Steve.

[this connection between them—the hand that shoots out to steady her as the ground shakes—lets wanda know exactly how he is feeling right now. it's erratic, this cacophony of panic, a multilayer of moments in time and events which would give anyone a clear understanding that the stakes are far too high, that the correct response is to run.

but they're in the horizon, messy as it is, and wanda's a powerful being herself.]

This Horizon is based on your thoughts, on your imagination. It is real — frighteningly so — but you're the one giving it the power to grow. [if he is aware of that, perhaps he will stop augmenting the powers of these creatures with his enlarged imaginings fueled by his fear for them. as if making a point, the ground shakes again.] And I know you may have known this without my telling you, but I'm a powerful witch. The Scarlet Witch.

[the title will mean nothing to him, but just as the mind flayer has a name, as the other creatures do, the sole mention of her title makes it real within his domain.]

I have had worse demons in me. [the darkhold, chthon—] We leave now, and you will hold your fear to the side, and we fight whatever is out there.

[boy, would steve and sam be proud.]

I will protect you.