#‘oh yeah! the avengers exist in this too!’

[wishchip106]

hmm thinking back to when i listened to that unbeatable squirrel girl podcast and Erik would just constantly call in asking for Charles

bro misses his husband forreal

link if anyone’s interested ^^

[notanactressyayy]

—𝐲𝐨𝐮'𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭—

pairing . Natasha Romanoff x fem! reader

summary . she needs you, in multiple ways — she's just scared to ask for it.

warnings . smut — I am NOT responsible for the content you consume — thigh riding, scissoring, fingering, vulnerable sex (because yes), taking care of Nat because she deserves it.

notes . English is not my first language, I'm brazilian, so I apologize for any grammar mistakes. this is probably the first fic I ever post so hi hi!!!

(I'm sorry if this is bad, I literally wrote that in a waiting room, completely in a rush.)

divider credits: @cafekitsune ^^

You didn't know exactly why the TV was on. You weren't interested on the show, and Natasha wasn't even looking at it. Her eyes looked down as she fidgeted with her fingers. You could tell she was anxious, that something was bothering her.

You just never expected that this was something to do with you — no, you didn't do anything wrong. It was her.

Natasha and you met years ago, and had been in a situationship for a while now. You weren't friends, but somehow, you couldn't recall the time you started dating (because it never existed). Friends with benefits was too cliché, and maybe not enough to describe what you actually had with her.

To begin with it, you met Natasha when she was still an Avenger. You were never part of the team, but they treated you as if you were. You were close to everyone, but specially Natasha. There was a reason she had let that happen, since according to her, she was in New York to be a hero, and not to have friends.

Friends.

The moment the russian started to blush whenever Thor teased her about how close she was to you or when you simply stared at her for a few seconds or more was when she realized that she made a mistake. A good one, she hoped. In a heartbeat, she was telling you her story.

You listened — just, listened. Your hand went to brush her hair behind her ear whenever she looked down, and the sparkle of pride in your eyes was not something she could miss. You didn't pity her. You didn't try to bring up a justification for what she went through, or to bring up a solution to fix her. You were proud of her for who she became, and were there for her whenever she didn't want to be that person for a while.

It was with that trust in you that she found herself wanting, craving even, something more. She's human, wether she like it or not. She can't deny her feelings or urges, not even the most dangerous spy can.

So her walls broke when you said you were going with her to Norway after the Avengers split.

Natasha shifted a little in the couch, the blankets around her getting all crumpled as she took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. Your focus went from the soft patting of the raindrops in the window to the woman next to you, as you frowned a bit.

"Nat?" you called, leaning your side against the backrest of the couch and looking at her. "What's wrong?"

She turned to you, a little startled, but tried to shake it off with a small grin. "Oh, it's nothing. It's just a little hot in here."

"We're in Norway," you laughed, giving her that goddamn smile of yours. "And.. it's raining."

"The..." she shook her head, failing miserably to come up with an excuse. "The blankets are making me hot."

"Mhm, are they?" you raised an eyebrow, and pulled the blankets off you both, and letting half of them fall to the floor. "Better?"

Natasha shivered, but nodded nonetheless. You saw she was unquiet, and that this looked a little more serious than the normal.

"Natasha."

"Yeah?"

"What is going on?" you repeated your question, scooting closer to her and placing your hand above hers — just to make things worse.

Natasha almost whined at your action, which made you pull your hand back and frown even more. "I'm sorry,"

"No, it's not your fault." she shook her head. "It's mine."

"Then tell me." you smiled softly, lifting her head up to meet your eyes with your pointer finger. The sight of her green orbs was something you maybe never saw before.

"I..." she mumbled, clearing her throat. She then grabbed your hand and held your wrist gently, not sure of what to do next. "I don't know."

"It's okay," you whispered, bringing her hand up and placing a kiss on it. You had no problem with being affectionate and she didn't mind either, but today, it was different.

"Y/n". Natasha whispered back, looking into your eyes and getting lost in them. She was clearly unsure of what to do, and how to express what she was feeling. So she brought your hand up and placed your palm above her heart. Faster than the speed of light.

"Hey..." you cooed, tilting your head as you felt the aggressive beating against your hand. "You... are you, scared of something?"

"No." she quickly shook her head. She wasn't having any negative emotions right now. "I'm not anxious, I'm not scared.. I'm just.."

"Just what?"

The fact she was not having an anxious episode or a panic attack made you slightly relaxed, but not completely — then you realized, the touches you were giving her made her sensitive. She was needy.

The Red Room turned her into a closed person, and that didn't completely vanish when she was with you — it was like there was a bug in her system that had to be fixed, soon. She couldn't be totally open, but not completely closed.

You smiled at the thought, and leaned in closer, inches away from her face, which made her breathing uneven. "Tell me what you need, Nat."

"I..." she took a deep inhale and placed her hand on your cheek, pulling you into an unexpected kiss — a desperate one.

She kissed you frantically, her movements with urgency as she placed her hands behind your neck, trying to pull you close. You couldn't say you expected this, but it wasn't unwelcomed either.

Your hands went to her waist as she shyly crawled onto your lap, her legs hooking around your hips as she pulled away for air, her forehead against yours.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry..." she breathed, feeling her eyes start to burn with unleashed tears.

"You have absolutely nothing to apologize for." you murmured, arms gently wrapping around her as she straddled you. "It's okay, let's not rush things. Let's take deep breaths, mhm?"

The fact you wanted her to calm down before anything almost calmed her down instantly, but she breathed with you, then leaned her head on yours, her cheek on your hair.

"I just need something," she whispered, more calmly now. "I—I think I need you."

"And I'm here," you turned your head to press a kiss on her temple, caressing her back. The redhead melted.

Natasha leaned down to kiss your lips again, but not with urgency. She sighed softly against your lips, her hands moving to hold your face, and yours, to hold her waist. It didn't take long for her to start moving slowly — she shifted, instead of straddling your lap, her legs were around your thigh. Your eyes opened, and you broke the kiss to look at her.

"Nat, my love," you whispered. "Are you sure of this?"

"Please." she uttered back, closing her eyes and gripping your shoulders. "I know you'd ever hurt me.. you would never disrespect me, you would stop if I asked you to. Right... right?"

You smiled sadly, realizing she was trying to reassure herself, and not actually ask you this. "Yes, yes, Natasha. I want to take care of you. I want to see you, beyond that shell they turned you in. I want you to feel comfortable enough with me to ask for this, and this is such a big step for you."

She sighed in relief, hearing the honesty in your voice. She nodded, clearing her throat. She leaned down, hiding her face on the crook of her neck and pressing small, gentle kisses on it. Then her hips started to slowly move, and the tiniest bit of friction made her gasp. "Y/n..."

"Shh," you held her hips, guiding her through her own pace. The little high waisted shorts she wore rolled up, so surprisingly thick that you could feel her wetness. "That's great, Natty. Move yourself for me, like this."

Natasha whined at your words, starting to grind against you slightly faster. The clothes were starting to feel uncomfortable, as she felt the need of you seeing her. She grabbed your hands, and slowly moved them underneath her blouse.

You did what she wanted, grazing your fingernails against her skin and slowly massaging her flesh, resulting in a soft moan of hers. "Take it off." You looked at her with a questioning look, even if you had an idea of what she was asking for. "Undress me, Y/n."

Given her permission, you smoothly lifted her blouse and pulled it over her head, letting it fall to the floor. She stopped her movements briefly, just so you could slide her shorts and panties down her thighs, her heat now in contact with your leg making you groan.

She felt your hands moving up to unclasp her bra and smirked softly, holding her arms out so you could take down the straps. That woman was surely breathtaking, her body, her marks, her scars, her voice, her everything.

"Natty," you uttered, pressing kisses in the valley between her breasts and moving up, to her ear. "There's so much I wanna do with you..."

Natasha closed her eyes, your touch making her shiver again, as she began to fastly grind her pussy against your thigh. "Please." she quickly removed your shirt and soon enough, you both were completely naked.

The feeling of skin against hers, the human touch that she never felt when getting off with a strap while thinking of you was unbelievable, a touch that she knew that wouldn't hurt her. It was so good, so different from the men she seduced when a spy, so different from the men that touched her in the Red Room.

"My pretty girl," you hissed, throwing your leg above hers and starting to grind yourself with her. "So beautiful, and all mine."

"Yes," she panted, burying her face in your neck again as her nails lightly scratched your back. "Y/n, please."

"You're coming with me." you sweetly commanded. Natasha started to whisper things in Russian that you couldn't really understand, but you took it as a sign that she was close.

Soon enough, Natasha's legs started to shake and her moans on your ear got slightly louder, you both coming together, her juices mixing with yours. She didn't stop, though. You gasped, looking up at her. She still needed more.

"Touch me." Natasha growled, grabbing your hand and moving it close to her cunt. She was starting to feel confident, and you liked it.

You didn't think twice before burying your middle and pointer fingers on her hole, using your thumb to slowly rub circles on her clit, biting your lip at the sight of her back arched. All for you.

"God, Y/n," she moaned, using her own hands to squeeze her breasts and circle her hard nipples. "Yes, just like that."

"You like it like this?" you asked, shoving one more finger inside her, her moans getting louder. She slowly started to lift herself from your fingers, just to lower her hips again, riding your fingers. "You're gonna come for me again?"

"Yes!" she nodded frantically, her breaths coming in little gasps for air. She gripped your shoulders tightly, throwing her head back and orgasming again. It took a while for her to calm down, and you didn't waste time before gently taking her and laying her down on the couch, spreading her legs and pressing soft kisses on her inner thighs, licking her juices and making her squirm around.

"Y/n," she murmured quietly, reaching her arms out.

"Oh, baby." you pulled Nat into an embrace, holding her close to your chest and caressing her hair, running your fingers through her red locks. "It's alright."

Natasha whimpered, wanting to hide herself in your arms and never come out again. She closed her eyes and laid her head on your chest, arms circling your waist.

The talk about this could wait. The silence was comfortable enough for now.

[nerdy-novelist017]

Trouble (Eric Draven x Rebel!Reader)

Bill Skarsgard, covered in blood and acting feral as he violently kills people to avenge the woman he loves?? Yeah, that really did a number on me….but I couldn’t help but fall in love with Eric’s quiet character in the first act so pls enjoy my ramblings! 💕

Eric Draven Masterlist

Word Count- 1.5k+

Summary- Eric's carefully guarded solitude is disrupted by a bold newcomer who seems to be trouble incarnate.

“I wanna get in trouble.”

A voice, sudden and electric, broke Eric from his reverie as a figure’s shadow fell across the intricate lines and shadows of his drawing. He glanced up hesitantly, shielding his eyes from the harsh sunlight behind you. His eyes were met with the sight of you – a tempestuous spirit with wild, untamed hair that cascaded around your face like a mane, defying the order and discipline of this facility. There was a glint in your eyes, mischievous and daring, that seemed to challenge the very atmosphere around you. You loomed above him, a figure of restless energy, waiting for a response that he was unprepared to give. 

“What?” he managed, his voice barely above a whisper, a stark contrast to the boldness of your intrusion. 

You grinned cheekily, and with an audacity that left him momentarily stunned, you stepped up onto the picnic bench he was perched at, planting yourself so that you were sitting on the table as if it was your own personal stage. Your feet, clad in worn, oversized sneakers rested casually on the seat in a silent declaration of your disregard for rules. “Don’t you?”

Eric blinked at you, his brows furrowed as he hastily pulled his papers closer, as if to shield them from your encroaching presence. “No.”

“No?” you parroted, a suggestive playfulness tone to your voice. “But this place is so boring.” 

He glanced around the yard, taking in the stark reality of the rehab facility, his eyes lingering on the chain link fence with its towering barbed wire glinting menacingly in the afternoon sun. “It’s supposed to be,” he said with cold detachment. “And you’re not supposed to be fraternizing with me.”

You followed his gaze, casting a sly look to the guards who stood at the back door, and a smirk danced on your lips. “Uh oh, I wonder what the consequences for that will be.”

Eric wanted to roll his eyes at your attitude. This was how all the newbies were when they came in: brash, defiant and convinced they could outwit the system. They came in with fire in their eyes only for it to be extinguished within days by the crushing reality of their situation. Nobody stayed trouble for long. He watched as their bravado withered, soon to be replaced by resignation. And the ones like you – those who pushed the boundaries with reckless abandon – often found themselves confined to solitary confinement, their spirits slowly eroded by the wright of their own demons. 

“You think I could seduce one of these guards to sneak us in some contraband?” you asked, raising your brow in a conspiratorial way as you nodded toward a pair of male guards standing near the backdoor, idly chatting and sharing a cigarette. 

Eric’s gaze traveled over you, from the oversized, ugly pink sweatshirt that swamped your frame to the untamed hair that framed your face like a wild halo. You spoke of “us” as if any semblance of companionship existed between you too. There wasn’t. It was just him and his solitary existence. He had no need for friends, no desire for connections – especially not from someone like you. 

“No,” he said finally as he returned to his sketch, hoping his blatant disinterest would be enough to drive you away. “You need to get off the table.”

He could feel your eyes on him, your gaze almost too intense. When you tilted your head, studying him in amused disbelief, he knew what was coming. Another newbie thinking they could crack him open like some sort of nut, put together the broken pieces like a puzzle. He kept his attention on the drawing, hoping you’d take the hint and leave him alone. 

“C’mon, you don’t look like someone who’s this much of a stick in the mud.” Your voice was playful, teasing but Eric could sense the challenge beneath it. His silence seemed to fuel you, as if his resistance was exactly what you were hoping for. “What’s your name anyway?”

He hesitated, hating how you were forcing him to interact with you like some needy puppy. “Eric,” he muttered, keeping his gaze locked on the drawing.

“Eric,” you tasted his name on your lips quietly. It grated on him, the way you spoke as if you already knew him, already had him all figured out. “You’re an artist, huh? I bet you’re all dark and broody, right? The strong, silent type?”

His jaw tightened, his pencil pressing a little too hard against the paper. He didn’t want to give you the satisfaction of getting a reaction out of him, but he could feel your words digging right under his skin. Dark and brooding? Strong and silent? You didn’t know anything about him, didnt understand the darkness that lingered in the corners of his mind, the weight of the silence he carried, yet here you were, already trying to pin him down with labels. And typically, Eric didn’t care what anyone else here labeled him with, but your unnervingly amicable voice was something he wasn’t used to. It was almost laughable, except it wasn’t. It was annoying. 

Your words struck a nerve. He remained quiet, instead choosing to focus on the shading in the corner of his page, tried to drown out the sound of your voice, but he knew his silence was betraying him. The tension in his jaw, the way his grip on the pencil tightened – it all gave him away, and he could almost feel you noticing it, filing it away for later. God, why couldn’t you just leave him alone? 

Then you leaned in closer, your voice dropping to a whisper for only his ears to hear. “You know, I think you want to get into trouble. You’re just too scared to admit it.”

His eyes snapped up to meet yours before he could stop himself, his heart racing at the sudden intensity in your eyes. And there was something in your gaze that unsettled him. Annoyance flared up first, hot and defensive. But beneath that, he felt a flicker of . . . curiosity. And he hated that too – hated that you were getting under his skin. What the hell did you even know about him? What gave you the right to pry into his life, his thoughts.

“You don’t know anything about me,” he retorted, his voice sharper than he intended, the words escaping in a rush of defensiveness. 

You shrugged, unbothered by his tone, a playful smile tugging on your lips. “Maybe not yet, but I’m good at figuring people out. And I think you’re bored out of your mind here, just like me. You’re dying for something – anything – to happen.”

Eric shook his head, forcing himself to look back down at his sketch. “You’re wrong.” 

Even to his own ears, the denial sounded weak, and that only served to deepen his irritation. 

You let out a dramatic sigh, stretching your arms overhead, and Eric resisted the urge to glance up. “Well, if you change your mind, you know where to find me. I’m always up for a little fun.”

“Fun,” he echoed, the word leaving a bitter taste in his mouth. He wasn’t even sure why he bothered to respond, but something about your persistence was unraveling him bit by bit. “That's what got us in here in the first place. 

You paused, and for a second, Eric thought maybe he had finally shut you up. He looked up and caught a flicker of something else in your expression, something serious that made his chest tighten with a feeling he couldn’t quite name. But just like that, it was gone, replaced by that infuriating grin. 

“Maybe,” you said, your voice softer, thoughtful in a way that made him uneasy. “But maybe that’s what will get us out of here too.”

Eric watched as you slid off the table, landing lightly on the ground. For a moment, he thought you might actually leave him alone, and the relief that washed over him was sweet. But then you turned back, hands stuffed into the pocket of that oversized sweatshirt, your grin still in place – though it didn’t seem to reach your eyes quite the same as before. 

“See you around, Eric,” you said before sauntering off, as if you didn’t just turn his whole world upside down in a matter of a few minutes. 

He stared after you, watching as you kicked at the feet of another unsuspecting patient who grumbled at you as you passed. His mind raced, his drawing forgotten, the lines and shadows now blurring together in an indistinct mess. He hated how you so easily managed to disrupt his carefully-constructed isolation, how you made him think about things he thought he’d buried a long time ago. He wanted to believe you were just another reckless newbie, just another faceless patient in a sea of addicts who would burn out soon enough. But something in the pit of his gut told him you were different – something he couldn’t shake. 

In the silence that followed your departure, Eric was left to grapple with the realization that the trouble you brought was not just a disruption, but a catalyst for change, a challenge to his solitude. And now as he returned to his meaningless drawing, he wondered briefly if perhaps your indelible, chaotic presence was exactly what he needed to rewrite his own story in the hell hole. 

And that scared him more than he’d like to admit.

Tagging some of you who seemed interested!

@apolloanddaphnis @one-of-thewalkingdead @m00npjm @maimai-0603 @redwitchbitch1 @at-midnight @fandom-fanatix @spoiled-bat13 @alinahdee @mrsalwayswrite

[allophonicmess]

Too Sweet

Logan Howlett x fem!Reader

Act 3

Warnings: spoilers for Deadpool & Wolverine

This is a fluff chapter. Gotta give you guys some candy after all that angst

Word count 4.1 K

Life resumed as normal after that. Or as normal as it could be when you are suddenly placed in the new timeline. Logan kept getting confused by little details that were different to the life he had lived before. Professor X ? Sure he exists but he had hair. Cyclops? Oh yeah. He was just as annoying as he remembered. Who are the fucking Avengers and what sort of rich nerd was Tony Stark? And what about Jean?

“A hot red head with the telekinetic powers?” Wade hummed, pretending to be lost in thought. “Uh, no. UNLESS! Charles used to have a beautiful flowing mane that I don’t know about. He is turning grey, you know… but it suits him. Silver fox”              

So Jean was out of the picture. That was good, right?

Logan groaned at Wade's bad joke. He shifted his focus outside, watching the landscape change from looming tall skyscrapers to even fields and trees that started changing colour with the season. It reminded him of home.

“Just to get this straight.” Logan shifted in his seat. The car that Wade had bought from the dealership had been heavily discounted and Logan now understood why. You would think it can’t get worse than the Odyssey? Oh boy, were you wrong. It was too small for 4 people, let alone 2 mutant men. He already felt sorry for whoever might have to sit in the back for whatever reason.

“Y/N has powers?” Logan asked, trying to play it cool. The whole drive had been a big Q&A.

“Yup,” Wade said with a pop. One hand on the steering wheel and the rest of him laid back in his seat.

“They call her Osmium, too?” Logan didn’t like this dependency on the wanna-be hero. But he had to make a good first impression.

“Osmimimum? Uh no. She is called Atom” Wade laughed “Don’t if she actually does stuff with atoms… It's more like…” Wade groaned as he tried to think of an example.

“She manipulates density.” Logan pointed out. They had trained together many times. But Y/n was never allowed to use her full potential with the X-men. They condemned violence and so she was often left out on mission and focused on keeping the school running.

“Ugh- I guess? She once told me in great, boring detail why ‘Atom’ is a bad superhero name for her but they kept it for the marketability. “ He shrugged “Oh! I remember that one time we stopped a child-mutant trafficking and she got mad, like REAL MAD, and then she turned this one guy into goop.” Wade nodded fondly, thinking back at that moment. “And I mean like Nickelodeon kids choice award goop, like slurpable slushy goo, like-“

“Okay, alright! I get it.” Logan groaned in annoyance. Shaking his head at Wade. He was thankful for the man’s support and friendship but god was he annoying. Constantly.

“I wish she would do that to me sometime. It’s on my ways-to-die bingo. But she keeps refusing!” Deadpool hit the wheel dramatically.

“You are disgusting,” Logan stated dryly. “The most disgusting person I ever met.”

“Don’t forget the most annoying!”

...

The decision to go back to teaching was not made out of fun or for the joy of doing it. Maybe partially, even though Logan would not openly confess so. It was made out of necessity. Living with Wade and Al became tiresome after the first few weeks. It was always the same antiques, the lack of schedule as well as a constant state of chaos that made him crave the ordered life at the school once again. He hoped that it would give him a sense of belonging. The X-men might be different here, with a few quips and details that didn’t match with his reality. But living at the school would tie him to a strict schedule and by god, he needed some structure in his life.

 But all in all, it meant home.

“Okay, peanut. Today is a big day. But I know you’ll do great and meet a lot of new friends.” Wade joked in a motherly tone as they arrived at the Mansion. “And no hair pulling or biting unless they ask for it, okay?”

“I can’t wait to be rid of you” Logan groaned as the car came to a halt. He exited the car with a low groan, stretching to lose stiffed muscles. Not having to constantly ride in Wade's joke of a car was another reason that he preferred living at Xavier’s Institution. Speaking off:

“There you are. Welcome, welcome.” Xavier rolled into the mansions yard.

“A pleasure to have you, Logan. I must say, I was very pleasantly surprised when I received your response to my inquiry.” He moved towards Logan, offering his hand for a handshake.

Logan inspected the man. He was older, in his 40s maybe. But younger than the Charles Xavier he had worked with. He sported shaggy longer hair that was starting to thin out. Soon he would need to get it trimmed to keep his professional exterior. Along with a beard that was rather spotty and seemed too reminisce of his look in the 70s. Xavier looked like a mix of the two versions that Logan got to meet during his time at the school and it made him wonder how time worked here. Events seemed to play out in different order, they didn’t happen at all or much later than seemed correct.

He shook Xavier’s hand, thanking him for the offer. “Of course. I was surprised when you contacted me.” Logan confessed. His gaze shifted towards the grand building in front of him. It was the same old English style build that he knew, with a few modern elements added here and there.

“Is it familiar to you? The school? I assume you have experienced quite a few dejá-vus since arriving here.” Charles observed Logan.

“I do. Some things are the same. Others don’t match what I know or didn’t happen at all.” He confessed. Already feeling the brother connection build, similar to the one he had with the other Charles.

“You will find your answers. I am sure of it.” Charles turned around motioning Logan to follow him inside. “I think it is best if we continue this conversation in my office.” He looked over his shoulder at Wade, who had waited in the car, listening in on the conversation.

“Oh, yeah, I’ll be on my way. You call me if you need to get picked up, Pookie!” He waved at Logan in a motherly way.

“You aren’t coming?” He asked, somewhat confused. But then he saw Charle’s face, the intense stare he gave Wade.

“Uhhh, no I technically have a house ban for no apparent reason-“

“You burned down the west wing” Charles answered dryly.

Wade clicked his tongue, “Right, okay. Yeah… But! It’s very modern now.” He chuckled weakly. “You’ll still call me up for a mission, right?” He tried to persuade the professor.

“If the mission takes place outside of my building then yes.” Charles agreed, focusing back on Logan. And leading him inside. Neither of them commented on the cheer that Wade gave as he drove off.

Being back at the school felt surprisingly good to Logan. It was like coming back from a long holiday. Most everything was the same: Students running in the hallways, playing games in the gardens and-

“Fancy seeing you here!”

Logan turned around quickly, looking for whoever addressed him. Some children were buzzing along the halls, none of them too interested in him. Then he spotted her by the stairs. Leaning onto the dark wooden rails of the gallery. The light from the window behind her illuminating her figure.

“Y/n”, he breathed.

“Hi! Charles told me that you wanted to start teaching again.” She made her way downstairs, focus shifting between not falling and keeping her gaze on him. She seemed pleasantly surprised to see him.

He turned more toward her, watching her get closer to ground level. With each step he felt his excitement grow “He contacted me, actually. Asked whether I wanted to work here…”

“Oh really? What a coincidence ”She grinned mischievously, stopping at the end of the stairs and leaning on one of the bannisters. She kept a little space between them. There might be some familiarity between them but she didn’t want to push him too far yet and give him the chance to get closer to her if he felt like it.

But Logan stayed in place: “Do you have anything to do with that?”

She smirked,  and he felt some of his charm return to him . He might be rusty but some things were just engraved in him.

“Maybe” She shrugged, smiling softly with a playful sparkle in her eyes “But I’m assuming that you won’t be teaching history, right?” Y/n teased carefully. The multiverse situation was a thing she wanted to be careful about. Wade had told her a little bit about what had happened to Logan before he transferred but she didn’t know any details.  

“No, I teach PE and defence classes. You do science, right?” He shifted his weight from one leg to the other, hoping to lose the tension in his body. He threw the tidbit of knowledge into the conversation, hoping that he was right and that the two versions of her had that much in common.

“Chemistry and Literature, yeah.” She smiled. She then looked at her watch before pointing towards another corridor with a sigh “I’d love to talk more, but I need to get to class. Maybe we could meet sometime.” She secured the book in her arms.

“Yes.” He answered with a stiff nod, his hands were getting sweaty.

They stood In awkward silence.

“Maybe over a coffee?” She asked, looking up at him, her lip curled upwards. Her look became more expecting as he watched her in silence.

 He would catch the bait she just threw, right? Scott had laughed when she asked him about what Logan had been like; What this version might be like.

 ‘He’s an asshole’ He said ‘a cocky asshole and who thinks he can charm any girl he likes’ she blushed at that comment ‘But he is into the dark, mysterious type if that is what you are after’

“Maybe”, Logan gave  cold and curtly.

He regretted his demeanor when he saw her smile slip for just a moment.

Fuck.

Her face slipped for a moment “Oh.. okay.” She huffed softly. “See you around then.” Y/n nodded quickly before running off.

...

A routine established itself after the first weeks back at the school. The work there itself was the same. Teach the children standard curricula, training them in controlling their powers and some extracurricular activities.

He would spend some evenings with the other members of Team X ,as they called themselves here. Sometimes he would meet Y/n in the hallway but he didn’t work up the courage to stop and talk to her beyond a quick ‘hello’.

What is wrong with you? You used to sweep women off their feet. She is offering herself to you at any chance and you still can’t manage to ask her out?

He sighed as he changed back into his regular clothes. The class had just ended. It was Friday, still fairly warm for October and the trees looked beautiful in all shades of red, orange and yellow.

 Would be perfect for a romantic walk… A charming, rugged man could ask a woman out for that.

“That guy died a long time ago…” He mumbled to himself. Picking up his bag and closing the locker.

He exited the gym, making his way to his room or rather apartment. Wade managed to burn down the teacher's quarters along with the kitchens and cafeteria in some wicked stunt. No one knew what happened and that was for the best, he guessed.

However, that incident resulted in a modernized reconstruction with more spacious rooms for the teachers and a communal cafeteria that students and members of Team X shared.  Great for extroverts but Logan had to pass it every time he went to his rooms, much to his dismay. To make it worse,  the communal space was separate from the hall via a glass wall, allowing for a perfect view of everyone who tried to sneak past. Which led to uncomfortable situations such as this.

“Logan!” Piotr called, waving his huge metallic arm to get the other man's attention. Logan's initial reaction was to ignore him as he had done many times with the members of his old team.

No, he wanted to do better. He needed to. It was that kind of behavior that made him spiral in the first place. So he took a deep breath and channeled all jolliness available to him after 6 hours of teaching and a generally low level of it to begin with.  He slowly made his way towards the teacher's table.

“Come, eat with us.” Piotr offered him the seat next to him on the thick wooden bench. A seat opposite of… fuck- of fucking course he was in on Wade’s plan to play matchmaker.

 “We can’t have you get scrawny, eh?” he joked.

“Not that that would be likely to occur” Y/n joked as Logan sat down. His look snapped towards her and her eyes widened in shock at what had just come out of her mouth.

A knowing, wicked grin spread across Colossus's face. That fucking asshole…

“What are we having?” Logan asked, ignoring the situation that had just occurred. He tried to keep his gaze on Piotr who was busy filling a plate with whatever was in the big metal pot on the side of the table. His eyes shifted to Y/n every so often.

“Pierogi. I am trying out new recipes for a cooking class with my students” He said proudly, placing the plate in front of Logan “Y/n said, they are very good. Right?” He asked her, putting the woman on the spot.

“Oh, uhm…yeah. I like the new… stuffing.” She said, the answer sounding more like a question, carefully looking at Logan when he tried it. She was thankful for Piotr’s brotherly demeanor and gentle nature. Yet sometimes he would tease her as any older brother liked to do. And they sure liked to do it in front of people that the younger sibling might fancy.

Logan nodded in agreement, complimenting the man for his cooking.

“You cook here regularly?” He asked with a mouthful.

“Of course! Cooking is a very important life skill. As well as baking. You should join one of Y/n’s baking classes, she is very talented.” Colossus complimented the woman, making her grin.

“I plan on holding a workshop on the weekend for older students and alumni. You should come.” She offered, a hopeful look in her eyes. Maybe she was too discrete the last time she tried to get Logan to ask her out. So this time she tried to be more direct with her offer.

“I don’t bake,” Logan answered in a backhanded comment as he continued to eat. He didn’t think too much about it. He had planned to ask her out after lunch. He was overly focused on what he would say to her once the others left to notice how he had sounded.

It only occurred to him when he saw how Y/n visibly deflated. “Oh, right” She hummed, swallowing another bite of her food, eyes looking anywhere but towards the man who had once again rejected her so swiftly.

Piotr, just sighed with disappointment, leaning back in his chair. His hard elbow bumped into Logan’s side.

You fucked it up. Again.

...

“Okay, stop. You mean to tell me that she tried to ask you out not once but TWICE and you rejected her?” Wade paced through the living room. Trying to make sense of what his friend had just told him. “You mean to tell me that you now spend 3 months at that school? Being in her proximity 24/7 and actively avoiding her?”

Logan sat on the familiar black couch that looked even more beaten up than the last time he was at the flat. With disgust, he realized that he didn’t even want to know what caused the new damage.

 “I don’t avoid her”

“Oh no? And yet the few times she does catch you creeping in the halls you manage to scare her off.” Deadpool said down one of the rotatable bar chairs. Swirling dramatically.

“No wonder the girl’s not interested in a sad drunk fuck like you,” Al commented from the table where she sat, carefully packaging her newest acquisition of sellable goods.

“ No, Al that’s the thing! The girl wants him DESPITE being a sad drunk fuck!”  Wade jumped from the chair to pace around some more. He had to come up with a plan to get the two to spend time together, and get to know each other better. Create some closeness to let the sparks fly and catch on.

“That’s even worse.” Al laughed, snoring.

“Thank you for the compliments… Reassuring.” Logan groaned, regretting to even have answered Wade when he asked him about how things were going with Y/n. Maybe he wasn’t ready to be with someone again. He liked her and wanted to get to know her but something was stopping him. The urge to protect her from danger and he still thought of himself as the greatest danger to her and his team.

“On the other hand, she is still interested after being rejected TWICE. So you still have a chance, Pookie.” Wade said, sitting down next to Logan, yet again way too close.

“I’m gonna help you, buddy, Don’t you worry.” He leaned in closer, his lips brushing Logan's ears “Act three needs some lovin’ and I make sure you get all the loving you need, baby” He whispered towards Logan. And with dread, and a bit of disgust,  Logan accepted that he had no chance of stopping the man.

...

By the time the midterms rolled around, Logan had gotten familiar with the schedule and his  profession once again. He slept better, tended to snap less at people and even his drinking tendencies seemed to get better. Being part of a community felt good and it made him angry at his younger self for rejecting the people who loved him out of some ill-placed ideology: that to keep them safe, he had to distance himself from them.

And yet you are doing it again.

He sighed as he trotted into the community kitchen. He broke his coffee maker in a fit of frustration last week and hadn’t found the time or energy to tell Charles to get a new one. He stayed out of the professor's way for the most part, not wanting to be roped into some conversation about ‘needing therapy’. So he sourced his caffeine intake from the machine that sat in the big, homely department kitchen. Another benefit was that there was always a fresh pot ready and waiting for him. Downside, there were almost always people in the kitchen, waiting for others to join in for conversation and breakfast.

This morning he should be safe from conversation. Most students and some staff went home for the fall semester break, leaving the school running on a minimal level to accommodate those who had no home to go to. There were no classes, meaning that the school apparatus calmed to a halt.

In practice that meant that almost everyone slept in with no pressure to get up early. And for Logan, that meant that he could enjoy his drink in peace before people tried to talk to him.

Lost in thought he strolled into the kitchen. It seemed empty, thank god. He sighed in relief, stretching languidly. The air exiting his lungs in a low groan.

Then a soft click sounded through the room.

A fridge being closed.

“Oh hey, you’re up early.” Y/n appeared behind the full-size fridge door that had previously shielded her from his view. She looked a little tired, not yet fully awake and a bit tousled from sleep.

Aww C’mon. Maybe Wade was right about the universe wanting them to come together. But primarily to annoy him and allow for Wade to give him the ‘I told you so’ speech.

“So are you.”  He answered, leaving on the door frame and watching her pour some creamer into her cup. Upon closer inspection, she did look younger than her other iteration. Her features were softer looking with fewer wrinkles and scars. He needed to ask her about that at some point.

She leaned onto the counter to reach for another cup, taking it out of the overhead cabinet. Proceeding to pour some coffee in it. “How do you take your coffee?” She asked, turning towards him.

“I’ll take two sugars” He answered, moving towards her with slow even steps. The threat of Wade’s ‘help’ kept looming in the back of his mind, pushing him to be more open towards her and to come out of his shell. Who knows what that maniac had in mind?

Y/n hummed in agreement, dropping in two cubes of sugar and stirring the dark liquid before handing it to Logan.

He thanked her softly, holding the porcelain with his much larger hands. He had moved quite close to her, both leaning against the kitchen counter. The closeness and difference in height between them meant that Y/n had to look up to him, to make eye contact.

With a grin he noticed how she shifted her stand, one hand bunching up the material of her cardigan.

You still got it if you let it happen, man.

They stood in comfortable silence for a moment, enjoying their drinks and watching the sun paint pictures onto the kitchen surfaces, colored by the stained glass windows.

She was the one who broke the silence. “Are you ready for the training session today?” She asked, turning towards him, shifting her position so that her hip was pressed against the counter.

“Training?” He asked confused, setting down his cup to cross his arms over his chest, the muscles shifting visibly under his skin.

That’s right! Show her what you got!

“Yes, staff training? We got the call from Washington about a mutant security threat. Charles wants us to be ready just in case. Do you read your emails?” She teased, watching him over the rim of her mug.

“I don’t know how that stuff works if I’m honest with ya.” He shrugged “Do you go on missions regularly? On Government orders?” He remembered that Xavier had mentioned something along the lines of that. Some complicated struggles between heroes about government regulation and so on.

“Yes, after the blip it was decided that an X-team force should be established to take care of mutant-related threats or endangerments.” She explained.

He had heard of that, too. “Right. What was that blip again?”

The energy in the room shifted suddenly.

Y/n huffed, almost spilling a bit of her drink. “Ha, that’s a bit of a heavy topic for morning coffee talks.” She looked around uncomfortably. Logan seems to have hit upon a heavy subject.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.” He apologized quickly. Beating himself up for screwing it up once again.

“No, no it’s fine.” She shook her head, setting down her drink to cross her arms as he did. Only that she seemed to do it defensively. “Half of all life stopped existing for five years and… that left a few scars.” She explained somberly, softly nodding to herself.

Logan blinked, his mind moving at high speed to get the conversation on a good topic again. Anything to turn it around and to prevent her from having a bitter aftertaste to their first proper talk.

Yet it was her, once again, that stepped up. She noticed how he got nervous, eyes wandering, shoulders sagging.

“I’ll explain it to you later. When we are not so pressed on time.” She reached out slowly, placing her hand on his arm, squeezing it in reassurance. Y/n smiled at him softly, moving around him to exit the kitchen and prepare for the day ahead.

Without thinking Logan placed a hand over hers, just in time before she pulled hers away. It had her stop in her tracks. Her eyes moved to where his rough callused palm warmed the back of her hand, up to his eyes. He was watching her with intention.

She was nervous. This was either going to be an invitation to finally get to know him or he had enough of her and told her to stop fancying him.

“You can explain it to me on a walk to the lake? Tonight?” He asked, one eyebrow raising in question. His hand squeezed hers gently.

A second of silence followed.

She exhaled, the stress leaving her body but she had to keep her composure. A grin spread across her face “Sounds like a plan.” She held eye contact for a few beats, then let her hand slip out of his hold as she left.

That’s how you do it, Tiger!

Her lips pressed together to keep from smiling too hard as she exited the hallway.

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[gothamite-rambler]

On a dreary Tuesday morning, the manor was quiet. Jason and Stephanie were trying out different handshakes, Bruce was reading news articles on his phone, Dick was making flavored water, and Kory was leaving the bedroom upstairs, fully dressed.

Stephanie (slapping hands with Jason): You're going too fast!

Jason (increasing the speed of the patty cake): Move faster!

Kory: I have an announcement to make, and it's best if Bruce is here because he knows he can't stop me with what I'm about to ask.

Bruce: Keep thinking that.

Kory sighed, annoyed by Bruce, then walked over to her boyfriend and took his hand. He smiled, ready to hear what she had to say.

Kory: Dickie bird, if you wanted me to, who would you like me to kill for wronging you?

Stephanie (turning to Kory): Yas queen, slay!

Jason laughed at the request, while Dick's eyes widened in shock.

Dick (taken back): What?

Bruce (shocked): What did she just ask?

Kory: I can explain. Dick has told me about specific figures who haven’t been properly dealt with. I know how you all feel about not killing, which I respect, but some people who hurt good people deserve to rot. Plus, I’m an alien princess; I can do this and not get arrested.

Jason and Stephanie: Aww.

Bruce: Don’t “aww” that! You don’t have diplomatic immunity, Starfire!

Kory: You have no idea if I do, Bruce.

Dick: Kory, Kory, Bruce’s opinion doesn’t matter right now. I… where is this coming from?

Kory: I was thinking about you the other night and how kind and strong you are. The man you've become, despite the trauma you've endured and being raised by Batman, which must have been hellish at times. Did I use "hellish" right?

Jason: Yeah, you did.

Stephanie: Right on the money.

Bruce: Why am I being insulted in the middle of this conversation?

Kory: Shush. Dick, I love you so much. I adore you, but knowing what those people have done to you while walking free fills me with the rage of a thousand warriors. I want to right those wrongs. I couldn't annihilate all my abusers, but I can do that for yours.

Dick: Jason, did you put her up to this?

Jason: I mentioned how you don’t want me to kill your enemies. Kory respects your desire not to kill, but she’s also rightfully pissed that you’ve dealt with so many terrible people. That’s why we’re still friends.

Kory (giving Dick's hand a gentle squeeze): Dick, I will respect your wishes as I have in the past, but I thought asking first was the best idea. So, what do you say?

Bruce: Dick, if I may—

Stephanie (tossing a muffin at Bruce): No, you may not! Continue, lovebirds.

Dick: Kory, like I told Jason, I appreciate your willingness to kill for me, but I don’t want that. Them living miserable lives is all I need. When I ignore their existence, I’m winning. Plus, you’re not on Tamaran anymore. You don’t have to kill your enemies to succeed.

Kory: That’s very true. I just feel there’s something I can do to avenge you.

Dick: The love and support you give me is enough. I love you so much, and I’d beat anyone who hurt you within an inch of their lives, but I’d rather make them live. Torture can be very effective.

Bruce: (mumbling) I really need to stop teaching you guys that.

Kory: Very well, I can see the benefit of letting them live and suffer. But this might make you happy to hear: I visited Talia al Ghul a few days ago and challenged her to a duel. She lost but lived, and I got this gold ring as a prize. Here you go.

Kory handed Dick the solid gold ring. His eyes widened in shock at the prize won in battle against his sworn enemy. He bit his bottom lip, feeling overwhelmed.

Dick: This is enough. This avenged me.

Bruce: I should probably deal with that… after I finish my coffee.

Dick and Kory hugged and kissed while Bruce sipped his coffee, slowly. Jason left grossed out by the PDA couple, and Stephanie snapped a quick picture with her phone.

Stephanie: You think I can find a partner who will battle my sworn enemy and bring me back jewelry? Oh wait, Cass might do that in two years.

Bruce (pointing to the doorway while reading an article on his phone): Leave.

Stephanie walked out of the kitchen, laughing. Meanwhile, Bruce continued reading a news report on his phone about Batman saving the day yet again, while Kory and Dick went off to spend some time together.

[moniquesha]

exfil

part four: happiest birthday, stark.

18+

Pairing: Congressman!Bucky x Avenger!reader

Summary: You and Bucky seem to make amends, Yelena tries her best to get you out of your apartment, and Tony's birthday that doesn't go as planned.

Warnings: Strong language. Violence.

The next few missions were straightforward. Extraction jobs, quick in, quick out. Nothing as heavy as the vibranium job, but not small enough to ignore, either. Yelena led the ops, keeping things controlled, efficient. Bucky was there too. Always watching, always steady.

And you?

You kept your head down and did what you did best. But it didn’t take a genius to see the pattern.

Fontaine was watching.

No direct attacks. No sudden moves. Just silence. Which was somehow worse.

Because Fontaine wasn’t the type to let things slide. If she wasn’t making a move, it meant she was waiting for something. Or someone. And whether you liked it or not, you were definitely on her radar now. You weren’t expecting company.

Especially not him.

The knock on your door was sharp, deliberate. You hesitated before opening it, half-expecting Yelena or maybe even Bucky.

Instead, it was Tony.

You blinked. “Wha–Seriously?”

Tony raised a brow. “What, no warm welcome? No ‘wow, Tony, what a surprise, please come in’? I’m offended.”

You huffed, stepping aside. “Whatever. Just get in.”

He strolled in like he owned the place, hands in his pockets, eyes scanning the apartment. It was simple, barely decorated, barely lived in. Not much of a home, just a place to exist.

Tony let out a low whistle. “Wow. Cozy.”

You rolled your eyes, shutting the door. “What do you want, Stark?”

He turned to you, expression shifting. Less teasing. More serious. “Fontaine’s watching you.”

You exhaled. “Yeah, I figured.”

He studied you for a moment, then sighed. “Look, I’m not here to give you a lecture. You’re a grown-ass adult. But if you’re planning on getting yourself killed in some revenge arc, at least make it worth something.”

Your jaw tightened. “I don’t need you checking in on me.”

Tony shrugged. “Tough. I’m here anyway.”

Silence.

Then, softer, he added, “Hill and Nat would’ve wanted someone looking out for you.”

That hit harder than it should have. You swallowed, looking away. “I don’t need looking after.”

Tony exhaled, rubbing his temple. “Jesus, you sound just like Barnes.”

You shot him a look. “Don’t compare me to him.”

He smirked. “Oh, definitely like Barnes.”

You groaned. “Tony—”

“Alright, alright.” He held his hands up in mock surrender. Then, after a pause, his tone softened again. “Just… don’t shut everyone out, alright? You’re already in this. Might as well let the people who give a damn help.”

You didn’t respond. Tony didn’t wait for one.

Instead, he clapped you on the shoulder, muttered something about getting better furniture, and let himself out. And just like that, you were alone again. Except now, his words lingered.

Tony’s visit left you rattled.

You didn’t want to think about it, but the memories crept in anyway, dragging you back to then. Back to the war that split everything in half. You hadn’t picked a side. Not because you didn’t care, but because you couldn’t. You had already fought for the wrong side once. You weren’t about to do it again.

Tony got that.

More than anyone else, he understood why you wanted nothing to do with it.

“I don’t blame you,” he had said when he tried to recruit you. “But you know me—I had to try.”

And for a brief second, you thought he meant it. Thought he actually got it.

Then you found out he’d replaced you.

With a fifteen-year-old kid.

You’d seen the footage later, some bright-eyed kid in a red and blue suit swinging around like he had any business being in the fight. A kid who wasn’t ready, who had no idea what war actually looked like.

And Tony had thrown him right into it.

That was the moment you realized, he might’ve understood, but it hadn’t stopped him from moving forward without you. No one had.

Now, years later, he was standing in your apartment, telling you not to shut people out. You let out a bitter chuckle, rubbing a hand down your face.

“Yeah, okay, Stark.”

But the words felt empty. Because the truth was, you were the one who got left behind. Your phone buzzed on the table. You ignored it at first, still stuck in the past, still hearing Tony’s voice in your head.

Then it buzzed again. You sighed, reaching for it.

Yelena: You alive?

You rolled your eyes but typed back.

You: Unfortunately.

A few seconds later, another buzz.

Yelena: Great. Suit up.

You frowned.

You: For what?

Yelena: Nothing big. Just a small job. Infiltration. Maybe some light shooting. You love that, no?

You exhaled sharply, rubbing your temple.

You: Pass.

Three dots appeared. Then stopped. Then appeared again.

Yelena: So you're just gonna let Fontaine think you’re scared?

You clenched your jaw. Of course, she knew exactly which buttons to push.

You hesitated before finally replying.

You: Where and when?

Her response was almost instant.

Yelena: Pick you up in 20. Don’t be boring.

The headlights from Yelena’s car cut through the night, casting long shadows across your apartment walls. You sighed, grabbing your jacket before heading downstairs. The cool air met you as you stepped outside, the city alive with distant sirens and the hum of streetlights. You pulled open the car door and slid into the passenger seat.

Immediately, you frowned.

“Why are you in casual clothes?”

Yelena, dressed in jeans and a hoodie, tapped the steering wheel absentmindedly. “Stark visited you today, no?”

You froze for a fraction of a second.

Your eyes narrowed. “How do you know that?”

She smirked, finally looking at you. “I have my ways.”

You exhaled through your nose, shaking your head. “Great. That’s not creepy at all.”

Yelena just shrugged, starting the car. “Tony Stark doesn’t just show up for a friendly chat. So?”

“So what?”

She gave you a look. “So what did he say?”

You stared out the window, watching the city blur past. “Nothing I didn’t already know.”

Yelena hummed, unconvinced.

Then, without looking at you, she said, “This isn’t a mission, by the way.”

Your head snapped toward her. “What?”

She smirked. “We’re going to HQ.”

You blinked. “I—What? You lied?”

“I improvised.”

You groaned, dragging a hand down your face. “Jesus, Yelena.”

“Oh, relax. You need it.”

You slumped in your seat, glaring at her. “I hate you.”

She just grinned, turning onto the main road. “I hate you more.”

You scoffed. “You’re kidding.”

Yelena smirked. “Nope.”

You blinked at her, trying to process the sheer absurdity of it. “You’re telling me Tony Stark, genius, billionaire, pain in my ass, visited me just to see if I remembered his birthday?”

Yelena shrugged, turning the wheel. “Well, that and to make sure you’re not losing your mind.” She paused, then added, “But mostly the birthday thing.”

You leaned your head back against the seat, groaning. “That guy has no sense of boundaries.”

Yelena chuckled. “Well, It’s Stark.”

You sat up again, rubbing your temple. “Is it even his birthday today?”

Yelena snorted. “Yes and a no.”

You stared at her.

She bit back a laugh. “But he wanted to see if you’d say anything.”

You closed your eyes, exhaling through your nose. “I really hate him.”

Yelena patted your shoulder, still grinning. “Drink first. Murder later.”

Yelena pulled into the underground garage of the Avengers HQ, parking with a little too much enthusiasm. The tires screeched slightly, making you grip the door handle.

“Jesus, ever heard of braking gently?” you muttered.

Yelena grinned. “Where’s the fun in that?”

You rolled your eyes and got out. The two of you made your way inside, passing familiar halls that felt both distant and suffocating. As soon as you stepped into the lounge area, Tony was there, leaning back in a chair, feet kicked up on a table like he owned the place. Which, to be fair, he did.

He spotted you instantly, a smirk tugging at his lips.

“Ah, look who decided to show up,” he said, lazily spinning a pen between his fingers. “So? Did you remember?”

You crossed your arms. “Remember what?”

Tony placed a hand over his chest, mock-offended. “Wow. Wow. Cold-blooded. You wound me.”

Yelena, standing beside you, snorted. “She remembered. She just didn’t care.”

You shot her a glare.

Tony chuckled. “See, now that I believe.”

You exhaled sharply. “Is this seriously why you came to my apartment?”

He shrugged. “Partially. Also to check if you were still breathing. But mostly this.”

You sighed, rubbing your temples. “You’re insufferable.”

Tony grinned. “And yet, here you are.”

You shook your head, already regretting coming. Yelena patted your shoulder and grinned.

“Drink first?” she offered.

You huffed. “Please.”

Like the first time you ever went to a Stark party, alcohol was something else. Strong, expensive, and way too easy to drink. Unfortunately, the gods weren’t here this time. No Thor with his Asgardian mead, no Wanda or Vision stirring up magic for entertainment. Just humans.

You swirled the amber liquid in your glass, watching the way it caught the light. Around you, the atmosphere was lively but controlled—no outrageous superhero antics, no intergalactic guests. Just former teammates, allies, and the people who somehow still found their way back to this place, despite everything.

Tony, as expected, was in his element, effortlessly switching between conversations. Rhodes stood by his side, laughing at some joke. Sam was deep in discussion with Bucky, probably about work, because those two never really knew how to take a night off.

Yelena plopped down beside you, holding her own drink. “Disappointed?”

You arched a brow. “What?”

She gestured vaguely around the room. “No aliens, no thunder gods, no enchanted hammers flying around. Just boring old Earth people.”

You exhaled, taking another sip. “I wouldn’t call them boring.”

Yelena smirked. “Right. Because you are having such a great time.”

You scoffed but didn’t argue. Instead, you looked down at your drink, the familiar burn settling in your chest.

Yeah. This was different. Just humans this time.

You uncomfortably try and fix your vest underneath your shirt. Yelena watches as she mentally remembers that she did say you should suit up for a mission, forgetting to bring any other clothes fitting for a party. 

“Want to go to Nat’s closet and steal clothes?”

You glanced at Yelena over the rim of your glass. “Steal?”

She shrugged, swirling her drink lazily. “Borrow. Whatever helps you sleep at night.”

You exhaled through your nose, shaking your head. “That’s low, even for you.”

Yelena smirked. “Oh, please. Nat wouldn’t care. And let’s be honest, you look like you just walked in off the street.”

You looked down at your outfit. Okay, fair. You hadn’t exactly dressed for a Stark party.

Yelena nudged your arm. “Come on. We’ll be quick.”

You hesitated. It had been years since you stepped into Natasha’s room. The idea of being in there, touching her things, breathing in the air of someone long gone.. It felt heavy. But before you could say no, Yelena was already on her feet, tugging you up with her. “Five minutes. Then you can go back to sulking with your overpriced drink.”

You sighed. “Fine.”

She grinned. “Knew you’d see reason.”

The walk down the hall was quieter than you expected. The party noise faded behind you, replaced by the soft hum of the HQ’s security systems. Yelena walked ahead, purposeful, like she’d done this before. Maybe she had.

When she stopped at Natasha’s door, you hesitated.

Yelena glanced at you but didn’t say anything. Instead, she pushed it open, stepping inside like she belonged there.

You swallowed hard and followed.

The room was… exactly the same. Tidy. Minimal. Functional. Like she’d only just left for another mission and would be back any second. Yelena moved toward the closet, rifling through the neatly folded clothes. “She had good taste. And she had a lot of your size.”

You didn’t answer. Your eyes were drawn to the little things, the chair by the window where she used to sit, the desk with a few scattered papers, the faint scent of old perfume still clinging to the air.

Yelena tossed a tight signature red dress and leather jacket onto the bed. “Try these.”

You finally looked at her. “You sure about this?”

Yelena gave you a knowing look. “Would she have stopped you from stealing her clothes?”

You huffed a quiet laugh, shaking your head. “No. She would’ve helped.”

Yelena grinned. “Exactly. So quit being sentimental and get changed before Tony finds us and gives some ‘heartfelt’ speech about loss.”

You sighed but picked up the clothes. Maybe this wasn’t such a bad idea after all. You smoothed your hands over the fabric, exhaling slowly. It was so Natasha. Sleek, elegant, but still practical. No frills, no nonsense. Just enough to turn heads without looking like she was trying.

Yelena leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, a smirk tugging at her lips. “Now that is a look.”

You rolled your eyes, adjusting the hem. “It’s tight.”

“Exactly.” Yelena gestured dramatically. “Now you actually look like you belong at a Stark party.”

You turned to the mirror, letting out a breath. It was strange, wearing something of hers. Like stepping into a ghost’s memory. But for once, instead of feeling haunted, it felt… right.

Yelena nudged your shoulder. “Come on, before Tony thinks we died back here.”

You shook off the feeling, giving her a pointed look. “If he makes a comment—”

Yelena grinned. “Oh, he will. But that’s what makes it fun.”

With a final glance at the mirror, you squared your shoulders and followed her out. Walking back into the lounge felt different now. The weight of Natasha’s dress, the way it hugged your figure, the way the color stood out—it was impossible to ignore.

And, of course, Tony noticed immediately.

“Well, well,” he drawled, tilting his drink in your direction. “Didn’t know we were having a real party tonight.”

You gave him a flat look. “Not a word.”

Tony smirked. “Too late. I already thought of at least five.”

Rhodes chuckled beside him, shaking his head. Sam, mid-sip from his own glass, did a very obvious once-over before raising his eyebrows approvingly. “Gotta say, looking sharp.”

Yelena grinned, throwing an arm around your shoulders. “Told you.”

Bucky, who had been standing off to the side, finally glanced up. His gaze flickered over you briefly, and then he looked away just as fast. No smirk, no teasing remark. Just something unreadable in his expression.

Good.

The last thing you needed was his opinion.

You sighed and grabbed a drink from the bar, ignoring the way Tony was still watching you with that insufferable look on his face.

“What?” you finally snapped.

Tony grinned. “Nothing. Just thinking Nat would be proud.”

The words hit harder than you expected. You looked down at your glass, swallowing the sudden lump in your throat. Yelena, sensing the shift in mood, clinked her drink against yours. “To Natasha.” The others echoed the toast, and for the first time that night, you allowed yourself to take a breath and just be there.

You raised a brow at Sam, taking a slow sip of your drink. “What’s with the staring, Sam?”

Sam chuckled, shaking his head. “I mean.. Wow. Just wow.” He gestured vaguely. “Didn’t think I’d ever see you willingly dressed for a party again.”

You scoffed. “It’s just a dress.”

“Natasha’s dress. You know her closet is very sultry.” he corrected, giving you a knowing look. “Big difference.”

You exhaled through your nose, swirling the liquid in your glass. “Yelena made me.”

Sam smirked. “Yeah, she does that.” He took a sip of his own drink, leaning against the bar beside you. “But seriously. It’s good to see you here. And not just.. hovering in a corner, looking for an exit.”

You shot him a dry look. “Give me an hour.”

Sam laughed. “Fair. But for now? Just enjoy it.”

You didn’t reply right away. Instead, you let yourself take in the scene—the people, the laughter, the easy way everyone fit into this strange, broken family.

You sighed, finally meeting Sam’s gaze. “Yeah.. I’ll try.”

He nodded, satisfied. “That’s all we need.”

You felt the weight of their gazes, the subtle attention lingering on you longer than you would’ve liked. It wasn’t unbearable, but it wasn’t exactly welcome either. You weren’t used to it, not anymore. And though you didn’t hate it, it made your skin prickle in a way you couldn’t quite shake.

Thankfully, Yelena seemed to notice whenever it got too much. She had a way of effortlessly shifting the conversation, redirecting the spotlight just before it could settle uncomfortably on you for too long. You didn’t thank her for it, but she knew.

Then, just when you thought you had a moment to breathe, another presence stepped closer.

You didn’t have to look to know who it was.

Bucky.

You gripped your drink a little tighter.

He hesitated for a second, just a second, before finally speaking.

“You look nice.”

You turned your head slightly, raising a brow. “That take you all night to come up with?”

Bucky huffed a quiet laugh, shaking his head. “Yeah, something like that.”

A pause. You weren’t sure if you wanted to fill it or let it stretch.

But then he glanced down, exhaling through his nose. “I meant what I said the other night. About.. Apologizing.” His voice was quieter now, serious. “About the getting out thing.”

You tilted your head, studying him. For once, there was no unreadable expression, no guarded walls. Just something raw, something you weren’t sure you had the energy to unpack.

So you took another sip of your drink and gave him a short nod. “Good.”

Bucky nodded back. Then, with a small, almost self-deprecating smirk, he added, “But you still don’t like me, huh?”

You let the silence stretch for just a second longer before finally answering.

“Jury’s still out on that one.”

And for the first time in a long time, you saw him actually smile.

“Why do you hate me, Y/N?”

You exhaled sharply, setting your glass down on the bar a little too forcefully. So he was really going there.

Your fingers tapped against the counter as you considered your response. Part of you wanted to brush him off, say something dismissive, keep the walls up. But another part, the part that had been carrying this bitterness for years, was tired of holding it in.

So you turned to face him fully, meeting his gaze head-on. “I don’t hate you, Barnes.”

Bucky narrowed his eyes slightly, like he didn’t quite believe you. “Sure as hell act like you do.”

You let out a humorless laugh. “Maybe because you get to play both sides,” you shot back. “You get to be the war hero and the ghost. You sit in your little congress seat in D.C., shaking hands, making nice, while still running missions on the side like you never left the shadows.” Your voice dropped, the edge sharpening. “Meanwhile, the rest of us? We either had to choose one or get swallowed whole.”

Bucky’s jaw tensed, but he didn’t look away. He just listened. And that somehow made you even angrier.

“You got out,” you repeat to him, barely realizing your own grip on the counter was tightening. “And yet here you are, still playing the game. Still getting pulled back in. But at least you had a choice.”

For a moment, there was nothing but silence between you. The distant hum of the party, the low murmur of voices, the clinking of glasses, none of it seemed to reach where the two of you stood.

Bucky sighed, dragging a hand down his face. “You think it feels like a choice?”

You didn’t answer.

Bucky shook his head, exhaling. “I don’t sit in politics because I want to. I do it because it keeps people like her out.” His voice was steady, but there was something tired beneath it. “Fontaine. The people who think they can rebuild what we tore down. You think I like shaking hands with senators who would rather see me rotting in a hole?” He scoffed, looking away for a moment before locking eyes with you again. “You’re right, I got out. But staying out? That’s the part that isn’t real.”

You clenched your jaw. You hated that he was making sense. You hated that the resentment you’d carried for so long wasn’t as solid as you thought it was.

Because, really, wasn’t that your problem too?

You weren’t out either. Hill’s funeral, Yelena, the missions you were right back where you swore you wouldn’t be. And just like Bucky, you were lying to yourself about it.

You swallowed hard, glancing down at your hands. “I just—” You hesitated, trying to find the right words. “I didn’t think I’d ever be here again.”

Bucky was quiet for a long moment. Then, voice softer now, he said, “Me neither.”

You looked up at him. There wasn’t pity in his expression, just understanding. A kind of tired familiarity, like he knew exactly what you meant without you having to spell it out.

And maybe, for once, that was enough.

Yelena slid back into the space between you and Bucky like she had perfect timing because, of course, she did. A drink in her hand, mischief in her eyes, she took one glance between the two of you and smirked.

“Oh wow,” she mused, sipping her drink. “Nobody’s throwing punches. Progress.”

You rolled your eyes, while Bucky just huffed a small laugh.

Yelena nudged your arm. “I leave for five minutes, and you two are having feelings? What is this?”

“I’m not having feelings,” you muttered.

“Sure,” she said, unconvinced. “You just look incredibly serious at the world’s least serious party.”

You sighed, rubbing a hand down your face. “I just—”

“Nope.” Yelena cut you off, waving a finger in front of you. “No overthinking. That’s a tomorrow problem. Tonight, we drink, we tolerate Stark, and maybe we make fun of Sam’s dance moves.”

Bucky smirked. “Sam’s dancing isn’t that bad.”

Yelena raised a brow. “Oh? Then you won’t mind if I tell him you said that.”

Bucky’s smirk faded. “Don’t.”

Yelena grinned, satisfied, before turning back to you. “C’mon, Y/N. One night. No missions, no dead people, no existential crises. Just a party.”

You looked at her, then at Bucky, who just shrugged, like he wasn’t about to argue with Yelena either.

Finally, you sighed, picking up your drink. “Fine.”

Yelena beamed. “Good choice.”

Then she hooked her arm through yours and led you straight back into the dance floor.

The party still buzzed around you, laughter, music, glasses clinking, but it all felt distant now. You glanced at the clock. 1 AM.

You exhaled, setting your empty glass on the bar. The room was warm, too warm, like the weight of the night was finally catching up to you.

Yelena was somewhere in the crowd, probably convincing Sam to do another ridiculous dance. Bucky had disappeared, and you weren’t sure if he’d left or just needed space. Tony, of course, was still the center of attention, effortlessly holding court like he was born for it.

You pushed away from the bar, weaving through the lingering guests until you reached the balcony. The night air was cool against your skin, a welcome contrast to the heat inside. Leaning on the railing, you closed your eyes for a second, listening to the distant hum of the city.

This was.. a lot.

Letting yourself get pulled back in.

You weren’t sure if it was the alcohol or exhaustion, but for the first time in a long while, you let yourself admit it.

You missed them.

Maybe not the fights. Not the war. But the people? The ones who, despite everything, still cared?

Yeah. You missed that.

A presence shifted beside you. You didn’t have to turn to know who it was.

It was Bucky. Of course.

“So–” Bucky starts before he got cut off by someone. You heard the hurried footsteps before you saw Peter. A little out of breath, a little sheepish.

“Uh—hey,” Peter Parker said, rubbing the back of his neck as he stepped onto the balcony. “Sorry I’m late.”

You turned, raising an eyebrow. “You just got here?”

Peter winced. “Yeah… kinda got caught up in some—uh—neighborhood business.”

Bucky huffed a quiet laugh beside you. “You mean crime-fighting?”

Peter shot him finger guns. “You said it, not me.”

You just shook your head, smirking. “You do realize it’s 1 AM, right?”

Peter’s eyes widened as he checked his phone. “Oh, wow. Yeah, no, I totally missed the party.” He sighed, stuffing his phone back into his pocket. “Mr. Stark’s gonna kill me.”

You glanced through the glass doors where Tony was still deep in conversation with Rhodey and Sam, holding a drink like a king in his castle. “Nah,” you said, shrugging. “He’s too busy being worshiped right now.”

Peter grinned. “Cool, cool. So, uh… how was the party?”

Bucky gave a noncommittal shrug. You just sighed, leaning back against the railing. “Loud. Weird. Kinda nostalgic.”

Peter nodded. “So… basically every Stark party ever?”

You let out a dry laugh. “Pretty much.”

Peter rocked on his heels. “Well, if it makes you feel better, I brought cake?”

You blinked. “You brought cake?”

Peter held up a small, slightly squished box. “I mean, it’s technically from a bodega and not, like, some fancy bakery, but it is chocolate.”

Bucky eyed the box. “Is it at least good chocolate?”

Peter scoffed. “Excuse you, Sergeant Barnes, but I only accept the highest quality bodega cake.”

You shook your head, laughing despite yourself. Of course this kid would roll in late with cake like it made up for missing half the night.

Bucky crossed his arms, glancing at you. “Well? You want cake?”

You looked between them, then out at the skyline, the city stretching endless before you. A party you didn’t expect to enjoy. A night that didn’t end in chaos for once.

And now, a 1 AM cake delivery.

You exhaled, pushing off the railing. “Yeah,” you said finally. “Why the hell not?”

Peter suddenly tensed, the easygoing grin slipping from his face as his head snapped toward the party inside. His posture went rigid, eyes narrowing like he was hearing something no one else could. Bucky, always perceptive, noticed immediately. His stance shifted, muscles coiling like a predator ready to spring.

You weren’t far behind. You knew that look, felt the way the air changed when something wasn’t right.

“Something wrong, kid?” Bucky muttered looking at Peter being tense, already scanning the perimeter.

Peter barely breathed as he confirmed, “Yeah...” His fingers twitched at his sides, like he was resisting the urge to pull the mask out of his pocket. You turned your gaze back toward the party inside, your instincts going into overdrive. The music was still playing, the guests still laughing, but something about it all felt off now.

Too normal. Too still.

Like the moment right before a storm hits.

Your fingers itched for a weapon. “What kind of wrong are we talking?” you asked, voice low.

Peter shook his head. “I don’t know yet. But it’s here.”

Bucky exhaled sharply, already stepping toward the doors. “We should get inside. Now.”

Peter nodded, already moving.

You followed without hesitation. The night had been too calm. Too easy. And you weren’t stupid enough to think that would last.

As soon as the three of you walked inside, Peter stopped. Your pulse spiked as you turned to him, eyes sharp. “What is it?”

Peter’s face paled, his head snapping toward the far end of the room. His breath hitched. 

“EVERYONE GET DOWN, IT’S A BOMB!”

The words hadn’t even fully registered before the entire party erupted into chaos.

Tony’s glass hit the floor. Sam immediately moved, grabbing civilians, shoving them down. Yelena was already reaching for her weapon. Wanda’s hands glowed red, ready to shield whoever needed it.

And you? You froze.

Bucky tried to pull you closer to him, his instincts razor-sharp as you sprinted toward where Peter’s wide eyes had locked on, the source of the incoming threat.

Your hands found the grip of Bucky’s arms wrapped around your waist as you scanned the room, heart pounding. You slip away from his tight hug, wanting to help. Where is it? How much time?

Peter’s voice rang out again, panicked but firm. “I CAN HEAR IT, IT’S UNDER THE—”

Boom.

series masterlist

divider from: daylighted !

[mysecretlittlelibrary]

I Love You When You Don't Love Yourself

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Reader

Word Count: 2.3k

Warnings: Self deprication??? People talking shit I dunno

Genre: fluff and maybe angst

Summary: Bucky let's the opinions of random people get in his head a little too much on a night out

***

You take one last look at your makeup in the mirror before deciding you're satisfied with the look.

"You almost ready to go doll?" Bucky asks, leaning against the doorframe.

"Perfect timing. Yeah, I just need to put my heels on." You say standing up and walking over to your shoes which you'd left by your closet. Bucky meets you by them and leans down to slip your heels onto your foot. Oh, how he treats you like a princess.

"You look amazing." He tells you as he stands back up, kissing your temple softly.

"Thank you, so do you." You say. Bucky's hand settles against your back as it always does when you're walking.

"Alright let's get on with this." Bucky says as you leave the tower.

"Do you think everyone's already there?"

"Steve definitely is, Nat probably isn't yet, Tony definitely isn't, Wanda and Vis I'd guess yes. Everyone else is up in the air but everyone's left here."

"Last to go-"

"We won't be the last to leave. Telling you now." He tells you.

"I know." You laugh. "Trust me I have no desire to stay the latest."

The Avengers team has been invited to a charity gala which normally nobody would even think about going to, but after the last several months, you definitely think the team could use the positive press so a number of you are going, to represent the team. It takes you and Bucky 20 minutes to get to the venue and Bucky groans when he sees the red carpet lined with photographers.

"No way there's a red carpet here." He rolls his eyes.

"Of course there is. These galas are a gold mine for PR brownie points." You say. "Just smile baby, if they ask us anything worth answering I can do the talking."

"Works for me." Bucky says leaning over the center console to kiss you quickly before getting out of the car. Bucky hands the keys to the valet as he walks around the front before opening your door. He holds out a hand to help you out and then shifts that hand to your lower back, leading you down the red carpet. You can hear a cluster of voices shouting both of your names behind the disorienting flashes but it's hard to make anything out specifically. That is until you catch one voice above the rest.

"Y/n! What's it like dating the Winter Soldier!?"

You can feel Bucky tense a bit beside you though he tries not to let it show on his face. You flash a bright smile at the sea of photographers and slip your hand behind you to quickly squeeze Bucky's.

"Oh well I wouldn't know, the Winter Soldier doesn't exist anymore." You say easily.

"Are you saying you don't think your boyfriend is dangerous!?" Another voice.

"Not any more than any other avenger. I honestly think that the most volatile of us is Tony! But- for some reason, nobody's worried about the guy who can fit rocket blasters into a briefcase- just the... guy who can punch really hard." You let out a half laugh to lighten the severity of your words but you know you've done what you were trying to do when Bucky pulls you closer subtly and the questions stop. "Ciao!" You add with a light wave. You and Bucky walk the remainder of the carpet, posing every so often until you make it inside.

"The guy who can punch really hard?" He quirks an eyebrow at you once you're inside.

"Well yeah. Don't get me wrong you're plenty dangerous- but we have a god that can summon lightening, a witch that can completely warp reality, a kid who has the strength to throw an entire airplane- and I mean Tony's just some guy comparatively however- that suit of his has military grade weapons and he could at one point carry in a briefcase, I feel like you are not the biggest threat to humanity even in this room."

"You make us all sound dangerous."

"You are. We are. Honestly, the world is just lucky Tony thinks that being a hero comes with more glory than being a villain, and the rest of us have decent moral compasses. The line between hero and villain is pretty thin and when you have abilities people don't understand you are always walking that line. They could turn us into fugitives tomorrow. That's why we do things like charity galas so that's less likely to happen."

"You know we are so lucky you're around because I don't think anyone else would care to protect us in this way." Bucky slings his arm across your shoulders, pulling you closer to him.

"True but I suppose that's the good thing about a team, everyone offers a different skill set." You shrug with a chuckle.

"You're so amazing." He says kissing your temple.

"Well I have to be, my boyfriend's pretty cool you know." You smile.

"Oh, is he?"

"Yeah, the coolest." You nod.

"He's a lucky man." Bucky chuckles. 

"Sure is. But I think I'm luckier."

I think he'd disagree."

"I'm sure. Let's go find our seats."

"I'll get us drinks first and find you at our table after." Bucky says removing his arm from your shoulder but kissing your hand before he lets you go.

"You sure?"

"I could track you down in a sea of thousands doll, go. I'll see you in a few." He says.

"Something fruity please." You tell him.

"I know what to do." He winks and walks off. You pivot towards the tables to search the name cards for your and Bucky's seats.

"Y/n, hi I'm Noah, I just wanted to say that I'm a huge fan of yours." The man, Noah, appeared pretty much out of nowhere.

"Hi Noah, thank you. Just- trying to do what's right." You smile. You'll admit you've not had many adults come up to you and say they're fans?? It's usually kids so you're not sure what's the best approach here.

"Oh you don't have to be so modest! You're a hero! You've earned every right to brag."

"I'm not really the bragging type is all." You chuckle.

"That's so honorable." He nods. You hum in response.

"I'm gonna go find my seat, but it was nice to meet you!"

"Oh did you come alone? Is someone waiting for you?" He asks.

"What?" You blink at him.

"Well just that you're usually always with the one with the arm- the soldier."

"Bucky." You say.

"Right him. I'm just surprised to see you without him." Noah shrugs.

"Oh, he's here. He went to get us drinks."

"Interesting. I'm surprised."

"By what? Like you said we're always together." You shrug.

"Yeah, right, I know I guess I just thought by now you'd wake up."

"Excuse you?" You scoff.

"Oh come on darling, you and I both know you can do way better than that killer you're with now." He smirks placing a hand on your arm.

"If you want to keep that hand I suggest you keep it to yourself because if you touch me again you won't have to worry about 'that killer I'm with' I'll end you myself." You smile back at him.

"Fiesty."

"Yes, I tend to be when you insult my loved ones. Go figure. I'm going to go find my seat now before you dig yourself a hole too deep to climb out of, enjoy your evening." You say before walking away. Perhaps you should've mitigated that without threatening him, if it reflects badly on the team you could be undoing the very thing you came here for and that's usually Tony's area of expertise, oh there's your name but I mean that guy totally had it coming he was being an absolute jerk. How dare he say-

"Found ya." Bucky kisses your cheek as he sits beside you, cutting your train of thought.

"Hey." You smile giving him a peck on the lips. "What'd you get me?"

"I forget the name but it's a vodka cran with peach and lime basically, something from their specialty menu. I thought you'd like it." He shrugs.

"I'm sure it's lovely, thank you." You tell him taking a sip. It is pretty good. "What'd you get yourself?"

"Just a whiskey." He says. "Anything fun happen while I was away?"

"Nope, I ran into some guy before I found our seats but, that's an interaction barely worth mentioning." You roll your eyes.

"Uh oh, what'd he do?"

"Doesn't matter." You say with a kiss. "Have you seen anyone else yet? It looks like none of us are at the same tables." You point out.

"I saw Tony and Pepper's place cards but they're not sitting if they're already here."

"Oh, what table are they at?" You ask.

"It's over there, and don't worry I already told the bartender that Tony is only allowed one drink." Bucky says making you giggle.

"Well, that's a relief. Let's hope he didn't prepare for that restriction." You hum.

"I think Pepper keeps him on a pretty tight leash so it shouldn't be a problem. I just figured you'd rather be safe than sorry."

"When it comes to Tony's alcohol consumption absolutely." You nod.

"Oh my god is that the winter soldier?" You hear a voice whisper next to you.

"I can't believe they let him in here." Another hushed voice responds, making your jaw clench.

"Well I'm not about to sit next to him." Voice one scoffs.

"I'm sure we can get someone to switch with us it's fine. Come on." Voice two says and the two scuttle off.

"Fucking idiots." You roll your eyes. Bucky clears his throat and takes a sip of his whiskey.

"Oh look there's Vis." Bucky points out the red synthezoid at a table a few rows away from you.

"Okay so we're here, Pepper and Tony should be, Vision and Wanda are there, isn't Steve coming? I wonder where he'll be sitting." You hum.

"I bet he's already in his seat. Look for a bunch of giggling women hovering at a table and we'll probably find him at the center."

"I wonder why they sat us all apart."

"I imagine to promote mingling. All the Avengers at one table would be rather intimidating for the rest of the gala I think. No one would approach us." He shrugs.

"Oh maybe." You hum. You pick up the program sitting on the table to get an idea of how the evening is meant to play out. They'll start with an opening address, then serve dinner, then do the auction items, and the rest of the night will be dancing and mingling. You and Bucky entertain each other at the table until someone begins the night's todos with the opening address. The speech is about five minutes long, thanking guests and talking about the importance of the cause. Dinner orders from the preselected menu are taken quickly and food is brought out within 15 minutes.

"See I told you it was him." You hear a hushed conversation, not at your table but close. Bucky's hand hovers over the fork that he had been reaching for.

"My goodness you were right. That's scary."

"And to think he has a girlfriend walking around like that." That's the line. Bucky stands from your table abruptly and storms off. You hurriedly gather your purse to follow after him but you stop at the table you'd heard the voices coming from.

"If you guys are so bored with your lives that you have nothing better to do than gossip the least you could do is keep your pathetic opinions to yourself." You scoff before walking off to track down your boyfriend.

"Bucky wait." You call when you catch up to him just outside the venue.

"I want to leave." He says.

"It's barely been an hour-"

"And in that time there have been four separate instances of people talking about me like some zoo animal who can't fucking hear them."

"Four?"

"I heard that guy telling you that you can do so much better than the 'killer you're with now', so yeah. Four."

"We'll leave." You nod. Bucky hands his ticket to the valet and it takes almost no time at all for them to bring your car around to the front.

Your drive home is silent, though you rest a comforting hand on Bucky's thigh as he drives. Back in your room at the tower is where the quiet is finally broken.

"I'm sorry." Bucky frowns.

"What on earth for?" You shake your head at him

"I totally ruined the evening. I know this was- important to you that we go." He sighs.

"Don't be ridiculous. There are enough Avengers there to represent the whole team Bucky we didn't have to go, we didn't have to stay. Plus I never want you to be somewhere you don't feel comfortable. The gala is not nearly as important to me as your feelings." You tell him.

"Everything would be so much easier if it wasn't so-"

"Bucky don't. That's a dangerous path to start down. There is nothing wrong with you."

"Stop, y/n. Stop pretending that you don't hate it. If I could still have my normal arm I-"

"Well you don't." You snap, cutting him off.

"What?" He blinks at you.

"You don't have your 'normal arm' Buck, and I didn't even know you when you did. I fell in love with you with the metal one attached to your body, and it's the only you I've ever known. How could you possibly think I hate it?"

"You heard what people were saying tonight-"

"I'm not dating any of them or their opinions. And neither are you. Who gives a fuck what they have to say about it? Don't let them decide what parts of you are worth loving." You say grabbing his face.

"Don't you get tired?"

"No. I'd happily spend the rest of my life clapping back at people's ignorant comments if it meant always coming home to you. I've fought evils those peabrains couldn't even comprehend if they tried, their narrowminded drivel means nothing to me. They're like walking talking gossip rags. Who pays those any attention?" You roll your eyes.

"I love you."

"I love you too. All of you. Even with your metal arm and your chaotic history. Don't you dare let random noise make you forget that." You poke his chest.

"Alright alright." He laughs pulling you against his chest into a hug.

***

[kitty384]

Caught in the Web

Pairing: Peter Parker x Reader Summary: You and Peter have been secretly dating for four months—until a shoulder touch during movie night blows your cover and sends the entire team into overprotective chaos. Warnings: Mild panic, light teasing, protective Avengers, mentions of past trauma, fluff, found family, chaotic group dynamics

Look, in our defense… we were really careful.

No PDA. No suspicious sneaking off. No texting where Tony could hack into my phone (which, yes, he does regularly, and yes, I will fight him one day).

Peter and I had been dating for four months. Quietly. Secretly. And honestly? It had been kind of perfect. Sweet, simple, stolen moments behind training rooms and late-night rooftop conversations that made my heart feel like it wasn’t made of leftover Hydra wire.

He makes me laugh.

He makes me feel normal.

And he never treats me like I’m broken.

So yeah… we didn’t want to ruin that by inviting the Avengers’ chaos into our bubble.

But we forgot one very important thing:

Avengers don’t miss things.

Especially not when you’re the quiet kid with trust issues suddenly smiling more than usual.

Oops.

It started falling apart during movie night.

Everyone was there: Clint, hogging the popcorn. Natasha, curled on one side of the couch like a cat. Tony, arguing with Steve about which Fast & Furious movie had the “best thematic depth” (as if that’s what anyone watches those movies for).

I sat on the floor in front of the couch. Peter sat beside me.

Not too close.

Just… a little close.

Okay, fine. Our shoulders touched. Barely.

But apparently, barely was enough.

Because halfway through the movie, Sam leaned over to Bucky and whispered, “Tell me I’m not the only one who sees this.”

“See what?” Bucky mumbled, mouth full of M&Ms.

Sam nodded toward us. “Y/N and Parker.”

Bucky squinted. Paused. “They’ve been sitting like that since last week.”

“You’ve noticed?”

“I’m observant.”

“You’re not. You’re suspicious.”

“Same thing.”

“I can hear you,” I muttered.

Sam smiled. “Oh, good. So you can explain yourself.”

Peter looked like he wanted to phase through the floor.

I opened my mouth to lie—tried to form the words We’re just friends—but Peter panicked before I could.

“Okaywe’redatingpleasedon’tkillme.”

Dead silence.

Even the movie seemed to pause.

Tony blinked. “You’re what now?”

Peter paled. “I—I said we’re dating?”

You could hear a pin drop.

And then—

“You didn’t tell us?” Clint gasped, like I’d betrayed the family name.

“It’s been four months,” Peter added, then immediately winced. “Sorry—should I have not said that?”

“Four months?!” Steve said, actually putting his popcorn down.

Bucky blinked at me, stunned. “You’ve been happy. I thought that was just, like, character development.”

Natasha raised an eyebrow. “You had a boyfriend and didn’t tell me?”

“I—I was going to!”

“When?”

“…Eventually.”

“Unacceptable,” Tony said. “I need to know everything. How did it start? Who made the first move? Has he kissed you? How many times? Has he met your emotional needs? Do I need to fight someone?”

“Tony—”

“I’m not mad,” he added quickly. “I’m just… disappointed. And a little dramatic. But mostly disappointed.”

“You’re being weird,” I said.

“I’m being concerned.”

“Big difference.”

The interrogation lasted an hour.

Peter kept nervously holding my hand under the blanket and squeezing it every time Clint got too nosy or Tony threatened to “run a full background check even though I already know everything about him.”

Eventually, Sam stepped in.

“Alright, alright,” he said, raising his hands. “They’re dating. They’re fine. They’re happy. Maybe let that be enough for now?”

Steve nodded, calm and dad-like. “He treats you well?”

I nodded.

Peter sat up a little straighter. “She’s amazing.”

Bucky grunted. “You hurt her, you disappear.”

Peter nodded so fast he almost gave himself whiplash. “Absolutely. Poof. Gone. Never existed. Turn to dust.”

“…I like this one,” Bucky muttered.

After everyone finally went to bed (except Clint, who spent another fifteen minutes whispering “I knew it!” every time he passed us), Peter and I stayed behind in the kitchen, legs swinging off the counter.

He leaned against me, shoulder to shoulder.

“Sorry,” he mumbled. “I panicked.”

I smiled. “It was gonna come out eventually.”

“Still. You okay?”

I nodded, then rested my head on his shoulder. “They’re just… overprotective.”

“Yeah,” he said softly. “But it’s kinda nice, right?”

I smiled.

Yeah.

It really, really was.

Masterlist

Request

[silverwolf1249]

No beta we die like...

Ok, I went through all of my bookmarks that mentioned "no beta", here's a list of the highlights(took out all of the no beta we die like *character(s) name* because the list got too long):

General/multi-fandom:

"no beta we die like mne" enough people mistyped that it became a tag lmao

subsequently people also tagged "no beta we grammar fail like mne" and "no beta we tpypo like mne"

"proof read/beta read" + "no regrets we live and die like my betas"

"no beta we die like...lmao y'all know who" + "no beta I'd rather fucking die" on the same fic series

"no beta we die like I did without ao3" i'm guessing this is when ao3 crashed for a hot sec or was under maintenance lol

"no beta we died like *character name*'s childhood" (ted lasso(jamie), bnha(todoroki), etc.)

"no beta we die like my will to follow any canon"

"no beta we die like my inability to stick to deadlines"

"no beta we die like my will to be a consistent writer"

"no beta we die like my potential"

"no beta we die like my mental state" man we all need therapy lol

variations of "no beta we die of sleep deprivation/die like my sleep schedule" etc.

"no beta we die like my faith in humanity" hilariously on a bakudeku social media crack fic

"no beta we die like my ap calc grade" I failed calc 2 in college, I relate

"no beta we die like i did this week because of exams" mood

"no beta we die like starving college students"

"no beta we die like dehydrated worms" creative and unexpected, j'adore

"no beta we die like things" ominous and vague, bravo

"no beta we die like *gunshot*" rip author

"no beta we die like my d&d character" may you roll 20s with your next one

"no beta we die like my rich husband" this was on a pjo fic and I have no idea what they mean lol

DC/Batman:

"no beta we die like the writers that made bruce an abusive piece of shit will when im done with them" mood, I'll provide the alibi

"no beta we die like dick did when jason told him his hairline was receding"

"no beta we die like bruce did last night" batman fic where he flatlined and got resuscitated in the fic oof

"no beta we die like bruces rep as a tough boi" brucie wayne my beloved

Marvel/Avengers:

"no beta we die by hotdogs" no idea what this means, i assume it might require context from the fic. I also bookmarked said fic back in like 2017, so I have no idea what it's about anymore

Hazbin Hotel:

"no beta we die like Lucifer's happiness" take that depression! oh wait... ):

"no beta we die like Niffty's sanity(if it ever existed in the first place)"

"It has been beta'ed so we don't have to die like Adam"

Miraculous Ladybug:

"no beta we die like gabriel's fashion sense" so true bestie, bro wore white on white on white and thought he ate. condom looking mf

Bleach:

"no beta we die like Ichigo's sense of security"

"no beta we (don't) die like our Lord and Savior Turtlehara"

"no beta we die like Aizen which is to say we only live to suffer" as he should

Boku no Hero Academia:

"no beta we die like the (wo)men kirishima wants us to be" heck yeah we do!

Haikyuu:

"no beta we die like NO ONE because people don't die in volleyball" and thank god for that

Case Closed/Magic Kaito:

"no beta we die like side characters" for those unaware, case closed is a mystery anime and usually at least one side character dies an episode. There are over 1000 episodes...

Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint:

"no beta we die like [redacted]" an I oop

"no beta we die like these two fucking idiots" it's orv, you can prob guess which 2 lol

Trash of the Count's Family:

"no beta we die like Cale's slacker life" with how self sacrificial the guy is he stood no chance lol

Merlin:

"no beta we die like Albion in Season 5"

multiple variations of "no beta we die like literally every character in merlin like wtf bbc" RIP

Genshin:

"no beta we die like ascending to world level 6 with under leveled characters" felt this one in my soul

If you managed to read all the way here, let me know what your fav no beta I die like phrases are!

[apocalypse-shuffle]

THE HULK & BRUCE BANNER (avengers: earth’s mightiest heroes)

—

“Just My Luck” (Hulk x Fem!Reader) and (Bruce Banner x Fem!Reader)

| Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross tries to pull one over on the Avengers when they go to get Bruce Banner released from government detainment; acting as their consultant, however, you’re more than primed to go head to head with the General for your partners’ freedom.

| SFW, arguing, my shit understanding of military procedure of any kind, drugged characters, some angst, some fluff -professional!irritation!reader

| This exists purely because I want to scream at Ross every time he shows up on the screen or in comic panels. (Pic sources: “Hulk vs The World” - S1EP3 & “Gamma World, Part 2” - S1EP13)

| 4k+ words

“Actually, Stark…”

Uh oh.

You knew Ross not being the one to intercept you all once you got to the Raft wasn’t a good sign.

Talbot, your escort for the afternoon, turns around so he can look Tony in the eyes where his helmet’s faceplate is popped up.

“…we’re pushing for him not to be released, if you’d like to sit in on the meeting,” Talbot finishes, the Major’s mustache twitching as his eyes pass distastefully first over the teams’ leader and then the rest of the Avengers in turn.

Dark blue eyes then stick to your form where you’re standing behind Steve.

Teeth clicking together, you don’t let yourself shift like you want to. His gaze is a physical enough thing you want to shrug it off— want to flip him off too for good measure, but that’s beside the point.

Talbot’s lips quirk as he glances over you, something sharp in his gaze that reminds you conveniently of a rat in that moment.

Except the rat would be far cuter.

The man doesn’t say anything more though, only waiting for Tony’s affirmative before starting down the poorly lit hallway again.

When Talbot turns down a corridor that is clearly not leading to a secure containment cell you can’t even pretend to be surprised. In all but name this was an ambush after all.

And now you were officially irritated.

The room you all are led into is large for a conference room, but there’s absolutely no mistaking it as such either. It’s also packed with plenty of official looking people with all sorts of indicators of military rankings you don’t know or care to know.

Clint curses as he comes up behind you and notices the sheer amount of people in the room and seems to recognize the direct importance of at least a couple of them.

For your part you hardly spare them more than a seconds glance upon entering, eyes sweeping across the crowd in search of one thing and one thing only.

Or one person as it were.

The sight of him once your gaze lands on the dark corner they’ve got him tucked into makes your breath hitch.

The sight of him in prison orange ill-fitting enough to be baggy over his pale frame makes your blood boil and you barely stop yourself from sucking your teeth as you lay eyes on him for the first time in nearly two months.

Bruce’s brown eyes are far away and sunken, dark bags diminishing his usually wry gaze and hands twitching intermittently where they’re strapped down at his sides.

The back of your teeth grind together without your say-so, molars twinging.

Yeah, you didn’t care if you had to fight this entire room, nothing short of death was going to keep you from getting him out of this place.

─────

By the time the meeting’s officially begun your gums have begun to twinge with every press of your molars and Ross has been talking so much shit for the last twenty or so minutes you’re surprised he isn’t throwing it up too.

Just then he starts up about Hulk being an out of control beast without a conscience and it’s so absurd a claim you can’t stop yourself from commenting out loud, even if it is just to yourself.

“Huh,” you scoff, rolling your eyes while staring at your hands in your lap, “that’s a lie,” you grunt quietly.

Not quietly enough it would seem.

From across the room Ross instantly jerks his head up to look at you, the frown already etched onto his face turning severe as if he’d not noticed you until then.

If only you had the same privilege of ignorance when it came to him.

Jaw working as your mind reels, you look the man head on with an arch of one of your brows.

Catching his attention might not have been a part of the plan you’d been attempting to form in your head but you weren’t in the business of giving Ross any inches.

You’d just have to think on your feet.

“Stark,” Ross starts, voice tight, “control your—”

“—Yeah, no,” you assert, talking over him with a level tone and completely skipping over Tony in the process. He knew better than to answer for you anyway. “I’m not Stark’s anything, General. He doesn’t control me.”

“Hn,” Ross grumbles, grinding his teeth together. The ‘somebody ought to,’ goes unsaid but you can see it in the clench of his jaw and the way he tries to…to glare you into submission or some shit.

‘Hn’, indeed.

“Fine,” he grounds out, “Do you have something to add?”

He speaks as if he thinks he’s tripped you up. A large part of you wants to make him regret giving you the room.

Even still, for a moment you contemplate not stirring the pot, taking the out and letting someone else handle him, but really the choice is obvious. There Bruce was stood up in the corner chained and shackled to hell on a stretcher like he was Cletus Fucking Kasady or something, power suppressor collar locked tight around his neck with probably enough sedatives in him to kill an elephant given just how impossibly high he looked, and actively struggling to get a good read on the room.

Bruce’s eyes were so unfocused and glassy, his head so heavy, that you barely caught your frown before the wider room could see it upon first seeing him. Let alone hid the show of emotion how you would’ve liked to as a whole.

Ross wanted to keep him, that much was obvious. But he didn’t care about the man or the so-called monster, which was just as easily noticeable.

General Thaddeus Ross wasn’t fit to keep Bruce Banner or The Hulk safe — captured, sure, but unlike the others on the team that wasn’t something you even remotely cared about — and seemed too inclined to keep them tortured and in easy reach to be experimented on instead for your liking.

“I do,” you say. Tony looks surprised when you glance over to him, but it’s about the only request for permission he’s going to get from you. When he nods, just once, you turn back to Ross and his crossed arms and you smile. “I think that over the years the General and the military have proven untrustworthy when it comes to matters of The Hulk.”

One man huffs in the back, curls cropped short and that same air about him that Ross has. The type of urge to commandeer everything that gave you hives on a good day.

You grit your teeth. Today was not a ‘good day’.

“We captured that beast, didn't we? Banner’s been dozing in his cage for weeks before today, a non threat.”

Cage.

The way your eye twitches is small enough you’d bet no one without a heads up display or enhanced vision could see it.

You shift in your seat, gesturing to the wider room.

“Only after breaking form, though, correct? And stop me if I’m wrong, but both times you successfully captured the Hulk were S.H.I.E.L.D or the Avengers not present and providing crucial aid? So it’s just the same to say that the Avengers have an even better track record of keeping Hulk out of trouble than even the Hulkbusters do, and a room is about as much containment to someone so powerful as Thee Hulk as a cell is.”

“You’re proposing we treat that thing like a—”

“Like a person, yeah. It’s no coincidence that both times you captured the man was because he was reasoned with or otherwise distracted by saving an agent’s life. The Hulk is a person, and he can be stabilized after an episode — which rarely happen without provocation by the way — just like any other man.”

“Other men don’t usually possess the ability to tears tanks apart with their bare hands, Miss.”

“Other men also usually don’t respond rationally when being shot at…” you lean forward to read the man’s name off the gold plate pinned to his breast, “…Fortean.”

Immediately, he clarifies you on his rank, on the fact that you should put it in front of his name. As if you respect him enough for that; these people were lucky you haven’t devolved to schoolyard taunts yet considering just how little you respected them.

“Sure,” you shrug. Fortean grits his teeth, standing up a little taller as he fixes his mouth to say something that he’ll want to be cutting but you know you’ll just blow off.

“Now, Y/n,” Ross cuts the younger man off, pressing him back into the corner like a good obedient lapdog, and swinging the conversation back in his control. “Our hands are the most capable to keep Hulk from sowing destruction everywhere he goes, even if you think being nice to it and letting it play dress up with the Avengers is a suitable containment method that doesn’t account for the fact that everywhere the Hulk goes destruction follows.”

Rogers pipes up before you even can. “Pardon my forwardness, General Ross, but any destruction caused while we fought beside Hulk was due to the impromptu establishment of a battle field in civilian spaces by our enemies, enemies which we stopped with the help of Hulk. The Hulk is a hero, and he was doing his job the same as any other Avenger, Sir.”

Ross smiles, it’s not pleasant but it isn’t condescending either. Lucky Cap.

“And before he joined your team? What of the destruction that followed him then, Captain?”

“Well,” you cut in, doing away with caring about being too forward entirely, “that was mainly you and the Hulkbusters, so the answer is fairly obvious.”

To that Ross stares at you for a second, mouth ticking, and then promptly lets out a gruff bout of laughter. The other military personnel and military officials in the room give a resound chuckle as well.

It echoes around the room for a couple of seconds and each new laugh feels like needles burrowing deeper and deeper into your brain.

You didn’t tell anything nearing a joke so the only reason for this was that they were all laughing at you.

“I’m sorry,” you pipe up, unlocking your jaw to speak after swallowing down the angry tremble you could feel crawling up your throat, “I don’t recall telling a joke.”

Despite your words the room still sobers at everyone else’s own pace and you can’t help but to wish the man would drop dead when you chance a look Fortean’s way and catch the smug upturn of his mouth.

Hulk probably wouldn’t approve, Bruce definitely wouldn’t. You don’t think either would object to you socking him in the jaw though, knocking the smirk right off his face.

“Apologies, Miss,” Ross grunts once he’s finished, eyes glinting. “You’ve provided me with my counter argument though, haven’t you? Or the Captain did. We responded to Hulk’s presence after he made an impromptu battlefield out of a civilian area and people got hurt at his fault when we engaged in our duty to this country. We did our jobs”

“That’s not how I see it.”

Ross stops just short of glowering at you, pausing in the pointed looks he’s giving the officials in the room to narrow his eyes your way.

“Well then you’re seeing it wrong.”

“No.” Ross’s eye twitches. It’s visible. Same as the vein that protrudes across his temple. You cross your arms, shrugging even as you narrow your gaze on him a little more in tandem. “Is it incorrect to assume that you track both Bruce Banner and The Hulk, General?”

“It’s not.”

“Good,” you hum, tapping a steady rhythm with the pads of your fingers into your forearm. “How about the target on sight orders for them both? That true as well?”

“Yes,” Ross says, voice dropping down. He’s wary about where you’re going with this but isn’t sure of your angle yet, most likely.

Thaddeus Ross wasn’t an idiot — especially where being a tactician was concerned, and that was all the props you’d ever give the man.

At the very least it meant he was giving you something of a challenge.

You nod to yourself, biting back a smile, “And you would agree that most times you catch up to Bruce Banner he’s not at immediate risk of transforming?”

“Not always, but—

“—And that provocation of the target — already agitated or otherwise — never fails to escalate tensions and make the situation more dangerous, correct?”

There was more to it than just Bruce or Hulk’s temperaments though, and you knew that well. But fighting the Hulk angle here wouldn’t be as helpful — even though every time Ross’s team have ever ran into Hulk already in control was because he was dealing with an even bigger threat, saving people, and the only thing the Hulkbusters ever succeeded in doing in those situation was exasperating the collateral; simply put Hulk wasn’t the aphantomable monster everyone wanted to paint him as, but paint their hearts out people would regardless — as you’d want with this audience, so stressing the Hulkbusters being nothing but a trigger in an otherwise calm situation was what you’d do.

Ross shifts to run his hand over his mustache, lips pursed.

“That’s…an affirmative, but—”

“So then, if you stand by your word, of course, you admit that any collateral damage caused by Hulk after you or your Hulkbusters have arrived on scene is not the fault of Hulk himself since you actively and willfully provoke him into violence and initiate battle in civilian areas with him for your own means?” You pause to swallow, blinking faux innocently up at Ross in the process, “Whatever they may be,” you finish, raising your brows at him in challenge before relaxing back into your seat.

Everything was in his court now.

You’ve put him in an uncomfortable place. He’s either got to admit that all his tracking down of the Hulk is no more than posturing on his part, posturing that willingly puts civilians in danger for little acceptable reason, or he’s got to admit exactly what it is he wants the Hulk for to a room of the type of military personnel who cared about at least appearing too civilized for human experimentation and the utilization of mind controlled bio weapons.

“Now I did not say that,” Ross says in a huff.

You just shrug. If the shoe fit and all that.

“You’d think finding a better strategy than shooting a barrage of ineffectual weapons at a man in public who gets stronger and less coherent the angrier he gets would tip you off that you are indeed not as capable as you think you are at keeping your constituents safe,” you reiterate, expression remaining unchanged.

“Nonsense,” Ross snaps. Looking around at the officials in the room he seems to get even angrier at the contemplative looks on their faces. “What are you all doing? This woman hardly qualifies as a superhero, let alone an Avenger. She doesn’t mean jacksquat as far as this conference is concerned.”

“But, General—”

“Don’t ‘but general’ me, Stevens. Buck the hell up!” He swings his head around after chewing the younger man out then, and when his gaze snaps back to you he bares his teeth. “You! You and your bleeding heart bull! What do you know about the danger that monster inside Banner poses?”

Sucking your teeth, you stand, roller chair threatening to topple over in your rush.

“Oh get real,” you snap lowly, planting a hand on the table and leaning over it in a bid to match Ross’s big irritated movements and gestures toward you, “Hulk hasn’t been a serious threat to human life in years.”

“There’s no sufficient evidence of that!”

“As much as I’d been worried about that too, Thunderbolt,” Tony starts quickly, voice turning mocking as he tosses out the other man’s nickname, “the stats don’t lie. Hulk hasn’t caused actual human collateral in…ever, really.”

Ross glowers his way, “I have men who’d say otherwise, Stark.”

Tony shrugs, “Frankly, Ross, if they can still say anything at all then you’ve already disproven your argument here.”

“Exactly,” you sniff, rocking back on your heels and crossing your arms. “And it wouldn’t be too hard to prove that over the last few years Hulk has saved more lives than he’s ever truly hurt either.”

Some of the Suits in the room begin nodding shallowly to themselves.

At the sight of them Ross starts up another sheet of yelling in your direction: “You damned blight, who do you think you are, you’re nothing,” he rattles in the next breath, but doesn’t get any further than that before you take personal offense.

“Um, hello!” you say, voice rising for the first time the entire meeting as you attempt to talk over him, “is your name either of my parents’?”

Ross sputters at your question, “What?”

“Exactly! So don’t come up here yelling at me like I’m some child! Only two people get to just barely yell at me, and you’re not either of them, so you need to come better!”

“You don’t get to talk to me like that,” he growls out, clearly stopping himself from advancing towards you with a sneer. “Women your age have no damn respect. You are a subordinate, act like it!”

“First of all: not your subordinate,” you clarify, face scrunching at the idea alone. “Second of all: I wasn’t aware that as a so-called ‘subordinate’ I couldn’t speak my mind, you must want a pack of mindless slaves that agree with your every word if that’s the case.”

He grins something nasty.

Behind him Fortean scoffs.

“Oh I see. I don’t care what goddamn race you are, insubordination is insubordination—”

“—I literally didn’t say anything about race. I said that with the way, as your so-called ‘subordinate’, you do not think people should talk back to you in ways you personally deem disrespectful is akin to you wanting a bunch of slaves working under you.” Scoffing, you shake your head. What a pack of clowns. “Last time I checked slaves aren’t allowed to oppose their Masters, General, whereas subordinates are meant to keep you in check which requires opposing opinions to be—”

Ross starts to stammer badly enough you’re stopped from continuing because you honestly aren’t sure he'll be able to hear you over the stuttered flapping of his gums, the gnashing of his teeth and the blood rushing to his face at an alarming speed.

Not that you gave a fuck about his health, but still.

He stutters for a few more seconds, fists balling where you can see them from where his arms are now crossed tightly across his chest, before eventually giving up with a harsh curse and pointing angrily at you, voice going up an octave or two.

“Missy, you will get off of my base right now! I’m not running a hen house. Talbot, escort her out!”

Both your eyebrows jump towards your hairline. Your response is on the tip of your tongue too: ‘Missy’! Excuse you, I am a grown ass woman, but, again, you’re stopped before you can get anymore riled up by a sudden bout of noise.

When you knock your head up to lock fiery brown eyes onto the source of the sound towards the back of the room you do so fast enough for your neck to crack.

A snort.

Someone’s laughing.

Your eyes narrow.

Unlike last time, no one else is joining in, however. No, instead everyone’s looking at a still drugged Bruce — who your eyes finally land on before promptly widening as his bleary gaze locks coherently onto yours for less than a second. It’s an eternity of a second, though.

In the meantime Bruce’s snort turns into stilted chuckles that swiftly morph into low gasps of laughter as his shoulders shake and his heavy head lists to the side.

Then, against all odds considering the boatload of drugs he’s visibly on and the suppressor collar around his neck, he starts to transform.

Bruce’s voice shifts to Hulk’s in the ensuing moments and his voice becomes significantly more disruptive even above the sound of the collar snapping in half. Hulk breaks out into booming laughter with a bellow of: “Flustered Ross?”, absolutely amused by how fucked up you’ve gotten his oldest foe.

“Wha—? Bruce— Hulk,” you cut yourself off, just staring at the jade giant as he full belly laughs, head thrown back and everything.

It’s adorable.

A little bit of you perks up at the rumbling sound and the heaviness that’s been anchoring your feet, making every step harder and heavier than the next, seems to lift.

Every non-Avenger in the room freezes bar Ross, who twitches and seems to get notably redder around the edges.

Honestly though, you don’t think anything would have supported your case any better than Bruce — your sweet, usually dry humored man — laughing so hard he cedes control to Hulk, who’s laughter is even more infectious. In real time you can even see the officials in the room having their perceptions shift as well.

Didn’t hurt that the evidence of their ineffectual Hulk containment methods when Hulk actually wanted out had just clattered into pieces on the ground either.

A little giggle bubbles past your lips almost in spite of the fury still firing through you. Alright, Ross’s beet red flush and slew of tripped over words in the face of confrontation from a black woman who was no better than a civilian skill wise was pretty funny.

For the first time since the team and you were redirected to this stupid fucking room the anxiety and irritation tightening your abdomen to aching relaxes.

Subconsciously you feel yourself sigh, straightening up from where you were leaned over the table to better get in Ross’s face the same way he felt he needed to get into yours first, and shifting to pop your back in the process.

Shit you were wound up.

You had to get yourself together because Ross’s ass was not worth putting all this strain on your body.

Eventually Hulk’s boisterous laughter peters off naturally. A smile sticks to his face still though, a boyish type of grin that shows enough teeth to make most of the big men strewn throughout the room shift uncomfortably and have your stomach fluttering welcomely.

Shoulders dropping and jaw unclenching you smile over at him in turn, his green eyes locking onto your brown for a slew of moments before some Suit clears his throat— then immediately ends up loosening his tie as that drags Hulk’s attention squarely his way.

The man clears his throat two more times before he finds his nerve, “Well the way I see it the best course of action to keeping Hulk…stable would be to let the Avengers keep an — um — eye on him and Bruce Banner. As I see it, at least,” he adds in a rush at the unblinking stares the Hulkbusters start giving him.

Ross seems to double take: “What,” he barks out, “you can’t be seriously considering this!”

“General, I think it’s about time we consider the option of least resistance.” And the Suit considers you now, gaze on you noticeable but one that you refuse to return with anything but a bland expression and raised brow. He sighs. “Not constantly waging clearly avoidable war on The Hulk, especially when the money going into the Hulkbusters can be utilized better elsewhere, seems like a solid plan to me, and I can only imagine my compatriots agree.”

Ross sputters for a few moments, Fortean’s frown crests hard enough you hope it sticks, and then the General’s mouth shuts with a snap. His pivot to turn your way is accompanied by a low growl from Hulk, but for once Ross is mad enough at someone else to not blow the rumble out of proportion.

“Get out,” he snaps, and like ants all the people who aren’t his (or The Avengers) in the conference room scatter.

You’d laugh if it weren’t so pathetic. Ross was only one single goddamn man, explosive anger or not.

Staring him down you cross your arms, cocking your head and hip and not hesitating to let a smirk grace your dark lips.

“Bitter?” You question before he can start.

Behind you some one of your partners’ teammates snorts.

You’d put your money on Clint.

Ross snarls and turns sharply to Tony somewhere behind you and to your left, features twisting nastily.

“Stark, take your team and get her the hell out of here now!” He jerks his hand towards the entrance, pointing some more. “She’s the most disrespectful, surefire example of why women shouldn’t be apart of discussions like this I’ve ever had the displeasure of meeting—!”

When you laugh it’s a mean melodic thing. Overly loud just to be as obnoxious as you can manage.

The others start to move around you too, mainly Cap and Clint, to push past Ross’s unit and get to Hulk. When they start releasing him from his bonds and he stomps from the trolley he’d been tied to, two feet finally firmly planted on the floor and making the room tremble for a moment, the Hulkbusters collectively recoil and bristle all at once.

Somehow you find it in you to laugh a little harder. Apparently it was your turn to bust a gut in Ross’s face.

Talbot and Fortean glowering your way in response makes you feel doubly accomplished on top of everything too.

“Oh, screw you, Ross! You’re nothing but a sore fucking loser on a power trip and, quite frankly— ah shit!”

In one singular movement you’re swooped up. Eyes widening you gasp, hands flying down to grasp onto the nearest thing you can as your balance is thrown off. Really you needn’t have worried though, the lighter palms of brown hands — the lightest part on you beside the bottom of your feet, honestly — meet the stern knuckles of warm green skin and your spirit instantly re-enters your body as you realize what’s happening.

Unfortunately though you’re covering ground too fast for it to mean much.

Ross shouts, “God-damn—” and then he’s cut off and you can’t do a single thing about it.

Well then.

Doors close with an unsatisfactory but resounding finality in your face, the image of Ross red and belligerent lost behind it, and you scowl; still huffing and puffing even after being swept up into a carry by the very man you were arguing over.

From where you’re being carried partially laying over Hulk’s shoulder, you glare at the empty corridor he’s stomping down with the rest of the Avengers, heart hammering in your chest.

That’s when you’re finally aware enough for it to truly click that you’ve been tossed over his shoulder and you balk.

“Hulk!”

“Y/n relax now,” Hulk rumbles, large thumb patting you on the back from where he’s holding you to him.

At that you have no choice, really. You slump. Arms hanging limply at your sides and head resting on his shoulder, you pant too. Sucking in large gulps of air and trying to get your heartrate back under control before your anger spurs on a headache.

“Alright, fine,” you mutter into green skin, relaxing into Hulk’s hold, “but only because you said it so nicely.”

Hulk hums. It’s too pointed to be anything but him calling you out on your bullshitting, but you’re too tired to riff on him in your defense and start a playful back and forth right then.

“Well,” Tony chirps from the corner of the large industrial elevator once you’ve all finally settled back into it for the day, “At least you riled old Thunderbolt up enough for him to let us go with the Big Guy pretty easily.”

Lips splitting into a grin, even slightly out of breath as you are, you push up from Hulk’s shoulder a little and turn your head to the side so you’re not staring at the side of his neck and the wisps of green hair that curls some at the base of it.

When Tony sees the smile on your face he balks. By the time you’ve started up a sheet of poorly held back laughter he’s caught on.

“I should’ve known,” Tony snorts, shaking his head. “You did have a plan.”

“Of course she had a plan,” Hulk intones, tone deadly serious even though you can feel the way he huffs out a laugh.

“Hold on,” Clint starts, “you mean you picked a fight with Ross on purpose?”

“Sure did,” you start, curling back into Hulk’s hold and turning away from everyone else again. “Ross hates Hulk, yeah, but he can’t stand a woman stepping up to him either. I knew if I screwed him over he’d focus on tempering my loud mouth more so than fighting to keep his arch enemy or whatever.” You raise a limp hand to wave in their direction, “Plus, with only Cap as backup somebody had to pick up the Hulk Defense slack.”

“Okay, don’t do us like that now,” Tony complains, the metal of the Iron Man suit clanging lightly as he shifts.

“Oh, I’m gonna,” you scoff. You snort too, though, as a bout of Hulk’s more subdued laughter reaches your ears and shakes your entire body. “Just a little.”

Still, you didn’t miss the team’s broader unwillingness to stick up for the bigger and greener of your partners before today, though— and your reclusive white man too, by extension. Hulk didn’t miss it either, you'd bet, and some definite developments would have to come of that.

For now though, that could wait till you were no longer in a fucking American military base.

Once this was all over, and things settled back down, you’d have to ask Hulk if he wouldn’t mind letting you talk to Bruce. If Bruce wouldn’t mind coming up for a conversation.

That was something for later though, for now you’d just let your nerves calm and bask in not having to worry about walking.

Without another word you curl more securely into Hulk’s hold, tucking your head into his neck, your umber skin and tight curls brushing over the protruding veins there, and moving one of your arms up to wrap around Hulk’s neck.

As you all make your way down the elevator and back to the quinjet you’re fully content to keeping silent. Fingers tangled lightly in the dark hair at the base of Hulk’s neck you lean in to press plump two-toned lips to his skin in a lingering kiss.

Hulk huffs. Big hands secure you to his chest even more than you already are and his thumb and forefinger squeeze fondly, delicately, around your waist, his giant head leaning just enough to press lightly over yours for a second.

Eyes watering, you smile into him, hands trembling in his hair as you hug him harder.

You missed him, and you missed Bruce (missed the knowledge that he was safe even when you couldn’t directly talk to him because Hulk was safe) and that had strained on you badly.

At least you had them back now though. And this time around you’d be far meaner and a lot less lenient about parting from them again.

NOTES: Hope you enjoyed!! Didn’t expect that this would be the first fic out of all the Bruce/Hulk fics I’ve started this year that I’d post, but it worked out anyway.

Also, honestly, I forgot how the episode began and was sequenced so this is more inspired by “The Deadliest Man Alive” - S2EP22 episode of EMH than a rewrite of it. Fortean is here too so that doubly doesn’t support this being a direct rewrite; I just needed to throw some shots his way too though so that’s why he’s here.

And the title is from the Coco Jones song bcs I was listening to it on repeat while finishing writing this, the fic isn’t inspired by the song tho.

btw: if you’d like to leave a comment I’d very much appreciate it!

[very-super-silly]

GUESS WHO JUST GOT BACK FROM WATCHING THNDERBOLTS!!!!!!!!! HOLY SHIT!!!!!! I HAVE SO MANY THOUGHTS

(spoilers ahead)

i love bob. he deserves the world. my bipolar son

yelena is such a depressed queen i love her 😭💔 shes so me core (sad)

btw everyone is depressed 🔥🔥🔥 i lowkey only get into media where everyone is depressed im not even joking is this a problem

I HATE JOHN WALKER. STILL. WHAT A FUCKING FUCK. I HATE HIM. NOT ONLY DID HE DISRESPECT MY QUEENS. BUT HE IS AN ASSHOLE!!!!!!! HIS EX WIFE TOTALLY DESERVED BETTER IT IS A GOOD THING SHE DIVORCED HIM

bucky sick entrance #3 (catfa, caatws, and now, thunderbolts) it was so fucking sick when he like fucking grabbed their wench then slammed it into the geound and fucking flipped their car????RAFGGHGN i crashed out

for a second i thought we had a winter soldier comeback it was so good (ragshfhr i wonder what bucky was telling sam abt this whole thing i js KNOW sam clowned him for the dramatic entrance)

OH SHIT WAIT THO AINT NO WAY THEYRE MAKING BEEF BETWEEN BUCKY AND SAM???? THE END CREDITS, SAM IS SUING THE THUNDERBOLTS BC THEYRE THE “new avengers” THIS BETTER BE THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM BECAUSE IF THEY BREAK UP MY BFS IM SUING MARVEL STUDIOS (theyre haters)

(more under the cut)

i really appreciated the “less action” climax if you will for the more emotionally impactful one, because holy shit. i cried so hard.

i also cried when yelena and her dad confronted each other 😭😭💔 i love them fheivndifnekdneifhejwks

and btw bucky just like?? relived all his trauma in the fucking “shame rooms” or whatever was happening when the poeple got shadowed??? thays crazy 😭

i really appreciated the dark humor ay the beginning too, really my type of movie (this is one of my all time favorite marvel movies now)

augh i mean i know this is like. the whole basis of the movie. but i really loved how they are all bad, depressed, fucked up people, but they still get to become the new avengers like <3 my heart bruh. i love them all (except john walker)

ALSO?????? NOT VALENTINA BUYING STARK TOWER IM CRASHING OUT 💥💥💥

RAGHHHH YK WHAT ELSE????? FANTASTIC FOUR FUCKING COMING TO THE MARVEL UNIVERSE WIFNUEKDNFHRUDDJD “INTER DIMENSIONAL SPACECRAFT” AAAAAAAHH YIPPEEE YIPPPEEE

btw bob and yelena <3 i love them. SO MUCH.

OH SHIT ALSO THAT PERSON WHO JUST FUCKING DIED AT THE VERY BEGINNING?? THE PERSON FROM THE RED ROOM/BLACK WIDOW??? OH MY GOD???? GHOST JUST LIKE SHOT HER. AND THAT WAS IT. SHE WAS THERE FOR LIKE. 1 SECOND? I FEEL SO BAD FOR YELENA THAT MUSTVE STUNG LIKE SHIT

btw valentinas subordinate mal was so silly i love her morally greyness (shes also fine af) i want her and kate bishop to meet, i think theyd get along great

did not live up to my sambucky expectations bc of the end credit and no sam mention 😔 but thats fine ig cus being delusional is fun or whatever (they will get back together. i am speaking it into existence.)

i love robert. bob. i love him x2

i absolutely ADOREEE how they touched on mental illness. thats what this whole movie was about. depression, bipolar/ or multiple personality disorder, and how you should connect with people, theyll help you, youre not alone, its not your fault, etc. absolutely amazing. i cried it was so. it was like so representational, relatable, just amazing and comforting. maybe mot everything was exactly right but like. i really felt the impact and message and it really felt like id been seen idk.

buckys “yeah.. this is such a worrying thing… we're getting right on it.. worrying circumstances… yeah… uhh and yeah despite the worrying situation were handling it”

bucky def going to go rouge. buddy still hates the government ❤️

BTW THEYRE THE NEW AVENGERS NOW THE WAY I GASPED I THOUGHT VALENTINA WAS JOKING OR LIKE SLANDERING THEM BUT NO. FR. HOLY SHIT. THE NEW AVENGERS. IM CRASHING OUT.

yelena crash out. well deserved. “no, its not your turn walker, because you know youre a piece of shit, and tour family knows it too!” EAT HIM UP also “EAT SHIT VALENTINA” icon ily yelena

walker almost pulling his gun on val and bucky cautioning him was so impactful like. not again walker.

BUCKY ON A MOTORCYCLE BTW!!!!!

john said “on your left” ☹️

bucky seemed really distraught btw, at the end credits, when sam was being portrayed as a “bad guy” (i will excuse everything sam wilson has ever done “wrong”. except he has never done anything wrong. ever. my boy) and yeah hehe maybe this is just some sambucky angst

we saw more of the red room too ☹️💔 like damn

ALSO IT LOOKS LIKE THE NEW AVENGERS ARE INHABITING THE STARK TOWER. HOLY SHIT

”you said you wanted to be goalie so that you could be the person everyone could rely on if they messed up” yelena

”i just look at my phone, thinking about everything that makes me a bad person, go to work, drink alcohol, come home and then sit on my phone and think more about how im a bad person.” yelena being relatable fr

also bob not remembering anything thay happened in the dreamscape place?? i hope he remembered. i think he did

”we're going to stick together from now on” yelena and bob <3

ALSO LMAO WHEN HE WAS DANCING IN A CHICKEN COSTUME HITTING PEOPLE WITH THE SIGN 😭😭 “i was on meth” BOB NO

red guardian being silly he really does try to be a good father snd like a supportive person

bucky and alexi going to beat valentinas ass was so funny but they got played fr 😔🙏

sighhh i think these are all my notes for now. i fucking love this movie!!!!!!!!!! so much!!!!!!!! argh!!!!!!!!!!!

[elenlaufeyson]

"Enemies by Day, Lovers by Night"

Setting:[Avengers Tower, 2 PM. Tony Stark is sipping coffee and eyeing Bucky and Y/N suspiciously from across the common room.]

---

TONY:

“Can someone explain to me why you two are constantly fighting like it’s the Cold War 2.0? Are you enemies, or... what is this?”

(Bucky and Y/N freeze mid-argument. They glance at each other. A tense silence. Then—flashback hits.)

---

[FLASHBACK: The Night Before]

Bucky kicks open Y/N's door dramatically.

BUCKY:

“You left your dirty socks in the kitchen again, Stark.”

Y/N (smirking):

“Oh, bite me, Barnes.”

BUCKY (grinning, stepping closer):

“Gladly.”

Hard cut to them making out against the wall like the kitchen sock never existed.

---

[FLASHBACK: Two Nights Ago]

They're arguing over the remote.

Y/N:

“I swear to God, Bucky, if you put on Rocky IV one more time, I’ll shove that metal arm where the sun don’t shine.”

BUCKY:

“Promises, promises.”

Cut to both of them tangled in blankets on the couch, not watching the movie at all.

---

[BACK TO PRESENT DAY]

Y/N coughs. Bucky adjusts his collar. Both look anywhere but at Tony.

Y/N:

“Uh... complicated?”

BUCKY:

“Very... diplomatic tension.”

TONY (narrowing eyes):

“You’re not sleeping together, are you?”

Beat of silence.

Y/N (too quickly):

“Whaaat? Ew. Gross. Absolutely not. Disgusting.”

BUCKY:

“Yeah, nope. I hate her. Can’t stand her.”

They both have visible hickeys.

TONY (deadpan):

“Right. Enemies. Sure. Let me know when you start throwing grenades during foreplay.”

---

[missmarveledsblog]

It's just pretend right? ( Bucky barnes x reader ) part 6

summary : revelations and secrets are finally revealed as kitty comes to terms with everything she thought she knew and was about to know and well once one avenger is attack well it's an attack on them all as the team visit the ranch .

warnings : this is a happier part sad but happy and sort of goofy

previous part

“ she not the only one , gonna need a little more than that terminator “ tony called his eyes locked on screen as friday was running it’s test on the dart . 

“ jessie , he was like her only he knows he’s adopted just not all of it ,  but her dad he said he was the same as her , it’s not what it looks like he’s not hydra not fully he’s a double agent  look it hard to explain either he or fury can explain the dynamics but we’re going to have to run some test make sure he doesn’t burst into flames” bucky explained placing her on the cot .

“ or shooting vines … oh yeah she does that too  so i guess we’re going to have to see what else our girl body is hiding from her and us “ tony said as their heads shot in his direction . 

“ why couldn’t she be just be the normal one , healthy family life but nope it’s like become an avenger and the trauma follows “ nat mumbled checking over her once more ignoring bucky. “ oh give it over “ she pushed him away .

“ stop fighting over me it gonna give me big ego like stark” she groaned 

“ hey Look she ok “ tony rolled his eyes . 

“ other than my life was a lie and my brother could be whatever i am what is going on and who is after me  “ she sat up as nat and Bucky helped her .

“ well hydra is after You , you brother well who might be your brother is from same lab rest i don't know fury kept his lips tight on this one and well  seems as they want you back” tony explained .  

“ that is just magical no seriously this fan fucking tastic” she scoffed. 

“ maybe let your dad explain “ nat smiled sadly .

 “ i will, you wanna Test My blood right ?” She looked to to tony who nodded . “ well lets do this first “ she pulled her sleeve up  looking down at her  arms  remembering what it was that came from them . 

“ how did you get your abilities how did they start” tony asked pulling the kit out from . 

“ you Dont have to tell him doll” bucky squeezed her should he could feel her tense , could hear the breath that got  caught In her throat . 

“ no its fine erm my cousin , terror twins we call them well they told me jessie was hurt climbing Into a water tower, they said It was accident but they pushed me in and  i thought i was going to drowned … no one was going to find me  then it came Like i just felt this feeling like building and building i thought  It … It was me dying  then boom fire to point all the water turned into steam that steam well   Actually did nearly kill me no oxygen And  i was in a coma for like a month , they laughed when i cried now everytime I see their stupid faces i remember like im trapped in that water tower “ she sniffled . “ nat and fury only people after family to know that well tony And steve cause a file that wasn't suppose to exist “ she laughed dryly Wiping  tears from her eyes . 

“ kitty” she turned To see her Dad and maybe he didn't expect it but she ran into his arms . She could see it , see that guilt and yet That Unconditional love in his Eyes . 

“ papa you need to tell me the truth The whole truth please”  she looked up at him and suddenly it was like looking down at the little girl he put to bed so many times after nightmares  or scared of monsters under the bed .

“ best sit down , please know this before i tell you this kitty none of it was fake for me  not one second did i think of you any different then my daughter” he smiled sadly . 

“ maybe we should give them space to do this “ nat winced , she knew  , steve knew and bucky knew . 

“ but i wanna … fine” tony pouted following the widow out while bucky squeezed her shoulders . 

“ i was in the military that part was true and i was good  , so good i caught the attention of shield who wanted me to work for them  , it was no brainer  whether to take the job or not really it was probably one of quickest yes  i said in my life first  they told me a baby was found little boy taking out of lab would we care for him and we said yes actually your mother said it  we got jessie then a few years later actually jessie was eight and the twin well were 6 and then nick fury came to me a mission so classified that not even the director alexander pierce knew it was going down , he said they found a lab pierce didn’t wanna bother with it but fury well couldn’t let it go so i went undercover pretended i wanted to be hydra said it was the future shit like that , they believed me  i’d send in the intel to fury and work in some lab one night they got this woman i and she had most beautiful baby girl i ever seen  , the lady fought she said she couldn’t do it again but they killed her so i called fury the raid happened and he slipped me out the back told me take this baby and not to stop for anyone he would come when he could so i did i brought you home and your mama she fell in love with you i went back and we told pierce everything and left out the part of you fury burned the place down so they would think you went with it  we got promoted i stayed for couple of years then i retired said i would help with the kids and ranch wanted to watch you grow up and that wasn’t a lie” he looked at her she could see it all in his eyes  . 

“ why didn’t you tell me , why didn’t fury tell me  was that how he found me in new york? “ she asked . 

“ i called him new places and that gift of your never did work so i asked him make sure you weren’t locked in a lab somewhere like .. “ 

“ E.T” She chuckled. 

“ jessie mom i don’t know if you both got same mama , she was pretty like you “ he held her face. 

“ then how come they won’t accept me ? they accepted jessie ? “ she asked softly . 

“ because your grandfather left everything in your name and their vultures …. Thanks  young man “ she turned to see tony letting her grandmother in . 

“ i like her … shit sorry i leave you too it … touching stuff really sorry for doubting you “ tony waved as he left . 

“ stop listening you over grown toddler” she yelled. 

“ couldn’t hear you “ his voice rang out over intercom of the jet . 

“ this is weird airplane” her grandmother looked around . 

“ ok back to it  the old guy left everything to her “ 

“ TONY “ 

“ Fine i’ll stop listening “ not that she believed that. 

“ yes as voice said he left it to you  most of it all is a bit of exaggeration some for jess and the twin not the horrible ones   cause you guys cared even still you write me every week telling me of your stories although i don’t like the gods part there’s only one of him “ she sat down . 

“ maybe wait before bring loki and thor here?” she whispered to her dad who nodded in agreement. 

 “ that’s why they pushed me in that water tower” she gasped . 

“ they heard  your grandpa talking with his lawyer “ her dad confirmed . 

“ you know no matter what they say your our kitty right? “ her grandmother asked . 

“ i do i’m sorry i ran off earlier  i mean it’s a lot still in tbh “ she winced . 

“ good now go say sorry your poor mother is beside herself in there “ her grandmother swatted her arm sending her to her feet  and kept swatting as she walked out the door to the house . 

“ hey stop .. can’t get around my ass  OWWW … sorry ma’am “ she yelped after the woman pinched her arm . “ stop laughing stank” she grumbled . 

She walked into the kitchen and seen her mama sitting and she felt instant guilt yes they did keep a lot from her  and yeah she was still right to feel  betrayed but giving the other outcome she did really have a great childhood and they didn’t treat her differently even with her gift they still treated her with same love and care  probably more so .

“ mama “ she smiled as the woman looked up rushing toward her honestly kitty was surprise how she still had tears left .

“ i’m sorry really baby we just wanted to keep you safe” she cried . 

“ i know now , i’m sorry for scaring you … also think your moms more lively then she letting on “ she whispered last part . 

“ hey pyro on the prairie your gonna wanna here this “ tony called . 

“ jesus what now is my birth parent actually aliens “ she scoffed  as she , izzy and her mom walked in just as jack and jessie walked in carrying cassies things . 

“ hey good timing this concerns you to  … bruce let them have it ?” tony called. 

“ hey kiddo you ok “ bruce voice came out the phone . 

“ i mean as well as i can come on lay it on me are me and jessie ET” she sighed . 

“ actually no  your from earth but hey wouldn’t be surprising giving it all really ..” 

“ today big little guy “ tony huffed. 

“ well you and jessie are sibling  you share the same dad , his mom died giving birth  and well your actually related to another member of the team “ bruce explained . 

“ please don’t say it bucky .. i mean i may be from south but not that far down south “ she grimaced . 

“ no it’s not bucky or steve actually it’s nat it would appear you two share same mother “ . 

“ holy shit i had dirty dreams about my little sisters sister “ jack blurted out .

“ please say i’m adopted too “ izzy face scrunched up in disgust as she stood away from her twin . 

“ your birth father well he was also part of nats life” bruce  went more quietly . 

“ shit bruce are you my dad” she gasped. 

“ do i look old enough to be your…. Nevermind actually turns out alexei shostakov is who your birth father “ bruce called . 

“ i did not see that coming “ nat mouth fell open 

“ wait the dude that pretended to be your dad then … you have got to be shitting me really?  Can we not pretend it was an alien “ she whined. 

“ sorry kiddo we’ll see you guys soon “ he hung up . 

“ what do he mean see you soon” she turned to tony. “ who’s we “ . 

“ the team hey your one of us mean priority is to stop whoever’s after you “ tony shrugged. 

“ i knew we had a sisterly bond” nat smirked . 

“ so my dad is guy that sold you?” jessie finally spoke up as nat nodded .” what the shit “ he sighed . 

“ i know right but you got two adoptive sister lets hope you didn’t have dirty thoughts about nat too “ she winced. 

“ nah i like that wanda chick we ain’t related to her in anyway are we?” he asked. 

“ ok moving on from that how the hell is alexei my dad?” she asked  . 

“ i’ll see if yelena can find out” nat pulled out her phone . “ hey lena we got more siblings “ she called walking out the room . 

 “ really no sign of being et “ she asked . 

“ sorry kitty cat “ tony patted her shoulder .  

Honestly she couldn’t believe one simple trip home well would result in all of this , nat being her sister  and the widows host/adoptive dad being her birth father and her being a lab experiment for hydra just tied it all in a neat bow serious how she wasn’t in a padded room albeit there was still time for that . she also had the team coming to the ranch in matter of hours and now she was hiding in her room trying to make sense of it all . 

“ come in “ she called as the knock on her door snapped her from her thoughts 

“ just wanted to check see you were ok “ bucky poke his head in .

“  i’m ok i think it still doesn’t feel real like this is so crazy all in a day i find out i’m adopted , nats my sister  so is yelena in a way which also mean i’m not even american right?  Oh god  what is my life” she fell on her bed staring at the ceiling. 

“ an your not an alien “ he pointed out . 

“ i was kinda hoping for that” she sighed . 

“ well turned out alexei volunteered for some red room / hydra thing back in the day before they severed ties  now he’s gushing about how his boy and his girls are well you know ” . 

“ yeah i think jessie would actually shoot him “ she laughed . 

“ he does want to meet you but nat told him that was up to you and to give you time  but yelena is on her way “ he said. “ she heard someone attacked and well “ 

“ she is very all for family “ she nodded. 

“ yeah jacks currently have a identity crisis asking is nat his sister too “  he lay beside her. 

“ bet you didn’t think this was going to happen when you agree to be my fake boyfriend “ she snorted honestly it had to be a joke right . 

“ i was thinking alien too cause doll you are out of this world “ he smirked as she broke out into laughter. 

“ oh my god you did not just say that  and steve said you were a ladies man sure you weren’t the dork back then “ .

“ you doubting my skills “ he sat up leaning over her . 

“ yes after that yess” she laughed alittle and yet she leaned up . 

They were mere inches apart before a banging on the door . 

“ hey teams here” nat yelled as bucky fell back . 

“ COME ON “ she yelled so close and yet so far . 

“ we could pretend to be asleep “ bucky groaned getting off the floor . 

“ nah nats waiting” she huffed. 

“ she’s right i am come onnn” nat sang . 

“ to be continued “ she winked before heading out the door .  

“ thanks natalia “ bucky groaned as the widow snorted . 

“ sorry barnes maybe  you can woo my little sister… so fun to say “ she smirked .

part 7

taglist : @vicmc624 @babble28 @scott-loki-barnes @ozwriterchick

[i-am-ir0n-maiden]

It's Not What It Looks Like

for @msdjsg7

Welcome to Chapter 2 of my first fic, first Loki fic, and first char x reader fic, Taking Chances! You can find Chapter One here.

Warnings/tags: a little bit of strong language (shut it, Steve), good!Loki, fluff, soft!Loki, Avenger!Loki, you and Loki are friends (maybe eventually more, oops that could be a spoiler), Loki's in a stabby mood for about half a scene

No age limits

Fandom: MCU movie Loki

You blinked awake slowly after the best sleep you'd had in weeks to find yourself in a bed not your own. Too much green.

Then you noticed that you were in someone's arms.

Loki's?!

You shifted a bit, embarrassed, trying to remember how you got here. Oh, right... in your exhaustion-hazed brain last night, you thought getting your Jotunn best friend to cuddle you to cool you down in place of the air conditioning was a good idea. Yeah. That's right.

Loki stirred a bit and woke up at your movements, that malicious smirk creeping onto his face as he looked down at you. He didn't need to say anything - his face said more than words could. He thought this was funny.

You glared at him. "Shut up," you growled as you shifted away, trying to put some distance between you two. Anything to make this less awkward, oh Norns why did I ever think this was a good idea, I need to get away from him I don't like the butterfly feeling I'm getting right now because it's starting to transition to turning me on...

He actually smiled at you. "I haven't said a word, darling." He paused for effect. "You, on the other hand, were... rather demanding last night." The smile became his trademark smirk once more. "It's not often a woman forces herself into my bed and orders me to hold her."

Your glare intensified as you pulled away, out of his grasp, and slipped out of the bed entirely.

You didn't expect long, cool fingers to wrap around your wrist and keep you from taking another step.

Loki had moved faster than you'd ever seen any being move before to grab your wrist and prevent you from leaving.

You froze for a second, barely able to believe your ears at what he said next. "Did I tell you that you had to leave?"

You finally snapped out of your holy-shit-is-this-really-happening trance, not making any more moves to leave, as you said "I should... It's dawn."

"I see that. What I do not see is how the sunrise has any bearing on your staying with me or leaving. It's quite rare that anyone chooses to be near me." He attempted to pull you back.

You sighed, but let him pull you off-balance so you landed back beside him. "If the others see me sneaking out of your room, they might, well... get ideas." You said as you settled back in beside him.

He chuckled softly at that. "Mm. Perhaps we shouldn't allow that."

"Then why do you want me to stay?"

"Simply because I desire your company, is that a problem for you?"

It was once again your turn to be shocked. "N-no. It's not. But you only get five more minutes."

He pulled you close enough to put his arms back around you. "I shall not keep you a second longer than you wish."

You two laid there a few more moments, simply existing together and listening to the sound of one another's breathing. When the five minutes were up, you reluctantly slipped out of Loki's grasp, eliciting a small, sad whine from him. "Already?"

"Yeah, Lokes. I really need to leave now." You said softly as you headed for the door. "See you at breakfast?"

"Won't miss it, since you asked me." His reply was barely audible through the blankets he'd burrowed back into.

What the fuck was that all about? You thought as you headed back to your own room for a shower.

________________________________

When you walked into the kitchen after sneaking back to your room to get ready, Natasha grabbed your arm and pulled you to the side without even giving you a chance to say a word. "So. You and the iceman, huh?" She whispered, looking at you with a conniving smirk.

"Wh- what are you talking about?" You said, trying to feign innocence despite the blush creeping onto your face.

"You went past my room last night and this morning."

"So?"

"Loki's is the last. Mine's next to his."

"It- it's not what it looks like, Nat, I swear..." You managed to say, looking away from her piercing gaze.

"Sure. We've all seen the looks you two give each other, haven't we, Clint?" She called over her shoulder to her partner in crime.

Clint, in the middle of shoving waffles into his mouth, glanced up and said something unintelligible due to his mouth being full.

"See? He agrees." Natasha locked that intense stare she uses during interrogations onto you, daring you to lie again.

"Oh my Gooood..." you moaned in exasperation, rolling your eyes while you frantically formulated a lie.

"Yes?" The smooth voice beside you shocked you, and you glanced over to see Loki smirking at you. "You called?"

"You're not helping, Loki!" You shot him a glare. "Tell Nat why I was in your room last night." You attempted to communicate with your eyes that he needed to lie to her to un-incriminate you both. Tell her anything but the fact that I demanded you cuddle me.

His eyes lit up for a split second - you could practically see what he was thinking. 'This is going to be fun.'

"Well, Miss Romanoff, she walked into my room, forced herself into my bed and demanded that I hold her because it was "too hot everywhere but with me."" He put little air quotes around the last six words - he must have picked that up from Thor.

"God damn it, Loki, why -" your protest was cut off by Natasha's "HA! I KNEW IT!" She triumphantly high-fived Clint and you noticed her surrepititiously being handed money by Sam, Steve, and even Bruce. Thor looked pleased.

She turned back to you with a satisfied look on her face. "JARVIS, you can fix our changes now."

"With pleasure, Miss Romanoff." the AI replied, sounding almost... teasing?

"You see, we've all seen the looks you and Reindeer Games here give each other. So lady triple imposter and her birdbrain decided to do something about it. We actually were all in on it." Tony added from the coffee machine.

"I had JARVIS crank up the temp in your room, the hall, and a little bit in Loki's." Clint said around his fork.

"I obeyed, but made certain that your thermostats showed no change." JARVIS added from the ceiling.

"I went along with their grand scheme and made it believable, didn't think it'd work though." Tony chipped in again from behind his coffee mug.

"I orchestrated all this because you two clearly are all heart eyes for each other." Natasha said, looking satisfied.

"And we bet them it wouldn't work." Bruce, Sam and Steve added sadly.

Thor now looked confused. "I.. was told to ignore everyone else and keep quiet."

You and Loki exchanged identical infuriated glances and took a simultaneous step forward, reaching for your favorite weapons - Loki conjuring a dagger out of thin air, you drawing the one he gave you from its sheath on your hip. "Lot of planning just for it to backfire on them, huh?" you said as you and Loki advanced on the others. "Mm." Loki agreed.

"See? You even reacted the same!" an unfazed Natasha managed to say through her laughter.

Sam's eyes got big and he stood up, tugging Steve and Bruce, who was getting nervous and looking a little green veined, with him. "Thor, should we run?" he asked, already heading for the door.

"I advise it. My brother rather enjoys stabbing people who get on his bad side." Thor replied.

"Relax, Dr. Green Bean. Don't go smashing the place." you said as you passed Bruce being tugged along by Sam. "We won't touch you three."

Loki paused and touched your wrist with his free hand. You glanced at him.

"Perhaps we should give them what they wish?" he whispered just loud enough for the others to hear.

"How... do you propose to do that?" you replied, confused.

His free arm slipped around your waist. "Is this okay?" He looked pleased with himself.

Why not, you thought, and said as much as you leaned into him.

"We've changed our minds." Loki said as he lowered the dagger in his hand and you sheathed yours. "However, conspire against me again and you will see why I am called the god of mischief." He, without warning, threw his dagger, embedding it in the wall a few inches from Nat's head.

"HEY! You WILL be fixing that, and by hand, not with magic!" Tony complained at the hole in the wall that appeared when Loki made the dagger disappear, and reappear back in its place in his room.

Loki pulled you a bit closer and led you along with him as he stepped around Tony and towards the cabinets to find something to eat. As you moved beside him, one thought ran through your mind.

What the fuck is happening between us.

[txttletale]

(Other than the really weird bit about "Male presenting Doctor") what were your thoughts about the specials?

pretty mixed bag, pretty messy, but good overall. i think they were very obviously a nostalgia trip for people around my age lol and it worked! i loved seeing tennant and tate back onscreen together, their chemistry hasn't aged a bit, and honestly just watching doctor who that wasn't written by chris chibnall was a breath of fresh air. they weren't boring, like seasons 11 and 12 were, and they didn't go too far off the other end into nonsense like flux did. characters want things again! the show can let itself just be silly! i was literally cheering out loud when donna and the doctor were just saying random scifi gobbledegook at each other for like a solid several minutes during the star beast.

the structure of the specials kind of baffles me. i love wild blue yonder--i think it's definitively the best of the specials as a standalone, it's absolutely fantastic, creepy and atmospheric and bringing things around to RTD's strength, which is well-written characters interacting with each other and letting good actors just act. but at the same time i dont understand why it exists? it feels like...idk. imagine if you watched the star wars original trilogy but instead of the empire strikes back the middle film was just a feature length film about luke and han surviving on an ice planet with no reference to anything that happens in the last film except the two characters' relationship. and then the next film was still return of the jedi, unchanged. it felt like that

i liked all the weird campy silliness of the star beast and the giggle, and they were both very fun! neil patrick harris gave a fantastic performance, there are a lot of very memorable sequences from the giggle, but it's very very all over the place. so many threads get kind of picked up and go nowhere. the toymaker's haunted house dimension goes nowhere. RTD's eyerolling social media commetnary goes nowhere (thank god tbh but yknow im illustrating something here). even the toymaker kind of goes nowhere, after ncuti gatwa shows up he's bascially an afterthought who loses by dropping a ball. obvious parallels to david tennant's first episode with that ball scene could be made, but just... aren't. it feels like load-bearing sectikons of the plot and themes were cut out to make room for a backdoor pilot for the stupid fucking UNIT spinoff

oh and it goes without saying i fucking hate all the UNIT wank in the star beast and the giggle. i hope space nine eleven 2 happens to their stupid fucking avengers tower i cannot stand kate stewart who is constantly a murderous bonehead (in the giggle alone she gets two pepole killed by not listening to the doctor and assuming that this teleporting godlike entity could be restrainted by Two Guys) who is both in and out of universe just a boring nepo baby with no merit of her own

um. i still dont know what happened with the regeneration. i think the implication is that when david tennant dies hell time travel back to become ncuti gatwa inside himself--at least the rehab dialogue seems to make that implication. but it's not really explained or explored? baffling. i do think that fourteen getting to settle down and live a peaceful life with his friends is cute.

oh yeah and the ask said other than that but goddd there was some good stuff in the star beast and honestly with the state of the UK media i will take any perspective on trans people that includes baseline human erespect but some of those lines made me cringe so bad. anyway overall i am cautiously optimistic for the future of the show--oh ncuti was fucking great did i mention that i instantly bnought him as the doctor he owned the scene, the moment he was there it was clear he was the protagonist, and i liked the church on ruby road well enough too--i am cautiously optimistic but i worry that a big UNIT-shaped tumor will devour huge chunks of it and it'll be annoying. also russel t davies is like 60 and i just dont want to hear what he has to say about twitter so im not looking forward to dot and bubble

[omgwhatchloe]

many many things annoy me about homophobic rdr2 fanboys, and heres one of them:

you absolutely CANNOT ship arthur and charles (just two men, one of which was designed to be a romantical option for the other that never made it into the final cut, both of legal and morally right age, who have a much different, closer bond than other gang members, no toxicity around their relationship in the slighest, even a few actors from the game have said they like the ship) because what the fuck is wrong with you why would you EVER ship them?! and NO YOU ABSOLUTELY CANNOT SHIP HOSEA AND DUTCH (they have their own nicknames for each other, care for each other very very deeply, have been running together for years and years, held hands, described themselves as two dads with their own son) THEYRE JUST FRIENDS THATS DISGUSTING

oh but yeah, you can ship sadie and arthur (sadie is a grieving widow who clearly only shows attraction/admiration towards her late husband, sees him as the best man shes ever known, would never replace him and is overrun by her urge to avenge him) and you can also ship arthur and mary-beth (mary-beth is at least 10-15 years younger than him, the ship is morally wrong, he is protective over her like a little sister just like the other girls) and yeah you can ship molly and dutch too (molly is being emotionally abused by dutch, dutch actively flirts with others while neglecting her, drove her to extreme depression to the point she was suicidal and constantly felt trapped and isolated) BECUZ STRAIGHT IS GREAT GUYS!!!!! THEYRE NOT GAY GUYS EVEN THOUGH IT WAS VERY COMMON FOR OUTLAWS TO LOVE EACH OTHER NO MATTER THE GENDER BUT THAT JUST DIDNT EXIST IN THE GAME OKAY!!!!!