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Wanda didn’t see Steve walk into the living room, let alone hear him when he entered the townhouse. She was too busy putting decorations on the tree, blue lights shining against the silver and red baubles and making the gold ribbon garland sparkle. He was quiet on his feet, something Wanda should have been used to as she lived with his best friend, so when she turned around, she was startled and dropped the silver ornament she was holding, causing it to shatter on the ground.
“Dočerta Steve,” she cursed, flexing her fingers to use her magic to collect the pieces of sharp glass, sending them to the breakfast bar looking into the kitchen.
“I apologize, Wanda,” Steve replied, smiling sheepishly as a blush crept up his neck. “I thought you heard me knock.”
Wanda sighed and shook her head, bending to pick up another ornament. “Don’t apologize, Steve. I was too into my head to even hear the music.” She turned to hang the bauble on a branch then looked the tree over to see where else needed a decoration.
“I miss him too, Wanda,” he said softly, and she could hear him move to sit down on one of the couches. “But he should be home before Christmas.”
Wanda only nodded, her eyes on the tree to try to hide her face from Steve. Just thinking of Bucky being gone ate at her, missing him more than she will ever admit.
They only have been dating for a few months, after spending almost a year sharing the townhouse as they tried to get back to a normal sense of living after everything fell apart. She was done trying to be a hero as she felt it brought nothing but anguish and agony to her life. Too many people she had lost, and she was determined to end that. But then there was Bucky, who felt like he needed to atone for his sins when he wasn’t even responsible for all the atrocities that HYDRA had made him do; he didn’t give it up at all, but now that they were together, he promised her that this would be the last time he would be on a mission. Promised that he will be home for Christmas.
“What are you doing here, Steve,” she asked softly, “not here just to check up on me, that’s for sure.”
“I thought we had a deal that you won’t read people’s minds without consent.”
“It’s kind of hard when your thoughts are screaming.” She rolled her eyes as she turned towards the blond, playing with her fingers. “I was being polite by asking, and giving you a chance to use your own words.”
Steve crossed his leg over the other and leaned back on the couch, his hands folded in his lap. “I wanted to make sure you were okay, and to ask if you wanted to come to the party,” he offered with a smile. “You shouldn’t have to be alone just because you walked away.”
Wanda took a deep breath and looked over at the mantle of the small fireplace where two stockings hung and pictures of Pietro and Rebecca on either side of the menorah that bought when she went back to Sokovia the year prior.
“Not sure if I’m ready for a party,” she finally replied, walking over to the fireplace, her eyes fixed on the picture of her brother.
“It’s not a big party, Wanda. It’s just us and Clint’s family. Obviously Pepper and Happy as well, but it’s small.” He stood and walked over to her, his shoulder dipping to bump into hers. “You’re family Wanda, especially to Clint and I. We want you there. Lila asked if you were going to play.”
Wanda scoffed and shook her head, looking up at her friend with a small smile.
“That’s low, playing the Lila card.”
“What can I say? The Barton kids like you. But seriously, you should come and be with family tonight. And you know it will be entertaining regardless how big it is.”
Wanda laughed softly, nodding her head. “Alright, I’ll go only because I know you have a plan on getting me there regardless. I’ll go grab my case, but I’m not changing. Tony is just gonna have to accept jeans and a sweater.”
“Place your ring finger here,” Wanda instructed, moving Lila’s finger to the correct spot on the sixth string. “Now try.”
Lila pulled her thumb over the strings and smiled when the sound came out pleasant, unlike the four tries before. “I got it!” the young teen gushed, moving her fingers to the next position, strumming the correct chords.
“Take it slow, you’ll get it. I’m going to get some punch.” Wanda stood and patted Lila’s shoulder and walked to the kitchen.
The party was just what Steve said, small. It was intimate and homey. And as much as Wanda missed Bucky, she didn’t feel lonely. It had been a few months since she had seen Clint and his family, and Nate wouldn’t leave her be for the first hour. Steve was right that Lila wanted to learn the guitar, and Cooper was like any teenage boy not wanting to be there, but pleasant.
“How are you doing, kid?” Clint asked, leaning against the counter as she laddled punch into her cup.
“You know I am almost thirty,” she retorted, turning towards him with a smile.
“Yeah, and I’m old enough to be your older brother or rather young uncle,” he teased, the smile reaching his eyes.
“I’m alright Clint, just…”
“Missing Barnes?”
“Yeah,” she sighed, “I know he can handle himself, but sometimes...I worry that Sam’s not enough to keep him safe.” She took a slow drink and looked out to the main room where everyone was. She saw Steve look over at them and nodded, and Laura said something to Lila, making the girl put the guitar down.
“Maybe you guys can come and visit for New Year’s,” Clint offered, his offer making Wanda look at him. She didn’t mean to gape, but Clint was pretty strict on keeping work and home separate.
“You sure? Did you even ask Laura?”
“It was Laura’s idea. She wants you two to feel welcome with us, even though I think Barnes is a bit old for you,” Clint muttered, his nose crinkling.
“Shut up, he’s younger than you,” Wanda countered, shoving his shoulder, making the archer laugh. “I don’t care if he’s ‘technically’ older than me, but he’s the same age as Steve.”
“Exactly. They’re both over a hundred,” he smirked, stepping away in time to miss her hand that was ready to smack him upside the head.
Before Wanda could contemplate on using her magic, Lila was by her dad’s side, a smile on her face.
“Can you play a song for us, Wanda?” she asked cheerfully as she raised herself on her toes and fell back down.
“Uh, sure,” she replied, looking back at Clint, “Consider yourself lucky, old man.” She gave him a smile and wink before following Lila back to the couch where the young girl set her guitar down. She could feel everyone looking at her, but she couldn’t get a feeling on why; maybe Laura had told everyone that Lila was going to ask.
“Can you play the one that you use to sing to Nate when he was baby,” Lila asked, sitting down on the couch and held out the guitar to Wanda.
“Not really a Christmas song,” Wanda mused, but shrugged and sat down next to the brunette, taking the guitar and adjusted it on her lap.
“And sing it too?” Lila beamed at her, and Wanda had to narrow her eyes at the girl, suspicious as to why she seemed almost giddy.
“Okay, here it goes.” Wanda took a breath and started to strum, her eyes focused on the neck of the guitar, working her fingers as she tried to remember the words.
“Put a candle in the window, ‘cause I feel I've got to move. Though I'm going, going I'll be coming home soon, as long as I can see the light. Pack my bag and let's get moving, ‘cause I'm bound to drift a while. Though I'm gone, gone you don't have to worry, no, as long as I can see the light.”
She took a breath, biting her lip as she played the chords, her stomach knotting as she tried to push the thoughts of Bucky out of her mind. Another shaky breath and she started the second verse.
“Guess I've got that old traveling bone, ‘cause this feeling won't leave me alone.”
Before she could go on, another voice chimed in, making her stop playing, but the person kept singing.
“But I won't, won't be losing my way, no, no. As long as I can see the light.”
Bucky.
He was standing just inside the living space, a small smile on his face. He was still in his tactical gear and sporting stubble along his jaw. Steve took the pack from his friend, patting his shoulder as he walked over to Sam who was a few feet away.
“Hey doll,” Bucky greeted, walking towards her.
Lila reached over and took the guitar from Wanda, leaning in to whisper, “Dad and Steve wanted to surprise you.”
Wanda’s eyes flitted to Clint then Steve, her mouth slightly agape before looking up at Bucky, who was now standing in front of her.
“I would have cleaned up a bit, but the punk made it clear we had to be here as soon as we landed,” he explained, kneeling down in front of her, a crooked smile still on his face.
“I don’t care,” she whispered, her hand coming up to cup his jaw, “you’re home for Christmas.” A smile pulled at her lips as she leaned in and placed a soft kiss to his lips. “Welcome home,” she murmured against his lips.