Reflection

Their green eyes are similar. Looking at them, Wanda sometimes forgets that she is looking almost literally at her living reflection. They're the same in everything and at the same time different in everything. The subtlety of the red braid delights her, and Wanda (the other one) touches it with a light hand, unravels it, and gently pulls it towards herself in a motherly manner. Wanda watches her and understands that no one has cared for her like this for a long time, except for her parents in deep distant childhood, Pietro, whose bones have long been lying in the grave, and Vision, whose head she crushed with her own hands for the sake of a great salvation that never came. Wanda feels standing tears in her eyes, and the other Wanda, with understanding, erases the wet tracks with her thumb. She allows her to hug her waist, allows her to be comforted when a quick whisper warmly and softly settles into the top of her head: "Shhh… Quiet… Everything will be fine… It will definitely be." Wanda notices right away that the other Wanda bakes pancakes in the morning, wears light colors in her clothes and smiles radiantly and softly, like only a happy mother can smile. Wanda is both envious and happy that at least the other she is happy. She absorbs her image with her eyes, hungry for affection and acceptance, looks and doesn't take her eyes off until Wanda places a plate of strawberry jam and pancakes in front of her, pretending a smile. "The kids are still afraid of you, but at least now they don’t mind you staying," the other she shares with her confidentially while preparing dinner and puts her hand on top of Wanda’s hand, "and neither do I." For Wanda, it's a kind of consolation that in the end, of all the existing people, only she herself could best take care of her. She thanks the other her for acceptance, for the house, for the opportunity to stay and for the same children, whom she, alas, never gave birth to, but would like to. Wanda, with wet trails of tears on her cheeks, kisses the other Wanda’s hand and promises that she won't let anyone offend them, as long as their house is hers too.