driftfleet | video;

Entry tags:

video;

Who: The Vision
Broadcast: Video from the planet's surface
Action: Locked to Wanda
When: Now

[This video opens up with a view of a sea of dunes stretching out as far as the eye can see, lit only by the stars above. Some of those stars are moving about in a lively fashion - space traffic, though even the large stations are no more than points of light from this distance. Then the camera pans over to view some shadowy but dramatic rock formations - sandstone or a similar sedimentary rock, though it's hard to tell without more light. The voice narrating the scene has a gentle tone and a British accent, almost like a nature documentary. It's only very slightly muffled by the helmet he's wearing.]

A desert planet is hardly unusual. It's the most common type of rocky exoplanet according to the science in my time. Yet here we see several signs that this was not - and need not always be - the case. Look at the gentle curves in the rocks and the way the sand forms dunes. These are signs of more wind and water than the planet has. Did it have a stronger gravitational pull when it was younger? Did its atmosphere bleed off over time? Are these problems that could be fixed, with the right resources and engineering?

And would that effort destroy the view of the stars above? [He focuses the video a little more on the sky. Granted, they can see the stars any time from their own ships, but there's something about being on a planet that makes it different. The perspective, perhaps? A field of infinite stars is enough that the mind loses its focus unless there's something to compare it to, something to give it context.]

It might. Or it might allow even more people to see their beauty.

It's worth a look if you, like me, find the walls and ceilings too enclosing at times. But do wear your protective gear or you won't make it far outside a shuttle. This planet isn't for the unprepared.

[The view sweeps back to the dunes again, where it rests for a few moments before blinking out.]

[The Vision clicks off the communicator feed and smiles over at Wanda. He's in a full exosuit - he wouldn't need it if he decided to stay intangible throughout the trip, but then he wouldn't be able to grab a couple rocks as souvenirs. Or hold her hand through the gloves as they fly, because here is a space meant for such things.

And he really has missed flying.]

Shall we go to the top of that spire? It looks broad enough for the both of us.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Current Wanda is what he wants, and what he has. The Vision plans to give her ample time to explore his body as much as she likes. As for himself, he may have a better idea of what she likes, but it's never not a delight to hold her, kiss her, let her discover and rediscover herself under his touch.]

We can't have you starving, now. [He kisses her again at the same soft, gentle level, keeping one hand in place at the small of her back and slwoly moving the other from her shoulder down her arm and to her hand, where he twines his fingers in hers in a very specific way. It's very deliberate.]

There is one thing. When I do this [and he squeezes that hand lightly to show what he means] I'm asking you to read me in that moment. If you're not already, of course, but it generally means I want you to know exactly what it is you're doing to me.

[Which, at this particular moment, is a strong and clear joy, tinged with relief (she'd had every right to react poorly to his initial kiss in the shuttle) and anticipation (he's missed being able to run his hands up and down her body, being able to bring that smile to her face, yes, that one she's wearing right now).]

[Realization dawns on Wanda's face and she's quick to reestablish the connection between them. Wonder and gratitude dominate her emotions at first before quickly being overwhelmed by mingled love and joy. She can feel how deeply he loves her, all of her, and words utterly fail to communicate how much this simple intimacy means to her.

So instead she kisses him again, more passionately this time. One of her hands clutches him tighter while the other finds its way higher to cradle the back of his head and neck.

She's flushed again when they part - she can't help it; the way he sees her...

Wanda's hand moves from his neck to cup his cheek, lightly tracing her fingers over the lines in his skin.]

I like this, being close to your thoughts. Do you want to stay like this?

[Yes, he thinks strongly in her direction, letting go of her hand so he can rest it on her hip and look into her eyes. He could lose himself in those eyes. He finishes the thought aloud, though.]

Although it's probably best if we do so primarily when we're alone together. I'm certain my engineering work would only put you to sleep, for example, and I can only imagine a crowd would be even more confusing for me if I were juggling your perceptions as well.

[Which is part of why they'd developed a hand signal at home - that way if they want to share something in public, there's an unobtrusive way to signal it.

He closes his eyes as she runs her fingers over his face. There's a peculiar kind of sensitivity where the vibranium bands meet his flesh, and he knows she must be able to pick up on it. And after a few moments of that, he opens his eyes and kisses her again for good measure.]

But for now? We can stay like this all night, if you like.

No, sometimes crowds are too much for me. I wouldn't want you to feel that.

[Oh, has she found a sensitive spot? Wanda's fingers retrace the motion to pay extra attention there, savoring the feel of his pleasure through the link. They stay like that for a few minutes before kissing again and Wanda simply cannot get enough of this. For the longest time, she'd thought romance was something she didn't need (later, always later when Sokovia was safe again) and she'd clung to that after the experiments had left her feeling sometimes deeply unsettled in her own skin. Easier to tell herself she didn't need it than to think of all the opportunities for a normal life that seemed permanently shut to her.

It's not just a metaphor - she really has been starving for affection without realizing it. Already Wanda's absolutely certain that she won't have any nightmares tonight.]

I would, if you want to stay, [she murmurs, kissing him sweetly.] You can stay here as much as you like.

[Is that moving too quickly? To Wanda, it just feels like a natural progression - they've already lived together before. Why would she mind sharing her space?]

[For the Vision, it was that it had simply never occurred to him that anyone might see him as a viable romantic prospect; it had taken him a very long time, not to mention external forces, to make him realize what he felt for Wanda. And once he had, there it was, always simmering under the surface.]

Are you giving me blanket permission to come in through your wall?

[Teasing, teasing. Things are different now than they were back before he really had a concept of personal privacy. After all, he'd had nothing to hide in the beginning; now he understands. Not that he needs to keep this hidden, strictly, but--he's also not ready to announce it to everyone.

He takes Wanda's hand and kisses it swiftly on the knuckles.]

Yes, of course I'd like to stay.

[She laughs lightly - oh, that used to frustrate her, even though she knew Vision wasn't doing it to be rude or careless. He just didn't understand and it hadn't been the easiest thing to explain.]

Let me know first? But I wouldn't mind if you came through sometimes.

[Although maybe she shouldn't care if he sees her changing, because...well. He's seen - will see? - it all already. On the surface, this feels simple: Vision loves her, Wanda's fallen in love with him, and she's perfectly happy to let him hold and kiss her through the rest of the night. But the differences in their memories...that makes it a little jarring sometimes.

Some things, however, don't change. Even though Lagos and the Raft and the rift between the Avengers hasn't happened for her yet, Wanda's heart still catches in her throat in the same way it did the first time Vision kissed her hand. She can feel her cheeks growing warm for some strange reason - it's such a simple gesture, but it makes a sweet warmth bloom in her chest.]

Then stay. [It comes out far more breathless than Wanda had expected - she really likes that.] Come sit down?

[Making her bedding more comfortable had been one of her first priorities, and while her room is still on the sparse side (including the uncomfortable swivel chair), she's changed the Atroma-issued sheets out and added more pillows and blankets. It should be a nice place to curl up.]

[There's a difference, though - what he knows from his memories was gained with permission, and often explicit consent. What's a few seconds of delay when asking compared to the risk of discomfort on Wanda's part? So that one's a no-brainer.] I wonder if you could hear a knock on the wall? That would be expedient.

[But that's something to test later, because he has important cuddling to get to now. Not letting go of Wanda's hand (and thus pulling her along with him, if only a short distance), the Vision gets onto the bed and rearranges things a little so he's sitting up against a wall with pillows supporting him instead of the cold metal walls, and he tugs Wanda along to come sit with him.]

I concede that your bed is more comfortable than mine. [Probably because he doesn't actually use his, so it's standard issue, i.e. bare-bones.]

You might need to make your hand heavier, but I think it could work.

[She smiles warmly and lets Vision guide her to her bed so she can settle close against him. With a wave of her fingers, she rearranges her blankets to make a little nest of sorts for them. Now she's very comfortable.]

I missed my bed at the compound. Did you know it was the most comfortable bed I've ever slept in? [She snuggles a little closer and lets her eyes fall shut.] But I think maybe this one is better.

I'll test it out when I get a chance.

[Oh. Oh, how is he supposed to answer that, except with another kiss? And now that they're settled down, his hands begin to wander a bit - not to anywhere potentially off limits, just her sides, her hips, her back.]

The bed hasn't changed, Wanda. Just you and I.

[And then the thought occurs to him that they could go shopping for more pillows or a bedspread or sheets and they can keep them because they're staying in the same place, and he finds himself trembling slightly, breathing unevenly. His voice is a touch more raw than it was before.]

I don't know that I can ever say it enough, but I love you, Wanda Maximoff.

[These are nice places to be touched and Wanda makes a pleased sound as she leans up for a languid kiss. She feels warm and safe and loved, and his hands just feel so right on her.]

I know, [she murmurs quietly, absently tracing a pattern on his side.] It's better because you are here.

[She's sure to another psychic that she must look like she's glowing with the warmth of her feelings. Strange, when less than an hour ago she was barely piecing together words for the emotions he evoked in her.

But then again, Wanda Maximoff has never been a creature of mild emotions. She cannot give someone just part of her heart, only all of it. And so she guides Vision down for another kiss, soft and slow and psychically intense.

Some part of her notes how stunningly beautiful his eyes are as they part. She's gazing up at him with that utter adoration her future self tends to get only in the softest of moments, when everything else completely falls away and nothing outside their embrace exists.]

I love you, Vizh.

[Wanda may have needed a push, but she sees it now.]

[That intensity she has, the ability to go after what she wants wholeheartedly, is something the Vision has always admired about her, even long before he realized his feelings went deeper than friendship. Part of it was undoubtedly that she'd been one of the first to be fully in support of him joining the Avengers on a permanent basis - she'd looked deep into his mind and seen there was no malice in him. Part of it had also been that he was willing to let her in completely like that from the beginning - and it was having to deny her that these past couple of weeks that had eaten away at him much more than simple desire.

After all, he's used to being patient where desire is concerned. Their erratic schedules back home had seen to that. And right now? This sort of emotional catharsis is more than satisfying.

He tightens his grip on her briefly and gives her another kiss, light but sweet. This is good, so good, but it's probably also the best time to clarify certain things.]

Now, there are bound to be times when this is strange for you, given our different timelines. Above all I wish to avoid making you uncomfortable. You'll let me know if I start approaching that, I hope?

[Because he knows her, he really does, but there's always that line and it's so hard to judge with people.]

[Wanda arches further into him as they kiss. He's sweet, so sweet, and she can't imagine that he could ever make her uncomfortable. Wanda can't even remember the last time she felt this safe and at peace.

She traces light fingers over the seam between flesh and metal on Vision's cheek, more idle patterns just for the sake of touching.]

I will, but I don't think you can. [But if would simplify things if she makes her desires explicit, wouldn't it?] I like this, being close to you.

[In more ways than one. She'd thought about this before, about having someone she could open to so completely like this, but it had always seemed like a fantasy. A beautiful thought, but not particularly realistic.

How fortunate that Vision has proven her wrong.

Wanda's hand falls down to his chest as she leans up for another kiss. It's almost like breathing now - it's nice, and she doesn't like going too long between them.]

I want to stay like this, but you can touch me. It's all right, love. [Another kiss. She doesn't particularly mind where, as long as he does.]

[Ah, he loves having Wanda's hands on him. She doesn't shy away from the more obviously inhuman marks on him, and even though he's still "wearing" his usual uniform, it's still all his skin and warm to the touch.

He gives her a soft, almost embarrassed smile.]

I shall. But, er, what I meant was--would it be all right with you if I referred to you as my "girlfriend"?

[Not that he wants to go announcing themselves to the whole world right away, but even the thought that he might one day be able to is something he'd very much like.]

[Vision's markings have never repulsed her - they just make him unique. And he's sensitive there, and Wanda likes the psychic feedback she gets from lavishing those areas with special attention.]

Girlfriend, lover...call me what you want. I don't mind.

[It's a little too soon for her to offer 'yours' the way her future self so readily does, but Wanda is sure enough of her own feelings to admit this much.]

But...I want to give this room to grow before we tell the others.

That's entirely fair, I think. [Honestly, keeping it from everyone else is a habit at this point. Keeping it from Wanda had been the difficult part.

Or, well, most everyone else, anyway. The Vision looks a little bit sheepish as he tucks Wanda's hair behind one of her ears so he can lightly trace the skin on the back of her neck without interference. Not flinching away form contact on her neck is good, and presents some interesting possibilities.]

I--did tell Kitty when I arrived here that the two of us had been a couple back home. And Natasha knows as well; she's from much closer to me in the timeline than anyone else.

[His touch raises goosebumps on her skin, soothing and relaxing her. Wanda has far fewer scars (both literally and figuratively) than her future self does and she doesn't tense at the contact. Actually...she likes it.]

Maybe that's best. I don't think anyone can keep secrets from Natasha. [There's warm amusement in her eyes as she cups his cheek.] But I don't want to think about anyone else now, just you.

[She kisses him gently, unsure if she should move her kisses and touches somewhere else. She knows Vision likes when she strokes the seams between flesh and metal on his skin, but beyond that she's uncertain.]

Do you like this? Should I move?

[There are surely some people who can keep secrets from Natahsa, but the Vision doesn't count himself among their number. he'd told her right away when he'd returned to the Fleet, and then coming from home she knew as well. Who better to help them set up confidential communications?

But he can appreciate wanting to leave everyone else aside and only focus on each other right now. He smiles at her through half-lidded eyes, relaxed and comfortable.]

I like it very much. You may do--whatever you like to me, in fact; there's no need to worry about hurting me. [It would take a very specific use of her powers to do that, and of course he trusts her not to. It's the only reason this relationship isn't terribly unbalanced. If he had no way to show his own vulnerability, placing himself in her hands would be meaningless. Now? It's anything but.]

I like the heat of your hands on my skin. I like the pressure of your body against mine, the touch of your hair, the feel of your pulse. [He catches her hand again and turns it up so he can kiss her palm lightly.] But as for what you mean, I do come from a human template; I have nerve clusters in all the same places you do. I like to have my shoulders rubbed, my hands and feet massaged, your kisses everywhere.

[Once again, the kiss to her hand makes Wanda's heart catch in her throat. That pleasant shock echoes through their link and she knows her cheeks are heating up again. Her blush only deepens as he continues until Wanda is left flushed, speechless, and entirely uncertain of where she wants to touch first.

Instinct moves her to start pressing kisses across his jawline and down his neck, slowly and deliberately.]

Vision...

[The kisses grow gradually more heated as she descends lower, although Wanda pauses and pulls back when she reaches his uniform, fingers fanning out over his chest.] Do you want a massage tonight?

[Much of what he listed could fit into that category, and it would also soothe her need to touch him.]

[He exhales in pleasure at the kisses to his neck, melting into Wanda's touch ever more with each one.]

Mmm. Yes, I would like that, very much. Although, ah, here.

[The Vision takes a moment to shift his skin back to its original state - just flesh and bands of metal, no illusion of clothing. It's not that he's becoming naked - with rare exceptions like wearing the exosuits on the planets, his "clothing" is really just shifted from his normal body mass, which is to say he's always naked. But this, his base form, no illusions, is what he wants Wanda to see.]

Is this all right?

[Oh -- for a moment Wanda forgets to breathe. Her hand's now resting on his true skin, and while she knows the difference in reality is minimal, this suddenly feels much more intimate.

She tentatively traces over another seam between flesh and metal. It's not the first time Wanda's seen him like this but never before has she known this urge to touch.]

Yes.

[Wanda's still flushed as she leans in again, kissing along his collarbone towards the center of his chest and then down to his heart.]

I love you, [she whispers, running her hand along his side, relishing in the feel of his skin. She really does want to give him a massage, but...in a minute. She's not done admiring the sight before her.]

[And then it's nothing but the delightfully contradicting urges to melt into the bed completely and to arch up at her touch. If she wants to spend all night feather-touching his body like that, he won't object in the slightest. He wants her to know every inch of him. And if she's quickly discovering which parts are more sensitive to her hands and her lips, well, all the better.]

Oh, Wanda.

[He wears so many layers of masks with people all the time, it's wonderful to let all his barriers down with her. And that's one of the things he's always liked about her, even when they'd first met, even when they'd known each other better and didn't have words for the feelings between them: she could see past them and still liked who he was. And because she could, and she wasn't afraid of him, he didn't need to wear them around her.

And now he doesn't have to keep this one secret from her, and he can just be again.]

And I love you.

[As if she couldn't tell from the way his hands cup her face or clutch at her sides, or hold her close. Or the way his emotions surge at her, and he knows she's feeling it from him.]

I won't hide it from you again.

[Wanda's touches grow gradually more confident as she explores his body, and she leans up to kiss him with ever-increasing passion. It's nice to let all of her walls fall down, to know that all of Wanda Maximoff and the Scarlet Witch are loved and wanted just as she loves everything that Vision is.]

I can feel it, but I still like to hear you say it.

[Gently she takes one of Vision's hands in hers, raising it to her lips so she can kiss each of his knuckles in turn.] I love your voice. I love having our minds linked like this too, but hearing you say it makes it more real.

[Another kiss to his fingers and she starts a slow massage, paying close attention to the places she tends to ache after a day of heavy power use.]

[Each kiss is like filling a well that had been on its last drops. Perhaps the human urge to compare desire to hunger is overused, because there's no way they feel like this every time they need to eat (or maybe they do and that's why they're so passionate about everything they do, if their bodies are so extreme all the time); perhaps there's simply nothing else which can sate his loneliness better than a lover who knows him inside and out.

His breath catches when she takes his hand to kiss it, and he hardly lets it out as her lips touch his fingers.] Then I'll say it as often as you wish to hear it. I love you, Wanda. You embody everything I find beautiful about humanity, and yet you still find room to be uniquely yourself.

[When she starts to massage him, he shifts around Wanda until he's lying on his stomach so she can get to his back. While in many ways life in the Fleet is far easier than life at home, there's still a lot of stress that's built up as tension over the past few weeks, and even the endorphins from the last few hours aren't the same as having a lover's hands on him, massaging it out. And if she takes a little longer than she might, exploring his body, all it does is make him sink deeper into bliss.]

[Wanda knows no other way to describe it - each kiss, each touch, only makes her want more. The real difference is that unlike true hunger, she wants to draw this feeling out as long as she can. It's bliss.

She shifts to kneel beside Vision as the massage moves to his back. Her long curls spill over her shoulders to brush his skin in a phantom caress as she works, pressing a generous number of kisses over muscles her hands have just soothed. Her confidence grows and she begins whispering to Vision that she loves him, that he's perfect, that he's everything she could ever want.

After finishing with his lower back, Wanda lays down beside him, lightly tracing her fingers over whatever skin she can reach.]

Next time, tell me before it gets this bad, love.

[As Wanda massages his back, the Vision lets our appropriate sighs and even a few groans when she finds a particularly tough knot to work on. Her hair's light touch and the gentle kisses serve to let him relax even more, until he's one big, warm lump of person-shaped bliss.

Once she's done, he rolls up onto his side so he can gather her close and give her one more kiss, long and deep.]

I will. Though if you don't object to my spending the night regularly, it won't get this bad again.

[How much of that stress buildup had been from the guilt of keeping a secret from someone he wanted to be completely open with? More than he wants to admit.]

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