We’re Family

Summary: Set after WandaVision. Someone reaches out to Wanda
Warning(s): Spoilers for Avengers: Endgame; spoilers for WandaVision; references to character death, violence and brainwashing

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Clint didn’t really know what to expect, as he got out of his car and stood just outside the small building Wanda had finally told him was her home. It wasn’t a surprise to him that the place was in a more deserted area, away from any kind of civilisation. Whether or not that was a good thing remained to be seen.

He knew Wanda would be aware of his presence and his approach. He didn’t hide and he didn’t try to be sneaky. Instead, he walked with slow, deliberate steps towards the small building, stood just outside the door and knocked.

It took several moments for him to hear any movement from inside the building. And then the door was opened.

She looked different than she had the last time they’d seen each other. More confident and sure of herself. But her eyes were still dark and heavy with grief. The pain was still there, below the surface; but maybe he could see it so clearly because he shared that same grief.

Clint stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Wanda in a tight embrace.

After a brief hesitation, she raised her own arms and wrapped them tight around him in return. “I’m glad you’re here,” she whispered. “But I don’t feel good about taking you away from your family.”

He pulled back enough to look into her eyes and raised his eyebrows. “Like I told you, Wanda. You’re my family. You aren’t taking me away from anyone.” He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and nodded to the house. “Are you going to invite me in?”

Wanda nodded and took a deep breath, turning and walking back inside the building without pulling away from Clint.

Inside, it was small and homely. Clint looked around, his arm still wrapped around her shoulders, before asking softly, “No one is bothering you here?”

Wanda shrugged, letting her head rest gently against his shoulder. “I think they might all be relieved that I’m not causing the Hex anymore to try and find me. At least at the moment,” she said quietly. “I doubt they’ll let me be in peace for long.”

“So you’re training?”

“Learning control.” She pulled gently away from him and walked over to her fridge. She opened it and took out a can of beer that she passed to him. “If there’s one thing the Hex taught me, it’s how many people I have the power to hurt.” She dropped her voice even lower as she said, “I always knew I could hurt people. But I never realised how large a scale I could do so on.”

Clint took the beer and popped the can, taking a deep swallow before he spoke. “It’s always going to be a risk, Wanda. You’ve taken one step forward in making things right, but not in healing yourself. And that? That is important. It might be a long road, but you need professional help.”

“I don’t know who I can trust,” she admitted quietly.

“You trust me, don’t you?” When she nodded, he continued, “Let me help you. I might not have any powers, but I’ve been a part of the Avengers. I’ve been around superpowered people. And I’ve been around superpowered people with emotional baggage and wounds.” He paused before saying, “Which means I know people with experience in talking to those of us with those kinds of wounds.”

“Us?” Wanda repeated.

“I didn’t react in a healthy way after half of the world’s population was snapped away. And no. I’m not going to tell you how I reacted,” Clint added. “But believe me when I say I’m not a stranger to handling things badly. You need to speak to a professional, Wanda.”

Wanda looked down and then slowly raised her eyes to his face. “And I suppose you have an idea of who I can talk to?”

“I have several.” Clint grinned at her. “Why don’t you show me around and then I can give you the list of people I know and we can look at them together?”

The End