Breakfast that morning was nothing short of awkward. Even though Steve knew full well what was going on, Sam didn't have a clue. He was wary of Vision being around because he didn't feel that he could be trusted. Vision and Wanda made their escape quickly afterwards to avoid any issues.
They walked the woods in a totally unpopulated area, reveling in the privacy that they'd found in the least likely of situations. Holding hands, they walked along silently, just taking time to feel each other's emotions and thoughts through their telepathic connection.
Vision was nervous, worried, which made Wanda worried too. She felt like the world was going to crash in on her.
Vision stopped short, pulling her backwards slightly. She turned around and whispered "What is it Vis?"
He didn't dare to speak, but he looked her in the eyes and the thoughts and words flowed between them. He was comforting her, telling her everything was ok. He was sorry to have worried her. He loved her more than anything in the world.
"Remember when I said I'd figure out a way to help you?"
"Of course I do."
"I figured it out, but I'm nervous you'll be upset."
"What do you mean?"
He brought memories to mind for her to watch. It was the only way he could figure out how to communicate this to her.
He placed his room, worried about what he'd say, worried about her reaction, fussing over minute details in a way only Vision could.
He ran through the script he'd repeated in his head at least a thousand times:
She was strong, especially when she had to be. He imagined the power coursing through her veins, saving their Avenger family from death he was certain would've happened had she not been in Sokovia that day.
She was loyal, even when he was stupid. He thought about how much he regretted confining her to the compound under his creator's orders. This was his biggest regret in life, yet she dared to love him anyways. He let himself soak into the feeling of regret being washed out by forgiveness and love.
She was resilient. After all she had been through in life, she should've been a shell, a broken, empty woman. She was far from that. He dwelled for a moment on his understanding of her as a whole. She had accomplished so much the past few years. She had been through the unthinkable and still came out full of life and fire and love in abundance that should not have been possible.
She was smart. Not in the super-genius way that Mr. Stark or Dr. Banner were, but in her own special way that meant she understood things that no one else could, in a way no one else could.
She was empathetic, and caring in ways no one else was. He thought about how intensely she felt the emotions of people she was reading. He thought about how she shared her understanding with him in ways he could grasp; how she helped to make him more human with each passing day.
She was beautiful. Never in his life had he seen someone that attracted him so much.
She was unique, and special, and lovely in ways that only Wanda could be. It didn't matter to him what label anyone might put on her, he loved his Wanda all the same.
But now, with this information, came context. To him, her being autistic had the same informational meaning as her having fair skin. It was just a part of her that meant she had to be taken care of in a specific way. Now that he knows what that way is, he can do the best that he can for her, all out of love. There was no reason to see this as a negative thing, like the world seemed to see it. There was no reason to tell anyone, if she didn't want to. It could be their little secret.
He heard Wanda gasp out loud. Felt her confusion at what he'd just revealed.
"Help me understand."
He felt her reaching without restraint, she used their connection to access the internet through him, startled by the speed at which information came at her. He helped by slowing it down, guiding her to everything positive he'd found, walking her through all of his memories of deciphering this on his own, from only what he knew of his wonderful girlfriend.
He heard back appreciation in her thoughts, but also denial, pain, mourning. Then, understanding and acceptance peeked in, along with a little bit of relief. This made sense to her. It all fit.
Wanda mourned for the years that she could've spent figuring this out, for the frustration that she and Pietro endured trying to navigate blind through her struggles. She had learned with the Avengers, though, that looking back wasn't always the best option, and moving forward had to come, even when it was painful.
This moment both hurt and healed her in ways she could not describe.
A gentle hand on her shoulder brought her back from deep within her thoughts. She looked up to see the only man she'd ever loved, and the only one that loved her enough to dig this far to help her. She had seen through his memories just how much he had done to make sure this turned out right. Overwhelmed with gratitude, she reached out to hug him. He held her tight enough to soothe her.
"So you don't hate me?"
"Vision!" she thought in shock, "Why on earth would you think I hate you?"
"I just thought that you may have been upset at my findings, considering that the world doesn't view autism as such a positive thing."
"I don't know how I feel about it yet, too be honest, but that really has nothing to do with you. All you did was bring me an assessment of facts."
"Ok, well, that's good. I don't understand in the slightest why the world has such a mixed up notion. You are the most amazing woman I've ever met, and you wouldn't be my Wanda if you weren't exactly who you are."
Wanda pulled back a bit, then stretched up on her toes to kiss his lips. Strange as it sounded from two people who had long ago declared their love for each other, this was the first time that they'd kissed.
They both felt as if they could've floated away if not for the other holding them on the ground.
There was a long road ahead of them, full of so many questions and possibilities. In this moment, though, they didn't care. What they had was each other, and, come what may, it would always be enough.