AN: Enjoy!
That night, Vision felt secure enough in their new surroundings to trust that Wanda would be safe without him waiting outside her door, so instead, he headed to the bedroom that Doctor Strange had offered to him the day before.
Vision had never had a bedroom to himself before. He stared at the bed for a while, as though he couldn't quite remember what he was supposed to do with it. Then he kicked off his well-worn shoes, stripped down to his under things, and pulled back the covers.
Almost nervously, as if he were worried that someone was going to rush in and inform him that there had been some sort of mistake, that the bed was not meant for him, Vision laid down. He let his head sink into the pillow with a soft sigh. After so many years living rough, sleeping where he dropped, a bed was heaven.
He drifted off to sleep almost immediately. He dreamed of the Princess. Of her sparkling eyes.. her wonderful smile..
Sometime the following morning, Wanda knocked on Vision's door.
"Vizh, are you up? I think Doctor Strange wants us to get started soon.." She knocked again. "Vision?"
When there was still no reply, she opened the door, just a crack, and peeked inside. Vision was still fast asleep, a small smile on his face. Wanda's gaze softened. She didn't have the heart to wake him. When she heard footsteps approaching, she quickly closed the door.
"Where is Vision?" Wong asked as he approached. "It is important that we begin your Scarlet Witch.."
"I'm not the Scarlet Witch" Wanda frowned.
"Well, training is important with any powers. Yours and his.."
"He's still asleep. We've had a rough couple of days, so maybe we could just leave him, and he'll catch up.."
Before Wanda could finish, Wong had burst into Vision's room.
"It is time to wake up! Your training begins Today!"
Vision jolted awake with a yelp and scrambled out of bed. As he began to hurriedly dress, Wanda spotted the cluster of healing scars on his shoulder and felt a pang of guilt. Her fault. If she had just taken his hand when he asked..
"So sorry, overslept.." Vision looked to Wanda, and, in his efforts not to let himself grow too close to the Princess, his next words may have come out a little snappier than intended. "Why didn't you wake me sooner?"
Wanda, already feeling guilty, flinched slightly, stung. Vision felt his heart sink into the pit of his stomach.
"I.. You looked peaceful.. so I.. You know, next time, I just won't bother being nice!" Wanda stalked off.
Vision groaned.
"I'm an idiot.."
"An idiot who is late" Wong reminded him, as he too left the room, "So hurry up."
Vision rushed to their meeting place, the area in which they had seen other sorcerers practising the previous day. He wanted to apologise, but Wanda wouldn't look at him, and Doctor Strange began speaking before he had the chance to really try.
"We're going to split you up Today.."
"Probably for the best.." Wanda muttered under her breath.
"So, Vision, you'll be working with Wong. Wanda, with me.."
Vision opened his mouth to try and apologise again, but Wanda was already rushing to the other side of the arena to join Doctor Strange. Vision sighed, defeated for now, and moved to where Wong waited for him.
"So" Wong began, "We will start with the basics. What abilities have you mastered so far?"
"I can become intangible" Vision reached up to ensure the circlet holding the stone was positioned correctly atop his head. "I walk through walls.."
"And other objects.. you can make them intangible with you?"
"Yes.. uh.. crates and things, or sacks of potatoes.. J-Just food.."
"You will not be shamed here, my friend" Wong assured him. "We understand that things are difficult on Sokovia's streets.. Now, what about other people?"
"Only once" said Vision, glancing over his shoulder to where Wanda was working with Doctor Strange. "When the Princess and I had arrows fired at us."
"Did you find it difficult?"
"No.. But I was probably on an adrenaline high at the time."
"Alright.. We definitely have something to work with" Wong nodded. "Show me everything you can do, and then we can decide what step to take next."
"Your powers are very different than what Vision can do with the Stone.."
"Because mine come from within.." Wanda, slightly agitated after that Morning's events, rolled her eyes. "I know. You said that already."
"Right.. So, legend says the Scarlet Witch has many abilities, among them flight, telekinesis, and various forms of mental manipulation" Doctor Strange listed. "Do any of those sound similar to what you can do?"
"Well, I can fly, sometimes. And I guess what I did with the Soldiers in the woods is telekinesis.. But I like I said, I..
"Have no control" He finished for her. "That's what we work on first. When do your powers usually emerge?"
"Uh.." Wanda thought for a moment. "When I'm angry, or scared, or think I'm in danger.."
"Strong emotions trigger them."
"Yes, you could say that."
"This is a very good start" Wong told Vision, after seeing all he could do. "Perhaps next, we should begin work on the opposite of what you do already."
"So.. Increasing density?" Vision questioned.
"Yes" Wong replied, pushing a wooden dummy towards Vision. "Now, think of someone you would like to punch very, very hard. Focus all your energy.."
"First, you need to practice calling on the energy within you.. to begin with, you'll probably need to bring one of those strong emotions to the surface. So," Doctor Strange instructed. "Think of something, or someone, that makes you very angry."
Wanda closed her eyes. She thought of Ultron. Of what he had done to Pietro..
At first, Vision could not think of anyone he wanted to punch very hard.
But then, he thought of Ultron. Of all the pain he had caused Wanda.
He drew back his fist, and let it fly.
Red energy began to surround Wanda, curling around her body like scarlet flames.
"Yes, that's brilliant" Doctor Strange grinned. "Try and hold it there for.."
There was an almighty crunching noise, and bits of broken, splintered wood flew everywhere.
Wanda, startled, lost her concentration, the energy fading. She turned to see Vision, equally startled, surrounded by the shattered remains of the wooden dummy, his fist still raised.
"Well" Wong blinked, "This would seem like a good time to break for lunch. After, we can set back up and try again."
After they ate, they returned to practising. By the end of the day, Vision had punched his way through a few more dummies, and Wanda could summon her power for a few minutes at a time. They were both left sweaty and exhausted by their efforts.
"You are both welcome to use a very handy invention of ours" Doctor Strange informed them. "We call it a shower.. the water is always warm."
Vision stood under the warm spray, sighing contentedly. This was heaven, just as much as the bed had been. Any sort of bathing was a luxury rarely afforded him, with most water saved for drinking. He stayed there for a while, letting what must have been at least a year's worth of grime wash away. Then, he stopped the shower as Doctor Strange had taught him, dried himself with a cloth, pulled on his under-shorts, turned to leave..
..And crashed straight into Wanda as she was coming in.
The Princess was wearing a silk robe that did not leave very much to the imagination. Vision gulped, hoping very much that his shorts were not too tight.
"Vision.. uh.." Wanda's face was bright red.
"Wanda.. hello.. um.. I am sorry about this morning." Not the best time, but he wanted to get the apology out of the way. "I really didn't mean to snap."
"It's okay. I should have woken you.. Oh.." She reached a hand towards his head, then drew it back, thinking better of it.
"What?" He blushed. "Did I miss a spot?"
"No.. Just.. Your hair. It's kind of.. gold. I haven't seen it like that before."
"Oh.. Well, it really is quite a nice contraption, this shower.." Vision smiled. "Are you going to try it?"
"I was.. But I'm a little nervous about someone walking in.."
"I can guard the door, if you like" He offered.
"Really?" Wanda looked at him.
"Of course."
"Okay. Thanks, Vizh."
So, Vision waited by the door. The boy with golden hair, already the loyal protector of a lonely Princess.
