The next evening, Wanda was cuddled up between the Bartons as they watched a movie. Natasha had left earlier that afternoon, even though everyone (including herself), wanted her to stay. But she had no other choice. SHIELD needed her back. The other kids were huddled together on the floor, a blanket wrapped around the three of them with Nathaniel in the middle on their She wasn't even quite sure what the movie was, but everyone else was enjoying it. It was something about a couple who met on a boat, and it seemed like a really long movie.

"Rose's parents are kinda assholes," Clint whispered to his wife, leaning over Wanda. Both women giggled, and Wanda wrinkled up her nose softly. She didn't know who Rose was. She really needed to pay better attention. Laura covered her husband's mouth, hushing him lightly. He huffed, talking in a muffled voice against her hand. 

Wanda smiled. This family brought her so much peace. She had no idea where she would be without them, honestly. They were so kind and welcoming to her, it made her feel like home. Without them she would probably be dead or living on the streets by herself, with no one to care for or to take care of her. They fed her, comforted her, and did anything she could possibly ask for. It was more than she could ever ask for. From the moment she had been taken in, they treated her like a fourth child. Even Cooper and Lila loved her like a sister (Nathaniel was too young to talk yet).

And she loved them like a family. They did their absolute best to care for her, and in return she gave them her love and her care, to the best of her ability. There were some times she needed to be alone in her room, curled up on her bed wrapped up in her blankets and staring at the wall. And they respected that. It had taken a few weeks of yelling at Clint to leave her alone and stop asking if she needed anything, but they gave her her space when she needed it. 

"How much longer until this movie is over?" Lila complained, lifting her head to gaze up at her parents with large, innocent eyes. She was such an impatient little girl. "I wanna go do something! I'm bored." That caused immense laughter to erupt from her parents, and she scowled, clearly unamused.

Laura clicked on the movie to pause it, just for a moment, to check how much longer was left. "About thirty more minutes," she told her, chuckling softly. Lila groaned and threw her head back, causing Cooper to giggle at his sister.

"After the movie, can I do your hair?" Wanda asked quietly, wringing her hands. She used to braid Pietro's hair all the time, when she could force him to sit still long enough. The witch was good at braiding, in her opinion, but she hadn't done it in oh so long! Her faint smile grew when the younger girl nodded, excitement crossing her features. Children were so easily pleased, it was relaxing. The littlest things made them so excited.

Once the movie was over, and Wanda had realized she'd retained absolutely none of what had happened during it, she took the little girl upstairs to the bathroom. Lila climbed up onto the counter, swinging her legs with a hum of content as the witch moved to grab some hair ties. She wasn't quite sure what hairstyle she was going to do on the girl. Maybe she could do a twist? Or some braids? Maybe an updo? She smiled to herself once she had it--a braid crown!

Wanda got Lila's hair wet, humming a tune to herself as she set about working on her hair. As she braided, she let her mind wander.

She wondered what life would have been like if Pietro had survived. Would she be an Avenger? Would she be hiding out with him instead of with Clint? Would she even be hiding out at this point, or would she just face the music? What would Pietro even look like now? She bet his hair would've been cropped shorter by this point, as it drove Wanda crazy when it got too long. She remembered how she used to cut it for him. He probably would have more toned muscles than he used to, from working out all the time. Pietro loved to work out.

He probably would spend all his time training, as if there was some sort of war to prepare for. He would probably be found racing around everywhere: his room, the training room at the tower, her room, the kitchen, even the bathroom sometimes. He would probably do his best to care for his sister, never leaving her alone, just like the old days. They would cuddle and hold each other and never be separated ever again. He would run his fingers through her hair and sing her songs in his horrible, off-key voice. He would kiss the side of her head and tell her everything would be all right.

They would probably still be at the Avengers facility, as he would see no reason why they had to be in hiding when there was nothing to hide for. They would be the only ones from Steve's side of that little skirmish still there, save for maybe Clint. They wouldn't be holed up at the farm (as much as she did like it here), they would be actually doing things. Exploring places. Goodness, Pietro loved exploring.

She missed her brother. Her twin. Her whole world. Her other half. She missed the way he hugged her, the way he sang to her (even if he sucked at it), the way he tried new things just for her. It made her smile to remember the one time he'd tried baking cookies (and failed miserably). They were six at the time, and he'd nearly burned down their apartment. Their parents had been so angry, but got over it pretty quickly.

"Wanda?" Lila asked, snapping her back to reality. This made Wanda realize that she had stopped braiding and was staring at her own reflection in the mirror. But not really staring at herself, just spaced out deep in her own thoughts. This made her see herself truly: her dyed blonde hair that was beginning to show brown at the roots again, her green eyes dulled from depression and weakness, the bags under her eyes, how thin her arms were becoming. Even little Lila could probably wrap her whole hand around Wanda's wrist with ease, it was that thin.

"I'm fine. I'm sorry," she breathed out, chuckling softly as she continued her braiding. "Just thinking about things."

"Are you thinking about your brother?" This made the witch pause. She hadn't really talked to the children about Pietro, but she knew they were aware of what had happened. Clint liked talking about his missions and things with his kids. It made them see him in a more heroic light, and he enjoyed that.

She thought for another moment before nodding her head, watching the little girl through the mirror. Lila was swinging her legs, gazing up at her with expectant eyes. "Yes, I am. I miss him very much." 

"I'm sorry you miss him." She pouted sincerely, straightening her head so Wanda could continue the braid crown. "I don't know what I would do if I lost Cooper. He's my best friend." She giggled, wrinkling up her little button nose. 

"Yes, that's how Pietro and I were. We were inseparable at your age." Wanda smiled and finished up her braid crown, humming. "There. Finished."

"I love it!" The little girl gasped and grinned, reaching up and gently grazing her fingers against the braids. "Thank you so much, Wanda. Do you wanna go draw with me?" This made the older woman smile. Lila loved to draw. Wanda hoped this hobby would turn into something more and the little girl would pursue art as a career. Art was wonderful.

"I would love to." She smiled, helping Lila hop down off the counter. She led her out to her bedroom, humming a tune. She loved this little girl. She was so sweet and precious, it nearly reminded her of herself at that age.