It didn't take long for the Wakandan council to express their concern. As much as they wanted to help, harbouring fugitives indefinitely would draw attention—especially with Ross scouring every corner of the world to find them. Shuri had worked wonders in healing Wanda and monitoring Lexi's emotional state, but the safety of Wakanda as a whole had to come first.

The air felt heavy with decision-making as Steve, Natasha, Lexi, and Wanda stood before the council, led by Queen Ramonda. T'Challa stood off to the side, his arms folded as he observed the discussion.

"While Wakanda is grateful for your efforts to keep the world safe," Queen Ramonda began, her tone regal yet warm, "we cannot risk becoming a target for Ross or his allies. Our priority must always be the safety of Wakanda and its people."

Steve stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. "We understand, Your Majesty. We never intended to overstay our welcome. But we're asking for just a little more time to ensure Wanda is stable enough to travel."

Ramonda's gaze softened slightly as her eyes flicked to Lexi, who stood protectively close to Wanda. Wanda, still pale and frail from her injuries, seemed to shrink under the weight of the room's attention.

"Time is a luxury we may not have," T'Challa interjected, his voice steady. "Ross is relentless, and if he suspects even a hint of our involvement, he will come here," T'Challa warned. His tone was measured but firm, a reminder of the delicate balance Wakanda maintained between secrecy and engagement with the outside world.

Lexi's gaze flicked between the council members, her jaw tightening. She didn't like the idea of uprooting Wanda so soon, but she understood the stakes. Wanda shifted uncomfortably beside her, her fingers brushing against Lexi's arm as if silently seeking reassurance. Lexi reached out and gently squeezed her hand.

Steve nodded. "We'll leave as soon as we have a plan in place. It's not just about moving—it's about making sure they're safe wherever they go next."

Queen Ramonda regarded the group thoughtfully before turning to her advisors. They spoke in hushed tones, their words too soft for Lexi to catch, though she could tell from their expressions that the decision was not an easy one.

Finally, Ramonda raised her hand, silencing the murmurs. "You will have three days. In that time, make the necessary arrangements to ensure their safety. After that, Wakanda can no longer shield you."

Steve inclined his head respectfully. "Thank you, Your Majesty." Natasha, ever the pragmatist, added, "We'll work fast. We appreciate your generosity."

The council session concluded swiftly, the air still charged with unspoken tension. As they began to leave the chamber, T'Challa approached them, his expression unreadable. "If you need assistance, let me know. We cannot offer refuge indefinitely, but I am not without resources."

"Thank you," Lexi said, her voice quiet but sincere. Wanda glanced up at T'Challa, her eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you for giving us this chance." He nodded curtly, then turned and left with his mother and the rest of the council.

As they left, Lexi and Wanda trailed slightly behind Steve and Natasha. The corridors were quieter here, but the weight of the council's decision hung over them. Wanda's hand brushed against Lexi's, but her usual warmth felt tentative, as though she were trying to keep her anxieties at bay.

"You okay?" Lexi asked softly, glancing at Wanda.

Wanda hesitated, her lips pressing into a thin line before she nodded. "I think so. It's just... it feels like no matter where I go, people are deciding things about me. About my life." She paused, her green eyes darting to Lexi. "I'm scared, Lex. What if this doesn't work? What if Ross finds us anyway?"

Lexi stopped walking, turning to face her. Gently, she took Wanda's hands in hers, grounding her. "Listen to me. Steve and Nat have plans, and T'Challa wouldn't let us leave here without a solid way forward. And you're not alone in this. I'm here. You don't have to carry all of it yourself."

Wanda's shoulders sagged a little as the tension eased, but the fear in her eyes didn't entirely fade. "I just don't want anyone else to get hurt because of me.". "Wanda," Lexi said firmly, squeezing her hands. "None of this is your fault. You didn't choose for things to turn out this way. What's important is that we keep moving forward. Together."

Wanda exhaled shakily but managed a small smile. "You always know what to say." Lexi grinned, a glimmer of humour softening the intensity of the moment. "It's my superpower. That, and being ridiculously smart."

Wanda let out a quiet laugh, the sound fragile but genuine. "You're impossible."Before Lexi could respond, they heard someone approach at an eager pace. The sound of hurried footsteps and an unmistakable, excited voice broke the moment.

"You're Lexi Stark! I knew it!"

Both women turned as Shuri practically skidded to a stop in front of them, her wide grin lighting up her face. Wanda instinctively stepped closer to Lexi, her fingers brushing against her arm for reassurance and her body hiding behind the brunette.

Lexi blinked in surprise. "Uh, that would be me?". Shuri clasped her hands together, practically vibrating with excitement. "Oh my gosh, I've been dying to meet you! Do you know how many times I've studied your work? The modifications you made to your father's Mark III targeting systems are legendary!"

Lexi's eyes widened, and she stammered, "You... you've studied my work?"

"Of course I have!" Shuri exclaimed, bouncing on the balls of her feet. "Your coding was so clean, so precise. I mean, no offence to your dad—he's brilliant—but your work had this... elegance to it. And you were, what, like twelve when you did that?!"

Wanda's lips twitched, her nervousness momentarily eclipsed by the sight of Lexi turning an impressive shade of red. "It wasn't that big of a deal," Lexi mumbled, scratching the back of her neck and clearly flustered. "I was fifteen".

"Not a big deal?!" Shuri looked genuinely appalled. "You optimized a system that was already state-of-the-art. That's beyond impressive. Honestly, if we weren't in the middle of a crisis, I'd be dragging you to my lab to swap notes."

Wanda watched the exchange, her unease giving way to amusement as she saw Lexi flounder under the attention. "You're blushing," she teased, her voice quiet enough for only Lexi to hear.

Lexi shot her a mock glare. "Am not.". "You are," Wanda replied, her tone soft but laced with humour. For the first time in hours, her smile reached her eyes. "It's cute.". Lexi groaned, covering her face with her hand for a moment before dropping it. "This is your revenge for earlier, isn't it?"

Shuri, oblivious to their private exchange, continued her excited ramble. "Seriously, Lexi, you have to come to my lab before you leave. I have so many things I want to show you. Wait until you see the upgrades I made to T'Challa's suit. And don't even get me started on vibranium tech—I've been working on some revolutionary stuff!"

"Uh..." Lexi hesitated, still overwhelmed by the attention. "You should go," Wanda whispered softly with a smirk, nudging Lexi gently. Lexi shot her a look but nodded. "Yeah, sure. I'd love to see your work. It sounds incredible."

"It is incredible," Shuri said confidently. "And don't worry, I'll keep it short. For now."Before Shuri could launch into another excited tangent, T'Challa appeared, his expression a mix of fondness and exasperation. "Shuri, give them some space. They've had a long day."

Shuri pouted dramatically but relented. "Fine. But only if you promise to visit me before you go," she said, pointing at Lexi. She smiled, the blush still faintly visible on her cheeks. "I promise."

As Shuri skipped off, still buzzing with ideas, Wanda leaned closer to Lexi, her voice soft but teasing. "You really do get adorable when someone compliments your work." Lexi chuckled, the embarrassment fading into amusement. "And you find it hilarious, don't you?"

Wanda tilted her head, her smile growing as she studied Lexi. "I just think it's nice seeing someone recognize you for the genius you are." Lexi softened at her words, glancing at Wanda with a warmth that eased some of the tension still lingering between them. "You think I'm a genius?"

"Don't let it go to your head," Wanda said, though the teasing edge in her voice was gentle. Lexi laughed, her hand brushing Wanda's briefly. "Too late." For a fleeting moment, the chaos of their situation felt distant.

The halls were grand but seemed vast and isolating, especially for Wanda, whose wary gaze darted at every sound or shadow. Lexi felt the subtle but firm grip on her hand tighten every time someone passed them. She glanced at Wanda, whose wide eyes avoided contact with anyone but her.

"It's okay," Lexi murmured softly, gently squeezing Wanda's hand. "You're safe."

Wanda didn't respond, but her grip didn't ease as they turned a corner, a pair of Dora Milaje crossed their path, their spears clinking softly against their armour. Though they paid no mind to the group, Wanda instinctively stepped closer to Lexi, practically hiding behind her shoulder.

Steve slowed his pace, looking back at them. "You two okay?" Wanda shrank further, her gaze fixed on the ground. Lexi noticed the way her body tensed at the sound of his voice. "We're fine," Lexi replied quickly, offering Steve a reassuring smile. "Just... adjusting."

Steve nodded, his expression softening. "Let us know if you need anything." As he turned back, Wanda leaned closer to Lexi, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't like this. There's too many people."

"I know," Lexi whispered back, her voice gentle and steady. "But I promise, no one's going to hurt you. Not while I'm here." When they finally reached the room T'Challa had prepared for them, Natasha gestured toward the door. "You two take this one. Steve and I will be next door if you need us."

Lexi gave her a nod, but Wanda didn't even look up. Natasha hesitated, her sharp eyes catching Wanda's behaviour. "If you need anything, just knock, okay?". "Thanks, Natty," Lexi said, opening the door and gently guiding Wanda inside.

The room was spacious and tastefully decorated, but Wanda's focus remained on Lexi as she scanned every corner. Once the door closed behind them, Wanda finally released the breath she'd been holding, her shoulders sagging with relief.

"I don't trust them," she admitted, her voice trembling. "Steve, Natasha... even the king. They're all strangers." Lexi stepped in front of her, placing her hands on Wanda's arms. "I get it. This is all new, and it's overwhelming. But they're not going to hurt you. They're here to help."

Wanda shook her head, her fingers fidgeting nervously. "I don't know that. I don't know them. They might decide I'm too dangerous or... or hand me over to Ross."

Lexi sighed, gently guiding Wanda to sit on the edge of the bed. "That's not going to happen," she said firmly, kneeling in front of her. "They'd have to go through me first, and trust me, I'm not that easy to push around."

Wanda's lips twitched into a faint smile, but it was fleeting. "You really believe that?". "I know that," Lexi replied, her voice unwavering. "And more importantly, I believe in you. You're not alone, Wanda. Not anymore."

There was a knock at the door, and Wanda flinched, her grip on Lexi's hand tightening like a vice. "It's just Steve," his voice called from the other side. Wanda's eyes widened, panic flickering across her face. "I don't want to talk to him," she whispered, her voice shaky.

Lexi stood, squeezing Wanda's hand reassuringly before crossing to the door. She opened it just enough to poke her head out, blocking Wanda from view. "Everything okay?" Steve asked, his expression concerned. "She's just tired," Lexi said smoothly, keeping her tone polite but firm. "We'll check in later if we need anything."

Steve hesitated but nodded. "Alright. Get some rest." Lexi closed the door quickly and locked it, turning back to Wanda. "He's gone," she assured her softly. Wanda nodded, though her body remained tense. "I'm sorry," she murmured. "I don't mean to be like this."

"Don't apologize," Lexi said, sitting beside her on the bed. "You've been through hell, Wanda. It's okay to feel scared. But you're safe now. And you don't have to face any of this alone." Wanda leaned into Lexi's shoulder, her trembling starting to ease. "You're the only one I trust right now," she admitted quietly.

Lexi smiled, pressing a soft kiss to Wanda's temple. "Then that's enough for now". The soft glow of the bedside lamp bathed the space in warm light, but Wanda still looked wary, her gaze darting to the shadows that danced along the walls.

Lexi had pulled on a loose T-shirt and a pair of sweatpants, but Wanda hadn't moved from her spot on the bed, her knees tucked against her chest. "Do you want to change into something more comfortable?" Lexi asked gently, not wanting to push.

Wanda shook her head. "This is fine," she murmured, though her Sokovian accent thickened with the tension in her voice. Lexi didn't press further, instead pulling back the covers on the bed. "Alright. Let's get some rest, then." She slid under the blankets and patted the space beside her. "Come on, it's big enough for both of us."

Wanda hesitated, her fingers clutching the hem of her shirt. Her eyes flickered to the door, then back to Lexi, as though weighing her options. "It's okay," Lexi assured her, her voice soft but steady. "No one's going to come in. I locked the door, remember?"

That seemed to soothe Wanda just enough. She crawled into bed slowly, her movements hesitant, and settled on her side facing Lexi. She kept a small distance at first, her hands curled into fists under her chin as if bracing herself for something.

Lexi lay on her back, turning her head to glance at Wanda. "You don't have to sleep like you're ready to bolt," she said lightly, trying to ease the tension.

Wanda didn't answer right away. Instead, she inched closer, her movements tentative. Finally, she pressed against Lexi's side, slipping an arm around her waist and resting her head on Lexi's shoulder. Her grip was tight—almost desperate—but it didn't bother Lexi.

"You're safe," Lexi whispered, wrapping an arm around Wanda and pulling her closer. "I've got you". Wanda nodded against her shoulder, but her voice was small when she finally spoke. "Don't let go.". "I won't," Lexi promised.

Minutes passed, the room falling into a hushed stillness. Wanda's breathing began to even out, though her arm stayed firmly wrapped around Lexi. Every now and then, her fingers would clutch the fabric of Lexi's shirt, as if to reassure herself that she wasn't alone.

Lexi stroked her hair gently, the repetitive motion calming them both. "You're safe, Wanda," she murmured again, her words a quiet mantra.

Wanda didn't answer, but the way she relaxed against Lexi spoke volumes. The weight of her fear, while not gone, felt lighter in Lexi's embrace. Eventually, her breathing deepened, her body finally giving in to the exhaustion she'd been fighting. Lexi stayed awake a little longer, her gaze fixed on the ceiling as she held Wanda close.

At that moment, she made herself a silent promise: whatever it took, she'd protect her.