This is the final chapter. I hope you all enjoyed No Matter What! I can't thank you enough for reading! :)
Chapter 9
It was movie night in the tower and this time it was Wanda's choice. She smiled as Tangled began playing. There had been many groans about her film choice but everyone seemed to be enjoying it. Wanda was sitting between Clint and Steve as the popcorn bowl was passed around the living room.
Wanda was grabbing a handful when suddenly she stiffened. The bowl fell to the floor with a crash. The Avengers jumped and looked towards the noise, expecting to find an intruder. Instead they saw Wanda, still as a statue. Then, a crimson shield surrounded her.
Wanda rocked back and forth on the couch, her heart racing. She began panting and her eyes filled with tears.
The knife trailed down her arms.
The sound of bone snapping.
The maniacal grin on his face.
Wanda began to whimper as the panic from the flashbacks set in.
...
The Avengers watched as Wanda trembled under her scarlet shield. Steve, Natasha, Clint and Bucky were all talking to her, trying, in vain, to have her take down the shield.
It wasn't until all of the Avengers were around her did the shield disappear. Tears were pouring down the girl's face as she shook.
"Is it okay if I touch you, honey?" Natasha asked softly, knowing better than to do it without consent.
Wanda nodded. Nat then pulled the young girl into her lap and hugged her. Tony lifted her onto the couch as the team surrounded the young Avenger. Wanda curled in on herself as many arms held her.
After much coaxing, Wanda uncurled herself. "Sweetie, do you know where you are?" Clint asked gently.
"The t-to…t-tower."
"Good. Do you know who you're with."
"T-the t-team." Wanda said so quietly that they almost missed it.
"Yes. And you are safe. It will all be okay." Clint replied.
Exhausted from the flashbacks and panic attack, Wanda fell asleep. Bucky covered her small frame with a blanket as Bruce and Rhodey left to track down more. They had decided to sleep in the living room and help Wanda through the nightmares that would undoubtably occur.
Sure enough, Wanda woke up in terror, screaming. Tony and Clint talked to her softly and Steve held her hand as she fell back to sleep.
The next morning, Wanda was the first to wake up. She looked around at the team, sleeping before her and knew that everything was going to be okay.
The world isn't always kind. It can be cold and cruel and dangerous. Yet nothing is ever as bad as it seems. The world can try to break you but there will always be someone to pick up the pieces and glue them back together.
Wanda looked around at her family and smiled softly. She would be okay. The Avengers would protect her and she, in turn, would protect them. They were there for her and Wanda would forever be there for them.
Wanda stood up and left the room so the others could wake to the smell of bacon and chocolate chip pancakes.