Can't Ask, Don't Need, Won't Acknowledge

Chapter 23: Maturity Matters

Steve looked over to Nat questionably who answered for him, “You may have one glass with dinner.”

Natasha learnt a long time ago that if you make something taboo it just makes you want it more. Alcohol was a substance that concerned her with Wanda, but she knew hiding it away or banning it would just make it all the more enticing.

“I’m done,” stated Wanda, as she gently placed the pen down next to the sheet of paper filled with words.

Natasha moved away from the stove in order to peruse the document after seeing that it met her approval she responded, “Good Wanda, now why don’t you go get changed out of your uniform? You may as well put on your PJ’s as you will be going straight to bed after dinner.”

“Really Mama?” groaned Wanda.

“Really,” replied Natasha. “You know the rules if you are grounded, early bedtime is in effect.”

“I really wish you would stop reading those parenting books,” stated Wanda dryly.

“Oh no, that’s a Laura Barton special.”

Wanda stood up, “One day you are going to have to tell me some of these stories.”

Natasha laughed as the teenager left the room. Steve walked up behind the woman and wrapped his arms around her waist resting his chin on her shoulder, “I love hearing you laugh.”

“That bodes well for you,” She replied as she sunk back in his grip. “Are you happy Steve?”

“I’m with you and Wanda how could I not be?”

Steve’s words appeased the Black widow, as they both knew they wouldn’t be living this domestic life if it wasn’t for the teenager. They would probably both be out fighting crime, moving from safe house to safe house. Natasha continued to stir the pot of sauce.

“You two are so cute,” stated Wanda as she walked back into the kitchen, now dressed in the Pyjama bottoms and a tank top. She walked over to the oven and put it on before going to retrieve the garlic bread from the fridge.

Steve looked at the teenager, “I was about to do that.”

Wanda snorted in response, “that would require you removing your hand from my Mama’s ass.”

Steve blushed at the words. “Don’t be mean to the fossilised gentleman Wanda, you know he can’t handle your modern jip.”

“Jip?” asked Steve.

“Means she is being a little jerk,” replied Natasha with a smirk. “Can you set the table please Wanda?”

“What did your last slave die of?” responded Wanda with sass.

“Do you want to find out?” stated Natasha without missing a beat. Wanda giggled but retrieved the cutlery and place mats. The group were soon sat down and eating together. Wanda couldn’t help but smile as she glanced over at the two parental figures in her life. She could not ever remember feeling this safe. “Wanda your dinner will get cold, stop staring off into space.”

“Sorry Mama,” replied the witch before digging into the plate. she then lifted up the small glass of wine by her plate and took an experimental sniff before sipping at the dark red liquid. She crunched her face up slightly at the bitterness. “You like this?”