The first rays of sunlight streamed through the window as Lexi stirred, her body resisting the pull of wakefulness. For the first time in what felt like forever, she wasn't waking up to Wanda's frightened whispers or trembling hands. The quiet was startling, almost jarring, but Lexi forced herself to savor it for a moment.

Her nap in Tony's lab the day before had done little to cure the exhaustion clinging to her bones, but it had helped enough to get her through the night. For once, she'd managed to sleep uninterrupted. Still, as she stretched lazily and blinked herself fully awake, she could feel the ache of fatigue lingering just below the surface.

She reached out instinctively, expecting to find Wanda curled up beside her as she always was. Her hand touched only empty sheets.

"Wanda?" Lexi called softly, her voice thick with sleep. She pushed herself upright, rubbing her eyes and looking toward Wanda's side of the bed. It was empty, the blanket neatly smoothed over, as though Wanda had been gone for a while. She pushed herself fully upright, and listened for any sign of movement—footsteps, the sound of water running in the bathroom—but the room was eerily still.

Frowning, Lexi swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood, the chill of the floor against her bare feet waking her further. "Friday," she said through a yawn, "where's Wanda?"

There was a pause before Friday's smooth voice responded. "Miss Maximoff's current location is unavailable, Miss Stark. Her movements this morning have not been detected within the usual parameters."

Lexi froze, the words pulling her fully out of her grogginess. "Unavailable? What does that mean? Did she leave the compound?". "No external exits have been logged," Friday replied. "She remains somewhere within the compound, but her exact location cannot be pinpointed."

Lexi frowned, her stomach twisting uneasily. Wanda wasn't one to vanish without notice, especially not after the past few weeks of relying so heavily on Lexi. Still, Lexi reminded herself not to overreact. Wanda could have gone for a walk or found a quiet place to clear her head.

"Okay, thanks, Friday," she murmured, pulling on a hoodie and heading for the door. She tried to brush off the gnawing unease as she walked through the hallway. Maybe Wanda was in the kitchen, grabbing breakfast. Or maybe she'd gone to the training room early. Lexi knew she needed to calm down—there wasn't any reason to panic. Not yet.

Lexi's search began with Natasha. If anyone would have a clue about Wanda's whereabouts, it would be Nat—always sharp, always watching.

She found Natasha in the gym, her movements fluid and precise as she worked through a series of combat drills with Steve. The rhythmic thud of fists hitting a punching bag echoed through the space as Lexi entered, her sneakers squeaking slightly against the polished floor.

Natasha noticed her immediately, lowering her fists and turning toward Lexi with a raised brow. Steve followed his expression softening when he saw the younger Stark approach.

"You're up early," Natasha said, towelling off her hands. Her sharp green eyes studied Lexi, taking in the faint circles under her eyes and her slightly dishevelled hair. "Or is it late for you?"

Lexi smirked faintly but didn't bite at the teasing. "Have you seen Wanda?" she asked, cutting straight to the point.

Natasha exchanged a quick glance with Steve before shaking her head. "Not this morning. Everything okay?"

"I woke up and she wasn't in the room. She's not answering her phone, and Friday says she's not anywhere in the compound." Lexi scanned the room like Wanda might be hiding behind one of the exercise machines.

"That's odd. She never goes off like that without telling you, especially not after everything she's been through," Natasha said, her voice softening with concern.

"Yeah, that's what's bugging me," Lexi admitted. "She's been doing better recently—training, adjusting, opening up more... but this is out of character. She's not the type to vanish, not without at least saying something to me first."

Steve stepped forward, a thoughtful expression on his face. "I don't like the sound of this either. Wanda's been more herself lately, but if she needed some time away from everything, she would have said something." He paused, looking at Lexi with understanding. "I know how much you care about her, Lex. She's like family now. If she's not with you, there's a reason."

"I just don't know where to look," Lexi muttered. "She's always been the kind to disappear into her thoughts, but... this feels different. I'm worried."

"Worrying is natural," Natasha said, uncrossing her arms and stepping closer. "But don't do it alone. You've got us, Lexi. If Wanda's in trouble or if she just needs space, we'll help. We'll find her." Her eyes softened, almost maternal. "She's a part of this family now. You both are."

Lexi's chest tightened at Natasha's words, the reality of how much Wanda had come to mean to her sinking in deeper. She had seen Wanda lose herself grow stronger, and more confident in the last few weeks, and now, the thought of losing her—again—was unbearable.

Steve placed a hand on her shoulder, his usual stoic expression replaced by one of fatherly concern. "You've been through a lot together, Lexi. We all know how close you two have become. And Wanda... she's a fighter. But that doesn't mean she doesn't need someone by her side."

Lexi managed a small smile, the worry still etched on her face but softened by their support. "Thanks, guys. I just don't want to go overboard and make things worse. I don't know if she's just trying to clear her head or... something else."

Natasha's gaze was unwavering. "If you need to get your mind off things, we're here. But if Wanda's hiding something... she's not alone in this. Not anymore."

Steve nodded in agreement, his deep voice filled with quiet reassurance. "We've all got each other's backs. Don't forget that."

Lexi took a breath and nodded slowly, the weight of her concern still heavy in her chest but at least lightened by the steady support from her teammates. "I'll keep looking. If you see her... let me know. And keep an eye on her, okay?"

"You got it," Natasha said, offering a rare soft smile. "We'll find her," Steve assured her. "Take care of yourself, too, Lexi. Don't burn out."

"I will," Lexi promised, though it didn't stop her mind from racing with worry. As she left the training room, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was off, something she couldn't explain. But she wasn't alone in this. They were all a team now.

She made her way down and pushed open the door to Tony's workshop, worry written all over her face. Tony looked up from his workbench, raising an eyebrow at her dishevelled appearance.

"Dad," she said softly, her voice tight with anxiety.

"What's up, Star?" he asked casually, leaning back in his chair as if nothing in the world could faze him. "Coming to steal my snacks again or did you set something else on fire?"

"I can't find Wanda," Lexi said, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. "She wasn't in her room, Friday doesn't know where she is, and I've looked everywhere. Nat and Steve haven't seen her either. What if something happened to her?"

Tony smirked, clearly trying not to laugh. "Relax, kid. I think you're forgetting she's a fully capable superhuman who can handle herself." "Dad," Lexi said with a glare, her voice sharper now. "I'm serious. What if—"

"Star," Tony interrupted, getting up and walking over to her. He placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "She's fine. Trust me on this one."

"How do you know?" she demanded, her worry evident. Tony's smirk widened. "Call it a hunch. And also, maybe I did help her out earlier when she asked for some stuff.". "What stuff?" Lexi narrowed her eyes, her tone suspicious.

"Oh, you know... your favourite snacks, desserts, comfort food. The usual," Tony said with a shrug. "She wasn't very specific, but I'm guessing it wasn't for herself." Lexi blinked, her mind racing as pieces began to fall into place. "She's... planning something?"

Tony chuckled, patting her shoulder. "That's for you to find out. Now, stop pacing like a worried parent. Go check the roof."

"The roof?" Lexi frowned. "Trust me," Tony said with a sly grin. "You'll thank me later... Oh, and Star? Maybe try to notice the little things every once in a while instead of jumping to worst-case scenarios."

Lexi gave him a look, but her worry quickly overtook her annoyance. "Thanks, Dad," she said before turning to leave. "Anytime, kid," Tony called after her. "And hey—don't forget to show her the good old American food!"

Lexi chuckled, rolling her eyes as she hurried toward the stairs.

By the time she reached the roof, her heart was pounding. She pushed open the door, stepping into the cool evening air. Her focus was singular, her mind still consumed with worry. "Wanda?" she called out, her voice sharp with concern. She scanned the area, her eyes darting around. "Wanda, are you up here?"

A soft laugh broke the silence, and Lexi whirled around to find Wanda sitting cross-legged on a blanket, her expression both amused and fond. "I'm right here, Lexi," Wanda said gently.

Lexi let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. She stalked over, her worry quickly morphing into exasperation. "Wanda, I've been looking everywhere for you! I thought something happened—Friday couldn't even find you, and—"

Wanda reached out, taking Lexi's hands in her own and cutting her off mid-ramble. "I'm sorry," she said, her voice soft but sincere. "I didn't mean to worry you. I just... needed time to set this up."

Lexi blinked, finally taking in her surroundings. The rooftop was transformed. Fairy lights were strung around the space, casting a warm, magical glow. Blankets and pillows were spread across the floor, and a small picnic was set up with a mix of dishes that smelled both familiar and comforting.

"What is this?" Lexi asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"It's for you," Wanda said, her cheeks tinged pink. "I know I've been... difficult these past few weeks. I've kept you awake and leaned on you so much you were exhausted I—... You've been there for me through all of it, Lexi. I wanted to say thank you."

Lexi stared at her, her chest tightening as her heart swelled. "You didn't have to do all this, Wanda. Taking care of you—it's not something you need to thank me for." "I wanted to," Wanda insisted, her gaze steady. "You've given me so much without asking for anything in return. Let me do this for you."

Lexi sank down onto the blanket beside her, her exhaustion momentarily forgotten. "You're incredible, you know that?" Wanda smiled shyly, ducking her head. "I just wanted to make you smile."

Lexi laughed softly, the sound light and genuine. "Mission accomplished," Lexi said softly, her voice carrying a blend of relief and amazement. She sank further into the blanket-covered rooftop, her eyes darting to Wanda, who was watching her with an expression that dipped between pride and nerves.

Wanda shifted awkwardly, brushing invisible dust off her dress. "I hope you're hungry," she said, a slight tremble in her voice as she gestured toward the spread of food. Lexi raised an eyebrow, her gaze sweeping over the carefully arranged dishes. "Wanda... this looks amazing. Did you make all of this yourself?"

Wanda nodded, her hands fidgeting in her lap. "I... I wasn't sure what you'd like, so I made some things from my childhood." She bit her lip, hesitating before blurting out, "But if you don't like any of it, I... I got your favourites"

Lexi blinked, her heart swelling as she realized just how much thought Wanda had put into this. "Are you kidding me? This is perfect. I can't believe you went through all this trouble for me."

Wanda's cheeks flushed a deep pink as she glanced away. "It wasn't trouble," she murmured. "I just... I wanted to do something special." Lexi grinned, leaning forward to grab Wanda's hand. "Wanda Maximoff, you are the most special person I know. And I'm going to prove it by eating every single bite of this food."

Wanda laughed softly, her nerves easing a fraction. "We'll see if you're still saying that after the chicken paprikash." She slid the dish toward Lexi, her eyes glued to Lexi's face as she took her first bite.

The moment the flavours hit her tongue, Lexi's eyes widened. "Wanda, this is—this is incredible!" Relief flooded Wanda's features, and her lips broke into a radiant smile. "Really? You're not just saying that?"

Lexi shook her head vehemently. "No way. This is amazing. You're officially my favourite chef now." Wanda's laughter bubbled out, soft and musical. "I'll hold you to that." Lexi reached for another bite, pausing to ask, "So, is there a story behind this one?"

Wanda nodded, her expression growing nostalgic. "It was my mother's recipe. She'd make it for Pietro and me whenever things were hard... which was often. No matter how little we had, she always found a way to make it special."

Lexi's smile softened, her voice gentle. "She sounds incredible." "She was," Wanda whispered, her eyes glistening for a moment before she blinked back the tears. "I think she would have loved you."

Lexi's heart stuttered, and she quickly reached for Wanda's hand again. "I like to think I would've loved her too. Especially if she made food like this." Wanda laughed again, her cheeks turning pink as Lexi's thumb brushed against her knuckles. "Stop being so charming," she mumbled, half-teasing, half-serious.

"I can't help it," Lexi shot back with a grin, earning another giggle from Wanda. As they moved through the dishes, Wanda pointed to a plate of pastries. "This is dobos torte. My father used to make it on our birthdays. Pietro and I would fight over who got the biggest slice."

Lexi cut a piece and took a bite, her eyes closing in bliss. "Okay, Wanda, this might be better than the paprikash. Don't tell your mom." Wanda snorted, shaking her head. "I think she'd understand. My father was a perfectionist when it came to dessert."

Lexi chuckled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Well, you've inherited his talent. This is amazing." They continued eating, the conversation flowing effortlessly between them. Each dish carried a story, and Lexi listened intently, occasionally cracking a joke that left Wanda giggling like a schoolgirl.

When they finally finished the food, Lexi leaned back, letting out a contented sigh. "Wanda Maximoff, you've officially spoiled me. No other meal will ever compare." Wanda tilted her head, a shy smile playing on her lips. "Good. That means you'll have to let me cook for you again."

Lexi glanced at her, her heart fluttering at the way the fairy lights danced in Wanda's eyes. "Say no more."

Once their plates were nearly clean, Wanda leaned back with a content sigh, her hands resting over her stomach. "I don't think I've ever been this full in my life," she admitted, looking over at Lexi with a sheepish smile.

Lexi grinned, raising an eyebrow. "You really outdid yourself, Wanda. This might be the nicest thing anyone's ever done for me. So, thanks, Maximoff. I'm also blaming you if I can't move tomorrow." Wanda laughed, shaking her head. "Please, you could probably run a marathon right now if you wanted to. Genius and athletic. You're just unfair, Stark."

Lexi groaned dramatically. "Oh, here we go. Is this about the articles again? That's the most formal I've ever heard you be". "I'm just saying," Wanda teased, her eyes sparkling. "It's a little unfair how good you are at everything. You're a genius. The articles all said so. Smarter than your dad, smarter than your grandfather. You've been changing the world since you were a kid."

Lexi groaned, rubbing her forehead. "Oh, no. Please don't bring that up. The media blows everything out of proportion." "Uh-huh," Wanda said, clearly unconvinced. "Sure, genius."

"Hey!" Lexi exclaimed, lightly swatting Wanda's arm. "We're officially banning the word 'genius' from this picnic.". "I'm just saying! You're ridiculous. Smart, talented. It's not my fault you've done more in your teenage years than most people do in their entire lives."

Lexi gave her a lopsided smile. "Well, you make a mean chicken paprikash, so I think we're even." Wanda blinked, caught off guard by the compliment, then blushed as she looked away. "That's not exactly a fair comparison."

"Sure it is," Lexi insisted, leaning closer. "You've got this whole Eastern European culinary thing going on, and I can barely make toast without setting off the smoke alarm."

Wanda chuckled, finally meeting Lexi's gaze again. "Okay, maybe I'll teach you sometime. But only if you promise to stop calling me a master chef every five minutes."

Lexi smirked, crossing her arms, pretending to pout. "You're lucky I like you," Wanda smirked, leaning in slightly. "I am lucky. I mean, who else would teach me about technology and eat all the food I make?" Lexi laughed, the sound light and genuine. "You've got a point. I am pretty great."

Wanda rolled her eyes but didn't stop smiling. "I got burgers and fries, and they're just sitting there. No one even touched them." Lexi blinked in surprise, then burst into a soft laugh. "Wanda, those were for me, weren't they?" Wanda nodded, her cheeks turning pink. "I thought—if you didn't like my food—you'd want something familiar. But I didn't know if it would be enough, so I got dessert, too."

Lexi's expression softened, her heart squeezing at the thoughtfulness behind Wanda's actions. "Hey, for the record, your chicken paprikash? Absolutely amazing. You didn't need a backup plan."

Wanda smiled shyly, glancing down at her lap. "I was worried, that's all. I wanted tonight to be special." Lexi reached out, covering Wanda's hand with her own. "It is. I promise." Wanda's shoulders relaxed, and her smile grew as she met Lexi's gaze. "Thank you," she said softly, her eyes shining in the dim light.

The conversation lulled into a comfortable silence as they both leaned back to look up at the stars, the soft glow of the fairy lights around them adding to the serene atmosphere.

"You know a lot about stars, don't you?" Wanda asked suddenly, her tone curious.

Lexi tilted her head toward her. "A little. Why?"

"Teach me," Wanda said, her voice soft. "I want to know what you see." Lexi smiled and shifted closer so their shoulders brushed. "Alright. See that cluster of stars over there? That's called the Pleiades, or the Seven Sisters. In Greek mythology, Zeus turned them into stars to protect them."

"Protect them from what?" Wanda asked, her brows furrowing as she focused on the faint stars. "From a hunter named Orion," Lexi explained, pointing toward another constellation. "He was chasing them, and Zeus thought turning them into stars would keep them safe."

Wanda squinted at the sky. "Wait, so the guy who wouldn't take no for an answer gets his own constellation too? That doesn't seem fair." Lexi laughed softly. "Greek mythology wasn't exactly big on fairness."

Wanda hummed thoughtfully, resting her chin on her hand as she gazed at the stars. "What's that one over there?". "That's Cassiopeia," Lexi said, pointing to the W-shaped constellation. "She was a queen who thought she was the most beautiful woman in the world. Very full of herself."

Wanda smirked. "Reminds me of someone I know." Lexi gasped in mock offence, placing a hand on her chest. "Are you calling me full of myself, Maximoff?" Wanda shrugged, her grin widening. "If the shoe fits, genius."

Lexi rolled her eyes but couldn't help laughing. "You're impossible."

They continued like that, trading jokes and stories as Lexi guided Wanda through the constellations. As the night deepened, Wanda gradually leaned her head onto Lexi's shoulder, her body relaxing completely.

Lexi glanced down at her, her voice softening. "See that one? That's Ursa Major. It's a bear. People used to navigate by it because it points to the North Star." Wanda closed her eyes, her voice barely above a whisper. "Tell me more." Lexi smiled, her heart swelling as she continued speaking, her words blending with the quiet hum of the night.

Wanda didn't interrupt, her head resting against Lexi's shoulder. Her gaze stayed fixed on Lexi, watching as the other girl's face lit up with excitement every time she explained a new constellation. Wanda barely even noticed the stars anymore; she was too captivated by the way Lexi spoke, the soft passion in her voice and the glimmer in her green eyes.

At that moment, all Wanda could think was how utterly in awe she was of the girl beside her—how much she admired her, cared for her, and maybe, just maybe, admiration was not the only thing she felt for Alexandra Stark.