gender neutral reader x wanda maximoff !
summary : wanda returns from west-view to see the reader , in sokovia !
The witch swallowed, shoving a pocket of air down her throat as she felt her reign on her facade and heart loosening. She watched the scene play out before her as she traced the slight path in the store, cobalt hues trailing from the goods in her hands to your figure and then your face. You, the subject of her heart, were conversing with your sister who you shared your shop with.
She knew what you two were. You two were supernatural, witches she thought. She sensed the magic residing in your store, and your being as you took to errands in Sokovia, protective amulets around your neck, runes inked into your skin.
Your irises flicker with recognition as Wanda moved in your peripheral eye, red hair pulled into a coronet braid with loose strands framing the structure of her face, chin tucked into her chest as she inspected the collection of grimores laid upon the shelf Infront of the counter. You called her name, your accent lacing the title as you spoke gently, not wanting to startle the brunette.
Upon hearing your calling, she immediately raised her head, eyes searching for you. Once locating your presence behind the counter, she offered a smile, hoping to receive one in return.
"Hello, peroshki," the term comes naturally to her tongue, despite her desiring to call you other terms, maybe of the endearment she mused. Your brows rose high to the name, and Wanda thought she had over-stepped a boundary.
A ghost of smile graced your lips, genuine and a rare expression for you to wear since the war in Sokovia, the war she fought in, and lost her own twin in. And she settled back into herself after noting she had not over-stepped.
"It's been a while, Wanda. How are you doing?"
It had been a while since anyone had gone out of their way to ask her how she was, how she was holding up. She found her heart warming, and felt a kind smile climbing onto her mouth. Wanda leant against the unit with her hip, turning to face you more.
"I've been alright, I think," she spoke through lying teeth. As if sensing the lie, your chest tightened. Out of concern, out of care. "No, you really haven't been okay."
Wanda stilled, as did her train of thought. She bit her lip and blinked, trying to form coherent words to explain, to express how she was truly feeling. How truly afraid she was, of herself, of this terrifying new power.
Your brows pinched in the centre, and your lips thinned. Your eyes flit over her form, taking in everything. The tension tightening in her limbs, the rigidity of how she held herself and the flow of an overwhelming magic in her veins. The red head looked tired, her stunning emerald hues heavy and nearly pooling in tears.
You pivoted on a booted heel, nodding to your sister to take her break and to clear the shop of customers with a share of a telepathic thought.
"Come, Wanda. Come," you uttered, coming around the counter to collect Wanda. You slid your fingers and hand into hers, and tugged her, making for the space behind the store: your kitchen.
She fell into step behind you, relishing in the cool warmth of your hand, and the ring adorned fingers linked through hers. She noted that you still wore the ring she gifted you years back, years before the incident of Ultron. Her heart sang quietly at the touch, the first touch in years that hadn't come from a place of hostility, fear or rigid desire. Especially since it was yours.
A moment later she found herself sitting at the long table, tracing the carvings in the wood that you and your sister had done over the years with keen eyes. The witch palmed the mug that you had placed into her hands, and watched you as you moved around the kitchen with practised steps. After grinding the herbs down, you took your place opposite the woman.
"So, spill the tea. Or whatever the Americans call it, that term for telling the drama," you told her. She stifled a snort, swallowing a mouthful of tea instead.
Wanda dropped her eye to the table, avoiding yours.
"There's so much. Too much, even. It'll take a while," she whispered at the end, as if in fear that you'd dismiss her, like the Avengers had done, like the orphanage had done. She swallowed a pocket of air, and took a deep breath back in.
"Then, we'll take that time. However long. Just let me go grab some more tea." You stated, a reassuring smile curving your lips. You stood from your bench, and stepped around the table, passing behind her. You dip your head, placing a kiss upon Wanda's crown, then her temple and finally her forehead. Where her crimson crown would sit.
Tears threatened to fall from her eyes, and she finally let them crawl down her cheeks, knowing you would never judge her.
