The Girl in Purple (Pietro Maximoff) #Wattys2015

The Boy Who Ate

A/N: Question of the day is featured at the end of this chapter.

Wanda's POV.

Four Months Later.

We're at a diner, Pietro and I. It is only now that I've realised how much I've let my brother down.

Pietro needs someone to take care of him. He's not coping as well as the Avengers and I had initially hoped.

I should have gotten involved sooner. Pietro so obviously hasn't been coping with Arrabella's death. What's been difficult is that I've been rarely home the past year, none of the Avengers have. We've been too busy scattered across the world, trying to shut down what is left of HYDRA.

The only two Avengers who have been stationed amin New York haven't been much use. It's not their fault though. One is in a coma and the other is playing nurse.

Pietro won't eat anything. He's refusing to eat.

In the harsh, morning light I notice more faults about my brother, one is that he is so emaciated, I'm worried he's going to break from just breathing. He looks as exhausted as I feel.

When the waitress comes to our table, I order two portions of pancakes, one black coffee and one soda. I know that once the food is placed before him, Pietro will no doubtibly want to eat.

Carlene (our waitress) returns speedily with our food. I am so grateful to be alive and eating. The pancakes, despite being from a run down diner, are absolutely delicious. If we weren't running for our life, I'd probably enjoy them more.

Pietro looks down at the food, I can tell that he's tempted to eat but his grief is obstructing his appetite. If it had bern a bottle of alcohol, no doubt he would have drained tge beverage by now. However, I don't say anything to my brother, I know that he will eat when he is ready. I just wish he'd start a bit quicker.

Sure enough, Pietro eventually picks up his knife and fork and eventually digs in, eating with as much gusto.

I discretely order another portion, knowing that he is most likely still starving.

I can't help but smile. This probably sounds extremely selfish but it feels good to be needed by my younger sibling again. Even if he is only twelve minutes younger.

It is only a small victory, getting him to eat with me today but it is definitely a start.

"Erm plunin ta yeeve." he mumbles. I can't quite understand what he's saying.

"Pietro?"

Chewing quickly, he responds by saying, "I'm planning to leave." a pause. "I want out of the Avengers."

I can't honestly say that I am surprised. Since retrieving Arrabella's ashes, Pietro hasn't been on a single mission with the team. I think that Fury has already assumed that Pietro has resigned.

"Where will you go?" despite our closeness, I know it is futile to ask him, Pietro won't tell me. I just don't really know what else to say. At least while we're conversing, Coulson is attaching a tracking device to Pietro's car, so I'll be able to locate him via GPS every once in a while.

"Away from New York. As far away as I can go. Somewhere SHIELD free."

I merely nod. "It'll be good for you to have a change of scenery. Somewhere you can sober up and not be tempted by certain types of female."

He instantly looks irritated by my assumption. "Or maybe I'll just transfer my old habits to a new place."

I wish I could argue with him about the dangers of over-drinking but whatever I say, it won't be any different to what Bruce or Tony or even Clint have said to him. He is beyond reason. He has hot to get out of this dangerous cycle himself or I'll be an only child soon.

We had attempted to put Pietro in rehab but he just escaped each time. Super speed does have it's uses.

We sit in silence for a moment.

"When do you leave?" I ask.

"After we finish this concersation and SHIELD remove the tracking device they've been installing on my car, whilst we've been talking." he looks me dead in the eye, there's no twinkle of humour.

"Remove the device. He knows." I day, knowing Agent Coulson and Gitz can hear me through my ear piece.

"And I'll know if you're tracking me via satellite or any other device."

I open my mouth to question him but he just rolls his eyes muttering, "I have my ways."

There is another unpleasant pause. "How long are you planning to be away?"

"I don't know."

There is only one more question I have to ask and this time, I desperately need a proper answer. "Will I ever see you again?"

His gaze meets mine once more. It's softer this time, not so harsh and it tells me exactly what I need to know.

A/N: Question of the Day:

What is the one possesion you most wished you owned?

Me: Bucky Barnes...dibs.