#Maria Ross can beat you up if deserved

[theliteraryluggage]

I just saw this on my dash for another fandom and I couldn't help myself. (i went with one character per alignment, obviously there are many other obvious choices.)

[fullmetalscullyy]

the way it was - chapter 22

summary:  what if riza never went to war?  riza hawkeye has just married the man she loves. six months into their marriage, an unexpected surprise stops her from following roy to the military. a canon divergence au that explores what might have happened had riza been unable to join the military. there will be plenty of family fluff, angst, and royai.

rated: m | warnings: no archive warning apply

read on ao3

1914

but you're a king and i'm a lionheart

When Chris had invited Riza and Mia around to the bar for dinner, Riza didn’t expect her daughter to be whisked away immediately by Vanessa as soon as they set foot inside the bar. Chris approached with determination.

“We need to talk.”

Anxiety settled in Riza’s stomach. What was all this about? There was no room for argument as Chris turned on her heel and walked away, expecting Riza to follow.

Riza wondered if this had something to do with Roy. He’d suddenly called shortly after arriving at work that morning to say that he wouldn’t be home until late that night. He had some work to do, but he was sorry, and he loved them both. She didn’t think much of it, just told him to be safe and got on with her day. Then, Chris called shortly afterwards, encouraging Riza to come for dinner. While she thought it would be lovely to spend the evening with her mother-in-law, there was a tiny niggle in the back of her mind that something was happening behind the scenes.

Chris led the way through to the backroom of the bar, into her home. She led Riza into her kitchen without any kind of indication of what the topic of discussion would be, and that made the wait worse. Was this something she needed to worry about? Riza’s thoughts were interrupted by Mia’s happy squeal from somewhere in the house, followed by Vanessa’s laugh.

Uncertainty clawed at Riza’s heart. She wanted to ask what was going on but knew better. Everything Chris did was for a reason, so if she was leading Riza away from Mia then it was something their daughter shouldn’t overhear. Riza bit her tongue.

Once inside the kitchen, Chris gestured for Riza to sit.

“Roy will be working late tonight, but I’m sure you already know about that.”

“He called this morning,” Riza confirmed.

Chris nodded. “He’s going to do something tonight, and wanted you brought here as a precaution.”

“What’s he doing?” Riza asked. Her stomach tightened at the serious look on Chris’ face.

“He’s going to fake someone’s death using his flame alchemy.” There was no hesitation, she stated it as bluntly as she could.

“Oh…" Riza's heart thudded inside her chest at the revelation. "Wait.” Riza paused, something clicking inside of her mind. “Does this have anything to do with Maria Ross?”

It had been all over the papers for a few days. Apparently the soldier had killed Maes Hughes. Initially, Riza had scrutinised the photo and wondered how that woman could have taken someone else’s life. She’d been an exemplary soldier, according to the news, so why would she murder one of her own? The story didn’t quite add up for Riza, and it didn’t for Roy either.

They hadn’t spoken much about it. They didn’t get a chance really when Mia was around. However, he’d spent more time in his study in the evenings after Mia had gone to bed. Riza would pop her head in and ask if he needed anything, only to be greeted by a tired smile and the reassurance he was all right. She’d spotted Maes’ name on the papers in front of him, alongside Maria Ross', which Roy had quickly scribbled down then scored out. Riza knew he was investigating his friend’s death and was worried for him. Roy explained he couldn’t do it at work, so would spend an hour or two looking over things. Sometimes Riza offered her own input but couldn’t do much. She had a good eye for details but wasn’t in investigations. Still, she could be someone he could talk to about it all.

Chris nodded. “It does. He’s going to fake her death tonight.”

“How though?” Maria Ross was in prison. What was he up to?

“He’s staging a prison break and will “kill” her.” Chris used finger quotations to explain herself.

Riza swallowed.

“It’s all staged though, don’t worry. He has a dummy at the ready that I helped procure the ingredients for. Breda came to me with some things he needed, and I helped the operation along. Havoc will protect Ross and help get her out of the country.”

“So, why bring Mia and I here?”

“Roy asked if I could invite you for dinner, partly as a precaution but also because he probably felt guilty he wouldn’t be home tonight.”

Riza nodded, things falling into place. He had sounded regretful on the phone earlier when he said he wouldn’t be home.

“Why is us being out of the house a precaution?”

Chris shrugged. “Beats me, but I have a pretty good theory.”

“What is it?”

She regarded Riza quietly for a long moment, which only caused frustration to build.

“Chris, please. If my daughter is in some kind of danger then I deserve to know what it is.”

She eyed Riza once more before nodding. “There’s dangerous people roaming around Central right now. They each bear a matching tattoo. An Ouroboros tattoo. They’re tied to the military somehow, but we don’t know why yet.”

Ouroboros… Riza had seen that word mentioned before, years ago in an ancient history book. She was sure it had been in her father’s study. “What does the tattoo look like?” At the mention of a tattoo, her back tingled lightly as a reminder. She hadn’t discussed any form of tattoo with anyone in a long time. They weren’t popular around Amestris, so weren’t a regular topic of conversation.

“A snake eating its own tail.”

That definitely sounded familiar to Riza. She was sure she’d seen it on Roy’s desk at home, half-hidden by other pieces of paper.

“And these people pose a threat?”

Chris nodded. “We don’t know who they’re targeting, but yes, they do. Just be cautious, all right? Know that if you ever need anything, I’m just a call away as well.”

Riza sat back in her chair.

“I have no reason to believe they will contact you personally, however, just keep an eye out," Chris warned.

“I will,” she swallowed. She was still in a daze from all this new information. It was weighing on her heavily. If Roy was targeted by them, who was to say they wouldn’t use her or Mia to get to him? She shuddered at the thought.

“Roy Boy asked if I could at least fill you in on what was going on tonight, and promised he’d answer any questions you had as soon as possible,” Chris added. “He sent me a coded message earlier and then a quick call. I have the letter if you want to see it?”

Curiosity got the better of her, and Riza nodded.

As Chris left the room Riza remained in place, processing the information she’d been given tonight.

This was… big. Riza knew of his plan to get to the top and was well aware of everything that entailed now, but… Now it was real. He was taking steps here that, if found out, could get him court-martialled. Her stomach twisted. But she knew him, and she knew his team. They were smart as hell. And if Chris was on their side too, helping them along, it eased Riza’s worries a little bit.

“I also have this, if you could pass it onto him?” Chris handed her an envelope along with the piece of paper. The front was blank, giving nothing away. “More information for him.”

This was usual practice between them both. Over the years when Riza and Mia had gone to visit Chris and Roy’s sisters, messages in letters had been passed onto Riza to be delivered to Roy. Riza knew he’d been overreacting when he insisted on not getting her involved in anything. And she’d been right. What was so dangerous about picking up a handful of envelopes to hand over to her husband?

“I will.”

“I’ll get us a drink.” Chris excused herself and left Riza with Roy’s coded letter.

It was a story. There were various names on the paper, each one starting with a specific letter at the beginning. Those letters were used to spell out the words of his message. Riza didn’t bother to read the story he’d crafted. The message itself was all that held her attention at that moment.

 Jailbreak MR. Get Riza and Mia for dinner. Love both.

 She smiled at the last part, her finger stroking over the paper.

Sometimes Riza would read the story just to see how he managed to fit it all together. Riza had tried it too in her spare time, leaving little notes for him in his office at home. Then he'd started doing it as well without a word of warning. His were far cuter than hers, with a message of ‘I love you’ left all over the house. Soon, it was common practice and they’d shown Mia how to do it too. Her messages weren’t long or complex, but it was just a bit of fun for the small family.

“He’s a dramatic one,” Chris snorted. “Jailbreak,” she muttered. “I don’t know where he got that flair from.”

Riza laughed. “He used to always tell me it was from you and wondered how I couldn’t see it.”

Chris shook her head and lifted her eyes to the ceiling. “He’s a strange one, that’s for sure.”

“He certainly knows how to keep us on our toes,” Riza murmured, turning her focus back to his letter.

“He didn’t want to speak to you about it over the phone, is my guess. Too many people potentially listening in.”

“I know,” Riza reassured her. “I just hope tonight goes well for all involved.”

“That fake corpse was perfectly constructed,” Chris replied, sipping at her water. Her cigarette was absent from her lips. “And Roy, having a flair for dramatics, will make sure it’s well presented.”

Riza’s stomach turned. “Where are they taking Maria?” she asked, trying to turn the conversation away from the “corpse”.

“No idea. That was need to know only.”

Humming in agreement, Riza took a sip of her own water.

“I had another reason for bringing you here tonight, Riza.”

“Oh?”

“You’ve expressed interest in the part of becoming a part-time informant.”

She nodded. “I have.”

“Have you ever been interested in working the floor? You can absolutely say no,” Chris added, lifting her hands in front of her to placate any objections. “All you’d have to do is sit and talk to people.”

Riza cocked her head and considered it. Then grimaced. “No. The whole reason for me to come and collect the messages from you and the girls was to stop people thinking Roy was cheating on me by going out on “dates” with them. What would happen if word got out at his place of work that his wife was cheating on him?”

“A fair point, and a very good answer,” Chris chipped in. “However, I suppose I worded that incorrectly. Let me rephrase that, would you be interested in talking to people to gather information rather than simply collecting messages?”

“In what way?”

“Military wives love to gossip. They come in every Friday night. While their husbands sit in the bar, we have a space for them to catch up and basically moan about their partners for a couple of hours. It’s in the back of the bar, in that room just off to the right as you go out.”

Riza had noticed the door there but hadn’t thought much more of it. She’d never been through there.

“Your upstart Colonel husband would be a good talking point for those ladies,” Chris ventured.

“Are you asking me to gossip about my husband?” Riza frowned.

“Not at all, but you would be welcomed into their social circle openly. Roy Boy is certainly making a name for himself, especially after coming to Central, and he’s a hot topic of conversation.”

Riza wasn’t sure she liked the sound of that. “Only good things, I hope?”

“Of course. Mostly because he’s a breath of fresh air with all the old stuffy military officials that usually frequent their company.”

She still wasn’t sure she liked the sound of that. “And I assume these conversations are all innocent?”

Chris shook her head. “Riza, all those women are old enough to be Roy’s mother,” she chuckled. “They dote on him because he’s a kind kid who's friendly and polite to everyone. Always the charmer," she snorted. "Vanessa very quickly put an end to any possible… not so innocent thoughts. She went in there one Friday gushing about Roy’s beautiful wife and his adorable daughter.”

She laughed when Riza’s cheeks turned pink at the compliment, and Riza coughed to hide it.

“I’m not jealous,” Riza assured Chris. “I just don’t want pointless gossip to ruin his reputation.”

“If anything, they love your little family even more now. They ate it up. It’s the truth, of course, but they really do say nothing but good things, I promise. The girls covering the party make sure of it.” Chris sat back in her chair. “It was just an idea,” she relented. “Some other way for you to help. Military wives on a Friday night can be very animated, and I thought you stopping by would get them to open up even more. It’s completely up to yourself," she relented. "It can be a onetime thing or a regular occurrence. It was just something to try."

“I’ll consider it,” Riza stated carefully. She’d need to weigh her options and if she could find someone to look after Mia if Roy was working.

“That’s all I ask. Roy told me a while back you were interested in being an informant, and the idea occurred to me after that last Friday night.”

“What happened last Friday night?”

“Lots more oohing and ahing over your perfect family,” she smirked. “Honestly, they eat it up Riza. You should come and see it for yourself someday.”

“Are you suggesting we’re not perfect,” Riza quipped, smiling over the rim of her glass.

“No one is perfect,” Chris replied with her own smirk. “But they are correct. You are a beautiful woman and Mia is extremely adorable.”

Chris guffawed while Riza mumbled her thanks at another compliment from her. She was sure Chris only did it because she got a kick out of it.

“Every word of that is the truth,” Chris stated assuredly. “Come on, let’s go and see what Mia’s up to. See if she’s tired out Vanessa yet,” she chuckled.

*          *          *

Mia was half asleep as she walked up the stairs to her bedroom. The offer to remain at Chris’ for the night was there, but Mia had school tomorrow morning so it would be easier for Riza to just take her home. Her mother-in-law had also offered Roxanne’s protection. While Riza appreciated it and welcomed the determined and eager look on Roxanne’s face, she politely declined the offer.

Riza had only been in bed for fifteen minutes or so before she heard the front door opening. Her body tensed in its half-asleep state, but relaxed when she heard Roy sigh from downstairs. Lights were turned off as he climbed the stairs. With heavy footsteps, he reached the top of the stairs but stopped outside Mia’s bedroom door. Riza heard it creak open as he checked in on her. The house turned silent as he did so.

Their bedroom door opened and Riza looked up. Like his footfalls suggested, he looked exhausted, but he still offered her a smile.

“Hi,” he greeted. Roy’s voice sounded a little hoarse as he spoke, discarding his military jacket over the back of the armchair on his side of the bed.

“Hey,” she smiled. “How did it go?”

“Everything went well. The plan went off without a hitch.”

Roy kicked his trousers off and placed it over his jacket on the chair. His shirt however was discarded into a pile on the floor, so he remained in only his boxers. Climbing into bed, Roy wrapped his arms around Riza tightly, giving her a squeeze. A kiss was pressed to her forehead and Riza sighed into it, her body relaxing now she knew that he was home.

“Maria is safe?”

Roy nodded. “On her way to Xerxes.”

“Xerxes? That’s quite a distance,” she commented, racking her brain to try and think how far through the desert that was.

“We’ve determined that whoever is behind it all is working throughout Amestris,” Roy yawned. “I wanted to be safe. I have some associates from Xing, and they’ll escort her there.”

“And are you okay?”

“Yeah,” he mumbled tiredly.

“Chris told me what you had to do with the… corpse.” Riza grimaced. Her tired mind couldn’t think of a better or more tactful way to word it.

“It was fine. I saved someone’s life tonight, that’s what matters,” he yawned again, but his expression quickly turned pained. “I did become the villain for doing it though.”

“How come?”

“Edward always seems to be in the wrong place at the right time,” he mumbled. “He saw me ‘killing’ Ross. I had no idea who was tailing him or if he was compromised so I had to go with the murder story.”

“I’m sorry, Roy.”

“It’s all right,” he sighed. “But thank you. The kid hates me for sure now,” Roy chuckled. “But he’ll be on his way to Xerxes soon enough too so he can find out the truth.” His eyelids fluttered closed.

Riza looked up as his eyelashes splayed across his cheeks and his face finally relaxed. The day’s events had been weighing on him, and she was loath to take up any more of his sleeping time.

“Get some rest, Roy,” she breathed, pressing a kiss to his lips.

He grunted softly in response, deepening the kiss for a moment. “Just what I needed to feel better,” he grinned. It was that dopey smile that he only showed when he was tired, and Riza loved it. “Plus, I’ll need it. Tomorrow will be another long day.” Then, she felt him pause. “There’s… something coming up in a few days. I anticipate we’ll need to go after one of the people with the Ouroboros tattoo. Can you go to my mother’s that night?”

“Is this something I should be concerned about?”

Roy shook his head. “No. And I mean it,” he added earnestly. “I really don’t anticipate anything like that coming your way, however, it would give me peace of mind to know you’re all together.”

“You know I can handle myself,” she quipped lightly.

“I don’t doubt it for a second,” he replied, pressing a kiss to her forehead again. “But until I know exactly what I’m dealing with and how to handle it, it would let me breathe easier if I knew my pregnant wife and my daughter were under my mother’s protection. She has a whole labyrinth of tunnels underneath her bar. If the wrong people come knocking then you can hide under there and I’ll come when it’s safe.”

“The wrong people, huh?”

He nodded. “The Ouroboros gang,” he drawled. “Keep an eye out for anyone with that tattoo by the way. I have a picture of it in my office. I’ll show you it tomorrow.”

“Don’t worry, your mother already explained it to me.”

His eyelids drifted closed again and Riza smiled. She lifted a hand to caress his face lightly with her fingers. He flinched in fright but turned his head to press a kiss to her palm.

“Get some sleep,” she prompted.

“You said that before then distracted me,” he grumbled.

“I can take that kiss back,” she joked, moving out of his hold. This caused him to latch onto her torso even tighter.

“Please don’t,” he begged. “I’m sorry,” he gushed dramatically.

“Go to sleep, Roy. I love you.”

He hummed with a smile. “Love you too.”

[chirpingtiger]

Should You Fight Them: Avengers Eddition

Captain America/Steve Rogers

If you’re fighting him you probably did something wrong. Go reconsider your life choices. Also you’re going to get your ass beat. So consider that too.

Black Widow/Natasha Romanoff

No. Trained assassin + Avenger = you’re not walking out of this in one piece. Do not fight.

Hawkeye/Clint Barton

You can fight him if you like. You won’t win, but he may spar with you for a while and give you a few pointers before he kicks your ass.

Winter Soldier/Bucky Barnes

No. He will give you about ten chances to walk away - TAKE THEM. He can kick your ass into next week. Do not engage at all if he is in Winter Soldier mode.

Bruce Banner

Sure. You can take him. Just don’t summon the Hulk.

Hulk

NO. Do not fight. Run away.

Thor

He would LOVE to fight with you. Another fight where you’re definitely not going to win, but he might let you off easy if he’s having fun.

War Machine/Rhody

Possibly. If he’s in the suit, no. If he’s out of the suit, you’re likely going to be faster than him, but his punches count. Take advantage where you can.

Falcon/Sam

Probably not. He’s basically Captain America but a little bit slower. Also can fly. Not very good odds.

Scarlet Witch/Wanda Maximoff

NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. She will wreck you from half a mile out and you won’t even know what hit you. Besides that, she’s a cinnamon roll who doesn’t want to fight you, and she has suffered enough as it is. Please do not fight her.

Quicksilver/Pietro Maximoff

Unless you can land a lucky first punch (or can glue his feet to the floor) do not fight. He will beat you three times before you even get the words “fight me” out of your mouth.

Vision

Definitely not. You’ll probably break your hand on the first punch.

Black Panther/T’Challa

No. He can kick your ass about four different ways then come back and surprise you with a fifth. Do not fight.

Shuri

Will also kick your ass about four different ways. Why would you fight her, though? She’s such a sweetheart!

General Okoye

Nope. You will meet the business end of that spear.

Nakia

Maybe. She’s more a peacemaker than a fighter, but she can still kick some serious ass. You can probably talk her into not beating you up too bad.

Queen Ramonda

No. Don’t do it. She only LOOKS regal and pampered. It’s an act - do NOT be fooled by her peaceful and motherly demeanor.

Spiderman/Peter Parker

Maybe. Super strong and fast, but easily distracted and has teen angst to play off of. Don’t make it a fist fight, and you might be good.

Aunt May Parker

Please don’t fight Aunt May. You’d probably win, but she doesn’t deserve that. This poor woman has been through enough. Let her rest.

Laura Barton

Why would you fight her? She’s the sweetest person ever?? No. Bad. Leave her alone.

Ant Man/Scott Lang

Sure. You can totally take him. You might even win. He’s easy to distract, just watch it if he shrinks.

Luis

He’s 100% ready to rumble. He will fake a punch because he doesn’t want to hurt you, and then get decked. You’re going to win, but you’re going to feel horrible about it. Especially cause he keeps asking you if you’re okay.

Wasp/Hope Van Dyne

No. She will kick your ass and then tease you about it forever.

Hank Pym

Please don’t fight the old man. Resist. Please. You have dignity.

Everett Ross

You could totally fight him. He might come throw you in jail afterwards, though.

Captain Marvel/Carol Danvers

She REALLY wants you to fight, but don’t do it. She will wreck your shit and laugh while doing it. You stand 0 chance against her. Do not fight.

Goose

You have about a 50/50 chance depending if the you-know-what feels like showing up. Best not to risk it.

Maria Hill

You could probably fight her. You’ll have to try really hard, but you at least have a chance.

Agent Sharon Carter

She might be nice and decide to go easy on you, but she can definitely kick your ass.

Agent Phil Coulson

Sure. You can probably beat him. Just be prepared for smug revenge later.

Director Nick Fury

Probably not someone you want to fight. He may not win a fist-fight every time, but he will make your life HELL for YEARS to follow.

Starlord/Peter Quill

Go ahead. You’d probably both enjoy it. Any given fight has about a 50% chance of ending in sex, so keep that in mind. Might be an incentive for some of you.

Gamora

No. She will flatten you. Then peel you off the floor, and flatten you again.

Nebula

Do you want to know what it feels like to be skewered? No? Then do not fight her. Ever.

Drax

Bad idea. Very bad idea. Slim chance that he will laugh and let you walk away, most likely he’s going to destroy you. Try for a battle of wits instead.

Rocket

Please don’t fight the raccoon. He has explosives. Bad idea.

Groot

LEAVE THE TREE ALONE WHAT DID IT EVER DO TO YOU

Mantis

You could win, but at what cost? Leave the precious cinnamon roll alone.

Rescue/Pepper Potts

You might win a fist fight, but she has other methods to beat you. Probably best not to start that battle.

Happy

Absolutely. You can totally kick his ass.

Valkyrie

No. No, no, no. She has a Pegasus and a big-ass sword. You can’t beat that. Not even if she’s well and truly drunk.

Jane Foster

She packs one hell of a punch, but you might win.

Darcy Louis

As long as she doesn’t have a taser, go for it.

Loki

Maaaaaaybe? Expect him to cheat. Badly.

Dr. Stephen Strange

You can try, but he’s probably going to make you punch yourself in the face fifteen times and then dump you into the Atlantic, all without setting down his tea.

[mafiamamaj]

Here's an Endgame fix-it I would love but don't have the patience to write.

So, Steve goes back in time. Everybody's all pissed because its so out of character, and why is Peggy worth more than Tony or Bucky, all that. But, hear me out.

Steve goes back and the first thing he does is find Peggy and Howard. Convince them its really him, somehow get them to believe the time travel nonsense, all that. They play it up like he survived the crash and found his way home because it's only been like, a week, if that, since the Valkryie went down.

Steve gets Howard and Peggy to help him look for Bucky. He has a vague idea of where he should be at this point, but no solid details, so it takes a little while. This derails any interest Howard had in the Manhattan Project, especially since Steve is Very Vocal about his hatred of the idea.

(Now, I dont have the knowledge to even begin to theorize what would have happened in a reality where Steve Rogers was around to Loudly and Publicly as Captain America declare his disapproval of something as huge and significant as the Manhattan Project. For the sake of my brain, we are going to say that they met a lot more resistance than they otherwise would have, but it still happened because the American Government is awful.)

They find Bucky within a few years of Steve's crash and survival. Obviously he's still all kinds of fucked up because of torture, experimentation, cryo, etc. But 5-6 years is a whole he'll of a lot different than 70+. Shield still gets built, honestly Steve couldn't imagine it with any other name, but Bucky's return reveals that Hydra is still around and that Operation Paperclip was a bad idea (Zola). So they clean house early. Peggy becomes Director because Howard is to busy with his tech, and Steve and Bucky both said no. They do work for the newly built Shield though, running ops and hunting Hydra. They also might as well be married. Its still illegal for the time, so they're careful, but all the people who matter to them know and none of them care that the Captain and his Sargeant are doing the horizontal mambo.

Steve was friends with Tony, even if it didn't work out that well. And for all their differences, well earned and understandable, Tony and Howard had a lot more in common than Tony would ever want to admit. So Steve learns from the mistakes he made with Tony, and keeps Howard from turning into the monster he was in Tony's memories.

He mother hen's Howard into drinking less, drags him out to socialize more(Bucky is a huge help with that), calls him out when he's being a dick, and puts him in his place when his ego, or his head, gets too big for his britches.

Howard gets Steve to actually sell his art, builds him neat gadgets and armor, teases him to no end about Bucky, and is consistently endangering both of their lives on his never ending quest to get Steve drunk. (Bucky might have more sense than both of them, but he's also an adrenaline junkie with a hard-on for mechanical anything, so he is no help whatsoever and Peggy constantly despaired that the fate of the world lies with these overgrown children.)

When Howard marries Maria, Steve stands up for him at the wedding. The first time Howard made Maria cry because he ignored her/forgot something important/said something mean without meaning too, Steve beat him over the head and gave him a Captain America lecture, made Howard bake an apology cake himself, then dragged Howard back to Stark manner to apologize. The second time it happened, Bucky showed up in whatever place Howard had fallen asleep, dressed in full combat gear, cussed him out in Russian and threatened to shoot him. The third and last time it happened, Peggy showed up in Howard's lab, had him tied up before he even new she was there, and calmly informed him of exactly how she would torture him into a slow and agonizing death, as well as how exactly, she would get away with it.

Howard still forgot things, and could be careless with his time, but they never let him get bad, never let him forget how much he Did Not deserve Maria. And when Tony was born they were there for him. Steve refused to let Howard ignore his son, dragged him (figuratively) the first time Howard showed any sign of jealousy towards Tony. It wasn't perfect, nothing could be. But this Tony would grow up with a bumbling inventor of a father who was only forgetful and easily distracted, rather than an alcholic with a mean streak. He would have a mother who wasn't afraid of her husband and would love him even if she didn't always understand him.

He would have a godfather, his Uncle Steve, who would teach him to fight, to stand up for what was right no matter what, who would play games with him, paint with him, love him.

He would have his Uncle Bucky, who would share his interest in all things mechanical, would listen to music with him, take apart and build machines with him, teach him dirty jokes and play pranks on his Dad or Uncle Steve, who would listen to all of his ideas and tell him he could do anything.

He would have his godmother, Aunt Peggy, who would teach him how to play the game that is high society, would teach him how to charm the socks (rather pants) off of anyone, male, female, or otherwise, who would help him when emotions got to difficult, or people didn't make sense the way he thought they should.

Steve would find the others too. Phil did alright on his own, but everyone else...

Shield would be looking for the Red Room from the start. Maybe they find Natasha as a child, or a teenager, but they would find her, because Steve would want to save her after all the times she saved him. She would get placed with a loving family, probably a shield agent and their spouse. She would have therapy, but even a couple of years with the Red Room would mess her up. She would eventually end up an agent herself, still the Black Widow, just a little less damaged. A hero because she wants to be, knows what it means to be saved by one, rather than a way to repent and repay the lives that she took.

They would find Clint probably around the time Barney and Trickshot turned on him, before he had a chance to start on his mercenary career. Therapy, maybe a shield agent foster parent for a year or two depending on his age. They would make no secret about recruiting him, but he would jump at it. Nat would probably already be there, and nothing would stop that friendship. Coulson is probably a few years ahead of them, though not many, and if there is anyone who could reign in Hawkeye, even a slightly less damaged version, it would be Phil Coulson.

Tony meets Bruce. Howard takes Steve's admittedly limited knowledge of Bruce's past and tracks down the kid. Creates a scholarship to get him to a private school and away from his dad. They meet at a Stark expo in their early teens and immediately hit it off. Bruce is one of the only people who can keep up with Tony's genius. When Tony ends up at MIT (sometime between the ages of 14-16) Bruce ends up at Harvard. They share an apartment, because the dorms would have been a disastrous idea. Steve and Bucky live with them because they might be super geniuses but you can't send two teenagers to live alone in another city Howard! Especially not when they have access to dangerous and/or explosive chemicals/tech!

Likely, Howard will still die at some point, probably from all the liquor. Fury will probably still end up as Shield's director because neither Steve or Bucky will want the responsibility. Tony will take over SI, but will still eventually hire Pepper, and eventually promote her, because running a company is never going to be his thing.

Bruce will probably still end up at Culver with Betty, if only because he's actually halfway decent at the whole teacher thing, and the Hulk incident will likely still happen one way or another. Having Steve Rogers alive would not stop men like Ross from wanting the serum. Instead of disappearing for years on end, He'll end up in Tony's tower in NYC. Tony will likely still be kidnapped, though he probably would not have the Obadiah Stane factor involved, and would still end up as Iron Man.

They would "find" the Steve still frozen and thaw him out around that time. Play it off like they found someone for Old Steve to pass the mantle onto. Give Young Steve a new identity, and a family in Old Steve and Bucky.

Young Steve would make friends with Tony, would have time to grieve his lost world without an alien invasion. Would move into the tower and mother hen Tony the way Old Steve used to do to Howard. Tony would not have all the Cap resentment he did in the original timeline, so he would get to know Young Steve as just Steve. Would be able to see him as an entirely seperate person from his godfather, because they are two separate people. Young Steve and Tony would fall in love.

Even if they weren't running it Old Steve and Bucky would still have a hand in Shiled. Would keep an eye on Natasha and Clint. They would have likely met Tony, Bruce, and Young Steve. So when the Chitauri roll in, the only one that wouldn't already be a part of the group is Thor and he fits in seamlessly. Coulson might still get hurt, but Fury wouldn't have to fake his death, because the Avengers would have been a team years before they were needed.

And when the time came to face Thanos again, they would do it as a united front, and they would win. Because together, they are unstoppable.

[barnes-parker]

You know who I am [03]

Steve and Bucky landed their quinjet and got the things they needed. It was deep cold in Siberia, they entered the Hydra facility. They rode a lift, until they heard a crash.

Bucky held out his sniper as they both exited the place. They were cautiously walking up the stairs, until they heard something. It was coming from Steve’s side so he held out his shield for protection.

“Are you ready?”

“Yeah.”

The doors were opened by none other than Tony Stark, in his suit. The helmet went off as he walked towards the two, “You seem a little defensive.”

“It’s been a long day.” Tony still continued his walk, “At ease, soldier. I’m not currently after you.”

“Then why are you here?”

“Could be your story’s not so crazy, maybe. Ross has no idea I’m here. I’d like to keep it that way. Otherwise I gotta arrest myself.”

“Well that sounds like a lot of paperwork,” Steve held down his shield. “It’s good to see you, Tony.”

“You too cap,” Then he turned to Bucky who was still aiming for Tony. “Hey, Manchurian Candidate, you’re killing me. There’s a truce here. You can drop....” Steve signaled Bucky to lower down his sniper, which he did.

The three walked ahead with Bucky already holding on to his weapon, aiming at anyone who could barge in. They didn’t know that T’Challa followed them and...

“What are you doing here?” A female voice squeaked causing T’Challa to turn around. There stands Amy. “I was gonna ask you the same question. How did you get here?”

She shrugged, “Doesn’t matter. I’m here to help.” T’Challa grunted, “Then make sure you choose the right side. C’mon.”

The other three entered a dark room, which was soon to lighten up. Each tubes contained a person, presumed dead.

“What the hell.” Bucky muttered.

They saw a guy, Zemo. Tony and Steve started to attack only to have it deflected. There was a wall in between, Zemo was unbothered. Instead he set up a footage.

There was an old fashioned television and it projected December 16, 1991. Tony knew what’s going on, “I know that street... What is this?!” He saw it all, he saw what happened to his parents, Howard and Maria Stark. And the culprit, Bucky Barnes.

Another footage was shown, October 5, 2006. He knew that car, before Tony became the famous Iron Man, he had girls from time to time. “Is that........”

Bucky killed the woman, then took the child that was in the car. Tony was fuming, he was about to spring into Bucky but Steve stopped him.

Anger was seen on his face, he was teary eyed. “Did you know?” His voice was low but resentment is evident. “I didn’t know it was him.” Steve replied.

“Don’t bullshit me, Rogers. Did you know?” His voice cracks as he repeats his question. There was a moment of silence until Steve answered yes while letting go of Tony.

It took a second for him to stare at the screen until he punched Steve, setting on his helmet. Then he started to attack Bucky. Things were getting heated already in the fight, Tony even immobilized Steve to prevent him from saving Bucky.

He proceeded to making sure Bucky wouldn’t escape, but Steve did and had the chance to talk to him. “It wasn’t him, Tony. HYDRA had control of his mind.”

But Tony wouldn’t listen, “Move!” He flew past Steve, but he was able to grip on his boot. “It wasn’t him!” He used his shield to trash his left boot but Tony was able to free himself.

He used his laser on the ceiling to block out Steve and flew to Bucky, Friday alerted him that his left boot jet is failing. As soon as he was near him, he blasted a bolt but Steve was able to rescue Bucky by using his shield to deflect it back to Tony, causing his fall.

“He’s not gonna stop,” Steve helped Bucky up. “Go.”

Tony recovered and flew up to Barnes, but Steve jumped and released a string that went around Tony’s neck, dragging him down.

Bucky was closer to getting out, but Tony had a thing in mind. He was about to blast the lid off to prevent him, Steve threw his shield, but it was shot by Tony making it fall deep down.

His system tried to aim for the perfect shot, but it was lagging. “Targeting system’s knackered, boss.”

“I’m eyeballing it.” The helmet was removed, and he squinted his left eye, aiming. He blasted a bullet that caused the lid to fall off, closing their space and falling Barnes.

The helmet was brought back on and he went up for him, Barnes used a fallen debris to hit Tony but he defended himself and attacked him back. He successfully got to seize on Barnes.

“Do you even remember them?” His voice was low but dark. “I remember all of them.” He tighten on his grip, “The kid. Is it her?! Is she the one?!”

Bucky was out of breath, “Yes.”

Tony dragged themselves down, only for Steve to dart himself into them only for them to fall down. The war buddies fell deep down as Tony immediately stood up.

Steve got up and looked at Tony, panting. “This isn’t gonna change what happened.” A scoff was returned, “I don’t care. He killed everyone.”

He attacked Steve that caused him to be thrown to the floor, as attacks were continuously getting to him, Bucky looked at the shield that was just there. He grabbed onto the shield and dashed himself to Tony only for him to be thrown back a little when Tony blasted a laser.

When Steve got up, his shield was immediately returned. Tony got up as well, as the three continued to fight that led Bucky to trashing his arc reactor, but it released a laser, destroying his metal arm.

Back on Amy, she was still with T’Challa until she heard the distant sound of clanging metal. “You go and find him, i’ll see what’s happening.” She was about to run but, “It’s too dangerous.” But she shook her head, “I can handle it. Now go and find him.”

“Am I seriously taking orders from a kid?” T’Challa complained as Amy was running already, “You can do it, king!”

She entered the room only to find that Tony and Steve were already beating each other. She froze, “Uncle Steve! Mr. Stark!”

Tony was pinned against the wall, punches were thrown to him. Amy rushes to Steve, grabbing his wrist only for her to get smacked with his shield. She screamed.

Tony was able to grab the shield, opposing him, until Steve throws him to the ground. Punches were still being thrown, setting off his helmet. Blood was gushing down his nose, some on the side of his forehead.

He covered his face as Steve was about to slam his shield, but it landed on the arc reactor, destroying it. He fell back catching his breath. There was a moment of silence until Steve stood up, carrying on his shield then helping Bucky, starting to exit.

“That shield doesn’t belong to you,” Tony spats trying to get up. “You don’t deserve it. My father made that shield.”

Steve stopped then dropped his shield. Amy looked up to her both uncles, who were now walking away. “Steve.. Bucky..”

She was just ignored. Tears were forming in her eyes as she turned to Tony. She wiped them off as she stood up and rushed to him.

“Mr. Stark,” She helped him sit up. “A-Are you okay?” Tony just stared at her, surprised. He was still catching his breath, “H-How did you get here?”

“I sneaked in your chopper. It’s already outside. C’mon..” And that, they left.

Note: So the next chapter, the plot would take place after CW. The plot would be a bit different, so i hope you guys would look forward to it. xx

If ya wanna be part of my taglist, just tell me!

[haroldgross]

New Post has been published on Harold Gross: The 5a.m. Critic

New Post has been published on http://literaryends.com/hgblog/oscars-2021/

Oscars 2021

There wasn’t a chance I was going to try and prediction nominations this year given all the rules changes and expanded eligibility rules (no screen release necessary). Heck, even the Hollywood Stock Exchange (HSX) didn’t bother to hold their annual trading on the nominations. But, now that they are in, I’m willing to try and predict winners.

While there were some odd gaps and snubs, there are some nicely competitive categories. The big question is how much Netflix-hate and politics will play into the results. With rare exception, there are few winners that could be selected that wouldn’t be worthy in the following lists, but when choosing “the best” things always get a little dicey.

And with that preamble, here are my first impressions and some thinking out loud. I’ll post a final call before the night as per tradition.

Actress in a Leading Role

Viola Davis (Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom) Andra Day (The United States vs. Billie Holiday) Vanessa Kirby (Pieces of a Woman) Frances McDormand (Nomadland) Carey Mulligan (Promising Young Woman)

What a great range of talent and styles…which only makes prediction that much harder. However Frances McDormand has been buzzed about for months now. And while Davis and Day delivered amazing performances, Mulligan is still my favorite for the levels and tightrope. Only Day challenges it for me, but she had less of a plot to work with some ways. My guess is still McDormand.

Actor in a Leading Role

Riz Ahmed (Sound of Metal) Chadwick Boseman (Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom) Anthony Hopkins (The Father) Gary Oldman (Mank) Steven Yeun (Minari)

Boseman, regardless of performance, is likely to get this on the upswell of loss alone. For me, Oldman was the more complete and believable character and performance.

Actress in a Supporting Role

Maria Bakalova (Borat Subsequent Moviefilm) Glenn Close (Hillbilly Elegy) Olivia Colman (The Father) Amanda Seyfried (Mank) Yuh-Jung Youn (Minari)

Yuh-Jung Youn stole Minari. And Seyfried was luminescent in Mank. I’d bet on Seyfried if Minari didn’t have such growing support and if we all didn’t need such a good laugh (which Youn delivers). Colman was wonderful, but her performance doesn’t quite gel without the rest of the ensemble, by design. And though Bakalova has been gathering accolades, she’s much younger than Youn and has “plenty of time” in the voter’s eyes to prove herself.

Actor in a Supporting Role

Sacha Baron Cohen (The Trial of the Chicago 7) Daniel Kaluuya (Judas and the Black Messiah) Leslie Odom, Jr (One Night in Miami) Paul Raci (Sound of Metal) Lakeith Stanfield (Judas and the Black Messiah)

There is no good answer here. Cohen truly captured Hoffman in a way that deserves to walk away with the statuette. But Odom navigates a complex problem with savvy and Stanfield delivers an oily and complex man with conviction. As much as I’d like this to go to Cohen on the merits, I think Odom is the likely winner here.

Adapted Screenplay

Borat Subsequent Moviefilm The Father Nomadland One Night in Miami The White Tiger

There is no perfect choice in this group. All have their challenges. One Night in Miami is probably the front-runner, though there may be a surprise in here.

Original Screenplay

Judas and the Black Messiah Minari Promising Young Woman Sound of Metal The Trial of the Chicago 7

Again a great list, but Promising Young Woman was the most impressive of this list for me, especially as a first feature. However, Trial may get this due to Sorkin love (and not undeservedly).

Directing

Another Round, Thomas Vinterberg Mank, David Fincher Minari, Lee Isaac Chung Nomadland, Chloé Zhao Promising Young Woman, Emerald Fennell

Best Picture

The Father Judas and the Black Messiah Mank Minari Nomadland Promising Young Woman Sound of Metal The Trial of the Chicago 7

There are times I’m glad it isn’t up to me. There is no question that Nomadland is the front-runner, whether it should be or not. For the record, I don’t think it should be in this list. Mank is by far the best crafted and fully complete vision delivered. Promising Young Woman is the most surprising and delicately crafted. The Father is unique and clever. Judas and Trial are incredible windows into events and people of the past. Sound of Metal and Minari are peeks into worlds you most likely aren’t familiar with. But Nomadland has somehow grabbed the attention. It may still fall to split votes or political tides, but of this list, it is among the weakest films in my opinion.

International Feature

Another Round (Denmark) Better Days (Hong Kong) Collective (Romania) The Man Who Sold His Skin (Tunisia) Quo Vadis, Aida? (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Another Round is the most familiar title, but Collective and Skin are currently gaining recognition. I’m hoping to see them all before the day of reckoning, but for now I’m going with Another Round based solely on press and buzz.

Original Song

“Fight For You” (Judas and the Black Messiah) “Hear My Voice” (The Trial of the Chicago 7) “Husavik” (Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga) “Io Sì (Seen)” (The Life Ahead (La Vita Davanti a Se)) “Speak Now” (One Night in Miami)

I honestly just don’t care enough to have an opinion yet. Suspect, though, that it will be Fight For You or Speak Now.

Original Score

Da 5 Bloods, Terence Blanchard Mank, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross Minari, Emile Mosseri News of the World, James Newton Howard Soul, Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross and Jon Batiste

Soul is the score to beat, no pun intended. All were solid, but Soul’s already snagging awards for its score and that is likely to continue, and is certainly worthy.

Documentary Feature

Collective Crip Camp The Mole Agent My Octopus Teacher Time

Don’t know enough yet here to discuss the possible outcomes.

Documentary Short Subject

Colette A Concerto Is a Conversation Do Not Split Hunger Ward A Love Song for Latasha

Don’t know enough yet here to discuss the possible outcomes.

Live Action Short Film

Feeling Through The Letter Room The Present Two Distant Strangers White Eye

Don’t know enough yet here to discuss the possible outcomes.

Animated Feature Film

Onward Over the Moon A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon Soul Wolfwalkers

All entertaining, but Soul is the walkaway here. It is a full look at a difficult subject, done in an inventive and effective way.

Animated Short Film

Burrow Genius Loci If Anything Happens I Love You Opera Yes-People

Don’t know enough yet here to discuss the possible outcomes.

Cinematography

Judas and the Black Messiah, Sean Bobbitt Mank , Erik Messerschmidt News of the World, Dariusz Wolski Nomadland , Joshua James Richards The Trial of the Chicago 7, Phedon Papamichael

Judas, News, and Trial are all cut from the similar cloth of classic cinematography. Judas and Trial also have the added skill of mixing in historical or seemingly historical footage. All are done very well. But Nomadland and Mank are more stylistic and more characters within the story. Mank is, by far, the most impactful delivery of the group, and the most artistic, but I am not sure that it can overcome its stream-only origins. I can also see Judas walking with this as a consolation prize.

Film Editing

The Father Nomadland Promising Young Woman Sound of Metal The Trial of the Chicago 7

The Father and Promising Young Woman are neck and neck for me in this category. Nomadland was very harsh in its edits, causing the flow to falter rather than flow. Trial has some clever editing to tell the story, but it felt more driven by the necessities of the script than the editor. Father may get this if folks don’t want to give it Production Design. Nomadland is likely to take it as part of its potential tsunami.

Production Design

The Father Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom Mank News of the World Tenet

You couldn’t have put together a list of more different films that relied on their production design, and all done excellently. Three are period pieces, but Mank is highly stylized, while Ma Rainey’s and News are more invisible. But The Father tells its story through the production design and Tenet creates an entire world and mythos. Honestly, The Father should get this, but Tenet may get this as one of its few opportunities for the gang of Nolan.

Costume Design

Emma Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom Mank Mulan Pinocchio

Ma Rainey’s, hands down for me, for the range of economics and cultures it covered. As wonderful as Mank’s were, the Black and White aspect mutes the magic of what was done. Mulan was just a bit too forced, as was Emma, though that latter would typically win this category.

Visual Effects

Love and Monsters The Midnight Sky Mulan The One and Only Ivan Tenet

Yeah, Tenet. No question.

Makeup and Hairstyling

Emma Hillbilly Elegy Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom Mank Pinocchio

Mank. Makeup and hair for black and white photography is a bear and this was done flawlessly and on a huge scale.

Sound 

Greyhound Mank News of the World Soul Sound of Metal

As wonderful as Soul is, Sound of Metal uses sound (beyond just the music) as more of an essential character and story element. It also is one of its few chances this year, so think this may be where it gets its nod.

NOMINATIONS BY FILM

Provided just for reference, but certainly interesting to consider when considering who has the attention of the voters. Only films with 2 or more noms are listed.

Mank (Netflix) — 10 The Father (Sony Pictures Classics) — 6 Judas and the Black Messiah (Warner Bros.) — 6 Minari (A24) — 6 Nomadland (Searchlight) — 6 Sound of Metal (Amazon Studios) — 6 The Trial of the Chicago 7 (Netflix) — 6 Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (Netflix) — 5 Promising Young Woman (Focus Features) — 5 News of the World (Universal) — 4 One Night In Miami (Amazon Studios) — 3 Soul (Walt Disney) — 3 Another Round (Samuel Goldwyn Films) — 2 Borat Subsequent Moviefilm (Amazon Studios) — 2 Collective (Magnolia Pictures/Participant) — 2 Emma (Focus Features) — 2 Hillbilly Elegy (Netflix) — 2 Mulan (Walt Disney) — 2 Pinocchio (Roadside Attractions) — 2 Tenet (Warner Bros.) — 2

[seven-oomen]

Till the end of the line - Chapter eleven

Tony

Pain. Throbbing, pulsing pain all over his body. He tried opening his eyes but they seemed to be glued shut. At least he was laying on a comfortable surface. Probably a hospital bed. He groaned softly and moved his head to rest on the warmth on his right.

“How is he?” He knew that voice from somewhere… Was that cap?

“I think he’s waking up, he’s been stable for the last few hours. That serum they gave him is like a miracle juice.” He knew that voice too, but it wasn’t as easy to identify. Could it be Barnes? Not likely, Barnes wouldn’t dare come that close to him. Would he?

“EXTREMIS. Yeah it is. From what I’ve heard it used to be quite explosive and dangerous. Until Tony improved the formula.”

“Excuse me, what?”

Yeah he was fairly sure that was Barnes. He sounded a little agitated too.

“It’s not dangerous anymore, Buck. Tony fixed it.”

And that definitely was Cap, alright.

“You sure about that?-”

“Course he is-” Tony croaked out, coughing due to his throat feeling bone dry. “I redesigned it.”

“And that automatically means it’s safe?”

He managed to open one eye to glare at Barnes. “You doubting my intellect, Barnes?” Tony frowned and glanced around. Wait a second, what the fuck was Barnes doing in his hospital bed. “Water, please.”

He heard Steve scuffle around and soon enough a straw was offered to him. He sipped from it carefully and sighed in relief as the water re-hydrated his throat.

“What? No. I’m just worried, Tony.”

“Okay. New rule, you, plural, don’t get to call me Tony until you earned it. You will call me Anthony or Stark. Two, get the fuck out of my bed, Barnes. Three, never insult my intellect again.”

Steve spoke up. “Tony I doubt-”

“Shut up, cap.” Tony bit back.

“Hey.” Barnes gently patted the back of his hand as if the man was scolding a goddamn child. What a fucking nerve!

“One, We will call you Anthony or Tony and we will prove to you we can be trusted. Two, you practically pulled me in. Three, I wasn’t insulting you, Tony. I’m worried you’re going to get hurt again. So stop acting like a child and let’s talk about this.”

This absolutely wouldn’t do. The universe was trying to screw him over. That’s what this was. That’s why Barnes and Rogers were his soul mates. There was no other explanation. Stupid Alpha, actually making sense…

“Fine you wanna talk, let’s talk.” Tony snapped, his throat felt scratchy once more and he started coughing profusely.

“Easy, Tony.” Steve started rubbing his back and held the glass of water steady for him.

Fuck he hated this. He didn’t want to feel this dependent on these two Alphas. But his Omega was reveling in their attention. Little fucker was really enjoying their touch and presence and Tony hated that. He didn’t try to fight it though. If you can’t beat ‘em, join them. Right? He didn’t have the energy to fight the Alphas right now.

When his body was finally done coughing Steve guided the straw back to his lips and he obediently drank from it again, letting himself relax against Barnes. He wasn’t enjoying this, just for the record. He was very much against all of this.

“Why don’t you start from the beginning?” Barnes suggested softly.

“You mean the night you killed my mother?” That was a very low blow and he knew it. But dammit the man had to pay for that. Brainwashed or not.

“Tony!” Cap sounded appropriately scandalized at least.

Barnes sighed. “No he’s right.”

Woah, wait a second, what? Did he just hear that right?

“I can’t bring her back, Tony. I can only say how incredibly sorry I am that I did that to you… I’m so sorry Tony. If I could undo what I’ve done, I would…”

Fuck, now he felt like a dick. Shit. This wasn’t supposed to happen, he wasn’t ready to accept this, not really. “I’m sure you would.”

Barnes actually looked away for a second and he could see a lonely tear roll down the assassin’s cheek.

“Buck?” Steve carefully reached out to the other Alpha.

“I’m fine, Stevie.”

He really wasn’t. That much was obvious. Goddammit.

“You want to hear about the twins?” He didn’t really want to start on what had happened in the VAULT.

He shivered a little, his left side actually started feeling a little chilly. Steve seemed to notice though and set the glass of water aside for now. The Alpha walked around the bed and sat down on Tony’s left side. “Mind if I join in?”

“Get the hell in here, I’m cold.”

It actually drew a chuckle from Barnes. “Guess that answers that question?”

Steve chuckled as well and kicked off his shoes, climbing in to carefully snuggle up against the Omega. Tony hummed in content, he was warm on all sides and the heat soothed his painful body. Not to mention that it was quite… interesting to be sandwiched in between two super soldiers.

“Anyway, twins.” Tony cleared his throat. “I first found out about them when I was thirty two…”

*

June 5th, 2002

“I’m sorry, mister Stark.” The doctor looked at him with great sympathy, but it barely registered in Tony’s mind. Pregnant? At thirty two years old that was no small feat…

“No, no I can’t be pregnant.” Tony muttered, shaking his head as he got up and paced through the small office.

“Tony, darling, please sit down.” Aunt Peggy gently tried to guide him back to his seat.

“No, goddammit! No! I’m not pregnant! You’re a fraud! I can’t be pregnant!”

“Tony, calm down. This isn’t good for the baby.”

“I’m not fucking pregnant!” He screamed, he could feel a vein on his forehead throbbing as anger and denial coursed through him. He felt a sharp pain in his abdomen and he doubled over in distress, clutching his stomach. It was the first time he felt fear for anything but himself. What if he was pregnant and he was losing the baby due to his stubborn nature… He couldn’t live with that.

“Are you sure?”

“Absolutely positive, mister Stark…”

*

Tony

The Omega chuckled. “That’s how I found out. Aunt Peggy wouldn’t stop fussing over me for days.”

“Did she knew them?” Steve asked softly.

“Aunt Peg?”

He felt Steve nod against his back.

“Yeah, she knew them.” He smiled sadly, “They’ve called her Nana all their lives. All of the kids. She was there when Oliver, Thea and Yalina were born. She was even there when I picked up Harvey and Laura from their foster family. Even though Uncle Dan died not hours earlier.”

He felt Barnes exhale softly before his gentle breathing resumed. “What were they like? Oliver, Thea and Yalina, you know, when they were little.”

Tony felt a flutter of warmth travel through him, though he pushed it down quickly. He was just doing this to stay warm, they weren’t bonding. Nope, no such thing. Yet he couldn’t help but smile gently.

“Oliver was so quiet, he didn’t cry when he was born. Not a single sound escaped him. Freaked everybody out with his silence. And then Maria, who screamed her head off until she was right next to her brother again. The two of them have always been inseparable. Oliver’s an artist, loves to draw, Thea doesn’t have the patience but she loves to be active. I could barely keep up with her when she was a toddler. Oliver, he was easy, I’d give him crayons and some paper and he’d be occupied for hours. But Thea?”

He chuckled.

“She made me run around the mansion and tower so many freaking times I’ve never had to visit a gym in almost fourteen years.”

Steve laughed at that. “That sounds just like you, Buck.”

“You kidding me, punk? You were more trouble than I ever was.” James grinned. “You know, I’ve been wondering. The story Rhodes told us, that you were kidnapped and inseminated… is all of that-?”

He sighed and nodded. He’d have a stern word with Rhodey after all this, but he couldn’t really blame his best friend either. Tony understood why Rhodey had broken his promise.

“As fucked up as it is, yeah, it’s all true. I was captured, released, found out I was pregnant, carried them, gave birth. Been raising them all this time. But it’s true, I was captured and inseminated… and now I know it was Ross who ordered it all.”

Both Steve and James froze up at those words. “What?”

He swallowed heavily and nodded. “Yeah, Ross told me he sanctioned the procedure. Damn bastard had it all planned out. I believe he called the twins, perfect little weapons of mass destruction. Thank god he never got to use them as such.”

“They’re not.” Steve muttered. “They never were.”

James nodded. “Steve’s right. They’ve never been weapons. You kept them from becoming that, Tony.”

It was more praise than he felt he deserved. He just raised his kids the way he thought was right.

“You want to hear about Yalina?”

James smiled a very gentle smile, which was a little weird. Did, did he feel parental over his little girl? Nah, that couldn’t be right. Alphas hardly ever felt parental over a child that wasn’t theirs. He doubted James Buchanan Barnes was any different.

“Yeah, tell us all about her.”

“It was three months before I became Iron Man. I was going through the desert of Afghanistan in a convoy, just made a major weapons deal. Next thing I know we’re attacked and I’m forced to leave cover. I hide behind this rock, try to use my phone. Then a grenade with literally my name on it lands next to me and goes off. There’s shrapnel all in my chest, I’m miles away from medical facilities and I think… this is it. I’m dying. Next thing I know I wake up in a cave with a car battery hooked up to a magnet in my chest. The Alpha doctor who saved my life is there too, he keeps me alive during the next few weeks and then one day my heat starts…”

He let those words sink in for a minute before continuing.

“I didn’t want to be raped by the Ten Rings leaders, not by terrorists… So I beg the doctor to help me through my heat. After a little while he agrees, Yinsen and I lay together and the next morning my heat’s already disappearing. Doesn’t take a genius to figure out I was pregnant. I became Iron Man while carrying his baby, after he gave his life just so I could escape Afghanistan. So in order to honor him, I named my baby Yalina. After Yinsen’s sister.”

“Jesus, Tony…” Steve wrapped his arms around him and cuddled closer, basically pressing him into James.

“I’m sorry..” James whispered, running his hand through Tony’s hair.

“I’m not. He gave me Lina, I can’t think of a better gift. I just wish I could’ve protected her brother…” A sob escaped him, causing the Alphas to cuddle closer, wrapping him in their warmth.

“Ross executed him because I refused to give up the twins’ location. In the end it didn’t matter, he still found them. Ahmed died for nothing, Yinsen’s oldest pup died for nothing.” He cried into James’s chest.

“You’re wrong.” James gently lifted Tony’s chin up. “He died protecting his sister. He died for what he believed in. Ahmed’s a hero, and he will be remembered as such. If this Yinsen is as noble as you say he was, he would’ve been proud of his son and of you. The two of you protected his little girl.”

“Buck’s right. Yinsen would’ve understood.”

He wiped away his tears and sniffled a little. He didn’t want to tell them any of these things but the words just kept coming. He shouldn’t feel this safe or comfortable around them, he shouldn’t feel any of this but he did. He did and he hated it.

A knock on the door pulled him from his thoughts and the three of them looked up to see Coulson in the doorway.

“It’s time.”

[the-nightmare-before-bucky]

This is just an appreciation post for my beautiful strong, female characters from one of the best Cinematic Universes of all time (in my not so humble opinion). 

We got Natasha Romanoff, ex KGB, spy, assassin, beautfiul and strong and powerful. 

We’ve got Wanda Maximoff, who is young and scared and feels alone, but would do anything to help her family, even those she doesn’t know. 

Sharon Carter, who took after aunt Peggy and saves life after life, first as a SHIELD agent, now as a CIA agent. 

You got Peggy Carter who takes crap from literally no one and who knows her own worth. She is such an inspiration I can’t even. 

Then look at Karen, who was so meek and now she’s a boss.

 And Claire, my love Claire, who is so done with superheroes but still loves them. She is so underappreciated it hurts. 

Colleen who beats people up and doesn’t give two craps because she’s so amazing. 

Jessica Jones has gone through so much and done so much for her loved ones, she gets too hurt too many times for everything she’s done. 

AND MISTY KNIGHT she slays everything. Like that gif is one of my fav Misty scenes because she just proves all these guys wrong and slays while doing it. She doesn’t follow blindly, she goes off her gut and evidence. I love her so much. 

And SKYE/DAISY JOHNSON who is my daughter and who must be protected at all costs. She’s so beautiful and has grown so much since season one it physically hurts my soul.

 Melinda May is just so powerful and she just hits people with sticks and is everyone’s actual mom but doesn’t let anyone inside except Phil and she just needs love, okay?

Bobbi Morse is super great and she loves Hunter and that’s all. She is a strong woman and a very tall one. 

Joy Meachum is just so done???? with Danny??? and her brother??? beautiful

Patsy Walker takes care of herself. She’s not a defenseless, weak woman. She’s strong and she’s trying so yeah. 

 YO YO IS SO PRECIOUS I LOVE HER SO VERY MUCH SHE AND MACK ARE SO PERFECT

(unpopular opinion but I really liked aida so much as a villain)

and, um, GAMORA??? SLaying everything all the time

and her hecka awesome adopted assassin sister, Nebula. 

don’t get me started on my fav awkward alien MANTIS who is so awesome. 

JANE FOSTER that’s all

Darcy Lewis is pretty rad guys. 

And SIf is always awesome, She puts her duties before her emotions, without neglecting her emotions entirely. May and Nat could take a cue from her, 

AND GUEEN FRIGGA who is always so beautiful and so awesome. She gives loki so much more credit than he deserves and she loves him even though he actually sucks. 

Pepper Potts literally doesn’t let Tony give her any crap and is constantly putting other people before her. She’s so selfless, but so strong willed and so willing to save. 

Quick appreciation for Phil’s cellist girlfriend, Audrey who still loves him even though he’s not there. 

And Hope Pym is so awesome. She just wants to prove herself and show her dad that she’s cool. 

And I know we haven’t met Janet yet but she’s gonna slay. 

I’m hecka excited for Valkyrie and Hela. They gonna be great. 

Nakia, Okoye, Ayo, Shuri, and all the other women who are gonna be in Black Panther I can’t breathe I’m so excited to see them on screen I love them so much. 

MICHELLE JONES WHO IS SO SASSY AND CUTE AND ACTUALLY DOESN’T CARE WHAT PETER PARKER IS UP TO

UM ARE WE GOING TO TALK ABOUT MARIA HILL no well I love her and we should

so much hype for Captain Marvel 

Raina who has powers and actually sucked for like three seasons was so cool 

The Ancient One who acted out of the goodness of her heart and made mistakes. She sacrificed her life for the well being of everyone else.

 May was so funny and cooky I love it

Helen Cho, a scientist, a WOC, caught the attention of a murder bot how cool is that

laura barton just loves her husband and she gets so much hate for no reason

BETTY ROSS LOVES BRUCE BANNER SHE DESERVES TO BE IN THE MOVIES okay?

Antony was a girl okay and she gave everything to Scott Lang

Ana Jarvis loved her husband so much and she cared about peggy forever she is so cute

Can we get hyped for Dagger?

THOSE are only the females that I could name off the top of my head, guys. there are so many more. Marvel loves their girls and I love their girls and their girls are so inspirational to so many people. So whoever tried to tell me that Marvel didn’t care about women in their movies and gives them minuscule parts that don’t matter but tell me where the men we see and love just as much, where would they be without the women in their lives? Steve wouldn’t have gotten anywhere without his mom, for one, and even no where-r without Peggy Carter. Tony would still be an alcoholic without Pepper. Luke Cage, Danny Rand, and Matt Murdock would be dead in a ditch without Claire. SHIELD would have fallen completely and HYDRA would have risen without May, Skye, Nat, Hill, etc. They are so important. They are so important. THEY ARE SO IMPORTANT, and by saying that Marvel doesn’t care about them is literally saying that they aren’t important at all, and it’s not Marvel doing it, it’s whoever says it. Kay, so that’s all. 

HECK JUST GIVE ME ALL MY BEAUTIFUL MARVEL WOMEN OKAY THEYRE SO PERFECT

(i don’t own the gifs I just found them on google images haha)

[fullmetalscullyy]

Prompt number 12 with royai XD

omg i love this one so much and it gave me the opportunity to do something happy and with humour after the angst fest i’ve had recently

thank you so much for the ask! i hope you enjoy it!!

(also, part 2 coming soon as part of another prompt)

rated: t

words: 3821

“drive bitch, drive!” “sir, please”

Mustang vaulted over a crate and didn’t break a step as hisfeet connected with the ground again. He sprinted forward down the hallway,grabbing onto the doorframe at the end to swing himself around and through it –narrowly missing a bullet that hit the wall where his head had been. Taking twosteps at a time he continued his escape down the stairwell, one shoulder andhands hitting the fire escape door at the bottom and exiting into the brightsunshine outside.

He didn’t think about the red substance covering his hands.

Pressing forward, bullet flying around his head, Mustangran. His heart beating furiously, jumping every time a bullet whizzed past hishead or hit the ground in the open courtyard. His arms pumped up and down, theweapon heavy in his hand, willing himself to move faster and escape hispursuers. Sweat prickled his skin in the heat of the afternoon but he couldn’tenjoy it. Not like this. Not when bullets continued to creep closer to hisbody, or while he was running to escape the assault behind him.

Shouts went up – the assailants commanding each other on howto move – but Mustang ignored them. He saw an opening, and he took it. Cuttingleft sharply he disappeared down an alleyway. He hurdled over old pallets, bagsof rubbish, and dustbins. There was an echo behind him just as he reached theother side – signalling they had just entered the alleyway – but Mustang wasalready long gone.

A white van pulled up, stopping on the street dead ahead ofhim, and as the door slid open, he dived in, grateful for the protection.

“Drive, bitch, drive!” he cried, scrambling to close the vandoor just as a shout went up, the men and women lifting their weapons. Just asthe door closed, neon orange, red, and green paint covered the window on thedoor, blocking out the sunlight.

“Sir, please,” Hawkeye replied with a sigh, pulling awayfrom the curb slowly and in control, as if she was in the centre of the city,not in an old abandoned office building during a game of team buildingpaintball.

“Hey, you did it!” Havoc congratulated Mustang, slapping himon the back. “You escaped. Nice one, boss!”

Breathing heavily, Mustang nodded with a smug grin. “It wasa piece of cake.”

He caught Hawkeye rolling her eyes in the rear-view mirror.

“Was it in there?”

Mustang shook his head. “No. But they’re stuck thereguarding it. We’re safe for now.” Hughes’ team was in one building andArmstrong’s was in the other while Mustang’s tried to retrieve a “prize” – aburlap sack. If they did it before time ran out, they won. Whichever team hadthe quickest time, won the day. Mustang’s team was the last to go and weredoing well, but his heroic manoeuvre of pressing ahead himself had set themback a couple of minutes.

He just hoped nobody had really noticed.

Mustang leaned forward, pressing his body through the gapbetween the two chairs in the front so he could get a better view out of the frontwindscreen.

“Come on, Hawkeye!” he urged. “We’re in a race against theclock here! Pick up the speed!”

She sighed again.

“Sir, just because this is an abandoned street doesn’t meanwe shouldn’t obey the traffic laws,” Falman piped up from the passenger’s seat.

“Guys,” Mustang whined like a baby. “Come on, we’ve got towin this! Or we’ll never hear the end of it from Hughes!”

“You’re the only one who cares so much about this, sir,”Hawkeye reminded him, slowing and signalling – actually signalling – to turn right. On an empty street. “We’re just happyto participate and, you know, actually workas a team.”

So, she had noticed the time loss. Whoops.

“What’s your point, Lieutenant?” he grumbled.

“Oh, I don’t know,” she replied casually, pulling over andstopping. “Maybe the fact you split off from the team and went off on your ownto try and retrieve the prize that would allow us to win? Or maybe the factthat you got yourself captured by Hughes’ team and we had to listen to himramble on about his daughter, non-stop, for fifteenminutes while we organised a planourselves. Without you.”

“I had to listen to it too,” Mustang mumbled, looking verysheepish.

“And who’s fault was that?” she snapped.

“Guys,” Bredabarked. “Focus. We need a game plan. We’ve escaped Hughes’s team for now, butthey’re holed up in that office block you escaped from, Mustang. Armstrong’s teamis in this one here, so what do we do?”

“Scope it out from here,” Hawkeye stated before Mustangcould open his mouth. “See if there are any patrols then take it from there.”

“I thought I was team leader,” Mustang muttered.

“You gave up that right when you decided to go off on yourown,” Hawkeye snapped, tone hard and unforgiving.

He supposed he deserved that.

“You deserved that,” Havoc whispered, leaning over.

“Yes, thank you,Havoc,” Mustang replied through gritted teeth.

“One problem,” Fuery piped up. “We only have twenty minutesleft.” He checked the stopwatch circling his neck. “Not a lot of time to sitand scope it out. We have to move.”

“Okay,” Breda sighed. “Let’s get out and press forward.”

Hawkeye cocked her paintball gun. “Let’s move.”

This whole day was part of a team building exercise GeneralGrumman had set up. The military had a lot of old office buildings lying aroundAmestris which they’d revamped for training purposes. The General had thebright idea to pit teams against each other in a paintball match in order towork on not only teamwork, but combat and shooting abilities too.

Hawkeye took the leadwith a grumbling Mustang on her left flank and Havoc on her right. Bredacovered behind them while Falman and Fuery took the left and right,respectively. Her sharp eyes would do them good as she surveyed the three-storyoffice block, scanning to pick out any movement in the windows.

“Maria Ross just passed on the top floor, third window in,”she murmured. It was quiet but the team could all hear her news through theearpieces that had been gifted to them for the exercise. “Stay sharp.”

That’s why everyone was irritated with Mustang. He’d goneoff on his own to try and retrieve the prize from Hughes’ building, only todiscover it wasn’t there, and to end up being captured by him. Hughes was asick man, especially when it came to an intense game of paintball. Standingwith a paintball gun aimed at Mustang’s chest while he rambled about just howgosh darn cute his daughter was –complete with a slideshow of pictures in his wallet – left him stuck and unableto escape. Something had distracted Hughes from outside and Mustang had usedthat opportunity to escape.

“Take cover!” Breda suddenly shouted and all six of them dovebehind something in unison. The sound of the guns firing filled the air aseveryone righted themselves, trying to pinpoint where they were coming from.

“Top floor, second window in!” Hawkeye shouted, lifting herweapon.

“First floor, on the far right!” Havoc offered.

“The doorway!” Fuery added on.

That was three. There were six on Armstrong’s team. Wherewere the other three?

Mustang peeked over the top of his half crumbling wall, eyesscanning the windows. It was a fruitful effort, because he spotted Armstrong’shulking form through the window on the second floor.

“Armstrong is on the second floor!” he told the rest of theteam.

“Roger. That’s where the bag is,” Breda stated. It was arule that the team leader had to remain on the floor where the bag was locatedat all times, but they didn’t need to stand next to it. Mustang made a note ofthis, lifting his weapon to fire at Denny Brosh. He hit him on the arm, neonorange paint spraying over his military blues.

“Oh, man!” he complained. Lifting a fist over his head tosignal he’d been shot and was out of the match, he trudged outside and acrossthe abandoned road, taking a seat on a bench to watch over the rest of thematch.

“One down. Stay sharp. There’s still five more.”

“Thank you for the sharp observation, sir,” Hawkeye quipped,moving up without alerting anyone beforehand.

Oh, she was pissed.

He did leave theteam to stage an attempt to grab the prize by himself, but Mustang saw anopportunity and he took it. Granted, it didn’t work out as intended, but thiswas a dumb training exercise, not real life. It was paintball, for crying outloud. It was already ridiculous enough as it was. Why not have a little funwith it?

“Fuery,” he called to his left. “I’m moving up. Cover me.”

“Roger that, sir!”

Mustang came to a stop beside Hawkeye, resting his weapon ontop of the crate and popping off a few more shots to supress Maria Ross.

“Sir,” she greeted sourly.

“Hey, Hawkeye,” he replied cheerily, ignoring her tone.“Ready to storm the castle?”

“Just stay out of my way,” she griped, moving up againwithout alerting it to the team.

Sheesh. And he wasthe one who acted alone.

Mustang followed behind her, firing off more suppressiveshots above them to protect Hawkeye’s back. Once inside they paused for breath,ears straining to hear any movement. There were footsteps above them, but thatwas it.

“You take left, I’ll take right,” Hawkeye commanded, alreadymoving.

“Can you wait a second –?”

She was already gone.

With a huff, Mustang moved left towards the stairwell.

The area was clear on his end, but he heard guns being firedand disappointed cries coming from ahead of him as he moved. Weapon raised,eyes searching, body ready for attack, Mustang pressed forward.

Movement from the right caught his eye and he whipped aroundto fire, only for the weapon to be jerked upwards, causing him to hit theceiling. A forearm was pressed against his throat as he was forcefully pushed,his back painfully hitting the wall behind him. He grunted and struggled,before recognising who his assailant was in the dim light.

“Oh, Hawkeye, it’s you,” he replied, relieved. With a hardlook she held onto the grip on his throat a little longer than necessary beforemoving away. “All right, what are you so pissed about?”

“You know exactly what,” she replied, narrowing her eyesdangerously.

“Look, I saw an opportunity and I took it. It’s just a dumbgame –”

“To you, maybe,” she spat. “But to the rest of us weactually want to work together. Toobad your ego is too big you can’t allow us to win together. You always have todo it alone, don’t you?”

Mustang blinked at her, taken aback. Where was this comingfrom?

“Hawkeye, what –?”

“You know what, forget it,” she scoffed. “We’ve got a gameto win. If you don’t want to work together then leave and get out of our way.”

“Listen –”

“No, you listen,”she rounded on him, weapon dropping to hang by her side as she poked him in thechest. “We’re supposed to be a team,but you chose to go off on your own. But I suppose you would know all aboutthat, wouldn’t you?”

Anger creeped into his chest at the accusation. Reaching upto his ear he removed the earpiece. Hawkeye followed suit. This was not aconversation the others should here.

“What exactly do you mean by that, Lieutenant?”

“You like going off to play the hero, don’t you? Leaving therest of us behind while you go and search for glory.”

Mustang grasped her gently by the elbow, leading her out ofthe hallway and into a room on the left, towards the back of the building andout of view of Fuery.

“Is this about me leaving for the military? Or for Ishval?”The look on her face told him it was both. “I thought we discussed this.”

“We did, but apparently you’re slipping back into your oldways with no regrets about who you leave behind.”

“That’s unfair. Do you want to know why I entered that building alone without you and held the teamback?”

“Enlighten me.”

He took a deep breath, bracing himself. He didn’t doubtHawkeye was ready to hand his ass to him, especially after this revelation.“Because Hughes warned me not to let you go in.”

“Why?” she asked indignantly.

“Listen, I made a call and I don’t regret it.”

“Roy –” she stressed,and Mustang could see her irritation threatening to spill over.

“It reminded him too much of Ishval.”

“What?”

“I…” He sighed. “I noticed it when I went in. There was asniper placed at one window, shrouded in cover, firing as I entered. Insidethere was sand on the floor and the heaters were on to simulate the desert. Idon’t know if it was intentional or not, I’m still not sure. But Hughes told menot to let you enter it. He’d guarded that building before while we were in theother, and based on his recommendation, I went in myself.”

“What?” she repeated again, still irritated, but lookingless angry. “I wasn’t allowed to goin?”

“He thought it best for you not to enter. Listen,” Mustangurged quickly, gripping her shoulders gently. “I was in there and it literallytook me back there. Hughes found me when I was on knees, transported back tothe desert and helped me up. That’s why the comm went silent. He helped methrough an episode by rambling about his kid, giving me something else to focuson. That’s what you guys heard.”

“So, why wasn’t I –”

“We both took the war hard. I know that.”

“Yes, you harder than most.”

“I know. But I wasteam leader and tasked with scoping out the building. I was looking out foryou. Plus, what use were two soldiers out of commission?” he reasoned, knowingHawkeye wouldn’t protest that logic. “Hughes had the opportunity to put me out,but he didn’t, because he knew you would probably just come in instead. So, westaged a capture to keep you guys out. I didn’t –” He swallowed, feeling thatfamiliar anxiety build in his chest. It had been a constant friend since thewar and as he entered that first building it had overwhelmed him, leaving himreeling and on the floor, suffering from a panic attack as he had a flashback.

“What?” Hawkeye asked, voice soft.

“I didn’t want you to see me like that.”

“I already have,” she reminded him gently. A hand rose tocup his cheek and he offered her a smile.

“I know, but this was supposed to be a bit of fun. Not endup with me having a mental breakdown.”

“Why did you hide it?”

“I didn’t want to, not from you, but the others –”

“You didn’t want them to see,” Hawkeye realised.

“Yeah,” he replied sheepishly.

“While I appreciate you trying to protect me from that, Iwould rather have been in there with you to help. Plus, we’re supposed to be a team,” she gestured between them both. “Youwatch my back and I watch yours.”

“I know. I’m sorry. I was never questioning that.”

Hawkeye sighed, shaking her head with a small smile on herface. “I know you wouldn’t. Do over?”

Hawkeye nodded with a wry smile. “Just don’t do it again. Weprotect each other. It’s not one sided.”

“Of course.”

Movement caught Mustang’s eye at the door, Maria Rossspinning around the door frame, weapon raised. He spun Hawkeye behind him,putting her out of harm’s way. Well, as harmful as paintball pellets could be.Her face was surprised at the sudden movement, but the paint hit Mustang’schest instead of Hawkeye’s back. He grunted in pain, the bullets packing moreof a punch than he expected.

Ross jumped backwards as paint pellets flew past her,disappearing out of sight.

“Ouch,” he grimaced.

“Sir,” Hawkeye admonished at his actions.

He shrugged. “I was watching your back,” he grinned. “Quiteliterally,” he added, causing Hawkeye to smile. He grimaced again, stretchingout his chest to try and shift the pain.

“What, never been hit by a paintball pellet before?” Hawkeyequipped.

“No, actually,” he boasted with a grin. “I was always toogood.”

“Sir! No!” Havoccried suddenly from the doorway, racing over to Mustang and gripping hisshoulders. Hawkeye swapped with him and moved to the doorway to fire, hitting Rosswith her neon green paint. Grumbling, Ross left down the stairwell Havoc andMustang had entered through.

Hawkeye rolled her eyes as Havoc knelt, gripping hiscommanding officer’s hand in his, bracing another on his shoulder as Mustang’sknees shook and he “fell” to the floor.

“Remember me,” he cried dramatically, adding in a wrackingcough as he sank to his knees on the floor. “As I was.”

“An asshole who made us do all his dirty work for him?”Havoc quipped, face expectant, breaking out into a shit eating grin.

Mustang frowned.

“We need to go, Havoc,” Hawkeye reminded him.

“Take me with you,” he groaned, sinking to his knees,playing up his “death” because why the hell not? This was supposed to be a bitof fun and the air had been cleared between him and Hawkeye, making him feelbetter, his chest lighter. “You wouldn’t leave your dying CO behind, wouldyou?” he pleaded.

“Havoc, he’s out of the game. Leave him there, we’ve got agame to win and we’re running out of time.”

“Yeah, you know what, boss? You’re dead. Sorry.”

Mustang’s cry of protest was muffled as Havoc’s hand landedon his face, pushing him roughly back down to the floor.

“Hey!” Mustang shouted angrily as his teammates forgedahead, leaving him behind. With a huff, he stood and lifted his fist above hishead sullenly, stomping outside and joining Brosh and Ross on the bench.

“Mustang,” Grumman greeted cheerily as he approached.“Brosh, Ross.” The three of them stood and saluted the General, who waved awaythe formality. “This is a training day. Forget the salutes for now.”

“Yes, sir,” Mustang replied, taking a seat again.

“I took the liberty of tuning into your team’s comms,Mustang. That was quite a show.”

He felt shame curdling in his chest, mixed withembarrassment. Hawkeye had been right, of course, but the fact the General andthe rest of the team had heard the initial outburst too? That thought slippedhis mind.

Laughing at his misfortune, Grumman clapped him on the back.“It was about time someone put you in your place,” he grinned. “That Hawkeyeappears to be a strong willed one. She will do well working with you.”

Mustang didn’t doubt it. They’d been working together foronly a few months and while it was hard to hide his true feelings from theworld as she handed him a stack of paper, their fingers brushing together, orwhen he held the door open for her and she brushed past him, he did it becausethey had a job to do.

It didn’t mean it was easy. Before Ishval he’d left with thepromise of returning to her and marrying her. Hawkeye was very aware of thisfact, then everything changed in that desert. Where that left them now, he wasunsure. A lot had been discussed under the moon and inside tents in Ishval, butthey were charged and said in the heat of the moment. Now, where they were safeand war, death, and destruction, wasn’t all around them, the conversationneeded to happen again.

At least today had been a start.

And Grumman was right, she would do well working with himbecause she already knew not to take any of his shit. She’d had years ofpractice already and honestly? Mustang was looking forward to their path ahead.With Hawkeye by his side he knew they could accomplish anything.

“I’m looking forward to seeing how your team performs,Mustang, now that you are out of the picture. This is just a new team, yes?”

“Yes, sir. I formed it a few months ago.”

“Excellent. This exercise shall prove rather useful for youall, then.”

“Of course, sir.”

Looking on and listening in to their communication was eyeopening. They really did workexcellently together. Individually they were good soldiers, but together, theyseemed unstoppable.

Hawkeye took on the leadership role well and was a naturalat distributing orders to the rest of them. Havoc was excellent support,backing up Hawkeye without question. Fuery still remained outside, situatedfurther back from before, however it gave him a better view of the building asa whole and he was passing on the location of the opposition as he saw thempass by the windows, occasionally popping off a shot to direct his team orscare the other side. Breda and Falman were back up to Hawkeye and Havoc,keeping an eye out behind them and the strategy worked extremely well.Communication was short, sharp, and effective.

Mustang felt pride build in his chest at his newly selectedteam. He felt excited for what the future held for them because they could veryeasily become the best.

“A lot of people are saying this is an unconventional teamyou’ve set up, Mustang,” Grumman ventured.

“Do they, sir?” he asked, not giving into the rise.

“They do. A lot of new officers there.”

“They’re new, but as you can clearly see,” he added,gesturing towards the building, indignation building in his chest. “They’resome of the best.”

Grumman was silent, but he grinned and chuckled to himself.“That they are, Mustang. Good job. It’s helpful to have a good team behind you,supporting you.” Mustang caught his meaning. After all, Grumman was his mentorof sorts. His approval of Mustang’s choices meant more to him than he cared toadmit. Regardless, Mustang wouldn’t change his team even if the General didn’tapprove.

A victory cry went up over the earpiece. His team had doneit.

Pride surged in his chest.

“Well done,” Grumman congratulated, patting him on theshoulder. “Your team was the fastest, even without your guidance,” he joked,waggling his eyebrows before laughing at his irritated expression.

He didn’t appreciate the joke at his expense, but he didn’tregret putting himself in front of the bullet for Hawkeye, effectively puttinghimself out of the game. He knew he’d do it again, not just for her but for all his teammates, in a heartbeat, paintballgame or not.

That’s how much she, and this team, meant to him.