Chapter 6

When they landed in Bulgaria, the noise of everyone moving around woke her and she looked around for her stuff.

"Jesus," Steve exclaimed as he left the jet, and everyone followed him outside. "Fury told me it was an old hotel, but I thought it was going to have ten or twenty rooms." The hotel before them was huge and old, likely at least a hundred years old. The surrounding grounds were massive, wooded, and overgrown a bit. It appeared to have been beautiful in its glory days.

"It reminds me of someplace," Scott said and they all studied it. "Holy shit. This place looks like the Overlook Hotel." When they all looked at him blankly, he added, "The hotel from The Shining?"

Wanda and Natasha looked at each other before Nat turned around and said, "I'm sleeping on the jet."

"Me too," Wanda said, following her.

Clint and Sam came up behind each of them and grabbed their arms, steering them back. "Natasha, you're the only one who can keep us in check. Wanda, you are the only one with power to enclose us in a nice safe bubble, if needed," Sam explained. "How the hell did Fury come up with a hotel this size being vacant?"

"It's only vacant in the winter," Steve replied, opening the door.

"The hotel in The Shining was only vacant in the winter too," Wanda pointed out. She glanced over at Bucky and realized this setup might disturb, but maybe the two of them could sneak around a lot easier.

"I'm probably going to regret asking, but what is The Shining?" he asked. When Scott turned around and started telling him, Wanda put her hand over his mouth. "If you don't tell Bucky, he can save us all from the ghosts because he won't know to be afraid."

"I'll protect you," Steve offered, and she rolled her eyes.

"Do you remember that Haunted Trail where you punched out a guy who jumped out to scare you and he ended up almost suing you? And if I remember correctly, you didn't protect me or Natasha then either. I'll stick with the mind controlled, former assassin with the metal arm, thank you very much," Wanda retorted then ran behind Bucky, when Steve tried to grab her arm.

Sam and Scott went to find the way to turn on the generator. And they all stayed huddled together in the cold hotel lobby. Wanda lit the place up.

"If he is mind controlled now, it's all you, Wanda." Steve shot back.

"No way. If she was controlling him, he'd be freakier," Clint replied. "And likely waiting on her hand and foot."

"Someone is still bitter about her last revenge," Natasha pointed out. Turning to Bucky, she explained, "Even though Wanda grew used to us, she still had her difficulties with appropriate responses when the guys picked on her. She handled them all like they were her brother. At times, she got a little vicious, even got Stark and Fury a few times. Hell, when she got Stark and Rhodey at the same time, I hated that no one filmed it. She was messing with their suits and Stark thought it was the programming. Eventually he'd 'fix it' then she'd wait awhile and do it again. He was screaming at Friday. But Clint always pushed her too far because he thought he was immune to her punishment. When Steve yelled at her for denting the bumper of his motorcycle and she knew Clint had done it, she fixed the bike and made him her slave for a day. We all thought he'd lost his mind."

"She had zero remorse," Clint pointed out.

Bucky laughed and looked at her. "Is this something I should be worried about?"

"No," she muttered under her breath. "Natasha gave me the 'you can't mind control your friends' speech."

"Thank God she's mildly afraid of Natasha because she's not afraid of any of us," Steve added.

"When did she get you, I thought you were immune." Natasha looked from Wanda to Steve.

"I honestly am slightly insulted that no one else noticed what was going on for two weeks when she had me running into walls and falling off things." Steve glared at Wanda who widened her eyes innocently.

She protested, then covered her mouth to muffle the giggles. "It was barely noticeable!"

"Wait, do you mean in Spring when he fell into the lake and Clint punched him in the face twice during training, because Cap didn't bother blocking?" Natasha started laughing and Wanda couldn't help laughing with her.

"You know revenge is a dish best served cold," Steve pointed out. "I haven't forgotten. And if I remember correctly, Bucky is a pro at revenge since he had sisters."

"We thought you were just getting old," Clint replied with a smile. "Although when I got that second hit on you, I almost wanted to go easy on you."

They heard the generators kick in, and Sam and Scott returned. "There are so many switches. I only turned on this wing of the first floor. The kitchen has refrigerators and freezers already on, of course. The water heaters weren't on, so wait until tomorrow if you want to take showers. Or take cold showers, whatever works for you," Sam said.

"I miss the small yet less creepy farmhouse," Wanda said, looking at the state of this place.

"Okay, it seems to be rooms on all four levels but Fury said first floor rooms are usually the best in off-season. And he also said there is plenty of food in the kitchen and alcohol in the bar, which is also on the first floor," Clint read off his burner phone. "Wow, this does sound like The Shining."

"Let's just get rooms in a row. Put the ladies' rooms in the middle," Steve suggested.

"Why do they get to be in the middle? Wanda has more power than I do," Sam said with a laugh.

Ignoring Steve giving the guys shit about winding the ladies up, Wanda tugged on Bucky's sleeve so he hung back. "If you're in the room next to mine, they might be adjourning rooms."

"And if Steve is on the other side, he'll hear us in a heartbeat," Bucky replied, then grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the walkway. "We have probably l have less than five minutes before he noticed you're not in arm's reach of him." His mouth captured hers as he pulled her into his arms. Wanda returned his kiss, eagerly teasing his tongue with her own. She's already tired of having to hide their relationship. She couldn't keep her hands and lips off him.

When Clint cleared his throat, the two of them jumped apart. Then Wanda got the giggles. Clint watched Bucky for a few minutes before saying, "You hurt her. I kill you." Bucky nodded and said, "Fair enough."

"Steve's wondering if you two got lost."

"Less than five minutes," Bucky pointed out to Wanda. She shot him a look that said shut up that, of course, Clint saw.

"Are you two having problems?" he asked Bucky. When she opened her mouth to answer, he told her hush.

"I just happened to notice his reluctance to leave Wanda for more than a minute at a time. But, of course, we're not having a problem because he doesn't know about this and I can't say anything about that, nor do I have any right to," Bucky answered sarcastically and then he looked uncomfortable. "Seriously though, there isn't a problem. I know all that he's done for me and he's like my brother."

"Okay, I'm going to assume this is a particularly sore spot at this moment or something because that sounds like there is a problem. And surely there isn't, but if there were, I would suggest that either Wanda have a talk with Steve, as would only be fair. We all know he would never do anything to upset either one of you. But when you said you don't have a right, that is correct. Wanda is the only one that right. I'm assuming you understand that Steve is only treating her like he has treated her since she moved to the Avengers campus." Clint nodded when she looked at him with surprise and added, "Don't be a coward. He's been good to you and you owe him honesty more than anything else."

Telling Bucky to excuse them, she dragged Clint away. "It's too soon to say anything," she replied, her eyes narrowing. "It's not being a coward. Steve and I are just friends, so I don't understand the problem."

"Far too intimate friends," Clint replied. "Look, you know I am brutally honest so don't expect me to sugarcoat it. I adore you Wanda and want you to be happy. But you and Steve have this strange thing going on that neither one of you will admit. You're not just friends, but you're not anything more. Even Laura noticed it. You're in this weird place that you've been in since you moved into the compound and if you have feelings for Bucky, which I assume you do, you need to clarify it with Steve. So, tell me Wanda, if you were forced to choose, who is it - Bucky or Steve?"

She glared at him for a minute before she said, "I won't have to choose. They're best friends so I can just stay friends with Steve and…"

"It's a simple question, Bucky or Steve?" he demanded.

"Clint!"

"Bucky or Steve?" he demanded again.

"Bucky!" she exclaimed before hitting him in the chest.

"See, you've made your first actual decision in your relationship with Steve. He just blew up his life to help Bucky so if you want to keep him as your friend and not destroy his relationship with his best friend for almost a century, you make it clear to Steve that you're only friends. He'll back off. I dare say he'd be happy for both of you. Maybe then he and Natasha can figure out what is going on between them. I don't know what happened the first night in Germany, but something happened that made you realize you weren't right for each other. Neither one of you is the type to sleep around, so you had to stop it there and then. But I don't know if I believe Steve realizes it's completely stopped."

"So, should I assume I have your approval?" she asked quietly.

"You don't need my approval. But Natasha assures me he's a good guy, and she's a harder judge on men than I am. I think Pietro would like him as long as he makes you happy," he whispered, putting his hand on her back. Tears burned her eyes as she nodded. "Now, I will make excuses for you two to have at least ten minutes before they send out patrols. When you're finished, take the hallway to the elevators and turn right. I think your rooms are 107 and 108. Natasha said she'd prop the doors open." Walking past Bucky, he inclined his head.

Wanda walked over and sat down in one of the lobby chairs, suddenly feeling anxious about the situation. It was so new to her. Bucky walked over, pulling her up before sitting in the chair and sitting her on his lap. "Are you okay?"

"Yes. I know you probably heard everything," she said, and sighed. "I guess I just worry that if I tell Steve and he isn't happy about it, he'll be mad at you or I'll lose him and he's been there for me through some terrible shit. It's not that I want to keep both if you in the wings or anything. I don't even think of him that way."

"When we tell Steve, and that is for us to decide when, not Clint, he might be shocked but I don't think he would ever be angry or unhappy about it. He wants both of us to be happy. And if we make each other happy, then he will be happy for us."

"Do I make you happy?" she asked quietly. "I mean real happiness that isn't only because I'm messing in your brain every night."

"I'm not sure I would know if you did something in my mind that happen to make me happy, but it feels real to me and I don't think you would try to manipulate me. You make me very happy," he replied and put his finger under her chin. "The question is do I make you happy? You're the one with two super soldiers waiting on you."

Wanda laughed. "Everyone talks as if Steve is chasing me around. He's not and we settled it the night he kissed me that we weren't going to work as anything but friends. So, you're the only super soldier waiting on me apparently. And waiting. And waiting. And waiting… Have I mentioned I am getting sexually frustrated?"

Bucky was quiet for long enough that she began to worry. When he finally spoke, he said, "I want to wait for two reasons. One, we still have to worry about me getting triggered. I cannot have that threat of the Winter Soldier hanging over me and let this go any further unless I'm some scumbag who doesn't care about you. Two, I know it's hard for you to accept but I want to wait because I respect you as a lady. It seems ridiculous to you I'm sure but when I was your age, if a man were to have sex with a woman he didn't marry, then he didn't respect her at all." He intertwined their fingers then looked at her. "And as my girl, I don't want you to ever feel I don't respect you."

His girl? Feeling butterflies in her stomach, she leaned over and kissed him for a long time, just amazed at how he managed to say exactly the right thing. "Well, then I suppose I can wait. I'm just happy being with you," she whispered. "And as your girl and all, I wouldn't want to lead your astray."

Bucky wrapped his arms around her waist and she ran her fingers through his hair. "I supposed we should get back to the others."

He shook his head. "We can sleep here in this creepy lobby."

It wasn't until then that Wanda noticed the lobby. There were animals mounted on the wall every five feet. There were more on the tables. A huge white statue loomed over the central part and she had no idea what it was supposed to be. "We will not be sleeping in the creepy lobby."

x0x0x

Wanda was beyond thrilled that Natasha had managed to put them in adjoining rooms and they were across from Steve, not beside him. Which meant Natasha might have adjoining rooms with Steve. Wanda was going to encourage her friend to go into his room and seduce him. It wouldn't take much from Natasha. That night Bucky and Wanda kissed but made sure they kept it under more control than earlier, then he held her until she fell asleep. He planned to go back to his room but she had snuggled up to him and it felt so peaceful, he just stayed with her. She woke him with kisses. It was nicer than him sleeping in the barn.

After they took showers, everyone gathered in the hallway, oddly sticking with someone else at all times. Probably because the hotel was creepy, but Wanda found it funny that the Avengers feared a hotel. Steve insisted they all keep their phones with them, since the hotel was so big. The kitchen was enormous and all the food was in bulk. So, it took them some time to figure out what to eat for breakfast. Bucky raided the pantry right away, followed by Steve. It's a good thing they had bulk since those two ate three times what another guy did and were usually hungry every four hours, thanks to their super-fast metabolism.

After breakfast, they all explored the hotel. It had really elegant and amazing suites on the top floor with jacuzzies and wet bars. Everything was covered in dust. And the first floor seemed to be renovated more recently. The guys found a sports club type bar that had huge TVs all over to watch sporting events on the satellite. With the guys entertained, Nat and Wanda wandered until they discovered a bar with a karaoke machine, which they agreed to do only on pain of death that the guys never found out. After a few drinks they really started to have fun, laughing until they cried. It was a nice release after last night's dash from Germany. Then they found the spa and the pool. Deciding the pool probably wasn't very clean, they stuck to the spa, giving each other mani-pedies.

"So, Natasha," Wanda said while Nat was painting her nails. "I have to ask you something. About Steve."

Nat sighed and raised her gaze to meet Wanda's. "Let me guess. You're another one that wants me and Steve to get together."

Grinning, Wanda said, "Of course. Why not? He's gorgeous, he's so sweet, the body alone is enough motivation, and he's totally head over heels over you."

"Did I pick out Bucky and tell you to fall for him? No. And Steve Rogers is a grown man. He can approach me. I…"

"You're playing hard to get! Steve can barely talk to women. You're one of the few he can talk to. And the way he looks at you is just amazing," Wanda pointed out.

"I know it's hard for you to understand Wanda because you haven't had different variations of relationships. You went from single to practically in love with someone who appears to feel the same way about you. What kind of relationship can I have with Steve? We can't just become lovers or friends with benefits. He's too principled for that. I'm not in love with him, at least not yet, so I don't want to start something that might not work out and then have him devastated because the second woman in his life didn't work out right. Or should I say the third? It wasn't until very recently that you moved on and I'm not sure he has moved on from you. I don't really want to be his second choice between two."

Wanda was stunned and hurt that no one believed her. "I don't understand why everyone thinks he and I were ever a thing."

"The first night in Germany, you two almost slept together. Ring a bell?" Nat retorted. "I'm not angry of course, but don't deny there wasn't something between you and him. You two owe it to the other to clarify that you're not making a hasty decision with Bucky. Don't destroy three relationships."

Resisting the urge to leave, Wanda remained quiet for a long time, just trying to calm down and organize her thoughts. "I can't believe he told you about Germany. At one time, yes, I had a crush on Steve, maybe even desired him. But he has always wanted you before me, so if anything I would be second choice, not you. What happened in Germany was a mixture of his grief, my powers being off, and us just being stupid. Bucky means so much to me. I didn't want to tell anyone, in fact he just found out last night, but things happened between us in Siberia. Sadly, he doesn't remember anything, but I do. So, I do know that Bucky is the one I want, the only one. I've wanted him for years."

Natasha watched her for a few moments before saying, "I hope you know I wasn't criticizing you about Steve. People come into our lives and sometimes we stick them in a certain role where we need them. And maybe they always stay in that role even if you might grow out of needing them. You needed Steve after Pietro. We all tried to be there for you but you only trusted Clint and Steve. Probably because you grew up with a brother. When Clint went home, I don't think you were ready to be on your own so Steve filled both spots. He only told me about Germany because he was upset that he had pushed you, which he felt he had. According to him he was the one completely in the wrong."

Wanda turned away feeling an intense weight on her. Had she trapped Steve in this role that Bucky had such a problem with? She couldn't let their friendship be destroyed over her.

"He didn't push me nor was he completely in the wrong."

Reaching over, Natasha laid her hand on Wanda's arm. "Sweetie, I'm not saying you did anything wrong. Everyone does this. Whether it's a conscience choice or not, everyone takes what they need from people and you take what they need from you. I don't mean using people for sex. I mean anything even if it's just kindness. Maybe Steve needed someone to protect and care for. He was still struggling because he didn't know where he fit in the current times and he was looking for Bucky. But if his role with you has changed, you need to discuss it. Wanda, I don't know if there won't be a jealous reaction from him if he finds out about you and Bucky."

"There won't be, I'm sure." Though Wanda was trying not to get upset, she was. She needed to talk to Steve. Now. "I'll be back." She left before Natasha could stop her.

Trying to figure out what she'd say, she ran into Bucky. "What's wrong?" he asked, cradling her face.

Bucky had come looking for her when he found out there was a huge building with a stable on one side with a garage on the other. It was on the grounds but only a short distance from the hotel. He thought it would be good for them to use at night so she could try to decode him. He took her hand and led her there now. "It's close enough but it should be safe for the others." When he reached the door, he opened it for her. The stables side was huge, like everything else in this place. There were cars, a couple of motorcycles, and bicycles. as well as a training ring for the horses towards the back. "We could even train in here if we don't want to deal with the outdoor weather."

"It's great," she said, her voice subdued.

Bucky pulled her to him. "Now, tell me what's wrong."

Biting her lip, she shook her head. "I think maybe I need to talk to Steve. Both Natasha and Clint have given me a lecture about my relationship with him and how I haven't made it clear to him we're just friends. But I don't understand because we talked about it the first night in Germany."

He was quiet for a few moments before he sighed. "But he warned me away. It could have been for the reasons he said or the Winter Soldier. Or it could have been him wanting to be with you himself. You have to admit, you are very close."

"Steve has hardly paid any attention to me since that night, which is the only reason you and I could sneak around without his notice. Do I have to shut down my friendship with him entirely? I'm friends with Clint and he's married. And Sam and he's clearly not interested. I don't understand why everyone assumes Steve doesn't get it when he and I specifically clarified our friendship."

"What did you say to him, exactly?" he asked her, trying to comfort her by stroking her back.

"I stopped him from kissing me, he acted guilty. So, I explained why I ran from the room earlier that night. And we kind of debated whether I had actually used my powers on him or if he just felt desire on his own and…"

"Wait. What did you two decide? Was it your powers or his own desire?" he said quickly and she sensed a sharp turn in his mood.

"Um. I think he said he'd felt desire for me before, but we…" Bucky turned away and walked a few steps. "But we also discussed how we didn't think it would work out between us. He said I needed a younger man who could give me things he couldn't, which is ridiculous because that's not why."

"Wanda, I thought you made it clear to him you only wanted to be friends, nothing more. You didn't tell him your choice. You heard his choice and gave him ambivalence. He doesn't know you don't want to be with him." He turned around, and she sensed his anger. "You let him hold on to hope. Is he a backup plan? Or am I?"

Shocked, she just stared at him for a few moments. "You know how I feel about you. Don't do this to me again. We fought last night about me and Steve," she snapped back, so over this shit. "Why do you instantly think the worst of me instead of understanding I don't know what I'm doing? I've never been in a relationship before."

"Well neither have I, but I know enough to not lead someone on," he blurted out. "Maybe you should be with Steve. We already talked about how I can't give you what you deserve. And Steve probably can."

Wanda's chest felt tight but she didn't plan on show him how upset she was. "Maybe you're right. At least Steve doesn't question my feelings for him every other minute."

"That's because he already knows he has you wrapped around his finger," he retorted. As soon as he said it, regret was clearly visible in his eyes.

Wanda stared at him for a minute before she answered. "I guess we've said all that needs to be said."

"I think I'll go back to sleeping in the barn," he shot back.

"Yeah, because you don't want to see me going in and out of Steve's room," she snapped back. Leaving the stables quickly before she cried in front of him again, Wanda needed to be alone. She decided to sight-see on the grounds. Her mind was a mess. It didn't help how much of Bucky's trauma was always weaving its way into her thoughts. Now, they have fought twice in twenty-four hours after growing so close. Maybe she was wrong about Bucky. She had been wrong about Steve not long ago. But her heart knew she wasn't wrong, though. When she crushed on Steve, she thought about physical things with him mostly. She thought of everything, even everyday normal things and the future, with Bucky. She knew she loved him with all her heart, but she didn't know if he loved her.

Her anger towards him began to build. It was easier for her to feel angry than hurt. She'd been angry for most of her life because people don't try to take advantage of someone's anger like they did their pain.

Clint came and found her a few hours later. He asked if she was okay, seeing that clearly, she wasn't, but he let her wave it off. She didn't feel like eating dinner and so she went to her room. Apparently, Bucky had moved out to the stable, claiming it was for everyone's safety. That just made her madder. A knock on her door forced her off the bed.

Steve looked at her curiously when she opened the door. "Are you not working with Bucky tonight?"

Explaining she forgot, she changed clothes and met Steve in the lobby. She barely acknowledged his attempts at small talk. She acted indifferent to Bucky. When Steve went to explore the rest of the stable, Bucky trailed his hand down her leg and whispered, "I'm sorry." But Wanda wasn't ready to be okay with him yet. She wasn't okay at all.

"I'm trying to focus so I don't destroy your ability to walk or talk. Maybe you should just let me do that," she replied, moving behind him. He sighed, but didn't argue with her. When she finished, Steve and Bucky were talking, so she snuck out and returned to her room without talking to anyone else.