"Important matter?"
Finn and the Dark Witch turned to Wanda in unison, puzzled expressions crossing their faces.
"When I stepped outside, I noticed the weather was perfect—ideal for camping on the mountaintop."
Wanda glanced out the window, a flicker of anticipation in her eyes. She had been here for so long, yet she hadn't climbed the mountain even once.
"Why the sudden urge to go hiking?" Finn asked, skeptical. He had a feeling that the little witch had something else in mind.
"I just think it's great to go climbing. Reaching the top is fulfilling, and camping there would be refreshing," Wanda replied with a hint of longing.
Finn sighed, shaking his head. "She's in a bad mood. Fine, let's go. We could all use some rest."
"Finn, I actually want to go hiking and camping to relax. It's a bit stifling in here," Wanda admitted.
The Dark Witch, who had been quiet all morning, suddenly spoke up. "I want to go too."
Finn raised an eyebrow in surprise. The Dark Witch had seemed somewhat off today—withdrawn, maybe even disappointed. Now she was volunteering to go climbing?
"Mountain climbing is a good idea. I've always wanted to try it," the Dark Witch said, her gaze drifting toward the horizon, curiosity flickering in her expression.
Finn shrugged. Maybe this was just another side of her he hadn't seen before. "Alright, let's do it."
Wanda glanced at the Dark Witch, and since they were close, she casually reached out and ran a hand down her thigh, feeling the soft, silky texture beneath her fingers.
The Dark Witch tensed for a brief moment, her expression flickering between surprise and something unreadable.
Finn, oblivious to the exchange, continued, "Since everyone's on board, let's pack up and head out."
"No problem," the two witches nodded in agreement.
They left the hotel and returned to the villa, gathering only the essentials. Since the mountains were part of the estate, not far from the housing area, they traveled light, leaving most of their belongings behind. Their backpacks weren't too heavy, making the hike more manageable.
At first, Finn had suggested renting a tent, but the witches laughed at him.
"Why waste time setting one up manually when we can just conjure one?" Wanda smirked.
Finn rolled his eyes. "Right. Forgot I was the only one without magic."
With a flick of her fingers, Wanda materialized a fully functional tent, earning an approving nod from the Dark Witch.
They started their ascent as the afternoon sun painted the sky in hues of orange and gold. The winding trail led them through rugged terrain, scattered with gravel and jagged stones. A small stream trickled down the side of the mountain, filling the air with the crisp scent of earth and water. The fresh, distinct fragrance was intoxicating in a way that made Finn inhale deeply, savoring it.
"Be careful, these trails are rough," Finn warned, steadying Wanda as she stumbled over a loose rock.
The Dark Witch followed closely behind, her gaze unreadable.
By the time they had climbed past a particularly steep boulder, sweat was trickling down their brows. They paused to catch their breath, wiping the perspiration away.
"This is exhausting. Hiking sounded a lot easier in my head," Wanda groaned, glancing up at the still-distant summit. "Would be great if we could just use magic."
"We can't. There are other people around," Finn reminded her, nodding toward a small group of hikers further up the trail.
"Let's keep going. We're not far now," the Dark Witch said, striding ahead.
"Easy for you to say," Wanda muttered, but she followed anyway. Despite the effort, she found herself enjoying Finn's company more than she expected.
After a while, Finn picked a small wildflower and handed it to Wanda. "Here, this one smells nice."
Both witches turned their heads at the same time. Wanda blinked in surprise before taking the flower, but the Dark Witch looked away, disappointment flashing across her face for the briefest moment.
"Really? You're giving me flowers now?" Wanda asked, arching an eyebrow.
Finn shrugged. "What can I say? I have my moments."
The sun was setting by the time they reached the summit. An open camping area spread out before them, surprisingly empty.
"Why is no one here?" Wanda wondered aloud.
"Off-season," Finn replied simply. "Fewer tourists."
"But we saw hikers on the way up," Wanda pointed out, frowning.
"Maybe they camped elsewhere?" The Dark Witch offered.
"Doesn't matter. Let's set up camp." Finn strode ahead, scouting for a good spot.
Wanda nodded. "I'll set up the tent."
With another flick of her wrist, the tent reappeared, though it still needed assembling.
"Why not just fix it in place with magic?" Finn asked, exasperated.
"Where's the fun in that? The process is enjoyable," Wanda retorted. "Now, stop complaining and help."
Finn sighed. "Fine."
As they worked, the Dark Witch watched them, a flicker of envy in her expression. They acted like a couple—bickering playfully, helping each other, sharing quiet laughs. It was a kind of warmth she wasn't used to.
She knew, deep down, that some people were never meant to be hers.
"It's still a bit tricky to set up," Wanda admitted, hands on her hips. Then, she turned to the Dark Witch. "Help us out. With the three of us, it'll be faster."
The Dark Witch hesitated. "You want me to help?"
"Of course. Come on, before it gets too dark."
A rare smile crossed the Dark Witch's lips. "Alright."
She hurried over, eager to be part of the moment.
"Hold that side down tighter!" Wanda instructed.
"I'm trying!" Finn grunted, pulling on the fabric. After several minutes of struggle, they finally had the tent in place.
As night settled in, the warm glow of the setting sun gave way to the cool embrace of darkness. The once faint chirping of insects ceased, and silence wrapped around the mountain.
"We need fire," Finn stretched his arms. "Otherwise, it'll be pitch black soon."
"Leave that to me," the Dark Witch said. She gathered some twigs, then with a simple motion, conjured a flickering flame. It roared to life, casting an orange glow across their faces.
The flames crackled, their warmth seeping into their skin, blending with the scent of the earth and trees. Shadows danced around them as the firelight reflected in their eyes, adding an intimate touch to the moment.
The Dark Witch watched as Finn and Wanda sat close, their faces relaxed in the fire's glow. She exhaled quietly, accepting a truth she had known for a while now.
Some people were never meant to be hers.
But for tonight, under the stars, she could pretend otherwise.
Finn glanced out of the corner of his eye and noticed that Wanda had stopped speaking. He couldn't help but feel puzzled.
"There are three of us here. Are you sure one tent is enough to sleep in?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
"It's late, and we're in the middle of nowhere. Do you really want to sleep separately?" Wanda replied casually.
"But what about her? What's she going to do?" Finn gestured toward the Dark Witch, who stood beside Wanda, her expression unreadable.
"She's sleeping with us," Wanda said simply, blinking her strikingly beautiful eyes at him.
The Dark Witch looked taken aback. "S-Sleep together?" she repeated, almost questioning whether she had heard correctly.
"It's not like we haven't before. What are you thinking?" Wanda spread her hands in exasperation. After all, they had slept together at home just the night before.
"That's true," Finn admitted, recalling the previous night.
Two witches sleeping beside him in a tent—it was a tempting thought. Too tempting.
"Don't overthink it. Now hurry up and cook something. I'm starving," Finn urged, shaking himself from distraction. The battle from the night before had drained him. He needed to refuel.
"You're such a glutton. You just ate at noon," Wanda sighed, but she pulled out the iron rack and the spices they had brought.
"Do you even realize what time it is? Of course, I'm hungry," Finn defended himself. He pulled out a bag of fresh ingredients from his backpack, which had been vacuum-sealed to keep them from spoiling.
"These should be enough."
Wanda tore open the packaging, threading pieces of meat and vegetables onto skewers with practiced ease. With the help of the Dark Witch, they prepared the ingredients quickly.
"Finn, pass me the cooking oil. I'll handle the grilling. You'll enjoy it more if I cook," Wanda said confidently, setting the skewers on the iron rack.
"Are you sure? You do remember the last time you tried to cook, don't you?" Finn teased.
Wanda shot him a glare. "Finn, if you doubt me, don't bother eating when it's done."
Finn chuckled. "Alright, alright. I'll help."
"I'll assist as well," the Dark Witch added with a small smile, stepping forward.
The three of them worked together, and soon, the rich aroma of barbecue filled the air. It smelled so good that even a five-star restaurant wouldn't have been able to compete.
"Let's find a spot to sit," Finn suggested, carrying the finished skewers.
Though the area was covered in weeds, they ignored them. Wanda and the Dark Witch followed, bringing drinks and a large blanket to keep them comfortable.
The moonlight bathed the landscape in a soft glow, casting an ethereal beauty over the scene. They sat on the mountain's edge, side by side, enjoying the warm meal as they gazed down at the glowing lights of a distant estate. From this vantage point, the entire manor looked like something out of a dream, bathed in luminous white light, standing against the dark sky like a paradise.
Laughter from tourists in a hot spring below carried through the air. The world felt peaceful.
"What do you plan to do after we've dealt with your enemy?" Wanda asked suddenly, turning her gaze to the Dark Witch.
Finn was slightly surprised at the question. He remained silent, curious about the answer.
"I haven't decided yet," the Dark Witch admitted, biting into a skewer.
"I remember your world was nearly destroyed. After all, you're the only one left," Wanda added, watching her intently.
The Dark Witch sighed, her expression momentarily distant. "There was nothing I could do. Finn was killed, and the entire universe collapsed into ruin. All life perished at his hands."
Her voice was quiet, tinged with sorrow and exhaustion. The weight of failure hung heavily over her. Despite being the Scarlet Witch, she had been powerless to stop the destruction of everything she held dear.
"No one should have to endure that kind of pain," Wanda said softly. She wasn't mocking her. It was empathy, pure and simple.
The Dark Witch didn't respond. She gazed up at the sky, chewing her food slowly, lost in thought.
"So? How's the barbecue?" Wanda asked after a moment, breaking the silence.
"It's good. Your cooking is better than I expected," the Dark Witch admitted.
Wanda smirked. "And have you really not thought about where you'll go after all this?"
The Dark Witch exhaled, glancing briefly at Finn. "I don't know. Wherever I go, I suppose that's home."
It was a casual response, but Wanda noticed something subtle in her eyes. A flicker of hesitation, quickly hidden away.
"So you're just going to drift?" Wanda asked, surprised.
"Pretty much. Sometimes, solitude is better."
The words carried a deep sadness, as though everything she had once cherished was now nothing more than a memory.
"Then why don't you stay with us?" Wanda suddenly said, taking the Dark Witch's hand in hers.
The Dark Witch's breath hitched, her crimson eyes widening slightly.
"You've suffered enough. Your universe is gone. Everyone you loved is gone. You shouldn't have to be alone," Wanda continued earnestly. "Stay with us."
For a moment, the Dark Witch was silent. Then, her eyes shimmered with emotion. She had been alone for so long, carrying the weight of an entire lost universe on her shoulders. Now, for the first time, she felt like she had a place where she could belong.
Finn, meanwhile, was stunned. Weren't these two supposed to be constantly at odds? When had things changed?
"Finn, you're okay with this, right?" Wanda turned to him, her fingers still wrapped around the Dark Witch's hand.
Finn hesitated, but only for a second. Wanda's gaze was firm, full of conviction.
He smiled. "Your choice is my decision."
With that, he reached out and ruffled her hair affectionately. Wanda huffed, swatting his hand away, but there was a warmth in her expression.
The Dark Witch, watching the exchange, felt an unfamiliar warmth spread in her chest.
For the first time in a long time, she wasn't alone.
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