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15

"Hey, Darlene! Where's Fred?"

"Oh, he wasn't feeling too well! I think he's got that horrible cold I had. But don't worry about him, he's all tucked up in bed."

Bucky didn't come home that night, nor did he come back to the house that morning. Fred and Darlene's pristine image meant that y/n couldn't even call around to check if he was staying with a neighbour. He was just gone, and it was all y/n's fault.

Y/n hadn't slept. She'd spent the whole night pacing in her bedroom, unable to wipe the look of betrayal on her husband's face out of her mind. She had beaten herself up over every single word that had come out of her mouth, yet she knew that she couldn't tell him the truth. Telling him the truth meant that y/n would have to face the truth too, and she couldn't bring herself to do that. Not now, not ever. She was protecting Bucky by not telling him the truth, right?

Today was the fundraiser. So, despite y/n's mind whirring at a thousand miles per minute, she had to put on her happy face and become Darlene.

She'd left the house before Wanda woke up, not having the time or energy to speak to her at the moment. Y/n knew she had to interrogate her at some point, but she just wanted one day of feeling slightly normal.

The entire town had gathered for the fundraiser. Stalls full of food, games, and little trinkets lined the main square, joyful music played from their live band, and the sound of children giggling as they chased each other filled the air. The children racing reminded y/n of something, yet she couldn't quite put her finger on it, so she decided to ignore it. Everything was perfect. Completely perfect.

Y/n was currently handing out the free cupcakes Agnes had made, a joyful grin on her face as she kept a delicate hold on the tray. Her yellow dress swayed about as y/n kept herself busy, greeting every person she made eye contact with. She was desperate to keep herself busy, not wanting to think about the fact that her husband had walked out on her just last night. However, a careful tap to the shoulder caused adrenaline to course through her body.

"Darlene? Can we talk?"

It was Wanda.

She needed to talk to y/n about everything going on. She had to put a stop to everything as soon as possible. Wanda didn't want to make a scene in front of everyone, nor did she want to be the one to shut everything down. But the only way that wasn't going to happen was if y/n talked to her. Of course it was bad timing, from the argument last night to the 'perfect' fundraiser currently happening, but Wanda didn't have a choice.

Y/n didn't turn around at the sound of Wanda's voice. She didn't even acknowledge the woman as she continued to walk around. "Cupcake?" She cooed sweetly as her shoulder was tapped once again, offering out her tray of cupcakes to a happy couple.

Wanda frowned, following y/n like a lost puppy throughout the fundraiser. She kept trying to get her attention, whether it be by tapping her shoulder, or trying to stand in front of her. But, every time she did, y/n either didn't react, or she simply turned around so that Wanda wasn't in her eyeline anymore. She was being blatantly ignored, and it was annoying her.

Wanda was trying so hard not to make a scene. She was trying so hard to fit in with the happy town. Hell, she'd even dressed in time-appropriate attire. The fact that y/n was ignoring her was downright rude. She could've at least had the courtesy to blast her out of Westview like she did to Geraldine, but no. Instead, she'd decided to embarrass Wanda. "Darlene-"

"Cupcake?" Y/n repeated, completely cutting Wanda off. It was obvious she was getting irritated. Her movements had become aggressive and rigid, solely focused on avoiding the woman behind her. Y/n wanted a few hours of normality. A few hours. After that she was happy to talk to Wanda. But not right now. Wanda was embarrassing her. Wanda was ruining the happy fundraiser.

Wanda bugged y/n for almost fifteen minutes. Fifteen minutes of shoulder tapping, calling her name, and staying hot at her heels. And, needless to say, the pair were continuously getting angrier and angrier at one another. It didn't take long for both of them to reach their breaking points.

Wanda was first to snap, keeping a smile painted on her face as she grabbed y/n's arm. It wasn't a gentle grip, it was bruising. She didn't want to follow her around anymore. She didn't want to be ignored anymore. Despite her not turning around, Wanda knew she had y/n's attention. She knew by the fact that y/n had completely frozen. "Y/n-"

That was all Wanda could get out before y/n snapped.

Being called her real name, even in a whisper, wasn't allowed. Only Bucky was allowed to do that.

Y/n yanked her arm out of Wanda's grip, handing the empty cupcake tray over to Agnes before she made a beeline toward the church. It was a walk that Wanda knew far too well, and it was a walk that let Wanda know that she was in trouble. It was her 'Hydra walk'. Y/n was seething. Wanda had hit a nerve she wasn't allowed to hit.

She swallowed hard, standing still for a few moments before she finally decided to follow y/n. Just seeing that walk sent a chill down her spine. That walk always led to danger, and Wanda had no choice but to follow her. To follow her into a place where it would just be them. Nobody else to protect her.

*****

Wanda was only a few steps away from y/n as they walked into the church, practically holding her breath as she prepared to be attacked. But, nothing happened. Y/n didn't even turn around until the church door clicked shut. And when she did, she had a mixture of desperate and furious tears in her eyes.

"What do you want from me, Wanda?! Do you want me to bring Vision back? Because I can do that! I can do that right fucking now. Just say the word."