House Arrest

So, this is the part where things get really interesting. As it happens in my world, the world is blaming James Barnes for the bombing at the UN meeting in Vienna. I know it's not Bucky, but my word means fuck all in this universe. By rights, I don't exist here. There's almost nothing I could do to change things. By now, Steve and Sam will be finding Bucky, and the capture of one James Barnes will occur. But I can't even remember where that happens. Even if I could remember, I won't be allowed out. Vision is still here. So, we're under house arrest, Wanda and I.

Looks like it's back to the drawing board for plans to save the world.

Wanda has been a bit off with me, ever since I started spouting stuff about Zemo. She's cautious about my knowledge, and who wouldn't be? I'm a little – well, a lot – nervous about Wanda and her mind powers. She can know what I'm thinking before I even know I'm thinking it. It's kinda scary, but I shouldn't really be thinking about that. Wanda will know.

Needless to say, she must also know about where I'm from. That I'm telling the truth through my nonsense mutterings about the future. I really wish I was back home, and not involved in any of this. Sure, it'll be great if I can change this civil war for the better, but that's not looking likely. To be honest, I've no idea how to stop any of this. Events are all closing in at once, and I'm powerless to halt the tide. There must be some solution, some answer to these problems. I just can't see it.

A few moments later, I stop my pacing tracks in my room, and head back into the kitchen. Vision is busy cooking something – a present for Wanda. I'm not interfering with this moment, it's so sweet and just – ugh, Scarlet-Vision all the way. Still, I have to fill my water pouches, ready for the coming war. I'm gonna make sure that I'm there. I have to be in the action, or I'll have nothing to do at all. Maybe I can do something there, help slow the fight down.

Maybe there's nothing I can do, and it's all a foolish venture.

I shake my head, refusing to believe that I truly can do nothing. There has to be a reason for me being sent to a point in time before Civil war occurred. I got the chance to meet and interact with the heroes, and learn about the people behind the personas. Sure, I don't know an awful lot about them, but I got to see them working in a more domestic setting. I got to see the food fights, and petty arguments, and overly competitive games of Mario Kart. There's a real connection between them; a family there, even if they don't see that. Maybe I can't stop the inevitable, but I can appeal to what they'll lose if they spilt apart. Surely being together is better than being separate shards of a team.

But I'm being idealistic. That's never going to happen, not with two, strong-minded and stubborn leaders facing off against each other. It'll never work. I just … I want everything to be the way my head imagines it. The accords are altered for the better, and the worst parts scrapped. The team is together, and working to be better than ever before. The world won't fear their heroes anymore. And everything will be perfect.

Reality doesn't agree.

This is the real world, and none of that will ever happen. Even if, by some lucky chance, I make it to the fight in Germany, what will I do there? I can't just expect them all to sit down and have a chat. Steve and Bucky will want to be off, and the others won't think too kindly to the idea of talking it out. It didn't work in their earlier discussions, it won't work now. They're a volatile group, and sparks can easily be lit.

It's not they don't get along; they do. But a bunch of strong-minded, powerful individuals with a range of ideals don't make discussions easy. There was also going to be something they couldn't agree on, something that could tear them apart. And it's happening right now. There's so many factors coming into play, factors that they don't even realise will be instrumental in their separation.

Choices, secrets, and lies.

That's what it's all about. The choice to sign or not. The secret of the death of Tony's parents. The lies to try and protect those they love. It's the things that, when combined, will tear the Avengers apart. I can't stop them from their choice, and it's not my secret to tell, but I don't have to lie anymore. From now on I'll tell as much of the truth as I can. It's not gonna be easy, but it sure as hell isn't as bad as lying for the sake of it. Sure, the truth is a dangerous weapon, and I'm not going to walk around spouting everything I can scrape together from my brain, but I am going to tell as much as I can. Hiding the truth can almost be as bad as lying, even if it's for the right reason. The person you're hiding the truth from won't always see it that way.

By now my water pouches are overflowing, as I stand at the sink, lost in thought. Luckily Vision – completely engrossed in his cooking – hasn't noticed me. I switch of the tap, and flee the area. I don't want to be here when the adorable Scarlet-Vision moment starts up. I don't want to alter such a cute moment, just by being in the way.

Just then, I hear Wanda's footsteps, approaching the kitchen. I run for the lounge, vaulting over the sofa, and crouching against the cushions. Wanda hasn't noticed, and instead moves straight over to see Vision.

"A pinch of paprika. A pinch." Vision is muttering to himself. I can't see them, hidden behind the sofa as I am, but I can recall glimpses of the scene. Vision must be checking the recipe book by now.

"Is that Paprikash?" Wanda's inquisitive tones drift over to where I lay, hidden from view.

"I thought it might …" For once, Vision seems to falter in his words, "lift your spirits."

Wanda replies in an almost dry tone. "Spirits lifted."

"In my defence, I haven't actually … eaten anything before, so …"

"Aye, aye. Please."

"Wanda." There's an undercurrent of urgency in his tone, running through like a river of steel. Or vibranium.

"Hmm."

"No one dislikes you, Wanda."

"Thanks."

"Oh, you're welcome. No. It's a... involuntary response in their amygdala they can't help but be afraid of you."

"Are you?" She sounds almost … nervous. As though his answer is very important to her. From what I've seen of their interactions before, I'm sure it must be.

"My amygdala is synthetic, so …" Vision trails off, as though uncertain if he's saying the right thing. Well, he hasn't been around that long, and he's not human. I'm a human, but I sure as hell don't understand people any more than the android does. He probably understands them more.

"I used to think of myself one way. But, after this. I am something else. And still me, I think. But... that's not what everyone else sees."

"Do you know, I don't know what this is. Not really. I know it's not of this world. But it powered Loki's staff, gave you your abilities. But... its true nature is a mystery. And yet, it is part of me."

"Are you afraid of it?" A hint of curiosity underlines her words, but there's concern too. She truly cares from him. And it'll hurt even more for what she has to do later. It must break her heart.

"I wish to understand it. The more I do, the less it controls me. One day, who knows, I may even control it."

"I don't know what's in this but it is not paprika. I'm gonna go to the store, I'll be back in 20 minutes." Wanda changes conversation at the speed at light.

"Alternatively, we could order a pizza?" Vision's not-so-subtle attempt as dismissing her attempt to leave charges the air with tension. The atmosphere is quickly growing uncomfortable. I peek my head over the edge, peering at them.

"Vision, are you not letting me leave?" Fire charges her words, a fierceness awakening in the Sokovian girl.

"It's a question of safety." That, Vision, sounds all too much like the good old 'It's for your own good' excuse. A typical fall-back for humans, and apparently androids.

Wanda's reply is curt, cutting straight to her point. "I can protect myself."

"Not yours. Mr. Stark would like to avoid the possibility of another public incident. Until the Accords are a... more secured foundation."

"And what do you want?" This time, her words sound softer, as though she is beseeching him to give her the truth. She wants his thoughts, and no lies. Unfortunately, secrets and lies seem to the currency of this world … for most people at least, but not for Vision.

"For people to see you... as I do." With those words, a silence lapses into the space, ending the conversation.

It's all coming now, the rushing climax of the civil war. The battle at the German airport can't be far away now. I have to find a way to be there, even if it means sneaking into whatever transport Hawkeye brings, or asking Vision to lift me in. I have to be there. It's my chance to talk to Tony, and try and stop any more damage from happening. I have to give him a warning of what will be revealed at Siberia. I just don't know how to do that without fanning the flames anymore.

War is coming. It's up to us to keep it under control.

May cool heads prevail.

We can only hope.

A bit of a short chapter here, but not much happens in this scene.

I didn't want to change it much (I'm trying to stick to canon where possible), so it's shorter than most chapters. I used a transcript of the scene from the internet for the speech. Ava doesn't see most of it play out, and I didn't want her presence to have little influence of this scene.

Hopefully you can enjoy this latest chapter.

We'll be moving on to the next phase of Civil War soon enough.

I own only my OCs.

Plus, I hope Ava is coming across as decent character for you guys, and not a Mary Sue. Please tell me if she is, and if I'm writing a little OOC for any canon characters.

Thank you for reading.

I would also like to thank the viewers of this humble story. As I'm writing this, we've got over 3,110 views. That's brilliant, and so much better than I expected. So a massive shout-out to you guys, and anyone who reviewed, favourited, or followed this story. You guys make it worth it.