Wanda stepped into the Queens apartment like she was stepping onto fragile ice.
The door opened before she could knock—Gwen standing there, hair in a messy bun, wearing one of Alex's old hoodies, eyes warm and curious.
"You made it," Gwen said softly.
Wanda managed a small, nervous smile. "I… wasn't sure I would."
Gwen stepped aside. "Come in. He's just down the block—ran to grab groceries. He'll be back soon."
Inside smelled like coffee and home—lived-in books, half-finished tech projects, a faint trace of Alex's cologne. Wanda's red flickered at her fingertips—nerves, uncertainty.
Gwen noticed. Didn't flinch.
"Tea?" she offered.
"Please."
They sat at the small kitchen table—two mugs steaming between them.
Silence stretched—comfortable, not awkward.
Then Gwen spoke first. "He talks about you. Not a lot. But when he does… it's always with this quiet ache. Like he's holding space for someone who's still falling."
Wanda looked down at her tea. "I didn't come to take him from you."
"I know." Gwen's voice was gentle. "And even if you did… he wouldn't let that happen. He loves big. Room for more than one heart."
Wanda's eyes stung. "I lost everyone. My brother. My home. My… everything. I thought I was done losing."
Gwen reached across—hesitated—then covered Wanda's hand with hers.
"You're not done being loved," she said quietly. "You're just… starting again. And it's terrifying. I get that."
Wanda looked up—surprised, raw. "You're not afraid of me?"
Gwen smiled—small, real. "I was. For about five seconds. Then I remembered he loves you. And he doesn't love broken things. He loves strong ones who've been broken and keep going anyway."
Tears slipped down Wanda's cheeks.
"I don't know how to do this," she whispered. "How to let someone in without destroying them."
Gwen squeezed her hand. "You don't have to do it perfectly. You just have to try. And we'll catch you when you stumble."
Wanda laughed—soft, broken. "We?"
Gwen nodded. "We. Me. Him. You. Whatever shape this takes. Family doesn't always look like blood. Sometimes it looks like people who refuse to let you fall alone."
Wanda stared at her—something loosening in her chest.
"You're… kind," she said, almost disbelieving.
"I'm in love with a man who refuses to give up on anyone worth saving," Gwen answered. "That kind of love rubs off."
The door opened.
Alex stepped in—bags in hand—froze when he saw them together.
Wanda stood slowly.
He set the bags down. Crossed the room in three strides.
She met him halfway.
He pulled her into his arms—gentle, fierce, like he'd been waiting years instead of months.
She buried her face in his neck, breathing him in.
"I came," she whispered, voice cracking.
"I'm so glad," he murmured back, voice thick. "I've been waiting."
Gwen watched from the table—smiling softly, eyes shining.
Wanda pulled back just enough to look at him.
"I'm scared," she admitted.
He brushed a tear from her cheek. "Me too. But we're scared together now."
She glanced at Gwen—question in her eyes.
Gwen stood, walked over, slipped an arm around Alex's waist from the other side.
"Together," Gwen echoed quietly.
Wanda looked between them—two people who should have been rivals, who instead chose space for her.
She let out a shaky breath.
Then reached out—hesitant—took Gwen's hand.
Gwen squeezed back.
Alex wrapped both arms around them.
Three hearts. Three sets of fears. One shared promise.
Wanda closed her eyes.
For the first time in years, the red inside her didn't feel like chaos.
It felt like warmth.
Like home.
(Word count: 1005)