"Brave New World"

Chapter Twelve

By darthelwig


*** I own nothing. I'm just having fun. ***

A/N: Update 2 of 2 for today.


Pietro wanted to kill that guy. How dare he threaten violence near his sister? How dare he threaten a person his sister cared for?

He had no use for a man who would beat a woman. They had known many of those types in Sokovia, had seen too much of that kind of violence, and had taken great pains to avoid trouble with anyone like that. Pietro refused to risk his sister's well being. She was always most important, but he knew things like that happened everywhere, even here in America where people chose to believe they were beyond it or something.

People here seemed to have that "It won't happen to me" mentality. Stupid. That would only get you killed.

He would protect Wanda, and now Wanda's girlfriend, from any man. A man who would hit a woman had no worth, and anyone who instigated violence so near his sister would pay the price.

Not that Wanda really needed his protection, but damn it, he was her older brother and he would see her safe.

He knew that guy wasn't gonna give up. No, men like that had too much pride, and would only be angrier when thwarted. He was possessive of Carol, saw her as his to own, and would not back down so easily. This was a temporary reprieve, but he would watch and be ready.

Besides, he hadn't lied. Better him than Wanda. Wanda would tear Carol's ex-boyfriend apart mentally and physically. But she would also hurt herself in doing so, and Pietro would prevent that if he could. He would save Wanda even from herself.

He made small talk, which he was getting better at with these teenagers he felt so different from, and kept an eye on the guy. Better to watch him than Wanda, especially with her doing naughty things with Carol. She didn't need her big brother looking over her shoulder while she made out with a girl, and while it didn't bother him nearly as much as he pretended (he was mature, after all), they still both valued their privacy in those matters.

Wanda would call him if she needed him, anyway.

His anger took some time to cool, but eventually he loosened up enough to flirt with some of the people at the party. Flashing a smile and a wink at a girl across the room, he turned a smoldering look on the guy standing in front of him. Men and women were so different, but so similar. Each fell before his charms, and he loved it. Perhaps before he would've made a serious attempt to bed one of them, release some tension, but not now. He was enjoying having the opportunity to take his time, not grabbing what he could when he could because who knew how long it would be there. Things could be different now, and he would savor that.

Flirting was a nice enough distraction for now, as he waited for his sister.

She was back surprisingly quickly, but apparently Carol was tired from the game and needed to rest. That was fine by him. They said their goodbyes and began a brisk walk down the street so they could find a good place to run from. Wanda had a somewhat dopey smile on her face, and he laughed.

"What is it?" she asked.

"It's cute how crazy you are for this girl."

"Is it that obvious?"

"Only to me, I think, but I see it all over your face. Never fear, though. Your 'resting bitch face' is safe." He laughed harder when she smacked his arm, but she was smiling too.

"I like her a lot, Pietro."

"I know," he said. He draped an arm over her shoulders and squeezed her tight. "I suppose I will learn to like her too." He teased, but she looked at him seriously.

"I want that very much," she said.

"I like her already for making you happy." He assured her, and grinned. "Just not too happy yet, yes?" Wanda grimaced and poked him in the side.

"You act as if I am some blushing virgin," she grumbled.

"Well, you do blush a lot around her. Can virginity grow back?" he asked. Wanda just rolled her eyes, and he grinned.

"You are an idiot sometimes," she muttered, and he laughed.

"Yes, but you love me," he said, and he scooped her up to run them home.