Light At the End of the Tunnel

day xii

Clint watched them with a tray of food. He had asked to be the one to give them the food, wanting to be closer to his eldest kid. Peter's aunt was also in the room, watching Peter hook up his web shooters. Wanda was just staring off into space, stuck in her head. Clint took a deep breath and walked into the room.

"Lunch," Clint alerted, not wanting to send the kids into panic.

But that was exactly what he did.

Wanda's eyes were closed, her hands wrapping around herself. Peter moved in front of Wanda.

"Don't touch her," he said, his eyes unseeing. He was trembling. And Clint felt his heart break.

"Pete, Wanda, it's me, Clint."

May Parker reached over and placed her hand on Peter's shoulder and the boy flinched and aimed his arm to her, ready to shoot.

"Peter, you're safe," Clint whispered, putting the food down and stepping to the kids. Wanda's eyes were opened and she was looking at him, Peter seemed to realize who was around him.

"I-I'm sorry," Peter told his aunt in a small voice.

May didn't respond. She wrapped her arms around the boy. Clint picked up the plate and handed the woman the boy's and slowly walked to Wanda.

"How are you doing?" Clint asked, sitting down Steve's usual chair.

Wanda shrugged, her eyes on the food.

"Are you hungry?" Clint asked her, trying to give her a reassuring smile.

The girl shook her head, looking at her hands.

"How about we save this for later?"

Wanda gave him a small nod. Clint looked over at Peter and May, the young boy looking at them, ready to do defend Wanda if he needed to.

Clint turned to Wanda. "Lila and Cooper miss you. Nathan knows your name."

A small light appeared in Wanda's eyes. "H-he does?"

"You're his big sister, of course he does," Clint told her, reaching over to touch her hand, but Wanda flinched.

"N-no," she whispered, fear in her voice. She closed her eyes. "No. Please."

Clint's hand was suddenly stuck to the chair. He looked over to see Peter glaring at him.

"Don't touch her," Peter told him, before walking to Wanda. "It's okay Wanda, no one is going to touch you."

"They are going to hurt you if I fight," Wanda told the boy, defeat in her voice.

Peter closed his own eyes. He wrapped his arms around her. "They are gone. Mr. Barton isn't going to hurt you."

Clint looked over at May, who had tears in her eyes. Clint looked at Peter. "Make sure she eats." He stood up with the chair and both he and May walked out.

x

Steve took a deep breath.

"They are okay. They are okay. They are okay," he whispered, looking at his reflection. He could see the healing burn marks. "They'll be okay."

"Steve?"

The super soldier turned to look at Natasha looking at him. "Hey."

"Steve, you need to talk to someone, a professional."

Steve frowned. "I'm fine."

"Really? So how about you sleep in your room today instead of that chair?"