A Witch In The Room || S.B.

𝐀𝐜𝐭 𝐎𝐧𝐞

Year 2021

"Hugh?" Wanda pokes her head into the room Hughie occupies at the moment. Her sudden appearance and voice makes him jump. "Sorry." She laughs at his reaction. "Was wondering how you're holding up." She tilts her head with a sympathetic smile. "And if you're going to see Annie today." The volume of her voice drops so low Hughie's barely able to make it out.

"Doing as good as I'm capable of." Hughie throws on a shirt and turns to Wanda as he tries to walk out, but she catches his head in her hands.

"We're going to figure this bullshit out and you can be with Annie. Okay?" Her voice is still quiet.

Hughie nods and Wanda pulls his head down so she's able to place a kiss on his forehead.

"Come look at how Kimiko's doing." She gives a warm smile that helps his mood. Wanda drags Hughie through the room until they stand behind Kimiko. "Look at how amazing she's doing," Wanda says and Kimiko mirrors her grin.

"It looks good." Hughie agrees.

"I looked outside today," Wanda informs Hughie. "They're searching for us everywhere." She tells him. "I know you're going to see Annie and you want to go alone, but today I'm coming." She speaks almost silently into his ear. "I don't care if you don't want me to. You're my family and there's no way in hell those bastards are getting their hands on you."

Hughie just stares at her with a silent plea to not follow.

"Those eyes aren't going to work on me now." Wanda stares him down. "Either I come with or you don't go at all." Her need to protect Hughie is through the roof. Especially with Butcher being MIA on her.

"Fine." Hughie agrees to the plan.

"I won't be close enough to ruin your guys' little meet-up," Wanda whispers. "I'll just be watching from afar." With a nod of Hughie's head, the pair walk for the door.

"The fuck you two going?" Mother's Milk calls out the duo.

"Just going to get your Purell." Wanda comes up with on the spot.

"Two of you need to do that?"

"Hughie wanted to go alone, but I checked outside this morning and everyone is looking for our ass, so there's no way I'm letting him go alone," Wanda explains and Mother's Milk remembers the redhead treats Hughie like her kid.

"Get the shit with aloe." Mother's Milk tells them. "And come right back."

"I suggest not talking to me as if I'm your soldier and I follow your orders." Wanda's eyes glow red for a millisecond and M.M. backs down. "That's what I thought."

"You have to stop threatening them," Hughie tells her as they walk out of the building and onto the sidewalk, Wanda keeping him the farthest from the street. "Especially since you ha-"

"Since I was injected with the shit everyone hates?" Wanda questions and Hughie thins his lips. "You guys seem to trust Kimiko more than me." She points out. "I've been protecting your asses since day-fucking-one, so shut the hell up." She lectures him.

"I'm sorry." Hughie shakes his head right when a Supe flies over their head. In unison, the pair pulls their hoods over their heads and face the concrete as they walk. "You know I trust you, and I'm sure they do too. It's just Kimiko doesn't talk, so she can't throw out threats, unlike you."

"You do realize just because she's mute doesn't mean she hasn't killed someone," Wanda explains. "We're not having this conversation again." She lets out a deep breath. "Let's just get you to Annie and get back."