This chapter has been a long time coming for you guys and I'm so sorry! I've been trying to come up with a way to staring working this into the plot and it's been hard. Please be really honest with your opinions after you've read it.

We walked to the room slowly, talking about everything and anything. It eventually led to a debate on an army's use of weaponry. She got really passionate about the subject and all I could was smile. My best friend is a total dork and I love it. I do cherish these moments when it's just us and we don't have anyone to disturb us. Moments where we can understand each other and yet no one else can. Honestly, if anyone walked past us now, they would think we've lost the plot. Which maybe we have but hey, life is too short for me to care.

Once in the room, Wanda jumped in the shower and I pulled off the uniform, dumping it back in the bag for laundry. I put on a tank top and shorts until it was my turn to shower.

Wanda was in there for a good ten minutes before she came out, hair wrapped in a towel, wearing only a bra and panties. My jaw hit the floor. Who knew her body was that well-toned? Normally, Wanda didn't like to wander around the room with anything less than jeans and a t-shirt, or maybe a dress. Like, seriously, she was so wary about her body. But damn, her abs were fucking impressive. I know our gym routine was ruthless but this is taking the mick. I can't get mine this good. She grabbed her suit and shoes along with loads of other stuff. As she walked past me, she pushed my chin up, closing my mouth.

"Mouth shut, dear. You might catch flies." With a smirk, she winked and then went back into the bathroom. The fuck just happened?

When she came back out, fully dressed, she looked so smug, it was ridiculous. Mainly because I hadn't moved in about five minutes. My brain had ceased functioning correctly. When it remembered how to work, I grabbed my own suit, along with my towels to shower, shaking my head at my best friend as she plopped herself down on her bed, pulling out a book from under her pillow.

I took time to think about what the hell was going on with my body. Why was I reacting like that around my best friend? This has never happened to me before. Sure, she was drop-dead gorgeous, no one could deny that. You'd have to be blind not to realise but she's my best friend. My feelings for her were completely platonic, just like hers for me. There was nothing more to it. This is just stress of the past week hitting me, right?

After realizing I had been in the shower for nearly twenty minutes, I shut off the water and quickly started drying myself. I pulled on my suit, the under-layers smooth against my skin as I then pulled on the main body of it. As I was tying my shoelaces, a thought struck me and I rushed out into the main room.

"Where's all our equipment from Sokovia?" I started searching everywhere for my hunting knife.
"In the armoury," Wanda peered at me over her book. Why she kept reading that infernal thing, I'll never know but she loved it and so I respected it.
"Yeah, but I bet my hunting knife didn't get brought back."
"Shall we go speak to Hill and find out?"
"Please?" She put the book away and stood up.

It was a quick walk to Hill's office. I knocked once and the door opened quickly. An irritated Maria Hill on the other side. But her face softened at seeing us; the frown vanishing to make way for a smile.

"Have we come at a bad time, Agent Hill?"
"Not at all, what's up, Knight?"
"I was just wondering about our equipment that came back from Sokovia? Was there a hunting knife at all?"
"Err, no, I don't think there was. Sorry, Piper. There was a small switchblade, though. I kept that aside due to the fact I knew it belonged to one of you." She disappeared back into her office momentarily before re-appearing, switchblade in hand. "So, whose is it?"
"Mine, it was the one thing I brought with me." She placed it in my hand gently and I tucked it into my inner pocket."How are you both feeling?"
"Good, re-hydrated and everything so we're cleared for training."
"Great, gym session for now, then."
"What's our final lecture on? Nat wouldn't tell us?"
"No idea, sorry girls."
"No worries. See you later, Maria."

We made our way to the gym where Steve was already working out, shirt off. Nat was helping him out and I could see that she trying desperately not to look at his chest without swooning.

As soon as she noticed us, she signalled to Steve to stop for a bit. He noticed us and smiled before grabbing his shirt, pulling it over his head. They wandered over to us with smiles on their faces.

"You're early, girls. Which is a huge surprise," Nat teased.
"Ha bloody ha; you're hilarious, Romanoff." I folded my arms, unamused.
"We may as well get started with you two as we wait for the other's to arrive."

They set us both up on weights. I was currently lifting 10kg and Steve was getting ready to put it up to twelve. The max I could lift was fifteen which was pretty good for me. Nat was covering for Wanda mainly and Steve was beside me but as they were in the middle of us both, they were constantly changing. After 100 reps of each weight from 10kg progressing all the way up to my 15kg, we took a break.

I took in the activity around me as I caught my breath. James was covering for Sam while he was working the punch-bag. Vision was observing us all and Wanda was still going on her weights.

Steve set himself up by the punch-bag, waiting for me. I wrapped up my hands to protect them and then started to work. All my thoughts from my shower earlier resurfaced as I beat down mercilessly on the punch-bag.

How had Wanda rendered me speechless like that? With her sheer presence? What did it even mean? Sure, I loved her, a lot, actually. And, sure, I would not be able to live without her by my side; we were a duo. You didn't get one of us without the other. We needed each other. Right hook. The fear of losing her ran deep inside of me, threatening my sanity which is why I did everything within my power to keep her safe.

Had our feelings extended past the point of platonic without us noticing? Well, mine at least? If so, what the hell do I do? Holy shit, did Wanda know? I don't want to scare her off. I can't lose her. It would break me, deeply. ARGH! What was happening to me?! Why couldn't I figure out what the hell was wrong with me.

We've relied on each other for months, basically becoming one and forming a mental connection like she had with her brother. Were feelings bound to happen in a friendship so close? Whoa, slow down, sort out your feelings, first, Piper and then make a conclusion and battle plan. God, I adore that girl; that much is sure. She is what keeps me going during the day, and at night, if I'm honest. She is the only person on that has made me feel good for being me.

She's the only person that I'm willing to cuddle with. I don't do feely-touchy, and I never have. And then, I met Wanda, a young teenager, deep in grief who needed a friend. I, having come off the streets with no friends, was willing to be there for her. I scooped her up and cuddled her and she broke down my walls without me even realising it. I just loved the warmth and affection that I was in desperate need of myself.

Then, what happened? Oh, yeah, I vowed to never leave her on her own again, which, I am trying to desperately hard to keep, by the way. The longing feeling of holding each other close grew. I missed the warmth almost immediately when she would leave the embrace. I loved seeing her smile. And laugh, almost anything adorable.

Holy shit, I'm in fucking love with my best friend and there's not a single thing I can do about it.

Could it have gone better?