Lexi sat at the dinner table, carefully placing screws into a small dish before turning her attention back to the half-disassembled radio in front of her. Her movements were mechanical, her gaze unfocused as she fiddled with the broken parts. Across the room, Wanda was drying her hands after cleaning the almost destroyed kitchen, the same one she and Pietro had shared before Hydra tore their lives apart.

"Lexi... Lexi!" Wanda called. Lexi blinked and looked up, snapping out of her thoughts. "Yes?". "What's going on with you?" Wanda asked, walking over and leaning against the table. "You've been awfully quiet."

"Just trying to fix this," Lexi replied, her voice distant as she turned her focus back to the radio.

Wanda frowned, watching her for a moment before speaking again. "You could fix that in less than five minutes, and yet you've been staring at it for more than an hour." She set the dish towel aside, pulling out a chair to sit next to her friend. "What's bothering you?"

Lexi hesitated, her hands pausing mid-adjustment. "Can I ask you something?" Wanda nodded and after a beat, she asked softly, "Do you think we'll ever get to live a normal life again?" Wanda let out a bittersweet chuckle as she sat down. "If any of us ever gets the chance for a normal life, we should take it. Why?"

Lexi set the screwdriver down and sighed, turning her gaze toward Wanda. "Because I've been thinking... We're not normal. Maybe that's why we survived Strucker's experiments. And if that's true, then maybe we're never going to have a real life. No falling in love, no getting married, no kids." Her voice wavered as she spoke. "We're always going to be experiments."

Wanda opened her mouth to respond, her expression softening, but before she could speak, the door opened. Pietro strode in, carrying several bags. Lexi turned her focus back to the radio, her expression saddened as Wanda shifted her attention to her brother.

"What's in the bag?" Wanda asked, her voice calm but carrying a hint of suspicion. "Food," Pietro replied calmly, placing the bags on the table. He reached inside and pulled out two flowers, handing one to Wanda and the other to Lexi.

"Did you steal this?" Wanda asked, placing her flower in a small cup she filled with water. Pietro ignored her glare. "Pietro, I told you not to steal! How many times do I have to tell you?"

He sighed, meeting her frustrated gaze. "We need to eat, Wanda. We can't eat if we don't have food." Wanda crossed her arms, clearly upset, and began unpacking the bags. Pietro walked over to Lexi, giving her a playful nudge on the shoulder. She stood abruptly and headed for the door.

"What are you doing?" Wanda asked, her tone edged with concern as her eyes glowed faintly red. "Going for a walk," Lexi said over her shoulder, grabbing her coat.

As the door closed behind her, Wanda sighed heavily. "Still can't read her?" Pietro asked. "She's like a closed book to me," She replied, shaking her head. "I don't understand why." Wanda rubbed her temples. "We'll figure it out." He replied before stepping outside, catching up to Lexi in a matter of seconds. "All good?"

Lexi nodded, her lips pressed tightly together. "Lex?" She sighed, glancing at him briefly before looking away. "Just zoning out." She forced a small smile. Not satisfied with her answer, Pietro scooped her up suddenly and sped to the city's central fountain. Without warning, he tossed her into the cold water.

"Pietro!" Lexi shouted, sputtering as she pushed herself up, her clothes dripping.

Pietro doubled over with laughter until Lexi grabbed his jacket and pulled him into the fountain with her. The two of them were laughing uncontrollably as they splashed each other, completely soaked by the time they made their way back home.

Wanda greeted them with a Sokovian scolding, glaring at her drenched family. Lexi hurried to change while Wanda continued to reprimand Pietro. Dinner that evening was a quiet affair, the weight of Wanda's mood went deaf in the other two as they muffled their laughter. When it was time for bed, the three of them retired to the small room they shared.

Late into the night, Pietro sat awake, haunted by nightmares. He held a small photograph of himself and Wanda as children, the edges worn from years of handling. He stayed vigilant, watching over the dreams of the two girls.

Lexi sat up suddenly, gasping as the memories of Hydra resurfaced in vivid detail. Her breathing was erratic as she tried to shake the images from her mind. Pietro was at her side in an instant, wrapping an arm around her and whispering a Sokovian lullaby. She clung to him as his soft voice lulled her back into a restless sleep.

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The sterile white walls of the unfamiliar room disoriented her as her eyes opened, the last memory in her mind was being in the jet before everything went black. She pushed herself up cautiously, her leg throbbing in its cast. Grabbing the crutches by the bed, she slowly made her way to the window. The rain had stopped, but droplets clung to the glass, catching the muted light outside.

The hallways were quiet as she made her way toward the sound of voices. When she reached the living room, most of the Avengers were gathered around the kitchen.

"It's good to see you up," Natasha said with a warm smile as she caught the brunette. Lexi returned the smile weakly. "Thanks, Nat."

The chatter died down as the team noticed her, and Tony was on his feet instantly. He crossed the room in a few long strides, wrapping her in a protective hug despite the awkward angle caused by her crutches.

"You said you were going to be careful!" he scolded, pulling back just enough to look at her. "I'm sorry," Lexi murmured. Tony sighed, pulling her into another hug and kissing the top of her head. "Broken?"

He nodded, as his jaw tightened. "Alright. Come on, let's sit." Pepper swept in next, wrapping Lexi in a tight embrace and peppering her forehead with kisses, preventing her from sitting down. "Oh my God, look at you. You're beautiful."

"Thanks, Pepper," Lexi said with a small smile. Happy followed behind Pepper, tears glistening in his eyes as he hugged her tightly. "I've missed you, bean.". "I missed you too, Happy." He gently let go of her as Pepper began berating Tony for putting their daughter in danger. "Let's get you to your room" Happy mentioned, helping Lexi as they made their way to her room.

Her crutches clicked softly against the floor, as she made her way down the hall with Happy trailing behind. She suddenly stopped at the sound barely audible of the sitcom playing behind a door.

Lexi knocked lightly on the doorframe, opening when knowing did. "Bean?" Wanda was curled up on her bed, clutching a pillow as if it were her lifeline. The soft glow of the television flickered over her tear-streaked face, casting shadows under her puffy eyes.

Lexi hesitated at the threshold. The tension between them from their last fight still clung heavily in the air. She wanted to turn away, but the sight of Wanda in so much pain rooted her to the spot. "Thanks, Happy" She murmured, sending him away without a second thought.

Wanda turned her head slightly, noticing Lexi in the doorway and Happy leaving behind her. Her expression wavered, but her voice was steady as she spoke. "Čo chceš?" What do you want?

Lexi crossed her arms, leaning against the frame. "I don't know," she admitted. "I just... I couldn't let you sit in here alone." Wanda scoffed quietly, her lips trembling as she whispered. "You're still mad at me... Why do you care?"

Lexi sighed, stepping inside cautiously. "I am mad at you. What you did my father, Wanda. It hurt me," she added, her voice tightening. "But... seeing you like this? I hate it." She gestured vaguely at the dark room, the tear-soaked pillow. "I don't want you to drown in this."

Wanda sniffled, wiping her face with the back of her hand. "It doesn't matter. Nothing matters now." Her voice cracked, and she turned her face back to the pillow, and her eyes settled on the TV.

Lexi stayed silent for a moment, unsure of how to respond. Finally, she approached the edge of the bed and sat down, keeping a respectful distance. "Pietro wouldn't want this," she said softly.

At his name, Wanda's shoulders shook as fresh tears spilled from her eyes. "He was all I had" Her voice broke as she choked on a sob. Lexi's chest tightened, the lingering anger and betrayal warring with her instinct to comfort. "I know," she murmured. "I know he was. But you're not alone, Wanda. Even if I'm mad at you right now, you still have me."

Wanda shook her head, burying her face in the pillow again. "Not after what I did".

Lexi reached out hesitantly, her hand hovering above Wanda's back before finally resting gently on it. "I won't pretend it didn't hurt," she said softly. "But you don't deserve this. You don't deserve to be alone in this."

Wanda lifted her head slightly, her red-rimmed eyes searching Lexi's face. "You still care about me?". Lexi exhaled shakily. "I don't stop caring about the people I love, Wanda. Even when they hurt me."

The admission made Wanda break. She let out a sob and reached for Lexi, wrapping her arms around her tightly. For a moment, Lexi stiffened the anger still a thorn in her heart. But as Wanda trembled against her, she softened, her arms coming up to hold her.

"Je mi to ľúto, je mi to veľmi ľúto." I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. Wanda whispered through her tears. "I know," Lexi said, her voice gentle but firm. "But you can't take it back. All we can do is move forward."

Wanda nodded against her shoulder, her sobs quieting as Lexi ran a soothing hand through her hair. After a while, Lexi eased back, her hands lingering on Wanda's shoulders. "You need rest," she said softly.

Wanda shook her head weakly. "I can't". "You can," Lexi insisted. She helped Wanda lie back down, pulling the blanket over her. Wanda blinked up at her, vulnerability etched into her features. "Would you stay?".

Lexi offered a faint smile, brushing a strand of hair from Wanda's face. "Always." She settled on the middle of the bed, her hand resting lightly on Wanda's back as the Sokovian cuddled into her. Despite the ache in her own heart, Lexi stayed, letting Wanda's breathing slowly even out.