Note: Don't know what nationality the Maximoff twins are supposed to be, and I'm not going to rely on an online translator thingummy. So just pretend that when they're talking to each other, they're using… whatever their original language is.

"Magic Lady"

"Hey, Magic Lady, come over here, would ya?"

Wanda nearly tripped over her own two feet where she stood, and Pietro dropped his forkful of spaghetti. Why he was eating cold pasta for breakfast was something she hadn't been able to fathom about her twin since they were introduced to 'civilisation'.

"How unexpected," he murmured. Wanda looked over at the brunette waving to her, and pointed to herself.

"Yeah, you! You're the Scarlet Witch, right?" She nodded slowly. "Come on over here. We haven't met yet."

"Good luck," Pietro said as Wanda passed him. She smacked him on the upper arm, and he poked his tongue out at her.

"Child," she said.

"Be nice," he said.

She walked through to the common area, looking around nervously. It was a habit she desperately wanted to break, but it was hard after being imprisoned for years, forced to accept powers she had never wanted, despite what her soulmark had proclaimed.

"I'm Darcy Lewis," the brunette said, grinning from behind a pair of glasses, her wavy her tucked beneath a red woollen hat. "This is Jane Foster."

Wanda shook Jane's hand, and then Darcy's. Oh goodness, she couldn't think of anything appropriate to say. Something unique, so that Darcy would know… or could confirm that it was merely coincidence.

"I think you've come across a little strong, Darcy," Jane said, nudging her.

"She's probably just struck dumb by my awesomeness," Darcy said. "It's okay, Wanda. I can call you Wanda, can't I?" Wanda nodded. "Sweet! Come on, sit down. It's so nice to have more girls around here."

"We don't even live here yet," Jane said.

"Stark's letting us move in with Thor," Darcy said. "Natasha and Pepper are gonna be super happy that they're not the only chicks around anymore, and having another girl on the team? Another leap forward for womankind! So I'm proposing girls' nights, starting tonight."

"Go have your breakfast, Wanda," Jane said. "We can talk tonight."

"Gotta go unpack now," Darcy said. "But I can already tell we're gonna be great friends, hot stuff."

Then she and Jane hurried off, and Wanda was left there, cursing herself (not literally) for not saying anything when she had the chance. She walked back to the kitchen in a daze, and Pietro cocked his head.

"What happened?" he asked.

"I didn't say anything."

"What? Why not?"

She sank onto the stool beside him. "I couldn't think of anything to say to her. It has to be special, just right." She fought against the tears that wanted to spill. "There mustn't be any misunderstanding. It must go well…"

"Shh." He rubbed her shoulder. "It will be all be fine, Wanda. It sounds as though you'll have an opportunity tonight."

"Yes," she said, nodding quickly. "I have to speak to her tonight. It's unavoidable."

"So prepare yourself." He patted her arm, and returned to his 'breakfast'. "She's lucky to have you, and you're lucky to find her."

"You will find your soulmate as well, Pietro," she whispered.

"But you found yours today," he said firmly. "We will go shopping and find something special."

"I must buy her a present," Wanda said, trying to remember the customs. "Will you help me, Pietro?"

"Of course."

In the end, Wanda bought presents for each of the women, consulting with Natasha on who exactly would be there, to make sure she wouldn't be leaving anyone out. She bought half a dozen fancy cupcakes (and Pietro bought one for himself to test the quality), and then found a shop which sold all manner of things, such as tarot cards, 'New Age' books, various gem stones and herbs, an array of scarves. She picked out a silk scarf for each woman, and then a special crystal necklace for Darcy… just in case.

"Are you sure they will like these?" she asked Pietro on the way up to their floor in Stark Tower. "What if they're not… not…"

"Expensive enough?" he said, raising his eyebrows. She nodded. "A good present does not cost money; it costs love."

"A pretty sentiment, Pietro, but—"

"They can buy whatever they need, or wish, but they cannot buy something they didn't know they wanted."

She processed his words until they may sense. "I hope plain vanilla cupcakes will be alright."

"Miss Potts is allergic to strawberries," JARVIS said, startling her. Pietro grabbed the bags when she dropped them. "I do apologise, Miss Maximoff. There are no other known allergies among the women in the tower."

"T-thank you," she said, eyes darting to and fro. Pietro touched her back.

"You're fretting, sister," he said. "Don't. I'm sure they're not expecting anything like this from you."

"It must go well tonight," Wanda said. "It must."

"She could never reject you."

Wanda bowed her head, tears pricking her eyes. "We helped Ultron…"

"And then we helped defeat him. Please calm down, Wanda." He gave her a one-armed hug. "Fate is on our side. She brought us to the Avengers."

"…I suppose so."

"She is securing you to one of their own. That isn't a bad thing."

She fiddled with the bag as they walked through their apartment. "She's beautiful, Pietro."

"As are you."

"Do you think she will only want a platonic bond with me?"

He smirked. "I doubt it. But you won't discover the answer until you ask the question."

"Should these go into the refrigerator?"

"I think so."

Pietro gave an approving nod.

"Very nice, Wanda," he said.

She couldn't help fidgeting in place. The skirt of her lilac dress fell to below her knees, and she was wearing sheer stockings; but the rest of her outfit was modest. The collar was high, the sleeves went to her elbows, and she was wearing flat shoes. She also wore the matching necklace to the one she bought for Darcy, and that particular present was hidden in one of her pockets. The others were in a bag, and Pietro handed her the box of cupcakes. JARVIS confirmed that there would only be the five of them: Wanda, Darcy, Pepper, Natasha, and Jane. Maria was away on business. So she had left the sixth cupcake behind to share with Pietro later.

"Have fun," he added, and he kissed her on the cheek.

Pepper greeted Wanda when the elevator arrived at Natasha's floor.

"Come in," she said, leading Wanda through. "Did you bring snacks? That wasn't necessary."

"You don't want them? I… I thought I was supposed to—"

"It wasn't necessary, but it's sweet of you," Pepper said, taking the box from her. "Best way to make a good impression. Even Natasha can't resist…" She checked the contents of the box, and grinned. "Cupcakes. Yep. Definitely our new favourite person."

"Did you bring sustenance?" Darcy said, twisting around on the sofa. "Excellent!"

"I'll put these on a plate," Pepper said. "Won't be long. Take a seat."

Jane waved Wanda over, and Darcy tugged her down onto the sofa between them.

"So, Wanda," Darcy said. "What're you gonna do for a living now that you're…"

"Out of captivity?" Jane said. Darcy flinched.

"Okay, my bad," she said. "I'm sorry. Just… tell us about yourself. Anything."

Wanda had come up with so many creative things she could say, but now they all flew from her mind. She shifted in place, opening and closing her mouth. Darcy's gaze moved down her body.

"What's wrong, Wanda?" Natasha asked, frowning slightly.

"Uh…"

"Is that a bruise on your leg?" Darcy asked, pointing. Wanda shook her head. "Is it your soulmark?" In answer, Wanda rested her leg on her knee and stretched the material of the stocking to make the writing clearer. Darcy gasped. "That's… that's my writing."

"It is?" Wanda said.

"Yeah."

"I've… I've been trying all day to think of something clever to say to you, so you'd know it was me, but then I look at you and my brain stops working."

"Nothing clever," Darcy said, and she shrugged. "Just 'It is'. Those are my words."

Wanda's cheeks heated up. "I'm so sorry."

"Don't be, babe. You're the one with 'Magic Lady' in your soulmark."

"Cupcakes," Pepper said, placing the plate on the table. "Courtesy of Wanda."

"Oh!" she said, remembering the bag she was holding. She quickly pulled out the parcels, and handed them around. "I bought these. I wasn't sure whether I was supposed to bring anything, so…" She sank back in the cushions, all confidence deserting her. There was silence, and then Jane squeezed her knee.

"That was thoughtful of you, Wanda," she said. "Thank you."

"They're not much, but I didn't know what else to get—"

"It's beautiful," Natasha said, holding up her scarf. How had she opened her present so swiftly and quietly? She wrapped the scarf around her neck. "Thank you."

"I… I also bought this for you, Darcy, in case you really were my soulmate," Wanda added quietly, handing her the wrapped necklace. "It's a custom among my people…"

"It's gorgeous," Darcy said, inspecting the crystal. "Matches yours."

"Yes."

"Wow. I hit the jackpot with my soulmate." She kissed Wanda right on the lips, with no warning. Stunned, Wanda stared at her as Darcy undid the clasp of her necklace. "Help me put it on?"

"O-of course." Wanda fumbled a bit with nerves, but managed to help Darcy put the necklace on. "You like it?"

"Love it." Darcy kissed her on the cheek this time, and then sat back, a twinkle in her eyes. "Okay! Time for tea and gossip, ladies."

Wanda bit her lower lip to stop it from trembling, and then met Natasha's eyes. The former assassin raised an eyebrow, and smiled softly, like she was saying that she understood. The emotion was overwhelming, threatening to drag her under. She meekly accepted a cupcake, and leaned into Darcy's side when her soulmate – her soulmate – put an arm around her waist. She grew somewhat distracted when Darcy licked frosting off her fingers, and it took a discreet cough from Pepper to redirect her attention to the conversation. Much of it was complaining about the levels of testosterone in the building, that it grew whenever Happy was around, and that it was nearly unbearable when Rhodey and Sam joined them.

"I hope Thor doesn't bring his Asgardian friends here," Jane said, wide-eyed. "Can you imagine?"

"At least Sif's a woman," Natasha said.

"Yeah, but I don't think she likes me all that much. I was sort of indirectly responsible for Queen Frigga's death. Thor can say it wasn't my fault all he wants, but that doesn't stop the guilt…" She trailed off. "Anyway, I'm sure Sif would prefer to hang out with the guys."

"Her loss, then," Darcy said, raising her glass of grape juice. "Because behind the bunch of great guys are the even greater women."

At the end of the night, Wanda returned to their floor, still somewhat red-faced and giddy from the goodnight kiss Darcy had given her. Pietro took one look at her from where he was watching television, and grinned.

"The night went well," he said. "I told you there was no need to worry."

"Want to have the cupcake now?"

"We can save it for breakfast." She made a face. "There is egg in cupcakes, and egg is a breakfast food."

Well, there was no arguing that logic.

"I've invited Darcy to dinner with us tomorrow night," she said.

"In or out?"

"In. You and I were nearly recognised at least three times today, and I don't want that kind of pressure." She looked around worriedly. "Not while she's getting to know you."

"And it's safe here," he said, raising his eyebrows. Wanda nodded. "Did you use your powers tonight?"

"No. I… I forgot about them." She furrowed her brow. "It doesn't make sense."

"It makes perfect sense, Wanda. You didn't feel threatened, did you?"

"Of course not."

"There you are."

"…What are you watching?"

"I've just started Labyrinth. Do you want to join me?"

"I'll get into my pyjamas."

"Have you heard?"

Wanda blinked fuzzily as Darcy shook her awake.

"Heard what?" she mumbled.

"Cap's just brought in Bucky Barnes! C'mon, wanna go see a former assassin?"

"We live with a couple of them, Darce."

"But this one was a war hero. Come on. D'you want me to tickle you?"

"I'm coming, I'm coming," Wanda said, pushing Darcy's wicked hands away. "Where are my slippers?"

She was still rubbing the sleep out of her eyes when they got down to the medical floor, and Wanda immediately noticed Pietro pressed up against a wall, staring as Steve argued a man with a metal arm to lie on a hospital bed.

"Bucky, don't be such a stubborn ass!"

"I thought they were supposed to be soulmates," Pietro whispered when Wanda reached his side. She cocked her head. "He said my soul words."

"He did?" Pietro nodded, his eyes wide. "Does he know?" He gave her a sheepish look, and she rolled her eyes. "We're as bad as each other."

"Steve, I feel fine!" Bucky Barnes was saying as he tried to shove Steve's arms out of the way. "C'mon, I don't need all this."

Wanda made a decision. She dragged Pietro over to the group, and shrugged when Darcy looked at her questioningly. Bucky – she might as well use his first name – studied all of them, but his gaze paused on Pietro. Wanda dug her elbow into her twin's side. He opened his mouth, but shut it again. Bucky arched an eyebrow.

"What're you lookin' at?" he asked.

"You," Pietro said.

Bucky's jaw dropped, and Wanda face-palmed.

"One word?" she hissed. "I take it back, Pietro. You're worse than I am."

Darcy/Wanda requested by phoenix_173. Bucky/Pietro was my own weird sense of humour striking again.

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