On The Run

Mind Games

Chapter 18: Mind Games

Wanda was up before the sun the next morning, but she didn't get up right away. Rather, she lay awake for as long as she could, listening to Vision rattle around in the kitchen below. He was obviously trying to make breakfast; pots would clang together every so often at random intervals and she could hear the sizzle of the griddle even all the way up here at the top of the house. He was making such a ruckus she was surprised no one else had gotten up yet; then again, she supposed they were probably up already-just waiting for her to get up first and patch things up with Vision.

She sighed softly as she got up, wincing slightly as the cold soaked into her bare feet. There was no use in putting it off any longer; besides, this was probably the last chance she was going to get without being swamped by people. And this was a conversation she wanted to have without the rest of the team hanging around and trying not to eavesdrop.

Just as she'd suspected Vision was in the kitchen making pancakes. He looked up as she approached and gave her a quick smile before he went back to examining the recipe he held in his hands carefully. "Good morning, Wanda."

"Good morning, Vizh. What are you making?"

He looked down at the griddle as if he'd forgotten what he was doing with it. "I'm making pancakes. I thought it would do wonders to ease the stress of the last few days."

"May I see them," On closer inspection, she realized his 'pancakes' were terribly lumpy. "Are you sure they're supposed to be that lopsided?"

It could have been her imagination, but she thought he went even redder than usual. "I'll admit I may not have spread the batter evenly enough."

She resisted the urge to laugh, "That's an easy fix at least." She showed him how to smooth out his batter with the tip of the spatula and soon he was expertly flipping pancakes like a pro. "Do you make breakfast for Mr. Stark and Colonel Rhodes?"

His eyes darkened, just slightly. It only lasted for half a second, like a cloud bank passing over a usually sunny sky. "No. They don't usually have breakfast-or if they do, they go out. I'm afraid I haven't had much practice cooking."

"That's all right. You seem to be doing very well at it so far," She hopped up on the edge of the countertop and watched him put the pancakes on a plate to greet the first wave of early risers: Bucky, Steve, and Clint. "Did you mean everything you said last night?"

He glanced at her almost curiously, "Of course. What reason would I have to lie to you, Wanda?"

She shrugged, "I guess I don't know. It just seems like everyone else doesn't have a problem with it." She'd been lied to and manipulated all her life; this was the only instance she could remember where she wasn't sure whether it would be a good thing or a bad thing if he admitted he'd been telling her the truth.

"I wasn't lying. I meant it, every single word." Even though he didn't say it outright, the question hung heavy in the air between them: Do you feel the same way?

I don't know, Vizh. I don't think I know what love is anymore. "Vision, because of everything that's happened-and because the circumstances aren't the best for a whirlwind romance-I don't...know how I feel. I don't know if I want to take that next step, and I know I don't want to hurt you or lead you on without realizing it. But if you'll let me...I'd still like to be friends. Maybe we can start there?"

He nodded instantly, "As you wish, Wanda."

"Thank you," She felt like a massive burden had been lifted off her shoulders as she smiled at the growing stack of pancakes rising in front of the griddle. "It looks like we're going to need some more plates."