#Frozen/ Avengers crossover

[sergeantrosabellaswan]

Am I a Monster? Disney Frozen & MCU Corssover, CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER ONE

Summary:

Elsa and Anna Arendelle. Sisters first, best friends forever. Even with Elsa being the one with cryokinesis- the enhanced abilities to control snow, ice and the cold. Struggling to make ends meet with Elsa attending college and Anna finishing up her senior year of high school, they accidently attract the attention of both SHIELD and HYDRA.

A NOTE FROM THE AUTHORESS:

I’m back! this is a rewrite of a past project that I had abandoned due to Covid and lack of brain cells. Let’s hope that I don’t lose interest in this little project of mine!

CHAPTER WORD COUNT: 1089

Elsa shut the door with her foot, carrying two bags of groceries for the week. An exhausted sigh escaped her mouth at the silence that filled with dingy apartment, located in the poorer parts of New York. Despite the fact that the twenty one year old college student was raising her sickly high school student sister on a fixed income, the sad apartment was fixed up to the best of their ability. The thin walls were decorated with blankets to keep the warmth in, the sagging bookshelf was crammed full with textbooks and cheap adventure novels, the outdated kitchen had a fresh tray of double chocolate chip cookies on the counter and a damp towel was neatly folded next to the stove.

All in all, the two sisters did the best that they could with what little they had access to.

“Hey,” Anna, her little sister, greeted with a weak smile over from the couch, where she was working on her chemistry homework. “How were classes?”

“Alright,” smiled the pale blonde with a small smile. “I’m just happy that winter break starts next week. Speaking of which- I went and got you another blankie.” She reached into one of the grocery bags and pulled out a fuzzy fleece blanket in hot pink and electric purple.

“Thank you!” Anna happily squealed, snatching the blankie from her sister and promptly wrapping herself in a warm cocoon.

“Well with how easily you get cold, I just figured that I should just wrap you up in blankies and have myself a little Anna burrito,” Elsa teased her said with a laugh. “Especially with Paul being such a grade A sleazebag excuse of a landlord and flat out refusing to fix the heating system.”

“Yeah.” All that could be seen of Anna were her eyes and nose, causing for Elsa to reach across and tap her little sister on the nose.

“Speaking of which, how are you on medication?” Elsa asked as she began to put the groceries away. “Do I need to go out and make a drug store run?”

“I don’t think so- my inhaler is half full,” Anna said, taking her glasses of to scrub at her eyes. “But I think I’m coming down with another ear infection and a head cold.”

Elsa groaned under her breath as she figured the cost of the medicines that Anna would require to get to her bubbly self once more.

“I’m so sorry Elsa,” Anna apologized. “I truly don’t mean to be so sick all the time.” Elsa didn’t have to look to see her sister was trying not to cry.

“I know you don’t,” Elsa took out a saucepan that had seen better days. “Does chicken noodle soup sound good for tonight?” Anna nodded, setting her homework aside as she curled up into a little ball to keep herself warm.

“Oh Elsa, before I forget, you got a letter today,” Anna said in an excited voice. “Had to sign for it and everything. I put it on our bed. it has an official looking seal- who do you think it’s from?”

Elsa smiled her thanks through a mouthful of food before standing to place her now empty bowl into the sink. She entered the only bedroom in the crap excuse of an apartment and immediately saw the letter- an official looking envelope of heavy cream colored parchment.

“Well, well, well… what have we here?” Elsa muttered, eyeballing the otherwise innocuous white envelope- Miss Elsa Arendelle it was addressed to in stern typewriter’s font. 1450 West Snow Hill Drive, #237, New York NY, 00097 was addressed underneath her name, making her anxiety skyrocket for some unknown reason.

Elsa was shaking as she used her gloved thumbnail to peel the flap open and pulled out a single sheet of paper, the same font from the front of the envelope. Elsa took in the bolded header, which had STARK INDUSTRIES stamped in a simplistic stylist font.

Elsa eyeballed the cream colored letter envelope as she set her backpack onto the rickety chair next to the sisters’ shared chest of drawers. She continued to read, her hands trembling as her pale blue eyes took in the words that were scattered across the page. Elsa could literally feel her face losing all color as she closed her eyes, forcing herself to take a deep breath of air.

I should have been more careful, she scolded herself, thinking back to that day when she had interrupted a mugging between a pimply faced teenaged young man and a heavily pregnant woman.

Dear Miss Arendelle, the letter read.

Your unique abilities have recently come to the attention of the Avengers, as well as your current living situation. Mr. Stark would like to propose a simple deal: you come and work for the Avengers Initiative, and in return, you will get put onto the team’s medical insurance, which will cover all of your sister’s medical expenses- visits to her cardiologist, audiologist and her ear nose throat doctors, all her medications including her asthma inhaler and her pacemaker and any furture surgeries that she may require.

I’m also including my phone number in case you have any questions at all.

Anothny Stark

Genius. Billionaire. Playboy. Philanthropist.

(571) 998-7850

If you liked this, then please consider buying me a coffee HERE It only costs $3!!!

TAGLIST

@captain-ariel-barnes

@ofstarsandvibranium

@invisibleanonymousmonsters

@itsanerdlife

@crushedbyhyperbole

@brooklyn-boy

@yours-bucky

[featheredmoonwings]

Fic authors self rec! When you get this, reply with your favorite five fics that you've written, then pass on to at least five other writers (except me because obvs I have done it). Spread the self-love ❤

This is a lovely ask thank you!

Now let's see. 5 of my favorite fics I've written, hmmm.

I know no one asked for explanations but I'll give them anyway XD Here they are (these probably change depending on my mood), in no particular order even though they're numbered:

Lonely Stars Drifting In The Black (gen) Why is it fav? I of course CANNNOT go without mentioning this fic. My first, properly long fic that I finished. I remain so proud of what I achieved here and my commitment to writing it all out and FINISHING it. That used to be something so hard for me to do and I'm so proud of how I managed to write these complex relationships without sacrificing the character's morals. I-m still working on the series that sprouted out of it and I'm STILL so happy about the stories coming out of it. Fandom: Star Wars: Prequels Characters: Jango Fett & Obi-wan Kenobi Summary: It's an easy job, go in, get some information, and then Jango Fett can be on his merry way out of the disgusting Death Watch camp which he has nothing but contempt for. It WOULD be an easy job, that is if it weren't for the chained kid they've got, tied up like an animal… Jango sees red and nothing more. He'll make them regret the day they dared to lay hands on a child.

Of The Old Things Hidden In The World (gen) Why is it fav? I consider this one of my most self indulgent projects and I love it for this XD. It's a crossover but I take myself very seriously with it and that's one of the things I like so much about it. Could be silly but I don't let it be. I took a concept that I really liked (Merlin turning Aithusa human) and then I just REALLY ran with that idea. When I would usually hate miscommunication, this story is filled with it but it's purposeful and no one is being stupid about it. Fandom: Merlin BBC x Avengers MCU Characters: Aithusa, Merlin, Tony Stark, Natasha Romanoff & Clint Barton Summary: Merlin and Aithusa have weathered this world together since the long gone age of Camelot. But now Merlin is in grave trouble and there's nothing Aithusa can do to help him. Merlin has commanded him not to follow, not to help. If Aithusa keeps doing nothing at all, it'll soon break his heart, surely. But… this new age has heroes, perhaps they might help. After all, Hydra IS their problem, isn't it? The should be the ones to deal with it.

A Crime Of Passion (gen, but can definitely be read as shippy) Why is it fav? This story gave me SO much grief but since the MOMENT I conceived this story I've loved the idea and at the end (despite all the problems) I keep loving the result I got from it. I got some good narrative out of it and TENSION. Characters being forced to do something they don't want to my beloved. Fandom: Twilight Characters: Carlisle Cullen & Aro Summary: For the life of Edward, Carlisle Cullen must make a bargain with the devil of Volterra himself, the bargain though, is not at all what the Doctor thought it would be. (Canon Divergence from the end of New Moon)

After The Mist (pre-ship but SUPER gen vibes) Why is it fav? This ones OLD and you can see a lot of mistakes in the writing but I LOVE the interactions that I wrote and the relationship I was crafting. I like it so much, love the idea of the story, that I STILL want to finish it and give it the love it deserves. Fandom: Frozen ll Characters: Agnarr & Iduna Summary: After young Agnarr returns to Arendell that faithful day in the forest, there's a grief too deep inside his chest he cannot begin to comprehend it. But there's no time to dwell on it, he's a king now and he must act as such. Still, he is drowning, he's drowning all the time. But there's someone out there who might just understand what this profound pain is doing to him. "My name's Iduna."

Drizzle By The Sea (Gen) Why is it fav? Another VERY old work which I'm still very fond off. It captures one of the things I love writing the most and it's this little pleasures like walking in the woods or getting soaked by the rain. I find the feeling it produced beautiful and it makes me happy so, yeah. The execution is maybe a bit clumsy but I know what old me wanted to transmit. I keep coming back to this sort of writing and I hope I never stop cause it makes me feel alive and like the world is magic. Fandom: Teen Titans (cartoon) Characters: Robin & Jericho Summary: Jericho is a bit... weird. Robin can see in the way the sea captures his attention that there's a natural feeling and a sense of delight that he carries with him. It's contagious.

Thank you so much for the ask @cilil it made me very happy and I did want to answer something like this today. I'm glad for that emotional boost, so thanks again <3

[incorrect-frozentricks-n-friends]

(It's been a while so here's a sort of NSFW one!)

(Loki trails his hand down Elsa's side his eyebrow raised in his and Elsa's apartment in the avengers tower)

Loki: so... let's go to the bedroom... remove our clothes... fold them neatly...

(Elsa snort laughs)

Loki: and engage in frenzied lovemaking...

(He smirks at her and motions with his finger to follow him to their bedroom, she starts to follow him)

Elsa: what if we don't fold our clothes at all...?

(Loki pauses in the doorway)

Loki: or... what if we fold them.

(Meanwhile across the building Peter Quill is talking to Thor and Jane)

Peter Q: so yeah here's Tony's key back... as soon as I get back to my grandfather's house I'll invite you guys to visit.

Jane: aw you're too sweet... that's in Missouri right?

Peter Q: yeah... not much to do there sorry.

Thor: no no it's fine, we'll love it.

Peter Q: I really can't thank you guys enough for taking me in... all of you. I mean I was at a very low place in my life and-

(Suddenly they can hear voices down the hall)

Loki: OHH ELSA YOU NAUGHTY VIXEN!!!!!

(Jane's eyebrow shoots up, Thor looks weirded out, and Peter looks over his shoulder towards the hall with a disgusted expression then shakes his head and continues)

Peter Q: anyway uhhh... as I was saying I was at a very low place in my life and if it wasn't for friends like you guys I'd never-

(More voices from down the hall)

Elsa: my goodness Loki that form of stimulation is very effective!!!!

(Thor cringes now, Jane is horrified and Peter rolls his eyes)

Peter Q: I can't compete with that. Bye guys I'll send you a postcard from Missouri.

(Rushes to the elevator to leave, and Jane is just standing there in shock, Thor sighs)

Thor: we should leave them to it I guess.

Jane: I want to... but I can't bring myself to-

(Suddenly Elsa lets out a scream of ecstasy, and Jane turns beet red heading for the elevator dragging Thor by the hand along with her)

Jane: okay I'm over it!!!

[scar-lie]

Their First Love [Natasha]

Summary : What happens when someone come back to get what's them.

Pairing : Natasha Romanoff x Fem!Reader, Natasha Romsnoff x Bucky Barnes

Warning : None, I guess

Word Count : 2,642

A/N : Hi everyone so sorry that I didn't post the chap 9 of Omega and the crossover oneshot, my school ends right before Christmas eve, then my Mom got admited to the hospital and well next is new year so it's kinda busy, sorry again but this oneshot is in my draft for over a month or week now so this is my sorry token for you all

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE 🥳🎉

{THEIR FIRST LOVE PT. 2}

No one has permission to repost my work anywhere, if you see it please let me know.

You sigh, getting off the elevator in the compound to visit Natasha. You two have been friends for over two years now. You two met in the coffee shop nearby your company building. She sat at your table with your permission because, at that time, the shop didn’t have any vacant seats left. Since then, you two have hit it off and become friends. After a year, you started to date, and you courted her until today.

But once you get off the elevator and pass the two doors that lead into a common room of the Avengers quarters, you frown at seeing everyone gather around and see Natasha clinging to a guy.

“What’s happening? "You question walking forward; everybody looks at you.

“Oh, Bucky, the winter soldier, Steve’s pal back in the days, and the Bucky I’ve been talking about—uhm, he's back and sided with us,” Natasha explains, giving you a hug and a kiss on your cheek.

“Hi, Y/N, nice to meet you.” You offer him a hand, but he just looks at it without emotion, so you take your hand back.

"Ok,” you mumble, and sit down on the couch and just look at them, especially Nat and Steve, who have pampered this new guy with questions and appreciation that he’s here now.

You just let them have fun and enjoy their time. You understand why, especially Steve and Nat. I mean, that’s Steve's pal or brother, and that’s Natasha’s first love, the love she found in the red room and KGB, where torture and killing grow, where she trains to be a black widow. But you’re not going to hide the fact that you’re jealous and scared that what you and Nat have will end soon.

You let it slide the first few weeks, where Natasha was constantly clinging to Bucky and having quality time, and set you aside, but when the 5th week struck, you confronted her, where she just got home from a 2-day mission with Bucky, Tony, and Sam.

She’s tired and exhausted. Their mission goes south, which comprises a lot of people's lives, and all she wanted to do was go home, get the dirt and blood off of her body, and hope the frustration and self-blame will go down the drain too with the rest of the dirt, and sleep the night off.

But that’s not what’s waiting for her; instead, you’re in her bed, sitting and looking at the wall in front of you. When Natasha enters her room, she sighs and comes to kiss your forehead, then goes off to go to the bathroom.

“Be honest with me, Natasha... Are we still dating, or will you and Bucky go back together? "You asked before she could close the door, not looking at her form, which was frozen in her spot.

Natasha frowns, slowly turning back at you with a confused look. She doesn’t know how to answer it, and she herself doesn’t know either. All she knows is that Bucky is here; she wants to spend time with him, but at the same time, she’s building a relationship with another person, which is you. She just sighs, trying to look into your eyes, but you keep your eyes straight.

“I-uhmm….I don’t know…I-” You didn’t let her finish her sentence; you already heard enough, so you stood up, took your bag on the sofa, and headed out to her front door. Natasha quickly followed you.

“Call me if you already have an answer,” you mumbled enough for her to hear, but Natasha never let you get out that easily.

"Hey, hey, hey! No, you’re not going to walk out on me; we’re going to talk this out like a mature adult.” She pulls you inside and closes the door of her room.

“Ok, I admit that I spend more time with Bucky and that I’m putting you aside, but that doesn’t mean that I will end things between us.” She started searching for your eyes to look back at her too.

“And there’s a "but" coming, right? "You look at her; you already know how this is going. Well, you should have known better.

“But I don’t know, I... I still yearn for him... I don’t know, ok, please understand,” she whispered, and you just nodded. You can’t do anything about it, though. I mean, you two don’t put a label on who you both are, so she’s still free to choose him over you.

"Ok.” That’s all you said, and you walked past her.

“That’s all you’re going to say? "You sigh again and turn around, giving her a small, tight smile.

"Yeah, what do you want me to say? Do you want me to be angry or what? I mean, we’re not together, Nat; we’re just dating. I’m your suitor, Nat, so I don’t have the right to be angry or tell you to distance yourself from your first love, so yeah, that’s all I have to say.” With that, you leave her room and go back to your house as soon as possible to sleep it off and get ready for your endless meeting tomorrow, but God has other plans because you met Bucky on the way.

“Hi…..Y/N right? "Bucky, stop you before you can leave the two doors in the lounge where he sat, with snacks in his hand and a coffee table, so you stop and turn around to look at him tiredly.

“Yeah, that’s me. Why? "You sigh when he stands up and stands in front of you, trying to intimidate you, but honestly, if you’re not tired and don’t give a fuck, you’re probably intimidating him too.

“I don’t appreciate you getting close to Natasha, so could you please distance yourself? "I scuff at him, standing straight, grasping my handbag in front of me with my two hands.

“Maybe I should be the one telling you that, because before you come along, we’re dating,” you calmly said, giving him a tight smile.

“Well, are you two together? "He challenges you, and you clench your jaw, looking up at him.

"No.” You didn’t back down, and he smirked, satisfied at your answer.

“I suggest you start moving on, because I’m courting her.” He gives you a sly look and pats your shoulder, then leaves.

You clench your jaw and give him a dirty finger, leaving the building with irritation and annoyance, and go straight home to wash away all the stress and tiredness in your body since this morning, when your day started to go south.

You didn’t bother to go to the compound for a week now because of a hectic workload, meetings here and there, and some dumbass who can’t do their jobs properly. Even though you missed Natasha and wanted her hugs and cuddles, you couldn’t visit her, so you just kept gifting Natasha food or flowers and texting her, but most of the time she ignored you, and you just rolled your eyes at that, thinking they were probably having their time together, so today you’re going to visit her.

But once you get to the compounds quarter, your mood quickly drops seeing Natasha leaning toward Bucky while watching some movies, but you put your jealousy and irritation aside and great her.

"Hey, Nat,” you say. She looks at you and quickly stands up and greets you with a hug and a kiss in the check that makes Bucky look at you dirty.

“Hi, how are you? You haven’t been here for a week now.” You give her a smile and show her the Chinese takeout you brought.

“Just busy in the office, that's all. Are you hungry? "You asked, taking her hand to drag her into the kitchen to eat.

"Sorry, but she’s full; we just got home to eat lunch.” He smirked at you, and you gave him a glare while he stood up and took Natasha off of you.

“So if you wouldn’t mind, we’re watching a movie," he says, then guides her back to the couch while Natasha just looks back at you, looking for your reassurance, but you keep neutral, which makes Natasha worried.

"Uhm, wait, Buck, actually, I’m-” Before she can get out of Bucky's grasp, you walk straight back to the kitchen, putting down the paper bag, and go back to leave the building.

“In case you..." you point to them with a tight smile.

“Get hungry or just give it to someone who wants it; I’ll be heading out now.” Then you leave with a sigh; you’re losing hope; well, he’s her first love; you can’t fight with that; that’s her greatest love; and now the only option you have is to accept it, because sooner or later, you’re expecting Natasha to talk to you and end things between you two.

And you’re not wrong, because the next time you visited, you saw them together in the gym, sparing, well, more intimately; they kissed passionately, savoring their time together, and that broke your heart completely into pieces.

And you don’t have the heart to ruin it for her, so you just give yourself a smile, nod, and turn back, going to her room to get some of your stuff you left there, and well, wait for her there to have a talk. You know she’s not going to say it to you right away, so you’ll confront her.

Once Natasha entered the room with a big smile on her face and a tint of red in her check, saying goodbye to Bucky, you didn’t look up at her; you just looked at her waist until you heard her gasp, shocked to see you sitting on the edge of her bed.

"Y/N," she mumbles, not moving a single inch in her spot until she clears her throat, having the courage to tell you something.

“Glad to see you here, cause I need to talk to you too,” she carefully said, reading your dementor, but she failed, so she just gulped the lump on her throat and just blurted out.

“I need to end things between us because I know it’s not fair to you if I keep this hidden, but... I'm getting back with Bucky.” Her heart beat faster. Looking at you, you scuffed and nodded. At least she had the courage to tell you.

Natasha quickly became tense and gasped when she saw a few bags already packed. You looked up at her with a neutral dementor, the one you always wore before you met Natasha, and this made Natasha feel uneasy.

"Well, I guess it is my cue to leave now, since you already dropped the elephant in the room.” You stand up, taking your bag, and walk past her.

“I’m sorry,” she shouts, running to you. She feels guilty and hurt, even wanting you to look back at the eyes that she’s been searching for.

“Don’t be; you don’t owe me an apology or explanation…..and so do I, when I'll make no exception to anyone, including you, and when you don't have the same privilege you had before.” This makes Natasha’s eyes go wide; she knows how you are around in your company; you’re cold, strict, and scary.

“Excuse me, Miss. Romanoff, I still have a company that needs someone to run with.” With that, you leave the building and sulk yourself to work, declining every call and knocking on the door, letting your assistant be the only one who can come and go in your office, and rescheduling all your meetings for a week.

If you will move on, Natasha is no exception. You need to distance yourself from her and treat her like everyone else around you, even though she’s still your friend.

This doesn’t settle Natasha very well; sure, she’s happy that she’s with her first love that the KGB ripped out of her, but the unsettling feeling deep in her bothers her.

Sure, she’s happy going on dates, cuddling, spending time together, and having sex with Bucky, but it still feels wrong to her. It feels wrong deep inside her, and she tries to set it aside, but the feeling keeps building and building up, like she’s going to explode one day.

"Hey, are you ok? "Bucky asked her with concern. He just got out of the bathroom with a towel around his waist, while Natahsa just lay down in the bed, lost in her thoughts, and only the covers were covering her naked body while the morning sun started to rise.

"Yeah, yeah, I’m ok, just thinking.” Natasha looked at Bucky with a smile, so Bucky quickly lay beside her and buried his face in her neck.

“You’re thinking about her, do you? "Bucky whispers, looking up at her while she scuffs and shakes her head.

“What are you talking about, and who’s “her” you’re referring to? "Natasha, just look at him for a few seconds and go look somewhere else.

“You know what I’m talking about; I can feel it, Nat. You want her; you’re looking for her even though you keep saying to yourself that you’re okay." Natasha didn’t answer right away, thinking carefully.

"No, you're wrong,” Natasha just said and stood up, taking the cover with her.

“I already have what I want,” she said, trying to convince Bucky, but the truth is, she’s trying to convince herself more than Bucky.

Bucky didn’t argue with her; he knows Natasha is a stubborn one. Sure, he doesn’t know her very well now; things change, and he doesn’t want to push it.

But Natasha thought of it all day, and Bucky observed her the whole time, accepting that sooner or later Natasha would need to talk to him.

That day, Natasha went out to walk, think, and clear her head, letting her feet take her wherever they took her. That said, now she’s standing in the cafe shop where she first saw you, your memories of her flash in her mind, missing how you smiled and how soft you were to her, how you looked intimidating the first time you two met.

Then Natasha went to your favorite flower shop, where she most likely saw you before you courted her, buying different flowers every 3 times a week or maybe 4, then she visited the fast food chain you always whined to go to because you loved their onion rings and twisted fries there, then she went to your favorite burger food chain until she went around the town buying things that you always whined about.

Until she’s standing in front of your company building, frozen in her spot while looking up to the high tower where you are probably in and on one of the floors at the top, this makes her heartache, and she misses going here ever so often to visit you and spend time with you.

She sighs and decides to go in. Reasons? to give you the stuff she bought from different stores around the town, and she hopes that you will let her in or meet her.

But once she got inside, the receptionist wouldn't let her in with the reason—Ms. Y/L/N is busy and doesn’t want any visitors—she closed her eyes, cursing to herself, knowing she couldn't just walk past security or make her way around to get to you. She knows you already hate her, and doing the dirty job to get to you will fuel you more.

Natasha started to walk back, but not until someone screamed your name. That’s when she turned around and saw you, looking beautifully in your sexy business suit that shows all your assets with three bodyguards, and let the woman in your right arm. This broke Natasha, especially seeing who the woman is—it's the woman you talked about to her, your first love.

[bluekat12345]

TFRB x AEMH: We'll Be Fine

This crossover is from the brilliant mind of @gelu-the-babosa-multiversal, check them out, they are amazing!

Not necessarily a songfic, but this was inspired by the song "We'll Be Fine" from Epic the Musical on YouTube. I thought it would work with Cody and Captain America. Hope you enjoy reading!

"Alright, just like we practiced." Captain America, AKA Steve Rogers, instructed.

"Yes, sir!" Cody nodded. The boy stood in front older man, raising his arms and getting into a boxing stance.

Captain Rogers smiled. Then he crouched down so he was closer to Cody's height, and raised his hands, which had boxing mitts. "Let's start with the warm-up. Go!"

At that command, Cody began punching the boxing mitts, alternating from left to right, keeping at a steady pace.

After arriving to Griffin Rock, Steve, along with the rest of the Avengers, had worked closely with the Burns family, their bot partners, and the Greene family, growing fond of them all. Steve in particular had been growing rather close to the Burns, especially Cody. The other Avengers would often tease about Cody being his sidekick.

Steve couldn't deny that he had grown fond of the youngest member of the Burns family. The team figured it was because of how similar Cody was to Steve, but it was more than that.

He felt at ease around Cody, he felt he didn't have to be Captain America, he could just be Steve Rogers, and Cody accepted, and even liked that, which was honestly refreshing, given how many people admired Captain America while never acknowledging Steve Rogers. And he often found himself admiring Cody, despite his young age, Cody had a strong, courageous, and noble spirit, the kind that was so rare to find these days.

"Kind of like Bucky..." He found himself thinking. He frowned as he shook the thought out of his mind.

He hadn't heard from Bucky for a while now, even before coming to Griffin Rock, but that didn't stop him from thinking about his friend often. Seeing what had happened to him, being frozen like him, only to be found and brainwashed by Hydra and the Red Skull, it haunted him to this day. And it was his fault that Bucky had to endure all that.

"Captain Rogers?" He heard Cody ask. Facing the boy, Steve saw that Cody had stopped punching his mitts, and was looking at him with concern, it was a look he was too familiar with. "Are you okay?"

Steve forced a small smile. "I'm fine." Then he brought his hands in front of Cody again. "Now, c'mon. Back to work."

But Cody didn't start punching, he lowered his hands and continued to look at Steve. "Captain, something is bothering you."

Steve gave another smile, a melancholier one. "It's nothing you need to worry about, son. Its personal things."

"Oh, okay." Cody said. "But if you need to talk, I'm here listen."

Steven couldn't help but let a chuckle escape his throat. When Cody gave him a confused look, he apologized. "Sorry, it's just...you remind me a lot of a friend of mine."

Steve sat down on a bench and Cody quickly sat by his side. He took a moment to remove the mitts from his hands, then he spoke.

"Like you, he was young, but one of the bravest people I've ever met, honestly, he's still one of bravest people I know." Steve started with a smile. "We worked together, fighting the good fight, protecting people, and he had a way of inspiring me to be the best I could be, even better. He has a strong heart, and he always knew how to give me the strength I needed when I felt I didn't have any left."

"He sounds noble." Cody commented with a smile.

"He is." Steve replied. "Some might say I was a mentor to him, but truth be told, I learned just as much, maybe more, from him."

"Where is he now?" Cody asked. The moment Steve stopped smiling; Cody quickly added. "I'm sorry, I-"

"You're fine, son." Steve assured. "He's still alive, I just don't know where he is at the moment. We've...grown apart." Then he sighed. "And honestly, it's probably better that way."

Cody frowned. "What do you mean?"

Steve opened his mouth but quickly closed it. There was a lot he wanted to say, but he shouldn't be saying these things to Cody. He was just a boy; he shouldn't dump this on to him.

Finally, he said. "A lot happened between us, a majority of it being my fault, he's been...hurt because of me. But you don't need to concern yourself with that. I shouldn't even be telling you all of this. Forgive me."

Then he stood up. "You really miss him a lot." He heard Cody say.

"I just...wish I could at least know how he's doing, where he is." Steve confessed quietly. "At least so I could sleep at night knowing he's okay."

There was another moment of silent, he wasn't sure what else he could say, he honestly wasn't sure if he even wanted to say anything else. He honestly felt that he said too much, this wasn't Cody's problem, and he shouldn't have vented to a child, even if said child was willing to listen.

"Captain Rogers," Cody started. "I don't know who your friend is or what he's like, but I'm sure he wouldn't be as unforgiving as you think."

Steve couldn't help but let out a light scoff. "What makes you so sure?"

"Well, you said he was a lot like me." Cody replied. "And spending time with you has been great! Working on your motorcycle, learning how to box, I feel stronger every day! And I see you as a great friend, so I know I would do what I can to keep our friendship going."

Despite the conversation, Steve couldn't help but smile a little at Cody's words.

Then Cody continued. "And so, I think while things between you two may not be great right now, that doesn't mean you should give up on your friendship with him. You should go find him and talk to him."

"I wish it was that simple." Steve said.

"I know it isn't." Cody admitted. "I don't know what happened, and maybe things won't be like they used to be, but your friendship sounds special to you, and that's something worth trying to save. And I know you would never do anything to purposely hurt your friend, and if your friend really knows you as much as you say he does, I'm certain he knows that too. So that's why that I truly think that with time, work, patience, and cooperation, you two will be fine in the end."

Steve stared at the boy, not really sure how to respond to his words. On one hand, he felt like a fraud. Cody had spoken so highly of him and their friendship, but Cody didn't know everything, and Steve was sure that if Cody knew the full story, he wouldn't think so highly of Steve. And he felt like such a coward for not telling Cody everything, but he somehow felt even worse for even telling Cody the thing he had at all, this wasn't Cody's problem, he shouldn't burden the boy with this.

But on the other, it also filled him with a small sense of hope, it made him think that maybe there was a chance. If Cody could say what he said with such confidence, then maybe it was possible. He knew it wouldn't be easy, but the boy's words inspired him to want to try to. His words made him want to stop wallowing in self-pity and actually try.

"I don't know if we really will be fine." Steve thought. "But I don't want to lose you again, Bucky. Even we can't be like we used to be, maybe we really will be able to work this out. Maybe we'll be fine."

Steve smiled at Cody and ruffled his hair. "You're a good kid."

Cody smiled. "Thanks!"

Sorry if this is inconsistent to the show(s) or of any character is out of character, I'm a bit rusty when it comes to AEMH. And also sorry for taking so long to write this. Still, I hope you enjoyed reading!

[dumbbitchenergy17]

Masterlist

hello there! before diving in here are some things to know:

request are currently open

i will write anything EXCEPT smut

you can join my taglist here

most works have content warnings but if 18+ dni

now what you've been waiting for:

MY HERO ACADEMIA

katsuki bakugo x reader

series:

extra (discontinued)- u.a. a school for students to learn how to become the best pro-hero. When young y/n midoriya returns from her traveling to be accepted through recommendation. what awaits her when she meets the explosive blonde katsuki bakugo?

one-shots:

cell block tango - when your all-girls dance studio comes together with an all-boys dance studio that your boyfriend just happens to go to. tension rises when a new performance creates problems between you, your dance partner, and your boyfriend. (dancer!au)

my dream - love wasn't part of the agenda, win the sports festival, intern with the top heroes, then graduate and become number one. though those dreams don't always stay the same. (request)

izuku midoriya x reader

series:

mimic - being quirkless was something y/n lived with, the outcast, the freak. all because she wasn’t like 80 percent of the population. with dreams of becoming a hero she encounters, new friends, the return of her past, and an awakening in her.

fallen angel - y/n "halo" l/n, the protege of number two hero hawks. hero-in-training under the hero commission. mission complete training to become a hero while maintaining the hero society image.

infinite chances (coming soon)- multiple stories all lived by the same person and what connects them is the nine users of an extraordinary power.

shoto todoroki x reader

one-shots:

she loves me - a simple patrol, a routine that endeavor’s work-study students took.

keigo takami x reader

series:

the hellish todoroki family (coming soon)- dysfunctional: deviating from the norms of social behavior in a way regarded as bad. that’s the word that would describe her entire childhood and family.

mha x reader

one-shots:

bringer of chaos - with the reveal of you as the ua traitor, 1-a and the pro heroes now have to face the war coming to them. by the bringer of chaos.

STAR WARS

din djarin x reader

series:

clan of three (completed) - a mandalorian, an infant with a history of the jedi, and a teenager with similar powers with an undiscovered lineage. an unlikely group to travel the galaxy together.

crossing a line (a clan of three one-shot) - high stakes can be the reason the innocence begins to crack.

poe dameron x reader

series:

lost in time (coming soon)- frozen since the clone wars, a jedi general searches for her purpose in the battle that has not ceased.

THE LAST OF US

joel miller x reader

series:

where the wild things are - wild men or monstrous infected creatures, the world is wild and ravaged by cordecyps but some are raised in it and flourish becoming a wild thing.

MARVEL

peter parker x reader

series:

new life (discontinued)- you lived a normal life get up, go to school, head back home, and repeat. it was until your school had an interesting meeting with the one and only tony stark. will meeting him be the best moment of your life or the worst.

one-shot:

you're everything to me - hi! i absolutely love your writing omg!! i was wondering if you could do a 1 and 13 with peter parker and stark!reader, please? thanks 💜 (request)

the revengers - your dad goes out with the other avengers not knowing your band is performing there.

imagines:

imagine staying up all night studying for a big exam but your boyfriend peter wants you to sleep

steve rogers x reader

series:

sign of the beast (discontinued)- you wanted it to stop, you thought it was just a bad dream your brain created to mess with you. but how wrong you were, with this disease in you, can you get this beast out of you or let this darkness take over. (marvel x spn crossover)

avengers x reader

one-shots:

i am iron man - a final stand that would determine the fate of the universe

imagines:

imagine finding out your dad is tony stark when you fix his equation during a speech

SUPERNATURAL

dean winchester x reader

series:

sweetheart (discontinued)- going through her first year of college she meets her new history teacher, mr. winchester. the moment he locked eyes with her he was hooked. she was going to be his, no matter what consequences came with it.

one-shots:

heavy - when a hunt goes wrong will the reader be able to face her fear or end at the fail with a bad consequence.

sixteen going on seventeen - dean is way too overbearing with the reader. that causes things to be let out. (high school au)

am i interrupting? - you walk in on sam and eileen having some fun.

sam winchester x reader

one-shots:

hunter to queen - receiving a letter saying that changes her entire future. is she ready to leave her life as a hunter?

imagines:

imagine playing with sam’s hair

imagine finding out you’re the heir to the throne

castiel x reader

one-shots:

no grace is going to cure this -when castiel finds out that the reader has depression he tries using his grace to heal her but realizes he can’t.

misc. x reader

series:

i'm sorry (discontinued)- y/n winchester. the daughter of dean winchester always had trouble following her. when in the apocalypse world you meet the archangel michael that strikes a deal for this new vessel in front of him.

sign of the beast (discontinued)- you wanted it to stop, you thought it was just a bad dream your brain created to mess with you. but how wrong you were, with this disease in you, can you get this beast out of you or let this darkness take over. (marvel x spn crossover)

one-shots:

tell me i'm adored - when lucifer is able to take over hell after being out of the cage he takes the reader from her brothers and takes a possessive attraction for them.

best day ever - thinking it’s a normal day in school to have your world turn upside down.

imagines:

imagine finding out you're michael’s vessel

imagine being the one to shoot god and are now having visions

imagine being chuck’s firstborn and him not having the strength to kill you so he makes you human

[kitsune024]

Loki Fic Recs || Part 2 ||

WinterFrost Fics

IronFrost Fics

Crossovers

Frozen

The Ice Demon By @lizardbeths I Part 1- 10 I Elsa & Loki, Parent Loki, Canon Divergence, hint of Loki/Natasha and Loki/Steve, Bucky Barnes & Loki Friendship, loki was a howling commando, Torture, Recovery, Family Feels

A bargain by Iamnotreal I Chapters: 79/? I Loki & Natasha, Avengers Team & Loki, Aftermath of Torture, Canon Divergence - Post-Avengers, Jotunn Loki King by anastacianott I Chapters 39 I King Loki, BAMF Loki, Jotunheim, Jealous Thor, Thor tries, Jotunn Loki, Loki & Avengers Team, Brotherly Love Free from the Chains of Time by AnyFangirl98 I Chapters 1/?I Loki Series, Fic for me, Loki God of Stories, Fix it fic, The Avengers The Walls Between Us by pietoraven36 I Chapters 55/? I FFN Loki/FemOc, Loki & Thor, Family Drama There's a God Under My Bed by @qmeup I Chapters 32/? I Darcy/Loki, kid!loki, kid!Darcy, Darcy Lewis & Loki Friendship, Eventual Romance

Completed Fics

Ásgarðrian Galdr by Valerie_Vancollie I Chapters: 93/93 I Time Travel Fix it, Canon Divergence - Thor (2011), BAMF Loki, King Loki, Good Loki, Brotherhood, Brotherly Angst, Courtroom Drama, Family Drama, Bigotry & Prejudice Ensoulment by Valerie_Vancollie I Chapters: 18/18 I Canon Divergence - Avengers: Infinity War Part 1, Infinity Gems, Infinity Stone Soul World, BAMF Loki, Child Abandonment What you are in the dark (is beautiful) by @peaceheather | Chapters 4/4 | Loki's Sentencing, Evil Odin, Body Horror, Angry Witch reasons wretched and divine by @astrosxnthesis I Chapter 2/2 I Loki Series, Post-Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Lokius if you squint God with whiskers by Moonybird, Origami_Roses I Chapters: 32/32 I Lokitty, Resurrection, Loki Lives, Depression, Brotherhood Family Ties by skiesovergideon I Chapters: 37/37 I family of choice fic, loki & ocs Loptr Farm by @digitalta I Chapters 2/2 I Loki Redemption, Loki adopts a lot of animals- as in Loki runs a farm, Loki angst

Bookmark Series

Desperate Measures by @rennemichaelswrites I Part 1 - 2 I Completed Loki wasn't the bad guy in The Avengers, Loki's resistance, Dark Tony, Manipulative Loki Another Name by @sundial-at-night Part 1- 4 Completed Not Avengers: Endgame Compliant, Loki Lives, Redemption, Fix-It of Sorts, BAMF Loki, Brotherhood Alternate Alignment by DeathScribe Part 1-3 I kid Loki set during Thor 1, Canon Divergence, Friendship, oc A Bridge Once Broken by @fallintosanity Part 1-8 Completed Loki/ FemOC, Brotherhood, Canon Divergence, Action/Adventure, Angst

Oneshots

A Chance to Say Goodbye by Mikill I Chapters: 1/1 I Loki Series, Loki & Thor The Time He Was Found Worthy by @bonsaiscribbles I Chapters: 1/1 I Loki saves Thor, Loki & Thor in peace may you rest by @doubletan | Chapters 1/1 | Avengers: Endgame, Thor doesn't walk past Loki, Canon Divergence, Loki & Thor not all martyrs see divinity by @thepartyprince I Chapters 1/1 I Loki Series, Loki 2x6, Loki & Thor hubris is for people who see trees as gallows by LadySilvertongue I Chapters 1/1 I Loki Series, Loki 2x6, Loki & Thor Glorious Purpose by Eustacia Vye (eustaciavye) I Chapters 1/1 I Loki Series, Loki can split himself into different copies, Loki 2x6

[manhandlememando]

The Alcott Ch. 2

Chapter 2: right where you left me

jay halstead x f!reader, frank castle x f!reader

tw: lil bit of angst, mentions of murder, descriptions of violence and bodily injuries, blood mention, 3rd person POV (she/ her)

chicago pd x the punisher crossover

(series is ongoing)

She couldn’t let it go. Every fiber of her being begged her to let the whole situation lie, but she couldn’t. Being an investigative reporter by trade she was too curious for her own good. Having gotten a job reporting for a news broadcasting company in downtown Chicago, her first instinct was to write about the incident. However, she knew that by coming to her editors with a story about a murderous vigilante having risen from the dead, she would be fired instantaneously.

Her curiosity ate away at her as the days passed after her encounter with the vigilante. How was he alive? She thought to herself. She had seen firsthand the explosion that was supposed to kill him, and it didn’t seem like someone would have been able to survive it. There was also a body found in the wreckage that matched his descriptors and with that the case had been closed. It had been over a year since then and now suddenly he had resurfaced in Chicago. She had to know why?

She was still stuck, frozen and staring into that dark alley. Her breath hitching at the memory of seeing that flash of his face. The hood he was wearing covered most of his face but the street lamp at the very edge of the alley provided her with a flash of light to his face as he stalked towards her.

She couldn’t forget the way his arms encased her with pressure but not force, it was clear he didn’t want to hurt her in any way. That is what puzzled her the most; how could a serial murderer not want to kill someone?

Unless he wasn’t one.

Looking at his mugshot staring back at her from her computer screen, she only had one thought; who was the real Frank Castle?

————————————————

Frank’s P.O.V

Blow after blow echoed throughout the skeletal body of the building, the unfinished walls causing the sounds of the hammer to bounce between them. His roars did the same. Growling animalistically as he brought the hammer down onto concrete over, and over, and over again.

Working construction was the only way Frank could make a living now that his identity had to be stripped. He was now known as “Pete Castillone” and all he had to the name was a construction job and a one bedroom apartment. After his very timely death on the East Coast, he decided to use his newfound anonymity to his advantage. Traveling the country in search of more of those who were responsible for his family’s murder. However, since coming to Chicago, the life that “Pete” lived was very simple and very quiet. Frank needed that, after everything that had happened he needed the quiet. Although, “quiet” is typically synonymous with “alone”, and that’s NOT what Frank needed and he feared it had become something of a curse for him.

About a week ago, Frank had picked up some chatter about a local Chicago gang having had something to do with a family massacre in New York. Rival gang war had gone national apparently. Frank knew that the cartels in New York City were responsible, however he didn’t know which cartel, or whom within them actually had anything to do with it. However, having tracked down one of the members of the local gang, Frank found his opportunity to get the information he needed with whatever means necessary.

A harsh yell escapes his lips as he brings the sledgehammer down again onto the concrete. With each impact of the hammer he began to relive the other night all over again.

The tire iron in his hand coming down onto the man’s chest, over and over again.

“Who gave the FUCKING ORDER?!” Frank screamed as the man lies silently, gurgling blood from his mouth.

Having come to Chicago with the sole intention of finally avenging his murdered wife, son, and daughter, Frank thought his mission would be simpler than it was turning out to be. The more people he found, the more secrets he uncovered on the true identity of the person who ordered the execution of his family.

As the man laid on the ground, breathing his last breaths, he sighed the name of the person Frank was really looking for: “Agent Orange”.

Frank dissipates back into reality, holding the hammer limply in his fist. Looking around for a second, taking in his surroundings, Frank breathes a deep sigh and takes a seat on the dusty concrete floor. As he continues to relive the other night, his mind then falls on the young woman who had mistakenly stumbled upon the scenario. A pang of guilt runs down Franks spine, she had looked so terrified of him.

Rightfully so, he thinks to himself. His brutality scared even him at times, but seeing that same feeling reflected back at him on such a beautiful face shifted something in him. In a moment of pure inhuman rage, he was reminded of the fragility of the human spirit as he looked up to see her face.

“You’ll kill him!” He remembers her shouting, as if the man wasn’t already dead. He remembers her shaking hands and the gun she clutched for dear life but couldn’t bring herself to fire. It was incredibly courageous when he thought about it, having every opportunity to run and yet she chose to try and protect her fellow man. He knew in that moment he couldn’t hurt her, not that he wanted to, but he’s had to bury secrets in unmarked graves before.

In the split second he had, his mind landed on the only option available to him; neutralize the situation. He towered over her, his frame encompassing hers in an instant, clutching a hand over her mouth to silence her screams.

“Shh, shh, shh,” he quietly coos in her ear, “ain’t gonna hurt ya,” he assured her. Having disarmed her before capturing her in his hold, he didn’t know how to proceed. The threat was minimized and he had gotten her to quiet down, so his only logical choice was to release her.

“I swear to God I won’t hurt ya, but if I let you go, will you scream?” He speaks gruffly in her ear, hand still over her mouth. He remembers how she was shaking against him, he can’t get it out of his head. The way she was repulsed by him, it made him look back on the memory with shame.

When he did let her go a small fist came flying up instantly and landed on the bridge of his nose, breaking it. Clutching his face, he groans and falls back against the brick wall. As he looks up he sees her vanishing into the night, a small glimpse of the blood-covered blouse is the last thing he saw before she was out of sight.

He’s still stuck in that alley holding her shaking, terrified form, hearing her whimpers and seeing the fear in her eyes.

He can’t be anywhere else.

—————————————

Jay’s P.O.V

“Hey there space cadet, which planet are you visiting now?” Jay’s voice comes from behind her, standing in the doorway to her room, watching as she stares blankly out her bedroom window. Turning her head to meet his gaze, her demeanor softens instantly and she gets up to greet him.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t even hear you come in,” she says as her boyfriend pulls her into his strong chest, placing a kiss to her forehead as he cradles the back of her head.

“Hey baby, you doing okay?” He says after a moment of comfortable silence between them. Shifting her face to look up at him, she smiles innocently.

“Yeah, of course, why?” She reassures him, but he knows her too well.

“You just seem… off, ever since the other night,” he says, dipping his head to catch her eyes, trying to break this barrier she had built up over the last several days.

“Jay, I’m fine, I swear. Just preoccupied with this new article I’m writing,” she lies, placing a hand to the side of his face as she brings it down to hers, kissing him deeply. He pulls away, shaking his head slightly and gently cupping her face in his palms.

“I know you better than that, baby. Come on, let me into your golden thinking,” he speaks as he moves a piece of hair from her face.

“Everything’s fine, Jay,” she says flatly, clearly not wanting to let him in.

He sighs as she pushes past him into the hall, pinching the bridge of his nose he takes a deep breath. Something was wrong, he knew it. But she wouldn’t put her shields down long enough for him to see the real issue. Something happened that night to make her this way, a shift was apparent in her behavior and all he wanted was a reason why. The last thing he wanted was for her to shut him out completely, but it seemed that was the first thing she was doing.

Swallowing the lump forming in his throat, he turns and makes his way into the main living space of her tiny apartment. He finds her lost in thought again, just staring blankly into space as she stands in front of the sink. The water continued to run as she stood unmoving, the glass in her hand overflowing with water.

Where was she? He thought, brow knitting together as he watched her disappear into her own mind. All he wanted was for her to come back, to be with him again in the present. But he had a feeling there was an unseen gap between them now, her in a completely different place and him standing right in front of her trying to understand where she’s gone.

Come back, baby, he thinks to himself as he continues to watch her from afar. Come back, I’m right where you left me.

[scarlet--wiccan]

Do you have a good reading order for JeriWanda?

Well, they haven't actually been in very many comics together, so you can pretty much just read everything. This is also a timeline of Jericho's friendship with Pietro.

Avengers & X-Men: AXIS (2014) #8-9-- Jericho is resurrected after his death in New Avengers (2010), and teams up with Pietro, Erik, and Doom to save Wanda and end the Inversion crisis.

Uncanny Avengers miniseries (2015)-- Jericho and the twins are part of an expedition to Counter-Earth.

Uncanny Avengers ongoing (2015)-- Jericho and Pietro are main cast members throughout the series. Wanda joins the cast in #26; she and Jericho officially become a couple in #30.

Doctor Strange (2015)-- features a large supporting cast of magic characters, including Wanda and Jericho, especially in the Last Days of Magic storyline, spanning #6-10.

Civil War II (2016)-- Wanda, Jericho, and Billy are part of a magic team that performs a large spell to banish a Celestial from Earth. This scene is depicted in several other event tie-ins.

Avengers: No Surrender (2018)-- A crossover event comprised of Avengers legacy issues #675-690. Wanda and Jericho appear, as a couple, throughout the event.

Quicksilver: No Surrender (2018)-- following the previous Avengers event, Wanda, Jericho, and Synapse help Pietro escape a frozen temporal plane.

Avengers: No Road Home (2019)-- Wanda is a main cast member and makes frequent references to their relationship; Jericho appears in the final issue.

Empyre: Avengers (2020)-- an event tie-in. Wanda and Jericho have a storyline together.

Strange Academy (2020)-- Jericho is a headmaster at the newly-formed Strange Academy. Wanda is a faculty member, but has a much smaller role in the series. Their relationship is never addressed, and it is not acknowledged again for the next three years.

Scarlet Witch (2023)-- issue #9 lampshades the fact that Wanda and Jericho have been on a "break," with a hint that they still have feelings for each other.

If you want to do a more comprehensive read, you can supplement this list with Scarlet Witch (2014), Darkhold (2021), Trial of Magneto (2021), and Savage Avengers (2019). Wanda and Jericho are not in these books as a couple, but they are major storylines for the two of them individually. Wanda also has a pretty big role in Secret Empire (2017), but I wouldn't waste my time reading it if I were you-- you just need to know she got possessed by Chthon again, and eventually gets better, which leads into her rejoining Uncanny Avengers in #26.

[jomiddlemarch]

20 questions for writers

Tagged by @asteraceae-blue who is Very Nice Indeed.

1. How many works do you have on AO3? 876

2. What's your total AO3 word count?

1,544,499

3. What fandoms do you write for?

Brace yourselves. Mercy Street, Shadow and Bone, Foyle's War, Poldark, The Last of Us, GLOW, A Discovery of Witches, Anne of Green Gables, Little Women, Shogun, Harry Potter, Downton Abbey, Frozen, Dune, Ted Lasso, Star Wars, The Hour, Sanditon, Leap, Brooklyn 99, Far From The Madding Crowd, Beauty and the Beast, Wonder Woman, Gilmore Girls, Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, The Avengers, Parks and Rec, Betsy-Tacy, Wandavision, Rogue One, The Mandalorian, Bridgerton, Community, Solo, Iron Man, Call the Midwife, Lord Peter Wimsey, Fleabag, The Little Mermaid, Emma, The Guernsey Potato Peel Pie and Literary Society, Timeless, Rebecca, The Age of Innocence, Beecham House, World on Fire, And Then There Were None. A few more but I am tired now.

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

what it is to be a thin, crescent moon

A Wife--at daybreak I shall be

Point and Click

Bear with the truths I would tell you now

The subtlest fold of the heart

5. Do you respond to comments?

I do try and answer everyone, even if I just say thanks. I will delete really rude comments, which have fortunately been rare.

6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

I wrote "Because I could not stop for Death" for Mercy Street and killed basically every character at least once, making remaining characters miserable. Except for the last chapter, where I killed the guy we all loathed.

7. What’s the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

This is tough because I mostly write happy endings. I think "But let thy silk twist down" counts as one, because Jed Foster is convinced that Mary is dying or has rejected him and then she surprises him by showing up and locking them into the sitting room. And in GLOW, "everything could yield him pleasure" allows Sam and Ruth to get back together over Christmas.

8. Do you get hate on fics?

Not very often. It's mostly been in big fandoms (Reylo, Shadow and Bone, I'm looking at you) but it hasn't been a big issue on AO3 or Tumblr. And I'm comfortable deleting and blocking.

9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind?

Yes, when I feel it's called for. I write grown-up sex scenes, so there are no wacky positions (unless someone talks about how they're going to throw out their back) and sometimes a breastfeeding mother's milk lets down or a woman struggles to have an orgasm. It's pretty vanilla though and all cishet. In the cock v. dick debate, I lean cock. I don't use other euphemisms for male genitals unless someone is quoting a poem. (I'm not sure that has happened but it totally could with me.)

No one in any of my sex scenes has had any bodyscaping and a not insignificant number of times, someone has left their socks on.

10. Do you write crossovers? What’s the craziest one you’ve written?

OMG, YES. I love a crossover. Probably my Mercy Street/Sesame Street crossover has to be up there for zaniness. I did put Shadow and Bone characters in AOGG Prince Edward Island and I have also crossed over All Creatures Great and Small vets (James and Tristan) into the Grishaverse.

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Not that I'm aware of.

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

I've been asked for permission but I don't think I gave it.

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before?

Yes. During the pandemic, there was the Mercy Street Murder Hotel round robin with @tortoisesshells @fericita-s @broadwaybaggins @sagiow @mercurygray and also the Cruise Ship with @sagiow and @fericita-s.

(Pro tip: it's easier if you agree on your murderer BEFORE you start writing but it was fun writing clues that were 50/50 going to be red herrings.)

14. What’s your all time favorite ship?

Given the number of fics I've written for them, I have to say Mary Phinney/Jed Foster but it really could be smart-woman-who-is-underestimated/quippy-guy-who-gets-he's-smart-but-not-as-smart-as-she-is-and-that's-the-turn-on

15. What’s a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

This may make people sad, but I have a hard time seeing my way clear to an ending on "what is it to be a thin crescent moon" largely because I'd have to do some more plotting to get where I'd want to go. It's never say never but the truth is, I originally intended to stop when they got to the Little Palace, so everything after that was basically improv.

16. What are your writing strengths?

I think I'm pretty good at capturing a character's voice and I've often been told my work is poetic, which I appreciate, as I am a poet.

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

Long-form plotting. I love to read it, but I get tired trying to create it and often resort to lily-padding (my own term for jumping from scene to scene.) I overuse the word just. I don't play chess well but I cannot resist writing about gambits.

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic?

I try to keep it minimal, since I'm only fluent in English.

19. First fandom you wrote for?

Mercy Street.

20. Favorite fic you’ve written?

What is this, Sophie's Freaking Choice? I really like my GLOW zombie road-trip story "Music shall untune the sky" because I gave them a good ride and there was so much angst! "Hope is the thing with feathers" is a fic I wrote for myself, when I was despairing about Real Life and US politics and human rights, where I let Christopher Foyle offer the comfort I desperately wished for.

Tagging @tortoisesshells @fericita-s @sagiow @broadwaybaggins @oldshrewsburyian @orlissa @amarguerite @aloveforjaneausten and @aquitainequeen but anyone else is welcome to hold forth!

[sergeantrosabellaswan]

Am I a Monster? Disney Frozen & MCU crossover, CHAPTER FOUR

Am I a Monster? Disney Frozen & MCU crossover, CHAPTER FIVE

Summary:

Elsa and Anna Arendelle. Sisters first, best friends forever. Even with Elsa being the one with cryokinesis- the enhanced abilities to control snow, ice and the cold. Struggling to make ends meet with Elsa attending college and Anna finishing up her senior year of high school, they accidently attract the attention of both SHIELD and HYDRA.

A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOTRDSS:

Chapter five! Man oh man, I sure do hope that you all are enjoying what I’m writing so far!

CHAPTER WORD COUNT: 1081

“Well, this is home sweet home,” Steve announced to the two sisters as he drove up to Avenger Tower, pausing as he waited for the gate to the underground parking lot to open. “FRIDAY will give you the grand tour once you’re finished getting situated in your apartments.”

Elsa only nodded stiffly, Anna have fallen asleep on her older sister’s shoulder during the car ride. Bucky rode in the passenger seat and Natasha was in the seat next to Anna.

“Tony was forced to leave for a family emergency in Nevada late last night,” Natasha told Elsa before undoing her seat belt and getting out, passing by Steve. “So you won’t meet him until he gets back sometime next week.”

“Do you want me to carry her up?” Steve asked Elsa, reaching into the car for Anna and hoisting her tiny, sick laden frame into his arms. “FRIDAY, lead the way to the Arendell sister’s apartment.”

“Certainly Captain Rogers,” chirped a robotic voice before the floorboards began to light up, signaling the way.

“FRIDAY is Tony’s virtual AI,” he explained, slowing down to allow Elsa to keep up with his long strides. “So handy- she can play songs from my childhood, understands me when I use popular slang from the 40’s, and can recommend books and TV shows that I would like. Again, the future is so handy.”

“Ah,” Elsa hummed, freezing as a tall, well built blond man wearing exotic armor and a fluttering red cape came out of a hallway, saw them and nodded respectfully before going off on his way once more.

“Was that Thor?” Elsa meeped in amazement.

“That was Thor,” Steve confirmed, going up to an elevator, which opened right up for the three of them. “He comes and goes as he pleases though.”

“Wow…” Elsa followed him onto the elevator, FRIDAY sending the three of them up to the sixth floor. “Doesn’t he spend much of his time on Asgard?”

“He bounces back and forth.” Steve came to stop right outside a door, which opened to reveal the sisters’ new home. “Welcome home.”

The front door opened into a TV den that had a comfy looking couch with a glass coffee table in front and a massive bookcase that took over an entire wall. To the left was a kitchen and dining room, all open floor concept. The appliances were new and shiny, the counter tidy and uncluttered, the hardwood floors dust free and clean. The dining room had a small table with a chair on either sides on with a dark blue rug underneath. Windows let in the sunlight and the floor length curtains were a light green and blue checked. To the right of the living room were two bedrooms- both with full sized beds, large sized closets and desks.

“This is wonderful!” Elsa gasped, utterly giddy as Steve gently settled Anna down into her bed before removing her shoes for her. She went back into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator, already making a list as to what groceries she would need to buy.

“You can input the groceries that you need onto the keypad on the outer right side of the refrigerator and someone will go out, purchase what you need and then drop it off.”

Elsa jumped at the feminine robotic voice that sounded out. She closed the doors and sure enough, on the right side was a screen, blipping as it scrolled through random food- boxes of pasta, apples, milk…

“Does the AI system go through the tower?” Elsa wondered as Steve came into the kitchen, his hands jammed into his pockets.

“Yeah pretty much,” he answered her. “Hey listen- I promised Buck that I would be his sparring buddy, so I’ll have to leave you both now, okay?”

“Okay,” Elsa smiled as she walked him out. “I have a chemistry pop quiz that my professor had been hinting at that I want to cram for.”

Steve grinned as he left the apartment, letting the door snap shut behind him. with him gone, Elsa opened the door and poked her head out, seeing two men with dollies packed with the boxes of things from their old apartment.

“Hihi!” Elsa greeted them, letting them in. “Be quiet- my little sister is asleep!”

The men were quiet as they bought in the neatly labeled boxes, stacking them in the TV den in front of the TV, leaving and returning two more times before leaving the young woman to

A soft knock on the half opened door turned out to be a pretty redhead with a long, slender silhouette.

“Hello, Elsa?” she asked in a kind tone of voice before entering. “My name is Pepper Poots, and I’m one of the CEOs of Stark Industries.”

“Hi, how are you?” Elsa shook her offered hand.

“I came with information and paperwork on getting you and you sister onto the team’s medical insurance, is now a good time?” she asked, hugging a clipboard to her chest.

“Uh, sure.” Elsa turned to open a random box. “Is it alright with you if I multitask? I’ve never been good at doing just one singular thing.”

TAGLIST @ofstarsandvibranium

@invisibleanonymousmonsters

@itsanerdlife

@crushedbyhyperbole

@the-life-of-bucky-barnes

@tilltheendwilliwrite

@bolontiku

@lazydoodlesandfanfic

@after-avenging-hours

@captain-rogers-beard

@anika-ann

@kentuckybarnes

@buckybarnesstar​

@coffee-with-bucky​

@buckysknifecollection​

@cxptaix

@sweater-daddiesdumbdork

If you liked this, then please consider buying me a coffee HERE It only costs $3!!!

[the-red-butterfly]

20 Questions for fic writers

Tagged by @bad-at-names-and-faces and @i-did-not-mean-to

Thanks guys!!

1. How many works do you have on AO3? I have 96 works in Ao3 BUT I have 104 on Fanfiction (yes, I still post there don't judge me.) I think there are just like 3 works that I have on Ao3 that I didn't pu up on FanFiction.

2. What's your total AO3 word count? 411,089 (Not too bad, not too bad)

3. What fandoms do you write for?

Primarily I write for Tolkien works, Star Wars and Batman (bat fam to be more specific). But I'm very much a, write one for each thing I love kinda gall. Honorary mentions include Sandman, Frozen, Twilight Avengers, Merlin and Teen Titans.

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

Lonely Stars Drifting In The Black (Star Wars) (so not surprised XD)

Kudos: 2,276

The Unexpected Pop Of Things (Lucifer TV)

Kudos: 1,265

This Isn't What It Looks Like (Lucifer TV)

Kudos: 762

Death of a Star (Lucifer TV)

Kudos: 760

Alone Never More (Batman comics) (you are just an okay story, why are you here? 😭)

Kudos: 729

(I'm kinda surprised and offended that I didn't put Lucifer on the honorary mentions and it still took places 2, 3 AND 4 👁)

5. Do you respond to comments? Oh yes (though I might take a couple of months if I some slip my mind). Almost all of them. I tend to not answer back to emojis because I'm like... I don't know what to answer?

6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending? This was kind of a hard question and it took me way too long to answer, so here, have the three runner ups.

A Crime Of Passion (Twilight: New Moon)

Ends with: Carlisle being forced to drink blood and being unable to deal with it.

At The End Of The Earth (Hellboy del Toro movies)

Ends with: John Myers being mauled by wolves and his last thoughts being of how alone he feels and of dying alone.

She's not a very good mother (Batman comics)

Ends with: Janet Drake dying as she chokes on poison and regrets she wont be able to do better by her son. She always thought she'd have more time.

7. What’s the fic you wrote with the happiest ending? Unlike the last one, this one was so easy to pick because, yeah... I'm an angsty girly for sure so the pool for REALLY happy endings was SMALL.

Drizzle Bt The Sea (Teen Titans cartoon)

It's quite short and all around just happy in vibes. Just Robin and Jericho playing by the sea under the rain.

8. Do you get hate on fics? I don't remember that I ever have? Thought I thought a couple might get hate, they didn't.

9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind? I tired it ONCE. And you know what happened? The sex was interrupted by trauma and they characters had to top to talk about the whole thing.

There is also that other one time but we're not going to talk about it.

But all in all I'm much more interested in exploring gen stories ✨

10. Do you write crossovers? What’s the craziest one you’ve written? I LOVE crossovers. I don't have many, but I am plagued mentally by them. I have 3 posted (only one on Ao3). And I'm not sure which one's craisiest. But the 2 on FF are both Rise of the Guardians crossovers, one with Avengers and the other with LES MISÉRABLES. What was younger me smoking? I would really like to know.

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen? Not that I'm aware 👁

12. Have you ever had a fic translated? I think someone might've asked one or two times? But I honestly don't remember, if it ever happened, it was ages ago.

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before? Oh yes! It's always so fun to me. I've done it a couple of times with @slightly-crimson-tornado and I'm currently working on one with @pushing-daisies-renaissance ✨

14. What’s your all time favourite ship? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Steve Trevor x Diana Prince I think. Close runner up is definitely Satine Kryze x Obi-wan Kenobi. And I'm VERY fond of Bruce Wayne x Selina Kyle.

15. What’s a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will? I have a stupid amount of wips so I'll just go by posted ones. I have this story idea that I REALLY Like but I came up with it ages ago, and though i still like the idea I'm doubtful that I'll ever give it the time it deserves to go back to ):

Because the truth was too terrible (Avengers)

It's a story about Natasha being trapped inside her mind and Thor getting in to wake her up. I'm still pretty fond of the general gist of it. But it's OLD now.

16. What are your writing strengths? Aaaaaahhh. Trauma management? Like, they way people go about it and navigate it; how they talk about it with others? At least I THINK that's my strength. People keep complimenting those things XD

17. What are your writing weaknesses? I am too flowery with wording and I get sick of myself. It's out of control and I sometimes can't help it.

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic? I love it. If I can't get help I'll just wing a google translate, or god forbid do some research on structure. I'm BAD at it, but I love it and use it frequently.

19. First fandom you wrote for? Inazuma Eleven (anime) hehe. Love of my youth, protect me.

20. Favourite fic you’ve written? I love this this Twilight one-shot I wrote some years ago. It made me suffer a lot (for reasons you can find in the author's notes) but the idea has always had a tight grip on me. I really like it (and hope to got I can get the sequel out one day).

A Crime Of Passion (Twilight: New Moon)

BUT two honorable mentions. One, my Star Wars series where Obi-wan get's rescued from Death Watch by Jango Fett. And Two, my VERY self indulgent crossover between Avengers x Merlin, I love the story and I'm really super fond of what I've gotten down so far.

Celestial Bodies Of The Lonesome Variety (LSD) (Star Wars)

Of The Old Things Hidden In The World (Merlin x Avengers crossover)

Ya know, just in case you feel like it, tagging @slightly-crimson-tornado , @cilil , @dottie-wan-kenobi , @fishing4stars , @arlenianchronicles , @scary-grace

[nightmare-grass]

I have another Disney movie idea that’ll just never happen;

Y’know Rise of the Brave Tangled Frozen Dragons? I have something similar, but it’s exclusively Disney properties. Basically, take the ending premise of Wish, where Asha becomes like the Fairy Godmother, but use that as a jumping off point to make a crossover story where Asha must gather “Heroes of the Realm” like she’s Nick Fury and it’s 2012 Avengers time. Bring together the heroes from Raya and the Last Dragon, Moana, Tangled (and Tangled the Series), and Frozen (maybe also Brave if Disney wants to add a Pixar property to this lineup like they did with the princess room in Wreck it Ralph 2). Have them all come together for a musical action adventure comedy to fight some cosmic evil or something I dunno, I just really desperately want to hear Ariana DeBose singing with Idina Menzel, Mandy Moore with Kristen Bell, I want to see an expansion on the romantic tension between Raya and Namaari, I want to have Moana show Rapunzel the Sun drop flower that’s on her island (seen in a blink and you’ll miss it Easter egg but that’s still canon). And I want to give the premise of Wish another chance, because we were robbed. We’ve all seen the concept art and original ideas for the movie, the stuff Disney didn’t end up going with. It could’ve been great, and now that it’s a flop Disney won’t wanna touch it because in terms of money making it’s a dud, and that’s all Disney seems to care about nowadays.

[joshuasumter]

The Inspiration Template for Onward to Critical Role

Swords and sorcery just get real as Ian and Barley Lightfoot from Disney/Pixar's 'Onward' landed smack-dab in the middle of Exandria, the world of 'Critical Role' that exists in the Material Plane full of real magic, real epic adventures, and real wizards, bards, real fantasy and beyond…and no modern technology in this new hypothetical Crossover Alternate Universe (CAU) timeline that explores what would happen if the events of Disney/Pixar's 'Onward (2020)', Critical Role's animated series 'The Legend of Vox Machina (2022)' and its upcoming animated 'Mighty Nien' series occurred differently.

(The crossover timeline takes place after the events of 'Onward' and into the events of 'The Legend of Vox Machina', and the rest will be within the animated series itself)

In this new hypothetical crossover AU after the events of Disney/Pixar's 'Onward', life is still full of magic and wonder for Ian and Barley Lightfoot in the suburban city of New Mushroomton after their journey to bring back their late father…that is, until they woke up to find themselves in another world unlike their own filled with real fantasy magic and no modern technology.

Little do they know that they've been dragged into Exandria, the world of 'Critical Role', and allow themselves to be joined by an unlikely band of rowdy and ragtag heroes, misfits, and adventurers turned mercenaries for hire known as Vox Machina (Comprised of twin half-elf siblings, Vex'ahlia and Vax'ildan; charming gunslinger Percival "Percy" Fredrickstein Von Musel Klossowski de Rolo III; clever cleric Pike Trickfoot; half-elf red-headed druid Keyleth; gnome bard Scanlan Shorthalt; goofy goliath barbarian Grog Strongjaw; and their giant grizzly bear, Trinket) and chose to do what they can to help save Exandria and restore justice from the evil destruction of dark magical forces, terrifying power couples, and even a group of not-so-friendly dragons…if they want to survive this strange, new world despite all the epic dangers, magical surprises, comedic fun, and even the heartwarming romance the two brothers experience in such an epic saga along the way.

Then, their second adventure takes place after the events of 'The Legend of Vox Machina' Season 3 and into the events of the 'Mighty Nein' series as Ian and Barley get dragged into yet another campaign and saga anew when they're time-warped to 20 years after the adventures of Vox Machina where the two brothers are now joined by another motley group of criminals and misfits based in Wildemount known as the Mighty Nein (Comprised of Caleb Widogast, a human transmutation wizard; Nott the Brave, a young goblin rogue; Jester Lavorre, a blue female tiefling; Beauregard Lionett, a human female monk; Fjord, a green half-orc Hexblade warlock; Mollymauk Tealeaf, a lavender tiefling blood hunter; Yasha Nydoorin, a female aasimar barbarian; and much more).

The inspirations and influences of the Onward/Critical Role crossover and its new hypothetical crossover AU timeline are:

Onward (2020)

Critical Role

The Legend of Vox Machina (2022)

Scoobynatural

Disney Channel Original Movie (DCOM), Teen Beach Movie

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2003): Fast Forward (Season 6)

Scooby-Doo! The Sword and the Scoob

The Super Mario Bros. Movie

DreamWorks' The Road to El Dorado

Jeff Smith's Bone

Dungeons & Dragons: The Cartoon, the classic TV show from the 1980s. (Including The Adventure Begins! (Dungeons & Dragons) (Little Golden Book) and Dungeons & Dragons: Saturday Morning Adventures)

The crossover fanfics of... - "Frozen Turtles" by Iron117Prime - "The Owl and the Frog" by ChampionElCid - The crossover stories by Hero Central/AlexMontyArt that involved heroes from one continuity end up in a different world of another, including "The Avengers: The Avatar Saga", "Ben 10 & She-Ra: Heroes of Power", and "Sonic and Ariel"

[greatunironic]

20 questions for fic writers

approximately twenty years late for these twenty questions, but i'm here now so that counts rights? thank you to @aidaronan for the tag!

1. How many works do you have on AO3? 40

2. What’s your total AO3 word count? 711,322

3. What fandoms do you write for? currently stranger things, but i've got star wars (prequels + rebels) w.i.p.s in the google docs that i'd still love to see the light of day

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos? steddie overtook my oldest fics, so most remarkable thing is my number one, with two other fics in the same universe behind it (frozen with joy and the world throws its light), followed by all the missing girls and brutalist masterpieces

5. Do you respond to comments? Why or why not? i try to respond to all of them because i'm trying to be more outgoing in fandom spaces; i also feel very humbled + touched by the response to my steddie stories so i try to stay engaged there when i can

6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending? i don't think anything is particularly angsty from stranger things -- i try to lean into optimism and hopeful endings when i can, even if something tragic happens with the story; so i would have to say the untitled companion kallus au out of rebels fandom, since part two ends on a bit of a downer.

(though various stories out of the eating in the underworld series probably qualify, especially when you're reading them chronologically...)

7. What’s the fic you wrote with the happiest ending? i like to think the whole of most remarkable thing, and other b-sides and rarities as the happiest, i would say? mainly because the idea of steve + eddie, alive in 2023 and thriving with their family, careers, and marriage is very dear to me.

8. Do you get hate on fics? not really

9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind? yes; allow me to be pretentious and say that it's typically serving a plot purpose, and often tender, sometimes silly, sometimes spicy

10. Do you write crossovers? What’s the craziest one you’ve written? i like a good fusion, mainly; i think the only crossover i've written + published is an ancient avengers and battlestar galactica fic

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen? not to my knowledge

12. Have you ever had a fic translated? yes! remarkable has french + spanish translations, and crozen with joy also has a french translation

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before? no; i'm a solitary creature by nature, and also anxious to a fault so i've never felt it was something i'd be able to do + do right by my co-author.

14. What’s your all time favorite ship? i love steddie but i gotta be honest here on tumblr dot com: kalluzeb

15. What’s a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will? i pray every day that i'll finish all my wips; but my greatest fear is that i'll never conclude the star wars f+f au, even though the google doc is halfway written

16. What are your writing strengths? once again imma be a little pretentious and say crafting the story itself; i think i'm a really solid plotter + have good outlines that allow me to tell the story i want to tell

17. What are your writing weaknesses? probably being too wordy, and having a hard time trimming + cutting things; i have a whole google doc devoted to passages i've loved that i've excised from stories but just couldn't get rid of entirely -- i'm definitely a director's cut bitch

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic? i've encorporated mando'a into a handful of star wars stories, and used a few russian terms of endearment for at me too someone is looking (rebels) -- so i think if it serves a purpose to the story, you gotta do it.

19. First fandom you wrote for? star trek, i think?? maybe stargate: sg1??

20. Favorite fic you’ve written? i love all of my children equally but differently, but gun to my head? dogfish or the other hand knocking, because both were so interesting + challenging to write in very different ways

not tagging anyone because i'm so late to the game, but if you wanna play just say i called your name!!

[kevinsreviewcatalogue]

Review: The Avengers (2012)

The Avengers (2012)

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action throughout, and a mild drug reference

<Originally posted at https://kevinsreviewcatalogue.blogspot.com/2023/04/review-avengers-2012.html>

Score: 5 out of 5

Eleven years and dozens of movies and TV shows later, The Avengers still stands as arguably the greatest achievement of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Even more than its best standalone films like Guardians of the Galaxy and Black Panther, this was the movie that demonstrated what the "idea" of the MCU could produce and accomplish, a shared universe that brought together characters from different popular movies for a big crossover in which they all got a chance to shine as a team. Looking back, the legacy of the MCU on Hollywood as a whole has been mixed, such that it's increasingly come in for backlash in the last few years to the point where hating the series is no longer necessarily a contrarian take, the genuinely divisive reception to recent movies and shows in the franchise not helping its case. (I've been nicer to Marvel's recent output than most, and even I can't help but feel that there's a bit of malaise there.) Which makes it all the more impressive to see that, watching the original Avengers again with a group of kids who were either in diapers or not even born yet when it came out and experienced the series mostly through home video and streaming, it still absolutely holds up, and moreover, it reminded me of what Marvel's strengths were back in its 2010s imperial phase when it was firing on all cylinders. It's got an all-star cast, probably the best direction of Joss Whedon's career, and a use of continuity that enriches the experience for those who've seen the prior films in the franchise but doesn't detract from it if you haven't -- the secret sauce that, if you ask me, allowed the MCU to succeed for so long where other, similar attempts at big, modular franchises failed, and something that it's lost sight of recently. Once we're past the backlash phase and old enough to be nostalgic for the MCU (won't that be something), I think that this movie and "Phase One" more broadly will get its due once again.

The plot feels like it could've been lifted out of any number of Big Event crossovers from the comics. An alien race called the Chitauri, led by the Norse trickster god Loki (the Norse gods in this universe being aliens themselves) with a chip on his shoulder, is planning to invade Earth, and Nick Fury, director of the secret government agency S.H.I.E.L.D., has a plan to stop them: assemble a collection of exceptional individuals with unique skills to lead the fight. They include: Tony Stark, the egotistical billionaire CEO of a weapons manufacturer who built a suit of high-tech "Iron Man" powered armor to fight terrorists; Steve Rogers, the product of an American World War II scientific program to create a superior fighting man who wound up frozen in ice for decades and thawed out in the present day; Bruce Banner, a brilliant physicist who, thanks to an accident during an experiment with gamma radiation, developed a monstrous Jekyll-and-Hyde alter ego called the Hulk that comes out when he's angry or stressed; Thor, the Norse god of thunder seeking to stop his adoptive brother Loki's warpath and return him to Asgard for judgment; and Natasha Romanoff; a deadly spy codenamed "Black Widow" who defected from Russia and is now one of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s top agents. Unfortunately, Loki, using his own supernatural gifts, has seduced a number of humans to his own side, most notably Erik Selvig, a physicist who was researching an alien artifact called the Tesseract that Loki needs to open a portal to bring his army to Earth, and Clint Barton, another S.H.I.E.L.D. agent codenamed "Hawkeye" who knows his employer inside and out.

The underlying theme of most of the first two acts of this movie is a reflection of what people in real life, from critics to comic book fans to much of the movie's audience, were thinking in 2012: "can this actually work?" Can you do this kind of superhero team-up in the movies the way they do it in the comics? It's here where you see why Marvel producer Kevin Feige sought out Joss Whedon to write and direct this movie, and not just because he was already a geek media legend by then. Whedon's style has unfortunately been caricatured over the years as revolving around jokey, flippant dialogue, thanks in no small part to the many filmmakers and TV show runners who've tried to imitate it, and the man's own personal controversies in the last several years have made him an easy punching bag. That said, anybody who's watched Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, or Firefly knows that his real strength as a writer, the thing that separated him from the countless writers making jokey, flippant Shane Black ripoffs back in the '90s, was working with large ensemble casts in which there often wasn't a singular protagonist.

Whedon tackles the question of whether this will work head-on by making the real "arc" of the movie revolve less around stopping Loki than around having Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, and the Incredible Hulk, the four marquee superheroes who each had their origin stories told in prior movies, learn to put aside their differences and work as a team. They each bring their own larger-than-life personalities to the table, and while Tony and Bruce hit it off immediately over their shared love of science, Tony's ego and gung-ho attitude clash with both Steve's Boy Scout values and military code of honor and Thor's own ego as a superbeing of ancient legend, while Bruce's volatile temper and the end result of such threatens to get them all killed if he can't control it. Loki knows all of this, and for much of the film, a good chunk of his plan, as befitting a trickster god, is to play mind games with the heroes and convince them to tear each other apart so that he can move on and conquer Earth in their absence. Black Widow and Hawkeye, the relative newcomers to the MCU (the former had been a supporting character in Iron Man 2 but wouldn't get her own movie for nearly a decade), serve as surrogates for audience members who know what superheroes are but may not have seen every (or even any) prior movie in the series, while Nick Fury, the authority figure looming over them all, is the ringmaster who introduces us to them and brings them all together.

It helps when you've got a bunch of A-list (or soon-to-be-A-list) actors at the top of their game, the kinds of people who feel born to play these sorts of figures. Robert Downey, Jr.'s great gift as Tony Stark was making him just unlikable enough that you want to see him humbled but not so much that you want to see him lose, Chris Evans always knew how to make Steve Rogers feel like a good-hearted average Joe given extraordinary abilities but never forgetting who he used to be, Chris Hemsworth was exactly the kind of chiseled, Ahnold-style hunk you'd need to play the mighty God of Thunder, and Mark Ruffalo, replacing Edward Norton after some complicated backstage politics, brought an almost Jeff Goldblum-style energy to Bruce Banner, a squirrelly nerd who's visibly hiding a shameful secret. Scarlett Johansson, meanwhile, made her scenes in this movie as Natasha a demo reel for her as both an action hero and a femme fatale, while Samuel L. Jackson brought his usual BAMF energy to a PG-13 version of such as Nick Fury, a man who most of us would happily take orders from. Last but not least, Tom Hiddleston as Loki is exactly the kind of classy-yet-subtly-off-putting British theater actor you want playing a hammy, egomaniacal villain straight out of mythology, like a young Alan Rickman, standing as one of the best villains the MCU's ever had to this day and only failing to steal the show out from under everyone else because, again, this is a Joss Whedon ensemble piece where everybody gets a moment in the sun.

(And Hawkeye seems cool, like a really nice guy. Okay, I kid, Jeremy Renner was alright in the part. He was much better in later movies, though. There's a reason why people used to make fun of him so much.)

The quality of Whedon's work here doesn't stop at his writing, either. The MCU has never been known as a visually inventive series, and a lot of people blame Whedon for that, accusing him of bringing a flat visual style straight out of network television to the biggest blockbuster franchise in Hollywood and relying on his writing as his main creative thumbprint. I'm convinced that they got Whedon mixed up with the Russo brothers who handled the later Avengers films, because Whedon actually does a lot that's interesting behind the camera. Noting that scenes in superhero movies look like they were pulled straight out of a comic book is practically a cliché at this point, but in this case, it's a perfect description, as Whedon seemed to understand exactly how to bring a comic book splash panel to life on the big screen. This movie looks and feels epic, with action that's not only well-shot and easy to follow but also downright massive in scope, often having several things going on at once in the bigger sequences like the attack on the helicarrier and the climatic third-act battle in the streets of Manhattan. The effects were top-notch and felt like they had all the love and care in the world put into them, especially in comparison to some of the rush jobs that more recent Marvel movies have been guilty of. This was the kind of movie they make movie theaters for, and even watching it at home, I was consistently enthralled by its action sequences. There's a reason why so many sci-fi blockbuster action movies in the 2010s had their villains shoot big beams of light into the sky as part of their plan, or featured armies of faceless alien monsters for the heroes to fight without feeling guilty about killing people, and that's because this movie did it so amazingly well that everybody else couldn't help but copy its notes.

The Bottom Line

The Avengers is a movie that still holds up even after countless superhero movies, including in its own franchise, that tried to top it. I don't know if I'd call it the best movie in the MCU, but it's certainly the most impactful, the one that everyone's gonna remember above all else (barring maybe Black Panther) years from now as the movie that made the whole enterprise worth it.