When two worlds collide

Chapter 1

The morning sun hung low in the sky, still burning off the thin layer of mist that clung to the Hollywood Hills like a blanket. The backlot of the Avengers set was buzzing with energy—crew members rushing to adjust equipment, directors shouting orders over megaphones, and costumed actors casually sipping coffee, their faces painted with a curious mixture of anticipation and boredom.

And then there was Y/N.

Perched on the edge of a towering scaffold, overlooking a massive rig designed to simulate an explosion, Y/N adjusted the straps on the harness and secured the last of the gear. Their job for today was simple, at least on paper: a high-flying, pyro-filled, mid-air collision sequence. The directors had already referred to it as "insane" at least three times that morning.

"Don't die on us, Y/N," the assistant director quipped as he handed them the final safety check clipboard. He said it in a half-joking, half-serious tone, which was probably warranted, considering the number of moving parts involved in this particular stunt.

"Die? On *this* set?" Y/N smirked as they signed off the checklist, handing it back. "I've survived worse hangovers."

The assistant director chuckled nervously, unsure whether they were serious or not, then backed away toward the rest of the crew. That was the thing about Y/N. They carried this effortless calm with them, as if nothing really got to them—whether it was a fiery explosion or an awkward conversation at craft services. Cool, mysterious, and, in a way, untouchable.

And definitely sarcastic.

Y/N was used to being the one people whispered about, the anonymous face in the background doing the death-defying work for the more marketable stars. It suited them just fine. They didn't need the limelight; they just liked the thrill.

Today, however, things were different. Word had spread across the set that Wanda Maximoff was visiting today for a few interview segments to help promote the movie. Apparently, some of the new magic sequences were going to be inspired by her suggestions, so she'd been invited to consult on a few scenes.

Y/N didn't pay much attention to it at first. It wasn't like they hadn't seen stars on set before. The only difference was that *this* star had unknowingly been part of Y/N's life in more ways than one.

The crew was getting into position when a sudden hush fell over the set. From the corner of their eye, Y/N spotted Wanda walking onto the scene, flanked by a couple of producers. She had this easy grace about her, not in an untouchable Hollywood way, but in a quiet, composed sort of way. She wasn't wearing anything flashy, just jeans and a simple jacket, her hair loose around her shoulders. Her eyes, though—they were sharp, taking in everything around her.

Y/N leaned back against the scaffold rail, adjusting their gloves as they watched Wanda from a distance. For a moment, they considered how wild it was to see her in person, after all the times they'd watched her on screen. But then, duty called, and Y/N's attention snapped back to the present. The stunt coordinator was shouting final instructions, and Y/N could feel the buzz of excitement creeping up their spine.

"Okay, Y/N," the director called out. "We're rolling in five. You ready to do your thing?"

"Always." Y/N's voice was light, but their focus was razor-sharp.

As the cameras started rolling, Y/N took a deep breath. The stunt was about as dangerous as it could get without crossing into 'this is just asking for trouble' territory. The plan was to leap from the scaffold, crash through a series of glass panels, and then land in a roll just as the pyro charges went off. A split second too early or late, and it wouldn't be pretty.

The moment the signal was given, Y/N leaped. The air whipped past them, the world blurring into a rush of color and noise. Glass shattered around them in a symphony of chaos, perfectly timed with the crackling explosions that bloomed behind. For a few heart-pounding seconds, it was just them and the stunt—adrenaline surging as they twisted mid-air, every muscle primed for impact.

Then, the landing. A perfect roll, and they were up on their feet in an instant. The set erupted in cheers and applause. Y/N casually brushed some glass shards from their jacket and smirked as they caught their breath. Not bad. Not bad at all.

But as the cheers started to die down, Y/N noticed Wanda standing at the edge of the set, her eyes locked on them. She had that look—the kind people had when they weren't quite sure what to make of you. It wasn't the usual admiration that stunt performers got, but something more. She was intrigued, maybe even a little impressed. Y/N shot her a wink, just to see what would happen.

Wanda raised an eyebrow, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

After the take was done, Y/N made their way over to the side of the set where the crew was resetting for the next shot. They grabbed a bottle of water from the table, taking a long drink when they felt a presence behind them. Turning slightly, they found Wanda standing there, arms casually crossed, still watching them.

"Not bad," she said, her tone teasing but warm.

"Not bad?" Y/N raised an eyebrow, feigning offense. "I risk my life for this movie, and all I get is a 'not bad'?"

Wanda chuckled softly. "Well, I've seen explosions bigger than that. Maybe you're just spoiled by the CGI."

Y/N laughed, leaning back against a table. "Fair enough. Guess I'll have to blow up something bigger next time."

She took a step closer, her curiosity evident. "Do you always make a habit of throwing yourself into danger like that?"

Y/N shrugged, a grin playing on their lips. "What can I say? I like to keep things interesting. Plus, it's not as bad as it looks."

Wanda gave them a long look, as if she were trying to figure out what made them tick. "You must be either very brave or very reckless."

Y/N tilted their head, pretending to think it over. "Why not both?"

There was a moment of silence, filled with the distant sounds of the crew bustling around them. Wanda looked at Y/N, her eyes flicking with something almost playful. "Well, just so you know, next time you jump through fire, I expect to see a little more flair."

Y/N chuckled. "Oh, trust me. You haven't seen anything yet."

Wanda's smile widened before she gave a nod and turned to walk away, leaving Y/N standing there with a mischievous grin on their face.

"By the way," Y/N called after her. "Let me know if you need a stunt double for your magic tricks. I'm pretty good with sleight of hand too."

Wanda paused, glancing back over her shoulder with a smirk. "I'll keep that in mind."

And just like that, she was gone, melting back into the chaos of the set. Y/N couldn't help but feel that this wouldn't be the last time they crossed paths. Something about her intrigued them too—and they were never one to shy away from a challenge.

As the crew reset for the next stunt, Y/N pulled their jacket a little tighter and prepared to go again. The day was far from over, and who knew what other surprises it held?