Between Lies and Love

Chapter 17

Y/N's heart raced as they approached Wanda's—no, *Lizzy's*—apartment. Their thoughts were a whirlwind of confusion, fear, and, despite everything, love. After their encounter with the S.W.O.R.D. agent, it was clear that the danger was far from over. The last thing Y/N wanted was to see Wanda hurt.

Standing in front of the door, Y/N hesitated, their hand hovering over the handle. Would she even want to see them after the way they'd left? Would she let them in? Their breath fogged in the cool night air as they gathered the courage to knock.

Finally, they rapped on the door, the sound echoing in the hallway. A tense few seconds passed before the door creaked open slightly, revealing Wanda—Lizzy. She looked different, tired and wary, but the moment she saw Y/N standing there, something shifted in her eyes. Surprise, maybe even relief, flickered in the depths of her gaze.

Y/N swallowed, trying to push down the storm of emotions building inside. "Can I come in?"

Wanda hesitated for a long moment before nodding slightly, stepping back to let them enter.

Inside, the apartment felt smaller than Y/N remembered, as though the tension between them had shrunk the space. The air was thick, charged with emotions neither of them could put into words yet.

"I... wasn't expecting to see you," Wanda said softly, her voice strained but calm. She closed the door and leaned against it, her arms crossed protectively in front of her.

Y/N took a deep breath. "I wasn't expecting to come back," they admitted, eyes darting around the room, avoiding her direct gaze. "But... something happened."

Wanda frowned, stepping closer. "What happened?"

Y/N looked up, their voice unsteady. "I saw someone... someone from S.W.O.R.D. They approached me."

Wanda's face paled, her posture stiffening as her arms dropped to her sides. "What did they say?"

"They know about you," Y/N continued, their voice soft but urgent. "And about me. They mentioned my... abilities. They weren't subtle about it either. Wanda, they're looking for you."

Wanda's expression darkened as she turned away, pacing to the other side of the room, her hands gripping the back of the couch. "I knew it wouldn't take long. I should've left sooner," she muttered, more to herself than to Y/N.

"That's why I'm here," Y/N said, stepping closer. "You're not safe. I thought you might try to run again, and I—" They hesitated, their voice catching in their throat. "I don't want you to go without me saying something."

Wanda looked back at them, her eyes searching. "You... came back? After everything?"

Y/N bit their lip, nodding. "Yeah, I came back. I... I'm still angry, I'm still hurt, but I couldn't just walk away knowing you're in danger."

Wanda's eyes softened, but there was still that deep sadness there, like she had been bracing herself for this moment for a long time. "I didn't want you to get dragged into this," she said quietly, turning fully toward Y/N. "That's why I lied. That's why I kept everything from you. I was trying to protect you."

Y/N's voice cracked as they replied, "I know. I think a part of me always knew. But it doesn't change the fact that you lied to me, Wanda. I loved you, and I thought I knew who you were."

The room temperature shifted, growing warmer as Y/N's emotions bubbled to the surface. Wanda felt it, the subtle heat that always seemed to radiate from Y/N whenever they were upset. She took a deep breath, her own powers kept tightly in check, not wanting to escalate things further.

"I'm sorry," Wanda whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "I never wanted to hurt you. I should've trusted you from the beginning, but I was scared. Scared that S.W.O.R.D. would find me. Scared that if you knew the truth, you wouldn't love me anymore."

Y/N's heart twisted at her words. "And now?"

Wanda's gaze met theirs, raw and vulnerable. "Now I'm terrified you'll leave again."

Y/N felt their chest tighten. They wanted to be angry. They wanted to hold onto the hurt and the betrayal, but seeing Wanda like this—open and honest—made it impossible. They had always loved her, even through the lies, even through the pain.

"I don't know what to do," Y/N admitted, their voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know if I can trust you again. But I do know that I still care about you, more than I want to admit."

The room grew warmer, almost stifling, as Y/N's emotions surged. Wanda stepped closer, cautiously reaching out her hand to gently touch Y/N's arm, her own fear palpable in the way her fingers trembled.

"You don't have to forgive me," Wanda said softly, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. "But please don't leave me alone. Not now."

Y/N stared at her for a long moment, their heart pounding in their chest. Despite everything, despite the lies and the hurt, they couldn't deny the depth of their feelings. Wanda had made mistakes, but she had also been trying to protect them in her own, misguided way.

With a shaky breath, Y/N finally spoke. "I don't want to leave. But things can't go back to how they were."

Wanda nodded, her tears slipping free as she swallowed hard. "I understand."

There was a long, charged silence between them, but it wasn't as suffocating as before. It felt like the beginning of something fragile, something new. They both knew it would take time, that there were still wounds that needed healing, but for the first time since their fallout, it felt like they were standing on the same ground.

Y/N sighed and rubbed their eyes. "We need to figure this out, Wanda. S.W.O.R.D. isn't going to stop, are they?"

"No," Wanda said quietly, her hand still resting on Y/N's arm. "But we can face it together. If... if that's what you want."

Y/N looked into her eyes, searching for the trust they thought they had lost. Slowly, they nodded. "I don't know if we can fix everything, but I don't want to see you hurt."

Wanda let out a shaky breath, relief and love flooding her expression. "Neither do I."

They stood there, inches apart, the room filled with the tension of uncertainty, but also the warmth of possibility. The road ahead was unclear, but for the first time, they were both willing to face it together.

Whatever came next, they would face it side by side.