Wandas POV

It's been a few weeks since the firehouse.

I've had quite a few missions to go on, nothing too crazy or big, but enough to keep me busy. Not that I haven't been volunteering.

I was somehow lucky enough to work with Alex at least once a week and we'd talk when we could. There was some pretty big fires that absolutely destroyed some buildings.

It's soul crushing seeing the families watch their homes fall apart.

I know what that feels like. It sucks the life out of you and leaves you empty, never sure what could replace everything you lost. Not sure how to move forward. Lucky to have anyone at all.

So I did as much as I could to help them, trying to console them or get them anything they needed; blankets water; whatever I could.

And I still felt so helpless.

Alex was clearly pained through it all, too.

Not that anyone was happy about it, the whole mood afterwards was very solemn.

She seemed to take it particularly hard, however. She was pushing herself beyond capacity.

But no one could stop her.

Then the next day she'd be happy again, so I'm told by Max.

And when I saw her a few days later, she seemed completely unbothered, like it didn't even happen. And I know in this job you can't hold on to things like that because it will tear you down. You have to be able to do the next job and the next and the next, all of which have people depending on you.

But.. I don't know. It just seemed off.

Speaking of her mood, Max and her entire crew were very happy to have their lieutenant back to her usual happy self.

Max even offered to buy me a drink for bringing her back out of the fortress she built.

But did I? Really, though? Because I know she seems happy, she's putting up a good front, but we didn't really get a chance to talk about anything. Whatever she was going through after Yelena is still buried.

And maybe that's how she handles things, but it isn't healthy. Something will break that open and a flood will come crashing out.

I also can't make her talk, though.

So she's back to her jovial self, giving orders as someone with authority, instead of like a drill sergeant ready to snap your head off.

And I guess that will have to be good enough for now.

Although I do hope to get her to talk about it all at some point, I don't want to push it.

Yeah.. we still have our friendship. We still talk the entire time we work together, joking around when we can. I was actually invited back to the fire house for a proper meal since they only had turkey and bread last time.

Max cooked, though. I guess Alex does cook.. but it's certainly nothing like Spencer would make.

Not that I'm comparing. It's just so you get her level of cooking skills.

I don't mind, I like cooking anyway.

She still kept up her same appearance. Seemingly nothing was wrong and nothing happened.

And for now, I had to be okay with that.

But at the same time, she kept her distance from me.

I know it doesn't make sense because I literally just said we talk and work together.

But.

There's less.. flirting with me. At least not like she used to. There's no grabbing my hand, winking as she walks by, or a hug that last a little longer than normal.

Ever since that almost kiss in the fire truck.

And I don't get why.

"Hey, Maximoff," Alex says into my ear as she wraps her arm around my shoulders.

Okay. I guess forget everything I just said.

"Uh, hey. What's up with you?" I joke.

Scrunching her brows, "what do you mean?" She took that a little more serious than I thought she would.

I guess I'll be honest, "Well, you've been a little .. distant. And now you're calling me Maximoff and wrapping your arm around me?" I'm smiling, but hers vanishes.

"Oh, sorry." Then she removes her arm and I want to kick myself. "Um, anyway.. Max is having a little get together at her house tonight. Wanted to know if you wanted to go with me? You were already invited, of course, but I figured we could go together?"

She's back to playing with the rings on her fingers.

Her behavior is confusing the fuck out of me. I guess that's not unusual. But.. it is.

Her eyes. They always give her away. Those baby blues looking sincere and hopeful, I know she really wants me to go with her.

"Of course. I'd love to."

Her smile is back, "perfect, I'll pick you up around 7?"

"I'll be ready."

"Great. See you then, Wanda," oof. The first name again. But, before she walks away, she kisses the top of my head.

What the fuck.

—————-

It's like ten minutes to 7 and I'm sitting here waiting for Alex to pick me up. Don't worry, she already said she's on her way.

And thankfully most of the group is on missions or elsewhere so I don't have to be interrogated about where I'm going or with whom.

There's a knock on the door and I'm sprinting over to open it, stepping out and pushing Alex back as I do.

Then her adorable laugh, "I take it you're ready to go?"

"Sure am!" Tone it down, Wanda. But she's still laughing and I'm more than okay with that.

Max lives surprisingly close to the compound. Not that it's actually close because nothing really is. Sometimes it feels like we're a million miles from everyone.

Alex jumped out of the car and had my door open before I could even blink.

There goes my heart, taking off at the contact with her skin.

She doesn't knock, automatically walks out back to a gate and opening it up.

"There she is! Lieutenant, we are truly blessed by your presence," Liz bows. Clearly they've been here a little while and started without us.

"As you should be," Alex messes with her.

"Here! You can't be back here without a drink in your hand!" Max, the incredible host that she is, already has drinks for us.

We both take the drinks, Alex taking a sip right away, "Max. You and your incredible bartender skills. It's dangerous."

"Thats the point there, Blue," and we're following her over to a whole table of food and I can't help but wonder how they had all of this prepared so quickly.

Instead of saying that, "it all looks delicious!"

"Well, help yourselves. There's plenty. Besides, the boys will be coming back for seconds soon." Then she leans in closer to me whispering, "Alex will also take a few turns up here, so don't be shy."

"What did you just whisper to her?" Alex asks accusingly.

"Nothing for your pretty little head to worry about," she actually pats Alex's head as she walks by.

Alex shakes her head but grabs a plate, handing one to me. I quickly fill my plate, realizing I will want to come back for more as well.

We sit down next to Andrew and Max.

"Great work out there, Wanda. You're really becoming one of the team," Andrew says bumping my shoulder.

"Please, you guys are the real stars. I'm just the clean up crew. And I'm more than okay with it."

"Well, you make our job a hell of a lot easier afterwards. Clean up can be a bitch," Liz jokes, sitting next to us.

"You aren't kidding. It's the worst," Andrew agrees.

"Okay, enough chatting, more drinking," somehow Max had gotten up and grabbed us all a round of shots, encouraging everyone to grab one.

They don't hesitate.

I can't exactly say no.

What's one shot?

—————

It wasn't just one shot. They kept going. I don't even know how any of them are standing anymore.

They only ones capable of appreciating the bon fire Max started (I know, ironic isn't it? That the fire fighters start a fire. But I feel they're the most qualified) are myself, Alex, and Max herself.

Most people are cuddled up in chairs, a few even laying on the ground.

Alex is currently making me a s'more. Okay it might be like my third s'more. But she's had four.

No judgement.

I don't get to have these that often.

"Okay, you have your cracker and chocolate ready?"

"Sure do," I hold them out so she can place the marshmallow on it. I then help her with hers. It's a partnership.

"Ok, there you go," she takes a bite of hers.

"Thank you," then I dive in, loving the gooey sweetness.

"You are welcome. Watching you destroy that s'more and the smirk you have after is more than worth it."

And there goes the flirting again. It's effective, though.

Thankfully I still have a mouthful of food, so I don't have to try to come up with something to say.

I go to finish the dessert, but somehow I drop it instead. So disappointing.

She's laughing at me.

"What?" I assume she's laughing at my misery.

"You just.. you've got a little.. marshmallow," she says in between fits of laughter.

"Well, where?" I start to wipe my face.

"Nope. Not there," I narrow my eyes at her, she leans closer talking softly, "it's right.. there."

She wipes it off for me, and there's that spark.

It just needs more fuel.

"Since you didn't get to eat all of your s'more, you can have the rest of mine," she still speaks in that gentle tone.

"Um, thank you. You don't want it?"

"I'd rather you have it, you get more joy out of it," she smiles and reaches her s'more out to me.

And..

I just..

I can't help myself. I don't know what comes over me and I can't stop it.

Instead of taking it from her like a normal person, I lean forward and take it between my teeth, slowly pulling it off her fingers.

There's some fuel for you.

She gulps, staring at my lips as I chew the sandwich.

Then abruptly stands up, stepping away from me, hands moving around as she talks, "um.. you want a drink? Or uh.. some fruit.. or.. there might be dip left.."

What the hell?

What am I missing here?

"Really?"