Bring Back the Summer

"C'mon," Wanda tugged Vision by the arm outside the facility doors, where the afternoon heat was already on the rise. "Hold this," she handed Vision her cup and removed her jacket, tying it around her waist. Taking a moment, she stretched and twisted. The seats on the jet had not been kind to her back while she slept.

"Is this your breakfast?" Vision inquired, peering in to the contents. "I do not believe it to be very nutritious."

"It has fruit in it," she defended, taking it back. Despite the earlier events, Wanda felt refreshed, a skip in her step. No longer was Wakanda her hideout, her cage of choice, she could leave anytime she wanted. And now that she was free, the two of them were no longer confined to the base, she and Vision could be seen together!

Her hand slipped into his and she took the lead. "You know, we've never been on a date."

"A date?" Vision was perplexed, glancing down at his cardigan. "I don't believe I am properly dressed."

Wanda giggled. "Do not worry," she turned to him with a grin. "You're as handsome as ever."

His heart swelled, if Vision could blush, he would have.

"Besides," Wanda continued, "this is not the opera or anything fancy, so don't get your expectations up. It is Saturday, yes? We are going down to the market."

The hustle and bustle of the busy city streets as vendors yelled and bargained permeated the thick air. Despite the crowds, the two made their way quite easily as most people gave them a wide berth. Many were staring at them, Vision noticed, but Wanda appeared unaffected by it.

When a jewelry stall caught her eye, Wanda made a beeline for it, pulling Vision behind her. She perused through the various necklaces, speaking with the vendor who's voice, Vision noted, was an octave higher than it had been before they approached. The two continued to exchange words, bartering, he imagined, but couldn't know for sure as he possessed little knowledge of the Wakandan language. While he listened, Vision gazed down at the numerous rings on display, a particular one standing out amongst the others. A silver bypass band held a simple teardrop-cut red stone, possibly a ruby, he guessed, judging by the price. It would compliment Wanda quite well, he thought, happily envisioning himself slipping it on her finger. Alas, Vision was met with a familiar obstacle, he possessed no money.

He was brought from his reverie when the vendor's voice rose. Tossing his hands in the air, he gestured to Wanda, who shook a handful of bills at him, raising her voice as well. The vendor continued, using a choice word a couple of times before he relented and exchanged the necklace for Wanda's money.

Victorious, Wanda slipped the necklace into her pocket and the two continued. As they moved through the crowd, Vision took note of the word again, as it quietly fell from numerous mouths.

Searching through his vast knowledge produced nothing useful. Unfortunately Wakanda was a very reclusive country, as such, little information was available regarding the language.

Wanda, however, had easily picked up the native tongue. 'It helps when you can see what people are saying while they say it,' she'd said. While she was be no means fluent, she obviously understood a great deal more than he did.

A simple solution.

"Wanda?"

"Hm?"

"Could you tell me, what does 'igqwirha' mean?" he asked. "Many people are saying it."

"Ah," she smirked mirthlessly. "A favored nickname they have for me. You remember, yes?"

"Witch," he scowled.

"I am used to it," she shrugged. "Besides, it is a title with perks. People stay out of my way, and it makes bartering easier if they're afraid you'll curse them."

He continued to frown, "Wanda—"

"Oh, Vizh," she pulled him in another direction. "Look at those rugs!"

And they were nice rugs, of very high quality, Vision could see. One in particular caught his eye, the intricate patterns of the rich tans and reds reminded him of his painting. In fact, it would compliment the piece quite well, he'd determined, 'tying the room together' as Miss Potts would say.

"You like it?" Wanda asked.

"Yes, it's very pleasing to the eye."

"Okay," she grinned before bounding to the vendor.

Again, she spoke quickly with the woman selling the rugs, animated hand gestures following. The word, igqwirha, was mentioned a few more times, much to Vision's annoyance. But before long, the rug was rolled up and over his shoulder, as the two continued their way through the market for the remainder of the day.

Eventually, dusk began to fall as the crowd dispersed and the stalls closed up. The two were making their way back to the barracks when Wanda began to lead them a different direction.

"I want to show you something," she answered his unvoiced question.

When they came upon a multistory building under construction, Wanda began climbing up the scaffolding. Vision, following, floated up next to her. "Show off," she joked.

Once she reached a platform of an incomplete floor, she moved over to an opening in the ceiling and gestured for him to follow. Propelled by her powers, she shot up through the opening and landed on the roof, now twenty-some stories above the ground.

Curious, Vision followed, rug still over his shoulder, through the opening. He found Wanda standing, hands on her hips, overlooking the glowing city below. "Beautiful, no?"

Vision grinned at her. "Indeed," he said, not at all referring to the landscape.

"And look," she pointed at the sky. "We are far enough away to see the stars."

Vision rolled out his rug and the two settled on it, gazing up at the night's sky.

"A good day," Wanda whispered.

"Yes," Vision agreed. Mentally, he traveled backwards through the day, cataloging the events. Abruptly, his mind stopped at the image of Barnes kissing Wanda, causing him to frown.

Wanda immediately sensed his irritation, prompting her psyche to peek into his, the image at the center of his focus. "Vision," she sat up, "please don't think about that. He's an idiot."

"I am sorry," he ran a hand over his face, a gesture picked up from Tony. "I find it ... unsettling."

"You must know I would never do that."

"You cannot say that for certain."

"What?" Her voice turned sharp, "How could you think that?"

"Wanda, I cannot possibly know what the future holds," he sat up as well. "The are an infinite number of possibilities, some of which—"

"Alright then. Would you kiss someone else?"

"Unlikely," Vision replied. "However, improbable does not mean impossible."

"Well, do you want to kiss someone else?"

"No, of course not."

Wanda pinched the bridge of her nose and let out a growl, calling on her thinning patience.

Vision waited. He was merely being logical. There were always possibilities. Routes either of them could take that could lead to various situations. Briefly, Vision recalled himself at his darkest, when they were still separated and he considered never returning to Wakanda in hopes she'd find a happier life without him.

Wanda stared, incredulous, at him through the curtain of her hair. "You ... you were going to just leave me?"

Vision peered guiltily down at the rug, he had not meant for her to ever know about that. "At the time," he whispered, "I thought it may have been the proper course of action."

Wanda pushed her hair aside, barely reining in her outrage. "You would — how could you?"

"I couldn't," he admitted.

"Yet, you thought I would so easily forget about you?" She could not help the betrayal she felt at his admission, like a knife carving out her heart. Had he never returned, what would she have done? Hunted down her first suspect, Stark, for sure. But upon learning the truth, that Vision was staying away of his own will, she would've been devastated.

Vision felt the echo of her heartache at the idea of him never returning as it twisted inside him, causing him to wince. "I hoped you would find happiness, perhaps, with someone who wasn't half a world away, who wasn't on the opposing side of the feud. With a human—"

"A human?" Wanda barked a hollow laugh. After Vision, she knew no other man could possibly compare.

His hand flattened a loose thread against the rug. Like a fool, he had ruined their first date, it seemed.

Wanda's pain, though cutting, was gradually dwarfed by the remorse and self-doubt rolling off Vision in billowing waves. She took a deep, calming breath. "Listen to me, Vision," she framed his face in her hands, her affection flowing. "You are the only one for me. You are all I will ever want. Do you understand?"

His teal eyes adjusted and reflected in her glistening orbs. "I understand."

"Only you," she whispered. 'Never doubt that.'

It had been truly awful, even painful, being apart from Vision. Watching him go, unsure when he'd be able to return. But those handful of days, those precious hours, were the happiest she'd had while in Wakanda. She'd endure it all again, if it meant getting to here.

As a tear slid down her cheek, he quickly brushed it away. "I'm sor—"

But her lips were already on his, her adoration crashing against him, surrounding him, comforting him. Pulling her into his lap, he showered with his own affection and devotion.

When at last she spoke again, her voice was soft, yet the words sharp, "You cannot decide what you think is best for me by yourself."

"I know."

"Promise me you won't do that," she requested.

"I promise," Vision easily replied. Endless possibilities be damned, this was a vow he was certain he would manage to keep.

Only, he wouldn't.

Resting her forehead against his, she whispered, "Tell me about the stars."

With ease, he leaned back against the rug and she tucked herself against his side.

"There," he pointed, showing her through his eyes, a circle that led down to a sharp V. "Pisces."

He began pointing out the various constellations, reciting the myths behind each one. While Wanda added her own personal twists to the tales. It was on that roof they stayed until dawn.

So caught up in themselves, their argument, they did not notice the faceless camouflaged creature observing them from the shadows.

xx

Wanda awoke as the sun peeked over the cityscape, in Vision's arms. Silently, she moved to sit at the edge of the building as Vision collected their belongings and rolled up his rug. As she wordlessly gazed into the horizon, Vision's concern grew. While Wanda was normally rather quiet in the morning, he wondered if perhaps she was still stewing on last night's discussion. Of course, they'd had their fair share of disagreements, but not since the disastrous discovery of their link had they caused one another pain. Sensing nothing of her psyche when he reached out, he concluded her walls were erected, a frown grew.

He was abruptly brought from his thoughts when she turned to him, "I am sorry, Vizh." Before he could inquire why, she continued, "I should not have showed you that image, from Barnes. I did not think about how it would make you feel."

Moving to her side, he offered her his hand, which she took before helping her to her feet. Pulling her into his arms, he chose his words carefully before he spoke. "Maintaining a sense privacy is difficult between us, although not impossible. That said, I will always want to know what is upsetting you, so you needn't hide anything for my sake. I wish endure our trials, whatever they may be, together."

"Alright," she whispered into his chest with a heavy sigh. "Together."

xx

When they arrived back at the facility, Steve hounded them like a mother hen, "Where have you been? You didn't come back last night? I called and messaged you nearly a dozen times."

Wanda fished her phone out of her back pocket but found it dead. "Sorry."

"Captain Rogers," Vision began. "I assure you, we were not in any danger—"

"Someone's looking for you," Steve pointed at him. "Or did you forget that?"

Vision paused at Steve's tone. It would seem Wanda had properly distracted him yet again. He didn't know if he was more surprised or concerned.

When neither responded, both appearing rightly scolded, Steve continued, "C'mon, Buck's waiting."

As they made their way through the corridors, Wanda considered asking for time to shower or eat, but decided against it. While Vision took his place before the glass, she and Steve entered the room to a much more cheery Bucky Barnes.

"Hey," Bucky greeted her. "About yesterday, I'm so sorry. I wasn't myself—"

"Don't sweat it," Wanda dismissed, taking another page from Clint. "Water. Bridge."

Steve and Bucky had spent the evening reminiscing, shaking the cobwebs from Bucky's childhood memories, until rightfully exhausted, Bucky passed out. Earning himself his first night of restful sleep in decades. When he awoke, he felt refreshed, and almost like himself. Or at least, he felt like he imagined he should feel.

As Wanda took her seat in front of Bucky, Steve gave his friend a simple nod and exited the room.

"Alright" Wanda asked after a moment. "Ready?"

Bucky nodded once.

With careful precision, Wanda entered Bucky's mind. At the forefront were his most recent memories of the evening before, moving past them, she hesitated briefly at a sight of Vision. Manners gave way to curiosity as she peeked into the memory of Vision's stern warning against the man, and nearly laughed. Moving on, she sifted through murkier memories.

Through Bucky's eyes, she witnessed countless reprogramming sessions, his screams echoing in her head. The memories made her time at Hydra with Pietro seem like a vacation by comparison.

As Wanda delved deeper, she found herself before a barrier. Circling it, she gently prodded and poked searching for weakness or entrance, but found none. Pulling back, she settled in her seat as she waited for Barnes to regain himself.

"I've found something," she simply said. "It's locked up."

"You think it's the thing you're looking for?" Bucky asked, excited.

"Could be," she replied. "But it could also be something you yourself erected. Something you wanted to forget."

Bucky merely shook his head. "After all that, you think there's more?"

"Possibly," Wanda shrugged.

"There's only one way to find out, right?"

"It could be painful," she warned. "Physically painful."

"I'm used to it," he mumbled.

She opened her mouth, but closed it just as quick, now was not the time for pity or comfort. "Alright, then," she stood. "Just to be safe, we are going to need assistance." Glancing over her shoulder through the glass, she gave a small smile to Vision.

Hands behind his back, Vision glided through the wall and into the room, taking his place beside Wanda.

"Vision," she greeted him with an arched eyebrow, " I understand the two of you have already met."

Barnes watched as the previously stoic machine of a man cast his eyes downward at her remark, appearing almost guilty. "We have," he simply replied.

"Mhm," was all she said to him behind tightly closed lips before turning back to an uncertain Barnes. "Are you ready?"

"I guess?" he replied, uncertain. She hadn't explained what Vision was going to do. Of course, Bucky had no way of knowing she'd explained it to the synthezoid telepathically as they stood before him.

Wordlessly, she sat back down as Vision moved beside her. She took his hand in hers before glancing up to him with a small smile which he returned. As soon as she turned back to Barnes, she was already in.

'Incredible,' was all Bucky could think before he relinquished his mind to her. He caught a glimpse as he felt Wanda's cool smoky tendrils enter his mind, it was quickly followed by a bright warmth. Like strings of electricity, it gracefully jolted in and around the ruby tendrils, filling the spaces between. In a graceful dance, they moved as one.

Vision gaped in wonder at his surroundings, having never been in a mind other than Wanda's, he was amazed. Like, hers, it was very unorganized, but to an alarming extent. However, unlike her multitude of depths and layers, Barnes felt somewhat shallow.

'He does not have much,' he heard Wanda explain as she lead him to her discovery.

Vision immediately understood. Bucky's mind had been wiped and reprogrammed time and again. What was bared before them was all that remained.

Finally, they reached the barrier. It was similar to their own, that they had constructed in their own minds, but much more crude and course. While Vision and Wanda could easily erect and remove their psychic barriers at will, through months and months of practice, this one appeared as though it was put in place and meant to stay.

'What do you think?' she asked him.

'It is very interesting,' he replied.

'Can we disable it?'

Vision remained silent for a moment as he inspected it. 'Oh, Wanda!'

'What?'

'Don't you see? Here, it's a code!' Vision said excitedly.

'I don't see it.'

'Oh, this is wondrous!' Vision marveled. 'To think Hydra could construct something so ingenious. They—'

'I do not think Barnes sees it that way,' she reminded him.

'Right. Of course.'

After what felt like an eternity, Bucky strained to understand what it was they were doing, but unfortunately, was only able to catch a few words.

'...by force?'

'... careful .. dangerous...'

'...puzzle?'

'not quite...'

'...encoded.'

'...there!'

Bucky gasped as a flurry of memories flooded him. Every mission, every life he'd taken, was fresh as the day it occurred.

Wanda and Vision watched in shock, unable to look away, as they relived Bucky's horrendous memories. Finally, Wanda was able to pull back, into the safety and warmth of Vision's psyche and they slipped out of Bucky's mind.

Wanda's grip on Vision's hand tightened as they collected themselves. Across from them, Bucky panted, his chest heaving.

"Now you know," Bucky finally mumbled, dropping his head. "What I really am."

"I already knew," Wanda replied as Vision helped her to her feet. Unaware nearly three hours had passed while in Bucky's mind, the sudden exhaustion surprised her.

Steve, who had been observing the three as they worked, rushed to his friend's side.

Bucky closed his eyes, waving his off. "You should've left me in the freezer."

"We're going to need you," Steve said.

"I can't... I'm not like you guys," his voice lowered, "I'm not a hero, I'm a killer."

"Buck..." Steve began.

"We are not all like Steve," Wanda spoke, thinking of her teammates, her friends, herself. "Most of us, we were something else before we became an Avenger."

Despite her words, Bucky still didn't appear convinced.

After a moment, Steve asked, "So, did it work?"

"I believe so, however, a test may be in order," Vision replied. "If we are to be certain."

"What do you mean?"

"In order to ascertain if we were truly successful, we must repeat the activation code."

Bucky sighed, "He's right."

"I'll do it," Steve volunteered. "I'll say the code."

"Forgive me, Captain Rogers, but do you speak Russian? Do you know the code?"

"Oh," Cap hesitated. "No, do you?"

"Yes."

"How?"

"I have seen the recording of Mr Barnes' interrogation by Zemo," Vision replied.

"And you speak Russian?"

"I do."

Wanda interrupted, "Do you speak Sokovian?"

"I'm afraid I do not," Vision replied.

"Oh." Sokovian was a little known dialect of Romanian. While the spelling remained nearly the exact same as Romanian, the pronunciation, on the other hand, differed greatly.

"Back on topic," Steve said. "Say the code."

Vision blinked. "Now?"

"Yeah," Steve said.

"Perhaps, we should prepare ourselves?" Vision offered before turning to his beau. "Wanda—"

"I am fine," she quickly replied, standing at the ready despite her fatigue.

Vision frowned, lines of concern growing, before caressing her forearm. "You are exhausted," he whispered.

"It will be okay," she assured.

"As you wish," he reluctantly conceded before turning to Barnes and Cap.

From his chair, Bucky had been anxiously observing the exchange between the three. "What happens if it didn't work?"

"We will try again," Wanda replied.

"After," Vision added, "a suitable period of rest."

"Okay," Bucky nodded. "Do it."

While Steve and Wanda visibly tensed, ready for whatever may happen, Vision remained stoic as he spoke, reciting the code

Briefly, Wanda thought the words, these unassuming but nightmarish keys to Buck's programming, sounded beautiful on Vision's lips.

Bucky gritted his teeth, screwing his eyes shut, preparing for the worst, to fall into the void that overcame him when he was activated, becoming the death machine they'd created.

But when the last syllable fell from Vision's mouth, nothing came.

"Buck?" Steve spoke after a second. "You there?"

"Yeah," Bucky breathed as relief washed over him. "Yeah, I'm still here."

xx

That evening, Vision fired up the jet while Wanda and Bucky settled in. Outside, Steve shook hands with T'Challa.

"Thank you," the Captain said. "For everything."

"You are welcome. I simply hope your friend can find peace now."

"Me too," Steve sighed.

"As I said, important things rarely come easily."

Steve nodded before adding, "You know we may need you."

"If you call," the King replied, "I will answer." And with that, he turned away making his way off the tarmac.

Steve climbed aboard the jet, giving Bucky friendly nod before moving towards the front.

Wanda observed as Bucky stared at a fixed point on the floor, a subtle peek into his mind revealing his grief. "I could remove them," she said. "The memories of your missions."

"Sounds great," Buck smiled sadly. "But, no. I deserve them."

She simply nodded.

After a moment, he asked, tone a little upbeat, "So how did you do it?" He flexed his new vibranium arm. "How did you undo whatever they did? How did you fix me?"

"With help," she replied, pulling earbuds from her bag.

Bucky gave her a quizzical look.

"You are very lucky, you know," she grinned. "That Vision is so brilliant." With that, she set her earbuds in as her eyes fell shut.

Once in the air, Steve took the helm. As Vision made his way to the back of the jet, Wanda, eyes still closed, reached out to him. Wordlessly, he took her hand, taking the seat next to her before gracefully sliding her into his lap, adjusting his density to better comfort her.

Resting her head on his shoulder, comfortable, happy, Wanda removed an earbud and offered it to Vision. He accepted it, and together they listened to a variety of favored podcasts and music on their journey home, in a world all their own.

The tether had been prodded, but remained sound as ever.