#cyou8

Wanda's smile drops immediately, her head turning toward the front door just a few paces away from the dining room. Beside you, Natasha lets out a heavy sigh, like she already knows who's standing on the other side of it.

Natasha's hand finds yours under the table, squeezing your fingers briefly before holding them there. It feels like the whole atmosphere in the room suddenly shifts—all that warm, happy air slowly draining away until everything just feels lukewarm. You meet Natasha's eyes. She's giving you a small smile, but her eyes are swimming with too many thoughts for you to pick out.

"I'll get the door."

Natasha's hand slips out of yours. Your fingers instinctively chase hers. Maybe subconsciously, you know who's at the door too. And maybe, more than anything, you wish Natasha would just stay and protect you from it. But she's already sitting up and walking away.

Wanda's hand cups your cheek, gently turning your focus back toward her. Her eyes are full of a deep understanding.

Understanding of what? you can't help but wonder. Your thoughts are finally beginning to shake off the thick syrup that was keeping them down. It's usually frustrating not being able to think clearly, but today, with them taking care of things for you, thinking for you, it finally felt like you could breathe calmly instead of gasping for air.

"I can turn them away," Wanda offers, her voice holding a gentle tone that eases the panic in your chest for a second. "It's Kate and Yelena."

Your hands find their way to the tops of your thighs, rubbing them against the fuzzy fabric incessantly. What do I do? The thoughts consume you, your gaze drifting down to the container in front of Wanda. Clearly Wanda and Natasha know them. What if this situation is making things difficult for everyone?