Alex's POV

After a few more minutes, she was able to calm down quite a bit, so I pulled away from her. I wiped the last few tears with my sleeve.

"Maybe it doesn't seem like everything will be okay now. But it will be. You- you are an incredible woman; you have gone through so much and you've only come out stronger, more resilient. You have been knocked down, but you're still here, still fighting. Because you have a passion and a fire in you that keeps you going, one I admire deeply. And besides being considerate, seriously enchanting, beyond brilliant, somewhat funny," I get her to scoff with a small smile at that, "you are also one of the kindest, most talented, most drop dead gorgeous woman I have ever met and will ever meet. You are going to be okay."

She laughs, "you're just saying all of that. It's been a year, Alex. There's a few days I think I'm okay, but I'm not. I've lost so much.. and then I lost you. It's too much."

"Wanda.. I'm right here."

"What is that suppose to mean? You're here, we're at this ice cream shop, because we were coincidently at Spencers shop at the same time. You can't tell me you were about to reach out to me any time soon."

I hang my head, knowing she's right. I had been debating this entire time if I should be doing this, if it was beneficial or detrimental for me.

I have been keeping her out of my mind for so long I didn't know how I would react if she were to come back into it.

"That's what I thought," she creates more distance between us, and when I look at her, her head is turned to the side as she wipes her cheeks.

"Hey," I take the chance, using my thumb and pointer finger gently on her chin to turn her head. "I can't say I was about to call you or go to the tower or your favorite shop. But I'm certainly not upset that we did bump into each other." I search her eyes, hoping for something to spark in them besides the absolute loss they've held.

"Really?" There's so much hope..

My heart melts, "of course. When I said I still care about you, I meant it."

Her head falls back down and she mumbles, "yeah. But you don't love me." It's faint. I nearly miss hearing it. But I do.

I swallow thickly. I can't say I don't love her. But.. is it just old emotions brought back up because I'm seeing her again? Has it always been there, I was just ignoring it?

I felt angry for the longest time, I was sure I didn't love her.

But I think I was hurt, so I pushed whatever I actually felt for her to the side.

It's been so long now, I'm not sure what I'm feeling.

"I.. don't know.."

Her head snaps up to me, "what do you mean? Don't fuck with me, Alex. If this is some weird way of getting revenge, it's cruel."

"What? No. I would never do that to you." I grab her hands in mine and she lets me. "I just..it's been more than a year. I think I was pushing it all away for so long, I was so hurt, so angry, that I don't know how to feel. But I know I'm feeling something, I'm just not sure what it means, really."

"Okay.."

"I think.." I bite my lip. I need to tread carefully. "I don't want to be misleading in any way, but I think I need some time."

"Oh." And any life that was left completely disappears.

"Wait, what I'm trying to say is that I need some time to figure this all out. How I'm really feeling. I don't want to say for sure one way or the other right now."

"No, I get it." She takes her hands out of mine.

"I don't think you do. I'm just messing up my words. Um.." I take a deep breath. "I need time, but I don't want it to be away from you. I need time with you. To figure this out. If that's okay with you."

"Wait. You.. want to spend time together?"

"Yes. I- I do. I don't know what I'm feeling, but I don't think I'll be able to find out unless we spend more time together." Clearly staying away didn't give me answers. At least, now I realize it didn't.

"And I'm not saying I'm going to feel that type of love. I need to go at a slow pace. I think I would need to start as friends. I know that probably isn't what you want, but if we're going to be anything, I think it's what I need."

I'm practically holding my breath. I honestly have no idea what this will lead to, if it'll lead to anything at all.

And I'm.. I might be a little afraid of what I might feel, what it could lead to. Part of me knows I never truly let go of Wanda and those feelings (clearly). So it's not unlikely that I would fall back into what we were.

Of course that's terrifying. She broke me. Twice. Someone I loved and never thought would hurt me, nearly ended me. So putting my heart back into her hands? Might be the scariest thing I've ever done.

And that's saying something.

I've spent so much time bettering myself, making sure I was happy with me. Building a life I can live and want to live. That wasn't easy. I'm happy with where I am.

This could throw all of that away. She'd be something different in my life when I never thought I would have anyone else again.

So yes. I'm holding my breath.

Her smile brightens my mood instantly, "I would love to start as friends. I understand we need to move slowly and I'm more than okay with that. Whatever you need. I just need you back in my life, in any caliber."

"Are you sure? Because, like I said, I can't guarantee we'll be more than friends. I don't want to hurt you, but I need to protect myself this time, too. I went through a lot after.. we broke up. You broke me. That trust has to be built back up. I can't tell you how long that will take."

I'm trying to be as honest as possible. I don't want either of us going into this with any sort of expectations.

"I'm more than okay with that. I understand. I ruined what we had, but I would like a chance to mend it as much as possible. We go at your pace for how ever long you need. I'm just over the moon I'm even here with you now and want to see me again."

"As long as you're sure. I'm really not here to hurt you. I know you said-"

"I said I didn't think you were in reach. I haven't talked or seen you in a year, I never thought I would again. So I want this. I want you back in my life. Please."

"Okay." You know that feeling when you finally confess something? That weight lifted off your shoulder? When something you've been dreading has passed? Elation. That's what I'm feeling. So I smile.

"Okay," her smile matches mine.

"So, I say I take you home now because I don't need the avengers after me. And we can plan a time to do lunch or something? I have to work tomorrow, but another day?"

"Well first, I don't think the avengers would mess with you. Secondly, that sounds perfect."

I laugh, "I have the avengers afraid of me? Must be doing something right."

"You most definitely are," she laughs with me.

Then we take care of our mostly melted ice cream and get back on the bike. The ride to the compound is kind of long; definitely enjoyable, though.

Maybe this is all pretty crazy, I'm here trying to be friends with my ex, but I feel good about it. More than good, actually.

Okay, it is a little crazy. This is the woman that didn't believe me, thought I was an assassin arsonist for hydra. Knew my relationship with my ex was all fake..

Yeah, it's more than crazy.

But who wants love if it isn't a little crazy?

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Wandas POV

We pulled up to the compound way too quickly. She helped me off her bike, bringing me in for a hug before she drove off.

I practically skipped my way up to the door before making my way inside, the biggest smile plastered on my face. I don't think it'll leave any time soon.

I am so over the moon. I'm so glad I decided to stop by Spencers shop today. I can't describe why I did or what pulled me to it, but I'm not questioning it.

I can't believe I'm getting another chance with her! I know it's not technically another chance.. but we're starting as friends. We're seeing how we fit back together. I get to be back in her life, she'll be in mine.

I can only hope that it ends with us back together. I know there's a chance that it won't. I have a lot of shit to make up for. I need to work hard to gain her trust back. And I'm going to do everything in my power to do that.

And even if I don't get to have her back as my girlfriend, I'll still have her back. And that's good enough for me.

If only -

"So, who was on the bike?"

"Holy shit!"