[They only part when it's absolutely necessary, and even then Wanda's fingers slip out of his grasp rather than pull away. She whispers something in another language to heat the water with another flare of power and takes a seat on the edge of the bath.
She has to mentally pull away from him then - she can't handle both of their racing minds without risking a terrible headache and she needs to be baseline functional to actually heal him.]
Because you need help. You're not a monster, [she answers simply, reaching for a small golden bottle and pouring a light purple liquid into the water. A lavender-based bath oil, apparently, but there's power in it meant to soothe the mind and relax the body.
She knows she should probably leave him to it and go now. He's already completely naked and isn't so injured that he can't clean himself and yet...he seems more likely to fall asleep if she leaves him alone. Maybe he's too tired...or maybe he doesn't know what to do. His creators clearly haven't taken very good care of him.
Staying might be a kindness. But it has to be his choice.]
[His creators didn't get much of a chance to take care of him, not before everything went bottoms-up. So while he knows he ought to be clean, he hasn't the foggiest idea what that entails; he nods in answer to her question, still biting his lip and thinking about you're not a monster.]
Please. I do need help.
[He doesn't seem to have a problem at all admitting that, nor does he give any indication that all the signs of magic around might be something to be wary of. Why should he? There might have been some science involved in his creation, but all the rest is magic, pure and simple.
She does help him clean off his arms, and it gives him enough of an idea that he can scrub over the rest of his body on his own. It takes a few washcloths, and when he's done the water in the bath is pretty cloudy. But some mechanism (more magic?) keeps it flowing, and both soap and dirt (and blood) drain away to be replaced with clean water. Once he's clean, he steps out of the tub, and his body is revealed in full - tall, well-made, and human in shape except for a notable lack of genitals. All over the bluish metal are magical symbols and writing, some undoubtedly familiar to her but some from obscure texts even she might not know.
With a bit of prompting he grabs a towel and spends some time figuring out how to dry himself off. When he speaks his enunciation continues to improve, but there's hesitancy in his words.] I...am sorry for tracking in mud to your house.
Edited (words have meaning) 2018-10-22 19:13 (UTC)
[Look, okay, sometimes fae fussiness is a good thing. The baths in Wanda's house are smaller replicas of ones commonly found in the Otherworld, and it's times like these where she is very grateful she doesn't have to worry about dirty water or a mess in the tub.
Cleaned, he really is beautiful and though she's trying to remain as professional as possible Wanda can feel her cheeks heating. There was clearly a great deal of care in his creation. His body is perfect, if she's being entirely honest, and the magic that sustains him very precisely woven into and through his flesh.]
You don't need to apologize. Mud can be cleaned.
[She's hovering with a furrowed brow, both inspecting his body for injuries and ready to lend a hand where his knowledge fails him. Fortunately Wanda is not so easily distracted by the memory of his skin under her hands or the sight of his naked body when she's in a healer's mindset.]
Vision. [She repeats it, smiling warmly at him.] It's nice to meet you.
[Okay, it's a little late for introductions and she can feel her mother's disapproval at her lack of manners, but to be fair, he did stumble naked into her bushes.]
I see some places you're hurt. [Her hand begins to glow again, but it's nothing more than raw power.] I can heal you, but it might feel a little strange. Is that all right?
[He finds himself smiling shyly in response.] I am glad to meet you, Wanda.
[There are little lacerations and bruises everywhere, a few large scrapes from close encounters with trees, and a set of throbbing pulses along his spine where the lightning energy originally flowed into him that haven't recovered yet. Add to that the exhaustion of running and the heartache from everything else, and he feels sore all over. So it's with no real reluctance that he nods to her question.]
Yes.
[Because when everything is new to you, what isn't strange?
Still, the wounds close up and the battered flesh knits itself together again, joining comfortably with the metal in a way that flesh usually doesn't. And--he has no idea this is happening, but the hunger he was feeling before vanishes as well. To him it's just a different kind of discomfort, but perhaps in the future he'll be able to eat to heal himself.
When she finishes, he brings his hand up to cup her cheek gently. He's still exhausted, but the absence of pain is unspeakably good.] Thank you.
[Healing has always been a particularly intimate experience for Wanda. It has to be by its very nature: her power in its most raw form flowing into another's body and encouraging it to become whole again. And since Wanda has to direct it very closely, the end result is a lot of feather-light touches and prolonged hovering. She's most aware of just how intimate this particular healing has become when she kneels at his feet to tend to the injuries on his legs. She hadn't really thought about it first, it just...happened.
She also wasn't really thinking when she rested a hand on his newly-healed shoulder to steady herself as she worked on the worst of the injuries on his spine. Not until afterwards, when she pulled away and felt the familiar ache of loneliness. It gnaws at her while she works her way around his arm to his chest to finish, but she doesn't touch him again. She...probably should have been more careful not to touch him at all. That's usually best, but Vision's been so unafraid of her that she'd just forgotten.
And so she has no defense when he cups her cheek in thanks, not a single speck of resolve to prevent her from sighing in relief, closing her still-glowing eyes, and leaning into that touch. A heartbeat later, her hand comes up to rest lightly on his.
Her eyes are green again when she opens them to meet his, feeling extremely exposed but not vulnerable. There are only pure intentions behind the touch. She feels it and that must be why something in her has crumbled so quickly.
She's blushing again, but it takes a moment to find her words or her feet.]
I should...I think there are clothes here that will fit.
[And with that, she ducks her head and darts behind him to check one of the wardrobes. At the very least, there should be some sleeping pants in here that will fit him.
And hopefully she'll have recovered before she has to turn to face him again.]
[Luckily (?) for him, Vision doesn't exactly understand what might be intimate about having Wanda kneel in front of him. He's a little bit confused as to why he might need clothes, but he is just following her lead here.
That was a nice feeling, though, having her rest her cheek against his hand like that. It feels like the least he can do to thank her - he may not know much, but he does know magic isn't easy to use, not with the kind of precision she's shown him. Maybe that's why her blood flow suddenly increased? He's not sure why else her face would have turned red just as soon as that glow from her eyes faded.
He takes the offered pants and considers them thoughtfully.]
How do I wear them?
[Yes, he's seen people wearing pants, but it wasn't exactly what he'd been focusing on at the time. And it seems obvious you're supposed to get them on your legs somehow, but it's not like he's ever worn clothing before.]
[They're soft black pants with a drawstring waist - should be forgiving enough fit-wise.]
Like this--
[Wanda turns back to him to demonstrate but has a little more time before she has to meet his gaze again. Good. Her cheeks still feel warm.]
You balance on one leg and put the other through, and then balance on that leg to put the other one in. And then you pull it up to your waist and tie it.
[Her skirts are in the way so she can only get the pants up to her knees but hopefully it's enough. She shuffles out of them, straightens, and hands them back to him.
Fortunately, she seems to have mostly recovered by now.]
You don't have to wear it if you don't want to, but I thought you might be more comfortable.
[He picks up on it quickly enough, at least. They seem unnecessary, but then again if he were to get dirty again, it would be easier to wash the cloth. Still, they feel restrictive despite being very loose as far as clothing is concerned. He supposes it's worth trying out. People do seem to wear clothing a lot.
He ties them at the waist and moves around a bit, experimentally.] Is this correct?
[And he does feel...better. Not just because of the healing and the bath, though those help, but it's starting to sink in that it's safe here, with this strange, kind woman. He's not even quite as exhausted as he was. So, still a little hesitant but not as much as before, he glances over at the doorway leading back to the rest of the house.]
[A shirt can be a future lesson, if her frequent guests have even left anything that will fit him.
She smiles and reaches for his hand to lead him from the room. This time the contact is intended purely to be a source of comfort for him, but Wanda would be lying if she said she didn't also enjoy it.]
This is your room for as long as you want to stay.
[Leaving the room, they find themselves facing another door. Wanda continues:] That door is my room. If you need something or you're afraid, I want you to wake me up, all right? I am probably not actually sleeping.
[Moving left is the room they first entered: a shared kitchen and dining space. The cooking fire seems a little off - it's just a little bit too red to be natural fire. Here there are many rugs and furs on the floor, and there's even the tiniest of bars to accommodate her guests.
The table, however, might be most interesting - the tablecloth is richly embroidered with sigils of fae origin seamlessly woven into the design along the edges.]
This is where we eat. I have some soup cooking for later, but I can get anything you want.
[And behind them, past the bedrooms, is the living space. There's a large fireplace here, still with odd red-tinted fire, surrounded by very comfy chairs and piles of extra pillows and blankets. Ivy winds around the fireplace and the mantel is covered in candles and crystals, The rugs here are more luxurious than the ones elsewhere in the house, clearly made for sitting on.
There are several musical instruments in the room, too, and a small scattering of sheet music.]
This is the living room and most of my books. You can read anything you want, and I have some games if you want to learn.
[There's the basement, and the ladder to the loft, and Wanda thinks about leaving it at that but...no, the loft is a treat and she wants to see the look on his face.]
[Vision trails Wanda around the house, mostly quiet as he drinks in the sights and concentrates on details. The kitchen in particular is full of little things he'll want to look at later, and it smells...different in a good way. He's not sure what soup is or if he wants anything to eat, but he nods along to her statement.
When he gets to the living room, he smiles shyly - perhaps the first time he's done that, ever. He approaches the fireplace and holds out his hands to warm them, closing his eyes and relaxing just as he had in the hot bath. After a few long breaths, he opens his eyes again and turns to her, the glow of his smile still on his face and in his eyes.]
I like this. This is good.
[And it's not just the fire, though he takes its reddish color as a sign of welcome. After all, he's rather reddish himself. But this room is comfortable. Every piece of it is something that can be used or admired, none of it wasted. He can easily picture himself here--although at that thought his smile fades, replaced by a furrowed brow.] Do you...live here alone? [Because it's a large space for only one person, isn't it?
But then at the question he perks up. She looks excited about this loft.] Yes.
[Wanda smiles warmly, glad that he seems to be happy.]
Not completely? Zora is hiding from the storm but you'll meet her soon. And I have friends who sometimes stay with me for a while.
[She's excited enough to show him the loft that she doesn't even realize that by starting up the ladder first, she's given him a direct view up her skirt. Oops.
...but the loft really is stunning. Ivy mingled with softly glowing blue and purple flowers covers the ceiling and a small altar casts gentle silvery light, so while there are many candles up here, there's no need for them beyond setting the mood.
Wanda may use this room for being closer to cosmic energy, but it's also something between a meditation area and a lovers' retreat. The bed in the far corner is a nest of soft furs, blankets, and pillows. She's only brought someone here a bare handful of times, even counting this, but she doesn't mind. Vision can't have seen much beauty in his short life. Maybe he'll like the flowers.]
[Oh, that's good. She shouldn't live by herself. No person as compassionate as she is should have to be alone. But it does worry him a little bit - if this Zora is afraid of the storm, will she be afraid of him, too?
The worry is pushed from his mind when he pokes his head up to the loft (alas, not noticing the view up Wanda's skirt as anything out of the ordinary). There's a power here he can feel, and it's similar enough to the magic that made him that he's able to relax again. And it's cozy, and the plant life makes it even more welcoming. That elusive smile comes out to play again, and the patter of rain on the roof above them finally sounds comfortable instead of threatening.]
It's beautiful.
[He takes her hand again, because she seems to like that.]
I am...truly welcome to stay here with you?
[It's what she's said before, but it still seems appropriate to ask. Maybe after some time he'll feel the need to leave, but right now what he needs is a peaceful place to process everything that's happened to him, to try and figure out who he is.
And it's starting to become clear to him that not only is this the right place to do that, Wanda might be the right person to help him out with it, too.]
[His smile is so inadvertently charming that Wanda find herself smiling back. She found him beautiful even when he was covered in dirt and mud, but when he smiles like that she can feel her heartbeat pick up.
She'd like to see him smile like that more, she thinks. And these little touches...
It feels right to hold his hand, something deeper than the simple relief of contact.]
As long as you want, [she says softly, ever-so-tentatively raising her free hand to cup his cheek in mirror of his earlier actions. She'll pull away if he seems uncomfortable, but if not...if they both like these reassuring touches, what point is there in suffering separately? He's initiated almost as much with her as she has with him.]
I'd like that, too. It is...lonely here, sometimes. But safe.
[He closes his eyes to better focus on the sensation of her hand. Knowing the intent behind the touch isn't fear or hostility makes such a difference to him. After a moment he opens his eyes again and looks at hers, searching for the sincerity behind her words and finding it easily enough. (He doesn't realize how different his eyes look, compared to a human's. How is he supposed to know they have hints of arcane symbols in their depths, or that they're a brilliant color? Maybe he'll figure it out once he has a mirror to look at.)]
I want to be safe. [And there's that small smile again.] But--perhaps not lonely, if you are here?
[Her hand lingers. Wanda could get lost in those eyes, especially here where the soft blueish light makes them appear even more brilliant. She hadn't noticed before, between the shock of seeing him and her focus on tending to his injuries, but they have a certain strange beauty she doesn't want to tear her gaze away from.
And this time, her cheeks heat again when he smiles. He evokes such soft emotions in her and it's...nice, to feel connected to someone again. Maybe even wanted. Either way, Wanda finds she welcomes this new vulnerability.]
[The heavy rain on the roof is such good white noise that Vision suddenly finds his eyelids drooping. He blinks to keep them open, and it occurs to him that even with the energy boost from the hot bath his flesh is tired. And it is getting later into the night - he should probably try sleeping. He's not sure he needs it, but his body is certainly demanding some kind of rest. He exhales, a bit regretfully because sleeping means he can't look around the house any more, but it'll be there when he gets up. Right?
Either that or this is all a very vivid hallucination.]
I think I should go to sleep now. My energy reserves are low.
[There's a soft wryness to her tone, the barest hint of humor in her smile.]
You can take either bed in the guest room. And if you need anything, I'll be up a little longer. [A pause, a gentle sweep of her thumb over his cheekbone.] Sleep well, Vision.
[And it's with great regret that she lets him go and moves to make her way back to the ladder.]
[It's the longest day he's ever had, even though it's been only a few hours.
He follows her back down the ladder and over to the rooms, pausing outside her door. "Thank you" is inadequate, and anything else is too premature. He settles on a middle ground.] I am glad that this is where my feet led me. Sleep well, Wanda.
[And he turns to go back to the guest room, picking a bed at random. After a little puzzled poking around, he figures out he needs to get under the blankets and lies down properly. His body is exhausted and all he wants is warmth and rest. he closes his eyes.
An hour later, he's still laying there with his eyes closed, fully awake and unable to turn off his mind. Noises from outside the house keep him up, or perhaps it's the way he can't seem to settle down, replaying the events of the day over and over. Or maybe he doesn't like being alone? Well, Wanda had said he could ask her if he couldn't sleep, so he gets up and pads his way back over to her door, knocking lightly.]
[They part with one last warm smile and Wanda turns to head into the kitchen to do something about feeding herself. Almost immediately she feels the lack of his presence - the fire keeps this room warmer than the loft but something in her feels colder already. Loneliness, she decides. How long has it been since she last had a real friend around? It must be at least a month, maybe two.
And it's been a year since the...incident. A year since she decided she could never truly belong anywhere. She can't be herself around other humans (if she even counts as human anymore) and while the fae princes would gladly have allowed her to remain with them, she doesn't really fit in there either. It's nice to visit. But not to stay.
And Vision's the first person she's met who she thinks might understand. Wanda sees a kindred need for a place to belong in him, and clearly the world hasn't been particularly kind to either of them. Maybe for a little while, they can soothe each other's desperate need for companionship.
...until he breaks her heart when he leaves. Wanda's no child; she knows what she feels for him could easily grow into love if properly cultivated. She's only setting herself up for pain by wondering if he can or might begin to feel the same way for her, if there's any chance he might decide to stay for good...but as she picks at her dinner she can't stop her imagination from wandering.
It's the purity of his heart and mind, his smile, those eyes she could get lost in, and his surprisingly lovely voice. Wanda just...doesn't want to lose them, even if she masters her feelings enough to keep them from growing beyond the softer side of platonic.
She's still lost in thought as she goes through her nightly routine and even her bath, her favorite indulgence, does little to comfort her. She settles into bed with a book and a cup of tea, hoping that maybe this will get her mind to behave, when she hears a soft knock.
The Wanda who answers the door seems much more vulnerable - the lacy silken shift doesn't leave a single curve to the imagination and all of her jewelry's gone. This is Wanda the woman, not Wanda the Scarlet Witch.]
It is not as easy as it sounds. [Her smile's sympathetic, one insomniac to another.] Come in.
[She leads him through an L-shaped room that is clearly part study, part workshop, and her (much smaller) magical library. It curls around her actual bedroom, and in the dim light soft sigils to ward off psychic attacks and encourage peaceful sleep pulse on the shared exterior walls. Questions for another time, perhaps, because Wanda pays them no mind.
The small fire in her bedroom still gives enough light to see, but barely. Which Wanda is thankful for. This room is truly made for comfort but not necessarily to be seen - her makeup and jewelry are disorganized and strewn across a dresser and today's outfit is on the floor where she'd left it.
Oops.
But again, Wanda has other, more pressing, things on her mind. She takes a seat on the side of the bed and gently pats the area next to her.]
Do you want to talk about it? Maybe there's some way I can help.
[Vision hesitates just a moment before entering Wanda's room. She looks so different this way - she feels the same to him in a way he can't describe yet, but her clothes have much less of the symbolic and more of the personal about them. So that's the power of clothing. He'll have to consider it for himself, maybe see if she has some suggestions in the light of day.
His eyes take in everything he passes, but he'll have to ask about them later. Right now he's exhausted and barely processes his surroundings, just enough not to trip on any of the scattered items on the bedroom floor. He sits down next to her and is silent for a moment.
Does he want to talk about it? What can he even say that will explain the hard knot of hurt and anxiety that was his first day alive? And yet, he can already feel it loosening in her presence. Here she is, living proof that not everyone is afraid of him, that there is kindness here.
It's probably been an awkwardly long silence by the time he actually answers, and the words come slowly - though not as slurred as they were earlier.]
I told you I was dangerous. What I failed to tell you was that this is the first day I've been awake, and that after a very brief time with my creators I was attacked, blamed for their deaths, and driven away from the town. I think they either believe I am dead, or that the monsters in the forest will have a new member.
[Are there even monsters in the forest? If Wanda is considered one of them, and the townspeople are considered "good", perhaps he has a fundamental misunderstanding of language.]
Are you certain I should be here with you?
[He wants to be. He wants so badly to stay here, in this warm and living home full of magic, kept by someone who welcomed him. He feels safe around her. Her reassurance that he can't hurt her is actually believable, and yet it isn't truly himself he's worried about. It's the people who were so afraid of him - what if they come here? Is her lovely house safe? Is she safe? He tenses up just thinking about it, despite the soreness that's crept back in after the healing and hot bath.]
[She can feel that knot inside him, and it makes her own heart twist in sympathy. Poor Vision...he doesn't deserve this.
Tentatively, Wanda reaches out to rest a hand on his forearm in silent comfort. Even with her magic, sleep doesn't come easy to her and she's perfectly willing to stay up as long as he needs her.
And oh...oh. No wonder he can't sleep. She's lucky he'll let her anywhere near him after having such awful experiences with humans.]
Vision, I...I'm so sorry. I knew something had happened, but...
[She hadn't thought it would be that bad, and she hadn't wanted to pry any deeper than she had to once she'd seen how utterly pure his mind was. She should be more suspicious of golems after...after everything, but after she'd touched his thoughts she just couldn't.
He's...precious. He deserves to be protected, to know happiness, and Wanda's going to do everything in her power to make sure of it. Her own safety is not a factor in this equation: there are reasons people fear her, and not all of them are bullshit.]
You are not a monster. And I won't let anyone hurt you again. [Her expression softens and Wanda shifts, her other hand tentatively reaching out but not quite touching.]
[The problem is that he wants to like humans - he wants to trust them. He knows they're capable of great things, that they can create beauty and that the world is a richer place for their presence. (He's not sure how he knows this, given his experiences, but it's a bone-deep conviction.)
And because she's shown him kindness and beauty, and because he isn't the only lonely one here right now, he reaches out for her as well and meets her halfway, and he holds her as close as he dares. It's awkward--he's still learning his body, not to mention how it interfaces with other people--and it's very, very gentle. He knows his own strength, and it could crush her if he isn't careful, and most of all if he's going too far he wants her to be able to back away without feeling trapped.
He doesn't cry. It isn't part of how he was made. But there is a shuddering quality to his breathing, and his voice is more raw when he speaks again.]
Thank you.
[He wants to add I don't want to be alone, but--something stops him short of that. She'd offered a hug, not to share her bed, and even he knows that's a much bigger line to cross.]
[The hug is soft and careful: Vision worried about physically hurting her and Wanda mindful of his feelings and the newness of sensation. She wants to pull him closer, though. Everything in her aches in sympathy for his plight and she wants to do whatever it takes to ease that terrible hurt into something more manageable.
If nothing else, at least she can soothe that snarl of loneliness in him.
She would hesitate to invite him to her bed were he a normal man, but Wanda doesn't have to probe his mind to know he wouldn't harm her or take advantage. Gently, she smooths her hands over his skin in rhythmic motions, guiding his head down to rest against her.]
Do you want to stay? This room is warded and I have ways to help quiet your mind so you can rest.
[A heartbeat passes, just enough for Wanda to lean into him a little more.]
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no subject
She has to mentally pull away from him then - she can't handle both of their racing minds without risking a terrible headache and she needs to be baseline functional to actually heal him.]
Because you need help. You're not a monster, [she answers simply, reaching for a small golden bottle and pouring a light purple liquid into the water. A lavender-based bath oil, apparently, but there's power in it meant to soothe the mind and relax the body.
She knows she should probably leave him to it and go now. He's already completely naked and isn't so injured that he can't clean himself and yet...he seems more likely to fall asleep if she leaves him alone. Maybe he's too tired...or maybe he doesn't know what to do. His creators clearly haven't taken very good care of him.
Staying might be a kindness. But it has to be his choice.]
Would you like me to clean you?
no subject
Please. I do need help.
[He doesn't seem to have a problem at all admitting that, nor does he give any indication that all the signs of magic around might be something to be wary of. Why should he? There might have been some science involved in his creation, but all the rest is magic, pure and simple.
She does help him clean off his arms, and it gives him enough of an idea that he can scrub over the rest of his body on his own. It takes a few washcloths, and when he's done the water in the bath is pretty cloudy. But some mechanism (more magic?) keeps it flowing, and both soap and dirt (and blood) drain away to be replaced with clean water. Once he's clean, he steps out of the tub, and his body is revealed in full - tall, well-made, and human in shape except for a notable lack of genitals. All over the bluish metal are magical symbols and writing, some undoubtedly familiar to her but some from obscure texts even she might not know.
With a bit of prompting he grabs a towel and spends some time figuring out how to dry himself off. When he speaks his enunciation continues to improve, but there's hesitancy in his words.] I...am sorry for tracking in mud to your house.
no subject
Cleaned, he really is beautiful and though she's trying to remain as professional as possible Wanda can feel her cheeks heating. There was clearly a great deal of care in his creation. His body is perfect, if she's being entirely honest, and the magic that sustains him very precisely woven into and through his flesh.]
You don't need to apologize. Mud can be cleaned.
[She's hovering with a furrowed brow, both inspecting his body for injuries and ready to lend a hand where his knowledge fails him. Fortunately Wanda is not so easily distracted by the memory of his skin under her hands or the sight of his naked body when she's in a healer's mindset.]
What should I call you?
no subject
That is a good question.
[He thinks back, remembering the first few moments before everything went sideways. Had his creators given him a name?
--it worked! It really worked!
Of course it worked! We did all the calculations.
Your calculations aren't always right, you know.
I knew these would be. And now my vision has come to life. What's that banging?--
Ah, yes. There it was. He says it like he's not quite sure, but it's the only thing that matches.]
Vision.
no subject
[Okay, it's a little late for introductions and she can feel her mother's disapproval at her lack of manners, but to be fair, he did stumble naked into her bushes.]
I see some places you're hurt. [Her hand begins to glow again, but it's nothing more than raw power.] I can heal you, but it might feel a little strange. Is that all right?
no subject
[There are little lacerations and bruises everywhere, a few large scrapes from close encounters with trees, and a set of throbbing pulses along his spine where the lightning energy originally flowed into him that haven't recovered yet. Add to that the exhaustion of running and the heartache from everything else, and he feels sore all over. So it's with no real reluctance that he nods to her question.]
Yes.
[Because when everything is new to you, what isn't strange?
Still, the wounds close up and the battered flesh knits itself together again, joining comfortably with the metal in a way that flesh usually doesn't. And--he has no idea this is happening, but the hunger he was feeling before vanishes as well. To him it's just a different kind of discomfort, but perhaps in the future he'll be able to eat to heal himself.
When she finishes, he brings his hand up to cup her cheek gently. He's still exhausted, but the absence of pain is unspeakably good.] Thank you.
no subject
She also wasn't really thinking when she rested a hand on his newly-healed shoulder to steady herself as she worked on the worst of the injuries on his spine. Not until afterwards, when she pulled away and felt the familiar ache of loneliness. It gnaws at her while she works her way around his arm to his chest to finish, but she doesn't touch him again. She...probably should have been more careful not to touch him at all. That's usually best, but Vision's been so unafraid of her that she'd just forgotten.
And so she has no defense when he cups her cheek in thanks, not a single speck of resolve to prevent her from sighing in relief, closing her still-glowing eyes, and leaning into that touch. A heartbeat later, her hand comes up to rest lightly on his.
Her eyes are green again when she opens them to meet his, feeling extremely exposed but not vulnerable. There are only pure intentions behind the touch. She feels it and that must be why something in her has crumbled so quickly.
She's blushing again, but it takes a moment to find her words or her feet.]
I should...I think there are clothes here that will fit.
[And with that, she ducks her head and darts behind him to check one of the wardrobes. At the very least, there should be some sleeping pants in here that will fit him.
And hopefully she'll have recovered before she has to turn to face him again.]
no subject
That was a nice feeling, though, having her rest her cheek against his hand like that. It feels like the least he can do to thank her - he may not know much, but he does know magic isn't easy to use, not with the kind of precision she's shown him. Maybe that's why her blood flow suddenly increased? He's not sure why else her face would have turned red just as soon as that glow from her eyes faded.
He takes the offered pants and considers them thoughtfully.]
How do I wear them?
[Yes, he's seen people wearing pants, but it wasn't exactly what he'd been focusing on at the time. And it seems obvious you're supposed to get them on your legs somehow, but it's not like he's ever worn clothing before.]
no subject
Like this--
[Wanda turns back to him to demonstrate but has a little more time before she has to meet his gaze again. Good. Her cheeks still feel warm.]
You balance on one leg and put the other through, and then balance on that leg to put the other one in. And then you pull it up to your waist and tie it.
[Her skirts are in the way so she can only get the pants up to her knees but hopefully it's enough. She shuffles out of them, straightens, and hands them back to him.
Fortunately, she seems to have mostly recovered by now.]
You don't have to wear it if you don't want to, but I thought you might be more comfortable.
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He ties them at the waist and moves around a bit, experimentally.] Is this correct?
[And he does feel...better. Not just because of the healing and the bath, though those help, but it's starting to sink in that it's safe here, with this strange, kind woman. He's not even quite as exhausted as he was. So, still a little hesitant but not as much as before, he glances over at the doorway leading back to the rest of the house.]
Can I...will you show me around?
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[A shirt can be a future lesson, if her frequent guests have even left anything that will fit him.
She smiles and reaches for his hand to lead him from the room. This time the contact is intended purely to be a source of comfort for him, but Wanda would be lying if she said she didn't also enjoy it.]
This is your room for as long as you want to stay.
[Leaving the room, they find themselves facing another door. Wanda continues:] That door is my room. If you need something or you're afraid, I want you to wake me up, all right? I am probably not actually sleeping.
[Moving left is the room they first entered: a shared kitchen and dining space. The cooking fire seems a little off - it's just a little bit too red to be natural fire. Here there are many rugs and furs on the floor, and there's even the tiniest of bars to accommodate her guests.
The table, however, might be most interesting - the tablecloth is richly embroidered with sigils of fae origin seamlessly woven into the design along the edges.]
This is where we eat. I have some soup cooking for later, but I can get anything you want.
[And behind them, past the bedrooms, is the living space. There's a large fireplace here, still with odd red-tinted fire, surrounded by very comfy chairs and piles of extra pillows and blankets. Ivy winds around the fireplace and the mantel is covered in candles and crystals, The rugs here are more luxurious than the ones elsewhere in the house, clearly made for sitting on.
There are several musical instruments in the room, too, and a small scattering of sheet music.]
This is the living room and most of my books. You can read anything you want, and I have some games if you want to learn.
[There's the basement, and the ladder to the loft, and Wanda thinks about leaving it at that but...no, the loft is a treat and she wants to see the look on his face.]
Do you want to see the loft?
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When he gets to the living room, he smiles shyly - perhaps the first time he's done that, ever. He approaches the fireplace and holds out his hands to warm them, closing his eyes and relaxing just as he had in the hot bath. After a few long breaths, he opens his eyes again and turns to her, the glow of his smile still on his face and in his eyes.]
I like this. This is good.
[And it's not just the fire, though he takes its reddish color as a sign of welcome. After all, he's rather reddish himself. But this room is comfortable. Every piece of it is something that can be used or admired, none of it wasted. He can easily picture himself here--although at that thought his smile fades, replaced by a furrowed brow.] Do you...live here alone? [Because it's a large space for only one person, isn't it?
But then at the question he perks up. She looks excited about this loft.] Yes.
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Not completely? Zora is hiding from the storm but you'll meet her soon. And I have friends who sometimes stay with me for a while.
[She's excited enough to show him the loft that she doesn't even realize that by starting up the ladder first, she's given him a direct view up her skirt. Oops.
...but the loft really is stunning. Ivy mingled with softly glowing blue and purple flowers covers the ceiling and a small altar casts gentle silvery light, so while there are many candles up here, there's no need for them beyond setting the mood.
Wanda may use this room for being closer to cosmic energy, but it's also something between a meditation area and a lovers' retreat. The bed in the far corner is a nest of soft furs, blankets, and pillows. She's only brought someone here a bare handful of times, even counting this, but she doesn't mind. Vision can't have seen much beauty in his short life. Maybe he'll like the flowers.]
What do you think?
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The worry is pushed from his mind when he pokes his head up to the loft (alas, not noticing the view up Wanda's skirt as anything out of the ordinary). There's a power here he can feel, and it's similar enough to the magic that made him that he's able to relax again. And it's cozy, and the plant life makes it even more welcoming. That elusive smile comes out to play again, and the patter of rain on the roof above them finally sounds comfortable instead of threatening.]
It's beautiful.
[He takes her hand again, because she seems to like that.]
I am...truly welcome to stay here with you?
[It's what she's said before, but it still seems appropriate to ask. Maybe after some time he'll feel the need to leave, but right now what he needs is a peaceful place to process everything that's happened to him, to try and figure out who he is.
And it's starting to become clear to him that not only is this the right place to do that, Wanda might be the right person to help him out with it, too.]
I would like that very much.
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She'd like to see him smile like that more, she thinks. And these little touches...
It feels right to hold his hand, something deeper than the simple relief of contact.]
As long as you want, [she says softly, ever-so-tentatively raising her free hand to cup his cheek in mirror of his earlier actions. She'll pull away if he seems uncomfortable, but if not...if they both like these reassuring touches, what point is there in suffering separately? He's initiated almost as much with her as she has with him.]
I'd like that, too. It is...lonely here, sometimes. But safe.
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I want to be safe. [And there's that small smile again.] But--perhaps not lonely, if you are here?
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And this time, her cheeks heat again when he smiles. He evokes such soft emotions in her and it's...nice, to feel connected to someone again. Maybe even wanted. Either way, Wanda finds she welcomes this new vulnerability.]
Yes. We don't need to be alone anymore.
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[The heavy rain on the roof is such good white noise that Vision suddenly finds his eyelids drooping. He blinks to keep them open, and it occurs to him that even with the energy boost from the hot bath his flesh is tired. And it is getting later into the night - he should probably try sleeping. He's not sure he needs it, but his body is certainly demanding some kind of rest. He exhales, a bit regretfully because sleeping means he can't look around the house any more, but it'll be there when he gets up. Right?
Either that or this is all a very vivid hallucination.]
I think I should go to sleep now. My energy reserves are low.
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[There's a soft wryness to her tone, the barest hint of humor in her smile.]
You can take either bed in the guest room. And if you need anything, I'll be up a little longer. [A pause, a gentle sweep of her thumb over his cheekbone.] Sleep well, Vision.
[And it's with great regret that she lets him go and moves to make her way back to the ladder.]
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He follows her back down the ladder and over to the rooms, pausing outside her door. "Thank you" is inadequate, and anything else is too premature. He settles on a middle ground.] I am glad that this is where my feet led me. Sleep well, Wanda.
[And he turns to go back to the guest room, picking a bed at random. After a little puzzled poking around, he figures out he needs to get under the blankets and lies down properly. His body is exhausted and all he wants is warmth and rest. he closes his eyes.
An hour later, he's still laying there with his eyes closed, fully awake and unable to turn off his mind. Noises from outside the house keep him up, or perhaps it's the way he can't seem to settle down, replaying the events of the day over and over. Or maybe he doesn't like being alone? Well, Wanda had said he could ask her if he couldn't sleep, so he gets up and pads his way back over to her door, knocking lightly.]
I am afraid I cannot sleep.
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And it's been a year since the...incident. A year since she decided she could never truly belong anywhere. She can't be herself around other humans (if she even counts as human anymore) and while the fae princes would gladly have allowed her to remain with them, she doesn't really fit in there either. It's nice to visit. But not to stay.
And Vision's the first person she's met who she thinks might understand. Wanda sees a kindred need for a place to belong in him, and clearly the world hasn't been particularly kind to either of them. Maybe for a little while, they can soothe each other's desperate need for companionship.
...until he breaks her heart when he leaves. Wanda's no child; she knows what she feels for him could easily grow into love if properly cultivated. She's only setting herself up for pain by wondering if he can or might begin to feel the same way for her, if there's any chance he might decide to stay for good...but as she picks at her dinner she can't stop her imagination from wandering.
It's the purity of his heart and mind, his smile, those eyes she could get lost in, and his surprisingly lovely voice. Wanda just...doesn't want to lose them, even if she masters her feelings enough to keep them from growing beyond the softer side of platonic.
She's still lost in thought as she goes through her nightly routine and even her bath, her favorite indulgence, does little to comfort her. She settles into bed with a book and a cup of tea, hoping that maybe this will get her mind to behave, when she hears a soft knock.
The Wanda who answers the door seems much more vulnerable - the lacy silken shift doesn't leave a single curve to the imagination and all of her jewelry's gone. This is Wanda the woman, not Wanda the Scarlet Witch.]
It is not as easy as it sounds. [Her smile's sympathetic, one insomniac to another.] Come in.
[She leads him through an L-shaped room that is clearly part study, part workshop, and her (much smaller) magical library. It curls around her actual bedroom, and in the dim light soft sigils to ward off psychic attacks and encourage peaceful sleep pulse on the shared exterior walls. Questions for another time, perhaps, because Wanda pays them no mind.
The small fire in her bedroom still gives enough light to see, but barely. Which Wanda is thankful for. This room is truly made for comfort but not necessarily to be seen - her makeup and jewelry are disorganized and strewn across a dresser and today's outfit is on the floor where she'd left it.
Oops.
But again, Wanda has other, more pressing, things on her mind. She takes a seat on the side of the bed and gently pats the area next to her.]
Do you want to talk about it? Maybe there's some way I can help.
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His eyes take in everything he passes, but he'll have to ask about them later. Right now he's exhausted and barely processes his surroundings, just enough not to trip on any of the scattered items on the bedroom floor. He sits down next to her and is silent for a moment.
Does he want to talk about it? What can he even say that will explain the hard knot of hurt and anxiety that was his first day alive? And yet, he can already feel it loosening in her presence. Here she is, living proof that not everyone is afraid of him, that there is kindness here.
It's probably been an awkwardly long silence by the time he actually answers, and the words come slowly - though not as slurred as they were earlier.]
I told you I was dangerous. What I failed to tell you was that this is the first day I've been awake, and that after a very brief time with my creators I was attacked, blamed for their deaths, and driven away from the town. I think they either believe I am dead, or that the monsters in the forest will have a new member.
[Are there even monsters in the forest? If Wanda is considered one of them, and the townspeople are considered "good", perhaps he has a fundamental misunderstanding of language.]
Are you certain I should be here with you?
[He wants to be. He wants so badly to stay here, in this warm and living home full of magic, kept by someone who welcomed him. He feels safe around her. Her reassurance that he can't hurt her is actually believable, and yet it isn't truly himself he's worried about. It's the people who were so afraid of him - what if they come here? Is her lovely house safe? Is she safe? He tenses up just thinking about it, despite the soreness that's crept back in after the healing and hot bath.]
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Tentatively, Wanda reaches out to rest a hand on his forearm in silent comfort. Even with her magic, sleep doesn't come easy to her and she's perfectly willing to stay up as long as he needs her.
And oh...oh. No wonder he can't sleep. She's lucky he'll let her anywhere near him after having such awful experiences with humans.]
Vision, I...I'm so sorry. I knew something had happened, but...
[She hadn't thought it would be that bad, and she hadn't wanted to pry any deeper than she had to once she'd seen how utterly pure his mind was. She should be more suspicious of golems after...after everything, but after she'd touched his thoughts she just couldn't.
He's...precious. He deserves to be protected, to know happiness, and Wanda's going to do everything in her power to make sure of it. Her own safety is not a factor in this equation: there are reasons people fear her, and not all of them are bullshit.]
You are not a monster. And I won't let anyone hurt you again. [Her expression softens and Wanda shifts, her other hand tentatively reaching out but not quite touching.]
Can I...would you like a hug?
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And because she's shown him kindness and beauty, and because he isn't the only lonely one here right now, he reaches out for her as well and meets her halfway, and he holds her as close as he dares. It's awkward--he's still learning his body, not to mention how it interfaces with other people--and it's very, very gentle. He knows his own strength, and it could crush her if he isn't careful, and most of all if he's going too far he wants her to be able to back away without feeling trapped.
He doesn't cry. It isn't part of how he was made. But there is a shuddering quality to his breathing, and his voice is more raw when he speaks again.]
Thank you.
[He wants to add I don't want to be alone, but--something stops him short of that. She'd offered a hug, not to share her bed, and even he knows that's a much bigger line to cross.]
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If nothing else, at least she can soothe that snarl of loneliness in him.
She would hesitate to invite him to her bed were he a normal man, but Wanda doesn't have to probe his mind to know he wouldn't harm her or take advantage. Gently, she smooths her hands over his skin in rhythmic motions, guiding his head down to rest against her.]
Do you want to stay? This room is warded and I have ways to help quiet your mind so you can rest.
[A heartbeat passes, just enough for Wanda to lean into him a little more.]
It's all right. I know you won't hurt me.
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