Possession

Fatal Attraction

When you arrive home, Wanda is already tucked into bed - her eyes closed shut, an aura of pure and innocent naivety filling the room. As you slide beneath the sheets, she curls into your arms, driving an overwhelming guilt upon you as she buries her head in your chest. Suddenly, holding her feels almost criminal. You feel disgusted with your behaviour. You could excuse the kiss, it was a mask in order to maintain your cover. However, you knew more than any other that there was a certain emotion piercing through the nemesis facade. An un-ignorable attraction.

Wanda had waited for you here, unquestionably expectant of your loyalty and arrival - one quality of which you couldn't gift her. The past troubles and internal torment of previous relationships was finally showing its head. You lay awake, racing through all the ways in which you could break this off with her.

You exhale aggressively, irritation building inside as you deem this yet another failed connection. Your movement had stirred Wanda awake as she lifts her head to face you. She rests her chin on your chest, running laps round your stomach with her fingertip as she catches on to your stiffness. She places a gentle kiss upon your cheek, her eyes heavy with fatigue as she questions your mood.
"Everything okay, darling ? Tough night ?"
You nodded stiffly, raising your hand to her cheek in order to caress her back into slumber.

Her gentle head against you, the rise and fall of her shoulders as she finds comfort in your presence, drifting gently into sleep. You mustn't do this to her.

In an instant, you conclude that this odd perversion you possess for Natasha at this moment must be rid of. A woman who loves you lies before you. You feel horrified that you'd even consider jeopardising this. You'll continue to love her, and come morning, you'll find Pepper and begin arranging a marriage and proposal - the way in which Tony had always intended. Perhaps the 'planned' stuff wouldn't turn out so bad. You turn your head, forcing your eyes shut as you remind yourself a final time of the role Natasha truly plays in your life. You were hopeful that by dawn your head would come to be clear.

You rose, a sense of rejuvenation waking with you as you carried out your usual morning routine with Wanda. She revealed at breakfast that she'd be visiting family for a few days, which you internalised as a strike of perfect timing - gifting you the opportunity to plan a proposal in her absence. You gave your goodbye, sending a message to Pepper as she departed, leaving you to change and commute to work alone. You jumped into your chevrolet, a message from Tony chiming through as you rolled out the gates of your home. He said you'd meet with Pepper tonight, for now, he commanded that you see him. You couldn't gauge wether his tone was satisfied or lack of. It weighed upon your chest throughout the journey.

"You really went ? Yourself ?"
You were now stood at the front and centre of the meetings hall, in the midst of interrogation from Tony and your team mates.
"That was a dumb move, kid."
"Yeah, dad. I know."
Silence fell throughout the numbers. All in shock at the recklessness of your choice.
"That being said, the kid did retrieve all our files. Corrupted theirs and sent us the remaining info. So..."
You awaited the sweet sound of praise that you rarely received from your father - your eyes glued to his.
"Good work, Y/N."

The others filed from the room as you stood, a little stale quietude roaming as Tony hung fire. An odd deja vu washed over you as he leant against the door frame before speaking.
"I'm sending you on a mission these next few days, one I'd usually give to Maria but...you've proven that you're probably a better fit."
You grinned, pleased to have regained your spot in your father's good books.
"I'll escort Pepper to your place tonight and drop off the details then. I'm proud of you, kid."
He turned, closing the door gently as you held your face in your hands - concealing your satisfaction with Tony's approval. His validation meant the world to you, and you couldn't be more pleased to re-gain it.

The remainder of your day was spent re-telling the order of events to your team-mates, tactically missing the part in which you had shared a kiss with Natasha. Upon evening's arrival, you excused yourself from the compound - heading home in order to freshen up before your mother's arrival.

Tony stayed true to his word, dropping the details of the mission alongside Pepper before announcing that he'd return in an hour for her.
"You look well, sweetie."
Pepper dotted a kiss upon your forehead before relaxing, laying back against the cushions of the couch - a bubbly beverage in hand.
"I'm so glad you've finally come round to this idea. You know yourself, your father always wanted it this way."
You nodded, already feeling a little fed up of the discussion.
You allowed Pepper to dictate the goings on, granting leeway for her chatter. You offered the occasional agreeable comment in order to suffice the flow of conversation - other than that you were, unfortunately, uninterested. Your mind was elsewhere. By the end of the night, all you had truly gathered was that Pepper had advised you propose in these coming weeks in order to bring the wedding plans forward.

You walked Pepper to the front door, embracing her as Tony awaited her presence. You sighed as you waved them off, hearing the cock of a gun, followed by the cold head of a barrel against the back of your neck.
"I'm seeing you a lot sooner than I'd hoped, Natasha."