For the rest of the week, Wanda and Claire were in a state of undisturbed bliss. They spent every spare minute together, enjoying the peace that came with being with each other. The rest of the team was ecstatic and relieved that the tension between the two young women had died, though they were unaware of the reason behind it. Wanda was pretty adamant about taking things slow, and to her surprise, Clare agreed to hold off on telling the gang the nature of their relationship (though she was sure Steve would pitch a fit for not disclosing it with him at least).

The late August Friday afternoon ticked by slowly as the two sat in Wanda's room, lying curled up in her reading nook and staring out the window as the soft rain splattered against the glass. Wanda held Claire who laid in her lap, resting her head on Wanda's chest, listening to the soft thumping of her heart. Wanda leaned her head against the white window frame, smiling contently.

"Wanda?" Claire asked pulling Wanda's focus from the rain, though she still kept staring. She let out a small hum, letting Claire know she was listening.

"What do you say we go on a little vacation?" Wanda lifted her head off the window frame and looked down at Claire.

"What kind of vacation?"

"Well, Bucky got out of cryo a couple of weeks ago, and I since the last time I saw him was in Germany, I wanted to go visit him in Wakanda, and...I wanted to see if you wanted to come with me since you're...like my...girlfriend?" Claire hesitated, not knowing how to phrase it. They were dating, on a technicality, but Claire wasn't sure if that made Wanda her girlfriend. She hoped she wasn't forward too fast making Wanda uncomfortable, and her heart beat faster as she mentally kicked herself when Wanda didn't answer for a short minute.

Wanda's smile grew, aching just a little bit, and her cheeks turned a light pink. They hadn't discussed labels before this, and she wasn't sure how fast the relationship would progress if they labeled themselves as girlfriends, but hearing Claire say it out loud; that Wanda was her girlfriend, made her incredibly elated.

"Of course, we don't have to go and we don't have to label anything if it's too fast and I'm sorry if I pushed too hard I didn't mean to—"

"Claire," Wanda said, snapping Claire out of her almost incoherent rambling and she craned her neck down to place a kiss on Claire's head. Her smile was still bright as she pulled away and said, "I'd love to go to Wakanda with you." Claire smiled and sat up, turning her body to face Wanda before pulling her into a hug. "And...I'm honored to be your girlfriend."

○○○

"You sure you don't want to come?" Claire asked as she pulled out Steve's embrace. Steve gave her a sad smile, patted her shoulder and sighed. He really did want to go, but it was safer for the girls if he didn't.

"Yeah, I'm sure," he lied. "Just call when you get there so we don't have to worry." Claire frowned and embraced the Captain again.

"I'll tell him you said hi."

"Why don't you tell him yourself," Sam said as he strolled out of the safehouse with two large duffle bags slung over his shoulders. As he got closer, he took one of the bags from his shoulder and tossed it at Steve, who caught it looking surprised. "You forgot that."

"Sam, what are you doing?"

"What? I'm going too."

"I didn't know you cared for Bucky," Steve said as he dropped the bag at his feet and folded his arms across his broad chest. Sam placed his bad down too and took the pair of dark sunglasses from the collar of his shirt and put them on.

"Oh, I'm not going for Bicky. I heard that Wakanda is beautiful and relaxing, and after everything I've been through, I think I deserve a little relaxing." Claire laughed at Bucky's stupid nickname. Sam heard her say it one time when they were stuck together in Steve's stupid blue beetle and he hasn't let it go.

"Hey Wilson, only I'm allowed to call him 'Bicky'. I alone have earned that right. Find your own nickname," Claire said stepping away from Steve and walking towards Sam. Wanda sighed and shook her head. This is my girlfriend. A literal child.

"Listen Stowell, I don't want to have to fight a child, but I will. I don't care if you earned the right to call him 'Bicky' because I'm exercising my right to take 'Bicky' as mine. You go find something else." Claire growled and stepped closer to Sam, crossing her arms. Wanda walked up behind her and laid a hand on her shoulder, grasping it and dragging her away.

"Come on, Claire. It's not worth it."

"Yeah, walk away, Stowell. Not like you could've taken me anyway," Sam said smirking as Claire and Wanda walked away. Wanda sighed, letting her head fall forward dramatically as Claire stopped and turned back to face him, her eyes a bright purple. Sam's eyes widened and the smirk disappeared. She heard him swallow hard, a smirk of her own appearing on her face.

"What was that, Wilson? I couldn't hear you." Her voice was deep and low, piercing Sam's core. He shivered as the resonance trailed down his spine.

"I said 'Bicky' is yours."
"Thank you," she said, her eyes and voice returning to normal. She turned back around and followed Wanda to the Quinjet, mentally high-fiving her wolf and biting her lip to keep from laughing as Wanda shot her a disapproving glare, though she could see the amused smile that fought to grace her lips.

○○○

The flight to Wakanda was relatively quick since Wanda and Claire spent the time talking quietly to each other, listening to music, and watching episodes of Friends on Claire's phone. Personally, Wanda wasn't a fan and didn't find the sitcom funny, but she endured it knowing that Claire liked it. Instead, Wanda watched Claire as she became engrossed in the show. Her nose scrunched up as she giggled at one of Joey's antics. Wanda leaned over and placed her head against Claire's shoulder and closed her eyes, enjoying the sweet sound of Claire's giggle.

Steve looked over at the two and smiled. Sam followed his gaze and lightly hit Steve's arm, nodding in their direction.

"Seems they made up," he whispered. Steve nodded his head.

"Yeah, seems like it."

"You know what happened?" Steve shrugged and frowned.

"Nope. You?"

"Nada," Sam said, turning away from the girls. "But whatever happened, something's different now."

"Different how?"

"Well, look at them; they seem happier. And they've practically been inseparable. Whatever happened, it changed them for the better." Steve smiled and turned his eyes towards them again but flinched a little when he met Claire's purple eyes staring back at them. She took out her head phones and placed them and her phone on the seat next to her. She folded her arms and raised an eyebrow at Steve and Sam.

"You guys don't know how to mind your own business do you?" Her voice was soft and low, but loud enough for them to hear her.

"Claire we weren't saying anything bad, it's just—" Claire cut Steve off, shushing him and gestured over to Wanda sleeping soundly against her shoulder. Steve nodded in understanding and lowered his voice. "We're just glad you two worked things out. We were all worried about you two."

Claire nodded her head, understanding the Captain's words and leaned her head back against the wall, the low hum of the jet relaxing her and lulling her into a comfortable sleep.

She wasn't sure how long she slept, but a soft poking in her shoulder pulled her from her sleep. Opening her tired purple eyes, Claire looked to her left to see the familiar smug face of Sam staring down at her. He was holding his duffle bag over his shoulder in one hand and hers and Wanda's in the other.

"Good morning Sleeping Beauty," he said smiling brightly.

"Sam, I swear to God you better have a good reason for waking me up," Claire threatened as she sat up straighter, stretching her back. She felt Wanda stir from the movement before she heard her soft tired voice.

"What's going on?"

"I hope this is good enough for you; we're here." Sam tossed the bags onto her lap before chuckling and walking away off the jet. Claire took the bags and stood up, stretching again before she reached a hand out to Wanda, who took it and smiled. Claire passed Wanda her bag and the two of them walked off the jet and onto a platform in front of the palace. Before them stood the King of Wakanda, T'Challa and a younger woman who smiled warmly at them, and the king's guard.

Once they were all off the jet, Steve walked forward and shook T'Challa's hand.

"Thank you for doing this; all of it. It means a lot to me," he said. T'Challa smiled and patted Steve on the shoulder.

"Of course, Captain. Wakanda was happy to help." Steve turned towards the rest of the team and gestured to T'Challa.

"I'm sure you all remember T'Challa." Sam and Claire nodded their heads, remembering their encounters.

"Your highness," Claire said in respect as Sam gave a nod of acknowledgement. Steve turned back to the young king.

"I'm not sure if you know Wanda," he said, gesturing to the brunette. T'Challa shook his head and walked over to her, holding out his hand.

"I don't believe I've had the pleasure," he said. Wanda took his hand and shook it, sending him a small smirk.

"I'm sure you'd know me if you saw me," she said, summoning her red magic around their hands, the red mist twirling up and around T'Challa's arm. She saw the guards start to move towards them, but stopped when T'Challa raised his hand, insisting that she wasn't harming him.

"Ah, the Scarlet Witch," he murmured as the mist disappeared. "I have heard about you in Lagos."

"Please allow me to apologize. I didn't mean—" T'Challa held up his hand, stopping her.

"It is alright. I understand that it was not your intention." He turned away from her and looked at the others. "I'm sure you're all in a hurry to rest after your flight. If you would follow me." T'Challa moved to lead the small band of heroes to their rooms when the younger woman spoke up, stopping him.

"Maybe you'd like to introduce me first, brother," she said, smirking at him. She walked over towards the small team, hand out-stretched, and before T'Challa could introduce her, she said, "My name is Shuri, scientific genius." T'Challa playfully glared at her as she shook hands with each one of them.

"Scientific genius, eh? So, what? You're as smart as Tony Stark or Bruce Banner?" Claire asked as she shook Shuri's hand. Shuri laughed hard holding her stomach.

"Please, I am smarter than those stupid white boys." Claire smiled and looked over at Wanda.

"I like her." Wanda rolled her eyes and smiled back.

○○○

Claire pulled the curtains back, opening the room up to the beautiful landscape of Wakanda. The bright yellow sunlight streamed into the room, bathing it in its soft glow. She sighed as she looked out over the inner city filled with marketplaces and other buildings and towards the mountains and fields. Wanda walked up behind her and wrapped her arms around Claire's waist and laid her chin on her shoulder, staring out at its beauty.

"It's beautiful," Claire murmured leaning back into Wanda's embrace. Wanda nodded her head.

"Not as beautiful as you," she whispered in her ear. Wanda shivered as she felt Claire vibrate slightly as she laughed. Claire turned around in Wanda's arms and draped her arms around Wanda's neck.

"You're so cheesy," she giggled, blushing a little bit. Wanda chuckled and kissed her forehead. Claire pulled her close, resting her head against Wanda's and looked into her eyes. A smile soon appeared on both of their faces as Claire lovingly kissed Wanda. The kiss was short, but sweet, leaving both of them blushing. Pulling away, Claire cleared her throat, all of sudden filled with an incredible sense of nervousness. Wanda tensed at Claire's sudden change in mood but looked at her with concern. Claire stepped to her side and walked behind her, pacing a little as she started to bite at her fingernails.

"Wanda, there's something I want to talk to you about," she said, feeling her seemingly strong voice waver as the anxiety rocked her. Wanda stood waiting, feeling patient, for Claire to finish her thought. "I know you said you wanted us to go slow, and I respect that, but one of the reasons that I wanted to come here was so I could...introduce you to Bucky. As my girlfriend. I understand if that's too fast for you, and I'm sorry, but...after everything Bucky did for me, I wanted him to be the first person we told."

Wanda smiled and pulled the redhead into a hug, running her fingers through her curly hair.

"I don't mind telling Bucky, but I just want you to know, that he won't be the first person who knows. Jemma already knows about us," Wanda laughed as she heard Claire sigh in relief.

"She doesn't count, we didn't tell her. She just assumed," Claire said laughing too. She sighed, relaxing in Wanda's soft embrace and buried her head in her brown hair. "You're the best. You know that?"

"I do now." Wanda trailed her hand up and down Claire's back, hearing her giggle in response.

A loud knock on their room door startled them, causing them to suddenly pull away from each other, their faces turning a deep red. Steve and Sam's head peaked into the room before they opened it wider, letting themselves in.

"Hey, we just wanted to see when you guys were planning on seeing Bicky," Sam said. Steve sighed and rolled his eyes; Wanda and Claire smiled.

"We were planning on going now, right?" Wanda asked, looking at Claire for confirmation. Claire nodded, looking at Steve.

"Okay. Do you mind if we come with you?" Steve asked, his hands in the pockets of his jeans. Claire shifted her weight to her left foot and nibbled on her bottom lip, feeling nervous again.

"Actually, Steve, there's something that I need to tell Bucky and I would rather if we had some time alone. I hope you don't mind." Claire tensed as she saw Steve's face drop a little before he gave her a small smile.

"No, no. It's fine. You go. Don't worry about it." Claire nodded and walked towards the door, Wanda following behind her.

T'Challa led the two women through the African city and into the countryside, past many farms and tribes. The anxiety crept up on Claire the closer they got to small hut by the side of a small lake. She worried how Bucky would react; he seemed happy for her when she told him how she felt about Wanda or at the very least indifferent, but this was different. They were dating now, which is completely different than her liking someone. She was worried that even if he was happy she was dating, he wouldn't like or approve of Wanda (not that wanted or needed his approval, but it would be nice to have since he was like a brother to her).

Wanda, sensing her discomfort, discreetly grabbed her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. Claire smiled a little, though it did nothing to ease her nerves. Her heart pounded against the walls of her chest with each step forward, carrying her closer and closer to the small stone hut. Bucky walked out, wearing a Wakandan red robe with a blue sash tied around his neck covering his missing arm. His hair was longer than Claire remembered it and his beard grew thicker. He walked through the grass to a small gated corral with a tiny herd of goats. Opening the gate, he stepped in, the flock instantly bounding over to him.

He chuckled as he grabbed a burlap sack from one of the posts and walked into the center of the corral. The goats baaed in various volumes, pining for his attention.

"Oh yeah? That's interesting," Bucky said, talking to the goats. "Well, if you would just wait, then you'll get your food. Hold on a second." He took the sack and dumped some feed into the trough. The goats ran over and dug in, making a small mess as the feed fell out of their mouths and into the grass. Bucky placed the burlap sack back around the gate post and walked through the gate, leaving the corral. He stopped when he heard the growing footsteps of the group.

He looked up in their direction, meeting Claire's eyes as they got closer. She turned her face away from Bucky and looked into the grass. Her heart beat louder and louder, echoing and radiating through her chest and the rest of her body, making her think the goats could hear it from their little corral. Wanda's grip on her hand tightened, feeling her anxiety roll off her in a monumental wave. Wanda stopped walking, gently pulling at Claire, stopping her too. She leaned close to her, her lips grazing her ear.

"It's alright. Try to calm down," she whispered, sending her a reassuring smile before she continued walking, catching up with T'Challa.

Bucky walked in their direction, closing the distance between them, stopping when they were only a couple of feet apart. He smiled when he saw Claire and held out his arm, opening himself up to hug her. She returned his smile and walked forward, wrapping her arms around his torso and pressing her head against his strong chest. He chuckled as he used his one arm to pat her on the back.

"It's good to see you, Claire," Bucky said as Claire pulled away from him.

"It's good to see you too, Buck." Claire smiled as T'Challa and Wanda stood back.

"Well, I'll leave you all to talk," T'Challa said as he started to walk back. Wanda thanked him as he left and turned back to watch Claire and Bucky.

Bucky and Claire walked back towards Wanda, stopping in front of her. Claire stepped to the side, standing between Wanda and Bucky and looked between them. She raised her hand, gesturing to Wanda while looking at Bucky.

"This is Wanda," she said as Wanda smiled and stepped closer, holding out her hand. He reciprocated, grabbing her hand and giving it a slight squeeze, shook it as he flashed her a warm smile.

"Hey. I remember you from Germany," he said.

"Yeah. It's nice to actually meet you, and not in a fight," Wanda said letting go of his hand. Bucky chuckled and placed his hand on his hip.

"So, what brings you guys here?" Bucky asked, looking over at Claire.

"You, actually. We came to see you."

"Me? Why?"

"Do I have to have a reason to want to see my best friend?" Claire asked, pouting playfully, earning a chuckle from Bucky as he pulled her back into him for another hug.

"Of course you don't need a reason. I'm glad you're here. I missed you." He kissed the top of her head as she pulled away.

"I missed you too, Bicky."

"Come on. We can catch up inside," he said as he nodded his head towards his hut, leading the way. They followed close behind him. Entering the hut, Bucky grabbed three cups and a pitcher and poured some water into one of the cups. "You guys want some water?"

The two of them shook their heads, and Bucky grabbed his cup and took a seat on the mat on the floor. Placing the cup on the floor, he gestured to the mat. Wanda and Claire followed his move and sat on the mat next to each other, facing Bucky. He picked up his cup and took a sip, his eyes not leaving theirs. They were quiet for a few moments, neither one not really sure what to say.

"So...what's up?" Bucky asked, finishing his water. Claire shifted uncomfortably, feeling the suffocating anxiety once more. It was now or never. Claire took a deep breath and looked at Bucky.

"There's...something I need to tell you," she said. She was grateful that she was sitting cross-legged otherwise she would be bouncing her foot, displaying how nervous she was. Bucky widened his eyes as if he was telling her to continue. "Wanda and I...are dating." She breathed out; a sense of relief filling a small part of her. She was glad that she got it out, but she was still worried about how Bucky would react. Bucky was quiet; he moved his eyes quickly between the two women in front of him.

"Say something," Claire said, her voice cracking as she started fearing the worse. Wanda grabbed onto her hand, running her thumb across the top of her hand and interlocking their fingers. She gulped and couldn't help herself as she slipped into Bucky's head, reading his thoughts. Bucky turned his gaze to her and stared into her eyes, his brows furrowing ever so slightly. He could sense her in there, picking through every nook and cranny of his brain, searching for some sort of giveaway to what he was thinking; but he wasn't new to this mind game and had built up mental defenses. He hid behind his mental walls, watching as the scarlet intruder filtered through his mind, ignoring the walls.

He smirked at her as her green eyes changed to a deep scarlet as she pushed her magic.

"That's not gonna work on my," he said chuckling. Wanda's eyes changed back to their normal color and he felt the magic slither out of his mind. "I don't know what you want me to say, Claire Bear." He looked at Claire, shrugging.

"Don't know what to say? Tell me if it's okay with you," Claire said, her voice getting loud and her eyes changing to a lighter shade. Wanda gripped her hand tighter and moved closer to rest her chin on Claire's shoulder.

"Steady," she whispered. Claire ignored her and stood up and stared at Bucky, ripping her hand from Wanda's. Her eyes flashed various shades of purple as she wrestled with her wolf to control her growing anger and anxiety. Bucky stood up too, completely relaxed and unphased by Claire's temper. Wanda too stood and took a couple steps back, preparing herself in case Claire accidentally shifted.

"Why do you need my approval?" Bucky's calm voice asked her. Her nostrils flared at his question.

"I don't need your approval. I'm adult and am free to date whoever I want."

"Then why do you want me to say it's okay?" Claire's eyes flashed once more before settling to their normal shade, tears forming as she looked at Bucky's face. Memories of the two of them sitting in their apartment eating pizza, laughing, and watching TV came to the forefront of her mind. She remembered him acting more like a family to her in the short time that they're known each other than her real family had for 16 years of her life. She remembered how Bucky alone was there for her, sitting with her through every mental breakdown and panic attack she had after her escape from Strucker. She remembered when Bucky almost killed the men that probably would've raped her and left her for dead in the streets, not knowing who she was. She remembered that before Wanda, Bucky was the only one who saw her as a person instead of a monster or a weapon. She remembered how Bucky meant the world to her, and after everything they've been through, she didn't want to risk the possibility of losing him. She didn't want to have to choose between him and Wanda; an impossible choice.

Claire blinked back the tears, refusing to let them fall, her heart aching in embarrassment, though she knew Bucky had seen her in far worse shape. She took a shaky breath as she steadied herself before bringing her eyes back to his striking blue ones.

"You're my only family, Buck. You're like a brother to me—no, strike that—you are my brother, and I want you to say that me being with Wanda is okay because I can't stand to lose you too. I lost my family when Strucker kidnapped me. When I escaped, I thought that there was nothing left for me in this world. Then you saved my life and I met you. You've helped me through every panic attack, every meltdown, every existential crisis, every depressive episode. I'm asking if this is okay because I want nothing more than to make you proud, and it would mean the world to me if my brother liked my girlfriend." She sighed before she continued. "I don't need your approval, Bucky because no matter what you say, I'm still gonna be with Wanda, but...hearing you approve my first relationship would make me happy."

Bucky remained silent, pondering the redhead's words. He never knew she felt this way about him, despite their close relationship. A bright and joyous smile crept onto his face as he walked forward and wrapped his arm around Claire causing her to wrap her arms around him in return. At that moment, the dam burst, and Claire couldn't hold back the tears anymore. She shoved her face into the middle of his chest, her tears staining the fabric of the robe. He held her as she cried, occasionally patting her back and rubbing soothing circles to help her calm down. Before he knew it, Claire stopped crying and pulled away from him, wiping away her tears.

"Claire...there is nothing, and I mean this, nothing that you can do that will turn me away. I love you, and I'm so glad that you found someone for you to love and who will love you in return." Claire smiled at him, and Bucky returned it and turned his attention to Wanda who was standing a couple of paces off to the side. Bucky walked away from Claire and over to stand in front of Wanda. "And you: if I find out that you hurt her..."

"I'm sure she'll take care of it for you," Wanda said smirking and sending a wink to Claire who snorted a laugh. Bucky's smile grew and he turned to face Claire.

He smirked and stuck his thumb out, pointing at Wanda and said, "I like her."

Claire squealed in happiness as she skipped over to Wanda, pulling her into a bone-crushing hug, catching the Scarlet Witch off guard. Wanda let out a surprised squeal as Claire tackled her, but soon giggled at her and wrapped her arms around her. When Claire pulled away, she planted a kiss on Wanda's cheek which turned a dark pink.

"Am I the first to know?" Bucky asked as he chuckled at them.

"Technically no, but you're the first that we've told," Wanda said as she snaked her arm around Claire's waist. Bucky nodded in understanding.

"Thank you; both of you. For telling me. I'mhonored to be one of the first people who know."