Bloom // WandaNat Florist AU

Calathea

Wanda's leg bounced impatiently as Professor Hart's lecture droned on for what felt like eons. Class, though becoming slightly less daunting and panic inducing, the subject matter stayed consistently boring. This comforted Wanda in an odd way, being bored. Boredom was a luxury; the past three years of her life proved that. She'd had no time to be lulled into contentment; life threw her from one tragedy to the next.

Now, though, life seemed to be settling down. She was getting back to her old self, getting back to who she could be. This was thanks, in no small part, to the pair of florists living across the street, especially the elder woman. It almost scared Wanda how much she relied on the redhead, how much she craved her presence when not around her, how safe and seen Natasha made her feel. The budding crush she had felt since spilling her heart out after a failed dinner was difficult to ignore, especially so since the two spent Thanksgiving together.

Wanda took the weekend after Thanksgiving away from the sisters to reflect on her feelings without bias. Did she love Natasha, or did she just love the stability, the foundation? She came to the conclusion that her feelings for Natasha were not just because she was so readily available and supportive- Yelena was as well, yet not crush developed there. So, Wanda then had to ponder if Natasha reciprocated, and, well, it was pretty obvious that she did.

Thinking back, it really was no question that Natasha was fond of the brunette. Natasha wore her heart on her sleeve more than she perceived herself to- not so much with her words, but with her actions. Walking Wanda home, offering her shop as a study spot, constantly inviting Wanda for dinner, the signs were clear.

So, Wanda concluded that she liked Natasha and Natasha definitely liked her. Now, the most difficult question- what to do about it?

This question rattled around Wanda's brain as class was dismissed and she made her way over to Mrs. Hardaway's office. As she had several weeks ago, Wanda entered the lavender scented office in a daze, but this instance was less depressive and more lovesick.

"Well, hey there, honey!" Mrs. Hardaway chirped as Wanda entered, not looking up from her desktop.

"Hi," Wanda greeted, setting down her backpack as she took her seat. "What did you wanna talk about?"

"I just wanted to update you on your scholarships, didn't want you to worry about them." Mrs. Hardaway paused her typing, folding her hands and finally looking up. She looked almost taken aback when her eyes met Wanda's, humming in approval.

"What is it?"

"Sorry, dear, you just... you look good. You look really good."

Wanda smiled, bright and broad. She felt genuinely better than the previous occasion she entered this office, when she was bitter and combative. The circumstances behind those feelings had not changed- her parents were still gone, her brother still tragically dead, but her outlook shifted. Her life was not over, and she deserved to live it. She deserved to have fun and experience new things and fall in love, and well, she was halfway there on the last one. "Thanks, Mrs. H. I've been feeling better."

"Now, about your scholarships." The older woman pushed her reading glasses back up and resumed her rapid typing. "Looks like your grades are much improved, so as long as you pass your finals, you should be good. I don't think you're in danger of academic probation or anything, so you're all good there."

"Sounds good to me." Thinking the meeting was over, Wanda reached down to grab her bag.

Mrs. Hardaway held a hand up0. "One more thing, Wanda. You've been chosen to receive a grant."

"I... what? A grant as in, money?"

"Yes, dear, money. The university picks a handful of students each year with... difficult life circumstances and issues a grant. With this money you'll have a full ride the remainder of your senior year, and you could even get a Master's if you wanted. Congratulations, Wanda."

Wanda almost could not believe her good fortune, eyes wide. "This is incredible, how did I even get this?"

"I nominated you."

"You- wow, Mrs. Hardaway I can't thank you enough." Wanda stood and hugged the older woman briefly, still in shock. "Thank you."

"Oh, don't thank me, dear. Just remember there's always people who care. We're looking out for you, even when you can't see it."

Spirits high, Wanda barreled out of the lecture hall with newfound energy. She resisted the urge to shout in triumph, but her heart soared all the same. She needed that win. To know that school was taken care of, and hell, with the opportunity of another degree handed to her, the future need not be another source of anxiety.

After her history class, Wanda bounded home with a spring in her step. The early December air was chilly and the cloudy sky gloomy, but Wanda felt as though a ring of sunlight had formed around her only, bathing her in warmth and illuminating her path. Jack Frost had nothing on her today. All she could think about was rushing down the sidewalk and telling Natasha about-

"Shit," Wanda said to herself, brisk pace slowing. She readjusted her backpack, lost in thought. Was she ready to see Natasha? Was she ready to confess? "God, no," she responded aloud.

Anxiety only grew with each step as she neared her dorm and the flower shop, but excitement over her good news was slowly winning out. She scrapped her idea to go back to her dorm tonight and ignore the sisters- she had not seen them all weekend and well, they were dearly missed.

Wanda rounded the final corner and spotted Natasha outside her store, rocking a dark green jacket, trying to sweep leaves off the sidewalk. There she stood, right where she always was. Consistent, sturdy, reliable. A switch flipped in Wanda's head, and she found herself running. In Natasha, she saw the future she wanted. She saw possibility. She saw vitality and stability and never ending compassion.

"Nat!" Wanda squealed excitedly as she quickly approached the redhead, slinging off her bag.

Natasha turned quickly, beaming at the sound of the other woman's voice. "Wanda, hi, Yelena made hot choc- oof!" She sputtered as Wanda leaped into her arms, wrapping her legs around Natasha's waist, laughing giddily. "Well, hi there."

"Hi, yourself..." Wanda kissed Natasha's forehead, then peppered kisses along her jaw, her cheeks, one on her nose.

"Wanda..." Natasha responded breathlessly, supporting Wanda's weight easily.

Nervous, Wanda pulled back. "Yes?"

"You missed."

Natasha fully closed the distance between the two, meeting Wanda's lips in a restrained kiss, spinning to have Wanda pinned to the brick wall of the shop. Wanda kissed back eagerly, fervently, releasing all the anxiety previously held about Natasha's intentions. Natasha set Wanda down to have her hands cup the delicate skin of Wanda's cheeks, while Wanda's hands tangled in red waves. Eventually, the two pulled back, Wanda flushed, Natasha dazed.

"I've wanted to do that for so long," Natasha whispered, one hand still caressing Wanda's cheek.

Wanda leaned into the tender contact. "Why didn't you?"

"Didn't want to cross any boundaries. You were worth waiting for, however long it had to be."

Wanda kissed Natasha again, more sweetly, more gently. She could take her time now, she thought, as she and Natasha had all the time in the world. For once, the future excited Wanda. No longer was it a bleak canvas, with the timid woman awaiting whatever tragedy may befall her next, it was an open field, a foundation for Wanda to build a home on. And well, Natasha was about as sturdy of a foundation Wanda could ask for.