#wandaxf!reader

Chapter 1

Norway

The road stretched out all the way to the mountain chain losing itself in a world of greys and whites. There was nothing much to see but a scenery born out of the cold temperatures and the wintry season. The heater inside the car made them forget about the cold outside, and the music playing through the speakers filled the silence they had shared ever since arriving to the airport.

The last couple of days had not been easy on either of them.

Both women had suffered loses that were almost impossible to forget, their paths had crossed by chance, and destiny had joined them by the working hand of Stephen Strange. He had planned this trip with care and cunning, he knew there was only one solution while they found out the source of witchcraft working around the multiverse to get her hands on America.

Strange had met the perfect candidate while trying to fight off Mordo once. If there was anyone ready to help America Chavez that was Wanda Maximoff and if there was someone that could really protected them and hide away their magical signature that had to be Y/N. There was no other way.

The mission then was protected America and the multiverse at all costs.

And Wanda had been chosen to carry on the torch at the moment.

Ten years.

Wanda had not seen Y/N for more than ten years, and now she was sent over to invade her personal space, unannounced and face a past she couldn’t forget. A past that had always had a tight grip on her heart.

In all honesty, she had seen you before. Just not in the right circumstances, and of course, without any single interaction. Wanda was pretty sure you didn’t even notice her there. It had been Steve’s funeral, and you had seemed so cozy with Carol Danvers and Natasha Romanoff that Wanda was pretty sure her own presence went unnoticed by everyone but Clint.

Wanda tightened her hold on the wheel, she had come all the way to Norway with a girl following her close behind to face a shadowy evil while also facing a past that was always haunting her some way or another. That day she had longed to approach you, to go to you and see you how life had treated you after everything that happened; but the memories and the many wounds in both of them prevent her to do such a foolish thing. Steve wouldn’t have liked that his funeral was became a spectacle of old resentments, and surfacing jealousies.

“Are we there yet?” America asked tiredly, her eyes drifting from the road to Wanda.

Wanda broke from her thoughts glancing around the road then giving America a pointed look. She was so tempted to give a sarcastic answer, but Wanda knew America was tired and rather moody after the long trip and the long days of no sleep and the trip through the multiverse. Besides, America didn’t have to pay for Wanda’s mistakes and stupid jealousy that had grown inside her after the funeral.

“Another hour.” Wanda answered tiredly. “We should be able to see the town soon.”

America sighed leaning back against the seat turning her attention to the gloomy world outside her window. Wanda couldn’t really blame the young woman sitting beside her, America had gotten to their world by accident chased by mythical creatures that wanted nothing more than to steal her abilities. At such a young age, America had known the bitterness of grief and treason leaving her alone in a multiverse that wasn’t always kind to her.

“Do you want to take a nap?” Wanda finally asked, she could feel the weight of the trip, and the last couple of days catching up to America.

The young woman tensed at the suggestion, memories of her waking up alone after having trusted that someone would stay with her still haunted her. America flinched when a hand settled on her shoulder, the gesture was supposed to be comforting but Wanda knew there were many wounds that had not been healed yet. Wanda offered a half smile when she read the fear behind America, she tried to offer reassurance but there was nothing much she could do to make America understand that she was not like the others. That they would not leave her behind. That they would never sacrifice her for the greater good.

“I won’t leave, America.” Wanda tried to reassure the young woman; America scoffed at her words but said nothing. “You should take a nap; you really look tired.”

America wished she could really trust the woman sitting in the driver’s seat. She wished a part of her still believed these lies disguised as reassurances, but the multiverse had showed her the portals were capricious and, on some occasions, she just fell into the wrong world. She had learnt the hard way that her abilities and even her age made her a target, a tool or a disposable ally. Even now in this new world, America was being a problem everyone needed to solve, she was just being tolerated and helped because the fate of the multiverse was at stake. Two tears rolled down her cheek, America look away not wanting to see pity in the other woman’s eyes, she clenched her jaw when the car pulled over, her lips quiver as she tried to hold onto her emotions.

If she didn’t think about it, then she didn’t feel it.

But it was too much, a couple of universes ago it had become too much.

Two strong arms wrapped tenderly around her, and America couldn’t help herself but let go until she was a child again crying in the comforting embrace of one of her mothers.

Wanda felt her own tears rolling down her cheeks, the thoughts coming from America had been so loud and so strong she couldn’t help but hear the desperation in the young woman. Wanda held America until she couldn’t cry any longer, her heart swelled painfully at the realization that America had been facing hell for a very long time all on her own. For a moment, Wanda was reminded of her own children, of the kids she had created out of the loneliness and desperation she had been feeling for quite some time. The children that had called her mom and Vision dad; even though they looked nothing like Vision. Even though, whenever she looked at them, she could see you and herself reflected in their eyes, in their appearance in their gestures and their behaviors. Tommy specially was the one that always made her think of you.

God, Wanda wished she could forget.

Wanda longed to forget and stopped feeling the way she did. She wished she could focus her attention on the problem they were facing at the moment, that this oncoming meeting was not making her anxious and scared of what could happen. Wanda lowered her gaze only to discover America had fallen asleep with tears still rolling down her cheeks.

Wanda made sure America was laying comfortably on the seat, the seat belt on and everything ready for them to continue with their trip. A hand went to put away some stray hairs from America’s face, Wanda cleaned up her face of the fresh tears that had fallen moment before and a wave of protectiveness overcame Wanda when she finally realized that America was just a teenager. Lost in within worlds, followed by an unknown danger and victim of her own powers.

Not for the first time, Wanda pointed at their similarities.

With a heavy sigh, and a storm taking over her mind Wanda went back to the driver’s seat. The music was still playing in the background, her eyes went for a moment to her phone that had been placed on the dashboard while projecting the map’s application. Wanda furrowed her brows when she realized there were several missed calls and some messages she hadn’t noticed until now, the name of Tony repeated itself several times, but the young woman merely ignored it while focusing her attention on the red dot on the screen.

Her heart hammered hard against her chest, her abdomen filled with a cold weight that made her sweat and worry her lower lip on her lips. She was getting closer to her destiny and that only meant she was getting closer to you. This time around there wasn’t a single chance for the both of you to avoid one another.

******

The city of Ulsteinvik was a small town facing the cold waters of the north, their houses were decorated to highlight the gloomy winters and celebrate the sunny summers. It was a mixture of colors and modernity that mixed with the industry of shipbuilding and fishing. Since it was a working day, the only people outside seemed to be the few tourists filling up the streets, and some other townspeople going around their normal life. Wanda couldn’t help but noticed this place was too quiet, too lonely and peaceful to be a place you might enjoy. But Wanda supposed your likes and dislikes might have changed…perhaps, this was what you were looking for right now…perhaps, this was the place where you finally found…

Wanda shook her head scaring those thoughts away. Thoughts she shouldn’t allow in her, that she wasn’t allowed to think because you and her had stopped being something a long time ago. The redhead turned to America, a gently hand pressed against the young woman’s shoulder and shook her lightly.

“America, we’re here.”

America stirred awake blinking away her sleepiness. She furrowed her brows glancing around the town before settling her eyes on Wanda

“I’m sorry, wasn’t supposed to fall asleep.” It was the first thing America could mumble, the memories of her tears and her breaking down in front of this unknown Wanda made her stirred uncomfortably. Wanda had never been the one America had been closest to on her last incursion to the multiverse, but this time around it seemed as if she didn’t have an option.

Though she had to admit, this Wanda was someone she was starting to like. In a motherly gesture, Wanda put another strand of hair behind her ear crunching up her nose while trying to offer the comfort of her presence without saying what she was really thinking. America offered a shaky smile, thankful with Wanda for not mentioning her tears or her own desperation.

“Don’t need to be sorry, I think you and I both are completely tired, but I won’t be able to rest until we have reached our destination.”

And even then, Wanda was not completely sure she would be able to rest. She was still apprehensive wondering how you would react to this unannounced visit. America furrowed her brows until she finally realized you two were in the city, not on their real destination.

“Where are we?” She finally straightened up fixing her hair and jacket while turning curious eyes around her.

“Ulsteinvik.” Wanda said without a single hint of hesitation. “I just thought we could eat something and ask for directions; the application is showing me an empty space and I’m not pretty sure if that’s the right location.”

America furrowed her brows when she realized Wanda’s tone had gotten a strange warmness in it, her green eyes were glancing at America with tenderness and something else. The young woman didn’t know what to think, she hated people feeling pity for her. She hated it even more when they thought they could empathize with her disgrace.

“Yeah, sure, I’m also hungry.”

America regretted her decision as soon as she left the protectiveness of the car. She never imagined this place would be as cold as it was. There was no snow, but it was obvious the winds of winter had already touched the land dropping the temperatures while threatening with the snowstorm. America put her arms around herself trying to warm a little, her lip started quivering and she was about to tell Wanda she would be back to the car when a heavy coat fell on your shoulders. The young woman lifted her stare and Wanda was glancing down at her with a reproachful stare.

“You really didn’t bring a jacket?”

America looked away rather embarrassed, she remembered she was offered the option but refused having found herself self-conscious of her lack of resources. The lack of money had never been an issue for her mainly because most of the things she got were either free or stolen; but in this world more like the previous one she didn’t have a chance to steal anything so she relied on what she was given.

“I didn’t know we were coming to a place like this one, and it wasn’t as if I have that many options on my wardrobe.” The answer came harsher than she intended she stepped aside from the witch, though she didn’t let go of the jacket that was offered.

Wanda let out a tired sigh knowing she had been messing up ever since meeting the young woman. Of course, America didn’t have more than the clothes she was wearing currently, she had arrived to their universe in the midst of a violent attack and survive by miracle said attack.

“I forgot about it, sorry.” Wanda apologized then as an afterthought. “Either way, you could have said something.”

 “What was I supposed to say? Hey, I need clothes because these ones smell and are bloodied, and I don’t have anything else?” America made a face feeling foolish.

“For starters,” Wanda replied pressing her lips together rolling her eyes.

“Well, I was busy with other things, Wanda.” America finally snapped looking away from the witch. “Anyway, in this reality you have to pay for things, and I don’t have any money.”

The last part was said with a mumble, a light flush adorning those young features.  Wanda pressed her lips together, this was not the first time she heard that comment, and a part of Wanda told her America was just lying. If she was always alone, jumping from one place to the other, it was possible she never had the right means to get what she needed.

“You can keep the jacket.” Wanda hesitated for a moment before speaking again. “When we had settled down we will come back and buy you some more clothes and anything else you may need.”

“You don’t have to do it. I can get a way to get my stuff.” America replied rather fast, there was an edge on her tone and her eyes hardened at the suggestion.

From her part, Wanda could do nothing more than softened at the sight. Finally understanding was starting to reach her mind.

“I know I don’t have to.” Wanda said firmly. “I want to, America, and you better prepare yourself because we’re coming once everything is ready. Now let’s go buy something to eat and ask for directions.”

The store was almost empty.

There was a single old lady sitting by the cash register while there was a young woman doing some daily purchases. Wanda watched with amusement as America went through the different snacks carefully selecting the ones she wanted to try out. For a moment, Wanda couldn’t help herself but remember Tommy and Billy whenever Wanda offered some new snacks to them. Wanda’s heart clenched at the memory; and she had to remember herself that everything had been fake. Everything she had created out of her own powers, nothing of that was real. Not Westview, no Vision…No Tommy and Billy. The loneliness and desperation told her not a single person in the world would ever understand how real it had been for her. How much she missed her boys.

“It’s that all?” Wanda asked teasingly, the woman at the cash register smiled gently as America blush lightly nodding and grumbling.

“You said to pick something for the both of us.” America finally said lifting her chin, Wanda snorted not remembering the young woman asking exactly if she wanted any of the things she had selected.

Soon the young woman that had been doing the daily purchases stood behind them with her cart, Wanda then put her phone out selecting the map and getting the money ready.

“Very well then, how much for all of this?” The old lady registered all the products and by the time Wanda was about to pay she leaned in with her phone ready. “I was meant to ask you, we’re here visiting, and I was wondering if you know how I can get to the Lighthouse?”

Wanda fixed the screen on her phone showing the spot where she was supposed to go to but that in reality was not showing on the map. If anything, it was as if the place was in the middle of the sea.

“I think this is supposed to be the place, but the application shows like an empty space…”

The old woman nodded understanding Wanda’s explanation, but her eyes drifted to the young woman waiting in line.

“Are you looking for someone in particular?” The other woman finally dared to speak up, her voice was heavy with a strange accent, but Wanda could perfectly understand the coldness behind the question.

“I’m looking for an old friend,” Wanda replied with her heart aching at the thought that at least the two of you were that. Friends. “Y/N? do you know her?”

The young woman finally took the time to give Wanda a complete checkup, something in those clear eyes gleamed in recognition and Wanda wondered for a moment if this woman recognized her as one of the Avengers.

“I’m Vera.” The young woman introduced herself presenting her hand to Wanda and a nice smile to America.  This sudden changed seemed rather suspicious and Wanda had to wonder for a moment if perhaps she was one of your friends?

Not that Wanda cared much.

You could have as many friends as you wished.

“I thought you looked familiar,” Vera said breaking into a relief smile, Wanda raised an eyebrow at this. So, she really was a friend. “I think I recognized you but of course in the picture you look so much younger.”

Vera then opened her eyes shaking her head sheepishly, “not that you’re old, it’s just that in that picture you two were like teens or something. I think it was like Halloween though Y/N seems to hate that picture, even though she looked adorable in that suit she wore, and you were looking so pretty with the princess...”

The next words were lost to Wanda completely, the revelation that you had one of your pictures with Wanda was just too much, but that you had that picture and were showing it around while telling everyone you hated it…well, ouch.

“I’m sorry, I’m babbling, it’s just that…what a coincidence, are you visiting or…”

“Look I wish we could tell you about our plans, but we come from the States and we’re tired and hungry and just want to know if you know where the Lighthouse is.” America finally interrupted the babbling woman that had not taken noticed of the distress expression crossing Wanda’s eyes or the way she seemed to tense up with each word.

Vera felt her cheeks burn, and her eyebrows knitted together at the abruptness of America’s interruption. Wanda held back her smile, because really, she was not fancy hearing more about how much Y/N hated that picture and how Vera and you seemed to be in such good terms.

“Right, sorry I just…”

“No, please we are sorry,” Wanda intervened with a sweet tone. “It’s just the trip was long and the drive all the way from the airport to here was equally long.”

Vera nodded in understanding leaning in towards the phone pointing at the same location Wanda could not make any sense of.

“That’s the right location, actually.” Vera explained. “This was a former World War II bunker for the Soviet Army and many of those facilities are still there so applications won’t show them for security reasons. It’s not occupied at the moment, but you know…paranoia in our governments and what with all the enhance superheroes…”

Wanda tensed at the comment but said nothing else.

“So, just go straight ahead and there would be land and the house?”

“Yes, actually go straight ahead, no turns.” Vera said leaning back. “It’s the only house at the end of the line.”

******

It wasn’t until the city was left behind that America finally dared to make the question Wanda was dreading.

“So, you and Y/N, big story there, eh?” America made the comment with a roll of her eyes, she knew the story. At least the one she had witness back in another world.

“It was nothing.” Wanda replied rather fast, her eyes glazing over.

America wondered, not for the very first time, how many things had changed in this universe. How many more were just as messed up as the woman sitting beside her. Wanda heard the thought, scowling deeply at the questions growing in America’s head.

“It really is nothing.” Wanda insisted gripping the wheel tight.

“I get it. It’s an adult thing, a story behind a real story. I wouldn’t understand.” America snorted rolling her eyes. “This is the “you-know-who” of your life, got it. But you should have seen your face when she mentioned that picture…”

America could only chuckle with amusement when Wanda shot her a heated glare, for a moment America entertained the idea of merely no pushing the matter any longer. But she was curious, and she wanted to know why Wanda and Y/N hadn’t worked in this universe so she kept her eyes on Wanda until the woman could not ignore America any longer.

Wanda rolled her eyes shaking her head, she remembered that day so vividly.

“It was a stupid picture we took on a Halloween, we had escaped the compound that day to enjoy a wild night in New York. We ended up in a Frat house in a party Y/N got us invited to.”

Yes, Wanda remembered that day as if it had been yesterday. She dreamt of that day from time to time, you had made friends with a group of frat guys that allowed the both of you to go to a Halloween party, you had spent the night making sure Wanda enjoyed the perks of an American Halloween and after the alcohol and the dancing the both of you ended up in a room on the second floor. It had been your very first night together. Wanda’s first time. And it had been…special.

It was a night that haunted Wanda from time to time, and hearing a stranger said you hated the picture…well…

America furrowed her brows at the lame explanation, there was more story, but she wouldn’t press matters for now. The young woman had realized that there was a single constant in this world and that was regret and broken hearts, everyone seemed to have given up happiness for the greater good, as if they couldn’t have happiness and save the world at the same time.

The conversation died there, and Wanda and America continued the drive deep in thought. The meeting with you was coming closer and closer and both of them were equally nervous if for different reasons.

The redhead couldn’t stop the influx of memories that one mention of the Halloween picture brought to her. It was kind of unsettling how those images went right through her mind, it wasn’t only that night but the many nights in which Wanda was yours, the many moments in which the both of you shared smiles and conversations. Those secret dates, and the secret outings, the secret kisses, the secret nights of passion.

The secret itself.

The shadows that ended up consuming what the both of you felt for one another.

Wanda observed as the distance separating her from you shortened all of a sudden, after so many years of you never even once showing in her life, she was finally coming over to you. There was a tingling on her abdomen, a strange void on her chest while her hands started sweating. Wanda was really a mess at the moment, and this meeting was creating a whole myriad of emotions she thought forgotten. Her heart fluttered with longing at the memory of Y/N, her smile, her stubbornness, and her voice. The way she usually took everything in stride, thinking of all the possible outcomes while becoming stronger so she could protect the team. So, she could protect Wanda.

“I know you’re powerful, Little Witch, but my powers give me an advantage it doesn’t give everyone else. I can be shadows itself, and I can protect all of you. You in particular if needed it. I would never let anything bad happened to you.”

America stirred on her seat, her eyebrows coming together in a gesture of remembrance.

“I was in a world made of ice once.” Wanda glanced at America for a moment, hearing carefully as she narrated one of her adventures. “It was inhabited, cold and so lonely. I thought that was the last place I would ever be, and then…I was able to open a different portal and I realized that world was necessary to understand the next one.”

America didn’t say anything else, but it was obvious these two trips had affected her greatly. Wanda pressed her lips together; she imagined being capable of traveling the multiverse could bring many possibilities both good and bad. How many times had America be in danger of dying in a place that was not meant for her?

“Have you ever thought of staying in one place?” Wanda ventured with curiosity; America stiffened her eyes going wide for a moment.

“I never have a reason to.” She said and Wanda knew, for what she could glimpse on her mind, that America was lying.

The young woman straightened up leaning in, her lips breaking into a relief smile, there in the distance she could make out the form of a house and a lighthouse.  Wanda clenched her jaw closed, her heart beating fast and her body feeling heavy with anticipation.

“We’re finally here.” Wanda let her eyes wandered to the shadowy figure of a lonely home in the middle of nowhere.

What came before her eyes was something Wanda could imagine you living in.

It was a house in the middle of nowhere surrounded by mountains and a current of water leading to the sea. The house was big, fancy and modern with all the things you had spoken of once, the chimney and the great windows were there as well as the greenhouse. The lighthouse right behind it was a surprised, but in general what Wanda was seeing was something she had been familiar with at some point. This only made her heart ached with longing and regret.

The place itself was surreal, and Wanda found herself smiling at how all of it fit what she had always known about you. Perhaps there was still hope that you haven’t changed that much, and Wanda still knew a thing or two about you.

“I can believe she lives here.” America said looking in awed the place. She was really impressed by what she was seeing, she returned her attention to Wanda only to notice right now the woman was looking like a statute.  “Are you nervous? Why are you so nervous? Was she an ex or something?”

When Wanda blushed at the comment America knew she had won one round. In this world the both of you did have something, but it was over. America mused over this, was it over? Wanda’s reaction told the young woman that was not the case but whatever had happened was enough to create this tension she was feeling at the moment.

“So, it is an ex, eh?” America leaned in then returned her eyes to Wanda. “This is going to be awkward, right?”

“You have no idea.” Wanda mumbled finally able to park the car right on the front door. “They must know we’re already here.”

“How do you know?” America tried to see if there was someone on the window, crunching up her nose. Wanda kept her eyes to the door wriggling her fingers nervously.

“There were cameras along the road when we approached her terrain.” Wanda tilted her head, “I think they also have movement sensors at the gates we just crossed.”

America pursed her lips thinking about these details, her face fell when she realized this was something she should have noticed before. Her latest adventures taught her she shouldn’t trust easily and to always be ready for anything. Her life was at stake and these strangers were doing everything to keep her safe. She should be more alert, ready to be of help and not a dead weight for anyone.

“Stop berating yourself, America.” Wanda placed a hand on America’s shoulder, the young woman huffed looking away. “This kind of reflex take time, and it wasn’t until recently that your life was at any real danger and as long as you’re here it would be our duty to help you and protect you.”

For some reason, this only made America felt worse. She was once more a task, a mission they need to comply with. Once more she was being a problem everyone needed to fix.

The hand on her forearm squeezed tenderly, America lifted her stare to see soft green eyes looking at her. Always sad, always lonely, Wanda turned her attention to the door then back to America.

“Everything is going to be fine, and I am protecting you America, because I want to, because you need that protection, and I won’t leave you alone. Okay?” America swallowed down her response nodding curtly. Wanda offered a tender smile before she let out a heavy sight.

“Look, Y/N and I, we…”

“Have a rough break up?” America asked making a face. “Yeah, I could tell by the teen angsty music you put the whole trip.”

Wanda leaned back furrowing her brows, “my music was not angsty…”

America lifted a single eyebrow in disbelief, though there was some amusement in her eyes. Wanda gave the door one last glance before returning her attention to America.

“What I really wanted to say was that I haven’t talked to her in over ten years.” Wanda lowered her gaze, hating the cold pain that went right through her very soul at this. “The last time we talked…This meeting could go wrong on so many levels I just want you to be ready; mainly because she doesn’t know we’re here.”

Wanda winced observing the angered stare coming from America. The young woman felt like a problem, all over again, because they were about to request help to someone that apparently had a grudge against Wanda, and she hadn’t called before coming and perturbed her personal space.

“You told Strange she said yes.” America said in disbelief, Wanda closed her eyes before letting her shoulders drop in defeat.

“I know, I lied.” Wanda said softly. “But if she had known it was me the one coming, I’m pretty sure she would have said no.”

“How can you be so sure?” America exclaimed. “We’re here uninvited. And by the amount of pinning and depression coming from you I’m guessing not only this wasn’t a good breakup, but it was something to do with you and not her.”

Once more, America found herself facing strong emotions overwhelming her at the worst time. She was so tired of being a dead weight for everyone, wherever she went she was a problem and her actions as well as her presence usually ended with someone getting hurt. The last time the people she had started loving like a family, the world she thought she could stay in had gotten into a difficult situation because of her.

Soon America found herself wrapped in a comforting hug, Wanda put her close and her voice was just above a whisper.

“Everything it’s going to be okay, America.” Wanda clenched her eyes closed, her heart shrank at the memory of Tommy and Billy. Would they know what to do? Would they have Wanda nearby to protect them?

The young woman in her arms was trembling like a leaf, and Wanda didn’t dare to look into her mind since this kind of pain seemed more personal, not so hothead. Wanda was reminded of Stephen’s words just before they left.

“She is no more than a teenager, alone and lost, hiding behind the attitude.”

America had been doing this for far too long, she was forgetting how it was to have someone who cared for her, who could help carried the weight she usually seemed to be carrying.

“I’m just a problem adults need to fix,” she mumbled dropping her shoulders. “Sometimes, their solution is to dispose of me.”

“I’m not going to dispose of you, America.” Wanda leant back wiping away the tears from America’s cheeks.

“We will reach a resolution for this, and then if you want, you can stop running, America.” Wanda tried to offer a smile, to really show the confidence she wasn’t feeling at the moment.

America tensed when the offer was made, it was the second time she heard the same offer coming from the same woman. Different universes. Wanda offered another comforting smile turning towards the door neither of them had approached.

“Look, I know my relationship with Y/N ended horrible. But she is a hero at heart, and she will help. She always does.”

America could tell Wanda was not convince but right now it was obvious they didn’t have more options.

Gee, is there anyone in this world that doesn’t have any trouble with one another? At this rate you guys are going to come face to face with someone like Galactus or Khan and this universe is going to be ashes. Was all America could think off before shrugging and nodding.

“Well then, I guess we better stop stalling this meeting, if they really see us coming they must be waiting.”

Once more America put on a false façade of bravery, she dried her tears knowing that at the moment she also needed to be strong. Whatever was chasing her, would not stop anytime soon and the help they had been looking for might be right behind the door. With a resolution Wanda had become familiar with, America stood up the door before knocking three times.

Wanda held back her smile, she could imagine your face while opening the door and facing the teenager with Wanda right behind her. The attitude and the bravado was something you and Wanda could recognize quite easily…just like Wanda recognized the attitude behind Tommy and the wit behind Billy. The young witch smiled fondly at the memory, her eyes welling up when the emptiness in her heart and life came rushing in; she was supposed to go back to them, to meet with her boys…If only…the thought of the Darkhold poked at her mind, the screams she had heard while trying to reach peace, learning about herself and her powers…

Wanda clenched her jaw, there would be time for that. Her eyes fell on the form of America that was looking around the place before going to the door. Right now, her priority was America.

Wanda sighed stepping forward, it was time to face her past. 

"There's no one home." America stepped back frowning at the lack of activity inside the place. 

Wanda grabbed the knob, her eyes gleaming red before a click was heard and the door was open. 

"Look at that, no locks." Wanda replied with a half-smile that America returned. 

"You know in all universes that's called break in?" But even as she said this America went right into the house feeling the change of temperature. 

The hall was neatly decorated with a table pressed against the wall, there was an empty bowl for the keys and a small mirror on the wall. Wanda closed the door behind her worrying her lip with her eyes glancing around the place. 

It was empty. 

The stood by the door for a moment, the walls were decorated with pictures and some paintings. Wanda watched as America went right in glancing around the pictures, furrowing her brows while trying to catch any sound coming from deeper inside the house.

There was nothing, and Wanda proceeded to follow the young woman. She had taken four steps further into the hall when the click of a gun broke the deep silence in the house, and Wanda felt the pressure of a gun against her head.

"You shouldn't be here, Wanda." The voice was familiar, husky and filled with amusement that Wanda had always found irritating. “Break in a private property is a felony in every country of our world.”

America turned around taking a fighting stance, her eyes went wide open when she noticed the other woman holding the gun. Wanda turned around slowly, her eyes gleaming red when she found herself facing Natasha Romanoff; Natasha smirked when she noticed the tension around those eyes, the anger written in the young woman’s features. She was even more amused at seeing the jealousy there.

“Natasha, why am not surprised that you’re here.” There was a bitter tinge in her tone, and she hated it because she wasn’t supposed to care, you had always told her Natasha was just like a mentor to you. Nothing else.

Natasha tilted her head, her eyes tuned cold and calculating evaluating the situation in front of her. Her green eyes went from America to Wanda, her eyebrows knitted together trying to find an explanation of the situation at hand.

How was it possible for Wanda to find your home? Why was she here? God, why did you have to leave your mobile that day precisely, there was no way Natasha could give you a heads up if you and Yelena never took your phones with you.

“You have a lot of nerve coming here and present yourself unannounced, Wanda.” Natasha couldn’t hide the annoyance in her tone, and her eyes were a clear indicator of his real mood.

The gun was still pointing directly into Wanda’s head, and while the young witch knew Natasha would never pull the trigger it didn’t make her feel better knowing Natasha Romanoff was in your house. As if she had been living there her whole life.

“I am surprised to see you here, Natasha.” Wanda’s voice had an angered edge Natasha was not familiar with, the young woman shook her head taking a deep breath. “We were wondering where you have gone to after the funeral. I guess it was only fitting, right?”

Natasha cocked her head, her lips curling slightly just as she lowered her gun.

“I’ve been leaving here for more than five years now, so yes…fitting.” Natasha put her gun away walking past Wanda, her eyes went once more to America then straight ahead. “Please, take your shoes off if you’re coming deeper into the house, we don’t want the floor to get dirty.”

Wanda scowled at this, and her glare went directly to America who was already taking her shoes off. The young woman shrugged nodding towards Natasha.

“I’m not about to disobey her.” She all but whispered, Wanda rolled her eyes following America’s example.

“Funny you said that, Y/N says the same thing about me every time.” Natasha chuckled making sure her tone of voice held a trace of innuendo while winking at Wanda.

It was almost impossible for Natasha to miss the flash of anger crossing those green eyes, but as soon as it was there it was replaced by a deep sadness. Wanda could pretend all she wanted in front of Vision and the others, but she had never been able of tricking Natasha. The Black Widow had always known, she had always seen it…and that was the reason why she made everything difficult for Wanda.

Because she was a coward.

Natasha went to the living room turning on the lights, she turned around, settling her eyes on Wanda and America.

"Want something to drink?"

America shook herself awake, "yes, thank you."

Natasha pursed her lips going to the kitchen moving around the place with a familiarity that made Wanda hurt. A bittersweet taste of realization hit Wanda making her dizzy, Natasha probably had been living there for quite some time with you. All this time Wanda had suspected Natasha knew your whereabouts, but the Black Widow had always denied it whenever Steve or anybody else would question her. Of course, Natasha knew, of all the people you trusted…

Wanda put her arms around herself, hating this surge of emotions she wasn’t allowed to experience.

"She is not here, by the way." Natasha explained coming over with a glass of orange juice she offered America and a glass of whisky she offered Wanda. “She is out, so you better start talking before she comes back, I’m know she won’t be please knowing you’re here.”

The young witch took the glass with a frown, America looked around the living room admiring the expensive setting and the paintings on the wall. She had never been here; she was still unsure as to why the hostility and how you would receive the both of them; though her own fan girl was getting overly excited to meet the Black Widow. Damn, she was beautiful. 

When America returned her attention to Wanda she realized the redhead was completely stiffened, her eyes hard as steel glaring at Natasha who was torn between her own amusement and a calculating stance. 

The tension could be cut with a knife. 

"Where is she? I need to talk to her." Wanda finally asked, Natasha lifted a single eyebrow and her eyes narrowed dangerously. 

"You can’t come here demanding anything at all, Wanda. I thought you knew this. You lost that right a long time ago." Natasha said calmly, eerily calm. "She is not as patient as I am and believe me when I tell you she is not going to be happy to see you here. So, what are you doing here?"

America took another sip from the glass on her hand, she furrowed her brows not understanding why the violence. As far as she knew, Natasha Romanoff was the best friend of Wanda. Of course, one version of Wanda… sometimes America wondered if perhaps it was better to just lose herself in one of the universes that had no humans or let whoever was after her get to her. 

Every time she got to a new place it wasn't only to learn things, but also to meet people that did not always end up being good. She wondered just what happened to this universe, to this version of Wanda and Natasha to be so openly hostile to one another. 

Wanda looked away before letting out a heavy breath. Her green eyes flashing dangerously at Natasha before she just took control of herself. 

"Something happened, and I need her help." Wanda finally said knowing full well her words were not going to be welcomed. 

"You have some nerve, Wanda." Natasha leaned back against the closest armchair; she emptied the glass of liquor in her hand before massaging her neck. 

"Look, I know I don't have any right…" Wanda trailed off glancing back at the entrance door, the sound of a car pulling on the street calling her attention. 

"She is not going to be happy, Wanda. I hope you're not waiting for her to say yes just because you asked."

Wanda clenched her jaw, tears pricking at her eyes. She couldn't help the wave of regret washing over her, the anxious beating of her heart. Her eyes flickered nervously to the door waiting for you to come in. 

______________________________________________________________

“Dude, she was about ready to pounce on you.” Yelena drawled, her lips curling slightly while wriggling her eyebrows at you. “And I know you’re not that indifferent to her advances.”

You couldn’t help the roll of your eyes at her comment, your lips twitched slightly while you tried to shake your head. The both of you had been discussing the same topic ever since you left the school, Yelena had insisted early in the day to come with you and see you in action only to have her following you around and pairing you with every single woman that came across you during school hours.

It was a game Yelena liked to play, something the both of you did to pass the time but that at the end of the day was something she used to get your mind out of your misery. The misery that usually came around this time of the year.

"For someone that is not that interested in sex, you surely seemed interest in my sex life." You snorted when Yelena laughed cocking her head to glance at you. 

"I may not find it interesting in me, doesn't mean I don't find it interesting in you."

You made a face blinking a couple of times before snickering. 

"You're such a perv, try to say that slowly and think about what you're saying!" 

Yelena opened her eyes before making a face, she slapped your arm laughing at you.

"You're the perv! What I mean is that I find it amusing to see you go through all of that!" Yelena tried to clarify rolling her eyes.

"You mean the sex?" Now you were confused, Yelena rolled her eyes though it was quite evident she was enjoying the absurdity of your banter. 

"No, you idiot!" Yelena exclaimed exasperated. "I enjoyed seeing you squirm and trying to get away from all the attention when it is evident you need some!" 

"Again, too much sex interest for someone like you."

"Again, it is not about me but you."

The conversation died for a moment, it was the wrong thing to say and Yelena realized it far too late. You shrugged offering a tiny smile to the blond woman. 

"I really need to get laid?" That question broke the tension, Yelena laughed and soon you joined in. 

Your house was coming into view, your eyes fell upon the single figure of an unknown car. You and Yelena leaned forward, both your postures changing for a moment.

"You do. You haven't done anything since that space chick left."

"Carol." You chimed in glancing at Yelena who was sitting straight in her seat, her eyes also on the car.

"Right, Carol." She teased whispering the name in a single enamoured whisper, you rolled your eyes while Yelena merely snickered. "That was disgusting, the amount of touching and kissing…I have to use my earphones all week." 

Yelena made gagging noises while you rolled your eyes at her teasing. You knew for a fact Yelena had liked Carol and they got along pretty well which was strange because Yelena didn't like anyone. 

"So, I take it we were not waiting for anyone today, right?" You finally inquired nodding to the parked car. 

"Nope." Yelena popped her lips shaking her head, her hand grabbing the gun under the seat. 

"Well, I don't think it's that bad, Nat would be out by now." You commented dryly, "unless, of course she is happy trashing the inside of my home?" 

"Occupational hazard, Y/N, you should know that by now."

You made a noise at the back of your throat parking right behind the strange car.

"Really, that excuse would get old really soon, Lena." You shook your head turning to Yelena. “Last time, I have to take Tony’s scowling while he helped me fix everything, this time around I’m dragging both of you to do so if it happens again.”

“Last time it was Bucky’s fault.”

“Last time it was you, Natasha, Bucky and Carol.” You replied rather exasperate, “I can believe I have to come back to that disaster, and I left you guys only for two days.”

“In my defence, you never told us they were your friends.”

You snorted closing the door of the car while approaching the unknown one. Perhaps Yelena was right, you didn’t say anything and that was the reason why it ended up in a fight, you looked inside the car but there was nothing there that might reveal who the owner was. You turned to your house then back to Yelena, the young woman had her hand tightly attached to her weapon though nothing else in her posture had changed.

"You know? Now that we talk about it, I like Carol." Yelena mentioned out of the blue trying to go back to the real conversation you two had started back in the car, the young woman had a contemplative stare on her face. "But this Milf you found at school…it has its perks if you want children."

"I'm so no taking you with me next time, Lena…" 

"What? I'm just saying Carol is good for a nice roll in the sack but this Mrs.IWantyoutifuckme is good for a happily ever after." 

Yelena’s words resounded in the hall, you opened the door wide open your lips curled into a smile that froze in place the moment your eyes fell upon the single figure you hoped you would never have to see ever again.

Wanda Maximoff stood in all her glory right at the end of the hall, her long strawberry hair fell in waves behind her back and while there were bags under her eyes and tiredness was quite evident in her green eyes, she was looking as magnificent as the day you met her.

The young witch felt her heart skipped a beat, she made an attempt to go to you when all of a sudden the smile dropped from your face and your features change into disbelief and anger. A well-known anger you reserved only for her. Wanda hesitated, and you hated the way your voice waver and softened when you said her name.

"Wanda."

______________________________________________________________

Hello there!

So I finally got to orginize my works in here, thank you for stoping by and I hope you like the stories. I write for several fandoms but my main focus right now is Marvel and Tolkien with very specific pairings. Here you will find the list of the stories I have written so far, and the works in progress.

This blog is 18+ so please minors DNI, and if you're not comfortable with it just a heads up. Please read the warning on the stories as well as the tags, if you believen I'm leaving something out give me a heads up so I can correct it right away

MARVEL 

 Pairing 

WandaxFemale!Reader

Without words -  (Fluff) 

           Summary: Y/N is the new recruit, and Wanda finds herself drawn to her.

When there are no words -  (Fluff,angst) 

           Summary: It was a bad mission, Y/N just wants to forget, and Wanda is an amazing girlfriend - Continuation of Without Words.

On a single night -  (Fluff, smut, angst) 

           Summary: One night between you and Wanda changed everything. Now, your relationship will end up in tears or wedding bells.

Midnight meeting series -  (Fluff, smut)

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​           Summary: You have been under house arrest in the Avenger´s compound since arriving to that universe, then in a single night your world changes while meeting the newest addition to the team.

The house at the edge of the world -  (fluff, angst, drama, smut) 

​​​​​​​            Summary: Y/N is the owner of an Airbnb at the edge of the world, a place in which Wanda would either heal or become what everyone is afraid of.

Enhanced senses - (Fluff, drama, smut)

Summary: While on a mission you heard a conversation that make you think about your relationship with Wanda.

We can be forever - (Fluff, drama, smut, angst, romance)

Summary: You and Wanda met at a Café, your life and hers changed drastically and for the very first time in her messy life, Wanda may have discovered the real meaning behind love at first sight.

Dirty Little Secret - (Angst -drama)

Summary:You were Wanda's dirty little secret.

A Heart Made Of Glass - (Angst - drama - romance - smut)

Summary: Ten years ago you left Wanda and the Avengers to heal your broken heart. You never stopped being a hero, just as you never stopped being in love with her. But life had to go on.

Now, after all that time, she is back and with her is a young woman needing help and an enemy that may not be as afraid as Wanda to lay a claim on you.

Bad Liar - (Angst - drama - romance - smut)

Summary: Life is about lessons, and Wanda has been learning some harsh facts that had define her life and taken her to a place in which she was given a second chance. Then, all of a sudden, she meets you, and she realizes why it's easier to lie to yourself than to accpet what's right in front of her.

The Best Kept Secrets - (Angst - Drama - Romance - Slow burn - Cheating - Smut - fake relationship - Enemies to Friends to Lovers)

Summary: Wanda was on the verge of breaking down when she was called to attend her brother's engagement party. Alone and unable to keep up with her mother's expectations she makes a deal with the devil that would lead her to discover a side of her that may either destroy her or bring the happiness she so craves for herself.

And the void stares back - (Angst - smut - drama - romance - slow burn - drug/alcohol - Cheating)

Summary: Wanda Maximoff is happily married, with two beautiful children, a loving husband, and the perfect job that help her and her family mantain perfect suburban life she had always dreamt of.

Then, the illusion shatters and Wanda ends up under the playful hands of a young woman that plays her darkest desires in ways Wanda never thought she craves. Soon, Wanda finds herself torn between the perfect life she needs to keep pretending to live, or give herself enterily to the young woman she isn't capable of getting out of her mind. Or out of her heart.

______________________________________________________________

TOLKIEN

 Pairing

ThorinxThranduil

The Winter that never ended 

           Summary:In a world where magic only happens in the big Kingdoms, Thorin Oakenshield had to find a way to save his nephew’s life. He never intended to get lost on his way to the closest healer,                  and he certainly didn’t plan to fall in the clutches of a strange Lord and his household. Yet, destiny seemed to have something to say about his life and how this little encounter would change his                      perception of live, magic and love.

In Memory

           Summary: He saved him at a great price, his memory of what had happened between them was ripped from him. The payment for his sin was to love without being loved.In the anniversary of the                  defeating of Smaug Thorin is present with a marriage proposal, just as the dreams of the past come to haunt him and show him where his real happiness lies.

 I don’t think I love you 

            Summary: Prince Thranduil of the Woodland Realm promised himself to never love again. Thorin of Erebor promised himself to never need love. Both of them are different in all the ways you can                  imagine, and yet they are more alike that they care to admit. When a political marriage force them to share their time with one another they will realize some promises are meant to be broken

The ABC of Thorin and Thranduil 

           Summary: Just a bunch of short and long drabbles featuring Thorin and Thranduil their relationship and the people in their lives.

 When the Stars go Blue

             Summary: Thranduil was born a healer, his gift could save everyone but it wasn’t enough to safe his wife. Now, after all these years of not using his gift he came forward to safe the life of those                      who despised him; the Elven-King never suspected his actions would activate emotions he thought he had buried the day he lost his wife, or that those emotions were directed to a recovering                        Thorin who, apparently, has always had a soft spot for him.

The Silent Ballad

            Summary: “The world was fair, the mountains tall, In Elder Days before the fall.” Thranduil has done what no other Elf has done before him, Thorin has decide in his pride to ignore the signs of what               really is happening between the both of them. Perhaps, Thorin should be careful for there is only one sickness that could take an Elf’s life away and for the suffering of the heart the only cure from a               certain death is to leave the shores of Middle-Earth. Would Thorin overcome his pride and anger to recover what he most desire or would he stand still doing nothing while Thranduil vanishes little               by little until his only salvation is to travel to the Undying Lands?

The Promise of a Child

           Summary: Little Thorin is ready to propose to Thranduil even though he knows Thranduil is older and he still has to get his adulthood braid. The thing is, he doesn’t want anyone courting Thranduil                before he can get the chance to marry him.

 Sunday Morning

           Summary: It’s just another Sunday morning in the Oakenshield household.

 Counting Stars

            Summary: Thorin Oakenshield is in a moment of his life where he is just confused yearning for something he cannot name. Thranduil has just suffered an accident that may change everything he is.               When their paths cross a friendship is forged and, perhaps, if they give themselves the chance it can turn out into something they may need and want.

It will always be worthy

           Summary: At the end of all things, Tauriel, Bilbo and Thranduil have an honest talk about the people they loved and will always love.

 A token and a Promise

            Summary: Orcrist was put there for a reason.

 Sing to Me

Chapter 1

The Smile

Wanda met you one raining afternoon.

The cafeteria was packed, and the rain had caught up to you when you were making your way to the library. You took off your jacket, your eyes did a quick sweep of the place but there was no familiar faces around. At least, not one that could offer an empty chair. You made a face walking towards the bathroom while your eyes drifted to an almost empty table right around the corner near the window.

It was worth a shot, you had your jacket, your backpack and a now completely drench file in your hand. The woman seemed to be concentrated on her work, and there was a single cup of coffee there.

“Excuse me.” Someone said impatiently behind you, pushing you while they went straight to the bathroom. You rolled your eyes fixing the stuff in your hand and making your way to the table.

“Hey, I’m sorry to bother you…” You started with your voice trailing off when you found deep, green eyes looking directly into yours. You blinked a couple of times, the woman sitting by the table tilted her head and her lips curled slightly at your lack of words.

You must look like an idiot.

You chuckled nervously glancing around the room then back to the woman, “I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind me sitting here? The place is packed and…”

You lifted your hands to show all the stuff you had on your hands; the woman nodded stretching her hand to the empty chair.

“Sure, go ahead.”

You placed your backpack on the chair, putting the file on the table and your jacket at the back of the chair. You were so focused on what were you doing, checking for the damage to the files, how wet was your backpack and the stuff inside you never noticed the eyes of the woman on you.

Wanda Maximoff was a woman just entering her thirties, she had a lifed that look more like a wreckage than the fairy tale one she imagined in her youth. With a failed marriage, an affair she couldn't escape from and not family or friends everything was looking rather bad for her at some point. Her life was spiraling out of control until she just had to stop.

The rain hit on the window, her green eyes went to the street that was now a blurry mixture of dim colours. She tried to return her attention to her laptop, the papers of her divorced resting comfortably under the gadget while the screen of the computer reflected the document she had been working on.

There was a grunt of exasperationg, and then an exclamation of triumph. Wanda broke her concentration to return her eyes to you.

“Well, at least the laptop is dry, yay!” You lifted a single hand making a gesture of victory, Wanda couldn't help but chuckle at the display lowering her gaze to the laptop when you lifted your face to look at her.

A sheepish smile appeared on your face, your hand went to the back of your head scratching lightly.

“Thank you for letting me do this.” You finally said watching your handy work, then turning your eyes to the woman who had her eyes on you again you stretched out your hand. “I…I’m Y/N.”

“Pleasure to meet you, I’m Wanda.”

A flicker of recognition went through your eyes, this time around you take in the appearance of the other woman and the voice of your friends filled out your memories. This was the hot woman they were talking about!

The one you were supposed to notice the moment she came in with that skirt and heels, and the one America and Yelena couldn’t stop talking about. The one you had noticed but never paid any mind, until now. Which was stupid because really? God, this woman was beautiful.

“What is it?” Wanda asked highly curious by your reaction, you hesitated knowing full well your cheeks must be red by now.

You offered another sheepish smile, your hand going to the back of your neck in a nervous gesture.

“It’s just…” You sat down wriggling your hands nervously before shrugging, fuck it. “You’re the talk amongst my friends, you know?”

Wanda was caught by surprised at this revelation, she leaned in with her eyebrows raised and her eyes twinkling.

“Am I? Do we know each other?” Wanda was pretty sure she would remember someone like you. You were beautiful, if a little clumsy, and your smile was just so easy on your lips.

You winced waving your hands, “not exactly, we’re taking two classes together actually. The contemporary studies for security and the one about economic development in the ancient world.”

Wanda furrowed her brows at this, those classes were part of her Master's Degree program but you looked no older than twenty-two. But she supposed it was not that strange to have someone as young as you in there; people now days advanced way faster than they did a few years ago.

“Wait a moment, are you part of the new Avengers Team?” Wanda broke into a grin when she saw the full flush on your face, it was a pretty cute look on you.

“God, I hate that name.” You made a face before nodding. “It is tradition on my family to be part of the group, though when they started they called themselves SHIELD and then my brother and his friends change it to The Avengers. But yeah, I'm port of the new generation, you could say I’m the legacy.”

This time around Wanda looked impressed, and your heart dropped at the sudden stare of recognition in her eyes. You hated this part, the part in which everyone knew you were a fucking Stark and everyone started looking for opportunities to meet your brother or your money.

But Wanda was not thinking this, not exactly, She had heard of the group, of course. Quite the elite around the campus, only the best of the best were allowed inside its ranks and it usually meant that you needed to have money and a name to be part of it. Though, this was it compeltely true, Wanda had seen it was more than name and money, the smartests people of their generation seemed to be part of the group and The New Avengers had become a founding organization to make sure smart kids had a chance at an education all through their lives.

If the rumours were to be belived, they were the future of the world.

“That would explain why you are in such an advanced class,” Wanda leaned back against her chair, her eyes never leaving yours taking in the shocked covering your features. She furrowed her brows not understanding your reaction, though she soon leand in smiling at you. “Tell me, what do you friends say about me?”

You narrowed her eyes at her for a moment, waiting to see if perhaps she was just acting or waiting for the right time. The older woman quirked a brow at you, her features marking slightly making her looked stern but beautiful. You leaned back chuckling, your friends said a lot of things about her but you were not about to reveal all of it. Just enough to see how far you could go with the conversation.

There was a flash of silver, and then the sound of thunder, you jumped in your chair looking out at the rain. It was at that moment you shivered under your cold clothes, furrowing your brows knowing with your phone dead there was not a chance you could call anyone to come pick you up.

“They think you’re hot.” You said simply looking around for the waitress, your hands turning blue and your jaw holding tight so you didn’t start chattering your teeth.

Wanda was rather taken aback by your honesty, you glanced at her offering an apologetic smile. But all Wanda could think about was how easy it was for you to interact with a complete stranger, with someone she had seen passing by and then come and said things like this with such a smile and twinkling.

“And you don’t?” Wanda inquired putting an elbow on the table, her chin resting on her palm

You opened your eyes wide, opening and closing your mouth before tilting your head and crunching up your nose.

“I…well, I mean…you’re obviously…beautiful…” You waved your hands at her to illustrate your point, Wanda smiled enjoying the strange conversation. “But to be completely honest with you, I was just too busy paying attention in class, and well really that was not the first thing I noticed and not the first thing I thought about you.”

Wanda arched her brow, “oh? What did you notice first?”

You blinked again shrugging, “your smile. You have quite a beautiful smile.”

Then your eyes drifted away from Wanda and you finally caught the attention of a young waitress.

“Y/N!” The young woman almost fell down on a chair as she came to you rather fast, Wanda furrowed her brows when the black-haired girl stood right in front of you a shy smile on her lips.

You smiled back though your whole body was shivering under your clothes, and you were just too busy trying to warm up your hands.

“You look terrible!” the black-haired waitress said biting her lower lip. “If you want I can ask Mr. Donn to let you in the back and you can use some of my clothes…”

Wanda curled her lips in a tense line, she tried to go back to her laptop to hide away the scorn from her face.

“Oh, Jessica, thank you but you don’t have to worry, I’ll be fine as long as you can bring me one of those chocolate drinks I love.” You flashed her a bright smile that Jessica returned.

“Sure, give a minute and I‘ll be right back.”

You followed her with your eyes for a moment before returning your attention to Wanda, the older woman wore a frown with her eyes reflecting the light of her screen.

“Bad news?” You asked cocking your head, Wanda hesitated for a moment before meeting your eyes.

“No, just some things I’m working on.” She said rather coldly, you nodded as if understanding and then after a long silence you decided to just go ahead and ask.

“Can I know what it is? It seems to really bother you.”

Wanda redirected her stare to you, she wasn’t aware her expression was so easy to read and as she thought about the reasons of her annoyance, she thought herself an idiot. Really, she had met you like five minutes ago, and it was just cute though a little pathetic how the waitress seemed to want your attention on her. The older woman decided that her time alone was finally catching up to her, she needed to star going out, perhaps get friends of her own age.

“It’s just about the project for one of my classes.” She commented trying to deter you for more questions, but your interested was picked at that moment.

“Oh, what is it?” It was the light in your eyes, and the genuine interest in your voice what made Wanda turned the screen so you could read the question. Your eyes went big, and your lips curled into a knowing smile, “that is so easy.”

“Oh, you think so?” Wanda snorted though she couldn’t help but feel curious and amused at the same time, “then by all means, tell me what you would answer.”

They talked and talked, even after Jessica brought the chocolate and was completely ignored by you, even after the rain stopped and the afternoon was already fallen. Even after knowing your were freezing under your cold clothes, and probably would catch a cold afterwards.

And without being aware of it, at least not completely, Wanda found herself attracted to you. You were smart and funny and quite straightforward; you were certainly different to what she thought you to be or the type of people she used to hang up with back in her first college years and even high school.

Wanda found herself laughing and enjoying her time like she hadn’t done in such a long time, she regretted the afternoon was over and you needed to go back to your room and Wanda to her home.

“So, I’m freezing over,” You commented smiling into the night, your eyes gleaming happily while you turned to the older woman. "Now, let me fix this...and, you will have a new friend that would be a little annoying but fun to be with, I promise you that."

Wanda opened her eyes when you grabbed her phone, flciking around the screen with a playful smirk adorning your face. You returned her phone winking at her.

“Here, Wands, I hope you write me whenever you want and see you around in class." You stepped back going down the stairs of to the street. "Don't be a stranger and, remember you can always sit with us if you want."

Wanda chuckled grabbing her phone to see you had put your name and phone number in there. The older woman tried to not think too much about the gesture, it was nothing. It meant nothing.

“Please, if they are as interesting as you, I wouldn’t mind to sit with them and you.”

You nodded pressing your lips together to held back your smile, “believe me, I’m the mature one in the group. Shit, gotta go, I’m guessing my brother is sending for a search party and amber alert all through the country.”

“Amber alert?” Wanda asked amusedly, you chuckled walking backwards.

“He still thinks I’m five. Bye, Wands!”

Wanda watched you go with a heavy heart, she never thought coming back to college would present her with the opportunity to meet someone like you. You were interesting, to say the least, and Wanda found herself drawn to you; perhaps making new friends wouldn’t be so bad. And reconnecting with old ones shouldn’t be so terrible, Wanda lifted her phone once more and her eyes fell on your name without knowing it a soft tender smile form on her lips. Then she flickered around the names until she found the one she was looking for.

Running

The road spread out before her eyes, the morning sun touched the land with a bright gleaming golden light while the sweet aroma of salt and land engulfed her senses.

The sky above their heads was of a light blue, while the ocean seemed to be the darkest kind, there was not a single sound inside the rented car. Not even the thoughts of her companion could interrupt her contemplation of the country she would reside in for the next year. This was something she had always liked about Natasha, unless she were to force herself on the former spy, it was almost impossible to catch a thought she didn’t want out.

At the moment, Natasha was tyring to keep her guilt and sorry at bay. Wanda could tell there were traces of pity in there, pity for Wanda and what she had created.

They weren’t real, Wanda. I’m sorry but Vision is death and you…you’re not pregnant.

There was an oppression around her chest, her eyes burn with unshed tears at the memories o such words muttered cruelly while she freed Westview. They had been real, they had been so real Wanda could hear Vision still as well as feel her children…two salty drops rolled down her cheeks, she drawn in the memory of her life in Westview, of the nightmare she was made to life at the moment.

They were not real, Wanda, nothing in that godforsaken town was real but…but you enslaving innocent people.

Wanda shifted on the seat clenching her jaw, her eyes gleaming red and green for a moment. The sudden changed in mood didn’t go unnoticed by Natasha, the former spy furrowed her brows grabbing the wheel tightly driving down an empty road. She had been trying to be calm while keeping her thoughts at bay, but sometimes it was almost impossible to hide anything from Wanda.

Sorrow was growing inside her mind, as much as regret. Natasha knew they should had gone to Wanda the moment the battle was over, but everything had been so chaotic that everyone forgot about the young woman that had lost so much in such a short amount of time. What had happened on Westview was something that could have been prevented if they had paid attention, if they had been better to Wanda.

The red light on her phone made her teared her eyes from the road, the phone gleamed a mixture of colours just before IDGAF by Dua Lipa sound around the car. Wanda forgot about her pain and her plans as soon as she heard the song coming from the phone, she turned slowly to a flustered Natasha that was glaring daggers at the road.

Wanda lifted a single eyebrow, her lips twitching up while seeking an explanation from the other woman. Natasha cleared her throat turning sharp, deep green eyes to Wanda daring her to say something.

“I told Yelena to not mess with the phone, she never listens though.” It was a poor explanation, even if that was the truth, Wanda snorted turning her attention back to the road. 

"Yeah, right." She drawled with amusement, and for a brief moment the tension round them broke leaving space to the friendship they had shared before the Sokovian Accords, before Thanos, before Westview.

Natasha rolled her eyes smiling, her finger tapped on the screen to accept the call. It wasn’t that difficult for either woman to know Yelena knew what song had played when she called and that she was enjoying that greatly. Her accent was marked but traces of laughter. 

"I hope you are having a good time, Natasha.” There was a snort mixed up with laughter as Yelena continued, “are you there yet?” 

“I’m a couple of minutes away from the tunnel, why? Missing me already?” Natasha dared to look out of the corner of her eyes at Wanda, the young woman had a frown attached to her features hearing the conversation with some nostalgia.

“You’re too slow.” Yelena complained and while Wanda had no idea why the other woman was so interested in Natasha to get to their destination, Natasha knew the real reason of her sister’s impatience.

“Why the interest, Lena?” Natasha teased hearing the intake of breath coming from her sister.

"Don't call me that." Yelena grumbled; Natasha smirked at the obvious embarrassment she could sense in her voice.

"You don't have a problem with Y/N calling you that." There it was her revenge for Yelena messing up with her ringtone.

"Shut up." Yelena said through gritted teeth, Natasha could only laugh shaking her head.

"Are you embarrassed, Lena?" Natasha pressed even further; Wanda felt a tug on her heart at the sisterly banter.

"Fuck you." Yelena exclaimed grumbling around before speaking again, "I was just calling because I wanted you to tell her she owes me one of her finest wines, and I will take two for the emotional damage.”

Natasha was sure there must be a pout around those words, though this time around she said nothing. She knew how much Yelena wanted to come and see Y/N, but her duties prevented her to make the trip all the way to Italy.

“I will tell her that.” Natasha finally revealed, all this time noticing just how tensed Wanda was, she was pretty attentive of their conversation waiting, perhaps, to her a mention of herself, to gather some news form the States.

“Cool, then…Tell her, tell the witch I miss her.” That was as far as Yelena would go, Natasha smiled shaking her head.

“I will, Yelena. Take care and talk to you soon.”

“You too, take care.” Yelena finally said before hanging up.

 The mention of the word witch had alerted Wanda, and her concern soon turned into confusion when Yelena just sent a heartfelt greeting. They had met briefly when SWORD and the DODC had come in to try and get a sense of control of the situation, Wanda locked eyes with Natasha through the rear-view mirror.

“You have quite the sister, pretty weird.” Wanda commented softly, Natasha broke into an easy smile finding comfort in her relationship with Yelena and the fact Wanda seemed willing to talk again.

“She is special.” Natasha chuckled when all she heard from Wanda was hum of agreement she continued. “We have been trying to make up for the lost time, it has been hard.” 

Wanda smiled sadly, "you shouldn't have come then. You should be with your family."

It hadn’t been her intention, Natasha wanted to make some light conversation but she should know this kind of topics were still highly sensitive to the woman sitting at her right. And just like the atmosphere had changed a moment ago, it went back to the strange tension they had been feeling since the beginning of the trip.

“You are my family, Wanda.” Natasha finally said after a moment of silence, “you, Yelena, Clint, Tony…all of you. I know I haven’t done the best of jobs as of late, but I’m trying to make up for that waste time.”

There was nothing else to say, Wanda knew Natasha felt guilty. Everyone did. Clint and Natasha had been the first ones to try and make up for leaving her alone in her grief, then came Tony and Fury alongside Captain and Monica had tried to reach out to her with support and protection.

It was late, though.

It was always too late, and now Wanda was trapped in a nightmare wanting nothing else that to go back to her reality.

“I really want to be here for you.” Natasha finally said, her eyes flickered to the side only to see Wanda facing outside the window.

The young woman furrowed her brows, “you’re here because you need to make sure I don’t disappear again.”

Natasha slammed on the breaks turning sharply to Wanda, the other woman jerked startled by the action and soon she found facing the former spy with some confusion.

“I am here, Wanda, because I want to be. We failed you, and I wish there was more I could do…” Natasha saw as Wanda’s expression changed into one of cold anger, one anger she was already familiar with.

“Then, why took me away from them?” Wanda spat out; Natasha leaned back against the chair.

“It wasn’t real, Wanda.” She whispered knowing every time they reminded Wanda of this something inside the redhead broke deeply. “I couldn’t leave you there living a fantasy when there is still a world out there for you to live in.”

Wanda clenched her jaw, sparks of red flashing on her eyes before she settled back on the chair. The young woman turned to look out of the window, no one understood. Everyone thought they were doing Wanda a favour but, in reality, they were just stalling the inevitable.

“I know there are troubles back home, but we brought you here because you need to have a moment for you.” Natasha continued convincing Wanda and herself of the decision the team had come out with “This is a nice place, and perhaps, this is what you need.” 

It was highly doubtful this forced vacation was something she needed.

The memory of screaming voices filled her mind, the broken tones of those living in Westview against their will overwhelmed her mind and heart, the guiltiness building up all over again until she was reminded of the fear and hatred in their eyes.

Monster.

She needs to be controlled!

Get her away from me!

Please, let me go, I have family!

Her hands clenched tightly almost digging on the skin of her palm, the wrongness of what had happened in her life catching up to her. The overwhelming guilt and horror at what she had done was soothed over by the images of what she had lived in Westview, the images that at nights were more real…almost there, ready for the taken.

You had the power to do it…The Scarlet Witch.

Agatha had called her that. 

Wanda didn’t understand all that well what the other woman meant by it, but she hoped the book she found in her basement would give her the right answers. Already the book was showing her a path she didn’t knew she could walk in, the possibilities of getting what she wanted, what she needed it…what she really deserved.

It would take time, but the emptiness in her soul, the hole she felt in her heart and her own existence would soon be filled. She just needed to be patient. With a single tear rolling down her cheek, Wanda admired the blue of the sky mixing up with the ocean. 

The road stretched out before her, her future uncertain, and as she repeated these words inside her head and more tears rolled down her cheeks Wanda couldn’t help but feel as the hope slipped away from her hands.

Her life was a complete chaos. 

Without a single ounce of hope but a rest at the edge of the world. 

______________________________________________________________

The town of Vernazza was literally at the edge of the world.

Even before the Blip, the town had been of difficult access standing right at the edge of the Cinq Terre in the Italian Riviera. It was at the very end up a well-structured geographical location with mountains and hills and the ocean spreading right in front of it. It had been a touristic attraction once, now it was the last fishing village closed up to the world with only a few inhabitants here and there and a single place that received outsiders that went looking for peace.

The trip had been Clint’s idea. Natasha had loved it, Tony and Steve had agreed, and Yelena had been slightly annoyed as much as Wanda seemed to be reluctant of such an unexpected holiday.

Natasha still remembered her first encounter with Y/N.

It had been a coincidence, their paths crossed after a mission backfired and Natasha had to look for a place to hide. Y/N had extended her hand, no questions asked; it had been refreshing, and different and soon Natasha found herself coming back over and over again to the place where she was not a spy, a Widow, and Avenger. She was just Natasha, and Y/N was the only friend, beside Clint, that got a glimpse of Natasha the woman, the friend, the huma being.

When Thanos happened and half the population was wiped out, Natasha found a refugee in Vernazza whenever the weight of the world was too much to her.  With her past still haunting her from time to time, Natasha thought perhaps Wanda could find peace in here; the former spy really hoped so because the alternative was not a kind one, and it was something Wanda didn’t deserve.

The road changed all of a sudden, and soon the changes brought by time and abandonment were evident by the state of the road. The nature was already claiming this part of the world, Wanda fixed her position on the seat her eyes dancing around before settling themselves on Natasha who parked the car near the mountain’s slope.

“There used to be a direct road to take us to the city, but it disappeared, obviously.” Natasha offered a terse smile, “I have to move some branches and stuff, over there is a tunnel that would take us directly into the main road and the village.”

“You guys weren’t lying when you said this was in the middle of fucking nowhere.”

Sometimes Natasha forgot how young Wanda really was, the former spy chuckled shrugging.

“Why would we lie about this? This is the place you go to whenever you want to get away from the world.”

Without waiting for an answer, Natasha exited the car taking a deep breath and enjoying the different scents brought by the nature. She stretched out making her way to where she new the entrance was located it.

For a couple of minutes Wanda observed as Natasha worked around some branches and rocks without so much of an effort, she knew everyone had made a great effort to give her this trip, this moment. Letting out a heavy sigh, Wanda got out of the car walking towards Natasha.

“Tell me what needs to be moved, we don’t have all day.” Wanda said crossing her arms trying to act uninterested about the whole situation, Natasha raised an eyebrow and stepped back pointing with her hands the rest of the road.

The red mist that was part of Wanda’s powers spread out with expertise from her hands, her eyes went red as the stuff blocking the road was removed until Wanda could see the entrance of a tunnel. Natasha narrowed her eyes; she noticed the black ink on the fingertips and the trembling coming from Wanda.

“I think that’s enough,” Natasha placed a hand on Wanda’s forearm. “It is big enough for the car to fit in, come on.”

Wanda let go of her magic, her breathing coming in uneven gasps. The redhead lowered her gaze to see her fingers going back to the normal skin colour, the screams of unknown children reaching out to her.

“Is it too far?” Wanda asked once they were back on the car.

“No, just a couple of more minutes and you will be in the best Airbnb in the world.” Natasha exclaimed offering a tiny smile, Wanda nodded returning to her sightseeing.

The ride through the tunnel didn’t last more than ten minutes, and by the time they exited the tunnel Wanda’s breath caught in her throat at the sight.

The first thing she saw was the deep blue of the ocean right in front of her, the sun glistening gold under the land and the waves bringing out the most vivid colours she had ever seen. The sight of white and light earthly colours coming from the village contrasted with the geography of the terrain and soon Wanda understood why Clint and Natasha seemed enamoured with this place.

It was like magic.

As soon as the crossed the tunnel there was just an aura of peace overwhelming her. She admired the sight from the security of the car, ignoring the fluttering of her heart, Natasha held back her smile watching as Wanda changed her posture and relaxed into the seat.

“This is beautiful.” Wanda mumbled before she could stop herself, Natasha hummed in agreement turning sharply to the right getting away from the main road. “How did you find out about this place?”

“A mission gone wrong,” Natasha explained curtly, “I messed up, and I needed a place to hide. I came upon a young woman, she just offered her place, no questions asked even though I was a mess at that point.”

The way Natasha spoke about the host told Wanda this was something different, there was a warm so uncharacteristic of the Black Widow that Wanda found herself surprised at this.

“You have been before then?” Wanda inquired eyeing the oncoming sight of two different houses build comfortable amongst the forest.

It was magnificent with earthy colours, and a small fountain by the main gate, the place was surrounded by olives and a couple of flowers Wanda did not recognize. Their car stopped right at the entrance; Natasha hesitated for a moment before turning to Wanda.

“Yes, as I said, this place was home when I needed it to be.” Natasha explained finally making sure Wanda could not look away from her. “I know things have not been easy, and that a lot of things had happened and you haven’t had a rest but…”

“…This is important for me; I need it and probably is what I need to start healing.” Wanda repeated with a robotic tone, she had heard the same arguments over and over again, it was getting tiring by this point.

Natasha pressed her lips together; Wanda rubbed her temple before speaking again.

“I know I messed up, Natasha.” Wanda whispered. “I know that this is as much for me as it is for everything to settle down back home. You don’t need to repeat the same empty words as everyone else.”

Natasha sighed shaking her head, Wanda said nothing else and she hoped Natasha wasn’t about to mention Vision, or Westview or anything at all because she didn’t think she could take it. Wanda was not ready to face the powers that she held within, or the hunger she felt to dig deeper into that magic. Wanda didn’t want to talk about her pain, about her loses…. about the futility that was to continue fighting for nothing.

“Y/N it’s a nice person.” Natasha said all of sudden, finally giving Wanda what she wanted it. “She is a good friend of mine, the only person aside from the team that I actually call my friend.”

This time around Natasha had Wanda undivided attention.

“If you need anything, and I mean, anything, she can help.” Natasha continued. “She is very discreet, and she is nice to be around.”

“How long have you known her?” The question rolled out of Wanda’s mouth accompanied by a frown.

Once again, she was left shocked at how little she really knew her friend, her team, her family. And yet, she couldn’t help but felt happy, honoured even having Natasha extended this piece of thrust in her.  

“As I said, we found it when we most needed it.” Natasha broke into an easy smile when a figure appeared right at the door. “She is really something else, special even. Come, let me introduce you.”

______________________________________________________________

Morning broke on the horizon by the time you were starting your early routine.

The muscles on your back hurt a little from all the work you had done the day before, getting the house adjacent to yours ready for your new guest had not been an easy task. After speaking with both, Natasha and Clint, you knew this new guest was not only a superhero but someone that was in a serious needed for a moment of peace and tranquillity.

The black coffee on your hand smelled heavenly, you smiled to yourself watching the ocean to the couple of fisher boats in the distance. It had been so nice to speak with Clint and his family, and to speak with Natasha and Yelena you had forgotten how much you liked them after having been in your piece of heaven ignorant of the battles being fought out there.

The call from Natasha had been a completed surprised, and her request had almost made you squirmed uncomfortably by the very nature of what she was asking.

A year.

She asked to rent your second house for over a year. It didn’t matter the cost, she had the money, Stark Industries would pay in full alongside a bonus for the inconvenience. It wasn’t about the money, Natasha knew that, but you didn’t say no and the money alongside your new guest was surely to come and make you richer and perhaps get to know a new person along the way.

The request had been strange, but you had learned a long time ago to not question your friends and trusted in them. Besides, having Clint on the phone along with the kids all of them begging you to say yes was more than enough to have you laughing and accepting in a single heartbeat. You had missed them, all of them.

Things had not been the same after the Blip.

Everyone had been affected one way or another. 

You took another sip from your coffee, your phone on your hand flickering the different options until you found the message you were looking for. Natasha had just gotten there and would be home by midday, you pursed your lips as soon as your eyes fell upon the lonely figure of one Wanda Maximoff. An Avenger.

Your eyes outline her features, those green eyes and the red hair contrasting beautifully against her skin and the sharp features of her face.

She looked sad. Defeated it.

The rumours about her seemed to be partially true, and Natasha had made sure you knew the whole story before you were to accept. Even as you observed the picture with care, you could tell behind that miserable stare was a dangerous individual, holding a power she barely got to control with so much loses and pain along the way you were surprised she hadn’t given in to darkness.

You furrowed your brows when you realized you had been watching at the picture more than what should be normal. Your phone closed with a snap and you tried to return your attention to the ocean.

Yes, Wanda Maximoff was beautiful, you wouldn’t deny that fact. But she was to be a guest, and you were doing this as a favour. And the money. The young woman was coming over because she was looking for peace, and perhaps a friend. That you could give.

The alarm on your watch rang three times, you finished your coffee stretching out all over again before setting up to work. You still needed to fix a couple of things before Natasha and the new guest were to come over, and you didn’t have the time to ramble about nonsense.

By the time midday arrived and you saw the car approaching the main gate, everything was ready. Including lunch.

For some reason, your felt anxious with your eyes seeking the form of the young woman beside Natasha. Then, an easy smile formed on your lips and you were making your way to Natasha who was coming at you with a smile of her own.

“Damn, Romanoff, whenever I get to see you you’re even more beautiful than before,” you teased flirtatiously, winking at the woman while grabbing her hand in yours kissing her knuckles. “When are you going to accept my proposal and come and live with me? You can live the American dream in the Italian Riviera, with the house, the hot wife and a life of luxury.”

Natasha seemed unfazed by this, though she broke into an easy laughter hugging you tightly.

“How about when hell freezes over, and Yelena doesn’t threaten to skin me alive for even daring to contemplate such an idea with you?” The woman replied making you laugh shaking your head.

“Lean is really a cutie when she wants to be,” you replied dryly, “making all my prospect wives running away from me.”

Natasha rolled her eyes at you, before taking a closer look at your appearance.

“Looking good, Y/N, what is it?” She asked already knowing the answer, you wink at her, your eyes drifting to the lone figure of Wanda that had been standing by the car watching intently at the interaction with her arms crossed and a confused frown upon her features.

“Haircut, Nat, I change my hair a little.” Then your face relaxed and for the very first time there was a soft, sincere smile on your lips. “It’s really good to finally see you, Tasha. How’s everything?”

Wanda was observing the whole scene from afar, she was really not fancying seeing someone drool all over Natasha as she had seen men and women do in the past. But soon, Wanda realized the light flirting was nothing more than a friendly banter than was more like a routine greeting between them than nothing else.

It was strange, and soon Wanda found herself admiring the young woman standing right beside Natasha. She was different, that was the only word Wanda could think of when trying to describe Y/N, with a nice hair colour that contrasted with the skin that had been kissed by the sun several times with eyes that gleamed with a light of their own and a set of white and gold tattoos adorning her arms. Certainly, Wanda had been pleasantly surprised by this development, perhaps this trip was not such a bad idea?

Wanda pursed her lips looking away with a blush adorning her cheeks, when for the second time your eyes found hers and this time around Wanda had been caught checking you out. With a curved on your lips, you finally decided you could not ignore the other woman far longer and decided to walk towards her with Natasha closed by.

“I have lunch ready for you guys, if you’re not opposed to the idea of course.” You commented lightly never once leaving those green eyes of Wanda. “I believe it’s time for us to meet formally, I’m Y/N Y/L/N.”

Your hand stretched out, after a couple of seconds Wanda finally grasped her hand around yours. A strange chill went right through your back, you tilted your head watching as those cheeks dust with a light pink and her eyes gleamed strangely at you.

“I’m Wanda.” It was all she could say the traces of her old sokovian accent sneaking inside her words. She chided herself, for such a slip that hadn’t happened in a long, long time.

You nodded and this time around you allowed an easy smile on your lips, “nice to finally meet you, Wanda. Then, what do you say? Lunch and a light conversation, I could show you guys around…”

Wanda offered a strained smile, her eyebrows coming up together when she realized you two were still holding hands. She let go rather fast, as if the mere touch had burned her, stepping back her eyes went to the second house before they went to Natasha and finally settled on yours.

“Thank you for the offer, but I’m actually not hungry.” This time around her words came out cold, almost tired. “Natasha was kind enough to show me the pictures of the place, so I think I know my way around unless there is something you didn’t post on your profile?”

Natasha opened her eyes ready to intervene but you beat her to it. You never lose your smile thought your eyes did harden a little.

“No, everything is the same.” Then you put a set of keys from your pocket, grabbing a single blue one. “Here is your key, enjoy.”

Wanda hesitated for a moment, her hand stretching out to grab the keys and with a last glance to you she left to put her things out of the car. Natasha was about to go to her but the woman turned to you with an apologetic glance.

“I’m sorry about that, Wanda…well, she is…” Natasha didn’t know how to explain the situation, you just waved your hand away turning to back to the other woman.

“Don’t worry, I get it.” Then as an afterthought you smile at Natasha, grabbing her hand in yours. “But you my dear, Romanoff are not getting away from lunch, come let her …let her be for a while.”

The table had been set, you moved swiftly around your kitchen with Natasha telling you everything that had happened since the last time you two saw each other. You had always found it amazing how this woman that called herself the best spy of all times trusted you with such important pieces of information not everyone had access to. The life inside the Avengers was something not many would envy if they knew the price Earth’s Mightiest heroes had to pay for peace.

Food was almost over, and you were serving the fifth cup of wine while furrowing your brows at the story about Vision and Wanda.

“It was hard on her.” Natasha finished playing with the salad for a moment, “I guess we just forgot about it, we all have our own problems and just…didn’t think about her, or how hurt she must have been.”

“Hn, you can’t blame yourself for that, Nat.” You tilted your head pursing your lips. “In all honestly, life has not been easy for anyone after the Blip and the second Blip.”

You took another bite of your plate, your hand playing with the glass of wine before you emptied its contents.

“I understand your need to make things right, which is good, but definitely don’t blame yourself. It was something you couldn’t help.” You shrugged with something bothering you intently about the situation, you remembered the cold coming from Wanda’s hand, the dullness behind her green eyes.

You had sensed it.

Natasha lifted a single eyebrow at you, her lips curling in a knowing smile. There was another reason why the both of you trusted one another, and that was the fact Natasha had never said anything to anyone about your powers.

“What?” You asked but even as you did you knew why she was looking at you like this.

Natasha finished her food putting the plate away, she settled her eyes on you straightening herself up.

“What do you really think about her?” She finally asked, you seemed taken aback at the bluntness behind her question. You knew she was asking more than she leaned on.

"Can I serve the dessert first?” The glare sent by Natasha told you this conversation could not wait. You sighed, taking a long sip from your wine. 

“She is powerful.” That was your first impression of her, pictures didn’t tell you more than how beautiful she was. Touching her and actually having her in front of you let you sense the power behind her.

“She really is powerful, though I think she still needs training in the control of her magic.” You pursed your lips playing with the idea forming in your mind. “There was something I could detect in her…dark magic.”

At this Natasha straightened up with a frown on her face, you narrowed your eyes but Natasha waved her hand.

“Is it too bad? I mean, I told you about this Agatha and how she tied her to the town…” Natasha commented with a hint of concern in her voice.

“Well, it is not much but…it is not common. Dark magic can be addictive and she has been dwelling in it, well…” You shrugged not ready to get drag into this mess; you were just giving Natasha your impressions of Wanda nothing else. “You told me this woman called her the Scarlet Witch?”

You knew your voice sound doubtful, as if you were tasting the word seeking out recognition in it. Something was telling you, you should know the meaning of that name, but at the moment it scaped you completely.

"She is powerful, traces of dark magic in her… it's chaotic." You shrugged. "You told me the woman called her the Scarlet Witch?"

Natasha nodded but there was not a single flicker of recognition in your face. The former spy pursed her lips, you continued eating in silence until the plates were empty and you were to get dessert. 

“Yes, and you should have seen her, she was…I don’t know,” Natasha snorted taking another sip from her wine. “All of these magical and out of this world things are just new to me.”

“And yet, you look quite concern, Tasha.” You mused over this squinting your eyes at her. “Should I be worried??

You placed the Crème Brulé right in front of Natasha though the scowl on your face was still quite present. The former spy shook her head shrugging.

“I’m worried about her, this incident in Westview…her denial regarding that life being a fantasy, I just think she really needs a space to come to terms with…everything.”

You weren’t sure this was what Wanda needed it, but of course you couldn’t know much about the life of a superhero or the hardships of such a life. For all you knew, perhaps getting away from everything was what she needed it, you knew it saved you at some point. Perhaps, it was the same for her.

“I just think she needs to get away from the public eye and the life of a hero.” Natasha said mirroring your thoughts, you were about to mention this when the woman made a noise of pure pleasure at the first bite of her dessert.

“God, I love your cooking.” Natasha said in between bites, you chuckled watching as the woman eat another big spoonful of the crème. “Are you sure you don’t want to come back with me to New York?”

You made a face shaking your head, “Never! The time for me to accept such a proposal has already pass, Tasha. This is home, but I can always facetime with you and tell you how to do it.”

Natasha had always wondered why you were so averse to the idea of going outside. She knew many stories about you, but the answer to that particular question had always been the same, a bad experience, a search for happiness and peace. And yet, she thought there was more to the story. She never pressed though and waited simply for you to either make the trip or just stay where you were.

“I think life has not been kind to Wanda, and it’s not an excuse for her actions, but I think she deserves a rest.” Natasha finally clarifies. “She has always felt too much, she feels so strongly I think she just doesn’t know how to grief, how to…how to really feel.”

You served another glass of wine as Natasha told you the full story, what she had found out and what she had concluded after being with Wanda for more than ten years. 

"Westview was our breaking point, Damage and Control deemed her dangerous. SWORD wanted to use her…" Natasha snorted. "Not rest for the wicked witch of the east."

The silence filled the kitchen afterwards. You had been playing with the wine, musing over everything you didn't know when you accepted to rent the house. Your eyes flickered to Natasha then to the window leading to your backyard. The sun of the afternoon bathing the land with soft hues of yellow and orange. 

Natasha waited for a moment, she could tell there was something bothering you and the woman could guess what it was. 

"She won't be a problem, Y/N." 

“When I first got here, I was lost.” You started with a nostalgic tinge on your voice, your eyes flickered to meet those of Natasha that had heard the story before. At least, part of it. “I found something I was looking for, and that was peace. I made it my duty to make sure others could do the same. Enhanced individuals, villains, heroes, normal people, it didn’t matter.”

You offered a half smile to Natasha who could only nod at your words.

“But there was something I also promised myself and that was to not put these people in danger, and to never get involved.” This time around your eyes gleamed gold, and the air around Natasha felt heavier than before. “I know what it is like to run from your mistakes, to try and search for peace and happiness. And because of this, I am ready to extend my home and help."

For the former spy the tension was quite evident, though she knew this came out of your overzealous nature in regard to what you considered your safe place. It was something no one dare to disturb.

"But you also know how much I love my solitude and tranquillity."

"I know." Natasha replied seriously.

"For what you told me about the situation with Wanda and the others, I can tell there are still some serious issues that need sorting out.” You continued and your tone sent a chill down Natasha's spine. This was the very first time you spoke to her in such a way. "As long as her arrival doesn’t disturb my past or my present, you have my word that I will watch over here and make sure she is taken care of. But don’t mistake yourself, I won’t move a finger to intervene or protect her from any external threats…If I didn’t interfere before, I won’t do so now.”

You spoke with a finality Natasha had never heard before, and it was because of this and the sudden change around her that the former spy knew you were talking seriously about the situation. Natasha heard the story a couple of times before, and she knew your reasons were strong enough to create such a defence mechanism around you. Natasha respected that, and that was the reason she thought Wanda would be okay in this place.

“I know, Y/N, and that’s why I think this will be good for her.” Natasha let out a heavy sigh, she leaned back against the chair and for the first time you could see the tiredness of the last couple of weeks catching up to her. “You’re right, there were some unfinished businesses and some of them are looking for her. Nobody aside from the Team knows she is here.”

You frowned at this revelation, though you could guess this was the case after hearing the complete story. Natasha placed a hand on top of yours, her features softened slightly squeezing your hand reassuringly.

“No one, and I mean no one would find her here, I promise you this.” Natasha reassured you, you tilted your heads nodding curtly. “Whatever magic you have worked in this place, Y/N, it works. I can tell you that this place has bring some healing to me and Clint and even Yelena. I would never do anything to put you or this place in danger.”

Your features softened and the gold on your eyes left the same way it had come; you returned the squeezed on the hand holding yours.

“I didn’t work any magic,” you finally mumbled shrugging. “It’s this place, you know? It’s people and…I don’t know, I guess the beautiful sightings.”

Natasha offered a smile at you resting her cheek on her hand, “you may be right about that, I have always loved this place because of how calm it is. How beautiful it is.”

You relaxed into the conversation, your face softening slightly before your kind decided to bring back the haunted eyes of Wanda. How wrong she felt, with so much anger and sadness surrounding her…the darkness surrounding her eyes, her fingertips.

“I will keep an eye on her, and I will tell you how everything goes if necessary.” You finally stated.

“I know you will, thank you.” Natasha sighed in relief; she knew she could leave Italy knowing Wanda would be fine until she could come to her from time to time.

The tension brough on by the conversation soon broke when Natasha tilted her head with that small smile she used whenever she was about to talk about her family.

“By the way, I should tell you that Yelena says hi.” At the mention of the young Widow your face broke into a huge grin that Natasha soon was imitating. “She also made it pretty clear that you owe her two bottles of wine of your finest wine.”

"Of course, I owed her two bottles of wine, what was her excuse this time?" You asked chuckling, Natasha smirked tilting her head. 

"Emotional damage."

Your laughter filled the room, and soon you found yourself reminiscing the times you had shared with Natasha and Yelena. After the final closing of the Red Room, you had extended your help with the rescue Widows that needed a place to crash for a couple of days, in all that time you got to know Yelena and forged a friendship with the blond-hired woman. You didn’t ignore the obvious crush she developed for you, but you never encourage nothing more than a friendly, sisterly even, banter.

You really had missed this part of your life. Natasha had always been a good friend, interesting and a great source of news and stories that kept you post with the real happening of the world outside. It was something you had always felt curious about but didn’t dare to find on your own.

By the time night had arrived, Natasha had refused your invitation to stay getting ready to say good-bye and go back to her busy life.

"They are coming from me, though I will be picked up on the highway in the middle of nowhere.”

"You will abandon the car?" You asked leaning against the threshold. 

Natasha scrunched up her nose shooting you what could only be described as an attempt at a puppy dog stare. 

"I was hoping you could drop me there and then take the car."

"I just told you I don't want to leave my house and you go around asking that?" But you were smiling at her, your eyes twinkling with amusement. "Go say goodbye and I wait for you."

************************************************************************

It had become a habit of hers to just sat there watching into nothing with a myriad of thoughts crossing her mind.

She had chosen the room facing the ocean, at some point she thought this could be a good spot to try and reach some semblance of happiness but the memories, and the grief inside her heart made it impossible for her to focus on anything.

By the time she realized she had done nothing, it was late a couple of tears falling down her cheeks and the sound of footsteps breaking the silence in the house. Wanda wiped out the tears on her face, standing up on shaking legs she approached the door of her room just in time to see Natasha standing at the end of the hall.

"You're leaving." Wanda wrapped her arms around herself shivering under the coldness brought by her own sadness. Her statement was followed by a single scowl, Natasha nodded curtly glancing around the place before settling her eyes on Wanda.

"Yes, I am." The place was homey, comfortable though it didn’t look as if Wanda had toured around the place since they arrived. Her stuff was still sprawl around the living room. 

"I will stop by Clint's before going away on a mission." Natasha commented lightly. "There is food in the kitchen." 

"You didn't have to." Wanda didn't dare to look at Natasha, she didn't want to find pity or understanding. 

"We are family, Wanda. Even if sometimes we forget about it." Natasha then offered an honest smile. "You know where to find me, behave and I'll come as soon as I can."

Natasha waited for a moment but Wanda remained silent, with a sigh she turned around ready to leave when Wanda called out to her.

"Bring Clint and his family next time," Wanda tried to smile but it came like a grimace. "Thank you, Natasha. For everything.”

There was something in the way Wanda said her thank you, in the way she was speaking and gesturing at the moment that told Natasha there was something off about it. About Wanda. Natasha wished there was something else she could do, that she could offer a better way to reassure Wanda, to help her heal…

Natasha dropped her shoulders down; she knew there was nothing she could do unless Wanda was ready for it. Nd it was still too early, the memories and the pain were still there and Wanda needed to take this first step alone, it must be her decision…her healing was a path she would need to start alone.

“I’ll be here whenever you need it, Wanda.” Natasha whispered. “Please, take care of yourself and…call me. Doesn’t matter the time.”

Wanda didn’t answer, and Natasha didn’t wait for the answer.

Darkness had already fallen, the lights of the house to the left were enough to let her see the form of Natasha and Y/N getting ready to leave.

Wanda stood by the darkened window of the living room, her eyes following the form of the silver car driving away from the same road she had come to. Soon, she was left alone and in complete darkness.

Her mind went back to replay those moments of happiness she had lived for a short period of time. Her shared life with Vision, her wedding, their home and works, and the news about their growing family; all the reality that had crumbled after Agatha and SWORD had interfered. Her life had been stolen in the cruellest of ways leaving her empty and completely and utterly alone, no one really understood what she was feeling. What she was experiencing.

The night covered the land, her hand placed itself on her abdomen. Tears rolled down her cheeks, the memory of childish laughter, of babbling and brotherly banter. She had seen them. Her family. Her children.

“I’m pregnant!” Wanda said in disbelief, her lips curling in a happy smile as she looked over at Vision. Vision stood dumbfounded for a moment, his mouth opening and closing.

“Y-you’re what?!” He exclaimed while Wanda came to him placing his hand on her abdomen.

“I’m pregnant! We’re going to be parents!”

It never happened.

She never got…

Wanda whimpered putting her arms around herself, kneeling down in front of the window crying for everything she had lost. Right behind her a soft red mist turning into an intense crimson, with a single figure standing there. A projection of herself, the Scarlet Witch and the book she had stolen before leaving Westview.

She would get her life back.

Chapter 4

Healing

Something had changed in her.

The night she came after her visit to the village, Wanda knew there was something different though she could not pinpoint exactly what it was. It wasn’t until she woke up sweaty, breathing hard with tears in her eyes that she discovered what it was.

She dreamt of all the things she did.

For the very first time she dreamt of Westview and the people she had dragged with herself into a different world. She could hear their thoughts, sense their fear, and experience their fear; whatever dreams she harboured with Vision and her life with him had disappeared in a shattering collage of images replaced by the cold, terrifying reality.

That night she could hear their voices, see their faces…hear their thoughts.

It was Lagos all over again. 

She was a monster. A creature that didn't know how to control her powers and dragged everyone after her. Whether they wanted it or not. Her suffering had become theirs as well, and Wanda realized for the very first time what her powers had done, what her lack of control had provoked.

For three days, she spent her days with thoughts of guilt dancing around her head. It was a mixture of sensations and she was getting tired, so very tired of everything she kept feeling. It was really hard for her to try and get a control of all the overwhelming emotions trying to drown her.

It was even worse when the cold grasp of the Darkhold sneaked inside her thoughts, and she found herself projecting the image of the Scarlet Witch she had awoken back in Westview. It was a win-win situation, she could still mourn and be lost inside the house, while her projection continued working on her goal.

To build the reality in which she was happy.

But even this was not enough.

Wanda was really tired; her body was no longer answering as it should and the lack of sleep and food was finally getting to her. The Darkhold was no longer the beacon of hope she thought it would be, and the projection of herself could no longer sustain herself for more than a couple of minutes.

You can't give up, Vision and your child are waiting for you. The voice whispered, and Wanda felt a chill down her back when her reflection shot her a withering glance. 

Let me out, let me out again, you and I are one… and with the Darkhold we will be invincible. 

On the fourth morning she could not sustain herself any longer.

For three days she had observed you from afar, always looking for a way to come to you and follow your advice to join you in the training sessions. But Wanda was afraid. She was so afraid of getting closer to you or leaving herself open to anyone she was so unsure of even how to start a conversation after having ignored you for three days straight.

Wanda clenched her eyes shut when she opened them again it was to see her reflection blinking back at her. It was so easy to give in desperation, to hear herself wanting nothing more than her heart's desire while running away from the opportunities presenting themselves at her doorstep.

Splashing some water on her face, Wanda left the bathroom to go to the kitchen. As was her habit, she made her way to the window finding you following your early routine without a care in the world; Wanda had seen the smirk on your lips and the easiness in which you fell into your routine.

Sometimes, she even thought you were showing off. But it probably was her imagination.

If she was to be honest with herself, and Wanda tried to not have these moments too often, she hadn’t stopped thinking about the day she spent with you in the village. For Wanda was difficult to forget how you had included her in your plans, it was as if you really planned everything in such a way that everything was just perfect. The visit to the plaza, the sight of the ocean and the harbour, the visit to your friends and the meeting with the children; even the streets she got to see just before the both of you reached the car.

Everything had been so…normal.

She had been at peace with herself and the experience, and whenever you reached out to her it was…different. Something inside Wanda stirred, and she had to wonder why. What was about your smile and those dimples that form on your face, or your easy-going nature along with how flirty and extrovert you were at times that made her heart skip a beat, and her mind go into overdrive. It was either be completely irritated by your silly antics or be completely hooked by them.

A part of Wanda reasoned it was not your company but the lack of influence from the Darkhold what made her drawn to you, another part of her reminded her that the voices hadn't been that strong and became non-existent every time you made physical contact with her. That day Wanda had felt herself again, no magic, no danger nothing, it was only her with a bunch of strangers sharing a nice time. 

It had been so nice and Wanda wanted to go to you and perhaps changed things. Perhaps letting you know that she…that she had found something, that she wasn’t sure what it was but that a part of her didn’t want to let go while a huge part of her was afraid. Terrified.

She had been so unsure of the whole situation, that Wanda had convinced herself you were being polite, that you didn't really mean your words or actions. You were doing what you were doing out of your friendship with Natasha and customer service. It was duty more than willingness, and the mere thought made Wanda bitter. Miserable.

And that very morning was not the exception.

Wanda saw your from afar, twitching to get over there and talk to you but very firm in her belief she would be a bother to you. The young woman bit her lower lip, her heat thumping hard as a soft, entrancing voice whispered inside her head telling her perhaps the best way to start a conversation was a cup of coffee. She glanced back at the coffee maker, just as another voice colder and traitorous whispered that she was not welcome, only Vision and her child should matter. 

A sudden scream and a curse broke her thoughts, Wanda opened her eyes turning around to see as you fell on the ground holding your right leg. It took her a moment but her heart almost gave up at the sight of blood coming from your feet. Without really thinking on her own reaction, Wanda ran towards the back door. To you.

That was all it took to make the decision for her.

"Fuck!" The cursed leaving your lips felt liberating.

You fell on your ass holding back your right leg, tears forming in your eyes while a sharp pain travel from the sole of your foot all the way up to your chest and brain. It was electrifying, making your trembled all over while the power inside you stirred at the intensity of your emotions.

The rock that had create such a pain was filled with your blood, mocking you from the spot it laid in, the crimson adorning the pointy form. How did you not notice that before? 

“Y/N!” Your name sounded strange for a moment, you were trying to get control of your own power, when a tender hand placed itself on your shoulder.

“Are you alright?” The moment you opened your eyes you found Wanda kneeling beside you, there was a flash of concern in her eyes. Then her eyes went wide open at the amount of blood she was seeing on your foot.

Another wave of pain came right in, you clenched your eyes shut feeling a comforting hand on your shoulder.

"If by alright you mean bleeding to death, then yes, I'm alright." You groaned, opening an eye to peek at Wanda whom even in her worry state, was rolling her eyes at your comment.

"You're not bleeding to death," she replied dryly, "and it was a rhetorical question."

You chuckled, nodding, taking a deep breath, you opened your eyes and found yourself looking into green ones. There was sweat on your face, and you really needed something to calm down the pain, yet you couldn’t help but admire the woman beside you. She didn’t need to come over, yet here she was. A hero at heart.

"So, you were spying on me again?" You asked trying to ease out your own tension.

The comment made her falter in her movements, she straightened up looking away from you to hide her blush. She heard your chuckled, and it was enough for her to push you playfully until you almost lost your balance and fell completely on the ground.

"I can see this really was nothing bad, so I think I’ll be going." There was something unsettling on how truthful your teasing was, about the fact Wanda had been spying on you which was the only reason she got there as fast as she did.

Furrowing her brows, she was about to stand up ready to leave and forget about this when your hand, filled with blood and trembling, wrapped tenderly around hers.

Wanda flickered her eyes to your hand, then back to your own eyes. You offered a half apologetic smile, wincing as you tried to hold your discomfort.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.” It was hard to speak normally, but you tried letting go of the hand you had been holding, soon missing the firm contact. “I just…I make jokes when I’m in pain, or afraid, or sad, or…”

Wanda lifted a hand, her lips twitching up trying to hold back her smile.

“I get it, I get it.” She knelt down once more, her eyes seeking yours. “How can I be of help?”

You pressed your lips together weighing up your options, your foot was really hurting and you needed to see the damage before doing something foolish. 

"How about helping me on my feet and then inside the house? I need to clean up the wound before doing something else."

Wanda nodded furrowing her brows, you took a deep breath pressing your hands on the ground to help you up.

“Wait, let me help you.” Wanda whispered leaning in, she guided her right arm around your shoulders while her left arm placed itself around your back and midsection. “Okay, let me get some leverage and I can help you up.”

“You really look too comfortable there, Principessa.” You chuckled lifting a hand in a sign of peace. “I’m kidding, I’m kidding, I just…”

Wanda rolled her eyes, though this time around she allowed the smile on her face, her eyes taking in your face for the very first time noticing just how close the two of you were. It was a moment of tense contemplation, she could see the strange nature of your eyes, changing colours under the light of the day while your face held traces of youth and age that made you look rather mischievous and mature.

Wanda took a deep breath when she realized you had been doing the same as her, your eyes had been studying her sharp features, and the strawberry of her hair. Then, your eyes found those of hers and you found yourself admiring the shades of green you found there. The young witch stiffened, unable to name the emotions coursing through her body, her heart hammering against her chest.

"Are you ready?" She cleared her throat creasing her brows at how nervous she sounded. 

"Eh, yeah, on three?" You asked, looking away furrowing your brows at the strange moment you two just shared. Wanda nodded getting ready to push herself up. You sighed before counting. "One, two, three." 

You stood up wincing, your left arm closing around Wanda's free arm while your right foot hovered above the ground. Drops of blood fell slowly on the ground, you bit your lower lip wishing you could use your powers to heal yourself, or perhaps call for help. Not with Wanda in the house. Not unless it was strictly necessary. 

"Are you alright?” Wanda asked again, concern dripping in her tone.

“It hurts really bad, but I need to clean it up before stitching the wound.” You made a face glancing at the ground, there was a lot of blood in there. “I think we can move now.”

“Okay, we will do it slowly.” Wanda hesitated for a moment before speaking again, “shouldn’t we go to the doctor?”

You shook your head lifting your face to Wanda, your eyes taking in a strange glint.

“No, doctors, please.” You tried to smile at her, winking while you squeezed her arm tenderly. “I’ll be okay, I promise, I have everything we may need and I…I trust you.”

Wanda was not sure that was the right answer, even if her chest broke into an explosion of warmth and comfort at your words. The wound seemed to be bad enough to need stitches, and a real doctor. Without much hesitation the both of you made your way towards your house, the back door was open leading to a neatly organised kitchen. 

It was the first time Wanda set foot in your house.

She could see the two houses were made with different layouts, but both of them were thought of as a family house. They were bigger on the inside, at least five rooms with three bathrooms, a living room and halls with enough space to mobilise heavy furniture. 

The kitchen had been fixed to meet the needs of the inhabitants. Big enough to move around the stove and the kitchen counter, the fridge and the sink. The electrical appliances show your preference for coffee and simple things, while the decoration showed a glimpse of what you really liked, the traces of that personality that you held close to your heart and only a few people got to really experience.

The inside was decorated with the colours you favour the most.

There was a contrast of black and white, shades of green and blue spread out harmonising with your furniture and the decoration on the walls. Paintings Wanda barely recognized and objects she thought you could have stolen for a museum were giving the place a nice personal touch. As they turned to the left, entering further inside the house you reached the hall leading to the rooms, Wanda found the wall decorate from the floor to the ceiling with pictures.

"Gotta keep the memories." You said beside her when the young woman couldn’t help the gasp of surprised leaving her lips. She nodded distractedly, noticing the thin layer of sweat and the pain reflecting on your face. 

"You have a lot of memories." She commented glancing at the pictures as they tried to advance further inside the house, the natural light coming from the windows right above their heads was enough to let Wanda get a glimpse of the pictures and the people in them.

It was you with the people in your life. 

Or at least, that was what Wanda could guess. 

There was one with you, Ajak, and Sprite with many others she did not recognize. Some others showed you, Clint, and Natasha, then Clint and his family. As the two of you walked down the hall, Wanda caught glimpses of pictures, several of them, with you and Natasha, she could even recognize Natasha's sister Yelena, in some of them. 

Wand was about to continue when a single picture caught her eyes. She never felt the way your body tense, how your features hardened when you realized which picture she was seeing. It was a picture of you with a beautiful woman leaning against you, the background was that of a great river with sand reflecting the sun of the day. You looked happy, extremely happy. Your eyes were gleaming gold and your whole body was just lit up by the presence of the woman in your arms.

“A wall filled with memories, that is one of my favourites of a life I no longer have.” You said with a hint of bitterness in your tone, Wanda jerked around looking away from the picture embarrassed to be trapped by the sheer beauty of it.

You chuckled shaking your head, "we were in Egypt, it had been my dream since forever. It was supposed to be the best trip ever. In a way, it was.”

"It's a beautiful picture." Wanda commented awkwardly as you two finally reached the door of your room. “You look different."

You couldn’t help the smirk on your face, you tilted your head at Wanda who blinked at you with some confusion when all you did was wiggled your eyes brows at her.

"Go on, Principessa, you can say it."

Wanda furrowed her brows in confusion, “say what?"

“I look hot in that picture.” You held onto the doorknob and the close door when Wanda tried to step away from you.

"I think you can manage it from here." Wanda rolled her eyes once more, dipping her head to try and hide her blush while her heart seemed to skip a beat at your words. If she were to be honest, you looked beautiful in that picture.

But she was not about to be honest. Not now, not ever. At least not with that.

"I will go back to the house…” She started trying to make sure you would not fall while stepping back.

“You really are going to leave me here? What if I fall and break my head?" You exclaimed making a face, your hand on your chest. "Natasha would be really sad if that were to happen."

"I don't think you will fall…" Wanda flickered her hand, the red mist from her hands caught you on time before you actually fell on your face. She was by your side in no time, her face a mask of pure concern. 

"So, you could have carried me all this time with your magic but opted to carry me in your arms?" You wiggled your eyebrows. "I'm seeing a pattern here, Principessa."

"God, are you always this irritable?" 

"Only when it amuses me, yes." You replied cheekily, Wanda huffed rolling her eyes only to help you back in her arms and straightened you enough to make sure you wouldn’t fall on your face again.

You hissed clenching your jaw when your foot touch the floor.

“Are you alright?” Wanda looked down at your feet then back at you, you were pale and sweaty and your breathing had increased a little. Looking back, Wanda could see the trail of blood left on the floor.

You took a deep breath, “well, considering this could have been worse, I’m doing okay.”

"I still think we need a doctor," Wanda pursed her lips looking down at your foot. "We could call your friends, I'm sure Ajak…" 

"No." It was a resolute no; you shook your head hardening your features. "No doctors, no…I'm fine, look I'm sorry if I'm being such a bother, you can drop me in the bathroom and you're free to go just, don't tell anyone."

It occurred to you perhaps Wanda really didn't want to be there taking care of you. Sure, she might have been watching you from her window, but it didn't mean she wanted to be involved in this mishap. Perhaps, you were really taking over her vacations, and not for the first time you wondered why you seemed so adamant to get her attention, to share things, and time with her.

Wanda scowled at your words, "It doesn't bother me, I'm just…" 

Wanda trailed off, she wasn't really bothered into helping you out and being here with you. And that revelation in itself made her dizzy, the closeness of your body, the sudden vulnerability while seeing a different side of you was making her soft. It was making her feel… needed. 

The young witch wrapped her arms around you in a comforting embrace. 

"I'm worried, and I just thought perhaps professional help would be better." Wanda said softly, "but seeing as you're reluctant, then I'll help you out with what you may need."

You sighed, cocking your head to Wanda. 

"If you are sure then, thank you Principessa." You hesitated for a moment before your hand grabbed the knob and opened the door.

You heard the gasp from Wanda and couldn’t help the smug smirk on your face.

When you had selected that place to build the houses, you made sure your house was built in an L form. The curve would be right at the edge of the cliff and that was where your room would be; instead of small windows you asked for large windows that would replace the solid walls, and your ceiling would be build in the same fashion. It was like a bubble, your own little space to admire the horizon in which the sea met the sky and the land.

But the best part of this layout was the nights.

The stars gleamed brightly right above your head, and it was as if you were sleeping right outside floating around while getting closer to the stars. You knew whenever someone entered your room, their first reaction was that of shocked they usually got the impression they were going outside only to find themselves surrounded by your bed, and the TV in the far away wall, and the two inside doors, one leading to the walk-in wardrobe and the one to the bathroom.

Wanda admired the room with huge eyes, your lips quirked upwards clearing your throat.

“This is the only room that looks like this,” you mentioned smugly, Wanda turned to you with an awestruck expression on her. “Like it? You should see it at night, everything looks beautiful in the middle of the darkness, the stars right above our heads and when the moon is out you can see it as a silver light accompanying you all night long.”

For Wanda it was not difficult to imagine you had done this thinking exactly that. To see the stars and the moon at nights. She broke into a tender smile watching around herself before lowering her gaze to the floor.

“It is beautiful, you certainly have the best view I have ever seen in a house.” She commented turning to you.

You softened your expression, noticing the wishful expression on the young woman's face. A thought sneaked inside your head, and you imagine at some point you would be able to show her the stars. You looked away snorting, wishful thinking. 

"What?" Wanda was brought back to reality by your snort, you shook your head and offered a teasing smile to her. 

"You can come later and see how it looks at night." You never meant for the comment to come out so sincere. If anything, you meant to say it as a game, playful and flirty just to make the woman beside you squirm and blush. 

And while Wanda did seem flustered, she was like this because of the invitation more than anything else. Was she thinking the same as you? 

"How about we stop staining your floor with blood and then…" Wanda let the words hang in the air, taking you tighter around her and making the way to the bathroom. 

There was a big bathtub on the far corner, Wanda took you there placing you carefully on the spot near the edge of the tub. She straightened up looking around the place before settling her eyes on you, waiting for you to get ready to go inside. You furrowed your brows glancing at her then at the tub, then back at her, your lips breaking into a half smile.

"I'm not taking my clothes in front of you." You said shaking your head in disbelief, “really, Principessa, at least invite me dinner first.”

Wanda sighed trying to pretend she was irritated by the comment and not flustered by it, she tried to glare at you but the state you were in made it almost impossible for her to do so.

“Are you always this…this…” Wanda trailed off trying to find the exact word for your extremely flirtatious and irritating behaviour.

You shrugged looking away, "not really, I think it is only you."

Wanda stiffened daring to look back at you, you clenched your eyes shut at the stupid comment you just made. 

"What I mean is, you're too easy to tease. So, I like to push your bottoms to see how far I could go." You shrugged trying to act nonchalant, a silence settled between the both of you until you cleared your throat. 

"But thank you for the help, if you really want you can go back to the house, I think I can manage from here." You offered her a half smile, Wanda stood there for what seemed like an eternity. She made a turn before turning back to you. 

"I better help you, if you were to die Natasha may think I did it."

You chuckled following Wanda with your eyes. 

"She will probably think so, though I will watch my back for Yelena, she is the one that wouldn't forgive you." Wanda took her rings off and washed her hands, looking around the bathroom you cocked a brow at her. 

"There is a first aid kit on that cabinet over there.” You pointed to a small cabinet at the opposite end of the tub. 

Once Wanda had everything she needed she started filling out the tub with lukewarm water. 

"Are you comfortable?” She asked tenderly testing the water before helping you turn around so you could place the feet on the inside of the tub.

You clenched your fists tight, knitting your eyebrows you just had to ask yourself what the fuck was going on. You really didn't plan such a stupid accident; you were just trying to show off knowing Wanda was looking. And now you couldn't tune down the flirty and inappropriate comments, really what was happening. 

"Fuck, that… that burns." you hissed closing your eyes, the tattoos on your arm burning with energy they wanted to free.

"It was a nasty cut; how did you get it anyway?" Wanda turned to you only to see, for the very first time a blush on your cheeks. 

"I was training, didn't see the rock. That's all." 

"Are you blushing?" There was a hint of teasing in Wanda's voice. 

"Please, I am merely warm for the water and the pain." You tried to play it cool but Wanda was not about to believe you, she had seen the flash of embarrassment in your eyes. 

It was good to know you could get flustered as well, now Wanda only needed to find more reasons to put that blush there. It was only fair. 

"Whatever makes you sleep at night," Wanda patted your leg nodding to the right foot. " Let me see."

You lifted your leg turning it so Wanda could see your foot. Her eyes went wide open, a flash of worry crossed those green eyes her fingers approaching the cut. 

"I think you need to go to the doctor, this is really deep, and it won't stop bleeding." 

You shook your head, "No doctors, stitches, I would do it myself but I can't reach out the wound."

"You're crazier than I thought if you think I'll do it."

"Then, who else??" You exclaimed, "Come on, Principessa, this can’t be the first wound you treated it! You're a superhero, I bet you have to take care of worse."

"With a doctor! We did it with a doctor not ourselves." Wanda replied, she was about to say something else when you made a face. 

"Please, no doctors… come on."

Wanda pressed her lips together; you shot her a pleadingly glance hoping it would work. The redhead sighed shaking her head in disbelief. 

"What do I have to do?" You smiled in triumph; you saw the water filled with blood before lifting your head.

“Well, I need painkillers, and tequila.” Wanda crunched up her nose, her left eyebrow lifted at you in disbelief.

“Tequila? Whatever for?”

“I’m not doing this without anaesthesia.” You replied opening your eyes, a hand on your chest. “Alcohol it’s the second-best option to drugs.”

Wanda snorted shaking her head, “I’ll bring the painkillers, not the tequila. Where are they?”

You pouted shrugging, “they’re on my bedside table, you can find them there.”

Wanda’s eyes went from your lips to your face, her lips curling slightly at your antics.

“I’ll be right back.” She was about to leave the bathroom when your voice reached her out again.

“The tequila can be found on the other bedside table!”

“I’m not going to encourage your use of alcohol in this situation, so you can forget it!” She replied chuckling when she heard your complain.

Ten minutes later, Wanda had a look of pure concentration in her face. Her eyes were gleaming intently, her hands completely firm while she did another stitch, your gasp the only indicator you were feeling every single one of those stitches. 

"This is the last one." She whispered offering you a tiny smile. 

You nodded holding your breath as she did another one. 

"You know there is going to be a nasty scar on your foot and I won't be the one to blame." Wanda commented shaking her head. "I still think you need to go to the hospital. This could damage a nerve or something."

You wiggled your fingers, chuckling before groaning in pain. 

"No nerve damage, I can feel everything." You made a face shrugging.

Wanda snorted though she didn't say anything else. She glanced at the tub then back at you. 

"You want to take a bath?" She was already planning how to fix everything so you could take it without any issue, you merely smirked your eyes twinkling with mischief. 

"Well, if you don't mind I prefer dinner and a movie before moving onto the bath, I already told you that." 

You laughed at the face Wanda was making, it was a mixture of horror and embarrassment though her green eyes darkened a little. You wondered for a moment if her horror had anything to do with you or the idea of taking a bath with you. Or something else.

"You really are impossible, was this…" Wanda waved her hands at you looking away, "the reason you're single?" 

You chuckled though Wanda noticed the sudden change in your tone, it was dark and cold and your eyes hardened looking away. 

"No, the reason I'm single is that last time I found my girlfriend fucking other person moments before they almost killed me." You cringed at your sheer honesty; you didn't mean to be so blunt but her comment had made you shifted uncomfortably. 

It hadn't been you the one to end the relationship, you hadn't been the one to manipulate and break the other's heart. But Wanda didn't need to know that, certainly not all the details. 

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to meddle." Wanda straightened up, she looked away feeling inadequate all of a sudden but before she could do something a hand placed itself on top of hers, softly requesting her attention. 

"No, I'm sorry, I shouldn't snap in such a childish way, it's just…" you sighed scratching the back of your head. "That picture you saw on the hall; usually triggers memories I wish to forget. And… well, I shouldn’t tease you so much."

You winked at Wanda offering a tiny smile, the other woman nodded in understanding offering a smile of her own. Then you sat straight glancing at yourself, then at Wanda.

"I would take your offer about the bath if you're still up to it."

"Without the date?" Wanda answered before she could censor herself, you opened your eyes wide before laughing. 

Wanda chuckled looking away embarrassed but happy she could cut the tension between the both of you. 

"Tell you what, instead of a date I can invite you over for lunch." You shrugged glancing at your foot. "I was going to do so either way, this wound it's just a plus."

"How it’s you losing your foot a plus?" Wanda asked in disbelief.

You shrugged flashing a real smile, your dimples showing brightly on your face. 

"You're here with me, right? I count that as a major plus."

______________________________________________________________

Wanda clenched her eyes shut taking a deep breath. 

Really, she needed to get a hold of herself because this childish behaviour was getting out of hand. And it was absurd. It was almost impossible that someone like you would destabilize her in such a way without putting a real effort behind your actions, it was even worse knowing this was your way of being, like literally this seemed to be part of your personality. 

God you two were not even friends. Just acquaintances. 

Wanda made sure to be nearby, hearing the shower while admiring the inside of your room. Everything in there was neatly organized, placed in a way you could enjoy the night but your TV from time to time. The bed was looking quite comfortable, and the view you had from there was magical, Wanda could only imagine how watching the sunset or dawn would be.

The running water could be heard from inside the bathroom, Wanda made sure to be nearby if you ever needed any help and she could just go right in. Walking down the same hall they had used to reach the room, Wanda stopped right in the picture of before. For the second time she was captivated by the sight of your smile and your eyes. How happy you looked there, something warm stirred in her abdomen exploding in a fit of tingles spreading to her chest. 

But then, she noticed the woman in your arms.

On the surface, she looked happy, but Wanda could see the lack of light in her dark eyes. The tension around her lips and the way she seemed to hog your space while placing herself in front of the camera. Who was she? You really seemed rather affected by the picture and the situation behind it.

When Wanda centred her attention to another picture she saw of you again. This time around you had on a half-smile on your face, bandages covering your chest and abdomen with something covering your arms. There were bags under your eyes, and you were thinner than in other pictures. Beside you, standing her full height was another woman. She was bald, and stern looking wearing traditional clothing Wanda had only seen in the Kamar-taj temple.

In that one, you looked tired. Miserable. 

Then, there was another in which Ajak sat at the centre with a tall handsome man to her left and a beautiful woman with some Asian features to her right you had your arms around Sprite that was making a face while behind you was a blonde-haired woman with beautiful features, her eyes completely focused on you. 

Wanda stepped back realizing that the wall itself was filled with many pictures of the same nature, every single one of them carefully placed in chronological order. Or at least, that was what Wanda thought. She curled her lips when she found one of you without the tattoos on your arms, you looked young glancing at something, you weren't aware of the person taking the picture. You were concentrated, standing in the middle of a green valley, your eyes much like the picture in Egypt seemed to be gleaming gold. 

Her hand lifted to touch the glass, she hesitated when a flash of red returned her stare. 

What was she doing there? Shouldn't she go back to her place? To continue with her study of the Darkhold and ways to get her heart's desire? 

Wanda clenched her jaw, a hand went through her hair trembling slightly as a wave of cold energy went through her body.

Vision is waiting. The child is waiting.  Your happiness, everything we have ever wanted… go, leave… 

"Jesus fuck!" The sound of something heavy hitting the ground and your cussing broke the spell Wanda seemed to be, the young woman turned to the bathroom and in less than a second she was standing by the door. 

"Are you alright? Tell me you didn't break your head open; I really don't want to face Natasha's wrath." Wanda said half amused half concern when there was no answer at the other side, she waited for a moment worrying her lower lip debating with herself how wise it would be to go in there. 

She didn't have to wait long, you opened the door wide wincing though smiling shakily at her, your right foot right above the ground and your hand holding tight on the threshold, you had a single small towel covering your body and Wanda felt really hot all of a sudden. Her mouth dry and her eyes almost impossible to keep above your chin. 

"Mmm while I'm liking this new form of ogling, would you mind helping me to my bed?"

Wanda clenched her eyes shut mortified, she looked away trying to hold back her blush while scolding herself for such stupid show of… of what? She didn't even want to put a name on it. 

"Su-sure. " Wanda cleared her throat offering her arm for you to hold onto. 

You held back your smile, if Wanda had been looking at you she could have seen the mischief in your eyes 

"So, you wouldn't mind helping me like you did earlier on? You know pressed against me your arms around me…" 

"I am this close to hex you," Wanda showed her fingers almost touching. "Take the arm or limp to your bed alone."

You laughed shaking your head while taking the offering arm. 

"Such a bad sense of humour, Principessa." You commented making a sound with your tongue. "Really, it was just a joke."

Wanda clenched her jaw, still refusing to turn her eyes to you. You squeezed her arm tenderly, offering a single smile. 

"Look, give me ten and I will be out and then we can prepare something light for breakfast and then go directly to cook lunch, how does it sound?" 

Wanda was about to say yes, she really was about to answer but something happened. It was a dark thought, you trying to repay the favour and the help… 

Acquaintances. 

You're not friends, yet here you are wasting your time when you could be training and working on your task. 

You didn't miss the dark shadow that went through her eyes, not the sudden drop in the temperature. Out of the corner of your eyes you could see the window and the flash of red in there. 

A book is missing. 

Wanda helped you sit down on the bed, her face hardened slightly. 

"I really think I should just go, I… I have things to do."

You pressed your lips together, looking away from the other woman. Wanda could feel the tension, the dip on your head and the disappointment in your eyes. She looked away from you, her heart clenching strangely, you squeezed her forearm offering a gentle smile. 

"You're right, I mean you came here to rest and here I am trying to overwhelm you with my presence." You sounded cool as you said this, you let go of her arm glancing around your room. "Go on, I promise you I'll be okay. And if something happens I'll call you."

"Right, I leave you to… to change and all. I see you around then."

You hated the wave of disappointment you felt when she turned around and left without even glancing back. You had to remind yourself she was nothing more than a contract, a guest. You two were not even friends and she had made it quite clear your presence and constant flirting was not welcome. You winced making a mental note to tone it down a little so she wouldn't feel harassed or uncomfortable, the last thing you wanted was for her to think you were doing something inappropriate. That you just wanted to… get in her pants or something 

Far from it, what you really wanted from her was… You clenched your jaw; a bitter smile drew on your lips. 

You wanted to see her smile. 

"Ugh, I'm really an idiot." You mumbled falling on your back watching the blue sky above your head. 

______________________________________________________________

Wanda closed the door behind her letting out the breath she had been holding ever since she left your home. She closed her eyes trying to regulate her heartbeat, her mind flashing pieces of you. Your smile, your eyes, your neck, those arms, and legs filled out with tone muscles yet so delicate complementing your contexture. 

God, since when did she like women?? 

Wanda let the question dance inside her head, she tried to get an answer when the sound of her mobile broke her concentration. She furrowed her brows; it was the first time since she was in that place that her phone rang. Approaching the mobile, she saw Natasha's name there, with some hesitation she picked up. 

"I'm fine." It was her first reaction; she heard the snort at the other end of the line. 

"Well, by the lack of messages and phone calls one would think you weren't." 

Wanda winced; she had seen the messages. Thousands of them, from her, from Tony, from Monica, from Clint, from Sam, she even thought she saw one from Bucky, even though the last time she saw him he was still using a Nokia 3310. 

"I was… busy." Wanda rolled her eyes and she just knew Natasha was doing the same. 

"How have you been? Really, without the crap." Natasha asked, her tone softening slightly. 

Wanda cocked her head watching around the house. Everything was a mess, she had been going through the motions, when she wasn’t on bed watching at the ceiling or meditating with the Darkhold she was wandering around the house starting something only to leave it there. 

"I'm hanging in there." 

"Y/N told me you went to the town; how did you like it?" It was a subtle way for Natasha to tell Wanda she was being watched, or at least that if she wasn't ready to share some details you were. 

Of course, acquaintances. 

Wanda felt her heart crunched up painfully at the thought. You owed nothing to Wanda, and by the number of pictures you had with Natasha, Wanda guessed you did owe a lot to the older woman. 

Perhaps, they were lovers. 

A voice strangely familiar whispered at the back of her mind, a shadow crossed Wanda's face while she tried to answer without giving anything away

"It was okay, I guess. The town was beautiful, and the food was delicious." Wanda trailed off then after a moment of hesitation. "It was different, I liked it."

"Hn, I knew you would like it," There was a sound of voices in the background then curses and some laughter with a bark. 

"Look I have my hands full at the moment, but I think I will visit you soon."

"You don't have to, Natasha." Wanda frowned when Natasha said something in Russia before returning to the conversation. 

"I know. I want to. I miss you, so you better get ready to receive me because I'll be there." More noise and Natasha sighed. "Look I gotta go, but don't be a stranger. I really miss our conversations, Wanda. just.. Know that I'm here okay."

"I know."

The line went dead and Wanda put the mobile back in the kitchen counter. She glanced at it for a moment, taking a deep breath she decided she needed a distraction, something that would take her mind off of things. Her first instinct was to reach for the Darkhold, her fingers flickered in anticipation, but her body and her mind were not up to it. 

She hugged herself, turning her face to the flat TV resting on the living room wall. She hesitated for a moment before making her way to the TV, turning it on she found several streaming services. Sitting down on the sofa she looked for old reruns of sitcoms while trying to keep out of her mind the burning questions about her neighbour and her real relationship with Natasha, and why it bothered Wanda so much. 

______________________________________________________________

You didn’t waste any time in getting ready and making a quick scan on your wound.

You hissed noticing the wound had been really deep, and even if you were to use your powers you would need to give explanations you were not ready to give just yet. Wrapping the bandages around your foot, you made sure everything was in place before limping your way to the kitchen. 

The sound of the video call filled the kitchen, your laptop laid on the counter with the screen facing your way. You took a sip from the tea you had prepared, the pain on your foot receding slowly. The sound of the ring from the video call resounded in the kitchen, your lips twitched upwards at your counting. 

One, two, three… 

“This better not be the end of the world, or I swear to all that it is sacred I’m changing my phone number.”

You smiled cocking your head to the woman at the other side of the screen, “nice to see you too, Sersi.”

The young woman chuckled taking a good glance at what was behind you, she furrowed her brows pursing her lips in a thoughtful manner.

“I thought you have company; Sprite was really convinced you have finally found the love of your life to settle down your pervert ways.”

“She is just a guest! You guys really need to focus the gossip on another, more interesting victim that isn’t me.” You rolled your eyes when Sersi chuckled again, she softened her stare and this time around she was looking like the overly worried big sister she had always been.

“I love that you’re calling, Y/N, but you rarely do unless there is something important you want to discuss.”

You nodded offering an apologetic stare to the other woman, you sat down wincing at your feet. You noticed the stare Sersi sent your way, you chuckled leaning in.

“I hurt myself while I was trying to show off.”

“Something I can imagine you doing,” Sersi chuckled then she too leaned in. “You were showing off to the mystery woman you were telling me was just a guest?”

You shrugged, Sersi sighed leaning back while lifting an eyebrow.

“Well, don't let me stop you, please tell me what happened.”

You fixed your position on the stool, your eyes drifting to your foot then back to the other woman on the screen. After you finished getting dressed you couldn’t stop thinking about Wanda, how tired she looked, the bags under her eyes, the lost glance of her green eyes. Everything about her was just another result of whatever she had going on back at the house. You could feel the magic, dark magic at the works in there. 

A book is missing.

“How many magical books we know that can be dangerous for humans or humans with magical abilities?” You asked with a hint of interested in your voice.

Sersi lifted her eyebrows making a quick list of the books she knew.

“Well, there are a couple I can think of, but…you have to be more specific.”

"Okay, I need to tell you something, but it must be between us, no one Sersi, and I mean no one can know about this." 

The other woman frowned at this, she looked at you discovering just how serious you were about the whole situation. 

"I promised you."

That was good enough for you, you took a sip from your tea just before starting the narration. You told her what you knew about Westview, what Natasha had said about the little witch and what you had seen so far. How consumed she was, the flashes of darkness in her, but also the moments of clarity she had. 

In all this time Sersi was analysing not only your words but also your reactions. She held back a smile, you seemed to have a soft spot for your new guest. But you were trying to hide it behind a friendly concern. 

"Well, there are some magical books I can think of you have the Blu'dakorr though… usually the caster of the spell is destined to die. There is also the book of cagliostto but I think this one is guarded in Kamar-taj." Sersi put a hand on her chin. "There is another one, corrupts the reader, the book of sins…" 

"The Darkhold?” You didn't think about that, but… there was another witch in that town and the book had been lost for a long time at the hands of humanity. 

"There was another thing, I know it sounds familiar but I can't pinpoint where I hear it. "You continued. "The witch she encountered in Westview called her called the Scarlet Witch."

The moment you saw Sersi's reaction you knew you were missing something. She was looking partially shocked and partially wary. 

"She has the Darkhold, Y/N."

"How can you be so sure?" 

"You don't remember the story?" This time there was a hint of disbelief in her voice, you lowered your eyes trying to catch the memory inside your mind. But it was elusive. 

"Not really…" 

Sersi softened her features, her lips curled slightly while she tried to explain to you much like she would do to her class 

"The Darkhold it's a magical book that eventually corrupts its user," Sersi frowned, thinking back to the time in which they were hunting down these artifacts to protect humanity. "There is a prophecy about a magical being so powerful she could rewrite reality, create life out of nothing, she was called the Scarlet Witch. And the Darkhold has a full chapter dedicated to her. Her power comes from chaos magic, destined to destroy or govern reality."

You wished you could remember some of these details, this sounded like something you would have known of or at least studied. Your face fell, how many memories did you lose with the years, how many were stolen in Egypt? 

"Hey, it's okay, when we studied these things you were not interested in chaos but creation."

You tried to offer a smile but it didn't come out normal, it was more like a grimace. 

"So, the Darkhold had a chapter on her?" 

"Well, the book was meant to offer her tools to control the world, the followers were supposed to be the only ones to guide her to her destiny."

"Well, she did create a whole reality just for her and the love of her life."

Those worlds felt wrong on your tongue, it was at that moment you remembered why she had come to Italy. It wasn't only to hide away from the government and her mistakes, she had come to grief. 

She was looking for a friend, not a lover. She had lost the love of her life and probably was not ready for a new one. If she would ever be ready for that. 

"Y/N." Sersi called your name and you could see she was really worried. "Look I don't know her, I have only seen the news and what little they talk about the Avengers but be careful."

You nodded curtly looking away. 

"She is not that bad, you know? Just lost, and in pain. She has lost so much." You mumbled as an explanation, Sersi sighed knowing you had already decided even if you were pretty slow to catch up to your heart. 

"I know, I just want you to be careful, if she is what they claimed her to be and she has the Darkhold it is probably that she is being corrupted at the moment. You know how… you know how that works, magical or not you guys are still human."

"Thank you Sersi, can I ask you…" 

"I will look into it, don't worry." Sersi hesitated for a moment, then she gave in. "But think about what I said, perhaps it's not too late to break the influence of the book but you have to act quick, and with care. Y/N I don't want you to get hurt."

Not again. 

The last part was left unsaid, but you knew that was what she meant. You nodded curtly, your eyes flickering around the room then settling on Sersi. 

"Thank you, Sersi. I promise you I'll be careful, don't worry." 

The communication ended and you were left there for a moment with concern filling your mind. 

You watched at the clock on the wall, there was still an hour left for midday. With resolution taking place in your heart, you decided there was something you could actually do to help Wanda. With a winced you stood up getting ready to prepare lunch. 

______________________________________________________________

Wanda sat in the living room; she had stopped paying attention to the TV after the first 30 minutes. 

Nights were usually the worst, but that particular day Wanda was fighting a losing battle during the day. She let her hands brushed her red locks back while she held back her need to reach out for the magic; it had been foolish, really what triggered this moment of desperation. She had been surfing the menu of the streaming service when she found one of the old re-runs of A Dream of Jeannie.

Wanda put her legs closer to her chest, she wished things were easier than they appeared to be. She leaned back against the sofa and try to busy her mind with other things; she tried to think of the suffering she caused in Westview, she tried to think of Lagos and the moments in which she had failed for using her magic inappropriately.

The young witch closed her eyes, as soon as she did she could feel it. She was in the room with her, she always was reminding her on what she needed to do, on what the real goal was.

Vision.

Her family.

Her happiness.

Wanda took a deep breath, a ghostly hand placed itself on her shoulder and whatever was about to happen, whatever she was going to tell herself was left unsaid under the memory of golden eyes.   There was hesitation on her part, she could sense the magic wavering under the weight of such a powerful memory.

Golden eyes.

Dimple smile.

A really flirty and carefree personality.

"I can see you don't want to be alone, but you don't know how to approach others without getting hurt in the process."

Those words were still twirling inside her mind, she was still trying to forget them and forget the piercing pain they provoked in her. Wanda tensed, lifting her face only to see herself in battle gear, red and wild, green eyes mixing up with the colour of her magic; Wanda knew this was her, and probably an illusion or a creation of her mind.

The Scarlet Witch.

She smiled, and it sent shivers down Wanda’s back. It was as if she was seeing the version of herself that was consumed by the pain and loneliness you spoke of. But there was really nothing in the world to fill up the void left behind by her family and Vision, was it?

Wanda clenched her eyes closed and when she opened them she was alone.

With a trembling hand she lifted her phone to her face, there were several unread messages here and there. She pressed her lips together, opening her contacts and finding your name in there. Her finger hovered just above you contact and after more than a minute she sighed and put the phone away.

What was happening to her?

After a moment of hesitation, Wanda lifted her phone again. This time around she went to the messages, and with great effort she decided it was time to answer all of them. The thought of you poking at the back of her mind.

It wasn't until much later once she had answered all her pending messages and started a friendly conversation with Monica that the phone of the house rang. Wanda furrowed her brows in confusion, she moved to the phone glancing at it until she picked up. 

"Hello?" 

"Well, it seems as if I may need your help after all." Your voice came in raspy; Wanda felt her heart skip a beat. 

"What did you do?" It was her first question; she held the phone tight against her ear already worrying over you. 

"Mmm well, it is hard to explain, I'm sorry to bother you but…could you come over?" 

Wanda hesitated for a moment before taking a deep breath. 

"Yes, of course, let me put on shoes and I'll be right there."

"Cool, you can use the backyard door."

While she was making her way to your house, Wanda couldn't help the hundredth horrific scenarios running in her mind. She imagined you had fallen on your face, or perhaps the foot was bleeding again. The young witch could not decide yet what made her more nervous and anxious, the fact you could be hurt really bad or the fact she was going to see you again. 

However, once she reached your house she never imagined shou would find what she found.

There was a sweet smell of food filling the air, Wanda settled her green eyes on you first. You were sitting on a stool near the kitchen counter with a tiny smile on your face, her eyes drifted around the room until they fell on the living room. The TV was on, and on the centre table you had placed two different plates filled with food, glasses of wine and two glasses of water.

The face of pure concern she had come with soon disappeared to one of perplexity. She returned her stare to you, you tried to stand up clearing your throat while speaking.

“It occurred to me today that, we’re not friends.” You said simply, ignoring the flash of hurt crossing Wanda’s eyes. “I mean, you came here looking for a place to rest, to grief and recover…and I thought of giving you that space. It is only right, not because you’re paying for this place, but because I know the need to have a space for yourself while you try to get way from all the overwhelming emotions of your life.”

Wanda stood frozen in place, she couldn’t tear her eyes away from you even though the smell of food was making her stomach grumble and her mind think on the last time she had a decent meal. You winced when you tried to put some weight on your right foot, then your hand waved around showing the living room.

“But I also realised that in the last couple of days, well we have been interacting more and more and I just…” Here you trailed off offering a sheepish smile at her, your hand went to the back of your head scratching your neck nervously. “I decided that I would like to get to know you better, be your friend, not because of what you are or where you come from, but because of you, Wanda.”

Her name sounded strange yet rather comforting coming from your lips, it was the very first time she heard you called her by her name. You straightened up offering once more one of your honest smiles, your whole face breaking into a bright expression.

“So would you be my friend?” Wanda shook her head at the question, while your words had struck sensitive part of Wanda she was not really understanding why you decided to go to such lengths to offer your friendship.

Before Wanda could say anything at all, you waved your hands redirecting her attention to the living room.

“Before you answer, in case you have a negative answer in there, let me tell you that I cooked a marvellous lunch that I would like to share with you.” You continued trying to hide your nerves behind your antics. “And I even find out you like romcoms, so I decide today I could make an exception of watching good movies to see one of those romcoms with you while we eat lunch and …you know? We do friendly things.”

You went silent and soon Wanda was standing there without knowing what to say.

She was left speechless, and while a part of her felt happy at your proposal there was another part of her that seemed rather bother by it. Friends. Only friends. Wanda felt something inside shatter, her heart was beating fast and a sensation of tingles and butterflies fluttering around her chest and abdomen was threatening to overwhelm her. She kept her eyes on you, and it took her a couple of minutes before her face relaxed, her cheeks burnt under your stare. 

"I… I don’t know what to say.” Wanda spoke softly, she tilted her head walking towards you. “I just…I guess, it’s a good start.”

You beamed at her nodding towards the living room, “good then, well…I made some sokovian dishes I hope I got right and that you enjoy. I thought perhaps, you would appreciate to actually eat something familiar.”

Before you could give more than two jumps she was right there for you. Wanda was looking everywhere but at you, her body trembling as she held you tenderly. 

"Let me help you," She all but whispered, then as an afterthought she furrowed her brows at you. "What's wrong with romcoms?" 

You snorted, sitting on the sofa with Wanda sitting right beside you. 

"The question, Principessa, is what is good about them? They are unrealistic!" 

Wanda glanced around her, with her eyes going wide at the sight. Everything was familiar to her, but what really made her melt for you was the sight of the potato cake. 

"I'm not much of a cook, to be honest, but I found this on a YouTube video, though you may appreciate a typical sokovian lunch."

She lifted her head and, for the very first time, got a real glance at you. Not the person she met on that very first day she arrived, not the woman she had been ogling every morning, not the one that seemed so confident and flirty or the serious and almost uncaring one. 

She saw you. 

And you allowed it. 

Wanda didn't cry, she just felt her heart swell with emotion as she was reminded of home. Her mother and her father and Pietro, and it was a good memory. It was the memory of their love, the good times they spent together just like this, in the living room laughing and talking while watching TV. 

Wanda missed them so much but she realized right there and then, they would never be gone. Because she remembered, she remembered potato cake was Pietro's favourite, and her dad used to drink red wine while serving just a pinch to her and Pietro. That her mother used to prepare the chicken with paprika and teach her how to do it. 

Wanda dared to look into your mind, just enough to read the surface to try and see the real reason behind your actions. But the only thing she found was you being nervous about the food, about the movie. Nervous about her liking this idea of being friends. Then pain, because your foot was still hurting, and then you were wondering if you should combine the wine with the painkillers. 

You shifted furrowing your brows a little, you leaned in waving your hand in front of Wanda's eyes. 

"You there, Principessa? Did I break you?" 

Wanda offered a real smile, it was a tug at her lips, her eyes hinning lightly. 

"Thank you, Y/N."

She was being sincere; she was really thankful for your help. Thankful for you trying to get closer with the most unexpected gestures. You leaned back, smiling back. 

"It is my pleasure, Wanda. I meant it when I said I wanna be friends with you," You winked at her leaning in to grab the TV control. "What should we watch the?" 

"How about you show me what you like," Wanda leaned in, grabbing her plate filled with warm food. 

You made a face shooting her a calculating stare. 

"I'm not sure you're ready for that." You served the wine and turned into one of the servers. "I like horror movies, so…" 

"Please, try me."

You smirked at her, unable to hold your tongue at the obvious opening Wanda had offered. 

"I will if you let me, Principessa." Wanda almost choked on her food, you chuckled, turning it into one of your favourite movies. "I warn you though, I'm not into cuddling or snuggling if you get too scared. Though if you ask politely I may consider it."

You never saw the pillow coming until it hit you in the face, Wanda hid her smile turning to the movie while you sat there dumbfounded, your plate filled with food barely hanging there. 

"I will have my revenge, Principessa, you just wait." The threat hung in the air while you sat comfortably, closer than was probably necessary to Wanda. 

After that, the both of you did nothing more than enjoy the food and the movies. Light conversation grew slowly, comments about the movies and the acting filled the silence. 

Neither of you noticed the night coming in, or the moment you two fell asleep. 

It was almost dawn when you woke up startled, your head turning around to see the darkened room and the quiet night. Wanda was snuggled onto the sofa, hugging the pillow she had thrown to you early on. 

You watched her for a couple of minutes before shaking your head. Your heart thumping against your chest at the sight. 

Chapter 3

The town at the end of the world

The fridge was completely empty. 

You pursed your lips when you realised your favourite ingredients and your favourite snacks were missing. The last of them going out last night, you furrowed your brows making a quick calculation in your mind, if your fridge was empty then your guest next door must be too. It was time for you to go to the town.

For a brief moment, your mind went to the house next door, to those small glimpses of the other woman you got from time to time. She wasn’t looking any better, sometimes she looked thinner and tired, and the chills you got whenever you approached the house told you whatever she was doing inside it was not good.

There were moments in which you thought of going over there, perhaps interrupted whatever it was Wanda was doing and give her options. But some others, you thought this would be a case for Natasha and her band of superheroes, on those moments you had your phone on your hand stopping centimetres away from Natasha’s contact. You always stopped yourself, though; there was something making you hesitated and you ended up being on guard and watching the house closely making sure to be ready if you were needed it at any time.

The vibration from your phone and the indistinguishable sound of the oncoming message broke your thoughts away, you furrowed your brow watching as you saw the familiar light of a message and the name of Yelena right at the top of it. 

They think Wanda stole a really dangerous book. The body of Vision disappeared along with the former director of Sword. It’s funny watching how Stark and Wilson are running around like chickens, Natasha and I are the only ones holding this together.

The message came with two emojis, the one with the thinking face and the one rolling his eyes. Your lips twitched upwards, you could imagine Yelena imitating those faces, while also writing to you highly classified information

For a brief moment you considered your next actions, you could take it for what it was a simple message. An update for a gossip you had been enjoying lately. But there was something bothering you, poking at the back of your mind that made you shivered uncomfortably.

Before you could even stop yourself you were already calling on Yelena. There were two rings before she picked up the line. 

“I never imagined you would call.”

“After such a message, of course I will call.” You rolled your eyes when you heard the chuckle on the other side, “you received the wine?”

There was a long silence, then a heavy sigh.

“I did, thank you, Y/N.”

You smiled hearing Yelena was something you had missed, your feet took you to the front window, your eyes soon falling on the figure of Wanda walking slowly to the house. You noticed the loose, summer dress she was wearing, her hair was unkempt and there were heavy bags under her eyes. You could notice she was thinner, and the aura of pure sadness around her never really left, she just learnt to hide it.

“I always enjoyed your wine, but I thought you would bring it yourself.” Her tone was half teasing and half serious, your eyes stayed on the lane leading to the secret garden.

“I thought you would finally come and visit me again, Lena.” You smiled hearing the intake of breath from the other woman, you wished there was more than sisterly love for her. Yelena deserved to be happy, and you could not give her what she wanted. “But I’m glad you enjoyed it, I know how much you love my wine.”

There was a moment of silence, you knew Yelena was looking for the right words but in the end she just sighed again. You cleared your throat, breaking the silence. 

“So, tell me what happened to the book, what do you mean Vision's body disappeared and do I know the director of Sword?"

You summarised the best you could the message Yelena had sent; you could hear the amusement coming from her as she tried to explain the situation.

“Natasha said that a book is missing from that witch’s home, the one from Westview,” Yelena explained slowly, “since Maximoff used her magic to bind the woman here, they went to ask her but she doesn't remember much. We wouldn't bother with a missing book if Strange hadn't come sputtering about the book and dark Magic, and a bunch of Harry Potter nonsense.”

You snickered rolling your eyes at the explanation, though part of you was wondering just what book was worth getting the sorcerers from Kamar-Taj into the situation.

“They think Wanda has it?” You guessed leaning against the wall, your attention to the front yard of your home.

“Seems that way.” Yelena said simply, you could imagine her face and you could also tell there was something else. Yelena never called or reached out to you unless she needed someone to talk to or vent to.

“Lena, anything you’re not telling me?” You asked and by the noise Yelena made through the line you know that was the case.

"What she did to these people, only to have her robot toy…" Yelena sounded disgusted as she spoke, "then all of a sudden the body disappeared right under Stark's nose and this guy that threatened her is missing too…" 

By now you were understanding her concerns, you pursed your lips not knowing how to contribute in the conversation without mingling too much. 

“I’m worried about you; she is unstable and did a lot of damage around here.” Yelena took a deep breath as she continued. “Many wanted her head, but Stark and the rest of the club wanted to protect her.”

“The club?” You asked with a hint of amusement in your voice.

“The Avengers, earth’s mighty heroes.” You could almost hear the roll of eyes behind that comment, you chuckled and shook your head while going to the fridge.

“I can handle her, don’t worry.” You said simply furrowing your brows when you see the list of food you would need. “She hasn’t been out of the house that much, and when she is we don’t even talk.”

“Still, I wish…well…” Yelena trailed off before continuing. “I’ve got a mission, New York, some net of idiots and another bigger idiot running around with a suit that isn’t theirs.”

“Good, glad you have your hands full, but I hope you will come over to give me a visit.” You replied putting the list out of the magnet on the fridge. “I’ll be fine, Lena. Wanda is not that dangerous, and I really can handle her. I’m starting to believe Natasha was right, you know?”

“What do you mean?” The question came rough, a little harsh and you winced at that.

“I think that all she needs is…time to find herself. Life has not been kind to her, she hasn’t had a rest ever since she started down the superheroes path.” You tried to explain to the woman at the other end of the line, you could hear Yelena huffing.

“You sound charmed by her, has she charmed you already?” There was a trace of jealousy behind the comment, and Yelena was sounding rough and hurt.

It was amusing this was the first reaction from Yelena, though you knew it was nothing personal. Wanda had represented many things to the younger woman, this was just another item in her long list of why she should dislike everyone that got closer to Natasha while she was away. You approached the front door, the heavy heat of the morning hit you straight in your face, the salty breeze refreshing your uncovered skin.

Yelena kept babbling about how everyone seemed charmed by the young witch, everyone was ready to protect her without seeing how potentially dangerous she was. You held back your laughter, it was absurd to think the charm coming from Wanda would extend to attraction. You had decided to offer a friendly hand, yes. But nothing beyond would develop between the both of you, Wanda was so invested in her past and you were certainly not that attracted to her. 

“Lena, I’m not charmed by Maximoff, I promise you that.” You rolled your eyes when there was a sound of disbelief coming from the blond woman. “Look, she is not in a good place right now, you and I both know how it feels. How bad it really is, more so if you don’t have anyone beside you.”

“I know.” Yelena admitted grudgingly after you waited for her answer, you allowed yourself a content smile, your eyes drifting to the house next door.

“She needs a friend that’s not any of those who have the world on their shoulders and can only pay her half the attention she deserves.” You lifted your head to the sky watching the blue sky above your head. “I’m trying to offer her that, it is up to her if she wants to accept it or not. So far, she seems reluctant.”

You pressed your ear to the phone, there was sound in the background voices of women and men, Yelena took a deep breath and cursed in Russian. It was time for her to go.

“Don’t get attached.” Yelena grumbled petulantly, you chuckled hearing her talking faster. “And take care of yourself if you need anything you know how to find me. Now I have to go, but I will drag Natasha to Italy after this mission.”

“I would hold you to that, Lena. Take care, idiots or not, I would hate for you to get hurt before you get a chance to taste my new recipe.” Your feet start making their way to the next door, the sound coming from the phone growing in intensity.

“You’re offending me, idiots or not, I will deal with them without any trouble and then…I’ll get to taste that recipe.” There was a moment of silence on the other end, then, “be careful, I…bye.”

You glanced at the phone for a moment, there was a tug on your chest wishing things were different. Soon you turned your attention to the house right in front of you and everything changed; it was a hot summer morning, your skin felt warm and there was a thin layer of sweat on your face and neck. Yet as soon as you approached the house, everything went cold.

The heavy tension in the air, alongside the strange cold wave coming from the house told you something else was at work here. If you were to open yourself to the magic surrounding the place, you would sense it. The desperation, the hopefulness…the misery. As soon as you opened the link you closed it, it was too much.

And there was a single signature in all of this. Wanda.

**********

Wanda blinked once, twice her lips forming a thin line while her eyes changed from green to red. The world behind her flickered between the light colours of the bathroom to the crimson of a pocket universe she had been working on, her reflection stared at her expressionless with nothing but red.

She on the other hand could feel the tears rolling down her cheeks.

The night and morning had been unbearable.

There was a knot on her throat, the thoughts of Vision and Pietro, the memories of her parents and war. Some days were good, she could hold onto the good memories and the beautiful moments she shared with her loved ones; there were other days in which the emptiness in her heart, the void left behind threatened to consume her.

His voice was always there. 

I feel you.

We should retire, run away just the two of us.

Y-you’re pregnant?

Wanda clenched her fists with a whimper escaping her lips, and after that first one stopping the tears was almost impossible. Everything hurt, and there was not a single thing she could do to exit the desperation consuming her soul. 

There is a way…the Darkhold…a world of your own making…aren’t you curious about your children? How would they look? The perfect life without anyone or anything coming in your way.

There was a flickering of black and red wisps of energy, the bathroom trembling slightly while Wanda knelt on the floor hugging herself. She took a breath, rocking back and forth while her mind drew a clear image of a child with short hair, dark eyes, the same goofy smile as Vision but the same sharp features as Wanda. 

She could have it all, she just needed to stop being afraid of the consequences and how much it would cost. Wasn’t that why she had stolen the book? Wasn’t that why she had acceded to travel all the way to a forgotten town so she could get away from the watchful eyes of the Avengers? 

Another sob escaped her lips and whatever had grown surrounding her soon went away, leaving behind a broken woman that was trying to control the growing emotions in her heart. She wasn’t sure how long it took her to stand up, let the cold water of the shower wash away the intensity of her emotions. 

She was tired of crying, she was tired of losing…she was just so tired of everything…

Wanda looked at her reflection noticing the dark bags under her eyes, the fatigued in her features and the trembling of her body for the lack of food and sleep. The young woman lowered her eyes to the sink, her eyebrows coming together in a thoughtful expression.

She couldn’t go further with her thoughts, a knock on the front door brought her back to the reality of her world. With a heavy heart, and confusion and misery right above her mind she decided to see who was at the door.

You stood right in front of her with all the confidence in the world, your weight resting on your left leg one hand lifting a single piece of paper while your lips curled into an easy smile. For the second time in less than twenty days she had been in this place, Wanda Maximoff found herself quite shocked.

Her eyes wandered around your body from your sneakers to the loose trousers, and the tight blouse marking your curves. Everything in you was a mark of relaxation and confidence Wanda was always surprised to see. 

“Can I…help you?” Wanda discovered herself unsure, her voice wavering slightly and while she tried to hold herself back with confidence while putting her shoulders back and crossing her arms there was a vulnerability on her face left behind by her breakdown.

“Actually, I was hoping I could help you.” You replied pointing with your chin the inside of the house, Wanda placed herself between the entrance and the open door trying to cover the shadows flickering inside.

You didn’t miss that gesture, but opted to ignore it in favour of the woman standing before you.

“I know there must be little to nothing in your kitchen, and mine is the same. Care to come with me and pick up some supplies?” You asked casually, your feet took a few steps back to give Wanda time to react.

For a brief moment, Wanda didn’t know what to do or say.

The house had become her sanctuary, it was a place in which she found she could feed her dreams and nightmares. Wanda had stopped wanting to go out there ever since she realised there was nothing out there. Everything she needed, everything she wanted was inside her dreams and the power held within herself. All she was looking for was time to harness the necessary power to get what she wanted.

What she needed.

“Or you can give me a list of the things you want, whatever works for you, Principessa.” You replied after the silence stretched out to be uncomfortable.

Wanda shook her head blinking before turning her face away, you waited until a flickered of darkness came from inside the house. You narrowed your eyes, soon noticing the black ink adorning the fingers of the witch standing before you.

The tattoos in your arms burning slightly, and your body dropping in temperature.

“You know what?” You asked all of a sudden, your face breaking into a huge grin while you approached Wanda grabbing her hand in yours. “Let me take you to the village, I’m pretty sure you would love it and you can pick up whatever you want to eat.”

The single gesture, while insignificant to most, meant everything to Wanda at the moment. The growing shadows in her mind and eyes receded, her green eyes found those of yours and the warmth of your hand felt comfortable around hers. Whatever coldness she usually experienced after spending time reading the book left and soon she could actually experience the heat of the day. Much like the time she went with you to the garden, this time around her thoughts dissipated and all she could feel was peace.

“I…my wallet…” She started but you snorted, shaking your head.

“Please, my threat, it is my duty to make sure my guests are well attended.” You flashed another grin stepping back still holding the other woman’s hand in yours.

For some reason, Wanda felt disappointed at your words. She was a guest, and you were doing this out of customer service. Out of duty, like everyone in her life. 

“You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to, Y/N. I am more than okay, and you have been a great host as it is…” she started again trying to pull her hand away from yours.

You let go softening your features, “if that’s what you want, then I won’t push you anymore.”

Wanda nodded curtly, you sighed not understanding what had happened. A moment ago, she was willing to go and now…

“I just…I was hoping for your company.” You finally revealed furrowing your brows at the revelation, at the fact you meant those words. It wasn’t only because of the dark magic you could sense inside the house; it was because you really thought it would be nice to have her coming with you.

You were pretty sure Wanda would like the town.

Wanda heard the voices in her head, her heart thumping against her chest. There was no time for this, for someone else. There was no time to get distracted. Vision was waiting for her, and the child…the one destined to be born out of their love was waiting as well.  

“I guess…I will bring some provisions to you then, I’ll be back in a few hours.” You stepped back, turning to the main entrance of the property. Just before you left completely, you turned around the sun of the morning hitting your frame, your grin matching the brightness of the day.

“I will be sure to bring more chocolate then.”

Wanda snapped her face at you, watching as you made your way to a small, black car. She grabbed the knob on the door, a moment of hesitation building up in her mind. The voices called out to her, but something else was there. The words from Natasha and Monica, Clint’s advice…Vision’s own words before leaving her.

And then, you.

You jumped startled when Wanda sat at the other side closing the door rather harshly.

“Are you sure you closed the door?” You shot her a glare, though your lips curled in a smile.

“Sorry, I just…” Wanda gestured with her hands, not really finding a good explanation. Her green eyes met yours, her lips curling in a tentative smile. “I’m not sure you know what kind of chocolate I like.”

You snorted while starting the car, “I don’t think it is too hard to figure you out, Principessa, you’re just too easy to read.”

Wanda scrunched up her nose, leaning back with some incredulity in her stare. For some reason the comment bothered her, coming from a stranger it was a little arrogant to think they could read someone like her. Wanda centred her eyes on you, tilting her head she tried to apply what Natasha and Steve had taught her at some point. 

You kept the smile on your lips, your eyes gleaming with a light she found fascinating. The light of the day contrasts with your tan, and the relaxed posture. The young witch scrunched up her nose, there wasn't much she could read on you at the moment, nothing beyond what she already knew. You were kind and confident, a little irksome but that was her personal appreciation of you. 

"You make it sound as if it was easy to read someone else." Wanda shifted in the seat turning her eyes to the road ahead of them, you made a sound of agreement though waited for the other woman to continue. 

"But in reality it could be difficult to read someone you barely know." There were traces of coldness in Wanda's voice, she spoke as if her experiences had been enough to teach her this. 

“I thought you had learnt a thing or two from Natasha." There was something irksome in the way you usually spoke to Wanda, something that made Wanda react in ways she couldn't explain. 

Your comment made her glare at the road, you chuckled and shrugged. 

"With time, it becomes second nature, so it makes it easy to read people like you." 

Wanda let out a breathless laugh, cold and almost annoyed.

"People like me?" She sounded bitter, hurt and when you glanced at her out of the rear-view mirror you could see she was hurt. 

"Lost." You said softly. "Sad. People like you, Wanda, that don't know what to do, that don't know how to do it or even if they can make it."

Those words pierced Wanda painfully, she tensed her body and soon was regretting her decision of coming over on the trip. On this forsaken vacation. 

The village was getting closer, the road had changed abruptly and while the morning was bright and warm inside your car there were shadows and coldness. 

"That's what your ability to read people tells you about me? The type of person I am?" Wanda spat out. "I thought you were a good spy, like Natasha."

You mused over what to say, your hand tight around the wheel. You glanced at the woman out of the rear-view mirror, you knew whatever you said right now would be vital to reach out to Wanda. You meant every word you said to Natasha, if this situation turned out to be too dangerous, or too difficult you would step back. You wouldn’t submit yourself to an impossible task ever again, you had suffered enough to last you a lifetime. And it did. The cost you paid was too high. 

Still, there was something about Wanda… 

“Well, cat got your tongue?” Wanda asked with a hint of sarcasm in her tone.

"I can see you don't want to be alone, but you don't know how to approach others without getting hurt in the process." You spoke, your voice warmth and understanding. "You have lost so much; you don't want to go through that ever again. Yet, whatever it is you think you want; it is not what you're looking for."

You let out a sigh, and for a brief moment you turned your head to lock eyes with hers. 

"However, you will keep chasing things you don't need, things that are not there anymore because you're too afraid to discover the things that you really deserve." You went back to the road, your voice resounding in the car. "That you deserve to be happy, to be loved and to have a real life."

The words came like a bucket of cold water, Wanda sat there with her eyes on the road. The words piercing at her heart, the implications of what you just said breaking her more than she cared to admit.

Just as you thought the silence would stretch out until it was almost impossible to wear, she spoke. This time around, something inside of you stirred in sympathy and something else for the woman sitting right beside you.

“You don’t know what you are talking about. Nobody knows what they are talking about.”

 _____________________________________________________________

Saturday mornings in the town of Vernazza were filled with children's energy and adults enjoying a nice walk through the plaza or a cold beverage on their favourite balcony. The city was located right in front of the ocean, there was no beach but a harbour in which fisher boats rest swinging slowly to the will of the wind and waves. 

Here and there it was obvious the townspeople were enjoying the routine. Laughter and conversation ran through the streets, teens with mobiles and silly faces planning their afternoon adventures while their mothers and fathers ran around looking for fresh fish for lunch. Or a nice bottle of wine, along with some beer and gossip with neighbours. 

It was like another Saturday morning, with the houses and the building arranged with modernity and tradition. The town presented itself like a paradise, and for those who had lived long enough in the city it was. You couldn't help the smile drawing on your lips, coming to the village was something you enjoyed greatly and while you didn't do it as often as you should, whenever you were back it was as if you had never left. 

No sooner had you stopped the car the passenger's door opened and you saw the retreating form of Wanda strolling down the streets. You sat there for a moment, pursing your lips thoughtfully. It hadn't been your intention to hurt Wanda, but your conversation with Yelena told you something you didn't consider before. Everyone was so ready to feel sorry for Wanda, to see how they could correct their mistakes by offering empty promises to fill the void in the witch's heart. But nobody had confronted her with her mistakes, with how wrong some of the things she did were. 

Nobody had really cared to hear the story, to find out why she had done it. 

The darkness surrounding the redhead was nothing more than loneliness. A loneliness she was forced to endure from an early age, a void she never got to fill because she never grief. The world had been cruel to her, and Wanda saw no reason as to why she couldn't be cruel to the world. 

If other's got what they wanted, why couldn't she? 

A book is missing. 

There were many dangerous books out there, what could possibly put the sorcerer Supreme and Strange on high alert to the point they suspected Wanda? 

A shiver ran through your body, your tattoos burning on your skin. A warning. The blackened fingertips, the shadows… 

The sound of children laughing and throwing a ball broke your thoughts, you scowled at the reflection on the mirror. Since when did you take so long thinking about someone like Wanda? Why were you so worried about her? If she was messing with something she didn’t understand or could even control that was on her, right?

You exited the car stretching out while letting your eyes wander back to the road Wanda had taken before disappearing. A tug at your heart, the sight of such a broken face almost made you want to follow the redhead; with great effort you gave your back to the road and decided to get the shopping done before lunch

______________________________________________________________

The grocery store of the town was a corner house made of wood, bricks, and vines with two balconies overlooking the main street. The owners name was Gustaff, an old man that had lost his whole family to the Blip and found himself alone for five long years; after everyone was snapped back into the world, life was not the same and Gustaff himself had changed. Now, and after many tribulations, he lived alone with two of his grandchildren, the only ones that decided to stay behind.

“Signora, Y/N, it is good to see you again so early in the month.” The old man greeted with his ever-present smile, his wrinkles accentuating whenever he laughed or made exaggerated gestures to get a giggle from his clients. 

You took his hand in yours, your smile just as bright.

“Gustaff, all the food I usually buy here is so delicious it doesn’t last the whole month!” You exclaimed, shaking your head. “Besides, the truth is, I was dying to see you again.”

Gustaff let out a thunderous laugh, he cocked his head shooting you a calculating stare.

“I still don’t know how you can be single, with such a sweet talk.”

“The mysteries of life, Gustaff.”

The old man let you in the store, at this time of the day some of the teenagers looking to have some money during summer were already working around their shift. Gustaff took you to the back, he knew how particular you were about the stuff you bought and while you didn’t mind the teens or anybody else, Gustaff liked helping you around.

That, and setting you up with whoever was single and attractive.

“I heard you have a new guest,” the old man offered you a seat, “is she pretty?”

You chuckled, shooting the man a mocking glare, “really Gustaff, all my guests are attractive, and I’m not interested in any of them.”

Gustaff sighed leaning back on his chair, his eyes drifted to the front of the store then back to you.

“You really should give yourself a chance, dear. Life is too short, and even if it wasn't, we should always have someone worthy to spend your life with.” This time around you knew he was speaking from experience, not only he lost his family but a year before the Blip his wife had died of cancer. 

He was really a hopeless romantic, and the loss of his wife had almost destroyed him. The store and the village were all he had left. You offered a sympathetic grin, placing a comforting hand on his.

“Gustaff, I promise you, as soon as I feel something for someone you will be the very first person to find out.” You spoke seriously, leaning in to share the secret. “And, since I promise this, I’m going to admit something to you that doesn’t mean a thing, deal?”

This time around the old man leaned in, eyebrows raised in interest.

“Go on, you can tell me.”

For a brief moment you hesitated, this was something you just realised a few moments ago and you wanted it to mean nothing. It meant nothing, just a normal reaction, a biological and even psychological one. Nothing else, nothing more.

“My new guest is really attractive, you know?” You said evading his eyes. “Like, ridiculous, beautiful you don’t even imagine. She has the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen. There, now you know I do feel some things, just not the romantic ones.”

“What do you mean not the romantic ones? My grandson was saying to me how an amazing ass the girl he likes had, while you’re telling me about the eyes of your girl.” Gustaff rolled his eyes, “youth these days, my grandson needs a good lesson in what is really important. Or at least what you should mention first.”

“She is not my girl,” you clarified shifting on the chair, “and I agree with you, the ass can’t be the first thing you notice. What’s the point?”

The old man nodded in agreement, then he returned his stare to you and this time around he was all business.

“So business is going just fine, eh? How long is she staying?”

You made a face looking away for a moment, “look if I tell you, promise not to make a huge deal out of it?”

“Now, Signora Y/L/N,” you cringed at him using your last name, he merely chuckled ignoring your glare, “I would never make a huge deal out of something that it isn’t.”

“That’s not reassuring at all, Gustaff.” You sighed, shrugging, “she is staying for a year.”

“A year? With you? My dear, are you sure it’s just a guest?” Gustaff winked at you. “A year may turn into a happily ever after, you know? I did read fairy tales in my youth.”

The old man laughed at your spluttering face; you lifted a hand though you couldn’t help but smile at the insinuation of him reading fairy tales. He laughed some more before waving his hand away.

“Please, Gustaff, is nothing like that.” You rolled your eyes when the man huffed, shaking his head. 

“Of course not! You’re stubborn and decide to play celibacy.” The man huffed while you opted to not correct his assumptions, you opted out of a relationship, no sex.

Gustaff leaned back then, turning his posture in a business like one, his tone changing as he decided to get down to business.

“You’re out of supplies then, tell me what you need for this new guest with beautiful eyes?”

You rolled your eyes, you knew the old man would never let it go but it didn’t matter. You handed him the list of supplies you would need, the man read the list pursing his lips while nodding and frowning at some.

“I have most of these, I think I can arrange something similar to some of them.” He lifted his eyes to you waiting for your approval.

“No problem.” You offered a single smile before the lips dropped into a line. “There is something else I would like to ask.”

“You didn’t need to mention it, Y/N, I got your usual order of alcohol ready to be delivered.” You chuckled, shaking your head at the man, the old man softened slightly when he noticed the subtle blush on your cheeks and the sudden nervous shift in your movements.

“It’s not that, I was just…” Here you trailed off wondering why exactly you were doing what you were about to do.

It was true what you had told Yelena, you were not charmed by Wanda. On the contrary, she was someone with a deep sadness that found herself unable to let go of her fears and her own inadequacy to break down the deep loneliness she felt.

It was as if she had attached herself to the first individual she thought was offering the world, and when they were gone she was left alone again. Yet you could also tell the same fear and inadequacy was what prevented her to move forward, or to try and reach out to others. You pursed your lips, you could empathise with her, and understand what she felt. You had been there before. Perhaps, this was the reason you were trying to reach out to her slowly, to offer her what you were offered in the past. 

A friend. A shoulder to cry on. Someone that would finally listen to her.

“My guest you see…” You ignored the knowing stare from Gustaff, the old man cocking his brows hearing attentively to you. “She has been through some rough days and has not been eating at all nor has she been at her best, I was hoping a home-made meal could help her out some.”

There were moments in which Gustaff would love to know the whole story of your past, he would like to know who had broken your heart so badly that you were closed completely to even try it out again. And yet, there was still a glimpse of hope behind your gestures and your words, as if you were waiting for someone to break the shield you had put around yourself from that tempestuous past.

The old man knew this meant nothing; you had always been special to your guests; yet he couldn’t help but think perhaps this time around would be different. A year shouldn’t pass without anything changing in you, right?

“Home-made meal?” Gustaff cocked his head, the knowing glint turning into one of pure amusement. You tried to hold yourself up, not showing any other emotion than mild interest.

“Yeah, she is from Sokovia, you know?” This time around the old man looked highly shocked at the revelation.

Everyone knew about Sokovia, how the place had tried to rebuild after the Avengers and the crazy machine had tried to destroy it. Stark Industries had been an active participant in the reconstruction, and nowadays was starting to become one of the most important centres of refugees around the world. 

“Sokovia! Now that’s an interesting guest.” Gustaff made a thinking face narrowing his eyes at you. “What were you thinking?”

“Well, that’s it, I was thinking something typically sokovian, I got some recipes in here, perhaps you can give me a hand?” You asked innocently at the man.

Gustaff let his eyes linger in you, the old man pursed his lips but knew it was fruitless to press you into saying something else. 

“I think I can get something to make a nice paprikash beef, some borscht, some potatoes cake and something vegetarian.” Gustaff shook his head. “Anything else?”

“What about the alcohol you promised?” 

His laughter resounded in the small room, he stood up alongside you, your hand went to your wrist watching the time. It was almost midday.

“Look, Gustaff, I need to go and find her because it’s almost midday and I let her wander around the town.” You said shifting on your feet. “Do you mind if I leave you to it? I will be back in a couple of hours.”

“No problem, Signora Y/N, your supplies and purchases are in good hands.” The old man smiled at you. “Leave it all to me, and when you’re back it will be ready.”

“Thank you.”

As soon as you left the protective coolness of the store, you were faced down with unbearable heat. It was almost midday indicating the sun was at its highest point and not breeze would touch the land any time soon, there wasn’t a single cloud in the sky and you could guess it was at least 40 degrees out there.

There was a moment of hesitation from your part, your body tingle with anticipation and your mind played with the hundredth of different scenarios that could occur to you once you reached your destination. It was foolish, you had never before now doubted or even thought so much about an interaction before.

You pursed your lips turning around and going back into the store, one of the few teens at the aisle lifted her face in confusion, you offered a tentative smile scratching the back of your head at her.

“Ho dimenticato qualcosa.” The girl giggled blushing lightly.

“Cossa posso fare per lei?” She asked in return, batting her eyelashes at you. 

“posso avere due bottiglie d'acqua? Puoi metterlo sul mio conto.” You watched as the young woman ran down the store to the closest fridge, she came back with your request.

“Grazzie!” Before she could say anything you turned around and left once more.

Once more you were faced with the heat of the day, your eyes lowered to one of the bottles and the image of Wanda came briefly to your mind. You cleared your head, closing up whatever possibilities you were already forming in your head; what you were doing you were doing out of your friendship with Natasha and sympathy for the little witch. 

Nothing else, nothing more.

______________________________________________________________

Wanda wanted to run.

The moment she left the car, the only thought dancing around her mind was ways to escape the place she had been forced to be in from the very beginning. Wanda knew she was stressed, the fact she could hear the towns thoughts invading her mind told her as much, yet it was getting difficult for her to get a hold of her own abilities at the moment everything was coming back at her tenfold and she wasn’t sure how she should react or how she could gain controlagain.

“…whatever it is you think you want, it is not what you're looking for. However, you will keep chasing things you don't need, things that are not there anymore because you're too afraid to discover the things that you really deserve."

You didn’t understand, no one really understood what Wanda was feeling. Everyone was happy telling her what she had created was not real. That whatever she thought she felt or lived in there was just a fantasy and that her trying to get back there was a waste of time.

Wanda kept on walking, a hand on her head while she tried to quiet down the mixing thoughts of the inhabitants of the town. The young woman strolled down empty alleys, never looking up with red tendrils of red surrounding her hands while the whisper of thoughts threatened to make her head explode.

It had been so easy for you to say those things, to confront Wanda to some harsh truths because you didn’t know what it was like to be her. Nobody did, and that was the issue, right? No one knew just…how lonely she was, how heartbroken she had been from the very beginning.

It was so difficult to continue ignoring how happy she had been back in Westview, how completed her life was when Vision was by her side. Or knowing she was going to be a mother, that there was nothing or anyone that would come in between to fracture her life. That Pietro was alive and her parents…

The tendrils of red magic appeared on her fingertips, the crackling of magic startling her for a moment when she realised she could see her reflection on the calm waters of the sea lapping at the dock she found herself standing in. Her eyes blinked to see only red, the strange crown adorning her head and the clothing she had used at some point back in Westview coming in the form of a mirage.

There is only one way…you can have it all, Wanda, all you ever wanted with a flickered of your fingertips.

The overwhelming sensation of power running down her veins, her heart was beating fast against her chest while the voice, the ever-present voice of the Darkhold whispering the promises of the life she deserved. The life she had. She would give birth to a child born out of her love for Vision, and then once she had completed the ritual no one in this universe or another would be able to break her away from her reality.

Wanda clenched her eyes closed as images of her parents flash through her mind, their smiles and words moments before exploding right in front of her eyes. The moment she felt her soul being split in a half when Pietro gave his last breath, her heart breaking when she killed Vision for nothing. Then, Westview…

Nobody would ever understand what it felt like, everyone was so ready to tell her how sorry they were and that everything would be okay with time. 

It never got better after she lost her parents, or Pietro, or Vision.

Everything got worse, and she was just begging to stop feeling like this. So lost. So lonely.

Her emotions were threatening to be overwhelming; she could already feel the same power she felt moments before she created her version of a perfect world. Her heart was beating hard, the thumbing of the blood pounding on her ears, and the energy of chaos magic filling up her senses.

The horn of a ship resounded through the harbour.

Wanda was startled awake by the sound, her eyes blinked lifting to the sight of a faraway ship crossing the ocean. She stood there suddenly aware of the sound of laughter and conversation around her, soon she noticed the other boats and ships, the houses in the great plaza behind her. She swallowed down her emotions, the tears rolling down her cheeks with her eyes admiring the ocean for the first time.

The wind brushed against her face, and the sweet aroma of rosemary and the salty taste of the sea reached her nostrils, bringing a peace she had not allowed herself to feel before. The sun was already at its highest point, kissing her skin with a comforting warmth until the coldness on her limbs and abdomen receded some. The coldness on her heart and mind though, was still there poking shadows in her eyes.

For the very first time, Wanda realised she had never seen the ocean.

Of course, she had been near it countless of times in missions around the world, she had been near the sea from time to time, even when she was on the run. But she had never had the time to stop for a moment and contemplated it. 

She had never been this close.

The bright hues of blue and green mixed together in a single texture, the white foam caressing the rocks of the harbour and the groyne stretching out from the left of the plaza. Wanda put her arms around herself, her heart beating fast at the memories flashing before her mind.

"It can't all be sorrow, can it? I've always been alone, so I don't feel the lack. It's all I've ever known. I've never experienced loss because I never had a loved one to lose... but what is grief, if not love persevering?"

This time around the memory of Vision was different, the tears were back but her lips curled into a nostalgic smile. She put her arms around herself, trying to get a hold of her ability to stop listening to everyone’s thoughts around her. Her concentration was cut by a hit on her leg. She furrowed her brows watching as a football passed rolling down her leg straight to the ocean.

The flickered of her hand was instinctively, the tendrils of red spread out and stopped the ball before reaching its sad destiny. Wanda furrowed her brows bringing the ball to her hands, turning to see a group of kids running up to her. All of them were watching her with wide eyes, but it was a dark-haired one, the only one brave enough to approach her.

“Grazie!!” The dark-haired kid said stopping right in front of Wanda, he glanced at her rather timidly for a moment stretching his arms up. “Posso avere la palla?”

Wanda observed as the rest of the children came in, all of them with wide eyes watching her in awe but still rather shy to even approach her. The young woman felt a tug at her heart, she offered a tentative smile to the dark-haired kid giving him the ball back. For a moment, Wanda thought that would be it, until one of the kids pushed the dark-haired one, opening his eyes wide as if telling him to say something.

Wanda couldn’t help her amusement, while she didn’t dare to read beyond what she could see in their faces their thoughts were getting louder by the minute. Children were always like this, quite open and disorganised in their thoughts and yet, it was comforting in a way to see there was still innocence in the world.

“Sei carino,” The other kids merely giggled, while the first one pouted, grabbing the ball with a soft blush on his face before lifting her eyes at Wanda, “sei un supereroe?”

There was some hesitation on Wanda’s part, she could tell whatever the kid was saying must be really cute because he was blushing and the others seemed to be teasing him for it.

She offered a tentative smile, hoping her words would get through while wishing she could understand what they were saying.

“I’m sorry, I just don’t understand, I don’t speak Italian.”

“Little Alessandro seems to think you are a pretty lady, and he is quite curious to know if you are a superhero.” Your voice startled her, but instead of turning around her body tense and her eyes hardened a little; your voice dripped with amusement with a heavy accent as you spoke to the kids that giggled while looking back at Wanda.

“What did you say to them?” Wanda asked sharply, her whole body turning to face you with a hint of defiance in her stance.

“I just mentioned you were a little too old for him, but that I did agree with him. You are pretty.” Your lips curled into a content smile when those cheeks darkened and her eyes drifted back to the children.

Their curious eyes were on you and her, Alessandro was hugging the ball tightly against his chest. Wanda cocked her head so her attention would be directed to the children instead of you, you stepped closer stretching towards her the cold bottle of water.

“Here, you must be thirsty, it’s a hot day.” You waited patiently until her hand closed around the bottle, her face lifting slightly until her eyes were locked right with yours.

“Thank you.”

“No problem, Principessa.” You winked then walked past her to ruffle Alessandro’s hair.

The young kid exclaimed moving back with a pout fixing his hair, you chuckled, grabbing the ball wiggling your eyebrows at the group that soon scattered around. Wanda observed you for what seemed an eternity, you were playing with them quite literally; your football skills were quite remarkable and the children seemed to be struggling to get a hold of their ball again. You feinted a pass to the left, and while everyone went to the left you made a gesture to Alessandro who went right. In the end, Alessandro was the one who stole the ball and soon the children were back in their game.

You stepped back taking a long sip from your bottle, turning around you found the intense stare of Wanda on you. The young woman had her brows creased; her lips pursed in a thoughtful gesture. You tilted your head with a fluttering in your heart at the intensity behind the stare.

“Are you alright?” You finally asked, Wanda shifted lowering her gaze to the bottle of water all of a sudden she felt thirsty.

The midday sun was burning the land, you could feel it almost burning your skin while the lack of breeze made it almost impossible to get some relief. Once more Wanda and you were left alone, standing right in front of one another with a silence that had stretched out since the car drive. You lifted your eyes to the sky, then you spoke softly to her.

“I want to apologize for earlier.” This time around you found her eyes, the other woman clenched her jaw though the incredulous look she sent your way told you she didn’t believe you that much.

“Look, don’t get me wrong, I don’t regret my words.” You clarified. “But it wasn’t the way and I’m not anyone to tell you this. I’m just a stranger that happened to have a nice place in the midst of the best place in the world. Still, you and I, we’re just acquaintances so it wasn’t my place.”

Wanda should feel grateful, she should say something that would put the incident behind them. But for some reason, she felt hurt all over again; this time around what had pierced her heart deeply was how you referred to the both of you. Acquaintances.  Why did it bother her so much? Why did it hurt? It was stupid! You were right! The both of you barely know each other!!

The truth was Wanda had felt attraction towards you the moment she caught you training in the back yard, and in those little moments she had gotten a glimpse of you well…

“Right, I…” Wanda started shaking her head. “It’s okay, I shouldn’t leave the way I did.”

You offered her a smile, a real smile that reached out your eyes with dimples that marked your face in a cute way. Wanda’s heart fluttered and for some unknown reason her stomach felt like an explosion of tickles she tried to keep under control.

“Let’s just start over again, then.” You then pointed with your head the untouched bottle of water on Wanda’s hand. “You better drink some water, Principessa, you’re looking all hot and sweaty and I’m pretty sure you’re not used to this kind of weather.”

Wanda jumped startled glancing at the bottle, her face felt hot but for some reason she wasn’t sure it was because of the sun. Furrowing her brows and clearing out her mind of such intrusive thoughts, the young woman opened the bottle and took a long sip of water.

“Well, now that the awkwardness seems to be gone, what do you say if we go grab some lunch?” You pointed at yourself winking at the young woman. “My treat.”

Wanda opened her eyes for the very first time realising just how late it really was, she thought for a moment of the time she lost the moments that seemed like a flash of confusing images and thoughts. Her eyes drifted to her fingertips that were of her normal colour, though she was pretty sure early on they were black.

“I don’t want to impose; you don’t have to do it.” Wanda started talking but soon trailed off when your hand found hers. She couldn’t help but lock her eyes to yours.

“You wouldn’t be imposing, Principessa, that’s why I am inviting.” You started walking back pulling on her gently giving her the chance to let go or to stop you. “I promised you won’t regret it; this is the best place to eat in the whole town.”

After a moment of hesitation, Wanda accepted.

If Wanda had been paying attention, she would have noticed the lack of noise inside her head. No longer could she hear anyone’s thoughts, and the dark cold voice of the Darkhold had all but vanished, if only for a moment.

It wouldn’t be until later that day she would notice this small detail, her mind trying to catch up to what her heart was starting to feel.

 _____________________________________________________________

 “Y/N!” A young woman no older than sixteen came right at you wrapping her arms around your abdomen, your smile was so big and bright Wanda wondered just how many types of smiles you hide behind the arrogant exterior you had shown on your first meeting.

“Sprite!” Your arms wrapped tightly around the young woman, it had been way too long since you last saw her and watching her get this excited was something that warmed your heart. “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”

Sprite stepped back shrugging, her eyes gleamed strangely at you a story she held at the back of her mind while her eyes drifted to the newcomer.

“It’s a long story.” She mumbled eyeing Wanda with a hint of coldness on her stare. “And you are?”

“Oh, this is…” You trailed off turning to Wanda then back to Sprite. “Wanda, she is a guest at the Hill. Wanda, this is Sprite, she is our host’s niece.”

“Nice to meet you.” Wanda mumbled a little overwhelmed by the energy around the house.

“Oh, new guest then.” Sprite whole demeanour changed, and while she wasn’t looking all that welcoming at least the coldness in her stare softened a little. “Then, nice to meet you and welcome to the most boring town in existence.”

“I resent that!” The voice of an older woman reached the entrance hall. Wanda was quite surprised to see a middle-aged woman with dark hair and olive skin, her accent was thick and yet her tone was gently almost motherly.

“You were supposed to, this town is really boring.” Sprite drawled the last syllables until the word was too long.

“I resent the comment too, I love Vernazza!” You poked the young woman on her ribs, though she swatted your hand.

The woman came in, her smile just as bright as yours. Wanda crunched up her nose when you placed a kiss on her cheek.

“Ajak, looking as beautiful as always, don’t you?” Your voice dropped just enough to flirt with the other woman, Ajak snorted, rolling her eyes at you before settling her eyes on Wanda.

“You have to be careful with this one, she would flirt her way out of anything.” Wanda tried to offer a smile but it came out like a grimace, you lifted your arms looking offended though the twinkling in your eyes told you were really enjoying the banter.

“Please, Principessa over there is immune to my charm.” You never turned to Wanda, and the young woman pressed her lips together glancing away from the scene with a scowl in place.

“Anyway, Ajak, this is Wanda, she is staying at the Hill.” Then your attention was on Wanda, and for some reason you couldn’t understand there was a glint of annoyance in her green eyes. “Wanda, this is Ajak, our host for today.”

“A pleasure, eh…Ajak?” Wanda asked, lifting her brows, the woman chuckled, taking the offering hand.

“That’s right, you can just call me just Ajak.” Ajak shook her head in amusement when Sprite came right behind you talking slowly, almost secretively to you. The middle-aged woman glanced at Wanda with a deep stare, her dark eyes gleaming strangely before her lips curled into a gentle smile. “My niece has been having some issues as of late, and whenever she comes here Y/N it’s her confident, she tells her everything which is good because at least she is trusting someone I trust.”

“Oh, I see.” Wanda’s face fell a little though she soon tried to conceal her emotions. “You have a beautiful home, thank you for the invitation. I hope I’m not imposing on your private time with Y/N and your family.”

“Nonsense, dear you are more than welcome to come here.” Ajak cocked her head to the side, indicating with a gesture the house. “Would you like a tour?”

Wanda hesitated for a moment, she was tempted to say no when her eyes caught sight of you and Sprite talking in hushed whispers.

“Sure, that would be fine.”

Ajak turned out to be a delight.

The woman was quite talkative and in no time she was telling Wanda her story. She was from the Middle East, left her home at an early age and had been travelling the world with her family for a long time, one of her trips took her to Italy and the town of Vernazza so, when the time came for the family to split up, she decided to come back to the town and settled there.

She spoke of many places, and Wanda found herself forgetting her worries for a moment. She thought about her own adventures, how different they had been, how lonely and filled with concern of being found and not being able to actually enjoy the settings. 

The conversation shifted and, while Ajak never made intrusive questions, she started inquiring about Wanda in general. At first it was small things like where she came from, and how did she like the place so far; soon though, Wanda found herself telling the older woman about her family and the places she had been in, she told her about her favourite TV shows and what she had learnt about life so far. It was with small details Wanda started opening up a little, and for the very first time she found herself in front of someone that didn’t really know anything about her, about her past, about her deeds or mistakes.

Unlike other times, Wanda found herself relaxed and when she spoke about her family, about Pietro, there was nothing more than nostalgia and a glimmer of happiness in her. Ajak softened hearing the stories, she noticed the subtle changes in the redhead thinking perhaps it was not too late yet. 

“It is never easy to lose one’s family.” Ajak stated furrowing her brows, Wanda looked away not wanting to hear the same condolences she heard before. “No one understands, people are always going around saying how sorry they are for your loss but they are not. The pain, the grief is for one to carry on. No one would ever understand, and that’s okay. We don’t need them to, we just want…company. Even if they don’t know what to say.”

Wanda was taken aback by this, her eyes grew big, settling themselves on the woman. Ajak was not looking at her, if anything she seemed to be glancing at nothing then with a single shake of her head Ajak was returning her attention to Wanda.

“It is not an easy task, but I know sometimes people can be overwhelming.” Ajak offered a gentle smile Wanda could not return. “And yet, when they are really there for you, all they’re trying to do in the end is trying to help out. It’s all they can really do.”

“It has been difficult, but I’m getting there.” Wanda replied simply, “everyone was so ready to come over, to offer empty words…but, I never thought…”

This time around Wanda sighed, shifting as she played with the rings on her fingers.

“They gave me this trip, they thought I would appreciate the holidays.” The redhead furrowed her brows stopping right in front of the dining room. “I’m starting to think, they were right.”

Ajak shot her a calculating stare, for a brief moment the woman seemed deep in thought as if analysing the answers Wanda had given so far. Then her expression shifted and they were entering the dining room, the table had been set and you and Sprite were in the kitchen singing to some music they could barely hear.

“Sometimes, what we need is a change of perspective.” Ajak said, shrugging. “It is hard, and I won’t tell you it will pass, but perhaps it is time to see things under a different light. But enough serious talk, let’s go and eat.”

It had been quite some time since Wanda last had so much fun during lunch time. A part of her remembered those days in which she would spend her days preparing food for Vision or his boss or the neighbours; she would remember those moments in which all she did was try to keep the illusion alive but in her worries she never got a chance to really enjoy them. And before Westview, well…she had been on the run. There weren’t many chances of her sitting down to talk about everything and anything with strangers while enjoying good food.

This time around it was different.

And Wanda got to see a different side of you, she found herself glancing at you often taking into your smile and twinkling eyes hearing every word that you sputtered while chuckling at your jokes. Whatever darkness had been crawling deep inside her soul, whatever thoughts of power and ways to claim what was hers were out of her mind as she allowed herself to be at peace.

You were laughing at the story Sprite was telling, your eyes gleaming brightly settling on Wanda that returned the smile with one of her own. Your heart fluttered at the sight; it was the very first time you saw her smile. Her real one. It was beautiful. The type of smile you had never seen before, you found yourself wishing Wanda had more reasons to share such a smile with the world. Your heart skipped a beat when her hand placed on your forearm, you lifted your eyes to her only to find those green irises gleaming.

“I need to go to the bathroom.” She said sheepishly, you chuckled turning back signalling a long corridor.

“Straight to the left, then right.” You winked at her, unable to help yourself, the young woman dipped her head, her lips curling into a coy smile before she stood up and left.

Ajak and Sprite glanced at one another with surprise in their eyes, though it was Sprite the first one to talk.

“So, are you sure you want to be near her for over a year?” Sprite ignored the glare from Ajak, and you couldn’t help but furrow your brows at the question.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, she has been here for what? Twenty days? And you look like a puppy, all happy and giddy.” Sprite shrugged offering a wry smile. “It’s disgusting, really.”

You opened your eyes, shaking your head, you turned back to make sure Wanda was not coming over before looking back to the two women sending knowing glances your way.

“It’s nothing like that! We have spoken like three four times since she came here.” You whispered poking the table to make sure your point went across. “I’m just happy to see progress here, nothing else.”

“Progress?” Sprite asked confused, “I have never seen you smile like that for some progress.”

“Shut up! It’s not what you guys are thinking.”

“Doesn’t seem that way, you’re showing your dimples!” Sprite was rather proud of herself when you opened your eyes, sputtering with some indignation.

Ajak rolled her eyes, but before you could say something she cleared her throat pointing to the hall. Wanda was coming over, and the young woman looked different. She was more relaxed, easy on her footsteps with a single smile adorning her face.

“Ajak, I want to thank you for the lunch, and the conversation,” Wanda said while sitting down, “it has been quite a while since I last have something like this.”

“It is not me the one you need to thank, Wanda.” Ajak replied pointing with a single finger your way. “Y/N here told me she would bring you over and wanted for this to be special, if anything you need to thank her.”

You did not take your eyes from Ajak, fully aware those green eyes were glancing at you intently.

“I didn’t know that.” Wanda mumbled but said nothing else.

You glanced at your watch then to the women around the table, “I think I gotta go, Ajak, but let me help you with the dishes. Come on Sprite.”

“What? Why? You offer yourself!”

“Don’t be a child, come over.” You pushed the young woman while taking the plates to the kitchen and started washing everything.

Wanda sat there contemplating what Ajak had just revealed, when had you called the woman over? Were you planning the lunch even before you left the house? Did it matter? When Wanda lifted her eyes to see you laughing in the kitchen putting the plates away while bickering with Sprite, Wanda found herself wondering many things.

A dark cloud of memories came crawling back into her mind, everyone around her either died or left. Wasn’t this the reason she was looking for a way to go back to her little world? Was she being foolish to think of you? Probably, you two didn’t even know one another, and Wanda was probably feeling vulnerable at the moment.

That was the most logical explanation to the confusion growing in her mind.

“As always your cooking is the best there is, Ajak, Thank you!” You hugged the woman tightly before stepping back.

“Nonsense, you know you’re always welcome around here.”

“Besides, next lunch it’s on you.” Sprite intervened, a smirk forming on her face. “Thena and Gil will come over next week.”

Your eyes opened wide at this, your lips curled slightly, “are you sure? They really are coming?”

“Yep, Thena says she missed her garden, but we all know she misses you.” Sprite wiggled her eyebrows at you, you rolled your eyes feeling a flush on your face knowing Wanda had her eyes on you while Ajak seemed to send a reproachful glance to Sprite.

“They’re coming, yes.” Ajak confirmed. “Gil is missing the weather and Thena, you know her.”

You did.

You knew Thena pretty well, your body tensed completely at the thought of Thena coming over with Wanda resting at the guest house. Looking out of the corner of your eyes, you could see Wanda was shooting you curious glances.

“Then, I would make sure to prepare a nice meal for all of you. Just call me with the details.”

“I will call you, don’t worry. Wanda, it was a pleasure to meet you, you are more than welcome here whenever you need a little escape or someone to talk to.”

“Thank you, Ajak, I will keep it in mind.”

The walk back to the car was done in silence, you were smiling softly making sure to take Wanda down the most beautiful alleys in town. Most of them had little gardens on their balconies and the constructions were a mixture of tradition and modernity, you could see the other woman was highly placed by the scenery surrounding her and you count her eager glances as a victory.

She waited for you in the car while the teens in the store filled out your car and you spoke with an old man. Wanda was confused. There was something bothering her greatly but she was unable to pinpoint the source, or what exactly was making her confused. She only knew one thing, and that was that without counting the incident after she left your car, she had never felt so at peace with herself or the world around her.

“Okay, everything is ready, let’s go back.” You flashed a quick grin before starting the car driving along a well-known road.

The young woman rested her head against the window, that day had been so much different to anything she had grown accustomed to. She wasn’t on the run, there was not an enemy they had to fight over, and there was not an external threat she needed to eliminate to keep her happiness to herself. Wanda pressed her lips together, your eyes and your smile flashing from time to time whenever she wondered what had happened, what had changed.

Wanda closed her eyes and, without really noticing, she fell asleep.

Wanda jerked awake at the sound of cursing and mumbling; she saw as you moved to the trunk putting away the different bags filled with supplies. For a moment, Wanda wondered just when she had fallen asleep and how, she didn’t remember the last time she had such a nice nap without any dreams or nightmares haunting her. She stretched out, looking at you out of the mirror until your eyes found hers.

“Come on, Principessa, I brought a lot of things and you will need to help.” Your words broke her concentration, with a pursed of her lips Wanda went out of the car.

“Let me see what I can do.” She replied dryly using her powers to lift some of the bags. “Where do you want them?”

The smile on her face told you she was highly satisfied with her act, you just let out a breathy laugh shaking your head.

“How about the ones that have a W on them you left them on your porch and the others on mine?”

There were at least ten paper bags, all of them full of food and drinks and some other necessities. Wanda counted hers, at least five of them full of things she could see she liked. Not for the first time, Wanda wondered how much you knew about her, how much Natasha had revealed.

“Are you going to stand there all day or are you gonna move it?” You took two of the paper bags carrying them to her door, walking past her.

“You didn’t have to do this, you know?” Wanda said, lifting the bags and following you to the house.

“I know.” You replied placing them on the porch.

“I could go to the town if I need to.”

“I know.”

Wanda then stopped you, her hand on your arm a frown adorning her face and those green eyes seeking out yours.

“Thank you.” Wanda mumbled, lowering her gaze for a moment, “I have fun today, and I shouldn’t have left the car like that after…”

“You don’t have to explain anything to me.” You stepped back holding your bags tightly against your body. “I understand more than you know.”

Wanda scowled at this, you shrugged offering a half smile.

“You asked me what I could see on you and I just told you honestly.” You said softly. “You didn’t have to like it, but…think about it. I’m glad you had fun today, you see? Going out of this house was not so bad, and you even made friends…not friends of your age, but friends still.”

Wanda offered for the very first time a real smile, you returned her smile glancing at your bags then at the distance between that house and yours.

“Say, you wouldn’t mind helping me with these?” You asked sheepishly, Wanda pressed her lips together amused with a flick of her hand she lifted the remaining bags helping you out until you were back home.

“Thanks, I think I’m going to put this away…” You were about to enter your house; Wanda was going back to hers when you called back to her. “Wanda?”

The young woman stopped looking back at you, “yes?”

You couldn’t help the smirk adorning your face, your eyes gleaming mischievously as you spoke.

“You are more than welcome to join me tomorrow morning,” you said rather casually, “you know? If you ever stop ogling me through the window?”

For the first time, in a very long time, Wanda blushed.

You chuckled picking up the bags and going inside the house leaving your door open, for a moment Wanda stood there rather mortified before she too went back to the house.

She never really noticed it, but the voices inside her head were not as loud as before.

Translations in order of appearance

Ho dimenticato qualcosa - I forgot something

Cossa posso fare per lei - Waht can I do for you

posso avere due bottiglie d'acqua? - Can I have two bottles of water?

Puoi metterlo sul mio conto - you can put it on my bill

Posso avere la palla? - Can I have the ball?

Sei carino - you are pretty

A helping hand

They used to tell her time would cure everything.

She remembered her mother telling her this after her first pet had died, she had been sad and had learnt from a very early age that dead was a fundamental part of life. She didn’t like it one bit because losing someone you loved should never happened. It was supposed to be forever.

Her mother had tried to explain it to her, but it was actually her father the one who could go through her stubborn mindset and finally made her understand that losing someone you love to tragedy or natural causes was something meant to happen.

“The important thing, Wanda bear, is for you to hold onto the memories, the teachings and that happiness and love they left in you. That’s how you remember them and honour their memory, by carrying on and making sure you keep loving and being the beautiful person you’re now. Because that’s the person the love, the one they honoured even in death.”

Wanda had always kept those words close to her heart, and when her parents died and she and Pietro waited under the rubbles of their home she hold onto them for dear life. Her father and her mother had trusted her with that, with Love; they had always said of the two Wanda was the one who felt the most, ready to love without measure to be protective of those around her. It was one of her best qualities, and her cursed.

Because even if she tried to forgo the growing pain in her heart, she could not let go of the memory of losing her parents. Of never being able to see her dad smiling at her, calling her Wanda Bear, of her mother tugging her in, or sharing small gossip while laughing and teaching her the secret ingredients of dinner. Wanda held tightly to the pain and grief until she and Pietro offered themselves as experiments.

She wanted revenge for what had been taken away from her.

It was not fair.

But then…Ultron happened, and she became a monster, her powers showing more of that unstable nature of overwhelming emotions she didn’t know how to handle. The overwhelming pain she experienced when Pietro died, the emptiness growing deep inside her heart and darkness filling up the space in her mind where her family had been.

She was left alone.

She was left lost without a real place to belong to.

Vision had been her saviour in many ways. He had come to her at a moment in which she was really unsure or what was expected of her, or what she was supposed to do. And she fell in love, because he showed her that love was not that bad and it was something she was allowed to experience without having to let go of her past, or those she had loved before.

Wanda would forever hold close to her heart the moments she had lived with Vision, every single tear, every single smile and conversation, the time they spent together was something she would treasure in a special part of her heart.

Then, Thanos happened and she was made to kill the one person she had loved more than life itself.

“I feel you.”

Once again she was alone, she was lost and this time around there was nothing there to anchor her to reality.

Westview had been heaven.

And it had been real.

The pain of losing everything all over again never left her.

It didn’t leave the first day, or the second. It didn’t go away on the tenth and, by the time she reached the fifteenth day it was still there piercing right through her soul and heart. Everybody forgot how it was, how it felt and if she was honest with herself, she was pretty sure not many cared or understood what it was like to be like her.

No one had to face the morning, how the world around her was like a nightmare while she waited patiently for the night in which she could dream. When she closed her eyes she was transported to the world that matter, the one she had created with sheer will in which life was perfect. No pain. No loneliness. A place where she had a family, her children, her husband, her brother…happiness.

There were days in which she felt so much that her only relief was found in the study of the Darkhold. The book she had stolen from Agatha had been a great instrument to learn about herself and her power, and as she read each word the possibilities of recovering what she had lost in that world became clearer. Wanda knew with time she would be capable of making her life with Vision a reality, to go back to the place where she was to have his children and be a happy family with her was just a few pages away.

However, and this little fact caught her by surprised, whenever the Darkhold was not enough and Wanda was left with cold and desperate there was only one thing that could bring peace to her heart.

It happened by accident.

She didn’t mean to spy on you, nor was she meant to make of those morning routines a…well, a routine.

The second morning of her imposed vacation found Wanda trying to make some tea, the night had been a bliss, and the morning a complete nightmare; Wanda woke up to an empty bed, tears rolling down her eyes trying to catch what she had lost in the land of dreams.  

The tea warmed up her cold hands, her body shivering while she tried to compose herself. Her eyes flickered to the window, watching as the golden rays of the sun sneaked inside the kitchen announcing another new day. Without thinking to much, Wanda approached the window feeling an easiness she hadn’t feel for such a long time. Her eyes started into the distance, losing herself at the sheer beauty that was the morning right in front of the ocean when, out of the corner of her eyes, she saw a figure approaching.

It was Y/N.

That morning you were wearing your usual training attire, black sweatpants, and a black top, you had on your earphones moving your lips to the lyrics of the song playing inside your head. Without really noticing the green eyes on you, you started working out stretching and warming up while enjoying the summer morning.

It was nothing out of the ordinary, a normal training session of someone that had a habit of doing exercise every morning. What really caught Wanda’s attention, was the easiness in which you seemed to let go of everything around you. How could you ignore the world so easily and give yourself to the solitude you obviously lived in. There was such a calmness behind your gestures, a peace that was reflected in your actions that Wanda envy.

By the time Wanda realized she had been staring, you finished your routine and went back inside your house. Whatever Wanda had been thinking on that very first morning, she dismissed it as curiosity. Nothing else, nothing more.

Everything would be easily forgotten, even the thought of you being attractive, if it had happened just that one time.

But it didn’t.

The next morning, almost by accident, Wanda found herself looking at you out of the window. The same routine, the same outfit…probably a different song.

And then, just as the darkness inside her mind tried to take over, just as the whispers of words said by Vision, or the what ifs in the world she had created plagued the days and nights, Wanda’s mornings were dedicated to observing the approaching sun and you. And you and her observations of you became a morning routine, something she was waiting anxiously only to dismiss as a mere causality, nothing worth thinking over or looking deeper into.

Wanda found excuses for her actions, she convinced herself it was a coincidence. That she actually enjoyed the mornings and the sight of the ocean, she even convinced herself that she was just curious because the love of her life was Vision and it was impossible for her, after all this time to feel anything but mere curiosity towards someone else that wasn’t him. It was just not possible. Wanda loved Vision with all she was and all she had, that was why she was looking for a way to go back to her world, to their world.

Wanda could downplay her reactions; she could even kid herself about the reasons behind her peeking. What she could not deny, what she found impossible to deny was that every morning for a single instant could forget all about her pain, her loneliness, her misery.

On the morning number seventeenth of her imposed vacation, Wanda found herself going to her usual spot on the window in the kitchen. There was an eagerness behind her footsteps, her fingers tapping impatiently on the kitchen counter while she waited for the water of the tea to be ready. Her eyes flickered to the window, then back to the teapot until she decided the water was warm enough, in less than two minutes she was standing in her usual spot waiting.

The night before had been awful.

And Wanda was just looking for some comfort, for some peace. The young woman waited to notice the backyard was empty, the sun coming in and the waters of the ocean reflected the approaching morning with an impassiveness Wanda didn’t feel. The young witch pursed her lip leaning against the wall, her eyes sweeping around the backyard until her brows knitted up together in concern and disappointment.

You had never stopped doing your morning routine ever since that first morning Wanda saw you.

The fact that you didn’t show up that morning made Wanda’s heart twisted uncomfortably in her chest. The coldness she had been experiencing since the night before came in rushing through her veins, the dark cloud above her head growing as she finally realized you would not come that day.

It occurred to her at that very moment how pathetic she really was.

She had never spoken to you, she was even rude on the day she actually met you. What she had been doing as of late was behaved like a freaking weirdo watching you without you being aware of this.

Wanda clenched her hands tight around the mug on her hands, her eyes growing red with her mind already pushing her back towards the Darkhold. She needed to get out of this world, of this reality and go back to her home, the real one…

A loud knock on her door broke the darkening thoughts in Wanda.

Wanda turned sharply to the front door, startled by the sudden interruption, and wondering just who could be, she made her way to the front door wearing a frown of perplexity. The mug forgotten on the kitchen counter.

The door flung open to reveal you standing right at the threshold with two white cups with steam coming out of them. Wanda stood there with her eyes wide open by the shock, while you offered a simple smile your eyes gleaming amusedly at the young woman in front of you.

For a moment nothing was said, you could tell Wanda was checking you out with a mixture of surprised and confusion that settled on her green eyes. You for your part could tell the woman in front of you had spent the last couple of days doing nothing but existing. Wanda wore some loose pants, worn out shirt, with her hair put into a ponytail and a face denoting lack of sleep and constant crying.

You cleared your throat lifting the cup on your left hand, soon the smell of hot chocolate hit Wanda’s nostrils and the woman almost smile at the gesture. She held back, though with her eyes trying to glare at the woman standing right before her.

“I thought today we could go out for a stroll, you know?” You broke the silence nonchalantly, still offering the cup filled with hot chocolate. “I figure that, instead of you ogling at me through the window we could talk and I could actually show you around.”

That was all Wanda needed to come back to earth, soon her confusion turned into annoyance though she wished the blush would just be dismissed as anger and nothing else.

“Ogling at you? I believe you must be mistaken.”

“So, you’re not the one standing by the window in the kitchen?” You asked perplexed, blinking a couple of times though the tug on your lips told Wanda you were mocking her. “Should I be worried someone is inside the house trying to take a peek at my morning training?”

Wanda tried to compose herself by putting her shoulders back and straightened up, her face changing the tension into an expressionless mask she had practiced several times before. Her eyes hardened as they tried to ignore the tug at her heart.

“Perhaps, that’s what’s happening,” Wanda really wanted to hit herself for such a lame answer, she felt mortified when the knowing glint crossed your eyes. “Either way, the only interesting thing in the backyard it’s the sight of the ocean…”

“Whatever makes you sleep at nights…” You shrugged stepping closer, without meaning to Wanda took a step back with her eyes growing big. You stopped your advanced, scowling at this you lift the offering cup once more.

“I brought you this, chocolate, dark in water, right?” You asked to which Wanda couldn’t help but nod surprised, her hands wrapped around the cup watching the warm beverage with confusion.

“How did you…?”

You waved your hand away stepping back, “never mind that, as I said, I came here to invite on a morning stroll, perhaps getting out of the house for change.”

“Thank you, but I don’t think now it’s a good time, I…” Wanda answered way to fast, almost stumbling over her words. You set your eyes on her, for a moment that seemed like an eternity you thought about her words, how evident it was she had been wallowing in her sadness all this time.

You had promised Natasha you would look after her, and while you made sure everything was alright you also realized it was time to just approach the young woman and see what would happen.  

"What? You haven't brood enough in the last couple of days?" You pointed out arching an eyebrow while looking closely to her reaction, “I promise you it won’t take long, and then you can come back here with that dark cloud above your head and drown back in your self-pity and sadness. Wouldn’t want to ruin your wallowing in misery.”

You could see the myriad of emotions crossing those green eyes, sadness, and disbelief, then anger and desperation. You were quite sure no one had dare to call out her actions, this seemed to be the very first time she heard those words and was confronted with the reality of her actions.

You took a sip from your coffee, what would Wanda do? Would she follow or was she too far gone to even try and do something about her life? About her sadness?

With a last glance, you turned around waving your hand in the air.

“Don’t worry, I understand if you prefer to be alone, in the house…wasting your time and your life for something as stupid as your mistakes.” You waved your hand away. “Good day, Principessa.”

Wanda stood there with her mouth hanging open for a second before she glared at your back, she was seething playing around the words in her head. They hurt, and they hurt even more knowing they came from a stranger she had been admiring from afar. Confusion settled in her mind, though her anger was stronger than any other emotion she felt at the moment.

With the mug still on her hand, Wanda took long strides to get to you. Her hand grabbed your forearm turning you sharply to face her. Her eyes gleaming red, and her face contort in anger, and desperation.

“How dare you speak to me like that? Who the fuck are you to tell me how to feel or how to act? Who gave you the right to…?”

Wanda was cut off by you jerking your arm away, there was an infuriating grin on your face as you lifted a hand and Wanda stopped her tirade.

“This is a free country, Principessa,” you replied lifting your chin, your eyes gleaming in  defiance at Wanda. “I can do and say whatever the fuck I want, to whoever the fuck I want. Even if they don’t like it when I face them with the truth.”

Wanda wanted to wipe out the arrogant smile on your face, her eyes grew red as she stepped closer to you. You tilted your head with all the tranquillity in the world, your body tingling at her closeness, the magic in Wanda coming in waves at you. Fifteen days had been more than enough to let Wanda out of your sight, things had not improved and while you certainly could care less about what she had done previously, you did care what she did in the now.

The tension was quite evident, and Wanda couldn’t help but wonder if you were an idiot or you were hiding something. No one had stood to her the way you were doing right now; no one even dare when she was getting her powers ready to act. You decided to take another seep from your coffee, then stepped closer to Wanda until the both of you were a breath away.

"Besides if it gets the job done,” you continued casually, “why shouldn’t I do it?”

Wanda almost faltered in her step; the closeness of the other woman made her lose her control. She let go of the anger to try and get a hold of her mind, of how she never noticed the colour of your eyes or the softness of your skin. How there was age and youth all in a single face, or how the hair gleamed dark gold when under the right light while in another, it was a nice shade of caramel. Wanda scoffed standing back, her face turned to the side but the frown still present.

"What do you mean?" The young woman finally asked puzzle.

You shrugged walking past her, “it made you get out of the house, now we can stay here and you can use your powers to teach me how I shouldn’t talk to you like that. Or we can follow on my original plan to show you around. Your choice, Principessa.”

______________________________________________________________

The walk was done in silence.

It was a warm morning; the smell of summer filled the hill and the breeze caressed your skin as you walked down a dusty path. The trees and the grass around you were of a deep green mixing up with soft earthy colours, the birds singing right above your head brought comfort to your heart.

You had always loved your life in this part of the world.

It brought a peace no other place or person could, not after everything that had happened. Life had not been kind, and after a while, you learned you didn’t owe the world a thing. The moment you open your side house for visitors, you made it your duty to make sure they could find in there what you did at some point. Peace. Themselves.

Sometimes, it worked. And some of them were still your friends. Some of the best you ever had.

Some others…well, everyone dealt with the world differently.

“Where are you taking me?” Wanda finally asked looking around herself, feeling the breeze on her face for the first time in more than two weeks.

It was a beautiful morning, and the place was amazing.

The only sounds those of the nature and your footsteps on the ground. You turned left and then you were going down some nature-made steps to an open space lying in between a group of high trees.

“A friend of mine, she comes by sometimes and whenever she is here, she likes to take care of her garden.” You explained stretching your hand to Wanda to jump down the last step.

Wanda lifted an eyebrow ignoring your hand, she landed without any effort walking past you. You followed the young woman with your eyes, pursing your lips before going after her.

There was a small hut to the far corner of the round space. It held a bed, and some candles, books, and a tea set. What had Wanda quite surprised was the fact there was a garden right in the middle of nothing. From that point they could see the ocean stretching out through the world, the rest of the mountain chain lifting protectively around them and the trees covering this small space of land.

The garden was beautiful.

It was circular in form, the edges decorated by flowers of multiple colours that Wanda was not capable of naming but that she admired for what they were. The inside of the circle was made of gravel crossed by steppingstones setting the path right into the hut. The white gravel had taken the form of waves, curved lines following a pattern Wanda could not decipher but obviously had a meaning to the owner of the garden. The rest of the space was decorated by violets and lilies giving it a lively colour that for some reason brough a smile to Wanda.

“Thena loves taking care of her garden, and the flowers.” You continued as if the silence hadn’t stretched too long. “And I come here once in a while to make sure the flowers and her plants have enough water.”

“Why?” Wanda asked before she could stop herself, you knitted your brows together looking back at her.

“Plants need water.” Your answered earning a clear glare from the woman, you chuckled making your way to the hut. “Because I can, and because she will be sad if something happens to the garden.”

Wanda observed as you made your way around the small hut, coming out with two water bottles. You bit on your tongue softly glancing around the garden, your eyes fell on the plants growing to the right then to the left.

“I wouldn’t mind the help, you know?” You continued your eyes away from Wanda.

“What makes you think I want to help?” Wanda pressed forth, observing your reactions.

You snorted shooting her a quick glance, “you’re here, right?”

Wanda looked away clenching her jaw, she hated the smugness behind your voice and the smile adorning your features. She finished her drink trying to organize her thoughts, her heart beating fast and her mind at ease in the middle of such a beautiful garden. Of such a beautiful setting. When she went to look over at you, she found you kneeling down in front of the plants looking around before putting some water on them.

With a sigh she started walking towards the bottle of water you left on the ground, with a frown she put the mug there and grabbed the bottle before moving opposite to you and watering the other plants.

You glanced back watching Wanda bended over the flowers, her face finally softening the rough edges it held ever since she arrived there. Your lips curled slightly before you continued your work.

There were no more words between the both of you.

By the time you were back home, Wanda was deep in thought and the weight she had on her was returning slowly. The young woman furrowed her brows giving your mug back.

“How did you know I like chocolate?” Wanda finally broke the silence, you shrugged taking the mug while locking your eyes to hers.

“I didn’t.”

Wanda nodded a little confused, you turned around ready to leave when her voice reached out to you.

“Thank you.” It was but a whisper, uncertain and confused.

“You can go back there whenever you want, it would be really appreciated it if you help water the flowers once in a while.” You mentioned casually, then you left never looking back to the woman that had her eyes glued to you.

It took her a while, but in the end Wanda took your offer and decided she needed to go back there.

The next time she was back to the garden, she was alone. The thoughts inside her head were dark, filling her with sadness and desperation, screaming at her to just go ahead and take what was hers. The world was at her feet, always had been.

The moment she took a step inside the garden everything faded away, and she set on to work. And thus, every morning after watching you out her window, Wanda went back to the garden to ease her soul and the thoughts that were slowly but surely consuming her.

She never noticed it, nor did she paid it any mind, but soon she found herself wondering about her host, about her life in such a solitary place, about the garden and her training sessions.

Soon, while working around the garden or giving in meditation, Wanda forgot about her pain and her ambition. She never noticed the peace in her heart, the tranquillity in her mind, or the fact she actually liked the different kind of smiles you were capable of producing.

It always went unnoticed by her that peace reached her out every morning, only to let herself be overwhelmed by the darkness of the afternoons and the nightmares and desperations of the evenings.

Wanda never noticed it, yet slowly but surely she was starting to change the question was if she was ready to accept the change.