Tear Us Apart (Wanda x Female Reader)

Chapter 40 - Soul Meets Body

Y/N's POV

"I'm going to get some things from your house. Are you coming?" Kate's voice cut through the heavy silence in the room that Nat left us in, her tone sharper than usual.

"Um, yeah. Let's go," I replied quickly, eager to avoid deepening the tension between us.

On the drive, Nat sent everyone encrypted coordinates to a location she wanted us to meet. Kate's eyes narrowed as she studied the map, quickly realizing that it led to Clint's unmarked home. Nat emphasized the need for discretion when leaving the compound, and Kate decided it would be best if we drove there from my house.

I offered to drive, hoping she might relax and enjoy the ride, but the atmosphere remained thick with unspoken words.

We drove for a while in a suffocating silence, the hum of the engine and the occasional passing car the only sounds between us. I glanced over at her, searching for the right moment to say anything. I tried turning on some music, but Kate quickly reached over and turned it off. The silence returned, even heavier than before. I knew I had to break it, but the words felt like they were stuck in my throat.

"Kate, I know you're still upset," I began cautiously, my eyes flicking to her as I spoke. "And you have every right to be. I just... I want us to be okay."

She let out a deep sigh and finally turned to look at me. "It's not that easy, Y/N. You shut me out again! You lied to me again! I can see now why Wanda was always upset with you." She shouted, but the regret in Kate's eyes was immediate, as if she wished she could take the words back the moment they left her mouth.

Her words stung, but I swallowed the initial hurt, driving in silence as I processed what she said and understood her anger toward me. I could sense her tension beside me, the way she was waiting to see how I would react. But before she could open her mouth to apologize, something unexpected happened—I burst out laughing.

Kate blinked at me in confusion. "What's so funny?"

"You're right," I said between fits of laughter. "Wanda was always upset with me doing things like this to her. I must be such a pain in the ass. I know Maria would agree. Heck, so would Nat. I am so sure that Yelena has even said it to my face," I said, trying to control the laughter that had taken over me.

Kate hesitated, then joined in, a small smile creeping onto her face. "I didn't mean it like that, Y/N."

"Yeah, you did," I replied, wiping a tear from my eye. "But it's okay. I understand. You're not wrong. I really am sorry, Kate. I should have been honest with you, but I really was just trying to protect you. You don't need more things to worry about."

She nodded, her expression softening. "I'm sorry too, Y/N. I'm glad you can laugh about it, but I didn't mean to bring up Wanda like that. It was out of line. And you need to understand that you are mine to worry about." Kate paused for a second. "I mean... I just care for you so much Y/N. I can't lose you."

I reached over to squeeze her hand. "I'm sorry Kate. Truly. I guess it's your turn to deal with my stubbornness, but I promise I will try to do better."

She squeezed my hand back, a genuine grin spreading across her face. "I don't know what I'm going to do with you, Y/N," she teased, her tone finally lightening.

I shrugged playfully, my eyes twinkling. "You're stuck with me, remember?"

"Yeah, yeah. I know. No turning back now," she replied with a roll of her eyes, her voice warm with affection.

The rest of the drive passed easily, the tension that had been hanging over us dissipating with each mile. By the time we reached Clint's secluded home, it almost felt like old times.