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Wanda Maximoff had the habit of being late. She was never on time. Ranging from when she used to go to school to training with the Avengers, those who knew her could barely name situations where she was on time. The redhead's wish is that she isn't too late now. Long story short, she loves you. You are engaged to Natasha. To keep you from making a "regrettable decision", she has now confessed her feelings for you.
"Pardon?" The words that have been said before you sounds preposterous as of now. "I don't understand you, Wanda."
Beautiful, glassy green eyes met yours, as if they hold all the answers to your questions namely "Why now?", "Why hasn't she done this sooner?", and "Is the prospect of me marrying someone else too much for her to put our years of friendship on the line?"
Neither one of you spoke for quite some time. This current predicament could all very well be avoided if she had just said something sooner. Though, you suppose it is alright anyway since only the two of you are present in this unlively room. Nevertheless, when you get back to the place you were supposed to be in minutes prior to Wanda asking to speak with you, Natasha would figure it out like she always does.
Cutting off your train of thought, the redhead took a shaky step forward to cup your face. You allowed yourself a moment to bask in her adoration one last time before it inevitably crumbles.
"I love you, Y/n. I always have." Wanda could not bring herself to look away from you. That sole gesture didn't stop the metaphorical bullet in your heart from lodging itself further into your chest.
"I know."
Wanda's breath hitched, her brows furrowing. "If you knew, why didn't you... why didn't you say anything to me?" Was her question.
You scoffed.
"Oh, I have no idea. Maybe because I am not obligated to call out your feelings for me or because I thought you deserved the privilege of telling me in your own time. I waited for you until I could no longer take it."
Your outburst and sudden confession sent Wanda reeling. "I didn't know there was a time given. If I had..." She mumbled.
Cutting her off before she could continue, you inched closer towards her, "If you had told me, things would be different. If I had told you about my feelings, it would be different as well. Either way, we would have prevented this from happening."
Wanda could sense there was more to your words than simple rejection. She would have accepted if you didn't love her in the way she loves you yet somehow, the fact most difficult to process was the knowledge that you had reciprocated her feelings some time ago.
"If there is any chance at all that you still love me, don't marry Natasha." Wanda pleaded, clasping your hands together. "Please, детка."
You felt bile come up from your throat but you pushed it down. You had to get through this for Wanda's sake.
"I do love you, Wands." You prepared yourself to say the next mere words you know will shatter what's left of Wanda's broken heart that she had spent decades trying to fix. "But I love Natasha more."
Wanda swallowed dryly. "Why her?"
"She's my everything. It's like I could not breathe without her. She's the first person I look for in a crowded room, she's the one I share secret glances with, she knows me well. She knows when I get overwhelmed. I'd like to believe she knows me better than I know myself. . . I see right through her. Natasha closes off her feelings sometimes but I push through. I am there for her when she's at her lowest. My love for her multiplies tenfold each day I spend with her. And I think to myself how lucky I am to get to know her. She saved me. In her eyes, I am perfect when in reality, I'm far from it. I used to say that I didn't deserve her. In spite of that, she chose to stay with me. How could I not love her?"
What Wanda did not know is that you used to talk about her this way. You decided to leave out this part, hoping it would hurt less.
She was sobbing hysterically now. It broke you to see her like this. Her disheveled hair stuck to the sides of her face, damp due to the tears descending from her eyes. In her affliction, she managed to give you a nod.
You carefully removed your hand from hers to touch her face for the last time. "I do hope you find someone who will treat you better than I ever could. You deserve it. You deserve happiness. I'm sorry I couldn't give it to you."
"I'm sorry I didn't confess how I feel the moment I realized what it was." Wanda shut her eyes, focusing on the warmth of your touch.
"Goodbye, Wanda."
-
You beamed at Natasha while she walked down the aisle. She gave you a warm smile in return, as enchanted by this day as you are.
Wanda took a seat in the furthest part of the room. This didn't settle with her in the slightest. Only for a minute did she want to change her mind until she saw how happy you are. The ache in her chest subsided and the weight on her shoulders had been lifted. She no longer had the burden of hiding her feelings.
However, she knows that it doesn't change the fact that she had, once again, been too late.