explosion | OPEN POST.

[ She laughs and sucks in that laugh as she peers down at him. It's so awkward on the couch. Why do they always pick such awkward spots to do this? She stares at him as she considers her next words—she wants to stay here in this little pocket of contentment, but she dislikes how her back slopes against the arm of the couch and how he takes up so much space while still looking so small. ]

I am tired. [ Her voice isn't as demanding as she'd like, especially with how her gaze softens and she stares at him. ] Will you take me to bed?

It's about time.

[Pietro has no protest for that. They're always on the couch lately, and it's annoying. She never turns off the television, there's not enough room, and the cushions are worn and scratchy. He doesn't tell Wanda to get up, because he knows take me to bed means he's expected to carry her there, whether or not she has the excuse of her poor knees. And he does so, quickly scooping her up in his arms despite the awkward angle to get a good hold, and dropping her off in the middle of the bed a moment later.]

There. Do your knees still hurt, or are we moving on?

[He stands at the foot of the bed with his arms crossed like he's issuing an ultimatum, but he's still going to do whatever she says.]

[ No matter how many times he speed-runs her anywhere, she always feels a little winded. She needs a moment to catch her breath as she sprawls on the bed.

Well, her knees still hurt, but Wanda knows that's only going to frustrate him the more she whips it. Resting on her elbows, she peers up at him before her gaze drifts to the suncatcher still in its place by the window. She wishes for the sun to glow against it every single time she looks at it.

Wanda frowns. ]

All of me hurts now after you threw me!

[ See? She can change things up in her old age. ]

I didn't throw you!

[He waves one hand dismissively, discounting her accusations.]

It was a gentle toss.

[Climbing up on the bed, he lies on his side, propped up on one elbow, and looks down at her.]

You were squirming anyway, and you can't hold that against me.

You were holding me all wrong.

[ See? It's still his fault! She looks pointedly up at him before she rolls onto her side to face him. Resting her elbow against the bed, she leans her cheek against her open palm and makes a show of rolling her eyes at him.

She nudges his calf gently with her foot. ]

Did you enjoy your birthday, Pietro?

[Pietro scoffs, but has nothing else to say on the matter. He'll never win those arguments, so he pretends he can't be bothered with them. He mimics her nudging, only going for a poke on her arm.]

I always do. I get my wish every year.

And what is that? To be very, very annoying?

[ She jabs at his arm hard with two fingers. It's a losing game she's playing; he's stronger and faster and rises to each poke, but Wanda can't help herself. She wants to get a rise out of him now after snapping at his bait over and over today. ]

[He makes an exasperated noise, but can't resist poking back again.]

How quickly you forget in your old age. What did I tell you I wished for?

I am checking you have not forgotten in your old age!

[ She shoves him gently and ensures to poke at his shoulder roughly so he can't see the heat flooding her face. ]

Or changed your mind. [ Wanda doesn't look at him yet, although she does poke him once more in the arm, lightly this time. ] You can still change your wish but you can't once your birthday is over.

[Pietro looks like he's considering that for a moment, what he could change his wish to, idly stroking Wanda's arm.]

Hm... No. No, I made the wish that I wanted. I'm keeping it.

[ Good. Because her wish is him and his wish is her and the world would feel all out of sorts if that changed. Even when she longs for that picture-perfect life in her television serials, she doesn't want it if Pietro isn't at the centre of it all.

Telling him as much is asking for him to roll his eyes in exasperation, so she keeps that secret tucked closely to her chest. He probably already knows. Not because of it being a "twin thing", but because Pietro understands her better than most people. Not even her friends understand why she loves to escape so much.

Wanda extends her arms above her head and fakes a big, loud yawn, using it as an excuse to kick him. ]

It has been tiring looking after you and your senility, Pietro. Maybe a part of your wish will be to make it up to me.

[He grumbles at the kick, but otherwise ignores her attempt to annoy him. Instead, he moves in closer to her, laying a hand on her stomach, fidgeting a bit to get comfortable.]

I'll make it up to you tomorrow.

You'll be too old and tired tomorrow to hold me.

[ Because that's all she wants at the end of this day.

Snaking her foot between his legs, she hooks it around his calf. Just in case he thinks to slither away, he won't be able to. She draws her fingers down the slope of his nose and bops the tip. ]

I'm too old now.

[It's only a light protest and he does exactly that anyway, making sure to trap her arms so she can't keep poking him.]

Stop. You said you were tired. Go to sleep.

[ Her other birthday wish was to poke him… and now that's no longer coming true. Perhaps if she had insisted they could have two wishes, she'd be able to continue annoying him. ]

I'm wide awake now because of you!

[ But Wanda makes a show of closing her eyes as she tries to very slowly fidget to poke him. It's hard to. His arms are like very tight vines. ]

Squeezing me like this. You are such a bad cuddle.

[He growls softly, but loosens his hold enough so she can move her arms more freely.]

All of this complaining, and you wonder why I am old before my time. The grey hair comes from you, and I have found six more today.

I found another.

[ With her arms now free, she glides her hands through his hair roughly before she starts to tug at the tips. When she isolates an allegedly grey strand, she clucks her tongue in pity. ]

It's a good thing you look decent grey.

[ Not good. Not handsome. Wanda needs to leave herself some wriggle room here to insult him. ]

Wrinkles are coming in, too. [ With her other hand, she brushes the pads of her fingers firmly between his brows. ]

Only decent?

[He scoffs, mildly offended, and he would claim he's several tiers above decent if he didn't think it would only provoke more comments out of her. He takes her hand in his and moves it away from his face even as he furrows his brows deeper to make the lines more prominent.]

Those are also your fault.

[ Wanda fights him, pushing against his hold to try and touch the skin between his brows again. So many alleged wrinkles need to be touched… ]

I'll claim the very ugly wrinkles, although you looking half-decent while going grey is your fault.

[ He's dropped in good looks in a span of a minute. Wanda pushes up off the bed with her elbow to roll into him so she can see all these grey hairs and wrinkles close up. ]

[Wanda is so insufferable and Pietro doesn't respond to her comments, only sighing in exasperation and letting her climb on top of him. He intends to try to ignore her the way she does him when he's just as bad, only he always gets annoyed so much easier and he won't be able to keep it up for long. He can hope she gets bored, or actually tired, before he hits his breaking point. There's a 50/50 chance.]

You're bonier than before. Must be age.

[ Although Wanda wriggles on top of him, she threads her hands forcefully beneath his back to cuddle him to her. Resting her head against his shoulder, she sighs loudly and stops moving. Sometimes she wonders if her staying still is as annoying as her fidgeting.

After everything she's learned today, she thinks it's only fair she tests this out, too. ]

[Pietro fails so easily in his effort to ignore, making an irritated noise and squirming a little as she shoves her hands under his back. It's uncomfortable.]

Then find something softer to lie on. Like the floor.

[He shoves at her a little, as if he might be contemplating shoving off the bed entirely.]

No. You can lie on the floor.

[ Despite saying that, she doesn't roll off him to encourage him to do that. They've spent so much of today apart and together to be ripped apart again. She's lying here on her bony pillow. She tugs her hands out from underneath him and rests them against his chest. Lying impossibly still, Wanda, if she was actually a fast sleeper, could be believed to be asleep. ]

I will get you a padded shoulder shirt next birthday so this is more comfortable for me.

[He rolls his eyes and wraps his arms around her, she's chosen her position and she'll stay there now.]

Are you done?

[Pietro winds a section of her hair around one finger, idly playing with it, but ready to tug if Wanda continues to be obnoxious.]

I may have to change my wish after all if you won't be quiet.

[ She clucks her tongue and shakes her head disappointingly, but stops in fear that he'll remove his hand from her hair. Even a finger twirled around it is enough to satisfy Wanda. She's always enjoyed his hands in her hair. ]

You can't anymore. The deadline has passed. Seems you are too slow, Pietro. So sad.

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