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phantomvael · 10 months

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THIS IS SO CUTE IM GOING FERAL HSKWHEJDBWJWHEH

I WANT SOME (OF YOUR LOVE) - spiderwoman!h.yj x f!reader

SYPNOSIS; yunjin being late to band practice is slowly becoming a habit...and you think you know why. yunjin also has a habit of blushing around you, and you definitely know why.

NOTES; 1.9k. it's all fluff <3 i watched across the spiderverse and had to...lsrfm is a rock band 👩‍❤️‍💋‍👩 yunjin being a terrible liar and chaewon being done w her bs 😭 there's a little bit of swearing

"shit, shit, shit, shit, shit!"

yunjin is late to band practice. again.

which, in theory, should be fine. punctuality was important to her but, hey, in the life of spiderwoman, there had to be sacrifices, right?

"jen, where are you?"

delivered 5 minutes ago. she'll arrive in another 5. shit.

"jm almost theref i orimkse!;" 🗣🧍‍♀️✈"

you stare at your phone with narrowed eyes, your brain trying to process and translate the foreign language.

"hey," you hear chaewon, the leader of your band, call you, "have any idea where your girlfriend is?" she teases, though you can sense a little bit of frustration from her part, which was understandable, knowing that yunjin was her friend too.

"girlfriend!?"

"girlfriend?"

"girlfriend!"

the other three shout simultaneously. eunchae's eyes are sparkling, kazuha's mouth is open in an "O" shape, and sakura looks like she's about to interrogate you on when, why, how, and where this happened.

you throw off the others with a wave of your hand, offering the leader an apologetic smile, tapping your drumsticks on your lap, "ignoring the "girlfriend" part because she isn't, but she did say she'd be here soon."

chaewon merely gives an unconvinced hum, inspecting her microphone while kazuha tunes her bass guitar, eunchae tests her keyboard, and sakura practices rifts on her electric guitar. you tap your drumsticks on the cymbal a little nervously.

"i'm here!" a loud voice announces, as huh yunjin finally runs in, her hair looking messed up, her clothes ruffled, and her own electric guitar lugging along with her on one shoulder. chaewon purses her lips at the scene, but you simply leap from your chair and towards yunjin.

the taller girl closes her eyes and braces for a lecture, but all she feels is gentle hands weaving through her hair. she opens her eyes and looks into yours. you don't look mad...?

"huh yunjin," you whisper.

"hm?" she hums dazedly, her cheeks turning a warm pink when your hands move to pat at her wrinkled clothes.

"what's your excuse this time?" sakura chimes instead, stealing your question from you. at this, yunjin smiles sheepishly, sneaking a glance at you for advice on how to approach this, but all you give her is a slight nod. she sighs.

"i actually a very good excuse for this and, well....i-"

"she was picking something up for me," you answer for her, with your back still facing the rest of the band. yunjin looks at you, failing to hide her relieved expression, and you shake your head at her before turning around and having a staring contest with chaewon.

the leader sighs and gestures for the both of you to get on stage, "just don't make a habit of it, please, that was the third time this week, jen."

"yes ma'am," the blond electric guitarist nods with a grin, giving you a quick kiss on the cheek and running to the stage before you could reprimand her.

you huff, rubbing your cheek, and you make your way back to your drums, deciding to talk to her privately about it later.

you take no notice of how hot your cheeks felt, and you certainly pretend that you're unaware of yunjin's stares.

"I can't keep covering for you, yunjin," you mumble, patting gently at the cut on her cheek. she lets out a pained whine as you do so, but you don't let up.

yunjin doesn't say anything at first, not when you're in such a...compromising position.

'is this on purpose?' she thinks, because between you straddling her lap and treating her stinging wounds, it's either the pain or how horredously down bad she is that's making her this dizzy.

and your face was terribly close. she swallows, not making direct eye contact with you.

"hey," your lips curl into a small smirk, and yunjin makes the mistake of looking up. her cheeks immediately color when her gaze locks with yours, "you've been uncharacteristically non-hyperverbal with me today."

you bandage her cheek carefully, then moving on to the small gash on her stomach.

"may I?"

her cheeks burn with embarrassment as she lifts up her own shirt for you, and you roll your eyes playfully at how dramatic she's being. you feel her squeeze your arm when you disinfect it, with you biting your lower lip in concentration.

"is this really necessary?" she finally gathers the courage to ask, and she gestures to you sitting on her lap as though it wasn't your first time.

"why?" you whisper, finishing up the first-aid, the tip of your nose touching hers, "does it bother you, spiderwoman?

and yunjin tries. she tries her absolute hardest not to give in, because she wonders if this was all a game to you. she wonders if yesterday night had happened at all.

yunjin doesn't know why you're so calm when she had just saved your life.

she had thought that after the shock of almost being burgled, you'd be shaking like every other person would be. but instead, here you were, sitting on the edge of your fire escape, offering her half your sandwich.

she's hanging upside down, her mask only lifted high enough for her lips to be visible as she quietly accepts the food after you refused to take back your offer.

"can i ask you a question?"

yunjin nods slowly, "go ahead."

"are you always this caring towards the people you save?"

she's caught off-guard by the question and grateful that the mask was hiding her flustered expression.

"...i don't know what you mean."

you raise an eyebrow, a shit-eating grin on your face, though it did look a little strange for her from this angle, "really? well, do you bring every single one of them home? and stay a while? do you somehow know all their addresses? are you secretly a stalker?"

yunjin rolls her eyes underneath her mask, but her heart is racing. were you implying that you knew it was her?

knowing she wasn't sure of what to say, you lean closer to her masked face, and yunjin swears that she hears your breathing get slightly shaky.

"jennifer," you whisper, relishing in the way she tenses up visibly, "you know you're terrible at hiding things and how you're feeling, right?"

the last bit of sandwich she has in her hand drops, and she catches it with her web and a small yelp, making you giggle. her jaw hangs open and she racks her head, thinking how she could save this.

but, she knows, if there is any chance of anyone ever knowing about her secret, it would be you.

"how did you know?" she manages to say, her lips pursing.

"let's just say you're pretty obvious," you say, "at least, to me. and in more than one way."

"your voice, your mannerisms, and the subtle hints..."

yunjin finds herself staring at your lips. 'oh my god,' she thinks, mentally facepalming, 'is this really the best time to be dreaming about kissing her, huh yunjin?'

"wait, what?" oh. how articulate.

you let out a soft laugh at her dumbfounded tone, and she finds herself moving closer, and closer.

"if you already know who i am," you can feel her warm breath on your lips, "and you know how i feel, then, what are you going to do about it?"

"i can think of something," you say, staring at her lips, and she finally closes the gap, her lips hesitantly brushing against yours, before you cup her cheeks with your hands and you pull her close.

god, an upside down kiss. she could literally die happy now.

she could hardly register what's happening before you pull away. her lips chase yours, but you only giggle before gently pulling her mask off. there she is, the person who's been plaguing your daydreams.

"wanna come in and talk?"

"...more kisses?"

"mhm, if we talk."

"deal."

unfortunately, your roommate had called from inside, and she immediately pulls her mask back on. you're just about to apologise, but she shakes her head.

"tomorrow?" she asks, hopefully.

you pull her mask down again, just enough to give her one last kiss. she's almost afraid the web that's holding her up will break from how weak every part of her is feeling right now.

"tomorrow."

well, tomorrow was here. and fuck, she wants to kiss you again.

"wait," yunjin presses her index finger to your lips, "you promised we'd talk."

"right," you smile, opting for a kiss on her forehead instead, and she can feel the gears in her head screeching at this point, "sorry, you just look extremely kissable."

yunjin's hands settle hesitantly on your hips while your arms wrap around her neck, "what do you wanna talk about?"

"first of all," yunjin tilts her head, "what are we?"

"whatever you want," you tease, making her pout, to which you giggle, "okay, okay."

"jennifer huh," you say in a more serious voice, somehow making her posture straighten. you lean your forehead on hers, your voice laced with lovesick undertones that makes her heart melt, "i want to be your girlfriend."

yunjin can't stop herself from grinning.

"again."

"what?" you pull back a little to see her entire face. she looks happy. you love when she's happy.

"say it again," yunjin whispers breathlessly, her hand reaching up to cup the side of your face, her thumb brushing against your lips, "please."

"huh yunijn," your head feels fuzzy, but you nod as you humour her, shivering when her other hand starts playing with the hem of your shirt, "i want to be your girlfriend. that is, if you wa-"

she doesn't allow you to finish her sentence before she presses her lips to yours, making a surprised sound leave your throat. your hands tangle in her hair, and when you pull a little, you feel giddy when she whines softly.

this time, she pulls away first, but you don't chase her lips. you don't have to, anyway.

yunjin clears her throat, her blush getting redder as she gives a indifferent shrug, "sure, sure. yeah, that sounds good."

you scoff, slapping her shoulder playfully.

"okay! okay, i'm sorry, babe," yunjin pouts, and it's honestly terrifying how much of an effect she has on you already.

also. woah. babe. you're mentally giggling and kicking your feet at this point. not that you're ever gonna let her know.

"i want to be your girlfriend too," she kisses your cheek, "but, you do know what comes along with being spiderwoman's girlfriend, don't you?"

"enlighten me!"

"i mean, i'm somehow always in trouble, which means you could get into trouble, and it can and will be dangerous, and oh god, i wonder if we should even-"

"nuh uh," you interrupt, using your hand to cover her mouth.

her eyebrows furrow as she lets out muffled complaints, and you tsk at her, "you've already saved me once, jen. i'd trust you with my life. i've got your back and you have mine."

yunjin takes your hand off her mouth and she sighs in defeat, nodding, "you're right."

"aren't i always?" you question in faux offense and she snorts in return, looking at you with so much fondness that it made your heart ache.

she nuzzles her face into your neck and pulls you closer, "it means a lot, you know."

"i know."

"babe, please tell me you're almost here 🧍‍♀️"

you stand outside your home, weaving your hand through your hair, waiting for her reply. you look away from your phone and up at the sky, the blue appearing especially pretty today. then, suddenly, you see a small, dark-suited figure flying through the same sky.

you think you're hallucinating until you see the mask up close, and your eyes widen comically when your girlfriend swoops by and picks you up smoothly by your waist with one arm, her other one preoccupied with webbing. other than the deafening whistle of the air as you shot up, you hear her breathless, excited voice, "hi, babe!"

"y-yunjin!" you yelp when your legs almost land on top of a random car in traffic, "this is not what i meant by picking me up for practice!"

spiderwoman only laughs, fleeting and free, amd your breath hitches in your throat.

ah, fuck.

you bury your face in her neck, focusing on how warm and secure her arm felt around your waist instead.

"you owe me for putting me through this!"

"aw, come on! now, be honest, would you give this ride a 5 star rating?"

"yunjin!"

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phantomvael · 10 months

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WHEJGRJWHWJRHW CUTIES

lost in your eyes

h.yj x f!reader

genre: fluff!! summary: you and yunjin find yourselves lost in the countryside, so you make the obvious decision to start a livestream. words: 1.1k

yunjin x yn!! my cuties omg hi where are you guys?? they look like a couple lol

the viewers instantly surged in numbers and countless comments came pouring in. most were excited greetings and some were doting on the pair on screen, a few begging for couple poses to screenshot.

"hey everyone!"

"hi guys! thank you for joining us."

you and yunjin stood side-by-side, waving at the camera, which yunjin held as you nestled your chin on her shoulder.

"just to clarify, we aren't lost...we just can't seem to find our members anywhere."

the camera flipped around to reveal the open countryside. fields upon fields of...nothingness.

help where tf are they??? plz r they stranded idk whether to laugh or phone emergency services

"as you can see...there is no sign of civilisation. this may possibly be our 'rural survival' era." you announced, the camera flipping back to you and yunjin.

"but don't worry guys, we're safe, we just need to retrace our steps."

"i could've sworn they came this way..." you glanced around one more time as if your members were hiding somewhere in the barren landscape.

"i know... but i'm starting to think they may have gone down the other path."

"it all looks the same, this feels like the backrooms."

"i know right, we're too city girl for this." you nodded in agreement before hooking an arm beneath yunjin's and starting your trek back down the path.

the woman began replying to comments as you walked comfortably together.

"they're telling us to hold hands." she stated after a moment, a goofy smile on her face.

"guys…we're literally stuck in the middle of nowhere and that's how you're feeling?" you feigned offence but happily complied, gently taking yunjin's hand and intertwining your fingers, lifting it up to show the viewers, who were going wild in the comments.

you two were often affectionate with each other, seemingly having instant chemistry, which the fans quickly picked up on. it didn't take long for you and yunjin to become the most shipped pair in the group, but you didn't mind- you thought it was quite sweet actually, and you could definitely think of worse things to be circulating. not to mention the fact that you'd had a small crush on yunjin for a while now and clearly weren't subtle about it, judging by the copious amounts of dating rumours between you two, but you could usually play it off.

yunjin's opinions on the matter were kind of a mystery to you. she'd never explicitly addressed the shipping, but seemed to entertain the idea, often initiating affection or playfully flirting with you...for the fans, you dejectedly assumed.

you felt yunjin squeeze your hand and glanced up to see a soft smile adorning her features. you reciprocated the affection by squeezing back, the wordless action lighting a welcome warmth in your chest. the sun had begun to melt, plunging you into a golden hue that captured yunjin's eyes, causing them to gleam like sparkling pools of honey. the sight almost took your breath away and you gulped, wary of sinking too deep.

the way they look at each other, i can't absbjsbfh love love love pretty yunjin x yn is canon idc the way they're lost rn....IN EACH OTHER'S EYES

the last comment made you chuckle, and you saw yunjin's face light up on the screen when she read it as well.

"we probably look like an old couple right now. all we need is a dog." she stated with a laugh, causing you to smile shyly.

"or a cat."

"but cats don't like to go on country walks."

"neither do i. we're an old couple trying to be youthful and active while our grumpy cat chills at home, in the city." yunjin giggled loudly, squeezing your hand once again.

"yes that's perfect. let's make it happen." your eyes widened and you were met with her mischievous smirk.

damn you yunjin.

are the dating rumours even rumours at this point we're witnessing y/n's gay panic, live plz yunjin is such a flirt

"we should probably find our way back to civilisation first." you stated, hoping the inevitable blush in your cheeks wasn't too noticeable.

"that's true...maybe instead of going on live we should've called chaewon...?"

"wait why didn't we think of that first? your stupidness is rubbing off on me yunjin." you reached for the phone in your coat pocket, only to find many...many missed calls from your members. yunjin nervously chuckled beside you, also witnessing the horror.

"this is definitely because of your stupidness. why was your phone on 'do not disturb'?" she exclaimed.

"i was trying to experience nature properly!"

when the cottage-core liftestyle backfires because you're literally an idol

"okay everyone, you're about to witness y/n being torn to shreds by chaewon-unnie. prepare to be entertained."

you shot yunjin a dark glare before calling chaewon, the hollow ringing sending cold waves of fear through your body.

"y/n! where the hell are you?? why weren't you answering?! are you seriously on live right now!?"

"uh hi chae..." you glanced to yunjin for help but she simply shrugged angling the camera to show your panicked face instead. "we just got a bit sidetracked..."

"sidetracked??? you went missing and decided to do a livestream! i'm literally going to start developing grey hairs because of you two."

"i'm sorry chae, we're on our way back now...i think."

"you think?! please don't tell me you need a search team to go after you..."

"a search team?? wait... omg i think i see some cars."

yunjin swivelled her head in the same direction as you then gasped, physically jumping for joy.

"yunjin and y/n have navigated the perilous journey and return unscathed." she addressed the viewers as if she were a sports commentator.

you were literally walking for 5 minutes yay! power couple these two are perfect for each other poor chaewon LMAO

"oh thank god." chaewon sighed. "we're waiting by the car. remind me to get you guys those backpack leashes next time." and with that, she hung up.

you and yunjin took one look at each other before bursting into laughter.

"alright guys, sorry this was brief but hopefully you found it entertaining." you told the viewers.

"if you don't see us shitposting on twitter later, assume that foul play is involved by the hands of chaewon-unnie." yunjin added.

"mhm... okay, goodbye everyone! pray for us!" you and yunjin gave the camera a final enthusiastic wave before ending the live.

"that was fun." she stated before rejoining your hands. the action catching you off-guard since the live had ended, but you certainly weren't complaining.

"i reckon we should get lost together more often." you replied.

"in each other's eyes." yunjin wiggled her eyebrows, referring to the earlier comment causing you both to giggle.

"i have no objections."

"hm..." yunjin squeezed your hand, leaning slightly further into you. you squeezed back and relished in the closeness. "can we call our grumpy cat chaewon?" she mused after a moment.

"oh absolutely."

your eyes met once again, this time exchanging an unspoken feeling of adoration.

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phantomvael · 11 months

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enemies to oh shit?? i’ve loved you this whole time??? to lovers

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phantomvael · 1 year

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No thoughts head empty just ✨WOMEN ✨

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phantomvael · 1 year

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Bruised Love - Spider!Reader x Wanda Maximoff

Summary: A short tale about the unusual romance of the most powerful sorceress in the universe and the spider girl. Or, it takes some misunderstandings, five years of blip and a memory spell for you and Wanda to find your way back to each other. | Requested

Warnings: (+16), mild angst with happy ending, making out, some violence and mentions of blood, age gap (before the blip), friends to strangers to lovers, love confessions, some magic too, canon divergence | Words: 8.021k

A/N-> Someone said 'please write something with Spider!Reader and Wanda' after I wrote a one with Nat, and it only took me a few months to get something done. It's not a series, but I think it's big enough. I thought the ending was a little dark, but it will stay that way. Hope you like it, and if you have any ideas I would love to hear them, I finally cleared my request list. By the way, I didn't proofread the text, sorry for any mistakes I'm lazy and busy.

General Masterlist | AO3 | Wattpad

--//--

You swung around and climbed through your floor window into the Avengers Complex as quietly as your current injuries would allow.

In other words, you made a lot of noise.

Wanda caught you keeping one of the jugs in the hallway from falling to the floor and was just as surprised at your condition as you were to see her.

"Oh, hey, I didn't know there were people home." You greeted clumsily, trying to disguise the way you were limping and forcing a smile past the pain. Wanda, of course, didn't buy it one bit - Red Threads pushed the vase away from your hands as she approached with a worried expression.

"Were you hit by a car by any chance?" She questioned, her eyes scanning the bruises on your face. You laughed, discreetly holding the wall.

"Not by a car." You joked, which only worried her more. You were about to clarify that you were fighting a rhino man and that it was a pretty bad fight when everything started to go dark. Wanda held you by the waist, and you gasped in pain.

"Come sit down, dorogoya." You heard her whisper, letting yourself be carried into her room - next to yours, from which Wanda had emerged when she found you coming in through the window.

Wanda sat you on the bed and waited for you to be able to breathe normally, as she sat across from you on a stool that she made float to her.

She used magic to bring a medical kit from the bathroom as well.

"Why are you here?" You asked breathlessly, and she blinked her eyes in surprise. With a chuckle, you clarified, "I thought the whole team was going to be out."

"You expected an empty tower and you chose here and not a hospital?" She returned with a question, her eyebrow raised. Her hands were busy opening the kit, and yours were squeezing your ribs where you had taken a few hundred blows.

"I didn't.... want to risk exposing myself." You mutter weakly, not having the strength to resist when Wanda approaches you and begins to pull your shirt up in the intention of seeing the size of the damage. "Doctors ask questions."

But Wanda barely heard her explanation, shock on her face as she saw the size of the bruises.

"For Christ's sake, Y/N." She grumbled worriedly, risking pressing her fingers together only for you to jump away, whimpering in pain. "I think it broke."

"Don't worry about it. Spider power, and all. It'll heal." You retort breaking into a cold sweat but forcing a smile at her. "I just need some patches. Much like you, I guess." You comment on the countless times Wanda would finish off some superficial scars or bruises on her face. Her magic made the greater work.

She sighs but eventually accepts it. She starts preparing the bandages, and you push one foot gently over hers, drawing her attention back to you.

"So...why didn't you go with the others to Berlin?" you ask.

All the Avengers were away from the tower for the resolutions of the Sokovia Accords. When Tony Stark showed up on your doorstep almost six months ago saying he needed your help in a fight with Captain America, you laughed at the invitation. First, you thought that the heroes had finally gone crazy. Then, you thought it was a joke that a billionaire was at your door asking you to surrender your freedom for the American government to turn you into a weapon. And finally, you managed to talk some sense into a shaken and guilty Tony Stark. You convinced him not to face his friends, and Iron Man and his economic power changed the game. The political tension was still there, but the Avengers were not criminals, and the rest of the heroes of the world were free, and that was enough for the moment.

You knew that these meetings with the United Nations were more frequent, especially with Wakanda exposed to the world and working with the Avengers now, so the team had been quite busy.

Wanda should have gone with them to Germany, on some other humanitarian mission but she was here.

And she looked away to the pieces of cotton when you asked.

"I didn't want to go." She mutters. "I thought it was better that way."

Only by studying her reaction, you could tell what it was.

"This is about your powers, isn't it?" You asked anyway, and Wanda shrugged, confirming your conclusion. "They have to stop bringing Lagos up, you saved Steve's life and-"

"It's not their fault." Wanda cut in with a sad smile, "It's just me. Steve, Nat, and even Tony were okay with me being there. But I just don't..."

Wanda fell silent, and you ignored the pain to straighten up and take her hand. She shuddered in the same way, tense as if she expected to make your injuries worse.

"I think you'll be missed on the mission." You say gently, catching the small smile that appears on her lips as she stares at your fingers together. "They could use your magic for basically anything. Especially carrying boxes of supplies." You tease at the last, earning a chuckle. Wanda moves her hands away to start treating your face, and you try not to stare so hard.

"What happened to you?" she asks, trying to be gentle as she cleans the cuts.

You sigh softly. "You'll probably see it on TV, but I just sent another supervillain to Raft. Sytsevich, or as he prefers to be called Rhino. Do you think it's strange how many villains dressed as animals I have to face?" You joke, getting another laugh out of her.

"You fought a lizard man before you came here, right?" she asks casually, but you raise an eyebrow.

"Have you been stalking me, Maximoff?" You retort provocatively, and Wanda laughs past the slight pink that appears on her cheeks.

"For your information, Captain gave us a file on you as soon as Tony said he wanted to recruit you." She explains, switching the cheek and apologizing with a glance when you shudder softly. "Speaking of which, you haven't accepted it yet."

You sigh softly, biting the inside of your cheek. Wanda waits, the gentle movements on your face, and after a moment, you say:

"I guess I'm scared too, Wands." You confess with a sad smile, and Wanda hesitates with cotton against your cheek, her gaze concerned and curious. You swallow dryly before continuing. "Being an avenger is different from being the neighborhood friend. I'm afraid of what the change might mean for my Aunt May, for example. And I'm still going to college, what would it be like to be an Avenger and be on campus? What if some of these villains dressed as animals decide to invade a classroom because of me? I wouldn't forgive myself..."

"I get that." Wanda says, putting down the cotton to get a bandage. "None of us want to be responsible for people getting hurt."

You nod, but when you go to thank Wanda, you feel a sharp twinge in your rib and gasp in pain. She looks at you with concern, and you can barely force a smile to reassure her.

"Y/N, maybe I should take you..."

"No, no doctors." You interrupt her weakly. "P-perhaps, you can..."

But Wanda pulls her hands away at the same second, insecurity in her gaze. "No, I don't want to make things worse."

You give a weak laugh, shaking your head. "It's already broken, there's no way it could get worse."

"I could disintegrate it." She justifies seeming to want to talk some sense into you, but only makes you laugh softly.

"Great idea, if it doesn't exist it won't hurt." You joke, but Wanda just grunts impatiently. She makes mention of getting up, and you push the pain away to hold her forearm. "Come on, Witchy, please. I trust you."

"But I don't trust me!" She aggressively hits back, and you blink in surprise. Wanda looks away, swallowing in shame for snapping out of it, and before she can apologize, you are speaking again.

"You know I have a spider-sense. It works for danger, even when I'm asleep." You begin, taking Wanda's hand in yours and bringing it up to your face again. "And even when stay here for our movies nights and sleep next at your bed or even so when you use your magic on me, it never warns me. It knows that you are not a threat, not dangerous. I wish you could see that too."

Wanda feels her face heat up, and her eyes fill with tears. You only smile at her, and she sighs before lowering her hand to your ribcage.

"Promise you'll tell me if your ribs disintegrate." She mutters getting a loud laugh that ends in a grunt of pain.

"Stop being funny, I'm in pain." You complain softly, and she giggles as well before letting the magic out of her fingers.

You gasp immediately, and Wanda almost loses concentration entirely when your face falls on her shoulder, one hand squeezing her arm. Your rib returns to its place, and you stifle a whimper of pain on Wanda's skin.

"There, there, that wasn't so bad, right?" She whispers low, the magic still tingling on your skin as she uses her other hand to stroke your back.

"That was incredible, I'll tell Aunt May there's a potential nurse on the team." You joke, getting a small chuckle from the other, who gently pushes you back to the couch.

"I'll get some painkillers for you, milashka." She warns as she gets up, and you think you blinked for only two seconds, but it was clearly for about five minutes.

Wanda gives you medicine and helps you to the bed.

"Hey, Witchy." You call out to her before she can take the dirty cottons to the trash. "Movie night when I wake up?"

The invitation makes her smile. She knows you'll probably sleep for good hours and most likely have to go home when you wake up so May won’t kill you, but she agrees nonetheless.

Her smile stays in your head until you fall asleep.

–//–

You were eight years younger than Wanda.

In the compound, surrounded by the Avengers, watching Sitcoms in her bed or training together it didn't matter.

At your high school graduation, with all those teenagers and teachers, Wanda could feel the difference.

She wasn't old, she was just older than you.

"I don't have to be a telepath to know something is wrong." Natasha's voice makes the brunette pull back in fright slightly. Wanda swallows dryly, looking away from your figure talking to a group of friends ahead. "Are you really going to keep hiding here and not talk to Y/N? She was particularly insistent on your presence today."

Wanda sighs, shifting her gaze to her feet and hiding better behind the pilasters the school has organized for the graduate's event. Unlike the rest of the Avengers - who caused a commotion by doing so - Wanda hadn't gone to greet you yet.

"I can't do this, Nat." The brunette murmured, looking down as the widow watched her reactions. "She...cares about me, I know she does. And I'm too old to be a crush."

Natasha sighs softly, uncrossing her arms and looking at Wanda sympathetically. "Now you're just being hard on both of you." Said the Widow, waiting for the brunette to look away from you and at her. "I'm sure if you were honest with her, Y/N would be willing for this to be more than a crush, Wanda."

But the brunette swallows dryly, denying it with her head. Her attention returns to you - laughing out loud with your friends, looking so at ease - before saying to her colleague:

"She's only 18, Tasha. I can't demand that she decide her future now." Witch begins. "She's already told Tony that she's not joining the Avengers. She's going to get a degree first, and maybe work for some time with Bruce in the lab after that. None of those plans include me."

"But she doesn't know..."

"It doesn't matter." Wanda cuts in with a sad smile. "I couldn't shove those feelings onto her, and demand that she doesn't follow her dreams because I want to start a family. It wouldn't be fair."

"Is that what you're going to do?" Natasha asks a little surprised. "Start a family, I say."

Wanda sighs, attention returning to you for another moment. "Yeah, I’ve been thinking about that." Wanda confesses. "Especially now, when half the team is retiring. Tony and Pepper are getting married in the summer, Steve and James are buying an apartment together, and even you and Agent Hill are full of little whispers all around."

Natasha chuckles, looking away so Wanda can't see the color of her cheeks.

The witch takes the opportunity to continue talking, "I just mean that I always wanted a house. My parents, they were happy together. Raising me, and Pietro. I think about that. A small family, maybe two kids too, and a dog." She comments with a smile, but Natasha looks at Wanda with some uncertainty.

"What about the partner? Do you see yourself alone or with someone by your side?"

Wanda hesitates, her gaze locked on you. She knows the answer very well but chooses to clear her throat gently and force a smile.

"I could do it alone." She says, and Natasha sighs in surrender about insisting.

"At least wish her congratulations, Maximoff." The widow reminds, and Wanda nods in understanding, taking a deep breath to push any insecurities down before approaching where you are.

–//–

Wanda's plan was to let the distance keep you away because she simply didn't have the heart to do it.

If you noticed something was different, college kept you busy enough not to say.

Wanda figured it was working - She got a house, and started writing for a small company - the money was decent and at least she could stay away from Avengers work - she also started doing Yoga.

And you called every Wednesday.

You seemed fine - happy, at least. You were tired, of course. Besides classes at NYU, occasionally Wanda would see you swinging between the buildings of New York while she write or have some tea, you were always busy with one police call or another, the new suit Tony gave you shining in the sky.

And sometimes, you would stumble on her fire escape. Covered with soot, and blood.

Aunt May would be worried sick, and you refused to become an Avenger. Wanda's was the only place you could go.

She would nurse your injuries, but not without complaining. Because you were worrying her to death, and she only wished you'd be more careful. And you had to explain that it wasn't your fault you got shot. Almost always, you fell asleep on her couch, and Wanda wondered when the feelings would go away.

When your first semester was over, and all your colleagues had had too much to drink, you appeared at Wanda's window.

You arrived almost together with her, actually. It was Friday, and it was the first time she had accepted Vision's invitation. She was convinced that she could move on, the date had been nice and he was gentle, so of course, you had to stumble into the apartment all of a sudden.

You never drank, but Wanda wanted to laugh at the image of you apologizing to the window you bumped into.

She helped you stand properly, leading you into the kitchen for a glass of water while you tried to explain that everyone was celebrating and that you just wanted to be with someone you liked and Wanda had to disguise the way her hands were shaking when she handed you the glass.

"Why are you all dressed up, Maximoff?" You asked before taking a sip of the water, your back resting on the counter. Wanda cleared her throat, twiddling her fingers.

"I went out." She answered vaguely and thanked the alcohol for your difficulty in keeping up with the conversation at speed. "You can have the couch, and there's stuff in the fridge if you're hungry..."

Wanda was trying to escape to the bedroom, but you straightened up once she went to pass you, standing in her way. She gasped softly, her heart racing in her ears when you raised a hand to her cheek.

"I came here to say something." You start low, your voice husky. You blink a few times as if trying to concentrate and laugh breathlessly afterward. "I had a few beers to build up courage, but I think that was a bad idea." You joke, but Wanda can feel the desperation growing in her chest.

"Y/N..."

"No, I need to say." You mutter, not noticing her hesitation because you are too nervous and drunk. Your other hand reaches for her face as well. Alcohol and nervousness make your thoughts very loud and clear to her. Wanda sees flashes of drunk young idiots making jokes about your hot avenger friend that you don't laugh at, and she also sees a blonde girl say that sometimes it takes more courage to confess to someone you really love. She's beautiful, and she's the same age as you. She seemed to expect a confession, and Wanda thinks it's right for her to receive it. Her stomach churns. "Wanda, I am-"

"I'm with Vision." She cuts you off, surprising you completely. It's not exactly a lie. She is, for a few weeks now, trying with Vision. He was more eager than she was. It was new, but it was something.

Wanda swallowed dryly, moving her hands to yours.

"B-but, Wands..." You tried, not resisting when she pushed your hands away gently.

"I was with him tonight. He asked me out, and I said yes." She continued in the least affected way she manages. She can feel her eyes burning, and unlike her, you sniffle softly, the alcohol taking away most of your ability to hide what you feel.

"What? When..." You stammer, and Wanda decides that this is the time. She lifts her chin and takes a deep breath.

"You've got things mixed up. I must be to blame for that, I didn't make it clear that I don't see you that way." She stated, her chest burning painfully at your expression of shock and hurt. "We would never work out because you're just a kid and-"

You break her speech with an incredulous laugh, turning away and Wanda uses that time to take a deep breath and not lose her composure right away. “What are you even saying?” You retorted in the same tone, running a hand through your hair. "You and Vision? That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard."

Wanda felt a wave of irritation fill her chest. "What do you mean by that?"

You laughed again, turning back to look at her. "Exactly what I said. Vision, Wanda? Of all people. A damn piece of tin. If you want to reject me, at least be honest about your feelings."

Wanda felt her cheeks burn. Good, your drunk version was mean.

"As you wish." She retorts between teeth. "I don't feel the same way about you." The lie burns in her throat, but she holds your gaze, only to see irritation give way to uncertainty and hurt that almost make her take back what she said.

But that only lasts half a minute.

"I don't believe you." That's what you say before you move forward. Wanda goes backward in the same second, feeling her back slam hard against the cooler.

"W-what are you doing?" She asks in a shaky voice, raising one of her hands to your shoulder because suddenly your distance is decreasing too fast and she can't breathe properly. Wanda chokes when you slide one leg between hers, pressing your knee up. She bites her lips hard, holding her sighs in and shuddering when your hands firm on her waist, your face returning to hers.

"You keep saying things, but your body says something else." You whisper, brushing your lips together and Wanda loses it. She gasps when you break the distance, another sinful sound when you hold her tight and kiss her back. Her hands go up into your hair, and everything gets intense and hungry and she wants to remember why she resisted it for so long but can't formulate any thought with your tongue sucking hers, your body pressing her against the refrigerator.

But then, there is the alcohol. She can taste it, and she cannot, must not, ignore it. You break the kiss for breath, moving your mouth down to her neck and marking and Wanda almost gives up, but she knows she can't. Scarlet magic pushes you away, and you blink in confusion at the sudden cold, both of you breathing hard.

"W-we can't." She declares in a hoarse voice, lips and lower belly tingling. You swallow dryly, an irritation taking over your expression.

"I know he doesn't make you feel that way." You accuse equally affected, taking a step forward, but that was enough for her. She had to blink a few times to understand what you were talking about. Irritation returned when it occurred to her. Vision was her friend, a nice guy. Someone who was willing to keep up with her pace, someone with whom she could pursue a family. The way things were supposed to be, right?

Her magic stops you halfway again. With more force this time, you gasped in surprise.

"I want you to leave." She declared seriously. You swallowed dryly, trying to push the alcohol away completely but your mind just wouldn't obey. Wanda noticed it too and used that to her advantage. "I've never seen you like this because you're young and immature. And showing up drunk in my apartment just proved that. Go home. Walking."

Wanda knew it worked by the hurt in your eyes. You walked out the front door without saying another word, and before you got to the end of the hall, she was crying on the kitchen floor.

If it was the right thing, why did it feel like the end of the world?

You would call her the next day, apologizing profusely for the mess, not really sure if the kiss happened in a dream or not. And without the heart to ask Wanda about it. She assures you that it was no big deal, but she no longer answered your Wednesday calls and was always busy when you invited her to something.

Her window started to stay locked. It didn't matter much, because, since late fall, you started showing up on Gwen Stacy's fire escape.

–//–

2018 was the worst year of your life.

The next five were bearable, so to speak.

With the blip, everything changed. You had gone into space after Iron Man, and the very second you came back, and Steve rescued Tony from the spaceship, and you didn't see Wanda, you knew.

And that pain never left your chest.

Not when you agreed to go to England with Gwen, not when you proposed to her.

The lack of Wanda pulsed and burned. It poisoned your veins until you had to drown in the adrenaline of fights you could hardly win.

Gwen noticed, of course, she did. She loved you with all her heart. As young as you, and as full of life and dreams. She chose to stay, despite everything.

You and Gwen returned to the States when you graduated, and while your fiancée was busy with the apartment, you visited the blip victims memorial during the first week.

It took you a few minutes to find Wanda's name. And it was empty today, because of the rain. You didn't care about the water.

“Hey, witchy.” You muttered under your breath, sniffling lightly. "Wanted to stop by to say hi. I got my degree last week, figured you would be happy." You count, twiddling your fingers inside your pocket. "We could go out and celebrate. I'm finally old enough to buy you a drink." A sob threatened to cut your throat, but you took a deep breath, pushing the emotion away. "Anyway, just so you know, they reconnected Vison last month. He's still a douchebag, but the government people want to use him for the same pretext as Ultron, I think. I didn't quite understand, and honestly, I didn't ask when Tony called. You've always liked him better than me." You play last, kicking the water gently.

Some people walk further away with umbrellas, and you changed the weight on your feet.

"I'm heading back to New York, by the way." You continue. "Now that I've finished college, Banner says I'm welcome to work with him. I'll like it, I think. Gwen is happy to see me working with something that does not involve webs or bandits." The name scratches your throat a little, and you give a tearful smile. "Sorry, I know we never talk about her.”

Making jokes only makes you feel worse, so you straighten your hood and put the flowers you brought on the stone.

"They're for you, Maximoff. I know it's corny, but you love these things." You mumble before getting straightened up again. "Goodbye, Wanda. I’ll try to visit more."

You didn't have to though. Two months later, Scott Lang came out of the quantum realm and saved the day (and thus the universe).

Wanda hadn't changed a bit; she was even wearing the same costume in which she disappeared from Wakanda. Five years simply did not pass for her, unlike for you.

The first thing you looked at was her eyes. The first thing she noticed was the ring on your finger.

"Wands... you're here." You gasped, not caring about the fighting around you, or the explosions or anything but the woman you're seeing for the first time in five years, who though confused by the whole thing, ran to hug you too. You held her tightly, lifting her feet off the ground and Wanda laughed, hiding her face in your collarbone.

"We have to fight." She reminded as soon as you set her down again, and you nodded, swallowing dryly and trying to find the strength to break the embrace. "Y/N, the fight."

"Right, right." You muttered as you let go, laughing impressed, and with tear-filled eyes. "But then, I'm taking you out for coffee."

Wanda chuckled shyly, looking at you one last time before fighting back.

And you didn't stop until Tony snapped his fingers.

Suddenly, you feel the weight of war all at once. Dressed in black, a flower for each limb fallen in battle. If you closed your eyes, you could still see their deaths.

Coffee with Wanda was postponed until after Tony and Natasha's memorial service. The widow had a much smaller and more intimate ceremony than the Iron Man - Back in Ohio, with Yelena, Melina, and Barton.

You met Wanda in a cafe below her old apartment, now gone because in the blip the place had been absorbed by the government.

Wanda was the one who arrived late, which was different from all the other times you had met.

You stood up to greet her and hugged her for longer than a friend would, but neither of you cared. It's been five fucking years.

Wanda sat down first, and for a moment, the two of you just stood there, stealing glances until the other had the courage to speak. The subject was casual until the first few sips of your drink.

"That's new." Wanda commented, briefly pointing to the shiny ring on your finger. You chuckled awkwardly, hiding your hand on instinct and without realizing it.

"Yeah, not exactly." You murmured tucking a strand of hair behind your ear. "I guess for you only, because of the blip and all, but Gwen and I have been engaged for a year and a half."

Wanda hums impressed - not exactly sure if that is the word she would use to describe the sharpness that wants to escape her sigh - and I decide to take another sip as you speak, not trusting what she really wants to say on the subject.

You clear your throat quietly. "The world has been crazy, and we were hoping to find the right moment to make it official. I think now, with everyone back, it will be easier to choose."

Wanda forced a smile, her stomach churning. She tried to imagine you marrying someone, and suddenly she didn't want to drink anymore.

"I'm happy for you." It wasn't entirely a lie, she was glad that you had moved on because you seemed happy and that was enough. No matter how much it hurt.

You smiled small, taking a sip before speaking again:

"I've been meaning to ask you...have you talked to Vis yet?"

Wanda blinked in surprise. Vision? Yes, she saw him. Five years ago with a hole in his head that she caused, and then in the fight, completely different and cold. A machine, and it was probably the first time she had seen him for what he really was.

It was Wanda's turn to clear her throat hesitantly, looking at the peeling nail polish on her fingers for a second.

"Yeah, I... it didn't go very well." She confesses with a forced laugh. "Whatever was human about him is gone with the stone."

Wanda expected you to mock her - or say I told you so - but you reached out for her forearm and gave her a sad smile.

"I'm so sorry, Wands." That's what you said, and Wanda thinks she fell in love with you even more at that second.

She would have leaned in, broken the distance, and done anything to know the feeling she had been craving to feel again since it happened for the first time, but your cell phone vibrated and you got out of the table, and soon you walked away saying that your fiancée missed you and despite the jealousy burning in her stomach, Wanda only felt the cold. She stayed in the café until it closed, staring at your empty seat and feeling her cheeks tingle where you had kissed her goodbye for all the time she sat there.

Wondering how could she have lost you so easily.

–//–

The Blip returned half of the criminals and supervillains, so you left the labs and went back into the buildings.

It was dangerous and risky, but you were more experienced too. Stronger. Arrogant.

"You don't have to go." It wasn't the first time Gwen had asked, nor would it be the last you were sure. You were in your shared apartment, and it was a quiet night until the first siren. "Maybe someone else-"

"There's no one else, Gwen." You interrupt her with your mask in hand. It's true. The Avengers were gone, Tony, Nat, and Steve were seven feet off the ground, Clint and Wanda were retired and Sam was in another state with Bucky. New York was yours to protect. You put on your mask, but you went back to your fiancée: "I'll be right back, you won't even have time to miss me. Put the popcorn in the microwave, I'll be back before the commercials."

"Don't make promises you can't keep, Parker." She retorted pinching you gently in the ribs but smiling.

You laughed softly before turning to the window, following the sounds of the explosions.

You returned in time to finish the game but two weeks later, on your way back from the supermarket, you welcomed an old friend waiting for you at the door.

Harry Osborn was as ill as his father had been before he died. He expected the same fate, even though after Tony had stopped making weapons, the Stark industries had made way for the Oscorp company, and Harry's family to make a considerable fortune, and more than enough for him to find treatment for it.

Gwen was working, and couldn't join you at the café. That's when Harry revealed his intention to ask an enhanced human for help.

You knew that your father's spider project was specifically for your blood and that donating to Harry would kill him. You didn't want to live with that guilt, so you didn't tell him about your secret identity. Maybe your biggest mistake was lying to your friend, or maybe it was not listening to Gwen and retiring.

In any case, less than a month later, you had to face Harry - no, the green goblin. Harry was gone. That creature was not your friend. Harry would never have hurt Gwen.

She was buried in New York, unlike him, who was taken back to England.

It was all over the news, but you weren't in New York to welcome Clint Barton with flowers to your door. - having gone to London for Harry's memorial service as if you hadn't been the one to stick a piece of metal in his chest.

On your first night back in New York, you drank heavily and were consumed with the overwhelming urge to go up to Wanda's old apartment, even though you knew she no longer lived there. In fact, you had no idea where she was, not since that coffee. She was gone from your life like five years ago, and you were too busy to investigate it.

So you came home and slept on the couch. Spider Woman became strangely aggressive with criminals after that.

When Quentin Beck came into your life, he expected someone easy to fool. Tony left a few things for you, but everything was a personal treasure. When Beck realized that he couldn't trick you for those belongings, he tried to steal them. And soon, the whole thing revealed itself.

You killed him on the Brooklyn Bridge, and he revealed your identity to the world.

Most people, like your neighbor at No. 23 were more shocked to see the sweet girl who helped you with your groceries murder a man with her bare hands than to know who was behind the mask.

Bucky called, said he understood, and that if you wanted to spend a few days in his apartment, the place was yours. He practically lived with the Wilsons now anyway.

You accepted because you were kicked out of your old one.

Your life was turned upside down, and so are you now, hanging from a building.

You were thinking about how everything wasn't fair. From Aunt May having to deal with the loss of donations at the foundation to graffiti from 'The spider is a Murderer' that she had to mobilize half the staff to clean up for, to Gwen losing her life because she chose to stay with you.

And the idea of changing that occurs to you.

Because you have had enough contact with magic to know that it is possible. You could at least help May get her job back.

Your first and natural choice was Wanda, but nobody knew about her. You had to turn to Stephen Strange, therefore.

"I just want to make things right." That's what you told him, receiving an understanding sigh in return.

"I haven't had a chance to say it yet, but I'm sorry about Miss Stacy." He retorted tenderly, a hand on your shoulder, and you felt something burn behind your eyes. You forced a smile and nodded.

"Thank you, Strange." You said.

He led you into another room, intent on performing the spell, and you were impressed enough to babble a little.

"[...] again, thank you for doing this, I would have gone to Wanda but she's gone AWOL so I guess in the end she won't mind it." You counter with a forced laugh, your stomach clenching at the possibility that Wanda might forget about you entirely.

Strange - hands glistening as you do the spell - frown slightly.

"You didn't hear about Westview, did you, girl?" He asks and you blink in confusion.

Ten minutes later, there is a broken spell and you are fleeing with a cube at high speed.

The news that Wanda has lost control, kidnapped a town, and created a fake family made you realize the gravity of what you were doing.

But interrupting Strange's spell only made things worse. Over the next few hours, you fell into one of the greatest adventures you have ever experienced: alternate versions of yourself against versions of villains even worse than the ones you actually faced.

In the end, the green goblin, now not Harry but his father, took from you the only person you had left and confirmed that those who know your identity always end up in danger. With Aunt May's death, you asked Strange to complete the spell for good and after saying goodbye to your alternate selves, you hugged Stephen too, and he told you to go home. You asked him where Wanda was living.

Before stepping off Manhattan, no one else knew your name anymore.

–//–

It took a few days since you arrived in Salem to find Wanda. This was because the city was quite different from New York, and didn't have as many buildings for you to hang around and look for her.

It reminded you of England at times, but you didn't like to think about Gwen.

You knew there must be a lot of witches there, because your spidey sense was on alert all the time, and it was hard to fall asleep. And it was just when you were considering giving up the search that you found her.

Or rather put, she did, and even saved your ass.

You had jumped on a roof, not because of your search but because you saw a colorful butterfly and photography was still a passion. But before you could click, something pulled you by the ankle until you ended up upside down, many feet off the ground.

"You picked the wrong house to rob, child." It was a brunette woman with a stern expression, and she was wearing an old purple blanket that surprised you a little. You noticed that what was keeping you pinned down was magic of the same color, and when you tried to struggle, your backpack fell open with your belongings on the floor, making you grunt angrily.

"I'm not a thief! Nor a child." You defended yourself, realizing that fighting the magic was useless. "I'm looking for someone."

"On the roof?" She questioned with disbelief and irony.

"No, I just went to take a picture..."

"Agatha, for the love of christ, what are you doing?" Shouted a female voice from downstairs that you knew well. You looked over, feeling your heart racing in your chest at seeing Wanda again - a few bags in her hands as if she had come from the market. Because of the tree branches in her field of vision, she was trying to move her head to the side to see you clearly. This Agatha woman just sighed impatiently.

"Looking after the house, just like you wanted." Grumbled the other, and suddenly, the magic on your ankle loosened.

You fell hard against the branches, and the impact would have been much greater but scarlet sparks kept you from hitting the ground with force.

As soon as you felt the grass your hands, there was someone kneeling beside you.

"Y/N, how did you-when...?" Wanda started, clearly shocked to see you again.

You had prepared a speech, a story to try to break the spell little by little for Wanda. But apparently it didn't work for her, and it brought you such immediate relief that you were teary-eyed without realizing it.

"Hi." You gasped affected, and Wanda smiled, moving her hands to help you stand.

"Come, we should talk." She says gently, waving her fingers for your belongings to gather inside the bag and return to your hand.

As you enter, the woman on the roof comes down and you can hear her and Wanda arguing before your friend appears again with a soft grimace.

"I swear, that old hag gets on my nerves." She complains as she approaches. "Can you believe she turned the delivery boy into a porcupine last week? Terrible."

You laughed half-heartedly, only to grunt in pain as you felt your face burn. Wanda frowned slightly in concern, and you could feel your blush when she suddenly approached.

"Let's take care of those cuts." She murmured, leading the way into a living room.

The whole setting was very beautiful - A Victorian manor house with dark wallpaper in an atmosphere charged with magic. You left your backpack on one of the sofas and sat down in an armchair while Wanda occupied a stool she brought in front of you.

You were very impressed that a medical kit simply appeared in her hands, but you didn't ask about it.

"I wasn't sure about coming." That was the first thing you confessed as she opened the small suitcase, an indecipherable expression on her face. "In fact, I wasn't even sure if you would know who I was."

Wanda chuckled dry, meeting your gaze for a second.

"Strange did a good job, but witches take precautions. I was protected by runes when it happened." She retorted, wetting alcohol on a cotton pad. "I was more impressed that you turned to him for help."

There was a bitterness in her voice, but you didn't flinch.

"You wouldn't do it." You say, and Wanda looks at you. "Aside from the fact that you've gone AWOL, I know you wouldn't. You wouldn't agree for me to be alone."

"You're not..." She starts, but bites her tongue. Wanda swallows dryly, and looks down at her hands. "I'm sorry about May. And Gwen too."

You straighten up in your chair.

"Aunt May died when I was a public enemy, so I wasn't bothered by the lack of a crowd at her memorial. But Gwen? Even the folks from Wakanda were there. But not you, Wanda." You say, and it is her turn to move uncomfortably in her seat. But you don't care. "Did I do...something wrong?" You ask unsurely, attracting her immediate attention. "I just, you shut me out, Wands. We were... We were so close. You used to be my best friend. But suddenly we grew distant, and the blip came. When you came back, I thought we could be friends again, but you disappeared. And I lost Gwen, and I thought that we would see each other at least at the memorial service, but you didn't even send a card. Then I find out that you've kidnapped a town e-arhg-"

Your statement turns into a grunt of pain when Wanda presses an alcohol directly against your cut cheek. You grumble, but she just sighs loudly.

"Sorry, you were...making me nervous." She retorts half embarrassed, swiping the cotton more lightly. "I'm really sorry, okay, for disappearing. I needed some time to absorb everything, and then I lost control. And you had a life, it wasn't your responsibility to deal with this. With me."

You raise a hand to her forearm, and Wanda swallows dryly as she stops her movements. "It's not about being a responsibility to someone else. I care about you. I wish I could have been there for you."

"You were." She confesses in a small voice, and you frown in confusion. Wanda cringes, retracting her hand and turning her gaze back to her own lap. "I bought a house in Westview before the blip, a new place with enough room for a writing room. And well lit for...photographs. Vis had just asked me to get engaged."

"Oh." You gasp in surprise, but Wanda gives you a sad smile.

"I said no." She clarifies by swallowing dryly. "He understood, of course. He said he could wait until I was ready, and I didn't tell him I might never be. I was going to sell the apartment, because I couldn't look at that fire escape without thinking I had ruined us."

You widened your eyes in surprise but didn't interrupt. Wanda began to pull the strands out of the cotton.

"The blip happened before I could move, or sell the apartment. Before I could talk to you." She continued affected. "And when I came back, I just realized I had missed my chance. After that coffee, I left. And when I got to Westview, and saw the wrecked grounds I just wished it had worked out. My magic did the rest."

You swallowed dryly, looking at her intently. "Stephen told me you had a family there."

Wanda shudders, nodding softly. You don't have to insist, because she speaks again. "Twins, Tommy and Billy. They were mine, my babies. And also there was...you."

"Wh-what?" you question with a confused laugh.

Wanda raises her tear-filled eyes to you. "Just a version of you. One that I didn't kick out of my apartment, but asked to stay. One who kissed me and I made sure she knew how much I loved her back."

You blink in surprise and shock, and Wanda waits a moment of silence before studying the reactions on your face. She is surprised when you suddenly laugh low.

"So that kiss really happened." You murmur with your cheeks a little pink, a smile playing on your lips that makes Wanda's stomach do somersaults. "For years, I thought I had only dreamed it."

"I'm sorry." She says immediately, guilt burning in her throat. But you laugh softly.

"It's all right." You assure, moving one of your hands to hers in your lap. "Now Westview, tell me more about it..." You asked, drawing patterns on the palm of her hand and making Wanda swallow dryly. "Were we like a family?"

Wanda nods, and you smile at her, leaning in until she loses her breath. But before you can break the distance, she pulls away.

"I can't..." She starts with her chest burning like the back of her eyes. "I'm not a good person anymore, Y/N. The things I did, my mistakes, I just... can't." She declares affected, but you just bring your other hand to hers, pulling it up to your face.

"Heal me." You ask low, feeling her fingers on your cheek. Wanda frowns, but you smile, "Come on, I know you can do it."

She swallows dryly, but you feel the soft tingle and also her caresses on your cheek. Before Wanda can say it's done, you move her hand to your neck, fingers playing with the hair on your nape.

"Do you feel that? No goosebumps." You begin gently. "My spider sense still trusts you, and so do I. Nothing has changed."

Wanda is unsure of what to believe, shaking her head gently and closing her eyes. You move closer, and rest your forehead on hers.

"You don't need fantasies, Wanda. I'll be your real family if you want me by your side." You said to her, and Wanda sighed before breaking the distance.

The feel of her soft lips was as good as you remembered and get sighs from both of you.

She kissed you hard, and then gently, trying to put all her apologies into action. You didn't think you needed to, but you understood.

When you finally let go, breathing out of rhythm against each other's lips, Wanda continued with her hands on your face while yours were firmly on her waist.

"Let me take you out." You say against your lips, a smile forming as in hers. "A real date."

"I'd love to." She says before kissing you again.

Wanda still had what to tell you about. The darkhold in Agatha's basement was one of those things - And so were the whispers of universes where Gwen lived. - But she didn't want to talk about that now. And as far as she knew, what the eye cannot see, the heart cannot feel.

--//--

F/N-> Did you know that in the comics Peter Parker and Wanda team up because they are both deceived by Mephisto? We have to love a pair completely unaware of the dangers of making deals with demons.

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phantomvael · 1 year

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Robin Buckley, and Debby Harry, the lead singer of blondie, Nancy’s favorite band, (has a poster in her room + Robin listed it when Vecna had Nancy), around the 1980’s

To further prove my point here’s Maya hawke:

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phantomvael · 2 years

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HOLY SHIT

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phantomvael · 2 years

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put your vecnussy into what exactly jamie 😰

#jamie campbell bower #jamie bower #vecna #vecnussy #jamie i need you to tie me up #stranger things #henry creel #peter ballard

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phantomvael · 2 years

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Degenerate Beauty Queen (Robin x Fem!Reader)

Summary: An old friend of Steve’s ends up having more in common with Robin than she thought.

Strolling into Scoops Ahoy with torn black tights, a red kilt with a safety pin lamely fastened at the slit, and the sleeves of your white uniform blouse rolled up to your elbows, you scanned the store for Harrington only to be met with disappointment as he was nowhere to be seen.

Being back in Hawkins was the last place you wanted to be, but anywhere was better than Lady Loretta’s Boarding School, which you had spent the past year at. It had been your parent’s idea in “getting your life back on track” after stealing and crashing a Hawkin’s police car into the quarry, and “beating Tommy H to a pulp”.

Finally, the line fizzled leaving you and the girl behind the counter in peace. Sweet was a simple word to describe this stranger, but nothing about her was simple in the slightest. For the first time since last October when Nancy Wheeler had rejected you on the porch of Tina Young’s house, you felt something that wasn’t anger or guilt - you weren’t quite sure what exactly it was that stirred in your chest, but it excited you as much as it scared you.

“Hey.” you breathed, picking at the polish on your nails as you eyed the cute, freckle-faced girl. “Is Harrington here?”

Ever so slightly the girl’s lips parted and her brows raised as she stared in awe at you, completely taken by the way the collar of your blouse had flipped up and the buttons were undone just low enough to draw the eye, but high enough not to reveal anything you didn’t want to be seen.

“Huh?” she swallowed roughly, straightening up in her spot. “You want hazelnut ice cream?”

“No, I want Harrington,” you smirked, truly soaking up the attention her eyes were giving you. “Cute outfit by the way. Is Harrington dressed like that too?”

Oh, the woes of a cute girl lusting after Steve Harrington and not even glancing her way - a feat Robin knew far too well since the godforsaken incident of Tammy Thompson in sophomore year.

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phantomvael · 2 years

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SJJDJFHSIFBDIBD KINIKILIG AKO BYE

father’s approval | n.r

summary | natasha’s nervous meeting with your parents, you reassure her everything will be okay. she thought that your night would be a nightmare until it became so surreal and memorable.

warnings | traditional filipino parents (sort of), alcohol drinking, just pure fluff i think. let me know if i’m missing something.

notes | i wrote this within 20 minutes, so if it’s too short i’m sorry. so please, enjoy! this can be for everyone’s tradition too, so i hope it’s sort of relatable to you.

masterlist.

Natasha was fucking nervous.

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phantomvael · 2 years

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w o m e n

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phantomvael · 2 years

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Jayme is the best actually

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phantomvael · 2 years

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wives

more screenshots i took from the making of black widow <3

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phantomvael · 2 years

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Lizzie....rail me

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phantomvael · 2 years

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Can u write an au where carol’s cat (goose) keeps sneaking into fem!reader’s apartment and so carol and reader communicate with each other thru notes they put on goose’s collar and they eventually fall in love (((:::::::

Goose's Best Friend

Summary: After a stranger's cat injured in your apartment one night, you decide to attach a short note to its collar to give your apologies. They lead to something you could have never expected.

Pairing: Army Pilot!Carol Danvers x Reader

Warnings: language

Word Count: 2,792

It was the middle of the night, 2:57a.m., to be exact, when a loud crash shook you from the clutches of sleep. You sat up with a groan, rubbing your eyes to clear your vision enough to look at the clock on your nightstand. You swung your legs off the bed, eyes catching the shattered lamp on the ground. Fighting off the temptation to leave it on the ground for tomorrow, for fear that you might forget about it and slam your bare feet into the shards scattered around the floor, you slid your legs into some sweats and stood up.

You weren’t expecting, when you turned on the light, for something to move. When something darted around the corner you actually let out a high-pitched yelp, flying backwards and hitting your elbow hard off the corner of the nightstand. You felt tingling rush into the tips of your fingers as you tried desperately to comprehend what had just happened. Your breathing had already increased, and your heart was racing inside your chest. You took a hesitant step forward.

Despite being alone in the apartment, you flushed beet red in embarrassment when you found the creature you’d been so terrified of. The orange tabby cat stared up at you with wide eyes, letting out a quiet mew. Immediately your heart softened, its beat slowing down to a normal pace. When the cat made to step toward you, though, you immediately noticed the limp. Your eyebrows furrowed and you knelt down, letting it come to you. You reached out for its front leg, and it let you take it into your hand.

“Oh, sweet baby,” you muttered softly, wiping a bit of blood out of its fur with your thumb. “Come on. I think I have a first aid kit in the bathroom.”

It surely didn’t understand what you said, but it followed you when you stood up. It limped into the bathroom behind you, settling once it reached the tile floor. You reached into the cupboard under the sink and pulled out the red case, propping it up on the countertop and opening it up. Quickly, you located the roll of bandages and the scissors that came with it. You pulled it out and got some wet paper towels. Once more you knelt down on the ground next to the tabby.

A black collar around its neck caught your attention. You reached out for the silver tag that hung from it and spoke aloud. “Goose. Well, Goose, there’s no phone number here for your owner. Guess I’ll have to fix you up and trust you can find your own way home, huh?”

He meowed in response.

You continued to wrap up his leg. When you finally finished, you tucked the first aid kit away again. You clicked your tongue a couple times in an attempt to get him to follow you again. The both of you headed toward the kitchen, where you rummaged through the fridge for the leftover chicken from dinner the night before last. You pulled some out and set it in a small dish on the floor, a sort of apology for your lamp having done such damage to the poor animal’s leg. He helped himself quickly. Meanwhile, you dug through one of your drawers.

You popped the cap off a pen and cut a small strip of paper, struggling to keep your writing small enough to fit.

There was no number on the collar, so I opted for this. Goose found his way into my apartment and had an unfortunate mishap. I patched him up and gave him a treat. I hope that’s okay. He should be alright.

Hope he feels better soon.

You rolled the note around the tabby’s collar and taped it in place. He’d finished his treat by now, so you led him back to the apartment door. When you opened it, he cast one glance back at you, eyes shining as if in gratitude, then scurried down the hall. Just as he turned out of sight, though, someone else moved into your peripheral vision. You could have scoffed when you saw who had wandered into the hallway. She spoke before you could close the door.

“Isn’t it past your bedtime?”

“Fuck off, Danvers.”

“Captain Danvers,” she hummed, a wide smirk on her face as she twirled her keys around her finger.

“In your dreams,” you scoffed. “And next time you’re using your stripes to get random women in bed, be a little quieter, would you? Some of us around here have self-respect.”

You closed the door before she could respond to that.

You and Carol Danvers had hated each other for as long as you’d lived there. The two of you were like hot and cold, or night and day. She liked loud music and late nights whereas you liked a nice book and an early night. You were quiet and soft-spoken, and Carol was a bully. In fact, she was your bully. You’d never endured such teasing and taunting from anyone else before. It wasn’t her harsh words that got to you, though. In fact, you weren’t entirely sure what it was that got to you. Maybe it was her arrogance, or maybe it was her ignorance for anyone around her. It didn’t matter.

Carol Danvers brought out a side of yourself that you didn’t know existed. You’d only have to hear a single word fall from her lips or see a glimpse of her from the corner of your eye, and instantly any semblance of a good mood would dissipate and fade into annoyance. The hatred you held for her made your blood boil in your veins at the mere sight of her stupid, cocky smirk. You sometimes wished you could just reach out and slap that stupid smirk off her stupid face.

You pushed the blonde from your mind, heading back to bed. Hopefully, the coming day would be one that didn’t involve the blonde captain.

It was three days later that a quiet meow caught your attention. It tore your gaze from the TV, and you glanced toward the source of the sound. The face that was watching you immediately brought a smile to your face. You pat the couch beside you and the tabby jumped up, settling onto the blanket. You ran your hand across his head, watching his eyes close in content. You were about to turn your gaze back to the TV when you noticed the paper around his collar. It wasn’t the same one you put there. You reached out for it and removed it, careful not to rip it, and unrolled it. You flicked on the lamp.

Sorry about him. He wanders around the building. This isn’t the first time he’s gotten into someone’s room. If you fed him, he’ll probably come back to you (which I don’t mind, so long as you don’t mind that he’ll keep coming back). That’s how I know you’ll get this. So, thank you for patching him up. The vet would’ve cost more. You were right. He was just fine.

Rolled up with it was a twenty-dollar bill. You chuckled, immediately standing up off the couch. You pulled a small treat out of the fridge as you passed it, Goose trotting into the kitchen at the sight. You handed it to him and he took it happily, chowing down as you stood up straight again and continuing on your journey toward the notepad on the counter. Once again you ripped a small piece of paper out of it, ripping the cap of the pen off with your teeth and holding it there as you brought the pen down to meet the paper.

It seems so. You were right. He came back. He’s a sweet boy. I truly enjoy his visits. I don’t get many of them, so he’s welcome here whenever he pleases. And I don’t need this. Keep it.

You knelt down on the ground to Goose once again. He sat still for you as you wrapped the bill around his collar, wrapped the note around it, and then taped them both in place. Once more, you led him back to the apartment door, opened it up for him, and let him into the hallway. He rubbed his head against your calf once more before dashing out of sight. You shut the door behind him.

You huffed as you stormed into the lobby of the apartment building. Work had not treated you well that day. All you wanted was to head upstairs, put on your coziest pyjamas, order takeout, cuddle into the couch, and watch a movie or two. It was all you needed to wash away the horrible day and ease the stress that was weighing so heavily on your chest. You only wanted to pick up your mail before you did, but apparently, the universe had other ideas.

“Looking for some mail from your mommy?”

Danvers was the last person you wanted to deal with today. You didn't even bother to grumble a response to your neighbour, who was still in uniform as she stepped up beside you and unlocked her own mailbox. You were going to step away without a single word, but once more, you didn’t get your wish. Carol snickered at something, making you slam your box shut with far more force than necessary.

“What, pray tell, is so fucking funny?” You snapped.

“Oh, nothing. Nothing. Nice keychain.”

The keychain was a souvenir one you’d gotten from your trip to Disney with your family a few years ago. It was a picture of you and your brothers all wearing Mickey Mouse ears and sticking your tongues out at the camera. If anyone else had said the words, you would have blushed and thanked them. When Carol said the words, you shoved the keys in your pocket and shot a glare so harsh that it would have killed if it could have.

“You’re a dick, Danvers.”

“Captain Danvers,” she corrected once more.

“Look, this whole army pilot thing might work on those girls you pick up from god knows where, but I’ve met you,” you sneered. “You use this uniform for detestable things, Danvers. It’s disgusting.”

You stormed away.

When you unlocked your door and stepped into your apartment, however, you found that you wouldn’t need pyjamas or takeout or movies to make you feel better. Your new best friend was sitting on your couch as if he had been waiting for you to arrive home. You dropped your bag at the door and moved to sit with him immediately. After stroking his head absentmindedly for a bit, you noticed the new note.

Take it. Please? Come on, you’re going to make Goose sad if you don’t. You’re going to make me sad if you don’t.

Attached with the note, again, was that same twenty-dollar bill. You rolled your eyes as you moved into the kitchen once more, handing Goose a few of the cat treats you’d bought for him. He accepted them happily as, for the third time, you prepared to write a note for Goose’s mystery owner. You didn’t even bother to sit down, hunching over the counter in a way that your back probably wouldn’t have thanked you for. You scribbled on the paper.

I’m sure Goose won’t mind at all. As for you? Well, I don’t really know you, do I? Just keep the damn money, will you? You know, Goose is going to gain a few pounds if you keep sending him back here.

Sincerely, Goose’s new best friend

After a few pats to the head, you sent Goose off with that. He was back later that day.

Goose’s best friend,

Goose does mind. He wants you to keep it. Please? Besides, if we keep attaching it with scotch tape to a wandering cat, it’s going to get lost. You wouldn’t want that, now, would you? I sure wouldn’t. As for the treats, I’ll make sure to walk him a bit more. Wouldn’t want to lose my new favourite pen pal over a couple extra pounds on the cat.

- Goose’s mom

This time, there were two twenties attached. You chuckled at that. Goose was gobbling down his treat as you wrote.

Goose’s mom,

I think that’d be quite a sight to see, you walking Goose down the street. Guess if I ever see Goose leashed and with some random woman on the street, I’ll know what you look like.

- Goose’s best friend

P.S. Just donate the money. Seriously.

As if it were habit by now, you reattached the bills, added your note, and sent the tabby out the door once again. You headed back to what you’d been doing.

It wasn’t long before the next reply.

Goose’s best friend,

Here, I’ll help you build the image. I’m 23, blonde, and about 5’6”. I’m in the army, so I’d probably still be in uniform after work. Oh, and Goose’s leash is blue, and he has a grey harness for walking.

- Goose’s mom

P.S. I split the $40 between the humane society and the local shelter

You once more had to laugh at the stranger. Of course, you immediately moved to respond. As much as you didn’t want to kick Goose out, you wanted her to get your answer as soon as possible. You grabbed your notepad.

Goose’s mom,

You sound cute.

- Goose’s mom’s best friend

It was a short note this time. You were having fun, though, and you wanted to tease your new friend a little. You attached the note to Goose and let him run off.

Once more, Goose returned with a new reply.

Best friend,

You didn’t give me anything in response. I’m offended.

- Goose’s mom’s best friend’s best friend

You couldn’t help but roll your eyes at the way she’d signed her newest note. A pang of confidence hit your chest. You scribbled on the note.

Goose’s cute mom,

Let’s go for coffee then. 2B. I’m free when you are.

- Girl with a crush

You regretted sending that last note. You’d never gone more than 12 hours without communicating with the mystery note sender. You’d grown quite fond of the little pieces of communication you’d exchanged with her. It was actually the highlight of your day, on most days. Since sending that last one, though, you’d yet to hear back from her. It’d been four days now. You were quite upset about it, and decided the best way to fix that was some loud music. Maybe it’d piss Danvers off as much as she pissed you off.

When there was a loud knock on the door, you immediately assumed that you’d sure pissed someone off. Of course, they’d complain about you and not her. Everyone loved Carol fucking Danvers. You wished you could whirl the door open and shout at whoever was on the other side, but knew yourself better than that. You’d probably open it up and apologize, then turn the volume down and wallow in your misery to the sound of softer music.

That is, if it were anyone but Danvers.

“What? Just now realizing how damn annoying it is to hear loud music blaring from the apartment directly below yours?” You rolled your eyes. “Fuck off, Danvers.”

You went to slam the door, but she stuck her hand in. It must’ve been a little harsher than you meant to, because she shook her fingers out when she retracted them. You didn’t apologize, because you didn’t even feel bad. She deserved it after giving you two years of hell having to live in the apartment below her. You’d not have been surprised if one day she invited an elephant into her room just so she could make as much noise in your apartment as possible.

As you were about to make another snarky remark, though, you noticed something. That cocky glint that was usually shining in her brown eyes was missing. She wasn’t even meeting your eyes. Her gaze was cast to the door beside your head, locked to the bronze numbers that were screwed into it. You raised a single eyebrow, waving your hand in front of her face to get her attention. She blinked as if coming out of a trace, looking back to you.

“What do you want, Danvers?” You snapped when she wouldn’t speak.

She didn’t answer. She only held out a small piece of paper. You furrowed your eyebrows in confusion, but took it from her. The handwriting was one you’d seen so many times.

Goose’s best friend,

Coffee it is. But I’m paying. I still owe you.

- A girl who also has a crush, Carol Danvers

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phantomvael · 2 years

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I would love it if u wrote something with the reader being natasha’s self proclaimed arch nemesis but usually the reader just makes up stupid “evil” plans so she can see Nat and flirt with her

I hope you've seen Brooklyn Nine Nine, because R is absolutely, 100%, entirely based off Doug Judy

If Doug Judy was in love with Jake.

The Manhattan Menace

Summary: Natasha Romanoff is an Avenger, and you can only think of one way to get constant attention from an Avenger- cause trouble.

Pairing: Natasha Romanoff x Criminal!Reader

Warnings: None

Word Count: 4,158

“Officer…?”

“Robinson.”

“Right. Officer Robinson,” you repeated. “I told you I’d only negotiate with Natasha Romanoff.”

“You can’t seriously believe that we’d bring in an Avenger for a bank robbery?”

“Tell her it’s her wife.”

“Her wife?”

“Her future wife,” you admitted with a huff. “She’ll know who I am. Twenty minutes or I shoot a hostage.”

You had no plans of shooting any hostage.

The table you sat on creaked as you hung up the phone and crossed one leg over the other, twirling the trigger loop around your finger haphazardly. You weren’t panicked or worried. You were quite calm, in fact. Even your hostages didn’t look overly worried. Of course, they had no reason to be. You’d come here for two things and two things only: money, and a chance to talk to the one and only Natasha Romanoff. Those plans didn’t include shooting any hostages, and that wasn’t going to change. You hummed as you glanced down at them, all restrained with zip ties around their wrists.

“Uh, alright,” you said, clearing your throat. “Anyone know any good stories? Knock-knock jokes?” No one answered so you continued. “Okay, okay. I got one. A man walks into a police station and asks the receptionist if he can speak to an officer. She waves over one of the officers, who asks what he can do for the man. The man only has one question: he asks the officer if it’s a crime to throw sodium chloride into people’s eyes. The police officer is taken aback and replies that it would be assault. The man rolls his eyes. ‘I know it’s a salt, Officer. Is it a crime?’.”

You didn’t get any reaction. There was only a quiet grumble from the brunette, who shot a look over at her husband.

“Tough crowd in here. Is this because I took you hostage?” You rolled your eyes. “Come on. I got you all a day off work.”

Despite the large collection of bad jokes you had stored in your brain, you didn’t bother to tell another, knowing already that you were only going to get the same reaction… or lack thereof. Instead, you stood up off the table, jumping down to the tile floor. The youngest one, a boy of about four, shuffled closer to his mother. You smiled a little at him. You sat cross-legged amongst the small, restrained crowd, leaning back and resting your weight on your arms behind you.

“Alright fine. No more jokes. How’s about we sit and chat instead?”

There was a short moment of silence before the same little boy glanced up at you. “I made a new friend at school yesterday.”

“Oh, yeah?” You chuckled. “What’s their name?”

“His name is Darren,” the boy said, a smile crossing his young features. “We played with the train set together!”

It seemed the little boy had convinced the others that there was no time like the present, forced to sit in a crowd of strangers, to get some things off their chest. It was another fifteen minutes you sat there, listening as the people around you took their turn talking. You were so invested in the current story that you almost didn’t hear the front door open. You did, though, and whirled around, without standing up, and aimed the gun straight for the passageway. Your favourite redhead stood there.

“Natty. Come on, I was just making some new friends. Can you believe Melissa’s boyfriend cheated on her with her sister? I mean what an ass!”

“Hey!”

Without taking your gun off the Avenger, you turned for a brief moment. “Sorry, Isaac. I meant that he’s a poo-poo head.”

The child giggled.

Natasha rolled her eyes, advancing toward you, not even bothering to raise her hands above her head. She finally reached you, standing above you and giving you a very stern look. Honestly, it made her look even cuter than she usually did. You wanted to reach out and poke at the wrinkle between her eyebrows. You might have, had she not been way out of your reach from where you were still sat upon the floor.

“Get up.”

“You get down,” you countered. “Come join therapy circle.”

Natasha glanced around. “Let the hostages go.”

“They’re not hostages,” you insisted. “They’re my new friends.”

“No, we’re not. You’re holding us here against our will,” said one of the women, glaring at you from behind inch-thick glasses.

“No one asked for your opinion, Susan,” you groaned, throwing your head back.

The elderly woman didn’t argue.

You finally stood up, standing next to Natasha. The Russian rolled her eyes a second time as you poked her cheek. She didn’t smile as you’d been trying to coax her into doing. You flipped the gun again, spinning the trigger loop around your finger and then grabbing the grip to clutch it properly once more. You’d actually shot yourself practicing that, but you’d convinced yourself it might impress the assassin. It hadn’t.

“What’s all this for?” Natasha said, green eyes searching your face.

“Uh, well, there’s like fifty-thousand in the vault.”

Natasha rubbed her palm against her face. “I hate you so much.”

“Don’t say that, my dearest love.”

“I am not your love.”

“Ah, but you will be. One day,” you smiled widely. “Now. I’d say my newest invention has probably finished burning through the vault’s door, so I best be going.”

You grinned at the Russian once more. She reached for your wrist and grabbed onto it, preventing you from raising the gun. You hadn’t been trying to anyway. She’d seemingly noticed that you weren’t struggling against her grip. Her eyes flickered down to where her skin was against yours, making you smirk widely. You tilted your head to the side, a knowing expression on your lips. It made the crease between her eyebrows deepen.

“You’re not getting away this time.”

“No?” You chuckled. “Well, Miss Romanoff, riddle me this. Who’s going to stop all those escaped convicts from getting loose in the City of New York?” You could have laughed as you felt her grip loosen a little. “There’s a police car outside. The plate is 3001. Underneath the passenger seat is a list of 12 coordinates. At each of those coordinates, I’ve put a violent criminal that I broke out of Riker’s Island this morning. In exactly,” you hummed, looking down at your watch, “seven minutes, the restraints I have them placed in will automatically unlock. Now, the bomb.”

“Bomb?”

You nodded. “The timer is set for a half-hour from now. I’ll text you the code when I’m gone and sure I haven’t been followed. But I will need your number, Natty.”

Natasha hesitated, but you knew her mind had been made up. You were threatening to cause absolute chaos in the city. People could be hurt, but you’d made sure that was absolutely preventable, given they let you go. Seven minutes was plenty of time for the Avengers and the officers to round up the convicts, and a half-hour was more than enough for you to get to your destination. The only thing was that she had no comm, and she’d have to go outside to get the message to the authorities, and there was no way you were going with her. You held out a pen and your forearm.

“Number, babe.”

Natasha scribbled down her number on your skin. “I will get you one day.”

“Get me? You’ve already won me over.” You winked.

You didn’t get to hear her reply before you were headed to the vault, collected the money, and took off through the back alley. Your plan worked and, as always, you made a clean escape.

You whistled merrily as you walked through the shop, admiring the diamond rings protected behind glass cases. They sparkled in the fluorescent lights as if calling out to you. You had every intention of obeying their calls. Your hand tightened around the grip of your gun as you prepared to fire. The shop owner pleaded with you not to fire, but you weren’t listening. You aimed, and then squeezed the trigger. The loud gunshot rang through the room.

The bullet shattered the glass case. You smirked, using the barrel to knock the remaining shards out of the way before reaching in and grabbing everything that was there. You knew exactly how much time it would be before the police arrived. That had been a part of your planning in the days before you’d put your plan into action. You tossed another large diamond ring into the duffel bag you held in your hand.

“Don’t you know who I am? I wouldn’t shoot you, Benjamin.”

“But you know my name,” said the owner of the store, struggling against the bindings that held him against the chair.

“I did my research,” you shrugged. “Say, Ben- Can I call you Ben? That new car you’ve got is wicked. Mind if I try it out?”

Ben scowled. “I do mind!”

But you didn’t care whether or not he minded. You’d gotten your diamonds, and you’d already taken the keys to the Porsche from the back room. You reached into your duffel bag. Ben and the two security guards flinched, and you raised an eyebrow at them. You held up a black baseball cap. You had five of them, having gotten them made at some shop on one of New York’s many shopping malls. They were black with a blue bill, reading the words Manhattan Menace. A personalized logo you’d designed yourself was stitched underneath the words on the centre of the cap. It featured the outline of Manhattan, a wicked grin over it. They matched the one on your own head.

“Here,” you stated.

You put the cap onto the shop owner’s head. He whipped his head to the side as he tried to fling it off, but he wasn’t successful. He was struggling harder against the bindings than he had been since you’d entered his shop. It was as if the hat on his head now bothered him more than you emptying the cases of all the diamonds that had once rested inside them. You didn’t pay his struggles any mind, instead, taking out two more and putting them onto the security guards. Unlike Ben, they didn’t seem to care much.

“Fashionable,” you remarked. “Much nicer than these.”

You picked up the black cap that one of them had been wearing beforehand, large capital letters spelling out the word securityacross it, holding it up for them to look at. One of the guards actually chuckled, and you watched his gaze drift up to the underside of the bill. There was a smile on his face, still, when he turned to look at the hat his partner had on. You could see it when he registered the lettered stitching at the back. Finally, he looked back at you.

“Much more comfortable, actually. They all got our names?”

“They do,” you grinned. “I did my research. Only the best, right? How’s yours?”

The question had been directed at the other guard, who had the name Axel written on his hat. Axel threw you a smile as well. You glanced down at the remaining two hats you’d had made. One had the name Thomas on it. He’d called in sick to work, a fact you’d known well before setting out that morning. You placed his hat on Ben’s lap, not offering a word to the man. You weren’t fond of him, and he clearly wasn’t a fan of yours either. The final hat read a longer name: Mrs. Manhattan Menace. You took a piece of paper and scrawled three words on it.

For you, Natty.

You left the short note on the last hat, set it on the counter, waved a final goodbye to the guards, and took off out the front door forty-two seconds, exactly, before the police cars screeched to a stop at the storefront. You jumped into Ben’s car, started the engine, and drove far away from the scene of the crime. Of course, you got away without a hitch. You always did.

You were bored. Mind numbingly bored. TV was boring, video games were boring, books were boring, and going for a walk was boring. Your friends, especially, were boring. One of them had had the audacity to invite you over for a game of scrabble. Was there really no crime to be committed in New York City? You were a criminal and you were friends with lowlife, dumbass criminals. Yet, somehow, it seemed no one was even down to rob a convenience store.

You pulled your phone from your pocket, dialling one last number.

“I told you to stop calling this number.”

“Aw, come on, Nat. You don’t want a chat with your favourite criminal?”

“You’re not even my favourite criminal.”

You scowled; despite the fact she couldn’t see you. “Well, who is?”

“I am.”

You chuckled at the quip. You couldn’t help but wonder if she was smiling on the other end of the line as well. You imagined her in a hoodie, curled up onto a couch somewhere, the phone pressed against her ear. The corner of her mouth had curled upward in a small, almost undetectable smile. The thought made your heart flutter inside of your chest. Of course, you’d never admit that. What you and the Black Widow had was teasing and playful, right?

“My bad. Hey, did you like my gift?”

Natasha scoffed on the other end of the line. “Manhattan Menace? Really?”

“Hey! Guys like Berkowitz and Rader and DeSalvo got cool names!”

“They were serial killers! And they didn’t give themselves the nicknames. The media did.”

“Well, the media wasn’t quick enough. Plus, they’re calling me it now, aren’t they?” You teased. “So, are you saying you want me to start serial killing? Because I’m not really down for murder. It isn’t my style.”

“Please don’t start killing people,” Natasha groaned. There was an exasperated tone in her voice, and you could tell she was rubbing her forehead in frustration.

You laughed again. “Just for you, Natty, I won’t.”

“I’m hanging up. Delete my number.”

“Not in a million years. Love you!”

Natasha disconnected the line.

Then you were thrown back into boredom. For a few minutes, you sat in that same spot, staring at the wall in the dingy apartment that you’d rented under an alias. When that got so boring it hurt, you tried pacing until you’d reached that same feeling. You threw your head back and groaned loudly. Finally, you stood up, walking to the desk in the corner. You opened up a browser, pulled out a notebook, and started planning your next show. It was going to be your biggest one yet.

You sat at the desk for hours, making sure you’d had the perfect plan. Once you did, you nodded at your handiwork, stood up from the desk, and headed to bed. The sun had long set and then risen once more, but you wanted to make sure you were well rested for the big day. You pulled the blinds down, jumped under the covers, and then fell asleep with a large smile still on your face.

Peter Benjamin Parker.

The boy had become somewhat of a mentee to Stark earlier that year. He’d been part of the airport fistfight in Germany that had almost ended the Avengers. He’d only been doing it to please his idol, of course. It wasn’t common knowledge that Parker was friendly with the Avengers, but you had much more than common knowledge. You knew all about the boy and his powers, and you knew exactly how to lure him into a trap. It had started with an easier target. His best friend.

Pickpocketing Ned Leeds as he stepped off the bus was easier than taking candy from a baby. You’d simply held out a flyer, asked if the teenager had time to talk about climate change, and stood there rambling for a moment or so. As soon as he’d turned to walk away, you’d slid your hand into his pocket, wrapped it around his phone, and then shoved the device into your bag. You smiled at him as he walked away. Getting past the passcode was even easier.

Meet me at my place tonight? You’d messaged Peter.

He’d accepted.

You’d snatched Peter on his way to meet his friend. It had taken quite the sedative to control the boy with super strength, and you knew it wouldn’t last long. You raced him to another location, threw him inside, and took a quick snapshot of his unconscious form. Then you locked the doors and left the place. You headed, finally, to a third location, kicked your feet back, and sent the photo to the photo you’d, by this point, memorized. The call came in not thirty seconds later.

“What the hell?!”

“Oh, relax, Natasha. He’s fine.”

“Fine?! You drugged him!”

“Yeah, yeah. I’ll send you the coordinates to my location,” you hummed, glancing down at your nails. “If I see a single cop, I disable the security systems at Riker’s. If I see an Avenger? You don’t get Parker back. Sound okay?”

Natasha sighed. “Yeah.”

Then you waited. You were sitting by the door of the abandoned warehouse, the earpiece of your monitors in your ear and a screen strapped around your wrist. If there was any movement or security breach within a kilometre radius of your location, you’d know about it. So far, the only thing that had set off any one of your security devices was a pigeon flying in front of one of your many motion sensors. When your earpiece dinged again, you checked the camera to find a black BMW pulling in the drive.

You leaned against the wall beside the door and shoved your hands into your pockets. The car stopped a little ways away, allowing you to admire the Russian as she stepped out of the car and approached you, obviously a little defensive. Honestly, you couldn’t even blame her for it. Technically, you were a bad guy. You robbed banks and stole diamonds and hotwired cars in your free time.

“Welcome to Château Manhattan Menace.”

“You know I know your name, right?”

You shrugged. “I know.”

“Where’s Peter?”

“He’s safe.”

That was more than true. You’d trapped Peter in a room you were absolutely sure he couldn’t get out of, even with his powers. The room, though, was far from dangerous. He wouldn’t even have to fear boredom. It was stocked with all sorts of chips and pop, a large couch, a sixty-inch TV, and all the newest gaming consoles. There was even a bathroom. He was hardly a hostage. He might have even stayed if you unlocked the door.

You led Natasha down a few hallways and into an open room. A few vases full of flowers sat on some tables, candles flickered and made the room dance in their light, and a table in the centre of the room was set for two. You motioned her onward, a smile on your face. You didn’t fail to notice how her shoulders dropped a little as she got more comfortable being around you. She took a seat at the table without you having to guide her to it.

You grabbed some bowls, set one down in front of her, and grabbed your thermal container. You opened it up and revealed spaghetti, still steaming. Natasha cocked an eyebrow. Apparently, though, she trusted that it wasn’t poisoned, for she used her fork to put some into her dish. You did the same, twirling some onto your fork and putting it into your mouth. It was Natasha’s turn to mirror your movements.

“This is all so I can get Peter back. You know that, right?”

“Right,” you replied, despite the unconvincing tone in her words. “Any good?”

“Amazing. Where’d you get this?”

You rolled your eyes. “I made it. Wine?”

Natasha’s eyes narrowed. “A liquor store was robbed earlier.”

“Oh yeah. That was me.”

Despite that, Natasha held out her glass.

The same black duffel bag was sat at your feet. You reached into it and pulled out a bottle of red wine, pulled out the cork, and poured some into her glass. She sipped it before going for more of the food. You smiled as your watched her for a moment, before pouring your own glass and starting on your own food. There was silence for a long while. The only sound in the room was the soft music and the clatter of your utensils against the dishes.

“Why do you keep on with your little heists? There’s no way you don’t have enough money to sustain yourself for the rest of your life and generations after you.”

You glanced up at Natasha when she asked the question. There was genuine curiosity on her face. Her head was cocked to the side slightly and her eyes were shining, focus on you with interest. She’d abandoned her fork, resting it on the edge of the bowl. You smiled as you watched the reflection of one of the candles flicker in her pupil. There was a quiet ding as you set your own fork down.

“For fun,” you admitted. “And to see you.”

“Me?”

“Yes, you, dork,” you said, a small grin on your lips. “Hasn’t anyone ever gone out of their way to see you before?”

Natasha opened her mouth to answer, then hesitated. She cleared her throat. “Look, I had dinner with you. Can I have Peter back now?”

It wasn’t an answer, but you nodded anyway. You pulled your phone out, typing the address into the text box. You sent it to her and heard her phone ding. Despite that, she didn’t seem to be moving. She didn’t even stand up from her chair. She was staring at you. You didn’t pressure her into anything, instead just sitting silently across from her. She was comfortable and relaxed; you could tell from her stance.

“No. No one ever goes out of their way to see me.”

Your expressions softened. “Then I’ll make sure to do it more often. Sound good?”

Natasha nodded. “Thank you. I… You’re a pain in my ass, but I don’t think Manhattan would be the same without you.”

“Manhattan wouldn’t, or you wouldn’t?” You asked.

Natasha stopped to ponder that.

Your feelings for Natasha weren’t just a joke or some kind of stunt for public attention. It might have started out that way, but after meeting her at dozens of places and baiting her to your location time after time, your feelings for her were as real as the floor beneath your feet. You couldn’t help but wonder if hers for you were the same. Judging by the uncertainty written on her features as she glanced down at the floor, they were/

“I’ll continue with my shenanigans until the day I get caught, Natasha. But if you want to make things easier, you’ve got my number.”

She nodded again. She pulled her phone from her pocket, glanced at the coordinates, and stood from the table. She turned her back to you and began to walk from the room. As she went to walk out of sight down the hall, though, you watched her hesitate. The candlelight illuminated her face once more as she turned back around to face her. You were always stunned by the colour of her eyes. You couldn’t believe how beautiful they were.

“It would be a shame if some street criminal were to break into my apartment tomorrow night while I’m there alone watching movies.”

“Wouldn’t it?” You smiled softly.

“It would. I don’t know how they’d get my address, though.”

“Not easily,” was all you said.

Natasha hummed. “Goodnight, Manhattan Menace.”

“Goodnight, Black Widow.”

She turned for the final time and disappeared down the dark hall.

You stayed there a little while longer. Your mind was reeling. It was the first genuine conversation you’d had with the assassin, where it wasn’t just you taunting her and her getting frustrated with you in response. Your head was trying to get you to realize that she might be trying to lower your guard to get you into custody, but your heart wasn’t listening. It was assuring your head that, if Natasha had wanted to bring you in, she would have done it. She had the opportunity.

These same thoughts were still overtaking your head as you finally collected your things and headed toward the door. As you stepped out into the cool air, you noticed the light catch something on the ground where Natasha’s car had been parked. You moved toward it, wondering what the hell the assassin had dropped on her way out. When you realized what it was, your heart might have exploded.

New York State Driver’s License

Natalia Alianovna Romanoff

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