Chapter Text
Tommy was slowly adjusting to this new relationship with his mother. He was getting used to having a parent that cared. Or at least as much a parent as she can be to an adult. He still sometimes felt the need to run away or distance himself. His instincts telling him that if he gets too comfortable it will all be ripped away, at least that’s what his history has taught him, but he tried his best to drown those thoughts out and push through them.
He walked into his mother’s house and closed the door. He had expected her to be in her shop, but no one was there. It was unusual for her to leave it unattended, but she was likely around here somewhere.
“Mom?” Tommy called as he walked toward the living area. Again, he didn’t see her. He looked around and called up the stairs again. “Mom! I’m here!”
Again no answer. He sighed and decided to head into the kitchen to get something to drink. He didn’t mind waiting for her. Lately, if she had a mission, she would let him know that she would be gone. Tommy appreciated it more than he let on. There was something about knowing that she thought of him during times like that, that settled deep down in his chest. He always wanted to help her, but she assured him that she would be okay and promised to tell him if there was anything he could help with. He knew that she would likely never actually ask him for help, but it was the thought that counts.
As he turned the corner into the kitchen he was greeted by a figure standing in the blind spot. It took him a moment to register who it was.
“Oh. Hello.” Vision said, clearly not expecting Tommy to be there.
“...Hi.” Tommy said slowly. This was the first time he had ever exchanged words with his dad, or well…, with Vision.
Vision quickly glanced around. “Apologies. Wanda had not informed me that she was expecting a visitor.” He added.
The word fell sour on Tommy’s ears. ‘Visitor’. For the first time in a while Tommy suddenly felt out of place in his mother’s home. He didn’t live there (though not for Wanda’s lack of asking, he reminded himself) and he was face to face with a man that he only knows through stories and brief third person interactions.
It was strange to talk to Vision. He reminded Tommy so much of Jonas, which is no surprise of course, and one might think that would make the situation a little more comfortable but it didn’t.
“Uh.” Tommy started. The desire to run away began to build. “I was just stopping by to talk to mom- I mean Wanda.”
Vision gave a brief smile. “She had to step out quickly, but she should arrive back at any moment.”
“Thank you.” Tommy nodded, avoiding eye contact.
He never had a dad. Sure he had a father, he even had two, but being a father doesn’t make you a dad. He had always felt removed from his father. They rarely talked and when they did it often resulted in a fight.
He wasn’t even sure if Vision counted as a father. He shared DNA with Frank. What did he share with Vision? Did Vision even have memories of him? The man standing in the kitchen was a complete stranger.
Suddenly Tommy heard the back door open and he was brought out of his internal spiral.
“Sorry that took so long. I didn’t realize it would be that busy!” His mother called as she turned into the kitchen.
She looked at Tommy and suddenly his desire to run quieted.
“Oh Tommy!” She smiled and wrapped him in a hug. “I’m so glad you’re here. Have you been waiting long? I didn’t realize I was going to be gone for so long or I’d have let you know.”
Wanda leaned back and placed a kiss on his forehead.
Tommy had tensed at the feeling of the hug, but quickly released. He had come to love hugs from his mom. He didn’t know how she did it, but they always felt so safe and comforting.
“Uh, no I actually just got here.” Tommy said as he let go of the hug, trying to avoid looking at Vision.
Wanda quickly gave her son a once-over and noticed something, but she couldn’t put her finger on it. Something was bothering him. She had come to realize that Tommy shared similar mannerisms with her whenever he began to turn in on himself.
She gently placed a hand to his cheek, looking deep into his eyes. “What’s wrong?”
Tommy felt her gaze pierce his soul and hoped that she couldn’t read his mind. He knew how complicated the topic of Vision was for her and he didn’t want to add his own stress to her. So he put on the best smile he could muster.
“Nothing’s wrong. I just missed you.” He said. It wasn’t untrue. It had been about a week since he had seen her. Sometimes he liked to just stop by and say hi. Spending time with her was like recharging his batteries. This time was different though.
Wanda knew that something deeper was happening, but she also knew that prying wasn’t going to do anything.
“Well, I should be going.” Vision said, cutting through the silence.
Wanda turned her head. “You don’t have to go.” She said.
“It’s probably for the best. Vivian will be returning home from school soon. I would like to be there when she arrives.” He said with a smile. “I appreciated our talk and look forward to seeing you again soon.”
And with that he left. Tommy had told himself that he had made peace with Vision not being part of his life, but this still stung.
“I gotta go too. Sorry mom, I promised I’d get some groceries.” He blurted out unconvincingly, giving her a kiss on the cheek and speeding out before his mother could respond.
Wanda took a deep breath. In times like these she often caught herself dreaming about what life might have been like if all of this had never happened. She couldn’t let herself truly go there though. A game of what-if was never helpful.. but it was oh so tempting.