We're going to take a little interlude from the main story and go back to the beginning, to how these two met...
~&Q~
She was fully aware of the irony as she took a seat in the pew. A Jewish girl, finding such peace in a Catholic church. Though, it wasn't faith that brought her here. It was peace.
She'd found it the month before, while trudging through the woods behind the Brotherhood house. Boarded up, hidden behind a large warehouse was this small church. Who knew when the last time it had been used was? It seemed to have been forgotten so long ago that she was sure few still existed who knew of its location.
It was pretty. A few stained glass windows still intact. An enormous crucifix hung, alone, all other artworks and idols had been cleared away. It was in a state of decay, something she found all the more beautiful about it. But what she really loved about it, was it was hers. It was her place, away from the boys and that house, where she could just be with herself. She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. She never knew how much she needed a place like this until she found it.
She was disturbed by an odd sound, which echoed through the old building. An eye opened to scan around, coming on a figure under the crucifix. He knelt, and she could hear murmuring in a language she didn't understand. Wanda scowled, angry that her sanctuary had been found by someone else. But damned if she'd be the one to leave.
She stood up and moved closer. Summoning a hex bolt, just in case, she came upon the figure. After a few moments, he stood, and as he turned took a leap backward. Wanda brought her hand up. "Don't!"
The blue mutant put his hands up. "Ok! Uh," he took a deep breath. "It's ok. I'm not going to do anything."
Wanda narrowed her eyes. "What're you doing here?"
His brow furrowed. "Praying? What're you doing here?"
"That's not your business," she put her hand down, allowing the hex bolt to dissipate.
"Ok," he replied, shoving his hands in his pockets. "Well-"
"Leave," she demanded.
He stared at her. "Nein."
Wanda glared at him. "Yes!"
"Nein," he repeated. "You can't decide who can come here. This house belongs to God, and I can come and go as I like."
"Well, I don't want you here," Wanda crossed her arms.
The blue boy shrugged. "Oh well," he turned back to the crucifix.
Wanda let out a breath, closing her eyes. She turned and kicked a pew, making an angry noise. Her only place, the only place that was hers.
"Could you not?" he looked to her sideways.
"You don't get to tell me what to do!" she replied. "This is my place."
"Well, you'll have to share it," he glared at her.
She pursed her lips angrily. "Maybe you can find another place."
He spun around, standing up. "Where?" he countered. "Where does someone like me go to worship? Do you think I can just walk into a church?" He paused. "I was so happy to find this place. And now you come and tell me I have to leave? Nein." He turned away from her. "If you don't like it, you leave."
She was taken aback by his outburst. Few ever spoke back to her, most were simply afraid of her. She didn't know how to respond at first, but she felt incredibly guilty. He had a point. "I didn't think of it like that."
"What luxury you have to not have to think of it like that," he spat.
Wanda sighed. "Alright, I'm sorry," she started. "I just liked to have this place to myself. It's not like I get any peace at all at that house."
"Well, like I offered, I am sure we can share this space," he told her. "I'm guessing it's not easy living with those boys."
She shook her head. "You have no idea."
He smirked. "I can tell you when I come here, if you like. We can set it up so that we alternate. I don't mind it. I know how important it is to have your own space."
Wanda gave him a small smile. "That would be nice."
He smiled back. "What is that? You can smile?" he teased. "Wait until the world hears this. The Scarlet Witch smiles!"
"Stop it," she rolled her eyes. "And it's Wanda, anyhow."
"Kurt," he indicated himself.
~&Q~
They came up with a schedule that allowed them each their own time at this place. Wanda still felt odd having to share it, but she didn't mind so much with him. He was a nice enough guy. She really didn't know much about the X-Men, but she disliked them on principle. Kurt seemed different from her notion of who they were.
She stuck to their schedule, enjoying the place to herself when she could. Part of her couldn't get Kurt out of her mind, however. She felt bad about how she'd been to him from the start, and guilty over the things she'd said. She'd faced her own persecution for being a mutant, but couldn't imagine what someone like him may face. How hard must it be to not be able to hide your mutation.
One afternoon was particularly irritating to her. Toad would not leave her alone, and she set out to the old church. She knew he'd be there, but he was considerably the lesser of two evils.
She could see him in his usual spot, just before the crucifix as she entered. She stood back, by the door, watching as he stood. He did something with his hands, then turned around.
"I thought we agreed?" he asked her, raising a brow.
"Yeah," Wanda nodded. "But I really needed to get out of the house. I hope you don't mind?"
He shook his head. "Of course not. I was just leaving anyhow."
"Well," Wanda took a few steps forward. "You don't have to rush off. I wouldn't mind some company."
Kurt eyed her warily, then took a seat in a pew. "Ok. If you want."
Wanda sat across from him. They were silent. She wasn't the best conversationalist, and had no idea how to even begin. What would she talk to him about? But there was something nice about having someone else there with her.
"So, who is bothering you the most?" Kurt asked her. "Your brother?"
Wanda rolled her eyes. "All of them. They're all so rude and loud. I can't get five seconds to myself unless I literally lock myself in my room." She slouched into the pew. "But it's mostly Toad."
"Toad?" he lifted a brow. "I thought you and him were…"
Wanda's brows shot up. "What?! NO! No, absolutely not!"
Kurt lifted his hands. "Sorry! I didn't mean to-"
"Why on earth would you ever think that?!" Wanda demanded. Was this a rumor going around? She was horrified.
"Remember the ski chalet?" Kurt said. "You kissed him."
"Oh, yeah, I remember," Wanda rolled her eyes. "I kissed a guy who then revealed himself to be Toad? I did not kiss Toad on purpose. Trust me. He drives me absolutely insane. Always calling me his baby. This stupid, moony crush is too much to handle."
"Well," Kurt began. "Can you blame him?"
She narrowed her eyes at him. "What?"
Kurt shrunk slightly under her gaze. "I mean-" he paused. "You are a beautiful woman. I can see why-"
She paused, having been called beautiful. She'd never heard someone refer to her that way. She shook her head, letting that feeling go. "He doesn't make me feel beautiful. He makes me feel dirty."
Kurt frowned. "I'm sorry then. You shouldn't feel that way," he shifted a bit. "I see why you want to get away."
Wanda nodded. "Why do you, then? What makes you come here so often?"
"I told you," he said. "I come to worship. It's the only church I can step into as myself, as God made me. I feel dishonest wearing my image inducer to church. Like I am not grateful for all that God gave me. So I come here."
"Yeah," Wanda started. "But I've never met anyone who went to church every day."
"Well," he began. "I suppose I come for similar reasons as you. I need time away sometimes."
"Really?" Wanda smirked at him, pulling her knees up. "You all make it seem like it's so perfect to be an X-man. Why would you ever need time away?"
He furrowed his brow at her. "I just do," was his reply. "Not everything is perfect all the time. I like being an X-man and I love my friends. But-" He shook his head. "Never mind."
Her expression grew concerned. "But what?"
He slid his eye to her, then took a breath. "Sometimes I get tired of feeling like a mascot."
"Mascot?"
"Ja," he said. "They all are normal, and then there's me. The only one like me. And-" he paused. "They're my friends, but sometimes they treat me differently. Like, sometimes I feel like they pity me. I hate it."
They were quiet. Wanda shifted uncomfortably. Though, in a way, she could understand where he was coming from. In the Brotherhood, she was the 'other'. The girl, the one who couldn't control her powers. She bit her lip, then reached out to him, putting her hand tentatively on his arm. "I don't pity you."
Kurt didn't respond, simply stood up. "I should go back. They'll wonder about me soon." He looked to her. "It was nice talking, though. Maybe I'll see you around?"
Wanda nodded, giving him a small smile as he left.
~&Q~
I have had all of this written for a LONG time, and I have maybe 1-2 more chapters of this 'prequel' of sorts. I am pretty blocked with the main fic atm, so I figure why not share this? Let me know what you think!
