Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text


Y/N POV

You have been planning the surprise for weeks. Making lists of all the things and supplies you'll be needing, asking permission to leave early on Friday, so you'll have plenty of time before Wanda arrives at your shared apartment. Things haven't been going really well. The discussion from last week is still fresh in your mind, but you hope that with your anniversary coming soon, things can go back on track. You even bought those card games for couples, with different questions and topics, that promised you'll get more connected with your loved one.

For the last 8 months, your relationship has been changing in small ways; you're now overanalyzing. Where Wanda used to cook small romantic dinners for the two of you, now it's you trying your best attempt at cooking, with one dish always getting cold. Her touch has become distant. Kisses went from passionate to small pecks on the lips. Still, you can't help but feel an emptiness in your stomach just thinking about your current situation. 

And you're now 4 days away from your second anniversary. 

The intrusive thoughts again are replaying scenarios you don’t want to think about. For the past few months, every time Wanda mentions something related to Jarvis, you can’t help but feel a hole in your stomach, followed by a tingle sensation. Anxiety, your therapist called it once.

"I just can't help but feel neglected, Wanda. This is the third time you have canceled our date night because you lost track of time, just because Jarvis asked for your help."

"Are you serious right now, Y/N?" Wanda asked in a controlled tone, knowing well it wasn't.

"Yes," you say, trying really hard not to yell.

"He's my boss, we're close to the end of the month, and you well know if this upcoming revision goes well, I'm up for promotion."

"And I support you! I just don't understand why, if you're so good at your job, like I know you are, he can't review those things alone." At this point, you're more emotionally tired than physically. Work has been stressful for you as well, and there have been a lot of staff cuts at the agency.

"It doesn't seem like it. What are you gonna do if I get promoted and work demands more time from me?"

"Work or Jarvis?" The words come out of your mouth before you have time to process them.

"Are you for real?" from her tone, you know Wanda feels attacked. Any other time, you wouldn't have paid much attention to it, but it's the little defensive tone that catches your attention.

"Wanda, all I ask is that you don't forget you have a girlfriend." With no wish for more arguments, you leave her there and go to your bedroom, in hopes of hearing footsteps following. Wanda doesn't go after you.

The next day, she sent your favorite flowers and a note, saying she was sorry and you were right. She even told you she asked to leave early next Friday so she could spend it with you. You foolishly thought she remembered your anniversary.

The sound of Kate's ringtone brings you out of your mind. She has the special ability of sensing when your mood is going south, calling it her spidey-best-friend sense.

"Hot and horny line, how can I help you?" It has become a tradition for you to answer her calls with the most ridiculous business greetings.

"Hi, yes. I would require the services of… Y/L/N, stop it!! I can't do this. What would my favorite striper say if she knew I'm cheating?" Her infectious laugh is enough to improve your mood already.

"And we know you're no cheater." Noticing the hour, you realize it is past your lunch time. Since your boss is out of town, you close your laptop and grab your things, ready to head out.

"Exactly. Now, how come you haven't eaten lunch?" Has she actually been spying on you?

"How?" you can picture rolling her eyes.

"I didn't, I was just fishing, but you confirmed my suspicions. So… lunch? I'm close to your agency, had to get out of meetings."

"What about Hangry Hipster? I could use some of their fries."

"Deal. See you there in 10 or you're paying Jellybean."

And that's the thing about Kate you like the most. Your shoulders relax, and a smile plays at your lips after a conversation with her, not mater how small it is. Closing the door behind you, you speed up a little, deciding to make her pay for your lunch.

“You’re one minute late jellybean” she singsong as soon as you see her at the door.

“You’re not even paying attention. You’re staring at your phone. How do you know I arrived like 4 minutes ago?”

Kate puts her cellphone back in her jacket and opens the door for you. "I have an extremely well-trained ear." 

Now you can't help but roll your eyes. Nodding your head while passing through the door, you walk straight to your favorite booth. Middle of the hall, exact distance between the bathroom and the door. You can even watch the band perform without constantly being bumped by staff or patrons.  Wanda doesn't see the appeal of it, telling you, while laughing, that all tables were the same. You had to restrain Kate from going into babble mode, trying to convince her.

Once you're seated, you don't need to look up at the menu. Kate signals for the waitress. 

"Oh, hi, yes, I will have the pizza trick dish with a side of Caesar salad, no dressing, a zero Coke, no ice, and for her a buffalo chicken salad, and a side of the special fries, mineral lemonade, no syrup added, and lots of ice. Thank you!"

You smile. Once Kate realized you always ordered the same things (except for dessert) she took the role of always ordering for both of you. 

"You know, the waitress wanted to talk with you," You say absentmindedly. 

"What can I say? I'm a charming woman."

"Ain't that true" the tension in your shoulders has dissipated, asumming it was the change of scenario. Thinking about your office at the moment gives you chills. 

"So, how are the preparations for the big day coming up?" Kate asks you, and you notice how her cheerful tone from before is gone.

"Going. I mean, I scheduled the DoorDash already."

"You're not cooking?" she asks you, playing with a napkin and trying to fold it into something.

"I was going to but-"

"You don't want to get your hopes up? I get you jellybean." 

Food is placed in front of you before Kate can add anything else. 

"If you need anything else, just let me know," the waitress tells Kate, ignoring you completely. You see her winking before leaving. Noticing Kate doesn't see it, she's busy opening her soda can while unconsciously pushing her plate towards you. 

"Rude. She's flirting with you right in front of me."

"And that's a problem because?"

Catching you off guard, you try to still get the upper hand.

"Imagine if I were your girlfriend."

"But you're not so?"

"Well, this is still a best friend's time outing, so she was rude."

"If you say so."

And there again, a simple phrase that Kate always uses when either of you doesn't have any more arguments to win the case. Shaking your head, you grab a piece of her plate before digging into your salad. The delicious smell from Kate's plate is enough of a distraction.

You manage to give her a few more details about the cards you bought, and promise you'll buy the BFF pack for your next outing. Deciding not to tell her about the promise ring you haven't bought, but were considering. Would a ring fix the problems you had with Wanda?

You're still waiting to hear from a potential client, your boss has started the day with a really long and important meeting, scribbling notes in your notebook while sipping coffee. The clouds in your brain are starting to slowly dissipate. A soft ping on your watch alerts you to a new message from Wanda. You notice the time. 

A pang in your stomach. Since when have you started to dread her notifications?

Wands Love 💕 "At what time am I supposed to be home tonight, dear?"

Supposed. Her words land wrong this time. Like you're just a suggestion.

 You don't reply instantly.

Another ping. 

Wands Love 💕 "The team wants to go for drinks. Revisions are going well. I was thinking of going just for a little while."

Your fingers press into your temples. Across the room, Steve, your boss, gives you a sympathetic smile and signals for a coffee refill. Sighing, you open your laptop, carefully aiming the screen so no one sees what you'll do. Thanking Natasha, your office partner, for ordering the privacy screens. Yet you liked to be careful. Especially after Kate once caught you watching a very detailed +18 video.

Opening your message app, you type a response. You erase and rewrite the message before pressing send.

Love 💫 "We agreed on being home at 4. You told me you were getting out earlier."

The answer is immediate.

Wands Love 💕 "I know, I know, but this is big. Stark is going."

Wanda's manager, that means Jarvis will be there, since they're like brothers from another mother or something like that. Wanda told you once, but you weren't too eager to hear about her ex-boyfriend.

Your heart races, and the bomb you're dropping makes your pulse accelerate.

Love 💫 "Bigger than our anniversary?"
...
Love 💫 "You forgot it, right?"
Wands Love 💕 "Of course not, Y/N, I thought maybe we could have our time later tonight."
Love 💫 "Do what you think is best, Wands."

You watch the three dots appear before disappearing. Your heart is beating fast. Your stomach churns.

Wands Love 💕 "I promise I will be home at 7pm, and then we can celebrate. All night if you want 😚😉"

You stop answering. 

"Hey Y/N. We're going for lunch. Barnes is paying. You coming?" the husky voice of Natasha sounds next to you.

"I already have plans."

"Come on Nat, we know is Y/N anniversary. She wouldn't stop talking about it at the last meeting." Barnes's arms pat your back before stepping outside. 

Right. Two weeks ago. When you were excited about it. Now, you want to crawl into your bed and cry. Already filling the stink in your eyes. 

"You okay?" 

Leave it to your very observant coworker to notice. 

"Allergies. You guys go. I promise to invite the first round next time."

Not wanting to give more explanations, you hurry towards your office. The laptop makes a soft "thud" on your desk. Grabbing your phone, you choose your second pinned message.

World's Okayest Archer 😜🤩 "If anything, I get a 2x1 coupon on that fancy coffee shop you love."

She texted you before your morning meeting. A tiny smile appears. You know Kate's not a morning person.

Tiny Human 😜 "Emergency caffeine intervention?"
World's Okayest Archer 😜🤩  "You need rescue already?"
World's Okayest Archer 😜🤩  "Weren't you leaving work early today? Prepping everything for your Oh So Special day?
World's Okayest Archer 😜🤩  "Why am I being summoned then? I'm not helping you!
...
...
Tiny Human 😜 "I need you."

Her ringtone comes a second later. Your jaw unclenches, not noticing when it clenched before. 

"Hi," a small sniffle. 

"What did she do?"

"Kate..."

"Fine... what's wrong then, jellybean?"

"Can you pick me up?"

"I'm on my way."

She doesn't hang up. Deep down, you know she won't. Not since that anxiety attack you had during your final weeks in your last semester at college. Something about knowing she's just listening gives you plenty of calm. Wanda once joked early on in your relationship about being jealous of that.

Your fingers drum. An attempt to prevent you from biting your nails. A bad habit you stopped a year ago. The emptiness in your stomach hasn't gone since Wanda's last text. Steven knocks on your open door. 

"Hey Y/L/N, before you go..." You feel his blue eyes on you. Trying to smile, you acknowledge him.

"Can I do something for you, Mr. Rogers?" 

"Send me the final report once you hear from Harkness Corp. Have a good weekend Y/N."

He lingers for a few seconds before leaving. Sighing, you go back to massaging your temples. Looking at the phone, you calculate the minutes you have before Kate arrives. 

Picking up your computer, you grab its case before sliding it into your bag. Your coffee cup follows. Then the folders. Then your notebook.

Opening your drawer, you see a neatly wrapped box. Is there a point in taking the cards with you? Against your better judgment, you toss them into your bag.

Twenty-five minutes later, you hear Kate's voice on your phone again.

"Uber driver for Y/N"

"On my way," this time you're the one hanging up.

Opting to use the stairs, you close the door. You see your coworkers leaving, their laughs and camaraderie are quite contagious, making you smile, waving goodbye at them. Natasha winks at you before going down the hall. 

Once out of your office building, you spot Kate's car. She's leaning outside the passenger's door. Sunglasses perched on her head. Her ten-thousand-watt smile once she sees you. Your urgency to hug her gets the best of you.

"Umph" but her arms secure you firmly against her. Advantages of being three inches shorter. Something you appreciate now. You and Wanda are similar in height.

Kate patiently waits for you to end the hug. An unspoken rule between the two of you. The one who initiates the hug is the one who ends it. Kate's wearing perfume. A Gucci one she just likes, and you love. She rarely uses it. Except when she goes out. 

"I wasn't interrupting something, was I?"

"Nothing I can reschedule with my mom. You're good."

The relationship between Kate and her mom has been better for the past year. Yet, any chance she gets of getting out of it, she'll gladly take it.

Before letting her go, you inhale her perfume, quietly anchoring back. You try your best smile, which she doesn’t buy but doesn’t say anything. You enter her car. 

The intense smell of the air freshener, “new car” lets you know she recently changed it. What does a new car smell anyway? But it’s so plain and so like Kate, you have come to like it.

Two cold coffee cups are neatly placed on the dashboard. A lavender cookie in its paper bag, rest on top of the lid of one. Kate has always had a sweet tooth. You reach for the coffee on the left.

“Didn’t know what kind of caffeine emergency it was, so I went for your old reliable.”

Vanilla iced latte, one shot of espresso extra. You ordered the exact same thing since you were 16. The bitterness of the coffee mixed with the vanilla was something you ached for.

"Where am I driving to?" she asks you in a quieter voice.

"My apartment," the smell of the freshly ground beans gives you something to concentrate.

Kate starts driving slowly. Avoiding the short way and taking the "panoramic" route, as much of NY can give.

The drive there is not awkward. Kate hums a song whose lyrics only she knows. Once in a while, you feel her eyes on you. You feel the sting in your eyes again. You force yourself to drink.

"Coffee was hot."

"Still is"

"Uh"

But the hot liquid helps swallow the lump in your throat. Numbing your current feelings. You reach for the cookie at the same time Kate does. Your fingers brushing hers. Kate's cold fingers; she must have come straight from her office. She keeps the A/C always on. The sun reflects directly through her office. 

She takes her hand almost too quickly.

"Sorry"

You need physical reassurance. Something to anchor you in the present. You don't ask it from Kate. You have asked too much already. 

She would give it anyway.

You curl your fingers. Your fingernails digging into your palms works for now. 

Kate notices, she always does. 

"We're here." 

Directing the car towards the visitors' parking, Kate punches the code. Once parked, you don't attempt to leave. 

Kate unbuckled her seatbelt, her back casually leaning against the door, carefully aiming her knee.

"Wanna tell me what happened jeallybean?"

Inhale. Exhale. You concentrate on your chest rising. 

"She forgot our anniversary."

Kate opens her mouth, closes it. She grabs her coffee. Her fingers drum against the wheel. 

"Okey, okey, okey, maybe there's a logic and honest reason?"

"She texted telling me they'll be out for drinks, saying it was big. So I told her if it was bigger than our anniversary. She said no, but that she'll be home later than what we agreed on.”

"Maybe she wanted to deceive you? And she's waiting upstairs to surprise you? In that case, I should just wait here. I don't want to be there, and oh, what if she's naked waiting? That's an image I don't want or need in my head, thank you very much.

"You're rambling, Katniss."

"Rude! I'm hotter than her."

Your laughter comes involuntarily, despite the wetness you feel in your cheek. Two tears now follow the road. You gasp for air. Unbuckling your seatbelt, you leave the car.

A second-door car is closed. Kate's footsteps are behind you. She stops before reaching.

"Hey. I'm sure Wanda didn't mean to."

"Why do I feel all I do is trying to keep together something that's breaking Kate?"

"That's something you need to ask her Y/N, not me." She grabs your hand and directs you towards the elevators. Her calloused hands, a product of all those hours at the archery field, give you a sense of security.

"Come on." The elevator opens, Kate walks first and presses the button for your floor. She let go of your hand.

"I'm just saying, if you're wrong and I'm right and Wanda is waiting for you naked, you're buying me drinks for the rest of the year."

"Fair"

"And taking me to Disneyland."

"You hate Disneyland."

"I like their churros, and the price would be worth it if my eyes see something I don't want."

The ding on the elevator indicates you have arrived on your floor. The metal door slowly opens. Sighing, you step forward. Kate follows. You search in your bag for your keys. The small box now has a scrambled ribbon. It takes two attempts for you to insert the key. Your hands shake.

The apartment is empty, except for the "Happy Anniversary" sign you carefully placed in the morning. Kate goes straight to your kitchen. a pang in your heart. Contemplating taking the sign, you feel your chest tightening, and your shoulders drop.

Kate reappears with a cup of steaming tea. Placing it on the coffee table, she hovers around.

"You can sit Bishop."

Taking a seat on the couch, you follow her. The smell of the lemon tea reaches your nose. You sit on the other side of the couch.

"The DoorDash would arrive in an hour. Want to stay for late lunch?"

"I don't want to intrude."

"You're not."

Kate grabs the remote, turns on the TV, and chooses a cooking reality show. Sipping their tea quietly, letting the noise of the TV fill the silences. Not awkward, not weird. Just a comfortable silence.

"If I were to be a contestant in that show?"

"You'll be terrible, but I'll cheer for you. Number one Fan!"

"Seems appropriate"

A buzz on the intercom announces that the food has arrived. You stand to open the door. You placed an order for pizza and salad, opting to save the other order for later. Thanking the delivery guy, you go to the kitchen to place the things. Something catches your attention. 

Wanda's coffee cup. Placed so casually on the counter. Your heart does this stupid somersault, your stomach shrinking. You place it in the dishwasher. 

"Pizza's here." You give Kate the plates, napkins, and chilli powder; meanwhile, you place the box on the coffee table, and two diet soda cans.

"I love pizza! So much that I could name a dog after it."

"What blame does the dog have?"

Kate munches her slice rapidly, swallowing before answering.

"It's a cute name. Plus, it will show that I'm committed, since I'm naming him after something I really love. Cute puppy, cute name, happy owner."

"If you say so, Katniss."

You can feel Kate's eyes on you. Since arriving back at the apartment, any topic about Wanda has been forgotten. Yet, your tears keep coming from time to time. 

"Am I wrong, Kate?"

"On what?" She sincerely asks, placing her plate on the coffee table and cleaning her hands on a napkin. She scootches closer to you. Your own plate is untouched.

"Keep trying."

"Do you want my honest opinion?"

"Yes."

Kate's face gets serious. Her eyes observe you closely; there's something in them that you can't name, and you feel like she's trying to memorize you.

"Let me ask you something first. Do you love her?"

"Of course I do!" Kate's eyes look at the floor, nodding. Like she expected the answer.

"Right. So, are you still in love with her then?"

A simple question that should have been answered easily. Yet, you keep your mouth shut. Are you? You scrunch your brows, trying to come up with something. A tear escapes again. 

"Oh, Jellybean, come here."

Kate embraces you the best she can. Her arms come up to your shoulders, and your head rests on her chest. You feel the rise and fall of her breathing. You let yourself cry.
Kate says small, reassuring words, and it's so simple, and yet it's not. Because she thinks that, despite everything, you're in love. But you're not so sure. Otherwise, why couldn't you answer her?. 

At that moment, the keys on the door are heard. 

"Detka! I'm home, we can-" Wanda's voice gets cut as soon as she enters the apartment. She sees you crying on Kate's arms. 

"Am I interrupting?" Her voice lacks accusation but genuine wonder. A bouquet in her hands. 

She crosses the threshold, leaving her keys on the crystal bowl, hanging her coat and bag. Placing the bouquet carefully on the closest surface.

Kate pats you on the shoulders. She gives you a napkin so you can dry your eyes. She stands up. 

"No, we were just watching horrible trash TV, and you know, Reality shows can do that to you sometimes, you know?" Before standing up, she gives you a sympathetic smile. You stand up to hug her goodbye.

"I'll text you later, tiny." Her mouth gets closer to your ear, her voice dropping down. "Talk to her." 

 Kate grabs her things, all the while articulating with her hands. 

"Later Maximoff."

"Later, Bishop. Thank you for... seeing after her." You clearly hear the hesitation in her voice.

"Yeah, well, that's what Best Friends are for," you hear her over excitedly voice, followed by the thud from the door. 

"Detka?" Wanda goes to sit on the couch next to you. 

Your legs are bent, wrapped in your arms, and your head rests on them. Your hair hides your face.

"Can you see me?" Wanda's warm hand touches your hair. Reluctantly, you move to see her. 

"There you are." She cups your cheek. You lean into her touch. Her thumbs brush your face. "I didn't forget our anniversary. I just lost track of the time. I'm sorry I was late."

You want so badly to believe that she didn't forget you. That today was marked on her calendar. But her choice of words makes you feel like a second option. Like her time was more valuable than yours. 

"It's okay, Wands." You hope she refutes you that it's not.

"Alright, so, I brought you your favorite flowers. Let me put them on water, and then, we can do whatever you want." 

Her footsteps as she walks away toward the kitchen only serve to reinforce the question Kate asked you. You shake your head. Wanda is here after all. 

When you stand up to follow her and reheat the food, you notice the flowers. Beautiful indeed. Wanda has put them in a blueish vase on the kitchen table. 

"You're here now." You hug her from behind. Your arms are cradling her waist. You feel her tense up. She takes your hands, putting them on her hips. She turns to see you.

"I'm here now. Where I'm supposed to be." Her smile doesn't quite reach her eyes. 

You ignore the hole in your gut. You place your head on her shoulder. Wanda embraces you. Tentatively. Her scent has always been a tender mixture between sweet and something woody. You expected her to smell faintly like cigarettes and have that musty bar smell. She smells like her body lotion. 

"Didn't you say you were out for drinks?"

"Mm?" she asks absentmindedly. Not quite losing her embrace. "Oh yeah, Stark decided to bring the drinks to the office. Lucky me! I didn't need to make an escape from the crowds."

"Lucky you!"

You detach from her arms. Wanda doesn't protest.

"So... dinner? Or can I interest you in dessert first?" And for a moment, you can't help but remember Wanda doing that exact same thing, on your first night living together. She embraces you from behind, her hand coming to rest on your stomach. 

And for a moment, you can't help but remember Wanda doing that exact same thing, on your first night living together. You feel hopeful for a little bit.

"Well, drinking always made you hungry, so we can grab a bite?" you offer, opening the boxes from earlier. The smell of sushi and teriyaki rice fills the kitchen.

"Did you order sushi?" you hear a slight tremor in her voice. You turn around and notice how the color leaves her face. 

"Yeah. It's your favorite. Are you okay?"

Wanda swallows, breathing slowly through her nose, exhaling through her mouth. Her shoulders tense.

"I... yeah, probably something didn't agree with my stomach." She covers her mouth.

"I can... there's still some pizza left."

"No, no, don't worry. Can you make me a tea detka?" 

 "Yeah. Why don't you lie down? I'll bring it over."

Wanda kisses your forehead. Breathing slowly to calm the nausea. She retreats to your bed.

"Don't take long, Moya lyubov"

You're left there in the kitchen. Alone. Wondering if you should just accept defeat?.

A few days later, you and Wanda are on your way to game night, hosted by one of your college friends. Things haven't exactly been bad between the two of you. Wanda felt better the next day, which improved your weekend by salvaging your anniversary celebration. She took you out for dinner, a movie, ice cream, and a walk in the park. She held your hand the entire time, but her mind was elsewhere. 

"Love"? You notice Wanda watching through the window. No attempt at moving.

"Mm? She doesn't look at you.

"We're here," you signal the road. Thanking the Uber driver, opening the door, and giving your hand to Wanda. She takes it, pausing before standing up and leaving the car.

You walk hand in hand. Your shoulders are touching. Wanda's thumb traces your hand. You press the buzzer.

"Are you the pizza guy?" You hear in a thick accent. 

"Sorry to disappoint Belova."

"Oh, it's you. Are you traveling solo, or is the girlfriend still attached to your hip?" 

Wanda's thumb stops moving. You feel her tense next to you. A second later, her posture changes, her shoulders relax. 

You hear back noise, like something fell on the floor, and then Kate's voice.

"Ignore her. Come on up, I'll buzz you in."

Wanda takes the lead, tugging your hand to move. You follow. 
Inside Kate's apartment, everything is chaos. Yelena's dog, Fanny, naps in a corner despite the music and loud voices. Your old gang is here. Yelena, the Russian exchange student who never left, and is Natasha's sister. Peter, looking like a puppy out of his environment, is helping Scott arrange the game table. 

Kate appears out of nowhere right next to you. You hear her before seeing her. 

"We brought snacks." Wanda gives Kate a bag filled with chips, gummies, pretzels, and peanuts. 

"Are the sour gummy bears in there, Kate Bishop?" Yelena's voice comes from the hallway. 

A moment later, she appears. 

"Y/N Y/L/N, girlfriend." Yelena grabs the bag from Kate, pushing her into your personal space, moving past Wanda. 

Kate's arm bumps into you. 

"Sorry"

"Hi Katniss!" You're going to hug her, but Wanda slightly restrains from letting you go. 

"Hey there Jellybean. Hi Wanda. Please come on in. Drinks are over there. Suit yourselves, I'm going to help Scott before he and Peter destroy my living room." Kate leaves before you can say anything else. 

"You brought too many snacks, all of Kate's favorites!" Yelena's voice cries from the kitchen.

"What? That's not fair." Scott shouts and leaves what he's doing.

"No, we didn't, Yelena's just being dramatic." You said while walking towards the kitchen. Yelena blows you a kiss, and you roll your eyes. 

"Nice to see you, Punk." Peter comes to say hi. 

"Punk?" Wanda giggles next to you, and your stomach does this stupid flip-flop. You turn to look at her; she's looking at Peter, but you know her mind is elsewhere.

He side-hugs Wanda. "And you, Wanda. I'm glad you could make it this time."

"Me too, Peter," Wanda says while giving him an awkward side hug. Refusing to let your hand go. 

You enter the living room to find chaotic order. Yelena and Scott are finishing arranging the table. One corner has a ridiculous amount of snacks displayed, including plates and napkins; on the other corner, two board games. Your eyes scan for room to sit. Scott and Peter are on the modular, giggling like a pair of schoolgirls. Yelena is perched on the armchair, the other one suspiciously occupied by board games, snacks, and whatnot. 

Kate's in the middle of the living room, her back towards the window, her hair in a ponytail, she balances the Monopoly box, a couple of Uno sets, and her own drink. She sits on the loveseat.

You smile.

Wanda notices. You feel her thumb caressing your hand. 

"Where are we supposed to sit?" You ask while walking.

"You can share the loveseat. Kate can sit in your lap like in college."

"What?! No, we never, we didn't-" Kate's eyes are so wide, opening and closing her mouth. Her leg is bouncing.

"I'm sure we can squish in there, right Detka?" Wanda sits next to Kate. The space is so small that you end up sitting on the floor. Your back rests on Wanda's leg. 

You put your hand on Kate's knee. She goes still immediately. Wanda crosses her legs. 

"Nervous, Katniss? We haven't even begun playing!" Your hand is still on her knee. 

"You wish, Jellybean. You're going down tonight?" 

"On you... that you would wish Bishop." Yelena casually sings songs. Kate chokes on her saliva. You drop your hand. Wanda caresses your head. 

"Okay, lovebirds. I'm bored, so Sequence it is. I don't want to see Peter crying from losing Monopoly again."

"I didn't cry Belova!"

"You kind of did," Scott adds, opening a bag of chips and serving himself a generous amount. 

"I don't want him on my team. So Peter and Wanda are red team, Scott and I, are green team, and you two can be blue team."

"Bluey!" you and Kate shout at the same time. Laughing afterwards. 

"Weirdos" Yelena proclaims, proceeding to toss you the bag with the blue chips.

"Fine, I'll play, but I don't want to be held responsible if we lose again because I don't know how to play my cards."  Scott opens their own bag, giving Yelena half of it. 

"Wait! Y/N and Kate can't be seated together if they're a team." he doesn't see the cushion coming towards him.

"I don't think sitting on the floor counts as together Parker."

"Here, switch with me." Scott, ever the gentleman, changes his seat.

Standing up, you see Wanda breathing in and out slowly. Her brows are furrowed, and a small thin layer of sweat forms on her forehead. 

“Wands?"

Wanda's green eyes look up at you. You can see the tiredness in them; the bags under her eyes were covered earlier with makeup. 

"Could I use the restroom, Kate?"

"Yeah, yeah, you know where it is."

"Do you want-"

Shaking her head, Wanda stands up. "No, you guys start the game, it'll be just a moment." She leaves through the hall. Your eyes never left her.

It's a cozy afternoon. You and Wanda are watching an old movie. Your head is currently resting on her lap. Her hand caresses your hair. You haven't felt this quiet in a long time. Wanda's been home on time for the past week. You have wondered if things were finally going back on track.

"You're thinking too loud, Detka." You turn to look up at her, her eyes still on the screen.

"Sorry, I was just reminiscing."

"About what?" she caresses your cheek now. 

"Us"

Wanda then looks at you. Her eyes are observing your face, you think, as if trying to memorize it.  Her hand stops. 

You feel her lips on yours. The kiss is tentative, slow. You turn your head to kiss her better. There's a second before she deepens the kiss, her tongue asking for permission she doesn't need. You welcomed her without hesitation. Your body reacts to her. 

You sit, pressing her back against the couch. Wanda keeps kissing you, her hands grab your hips, preventing you from moving. A soft moan escapes your mouth. The kiss softens, her lips lingering. Too thoughtful. 

Wanda pulls back to breathe. Her forehead rests against yours. Her nose rose against yours, slowly, gently. She pulls back, her gaze dropping, refusing to meet your eyes. 

"What about us?" she caresses your cheek. Your hand covers hers.

"Just everything and how we're still here. Choosing us"

Her eyes find yours. Her deep and vibrant green eyes look tired. There's something on them you can't name. Her gaze drops again. 

Your cellphone vibrates next to you.

World's Okayest Archer 😜🤩 "SOS, Presentation is going horribly wrong!" 

"Kate's driving herself into panic mode." Telling Wanda about your cell notification, you type back.

Tiny Human 😜 "Emergency caffeine intervention?"

Wanda gets up from the couch. You notice how her shoulders are tense, her posture slightly crouched.

"You want some tea?"

World's Okayest Archer 😜🤩 "I've been drinking enough caffeine to keep awake the city! 
World's Okayest Archer 😜🤩 "Or maybe not, the city is big!"
World's Okayest Archer 😜🤩 "Do you think if I call sick, my mother will believe me and not assume I left everything at the last minute?"
Tiny Human 😜 "Breathe, Katniss. I'll be there in... 20 minutes or so."

"Kate needs me."

Wanda turns to look at you. A small smile appears. She gets closer to you. Pecking your lips

"Did she leave everything for the last minute?"

"Yeah. The board wants to see numbers, and I bet she's already doubting 1 + 1 equals 2 and is double-checking it."

"Okay. Go help her."

"You sure?" Wanda pecks your lips again. 

"You'll end up going anyway... She's your best friend."

Chuckling, you hug her and give her a kiss on the cheek. Walking to the coat rack, you grab your jacket, the keys from the bowl, and your backpack. Knowing Kate, her laptop charger is discarded at her office. 

"I'll be back. I love you."

"Me too"

You don't question why she didn't say those words back. Your brain is choosing not to dwell on it. Already opening your DoorDash app to order something.

Tuesdays are your favorite days. Always have been since you were a teen. There had never been a logical explanation. Maybe it was because most of your favorite memories had happened on Tuesdays.

Meeting Wanda? Tuesday morning, two and a half years ago.
Stopping Kate from falling down the slide, thus starting your friendship? An afternoon on Tuesday, playing in the park when you were six.
Your promotion to Acquisition Manager? A rainy Tuesday four years ago.
The birth of your first niece? An early Tuesday morning a year ago.
Home-office privileges? Every Tuesday since you renegotiated your contract a week ago.
So yes, Tuesdays were your favorite days. 

That Tuesday in particular started differently. Wanda had woken you up with kisses along your back an hour before the alarm went off. She worshiped your body like she hadn't done in months, controlling every kiss, every touch, every move, leaving a small hickey on your chest. 

You didn't complain; it wasn't at all unusual for the two of you to switch roles. When the alarm finally beeped, you were tangled in Wanda's embrace. 

Wanda climbed out of bed first. You watched her figure retreat to the ensuite bathroom. A happy sigh leaves your mouth.

Since you were working from home today, you opted to make breakfast for both of you. Grabbing your robe, you hear the shower start.

Walking into the kitchen, you start the coffee machine. Eggs, bacon, and fruit were the menu options for today. Last week, Wanda had gotten sick at the mere smell of sausages, claiming it was probably from the stomach bug she had gotten a few days ago.

The coffee is the first one to be done. Grabbing your "I'm a Tuesday lover" (a gift from Kate. That cup has survived a lot), you add sweetener and milk. Black coffee first thing in the morning wasn't an option anymore. 

Last Sunday you had cut the fruit for the week. Grabbing two bowls, you mix the melon and papaya, then add half a cup of yogurt, a little granola, and a drizzle of honey. Perfect!.

Well-done fried eggs come later. Placing them on the plates. The bacon goes on a separate small plate. 

Wanda comes down a few minutes later. Dressed to the nines in a red pantsuit, texting on her phone. You can see small bags under her eyes.

"Smells delicious, Detka," She puts her phone down to kiss your cheek. "Big day today?" Her attention drifts back to her phone.

"Just a meeting after lunch. Steve asked us to propose a Working plan for the merge next year."

"Fun!" Wanda seems distracted, picking up her phone again and texting immediately.

Her brows furrow, she texts again. 

"I guess. Would you be home early for dinner?" You grab your plate and place it on the sink. 

"Yes," she says absent-mindedly, her eyes again check her phone. 

You notice the bacon untouched as Wanda gets up. She places her cup in the sink before hugging you from behind.

"You always take care of us." Wanda kisses your lips briefly, like she’s restraining herself

"I'll text you later. Behave!" The door closes before you can answer.

Opting to optimize your day rather than get lost in your thoughts, you go back upstairs and get ready to start your working shift.

A couple of emails, coffees, and hours later, you're massaging your temples. Some corporate dumbass has signed the wrong formats, and now it's up to you to fix it.

World's Okayest Archer 😜🤩 "I'm bored."
Tiny Human 😜 "And I'm working."
World's Okayest Archer 😜🤩 "Rude!"
Tiny Human 😜😉 "Stupid corporate guys thinking I can fix their stupid mistakes."
World's Okayest Archer 😜🤩 "You can! 🤩"
Tiny Human 😜 "Of course I can 😉 But they're a pain."
World's Okayest Archer 😜🤩 "Lunch?"
World's Okayest Archer 😜🤩 "Oh wait... you're home today!" 

A different ping on your cellphone indicates Wanda's message.
Wands Love 💕 "How did the meeting go?"

You frown, leaving Kate's message unanswered. 
Love 💫 "It's at 4 pm. Work just has been hectic today."

No reply. 
You tell yourself she's busy.

Kate's text actually reminds you that you haven't had lunch yet. Saving your progress on any open document, you close your laptop. A salad with pasta and some chicken is written on the menu, stuck to the fridge, held in place by two magnets shaped like purple arrows and red crowns.

Time to decompress. Mergers are always messy and complicated, especially with all the paperwork and legal things. And Harkness Corp has been the most complicated so far. 

Having had too much coffee already, you opt for a post-lunch tea. Caffeine free. 

You sip it quietly, admiring the small kids playing outside. Their laughter passes through the small crack of the open window. You think about getting a dog again. Something Wanda has declined for some time. 

A woman nearby crouches to dodge an excited puppy trying to climb her boots. She murmurs something too softly for you to hear. Scratching beneath its chin.

The puppy immediately rolls over for belly rubs. “See? Terrible survival instincts.” The woman laughs, and it sounds almost delighted by this.

The metallic jingle of a bell approaching distracts you.  Looking at the time, you notice the garbage truck should come in 15-20 minutes, you leave your cup on the table. The trash still needs to be taken out. 

That gives you plenty of time to take out the bags, brush your teeth, and get comfortable for your 4pm meeting. Steve always asks to be 5 minutes earlier so check everything works properly.

You take the kitchen and the guest's bathroom bags first. Reaching down under the sink, you grab the trash bags to replace the ones in your room and the office upstairs.

When you get to your ensuite bathroom, you see Wanda's hairbrush on her side of the sink. Grabbing the hairs on it, you open the trash can to throw them. You reach for the bag. In a quick movement, you take out the bag, but the trash tips over. 

You bend down to put it in place. Seeing a bunch of paper behind it. Your hand reaches for it. 

A pregnancy stick falls out of the bunch.

Tick-Thud.

You stare at it. Your stomach does this weird flip-flop.

The bag is forgotten. Reaching down to check that what you're seeing is real. 

The cold and rough plastic feels very hard to the touch. 

Two unmistakably red lines stare back at you.

You don't notice your hands shaking until the test falls again. Your heartbeat speeds up. The house feels so quiet.

Outside, the laughter of kids playing reaches you. You pick up the stick, putting in your pocket, grab the bag, and go downstairs. You gather the trash bags, head downstairs, and leave them beside the bin outside. If you forgot to bring the recycling one, no one would know.

You hear your cellphone ping. A message from Natasha, asking if you're okay, you're not online, and it's almost four.

You reach your computer and sign into the conference call. Steve welcomes you. 

"Sorry, I was just... taking the trash out." Clearing your throat. 

While Steve gives the order of the day for the meeting, your eyes find your phone.

Kate's contact. Your thumb hovers over the call button.

"Y/N can you hear us?" Steve's voice comes from the speaker. 

"Uh yeah, sorry, boss. Long day"

"I bet I heard from the legal department that some contracts need to be re-signed."

"Yeah, I've been dealing with it all morning."

The rest of the meeting gets blurry. At some point, you felt a sting in your eyes. 

DING

A message through the conference app. Natasha's
N.Romanoff - you seem a little bit off. Might want to turn your camera off.
Y/N. Y/L/N - Thanks.

A second later, you turn your camera off. Nobody comments. Your team is one of those teams that turn the camera when they need to stand up for something, and Steve is quite understanding.

Tiny Human 😜 "Are you busy?"
World's Okayest Archer 😜🤩 "About to enter a meeting, but I can arrive 5 minutes late. What's up, Jellybean?"
Tiny Human 😜 "It can wait."
Tiny Human 😜  "Go to your meeting. Don't break your punctuality record."
World's Okayest Archer 😜🤩  "Ha.Ha. You're so funny!"

The clock ticks painfully slow. 

The hollow feeling in your stomach has nothing to do with hunger. Your heartbeat still hasn’t slowed down. Behind your eyes, a familiar throb warns you a migraine is coming.

"If nobody has anything else to add, then our meeting is done. Bucky will send the meeting notes." Steve says.

His image remains on screen while everyone disconnects.

He’s waiting for you. 

You leave the call before becoming the last person there.

A text to Steve follows seconds later. You ask to postpone tomorrow’s meeting with him and Natasha. 

His reply comes almost immediately.

“Yes.”

Turning off your computer for the day, you sit there. A point on the wall gets your attention. The painting has started to peel. Maybe it's time to change colors. 

A clock downstairs signals it's 5 o'clock on the dot. Wanda would be home soon. 

Wanda. 

The mere thought of her makes your stomach clench. The stick in your pocket burns your leg. Maybe you should start dinner.

Taking out the prepared pasta, you take a look at the menu on the fridge. A shaking hand fixes the crown magnet. Chicken fajitas with peppers, onions, and avocado reads on it. 

Silly you, today's not pasta for dinner. 

The jingle of keys on the door grabs your attention. Turning towards the door, the bowl in your hand knocks against the cup left there. You watch your "I love Tuesdays" cup fall. 

Your eyes scan the different pieces around the floor. 

"Honey! I'm home!" Wanda's voice sings. You hear her changing her shoes, leaving her things, and keys.

Her footsteps get closer to the kitchen.

For some reason, your eyes are glued to the mess on the floor. 

"Y/N?" You flinch at her touch on your shoulder.

Wanda's eyes scan your face and then the floor. Noticing the cup pieces. 

"Was that your favorite cup?" you just nod. "Oh, honey, I bet we can get another one."

"It was a gift from Kate."

Wanda goes in search of the broom and dustpan. When she returns and starts sweeping, a tear rolls down your cheek. 

You wipe it away before she notices.

"Well, then I know she'll gladly buy you another," she says and tosses the remains of the cup that had survived all your college years, and more.

You shake yourself out of your reverie, in time to see Wanda waiting for you. Her eyes are looking at your face. Your favorite shade of forest green, except right now, the forest feels cold.

"How was your day?" You pass her on your way to get the cutlery and plates. 

"Long. I'm so tired I just want to lie down."

And that's the thing. Wanda's been tired for the past few weeks. 

The stick pulses in your pocket. You feel its weight.

And then you remember, the sickness, the nausea, the lack of desire just to have her hands over you last night. 

"I took the trash out today," you say, your voice calm, neutral. Hoping it doesn't quiver. 

You feel Wanda pause midway to the table before you see it. She resumes her steps, redirecting herself towards you. You take one step back. 

You look at her.

"Would you have planned on telling me?"

"Y/N," you can see the realization in her eyes. The green you have come to love now looks at you in all the wrong ways. 

Lands in all the wrong ways.

Wanda tries to get close to you, but you keep stepping back, just out of her reach. Your heart beats so fast and so hard you're sure she can hear it. 

"I noticed all the signs. I refused to believe them. I thought-" you breathe, pacing to the other side of the room. "I thought that it was just work, you were stressed with the promotion thing. I kept making excuses for why you were disappearing from me.”

Wanda is frozen in place, and you notice her fingers playing with her rings. A habit she does when she's nervous. Back when you met her, more rings adorned her hand than the few ones she kept now.

Her other hand unconsciously grabs her stomach. So mundane you feel nauseous. 

"Detka-"

"Don't! Not right now"

"I can explain?" She says, her voice slightly trembling.

"Explain what? What's there to explain, Wanda?. I begged you to take time for us. I missed us even when we were in the same room. How's that fair?"

"It's not. I missed us, too." Her voice is quiet now. 

You look at her, really look at her. Her red hair falling down framing her face, the small bags under her eyes, and her posture slightly crouched from the tension in her shoulders. 

Your brain replays all her touches, her kisses, her laughter late at night, while you were both naked and tangled on sheets. You see all those trips, dates, and coffees. 

The walls seem to start moving towards you. A cold drop of sweat runs down your neck. You feel your breathing thicken, your lungs doing what they can to grab air. 

"I can't do this right now."

Your steps are quick to leave, making an exit toward the door, grabbing your wallet, keys, and cellphone. Wanda's voice panicking, calling after you.

"Y/N!" 

"I need to breathe!" 

"Please don't leave me!" She can't keep the tears at bay now.

"It's not.. I’ll just... I'll be back."

You don't let her follow you. Running outside and just slowing down once you know you're two blocks away. Your lungs feel on fire. Ironically, you’re used to running farther than this.

Your feet feel heavy. Thousands of ants crawl down your leg. 

Tiny Human 😜 "Are you home?"
Tiny Human 😜 "Can I go there?"
Kate's incoming call song plays on your cellphone. You send it to voicemail. 
World's Okayest Archer 😜 "Jellybean, where are you?"
Tiny Human 😜 "I need to clear my head. I'll walk to your house."
World's Okayest Archer 😜🤩 "I can pick you up."
Tiny Human 😜 "Wanda's pregnant."

Tiny Human 😜 shared her live location.

The second time Kate calls, you press the answer button. Her voice hesitates over what to say first.

"Jellybean?"

Your phone keeps vibrating with messages from Wanda. You don't bother to read them.

"Hey Kate," there's a convenience store near the corner. Your mouth is dry and you taste something like copper. The doorbell chimes. 

"I'm picking you up. Stay right there."

"Don't worry Katniss, I'm... I just need to think" Looking into the aisles you spot the one you want. Just water it's what you're looking for. A black haired woman is looking at the bottles.

"That’s a lot of plastic for something that falls freely from the sky don't you think?” there's an eerie tone on her amused voice. 

When you turn toward her, you only catch her retreating figure.

“Just meet me halfway, okay?” There's an urgency in her voice you notice only because you know her.

You hear a jingle of keys, probably Kate grabbing things.

"Kate?" your quiet and almost eerie calm voice contrast to the noise the store carries. A happy tune you don't remember hearing but know the lyrics to. 

"I'm listening" the ding of the bell indicates your exit towards the street. A bottle in your hand that you don't remember paying. The streets are noisy, like the whole world decided to turn the volume up. 

"Why does it hurt so much?" a quiet sob. You breathe, trying to regain the control.

"I don't know baby but listen to me. I'm 15 minutes away from you ok? There's a park close to you, a few blocks away. Wait for me there." Neither of you notice the slip of the nickname.

"Okay. I need to hang up." Not waiting for an answer, you press the red button, automatically ending the call.

Your location still on.

Your mind is racing, replaying your last conversation with Wanda. Weren't you enough? She said she was yours... You thought she was yours. Your mind scans for signs. Have they always been there?

Wanda's touch feels foreign now. Her kisses and hesitation suddenly made sense in a way your brain could finally understand. Your cellphone vibrates again on your pocket. For a moment, you consider peeking at it. Your hand reaches for it. It grabs the stick.

Two red lines stare mockingly at you. 

Everything slows down.

The city suddenly feels quiet. 

Breathing suddenly feels difficult. 

The sky starts getting darker. How didn’t you notice a storm was coming?

"People always act surprised when storms arrive like the clouds didn’t warn them first.” A voice that seems familiar. You can't place from where.

Your eyes feel heavy. Like you could fall asleep right there. 

Had you fallen? You feel the hardness of the pavement on your back. Something drips onto your forehead. Rain? How come it's red?. 

The city comes alive suddenly. 

The honk of a car.

The screeching of tires. 

Loud voices. There's an urgency in them.

Red and blue lights color the dark clouds. 

The last thing you hear is a quiet voice.

"Te veo" 

You try to turn your head towards it. 

You close your eyes. 

Kate's hollow voice calling out your name.