all aboard the wanda train. spoilers likely in comments

[shesinyourhead]

It is difficult for you, to understand my voice and manner. To understand my pain. I understand; you have lived a privileged life. Safe in your home, without needing to worry about tomorrow.

[She rolls her eyes.]

Yes, I can see why you've chosen me.

Comments

[shesinyourhead]

[She just about launches himself into his arms, hugging herself tightly to his chest before looking up. Wanda tilts her head to the side.]

You are not the Pietro I know. But I am not particularly picky.

[fathers_hair]

[He'll hold her for as long as she needs him to. His sister is always his sister, no matter the universe.]

And you are not quite my Wanda. But you are still my sister, regardless. I will do whatever I can to spare you your pain.

[shesinyourhead]

[She settles against him for a moment, before finally drawing back.]

Your hair is smoother than I'm used to. Slicked back.

[fathers_hair]

[He chuckles a little.]

It's all the running. The wind is quite rough on it sometimes.

[shesinyourhead]

[She reaches out, tugging at a lock next to his ear--before running her fingers against the side of his head.]

I like it.

[fathers_hair]

[Pietro is not particularly big on being touched, but he'd allow Wanda anything.]

My daughter says the same thing.

[shesinyourhead]

Your daughter?

[Definitely not her Pietro.]

[fathers_hair]

My daughter.

[He finds a picture of her.]

Her name is Luna.

[shesinyourhead]

[Wanda can't help but hide her grin. In some world, she's an aunt. She'd never really considered having a family like this--not since childhood. But then it washes over that her Pietro is dead, and that she'll never--

She chokes back a sob, pushing the picture back into his hand.]

I'm sorry. She is--she's wonderful.

[fathers_hair]

[Dammit, he never should have mentioned Luna. He quickly makes certain not to mention Billy and Tommy.]

She is. I have... rarely been the father she needs, but she brings me great joy.

[shesinyourhead]

I cannot imagine you being any sort of disappointment, Pietro.

[fathers_hair]

I... have had many failings, Wanda. My temper has gotten the better of me. And I have battled many mental demons. My marriage to Luna's mother fell apart.

But I try every day to be better than I was.

[shesinyourhead]

I see.

[It's so strange, to see Pietro like this. Older. Wiser. Not as full of bluster and rage that her brother usually is.

Was.]

I wish-- [She takes a deep breath.] I wish my brother had the time to make your mistakes.

[fathers_hair]

[It's taken him a long time and a lot of hard knocks to get there, sadly.]

[He smiles ruefully.]

I wish he did too.

[shesinyourhead]

Am I...? [She almost doesn't want to ask.]

[fathers_hair]

[He smiles, nods reassuringly.]

Alive. Amazing. With a strength I envy.

[And a million and one tragedies to her name.]

[shesinyourhead]

[Wanda nods.]

Good.

Well, she's happy somewhere, at least.]

[fathers_hair]

I cannot say for certain that your life will take a path like hers...

[But stay away from robots and anyone named Williams. And anyone with claiming to be your father. And robots. And old witches. And evil geneticists. Amd Wundergore Mountain. And...]

But I am certain that whatever you do, you too will be amazing.

[shesinyourhead]

[Look, there aren't any Mutants where she's from. She's cool.]

Thank you, Pietro.

I've joined the Avengers.

[fathers_hair]

[Yeah, he's not even going to pretend to understand how that works. But after everything he's seen, paranoia runs strong.]

They're good people. I remember when Wanda and I joined. It was the first time in many years we felt truly safe or happy.

[shesinyourhead]

[She barely understands it herself. Only that there are some versions of her that are...different.]

I don't know how I feel.

[fathers_hair]

Understandable. I do not know... how quickly I could process the loss of my sister. But I do know that the Avengers, and Rogers in particular, are good people.

I was never as at home with the Avengers as Wanda was. But they became her second family.

[shesinyourhead]

Perhaps I can be as lucky, then.

[Though given what she's been through, she's not exactly going to bet on it.]

Rogers. He's smaller than I thought he'd be.

[fathers_hair]

His presence far outshines the physicality. Rogers is one of the few people in this world I respect.