OUTSIDE AIR
CHAPTER 12: OUTSIDE AIR
And so they went downstairs neither Natasha nor Ellie could stop smiling as they did. Natasha was truly happy for her friend and she could see Ellie felt more than she let on when it came to her little witch so all she could do was smile really. As for Ellie, how could she not smile. She had spent the night with Wanda and both night and morning were exceptional. Wanda had finally opened up to her a little and she felt as if nothing could go wrong right now. Yet, deep down, she feared it would.
Both Wanda and herself had agreed to keep a low profile when it came to their growing relationship and she didn't know what would happen if the others knew. Her wound from Yukio wasn't fully healed, back then it was okay and there was nothing to fear because they had no one really but Ellie liked the Avengers, no matter what mask she put on and she knew how close Wanda was to them, like a family, like the one she had lost. She wanted everything to be okay for Wanda, better than it had been for her and despite her knowing it would in a general manner, she was unsure when it came to Yukio or Vision's reaction, Yukio had shown how jealous and impulsive she could be and Vision bothered Ellie in a way she couldn't explain. She knew Wanda didn't feel anything for Vision but he didn't seem to be bothered by it and he was powerful in some way with that stone in his forehead.
But Ellie didn't want to overthink this, she was happy and she meant for her happiness to remain. So she focused on the night's events and her smile returned. It grew when she remembered the kiss Wanda had given her in front of Natasha, how happy she was.
“You ruined my coffee.” Natasha said making Ellie come back to her current situation, in the stairs, with Nat.
“What do you mean?.” Ellie asked getting confused.
“Wanda was late and both her tea and my coffee became cold.” She explained smirking at Ellie obviously saying you're the reason why she was late.
“Sorry about that.” Ellie said smiling even though she wasn't because Wanda was late because she was kissing her and there was no way in hell she could be sorry about that.
“No you're not.” The black widow said knowingly seeing the smile plastered on Ellie's face.
“No I'm not.” And they both laughed at that. After a moment Ellie spoke up.
“But I can fix it nonetheless.” She stopped at the end of the stairs right before they could meet with the others.
Natasha gave her a confused look as Ellie took her coffee cup. She focused her energy so it wouldn't be too much and in less then fifteen seconds Natasha's coffee was hot again.
“Here you go.” Ellie said as she handed back Natasha's cup to her.
“Thanks.” She definitely could see why Wanda liked her. Ellie was different now. She wasn't the cold-hardhearted person she seemed to be, she was warm and kind but it's only now, with Wanda in her life, that she let this side of her be noticed by some.
They entered the large living room soon after. Everyone was already having breakfast. Steve was smiling as he seemed to exchange good memories with Colossus and Sam while Yukio was laughing with Ralf and Luke about a movie they apparently watched last night. Vision was talking to Wade as she could hear a bit of their conversation.
“What if I send the stone's energy towards you, could it kill you?.” Vision asked as if it was the thousandth time he was suggesting something.
“Probably not, we'll try it if you want. Human and robot for the battle to claim earth.” He said with a voice right from a movie with a suspens building objective. It got lost on the robot apparently.
“I don't understand, why would we fight over claiming earth?” Vision asked giving him a serious yet confused look.
“Nevermind Wall-E, let's eat!” And he threw himself on the first plate in front of him.
Steve noticed Natasha entering the room so he gave her one of his perfect captain America smile. She sat next to him and Ellie sat at the other side of the table, next to Wade telling him to shut up before he even had time to talk.
Wanda arrived a minute later with her hair still a bit wet and a beautiful yet simple windy dress with some flowers on it. Her face was clear of make-up and she had the widest smile one could ever have. Ellie couldn't help but smile looking at her. Wanda saw it and gave her back her smile with a blush. She sat next to Natasha and started eating.
“Hello Wanda.” Surprisingly it was Yukio. Wanda gave her a small forced smile. Everybody had stopped what they were doing as soon as they heard Wanda's name being spoken from Yukio's mouth. “Look, I really wanted to apologize for last night.” She seemed to mean it.
“You already have last night.” Wanda replied. She wasn't the kind of person to hold a grudge but she really didn't want to have this talk right now, she was still trying to forgive Yukio despite knowing she herself, had gone too far.
“I know but” Yukio started as Ellie spoke up.
“Stop it Yukio. Leave her alone.” She said leaving no room for debate.
“But I just wanted her to know that I didn't mean to cause this reaction.” She said looking as sorry and sad as they come.
“I know.” Wanda said and gave her a weak yet sincere smile.
It was enough for Yukio and it seemed to be enough for Ellie too.
“Everyone.” Colossus said getting up from his place at the table. “We have decided, with Mr Rogers here.” He said looking at Steve “that an outside activity would be good for all of us. Nothing linked to battle to give us time to know and apprehend each other more.”
It wasn't a bad idea really.
“Who's up for basketball?” Sam asked almost jumping out of his chair.
Everyone cheered so basketball it was.
They all went to get changed and found each other again in the basketball yard about fifteen minutes later. Wanda was wearing yoga pants, a sleeveless shirt and boots, Nat was dressed the same way which Ellie thought meant Wanda had borrowed some of Nat's clothes since she didn't see these in Wanda's room. Ellie herself was wearing shorts and a sleeveless t-shirt with black converses. All the boys were dressed pretty much like that too.
“Okay kids” Steve started and then saw Natasha's pointed look so he continued. “Okay people” he said smiling at Nat which made her smile too. They both valued their friendship, they understood and liked to tease each other. “The girls and I versus the boys with Colossus being the referee. Is everyone okay with that ?”
Natasha looked at Steve and then at Yukio with a confused look.
“Actually no.” She said as she stepped forward ready to give Steve a piece of her mind. How could he do this after last night and this morning's events.
Wanda caught Nat's arm to bring her back behind with her.
“Everybody's okay with that.” She said to Steve but looking at Nat to make her understand it really was okay. Nat backed off and dropped the issue but Wanda knew she would have her back should she need it and it was always comforting for her to see what it was like to have a best friend who cared that much.
Ellie was about to protest before Natasha did and after seeing Wanda tell the black widow it was okay, she decided against it. Maybe it was better if they all put this behind them as Wanda was trying to.
Everybody nodded and put colored shirts to differentiate teams. Steve's team was blue and the other team was white.
They started pretty easily enough. Steve crossed the yard, gave the ball to Nat who had followed him on the other side of the field and she gave her team the first point.
“C'mon!” Sam said and Natasha smirked at him.
It was the boy's turn to have the ball since Nat just opened the score. Sam ran and was about to score when Steve stopped him and took the ball to give it to Wanda. Wanda ran to the other side of the field, her small size making her harder to catch but she was surprised by Vision appearing right in front of her. Luckily Yukio had understood the robot's plan and followed Wanda.
“Wanda!”. Yukio called after her making sure Wanda knew she had a teammate close.
Wanda turned her head and gave Yukio the ball which ended up in the girls and Steve scoring for the second time in barely fifteen minutes.
After that everything seemed to go back to normal. Better than normal actually, everyone seemed to have a good time and the air was no longer filled with the events from the night before.
An hour later and everyone is panting. The boys managed to up the score and now it's 15-15. They decided to have a water break and then they'd be playing for the final point to have a winner.
Nat and Wanda went to drink with everyone but Ellie was talking to Wade on the side, apparently messing around.
“That's fun.” Nat said starting a conversation with Wanda.
“Of course you would say that.” She answered laughing while Natasha joined knowing Wanda's dislike for sports despite her fit body.
“But there are some good sides.” Wanda said while looking at Ellie messing with Wade. She had a huge smile on her face.
“Is that so?” Nat asked but at that moment Ellie's eyes locked themselves on Wanda's.
Wanda decided to tease and her eyes turned red but Ellie had other ideas when it came to teasing. She kept her gaze locked on Wanda and took off her team shirt and shirt leaving her in her sport bra. Some of them turned when they saw it but seeing the X-men were not paying attention, even Wade, they figured it was normal for the girl and after all they were doing sports so there was nothing to think of.
Except for Wanda. Yes, Wanda had her mouth agape and even Natasha was surprised. Ellie had a smile plastered on her face because of what she just did knowing she would mean.
Wanda's mind was blank, Ellie was in a very tight short and sports bra which would seem totally innocent for others but Wanda knew better. She knew Ellie was teasing and it was definitely working. Ellie was sweaty, her hair a mess and now her abs fully showing and knowing her breast were just that close was driving Wanda mad.
“Wanda!” Natasha called after her.
The scarlet witch snapped back to reality.
“What?!”
“I've called you like 4 times.” She said smirking knowing very well why Wanda was distracted.
“Sorry. I was distracted.” She said with an innocent face.
“Yeah I saw that. She has a way of getting you distracted I see.” The Black Widow answered.
Wanda chuckled and nodded.
“Okay guys, the next point will define the winners.” Steve said calling everyone to the field.
Wanda shot one more glance at Ellie who turned her eyes orange and winked at her causing Wanda to stop in her track.
Everyone was back in the game and it was pretty hard. No one managed to get an opening and seeing Ellie running around in her sport bra and short was driving Wanda crazy. She needed to get her alone and she needed to do it now.
Steve managed to retrieve the ball from Sam and went for it but Vision was coming very fast, floating on the field. Wanda called after Steve who gave her the ball and she shot the ball knowing very well that she wouldn't be able to score at this distance without her power so she used them. Nice and focused as Natasha had taught her. It was so smooth no one noticed and the girls and Steve jumped in victory.
“Ok after that I say drinks for everyone.” Wade said.
“Without me guys, I hurt my shoulder I think I should check it out.” Wanda said.
“What?” Ellie asked worriedly. “I'll bring you to the lab.”
Colossus nodded and everyone went inside for drinks and the girls went to the lab.