[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.]
[She knows just the right thing to say to stifle his objections; he does want to stay, and though he's no expert in such things the bed seems to be more than large enough for the both of them. Whatever else went into his creation, he has definitely ended up as a social creature. The relief in his tone is palpable.]
I do wish to stay.
[He's not moving out of the hug just yet, though. It just feels so good, and her easy acceptance is doing a great deal to relax him. He exhales and continues, a little mournfully.]
I am not entirely certain if I am capable of sleep, however.
[Wanda's certainly showing no sign of releasing him soon. Is it selfish, she wonders, to be glad that he wants to stay as much as she wants him to? That he wants to hold her as long as she wants (needs) to hold him? Wanda doesn't want to take advantage of him, but she just can't leave him to suffer either.
And so she holds him, content to just be, as her hands find a pattern tracing soothing circles following the textures in his back.]
If you are...my magic can affect minds. I can help you, if you want to me to try. And if you can't, I have the books I read when I can't sleep.
[A small pile on the nightstand and beside the bed - comfort books, Wanda calls them. It's mostly sappy romances and feel-good stories mixed with some fairytales and legends from faraway lands.]
But you can stay with me either way. Sometimes it's...easier, to have someone with you. And it's normal to want it. [A few more heartbeats pass while Wanda wonders if she should continue. Vision isn't like anyone she's ever met, so maybe it's all right to make a small admission of her own.] I will probably sleep better too.
[He sighs in relief, and his embrace grows more firm as she tells him he can stay. It feels so nice to have her in his arms, both from a purely physical standpoint and because it eases that knot of hurt in him to know there's someone who not only doesn't mind having him around, but who actually wants him to be there. It's not just a needy favor if it helps her out too, right?]
I will stay, then. Even if I cannot sleep, I would like to be with you.
[Tentatively, he reaches up to stroke her hair. It looks so soft, and so different from his hairless body; she's hitting just the right chord with her hands on his back, and it feels one-sided not to do something in return. And it's helping - his eyelids droop of their own accord, and his breathing calms down. Eventually, he murmurs into her ear.]
[How is he so unwittingly charming? Wanda's stomach does a series of pleasant flips and it's fortunate that she can't see his face (those eyes) or she's sure she'd just melt. There's no use in denying it - there's a definite connection between them and in his earnestness Vision has quickly become very dear to her heart.
A soft, pleased sound escapes her as he begins to stroke her hair (really, for someone who hasn't been alive a day he has no right to be this smooth) and Wanda's eyes slide shut. The world shrinks to the warmth surrounding her, the fingers in her hair, and the mingled flesh and metal under her hands. Wanda's not sure how long they stay like this, but it's...wonderful. She feels like she's become heavy in his arms and yet Vision holds her like she weighs nothing.
She might be starting to drift off, but fortunately Vision speaks up before he ends up stuck with a sleeping witch in his arms.]
Mmmmm...yes, yes we should.
[She blinks, raising her head from his (warm) shoulder and loosening the embrace just enough so that one hand rests on his side and the other ever-so-lightly on his chest. She doesn't want to let go any more than he does, even though some shifting is necessary if they're to sleep.]
Lay back and try to get comfortable. I can take the other side of the bed or we can...we can stay like this. If you want to.
[She flushes. Normally she doesn't have problems expressing her desires but Vision is so...so different. Everything is new to him, and while Wanda feels no embarrassment at letting him into her bed or wanting him close, Vision's comfort is her only goal. It has to be his choice.]
[Moving slowly so that Wanda's hands remain on him the whole time, Vision moves around until he's laying comfortably on the bed. it's nearly the same as the guest bed, just a little more sunken-in from steadier use, and yet the woman at his side makes all the difference. He would probably be fine with her on the other side of the bed. It's not far, and just the sound of her breathing helps.
And yet.]
I want you to stay, if you do not mind.
[It's selfish, it's so selfish to want her to tend to his every desire, and yet she's offering. She did say it got lonely here, and perhaps...perhaps she feels isolated, like he does. Why, he hasn't the foggiest idea, but maybe the townsfolk weren't very welcoming to her, either. Why else would she live out here all by herself?]
Wanda--
[She's got her hand on his heart; she can feel its beats increasing in pace compared to the slower, resting rate it had been approaching before.]
If I stay with you, would it help you to be less lonely?
[He's not just talking about tonight. This house with its easy integration of magic would be a good place for him to learn about who he is as much as what he can do, and his host might appreciate the company. Sure, he can help out with other things around the house as well - surely having another pair of hands to do work or pair of eyes to do research can come in handy - but he felt that she's sincerely meant it when she said he was welcome.]
[If he could feel her heartbeat, he'd find that its rate has increased too. She just wants to get this right, to make things better for him. Vision is sweet and charming and precious and so, so pure and...and perfect.
She wants him to stay. She doesn't want either of them to be alone anymore.
She wants to be allowed to let her affection grow into love. She wants to love him, regardless of who or what he is.
She wants him, in whatever way she can be part of his existence, and the sudden force of her wanting takes her by surprise.]
I want you to stay, [she whispers breathlessly, leaning into this vulnerability. Slowly Wanda shifts to settle beside him, warm skin and silk pressed to flesh and metal, her hand still resting on his heart.]
Vision, I... [Her heart is too full for words and Vision lays so perfect and beautiful beneath her that there's only one response Wanda can manage. Slowly, so he can stop her if she wishes, Wanda leans over him and presses a single, soft kiss to his cheek.] Yes. I couldn't be lonely if you were here.
[Oh. Oh, that warms his heart, and the resulting smile on his face has a brilliance that puts his former attempts at the expression to shame. He's not brave enough to kiss her back, not yet, but he does reach down to her free hand and tangle it up in his as a wordless gesture of approval.]
Then I shall stay.
[The words come easily to him, and why not? It's not as if he has anywhere else to go. That he'd so quickly found someone to help him, someone who seemed to need a companion as much as he did--
--maybe it was coincidence and maybe it was the magical forces working in ways he doesn't yet understand, but it feels right. Maybe (almost certainly) his creators hadn't intended for this to happen, but if the pieces of the puzzle fit together there's no reason not to try.
He feels confident that he'll be able to sleep now. And so.]
Good night, Wanda.
[With no trouble at all, he drifts off into the unconsciousness of a golem's rest. It's not true sleep - it won't feel like a human sleeping to her powers -but it's not too far off it, either.]
[It feels so inadequate, but Wanda squeezes his hand, smiling warmly. Oh, she would do much to see that kind of smile on his face again. He's so beautiful...
Wanda feels no shame in the eagerness with which she curls up at his side. She isn't resting on Vision's chest like she would sleep with a lover, but she keeps an arm draped over him and her forehead pressed against his warmth. This feels...right.
Her eyelids feel so heavy that she can't seem to keep them open much longer.]
Sleep well, Vision. I'll be here.
[They drift off together, and although Wanda keeps a loose eye on his mind to ensure that no nightmares come, she can't fight sleep for long.
One minute she's marveling over the strange way Vision's 'sleep' feels to her, and the next she's opening her eyes to morning sunlight.]
Mmmmph. [She curls away from it, further into Vision's side. She actually got restful sleep last night and her bed is so comfortable...
...but someone is having none of that, jumping on the bed and meowing as if she's never once been fed in her life.]
[His rest is long, uninterrupted, and badly needed by his still-adjusting mind. The comfort of having Wanda right there next to him has to be a factor: he feels safe, and because he feels safe he can truly relax. The light doesn't wake him up, nor does Wanda's stretching out next to him, but as son as he feels the slight weight of the cat on the bed he wakes up and, startled, phases entirely through the top blankets and barely manages to catch himself on--thin air?
Now he's floating and blinking, very confused, at the orange fluffball that doesn't seem to care if he's there or not as long as he gives her food, now.
Wait. Wanda had said she lived with someone. And when she says the cat's name, it all clicks into place. With a little bit of effort, he alights back on the bed, manages to make himself solid again, and addresses the cat directly as if it's a person.]
[He sure did just phase through the blanket. Zora doesn't care but Wanda jumps, hands hovering unsure at his sides until he floats back to the bed. Either she's seeing things or he was just weirdly transparent for a moment there, but when she lays a hand on his shoulder she finds it warms and solid.]
Are you all right?
[She's never seen a golem do that before. Or anyone else for that matter. Not even Loki.
Right now her attention is solely on Vision and Zora's having none of it. Purring, she climbs into Wanda's lap, nuzzling her and demanding that the witch shift her focus. And eventually Wanda scoops her up for a proper introduction.]
I--believe I am. I, er, wasn't aware I could do that. [Considering it was a startle reaction, it's entirely possible he hadn't been able to phase before. He is very new, and still discovering what he is and isn't capable of. But he'll check that out later. Right now, he reaches up to squeeze Wanda's hand, solid and warm.] I am sorry to have startled you.
[And he at least had had such a pleasant night. The few times he'd surfaced to near-consciousness, he'd been aware of Wanda curled up against him and, feeling safe, had sunk back into rest. Now, initial reaction aside, he's feeling rested and ready to face whatever today may bring.
And so he confronts the culprit, who seems to be sniffing at his tentatively offered hand and wondering if he can provide food. Once she seems satisfied that he's friendly, he scratches at the top of her head.] Hello there, Zora. What brings you to us this morning?
I was just worried about you. I've never seen that before.
[Wanda squeezes his hand back and flashes a reassuring smile. It's all right; the phasing itself didn't frighten her. He could never - there's just too much innate goodness in him. She couldn't have slept so soundly at his side otherwise.
And she definitely would have slept longer if she'd actually made certain the door was closed last night.]
Breakfast. But-- [Her tone changes to something more cutesy and she is clearly talking to the cat.] you know you're not allowed in here, Zora. Too many things that are not for cats.
[Zora meows as if to say 'but what if the were for cats?' and Wanda laughs. She has one arm around her cat and the other hand in Vision's and can't remember the last time she felt this kind of effortless joy.
She gives Vision's hand another squeeze.]
I'm going to feed her. Are you hungry, too?
[It might be a stupid question, and Wanda's not even sure if he can eat. But it seems kinder to treat him as she would anyone else and let Vision correct her where she's wrong.]
Nor have I. I may have to test it again under more controlled circumstances. [There should be plenty of time for that. After all, what else is he supposed to do with himself? Help Wanda out around the house, obviously. Start reading some of the books she has out in the living room - that could be fascinating. Assist her with her magical studies...he blinks. Really? Where did that idea come from? He'll have to investigate that feeling as well.
And above all there's this desire to spend more time with her. She's welcomed him into her home--her life, really--and he finds himself wanting that laugh and that smile. If he can wake up to this every morning, he'll look forward to going to sleep. more importantly, she seems to want his presence as much as he wants to be here. Maybe he can make a life here after all.
He ruffles the cat's fur with his free hand and considers Wanda's question. Is he hungry?] I am not certain. I suppose I could try to eat something.
[Which means they should probably get up out of the comfortable bed, reluctant though he is. He gives her hand one last squeeze and then detangles himself so he can stand up, still wearing only the loose pants from yesterday.]
[There's a generous amount of humor in her voice.] Yes. It's time for Zora to eat.
[All her power, and a tiny little cat can force her to get out of bed before she's ready. Wanda lets Zora go, and she happily jumps off the bed to start nuzzling Vision's legs. He's standing first; maybe he will go and feed her.
It only takes extracting herself from the covers for Wanda to start missing Vision's warmth and she grabs a red wrap for warmth before (carefully! Zora is very underfoot) making her way to the kitchen.
And this time she hangs back enough to make sure the bedroom door is closed.]
One day, when you know what you like, I will cook for you. But today I want you to be able to choose.
[Wanda knows she's not making a lot of sense now, but maybe, as she walks past the kitchen and directly to the table, some of the pieces will begin to fall into place. She leans against the table, both palms flat against it, and says something in another language that makes the embroidered sigils flare with scarlet power.
And suddenly plates of food begin to appear.
There are all the traditional breakfast offerings: eggs and sausages, golden-brown pancakes and waffles, Danish pastries in a variety of flavors, cinnamon rolls, the tiniest plate of bacon, and a bowl of fruit. Wanda's guidance has also added some more exotic dishes: sweet cheese blintzes drenched in strawberry sauce, some sort of strange whipped fruit concoction from the tables of the fae, and, of course, burek and yogurt.
One cup of coffee prepared exactly the way Wanda likes it has also appeared, along with the necessary supplies for Vision to experiment with his own and two cups of tea.
It's far more than they could possibly eat together, but since Thor could easily eat everything in Wanda's pantry over the course of a few meals, it's completely invaluable. And it saves her from being at the mercy of trade and harvest. Someone must care for her to have gifted her with such a wonderful item - Wanda's power feeds it, but it isn't her magic.
...and she has definitely overexerted herself summoning far more food than she normally would. It's subtle in the way her fingers clutch at the tablecloth or how heavily she'd been leaning on the table to start with. Wanda's first step is a little wobbly but she hopes Vision won't notice.
All of his firsts have been tainted. She wants his first meal to be perfect and a few moments of discomfort are a small price to pay if she can just see him smile again.]
Try anything you like. I just need a minute to feed Zora.
[Sorry Zora, you're very cute, but (also cute) guests first.]
[All right, but the little cat friend is just charming. Vision is careful to stay very still when she brushes up against his legs, and watches where he walks so he doesn't trip on her. What a luxuriously fluffy tail she has! Perhaps after they eat he'll be able to convince her to let him touch that silky-soft fur some more.
He watches Wanda carefully as she activates the magic, nodding subconsciously when he sees the flare on the symbols. Yes, he can see the energies as the pattern behind them, and even if she is a little wobbly after it activates he's impressed with the amount of power she must have to be able to fuel it all at once. So it's half in appreciation of that and half slightly awed at the selection that appears that gives the warmth to his voice.]
Thank you. This is wonderful.
[And what is there to do besides try and taste everything? He goes for the gold or red-colored items first - eggs and bacon, a pancake and a blintz with strawberries, some fruit. And he has to grab a burek simply because it looks impressive.
Once his plate is loaded he sits at a chair and waits for Wanda to join him; he feels that he should wait until everyone is seated before eating, and he seems to have the knowledge of how to use silverware in his mind already. What an odd skillset for him to possess.
Once she's seated and looking expectantly at him, he cuts a small bit off one of the blintzes and bites in, chewing carefully, and there's that smile as he closes his eyes and swallows.]
This is very good. I like it. Which is your favorite?
[He continues to try little bites of everything, not eating like someone who's starved but rather as someone who's enjoying the process thoroughly.]
[Once Zora's fed, Wanda comes back to the table and loads her plate with eggs, one of the blintzes (with a generous amount of the strawberry sauce), and some of the strange whipped fruit. The burek's traditional (and was one of Pietro's favorites), but it's a little heavier than she prefers at this hour.
She's still feeling a little shaky from exerting so much power at once, but that smile...that smile makes it all worth it. Wanda can feel heat rising to her cheeks again and quickly tries to mask it by reaching for her coffee.
She can't help it. That smile makes her melt, and he's still not wearing a shirt and that's not helping. Spending the night at Vision's side has done absolutely nothing to put a damper on this almost magnetic attraction she feels for him.
Just...just give her a minute. A few sips of coffee to recover. Thank goodness his creators at least saw fit to teach him how to eat, because if she had to feed him she'd be in trouble.]
Those blintzes. Or maybe this? [She indicates the fae concoction with her fork.] They are not always made with strawberries but this is my favorite way to eat them.
[Oh, now he has to try that one, and it's just as good as advertised. In fact, there's nothing on the spread he doesn't like, up to and including the coffee (which he tries black). He only takes a little of each dish, though, and sits back with a contented sigh and a pair of sausages to nibble on once he's sampled it all.]
I don't believe I can eat anything further right now, but thank you very much. This has been an excellent breakfast. I hope it didn't tire you overmuch?
[Because yeah, he did catch that it took a bit out of her. She doesn't look worn out now that she's had a bit to eat, though, and Vision impulsively reaches over to squeeze Wanda's hand. He's not sure why, but it feels good to have physical contact with her. Maybe because she doesn't shy away at his touch?]
You've been a great help to me, Wanda. I'd like to help you here, but I am not quite certain how to do that. [He hesitates just a moment.] If that is something you would not mind, do you think you could show me what it is you do?
[...maybe tomorrow she can introduce him to cream and sugar, but for now, this is a good start. Wanda's pleased she's been able to give Vision a good first something and squeezes his hand back without hesitation.]
I'm all right, I just needed to eat. Usually it is not so bad, but...I wanted you to have choices.
[She lays her free hand on the table and speaks a different word of command, her eyes flash red, and all the food just...vanishes. All that's left is whatever beverages remain in their cups.]
Do you want to help me make potions and medicines? There are people I trust to trade with for the things I can't get for myself.
[And if Vision's staying, she should get him some of his own things. His own clothes, to start with, but also other home-y things that will help him feel like he has a place to belong. But she's not going to tell him that and leave him room to protest - it's going to be a surprise.
...he's never had one of those either, has he? Excellent.]
[It had been nice to try a little bit of everything, although most of it was so good he'll have a hard time picking from it all for a smaller meal later. Even the sharp taste of the black coffee is welcome to his senses, and so he takes another sip, considering.]
Yes, as long as you allow me to observe you first. It's rather delicate and precise work, is it not?
[It would have to be, he thinks. And it might take a little practice before he can do much actual mixing, but at the very least he could fetch ingredients for her or look up recipes. And--medicines help people. He likes the idea. (Potions can go either way, really.)
Oh, right, clothing. He glances down at the loose pants he's wearing and frowns slightly. He'd seen last night what a difference there was between daytime Wanda and nightwear Wanda, and it had made an impression on him. There is one major problem, though.]
I don't know what to wear. Will you help me once you're dressed?
[And in the meantime, he can go poke around in the wardrobes in the guest room. There might or might not be anything in his size, but he can at least get an idea of what he might like. There are certainly colors he recognizes he's drawn to. Maybe Wanda can tell him if they look good against his unusual coloring.
In fact, while she's off changing (he wonders if she'll wear her working clothes again, like yesterday, and give off that same impression of power), he starts pulling out a few different options and laying them on one of the beds. There sure is a lot of green in there, but there are a few of other colors ranging from voluminous black robes (those will at least fit him, he could wear that if nothing else), some reds and golds and undyed linen shirts, even a few items in blue and silver. Some of the garments he's not even sure how to wear, so he could use a little help.]
[She smiles warmly - he's very sweet, and not in a cloying way. It's just part of his good nature.]
It is, but you might surprise yourself.
[This is, after all, one of the reasons some mages choose to work with golems. Wanda's determined not to allow 'helping' her get to 'doing it for her,' but she understands the need for purpose. It's good to have something useful to do instead of sitting around all day.]
See if you find anything you like in the wardrobes? I need a minute to change and then I can come help.
['A minute' turns out to be an understatement. Wanda joins him later dressed not as a witch but a woman falling in love: a soft burgundy dress with delicate embellishments, a black cincher, her usual multitude of rings and layered necklaces (with a cosmic theme this time), and, of course, the same eye makeup she'd worn the day before. Her hair is half pulled back and there are tiny red blossoms nestled in the dark braids.
If she'd worn boots this outfit might have the same aura of power, but barefoot as she is, the effect is much softer, just shy of being able to be called 'sweet.']
It looks like you found a lot of things, [she says with a soft laugh. They're not bad choices, either, just...some of them really aren't appropriate for this kind of work.] What did you like best?
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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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I do wish to stay.
[He's not moving out of the hug just yet, though. It just feels so good, and her easy acceptance is doing a great deal to relax him. He exhales and continues, a little mournfully.]
I am not entirely certain if I am capable of sleep, however.
[...it's not like he's ever done it before.]
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And so she holds him, content to just be, as her hands find a pattern tracing soothing circles following the textures in his back.]
If you are...my magic can affect minds. I can help you, if you want to me to try. And if you can't, I have the books I read when I can't sleep.
[A small pile on the nightstand and beside the bed - comfort books, Wanda calls them. It's mostly sappy romances and feel-good stories mixed with some fairytales and legends from faraway lands.]
But you can stay with me either way. Sometimes it's...easier, to have someone with you. And it's normal to want it. [A few more heartbeats pass while Wanda wonders if she should continue. Vision isn't like anyone she's ever met, so maybe it's all right to make a small admission of her own.] I will probably sleep better too.
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I will stay, then. Even if I cannot sleep, I would like to be with you.
[Tentatively, he reaches up to stroke her hair. It looks so soft, and so different from his hairless body; she's hitting just the right chord with her hands on his back, and it feels one-sided not to do something in return. And it's helping - his eyelids droop of their own accord, and his breathing calms down. Eventually, he murmurs into her ear.]
I suppose we ought to lay down now.
[But he's reluctant to let go of her.]
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A soft, pleased sound escapes her as he begins to stroke her hair (really, for someone who hasn't been alive a day he has no right to be this smooth) and Wanda's eyes slide shut. The world shrinks to the warmth surrounding her, the fingers in her hair, and the mingled flesh and metal under her hands. Wanda's not sure how long they stay like this, but it's...wonderful. She feels like she's become heavy in his arms and yet Vision holds her like she weighs nothing.
She might be starting to drift off, but fortunately Vision speaks up before he ends up stuck with a sleeping witch in his arms.]
Mmmmm...yes, yes we should.
[She blinks, raising her head from his (warm) shoulder and loosening the embrace just enough so that one hand rests on his side and the other ever-so-lightly on his chest. She doesn't want to let go any more than he does, even though some shifting is necessary if they're to sleep.]
Lay back and try to get comfortable. I can take the other side of the bed or we can...we can stay like this. If you want to.
[She flushes. Normally she doesn't have problems expressing her desires but Vision is so...so different. Everything is new to him, and while Wanda feels no embarrassment at letting him into her bed or wanting him close, Vision's comfort is her only goal. It has to be his choice.]
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And yet.]
I want you to stay, if you do not mind.
[It's selfish, it's so selfish to want her to tend to his every desire, and yet she's offering. She did say it got lonely here, and perhaps...perhaps she feels isolated, like he does. Why, he hasn't the foggiest idea, but maybe the townsfolk weren't very welcoming to her, either. Why else would she live out here all by herself?]
Wanda--
[She's got her hand on his heart; she can feel its beats increasing in pace compared to the slower, resting rate it had been approaching before.]
If I stay with you, would it help you to be less lonely?
[He's not just talking about tonight. This house with its easy integration of magic would be a good place for him to learn about who he is as much as what he can do, and his host might appreciate the company. Sure, he can help out with other things around the house as well - surely having another pair of hands to do work or pair of eyes to do research can come in handy - but he felt that she's sincerely meant it when she said he was welcome.]
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She wants him to stay. She doesn't want either of them to be alone anymore.
She wants to be allowed to let her affection grow into love. She wants to love him, regardless of who or what he is.
She wants him, in whatever way she can be part of his existence, and the sudden force of her wanting takes her by surprise.]
I want you to stay, [she whispers breathlessly, leaning into this vulnerability. Slowly Wanda shifts to settle beside him, warm skin and silk pressed to flesh and metal, her hand still resting on his heart.]
Vision, I... [Her heart is too full for words and Vision lays so perfect and beautiful beneath her that there's only one response Wanda can manage. Slowly, so he can stop her if she wishes, Wanda leans over him and presses a single, soft kiss to his cheek.] Yes. I couldn't be lonely if you were here.
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Then I shall stay.
[The words come easily to him, and why not? It's not as if he has anywhere else to go. That he'd so quickly found someone to help him, someone who seemed to need a companion as much as he did--
--maybe it was coincidence and maybe it was the magical forces working in ways he doesn't yet understand, but it feels right. Maybe (almost certainly) his creators hadn't intended for this to happen, but if the pieces of the puzzle fit together there's no reason not to try.
He feels confident that he'll be able to sleep now. And so.]
Good night, Wanda.
[With no trouble at all, he drifts off into the unconsciousness of a golem's rest. It's not true sleep - it won't feel like a human sleeping to her powers -but it's not too far off it, either.]
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[It feels so inadequate, but Wanda squeezes his hand, smiling warmly. Oh, she would do much to see that kind of smile on his face again. He's so beautiful...
Wanda feels no shame in the eagerness with which she curls up at his side. She isn't resting on Vision's chest like she would sleep with a lover, but she keeps an arm draped over him and her forehead pressed against his warmth. This feels...right.
Her eyelids feel so heavy that she can't seem to keep them open much longer.]
Sleep well, Vision. I'll be here.
[They drift off together, and although Wanda keeps a loose eye on his mind to ensure that no nightmares come, she can't fight sleep for long.
One minute she's marveling over the strange way Vision's 'sleep' feels to her, and the next she's opening her eyes to morning sunlight.]
Mmmmph. [She curls away from it, further into Vision's side. She actually got restful sleep last night and her bed is so comfortable...
...but someone is having none of that, jumping on the bed and meowing as if she's never once been fed in her life.]
...Zora...
[Five more minutes? Please?]
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Now he's floating and blinking, very confused, at the orange fluffball that doesn't seem to care if he's there or not as long as he gives her food, now.
Wait. Wanda had said she lived with someone. And when she says the cat's name, it all clicks into place. With a little bit of effort, he alights back on the bed, manages to make himself solid again, and addresses the cat directly as if it's a person.]
My apologies, but you startled me.
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[He sure did just phase through the blanket. Zora doesn't care but Wanda jumps, hands hovering unsure at his sides until he floats back to the bed. Either she's seeing things or he was just weirdly transparent for a moment there, but when she lays a hand on his shoulder she finds it warms and solid.]
Are you all right?
[She's never seen a golem do that before. Or anyone else for that matter. Not even Loki.
Right now her attention is solely on Vision and Zora's having none of it. Purring, she climbs into Wanda's lap, nuzzling her and demanding that the witch shift her focus. And eventually Wanda scoops her up for a proper introduction.]
This is Zora.
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[And he at least had had such a pleasant night. The few times he'd surfaced to near-consciousness, he'd been aware of Wanda curled up against him and, feeling safe, had sunk back into rest. Now, initial reaction aside, he's feeling rested and ready to face whatever today may bring.
And so he confronts the culprit, who seems to be sniffing at his tentatively offered hand and wondering if he can provide food. Once she seems satisfied that he's friendly, he scratches at the top of her head.] Hello there, Zora. What brings you to us this morning?
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[Wanda squeezes his hand back and flashes a reassuring smile. It's all right; the phasing itself didn't frighten her. He could never - there's just too much innate goodness in him. She couldn't have slept so soundly at his side otherwise.
And she definitely would have slept longer if she'd actually made certain the door was closed last night.]
Breakfast. But-- [Her tone changes to something more cutesy and she is clearly talking to the cat.] you know you're not allowed in here, Zora. Too many things that are not for cats.
[Zora meows as if to say 'but what if the were for cats?' and Wanda laughs. She has one arm around her cat and the other hand in Vision's and can't remember the last time she felt this kind of effortless joy.
She gives Vision's hand another squeeze.]
I'm going to feed her. Are you hungry, too?
[It might be a stupid question, and Wanda's not even sure if he can eat. But it seems kinder to treat him as she would anyone else and let Vision correct her where she's wrong.]
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And above all there's this desire to spend more time with her. She's welcomed him into her home--her life, really--and he finds himself wanting that laugh and that smile. If he can wake up to this every morning, he'll look forward to going to sleep. more importantly, she seems to want his presence as much as he wants to be here. Maybe he can make a life here after all.
He ruffles the cat's fur with his free hand and considers Wanda's question. Is he hungry?] I am not certain. I suppose I could try to eat something.
[Which means they should probably get up out of the comfortable bed, reluctant though he is. He gives her hand one last squeeze and then detangles himself so he can stand up, still wearing only the loose pants from yesterday.]
To the kitchen, then?
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[All her power, and a tiny little cat can force her to get out of bed before she's ready. Wanda lets Zora go, and she happily jumps off the bed to start nuzzling Vision's legs. He's standing first; maybe he will go and feed her.
It only takes extracting herself from the covers for Wanda to start missing Vision's warmth and she grabs a red wrap for warmth before (carefully! Zora is very underfoot) making her way to the kitchen.
And this time she hangs back enough to make sure the bedroom door is closed.]
One day, when you know what you like, I will cook for you. But today I want you to be able to choose.
[Wanda knows she's not making a lot of sense now, but maybe, as she walks past the kitchen and directly to the table, some of the pieces will begin to fall into place. She leans against the table, both palms flat against it, and says something in another language that makes the embroidered sigils flare with scarlet power.
And suddenly plates of food begin to appear.
There are all the traditional breakfast offerings: eggs and sausages, golden-brown pancakes and waffles, Danish pastries in a variety of flavors, cinnamon rolls, the tiniest plate of bacon, and a bowl of fruit. Wanda's guidance has also added some more exotic dishes: sweet cheese blintzes drenched in strawberry sauce, some sort of strange whipped fruit concoction from the tables of the fae, and, of course, burek and yogurt.
One cup of coffee prepared exactly the way Wanda likes it has also appeared, along with the necessary supplies for Vision to experiment with his own and two cups of tea.
It's far more than they could possibly eat together, but since Thor could easily eat everything in Wanda's pantry over the course of a few meals, it's completely invaluable. And it saves her from being at the mercy of trade and harvest. Someone must care for her to have gifted her with such a wonderful item - Wanda's power feeds it, but it isn't her magic.
...and she has definitely overexerted herself summoning far more food than she normally would. It's subtle in the way her fingers clutch at the tablecloth or how heavily she'd been leaning on the table to start with. Wanda's first step is a little wobbly but she hopes Vision won't notice.
All of his firsts have been tainted. She wants his first meal to be perfect and a few moments of discomfort are a small price to pay if she can just see him smile again.]
Try anything you like. I just need a minute to feed Zora.
[Sorry Zora, you're very cute, but (also cute) guests first.]
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He watches Wanda carefully as she activates the magic, nodding subconsciously when he sees the flare on the symbols. Yes, he can see the energies as the pattern behind them, and even if she is a little wobbly after it activates he's impressed with the amount of power she must have to be able to fuel it all at once. So it's half in appreciation of that and half slightly awed at the selection that appears that gives the warmth to his voice.]
Thank you. This is wonderful.
[And what is there to do besides try and taste everything? He goes for the gold or red-colored items first - eggs and bacon, a pancake and a blintz with strawberries, some fruit. And he has to grab a burek simply because it looks impressive.
Once his plate is loaded he sits at a chair and waits for Wanda to join him; he feels that he should wait until everyone is seated before eating, and he seems to have the knowledge of how to use silverware in his mind already. What an odd skillset for him to possess.
Once she's seated and looking expectantly at him, he cuts a small bit off one of the blintzes and bites in, chewing carefully, and there's that smile as he closes his eyes and swallows.]
This is very good. I like it. Which is your favorite?
[He continues to try little bites of everything, not eating like someone who's starved but rather as someone who's enjoying the process thoroughly.]
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She's still feeling a little shaky from exerting so much power at once, but that smile...that smile makes it all worth it. Wanda can feel heat rising to her cheeks again and quickly tries to mask it by reaching for her coffee.
She can't help it. That smile makes her melt, and he's still not wearing a shirt and that's not helping. Spending the night at Vision's side has done absolutely nothing to put a damper on this almost magnetic attraction she feels for him.
Just...just give her a minute. A few sips of coffee to recover. Thank goodness his creators at least saw fit to teach him how to eat, because if she had to feed him she'd be in trouble.]
Those blintzes. Or maybe this? [She indicates the fae concoction with her fork.] They are not always made with strawberries but this is my favorite way to eat them.
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I don't believe I can eat anything further right now, but thank you very much. This has been an excellent breakfast. I hope it didn't tire you overmuch?
[Because yeah, he did catch that it took a bit out of her. She doesn't look worn out now that she's had a bit to eat, though, and Vision impulsively reaches over to squeeze Wanda's hand. He's not sure why, but it feels good to have physical contact with her. Maybe because she doesn't shy away at his touch?]
You've been a great help to me, Wanda. I'd like to help you here, but I am not quite certain how to do that. [He hesitates just a moment.] If that is something you would not mind, do you think you could show me what it is you do?
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I'm all right, I just needed to eat. Usually it is not so bad, but...I wanted you to have choices.
[She lays her free hand on the table and speaks a different word of command, her eyes flash red, and all the food just...vanishes. All that's left is whatever beverages remain in their cups.]
Do you want to help me make potions and medicines? There are people I trust to trade with for the things I can't get for myself.
[And if Vision's staying, she should get him some of his own things. His own clothes, to start with, but also other home-y things that will help him feel like he has a place to belong. But she's not going to tell him that and leave him room to protest - it's going to be a surprise.
...he's never had one of those either, has he? Excellent.]
But first we should probably get dressed.
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[It had been nice to try a little bit of everything, although most of it was so good he'll have a hard time picking from it all for a smaller meal later. Even the sharp taste of the black coffee is welcome to his senses, and so he takes another sip, considering.]
Yes, as long as you allow me to observe you first. It's rather delicate and precise work, is it not?
[It would have to be, he thinks. And it might take a little practice before he can do much actual mixing, but at the very least he could fetch ingredients for her or look up recipes. And--medicines help people. He likes the idea. (Potions can go either way, really.)
Oh, right, clothing. He glances down at the loose pants he's wearing and frowns slightly. He'd seen last night what a difference there was between daytime Wanda and nightwear Wanda, and it had made an impression on him. There is one major problem, though.]
I don't know what to wear. Will you help me once you're dressed?
[And in the meantime, he can go poke around in the wardrobes in the guest room. There might or might not be anything in his size, but he can at least get an idea of what he might like. There are certainly colors he recognizes he's drawn to. Maybe Wanda can tell him if they look good against his unusual coloring.
In fact, while she's off changing (he wonders if she'll wear her working clothes again, like yesterday, and give off that same impression of power), he starts pulling out a few different options and laying them on one of the beds. There sure is a lot of green in there, but there are a few of other colors ranging from voluminous black robes (those will at least fit him, he could wear that if nothing else), some reds and golds and undyed linen shirts, even a few items in blue and silver. Some of the garments he's not even sure how to wear, so he could use a little help.]
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It is, but you might surprise yourself.
[This is, after all, one of the reasons some mages choose to work with golems. Wanda's determined not to allow 'helping' her get to 'doing it for her,' but she understands the need for purpose. It's good to have something useful to do instead of sitting around all day.]
See if you find anything you like in the wardrobes? I need a minute to change and then I can come help.
['A minute' turns out to be an understatement. Wanda joins him later dressed not as a witch but a woman falling in love: a soft burgundy dress with delicate embellishments, a black cincher, her usual multitude of rings and layered necklaces (with a cosmic theme this time), and, of course, the same eye makeup she'd worn the day before. Her hair is half pulled back and there are tiny red blossoms nestled in the dark braids.
If she'd worn boots this outfit might have the same aura of power, but barefoot as she is, the effect is much softer, just shy of being able to be called 'sweet.']
It looks like you found a lot of things, [she says with a soft laugh. They're not bad choices, either, just...some of them really aren't appropriate for this kind of work.] What did you like best?
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