The People That We Love
In the solitude of his room, Vision revisited his earlier conversation with Tony:
"Listen, I've got a favor to ask you," Tony voiced over the video call.
Vision, always eager to help Tony, answered, "Certainly, how can I be of service?"
The billionaire scratched the back of his head. "I need you to keep an eye on Wanda for a while."
All cheer vanished from his tone. "Is she in danger?"
"No, no," Tony dismissed, looking away. A sign, Vision had come to notice that meant Tony was saying something uncomfortable. "It's just, ya know, with the Accords and Cap running around like an idiot, we need to keep her out of the spotlight for a while."
Pausing, Vision could see the logic in this, but .."For how long?"
"Just until everything is rock solid and signed. A couple of days at most. After that, everything will be fine."
Admittedly, Vision didn't like the idea of having this conversation without Wanda present, but he understood Tony's request for caution. "Alright."
Tony was visibly relieved. "Thanks, buddy. I knew I could count on you."
xx
Throughout Vision's short life, he had experienced terror only once before, at the hands and mind of Wanda. But when an explosion set off outside the compound, he felt a coil of fear grow in the pit of his stomach.
They were coming, just as she'd warned. They were here, attacking their home.
In a matter of milliseconds, he had phased out of his room, and appeared from the floor beside her. His mind, wrecked with panic, instinctively sought hers. But she was calm, already in combative mode, quickly configuring the layout of the compound in relation to the explosion.
'it is alright' she thought, 'they may come - but they will not leave'
Courage building from her words, he righted himself. They were of the Avengers, the most unstoppable team on the planet. He and Wanda were two of the strongest beings he knew to exist. They would fight these invaders together, and they would be victorious.
'what is it?' she inquired. An RPG? A tank?
"Stay here, please," he said evenly. Out in the open, they could become easily separated. It was best she stay inside while he scouted ahead.
So imagine Vision's surprise when ventured forth and discovered the remains of a small explosive he recognized, and felt Wanda acknowledge a familiar face.
xx
Vision stared dumbly up at the light peering into the mouth of the hole as he regained control of his body. Of course, he had known this was possibility, that Wanda could turn on him. What he hadn't known was how it would affect him. When Wanda took control of the Stone, pushing him into the earth, he felt a hole punched through his chest as well. It was a physical ache he could not quantify and that concerned him. When at last he emerged from the crater, he phoned Tony.
"Mr Stark," he said as evenly as possible. "Miss Maximoff has ... departed from the compound."
"What?" Tony sounded from the other end. "I thought you said she was fine with staying home?"
"I'm afraid she changed her mind."
"Well, she couldn't have gotten far, right? Does she even know how to drive? How old is she?"
"She is 18 and I believe Natasha was teaching her. However, don't believe she has taken any of the vehicles."
"So she gave you the slip and ran off into the woods?"
Vision sighed. "She overpowered me. Mr Barton assisted her escape. ...I did what I could."
"Great!" Tony scoffed. "Retired my ass." Suddenly, there were muffled voices as Tony spoke to someone on the other end before returning. "Listen, get out here as soon as you can, we're gonna need you."
"Of course, sir."
Why Vision still addressed Stark so formally, he could not say for certain. Perhaps it was embedded in his programming? Perhaps it was out of respect for the man who set into motion his existence? This may also explain his unwavering loyalty to the man, he mulled. Which begged the question, if Tony asked something of Vision he disagreed with, would he comply? Vision thought not.
While he knew Tony to be selfish and, at times, irrational, the man only did what he thought was right. And while Vision did not essentially agree with containing Wanda at the compound, he knew it was preferential to being contained in a cell.
xx
When Vision arrived, he was immediately directed to Tony who was in the process of suiting up.
"I apologize, Mr Stark. I knew Wanda could possibly overpower me, but I did not realize she might actually ... attempt it," he said melancholily.
Tony paused, considering Vision's tone. There was no denying he cared for Vision. How could he not when Vision would probably be the closest thing Tony would ever have to a progeny. "Hey, listen. You did the best you could, right? Teenagers, they can be sneaky, I know I certainly was. Let's just focus on getting her back and stopping Barnes."
Vision was apprehensive at the idea of seeing Wanda again. Surely, she must hate him now. His stomach turned, recalling the repulsive sensation of her hate. Nevertheless, he dutifully reminded himself, he had a job to do. "Very well."
xx
Wanda rested her forehead on the window and gazed from the passenger seat as the outside world passed. Since the escape, they had been traveling for a couple hours in silence, and dawn was fast approaching.
"You alright?" Clint asked from the driver's seat.
She muttered, "I betrayed him."
"'Betrayed' seems like a strong choice of word. Wasn't he the one keeping you at the compound?"
"He was doing what he thought was right."
"Yeah. But didn't you also do what you thought was right?"
Wanda sighed bitterly. "Are you ready to do what is right? Not against Vision, or Stark. What will you do when Natasha is the one who stands in our way?"
"I'll do what I've got to, I suppose." He gripped the wheel a little tighter.
"You would put her down, your best friend? Because she chose the wrong side?"
"This ain't about sides, kid. You gotta see that. Nat's got her reasons and I got mine. We aren't always going to see eye-to-eye." He took a sip of his coffee. "But when this thing is done. When everyone's packed up and going home, she'll still be welcomed at my dinner table. They all will be."
A/N: sadface