Escaping Maximoff

BIRDS OF A FEATHER

Sunlight bled out into a crimson sky, swirls of golden fire consuming the horizon. The sun began to melt into the shadows, its flames licking at darkness. The cloudless void of colour was dotted with birds and framed by tall trees, stretching up from the thick forest; a picture-perfect view from Wanda's bedroom.

The Avenger was sat beside me, covered by her infamous red blanket whilst she read a book. Pages turned almost silently; the soft brushing of paper and the distant calls of sparrows were the only audibly proof that the world was turning. I tried to quiet my thoughts, worried that they would interrupt the woman's peace. She deserved to not have to worry about shutting anything out and just be able to relax. I, on the other hand, had a lot to think about – quietly, of course. But as much as I wanted to solve all of our problems, I was tired, and Wanda's blanket really did look comfortable.

I shifted closer to the woman until I could lean into her side and rest my head on her shoulder. Almost immediately, Wanda draped the red material over my legs and wrapped one arm around me so she could still hold her book.

"What are you reading?" I asked quietly, my fingers playing with the loose threads at the end of her shirt.

"The Time Traveler's Wife," she replied with a smile. "It's wonderful; I really think you would enjoy it."

I hummed in response. Reading was one of my favourite things to do. I found it incredible how you could escape to a new world; how books were beyond just ink on paper, but vessels to transport you to a writers most vivid dreams. It was beautiful how words could mean so much, how the specific order of letters could paint such a vibrant image. I was excited to finally have someone who shared my passion for reading, no one else ever seemed to understand that fascination. No one except Wanda of course. She really was perfect.

"You flatter me too much, my sweet girl. With all these compliments, my ego will be as big as Tony Stark's," she joked, turning her head to kiss my hairline.

I gasped softly. "Oh no, that would be terrible."

"It really would," she joked. "But honestly, you think too highly of me."

I shook my head. It left a gaping hole in my stomach at the thought that Wanda viewed herself as lowly as she did.

"Wanda, you're like a mother to me. More than the woman who birthed me ever could be," I admitted, nerves churning at the confession I had been holding back for weeks. "You are kind, patient, and more selfless than anyone I know. You love unconditionally and protect the people you care about, even if it is at your own expense. I have never met someone like you, and I doubt I ever will. I struggle to put into words how strong you are because I don't think it's something you understand. You are more than your powers, which are pretty cool; you're a person who deserves to be loved."

I had finally said it. I had finally told her how I truly felt, and I was terrified about what she'd think. I didn't want her to feel like I was too clingy or, worse, that I had misinterpreted our whole relationship. Maybe we weren't as close as I thought. The silence that seemed to echo around the darkening room made the fear even more stifling.

"I'm scared."

Wanda's hold on me tightened as she turned to meet my gaze, her eyes glistening with tears not yet fallen.

"I'm sorry, just ignore what I said. I'm such an idiot," I rambled, shutting my eyes in anger, wondering how I could be so stupid that I made her cry.

"Y/n, I'm scared that I'm going to lose you," she clarified, speaking slowly as if my pea-sized brain couldn't handle the revelation that someone actually loved me back. "The last time I saw soldiers with a logo like the one you described was in Westview. I was at my lowest, I had lost everything, and I was desperate to get it back. I loved Vision, and the twins, and I would have done anything for them. I would have destroyed the world to protect them. But Vision is gone, and the boys do not exist in this universe. I thought that I could never get close to anyone again. I was terrified that everything I touched, I destroyed. Yet, life brought me you. The only person I can truly say that I am close to. I know how it feels to lose people, but until I met you, I can't say that I ever knew what it was like to love." Wanda took my face in her hands, pouring all her emotions out through her words. "I love you, y/n, and if I am lucky enough to be a mother, I wish to be yours."

I didn't waste a second before diving into her warm embrace, wrapping my arms around her back and hiding my face in her neck. Silent tears streamed from my eyes, wetting the soft cotton of her shirt as relief washed over my body. She felt the same way. All of the worry was for nothing. All the doubt was pointless.

But the feeling of bliss was momentary, and an inkling of fear crept into my heart.

"What are we going to do about the soldiers?" I fretted, emerging from the safety of her embrace to face her.

She wiped a strand of hair from my eyes and tucked it behind my ear.

"I've taken care of S.W.O.R.D before, I can do it again."