because WandaVision has my brain on Wanda overdrive, and I'm sad we don't get to see any Natasha-Wanda interactions anymore.
enjoy!
"So, I heard you were a total badass in that second battle against the purple asshole."
Wanda grins as she shakes her head in amusement at Natasha's dry delivery and knowing smirk. Some things never change , she thinks, finding a comfort in that fact. "From who?"
Natasha shrugs nonchalantly as she answers, "Tony mostly, but Steve and Sam chimed in too. Sam emphasized that you were a next level badass."
Wanda hesitates for a moment before she says anything, because it seems odd to her that Nat hadn't watched it herself and needed to be told about it. But when she opens her mouth to ask why she hadn't watched the battle herself, Nat cuts her off. "My recovery took a little longer when I got here, so I didn't see any of it unfortunately," she explains.
Of course, she figured out what I was thinking, Wanda grumbles half-heartedly to herself. But the thought quickly gives way to a new one. Why did her recovery take longer?
"Combination of the severity of the injuries and my soul's unwillingness to come to terms with certain things, I think."
In typical Natasha fashion the answer had been forthcoming, but also cryptic, so Wanda scrutinizes her friend to try and glean some insight into what exactly her soul hadn't come to terms with. Before she can glean anything, Nat continues speaking, "But we were discussing your badass performance."
"Well, for me it had been just moments since losing Vision, and then I could feel the grief of the Avengers over losing you," Wanda explains, pausing to shake her head as the memories wash over her. Decades had passed, and she'd reunited with Vision, but the emotions of that moment still linger strongly in her memory. "When I saw Thanos, I snapped." She cringes over her own word choice. "I wanted revenge," she amends. "He took everything I cared about from me," she says, holding Natasha's gaze meaningfully. Yes, she meant Pietro, and Vision, but she meant Natasha, too.
A beat of silence passes as Wanda's meaningful words hang in the air between them. "Well, it was about damn time you unleashed your full powers," Nat quips as her smile shifts into a smirk. She says it casually, almost flippantly, but the pride in her tone is clear as day too. And to have that kind of praise from Natasha, someone she respects so deeply, means so much to Wanda.
"Well, I was only doing what my mentor taught me," Wanda replies with a smirk of her own.
Nat shakes her head and chuckles as she shoves Wanda's shoulder playfully. "Kiss ass."
"Oh, I've missed you, Nat," she replies with a laugh and reaches an arm around Natasha and to squeeze her in a one-armed hug. Wanda's tone is light, but the heaviness of the years since she had last seen her friend still weigh on her. Her soul had always felt a bit fractured after losing Pietro, but losing Vision and then Nat so close together... It had left her with more fractures than she was ever able to fully heal.
"I've missed you too," Nat replies, squeezing her shoulder in return.
They're quiet for a moment and Wanda takes a great deal of comfort from the continued contact, even if the fact that Nat hadn't shrugged off the hug comes as a bit of a surprise. Then again, she supposes the redhead has probably changed a little in the decades since they'd last seen each other.
"I'm sorry I didn't get to say goodbye," Nat says softly.
Wanda's brow furrows as she shakes her head. How could she be sorry? She'd saved them all. She'd saved the universe . Not getting a goodbye seemed a small price to pay for everyone she had saved. Wanda breathes in a steadying breath to collect her thoughts before flashing a half-hearted grin and quipping, "Well, I think saving the universe is a good enough excuse."
Nat huffs out a half-hearted laugh. "If you say so."
"I do," Wanda says with another smile, but in a firm tone that tells Natasha she means every word.
Nat nods in understanding. "So, can I get you something? A drink? Some food?" Her brow crinkles in thought as she pauses briefly. "Come to think of it, I don't actually have much in the house, but I could make us something," she continues, gesturing to the back of the house where Wanda assumes the kitchen is.
Wanda stares incredulously. "You can cook?"
Natasha grins, and this time Wanda notices the twinkle of amusement in her eyes. "There's a lot you don't know about me."
Wanda rolls her eyes. "Apparently." Of course there were still mysteries to unravel about Natasha.
"So, feel like some food?"
"I'm not really hungry, but I am absolutely reserving my right to take advantage of that later," she says, pointing at her friend meaningfully and grinning when Nat chuckles. "I was actually thinking maybe we could go for a walk," Wanda pauses for a beat, "like we used to," she adds with a gentle smile.
In the early days of her time as an Avenger, she and Nat had gone on walks while they discussed strategies for Wanda to control her powers and how to integrate her abilities into the team. It had been a way for them to get away from the guys and give her a safe space to explore her powers without the usual hovering by Vision and Steve. Sometimes, on more rare occasions, they would discuss more personal matters. Usually it was Wanda sharing, but there had been a time or two that Natasha had revealed a nugget of something from her past or about herself. Where they were able to, they had even managed to continue the tradition during their time as fugitives. The conversations there had deepened as their friendship grew, and they began to touch on things like her relationship with Vision, and some past shenanigans of the Barton kids. In the wake of losing her friend without a chance to say goodbye, Wanda had treasured the memories of those walks dearly.
"Ugh!" Wanda lets out a scream of frustration as Nat knocks her down again. Her whole body starts to tingle with the thrum of energy before she feels a surge of power rip through her. Her vision fills with swirls of red and she feels a release of energy explode out of her. Distant yelling starts to get louder and it's enough to startle her and cause the red swirls to begin to fade. She blinks as the world comes back into focus and looks around at the now familiar area of the training room at the Avengers Compound. She hears some people speaking in slightly panicked tones and turns around to see Steve standing over the crumpled form of Natasha, who had apparently been thrown across the room. Wanda's hands fly up to cover her mouth in shock and horror as she realizes what she'd done.
"Oh my god," she whispers. She pushes herself to her feet and begins heading toward Nat and Steve, but Sam stops her abruptly.
"Give 'em a second."
"I didn't mean-"
"I know, and they know. That's what we're doing this training for, right?"
She nods, but her gaze is locked on Natasha who is finally getting up to her feet with Steve's assistance. Relief floods through her at the sight, even if Nat's movements are slow and appearing to be filled with pain.
"Hey," Sam continues, waiting for her gaze to meet his, "Nat'll be okay. Just got the wind knocked outta her, I think."
"I didn't hurt her?"
"Nah, I don't think so. Just give 'em a second."
Sam's words turn out to be redundant, as while they'd been talking Nat had gotten up and walked straight over to them. "You okay?" she asks once she's in front of them.
Wanda eyes widen in disbelief. "Me? How are you?"
Natasha waves off the concern. "I'm fine. I've had worse, believe me."
"You know, I'm not at all surprised by that," Sam replies to fill the silence when Wanda doesn't say anything.
"Nat, I think maybe you should-" Steve says as he joins them.
"So help me, Rogers, if you tell me I should sit down again, I'm going to kick your ass."
Steve holds up his hands and steps back. "Alright, if you're sure you're fine…"
"I am. Now go. Both of you," she says, looking at Steve and then at Sam. They exchange a look with each other and then heed her warning, heading back to the section of the room where the weights are set up. "Are you okay?" she repeats, concern flitting over her features as she meets Wanda's gaze once more.
"Natasha, I'm fine. You'rethe one who-"
"Don't worry about me. That was a serious wave of power. Not the same as I've seen before when you get overwhelmed."
"I'm so sorry, Natasha. I swear I didn't-"
"Wanda," Natasha says, stepping closer to grab her hands in a rare show of physical comfort, "it's okay. I know you didn't mean to. That's why we're working on you being able to control it."
"But you were teaching me to fight withoutmy powers."
Natasha smiles. "Yeah, but what better way to test your control than with something that frustrates you?"
Wanda scowls. "You tricked me?"
Natasha smirks. "You doneed to learn to fight without your powers, so the testing of your control was just an added bonus."
Wanda can't find any words. She's a mixture of anger and shock, and some guilt too.
"Hey, you want to get out of here?"
Wanda's eyes widen in surprise and fear. "I don't think being alone with me is such a good idea. I clearly don't-"
"I'm not afraid of you, Wanda. And besides, I don't plan on provoking you anymore today, so we'll be safe."
She hesitates again. "You're sure?"
"Yes."
"Okay," she nods in agreement. "Where are we going?"
Natasha shrugs. "How about a walk around the Compound? I think fresh air will do us both some good."
"Tai Chi?" Wanda guesses.
"Only if you want. Might not be a bad idea though." She pauses for a moment and holds up a finger to stop Wanda from replying. "Steve!" she calls out while smiling at Wanda. "I know you've been listening, so you know where we're going."
Wanda eyes widen. He'd been listening?
"Don't hold it against him. He's worried about me," Natasha soothes. "Let's go," she finishes with a nod toward the door.
"So, can I ask...what triggered it?" Natasha asks once they're out of the facility and out of earshot of the guys. They'd stopped to quickly shower and change before heading out of the building and onto the grounds.
Wanda shrugs. "I was frustrated."
"Why?"
Her brow furrows. She knowsNatasha is fully aware of why she'd been frustrated.
"I'm told talking about these things out loud can be helpful," she adds when Wanda doesn't respond and instead shoots her a glare.
"Because I can't fight."
"Hand to hand," Natasha corrects. "I've seen you fight with your powers. It's just the hand-to-hand combat tripping you up." Wanda shrugs but stays quiet. "Is there anything I can do to help?"
"You're already teaching me," Wanda replies with a shrug.
"Not very well apparently," Natasha replies easily with a smile.
"I don't think it's you. Sam and Steve learn from you all the time."
"Ah, but you didn't see Steve at first. He was like a fish out of water the first time we sparred." Wanda arches an eyebrow doubtfully. "He was far too chivalrous," Natasha explains with a smirk. "Laid him out on his ass a few times before I goaded him into actually trying to hit me."
Wanda can't help the chuckle. "Really?"
"Yep. It was only then that I started teaching him. So, I repeat: is there anything I can do to help?"
Wanda thinks about Natasha introducing her to Tai Chi, and wonders if she has more things like that that might help. "I'm not sure," Wanda admits, "but the Tai Chi helps. Should I try meditation?"
Natasha shakes her head. "Not yet. When you aren't used to the thoughts in your mind, meditation can be overwhelming. I think it may be helpful down the road though."
Wanda wonders if that wisdom is the sort that Natasha came by through experience. "What do you think for now then?"
"I think I need to convince you that you're setting unrealistic expectations for yourself," Natasha answers bluntly.
Wanda bristles. "Not wanting to be a weakness on the team is not unrealistic."
Natasha laughs. "If anyone is a weak spot on this team, it's me."
"You're joking," Wanda says in disbelief.
"I'm not a super soldier, I don't have powers or special abilities, I'm not outfitted in a highly advanced tech suit, and I can't fly," she lists off, counting them off on her fingers as they walk.
"You have the most experience."
"And that's what I use to my advantage when I can, but if I'm up against a full team of Hydra goons with no backup, or some people with abilities, I'm not exactly a strong point of the team, am I?"
"You-"
"My point is that everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. Together, we can help cover those for each other. I don't expect that we'll be in a situation where you can't use your powers, but I'm sure as hell going to prepare you for it. And whether you believe it or not, you've made good progress."
"It doesn't feel like it."
"Well, as your trainer I'm telling you differently. Besides, I don't think you've even started to tap into what you can do with those powers of yours. You'll wipe the floor with all of us when you figure out how to unleash them under control."
"You really believe that?"
"Yes," Natasha answers simply. The honesty in her simple answer buoys Wanda's spirits and she feels less like a failure knowing she has the confidence of the Black Widow.
"Yeah, a walk sounds good."
Nat's words startle Wanda back to the present and she smiles at the prospect of returning to an activity she had grown to enjoy greatly. Even in the wake of reuniting with Pietro, her parents, and Vision in the afterlife, she still feels a touch anxious to see her former mentor and friend again. Nat had become such a big part of her life and losing her so soon after Vision had been devastating. Especially upon learning what she had done in the years she'd been gone. She hadn't stopped trying to find a way to get them back, hadn't wavered in her determination, and had carved out time to build an organization helping kids orphaned in the wake of the world losing half its living things.
"You have somewhere in mind?" Wanda asks as she rises to her feet.
"There's a path in the forest at the end of the street," Natasha replies in Sokovian as she also gets up off the couch.
Wanda's eyes widen and she smiles at the sound of her mother tongue coming from her friend. She'd forgotten Natasha had made the effort to learn it when she'd joined the Avengers. It had been a comfort to her in the aftermath of losing Pietro, and then again when she had to drop her accent to blend in while they'd been fugitives.
"Sounds good," she says in reply, and they make their way out of Natasha's house and toward the nearby path that winds through the forest, next to a river.
"It's beautiful here," Wanda says as they begin following the pathway.
Nat nods. "This place has a way of making sure what you need is available. Clint and I used to take long walks when I first started visiting him and Laura, and I always found it relaxing. Not long after I moved into the house here, I discovered this path. It was exactly what I needed to find some peace."
Natasha's Sokovian isn't flawless, but given that she probably hasn't spoken it in decades, Wanda is impressed how well she's able to communicate. "You walk here often?"
The redhead nods again. "It reminds me of before."
Wanda nods as she wonders how difficult it must have been for Nat to try and come to terms with everyone and everything she'd been forced to leave behind so suddenly. "Were you alone here before Tony?"
"You don't know him, but Phil Coulson was there with me," Nat replies with a shake of her head.
"Who is he?"
"He's a friend. We worked together at SHIELD, and he was one of the people who handled my transition after Clint brought me in. Eventually he was my, uh…" she trails off as she searches for the word. "My handler," she says in English.
Wanda tilts her head and considers it, searching for the appropriate translation herself. "Handler," she says finally and Nat nods in understanding.
"He was here to welcome me when I got here."
Wanda pauses for a beat. "I saw what happened between you and Clint at the end," she says softly, tentatively, because she knows it was a deeply private moment between them. She'd only seen it because Clint's grief had been absolutely overwhelming him. Nat looks at her in surprise and Wanda quickly begins to explain. "It's not his fault. He couldn't control his grief then. He kept seeing it over and over and it was so...loud in my mind."
Nat's expression falls. "I'm sorry you had to see it," she says sympathetically.
Wanda waves off the apology. "I'm glad I did. It let him talk about it with someone."
"Good," Nat says with a nod.
"You were so brave, Nat," Wanda adds, feeling her throat tighten as emotion crashes over her at the memory of Natasha's expression as she told Clint to let her go. Clint had been right. She'd looked so young.
Natasha's gaze stays locked forward and she sighs. "It was the easiest decision I ever made, and the hardest thing I ever did. I knew he wouldn't let me go. I asked him to, but I knew he wouldn't. I just hoped he would eventually forgive himself."
Wanda nods, knowing a thing or two about hard decisions, and knowing how long it had taken Clint to come to terms with what had happened.
"Clint never stopped missing you," she says. Natasha nods, and Wanda knows that the redhead understands exactly what that feels like. "He never thought it was enough, but he honoured you the best way he knew how. We all did."
Natasha smiles and steps closer to wrap an arm around Wanda's shoulders. "I know you did. I was lucky to have found such good friends." She pauses for a moment. "Lucky to have found a sister like you," she adds softly with a smile and a squeeze of her shoulder.
The dam breaks suddenly, and Wanda's tears begin to fall as her emotions rush over all at once. Yes, she'd come to terms with the losses long ago, but faced with her friend - her sister - again, it was overwhelming. "I was so lost… I- I came back and found out you were just gone. And for me it was just moments after Vision…"
Natasha stops walking and wraps her arms around Wanda tightly, wordlessly holding the younger woman as pent-up emotion she hadn't known she'd been holding escapes.
" I'mthe lucky one, Nat. To have had you looking out for me all those years…I didn't know how lucky I was," she sniffles.
"Shhh," Nat whispers. "It's alright."
"I've missed you so much," Wanda replies in a quiet, shaky voice.
"I know. Believe me, I know. I've missed you too, sister."
Wanda nods and just clings to Nat tighter. She'd spent the rest of her days on Earth surviving more than living because the loss of her parents, Pietro, Vision, and then Natasha had proven to be just too much to fully come back from. Eventually she had come to enjoy things again, and yes, she had done things that mattered and that she loved. But now, reunited with those she'd lost, it feels like she can truly live again, and she can't help but smile a little at the twisted humour that it would come only after she'd died.
"I bet it was nice to reunite with your brother," Natasha says softly as they break apart after a few quiet moments pass.
"Yeah," Wanda agrees, "and my parents too. I guess I hadn't really realized how long it had been until I was hugging them again."
Nat nods. "Time and grief are funny that way. Sometimes missing someone hurts so much you can't do anything but feel that pain, and other days it's there but it isn't all-consuming."
Wanda bobs her head in agreement because it's the best way she's heard it described. She offers a watery smile as she wipes away the evidence of her tears from her cheeks.
"So," Natasha continues as she gestures for them to continue walking, "catch me up. What did you get up to while I was gone?"
Wanda smiles at the way Nat says it like she'd just been away on vacation for a little while. "Well, I travelled for a while after the battle. Spent a long time trying to figure out what I wanted to do. I don't think I ever quite figured it out."
Nat flashes a grin. "Does anyone?"
Wanda mirrors her grin and continues to recount the travelling she did, then how she joined up with the Avengers for a while, and then how she made sure to visit the Bartons as regularly as she could. Nat listens intently and contributes with a comment or a question every so often, and it begins to dawn on Wanda just how much it feels like how it used to. But there is a lightness to Natasha that had never been there before. It's as though the weight had been lifted from her shoulders.
"What about you?" Wanda asks, switching back to English. "What have you been up to here?"
"Oh, you know. This and that," she quips. Wanda groans at the purposefully vague answer and Nat laughs. "Well, I've learned a few things about putting up drywall, for one thing."
Wanda does a double take at the completely unexpected answer and frowns when Natasha begins to laugh again. She should've known Nat would still be able to surprise her. Yeah , she thinks, some things never change.
those who've read my other story, Conversational Junctures, may have noticed a reference to a Wanda chapter there... ;)
any thoughts on Wanda and Nat's chat? their walk?
let me know - always love seeing what y'all think.
more to come...