AN: Enjoy!
And so, with Pietro's reluctant blessing, Wanda and Vision were able to spend more time together.
While still not entirely pleased with Vision's presence, Pietro didn't complain, at least not out loud, when Wanda brought Vision to watch their practices.
"Just don't let your new boyfriend distract you" He warned.
"Of course not" Wanda blushed. "I am always focused when we practice."
When Wanda didn't correct her brother about what he was to her, Vision blushed even deeper than Wanda had, but couldn't help smiling a little. He watched the twins practice in the open now, rather than hiding in the shadows as he once had, but made sure to keep quiet. Mostly so Pietro didn't have anything to complain about, but also because he didn't want Wanda to endanger herself if she was distracted.
Through it all, his eyes remained on Wanda, as she maneuvered on the bar, pulling a few tricks of her own before she would make her leaps. Vision watched, entranced, as she leapt, flew, twisting and arching effortlessly in the air, because she was always certain that Pietro would catch her, and of course, he always did.
Vision found himself wondering, not for the first time, what it would be like to trust someone so completely. Then, he realised that the routine was over, and so he safely broke his silence, clapping and cheering.
Wanda looked down at him and waved, blushing. Pietro seemed only mildly annoyed which, given the earlier stages of their relationship, was actually quite amazing progress.
Between her practice sessions with Pietro, Wanda helped Vision with his own rehearsals, or at least tried to. Vision's work with Nebula was top-notch, nothing could be faulted with the lioness's tricks or training.
It was Vision's stage, or, more accurately, 'ring' presence that needed work.
"As you all know, dear audience, the lion is the, uh.. The King of the Jungle, yes, that's right.. And tonight.. Or this afternoon, if this is a weekend matinee.."
"Getting a little off track there, Vizh" Wanda chuckled.
"Right.." Vision blushed. "Um, where was I?
"The lion is the King of the Jungle.."
"Yes.. And tonight, you will uh.. See me tame it's Queen!"
Nebula would usually roar at this point, at least she did when Tony did the show, but instead, the lioness looked at Vision, rather bemused, then started to groom her crippled paw.
"Thank you for your cooperation.." Vision huffed.
"You need to raise your voice a little more" said Wanda, stepping into the ring. "Be confident."
"I'm trying to be!" Vision sighed. "This was a bad idea, I'll just go tell Mr. Stark that I made a big mistake and forget all about.. Mmm.." He was cut off when Wanda kissed him.
"You could do that" Wanda teased after she broke the kiss, her green eyes twinkling with mischief. "Or maybe, consider that you might be coming at this from the wrong angle."
"What do you mean?" asked Vision, confused.
"Well, the whole 'King of the Jungle' spiel works fine for Stark, but it doesn't really feel very 'You'" Wanda tried to explain. "You don't work well with Nebula because you're some macho tamer of beasts. She does things for you because you raised her. She loves you."
"I'm not sure I understand.."
"I'm saying you don't need to copy what Stark does. You should do the show your own way. You're not a man who tamed a wild beast.. You're a boy who raised a lion cub."
"I am.." said Vision, still not entirely getting it.
"So, lean into that a little more" Wanda continued. "Lots of circuses have a macho big cat tamer. I've never seen one with the big cat and her best friend."
"I don't know.." Vision frowned. "Is that really something people are going to want to see?"
"Sure it is!" Wanda grinned. "Haven't you heard of Christian the lion?"
"I have, actually."
"That story went viral, before viral was even a thing.. and then again when going viral was a thing" Wanda chuckled. "Trust me, Vizh. All you and Nebby need to do is fiti voi insiva.. Be yourselves."
"I suppose you're right.. But, I'm not sure I have time to rework the act in time for this weekend's show.."
"That's alright. Stark said you could take all the time you needed to work things out. Take the time, and just perform when you're ready."
"Right again" Vision chuckled, drawing Wanda close for a kiss. "How do you do that?"
"Este un cadou" Wanda murmured, leaning in to meet him. "It's a gift.."
A lot of kissing went on too, when neither one of them were practicing. Kissing, and the first small, shy steps towards further exploration of each other. Lips pressed to someone's neck. A slightly wandering hand. Even those tiny things felt rather thrilling to someone who had never experienced them before.
For Vision, who had never really had much chance to be truly close to anyone, even sitting in his caravan with Wanda's head resting on his shoulder, listening to the warm rumble of Nebula's purrs as she dozed in her enclosure nearby, felt new and wonderful.
"So.. I am your boyfriend?" Vision asked, rather shyly. "You.. you didn't correct your brother when he said I was.."
"I didn't.." Wanda blushed. "So.. yes, I suppose.. If you want to be."
"I am honoured to be" Feeling suddenly bold, he pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "Thank you for your advice today."
"You're welcome" Wanda replied, her blush deepening with his kiss. "Although, as your girlfriend, I think occasional advice is simply part of the job description.."
Yes, things were definitely going well in Vision's world. He had gotten over his fear of talking to women, which had led to him getting a beautiful girlfriend, and after a rocky start, said beautiful girlfriend's brother seemed willing to give him a real chance.
His talk with Tony about needing more time to finetune his act had also gone well. Of course, since Vision wasn't stepping into the ring just yet, on the next show day he returned to his usual odd jobs and busywork, all the little things that needed doing so that everyone else could simply focus on their performance. The few hours before the show were especially busy, as customers were already in line buying tickets to the show, and all the circus members hurried about getting ready.
Vision was on his way to deliver Natasha's freshly laundered costume, when he collided with someone.
"Hey, watch where you're goin!"
Vision looked up at the sound of the gruff voice, and saw a rough looking, stubbly-faced man who he didn't think he'd seen before, and yet seemed unsettlingly familiar.
"I'm sorry, sir" He bristled, "I'm going to have to ask you to leave the circus grounds. Audience members aren't allowed in for another.."
"I'm not an audience member" the man, Rumlow, grinned, holding up a tool kit. "Stark called me, I'm here to do a safety check on your trapeze equipment. "Mind pointin' me in the right direction, kid?"
"Cutting it a little fine, aren't you?" Vision mumbled. He usually wouldn't be so rude to a visitor, but this man had immediately rubbed him up the wrong way. "The trapeze is in the big top ready for the show."
"Thanks, I'll let your boss know the errand boy was very helpful. Might even get you a promotion.."
Vision sighed, continuing on to Nat's caravan, and trying to ignore the sudden ill feeling in his stomach.
Meanwhile, Rumlow grinned wickedly as he headed for the big top.