New Beginnings - A Wanda Maximoff Story

Chapter 5

Wanda snuck out of her room that night, grabbing food and snacks for her room and quietly headed back upstairs so she wouldn't be caught. She wasn't planning on leaving her room for a while. She knew she upset Mila and couldn't bear to face her after. Mila likes her?? Like.. as a friend? As a crush? It just seemed silly. Wanda isn't the likable type. The baggage, the trauma; she could go on. And yet.. Mila's words rang in her head over and over again.

'And I like you a lot.'

It was quiet but certain. Wanda really wished she wasn't such a screwup. Mila helped her sleep and spent the night with her, accompanied by a kiss on her head when she was at her worst. That seems more than just friendly. She knew she needed to apologize but she wasn't quite ready to be seen around just yet. Her mind wouldn't allow her to think of anything else and she was so frustrated. Spurts of red shot from her fingertips and she broke a vase. Wanda's eyes widened, taking a deep breath and carefully maneuvering her magic to put the vase back together. She sighed, despite being frustrated about not being able to think of anything or anyone but Mila, it was a nice change.

She laid down in bed, thinking of Mila's calm words and soft hands on her skin, her golden brown eyes, and the way her fingers felt in her hair; eventually drifting back to sleep. She awoke to an alarm and her entire room glowed red at the loud noise. Sunday alarms always shocked her. It was their mandatory team bonding day and she cursed at the thought of having to be around everyone; even if they're spending the entire day watching their favorite movies.

Wanda took a shower and got dressed slowly, smelling the aroma of buttery popcorn floating through the compound. She didn't bother with her hair, just letting it air dry while she threw on a t-shirt and soft biker shorts. She padded to the lounge wearing just socks on her feet, turning the corner to see Barton and Natasha arguing over which movie to put on first. Wanda walked into the room and sat on the couch, not seeing Mila anywhere.

"W-where's Mila?" Wanda asked meekly. Steve turned to her and smiled gently.

"She had a bit of a family emergency but she'll be back tomorrow," he responded.

Wanda shivered. It wasn't warm without Mila. Even though she had been a bit of a bitch to her the last time they spoke, Wanda was still concerned. Steve grabbed her hand and squeezed, noticing the concern on her face, giving her a tiny bit of reassurance. The movie they settled on had bored Wanda a bit so she decided to go into the kitchen to prepare the team lunch, even though no one had asked her to before. She could still see the giant screen, expecting no less from Tony Stark himself.

She found everything she needed and began to whip up a childhood favorite, in hopes that everyone would love it. She set plate upon plate of stuffed cabbage and beef stew upon the kitchen island. She watched as the credits rolled and Steve stood up and took a big whiff of the air around them.

"Holy shit that smells amazing!" the super soldier exclaimed. He turned and saw Wanda in the kitchen, face and chest blushed a deep crimson. Steve and the rest of the team emerged from the lounge and Wanda watched as their jaws dropped at the food around them.

"Wanda! You didn't have to make lunch! I totally could've done it!" Natasha said, eyeing up everything. "It was my turn today anyway!"

"Uh it's okay, I wanted to do it," Wanda responded sheepishly.

"This is so fucking delicious!! Thank you Wanda!!" Barton agreed. "Romanoff you might have a challenger in the kitchen!"

Natasha laughed heartily. "If anything, now I've got a partner in the kitchen and we can get dinner done faster to feed you starving scoundrels," she said, watching Wanda laugh timidly. "I swear every time a meal is made it's like they haven't eaten for WEEKS!"

"Oh hush, we just appreciate good food," Steve said chuckling.

"Mila has arrived," interrupted JARVIS.

"She's back earlier than I thought!" Steve exclaimed. He whisked off to greet her, leaving his dish behind. He returned, cradling her like a small child, her face tear stained and eyes red and puffy. Steve padded down the hall to her room, taking her to lie down. He reappeared looking somber, taking a seat on the couch once again.

Natasha leaned in close to Wanda and whispered, "If you want to go see her; go. I can clean this up."

Wanda nodded but didn't move. She wasn't sure if Mila would want to see her right now. They hadn't left on good terms. But she felt this overwhelming need to check on her. Wanda knew it was what Mila would do for her.

Wanda slowly walked to Mila's room, hesitant at the door, noticing a hand painted sign on her door with her name, something she had put together herself no doubt. Before she even had a chance to knock on the door, there was a quiet voice on the side interrupted her thoughts.

"Come in," Mila said, almost too soft to hear.

Wanda opened the door slowly, stepping inside to see that the normally bright and sunshiney girl was almost a shade of gray, picking at her cuticles as she sat on the edge of her bed. Wanda closed the door behind her, stepping closer to the girl.

"Mila..." Wanda said hesitantly. Her eyes turning even more soft as the sweet girl looked up at her with bloodshot eyes. "Do you want to talk about what happened?" Mila shook her head.

"Okay.. um.. how about show me?" Wanda asked gently.

"S-show y-"

"Yes. Show me whatever you'd like. I'll be able to see it; with your permission of course," Wanda added. She never enters peoples mind's now without permission. It was a dark place taking advantage of the Avengers on that pirated ship. She shivered, not wanting to go back there. Mila nodded.

"May I take your hands?" Wanda asked. Mila nodded once more, placing both of her hands in Wanda's as she turned her body a bit. Wanda closed her eyes and tuned in, putting herself in the room with Mila and her family.

There were flashing lights and beeps and people running everywhere; Wanda realized they were in a hospital. She could feel the sadness coming from Mila as she held her hands, her grip tightening when the vision turned to what looked like Mila's mom in a hospital bed. She was hooked up to lines and tubes and did not look well. The vision then turned dark, the beeps turning into a flat line; a sheet being placed over her mom in the bed.

The vision black, Wanda gasped for air again, coming back to reality with a sad Mila in her hands. "Mila.. I-"

"Please just.. hold me," Mila whispered.

Wanda nodded, pulling the girl across her lap. Mila buried her head in Wanda's neck, her arms around her too. Wanda blushed at the intimate moment the two of them were sharing, but quickly refocused to the broken girl in front of her. She rubbed Mila's back slowly, sitting back more on the bed to be comfortable. Mila's breath evened out, the warm exhales on Wanda's neck giving her goosebumps. Wanda admitted to herself that she could stay like this forever. She loved having Mila in her lap and loved being the one to comfort her.

"I'm sorry for my behavior yesterday. You didn't deserve that and I was rude," Wanda stammered.

Mila lifted her head off of Wanda's shoulder. "Th-thank you," she replied shakily.

"And uh.. I also... likeyoualot" Wanda rushed out, hoping maybe Mila didn't hear but also kind of hoping she did hear.

"I know," Mila said, cracking a small smile.

"W-what? I-"

Wanda couldn't believe her ears. "The way you react to my aura. No one else reacts the same way you do. I've known for a while, love," Mila said quietly. Wanda's eyes went wide, her face and neck blushing a deep red. Mila pressed a soft kiss to her shoulder. Wanda inhaled sharply, not expecting the gentle touch from the grieving girl.

"Was that okay?" Mila whispered, unsure if she had crossed a line.

"That was- it's more than okay," Wanda responded, the biggest smile on her face. Probably the biggest one she's had since she moved to the compound. She pushed some hair out of Mila's face and pressed her forehead to hers. "We're gonna get through this together, okay?"

Mila nodded, threading their fingers together and bringing Wanda's knuckles to her lips for another soft kiss.