Indigo Meets Scarlet (Wanda x Y/n)

chapter twentythree

Y/N POV

Sand crunched beneath our feet as we land on the beach tucked away in my favourite corner of the British coast. 

Keeping one of Wanda's hands clasped in mine, I lead her towards a small cove worn into the side of the cliff that stretches along the back of the sand. Now releasing my hand, I place one of the blankets from my bag on the sand and set myself down, patting the space beside me. Wanda takes a seat and I shake the second blanket out, covering our legs. The cove offered shelter from the icy English wind blowing across the ocean as we gaze out at the horizon.

Sneaking a look at the girl beside me, I notice her features begin to soften as the crashing waves and crisp, salty air wash over her, a peaceful expression settling on her face for the first time since I've met her. She opens her mouth to say something, then shuts it hesitantly. 

Realising I'm staring a little too long, I withdraw the pancakes from the bag, offering her a fork, which she accepts. Removing the lid, both of us take a mouthful of pancakes covered in melted whipped cream, pausing for a moment to savour the taste. Despite being cold, they were still sweet and fluffy.

"Would you believe these are vegan?" I mumble through the second mouthful of pancakes.

"No way, you're swaying me."

"As I should."

A laugh sings from her lips and the whole world stops spinning. I could already feel my new personal goal in life starting to become making that sound happen whenever I could. We finish the rest pancakes in peaceful silence, enjoying the sound of the ocean and the gulls swooping overhead.

"I don't hate you Y/n."

I freeze as my whole body immediately tenses up, glancing at her slightly taken aback. 

"I heard you're thoughts when you were outside the door this morning. And last night. They were quite loud." She admits guiltily.

I return my gaze towards the ocean with a grimace. I had forgotten I wasn't the only person in the group who could read minds anymore. Unsure of how to respond, I wait for her to continue.

"I was ready to give up that day, you know? When I saw P- When I saw him lying there on the floor through the door of the church, my heart ripped out of my chest. 

Then, I spotted you laying beside him, the only person who had welcomed us, had tried to help us since before we even knew what Ultron was planning, that I trusted, and my heart got ripped out all over again. 

When the city started plummeting, I didn't even try to save myself. My family was dead. My home was destroyed. And then you appeared in midair and wrapped your arms around me.

I know you think you could have done more to save my brother, but he knew what he was doing. My brother was an idiot but he was not stupid. You not only nearly died trying to save him, but you did save me. I don't hate you."

She refuses to meet my eyes as she finishes, tears rolling down her cheeks as she clutches her knees up towards her chest. Tears of my own were threatening to spill, feeling every inch of her pain in my soul. Reaching out, I run my thumb under her eye, sweeping away her tears.

"I know it's not the family and home you want, but you have one with the Avengers. We're all here when you're ready. Take the time you need to grieve and adjust.
Though, now you've confessed you don't hate me you'll have a hard time shaking me." I mumble as I pull my hand away, unsure of what else to say to such a vulnerable confession.