In her young life, Wanda experienced so much in such a short time. That's why her past had shaped her into becoming someone who didn't expect a lot from the world… or anyone for that matter. In all the chaos, that was her life, Wanda never asked or wished for anything big. As orphans, she and Pietro felt blessed with the small things in life. Things like having a warm meal or just the fact that they were able to make it through another day without someone trying to hurt or take advantage of them.

Wanda wasn't used to luxury or getting things done within the snap of a finger. And yet here she was in this exotic country, where she could have just about anything. She would just say the word, and Orisa or Adigun brought it for her in a blink of an eye. That was already the case, before she had saved Prince T' Challa's life.

And after that fact, it had gotten even worse. Wanda received all kinds of gifts from people all over Wakanda. She received pet wild animals, a dozen baskets of fruits, expensive jewelry, a car, valuables… someone even offered her a brief case with money.

At one point, Wanda refused all the gifts, because it didn't feel right.

"I saved his life, because he's my friend and not because I expect things from everyone," Wanda commented, her eyes turning red without her even realizing it.

But of course the people who were around, noticed how her eyes had turned red, and they all considered what she said to be a warning.

The next morning, when Wanda woke up, she noticed that there weren't any new gifts placed in her bedroom. Yes! It had stopped. She wasn't receiving any gifts anymore. Relieved, she jumped out of bed, and went to the bathroom to get ready.

After her shower, Wanda stood in front of the closet and searched for the right outfit to wear. Ten minutes had passed, and still she wasn't satisfied with anything. In her opinion, nothing in her closet seemed right. Since she's been in Wakanda, Wanda had shopped with Orisa a couple of times and now owns more clothes than she could ever wear in her lifetime.

And yet, twenty minutes later, Wanda hadn't found the right outfit yet. Faults? Well, the first outfit was too trendy, the second was too yellow, the third too short, the fourth too long, the fifth too outdated… and so on and so on.

After thirty minutes, Wanda gave up and laid herself on her soft bed, where approximately twenty sets of clothing were spread out on it. As a sigh escaped her pink lips, Wanda's eyes fluttered shut. She groaned aloud, wondering what the hell was wrong with her! Today is a day like any other! There's nothing special going on; there was no party in the Palace, The Prince wasn't expecting any royal guests… Then why did she have trouble picking out what to wear?

Annoyed, Wanda sat up in bed, and as her eyes landed on the huge mirror on the wall, her mind brought her back in time.

** FLASHBACK**

"Bucky," Wanda hissed as she followed him into the massive crowd.

Two months has passed, since Steve had broken Wanda and Sam out of the Raft, the four of them still on the run from Tony and the authorities. At the moment Wanda cursed softly, as she tried to catch up with Bucky.

"Buck! Wait up! You're walking way too fast for me," she said, but he kept on going forward.

"Where are those two? Bucky!" Wanda asked, when he finally stopped in his tracks.

Wanda was standing in the middle of the crowd, with her mask on. Five days earlier they arrived in New Orleans, and were successful at laying low. They were glad it was that time of the year, when the folks of Southern Louisiana were celebrating Mardi Gras.

As Bucky turned around to face Wanda, his blue eyes landed on her green ones. And boy, those emerald eyes looked really pissed off, at the moment.

"Sorry, Wan. I just got carried away, I didn't mean to walk so fast," he said, while giving her an apologetic look.

Wanda sighed deeply as she reached him, and rolled her eyes at him. Although she wasn't sure if it had any effect on him, because her face was covered by the dark green mask." Why are you walking so fast? And where are Steve and Sam?" she asked, while instinctively grabbing his right hand, and held it tightly, not wanting to get lost in the huge crowd.

"They are visiting a good friend of Sam. We'll meet them later tonight at The Inn." Bucky replied, while a smile appeared on his handsome face.

Wanda noticed that he was observing her, and furrowed her brows." What are you doing? Are you laughing at me, Bucky?" she spat, glaring up at him, and then looking anxiously around.

"No, I'm definitely not laughing at you. I wouldn't dare," he commented, while trying to hold in his laugh.

"What is it, Bucky? Why do you look so amused?" she asked, impatiently. "Get rid of that look, before I slap it off of your face," Wanda warned.

Bucky cleared his throat at that, trying with all off his might to stop himself from bursting out into laughter, and then locked eyes with her." Well, here you are Wanda Maximoff, one of the most powerful people there is, standing next to me and holding my hand, squeezing it tightly as if your life depended on it," he replied, his lips curling into another smile.

He just couldn't help himself.

" Why are you so anxious, Wan? What are you afraid of? You can take on any avenger effortlessly, and here you are, afraid of Mardi Gras?" he asked.

Wanda was just about to reply, when at that exact moment, a huge blond man bumped into her, and said." Hey, I bet you're a cutie. Take off your mask, so I can see how pretty you are,"

Wanda clenched her hand into a fist, the one that wasn't in Bucky's hand, and she was just about to use her powers, when Bucky intervened.

"Hey, buddy! She's with me, OK! I'm the one who's going to be taking off her mask, so get the hell out!" he said, his voice in a threatening manner, while standing all up in the man's face. Bucky then took off his own mask, it was a black leather one, and looked at him with those piercing blue eyes of his." Am I being clear enough for you?"

The man held his hands up at that, nodded and walked away.

Bucky then faced Wanda, and shook his head." Wanda, what's wrong with you? You almost used your powers in a very public place. We want to blend in, and not attract any attention whatsoever," he whispered, so only she could hear him.

She groaned aloud, and glared at him." I just freaking hate crowds, OK! I don't feel comfortable at all." she spat, and tore her hand roughly from his.

Without looking back at him, Wanda walked away and disappeared into the crowd.

Bucky clenched his jaw, and huffed." Why is she being like this all of a sudden?" he mumbled and walked in the same direction that she took not that long ago.

~ Ten minutes later ~

Bucky found Wanda sitting in one of the stools of a local bar. Still with the mask on, she stared into the small glass in her hand.

"Aren't you going to drink that up?" she heard an all too familiar voice say.

Wanda let out a deep breath, and said." Nope,"

As he took a seat in the stool next to hers, Bucky called the bartender." Can I have what she's having?" he said.

"Sure thing, coming right up," the man replied, and poured the drink for Bucky.

Wanda was still looking at her glass, staying quiet in her spot.

"Hey, Wan. What's the matter?" he said, and carefully patted her on her wrist.

She let out a deep breath, and cleared her throat." You do know what Steve and Sam are planning, right?" Wanda stated, without looking at him.

"Wan?" he said, his voice soft and waited a moment, however she didn't look at him.

"Look at me, please?" Bucky asked, but she was still not budging, her eyes fixed on the tequila shot.

As a sigh escaped his lips, Bucky contemplated what to say to her. Yes, he knew what Steve and Sam were planning to do. And Wanda was the only one in their little group of four who didn't agree on said plan. It was for the best, he was certain of it.

"Wan, would you at least just look at me? Please?" Bucky asked, his voice pleading." You do know that I can't talk to someone if they aren't looking at me, right?"

She slowly turned her head, and as her emerald eyes locked on his blue ones, Bucky's heart dropped. He'd never seen her like this. Wanda looked devastated, it was like something in her broke, like something was taken from her (a thing precious to her).

"Wan? It's not like someone else convinced me on agreeing to this plan. It's a good idea. You know that, right? It's for the best," Bucky said, attempting to convince her.

Wanda glared at Bucky, as tears began to pool in her eyes." The best? It's for the best? Huh? For whom? For you?! Well, you're one selfish man!" she spat, while tearing her wrist from Bucky." I don't need your sympathy! Go on, leave. That's what all you men are good at, right?"

She grabbed her wallet, shoved it in her jacket pocket and drank her tequila in one hit. Wanda was just about to walk away, when Bucky grabbed her on her wrist.

"Wanda, no. Let's talk about this. Don't walk away again. Please?" Bucky said.

She clenched her hands into fists, and threw daggers at him with her emerald eyes.

"OK, you two. Looks like you're having a lovers' quarrel. What about one shot of tequila for the both of you… on the house." The bartender offered, but they both corrected him.

"We're not lovers!" Bucky and Wanda remarked, their eyes still locked on one another.

The man held his hands up, and poured them each a shot." OK, fine. You're not lovers. But you two are a couple, right?"

"No, we're not!" they corrected the bartender without looking at him.

"Anyway, enjoy your drinks! It's Mardi Gras you two, it's a time of fun! No fighting." The friendly man stated and walked over to his other costumers.

"Bucky, let go of me." Wanda warned.

"No, I don't care if you can kick my ass with a snap of your finger. Take a seat, please? So we can talk like adults?" Bucky said, and moved his right hand from her wrist to the palm of her hand, while squeezing it lightly.

Bucky was looking at her, his blue eyes so pleading, making her walls falter. Since that night, when she almost killed him, and he comforted her, Wanda wasn't able to say no to him. In the past months, they've become very close. The two of them spending every waking moment together, had definitely caused such closeness. He had been such a good friend, a listening ear, a confidant. He became someone Wanda trusted her life with, someone she trusted with her whole being. She never expected the man who used to be 'The Winter Soldier' to be so gentle, and sweet and kind… and funny. Well, he had his moments.

Bucky was Bucky, and Gosh, she cared so much about him. She couldn't lose him too. After losing her brother, she thought her whole world was over. But then she met Bucky and he filled the void inside of her. The void Pietro had left in her heart, when he died. And now, Bucky's gonna leave her too. Her friend, the man she almost called best friend, was leaving her all alone in this cruel world. Whose going to fill that void?!

"Fine, let's have that talk. But not here." Wanda replied.

~ At the Inn ~

Wanda had just poured a cup of coffee for the two of them, when Bucky took a seat at the dining table. He looked at her, and smiled as she took a seat, handing him the cup.

"Bucky, why? I don't get it? We should stay together. The four of us shouldn't part!" Wanda began, while looking at him with those sad eyes.

"Wanda, we all know that the stuff that HYDRA put inside my head, it's still here. I can't trust my own mind. Just those trigger words, and I become someone… correction, something I truly hate. It's for the best. Please understand that," he explained, and grabbed her hand.

Tears began to spill from her eyes, as those words reached Wanda's ears." It's not f— fair! You're my friend! I don't wanna loose, you Bucky," she said, as a loud sob escaped her pink lips.

Bucky's eyes fluttered shut at that." I know it isn't fair, Wan. But I have to protect everyone from myself, you know that. Don't you?"

She shook her head." No! I can't lose you too, Bucky! Who's gonn… who's gonna get me out of a dip, when your frozen, huh? Who's gonna make stupid, weird jokes that aren't even funny, when you're not here?" Wanda said, her voice breaking in the end.

"You have Steve, and Sam." Bucky attempted." Sam is funny compared to me. His jokes are hilarious,"

Wanda shook her head, as tears pooled in her eyes." I know, but yours are so stupid it makes me laugh… they even make me snort," she replied, while squeezing his right hand so tightly, her knuckles turning white.

"Wan, you're a very sweet, girl. You know that?" Bucky stated.

"Well, I'm not gonna miss you," Wanda replied." I hate you,"

"Don't be like that. Please don't cry?" Bucky said, and stood up.

He grabbed the chair and placed it in front of Wanda. Bucky took a seat in it, and cupped Wanda's face." Hey, don't do that. Please don't cry,"

Wanda looked up at him, as more tears rolled down her face." Well, I can't help it. Everyone who I care about, leaves! First my parents, then my brother! And now you! You're my friend, Bucky. You should not leave me! Why are you being so heartless! Don't you know I need you?! Huh?"

Bucky wished that he could tell her that he needed her too! Oh, Gosh how much he needed her, but he couldn't be selfish… not with her. He knew that this was for the best. He had to do everything in his powers to prevent 'The winter Soldier' from appearing and causing destruction again. He had to do this! He didn't have a choice…

At one point, Bucky couldn't bear the sight of Wanda's tears any longer." I'm so sorry, Wan. I really am. Please, don't cry," he begged, it hurt too much to see Wanda this way.

"You are mean, Bucky! You're one mean, person. You know that!" Wanda said, as her chest heaved." You come into my life at the perfect moment. When I needed someone to talk, you were there for me. At first I thought you pretended to care… I thought you were acting, but as time passed, I knew you really cared. I never thought I'd find a friend like how my brother was to me… And you became that friend… the friend I couldn't live without. That friend I told things no one else knew, but only you," Wanda said, and got up from her chair.

As she looked down on Bucky, she shouted." Some friend you are! Get out, I don't want to see you right now."

Bucky looked up at her, his eyes pleading." Please, Wan. I can't leave you like this, I…" he began, but she cut him off.

"Get. The. Hell. Out," she warned, as her eyes turned red.

Bucky also got up, and looked straight into her red orbs." Wanda, you say you hate me, right. Hit me then. Show me your rage. Show me how much you hate me," he challenged, wanting so badly to feel the pain, the sorrow that he was causing her at this moment.

Bucky needed to take away her agony, so he grabbed her hand and placed it on his chest." Come on, hit me, right here. Do it," he asked, as tears pooled in his blue eyes.

At that, Wanda's eyes turned back to its natural color. Her emerald eyes locked with his blue ones, and without saying anything back, she began hitting him on his chest." I hate you, I hate you! Why must you leave me, I hate you so much," she yelled, while hitting Bucky on his chest.

While she was hitting him, Bucky's eyes fluttered shut, accepting the punishment because in his opinion he deserved it. He deserved all the punishment Wanda was willing to give him, even though mentally he barely was capable of taking it. When she told him that she hated him, those gut-wrenching words tore at his heart and soul. He couldn't bear if she really hated him, however Bucky knew she only said that because Wanda did not hate him.

As the loud sobs subsided, and her fists rested on his chest, a tear rolled down Bucky's eye. While Wanda looked up and locked her eyes on his, she uttered softly." I don't hate you, Bucky. I… I could never hate you,"

The moment those words reached his ears, Bucky boldly reached out for her without hesitation and pulled her against him by placing his right hand carefully on the back of her head. As Wanda felt his hand on her head, her eyes fluttered shut.

Her face rested on his chest, as he kissed Wanda gently on the top of her head." I wish I could take away all your sorrow, Wan. I wish for you to have a normal and good life. I wish only good things for you, sweet Wanda. May you one day have everything you need, and may you be happy. That is all that I wish… nothing more," Bucky said, as tears spilled from his eyes, while kissing her on the forehead once more.

"What about you. Don't you have a particular wish for yourself, Bucky?" Wanda asked, her words muffled by his chest.

"No, nothing for me. Because after everything I've done, after all the pain I have caused, I don't deserve anything," he replied, as he held Wanda close with his right arm.

*** End of FLASHBACK***

"Miss Wanda, are you ready yet?" she heard Orisa say from the other side of the door.

At that, Wanda jumped out of her bed, and swung the door open." Orisa, please. Help me?"

The young woman furrowed her brows and asked." How are you not ready, Miss? You've been up for quite a while now, that I'm certain of,"

Wanda began to bite her manicured nails, and said." I don't know what to wear,"

"Miss Wanda, stop biting on your nails please?" Orisa scolded her, and walked towards the closet.

The petite young woman looked inside and also on the bed where most of Wanda's outfits were spread out. Within two minutes, she found the perfect set.

"Aah, you should wear this one!" she exclaimed, and looked at Wanda.

"Really? This one?" Wanda asked, but then nodded after a few moments." Yes, you're right this one is perfect,"

~ Twenty minutes later ~

Orisa had chosen a simple outfit for Wanda, but it was the best one for this special occasion. She was wearing a black pair of skinny jeans, a pretty red blouse, a black leather jacket, red pumps, and her hair was braided neatly, her bangs falling in her face.

As she walked out the bedroom door, her heart rammed against her rib cage. Terrified, Wanda turned around to face Orisa." Why am I so afraid?" she asked.

"It's fine, Miss Wanda. It's only natural the way you're feeling right now. You are going to see him! In real life. It's gonna be OK, just take a deep breath, and take those steps like you own them. Show them who's boss! Walk towards Prince T' Challa and let him bring you to your man!" Orisa advised, while giving Wanda an encouraging look.

Wanda rolled her eyes at that." He's not my man, Orisa. He's my friend… my best friend," she corrected, saying the three last words softly, like she was saying a prayer…

Note: So... tell me what you think of this chapter?

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J