Chapter 4: Truth
Wanda reaches the phone before Lance can descend the stairs. He can hear Kitty ranting on the other end. She probably didn't even ask who'd picked up-that's a bad sign. A bad sign full of panicked information. he doesn't really know what to do now; Wanda's expressions shifting as her eyes find him.
Uh oh.
Lance trudges down the stairs, taking the offered receiver without breaking eye contact. When he does turn-because otherwise there's no way he'd focus on Kitty-he notes Wanda doesn't leave. If anything her presence is increased tenfold. He can feel the back of his head practically splitting open under that glare.
"Lance! Listen, Pietro is over here-"
What.
"Scott found him...Somewhere-and now Dr. McCoy is kinda freaking out? Pietro isn't staying put either-even on sedatives, can you like, get over here?"
Fuck. He turns his head a little, catching Wanda's brow lower. She'd heard that. Of course shed heard that. "Ya, ill leave right now." He hangs up before Kitty can answer and knows a barrage of questions is coming.
He's a little shocked when the female Maximoff yanks him into the kitchen, slamming the door as a clear warning against eavesdroppers. He Instinctively takes a at a lower elevation seemed to make Pietro less infuriated sometimes, maybe it would work with Wanda to.
"Sedatives?" He shrugs with a forced smile "and why are you not bringing the building down around us?"
"Why would i do that? Pietro's an ass."
Wanda scoffs "Oh please, I'm not nearly as clueless as my brother. It's obvious you care for him-maybe too much. Now whats going on."
He doesn't dare point out that she's clueless about whatever problems Pietro's having; he doesn't have a death wish "I don't really...know."
"You hate those kinds of answers from my brother-try something else."
"I really don't know though! He's so damn secretive. All any of us know is that his nose erupts and he's kinda...wobbly."
"Wobbly."
"Ya. Last time i saw him, he looked like he could barely stand." Then he went 'for a run'. Shit. He should've done something. "Anyway i gotta go. If he's causing that much trouble, then ill deal with it"
He's almost to the door out of the kitchen when Wanda stops him "And why is Pietro at the institute?"
'Scott found him'. He thinks to say that, but he doesn't really understand it and Wanda would probably ask about where Pietro had gone, and, well. "I dunno Wanda" he gives her a steady look, trying to let her know that he doesn't actually have all the answers.
Surprisingly, she stands down, looking much smaller, much more defeated than he'd seen her in a long time. She's scared. She's scared because her piece of shit brother isn't telling her anything. Her piece of shit brother that cares for her, and vice versa.
When he finally pulls into the institutes grounds, Kitty is waiting for him, rambling before he's gotten out of the jeep. "Finally-what took you so long?"
"Wanda"
"Oh..." She leads him through the halls, trying really hard to refrain from asking any questions. Instead she shows him to the infirmary.
Hank is already there, slipping a needle into a sort of jack in Pietro's arm. The speedster looks annoyed-or what passes for it. His exhaustion is evident. The boys eyes clamp shut when the liquid is pushed in. Hank catches their eyes-putting on a professional smile "Don't worry-it's just to help with some pains."
And knock him out. Lance cant help but grit his teeth-they couldn't find other ways to keep Pietro from running around, so they drug him? How are they the "good guys"?
Hank slides the needle out, packing things away on a side-table as Pietro fingers his coat. When the doctor leaves, Kitty follows, hoping to give the two some much-needed alone time.
Lance is suddenly cold.
He makes his way to the only occupied bed in the room, taking a seat on the bed instead of the conveniently placed chair. Taking in Pietro's appearance doesn't take long; the boy looks horrid, tired enough to not want to sleep anymore. He can feel weak fingers rubbing against his jeans, and looks down. They're idly sliding along the fabric near his knees, mostly down the stitching.
"You look like shit." he tries to break whatever ice has formed, but Pietro doesnt seem to hear him "Pietro, are you ok?"
A quiet, dragged out hum is his response. "Pietro" the usually very alert eyes are dim and unfocused, and Lance realises he's never seen the speedster tire. When he drifts off, Lance is transfixed by how the boy still looks angry, still with creased brows and a scowl.
He would've thought a sleeping Pietro would be tranquil, adorable, but no. He comes near mumbling, and if the bed were bigger, he'd be rolling from side to side.
It's not long untill hes waking again. Rubbing his head, and making almost inaudible sounds as he looks around the room. His eyes come to a stop on Lance in confusion, "When did you show up?" he scratches just under his hairline.
"Before you were knocked out." Pietro stops his fidgeting, seemingly thinking this over. He looks at the IV still in his arm "I take it they've been drugging you since you got here?"
There's a faint curl at the edge of the boys lips "It's kept the headaches away at least." Lance blinks. Headaches?
"What?"
He watches Pietro, who doesn't move for a moment, before putting on a fake smile "Yeah, I didn't tell you how my head feels like it'll explode sometimes?"
"You havent told me anything." The boy sighs, rubbing his arm
"I'm not good at the whole 'truth' thing, you know that."
"Ya but when it comes to something like that-you'd think one of us would be told Something"
Pietro doesn't look happy "You have to promise you wont tell Wanda-or anyone else." He fixes Lance with a glare much like his father's. He hasnt seen a look like that in a long time. He no longer knows what to expect-maybe he actually is dying.
"I think im turning into my father."
AN: Long wait for this chapter that i rewrote too many times and still dont like haha oops! Next chapter is actually already written, but i need to go over it again and i dont have time tonight to post it!
(im sorry that i post so sporadically, it's just easier for me!)