𝐂𝐇𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐌𝐀𝐒 𝐈𝐒 𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐀𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃 | ᶜᵒᵐᵖˡᵉᵗᵉᵈ

𝐢 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐝 ▸𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒗𝒆 & 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒂

Wanda was frustrated. Try as she might, she could not find her lost sons who needed her. She promised to find them, to save them. She woke up each night in an icy sweat, with Billy's and Tommy's desperate screams echoing in her ears. Each time she feared it was too late, and sleepily and in the middle of the night, her heart pounding, she went back to her books, searching for answers. When she could bring Vision back and create the life she had always wanted, all the way, she believed her magic was all-powerful. But as time went on, she felt Billy and Tommy were slipping away from her, and she cursed herself and her magic.

She soon realized that her skills and limited information probably weren't up to the job. That she'd need someone who understood. Who could possibly have advice and answers for her.

Stephen Strange.

She didn't think long. Whether he helped her or rejected her didn't matter to her at the moment. It was one way to help, and if that didn't work, he'd have to think of something else. But time was running out, and every minute after that could be fatal. She had waited long enough, naively confident she could do it, but now was the time to ask for help.

It was time to go to New York. After confronting S.W.O.R.D., and after everything that's happened beyond Westview, she thought it might be a good idea to move aside. She lived alone, away from people, and only her magic kept her company. It was a sad life - but every life was sad when she should have lived it without Vision and her children. She hoped so much that one day it would be the same again. That everyone would find each other and be happy together again.

She thought it best to stay away from people for a while. She kept thinking about what Agatha had told her - she had to explore the depth of her abilities. She needed to understand them, needed to know not only her magic but herself. And she knew that if she didn't get control of it, she could be a threat. And though she often missed some company, even when she missed the Avengers, she didn't want to take any chances. She wasn't sure what she could be capable of.

Walking the streets of New York was suddenly so strange. Everywhere was crowded, everywhere was lively; and though it was silly, Wanda could not shake the feeling that everyone was staring at her. It was nonsense, she knew, but she couldn't help it. She pulled the hood back more into her face, and as her eyes rested momentarily on the shop window, she realized it was Christmas. A chill ran down her spine, but it wasn't because of the cold. Did it take her that long? She couldn't believe it. She felt a lump in her throat and couldn't get rid of it.

Strange was not far away. She was beginning to wonder what she was going to say to him, what arguments she would have to persuade him to help her when she heard her name being called. At first, she felt like she was dreaming, but when the call got louder, she stopped and turned.

An old man stood nearby, looking at her with intense eyes. Even from that distance, she could see the slight smile on his face, and then he raised his hand in greeting. Wanda's eyes narrowed. She had never seen the man, and yet she felt she knew him from somewhere . . . She walked slowly back, and he went to meet her. They met halfway, and Wanda looked into the old man's pale blue eyes. The kindness she found in them made her throat constrict in part, warmed her heart in part.

"Wanda," he said, studying her face. He sighed sadly. "So much suffering..." He shook his head, and her heart sank. Was it...?

'Steve?' she asked him carefully, not sure it was really him. She knew from Sam what Steve had done in returning the Infinity Stones to the past; after returning them, he had decided to spend his life with a woman he had never stopped loving. And then he appeared as an old man who had lived the most wonderful life. Wanda hadn't met old Steve, but the eyes were so familiar, there was probably no doubt.

He smiled and nodded. "Come here, kid," he said, spreading his arms, and Wanda hugged him gratefully. She buried her face in his shoulder and closed her eyes to fight back tears. For so long she longed for a kind and warm human touch, for comfort. She missed her dear Vision so much...

"How are you doing?" she asked him as they let go and pulled away from each other, and she wiped her moist eyes surreptitiously. She was moved not only by meeting her friend but by his appearance now. Seeing old Steve was . . . strange for her. Painful. He seemed so fragile to her, not at all like the Steve Rogers she knew. But she knew he remained the same inside.

He waved his hand. "Oh, it doesn't matter. I can't complain. Do you want to go on a cup of tea? Cold doesn't do my joints any good," he winked at her, and she had to smile. "But only if I'm not bothering you."

"I'd love to go," said Wanda, offering her arm. Steve chuckled softly but took her arm, and they walked in silence to his apartment.

'Make yourself comfortable,' Steve told her as he led her into the living room, then went into the kitchen to set the water for tea. Wanda slowly sat down on the couch and surveyed the room. It was cozy, but she could tell he lived here alone. A small Christmas tree stood in a corner, pitifully decorated, and Wanda suddenly felt sorry for Steve. How sad life was, spending it alone, she had seen for herself, after all.

On a small table by the sofa was a picture frame of a smiling woman. Wanda reached for it and carefully cupped it in her hands. As she studied her face, Steve returned with two mugs of steaming tea. He put them on the coffee table and sat down next to Wanda. "Oh, my Peggy," he said dreamily, a flicker of memory in his eyes. "At times like this, I'm even more sorry she can't be here with me. But enough about me. Wanda. How are you?" he asked her quietly.

"Oh, yes, I'm fine. I mean, it could be better, of course, I'm just . . . I'm trying . . . trying . . ." Her voice broke, and she couldn't go on. She tried. She tried so hard. But she felt like she was constantly failing. She could feel Steve's eyes on her, but she didn't have the courage to look at him. She knew she couldn't hold back her tears after that. "Don't you ever feel so lonely?" she said softly.

He sighed. "Well, I still have Sam and Bucky, both of whom visit me regularly, but . . . yes. I know what you mean." He paused for a moment, then gently placed his hand on her arm. "Wanda," he said gently, "why did you do it, Wanda?"

She looked at Peggy's face and felt tears in her eyes. She knew how much Steve loved Peggy. He still loves her, she realized, even though she is no longer here. Because so it was with her and Vision. Even when he died, she never stopped loving him.

The only difference between her and Steve was that Steve was luckier. He spent his whole life with Peggy.

Wanda sobbed softly. "I just wanted what you had," she whispered in a trembling voice, finally looking at him. Tears blurred her gaze, but she could still see the glints of sadness in his eyes.

"Oh, Wanda . . ." He put his arm around her and pulled her close. When Wanda hugged him and buried her face in his chest, she stopped holding back tears and sobbed to the fullest. Everything she had bottled up, all the pain and fear and frustration, it all came out. At least for a while.

"I miss them so much," she confided between sobs, and he hugged her even tighter. She wanted Vision, Billy, and Tommy back. She needed them. "At one point, I had it all. Everything I've ever wanted, Steve. And now it's gone."

"I know, Wanda. But this... this isn't right. You know that ... I'm sorry, Wanda," he said softly. "I wish there was something I could do to help."

She wiped away tears with the back of her hand. "Do you . . . do you think I could stay here tonight?"

"Of course," he assured her without hesitation.

She nodded gratefully. She needed a friend. She knew Steve would be sympathetic.

We can't reverse death, no matter how sad it makes us. Some things are forever. But Wanda wanted it to be within her power to conquer death. So she can bring back to life everyone she loved.

Doesn't she deserve her happy ending, too?