Hello. Im glad you liked the first chapter, so here is the second one!. Do note that there is a bit of a gorey scene but it relates to Wand's condition at this point. As always leave your thoughts
Enjoy!
The flight over to the Barton's was surprising short and but to Wanda the trip seemed to take eternity. She practically sleep walked through gathering her cloths and necessities needed for this trip; Clint hadn't told her how long they would be gone, only that it would give her a chance to reflect on her life and properly grieve. She hadn't even bothered to say anything during the trip to all for she was lost in thought during the entire ride and she was worried.
This was her first time meeting Clint's family. She had learned from the others that he had retired to spend time with them and live a normal life, something she'd had stolen away when she was 10. She desperately wanted to make a good impression on his wife and kids. She wanted them to like her and not think of her like some kind of killing machine or broken doll. The very thought made her ill. Even though Clint said that he trusted her 100%, but the thing was Wanda couldn't bring herself to trust herself. Even disregarding her lack of social skills with everyone around her, with her lack of proper training with her powers, she was a danger to Clint's kids as it wasn't like she could put a lock on her powers and open it up at any time. The slightest miscalculation and it very well spell doom for the target intended or unintended.
Needless to say Wanda did not want to be responsible for hurting Clint's kids. as much as he trusted her, such an act; she couldn't bear to think of what he would say to her if that ever happened.
She kept her gaze firmly on the sky as the Quinjet zoomed out of the New Avengers facility, barely acknowledging the world as it passed by her, the cities of New York gradually fading into the rural countryside of Missouri (according to Clint anyway, since Wanda knew very little about United States geography). The only reason she knew that they reached their intended destination was that Clint had brought her out of her stupor, just before landing.
After Clint safely landed the jet, Wanda gathered her meager belongings, and followed Clint onto his family she stepped out of the Quinjet with Clint leading the way. Wanda was surprised to see was that her current residence was perfectly described as "the nice wooden house in the middle of nowhere" despite her anxiety, Wanda felt strangely at peace. The place was quite different than what she was used to. There was no city noise like Sokovia or New York and the only background noise she heard was the sound of nature. Taking a look at everything around her, she had to admit that as a place to retire, Clint had chosen well.
Clint could tell that Wanda was a little overwhelmed emotionally, so her gently placed a hand on her shoulder causing the young girl to look at her mentor. The archer was giving her a small reassuring smile "I know it looks beautiful on the outside just wait until you see what's on the inside. Wanda just looked at him, not sure how to respond to that. It was quite beautiful and even without her powers she could tell he was being genuine, at least in his own opinion. . "No need to be so nervous Kid," he stated "Just know Laura and I are here for you."
Wanda simply nodded, biting her lip in an effort to calm her nerves, before following Clint into the entrance.
As they walked into the living room of the house, Clint was approached by two of his kids, a boy and girl both fairly young. They both screamed 'daddy' and rushed into his arms giggling. Clint in turn seemed to melt considerably in their presence and started she could feel through her powers his changed mood. She could feel nothing but pure euphoria off him as he engaged with them. It reminded her of happier times when she and Pietro would do something similar whenever their parents got home from work.
Hearing the commotion, an older woman about Clint's age walked in carrying a newborn in her arms. She smiled as she saw Clint and they moved to embrace. After they finished, the two turned to Wanda smiling. "So you're Wanda." The woman said.
Wanda tried to speak but somehow couldn't find her voice, namely because there was the fact that the newborn in the woman's arms had a onesie with Pietro emblazoned on it and it made her want to choke. This child was named after her brother. Unable to convey her feelings into words, she just nodded. The woman broke her embrace with Clint, passed the baby to him and moved to her pulling her in for a hug surprising the young Sokovian. "I'm Laura, Clint's wife."
She could feel the love and content radiating off this woman and it was nearly suffocating that it brought her to tears at the familiar prescience that she yearned for. Wanda found herself unconsciously returning the hug, not wanting this moment to end. After a few moments Laura let go of the young girl and Wanda finally found her voice.
"Hi…" Wanda mumbled out as she adjusted the grip on her bag. "I hope I'm not inconveniencing you."
"Oh nonsense dear." Laura smiled brightly as she took her guest's bag. "Come on dear I'll show you to your room."
Entering one of the rooms with Laura, Wanda saw a modest but certainly well maintained room with a nice bed and desk. "This room is all yours. Laundry bag is in the closet if you want me to run a load just leave it in the laundry room. They're food in the fridge and the pantry if you're hungry now but I'll have dinner ready in an hour. We may not have the same amenities of the Avengers but hopefully this should be enough."
Wanda took a bit to eye the room as she set down her bag. "Thank you very much Mrs. Barton. This place is beautiful. I'm really thankful that you let me stay here."
"It's not a problem at all. And please call me Laura." Laura smiled. "Mrs. Barton makes me feel old." Wanda couldn't help but chuckle at that one. Laura probably wasn't that much older than her mother had been when Wanda had been the children's age, but if it made her feel better.
Laura then turned from the room to get back to making dinner for the family "I'll leave you to get settled in, call me if you need me" she said before walking away, leaving Wanda alone in her room. Wanda placed her back beside her bed and sat down in the mattress, sinking into the marshmallow material. Letting out a sigh Wanda leaned back on the mattress gazing up at the ceiling, the white blank wall staring back at her.
She couldn't believe that she was here. In a home with a loving family, with someone who trusted her. Why was she here? She certainly didn't deserve it. Turning over on her bed, Wanda gazed out of the window looking at the wilderness. Despite her anxiety, he had to admit that Clint was right about one thing. This place was very beautiful. Maybe she would be able to find peace here, at least for the time being.
She sat back up, leaning over her bed to rummage through her bag. Going to a secure side pocket, Wanda pulled out an old photo of her and Pietro. It was taken just before the Ultron offensive; Pietro was enamored by the idea of working with the Avengers to rectify their mistake of working with Ultron and thought that they should commemorate the moment. In the picture, the Twins were staring at the camera with smiles, the New York Skyline highlighted in the background the speedsters arm slung around the witch's shoulders, with Wanda's head on Pietros shoulder as well.
If only she had known it was one of the few times she would ever see Pietro alive again.
Just the thought of her brother caused the dam o burst and several tears fell from Wanda's eyes, falling onto the photo. Curling up into a ball, Wanda just sat on the bed and cried until there were no more tears left.
An hour later, the family had sat down for dinner. Wanda had managed to clean herself up a little, even managing to take a shower and was now dressed in a decent shirt and sweatpants. as for the food, it was nothing crazy just a bit of pasta and some bread but it was spectacular to Wanda. Wanda smiled throughout the entire dinner as she answered question after question from Cooper.
"You're an Avenger!" Cooper asked his eyes wide. "Cool! Do you have powers? How'd you get them?" it seemed to everyone in the room that Cooper was unable t contain his excitement at the idea of one of his father's friends staying with them for the time being.
"Cooper!" Laura scolded. "Wanda's trying to eat and you keeping badgering her with questions." Clint watched with amusement at his wife's attitude already wanting to protect Wanda from the 'joy ' of having a child fan. Maybe he should have warned her about the possibility of being a celebrity, even within the confines of hs own home
"It's ok." Wanda placated. In reality it was ok. Wanda was just happy for a chance to have someone else there who was more in awe of her powers than in fear of them, even if Cooper was only a child. "I do have powers. I can move things with my mind and sometimes I can read the minds of others." Wanda answered with the shorthand version.
Wanda didn't think his eyes could go wider. "Can you use them on me? What am I thinking of now? Can you lift me up in the air?" He said his facing turning into one of those cute child serious faces.
"I don't think your mother would want me levitating you at dinner." Wanda said awkwardly. The last thing she wanted to do was make her host uncomfortable even if she sensed no shift in the mother's mood as the topic of powers came up aside from minor annoyance at her son or hurt him accidently while doing so since she never used her powers for playful matters. She could affect adults minds with little to no effort; who knows what could happen if used on a child.
"Maybe you two can do it tomorrow." Laura offered her son hoping he'd drop the subject. Clint had told her as much as he knew about Wanda and Laura wanted to make sure that Wanda felt like a normal person that belonged here rather than some human weapon even if Cooper meant no harm at the idea of using Wanda's powers for recreation.
Lila then took the time to interject. "Mommy can I have some Nutella marshmallows tonight for desert?" she asked innocently, her eyes shining with want
"Yeah me too!" Cooper yelled, immediately turning his attention away from the red clad Avenger at the thought of dessert.
"Eat your Vegetables and we'll see." Clint offered.
"What's Nutella?" Wanda asked guessing it was some kind of sweet treat. After being introduced to s'mores she could only wonder just what other types of dessert she had missed out on and had to compare this 'Nutella' to the s'mores
"Only the bestest desert ever!" Lila explained as if she were speaking to a child that didn't know any better. Oh the irony of that one nearly had everyone laugh but Wanda just managed a small smile.
After dinner was over, Wanda helped Laura clean up the table and wash the dishes though the older woman insisted that she could do it herself, Wanda was a guest and didn't want to treat the Barton homestead like she owned the place. Helping with chores was the least she could do. After they were done with that, Cooper and Lila both offered Wanda a Nutella dessert and just like the other ones Wanda had fallen in love. Sweets were a rare sight in Sokovia and so Wanda enjoyed every bite that she took of the delicious snack before Laura snatched it away from her son and put it back in the pantry. The kids whined at this until their mother reminded them that they could have it for dessert tomorrow as well.
Once the dishes were put away, Wanda thanked Laura for her time, then retreated from the kitchen and went outside, where she found Clint on a rocking chair overlooking the sunset going down on the forest. Having spent most of the day inside Wanda had yet to enjoy what nature had to offer here. It certainly wasn't like anything back home. Taking a seat beside the retired avenger, Wanda just glanced at the stars twinkling in the distant sky. She couldn't help but feel enamored like this. for the first time in her life she felt like a child again utterly amazed at the beauty that life could offer to her. She really did have to thank Clit for everything he had done for her. Leaning back in the rocking chair, Wanda let the rolling sensation overcome her, calming her nerves. A small smile graced her lips. She could get used to this.
As the sun continued to dip under the horizon, Wanda turned to Clint, whose gaze was firmly set on the horizon, eyes ever so focused. He wasn't called Hawkeye for nothing.
Wanda returned her gaze to horizon, before she spoke to Clint. "thank you " she whispered, so quietly that Wanda was sure Clint had to strain himself to hear what she had said. The man looked at Wanda gently smiling at her "don't mention it Wanda. You're my friend. I promise you that I'm going to help you through this, no matter the cost"
Wanda returned the smile, returning her gaze to the forest watching the sun.
The next morning Wanda awoke to the distant sound of birds chirping outside her window, surprising her, but she didn't bother paying much attention to it; birds did the same thing at the compound every morning. It was natures little wake up call. There was little Wanda could do about it, not that she would want to, given how comfortable she felt underneath the blankets and pillows that Clint had provided to her. Rolling over in her bed, Wanda let out a small huff, wanting to go back to sleep so that she could enjoy the blissful hold of slumber for just a bit longer than nature intended her to. She inhaled deeply before releasing a sigh, allowing her drowsiness to overtake her back into the realm of slumber. Just as she was about to go back to sleep a familiar voice woke her up.
"Are you going to stay in bed all day Wanda?" the voice asked.
Wanda's eyes shot open and she sat up in her bed. Standing beside her was Pietro, wearing the same cloths that he died in but lacked the bullet holes left behind by Ultron's assault. He was giving her the sly grin that showed he was about to do something mischievous.
Wanda blinked several times, trying to hold back tears not believing what she was seeing. Throwing the blanket off of her, she flew off the bed tackling her brother in a vice like hug, refusing to let him go as if her life depended on it. Pietro was here! Her eyes began welling up with tears. 'Brother!" she cried desperately her grip tightening even more, sobs shaking her slender frame. "You're here!" she wept angrily. Tears soaking into Pietros shirt as Wanda continued to cry, but Pietro just held onto his sister allowing her to release all the emotions that she had kept inside.
She felt s small, so innocent in her brothers arms like she was meant to be here. All those years of the two chasing each other around their apartment or in the school yard or even around the ruins of Sokovia after they lost their parents, came rushing back to Wanda in a giant mixed rush of memories. The times that he comforted her when she was scared especially when they were 'enhanced by HYDRA' and his reassurance that they were going to be fine before going back. None of it mattered because Wanda was exactly where she needed to be.
With Pietro's arms around her she felt safe life nothing bad was ever going to happen. He held her tightly and she felt that familiar warmth around her "Pietro" Wanda whispered before pulling away from her brother to gaze at his face. Pietro's eyes showed nothing but brotherly love and affection. Wanda just smiled back at him, her eyes sweeping over his face before she pulled him back into another hug.
"Its ok Wanda…" Pietro responded "I'm here"
Wanda just sniffed in response "I've missed you." she said. Pietro ran his hand through his sisters brown locks doing his best to comfort her.
Wanda knew that she was dreaming, but if this was a dream she didn't want to wake up from it. her reality even if she had new friends was far too painful for her without Pietro. She hadn't even admitted it to Clint when she brought it up yesterday. She couldn't bear the thought of living without her only family.
In some ways it was Wanda just processing her grief, even though she knew that fate was out of her control. But did that mean what she had now couldn't be real? It certainly felt real dream or not. And right now she couldn't give that up for anything in the world.
"Please don't leave me…." She mumbled, burying her face in Pietro's chest.
For a moment, Pietro was silent, worrying Wanda. She went to look up at him and to her surprise; he was giving her the angriest glare she had ever seen on his face, almost as if he wanted to kill her. Wanda baked away frightened, but before she could react, Petro suddenly stabbed her through the chest with a supersonic thrust. Wanda gasped feeling her body crunch where Pietro's hand punctured her and she looked down in horror to see the result of the attack, blood gushing from the wound and onto Pietro's arm. "I just did." He muttered darkly. "Do you know how it felt?" Wanda raised her head to look at her brother in the eye and she saw nothing but contempt and rage.
A moment later Pietro ripped his arm out from his sisters chest, her still beating heart in his hand. Wanda choked as blood leaked from her mouth, her eyes watering with tears. "It felt like that" Pietro growled, before Wanda fell to the ground helpless and utterly betrayed.
Wanda awoke gasping for air and clutching her chest where her heart was desperate to make sure that she was still intact. She grabbed at her shirt almost ripping it under the pressure as she chocked on her screams. She didn't even resister her bedroom door opening, but she did register strong arms grabbing her forearms in an effort to prevent the poor girl from hurting herself. Wanda let out a shriek trying to pull away from her supposed attacker, red mist building up around her as she readied to counter attack
"WANDA! WANDA!" Clint screamed urgently "Calm down its alright! Its me!" the retired avenger cried, drawing Wanda in his arms preventing her from moving and putting himself at risk to take her attack head on if needed be.
Wanda flinched when she heard Clint's voice, her attack dissipating in an instant when she realized she wasn't in danger. Drawing in breaths she leaned into Clint's chest trying to calm her racing heart. Clint wrapped his arms around the young sokovian, much like a father would when holding his child. Wanda was grateful but it did little to soothe her nerves and she cried silently, her dreaming taking away any sense of security that she had.
"shh" Clint chided gently, running his hand through Wanda's hair, trying to calm her down. It broke his heart to see Wanda so devastated. oh how many times did he have to go through with this when Cooper and Lila were younger. He didn't doubt that Wanda's parents or Pietro did the same thing when Wanda was younger either, and it seemed to him that she was in desperate need of some help. This was probably the worst nightmare she had thus far, considering Steve hadn't mentioned anything like this before.
Fortunately he knew not to press the question of what had scared Wanda so much; she would talk about it when she was ready or not at all; it wasn't his business. All he needed to do was be there for her.
Wanda continued to sniffle as she held onto Clint like a lifeline. She wanted nothing more than too have him ward off her anxiety, but every time she even thought about closing her eyes she saw her brothers malicious face ready and waiting to attack again
After a few minutes Wanda managed to calm her racing heartbeat to normal but her unease remained as she detached herself from Clint, who placed a reassuring hand on the girls shoulder "are you feeling better kid?" he asked gently. Wanda shakily nodded her head; she wasn't over he feeling of dread but she had calmed down somewhat. Clint smiled before standing up and walking towards the door. "If you ever want to talk Wanda just get me or Laura. We are up early anyway." he said before leaving the room and closing the door behind him.
Wanda stared at the door for a moment, before she lied back down in her bed. Despite having been calmed down by Clint, there was no chance that she would be getting any more sleep that night.
By the time morning came, Wanda felt like she could drop dead on the spot while at the same time felt unable to relax enough to drift off. It didn't help that while she was los in thought that the sun peaked over the forest, illuminating her room while at the same time the delicious aroma of breakfast filled the air. Heaving a tired sigh, Wanda lifted herself off the bed and went to the nearest bathroom. As expected, her eyes looked bloodshot and there were bags under them as well there wasn't going to be a way to cover those up, even with the makeup Natasha bought her the other day, not that she used too much of it anyway. Instead she focused on fixing her bedhead once more so that she looked the slightest bit presentable to her hosts. Afterwards she left the bathroom and made her way to the kitchen where she found Clint and the kids sitting at the kitchen table while Laura was tending to the baby on a table nearby.
Clint was the first to notice her and it didn't take a genius to see that he noticed her exhausted appearance, but he said nothing instead offering a warm smile and calling out to her "Morning Wanda!" Everyone turned to see Wanda trudging in the room, but Wanda took it in stride "morning!" she responded as she approached the table noticing the waffles in the center of the table. Her eyes lit up like a child on Christmas and she quickly made her way to an empty seat. Plopping in it her gaze continued to linger on the leftover waffles. Clint, noticing her silent pleas grabbed an extra plate and placed a few waffles on said plate, buttering and putting syrup on it for good measure.
Needless to say, Wanda finished her breakfast with the enthusiasm she was missing when she woke up.
"Goodness!" Laura laughed as she picked up the plate from the table "You must have been hungry!" she said, taking the plate to the sink and washing it. Wanda couldn't help but blush. It was only the second time she had waffles and she still had no control over how delicious they were and couldn't help but eat them the way she did. It wasn't like she grew up learning manners either
Clint laughed at Wanda's obvious embarrassment "No need to be upset Wanda, we're just glad you like them so much." He told her while Cooper and Lila giggled.
Wanda shook her head trying to get rid of her embarrassment. Sadly it didn't work for her face still felt heated and red.
The only good thing to come out of this morning so far was the no one was mentioning her appearance or the disturbances that she may or may not have made during the night. Unfortunately she was going to have to explain that to Clint. That was why she was here after all, so that she could get everything off of her chest and she wanted to talk to Clint about it but to be honest she was afraid to. Even though he trusted her she didn't know how talking to him was going to help in the long run. Would it stop the nightmares? Would it ease the guilty feeling that passed through her day in and day out? She wasn't sure but now wasn't the time to be talking to Clint about it, especially since his family was in the room.
Thankfully the tension was eased when Lila looked at her father and asked "Daddy, are we going to go to the lake today?" her eyes shining with hope
Clint looked at his daughter smiling, before he reached over and ruffled her hair of course we are little bird." He said happily before turning to Wanda who was intrigued by the idea of a lake "would you like to join us?" He asked her
Wanda blinked. A lake, here? Clint hadn't mentioned that before so Wanda hadn't packed anything that would be appropriate for a swim, not to mention she honestly didn't want to. Maybe she could help Laura around the house?
"That sounds like a great idea!" Laura said. "I'll get the supplies ready so we can go on a picnic this afternoon" she said, taking Nathanial in her arms. Oh great, he meant a picnic. Well Wanda really couldn't complain there. If anything it was just yet another nice thing that Clint was doing for her. "I'd like that" she said to Clint "do you need my help with anything?"
Ok, that takes care of most of the original story content the only thing left is to introduce Wanda's boyfriend. But im going to ask you a question about that. Should Wanda meet him while at the Bartons like in "A Different Kind of Speaking? or when she returns to New York. Vote on the Poll on my page