Between Lies and Love

Chapter 16

Y/N had been walking through the park, trying to clear their head. The sharp autumn air helped, but their thoughts kept drifting back to Wanda. They had tried to forget her—to move on. But it was impossible. Every time they passed a café they'd once visited, or heard a song they'd both loved, the ache would return, a deep, painful pull in their chest.

Wanda had lied. That part was true. But Y/N couldn't shake the feeling that she had been lying to protect them from something far worse than just her past. And now, more than ever, it felt like danger was lurking around every corner.

As Y/N approached the main path, they noticed something strange—a sleek, black van parked nearby with an emblem on the side: a sword cutting through a shield. It made their stomach churn uneasily. The same logo as the badge they'd found in Wanda's things.

Before Y/N could turn away, a man in a dark suit stepped out from behind the van, his eyes immediately locking onto them. He seemed calm, deliberate, his footsteps unhurried as he approached.

"Excuse me," he said smoothly, his voice carrying the tone of someone used to being obeyed.

Y/N stopped, their heart thudding uncomfortably in their chest. They offered a tight smile, hoping to pass the man without further engagement. But he stepped closer, just enough to make them uncomfortable, his gaze sharp and calculating.

"You seem familiar," the man said, his eyes scanning Y/N with an intensity that made their skin crawl. "But I don't believe we've met."

Y/N's brow furrowed. "I don't think we have," they replied, trying to keep their voice steady. "I was just on my way home."

The man smiled, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Home," he repeated thoughtfully. "Funny, that. Most people who get involved with S.W.O.R.D. tend to lose their sense of home pretty quickly."

Y/N felt a chill creep down their spine, despite the autumn air still holding a gentle warmth. Their instincts flared, warning them to get away, but something about the man's words held them rooted to the spot.

"What are you talking about?" Y/N asked, careful to keep their tone neutral.

The agent tilted his head slightly, his gaze narrowing. "Oh, I'm sure you've heard of us. We're quite good at handling... unusual situations."

Y/N felt a prickling sensation in the air around them, and without meaning to, they let out a small, unsteady breath. The temperature around them shifted ever so slightly—a soft rise in warmth, barely noticeable unless you were looking for it.

The agent's lips twitched. "Interesting," he murmured. "You might want to be careful with that."

Y/N's heart skipped a beat. *He knows.* The realization hit them like a punch to the gut, and the warmth around them spiked briefly before they managed to tamp it down, forcing themselves to breathe slowly.

"What are you talking about?" Y/N repeated, more defensively this time.

The agent smiled again, his expression unreadable. "Just a word of advice," he said coolly. "People with... talents like yours, they tend to attract attention. The kind of attention that could be dangerous—especially if you don't know how to control it."

Y/N swallowed hard, their mind racing. They wanted to say something, to deny it, but the way the agent watched them with those calculating eyes told them it would be pointless. He *knew.* He knew about their powers, and he was here for a reason.

"You should think about the company you keep," the agent continued, his voice dropping to a lower, more ominous tone. "Some people come with baggage. Dangerous baggage."

Y/N felt their throat tighten. Was this about Wanda? It had to be.

The agent glanced over his shoulder, back toward the van, then returned his gaze to Y/N. "I'd hate for you to get caught up in something beyond your control. Or to let your abilities slip in the wrong company." His words lingered, heavy with implication.

Y/N couldn't hide their reaction this time—the air around them warmed noticeably, betraying their tension. The agent's smile widened, just slightly, as if to say *I told you so*.

Without waiting for Y/N's response, he gave a small, almost mocking nod. "Stay safe," he said, turning on his heel and heading back to the van.

Y/N stood frozen in place, their mind spinning. The agent had known—about them, about Wanda. And not just that, but he'd hinted at something more. Something about their powers, and how they were tied up in this whole mess.

Back in their apartment later that night, Y/N couldn't stop thinking about the encounter. The agent's words echoed in their mind, unsettling and cryptic. *Talents like yours... dangerous baggage...* He had known about their powers, and he had known about Wanda.

Was this why Wanda had run? Was this why she had kept everything a secret?

The temperature in the room rose again as Y/N's emotions surged. They paced the room, trying to piece it all together. *S.W.O.R.D. wasn't just after Wanda.* They were after people like her—people with powers. Maybe even people like Y/N.

Y/N clenched their fists, struggling to keep their emotions—and their powers—under control. Everything felt like it was spinning out of control, the air growing thick with heat as their mind raced.

Despite everything—despite the lies, the betrayal—Y/N still loved Wanda. And now, they couldn't shake the feeling that she was in danger. Maybe she had always been in danger, and maybe that's why she had tried so hard to protect Y/N by keeping them in the dark.

But that didn't change the fact that Y/N had walked away. They had left her, hurt and alone, because they couldn't handle the truth. And now, Wanda was out there, facing S.W.O.R.D. and who knew what else, while Y/N wrestled with their emotions.

*What if something happens to her?* The thought cut through Y/N like a knife, making their chest tighten. The temperature in the room spiked again, but this time, Y/N couldn't force it down. The panic was too strong.

They grabbed their jacket, their decision made.

They didn't know if they could ever forgive Wanda, but they weren't going to let her face this alone. Not if S.W.O.R.D. was involved. Not after everything.

As Y/N stepped out into the cool night, the heat around them finally began to dissipate, replaced by a cold determination. They didn't know what they were walking into, but they knew one thing for sure.

They still loved Wanda, and no matter how complicated their feelings were, they couldn't let her be hurt.

They couldn't say goodbye, not yet.