Ultron Aftermath

Chapter 61

AJ shuffled in her seat awkwardly across from Dr. Raynor, remaining stoic and rigid during their therapy session, responding with the occasional one-word replies or simple shrugs. Dr. Raynor seemed like a nice enough person, but AJ couldn't help but feel uncomfortable in her presence, and she didn't think that talking to a stranger about her underlying issues was at all necessary. Tommy had been much more open with the therapist in the previous session, so Dr. Raynor assumed that AJ would be the same, but that particular expectation certainly didn't seem to be the case.

Dr Raynor decided to go with a different approach, deciding to ask the girl questions that may engage her or encourage her to talk.

"Your uncle tells me you're into soccer"

Aj sighed as she glanced up at the clock, she'd only been in here 10 minutes but it already felt like hours. "I guess I am. I don't know I haven't been able to play in a while"

"Did you use to play often?"

Aj nodded, as her eyes checked the clock again.

Dr Raynor chuckled, "looking at the clock doesn't make it tick faster I'm afraid"

"I wish it did, this is awful" Aj huffed.

"You're not here as punishment Aj, this isn't supposed to be awful. You're here because I want to help you"

"I don't need help!" Aj rolled her eyes, "I'm not mentally unstable, my mom and Uncle made me come to therapy because I shot my dad. It's not a big deal"

"You're angry they made you come here,
Why?"

"Because...I don't know. I just am!
I'm just confused" AJ crossed her arms over her chest as she leaned back in her chair watching Dr. Raynor write something down in her notes.

"Are you confused about why they bought you here today?" Dr Raynor asked as she looked back up at the girl.

Aj shook her head. She knew why they had forced her into therapy, they were worried about here. Being here isn't what confused her.

"No?" Dr Raynor raised her eyebrows trying to understand what Aj was getting at.

"No. I know why they forced me here and I understand it. It's just confusing because three weeks ago I wasn't a child, I wasn't allowed to be but now all of a sudden I'm allowed to be a kid again and everyone's making my decision for me. Why does everyone feel the need to do that all the time?" Aj spoked truthfully, she suprised herself, she wasn't really sure why she shared that.

"I understand"

Aj scoffed at Dr Raynor response,"No you don't. Nobody does"

"Then help me understand Aj that's what I'm here for"

———

After AJ's session with Dr Raynor Wanda was up next. However, the teenager had zero desire to engage with the therapist in any way, a sentiment that was very evident as she remained closed off and silent for the entirety of the first thirty-minutes ,only speaking three words throughout the session so far. Tommy had openly shared during his session, Aj had been a little hesitant but Dr Raynor was able to break her down a little, she was certain that in a few sessions Aj would be just as open as Tommy. But Wanda was a different story. She was being stubborn about the whole ordeal.

Dr Raynor sighed as she looked over at Wanda whose gaze was averted to her hands as she played with her rings.
"Aj spoke about you a lot during her session"

"Isn't that confidential, I don't think you're supposed to tell me what you've talked about with your other patients Doc" Wanda stated sarcastically.

Dr Raynor was a little taken a back by Wanda's sarcasm but decided to carry on with the conversation, "no I'm not allowed, you're right. I can't tell you what she exactly told me but it was very clear to see that she looks up to you a lot"

Wanda couldn't help but let a small smile escape her lips as she heard this. Even with all of the uncertainty and hardship that Wanda had experienced herself the last couple of months, it filled her with a sense of pride that her little sister had such a fondness for her. However, Wanda was also certain that she did not serve as the best role model for Aj.

Wanda shrugged, "I guess she kind of does but she looks up to our Dad more, he's definitely her idol" Wanda chuckled sadly, her eyes still on her hands as she anxiously continued to play with her rings.

"I'm guessing you miss your dad a lot right now?" Dr Raynor pushed.

"I don't need to miss him! I don't need to. He's not dead he's still alive" Wanda snapped, she hated how people spoke about him like he was gone.
He may be fighting for his life but he was still alive.

"I didn't mean it like that Wanda" Dr Raynor spoke gently.

"Everyone else always does" Wanda sighed.

"What do you mean?" Dr Raynor asked hopefully, she felt like she may be getting somewhere.

Wanda shook her head, "it doesn't matter"

"If it's bothering you then it matters Wanda" Dr Raynor reassured her, wanting the teen to understand that any problem she had was important no matter how small it was.

"Its not. Nothings bothering me" Wanda shrugged, she just wanted to go home.

Dr. Raynor sighed, a sense of defeat washing over her as she realized that Wanda was not yet willing to let her guard down or open up to the therapist. It was clear that it would take some time for the girl to warm up to Dr Raynor, but she knew that with patience and persistence, she'd eventually manage to break through the girl's defenses and create a positive environment for her to open up in. Dr Raynor had certainly gotten through to plenty of others before, having helped Bucky after his time with Hydra and even counseling Natasha back in her early days at Shield. Wanda definitely reminded the therapist of Natasha, Nat had been exactly the same in her first few sessions but they got there in the end and she was determined for this to be the case with Wanda.

"Okay well this is our session over for this week but I'll see you soon" Dr Raynor smiled as she headed over to the door.

Wanda near flew out of the room not wanting to stay a second longer. She hurriedly walked back over to her family in the waiting area.

"Can we get ice cream now?" Aj asked as she looked at her uncle Buck.

Bucky smiled, he was proud of the kids for doing their sessions today, despite how they felt about it, they got on with it and that's all he could've asked. They definitely earned ice cream, he also felt a little guilty for lying to them earlier, "Sure kiddo".

"Good answer, I was gonna throw a tantrum if you said no" Tommy said seriously.

"Me too" Yelena added. "I want my ice cream"

"Ice cream sounds good" Wanda agreed.

"Fine with me, I swiped Tony's card earlier so you guys can get whatever you want" Bucky smirked as he held up the card.

————

A/N: At least they got their ice cream in the end:)
Thank you for reading 🫡