On The Run

Stars

"I believe you may find meditation beneficial."

Wanda realized she really shouldn't have been startled when she turned around to see Vision leaning casually against her bedroom wall. He'd taken to phasing through her bedroom floor at odd hours; she simply hadn't been able to explain the concept of personal space to him. And she'd tried, more than once, "Vizh, how many times have I told you to knock?"

"I considered it, but I found it much more convenient to simply come through the floor instead. It saves us both quite a bit of trouble."

She thought about trying to make more of a teaching opportunity out of the moment but decided against it; it would be like trying to teach a small child who simply wasn't understanding. She replied instead with, "What were you saying about meditation?" in an attempt to change the subject.

"I have read that meditation can lead to increased awareness of your mental and emotional state and allow you to better control that state in times of stress-the intent being, of course, that if an occasion like Lagos was to arise you would be able to have full control over your abilities."

"That's an interesting idea. I'll have to try it sometime."

He cleared his throat, looking almost embarrassed, "...We could try it now, if you'd like. I could teach you."

She had to raise an eyebrow at that, "You've learned about meditation?"

"Yes. I spent most of last night absorbing common methods and I believe I am more than capable to impart what I have learned."

"...Okay then," She glanced at the clock, making a special effort not to glance out the window. It was easier to be a shut in if she didn't have to constantly be reminded of what she was missing. "I suppose we have time. If it's not too much trouble-"

"Of course not, Wanda. Whatever I can do to benefit your wellbeing I will do happily. It's no trouble at all." He took a seat on the worn floral rug that covered a section of the attic's wooden floor and invited her to sit down next to her-which she did, after a second of looking at him almost ruefully. She'd always admired his brutal honesty-even if he called her beautiful in front of her other teammates once or twice and now they were all convinced that he and Wanda should be a couple. Especially Scott, who asked her about it at least three times a day.

They went through some simple meditation techniques-nothing complicated, just a few exercises Wanda could run through before she went to sleep at night to clear her mind and focus her senses. At first she wasn't very focused-she was forever getting distracted by the noises the house made as it rose and settled and the sensation of sitting so close to Vision and feeling the heat rise from his 'skin'. It always confused her; she was so used to thinking of androids as cold and metallic that she'd somehow expected Vision to be that way too-though he was nothing of the sort; more like vibrant and full of life. Besides his skin color, he acted just as human as everyone else in the cabin-perhaps even more so.

It was so easy for her to get distracted, with thoughts like this. But she forced herself to focus, thinking about how much increased control of her abilities could save the lives of others in the field. Although HYDRA had never told her how to control her powers, she'd never really needed them to-she'd quickly figured that out on her own. But in stressful situations, when the lives of individuals hung in the balance...if her concentration slipped, just for a second, she became that scared girl back in Sokovia-hiding inside a bombed out bookstore and watching terrified as the only world she'd ever known imploded around her. What right did she have to be a superhero; to save lives?

"Wanda, your thoughts are straying again."

She shut her eyes, forcing herself to focus again. "Right. Sorry, Vizh."