Summers' Purpose

Chapter 28 (part 1)

"Hang on, I'm coming with."

"You too?" Steve asked, wishing Natasha a good night as she left. After watching Natasha go after Y/n, Wanda couldn't concentrate on the movie anymore, leaving to go to her room.

.

Wanda and Y/n met as promised at the combat training room by noon. Their greetings were awkward, both not knowing what lines they can cross or should keep away from. Wanda decided to focus on the training for the time being, seeing how Y/n was trying hard to do so as well.

"Okay, so today we're learning attack and defense," Wanda said, tapping on the tablet as a few targets appeared and moved around the room. "How's your aim so far? Can you shoot these down?"

Y/n got ready, shooting beams at some of them while crushing the rest. Wanda was impressed, smiling brightly at her. "Wow! Good job Y/n, you've really improved!"

"Thanks, figured firearms training would help, as you mentioned. Got Nat to give me some pointers with that as well," Y/n said, looking encouraged by her performance today.

Wanda nodded slowly at her reply. "Oh, that's good... Good to hear that. Now, have you tried hitting bigger targets?" Wanda tapped the tablet bringing up more targets. She decided to blow off some steam, easily destroying them one by one. Y/n noticed the change in Wanda's mood. "Now, you try."

Y/n ignored what she felt, trying her best. She managed to hit them as well, feeling pleased with herself. "Good job," Wanda said. "Do the same, but with these now." Her finger tapped on the tablet once more, bringing up smaller and faster targets that flew across the large room. Y/n did as she was told, managing to hit most of them. "Good," Wanda said again, "I guess your training with Nat was more effective," she tried to joke, her red wisps taking down the remaining targets.

"What? No, no it's not—I didn't mean it like that," Y/n tried to explain.

"It's okay, that's a good thing. You're learning, that's what matters right now, right? Okay, let's go to defense. Do you know how to conjure up a shield yet?"

Y/n looked at the floor quietly, going along with Wanda for now. She felt bad that she was making her feel that way, kicking herself internally for not being able to explain better. "Not really. Kinda need you to train with, when it comes to that," she said sullenly.

"Glad I'm useful for something." Wanda tried to joke again, laughing drily. "You do know that you can always look for me too if you need me, right?" Wanda asked. Why does this matter bother me this much? I should relax. She fidgeted with her rings, trying to calm down.

"I know. It's just difficult to do when you're always occupied with--"

"With what?" Wanda asked, her head tilted sideways as she observed Y/n's face closely.

Y/n paused, deciding to shrug it off. "Nothing. Anyway, shields. Can't always attack right? Gotta know when to step back, protect yourself too once in a while. So, what do I do?"

Wanda sighed quietly. "Same thing with your attacks, but just picture yourself building a wall between you and your opponent. This time, it's important to hold it in place. Lose focus and you'll end up hurt."

Y/n tried conjuring up her blue mist. Her jaws clenched as she tried to push the energy into shape, focusing hard to hold it in place. "Like this?"

"Yes, that's good. Now, hold it. Defend yourself against these," Wanda said, tapping the tablet again as a pitching machine appeared. Y/n looked at it confusedly, Wanda warning her before a ball flew in her direction. "Focus, Y/n!"

Y/n watched as the ball flew directly to her face, her natural instinct taking over as she ducked. She looked at Wanda, who looked equally shocked. "It's okay, let's try again," Y/n said. She watched as another ball flew at her while she tried hard to hold the shield. Her focus broke at the last moment, and the ball flew past her ear. "Again," she said as she tried, finally able to block the ball a few times after that. She smiled happily at her successful attempts.

"Your focus has improved as well, I'm happy to see that," Wanda smiled genuinely at her.

"Well, I know I'm being repetitive, but Nat helped with that too if I'm honest," Y/n replied innocently as Wanda's smile faltered a bit. "If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't be focusing on what's important. My mind would still be busy with useless things." Y/n had meant how Natasha helped worked with her on her self-confidence and self-worth, but Wanda misinterpreted it.

"What do you mean?" Wanda looked at Y/n, hurt clearly on her face by now.

"Huh? I meant—"

"I think maybe you'll do better training with her more often," Wanda blurted, turning away to hide her face. Tears threatened to fall. Fuck, not now, she thought, tapping the tablet to store the targets away.

"Why? So, you'll have more time to spend with Vision? I'm sorry I stole you away from him this afternoon." Sarcasm dripped heavily from Y/n's voice. Her emotions finally got the best of her when she felt how annoyed Wanda was. If she doesn't want to do this, then why is she even here?!

"What?!" Wanda turned to Y/n. Y/n was staring back at her, her eyes unreadable.

"Nothing. Let's go again." Y/n got ready, focusing on her shield.

Wanda could hear Y/n's thoughts. She couldn't point out what she was thinking about exactly, seeing how loud and messy her mind was right now. But she could tell how bothered Y/n was with everything. "No. No, this isn't 'nothing'. Tell me what's bothering you. Talk to me," Wanda asked, still trying to reach out to Y/n.

Y/n just looked back at Wanda; her face clearly distressed at this point. Wanda heard her thoughts loud and clear this time. I don't want to ruin things. This whole thing is stupid, for God's sake. I can't say anything yet, there's no saying that she'll understand.

Hearing those words from Y/n hurt Wanda more than she thought. She spoke quietly when Y/n still remained silent. "Maybe you'd rather tell Nat? You're quite close to her as well, right?"

"What?! Wanda, just let it go."

"Me, let it go? Why does it sound like you're making this whole thing my fault, Y/n?"

Y/n got angry, the blue mist gathering around her fist again. It's not Wanda's fault, she knows that. This whole situation itself was what's making her feel horrible. Angry. Confused. Jealous? Y/n couldn't care what she was feeling now, choosing to focus on composing herself before she accidentally does something she'll regret.

"Anyway, what's it to you if I spent some time with Vision? He's nice to me and he actually cares," Wanda said, her own anger finally taking over. She heard Y/n thoughts, begging her to stop talking. "What, don't tell me I can't talk about Vis just as much as you talk about Nat?"

That was almost the last straw as Y/n tried her best to ignore what Wanda said, even if it really hurts. "Wanda. Stop. Please," Y/n said gritting her teeth. She could feel the heat growing in her chest.

"Or what?" Wanda challenged; her eyes red as her red wisps surrounded one of the larger metal storage boxes, lifting it in the air.

"Just stop, Wanda," Y/n tried to reason as she watched the box come closer. She won't do it. Wanda would never hurt me, she thought.

"Fine." Wanda slammed the box on the ground hard between them, forgetting that it wasn't locked as the contents of the box flew out. Y/n barely managed to shield herself when she felt something sharp and heavy graze her left arm. She looked to check when she felt warm liquid trickling down her arm, seeing a long wound already bleeding.

"What the fuck, Wanda? That's uncalled for, you're not supposed to go full power!"

"Full power? I wasn't even trying!" Wanda replied angrily, still not realizing Y/n's injury.

"What do you mean by that? Were you actually trying to hurt me?" Y/n's anger rose again, shooting a warning beam at Wanda. They looked at each other, both angry but also wanting to stop. This wasn't how it was supposed to be. It was supposed to be easy between them, as easy as the connection they made when they first talked. The air was thick with tension, both wishing that the other would help break apart for their sake.