Chapter 62

Upstate New York, USA

Late Spring 2015

He still couldn't quite wrap his head around it.

Nina had saved him.

She had saved him. If it weren't for her, he would've died that day in Sokovia.

That day, when he'd seen her and Hawkeye and that boy in the path of the Quinjet? He hadn't thought, he'd just reacted. He'd been run nearly off his feet, his body aching from the strain of racing through the streets of Novi Grad, from fighting against Ultron's sentries. His lungs had been burning, his muscles either feeling nearly numb or cramping with intense jolts of pain. By the time he'd seen the Quinjet barrelling toward them, he'd been utterly exhausted. He'd barely been able to reach anything close to a superhuman speed, and nothing close to his highest speed.

But he'd pushed himself to run as fast as he could, and he'd reached Nina in time. He'd pulled her away—barely a dozen feet away, but still far enough that she had been out of the line of fire. Then he'd gone back for the archer and the kid. Part of him still wasn't quite sure why, but he'd known he had to. They wouldn't have had a chance. But he might have. He had been able to give them that; maybe push them out of the way, or topple them back into the stairwell…

…shield them with his own body…

…he still wasn't quite sure what he'd been thinking…

Really, if he was being truly honest with himself, he hadn't thought, he'd just acted.

If he hadn't been so tired. So slow. If he hadn't been, it wouldn't have mattered if he'd been thinking straight or not. But as his exhaustion had set in, he'd gotten slower, and fighting that day had taken too much out of him.

He had been tired and he had been slower. Almost fatally so.

Wanda had been right. Bullets could catch him when he wasn't going fast.

And even worse, it hadn't only been his body that his exhaustion had slowed.

He hadn't been exaggerating to his twin; just as he could move physically faster than anyone, his thoughts could move just as fast, particularly when he was going at speed. It was only logical, really. He wouldn't be able to process where he was going or what he was doing while at speed, otherwise.

Well, his mind had been going just as slowly as the rest of him, and as he'd been racing toward the archer, before he'd placed himself between Hawkeye and the Quinjet, he hadn't even been able to think about anything but getting to them. To shield them.

He hadn't even considered simply pushing them out of the way or pulling them back into the stairwell behind them.

In that split-second as he had turned to go back, he'd lept after the first option that popped into his head and he had committed to it. To use what speed he could still muster, and shield them as best he could.

Deflecting the bullets away with his own body, if need be.

He'd decided that almost the instant he'd torn himself from Nina's side to go back. And even though he'd known the move would likely kill him, he'd had to try.

He couldn't watch the Avenger or the boy die. Not when he could try to help them.

After all, what good were powers if you didn't step up with them?

And a quiet sort of resignation had come over him then as he'd raced toward the archer where he'd been curled around the boy. An acceptance that he was out of time. That his speed wasn't going to be enough to get him out of trouble this time. That the only option left was to use his own flesh to catch the bullets and redirect them with a final burst of his speed. And as his remaining strength had faltered as he reached Hawkeye, knowing his time was up, he'd glanced back to Nina…

Just as she had crashed into him.

But before his heart had even leapt to his throat in panic, before he could even take a step to push her out of the way, as his eyes had snapped to the Quinjet, the bullets were upon them.

He hadn't even had time to try and shield her from the deadly spray. And he'd felt the first bullet rip through his body.

It was then that it happened.

He still couldn't quite be sure exactly what had happened, but it did. As Nina's fingers had clutched at his shirt, a soundless gasp had escaped her lips and the world had gone quiet. As she'd staggered against him, the air had lost its damp chill and grown thick and hazy.

It had been as though everything had frozen.

And he had watched as the bullets had hit the hazy barrier between them and him and Nina, their momentum dying the way he'd seen when bullets were fired into water before slowing to a stop, suspended in whatever it was Nina had created.

But then her strength had faltered. And the barrier had wavered.

And he'd felt the last couple bullets slam into him.

And he'd seen with sickening clarity as one had slashed its way past her, tearing through the jacket he'd given her, leaving a bloody gash along her ribs in its wake. He could barely breathe even now just thinking on it, her pale features seared into his memory as her eyes had widened with shock.

He remembered very little after that. Just falling.

That and the sound of the bullets she had stopped falling to the ground with an almost musical clinking sound.

Then he had woken up in the Infirmary on the Helicarrier, his torso aching and burning like white-hot spears had run him clean through as a house had fallen on his chest, Wanda pressed against his side and Nina in the cot next to his.

Never had he felt more relieved.

They were both okay. His sister and his…

What was she to him? He hadn't thought about it then, only thinking on how relieved he was that she was alive, his own aches and pain seeming to fade at the realization.

Of course, they'd come back with a vengeance when he'd tried to move, to reach her side. Just to be sure that she was really okay, of course. Boy, had Wanda let him have it for that. And he'd let her. He'd known just from looking into her nearly wild eyes that there was far more behind her scolding than just admonishment against aggravating his injuries.

"I felt you die, Pietro." She'd thought he'd been killed. His very soul seemed to ache from that whispered confession. Once they'd finally been left alone, once they'd been deposited in a private room in the Avengers' new facility, Wanda had told him everything he'd missed from that day and the almost two that had followed.

Including how Wanda had been sure she'd felt him die. It seemed that, whatever they were, Nina's powers had not only slowed and stopped the bullets, but it had also blocked Wanda from sensing those protected within the hazy bubble. Including him. It had all happened so fast that she had sensed his panic and pain from that first bullet a split-second before Nina's shield-like Enhancement had snapped the instinctive link she'd had with him via her own powers. And she hadn't been able to sense him anymore.

And in her own panic and pain and terror, Wanda's mind had jumped to a single, debilitating conclusion; he'd been killed.

Of course, he hadn't. And it still baffled him too, if he was being honest. Despite seeing it happen with his own eyes, he could still barely believe that Ultron's bullets hadn't ripped him to shreds.

And he had Nina to thank for that. Not that he'd ever be able to do what he felt justice were he to try and say it aloud.

Which was why, when she'd appeared in the door of his room a couple days later, her eyes anguished and desperate, he hadn't hesitated to pull her against him to offer what comfort and solace he could. No matter the physical pain the move had put him through. The emotional pain of seeing her so distraught had been far more potent. It was also why he'd waited with impatient patience for her to open up about what her mother had told her.

Not that he was exactly 'happy' when she'd finally opened up to him and Wanda.

That Pietro hadn't been happy with Nadine when Nina had told them what she'd been told had been abundantly clear and he felt no remorse on that account. Though, perhaps not for the reasons most would believe. Save Wanda. Wanda knew.

He hadn't been upset about Nadine keeping the kinds of secrets she'd had from Nina. Surprisingly enough, he'd understood that; it mirrored the way he and Wanda had kept the fact that most of those exposed to the Sceptre's energy had died from Nina. No, he'd been upset that she'd dumped it all on her at once. Nina was so strong, but Pietro knew she was already dealing with enough to break a normal person a dozen times over.

To add everything Nadine had thrust on her shoulders? It was enough to make him vibrate with rage. She was still healing! The look on her face when she had appeared in the door of his room that day? His heart still constricted with anguish at the mere thought of how devastated she'd looked...and at how hard she'd been trying to keep herself together.

But at the same time he could understand why the blonde assassin had done it. To learn that her mother had kept so much from her? He may not have known her long in the grand scheme of things, but Pietro was sure he knew Nina well enough that keeping it from her would've been worse than simply telling her.

Or maybe he was just projecting; he knew he'd rather know. And given the way Nina had spoken about her mom back in Sokovia when they'd been hiding out? Keeping it from her any longer than she already had would've destroyed what trust in her mom Nina had left, which was still far more than Pietro might have expected, even having glimpsed how compassionate Nina could be. Besides, now that he'd had some time to think it all over? Pietro could grudgingly admit Nadine really had owed Nina the truth.

It didn't mean he had to like it, though.

Just like he knew his sister didn't like it. But Wanda understood as well. More so than he likely did, given her inadvertent insight—literally—into Mm. Ryker's thoughts. It meant they both watched Nina leave their company with barely restrained worry when she slipped from the room for some time alone with her thoughts. It had only been a couple days since she had finally opened up to them about everything her mom had said.

Pietro was mere days away from being released, according to the Korean doctor who had been overseeing his treatment, and he was anxious to be allowed out of bed. His grumbling over that fact had brought the first smile he'd seen in days to Nina's face, though, so he wasn't too, too bitter about it. Of course, he still wished he were free to roam about the way his sister and now Nina were able. Nina had been free for almost a week herself, her own bullet wound having healed quickly and her sheer exhaustion from what had happened on Novi Grad remedied with a great deal of bed rest. According to the doctor, she was almost as good as new.

That didn't stop him from watching almost anxiously as she disappeared from sight, though. She might be back on her feet physically, but he suspected she was a long way off from being totally okay emotionally.

"Be careful, Pietro." Pietro twisted around at his sister's voice. Wanda's blue-green eyes were fixed thoughtfully on him from where she sat cross-legged next to his knees. An odd flutter in his stomach appeared at her words. He suspected he knew what she meant, but he pushed the thought aside. Did he really want to get into that now? The flutter intensified. Strangely enough, it made him feel a little like he was about to be sick…but in a pleasant sort of way. And if that thought wasn't enough to make him think he might just have lost his mind…

"I'm always careful." She hadn't needed to say anything, the stricken look on her face and the scarlet flash of irritation in her eyes had said more than enough. He flinched before he could stop himself. "About things like this, I mean," he amended. She wasn't entirely convinced, but she let it go, some of the tension seeping from her frame as she shuffled back to lean against the headboard next to him.

"Are you?" She finally asked quietly. "Pietro, you've never done 'serious' before." He frowned, twisting to look at her.

"I'm always serious." She scoffed, amusement lighting in her eyes. He smirked, pleased that the quip had done its work.

"You're deflecting," she admonished absently. "You've never been like this. Not with girls," she pressed on, ignoring his comment.

"What do you mean?" He knew exactly what she meant. He was not the kind of guy who had serious feelings for girls. He'd spent far too long on his own, only able to rely on Wanda to feel comfortable letting someone else in. But Nina?

Nina was different than other girls he'd known. She was sweet and compassionate and kind and selfless. She'd talked to a little boy she didn't know in Novi Grad and helped Pietro pass out his 'shopping' despite being nearly delirious from fever and barely able to keep her feet. She'd acted without hesitation to try and help that same little boy when he'd been overlooked by everyone else during the evacuation.

She'd run into a hail of bullets to try and help him.

She'd been more concerned about Pietro than her own health when she'd finally woken up. Heck, she'd spent most of the last week listening to him and Wanda—though, mostly him, really—unburden themselves despite having troubles enough of her own. She genuinely cared, even through her own heartache. More than that, she seemed to genuinely understand, and when she didn't she wouldn't pretend she did. She didn't pretend around them about anything. She trusted them when she arguably had no reason to do so, and that alone was precious. Honestly? She was one of the most genuine and kindhearted people he'd ever met. But she was also smart and strong and determined, stubborn really, and not content to let others fight for her. She stood up when she thought it was right, even if she had no real interest in fighting. Even when she was afraid.

It also didn't hurt that she was pretty too.

Oh boy…

He really did like her.

He hadn't even realized that he'd started letting her in past the walls that only Wanda was allowed through. Wanda watched him earnestly, nibbling on her lip for a moment before putting her thoughts into words.

"So…protective. So concerned. You really care about her, don't you." It wasn't a question. Pietro nearly bristled.

"Of course I do." Wanda sighed, reaching out to grab his hand.

"You don't know what I mean, do you." He was pretty sure he did, but he also really didn't want to admit it. He wasn't sure he was ready to admit it to himself, yet. It had always just been him and Wanda…but adding in Nina just felt so…so natural.

Not that his uncertainty stopped him from contradicting.

"Of course I do. I just don't get why it's a big deal." Wanda stared at him, a faintly wondering look appearing on her face.

"You really like her." Pietro swallowed convulsively. Feigning ignorance wouldn't work anymore, it seemed. Not that he entirely wanted to deny it. Not to Wanda. Because he did. It had been a realization hovering just on the edge of his consciousness since Nina had crashed into him that day in Novi Grad, when he'd been sure they were both about to die.

When he'd realized he wanted do anything to keep that from happening.

Even if it cost him his own life.

He liked Nina. Really liked. As in, he was pretty sure he was beginning to fall in love with the young blonde. It was an epiphany he wasn't quite ready for, but that he was surprisingly okay with having. Even if he wasn't entirely ready for his overly perceptive sister to realize it yet. Wanda simply stared at him in wonder, comprehension breaking over her features. He fought not to squirm under the attention. Wanda didn't seem to notice. But then worry set in, and her brow furrowed slightly with it.

"And if her mom leaves? Even after everything, Nina will go with her, Pietro."

"Then I'll follow." The words were out of his mouth before he'd even had a chance to think them. It startled him almost as much as it startled Wanda. He looked to her, panic vibrating in his throat. Would he really do that? Would he leave Wanda for…no, part of him reassured. He'd want her to come with. He wouldn't hesitate to follow Nina if it came to that, but he'd want his twin to come too. As much as he couldn't bear the idea of being parted from Nina anymore, he didn't know if he could stand being separated from Wanda either. But still. A sad sort of smile tugged at Wanda's lips and her fingers squeezed tightly around his.

"It's okay, Pietro." He started again, his eyes boring into his sister. Wanda smiled, though the sadness of a moment before had faded into a rather pleased little expression. He huffed, knowing what it meant; she was basking in being right. He hated when she did that. It always made him feel like he'd been wrong about something. Even when he wasn't. But then the uncertainty was back.

He reached up, his arm curling around his twin and tangling in her long hair. Once his hair had been the same as hers; a dark, rich, wavy brown. As children, before puberty had made their differences plainly visible, it had been nearly impossible to tell them apart. Now, on top of everything else, the ends of his hair had been silvered by his Enhancement. It was one more difference between them.

"You like her too?" Huh. He didn't expect to sound quite so vulnerable at the question. Wanda grinned almost mischievously before nodding.

"But that's not to say I won't go after her if she hurts you," she said, her eyes suddenly glinting. He nearly gaped at her.

"Hey!" Wanda scoffed at his outburst, the sound very nearly successful at masking the laugh she was trying to hide.

"What did you expect me to say," she asked with mock indignation. "You've never liked any of the boys I liked. And even the ones you were almost alright with, you would bring out this overprotective routine and scare them away. Of course I'm going to do the same to you." His nose wrinkled. Not that he couldn't see the fear hiding behind her teasing; she was afraid his newfound feelings for Nina would lead to him abandoning her. It would never happen, of course, but after what had nearly happened in Nova Grad? He couldn't blame her for the fear. She had very nearly lost him, after all. In a very permanent way.

But, she was pretending she didn't feel that way, so he would follow her lead. She chuckled at his expression, dropping a quick peck on his cheek. He glanced down to her with indignation of his own.

"I can't help it. You're my little sister—"

"—by twelve minutes—" she cut in with exasperation. He fought back a grin but otherwise ignored the interruption.

"—I can't help but feel a little protective." Wanda drew back with an outraged little noise, her arms crossing over her chest as she narrowed her eyes at him.

"Protective?! But I can't want to protect you when it comes to girls?" she challenged. Pietro faltered.

"I—that's—that's different!" Wanda huffed, though there was no hiding the amused sparkle in her eyes at his pathetic retort. It felt good, to bicker like this again. It felt normal. A tension that Pietro hadn't entirely realized had gripped him began to ease at their semi-serious argument. Wanda's nose wrinkled much as his had, only for her it was in exasperation.

"Hypocrite," she accused. Pietro grinned.

Yes. Things were beginning to return to normal.

Even if normal was going to look a little different from now on. But Pietro found he didn't mind. Not when he still had his twin by his side to face whatever came.

Together, they could face anything, after all.

Only for him to silently amend that thought as she lobbed a pillow into his face.

Except maybe where relationships were concerned.

Snatching the pillow from her, he whumped her back.

A/N: And so we get a better idea of what happened in those crazy split-seconds. :D And from Pietro, to boot!

Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed!

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Guest Reviews:

Guest: Me too, lovely. Me too! :P It'll happen, never fear! It's just going to take a bit of work, of course. Thanks for reviewing!

Jag: Glimpsing into heads is always fun! Lol! And I'm glad to hear it! Thanks for reviewing!

RangerArmy: Still no PM option enabled, so you're response is here again. :) I'm so glad you're looking forward to it! So am I. Thanks for reviewing!

Jo: Well, talking is a good thing, no? lol! You know, I'm not sure I'll ever get tired of hearing that! Haha! Is that bad? :P Thanks again for reviewing.