THE VAST ORANGE PLAINS surrounded him. Y/N had been here before, it wasn't new territory.
When he slept, he'd dream of this place. It was reoccurring, and he still didn't know what to make of it.
It seemed barren. Dust would flow across the floor and the area would sometimes be shrouded in it.
This time, Y/N kept walking. He hoped he'd see something different this time and maybe he'd get some answers.
Within the cloak of dust, he stumbled upon a house. He recognized it, and immediately ran up to the door to open it. He entered, and examined the familiar looking living room.
It was his house.
The house he lived in with his parents.
"Y/N?" A voice called out from within. Y/N didn't know if it was coming from the kitchen or upstairs.
But he knew the voice. It was his mother.
"Mom?" Y/N called out.
He started walking towards the stairs, but they began to dissipate. The rest of the house was starting to disappear as well, and Y/N started feeling the same grief he felt when he lost his parents.
He just wanted to see them again.
"Mom! Mom!" He kept shouting as his surroundings began to vanish.
Y/N closed his eyes, and then there was darkness.
• • •
Y/N SHOT UP from the bed and began to pant. Sweat ran down his neck and down his chest through his t-shirt. He was looking around the dark room, shafts of moonlight coming through the slants of the blinds.
"Hey...hey...what's wrong?" Y/N heard on his left. He turned, and saw Wanda in her sleepwear giving a worried look. He just remembered that this was her room and had spent the night there.
"I...I'm sorry. It was nothing." Y/N answered.
He didn't really know what to tell her. He still didn't understand what his dreams were about, and he surely didn't want his girlfriend to worry.
"Nothing? Come on, you can tell me." Wanda tried again, putting both hands on his shoulder.
Then again, he couldn't keep things from her. She's a big reason why he didn't lose his mind over what happened two months ago.
He sighed.
"I had that dream again. I don't know what it is...but it's like I'm in a new world. I get that weird feeling."
Wanda listened. She understood how his new powers were going to take some getting used to, but was still curious about what his dreams were about.
"I saw my old house. I heard my mom's voice this time." Y/N shifted so he can face Wanda, "But I didn't get to see her. Everything faded away."
"It could be related to whatever the Soul Stone gave you, but I'm not sure. I wish I can give you a definite answer, my love." Wanda replied.
Y/N smiled at her last two words. It was different to how she would say it before, since Wanda had been learning to hide her Sokovian accent and training with Natasha to be a spy. He did miss that accent.
"Say that again please."
"What?"
"You know."
"I see what you're trying to do."
"Just once, like you used to."
Wanda laughed and turned back around to lay down. "Good night."
Y/N laid back down as well, getting close to Wanda and giving her a kiss on the cheek.
"I'm sorry I woke you."
Wanda turned her head around to face him. "Don't apologize."
They both smiled, and kissed before going back into their slumber.
• • •
TONY STARK LOVED the holidays. Even though he only visited occasionally, he basically made it mandatory for the Avengers Facility be decorated. Something about a happy workplace environment.
Y/N walked through the hallways of the facility on his way to the kitchen, wearing casual attire and holding a bag. Upon entering, he saw Sam Wilson at a table typing into a computer and writing on a notepad.
"Hey, Sam." Y/N walked to the fridge and grabbed a bottle of water. He started walking towards the fellow Avenger. "Whatcha up to?"
Sam still had his eyes fixated on the laptop, "Trying to call the Ghostbusters on your ass."
Sam let out a chuckle as Y/N rolled his eyes. The Avengers knew how his new powers seemed to work, so Sam gave a jab when he could.
"The day the Falcon becomes irrelevant to the Avengers, you should do stand up." Y/N shot back.
"Oooh. Come on, man."
The two laughed, and Sam decided to spill the beans on what he was working on.
"I'm looking for that shrinking dude I ran into those months ago. I think I found him."
"Really?"
"I met this lady at the park a couple days ago, said she might know contacts who know the guy."
Sam showed Y/N his computer screen, detailing information and a picture of a middle-aged Caucasian man.
His name...Scott Lang.
"You did say his name was Scott." Y/N remarked.
"My informant told me that he took down a tech dude who was going to sell some weaponized suit to HYDRA. That was enough for me to get an idea of what this guy's good for." Sam explained.
"And what is that? Kicking your ass?"
"Dealing with bad guys, asshole."
Y/N chuckled, "So you want to recruit him?"
Sam nodded. He was actually impressed with Scott Lang's fighting skills and demeanor when they encountered. He could be a formidable asset to the team.
"All right. You gonna run it by Cap?" Y/N asked.
"When I can. I know he's kind of busy right now trying to track down Rumlow." Sam responded.
Y/N nodded, that was something they were going to have to deal with soon. Before going back to his laptop, he noticed his friend's attire and bag.
"And where you off to?"
"We all got the next couple days off, so I'm gonna go visit my grandma with Wanda."
Sam smiled, "Trip to Chicago with the sweetheart? You should try New Orleans next."
"You really want me to try pig lips do you?"
Sam had been trying to get Y/N to experience his favorite dish from his hometown, Y/N had either been trying to avoid it or brush it off.
"I'm serious. Once you try it, you'll be in love."
Y/N laughed and started walking out of the kitchen, "I'll call you when we land."
Sam nodded, and gave a wave goodbye as his fellow Avenger left the room.