Vaellis1994 - Untitled

The Chancellor made a mistake

All it takes is a single mistake and generations of planning goes down the drain. It’s actually kind of impressive when you think about the sheer amount of forethought that the death of the Jedi took. Because all it takes is moving just a little too fast and a thousand years of hiding go out the window.

Sheev Palptine was a font of patience when working toward his aims, but, well he had been listening to rants about Obi Wan Kenobi being the ‘Perfect Jedi’ for years. That he was detached, alien to the wider galaxy in a way that few beings ever were. Those rants sparked an idea. A way to isolate the Jedi further from the galaxy by showing them the ‘Perfect Jedi’.

And yes, Obi Wan Kenobi is one of the best representatives of what it means to be a Jedi who currently lives. But it was not for the reasons that Anakin (encouraged by Palptine) thought. The mistake Palpatine truly made was forgetting that the ‘Perfect Jedi’ image that Anakin held was created by Palpatine himself.

There is an artifact in Palpatine’s collection (one of the few that he had both legally and visibly) that is the center of Palpatine’s plan. It is a thing of Sith magic (and could be considered a device of torture, not that any one outside of Palpatine realizes that at first) that projects key moments in the subjects life for everyone to see, to hear, and even to feel a reflection of what the subject feels (It could be considered torture becaus the subject is forced to relive these memories in their entirety, as if they were happening again. Also they have no control over what memories are being shown and once started this process cannot be stopped until it has found all of the key moments). As it uses the Force the moments can be seen from a third person point of view. Palpatine had even found a way to connect the artifact to a broadcasting system, meaning that the entire galaxy can see and hear and feel what it is to be the ‘Perfect Jedi’.

At first the plan goes exactly as it was supposed to. In the guise of ‘fostering relations to disprove the horrible rumor of Jedi warmongering’ Palpatine maneuvers the Senate and the Jedi Order into Obi Wan Kenobi being the subject of this artifact and putting himself on display for all the galaxy to see. Anakin is visibly excited about this. Obi Wan is put in a Pod hovering in the center of the Rotunda, visible to all. Many Clone Commanders (and, though Palpatine had no way of knowing, Ghost Company) ring the top of the Rotunda, looking down at the General. Mace Windu and Yoda are in the Jedi Pod, looking weary (they know what a violation this is, even if no one else seemed to. The Clones, particularly those assigned to the 212th understood as well).

The one concession that Obi Wan had managed to get is that neither he, nor those he was working with, could be prosecuted for anything that might appear in the memories (using the logic that he did not want to be prosecuted for giving away military secrets if that is something that is shown to the entire galaxy).

The plan went wrong from the first memory (and it could not be stopped, even if Obi Wan was killed and the artifact destroyed, the Force itself would continue projecting until the memories had run their course).

The very first memory comes with the echo of fear and pain and the sensation of being unable to breath. The galaxy watches a tiny redheaded toddler being held under a river by a woman that could be his mother. A jedi of Togruta descent comes upon them and pushes the woman away and gently lifts the toddler. The reflection of a warmth easing the feeling of drowning echoes and comforts, the fear also easing. The woman then shrieks that the boy is cursed; is Obi Wan Kenobi. As she runs off the Togruta looks down at the toddler, smiles sadly and says “Not to worry, little Obi Wan, where we’re going, having the Force is no curse.”

A ripple of horror spreads throughout the galaxy. The darkness that the Sith had worked so hard to cultivate begins to thin, as beings of all kinds absolutely fall in love with the red headed toddler whose earliest memory is being rescued by the Jedi. It thins further though moments in Obi Wan’s childhood. Instead of seeing indoctrination or baby stealing the galaxy sees sentients doing their best for the children under their care. Yes there is bullying, the misunderstandings and teasing of any group of children and too few caretakers. But there is also Grandmaster Yoda playing prank after prank on and with the younglings. There is sleeping in a pile of crechemates, feeling safe (even in the presence of a bully). There are ‘adventures’ of sneaking into the kitchen with friends. Daycare workers, Nannies, and caretakers the Galaxy over have never felt closer to the Jedi than experiencing Obi Wan’s memories of the Creche.

The galaxy sees the teachings of the Jedi from the eyes of their children, and it is easier to understand there is so much emphasis on self control when a tantrum causes every toy in the room to shoot up to hit the ceiling then rain down on children. They see the mistakes, because there are always mistakes and things that could have been done better when raising children. They see Obi Wan’s visions and nightmares, and how they are handled. They see the places where rigid tradition is to the detriment of the Order but they also see the soft moments. The moments of comfort. They see Yoda calming Obi Wan after a nightmare and how the words “Always in motion, the future is” is not just an admonishment but also a comfort.

And they see the mystical powers of the Jedi being taught. That it is not just some magically granted power, but something that is taught and studied and worked for. They see behind the magic, what’s more for the first time the majority of the galaxy feels the Force the way the Jedi do (an odd consequence of the artifact being tied to the broadcaster like it was, is that most of the galaxy never really lost that sense after, even if they were not Force Sensitive enough to use the Force) for the first time.

And Sheev Palpatine is undeniably evil, there is no question about that. He is, in fact, proud of that. But even he feels…something when he watched a grown man tell a twelve year old Obi Wan that he is destined to fall (that memory alone swelled the darkness again). Through the memories, and armed with hindsight, the galaxy can hear the Force whisper to Obi Wan, telling him he is destined to be a knight. Compassion lights up the galaxy, shaded with horror, when the bomb collar locks home. And for many of the comfortable in the galaxy, even among those that consider themselves ‘good’ this is the closest they have come to experiencing slavery, the fear, the cruelty, the hollow ache. They hear and feel the secrets that slaves keep and vow to take action (it is a vow that turns to words again for many, but on dozen worlds it sparks into a bonfire that roots out slavery where it finds it).

When Cody hears Qui Gon Jinn tell Obi wan that the reason he is taking him as a padawan is because he was willing to die, he scoffs softly and murmurs “so that is where that comes from”. (Gree asks him why he is not surprised by any of this, since Skywalker visibly is. Cody looks at Gree and says that the General had already told these stories, all they had to do was ask).

It is with the memory of Obi Wan leaving the Order for the Young that it first occurs to Anakin that this was a violation. They should not be watching Obi Wan’s most intimate memories. This is not how Anakin should be learning about his former Master. The horror grows as he feels with every moment of the war that is shown. Then Cerasi dies. Three quarters of the galaxy sob outright for this young girl, who in her last moments spoke of Peace. It is nigh on impossible not to feel for these tired child soldiers and the Jedi Padawan that fought with them, they find the peace that they fought for but it took so much. Too much.

Then Obi Wan returns to the Temple. These are sentient beings, with hopes and dreams and flaws, the galaxy is reminded again and again. Nearly every memory has something that someone in the galaxy can relate to. The successes and failures that they can see through Obi Wan’s eyes.

When the child version of the Hero with No Fear is brought before the council the entire Galaxy feels the ache of never being enough, for always feeling like the second, the third, the last choice. Not even a thought during Qui Gon’s last moments. The grief of losing a parent is all too common, the stress of having to suddenly raise a younger sibling, of subsuming your own grief to be there for someone else and feeling alone in the world are not much less. And every parent in the galaxy knew the feeling of the teen years, where it seemed like everything Obi Wan did was a mistake or a misstep (Anakin remembered those years differently, shaded in a defensiveness that he was not sure the origin of now). Most of all everyone could feel the love that suffused Obi Wan every memory of Anakin, this boy who should have been his brother but instead was his son.

The attempted assassination of Senator Amidala drew Obi Wan to Kamino. For the first time the galaxy and, almost more importantly, the Senate saw the Clones through the eyes of the Jedi. Instead of rows of identical, interchangeable faces, it was constellations of stars in miniature. Each unique. Each beautiful. It was profound. It was striking.

Reflected horror only grew with each memory of battle. With each memory of grieving with Clones, they became more real. Even the Kaminoan Senator was discomforted, could not quite maintain the line that the clones were flesh droids.

There were memories of Obi Wan meeting with other Jedi, with Commander Cody, with Commander Fox, within his own Battalion trying desperately to protect the Clones and the Jedi. It hurt a number of the Senators and representatives to realize that they were the ones Obi Wan was protecting them from. An ache that served to Lighten the Force even further grew when Obi Wan and Cody acknowledged their desire to be together, but put that desire to the side so the could always be ‘above reproach’ to be able to protect other relationships (Padme/anakin, Aayla/ Bly, a number of others that involved either Jedi or Clones). An ache that grew when they watched from Obi Wan’s eyes as Fox and Quinlan Vos did the same. When several Lieutenants came forward with a plan to reduce Bacta (and other resources) use enough that they could send the excess to the Coruscant Guard, since they are never given enough. Countless discussion of where to move Clones to, either for their own protection or to protect others. The updating lists about which Senators the Clones must never be alone around.

There is a flurry of notes taken when Obi Wan explains to Ghost company that relationships with Jedi are not forbidden by the Council, but formalized relationships (marriage, parent/child, any relationship that have a legal basis) were made illegal by a treaty with Naboo some three hundred years before. This treaty does allow for exceptions to be approved with restrictions (Ki Adi Mundi’s exception is cultural, he is only allowed to have contact with his wives when trying to get them pregnant and is not allowed contact with his children. If he has a boy he will be required to dissolve that marriage and if the ratio of male/female stabilizes he will be required to dissolve all of his marriages). The consequences for breaking this treaty are severe, particularly for the non Jedi party. These consequences include imprisonment for approximately 1/10 of the beings potential life span, with any children born of the union to be surrendered to be studied (The law does not say that they will be studied expressly, but it is certainly implied). This was explained as part of a lesson on how to subtly discourage gossip about a topic (primarily Padem and Anakin’s marriage). When asked he also explains that there are two reasons that he would ask them to do that. One reason is personal, Anakin loves Padme and it would hurt him if something happened to her. The Second reason has to do with what happens with Politics and Scandal. That once it becomes known that they had married, Padme would effectively become poison to anything her name was on. And Padme had long been a champion of the underdog. Her name was on a lot of less than popular measures, including everything to do with Clone rights (He had tried to bring this up with both Padme and Anakin, they didn’t listen). He explained how important image was in this case, that was why he tried to make sure his troops were both visible and seen doing positive things. He was hoping that by the time the marriage became common knowledge they had enough goodwill to survive the fallout. (In the audience three of Padme’s advisers along with Padme herself start hyperventilating slightly when they do indeed find that little known treaty. Up with the Clones, Commander Thorn went ‘huh. I wondered why the 212th rarely got arrested on shore leave anymore’) When asked why the Jedi of that time let that treaty be signed, Obi Wan sighed and told them that he Jedi were not consulted.

The very last memory shown is Obi Wan, being told that he would need to be hooked up to a Sith Artifact and expose all of his best and worst memories for the Galaxies entertainment. His quiet dread looking at the pod that they were currently seeing him in.

For a moment the Light overtook the Force. Every being in the galaxy was bathed in the Light of Force. They saw themselves, both their flaws and their beauty as it truly was.

The Artifact shuts off and before anyone else can do anything, Ghost company descends on Jetpacks. They landed the Pod and bundled their General out of the Rotunda.

In the aftermath there were many that weren’t affected by what the Galaxy had seen, there always would be, but there just as many that did. In spite of the assholes, most people thought themselves as good, wanted to give more than they took, wanted to be happy and have those around them be happy.

A young scientist on Kamino looked into a mess hall crowded with Clone cadets. The day before they would have seen one cadet indistinguishable from another, mechanical instead of organic. Today all they could see were shining stars, individual and unique. In that instant they made a choice that would change the galaxy. They approached Shaak Ti and Commander Colt asking to speak privately. They explained that each clone was decanted with an inactive inhibitor chip (knowledge of which had been explicitly barred from being given to the Jedi) and that on these chips there was a set of orders hardcoded, they did not know what the orders were, that would take precedence over even the clone own free will. They handed over a flimsi with a frequency on it. This frequency would shut off the chips once they were activated, but would not do anything to them until that point. They could not be removed without alerting whoever included the orders and the chip in the contract.

Colt asked the scientist why now. The Kaminoan was quiet for a moment then said ‘yesterday you were interchangeable. Today you are not.’ and leaves.

On Coruscant a senatorial aide moves toward her next meeting. A few of her colleagues were further down the hall talking and complaining about the clones, the cost of creating more, calling them things and equipment, and jokes about their deficiencies. Not five feet away is a member of the Coruscant Guard, standing guard. She considers herself a good person, a kind person but it strikes her how many times she has seen this exact scene play out. It strikes her how many times she has ignored the beings protecting her, and how she was considered among the kindest beings in the senate for it. Looking at the red painted guard all she can see is Obi Wan Kenobi's memories of meetings with Commander Fox, lists of people they needed to protect the Clones from, a tiny list of people outside the Jedi and the Clones they can trust. Abruptly she decided that her meeting could wait as she squared her shoulders to confront the talkers, she knew what list she wanted to be on and it was time to prove it.

It took a thousand years of planning to carefully darken the Force to the point where the Sith could hide on Coruscant itself. A thousand years to cloud the Force, all to be ready to destroy the Jedi. It took a thousand year and all it took was one day, not even a day. It took the six hours that Obi Wan was in the clutches of the Artifact to destroy all of that planning.

Palpatine didn’t even realize what it meant, at first, when the entire Galaxy seemed to get six shades lighter. Then, two tenday after, a new bill was introduced contending that the Clones met all the requirements to be considered a previously unknown near human variation.

It should have failed. He owned 75% of the senate outright. It should have failed.

It passed. It passed overwhelmingly because too many of the voting morons thought they were giving a pittance they could then ignore. Not that being declared a near human variation automatically granted the rights he had spent so long denying the clones.

Then some sour apple tried to prosecute Amidala for marrying a Jedi (Palpatine was holding that in reserve, to get ahold of any children), Commanders Cody and Fox for the very obvious collusion to assist in the desertion of GAR Clones, prior to their rights being granted, and Jedi’s Vos, Windu, Koon, and Kenobi for the same reason. Which was now impossible because a blanket pardon was issued for any crimes that came to light as a result of Kenobi’s memories.

Petitions were already streaming in to have the treaty that makes Jedi marriage illegal broken and they seemed to be going to people that would actually do it (A spontaneous group formed, nearly 40,00 people strong across six system composed of both Republic and Seperatist citizens, whose sole goal is to get Codywan together and married).

At first Palpatine tries to wait it out, tries to keep with the plan because he is not one to act impulsively. Six tenday later, he realized differently. The Galaxy continued to lighten, kindness springing up. Slavery was in a downward spiral as more people stood up, spoke up, and tried to make things better. His empire was slipping from his grasp.

He executed Order 66. For a moment the light of clones dimmed and their minds compressed. Then the Clones who had taken his call jolted as if stung. There was a sharp crack and the remaining darkness fell apart. And Palpatine learned a lesson that few Sith lived long enough to, too long standing in the dark make the light fatal.

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vaellis1994

3 years ago

I’m always a slut for ‘Anakin decides not to murder children and it saves the galaxy’ AUs, but I’m also always a slut for ‘Anakin decides not to murder children and it doesn’t save the galaxy’ AUs, partially because I’m sure Palps had several contingencies in place for Anakin not falling, and partially because the concept of baby Luke and Leia being raised by their Mom, Dad, Uncle Obi and Aunt Soka while they run the Resistance kills me.

There are so many incredible directions it can go, but my personal favorites are:

Leia gets a lightsaber and becomes a terror of the galaxy, eventually killing Sidious through sheer bloody-minded stubbornness and no little amount of vigorous stabbing.

Luke and Anakin bond over piloting while Obi-Wan is sick in the back of the transport.

Obi-Wan and Padmé getting drunk and taking the piss out of Sidious. (“Have you— *hic* have you seen his hair?” “Atrocious.” “Fuck, and the robes.” “No sense of panache whatsoever. I was never so unstylish when I wore robes.” “Yes, you were very hot.” “What?” What.”)

Ahsoka, Leia, and Luke prank wars. Blue milk in the pillow is how it starts. Three imperial bases burning while R2 cackles in the background and Padmé and Obi-Wan yelling at them is how it ends.

R2 and Luke are Best Friends. R2 and Leia are Mortal Enemies. Anakin takes Luke’s side. Obi-Wan takes Leia’s. Ahsoka and 3PO form their own team. Padmé privately decides that she can’t be bothered and lets her family have their stupid feud while she establishes another rebel base.

Hondo Ohnaka frequently kidnaps Luke and Leia and tries to get them to join his crew. Leia scams him every single time in the hopes that it’ll get him to back off. It just makes him try harder.

Han Solo shows up when the twins are 16 and both of them get horrible crushes on him. Anakin hates him for it. He shows up again when the twins are 22 and gets a horrible crush on both of them. Luke thinks it’s kind of sweet. Leia is not impressed. Anakin still hates him.

Luke goes out on a routine supply trip and comes back two weeks later with a whole covert of Mandalorians, including one named Din to whom he is very attached. Anakin blames Obi-Wan for it (“It’s your genes. Your stupid, defective, mandalorian-attracting genes.” “Luke and I aren’t even related!!” “You did this.”)

Padmé ‘three outfits a day and no less’ Amidala, Leia ‘braids and floor-length bodycon dresses’ Skywalker, and Luke ‘Chanel boots’ Skywalker, are fashion icons. Anakin, who is almost always covered in grease stains, is consistently mistaken for their escort and/or servant.

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vaellis1994

11 months ago

This!

So I’m on AO3 and I see a lot of people who put “I do not own [insert fandom here]” before their story.

Like, I came on this site to read FAN fiction. This is a FAN fiction site. I’m fully aware that you don’t own the fandom or the characters. That’s why it’s called FAN FICTION.

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vaellis1994

5 years ago

Fanfiction is becoming people’s primary form of entertainment right now because most media right now is so cheap, bland, recycled, and sponsored by people who love money more than the source material. Fanfiction is written for free by people who genuinely love what they’re writing about. That’s why it’s better. That’s why it’s more satisfying. Fanfiction is a home-cooked meal made for yourself and for your friends. Media today is junky fast food spoiled by too much grease and the knowledge that the people producing it are being criminally mistreated and underpaid.

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vaellis1994

3 years ago

♡ sleepless nights are better with you ♡ {WandaNat}

a/n: first wandanat fic for tumblr yeehaw! I got slightly carried away but I just love writing them. My requests are officially open now so request away!

warnings: none? very mild sexual suggestions near the end; Nat and her copious pet names including bunny (zaika) for Wanda, but really this is pure fluff ♡

summary: Wanda's a soft bitch and wants to braid Natasha's hair, but she gets overwhelmed feat. protective, caring gf Nat because we love her here

words: 1.2K

masterlist. || navi. || request rules.

♡ Sleepless Nights Are Better With You ♡ {WandaNat}

Even for avengers, rain brings silence. There was just enough noise to fill the void and within the depths of the compound, two of them were embracing the natural calm. Wanda had been watching some late night show, but at some point the television cut out and neither she nor Natasha minded. Their lives were so hectic, it was nice to enjoy each other’s company when they could.

Wanda sat with her weight pressed against Natasha’s firm body, head resting on her shoulder at an angle where she could stare up at her girlfriend whenever she pleased. Her fingers twirled around red hair, playing with it absentmindedly. “Your hair is getting long.”

Natasha turned to look down at Wanda, tugging playfully on a strand of Wanda’s own hair. “Oh yeah? So is yours.” A few weeks after she’d joined the team, Wanda recruited Natasha’s help to dye her hair a few shades lighter before her first day of training. Wanda felt childish asking, but she’d seen Natasha go through many hair colors back when she initially ran through her thoughts and she hoped the assassin wouldn’t enact her revenge for that by giving her a terrible dyejob. Thankfully she was right. Now her dark hair was growing back in and she was long overdue for a trim, but she still enjoyed her long length.

“I like yours better though.” Thin fingers ran more purposefully through her thick hair, sitting up on her knees to get a proper look at it. “When I met you, it was so short.”

Natasha chuckled at Wanda’s obvious awe; she had a knack for being so excited, but always with a certain mellowness and it never failed to amuse her. She was adorable. “Want to reminisce and cut it off?”

“No!” Okay, that was too fast a response. “I mean-” Wanda shrunk back, hands folding in the bedsheets below her to distance herself as far as possible from Natasha’s sweet smelling hair. Still the scent lingered in the air between them and Wanda instantly missed the closeness despite having created it herself. “Long hair looks good on you…”

Natasha seemed to be growing more wavy red hair by the week and it was rare Wanda didn’t have her hand or nose in it whenever she could get herself close enough. Suddenly, she was hyper aware of how touchy she’d been and a wave of shame washed over her, head hanging to look anywhere but the woman in front of her. Natasha saw the change clear as day across Wanda’s face and frowned; that wouldn’t do. She’d be lying if she said she didn’t enjoy Wanda’s eagerness; it was always a good little ego boost. Wanda had a way about her that made practically all of her antics endearing, but unfortunately she was stubborn and tending to close herself off over small things. A firm but gentle hand reached out to grab Wanda’s chin, ignoring the resistance and turning it towards her. “Look at me.”

Reluctantly Wanda obeyed, eyes scanning Natasha’s face for any signs of incoming admonishment. The redhead was always encouraging Wanda to be kinder to herself, she was safe with her. Still, Natasha’s face remained blank, calculating Wanda in the same way in a silent analysis. It was times like these Wanda wished she could break her promise and read her mind, but she was sure by now Natasha would’ve figured some way to reroute Wanda’s invasion even if she tried. Natasha broke first, knowing Wanda would fully clam up if she waited any longer. Full lips turned into a warm smile and her strong grip went into a soft caress of her girlfriend’s impossibly soft cheek. “What’s on your mind, zaika?”

“U-Uh..” It took everything in her not to whimper at the nickname- Natasha knew how weak Wanda became as soon as they passed her lips. A completely unfair attack.

“I would like to braid your hair.” She could barely make out her own voice over the boom of thunder that rang outside, but the knowing smirk on Natasha’s face told her she’d been heard.

“Why didn’t you just say so?” Natasha was brimming with teasing remarks. She could poke fun at her for the cute pout twisting her lips, the soft curve of her eyebrows that gave away how hard she was thinking, anything about how small she looked waiting for Natasha to say something past her question- but she couldn’t. Wanda looked so skittish, like she would explode or flee at any moment. Their relationship was still new and Wanda had a tendency to overthink everything to avoid even possibly upsetting Natasha and no matter how many times she assured even if she was mad, she wouldn’t leave her, Nat knew it was a constant worry. Poor girl, Natasha couldn’t bear to make her sad.

The younger of the two continued to stay silent, playing with her rings as she waited for Natasha to say she was acting ridiculous. Really, touching your girlfriend’s hair wasn’t that big of a deal; Wanda was making it too intense. She’d made an otherwise calm evening into an issue, she should have just-

“Wanda?” Nothing.

“You know, my legs are getting cold without you. Didn’t know you wanted me to freeze.” Natasha gave one final push, hoping to finally shake her out of her head. Finally Wanda looked back over to Natasha and was met with her patting her thighs expectantly. Nothing good came from the brunette swimming in her own self-doubt too long; it was easier for Natasha to simply distract her until she got past it.

Wanda carefully moved to straddle Natasha’s firm thighs, settling on her lap to face her properly. She always smelled so lovely- a mix of earth and cinnamon- and it sucked her right back into Natasha’s secure orbit. “You’re very patient with me.” It was a statement, a fact Wanda was constantly surprised by each time she felt she’d grown too much for her to handle.

Natasha only let out a positive hum, leaning down to press a kiss to Wanda’s forehead that earned her a quiet giggle. “You’re very worth it, detka.” Wanda was practically beaming up at her, a much better look for her than the previous distress. Natasha had to kiss her, just a soft one, only to reaffirm her affections in case Wanda had forgotten. Her lips were pillowy soft as always, begging Natasha to nip and bite and suck until they were red and Wanda was whining for more. The younger kissed back with genuine care, forcing her worries away with the sweet taste of her girlfriend’s mouth on her own. Natasha forced herself to pull back before she got carried away, but tasting Wanda elsewhere was high on her list for later. “You are also unfairly addicting.”

“I’ll keep that in mind for when I’m in trouble next time.” Wanda let her head rest on Natasha’s with a grin, tilting to kiss her nose for an added touch of endearment.

“Or you could just behave and I wouldn’t have to punish you, sweet girl.” Natasha relished in the deep blush that bloomed over Wanda’s cheeks, a sign she was getting back to normal. There were so many things she wanted to tell Wanda, to reassure her over and over until she couldn’t stand it anymore. Anything to keep her safe and happy, but tonight was not the time. For now she was relaxed and ready to move on so Natasha would wait. She took a piece of her hair in her grasp, shaking it out for Wanda to take.

“Now get to braiding, Maximoff. I’ve been needing to change up my look.”

♡♡♡

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