KALEIDOSCOPE ━ WADE WILSON

CHAPTER TEN

PLAYLIST:
i. bored - laufey
ii. you belong to me - patsy cline
iii. end of beginning - djo
iv. paradise - sade
v. saturn - sleeping at last
vi.   everywhere - fleetwood mac

–

Ainoa woke to the smell of coffee and something suspiciously like burning toast. She blinked, disoriented for a moment, before the events of the previous night came rushing back. The pain in her leg, now a dull throb, served as a stark reminder.

Gingerly, she sat up, testing her injured limb. It hurt, but it was manageable. She swung her legs over the side of the bed, gritting her teeth against the discomfort.

"Whoa there, hot shot," Wade's voice came from the doorway. He was leaning against the frame, a mug of coffee in each hand. "Where do you think you're going?"

Ainoa raised an eyebrow. "I smelled coffee. And something burning."

Wade grinned sheepishly. "Ah, yes. I may have overestimated my culinary skills. Turns out, making toast is harder than it looks."

He crossed the room, handing her one of the mugs before perching on the edge of the bed. "How's the leg feeling?"

Ainoa took a sip of the coffee, pleasantly surprised to find it was actually good. "It's been better. But I'll be fine."

"That's the spirit," Wade said, his tone light but his eyes scanning her face with concern. "You had me worried there for a minute, you know. I thought I might have to carry you around forever. Not that I'd mind, but it might make our daring escapades a bit more challenging."

Ainoa couldn't help but smile. "I'm sure you'd find a way to make it work. You seem pretty resourceful."

"Flattery will get you everywhere, princess," Wade winked. Then, more seriously, "But really, how are you doing? And I don't just mean the leg."

Ainoa's smile faded as she considered the question. "I'm processing, I guess. Everything that happened last night... it's a lot to take in."

Wade nodded, his expression uncharacteristically solemn. "I can't even imagine what you're going through. But hey, if you need someone to listen to your existential crisis, I'm your man. I've had plenty of practice with my own."

Just then, Lucia burst into the room, her face a mix of relief and concern. "Ainoa! You're awake. How are you feeling? Does it hurt? Do you need anything?"

Ainoa smiled at her younger sister's rapid-fire questions. "I'm okay, Lucia. Sore, but okay."

Lucia perched on the other side of the bed, her eyes scanning Ainoa's face. "I've been so worried. I should have been there last night. I'm so sorry."

"It's not your fault," Ainoa assured her, reaching out to squeeze Lucia's hand. "We couldn't have known what we were walking into."

Lucia nodded, but the guilt in her eyes remained. "Still, I feel responsible. Listen, I've been doing some digging on Project Phoenix. I think I might have found some other things."

Wade, who had been watching the sisters' interaction with a soft expression, chimed in. "Whoa there, tech wizard. Your sister here just got shot. She's not exactly in prime condition for a deep dive into conspiracy theories."

"Wade's right," Ainoa admitted reluctantly. "I don't think I'm up for much mental gymnastics today."

Lucia bit her lip, considering. "Alright. But as soon as you're feeling better, we need to go over what I've found. It could be a big thing."

Ainoa nodded, curiosity piqued despite her exhaustion. "Tomorrow, I promise."

As Lucia left the room to get some food, Wade turned back to Ainoa. "Well, looks like we've got a mystery on our hands, Velma. Should I go get my magnifying glass?"

Ainoa rolled her eyes, but couldn't suppress a smile. "Your regular eyes will do just fine."

Wade clutched his chest in mock offense. "You wound me, darling. And here I thought you appreciated my keen detective skills."

"Is that what we're calling it now?" Ainoa teased.

Their banter was interrupted by Blind Al's voice calling from the kitchen, "If you two are done flirting, there's actual food out here. And by food, I mean something that isn't charred beyond recognition."

Wade stood up, offering Ainoa his hand. "Shall we, milady? Can't keep the feast waiting."

Ainoa took his hand, allowing him to help her to her feet. She swayed slightly, and Wade's arm immediately went around her waist to steady her.

"Easy there, tiger," he murmured, his voice surprisingly gentle. "We've got all day. No need to rush."

As they made their way slowly to the kitchen, Ainoa found herself leaning into Wade's support more than she'd like to admit. His presence beside her was comforting in a way she hadn't expected.

The kitchen was a mess of burnt toast and spilled coffee, but true to Al's word, there was also a plate of scrambled eggs and some fruit that looked edible.

"My heroes," Ainoa said, gratefully sinking into a chair.

Al snorted. "Don't thank me. I just saved us all from food poisoning courtesy of Chef Boyardee over here."

Wade gasped dramatically. "I'll have you know my culinary skills are legendary. In certain circles. Very small circles. Mostly consisting of me."

As they ate, Ainoa's mind wandered back to the events of the previous night. Santiago's blank face, Juan's cruel smile, the sickening realization of what Project Phoenix truly entailed. She must have zoned out because suddenly Wade's hand was on her arm, his voice tinged with concern.

"Hey, you still with us?"

Ainoa blinks, focusing on his face. "Yeah, sorry. Just... thinking."

Wade's expression softened. "I get it. But don't go disappearing on us, okay? We need that beautiful brain of yours firing on all cylinders."

Lucia, who had been quietly observing, spoke up. "Ainoa, maybe you should rest some more. We can go over everything later when you're feeling stronger."

Ainoa nodded, suddenly feeling the weight of her exhaustion. "Yeah, maybe you're right."

And despite the pain in her leg and the weight of everything they'd learned, Ainoa found herself feeling slightly hopeful. Whatever came next, she knew they'd face it.