You are everything ⴵ [Natasha Romanoff]

Chapter 112

Chapter 112

Claire's POV
I woke up that morning with an uneasy feeling I couldn't shake. The slight throb in my head had grown into a relentless ache, and every sound seemed amplified. My anger simmered just below the surface, a constant, unwelcome companion since Hydra had placed the chip in my head.

I glanced at Nat, still asleep beside me, and forced myself to swallow my discomfort. The last thing I wanted was to worry Nat. Instead, I dressed quietly, slipping out of our shared room, my head pounding as I made my way downstairs.

The compound was bustling, every footstep and conversation grating against my senses. It felt like how I could hear things with my powers, but now, it was like the volume was turned right up. Every nerve was on edge and my patience was wearing thin. I headed toward the door, desperate for a breath of fresh air and a moment of peace.

As I stepped outside, I ran straight into Wanda. I hadn't even seen her, I was focusing too much on not wanting to scream with how my head felt. Wanda's brow furrowed immediately as she took in my pale face, the tension in my shoulders, and the way my hand was gripping the side of my head.

Good job not being obvious, you idiot.

"Claire, are you okay" Wanda asked, her voice soft with concern. "You look like you're in pain."
I managed a weak smile, waving my hand dismissively. "Im fine, Wanda. Just a headache."

But Wanda wasn't convinced. She took a step closer, her piercing eyes studying me carefully. "This is more than a headache, isn't it? I can feel it, the anger, the pressure in your head. Whats going on?"

I stiffened at Wanda's words. I couldn't usually hide things from Nat, she knew me too well. But I should have anticipated that I literally can't keep anything from Wanda if she deemed the situation dire enough to look into my head. I knew she did it to help, but I didn't want help or reassuring words. I wanted this things out of my head.

"It's nothing I cant handle, I promise" I muttered, though my voice betrayed my unease.

Wanda placed a gentle hand on my arm, her tone soothing. "You don't have to handle it alone, Claire. Let me help."

I hesitated, torn between my instinct to push people away and the genuine concern in Wanda's voice. My chest tightened as the pain in my head flared again, nearly bringing me to my knees.

"What if you can't help?" I whispered, "what if they can't take this chip out of my head. What if I can never get hydra and their torments out of my mind?"

Wanda's eyes softened. "I don't think they ever really leave you're mind, Claire. We just have to focus on all the good we can."

I small smile tugged at the corners of my lips as I thought of Nat, the constant good in my life.

"Talking of Nat, we should go tell her how you're feeling" Wanda suggested.

I laughed slightly. "I was thinking about Nat, I didn't say her name."

Realisation flickered over Wanda's face. "Oh sorry! I'm not reading your mind, I'm just letting myself be aware of how you're feeling. And all I felt was love just then, what I'm guessing was you thinking of Nat."

That made me wonder. "When I was angry just now, what did it feel like to you?" I asked.

Wanda looked at me perplexed for a second. She narrowed her eyes in thought and I noticed her fingers twitch. "It was strange, now that you mention it. It was like you were angry, not just annoyed but as if you were-" she started explaining.

"Consumed by it" I interrupted.

Wanda nodded. "Exactly. But there was something else" she added.

"Something else?"