#*i added more cause i saw more continuous dum-dum takes

[pensbridge]

There's always two takes in this fandom:

Colin: is an insecure baby who left her for dead on the street, slept on the couch, and abandoned her to fend for herself and a possible baby that he wanted nothing to do with nor did he her

Colin: had trauma from a woman trying to trap him with a baby, but he stayed by Penelope's side, slept right outside the room yet couldn't sleep, held her hand and walked her to her carriage, held the door, made sure she was sitting inside, then closed the door and denied an annulment anytime she offered

Penelope: asked for an annulment, because she realized that Whistledown was the one thing she wanted, he was treating her bad, and she took a stand in a powerful moment of choosing herself and wanting a divorce and he cried about it when she mic-dropped him with it

Penelope: asked for the annulment, because she loved him so much that she would give him an out if he wanted, because as she said she never meant to entrap him; and almost cried at the thought of losing him, and nearly gave up her legacy to spend her life with him

[ethereousdelirious]

I’m baaack from my writing hiatus :P I come bearing gifts:

Fandom: The M.agnus A.rchives

Characters: M.artin, J.on (+S1 crew)

Pairings: Jo.nMar.tin

Tropes: standard “stubborn sick character, persistent caretaker”

Summary: standard “J.on gets sick at work and is stubborn about it; Martin is equally as stubborn about taking care of him”

Warnings/Notes: JM isn’t exactly my (wait for it) cup of tea (ba dum tsh) and I kinda lost the thread of where the story was going, so it’s a bit slice-of-lifey and kinda ends in a weird spot? It’s not Hurt No Comfort, though, I didn’t leave it hanging that much ;) I honestly wasn’t gonna post this but then I remembered the whole cake thing and thought you Jon Enjoyers might like it :)

In a half-daze, Martin watched the water in the electric kettle dance as it started to boil. He had bent at the waist so he could rest his chin on the counter, and it was starting to hurt a bit, but he made no effort to stand. He liked working in the Archives but sometimes the peace and quiet made him sleepy. 

"What are you doing?" Jonathan's voice came flat and annoyed from the doorway to the breakroom.

Martin straightened up, unable to stifle an exclamation of surprise. "Oh! Hi, Jon."

Jonathan only raised an eyebrow. He had been grumpier than usual today. Tim and Sasha had been grumbling about it all morning.

Remembering the question, Martin gestured to the kettle. "I was just gonna make some tea. I'm on my break, so. Thought I might make some for everyone." He gestured at the mismatched line of cups and mugs on the countertop, teabags already in place.

Jonathan's expression seemed to soften at the edges, though he didn't smile. "That's why I came in here, actually. My throat's a little…" He sighed. "It doesn't matter."

"Maybe you ought to take a break from reading statements?" Martin suggested as gently as he could. He knew how Jon got about his statements, snappish and possessive like a stray dog with a bone.

Sure enough, Jon scowled. He looked like he was going to say something, probably a pointed remark about Martin's work ethic, but instead he only swallowed thickly and placed two fingers to the base of his throat, like he could soothe the pain from the outside. He coughed experimentally.

Martin reached for one of the cupboards and started moving things aside. "I'll put some honey in yours. Did you know that honey actually has mild antibacterial properties?"

"Er, no," Jonathan said, but he didn't appear to be listening all that closely. He had moved out of the doorway and was poking through drawers and cabinets, their contents clattering as he examined them.

"What are you looking for?" Martin asked.

Jonathan sighed, like Martin's continued presence was such a cause for annoyance that he couldn't not express his irritation. "Painkillers. I've got a bit of a headache."

"Same drawer as the first aid kit." Martin went back to looking for the honey.

"That makes sense, I suppose."

They were silent for a moment, as Martin poured the water and carefully stirred honey into the mug he had chosen for Jonathan, while Jonathan took more than the recommended dose of painkillers and washed out his water glass in the sink.

"Hope you're not coming down with something," Martin said offhandedly, passing Jon his tea.

"Thank you," Jonathan said with barely-concealed venom. "I'm going back to work now. I suggest you do the same."

Martin tried to ignore the sting of Jon's words.

When he was feeling bored and restless yet again, Martin got up to collect everyone's empty mugs. Tim and Sasha were nearby, but Jon… He was sequestered away in his new office. Martin left the empty mugs on his desk and marched right up to the door. No time for anxiety, no time to brace for whatever barb Jonathan was going to hurl at him this time.

Upon getting close enough to look in the tiny window on the door, Martin stopped dead. Through the glass, he could see Jonathan, slumped over at his desk with his head resting in his hand. His eyes were just barely open, and even from that distance Martin could see Jon's irises moving, tracking his place on the statement he was reading.

Jonathan had never had the greatest posture to begin with, but this was abnormal, even for him. He looked like he was having trouble keeping himself upright and, Martin noticed with a pang of worry, the hand not supporting his head was clenched in the fabric of his shirt over his stomach.

For a moment, Martin was frozen, utterly unsure of what to do. He didn't want to just barge in while Jon was in the middle of a statement. He waited a moment longer. Luckily, Jonathan seemed to be finishing up. He sat up a little straighter and set the statement aside, speaking a few more words before finally turning off the tape recorder.

Martin didn't waste any time, practically throwing himself through the door before Jon could even think about picking up another statement from the impressive stack on his desk.

"What is it?" Jonathan snapped, not even bothering to try to hide the naked animosity on his face, the raw irritation at having his work interrupted. He didn't lift his head from where it was cradled his right hand, his thumb pressed firmly to his temple.

"I, um--" Martin faltered. "Well, I, I was just walking by your office and I happened to glance in and see you and I just thought--" Pause. Breathe. "You look really ill, Jon. Are you feeling okay?"

"Not really," Jonathan said, softening up a little. "But I have work to do, so." He looked pointedly at the door.

"You can take a day off, you know," Martin said back. He checked his watch. "More like a half day, now."

"I don't need to take a day off," Jon said, his voice flat and annoyed.

"A break, then," Martin insisted.

"I just had a break. So did you." As much as he was arguing, Jon was making no effort to hide the wince that distorted his features every time he swallowed or the way his ragged nails dug into the skin of his forehead. He shifted slightly when he saw Martin looking him over, uncomfortable under the analytic gaze."I'm fine," he said, a touch petulantly, and that was when Martin knew he had won the argument.

"You can barely even sit up. Come on." Martin offered Jon his hand, and Jon looked at it with ill-disguised contempt before standing up on his own. He was pale under the fluorescent lights except for the unmistakable flush of a fever on his cheeks. That was something. Though it wouldn't win him any points with Jon, Martin could always threaten to tell on him to Elias. If Jon was going to despise him no matter what, the least Martin could do was keep him safe.

But that was for later. For now, Martin would walk Jon to the break room and look after him.

Tim and Sasha were both standing, Tim standing with his lower back pressed against the counter and Sasha with her hand against the table. They were talking animatedly about something, but both jumped guiltily and went silent when they saw Jon.

The impression of guilt melted away when Jon barely even looked at them and collapsed heavily onto the small sofa, pale and sweating.

"You okay, boss?" Tim asked.

Martin refilled the kettle and turned it on. "He's a little sick."

"Looks a lot sick to me," Tim remarked with a quick glance at Jon. He had tilted forward so he could rest his elbows on his knees and was breathing heavily.

"Really," Sasha added. Jon obviously wasn't in any shape to be answering questions, so she looked to Martin. "Is he okay?"

Martin shrugged, trying to hide his worry for the sake of not embarrassing Jon. "I'm sure it's nothing a little rest can't fix."

"And tea," Tim said with a good-natured roll of his eyes.

"Obviously," Martin and Sasha said at the same time, and then they laughed.

This ended abruptly when Jon made a muffled noise and shot out of the room, nearly knocking into Sasha on his way out.

"Shit." Martin said.

For a split second, they stood in silence.

"Are you going to go get him?" Tim asked.

"I…" Martin blinked. "I'm not like his keeper or anything, I just work here!"

"Someone should make Elias send him home," Sasha said.

"You're Jon's favorite," Martin said with just a trace of bitterness. "Why don't you go check on him?"

"Because he's probably passed out in the men's room," Sasha said back. "You go get him. I'll tell Elias he needs to go home."

"I'll disinfect the couch," Tim said, fighting a smile.

Martin sighed. "I'll go get him. And talk to Elias if I have to. You guys… Enjoy your long break, I guess."

Tim patted him on the back as he left. "Good luck."

"You'll need it!" Sasha said cheerfully.

By the time Martin made it to the bathroom, Jon had made some effort to clean himself up and then collapsed by the sinks. At least he was sitting up and appeared to be conscious. His face was wet, dripping water. Martin wasn't sure if he had been sick or just been overtaken by the need for quiet, and he was equally unsure that Jon would tell him if he asked.

"Jon!" Martin rushed to his side and pressed a hand to his forehead without even thinking about it. "You're--"

"Burning," Jon said hoarsely.

Martin's hand travelled lower, to Jon's neck, and he pressed two fingers to the carotid artery. Jon's pulse was rapid and fluttery and he pulled away from the touch.

"Did that hurt?" Martin moved his fingers higher, to the lymph node.

"You're not a doctor," Jon said, pulling further back, seeming to shrink into himself.

"Sorry." Martin dropped his hand. "I really think you need to go home."

"It's fine," Jon said. "I have more statements to read."

There was an odd kind of desperation in his voice that Martin couldn't begin to understand. "Jon. I can tell you're in pain. If it hurts to talk, you shouldn't be reading statements. It's getting worse, isn't it?"

Jonathan said nothing, which was answer enough.

Martin stood. "Come on, I'll call you a taxi."

"Elias--" Jon started to protest, but cut himself off, one hand flying to the base of his neck.

"I'll tell him."

Unable or unwilling to talk, Jon nodded begrudgingly and forced himself to his feet.

The resentment in his eyes sent an ache through Martin's chest, but he only stood and held the door open for Jon.

"You're welcome," he said softly, watching Jon stalk down the hall without waiting for him. He sighed, and the door slammed shut behind him.

Martin wasted a moment staring at his shoes. He tried so hard and all he ever got back was vitriol from Jon and teasing from the others. After that brief wave of self-pity came the guilt for daring to feel so sorry for himself when Jon was seriously ill and seriously ill-inclined to take care of himself.

Martin sighed and shook his head. The sooner he found Elias, the sooner he could work on getting Jon to go to A&E instead of holing up in his flat or, god forbid, his office.

And then, as though Martin's thoughts had summoned him, Elias rounded the corner. He nodded in greeting and then paused, face darkening. "Everything alright, Martin? You look upset."

"Oh, uh." Even though Elias was always popping up like this, it was hard not to be startled. "Elias. I was just about to come find you, actually. It's Jon."

"Oh?"

"He's ill-- really ill; he needs to go home but I don't-- I'm going to call him a cab. Just wanted to let you know."

Elias nodded. "I appreciate you letting me know. And wish Jon well for me, would you? See to it that he gets well soon."

"Um, yeah." That certainly hadn't been what Martin was expecting. "O-of course. I'll just-- I'm gonna go." He turned away and attempted the impossible feat of rushing for Jon's office without seeming like he was trying to get away from Elias, which he very much was. He could swear he felt Elias' gaze on him even after he'd reached Jon's office and shut the door behind him. It was eerie.

"Martin." Jonathan looked like he regretted speaking even that one word. He made an abortive motion, reaching for his throat and then letting his hand drop. He had abandoned dignity alarmingly quickly and slumped over with his face on his desk. He had even undone the top few buttons of his shirt.

"Oh, Jon," was all Martin could say. "I can't let you go home like this."

Jon glowed at him but had evidently learned his lesson about trying to speak. He was breathing too fast, his shoulders rising and falling in unsteady cadence. Martin reached out to feel his forehead again and Jonathan jerked back so violently he nearly knocked his chair over.

"Sorry," Martin said. He really couldn't do anything right, could he? "I'm not gonna-- hurt you." Had someone hurt Jon before? Why was he so jumpy? He reached out again and Jon actually smacked his hand away. "Okay, sorry. No touching."

Jonathan nodded.

Martin sighed, unsure of quite what to say. He could waffle all he wanted about tenacity or dedication, but in the moment, there was no denying to himself that Jon was stubborn. He was stubborn to the point of being self-destructive and Martin would have to be careful.

"You really should go to A&E."

Jon shook his head no, then squeezed his eyes shut for a moment.

"Well, I can't just dump you in a taxi."

Jonathan nodded.

"No, Jon, I can't. Can you even stand up on your own? Don't--! There's no need to demonstrate. I get it."

Jonathan sat down and exhaled shakily through his mouth. It wasn't just his breathing, he was shaking all over and wincing every time he swallowed.

"Let me take you home."

Pause. Jon eyed him with suspicion and Martin felt compelled to elaborate, "Just to make sure you don't, you know, collapse on the pavement and end up in hospital anyway."

Jonathan, evidently having no other way to communicate his displeasure, stuck out his tongue. Martin couldn't help but laugh.

"Is that a yes?"

Jonathan nodded.

[rubberducky-jrr]

Be My Saviour - Part Three

Summary: Peter does all he can to save you from a missile attack on the tower.

Pairings: Peter Parker x Stark!Reader

Warnings: Swearing, details of injury, blood, anxiety and a pinch of smut.

A/n: This takes place two weeks after part two. Sorry if there are any mistakes, this week has been wildly busy.

***

You sat in your dad’s lab at his desk, Dum-E stood next of you with a fire extinguisher in his robot arm. He titled his head to the side, making a noise and causing you to roll your eyes.

“He’s driving me insane,” you grumbled to your dad who sat on the sofa, munching on a packet of crisps while tapping away on his tablet.

“Dum-E, away,” Tony commanded and Dum-E let out a noise that was actually pretty close to a sigh before wandering off across the lab to his corner. He turned, staring straight at you again but from a distance now. “You know he only does it because he loves you,” Tony said with a smirk, stretching to stand.

"He's doing it because he’s afraid I’ll set on fire with every movement I make,” you corrected him.

“And that’s why he’s doing it, because he loves you and wants to keep you safe,” your dad said with a smirk.

“Okay, I’m finishing this later,” you grumbled, grabbing all your school books and leaving you dad and Dum-E in the lab. You faintly heard your dad say “good boy” to Dum-E before the lab door shut behind you, causing you to roll your eyes at the two of them.

You made your way up to the shared kitchen, struggling slightly with the large school books.

“You know we have bowls for that,” you simply said when you saw Peter sat on the counter, eating out of a box of cereal. Peter just shrugged, smirking at you before continuing munching away. You dumped the large books on the kitchen table with a sigh. “Why do they make them so damn heavy?” You grumbled to yourself and Peter chuckled from behind you before jumping down from the counter.

You suddenly felt his arms wrap around your waist from behind, burying his head into the crook of your neck. He placed a few soft kisses on your neck, causing you to close your eyes and smile. You let out a small moan before Peter began to turn you around, his arms still firmly around your waist.

“Hello,” you teased as he pressed against you, your back against the kitchen table.

“Hey,” he breathed, catching your eyes before placing kisses once again on your neck.

“What’s all this?” You asked, the smile growing on your face as he kissed your jaw. He pulled away slightly, just enough to look you in the eyes. He shrugged slightly before kissing your cheek.

“I’ve... I’ve just been wanting to do this for a long time,” he said, a small blush appearing on his cheeks. You smiled at him, your hand drifting up around to the back of his neck. You pulled him down towards you, catching his lips with yours.

He was a little surprised but he melted into your touch a moment later. He moaned slightly and you couldn’t help but blush, the feeling of butterflies rising up within your stomach. One of his hands drifted up from your waist to cup your cheek.

His opened his lips slightly, testing the waters. You eagerly followed causing another moan to escape Peter’s lips. You finally pulled away, a blush on your cheeks and feeling slightly breathless. Peter smiled at you, his thumb stroking along your cheekbone.

“That was nice,” he said and your smile grew, a small laugh escaping your lips.

“It was more than nice,” you teased, having felt his bulge grow throughout the kiss. He cleared his throat, glancing down before back up at you.

“S-Sorry about that,” he blushed and you rolled your eyes.

“Oh don’t worry, I like knowing you’re enjoying it,” you winked before gently pushing him away slightly to grab yourself a drink. He ran a hand through his hair, glancing sideways at you to watch you walk over to grab a glass and fill it up with water.

“Why are you here anyway?” You suddenly asked, realising you hadn't arranged to see each other today.

“Oh, Steve wants to put me through a few training drills. Thought I’d come by early to see you but then I got hungry,” he said and you turned to smirk at him, chuckling slightly. The hairs on his arms suddenly began to rise, a shiver running down his spine which he knew wasn’t due to the intimacy of the moment before.

“Somethings not right,” he suddenly said and you frowned at him.

“What?” You asked, stepping towards him as he glanced around quickly. Suddenly, the lights flickered and went off, a loud powering down noise echoing throughout the floor.

“Something is definitely not right,” Peter repeated and you hummed.

“Jarvis?” You asked and got no response. Your heart began to beat harder, the feeling of fear rising up within you. “Someone’s hacked the to-“

“Missile,” Peter suddenly said, having sensed the incoming missile before you could even see it coming. He quickly double tapped his wrists, his web shooters firing up from his watch.

You suddenly felt a web attach to your side, pulling you towards Peter who quickly wrapped you up in his arms. He shot a web at the furthest wall away from the windows, both of you flying towards it.

Suddenly the missile hit, flying into the floor below. The windows shattered, fire from the explosion below blowing into the room from the broken windows and causing you and Peter to fly off to the side.

You landed harshly on the ground, causing you to let out a grunt as Peter clambered to be on top to protect you. Everything was falling around you, the building floor beginning to crumble from the impact.

“Oh shit,” you heard Peter mumbled, his breath close to your ear before you both suddenly went falling through the floor.

Peter shot a web up at the ceiling above, grabbing hold of your hand and preventing you from falling. Your descent to the ground came to a harsh stop as the web tightened. You scrambled up to hold Peter, legs wrapping around his waist and arms around his neck. You dangled in the air, the ground no long there and showing the ground two floors below.

“I’ve got you, honey,” Peter mumbled into your ear, your head buried in his neck with your eyes screwed shut. You were taking sharp breaths in and out, on the verge of hyperventilating. “Shush, it’s alright, I’ve got you. Everything is going to be alright,” he told you, his voice strong but lip trembling as he too tried to comprehend what had happened and keep calm.

He sensed it coming, another missile firing their way and causing his chest to righted with fear. It hit the top floor of the tower and the ceiling Peter had shot his web at began to crumble.

You were falling.

Your heart leapt into your throat, a scream escaping from your mouth as you fell. Peter scrambled to keep hold of you, practically holding you in a death grip as you fell together.

You landed harshly two floors down, another scream escaping your lips when you felt a white hot, burning pain radiating from the back of your thigh.

“I-It’s okay,” Peter quickly breathed out, pulling up from the ground to kneel and glance around. There were small fires scattered around the floor, broken glass and concrete flooring everywhere. He closed his eyes, focusing on his senses before letting out a sigh of relief as he sensed no more missiles heading your way.

“P-Peter...” you breathed, focusing his attention back to you. He saw the pained expression on your face and his breathing hitched slightly in worry.

“Y/n, are you alright?” He asked, his eyes focused entirely on your face as his chest tighten with worry. You coughed slightly from the dust that was settling around you.

“L-Leg,” you mumbled, squeezing your eyes shut in pain. Peter glanced down before taking in a sharp breath.

“Shit!”

He swallowed down his fear when he saw the large chunk of metal sticking out of your leg, a significant amount of blood staining your grey leggings.

The tower suddenly started back up, the water sprinklers turning on to combat the small fires. Peter leant over you, trying his best to shield you from the water.

“Jarvis!?” He shouted out, hoping the A.I. was back online.

“Yes, Mr Parker?”

“Get Tony up here now... And Bruce!” He added knowing you needed urgent medical attention. You scrambled to grab Peter’s hand, squeezing it tightly in an attempt to get rid of the pain.

You opened your eyes, stupidly glancing down to look at your leg. “I’m going to be sick,” you mumbled as you saw the blood and quickly closed your eyes again. You began to feel faint, your head spinning and nausea rising.

“Hey,” Peter began, causing you to blink open your eyes and look up at him, his wet hair sticking to his head. His expression was laced with concern but he still managed to smile down at you, trying to calm your racing heart. His hand went to cup your cheek, his thumb stroking across your cheekbone. “You’re going to be alright, I promise,” he said and you just nodded, biting down hard on your lower lip while trying to ignore the pain radiating from your thigh.

The doors to the stairs suddenly opened, Tony limping into the room with a green looking Bruce close behind.

“Oh shit,” your dad said, stumbling over the rubble and ignoring the pain from his injured foot caused by the missile attack. He knelt down next to you, his face full of concern as Bruce checked how bad your wound was.

“Is she going to be alright?” Tony asked but before Bruce could reply, some rubble over in the corner began to move. Steve slowly pulled himself out from the pile, grunting from the effort. His clothes were torn and dusty, face slightly bloody as he had faced the brunt of the missile attack.

“Sam!” He shouted before seeing Tony, Bruce and Peter around you.

“I’m good,” Sam called from over at the furthest wall, laying on his back and just taking deep breaths to calm his racing heart.

“Steve, are you alright?” Tony asked, his hand stroking your hair to calm you while Bruce took his belt off, wrapping it around your thigh above the wound.

“Yes, I’m alright. You?” he replied, pulling himself up to stand and walking over to help Sam.

“She needs to go to the medical bay, now,” Bruce said to everyone and Peter sprung into action. He gently scooped you up into his arms in the bridal carry. He forced back tears when he heard the soft whimper of pain come from you due to the sudden movement.

“It’s alright, I’ve got you,” he mumbled, glancing down at you before heading down towards the medical bay, thankful that it was near the bottom of the tower and hadn’t been hit by the missile. “You’re safe.”

***

You sat up in one of the beds in the medical bay, your head slightly fuzzy from the strong pain relief Bruce had given you. Peter stood by your side as Bruce began working on fixing your wound.

Natasha sat up in the bed next to you, Bucky next to her and helping her patch up her wounded arm. Tony was sat at the end of your bed, fingers tapping away at his tablet while mumbling to himself.

“How the hell did someone hack Jarvis?” Natasha asked and Tony shook his head, ignoring her comment.

“More importantly, why?” Steve asked.

“D-Defence shutters,” you mumbled, your free hand covering your eyes as the other gripped onto Peter’s.

“Without Jarvis up and running,” Peter began to explain when he saw the small frown on Sam’s face. “They could prevent the shutters going down, thus meaning we had no defence and they could blow us up.”

“Shutters are down now,” Tony mumbled before glancing at you, a concerned look on his face. He glanced back down at the code on his screen, trying to figure out how they had hacked Jarvis.

Slowly everyone started to leave the medical bay, Steve, Sam and Bucky going to help Thor and the clean up crew that Tony had called in to help remove the rubble. Natasha went to inform Pepper who was out on business, letting her know before the press could spin the story.

After Bruce had stitched and bandaged you up and said you were all clear, Peter helped you slowly walk up to your floor, his arm around your waist to hold you up. You saw that part of your floor had been impacted by the missile attack, your bedroom a complete mess.

Tears began to swell in your eyes as most of your stuff was ruined, turned to ash by the fire that had engulfed half your bedroom.

“Do-Do you want to stay at mine?” Peter finally asked, stuttering slightly. You looked up at him, blinking slightly as you tried to process what he had said. The drugs Bruce had given you were definitely helping ease the pain but they had made you a bit slow and sleepy.

“Yours? W-Where would I sleep later?” You asked with a frown and Peter chuckled.

“In my room, in my bed,” he explained but your frown just deepened.

“Okay, but what about you?”

“Well, I was thinking about sleeping in my bed too... With you,” he said with a smile as he saw you try and understand what he was saying.

“Oh... Sorry, I’m pretty drugged up right now.”

“You don’t say.”

You finally made your way to Peter’s after repeatedly telling your dad you would be fine and that you didn’t fancy bunking with Sam for the next week or so while the tower was getting fixed. He eventually agreed with a huff and on the arrangement that a few of his security team would drive you there and then be posted outside May’s apartment to keep watch.

Peter helped you down onto his bed, the pain from your thigh fully numb now due to the drugs. You let out a sigh, head resting against the pillows with your eyes closed before you realised something.

“You only have a single bed,” you said, slowly blinking your eyes open to look at Peter who chuckled.

“I guess we’ll just have to get cosy,” he said before going to the bathroom to change out of his wet and dusty clothes. He came back to find that you had managed to change out of your clothes, with a lot of effort, now simply wearing your black underwear and his NASA top that was just covering your bum.

He glanced at the slightly bloody bandage around your thigh, the sight causing his heart to break.

“Are you alright?” You asked from the bed and Peter just sighed, coming over to lay down next to you. You gingerly moved to cuddled up to his chest without moving your leg too much, his arm wrapping around you and gently stroking your hair.

“I’m so sorry,” he mumbled out a few moments later and you frowned slightly, glancing up at him.

“Why? You did nothing wrong.”

“I should have felt it sooner. You got badly injured because of me,” he said with a sad sigh. You shifted slightly so that you could cup his cheek and look him in the eyes.

“Hey, if you hadn’t have sensed it when you did then right now I’d probably be injured with more than just a leg wound,” you said, a thumb stroking across his cheekbone as you gave him a soft smile. “You saved me.” Peter smiled softly at you before placing a kiss on your forehead.

“I love you so much. I’m so glad you are okay,” he whispered.

“I love you too,” you replied before cuddling back into him and falling asleep within a few minutes due to the drugs making you sleepy. Peter began to read a book with you still cuddled up against him, softly smiling down at your sleeping form.

“I love you,” he whispered again, kissing your forehead before settling in to read his book.

***

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[windowlessatmosphere]

Lighting a Candle, Ch.6

Read on AO3

Summary: Tony takes matters into his own hands, and elects to get Steve and Bucky together by any means necessary. Steve and Bucky, who have been married twice already, are amused and slightly concerned.

“You think we should maybe tell Sam?” Steve looked over at Bucky, standing between him and the elevator doors, his back to Steve. He was never fully relaxed unless they were both in the apartment, just the two of them.

Bucky snorted and replied, his gaze still on the doors, “That didn’t last too long, huh, Rogers?”

“I feel bad,” Steve admitted. “Like I said, I’m pretty sure he knows we’re a couple, he just thinks we’re trying to hide it. I feel like we shouldn’t take advantage of him being a good guy just so we can mess with Tony, that’s all,” he added, leaning back against the wall of the elevator.

“Okay,” Bucky started, cutting himself off when the elevator doors opened, too early for their floor.

A young woman wearing workout clothes, a duffel bag over her shoulder, gave them both a quick smile and got on the elevator, quickly pushing her floor button before taking her phone out.

Bucky quietly took a small step back, and Steve obliged and moved further into the corner so that Bucky was directly between him and the girl. The three stood in silence until the doors opened again and the girl stepped off, nodding at them as she exited the elevator. Steve saw a bit of tension leave Bucky once the doors were closed again, his shoulders minutely relaxing.

“I think you’re underestimating the value of messing with Tony,” Bucky offered up mildly, shifting to the side a little to allow Steve to come out of the corner of the elevator.

Steve snorted at that, running a hand through his hair.

“We could still mess with Tony, I just think we give Sam a heads-up so he doesn’t worry himself to death,” Steve suggested, nudging the heel of Bucky’s with his toe. The point of contact between the two of them made Bucky relax slightly, and Steve heard him let out a slow breath.

The elevator doors opened again, this time on their floor, and Bucky ducked his head out, checking both ways before nodding at Steve. At the signal, Steve followed Bucky down the hallway until they reached their door. He grabbed the keys out of his pocket, unlocking the door as Bucky covered him completely from one side and dutifully watched the other.

“We live in a very safe building, Buck,” he pointed out mildly, once they were both inside the apartment and Bucky was re-locking everything.

“I know,” Bucky sighed, turning to face him and leaning against the door. “It’s dark out. It’s always worse when it’s dark,” he muttered, not quite making eye contact.

“Okay,” Steve replied easily, pressing a kiss to Bucky’s cheek before flipping on the overhead light. He dropped his keys in the bowl, then walked over to turn the lamps in the living room on.

“Better?” he asked, raising an eyebrow as he turned to look at Bucky.

“Yeah,” Bucky breathed, smiling slightly and taking his jacket off.

Steve toed his shoes off and set them in the hallway leading to the bedroom before settling on the couch, Bucky joining him shortly after and wrapping his arms around Steve.

“So you wanna tell Wilson?” he asked, voice muffled from where his face was pressed into the back of Steve’s neck.

“I think we should,” Steve replied, pulling one of Bucky’s legs around his waist and absentmindedly tracing circles into his knee. “He thinks we’re in a secret relationship and that Tony’s plan is gonna out us. And possibly that we’re ashamed of it, but I’m not really sure,” he admitted, craning his neck to look at Bucky over his shoulder.

“Okay,” Bucky agreed, sounding very content and whining when Steve stopped rubbing his knee. Steve snorted and started it back up, shaking his head at how differently Bucky acted when he was in what he’d decided was a safe environment.

“Okay?” Steve asked, wanting to make sure Bucky was actually onboard.

“Yeah,” Bucky said, voice clearer as he leaned his head back. “He kept your dumb ass from dying when I wasn’t around to do it. We shouldn’t get him stressed over some joke we’re playing on Tony.”

“Language,” Steve teased, grinning widely.

“God,” Bucky said, shaking his head disdainfully. “I can’t believe you somehow convinced ‘em all that you don’t swear. Or don’t approve of it,” he added. “Whichever.”

“There wasn’t any swearing in the 40s, Bucky,” Steve said, adopting what Bucky called the ‘Captain America’ voice. “That’s some sort of new-fangled invention,” he continued, only breaking from his serious expression when Bucky snorted and jabbed him in the ribs.

“Also gay people,” Bucky added in a poor imitation of the ‘Captain America’ voice. “We didn’t actually exist back then. Thank god we have Stark to let us know that men can be in relationships together,” he continued, breaking out of the voice halfway through and shifting more into blatant sarcasm.

“And with Brokeback Mountain?” Steve laughed. “I don’t know if it’s possible to be alive in the 21st century and not hear that referenced enough to have a rough understanding of the movie,” he rolled his eyes, still chuckling.

“I don’t think subtlety is really Stark’s strong suit,” Bucky pointed out, pulling Steve back against him before pressing a kiss to his jawline.

“Or yours, apparently,” Steve countered when Bucky slipped a hand up his shirt.

“This is purely platonic,” Bucky insisted, “Y’know, just like us living together and sharing a bed and holding hands.”

“Yeah, I really don’t know how Tony doesn’t know,” Steve laughed. “It doesn’t take a genius, but isn’t he supposed to be one?”

“Stark’s a robot genius, not a people genius.”

“A people genius?”

“Yeah, like Natalia.”

“Nat’s a people genius?” Steve asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Yes.” Bucky said firmly. “She can always tell what’s going on in people’s minds. What their motivations are, how things make them feel.”

“I guess it makes sense she’s not involved with Tony’s plan, then,” Steve offered.

“She is.”

“What?”

“She is involved.”

“Buck, why would she be involved if she’s a…people genius? Shouldn’t she know we’re together?” Steve asked, furrowing his brow.

“She definitely knows. But she was signing to Clint about it during dinner. He wasn’t involved, but he probably is now,” Bucky shrugged. “I figure she’s probably also trying to mess with Tony, so technically, she’s our ally.”

“Okay, so…our relationship, which wasn’t a secret, is something Nat figured out and told Clint. We’re telling Sam. And Tony definitely doesn’t know.” Steve summarized. “What about Thor and Bruce?”

“I doubt Thor’s thought about it. Banner probably suspects, but he’s not back for another week, so Stark can’t annoy him about it.”

“I can’t believe we somehow ended up in a secret relationship,” Steve groused. “I figured they’d assume we were just dating and we’d have to explain we actually got married—”

“Twice,” Bucky stressed, interrupting.

“Yes, that we got married twice,” Steve amended fondly. "But everyone thinking we’re just friends is way too weird. I mean, it took the Commandos, what?”

“About 30 seconds after you came busting into their cell, apparently,” Bucky smirked.

“You weren’t even there!” Steve protested, not wanting to rehash this argument again.

“Dum-Dum told me that’s when he knew,” Bucky defended himself. “Even so, I’d been going on and on about my gal back home to everyone. Blonde, blue-eyed, pretty little artist with a penchant for starting fights she couldn’t finish. I guess once you actually showed up, it was pretty obvious that ‘Stephanie’ was actually Steve.”

“Pretty?” Steve asked, grinning cheekily.

“I may have exaggerated on a few points, punk,” Bucky teased, causing Steve to snort and roll his eyes.

“Jerk.”

[rosa-berberifolia]

Welcome Back|Mortal Kombat x Reader|Erron Black x Reader

A/N: Welcome back to my Erron Black series, thanks for making it this far. Lower that brightness and leave the room that your parents are in cause here comes the smuts

Be Warned: 87% NSFW

Word Count: 2400ish

-------------------------

Johnny, your brother, and Cassie, your niece, had come back from their long mission just over a week ago. Erron, even though his job was technically done with Johnny’s return, stuck around for that while before approaching you solemnly.

“What’s wrong?” You had asked him. He was hesitant to answer you.

“There’s a job.” He started, and immediately you could feel both sadness and anger erupt in you all at once. Tears instantly spilled from your eyes as you looked at him incredulously.

“I knew it. I fucking knew it!” You screamed at him turning away from the potions you were working on at the Special Forces base. “I knew you were going to do this! And to think that for a minute I thought that you were telling the truth!” 

“Y/n, I -” Erron tried to speak but you interrupted him.

“No! Just fucking go since that was your god damn plan all along!” Your screams echoed through the base and before you finished your sentence Johnny had come running down the hall, terrified that something terrible was happening to you. 

And it was. Your heart was imploding. Shattering into a million pieces and scattering over your internal organs. Your whole body ached, your stomach was turning, and your muscles were weak. You had to put a hand on the table to keep yourself up. Everything inside of you was being crushed, and it was because you opened your heart to a liar.

“Y/n, that was never my intention!” Erron said loudly to be heard over you. “It’s just a small job. I’ll be back within a few days.”

“Bullshit!” You spat back at him.

“Woah, woah, woah!” Johnny intervened, “What’s going on here?” He said stepping between the two of you and holding his hands out to keep you apart. He looked at you sadly, remembering a memory that he had of your childhood together when you were 17.

Johnny found you crying in your room. He knocked on the door and came in, sitting beside you on the bed.

“Who do I need to beat up?” he asked putting an arm around you. You smiled shyly at him, but you were unable to lie to him, and you burst into a fit of sobs.

��H-He dum-dumped me.” You managed between sobs. 

“Carson?” Johnny asked naming your now ex-boyfriend. You could only nod.

“What?!” He said out of fake disbelief. “Aw, Y/n. I’m sorry.” He pulled you in closer to place a quick kiss on the side of your head.

“He did it by text.” You admitted. “I’ve tried calling but he won’t answer.”

“What a total douche nozzle!” Johnny exclaimed.

“It feels like my heart has been put through mom’s meat grinder.” You cried and Johnny held you to his chest and let you sob into his shirt.

“The Kitchen-Aid?” Johnny asked and you just nodded. He just squeezed you tighter and started rocking back and forth to calm you.

Johnny looked at you questioningly. You just started to weep, bending over and holding your stomach as you wailed. “You are such a god damn ass hole!” you yelled passed Johnny to Erron.

Erron looked so defeated. He tried to speak again but in a split second, Johnny looked at him and held up his hand for him to stop talking. Erron held out his hands to you and took a step towards you, but Johnny pressed his hand against Erron’s chest to stop him. Both of them looked back to you.

“Johnny,” You started as your wails calmed down, “Kitchen-Aid.” That was all you had to say for Johnny to know that your heart was breaking as you were all standing there. His concerned face turned to look at Erron while turning to quite possibly the angriest face he had ever made. 

“You hurt my sister.” Johnny said pointedly at Erron. And then he made a fist and hurled it at Erron’s face. Erron stepped back a few paces as he got hit square in the eye. “Get the fuck out of here!” Johnny yelled. By now there was a crowd drawn to the ruckus. Erron looked at you, hoping you would tell him to stay. His eyes pleaded at you. But your heart was demolished. And so you just gave him the finger. Sadly, Erron turned and walked through the crowd and left.

///

It had been nine days since Erron had left. Johnny and his team had managed to capture the people that were trying to kidnap you, so you were free to go home. You had researched several cures for heartache, but none of them seemed to work. You were working on another possible cure when there was a knock on your door.

You were surprised to see the tall cowboy standing at your door. You were just about to slam the door in his face when he called to you.

“Wait!” He said, “Please?” You looked at him, the absolute sadness filling you once again. You tried to hide how much he damaged you with anger. But you knew he could see right through you. “I brought you dragon scales.” He added quickly.

That got your attention. Dragon scales were incredibly rare and incredibly useful for making powerful potions. You couldn’t deny that you wanted them. So slowly you opened the door wider, eyed Erron suspiciously, but then ultimately, motioned your head for him to come in.

“Thank you, Ma’am.” He said taking his hat off, holding it to his chest, and then bowing slightly to you. He walked in and the hard step of his boot filled your home. You closed the door and went back to your kitchen.

“What are you making?” He asked trying to make conversation.

“Cure for heartbreak.” You answered matter of factly. His head fell immediately at your words. 

“I tried to tell you that I was gonna come back.” He said solemnly. He put his hat on a table and came to you in the kitchen. You looked at him but didn’t respond. You just went back to stirring the contents of your pot. You heard him sigh deeply behind you and then the sound of his boots on the floor. 

Erron stood directly behind you. He put each of his hands on yours, forcing you to drop the spoon into the pot. He wrapped both of your guys’ arms around you as he pulled your back to his chest to capture you in a tight hug. He bent his head down into the side of your neck. He inhaled the smell of your hair deeply.

“I’ll always come back.” He said into your hair. Tears were streaming down your cheeks. “I’ll always come back to my girl.” He said as you cried and sniffled. You suddenly turned around in his arms to face him. You wrapped your arms around him and squeezed him to you. He kept his arms around you and held you to him still. 

“I was so afraid.” You confessed to him.

“I know, and I’m sorry. But you gotta know that I’ll always come back to ya.” Erron soothed as he put one hand on your cheek and urged you to look up at him. He bent down to kiss you softly.

Through tears you kissed him back. You could hear him sigh in relief that you accepted his kiss. It grew more passionate as you continued kissing. Soon you found yourself getting more heated. The wetness between your legs increased. Your hands started fumbling with the zipper of his leather vest.

You got the zipper down and Erron pulled the garment off of himself, leaving him with a bare chest. He reached down for the hem of your shirt and quickly pulled it over your head. His hands roamed around your body, giving your breasts a squeeze before letting them rest on your butt. 

Your hands felt up and down his chest and abs. Once you started trying to undo the belts around his hips, Erron wrapped his arms around your waist and he picked you up. He carried you into your bedroom and set you down on the bed so that you were sitting on the edge and he knelt in front of you. He took off his belts and then went to cup your face before kissing you deeply again.

“I’m so sorry, darlin’.” He said between kisses. “I’m so sorry I scared you.” He kissed you again. “You need to know that I’ll always come back.” He rested his forehead on yours. “Let me make it up to you?” Erron looked you in the eyes. You saw that all of his words were the truth in his eyes. He meant everything that was coming out of his mouth. You leaned forward and kissed him and then nodded. He cupped your cheek in his hand and pulled you in for another kiss. “Lay back baby girl.” He said as his hand trailed down to your chest and he gently pushed you to lay back onto the bed. 

Erron’s fingers undid the button on your pants and he pulled them and your underwear off of your legs. He part your legs and wrapped his arms around your thighs, giving them a tug to pull you closer to him. He kissed gently up each of your thighs, leaving little love bites on each before he reached your core. He left a kiss to the lips there while he looked up at you. You were leaning on your elbows watching him.

“Lay down.” He ordered in a more authoritative voice than before. You smirked at him. “I won’t continue if you don’t lay down.” He said. You gave him a wary look before ultimately listening to him and resting your head on the mattress. 

He licked a long strip up your pussy and stopped to suck on your clit once he got to it. It made you squirm. He ceased his actions and looked up at you.

“You gotta stay still, baby doll.” He commanded.

“Or what?” You asked playfully. He smiled and gave your thigh a hard bite. “OUCH!” You said but couldn’t hide the laughter in your voice. Erron looked up at you waiting for you to comply with his orders. You huffed and laid back down on the bed.

Immediately he started to work on your clit with an assault of kitten licks intermingled with him taking it into his mouth to suckle it briefly before going back to licking. The feeling was amazing and intense and it took everything in you to not move. But it was too much.  Suddenly, and without your accord your hips bucked up.

“Oh no, baby girl.” Erron said coming away from your centre.  You whined at the loss of contact.  He stood up and took off his pants and underwear. “I told you not to move.” He came to your legs and lifted them so that your pussy was in line with his cock. “I’m gonna hafta punish you now.” He said before ramming himself into you as far as he could go.

You moaned at the action and you could see Erron smirking at you through your hooded eyes. He pulled out until just the tip was in and then he rammed back into you. The pace was slow but steady, and every time he came back in with such force it felt incredible.

“Mm, faster, please.” You begged.

“Nuh uh.” Erron countered with a shit eating grin. “If I give you what you want then you won’t learn.” He pulled out and dropped your legs. “Scoot back, darlin’.” He said. You did so and he followed you back on to the bed, crawling up your body, leaving kisses up your legs, stomach, chest, and then finally, your lips. The kiss was passionate and dominant on his end. Your tongues danced around with each others, but you knew it was his that was in charge. He kissed away from your lips, down your jaw to your neck. Once he got to the crook he started to leave little nips here and there. He got to your shoulder he kissed and sucked the skin there leaving a love bite. All the while his hand traveled down between your legs and he massaged your clit gently. It was both heaven and torture at the same time. You wanted more. More of him. All of him.

Soon Erron took his cock in his hand and you wrapped your legs around his waist. He teased your entrance with the tip of himself before he slowly entered you. He kissed you as he moved in and out at a good pace. It was sweet and tender. Not at all like the Erron you knew. But when he pulled away from kissing you to look deep in your eyes and rest his forehead on yours while he pumped in and out of you, you knew this time was different. This time, you weren’t just fucking. He was making love to you.

“Erron?” You said questioningly. You moaned as soon as you said his name. He kissed you again.

“Y/n,” He started, half moaning your name. “I love you.” He said with all seriousness as he gazed into your eyes. You looked into his and saw that he meant it. Every word.

“I love you too, Erron.” You said back breathlessly. You kissed again. You were getting close. You could feel the familiar knot in your stomach churning. You moaned again but this time it was louder than before.

“Come for me, baby.” He said kissing down your neck to find your sweet spot. You gasped when he found it and he continued to kiss and lick it until he felt your walls clutch around him. It felt so good to him that he came as well. You didn’t care that it was inside of you. You could deal with that later. All that mattered right now was that he was truly yours and you were truly his.

Erron Black loved you.

“Welcome back.” You said breathlessly as he pulled out of you and wrapped you in his arms.

“Thank you, darlin’.” Erron said before kissing your forehead sweetly.

[felicismagic18873]

Beyond the Blaze (12)

Summary: 4 Years old, Alyssa Potter finds her life taking a magical turn as she steps into a world of cute green giants, talking robots and misunderstood aliens. All of it is almost enough to make her forget the probable destruction of her own world.

Tony Stark hated paperwork. It was a known fact, a reality known by anyone who had ever worked under him. Sitting idle reading over boring clauses and fine print was not his thing. Its why he had a legal team, after all. This well-known fact is what Stane used to cover his tracks and deceive the person who he claimed was like a son to him

And it was also the reason Tony never signed whatever was handed to him anymore, actually, he refused to have things handed to him at all.

After Ob-Stane's betrayal, Tony and JARVIS went over any contract he was presented with together. JARVIS could double and triple check each clause and their after-effects within half a minute. This proved to be especially useful during research and paperwork for 'Project Ohana'.

After going through dozens of legal methods and Jarvis calculating their odds of succeeding he at one point considered just throwing a lot of money at the social services and hoping for the best but even that had its risks, risks he was not willing to take, not in this case.

After some research, it was clear that their options were limited to either adopting the kid or somehow getting into contact with the mutant community and figuring something out. Giving the kid up to the system was out of the question and he was saving the mutant option as a last-minute resort.

Adoption it was.

Due to the Newyork invasion, the need for adoptive parents outweighed the need to verify the eligibility of the parent and Tony (not without some semblance of guilt) hoped that it would help to fast track his own application.

But adopting a kid was, evidently, not as easy as it sounded, especially not for a reformed weapon seller. After going through dozens of other legal methods and Jarvis calculating their odds of succeeding he, at one point, considered just throwing a lot of money at the social services and hoping for the best but even that had its risks, risks he was not willing to take, not in this case.

So, in the end, he just sent in the paperwork needed to became a potential adoptive parent hoping for the best, all the while deliberately ignoring the word 'parent'. If anything it was more like him applying to have a roommate, yep, that's it. A tiny roommate

Looking up from his screen, Tony glanced at Dum-E whacking away at a small stool blocking his path, not yet realizing he could just take a few steps back and go around it.

A tiny roommate he'd be responsible for. Perfect.

-----------------------

Bruce was having an exhausting day. He didn't get much sleep the previous night, tossing and turning until he finally gave up and decided to meditate instead. Hulk was restless and no matter what he did, the other guy didn't give a single damn about the physical and mental stress he was causing Bruce.

Then, his meditation was interrupted by a call from Captain America who was keeping his promise of keeping in touch with him. Apparently the guy they were chasing managed to disappear after stabbing him multiple times and breaking Black widow's arm. Not the least stressful news to get first thing in the morning.

During breakfast, as he finished another call asking over the duos condition, Bruce idly contemplated blocking any other calls from the Captain for the rest of the day, Tony would support him wholeheartedly he was sure.

Though considering their last interaction, he was sure Alyssa wouldn't mind either. He realized she might actually be happy about it. Now that was a conversation they had to have soon. Not that particular day or week, but soon.

Bruce looked over the kid munching down apple slices while revising her tables, it was a mystery why such a sweet child would dislike Captain America to the point of making a face whenever his name was mentioned. He wondered if it was something she had picked on from Tony, not that he had could see Tony do such a thing. Then again, Bruce though leaning back against the couch, he didn't imagine Tony would end up trying to adopt Alyssa either. There was something about that that still bugged him.

So, after breakfast, he decided to go down to the lab. He managed to convince Tony to eat a few sandwiches all the while wondering how the man functioned during his working sprees when no one was around. By now even Alyssa had taken to handing random snacks to Tony whenever she saw him.

Once he was sure Tony had finished his food, he approached the issue that he had wanted to discuss with Tony in the first place, his promise to Alyssa about her future, which considering his current situation with the other guy, might not have been the best idea.

Bruce looked at Tony with tired eyes "Tony," He sounded exhausted, even to his own ears, "I am not against you. I want her here as much as you do. All I'm saying is that you shouldn't have promised Alyssa anything. Who knows how this will turn out and if it doesn't work, Tony, it will break her heart."

"No, it won't. Because this is going to work, " Tony said confidently while he added to the protocols in Javis's programming relating to the said girl.

Bruce rubbed the bridge of his nose, "And how exactly is this plan supposed to work?" He asked in an exasperated manner, "Tony, I can not adopt. Not even if I wanted to, " He stressed the words trying to make Tony understand where he was coming from," and we have no idea whether you will even be considered for the program much less deemed eligible to adopt. So, how can you be so sure this will work?" He stepped between Tony and the screen making Tony look at him.

Tony stilled for a second before continuing, "It'll work because it has to," Tony simply said, waving away the screen, "and if it doesn't we'll just find another way because we don't leave tiny avengers behind."

Bruce let out a tired but fond chuckle letting go of the smidgen of annoyance he felt, " Tiny avengers huh? Is that what we're calling them these days?"

"Yup," Tony popped out the 'P', shrugging. Even in his stained T-shirt and ripped jeans, he looked poised and confident starring down a man that even the army was afraid of, and Bruce kind of loved him for that.

Bruce absent-mindedly wondered how his life had gone from being a ran away to fighting aliens to discussing adoption with Tony Stark. Though the last did not seem so ridiculous after everything he had observed in the past weeks.

He could almost understand the sentiment behind Tony refusing to accept the fact that something may go wrong. He could see that Tony had the same doubts he did but he just wanted to hold onto hope a little longer. To do so otherwise felt like accepting defeat.

Bruce moved away from Tony and picking up the plate Tony had put on the workshop desk, he took the dishes over to the sofa instead. Placing the dishes on the side table he sat down for the first time since coming downstairs an hour ago.

Tony glanced at him once finishing off the task he had undertaken, then joined Bruce on the couch as Jarvis processed the changes. Tony thought that adding a 'Nanny protocol' was the best way of preventing any further incidents like Alyssa's meeting with Loki. It was a good idea, Bruce gave him that but something told him that if Alyssa wanted to get in trouble, there was nothing that could really stop her.

Thankfully, Hulk had calmed down the moment Bruce had entered the lab, he knew the other guy liked tony but he had had no idea how much until now. Bruce stayed silent for a while, closing his eyes and relaxing a bit. He thought over Alyssa's study session the night before. He had started teaching Alyssa from actual books than her practice books, which she had finished in a matter of days, and she took to her studies like a fish to the sea so she had no problem following him as he taught her things like tables and square roots. You know, everyday stuff.  

Speaking of-

"Any news on your application?" He spoke softly, opening his eyes to look at Tony. According to Jarvis after submission of the application, they were supposed to be informed whether or not Tony was qualified for adoption.

Tony stilled, "What day is it?" His eyes had a panicked look in his eyes.

Bruce hoped that the conclusion he had drawn from Tony's reaction was wrong, "Monday." he carefully told Tony, seeing as the panic from the eyes finally reflected on his face. And he knew-

"Shit!" Tony cursed.

Tony had forgotten the date. Bruce controlled a sigh, looking up as if begging for help.

Tony stood up in a quick movement." I was supposed to get the email today, or rather Pepper was. " He ran a hand through his hair, nervousness rolled off of him even though he was trying his best to hide it.

Bruce followed Tony with his eyes as he paced a bit, muttering to himself about how stupid it was that he forgot and that it was all Dum-E's fault for feeding him questionable smoothies, they must have messed with his head. Why else would he forget to set a reminder?

Bruce allowed Tony to rile himself up for a few moments then decided to interrupt the tirade by asking, "Pepper?"

"Jarvis, get me, Pepper" Tony declared before turning to Bruce, "Yes, Pepper. Do keep up Bruciekins." He seemed confused at Bruce's confusion like it was perfectly normal for Pepper to be getting Tony's email.

Bruce frowned a bit, " Pepper is not your PA anymore."

Tony rolled his eyes a bit, " Yes, I know. I was the one who gave her my company, remember?" Then looking at Bruce his features softened a bit, "She insisted that I give her email as the contact, something about rash actions and yadda yadda," He explained making talking signs with his hands.

Honestly, it made a lot of sense. Something Bruce had noticed over time was that Tony felt everything so very deeply. It was both a blessing and a curse. Small things that Bruce would not even think twice about seemed to ring with Tony, like him making dinner or Alyssa deciding that her Iron man Pj's were her favorite and wearing them whenever she could get away with it. Tony would try to hide it but Bruce could usually catch the fond smile tucked away at the corner of his lips.

But at the same time, it also made him very susceptible to being hurt which was probably the reason he tried not to let people know exactly how much he felt. But those that did know, a small group that now included Burce, knew that when he was overwhelmed he acted, well, reckless.

Who knows what Tony would have done if he read the email while as emotionally charged as he was nowadays, it was definitely a good idea for Pepper to break whatever news was in there to him gently, to act as a buffer.

It took about a minute before Pepper appeared on the screen. They were lucky that she picked up, seeing the fact that she was surrounded by a mountain of paperwork and probably would be busy the whole day. She was in the office working, which made sense since it was only ten in the morning.

"Mr.Stark, " Pepper spoke absently her eyes still locked on the papers before her, her red hair stood out against the bland decorations of the office. The frown on her face as she rubbed her forehead hinted at an upcoming headache. Bruce winced with sympathy.

Tony threw open his arms and grinned, "Peppermint!" He said with such affection that even Pepper couldn't help smiling, breaking the professional act she was trying to keep, as she put down her pen and leaned back on the chair, "Give me the good news, come on lay it on me."

Pepper shook her head looking amused, '' Uh-huh" She closed the file with the pen acting as the bookmark and rested her chin on her palm "What exactly do you want Tony? I'm busy." She gestured at all the files, "Oh Hello, Doctor Banner," She finally noticed him, giving a small wave of her hand.

Bruce raised a hand in greeting, " Bruce is just fine, Miss Potts." His lips twitched at the impatient look on Tony's face.

"Pe-"

"Then I insist on Pepper," She replied ignoring Tony's attempt to talk.

"The email, Pep! The email!" Tony finally burst out.

Peppers' face fell, she picked up a pen and started fiddling with it, not meeting their eyes and even before she spoke Bruce knew it wouldn't be good news.

"I didn't call because, well, I hoped to tell you in person," Pepper spoke quietly as if she was talking to herself, she looked at Tony for a second as if deciding whether or not it was okay to tell him. "Tony they didn't reject your application," She began slowly, "but it's under process. " She took a deep breath, bracing herself, "Tony, taking in your, well, colorful past, the process could take up to five to six months and that's just my minimum estimate," The pen was put away as Pepper; looked at Tony for his reaction.

Bruce also found himself focused on Tony. It was easier to focus on him than the dread that filled his stomach. He knew this was going to happen and yet nothing could have prepared him for the sudden sorrow he felt. Somehow the little girl had wormed her way into both of their hearts, even Hulk loved the little beastie.

Tony's face became blank before settling on what Bruce was starting to recognize as his go-to expression to process what was happening. His lips pressed close, eyes focused somewhere left to the screen and a small furrow between his eyebrows.

It took a few moments for Tony to break out of his thoughts. He wordlessly took one of the projections floating around and crumpled it in his hands like a ball. No one spoke, letting him gather his thoughts.

Tony threw the ball from one hand to the other eyes fixed on the bluish glow as he paced, "Okay," He started, taking a small breath, " it's fine, we're fine. We can figure something out." He stopped with a sudden jerk, "You know what doesn't make sense," He turned to look at Pepper, " They are willing to put the responsibility of the entire country, no the entire goddamn planet on our shoulders but when it comes to taking care of a kid I'm too irresponsible? Seriously? Assholes!" He threw the crumpled ball angrily towards the projection of a goal.

The goal flashed a new high score as the ball went through.

Bruce pressed his lips together and took a few calming breaths then he walked up to Tony and laid a gentle hand on his forearm. Tony immediately turned all his attention towards Bruce, the nervous energy almost emitting from his body. Bruce gestured to the chair placed near the working station. To his surprise, Tony didn't argue. He just allowed himself to be pushed into the chair

Tony cursed under his breath and threw his head back, staring at the ceiling, his fingers drummed an erratic beat on his thigh. Bruce could almost see the calculations happening behind his eyes, probably about their next step. Tony exhaled through his nose then said in a considering manner, "Didn't Rhodey once date someone in the CPS maybe he can-"

"Tony, they're just doing their jobs." Bruce interrupted before Tony could go on with that line of thought.

Tony cursed again.

Bruce absently noticed that Pepper was being too quiet, he glanced at her but she looked lost in thoughts. It took a few seconds for her to break the depressing silence.

"There is one way," She said softly like it wasn't meant to be heard.

Tony removed the hand he had placed over his eyes and gave her a very hopeful look. Bruce was mostly curious to see what she came up with.

"Look, I was thinking....maybe I can adopt her."

Everything stood still for a second.

"What?"

Pepper took a deep breath, exhaling through her nose. She corrected her posture, sitting up straight and looked straight at Tony, "I was approved for adopting two years ago.", She admitted, "I was planning to adopt anyways. And with what you told me about Alyssa's mutant status, well why not now?" She stopped for a second, "This way she can get the training and protection she needs without any legal problems and you get to be with her, " She nodded to herself, Bruce wondered whether she was convincing them or herself, " I can move into my floor at the tower if you haven't given it away" Pepper raised her eyebrows leaning back in the chair looking smug.

Tony kept starring at her before breaking out into a huge smile, "That is...great. Perfect! " He laughed happily, "Pepper potts you are a lifesaver! I love how your mind works, really, no joke. You are the most amazing woman I've ever met. You can adopt her and once I'm cleared-"

"We'll just transfer the rights." Pepper completed his thought and the old-time friends shared a satisfied smile, Bruce wondered whether this is how they looked after a successful deal. Their years of friendship were evident by their casual understanding of each other's thoughts.

"Miss Potts,-" Bruce couldn't stop himself from interrupting the small celebration though he knew it might work out better for them if he didn't.

"Pepper." Pepper corrected.

"Pepper then. Pepper you don't feel pressured or coerced to do this, do you? " He asked, wanting to make sure, "Because we can figure something else out, Adoption... it's not a small decision."

"I wouldn't have offered if I wasn't okay with it Bruce." Pepper let out a small reassuring smile, "You guys saved hundreds of lives, this is my chance to at least save one."

It made both of the men pause for a second as they looked at each other.

"If you're sure."," Bruce asked again, looking straight towards her to see any sign of discomfort.

"I am"." Pepper leaned back on her chair and replied confidently.

"Okay then," Bruce agreed and allowed himself to return her smile if Pepper was okay with it, he had no problem with the idea. It was the best they could do right now and honestly when he thought about it, Alyssa could use Pepper's influence in her life.

"So now that we've established that Pepper is willingly doing this, I am gonna give a green light on the shopping cart for Matilda," Tony declared as a list full of children's clothes, toys, and other necessities appeared on a side screen.

"Sure," Bruce chuckled, knowing he was the one who had acted as the figurative red light. "Knock yourself out,"

"Nothing strawberry flavored," Pepper warned with a stern look.

Tony looked like he wanted to argue before thinking otherwise," Nothing strawberry flavored." He agreed.

-----------------------

Alyssa was used to getting ready for parties and get-togethers, her uncle loved taking her to his parties, cause while Dudley usually ended up making a scene, she was usually well behaved. Even her aunt loved to show off the girl they had taken in from the kindness of their hearts ( as if she didn't insist on dumping her in the orphanage the whole first year Alyssa stayed with them), she wanted people to see how well they had raised her.

So, it wasn't a new thing to get ready in a pretty dress but that night she got ready with extra attention. Mista Tony had picked out a beautiful red dress with a bow in the back for her and she loved it. She combed her hair, pulling them back in a half up half down ponytail with Bruce's help, it was a bit tilted but you couldn't tell when she moved around and she also tidied up her room, packing away all the workbooks that littered her bedside table.

She wasn't as messy as Dudley but she wanted to make a good first impression. She was gonna meet Tony's Pepper today. She remembered seeing the red-headed lady that day in the living room but Tony explained that she didn't mean what she said and that she was going to help them now, she was the reason Alyssa got to stay with Tony and Bruce. Alyssa wondered if that meant she was now Alyssa's Pepper too.

If what Mista Bruce said was true then Pepper was going to be like Melina but Alyssa already had a Melina. She put a hand over her heart then clutched the Lilly shaped pendant tight until it left imprints on her little hand. Sometimes at night, she found herself thinking of what might have happened to her friend and it upset her to the point of holding in sobs. She missed Melina to the point of hurting.

Alyssa broke away from her thoughts, putting down the last dish on the dinner table. She had undertaken the task of setting the table each night, after such a long time of doing chores it felt weird sitting idle so she'd managed to get Bruce to assign her some simple ones.

"Pepper alert, " Tony declared from where he was lounging on the couch reading over some files.

Alyssa looked up seeing the said woman entering the penthouse. Miss Pepper looked very pretty, she was wearing a grey dress with some sort of coat on top. It reminded Alyssa of the people Uncle Vernon used to have on his business parties so Alyssa decided that she must have come straight from work.

Pepper greeted Bruce first then gave a short hug to Tony before turning towards Alyssa, she bowed down a bit to meet her eye to eye, " And you must be, Alyssa. Its good to finally meet you."

Alyssa smiled at her and curtsied, remembering what Melina taught her," Its good to meet you too, Miss Pepper. Thanks for helping us." The locked stayed warm around her neck, the warmth of it comforting her a little bit.

Miss Pepper looked a bit surprised before she smiled, "Anytime sweetheart and I'd really like it if you called me Pepper."

Alyssa thought over it for a while, "Okay, I can do that. " She nodded happily.

"Hey! That's not fair. " Tony exclaimed playfully.

Alyssa grinned at Tony before turning back towards Pepper, " I'm going to go wash my hands now, excuse me."

If she had stayed a bit longer she would have seen Pepper turn to Tony with an amused smile and ask, "Did you teach her that? The curtsy and stuff? "

To which Tony shrugged, "Nah, that's just Alyssa."

She would have also seen the thoughtful look on Pepper's face but as she was too busy washing her hands, she didn't see any of that.

When Alyssa returned, the adults were already sitting around the table, discussing things like lawyers and stuff. She climbed into her chair next to Tony and listened to them carefully even if she didn't get some of the things they were talking about.

The food tasted as great as always, Mista Bruce was a really good cook even better than Aunt Petunia or the lady from the street over who always had yummy food at her parties. They talked about a lot of things, what kind of books Alyssa liked to read and how far along she was in her studies. It was nice

Then Mis-Pepper told her about the adoption process and how everything was going to work. They told her that she'd have to live with Pepper for at least six weeks before the adoption becomes legal, then they might have occasional visits from a social worker but that was about it. Alyssa thought over it for a while before tentatively asking if she could still go to the lab with Tony and study with Bruce, Please.

Her request seemed to stump all of them for a while then they hurriedly explained that not much had to change since Pepper was moving to the tower. She would have two rooms, one that she already had and one on Peppers floor and she'd have Peppers name as her guardian, that's it.

Alyssa took a breath of relief, she was glad she didn't have to leave even if she did like Pepper.

It wasn't long before it was her sleeping time, this time however Pepper joined the two men in tucking her in. Alyssa snuggled deep into the covers and looked up at the three people standing around her bed, two of which she already loved and one she was sure she could learn to love. She blew a kiss, smiling as Tony and Bruce caught it and placed it on their heart just like she had once told them. Pepper looked on with a curious but happy smile.

Alyssa was asleep within minutes, safely burrowed beneath the covers, her family surrounding her.

[criminal-lymindless]

starker ft. the conjuring au 🏠

"Diabolical forces are formidable. These forces are eternal, and they exist today. The fairy tale is true. The devil exists. God exists. And for us, as people, our very destiny hinges upon which one we elect to follow."

// Part 2 //

During a particular morning, a reporter went to visit them, wanting to ask questions about the notorious room in the house where they kept objects related to the cases they had investigated so far.

Peter was hesitant about it; most of those people used to accuse them of quackery. However, Tony, on the other hand, had decided to give the reporter named Everett Ross a chance, willing to give him the opportunity to know more about their investigations.

Peter decided to stay in the living room while Tony led the man into their secret room, unlocking the door.

"We keep everything locked in here." He explained to the reporter and pushed the door, entering the place. "Feel free to look around. Just don't touch anything. Trust me. You don't want to be touching this stuffs --Unless your that desperate to die, then okay."

"Wow..." Everett looked around, he was clearly amazed by the things he saw there. "This is crazy..." The man commented. “So all these are taken from cases you've investigated?" He turned to look at Tony who nodded positively.

"That's right. Everything you see in here is either haunted, cursed or has been used in some kind of ritualistic practice." Tony clarified as he walked between the shelves. "Nothing is a toy." He added and watched Everett crouch down to look at a stuffed animal. "If I were you I wouldn't touch that."

Everett suddenly took a step back once hearing that and stood up, clearing his throat.

"Uh...If I may Mr. Stark, but Isn't it scary or doesn't it worry you to have all these items right in your home?" The reporter questioned.

"That's why a priest comes by once a month to bless the room." Stark explained. "It's safer for these things to stay in here than out there. Who knows what would happen if they did. Probably the end of the work." Tony chuckled a bit. Everett Ross nodded as he listened to Stark.

"So it's like keeping guns off the street then?" He said. "But why not throw everything in an incinerator? Destroy them?" The man asked curiously while taking notes, now standing in front of Tony.

"That would only destroy the vessel." Tony assured him. "Sometimes it's better to keep the genie in the bottle." He winked at him.

The reporter looked around once again after hearing that. He was a bit anxious and when he started talking again, Tony watched him carefully, eyed him up and down. He had an idea on what was making Everett nervous, and the REAL reason why the man came over to visit them.

Which is why he needed to act quick.

Tony clapped his hands together, giving the man a fake smiled as he signal him to follow him. "Already then, if you don't have anymore questions we can finally wrap this shit up--"

"Is the, uh, Annabelle doll here?" Everett interrupted Tony before he could even finished his sentence. The reported looked around for the familiar the doll everyone has talked about.

Shit.

Stark sighed and muttered a few curse words to himself. So much for acting quickly. He reluctantly pointed to another direction, "Right over there. But we don't have time for--" Everett ignored him and walked up to where they kept the doll.

Tony is really starting to consider this interview was a bad idea, and maybe Peter was actually right for once. He walk towards the reporter and the doll, where it was stored in a wood and glass case they had built for it.

Everett looked at the doll for a few moments before turning to look at Tony again. "You said she's a conduit?" He asked and began taking notes again.

Tony only hummed in response. He was getting really tired of this interview and needed to wrap this up already. They couldn't be this close to that doll, even if it was safe on that wooden glass case. Anything is possible.

"But what does that mean?" The reporter turned on his tape recorder this time.

"It means that a very powerful demonic has latched itself onto her." He told Ross as he looked at the doll for a second. Glaring his eyes into her empty one's.

"So when you guys investigate these hauntings, how do you stop them from latching onto you?"

Tony shrugged. "We have to take great precaution." He explained trying to remain calm.

"Is that what happened to Peter then?" The man then questioned.

This cause Tony to snap his neck at him, arching an eyebrow. His mood suddenly changed when he heard that. "...What about him?" Tony frowned. Everett seemed a bit nervous after seeing his reaction. He knew damn well he's stepping into some sensitive stuffs.

'Could be another reason why Ross came over after all.' Tony thought to himself, looking directly at Everett. 'Why would this guy need this information anyway? Couldn't he just fucking read in another newspaper?'

"Well, Father Strange told me that..."

Oh, that little fucker--

"That was different." Tony snapped. Not caring that this was being recorded. No one comes after his baby boy. Not even some fucking priest with some shitty weird name. Fuck Stephen. "What happened to Peter happened during an exorcism. Nothing else."

"And what's the difference?" Everett challenged back.

Tony was about to tell Everett to 'fuck off' and leave because he was being bothered by the intrusive questions, when he heard something coming from behind one of the shelves.

"Excuse me." He murmured before walking towards the place where the sound came from, sighing as he found the familiar face of a little puppy crouched behind the shelf, weaving his little tail.

"Dum-E, what the hell are you doing?" Tony sighed as he looked at the puppy he had adopted with Peter years ago. "You know better than snooping around here, darling? Did you touch anything?" Dum-E only barked in return.

"Alright, come on." Tony took Dum-E into his arms. "You can't go into this room, no matter what, remember?" He said and after making sure Dum-E would stay at the kitchen with Peter where he would watch him, before he went back to where Everett was.

"Alright Everett, listen the fuck up--"

*******

Somewhere else, a Family had just moved to Rhode Island after loosing their Jobs and home. They were both skeptical and dejected with this new change in their lives, however they were stil glad to have found a house at their current state, where they would move in with their five children. Even if the house was actually an dilapidated farmhouse.

The family was know as the Barton's. It included Clint and Laura Barton with their five children, Cooper, Lila, Nathaniel, and the twins Wanda and Pietro. The twins being the oldest and Nathaniel the youngest of the Five.

The Barton's didn't take long to fit in, each kid sharing a comfortable bedroom and the parents managing to keep the expenses with the money they have left while one of them look for a job. It was great. The Kids would go to school, Clint would continue to unpack or fix a bit on the house, Laura would make food while also do a bit of cleaning around, and Nathaniel would run around playing by himself until his siblings return from school.

Things were going incredibly well until unusual situations started happening in the house.

At first, it was just weird sounds that came from different parts of the house in the middle of the night, then, objects began to show up in different places without anyone touching them. Clocks would stop at exactly 3 am in the morning.

Everyone in the house was aware of this, but no one had spoken up about it yet. They all thought that they were probably suffering from mass hysteria because of stress. Which was quite possible.

However, it was not until one accident that made it impossible to ignore the situation. That one accident that made it clear that something was going on, and it was not because of mass hysteria, but something connected to the house and the weird things that were happening so far.

Funny how it happened the night Wanda woke up in the middle of the night after feeling someone grabbing one of her feet.

The be continued...

[katsens-writing]

Meeting the Team

Summary: You’re a SHIELD agent doing some research on your future co-workers... until you run into one of them.

Word Count: 2.1k (give or take a few)

Content: Fluff, maybe a little angst? Let me know if I need to add any!

A/N: This. This thing right here was supposed to be just a simple, short and sweet meet-cute. Three stories and three weeks later, I’m done. This and the second story, Meeting the Agent, are parallel running stories but you should read this one first. The third story is called Meeting the Sergeant. It should be read before or after Meeting the Team and Meeting the Agent. Let me know what you think! I might make more from it...

~

     As soon as you got through security at the museum, you went straight to the exhibit you were looking for. It’d been a while since you had been to the Smithsonian, but you knew the way from memory. You smiled wistfully as you walked past other familiar displays and cases. Weaving through them was like walking down memory lane for you. Finally reaching the exhibit you had come to see, you opened your notebook and pushed the brim of your black baseball cap up with the end of your pencil. You remembered the first time you went to see the Captain America exhibit with your mom. You must have been only four or five then, but you loved it so much that you wanted to go there for every birthday and special occasion. By the time you went to see it on a class trip, all the museum employees in that wing knew you by name. Eventually, you guys moved away when your mom was assigned to an embassy. You hadn’t been there in years when your mom heard from some old work friends back in D.C. that the Smithsonian had added an Avengers exhibit. As soon as she heard, she immediately booked some plane tickets to go see it opening day, as a surprise for your birthday. The second you saw it, your jaw dropped in awe. After walking through it you whipped around and told your mom that you were going to be an Avenger one day. You remembered your mother’s amused expression as you marched off to the Captain America exhibit.

     When you got your acceptance letter from the academy years later, you both jumped up and down screaming and crying. Just a month after that, you said goodbye to your mother and moved back to the States. Two years later, your mother wept in the audience as you walked across the stage to receive your badge from Nick Fury and shake his hand at the SHIELD induction ceremony. When you met her for lunch last week in Prague and told her about your new assignment with the Avengers, you could’ve sworn she was going to pass out. Now here you are in D.C., reading up on your future coworkers. You already knew so much about most of the team, but you wanted to refresh your memory before meeting them.

     You read over the story of Captain America again, even though you practically had it memorized even after all these years. As you walked through his exhibit, your eyes fell on the section dedicated to the Howling Commandos. You remembered hearing talks of the museum restoring the mural of Captain America and the Howling Commandos, so you quickly jotted down a reminder to check it out later before you moved over to the panel about them. You read through the brief articles on display about each of the commandos, for fun more than anything.

     ‘Caporal Jaques “Frenchie” Dernier, France, born January 2, 1911. Explosives and demolitions expert. French resistance.’

     Frenchie? You thought with a smirk. How original.

     ‘Private Gabriel “Gabe” Jones, United States. Born August 14, 1918, in Macon, Georgia. Translator and Communications Specialist. United States Army, 92nd Infantry Division.’

     I remember learning about him in high school. You blinked thoughtfully. I think he was the one that arrested Zola.

     ‘Corporal Jim Morita, United States. Born October 20, 1919, in Fresno, California. Marksman and Medic. United States Army, Nisei Squadron.’

     Brigadier James Montgomery Falsworth, Great Britain. Born January 2, 1914, in Birmingham, England. Tactician and Marksman. British Armed Forces, 3rd Independent Parachute Brigade.

     Huh. He had two kids. You blinked, pleasantly surprised.

     ‘Sergeant Timothy Aloysius Cadwallader “Dum Dum” Dugan’.

     Your eyebrows rose a little and you tried to stifle a laugh but it ended up coming out as a small snort. That’s a mouthful. No wonder he went by Dum Dum Dugan.

     You kept reading. ‘United States, born April 11, 1912. Transport specialist. United States Army, 69th Infantry Regiment.’

     You tilted your head curiously at a series of panels you hadn’t seen before, covered in newspaper articles, headlines, and various official reports. Drawing closer, you realized they were a replacement for the old panel ‘A Fallen Comrade’. You began reading the first panel titled ‘James Buchanan Barnes: War Hero, Winter Soldier, Avenger’. You casually scanned the headlines and titles until one caught your attention. Your eyes widened in shock and you froze as you realized just what exactly you were reading-- you had been there.

     You had been working for SHIELD for almost a year when it fell. You were in the control room when Alexander Pierce ordered the manhunt for Captain America and declared him a fugitive. You were in that same room when Captain America revealed over the P.A. system that Hydra had taken over and you did everything you could to fight back, passively and physically. After the helicarriers were launched, you and your coworkers managed to retake the control room, but it was too late. You contacted the aerial commander and told him to gather all SHIELD pilots. You lowered your head, a wave of guilt washing over you. One of them must have been Hydra. They never made it off the ground. 

     You were literally forced to watch helplessly as Steve fought the Winter Soldier on the helicarrier and your heart stopped when you saw him plummeting to the earth, watching in horror as the fiery wreckage rained down upon him from the sky above. You were five floors below where one of the helicarriers crashed into the building. The impact was bone-shaking and caused your Hydra captor to stumble, allowing you to gain the upper hand. After subduing him, you grabbed his radio. Without hesitation or authority, you took charge and immediately organized and coordinated search and rescue teams. You scattered the teams all over the SHIELD compound, the river, and its banks to look for any survivors, before joining one yourself. Now with SHIELD reforming, you were one of the first agents to return. After having already proven your loyalty, you were an easy choice for your new assignment.

     You shook your head to clear your thoughts. ‘James Buchanan “Bucky” Barnes, aka the Winter Soldier, possibly the world’s deadliest assassin and Hydra’s greatest weapon and asset.’

     You winced as you read that part. Why did they have to include that? You wondered. He’s not some tank or fighter jet.

     You continued reading. ‘Originally suspected in the terrorist attack on the Sokovia Accords Summit that led to the deaths of many ambassadors and political figures, Barnes was later found to be innocent, another victim of the real culprit, Sokovian nationalist Baron Zemo.’

     Your eyes narrowed as you read exactly how much the article had on the summit bombing. You were one of the few who knew the whole story. After SHIELD had fallen, you went to work for Stark Industries, where you met up once again with Maria Hill. When the news came out naming Barnes as a suspect in the bombing, you were one of those assigned to keep tabs on Steve, though you never found anything... as far as anyone knew. When Maria quietly slipped off the grid without a word to anybody, you were the only one to notice, and you made sure of that by covering her tracks.

     You never really believed that Stark honestly expected you to turn in Steve if you located him, not when he knew your history. He knew how painful it was for you to track Steve and how it reminded you of when Hydra had taken over SHIELD. He knew that for you it felt just as wrong tracking Steve then as it had before, yet he still assigned you to the task. You smiled to yourself, in spite of the painful memories. You would never forget the day when Tony received the call saying everyone had escaped from the Raft; you could hear Ross yelling at him on the phone from two rooms away before Tony sauntered into the main office with a barely concealed grin on his face. He definitely looked far more amused than he should have, considering.

     After you finished reading the new panels, your eyes drifted back to another old one about James. ‘Born in 1917, James Buchanan “Bucky” Barnes was the oldest of four kids. He lived in Brooklyn where he was an excellent athlete and student. He enlisted in the Army shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor and was assigned to the 107th. His unit was sent to the Italian front where they were captured by Hydra. Separated from his unit, Barnes was starved and tortured...’

     You blinked your eyes and looked away; you knew what happened after that. Your eyes fell on a display of pictures of Captain America, Bucky, and the Howling Commandos. You drifted over to it. Scanning the pictures, you couldn’t help but smile as your eyes fell on one of Steve and Bucky at one of the allied camps. They were standing side by side with lopsided grins, but Barnes looked like he’d just woken up from a nap.

     “Ugh, of all the pictures they had...” you jumped at the sudden voice behind you and spun around to find a man shaking his head, looking down at the ground. “They just had to pick that one.”

     The man lifted his head, revealing his face that had been hidden by the brim of a grey baseball cap, and your eyes fell on a familiar lopsided grin accompanied by a pair of startlingly blue eyes. The man looked a little embarrassed. Your own eyes widened and your mouth opened slightly in surprise.

     “Bucky!” you gasped softly.

     The former assassin just stared at you blankly for a moment. Realizing what you had done, your face reddened in embarrassment. You began to apologize, but Bucky simply waved it off. Shaking his head with a grin, he reassured you.

     “No, it’s ok, really. People just don’t usually recognize me.” His smile faded slowly as his eyes shifted to the notebook in your hands, tilting his head curiously.

     You looked down at the notebook you had forgotten you were holding and quickly pulled it closer to yourself, realizing how you must look. “It's just some research I’m doing for work,” you quickly offered.

     Bucky’s face scrunched in thought before it lit up. “You must be the new SHIELD agent assigned to the compound.”

     “Yeah, I am,” you replied, relaxing a little, but still a bit uneasy.

     “I thought you weren’t due in until next week?” Bucky looked at you, still curious.

     “Well, I wanted to get some research in. I like to learn a bit about who I’m going to be working with,” you shrugged, a little embarrassed but not apologetic. Looking into coworkers was a habit you had formed in the aftermath of SHIELD falling, out of caution and perhaps a little guilt. You had been caught off guard and you vowed you weren’t going to let that happen again.

     “Well that makes sense,” he nodded thoughtfully, almost like he understood what you were thinking. He shook his head lightly and with another lopsided grin, he held out his hand. “I’m James Buchanan Barnes. Or Bucky.”

     You took his hand and shook it, your gaze rising to meet his with the slightest hint of awe. “Y/N. Agent Y/N Y/L/N. It’s nice to meet you.”

     “Y/N,” Bucky repeated, a smile growing on his face. “It’s nice to meet you too.”

     You lowered your eyes to the notebook in your hand, fidgeting awkwardly. Bucky cleared his throat, almost making you jump again.

     “Well Y/N, if you have any questions, I’d be happy to help. The information here isn’t exactly complete...” his voice trailed off.

     “I noticed,” you replied, glancing to the side at the section about the bombing at the summit. Clearing your throat, you turned back to Bucky. “They don’t really have anything on Black Widow or Hawkeye.” That didn’t really surprise you, after all, what good is a spy with their face on display at one of the world’s busiest museums?

     Bucky arched an eyebrow with only the slightest hesitation. “Well, if you would like, I can fill you in on the team.” He glanced down at his watch then rubbed the back of his neck before completely throwing away caution. “Heck, I can even introduce you to some of them if you want.”

     Bucky looked up at you and grinned again, his eyes shining, and you just couldn’t help the smile spreading on your own face as your shoulders relaxed. “I would appreciate that, thank you.”

     Bucky looked down at his watch again. “Great, I’m meeting Clint- that’s Hawkeye- for lunch in an hour. You’re welcome to come,” he looked up at you and hesitated. “In the meantime, have you seen the Howling Commandos memorabilia exhibit?”

     You nodded. “Yeah, it’s been a while though. Are you sure Clint won’t mind the extra company at lunch?”

     “He’ll get over it,” Bucky replied with a grin and you couldn’t resist a small chuckle. Turning back to the direction of the memorabilia display, Bucky nods his head. “Shall we?”

     With a smile you walked alongside the super soldier, laughing and asking questions as he told stories about the items on display. You may not have learned much about the team like you had wanted to that day, but as it turned out, you learned more than you could have ever hoped.

[bash-it-all-blog]

Just read through your Neighbors AU and it's absolutely beautiful. Steve tripping over himself trying to talk to Tony is the best. I'm just gonna ask a bunch of questions and you can pick and choose which ones to answer. When does everyone else realize that Tony is a smol bean that needs to be protected at all cost? Do Tony and Bruce science together? Does Dum-E exist? Do they meet Rhodey? Does Ty show up and be the abusive dick that he is; what does they do about it?? I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS!!

Awe. Thank you! Your praise honestly means so much to me! I’m super insecure about my writing, and I am so so happy to answer all your questions, I’ll try my best!

Also, I’m answering on my phone so excuse any grammatical or formatting errors. Also it gets like angsty.

It takes the friends a couple of weeks to get Tony to really talk to them.

Tony is jumpy and hesitant about everything and it breaks Steve’s heart, mostly because he knows it takes trauma to make someone that way. He knows Tony has been hurt so bad that it’s clear in his everyday life. It’s also clear that Tony, Tony is still hurting. And that’s something Steve can’t stand for.

The first thing Steve does is talk to Thor. Thor is easily the most intimidating if you don’t know him. Steve himself is a pretty big guy but Tony so far has responded well to Steve and Steve makes sure that it stays that way. Steve tells Thor that he needs to tone it down a little bit around Tony and to Steve’s surprise Thor was already aware.

“Steven, my friend.” Thor started, then his eyes got a bit glazed. “When I was a young boy, my mother was full of life. I remember the tales she used to spin as if it were just yesterday, she would tell my brother and I tales that were meant to inspire us, to live lives we loved and were proud of. But as the years past the tales became less dreamy and more dreary. Rather then finding love, they became tales of finding shelter and keeping safe. Of making sure not to fall into the witches hands rather then the fantastical adventure of fighting dragons and escaping a giant’s castle. It was a subtle change but as we grew we understood that our mother-,” Thor’s breath hitched. “Our mother, rather then fighting the dragon or escaping the giant’s castle. She had stayed because she was afraid that if she attempted to leave it would only get worse.”

Steve felt nauseous, but Thor continued. “And so my mother never left and neither did we until it was time for us to go to university. It was after our final year that Loki and I had received jobs here in the states. My father wanted me to take over the company but Loki had foresaw the fall of it. So I trusted him and we left. We begged our mother to come but she said she was happy where she was and that she couldn’t possibly leave.” The larger man closed his eyes. “It was later I realized that she said she couldn’t leave not that she didn’t want to but by then it was too late.” The prince stopped breathing but continued and Steve was afraid for what would come next. “What hurt the most was even though it was not by the dragons hand, it was by the dragons blame that my mother was slain. It is painful that a dagger through the gut was my mother’s only salvation. ”

And Steve could only watch the usually jovial man broke out into silent tears.

“Steven, we are so so very lucky that Tony was able to escape his dragon. And we are so lucky to be given the chance to help heal him of his burns.” Thor looked at Steve. And Steve pulled his friend- no his brother into a hug.

“I’m so sorry Thor.”

“It is in the past now. Fresh enough but I am healing. My brother though is whom I worry for.”

“We’ll keep an eye on him. And Tony. We’ll take care of ‘em. All of ‘em.”

“Thank you, I am glad to have talked about it and do not worry about how I am around Tony, I have proclaimed it my duty to making sure that Tony does not fall back into his dragon’s clutches. We will protect him and we will help heal him.”

“Yea Thor. We will.”

—- okay that got intense. I didn’t even plan on it. I made that up on the spot and shit there are more questions. I got you. Something to lighten you up after that. —-

It is after Tony begins to relax around them that they find out Tony is actually a genius.

Not actually certified though ‘cause Mensa didn’t have anything that could gauge Tony’s level of intelligence.

But anyways. They find out Tony’s a genius because of the stupidest thing. And ofc its Bilgesnipe.

-

They’re all chilling around bilgesnipe when Clint opened his mouth. “Okay guys but how the hell do we get rid of this thing without burning it.” Clint sighs. “But seriously just what would we have to do to get it into Thor’s room without ruining it, since we’re not allowed to throw it out and that’s the only way we’re getting rid of it.”

Tony looks up from his seat on the floor beside Natasha who was running her fingers through his hair. He tilts his head for a second and looks at Thor’s door. “You know. If we just tilt her right to a 172 degree angle and up about 63, it should fit. Theoretically at least, however that is if we shaved about 3.82 mm off of her top.” Tony replied flippantly. The rest of them only looked at their small cinnamon roll in confusion and shock.

“Tony, do you- uh.” Clint hesitated. “Are you like- a genius or something? Or are you just fucking with us?”

Tony’s eyes widened, “What do you mean?” Tony looked anxious but continued, “If you just look at the angles, Clint I swear I’m not lying or anything I just though you wanted to know ‘cause you asked and I’ll shut up.” Tony ducked down a bit and looked away from Clint.

Realizing his mistake Clint quickly tried to make it right. “No Tony, it’s just you surprised us. We knew you were smart but that’s incredible.” Clint watched Tony carefully, and saw the way Tony unfurled a bit at the praise.

“Hey Tony. Do you happen to be into science?” Bruce interrupted.

“Uh yea. I do enjoy it. I’m more of a hard science kinda guy but the soft stuff pulls me in sometimes.” Tony looked at Bruce a bit confused.

Bruce looked hesitant but asked anyways. “Do you have any interest in gamma rays?”

“Wait. Gamma rays.” Tony eyes flashed with recognition. “Wait your THE Bruce Banner!, holy shit!”

Bruce looked nervous at the praise. “I can’t believe it.” Tony stood up and walked over to Bruce. “Your work on anti-collision particles is amazing!” Then Tony clasped Bruce’s hands. “We are now science bros! There is a lot of science in our future Banner!”

And that’s when everyone realized the easiest way to get Tony out of his shell was science.

And bit by bit, Tony was healing.

—-

My phones at 2% but I will answer the rest of your questions later! In my next post. Anyone who comments immediately gets added to my tag list! 1%!!! Shit.

—

Also because I feel like this is a huge part of the au I’m going to tag you guys who asked to be.

@justsomefunshit @colorfulblades@tired-but-here-i-am @blackhearted @im-here-for-marvel@rainbowdoom32@definitely-nope @iheartavengers

—-

last thing if my tags don’t work, something is not right because whenever I try to like do the verify-y thingy it says your blogs don’t exist. So if anyone knows how to fix that please help me.

Thx!

[weekendwarriorblog]

The Weekend Warrior 12/18/20 – GREENLAND, FATALE, MONSTER HUNTER, EDUCATION, BREACH, SKYLIN3S and More

We’re getting so close to the end of what has been a fairly grueling year for movie lovers, especially those of us who enjoy watching movies in theaters. I personally was watching upwards of ten movies a week in theaters, but since March, I’ve only seen two, and that’s because movie theaters were shut down and then kept shut down since mid-March. Meanwhile, I can literally get on a train and see a movie in Jersey City without any problems, and there have been no cases traced to someone watching a movie in a theater either. Meanwhile, Cuomo and DiBlasio keep shutting everything down in New York City despite claiming that they were going to stick with the zones or hot spots… nope, the entire city may be closed down after Christmas.

But enough moaning…  There’s some good stuff debuting this week and some of them even are in theaters. I’m gonna start with three movies from three of my favorite filmmakers, all of whom know how to make fun, mainstream studio films.

Oh, and before you get to that, also check out my advance review of next week’s Soul from Pixar Animation!

Director Paul W.S. Anderson and partner Mila Jovovich reunite for a brand-new video game adaptation, MONSTER HUNTER (Screen Gems), based on the Capcom game in which the characters… you guessed it… hunt monsters. In this one, Jovovich plays Captain Artemis a soldier who while investigating the disappearance of a battalion ends up in another dimension known as the New World where she encounters (dum dum dum!) monsters and fights them with a new ally, played by Tony Jaa.

Listen, I’ll be the first to confess that I find Anderson’s movies to be a bit of a guilty pleasure. While he has made some fun movies like Alien vs. Predator and Event Horizon, he’s sometimes faltered like his attempt at a Three Musketeers movie and of course, Pompeii. Undaunted by the number of video game movies he’s already made, he takes on yet another one, and he definitely seems to be having quite a bit of fun while making this one.

Monster Hunter begins with a preamble set in the “New World” where we see a ship and characters straight out of the game being attacked by a giant monster. We’re then back in our “Old” World where Jovovich’s character is leading a small platoon in search of a missing group of soldiers. They’re hit by a huge sandstorm, and next thing they know, they’ve been transported through a portal to another dimension where they’re attacked by a giant horned creature (a bit like a mutated Triceratops) that burrows under the ground and starts killing them off one-by-one.

Listen, I make no bones about the fact that I’m a full-on giant monster stan whether it’s Godzilla, Pacific Rim, whatever, so I was probably already fully onboard before I saw the great job Anderson and his team did to make these monsters feel like they have real weight and scale. There are definitely elements to the movie that reminded me of Paul Verhoeven’s Starship Troopers – a movie I genuinely love -- but it did a better job of it than another movie out this week (see below).

Another reason Monster Hunter works at all is that not only is Anderson familiar with the mechanics of the video game but also understands that a movie like this requires some degree of humor to be taken seriously, ironically. Much of that comes from the attempts to communicate between Jovovich and Jaa, and that does get a little tiring after a while, but it offers some laughs once the action settles down, which isn’t often. Jovovich is still a kick-ass action heroine as always, and it’s almost shocking that her and Anderson have been doing this stuff for 18 years since teaming up for the very first Resident Evil.

The great thing about Monster Hunter is that it’s almost non-stop action for a good portion of the movie, rarely slowing down, and it just gets better when Ron Perlman enters the mix, although he feels somewhat underused in the crazy last act where they face creatures that look a lot like the Game of Thrones dragon. There is also some notable silliness that in fact is something from the game.

Monster Hunter is definitely not the kind of movie I recommend to everyone – fans of the OTHER Paul Anderson would turn their noses up at the suggestion --  but if you’re a fan of giant monsters and some of Anderson’s earlier work, you’ll probably already know whether or not this will be for you. Either way, it’s the kind of entertainment we just haven’t seen much of in 2020. Monster Hunter will open in theaters including IMAX on Friday.

Director Deon Taylor reunites with his The Intruder leading man, Michael Ealy, for the psychological thriller FATALE (Lionsgate), in which Ealy plays Derek, a very successful sports agent who has an unfortunate one-night stand while in Vegas with a woman, played by Oscar-winner Hilary Swank. When Derek returns to L.A., a break-in at his home brings out the police, including Swank’s Val, who happens to be a well-regarded police detective, and she will not be ignored, Derek!

I went into this presuming it was Taylor’s version of updating the erotic thriller Fatal Attraction, and I was partially right, except that Swank’s Val is much more dangerous in this case because as a police detective, she has a lot more power over Derek once she realizes he’s married. There are elements to this movie that definitely give it a twist like the fact that Derek and his wife Tracy (Damaris Lewis) are already having marital problems before his affair, or the fact that Val has been trying to get custody of her daughter from her politician husband (Carter Haywood). There’s also Derek’s best friend and business partner Rafe (Mike Colter) and ex-con cousin Tyrin (Tyrin Turner) that add to the mix once people around Derek start dying.

I’ve always said that Taylor is a better director than a writer, but I was surprised that this thriller was written by David Loughery, who also wrote last year’s fairly decent The Intruder. Ealy is just fine as always here, but Swank’s attempt to play a bad guy just doesn’t work as well as she did in The Hunt. Having so many different subplots and characters just confuses matters and takes away from the actual thriller.  There may be a couple unexpected twists but none that really shake you up like some of the ones in Fatal Attraction. Sure, maybe it’s unfair to call it that, even though we’ve seen quite a few genre-switched remakes/twists like What Men Want and Little, and this isn’t that at all.

On the other hand, there is an interesting sublayer to the Val-Derek dynamic that makes you think of the way black men far less rich and successful than Derek are treated by white police, so the movie may be inadvertently (?) be building on the “Black Lives Matter” movement without intentionally trying. Still, I liked Taylor’s last movie Black and Blue much more.

Other than that, Fatale never really goes anywhere and never quite delivers on the promising concept in the same way some might be hoping based on Taylor’s previous work.

Director Ric Roman Waugh and actor Gerard Butler reunite after making last year’s Angel Has Fallen, this time for the disaster film GREENLAND (STXFilms). Sadly, this one is going straight to PVOD in the USA rather than being given a chance in theaters, which is a shame, since it’s a big screen disaster film about a string of comets heading towards earth and one man named John Garrity (Butler) who is trying to protect and save his family.

I’ll freely admit that I’ve been a big fan of Waugh’s since his earlier film Felon – and for the sake of transparency, I do consider him a friend, so I’m glad to see him doing bigger studio films, especially since he continually proves the quality of his work and focus on characters can be retained even for this kind of movie.  Some going into Greenland might be expecting something like San Andreas or The Day After Tomorrow, but thankfully, and I definitely credit Waugh for this, it’s actually is a disaster flick that never loses sight of the humans at its core.

Butler is actually a decent actor when given half a chance, but obviously, his shift to starring in action movies means that he has to work a bit harder to show that he’s more than just a bulky buff action hero.  In this case, he creates quite a fallible and grounded hero whose marriage has been trouble, because he cheated on his wife. Morena Baccarin is also quite good as his wife Allison, really adding to the tension when she gets separated, first from Jack and then their son.  Young Roger Dale Floyd, who I was dubious of as their kid at least as the film began, really steps up and also delivers on making the audience feel that there is real danger and stakes. Just as you think the movie is about to head fully into Roland Emmerich land – lots of comet destruction -- Waugh pulls out another terrific veteran in Scott Glenn who adds even more weight and gravitas to the film.

Greenland is definitely a bit of a leap for Waugh in terms of visual FX from previous films. On top of the destruction caused by the comets, there is also a good amount of time where the skies are burning in bright orange. But it’s all background to following Jack and his family going through the ordeal of trying to escape and survive the inevitable “extinction event” when the largest chunk of the comet hits earth.

As far as disaster flix go, Greenland is one of the better ones, since it goes out of its way to make everything feel real, as if it was a well-made documentary or based on a true story, one that hopefully will never come true.

Note: I’ll also have an interview with Ric Roman Waugh over at Below the Line very soon.

Next up is Steve McQueen’s EDUCATION (Amazon Prime Video), the last installment of his “Small Axe Anthology” of films. This one stars Kenyah Sandy as 12-year-old Kingsley Smith, a boy who can’t read so he’s sent to a special school in Barnet where the teachers aren’t really teaching the kids and they’re running amok. Kingsley’s parents don’t realize what’s going on until a group of caring West Indian women pull together to speak up against the lack of education their kids are getting.

It’s the shortest of the series at just over an hour, and while it’s not my favorite, it’s still very good, and it also feels like it could be a very personal film to McQueen, maybe more than the other four movies. First of all, he found this great young actor to play the lead role -- as most of McQueen’s work, the entire cast is great, including Nicole Ackles -- but he also is exploring something that while some parents may be able to relate to, the segregation and racism that permeated the British school system in those days might not be something that many Americans or younger Brits were aware of. I also wasn’t aware of the cultural bias in IQ tests that sent trouble kids like Kingsley into this other school system where they would never learn anything despite the selling point that it has less students so the teachers can focus on helping them more. That clearly doesn’t turn out to be the case with Kingsley and the school to which he commutes.

Education definitely feels more informational than something meant to entertain like Lovers Rock, but it’s a fine addition to the “Small Axe Anthology” that shows how well McQueen and his team have been able to make each chapter feel different in terms of look and tone from others.

Streaming this week on Netflix is George C. Wolfe’s adaptation of August Wilson’s MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM, which I already reviewed. It stars Viola Davis as the title character, a famous blues singer in the ‘20s who has come to Chicago to record an album and she has to deal with an ambitious trumpet player, played by the late Chadwick Boseman, who has his own career aspirations that puts him at odds with Davis’ character. As with Denzel’s adaptation of August Wilson’s Fences, it’s a strong period drama.  Also, as mentioned last week, you can also now watch the related doc Giving Voice, which follows the journey of six student actors on their way to the August Wilson Monologue Competition.

If you’re looking for something to keep the kiddies quiet, check out Taylor Meacham’s TO GERARD, an animated short now on Peacock from DreamWorks Animation. It’s a wonderful animated short about a guy working in a mailroom who witnessed a magic show when he was a child that influenced his entire life and how he passes that love of magic onto a young girl he encounters.

Directed by Jennifer Trainer, the Director of Development of MASS MoCa in North Adams, Massachusetts, the doc MUSEUM TOWN (Kino Lorber/Kino Marquee) is an amazing documentation of the development of a former factory in the Berkshires area of Mass. being turned into one of the largest contemporary art museums in the world.  

North Adams was a factory town where most of the city worked at the Sprague Electronics that was left quite dilapidated and destitute after the factory closed. Years later, the warehouse that was eventually turned into MASS MoCA.

Much of the film covers artist Nick Cave – no, not THAT Nick Cave – as he’s working on his installation, but it also goes back to when David Byrne brought his installation “Desire” there in 1996. Not that it all goes without problems. While opening MoCA would help the community by giving jobs, there’s some political wrangling from the state’s then-conservative Governor, and of course, the people living in North Adams aren’t quite prepared for it to be turned into an arts community.

Still, there are some amazing enormous installations that are impressive and the director even got Meryl Streep – yes, THAT one – to narrate. I’m not really a contemporary art kinda guy but Trainer has done a good job making it easier for people like me to understand why a trip to MASS MoCA in North Adams might be a worthy sojourn.

Speaking of art, I’m hoping to get to Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei’s new doc COCKROACH, which will be playing at Alamo on Demand starting Friday with a watch party with Ai Weiwei happening on Saturday at 3:30PM. In this one Ai Weiwei films the Hong Kong protests of February 2019, covering street demonstrations, police suppression and violence and things like the siege on Hong Kong Polytechnic University including interviews with the participants. Will try to catch this and add something later this week if possible.

Let’s get to some sci-fi, shall we? It’s a little odd to see a few movies that very well could fall into Paul WS Anderson’s genre purview, especially going up against an actual Anderson movie, but there ya go.

The best of the three is the John Suits*-directed BREACH (Saban Films), starring Bruce Willis, Cody Kearsley from Riverdale, Rachel Nichols and Thomas Jane. It’s set in the year 2242 when the earth is dying and the last shuttle, the USS Hercules, is putting its 300,000 passengers into cryogenic sleep for the long trip to New Earth…. Yes, a bit like Passengers. Willis and Kearsley are essentially janitors who along with a few dozen others have been kept awake to service the craft, but they soon learn that something else has “breached” the spaceship and is killing them off one-by-one. (*Okay, funny little factoid: Suits also directed the “Diehard is Back” commercial for Diehard batteries.)

I’m sure you’re immediately saying, “Hey Ed, that sounds a lot like Alien or John Carpenter’s The Thing. You realize that, right?” Sure, I do, and while I don’t think Breach is likely to stand the test of time in terms of sci-fi horror, as those have, it offers more than enough entertainment that you might not regret it if someone forces you to watch it… even in a movie theater! (Dum dum dum!)

I wasn’t familiar with Kearsley before this movie, but he does a good job holding the fort as , and I have to say that Willis definitely seems to be present and not phoning it in, as he has been in some other recent VOD release. In fact, I’ll say that Willis is kind of pulling from the “Classic Bruce” we all loved in the ‘80s and ‘90s, plus he has a bigger role in the movie then others, so that should be a great selling point right there for any doubters.

Eventually, we learn that all the mayhem has been caused by a virus, and soon, the surviving crew are facing infected zombie-like people (kinda like Resident Evil) who have been thawed out from cryo. We also learn that this virus is trying to kill as many humans as possible as the shuttle is sent on a crash course into New Earth (a bit like Greenland—see how it all ties together?)

Sure, there’s an element to Breach that does feel semi-derivative of other space movies, but Suits does a decent job keeping the fun quotient on par with other Bruce Willis movies, and that’s partially why Breach is actually quite enjoyable.

Filmmaker Liam O’Donnell returns to the helm for the threequel SKYLIN3S (Vertical), the third chapter in the low-budget alien invasion movie Skyline from 2010. A lot has happened since that movie, mostly in the sequel Beyond Skyline, which of course, I haven’t seen. Thankfully, there’s a recap as the third movie now follows Rose Corley (Lindsey Morgan), a young woman with powers believed to be the hero that can save earth while fighting back against the alien Harvesters. She also has a brother Trent (Jeremy Fitzgerald), who seems to be an alien “pilot” himself, and with a crew of soldiers, she’s sent on a mission to Cobalt 1 to take the fight to the aliens. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? (Honestly, I was so confused by some of this, I do not recommend watching without having seen the previous movie.)

I wasn’t that big a fan of the original movie (written and produced by O’Donnell), but he has turned this ersatz sci-fi franchise into a full-on space opera that takes its cues (translation: spuriously rips offs) from so many other science fiction movies from Starship Troopers to District 9 to the Aliens and Predator movies. Surprise, surprise, O’Donnell worked with Skyline directors Colin and Greg Strause on Aliens Vs. Predator: Requiem, also not a great sequel. Even with Morgan being a decent female lead, it’s still very much your typical macho action movie of humans fighting aliens movie with a bit of awkward martial arts thrown into the mix. The movie is also ultra-serious almost to a level that makes it hard to snicker, and some might scratch their heads about the choice of a blooper reel during the end credits.

One thing where O’Donnell does sort of succeed is in the mix of practical and on-set visual FX to the point where you may not be sure what you’re watching, plus the environments created are generally effective quality sci-fi. It’s really in the last half hour or so when the visual FX budget starts being more obvious, but it also leads to a number of very silly and cheesy visuals, particularly involving the aliens. You can’t help but feel that you’re watching a particularly low-budget episode of any season of Doctor Who.

Ultimately, Skylines isn’t great, coming across like the Riddick sequels compared to the original movie. In this case, the first movie of this franchise wasn’t even close to as good as Pitch Black was, so why bother?

Lastly (as far as sci-fi goes), we have Martin Owen’s MAX CLOUD (Well GO USA) (aka The Intergalactic Adventures of Max Cloud), which might sound familiar to anyone who has seen any of the Jumanji movies or cheesy ‘90s films like Masters of the Universe and for whatever reason, wished they’d make movies that bad. Set in 1990, this is about a young gamer named Sarah Noble (Isabelle Allen) who finds herself transported into her favorite side scroller gang to join the adventures of its hero, Captain Max Cloud (Scott Adkins … uh oh) and his crew to take on the evil Revengor (John Hannah). In order to stay alive in the game, Sarah’s friend Cowboy (Franz Drameh) must keep the console game on and get Sarah’s character Jake, the ship’s cook played by Elliot James Langridge, through the game’s mission alive.

It did not take me very long while watching this to realize I was about to sit through a very terrible movie, but to be fair, I’ve long ago learned to go into any movie starring Adkins with some trepidation. My instincts weren’t wrong, because between the lousy writing, awful acting and cheesy score that quickly gets on your nerves, Max Cloud never once gets you thinking, “This could have been a good movie.”

There are a few other characters including Tommy Flanagan’s Brock Donnelly, your typical bounty hunter type, and there’s another baddie named Shee, played by…um.. what? Yes, kids, apparently Lashana Lynch, who is set to be the next 007 in next year’s No Time To Die got herself cast in a very bad D-grade movie before her big break. Whoops. At least the movie gives Adkins another chance to show off his martial arts moves, but they feel just as out of place here  as they do in Skylines.

I can’t even say that the filmmakers or this cast were even trying their best or giving it their all, because it doesn’t really seem like that at all. Other than some decent visual FX to create a side-scrolling fight sequence late in the movie, it's actually pretty awful, a bad faux video game movie that should have had its plug pulled.

Shawn Linden’s HUNTER HUNTER (IFC Midnight) is about a family of fur trappers led by Devon Sawa’s Joseph Mersault, along with wife Anne (Camille Sullivan) and daughter Renée (Summer H. Howell), a family trying to make ends meet until their traps start being poached by a giant rogue wolf. Joseph leaves his family behind to track the wolf but while he’s gone, Anne and their daughter find a badly injured man named Lou (Nick Stahl) who may know something more about this wolf.

I wasn’t sure what to expect of this film, mainly since there already was a werewolf movie earlier in the year this year called The Wolf of Snow Hollow, and while this is very different, it’s also somewhat stiff in comparison. About 15 minutes into the movie, Joseph and the two women are separated, and it cuts between them. It’s about 45 minutes into the movie before Nick Stahl’s character shows up, but by then, you probably have a good idea what’s going to happen.

Linden and his cast do a great job creating tension with the help of the music and sound design, but things go along for some time without much happening. Otherwise, Camille Sullivan gives a stronger performance than anyone else, a performance almost too good for this movie, but Sawa is also quite good. Admittedly it’s a little strange seeing him all grown-up having seen Final Destination WAY too many times.  On the other hand, I’ve never really been a fan of Stahl, and he really isn’t great when he finally shows up as the mysterious stranger.

There are some unexpectedly silly moments like when we actually see the wolf for the first time – it looks pretty cool, actually – and Anne just screams at it. There are a couple other characters who aren’t particularly interesting – wolf fodder, if you will – but it just takes its sweet time getting to the inevitable twist that you may have seen coming an hour earlier. The last act is pretty grueling to get through as Lou shows his true colors. Part of me wishes the movie didn’t go where it seemed to be going, because it because it feels sudden and much out of character with the rest of the movie.

Hunter Hunter isn’t a terrible movie, and it could have been far, far worse in the wrong hands or with the wrong cast. I’m definitely kinda mixed on it, since it’s still a genre film that erroneously plays down its genre potential until the very last 10 minutes, and that alone might annoy anyone watching it.

Some of the movies I just didn’t have time to get to this week:

Paint (Gravitas Ventures) Tiger Within (Gravitas Ventures) Sister of the Groom (Saban/Paramount) The Last Sermon (Gravitas Ventures) Climate of the Hunter (Dark Star Pictures) The Rescue (CMC Pictures) Shalom Taiwan (Outsider Pictures) Goodbye Dragon Inn (Metrograph Pictures)

By the way, if you read this week’s column and have bothered to read this far down, feel free to drop me some thoughts at Edward dot Douglas at Gmail dot Com or drop me a note or tweet on Twitter. I love hearing from readers … honest!

[nyancheetosmusical]

Things about Big Fish that make it so amazing

Full disclosure (what a miserable game BA DUM BA DUMP), some of these are based on our production of the show so it might not be universal. Some of these also have to do with the musical composition bc Andrew Lippa is like Orpheus incarnate sans all the sad stuff i think

-The show opens on the banks of the river and ends on the banks of the same river with a father and son

- EDWARD “Here’s to what’s next.” (EDWARD exits)

WILL “...What’s next.”

GUYS ITS LITERALLY IN THE OPENING SCENE OF THE SHOW AND IT OCCURS THROUGHOUT THE REST OF THE SHOW IN THE DIALOGUE UNTIL YOU FINALLY GET TO “WHAT’S NEXT” AT THE END

-Alabama Stomp is actually fun AF

-Young Will, responding to Be The Hero and the Alabama Stomp

YOUNG WILL “Dad, what the hell was that?”

-The argument after the wedding eventually escalates to:

EDWARD “Grow up, Will.”

WILL “I did! You weren’t there! You were never there! All I got from you was a bunch of crazy stories about how awesome you were dad, and, I’m sorry, that’s not the man I see!”

EDWARD “Well maybe you never bothered looking.”

and honestly at this point you don’t know who to be mad at- Edward for ruining his son’s wedding, or for Will treating a character the audience already loves with such harshness

- WITCH: “Soooooo-OOOOOOOO-” ear candy right there I love it

-The fact that Will learns he’s going to have a son at the exact same time Edward learns his cancer is terminal

- In Stranger:

“But after almost thirty years...” (music builds in a freakin awesome way)

“I still don’t know the man...” (music somehow keeps building)

“I wish I knew the maaaaaaaan-” (UGH WILL YOU’RE KILLIN ME HERE)

- Stranger establishes the pattern of Will being too late. He’s always too late. he sings about finally excited to repair his relationship with his dad through his son, when he learns that his dad won’t live long enough to see his son be born. Time is never Will’s friend in this story

-Okay it’s not on the OCR but the song before Out There on the Road is called Ashton’s Favorite Son, it’s maybe 45 seconds and it’s the entire town singing about how awesome Edward is and it’s honestly ridiculous and hilarious, he’s a great baseball player, football player, science intellect, student body president, and then Jenny gets a little number and it’s honestly so adorable and cheesy (also it’s where we’re introduced to Jenny’s theme)

-TIME STOPS. JUST ALL OF IT. PAY ATTENTION AND GET USED TO THE MAIN TUNE OF IT BECAUSE IT PLAYS ALL THROUGHOUT THE STORY DURING SANDRA’S AND EDWARDS INTERACTIONS AND IT HURTS MY HEART

- Also sad because one of the big themes of the show is the fact that time will always pass and there’s nothing you can do to stop it...but sometimes if you find the right person, they can help you stop time for at least a little (which you hear in the music, near the end, it builds and builds and then everything pauses for a split second)

- Edward trying to convince Mr. Calloway to tell him who Sandra is:

EDWARD “I’m gonna find that girl, and I’m gonna marry her, and spend the rest of my life with her!”

Because he knows how he goes...he’s gotta find her, then marry her, than live with her until he dies, which is far before when she goes

- EDWARD: “He told me you loved...daffodils...” I literally get chills every single time

- Daffodils begin to fall from the sky on “Let’s build a world of daffodils/that never fades and never dies/I see the answer in your eyes...” and continues to the end of the song

(blurred my castmates faces out of respect of privacy but dang look at how freaking cool it is)

-Edward tells the story that is Red White and True to Will’s Boy Scout troupe on a campout. He starts to tell the story, the tappers take the stage, then the lead performer of the USO show....

OVER-EXCITED SCOUT “Is that your mom?!”

YOUNG WILL “In my dad’s stories, the prettiest woman is ALWAYS my mom.”

-After Red, White, and True, Edward sends the scouts off to bed, but Will stays behind to talk

YOUNG WILL “When did all this happen?”

EDWARD “Well during the war!”

YOUNG WILL “But which war?”

EDWARD “I...you know, the war! Don’t they teach you anything in school these days?”

YOUNG WILL “That’s just it dad, they do teach us.” (YOUNG WILL storms off)

-In our version of Fight the Dragons, Young Will actually sings:

EDWARD “You’ll come to me and say...”

YOUNG WILL “...let’s fight the dragons/ and storm the castle/ ‘till we win what needs to be won...”

EDWARD “So when I’m old and tired/ you’ll do the job required./ You’ll be there/ telling stories to your son!”

EDWARD and YOUNG WILL “And we fight the dragons/ and we storm the castles”

EDWARD “And I do the best that I can!/ But everybody knows that’s how the story goes/ to turn each boy into a bigger man.../So I fight the dragons..../ ‘till...”

YOUNG WILL “I can...”             EDWARD “You can...”

-STRANGER REPRISE STRANGER REPRISE STRANGER REPRISE

-I can’t put it all but the pre-showdown dialogue is PHENOMENAL, Will is trying to talk to his dad about what actually happened in his life

WILL “Do you know anything about icebergs, dad?”

EDWARD “Icebergs...they were hauling one down to Texas for drinking water! Only they didn’t account for an elephant being inside...”

WILL “Dad...”

EDWARD “The wooly mammoth kind.”

WILL “DAD!”

EDWARD “What?”

WILL “I was trying to make a point.”

EDWARD “Well then, you shouldn’t have started with a question. People like answering questions [which this near exact conversation happens in reverse between young will and edward at the start of the show, showing you how similar they are]. If you wanted to make a point, you should’ve said, ‘the thing about icebergs is’-”

WILL “The thing about icebergs is, dad, you can only see this little part that’s sticking out above the surface. The rest of it is hidden below the water [motif of water again] where you can’t see it...and that’s how it is with you, Dad!”

-Will’s slide during Showdown (”toniiiii-iiiiiiiight”) is beautiful

-Just how happy and cheerful Showdown is...considering the main point is “there’s gonna be a hanging tonight” and trying to convict Edward

- I Don’t Need A Roof....but I do need a tissue...cause that song made me cry every night waiting backstage for my cue...it’s so powerful. It starts out as a lullaby but then the music swells and you can’t help but breathe in with it

-Edward writhing in pain during certain swells just sells it, and our Sandra has one of the most amazing voices I have ever heard, the way she sings it is better than the OCR

- SANDRA “Hear what the rain says, [the flute sound indicating the rain is so perfect]/ know what it knows,/ after the rain something groooows/ I don’t need a roof to say I love you” that swell right there KILLS ME

-But what kills me even more in I Don’t Need A Roof is right after “I don’t need a roof to say I love you,/ I don’t need a roof to call you mine” BECAUSE THE TIME STOPS THEME PLAYS RIGHT THERE QUIETLY UNDER THE MUSIC AND OUCH MY HEART

- SANDRA “Stay with me.../stay with me....” and then she added in there, right at the conclusion of the music, a whispered “I love you”, her voice cracking because she’s crying

-Can you tell I have a lot of feelings about I Don’t Need A Roof

- Start Over doesn’t actually musically resolve like it does in the OCR. Will actually cuts it off before the music can conclude...

ASHTON TOWNSFOLK “Tomorrow begins-”

WILL “Wait! If that’s what you’re saying, then that’s the biggest thing my father has ever done”

And actually, most of the songs with Edward’s stories lack a conclusion. Showdown is another obvious example, but Closer to Her is another one I know off the top of my head, mostly because his story just isn’t finished yet. It’s only with How It Ends we get a genuine conclusion, because, well, that’s how it ends.

-WILLS LITTLE MONOLOGUE HE GIVES TO HIS DAD ALONE IN THE HOSPITAL ROOM RIGHT BEFORE WHATS NEXT HURTS ME SO MUCH

- Edward suddenly comes to a little and-

EDWARD “Will...tell me how it happens....”

WILL “How what happens?”

EDWARD “Tell me...how I go...”

WILL “Y-you mean what the witch showed you? D-dad, you never told me that part of the story-”

EDWARD “Will...”

WILL “Dad, I can’t do this! (EDWARD looks desperate. He can’t do this on his own.) O-okay, b-but you have to help me...how does it start?”

EDWARD “Like...this...” (gently gestures to the conductor of the pit. The music of What’s Next begins)

-Will’s story telling getting better and better as he makes the ending for his father

- Edward’s “I-I don’t know! Will, I don’t know!”

-Will remembers all of the characters in his dad’s stories, even the one he’s most cynical about...

WILL “Yes!/ Even the witch is there!”

-THE ENSEMBLE PART OF WHATS NEXT ADFASDADS

-What’s Next fades quietly out into silence...in the silence you can hear the heart monitor of the hospital beeping very quietly

- EDWARD “I know I wasn’t perfect/ I know my life was small/ I know that I pretended that I knew it all...” If i wasn’t already crying by this point I am

-How It Ends musically begins to fade away. We return to the hospital bed, with Will holding his father’s hand. He’s done it. He’s finished his story for him

WILL “And that’s how it happens...that’s how you go...” (heart monitor flatlines with the fade out of the music)

-Dropping daffodils in the pit during the funeral :(

-Right before Be The Hero Reprise:

WILL’S SON “Grandma grandma!”

SANDRA “What is it sweetheart?”

WILL’S SON “We just saw the biggest fish! It was at least as big as a car!”

WILL “Now Eddy, let’s stick to the facts...it was as least as big as a truck!”

HE NAMES HIS SON AFTER HIS FATHER DAAFADFAAFS

SORRY I LOVE THIS MUSICAL WITH ALL MY HEART AND I HOPE OTHER PEOPLE CAN COME TO APPRECIATE THE FREAKING MASTERPIECE THAT IT IS

[nezothecat]

Chapter 14

'If it is not welcome, it wouldn't be here, and besides...' Naell reassured himself with a "fufufu" while covering his mouth with his left hand. It was a sight to behold, but luckily, none were able to see it.

'...It probably just flew over our estate.'

By the time they were finished with their dinner, Fharom, Lilia, and Lily had decided to head towards their rooms. Each of them left after saying their goodnights to each other.

On the other hand, Sebastian told Naell that he wished to have a short discussion with him, in his room.

As Naell entered, he felt his body slowly approaching the solace of his bed. The room's warm lights and the night's cold glow didn't fail to soothe his mind. Yet, his senses didn't wander for long, as he heard a loud HOO---T, followed by the voice of an old lady.

"Hoot, Sebastian, is he the boy?"

Sebastian replied as he closed the door behind him.

"He is, Milady."

Upon hearing the exchange, Naell saw a small figure fluttering its wings as it looked directly toward them; its heart-shaped face covered by her white feathers seemed so mystical underneath her silver gaze.

'An owl?'

"Hello, Little one."

In the face of an elderly figure, Naell placed his right hand on his chest and bowed down to show his etiquette as he gently said,

"Good evening, Madam."

"Hoot, as always, no need for formalities Sebastian, and little one, just call me Auntie." Upon hearing that, Sebastian turned to Naell and gestured for him to take a seat.

The two watched as the owl steadied herself onto the table before them. The night's serene glow peeked through Naell's bedroom window, further adding to the owl's mystical feel.

Sebastian was the one who initiated the conversation. His calm and friendly demeanor did not change as he introduced them to each other.

"Naell, this is Athena, a Legendary beast, and one of the 12 Guardians of old hailed as Wisdom..."

"...Athena, this is Naell, son of Baron Fharom, and the deceased Baroness Alicia--- furthermore, the stepson of Baroness Lilia."

Looking closely, Naell found Athena's appearance to be very majestic and at the same time, fluffy. Her white feathers were occasionally covered by tiny black spots at her chest, while the rest glimmered with it being bright white. Her large forward-facing eyes were dyed with silver-like crystals matching her black hawk-like beak.

Naell recalled the book he read in the library pertaining to the 12 Guardians;

The [12 Guardians of Old] were tasked by the Celestials to protect the world from Lucile [Celestial of Destruction] who commanded the demons to reign havoc and destruction from the very world they created. Hence, their main purpose is to prevent it from happening. Upon inheriting the guardian position, that being must not intervene with politics, war, and other worldly events.

'If only I had finished reading Arts and Magic. I kinda suspected death flags from the other guardians.' Naell wasn't able to finish the book, Arts and Magic. He remembered reading until passing out in Volume 4.

'...If I remember correctly, Volume 5's cover was Andrew at war with the Demons.'

"Once again, good evening Auntie."

"Hoot, Likewise, Little one."

"So what brings yo---" Before Naell could even finish his words, Athena started speaking calmly, but with a somewhat apologetic tone.

"First, I'm sorry for testing you a little while ago, Hoot."

"Hohoho"

"Ah, that was your mana?"

"Yes, and frankly I was surprised. You are talented, just like Alicia."

"Thank you..." Naell once again slightly bowed his head in response.

"And as to why I am here." As Athena said that, she plucked one of her feathers using her beak, and soon, it rose into the air. In an instant, a shining beam of darkness began to emit from the feather, vanishing as quickly as it first appeared.

Then he appeared--- a chubby little owl who pridefully stood with his wing on his feathered chest.

"Mom! This human looks so weak, HOOT." His seemingly cute appearance was erased by his arrogant beak.

.

.

.

Athena sighed as she replied,

"Hoot, Do not say that. You are being rude."

"But he is really weak!"

The foul-mouthed owl was like a miniature version of Athena, only this time, it held no black spots; a pure white coat of feathers and piercing golden eyes were still apparent in his overweight figure.

Without warning, Athena's fluffy feathers made a steel-like sound upon hitting the young owl's head.

Naell's temper rose a bit as the younger owl kept asserting phrases like,

"Look he's anemic!"

"It is good to see you little owl." In an attempt to diffuse the situation, Sebastian warmly greeted the young owl who warmly greeted him back.

"Ah, Good to see you as well, Uncle, HOOT."

The young owl's speech was still rough, but Naell could feel the respect he had for Sebastian. On the other hand,

"Oiii Human, what's your name?"

"...I'm Naell Witner Beryldot, What about yo---"

"HOOT, Naell? Fufufufu."

"HA...Ha..ha" Naell could only laugh dryly at the young owl's seemingly belittling snicker.

Yet, the little owl was still the one who had the audacity to ask arrogantly,

"What is so funny? Is being weak funny, HOOT?"

"..."

As she caught herself losing her composure, Athena quickly stood tall. An expression of annoyance still lingered on her face as she sighed.

"Hoot, We have been sidetracked enough by my son. AnyHoot little one, I was informed of your enrollment to the capital."

"Ah yes, Auntie, I'll be traveling next week."

"If it is possible, I would love for you and my son to stick together for the time being."

"WHAT!?" Both Naell and the young owl could not hide their disapproval.

Naell did not want a foul-mouthed companion, and the young owl would not accept a wimp.

"Hohoho, it will be a good experience for you little owl, and for Naell as well."

"Hoot, especially for you my son, you've been spoiled enough, so I'm sure you will grow in the time being."

"I understand Mom... But a weakling for a companion, HOOT."

"..."

Ignoring her son's remark, Athena turned to Naell and spoke,

"Listen, little one. I know of your struggles with relation to your mana. As of the moment, everything you do in excess will just hurt you."

She slightly glanced at Sebastian then Naell before continuing,

"Or worse, your death."

.

.

.

"Just a low chance of death, Hoot."

Athena continued, as to reassure the now paler looking Naell.

"That is why Sebastian went to meet with me a while ago."

Naell glanced at Sebastian. He wasn't informed when that happened.

"Naell, that was the time when you saved the village from the goblin invasion."

"Heh, so that's where you went, Sensei, Heh heh..." Naell replied with no hint of joy, as the possibility of his death, void the life out of him.

"Hoot, anyway that is one of the reasons why WE are here... WE can prevent that." As Athena said that, one feather of hers flew over to Naell.

"...It has something to do with our magic." She then added on and quickly, Naell felt that somewhat, a heavy burden inside his body had left him.

"Our darkness attribute can seal the excess mana your body cannot handle... But it can only last for a few hours, as your mana will burn our magic from your body, Hoot."

Athena then added on as she pointed her wing at the proud looking owl.

"So if it is alright with you, take my son to the Capital, so he can help you, and at the same time help him grow in the process."

Naell turned his gaze to his possible savior as he said,

"I understand then... Thank you, Auntie, thank you Sensei. Please take care of me, little owl."

"So this weakling needs me huh, HOOT."

Naell snapped seeing the arrogant owl who kept puffing out his chest as he smiled and retorted,

"It is amusing though, seeing you are yet to name yourself."

"WHA? I'm not a named beast yet, but I sure will be soon. How did a weakling like you know of my weakness! HOOT!" The young owl was taken aback by the surprise jab thrown at him.

"You can't even hide your mana that well--- Speaking of mana..." Naell pondered a bit, but soon realized that the young owl's mana was the same as what he had sensed in the Forestlands.

The young owl kept blabbering nonsense that was effectively making him mad at an alarming rate.

"HOOT! "

"Auntie, awhile ago, I actually sensed this DUM--- owl's mana back at the Forestland... Did you fly there?"

"Who.. are you calling dumb!!!?"

"Shushhh for a bit." Athena smacked the little owl's head once more.

The young owl then kept quiet while occasionally muttering words under his breath that instead of looking scary, his cuteness was amplified.

"Ah yes, we did... But there should have been no lingering mana, as we didn't land there."

Naell then pointed his finger towards the young owl, who kept a straight face while whistling. The young owl flinched as he remembered something.

"But I'm certain that was his mana."

Yet the facade was easily seen through by Athena, who pushed the young owl to speak.

"Well Mom, you know... I ate a lot during our travel, so I kinda... took a 💩."

.

.

.

Sebastian, Naell and even Athena could only facepalm at the young owl, who then kept calling what happened as the "call of nature".

"It's different from the auras and mana that these monsters are omitting, Sensei. It was SOOTHING."

Naell felt pain and embarrassment as he recalled what he felt at that moment.

The conversation got nowhere as Athena continued lecturing his son about the proper way to act.

"You should have buried your feces! Hoot!"

"It was just a tiny bit Mom, so I thought it would be ok! HOOT!"

"I'm really sorry Sebastian if my son's excreme--- action caused some troubles." Athena could only apologize as she recalled what Sebastian told her a while ago; the Forestlands' monsters became more unruly than usual.

"Hohoho... It is fine Athena."

'No, it is not Sensei! He enraged the monsters WITH HIS POOP.' Naell could only think this to himself. Even so, he somewhat pitied the young owl who already had a bump forming on his head.

In the end, the young owl was scolded severely, and was forced to perform dogeza before them.

[after-avenging-hours]

Heart Skip [4]: Steve x Reader

Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3

Word Count: 2669

Warnings: None

It’s been a few months now, working on the front lines, taking out the Hydra bases Steve saw on the map in Zola’s office and discovering new ones along the way.

The Howling Commandos have set up camp for the night, tents erected in a circle around a small fire.  Steve had first watch, which was fine by him, he couldn’t really sleep anyways.  Bucky offered to stay up too.  Steve had told him he didn’t have to, but the stubborn brunette was perched next to him on the chopped log they were using as a makeshift bench.

The two sit in silence, both lost in thought as the warm glow of the fire dances in front of their eyes. The soft crackling of the fire and Dum Dum’s snores are the only sounds that fill the still night air.

“Buck, can I tell you something?” Steve asks hesitantly, disrupting the lull that’s settled between them.

Bucky chuckles quietly in amusement, before noticing the serious look in his friend’s eyes.  His lips draw into a concerned frown.  “You can tell me anything, Rogers.  You know that.”

Steve releases a long breath, glancing down to where he’s laced his fingers together, his hands resting in his lap.  “I think I might have found my soulmate,” he admits after a long pause.

Bucky raises a brow in curiosity.  “Agent Carter?” he guesses.

“What?” Steve looks at him confused.  “Oh! No.  Not Peggy,” Steve corrects, though he understands why Bucky may have thought that.  He reaches into one of the pouches on his belt.  Pulling out the picture, he unfolds it, taking a moment to look over your smiling face before he hands it over.  “Her name’s Y/N.”

Bucky takes the picture, his eyes washing over the black and white image.  He releases a low whistle.  “She’s pretty.”

“Yeah,” Steve agrees, unable to take his eyes off the picture in Bucky’s hands.

Noticing where his friend’s gaze is locked, Bucky hands the picture back to Steve.  “How’d you meet?”

Steve’s gaze flicks back to Bucky’s.  “You’re not surprised?” he questions.  Admitting you had a soulmate was a big deal.  Especially since they’ve known each other so long.

Bucky shrugs a shoulder casually, placing his hands on the log behind him and leaning back.  “I kinda figured.  I mean, if an idiot like me can have one, it was highly probable that you did too.”

Steve’s brows shoot up in shock.  “Wait, you have one?”

Bucky laughs in amusement. “That’s what I said, isn’t it?” He punches Steve playfully in the shoulder.  “So how did you meet?” he repeats his earlier question.

Steve glances back down at the picture in his hands.  “She came to one of my shows,” he explains.  “Took a picture with me and her two friends.  This picture,” he gestures to the photograph in his hands.

Bucky waits for Steve to continue, but when he doesn’t Bucky frowns.  “That’s it?”

Steve give him a questioning glance.  “What do you mean?”

“You saw this dame for what? 5 minutes?  To take a picture?  What makes you think she’s the one?”

Steve rolls his eyes. “Do you have any idea how many dames I took pictures with before that?”

Now Bucky rolls his eyes. “Oh boo-hoo.  Cry me a river, Rogers.”

Steve laughs, knocking his shoulder with Bucky’s.  “No, I mean… As soon as she walked through the door, I could tell that something was different about her.  The moment our eyes met there was this connection.  Everything around me stopped.  The buzzing in my head went silent.  And then she smiled and it was like seeing sunshine for the first time.  My heart stopped…  She took my breath away,” Steve describes, recounting the event with a dopey smile on his lips and a far away look in his eyes.

Bucky smiles fondly at his best friend.  He’s happy for Steve.  But the snarkiness isn’t too far off.  “I don’t know, pal.  Sounds to me like that’s something you need to get checked by a doctor.”

The wistfulness is wiped almost instantly as Steve pins Bucky with a flat look.  “Seriously, Buck?”

Bucky howls like a hyena, slapping his palm to Steve’s back.  “I kidding!  Geez, you’ve gotten a whole lot more serious since your transformation.”

Steve rolls his eyes again, adding a shake of his head.  “Remind me again why I keep you around?”

Bucky grins cheekily, but doesn’t grace Steve’s question with a response.  “In all seriousness, though.  I’m glad you found her.  Just can’t believe you found yours before I found mine.  I mean, you weren’t even trying!”

Steve smirks. “Sometimes you just gotta let things happen.”

Bucky shakes his head. “But what good did that do you? You only got 5 minutes with her.”

Steve takes one last look at the photograph before folding it back up and tucking it into his belt. “I tried to track her down before I left,” he admits.

Bucky raises a brow. “Oh?  How’d you manage that?”

“Well,” Steve starts, looking a little embarrassed.  “When people come to the meet and greet after the show… they have to leave their address, so the picture can get sent to them after it’s been developed.”

Bucky smirks in amusement. “Please tell me you went to her house.”

He scratches at the back of his neck, his cheeks tinting.  “She, uh… She lived at a boarding house,” he confesses.

Bucky erupts into another round of raucous laughter, even going to so far as to slap his knee.  “I can’t believe it!  My little Steve trying to break into a boarding house to see his girl!  You’re finally a grown up, I’m so proud.”

“Shut up!” Steve grumbles, his cheeks darkening.

Bucky’s laughter eventual slows into a more controllable chuckle.  “So, how’d it go?”

Steve sighs.  “Not well.”

“Don’t tell me you just tried to walk through the front door.”

“Well I didn’t know!” Steve mutters defensively.

Bucky snickers.  “So you got stopped by the mean lady they always keep at the front desk?”

“Yup,” Steve confirms with a pop of his lips.  “And as I’m trying to convince her to let me upstairs… Y/N ends up running right passed me.  She must have been late or something.  By the time I realize it’s her and try to go after her, she was already jumping into a taxi and taking off.”

Bucky hums thoughtfully, listening to the story.  “So, you actually manage to track her down… Why didn’t you try again?  Honestly, what is your dumb ass doing all the way out here? Don’t you wanna be with her?”

“Well, yeah.  Of course.  But…” Steve sighs, once again feeling conflicted about the decisions he’s made.  “I made a promise to serve my country before she came along.  I just have to hope that she’ll still be there when I get back.”

Bucky shakes his head, not entirely agreeing with Steve’s reasoning.  “Just don’t make her wait too long.  It’s not fair to her.  She didn’t sign up for this war.”

Steve glances down at his fiddling fingers once again.  “I know.”

Bucky observes his friend for a moment before leaning forward and resting his hand on Steve’s shoulder.  “Tell you what…  How about after we end this damn war, you and I go back home, find our girls and take ‘em on a real double date?  Something special.  Something that’ll be sure to sweep them off their feet.  Give ‘em the old Brooklyn charm.”

Steve chuckles lightly, his lips pulling into a crooked grin.  “That sounds good, Buck.  Real good,” he nods.

Bucky nods too, his hand giving Steve’s shoulder a squeeze.  “It’s a date.”

---

Time seems to blur together for you.  Days turn into weeks, weeks become months, and before you know it, months have become years.  The war drags on.  With Annette around, you’re always up to date on the latest news from the front line.  Captain America and his Howling Commandos have swept across Europe, pushing back the enemy lines and furthering the cause of the Allied soldiers.  There were many hopeful predictions that we were coming to the end of the war.  That there was a light at the end of the tunnel.

You didn’t realize how easy it was to miss someone you’d barely even met.  Though each day that passed, the ache in your chest became a little more bearable.  You couldn’t wait for this blasted war to be over so that he could come home to you. You did your best to be strong for him. You couldn’t imagine what horrors he must be facing on the front lines.

You felt his loss and broken heart when the news reported the death of one of the Howling Commandos. You realize it must have been someone he was close to.  You wished you could have been there.  To console him in his time of need.

That had been a few weeks ago.

You’re pulled from your thoughts when Audrey walks out of the back room.  “Ms. Abrams is coming within the hour to pick up her dress.  Is it ready?”

You nod, gesturing to the thin white box you’d placed on the counter a few minutes earlier.  “Yes, it’s right here.”  You walk around the counter to one of the partially finished dresses on a mannequin.  “And we’re still waiting for the lace to come in so we can continue Ms. Dane’s dress. It should be here tomorrow, but…”

Your voice trails off when you feel a set of heart palpitations beginning in your chest. You’d grown used to the feel of a strong accelerated beat.  It happened a lot when your soulmate was off fighting a battle.  But this time it felt different.  Something was wrong.

Audrey looks at you in concern.  “Are you alright?”

Before you can respond, you feel a burst of cold spread across your skin, like you’ve just jumped into an ice bath.  Your legs give out and you fall to the floor.

“Y/N!” Audery rushes to your side.

Your vision swims and you can’t even manage to force any words out before everything goes black.

---

Steve is the first one to awaken.  It doesn’t take him long to realize that something’s wrong.  He carefully observes in his surroundings, and everything feels off. The radio is playing a ball game that’s already occurred.  The sounds of traffic seem fake to his sensitive hearing, almost as if there’s a speaker right outside the window.

Then the woman comes into the room and he knows something is off about her.

His first instinct screams that he’s been captured by Hydra, so he reacts accordingly.  Men in black tactical gear burst into the room and he throws them toward the wall, only to find that it’s a fake wall as they go crashing through.  He darts through the hole, his heart racing.

He has to get out. Who knows what the hell they’ve done to him already.  He doesn’t even want to think about what they have planned.  There are more agents out in the hall.  When they see him, they begin to give chase.  Steve runs out of the building, pushing people out of his way.

He has to get away from the danger.  He’s so focused on that, it takes him a moment to absorb his surroundings.  He comes to a stop in the center of the street, looking around in confusion.  He gets a horrible sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach.  His heart pounds like a drum in his chest.

“At ease, soldier.” Steve turns to face the voice, finding a dark-skinned man with a serious face and an eye patch.  The man approaches.  “Look.  I’m sorry about that little show back there, but… we thought it best to break it to you slowly.”

“Break what?” Steve asks, staring the man down.

The man hesitates for a moment.  “You’ve been asleep, Cap.  For almost 70 years.”

Steve doesn’t want to believe him.  But looking around is all the proof he needs to know that this man isn’t lying.

“You gonna be okay?” The man asks after a short pause.

No.  That’s what Steve wants to say.  Even with his serum enhanced mind, this was difficult to process.  70 years?  “Yeah,” Steve manages to force out.  “Yeah, I just…”  He thinks about the promise he’d made to Bucky.  The promise he’d made to himself when Bucky died.  To find you back in New York.  Take you out for that special night and sweep you off your feet.  Steve feels grief overwhelm him.  He swallows the thick lump in his throat.  “I had a date.”

---

It takes you a little longer to recover from the years of sleep.  It gives Fury enough time to alter his plans in informing you of your situation, not wanting a repeat of what’s already happened.

When you come to and your vision has cleared, you look around the hospital room you’ve been placed in to find a man standing near the door.  He smiles kindly when he sees that you’ve awoken.  “Ma’am, I’m glad to see you’re awake.  My name is Phil Coulson.  I’m an Agent for SHIELD.”

Your brow furrows in confusion.  You slowly push yourself up into a seated position, frowning at how sluggish your muscles feel.  “Shield?” you question, your throat feeling dry.  Your gaze washes over him.  He’s wearing a tailored suit, however the design of it seems a little strange to you. You just can’t quite put your finger on it.

Agent Coulson approaches, reaching for the pitcher of water and glass that’s been placed on the table by your bed.  He pours water into the glass and hands it to you.  “We’re an agency that protects people from… well, special cases,” he informs vaguely.

You drink from the glass, immediately feeling the relief.  “What happened?  Where am I?” you question, looking around your room once more.  There’s something about it that seems off.

“You’re in a facility in New York,” he tells you.

You think back on what could have happened.  “I remember collapsing at work,” you recall.  Was that really the last thing that happened?  Why did it seem like that happened a long time ago?

Phil nods, “Yes, there was an accident with your mate.”

You look up at him in shock and concern, “Is he alright?!”

“Yes,” Phil nods once again. “But ma’am… This may come as a bit of a shock.”  He hesitates for a moment.  “Your soulmate, Steve Rogers is… Captain America.”

You stare back at him for a moment.  “Yes, I already knew that,” you admit cautiously.  You wonder briefly how they would have figured that out.  You’re not sure what they’re planning on doing with that information.

Phil looks a little shocked by your admission, but he also seems slightly relieved.  “You did?”

You nod slowly, raising an eyebrow.

“Oh, well that’s good. Less explaining, and maybe what I have to say next won’t be quite as shocking either.”

His statement doesn’t sit well with you.  There’s a dark foreboding feeling building in the bottom of your stomach.  “What else is there?” you ask, despite your head telling you to keep quiet.

“At the end of the war… Captain Rogers crashed a plane full of bombs into the arctic to prevent it from reaching the east coast and killing a whole lot of people.”  Your heart skips a beat when you hear this.  “His body was frozen over by the ice.  And your body had a similar reaction.  You went into a coma like stasis.  Your body frozen in time, rather than ice, until Captain Rogers could be found.”

He gives you a moment to let the information sink in.  It certainly takes a second, but honestly, the information isn’t as bad as you were expecting.  “Alright. I guess that is a little shocking,” you voice.

Phil seems to hesitate again.  “Ma’am… it took 67 years before Captain Rogers’ body was recovered.”

---

Part 5

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