Work Text:
From the first day that you met her, you knew that Wanda would be one of the most successful people that you had ever encountered. There was no one more determined to make something of themselves than her. It was more than hard work; it was the way she sacrificed for the things that she wanted to accomplish in life.
You admired her.
How could you not, especially with the lack of direction you had in your own life? When you became her roommate in your sophomore year in college, you were already on your 3rd major. From engineering, to English, to culinary arts; you were all over the place. Yet you didn’t care much about it figuring things would work out somehow.
You believed that the universe would grant you whatever fate you deserved. Until Wanda told you that was such a ridiculous notion. Who would wait for a handout from the universe when they could simply get what they wanted themselves?
She was a good influence on you. You started taking school and your future a little more seriously after that. You put a lot more stock into your culinary dreams, and they paid off. There was a beaming fulfillment in your chest when you opened your own restaurant. Something that probably wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’t met Wanda.
While you can’t necessarily recall what Wanda does off of the top of your head. You know she’s got some long fancy title at some big industry company. She had taken an internship in college and because of how completely undeniable the woman was, she shot up in the ranks of the company within a 10-year period.
You were both busy people, but you never loss touch as you climb your respective ladders of success. It was second nature for you to keep in contact with Wanda. It’s not something you thought about as much as something that you did.
Other aspects of your life often slipped through your fingers. You weren’t proud to say you’d forgotten a birthday or two or missed family plans because of work. Even your dating life suffered immensely because of your hectic lifestyle.
You never understood just how Wanda could manage to create enough balance in her life to find someone like Jarvis. He was a good man, clean cut. A little more uptight than you’d thought Wanda would go for, but a charmer, nonetheless.
You remember being skeptical when you first met him. You were the first person that he’d met from Wanda’s life. It was an accident when you ran into him on the way out of Wanda’s flat. He was about to knock when you were exiting. The red head was a little embarrassed to explain as you stared at the tall blonde man. You looked between the two before you shook his hand and sent him a decent enough smile.
She had chased after you when you left, trying to explain herself, but there was nothing to explain. You congratulated her, said you were happy she found someone. She thought you’d be upset with her, but you weren’t. How could you be upset when she was happy?
You had assumed that they had a perfect relationship. That’s how it seemed when you saw them interact with each other. His hand on her waist, her eyes shining into his. They’d seem to complement each other like the ocean compliments the beach.
Which is why you were confused when Wanda called you in the middle of your shift at work. She hardly ever called, finding texting much more reliable. However, you picked up the phone on the first ring.
“Hey, I know you’re probably working right now but is there any way you can pick me up.”
It sounded like she had been crying.
You were taking your apron off as you spoke into the phone, “Always, just send me your location and I’ll be on my way.”
You hear the relieved sigh she lets out, “Thank you.”
You informed your staff of your departure and headed to your car. Wanda sent her location, and you put it into your GPS, before driving off. She was closer than you had expected so getting to her was nothing.
She was at a park in the middle of the city. The day was cloudy, and the sun was preparing to set. It was a very grey day to be outdoors.
Once you were out of your car you scanned around for your friend. You found her almost instantly. She was sitting on a bench, her head in her hands.
You’d seen her stressed before, but this felt bigger than that. Her voice on the phone made that very evident to you.
You approached her cautiously and when you got close enough you called her name, “Wanda.”
Her head shot up when she heard you. She was off the bench and in your arms before you had time to react. Her arms were tightly wound around you. It caught you off guard and all you could do was stare down at her for a moment.
Soon you were holding her back just as tight. Your hand cradled the back of her hair, finger tenderly rubbing her scalp.
“What happened?” Your voice is soft when you ask, not trying to provoke her any more than she already is.
It takes her a minute to pull away enough to answer you, but eventually she does, “Jarvis, he proposed.”
Your eyes widen, “These don’t look like happy tears.”
“I was trying to break up with him,” she lets out a deep sigh. “I called him to talk in person, and then I tell him that I think we should break up. He gets on one knee and starts talking, and I- I just…”
“Oh Wands,” you pull her back into your embrace.
You readjust so that you have one arm over her shoulder. She doesn’t protest as you lead her to your car. She climbs in the passenger seat no questions asked as you pull off.
When you arrived at your destination she finally speaks up, “What’re we doing here?”
“Getting takeout,” you answered quickly getting out of the car. “You sit tight.”
You’re in and out of the Chinese food spot with a hefty bad of boxes in tow. When you re-enter the car with the food Wanda sends you a small smile.
“Did you-”
“Of course, I got our favorite and I asked for extra sweet and sour too. I was going to drive to yours, maybe we could eat and indulge in some sitcoms or talk, whatever you want. How does that sound?”
Your eyes raked over her features. She gave you a few small nods, “Sounds better than having an existential breakdown at the park.”
“Well, I guess it’s settled then,” you chuckled a little.
You drove to her house, glancing over at her every few minutes. Her head rested on the window and her eyes were closed, but you knee she wasn’t sleeping. Wanda often closed her eyes when she was trying to ground herself. It was something you had picked on back in college. You never knew where she went in her head, but it always seemed to help her refocus.
When you got to her flat. You handled the food and handled the tv, shooing Wanda away to put on some more comfortable clothes. When she came back in her sweatpants and robe the two of you ate as you watched I Dream of Jeannie.
It took about 2 episodes before she said anything to you.
“You’re not going to ask why I wanted to break up with him?”
You leaned back into the couch, “I’m curious, but it didn’t really seem like something I should be asking right now.”
She searched your eyes for something. If you had to guess, you say for security. She needed to know that start she said next was ok to tell you. In truth there was nothing she could say that would deter you from being there for her.
“I think I like women,” she said as she looked into her lap. There were more tears brewing behind her eyes, “Only women.”
There was no hesitation as you moved closer to her. Your thigh rested against hers, prompting her to meet your gaze.
“That’s not a bad thing Wanda.”
She shakes her head, “It is especially when you have a long-term boyfriend who loves you with everything that he has. You keep wondering when you’re going to love him the way he loves you. When will you stop hating the way he touches you? When will you be able to look at him, the way he looks at you. By the time you realize it can’t be him, it will never be a him… it’s too late. He shows you a ring while you’re trying to break up with him.”
You grab her hand, “You need to be kinder to yourself. This isn’t something you chose to do Wanda. It’s not like you knew the whole time. It sounds like you’re just coming to terms with your sexuality. You did the right thing by breaking up with him.”
“But-"
“Let me finish. If I’m being honest, getting on one knee and proposing to someone after they tried to break up with you sounds like a manipulation tactic.”
She ran her free hand through her hair, “Did you think we were a good couple? Jarvis and I.”
You thought about the question briefly, “I think it looked like you were the perfect couple, but sometimes I didn’t understand it. You’re both so different, not that it was a bad thing. I just… I’ve seen you soar to unimaginable heights. I’ve seen your ambitions become your reality. I just didn’t see that in him. You’re always striving to be the best, to improve. I always thought you’d want someone to do the same with you or someone who was okay with you doing that. It just seemed like all of that went over his head.”
“He was a very traditional man. He always talked about settling down in the future, with firm roots, and kids. He talked about me retiring and letting him take care of me. It was just- not what I wanted.”
“And that’s ok, people break up all the time Wanda. It’s a normal part of life. Yes, it sucks, but it's just a breakup. Think of it as one step closer to finding your person.”
She nods slightly, “When did you get so good at this?”
You smile at her, “I’m not good at this. I’m just good with you. That's what nearly a decade of friendship does to someone.”
She didn’t say anything else. Instead, she rested her head on your shoulder and turned her attention back to the tv. You wrapped your arm around her shoulder, pulling her firmly into you.
Wanda would get through this, just like she got through everything else. You’d make sure of it, because she'd do the same for you.
In the coming months, you found yourself carving out more time for Wanda. The busy nature of your schedule died down significantly when you started to entrust the general manager of your restaurant with some more responsibility. It made your workload lighter while allowing your GM to get some more experience.
You used the new free time to support her the best way you could. Sometimes that meant bringing her lunch when she was working. Other times it was coming over after to make sure the woman wasn’t neglecting her home. You’d go over and check if she had groceries or that she wasn’t letting the flat get too dirty. She was the kind of woman that threw herself into work when she was trying to avoid something.
You’d even gone as far as helping her set up a dating profile when she was ready to put herself back out there.
“How do you do it?”
“Do what?”
You were once again in her flat. She stood in the kitchen, while you sat on a chair stationed at the island in the middle of the same room.
“Date women,” she was asking sincerely, but you couldn’t stop yourself from laughing.
“Well, I don’t really date, but it’s the same as any date. You’re trying to present your best self, get a good foot forward, but while maintaining an authenticity. It’s not like a job interview where only one person is doing the hiring; you both have a say in how it turns out.”
Wanda narrows her eyes, “Why don’t you date?”
You shrug, “Too busy running a very successful restaurant.”
“You’re not as busy as you used to be. Maybe you should set up a profile for yourself. I’m sure any girl would be lucky to have you.”
You shook your head, “Hard pass, but I appreciate the effort.”
“Come on, Y/nn. I know accomplishments can feel empty when you don’t have anyone to share them with,” she tried to persuade you.
“Well good thing I can share it with you then,” you countered.
She let out an irritated sigh, “You know that’s not what I meant.”
You smirk, “Why do you want me to sign up so badly anyway? You think we’re going to match?”
You were only joking, yet you can’t help but notice the slight color on your friend’s cheeks.
She scoffed like you expected her to, “Grow up.”
For a moment it feels like you’re back in your college dorm. The playful and flirty banter was always present between the two of you. It was easy for you to flirt with her, knowing you never really had a chance. However, now that there was even the slightest of possibility that this could escalate, it felt completely different.
“It’s alright Wanda, nothing to be ashamed of. I’m hot, successful, hardworking, and financially responsible. Hard to ignore the total package.”
She rolled her eyes, “I remember when Ms. ‘Total Package’ couldn’t even finish her college assignments without my help.”
You chuckle when you catch her eyes, “You’ve got me there. If it wasn’t for you, I have no idea where’d I be.”
“Probably still in college on your 95th major change,” she laughed at her own joke.
Now it was your turn to roll your eyes, “Very funny.”
With a smile plastered on her face she strolled over to sit next to you. She spun on the barstool before grabbing your arms and looking into your eyes, “I have something for you actually.”
“What is it?”
She reached into her pocket and sat a key down on the island. You looked at her then the key with slight confusion.
“A key?”
Wanda nods, “You’re basically here all the time and I’m getting tired of opening the door for you.”
“I’m using this key to come over and cook in this beautiful kitchen, you hardly use.”
“Hey, I cook,” she defended.
You laugh, “I said hardly, didn’t I?”
When you got home that night, you felt a new weight on your shoulders. Your hand slipped into your pocket to pull out the key. You held it flat in your palm. The small piece of metal was cool against your skin. You stared at it for a long while.
It was just a key. There wasn't anything crazy about it. Your friend gave you a key to her house. Friends do that with each other. Your heart shouldn’t have been fluttering the way it was over such a simple gesture.
You closed your hand around the key trying to ground yourself. Your eyes shut, but as soon as they did her smile etched its way into your sight.
“Shit.”
It was like college all over again. You thought you had gotten over your crush on Wanda many years ago. She was straight, it was never going to happen. That was something you could deal with, something you could work through. However now, that wasn’t the case anymore. Wanda liked women, technically you had a chance.
You shouldn't be thinking like that. She needs you now, to be her friend. You were doing so well. Taking care of her had become an unconscious pattern as easy as breathing. You never thought about it too hard when she needed you. It’s like the moment she put the key in your hand, your mind finally started thinking.
Subconsciously you’d always known it. It’s why you didn't date. It was unfair to be with someone who’d never be able to prioritize over Wanda. She was one of the few people in your life that you’d drop everything for.
Sure, you were a busy woman, but you’d never be too busy for her. Her distress over Jarvis literally made you change the way you worked, just to make sure you were there when she needed you.
“Why would I make her a dating profile?” You asked yourself as you face-planted on to your mattress.
Just as you expected Wanda’s profile was gaining some traction. There were a lot of women interested in someone like her. Soon she was going on more dates than you had been on in years. Most of them weren’t serious, she often said she wouldn’t be seeing them again.
While you were sad that she wasn’t finding anyone suitable you were also happy for the same reason. You thought you’d attempt to cheer up her up after so many bad dates by cooking one of her favorite dishes from home.
You made a day of finding the freshest ingredients. You drove out to find markets that had authentic food from her home country. There wasn’t a lot locally, but you didn’t mind the hunt.
Once you had everything you needed you made your way over to Wanda’s. It was a struggle carrying everything up, but you managed with a little bit of a struggle.
While you were still conflicted about having a key to her flat, you still used it plenty of times. So just like you had done previously you let yourself into Wanda’s home.
“Oh, fuck sorry,” you said as you immediately saw Wanda straddling the lap of an older (an admittedly super attractive) woman on her living room couch.
Wanda looked like a deer in headlights. You were trying to comprehend if you were more mortified or heartbroken. No one spoke for a long while until the older woman cleared her throat.
“Right, uh I’ll just come back tomorrow or something. Enjoy your night, Wanda.”
With the groceries still in your hand, you turned around and closed the door. You only made it down a few steps before you heard someone calling after you.
“Y/n, wait!”
You closed your eyes and took in a deep breath trying to mask your feelings before you turned around.
“This stuff is a little heavy Wanda; I want to get it back to the car before the bags break.”
She took a few bags from your hands, “Let me help you.”
“You don’t have to; you looked pretty busy in there. Here I was, bringing stuff to cook for you in light of all your failed dates, but it seems like you’re not doing nearly as bad as I thought,” you tried to joke with her.
“Agatha is definitely the best of the dates I've had so far.”
You had to keep yourself from wincing, “Glad to hear it.”
Wanda helped you load the stuff back into the car.
“I’m really sorry about this. If I would’ve known you were coming-"
You shook your head, “It’s fine Wanda, go back to making out with a hot older woman. They don't like to wait for too long. I’ll just text you next time instead of just barging in.”
“I have you a key because you’re always welcome.”
You unhook the key from your key ring and hand it back to her, “I know that, but maybe it’s best if you let me in.”
“Y/n,” she looked at you with confusion.
You smile through the pain, “If you’re going to have women over, it’s not a good look for another woman to be coming in and out of your house whenever. We’re not related and we’re not roommates. There’s not really a reason for me to have access to you like that.”
“I don’t understand,” she looked between you and the key that was now in her hand.
“Usually, a key to your flat would mean I’m your girlfriend. Me coming over to cook for you as another woman who likes women is bad for your stock. It just doesn't feel like something that's easily explained. I would have a bunch of questions if I was in Agatha’s position, especially since you haven't gone back yet,” you hop into your car.
There was a conflicted look on her face, “You’ll stop by tomorrow?”
“I’ve got work, but I'll try to stop by after,” you told her that even though you knew you wouldn't be coming back tomorrow.
“I’ll see later then?” She was searching for something as she surveyed your features.
With what little control you had left, you tried to give her what she was looking for, “Definitely. Now forget about this and go back to your date.”
She looked like she wanted to say more, but with a small glance back at her flat, she walked away. You drove home.
The groceries felt eternally heavier when you were bringing them into your house. You wondered how carrying them upstairs to Wanda’s was even possible.
You hurriedly put the food away, showered, and then got in the bed. When your head hits the pillow, you let out a deep sigh. Your jaw started to tremble on its own.
You let out a bitter laugh as the tears fell down your face. You didn’t bother to wipe them away. It felt like a part of you was ripped out of your chest.
This was bound to happen eventually. Wanda would move on from Jarvis and your silly fantasy would be crushed. You felt silly crying over a woman that was never yours.
Yet another part of you was screaming at you for feeling silly. You were doing a lot for Wanda. Even if it was all just friendly, sometimes it felt like more. All the dinners, all the cuddling on the couch, all the late-night talks. She was your better half, but she wasn’t your girl. She’d never be your girl.
It was something you had to accept. You didn’t go to work the next day. You rotted in your bed, not having the energy to get up. Scrolling on your phone was the only thing you wanted to do.
Wanda had texted you a few times, but you ignored the messages. Even the thought of her just made your entire chest burn.
You finally got out of bed when you had to pee. You took the opportunity to brush your teeth as well. On the way back to the bed your doorbell started to ring. Not just once either. Whoever was at the door pressed the button over and over again. It was impossible to ignore.
So, with your bed head, red eyes, and mismatched pajamas you yanked the front door open, “Look, I don’t know what you want but could you just go away and try again tomorrow or something.”
“Tomorrow’s not going to work for me.”
Your head shot up and you felt face heat. Wanda was standing at your front door with her arms crossed over her chest with an eyebrow raised.
“What’re you doing here?”
Your voice had a softness to it that you reserved for the red head in front of you.
She didn’t answer your question. Instead, she let herself into your home. You closed the door behind her. You followed her to your living room. She sat on your couch while you took a seat on a chair diagonal to it.
“I thought you had work today,” she says.
“I decided not to go.”
“I’ve been texting you.”
You shrugged, “Haven’t been on it sorry.”
Wanda stared at you, “I went to your restaurant looking for you.”
You were looking into your lap, “I’m sorry Wanda.”
She got up from the couch to come completely into your line of sight. She kneeled down in front of you, her hands resting on your knees.
“What’s going on with Y/nn?”
The concern in her voice broke you out of your trance. You tried your hardest to feign that you were alright.
“I’m fine. Since you’re here why don't you let me cook something for us?”
You stood from the chair quickly pushing down the rest of your emotions. She watched as you walked over to the kitchen pulling out some of the ingredients you had bought the day before.
“This is for paprikash,” Wanda watched as you began to prepare.
You nod, “Yeah, I got stuff for chicken paprikash, alivenci, and cholent too. The plan was to cook the paprikash and then the alivenci for dessert. I was going to set up the cholent for you before I left so you could have it fresh the next day because it’s got to cook for like 17 hours.”
“You got all of this for me?”
You answered her while chopping up the vegetables, “It was nothing.”
“It’s not nothing. You’re using Hungarian bell peppers, where did you even get those?”
You smiled a bit, “I do own a restaurant, Wanda. If there’s anything I’m an expert in, it’s food. I wanted it to be authentic as possible.”
As you began cooking you felt the weight of the situation lift off of your shoulders. Cooking had always been a stress reliever for you, and it wasn’t any different now. You could feel Wanda’s eyes on you, but you never looked away from the meal.
Only when the chicken was simmering in the pot did she attempt to grab your attention.
“After you came by yesterday, I asked Agatha to leave,” Wanda broke the silence.
You finally look at her, “Why would you do something like that?”
She simply placed a key on the counter, “I couldn't stop thinking about you giving me this key back.”
“Wanda,” you tried to stop her, but she cut you off.
“No, I need you to listen. When you put this key in my hand, it felt like you had handed me a live grenade. I didn’t understand why. It wasn’t until I went back inside, and Agatha asked me how we knew each other that it clicked. You’re my everything.”
“What are you saying?”
She hesitated, “I’m saying I’ve already found my person.”
“Wanda, you’re my best friend.”
She invaded your personal space, grabbing you gently by the wrist, “And you’re mine, but it’s more than that isn’t it? You’re the person I can rely on for anything at any time. You’re the woman that left her restaurant to put me back together when my ex left. You listened to me, you held me, you cooked for me, made sure I had groceries, and that my house was clean. Friends don't do as much as you've done for me.”
You slowly lifted your gaze to meet her’s, “I just know you appreciate acts of service.”
“Y/n if you don’t want this I’ll leave and we can pretend it never happened; but if you do want this, want me, I’m right here laying it all out for you.”
You drop your gaze again, “I cried myself to sleep last night. I thought I'd lost my chance. When I saw you on top of Agatha, something broke inside of me Wanda. Back in college I had a crush on, but I thought you were straight, so it was easy to keep it down. When you came out to me, it was like I was at square one all over again.”
Wanda shook her head, “It’s not square one because here I am telling you that I’m in love with you. Please give us a chance Y/n.”
You wished the moment was more glamorous as you kissed the woman in front of you. You hadn’t denied her yet and you never planned to. Her hands locked behind your neck while yours rested on her waist.
Your breath was shaky when the kiss ended. Neither of you moved.
“I love you too,” you pecked her lips again.
Wanda blushed, but you were more focused on the way she looked at you. Her eyes were full of nothing but tenderness.
“Would you take the key back?”
You raised your eyebrow, “Why does it feel like you’re asking me for something else?”
She feigned innocence, “I’m not. Unless you think that what you said yesterday about keys is true.”
“Remind me what I said again?”
Her fingers played with the hairs at the base of your neck, “A key to my flat means girlfriend.”
You pretended to think about it, “Girlfriend?”
She nodded, “Girlfriend.”
“I guess I’ll have to get you a key too then,” you said softly.
This time Wanda leaned in for a kiss. It was supposed to be a peck, but you both got lost in that moment. Neither willingly to part with the other just yet. Lips fitting together to create a soft lullaby of security.
You never thought you’d be lucky enough to have Wanda in this way. She was your best friend, your person, and now your girlfriend. It may have taken years, but you wouldn’t have had it any other way. Wanda cherished you just as much. She felt like an idiot for not realizing her feelings sooner, but she was just happy to call you, her girl.
And one day, she would be ecstatic to call you, her wife.