the roof
Wanda was proud to say that she felt peaceful for the first time in nearly eight years.
After their parent's death they had been pushed around forster homes until eventually having had enough, so they ran away. Sure, they had lived on the streets but at least they had had each other.
When Hydra had approached them at one of the protests, they had been quick to sign on as volunteers.
Looking back, Wanda felt even more stupid now.
They had let anger and want for revenge take over their actions, she wouldn't let that happen again.
Sighing, the witch let her legs hang over the edge of the roof while playing with her magic between her fingers.
"You can't let them see your gift, princezná (princess).", she heard the soft and loving voice of her mother in the back of her head. She felt the memory bubble to the front and let it play out in front of her with her magic.
Changing reality was only one of the many things she could do, though most of it was just illusions. Actually changing reality would mean manifesting matter and that was still too much for her.
So she simply watched the illusion of her mother and an 8-year-old Wanda play out in front of her.
"Why can't I let them see?", little Wanda asked curiously. "You said youself that it's a gift.", the little witch argumented.
Iryna smiled sadly. "You know what they think about witches, malý (little one).", her mother answered, sitting down on the bed and patting the space next to her.
Little Wanda climbed next to her mother and looked at her. "Yes, I know.", she sighed defeated. "But I don't want to hurt anyone.", she reasoned, which made her mother smile.
"I know that and so do your father and Pietro. But the world isn't ready for witches yet.", Iryna said, letting her daughter climb into her lap and cuddle into her.
There was a moment of silence while little Wanda processed the words of the older witch. Iryna let her think about it, patiently running her hands through her daughters chestnut curls.
"Will it be one day?", Wanda eventually asked, looking up expectantly, her eyes ever so hopeful.
Iryna pressed a kiss to Wanda's forehead.
"Yes, malý (little one). One day it will be.", she assured, smiling down at the little witch.
"When?"
Iryna looked down at her little girl who was playing with the older witches necklace.
"When the Scarlet Witch rises.", she said calmly, trying not to let fear lace into her words.
The illusion vanished, leaving Wanda alone in the dark once again. She wiped away a stray tear that had made its way down her cheek.
"I wish I could talk to you, matka (mother).", she whispered into the cold air around her. "There is still so much to learn..."
For a while she just sat there, staring at the lights New York had to offer. From so up high it felt like all of her problems didn't matter. Up here she could just be Wanda.
She felt the redheaded spy approach before she heard the door to the roof open. Keeping her eyes glued to the bright lights underneath her, she listened as light footsteps made their way towards her.
"Need some company?", Natasha asked, when she reached her destiny, coming to a stop behind the younger girl. "Sure.", Wanda answered, still not looking up when the redhead sat down next to her on the edge of the roof.
For a while they just sat in a comfortable silence, looking up at the stars above their heads until Wanda broke the silence. "Thank you for saving us.", the young witch said, finally looking at the older woman.
The russian spy looked back at her, noticing the sincerity in her eyes. "You're welcome.", she answered, glad that Wanda didn't seem to be afraid of them anymore.
After separating them by accident when they first arrived, she had been worried that the twins would be even more reluctant to letting them in.
"I'm sorry for how my brother reacted when I had that uhm... panic attack.", Wanda continued, looking down at her fiddling hands in her lap.
"He tends to get very protective when I'm in a state of...", struggling to find the right word, she waved her hand around in front of her.
Natasha smiled. "I know what you mean. It's okay, don't worry."
Wanda offered a small smile in return before the comfortable silence took over again.
This time though, Natasha was the one to break it. "Did Jarvis freak you out?", she asked, looking at the younger girl. Wanda seemed to hesitate. Could she be honest with Natasha?
"You don't have to answer that if you don't want to.", the russian said as if having read her mind. Her voice was soft and everything she said or did told Wanda that her intentions were in the right place.
Wanda was tired of lying and being cautious about who to trust. She figured that talking to Natasha would be a first step into the right direction.
"Not Jarvis necessarily...", she said slowly, playing with the rings on her fingers. The redhead looked at her, prompting her to go on.
"The thought of being watched by cameras freaked me out.", she answered truthfully. "Is that what they did back there as well?", Natasha asked carefully, watching Wanda for any reaction. She nodded.
"They're not real cameras, they're more like sensors so Jarvis can monitor the team, especially after tough missions. We can turn them off if you want.", she said slowly, making sure that Wanda understood that she had a choice here.
The brunette looked up again. "Really?", she asked, still incredibly insecure when it came to making decisions for herself, something she hadn't done in a while. Natasha nodded. "Yeah"
"I would like that. At least for now, if that's alright.", Wanda said slowly.
When Natasha nodded they both started smiling.
Wanda still had issues with trusting easily, but at least she could work on herself and give it a try.
For now she watched the stars in blissful silence, not feeling so alone anymore with Natasha next to her.