The safe house was modest but secure, nestled in a quiet, unassuming town far from prying eyes. The evening sunlight filtered through the small windows, casting a warm glow across the room, but Wanda stayed in the shadows. She was perched on the farthest corner of the couch, her knees drawn to her chest, her gaze darting nervously between the Avengers.

Her hands gripped the fabric of her sleeves tightly, and every time someone moved too quickly, her breath hitched, her whole body tensing like a coiled spring. She had positioned herself as far from everyone as possible, her posture screaming that she didn't want to be approached.

Lexi, standing near the center of the room with Steve and Natasha, kept glancing over her shoulder at Wanda. She didn't like the way Wanda seemed to be retreating further into herself.

"She's still scared," Lexi murmured, her voice low enough that only Steve and Nat could hear. "She doesn't trust anyone here." "She trusts you," Natasha pointed out, crossing her arms. "That's a good start."

Lexi sighed. "Yeah, but it's not enough. She needs more than just me."

"That'll come with time," Steve said gently, his expression softened by understanding. "But right now, you're what she needs most. And you've already done more for her than anyone else could."

Lexi frowned, running a hand through her hair. "You're really leaving us here?"

"We have to," Steve said firmly but not unkindly. "The longer we stay, the riskier it gets for all of us. Ross is already breathing down Wakanda's neck. We can't let him find you two."

Natasha added, "This isn't goodbye forever, Lexi. It's just... for now. We'll keep in touch when it's safe, but you and Wanda need time to heal without looking over your shoulders every minute."

Lexi sighed again, her shoulders sagging. "I know you're right, but it still feels wrong."

Natasha stepped closer, placing a hand on Lexi's arm. "You'll be okay. You're stronger than you give yourself credit for." Steve nodded. "And you're not alone. You've got Wanda, and she's got you. Just take care of each other."

Lexi looked over at Wanda again, her heart aching at the sight of her curled up and so clearly afraid. "I'll do my best," she said quietly. "One more thing," Natasha said, her tone softening. "Call your dad. He needs to talk to you."

Lexi blinked, surprised. "I didn't think I could." "We've ensured the line is secure," Steve assured her. "He's worried about you. Call him when you're ready."Lexi nodded, though the thought of hearing her father's voice after everything felt both comforting and overwhelming. "I will."

Steve reached out, squeezing her shoulder briefly. "Take care of her, Lexi. She needs someone she can trust right now, and that's you." "I won't let her down," Lexi promised, her voice steady.

Natasha offered a small smile, and with that, the two of them began gathering their things, preparing to leave.

Lexi turned back to Wanda, her focus shifting entirely to the girl in the corner. She knew that once Steve and Natasha were gone, it would be up to her to help Wanda feel safe in a world that had been nothing but cruel to her.

She sat on the edge of the worn couch, the phone in her hand feeling heavier than it should. Wanda was still in the corner, watching her with quiet curiosity, though she hadn't ventured closer. With a deep breath, Lexi powered on the device. The encrypted phone hummed to life, and almost instantly, it began to ring.

Her heart clenched as she saw the familiar name on the screen. Without hesitation, she answered. "Star," Tony's voice greeted her, warm but tinged with a seriousness she hadn't expected.

"Hey, Dad," Lexi said, her fingers instinctively reaching for the small star-shaped necklace she always wore. She twirled it between her fingers, the movement grounding her as she prepared for the conversation.

"You okay?" Tony asked immediately, skipping any pretense of small talk. "Is she okay?"Lexi glanced at Wanda, who was still curled up, her body language tense but her eyes on Lexi. "We're fine. We made it to the safe house. Steve and Nat are leaving soon, though."

"That's good," Tony said, relief evident in his voice. "The fewer people around, the better. Ross is relentless, and the last thing you need is for his goons to find you."

Lexi nodded, even though he couldn't see her. "We'll be careful."

"I know you will," Tony said, his tone softening. "But listen, kiddo, you have to stay away. I mean it, Lex. No contact with me, with anyone, unless it's absolutely necessary. This phone is encrypted, so Ross can't trace it, but you should still keep it off most of the time. Only use it when you need to."

"Got it," Lexi murmured, her fingers still playing with her necklace. The small star felt cool against her skin, a comfort she desperately needed right now.

"And one more thing," Tony added, his voice shifting into that familiar mix of affection and practicality. "I sent you a way to access money. It's not linked to any bank, so Ross can't track it. Use it however you need to—rent, food, whatever. Hell, buy something shiny if it makes you happy. You and Wanda should live comfortably, okay? Whatever your hearts desire."

Lexi blinked, a small smile tugging at her lips despite the gravity of the situation. "You didn't have to do that."

"Yes, I did," Tony countered his tone firm but fond. "You're my daughter, and you're out there doing what needs to be done. If I can make that even a tiny bit easier for you, I will."

Her grip on the necklace tightened. "Thanks, Dad. I... I don't know what to say."

"Say you'll use it," he said lightly, but there was an undercurrent of emotion in his words. "And say you'll take care of yourself. That's all I need to hear."

"I will," Lexi promised, her voice steady despite the lump forming in her throat. "I'll take care of her too. Wanda's been through so much... I'll make sure she's okay."

"I know you will," Tony said, and she could hear the pride in his voice. "You're doing great, Lex. I mean it. I'm proud of you."

Her breath hitched at that, and she bit her lip to keep her emotions in check. "Thanks, Dad. That means a lot." "I love you, kid," he said softly. "Don't ever forget that." "I love you too," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

"Keep your head down and stay safe," Tony said, his tone shifting back to a more practical one. "And call me if you need anything—anything at all. Got it?" "Got it," Lexi said, her hand dropping from the necklace to rest on her lap. "Talk to you later." "Later, Star," Tony said, and the line went dead.

Lexi stared at the phone for a moment before powering it off and tucking it away. She felt a mix of emotions—comfort from her father's words, a sense of responsibility for Wanda, and the ever-present weight of their situation.

When she looked up, she found Wanda watching her intently, her wide eyes searching Lexi's face. "You okay?" Lexi asked, offering a small smile.

Wanda nodded hesitantly, though her gaze lingered on the necklace Lexi had been fiddling with. Lexi reached out a hand, beckoning Wanda over. After a moment's hesitation, Wanda stood and crossed the room to sit beside her, close enough that their knees touched.

"Don't worry," Lexi said softly, her voice steady. "We've got this."

Wanda didn't respond with words, but she reached out, lacing her fingers with Lexi's, her grip firm and seeking comfort. As they sat together, their fingers intertwined, the heavy air in the room seemed to lighten just a bit. Lexi could feel Wanda's hand trembling slightly, and she gave it a reassuring squeeze, offering her a small, crooked smile.

"You know," Lexi began, tilting her head slightly, "my dad just gave me access to what's essentially a bottomless piggy bank. We could buy anything. New clothes, the fluffiest blankets, maybe a tower of snacks..."

Wanda blinked at her, confused, but there was a faint curiosity in her expression. "A... tower of snacks?" "Yeah, like, every chip flavour you can think of, maybe some chocolates. Oh! And gummy bears!" Lexi's eyes lit up as she spoke, her enthusiasm genuine.

Wanda's lips twitched, almost forming a smile. "You're just going to buy junk food?"

Lexi laughed, her voice a soft, melodious sound that made Wanda relax a fraction more. "Okay, okay, maybe not just junk food. But seriously, think about it—we could make this place feel like home. Cozy stuff. Like a big, ridiculous bean bag chair!"

That made Wanda let out a tiny, breathy laugh, and Lexi's grin grew wider at the sound. "You're laughing at me!" Lexi teased, nudging Wanda gently with her shoulder. "I'm not," Wanda protested, but her small smile betrayed her.

"Uh-huh," Lexi said with mock seriousness, narrowing her eyes playfully. "You are so laughing. Admit it—you think I'm ridiculous." "Maybe a little," Wanda said softly, her cheeks warming as she looked down, still clutching Lexi's hand.

"Hey, ridiculous is part of my charm," Lexi declared, puffing out her chest dramatically. "You know you love it." Wanda looked up at her, and her smile grew just the tiniest bit wider. "Maybe I do."

Lexi froze for a second, her cheeks heating up at Wanda's unexpectedly bold response. Wanda noticed the blush and tilted her head, her amusement evident now. "Why are you blushing?" Wanda teased gently, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I—uh, I'm not!" Lexi stammered, her voice pitching higher as she waved her free hand dismissively. Wanda's laughter was soft but genuine, and she leaned closer to Lexi. "You're really bad at lying."

Lexi groaned, burying her face in her hands, though she couldn't stop herself from laughing too. "Why are you so mean to me?" "Mean?" Wanda said, her voice laced with mock offence. "You're the one who wants to spend a fortune on gummy bears and beanbags!"

"And you'll thank me when you're sitting in the comfiest chair of your life, eating gummy bears!" Lexi retorted, peeking out from behind her hands.

Wanda shook her head, still smiling, and leaned her head on Lexi's shoulder, the warmth of the moment settling over them like a soft blanket. "Thank you," she said after a moment, her voice quiet but full of sincerity.

"For what?" Lexi asked, her hand resting on Wanda's arm. "For making me feel safe," Wanda whispered, her eyes fluttering closed. Lexi's heart squeezed, and she pressed a soft kiss to the top of Wanda's head. "Always."

The moment hung between them, light and comforting, and for the first time in what felt like forever, they both felt a little less alone.

═══*.·:·.☽✧ ✦ ✧☾.·:·.*═══

The days in the safe house passed slowly, each one blending into the next. Wanda and Lexi found themselves carving out a rhythm together—Lexi's calm humour and easy warmth helping to anchor Wanda's frayed nerves, while Wanda's quiet determination gave Lexi purpose in the middle of their chaotic situation.

They were curled up on the couch one evening, a soft glow from the single lamp casting long shadows across the room. The Avengers had long gone, and the weight of being truly on their own had started to settle in. Wanda had been unusually quiet all day, her gaze distant, though her body never strayed far from Lexi's.

Now, as they sat together, Lexi was scrolling through her encrypted phone, trying to make sense of a plan for their next steps. Wanda, beside her, had pulled her knees up to her chest, her arms hugging them tightly.

"Hey," Lexi said softly, nudging Wanda with her elbow. "You okay?"

Wanda nodded slightly but didn't look at her. "I've just... been thinking," she said, her accent thicker than usual. "That's always dangerous," Lexi teased lightly, hoping to coax a smile out of her.

Wanda finally glanced at her, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "About how lucky I am," she said quietly, her gaze softening as she looked at Lexi.

Lexi blinked, caught off guard by the sincerity in her voice. "Lucky?" she repeated. Wanda nodded, her eyes never leaving Lexi's face. "To have you. You make everything feel... less scary. Even when everything's falling apart."

Lexi's cheeks flushed, and she ducked her head, brushing her hair back nervously. "Well, you make it easy to want to help. You're kind of amazing, you know."

Wanda tilted her head slightly, studying Lexi. "You really believe that?" "Yeah," Lexi said without hesitation, finally meeting Wanda's gaze. "I do."

For a moment, neither of them moved, the air between them thick with unspoken words. Wanda shifted slightly, unfolding her legs and leaning a little closer to Lexi.

"I don't know what I'd do without you," Wanda whispered, her voice barely audible. Lexi opened her mouth to respond, but before she could, Wanda closed the space between them, her lips pressing softly against Lexi's.

Lexi froze, her eyes wide with surprise as she processed what was happening. Wanda's lips were warm, gentle, and hesitant as if she was unsure whether Lexi would pull away.

But Lexi didn't.

The initial shock melted away, and she felt herself relax, her hand instinctively reaching up to cup Wanda's cheek. When they finally pulled back, Wanda's cheeks were flushed, and her eyes searched Lexi's face nervously.

"I—I'm sorry," Wanda stammered, starting to pull away. "Wait," Lexi said quickly, catching her hand before she could retreat.

Wanda hesitated, her expression guarded, but Lexi smiled at her, her own cheeks still pink. "You don't have to be sorry," Lexi said softly, her voice steady despite the way her heart was racing.

"You're not upset?" Wanda asked cautiously. "Upset?" Lexi repeated with a soft laugh. "No, Wanda. Not upset."

Wanda's shoulders relaxed slightly, and Lexi gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "But I am surprised," Lexi admitted, her tone teasing now. "I didn't think you'd be the one to make the first move."

Wanda finally smiled a small, shy grin. "You were taking too long."

Lexi laughed, shaking her head. "Well, if I'd known you wanted me to, I wouldn't have waited." Wanda leaned her head on Lexi's shoulder, the tension from the day slowly dissipating. "I didn't know I wanted to," she admitted softly.

Lexi pressed a gentle kiss to the top of Wanda's head, her arms wrapping around her protectively. "Well, now you do," Lexi said with a playful smirk. "And I think I could get used to it."

Wanda chuckled softly, her voice muffled against Lexi's shoulder. For the first time in weeks, she felt a flicker of hope—like maybe, just maybe, they could build something new together, even in the middle of all this chaos.