Chapter Nine:
Elena's POV
Despite being unconscious for a week, my body had yet to fully recover after healing Pietro. I had tried to get up right away and ended up almost falling to the ground. Luckily Steve was there to catch me and put me back on the bed.
He and Tony then forced me to stay there under supervision for the week until I recovered more. I spent another week in the medical bay. It wasn't the worst. It wasn't as boring as my Hydra cell as nurses were in and out and I got some visits from Tony, Steve, Natasha, and the twins.
The first visit with the twins came a day after I woke up. I had heard a gentle knock on the door to the room. I assumed it was one of the nurses checking in on me. They always knocked before coming in.
Yet, when the door opened, the first one I saw was Wanda. She stood in the doorframe, seemingly worried about coming in. The door opened a little wider, although she didn't come closer, and over her head I could see Pietro lurking in the shadows.
"Hi, um, sorry to disturb you," Wanda said, nervously. "Can we come in?"
"Yeah, sure." I say.
She walks in with her brother behind her.
"Have a seat," I tell them, referencing to the two seats that Steve and Tony used earlier.
"Thanks." Pietro says as they sit, "We just came in to say how grateful I am that…" He trailed off, shaking his head in disbelief. "I mean, without you, I would be dead and after how we treated you…" He looks me in the eye, "I owe you my life."
I really didn't know what to say to that. "You don't owe me anything." I say after a moment. "I'm just happy I could do something to help."
"You did more than anyone could have asked." Wanda said. "You could've died."
"I know." I say, looking down and rubbing my arm, nervously.
"If there is anything we can do for you, just say the word." Pietro tells me.
There wasn't much else to say after that, but they came back to see me three times that week. Apparently being with bedridden me was better than training with Steve and Natasha.
Finally, the week ended, and I was able to get out of bed. I was still a bit wobbly, but was able to get up.
Things progressively got more and more normal.
Training with the team was good. Wanda and Pietro were testing their powers, but also had to learn hand to hand with Steve and Natasha.
I did a lot of hand to hand with them, but my favorite thing to do was run with Sam. We would get half way through when Pietro would speed by, blowing the wind past us. He yells, "speed up, slowpokes!"
Things were improving… so much so I almost started to forget my fears.
Elena's POV
"I have a great idea." Wanda says, finishing up the lunch her and Vision were making. "Why don't we take this food outside?"
"A picnic." Vision says. He's in his human form, which I do find a lot more… what's the word… comforting.
Wanda laughs, "yes, a picnic."
"Sure. That sounds nice." I say.
"Yeah, let me go ask Steve and Natasha if they are up for that." Pietro says before zooming out of the room.
He's back after only a few seconds. "They're going to meet us outside."
"Great," Wanda beams. "Pietro, help me and Vision with the food and Elena, you grab the blanket."
We grab the supplies and head out the door. We find a nice spot in the sun, and I lay the blanket out. We all find a space on the blanket and Wanda passes out the sandwiches and the pasta she made.
"This is really good." Steve says as he takes a second bite of the pasta.
"Thanks." Wanda says, "I like to cook."
"She's been teaching me and she's a great teacher," Vision says.
"My mother would have me help her in the kitchen." Wanda says. "After that, I didn't have too many opportunities, but I can follow a recipe."
There's a moment of silence.
"Since we're all here, there is something we would like to discuss with you three." Natasha says, referring to Pietro, Wanda, and I. "Steve and I were thinking that perhaps you guys could benefit from seeing a person to talk to."
"Like a therapist?" Wanda questioned.
"Well, yes." Steve clarifies.
"It's a no from me." Pietro says. "I don't need to talk to some stranger about my feelings."
"It's just something to consider after what the three of you have been through."
"We have each other, that's all we have ever needed." Wanda says.
"Exactly." Pietro says.
"We're not going to force you, but if you ever change your mind, let us know. Elena, how about you?" Steve says.
"I don't think that's something I want to do."
"Are you sure? It could feel nice to get some things off your chest." Natasha says. "I know talking to Clint about my past did help come to terms with things."
"No, I don't think I can talk about my feelings and all that."
Steve sighs, clearly disappointed in my answer. "Okay, but, just know, you can always change your mind or come talk to us if you need to."
"Okay, thanks."
We continue to eat, and the conversation turns more light-hearted. Natasha and Steve go back inside after they finish eating and that just leaves the twins, me, and Vision. We lay down and stare up at the clouds.
I'm next to Pietro. On his other side is Wanda and Vision, deep in conversation. I wonder if there's something there between those two, but it's hard to say for sure.
I see Pietro turn his head towards me out of the corner of my eye. "You know, you're more than welcome to talk to me about anything you want to. I know me and Wanda have each other, but you also have us. Whatever you need."
I've turned my head to look at him too and smile, "Thanks, Pietro."