Maybe Not in this Universe (A Wanda Maximoff Fanfic)

1

You had always considered your power a gift. A blessing. A privilege. A means to save the world from whatever evil it will encounter.

You thanked the heavens the day you met Stephen in the coffee shop you were working at as a barista. If it weren't for him, you wouldn't even know you possess the ability to travel through the multiverse.

With the help of the magic scroll containing the list of universes in the world and its respective spells to which Stephen can perform plus your innate ability to conjur a portal to preferred destination, it made Wong's missions possible.

It started with one successful mission. And then ended with an offer to join the Avengers.

An offer you couldn't deny even if you wanted to. You knew you'd just end up throwing your life away pretending being a barista was your dream job.

Plus, who would refuse for a front row seat witnessing the one and only Wanda Maximoff, who was just your ultimate crush even before joining the team.

With her piercing green eyes that turn into a different shade against the sun, and her silky dark brown hair which you'd been dreaming to run your fingers through, it was undeniable attraction.

You had small interactions with her at first, and by those interactions, you'd end up humiliating yourself, stuttering and/or babbling words that don't even make sense.

And with Wanda's pleasant attitude towards you and practically everyone on the team, she didn't mind the harmless flirting you sent her way. She didn't even know you were flirting if Natasha and Bruce didn't confirm to the whole group.

"You wish, Y/n" or "Yeah, in your dreams, smartypants" was what Wanda would always reply to your pick up lines, which you learned from monthly missions with Sam.

The more time you spent flirting and talking with her, the more you realized that Wanda was more than the action figure or the character from the comic book you bought for your nephew five years ago. And she was obviously not what the headlines was always talking about in the news.

Wanda was that two lumps of sugar you put in your black coffee everyday. And her laugh was that amazing bridge of the song you were stuck listening to.

You were in love with her. You were in love with Wanda Maximoff.

And when you're in love, moments with Wanda around you were always in slow motion.

With Wanda's twin brother, Prieto, supporting your intentions all the way, it would seem like regardless of your lack in experience on courtship, you knew you'd get the girl in the end.

Although you actually knew you'd get Wanda. You knew she'd be your wife.

She had to be.

Because she was your loving wife in the 36 out of 74 universes you and Stephen had traveled to.

The time you found out that you existed in those 36 universes, Wanda was your wife. Happy marriage. Working with the avengers or living as normal civilians. In some universes, you even had two boys or two girls or even just pets you both adopted from the animal shelter.

And you knew, in this universe you were born into where you existed, Wanda would become your girlfriend, and eventually your wife.

Only you and Stephen knew about this though. And you both agreed never to share it to anyone. Even when he found out you decided to pursue Wanda after denying the teases he made towards you.

But your power was not always a blessing. Sometimes, it was a curse.

It was raining cats and dogs when you found out about Pietro's death. You were devastated, you couldn't even concentrate on your current task at hand.

When you got back to the compound, you immediately made your way up the stairs heading towards the brunette's room, knowing she'd need someone to be there for her.

"Y/n!"

A call from Natasha, with eyes still red from crying, made you stop.

"Don't. This is not like before. This is not like any other day. She wants to be alone," Natasha went on.

You forced out a smile. "It's okay. I can talk to her."

Then you proceeded on your way.

"Y/n, you don't understand..." It was Steve's voice that drawled on. But you couldn't hear anymore as you knocked on Wanda's door.

Without waiting for a reply, you slowly pushed the door open and softly called out her name.

The room was dark, with only the lamp from the bedside table helping you see her silhouette hunched over on the edge of her bed.

"I heard about...," you started then lost your voice.

You didn't even know how to continue. You knew no matter how meaningful the words are when someone consoles you, it won't heal the grief. You had lost loved ones before so you knew.

"I'm sorry," was what you ended up saying. "He was... Pietro was-"

You didn't even get to say what you wanted to say when Wanda suddenly slammed you against the wall with her power as she stood.

What was once her angelic Sokovian voice now became almost venomous.

"How dare you come inside my room without invitation, talking about my dead brother like you know what you're talking..."

You couldn't move even if you tried to as her fingers went around your neck in a tight grasp.

For a moment, you forgot how to breathe. How to fight. This was Wanda. She was always a safe place. She was not this hostile.

But with her fiery green eyes with dark shades underneath from lack of sleep and endless crying, you admitted she still looked beautiful just the same. Beautiful but sad. And it made you worry.

Wanda scoffed as she tightened her grip. "My brother's dead and you're still thinking of fucking me?"

Your face turned red but not from the lack of oxygen. You forgot Wanda can also read minds when she wanted to. It wasn't what you thought though. At least that was what you convince yourself.

"When will it ever occur to you that I don't see you like that?!" Wanda spat. And it wasn't your lungs that was hurting from lack of air but your other organ.

She leaned forward, her face mere inches away from yours. "I am so sick of hearing all your pathetic obsession about me. I'd rather die than be your girlfriend, you presumptuous shit!"

"Wan-da," you croaked weakly, your hand grasping her wrist to stop her and make her listen.

"Let her go, Wanda!" Steve bellowed behind us. And when Wanda's hurt eyes met yours, almost rolling to the back of your head, she immediately loosened her grip and let you fall on the floor, you catching all the air you could find.

Wanda's attention then turned to Steve as more commotion took place. It would appear that Steve sent Pietro on that mission that met his untimely demise.

"Are you okay?" Natasha asked as she kneeled before you. "I told you she doesn't want to talk to anyone."

You nodded, not even sure if she could see through your lie.

Amidst the physical pain you felt, deep down inside, you knew what Wanda said was true.

She didn't see you that way. Hell, she didn't even look your way and it was only then when you realized that.

You thought maybe she just needed to get to know you better first before she'd say yes when you asked her out for a small lunch or takeout dinner.

That was why you decided to become a close friend, even when she dodged all your flirtatious attempts her way.

Wanda didn't like you like that.

How cruel would the universe be to you, giving you advance notice from other universe you've been to that Wanda was going to be your wife and you just had to wait.

And then out of all the universes that you really existed, maybe this was the only universe where you wouldn't end up with her.