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

Chapter 27: Breakthrough

Wanda shrugged, “not sure, maybe the wheel. I mean a few people are saying the internet…”

She allowed her statement to trail off, but Natasha didn’t take the bait. Wanda paused for a few seconds. “What do you think is Man’s greatest invention?”

Natasha finally looked up from her task. “I know what I think.”

Wanda looked at her incredulously, “Are you going to tell me?”

Natasha smiled at her, “Man’s greatest invention is language.”

Wanda looked at her curiously, “Language?”

“Yes, our ability to communicate is what sets us apart from the other animals on this planet. Communication is what has led to all other major developments and inventions.”

Wanda looked pensive, “I guess you are right, words are powerful. I saw that before…”

She sat lost in her thoughts for a moment, “You ok sweetheart?”

“Yeah, just thinking.”

“Anything you want to share?” asked Natasha gently.

“Just thinking about back home,” replied Wanda.

“You know you can talk to me about anything..” said Natasha, turning to grab the bottle of nail polish again.

“It just makes me nervous, opening up that big can of worms. I can function, why would I risk that?”

“There is a difference between functioning and living Wanda,” explained Natasha softly.

“What’s the point of dwelling in the past? Talking about it won’t change it,” stated Wanda the bitterness evident in her tone.

“I promise you it helps,” replied Natasha lovingly.

“What if you can’t love me anymore when you find out the truth?” Wanda barely whispered it but Natasha heard every word.

Natasha finished painting the last nail on Wanda’s slightly shaking hand. “I will always love you unconditionally.”

Wanda took a deep breath, ‘I’m not a good person though, I’ve done a lot of terrible things not just at Hydra.”

“Why don’t you let me be the judge of that?” asked Natasha watching carefully as Wanda softly blew on her fingernails to dry them.

Wanda continued to look at the back of her hands, “You know sometimes I can still see the blood on my hands.”

Natasha knew better than to interrupt her and let her continue speaking. Wanda never took her eyes off her hands refusing to look up at Natasha’s face.

“I know that’s crazy, but I swear I do. I close my eyes and reopen them and still see the blood. Then I wonder if I’m just imagining it, and whether or not my hands were ever really covered in blood in the first place.”

Natasha grasped Wanda’s hand gently forcing the girl to avert her eyes up so she could see her loving expression.

“The mind is a powerful thing Wanda, sometimes it tries to protect us by shielding own memories from us. It doesn’t mean it didn’t happen.”