It only takes the holidays - Wanda Maximoff x Reader

Chapter 1 - It only takes a commercial

When you open your eyes it's still dark outside. Not that it's anything other than ordinary, though. You pick your cellphone from the nightstand and check the clock. 5:13am. You still have a few minutes before the alarm rings, but you decide to get up anyway.

After getting ready for the day you go down to the kitchen, trying your best not to make the stairs creak under your feet. In the kitchen you have a fast, silent breakfast before heading to the backdoor. After putting your hat, that is begging to be replaced, you step outside breathing in the cold air of the morning.

You walk slowly towards the stable, enjoying the noise your boots make on the muddy path. Opening the door of the small wood construction, you can already hear the noises from the horses inside.

You pick five apples from the basket near the entrance and walk towards the horses, taking your time to greet every one of them, taking a little longer with yours. Daisy, a caramel mare you got from your parents when you were fifteen. You caress her mane before mounting.

Riding towards the entrance of the property, you observe your surroundings. The farm is small, but you take good care of it. The kale and the lettuce plantations were growing better than last year, and the carrots would be ready for the Christmas fair if you used a little more fertilizer. The chicken coop was still as beautiful as it was when you painted it at fall. There were still somethings you had to do, but the farm was getting better over the years.

After your father died four years ago, you moved back home and started spending more time in the farm, helping your mother. Having to take care of her and of your little sister, keep the farm on its place, run the Christmas tree family business and keep your job in town, you hardly had time to grieve. If you were honest with yourself, it feels like you hadn't taken your time to grieve his death at all. But that's better this way, you thought to yourself repeatedly, you had to be there for your mother and keeping yourself busy was great to avoid thoughts you didn't want to have.

Speaking of those, there was only one thought you were incapable of keeping off of your mind: Wanda Maximoff. It's been ten years since the last time you saw her and the memories still burn inside your brain. All the things left unsaid. All the things you shouldn't have said but you did. Everything brings a lump to your throat and a burn to your eyes that you're always unable to avoid no matter how hard you try it.

And the worst part is that it doesn't matter anymore. It doesn't matter if you two used to be inseparable, now there was no room for you in each other's lives. It doesn't matter if you loved her still, in the same way you did when you were seventeen, because she broke your heart, and you broke hers as well. And it doesn't matter if she was finally coming back to town to spend the holidays with her family, you wouldn't see her, because she didn't want to see you, and so didn't you.

You shake your head in an attempt to send the thoughts away and to avoid the tears from falling. When you finally get to the barn near the entrance to the farm, you spot a familiar face already waiting for you.

- Wilson. - You greet the man, your voice a little husky from the lack of use.

- Morning, boss. – He says with a smile, taking the reins of your mare while you dismount. – I have to talk to you. – He says, tying the reins on the hitching rail near the barn.

- What is it? – You ask, approaching him, resting your hands on your belt.

- The trees are great this year. – He says, pointing to the small forest behind the barn. You smile, acknowledging what he said. The trees are big and have an intense green tone that contrasts beautifully with the white snow. You think your father would be proud and you smile wider. – But I believe we should change the ornaments.

- And why's that? – You ask, frowning your brows. – We bought new ones last year and they look brand new if you ask me. - You complete and Sam giggles.

- You sound just like your father. – He says with a tender smile to which you reciprocate. Your father always managed to avoid expenses. Not that you were short on cash, but you didn't have a lot to spare as well so avoiding unnecessary expenses was always a good thing. - I agree with you, but the mayor wants everything to look perfect. – He said sarcastically, moving his arms dramatically and you chuckle. – He thinks we'll be getting a lot of tourists with our celebrity coming home.

Your laughter dies to his words and you hum awkwardly in agreement. You can feel Sam's eyes on you but you ignore them, looking at the ground.

- You good? – He asks cautiously.

- Sure, just tired. – You answer, pretending to not understand the real meaning of his question. Understanding that you don't want to talk about it, he just nods. Breaking the awkward silence, you pat his back. – Come on, let's buy those ornaments.

He smiles and follows you to your truck.

-----

Shopping for ornaments took you more time than you were expecting. When you put the last things you bought on the back of the truck it was almost 6pm. You didn't mind, though, it was good to keep your mind busy and not think about Wanda so often.

After that, you and Sam decided to have dinner on a restaurant nearby. The food is good and the two of you spend the entire meal discussing how you would organize this year's sale. Sam was talking about hiring someone to deal with the costumers since you were a terrible seller when the TV on the corner of the room caught your attention.

There she was. Wanda. With her emerald green eyes and the brightest smile. It was a commercial of some brand you didn't know, it was probably about makeup or some skincare product. But you couldn't care less, she was so beautiful you would buy anything from her. But then your heart ached, knowing that the only place you saw her now was through a screen.

Of course Sam noticed your little trance, but when the commercial ends and you turn your attention back at him, he just giggles shaking his head.

After that, you go back to discuss the sale, but you're not paying much attention anymore.

-----

- Look who's back! – You hear your mother saying from the kitchen when you enter the house. You take off your hat and your boots before walking towards the sound. When you get to the kitchen you see your mother and your little sister having dinner. – I was starting to worry.

- I went shopping for Christmas ornaments with Sam. – You say, kissing her on the cheek. – The mayor wants everything to be perfect. – You explain, noticing her curious gaze. You kiss the top of your sister's head before sitting on one of the chairs.

- Oh, Stark. I can't say I'm surprised. – She says giggling.

- He thinks we'll have more tourists this year, you know? Because Wanda is coming and all. – You say, avoiding their gazes.

- Speaking of her. – Your mother says slowly and you look at her. - I was planning on hosting a lunch for the Maximoff family, as a welcome for her.

- That sounds really good, mom. - You say after a while, trying to sound casual, but you could never fool your mother. Before she could say anything else, though, your sister speaks.

- I can't wait for her to arrive. – She says with a smile and you snort.

- Why? The last time you saw her you were, like, seven.

- For your information, I do remember her. – She says in annoyance. – Besides, I really like her movies.

- She's not like those characters in the movies, (Y/S/N). – Your mother retorts, amused.

- How would you know? You haven't seen her in ten years. – You say harshly and an uncomfortable silence takes over the place. You take a deep breath and close your eyes before speaking again. – I'm sorry, mom. I didn't mean to be rude, I'm just... It's been a long day.

She just smiles tenderly at you and holds your hand across the table. You give her hand a soft squeeze and get up. After saying your goodnights, you go up to your room.

Lost in your own thoughts, you take a quick shower and go straight to bed. When you close your eyes, you already know you won't be able to sleep.