Intervention
"So Tony made his very own love potion number nine, Nat drank it and now, she's after Steve?"
"Yes, and it's about damn time, too. I've gotten sick of watching those two dance around each other the past couple of years. I'd say this is just what they needed."
Wanda glared at Sam and Bucky. "I think you both should be ashamed of yourselves! Gossiping and joking about our friends like a couple of silly teenage girls! This is not a good thing at all!"
Bucky ignored the jab and crossed his arms. "And just why is this not a good thing?"
"You're joking, right? Look, we all would love for Steve and Natasha to become a couple. Myself, more than anyone, but this has to happen naturally, not because of some crazy chemical, potion or whatever it is that Tony made."
"It's an elixir, people. An elixir. Potions are words that are reserved for crazy, old witches." Tony chimed in.
Clint scoffed and replied. "Yeah, well, this time, we're reserving it for you since you were the one who made this shit that's got Nat all horny for Steve."
"How many times do I have to apologize for that?"
"About seventy more and you'll be good."
"Enough!" Wanda hissed at the men. Her temper was began to rise due to the stupidest being displayed here. "Stop being so petty. This is not about us. This is about Steve and Natasha. As much as we'd love for them to be a couple, we can't let them be alone together."
"You're right," Clint nodded. "But Steve's a good guy. He wouldn't take advantage of Nat."
"Yeah. I've known that punk longer than anyone here and I can attest to that. Steve would never compromise Natasha because he loves her." Bucky thought for a moment before continuing.
"However, I've seen the way they look at each other when they think no one else notices. Natasha is good about breaking men's defenses down and persuading them to do what she wants. If this potion-ah, elixir is as strong as Tony says it is, I think we'd best check up on them to make sure they haven't..."
Tony waved his hand in the air. "Uh, that's far enough, Bucky. I don't think I want to have the image of Natasha going cowgirl on the old man."
"Dammit, Tony. I did not need that image in my head," groaned Sam as he stood up and rubbed his temples.
"Well, I didn't either, but I don't have the ability to sugarcoat disturbing thoughts."
Wanda cleared her throat. "Okay. We're done talking about this. I think we should all just go up there and stop them before they make a big mistake that they'll regret later."
The five Avengers went swiftly up the stairs and stopped at Steve's bedroom door. Without a moment's hesitation, Wanda knocked on the door and waited.
"Hold on. Shouldn't we just open the door instead of knock? This is a pretty serious situation, after all."
"That's a good point, Sam, but I do not think any of us would care to see Steve or Natasha in the nude."
"...eugh. You're right. Knocking is a better alternative."
Wanda was about to say something else, but the door opened and she closed her mouth, silently praying to God that they had come in time to stop their friends from making a grave error.
Steve stepped out and furrowed his brow. Clint had on this 'If you took advantage of my best friend, I will kick your ass to the moon and back' on his face, Wanda was biting her lip in nervousness, Sam and Bucky had their classic 'What the hell is going on' expressions and Tony just looked like he'd rather be anywhere but here.
"Is something wrong?"
Wanda decided to speak for everyone since she was the most level headed of the group and the one who did her best to keep from freaking out about this whole elixir situation. "No, I hope not. Steve, where is Natasha?"
"She's sleeping-well, I suppose unconscious would be a more appropriate word."
Bucky moved forward and looked his friend in the eye carefully. "You didn't have sex with her, did you?"
Steve's eyes widened in shock, then understanding as the realization of why all of the Avengers in the tower were standing outside his door suddenly dawned on him. "No. I could never do that to her. Not while she's under the influence of that elixir."
A collective sigh went through the group and they all felt themselves relax. Tony cleared his throat. "So did you have to lock her in the bathroom or something?"
"Oh, no. I Karate chopped her brachial artery."
"Ah."
"That solves one problem, but when she wakes up, she will no doubt try to seduce you again. Perhaps I could help her."
"How so?"
"I could enter her subconscious and assist her in reasserting control over the effects this elixir has on her mind."
Steve cocked his head to the side and looked back at Natasha. "Do you think that would work?"
"Positive. My powers have grown strong enough that I'm certain it would be successful and it's a much better option than locking her in one of the cells we have in the basement."
Clint chuckled. "Yeah. She'd find a way out of there and kick all of our asses if we did."
"Exactly," Wanda agreed. "Which is why my idea is the only logical choice."
Steve's eyes were full of questions, but he eventually nodded. "You're right. The sooner Nat is back to normal, the better."
"Good. Could you pick her up and take her to her room? I think after this is all over, she'll be comfortable in her own bed."
"Yeah." Steve went into his room and picked Natasha up off his bed and carried her in his arms.
The tender feeling in his eyes didn't escape Wanda's notice and she smiled, following him to Natasha's room.
The other Avengers scattered. Tony announced that he was going to pour himself a drink and the men went with him to the bar downstairs.
Once Steve had laid Natasha down on her bed, Wamda came behind him and placed a kind hand on his arm. "Don't worry, Steve. I know Natasha will be very grateful to you for not taking advantage of her. Maybe this is just what the two of you needed to spark an awakening. You might end up thanking Tony for making the elixir when all is said and done."
The super soldier laughed at her remarks. She was trying to cheer him up and he appreciated it. "Thanks, Wanda. I hope you're right. It's been hard, wondering if Nat would ever see me the way I see her. When she came to me tonight...god, I was so tempted to take what she was offering me, but I knew that eventually, the effects of the elixir would wear off and later, I'd hate myself for it and regardless of being under the influence, she'd still hate herself for seducing me and me for giving in."
He brushed his hand against the apple of Natasha's cheek. "That would be the one thing to crush any chance we'd have for a relationship and probably ruin our friendship, so there's no way I'd do that to her or me. If I have to wait, I will. Nat is worth it."
Wanda stood next to Steve in silence, so touched by his heartfelt words. She could sense the powerful emotions that surged through him as he looked down upon the woman he loved. Then and there, she made a decision to help Steve and Natasha, although she kept it to herself.
"I'll let you get to it." His eyes watched Natasha for another long moment, then switched back to Wanda again. "Goodnight."
"Good night," Wanda said, her mind churning with an idea on how to give Natasha just the right nudge that would send her in Steve's direction.
The brunette sat on the bed and took Natasha's hand in hers. Her eyes were closed and slowly, red energy surrounded Wanda's body and grew to encompass Natasha as well.
A low hum resonated through Wanda and she pushed the ribbons of her power bit by bit until she was inside of Natasha's mind. She was careful to stay away from her friend's memories and rather, focused on her subconscious.
Every human being on the earth had an energy ribbon, a ribbon which Wanda was privileged to see whenever she entered a person's mind and embraced the metaphysical. These ribbons were tied to intangible things like a person's spirit, soul and also, their subconscious.
In the metaphysical world, ones's subconscious looks like a white sphere with a small hole. So this was for Natasha's subconscious. Wanda reached out, the tendrils of her power pressed into the hole and pulled ever so slightly. After that, a flash of light spread, covered everything briefly.
Wanda blinked and she found herself in a beautiful meadow with Natasha sitting cross-legged amongst a field of daisies.
The redhead exclaimed in surprise, "Wanda! How did you get here?"
"I used my powers to enter your mind and seek out your subconscious."
"Oh. Makes sense. As nice as it is here, I'd prefer to get out. I've behaved horribly to Steve and I feel absolutely terrible about what I did."
Interesting. Usually, the people Wanda had spoken to in this way were never aware of the things they did or said in the real world, but they weren't Natasha. She had a stronger will than most people even without the Soviet version of the super soldier serum in her veins.
Natasha had probably been fighting to get out from the first moment the elixir entered her system. "I've spoken with Steve. He isn't mad at you."
"I know. It was only right before I passed out that I realized he did that to me." The redhead's cheeks turned a light pink and Wanda raised an eyebrow. She hadn't seen Natasha blush in real life.
"And how do you feel about that?"
"You sound like a therapist."
"Just call me Dr. Wanda."
Natasha laughed and ran her fingers through her curly locks. "Grateful. I know it couldn't have been easy for Steve to resist me. Especially when I'm on the prowl..."
"True, but Steve knows how to hold fast and resist. He has impeccable endurance."
"Does he ever." The playful tone left Natasha's voice and was replaced by a quieter, more solemn sound. "I just wish he'd take his blinders off and see what's been right in front of him this whole time."
This is just what you hoped. You have a chance to do some good here, Wanda. Now, use it.
The brunette smiled and sat down next to her friend, crossing her legs in the same fashion. "You know, it's funny you should mention that because I have something important to tell you concerning those blinders of his..."