"Wanda, you ready?" Clint asked as he waited outside her door.
"A-Almost." Her hand was on the door handle but she couldn't bring herself to opening it. True she was terrified but she had to push if she wanted to get better so she opened the door to meet the archers warm expression.
He didn't say anything, just moved out of the way so she could exit. "We were just gonna head straight to the jet but if you wanted, we could stop by Shuri's lab." The witch was quick to shake her head even though she did want to thank her and her brother for their kindness. When they got to the jet, Nat was waiting outside of it for them.
"Hey, Maxi. How you feeling?" Nat asked with a soft grin.
Wanda could tell that she was genuinely curious of how she was which made her feel both relaxed and anxious at the same time. "Tired..."
"Well, we've got a long flight ahead of us so you've got time to sleep." The two knew that that wasn't the type of tired she meant. They went in the jet preparing to take off. Wanda took one of the seats in the back just to make sure she didn't bother them. "Why don't you sit closer up?" Nat took note as she started picking at her skin. "But if you're comfortable back there then it's fine."
Clint looked back at her to see her nod. "Okay." He got everything ready before taking off. It was about an hour or so in when he spoke again. The sudden sound made her jump. "You know, i was thinking of heading back to the barn in a few days. Laura and the kids wouldn't mind if you stopped by. They really miss you."
The thought of seeing his family again terrified her. How could she go to see them when she was like this? It ended up putting her in a state of mind. "I-I think i-it would be best...if i stayed at the compound."
Wanda felt like she was trapped underwater. Like she couldn't breath right. Her breathing became shallow as she felt the familiar sensation of an anxiety attack starting. "That's okay...You can come over whenever you're ready..." Nothing processed through her until Nat spoke.
"Or whenever you feel comfortable. No one is really ready anyways." Her light joke calmed the witch, making her grin.
It was about 6 in the afternoon when they arrived at the compound. Wanda had fallen asleep a few hours back and looked like it was the most sleep she was gonna get. At first they didn't wanna wake her but knew that they couldn't leave her here. "I really don't wanna do this."
"Then don't. Head inside. I'll stay with her until she wakes up," Nat said as she sat on the floor, leaning back on the wall.
"You sure?"
She looked at Wanda's peaceful face. "Yeah. Besides i've got nothing better to do."
"That's true." Clint chuckled as he made his way out of the jet.
..........................................................................
Wanda groaned softly as she woke up. "Someone seems refreshed." The sudden voice startled her. "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." She watched as she looked around confused. "We didn't wanna wake you so i just stayed until you woke up."
"I-I'm sorry that i kept you-"
"Wanda, it's okay. I wanted to stay. It was kind of refreshing being out. I got to see the leaves fall, that was nice." Even though Nat told her it was her choice to stay, Wanda still couldn't help but feel at fault. It wasn't long before the assassin noticed her picking at her skin again. "Come on." She offered her hand to the girl. "Let's get you a cup of tea."
Hesitantly, she took it sending a wave of anxiety through her. "I don't want to trouble you-"
"You're not, Maxi." Nat gently pulled her up, leading her out of the jet. While they were walking Wanda couldn't help but notice how beautiful the sunset was. It was a breathtaking purple mixed with pink as well as orange. "That's how you know the seasons are changing." The witch put her head down but still had a small grin on her face. "Before the red room," this pulled her attention, "when i lived in Russia, my father would take my sister and i out to see the leaves fall along with the sun set."
Wanda looked back up at the sky admiring how the colors faded into the clouds. "It was always cloudy in Sokovia. The sun was rarely out but when it was, Pietro and i would make a day of it."
Nat watched as her smile grew with every word before disappearing completely. "There's a lot of sun here. Let's just hope you don't get tired of it." She glanced at her to find her with a blank expression. They made the rest of the way inside in silence. When they got in the elevator the A.I. system spoke.
"Ms. Romanoff, would you like me to notify the others of your arrival?"
"Where are they, exactly?"
"Mr. Stark's lab."
"No. Let me know if anything changes." The elevator came to a stop signaling that it was there floor. They walked down the hall until they were in the kitchen. Nat led her to a seat before going to make her a cup of tea. "Earl Grey?" She looked back from the kettle at her, Wanda was staring down at her hands motionless. It seemed like she was thinking but Nat couldn't tell. "Wanda?"
Her head looked up but it didn't seem like she was focusing on anything. She blinked a few times before responding. "S-Sorry. Yes."
She reached for the tea bag in the cabinet and placed it in the cup. When the water was ready Nat poured it in the cup then sat next to her. "It'll calm you." Even though she was sitting right next to her, it seemed like Wanda was somewhere else. Nat watched as a tear slid down her cheek, something that she's never seen happen to her; cry in front of others. "Wanda?" She placed her hand on her knee making her flinch.
"Sorry..." Wanda quickly wiped away the tear.
Nat places her other hand on the witch's shoulder. "There's no need to be. You're allowed to feel. You are still human." When she said that something else rang through her mind.
"She is not a US citizen and they don't grant visas to Weapons of Mass Destruction!!"
Tony Starks infamous words. Wanda clutch her thighs tight, nails digging into her leggings. "Am i?" It was barely a whisper but Nat heard it. "...i'm a weapon of mass destruction...remember...there's nothing human about me..." The tears in her eyes dug their way out.
Her whole time in the room in Wakanda, she didn't cry. She would just lay there numb, not letting anything sink in or process. But being here now brought back so many painful memories that it was hard not to let them sink in. Right now she needed to be alone, where she couldn't hurt anyone. So in one swift motion Wanda got out of her seat and retreated to her room.
Once in there she locked the door, slid down, and curled up into a ball to let everything she's been holding in out.
