#bewitched mcu

[leos-multifandom-corner]

Bewitched

Part 1: The Girl

Part 1/?

Words: 1615

Warnings: None, I think? Other than references to medical equipment.

Description: It had been a normal day at the tower. Keyword had.

Author's Note: That's right, we're doing a Marvel Fic! This one's been knocking around in my drafts for a month or two, and I think I have a bit of a plan for it now!

Enjoy!

-

Val: "I'm sorry, run that by me again, because I think I've misheard you."

It had been a normal day for the team. Keyword "had".

2 hours earlier.

Most of the team had left for a stealth mission, but Alexei had stayed behind. "Stealth isn't your strong suit." Yelena had told him. Plus, he needed to organize his room a bit and catch up on some sleep. While he laid there, occasionally turning over, trying to get comfortable, he wondered how the others were doing. Hopefully having more luck than him. As he shifts again to try and get comfortable, there was a loud crash that made him sit straight up. It had come from the back alley. He sprung up from bed, a grin on his face.

Alexei: "Aha! Finally, some action!"

He gears up quickly, pulling his helmet on as he rushed out to the elevator. Just a minute later, he arrived on the bottom floor, bursting through the backdoor, into the snowy alley.

Alexei: "Fear not, citizen! The Red Guardian is he-"

He didn't see anyone... or anything. Usually there would be a raccoon or pigeon back here rummaging through the garbage, but it seemed deserted. When he looked around, he saw a small crater coming from under a dumpster... and someone under it. He jogged over.

Alexei: "Hello? Are you okay? Can you hear me?"

No answer. He had to move the dumpster. He took a deep breath, wringing his hands a little before he bent down, hoisting it up above his head, groaning loudly, before dropping it back down next to him, snow and garbage scattering a bit. He turned back to look at the ground.

Alexei: "Alright, let us see what we have h-"

As he looked into the crater, right in the center, from where the cracks radiated, there lay a girl no older than 14. She had dull maroon hair, a dirty AURORA t-shirt, a yellow fleece cardigan, and torn up dark jeans with patches. She was barefoot, it looked like she had been running through a forest. A forest? In the middle of NYC? Plus the crater she was in? This wasn't adding up. Alexei kneeled down, brushing a bit of the snow out of her ruby hair. prepared for the worst as he put his fingers on her neck, searching for a pulse.

Alexei: "Come on... please..."

He just stayed there, crouched for a moment... until he saw her chest rise and fall slowly. His eyes shot up. Her breathing was shallow, and her heartbeat was slow, but she was alive. A smile spread across his face, and he let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding.

Alexei: "Haha, yes! That's my girl!"

He picks her limp body up in his arms, careful not to jostle her too much. He didn't know how badly she was wounded. He looked up to the sky where she came from, and then back down at her.

Alexei: "Well, not sure where you from, sky girl, but I'll get you back there, I promise. Come on, is warmer in tower. I can make you hot cocoa for when you wake up!"

Alexei starts walking back, before he notices something that was on the ground next to her. He picked it up and saw it was a locket. The chain was broken, but the pendant was still intact. He put it in her hand, curling her fingers around it to secure it.

Alexei: "There we go. Don't want you losing that, now do we?"

Alexei carried the girl back into the building. Well, at least now he wasn't stuck trying to get some shut-eye.

Now.

Val takes a deep breath.

Val: "Alexei, can you tell me why you didn't call me immediately after you found her?" Alexei: "She was asleep, I didn't want you forcing her awake! Plus, I don't have your number."

Val pinches the bridge of her nose, sighing.

Val: "I'm just glad you didn't get the police or the hospital involved, because believe me, that'd be a whole other scandal, which I do not need right now!" Alexei: "See! I did good." Val: "Yes, I... suppose you did. Good work, buddy."

Val sighs.

Val: "Now all we've got to do is wait for little miss Jane Doe to give us some answers. Wether she's awake or not."

Meanwhile.

Yelena, John, and Ava all stood in the hallway, watching through the window. Just then, Bob came jogging up to them.

Bob: "Hey guys, what's going on? I saw a bunch of agents wandering the halls."

John crossed his arms.

John: "Alexei brought in a stray. Said she fell from the sky." Bob: "Woah, is she okay?" John: "See for yourself."

Bob looked through the window at the girl. They'd changed her into cleaner clothes, her original clothing being tested for any foreign elements. They'd cleaned her up too, and had her hooked up to a heart monitor.

Bob: "Woah... not a scratch on her. You're sure she fell from the sky?" John: "Yeah, they're testing her for a TBI right now. Kid's tough, I'll give her that."

They're all silent for a moment. Ava sighs.

Bob: "Is everything alright, Ava?" Ava: "Everything's fine, it's just... she's so young. What do you think happened to her? Hell, what could have happened to her at her age?" Yelena: "Do you want me to answer that question or...?" Ava: "Actually, I'd rather you didn't." Yelena: "Aww, why? You scared?" Ava: "No, I just don't want to lose my lunch at your morbid descriptions."

Yelena huffed playfully, crossing her arms.

Yelena: "Coward."

Ava shot her a look, before looking back through the window.

Ava: "... I wonder if she's like me... maybe she has some quantum entanglement powers too. Maybe that's how she ended up here... maybe she has a family somewhere that misses her... they're probably looking for her right now, scared that they can't find her..."

Yelena put her hand on Ava's shoulder.

Yelena: "We'll find out when she wakes up. 'til then, we wait."

Ava puts her hand on Yelena's, smiling a little as she looked at her.

Ava: "Thanks." John: "Hey, who knows, maybe she's like Bob."

Yelena and Ava give him a "not now" look.

John: "What? Just a theory."

Yelena pinches the bridge of her nose.

Yelena: "If she was one of Val's experiments, she would have come up in the database, which she didn't." Ava: "Which is why they're working so hard to figure out who she is." Bob: "Plus, I-I don't think Val would experiment on, well, a kid." John: "Have you met Val?"

Bob opened his mouth and raised a finger to retort, but stopped himself, snapping and giving John a finger gun.

Bob: "Good point."

Yelena chuckles, leaning against Ava's shoulder.

Yelena: "Bob, do you realize how adorable you can be sometimes?" Bob: "O-Oh? You think so?" Yelena: "Yes. You're like a little puppy.

Bob blushes a little.

Bob: "Th-Thanks." John: cough "getaroom" cough Yelena: "John, shut up, I'm lesbian." Bob: "Oh you are? That's cool." John: "I thought you were Russian?

Yelena laughs.

John: "What?" Ava: "John, do you know what lesbian means?" John: "It means you're from Lebanon." Ava: "That's Lebanese." John: "It's the same word!" Ava: "John, she's gay." John: "Oh... oh."

Yelena snickers again.

Yelena: "Yeah, but as I was saying, I-"

Suddenly, there was a crash from the room. They all stared back through the glass and saw quite the scene. The girl was awake... and her hair was floating. Her eyes and hands were glowing red. The staff were being held on the ground and walls by what looked like red, translucent threads or vines. Bob tried to open the door, but it wouldn't budge.

Bob: "I-It's locked!" John: "Out of the way, Bobby!"

Bob stepped aside as John rammed into the door with his shoulder, breaking the lock open. As soon as he entered, he was forced against the wall by one of the red whisps. Bob tried going after him, but was stopped by Ava.

Ava: "Don't-!"

The girl on the bed stood up on the mattress shakily, her breathing getting a bit heavier as she did, sweat starting to moisten her hands. Suddenly, before even Ava could stop her, Yelena entered the room calmly, putting her hands up, her voice gentle.

Yelena: "Hey."

The girl's head snapped over to her. Yelena stepped forward slowly.

Yelena: "Easy... we're not gonna hurt you..."

The girl stepped back a bit. Yelena sighs.

Yelena: "I know you're scared. You're in this..."

Yelena gestures vaguely to the room.

Yelena: "this weird place right now... but we're just trying to help you... I promise..."

The girl hesitates for a minute, her hands shaking a bit... before lowering them, the magic disappearing. The sound of people falling to the floor was immediately followed be groans. John held his head in his hand as he sat up. Bob rushes over.

Bob: "John!"

John chuckles a bit as Bob kneels down next to him.

John: "Glad you're not the one who went in first?" Bob: "That doesn't matter, are you okay?" John: "Psh, please, did you really think a weird girl with some sparkly hands was gonna hurt me?" Ava: "She kind of did for a moment." John: "Shut up, Ava."

Yelena glanced back at them, before looking back at the girl, who sat back on the bed, pulling the covers back up to herself out of fear. Yelena approached her carefully.

Yelena: "There we go... you okay?"

The girl caught her breath a bit, before finally speaking, an eastern-european accent to her voice.

Rayna: "...who are you... where am I...?"

-

[leos-multifandom-corner]

Bewitched

Part 4: Pattern Recognition

Part 4/?

Words: 1974

Warnings: Implied Child Neglect, Argument Trauma, Implied SA

Description: Bucky officially meets Rayna, and recognizes some of her mannerisms from past experience.

Author's Note: None, just read the warnings and go with caution :)

Enjoy!

-

Bucky had never been good with kids, even before he became the winter soldier. They were always too loud, too obnoxious, too much. Though, from what John had told him, Rayna was the complete opposite. She was reserved, almost fearful, but what intrigued him most was her use of chaos magic. He had only seen one person use it, and that was Wanda Maximoff, who was god knows where at the moment. He had a couple theories he wanted to share with Mel, but she never picked up.

As the elevator doors opened, he saw Mel standing in her usual attire next to Rayna, who was wearing a navy blue shirt and dark jeans. Bucky fixed his dark grey shirt over his black and grey camo pants as he walked out of the elevator.

Mel: "Good to see you again, sir." Bucky: "Good to see you too, Mel, and it's just Bucky." Mel: "Right, sorry." Bucky: "Don't apologize, it's all good."

His eyes fixed on Rayna as she stood quietly next to Mel. He kneels down to look her in the eyes.

Bucky: "And you must be Rayna. Nice to finally meet you."

He hold his hand out for her to shake. She hesitates, before taking it in hers.

Rayna: "Nice to meet you, sir..."

Bucky smiles a bit at her, before letting go of her hand.

Bucky: "Just call me Bucky, kid. Think you could show me some of your abilities in the training room?"

Rayna nods her head yes, avoiding eye contact. Bucky stands up, looking at Mel seriously.

Bucky: "Lead the way."

Several minutes later.

Rayna was floating a dummy with her powers as Bucky and Mel watched on. Mel fidgets with her hands in her lap nervously.

Bucky: "You good?"

Mel looks at him, putting on a lopsided smile.

Mel: "Yeah, just..."

She rubs the back of her neck, averting her gaze.

Mel: "You got my voicemail, right?" Bucky: "What voicemail?"

Mel's eyes widened as her head whipped back to him, her smile gone, replaced with bewilderment. Bucky's expression was equally confused.

Mel: "Th-The voicemail I left about Rayna? The one I left you a week ago?" Bucky: "... Mel, I haven't gotten any calls from you. I've left you a bunch of messages and you didn't respond." Mel: "... I never got any messages."

Just then, Rayna accidentally dropped the dummy, making a loud thud. Bucky and Mel both jumped, looking over at her. Rayna quickly picked it back up and begins floating it again. Bucky sighs.

Bucky: "We'll figure this out later, okay?" Mel: "U-Understood. I'll be back to check on you guys in a while."

Mel gets up, starting to walk away, before Bucky put his hand on her shoulder.

Bucky: "We'll get to the bottom of this, Mel. I promise."

Mel swallows a little, before nodding her head yes. Bucky let go of her, and she walked out of the room. As soon as she was gone, he turned to Rayna.

Bucky: "That's enough."

Rayna sets the dummy down, sighing and wringing her hands a bit.

Bucky: "You alright?" Rayna: "Yeah, I'm fine."

Bucky doubted that, but said nothing, just stretching.

Bucky: "You ready to show me what you're made of?" Rayna: "H-Huh?" Bucky: "Ever heard of sparring?"

Rayna's hair puffs up a bit.

Rayna: "Wh- yeah, but- s-sparring?! I-I thought you said I was too young for that!" Bucky: "I never said that?"

Rayna's hair falls again.

Rayna: "Oh, right, sorry."

Bucky notices the change in her demeanor, a bit suspicious.

Bucky: "Of course, if you're not ready for it-" Rayna: "No no! I-I am! Really, I am."

Bucky looks her up and down, noticing her fear and tension. She was trying to do what he wanted. She was accommodating for him, or at least trying. He thought for a moment, before shrugging.

Bucky: "Alright, well I'll make sure to go easy on you, kid." Rayna: "O-Okay."

As they both got into position, he thought about her comment from earlier. He hadn't told her anything about not being ready to spar. He'd never even spoken to her before now. Maybe someone else had told her that. But who?

Meanwhile.

Mel walked through the hall, scrolling through her phone, desperately searching for Bucky's messages, or even the messages she'd left him. Nothing. Absolutely nothing. It was like someone had deleted them forever.

Mel: "No, no, no, no... please, they have to be here..." Val: "Whatcha looking for, Mel?"

Mel shivered at that sickeningly-sweet voice. She tenses as she felt Val's hands on her shoulders.

Val: "Hm? Oh, are you looking for those darn voicemails?"

Mel gasps quietly, her heart rate spiking. Her watch beeped a little, signaling a elevated heart rate, but Valentina moved her hand to Melissa's wrist, turning it off. She chuckles.

Val: "Now, there's no need for that, Mel. You shouldn't worry about those anymore. After all..."

Valentina whispers in Mel's ear, her words slicing through her mind.

Val: "you can't receive or send messages to a blocked number."

Mel's heart stopped. Her hands shook.

Val: "You tried snitching, Melissa. You know I hate snitches. You know what I do to them?"

Mel felt the hair tie drop into her trembling hand.

Val: "... I give them something else to fill their mouth with."

Mel took a moment to steady her breathing, before choking out four words.

Mel: "... where and what time?" Val: "My office, now."

Mel swallows a little.

Mel: "Yes ma'am."

A few minutes later.

Rayna dodges, falling to the ground. Bucky sighs.

Bucky: "You're holding back." Rayna: "I don't want to hurt you!"

He grumbles, before kneeling down to help her up.

Bucky: "Kid, you're not gonna hurt me. I'm an 110 year old super soldier with a vibranium arm. I can handle a superpowered twelve year old giving me a couple bruises."

Rayna hesitates, before taking his hand. He helps her to her feet.

Rayna: "You sure?" Bucky: "A hundred percent."

Bucky backs up, putting his fists up. Rayna follows suit, her expression unsure. He charges her, and before he even realized, he was blasted backwards 6 feet by a wall of red energy. He fell back into some training dummies. Rayna rushes over, panicked.

Rayna: "Bucky! Are you okay?! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to hurt you, I-!"

Suddenly, Bucky laughs. Rayna looks at him, confused. Bucky sits up after a moment.

Bucky: "Gotta say, kid, I wasn't expecting that. You're stronger than you look."

Rayna's face shifts to concern.

Rayna: "Thanks, but are you okay? I-I threw you pretty hard."

Bucky reaches up and ruffles her hair.

Bucky: "Kid, I've been thrown off a moving train 240 meters into a ravine. A little fall is nothing. Plus, the dummies cushioned the landing."

Rayna reaches her hand out to him.

Rayna: "So, you're not mad?"

Bucky scoffs, taking her hand.

Bucky: "Mad? Kid, I'm impressed."

He got up.

Bucky: "Though, maybe we should try something other than beating on each other. Don't want either of us to crack a rib."

Rayna nods her head, smiling a little. Bucky glances around the room, before back at her. He had an idea. How far would she go doing what he told her?

Half an hour later.

John knocks on the door of the training room.

John: "Hey, you guys okay in there?"

No response. John grumbles, opening the door.

John: "Hey, are you-"

That's when he saw Rayna, floating 7 feet off the floor, her hands and feet surrounded by red energy, sweat beading on her forehead, two one-hundred pound weights strapped to her back. Bucky keeps an eye on her, stopwatch in his hand.

Bucky: "Doing great, kid. Just passed 2 minutes." John: "Hey!"

Bucky looks back at John. Rayna's eyes go to him too, losing her focus. She fell to the ground, onto her back.

Rayna: "Oof!" John: "Rayna!"

Rayna sat up slowly, breathless, as John rushed over.

John: "Are you okay?" Rayna: "Yeah... I'm fine..."

John quickly started working to get the weights off her. Bucky pushed him away from her.

Bucky: "What're you doing?"

John stood up to look him in the eyes.

John: "What the hell are you doing thinking she can lift that much?! Even with powers, that's way too much for her!" Bucky: "I'm testing the limits of her powers. Seeing if she's ready to be an avenger." John: "Bucky, she's a kid!" Bucky: "She's a teen." John: "That's not any better! She's nowhere near ready to be put under that kind of stress!" Bucky: "She wants to help people, she said it herself." John: "Oh that's bullshit, right Rayna?!... Rayna?"

The harness with the weights was on the ground where Rayna had been. The supply closet was slightly ajar. John went over to the closet, opening it. He saw her hiding under a blue tarp. He sighs, walking over as Bucky watches from the doorway. John knelt down.

John: "Rayna?"

Her voice sounded quiet and fearful.

Rayna: "Please don't fight... I'm sorry..."

The words caught in John's throat. She thought... well, they kind of were, but... he didn't mean to... He looked back at Bucky, who seemed as caught off guard as him. John took a shaky breath.

John: "It's... it's okay, kid... it's not your fault... I just..."

John sighs.

John: "We just... want to make sure you're safe... and we have different definitions of safe. Just know it's not your fault."

Rayna still didn't respond, looking away.

Bucky: "Yeah, kid. It's John's fault that he's being such a mama bear."

John shot Bucky a look, but his expression quickly softened as he heard Rayna snicker a little.

Rayna: "Mama bear..."

She giggles. He turned back to where she was under the tarp, surprised, before smirking. He lifts the tarp to see a small smile on her tear-stained face.

John: "Eh, it's also Bucky's fault for being so bossy all the time."

Rayna covered her mouth with her hand as she tries to contain herself. Bucky scoffs in mock offense.

Bucky: "How dare you. Drop and give me 20, soldier." John: "Sir no sir."

Bucky rolls his eyes.

Bucky: "I'm gonna lock both of you in here." John: "Don't you dare!"

Bucky closed the closet, waving goodbye as he did. John quickly picks Rayna up, rushing through the door with a triumphant smile.

John: "Get back here you-!"

Bucky was nowhere to be seen. John was about to make a snide remark, before Rayna burst out laughing in his arms. He looks down at her, smiling.

John: "Easy there kid, you're gonna give yourself a headache."

Rayna calmed down after a moment. John sets her back on the floor.

John: "Well, since it seems your "training" is postponed for now, wanna go get some lunch?" Rayna: "Sure, I guess."

John ruffles her hair, making her squeak, before leading her out into the hallway, holding her hand in his bigger, gloved one.

Meanwhile.

Melissa leaves Valentina's office, wiping her face with a napkin. Her knees hurt from kneeling. The sour aftertaste still in her mouth, making her want to throw up. She fixed the buttons on her shirt, tears welling up in her eyes, but she blinked them away quickly. She had to hold it together. At least until she got somewhere that nobody could hear her. She reaches into her pocket, and pulls out a cigarette and lighter. The tip glowed orange as she put the lighter to it and struck. She held it between her lips, the calming, bitter taste enveloping her.

2 floors down...

Bucky sat as the phone dialed. Once it finally picked up, he spoke clear and firm into the speaker.

Bucky: "Hey... yeah, I'm good, how are you?... yeah, I know, I know... listen, I need your psychological experience for something... could you come by the tower soon?"

-

GUESS WHO????

Bucky's Therapist

Sam Wilson

Steve Rodgers

Other???

Voting ended onAug 6, 2025

[leos-multifandom-corner]

Bewitched

Part 2: Who Are You?

Part 2/?

Words: 1112

Warnings: None

Description: Some answers lead to more questions.

Author's Note: I'VE BEEN BITTEN BY THE CREATIVE BUG AGAIN PEOPLE!!! I'm already working on part three after this is posted!!!!

Enjoy!

-

Two hours later.

Valentina had just finished briefing Bucky on the situation when Mel came out of the room. Val turned to her.

Valentina: "What've you got for me, Mel?" Mel: "We've gotten her to answer some questions, and we've got some answers." Val: "Well don't leave me in the dark, give me the deets!"

Mel looks down at the clipboard in her hands, sighing.

Mel: "Rayna Tylers, age 12, born February 25th 2014-" Val: "Yes, yes, that's good. What about her powers? That... blood magic or whatever you'd call it." Mel: "Chaos magic. That's what she calls it." Bucky: "Chaos magic?"

Val and Mel look at Bucky, who seemed a bit unsettled.

Mel: "Yeah, that's what she called it." Val: "I'm guessing you have experience in that, Congressman?"

Bucky sat forward.

Bucky: "Chaos magic was the trademark of Wanda Maximoff, a.k.a. the Scarlet Witch. She was a grown woman when she got them, and she had trouble controlling them then. Give that to a girl of that age and..."

He shook his head.

Bucky: "Did she say how she got it?" Mel: "She said she was born with it."

Bucky almost choked. Valentina looked at her, bewildered.

Bucky & Val: "Huh?" Mel: "That was Walker's reaction too." Bucky: "I-... how is that even possible?" Mel: "She said she got it from her mother." Val: "Well who's her mom?" Mel: "That we do not know. She closed off after that."

Val scoffs, a smirk still finding a way onto her face.

Val: "Then take a DNA test! That doesn't li-" Mel: "We did."

Val looks at Mel, talking through her teeth.

Val: "... what?"

Mel handed Valentina the results. As she scanned over them, her smirk slowly dropped.

Val: "... no recognized DNA..." Bucky: "So what does that mean?"

Val sighs through her nose, her mouth pressed into a thin line as she did.

Val: "Either she's an alien, which she clearly isn't since it recognized her as human, or her parents are not in our current DNA filing." Mel: "Which is totally possible." Val: "But extremely annoying."

She takes a deep breath.

Val: "Nonetheless, we can tell at least one of her parents is European, and the other is American!" Bucky: "Yeah, 'cause that narrows it down."

Bucky sighs, before getting up.

Bucky: "I'm gonna go talk to her, see if I can get anything."

Bucky started walking towards the hallway, but Valentina stopped him with a hand on his chest.

Val: "Uh-uh, she's not taking visitors yet. She just got out of examinations, we gotta let her rest and, y'know, let her get used to her new surroundings."

Bucky's eyes narrowed at her smiling face.

Val: "Plus, don't you have somewhere to be right now, Congressman? A certain... speech from a friend of yours and mine at the Battle of New York Memorial?"

Bucky scowls a little bit, before backing off, fixing his tie.

Bucky: "Fine, but I'll be back tomorrow. I wanna see this kid for myself." Val: "Bye Bucky~!"

Bucky growls under his breath, making his way to the elevator, pushing the ground button. As the doors closed, Valentina whispers to Mel.

Val: "Did you do a facial recognition scan on her?" Mel: "Yes, but we got the same thing. It's like she just appeared." Val: "People don't just appear, Mel."

Valentina sighs.

Val: "Are those DNA results conclusive?" Mel: "They only got about 1 ml before she shoved the doctor against the wall with her magic. She refused to be poked with any other needles once she was awake. We'd need about 3 ml for someone her age." Val: "Make sure to get as much as you need to, by any means necessary." Mel: "Ma'am-" Val: "Did I stutter?"

Mel looks down. Val brushed a strand of hair out of Mel's face.

Val: "I want answers, Mel. I need your help. Can you do that?"

She swallows.

Mel: "Yes ma'am."

Val smiles, brushing her thumb across Mel's cheek.

Val: "That's my girl."

Meanwhile.

Yelena opens the door, Rayna at her side as they both looked in. The room was pretty bland. It had a bed with daisy yellow sheets patterned with poppies, a small faded oak desk, a lamp with a beaten-up beige lampshade, and a little light grey round metal table. There were two 5x3 windows on the opposite wall, looking out across the tops of buildings. Rayna stepped inside, taking in the room for herself.

Yelena: "So this is supposed to be just an extra room, but you can stay here if you want."

Rayna stopped in the middle of the room, hesitant, before turning back to Yelena.

Rayna: "Thank you."

Yelena scoffs, waving her off a bit.

Yelena: "Don't mention it. You've been through a lot today. Get some rest. We'll go shopping tomorrow to get you some new clothes."

Rayna's eyes widened.

Rayna: "Oh- uh- you don't need to do that, really-!" Yelena: "Hey. Slow down. Just think about it, okay? Get settled, you've got a long day tomorrow."

Yelena snaps her fingers, giving Rayna a finger gun.

Yelena: "I'll check on you in an hour or so, okay?"

Yelena starts to leave, before Rayna calls out to her.

Rayna: "M-Miss Belova?"

Yelena chuckles, turning back to her.

Yelena: "Just Yelena, kid." Rayna: "R-Right, Yelena... thank you... really, this means a lot..."

Yelena shrugs.

Yelena: "Hey, it's no problem. Not like we could just leave you out there in the cold. Believe me, American winters, especially in New York, are no joke for someone your age."

Rayna looks away.

Rayna: "Yeah..." Yelena: "... well, holler if you need anything, okay? See ya."

Yelena left the room, closing the door behind her, before sighing and leaning against the wall. Just then, Ava phased next to her.

Ava: "That was cute."

Yelena rolls her eyes, scoffing.

Yelena: "Oh hush you."

Ava crossed her arms.

Ava: "I'm just saying, Yel. You're better with kids than you think." Yelena: "I treated her like anybody who'd just fallen from the sky."

Ava gave Yelena a quick peck on the lips.

Ava: "Sure you did."

Yelena blushes a little as Ava starts to walk away, before getting a determined glint in her eyes.

Yelena: "Oh you're in trouble now!"

Yelena started to chase her down the hall as Ava laughs. Back in the room, Rayna flops down on her bed, her ruby red hair spreading out on the yellow and pink sheets. She stares up at the ceiling, the light from the windows illuminating the room. This place was weird. This place was... wrong. She wasn't home anymore. That place was gone. Now she was here, with strangers... and she was terrified.

-

[leos-multifandom-corner]

Bewitched

Part 3: The First Week

Part 3/?

Words: 1918

Warnings: Mentions of death

Description: It doesn't take long for the press to notice the new member.

Author's Note: I'm on vacation to Colorado, so I might not be able to write the next chapter for a week or so.

Enjoy!

-

The next day, Yelena took Rayna out shopping, dragging John along with them. Of course, being the celebrities they were now, they got recognized. They were able to get a few shirts, a grey fleece hoodie, a dark pink wool sweater, and a couple pairs of jeans before they had to leave. "Damn paparazzi" John mumbled under his breath at one point. A couple days later, stories and rumors had spread like wildfire in the tabloids and internet forums. Everyone kept calling her "The Girl from Nowhere" or "Little Miss No-Name". Some people thought she was a clone of some important historical figure, others theorized she was Valentina's secret daughter, or that she was the daughter of one of the New Avengers. Alexei's podcast fanmail was filled with questions about her, but Val had ordered him to answer none of them. It got to a point where Valentina herself decided to make a public statement, with John at her side, and Rayna hiding at Walker's side. The cameras shudders and clicks surrounded them, as did the reporters with countless questions. Valentina stood at the podium, her signature TV-ready smile plastered to her face.

Val: "Please, please, one at a time. Yes, you?" Reporter 1: "Ms. Fontaine, I'd like to ask the question we are all here for. Who is the girl that was seen with Yelena Belova and John Walker?"

Valentina smiles.

Val: "I'd be glad to answer that. Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like you all to meet the newest member of the New Avengers, Rayna Tylers!"

Valentina gestures to Rayna, motioning for her to come closer. Rayna hesitates, before coming out of hiding, still standing next to John. There was a wave of camera flashes and words. Rayna clung to John, her hair floating up a bit and her eyes glowing red. This just got another flurry of questions and light. John shot Valentina a look. Valentina faced the crowd.

Valentina: "Calm down, calm down, everyone! I know this is very exciting, but Rayna is still just a kid-" Reporter 1: "What is going on with her hair? How did she get her powers?" Val: "Well, we're not exactly sure yet, but she can use magic-" Reporter 2: "Ma'am, how old is she?!" Valentina: "She is twelve-" Reporter 3: "Where are her parents?!" Valentina: "We're still trying to find them, but-"

That's when Val felt a tap on her shoulder. She looked over and saw John, whose expression betrayed his discomfort.

Val: "Yes?"

John whispers in her ear. As he did, her smile completely dropped. When he was done, she stares at him, looking surprised. She spoke loud enough for the microphones in front of her.

Val: "You're sure?" John: "She just told me as you were talking."

Val looked down to see Rayna still clinging to John's side, tears in her eyes, her entire body trembling. Val sighs, turning back to the microphone, her expression somber.

Val: "Okay, uhm... we were not aware of this beforehand, but... I have just been informed that Rayna's parents are no longer with us."

There were a couple gasps, and a few head turns, before another flood of questions.

Reporter 4: "Who is going to take care of her?" Reporter 5: "Will she be able to be put into the adoption system due to her abilities?" Reporter 6: "What happened to her parents?"

The rapid fire and amount of questions was almost dizzying. Rayna hid behind John, her hair floating high at this point. He glances back at her, before pointing his gaze to Valentina, silently asking her something. She met his gaze and nodded approvingly. As she focused back on the reporters, John picked Rayna up in his arms, shielding her from the cameras as he walked off stage. The camera clicks followed them to the car. John set Rayna down in the backseat next to him and shut the door, taking his helmet off, sighing.

John: "God, what a bunch of amateurs. You'd think they'd never been to a press briefing before."

He looks over at Rayna, who had curled herself into a ball. John didn't know what to do. What was he thinking? He wasn't good with kids. He was a shitty dad, he was a shitty husband... Just then, Rayna spoke up.

Rayna: "John?"

John was snapped out of his thoughts to see her looking at him with tear stains on her cheeks. He sighs, taking out a couple tissues and handing them to her.

John: "You alright? I know that was a lot."

Rayna uncurls herself and wipes her eyes, blowing her nose into the tissues. She crumpled them up a bit before putting them in her pocket.

Rayna: "I'm fine... are you?"

John was caught off guard by the question.

John: "Psh- me? Yeah, I'm fine, don't worry."

John crossed his arms, staring out the window. Rayna watches him, hesitant for a moment, before wiping her hands on her jeans and gently placing a hand on his arm. John jumps a little, before looking at her hand, and then her.

Rayna: "You sure?"

John just stares at her, before scoffing, looking away.

John: "Actually, no. I'm pissed. Valentina shouldn't have dragged you out there. Those reporters acted like you were some sort of animal that couldn't speak for itself! I just..."

He sighs through his nose, pinching the bridge of it.

John: "Sorry, sorry, you shouldn't be listening to me get all worked up like this-." Rayna: "No, please do."

John looks back at her confused. Rayna avoided his eyes, her gaze focused to her hands in her lap.

Rayna: "It's... better than bottling up all that stress."

John scoffs.

John: "Kid, I'm not stressed." Rayna: "Yes, you are." John: "Oh really? How do you know? You an empath or something?"

Rayna looks away, making an uncomfortable face. It takes John a minute to realize the implications.

John: "...oh... oh, uh..."

John clears his throat.

John: "Noted."

There was an uncomfortable silence between them for a moment.

John: "Hey, uh..."

John put his hand on Rayna's shoulder. She looks up at him.

John: "I... I'm sorry... about your parents."

Rayna looks down, sighing.

Rayna: "... it's fine... it wasn't your fault... they died doing what they did best..." John: "... which was?" Rayna: "Saving people."

John's eyes widened.

John: "Oh god... Rayna... I-"

Just then, the front driver's side door opened. Valentina sat down, sighing, clearly tired from social interaction. As soon as she closed the door, she looked back at them with a smile.

Val: "Good news, Rayna! You're being adopted." John: "What?!" Rayna: "B-By who?" Val: "The New Avengers, obviously!"

Val turned back to the steering wheel as the man and girl in the backseat just stared at her frozen for a moment. As they started driving, John leans back, sighing, before looking at Rayna again.

John: "Looks like you're stuck with us, kid."

Rayna hesitates, before nodding her head yes.

Rayna: "Good."

John blinks a little, before his expression softens as his eyes scanned over her. She seemed so... small... vulnerable... Rayna fidgeted with her necklace a bit, the ridges on the silver locket digging into her palm, leaving a small imprint.

Half an hour later.

When they got back to the tower, Alexei rushed up and gave Rayna the biggest bear hug. The others had watched the whole thing on TV. Alexei vowed to take revenge for whoever killed Rayna's parents, which Rayna wanted to correct him on, but didn't have time before he changed the subject to welcoming her to the team. John managed to pry her out of his grip before he accidentally broke a rib. After that, she just went up to her room quietly, not stopping to say hi to the others. A few minutes later, Bob knocked on the door.

Bob: "Rayna? Rayna, can I come in?"

Rayna replied from behind the door.

Rayna: "Yeah..."

Bob opened the door. He didn't see her.

Bob: "Rayna?" Rayna: "Down here..."

Bob looks around for a second, before looking under the bed. There she was, still with her shoes on, head laid on her arms. Bob smiles a little, sitting down next to her spot under the bed, putting his back against the mattress.

Bob: "Hey, how you feeling?"

Rayna looks away.

Rayna: "... I'm scared."

That broke Bob's heart a little. He managed to keep his voice steady.

Bob: "Okay... that's... that's a really brave thing to admit, Rayna. I'm proud of you."

Rayna looks at him confused.

Rayna: "But I just told you I was scared. Isn't that, y'know, the opposite of brave?" Bob: "W-Well, yeah, but the fact that you actually admitted it? That's something most adults couldn't do."

Bob chuckles a little.

Bob: "Even I couldn't have done that... and I sure as heck couldn't have gone to that big of a gathering as you did. I would have made a complete fool of myself..."

Rayna scoffs, starting to crawl out from under the bed.

Rayna: "No you wouldn't! You'd do great! The crowd would love you! You're nice and cool and-"

Bob chuckles again, Rayna now sitting next to him on her knees.

Bob: "You really think so?" Rayna: "Ab-so-lute-ly. You wouldn't have to be escorted off the stage crying like I was." Bob: "Oh I would have had to if I was talking about my parents."

Rayna looks at him worried. Bob noticed this and scratched the back of his neck, keeping a smile on his face.

Bob: "Oh- uh- it's nothing. Don't worry."

Rayna didn't believe him. Slowly, she started reaching out to his head. He saw this, and immediately reacted by putting his hand to her head instead. It was completely automatic, so when he realized he did it... and... nothing happened...

Rayna: "... uhm..."

Bob looks at her, confused. He adjusted his hand placement a couple times, before he came to a conclusion.

Bob: "I can't read your mind... why can't I read your mind?"

Rayna seems surprised, before shrugging.

Rayna: "I don't know... can you usually do that?"

Bob nods his head yes, smiling a little.

Bob: "Yeah, I mean- ow!"

Bob pulled his hand away after he felt an electric shock, wringing it a bit, the lights flickering when the current went through his hand.

Rayna: "A-Ah! I'm sorry! I-I can't control my powers sometimes- d-did I hurt you? I-"

She realized he was looking at her, absolute awe and interest.

Rayna: "Uh... Bob?" Bob: "... that was awesome...wh-what else can you do with your powers? C-Can you show me?"

Rayna is a bit surprised, but agrees with a small nod. Bob watches on with interest as red chaos magic starts forming in her hands.

Meanwhile, a couple floors up.

Mel paces in the storage closet, her phone still ringing. As soon as it stopped, she put it to her ear. She was about to speak when an automated voice came over the speaker. Voicemail. Damnit. She waited patiently for it to end. Beep.

Mel: "Bucky, it's Melissa. Valentina has something planned for the girl. I need you back here. I'm stalling as much as I can, but sooner or later she's gonna try to take matters into her own hands, and I'm afraid that'll be soon. Please call me back. Thank you."

Mel hung up the phone, going to the door, checking the hallway for anyone, before walking away from the closet. She can't let this happen. She won't let Valentina hurt this little girl just to make a profit.

-

[leos-multifandom-corner]

Leo's Fanfiction Masterlist

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bad Batch

One-Shots

Everything to Hide (M)

Overdrawn (GW)

Fractured Minds (M)

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Impact (GW)

Part 1

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Marvel

Bewitched

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Follower Specials

80 Part 1

80 Part 2

Almost 95

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Fanart

FallenAngel! AU (TW: Gore)

Poor Harley

siblings

The Amazing Digital Prom

Gabv1el

small disaster lesbian

Chaos Squad!!!

scandalous sapphics

Piper

Crocomom

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ao3

[leos-multifandom-corner]

me going back and editing TWTW and Bewitched on a whim: