you know nothing

Kit and Richard Parallels

Considering the impact Jon had left on her when they’d met, Wanda was surprised she hadn’t noticed sooner that he’d been the one to approach her; but it explained the calmness she’d felt. “Oh, z’hank you.” Her smile was instantaneous as she turned to face him, grateful for his reassurance. “I don’t celebrate, z’hat’s why I asked. I’m helping Caroline, and her brief was very specific.”

Jon found himself a little taken aback by her smile, the warmth in it, when she turned toward him. The last time they’d met, she’d had grief in her eyes, her shoulders carrying something heavy. He, of course, had never asked what that something was, considering the war had just ended, and everybody had been struggling with something. But she held herself differently now. Not entirely healed, but lighter. She was beautiful. Blinking at her for a moment, mesmerised, he eventually nodded at the explanation, knowing that was very characteristic of Caroline. “Well, I think she’d be pleased. For someone that doesn’t celebrate, ya know exactly how a tree should look. All you need now’s a little snow.” He smiled.

Considering the twins didn’t celebrate Christmas, Wanda had no experience with decorating trees. But after destroying the first home she’d been given back in January, she was indebted to Caroline and her forgiveness, so had offered her services to help prepare the town for the holidays. She was happy to do it, but was struggling with self-doubt as to whether or not her work was any good, especially considering the vampire’s high standards. “Do you z’hink z’his looks alright?” Wanda had sensed someone behind her, so had questioned them without turning, hanging up one of the last baubles as she did so.

“We have a deal, then,” Jon nodded once in acknowledgement before holding out a hand for her to shake. Perhaps a part of him just wanted to touch her again, to see if he’d feel the same intriguing sensation; but a more rational thought assured him it was just etiquette. Jon always shook on his promises, after all. He wasn’t entirely convinced with her response, considering it was clear she was still wary of her surroundings. But he did notice she was a lot less on edge once she’d snapped out of whatever haze she’d been in prior to their collision. “You are?” He questioned, just in case she’d budge. “You sure of that?” It wasn’t that he wouldn’t trust her word, it’s just that her eyes seemed far away sometimes, and her heartbeat sounded skittish. “Do ya mean to the town, or shopping? I understand that, though. I’m new ‘round here, too. Were ya with the Rebels?” Jon was sure he hadn’t crossed her path before.

“I’m fine,” Wanda muttered, now flustered. “Please, don’t apologise. Z’his was my fault, I’m sorry.” She smiled with her apology, knowing that had she been paying attention, it wouldn’t have caused the collision in the first place. She needed to refocus on her surroundings, and not reach out to Pietro. Her twin would be fine for a few minutes. “I’m a little distracted,” she admitted, collecting the last of her groceries. But as she reached out for the final dropped item, Jon did the same, and their hands brushed together. As a repeat of before, a few moments passed before either of them broke the contact. She looked up at him shyly, shaking her head in her embarrassment. “Sorry.” 

“We’ll have to meet in the middle then, and say it was both our faults. I can’t have ya taking all the blame,” he smiled. After all, he was a werewolf with enhanced senses, and should’ve been able to avoid this collision entirely if his mind hadn’t also been elsewhere. He nodded at her explanation as he collected items, relating to the behaviour entirely. Jon seemed to spend every waking moment wondering how to forge a new life here, since the one he’d dreamt of with a particular blonde had passed him by. “Gotcha. Is everything alright, though?”

Being in Pietro’s arms for weeks had been a necessity, they had months of lost time to make up for, including a birthday, and a lot of trauma to work through. But naturally, they were beginning to run out of supplies, so Wanda had offered to visit the store for them both. It was hardly grand, just scraped together essentials that some rebels had gathered together in a run down building, but that’s what the twins were used to anyway. It felt more like home. As she walked around, her mind was locked on Pietro’s, constantly checking up on him to ensure his safety. But due to her being so focused on someone elsewhere, she knocked into a fellow customer, dropping her own basket to the floor. Scrambling to pick up her items, Wanda glanced up as she did so, muttering her apology. “Scuze.”