driftfleet | (no subject)

Who: The Vision and Wanda Maximoff
Broadcast: No
Action: The Memorial of the First, on-planet
When: End of June

[The last memory the Vision had of home was of a feeling of inevitability, the sense that a storm was coming. Ever since the message from and subsequent meeting with the Interceptors, he's felt the return of that ominous anxiety. This time, he knows the stakes and he knows the danger, and most of all he knows that what's coming now will bring the end of the life he's grown comfortable with.

He's made some inquiries to his friends and carefully considered their input. He's started making arrangements, quietly, in case their mission should fail. But he also knows there may be a limited time to act if they do succeed, and he wants to do so with a clear conscience. That means he must consider all aspects of his choice and, knowing that cannot be made without consideration for the person who holds his heart in her hands, means he has to have a conversation with Wanda that may very well break that heart.

She can't have escaped noticing his restlessness, ever since they arrived at this planet. He's been pensive, distracted, building elaborate simulations only to shut them down within moments. What if, what if, what if--he narrows down the variables one by one until she is the largest one that remains.

He sends her a message to meet him in front of the Memorial of the First. It's a powerful monument not only because of its size and scale, but because of the meaning it gives: here are those who had no choice and made the best of their lives. A beginning that required an end.

He stands alone, waiting.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Wanda wraps her arms around him and gazes lovingly into Vision's eyes. This is balm for her soul and she craves what the rest of the day will bring: the comfort of skin on skin, gentle kisses and touches slowly yielding to pleasure, the ecstasy of finally being one in a way only they can share. But all forms of physical reassurance are as perfect as Vision is and are helping to drive those horrible feelings of heartbreak further from her mind. It's all right now. She can keep him, and they're going to have a wonderful life together.]

You woke my heart again. Even when we were only friends, I could have a little more hope for the future when I watched you. [She smiles warmly.] And now you are my future.

[She kisses him back sweetly as another wave of love floods their psychic link. This is all she needs; not a big party, or a white dress, or some big production of a wedding. When they part, she rests her forehead on his again.]

I'm sorry...I should have another ring for you, but I didn't plan this very well. It just felt right, and I didn't want to wait any longer to ask you.

Edited 2019-07-02 14:52 (UTC)

[Neither of them has ever really been a "big party" kind of person, even if they have each had the occasional birthday party on the ships. A few close friends, perhaps, and that would be enough for him. Figure out what it would take to get registered locally as a married couple. Write some vows - though he's already said them in his heart. When you fall in love with the same person three times, your heart knows the truth of the matter.

He clasps their hands together and guides her fingers over the ring on his index finger.]

I'm happy to consider this an engagement ring, Wanda. If you'd like a matching one I'll commission it, but we could also jump directly to the wedding bands next. That is--assuming you'd want to wear one.

[It shouldn't be too hard to get those. Even if this planet doesn't have a similar tradition, they are just gold bands and not terribly difficult to make. Worst case, the Iskaulit has jewelry-making tools at the forge.]

Edited (typo) 2019-07-02 18:52 (UTC)

[She runs a finger over the ring and raises their clasped hands to her lips.]

I don't want to wait for someone to make an engagement ring first, [she murmurs a little breathlessly.] But I want a wedding ring, whatever you want it to look like. I want everyone to see I am yours.

[There are few traditions that actually matter to her. The beautiful red dress Sansa made would be a wonderful wedding dress, and it has far more significance to them than anything else would. She would like a cake, but not the kind most people would picture for a wedding cake, and she has no particular interest in a diamond ring. If Vision gives her something similar, of course she'd wear it. But she'd rather have something that he feels best represents their love, no matter what it looks like.

She settles back against him and snuggles close.]

Can you stay with me today?

I can arrange for that. Would you mind if I handled both of them so they match?

[Yes, he's already thinking about designs. A simple band would be enough for him, but he knows enough about her taste in jewelry to know Wanda would prefer something intricate. He can look around, see if anything inspires him, place them on hold. Because he's not going to tempt fate by picking anything up before they've dealt with the Atroma once and for all, but...now that he's committed to a future, he's finding that he's more and more excited about it.

As she snuggles close to him, the Vision closes his eyes and exhales happily.]

I would like nothing better. Of course I will stay with you. I...think I need that, myself.

I'd like that.

[She lets her head rest on his shoulder and closes her eyes, finally able to relax a little. The most urgent need for kissing is sated and for now Wanda just needs to keep him close. One day the thought of losing him will feel like nothing more than a bad dream, but today her heart is still bruised from weeks of trying to prepare for it. Vision's touch is the only real cure.]

We can go anywhere, [she murmurs after a long moment.] Anywhere you want. The beach? Our room? The gardens?

[The beach is lovely. The gardens are always a balm. Their room has the privacy he craves.

None of it is quite right. He squeezes her hand.]

Fly with me. There's a desert island marked on the world map not far from here. We can take all the time we need there.

[How like her Vision to know exactly what they both need. That sounds perfect: privacy and a beautiful, soothing locale all in one. She turns her head to press three soft kisses to Vision's neck.]

Will you carry me? [Her voice lowers.] Or should I carry you?

I just want to keep you close.

[His breath hitches, hearing the echo of her earlier question, and he smiles fondly. He's emotionally wrought and the thought of more effort is exhausting, but at the same time, a bridal carry has a certain undeniable appeal after what he's just agreed to.

Ah, well. It's not like the physical effort of carrying her is taxing. It takes far more than that to begin tapping his reserves of strength.]

I will carry you, if you like. Now and always.

[She was so overwhelmed by the emotions of the day that she hadn't even realized. A stronger person might be able to let go, get up, and fly to the island themselves, but Wanda just doesn't have the emotional strength to tolerate any more distance between them than necessary. She'd been so sure she was going to lose him.

She shifts in his lap so he can pick her up whenever he's ready and winds her arms around his neck again. Scarlet twines around them, and when Vision does lift her he'll find that her power is helping hold them both up. Most of the work he'll have to do is just pointing them in the right direction to the island.]

And I will always support you, love.

[This does put them in a perfect position for midair kisses and Wanda wouldn't be a very good fiancée if she passed up the opportunity, now would she? She wants him to enjoy this too.]

[He starts off by giving her a kiss right away, soft and sweet, before lifting both of them into the air and flying off (much to the surprise of other visitors to the monument, but nobody seems to be upset about it).

There's still a great deal to be done - defeating the Atroma being first priority, but they'll also need to decide when they're going to tie the knot (soon, he hopes), whether they should have a party (he doesn't need one, but if she does, he'll make it fancy enough to make Tony proud), and on and on until forever.

As long as we both shall live.]