tcnetwork | Nick Andros

I think it's worn off, but I'm okay. I've lived my life like this. [Gently he pats her hand.]

[she looks frustrated. Less for herself, more for him. Her eyes flash that crimson glow for a solid moment, but she can't hold it]

[Nick folds his hands over hers. Offers her a smile. See? He's fine.] Do you want a tour while you're here?

[She hesitates before she nods. There isn't much else she could do if her powers are weakened.]

As soon as the moon passes, do you know if my powers will work again?

[Nick shakes his head, spreading his hands for a moment.] I don't know, but from what I've read on the network, they should. It looks like this is pretty common in New Dodge.

[She has learned a few signs, observing the ones back and forth between Nick and herself and others.]

Show me the greenhouse? I don't want to be alone without my powers.

[A smile as he takes her hand. And he shows her everything, the changes he's already putting into place. A hydroponic garden in the back, tiny roots drifting in water. Rows of warm soil and tiny green seedlings as he works on establishing more crops. Alien plants that he's still attempting to catalog.]

You'll love these. [Nick draws her back into one of the rear houses. The flowers there are bright and shimmering colors. Nick holds up a finger in a 'hold please' gesture as he kills the overhead lights.

In the dark, the flowers grow brghter, giving off the light they've absorbed.]

[She waits for him to do what he needs to do. Once the lights go out and the flowers begin to glow bright colors, she gasps, covering her mouth in surprise and awe of the alien plants. She lowers her hand and beams at him.]

They're beautiful, Nick.

[Nick loves watching the astonishment wash over her features, her delight at seeing the colors and the alien flowers glowing so brightly and the way the lights play across her hair.

The flowers may be a sight, but Nick finds that he would much rather watch the way the lights flicker and dance. He takes a moment to choose one glowing in warm shades of red, kneeling down to scoop one out of the warm earth and get it securely repotted.]

For you. [He dusts his hands off on his jeans before straightening and offering the flower over.]

[She looks at the flower, then at him]

Really?

[She hadn't received many gifts over the course of her life. It had been rough in Sokovia. Then living on semi-borrowed time at the Avengers compound. She reaches for her wallet for the currency]

[Nick holds up his hand as she starts to reach for her money, shaking his head firmly and bringing his hand in a downward slashing motion.

So, you know, he's not accepting anything for the flower. That's why it's called a gift.] The colors remind me of your power. Please, take it.

[She puts away her wallet and takes the planet from him. Wand looks up at him]

Thank you. It's so beautiful. I'll need you to come over to see how its doing once in a while.

[Nick smiles. The flowers have all but melted away. All he wants to do is take in that warm smile and the soft glow of the red reflecting off her hair.

God man, you've got it bad. A rueful thought as he nods in reply.] Of course. Anytime.

I'm glad you like it.

[Wanda closed her heart off ever since Pietro died. It was always safer to keep people at arm's length than risk getting hurt in the long run. Especially in her line of work. Yet Wanda hasn't moved away from Nick. She simply holds the plant, torn on the fondness and warmth she feels for Nick. She wonders if it is simply the fact that they were stuck somewhere far away from home.]

[Nick has spent so long in his own head - unable to communicate with the outside world and even when he could, there were those that would keep their distance as if his disability was somehow contagious.

But with Wanda?
In the short time he's known her it's been.. easy. Finding ways to make her smile. Reaching out to take her hand and know that she won't pull away.

Which is why his hand might linger a moment or two longer when Wanda reaches out to take the flower.]

[She has not felt this kind of connection with a person since...ever. She was angry, broken when her family had been taken away. She was an experiment when she volunteered for HYDRA. And after? After, she knew there were those who did not want to be near her because of her powers. She feels his hand over hers, lingering in his touch and wonders if he---no, he wouldn't. He shouldn't because of what she had done. The death that she had caused.]

[She isn't pulling away.
Nick screws up his courage and curls his fingers lightly over hers. She's kind and smart, the moment she learned about his disability her first instinct was to help him.

A small, warm smile as he stands with her, watching the alien flowers glow brightly in the half-light of the greenhouse.]

[Almost like her own magic. Wanda feels her heart thud in her chest when he curls his fingers around hers. She can enjoy this. The sweet feeling between them has her almost want to withdraw]

Perhaps not having my powers wouldn't be so bad.

[If it meant more sweet moments like this.]

[This is nice. Sweet. He catches the question and quirks his head, expression puzzled. Not wanting to let go of her hand just yet Nick draws a question mark in the air between them.]

[She watches as his hands move, drawing that question. Wanda looks up at him again]

...I don't want to hurt you, Nick. You are kind and sweet. And there are very little good things that have happened in my life.

[Nick has to withdraw his hand to communicate even though he would rather not. But this is clearly something that they need to talk about.]

So why can't this be one of them? I care about you and I think that this could be good for both of us.

[And didn't Jemma mention that this was a place of second chances?]

You...care about me?

[They had just met not too long ago yet she feels that she could trust him, feel comfortable around him. A closeness she hadn't felt since...]

[A simple and very decisive nod.]

I do. Very much.

You've just met me. You don't know what has happened. Before I came here, I was...

[She clutches the plant]

I have done terrible things, Nick.

[She could hear Clint's voice: "Get off your ass, Wanda."]

Second chances, remember?
Wanda what matters to me is who you are now and you've been nothing but kind. When I was deaf you allowed me to hear for the first time in my life.

I'm not saying it has to mean anything to you. Not yet or not ever.
But you matter to me. I trust you.

Nick Andros

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