Spice Spice Baby

Wanda’s eyes are already watery as she helps you get dressed into something comfortable that you can move in freely. It’s your first time going to daycare and Wanda had already cried last night and now she’s close to crying again this morning. Not that she’d ever allow herself to do that in front of you. “Look at you,” Wanda says fondly, swallowing back her tears. “My special grown-up girl.” “Yeah, I’m big now, a big girl and I’m going to daycare like a big kid!”

You jump around the room and Wanda grins at your enthusiasm, supposing she should be grateful that you’re taking this so well. Wanda had taken extended maternity leave for the past three years, spending every day looking after you, and this was your first time being away from her or Natasha for an extended period of time. You’re her special girl, her miracle, and she’d be lying if she said she wasn’t nervous about leaving you in someone else’s care for the day.

Wanda and Natasha had been together for ten years before they realised they both wanted a child. Wanda had known for a while but didn’t want to push Natasha too much, knowing she found the concept of motherhood a difficult one. She’d been thrilled when Natasha had finally told her she was ready, that she wanted a child too. Initially Natasha had wanted to adopt, saying there were so many children looking for a loving home and Wanda had readily agreed, remembering her own difficult childhood of being orphaned young. They’d put forward an application only to be rejected – their careers were too dangerous and they were too high profile. Any child they adopted would be at risk. They’d tried to argue but had been shot down.

Still desperate to be Mothers’, they’d turned to a fertility clinic and Wanda had done everything they’d advised her to do. She’d even looked online for the best foods to eat and what to avoid if you want to fall pregnant. Despite how serious she’d taken it, years had gone by with failure after failure. It had taken a huge toll on their mental health, and Natasha had watched Wanda fall into despair. Natasha wanted to be a mother but she didn’t yearn for it the way that Wanda did. Natasha would be disappointed but would be able to live with that. If Wanda couldn’t have a child, she didn’t know what she would do.

“I can’t give up,” Wanda had sobbed one late night when they’d looked at yet another negative pregnancy test. “I want a child so bad.”

“I know love,” Natasha had said, running her fingers through Wanda’s hair, her head rested in her lap as she sobbed. “I hate seeing you like this though. We can’t go on forever, it’s breaking your heart.”

“One more try,” Wanda had begged. “Just one more, please. And then we can take a break.”

That one more try had resulted in you, their precious baby. As soon as Wanda found out she was pregnant she’d stepped back from her Avengers work, not taking any risks. You were precious cargo as far as she was concerned and she wasn’t going to let anything happen to the baby she’d been hoping and praying for. The moment you’d been born and had been placed in her arms, Wanda had wept tears of joy and relief. Natasha had cried too, pressing a kiss to your head and letting you hold her finger in your tiny hand. You were here, and you were everything that both of them had ever wanted. They could finally stop the fertility treatment and just focus on being your Moms’.

Natasha had returned to work when you were a year old whilst Wanda had decided not to go back to Avengers work until you’d started kindergarten, and even then she would be strict about what she was willing to do. Being away from you overnight was non-negotiable, it wasn’t going to happen. Wanda knew they needed her in the field but that paled in comparison to you. She was your Mom, and you needed her first and foremost. Wanda knew Natasha felt differently and she respected that. Plenty of parents worked whilst raising their children - it just wasn’t how Wanda wanted to do things.

“I think it’d be a good idea if Y/N started doing mornings or something at daycare,” Natasha had suggested one night when she and Wanda were getting ready for bed.

Wanda had whipped around in her seat, her eyes wide, “What? Why?”

Natasha had laughed at the expression on Wanda’s face, pressing a kiss to her wife’s cheek, “I think it’d be better if she got used to spending some time without us now before starting school. And she’s reached an age where she should start spending more time with other children.”

Wanda had looked away, knowing deep down that Natasha was right. You were a sociable child, always stopping to say hello to people in the street, always finding someone to play with when Wanda took you to the park. It would be nice for you to make real friends, friends that you got to spend regular time with, that you could have play dates with. So although it made Wanda anxious, she agreed they could put your name on some waiting lists for local daycares.

A small part of Wanda had hoped it would be a long time until a place become available but one daycare had immediate availability. They’d taken you for a look around and even Wanda couldn’t find anything wrong with it. There was a good staff to child ratio, the room was bright with plenty of toys, and you’d been happy to join in with the story time. They’d met the woman who would be your key worker and she’d been lovely, starting an instant rapport with you. Wanda knew it was the perfect daycare and they were lucky a place was available.

This morning she didn’t feel lucky though as you bounced around the room excitedly. Wanda suddenly scoops you up into her arms and presses kiss after kiss to your face, beaming when you giggle. “Mommy loves you so much.”

“Love you too Mommy!” You reply loudly, kissing her cheek in return.

“Let’s go find Mama and have some breakfast,” Wanda says positively, bouncing you in her arms. “And then we’ll go to daycare for your first day!”

It takes a while for the three of you to leave. You’re too excited to eat breakfast so Natasha has to keep coaxing you back to the table. After Wanda’s put your shoes on she decides she wants a photo and thus begins the photo shoot that always ensues. Photos of just you, photos of you with Natasha, photos of you with Wanda, photos of you with both of them, some with the phone propped on the bookshelf, some selfies. As their only child, both Natasha and Wanda love documenting absolutely every achievement or stage in your life.

You sing excitedly in the backseat the whole way to the daycare. Natasha smiles at you in the rear-view mirror whilst Wanda stares out the window, trying to hide her growing anxiety. It takes everything within Wanda not to burst into tears when they pull up outside the daycare, and she gets out the car quickly so that she can be the one to hold you as they carry you into the welcoming building.

Your key worker is waiting inside and had already told Natasha and Wanda to keep their goodbyes quick and brief so that you wouldn’t get too upset. Wanda sets you down on your feet and gives you a small smile, trying to ignore her tear-filled eyes, “Okay baby girl. Me and Mama are going to say goodbye now then we’ll both be back this afternoon to pick you up.”

Natasha had taken the day off work, partly to be here for you, but mostly to support Wanda who she knew would struggle with a morning all to herself for the first time in three years. Natasha kneels down next to Wanda and kisses your cheek, “Be a good girl, okay? We love you so much.”

“Wait…” You say quietly, your own eyes starting to water. “You’re… You’re not staying here with me?”

Wanda and Natasha exchange a glance, and Natasha gives you a reassuring smile, “No baby, daycare is just for kids. But you’re going to make friends and sing songs and listen to stories. It’s going to be really fun and me and Mommy will be back here at-”

Natasha is cut off by the sound of you bursting into noisy tears, and Wanda immediately pulls you into her arms, rubbing a reassuring hand up and down your back. Wanda feels awful for not explaining properly – had she not mentioned you’d be alone? Maybe she should’ve talked with you about it a bit more. She glances tearfully at Natasha and mumbles, “We can’t leave her here.”

Natasha’s own eyes are watering at how upset you are but she shakes her head, “It’s for her own good Wands. Of course she’s going to be upset but we can’t… We shouldn’t…”

Her voice is uncertain as she watches the way you cling to Wanda like a little Octopus. You’ve always been a little clingy, something Wanda secretly loved. Always wanting cuddles, reassurance, to be held, to be in either Natasha or Wanda’s lap. They’d both been naïve to think this separation would be easy.

Your key worker, Moira, comes over and kneels down, realising it’s going to be difficult for Natasha and Wanda to separate from you when you’re so distraught. “The first day is always the hardest,” She says kindly. “There are usually a lot of tears for the first couple of weeks until they get used to the routine.”

Natasha nods whilst Wanda keeps her arms around you protectively, pressing a kiss to the top of your head. “What should we do?” Natasha eventually asks.

Moira gives her a reassuring smile then addresses you, “Hey Y/N. Do you want to come and pick out the book for morning story time? Since it’s your first day you get to pick.”

Your interest is slowly piqued and you look up from Wanda’s chest though your little hands still cling to her jacket. Wanda exchanges a tearful glance with Moira, seeing the angle she’s going for. “Yeah, you like a story, don’t you?” Wanda says in the most positive voice she can manage, her voice cracking slightly.

You look uncertainly at Moira then at Natasha who gives you an encouraging smile, “Go on Sweetheart. You can choose a book, it’s okay.”

Moira holds out her hand and you hesitantly let go of Wanda, taking Moira’s hand in your own. The key worker gives them both a reassuring smile and begins leading you into the daycare towards the bookshelf. Natasha stands up, her voice shaking, “We should go now while she’s distracted. If we stay longer it’s only going to upset her.”

Wanda hesitates, swallowing down the lump in her throat as she watches you walking away from her. It takes everything in her not to cross the room and lift you back up into your arms, and take you home where she can keep you safe. But she knows that everything Natasha has said about you going to daycare is right. You need to do this, need the independence and the socialising aspect. So although it breaks Wanda’s heart she stands up and lets Natasha lead her out of the daycare.

Just as they’ve left, you look back over your shoulder, your face crumpling when you realise Natasha and Wanda are gone. You’d thought they would stay for story time like they had at the taster session and you open your mouth and begin to scream as you realise they’re not there. Moira lifts you into her own arms to try and comfort you, and you cry loudly, calling desperately for your Moms’ and sobbing even more when they don’t come back for you.

Wanda spends all morning checking the daycare app for updates. About an hour after they dropped you off there’s an update to say that you enjoyed story time, along with a photo of you sitting with the other kids. You look a little overwhelmed but generally settled so Wanda relaxes. You have a snack, then a nap, and then do some painting. Natasha looks over Wanda’s shoulder to check the updates too and smiles, kissing her cheek, “See? She’s absolutely fine.”

Natasha would never admit it but she’d been worrying too, and had had a little cry of her own in the bathroom when they got home. She had to be strong for Wanda but it was hitting her harder than she’d initially thought too.

Wanda is relieved when it’s finally time to pick you up and she rushes into the daycare centre, holding her arms out when she spots you, “Y/N!”

You look over, immediately bursting into tears when you spot your Moms’. You run over into Wanda’s arms, throwing your arms around her neck. “Mommy, you left me all by myself!” You wail accusingly.

Wanda peppers your teary cheek in little kisses and then whispers, “I know baby, I’m sorry. You had a good day though, didn’t you?”

“I missed you!” You whine in the way only a little kid can manage.

Moira gives Natasha and Wanda a knowing smile, telling them quietly, “She was tearful for the first half-an-hour and then calmed down. We had a good morning and she had a nice time. It looks like she even made some friends. It’ll get easier as time goes on, I promise.”

Wanda nods, lifting you up into her arms. Although she’s glad that you had a good morning and you weren’t upset the entire time you were apart, she’s even gladder that you’re back in her arms where you belong. You pout as they carry you back out to the car, “You left me Mommy!”

“I did but I’ll always come back for you,” Wanda reassures you, kissing your cheek again as she straps you into your car seat. “You’re my special girl and I love you so much.”

“And so do I!” Natasha calls from the driver’s seat, starting the engine. “You were such a brave girl today, how’s about we go and get some ice cream to celebrate?”

You immediately perk up at the thought of ice cream, your betrayal immediately forgotten. Wanda also brightens as she sees the happy look on your face. Natasha drives to an ice-cream parlour that the three of you frequent regularly, and then she lifts you up so you can see all the flavours on display. You spend a long time choosing but neither of them rushes you, letting you have this as a special treat.

The rest of the day passes without incident but at bedtime, when Wanda closes the story she’d been reading you, you mumble worriedly, “Mommy? Do I have to go back to daycare tomorrow?”

“No,” Wanda says, running a hand over your head. “You’ll spend tomorrow with me. But the day after that you’ll go back to daycare for the morning.” Wanda feels her chest tighten at the worried look on your face, realising that this schedule might be confusing to you given how young you are. “You had fun, didn’t you?”

“Yes but I would rather stay at home with you.”

Wanda smiles, watching your little brow furrow as you try to process all the big emotions you felt today. “Tell you what,” Wanda says. “Why don’t you come and sleep in the big bed with me and Mama tonight?”

Your eyes light up and you nod without hesitation, unable to believe your luck at having two treats in one day. Wanda lifts you out of your bed and carries you through to the bedroom she shares with Natasha, shooting her wife a look when she laughs at her. “Y/N’s sleeping in here tonight,” Wanda says defensively, tucking you into their bed.

Natasha climbs in on your other side, pressing a kiss to your cheek, “I didn’t say a word. I love cuddles with my little girl.”

Wanda strokes her fingers over your forehead, a relaxing gesture that she’s done for years, “There we go. Nice and warm in Mommy and Mama’s bed.”

Natasha holds the cookie up, feeling guilty as your bottom lip trembles. “All you have to say is ‘cookie please Mama’. Or even just ‘cookie please’. Hell, even just ‘cookie’. Please baby? For Mama?”

Your eyes water as you stare helplessly at her, opening and close your mouth. Natasha feels even worse and she sighs, handing you the cookie, “It’s okay baby, you tried. Have your cookie, it’s okay. I’m not mad, I know you did your best.”

Natasha watches as you walk dejectedly to the couch with your cookie, feeling even worse at the way your shoulders have slumped. When she’d adopted you four years ago you’d been a little chatterbox – you wanted to tell her absolutely everything, no matter how mundane. At times it had been difficult, especially if Natasha was working on something at home or if she just wanted five minutes peace, but now she’d give anything to just hear your voice again.

Seven months ago you’d stopped talking. Natasha had done everything to try and get to the bottom of why but the only explanation the Doctors could come up with was that you were anxious, though no one was sure what had brought it on. You’d simply woken up one morning and hadn’t said a word since. Every day Natasha wracks her brains, trying to remember if anything had happened the night before, a sign that you were suddenly going to stop talking. There’s nothing though, nothing that's obvious to Natasha.

She’d started sending you to speech therapy but that hadn’t yielded any results so far. Every day she tried to encourage you to say something, anything, but quickly caves when she sees the worried look on your face. Natasha wasn’t about to withhold things from you just because you couldn’t talk. It was obvious just from the look on your face that you were trying. Forcing you would surely only make you more anxious.

Natasha is particularly worried about tomorrow though – it’s your birthday. And despite her asking, you haven’t been able to communicate what you’d like to do. You won’t even write things down for her which can make trying to figure out what you want or need very difficult. Natasha sighs as she heads into the living room, sitting down next to you and pulling you into her lap as you finish your cookie.

“I love you so much,” Natasha mumbles, kissing the top of your head. “It’s okay if you can’t talk. You’ll start talking again when you’re ready. No rush.” You lean your head on your shoulder and Natasha smiles, running her hand up and down your back. “You’re my baby and I love you so much. You’re going to have a great birthday tomorrow. I have an idea that I think will work. Just you wait.”

The next morning you climb out of bed and cross the hall to climb into Natasha’s bed. Despite your lack of speech Natasha can see that you’re practically vibrating with excitement. She smiles lazily, wrapping an arm around you and kissing your forehead, “Happy Birthday kiddo. Nine years old, practically a grown up.”

She tickles your sides and you squeal with laughter, trying to squirm out of her grasp. Natasha grins too before sitting up, “So I thought you could have a special breakfast today. And since you can’t tell me what you want… I have an idea.”

Natasha dips her hand into her bedside drawer, pulling out two pieces of paper. “Remember that TikTok trend I showed you? Well I thought we could do it today as a fun little treat. On each piece of paper I’ve written down something you’d like for breakfast and you’ll blindly pick one. And we could do that all day. Does that sound fun?”

You nod enthusiastically, remembering the TikTok trend that Natasha had shown you a while ago. Natasha holds up the two cards and you look between them both for a long moment before reaching out and plucking one out of her hand. The card says ‘chocolate chip pancakes’ and you squeal with excitement. Natasha grins at your enthusiasm, glad that she’d thought of this. It had taken a while to think of things to put on the cards and sometimes she’d doubted you’d even like this idea but now she can see that she’s struck gold.

Once you’re both dressed Natasha makes you the chocolate chip pancakes, adding two candles to the top of them and singing to you as she brings them to the table. You blow them out, making a wish in your head, and then Natasha lets you add as much syrup as you want – it’s your birthday after all.

After breakfast you spend some time opening your presents. Natasha is always surprised by the mountain of presents that you receive – all the Avengers love spoiling you as much as she does. You spend a long time admiring each and every gift you receive, clearly thrilled with all of them. Once everything’s open it’s time to pick another card so Natasha holds them up again, laughing as you spend a long time debating the two. Eventually you pluck one from her hand that reads ‘Carnival.’ You squeal with excitement all over again and begin jumping around the room.

Natasha manages to rein in your joy just enough to get you into the car. The other option had been ‘Movie Theatre’ which would’ve made for a quieter day but Natasha is glad you picked the carnival card. She’d already done some research on a carnival that was in town for the day so she knows where to go. “We’re going to have such a great day,” Natasha says, reaching over to ruffle your hair.

At the carnival Natasha produces more cards throughout the day. Your snack ends up being cotton candy, Natasha tries hard to win you a stuffed giraffe and eventually manages it, you ride all of the rides including the water ones because it’s a warm day. For lunch you pull a card that says ‘burger’, so Natasha gets you a burger with fries from one of the food stalls, along with a banana milkshake. Natasha’s thought of quite a few card ideas to keep you going throughout the day, taking the pressure off you – not only do you not have to decide anything, you also don’t have to say anything.

Natasha can’t remember the last time she saw you so excited, so happy. It makes her heart warm every time she looks over at your beaming face. Natasha had never taken you to a fairground or theme park before and she’s impressed that you’re so eager to ride everything. As the sun begins to set you start to yawn, rubbing your eyes and Natasha lifts you into her arms to carry you back to the car, your giraffe stuffie held tight in your arms as you lean your head on her shoulder.

You fall asleep in the car, clearly exhausted from the fun day at the carnival. Natasha smiles as she glances over at you, the radio playing low in the background. Although you haven’t spoken a word, Natasha can tell that you’ve had a good day.

You stir a little as Natasha carries you into the apartment, your eyes lighting up when you see the pile of presents you’d opened this morning as if you’d half-expected them to disappear. Natasha kisses your cheek, helping you into your pyjamas and then sitting down on your bed, smoothing out your bed sheets. “Shall we have a story?” Natasha asks. “I didn’t do any cards for your bedtime stories but you can always pick one out-”

“Mama?”

Natasha’s gaze immediately snaps to you when she hears your tiny voice. She can hardly believe that she’s finally heard you speak after praying to hear your voice for so long. Her hand finds yours and she gives it a gentle squeeze as she tries to keep her voice even, “Yeah baby?”

“I- I had a really great birthday,” You say quietly. “Thank you for taking me to the carnival.”

Natasha smiles, not wanting to push her luck but wanting to keep you talking, wanting to hear as much of your voice as possible. “Yeah? What was your favourite part?”

You pause and Natasha’s heart sinks, worried that you’re done now but eventually you manage to say, “I liked the log flume.”

“Yeah? I liked it too, there was such a big splash and we got soaked.” Natasha smiles fondly. “And I liked seeing you so happy. I had a really nice day too.”

“I liked picking the cards,” You say. “And I like my new giraffe.”

“What are you gonna call him?”

You think again for a moment, “This one should be called Tony.”

Natasha grins and rolls her eyes affectionately. You always name your stuffed animals after people you know. There are a couple named after kids in your class then you have a Clint, Yelena and a Steve. Natasha leans over to kiss your forehead, “I love you so much.”

“Love you too Mama.”

Natasha doesn’t say anything about the fact that you’re speaking, not wanting to break the spell, not wanting to make you feel self-conscious. But hearing those three words after so many months brings tears to her eyes and she leans forward to wrap her arms around you, pressing a kiss to the top of your head. “Happy Birthday baby. I’m really, really glad you had a good day.”

You wrap your arms around her neck and kiss her cheek. “You’re the best Mama ever.”

“Is everything okay?” Natasha asks, approaching you in the hallway and putting a tentative hand on your shoulder. “You just… Bolted.”

You nod, telling yourself firmly that you’re not going to cry even though you feel like the entire world is crumbling around you. You wrap your arms around yourself whilst Natasha runs her thumb over your shoulder, clearly wanting to comfort you but struggling to know how given she doesn’t know why she’s comforting you.

This is all Sam’s fault. He’d been the one to suggest training outside of the gym, training in other areas. He’d argued that their job as Avengers was to protect the public, that their job descriptions went far beyond kicking and punching. For example, community work, visiting schools, hospitals etc. That was why they’d organised child protection training, and the team had been split into two, one half attending a morning session with the other attending an afternoon session. Nearly everyone had grumbled about it, but you didn’t mind – it would be an opportunity to sit and have a coffee and a pastry, rather than running around the gym until you questioned why you’d taken this job on in the first place.

Although the subject material wasn’t exactly light-hearted you’d still found it interesting in a sense. The tutor had gone over how to identify those children who were being physically abused or neglected, and which services to refer them to. Although the role of the Avengers in child protection weren’t quite clear yet, you were being encouraged to look out for the signs, and to refer as soon as possible if you had suspicions.

It had been going fine until the section on emotional abuse. “Emotional abuse is often more difficult to spot,” The tutor had explained. “But it’s just as insidious, and just as harmful.”

As he’d gone through the checklist of what counted as emotional abuse your heart had sank and your stomach had churned. With every word that left his mouth, you realised that your own mother had abused you – and no one had realised. Not even you until that very moment.

Suddenly you’d jumped up from your desk and bolted out of the room, followed shortly by your girlfriend, Natasha. From the way she’s looking at you, you can tell that she doesn’t suspect it was the subject matter. Natasha’s hand moves to run over your back, and you suppose she figures you’d suddenly felt unwell. That was as good of an excuse as any, so you mumble something about going to lie down. Natasha offers to help you, but you shake your head, telling her you’ll meet up with her later.

Wanda hadn’t been in the morning session, something she’d complained about immensely when she’d realised you and Natasha were in the same session without her. You’d all promised to meet up in the evening for dinner so you tell yourself you’ll have some time alone and then you’ll still meet them both as planned, deciding that spending time with the two of them will make you feel better rather than avoiding them. No doubt Natasha will tell Wanda that you’d bolted from the training, but you can always say you had a headache, that taking a nap had worked wonders.

You step into the room that you’ve been sharing with Natasha and Wanda for a few months now, climbing into the freshly made bed. Tony hiring cleaning staff had made you uncomfortable at first, but they do keep everything so fresh and tidy… You bury your face into the pillow and groan, trying to push the training out of your mind.

Thoughts eventually stray to your childhood though you try desperately to push them away. Things hadn’t been so bad whilst your Dad was alive. You’d always been a Daddy’s girl, and he never shied away from spending time with you. By the time you were ten you were joining him on his morning runs, and sat down every time there was a game to watch football with him. He’d take you to his base, proudly showing off his daughter to his military buddies.

He’d died when you were twelve. Your entire world had fallen apart. The only family you had left was your mother given she and your Dad had been only children, and you also had no siblings. You’d hoped the tragedy would bring you closer together but if anything it created a wider rift between the two of you.

By the time you were fifteen you avoided being home whenever possible. You’d joined the American Cadet Alliance, and worked hard in the hopes of following in your Father’s footsteps one day. Joining the Avengers had been unexpected but welcome. Knowing that you were serving your country just as your Dad had done had brought you a great deal of comfort.

Cadets was the only thing that had given you confidence – your mother had torn apart nearly every shred of it. Even now if Wanda or Natasha tells you that you look pretty, you don’t believe them. Your only sense of worth comes from being an Avenger, from being good at your job. Every other achievement in your life had been belittled by the woman who was supposed to love you unconditionally. Cadets had been your escape – there’d been adults there who praised you, who seemed to genuinely like you. Camping retreats had been a lifetime, a couple of nights away from the house that was supposed to be home but felt more like a nightmare.

When you were at home, you spent most of your time in your room, your head buried in whatever book you’d been able to get your hands on from your schools library. As soon as you turned eighteen you left home, signing up for the army where you’d been recruited to SHIELD, then eventually the Avengers. You’d hoped to leave behind the little girl that you once were. And maybe you could have, if your mother hadn’t called you every day to guilt trip you about never visiting her.

“I mean, I raised you by myself after your Dad died. It was really difficult,” She’d drawl down the phone. “Now you’re all successful and you think you’re too good for me.”

Luckily you could get away with saying you were too busy most of the time. Some kind of Avengers emergency meaning you couldn’t go home for Thanksgiving, for Christmas, for Mother’s Day. You’d go online and order gifts and cards to send direct to her house, hoping they would keep her at bay. It didn’t stop the daily phone calls though, the guilt tripping, the-

You’re interrupted from your thoughts by the door opening and a familiar, soft voice calling out, “Y/N?”

You roll onto your side and give Wanda a small smile. It’s just like Wanda to hear that you’re potentially ill to then immediately come and check on you to see for herself. “Hey Wands.”

“Natasha said you weren’t feeling well.”

“I’m fine, just… Need to lie down for a bit.”

“Do you want me to lie down with you? I’m so bored without you and Natasha. You guys got put in the group with everyone fun. I tried sparring with Scott, it was… Interesting.”

You give a small smile, “Yeah, I’d like that.”

Wanda crosses the room and lies down next to you, wrapping an arm around your waist and kissing your forehead before teasing quietly, “I hope you haven’t got anything contagious.”

You let out a laugh that’s more a huff of air, “No, just a little tired I guess. I’ll be okay at dinnertime. What’s the plan?”

“I thought we could go to that bistro we all like then go for a walk afterwards since the weather is so nice.”

“That sounds good; I’m looking forward to it.”

Your thoughts still swirl as you bury your face in Wanda’s chest. You’d told Natasha and Wanda about your mom. “We didn’t always see eye to eye when I was a teenager,” was how you’d described it. “Sometimes she wasn’t very nice to me.”

And as far as you were aware, that was the truth. You’d never considered that what she’d done had been… Abuse.

Having Wanda lie with you is warm and comforting, especially when she begins running her hand up and down your back. Natasha is more squeamish when one of you is unwell, whereas Wanda is happier to play nurse to make sure her girlfriends’ are as comfortable as possible. Wanda presses another kiss to your forehead, happy to just lie with you. Eventually she puts on her relaxing playlist, the low music washing over you both as you spend the morning cuddling. It makes you feel better but the nagging thought of what you’d learnt that morning plays in the back of your mind like a broken record.

Wanda makes you soup for lunch which you eat in your room, and Natasha joins you both. Their company is much appreciated but soon Wanda has to go the afternoon session for the child protection seminar, and Natasha heads to training. Wanda lingers in the doorway, clearly feeling bad about leaving you alone but you just smile and wave her off, telling her you’ll feel better by dinnertime.

You put your headphones in and listen to an audio book, something you always turn to when you need to get out of your own head. If you concentrate on anything other than the words being read aloud you lose the thread of the story, so you have no choice but to shove any other thoughts out of your brain. The afternoon passes peacefully and for a brief few hours you finally manage to forget about your mom, and the truth of how she’d treated you when you were young.

Your peace is interrupted by your phone ringing, cutting off the calming voice of the narrator you’d been listening to. You pull your headphones out, already knowing who it is. She calls at random times of the day, almost as if she knows that you dread her daily calls, and she wants to keep you on edge as much as possible.

You sit up, answering the call and placing your mother on speaker, putting the phone down on the bed in front of you. “Hey Mom.”

“What? For God’s sake Y/N, speak up, you’re forever mumbling. How they ever let you into the army with that voice, I’ll never know.”

You immediately wilt, as you always do when she calls. You rack your brains trying to remember something positive your mother has ever said to you. Your mind comes up blank. All your memories of her in your childhood and adulthood are nothing but negativity and insults.

“How have you been?” You ask in the same tiny voice that only seems to come out when you’re talking with her.

“I saw you on the news. How many times have I told you about your hair? I’m surprised the team haven’t said anything to you to be honest, it must be unprofessional to have it that style-”

Thus begins the tirade of most recent complaints your mother has about you. No mention of the fact that you’d been on the TV in the first place because you’d rescued twenty-four children from a burning hospital in Manhattan. There’s no ‘congratulations’, no ‘well done’ and certainly no ‘I’m so proud of you’. Every day your mother has a brand-new complaint. You could cut your hair exactly as she wanted and the next day she’d complain about your weight, your make-up, your lack of make-up, your taste in clothes, the way you’d talked too much in that interview you’d seen, the way you hadn’t talked enough in another one she’d seen. There was literally nothing you could do to please her and with every word you feel yourself curling in on yourself more and more.

“- I’m not even sure why you left SHIELD to be honest, that was a perfectly respectable position, especially compared to some of the things I hear about those Avengers-”

She’d hated when you’d joined SHIELD. You should've stayed with the army, even though she'd hated that too. Now you had a new job, SHIELD was apparently the place to work.

“- Not like you even have powers like that one girl, oh the one with the funny name, Wanda?”

Your cheeks burn as you think about Wanda, hoping she doesn’t have anything more to say about her or Natasha. You’d never told your mom about your sexuality or that you were dating not just one but two women. Your mom had enough ammunition as it was without you feeding her anything further.

As the onslaught of thinly veiled insults and critiques of you keep coming, you eventually manage to mumble, “Hey Mom… I had training this morning.”

“Yes, I imagine you need as much as you can get. You looked a little-”

“No, not that kind of training, we have that every day. It was child protection training.”

“Child protection? What on earth do you need that for? You couldn’t protect a goldfish, let alone a child.”

“Well we work with children so we decided it would be a good idea. They told us what to look out for in physical abuse and neglect, and…” You swallow hard before mumbling, “Emotional abuse.”

“What was that? Honestly Y/N, the mumbling is a real issue, I thought that when they interviewed you last week-”

“They taught us about emotional abuse, Mom. What to look out for. And I realised…” You take a deep breath, your heart pounding loudly in your chest, feeling light-headed as you dare yourself to say, “You emotionally abused me. In fact, you still do.”

For a moment there’s nothing but stunned silence on the other end of the phone – that’s a first. Over the years you’ve found there’s nothing you can say to your mom to shut her up. Anything positive that you say is turned against you, and any time you try to get her advice or support on something, she uses it as another reason to attack you.

“Y/N, honestly,” Your mom eventually says in a strained voice. “After everything I’ve done for you. Raising you alone, giving you everything that you needed. I mean, you haven’t come to see me in years, and I still make the time to call you every single day-”

“I don’t want you to call me,” You say in the loudest voice you dare. “And I don’t want to come and visit you. You didn’t give me everything I needed. I needed love and praise and support, and you-”

“Well you were so silly at times. There was always something with you, some drama with a girl at school or hysteria over some swim meet, and the cadets thing, especially after what happened to your Dad, it was all a bit morbid. You’ve always been a strange child, and you never really grew out of it.”

“The ‘drama’ with the girl at school was that I was being bullied and you didn’t do anything. My ‘hysteria’ over the swim meet was because I had a tournament in Massachusetts, something that meant a lot to me and you wouldn’t even-”

“Here we go again! It happened over ten years ago and yet you’re acting as if it happened yesterday!”

“You never care about anything important to me. Not even my work-”

“Oh for God’s sake Y/N, you think you’re so much better than the rest of the world just because you’re an Avenger? Well you’re not. The team would manage perfectly fine without you, it’s not like you have powers or even an excellent mind like that Tony Stark and as for Captain America, he could run laps around you, you know he could. There’s nothing special about you Y/N, nothing at all, so stop kidding yourself that-”

The line suddenly goes dead and you open your eyes, realising for the first time that you’d squeezed them shut. Natasha is standing in front of you with Wanda just behind her, both of them looking horrified. “Y/N…” Wanda eventually mumbles.

On the bed your phone vibrates as your mom tries to call you back. Natasha snatches up the phone, quickly rejecting the call, “You’re blocking her number.”

“She’ll come here-”

“And then what?” Natasha asks, looking at you, her eyes blazing. “It’s a secure building, they won’t let her in. Her picture isn’t on the approved list of visitors. She can kick up a fuss as much as she wants, they won’t even let her past the gates.”

Wanda says nothing, just sits down on the bed next to you, placing her hand on your shoulder. You watch as Natasha furiously stabs at your phone, waiting for the tears to come, but they don’t. Instead you just lean your head on Wanda’s shoulder, relaxing a little when she kisses your forehead, her arm moving to wrap around your shoulders.

“You did really well,” Wanda says softly. “Standing up for yourself like that.”

“I wish you’d told us,” Natasha says, “That it was that bad.”

“I didn’t realise until the training,” You mumble. “I never thought it was…”

Even though you’d said the word ‘abuse’ to your mom, you find you can’t bring yourself to say it now. Natasha sits down in front of you, reaching out to take your hand in hers, intertwining your fingers. “Wanda’s right though. You did the right thing.”

“I always assumed you two got on okay. That whatever had happened when you were younger had passed, especially since you talk every day.” Wanda says, “You’ve had to listen to that every single day for years?”

You nod and Natasha sighs, “Look, I know that a few kind words from us aren’t going to fix everything that your mom’s managed to convince you, but you are special, Y/N. You’re hard-working and kind and this team would fall apart without you.”

“No it wouldn’t,” You mumble. “She was right about that. I’m not anything special-”

“Yes, you are,” Wanda insists. “You’re the one that all the kids trust when we’re on missions.”

That was true – more than once a child had been in danger and you’d been sent through. You had a way with children, able to coax them out of dangerous hiding places, able to give them the courage to follow you no matter how scared they were. If the Avengers ever thought a child had intel that they needed, you were sent. You had a natural rapport with children, a way with them that none of the other Avengers did.

“You’re here because of years of hard work,” Natasha says firmly. “Nobody has earned their spot in this team more than you have.”

“We love you,” Wanda says. “Avenger or not, we love you so much. You don’t need to be perfect to be worthy of love. You’re our girl.”

“You need to keep her out of your life,” Natasha says. “If you decide you do want anything to do with her then it should be on your terms. She might be your Mom but that… That’s just a word. Just because she gave birth to you all those years ago doesn’t mean you owe her anything. She chose to have you, you didn’t ask to be brought into this world, and you certainly didn’t ask to have her for a mother.”

“I just… I need a break. Some time to think. She never gave me any of that and after everything I learnt this morning…” You let out a sigh as Wanda kisses your forehead again. “I don’t know what I want right now.”

“Her numbers blocked. You get to choose if and when you unblock it. You have the power to hang up the phone Y/N, she doesn’t get to make you feel this way anymore.” Natasha squeezes your hand again. “Are you okay? We can stay in if you want.”

You shake your head, “No… No, I’ve been cooped up in this room all day. I want to go out with my favourite girls.”

Wanda smiles and kisses your cheek, “Perfect then that’s what we’ll do. Dinner and a walk with our favourite girl.”

You get changed into something nice, feeling your stomach churn when Natasha and Wanda shower you with praise, telling you how beautiful you look. It’s still a struggle to believe them but you know they’re right about your mom. You don’t owe her anything. You’re not a child anymore, and you can choose what your relationship with her looks like. There’s no rush though – right now you want to focus on enjoying yourself with the two women who have done nothing but try to boost your confidence ever since you met them.

“I have something for you,” she twists her body around to open the drawer next to you, revealing the strap she bought for you as a gift. A smirk pulls at your lips before biting them in excitement. Wanda looks back at you expectantly and you answer fast, maybe too fast, “Yes. Please.” You were nodding your head almost pathetically as the idea of using a strap on Wanda is what anyone’s dreams are made of.

She grabs it from the drawer and helps you adjust it to your waist and places a soft kiss to your lips– her breath on them delicate as she speaks, soft yet commanding, “Close your eyes.”

You obey, you always obey Wanda. You can feel her positioning her legs on either side of yours once more, curling her fingers around the strap– you thought she might just be adjusting it, but that’s when you feel it.

Your eyes shot up at Wanda with a gasp.

You feel everything. “Wh–”

“Shh,” her lips are on yours forbidding you from finishing your words as she lowers herself on the strap, on.. you.

Wanda begins to ride you, rolling her hips back and forth on top of you at a dangerously slow pace as she watches your face contort in pleasure in more ways than one. This new sensation has you gripping onto Wanda’s waist for dear life. Being able to feel all of her like this is a certain kind of ecstasy beyond comparison. Every roll of her hips ignites fireworks through your body and clouds every corner of your mind.

Worried she may be losing you to your overwhelmed senses, Wanda cups your chin to draw you back to her. She holds your gaze with a calm dominance, eliciting staggered whimpers from your lips at the intense vulnerability you feel when looking into those alluring green eyes.

Wanda changes her technique, raising and lowering her body over and over again, bouncing on you with a hunger she could no longer restrain. You guide her hips up and down, thrusting your own in perfect timing with hers causing the electricity to vibrate through your core.

Your gaze stays fixed on her, tracing the way her hair spills over her shoulders framing her figure– the toned curves of her abdomen, the graceful curves of her body. Every move she makes carries an effortless kind of perfection.

Wanda leans forward to connect your lips, your mouths run hot together in a panting mess, tongues dancing while you exchange moans into each other’s mouths until her lips part from yours– losing the control of the kiss as pleasure courses through her body.

The need to take complete control overcomes you, any coherent thought ceases to exist as you tear yourself from the chair, swiftly lifting Wanda back up onto the desk. Keeping her upright with her legs wrapped around your hips, you hold on to her waist thrusting into her over and over.

Wanda has her hands laced around the nape of your neck. The heavenly sounds and sighing breaths from Wanda does something to you, her breath quickens and she’s clenching around you– your grip on Wanda tightens, you think you’re going to cum so you slow your movements momentarily, “W-Wanda… fuck, am I..?”

Her legs pull you in harder, frantically holding you tighter, demanding you not to stop. At that motion you cum inside her, your hot breath moaning at her ear leading Wanda to throw her head back, lips parting with a cry of pleasure.

You’re out of breath and your movements come to a stop, however, your eyes widen in shock– flicking up at Wanda in panic. Wanda chuckles, “Relax!” she exclaims, taking hold of your jaw between her fingers, giving you a light peck on the lips.

────

“Let’s go. We don’t want to be late.” You look over to Natasha grabbing her laptop and notepad and you follow suit. This morning you have your weekly team project meeting. There’s always a lot to get through and Nat knows how much you dread these meetings, thankfully getting you a coffee prior.

“I wonder,” Natasha’s voice is low as you both walk down the corridor, “will we spend another 30 minutes talking about the colour blue today or actually get these proposals over the line.” You scoff, smiling at Natasha, “with ten know-it-alls needing to approve minor details and differing opinions, highly unlikely.”

Your team is relatively large, twenty of you in one room discussing your projects and everyone’s roles and progress to date.

You are just getting around to the third person in the room when you freeze.

You feel something, something that feels... too good.

You suck in a sharp breath, a small sound escaping your mouth, loud enough to draw the attention of a couple of your colleagues.

The sensation is getting too intense and Natasha notices the colour drain from your face, giving you a questionable yet concerned look. You close your eyes trying to take a deep breath but it’s no use.

You have little control left when you excuse yourself from the meeting, heading straight for the privacy of the ambulant restroom.

Closing the door with urgency, you slam back against it, fighting to steady your breathing.

What the fuck?

There is an overwhelming, intoxicating sensation building between your legs, the same you felt when you used the enchanted strap with Wanda.

Wanda.

Fuck– her little witchy powers have somehow made you feel everything when it’s not even attached to you.

“Oh fuck,” you double over with one hand holding onto the bathroom sink, the other onto the wall in front of you. You squeeze your eyes shut as the rush of your orgasm builds, having little to no self control left. Wanda doesn’t stop– and you let out a cry of pleasure as the intensity of your orgasm washes over you.

Fucking hell Wanda.

You had barely swallowed your moans when your phone vibrates– Natasha:

Everything alright?

Shit.

You pull yourself together, replying to Nat as you step out of the restroom:

Just felt unwell, coming back now.

You sit yourself back in your chair, earning a few glances from around the room as you try your best to ignore the heat rising in your cheeks. Wanda didn’t stop with her little stunt in the restroom, instead you suffer through the next 30 minutes of her relentless tantalising.

Wanda has access to your planner so she knows exactly where you are and the meeting you are currently in, and she knows exactly what she is doing to you. And as soon as your meeting wrapped up, you wasted no time in heading straight for the office of Wanda Maximoff.

────

Wanda is leaning against the east wall of her office, scanning over the report which was handed to her only a moment ago, not entirely surprised to see you barging through the door heading straight for her.

The smug fucking look on her face made your blood boil yet turned you on at the same time. She takes a step forward to approach you, “How was your meet–“ you slammed Wanda hard up against the wall, a squeak of surprise escaping her lips.

“What the fuck was that?!” Both your hands planted against the wall on either side of her head, your body flush against hers. A shit eating grin tugged from Wanda’s lips, “Just a little enchantment I may have made the last time you used it.”

“In the team meeting?!” You bite back. Your hand went up to her jaw as you pushed your knee up hard between her legs, earning a gasp from the woman looking up at you. “You should be thanking me for the end result,” Wanda speaks in a low, sultry tone. You scoff in response as she continues, “Careful, Y/N. Your boss might not accept this kind of attitude from an employee.”

You trail your fingertips from her jaw to snake around her throat. “My boss needs to be taught a lesson in acceptable behaviour,” you growl. Wanda bites her lip, relishing in the way you are handling her right now, “Wanda, do you think this kind of behaviour deserves punishment… or do you think you can make it up to me?” You repeat the words she said to you that first day in her office. She smirks, then lowers her gaze, trying to hide the effect it had on her.

You notice Wanda trying to get more friction from your leg pressed between her and you take the opportunity to teach her that lesson. You quickly remove your leg and step back from her and watch as her face falters, letting out a whimper in search of you. You took her in. She looked cute like this. You watch as she squirms a little in desperation, and tilt your head in recognition– she likes this.

Closing the distance, your lips meet Wanda’s in a desperate kiss once more. Your fingers make quick work to slide up her thigh, then sink two deep into her soaked center. Both of you moan in tandem as you pick up the intensity, pumping your fingers vigorously. You feel Wanda starting to clench around them, her quickened breaths in your mouth, signalling you’re about to lead her to her orgasm.

You pull out.

A surprised, whine-laced gasp slipped from Wanda at the absence of you, a small, wounded look crossing her face. Her eyes widen in realisation of the game you are about to play with her when she spots the smirk growing in your expression as you bite your bottom lip.

Her cheeks flush lightly and you adore her neediness on display. Wanda is doing her best to avoid showing how desperately she needs you. Your mouth meets hers again in a bruising kiss and you tug at her bottom lip with your teeth. Wanda is clutching at your collar, insisting on getting what she wants.

Grabbing her hands, you slam them back against the wall, above her head. “No,” is all you say. You drop to your knees and lift her skirt, trailing kisses up her thighs and teasing the presence of your hot mouth over her needy pussy, making Wanda buck her hips towards you.

“Do not test me,” her voice is firm, trying to reassert her dominance.

You’ll give her that.

You slide your tongue through her folds moaning at the way she tastes. Licking upward to find her clit and you flick your tongue up and down at quick speed. You feel her hands in your hair pulling you in closer, and the vibrations of your moans have her legs already shaking. You suck on her clit before going back to your regular rhythm– the coil inside her tightening. She’s rolling her hips and making a mess of your face in reach of her orgasm.

“Don’t stop,” she cries out and Wanda freezes, eyes flashing open– realising what she has done.

You chuckle, giving a few more flicks of your tongue and pull away.

“No,” she gasps. “Y/N.”

You pull yourself up with a wicked grin planted on your face and grab her by the hand, leading her over to the lounge in the corner of her office. You walk her backward until her knees bump against it, then guide her onto her back. You press a soft kiss to her neck before crossing to her desk and sliding open the drawer to find the strap. Your strap– the one that has a magically enhanced connection to you.

Wanda bites down on her lip as you make your way back over to her, unsure if she’s really going to receive what she wants. She is ready for you, if her arousal on display is anything to go by. You’ve driven her to such a needy state that she is laying there waiting, spread out for you. The thirst burning behind her eyes almost has you giving in right here and now– but the lesson isn’t over.

Hooking Wanda’s ankle over your shoulder in one swift motion, you thrust into her, quick and hard– stretching Wanda’s walls without giving her the time to adjust. Her sharp cry of pleasure only pushes you further.

You are pounding into her at vigorous speed before suddenly, you pull out– earning cries of frustration from the woman beneath you. You do this repeatedly, fully aware that Wanda’s powers could put an end to this at any moment, making it clear she’s enjoying this without revealing too much.

Wanda is getting increasingly worked up, the frustration written all over her face as you praise how good she looks spread out for you like this and she grabs at you with a fierce, almost desperate grip. After minutes of your relentless teasing and edging her to breaking point, she doesn’t hold back in using her powers on you again.

She forces your hips to meet hers, bottoming out and holding you in place. “Fuck me now, Y/N or we’ll have to revisit your performance review.”

You oblige. Hearing her say those words to you have you at her mercy.

You place light pressure on her lower abdomen with one hand and use your other to play with her clit as you continue to thrust inside her, feeling her tighten around you, arching her back– a silent scream escapes her lips as her legs begin to shake, and that’s when the guttural moan tears from her throat and rips through the room, eliciting a satisfactory sigh from your lips as she makes a mess all over you.

────

“Y/N… I’m hungry.”

You flick your eyes toward Natasha after hearing her whine at you. You promised her to go to lunch at your favourite cafe today but your looming deadline has had you stuck finalising the latest edits to your strategy report.

“Give me 5 minutes, Nat.”

She lets out an exasperated huff and pouts at you, “I’m withering away here, my stomach is eating itself, listen to it.”

“Stop being so dramatic.”

“For the love of god, hurry up.”

“Keep distracting me and it will take longer.” Nat frowns at you, muttering something in Russian under her breath but gives you the space to finish.

The two of you step out of the building, crossing the street, slipping into the quiet city alleyway to find Olive & Vine, an adorable hidden garden cafe you’d once stumbled upon together by chance. The entrance is lined with overflowing terracotta pots, climbing ivy, hanging ferns, and natural timber tables while sunlight glows against the exposed brick.

The menu is known for its colourful, beautifully plated food and extravagant signature drinks, however, you and Nat are particularly fond of the all-day-breakfast and their specialty coffee served in their handmade ceramic cups delicately etched with winding vines.

You have a great friendship with Nat, you always try to make the time to do lunch together at least once a week, even though you already see each other plenty outside the office.

You settle into your usual spot outside by the back entrance where the sunlight falls and a waitress comes over with a smile, pouring water into your glasses and took your orders.

“He’s just an idiot,” Nat begins, needing some time to vent about her work-related drama and the colleague she absolutely cannot stand. “He doesn’t know what he’s talking about, this is not his area of expertise, like step aside… and quite frankly he’s just a strange human.”

After some time spent listening to Nat vent her frustrations, the waitress returns with your order and sets your plate down first. When she turns to hand Nat hers, Nat takes the plate directly from her, lightly caressing her hand in the process.

“Thank you, beautiful.” You look up to witness the waitress turn pink under Nat’s touch and the endearment. “Are you new?”

“I-it’s my second shift”, she stumbles under Nat’s gaze.

Nat shifts in her seat to lean in closer, invading her personal space, “Welcome, sweetheart.”

You watch in amusement, though you felt bad for the girl as her cheeks deepen to a vivid hue of red. She mumbles a quiet thank you before quickly walking away.

Your amusement is still clearly showing on your face as Nat’s gaze flicks back to you.

“What?” she accuses.

You raise both hands in a mock surrender, a playful smirk on your face suggesting there’s no judgement at all.

“You know, you gotta get back on the horse,” she says glancing back at the waitress. “Cute– long brown hair, tattoos.” Her grin turns suggestive, “Get under someone to get over that good-for-nothing ex of yours.”

You scoff in response but Nat doesn’t push.

“So how was your meeting with Miss tight-ass-micromanager?” Natasha asks, referring to your direct manager after your 1:1 earlier this morning.

“It was fine, she actually complimented me for once and told me she was happy to see my improvements at work and to ‘keep doing what I’m doing’ because it’s working,” you shrug.

Nat eyes you curiously.

“Mm... well, what are you doing to be so awfully chipper at work these days?” She arches her brow suggestively and you nearly choke on your food, scrambling for your glass of water to wash it down.

Nat chuckles, “Alright, keep your secrets then.”

You only shake your head, unable to stop your thoughts drifting to Wanda. The visuals of her rutting her hips against you, the sounds of her breathy moans and your name falling from her lips as she screa–

“Hello..?” Nat’s snapping her fingers in your line of sight, “What’s gotten into you?”

You mutter an apology, shifting in your chair in a weak attempt to ease the throbbing between your thighs.

You finish your meals, and the cute waitress returns to clear your plates, advising you to pay at the counter when you’re ready. You both thank her, though Natasha’s carries a little more intent.

“Alright fine,” Nat says, as though coming to a decision. “If you won’t, I will.”

She pushes back from her chair, lightly scraping the floor as she stands to cross the cafe, all confidence and full of mischief. A moment later she’s at the counter, asking the waitress for her number, and while the girl types it into her phone, Nat glances back over her shoulder and throws you a playful wink.

You roll your eyes at her antics, though you can’t help grinning anyway, Nat has never been one to turn down a good time.

────

Being on the same level as Wanda, you have grown used to the occasional run-in and the fleeting, knowing glances exchanged between you. But after today’s lunch with Nat, the thoughts of Wanda have been swirling through your mind ever since, and the needy pulse between your legs refuses to give you any reprieve. You want–no, you need–to see Wanda.

Your attention is fixed on one of the other major projects you are working through when your vision suddenly becomes clouded by a red hue, followed by a voice– her voice– clear as day in your head. “Meet me in the kitchen, make a tea for yourself.”

That’s new.

You walk to the kitchen, mug in hand, and encounter Wanda making tea for herself as she greets you.

“Afternoon, Y/N.”

“Afternoon,” you try to hide the smile forming on your lips.

Wanda looks incredible in the light brown and white checkered pantsuit, her blazer draped elegantly over her shoulders. Her lips curl in knowing acknowledgement of the way you’re looking at her.

“How is the refresh project coming along?”

“It’s…” you start, but your breath hitches when Wanda’s fingers brush yours as she passes you one of the new tea flavours the team brought in that morning. “It’s surprisingly moving along well, we have a couple of concepts to work through which we are now requiring feedback on.”

“That’s good news. I was thinking...” Wanda pauses, and you catch her glancing over your shoulder. She then lowers her voice as she turns her body to face you. “I have a few ideas for the refresh project which will assist in moving it along– and bypass all the morons trying to force their input and take credit for what you and your team have designed and implemented.”

A soft giggle leaves your lips. As the company’s CEO, there’s no one better to help you. “Please. I can take all the help I can get.”

Wanda lets out a light laugh but looks around once more before meeting your eyes. “How do you feel about coming around to my place tonight? We can have dinner and smash out some brainstorming without all the distractions the office brings. My schedule’s been busy, but I want to help you out.”

“I appreciate that,” you nod. You’re not sure if her words had any hidden meaning behind them but you’re looking forward to spending the time with her.

“Great. I’ll text you the address– come around any time after six.”

You are then left with a cheeky wink and a heart that is beating too fast.

𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁

Part One | Part Two | Part Three (to come)

A/N: Thanks for reading part two! I hope you enjoyed it x