When we got back to the Avengers compound, I didn't talk to anyone.
I didn't eat.
Didn't train.
Didn't sleep much, either.

I just....shut down.

My room was dark, quiet- too quiet- and every time I closed my eyes, I saw him.
Pietro's smirk.
The blood.
The way his body went still in my arms.

I hadn't known him long, but time didn't matter.
He was my brother- not by blood, but by something stronger. By choice.
And losing him cracked something in me that was already barely holding together.

After days of silence, I forced myself out of bed. My legs felt heavy, my chest hollow, but I knew I couldn't stay locked away forever.

Wanda had lost him too.
And if I knew anything about pain... it's that carrying it alone only makes it heavier.

I walked down the quiet hallway and stopped outside her room. My hand hovered over the door before I knocked gently.
"It's Elizabeth. Can I come in?" I asked softly.

There was a pause, then:
"Yeah" she said

I opened the door. Wanda was sitting on the edge of her bed, eyes red and tired. I sat next to her, the silence stretching between us.

"I know how you feel." I said after a moment.
"The feeling of not knowing what to do next....or how to even do anything else at all" I said

She shook her head, her voice trembling.
"It's different. I know this hurt you too, but he was my brother by blood. My twin. I don't think I can move on" she said

I nodded slowly. I know she didn't mean that in a bad way.

"....i didn't mean Pietro." I said

She turned to look at me.

"I understand how you feel because I lost my brother too " I said

Her brows furrowed, her expression softening.

"His name was Alexander. He was three years older than me. We were together in Hydra from the start. On my tenth birthday, they sent us on a mission to steal data from some facility. It was supposed to be simple"

I swallowed, the memory hitting like it always did- sharp, cruel.

"On the way out, we got caught. We ran. I thought we were clear, but when I turned around....he was clutching his stomach. Three bullets. I tried to save him, but it was too late" I said

My throat tightened, but I kept going.
"I watched him die in my arms- just like Pietro. And it broke me" I said

I reached up and unclasped the string from around my neck. The small, worn pendent glinted faintly in the light.
"This was his necklace. He wore it every day. I keep it because it reminds me that he's still with me- in some way" I said

Wanda's eyes shimmered with tears.

"In the moment, it feels like you'll never move on. And the truth is... you don't. You just learn how to live on for them. That's how you keep them close" I said softly.

For a second, neither us of spoke. Then Wanda reached forward and pulled me into a hug. It was tight, shaking, real.

"I love you" she whispered.

"I love you too" I said back, holding her just as tight.

We pulled apart, both of us breathing a little easier than before.

"Now" I said, standing and wiping my face.
"let's go make them both proud" I said

Wanda nodded, a faint smile tugging at her lips.
"Let's" she said

I went back to my room and changed- new outfit, new beginning. My reflection in the mirror didn't look like the same girl who had walked through Hydra. Or even the one who had fought in Sokovia.

This version of me carried loss, but also purpose.

When I walked out, Wanda was waiting. We exchanged a small nod before floating down together to meet Steve and the others.

The wind rushed past us as we landed. The air was heavy with something new- hope.

Steve stood in front of us, surveying the new team. He smiled faintly, straightening his shoulders.

"Avengers-"

The word hung in the air like thunder about to break.

(Assemble) hehe