Life without Wanda is... confusing. It's weird, not having her to tell me off when I'm being dumb, or to roll her eyes at my dumb jokes, or to make me hot chocolate when neither of us can sleep.
I try to do as she said and eat breakfast every morning, but with all the hot chocolate nights, it's hard to get up in time. Without her there to calm my nightmares, I'm too scared to sleep. I deal with the sleepless nights the same way I always have: hot chocolate and a run. Several runs, some nights.
A week after her leaving, I'm really starting to feel her absence. We see each other every week day, but that's only five days a week, and only six hours for those days.
I don't experience lag from sleepless nights like Wanda does, so, despite getting basically no sleep every night, I don't fall behind in training, I manage to keep up with my sister, who quickly rises back to the top.
A month after her leaving, I'm going stir crazy.
It's a Saturday, and I've just come back from a run. Cooper and Lila are playing tag in the distant field, Nate is lying in his baby chair in the weak pre-winter sun, Laura is reading next to him and Clint is doing some target practice.
An idea strikes me while I'm crouched by Nate, and, as Clint takes aim with his next arrow, I get ready to run. He lets it fly, and so do I. I run in a flash of blue, catch it, run back and hide the arrow in the bush next to me.
He looks over at me, frowning. I don't react. I just keep cooing over Nate, pulling silly faces to get him to smile. He only recently started smiling, and I'm one of the only ones who can get him to do it.
He tries again, and when same thing happens.
When, after it happens a third time, he walks over, saying, "I don't suppose you know what's happening to my arrows?"
"Arrows?" I ask innocently.
"What are you talking about?" Laura asks. I know for a fact she knows what's going on, because she gave me a sly smile the second time.
"My arrows keep disappearing."
"That's strange," I shrug, "but I don't know why you think I could have anything to do with it."
"Laura, I can see you laughing," Clint grunts.
"I'm not laughing," Laura laughs.
"Where are my arrows, Pietro?"
"Oh, you mean these arrows?" I slow time grab the arrows and speed up again, sitting in exactly the same spot, holding said arrows between my fingers.
Laura collapses from laughter, and even Nate, no doubt sensing his mother's hysteria, giggles a bit.
"Pietro, give me my arrows," Clint growls, "Now."
"Come and get 'em, Old Man" I grin cheekily, and run off.
Next thing Clint knows, I'm half way across the farm, holding the arrows above my head.
This, coupled with what happens next is exactly the kind of dumb thing Wanda would stop me from doing. I spin on the spot, holding the arrows high. When my back is turned, I feel something blunt hit it, and I fall to the ground. Instantly, Clint is sitting on me, prising the arrows from my grip.
"Quick boi, 0, Old Man, 1," he says triumphantly, before strolling away. I don't need to see his face to imagine the smug smile on his face.
Word count: 563
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Two New Bartons (completed)
FanfictionWhat if Pietro never died? They've lost their parents. They've lost their country. At least they still have each other. And their new family. Now, all they need to do is get a hang of being the two new Bartons. I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THESE CHARACTERS...
