AN: Enjoy!


Mantis fetched a chair for Wanda and sat her behind the counter, insisting she prop up her foot. Wanda did so, while making sure Viv stayed by her side all the while. She had no intention of losing the little girl again before Vision arrived to fetch her.

Vision soon came bolting into the store, panic in his eyes.

"Vivian?!" Relief flooded his features when he spotted his daughter, sweeping her into his arms. "Oh, thank God you're safe.. How many times have I told you to be extra careful in big crowds?"

"Sorry, Daddy. But guess what? Wanda's a superhero, like you! She saved me!"

"Saved you?"

"Oh yes, sir, Wanda was brilliant!" Mantis nodded, grinning. "There were some teenagers being stupid with the shopping carts, and they almost crashed right into your little girl, but Wanda scooped her up just in time!"

"Wanda, thank you so much for.." Vision turned to look at Wanda, his blue eyes softening in concern when he saw her propped up foot. "You're hurt.."

"Stupid teenagers ran over my foot while I was grabbing Viv.. might have broken a few smaller toes, but I should be alright."

Seeing Vision had brought memories of Wanda's dream, and she found herself blushing under his gentle gaze. This was made even worse when she realized that, although he was a perfect gentleman and would never look, her propped up leg gave Vision, any passing customers, and the party store's security camera, which had a direct feed to the Mall's security center (Hi, Sam!), a perfect view up her skirt. Wanda quickly brought her leg down, removing her shoe to inspect the damage. The two smallest toes on her right foot were bruised, tender to touch, and hurt when she tried to wriggle them.

"Ouch.." Mantis flinched at the sight of the injured toes.

"Definitely 'spart'.. that means broken" Wanda added in English, when her current companions looked confused. She winced slightly as she replaced her shoe, then stood, sighing. "I'd better get Home and ice it. Damn I wish I hadn't walked to work today.."

"You can't walk that far with your foot like that, Wanda" Vision frowned, still looking concerned. "You need to rest it or you'll do more damage. Let me give you a lift, it's the least I can do after.."

"Or.." Viv interrupted him, an idea causing her eyes to light up, and a wonderfully bright smile to spread across her face, "We could take Wanda Home with us, Daddy. Then she wouldn't have to walk, and you could have a friend with you on your Birthday!"

"Oh.." Wanda's face reddened. "There's no need, I really wouldn't want to impose.."

"You wouldn't be" Vision replied, maybe just a little too quickly. "Vivian and I were just going to bake a cake, then watch a movie and order take-out to eat while we watch it.. Which we do pretty much every Friday, so nothing too special. I suppose it might be nice to have a friend around.. But if you would rather rest at Home I understand.."

Was Vision blushing again? 'God damn it', Wanda thought, that man was just too sweet. She could push aside her stupid naughty dreams for one day so that he could have an adult friend over for his Birthday.

"Actually, it's probably a good idea that I come with you for a bit.." Wanda managed a smile.

"It is?" Vision sounded surprised for a moment. Then (although Wanda may have just imagined it), his eyes seemed to light up. "It is!"

"Oh yes" Mantis agreed. "Someone should watch Wanda for at least a few hours in case of extra symptoms.. like blood clots, or loss of circulation, or.."

"We get it, Mantis" Wanda chuckled.

"It's settled, then. Wanda, you are coming Home with us" Vision set Viv down, though still held her hand, offering his arm to Wanda. "Put your arm around me, so you can keep weight off the broken toes.."

"Oh.. Right, good idea.." 'Pull yourself together, Maximoff', Wanda told herself. Do not think about 'Stupid Sexy Vision'. Remember sweet, helpful Vision instead. She limped a few steps closer to him, slinging an arm around his neck, and trying to ignore the way her breath caught when he slipped his free arm around her waist in return.

"There we go.. lean on me as much as you need."

"O-Okay" Wanda nodded, hoping he would excuse her stutter as the pain talking.

"And Vivian, do not let go of my hand."

"I won't Daddy" Viv replied.

"Good girl. Luckily it's not too far to the car.." Vision looked over his shoulder at Mantis. "It was nice to meet you."

"You too.." Mantis watched as Vision guided the injured Wanda from the store, and continued watching until they were almost out of sight. "What a sweet couple.."


Once back at his small but cosy Home, Vision helped Wanda inside. She was beginning to relax a little more now. Her friend was helping her. Her friend. Perfectly normal.

"We'll just set you up on the Sofa.." Vision guided her toward the living room.

"No, Daddy!" Viv objected. "We have to take Wanda to the Kitchen."

"The Kitchen?" Wanda and Vision said in unison, both very confused.

"Uh-huh" Vivian nodded eagerly. "Then she can watch our show!"

"Oh.." Vision blushed. "Well.."

"What show?" Wanda was still very confused.

"Well, when Vivian and I cook together, we sometimes pretend that we are on a cooking show" Vision explained. "It makes it more fun for her, I think."

That.. Sounded absolutely adorable.

"Well" Wanda smiled softly, I would love to watch your show."

"Yay!" Viv cheered.

She ran to fetch Wanda a chair, and they soon had her set up with a perfect view of the Kitchen bench, her foot propped up on a stool, and an ice-pack over her bruised toes. Unlike at the store, she was angled in such a way that the avoided flashing anyone.

"Alright" Wanda grinned. "I'm ready."

"Right.. um.. I'll just.." Vision hurried into the kitchen, seemingly suffering from just a little bit of stage fright.

"Relaxa, Vizh" Wanda chuckled. "Just do whatever you normally do, and have fun. Right, Viv?"

"Right!" Viv replied with a grin. "Welcome to Daddy and Vivian's cooking show! What are we cooking today, Daddy?"

"Uh.. um.. w-well.." Vision continually glanced at Wanda. He was clearly not used to having an audience.

"It's a chocolate cake, Daddy."

"Of course.." Vision tried to relax, not sure if the encouraging smile Wanda flashed his way was helping or only making him more nervous. "But, uh.. What do we always have to do before we start?"

"We wash our hands!" Viv rushed to the sink.

"Yes, good girl.."


Wanda watched the Father-daughter duo in the kitchen together, occasionally laughing at their antics. Vision did eventually relax. Not because he forgot Wanda was there, but because it almost felt like she had always been there, like she belonged. After the cake was in the oven, Vision set about washing the dishes, and Viv skipped over to Wanda, happily chatting to her about what she had done at Preschool the day before.

After a while, Wanda sniffed the air.

"Uh, Vizh? I think you should check the cake now.."

"Oh.." Vision paused in putting the dishes away to glance at the oven. "There's still five minutes on the timer."

"I know, but.. check it anyway" Wanda insisted.

"Alright.." Vision fetched a mitt and removed the cake from the oven. It looked, and smelled wonderful. Vision poked it with a skewer, confirming it's done-ness. "Well, it appears you were right, Wanda."

"Daddy, it's perfect!" Viv squealed happily. "We don't even got to cut off any burned bits!"

"We don't" Vision grinned. "Thank you, Wanda."

"You're welcome" Wanda smiled.


After icing the cake (letting Wanda lick the spoon because she was their guest), Vision helped Wanda into the lounge (she may have leaned on him a little more than was strictly necessary) they all chose what they wanted from the Chinese Takeout menu.

"I'll go call and place the order, and you girls can pick a movie.."

"Alright, Daddy" Viv rushed to fetch a stack of DVD cases after Vision had stepped out of the room, then dropped them in Wanda's lap. "You can choose, Wanda. You're our guest!"

"Thank you, Viv.." Wanda scanned the covers, mostly Disney movies and other family films. Though her plan was to choose something Vision would like, seeing as it was his Birthday, she couldn't help but be tempted by a few of the Disney classics that she had never seen, due to her rather unsettled childhood. "Beauty And The Beast is supposed to be good, right?"

"Uh-huh" Viv nodded eagerly. "Belle's really smart, and brave.."

"Alright then. Beauty And The Beast it is."

"Perfect" Vision smiled as he re-entered the room. "That is one of our favorites."


Once the food arrived, Vision dished everything up, and helped Viv change into her pyjamas before they all settled on the sofa to watch their movie. Wanda's foot remained propped up, although she had rather forgotten the pain for now.

"Our movie and takeout nights are a special occasion" Vision explained, after swallowing a mouthful of dumpling. "We usually always eat at the table."

"That's good. Not enough people do that anymore" Wanda replied with a soft smile, eyes misting slightly at a memory. "Pietro and I always used to make time to eat together, before.."

"Shh!" Viv scolded them both. "Belle's Daddy is almost at the castle!"

"Well, we'd best be quiet then" Vision flashed Wanda a smile.

Wanda looked back to the TV screen, hoping he hadn't seen her blush.


It didn't take long for Wanda to become engrossed in the film. The animation, like most Disney films, was gorgeous. Though Belle was as smart and brave as Viv had said, Wanda found herself identifying more with the Beast, particularly later in the movie. Knowing that you were in no way good enough for the person you were falling in love with..

No, she was definitely not falling in love with Vision. It didn't matter that his smile made her heart flutter. It was a crush, nothing more. It couldn't be. After losing Pietro, Wanda didn't think she had enough of her heart left to risk giving anymore away. She didn't realize yet that she already had.

As the credits rolled, Viv yawned.

"Bedtime for you, Vivian.." Vision moved to pick her up.

"Can Wanda take me?" Viv asked.

"Uh.." Wanda blinked, surprised by the request.

"Well," Vision pointed out with a frown, "Wanda has to be careful of her foot, so maybe not this.."

"Please?" Viv begged, wide-eyed.

Wanda sighed. She might not have been able to give her heart away, but Vivian could definitely melt it.

"Okay, I'll take you to Bed" She stood, wincing only a little, and scooped the sleepy Viv into her arms.

"But your foot.." Vision argued.

"Just my toes, and they actually feel fine right now. Which way to her room?"

"Down the hall" Vision relented. "Second door on the right."


Viv's room was exactly like Wanda would have expected after the time she'd spent getting to know her. The room was passably tidy, by five-year old standards. A picture of Virginia sat on her bedside table. There was a shelf with a wide variety of books. She did not have an insane amount of toys, but those she did have were well looked after. Superheroes were a common theme, and.. oh. The Scarlet Witch painting was now framed on the wall. That was flattering.

Pulling her eyes away from the painting, Wanda moved to Viv's bed, pulling back the covers, setting her down and tucking her in.

"Goodnight, Miss Vivian.."

"Can you sit with me for a minute?" Viv asked. "Daddy always does."

"Alright.. But only if you go to sleep soon" Wanda sat beside her.

"I will.. You coming over was a good Birthday present for Daddy, Wanda."

"Was it?" Wanda chuckled.

"Uh-huh.." Viv yawned and snuggled into Wanda's side, her little eyes drifting shut. "He likes you."

"Does he?" Wanda smiled a soft, shy smile. "Well, I like your Daddy too.."

"That's good.." Viv soon drifted off.

Wanda gazed down at the child curled sleeping at her side, gently running her fingers through her soft golden hair. She looked so peaceful, so perfect. The world hadn't broken her yet. If Wanda had her way, it never would. But then, it wasn't really up to Wanda, was it? Viv wasn't hers to protect. Wanda sighed and stood, leaning down to press a soft kiss to Viv's head.

"Sleep well, Fata dulce."

She limped slightly as she headed out of the room.. Crashing right into Vision.