AN:Enjoy!


As stated on many previous occasions, Wanda Maximoff hated her job. She hated the horrible Holiday-themed costumes she was forced to wear, hated dealing with stupid customers. Even more so when they were stupid and rude, because the rude ones, more often than not, were even stupider than average.

Right now, however, Wanda hated her job for a different reason. While the Mall was busy, full of shoppers taking advantage of the last few days of the sales, The Party Store was not. They had entered a strange time, the few weeks after Christmas and New Year, but before Valentine's fever picked up, that was a rather quiet period for the store. Someone would come in every few hours for cheap Christmas decorations, or Birthday party supplies. Otherwise, the place was horribly empty. Usually, there would be a few things that needed doing, busywork to keep her occupied in the quiet periods, but Mantis, wonderfully productive as she was, had done it all yesterday.

So, on top of everything she usually hated about her job, Wanda was also bored out of her mind. The fact that Vision was coming to meet her after work, giving her something to look forward to, only made the seconds tick by slower, adding to the tedium.

Despite her boredom, Wanda couldn't help a soft smile coming to her face when she thought of Vision. At least if anyone came in trying to hit on her, which happened slightly more often if she was alone in the store, she wouldn't be lying anymore if she told them her Boyfriend was coming to pick her up.


Mantis had only just arrived to relieve Wanda when Vision came strolling into the store as well, arriving at the exact time, almost to the second, that she had told him she'd be finishing.

"Hey, Vizh" Wanda grinned, very happy to see him, rushing over to greet him with a kiss. "You got here quickly."

"I've been here for a while actually, just wandering around some of the other stores" Vision blushed. "If you need a few more minutes, I can wait out.."

"Oh no" Wanda shook her head. "I am completely ready to get out of here. Just let me grab my bag and my coat.." She hurried off to the back room.

Mantis, settling behind the counter, waved cheerily at Vision.

"Hello."

"Hello, Mantis. How have you been?"

"Oh, very well thank you" Mantis smiled. "How is your little girl?"

"Quite well.. She's away on a little holiday with her Grandparents at the moment.

"I hope she has fun."

"So do I.." Vision replied, although he did not seem entirely convinced.

"Ready!" Wanda returned from the back room tugging on her coat (Vision's old coat. She still had not bought her own), and slinging her bag over her shoulder. The fuzzy head of a familiar toy peeked out from the bag.

"Is that Rocket?" A smile tugged at the corners of Vision's lips.

"Uh.. well.. da.." Wanda mumbled, blushing.

"What a cute puppy doll!" Mantis gushed.

"It's a Raccoon, Mantis" Wanda corrected her. It belongs to my dau.. To Vision's daughter."

Vision caught her slip, and his heart jumped, but he didn't comment on it.

"Oh.." Mantis looked confused. "Then why do you have it?"

"Vivian asked me to look after him for her while she is away" Wanda explained, then turned back to Vision. "Am promis.. I promised. It didn't feel right to leave him at home. I probably sound so silly, I.." Wanda's eyes widened for a moment, then drifted shut as she relaxed. "Mmm.."

Vision had cupped her cheeks, kissing her softly. Just a quick kiss, but it was enough to make Wanda's heart flutter. When he broke the kiss, she could see that his eyes were sparkling.

"You don't sound silly at all."

"I don't?"

"No" Vision smiled. "It is sweet. Vivian will be very pleased to see that Rocket is being so well looked after."

"Well" Wanda smiled, "I am trying my best."

"Shall we go for a walk?" Vision offered Wanda his arm.

"We shall" Wanda happily linked her arm through his.

They were so wrapped up in each other that neither one of them remembered to say goodbye to Mantis as they left the store, but she didn't mind, watching them fondly as they walked away.

"They really are a sweet couple.."


Wanda and Vision strolled through the Mall for a while, browsing stores, but not actually buying anything. They hadn't spoken much about what they were going to do that day, beyond meeting up when Wanda finished work.

Eventually, they bought some take away cups of Hot chocolate and headed to a nearby park. Wanda hadn't actually been there before, but she had been told it was somewhere that young couples often visited, and she could see why. There were quite a few large shady trees, though many were without leaves given it was the middle of Winter, and plenty of picnic tables. There was a chill in the air, so Vision wrapped an arm around Wanda, drawing her closer. Wanda smiled softly, resting her head on his shoulder as they continued walking together, heading towards nowhere in particular, just enjoying each other's company.

"Thank you for coming out with me Today" said Vision. "I always feel a bit lost when Viv is away.."

"I understand. It must be hard to be away from her" Wanda replied, taking a sip of her drink. "Maybe you need to think about it in a different way. It's only for a week. Maybe you can take it as an opportunity to do some of the things that you can't do when she's with you."

"Well, there is something.." Vision smiled softly.

"What?"

"Now I can take you somewhere nice for dinner.."

"I'm sure there's more than just that.." Wanda blushed.

"I'm sure there is" Vision chuckled. "But that is the first thing that springs to mind. Do you like Italian food?"

"Yes.."

"I have the perfect place, then. I will make a booking. Is Tomorrow night alright with you?" He glanced at the fuzzy head still peeking out of Wanda's bag. "Rocket is welcome too, of course."

"Alright" Wanda chuckled. "Racheta and I would be happy to join you for dinner Tomorrow night. Miss Vivian would not be happy if we left him behind."

"She would not" Vision pressed a kiss to the top of Wanda's head. "She adores you, you know."

"Hmm?"

"Viv. She adores you. I think you might be one of her favourite people."

"I think she might be one of mine" Wanda smiled. "She's a very special girl."

"She is. Can I take a picture of you and Rocket for her?" Vision paused to pull out his phone. "I know it's just a little thing, but it will mean so much to her to know he is being looked after."

"Of course" Wanda pulled Rocket a little further out of her bag so he could be seen properly. "Smile for the camera, Racheta."

"Thank you, Wanda" Vision snapped a photo. Before he put his phone away, Wanda spotted his lock-screen. It was the picture Natasha had sneakily taken on Christmas Day, of Wanda and Vision kissing Viv's cheeks under the mistletoe.

"That photo.."

"It's nice, isn't it?" said Vision. "Natasha sent it to me, she must have taken it while we weren't looking.."

Wanda's heart fluttered. She was on his lock-screen. She was well and truly a part of his life, important enough to him that he was happy to see her every time he picked up his phone.

Not too long ago, that level of commitment might have scared her a little, because Wanda was still a hot mess by all accounts.. Well, her own accounts, but still a mess. But in that moment, Wanda didn't feel scared.

"Yeah, Vizh.." She couldn't help but smile. "It's a very nice picture."