Chapter 13: To the Castle
The mood in the Avengers Tower had shifted from the intense discussions about Alex's abilities to a quieter, more personal reflection. The battle with Ultron was over, and for the first time in a long time, the world felt at peace. However, for some of the Avengers, that peace also meant moving forward, finding new purpose and places to call home.
As the group began to gather their things, preparing to leave and return to their respective homes, Wanda and Pietro stood off to the side, exchanging words in low tones. There was a sense of unease between them—no real home to return to. The events of the past weeks, the loss of their family, and their new status as refugees in a world that seemed so foreign to them, left them feeling out of place.
Wanda looked down at her feet, her thoughts heavy. She had no home, no place that truly felt like a sanctuary anymore. The Sokovian conflict had taken everything from her.
But then, a voice broke her out of her reverie.
"Wanda."
She turned to see Alex standing a few paces away, his presence steady and reassuring. His gaze was warm, but there was something unspoken in his eyes—something that made her heart beat a little faster.
"Would you… would you like to come with me?" he asked, his voice calm but filled with sincerity.
Wanda's brow furrowed. "Come with you? Where?"
Alex smiled softly, an almost knowing smile, as if he were offering her a piece of his world. "To my castle. It's in Antarctica. There's nothing like it. It's peaceful, and it's all mine. I promise, you'll feel… safe there. Away from everything."
Wanda blinked, taken aback. "Your castle?" She couldn't help but chuckle softly, a small blush creeping up her cheeks at the idea of something so grand. "I didn't know you were a prince."
Alex chuckled, the warmth of the sound pulling at Wanda's heartstrings. "I'm no prince, Wanda. But I've made a place for myself. And I want to share it with you, if you'll come."
Wanda met his gaze, the weight of the moment settling in her chest. She felt her pulse quicken, not out of fear, but out of something more—something unspoken between them. This was an offer not just of a place to stay, but of a new chapter in her life. A place where, perhaps, she could finally breathe without the looming shadow of Hydra or Ultron hanging over her.
"Wanda," Pietro said, walking over with a small smile. "I'm going to be traveling around the world. Figured I should see more of it before it gets any crazier. You go with Alex. He seems like he knows how to keep you safe."
Wanda turned to her brother, slightly surprised but appreciative of his words. "Pietro, are you sure?"
"Yeah, no worries," Pietro said with a grin. "Besides, I like the idea of not having to answer to anyone for a while."
Wanda smiled, feeling a mixture of gratitude and sadness at the same time. She knew Pietro needed his space, needed to feel like he was doing something on his own. She couldn't blame him.
"I'll be alright, Pietro," Wanda said, her voice soft. "Go see the world. We'll catch up soon."
Pietro gave her a quick hug before stepping away. "Take care, sis." And with that, he was off, his figure disappearing into the distance.
Alex took a step closer to Wanda. "So, what do you say? Will you come with me?"
She met his gaze, her heart fluttering in her chest. "Yes," she said, the word slipping from her lips before she could even think about it. "I'll come with you."
The smile that broke across Alex's face was enough to make her heart skip a beat. He stepped forward, his hand gently taking hers, and without another word, he lifted her into his arms.
Wanda blushed, feeling the warmth of his embrace. "Princess carry, huh?" she teased, trying to mask the flutter in her stomach.
Alex chuckled softly, adjusting her in his arms. "I've got you. Always."
And with that, they were off. Alex, powered by his abilities, soared through the sky, heading toward the farthest reaches of the Earth—the icy, desolate land of Antarctica. The wind whipped around them, but neither of them felt it.
Wanda could feel the steadiness in Alex's arms as they traveled, the surety of his movements comforting her. It didn't take long before the stark white landscape of Antarctica came into view. The icy terrain stretched as far as the eye could see, unbroken by anything except the snow.
As they descended, Alex's eyes glowed softly. He raised a hand toward the ground, and with a mere thought, the snow beneath them began to shift. The ground parted, and from beneath the frozen surface, something began to emerge—a majestic, sprawling castle made of ice and snow, shimmering in the fading light of the day.
Wanda's breath caught in her throat. "This is…" she trailed off, her voice barely above a whisper.
"It's home," Alex replied simply, his voice filled with a quiet pride. "A place to call my own."
The castle was beautiful. The walls were made of ice, but it wasn't cold. It was as though the temperature was kept at a perfect, natural balance. The castle stretched tall, with towering spires and delicate, intricate designs carved into the icy walls. It was a place of both strength and elegance, the kind of place that could feel both safe and majestic at the same time.
Alex gently set Wanda down at the castle's entrance, and she stepped forward, still mesmerized by the beauty of the place. The way the light reflected off the ice, casting a soft glow over the surrounding landscape—it was otherworldly.
"This is… incredible," Wanda whispered, her voice full of awe.
Alex smiled, his gaze tender. "I wanted it to be something special. A place where you can feel at peace. No more battles. No more running."
Wanda turned to him, her eyes filled with emotion. "Thank you, Alex. This… I didn't expect this."
Alex gently took her hand, leading her inside. "It's yours now, too. Whatever you need, Wanda, it's all here."
As they walked into the castle, Wanda couldn't help but feel a sense of belonging, something she hadn't felt in a long time. Here, in this frozen fortress, there was warmth. There was peace. And, most importantly, there was Alex.
A feeling of contentment washed over her as she realized that, for the first time in a long while, she had a place where she could truly be herself.
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