😢

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It was officially Christmas Eve but no one had been in much of a partymood since the break in. Especially Y/N. She had gone into her lab the morning after to thoroughly assess the damage. Papers were missing, someone had taken a knife to her lovely pink chair and, most importantly, all of her backup flash drives were gone.

After that she had gone into her room and no one had seen her since. Pietro, Tony, and Wanda had been leaving meals outside her door and the only sign that she was still alive were the empty plates they would find outside her door.

Tony had canceled the party, said Cap had the flu, was very contagious. Everyone knew it was a lie but respected their wishes just the same, finding somewhere else to spend their Christmas Eve. No one had even expected Y/N to come out of her room but there she was, the morning of Christmas Eve, standing in the kitchen making herself a warm beverage and some toast. Pietro had been the one to find her there and was shocked, but delighted to see her.

"I see the beauty has left her cave."

"Good Morning Pietro. How are you?"

Pietro sat at the breakfast bar across for her.

"I am wonderful. The question is, how are you?"

"I am perfect. Thank you for asking Piet. I have mourned enough. Starting the day after tomorrow I am going to start cleaning up the lab and get my systems up and running again. You still need shoes you don't run through." She leaned across the counter and touched her finger lightly to Pietro's nose. He soon was smiling at her sudden change of behavior.

Moments later Tony was down, stopping in his tracks when he saw his daughter biting into a piece of toast and talking with the Maximoff boy.

"I see you are taking your meals in the kitchen again. How are you my Light?"

"Good morning Dad, I am great. I was just telling Pietro that I need to get back to work. Right after Christmas. Speaking of, we still on for that party tonight? You are going to just love the gift I got you. Do You want a hint? Too bad you have to wait and see!" She spoke quickly, not giving her father a chance to respond.

"Actually I called off the party. I didn't think you would be in the mood. I mean we can still have a party for just us, Avengers and friends."

"Perfect! Well I am going to go take a nice long bath and then start getting ready. See you later! Oh and Piet? Could you send Wanda to my room when you see her? I want to get ready together."

"Of course, anything for you."

"Thanks Piet!" She bounced over and gave Pietro a kiss on the cheek and then did the same to her father before trotting off to her room.

"Okay that was very weird."

"You could say that again kid. I don't know what she is on but that was a quick turn around. I need to get me some."

"Maybe she is still distraught and this is her way of coping."

"Probably Speedy. Just keep and eye on her for me will ya? I worry about her and after what happened-" He paused for a second, afraid of the words about to come out of his mouth. "-I just don't want her to end up like her mother."

"Of Course Stark. I will watch out for her."

"Thanks kid. Anyway I better let everyone know that party is on for tonight. You should wear something nice. Maybe a suit or at least a shirt and tie."

"I will Mr. Stark, thank you for the input." Pietro rolled his eyes and looked into the mug of coffee before him.

The two men each made themselves a cup of coffee, then Tony left the kitchen to work in his lab. Pietro sat alone, staring into his cup, his mind off on another planet. He could still feel her lips on his cheek, it tingled and burned and he thought for sure that her lips had left a mark, branded into his skin to show everyone he was her's.That's all he wanted to be. Her's. But he couldn't convince himself to let it happen. He was scared of the pain they would cause each other and he was even more terrified about letting her in, showing her how much pain he was already in. If there is one thing he learned from his parents as a boy, it was that when you love someone you share the weight of your burdens together. He was more than willing to help carry the things that weighed her down, he would carry them for her if he could, but he could not fathom adding to her burdens with his own. He continued to swim in his own thoughts, sipping athis coffee. He watched Avenger after Avenger walk into the kitchen, make something, glance his way and then walk back out. Before long his sister walked into the kitchen, overwhelmed with her brother's mind.

"I thought you did not drink Coffee. Your heart and mind are already fast enough without it."

"I needed to stay awake. I have been working on something and I have not gotten much sleep. I thought coffee would help keep me awake."

"Well It has your mind racing."

"The coffee is not what has my mind racing Wanda."

"Then what is it?"

"I do not want to talk about it. Besides, I have to finish something before tonight. Oh and Y/N wanted you to come to her room, she wants to get ready for the party with you." Pietro stood and started to walk away from his sister.

"What Party?" He turned around and leaned forward against the counter.

"She was out here this morning, spoke with me and Stark, said she was excited for the party, party is back on."

"Oh Alright well I will go see her right after I have breakfast. Are you sure you are okay brother?"

"I am fine, I will get some sleep after tonight and all will be back to normal."

"If you say so. What is this thing you are working on if I may ask?"

"You will see tonight. It is a gift for someone."

"Would that someone be Y/N?"

"You will have to see sister. You will have to see." Pietro began to walk away again towards his room, and the project that he hoped would put a smile on Y/N's face.

Wanda watched as he brother walked off down the hall. Their whole life he had never kept a secret from her. She thought how easy it would be to invade his mind and find the answer to her questions but she decided that it was not worth the hassle. Instead she moved on to have her breakfast, yogurt and some fruit, and sat at the counter thinking about what this Christmas party would be like. It would be smaller than the other parties Tony had but she hoped it would be just as fun. She was excited for everyone to receive their gifts, as she had spent a great deal of time picking them out and had spent the last few weeks meticulously wrapping each gift. She had been upset when the party was canceled but knew that the mental well-being of her best friend was more important than anything. She had made the decision to stay out of Y/N's mind, she wanted to help but she didn't want to push in on her private thoughts during such an emotional time. Wanda was nosy, but she wasn't a horrible person.

She stood from the stool she had been on and placed her bowl in the dishwasher when Vision walked into the room. They said their hellos, eyeing each other before parting ways. Things had been strange between the two of them and she was hoping to talk to her best friend about it. She walked down the halls of the Tower, finally reaching Y/N's door, she knocked and to her surprise the door was immediately swung open in an excited manner.

"Wanda! I am so happy to see you, I have missed you so much. Actually I've missed everyone while I was acting like a child these last few days.But I missed you the most. Thank you for being such a good friend, I Love you so much!" She was speaking so quickly Wanda hardly had a chance to catch everything she had said.

"I am happy to see you too, I am glad you are feeling better. You were not acting like a child, you were just upset about what happened and that is understandable. I love you too?" Wanda was confused, unsure about how Y/N was acting, and it troubled her. "Are you sure you are okay?"

"Of Course I'm sure. Better than ever really! I am so excited about tonight. What are you wearing?" Wanda looked perplexed before motioning to what she was already wearing.

"I figured since it was just going to be the Avengers there was no reason to wear something different."

"Wrong! Just because it's 'Just going to be the Avengers' doesn't mean you can't dress up! Everyone else is going to. Well in any case, I am going to give you your Christmas present from me early." Y/N got on the floor and looked under the bed, pulling out a box wrapped in shiny red paper with silver ribbon around it.

"No, It is fine. I can wait, I have things to wear."

"No,no. I insist you have this now. Go on, open it."

Wanda timidly began to pull at the ribbons and unwrap the box. It had been so long since you celebrated any holidays, and she had never celebrated Christmas so this was so new to her, she had no idea how to handle it all. Once the box was unwrapped she set the box on the bed and pulled the top off. Inside was a white dress, covered inblack bows, and a black leather jacket. She was in awe of the thoughtful gift her friend had given her.

"I Know it's not too Christmas-y but it will be good for all year round, whenever you want to wear it. I have some red heels and you can barrow some Christmas themed accessories to set it more in the mood, but I saw it and thought you would look amazing in it." Wanda held back tears as she hugged her friend. It had been so long since she had felt like she was important in someone's life, well someone other than Pietro, and now she felt as if she was the most loved person in the world.

"Thank You so much Y/N. I love it. I am afraid my gift to you is not nearly as wonderful."

"That's okay, I'm Tony Stark's daughter, I don't need anything so anything you give to me is more than enough. Anyway enough with the sappiness, let's get ready. Oh and tell me more about what is happening with you and The Vision."

"How long do you have?"

"Until the party starts?"

"I am going to need every second of time to tell you that story."

"Oh go ahead, I'm all ears."

The girls spent the next few hours getting ready, hair, make-up, pretty clothes, and talking about Wanda and Vision.

"Then he just stops! Honestly, stopping right then? That is not a very nice thing to do to a lady. Then this morning he looks at me and does not say a word, like nothing happened! Men are strange."

"You've got that right, I can't believe he would do that. I don't envy your love life, and I thought me and Piete were bad."

"You and Piete are bad, you just have less going on because you are friends, first and foremost you are friends and you always seem to come back to that. No matter how much you both want to be more than that."

"You're right, but you and Vision are friends."

"Yes but not like you and my brother. There are limits to what I will tell Vision, you would tell my brother absolutely anything and he would listen." Y/N Stood to check herself in the mirror, her green dress looked beautiful on her and the red shoes and lip stick made her feel like a Christmas tree. She looked over to Wanda, admiring how lovely she looked in her dress, with red shoes and a Christmas tree pin to put her outfit in the holiday spirit.

"I guess you're right. Thank you Wanda, spending time with you always makes me feel better." Y/N looked down somberly before looking ather friend again. "Can you keep a secret? I am still devastated and I don't know what to do with my thoughts because the most important objects in my life were in that room. That's were I kept all my favorite books, and my mother's books, and that Chair? That was her Grandmother's chair. Dad says when we first came home from the hospital she would sit in it and move back and forth until I fell asleep. The majority of the things I had left from her were in that room, everything I have left is jewelry, material things with little sentimental value. The necklace she wore once to a Stark party, a bracelet she wore once to a fundraiser, things that meant nothing to her, that's all I have left and that kills me more than loosing S.W.A.T. ever could." Wanda walked up to her friend and ran her hand up and down Y/N's back.

"I understand. I have nothing of my family, everything was gone, but I do have memories with them and that is worth more than any material object. You do not even have memories, just the things she loved that connected you to her. Now you do not even have that."

"I'm not okay Wanda, but I know I need to put on a brave face. For dad, for everyone, for myself. Fake it till you make it right?"

"Yes. Fake it until you make it. I believe in you and I am so proud of you for doing what you think is right, but your biggest flaw is also your greatest strength. You always put others before yourself and you cannot do that. Promise me you will come to me, or anyone, if you need to. Do not worry about burdening them. They all love you. I love you." The girls embraced each other, holding so tight it was as if they were afraid the other would float away.

"I love you too Wanda. Now let's get out to that party! Help me grab the gift from under the bed."

The girls trucked all the way to the empty living room, arms full of gifts for their friends, setting them under the tree.

"You know, I was hoping to make a grand entrance, but no one is here.Strange. We should go get your gifts and bring them down. Maybe when we get back there will be people here."

"Too late." Before they could even look to see where the voice came from a gust of wind swept by them.

"I already brought them down." Pietro bent over to pick up a small box, he shook it by his ear and turned to the women. "Wanda? Why is your box to me so small?"

"Maybe it's the world's smallest condom? Oh wait nope, that would be for Capsicle."

"Really Tony? You are going to start this now?"

"Don't act so surprised, it's like you just met him or something"

"Nat's right Cap, Stark didn't just wake up like this. I get it all the time. Hide the zucchini ring a bell?" The group of Avengers made their way into the living room. Y/N perked up at the sight of all her favorite people in one room.

"Well I'm glad to see the gangs all here. Except Thor and Clint, he with Laura?"

"Yeah, family Christmas. The kids are so excited to have their dad around. As for Thor? Asgard."

"I'm glad. Well anyway lets get on with the festivities." Y/N walked towards the piano in the corner of the room. "Any requests or should I just play."

"Just play my Light, this party is because of you after all."

Y/N began to play, losing herself in the music. As everyone chatted around her Pietro felt his eyes drawn to her, the way her fingers moved and her lips parted as she sighed calmly, like all the frustration and chaos of the last few days was just melting away as she played. His looks did not go unnoticed. Wanda was the first, watching her brother's eyes glaze over with pure adoration, she smiled and returned to her conversation with Nat. The next to notice was Tony. He had been watching her play as well, the look she got on her face was just the same as when she was a little girl, she played not because she was talented but because she loved it and it showed on her face. He looked around the room to see Pietro looking at her longingly, as if she were the last human on earth and she wanted nothing to do with him. The last one to notice was Steve, he recognized the look, it's the same look he had in his eyes around Peggy back in the 40's. He could practically feel the love pouring out of Pietro and filling the room. It was inspiring. He walked up to Pietro and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"You should say something."

"I do not know what you mean Captain." Steve looked at Pietro with sad eyes before walking away.

Soon it was time for gifts, everyone had opened their presents, except for one. Pietro was practically vibrating with excitement. He was excited for Y/N to see his gift to her and he could hardly stand it, but he insisted that his gift to her go last. And now it was time.

"Well that seems like all of them." Cap said, eying Pietro who stood and walked across the room to the tree.

"I have one left to give." He picked up a box with both hands and slowly walked towards Y/N, placing the box in front of her before sitting on the floor beside her. "I had a really hard time deciding what to get you. I hope you like it."

Y/N ripped open the (poorly) wrapped gift, that revealed a plain brownbox, that was taped shut. "Wow Piet, looks like you really didn't want me to open this" She giggled as she cut the tape. When she looked into the box she was speechless. Her mouth hung open like a fish as she pulled out the gifts, placing them on the table. The books from her mother's collection, together again.

"Pietro...How did you?"

"Tape, glue, a few sleepless nights. I know how much those books mean to you and so I did the best I could. They are fragile but they are together." Y/N looked over to Pietro, she could not fathom someone caring for her so much to put back together the books from her collection.

"They are not all done but-" He was cut off as he lips locked onto his. The two forgetting that they were surrounded by their friends and family (Y/N's Father included). The only thing that mattered was the feeling of their lips together. This had been the first time she had kissed him and Pietro wanted to remember every micro second of it. The way her lips felt pressed heavily against his, the tears of joy that had stained her cheeks, from his thoughtful gift, making their way onto his face. Her hands pressed against his ears, pulling him in as close as possible. He wanted to savor every moment of this kiss, he wanted the moments of this kiss to be burned into his mind so when he is old and dying he can remember how it felt to have her kissing him. All to quickly she pulled away, resting her forehead against his own, smiling at his blissful face. "Thank you." She whispered only loud enough for the two of them to hear.

The room was silent for a long time, just the two of them looking at each other and everyone else looking at them. Soon Steve cleared his throat. "Alright everyone, time for bed. We have training first thing tomorrow." Everyone slowly walked about of the room, leaving Y/N and Pietro alone.

"You should go to bed Piete, you have training in the morning, not to mention how much sleep you missed out on while doing these books. You must be exhausted."

"Yes but I would do it all again if it meant making you happy." He kissed her nose and stood up. "Good night, Light."

Y/N laughed. "You know only my dad calls me that."

"I know, but I have a reason now too." He kissed her again and slowly made his way back to his room, savoring every step, knowing that in the morning this night will all be a memory.