia Accords outright and exposed large amounts of government corruption. Now the officials were too busy fighting lawsuits to worry about the Avengers.
"Your soup is really good this time," Wanda said, taking a sip. She looked pleasantly surprised—his cooking had clearly improved.
"Try this." Renzo handed her a piece of pork rib.
It was a dish his mother used to make. In his previous life, Renzo had been picky, with a particular love for meat—despite his thin frame. He'd watched his mother cook countless times, picking up a lot along the way, though he rarely practiced.
Recently, between dealing with Avengers conflicts, he'd been studying recipes whenever he had time. Pietro had been his unwilling test subject—until he'd finally had enough and started disappearing.
"Mmm." Wanda took a bite, her red lips parting slightly. "It's delicious!" she said with a bright smile.
Renzo couldn't help grinning at her expression. He reached to serve her another piece—
—but the plate was empty.
He froze.
Then he noticed the door was slightly open.
"Pietro!"
Renzo immediately shot up, ready to track down his brother-in-law and teach him a proper lesson.
Wanda covered her mouth, stifling a laugh. She'd seen exactly how the ribs had vanished. She knew Renzo had made them for her—but instead of being upset, she found his reaction amusing.
"Forget it," she said softly, leaning against the table. "The other dishes are good too."
Summer meant lighter clothing, and as Renzo glanced down, he caught a glimpse of smooth, pale skin.
Whiter than snow.
He quickly averted his gaze, internally lamenting his current form. Even if he wanted to act on certain impulses… he couldn't.
A tragic fate for any man.
His mood dipped slightly, and even the Mind Stone on his forehead dimmed.
"On your hand…" Wanda hesitated, pointing at the ring.
She'd noticed it a long time ago but never had the chance to ask.
In her mind, rings belonged to married men. And with Renzo having disappeared for over a year, her thoughts had wandered.
"This?" Renzo raised his hand. The black ring on his finger flickered faintly, swallowing the light around it.
"A multiversal artifact," he said with a smile. "Probably stronger than Thor's hammer. I picked it up in another world."
Wanda visibly relaxed, a small, private smile forming.
So that's what it was…
She felt inexplicably happy.
Renzo smiled back, equally unaware of why the moment felt so light. For a brief instant, the room was filled with their laughter.
"What's so great about him? He just knows how to cook…"
Pietro lurked behind the door, glaring as he watched them. His hostility toward Renzo intensified by the second. If he could beat him, he would have already acted.
Snorting, Pietro grabbed another rib and took a bite.
Okay… it was really good.
"Time to go…"
Renzo froze.
A deep, solemn voice echoed in his mind.
The Watcher… that voyeur again.
His eye twitched. Of all moments, why now?
He forced a smile and turned to Wanda. "Sorry. I've got a mission. I might be gone for a while."
Wanda's expression dimmed slightly. She looked at him quietly.
"Can you take me with you?" she finally asked.
She had always felt an inexplicable pull toward him. At first, she thought it was the resonance of the Mind Stone—but even after he disappeared, the feeling only grew stronger.
Wanda realized she had fallen for him.
Maybe it started in Sokovia, the first face she saw when she woke up… or maybe later, walking the streets of San Francisco, feeling a rare sense of ease.
For someone who had lost everything early in life, finding someone to rely on made her cling instinctively.
"I'm sorry," Renzo said gently, placing his hands on her shoulders. "It's too dangerous. I can't guarantee your safety."
Wanda didn't respond.
She lifted her head, studying his face carefully.
Then—
She kissed him.
And left without looking back.
Renzo stood there, stunned, the faint warmth lingering on his lips.
"…Damn."
He realized something.
He'd fallen too.
Outside, Pietro nearly lost his mind.
When he saw Wanda kiss Renzo, he almost burst in on the spot, ready to beat him into scrap metal.
"I hope someone smashes his head in," Pietro muttered bitterly.
Then he saw Renzo take out a glowing blue gem.
"That's…?"
Pietro's eyes widened. The Space Stone—one of the Infinity Stones Thor had mentioned.
"What is he doing?"
Renzo activated it. Coordinates from the Watcher appeared in his mind.
A dark blue vortex opened before him.
He steadied himself, pocketed the stone, and stepped inside.
From behind the door, Pietro saw everything.
He narrowed his eyes.
Renzo was hiding something.
And if he could uncover it… maybe he could finally keep this guy away from his sister.
Without hesitation, Pietro darted forward at super speed—
—and slipped into the vortex just before it closed.
The room fell silent.
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