CHAPTER 30
WANDAVICTOR PART 2

Wanda stirred awake very early the next morning as nature called. It felt like paradise to wake up in her own bed for the first time in weeks, but it still wasn't the same without Vision next to her. However, she forced herself to at least savor this moment of peace. This semblance of what normal life was. Even something one takes for granted such as going to the bathroom, was a luxury that she was not allowed to have in her confinement. Just a small toilet in a cell that was under surveillance 24/7. Then she began thinking about the day before. About Victor. She couldn't help but wonder what it was about him. But something lured her to him. Yet, something felt off about him all the same. And Matt's assessment of the man didn't help either. She had to find out who he was.

After going to the bathroom, she walked downstairs as soft as possible, seeing Victor asleep on the couch in the living room, still wearing his mask. But he was not laid down on the couch, he was sitting upright with his head bowed down as he was sleeping. This even further drew her to him, to his mysterious nature. Who was this man?

She looked towards the kitchen and saw a clean counter with nothing on it. He must've cleaned up for her. She walked towards him and touched his mask in order to take a peak at his face. Her heart was beating harder every second. Just as she was going for it, she stopped herself. This felt wrong. She decided it was best to stop and go back upstairs.

After a while, being unable to go back to sleep, she began hearing a commotion in the kitchen. When the smell of freshly baked pancakes hit her nose, she decided to slip out of bed for good.

A smile flickered on her lips, anticipation filling her at the thought of breakfast. She padded down the stairs, her bare feet quiet against the cool wooden floor. The tantalizing aroma grew stronger as she approached the kitchen. She paused, her heart swelling at the sight before her. Victor stood at the stove, his back to her, stirring a pan with a wooden spoon. Ingrediens stood on the counter everywhere. How did he manage to start cooking without ingredients? Where did it come from?

Victor: Morning, Wanda.

She scratched her messy hair.

Wanda: Morning. Uh... How did...

Victor: Breakfast is almost ready. I hope you’re hungry.

She still couldn't understand how he managed to get all these ingredients and be halfway through cooking if she knew for a fact she didn't have this in her house, and she just saw him sleeping less than an hour ago, but the feeling of someone truly caring about her, even making breakfast for her... It warmed her heart and made her feel even closer to him. Everything he did felt too good to be true.

Wanda: Victor... You didn't have t--

Victor: I wanted to.

She stepped into the kitchen and looked at the ingredients.

Wanda: Victor, how did you get the ingredients so quickly? I came downstairs like 40 minutes ago.

He turned to face her fully, a bright smile lighting up his face under the mask.

Victor: Oh, just a little magic.

He sounded as if it were the most ordinary thing in the world.

Wanda narrowed her eyes, the words making her heart race. Magic? A shiver of apprehension rippled through her. She pushed the thought aside, focusing instead on the delicious smell. But the thought lingered, and it was not the first time he said it. 'Magic?'

Victor: I figured it was time to treat you to something special. You deserve it.

Wanda: You didn’t have to go to all this trouble.

Victor: It’s no trouble at all. Just a little something made for you.

No other person ever made her feel this way except Vision. Peter came close, but this was different. She took a seat at the small kitchen table. Victor soon served her a steaming plate of pancakes topped with fresh fruit and a drizzle of syrup. She took her first bite, and her eyes widened in surprise.

Wanda: Wow.

Victor: Just a special little recipe my mother used to make for me when I was a child.

Wanda: You said you're also from Sokovia, right?

Victor: Yes... But we fled the country when I was only 8 years of age.

Wanda: What happened?

He knew in order to gain her trust, he had to tell the absolute truth about what happened.

Victor: My mother was killed in front of me. Villagers came and accused her of... well... witchcraft... They were going to kill me too. My father took me and ran...

Victor had to keep his tears at bay, and even without seeing his face, Wanda could hear his voice crackling with emotion.

Victor: Feels like centuries ago. We fled in the middle of winter... And my father... didn't make it.

Wanda: I-I'm so sorry...

Victor: I woke up in a village just outside Latveria. People found me just in time.

Wanda: How did you become an officer at the DODC?

Victor: That's... a very long story. To make it short, I turned out to be pretty good at building stuff. Inventing new technology. I was offered a full scholarship here in the United States.

After saying all of this, the complete truth, he knew he had to lie with the rest of the story. She was not ready to know his true identity yet.

Victor: After working for the government for a few years, they saw potential in me. Years later I became a highly regarded officer at the DODC.

Wanda: Even through all that adversity... you still found your calling.

Victor: You could say that. And I hope you can learn from it. I'm pretty sure someone already told you this but there's always a light at the end of the tunnel. No matter how dark it may seem.

Wanda appreciated his words, and continued eating. She soon realized he was not capable of eating in front of her because of the mask.

Wanda: Are you not eating?

She knew what she was doing. But she had to try. She had to see his face. But he knew exactly why she asked. In fact, he was fully aware at her attempts to remove his mask earlier.

Victor: You know what... I was planning to fulfill my appetite while you were getting ready for the day, however... I think you deserve to see my face.

He slowly removed his mask and Wanda looked almost relieved at the sight of his completely normal face. She was afraid he would be someone she knew. But he looked completely random. And quite charming.

He used his mysterious magic to conceal his real face behind another. And he presented himself to her, looking like a completely random person. She felt grateful, but guilty at the same time for pushing him.

Wanda: Victor... You didn't have to...

He took her hand. She still didn't know what this feeling was, but she could never betray Vision like this. She had to be careful. Even if it became harder every minute.

Victor: It would not be fair towards you if we share this bond and you keep staring back at a mask. Now what do you say we finish these pancakes together.

A soft smile came over her and she caught herself gazing into his eyes for a tad bit too long.

Wanda: I'd love that.

As they shared breakfast, the warmth of the morning light spilling into the room, they laughed and talked about everything and nothing. Victor continued telling her about his own childhood in Sokovia before his mother died, the same place Wanda grew up in. Wanda opened up about her life before everything fell apart. They shared stories and laughter, and for the first time in what felt like an eternity, she felt light, unburdened. Victor felt quite the same, even though he tried not to. It was impossible.

Halfway through the day, Pietro made a visit while Wanda and Victor played cards together. He didn't bother knocking and ran straight in. Pietro being here caught her completely off guard, but it was a welcome surprise. They haven't seen each other in weeks, so much has happened to her since the last time they spoke before her wedding. Horrible things. His mere presence felt like a soothing balm to her soul and she immediately teared up.

Wanda: Pietro!

She jumped up from the couch and embraced him with enormous love.

Pietro: Sis! Are you okay!? Are you still hurt!?

He was worried sick about her, as he knew everything she was going through. He cupped her cheeks in his hands and brushed a strand of her hair behind her ear. She was happy to see him again. Beyond happy, since everyone else in her life got kidnapped or vanished. She was beginning to think he was one of them, but by being here, he broke the rules that Wanda had to strictly follow.

Wanda: Pietro... (sniffles) You can't be here right now... They'll arrest me again. They could arrest you too!

Pietro: I know I know but I just wanted to see you. Wanda I haven't slept for days. I barely eat! I'm constantly searching... For everyone. And I can't stop worrying about you. Do you know how many times I ran across this entire planet in the last 2 weeks!?

Victor: If I might interject... I think you could stay for a while. But no more than a few minutes.

Victor walked over.

Pietro: You must be the officer, right? The one Matt doesn't TRUST.

Wanda: No Pietro, he's fine. He's good. He's... been helping me a lot.

She looked at Victor with fondness. Pietro picked up on it.

Pietro: Wanda. Can we talk? Alone?

Wanda: I can't leave his sight... Pietro, he's fine. Please trust me.

Pietro: I trust you, but I don't trust him.

She became defensive. Ever since he came into her life, everybody except her seemed to not trust this man and she has had enough of it.

Wanda: Why does everybody say that to me!? He's been nothing but kind and thoughtful! At least he was THERE for me when nobody else was! Do you understand the HELL I had to endure!? If not for... If not for him... I... I don't think I would've... made it...

A single tear flowed fown her cheek. Pietro was quiet out of shock, yet empathy as well. Victor simply stood at a distance, not feeling that it was his place to intervene.

Wanda: I'm sorry...

...

Wanda: I didn't mean to lash out.

Pietro: It's okay I get it. You're going through a lot.

He gave her one final hug and she melted in his embrace.

After a few seconds, he was about to let go in order to leave.

Wanda: Wait! Just... Wait...

She let a few tears fall down, touching the fabric of Pietro's shirt.

Wanda: I don't want to let go. (Sniffles) I can't let you go.

Pietro: I can't either.

Wanda: But you HAVE to go...

He slowly loosened her grip on his body.

Pietro: I know...

He walked towards the door and looked back at Victor.

Pietro: What's your name again? Victor, right?

Victor: Yes, why do you ask?

He stood still for a while as if trying to connect the dots. Then without a word, he immediately ran away at superspeed. Wanda felt like she still had so much to say to him. She held out her hand the moment he flashed away.

Wanda: Wait... w...

As she stared at the open door, she put her hand down and bowed her head in sadness.

Victor walked over and touched her shoulder from behind.

Victor: Don't worry. You'll see him again. You will get out of this mess, and you will see him again. You will see everyone again.

The X-Mansion
Upstate New York

Pietro ran as fast as he could. He ran to the X-Mansion and searched everywhere for Charles (Professor X). The rest of the X-Men only saw a blur zipzapping across the mansion.

The living room

Rogue: Pietro!?

The kitchen

Gambit: Whadindahell?

Jubilee: It's just Pietro running around again.

The Danger Room

Storm: Pietro! Stop running around. You're disrupting our training exercises.

Cyclops: Pietro!

Jean: I don't think he can hear us when we're in slow motion from his perspective.

The Lab

Pietro finally stopped in front of Beast (Hank McCoy)

Beast: Pietro? What's got you all ruffled up?

Pietro: Charles. Where's Charles!

Beast: Oh Charles is not here--

Pietro: Then where is he!?

Beast: He went to see Reed Richards--

Pietro immediately ran off to the Baxter building, the home of the Fantastic Four.

Beast: You're... welcome?

The Baxter Building

Professor X (Charles): What do you mean he's not on earth. Where else would he be?

Mr. Fantastic (Reed): You tell me. But I've ran every algorithm, I searched every power signature... Doctor Doom is NOT anywhere.

Professor X: And Chthon?

Mr. Fantastic: He's a ghost. Not literally, but he's either done a vanishing act, or he knows how to blend in. But I did, however, discover something even more frightening in my search.

He activated the large monitor screen showing multiple red dots across the globe.

Professor X: What am I looking at?

Mr. Fantastic: Time. Unravelling. Charles, this is time unraveling.

Professor X: I don't follow.

Mr. Fantastic: At this rate it's still stable, but I don't know for how long. Each dot on this map represents the disappearance of random objects.

...

Professor X: Like Beast's coffee mug...

Mr. Fantastic: My molecule detector picked up on these readings. Charles, these objects are quite literally disintegrating. The molecules are unraveling into strings of nothingness. As if being sucked into an invisible black hole. Essentially turning to spaghetti before fading away.

Professor X: What could be causing this? You think Doom or Chthon might be behind this as well?

Suddenly, Pietro ran into the building and stopped in front of Professor X.

Professor X: Pietro?

Pietro: Charles! We have to get Wanda away from that man!

Mr. Fantastic: What man?

Professor X: The officer that was assigned to her.

Pietro: Reed... You knew Doom, right?

Mr. Fantastic: Yes, why?

Pietro already felt a chill running down his spine before even asking the follow up question.

Pietro: What... was his name...?

Mr. Fantastic: Victor.

Pietro's breath caught in his chest.

Pietro: Why have we not looked into this?

Mr. Fantastic: What are you saying?

Professor X: You think... Wanda's... officer is Doom? But how would that even be possible?

Mr. Fantastic: Is he also named Victor?

Pietro: YES!

Reed looked over at the energy signature in Westview, and connected the dots. That power surge was not Wanda... it was Doom.

He activated a communication device and called the rest of the Fantastic Four.

Mr. Fantastic: Sue! Ben! Johnny! Come to my lab upstairs... And suit up! We found Doom.

Back in Westview

Wanda and Victor continued to strenghthen their bond, now sitting on the carpet, about to play Monopoly. It was like Victor did everything he possibly could to distract her from the reality she was in. She appreciated his dedication, under the idea that suppressing it will somehow make it go away.

He took out the monopoly board from under the table and packed everything out on the carpet. He then put the shoe on the starting block.

Wanda: Wait you can't!

Victor: Can't what?

Wanda: You can't be the shoe...

Victor: Why?

Wanda: Because... Nevermind... It's stupid.

Victor: Nothing is stupid. You can talk to me.

Wanda: Billy is always the shoe. A-and vision is always the dog. Tommy is the car.

Victor: You really miss them...

Wanda: (Sniffles and nods) I don’t even know... if they're even still... I hope they're still...

He moved closer to her and embraced her softly like a soothing blanket.

Victor: They are okay. They will be okay. You will see them again.

Wanda: How could you know?

Victor: Just a feeling. I'm never wrong about a feeling. They are out there somewhere... Which means hope is still there. Now how about this game?

They began playing and bonding for while. She could've sworn that she completely forgot about everything going on in her life at this moment. He just had something that grounded her in a way nobody else ever could... Who was this man?

Wanda: Oh!! You landed on my property! Victor... How are you doing this?

Victor: Doing what?

Wanda: You're letting me win! You're clearly letting me win. How are you doing that?

Victor: I'm not letting you win. I'm just using the rules of the game to work in your favor.

By saying this, he was not talking about the board game anymore. He was talking about reality and what his goals are for her. She was smart enough to pick up on that instantly.

Wanda: By not buying any of the properties? And so conveniently landing on mine every time? There's something bigger here I don't get.

Victor: What are you talking about? It's just a board game.

Wanda: I hope it is... Victor... I trust you now... I don't know what I'll do if...

...

Wanda: If you're not who I think you are.

Victor: Wanda... Trust me when I say, everything I do is for you. I want to help you. Yes I did some questionable things in my life but... it was all for a good cause.

Wanda: Then tell me about one of those questionable things. Please... I need to know if my trust isn't misplaced. You're in my home for crying out loud... Don't think I haven't caught on to how... weird this is. How convenient it must be if you actually wanted this. To stay in my house... to keep an eye on me... I saw you in court, coming up with the idea yourself.

Victor: It's not like that Wanda.

Her anxiety creeped back in again, and her vulnerabilities because of her trauma in the raft came back in full force.

Victor touched her shoulder but her instincts caused her to shiver at his touch and whisk her arm away from his hand.

Wanda: Don't...

He respected her sudden boundaries and kept his hand to himself.

Victor: Wanda... I get it.

Wanda: Do you? Do you know what it... what it was like!? In there!?

Victor: I think I have an idea...

Wanda: It was worse than... dying. Worse than grief... worse than pain!

She sobbed.

Wanda: It was the worst thing that ever happened to me! I can't stop thinking about it!

Victor: I think you're taking it out on me because there's nobody else around to blame. To be angry at.

Wanda: I'm not... angry... I'm...

...

Wanda: I'm sorry...

She sobbed with her head down.

Wanda: Why do I ruin everything?

Victor: Don't do this to yourself. You can say whatever you want to me. I know it's not really directed at me. I can take it. Come on... Hit me.

Wanda: No. I can't... do that.

Victor: I insist. Hit me as hard as you can.

Wanda: No!

Victor: Hit me!!

Wanda: Noo!!!!!!!

Victor: HIT ME!!!

Wanda: SHUT UP!!!!!

She began punching him while crying her heart out. She hit him with all the strength she had left in her body. Each blow took away a part of her pain. Everything that she felt inside, that she suppressed inside. It all came out swinging. Victor absorbed each blow to his body with ease, and with empathy. He knew she needed this. She needed relief from all her pain.

She continued until she ran out of energy to keep going. She fell into his arms and sobbed.

Wanda: This is so unfair! I just... I just wanted a normal life!

Victor felt immense empathy and guilt at the same time. He gnashed his teeth as he thought about what was still to come. And it pained him that he could not tell her about it.

Victor: It's okay. Everything will work out. I trust that it will. I will try everything I can to make it better.

She replied in a sobbing voice barely above a whisper.

Wanda: How?

Victor: I don't know. But I won't stop. Not until you're happy. You deserve to be happy.

Suddenly the door shot open.

Mr. Fantastic: Doom!!! Get away from her!

Victor was caught off guard. But he didn't expect anything less from Reed.

Wanda: Wait what!?

A fear came over her, and a feeling of betrayal. A painful feeling. She immediately let go of Victor.

The rest of the Fantastic Four entered the home alongside Pietro.

Wanda: Pietro...

Pietro: Wanda step away from that creep!

Victor: What is this?

The Thing: Clobberin time you double headed snake!

Mr. Fantastic: No, Ben... We discussed this.

Thing looked at Victor.

The Thing: Yer lucky I let off some steam before comin' here.

Victor knew there was no way out of this now. He looked at Wanda and felt sorry for her.

Doom: I'm sorry Wanda.

She slowly backed away with tears in her eyes.

Wanda: S-so it's true...

She tried holding it together. But this felt like the worst feeling ever. She tried speaking, but her voice cracked. It was barely audible.

Wanda: You're... You were dead...

Sue (Invisible Woman): So we all thought as well.

Johnny: You're going to tell us exactly what you're planning, Doom!

Doom: You are in no position to command me. I can end your pitiful existence with a thought.

Mr. Fantastic: Let's just talk.

Doom: Ah Reed... The reasonable one. I really don't know how you can put up with the other three.

Wanda: You manipulated me! You came into my home!!! You made me have FEELINGS FOR YOU!!! Was it all just... an act!? Was the last three weeks just a game to you!?

Her powers surged within her, and her eyes glowed red, while tears streamed down her face.

Doom: You won't remember this moment in a few second but I feel like I need to say this... Wanda, I give you my word, I do not wish to harm or manipulate you. But you are the only one that can save us all before time runs out. You need motivation and hope. I intended to give that to you.

Wanda: I don't believe you!

Doom: (sigh) I understand. Perhaps it was too early for you to know... This is the first time it happened so early.

Johnny: What is this lunatic talking about. The first time?

Mr. Fantastic: Victor, what's going on?

Doom: I've lived through this cycle of events more times than you can possibly fathom. But I see now something has shifted. I'm close. But I do not need your interference.

Wanda suddenly blasted him with all her power she had in her. He blocked it with difficulty, but he was able to hold her off.

Wanda: I CAN'T BELIEVE I TRUSTED YOU!!! I LET YOU INTO MY HOUSE!!!! FOR ONCE I THOUGHT SOMEONE ACTUALLY CARED ABOUT ME!

She was completely distraught. How could she ever trust anyone again. How many times did she have to be manipulated and betrayed before completely losing trust in everything and everyone.

Wanda: I TRUSTED YOU!

She screamed her heart out in tears and fell to her knees.

Doom: I truly am sorry, Wanda. I did not wish to make you feel betrayed. I will do it better next time.

Mr. Fantastic: Next time?

Doom: Much to learn, Reed. Much to learn. Unfortunately you won't remember any of this.

Doom had no choice but to start over. He focused all his energy within his body, and instantly slipped back in time. (Like Loki Season 2)

(For context about how he's able to time travel, read my ongoing short called "Doctor Doom: Timeless")

One hour earlier

Doom traveled back into his past body one hour before the Fantastic Four arrived to confront him.

Victor: Wanda, something has come up. I will be with you in a minute.

Wanda: But I can't leave your sight. Should I come with you?

Victor: I won't be long.

He stood up and walked out of the house. He looked back to see if she was looking, and then he discarded the illusion that he casted around himself, and suddenly he had his original Armor on, with his green cloak and classic Doom mask over his face. He activated a device on his wrist and it opened up a TVA portal door.

Pietro was currently searching for Chthon and Wanda's children again for probably the thousandth time. This was over an hour before he went to see Wanda. A TVA door opened up in front of him which stopped him in his tracks.

Doom walked out and presented himself to Pietro. He was shocked at first, since everybody thought Doom died during the Incursion War.

Pietro: Doom!?

Doom: Pietro. You have to stop.

Pietro: Where did you come from!? You're supposed to be dead!

Doom: If you think it's that easy to kill me, you have no idea what I'm capable of.

Doom created a red orb of light in his hand, and a beating heart appeared.

Pietro: Is that... a heart?

Doom: Your heart.

Pietro: What!?

He immediately grabbed his chest to feel a heartbeat, but he didn't have one. Because his heart was not inside his own body anymore.

Pietro: H-HOW!?

Doom: Don't act so frightened. I won't kill you. I'm currently keeping you alive by sheer probability. A little gift I received when I absorbed a fraction of your sister's powers during the Incursion War. Your blood is flowing without the need of a heart. But I can stop it at any second.

Pietro: PUT IT BACK!

Doom: Oh I will... But... You will stop searching. And I don't want you anywhere near Wanda until she's cleared of her charges and until I allow you to.

Pietro: What do you want with her!? You stay away from my sister!!!!

Doom: Don't worry. The worst has already happened. She will heal, and she will find hope... Then it will crash down harder than it ever did before, and when that happens... She will be ready.

Pietro: For what!?

Doom: Doomsday.

Pietro: What!?

Doom: The doomsday clock is almost at 12. Time runs out. So do not interfere. I have to do this myself. If you speak to anyone about this conversation, I will find you. Don't let me make you regret your decision. You know now what I'm capable of.

Pietro's heart disappeared from Doom's hand and it appeared back in his chest.

Doom: When the skies turn crimson red, turn on the television. You might save your own life.

Doom walked back into the portal and closed it off. Pietro was left speechless as he stood in the middle of nowhere. With no idea what to do.

Westview

The door opened up and Victor walked into the house as if nothing happened. He stood with his arms behind his back.

Wanda: That was quick.

Victor: Told you it would only be a minute.

He took his hands away from his back and showed her beautiful red flowers. She was shocked in the best way possible.

Wanda: So that's where you went!

Victor: They say flowers can lighten one's mood. And red suits you best.

She took the flowers with a grateful smile across her face.

Wanda: They're perfect.

For a fleeting second, she found herself swooning over him. But she suppressed those feelings as deep as she could. Vision was still her man, but a part of her began to wonder whether he would ever return to her, or if he will be missing forever.

Please let me know your thoughts about this chapter and the story overall. Any comment is greatly appreciated!