Chapter Text
Vision struggled to keep up with Wanda’s pace walking as they went through the large palace in Wakanda. He had never seen her this angry, and it bothered him deeply that he couldn’t figure out why. She had never reacted that way to anybody except Tony, although she also had never been contained like this. Vision lifted himself up off the ground and hovered next to her.
“Not now, Vision.” She snapped at him, not even looking him in the eyes. “Which way?” They had reached an intersection in the hallway.
“Left.” She started walking again. “Wanda, I think perhaps—”
“Vision, do you have a loose screw or something? What makes you think I want to hear advice right now?!” She halted and turned around to look at him.
Vision couldn’t hide the hurt on his face. “I was only going to offer to phase us out of the palace if getting out quicker is your goal. We would have to continue for up to ten more minutes this way.” He looked at his hands, waiting her to hit him with her magic like she did to Steve, but it never came. He glanced up to see Wanda slumped against the wall, crying into her hands with magic starting to swell around her protectively.
“Wanda, I sincerely apologize. We can continue of course continue walking if that is what you would prefer.” He knelt down next to her and put a hand on her shoulder hesitantly. He had seen her cry of course, but it was only after waking from a nightmare and when they were alone. He wasn’t sure if the protocols for comforting someone were different, and they were receiving quite a few stares.
She didn’t respond and her sobs only became more intense. Vision noted her increasing heart rate and knew that soon her magic could release an outburst in the increasingly crowded hallway. His mind quickly considered his options, remembering Wanda’s embarrassment at her past panic attacks, a specific instance coming to mind from a Stark benefit party.
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His eyes hadn’t left her since she had walked in the door. Wanda was wearing a stunning navy-blue gown with billowing long sleeves. He noted the male guests tracking her as well, and it caused him to experience an unfamiliar emotion, one that was similar to anger but not for any obviously justifiable reason.
One such man was approaching Wanda, who was sitting at the end of the (open) bar. Vision noted the man’s smug expression and excused himself to approach the bar himself. He got close enough to hear the man refer to Wanda as “fresh meat” before being stopped by a journalist.
“Excuse me, The Vision, right? I’m Natalie from The Times, can I ask you a few questions?”
Vision nodded, too polite to reject the request, but didn’t take his eyes off Wanda and the man. Her body language clearly showed she was nervous, and Vision marveled at the man’s inability to pick up on it, or maybe he didn’t care.
“Some of our readers are wondering about the nature of…well the nature of your emotions. Do you feel emotions the same as people?”
Vision finally spared a glance at the nosy reporter before turning back to Wanda. “What exactly do you mean?”
“You know,” the woman laughed playfully. “Emotions! Happiness, disappointment, jealousy, our readers want to know if you experience them the same way as biologically created people.”
Jealousy. That was the word for what Vision was experiencing, along with disgust as the man’s hand lingered on Wanda’s shoulder a little too long and she forced a laugh. Suddenly, a frantic Wanda appeared in Vision’s mind.
Vision.
Yes? Everything alright?
He knew it wasn’t, but also knew that Wanda would be upset with him if he acted without her permission. Her unpleasant conversation partner took another step towards her, and Wanda flinched.
This man is disgusting. His opening line was what he would “do” to me. Any chance you could get me out of this?
Wanda turned and looked right at him with her question, green eyes wide. Vision noticed she was sweating and breathing rapidly. He shrugged his shoulders slightly, indicating the reporter who was still asking him rather personal questions. Wanda nodded back, tears starting to form in her eyes. That was the final straw for Vision.
“I apologize, but I am being paged to a rather important matter.” He said curtly to the reporter before walking away briskly, still not taking his eyes off Wanda.
Suddenly, the man was on top of her, lips puckered in an attempt at a drunken kiss. Wanda shrieked and spilled her drink on the bar as she jumped back from him. He didn’t take the hint moved toward her again.
“Stop” was all Wanda could manage as she raised a hand to protect herself, magic swirling in her fingertips. Her tears were flowing freely now, and she could feel her anxiety starting to get out of control.
Vision appeared behind Wanda, placing his hands protectively on her shoulders. He ran his thumbs along her back to comfort her as he spoke.
“Sir, I am afraid your behavior is unacceptable, and I am going to have to ask you to leave.” Though his words were technically polite, there was an edge to his voice. Wanda’s breathing had become ragged as the waves of terror moved through her, magic sparking out of her hands as she tried to contain it.
“Oh, c’mon.” the man slurred. “The bitch was askin’ for it.”
“Sir, my hearing is electronically enhanced, and I can assure you she was not. I have already alerted the security and they are coming to escort you out of the event.”
Vis. I need to leave.
Just a moment more, Wanda. I want to ensure this man leaves quietly with the security team.
Vision. Now.
Wanda had turned so that she was facing Vision and buried her face in his shirt to conceal her sobs. She was acutely aware of the attention the scene was receiving, and she wasn’t sure how much longer she could contain her magic. It seemed to go on autopilot when her body was saying it was in danger.
Vision wrapped an arm around Wanda and lifted her into the air, phasing through the ceiling of the ballroom and into the residential wing of the tower. The reporter he had been talking to snapping pictures the whole time, collecting evidence that The Vision can in fact feel jealousy.
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Reminiscent of that time in the ballroom, Vision wrapped an arm around Wanda’s back and helped her stand.
“Wanda, I can get us out of here now, but I will not unless you ask me to.” Vision had realized that her panic was due to something akin to claustrophobia, and he didn’t want to make it worse by phasing her when she didn’t want to. Luckily, she managed to nod as her body continued to shake from the sobs.
Vision tightened his grip on her and flew down the hallway, phasing through offices and meeting rooms of various sizes until they were finally outside of the palace. He didn’t stop until they had reached a hilltop with a small porch-style swing hanging from two trees. Vision put Wanda down on the grass gently, but she still collapsed when her feet hit the ground.
Vision, I am so sorry. I honestly don’t have an explanation for that.
Her breathing had become more regular, and her heartbeat was slowing, but she still preferred to speak to him telepathically. It helped her communicate when she could send her emotions as well as her words.
It was quite obviously a panic attack.
Not just that. Everything. I’m sorry our dinner ended that way.
Wanda now is not the time to apologize. Now is the time for celebration.
She turned her head towards him, wiping a rogue tear from her eye. Her expression was one of curiosity and disbelief.
What are you talking about? I ruined everything and caused a scene.
Nothing was ruined, we had a wonderful evening. Celebrations are in order because this “scene” you believe you caused was the result of your magic. You were perhaps not able to witness it through your heightened emotional state, but your powers seem to have resurfaced in full.
To prove his point, Vision showed her his memory of earlier. He showed her the burst of energy that sent Steve against the wall and the small shield she had created in her fearful state in the hallway.
If anything, I would suggest you have grown stronger. Both of these instances were obviously accidental and required no charging of power that your previous attempts in training had.
It’s because I was angry and panicked, Vis. The same thing happened when Pietro died.
At the very least, your powers have made themselves known again.
Vision smiled at her, placing one hand gently on her chin to turn her face to his. Wanda almost started crying again at the simple but comforting gesture.
“Wanda, if I may be frank, I hate seeing you cry.”
She laughed at his seriousness. “I know you do. That’s why I don’t do it often.”