#Best Way to Pick Apples in America

[articlejunkie]

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[booksandabeer]

Celebrating 10 Years of CA:TWS — A Stucky Rec List

Rec list for the CA:TWS 10th Anniversary Event @catws-anniversary (thank you so much for organizing this event! 💙) | Prompt: Memories

10 years, huh? 10 years of Captain America: The Winter Soldier. 10 years of what many—myself included—still consider to be the best MCU movie ever made.

But also 10 years of post-TWS fanfiction. 10 years of Bucky Barnes Recovering and Steve Rogers' Sadness Errands; of Up All Night to Get Bucky and Revenge Road Trips; of Winter Soldier Trauma Umbrellas and Everybody Needing A Goddamn Hug; of Good Bros and Soft Epilogues. 10 years and tens of thousands of Steve/Bucky fics later, here we are.

So, to mark the occasion, let's take a trip down memory lane and celebrate the movie and the stories it inspired: One fic from each year since it all began:

There's really only one rule here: All fics are set before, during, or after the events of CA:TWS and/or reimagine its plot in interesting ways. Naturally, many of the fics on this list are post-TWS canon divergent, but I tried to go for a nice variety of length, genre, and popularity to keep it interesting. Speaking of popularity, this is very much not intended as a round-up of ‘most popular fics of each year’ because—and I say this with all the love and respect in my heart for those stories and their authors��nobody needs a rec list for that, and I believe in spreading the love. Here we go:

Poltergeists by enemyofrome | 17K, T

Author's summary: When the helicarriers blow up and the Winter Soldier goes on the run, he takes Steve with him. He's got a name written in Morse code on the inside of his arm, a ton of questions he doesn't know how to ask, and now, a new handler with absolutely zero sense of self-preservation to contend with. Life is hard. In which Bucky tries to figure out whether he's a human being, Steve does everything he can to keep from losing him again, and there are lots of explosions.

Starting off with one of the best versions of the 'Bucky didn't leave Steve, he took him with him after the Potomac' fics that were (and still are!) so popular post-TWS. This one stands out because of its fantastic beginning, its interesting take on how Bucky was broken and remade into the Winter Soldier, and because it allows both characters to be messy. It's a popular fanon trope that it's Steve who brings out a ruthless, almost vicious streak in Bucky, but here it's emphasized that this is very much a mutual thing. Just like Bucky, who's often afforded the "excuse" of still figuring out how to be a person again, Steve gets to be difficult here—without ever turning him into a stubborn asshole. They're both traumatized, and they're both allowed to show it and to lash out, including at each other. Also, this fic will give you capital-F Feelings about morse codes and apples. Believe me.

sleepwalk back to the battle site by ftmsteverogers | 22K, T

Author's summary: “I’m going to track down every HYDRA agent that’s left,” Bucky says, buckling his gun deftly to his belt. “And then I’m going to kill them.” “Oh,” Steve says. “Come with me?” Bucky asks, dangerous hands tucked into his pockets.

A classic post-TWS fic that picks up right after the movie ends. Equal parts Revenge Roadtrip, Bucky Barnes recovering, and Steve Rogers being in urgent need of a good hug. This starts out intensely melancholic—Steve's despair and helplessness are palpable and there's a scene involving a drinking glass that still brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it. Halfway through, the story changes pace and becomes much more action-heavy, but it still manages to allow space for the quiet, intimate moments between Steve and Bucky. They have both become sharp and deadly men, but they're also allowed to be soft with each other. Their coming together feels sweet and inevitable. I also really enjoyed the Steve characterization here. His absolute conviction that Bucky is still Bucky at his very core and always will be, but also his emotional and intellectual flexibility to adapt to this still-new-to-him, changed version of Bucky rang very true to me.   

Surveillance by Sproings, 7K in 2 parts, G

Author's summary: If there are ears everywhere, that means it's somebody's job to listen. I hate my job.

Do you ever think about how SHIELD bugged Steves DC apartment and how horrible that was, but also...you're kind of curious what they might have overheard? Do you ever wonder about the people who listened in on his sad, lonely life? Well, here you go. An outsider POV fic told "through the ears" of an unnamed SHIELD agent assigned to spy on the private life of a man who doesn't really have much of one. The story begins just before IM3 and takes us all the way through the events of CA:TWS and beyond. It's clever, original and told with great empathy for both the subject under surveillance and the person carrying out that surveillance—who increasingly questions its purpose. Here's a small snippet to give you an idea of the fic's style:

He got a phone call, once. He put it on speaker, too, which was very exciting for me at the time. It was from an archivist at the Smithsonian. They seemed really surprised that he answered his own phone calls. The two of them talked for a long time about an exhibit the museum was planning. A very long time. As if one of them was starstruck, and the other was desperate for any kind of human interaction.

What Gets You Through by velleities | 12K, M

Author's summary: For Steve, getting through each day is a process – one he’s currently failing at spectacularly. Feeling out of place in this brave new world, he hopes to find a home in Bucky, and looks for him with everything he’s got. But Bucky doesn’t want to be found, and when he does touch base with Steve, he never sticks around for long. Bucky has embraced the modern age, leaving Steve lagging behind – or so Steve believes, until Bucky shows him otherwise.

This post-TWS fic revolves around five encounters in liminal spaces, and each time Bucky has pieced himself back together again just a little more. Despite their increasingly longer and more honest conversations, and Bucky's incremental progress, he always disappears again, leaving Steve to grapple with his heartbreak. There are quietly gorgeous moments in this fic (the bus and the church in particular were my personal favorites) as well as wonderfully crafted characterizations. Bucky is initially portrayed as somewhat feral in some ways yet surprisingly well-adjusted in others, and I love that Steve can't help but be a little annoyed at that. However, it quickly becomes clear that, in good old Bucky Barnes fashion, much of it is really just a front put up for Steve's benefit...

A Real Boy by itsnotbleak | 5K, T

Author's summary: It took the Winter Soldier three weeks to remember that human beings needed to sleep and eat. It took Steve far too long to realise the Winter Soldier was sleeping in his bed.

A wonderful, short-but-doesn't-feel-like-it fic (in the very best way) set immediately after CA:TWS, in which Bucky secretly and then soon not so secretly visits Steve in his apartment. Follow along as Bucky Barnes argues with his brain about sandwich toppings, the importance of a good night's sleep, and the necessity of personal hygiene. Also: how to best go about becoming a real boy (again). And who the hell is that Bucky guy anway? This is as soft and sweet a Bucky recovery fic as you're ever going to find. It's funny but not silly; sad in a way that all of these stories inherently are—because, well, these are some tragic boys—but not super angsty or depressing. A beautiful story with a lovely, hopeful ending.

Savage God by PottersPink | 36K, M

Author's summary (abbr.): Past, present, future, Steve knows Bucky Barnes. It’s why he recognized him when he found him in that alley in April of 1942, even though Bucky was older, stronger, wearier; he called himself The Asset, and had a metal fucking arm. He flinched when Steve tried to touch him, and when Steve told him he loved him, his first response was to ask why. Seventy years later, Steve wakes up in the twenty-first century, and he doesn’t know whether to be heartbroken or hopeful when some of the things Bucky revealed to him in 1942 start falling into place.

An absolutely riveting AU that will have you on the edge of your seat the whole time. I'm itching to talk about it more but I cannot since it would mean spoiling the hell out of it. What I can say is that it's a very intriguing and clever exploration of what would happen if Steve knew about the future but without really knowing any of the details. How would it change the events of CA:TFA and CA:TWS, and how would it change Steve himself? I so very much appreciate this characterization of Steve as smart, competent, and unwavering with a hefty dose of no fucks left to give. This fic features some really nifty time travel and plotting, great action sequences and a very satisfying ending where certain people get their much-deserved comeuppance. Plus: Bonus Shrinkyclinks (kind of)!

Charlie Lock by seapigeon | 105K, M (hard M)

Author's summary (abbr.): The Winter Soldier knows that sometimes, in order to make the kill, you must destroy what the Target lives for. Steve Rogers knows that he can't fight his captors. If he fights, they'll kill Bucky. But the price of his life is steep. Tony Stark has nothing left to live for, but he's needed. So all these miserable motherfuckers better stay alive, too. Clint Barton never expected to be a leader. But a leader he is, and no one else is going to die on his watch. --- A story in which the first wave of Project Insight succeeds, and the Avengers must pick up the pieces and find a way to stop Hydra from completing its work with Zola's algorithm.

This is not only the longest fic on this list, but also the angstiest one—by a mile, so please heed the tags. It's dark, disturbing, and brutal. However, it is neither relentless misery porn nor is it shocking for shock's sake, where everything is magically forgotten and/or healed the moment Steve and Bucky start kissing. Instead, the author puts these characters into an absolutely horrifying situation and then slowly, gently guides them out of it and into the light.

It's a Stucky fic but it's also a multi-POV ensemble piece featuring all the Avengers and other familiar faces. If you are someone who'll always be a little bitter about the unfulfilled promise of an Avengers found family, then this is for you. In this AU, they do not only fight together, but grow together in every way. They truly become a team, not just co-workers barely tolerating each other. The story takes its time exploring the characters and the group dynamics. Steve and Bucky are definitely at the center of the narrative but there is space here for every member of the team to grieve and adjust to the new reality and to find at least some measure of healing. It's a story about the meaning and the consequences of revenge, about hope and resilience, and about love in all its many forms. It also has one of the most satisfying title drops that will have you pump your fist in triumph when it happens. It's a tough read, but ultimately a very rewarding one.

SPELEVINK by Ginny_Potter | 10K, G

Author's summary: Bucky’s back. He’s leaving me messages through IKEA plushies, Steve texts Sam. jesus christ, rogers, Sam texts back. Or, Bucky lives in an IKEA Tiny Apartment, Steve is a dancing monkey once again, and somehow they find their way back to each other.

This is an absolute DELIGHT of a fic that will have you alternately laughing out loud and crying quietly into your SVARTFIBBLA blanket (super-soft, recycled polyester, 47x63"). It's ‘crack treated seriously’ at its very best and a clear homage to the fandom classic Infinite Coffee… (that’s not a dig or a spoiler, the author says so in the author’s note).

Now if you know me, you’ll know that angst o’clock is my happy hour and I’m usually not very into these heavy-on the-humor quasi-absurdist fics (because I’m super special and not like all the other girls, obviously). But. I LOVED this story so, so much. It’s such a fun read—even when it makes you cry—and it really became one of those ‘huh, I guess I’m into this after all’ moments of joyful (self)discovery via fanfic for me. I never thought a pair of oven mitts could move me like that, and I'll never be able to walk into an IKEA again without muttering "F******!" under my breath (iykyk). Absolutely fantastic.

a handful of dust by RecoveringTheSatellites | 20K, M

Author's summary: Steve looks for Bucky for a long time. But the thing is that Bucky doesn't get found, Bucky finds. Bucky always finds Steve. This takes a hard left after the Potomac and stumbles through the dark a lot after. Take a bit of running, the occasional synaptic misfire, the resurfacing of old memories, a dash or two of PTSD, and (eventually) a nice dose of action, stir, and serve over some unresolved issues.

Honestly, the second paragraph up there perfectly sums up the story. It's a good ol' fashioned Bucky recovery fic with some angst, some action, and a whole lot of healing and devotion. Steve and Bucky get to be very sappy about each other, but also extremely Badass Battle Boyfriends™ when somebody threatens their hard-won happiness. Both are allowed to be messy, unstable, and very co-dependent.

This was the first time this author played in the Stucky sandbox and I mean it 100% as a compliment when I say that you can tell. This is someone with "fresh legs" diving headfirst and very deep into the Stucky trope pool and they're doing it with great relish and enthusiam. The result is a story that rejects some of the tried and true conventions of the post-TWS fanfic canon and lovingly embraces others, but that is definitely aware of and in dialogue with the body of work that came before it. Also, it's just a really fun read that gives these two the very soft ending they deserve.

Everybody is Supposed to be Dead by pollutedstar | 22K, M

Author's summary: In 1944, Bucky Barnes falls off a train into the Alps, missing and presumed dead. Months later, Steve Rogers nosedives a plane into the arctic. In 2010, the Winter Soldier project is uncovered by S.H.I.E.L.D., and Bucky Barnes is found alive. Three years later, Steve Rogers’ frozen body is found in the ocean.

A really interesting AU and a fascinating exploration of what could’ve been; the impact it would’ve had on the events and characters if Bucky had been the one to be “found” first. How would it affect Steve to come back into a world where he isn’t quite so lonely and adrift, and where he does have the relief and reassurance of having Bucky by his side and at his back? How would that have changed the way he acted and reacted to this strange new world and the people and organizations trying to recruit him to their cause even though the ice hasn't even completely melted off his body yet?

There are a lot of astute and precise observations about characters like Tony, Natasha, and Clint in this story, and on top of that, it offers up some very compelling insights into Steve's conflicted and difficult relationship with his role as Captain America.

it's never over (hey orpheus) by romcommie | 12K WIP, 2/?, M

Author's summary: He remembers a song first and then everything else follows, burying him below. Or, Bucky Barnes pieces a life back together with a few choice verses, some duct tape and seventy years worth of spite. Steve Rogers tries very hard to relearn there's a life to be lived in the first place.

Ok, listen up, people! This is a WIP and there are only 2 chapters posted so far, but I haven't felt this absolutely bonkers excited about a post-CA:TWS fic in a long while. We're talking frothing at the mouth here. I have such a massive crush on this fic, it's a bit embarrassing, really. It's one of those fics where you know after just a few paragraphs that you're in very good, very competent hands. The wealth of historical and cultural detail; the way the story shifts/flips/flickers back and forth between time, perspective and narrative levels; the Bucky voice—it's all so well done! I'm so insanely excited to see where the author takes this!

ENJOY!

[stevetonyweekly]

SteveTony Weekly - Best of 2024

Welcome to the final rec list of 2024 in which I look back at the best fic’s I read this year--what are YOUR favorite fics of the year? 

Hot Rod Red by FrankTheSnek

Steve has been single since the abrupt end of his engagement 5 years ago (despite the efforts of his friends). When he accidentally stumbles across an attractive cam model online, the idea of having a virtual booty call on hand seems appealing. The only problem, Tony is far more charming than Steve would have imagined and there is more to him than a pretty smile and a nice body. Too bad all their interactions are just part of Tony's job… or are they?

Picture This by mistymountainking

“What if—” Steve doesn’t clear his throat this time. He swallows. And oh, Tony watches like it’s happening in slow motion, the tensing of tendons, the roll of Steve’s Adam's apple, the way his suprasternal notch collapses and fills as his esophagus works to, what, keep words down? Saliva? A moan? Steve blinks and the glassiness clears. The blush all but vanishes. “Never mind,” he mutters.

And that…that just won’t do.

Tony leans forward ever so slightly over the foot of the bed, further into Steve’s space by a fraction of an inch. Anyone else wouldn’t have noticed, but Steve does. He stares at Tony from up near the headboard, a plaintive expression deep behind his eyes, a problem that Tony can’t help but want to fix.

“Would you like my help, Steve?”

***

Steve gets caught attempting to take his first-ever dick pics. It's a struggle, he explains, because it brings up a whole host of lingering body image issues. Tony, very gallantly and not at all because he is in love with Steve, offers to take the photos for him.

how light carries on endlessly by meidui

“I'm fine. I always heal up fine.”

“Do you?” Tony asks, two little words flaying Steve open. Steve looks up at him, and against the dusky light, Tony Stark strangely looks nothing like his father.

-

Between a near-drowning in the Hudson River, a panic attack in the middle of a mission, and a kidnapping, Steve learns to be happy.

business affairs by meidui

It’s two years of wanting him the way he hasn’t wanted Emma since their honeymoon to the pearl of the Pacific, eighteen months of Steve slipping into his hotel suite on business trips away from the prying eyes of New York, and twelve months of staying late after the cleaning staff clock out because Steve will ride him behind his desk with the door unlocked.

Senseless by Scavenge4Dreams

Blinded, deafened, exhausted, injured and afraid, Tony raised himself up into a defensive position, the knife coming up just like Nat had taught him.

“That had better fucking be you, Steve Rogers- it had better be you. Fucking disarm me. If you let me kill you, I swear I will be very, very pissed.” Tony snarled, sure it was Steve approaching. Had to be. Had. To. Be.

What if it wasn’t?

Sunshine on Leith by AvengersNewB, KandiSheek

With the new government law prohibiting the employment of unbonded omegas, Tony has no hope of keeping his job at SHIELD, knowing full well that he has little chance of ever finding a mate. That is until he's officially claimed by a very special alpha: Steven Grant Rogers, also known as Captain America.

In the Springtime of His Voodoo by shaenie 

“I’m removing Captain Rogers from this base, but not from active duty. I want him as SHIELD’s liaison to Stark Industries first and foremost. He’ll report directly to me,” Fury says. “As it is, your identity as Captain America is not public knowledge and it will remain that way until I say otherwise. That said, if you think you can get Tony Stark to work with you if you disclose that information, you have permission to do so.”

talk just right by meidui

The most Tony hears Steve talk is when they argue, but hand to god, that's not the reason Tony keeps picking fights with him.

Well, maybe a little.

As Sharp As Any Thorn by RurouniHime 

It’s four days to Christmas, there’s a city in shambles, and the nation is in mourning because of the actions of a single man.

Double Exposure by shetlandowl

After a brief stint in the third installment of the Captain America franchise, Tony Stark was brought back to reprise his role as Iron Man in the fourth Captain America movie, Avengers Assemble. Tony had spent most of his twenties becoming a household name as a rising star in Mexican telenovelas, and Avengers Assemble is his breakout role on the big screen – and, more importantly, his introduction to the mainstream US audience.

Even after the movie is completed, Steve and Tony’s friendship remains a source of support that they instinctively rely on for encouragement and guidance. Tony’s fearless approach helps Steve break out of his comfort zone, and Steve’s solid grounding helps Tony focus on what matters.

This promotional tour is a new experience for Tony, but with Steve’s help, his learning curve isn’t so steep. Steve’s learning curve, on the other hand, is life changing.

[headingalaxys-spicy]

Yandere British empire England x motherly nation reader. After meeting her via catching her in the act of playing with chibi America he decided 'Yep, that's my wife' since she has his ideal traits of a woman (beautiful, motherly, ladylike and timid). But since he's an empire and has his hands full, he knows he doesn't have time to court her properly. So he resorted to manipulation and social pressure. First he used chibi America and made him get attached to her to the point where she's barely able to leave their house, and then proposes a union between them in front of his monarchy, her monarchy, and lil' America. Who all proceed to encourage her to say yes due to all the benefits, despite really not wanting to because she's uncomfortable with the Brit. Since he has made his infatuation known through bold and uncomforting means but being nice and afraid of what he'll do if she rejects him. Just let it all slide and pretended to be flattered, because she's a bit of a pushover.

I finally finished this one. I hope you enjoy! Sorry for the long wait!

The summer sun hits your skin, giving it a shimmery glow. The gentle breeze plays with your long, flowing hair. That's when you felt the tiny prying eyes on you once again.

You place down the book you were reading.

“I know you’re there, dear. You can come out. It’s okay.”

You knew you had stumbled upon an emerging country since there was no way a toddler like him could roam around on his own like he is. Not to mention that he was carrying with him a large Mastiff dog on his shoulders.

Since little America was lonely, you devoted much free time to the lonely child. He didn’t have his father figure around often due to being on the battlefield, being on the seas, or finding some new place to plunder. Said figure wanted you & so did little America who was always left to his own devices.

You never really did get to know America fully before he started to bring you over to the home that he England, Canada, & occasionally France (after he’s forced him to grovel at his feet when he’s lost another battle to him). It wasn’t long before you found yourself as the main caretaker. You made his meals, taught him how to cook, how to sew, [insert one of your talents here] , & other basic home ec skills.

“Y/N! Y/N! How does this one look? I made it for you! You should try it!” America excitedly bounds over to you with a sloppily made but made with tons of love put into the apple pie.

You were outside tending to the flowers when the hyper young boy raced to you to show off his creation. You’re amused by his intelligence and adaptability.

“Good job, Alfred. You’re resilient & will make a fine country one day.” You pat him on the head, admiring the fact that the entire kitchen wasn’t set ablaze.

“[Country Name]?”

“Yes?”

“Are you going to marry Britain?”

It felt as though someone had punched you in the guts.

“I ….. What in the world had prompted that question?” Bewildered, concluding that England was in little America’s ear again about being married and having a merger of your governments.

“Britain, he complains about being lonely a lot. And wanting to have someone. And you’re a nice nation who’s good with lots of stuff. You could fix his problem. You’re also really nice to me and my twin brother Canada when he’s over. You make the best pastries and breakfasts! When Britain is here he lo-”

“NO! America….No, we’re good friends…. And thats enough.” Weary of more conversation about pressuring nuptials onto you. You try to divert his attention to something else.

You pick him up and swing him around to change the subject abruptly.

“Anyways have you ever had a chance to find that secret meadow? I heard it has species of flowers we haven’t been able to document yet!”

“Oh so you’re scared.”

Ice freezes over your entire body, and you come to a complete stop. You hated how he was right. You hated how the truth within you was always so see-through. However, that didn’t mean that you weren’t determined to keep up the facade that all of the inquiries, pressure, & prodding didn’t eat away at your nerves.

“No….no. I’m just good on my own America. I don’t need to be married to Britain to be ‘happy’

& ‘fulfilled’. I’m alright”

You wished that Britain wasn’t so sneaky about putting ideas into people’s ears because when he did said thing it spread like wildfire.

‘Damn him! Why does that man have to be so pushy? And to use a child to try to convince me?!?! Real gentleman like.’

“But isn’t that a thing that all women want? A dashing gentleman like him. I mean he’s cool and stuff, especially when he uses his sword.”

America absently mindedly shoved his hand into the apple pie while he contemplated your saccharine, tense, and complicated relationship.

“Britain is just….”

America’s blues are on you 100%. The innocent and intent hues on you made you uneasy. As if whatever you said would have a counterargument to it later….

“He’s just being a guy. After all its not like nations need to be married. It purley is just a thing humans do. After all they don’t have everlasting life like we do.”

You boop his nose and relish in his cute giggle. You hoped your explanation would be enough to quell further questions.

“But even with everlasting life. That doesn’t mean that the heart ceases to yearn.” His voice came from behind.

‘Oh fuck. Can he not?’

“Holy butter! Can you not sneak up on me like that?” Not liking the fact that he invaded your personal bubble. You attempted to step away from him only for him to use his wiry & toned arm snached you to his chest. You squeak & begin to tremble a little. Looking into his verdant eyes it made you even more nervous.

“Can you not deny my marriage proposals?” He says half playfully, half seriously.

“Ha. Ha. You’re funny Britian.” You once again attempt to move away but he manages to keep you close to him.

“Yeah, [country name], why do you? Britain is an Empire and he could keep you safe if there was ever another nation who’d attack you.”

It felt as if ice had been poured all over you. You didn’t know how to maneuver out of it. You knew to some degree he was right, but that didn’t make him any less scary. However, you knew better than to anger a superpower like him unless you wanted to be at the business end of his sword.

“I know that having a strong specimen like myself, showing interest in someone weak….” His eyes take a few moments to drink in every inch of you like a shot of bourbon.

“But extremely beautiful….” He utilized his hand to force your chin upwards. You weren’t going to look away when he talked.

“[Country Name] you need to consider not only your safety but that of your own people. It’s not like you can fight & others have been eager to conquer lovely figures such as yourself…..” His glowering look scared the hell out of you. All you could really do in response was set little America down & run for it.

*************

America visited your little cottage multiple times before you finally decided to open the door.

“Yes, America?”

“[Country Name]!” He jumped at your legs as if they were a life buoy ring. “[Country Name]!” He stated again and nuzzled himself into your form.

“America, what are you doing here???”

“[Country name] ! Y/N ! Y/N! Please! PLEASE! Come back to the house. Britain isn’t there & I’m lonely and I need you! You’re kinda like my mom and I don’t want to lose you! I can’t lose you!” He begins to cry profusely.

“America….” You put a gentle hand on his head to comfort him.

“[Country name] please… come back the monsters at the house are scary too…”

“Okay…. I’ll come over, but …Just for this afternoon.” You tried not to let your heart shatter at the fact that he was crying so much that the skirt of your dress began to have a small puddle on it.

“Yay! Mama [country name] is coming over!” He says while batting tears away with the sleeves of his shirt.

“Mama? Amer-” The blues that look up at you filled to the bring with another round of tears and stars. You weren’t prepared to deal with the incoming flood that was building in the overflowing dam. So, you decided not to complete your sentence.

“Come on, let’s go! I want to eat [your country’s famous dish] I’m starving! And I don’t remember how to make pancakes, and I almost burned down the kitchen.”

You couldn’t help but laugh.

“Come on, mama [country name] !” He eagerly yanks at your dress to follow along.

“Hang on, America, I must lock up before I leave.” You were able to escape his tiny grip for just a few moments. You wandered through your home's walls taking in all its simplistic features… the paintings you made and were given to you, sewing projects that were strewn around.

As you began to close all of your windows, a feeling of dread hit you. You really wanted to tell America no. Your mind, heart, and spirit debated whether it was really a good idea to go over to Briaitna's home even if he wasn't there. His domain held power and all of the advantages to convince you to merge with his empire. It was already strange that he was calling you “mama”. Just as you were about to change your mind, a glass shattered somewhere within your home.

“Oh no! America!” You rushed towards the sound. He’s accidentally broken the swan that was given to you by another country.

“Mama [Country name], there you are! What’s taking you so long? Closing windows and locking your back door? Also, I accidentally cut myself.”

He showed you some of the shards of glass that had pierced his hand. Blood was now rapidly flowing from it.

“America! What were you thinking?!?! Hang on, let me go get my medical supplies so I can help you.” You rummage through your home….unable to find what you need.

“No….no….no….no….no…..NO….”

“We have some at my place, but can we hurry [country name], please? I’m beginning to feel lightheaded…..” Intentionally not using ‘mama’ or ‘Britian’ just to ease your anxieties about coming back to your golden cage.

“Okay, okay, sweetie. Just hang tight.” you rushed to him, scooped him up, and raced for the trap that had awaited you.

Once there you carefully removed the shard of glass from his palm & bandaged him.

“Better?”

“Yeah, thanks, mama [country name].” He gives you a hug and kisses on the cheek.

“But, I’m starving. Why don’t we make food together? I feel like fish and chips.” He bounced up and down excitedly. He was happy you were finally at your real home.

“Alright, I’ll peel the potatoes, and you can help dry them and get the flour for the fish.”

From there, the day slipped into the night, and the man that made you tremble still wasn’t back. Fine with you. You were exhausted from assisting the small boy with cleaning up the burn marks on the walls, food that had been turned into coal, and broken utensils. While the sun began to sink below the horizon, little America wrote his updates about you and sent them off on a carrier pigeon.

*************

The crisp paper was unrolled within the notorious green pirates' hands. He was giddy to see America’s progress in hindering you from being free from your inevitable union. His eyes absorbed every word and his smile became like that of a Cheshire cat painting his face.

‘I’m teaching that kid well. He’s learning how to manipulate and use his waterworks. Sweet Y/N is vulnerable to that like an eroding rock.’

I managed to convince Y/N to stay until you get back in a couple of months. I intentionally got injured so she’d be obliged to stay with me longer. I’ll introduce the idea of the ball to her soon. Anyways bring me back a cool souvenir.

-America

Britain allowed himself to drift off into his thoughts. [Country Name] had driven him insane since the day he laid eyes on her. Though blatant social subjugation, he wanted to keep you intact. From the day that his fiery green fae eyes rested upon your gentle figure, he knew he wanted to claim you. You managed both America and Canada with ease. You were insanely beautiful & patient, all of the things he sought in a woman.

Arthur bit down intensely on his black glove. He wanted you in his arms so badly. Sooner rather than later. He didn’t want to fight you. He did consider your feelings, however, his desire to have you would never allow him to release you. One way or the other you were going to be married to him. He picks up his quill to begin the next phase.

*************

“Mama! [Country Name] ! Mama [Country Name] ! I need help! I can’t find my shirt!”

America is going to depend on you for everything: cooking, cleaning, sewing + repairing his clothes, etc. He is essentially a toddler with superpowers that he tends to hide from you. So his being able to pick up a bison and being able to stop a carriage with his foot is not a thing he showcases. He pretends that he’s weak as hell. He will also intentionally injure himself to make you extend your stay and dote on him. Lil’ Alfred was so incredibly dedicated to the bit that he purposefully got himself sick. This was done to buy England more time while he was away expanding his empire. You’d been cast into the role of ‘mother’ without your consent. Both knew how to take advantage of your caring nature and naivete.

“Oh, America, what am I going to do with you?” You placed another cool towel on his head as you checked his vitals. Worry has consumed you. He’d been ill for the past 3 weeks, and everything was touch-and-go. You’d sent off another carrier pigeon to ask for assistance. You could not leave the poor little boy unattended for long & you had too much integrity & fear of what might happen to him otherwise. You only had yourself to talk to these days & your journal that you kept.

“Hopefully he’s not back soon.” You utter under your breath. You grabbed your quill and began to write.

I tremble every time I hear a nurse, doctor, or maid at the door. I dread hearing his commanding voice ring out from the foyer. That makes my anxiety increase.

Your palms become clammy and you put down your quill to steady yourself. Your mind wanders to the letters yours and his dignitaries had begun to bring up inquiries about becoming merged with him.

‘It will be great’ They always imply.

‘Life will be easy and sublime.’ Your boss wrote to you in one of your letters.

“Ms. [Country Name] Come look at this dress, isn’t it great?! Won’t you want to use it?” A maid came in your room.

It was an over-the-top lacy number that essentially was a wedding dress.

You shook your head ferociously at the dress.

“No, thank you.”

You wanted to toss the dress into the deepest depths of the ocean along with the persistent pesty pirate.

Since most have caught onto your trepidations whenever England is mentioned. Your boss omits that one detail from the mandatory ball invitation your King also required you to attend. Your hands began to involuntarily shake at the fine print on the parchment.

“No, I have such a bad feeling about this.”

A tear rolled down your cheek. Something within your soul told you that this was a setup. But what could you do? What choice did you have? You donned the opulent (favorite color) dress that the letter had arrived with.

“Breathe, Y/N breathe.” You had to try and find your peace so you could fulfill your duties even if they did involve that terrifying British man.

“It’s just a standing government get together. It’s fine.” As you looked at your reflection in the mirror. Your outside didn’t reflect your inner turmoil.

“Mama!” Little America rushes towards you. He immediately gloms onto your legs.

“Hey Alfred.” You pat him on the head.

“Come on mama! We’re going to be late for the party.” His tiny hands begin to showcase the strength to drag you to the carriage that was waiting for you.

“Feeling better today?” Shocked at the way he’s able to manuver you through the grand home.

“Yes, I’m just excited! I get to go to a party! I’ve always wanted to go to a big fancy party!”

*************

The gravel hitting the carriage wheels only managed to fry your nerves more. Your life felt as fragmented just like the millions of tiny rocks. You’d struggled to keep lil’ America alive; he’d been sick & injured so often ….he cried for you profusely even when you’d only left his room for a few minutes. He refused to be left alone with the maids for long as well. Nothing but your full attention would satisfy the young nation. Your hands mindlessly fiddled with the silk on your (favorite color) ballgown. The smooth & almost water-like fabric helped ease your nerves some but there was still a voice at the back of your head that told you, you were headed for an emerald-eyed pirates trap.

“Mama! We’re almost there! Aren’t you excited?” He excitedly grips your arm.

“Sort of. Alfred. Sort of.” Your eyes quickly maneuvered from his excited sparkly blues down to the velvet floor of the carriage. You just wanted to return to your home & be alone for a while.

Once your carriage pulled up to the pristine castle, which stood against the backdrop of the American countryside, your heart dropped into your stomach. You couldn’t even be distracted by the beautiful high green hills and wildflowers.

“We’re here! We’re here! Come on, mama this is going to be fun!” He bounces up and down, shaking the entire carriage. It shook up all of the nervous butterflies in your stomach, transforming them into bees.

“Alright, Alfred. Alright, but you’re a representative of your nation. Even if you’re young, you must behave properly.” You take his hand to prevent him from simply bursting like a firework.

As the two of you wandered up the stairs with the other guests, dignitaries, & other members of your and England’s monarchy, your stomach began to tighten more. Seeing some of the members of the British royal court immediately put your nerves on edge.

The bees in your stomach changed, this time into angry wasps that pierced your stomach lining. Your heart began to sink into one of the seas that Britain controlled.

‘No….no…’ you accidentally grip lil America’s hand tighter than you should have.

“Mama? Are you alright?”

“ Yes, I’m just a little tired and homesick. I simply want to get this ball over with.” Came your honest response.

“I’ve heard that whatever they’re going to announce might actually make you happy mama.”

‘I doubt that.’

As the guards greeted you & showed you to the grand ballroom where everyone was beginning to take their assigned seat…. There you saw him.

You bit down on your bottom lip causing some blood to dribble into your mouth.

The feared Great British Empire was sitting next to your empty assigned seat. Your pace slowed & almost came to a halt. America reclaimed oblivious to your hesitation & dragged you along like a pet who didn’t want to be taken to the vet.

‘I wish I were mortal right now. I could die like how I wanted to right now.’ As you made it to your seat Britain swiftly got up & pulled out your chair. You sit and give him a curt ‘hello’ avoiding his hungry green eyes.

“Is that any way to greet your future husband?”

Your head snaps over to combatively meet his gaze.

“Delusional and daft. I’d never say yes.” Fight mode through your entire body kicked in. All of the angry wasps in the pit of your belly moved faster revving up to attack a target.

Britain took a hold of your chin sharply. There was a mixture of anger and amusement swirled on his face.

“Aw, the soon-to-be wedded are having a lovers quarrel.” You heard some of the people in the high courts giggle about your interaction.

“Oh, she’s lovely. She’d make a great Queen of England.”

Other whispers of similar wedded bliss seemed to be the top points of the gossip. The words poured from their mouths …creating a tornado inside of you mixed with all of your emotions.

The attack-ready wasps had been sucked into the raging winds extinguishing any fight you may have had and replacing it with fear. The devious smirk that Arthur flashed at you made the hair on your neck stand on high. Goosebumps littered your skin.

“Then maybe your boss can speak some sense into you.” He releases your chin as if on cue. Horns and trumpets beckon everyone's attention to the center of the ballroom, where your boss and his arrive together. Your nerves are still fried, and you begin to have an out-of-body experience.

“I’m pleased to have all of you here! To announce the engagement of [country name] & the Great British Empire!” Thunderous cheers beat down your eardrums. Your worst fear were becoming realized.

‘Oh shit….no…no….no….no… nooo’ Your grip on your seat tightened. You were hoping that you were having some twisted lucid dream of sorts but you weren’t.

“Y/N Arthur, why don’t the two of you share advance to start the night?”

‘Is me dropping dead an option right now?’

It felt as if your legs turned to jelly and frostbite had overtaken your feet.

Arthur yanks you to your feet despite your hesitations. You were on autopilot now & Arthur had no issue taking control.

“Oh look everyone, my poor little love is so overwhelmed with shock she’s like a doll.”

The crowd laughs at his quip. The they began to chant

“Merger! Merger! Merger! Between [Country Name] & the Great British Empire! Merger! Merger! Merger! Great British Empire & [ Country Name] !”

The crowd's chants signaled to you that you’d already lost. There was no real reason to fight. Arthur could tell that you were beginning to accept your sealed fate. He squeezed your hand before he snaked it around your waist. He wanted to be closer to you.

A ballad began to play. Arthur took hold of both of your hands. He guided your through the dance. Your feet followed his flow. Even though you were living a nightmare just like a lucid dream….. You had no other choice but to dutifully follow.

You did your best not to look at his triumphant eyes.

“She’s bashful, how adorable.”

“Aweeeee, she’s so shy.”

“One strong, dashing gentleman paired with a demure lady. A match made in heaven.”

These comments hit your head like a flurry of stones. A few tears escaped your eyelids. Arthur dipped you down and inched towards your face. He kissed your tears away and drank them away like a sweet wine. He trails his way down your soft skin to your lips.

His kiss will be drawn out, taking all of your air and attention. Your wet (eye color) orbs will interlock with his verdant eyes.

“You’re mine [country name], and there’s nothing you can do about it.”

[ornii]

—They will be Loved—

So after finishing the Multiverse of Madness film, I had an idea of a story where the reader is the Widow of Black Widow (see what I did there?) and is also the spirit of Vengeance because Ghost Rider needs an R-Rated MCU Film, and shares his grief with an also grieving Wanda.

Strange Had requested help with a “little” issue as he called it, little being an absolute lie since it’s dealing with the god damn multiverse, but you relented and agreed. It’s been, lonely since Nat left and the avengers are gone, it’ll be nice to at least get out of the house.

You rode down the countryside, the hum of your chopper in your ears and the wind on your face, you went to the orchad of Mrs Maximoff. it was often you did the dirty work of others. This one, was personal though. Wanda did some things many would consider simply evil, but it’s not always so cut and dry with things like this. The white petal orchard trees lined the side of the road and nearing her home, a voice of pure evil calls from the back of your head like a speaker.

“I sense immense magic here..” the Spirit of Vengeance, my others self you could say, was speaking to you

“Yeah, I felt it too..” You replied, I saw from the corner of my eye a woman grafting the orchard. You slowly came to a halt and halted your bike and kicked up the stand. Stepping off, you approached her, the warm scent of apple and grass felt so, human. And you haven’t felt human in a long time.

You get behind her, and she obviously senses your presence.

“Apples, right?” You ask, trying to break the ice with your old friend. “Nat would have loved it..” you start.

“Eventually.” Wanda replies in Jest, she turns to face you and you can see that her beauty hasn’t changed at all. Those beautiful eyes hold so much grief behind them. You nod, “It’s almost to good to be true, you know?” You say, trying to hint at Wanda.

“It's all very real. Thanks. I put the magic behind me.” She said to you, she walks off to continue pruning limbs and you casually follow her, “Well, I knew sooner or later you'd... show up, wanting to discuss what happened at WestView. I made mistakes, and people were hurt.” She said, the pain in her eyes, her power was neatly unmatched, and that lead to catastrophic consequences.

“I'm not here to talk about WestView Wanda.” You say.

“Then what are you here for?”

“Strange, needs your help.” You start.

“With what?” She inquired, you rubbed your chin trying to think of a way to explain. “You, ever come across the concept of, the Multiverse?” You said, Wanda didn’t look as confused as you thought she would.

“The Multiverse. Vis had his theories. He believed it was real. And, dangerous.” She drops the limbs into a crate and then gives her full attention to you.

“Well, he was right about that. From what he told me, he found a girl who can somehow travel across it but she's being pursued.” You say.

“Pursued by who?”

“Some kind of demon. From what strange told me, I’d go with Underworld Deity, a Trickster wouldn’t try to take her by force but trick her into giving her soul or powers away. Strange is ready to defend her, and we could use another Avenger.” You offer, trying to get a smile out of Wanda, she gives you a sad one.

“There are other Avengers, (Y/n).”

“Yeah but, it’s not really the same, besides between Clint, A Teenager webslinger, and …Whatever I am. We’re the best line of defense for her.” You explain, and Wanda poses a question.

“What if you brought America here?” She asks.

“Here?” You reply? And the spirit in your head also picks it up.

“She knows the name of America Chavez…”

“Yeah, she’s been stalking her..” you think, and Wanda goes on.

“Yeah. I know what it's like. To be on your own, hunted for abilities you never wanted. I can protect her.” She explains, you continue to look at Wanda, not saying anything as she realizes her slip up.

“..You never told me her name, did you?” She asks, now realizing she’s been had.

“No. No, I didn't.” You reply, Wanda sighs, and looks around. “You know, the Hex was the easy part. The lying, not so much.”

Wanda calmly moves her hand, which dispels the illusion and reveals the truly hellish world she’s been on, it’s blood red, mixed with such evil darkenss, no life, no trees, no happy little farm. And what stood there for you, was a Book. The, Book.

“The Darkhold.” You felt its eternal power reach out to you, ready to swallow you whole. You fight its call of power and hear Wanda.

“You've heard of the Darkhold?” She asks you, turning your eyes to her, you see her dawned not in regular civilian clothes, but that of the Scarlet Witch.

“it's the Book of the Damned. And that it corrupts everything and everyone that it touches. The Way Chthon intended it, it shows you falsehoods and a sense of power you will never control.”

“The Darkhold only showed me the truth. Everything I lost... can be mine again.” She said, somehow believing her own lies, you shook your head in disbelief, that Wanda would go so, far.

“What do you want with America? And What do you want with the Multiverse?” You demand, and she gives up her plan.

“I'm going to leave this reality, and go to one where I can be with my children.” She said, but you calmly countered.

“Wanda, your children aren't real. They were made from magic.”

“That's what every mother does. If you knew... there was a universe, where you were happy, happy with Natasha, with a family, wouldn't you wanna go there?” She asks you, and admittedly, she’s right. A simple life on the countryside, away from the Spy games and Occult evil, a world where you’re happy. Your anger slowly transformed into melancholic empathy, you frowned softly to Wanda.

“You know… Nat couldn’t have kids, so we considered adopting. It was the last thing we talked about. She really would have loved any child we had. I know it can’t compare to you and Viz though. It’s not enough that, In Many other universes, they’ll be loved?” You ask, Wanda’s walls come down for a moment and you saw the real Her. A grieving mother and widow. A tear comes down her eye, and she couldn’t reply.

“You’re right, I would love a world where I can be happy with Nat, love her, hold her… but in order to do that I’d have to kill a version of myself that’s happy. I can’t do that, I can’t kill a version of myself for my own happiness. If I did that, would I even deserve to be happy? Would you kill a version of yourself that’s happy because you’re not?” You reply. Just for a moment you saw Wanda’s eyes have a hint of remorse in them. “Wanda, what you plan do to will cause irreparable damage to our universe and the one you intended to murder and implant yourself inside, if you try to child's power, she won't survive.” You warn her, but it seems she unfortunately stuck in a fusion of corruption and grief.

“I don't relish hurting anyone, (Y/n). But she's not a child. She's a supernatural being. Such raw power could wreak havoc on this, and other worlds. Her sacrifice would be for the greater good.” She said, still trying to justify this absolutely diabolical behavior.

“You’re starting to sound just like Him, the same man who killed Vision and half of the universe.” You shake you Head, turning away from her to walk away.

“Strange killed half of the universe When he gave Thanos the Time Stone.” She retorts back to you. You halt in your steps and slowly turn back to her.

“He breaks the rules and becomes a hero. I do it and I become the enemy. That doesn't seem fair.” She replies, You Storm over, frustration coming to a boil, she could see it, the red burning flame in your eyes, the Ghost Rider.

“That was different, Strange gave Thanos the stone because it’s the only way in Fourteen Million outcomes that we beat Thanos. You want it to bring back children that don’t exist for you, Strange was Selfless, you’re just Selfish.” The venom in your words, they haunt Wanda, the growing disconnect between her and reality was apparent.. she shook off your threat.

“Return to Kamar-Taj, and prepare to hand over America Chavez by sundown. Peacefully. After that... You'll never see me again.” She bargains.

“And if I refuse?” You ask, and her sinister aura changes.

“Then it won’t be Wanda who comes for her, it will be the Scarlet Witch.” With those haunting words, she turns to walk away, you felt a blend of anger, sadness, grief all your own.

“Wanda..” you say, she stood still but didn’t turn to face you.

“I… I Miss the people that we used to be..” you say. Wanda gives a shaky sigh, you can hear her trying not to break down into tears.

“.. So do I Pral..” she mutters before leaving, as much as it tore you apart, as much as you hated it. This, could only end one way.

[kimyoonmiauthor]

I thought it might be fun to list "Best cultures for", imo, BTW, doesn't include SK in most cases.

So using my Anthro degree for something. This is Academic interest. I'm only giving the loose reasons why. I'm not particularly promoting fetishization here. I'm saying, do the research into this specific culture for this specific cultural aspect. rather than blind worship.

Agriculture

Of the three major regions, (West Asia, Southern China-ish, Meso America/Northern South America) hands down, The Americas.

I mean, if you look at the genetics and origin of the potato, that itself is super impressive. Through domestication alone, they managed to make the potato grow in all environments, AND changed the amount of genes the potato has. !@#$ What? Really? And then you have things like Amaranth, corn, squash, beans of different kinds, quinoa, tomatoes which is related to nightshade, which is used more than eggplant worldwide, and Sweet Potatoes which they gave to Polynesians. Also single handedly through the Potato and Sweet Potato saved China, Korea, Ireland, and several other places from famine, thus also helping to end the slavery cycle in Korea, China and Japan. I mean... who are you going to rank the highest in that case?

Second place ranking I have to give to Western Asia. Daaaaamn, you have wheat, oats, barley, sheep, goats, cows, horses (supposedly), pigs. That's pretty impressive.

Third place Southern China—rice production, most of the world's commercial flowers, soybeans, a lot of the fruits including citrus. You also get honey.

Honorable mention to South Asia for Chickens. (Indonesia and India specifically)

Despite this, apples are my favorite fruit. lol I need to eat a Courtland apple please. I can eat them by the bushel.

Sea navigation

Hands down, Polynesians, beats the pants off of everyone else by a nautical league. When you can feel sea currents with your hands, be able to get your people first to the South Pacific from China, and then navigate ALLLLL the way to the Americas and beat Europeans, Yes, definitely they get the crown several times over. I mean... think hard about it. When you memorize stick charts, casually and then don't have them at sea and sometimes your tattoos are only brief reminders, FLOORED.

Make Europeans in the same time period look terrible.

House design

I'm looking at passive solar, specifically rather than aesthetics. For me, this is kinda toss up. Indigenous peoples rocked it pretty hard, especially in the South West US into Mexico region. They were exceptionally good at regulating air flow. But Koreans invented underfloor heating. And Chinese figured out Feng Shui which is just Passive solar+ a bunch of other stuff that's practical. (Such as your bathroom shouldn't be above your kitchen). But I have to admit I also admire some of the Indian Passive solar efforts (subcontinent). This one is hard to decide. But if you're researching, I'd look there.

Gender

My favorite to point to is Bugis people of Indonesia. 5 different genders. Freaking awesome. Of course it's a bit disciplined these days by the government, but it's worth investigating.

As I wrote before East Asian gender systems of the past were often more fluid and flexible and still are compared to European ideologues.

Clothing?

No one has impressed me that much, tbh. It's a pick and choose. I can choose the most impractical, but not the one that wins my heart for inventiveness.

Crakows, though, crack me up every single last time. Especially for the Phallic nature and that they were associated with men. But that's on the impractical list. That's also why I submitted it for review on History Hit's fashion list. I haven't gotten over it since I first saw it, I think it was on a Dan Snow documentary about British kings. I mean look at them and resist laughing your butt off.

Religion

I personally think that real Voudoun is much cooler than what's in the movies, which is really racist 98% of the time. It is a Synchronized religion, and it is Christian-based in some ways, but c'mon, look it up and be impressed.

BTW, I really dislike the conflation of zombies with Voudou, granted as an outsider, since it belongs to Bokor and is a warning against *becoming a slave* not about white people trying to shoot zombies with grey and darker faces because OMG, slave uprising psychology.

Zonbis, are cooler than zombies since it's about overcoming and resisting masters, rather than about masters mass killing their slaves, which is what the later meaning seems to say. Ad Zombie movies are at their best when they symbolically get the original concept and meaning. So like becoming a work drone.

^^ I still have a soft spot for Muism as a Korean, but ya know, Korean. I lean towards liking shamanism, probably because of the historical acceptance of LGBTQIA and disability.

Shamanism is also appealing in some ways because often shamanism says that if everything in your life is going wrong, then that might be a sign of powers or spirits calling to you, rather than saying in the old Christian ideology that you've sinned deeply, so you need to repent.

But this is usually not what people are asking about when they are thinking about religions. They usually want the polytheistic, Jade Emperor, Greek, Roman, Egyptians, Norse route. Or Monotheism. Kinda dull, really. Where are the other types in fiction. I mean, Druids?

Give me some totemism for once.

Government System

Look up Wigan Council. I might also be biased towards it because of Gaya, but it's a way to play with things and also allow for more LGBTQIA royalty. Royalty without autocracy?

Inventions?

Hands down, no doubt, Islamic Empire. I mean, when you have Automatons without electricity, you're winning without question. When your people are inventing surgery, calculating the size of the Earth, allowing women to read, learn and write, inventing the lens, which is the cornerstone of so many inventions, and you got Europe's Bacon by inventing the Scientific Method first, historical crush does't cut it. I mean, when you can calculate a pointed arch, do geometric mosaics with mathematical principles, I am floored beyond reason.

Conclusion

This isn't to say I'm not impressed by specific things from other cultures as well, but this is broad strokes. Vedanta Hinduism, for me, is impressive from India. And I really like the practicality of Hanbok. (Why hanbok over hanfu is a long, long post) And I've raved over kimchi before multiple, multiple times, more than you know (quora... I think I have the most answers and I also answer with the food science of Kimchi down to the bacteria.) BTW, dumplings are damned clever.

What are your favorite culture for specific things from those cultures? Would you choose different cultures for each of these things? If so, why? What impressive things have I missed that have floored you?

[disfordevineaux]

What's kind of phone I think each Carmen Sandiego character has:

Carmen: That limited edition red iPhone that came out a few years ago. Because it is red, along with a red case with a red pop socket on the back that keeps.falling.off. It's also mysteriously in perfect condition?

Player: A Google Pixel because he doesn't want to conform to the status quo of phone brands and claims he made it 'hack proof'. He sticks by it and claims it's better than any iPhone or Samsung on the market, but it's really not. And he knows that, we all know that. And no phone case because he literally can't find one for it because no one has a Google Pixel. So why make phone cases for a phone no one has?

Shadowsan: They got him an iPhone 12 Pro, big enough for him to use and see the screen because he has to view it from a distance as, and I quote 'The phone lights make his eyes blurry.' It also had one of those wallet cases mums have on their phones. He left it behind when he went on his sabbatical and got a Nokia brick and an international sim plan just for calls.

Zack: The most disgusting, feral, warped, sticky, crusty and shattered iPhone 6 in white you have ever witnessed in history yet it works completely fine despite the glass you find lodged in your finger when you use it and the centre button that is just an empty hole to the motherboard. REFUSES to get a new one because he doesn't want to lose the headphone jack and claims that apple removing it in the first place was cash grab and he will have no part in it. And honestly dam right zack I am with you there my man stay strong King xx

Ivy: She has a custom made franken-phone that is made up of various parts from all brands across the board. Alot of the parts donated from Devineaux's pile of fallen soldiers that met their doom between the 18-24 months he was actively chasing Carmen/VILE before VILE fell. Literally a beast and has a military grade case that she also crafted which she had tested. It is literally military grade, she has a certificate and everything.

Julia: Currently, a Lavender Samsung Ultra 23 256gb storage. She got it mostly for the cool pen it comes with, and because it's lavender. She updates her phone model every 2 years and sells the latter for almost the same price she bought it for because she keeps it in pristine condition. She's only ever cracked a phone once and it shook Julia to her core. It looked horrific in her opinion, the hair line crack so bad it made her gag when she brushed her finger over it. So now she always has a nice, strong silicone pastel purple case and screen protector over her phone which she cleans regularly.

Chase: He went through 6-7 phones during the 18-24 months while chasing Carmen/VILE before VILE fell. Before then and now after, he had whatever the latest phone was the year he got it regardless of the brand, about every 2-4 years or until it kicked the bucket. During that 18-24 months, he'd walk into a phone store, ask for the latest thing, and be on his way. Most of them died in his care before he even had the chance to take the back plastic off. Now, he's in far fewer situations that indanger his life or phone. Or if he is, takes the moment to hand his phone and wallet to whoever is nearby for safe keeping because he really likes the new one Julia picked out for him (which is just the same model as hers but black). Julia also being the one who made him get a case. He had no idea that phones came with their own clothing options.

Chief: Only uses holograms. But has a landline??????????????

Zari: She once owned a black Samsung A20 with a yellowing clear case back in 2015 before she was declared missing at sea? That's all the information I can get on it my sources tried their best sorry.

Brunt: Doesn't need it because she can project her voice across vast distances. Get her a rolled TV guide and she can blast your message from one side of America to the other 🇺🇸 yeehaw and also because she's scared those 5g mega hd3g Max phone microwave rays will melt her brain if she gets one of those flat things and slaps it to her face like an genz zombie.

Bellum: Has 17 Ipads all with different cases on them.

Cleo: She has other people do that phone thing for her so she isn't sure what kind of phone she has and I don't know either.

Maelstrom: A telepathic link chip he had installed into his brain to connect to cell towers. It doesn't really work... Or do anything... But it's in there so.... Yeah?

Dash: A Samsung flip BECAUSE ITS JUST AS PRETENTIOUS AS HE IS and so he can snap it shut to prove a point. He's been through like 10 of them because he snaps them closed too slay-ily damaging it. No case because I have no idea how you'd even get a case for it?? Like it folds? I don't know.

Paper Star: Lives off grid.

Sheena: A white iPhone 11 with a gold trim case that has a huge crack down the front. The back glass is completely shattered, but it doesn't stop her from endlessly scrolling through those insta reels about reviewing different tanning lotion brands.

Crackle: An oily iPhone with the most humongous case you've ever seen. You could drop it and it would bounce around like a ping pong ball. The grease that covers the lens gives his selfies an air brushed vibe to them that he just loves.

Mimebomb: An invisible 1970s orange rotary phone.

Neal: That mystic purple conch shell with the pull string from that one spongebob episode that answered questions or something. You know what I'm talking about don't make me pull up a picture.

Topo and Chev: They share one phone so covered in stickers you can't even tell what kind it is but its probably an iPhone. It's filled with couples selfies and can only work when permanently charging so it's always connected to a power bank that is also covered in stickers. Ugh.

[ophelialoveshandsomemen]

Get to know your moots

Thank you, @virtie333! for the tag, this is long and looks like fun!

What's the origin of your blog title? Ophelia because I fell in love with everything Hamlet when I first watched Sir Kenneth Branagh's '96 adaptation back in like '11 or '12. And I love handsome men. Easy as that!

OTP(s) + Shipname: uhm with shipnames? ( rummages around)...okay, think I found them! Anne Shirley & Gilbert Blythe ( Annebert) , Faramir & Éowyn ( Farawyn) , Queen Victoria & Lord Melbourne ( Vicbourne) , Anastasia * Anya* Romanov & Gleb Vaganov ( Glenya)

Favourite colour: A really good Navy Blue! Also sunset yellow and a mossy deep dark forest green!

Favourite game: Nintendo Donkey Kong 3 for video games, Mille Bornes for card games, World Wise for board games, tricking people for real games...

Song stuck in your head: ( oh hell) The Monarch Song from Horrible Histories. Really catchy!

Weirdest habit/trait? Weeellll, I bet everything I do is considered a weird habit by the majority of the populace, but it's probably the fact that I eat oddball things like the eggshells on boiled eggs and the paper on muffins and things like that.

Hobbies: Fiber crafts, woodworking, growing plants, beekeeping, playing the piano, writing fanfics, obsessing over historical fashions, reading history books, reading historical fiction/romance novels

If you work, what's your profession? oh geez, I can't really disclose that. Has to do with wee bairns. And farming.

If you could have any job you wish, what would it be? Acting on stage at the Globe Theatre in London.

Something you're good at: Being a walking encyclopedia and playing music. Also flying by the seat of my pants through life.

Something you're bad at: Dealing with people, dealing with stupid people. And yes, though rare, they do very much exist.

Something you love: Music, history, the Catholic Faith, trees, Midsummer Bonfires, dark haired men*gulps*, restoration era English royalty.

Something you could talk about for hours off the cuff: Why monarchies are actually still a better way of ruling, over democracies and republics and all that 20th century bullshite... Also herbalism, history in general, and cinema!

Something you hate: Puritanism, Gnosticism, Satanism, the healthcare system of North America, Communism, Nazism,( fascists are on thin ice) how loud Americans( not yours truly who has been tagged of course) tend to be online, the visceral misunderstanding protestants have about Catholicism/Orthodoxy, the Canadian government, the way americans treat canadians like dirt( at least the americans I met in real life)

Something you collect: Wool blankets, antiques, CDs and DVDs, enamel pots and pans

Something you forget: I get distracted easily, but my memory is scary long and accurate. I mainly forget where my wallet is.

What's your love language? Sex

Favourite movie/show: Oh come on I can't pick one! *grumbles* I pick The Lord of the Rings trilogy and M*A*S*H

Favourite food: Hominy corn with butter and Anglo-Saxon Oatcakes with apples

Favourite animal: Moose and Musk Ox. Would 100% ride them if I could. Also sheep.

What were you like as a child? Daydreaming and very idealistic. Also read a lot of trashy 70s romance novels.

Favourite subject at school? History, as well as religious studies.

Least favorite subject? Algebra. Even though I was actually really good at it. Still hated it.

What's your best character trait? Super helpful.

What's your worst character trait? I can be pretentious as fuck if I feel like it and nothing will stop me. Bit too much of a non-conformist.

If you could change any detail of your day right now what would it be? That I hadn't spilt the damned milk.

If you could travel in time who would you like to meet? St. Joan of Arc and King Charles II of England , Scotland and Ireland. Preferably at the same time, that would be a hoot. He would pretend not to understand her french as she would absolutely rip him a new one about his mistresses and I would enjoy the show whilst being starstruck!

Recommend one of your favourite fanfics (spread the love!): Oh! Here's one! ( or two...)

and

no pressure tags are: @thekenobee and @russell-crowe and @smolgreybunny

[cosmoknightchaos]

hi for the ask game,,, can I learn a bit more about Kat,,, specifically with 🧐 and 🍝 (yes I know the obvious answer for the latter but like. does she like any other foods)

This one has been sitting in my drafts for a while. I finished it, saved it before adding tags, and then completely forgot about it lmaooo

🧐- Is your OC more logical or emotional?

Ough. That's a tough one. I'd say overall, Kat is more logical. She's been on the run for long enough that she knows what to do to survive, and she HAS to do that. If she slips up, even once, and word gets out she's a shapeshifter, that's a death sentence. She has to constantly balance staying completely inconspicuous with getting enough nutrients to keep herself in human form- basically, balance being a normal human with having to kill people to live. And because of that, she is very logical.

However, that's offset by the fact that if Kat ever gets in an emotional state, it's awful. Every now and then the stress just punches her in the face and she has a complete breakdown. These are few and far in between (though become more common during her time with Paisley&Crew, since they help her learn to manage her emotions better), but are often so bad she'll be in this mood for hours, even days. And, since at some point, she always has to go back to trying to survive- the more logical thought process- Kat never gets the time or ability to really recover from those breakdowns, which means the stress keeps building more and more until the next. Rinse and repeat.

🍝- What is/are your OC's favourite food(s)?

Haha. Well

Besides the obvious answer (To be fair she does that mostly to survive, she doesn't enjoy it much), Kat... doesn't actually eat that much. There are very few foods she can eat that won't mess up her body composition and appearance, and it's hard enough to stay as a human without other foods messing that up. So that immediately rules out a lot of fruits, veggies, meats, dairies- basically anything that is naturally grown or animal product will mess up her composition.

However, that doesn't mean she can't eat anything else! A lot of processed foods, which have had nutrients taken out/altered, won't affect her enough for it to be an issue! My current scale for how much food affects her depends on how close that food is to it's natural state- so an apple freshly picked from the tree will fuck her up, apple pie or applesauce won't affect her as much. So thank goodness Kat lives in America, land of the overly processed foods!

Rest of the answer below the cut, since this is getting long and I'll be talking about Kat's actual eating habits (TW: cannibalism)

Which. To be fair overly processed food fucking sucks and if I had to rely on McDonald's burgers to live I would also resort to cannibalism

The issue with Kat is that she's stuck between eating highly-processed garbage food, which sucks but at least it won't mess up her composition, and eating human flesh, which tastes delicious but also requires illegalities to acquire. Remember kids: cannibalism isn't illegal, it's how you procure the meat that is.

I really do think that, despite how much she hates it, Kat will always prefer the flesh, organs, bones, and/or other vitals of whatever species she's disguised as over any "normal" food she can eat. Because bodies are filled with a bunch of tasty nutrients that her body needs in order to keep a consistent form, and processed foods don't have those! Where else is she gonna find food that tastes good?

I think it's best described as that feeling you have when you're craving awful food. Like it's late at night and a shitty hotdog or fast food burger sounds fantastic and you buy one and it is the best thing you've ever eaten. That's how Kat feels about cannibalism. Under normal circumstances (her body at a standard composition with enough nutrients to maintain that form), she's disgusted with the idea of eating human meat and will go out of her way to avoid it. But when she's hungry (low on nutrients and struggling to keep a consistent form), human flesh is absolutely fucking delicious.

I mean, she probably thinks human meat is delicious either way. It's just a matter of moralities, and whether or not she needs it to survive in the moment.

But, to finally answer your question: Kat is a very big fan of sushi! Raw fish fucks her up extremely bad, but she doesn't care. As long as she eats it in moderation and not very often, she can recover quick enough. She also has a very big sweet tooth, especially for cake-like substances like muffins (<-Which can often come ultra-processed, so she can eat them with minimal problems), brownies, and cakes.

[rabbitcruiser]

Apple Day 

Apple Day is mainly celebrated in the United Kingdom, where it was started. Common Ground, a group dedicated to building strong communities, strengthening local distinctiveness, and connecting people with nature and each other, held the first Apple Day in 1990, at Covent Garden in London, England. Their goal was to create an autumn holiday that would not only be celebrated in London, but also in other cities, villages, parishes, markets, and even orchards. They wanted to demonstrate the richness and diversity of apples, but also the diversity of landscape, ecology, and culture as a whole.

Many different activities have taken place on the day. First and foremost has been the buying, tasting, and eating of apples. Other activities have included juicing, pruning, grafting, and identifying apples, and games, songs, and poetry about apples. In England, many groups such as museums, shops, restaurants, horticultural societies, Wildlife Trusts, National Trust properties, and schools organize activities for the day. By the second year of Apple Day, there were over 60 events. There were over 300 events in 1997, and 600 by the new millennium. Not all "apple days" are held on October 21. Some groups hold these celebrations on other days of the month.

Through the day's success, it has not only demonstrated the importance of the apple but the importance of local celebrations as well. The day has germinated local pride and grown interest in local distinctiveness. Apple Day has also led to an interest in raising awareness for the origins of food and to encouraging healthy eating.

The apple tree is a deciduous tree from the rose family and is cultivated around the world as a fruit tree. It originated in Central Asia; its ancestor is the malus sieversii, which still grows today. Apple trees grew for thousands of years in Asia, as well as in Europe—the starting place of Apple Day—before being brought to North America by European colonists in the seventeenth century. They are possibly the oldest tree to have been cultivated. The only apples native to North America are crab apples. Reverend William Braxton of Boston planted the first apple orchard on the North American continent in 1625. Apples were cultivated on colonial farms and spread along Native American trade routes. Johnny Appleseed introduced apple trees to the western frontier. Today apple trees are prominent in Eastern Washington, where apples are their leading product, and more apples are grown there than any other state.

If grown by seed in the wild, an apple tree can tower up to 30 feet, but they are generally 6-15 feet in height when cultivated. The height of the cultivars depends on how they were grafted onto rootstocks. There are over 7,500 cultivars of apples, which are grown for various purposes such as eating raw, cooking, and cider making. Apple tree flowers blossom in the spring, and the leaves bud at this time as well. Flowers cluster in groups of four to six and the center flower is called the "king bloom." It opens first and can grow into larger fruit than the other flowers. The fruit is ready to pick by late summer or fall.

How to Observe Apple Day

The best way to celebrate the day may be to attend an Apple Day event, most of which take place in England. You could visit Covent Garden in London, where the first Apple Day was held. One of the other best ways to celebrate the day may be to try as many different varieties of fresh apples as you can find, identifying them, and noting the differences and qualities each has.

Besides eating fresh apples, you could celebrate by eating apples in some of their many other forms as well. Have some cider or apple juice; treat your sweet tooth to apple dumplings, apple pie, apple cake, or a caramel apple; and find a use for apple cider vinegar. There are so many ways you could enjoy apples. Not only could you eat them, but you could plant an apple tree. Plant a cutting, or get a tree from a nursery.

As the heart of the day is about finding ways to connect with others and nature in your own community, the day can even be celebrated without apples. You could spend the day at any sort of community event, or by doing something to improve the place you call home. You could support small local businesses, join the committee for an annual festival, or work with others to clean up parks and waterfronts.

Source

[articlejunkie]

Article Junkie tells you the Best Places to Pick Apples in the United States. Bring your pumpkin spice lattes and cosy sweaters: Fall is truly around the corner. When planning your next fall vacation, consider traveling to a location where you can admire fiery foliage while participating in seasonal outdoor activities like apple picking in the States. KY, which has become a timeless tradition for families and people of all ages. Across the country, you’ll find hundreds, if not thousands, of places where you can pick your own apples right from the source (read: not the grocery store). Ahead, we’ve rounded up some of our favourite apple picking destinations, along with the best orchards and farms: many of which offer additional on-site activities as well as food, apple-themed drinks and festivities to help make the experience more enjoyable. Specially.

Click here - https://articlejunkie.in/best-apple-picking-usa/

[itsnotmourn]

crashes through your ceiling for a THIRD time sorry its the only way i know in

FOR THE ASK MEME THING WITH WINIFRED

I HAVE QUESTIONS

THESE ONES

💯🍎❤️💔

i realize i accidentally picked all red emojis. whatever its a theme its pretty YAAAAY WINIFRED!!!! >:D

[ ask meme ]

my ceiling... it's in SHAMBLES !!!! i guess i'll leave it broken, i have a sky window now... /SILLY

TY FOR SENDING!

💯 HUNDRED POINTS SYMBOL — share three random facts about your oc that others may not know.

Although Winifred wears a fabric hairband, it doesn't tie her bun in any way. Since she (and The Second Mouth) can control the hair strands, it actually just... keeps itself up. To her, it's as easy as breathing.

They are lactose intolerant but since it only gives them tummy troubles, they don't really care to find lactose-free foods. If it's good, they'll eat it.

She lives in a studio apartment and rarely invites people over because of the mess. She doesn't have room for a washing machine either so she goes to the local laundromat every other day.

🍎 RED APPLE — where was your oc born? do they still live in/around their place of birth or do they live somewhere else? how do they feel about their birthplace?

Winifred was born in Hinoemata, Fukushima prefecture (Japan), and was raised in a rural village near the mountains!

After becoming a yōkai, she then moved in and out of the prefectures for a few centuries before deciding to go oversees and live in the Spooky Town in 2010, which I'm assuming is America.

Heavy past wanting a brighter future. She tries not thinking about what’s left of her little village; plenty of bad memories there.

❤️ RED HEART — what are three of your oc's positive traits?

She is known for being generous; she likes sharing and thinks food is a good way to connect with another person. Winifred dislikes conflict so she does her best to be diplomatic, unless the situation has grown dangerous. Thanks to The Second Mouth and her being as a supernatural entity, she is also aware of her surroundings, making her a little bit more intuitive than most.

💔 BROKEN HEART — what are three of your oc's negative traits?

Winifred is incredibly passive, often leaving decisions for other people to make. She finds it hard to stand her ground. On worst days, they can be rather dismissive when conversations lean to The Second Mouth. She also tries her best to conceal this but Winifred has a skewed perspective on being selfish; she believes to priorities herself but in the same way, it has affected others badly (points to her village).

[drakkonyan]

Do you know any cool fact about turtles you want to share with the class? /genuine

WHEN I SAY THIS I MEAN IT BUT LITERALLY RUNNING IN CIRCLES RN YES FINALLY!!!!!!!!

Ejem.

I'll start with the basics then expanding but also winging it because yes. Under read more because I infodumped hard here

So sliders. Sliders (trachemys) is a genus that lives all of america, and which it's main and most known subspecies, red eared sliders (RES, or scripta elegants) is best know by two things: the fact that it's the most popular type of pet turtle globaly, and that they are STUPIDLY resilient. These two facts, naturally, create the perfect storm for an extremely invasive species due to neglectful or ignorant owners who get tired of the eety beety lil bean once it starts to show it grows to a max size of 12 inches/30cms and lives to even 30 years old.

However, I still think that, in the correct hands, they are a wonderful pet for experimente or mindful owners (what I cathegoryze as mindful is whoever knows ot is open to provide the correct space a goldfish should live in, since it's the same for turtles and plottwist; none of them both is fishbowl or less that 10 gallons option) so some info on them:

When they are tiny, their yolksack cord and egg teeth is visible, and it's so cute because it's this tiny thingy the size of a coin omg 🥺. At this age they are known as hatchlings, and they have certain qualities that only stay on this age;

-color: they are a shiny, beautiful emerald color, with orang-y ears and Grey-blue-ish eyes. As they age, they turn brown while they are juveniles and finally end up black/deep forest green/dark yellowing brown (depends on the specimen)

-diet: when babies, they are mainly carnivores, eating fish, bugs and whatever they can scavange, with plants here and there, but as they age they eat more and more greens, until their diet is around 80% these. In captivity the recommended in protein is crickets, roaches, mealworm, blood worms and feeding fishes, like goopies. On the greener side the recommended is red and green leaf lettuce (avoid iceberg at all coast and only sometimes Roman and buttercup), dandelion leaves and turnip greens, with sometimes endives, kale and escarole. They also like aquatic plants like Amazonian sword, duck weed, moss balls, water lettuces and frogbit, to name some. Some veggies like carrot, bell pepper, sparce fruits like bananas, apples, mango, melon, strawberries, blueberries, papaya and raspberries are also good for em. On store brand pellets zoomed and mazuri are the standard.

But enough about that. One common asked question; how to know their sex? As most reptiles, turtle sex is determined based on the temp the eggs are incubated. There is this myth about how the markings show the sex, but this is a lie, as the markings change depending on the species and subspecies. There is also said that males have a concave plastron and females have a flat one, since it facilitates reproduction. And while it is true, the best way to tell is waiting for em to hit puberty. Once they are 4 inches/10cms long OR one-two years old OR have a black shell, the males start to develop longer claws, which can get to an inch/3cms long. This, plus the cloaca placement/tail size is your best bet, as it is really distinctive and easy to tell male claws from females. Females are also easier to diferenciate due the fact that, once they grow to their whole size, females are the biggest, while males stay at around 25cms or something like that. Tiny guys.

However, I personally knew in mine's case due the fact he showed me his turtle penis while he threw a temper tantrum over me picking him up.

In the reproduction topic. As I've mentioned in another post, they have an apareament dance, known as jazz hands. It's pretty self descriting, as they put their hands next to their face and vibrate them at super speed. This behavior also occurs between territorial fights. Once they got their things settled, the male chases the female and they do the thing. In this, those longer claws we talked about help them stay in place while copulating.

And in that territoriallity note, they are extremely territorial and solitary animals. They need AT LEAST 10 gallos per inch of shell, and can't cohabitate unless they are in like, a pond. However, even then they could become hostile. The hostility signs are mainly stacking (they get one in top the other while basking, they do this to compete for space and UVB/heat from the sun) fighting over food (in captivity, if kept together, sometimes one baby grows faster than the other, this is due that) chasing eachother and actual fighting (biting, scratching, it can go from easily-infectable lacerations to fights-to-death). Due to this and more reasons, unless for breeding and when knowing exactly what you are doing, it is extremely important to NOT cohabitate under any circunstance.

I think I'm leaving it at there for today, might add more in a rb tomorrow, but it's literally midnight and I should sleep lol. Thank you so much for asking! I love so much to talk about these goobers and you made my day (night?) I also wanna mention that I'm constantly learning and that, if any of this info is wrong or outdated, please let me know! With that said, goodnight!

[illegally-blind-and-deaf]

Young Tintin Headcanons Because I Can and I'm a Sentimental Person

Also, Tintin's mother is blind. That's my own headcanon

Tintin learnt Braille through his mother reading him Braille books while he sat on her lap. She also taught him to write formally using Braille and it's because of her that he became such a good journalist.

He loved to make paper planes and kites out of everything: newspapers, discarded letters, anything he could get his hands on. He loved to study the way birds' wings curve to catch the air and spent hours reading about how planes fly.

Every day, after school, Tintin and his mother would go to the market, buy some fruit (strawberries, oranges, apples, whatever was available) and would eat them in the park. Even when it was raining, they would eat then splash in the puddles.

Tintin's mother was kind off eccentric, but in the appreciate-the-little-things eccentric. When it stormed, she would open the windows until rain began to puddle on the floor. She would also lie in the floor a lot, either on the grass or on the carpet becay se she liked the feel of the ground below her. Tintin learnt to do the same, noticing the minutia of life that was truly special that so often gets overlooked. He loves the clouds especially.

Tintin used to ask a lot of questions (and then follow up with "why?" 5 times.) His mother never grew bored of it and always answered to the best of her ability. When she didn't know something, they would go to the library and Tintin would read aloud to her what he found.

One of Tintin's friends went to America and bought back "The Wizard of Oz" soundtrack on a record for him. His favourite song was "Over the Rainbow", but it wasn't until after the war that generalised just how sad the song was.

Tintin's hair started off a really warm, golden blond that had a couple of copper streaks when the light hit it. As he got older, his hair got darker until it grew into a solid ginger hue.

Museums. Enough said. Entire days spent wandering around, exploring the artifacts and paintings. Art museums, Natura history, modern history, science, anything. If it was a museum, Tintin had been at least once.

Tintin grew to really appreciate music. He had piano lessons, but stopped due to money and a certain war and never picked it back up again, but he loved listening to music on the radio or gramaphone, either dancing or lying on the floor staring at the ceiling. He especially loved Debussy and other impressionist musicians.

One of the reasons Tintin is such a phenomenal writer is because he became accustomed to describing the world around him and the little things happening to his mother. Describing without relying of visual explanations was difficult, but he managed to convey that sunshine was like fresh bread.

He read many classics, such as Tolkien, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Beatrix Potter, A A Milne, Mary Poppins, A Little Prince, etc. He was a very well-educated boy, despite hating school because everyone there were bullies and also he got bored very quickly writing simple sentences over and over again.

His baby teeth were crooked: his front two teeth were larger that the rest and overlapped with the other teeth. His adult teeth do the same, but much more subtly. You only notice if you stare hard enough.

Freckles. So many. That is all. Freckles.

He loved to dance. Just waving his arms about, twirling around in the living room, moving his body in any way he could to music or even just because.

He was in the Belgian resistance (Dutch-Paris network, 20th convoy and le faux soir) but if I say any more this will become too long and you will all hate me

Remember how Haddock asked Tintin if he could fly the plane and Tintin replied with "I interviewed a pilot once?" It was more of an interrogation between a British RAF pilot who had been shot down and a determined 11 year old Belgian boy in a dark basement somewhere on Rue Franklin as the pilot waited for his escape to Switzerland. Tintin had a book on planes and pestered the pilot to teach him how to fly planes until they had regular meetups in a broken garble of French and English.

[doodling-doodle]

Fluffcember 2023!

Day 4: Road Trip

PriceGraves

"What do you have planned?" Phil asked when John asked for him to cover his eyes as he led him outside.

"Okay. Now you open your eyes." John said, standing in front of him as he did.

His jaw dropped.

It was a brand-new RV. And a pretty big one at that. 

"Oh. My. God." He said, "John, you did not."

"You said you wished you could travel more." John said, walking up to their new car. So I figured I'd find one and help with that since we're off for a while anyway."

"John!" He said excitedly, chuckling as he went inside of it. It was surprisingly spacious. Larger than the one his family had as a child. A fridge, a mini cook stove, a fold-out couch, space for a TV, a fake fireplace…

"Figured we could head out tomorrow." John said, "In the morning after breakfast. We pack up today, and we get all our food ready to go. And we'll head out."

Phil nodded, still looking around and going up to hug John.

He couldn't wait.

He had spent the whole day packing up, and now, they were about to get on the road. He was so excited, and so was John.

"I have a few places we can go planned out." John said as he got in the driver's seat, "The first one is in Mississippi."

Phil nodded, smiling brightly as they drove through Texas…

"How long do we plan to do this?" He asked

"At least a month." John replied, "Depends on what you want to do."

"I'm happy to drive around America for a month."

It took a long time to get to the place in Mississippi, but it was worth it.

"Where are we?" Phil asked.

"You once mentioned wanting to find an apple orchard, so I did." John replied, smiling as he found a place to park.

Phil lit up, so excited and hugging John.

"You are amazing!!" Phil said, and John chuckled.

"Just wanted you to have a good Season. But we will be back to have Christmas with the kids."

"That sounds perfect, John…"

They took a minute to get bundled up, and they went out to see what to do.

An older woman was there, smiling as she handed them a basket and told them to load up.

Phil happily went around, pulling a few branches down to get the best ones.

"You look like you're an expert." John said, chuckling

"Yeah… raided a few orchards as a kid when we were struggling. Quickly found out what was good and what wasn't."

John nodded softly, kissing Phil's head. He knew his history, and it was heartbreaking, but, Phil was never ashamed of it.

But now wasn't the time.

"Can you pile it any higher?" John asked.

"Probably not, honestly." Phil said, looking at the basket, then at John, "Let's go and get these."

John agreed, chuckling as Phil happily went back to the entrance.

They got to talking with the woman who ran the place, and she told them about a few places around the area that they might want to visit.

"There's also a really good cafe around half a mile from here." She said, "You might want to check it out before you go."

"We'll keep that in mind." John said, smiling, "Thank you."

"No problem. You boys enjoy the rest of your day."

They went back off to the RV, and drove until they found a place to hook up their utilities, and they cooked some dinner for themselves while talking about what to do next. They were going to try the cafe, but after that, they were probably going to change states again.

Either way, they were excited.

They did end up going to the cafe, and John picked up a pamphlet of things going on in the area while they ate.

"There's a resting stop a few miles from here." John said, "firepits and all."

Phil nodded, "we can go there tonight. Sounds really nice."

John smiled, "Good. Let's drive around some more, get lunch, and then find the place."

And that's what they did. They just enjoyed their little day of driving before going to where they could park, got firewood, and sat together at a firepit.

They held each other tight, and John just saw the pure joy on Phil's face.

"Thank you for this, bear…" Phil whispered as he leaned on John more.

"Oh, love… It's no problem. I'm just glad you're happy."

And they sat there in pure joy while it snowed around them.

[endlesstwanted]

Picking Love

My entry for @fleurdelouvemonth day 22 prompt — Apple picking, inspired by this Stony drabble 🍎🥧

Fandom: The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (TV), Captain America (Movies)

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Pairing: Bucky Barnes/Sarah Wilson, minor Steve/Tony

Tags: Modern: No Powers, Meet-Cute, Apples, Flirting

Summary: Tony takes Bucky to the farmers’ market as an excuse to meet with his new fling, but Bucky makes the best out of it with the idea to bake something for his sister’s birthday.

Wordcount: 2k

Also created for: @buckybarnesevents’ Build-a-Bucky-Bingo — Farmer’s market / @slumberpartybingo — Would you rather ... Cook dinner OR eat out / @multifandom-flash’s taboo bingo — Please Put Some Clothes On / @tonystarkbingo — Asking For Trouble / @buckybarnesbingo — Terrible choices / @lyricalescape — “Light the signal fire, proceed without hesitation.”

Excerpt:

“Okay, I gotta say I was definitely not expecting that,” the woman said.

“Why is that?” Bucky frowned, but he side-smiled too. “Is it my long hair or my cool tattoos, the one telling you I’ve never baked a thing in my life?” he joked.

“None of those, actually.” She laughed, and Bucky’s chest filled up with joy in knowing it was because of him. “Only said that because I rarely see people baking anything with fruit lately. Apple pies specially, they’re often bought from bakeries. I’m surprised, but in a good way.”

Continue reading on Ao3!