16. Love All Around

"Well that was just really weird," Daniela remarked as they waited for the bus outside the mall. What on earth had her father and the professor been doing at the mall cafe together?

Suddenly, she felt Warren stiffen beside her, breaking her out of her thoughts. "What is it?"

"I just really hate that guy," he mumbled. The bus had arrived, the side of the bus plastered with a Worthington anti-mutant advertisement.

She wrapped an arm around him. "Me too."


Kath stood before Piotr's door, hesitating to knock. She had never been so nervous to talk to him before.

What was she going to say? She knew what she wanted to say, but was sure all her carefully thought-out words would surely turn to mush as soon as she faced him.

Which is exactly what happened. When she finally knocked and he opened the door, they stood silently staring at each other, and all that she had wanted to say slipped from her mind.

"Can I talk to you?" she finally said.

"Da."

"Is this an okay time?"

"Da. You can come in." He opened the door fully to let her inside. His dorm was neat and tidy, everything organized and with its own place. Not that she expected any different from him.

Piotr sat down on the edge of his bed while Kath remained standing.

"First of all, I wanted to say I'm sorry. I had no idea you felt that way."

"Then it is my fault. I was not so clear."

"Daniela kept going on and on about it, and that got on my nerves, and I just snapped at her, maybe said some things in the heat of the moment that I didn't quite mean..." Now Kath wrung her hands. "I'm so sorry, Piotr."

"It's okay."

"But it's not. Ugh, I'm just so nervous."

"Why, Kath?" he asked gently. Piotr, always gentle. The gentle giant. Her gentle giant crush. "Why are you nervous?"

"Because I'm scared I'll hurt you," she finally admitted, though it wasn't as much of a relief as she had hoped it would be, unfortunately. She had always known, deep down, that this was the reason. She had admitted it to herself long ago, but not to anyone else, and definitely not to him. But he should know, and it was about time.

She held up both hands and curled them into tight fists as if for emphasis. "You know that I don't have full or even partial control over my powers, and with you being all metal I just don't think that would be a good mix. And I feel so overwhelmed when I'm around you - in a good way - but it's moments like those where I tend to lose control - the little control I have."

"Oh, Kath. I'm sorry, I had no idea you felt this way."

"Don't be sorry. I was the one keeping it hidden." She sighed. "The truth is, I like you Piotr. A lot. I think I - I think I love you..."

Her words clearly shocked him. "Really?"

"Yes. You seem surprised."

"Da, I am. I always hoped you would see me beyond my mutation..."

His words hurt - he thought she wouldn't like him because of his mutation. She never knew him to be so self conscious. "Oh Piotr, no, don't think like that. Of course I like you beyond your mutation. How could I not?" Her words made him smile.

And she had thought only her mutation was standing in their way - he clearly felt the same about his own. "I just don't want to hurt you."

"You won't. I know you won't."

"I can't make any promises on that, I'm afraid."

"I'm not asking you to. I'm just asking that you have faith in yourself as I do. I don't want to hurt you either."

"You could never."

He reached out and took her hand gently in his. "May I do something? It's something I've been wanting to do for a some time..."

"Sure, what is it?"

"May I kiss you?"

It was so like Piotr to ask permission, and she fell a lot more in love with him there in that moment for it.

She chuckled. "Yes, you may. I would love that."

"You would?"

"Yes!"

He began to lean forward - Kath's heart was thundering madly.

"Is this all right?" He whispered.

"Yes."

"And with your powers?"

"Yes, so far so good." In fact, she hadn't even been thinking of her powers.

"Good, I'm glad." With that, he closed the remaining distance between them. They stayed like that, lips connected, for a few moments before both pulled away, both flushed and breathless.

"Can I tell you something?" he asked.

"Of course, anything."

"I must admit, that was my first kiss."

He was so adorable. "Mine too."

"Really? How was it?" Now he appeared nervous.

She was grinning widely now. "Perfect."

He smiled too. "Da, it was. How do you feel?"

"Overwhelmed, but it a wonderful way."

Yes, there was no denying it now or anymore - Katharina Maximoff was in love with Piotr Rasputin.


Wanda came home very upset.

"There was a fire at the movie theatre. I was hoping to meet a - friend there, but she was taken to the hospital. Well, mall security thought t was a fire, but the professor thought it was a mutation - her mutation." She sat on her bed, recalling the events of the day to her sisters.

"The professor was there?" Daniela thought back to him and her father sitting in the mall cafe together. Xavier must have left shortly after she and Warren had.

"Yes, he got the hospital staff to let us in."

"Did you know she was a mutant?"

"I had no idea."

"Who is she?"

"Carol Danvers."

"You like her." Daniela recognized the signs right away.

"Like, like her like her?" clarified Kath.

"Yes!" cried Daniela.

"I was asking Wanda."

"Yes," confirmed Wanda.

"Aw, our Wanda has a crush!"

"Yes," Wanda admitted. "A big one."

"So sweet! Now I know why you wanted to join us at the mall!" Daniela winked and nudged her younger sister. "I'm so happy for you!"

"Thanks, Yela."

"You should bring her flowers and a card to the hospital."

"Yeah, I was thinking of that too."

"Can I help you pick them out?!"

Wanda chuckled. "Of course."

"Did you get to see her in the hospital then?" asked Kath.

"See her, yes, but she was asleep, so we didn't get to talk. I was going to go back tomorrow."

"Sounds like a plan."

Wanda turned to her orange-clad sister. "How was baby shopping?"

"Good - kind of overwhelming honestly. There's so much stuff to think about! Good thing it's still early. How about you, Kath? How was your day?"

"Good, yeah, good."

"What did you get up to?"

"Well, I talked to Piotr..."

"Oh! And, how did it go? Did you apologize for breaking his heart?"

"Daniela!" cried Wanda.

"What? It's true."

Kath rolled her eyes. "Yes, I did. And told him I love him back-" Both sisters' jaws dropped. "-And we came to an understanding - and he kissed me." Now she was beaming.

Daniela gave a shrill squeal. "Your first 'I love you'! Your first kiss! Details, Kath! We want details!"

Kath just rolled her eyes - typical Daniela.

Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed this chapter! :)