Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Sokovia is in ruins, hundreds are dead, men, women, children all dead. Thousands homeless. The country was wrecked, destroyed everything was under rubble and fire nothing was left. Sokovia was no longer habitable at least not now or maybe ever. Natasha knew Tony was already working on a charity fund for the people of Sokovia but that wouldn't change the lives that were taken it didn't matter how much was given back to the people of Sokovia they could never gain what was lost and that Natasha knew.

But Natasha was more worried about the child that was curled up in a ball at the corner of the quinjet, they were still in Sokovia but were planning on leaving soon, and not once had she looked at anyone or anything she just sat there crying for the loss of her brother, her home and everything. Natasha knew she was going to need someone to guide her to be there for her even if she says she doesn't or denies it she needs someone to show her that she is worth being alive and that's she, not a weapon.

Wanda Maximoff was lost in a sea of noise and chaos. She had nothing and no one left in the world. She was now a solitary figure in a world of enemies. She was angry with herself and everyone around her. Why shouldn't she be? She'd been orphaned at the age of six, but at least then she'd had her brother, Pietro. But now she had not even him. He was gone. It had taken mere seconds for him to ripped away from her. For the entirety of her family to be gone.

Wanda was a mess her long reddish-brown hair was dirty and falling apart from its braid, her clothes were falling apart they were torn and had holes on them, she had lost her shoe somewhere during the battle with Ultron. Her hands were raw, her knees were skinned and her feet bleeding from stepping on glass and her back was bruised. Wanda who was planning on staying on Sokovia to die just like her brother to join him. She didn't have anything to live for after everything was taken away from her she was all alone she had no one. But a woman found her and brought her to the plane she tried to put her in a seat but she had fallen to the floor and curled into herself. The woman hadn't spoken to her but she didn't need to.
The woman who feared the past that she was trying to forget a past she was desperately trying to run from but it always seemed to catch up with her. The red-haired woman. The trained spy. A trained weapon. A trained killer just like her but with more experience.

Maybe the woman wanted to hurt her for showing her those nightmares. Wanda wasn't sure. But isn't like Wanda cared. What did she have to live for? Nothing she had nothing to live for.

"I'm not angry at you and I'm not going to harm you, I plan on helping you," Natasha said in a calm tone. She wanted the girl to trust her and not think she going to do something malicious. Natasha also needs to make sure she was fed soon to, and something light as she was certain she had very little to eat and most of her food was probably stolen. The girl was underweight, the girl was also short too short for her age although Natasha didn't know she was certain she was shorter than most kids her age. She realized how small the girl was when she carried her to the quinjet.
Natasha knew currently that Steve and Stark were looking for Banner. Hawkeye was being treated by a medic. Thor was somewhere, but she was not sure where. They would all be on board soon.

The child sniffed but didn't cry. She finally looked up at Natasha.

"Why? HYDRA wouldn't show the same mercy if the tables were turned," she whispered. It was the only thing she could compare the situation to, though she'd not lived on a HYDRA base for nearly three years.

"I'm not HYDRA. You and I, we are a lot alike and I cannot leave you in a country that wishes you harm. I can't leave you with people who want you dead for something that is not your fault."

Wanda looked at her, shock evident on her face. She wasn't HYDRA anymore? How was that possible? That was one of the first lessons they taught you — you stay at HYDRA for life or you die. There was no in-between. HYDRA had taken her and Pietro off the streets when they were seven. That had been a hard-learned lesson. It had been harder when they'd been forced on the streets unless needed for battle. But even then they'd known better than to deny HYDRA.

The second had been to do as they were told or face the consequences. Wanda, for the most part, had easily done as she was told. Pietro had not until later. Not until they stopped punishing him and started punishing his sister for his misdeeds. He behaved after that. Not that it mattered anymore.

"You will have to sit in a seat and buckle in when we take off," Natasha said quietly.

The girl shrugged but didn't move. Natasha had many things running through her mind. How is she going to help this girl? Could she help her when she herself was broken? Could she be the person the girl needed? She had no idea what the girl name was nor had she told her own, maybe she could start there.

Natasha stood with grace, her movements eloquently gliding her body across the floor as she knelt by the girl.

"I'm Natasha and I want you to be part of my family."

Natasha watched the girl careful waiting for her reaction or rejection but the girl only shook before looking up at Natasha with tears running down her face. Wanda didn't know what to think should she stay or should she run and run until she couldn't run anymore but she didn't want to run she didn't want to be alone and the lady- Natasha was offering for her to no longer be alone.

"Wanda," had tears running in her eyes down her dirty cheeks and she throw her self in Natasah arms and sobbed, it was something Wanda never did or ever though she has done. Wanda felt the woman wrapped her arms around her and shush her it felt relaxing and comforting.

Natasha knew that she already made her choice and she made a right one, now she was no longer alone she had a daughter something she never thought she would have but her she was comforting a sobbing child who had nothing and no one like Natasha.

Chapter Text

Natasha knew she couldn't step back down she already offered Wanda to be part of her family and that was what she was going to do make her part of her family spiritually and legally and thanks to knowing one Tony Stark and Pepper Potts she could get the adoption papers singed before she could even say me, this was one of the many times Natasha was glad to know Tony Stark he may be annoying but he knew how to get things done when you need them to be, and that was why she was here at 11 pm on Tony and Peppers floor looking for her.

"I need to talk to Pepper or you could help as well." Natasha was straight forward she didn't have time to beat around the bush she needs this done now and fast.

"Why do you and Pepper have a thing that I don't know about? And if so can I join?" Tony said with a smirk but Natasha didn't have time for Tony's jokes

"Grow up would ya Stark."

"You want Pepper's help so you can adopt the witch." Tony's tone became serious maybe he wasn't oblivious as to everything that was happening around him that didn't involve him and it was rare to see Tony acting serious, he was always joking and commenting on everything he could.

"She'll help you without thought." Tony wanted Pepper to help Natasha because when she did Natasha would be helping the girl that lost so much. Much more than any kid should have to lose and Tony didn't know how she could do it but he admired her for that.

"What do you think?" Natasha had to ask she knew Tony felt bad for being the man who made the weapon that killed Wanda's parents and she wanted to tell him he wasn't the one who launched the missile but she knew he would still blame himself no matter what was said.

"She thinks I killed her parents and in a way I did. But I do think you had the right idea in bringing her home and yes she fucked with all our heads but she just a kid, Nat. A messed up, lost kid, she deserves better and I want to help in any and every way I can."

If Natasha didn't know Tony she would've thought he was drunk but she knew him and he wasn't drunk, he was remembering his childhood. Tony may have grown up filth rich and with many comforts but he always lacked the love of his parents. His mother loved him dearly but would never go against Howard Stark and then they died which led him on a path to destruction. "Tony? Natasha?" Pepper asked as she came into the view of the 2 Avengers "Pepper, Natasha needs our help quickly and quietly to adopt the lost pup she brought home. As in this should have been done yesterday." Natasha was glad Tony Stark was Tony Stark it made adopting Wanda fast and easy. And if Tony got what he wanted, it would've happened yesterday. "Well, I'm here to help like me pull a couple of strings," Pepper said That's what happens in just a couple of hours Wanda was adopted by Natasha no-lose strands everything was legal and Wanda was hers and this time Natasha didn't have any doubts like she had a daughter a child something she never thought she would have but now she did. Wanda Scarlett Romanoff was her daughter.

Chapter Text

"I'm not taking a bath."

"You have to take a bath."

"I'm not taking a bath," Wanda said again

Natasha was standing in front of Wanda, the girl was still was in the dirty clothes from the day before and much longer than a day, her hair was falling out of the braid and many cuts and bruises littered her body and they still needed to be attended to but Wanda had been to upset and had fallen asleep after she ate the soup Natasha made for her. Natasha had taken care of her feet afraid glass was still embedded in them and would cause an infection but Natasha had done that on the plane. Natasha had let her sleep she had given in but she wouldn't give in now.

Wanda had slept well and now things needed to be taken care of. She needed to be told that Natasha was now her guardian but the bath was the most important thing right now. There was a lot of time to talk of their both changing reality.

"Wanda this is not up for discussion. You will take a bath and then I will clean all your cuts and make sure you're okay physically." Natasha said she had showered before talking to Tony and Pepper the night before. Natasha had no idea it would take this long to convince a child to take a shower, she well past needed one, and Natasha wasn't backing down from this discussion. Wanda needed a shower and she was going to take a shower. "You can't make me." Wanda snapped. She crossed her arms and was glaring at Natasha but it wasn't a deathly glare or one that made you look away from it, but it was a cute glare and it fit Wanda as much as she wanted to look intimidating. "We can do this the easy way or the hard way маленькая ведьма." (little witch) Natasha didn't know what Wanda had against the bath but it was a much-needed bath and she was going to take that bath whether Natasha had to wrestle her in to take the bath. But Wanda wasn't going to back down; she saw no reason or need for her to take a bath and she didn't care what Natasha did. She wasn't going to take the bath so she continued glaring at the redhead and standing her ground, not willing to give in. "Hard way it is then," Natasha said

"Friday please fill the tube halfway, please, and make sure it's hot but not too hot," Natasha said to the AI as she picked Wanda up and took her into the bathroom

"Yes of course Miss Romanoff."

Wanda started squirming under Natasha hold but Natasha wasn't letting go in fact this only made her hold on tighter not willing to let the girl go as much as she struggled Natasha wouldn't let Wanda go but stopped once Natasha placed her on the closed lid toilet but she began once more when Natasha started taking off her clothes.

"I don't want a bath!!!" Wanda screamed her face turning red and Natasha saw that as a win she wasn't using her powers on her so it meant she wasn't too mad

"You're dirty and since you won't do it willingly I'll help."

Natasha contained taking off the little girl's clothes the more she took off the more she saw how skinny and malnourished Wanda was and it didn't surprise her she had grown up with little to eat and she knew at one point she looked like Wanda. People were able to count her ribs as she could now as she looked at Wanda, nothing fit Wanda at all, Natasha carefully placed the pile of clothes beside her careful not to tussle them as they were all only nearly hanging on.

"Okay, Wanda are you going to bath yourself I'm giving you a chance," Natasha said as the girl was only left in shorts and a tank top

"Fuck you!!" Wanda screamed she tried to kick Natasha

But Natasha saw the hit coming and as she remembers at times what Laura would do when the kids just wouldn't listen she swatted Wanda's bottom and raised her eyebrows challenging Wanda to see what she would do next.

"This is going too far маленькая ведьма" (Little witch)

Wanda stopped struggling and was rubbing the spot Natasha swatted. She didn't know why but that swat hurt more than any beating she had received and it sting and it made Wanda feel small and sorry for making Natasha's task of bathing her even more challenging.

"Are you ready for a bath now?" Natasha asked once she saw that Wanda had claimed down and was no longer at war with her to take a bath and she was happy that she didn't get a no as an answer.

"I don't think I've ever had a bath before," Wanda said looking down at her feet and it was true she had never had a bath before or shower Hydra would always hose them down. Natasha understood if Hydra was anything like the Red room she knew to cleanse oneself was something that was never typical and didn't happen so often a shower was and it was a privilege.

"Then will you let me help you bathe and wash your hair without any more tantrums? I will be gentle. But you are very dirty and it has to be done. I'd prefer it be done without more of the tantrum you are throwing."

"Okay, out of your shorts and into the bathtub. Friday will shut the water off if I am not back by the time it is half full. I'm going to find you something to wear until I can get you some clothes of your own. You can soak in the water while I find something."

Wanda was confused she already had clothes she didn't need anymore,"But I have clothes."

"I know you have clothes but they're dirty and have holes in them and you're going to need clean clothes and other things like panties and socks and undershirts. Shorts, shirts, and pants. You need pajamas."

Natasha left the room to go and find Wanda something to wear and once she was finished with her bath they would go shopping, she found Wanda a white t-shirt and some jean overalls she didn't know she had that would fit Wanda perfectly. When she entered the bathroom she found Wanda in the bath, knees hugged to her chest and staring at the water but Natasha knew her mind was elsewhere since Wanda didn't turn around when she entered the room.

"You ready to get this show on the road?" Natasha asked entering more in the room

Wanda nodded her head she didn't know what to expect but the bath wasn't starting so bad she may even enjoy it in the future but she was just sitting in the tub now so it was only the beginning she would give her final approval or disapproval later when she was done.

Natasha knelt beside the bathtub washing Wanda's hair she was still the same way she found her, although Wanda was relaxed she hadn't said anything since Natasha had started bathing her she was quite in her own thoughts not really in the world and Natasha wanted to know what she was thinking because she was relatively clammed for someone who had lost her brother.

"Wanda you know you can talk to me, right? Tell me what you're thinking." Natasha said quietly as she expertly used her fingers to loosen the dirt from the girl's long hair.

"This is wrong. He should be here with me enjoying a bath but he's dead and it's all my fault." Natasha saw tears spilling from the girl's eyes as she thought about her brother.

"Wanda it isn't your fault. It is 't your fault so stop telling yourself that. Your right he should be here but he isn't. He's in a better place and he would want you to be happy so be happy because he would want you to be and you get to start over being a kid and live the experiences that were stolen from you."

"I miss him," Wanda said in a cracked whisper

"I know and you're going to keep missing him and I know it hurts like hell but it'll get better over time you will find yourself not missing him so much and other times you'll miss him so much that you'll want him there to be with you but he won't be there but the memories of him will," Natasha said picking up Wanda's chin for her to look at her and to be honest Natasha didn't know where the motivational speech came from but it made Wanda smile and that was better than having frowning all day.

"Why are you doing this? I hurt you and you're being nice to me and I don't deserve it." Wanda asked tears no longer spilling from her eyes

"Because you remind me of me and I want to help you because you didn't do the things you did to hut=rt people but because you were lost and didn't know what was right and what was wrong and that's not your fault. You do deserve this after everything you've been through you deserve this more than anything."

"There's no point in this, they're going to come to take me back and I'll just cause you trouble."

"No, they won't. Last night Tony and Pepper helped me with some papers. To the world you are mine. I have all the legal documentation I need to prove it."

"Why? Why would you do that? You don't want me, no one wants me. Why would you?" Wanda said she was angry she didn't want to be happy and feel wanted and then at any moment it could be ripped away and Natasha wouldn't want her and would give her back to Hydra and she didn't want to go back she couldn't go back, she hated Hydra, she hated everything about her life expect Pietro he mad life bearable and without him, she didn't think she would be alive right now.

"Why wouldn't I want you?"

"I've killed people."

Natasha smiled but it wasn't out of happiness no it was out of sadness and understanding

"So have I. You and I are very much alike. But I'd like to change what your history will be. In order to do that, I had to make sure no one could take you away. You deserve better because you are a child. Your past deeds are not you, they didn't define you because you were forced to do things you didn't want to and you need to stop blaming yourself for things you had no control over."

"I'm going to be twelve you won't want me then."

Natasha knew Wanda's game she wanted her to give up on her just because she would be older soon and would think that she wouldn't want to deal with an older kid but that just motivated Natasha more because she knew Wanda had barley turned eleven a month ago and now she was alone and Wanda felt like she should be alone and should stay alone because no one wanted her but it wasn't true and Natasha planned to prove her wrong.

"You are worth it, even if you don’t know it. One day, I hope to help you understand just how much you are worth everything.”

Soon, Natasha sat Wanda in front of her on the bed and towel-dried her hair. It was no longer reddish-brown, it was much closer to Natasha's red hair now that it was clean. They would have absolutely no issue passing Wanda off as her child now.

"So once you get dressed you think you're up to go shopping. I wanted you to pick out things you like."

"I don't know what I like. Can we get books?" Wanda asked but once she did she put her head down expecting Natasha to say no but Natasha wasn't

"That's okay that's what we're going to go to the store and see what you do like and yes we can get books." Natasha pressured the girl

"Let's get you dressed, so we could leave faster."

Chapter Text

Natasha took the jeep knowing they would need the space for all the shopping bags but she also didn't know what to expect from Wanda she would probably not want Natasha to spend that much money on her she already questions why Natasha to her in so Natasha doubted she felt comfortable having her buy her new clothes that Wanda needed desperately. Wanda had never gone shopping she and Pietro would either steal or buy the cheapest thing that they saw not caring what it looked likes long as it gave them some type of warmth it would do just fine and of course, she dreamed of having many designer clothes but she knew it wouldn't happen she was or use to be a homeless, orphan kid on Sokovia stresses.

Tony had left her his credit card as his gift for Wanda but she doubted she was going to tell Wanda that they were using Toy's money she wouldn't expect it since she hates Tony and blames him for her parent's death when in reality those bombs were fake bombs that and not made from SI but Natasha was saving that information for later when Wanda and Tony were really going at it or more of Wanda going at Tony.

"Is there going to be a lot of people?" Wanda asked out of nowhere

"Yeah, but I'll be there and we might get a little attention but the public doesn't know anything about you. Are you going to be okay around a bunch of people?" Natasha explained there was no point in lying to Wanda; she needs to know what to expect when they're around a bunch of people.

"I'll be fine I was just wondering," Wanda answered honestly she wasn't used to packed places but the street of Sokovia were not wide and people bumped into each other a lot so she wasn't worried about that she was more worried at all the eyes staring at her and asking her and judging her she wasn't used to the homeless kids never got a second look in Sokovia. But she wasn't really homeless anymore she guessed now she lived with Natasha and she said she wanted her but Wanda didn't let it fool her Natasha could easily kick her back out on the streets whenever she got tired of her.

They fell back into silence Wanda thinking about what the mall was like and Natasha thinking about ways to make a quick exit if it was needed, she knew people would recognize her since joining the Avengers she had been in the public eye when she really didn't want to be but it came with the job and it really made her working with Shield hard since targets would know her face so Fury gave her quick mission and nothing long term.

When they got to the mall Wanda stayed close to her she was Natasha's shadow avoiding people touching her at all cost. When they got to their first store if Wanda didn't know Natasha had an expensive taste now she did, she was very reluctant in picking anything up but if Natasha saw her eyes wondering to something Wanda liked she would put it in the cart at first Wanda had tried taking it out and putting it back but Natasha grabbed her hand before she could do so. Natasha had to stop Wanda and pressure her that buying her clothes was a necessity and Wanda tried protesting but Natasha wasn't having any of it by the time they had left their final store the car was already packed with bags filled with clothes, shoes, and Natasha had brought her a tablet and a gaming system as while as books.

"You didn't have to get me all this stuff," Wanda said as she passed Natasha the bags to put in the car

"I didn't have to I need to," Natasha said as she put in the last bag in the car and closed the trunk before making her way to the driver seat with Wanda going to the passenger seat

"So how was your first time at the mall?"

"Fine I guess, there were a lot of people."

"Malls are always crowded."

"Thank you for taking me shopping," Wanda said, remembering how her mother always told her to say thank you for the good deeds that people do for her.

"You're welcome but you don't have to say thank you, I wanted and needed to buy you clothes," Natasha responded. It was her responsibility now as Wanda had everything she needed.

"You took me in and you didn't have to and now you've spent a lot of money on me and it makes me feel like a thief," Wanda said looking down at her hands she didn't know why Natasha was doing she didn't have to she should be locking her in a cage experimenting on her, punishing her for going into her mind and making her live the worst day of her life but Natasha and the others were doing the opposite they had taken her in, forgave her and she didn't understand where the kindness came from Hydra wouldn't be forgiven, but she wasn't at Hydra anymore, she wasn't in the streets of Sokovia either.

"You're not a thief Wanda. I wanted to buy you these things and don't worry about the money you won't have to worry about that when you're with me." Natasha tried to reassure her but it wasn't working she still felt like she was robbing Natasha she didn't deserve all of this she never did.

"I still feel like a thief," Wanda said not daring to mee Natasha eyes that she knew were staring at her

"Why do you feel like a thief?" Natasha asked knowing telling Wanda she wasn't a thief wasn't going to work or the many times she tells her it was her choice

"Because I don't deserve any of this. I hurt you and you're being kind to me and you shouldn't be." Wanda said tears were threatening to spill she felt guilty, she didn't know why people would be kind to her. She hasn't done anything but hurt people.

"I already told you. You made a bad decision, everyone's on the teams has made a bad decision, everyone makes mistakes but that doesn't mean they don't deserve a second chance to make up for their wrongs." Natasha said she knew what Wanda felt like she didn't deserve better because she had done bad things, worse things than Wanda could ever imagine she had been there where Wanda is at feeling like she was better being treated like an animal than an actual person and some days she felt like she still didn't deserve this life, her family and friends.

"I don't deserve it," Wanda said body shaking with sobs she hadn't realized that Natasha had pulled over so she could talk to her it broke her heart that broke Wanda deserved the world the girl had lost her parents, was lied to and used by Hydra and she thought she didn't deserve to be treated as human, as a person.

"Then what do you deserve?" Natasha asked taking Wanda's hand and giving it a squeeze

"Death," Wanda said turning to Natasha tears spilling from her eyes

"You don't deserve death Wanda you never have and you never will so don't you ever think like that because you deserve the world and much more," Natasha said wiping the girl's tears away

"It doesn't feel like it."

"I know it doesn't now because I felt the same way but you do deserve it and as time passes you're going to feel like you deserve to live and that you deserve a second chance."Natasha lulled Wanda into a hug the girl was so much like her and it scared her. They stayed in each other arms for what felt like hours (but was really 30 minutes) before Wanda had stopped crying and felt a little better and Natasha taking one last look at the girl before continuing to drive back home, she made a promise to herself to take care of Wanda and be there for her whenever she needed her to be because she would be named if Wanda turned out to be anything like her, she was a kid and she needed to live like one and to feel like one.

Chapter Text

When they got back to the compound Natasha had Friday call Steve to help them with the bags she saw Wanda was a little tense around Steve but Natasha expected that at most. If Natasha was being honest she wasn’t truly sure Wanda really trust her and she knew it would take Wanda a while to trust her hell it had taken Natasha months to trust Clint when he first brought her in and even then she still had doubts If Clint was really on her side or was just using her like the rest.

“How about we put these all to wash and then have lunch?” Natasha said talking to Wanda she had seen her playing with the hem of her shirt,” Okay.” Wanda said,” So I guess we’re going to the laundry room?” Steve asked he wasn’t really sure what to do. He knew Wanda was uncomfortable around him and he frankly didn’t know what to do or say around her.

“Wanda, why don’t you go to your room and I’ll meet you there?” Wanda nodded at Natasha request and bolted to the elevator wanting to get as far away as she could from the super soldier and the spy she still didn’t know how everyone felt about her Natasha may say she doesn’t hate her but Wanda could never know she put terrible things in everyone’s heads and now she was living in their home.

“So how did the shopping spree go?” Steve said as they walked to the elevator he was holding the bulk of the bags,” It went fine, she didn’t freak out as much as I thought she would but she thinks she deserves to die for the things she did.” Natasha didn’t really know if she convinced Wanda otherwise but she hoped she had deserved a second chance even if she didn’t believe she deserved it.

“She doesn’t she made mistakes everyone does,” Steve said

“That’s what I told her. I don’t think she believes me.” They stepped into the elevator Natasha pressing the button to the floor they were going to.

“I’m sure she will in time.”

“So how’s motherhood so far?” Steve asked

“She didn’t want to take a bath but I got her too.”

“So she is stubborn just like you,” Steve said, smirking at Natasha as they got off the elevator and moved into the laundry room.

“I’m not stubborn.”

“Of course your not.” Steve had placed all the bags he had down,” Do you need help with this?” Steve asked,” No I got it from here thanks for helping though.” Natasha told Steve who nodded his head before taking his leave. Natasha made quick work of taking off all the tags from the clothes and putting them in the washer.
Once she was done with that she went to check on Wanda when she found she was reading one of the books Natasha had gotten her from the book store,” So you like the book so far?” Natasha asked Wanda which Natasha cursed herself after she saw Wanda flinch at the sound of her voice and almost drop the book,” Sorry just came to check to see if you’re okay.” Natasha told Wanda entering the room slowly and taking a seat at the edge of the bed.

“It’s good but I can’t read some of the words,” Wanda confessed, blushing looking down embarrassed she didn’t want to make Natasha since she had wasted her money making her buy books she couldn’t actually read,” That’s okay would you like me to read it to you.” It’s okay Wanda. Would you like me to read to you?”

“N-no it’s okay you don’t have to, I'll figure it out.” Wanda rushed out she didn’t want to burden Natasha more than she already had,” Wanda I want to read with you so let me, please.” Natasha begged the girl and Natasha was never the begging type.

Wanda thought about it for a minute and Natasha looked genuine when she said that she wanted to read to her so Wanda nodded,” Okay you can read to me.” Wanda sees a smile spread on Natasha’s lips as she comes around and gets under the covers with Wanda who hands her the Maze runner,” You know you can get closer than that.” Natasha tells her seeing as Wanda was still far from reach.

Wada blushes as she scouts over enough to be close to Natasha but never touching her. Atasha knew Wanda was keeping herself at a distance but didn’t comment,” He began his new life standing up, surrounded by cold darkness and stale, dusty air…”

Wanda found that she enjoyed Natasha’s voice when she read unconsciously Wanda found herself leaning towards Natasha to the point where she was snuggling close towards Natasha. By the end of chapter 5, Wanda had fallen asleep.

Natasha bookmarked the page before slipping from under Wanda and silently leaving the room, having nothing to do Natasha decided to catch up on paperwork that she was behind on. Natasha was well into most of her paperwork before she got a knock on the door,” Come in.” Natasha said not looking up,” I wasn’t sure if you were still here.” Wanda’s shy voice came in confused about why she was up so early when Natasha left her room minutes ago Natasha glanced at the clock noting that 3 hours had passed since she started with her paperwork.

“Wanda I’m sorry I forgot to wake you up for dinner.” It was a habit of Natasha to always get holed up in work and forget to eat but now she had Wanda and she couldn’t forget to feed Wanda. She was responsible for her and that meant making sure they both ate.

“It’s okay I’ve missed a meal before and I’m not really hungry,” Wanda said looking at her feet she had gone longer than a couple of hours without food and this didn’t compare to the weeks she went without food.

“Well you're here now and going without a meal won’t be happening. Friday can you order 2 tomato soups and have a couple of grilled cheese ordered.” Natasha told Wanda as she cleared up her paperwork and patted the bed signaling Wanda to join her,

“Of course Ms. Romanoff it will be here in 3o minutes.”

“Thanks, Friday. Do you wanna watch a movie?” Natasha asked Wanda who was now sitting next to her,” No I can go, you have work to do.” Wanda said getting ready to bolt out of the room,” It’s okay I was done with that anyway and I need a little discretion.” Natasha said turning on the tv flipping through the channels until she found Frozen which had just begun so Wanda hadn’t missed anything.

30 minutes into the movie Natasha went to go get their food when she went Wanda’s eyes never went off the screen. When she came back Wanda was more comfortable than she had when she first came in,” Here. Careful it’s hot.” Natasha warned Wanda as she passed her a soup and a grilled cheese,” Thank you.” Wanda said as she took a bite of the sandwich, eyes never leaving the movie,” Your welcome.”

When the movie was done Wanda had finished her soup and a good half of the grilled cheese, they played another movie well into the movie Natasha noticed Wanda’s eyelids flattering open and closed,” It’s okay delta go to sleep.” Natasha told Wanda as she nodded before closing her eyes for good this time. When her breathing even out Natasha turned off the movie and hopped off the bed placing Wanda under the covers before she herself got changed and went to bed.