Can One Love A Monster?
***HOURS LATER***
They had left the kitchen after he helped her make some food and they ate together. Artemis came back to them and they all sat on the couch. Pietro’s head in Veronika’s lap and Artemis laying next to him.
They decided to watch TV so, Veronika played one of the old films Steve showed her on one of the movie nights they had when she first came to him and Nat. Meet Me In St. Louis, If you haven’t watched it as much as she has, it was a tad confusing. But she loves it and the dialogue always intrigued her.
“Wait what is happening again?” Pietro asked as he stared confused at the TV.
“The little sister crashed eldest’s engagement party.” She said, mindlessly starting to run her hand through his hair.
“No, I mean with these guys. Does Edith-”
“Esther.” She corrected.
“Esther, sorry, does she date that guy?” he turned his head, and looked up at her, causing her to stop playing with his hair.
“Watch movie and see!” She laughed, pushing his head slightly.
He huffed a laugh and turned his head to watch again. They kept watching together and soon Pietro found his answers. And soon, like she had with his hair, he picked up mindlessly tracing shapes onto his girlfriend’s leg. Tracing her scars, and some random shapes. His fingers found a spot near the bottom of her knee. Suddenly she started giggling and moved her leg slightly out of reflex. He looked up at her.
“Ticklish?” He wore a sly smile now.
“No, just feels weird.” She was still giggling. Honestly, she didn’t know what it was because she’s never felt it before. So, if she is ticklish she never knew.
“I think you’re ticklish, that’s a laugh!” He smirked, moving his hand to tickle her again. But she pulled her leg farther away. “Oh c’mon Iubirea mea if it isn’t ticklish what’re you scared of?” he sat up looking at her with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
“I’m not! Just it feels strange!” She said scooting away slowly.
“Alright then just let me see-” He lunged to try and keep her down on the couch but using her powers kept him in his spot as she sprung up to run. Laughing as she did, he was let go and he went after her, almost falling off the couch as he did. Using his speed, he chased her Artemis springing after them. The two laughed as she tried to run into her room, but Artemis had blocked her way. Barking like she was laughing.
“You little traitor-!” She was cut off by arms wrapping around her and bringing her into a room next to hers.
He pushed her onto the bed and going on top of her laughing he tickled her again. She laughed as she was trying to kick her legs, but he pinned them with his own legs. He tickled her until she sounded like she was almost out of breath, and he stopped. His smile was huge, and her laughter took a long time to die out.
“I can’t tell if I hated or loved that.” She giggled again and held her hands to her sides. “What’s that called again?”
He quirked a questioning brow. “Tickling?”
“Yeah,” she let out another breathy laugh.
“I still forgot you never experienced things like this.”
She shrugged looking up at him. “How do you do that?” She now had mischief in her eyes as she laughed smirking.
“Well, I can teach you but know, I am too quick for you to be able to do any of these on me.” he smirked while sitting up.
We’ll see. She thought.
“Can you just teach me?” She laughed a little bit more. “Please.”
He smiled and put his hands on her sides again. “Well usually the best place is right here. Then for you apparently it’s here,” he moved his hand to her knee and she laughed again moving her leg."Everyone has different specific spots that are ticklish." He explained.
She nodded. “Noted. That it?”
“Well there’s also under the foot, or,” He bends over her and planted a kiss onto her neck right below her jaw and she giggled again as the scruff on his chin met her skin. “Knew it.” He smirked and nuzzled there again and around to the other side, her laughing all the while.
She pushed him up and looked at him. “No you didn't, you just wanted a reason to kiss me just in a different spot.” She smirked.
“Stop reading my mind.” he said in a sing-songy voice. Leaning down and kissing her again this time on her lips. She pulled him by his shirt, smirking as she did and soon he started laughing. She used her powers, rolled him to his back and pinned him. Straddling his torso to tickle him back. His laughter was far different from hers, his being deep and loud. She never heard a more angelic sound than this. She laughed as he tried to squirm out of her grip.
She held him down until she was such a laughing mess she fell onto him.
He, not needing to catch his breath (thanks stamina), smiled at her brushing the hair that fell from her ponytail behind her ear. “Ești atât de frumoasă.” He whispered eyes staring adoringly.
(You’re so beautiful.)
She was still trying to catch her breath. “Trebuie să fii orb de lacrimi de râs prea mult.” She joked.
(You must be blind from tears of laughing too much.)
“Doar orb de frumusețea ta.” he answered, now suddenly breathless as her face hovered over him. She kissed him, he held her waist and when she pulled away kissing his cheek and jaw he whispered again. “Cred ca sunt indragostit de tine.”
(Only blind with your beauty)
(I think I’m in love with you.)
She froze at that. “What?” She looked at him.
“Te iubesc Starlight,” he whispered, he didn’t know how to say it in American. But he wanted her to hear it and he knew she’d understand his words.
(I love you Starlight)
“You- really?” She asked, still slightly shocked. They have been together, on semi-dates, in the compound (but they counted those as dates), for only seven months. Does he really love her?
“Yes. I do, do you?” he said hopefully, scared of her hesitation.
She stared at him, her eyes searching him. Searching his mind, heart… “Te iubesc, Silver.” She said finally. With that he devoured her into another kiss immediately. He sat up to make it easier for her and she kissed him back.
(I love you, Silver.)
He held her close to him, but their little confessions were broken up when a knock and voice came.
“Hey Maximoff if you’re going to- OH MY GOD-”
Veronika jumped at the very familiar voice. Pushing Pietro away and he sighed sadly. She saw a very confused Natasha holding papers, eyes darting between the teens.
“Wh-what- when- HOW?”
“Mama, I can explain-”
“IS THIS WHY HE CAN CALM YOU DOWN SO EASILY??” She asked with a weird look, a mixture of excitement yet still obvious confusion on her face.
“Uh- yeah? Wait, you're not mad?”
She scoffed “No, I’m not your dad! Veronika, I knew you’ve liked him since, well, since you came back from that second run-in with Ultron and them.” She laughed, “and the longing glances at each other almost 24/7. I’m also happy I beat your dad in the bet-”
“Has everyone made bets on us?” Pietro asked bewildered.
“Yes.” Nat and Ver said at the same time.
“Besides this is your life, you make your own choices. Even if it is him.” She said jokingly jabbing towards Pietro.
“Hey!” he said, offended.
Nat smirked, “But seriously, I’m glad you two are together now…” she said, smiling a little bit. Then she pulled her daughter into a hug. “If he hurts you tell me first, I know all the best strike places.” She whispered but Pietro still heard, and his eyes went wide as he put his knees to his chest and feet on his bed.
Veronika laughed, catching him in her peripheral vision. “He won’t but if he does, you’ll know first.” She whispered back.
“Good, alright anyways, I’m sorry to interrupt whatever you two were doing…actually no I’m not…But Pietro I need you to come with me for something.” She said looking at the silver haired boy. He sighed and stood from the end of his bed.
“Alright.” he said, kissing Veronika on the head. “I’ll be back.” He smiled as he followed Natasha out.
She laughed. “Sounded like one of those Halloween things” she said to herself. She sat on his bed now and just waited for him to come back. Thinking about the words he spoke.
Pietro’s POV:
“So that’s why you said you would sign as long as both your sister and Ver were safe?” Natasha asked as we had reached the conference room for me to sign the papers of the Accords.
“Part of it.” I nodded. “I just don’t want her in more harm’s way then we already are collectively.”
“Well she’s been there since she was a child, I’m sure she’s used to it…” Natasha looked down sadly. “But you're a good one for looking out for her.”
I shrugged. “She doesn’t like that I am signing it though…” whispering to myself mainly.
“What did she tell you?”
I froze.
“There’s something no one else knows about me or what happened.”
Would she want me to tell her…?
That’s not my place to tell.
“She just told me that I don’t understand politicians. That I shouldn’t trust Tony on these types of promises.” I sighed. “I don’t like that I had to trust him for this but her and Wanda’s safety is more important than my resentment toward him.” I paused again and looked down, “it’s just I don’t really think that this is still the best idea…”
“If you don’t want to sign them Pietro don’t…I understand your battle on this. You earned someone’s trust who’s not great with that and are scared to break her trust. But I’m still good on my word. I know politics, if I can help her, if WE can help her, I will ensure she’s safe with these, okay?”
I stared at her and nodded as I hesitantly reached for a pen. “As long as we can keep her and Wanda safe then I’ll sign.”
“Okay.” She put the papers in front of me and showed me where the rest who had signed did. My writing was a bit sloppy but fine. I still don't know entirely, but this is for Wanda and Veronika.
Her POV again:
She’d been laying on his bed, Artemis laying with her, head on her dad’s pillows. Veronika just laid there staring at the ceiling, still waiting and thinking about how he said he loved her. In his own language, something that’s comfortable for him, so intimate, and caring in his own way.
But how can he love YOU?
That little voice in her head always contradicts and ruins her happiest moments. He told her he loved her, and her head won’t believe it.
You’ve never witnessed romantic love for yourself before. How do you know?
Stop.
She stood from the bed and moved her hand to let her hair out of her ponytail. She took a deep breath as Artemis watched her carefully. She turned to the dog again and smiled.
“Do you think he actually loves me?”
BARK BARK
She laughs “if you say so. I'm doubting myself though.” She tapped the pup's nose. “I mean, if he was lying I would know right?”
WOOF WOOF
“Yeah, yeah I get it, its just…” She had walked into his bathroom.
Can one love a monster?
She stared at herself. Was she really worthy of his love? He gives her affection, compassion, and passion. EVERYTHING he has to offer her in their limited space, but what does he see in her that makes her deserve this?
“How does someone like him love me?”
WOOSH
She had arms wrapped around her from behind and lips kissing her neck lightly.
“Very, VERY easily, Iubirea mea.” He whispered right below her ear and she laughed a little as his scruff again tickled her neck. “I’ll prove it to you if you want?” He smirked looking at her in the mirror.
“How?” She looked skeptical.
“Well…the compound will be empty, except for Vis and Wands, for the week after tomorrow, let me make you a romantic day, watch movies, make you dinner, do whatever you want.” he smiled, kissing her neck still as he said these things. “OR we wear masks, act like we’re going to some costume party but walk around the mall, or wherever you want to go.”
“Wear masks?” she looked up, turning to face him
“To hide our identities,” He shrugged with a small smile, “You said why we can’t date publicly but that’s a way to do it.” He smiled.
She tilted her head and laughed a little more. “Really?”
“It’ll be your day, we do whatever you want. I’ll cook for you, or take you to a restaurant. Ver, promit că îmi voi lua timpul cu tine. Meriți această dragoste și îți voi arăta asta. Îți promit.” He said leaning against her as he spoke. “Please?”
(Ver, I promise I will take my time with you. You deserve this love, and I will show you that. I promise you.)
She tilted her head and pulled him down to her again. “Deal. We can do both, one first day they’re gone and mask one, on second day. I’ll take you to all Wanda and I’s places…well,” she smirked. “Not every place.”
She obviously didn’t mean all the places. The clothing stores are top secret places her and Wanda are…gate-gatekeeping? Peter used that word and said it means, ‘keeping to one’s self.’ she smiled. He raised a brow.
“Well I am slightly confused by what that means but okay.” He laughed. “So it’s dates?”
“Sunt întâlniri.” She agreed. He smiled and leaned down pressing another kiss to her lips gently.
(its dates.)
Artemis barked at them and the two laughed as she looked at them rubbing her paws over her eyes to snout.
"I think she said 'ew'." Veronika laughed.
"Like every kid when their parents kiss." He agreed with a small smirk.
Veronika turned to their pup and pet her. "I'm so sorry girl, daddy and I won't do that in front of you." She whispered, kissing her pup's head.
WOOSH
He brought her onto the bed again, "I'm not making any promises." He said holding her as she laughed. Kissing her all over her face as they started cuddling again. They laughed laying together, Artemis still woofing at and jumping on them. Soon it all settled, and Pietro laid on top of her and Artemis next to them. Just them their sort of family.
If she does have a monster in her he’s definitely the one who makes it disappear.
He loves her through and through.