AN: Enjoy!
When she reached her apartment block, and the cab driver helped her to her door, Wanda, as promised, texted Vision to let him know that she made it Home safely. His reply came very quickly.
Thank you for letting me know. I would have been worried otherwise.
Wanda smiled.. almost giggled. She felt strangely happy.. giddy, even. And it wasn't just because Vision thought she was beautiful, or that he had kissed her cheek. It was that he worried about her. He cared that Wanda got home safe. She was important. She mattered to someone.
Since Pietro died, Wanda had almost forgotten how that felt. To be cared for. To matter. Now, thanks to Vision, she was starting to remember. Even if he only cared as a friend, it was a nice feeling.
And it made her think some more about other things Vision had said. Particularly, his suggestion that she dress as the Scarlet Witch for Halloween.
Wanda had imagined the Scarlet Witch as an impossible ideal.. everything she could never be. But..
"Don't talk about yourself like that."
Vision's words echoed in Wanda's ears.
"You are beautiful, and kind, even when you don't want to be, like when an idiot walks into your store a few minutes before closing and completely outstays his welcome.. And there's just something.. Something special about you."
Of course, it was going to take more than a few kind words to completely cure Wanda of her insecurities, and a rather large part of her couldn't bring herself to believe Vision. Then again, whether she believed Vision's words or not, how hard would it be, really, to try and become the best version of herself?
It had been a long day, and her broken toes were beginning to throb once more. She'd think about things more in the morning. Wanda took some mild painkillers, changed into her pajamas, and let herself fall into bed, almost immediately drifting off to sleep.
She dreamed she was the Scarlet Witch. She was flying, but she wasn't alone. Someone flew at her side, an impressive figure dressed in teal and gold..
Her dream, though only a hazy memory when she woke, cemented the growing plan in Wanda's mind. She wanted to become the Scarlet Witch. Be her best self, even if it was just for a little while.
Over the next few days Wanda began assembling her costume. At one thrift store close to her apartment, she found a nice, long leather jacket just the shade of red that she needed, and at another, a corset to match. At the mall, between her shifts at the store, she purchased gloves, and a pair of leather pants that fit snugly over her hips.
The complete ensemble, Wanda hoped, would accentuate her curves without being too revealing. It was okay to want to show off her figure a little, right? Back when she was just a struggling orphaned youth in Sokovia, she had always been a little too skinny. Once Pietro had scraped together enough money to get them to America, and finally managed to establish the regular pattern of three square meals a day, Wanda had filled out a bit, and she actually quite liked her curves.
As she was about to head home and try everything on together for the first time, Wanda thought of Viv, how happy she'd been when she had given her the Scarlet Witch painting, and her excitement upon realizing her cake was the same color as the witch's outfit. She smiled, a new plan coming to her, and called Vision. He answered on only the second ring.. a very quick answer for 'just a friend', Wanda thought, but chose not to dwell on it.
"Hello, Wanda. How are your toes?"
"A bit sore still, but getting better" Wanda replied. "Are you and Viv home? I have a little surprise for her.. for you too, actually."
"We're home.. What kind of surprise?"
"It wouldn't be much of a surprise if I told you, would it?" Wanda smirked.
"I suppose not.."
Wanda imagined him pouting, and chuckled to herself at the image.
"Is it okay if I drop by in a few minutes?"
"Of course. You are always welcome."
"I'll be there soon then. Bye, Vizh.."
"Goodbye, Wanda. See you soon."
He had sounded very happy about her visit, and Wanda found herself blushing slightly after she hung up. Feeling as though she was welcome, wanted even, was also new to her. Once again, though, it was a nice feeling.
"Wanda!" Viv flew at her as soon as Vision had opened the door, hugging her legs.
"Oof.. Hello, Miss Vivian" Wanda chuckled.
"Careful, Vivian" Vision gently reminded his daughter. "Wanda's foot is still sore."
"Sorry.. Wanda, Daddy said you had a surprise for us!"
"I do, Fata dulce" Wanda smiled, affectionately running a hand through Viv's golden hair.
"What is it?" Viv bounced excitedly.
"I'll show you in just a minute.. Can I borrow your Bathroom, Vizh?"
"Of course" Vision nodded. "Would you like a cup of tea? I was just about to make some.."
"Sure, that would be great, Vizh. Thanks."
In the bathroom, Wanda changed into her carefully assembled Scarlet Witch outfit, ran a brush through her hair, and examined herself in the mirror.
As she did, her mind was conflicted.
One part of Wanda, the part she had most often listened to up until now, told her the same thing it always did. That everything was too good, too perfect. She could never be this.
But another part of her, a new, positive part, told her that this was possibly the most 'herself' that she had ever been.
Wanda smiled and headed back out, eager to see Viv's reaction to her surprise.. And Vision's, of course.
When Wanda, walked back out into the living area, she didn't get a chance to say a single word before she heard Viv squeal.
"Look, Daddy!" she cried excitedly. "Wanda's the Scarlet Witch. She really is a Superhero, like you! Isn't that cool, Daddy?.. Daddy?"
Vision didn't reply. When Wanda turned to look at him, she found her friend with his mouth hanging slightly open, spilling tea all over the bench.
"Uh.. You okay, Vizh?"
"Ah!" Vision yelped, snapping back to his senses, and quickly grabbed a cloth to mop up the spilled tea. "Oh dear.. how silly of me.."
"Do you need any help?" Wanda offered.
"No, no, I've got it.." He smiled at her, a nervous looking smile, his cheeks slightly pink. "You look very nice, Wanda."
"Do I?" She smiled, doing a twirl. "It's just a few different bits and pieces I've picked up.. You really like it? Not too much cleavage?" It was only after the words spilled from her mouth that she realized this wasn't exactly an appropriate 'just friends' question, and her cheeks reddened.
Vision's eyes flickered to Wanda's chest for the briefest of moments, before his own cheeks burned as red as they did when he was in his 'The Vision' make-up.
"No, that's just the right amount of.. Um.. N-No, it's not too much."
"Daddy, Wanda, why are you turning red?" Viv asked innocently.
"It.. it's getting a little bit hot in here, that's all" Wanda mumbled.
"Oh.. Then we should have juice pops!" Viv happily ran to the freezer.
After a moment, Vision relaxed, and burst out laughing.
"Yes, Viv, we should have juice pops" He grinned. "Would you like one, Wanda?"
For a few horrible moments, Wanda had been worried that she might have crossed a line, but now the tension was gone, and Vision's laughter was contagious.
"Yes" Wanda managed to get out through her laughter, "I would love a juice pop."
Wanda and Vision laughed together, tears of mirth beginning to escape their eyes.
Viv, clutching the box of juice pops, glanced between them, confused, not understanding what was so funny.
Grown-ups were weird sometimes.
