[ Here is all they have? What is Wanda implying by that? Is it what Steve thinks it is? He can't just gloss over that. ]
What do you mean by that, Wanda?
[ It does sound like Matt is the sort of person to retreat into himself and not share too much, even with those who matter to him, or maybe especially with them. Steve can tell that Wanda doesn't want to pry too much, but it must be hard. ]
Yeah, he definitely didn't have the best time of it there. As you can imagine. I did what I could to look out for him, and now that he's healed up we're doing some sparring sessions together.
How is he when he fights? Does he keep up with you? We did some mock fighting on a roof one time, but I think he was holding back on me. I've never seen him fight.
[so she doesn't really know how good he's supposed to be. wanda has mostly seen the lawyer side of him in action, but she can gauge how good he is if he can keep up (or not) with steve.
just small things she's curious about.]
Don't tell him I've told you.
He got pulled into Abraxas as he was inside a building that exploded. We've talked about this. I... destroyed a building on myself, too, when I last saw Stephen. I don't think our lives would ever intersect even if we were sent back.
Given that he's not enhanced? What he's able to do is extremely impressive. The result of years and years of training. I'd say you'd have to pit him and Nat against each other to get a real answer, though.
[ Even with Steve pulling back his punches, it's hard to judge. But he can tell when someone's skilled.
Wanda does get around to answering his question. Matt trapped in an exploded building, whereas Wanda had brought one down on her own head. It's the first time she's mentioned it. Stephen certainly hadn't. ]
Why is this the first I'm hearing about this? Still, it sounds like neither of you can be completely sure that that was the end of it. Either way, I understand why you wouldn't want to bet on it. You still haven't really answered my question, though. Are you ready to take the risk?
[ And, so she doesn't feel like she's being put on the spot: ]
[well, if matt's ever open to the idea of telling natasha about what he can do, then that's probably something worth exploring. for now, the conversation spans towards something a little more important in the grand scheme of things.
(grand praise from steve, though.)]
It's not exactly simple to talk about.
[and while she does feel put on the spot, she appreciates that he's giving her an out. who would have thought she would end up talking about these things with steve?]
I think it's more of a risk for others to take a chance on me.
[the avengers, vision, now matt and everyone else in abraxas—she has never been asked if she wants to take her chances, because she was the risk.]
He makes me feel normal. I would risk anything for that.
[ It's not easy to talk about, no. Even if Wanda isn't certain that she's dead back home, it sounds like that had been the intention, and that doesn't feel like something he wants to nudge at when they're talking like this, with just written mental messages. ]
I know. And I guess that means that like Natasha, you don't have any intention of going home?
[ That had always been Steve's plan, but knowing what he does about his supposed future, he's in less of a rush these days.
This isn't about him, though. ]
I get why you feel that way, even if I've never considered you a liability. [ Maybe that's his own blind spot, who knows. ] And remember this, Wanda. If you go for it and Matt does end up vanishing, you won't be alone. There's still Sam and Nat and me, and everyone else you've come to know here.
Matt keeps talking about making me this promise of spending a day in New York together. He gets really religious about it. Second chances or something. He's made me think about the possibility of using some of the summoning ritual magic and control when and how we return.
[time shenanigans, basically. she's still working out the details, but that's a conversation to have with stephen.
and, boy, this conversation happening mentally means that wanda is on the other end just wringing her hands together, painfully so. it makes her nervous, and she doesn't even know why. maybe it reminds her so much of vision? the moment they decided to take that risk, the skies opened up to bring terror and an end to what they had.
the text comes through a little strangled, smaller than usual, as if scared to put it out there even as a consideration:]
I don't know that I can handle another loss like that, Steve.
[she gets what he is trying to say, but— but— she's never stopped losing. even with him and sam and nat, and everyone else from this world, it's hard to not think of how alone she'll be in that scenario.]
I don't think you're the only one looking into that sort of thing, for the record. And if anyone is going to pull it off, it's you.
[ Who knows. Maybe she and Matt could have that day in New York together. Steve would like nothing more than to see that become a reality, even if it's not one he gets to witness.
When her next response comes, Steve sighs to himself, aware of how hard this has to be. But he won't lie to her and assure her that everything will be fine when he has zero way of actually knowing that. ]
I know. Even with the Horizon and Nocwich, it isn't always enough. Speaking of which, are you and Matt going to keep up with the long-distance thing? Has he considered trying to find a way to cross borders to Solvunn?
[ Would it make this all easier for Wanda to bear, if he did? ]
There are many things to consider for a spell of that kind, especially with the limitations we have here. Stephen is helping me.
[look! she’s playing nice with the sorcerer! so, that’s a step plenty in a better direction, despite their history.
as far as her comment regarding this division between factions, she hopes steve knows that she doesn’t only mean it because of matt. it’s weird how the majority of the avengers (or past avengers…) who are currently here were ‘team cap’. the fact that wanda feels the most familiar with natasha, sam, and steve—especially with all their years on the run—means that she does hate that they’re not always in a place where wanda can just go up to them.
and then part of her remembers that maybe she’s better off keeping her distance.
hmm—the deprecating thoughts never truly go away.]
I think we are. I don’t want him to come to Solvunn. I mean. It’d be great if we were together a lot of the time, but he would get bored here. I think all you New York people would. Goats don’t really need legal representation.
[and there is no way in hell that she is going to go to the free cities, with what it represents and values most, with its military and science.]
[ Stephen and Wanda working together is huge, given how tense things have been between them since they both received memories of their futures (pasts, now?). Steve's glad to hear that they've come to some sort of understanding, even if it's purely professional. ]
I would check in with Viktor about it too. I know it's one of his main research interests.
[ Steve would never suggest Wanda come to the Free Cities. If she'd wanted to do that, she would have mentioned it a long time ago, and he can guess at why she has no interest. Still, she's probably right that none of the "city folk" would do well in Solvunn either. ]
Nocwich has to be a blessing for you two, then. At least you can see each other in person once a month.
[steve does the right thing in not pushing too much at the whole stephen and wanda thing, even if there's definitely been some positive progress between the two of them. that really just speaks on steve understanding her quite well.]
I never considered a science aspect to this. I'll mention it to Stephen.
[so that the nerds can nerd together.
except maybe now a focus on something else entirely might be nice. it's a little embarrassing, isn't it? for steve to say things like how it must be nice for them to meet in nocwich.
[ Stephen's the perfect intersection between magic and science, and the fact that Wanda's willing to tacitly acknowledge that now also speaks to how much better things must be between the two of them.
It eases some tension from Steve, to know that. He's sick of different members of their team being at odds with each other, even if it was all for good reason. ]
Good call. If all of you put your heads together, I'm sure something will come of it.
[ If this is awkward for her, it's probably easier that they're not having this conversation face-to-face. He isn't actually trying to embarrass her, though. He's happy for her. ]
Like I said, mainly just after sparring sessions, which happen periodically. He's doing some sort of lawyering now, so I think he's keeping busy.
[ Or just trying to keep his mind off stuff. Who knows. ]
[for the vote of confidence… steve never did consider her to be anything less than capable at handling herself, though. so it does mean a lot, despite being the less educated one between stephen and viktor.]
He doesn’t want to admit it, but I think fighting and getting rid of all that pent up energy helps him feel better. He was a bit worried when you found out about his enhanced senses, but I’m grateful you two can do something like this because of it.
Legal assistant. I guess it’s difficult to become a lawyer here, too. I’m sure you’re already busy with making sure Sam doesn’t overwork himself, but could you check on Matt, too? I try to, but I can’t really see him when I message him to know he’s actually stopped.
He was worried? Why, because he thought I was going to go tell everyone? Either way, I can relate. There's a reason I was always pounding on those punching bags.
[ Even if it's been years since they shared space in the Compound together, it's not likely that Wanda forgot that little habit of his. ]
Right, becoming a lawyer probably requires a lot of schooling and passing am involved test. If we're not even considered citizens, it's going to be tough. But I'm glad he's able to use some of that knowhow of his here. Yeah, I can check in and make sure that he's not burning the candle at both ends too much.
[ They all do it, but there's a point where it's going to take a toll. Steve knows what to look out for, he thinks. ]
He doesn’t like people knowing about it. He’s a good guy, but he likes being secretive about his own things. It wasn’t very well received when his friends found out about it.
[probably because he was a lying piece of shit, but wanda really isn’t one to judge.]
…so, it’s nice that he has a friend or two here.
[pretty much implying that he was whisked here with unresolved conflict with his friends, which is in no way constructive.]
[ Friends back home, Steve assumes. That makes it tough, and it explains why Matt prefers to keep things close to the chest. Different enhanced people and vigilantes have different feelings about their identities being public.
As for Steve, he never really had a choice, and that's been the case for so long that it doesn't bother him when people know about it. ]
Yeah, absolutely. I'll make sure to clue you in if I get the sense that he's overdoing it.
[ As for Wanda's feelings, that's something she's going to need to take more time to figure out. ]
There was one other thing I wanted to talk to you about, seeing how I have you here already.
[she figured this was as much as steve would give her, time-wise, to talk about things. she likes to compare it to how long he could stare at a phone’s screen to send messages on before he sets it aside for the rest of the day.
so, in reading that there was another thing he wanted to talk to her about, she can’t help but tilt her head in wonder.]
No, I guess you could say it's more like Avengers business. In a way.
Maybe Altaïr already brought this up with you, but I'm curious about that lizard that they found. The one that has metal parts. Do you think you'd be able to go back to the area where you guys found it and do a more thorough search?
You just hated being cooped up. I also thing there is more to this, and I don’t think it’s very related to what Josselyn was doing. I’ll keep you posted.
I think he's trying not to spread it around too much, but he definitely wouldn't mind me telling you. Sam was one of the people involved. Just keep that between us Avengers for now, though.
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What do you mean by that, Wanda?
[ It does sound like Matt is the sort of person to retreat into himself and not share too much, even with those who matter to him, or maybe especially with them. Steve can tell that Wanda doesn't want to pry too much, but it must be hard. ]
Yeah, he definitely didn't have the best time of it there. As you can imagine. I did what I could to look out for him, and now that he's healed up we're doing some sparring sessions together.
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[so she doesn't really know how good he's supposed to be. wanda has mostly seen the lawyer side of him in action, but she can gauge how good he is if he can keep up (or not) with steve.
just small things she's curious about.]
[sent back to being dead.]
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[ Even with Steve pulling back his punches, it's hard to judge. But he can tell when someone's skilled.
Wanda does get around to answering his question. Matt trapped in an exploded building, whereas Wanda had brought one down on her own head. It's the first time she's mentioned it. Stephen certainly hadn't. ]
Why is this the first I'm hearing about this? Still, it sounds like neither of you can be completely sure that that was the end of it.
Either way, I understand why you wouldn't want to bet on it. You still haven't really answered my question, though. Are you ready to take the risk?
[ And, so she doesn't feel like she's being put on the spot: ]
The answer to that can be no, by the way.
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(grand praise from steve, though.)]
[and while she does feel put on the spot, she appreciates that he's giving her an out. who would have thought she would end up talking about these things with steve?]
[the avengers, vision, now matt and everyone else in abraxas—she has never been asked if she wants to take her chances, because she was the risk.]
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I know. And I guess that means that like Natasha, you don't have any intention of going home?
[ That had always been Steve's plan, but knowing what he does about his supposed future, he's in less of a rush these days.
This isn't about him, though. ]
I get why you feel that way, even if I've never considered you a liability. [ Maybe that's his own blind spot, who knows. ] And remember this, Wanda. If you go for it and Matt does end up vanishing, you won't be alone. There's still Sam and Nat and me, and everyone else you've come to know here.
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[time shenanigans, basically. she's still working out the details, but that's a conversation to have with stephen.
and, boy, this conversation happening mentally means that wanda is on the other end just wringing her hands together, painfully so. it makes her nervous, and she doesn't even know why. maybe it reminds her so much of vision? the moment they decided to take that risk, the skies opened up to bring terror and an end to what they had.
the text comes through a little strangled, smaller than usual, as if scared to put it out there even as a consideration:]
[she gets what he is trying to say, but— but— she's never stopped losing. even with him and sam and nat, and everyone else from this world, it's hard to not think of how alone she'll be in that scenario.]
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[ Who knows. Maybe she and Matt could have that day in New York together. Steve would like nothing more than to see that become a reality, even if it's not one he gets to witness.
When her next response comes, Steve sighs to himself, aware of how hard this has to be. But he won't lie to her and assure her that everything will be fine when he has zero way of actually knowing that. ]
I know. Even with the Horizon and Nocwich, it isn't always enough.
Speaking of which, are you and Matt going to keep up with the long-distance thing? Has he considered trying to find a way to cross borders to Solvunn?
[ Would it make this all easier for Wanda to bear, if he did? ]
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[look! she’s playing nice with the sorcerer! so, that’s a step plenty in a better direction, despite their history.
as far as her comment regarding this division between factions, she hopes steve knows that she doesn’t only mean it because of matt. it’s weird how the majority of the avengers (or past avengers…) who are currently here were ‘team cap’. the fact that wanda feels the most familiar with natasha, sam, and steve—especially with all their years on the run—means that she does hate that they’re not always in a place where wanda can just go up to them.
and then part of her remembers that maybe she’s better off keeping her distance.
hmm—the deprecating thoughts never truly go away.]
[and there is no way in hell that she is going to go to the free cities, with what it represents and values most, with its military and science.]
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[ Stephen and Wanda working together is huge, given how tense things have been between them since they both received memories of their futures (pasts, now?). Steve's glad to hear that they've come to some sort of understanding, even if it's purely professional. ]
I would check in with Viktor about it too. I know it's one of his main research interests.
[ Steve would never suggest Wanda come to the Free Cities. If she'd wanted to do that, she would have mentioned it a long time ago, and he can guess at why she has no interest. Still, she's probably right that none of the "city folk" would do well in Solvunn either. ]
Nocwich has to be a blessing for you two, then. At least you can see each other in person once a month.
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[so that the nerds can nerd together.
except maybe now a focus on something else entirely might be nice. it's a little embarrassing, isn't it? for steve to say things like how it must be nice for them to meet in nocwich.
(it's nice to be able to, though!)]
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It eases some tension from Steve, to know that. He's sick of different members of their team being at odds with each other, even if it was all for good reason. ]
Good call.
If all of you put your heads together, I'm sure something will come of it.
[ If this is awkward for her, it's probably easier that they're not having this conversation face-to-face. He isn't actually trying to embarrass her, though. He's happy for her. ]
Like I said, mainly just after sparring sessions, which happen periodically. He's doing some sort of lawyering now, so I think he's keeping busy.
[ Or just trying to keep his mind off stuff. Who knows. ]
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[for the vote of confidence… steve never did consider her to be anything less than capable at handling herself, though. so it does mean a lot, despite being the less educated one between stephen and viktor.]
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[ Even if it's been years since they shared space in the Compound together, it's not likely that Wanda forgot that little habit of his. ]
Right, becoming a lawyer probably requires a lot of schooling and passing am involved test. If we're not even considered citizens, it's going to be tough. But I'm glad he's able to use some of that knowhow of his here.
Yeah, I can check in and make sure that he's not burning the candle at both ends too much.
[ They all do it, but there's a point where it's going to take a toll. Steve knows what to look out for, he thinks. ]
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[probably because he was a lying piece of shit, but wanda really isn’t one to judge.]
[pretty much implying that he was whisked here with unresolved conflict with his friends, which is in no way constructive.]
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As for Steve, he never really had a choice, and that's been the case for so long that it doesn't bother him when people know about it. ]
Yeah, absolutely. I'll make sure to clue you in if I get the sense that he's overdoing it.
[ As for Wanda's feelings, that's something she's going to need to take more time to figure out. ]
There was one other thing I wanted to talk to you about, seeing how I have you here already.
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so, in reading that there was another thing he wanted to talk to her about, she can’t help but tilt her head in wonder.]
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Maybe Altaïr already brought this up with you, but I'm curious about that lizard that they found. The one that has metal parts. Do you think you'd be able to go back to the area where you guys found it and do a more thorough search?
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[she's joking]
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[ Unsurprisingly, Wanda's already on it. ]
Thanks for indulging my curiosity. It just feels like there has to be more to this.
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Sam was one of the people involved. Just keep that between us Avengers for now, though.
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