It makes sense, though. Who would look for her here? They'd expect her to run back to Sokovia or one of the neighboring countries. Borders would be watched, cities with major transit hubs would be on alert, but no one would ever expect her to be hiding in this quaint little cottage in the middle of nowhere.
Wanda smiles - the first real one in a very long time - and reaches up to gently touch Vision's cheek. "It's perfect. I love it." She couldn't have picked a better place if she'd tried, and honestly, it feels good that Vision was paying attention to one of the few things she'd been able to find interest in. There was her music, of course, but her therapist had said she needed to have actual goals not related to being an Avenger and so Wanda had turned to dreaming of places and things she wanted to see: the lavender fields of Provence, the lantern festival in Thailand, everything from sunny shores (once she learned how to swim) to urban expanses.
But she'd never wanted to see them alone, and maybe if everything hadn't gone so horribly wrong she might have asked Vision to go with her. He has such a unique way of seeing the world and finding beauty in the most unexpected of places. Of course she's afraid for him putting his own safety at risk to save her, but she's grateful it's him. Anyone else would only have thought of her physical safety but Vision has taken care to make accommodations for her heart. It's enough to make some part of her melt.
She sighs, winds her arms around his neck, and settles her head carefully onto his shoulder. It's blissfully quiet here: the only physical sounds are birdsong and the wind in the trees and fields, and the only psychic noise is the warm glow of Vision's mind. If this isn't paradise, it must be something close.
How in the world is she going to let him go when the time comes?
Vision feels her relax in his arms and he knows he’s chosen the right place for her to recover. That was all he really wanted, but to know that it pleases her brings him a deep sense of satisfaction. Her happiness is something he finds of the utmost importance. It’s almost disconcerting how much his well-being is linked to hers.
He shifts her in his arms and looks into her eyes. “You deserve to be happy, Wanda.” Then he carries her into the house, his passage through the lavender blossoms causing the soothing scent to waft around them both.
The inside of the cottage is as picturesque as the outside. The furnishings are old and elegant, but well kept. It’s difficult to say whether they’re originals or replicas. Either way, they give the house an air of enchantment. He’s spent hours seeing to every detail. There’s a well-stocked kitchen complete with everything needed for paprikash as often as Wanda might like. There are vases brimming with lavender and white roses on nearly every surface. Wanda’s experienced so much ugliness, and Vision senses that beauty is as greatly needed as anything else. Though, looking at it now, Vision realizes he might have been a bit excessive.
But it’s the practical concerns on Vision’s mind now. She still has physical wounds that need attention and is likely dehydrated. Though the medical supplies are not in the open, Vision has been thorough in collecting equipment and any medications that he could possibly need. He didn’t know what Wanda’s physical state would be when he found her. He hoped for the best while planning this escape, but prepared for the worst.
Vision takes Wanda directly to the bedroom and gently places her on the bed. He doesn’t want to release her, but this is a safe space, and he cannot provide the care she needs if his arms remain wrapped around her. Logically, he knows this, but it doesn’t stop the dull ache when she’s no longer in his arms.
“I know it’s painful, but I must see to the rest of your injuries now,” he whispered softly. “When I’ve finished I can bring you something to eat, or you can rest. Whatever you wish.”
Even if Wanda's not sure she deserves this, when Vision says it with such conviction, it's impossible not to believe him. And when he looks at her with such intensity, her heart can't help but melt a little more. He is good and kind, and if he hasn't lost faith in her then maybe she isn't such a lost cause after all.
But it still feels like she's dreaming, and Wanda gasps audibly when Vision carries her into the cottage. It looks like something taken straight out of a fairytale or a Disney movie - she's half-expecting the three good fairies to bustle around a corner with even more flowers. It's beautiful, and Vision's right. After so long in that miserable hellhole, being surrounded by pretty things is just the kind of balm for her heart that she needs. Here the Raft feels like a distant nightmare.
(But of course, the most beautiful thing in the cottage is still Vision's mind, even as weighed down by worries as it is.)
The bed he sets her on feels impossibly soft to someone used to sleeping against a steel wall. Later she will enjoy flopping back onto it...but right now she misses being held. As nice as everything in the cottage is, that simple affectionate contact did more for her than all of the scenery combined.
"I understand." And then tentatively she reaches up to lightly touch his cheek. "It's all right, Vision. Do what you need to. And...thank you. For everything. All of this...I could never have dreamed anything better."
Away from the Raft and the looming threat of immediate discovery, Vision is able to attend Wanda’s injuries with a slower and more delicate pace. He can stop and pull away when she gasps at the contact of his fingers on her blistered skin. He does this frequently, offering her water and waiting until she nods to indicate that he may continue. The task takes longer than the scope of her wounds would imply, but he is determined to cause as little pain as possible.
Even so, the process is eventually completed and they can both put that immediate and temporary pain out of their minds. Vision pulls an afghan from the foot of the bed and tucks it in around her and then sits on the bed beside her. This is a level of intimacy they’ve never approached before, but she seems to prefer it when he’s near.
“Are you hungry?” He asks awkwardly. Despite the evidence that she prefers he stay close Vision’s mind can’t avoid the practical matters of her physical needs. Those are simple, concrete requirements that can be addressed with ease. It’s the deeper hurts and needs that will take more delicate care, and Vision doesn’t know if he’s qualified to fully address them. He wants to. He longs to ease away the nightmare that flashes behind her eyes. He just doesn’t know if *he* is capable of something so complicated. “I could bring you a tray of food. Or tea, perhaps? I procured several blends reputed to be quite soothing.”
He is, as always, her most stalwart protector. Vision doesn't need to be so careful with her - she's had worse even before this and she had been able to endure less leisurely medical care on the flight here. But he is kind and good, far kinder than she deserves, and together they get through the rest of her outstanding medical needs. When he tucks the blanket around her, it's all that she can do not to lean against him in a desperate search for further comfort.
It's not like she's never curled against the nearest Avenger's side during a late-night movie, but this urge is different. This isn't just a desire for physical contact - she wants to be close to him specifically. The world's a little brighter, a little safer, when Vision is near, and there's an odd feeling of warmth that she only feels when she's around him.
She's resolved to ask him if he minds holding her for a little longer (if it's weird, she thinks he'll understand right now) but Vision beats her to it with a question about food. It's so normal that it feels out of place in their fairytale surroundings. "Well...I haven't had real since...since before. I should probably try to eat something? And tea sounds wonderful."
And then, on some insane impulse brought about by the thought of him leaving, even briefly, Wanda cranes her head up to gently kiss his cheek. "Thank you, Vision. For everything."
Wanda’s lips are warm on Vision’s cheek and the warmth lingers there despite the mere second that the contact lasted. It surprised him, and it stilled his movement for a fraction of a second. What he finds more surprising is how that small, innocent contact leaves an imprint on his soul, or whatever it is that makes him sentient. Vision turns his head slowly to meet Wanda’s eyes. She looks contented. It sinks into his consciousness and settles there. He knows that the look of relief, of . . . he isn’t sure what it is exactly, but Vision knows that even without a flawless memory he would treasure that expression forever.
“I’ll see to the food then,” he smiles at her. Then, tentatively reaches up and strokes a stray lock of that beautiful, wavy, russet hair from her face. Though the contact is as tender and careful as any he offered while caring for her injuries, it is different. Something has shifted between the two of them and Vision can’t pinpoint exactly when the change took place. His feelings for her have not changed, except to intensify.
“Absence makes the heart grow fonder,” Vision quotes suddenly. Then he’s seized by the ridiculous urge to retreat. “I—I should—the food! I’ll be back shortly.”
Despite his words, and the desire to flee, Vision rises from the bed slowly. The kitchen is only a short hallway from the bedroom but it suddenly feels too far for comfort. Even so, he offered her a meal and he would not neglect her needs now. With a last, lingering look at the door, Vision leaves Wanda to hr rest.
It was impulsive, but she doesn't regret kissing him. The warmth that Wanda always feels in Vision's presence has only grown over time. The world is a brighter place when he is near, and while all of the Avengers helped her learn to live again in some way, Vision made her want to. He's saved her in more ways than he knows. Who could blame her for catching softer feelings for him, especially after this latest rescue?
His touch is just as gentle as always, but this time it sends pleasant tingles down Wanda's spine. Something has definitely shifted between them and she has to fight the urge to lean into Vision's hand. This, like the kiss, doesn't necessarily have to mean anything, but she's sure it's more significant than that. 'Absence makes the heart grow fonder,' hmm?
Does he mean...?
But before she can figure out her hopelessly tangled emotions, Vision pulls away to go attend to her dinner. And while of course she's hungry, especially for real food, she misses his closeness almost immediately. She might have clung to him if her powers didn't let her maintain a thin psychic connection, just enough to stay aware of his presence but not enough to intrude upon his thoughts. She just feels so much better with the reassurance that he's nearby.
(And safe. She's still afraid, but for him. Ross won't take this lightly.)
When Vision returns, he'll find her curled up under the covers and comfortably propped up against the luxurious pillows. She didn't want to sleep just yet, and so she'd let the sounds of the wind and birdsong and Vision's steady presence lull her into a warm meditative state. For a while, she knows peace, and her smile is a little sleepy (and her cheeks begin to feel a little warmer) as she sits up and inhales. "It smells good, Vizh. What do you have?"
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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Wanda smiles - the first real one in a very long time - and reaches up to gently touch Vision's cheek. "It's perfect. I love it." She couldn't have picked a better place if she'd tried, and honestly, it feels good that Vision was paying attention to one of the few things she'd been able to find interest in. There was her music, of course, but her therapist had said she needed to have actual goals not related to being an Avenger and so Wanda had turned to dreaming of places and things she wanted to see: the lavender fields of Provence, the lantern festival in Thailand, everything from sunny shores (once she learned how to swim) to urban expanses.
But she'd never wanted to see them alone, and maybe if everything hadn't gone so horribly wrong she might have asked Vision to go with her. He has such a unique way of seeing the world and finding beauty in the most unexpected of places. Of course she's afraid for him putting his own safety at risk to save her, but she's grateful it's him. Anyone else would only have thought of her physical safety but Vision has taken care to make accommodations for her heart. It's enough to make some part of her melt.
She sighs, winds her arms around his neck, and settles her head carefully onto his shoulder. It's blissfully quiet here: the only physical sounds are birdsong and the wind in the trees and fields, and the only psychic noise is the warm glow of Vision's mind. If this isn't paradise, it must be something close.
How in the world is she going to let him go when the time comes?
no subject
He shifts her in his arms and looks into her eyes. “You deserve to be happy, Wanda.” Then he carries her into the house, his passage through the lavender blossoms causing the soothing scent to waft around them both.
The inside of the cottage is as picturesque as the outside. The furnishings are old and elegant, but well kept. It’s difficult to say whether they’re originals or replicas. Either way, they give the house an air of enchantment. He’s spent hours seeing to every detail. There’s a well-stocked kitchen complete with everything needed for paprikash as often as Wanda might like. There are vases brimming with lavender and white roses on nearly every surface. Wanda’s experienced so much ugliness, and Vision senses that beauty is as greatly needed as anything else. Though, looking at it now, Vision realizes he might have been a bit excessive.
But it’s the practical concerns on Vision’s mind now. She still has physical wounds that need attention and is likely dehydrated. Though the medical supplies are not in the open, Vision has been thorough in collecting equipment and any medications that he could possibly need. He didn’t know what Wanda’s physical state would be when he found her. He hoped for the best while planning this escape, but prepared for the worst.
Vision takes Wanda directly to the bedroom and gently places her on the bed. He doesn’t want to release her, but this is a safe space, and he cannot provide the care she needs if his arms remain wrapped around her. Logically, he knows this, but it doesn’t stop the dull ache when she’s no longer in his arms.
“I know it’s painful, but I must see to the rest of your injuries now,” he whispered softly. “When I’ve finished I can bring you something to eat, or you can rest. Whatever you wish.”
no subject
But it still feels like she's dreaming, and Wanda gasps audibly when Vision carries her into the cottage. It looks like something taken straight out of a fairytale or a Disney movie - she's half-expecting the three good fairies to bustle around a corner with even more flowers. It's beautiful, and Vision's right. After so long in that miserable hellhole, being surrounded by pretty things is just the kind of balm for her heart that she needs. Here the Raft feels like a distant nightmare.
(But of course, the most beautiful thing in the cottage is still Vision's mind, even as weighed down by worries as it is.)
The bed he sets her on feels impossibly soft to someone used to sleeping against a steel wall. Later she will enjoy flopping back onto it...but right now she misses being held. As nice as everything in the cottage is, that simple affectionate contact did more for her than all of the scenery combined.
"I understand." And then tentatively she reaches up to lightly touch his cheek. "It's all right, Vision. Do what you need to. And...thank you. For everything. All of this...I could never have dreamed anything better."
no subject
Even so, the process is eventually completed and they can both put that immediate and temporary pain out of their minds. Vision pulls an afghan from the foot of the bed and tucks it in around her and then sits on the bed beside her. This is a level of intimacy they’ve never approached before, but she seems to prefer it when he’s near.
“Are you hungry?” He asks awkwardly. Despite the evidence that she prefers he stay close Vision’s mind can’t avoid the practical matters of her physical needs. Those are simple, concrete requirements that can be addressed with ease. It’s the deeper hurts and needs that will take more delicate care, and Vision doesn’t know if he’s qualified to fully address them. He wants to. He longs to ease away the nightmare that flashes behind her eyes. He just doesn’t know if *he* is capable of something so complicated. “I could bring you a tray of food. Or tea, perhaps? I procured several blends reputed to be quite soothing.”
no subject
It's not like she's never curled against the nearest Avenger's side during a late-night movie, but this urge is different. This isn't just a desire for physical contact - she wants to be close to him specifically. The world's a little brighter, a little safer, when Vision is near, and there's an odd feeling of warmth that she only feels when she's around him.
She's resolved to ask him if he minds holding her for a little longer (if it's weird, she thinks he'll understand right now) but Vision beats her to it with a question about food. It's so normal that it feels out of place in their fairytale surroundings. "Well...I haven't had real since...since before. I should probably try to eat something? And tea sounds wonderful."
And then, on some insane impulse brought about by the thought of him leaving, even briefly, Wanda cranes her head up to gently kiss his cheek. "Thank you, Vision. For everything."
no subject
“I’ll see to the food then,” he smiles at her. Then, tentatively reaches up and strokes a stray lock of that beautiful, wavy, russet hair from her face. Though the contact is as tender and careful as any he offered while caring for her injuries, it is different. Something has shifted between the two of them and Vision can’t pinpoint exactly when the change took place. His feelings for her have not changed, except to intensify.
“Absence makes the heart grow fonder,” Vision quotes suddenly. Then he’s seized by the ridiculous urge to retreat. “I—I should—the food! I’ll be back shortly.”
Despite his words, and the desire to flee, Vision rises from the bed slowly. The kitchen is only a short hallway from the bedroom but it suddenly feels too far for comfort. Even so, he offered her a meal and he would not neglect her needs now. With a last, lingering look at the door, Vision leaves Wanda to hr rest.
no subject
His touch is just as gentle as always, but this time it sends pleasant tingles down Wanda's spine. Something has definitely shifted between them and she has to fight the urge to lean into Vision's hand. This, like the kiss, doesn't necessarily have to mean anything, but she's sure it's more significant than that. 'Absence makes the heart grow fonder,' hmm?
Does he mean...?
But before she can figure out her hopelessly tangled emotions, Vision pulls away to go attend to her dinner. And while of course she's hungry, especially for real food, she misses his closeness almost immediately. She might have clung to him if her powers didn't let her maintain a thin psychic connection, just enough to stay aware of his presence but not enough to intrude upon his thoughts. She just feels so much better with the reassurance that he's nearby.
(And safe. She's still afraid, but for him. Ross won't take this lightly.)
When Vision returns, he'll find her curled up under the covers and comfortably propped up against the luxurious pillows. She didn't want to sleep just yet, and so she'd let the sounds of the wind and birdsong and Vision's steady presence lull her into a warm meditative state. For a while, she knows peace, and her smile is a little sleepy (and her cheeks begin to feel a little warmer) as she sits up and inhales. "It smells good, Vizh. What do you have?"