Shopping
Xo paced back and forth in front of the door, nervous and fidgety. She wrung her hands as she paced, her fingers being twisted almost painfully. She was supposed to go shopping with Wanda today, getting clothes for her time here. It was incredibly nice, unless they were just using it to bribe her to stay or use them against her later.
Wait, she paused, her thumb going to her mouth, teeth, chewing on the soft pad of the digit. The people here, they were the Avengers. They wouldn’t hurt her or use her. They weren’t HYDRA. Still biting her thumb, she continued her pacing. Shopping…
She had never been shopping. She wasn’t sure how this would go, especially with Wanda. Last she saw the redhead, she looked like death, running away from her. Natasha had said that Wanda wasn’t afraid, but she sure as hell looked terrified. What if she didn’t really want to help her and she was only doing it out of pity. Help out the poor HYDRA experiment.
The door opened, startling Xo, she pulled back her arm, ready to punch the agent in the face and run away.
There was a squeal and Xo’s fist connected with a red, sparking forcefield. Her eyes widened, letting herself take in the woman in front of her. It was Wanda!
Oh no!
She almost punched Wanda! She was surely going to get punished now. “I’m sorry, I- I’m ready for my punishment.” She sighed, body tensing, crouching in on herself.
Wanda reached out a hand, dropping her forcefield. She stopped before reaching the girl. Not wanting to startle her further. She supposed that’s what she did. She had sensed the girl pacing outside her room for the last half hour, not coming in. She wanted to let her do it herself, but it became clear that their new roommate wasn’t going to take the step. Wanda got up from her bed and opened the door, ready to tell her she could come in, when she jumped and punched Wanda.
It was her fault, really. Startling the traumatized woman. It broke her heart when she shut down, realizing what she had done, readying herself to be beat. Wanda could recall a few memories very similar.
“Xo, honey. It’s okay.” She said, softly. “No one is going to hurt you. I promise.”
Xo heard her, could practically feel the warmth radiating from her, but she still stood there, arms folding against her stomach, trying to remember how to breathe.
“Honey, it wasn’t your fault. I don’t blame you. I’m the one that is sorry for startling you.” Wanda said, picking at her nails in a nervous manner. Would she have to call Nat to come help?
Xo’s eyes zeroed in Wanda picking at her nails, currently pulling at a hangnail. If she pulled it more, she would bleed. It reminded her of her sister. She would do this exact thing until she bled when she was anxious. It pulled her out of her panic, her hand coming out to cover Wanda’s.
“You’re going to bleed if you keep doing that. Ruin those pretty hands.” She said, standing straight and giving Wanda a small smirk.
Wanda stopped and gave a bright smile, honestly it might have started to melt the wall Xo had up. “Nat says the same thing.”
“I’m sorry for almost punching you.”
Wanda laughed, pointing to the butterfly stitch by her hair line, “If it’s anything like your kick, it would have been powerful, but I forgive you for that as well.” She grabbed her hand, “Come on, let the shopping begin.”
The redhead pulled her into the room, thankfully leaving the door open, she didn’t want to feel trapped. The room was similar to Xo’s, with a bed, chairs by the large window. There was a closet, a bathroom, and the same light fixtures. Although the bed was bigger, there were a string of lights looping around the headboard. A large bookcase was against the far wall, overflowing with books. She cautiously walked over there, looking over the spines she could see.
“Do you like to read? Most of those are Nat’s. We both like to read, but she speeds through a book like there isn’t enough time in a day.” She gave a soft chuckle. “I’m sure she wouldn’t mind if you borrowed one.”
Xo nodded, reaching out, but her fingers not quite touching. She had loved to read when she was younger, got to do it less when her and her sister were on the street, but she had stolen a book from a stand a few months before HYDRA got them. She had read it over and over. Her sister loved it as well.
“In fact, I insist you pick one. We can also get a couple while we shop. I can recommend some. Or if you remember some titles, we can get those as well.” Wanda raddled off, picking up her laptop and walking over.
When Xo didn't move to get a book, Wanda sighed and quickly scanned the shelves. Smirking, she grabbed the first of a series both her and Nat liked. “Here, this one is great.”
Xo took the book and gave a small smile to Wanda, hugging the book to her chest. They sat down around the laptop, Wanda gently asking what she likes to wear. When she shrugged, the redhead nodded and got up. She came back with a measuring tape, asking if she could measure her for the right sizes. She nodded, not feeling uncomfortable at all. Wanda made everything easy and light, warm and sweet. After a few hours, they had a hefty cart full, pants, shirts, sweaters, underwear and bras. That was awkward, Wanda measuring her for a bra size. She didn’t really touch her, but the closeness made her cheek burn and her stomach flip. She wasn’t entirely familiar with the feeling. They got some dresses, Wanda ensuring that they were comfortable. Even gala dresses, Wanda warning her that Tony loved to throw parties of all sorts. She also made sure to tell her she didn’t have to attend any if she didn’t want to.
Aside from clothes, they got the promised books and then some snacks, when Wanda’s stomach growled and she came back with gummies to share. Xo never had them, but instantly grew obsessed with them. She accidentally ate all of them, Wanda giggling at her blush, but shaking her head when she tried to apologize. Without saying anything, she added a few snacks to the list. Along with snacks, toiletries Wanda told her she loved her hair. The cut almost as if she got it done professionally. She blushed, pulling on the dark brown strands she cut just above her shoulders. They went back for even more things, a purse and wallet, and shoes of varying styles. Wanda admitted, with red cheeks, that Nat’s shoe obsession was rubbing off on her. When Wanda deemed them done, she pressed, “Order now,” and then shut the laptop.
“Let’s go get lunch. The stuff should be here later today.”
Xo followed, not wanting to leave Wanda’s side. She really liked the woman, and was quickly becoming addicted to her warmth. Maybe she could stay here, get better, and make friends.