"Brave New World"
Chapter Four
by darthelwig
*** I own nothing. I'm just having fun. ***
A/N: I'm sorry for the slow updates. I've had bronchitis for two months, and I'm still trying to kick it, so writing has been difficult. To make up for it, I am posting three chapters today. Please enjoy!
Wanda watched Carol go with a fluttery feeling in her stomach. The girl was beautiful, all long legs and golden hair. She practically sparkled in the sunlight. And she hadn't been put off by Pietro's anger. That said a lot. Her brother could be intimidating.
She'd taken a peek into Carol's mind, of course. Just enough to get a sense of who she was, if she could be trusted. She knew Clint and the rest of the Avengers wouldn't approve, but this was her life now. She had these powers, and she would make use of them, not be ashamed or afraid. She refused.
She was still smiling to herself over her good fortune when Pietro arrived, clearly annoyed.
"I don't know how I'm going to survive a whole week of this," he grumbled. "I have to do homework, and if I don't have any, I have to just sit there, doing nothing!" His hair was a mess, and she could tell he'd been running his hands through it in frustration.
"So you ran out of work," Wanda said, letting Pietro pull her to her feet.
"Yes," he sighed. He lifted her backpack onto his shoulder and Wanda's heart melted at the mournful look on his face. She cupped his cheek, drawing his attention.
"I know this is hard for you, but you have to be patient. Maybe next time you will think before hitting someone in the middle of the hallway." She raised an eyebrow, and he ducked his head guiltily.
"Maybe, maybe not. He had no right to talk to you like that. I won't tolerate it." His voice was firm, and Wanda glowed under the expression of his love even as she shook her head. Pietro's face turned serious. "These people will learn to respect you, Wanda. Things can be different for us here. We don't have to put up with being treated like trash anymore. I want better for both of us." Old hurts burned in his eyes, and Wanda felt it too, the pain of rejection and loneliness that had always seemed to chase their steps.
"I want that too," she whispered, then gave him a small smile. "Speaking of..."
"What?" he said, eyeing her suspiciously.
"I agreed to do the interview for the paper."
"What?" Pietro yelled, drawing looks from the few people still hanging around. Wanda winced.
"You don't have to be there. In fact, I told her you wouldn't be," she said. She ducked her head to hide her blush, but Pietro knew her too well. He groaned.
"You like her!"
"She seemed nice," Wanda said, shrugging.
"I can't believe this. My sister, a sucker for a pretty face," he said, and though he was still unhappy, he was smiling. She blushed even harder, and Pietro gently tipped her chin up so she met his gaze. "Just don't get hurt, okay? I don't want to have to hit a girl."
Wanda slapped his arm, but laughed at the crooked grin on his face. She loved him so much, and was so thankful he had survived his injuries. She didn't know what she would do without him.
"I called Clint," she said, changing the subject to avoid further teasing. "He said he would meet us at the park. He was taking Cooper and Lila out for a while. It's only a couple blocks away."
"We should go rescue him. They are probably running him ragged. An old man like him can't possibly hope to keep up with those two," Pietro said. He looked entirely too smug.
"You'll be his age one day too, you know," Wanda pointed out.
"But I'll never be that slow," he said, and they both laughed. It felt good to have things to laugh about now. She cherished moments like this. Wanda took her brother's free hand and kept him close while they walked.