#I firmly believe steve was as good of a character as he was because he got the chance to exist outside a romantic relationship.

[forcedhesitation]

I stopped caring about twd YEARS ago (I stopped with S7 E1 OTL), but someone shared the first episode of the rick & michonne short series with me...and wow. it's incredible so far.

I'm so glad to see mr. lincoln and miss gurira back together, pouring every bit of their souls into their acting. god their chemistry is unbelievably good...I had long forgotten what that looked like in a live action romantic pairing, as the romance in st seldom works well on any level. I'm so pleased to learn that they are also involved as executive producers & writers. it SHOWS. so does that budget, damn.

[stuckysimp]

I'm like 8 years too late, but oh well - I've had this Captain America Civil War rant stuck in my head for a while and I need to get it out after re-watching it. (This is gonna be long af, but bear with me).

I feel like a lot of people missed the actual point and plot of the movie (and the marketing definitely didn't help). The whole "team cap vs team iron man" stuff becomes irrelevant after like the first 20 minutes of the movie. But of course, it's still quite a big part of the movie and I'd like to take a moment to explore what I think, the different character motivations are around why they signed or didn't (or would / wouldn't).

The only reason Tony "I successfully privatised world peace" Stark signed the accords in the first place anyway is because of his massive survivors guilt complex which we see triggered by the woman who approaches him at the end of his speech to the MIT students. Like this man does not give a single shit about the government, and much like Steve Rogers, he just wants to keep people safe. Unlike Steve, however, he doesn't trust himself to do so and thinks of himself needing the be kept in check, for someone else to take the blame (though he'd probably internalise it anyway, let's be real).

Rhodey has always kind of been more on the side of the government, even if that meant going against Tony - think Iron Patriot - so it makes sense that he'd want to sign. He understands that a group as powerful and dangerous as the Avengers needs to be kept in check, but what he doesn't understand are the risks around that. In a perfect world, it would be fine, but unfortunately government systems are stupid and corrupt.

Peter was only really in the fight in the first place because he was a child blindly following this big celebrity guy he idolised. He didn't know enough about the situation to properly analyse it, just being fed and believing whatever Tony told him (and he had no reason to go against him, so why would he? This was his shot, he's been chosen by THE Tony Stark to help). "Mr Stark said you'd say that" "he said you're wrong, you think you're right, that makes you dangerous." I 100% believe that if Peter had read the accords, that he would have been on Steve's side anyway.

Vision is an embodiment of 'good' and 'peace' - essentially everything that Ultron was supposed to be, but wasn't. He has no reason to be against the accords if it will keep people safe and he makes the point during their conversation of "our very strength invites challenge. Challenge incites conflict. And conflict ... breeds catastrophe. Oversight ... oversight is not an idea that can be dismissed out of hand." It's also very much the beginning kind of puppy love between him and Wanda in this movie, meaning that he will want to protect her. No matter what. Even if it means "locking her in her room."

Nat was seriously one of the only people in this movie with a brain cell lol. I firmly believe that if the accords had been properly put in place, she would have followed them until she no longer thought the government's instructions were 'right' and would have gone against them anyway. Her main goal in this movie was trying to keep the Avengers, her family, together and ultimately do the 'right' thing.

T'challa didn't give one shit about the accords lmao, he's damn king. No, he was only there in the first place to take revenge on his father's death (which at the point of the airport fight scene he still thought it was Bucky's fault. He later discovers, after following Steve and Bucky to Siberia, that it's Zemo's, and locks him up).

Steve's concerns with the accords are valid, and honestly I wouldn't have signed them either. To be told "sign, retire, or get locked up" isn't really a big winner for me lol. And the thing is, Steve's done this. He fought in WW2, he got paraded around like some big hero while men died, and he did nothing. It wasn't until he went against orders, that he actually did something helpful (saved the captured 107th division in Azzano). So, no, he's not going to be side-lined when people out there need help. That's just not who he is.

Bucky had no part in the accords, and as soon as he got introduced into the movie, that plot point became irrelevant. He was framed by Zemo, and then used to rip the avengers apart. The accords was just another log to add to the fire at that point. He followed Steve because "till the end of the line" and all that. He literally, heartbreakingly, says "I don't know if I'm worth all this," but he follows anyway.

Scott, much like Peter, is kinda just happy to be there. He's following CAPTAIN FREAKING AMERICA into battle without hesitation. But like, let's be honest, given his whole movie and character, I very much doubt Scott would be on Tony's side if he had read the accords.

Clint got dragged out of freaking retirement for this shit, and he didn't actually get involved until after Team Cap already knew about Zemo. That's why he's there. Not because of the accords, but to help Steve get to the Quinjet to get to Siberia and stop Zemo before he can go through with his assumed plan to wake up the five super soldiers who'd been stashed there. (Of course, this isn't actually Zemo's plan, but we'll get back to that later).

Wanda is going through some serious self loathing during this movie, and the incident in Lagos doesn't help. Like at all. Ma girl just wants to live her life and be left alone at this point and she's getting all of these horrible things thrown into her face by Secretary Ross. She doesn't want to be controlled, she doesn't want to be a weapon, she wants to be free. "You locked me in my room." - Girl already probably hates Tony Stark due to her family being killed by one of his bombs and Ultron, so she's mad anyway.

Sam is on Steve's side from the start. With the accords, to fight Zemo, all of it. During the 'discussion' between him and Rhodey, he says "So let's say we agree to this thing. How long is it gonna be before they LoJack us like a bunch of common criminals?" He doesn't trust Secretary Ross, and is clearly hesitant to add his signature to the accords. (not that I blame him).

The main actual villain and 'plot' of the movie after the first part with the accords, was the whole thing with Zemo wanting to tear the Avengers apart to get revenge for his family dying in Sokovia. He takes advantage of the accords, and of Bucky / The Winter Soldier to do this but it's not really discussed which annoys me. It's a MAJOR part of the film, yet all I ever really see being discussed are the accords affecting the decisions of characters throughout the film with no consideration of the wider picture.

From when the UN meeting is blown up, the Avengers are being manipulated by Zemo working in the background throughout the film. He frames Bucky for murder, and Steve - who has been looking for Bucky for the past 2 years - goes after him like ‘tf man’. Bucky gets taken in and Zemo uses the opportunity to activate the Winter Soldier programming, learn about Hydra’s super soldier program, and of course - “Mission report. December 16, 1991.”

This leads to Bucky’s escape and attack, Steve and co going on the run, and eventually the airport fight. The meaning of this scene gets lost, I feel, when people relate it back to the accords because it’s not about that anymore. Not really, not for anyone. Especially not for Steve, or even for Tony.

Tony at this point, most definitely feels like his world is being torn apart. He’s losing control, he’s spiralling, and Steve just isn’t listening. He’s blinded by his anger to the bigger picture and he just wants to get a handle on the situation to deal with it further.

Steve’s forgotten all about the accords, his priority is keeping Bucky safe and stopping Zemo. He tries to tell Tony, tries to talk to him, but Tony isn’t listening either. I mean their whole interaction just before the fight shows this:

(the dialogue below has been condensed to show the key lines - basically I got rid of other characters talking irrelevantly)

-

Steve Rogers: Hear me out, Tony. That doctor, the psychiatrist, he's behind all of this.

Tony Stark: Anyway, Ross gave me 36 hours to bring you in. That was 24 hours ago. Can you help a brother out?

Steve Rogers: You're after the wrong guy.

Tony Stark: Your judgment is askew. Your old war buddy killed innocent people yesterday.

Steve Rogers: And there are five more super soldiers just like him. I can't let the doctor find them first, Tony. I can't.

- later -

Tony Stark: And you've been a complete idiot. Dragging in Clint. 'Rescuing' Wanda from a place she doesn't even want to leave, a safe place. I'm trying to keep . . . I'm trying to keep you from tearing the Avengers apart.

Steve Rogers: You did that when you signed.

Tony Stark: Alright, We're done. You're gonna turn Barnes over, you're gonna come with us. NOW! Because it's us! Or a squad of J-SOC guys . . . with no compunction about being impolite. [Steve looks aside.] Come on.

-

Not to mention that Tony, after learning that Zemo impersonated and killed the actual doctor dude that was supposed to see Bucky whilst he was in confinement, he DISOBEYED the accords and Secretary Ross to go and help Steve stop what they thought at the time was the reactivation of the five super soldiers who'd been left in cryo freeze.

He follows Steve and Bucky to Siberia to help them, not to fight them. That only changes because of Zemo showing the footage of Bucky, WHILE UNDER BASICALLY MIND CONTROL, killing Tony’s parents.

In this scene, Tony 100% has every right to be angry. Unfortunately, he’s the kind of person who cannot see past his anger. He gets in his head, he spirals, and he tries to kill Bucky based on blind rage. (IT WASN’T BUCKY’S FAULT DAMMIT).

And yes, Steve was 100% in the wrong for not telling Tony. This whole scene could have been very easily avoided if Steve had just pulled Tony aside and had the difficult conversation about his parents death. Tony deserved to know, and Steve was only sparing himself pain by doing it. Dick move Steve, 0/10.

The fight between the three allows Zemo, having successfully completed his plan of eliminating the super soldiers and tearing the avengers apart, to slip away. With his work done, he tries to end his own life, but T’challa stops him and arrests him instead.

Steve and Tony’s fight was unnecessary, dramatic, and heart-breaking, and I’m very glad they managed to make up later, but ye. I think, at the end of the day, they’re all just dramatic idiots with communication issues lol.

-

Thank you for reading my long ass essay lmao, apparently I have a lot of feelings about this movie 😂

[akatsukinolola]

𝗣𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗠𝗔𝗞𝗘𝗦 𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗘𝗖𝗧┊𝗦. 𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗧𝗢𝗡

ఌ︎ p. Steve Harrington x f!reader // g. fluff

ఌ︎. cw. established relationship, original character, kissing, Steve being great with kids, talks about wanting kids, talks of marriage, no use of y/n— let me know if i missed any!

ఌ︎. wc. 1.4k

𝗠𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗧

Your baby sister, Madilyn, is the textbook definition of an angel. Of course she has her moments, she’s a kid, but for the most part, she’s the best tiny human ever. Which is why you had no problems looking after her while your parents were on their anniversary trip for the weekend.

The two of you were on the sofa watching Race For Your Life, Charlie Brown while dinner was finishing on the stove. Ending the day with dumb cartoons and your favorite human was a win in your book.

Suddenly, the phone rang drawing your attention away from the television. A part of you wanted to ignore it, but if it was your parents and they had to call again, you’d get a never ending earful. Approaching the blush pink landline on the wall you answer it.

“Hello?”

“Hi, Babydoll,” your boyfriend’s smooth voice sounded over the receiver. You leaned against the wall, a smile playing on your lips.

“Hi, Stevie,” your voice sounded breather than anticipated. Even after almost two years together, Steve Harrington still makes you feel like a girl with an elementary school crush.

Introducing Steve, Hawkins’ resident rich boy, to your family was nerve-wracking. The day he picked you up for your first date, you opened the door with a then two-year-old Madilyn on your hip. She shied away and hid half of her face in your neck. After greeting you with a kiss on the cheek he turned to the girl in your arms, “Is this little Madilyn that likes Care Bears?” he asked excitedly and the rest is history.

Your baby sister successfully stole your boyfriend.

But there are no hard feelings because watching the two of them interact with each other is a beautiful sight. Steve’s patience and ability to keep up with the toddler’s often nonsensical rambles, make you firmly believe that he would make a great father; hopefully to your own kids someday.

“How’s babysitting going?”

“It’s been good, you know Maddie’s a good kid,” you shrugged watching the little girl curled up on the couch with her stuffed bunny.

“Mm,” he hummed as he exhaled, “You two want company? Or is it strictly sister bonding time?”

“Hm, I think the kid and I can go for a night with our favorite guy,” your smile widened as you twirled the coiled line around your finger.

“Well in that case, I’ll see you in 10.”

“Steve…you live twenty minutes away,” you said skeptically.

“Like I said, 10 minutes— I love you,” you could practically hear the smile on his face.

“I love you too and please drive safely,” sincerity coating your words. With a promise to see each other soon, you hang up and join your sister on the couch.

Maddie shifted over to curl into your side. You looked down at the girl and squished her closer. Becoming a big sister is easily one of the best things to happen to you. Sure fourteen year old you was skeptical and a little jealous about your first sibling, but as soon as you held the newborn in your arms for the first time, you knew you would do anything for her.

A loud knock on the door had you both alert and looking toward the front hallway. Upon opening the door, you were met with a very sexy looking Steve Harrington. His sunglasses were perched on his nose and the yellow Polo shirt was unbuttoned showcasing his chest hair. He smiled cockily and removed his sunglasses, “you can eye fuck me inside, doll,” he pushed past you and into the house. Closing and locking the door for you, Steve wound his arm around your waist and pulled you into a deep kiss.

“Hi.”

“Hi,” you smiled before pressing another short kiss to his lips. Taking him by the hand, you walked back into the living room. “Maddie, look who’s here!” you caught the girl’s attention. Propping herself up on the back of the sofa, she smiled widely and waved her hand so fast, it was just a blur.

“Hi, Steve!” she said excitedly. She held out her arms, her bunny long forgotten, and Steve scooped her up and gave her a big hug.

“Hi Mads, how was your day?” he asked. That led to her talking a mile a minute, not leaving a single detail out about her day.

The timer starts to ring and you walk over to the stove to turn off the burner. You stirred the hot pot of jambalaya, the smell making your mouth water.

You poked your head back into the living room, “You two. Table. Now please,” you hollered over their conversation. Their voices carried into the dining room and Steve helped Maddie into her booster seat. You sat her plate and a cup of watered down apple juice in front of her. Bringing in yours and Steve's plates, you all sat down together and continued to chat over your meal. Every so often either you or Steve had to remind her to finish chewing before talking.

After finishing up dinner, you took Maddie up for a bath and wrapped her hair up for the night. She still had about an hour left before her bedtime so you brought her back down to finish her movie.

When you got back to the kitchen, Steve was putting away the clean and dried dishes. After putting the last of them away you took ahold of his hands and pulled him into you.

“You didn’t have to clean up, I could’ve done it.”

“You were already getting Mads ready for bed, It’s the least I could do,” he shrugged. You smiled, guiding him back to the living room where you were gonna watch the rest of the movie until you saw Maddie knocked out on the couch, soft snores escaping from her. Letting go of your hand, Steve picked the sleeping girl up while you turned off the tv and all the lights then you two walked her up the stairs. You pulled back the sheets and Steve laid her down. You tucked her in with her bunny, leaving a kiss on her forehead.

Retreating from her room as quietly as possible, you two made it back to your room and began getting yourselves ready for bed. Slipping underneath the cool sheets, you and Steve settled in together. “Thank you for coming over, I really do appreciate it,” you smiled, giving him a kiss on the back of his hand.

“Of course,” he returned the kiss to one of your hands, “I need the practice anyway.”

“Practice for…?” you asked. Steve pulled you into his chest, his hand lightly gripping your hip.

“The six kids I dreamt of running around our house. You in a pretty little dress baking fucking cinnamon rolls with our girls while the boys wrestle in the living room.”

“What if the boys wanna bake and the girls wanna wrestle?” you smirked, hooking your leg over his hip.

“Doesn’t matter, as long as our kids,” he took your hand and kissed your bare ring finger, “and my wife are happy and healthy.”

You felt the heat building in your face as a smile played on your lips. “Mm, being acknowledged as ‘Mrs. Harrington’ does sound pretty great.”

“Hell yeah it does, sweetheart,” he kissed you deeply. A knock on the door forced you to break the kiss off sooner than you would’ve liked. The door opened and Maddie poked her head into the room.

“You okay Mads?” you sat up.

“Can I sleep in here?” she rubbed her eye, still sleepy.

“Of course, baby girl,” you pulled the sheets back so she could crawl in between the two of you. Getting her settled, she quickly fell back asleep, stuffed bunny tucked in her arms. You adjusted her bonnet and slightly adjusted the comforter, knowing she hates having her face covered. When you finally looked back at Steve his eyes were already on you.

“I love you,” he mouthed so as not to wake the sleeping child between the two of you.

“I love you too,” you replied.

Soon all of your breaths evened out and you all slept through the night. Even with a four year old beating you up in her sleep.

[findafight]

you're so right. i will never understand the hold rockstar eddie has on ppl. his character immediately becomes insufferable if he's super famous and successful, esp in no upside down aus where he never experiences some form of ego death/being forced to reassess his own bullshit. not to mention he is just not someone who would become uber famous like he does not have the personality to either pull it off or handle it well if he miraculously did imo. steve really screams child star to me tho in an au. plus his entire character arc kind of speaks to him being able to handle fame (ie the fact that steve is a v reflective, adaptive character that was capable of actually changing and improving his behavior even w/o knowing about the upside down originally) and knowing/learning who he should be surrounding himself w. like i firmly believe steve could actually handle being famous in a way eddie could not.

I do enjoy rockstar eddie to a point? it depends I think. Rockstar/musician aus are popular in fandoms of all sorts an I like them sorta...hit or miss? haha.

But you're right that it's become...idk over saturated? And yeah absolutely Eddie's ego death and the shattering of the Munson Docterine is kind of pivotal for his character growth. Like I know the duffers don't think Eddie's problem is that he's stuck in highschool clique mode (They seem to think his flaw is that he's a coward...which is a different meta but his reactions are reasonable to the situations he's thrown in), because they only think "jocks" are the problem there, but he is. Him realizing that actually Steve is pretty cool is the stepping stone to him not hating jocks on principal, and broadening and nuancing his view of people outside his assumptions on who are "Proper" nerds. No- upside down aus, regardless of any other trope in them, often fall flat for me in that aspect, yet always make sure to remind us Steve was a bit of a stuck up dick in highschool (until the beginning of grade 11) and it's tiring to nt see Eddie allowed to be wrong and have that moment of self-betterment.

And yeah, I can maybe see eddie becoming semi-famous session musician (not a musician that is a session musician AND recording/performing artist by themself like Glen Campbell or Marvin Gaye) through a series of events like. Playing one of his hyper specific songs at a small gig, someone in desperate need of a guitarist is there and sees he is incredibly talented as a guitarist, asks him to help as a session musician in like two days, he plays, someone at the studio is like hey. wanna be on-call for us? and eddies like sure. ok. So sometimes he's on hit records but they aren't his. royalties are decent from the amount of work he's done. He's a pinch hitter guitarist, and he's good, so he gets a rep in the industry for that. He doesn't seem like the kind of person that could thrive in the high pressure, has major deadlines, environment that being a famous musician woudl be. I mean a lot of rockstars aren't either and it's not healthy for them? I can see Eddie crashing and burning, which I know a lot of fics cover but I also find it super depressing haha. He would probably be too standoffish and anti-authority and possibly refuse outside input for stuff, so he'd be off putting in the industry. not that musicians are always pleasant to work with but i think you get it.

Child star Steve would be so neat tbh. Look I love famous athlete Steve. but also the allure of him being famous young... Maybe as a little piano prodigy? (I love piano prodigy steve hehe) or an actor? like canon era he could have been a Mousketeer! Maybe he did a couple movies (what if he was in a few cult-classic scifi movies...that the party just so happen to love....but don't pay attention to the name of the child actor in...or maybe he used a stage name?) And then him fading away and living his life a little bit, before he decides to come back into the limelight?

I think that often we forget that Steve's "come-to-jesus" moment happened without the upside down. He talked shit, got hit, and then decided that he owed Jonathan (and Nancy) an apology. No one made him help clean up the grafitti! He had no idea there were monsters he just had a shit 48 hours where he went off the handle and then decided he had been an ass and to fix himself. When he was 16! He'd have made these changes to himself without the Upsidedown. Somehow the party knew his full name, and I love the hc that he won a major game/championship for Hawkins as a junior/sophomore so was a minor town celebrity. These lend to Steve being able to handle the pressure without too major a fallout or a long-term downward spiral of self destruction.

Except (okay operating as like a post-canon thing, because I love canon-divergent aus more than no-upside down aus but could still work?) now he's battle scarred and obviously not the rosy-cheeked boy he was when he was a tween. I'm thinking maybe he goes back in '89? give some time to heal from the upside down and Robin is moving for Uni, he's obviously going with her, so he figures acting would beat dead-end minimum wage jobs. Or at least spice things up in between shifts. Maybe he starts with theatre, and decides to see if there's some screen auditions he could do. Maybe he still has people in the industry who remember working with him (he's a good team player and a natural leader) and they help in slip back in. He does some bit parts, a few semi-recurring characters. Maybe he's even on an episode of Law and Order, and people go hey! That guy who's crying over his dead girlfriend (he's a red herring) is the kid from that 70's scifi movie!

Eventually someone actually offers him a role without him auditioning, and it's a bigger part, a side character but one with lines and even a semi decent arc in a b-list movie. he's a good fit. Charming and handsome, plus there are some intense scenes and on set Steve's proved himself capable of handling most things and supportive of coworkers (actors and crew alike.) Except there's a shirtless scene. While his scarring isn't extensive, it's definitely noticeable and not as easy to cover up as the faint discolouration around his neck. it's hard to explain, and usually movies want flawless skin. He tells them this. They still want him.

So he takes the role. And he has a blast on set. He loves working as a team, and even though days are long, he feels everything sort of...coming together. A feeling that this is what he wants to do. that he was right to get back into acting even though he started so young because of his parents.

He makes lasting friendships with nearly everyone he meets on the set. There's a few child actors, and he tries to give them tips and pointers, and be a role model or support for them. he knows what it's like to be little and surrounded by adults a lot of the time, and feeling pressure to be perfect. (They think he's actually the coolest, even if he's also kinda a doofus.) (there's probably a scene where he picks up on of the kids, and then the rest of them on set want piggy back rides too...)

It's considered his comeback role, despite being a few years after he actually came back. The pressures of fame come back again, but he's older now, and he's killed monsters. He has Robin beside him. A few paps don't scare him. Everything he has to hide (besides his bisexuality...and maybe his shitty relationship with his parents) is covered up by the government anyways. He gets bigger parts, and gets an even bigger rep for being a delightful (if viciously sarcastic) and supportive co-worker, especially if there's kids on set. (child stars of the nineties will look back on working with steve and think he was one of the few adults to get it. to understand how big your emotions are as a kid and how most grown ups [often even/especially their parents] didn't let them actually feel what the were feeling, instead wanting them to be acting all the time, instead of only in front of the camera. How he told them to never let anyone do anything they weren't comfortable with, no matter who it was. How he'd stick up for them, no matter what, and would ask how they were doing throughout shooting. They'll look back on being on set with Steve and remember how even if he called them little shits when they tried to prank him or were goofing off, he said it with a wink and a smile.)

I'd say, (please forgive me) he sort of becomes a (90's era) Tom Cruise kind of actor (before he went on oprah and went viral for jumping on the couch and then only did action movies after that) (also steve doesn't become the face of a cult) Like he does action flicks, but can definitely pull his weight as a dramatic actor. (I realize that I already have a movie star steve au but thats a different era I can have overlapping headcanons for the aus!!) His cute heart-shaped smile and amazing hair entrances audiences. He can make emphatic speeches about justice and also carry at least two children out of a burning building. He has range.

idk steve going from child actor to highschool athlete to monster killer to broke thespian to movie star again entices me!!!

[braveclementine]

October 24: Aftercare (Steve Rogers) 💚

Warnings: None, fluff

Copyright: I do not own Steve Rogers or any other Marvel/MCU characters. I also do not condone copying of this.

You stared up at Steve with soft eyes, feeling slightly blissed out, and also extremely hot after the incredible, mind-blowing sex the two of you had just had. Of course, it was always mind-blowing as he was a super soldier, and everything about him was enhanced.

Steve smiled down at you gently as he pulled slowly from your sensitive channels, earning a slight hiss from you. He pressed a soft kiss to your forehead before rolling over to lay down next to you. "How are you feeling Princess?"

You smiled at the pet name he had called you since forever. "Wonderful." You rolled over to snuggle into him. He wrapped one arm around you, the other grabbing the icepack he always kept on the bedside table, putting the coolness against your forehead.

After all, if you burned up too much you'd burn the bed.

You closed your eyes, feeling completely loved and soothed. Slowly, as both of your heartbeats settled down, Steve moved from the bed. You could hear him drawing a bath in the bathroom, before he came back out.

You cracked one eye open to see him leaning over you to take you into his arms, carrying you into the bathroom.

He discarded the icepack in the sink before moving into the bath, sitting down in the water, subsequently bringing you into the cool, refreshing water as well.

"It's not to cold for you, right?" You asked. As a fire power Avenger, you needed everything to be cold, lest the added heat send you into flames. However, you also knew that cold reminded Steve of being frozen, and the last thing you ever wanted to do was send him flashbacks.

Steve chuckled warmly, pulling you flush against his back, "Believe me darling, after that, I need it as cold as it'll get."

You grinned, leaning back against him. He always took such good care of you after the both of you were spent, no matter what. If the sex had occurred because he was jealous or you needed to be punished- there was still aftercare. If the two of you were having sex because he needed to blow off steam and it was all about him (very rare, maybe once every five months)- he still took care of you afterwards.

You could feel him being tender with the slightly rough washcloth as he gently ran it through your sensitive folds, making sure everything felt alright.

You sunk a little lower in the water so that it would cover your shoulders. Steve ran the washcloth gently over your nub, making you wince. He apologized softly, placing a soft kiss under your ear.

Finally, he set it aside to pull you more firmly to his broad, well-defined chest.

You hummed in content, turning your head to kiss him gently on the lips, "Thank you Steve."

"Anything for you, my Princess."

[monstermoviedean]

i think there is a point where while the framing of dean and cas's relationship is frustrating, it's more indicative of like. the writers failing to understand dean and cas's relationship or a result of not hiring misha as a third lead for the show, so castiel comes off as extremely flaky and continues repeating his mistakes even when he says he'll do better.

basically we should all hope robbie thompson or steve yockey is the showrunner for a potential revival bc they seem to understand dean really well.

like while i Understand that these actions are consistent for castiel it also mostly feels like writers struggling to actually let him grow rather than entirely his fault?

like i've seen deancrit casgirls look at dean kicking out cas in the bunker and basically go "that's completely bullshit and out of character, i'm not gonna incorporate it into my understanding of dean as a character because that's very obviously the hand of the author preventing dean and cas from interacting while cas is a human, because it would be gay"

i kind of think that cas should be extended that same kind of grace in being like. the writers don't seem to see this as an issue and as a result even though it is one, it's hard to see a character grow when most writers dont seem to recognize it as a problem.

like steve yockey identifies it as an issue in lily sunder, when dean is mad/worried about cas the entire episode for making a call on his own (killing billie) but is still defending him from ishim. but berens doesn't seem to see it as a repeated problem in 15x09, so it's not brought up except as a snide comment from dean.

that being said i think castiel thinks of himself as disposable, so him using his love and devotion as a weapon to save dean is wonderful for him but ultimately devastating for dean, who has never viewed cas as replaceable.

like cas firmly believes that his emotions don't matter, that his feelings don't matter (his own insecurities and upbringing), so dean saying "no you do matter, of course you matter" is wonderful! but unfortunately he made the deal with the empty, and he probably realizes how bad he fucked up making that deal (it's claire and jimmy again, it's john and dean again, making a deal to save your child that dooms the people around you to grieve your loss)

it's just very very tragic, and sad. i wish supernatural was good.

sorry for rambling lmao.

it's a yes/and for me. yes, cas has to be off-screen a lot because of budgetary reasons, and the writers could have addressed that in different ways that made it seem less like cas being flaky. as for repeating his mistakes and not being able to grow, i think that's a separate issue, but a writer issue as well. there are ways to address cas repeating mistakes that don't blame dean for those mistakes.

i try to reserve my judgment of something as ooc to a few extreme situations. that's just my personal preference. i can think of a handful of actions across the show that are best-explained by ooc writing. dean telling cas he can't stay in 09x03 is not one of those. i don't like it, obviously, but i can see why dean did that and why it makes sense in his context.

i get what you're saying about extending grace to cas, and yes, writer actions are always at play here, but i try to view and interpret situations based on what is happening in the show itself. again, personal preference, and i don't always stick to that. but for me, if i only looked at everything through the lens of "writers made them do it," that wouldn't be very fun for me because yeah, writers made them do all of it and it's a work of fiction.

but extending grace to cas - i always try to extend grace to everyone. i really do. sometimes i fail! i get frustrated that i often see others extending grace to cas and intentionally withholding it from others who they don't think deserve it. it's a double standard i find aggravating.

[moltengoldveins]

molten i have minimal marvel knowledge (only watched like 10 of the movies) but if you have the patience to explain how you think techno and steve roger's friendship would develop/work, i would LOVE to hear about it

( i would ask more about the DC side but unfortunately i know a grand total of Nothing about dc )

OK SO (sorry I took so long to respond I was moving) LET ME TELL YOU THIS HOT NONSENSE. (Fair warning, this is a VERY long post)

SO. First off, I’m gonna quickly establish the Techno im working with since I think you already know who that is (/lh 😉) and then I’ll Explain Steven Grant Rogers.

So, the Techno im working with is fundamentally a lawful neutral character. He believes in freedom, in the moral obligation of someone who is capable of preventing evil to work to the fullest extent possible to prevent said evil. He believes that tyranny dictatorship is wrong and that there should be as little government as possible, and said government should be as democratic and free as possible. He jokes about anarchy, but his actions don’t quite line up with direct anarchy so I’m pretty sure it’s mostly for the bit, but he’s very anti-establishment. Techno is not, however, necessarily concerned with what is Good, so much as what is True. Violence does not necessarily equal evil, and he doesn’t seem to have much of a category for civilians when it comes to controlling the damage war causes, though he does quite firmly distinguish between “people who are my enemies” and “people who aren’t involved.” He is motivated by Justice, not mercy. This doesn’t mean he isn’t merciful: it means he doesn’t believe that he is obligated to be merciful. It means that any act of his mercy is, according to him, an exception to the rule, a kindness the people around him don’t deserve and should not take advantage of. He is unflinchingly loyal and viciously protective, as well as shockingly paranoid and proactive in preparing for any eventuality. He’s also a traumatized veteran and a victim of long-term institutionalized racism and speciesism on account of the Piglin thing, a fact that actually ISNT a headcanon! That’s not even made up! He CANONICALLY was concerned that people treated him like an animal and a weapon as opposed to a person and reacted to conflict and confrontation with the assumption that human characters were more likely to treat him poorly than nonhuman ones, like Ranboo or Philza. (I’ve got a whole other essay in there I won’t get into) ANYWAY

If that’s Techno, Steve Rogers is what you do if you take the same solid gold core and raise him poor and catholic in New York in the 1930s. Steve is religious, but it’s unclear if he’s practicing. His faith is an important core to his worldview and the choices he makes, but he’s not preachy. He’s lawful good at first, but I think his character pretty quickly looses that fundamental foundation of “I am righteous, because I know what is right, and I am doing it.” after he loses Bucky, his kinda maybe love interestchildhood friend and gets yeeted popcicle-style into the modern day. He’s loyal as a dog, stubborn to a fault, and, like Techno, completely and utterly incapable of allowing injustice or ‘wrongness’ to exist in the same space as himself. Before the serum he threw himself into fights with enough regularity that Bucky apparently would just… walk around Brooklyn in the vague area he knew Rogers should be and check alleyways for either a brawl or an unconscious Steve. He also believes in freedom, and in the moral obligation of someone who is capable of preventing evil to work to the fullest extent possible to prevent said evil. However, Steve is Captain America. He’s not an idiot: he’s portrayed as incredibly progressive for every era he’s in, but he fundamentally believes that the US is a good system, or at least the best system possible. He believes in the ideal of the American dream and said dream’s ability to inspire people to do good, even if he doesn’t believe in the reality of that dream. He’s also blatantly unwilling to take orders and follow commands unless he knows the reasoning behind the decisions and has been fully convinced that his actions won’t be furthering evil without his knowledge, and considering his history with Nazis and with SHEILD (the government agency that founded the avengers) being a front for the same Nazi organization that got him and Bucky killed originally? It’s totally understandable for him to be VERY wary of his superiors. He’s a good leader, but he’s quick to make moral judgements of other people’s characters and will stick to them until he’s been beaten over the head with how wrong he is, which is really just a subset of his “you find what is True and Right and then you stick to it to the end and you Make the rest of the world move instead of you” mentality, which is a very helpful mentality for a paragon hero! …. Until they don’t have all the information, or that stubbornness is used against them, or they meet someone who has a quality they think is repulsive or immortal. 

So all this being said…. Holy crap I wanna put these two in a box and shake them around like a stim toy. 

They’re both paragons, by the firm definition of the word, but in completely different ways. They’re both loyal, vicious, guard-dog coded characters, but Techno chewed through his leash and chose his own path (Philza) centuries ago, while Steve was just beaten and dumped in the river by masters he thought were kind, and is now snapping at any human who resembles them. Steve still wants structure above and around him, he still wants to work For a government, as long as it’s a trustworthy one. He’s just not sure how or where to find one, or if he’ll ever be able to trust one again. Techno is absolutely uninterested in that. They’re feral in different ways, and they’ve got very similar opinions about government except for Steve’s uncertainty as to how far exactly he thinks he should go and when, and Techno’s blatant non-regard for things like collateral damage.

They’re both the strongest non-augmented melee fighters of their respective worlds and they’ve both got a signature weapon that, despite actively being a Weapon, is meant to symbolically represent peace and protection. They both have rebirth imagery and close semi-platonic relationships with right-hand-men who are snipers/long distance fighters. They’ve both got a history with being made to perform, Steve with his propaganda and Techno with either his Chat or, in some headcanons, his time as an Emperor or a gladiator. 

They’ve both got (I’m taking some liberties with like, crossover X-men comics and Steve’s hatred of Nazis here) problems with people treating other people as non-human, but Techno is living it, while Steve is working from a place of privilege.

Techno, on the other hand, would not necessarily have the same experience as Steve when it comes to his early life: Steve is still, fundamentally, a small, disabled, asthmatic kid from Brooklyn, and the disconnect between Him and The Body is at absolute best a struggle he works his way through after the first few Avengers films and at worst something that haunts him for the rest of his life. 

Steve might feel his body is not his own but he has no experience with his MIND not being his own. He’s frighteningly intelligent. Techno is smart, but the Voices are another huge difference between them I think I’d find fascinating to explore. 

Steve is not the brains of the Avengers, but he is the mind. He is their compass, their engine, the one making judgements on and off field for the team, but he’s not alone: in good avengers media (Avengers Assemble) he’s working alongside Tony, and he has the whole team at his back. Techno and Phil are alone. They are entirely self-reliant and have been for aeons. There is absolutely no reason for them to understand or comprehend how the Avengers work as a team without some significant work to bridge that gap. Philza is a whole other can of worms: the hardcore worlds might be a form of long-term enforced or self-isolation, the hardcore life system might be shared by both Phil and Techno or be just Phil, they might assume the team can die more than once and be shocked to learn everyone on earth has only one life, they’re so old they carry scars from things they can’t remember anymore and traumas the Avengers are not equipped to handle. 

Literally everything about this dynamic is fascinating to me. How would Steve and Techno fight together? What parts of their political ideals would clash and why? Would they help own another grow or make one another worse? Are we getting post-Bucky-returns Steve, where the Avengers is splintered and Steve is truly disillusioned? Or will Emduo be present for the events of Winter Solider? If they are, how would they influence those events? Techno would take one look at Steve’s reaction to Hydra and know Exactly how much they needed to be wiped from the face of the planet, but how would that go? Would he bring Steve with him? Would he clean house without Steve even realizing and come back like “.ey yo I polished ur government for u. Hope you like it, it’s freshly de-Hydrad. Also half ur entire chain of command is dead they were evil my bad.” Would Philza have enough influence and wisdom to pull Tony away from the idea of Ultron? How would either of these characters interact with Peter Parker (Tommy but… a spider?) or Nightcrawler (That is an Enderman Hybrid. Why is there a normal enderman hybrid in this universe?) or Venom (ah, you fool. I’ve already got someone living in my brain rent-free, bold of you to assume you will survive this mistake). Literally everything about this is amazing and there are ONLY TWO FICS ON AO3. Infuriating. Literally the worst. 

[rayshippouuchiha]

I wish I could find a fic with Civil War without Natasha or Clint.

They are highly trained spies/assassins, the hell would they be there for?! I know technically they are Avengers.

But their skillset is NOT rushing in taking sides, regardless to who else is involved.

It was the first thing that pissed me off about Civil War. I get it in the comics because they don’t have established careers in SHIELD in the comics.

But Fury would not allow his agents (or even former agents) to be so dumb as to involve themselves in a fight in broad daylight, against an enemy that would overwhelm them in a fair fight.

They are experienced assassins and spies! They would have been doing tactical hits before the confrontation if anything. They have been in their career for longer than some of the others have lived, or lived in the 21st century.

I just want Natasha and Clint to arrive in a chopper that Clint flew to escape mutant Capebara’s, both covered in bandages wondering what the hell happened to their idiots while they were away.

I want disappointed dad face Natasha asking what the hell they think they’re doing. And when it becomes clear, are just like “steve what the hell?!” I want Clint facepalming in the background which causes him to tip off the wing and almost fall except Spidey catches him in a web.

I want the two practical, level headed assassins to look at Cap and call him an idiot.

Clint wasn’t on the Helicarrier during their first fight, and I firmly believe it’s because Natasha wouldn’t have put up with their shit if she was supported by the other common sense person she knows.

Because Coulson? Believes in the greater good. Fury? Believes in the greater good. Natasha? Believes that there is very little true good in the world, and Clint is basically her moral compass, and he argued for the good in the world for her, and hey “Tony is at least trying to put good into the world”.

Also Clint being Team Cap just to protect Wanda is bullshit excuse to have Nat and Clint on opposite teams. He interacted with Wanda for 2.4 seconds of which 2 was dealing with seeing his teammates mind controlled like he had been. Nat and him have history.

Aside from all the team cap bullshit and how Tony was treated, my Clint Barton loving heart breaks for how they ruined his character, and made him so wishywashy (also a horrible use of Jeremy Renner)

Just. I want Clint and Nat competent professionals who come back dirt tired form a long term mission and see the fight and just stare for a moment and then 5’nothing Nat walks up to Cap and starts telling him off. Clint would be beside her but, honestly he is finding it difficult to stand.

!!!!

[scoonsalicious]

4 chapters in one day, you my lovely are an angel!

Lots of thoughts, but the main ones are…

1. Waking up with her clothes on was a good sign, I’m very glad they didn’t actually have sex. But I’m ok with B thinking they did..

2. Steve actually being a good guy was something I didn’t see coming. I think I was putting too much on him being part of the drama in a dramatic way. Maybe he still will be art of it but in a less manipulative way than I’ve been thinking imagining in my head.

3. Pockets epic exit line when she and Sam were leaving for their mission was 🔥

In general, once again, her and Tony’s relationship is epic. I love how much he cares for her.

I don’t hate Tony but in other respects I probly feel about him, a bit like you do about Steve in some ways. Love RDJ and Tony just not in that way

Q: will we ever hear details of how J ended up on the Jet with B?

I’m not using the alternate names because I’m not creative enough to think up so many different ones but I love some of the options others have come up with. Cunthage is one of my favourites.

You're gonna hate me, because I'm going back to one part a day, at least for a while, until I have a better buffer of material for With Friends Like These. I have been spending all my nights on Tumblr updating and responding to updates, and haven't been writing, so I need to get back to that :/ 1. I am also very glad they didn't actually have sex. It was very important to me that Bucky thought they did, hence why I framed it the way I did.

2. Steve was being a good guy more out of guilt than anything else. He's involved with the drama to an extent, but he's not evil; just being selfish.

3. When that final line for Pocket came to me, please believe me when I tell you that I CACKLED, lol. I get a big kick out of amusing myself, and that line amused me to no end. I'm so glad everyone's enjoyed it as much as I have!

I fucking LOVE her and Tony. Like, almost as much as (if not more than) her and Bucky. Tony is probably my absolute favorite MCU character, which is weird, because while I definitely think RDJ is exceptionally handsome (and my go-to face for all react gifs), I'm not sexually attracted to Tony (those spots FIRMLY belong to Bucky and Thor, lol)? But I love him so much; he's just so charismatic, and I wanted to explore that with someone who genuinely cared for him like Pepper does, but without the romantic element, and I ended up with this. We will definitely learn how Jambalaya ended up on the Quinjet to Russia.

HOW IN THE HOLY HELL DID I MISS CUNTHAGE?!?!?! THAT IS FUCKING BRILLIANT! TEN POINTS TO GRIFFYNDOR FOR THAT NAME!!!! MY GOD!

[munsonmuses]

Painful Apparitions

Part two of Spritual Reserves

Spiritual Reserves Masterlist

Synopsis: With realizing you’re essentially being haunted by Eddie, you have to tell everyone who was there, everyone who knows. They might believe you, and be able to help you.

Themes: the paranormal, a ghostly Eddie, grief, angst, LONGING~

Warnings: ghostly boyfriend, swearing, awkward Steven romance shenanigans with a random background character (it helps with world building apparently), Dustin’s crying due to your words. How rude of you.

Word Count: 3.25k

AN: I know I KNOW. Chapter two in under 24 hours? Yes! Because I’ll be popping out the first five chapters that I have done within the week, then going to an upload schedule. This will be a 20-30 part series.

You swallowed down the violent lump in your throat, the pain and distress was unimaginable. You’d never felt so hurt, so confused, so angry at the world. Taking steps back as your hands moved to tangle up in your hair, tugging at the strands in desperation for some sort of logical response.

“No, no. No.” You planted your feet firmly as you scowled. “This isn’t real. Whatever fucking trick this is, it’s not funny. It’s not fair. You’re already using him against me. Like with Max.” You spoke out to nobody in particular as you tried to keep your cries contained. Convinced this was some deranged, mind bending form of deceit from the hands of Vecna himself. Some deranged illusion to break your spirits and weaken your resolve.

Your self turmoil was entirely disrupted by a knock on your window, taking a few deep breaths before padding over. Peeking through the curtains to the faces of Steve Harrington and Dustin Henderson. The two waving lightly at you.

‘Okay no, no way they’re here if this is the upside down. I’m not seeing things. This is real. They can help me.’ You thought to yourself.

Dustin knocked again to stir you from your thoughts, earning a pursed lipped smile from you as you went to let them in the front door. Stopping, and ripping the piece Eddie had written on, folding it up and shoving it into your small purse. Walking clean past Eddie.

Eddie who was doing his best not to s scream, to grab you by the shoulders and shake you around till he thought you would vomit. To latch onto you so hard he nearly suffocated you. An animalistic desperation in his soul as he followed you down the hall and to the living room. Watching the light spill in through the front door.

You stepped out of the way to let them in. Steve lightly clapping you on the shoulder before letting Dustin barrel over. The young boy latching onto you as you just rubbed his back, smushing his curls down and kissing the top of his head. A natural closeness that had always been there, being amplified by a shared loss. A soft exhale you’d been holding in making itself known.

“Hey…we uh, we know it’s probably getting annoying, but we wanted to ask if you wanted to volunteer today? I think it would be a good way to get out of the house. Please.” Steve mumbled as he fiddled with the edges of his denim jacket, Dustin looking at you with a profound despair. He needed you, you understood that. A connection within the distraction.

You were going to bring up the notepad, you were gonna tell them about Eddie. Bring that to light…but that felt so selfish. Carefully swallowing your refusal before sighing. “Okay I’ll be there…I’ll go with you. Just let me get dressed.” You relented as the two sat on the couch to wait for you.

Heading back to the room, you went to your closet. The soft shuffling of paper behind you made your skin prickle as you pulled out a t-shirt and some well loved jeans. Working on dressing yourself. Sliding the faded grey shirt on and smoothing out the fabric. It fit just right, smelled like Eddie. Tucking the fabric into your jeans before hearing the notepad hit the ground with a soft ‘fwomp’.

You turned around, going to grab it and seeing more chicken scratch.

‘Tell them I’m here. I’m right here. It’s a serious situation. I need help.’ Was written as you scowled lightly, going to answer. Who would’ve imagined that your first conversation with your boyfriend again would be done through aggressive, argumentative writing.

“Edward Munson we have to approach this slowly. If I start talking about you being a ghost they’re going to cart me off to some hospital…I’ll do it today. Just be patient.” You warned as you ripped out the secondary piece of paper, shoved it in your purse, then slammed the notebook back down. Getting on some Reebok’s and standing, heading back out to the little duo that was planted on the couch.

“Okay let’s go…come on…” you insisted as you walked out with them, pulling the door shut behind you and twisting the lock with a firm thud. Slowly retracting your keys out of hesitance, not having wanted too think too hard about it all, still balancing the idea of turning tail and sprinting back inside thinking of how easy it would be to avoid that damned gym. Before you could change your mind, you felt Steve take the keys from between your fingers and shove them in his jean pocket. Taking your wrist and walking you to his sedan, following after him.

As you all piled into the car, Eddie followed. Tentatively stepping into the vehicle with a slight struggle. Having essentially climbed over Dustin as he sat in the cushy leather seat. It wasn’t like he was bothering anyone.

“You can help Dustin at the blanket, clothing and food handout center. It’s small, menial, won’t take a lot of thought.” Steve insisted as you pursed your lips.

“And why can’t I help you?” you asked, Steve opening his mouth to respond, before being cut off by Dustin.

“My cousin is there helping him out, and he’s all over her. I think Steve’s natural instinct is to throw himself at women. I just wish I wasn’t related to this one, and it’s gross how she just falls into him. The world is ending and your rampant, young adult hormones are still rendering you weak to the idea of sucking face.” He muttered out.

“I am not all over Ginerva, she’s just sweet and helping out. We’re just bonding over our shared love for serving the community.” Steve defended, earning a soft laugh from you. It was nice to hear their banter. It felt kind of normal, reminded you of nights where Steve would drive you both home from hellfire practice if Eddie was busy. The two mocking one another, talking about menial problems, and Dustin gloating about his easy success in the romance department, and how Steve kept running into brick walls of rejection. Enough joy to choose to join in on the banter.

“I dunno Steven, you’ve always kinda had a thing for her, she was your partner in home ec-…” you quipped, waggling your eyebrows as Steve shoved you against the door, earning a laugh from you. “That’s enough out of you both, you chased Eddie around for a year before saying something more than hello to him-“ Steve reminded as you hummed. The sense of normalcy was nice, though the quip about Eddie did make you a bit sad, of course you missed him. But it was nice to reminisce…though you didn’t need to miss him, he wasn’t gone. Not like you’d thought at least.

The rest of the drive was relatively quiet, the school taking an extra fifteen minutes to get to with the cracks throughout town, destroying city infrastructure alongside lives, and the natural sense of normalcy most Hawkins residents had. The smell of sulfur just the new normal as Steve rounded into the parking lot, getting situated and ushering everyone out of the car and into the gym. Eddie clamoring behind and sticking to your side. Refusing to spend a second apart, you were the only person who knew he was here.

Following Dustin, you got to work. Carefully handing out pb and j’s, along with ham and cheese sandwiches. Earning scattered ‘thanks’ and ‘appreciate it’ like sentiments. Just silently nodding. Continuing along before stopping at a small group of cots smushed together. Sat atop them were Jeff Morgan, Grant Richards, and Gareth Emerson. The members of Corroded Coffin that you’d come to know pretty well, thought they were more friends by association more than anything. Quietly, you set the sandwiches beside them as they spoke, seeking to have disturbed their conversation as they stopped to look at you. A distant, wistful gaze shared amongst the three, then looking beside you, assessing the newly empty space.

“Hi…” you greeted timidly, struggling to maintain eye contact with the three.

Gareth opened his mouth, unsticking his dry tongue from the roof of his mouth and stopping. Letting out a shuddering breath, he was trying so hard to keep his composure. Having lost his best friend wasn’t an easy pill to swallow. He only got out the beginning of a hello before delving into soft, broken cries. Holding tight to the fabric of his sweat pants as he tried to compose himself.

Carefully, you sat beside him, rubbing his shoulder amicably as he looked at you, a deranged sadness within them.

“Are you okay?” He sniffled out at you as you frowned softly, slowly swallowing back your thoughts. He was crying over someone you’d recently learned was not dead, just technically not alive either.

“Yeah, I’m seeing a therapist, she’s great…and I’ve got a support system. I’m getting back to eating, and I’m gonna be okay…” you lamented before quietly thinking. “He talked about you guys all the time…”

This earned the attention of all three of them.

“And he always had something great to say. You guys can come by later, if you want, and we can talk about it.” You insisted softly, patting Grant on the knee as he put one hand on top of yours. A silent connection. They were holding on to you as much as you were to them. Nothing brings people closer than the looming threat of death, huh?

You felt terrible for not being able to tell them, but how would you explain it. ‘Hey guys? There’s this thing called the upside down, that stole the Byers kid two years ago, and now it’s gotten bigger. It killed Patrick, Chrissy, Fred and almost Max. It’s where Eddie died, being eaten alive by bats, and now I’m finding out he might not actually be dead.’ You’d sound insane. You went to get up, being stopped by the grasp on your hand.

“Is what’s out there, what caused Hawkins to crack, the thing that…y’know?” Gareth asked as he furrowed his brow, and you solemnly nodded. Technically it wasn’t a lie, Eddie’s death was coinciding with the Upside Down leaking into Hawkins. Being let go, you walked around handing out the last few sandwiches. Completely unaware of Eddie stood by Corroded Coffin.

His big, brown, cow-like eyes refused to leave them, a heartbreak shredding him down to nothing. These were his friends, they were his brothers in arms essentially. They were mourning him and he couldn’t process that thought, because he wasn’t even gone. He tried to get their attention, pulling at his hair. “Jesus H. Christ-“ he hissed under his breath before roughly smacking Gareth’s hand. The sandwich falling out of the younger boys hands into his lap.

‘Holy shit-‘ Eddie thought, connecting that intense emotion could result in physical contact with living beings and their belongings to a much more intense degree. Completely forgoing the distraught Gareth who was wiping sticky peach jam off of his pants. Going back to following you around, finding you talking to Robin and Steve at the clothing donation table.

Stepping beside you, he eavesdrops shamelessly, not like anybody could stop him.

“So we’re gonna hang out at the woodland property that Hopper has after our shift. Since the Byers family and company are back, we want to talk recon to the best of our ability. See if we can figure out how to stop this from getting worst, and finding a solution.” Robin explained, biting into a purely peanut butter sandwich as she chewed. “If you wanna come-“ she added through a mouthful of sticky and dry bread.

“Uh, sure. Yeah I’ll go. I’ve got new information anyways and I think anyone involved should know.” You insisted calmly as Steve and Robin looked between one another, choosing not to pry for information till they were in the private safety of the woods.

“Okay uh, we finish up in about twenty minutes. We’ve been working longer shifts, but there’s not much to do today.” Steve insisted ad you nodded, going to finish up some work with the general population. Twenty minutes ultimately flying by.

As the four of you went to leave, a nagging glance grasped your attention as you turned. The rest of the small band staring at you, and you’d tell them with time. It would just take a bit of…creative interpretation.

Heading to the car, you carefully climbed into the backseat, the middle seat dipping a bit before you got in, earning a quizzical noise to leave your mouth. Closing the door and being joined by Dustin who quietly fiddled with his fingers.

“How’s your ankle?” You questioned as he quietly hummed in response, looking up.

“It’s uh, it’s painful but it’ll be fine. We’ve dealt with worse. Remember when we cut into El’s leg? I bet that hurt more.” He lamented with a soft grin, the boys eyes laced with a sad desperation as you took his hand gently. Squeezing it in solidarity as you silently kept each other grounded on the hour long ride out to the woods. Recognizing the sight of the small home and the figures of Will Byers, Jonathan Byers, and El. Carefully stepping out of the car once in park and jogging over.

“Hi…” El greeted quietly, staring at you silently afterwards as you just gave Will and Jonathan casual hugs. Something quick and amicable as they led the four of you inside. Everyone else scattered about inside.

Mike and a man with long hair were sat on the ground, carefully playing cards with one another. Nancy was sat on the small couch, joined by Jonathan soon after. Will going to sit on one side of Mike, and El sitting beside the king haired man. Dustin heading to the kitchen to grab some water as Robin and Steve went to sit on the coffee table. The missing space where Lucas would be was understandable, he spent nearly all this time at the hospital from what you had heard. Your observance was disturbed by the creaking of the floorboards beside you, nobody there, but the wood lightly bending with the weight of someone else. Pursing your lips before going to join everyone else.

“So, he’s weak. Really weak, but he’s going to get stronger. He’s going to heal, and he’s going to come back. Now he can come up to Hawkins. Shred us of our humanity and…and destroy everything we love.” Will murmured as he stopped, looking beside you quizzically, before frowning. He thought he’d heard something, but he could definitely feel something.

“We need to figure out what this means for us, and how we can protect everyone in this stupid town.” Steve insisted softly as he hummed. “But before that, I wanna do a check in with everyone.” He lamented. “I’ll start. I um, my parents are still out of town, they’re not coming back anytime soon. But they’ve made sure to transfer money into my bank account, and I’m staying here. I told them I should.” He said softly, looking around the circle.

Everyone went along, giving their own little renditions on how they were coping, till they got to you. You had to tell them, to explain how Eddie was still here. Praying they’d hear you out.

“I haven’t been great, but Wayne and I are there for each other. I got set up with a therapist, which I’m not thrilled about. But um, I got some weird news today. I’ve been journaling, they say it helps with processing trauma? I dunno but, that’s not really the point. I set my notepad down today, and it had a message on it. It freaked me out because I didn’t write it? You know? It said something like ‘I’m not dead I’m here’ or whatever. Then when you guys came over, it said ‘tell them I’m here’ and, it was in Eddie’s handwriting? I’ve not uh, I’ve not been involved with the upside down as long as you guys? But are ghosts possible, or communicating between the Upside Down and here?” You asked softly as the eyes on you shared a mix of emotions, open mouthed stares.

You assessed fear, confusion, pity, disbelief…and rage. Dustin’s eyes filled with an unattractive hate as he stared at you.

“That’s not funny-“ Dustin muttered as you shook your head, carefully opening up your purse and unfolding the papers, setting them on the floor as everyone took turns reading it.

“I’m not joking Henderson.” You insisted.

Once he had the papers, he swallowed before balling them up. A hate growing ever stronger as tears pooled. “You’re a fucking asshole. If you’re coping with humor? Fine. Do it somewhere else, but that’s not cool with me. He was my best friend. I watched him bleed out and I couldn’t do anything about it.” He seethed, tears rolling down his full cheeks as you frowned deeply. “I’m not coping! Well I AM coping but not like this!” You retorted hatefully as you watched him.

“No. Fuck you, you weren’t there! You were up here, and you didn’t see it. You didn’t hear his screams or watch him die.” Dustin spat as he stood, throwing the wadded up papers at you and storming to the bathroom. Slamming the door shut behind him as you frowned. Holding the papers snugly in your hands and looking amongst everyone.

“You guys believe me, right?” You questioned, the silence you received deafening before Will slowly nodded. “I believe you…” he whispered as you looked at him.

“I uh, something came in with you. I could feel it. It’s a person for sure, and they don’t seem angry you know, and uh…and I dunno, I just know. I have a connection.” He muttered as everyone looked at him, then back at you.

“But are you sure it’s Eddie? It could be something else.” Steve asked as you growled in frustration. “I’m sure it’s Eddie. I know it’s Eddie.” You insisted.

Dustin peered out of the bathroom at hearing Will, now silently listening in as he sniffled and wiped his eyes. “Prove it. What’s um…what’s something only Eddie would know? Or like, have him do something.” He demanded as you frowned.

“I don’t think I can make him, but if he wants to…” you insisted as you uncrumbled the paper and smoothed it out. Setting it on the coffee table and Dustin brought over a pen from a mug on the kitchen counter. Slamming it down beside it. Now we wait.

Eddie was swelling with rage at all the yelling, people’s anger only fueling his own as he stormed over to the table and picked up the pen. The room going dead quiet as he wrote quickly, fervently.

‘Yes it’s me. Only I know when you fought with Suzie, and she wasn’t talking to you, and you cried so hard you got sick. I’m not fucking dead, I don’t think? I’m like some fucked up ghost.’ He wrote out, slamming the pen down. Watching as Dustin walked over.

“Holy fucking shit…what the shit, what the SHIT!?” Dustin hissed as he held his head, backing up and holding tight. “This isn’t fucking, you…Eddie?” He muttered as he looked around. “Nobody has ever survived the upside down. This is like some Return of the Living Dead shit. Is his body alive? Did we leave him?!” Dustin panicked as Steve worked on calming him down.

“Maybe…his body is still alive?” El whispered, everyone looking at her. “We can put our consciousness there, whenever Vecna takes us, and keeps our bodies here…what if it’s the same as that?” She murmured as everyone quietly sat back down to listen. Contemplating the situations, and the options.

“So uh…new plan…save Munson.” Steve murmured.

Taglist: @munson-blurbs

[scavengerssuccotash]

What are your thoughts on a Clint x Nat baby? I’ve read some fics where Nat accidentally gets pregnant and debates between keeping the baby or not. But I’ve also read a few fics where they both desperately want a baby and excel as parents once they have one. Personally I think Nat would be terrified if she was pregnant but eventually come around to the idea, because it’s a lil part of her and Clint, and be a great mom.

How did you know about my Sims 4 Clintasha save file?

(They have a daughter named Katya. And she’s fucking adorable.) 😭

Kid/baby Clintasha fics are definitely a real guilty pleasure for me. While I don’t agree with how Whedon presented that bit of character backstory for Natasha, I think taken with in universe logic it would make sense for the Red Room to sterilize their Widows. (It’s one of the few things that is canon that I’ve kept for my fic Sightline.)

(I ALSO have a real big problem with the tone in which it was discussed and handled in the Black Widow movie but let’s just skip over that for now.)

I think Clint and Nat would be exceptional parents. Extremely doting and highly protective I must admit I see them a bit of a helicopter parent duo. At least until the age of ten I want to say, when they start to loosen up their reigns as they finally start to believe that their child is safe. I think they would also retire from both SHIELD and Avenging, I don’t think Natasha much less Clint would be able to handle the separation and uncertainty in leaving for missions for months at a time. Clint is also immediately a girl dad. (I can’t help but picture Jeremy Renner a bit as I type this. Which hilariously shines a glaring light on my own father issues, but like in a ‘awww I wish o had that!’ way.)

I think it’s rather a cliche in the fandom to imagine them having a little girl, and I’m firmly one million percent within that camp. I genuinely can’t picture them having a boy for their first kid. (Yes, I said first. They have two! A girl and a boy roughly three years apart. They live in my head as a happy little family on a farm in the cornfields of Iowa and I love them very much.)

As for the pregnancy—it was fucking brutal! For my headcanon of a non-sterilized Natasha the Red Room kept them continually supplied with birth control and other hormonal blockers to the point that it was actually assumed that she would not be able to get pregnant or at the very least it would be rare. That one in a million chance happened after a particularly nasty fight when Natasha ran into the line of fire to save Steve. Cue a couple of thrown dishes and Clint growling into her ear and pinned to the bed.

“I’m not fucking losing you, do you hear me, Tasha!”

It was very hot and very intense and oops!

What really was difficult about the pregnancy, you know besides being pregnant (her back hurt like a son of a birch) was the emotional torrent that it brought. Sleepless nights, constant worry, questioning if she even wanted to keep it, followed by a surreal disbelief that she was even pregnant. It was a body horror watching and then feeling a tiny baby growing inside her. In the end she decided to keep it, partly as one last fuck you to the Red Room and her past but also because it was part Clint too. When she told him, it was in the middle of a firefight. (He would later tell her that her timing was shit.) As soon as the words left her mouth he looked at her for a good five seconds, blinked and then nodded to himself. He then, without any of the fanfare, dispatched the ten guys shooting at them, clean kills. All ten headshots. One right after the other with the cold efficiency she’s only ever seen once before when she was captured and tortured for three months.

Katya Philomena Romanoff-Barton was born November 16th. Three months premature, and weighing two pounds and thirteen ounces. She has blue eyes like her father and the freckles and red hair of her mother. They were able to bring her home after a year in the NICU.

She starts her Freshmen year at Princeton this year, double majoring in International Politics and Psychology, with an applied minor in History. She has one championship trophy in Olympic Archery and does Ballet in her free time.

[leoneliterary]

I can’t believe Jackal Steve has promoted so hard from a jackal joke scenario that he has actually ingrained himself into Sutek/Idir lore. Incredible.

BTW, I kinda get why Idir would choose to employ Sutek, but why Steve? 🤔

Haha I tell ya there is power in a name! I already planned on developing some of the Jackals as characters, but Jackal Steve really came out of nowhere and is now firmly a supporting character!

(This reminds me that I need to make an update post on here letting people know what's on the patreon.)

And as for why Idir wanted to recruit Steve as well, it's because both Sutek and Steve are at a good age for recruitment. They're young enough to be impressionable, learn a wide range of new skills, and they have no guardians, meaning that Idir has almost complete control over them and their loyalties. Plus it's also a skill thing. Until Idir mentioned it, no one noticed that Steve completely removed himself from the conflict. That's an innate talent for stealth right there!

[sweater-daddiesdumbdork]

Sweet Amber, so good to see you posting and Tika has my heart ❤ you both are lucky to have each other. I adore you both❤

Please hear me out, I've been having these dumb thoughts about Little one and Alpha 😑 like my mind’s been playing out 'what if' scenarios for 'em.

Let's suppose, if things would get worse with enemy, little one got hit badly and didn't make it.... or may be she'd take her last breath in Steve’s arms letting him know that she forgave him and he'll always be her one true love. Is Steve going to survive that?

.... or she’d lose her memory?? She wouldn't remember Steve or the time they'd spent together. How bad would that be for Steve?

..... What if she'd go in coma. I bet Steve wouldn't leave her side. He wouldn't budge from there.

I'm sorry for all the deadly scenarios. My heart is hurting for both of them specially today I can't seem to stop thinking about both of them and the world you've created around them.

Hey Babes! we are so lucky to have each other. I firmly believe that we were always meant to belong to one another. I love getting to post my adventures with her, for so long I haven't been able to do that kind of stuff, it's so nice to be able to again. I'm sorry I haven't been able to post like I was before though, I have been on the go all summer.

You're an angst heartbreak babe, you know what, I am too. I love a story that can break my heart and make me cry for the characters. SOOOO... here is a glimpse into these scenarios as I see them.

Let's suppose, if things would get worse with enemy, little one got hit badly and didn't make it.... or may be she'd take her last breath in Steve’s arms letting him know that she forgave him and he'll always be her one true love. Is Steve going to survive that?

He couldn't let her go, even as you were gasping in his arms, your fingers clinging to him as your body shook with the shock. The hole pulsing in you wasn't slowing the bleeding, no matter how much he pressed against it, his growls of desperation coming out savagely. "Don't you dare leave me Little One." He barked, his voice breaking from demanding to pleading. "Not now, not like this."

Your hand was cold as it cupped the back of his head, dragging him down. Your whisper was so soft he almost couldn't hear you, not with the Alpha breaking in his mind in the most vocal painful way. "Bond... one last time, let them say goodbye too." He yanked back a moment, his eyes searching your face and your pleading look made him soften. "You already know Steve..." You let your fingers scratch lightly at the back of his head, twisting into his hair weakly. "This is it... there is no more chances."

Blood speckled your lips as you gave a serene smile, even among the pain you were in, you were assuring him that it was okay. Your head tilted back, your pulse sluggishly hanging on. The ache in Steve's chest was about to make his own heart stop, but he gave you this. No matter how much these last seconds wouldn't be enough for him, he was going to do it, because you were his and he was yours till the end.

Your gasp was pleasured when his teeth pierced his mark, your hold tightening while you nuzzled back into him, mouthing at his shoulder till you found where you wanted, your old scar on him. That pierce of your teeth took some effort, but it snapped in his mind, a flood of you hitting him with everything you didn't have time to say. The wolves crashed together one last time, weaving together with the Alpha supporting his Little One as she weakly sank into him.

He felt your breathing grow shallower as all that love and devoted passion engulfed him, that for you there was only going to be him, no matter what you two had gone through. A lifetime of you was shared in those last seconds.

Steve hugged you tighter, feeling you start to slip away, his cries turning to howls of grief as you snuggled in against him one last time till you finally went limp, everything once again going dark as the bond faded, leaving him and the Alpha alone once again.

.... or she’d lose her memory?? She wouldn't remember Steve or the time they'd spent together. How bad would that be for Steve?

You stood there staring at Steve, your head tilting a bit as you inhaled deeply, drawing in his scent even though your body was poised for flight or fight.

<She has to remember us, Hydra couldn't erase all of us from her.> The Alpha quivered as he said this lie, anything to assure the two of them that his Little One couldn't have forgotten them.

"Little One." Steve's voice changed, more of an Alpha command and that made you stiffen while you straightened to your full height, your eyes narrowing at him. "You know me."

"You are not my Alpha." Your lip curled at the name spitting from you and to Steve it felt like a bad dream. "What makes you think you can use that trick on me. You think you are the first Alpha that thought they could trick me."

"This is no trick." Steve tried to reason with you, pulling his shirt aside enough to show you his scar, your scar you gave him in love and passion. "You bit me and bonded with me."

You barked a laugh at the sight, arching a brow. "Oh really? They why can I not feel you?"

Steve balked and the Alpha growled furiously. "Cause I was an idiot and broke the bond in a moment of weakness, I was scared of hurting you and losing you."

You looked at him in disbelief, glancing over your shoulder at another wolf approaching you. Your hand reached into this wolf's fur, a lover's embrace as you weaved your fingers into the fur as the wolf brushed against you, growling lowly at Steve. "I have only one alpha... and you are nothing more than a stranger."

Steve felt his control snap, the Alpha surging to the surface to reclaim you with tooth and nail. The Little Wolf was ready, no longer fighting with a mate's softness as before.

..... What if she'd go in coma. I bet Steve wouldn't leave her side. He wouldn't budge from there.

You laid there, just like before in the massive bed in Wakanda. It was like a bad dream, a trip of reality as Steve somehow ended in this room, he couldn't even remember being brought back to Stark Towers, or even finding his way here. He just knew, automatically where you were.

And again, you looked swallowed by the giant white bed and all the machines attatched to you, like they were monsters looking to swallow you. "You okay Cap?" came Tony's voice, it didn't have the twinge of friendly sarcasm that he usually had.

But it was enough to snap Steve back from his mind, where the Alpha was acting feral, wanting to drive the other alpha out, Steve knew he owed everything to Tony right now. Stark was the one to find you after you went missing. Steve and Bucky were pulling every resource, but it was Tony who stepped in to help.

For that Steve would be forever in the other Alpha's debt.

"Thank you... for bringing my mate home."

Tony's head bowed in understanding. "If it was Pepper... you would be the first I would call." He watched as Steve went to your side, his hand finding yours and moving to kneel on the floor next to the bed, he cupped it in his, pressing his mouth to your fingers slightly curling around his. "Everything you need is here and if it isn't Cap, just ask for it. All of the Stark wolves know not to question you."

<Leave him, he is right where he needs to be> The black alpha softly said in Tony's mind, the lithe Alpha aching to give them privacy. While recovery was unsure, they knew Steve needed that time with you alone.

Steve heard the door click behind him, he tried to pull away, and give the Alpha opening his home to them the proper respect, but he couldn't. His blue eyes were so focused on your chest, watching it rise and fall to make sure you were still alive that nothing else mattered. "Oh Little One... just come home." He whispered as he finally made his way back to a stand, working his way around you to climb in next to you.

Holding you had worked in Wakanda, you woke up in his arms and maybe this time, some miracle would make that happen again.

Steve wasn't giving up hope.

SO! I hope this answers some of those What If thoughts babes.

[sjsmith56]

Decisions, Chapter 8 - Eyes of the Father

Summary: The fight between the different Avengers over Bucky upsets Lacey but her emotions are tempered by a phone call.

Length: 4 K

Characters: Lacey, Clint, Laura, Steve, Bucky, OMC Agent Jones.

Warnings: none

Author notes: Set during and after Avengers: Civil War. Told from Lacey’s POV.

<<Chapter 7

👩🏼‍🍼 📺 📱

As Lacey was out on the tractor moving some deadwood trees she noticed Laura and Clint on the porch of their home.  It looked like they were having an argument which was unusual because they were so attuned to each other they rarely raised their voices when disagreeing.   She hopped off and unhitched the chain that dragged the dead tree, then rode the tractor to the barn.  As she drove past the other two they lowered their voices and watched her park the ancient vehicle.  She came out of the barn and stared at both of them.

"What's going on?" she asked.

"Clint found something out and I think he should tell you," said Laura.  "He thinks it's need to know and you don't need to know yet.”

Lacey turned her gaze on him until he finally swore.  "They found Bucky," he said.  "In Bucharest, Romania, like we thought.  The authorities have accused him of bombing a UN meeting in Vienna that killed 12 and injured 70.  He's been taken into custody and they're transporting him to the Joint Counter Terrorist Centre in Berlin.  They're connected to the CIA, so you know how this is going to go down."

"You're thinking death penalty, aren't you?" she asked steadily.

"Yeah," he admitted.  "They'll go through the motions of giving him a psychiatric assessment and assign him a lawyer but they've been itching to throw the book at him ever since they found out the Winter Soldier's identity.  I'm sorry."

"Have you heard from Steve or Tony?" she asked.

"That's the thing," said Clint.  "Steve went to warn him and try to get him to give himself up to him.  They ended up in a pretty intense fight with the elite squad that was sent.  No deaths but Bucky hurt quite a few of them.  Steve and Sam are both in custody.  Tony wants them to support the CIA taking Bucky."

"What?" asked Lacey, upset.  "When did Tony start believing them?"

"Since Secretary Ross threatened to prosecute Steve and Sam for helping Bucky," replied Clint.  "Tony thinks he's walking a middle line, being reasonable.  I don't think Steve agrees with him on this.  Neither do I for that matter.  It all boils down to these Sokovia Accords and how they're being used."

There was the sound of a baby crying and both Lacey and Laura tilted their heads listening.  "That's mine," said Lacey, checking her watch.  "He's probably hungry."

She turned around and went up to her room where 8 month old Tommy was crying.  Picking him up she held him closely, then checked his diaper.  It was wet so she changed him first before sitting down in the rocking chair, lifting her T-shirt up and helping him latch on.  She offered him her fingers to hold and he grasped them firmly as he nursed hungrily.  She had wondered if all babies were this hungry or just this one but Laura assured her all three of her children were voracious feeders until they began eating solids.   It just hadn't happened with Tommy yet, even though he had been taking solids for several months.  With her free hand she turned on the TV in her room and found a news alert on all the channels.  The Winter Soldier had been activated while in custody, went on a rampage, then escaped.  It was believed Captain America/ Steve Rogers and Sam Wilson were helping him.  The authorities were looking for all three.  It had just gone from bad to worse.  She carried Tommy in her arms as she came down the stairs to see Clint and Laura watching the same news reports.

"They'll shoot him on sight now, won't they?" she asked openly. 

"It doesn't look good," agreed Clint, whose cell phone went off at that moment. 

Looking at the call display, he answered it while walking outside.  Laura kept looking at him through the window, her face concerned, until he walked back in.  His face was set in grim determination and she knew he had made an important decision.

"How soon?" asked Laura.

"Right away," he replied.  "Lacey, that was Sam.  Bucky was triggered by the UN psychiatrist sent to assess him.  They think he was a HYDRA mole that set up the Vienna bombing.  Bucky was knocked out while fighting with Steve but when he came to he remembered the man asked about a set of winter soldiers still in hibernation in Siberia.  They think he's gone to activate them.  They want my help to get out of Germany.  There are a couple of other people I need to get first then I'm going to help them.  We're going after the doctor."

"Won't that put you in jeopardy if you're caught?" she asked.

"Wouldn't be the first time," he replied, looking intently at Laura.  "Tell the kids I'm sorry about the water skiing.  Now I have to go break Wanda out of the compound."

He and Laura went to their bedroom leaving Lacey in the living room holding Tommy, feeling helpless.  He came down in his gear, walked out to the barn, then exited carrying his bow and arrows.  They followed him out to a second barn which he opened to reveal a quinjet.  Lacey looked at him with amazement.

"Permanent loan," he joked. 

After kissing Laura firmly he got into the quinjet and started it up while the two women went out into the farmyard.  Slowly he guided it out of the structure then raised it up into the air before applying the throttle.  Lacey put her arms around Laura's shoulders and the two women bent their heads together.

"I wondered how long it would take for him to leave retirement," admitted Laura. 

They both went about their farm duties, then made dinner for the kids.  As expected they were disappointed about their dad having to leave but it wasn't the first time it had happened.  The following morning Tommy woke up at his usual time and as Lacey fed him she turned the TV on.  There was another special report on TV about the Avengers fighting amongst themselves at the Leipzig airport.  Holding Tommy she opened the door and called to Laura who was feeding Nathaniel in her room.  She brought him into Lacey's room and they watched together as they fed their boys.

"This isn't good," Lacey said to Laura.  "It's going to split the team apart completely."

Laura watched intently then looked stricken at Lacey.  "They're changing their tactics," she said.  "Clint said they were all going to try to get out of there but it looks like they're taking on more of the fight to give Steve and Bucky the opportunity to escape.  It could mean they're expecting to be arrested."

Sure enough, as soon as Steve and Bucky escaped in the quinjet the other Avengers who had sided with them were taken into custody.  Laura phoned a number on her phone and by the sound of it the person who answered was Nick Fury.  It was hard listening to a one-sided phone conversation but when Laura hung up she wasn't as upset as she had been.

"Fury will do what he can," said Laura. 

They heard nothing until the next day when Fury confirmed that Clint, Sam, Wanda and a man unknown to them named Scott Lang had been placed into custody in an ultra secure facility called The Raft.  Fury admitted there wasn't much he could do for them while they were in that facility.  He also told them Natasha had helped Steve and Bucky escape.  Authorities were looking for her.

"Looks like we'll have to wait this out," said Laura, after hanging up. 

Although Laura refused to show anything but a positive face to her older two children Lacey knew how worried she was when she heard a knock on her door while she was nursing Tommy later that night. 

"Come in," she said, to the door opening and Laura entering.  "Are you okay?"

"No," she replied, her voice strained.  "Can I cry in here?  The kids won't hear me.  I can't keep it in any longer."

"Go for it," said Lacey, who was almost finished.  "Get under the covers, pull them over your head and let it rip."

Tommy was almost asleep so Lacey stopped feeding him, put him in the cradle and moved it to her bathroom, closing the door.  Then she got on top of the bed and put her arm around Laura.  As soon as she did the tears began to flow.  She held her friend, stroking her hair and just being there for her.  Laura cried for some time then composed herself, blew her nose and hugged Lacey.

"Thank you," she whispered.  "I had to get it out somehow.  I'll be alright now.  I'm glad you were here."

"Hey, you've been here for me this whole time," replied Lacey.  "I owe so much more to you."

They hugged and Laura left for her own room.  Lacey got under the covers, breathing deeply to centre herself.  Then she remembered something and went to the bathroom, opening the door.  Tommy was still asleep in his cradle.

"Sorry, little man," she whispered.  "Let's bring you back out here."

She sat looking at him, gently touching his dark hair.  His face was so beautiful and she could see the rapid eye movement behind his eyelids.

"What's going through your mind right now?" she asked him softly. 

He gave a little laugh in his sleep and she smiled.  No matter what happened to his dad she would always be there for him.  Always.

The sound of her phone on vibrate wakened Lacey and she looked at the call display.  It was Steve.  She answered it quickly.

"You know it's barely sunrise here," she said by way of greeting.

"I could always phone back," said a voice she hadn't heard for so long.

"Bucky?" she questioned, her voice trembling.  She was fully awake now.  "Is it really you?"

"Yeah, it's me," he confirmed.  "I had it all set up in my head what I would say to you and now I find my mind has gone blank."

"Where are you?" she asked.

"Someplace safe," he replied.  "They're going to treat me.  I lost my titanium arm when Stark blasted it off so they're going to remove what's left of it and maybe give me a new one.  They're also going to find a way to get HYDRA out of my head.  I'll have to go into cryostasis until they figure it out so you won't hear from me for a while.  That's why I wanted to talk to you now."

"Did Steve tell you anything?" she asked hesitantly.

"About the baby?  Yeah, Steve told me."   His voice sounded like he was ready to cry.  "I wish I had known.  I would have come back for you and made it right.  He's really my son."

It was said as a statement not a question.  "He looks just like you and he's such a good baby," replied Lacey.  "I didn't know who else to turn to when I approached Steve."

"You did good," he said warmly.  "Steve's family.  He wants to talk to you so I'll give him his phone.  Will you wait for me?  I never did find anyone else and I hope we have something worth waiting for, especially now."

"As long as it takes," she replied enthusiastically.  "I never found anyone either.  Those eyes captured me from the start.  You call me when you can.  Oh, and Bucky?  I got your letter.  Thank you for that."

"The CIA has your book that I took from you and the one I bought," he said hesitantly.  "Sorry for losing them.  Hopefully they don't come looking for you."

"I'm in a safe location," she replied. "Don't worry about the books.  Just be safe."

She felt a joy in her that made her feel giddy inside.  When Steve started talking to her she had to ask him to repeat what he said.

"I'm going underground," he said.  "This might be the last you hear from me for a while.  But I have the location of where Clint and the others are.  I'll get them out.  There's a good chance Clint can make a deal for house arrest.  He'll be stuck on the farm but he'll be with his family."

"Steve, why did Tony blast Bucky's arm off?" asked Lacey.

There was a long pause.  "Bucky killed Tony's parents when he was the Winter Soldier," he replied.  "Zemo had traffic cam footage.  It sent Tony into a rage.  Bucky and I had to team up and fight him together to stop him.  I don't think he'll come after you but if he shows up at the farm he probably won't be friendly."

"So much hurt," commented Lacey.  "The Avengers are finished then?"

"For now," answered Steve.  "I sent him an olive branch but it will be up to him to accept it."

"You told Bucky about the baby," she stated.

"Yeah," he admitted, and she could picture him looking down as he answered.  "It was important for him to know the truth and now he has something to come home to."

"Not if the CIA has their way," said Lacey.  "They want him dead."

"Well, they're complicit in his captivity and torture," he replied.  "Those HYDRA files Natasha released?  The man who framed Bucky was able to crack the encryption on a number of them.  The CIA knew about him in the late 1940s, early 1950s.  They knew and did nothing to rescue him because they had aspirations for their own Winter Soldier program, soldiers they could control, unlike me.  Fury knows a very good lawyer who has agreed to represent Bucky.  He thinks he can get Bucky a pardon."

Lacey couldn't help it as a sob escaped her throat, then another and another.  Her cries were loud enough to wake Tommy and he started to cry.  She put the phone on speaker as she lifted Tommy out of the cradle trying to soothe him and herself at the same time.  Bucky's voice came back on.

"Is that the baby crying?" he asked.  "Is he okay?"

"He's fine," replied Lacey, opening her nightgown to nurse Tommy.  "He's just hungry, always hungry this one."

"That might be the super soldier in him," said Bucky.  "We need a lot of calories to function.  Give him lots of bottles."

"No bottle for this baby, it's Mommy and solid foods," replied Lacey.  "Every four hours, like clockwork."

"I'll bet you look beautiful nursing him," said Bucky wistfully.  "I wish I was there right now."

"My phone has video capability," said Lacey.  "Next time you call use the video call on your end."

"He will," said Steve, interrupting.  "Look, tell Laura that I'll get Clint home.  You take care of yourself and Tommy.  Somehow Bucky will come back to you, I promise."

"Okay, goodbye Steve, goodbye Bucky," said Lacey softly.  "You take care of yourselves as well."

She hung up and looked lovingly at Tommy.  "That was your Dad," she said.  "He knows about you and he wants us to be a family."  Tommy smiled at her as he nursed.  "You like that, don't you?  I don't know when he can come home but I'll tell you everything I know about him.  Then he won't be a stranger to you when he does finally return."

When Lacey heard Laura get up she told her about the phone call and what Steve said.  It was hard to temper their expectations but they did, working the farm together.  About ten days after the phone call a large black SUV drove up to the farm and FBI Agent Jones stepped out from the driver's seat.   Lacey could barely disguise her hostility but he wasn't there just to see her.  He opened the passenger door of the SUV and Clint stepped out.  Both men walked to where Lacey and Laura were sitting on the steps holding their babies.

"Hi honey, I'm home," said Clint, smiling in that understated way he had.  "I'm retired for good this time."  He lifted the cuff of his pant leg revealing an ankle monitor.  "Agent Jones of the FBI is the only one who knows about the farm and will come looking if I step outside a 10 mile radius from it.  It means I can still pick up your mail Lacey."

She glared at the agent and Jones looked frustrated.  "I'm not your enemy, Lacey," he said.  "I suspected you had other reasons for asking for the Avengers help and I can see by that little guy exactly what that was.  I'm not judging.  Take a walk with me, please."

Clint nodded his agreement and Lacey stood up, still carrying Tommy.  She and Agent Jones walked towards a small hill that overlooked most of the farm's crop land. 

"How come you are on Clint's file?" she asked.  "You were based in Delaware."

"I got transferred," he replied.  "We closed your file.  The Russians don't seem to be as interested in you anymore.  All the same, if you can keep a low profile, which isn't easy considering your book is selling well, I would be happier.  I received a phone call from a Nick Fury, very persuasive man, who suggested I keep an eye on Clint and you at the same time.  He sent me a digital file with some decrypted HYDRA files on it.  Those HYDRA files prove that the CIA left Barnes in the hands of an enemy willingly.  As far as I'm concerned they're the guilty party in most of this.  Barnes was a victim and I truly hope he gets the help he needs."

She stopped and looked at him almost in disbelief.  "You're on Bucky's side now?" she asked.

"Although I was looking for Barnes as a law man there was a lot about him that didn't add up," he admitted.  "The CIA painted him as this monster who was out of control.  Yet he spent time with you, helping you with your repairs, then took on four very dangerous Russian heavies without killing them.  Until he was framed for the Vienna bombing there was no sign of him, no word of him hurting or killing anyone.  That didn't seem like a killer out of control.  It did seem like a man rejecting his past and trying to be better."

"Do you know where he is?" asked Lacey.

"I have an idea," replied Jones.  "Truthfully there isn't any place here in the States that can treat him for what HYDRA did to him.  The brainwashing is so deeply embedded it will require some new thinking to treat it.  There is one place in the world that may, just may, have that technology.  Wakanda.  Prince T'Challa was all for hunting Barnes down and killing him himself in retaliation for the death of his father.  Then he suddenly appeared with another man, a Colonel Zemo, and said he was the man who set up Barnes.  I suspect he feels guilty about how he viewed Barnes and he wants to make amends."

"Then you know more than I do," replied Lacey, at first wondering if she should say more.  "I heard from Bucky.  He wouldn't tell me where he was.  Old habits die hard, I guess.  He did say they were going to treat him for the HYDRA brainwashing, and replace his arm."

"Good," said Jones bluntly.  "It's a beginning anyways.  As for you and this little guy, no one will hear about him from me.  He looks just like Barnes, doesn't he?"

Jones tickled Tommy under his chin and the little boy giggled, making the FBI agent smile.  They walked back to where Clint was holding Nathaniel.

"I'll come out to see you on an irregular basis," said Jones.  "If you have to go outside of the 10 mile radius for any reason call me and I will escort you.   Otherwise enjoy your retirement."

"Agent Jones?" called Lacey, remembering one more thing.  "Did you ever find out if there was a leak at your end?  You know, about the flash drive?"

"Yeah, there was," replied the agent.  "The same person who ordered me to bug your home.  He owed money to the Russian mob, got in over his head during an underground poker game.  One of the Russian heavies recognized him and I saw it on his face.  We checked him out and found the evidence.  Thanks to you we found an informant for the Russian mafia high up in the FBI."

He returned to his vehicle and left.  Laura looked at Clint.  "Lacey had a phone call from Bucky," she said.  "Steve told him about the baby."

"Good," said Clint.  "He's a good fighter and he handled himself well."

"But what did you think of him?" asked his wife.

"He's okay?" asked Clint.  "It's not like I was able to have a long conversation with him."  The two women giggled and he looked exasperated at first then shook his head.  "I'm going to shower and change.  Then you can tell me everything you know and I'll tell you everything I know."

When Clint came back he held Nathaniel while he described everything that happened at Leipzig Airport, including the serious injury suffered by Colonel Rhodes.  He briefly described being imprisoned on the Raft, refusing to go too much into detail about how they were treated there.  Then he described how Steve Rogers broke into the prison and released them, transporting them to a safe location. 

"Scott Lang, a new guy from San Francisco, also turned himself in and agreed to house arrest," said Clint.  "He has a little girl and didn't want to miss out on her growing up.  Wanda has gone into hiding.  Sam and Steve went underground.  I can't believe Prince T'Challa gave sanctuary to Barnes.  He blamed Barnes for his father's death until they found out that Zemo set him up."

"Bucky wouldn't say if he was in Wakanda," said Lacey, "but he said that he would be treated for the activation words."

"Still have a thing for him?" asked Clint.

"He said if he had known about Tommy he would have returned right away and made it right," replied Lacey.  "To a 1940s guy that means marrying me, right?"  Clint nodded, smiling.  "He asked me to wait for him, so we could find out if we do have something.  I said I would."

"It could be a long time," cautioned Clint. 

"I know," replied Lacey, touching Tommy's hair.  "Agent Jones figured the Wakandans have to invent a whole new process to treat him.  Who knows how long it will take?"

"Well, I'm out of it now," said Clint, kissing Nathaniel on the head.  "My life is here, for good."  Laura put a hand on his.  "You're still welcome to stay with us, Lacey.  I think Laura and I kind of got used to having you around."

"Thanks," she replied.  "It does feel like home here.  I think when Bucky and I do figure out our relationship I'll buy a farm.  The life has kind of grown on me." She lifted Tommy up in the air.  "You like it here, don't you, little man?"

Both Clint and Laura smiled kindly at her and Tommy as he squealed.  His squeals set Nathaniel off and the two boys found an audience for their antics.  Laura went into the house and brought out a blanket for the two babies to lie on.  Nathaniel was already crawling and Tommy watched him intently as he laid on his back.  Rolling over he tried several times to raise himself onto his hands and knees.  When he finally did then stood up immediately both Clint and Laura expressed surprise but for Lacey it was confirmation that Tommy was special.  He had super soldier blood and that meant a whole new level of protection would be needed for him.  Until Bucky could be with them it would have to come from a bunch of Avengers that were scattered to the winds.  At least here on the farm he was isolated and for now that would have to do.

Chapter 9>>

Series Masterlist

[i-like-giving-orders]

do you think ptj will do jaeyeol/jay’s character any justice? 🥲 i’ve read so many comments on reddit saying that ptj will just throw jay away because he’s served his purpose (attracting a large enough fanbase through queer-baiting) because jay’s potential to be a great character is just going down the drain (he’s the son of steve hong, he should he able to step in and help right? also big daniel is kidnapped and jay used to have such a strong “daniel is in trouble i gotta go help him” sensor so where tf is he?)

okay, but excluding all that, i think jay should be developed further as a character because he has so much potential that’s being wasted so far. i really hope ptj hasn’t forgotten about him and pulls an eli jang arc for jay because he’s super interesting to me, like i wanna know why he doesn’t talk, why he isn’t acknowledged by his family (?), where tf is he when all this is going down, what does he do in his free time, what are his likes (besides daniel lol)??? i just want to know more about him as a person IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK PTJ???

ahem, sorry for the rant, i just caught up to the latest chapter and i am FUMING because the last time we saw jay was in chapter 300+ and he wasn’t even that prominent in the chapter? i just miss when all we had to care about was daniel having to hide his 2 bodies from people, crystal being a snoop, jay and joy fighting over the same man, zack and mira’s relationship, zoe’s inner conflict not knowing she likes the very same person, etc. like what’s with all these new characters i do not give a single shit about? i loved the hostel chapters though but once they got to the worker’s arc, man…. pls just bring the original cast back.. this story is getting too much man..

so what do you think? 🥲😌

omg ok so i dont think jay's gonna be thrown aside bc like you said he's got tons of potential and much more history unexplored. like dg, he was relevant and then seemingly disappeared to the background before reappearing so i really think he's just gonna take a while before popping back and probably at the spotlight with his own arc around him a la eli jang. the wait is killing me tho lol

about his daniel-sense (lol) i honestly think he does feel something, but due to whatever it's happening on his own private, secret, hopefully soon-to-be-revealed arc, he can't help him and is agonising about it. i also miss the good old days of the gang :') but i firmly believe they were the main at first bc that's, like, the ultimate team (+ johan + eli + jake + maybe vin jin and mary kim) and are going to appear come hell or high water for the big battle (just look at jiho: he was here since the beginning and is definitely going to be involved further just not how at first we imagined) and for them to be involved in that they have to stakes in this so yeah he better come back. also dw about ranting i love to talk and i love lookism and i love to hear ppl's opinions about it so that's literally a perfect match

[cloudbells]

4, 9, 18, 38 for your mcu ask game! ILY❤️

HI THANK YOU ILY TOO MWAH MWAH <3

4. NOTP (Least favorite ship)

I have a couple answers to this that I can be normal about hating…but I fear the facade of me being not absolute bonkers coo coo crazy has long faded. So I will answer this with truth.

If I could mentally eradicate the existence of WinterIron from the minds of every single person who has contributed to its success…I’d wallow in the ethics of that for about 5 minutes and then immediately do it #mindwipingiscoolactually #giveMEthemindstone. I truly, truly, despise that ship with everything in me. And this isn’t a secret! Anyone who has ever spoken to me knows I hate this ship. Just the mere sight of it makes me sick to my stomach oh my goodness. Everyone knows to the point where I'll get disclaimers about any hint of winteriron in fic recs (also i love you guys who do this y'all are so REAL). And it’s not even for, like, morals reasons. I just hate it so much because of how I’ve seen it portrayed. I wish I could say the ship not making sense is the reason I hate it most, but it isn’t! Even though I firmly believe it makes no sense. That’s not anywhere near my main problem with it because I have plenty of ships that don’t make sense (Never ask user cloudbells what her current favorite ultra-sparkly rare pair is [the two characters aren't in the same fandom or even sister fandoms]). 

I hate it for petty reasons. And I hate that it’s so popular. Why is it one of the most popular ships?! Why do people like them? Well, I know why people like them, but I wish I could live my entire life with never seeing it ever again. Every time I’ve ever saw it, it involves some weird ass Steve characterization. But also, I just hate the idea of taking Steve’s top ships and making them in love with each other and then all the weird hateful undertones when it comes to Steve? Plus, in no way are Tony and Bucky ever getting together. I can’t even stand them as besties if we’re gonna get real lmao. I can handle them becoming friendly…maybe friends eventually, but anything further than that and I need Ativan or something to chill out. Omg, I can’t think about this anymore, someone get the straightjacket. I’ll admit myself to residential. But I do always love the chance to talk about things I don’t like. 

9. Favorite fight scene

Gotta say I’m a sucker for the scenes in CATWS where Steve fights Bucky. I love them so much. I love how you can clearly see the way his body twists, the way his muscles tense and release, the way his strikes flow - how sharp his jumping, punching and kicking are. UGH. It does everything for me. I loooooove Steve’s fighting choreography. He fights so clean…at least to me, someone who isn’t a trained fighter. Hm, well, maybe with this in mind, I should say I love the elevator fight. Or Hell - Natasha’s fight scenes. Side note that has nothing to do with the MCU: this just reinforced how much I love hand to hand. I remember when I watched Naruto and used to complain constantly over the lack of good taijutsu fights. I like seeing contact!!

18. Things you'd do if you're one of the MCU writers

Erm…SteveTony canon? Just kidding. But I wouldn’t say no to adding more undertones.

In all honesty, if we’re not talking about re-writes…I would absolutely give more weight to the Clint and Natasha relationship. I just mentioned this to someone, but I would do anything for a movie or mini-series or something just to see the moment where Natasha came to kill Clint and he instead decided to take her in, convince Fury to help, assisted with deprogramming her, ect. I’d love it. Seeing Natasha learn to trust again, seeing Clint struggle and being active in her healing. Natasha coping with everything she’s done, ect. Their bond forming…I need it. If any has any fic recs…

If we’re talking about Steve specifically, I would single-handedly force everyone to keep his deleted scenes and find somewhere to put them. I just wish we had more context on Steve himself. Like, I don’t need to see him having a self vs self angst we see with many other characters, because he’s not the type that needs that - but his external circumstances are fucking shitty and I’d love to see those explored more. I’d rewrite CACW to be more blatant on Steve’s motivations. I mean Hell, they were pretty damn clear to me, but apparently I can’t use myself as the leading authority on things like this (boooooo) and since it’s a CAPTAIN AMERICA movie, it should center around him. I shouldn’t have to defend Steve from the fandom concerning his own damn movie. 

I have some more thoughts but this post is getting long omg, I might not have enough space.

38. Favorite and least favorite villain

Favorite? I really like the potential Kang has (though he wasn’t really…great to me in Ant Man tbh). But anyways, my favorites are Alexander Pierce and Killmonger. I’ve mentioned why I like Pierce as a villain before, but it boils down to how calmly and near seamlessly he executed his power. I’ve always loved a villain that is so outwardly calm and calculated and manages to manipulate even the most suspicious of people, precisely because from his view, his goals aren’t very different from some heroes’. And because he believes in his evil so deeply, it makes him more patient and determined to carry forward. I like that. Chills!

My like for Killmonger is more…it’s a little removed from the MCU verse. I’m a black American, so I really understood where his anger and sense of betrayal came from. I mean, we're also from the same exact city. And I grew up with all typa diaspora wars between black people and African people that felt reflected in the movie…it all just really connected with me. He’s still the villain no doubt for how he went about it, but I truly, truly got his resentment. His emotions and motivations make sense! And I love a character that makes sense. 

Least favorite? The Howard guy in WandaVision. Ouuuuu, put me and him in a room for 2 minutes and he’ll be handled, permanently! I don’t even think he’s a badly written character because he (unfortunately) makes sense. But oh my goodness, I hate him so much. Now, least favorite as in boring or bad? Ultron, in my opinion. He could have been so much cooler, much more formidable, much more terrifying…but if they really dived into it, Ultron’s reign wouldn’t have started and ended in just one movie. But damn, was he disappointing.

Oh! If Namor counts as a villain (he does) I really like him. And NOT just because he's sexy and I have had a period of time where I had a very guilty and shameful crush on him.

Thank you for the ask!! <3