Wanda had not intended for her powers to get so bottled up. There had been very little privacy on the farm, and she was not confident in how the others would respond to her displaying them. Letting them out around Tasha was never a problem as the woman always appeared to be amazed and a bit proud of her abilities. And reaching out to the superspy with her magic in her small ways helped prolong them building up, however it still did reach a breaking point that required a bigger release it seemed. After conjuring the birds, Wanda it felt like all the pressure had blissfully drained from her head, leaving her tired and empty with relief. When she woke up from her nap, her balance had been restored and her thoughts were all quiet and her own.
The teenager ended up waking up Natasha, tapping on her collarbone until the redhead eased awake and claimed she had just been resting her eyes despite having been very much asleep. Slowly they disentangled themselves and got up from the little couch to rejoin the others as dinnertime had crept up on them. Wanda had been thrilled to see that Sharon and Sam had arrived during her rest. They were the only other people staying at Stark's mansion before the party happened the next day. She grinned as Sam ruffled her hair and she moved away from Natasha long enough to hug Sharon who gave her a tight squeeze and declared she had missed her. Sharon also told her that she would be going to go live and train at the Compound with the old and new Avengers as well, another exciting revelation for the girl. They caught up over dinner, Sharon and Sam telling her about their Christmases while Wanda told them of her own with Tasha and Steve and the Barton's.
Then Natasha took her down to the beach along with Steve, Sam and Sharon, to catch the last rays of sunshine for the day for a walk down the shore. The beach was unlike the cold, gray lake with its rough pebbled shore that Wanda vaguely remembered from her childhood. It stretched out seemingly forever before her, the soft sand giving way underneath her feet, the blue water lapping at her toes and the salty breeze tangling her hair. She could stick her hands in the ocean and feel the indescribable, primordial depths, both terrifying and alluring. As the sun touch the horizon the sky bloomed into fantastic pinks and oranges and lilacs. Wanda tightly clasped Natasha's hand as she watched the sunset, not because she was frightened but simply because she wanted to be close to someone she cared about and cared about her in return while she marveled at its beauty. As a colder night wind started to come through, Nat wrapped a warm arm around her to keep away the chill as they walked but to the house.
In the end it had been a wonderful day.
Now, Wanda sat at the end of the end of Natasha's lounge chair at the pool in a navy one-piece swimsuit with rainbow stripes over the chest and her baseball hat from Steve shielding her eyes from the sun. She sat with her legs crossed and Nancy Drew's Mystery at the Lilac Inn open on her lap as she worked on reading through the text, mindlessly rubbing the end on her braid over her lips. She came across a word she did not know and turned to the redhead laid out at the top of the lounger with her own book. Shuffling up with her finger next to the word, she asked, "Tasha, what's this?"
"Apparition." Natasha recited the word. "It's like videniye, a ghost."
Wanda nodded and resumed her position at the end of the long chair to continue her reading. They were having a pool day before the party started later that evening, Tony and Pepper being the only ones absent as they had some party preparations to attend to while their guests had the luxury to relax. Wanda liked the pool, like the coolness soothing her sun-warmed skin, liked playing Marco Polo with Nat, Steve, Sam and the Barton children in the shallow end, liked how weightless she felt with her head resting on Natasha's shoulder as she taught her how to float and pulled her along in the water. They were taking a break from the sun at Natasha's request currently and even though they were in the shade now, the woman peered over her sunglasses at the girl, "How are your shoulders? Do you feel like they're getting burnt?"
"Relax Nat." Clint said from the pool where he was tossing around Lila and Cooper, "You're going to O.D. the kid on sunscreen."
Wanda looked at her shoulders that appeared to be the same pale shade that they always were. The Black Widow had been perhaps overly concerned about making sure she did not get a sunburn, reapplying the lotion twice already since they had been outside. Not really wanting to end up with a painful burn, the Sokovian allowed Natasha to rub as much of the stuff as she wanted to into her skin. Still she felt she was okay for now, so the teenager shook her head, "No, they're fine."
"Alright." The woman ignored Clint's jibe and leaned back in her seat. As she did so, Nate sitting with Laura in the chair next to them began fussing, then crying more earnestly.
Laura moved to get up, "Nat, can you hold him a moment? I'm going to make him a bottle."
"Yeah, sure. Come here grumpy baby." Natasha jokingly cooed at him. Wanda tried to keep her eyes in her book, but Nate's crying distracted her. She glanced over a bit nervously at the baby crying in Nat's arms. The spy was unperturbed by his bawling as she fruitless attempted to soothe him, however he carried on unimpressed by Nat's efforts as he really wanted to be fed. And while the tears did not frazzle Tasha, it set Wanda on edge with his distress bubbling up in her uncomfortably. The little witch stared at him now, considering the gentle lecture Natasha had given her when they woke up from their nap yesterday about making sure she used her powers more regularly and especially if they were bothering her. Uncertainty wracked her, but she remembered the Widow's insistence that no one would be upset if she used her powers and if they did say something to her that Black Widow would deal with them.
With this in mind, Wanda extended her palm out toward the boy and with a delicate twitch of her fingers red bubbles started to float up in front of his face. She watched as his crying quickly faded and a look of fascination came over his face. One of his chubby fingers extended to the illusion and as he touched a bubble it disappeared with an exaggerated popping sound. He giggled and Wanda grinned with satisfaction. Her eyes caught Natasha's, the woman beaming at her with a wide smile.
"Look at Wanda!" Lila exclaimed.
The girl closed her hand into a fist and all of the bubbles vanished. Scrambling up the chair, Wanda tucked herself behind Nat's shoulder the best she could as Cooper and Lila hopped out of the pool, running over to them dripping wet. Natasha held out a hand to them to keep them from completely rushing at them, "Easy guys. Give us some space."
The Barton children stopped short though looked expectantly at Wanda as they excitedly began asking questions, "How did you do that? Are those your powers? Can you do it again? Can you make a unicorn? Or a dragon?"
"Hey guys, remember we told you not to bother Wanda about her powers before she came to the farm?" Clint climbed out the pool as well, coming up to corral his children. Meanwhile, Natasha had turned to look at Wanda, the little witch looking back with worried green eyes.
Giving her a guileless smile, the woman said, "It's alright, milaya. You can show them, but if you don't want to you don't have to."
After a pause, Wanda slowly extended her hand out once again though she stayed partially hidden behind Natasha as she began to produce the bubbles once more. The kids watched in amazement at the simple, yet mesmerizing magic. Baby Nate started laughing once again as his siblings ran around in the bubbles, popping them as they tried to catch them. When Laura came out with the baby's bottle, she walked through the red illusion seemingly without a second thought much to Wanda's relief. The mother announced Sharon and Sam were nearly finished making some sandwiches to tie everyone over until the evening and could probably use some help. Steve volunteered to go, and he climbed off the inflatable pool raft he had been floating on.
Laura scooped up Nate from his aunt, the baby happily gurgling for his meal. Natasha pressed a kiss to her temple, "Very good, little witch."
The girl had a small, pleased smile as she rested her chin on Nat's shoulder. The three Avengers soon came out with lunch, and everyone gathered around to eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, apple slices and pretzels.
"Steve." Wanda held out her half-finished sandwich to the man.
"Two more bites then you can give it to Steve." Natasha intervened.
She did as she was told, taking two more decent bites before passing it off to him.
/
When Pepper came to announce the caterer would be arriving soon to set up, the pool goers all departed to their respect rooms to get themselves ready for the party. Natasha and Wanda showered the chlorine from themselves. Nat let her shorter hair dry naturally in looser curls, but she helped dry Wanda's hair then made two braids along either side of her head and pulled it into a half-up do. They were both dressed now, the redhead in a dark teal wrap dress with fluttering, short sleeves and the younger girl in her new red dress from Christmas. It was had three-quarter length sleeves and a subtle flower pattern stitched onto it a slightly darker red thread and Wanda adored it.
From her seat on the edge of the jacuzzi style tub in their bathroom, Wanda looked up from studying the design on her skirt to watch Natasha apply her makeup in the mirror. The teenager thought the woman was beautiful and suddenly she felt inadequate by comparison. Tasha was elegance and femininity with her figure in the dress the fitted in all the right places and flowed in others. While Wanda's dress fit her, she certainly did not fill it out the way the secret agent did in hers. As Natasha finished her make up, she caught her staring and flashed a questioning smile at her. Dipping her head with embarrassment, Wanda heard herself say, "You're very beautiful."
Natasha turned fully to her with an affectionate expression on her face, "Thank you, malyshka. You're beautiful too."
"Not like you." The girl shrugged.
"No, not like me." She admittedly stated and walked to stand in front of her. Her hand came to tilt Wanda's chin upward to look her steadily in the eye, "But you're a little girl. You shouldn't look like me, you're still growing."
"I'm not that little." Wanda did not say this plaintively, more as a fact and it was true. Even if physically her growth was a bit delayed, the Sokovian had still been through more than some adults go through in their lifetimes.
Natasha slid her hand up to cup her cheek and agreed with her, "Maybe not that little but that doesn't mean you shouldn't get a chance at having a childhood. It's never too late, yeah?"
Under the soft gaze of the redhead, Wanda found herself nodding in agreement and Natasha pulled her in for a hug, "Now promise me you won't grow up too fast."
"I promise." Wanda mumbled into Nat's stomach.
"Good." She felt a kiss being pressed to the top of her head then Natasha withdrew from her, going back to the counter and picking up an eyeliner pencil to present to her. "Would you like to put a little bit on?"
"I don't know how without-" Wanda waved her hand in the air and let red sparks out to indicate she had only ever done makeup through her magic.
"You can do that. Or I can show you."
"Can you show me?"
"Mhm, come on, milaya." Natasha had her sit on the bathroom counter and talked her through as she lightly outlined Wanda's eyes, then added a smoky purple color to her eyelids, finishing with some mascara on her long lashes. When Wanda looked in the mirror, she was surprised by her own reflection. The makeup Nat did for her was not as heavy as her glamoured looked, but she still appeared a little transformed, a little more mature.
Tasha had on her radiant, tender smile, "Very beautiful.. With it or without."
Wanda leaned her head against the woman's shoulder in appreciation for her, the two of them making a lovely, cozy image in the reflective glass in front of them.
It was time for the festivities to begin then and the two women went back out to the main area. Since they had been in their room, the space had been decorated. The large glass doors that comprised the back of the house were all open leading out to the yard now adorned with strung fairy lights and lanterns that glowed weakly in the still bright evening, waiting for their time to shine when the sun went down. Tables of finger foods and bowls of punch had been set up on the patio and logs stack in a teepee shape to be lit for later in the evening when the temperature dropped. They had just entered the kitchen when Laura popped in from the other hall, "Nat, can I borrow you a moment? I just need a hand."
"Yeah, of course." Natasha turned to Wanda, "I'll be right back."
Wanda did not think much of the woman walking away from her as she still took in the scene. She gently touched the velvety, white petals of some flowers that had been set out on the kitchen island when a startled voice made her jerk up her head up, "Oh, hello."
Before her was Tony Stark in his graphic t-shirt and blazer, looking uncertain of what to do next. She blinked at him; suddenly very distraught she had let Natasha out of her sight. Staying calm as she could, she quietly said, "Hi."
"Hey, ah." Stark took a few steps toward her frozen form but stopped before he got too close. "I just wanted to say I'm glad you seem better, that is, you look more well. Uh, yeah."
"..Thank you. So do you." She meant it too, this climate seemed to agree more with him.
He chuckled lightly in surprise at her reply, "Thanks, kid… I also wanted to apologize for my part in what happened to you. I wasn't aware of what was going on in my company, and I'm not saying that as an excuse. I'm saying I should have known. I should have been responsible and because I wasn't people died. Your people died and I can't change that now. And I'll never be able to make up for it, but I'll try."
Wanda swallowed hard and nodded at him. Her throat choked up with emotion as she processed his words, spinning her sapphire ring around her finger to help center herself. He appeared even more apologetic when he continued, "I'm sorry, I know this isn't time to be doing this. I just- It's my fault, okay? Ultron, Sokovia, all of it, and I'm sorry."
"Ultron is my fault." The teenager still spoke barely above a whisper. "I am sorry.. about your head."
She did not quite mean that she was sorry for going into his mind, rather she was sorry for the pain that she had found there. Tony came a little closer, but it did not spike her fear as the man swiped a dismissive gesture at her while he said thoughtfully, "Hm, fault.. You know the more I think about it, the more I find trying to figure out who's fault it is, is like, I don't know it's like trying to catch shadows, or.. blaming a clockmaker for being late, as if they invented time."
"We can go round and round and never get anywhere. I think at some point we just have to choose to move forward." His words had an intuitive wisdom to them, and she nodded in understanding, some of the distrust she harbored toward the Iron Man dissipating from her chest.
"Hey, milaya. Sorry, Laur needed help." Natasha returned then, breezing through the living room passed Tony to get to the girl. The Black Widow did not act like anything was wrong as she strode over to her, but the girl could sense her concern over finding Wanda and Stark alone together. Tasha ran her hand down her back, settling at the small of it, "You doing alright?"
"Yeah." Wanda confirmed.
Only then did the spy turn to the man in the room like she had only just noticed him standing there "Hey, Tony. What's up?"
"You're looking swank this evening, Nat.. Is that for a certain Captain Rogers if I'm to believe the rumor mill?" Tony pried.
"Well it certainly isn't for you." Natasha said drily but with a coy smirk.
"First Sam and Sharon, now you and Steve. I've barely left and you're turning my facilities into-"
"Tony." The woman cut him off from saying anything too inappropriate in front of Wanda.
"Right." He grinned sheepishly. "What I really wanted to say is, you both look great. And I was just letting little witch know, letting everyone know that we're having fireworks at midnight. They won't be right at midnight, so anyone who doesn't want to watch can go. We've all been in warzones; I didn't want to scare anybody."
"Thanks for the heads up. We'll talk about what we want to do." Natasha looked to Wanda with a reassuring smile.
"Right, well, I'm going to see if Pepper has any marching orders for me. See you in a few." Tony declared and abruptly departed in search of his girlfriend.
"Should we take a look around outside, try the punch?" The Black Widow inquired though still appeared to be carefully observing her for any signs of stress.
"Yes, okay. I'd like some punch." Wanda said, in that moment simply wanting to move forward.
/
Natasha poured herself a glass of white wine at the self-serving bar and scanned the party that was now in full swing. Tony was right, just about everybody was in attendance. Thor had been the first of the guest to arrive, coming with Dr. Jane Foster, her chatty intern Darcy, and Dr. Erik Selvig. Wanda once again hid behind her shoulder, nervous of the new people's arrival, especially since Thor was rather loud and introduced her as formidable to his friends. For the Asgardian, he meant it as a compliment but to Wanda it probably sounded like he was trying to warn them that she was dangerous. Fortunately the woman Darcy defused the situation by squinting at Wanda and asking, 'formidable like a kitten'? Dr. Foster sighed at her companions' lack of social manners and held out her hand for Wanda to shake, telling her it was nice to meet her. Nat liked Jane, and she thought Wanda did as well since shook her hand.
Rhodey, Dr. Helen Cho, Maria Hill, Fury and Happy then gradually arrived completing the guest list and filling up the backyard with conversation and laughter that Natasha took a moment to take stock of the team. Tony, Rhodey and Thor were arguing flight tactics in a corner, Vision sat with Darcy and Jane as they talked about something that sounded like interdimensional space travel, Dr. Selvig and Fury were swirling snifters of whiskey at the bar, and she was positive that Dr. Cho and Maria were flirting around the bonfire. Music was playing through some hidden speakers, a kind of swinging rock and roll song playing, and an impromptu dance floor had been created on the lawn. Lila danced with her father, Cooper danced with his mother, Happy with Pepper and Sam spun both Sharon and Wanda.
Natasha grinned at the little witch as she easily laughed with the couple, Nat able to see even from this distance her lips were stained a darker red from the endless amounts of strawberries the girl had eaten over the course of the evening.
"Hey there pretty lady." Steve suddenly sidled up to her.
"Captain." She purred at him.
"Having a good time?" He took the last swig from his green beer bottle.
"The best. You?" The Widow asked from behind her wine glass.
"The best." He concurred then turned to look out at their dancing friends. "Wanda seems like she is having a good time too."
"Yeah, she does." Natasha returned her fond gaze to the girl.
The music then switched to a slow jazz song and Steve looked down with her a slightly shy smile, "Might I have this dance?"
"You might." Natasha had one more sip of her wine before abandoning the glass at the bar and slipping her hand into Steve's waiting one. He led her to the lawn from them to slide in amongst the people already coupled off, Clint and Laura, Sharon and Sam, Tony had joined them to dance with Pepper. Wand had shifted to the edge with the Barton children and watched the adults. Wanda caught her eye over Steve's shoulder, and she waved her fingers at the girl. Wanda waved back with a sweet smile rounding her cheeks at them.
With her arms around Steve's neck, Natasha lay her head again his chest as they sway together in the cooler night air, his body solid and warm against hers, his hands fitted perfectly to her hips. He spoke against her temple, "You look very beautiful tonight, Natasha."
"I know. You said that earlier." She teased him, remembering when he first entered the party he had said those exact words to her and dropped a lingering kiss her on the lips.
"Right." Captain America laughed lightly. "What I mean to say is you're beautiful, not just tonight with the dress and everything. It's all the time. When you first wake up, how you kick my ass in the gym-"
"Language." She chided.
He rolled his eyes playfully and ignored her comment, "The way you take care of Wanda."
"She's easy to care for."
"Yeah, I know." He agreed as he spun her away and then pulled her back in, brushing his nose against hers as he did so.
It was a few songs later and the dance partners had come and gone and switched around a few times- Sam with Wanda, Thor and Jane, Nat and Clint, Maria and Helen, Sharon and Steve, then Wanda with Steve until Natasha cut in for a dance with the teenager, alternating between twirling her around to make her laugh and holding her close and swaying with her. The dance floor disbanded though as midnight approached and they all gathered around the patio to pass around glasses of champagne. The little witch disappearing from her side momentarily and returning with a strawberry in her hand. Natasha's lips pressed together in a smile, and she handed Wanda a champagne flute with a small amount of drink inside. "For midnight, and just this once."
"Okay." Wanda said with an excited expression.
"Hello, everyone. May I have your attention please?" Tony spoke over the small crowd from up the short landing that went up to the house, and they all quietened to listen. Wanda ate her strawberry so she could hold Nat's hand while the billionaire went on, "I just wanted to say thank you all for being with us this evening. I know I feel truly honored to have you people as my friends and family. Uh.. the truth is I haven't always gotten things right. You all know me the best so you can attest to that and perhaps Pepper Potts would know best of all. Actually Pep, could you come on up here please?"
The blonde walked over to join him with a tight smile on her face, not uncomfortable but a little uncertain at his unexpected, emotional speech. He kissed the corner of her mouth and placed his hand on her back, muttering some soothing compliment only she could hear, then louder spoke again, "You all know Pepper. She is the most amazing woman I have ever met, never puts up with my bullshit and never stops caring. She is smart, and beautiful and, well, she is someone who gets it right. And these days I'm trying to do more of what is right."
Tony talked solely to Pepper then, his eyes honestly shining with tears as he stared into Pepper's eyes that had teardrops freely falling from them. "I know you're the right person for me and I hope that I'm the right person for you. So Pepper Potts will you be my wife?"
He took out a ring box from his pants pocket and flipped it open, but the woman did not bother to glance down at it as she pulled his lips to hers in an almost clumsy kiss. The group cheered for them, Natasha wiping underneath her eyes to stop any tears from spilling over at witnessing the sweet, happy moment. Wanda watched and pressed closer to her side. When the pair separated from the kiss, Tony asked if that was a yes to which Pepper responded with the affirmative answer he desired, making the onlookers applaud once more. The newly engaged couple descended into the crowd of well-wishers and congratulations, admiring the classic, princess-cut diamond Tony had managed to get on her finger.
FRIDAY then announced that it was only a minute until midnight, and everyone got in position with their partner or friends. Nat stood with her arm around Wanda's waist and with Steve's arm around her shoulder. The captain looked over her to Wanda with an infectious grin, "Are you excited, Wanda?"
Wanda nodded though asked, "What will happen, Steve?"
"It's not much. When it gets to 10 seconds, we'll have a countdown. Then people usually kiss, and we toast in the New Year. Then we'll watch the fireworks." He explained. The girl nodded again, her eyes continually roving over the scene to take it all in. Thirty seconds to midnight and laughter rose from the group. Then the countdown started, and they chanted in off tempo unison.
"10.. 9.. 8.. 7.. 6.. 5.. 4.. 3.. 2.. 1! Happy New Year!" The party exclaimed.
Steve leaned down to kiss Natasha, their lips warmly greeting each other for the New Year. Aware of Wanda still attached to her other side, the couple parted with sappy grins on their faces and Natasha looked to Wanda. The little witch's gaze still darted around at all the revelry and Nat realized this all must be so foreign to her. She drew her attention by pressing a kiss to the girl's cheek, telling her, "Happy New Year, malyshka."
"Happy New Year." Wanda replied as the woman clinked their glasses together in a toast and took a sip, Wanda mimicking her actions.
Natasha laughed when she felt the teenager shiver against her from the alcohol, "What do you think?"
"It fizzes." She said in Russian, grinning and wrinkling her nose.
"You'll like it someday." Nat assured with amusement at her expression, running her fingers down the back of Wanda's wavy hair. Then they were swept away from each other for a bit as Wanda went to hug Steve and then Sharon and Sam came to wish her a Happy New Year and Natasha was pulled in another direction. After all their hugs and handshakes had been exchanged it was time for the fireworks to begin and they all shifted back out to the lawn.
"Alright, milaya, they are going to start the fireworks and there will be some loud bangs." Natasha's warning summoned the girl from where she stood talking with Vision to her side once more. "Do you want to head back to the room or stay and watch?"
"I want to watch. I think."
Natasha added gently, "If it becomes too much you let me know and we'll go inside."
She nodded and followed Natasha to a spot where a chair sat on the edge of the patio. The redhead sat down in it and Wanda sat on the grass in front of her, settling between Nat's knees, her face turning up to the night sky in anticipation. The Black Widow placed her hands over Wanda's ears. The girl twisted up to look at her at the contact and Natasha threw her a wink, gently directing her head, so her face looked back up at the sky, her voice encouraging and teasing as FRIDAY announced the display was about to begin, "Here we go."
There was the whistling ascent of the rocket and the subsequent popping sound across the sky. A glittering blue burst across the sky lighting up Wanda's face. Natasha watched her carefully; she had jumped at bit at the bang, but her expression was relaxed awe. The next couple went off green and yellow. Wanda did not jump but she did place her hands overtop Natasha's holding them a little firmer against her, a smile starting to form on her face. The next set where big swirling red explosion, looking much like her own magic, and she unexpectedly laughed with delight. Natasha beamed at the sight of the girl's smiling face, a feeling of contentment and affection sweeping through her. She turned her attention to the watch the fireworks as well, still aware of how Wanda felt underneath her touch. Like when a gold firework that sounded like metal rain made the witch tense back into Natasha and gave her actual goosebumps. She called for FRIDAY not to set off any more of those and she relaxed once again while the night sky exploded magically above them.
The fireworks were a spectacular display as Tony very much enjoyed his pyrotechnics and truly went all out, especially with the red, white and blue finale he said was dedicated to Captain America, but one of the most memorable moments from the evening for Natasha was the smile that light up Wanda's face and when Wanda would think back on the night one of the things she would remember was Natasha's hands tenderly keeping her safe.
/
Clint had been keenly observing Wanda, while she was on the farm and now, thinking about the day she would come to live with them. He grinned at the sight of Wanda, happy and at ease. He leaned over to his wife and whispered, "Wanda seems to be doing alright. Maybe it will be time for her to move in with us sooner rather than later."
Laura gave him a look of surprise, saying in a tone of voice that said, 'I can't believe how dense my husband can be sometimes'. "Honey, you can't be serious?"
"Why wouldn't I be?" His brow crinkled in confusion.
"Clint, we can't separate Wanda and Nat. She's her kid now. I mean, just look at them."
The man did, seeing the same thing he had seen moments before, Wanda sitting on the ground in front of Natasha's chair with the older woman playfully covering her ears and now Wanda's hands pressed over hers as well. They both smiled up into the exploding night sky but now he realized it was more than just them simply sitting together. He saw the way Wanda leaned back for reassurance and the way Natasha poised protectively over her to give it. Wanda was not just happy and at ease, she was happy and at ease with Natasha. His wife was of course right, they were a family now, and how he had not seen it before was suddenly a mystery to him.