Saving Peter Maximoff

Chapter Twelve- Back in Bed

Wanda paced the corridor anxiously. Her hands were balled up at her sides, pulsating slightly with red energy. Hank was patching Peter up, and she was waiting for the prognosis- though rather impatiently. She knew he was still alive, that he was in no danger of dying- she could feel it, in her soul. But bullets can do far more than kill- they can cripple and maim. The door opened and she spun round, fear twisting her stomach.

"W-well?" she whispered. "Is he gonna be okay?" Hank smiled.

"He's going to be fine," he answered with a small smile. "With his accelerated healing, he should be up and about tomorrow, but the wound won't heal completely for a few weeks. You can see him if you want." Wanda nodded. Peter has always been a fast healer, though, since he always lived life so fast, the few days he was inactive when healing a broken bone was like torture for him. Relief making her lighter, she crept into the sunlit bedroom, approaching the bed.

"Hey Wanda," a pale hand waved at her. Peter lay in bed, slighter paler than usual- not that he wasn't pale anyway- with the covers tucked up to his armpits. He looked exhausted, but still managed to grin when he saw his sister, as though, as long as she was there, everything would be fine. It warmed her heart.

"Hey Pete," Wanda sat next to her brother, smiling reassuringly. "Hank said you're gonna be fine." Peter laughed in relief, punching the air, then wincing slightly.

"How long 'til I can get outta bed?" he asked, plucking at his duvet.

"Tomorrow, they reckon, 'cause of your quick healing and everything," Wanda grinned. Peter smiled back weakly, then sighed.

"A whole day in bed?" he moaned. "What am I going to do?" Wanda laughed. Most kids would relish a day of bed rest, but Peter wasn't most kids. He was hyperactive, and would have probably been diagnosed with major ADHD if they'd thought to have him checked.

"I don't know. Read?" she suggested. "Do your homework?" Peter wrinkled his nose.

"Nah, you're alright," he tried to sit up, but hissed in pain and flopped back against the mattress. He clutched his side, panting from the effort. When he had his breath back, he waved a limp hand at Wanda. "Go to class. Come back tomorrow." Wanda blinked, surprised. She had expected Peter to force her to keep him company, while she protested- insincerely, of course. Maybe she hadn't heard him right. Maybe he was joking.

"Seriously?" she asked, confounded. Her brother nodded.

"Yeah, Hank's given me enough drugs to knock out a horse for a week. I should get a couple of hours kip," he sighed. Wanda raised an eyebrow. Yet another side effect of accelerated healing and metabolism- sedatives worked far less effectively. It had been a big problem when Peter has had to have his appendix removed( yet another of those 'another time' stories).

Peter flapped his hands towards her. "Go! Get out!" Wanda laughed again, leaning down to kiss Peter's forehead.

"If you need me-"

"Yeah, yeah. I'll call you on the mind mobile. Now go!" Peter pushes her towards the door, settling back into the mattress and closing his eyes.

Wanda gently shut the door and headed down the corridor, pleasantly surprised to see Peter's friends lounging on the couches in an alcove by the window.

Not my friends. Our friends.

Peter's voice echoed in her head. She smiled slightly.

"Wanda!" Scott bounced to his feet, wringing his hands anxiously, the others snapping to attention. "Is he gonna be okay?" Wanda hesitated.

"He'll live, but..."

"But what?"

"The bullet split his spine. He's never gonna walk again," she wiped a tear away, turning muffled laughter into sobs as she felt Peter wheeze in his bed.

You're evil.

"He'll never..." Kurt looked horrified, though Jean's supportive hand contradicted her snorting laughter. Scott looked indignant.

"How can you laugh, Jean? This is terrible! I knew you were cold, but shit!" he spluttered. Jean rolled her eyes.

"Don't be an idiot, Scott. She's messing with you."

"What... you are?"

"Yeah, he's gonna be fine," Wanda shrugged. Scott's eyes narrowed, suspicious. Kurt just looked confused. Ororo hadn't really looked anything- Wanda suspected she'd known it was a gag.

"But- you- what? He's really gonna be okay?"

Careful, Wanda. Don't go breaking my friends now.

I thought they were our friends. Don't go backing out on me, Grey Streak.

I hate you.

Yup.

"Oh my god... no! No- we... we already have one Maximoff mischief maker! I can't deal with two!" Scott wailed, head in his hands. "This is gonna be a nightmare!

Wanda laughed. "Honey, you have no idea."

A/N: Only one more chapter left guys!!! We had a little Wanda mischief in this chapter- I always got the feeling that the twins would cause a loooooot of havoc.

Feel free to read my other stories (hint hint). Hit the lil orange star here, if you so wish. Stay frosty 🤟🏻