The Winter Soldier
The two days after their dates they stayed close to each other and only when Vision needed Pietro to help them with something and check the perimeter did they separate, leaving Wanda and her sitting together. Watching the trees.
“You two are insufferable.” Wanda said watching the outside. Veronika laughed.
“Oh shush-” She cut herself off, quickly turning, and spinning a knife towards the person walking in but stopping right before it hit them. “Uncle Clint!?” the knife floating in purple clouds still.
He pushed it to the side. “Glad to see I’ve been missed.” He walked up to the two teen girls.
“What are you doing here?” Wanda asked, stepping toward him.
“Disappointing my kids, but what’s new.” He said, pulling out two arrows. “We were supposed to go water skiing.”
“Did mama send you to watch us-”
“Steve did, he needs our help.” He shot the arrows across from each other. “Lets go,” he took a hold of Wanda’s hand. Wanda using her free hand grabbed Ver’s and they moved forward but a voice behind them made them stop.
“Clint! You should not be here.” Vision appeared through the wall from outside.
“Really? I retire for, what, five minutes, and it all goes to shit.”
“Please consider the consequences of your actions.” They said coming closer.
“Okay, they’re considered.” He said and suddenly Vision was caught in an electric field. Clint grabbed the girls’ hands again but they were exchanging looks. Making themselves dead weight. He stopped, realizing they weren’t following. “It’s this way.” He said pointing to the exit.
“We feel we’ve caused enough problems.” Veronika said Wanda was playing with her sweater.
He shook his head sighing, “you gotta help me you guys. Look you two wanna mope you go to high school plenty of time, I’ll leave you be. But you want to make amends, you get off your asses.” He switched his looks between them. He saw Vision regaining consciousness. “Shit.” He pushed them out the way.
Vision and Clint get into a little fight.
What should we do… Wanda began the communication.
I- I don’t know what you think? Veronika asked.
We join Cap, we're criminals.
What’s new for me? Veronika thought that to herself. Same rodeo as I’m always in. She said that to Wanda.
So we join him?
Veronika thought long and hard. Pietro being the only thing holding her back, he signed for her…What would happen if he joined them? What about Piet?
The eldest gave a look, she knew he signed. He already signed, I know you know that, he already chose his side. You know these things better, what do you think?
I think we need to fight for ourselves…our freedom. Veronika and her finally made their decisions.
Vision had Clint in a chokehold. “Clint, you can’t overpower me.”
He was breathing heavy but Clint still said. “I know I can’t, but they can.”
Their powers started and they surrounded Vision.
Their eyes widened.
“Vis, that’s enough let him go. We are leaving.” Wanda said, as she started to tap into their stone.
“I can’t let you.” She made her energy ball of red grow and Veronika stood ready behind Vision with her blue one. Vision phased as Wanda succeeded in controlling their stone Clint fell through and Ver brought him towards her.
“I’m sorry…” Wanda whispered as Vision started to sink into the ground.
Suddenly Veronika felt wind behind her and her heart felt as if it broke.
“Veronika don’t do this-” He saw her and Wanda’s energy surrounding Vision. He’s never seen either of them do something like this, blatantly disregarding everything. Then Vision’s next words wrung the air like a church bell on Sunday.
“If you two do this, they will never stop being afraid of you.”
“We can not control their fear.” Wanda said, struggling. “Only our own!” She alone pushed him far down. And Veronika felt Pietro’s hand on her shoulder squeeze, not hard enough to hurt but to bring her eyes to his.
I have to stop being afraid. “I’m sorry Piet-” She turned and hovering her hand on his temple purple clouding his eyes he fell to the floor, fast asleep. When he was down she knelt and ran her fingers through his hair. “I’m sorry, but I hope you’ll understand…”
“He will,” Wanda said behind her. Putting a hand on her friend’s shoulder. “We should go.”
“Who knew he could be quiet and peaceful.” Clint said.
“Veronika would know-” Wanda started then Veronika elbowed her.
“What?”
“They’re dating.”
“WANDA!” She whispered-yelled at the same time as Clint said: “WHAT!?”
“It isn’t important! Can we go? That won’t last long.” She motioned to Vis’ spot in the ground then Pietro.
“Right, Cap is waiting.”
And with that Clint ran out but before Ver did she knelt and kissed her lover's head, holding his hand. “Rest easy. Please forgive me.” She ran off after Wanda and Clint.
***GERMANY AIRPORT***
“Who is this guy again, why did I have to make him sleep, and why is he sleeping on my shoulder?” Veronika said, looking at a sleeping Scott.
“He’s a guy Sam wanted me to pick up.” Clint said parking.
“When will they be-” Wanda started until they saw that an old car pulled up. “Nevermind that’s him.”
Clint got out of the van walking around it greeting Cap. Wanda followed and Ver after her, letting Scott fall as she got out. In a spur of a moment she rushed up and hugged her father. What? She missed him, because he didn’t try to keep her hostage at the compound.
“Hey dad.”
“Hey kid.” He smiled, hugging her back slightly. “Glad you all could make it. I wouldn’t have asked if it wasn’t important I hope you know Clint-”
“Eh, you were doing me a favor. Besides, I owe a debt.”
Steve looked at Wanda then his daughter.
“We thought it was time to get off our asses.” Wanda said with her arms crossed and a small smile.
“What about the other recruit?”
“You mean sleepy head?”
“He’s rarin’ to go, should’ve put a little coffee in him but he should be good.” he slammed the van door open and Soctt shook awake.
Steve stared at the man and Veronika laughed at the way he jolted awake.
“Warning if he falls asleep again. He’s a-” She turned to her dad but stopped when she saw those eyes. Eyes she remembers fighting hard and long training battles with. Cold eyes as dark as a storm on a full moon. The Winter Soldier. She froze for a split second. Then looked at her father who was talking to Scott.
“Gosh! You’re Captain America!” he was shaking Steve’s hand and then looked at Wanda. “He’s Captain America, I know you too. You’re great!” He said then looked behind Steve seeing Ver and Sam. “And you guys too!”
Wanda and Veronika shared looks smiling trying not to laugh.
“Jeez! Okay, look I wanna say I know you all know a lot of super people, so…thanks, for thinking of me.”
Steve smiled.
“Hey man!” Scott said to Sam.
“What’s up Tic Tac?” He had furrowed brows.
“Look, what happened last time when I…”
Sam laughed, shaking his head. “It was a great audition, but it’ll NEVER happen again.”
“Wait, is he the guy who broke your suit and beat your ass Sammy?” Veronika said smirking, quickly regaining her confidence, remembering that day Sam came in with wings broken VERY well.
“It was a one-time thing, Sparkie. He can’t do it again.”
Veronika laughed. “Okay.”
“Did they tell you what we’re up against?”
“Something about psycho-assassins?”
Veronika looked over at The Winter Soldier. He looked at her, feeling her small glare at him.
“We should get moving Steve,” he said. Looking at his friend Veronika still watching him warily.
“We got a chopper lined up.” Clint said, looking at them.
Suddenly an announcement in German came overhead.
“They’re evacuating the airport,” Veronika and Bucky said. It was an accident, they were the only two who understood German.
Sam sighed. “Stark.”
“Stark?”
“Time to break the law…” Steve sighed, “suit up.”
Veronika looked at Wanda who was staring at her.
You know that man?
I don’t want to talk about it right now. Let’s get this done
Wanda gave a concerned look but nodded and followed Ver as they grabbed their suits.
All she could think about was how her father is friends with a man like that…then again she wasn’t a white rose either.