#Nat is so relieved that they FINALLY made a move on the genius

[denebolablack]

They, in fact, wanted to kiss him so bad.

They were just mad because Tony was being his reckless self in the middle of a fucking battle.

Again.

Tony DID NOT expect to be kiss after his comment.

But he was, indeed, kissed.

Very hard.

Multiple times.

I think he was the only one who didn't see that coming.

[mymoonagedaydream]

stark! daughter reader and Bucky get into a motorcycle accident. Bucky runs over to the reader who’s laying on her back on the side of the road, injured.

Bubble Wrapped

Summary: Breaking free from your overprotective father felt really good, at least for the first few minutes

Pairing: Bucky x Stark daughter!y/n

Word Count: 1.4k

Warnings: Language

---

For the daughter of a fucking avenger, you really didn’t get to have much fun.

The world knew Tony Stark as the self-proclaimed genius, billionaire, playboy philanthropist, but the side of him they never saw was the unreasonably strict and overprotective father, the one who barely let you set foot outside the compound without surveillance from a full secret service of bodyguards and a personal apache attack helicopter.

He made sure you stayed close to home job-wise too, arranging for you to begin work as an assistant to your mother as soon as you turned eighteen.

He even kept all the other residents of the compound under strict orders, that no circumstances warranted you getting mixed up in the dangerous side of their work, and that he’d completely ruin anyone who dared challenge him on that.

You lived in bubble wrap. 

You knew that your dad was doing what he thought was best for you, and he did everything he could to make up for your lack of freedom, but all you really wanted was a proper life.

Then Steve brought the newest avenger back to the compound.

You’d seen him in passing a few times, when you ate with Nat in the communal dining area or walked past one of your father’s many meetings, but you only properly met him after he’d been living in the compound for a few weeks.

While Tony was away on business, Pepper gave you a few days off work to relax and have free reign of the compound, during which time you bumped into the newest avenger fixing his motorbike in the parking lot and decided it’d be nice to properly introduce yourself .

‘Hi, I don’t think we’ve met. I’m y/n.’

‘We haven’t, but I’ve heard lots about you.’ He flashed you a smile before standing up and sticking his hand out towards you. ‘Bucky.’

‘Nice to meet you.’

You shook his hand and gave him a polite nod, then taking a few steps past his bike, but stopping when he spoke again.

‘So what's the deal with your dad?’

‘Good question. Could you be more specific?’

He chuckled, pulling a dirty rag from his pocket and wiping the sweat off his forehead. ‘When I arrived, he sat me down and said you need to stay away from all the exciting stuff. You got brittle bones or something?’

‘Not as far as I know, unless they’ve deteriorated from lack of use.’

‘I’ve heard of that happening.’ You huffed slightly at his amused smile, giving him a face of complete resignation in return. ‘You should probably try having some fun.’

‘It’s on my to-do list.’

You headed back towards the door, smiling to yourself and finding that you were extremely intrigued by your father’s new team member. Just as you yanked it open, Bucky shouted after you.

‘I could take you for a ride?’ You spun round, looking back at him in slight shock. ‘On the bike, I mean.’

Your heart started thumping. You definitely wanted to, more than anything, but Christ if your dad ever found out he’d probably lock you in your bedroom until you were forty.

‘That’s a really, really bad idea.’

‘So is that a no?’

You felt a warm smile spread across your face and your legs started moving on their own, instinctively carrying you towards him as you battled the choice out in your mind.

‘Alright, but you can’t tell anyone. For both our sakes.’

‘Deal.’

He only had one helmet, which he gave to you, insisting that it’d take much more than a road accident to cause him any damage. Throwing his leg over the bike, he positioned himself right and gestured for you to hop on.

Your whole body was tingling with excitement as you settled yourself behind him, nervously running your hands over your thighs. As soon as he revved the engine your heart leapt out of your chest.

‘You’re gonna want to hold on, Stark.’ He called over his shoulder. ‘First time can be nerve wracking.’

The bike roared fully into life and he pulled away from the building, the sudden momentum prompting you to throw your arms around his waist and hold on as tight as you possibly could. 

You swivelled your head round, watching the compound disappear into the distance, ecstatic to finally be away from that place for a while.

Bucky sped down country lanes and back roads, laughing heartily at every squeal you let slip, purposefully gunning the bike a little harder after each one. 

You could feel each burst of fear and excitement and adrenaline coursing through your veins, you’d never felt more alive.

But it all changed in an instant.

A car pulled out from a hidden turning without checking the road, speeding right into your path.

Bucky quickly swerved and the motorcycle crashed down onto its side. 

He was thrown over the handlebars, landing with an almighty thud on the tarmac and rolling away a few metres. Your leg got trapped underneath the bike, both you and it sliding across the road so fast that the material of your trousers got ripped away and you felt the rough road surface scraping against your bare leg.

The car immediately sped off, leaving you and Bucky sprawled out in the middle of nowhere, both lucky to be alive.

Even with the unholy amount of adrenaline your brain was producing, you still felt an intense, stabbing pain grow from your trapped leg. It worsened with every deep breath you gulped in, until it became almost unbearable.

Battling through shock and confusion, you lifted your head slightly to try and figure out where Bucky was, spotting him lumbering back onto his feet a few metres away. He sprinted over to you and yanked the bike away like it weighed nothing, relieving some of the pain in your leg, before dropping to his knees.

‘Fuck, are you hurt?’

You shifted slightly and groaned in pain. ‘I think my leg is broken.’

‘Alright, don’t move. I’ll call an ambulance.’

You tried to keep control of your breathing as he spoke down the phone, but you weren’t able to stop intense panic and fear rising in your chest. 

Bucky must’ve seen how scared you were, because while the two of you were waiting for help to arrive, he lay down himself on the road next to you. He held your hand and reassured you that everything was going to be alright. 

He made what would otherwise have been the most terrifying ten minutes of your life completely bearable.

Once you arrived at the hospital, you were taken for x-rays, which showed that you’d only sustained a stable fracture. Your doctor kept passive-aggressively reiterating how lucky you’d been, stating that she rarely saw such minor injuries from severe motorcycle accidents, especially ones that happened at such speed.  

You noticed she didn’t bother lecturing Bucky, even though he was the one not wearing a helmet. Then again, he’d somehow come out of it with no injuries whatsoever and had taken to shooting intense daggers at anyone who even tried to approach him, so she was probably just too intimidated to attempt it.

Fully casted and drugged up, you made your way back to the compound with Bucky, where you explained everything to your mother. Thankfully, she’d always been much less strict, and she agreed that Tony could never know what’d happened. She even helped you devise a very detailed story about how you’d fallen down the stairs while tipsy. Genius.

The evening came around and you found yourself alone in the living room, disappointed at how quickly the morphine they’d given you at the hospital was wearing off. 

Just as you were about to hoist yourself up and raid your father’s liquor cabinet, Bucky shuffled into the room, looking extremely sheepish.

The rest of the avengers weren’t usually allowed into your parents’ private quarters, but with Tony still away and Pepper working all night, he probably figured he was safe for a quick visit.

‘I just came to make sure you’re alright.’

‘Yeah I’m all good, thanks Bucky.’ You glanced over to your monstrosity of a cast and chucked. ‘Well, apart from that thing.’

‘I’m really sorry. Should’ve just stayed away, like your dad said.’

‘No, it wasn’t your fault. That driver was an asshole.’ He nodded, a slight smile spreading across his face. ‘I’m still really glad I said yes. Up until things went sideways, I was having the best time of my life.’

That seemed to cheer him up. His expression evolved into a wide grin and he took a few steps towards you, scanning his eyes over your face.

‘Maybe next time, we should go smaller. Whack-a-mole or something.’

‘Next time?’

‘Yeah. Unless Tony finds out what happened and murders me.’

You bit your lip, trying your best to suppress a giddy grin. 

‘Sounds like a plan.’

---

[writerwrites]

Yuánfèn | 02

Ch. 2: Retrouvailles: “An overwhelming feeling of happiness caused by seeing someone after a long separation.”

Summary: When you’ve lost everything and try to run away from your problems, you keep finding a way back to the one person who completely understands. Can you make another person happy with a broken heart?

Pairing: Steve Rogers x Reader Chapter Word Count: 3.3k Chapter Warnings: Smut - 18+ Only - Minors DNI, male masturbation, one night stand mentioned but not detailed, slow burn, grief, fluff

Series Masterlist | Series Playlist | Complete Masterlist

The first week Steve took it slow, only texting you when you texted first or if he hadn’t heard from you at all. He’d taken your advice, balancing his time between preparing the team for another altercation with the Maximoff twins and finding out as much as he could about them. It was a welcome distraction from the lack of news on his hunt for the Winter Soldier. Natasha was the only one that seemed to notice that he would periodically glance at his watch or his phone and go quiet for a moment before getting back to work. When she finally cornered him, he felt like he should have seen it coming. Arms akimbo and eyebrow quirked, she called him out with no hesitation, “You’ve got a secret.” 

“Don’t we all?” Steve could immediately feel the regret in challenging her, busying himself with packing up his bag to head to his room and shower after a long morning of training. Nat didn’t hesitate to follow suit, tagging along with her own bag as she took long strides to keep up with him, even slipping into the elevator before he could. “How’s the search for the Maximoff twins going?”

Nat stood in front of the panel before he could select a floor. “Who have you been texting? Finally ask that SHIELD agent out, Sharon, or is the moping about a certain fossil?” She raised an eyebrow, her fingers tapping her arm impatiently.

Sighing, Steve reached behind her and hit the button. “Neither. I’ve just got a lot on my plate.” Before she could make another snarky comment, he asked. “Clint went home. Did you check in on him?” Though he didn’t use the tone of encouraging her to mind her own business, as he respected the effort she was putting in to build their friendship, he couldn’t help but hope she’d drop the subject.

“Yeah, I’ve checked in. Clint’s good, just like Doc said he’d be. Cho’s kind of a genius and it’s a relief to know that there’s someone that can piece us mere mortals back together when we’re out there saving the world with you.” Steve nodded as he listened, like a captain listening to a report on one of his troops, but his shoulders went ridged with her comment about Dr. Cho. She reminded him too much of Tony and not enough of Dr. Erskine. Luckily, it went unnoticed as she stepped out of the elevator with him and they walked toward their rooms.

There weren’t many memories in Steve’s life, even before the serum, where things simply went black. Taking a beating from his brainwashed best friend was one of them. Steve could picture the metal arm pulling back, the sting of pain as the bones in his face shattered over and over, and could even recall the conversation between swings, but he knew there were moments that were just blank from the concussion- especially after Bucky pulled him from the water. The fading image of him walking away, the ache of being put onto a stretcher, the gentle touch of small hands on his swollen face as the hum of medical machinery tried to pull him back to reality. It didn’t happen for days, but there were moments when he could still hear her talking to him or someone else in the room and always gave his hand three small squeezes before saying her goodbyes.

Steve had been in his head, remembering the music that woke him up and Sam waiting there for him. They’d stopped at Steve’s door, closest to the elevator, and Natasha pretended not to notice how quiet he’d been until she finally added, “Clint’s probably going to take another week before coming back to work, but we’re going out for drinks tonight. Are you thinking about coming with us this time? Might help you clear your head.”

“I’ll think about it.” It was a surprisingly genuine response. He didn’t need to get drunk to have a good time with friends and knew Sam could use the break from hunting a ghost and was itching to see Nat again. There was no doubt in Steve’s mind that if he said yes that Kristen from Statistics would be there and he wasn’t going to open that door, let alone walk through it.

“Aren’t you full of surprises today.” With a slight smirk she kept walking toward her room, calling back, “We’re heading out at eight. Take a nap old guy.”

By the time he was alone in the shower, the idea of going out with the team seemed all the more appealing. Regardless of Natasha still trying to set him up with random colleagues. He was lonely and reaching one of those breaking points of needing to find some comfort to balance out a minute sense of normalcy to his bizarre life, be it good conversation or bad sex. The water cascaded down his toned body and he brushed away the beads of dew and bubbles of soap that trailed down the lines of his muscles before reaching for himself. A part of him that was still very much stuck in the 1940’s hated this need, always feeling some level of shame in finding comfort in the palm of his hand. Typically, these moods resulted in an act of non-sexual frustration, a stress reliever that was easiest to address with his fist and a punching bag.

He told himself that he wasn’t the kind of person to think of someone in particular that way during the solitary act. When he did ‘indulge’, his thoughts had always trailed back to the singular heated kiss with Peggy Carter. But now, with one arm on the tiled wall and the other stroking his length, Steve took an uncommonly slow pace and his mind went to the little things that he’d thought about over and over throughout the week. Small warm hands on his skin, her hand in his. How small would her hands look wrapped around him? How soft would she feel? The smell of her hair and the way she clung to him in a simple hug. Did she know how warm she felt as she held on so tightly to him? Steve gripped himself more tightly, strokes still slow and steady, as he worked out the loneliness with a twist of his wrist. Thoughts passing from little moments and his own stolen glances. The sound of her little hums when she was thinking or satisfied with a solution she’d come up with, how she always bit her lip when she was in a room full of people. Then there was the way she held her breath every time she managed to make eye contact with him as his hands moved over the lace panties she'd passed him to pack. Was she always wearing something like that under her scrubs? Did she do this, think about him getting off to the thought of her in them? The thought of the doctor slipping her hand between her thighs while she wore nothing but lace, scrolling through their messages, and thinking of him finished the soldier off. A long deep groan of her name echoed in the bathroom as he made a mess of the shower wall and floor.

Steve was panting, exhausted but satisfied, as the water washed all evidence down the drain. Slowly, he started to realize what he’d done, but the familiar weight of guilt couldn’t settle in as he realized he wanted something other than a past he couldn’t have. As he dried off, Steve tried to rationalize the thought away, they’d had a nice moment between two colleagues and she was undeniably pretty. It was easy for his mind to drift there, he thought, to think about someone who was naturally beautiful and kind when they were so wholly unaware of it. As he got dressed, Steve put a pin in it, telling himself that even if there was a little spark, she needed a friend. That thought alone seemed to settle the decision to go out or not for him. He chose to drag Sam along for Nat’s sake and make the most of it all.

Sam and Nat were hitting it off well, making Steve wonder what was really going on between her and Clint. The pair of them together had been a force and, despite not feeling ready to date- especially someone as modern as Lilian-with-a-lip-piercing from Accounting, he found himself heading out with her for the night. She was chatty and outgoing, and he found some relief in her questions about his past or job. It stopped him from having to open up on a deeper level when that wasn’t what they were doing. What they were doing was rough and exhausting. She was vocal about what she wanted; hair pulled, ass spanked, fast thrusts, and a firm no kissing rule. He obliged, getting his pleasure from the sounds of her own and his name on her lips, but by the third round she was exhausted and he was left thinking about how he’d never made love to a woman.

Slipping out of Lilian’s place with less awkwardness than he’d expected, Steve checked his phone. He still hadn’t heard from you all day, and it was 2 am in New York, which meant a new morning for you in Spain. He wondered if he should’ve asked Sam for an update on Bucky at the bar, but hesitated to reach out and ask at this hour. Despite socializing and the workout he’d just had, he was too in his head to go to sleep. Spinning his keys around his finger he found himself riding his bike over to the small, quiet apartment with books and a hungry fish.

As if you knew he’d turned up in your space, he heard his text tone just as he was screwing the top back onto the fish food. “I know you said that if I needed anything, to just ask. Probably didn’t expect a text this early and I’m guessing you’re probably asleep… this is so dumb and a big ask, but…” Steve stared at the screen, eyebrows drawn together as he wondered if the smartphone had eaten a text or had some feature that shortened longer messages that he didn’t know how to open. He watched the typing bubbles pop up again and waited, taking a seat at one of the two bar stools at your kitchen counter, the other containing a pile of your neatly stacked mail from the week. “I know I didn’t think I’d get through the goodbyes alone, but I managed. Thanks for the encouragement. It's everything else that I realized I just can’t do alone. The packing… all the pictures. There’s so many memories and I can’t take everything back to my place in New York- my place is just too small.”

Steve clicked the ‘call’ icon and waited for you to pick up on the other end. He thought about his mother’s funeral and how Bucky had been there for him, told him he knew he could manage alone but didn’t have to. His stomach twisted with emotion and then the call went to voicemail.

You didn’t expect him to see your panicked messages until later in the morning. You sat there, runny nose and bleary eyed, staring at the name on your screen. Five minutes, just staring, no text response, no new call- and then he was back, a FaceTime call this time. Pulling your hood over your head so he couldn’t see how disheveled you were, wiping your face on your sleeve, you answered with your face hidden mostly between your knees where you rested your chin and the hood. “I didn’t mean to wake you up.” The apology that excluded the ‘I’m sorry’ was still very obviously an apology.

“You didn’t.” You were unconvinced, his hair was a little mussed, clothes wrinkled. He could tell that it seemed like you hadn’t fully thought through what you were going to ask of him, so he offered up a different question.“What do you have left to do in Spain? We’ve managed to stay out of trouble over here, just for you.”

The soldier tried to study your expression, noticing the glimmer in your eyes that wasn’t just from the sunrise. “I have to pack up what I want to take home. I was thinking I could get a scanner and digitize the pictures, but I don’t know how long that will take.” You let out a puffed up sigh, “I don’t think I have the heart to sell the place, but I’m so bad at taking vacations that it seems like a waste to keep it.”

“Don’t sell it. If your gut is telling you to keep it, go with your gut. There are other options, AirBnB or renting it out.” You sniffled, burying your face further in your arms and legs, leaving Steve to stare at the view behind you. “I know I’m getting a sideways view here, but it looks really beautiful.”

That managed to squeeze a small smile out of you as you nodded and turned the phone toward the balcony to give yourself a moment to wipe away the tears and snot once more. “Yeah, under any other circumstances it would be a proverbial paradise. You probably need a vacation more than me.”

“You’re probably right.” Steve laughed softly, trying to coax you out of what looked like the tail end of a lot of crying. “Send me the location, I’m curious what’s around the place.”

With a long hum you sent him your location. “Not going to send Stark tech to stalk me, are you?”

“I’m sure if Tony wanted to keep tabs on you he was already doing it.” Steve clicked on the marker and looked around the place, its stone streets and little shops. “Doesn’t look like there’s any modern shops, as cute as all these little places are. Where are you going to find what you need to scan the pictures?”

“Oh, I hadn’t thought that far ahead. Just using my phone’s camera, I guess.” You looked at him as you watched the colors reflect off his face, blues and greens that mirrored the same flecks of color in his eyes. He probably didn’t even realize how beautiful he could look just staring at a phone. You relaxed a little, having someone to talk to for the first time in a week and let out a quiet yawn. “Is 8 am too early for a nap?”

Steve laughed and your face ached as you nearly smiled again. He bit his bottom lip, tempted to tell you that it was nice to see you smiling when he knew your heart was hurting, but he could already hear how cheesy it sounded and instead, chose banter. “Is 2 am too early to still be awake?”

“Go to bed. You know the second that you all even think you know where the twins are you’ll be on a Quinjet to find them. You can’t be pulling all nighters, even if you’re a super soldier. Doctor’s orders.” You added with a small smirk.

“Even if I headed back to the Tower this very minute, I bet I’d still beat Nat back. I think she left the bar with my friend, Sam.”

You knew Sam, just a little from one brief patch up. He had the same charm Steve had, clever and driven. “Nat and Sam? Good for her. He seems like a great guy and he could keep her on her toes.” With his phone so close to his face you couldn’t help but wonder, “Wait, it’s too quiet for you to be at a bar. Steven Grant Rogers, are you FaceTiming me from the bathroom of an O.N.S.?”

A part of you wanted to laugh, the thought of Steve just sleeping with some random person from a bar. Another part of you, the one that had a hint of a crush on the sweet guy who helped you when you were desperately in need of a friend, felt a pang of jealousy. “I’m not sure what an O.N.S. is, but I’m actually at yours feeding your nameless fish and named plants. You really got to figure out a name for him before I do.”

Somehow, a smile found your face, this big hero wanting to name a fish and zipping over to your place to feed him at 2 am. “If you’re too tired to head back to the tower, you can crash at my place. It’s late, you look like you could fall asleep at any moment. The bed’s clean, towels are in the bathroom cabinet, and coffee and it’s fixings are right over the pot. I’m not fancy enough for a Keurig, sorry.”

You watched him stop scrolling, his eyes meeting yours as you rambled. He didn’t look tired, he looked disheveled but perfect, as always, but it was cute to see him try to flatten out his hair nevertheless. “You forgot about the books.”

“I thought that was a given.” You stuck your tongue out before yawning one more time. “I’m serious though, best to stay off the road if you’re tired. Besides, the bills are paid even though no one’s there to use anything. I’ll probably be gone another week.”

Steve sighed, not in some defeatist way of you being right but, to your surprise at the mention of how much longer you would be gone, “One more week…”

“Feels like I’ve been gone for months.” You looked away, eyes stinging as the weight of your reality settled on your shoulders again. There was no one left in this world to actually miss you. The truth was that despite being in this beautiful place, you couldn’t help but feel all the more hollow and alone in it. If it wasn’t for the little check ins you would’ve never managed to drag yourself through the house, to the lawyers, or out to the shops to eat. “I’m not texting you too much am I?”

“Not at all.” He replied quickly, then worried it might have been too fast. He could tell you were off somewhere else, wondering if you heard him or if it even mattered. The way you clung to him just a few feet away from where he currently sat, a tight hug now in the forefront of his mind. Before he knew what he was saying, the thought spilled out. “I wish I could give you another hug. I know it’s not easy to do this alone.”

The confession choked you up, sniffling you nodded, “I wish you were here to give me a hug too. A1 hug game, big guy.” Despite the tacked on joke, tears silently spilled from your cheeks and you were eager to get off the phone so he didn’t have to hear the incoming wave of heavy breathless weeping. “Get some sleep, Steve. I’ll keep texting signs of life.”

He nodded, eyebrows knit together with concern and curiosity, “We’ll catch up soon, darling. Goodnight.”

Steve took you up on the offer, showering and climbing into your bed somewhere around 3 am with one of the other books that had been stacked on your bedside table. He hardly comprehended a single word, replaying the conversation as he drifted into a heavy sleep, overwhelmed by the sense of happiness in just seeing your face through a screen as he was surrounded by the comforting scent of you. For the first time since seeing Bucky, he didn’t dream of his best friend falling off the train or the dance he never had.

A/N: Thank you for reading! I would love feedback from you. Do you think these two miss each other? Are they crushing or just some horny adults? We shall see, we shall see!

Also, if it wasn’t obvious: In this house we stan bisexual Cap and ship Sam x Nat over Bruce x Nat.

As my followers know I have an obscenely demanding job, but I always try my best to keep you posted on if there will be a delay in a chapter posting. This series should be posting every Sunday until it finishes. Also, while I do keep Reader vague, I’m a Latina writer and I write fics I want to read.

Divider by the amazing @firefly-graphics​​

I will be reblogging with tags, send an ask if you’d like to be added either to the series or to my overall tag list.

[captain-josslett]

Enigma - Part Four

Masterlist

Summary: Emma Swan’s world gets turned upside down when her memories are altered, erasing her knowledge of a magical town and those she loves.

Things start to look up when Emma meets a striking redhead and a genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist.

Words: 4.7k

Warnings: Fluff, Period, Blood, slight angst? Maybe?

Pairings: Emma Swan x Regina Mills, Emma Swan x ??

This Part: Emma and Henry start to settle into their routine and Henry meets Nat.

Who is this Natalie Rushman? 🧐

Thank you for reading and let me know if you wanna be tagged or any general feedback will be greatly appreciated. Please! I like knowing your thoughts.

Taglist: (Let me know if you want to come off this one) @finleyfray, @life-is-hella-unfair, @natasha-danvers, @supergirl-writingz, @camslightstories, @thinking1bee, @aznblossom, @crispykidcookiebasketball

The rest of the week goes extremely well for both Henry and Emma. Henry makes fast friends with those similar to his age, especially with two teenage boys he met on the first day of camp, called Peter Parker and Ned Leeds.

Emma had been surprised when she came home to find the trio on the sofa playing video games but she was pleased Henry was making some decent friends. She enjoyed hearing their banter as she made dinner and meeting Peter’s Aunt May and Uncle Ben when they came to pick Peter and Ned up from the apartment. May had even given her phone number to the blonde with the suggestion of meeting up for coffee. Emma gladly took it with the plan of taking the brunette up on her offer.

For her friendship with Natalie it grew stronger through the week, especially during training where Nat pushes Emma to her limits, helping her know what she can do and how to improve on any areas she was struggling with.

Natalie had been impressed with her shooting skills and didn’t need to give her many tips. Only that practice makes perfect, which comes to pass because soon Emma is hitting most, if not all, the targets during gun training.

Next were the assault courses and Emma couldn't help but feel a little bit pleased with herself when she had been able to keep up with Natalie as they ran through the course. Only stumbling a few times when she would get distracted by watching her redheaded friend.

They continued to spar throughout the week and finally Emma was able to win a few rounds against her partner. One time she had knocked Nat to the floor but when Emma held out her hand to help her friend up, Natalie kicked her leg out, causing Emma to fall onto her back and letting out a high pitched squeal.

Both burst out laughing as they lay on the floor and eventually had to abandon training because they couldn't focus due to crying with laughter.

Today was finally Friday and Emma is feeling very nervous about having her new friend round to meet Henry. Especially after the possible kiss that was interrupted and never brought up again.

But as Emma feverishly cleans the apartment she decides to leave things with Nat as they are. To figuratively brush the almost kiss under the rug.

After all this is the first real friendship the blonde has had for a long time or for as long as she can remember. Yes she has had friends but not with the easy connection she has with Nat and she doesn’t want to ruin it.

Finally Emma is putting the cleaning supplies back under the sink and she rushes to the cupboard by the door to get the vacuum. Henry is playing video games with his legs up on the coffee table, but will occasionally watch his Mom as she zips around the apartment. When the vacuum blares to life he pauses the game, annoyed he can’t hear anything.

“MA!” Henry yells, causing Emma to pause and look at him, turning the machine off.

“What Henry?”

“I can’t hear the TV!” He groans pointing at his game. But he gulps when Emma gives him an unimpressed glare.

“You know it would have been nice if you offered to help. But I left you to it.” Emma crosses her arms. “I am trying to make our home nice for our guest. Now can you please get changed while I finish up in here? And make sure you close your door so she doesn’t catch sight of your room. Which you will clean and tidy tomorrow.”

“Aw Maaa!!” Henry whines and slams his hands either side of him on the sofa.

“Hen-rryyy.” Copies her son before turning around, hiding the smirk on her face. Her kid was truly entertaining sometimes, though admittedly somewhat annoying. But what young teenager wasn’t?

Emma continues vacuuming the apartment, making sure it shines and smells fresh. When she has completed her task Emma happily gazes around to triple check it’s to her standard.

Satisfied with the result she hops into the shower. Afterwards she quickly dries herself and gets to work on her hair. Blow drying it but allowing the natural waves in her hair to show and putting some basic makeup on. She stands for a while in her underwear, debating what to wear. ‘Smart? No this isn’t a meeting! But I don’t want to be too casual…’ Emma goes back and forth through her clothes. Her eyes land on her skinny jeans a few times but something pulls her away from them.

Finally she settles on a dark green skater dress, finishing it off with a few accessories. Her swan necklace and some pearl studded earrings. The intercom buzzes by the door making Emma jump. She quickly gives herself the once over, spraying vanilla perfume in the air and walking through it.

She rushes to the intercom as it buzzes again.

“Please desist that awful sound! It is terribly annoying.”

A silky laugh resonates from the machine. “Well if you had answered the first time I wouldn't have had to keep pressing it!”

“True.” Emma grins into the intercom.

“So… you gonna let me in?”

“Maybe.” Emma quickly presses the button and allows Natalie into the building.

Emma gives the apartment another once over and nods at Henry who is getting up from the sofa. Showing he had changed into a shirt. Emma is at least pleased he’s put a bit of effort into what he’s wearing.

A loud knock echoes through the apartment and Emma flies to the door. Opening it to reveal a beaming Natalie wearing black skinny jeans, black boots and red wine sheer blouse. Her hair is tied back into a high ponytail and her makeup is subtle but makes her features pop.

“Hi.” Emma breathes out before hugging the redhead. For a moment her mind screams at her for diving in straight away as she realises this is the first time they’ve hugged. Though she is relieved to feel Natalie’s arm reach up and hug her in return.

Emma pulls away before waving the redhead into the apartment. “Welcome to our home.”

“Thank you. I didn’t know what you drank so I brought everything!” Nat laughs while bending down to pick up a case of beer and a bag full of jangling bottles.

“Aww you didn’t have too!” Emma smiles as she takes the goods off her friend and heads to the kitchen.

“Well I am the first guest around your apartment. Would be rude not to.” Natasha says while following behind the blonde. She smiles when she sees a teenage boy standing awkwardly by the sofa. “And you must be Henry.”

“Hi.” Henry says timidly.

Emma smirks at how shy Henry has gone. Certain that if she was standing next to him he’d hide behind her.

“I’ve heard a lot about you. Thay you are going to be the next Tony Stark of inventing?”

Henry beams at Natalie’s question. “That's the plan.” He moves to the other side of the island where the two women are standing by.

“He’s only a week in and already his coaches are impressed with him.” Emma says with pride while putting the drinks in the fridge. “What do you want Nat?”

“I’m happy with a beer.” The redhead responds, Emma passes her one and opens one for herself. Natalie takes a sip and focuses back on the teenager. “That is amazing Henry. It isn’t an easy camp to be in, they certainly don’t mess around.”

“Yea? How do you know?” Henry tilts his head curiously at her.

“I know a few people that work there.” She smiles at him as his eyes go wide.

“Do you know Mr Stark?” Henry can’t help but bounce on his feet, showing his excitement.

“I do actually.”

Both Mother and Son gape at her and Emma blinks at how she didn’t know this information. Nat sees this and her smile widens.

“But only from a few parties he has hosted.”

“That's so cool!! Did he get his Iron Man suit out?!” Henry continues to bounce on his feet and Emma grins at his enthusiasm.

“Not the full suit but he let me try his gauntlet on and shoot an ice sculpture.”

Emma laughs into her drink at how Henry’s eyes widen even more that they could almost fall out of his head.

“That-is- AWESOME!!” Henry whoops but Emma interrupts him from the barrage of questions she knew he was going to ask the redhead.

“So.” Emma claps her hands drawing the pair's attention. “What pizza shall we order?”

“Pizza!” Henry quickly zips over to the cupboard where they keep all their take-out menus.

“What do you guys normally get?” Natalie asks casually while sipping her beer.

“Well, we have a great pizza place down the road and we’ve actually been going through the menu. There are still a few we haven’t tried.” Emma licks her lips. “What do you say Rushman? Feeling brave?”

“Always.” Natalie says coolly, raising a sculpted eyebrow at her.

Henry bounds towards them and they look through the menu. Nat laughs at the ratings and notes the mother and son have put against the ones they have tried.

“How bout we try the BBQ supreme, the oceano special and the carbonara pizza?” Emma points at the different choices.

“Fish on pizza? Yuck!” Henry pulls a face of disgust, Emma rolls her eyes but Nat smiles widely at him and winks. Henry’s cheeks redden slightly and he quickly stares down at the menu.

“Okay-” Emma taps the island as she looks over the options again. Trying to figure out what her taste buds are telling her. “How about…”

“The Hawaiian?” Natalie asks seriously, noticing how no writings were near the selection, before bursting out laughing as Henry’s head snaps up, the disgust on his face deepening. “I’m kidding Henry.”

“Good!” Henry says with relief flooding his face.

The trio look back down at the menu. “How bout Granny’s pizza? That sounds nice.” Nat offers up as she points at the description of the pizza.

“Yea, sounds good.” Emma smiles at her and Henry nods. Emma picks up the phone and dials the number she’s learnt off by heart. Not surprised when her voice is recognised by the person answering.

She banters with the owner while she watches Henry guide Nat over to the sofa to show her Diablo III and make the redhead a character.

Emma grins at how the conversation between the pair flows easily. Especially when Henry asks her which superhero character she likes, ultimately getting into a debate about Supergirl and Superman.

When she hangs up the phone she quietly sighs in relief as she looks at the back of their heads, relieved that they are getting along, before walking over to join them.

-- -- --

The evening was a success and after Henry went to bed Emma and Nat stayed up talking well into the early hours of the morning. When they realised the time, Emma was adamant that Nat stays over and sets the sofa up for her.

In the morning Nat seamlessly fits in with the relaxed Saturday morning ritual of the Swans. Helping Henry with the pancake mixture while Emma cooked, though some flour did get tossed around between her and Henry. Both gave the blonde puppy dog eyes when she turned on them. Ultimately cleaning up after themselves but Nat gave Henry a mischievous look before placing her flour covered hand on Emma’s face. Causing Emma to shriek and chase after the redhead, promptly promoting Henry to chef.

After they ate they played a few board games and Henry couldn’t help but smile and laugh at how competitive the two women got against each other.

Eventually it was time for Nat to leave and both of the Swans were sad to see her go as they waved goodbye from their doorway.

When Sunday comes, the mother and son go for an adventure around New York and try a few places to eat that they have heard about. When they venture back into the apartment they feel truly stuffed and satisfied and ready for a Sunday nap.

The weeks pass and they fall into a comfortable routine of work and camp, followed by Friday nights with Nat, who mostly always stays over and sleeps on the sofa. Emma had offered for Nat to sleep in her huge bed with her, but Nat would always politely refuse. Stating she would probably kick Emma hard in the night.

Saturdays are filled with either Henry hanging out with his Mom and Nat or he would go out with Peter and Ned to the arcade or some other adventure. Secretly happy about this as it gives his Mom some time with Nat, who Henry suspects is increasingly becoming someone special to his Ma.

This becomes apparent when one early Monday morning Emma groans as she starts to wake up. She had been experiencing a good dream involving the brunette beauty she keeps seeing, but pain radiates from her stomach. Pulling Emma into consciousness with the feeling she’s being stabbed constantly. Sighing heavily, she slowly lifts herself up, whimpering at the pain and stumbles to the bathroom.

She goes to use the toilet and crack open an eye, her suspicions are confirmed.

Her period has started.

Normally she was on the pill but with the move she completely forgot about it. Sorting herself out with lidded eyes she manages to get back to her bed and collapses into it. She groans and curls up into a tight ball, gritting her teeth as another powerful cramp makes her whole body tense.

Somehow Emma falls back to sleep or falls unconscious, she isn’t sure, when a few hours later she is awoken by Henry knocking on her door but she doesn’t have the energy to answer him.

“Ma? Are you up?” Henry’s muffled voice calls through the door. Emma groans in response and starts to uncurl. Suddenly her eyes shoot open as she feels her stomach roll dangerously. She gags and stumbles to the en-suite, just making it before she vomits. “Ma?!” Henry’s panicked voice yells as he opens her bedroom door.

Emma wants to tell him she is okay, but her energy has been zapped. Instead she moans, her breathing becomes ragged and tears fall down her face as she continues to throw up. The cramps are becoming worse and worse. Her whole body aches and feels like she's been run over multiple times.

“I’m going to get help!” Henry is gone before she can say anything. Once her stomach has settled again she flushes and tries to get to her feet. But her body isn’t cooperating with her demands.

“Henry?” Her voice is weak and rough. She tries to move again but is horrified when another severe cramp causes nausea to bubble up and she’s throwing up again.

Gentle hands pull her damp hair back, making Emma jump.

“Sorry.” A soft velvet voice apologises. Nat grabs a hair tie from on top of the sink and ties the blonde’s hair into a loose bun on top of Emma’s head. She gently rubs Emma’s back, looking at her friend sympathetically.

“Grss-you-shnd’nt, be here.” Emma’s mumbles come out in strained gasps.

“That’s what best friends are for, right?” Nat says and looks up at Henry who stands nervously in the doorway of Emma’s en-suite. His worry etched on his face.

“Henry, can you get your Mom a bottle of water please?” She smiles comfortingly at the teenager and Henry nods, taking off towards the fridge. Her smile widens slightly when Emma flops back into her. The blonde’s head rests on Nat’s shoulder, but Nat's smile fades when she notes how pale Emma is. “Wow Em, what’s wrong?”

“Period.” Emma mutters and she swallows, trying to relieve the acidic pain in her throat.

“Poor Em.” Nat leans over slightly to flush the toilet. Causing Emma to whine with the movement. Henry re-enters the bathroom with the bottle of water. “Thank you Henry.” She says as she takes it from him.

“Is she going to be okay?” Henry's voice is small as he looks down at his Mom.

“Yea she’s going to be just fine.” Nat says, trying to reassure him. “Shouldn’t you get going?”

Henry nods looking at the time on his watch. “Will you stay with her?”

“Yes, I’ve already told Johnson we aren’t coming in today.”

“Okay, bye Ma, hope you feel better soon.”

“Bye Hen.” Emma groans out. The pair hear Henry move into the corridor and out the apartment door.

Nat opens the bottle. “Drink this Em.”

Emma sluggishly lifts her hand to take the bottle.

Nat frowns at the lack of energy Emma is displaying. “Are your periods always this bad?”

Emma nods her head. “When I forget to take my meds. Aren’t yours?”

Nat stays quiet for a moment and Emma turns her head to squint up at the redhead.

“Try and drink a few sips for me.” Nat says, obviously ending the subject and helps Emma manage to drink a bit more.

The redhead somehow even manages to grab some medication from a drawer nearby and not jolt the blonde. After swallowing them, Emma starts to settle back into the redhead. Resting her head on her shoulder again. But Nat knows she won’t be comfortable soon.

“Can you get up?” Nat looks down at the blonde but Emma doesn’t respond. “Em?”

A green eye slowly opens before another one.

“Hi there.” Nat smirks down at her friend as Emma’s eyes connect with hers. “Can you get up?”

Emma nods, slowly sitting up and reaching out for the sink. She’s almost up until her legs buckle, making her slip and almost hit her head on the porcelain. But two strong arms catch her.

“Wow, careful there Em!” Nat pulls the blonde towards herself and lifts her up carefully. If Emma was fully with it she’d be freaking out at how Nat easily lifts her. “Do you want to go back to bed or on the sofa?”

“Sofa, watch movie.” Emma sighs out, enjoying the feeling of being in the redhead’s arms.

“Good idea.” Nat says and carefully walks through the apartment, not wanting to jostle the blonde and lays Emma on the sofa, pulling a teal blanket over her. “What do you want to eat?”

“No food.” Emma groans with the thought of eating and places her arm over her eyes.

“Em, you need to eat something.” Nat says firmly while crossing her arms.

“Toast.” Emma whispers out and Nat moves towards the kitchen. “And I need my glasses.”

Nat quickly backtracks to the sofa and looks down at her friend. “You wear glasses?”

Emma moves her arm away and nods tiredly. “Normally wear contacts. Glasses are beside my bed.” Emma curls up as pain shoots through her. She hears Nat go into her room to get them.

“Wow Em you're blind!” Nat exclaims, amazed at how thick the lenses are and how blurry everything looks when she gazes through them. She carefully cleans them as she makes her way back to the sofa. “Here you go Em.” Nat holds the glasses out to her.

“Thanks Nat.” Emma says weakly.

“So, toast, anything else?” Nat looks down as Emma places the thick rimmed glasses on, making her eyes magnified.

“Apple juice please.”

“Okay.” Nat smiles at Emma and walks to the kitchen to prepare breakfast for the both of them. Already knowing where everything is she pops four slices of bread in the toaster. “I’m gonna have some scrambled eggs with the toast. Do you want any?”

“Yea please.” Emma’s weak voice calls out from the sofa.

After a few minutes Natalie places the food on the coffee table and looks over at the films on the bookcase. “What do you want to watch?”

“Erm… Before that.” Emma says nervously as she slowly sits up to face the redhead. Nat sees this and turns so she’s facing Emma as well, who fiddles with her hands and looks anxiously at Nat. Who tilts her head as she waits for Emma to continue. “Earlier you said, that’s what best friends are for and I…” Emma falters, feeling ridiculous and like a child for bringing it up.

“You what?” Natalie asks softly, but when it's clear Emma wasn’t going to continue her sentence, the redhead takes a deep breath. “Do you not want to be my best friend?”

“No! I mean I do! I just-” Emma runs a frustrated hand over her forehead, before flopping into the side of the sofa cushion. “I’ve never really had a best friend before. People have come close but I’ve never felt able to let them in or felt so at ease with someone before.” Emma panic when Nat just stares at her for a moment “And now I’ve ruined it and-”

“Em breathe.” Nat quickly cuts her off and takes Emma’s hand. Smiles fondly at her. “And I feel the same way. My work has become my life and it's nice to have someone I can share it and the other things with.”

“Other things?”

“Pizza, movies, walks in the park, kicking your ass in training-”

“Hey!” Emma protests weakly. “Not as much.” She grumbles and crosses her arms across her chest but winces at the pain.

“Okay, okay, not as much, not anymore at least.” Nat says while reaching out and unlocking Emma’s arms. “You need to stay relaxed.”

“Yes Mom.” Emma mutters and Nat chuckles, heading over to where the DVD’s are.

“So bestie! What is it you want to watch?”

“Tangled.” Emma says while playing with a loose thread on the blanket.

She smiles at the warm feelings radiating from her chest. Happy that her little confession hasn’t ruined anything with her friend, her best friend.

Emma is also relieved that she is starting to feel that the painkillers were taking effect in dulling the pain. Carefully she stretches her legs out and sighs heavily.

Nat reaches out for the DVD. “Tangled it is!” She quickly turns the Xbox on and puts the disc in. Walking back over to the sofa she lifts Emma’s legs so she can sit down. Gently places Emma’s legs on her lap and grabs the controller to start the film.

Soon the room is filled with Disney's intro music and the friends are whisked away on Repunzel’s adventure.

The waft of food reminds Emma she hasn’t eaten yet and she's pretty sure her stomach is beyond empty and will start to eat itself. Her stomach then growls, seemingly confirming Emma’s theory. Slowly Emma sits up removing her legs from Nat’s lap and sits cross legged.

“You can keep your feet there you know?” Natalie tells her softly, her attention momentarily moves off the screen and on the blonde beside her.

“Yea, but it would be harder to eat.” Emma gives the redhead a small smile.

“True.” Nat smiles back, especially when Emma drapes the blanket across both their laps and grabs their plates. Handing the redhead her portion.

The friends eat in silence as they watch Rapunzel and Flynn travel across the land to get to the Kingdom of Corona. They laugh at the jokes and Emma bounces along to the I have a dream song, causing Nat to grin at her.

Emma bellows with laughter when Flynn admits his name is Eugene. Nat doesn’t understand why it's that funny to Emma, but shrugs and chuckles with her anyway.

When Rapunzel and Eugene get to the Kingdom Nat notices Emma starting to get quieter. They continue to watch Rapunzel enjoy her birthday and get into a boat to watch the lanterns get released. When Rapunzel’s parents come on the screen, still devastated by the loss of their missing daughter, she hears Emma sniff. Nat looks at her blonde best friend from the corner of her eye and sees a few tears fall as Emma is transfixed by what is happening on the screen.

When the song begins and the King and Queen release the lantern, Emma’s tears fall quicker and she sniffs a few more times.

“You okay?” Nat asks softly. Emma nods her head and wipes her face under her glasses. Nat opens her arm out, beckoning Emma into her. Emma immediately shuffles over and falls into her best friend’s lap. She sighs in content as she rests her head on the crook of Nat’s arms.

The redhead gazes down at Emma and places her hand gently on Emma’s head. Softly moving her finger to stroke Emma’s head.

She looks back at the tv and sees the way Eugene watches Rapunzel. The adoration he feels for the blonde princess is clear.

Her hand and arm suddenly feels warm around Emma but she doesn’t want to pull away.

“I’d love for someone to look at me the way Eugene looks at her.” Emma says sadly with a sniff.

“One day, someone will.” Nat reaches down and squeezes Emma’s hand. Emma looks down at their joined hands and gives her a small smile through her tears.

“Yea, one day.” She wipes her wet face again. ‘Damn hormones!’

They continue watching the film and how things turn south when Mother Gothel makes Rapunzel believe Eugene doesn’t love her. Taking Rapunzel back to the tower, her prison.

Emma cheers when Eugene breaks free from the Kingdom’s prison after getting arrested by the guards and how Repunzel realises she is the lost princess.

But her mood soon grows solemn again when Eugene climbs Rapunzel's hair only to find her gagged and chained. She leans back further into Nat when Eugene is stabbed by Gothel and they watch the sequence unfold that leads to Eugene cutting Repunzel’s hair. Freeing her from Gothel who trips and falls out of the tower, becoming dust before she hits the ground.

Nat frowns at the tv as Eugene is dying in Rapunzel’s arms. She breathes a sigh of relief when Rapunzel’s tear gives Eugene another chance. As the scene switches to Rapunzel’s parents, Nat feels Emma tense up and feels her arm getting wet with tears as the parents rush to meet their lost daughter.

When Repunzel’s Mother slowly approaches Rapunzel, looking at her in awe and wonder and realising it is her daughter, Emma lets out a quiet sob. Her shoulders shake when the mother and daughter hug and Emma lets out another sob as the father joins the hug.

Emma buries her head into the crook of Nat’s arm and openly weeps.

“Hey, Em, what’s wrong?” Nat says concerned but Emma just shakes her head and continues crying. Nat carefully turns Emma over and lifts her slightly so she can hold her in a tight hug. Confused and worried at how Emma is reacting.

The blonde buries her head into the redhead’s shoulder, cursing her hormones. “It’s- stupid.” Emma’s muffled voice breaks as she continues to cry into the redhead’s shoulder.

“What is?” Nat rubs her hand over Emma’s back, trying to soothe her.

“My parents- do they- think of me? Do they light- a candle- on my birthday? Do they regret giving- me up?” Emma voices out her deepest thoughts to her best friend.

Nat sighs as she begins to understand what Emma is thinking. “Oh Em.” For the first time in a while Nat doesn’t know what to say. So she just continues to hold her best friend, looking down at the broken woman in her arms.

Soon Emma’s sobs fade and her breathing slows down. “Sorry.” Emma feels embarrassed and starts to move out of Nat’s arms.

“It’s fine Em.” She holds on, not allowing Emma to move. “I know you don’t really want to get up.”

Emma stops trying and nods. Settling back in the comforting embrace. Her eyes grow heavy and before she knows it she is asleep.

Nat smiles sadly down at Emma and places a gentle kiss on the blonde’s head before she reaches out to the remote beside her and settles back to watch some tv.

(Part Five)

[wiypt-writes]

Stark Spangled Banner

Ch22: I Don’t Like People Touching My Stuff

Summary: The Avenger’s search for the sceptre reaches a dramatic conclusion meaning Katie and Steve finally get the breathing place to start planning their future. But when another girl takes a rather obvious shine to Steve, Katie is not particularly pleased…

Pairing: Steve Rogers x OFC Katie Stark

Warnings: Bad language, Smut (NSFW) No Under 18.

Pairing: Steve Rogers x OFC Katie Stark

A/N: And so we head into Part 4 which covers the Age Of Ultron and surrounding time period for Katie and Steve- HENCE THE NEW BANNER!!! And this edit has to be my favourite to date. @angrybirdcr​ you are a genius!

Disclaimer: This is a pure work of fiction and classified as 18+. Please respect this and do not read if you are underage. I do not own any characters in this series bar Katie Stark and the other OCs. By reading beyond this point you understand and accept the terms of this disclaimer.

Chapter 21

Stark Spangled Banner Masterlist // Main Masterlist

 April 2015.

It was apparent when The Avengers landed in the snow-covered forest that this was the heaviest guarded base they had hit in the 6 months they had been searching for Loki’s Sceptre. The guards were positioned a mile out, complete with barbed wire fences and road blocks and the minute Thor, Tony and Katie took off from the back of the jet all hell had broken loose. This was instantly a Code Green, and Banner transformed into the huge Hulk and with his help the group managed to commandeer a jeep and a motorcycle, Natasha driving the jeep supported by Clint and Steve was on the bike, obviously.

One of the HYDRA agents managed to leap up at the side of Steve and he swerved sharply to the left, landing a kick to his chest, knocking him away. The Captain surged the bike forward as another Soldier ran towards him and he leant over and grabbed his leg, dragging him along before tossing him into another approaching hostile, knocking them both unconscious. As he continued he flung his shield forward where it bounced off a tree along with a few more Hydra soldiers before he caught it again and secured it on his back, swerving the bike to avoid another oncoming jeep. The Hulk caught said offending jeep and tossed it aside easily, before continuing on his own rampage

Ahead of Steve, Katie shot downwards so she was 3 feet at most off the snow covered forest floor and spiralled straight into a group of soldiers like a bowling bowl into a set of pins, scattering them across the ground.

“STRRRRIIIKKKEEE!” she heard Tony quip and she laughed as The Avengers began to advance on the barricade that was the only defence left from keeping them out of the base. Steve sped his bike up, propelling himself over the barbed wire after Tony and Katie, Natasha swerved the truck behind him hard to the left and her and Clint jumped out, legs extended, kicking anyone they came into contact with.

“Up high Kiddo…” Tony called and the siblings sped forward, taking out a few more in their path before climbing up towards the base. Katie closed in, but suddenly hit a force field, which reverberated and sent her spiralling off to the side.

“Shit!” She exclaimed, righting herself whilst she looked round

“Language,” Steve reprimanded, the familiar joke telling-off slipping past his lips without him really thinking about it. “JARVIS what’s the view from upstairs?”

“The central building is protected by some kind of, energy shield.” JARVIS responded easily through the communication devices. “Strucker’s technology is well beyond anything of a HYDRA base we’ve taken.”

“Loki’s sceptre must be here,” Thor said as Steve saw him swing his hammer, fighting off more Hydra soldiers. “Strucker couldn’t mount this defence without it. At long last.”

 “At long last is lasting a little long, guys.” Katie’s voice echoed along with the sound of her beams as she aimed them at another bunch of soldiers who were shooting at her and Tony from the top of the fortress.

"Yeah,” Clint scoffed “I think we lost the element of surprise.”

“Wait a second,” Tony interrupted, “Is no one going to deal with the fact that Cap just said ‘language’?”

“I know,” Steve sighed speeding head on in the direction of one of the trucks. He pulled the brakes on the bike, launching himself forwards, his hands on the handlebars throwing the bike over his head watching it crash into the truck. “It just slipped out.” He finished with a sigh. It had been a joke, but he knew full well the joke was going to be on him now.

“Sir, the city is taking fire.” JARVIS informed them as Katie dodged the fire that was being aimed at them from the top of the fortress

“Well we know Strucker isn’t going to worry about civilian casualties,” Tony responded, “Send in the Iron Legion.”

“How do we get this force field down?” Katie asked

“There has to be a source.” Tony mused, as they circled the fortress again. “JARVIS…” “Working on it, Sir.”

“Clint!” Natasha’s frantic shout made both Tony and Katie pause, and that pause cost her as a flash hit the side of her suit and sent her ricocheting to the side, colliding heavily with one of the walls of the fortress. Her suit clanged heavily with the force-field and she once more dinged off the side.

“We have an enhanced in the field.” Steve reported, as Katie shook her head, flying back up after Tony. 

“Clint’s hit.” Natasha spoke again “Somebody wanna’ deal with that bunker?”

Katie looked down, scanning to find where Natasha was referring to but before she could do anything the Hulk gave a mighty roar and she turned to see him crash through it.

“Thank you.” Nat spoke again.

“Stark,” Steve grunted, and Katie turned her head to see he was fighting half a dozen or so agents. She shot towards them, taking two down with her repulsors as Steve’s shield flew from his arm in an arc and connected with another two. “We really need to get inside.”

“I’m closing in.” Tony responded as Katie landed by Steve, shooting at another soldier. More were approaching and as she shot and flew at them, she heard Tony’s triumphant voice in her ear. “Drawbridge is down people.”

Thor landed nearby with a flourish of lightening that took down the last set of soldiers for now. “The enhanced?” He questioned as Katie slid back her face plate.

“He’s a blur,” Steve said as he jogged towards them. “With all the new players we’ve faced I’ve never seen this. In fact, I still haven’t.”

“Clint’s hit pretty back guys,” Natasha’s concerned voice came through coms again, “We’re gonna need evac.”

“I can get Barton to the jet, the sooner we’re gone the better.” Thor glanced around. “You two and Stark secure the sceptre”

“Copy that.” Steve responded.

Katie looked around and suddenly noticed that a line of soldiers were approaching, with a tank directly behind them.

“Errrr boys…”

Thor and Steve both looked around and Thor titled his head to one side, curiously.

“Hmmm looks like they’re lining up.” He said,

“Well they’re excited.” Steve huffed holding up his shield and bracing himself while Katie took a step back and ducked. Thor brought his hammer down on the shield where the force reverberated off and hit the soldiers knocking them all down. A perfectly executed move, fresh from the training room.

“Find the sceptre.” Thor instructed, taking off.

“And for gosh sake’s watch your language.” Tony exclaimed sarcastically into the coms.

“That’s not going away anytime soon.” Steve sighed, looking at Katie. Even though half his face was obscured by his helmet she could see the look of exasperation on his face and grinned.

“Yeah, Tony is gonna bring that up at every opportunity he gets” she shrugged as they began to make their way to the entrance of the building.

**** Katie looked at her brother who was staring at the console of the jet, a faraway look in his eyes.

“You sure you’re alright Tone?” she asked him

“Yeah just you know, little bit relieved it’s done…finally” he said, flicking some more switches. Whilst Katie wasn’t sure she believed him, she knew she wasn’t going to get anything else out of him at the moment so she stood up and made her way over to her fiancée who was now stood with Thor, the pair of them looking at the Sceptre.

“So you think what powers this is a similar force to the tesseract?” Steve asked, breaking the silence between the two men who had, up until that point simply been staring at the thing, unable to believe they had it. He moved his arm gently, as Katie slid comfortably underneath it, dropping a kiss to the side of her head but other than that his attention was fully on Thor.

“Yes.” Thor pondered, his fingers skating over the glass it was encased in. “The power they both give off is immeasurable…”  

“Thor!” came Nat’s voice loudly, and all 3 of them turned to face her “Report on the Hulk.”

“Oh, err the gates of Hell are filled with the screams of his victims.” Thor smiled, raising his fist triumphantly but dropped it when Nat turned to look at him in disbelief as Katie hit him on the arm. Steve supressed a smile, looking upwards whilst shaking his head, both his hands dropping to his buckle.

“But not the screams of the dead,” Thor spoke again, quickly trying to correct himself as Bruce put his head in his hands and groaned as Nat shot the God another filthy look “Of course. No, no, wounded screams. Mainly whimpering, a great deal of complaining and tales of sprained deltoids and errr gout.”

 “Gout?”  Katie looked at him as Steve shook besides her with supressed mirth. 

“What?” Thor shrugged and was about to open his mouth again but thankfully he was interrupted by Tony.

“Hey, Banner, Dr. Cho is on her way in from Seoul.” He cut in from the cockpit. “Is it okay if she sets up in your lab?”

“Yeah, she knows her way around.” Bruce responded quickly.

“Thanks.” Tony told him shortly before going back to the controls on the jet.  He muttered something, before he spoke a bit louder instructing JARVIS to take the wheel.

“Yes sir, approach vector is locked.” The disembodied voice responded as Tony moved to join Katie, Steve and Thor around the sceptre.

“It feels good, yeah?” Tony began placing his hand comfortably in his pockets as he looked at Thor “I mean, you’ve been after this thing since SHIELD collapsed. Not that I haven’t enjoyed our little raiding parties, but…” he trailed off.

“But this, this brings it to a close.” Thor finished for him staring proudly down at the sceptre.

“As soon as we find out what else this has been used for.” Steve looked at the sceptre curiously. “I don’t just mean weapons. Since when is Strucker capable of human enhancement?”

"Banner and I will give it the once over before it goes back to Asgard.” Tony assured glancing at the item then back at Thor “Is that cool with you? Just a few days till the farewell party. You’re staying, right?”

“Yes, yes, of course.” Thor looked back to the sceptre, placing one of his hands on the box with a smile “A victory should be honoured with revels.”

“Yeah, who doesn’t love revels?” Tony spoke lightly. “You guys?” He asked looking at Katie and Steve as Steve slid his arm round his girl’s waist. Seeing as they lived at the tower, it was kind of a given they would be there anyway, but Tony had aimed the question at Steve more than his sister, still giving him the chance to avoid a hectic social gathering if he so wished but on this occasion he didn’t. Despite the fact he enjoyed a quiet life on the whole, he also quite enjoyed socialising on occasions too. And Thor was right, this called for a good party.

 "Hopefully this puts an end to the Chitauri and Hydra, so…yes, revels.” Steve replied smiling slightly as he used the arm around Katie’s waist to squeeze her hip as Tony turned to speak to Thor, outlining his plans for the Sceptre.

Katie spun her body so she was facing Steve, both his hands locking at the base of her back. “Sooo, Captain America going to let his hair down?” She grinned.

“No, Steve Rogers is.”

“Steve is definitely my favourite.” She nodded, running her hands up his chest, feeling the solid material of his Uniform. “Cap’s an asshole. And a bossy bastard.”

“I know, you tell me this a lot” He quipped, leaning down to give her a peck on the lips.

A few hours later they arrived home. Natasha and Bruce wheeled Clint out first, passing Maria Hill as she walked onto the jet, addressing Tony, moving out of the way as Thor also left, the sceptre tucked under his arm.

“Lab’s all set up, boss” Hill spoke.

Tony pointed at Steve who was crouching down putting a few things back in one of the equipment crates. “Uh, actually, he’s the boss… I just pay for everything, and design everything and make everyone look cooler.”

Katie smiled to herself as Steve sighed; pretending to be irritated, but the shine in his eyes told a different story. He thrived in his role as leader.

“What’s the word on Strucker?” He asked Maria, straightening up.

“NATO’s got him.” She said, pressing something on her tablet.

“What about the two enhanced?” Katie asked, “Anything on them?”

“Wanda and Pietro Maximoff. Twins.” She said handing Steve the tablet. He swiped across the screen and the image sprang to life. Katie watched the tablet in Steve’s hands as the two kids were partaking in some kind of demonstration.

“Orphaned at ten when a shell collapsed their apartment building. Sokovia’s had a rough history. It’s nowhere special but it’s on the way to everywhere special.”

Together the three of them strode across the landing pad, leaving Tony behind on the jet doing his usual post flight shut down controls. 

“Their abilities?” Steve quizzed as they headed through the locker area heading towards the elevator at the end.

“He’s got increased metabolism and improved thermal homeostasis. Her thing is neural electric interfacing, telekinesis, mental manipulation.”

Steve looked at her, his eyebrow raised.

“He’s fast and she’s weird.” Katie said, rephrasing it for him. Maria let out a small smirk.

“Well, they’re going to show up again.” He said, pressing the button for the elevator.

“Agreed. File says they volunteered for Strucker’s experiments. Its nuts” Maria said as Katie and Steve stepped in to the elevator and turned to face her. Katie looked down at her feet, smiling before she glanced sideways at Steve who was looking at Maria.

“Right. What kind of monster would let a German scientist experiment on them to protect their country?” His voice was ladled with sarcasm. He knew Hill hadn’t meant it like that but he couldn’t pass up the opportunity to jibe her.

Maria realised what she had said and looked at him, taking a deep breath. “We’re not at war, Captain” she responded.

“They are.” He said, and then the lift door shut.

“Turns out Cap is Bossy and sarcastic…” Katie raised an eyebrow, not looking at him.

He paused for a second, smirking, before he turned to her, gently pushing her shoulders to back her into the wall of the elevator as his lips crashed onto hers, body pinning her into place. He kissed her, hard and his hand slid up to grasp her chin, holding her head in position as his tongue tangled easily with hers. It took Katie a second to catch up with what was going on, he’d surprised her slightly, but once she did she kissed him back, hungrily.  The elevator stopped and he stepped back, leaving her breathless and hanging as he exited the lift wearing a huge smirk, tablet still in his hand.

Whilst Steve headed off to find a quiet corner in which to study the tablet some more, Katie, once she had managed to calm her spiking libido, walked into the lab area. Tony was coming down the steps, out of the room Clint was in. Bruce was stood just outside, looking through the window.

“How is he?” Katie asked.

“Well he’s still Barton so…”

“That’s terrible.” Banner shook his head.

“He’s good, he’s thirsty so…” Tony shrugged. Banner smiled and headed into the lab as Katie held back, looking at Tony.

“And you, are you sure you’re alright?” She asked. “You looked a bit peaky before.”

“Just the amount of stuff that was in Strucker’s lab.” Her brother murmured “There was a tonne of it Kiddo, a fuck tonne. We didn’t do as good a job of cleaning up after the battle here as we thought.”

“We did the best we could.” she said, tucking her hair behind her ears.

“Yeah maybe, anyway I’m going to go fix a drink so…”

He wandered off and Katie watched him go. Something was telling her that her brother wasn’t being completely honest with what was bothering him, but she knew better than to press him. He’d tell her when he wanted to.

As she walked into the room where Clint was led, Natasha was stood beside him, Dr Cho’s machine working on the wound in his side.

 “So is he going to be okay Doc because pretending to need this guy really keeps the team together” Natasha teased. Clint muttered back a response that Katie didn’t quite catch whilst Banner bent over the kit that was currently mending his wound together, his nose centimetres away from Barton’s side as he studied it, a look of astonishment and awe on his face.

“She’s creating tissue.” He spoke incredulously, looking at Natasha then to Katie.

Helen Cho smiled, and checked the wound and the machine before looking at Banner “If you brought him to my lab, the regeneration Cradle could do this in twenty minutes.”

“Oh he’s flatlining.” Tony returned to the lab with 7 plastic cups full of his power green smoothie that had become a bit of a post mission ritual. Katie took one from him as he continued to pass them around whilst teasing Clint. “Call it. Time?”

“No, no, no. I’m going to live forever. I’m gonna be made of plastic.” Clint glanced up.

“Here’s your beverage” Tony handed him a cup.

“You’ll be made of you, Mr. Barton. Your own girlfriend won’t be able to tell the difference.” Dr Cho assured him. 

“Well, I don’t have a girlfriend.” Clint swallowed the mouthful of drink he had taken, sharing a glance with Katie and she smirked.

No, just a wife.

“That I can’t fix.” Helen Cho smiled, before looking at my brother “This is the next thing, Tony. Your clunky metal suits are going to be left in the dust”.

“Well, that is exactly the plan. And Helen, I expect to see you at the party on Saturday.”

“Unlike you, I don’t have a lot of time for parties.” She paused, looking down at her clip board “Will Thor be there?”

“Oh yes…” Katie placed the empty cup on the tray and picking up the remaining two. “He’s a big fan of revels.”

She headed out of the lab and down the steps into the living area to find Thor and Steve, smiling when she spotted them both stood looking out at the City below.

“You would hardly know a battle had occurred at all” Thor was saying as he accepting the cup Katie held out to him as she moved to stand between them both. Thor dropped a large arm round her shoulder in a friendly manner, the two having grown even closer over the last six months as she’d taken it upon herself to help him get to grips with living on Earth as much as she could. “It never ceases to amaze me how you people just carry on.”

“We’re a resilient species.” Steve took the drink Katie offered him, his eyes straying to Thor’s arm. He didn’t mind the God’s protective nature over his girl, he knew there was nothing more to friendship, but he wasn’t overly keen on his tactile nature with her. 

“Yes, just like Ramularts.” Thor’s arm moved from Katie as she looked round at him and he noticed her blank faces “Big, grey animals, huge horns, purple eyes. You don’t have those on Earth?”

“Err no.” Katie shook her head, as this time it was Steve’s arm which curled round her shoulders. “No we don’t.”

“Oh.” Thor said, before shrugging “Well they are hideous. A bit like this green concoction your brother insists we drink”

“It’s good for you…” Katie grinned “Contains Two of your Five a day. I should know, I drank enough of it after my little vacation in Canada”

“Don’t.” Steve sighed, his arm pulling her a little closer. He hated it when she made jokes about her kidnapping.

Thor raised his eyebrow. “Five a day of what?”

“Never mind.” Katie chuckled “If you don’t like it, tip it into the plant pot. He’ll never know.

*****

It was a bit strange the following few days, waking up and knowing there was nothing that needed to be done. Whilst not every single day of the last Six months had been spent running around on or planning missions, even when she was at work in SIP, there had always been that part of Katie’s mind that would not switch off, knowing they had a job to do, not to mention Steve had been like a coiled spring constantly waiting and searching for the next lead.

With SHIELD all but gone to the public and off doing God knows what, the Avengers were more important than ever, and Katie knew that Tony and Steve had been discussing expanding, recruiting a whole team of support staff and scientists. However, that was all to come and for the time being it was pushed to the back of her mind, and Steve’s it appeared. Katie didn’t think she had ever seen him so relaxed. He slept in, lazed around the apartment, was happy to have duvet days. It was, frankly, great and she couldn’t help but hope that this could be the start of a relatively ‘normal’ life for the pair of them.

That particular morning, Thursday, the clock on her bedside table informed her that it was gone 10 am when she woke. Steve wasn’t in the bed besides her, but that wasn’t surprising. She stretched and turned over onto her side, instructing Jarvis to retract the blinds in the bedroom to reveal the large ceiling to floor windows that looked out over the New York Skyline. In her opinion their floor really did have the best view the building could offer, something which made her Super Soldier very happy, as he loved to spend his down time drawing the skyline from the art room she had gotten Tony to convert one of their spare rooms into for him at Christmas.

She also had another surprise for him up her sleeve. Steve had recently been researching into getting a place in Brooklyn for the pair of them, suggesting it would be nice for them to have their own place when they got married. So as a surprise she had made an appointment for later today in the afternoon with a Realtor Tony had recommended to look at a house they had both really liked on the internet. She hadn’t told Steve that yet, it was a surprise and something she was strangely excited about.

Steve heard Jarvis respond to Katie’s request and smiling he got up from where he had been watching the news on the TV, made her a coffee out and headed into the bedroom. He immediately noticed her eyes scan him up and down, grinning to himself as he raised an eyebrow as she took in the fact he was in nothing but a grey pair of sweats that hung off his hips casually as he crossed the grey carpet towards her.

“You know if I looked a woman up and down like that in the street I’d be called a pervert.”

“Yeah well…” She said, pulling herself into a sitting position “We’re not in the street, and you’re my fiancée so I can perve as much as I want.”

He snorted as he set the mug of coffee down on the bedside table and she moved over so he could sit on the edge of the bed.

“Morning, Gorgeous.” He grinned, dropping a kiss gently onto her lips. 

“Been in the gym?” She asked, taking in his hair which was still damp from the shower.

“Running. I popped in to see Tony and Banner on my way back up.”

“They still running tests on the Sceptre?” Katie took a sip of her drink.

“Yeah, I think they’ve been there all night!” he said, running a hand through his damp, tousled hair

“Wouldn’t surprise me. Tony’s relentless once he gets the bit between his teeth”

“So, what do you want to do today?” Steve’s nose buried into her hair. “Fancy heading down to the Pier?”

“Well…” Katie said, setting her mug down and taking his hand in hers, lacing her fingers with his “I have a surprise for you.”

“A surprise?” He asked, raising his eyebrow, a grin spreading across his face.

“mnmmmhmmmm” she said, nodding.

He tried his best to get her to tell him where they were going but Katie didn’t. She had a suspicion he would guess as they made their way there however. But still, it was fun. They set off just after midday and cruised over Brooklyn Bridge, the sun bouncing off the Hudson as they left Manhattan. Katie drove her Camero through the various neighbourhoods, occasionally Steve would point things out from his past, as they came to him, enjoying his little nostalgia trip. And then when she turned left at one particular junction he immediately figured out where they were going.

“You are unbelievable.” He chuckled.

“What?”

“We’re going to see that house, the one in Clinton Hill…” Steve’s eyebrow raised as he shot a glance at her.

“Might be.” Katie smirked.

They carried through the neighbourhood and Katie eventually pulled into a pair of open metal gates which led to a large, red brick three storey with an immaculate garden area to the front and stopped behind a gold, BMW convertible.  To the left of the front door the drive way sloped down under an arch to a large garage and the sprawling grounds at the back. Steve had liked it immediately when he saw it. The architecture inside and outside was quirky enough to appeal to the artist in him, it was in a quiet enough neighbourhood and the location and plot meant they could easily up the security. It all came at a hefty price tag though, not that it mattered to Katie.

“You do know this was the poshest place to live in Brooklyn.” He turned to look at Katie as she undid her seat belt.

“Still is. But then, I’m a very posh kinda woman.” Katie grinned, climbing out of the car. Steve did the same and made his way round to her side, dropping an arm round her shoulders.

 “What do you think?”

“Looks even better in real life.” Steve looked up at the huge, elegant mansion. As they stood looking at the façade of the building, the large oak door opened and outstepped a tall, thin, very good looking woman dressed in an extremely tight grey dress, high Manolas with her blonde hair pulled up into an immaculate bun. 

“Hi.” She was crisp, and business like. “You must be Miss Stark and Captain Rogers?”

“Yeah, sorry, Danny?” Katie frowned. When Tony had set her up with his Real Estator friend Danny, She had assumed it was a man.

“Danni with an I!” She held out her hand, clearly clocking the look of confusion. “I get that a lot.”

She turned to Steve, and looked at him appreciatively, her whole body language changing from one of business to friendship as she shook his hand. Katie rolled her eyes. Steve, as ever, was utterly clueless as he beamed at the woman.

“So the way I normally do this, is I’ll walk you in, show you round, give you a bit of history, then we can have a chat after…” She said, as they followed her up the steps, Steve stopping to allow Katie to go first, his hand gently in the small of her back. They entered into large, wooden floored hall way, which was cool but welcoming. To the right was a huge staircase which swept up and round in a dog leg.

“So the house was impeccably restored in 2007 by the present owners with close attention given to the preservation of historic details.” Dani spoke the sales patter as the pair of them looked up and round. “There are five floors, seven bedrooms, three full baths, three half baths in 3 of the bedrooms, including the master, front and rear gardens, parking, double garage and a pool house.”

She turned round and looked at Katie “And if you’re anything like your brother you’ll appreciate one of the 5 floors is a wine cellar-slash-party room. We all know Tony likes his parties, lord knows I’ve been to enough.”  she winked at Steve and besides him he felt Katie bristle.

Uh-oh.

Katie frowned slightly, unable to decide if she was making a joke or referring to the fact this woman and her brother had once, well, you know. Fixing the woman with her best passive face she smiled.

“I’m sorry, I don’t remember you.”  Katie’s voice was thickly sweet “I’m normally pretty good with faces.”

The two women looked at one another, Dani-with-an-I’s face slipped slightly but she recovered and turned to Steve.

“So if you want to follow me…” She beamed, a mouthful of perfect, white teeth.

“Please, lead the way.” Steve smiled at her, ever the gentleman and Katie gave another roll of her eyes as she led them from the room, hips swinging exaggeratedly.

As they walked round, despite the fact she was openly flirting with Steve and completely ignoring the fact Katie was there, it was clear the woman really did know her stuff. She’d obviously researched this house down to the ground as no detail was missed.

Frankly the house was stunning, and as they moved from room to room, taking it all in, Steve noticed the way Katie’s smile grew wider the more they saw. He could tell she’d fallen in love with it already.

“All of the electrical and plumbing was updated and central air-con and heating was installed throughout the house” Dani-with-an-I said as they made their way back down the stairs “And the facade was redone as well as the roof.”

“I’m not going to lie…” Steve nodded as they made their way into the huge kitchen again, “It’s every bit as stunning in real life as it looks on the internet.”

“It’s gorgeous isn’t it Steve.” She flashed those pearly whites at him again as her hand dropped to his forearm, giving it a small squeeze. Katie took a deep breath and grit her teeth. Steve didn’t so much as bat an eyelid although Katie could have sworn he shot her a sideways glance, the glimmer of a smirk playing across his handsome face. But when she looked back his face was utterly passive.

“How big is the land span?” He asked, striding to the back door

“Couple of hundred feet. The pool is roughly 20 by 40 so you can gage it from that.”

 “May I?” He asked, gesturing to the door which led out of the kitchen to the rear.

“Please, go right ahead.” Sh smiled, stepping forward to unlock the rear door. Steve stepped out and strode down the lawn area of the property to inspect the gardens looking for what security improvements they would need to make. They weren’t overlooked either which he really liked. No, he could definitely see them here together, maybe raising a family in a few years…a dog… a smile crossed his face as he looked around. Yeah, he liked it.

Katie watched as Steve looked around the garden, and Dani-with-an-I excused herself and pottered off to answer a phone call. Katie turned her head, nosily listening in and caught one line which instantly pissed her right off.

“Yes, I think he likes it. It’s a good sign… he might yes. I know, right? Captain America…who knew!? And he’s even more gorgeous in real life! Yeah, tell me about it…”

Whoever she was on the call to was clearly speaking back and Dani laughed before saying she needed to go and Katie heard her heels clicking as she walked back to the large kitchen. Katie glanced at Steve who was walking back towards the house, and figuring she had enough time she decided to pull the daft bint up on her attitude.

“And do you think I like it?” Katie asked as Dani walked into the room.

“I’m sorry?” Dani frowned.

“Do you think I like the house?” Katie shrugged “I mean you seem overly concerned about whether Captain America does just curious if my opinion counts?”

Dani floundered for her answer, as Katie continued. “I’ve watched you for the last hour or so eyeing him up.” Katie glared at her.  

“Katie…I didn’t…” “Miss Stark, thank you.” Katie interrupted, not once breaking the eye contract. “And if you touch my fiancee again, I will snap your hand off.”

Dani swallowed nervously and looked away for a split second. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to cause any offence.”

“Everything ok?” Steve asked, stepping back into the kitchen. You could cut the tension between the women with a knife. He couldn’t help but feel slightly sorry for Dani as Katie was utterly frightening when she wanted to be.

“Yes, absolutely, me and Dani were just discussing the price and maybe how she’s going to broker us a good deal with the vendor…” Katie said sweetly, before she turned to Dani, raising an eyebrow. Steve had to bite back his laughter.

“Yes.” Dani cleared her throat, “Absolutely. So it’s currently on the market for offers in the region of 3.3 million, but I think with some good negotiation I’ll get them down to around the flat 3 mark.” 

“Try again.” Katie smiled at her and Dani swallowed again, her smile slipping slightly.

“Miss Stark, this is a very good price for this area…” “I’m not disputing that.” Katie shook her head, her eyes never once leaving the woman in front of her “But we would be cash buyers, with no chain…obviously if you don’t think you can get it any lower I would be happy to handle the negotiations myself.”

Steve bit his lip and became very focussed on examining the ceiling. “I’ll see what I can do.” Dani-with-an-I said after a short pause.

“Thank you.” Katie smiled.

They all exchanged pleasantries, Katie’s handshake was especially firm, and then Steve and her left, exiting down the steps.

“You’re scary when you’re angry” he said into her ear.

“I’m not angry, merely slightly irritated.” Katie snorted “Her attitude left something to be desired. Here, wanna drive home?” she tossed him the keys.

He didn’t say anything else, just expertly caught the keys in his left hand, but the smug look on his face was enough to let Katie know she had been busted. As they drove back down the tree lined avenue towards the main road, their conversation turned to how beautiful the location was and Steve pointing out how far away the area was from where he grew up. As he spoke, however, something in his stomach tightened. It was a really far cry from the life he had known before the war, when he had been lucky just to be able to afford the rent every month in the small four roomed apartment. He’d always dreamed of being able to afford a nice place in his future, keep a roof over his family’s head, but here well it would be a joint effort. And he was surprised to find that he felt a little bit inadequate about that.

 “Do we really need 7 bedrooms?” he asked suddenly.

“Does Tony really need 6 cars?”  Katie shrugged “They don’t all have to be bedrooms. The smaller rooms on the top floor could be an art studio and a cinema room…”

Steve fell completely quiet. Katie glanced sideways at him. There was a solemn look on his face. A look she knew meant he was brooding over something.

“Soldier, what is it?”

“Nothing…”

“You can’t lie for shit. Try again.”

He shifted and looked straight out of the window ahead, biting his bottom lip gently. He took a deep breath and as they stopped at a traffic light he turned to face her.

“It’s a lot of money, I’m just not sure I can afford it…”

“Maybe you can’t, but we can.” Katie waved his comment away. “Plus you’re on the Stark payroll now…”

“That’s not the point…” he sighed

“Then what is?” “I know this sounds old fashioned but I always wanted to provide for my girl, you know.”

Katie watched as he shrugged gently eyes not straying from the road.

“Yeah you’re right…it is old fashioned.” She rolled her eyes. Normally she had a lot of time for his ways but not when it came to things like this. “Does me having a lot of money bother you that much?”

“Of course not…” he said.

“So why are we even having this discussion? We’re going to be married at some point, it doesn’t matter who has what. It’s not an issue.” she took a breath “You know, considering you’re not all that bothered about me taking your name when we get married this seems like an odd thing to get caught up on.” “Hang on, I never said I wasn’t bothered about you not taking my name.” He corrected, shaking his head. “I’d love nothing more than for you to be Mrs Rogers. What I said was that I understand your reasons for being a little bit…hesitant about it, with the business and all.”

“I’m not hesitant.” She shot back, and he looked at her, raising an eyebrow snorting.

“What was it you said?” He looked at her briefly “You can’t imagine not being a Stark especially when your business is called Stark Independent Publishers?”

She stayed silent, looking out of the window.

“I got news for you, Sweetheart, you’ll always be a Stark. Name or not. You’re too much of a pain in my ass not to be.” Steve concluded, shooting her a look. She gave a small smile as he pulled the car up 5th towards the tower.

“And you’ll always be my Soldier. My safe-place, regardless of whether you solely provide for me or not, which by the way is a fucking stupid notion anyway, didn’t your Ma bringing you up alone teach you anything?”

“Wow.” Steve raised both his eyebrows “That’s harsh.”

“But fair.” she countered “Are we arguing now?” He looked at her, the corner of his mouth twitching as he pulled up and waited for the entrance to the underground car park open as it recognised the plate.

“No, I’m just pointing out that you’re being an old fashioned dork about something that really isn’t that big a deal. I want to share my life with you, Steve and that means everything that comes with it.”

“Yeah, I know. You’re right.” He shook his head. “You’re absolutely right, I’m sorry.” he took a deep breath “I suppose since coming out of the ice this is the first time I’ve really had to think about where I’m gonna live and not had it all planned out for me.” He cut the car engine and Katie looked at him, softening slightly as he turned to her, his blue eyes locking onto hers.

“Baby, there’s no rush.” She looked at him, fully understanding what he was saying. “There’s plenty of other property to look at.”

“Yeah, perhaps I should give Danni-with-an-I a call, see what else she has on her books. I mean she did give us a good tour.” Steve nodded, a small smile playing on his face.

Katie narrowed her eyes at him. That’s not all she wanted to give you. She was flirting with you.”

“She probably flirts with everyone”

“She wanted you.”

“Well, she can’t have me.” Steve grinned, raising an eyebrow at her, that annoying smug grin spreading across his face.

“Damned right.” She pushed on his shoulders gently as she clambered over onto his lap. “I don’t take kindly to people touching my stuff…” “Yeah, you really didn’t you learn to share as a child did you?” He teased, his hands sliding up each of her bare thighs, underneath the hem of her jersey dress

“Not when it comes to the important things, no…” She murmured, pressing her lips to his. Her tongue slid into his mouth, tangling easily with his as he flexed his hips up groaning as the growing bulge in his trousers pressed against her spot as she pushed down hard against him, a moan brewing in her throat.

“Baby we’re in the garage.” he said softly, more of a reminder than a protest. 

“I know…” She kissed him again as she began to undo his buckle and then the buttons on his jeans. He tilted his hips slightly so she could manoeuvre his trousers down and he shifted so he was in the right position as she leaned forward again to kiss him, his lips gently trailing down to pepper her neck with soft, warm kisses, as he pushed up against her again and again, his erection pressing at the thin barrier of her underwear. Her hands moved from his chest and she slid the garment to the side and his hands rested on her hips as she pushed down, taking him in. Both of them let out a groan and Katie began to work up and down, rocking her hips.

The darker side of Steve found the risk of someone coming and finding them, all be it pretty minimal, a fucking big turn on and his hands pulled Katie further down as he thrust upwards, fucking her like a greedy, horny teenager. Her head banged against the roof of the car, but Katie didn’t care as his hands crept up the front of her dress, sliding under the cups of her bra. His hands tweaked at her nipples and she groaned louder, the familiar pull in her stomach getting more and more prominent. As she pushed down again he let out a groan and sat up slightly, so his lips were on her neck nipping her skin with his teeth as he thrust upwards, and she let out a cry, tilting her head backwards.

“Stevie, I’m gonna…” she stuttered and as he thrust upwards again, she was gone. Her cries loud as he too let out a loud groan as he shuddered, wrapping his arms around her back, pulling her to him as she rode out wave, after wave, and he emptied himself inside her, laying his head back against the seat, eyes closed in bliss. She fell forward and lay her forehead against his, both of them breathing deeply as their noses began their familiar dance.

“You know…” He chuckled, cracking an eye open as she grinned cheekily. “I’m glad you weren’t taught how to share…”

***** Chapter 23 Part 1

**Original Posting**

[mcu-fan-fics-blog]

The Helping Hand

This is a Repost from my Ao3 I wanted to bring it to Tumblr. I hope you like it Its currently 5 chapters I will be uploading the rest throughout the rest of the week.

Word Count: 3300 approx

Summary: Y/N Krast Illegitimate Daughter of Tony Stark. Product of an unwanted teen pregnancy. What would Howard Stark be capable of doing to assure his sons future? What will happen when Tony meets our Beautiful, young, genius, rich philanthropist.

Tw: Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, Drug use, Drug addiction, Teen Pregnancy. (If there are any I missed please tell me.)

Ch.4

Chapter 5: Age of Ultron pt.2

Ch.6

"Y/N you can't keep coming in and not talking." Your therapist tells you quite frustrated. "I'm paying you aren't I, I'll do what I please with the time I pay for." You say finally making eye contact with her. She only sighs. "Y/N I find that often people ask for help in the most obvious yet concealed manner."

You turn away, she continues. "You said it yourself you're paying me… If you don't want me to ask these questions, walk out and stop paying me." You look back "I can't… because I feel like I might just explode at any point." She nods encouraging you to continue. 

"Recently I went through something that combined with all the other shit i've gone through… I can't cope. I don't know how." You wipe your eyes and continue. "I've never been stable, but i've always been okay with that. I've never lost anyone in a traumatic way." Your therapist lifts their head. "Who have you lost?"

"I never knew my parents so I didn't really lose them. I knew that Howard was going to pass and I got closure." She jumps in when she realizes you stopped talking. "And what makes this loss different?" You look at her with a tear rolling down your cheek. "The fact that it was my fault."

Three Weeks Ago 

Wanda speaks first "I read your mind and all I saw was destruction." He promptly asked her to check again. He then goes on to have some sort of existential crisis not knowing what he actually is. I didn't really start to listen until Clint mentioned where Nat was… Sokovia. You immediately got pale once you heard what Ultron was planning to do with Sokovia. "I need to make a call" you say mostly to yourself but Pietro heard you. 

No one noticed you stepped out of the room but him. "Who do you think you're calling?" You jump as he sped in front of you. "I need to warn my family they need to get out." Pietro only laughs "Forgive me but you don't seem like one to have family much less in Sokovia of all places. Why don't you just tell me the truth"

"Im aware you might not know me but I'm Y/N Krast… I run the practice I need to warn my friends.  They'll spread the word and start an evac." He sighs. "You need to tell the rest of the guys. It might not be the best move." You nod and walk back into the room there all in. Tony notices you and walks straight to you fearing the Maximoff kid did something to you. 

"Did he do anything kiddo because if he did I swear to…" you cut him off. "Im fine but I need to ask you something." He nods telling you to proceed. "Can I warn my friends back in Sokovia? They can help get the people out of there." Tony looks at you and nods. "I guess it can't hurt to take some precautions. Do it." You smile and walk out the room Dialing David immediately. 

"Y/N are you okay, it's like three in the morning." You're relieved to hear his voice. "Listen to me David, you need to get as many people as you can out of Sokovia. The people are in danger." Davud sighs "Are you having another melt down remember breathe. In and out…" 

"David this is not a game, you have to get as many people as you can out now… Tell Viv too she needs to get her family out. Do as I say David please the people will listen to you." David starts talking again, the panic rising in his voice. "Y/N what do you know… more importantly how do you know?" You raise your voice. "FOR ONCE IN YOUR LIFE DON'T QUESTION ME! Just do it." 

David, shocked by your reaction shifts his tone. "I'll do my best. I need to go." He hangs up not even giving you a chance to say goodbye. (This is what you'll end up regretting later.) 

"You truly care for these people… your family or friends." You look up and see the last person you expected. The witch is standing there in the doorway. "Yes, I do care, Wanda because believe it or not we're not all bad people." The comment came out more spiteful than you expected wincing at your own words. You're about to apologize when she beats you to it. "I'm sorry about earlier." She looks down picking at her hands. 

You sit down on the steps facing a window and signal for her to sit as well. She joins you reluctantly. "I'm not going to bite." You say. Drawing out a small laugh that made your heart flutter. "Did you see inside my head?" You ask. Her head tilts at your question, but ultimately she shakes her head. "Yeah it happens sometimes I can't control it." You nod. "For the record I dont think youre a bitch. Well I did in the moment…" she cuts you off laughing. "I believe the words you used were 'Crazy Bitch'." You chuckle. 

"We should get going…" You stand, helping her up and go to the team. “I contacted my friend David, and I texted my… other friend Viv. They’ve started evacuating people as we speak.” Tony nods and gives you an understanding look. “Now what's our plan to save Nat.” Steve goes on to explain his plan which consists of getting as many people as we could out then fighting Ultron. Once you arrived in Sokovia the streets were desolate. Not a soul in sight.

Pietro gazes in astonishment. “Your friends are good.” You nod relieved seeing that David and Viv did what you asked. “Well check if there are any people left behind…” Wanda cuts in. You weren't given the time to check for any last bystanders when she city starts shaking, and there are bots everywhere. You realize that Sokovia is flying. Tony then informs you of Ultrons plans. You all split up fighting the bots and Bruce made his way to Nat. Not long after Hulk and Natasha had made their way to the now floating Sokovia. Long story short the bad guy was defeated, and all was right in the world again.

Present 

“Alright Doc, have you been following this I know first hand it can be a little complicated.” She nods as you continue. “Well my friends, not the Avengers. Umm… their names were David, and Vivian.” She notices your struggle to continue but you power through the tears building in your eyes. “You see, saving the world came at a price, a price that I was willing to pay, but not like this. I got to the compound, and dialled David and what did I find?” She tells you to continue. “Five… Five missed calls from David telling me that he was going to stay behind in the Practice with Viv.” Tears are now streaming down your cheeks. “Now I imagine that you know what happened to Sokovia ‘Boom’.” You signal with our hands telling her that it was all gone.

Suddenly a timer goes off and your walls are up again. “Y/N you can continue if you want to, I don't…” You interrupt her standing up and heading to the door. “Actually I think that, that was enough for today.” You say walking out. It was confirmed both David and Viv dead… and it was all because of you. After this you distanced yourself. Declining Maria Hills offer to become an Avenger, and also walking away from the Stark Industries collaboration. Unfortunately falling down a deeper hole than you'd ever been in with our addiction. When walking out of the office building your shrink is in when you bump into someone.... 

“Long time no see Y/N!” You recognize the voice immediately. “I saw you following me last week, as a matter of fact i've spotted you multiple times Natasha.” She laughs, and you roll your eyes. “Now why are you mad Y/N what did you think would happen? You ghosted everyone after Sokovia, why are you angry?” You sigh and start walking away but she stops you. “Because you were right Natasha there was a cost to this and it's taking quite the toll.” Natasha lets go of your arm confused “What are you talking about everything came out great.” you laugh bitterly “For almost everyone else oh and feel free to tell Pepper than I'm not taking her calls no matter how hard she insists.”

“Does this have anything to do with the drugs Y/N because if it does I know some people that can help you.” The way she says it almost makes you believe that she cares, but at the end of the day you know she had orders. You look at her incredulously walking away again, this time she doesnt stop you.  

Natashas POV

“Well if you're not going to tell me guess i'm going to have to find out the hard way.” You walk into the building Y/N just came out of and make your way to the Shrink's office. You not so nicely asked for Y/N’s file. As youre reading the file you remember her words bitter and angry “For almost everyone…” Now it makes sense her friends died and no one was there for her. Fuck. You pick up the phone and dial Pepper. “I know what's going on. Call a meeting in the compound and I'll get there in thirty minutes.”  

You meet up with everyone at the compound. You share the files with the team and everyone is shocked talking with each other until you notice Wanda. She doesn't look surprised. You pull her aside. "Why are you being quiet? What do you know about Y/N." She sighs "It was an accident alright when we came back I looked into her head. She looked so happy I was curious… When I looked she was grieving, tearing herself apart." 

You look at her. "And you said nothing you let us believe that she just didn't care." She laughs. "She doesn't! She doesn't want your help, she made that quite clear already. The one person she thought that she could count on was some guy named Logan." You querk your head, was she jealous, are you jealous. You shake your head. "What else did you see?" Your ask casually. Testing the waters you didn't want to expose Y/N but you have to know what she knew. 

"Was there something else I was supposed to see?" You shake your head no, and make your way back to the team. There's fighting over who should talk to her. "I think Tony should go…" Steve says like it's nothing. You almost laugh. Tony gives you a dirty look. "I think pepper should go." You say matter of factly. She asks you to elaborate. "She cares for you the most, but she is angry not at you in general." She nods and everyone else agrees for lack of a better idea. 

Peppers Pov 

You walk out of the compound with Tony by your side. "You can come if you want to." Your say to break the silence. He shakes his head. "When are you going to tell her that you're her father." He only sighs "I can't tell her… I can't ruin Howard for her because she loved him." You quickly counter "It's going to be worse the longer you wait." You continue "The only reason I didn't push before was because you weren't sure but now you are Tony she's your daughter." 

"That's exactly why I can't tell her now she's dealing with a lot. It's not a good time." You nod "Fine." Is all you can say. You walk into Krast industries expecting to be greeted by a busy work floor but are surprised when you see the exact opposite. You do see a familiar face though commandeering the floor. Logan. "Hey logan how are you? I'm hoping I could talk to Y/N." Logan stops in his tracks. 

"What do you mean if i've seen her? I thought she was with you guys." He says the panic growing in his voice. "Umm… no she's not been with us for a couple of weeks now. Are you sure you haven't seen her and what's going on here." 

Logans Pov 

Of course you knew where she was, but you weren't about to tell them. "Yeah no I've talked to her on the phone I just figured she was with your guys." Pepper is still confused about what is happening. "She asked me to get ready for major remodel… all our employees will work from home for the time being." She nods. "Do you know where I could find her? I really need to talk to her." Well that's not going to happen now. Seen as she's currently passed out on your couch. 

"She might be at home… She does this sometimes. She runs, but i'll give you her address if you really want to talk to her."

Your Pov 

After running into Natasha you went to a bar. A complete rookie move. You knew better, but at the same time you didn't care you've been loading up taking a larger doses and mixing with alcohol. You called Logan to come pick you up and he was there like always. "I can't lose you Logan, I wouldn't survive it. Why does everyone I love die?" He holds his tongue you can tell. "Tell me what you're thinking it's not good to hold your emotions in…" He laughs bitterly. "You think I'd survive losing you Y/N this feeling goes both ways. You're blind to my pain Y/N seeing you like this hurts me it shakes me to my core."

"I'm not blind to your pain… I know you better than I know myself. I'm going to therapy, and before you say it i'm actually talking this time. I'm getting help." He nods "Every step of the way that includes relapsing. Y/N just don't make me lose you." You nod tears building in your eyes. "I won't." 

When you wake up you're in Logan's apartment it's nice. Your head is pounding. You decide to go home… in hindsight that was a horrible idea. You have no idea where you are and also have no idea where you're going.  "Fuck… taxi, TAXI." 

They dont fucking stop you dont blame them you look like trash, hell you feel like it too. You make it to a coffee shop and just sit there. Waiting for what you don't know at least not until the owner comes around. "I don't want to have to kick you out but it's nearing closing time, want me go call a cab." 

You laugh "See id say yes and please but I don't remember where I live." He nods feeling bad for you. "Having a bad day, want to talk about it?" You sigh “I would, but sadly my opening up to complete strangers quota is full for the day.” They laugh handing you some coffee. “It 'll help you sober up, So what is it? Alcohol, meth, let me guess pills.” You widen your eyes. “Don't worry, I'm not judging I meet people of all walks of life.” You nod. “Do you mind if I make a call my friend is probably worried sick.” He hands you his phone and you dial Logan (the only number you know by heart.) “Y/N where are you ive been worried sick. Why did you leave?” 

“I went out for coffee you know to sober up faster I needed air.” He sighs “Can you make your way back or do you want me to pick you up?” You turn from the barista person in front of you. “Um I want to go home but I can't for the life of me remember my address.”  David gives you your address and calls you a cab. You thank him and end the call. “So it looks like I'm heading home in a minute the taxi won't take long.” He smiles reaching his hand out to take their phone back. “I’ll see you around probably…” You nod "probably not.” You say hesitantly, and he laughs. You Are interrupted by the taxi honking its horn. “I hope to see you around by the way. I'm Zack Gordon.” your smile drops immediately. 

You compose yourself before he notices your change in attitude. You plaster on a fake smile and make your way out turning one last time. “We’ll see each other around Zack.” He smiles. The whole cab ride was silent, you're contemplating fate. What are the fucking odds of all the cafe’s you could have walked into you walked into his. When you least expect it you’re in front of your house. You walk in and immediately notice something off. You walk into your living room only to see someone sitting in the dark. You know who it is immediately. “Always with the theatrics, it's starting to get old. Would you like something to drink.” She sighs “Y/N I want to talk.”  You sit clapping your hands causing the lights in the house to turn on.

“Right Pepper talk, i'm listening” Her eyes widen, showing her confusion. “Look, I'm not angry with our team or you, but I just have some crap to deal with… Alone.” Pepper looks down. “You don't have to go through this alone, you have us now.” Your eyes bolt to hers. “And how exactly do you know what i'm going through… You know what I don't need to know because it doesn't matter.” you sigh “I’ve gone through life alone. I dealt with the punches life has thrown my way by myself. This won't be the exception.” You see Peppers complexion turn red, she's angry. “Why can't you stop making yourself a martyr, talk about dealing with children? You and Tony are the only ones who can make me this irritated.”

“Because I'm broken Pepper and before Natasha or Wanda decide to tell you I'm an addict. Everything is wrong right now so I need to take a step away, I need to get clean.” Peppers eyes soften moving to sit next to you. “You know i'm not leaving your side right?” Your eyes begin to water. “I relapsed… it's bad Pepper. I've never fallen this hard and I'm scared.” She hugs you. “I’ve never had this… people who really care it was just Logan and I.  As of recently it was David, Viv, and I. Now I lost them and I can't. I can't sleep, I can't breathe, and I'm so tired Pepper I don't know how much more of this I can take.” 

“Okay come on Y/N let's get you to your room.” You and Pepper stand on your way up the stairs and you start to stumble. “I’m sorry you have to see me like this. I am very sorry I drank coffee to sober up but it didn't work.” She nods “It’s okay we’ll talk about it tomorrow.” You both finally make it to your room and as soon as your head hits the pillow you fall asleep.

When you wake up you are surprised by your surroundings you didn't quite remember how you got here. You sit up and hear chattering downstairs. You go down stairs, the memories of last night making their way to you now. THE AVENGERS HAVING BREAKFAST IN YOUR KITCHEN. You watch as thor brakes your plates making you flinch. “As much as I appreciate your enthusiasm I dont think Y/N would appreciate us breaking her plates.” you clear your throat and as you do everyone goes quiet. “Good Morning everyone.”

[ironmariposa]

(I’ll be your) Sanctuary

Pepper watches as Tony comes to terms with Peter being gone.

Found on Ao3

Tony swipes the glass of water off his tray and it shatters against the wall.

“Jesus.” Happy says shaking his head as he leaves the room to presumably get something to clean up the mess.

Pepper for her part hasn’t moved an inch, “Feel better?” she asks with a touch of sarcasm.

“Not at all. Fuck!” He slams his hands down on the tray and then brushed it aside with a crash as well, “What were they thinking? What the fuck were they thinking?”

“I don’t know.” Pepper whispers as she sits on the edge of his bed, reaching out a hand to brush over his leg. A lazy show of comfort they both know, but still effective as the anger inside of him calms.

“They weren’t. They weren’t thinking at all and now…” Tony’s breath hitches as tears fill his eyes and slide down his cheeks. Pepper freezes, she can count on one hand the number of times she has seen Tony cry. Eleven years with this man and only one hand.

“Now my only chance to get him back is gone.” He drops his face in his hands as the door cracks open and Happy sticks his head in, Pepper shakes her head at him and he just as quietly leaves, “My kid is gone and I don’t know how to… I don’t… Oh God, Oh God.”

Pepper slides up the bed and grabs the back of Tony’s neck, pulling him to her, she says the only word that has ever helped him during past panic attacks. “Breath.”

He attempts a deep breath but it catches in his throat and she rubs his neck then slides her hand down his back, “Okay try again. With me. In.” And she sucks in a loud breath then “Out.” She slowly lets it out. He manages a few deep breaths before settling back against the bed.

Sliding out of her shoes, Pepper climbs up beside him, tucking his head against her chest, “Just breathe with me.”

His first breath hitches but eventually his breathing settles enough that he falls asleep.

“I’m pregnant.”

Tony’s eyes widen and he drops the toothbrush, “You’re?”

Pepper gives him a half smile, “Pregnant. I didn’t know it at the time you asked, before..” she waves her hand, “but you obviously did.”

He silently stares over her shoulder and she tries to stop herself from saying it but the words just fly out, “I’m so sorry.”

That jerks him back to her and he steps to her, pulling her into his arms, “Whatever for?”

She has her face tucked into that spot between his neck and shoulder, it’s one of her favorites. She breathes in deeply and regardless of him going to space and nearly dying on her, he still smells the same. “I just know this isn’t the best time to announce a pregnancy. We’re all grieving. You’re grieving the loss of a child.”

Tony inhales sharply, “He wasn’t..”

Pepper pulls back and reaches up to hold his face in her hands, her eyes searching his, “He was Tony. He very much was in all ways but one. Don’t deny yourself that. He was your kid and you’re allowed to grieve as any father would. I know,” Pepper chokes on her words as tears fill both of their eyes, “Peter would agree and so would May.”

His hand tangles in her hair as he pulls her back to him and hides his face in her hair, “How is she? Have you talked to her.”

“No. But Happy is with her now. He’ll let us know.”

They’re quiet for so long as he holds her against him. Her arms are curled around his back and she grips his shirt. She has moments where she remembers just how close she was to losing him. And this is the only thing that anchors her. His touch. His scent.

Pepper’s not a genius. Not in the ways that Tony, Rhodey or even Peter is, was, but she knows what Tony is considering.

She catches him standing in the room's doorway for the third time and approaches him quietly. Brushing her fingers over his back.

She lets him know she’s okay with it one night as they lay in the dark, his arms wrapped around her from behind, his fingers splayed over her stomach, “We can make it his room.” His fingers freeze but he doesn’t respond, and she covers his hand with hers, “you know just in case he…”

He pulls away from her, rolling into his back and covering his eyes with his arm. Slowly, she rolls over to face him.

“He’s not.” his voice is rough.

“I don’t one hundred percent believe that.” She whispers, “between you and Cap and the others, you’ll figure something out.”

“Doubtful.”

Pepper sighs. Tony has so many moods and she knows them all, including this one. It’s his stubborn, I’ve given up on the world mood. It usually doesn't last long but also things have never been this bad.

“I love you.” She kisses his cheek and lays her head on his chest. She’s nearly asleep when she feels his arm move from his eyes to wrap around her side.

“Love you too.” He mumbles into her hair.

Pepper remembers the first time she met Peter. It was the night before their engagement party and she had come home to Tony and a kid asleep on the couch with a movie playing on the screen. The two of them weren’t touching or close by any means but they were both turned to one another. As if in sleep it had come naturally. Pepper knew Peter had been spending more time at the compound with Tony in the lab. But this was the first she knew of them spending time outside of the lab. She also knew Tony was growing more and more fond of the kid. When he was interested in something he never stopped talking about it and lately it had been “The kid this” and “The kid that.”

The next morning as she watched Peter and Tony verbally banter as they made breakfast, she had a vision of having a kid with Tony for the first time ever.

Rhodey helps with the nursery. They find out they’re having a girl. Pepper is silently relieved. She’s not sure how Tony would handle having a boy so soon after Peter. They both agree on naming her Morgan.

They decide to have a quiet wedding by the lake. Just the two of them with Rhodey as their ordained minister. Happy and May as their witnesses.

“He should be here for this.” She hears Tony say as May hugs him. She just shushes him as her hand slides up his back. Pepper turns away to smile at what Rhodey and Happy are talking about.

Natasha and Bruce show up a month before Morgan is due. Pepper stops them with a stare from the front porch.

“How is he?” Nat asks her and Pepper doesn’t answer.

Bruce wrings his hands, “We’re just worried about him Pep. Wanted to make sure you both were okay since we haven’t heard from you.”

She is fond of both Avengers. But she loves her husband more. So she sends them away without them seeing Tony or him seeing them. She reassures them they are all fine.

Morgan is born into the world on a dark, warm night. Pepper had been having contractions most of the day but she keeps it to herself until they start to settle into their evening routine. Most nights they sit together on their front porch swing, talking, reading, eating desert. It's then that she finally turns to Tony and says the words.

“It’s time.”

The words don’t seem to break through his thoughts right away. He just hums and settles onto the swing. She waits for a moment. Two, when it happens. He’s up and out of the seat in a flash, his eyes wide as he repeats her words.

They meet Helen at the local hospital and all goes smoothly. They’re home with their daughter a day later.

Happy and Rhodey visit first and don’t ever really leave for very long. They have their own rooms downstairs, Pepper and Tony like having them there. May comes and she holds Morgan for so long, Pepper gets her first full night of rest. She wakes up both her back and breasts aching.

When Morgan is three months, Nebula, the blue alien Tony says saved his life while in space, visits but she refuses to hold Morgan. Just stares down at her until Morgan flashes Nebula her first real smile. When they all stop celebrating Nebula runs a single blue finger over Morgan’s dark head of hair. “She favors your son.”

Pepper looks to Tony to see a gentle, easy smile on his face. And May sniffles, “I know it’s not possible, but she does.”

At six months Tony starts telling Morgan Spiderman bedtime stories. He cries every night after putting her down but soon he’s able to get through a night without tears. Pepper isn’t sure if it’s an accomplishment or not.

At nine months she starts walking. Surprising all of them but Tony or May. “I was the same.” He says and May smiles softly, “Same with Peter.”

Pepper just holds her arms out to their daughter and laughs as Happy follows closely behind her.

At a year old, Morgan has a long list of words including her favorites, “Mama, Dada, Unc and May.” All her very favorite people.

They have a small party for her out by the lake. Tony shows up with an Alpaca.

“How the hell is that a birthday present?” Happy protests and Pepper agrees but she just shakes her head. Because it’s Tony.

He laughs and laughs at her reaction. His laugh she hadn’t heard in so, so long.

And finally Pepper thinks, they’re okay.

[roselen-mylady]

In Another Life

Bucky Barnes x reader ° part seven

Summary: Waiting 88 years to find your soulmate? It was cruel. But it was a cruel fate Bucky would have to face whether he accepted it or not. Bucky was a tortured man all his life and he wasn't even granted the solace of having his soulmate at his side. All he had was the promise of one in another life. They were separated by two different times.

But the pain in their lives were connected.

Y/n had been alone ever since she could remember. All she could depend on was the soulmate that was destined to be at her side. Yet when the snap occured she lost him.

And Bucky never got to meet her.

The diner was quiet, despite the time of day. Light chatter echoed around them but Y/n could hardly notice, her gaze and attention all focused on the large, green man before her. 

Bruce Banner was another idol of hers. He was one of the only brains to compete with hers, aside from Tony Stark, and she admired his work. It was his work after all that had attracted her full attention in that diner. 

The once timid looking man who stood small and nervous during lectures now sat confident and relaxed upon his chair, shoveling the biggest portions of food she had ever seen into his mouth. 

When Steve and Nat mentioned a genius her mind had immediately come to the much more civilized Hulk, but he wasn't their first stop. No, when they pulled up at a small cabin outside of the city, she was confused. 

It was secluded so it was easy to convince herself that they had arrived at Bruce Banner's home but that idea was thrown out the window when a familiar figure stepped away from the small tent out front. She recognized him in an instant and sunk back into herself once realization struck that she was at Tony Stark's home. 

"Who's the new girl?" He asked, curiously sending a glance Y/n's way as he adjusted his hold on the girl in his arms. 

"Dr. Y/n L/n. It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Stark." Her voice cracked slightly but he didn't seem to mind as he reached out for Y/n's hand, shifting the small girl to his hip. 

"Iron Man fan?" He questioned, his grip on her hand soothing in a way. Y/n offered a short shrug, sending a warm look to the girl Y/n assumed was his daughter. 

"More of a 'Tony Stark the philanthropist' fan." A shy smile caked her face and Tony found himself returning it. It was new to him, the way someone admired his true persona rather than the superhero he had made himself to be. It was a welcomed feeling. 

"Well, Doc, since I've got you here-there's this pain in my neck." Tony slipped his hand from her own, moving to rub a spot on his neck. His daughter let her fingers entwine with his own as he did so and the heartwarming smile he gave her reminded Y/n very much of her own father. 

It seemed forever ago since she last saw his proud grin and she allowed herself to wonder what he would think of her life. What would her mother think? Would they be proud? Or would they share the same disappointment she now felt in herself for lying and cowering for so many years? 

"I'd recommend a chiropractor, I'm afraid I'm a PhD type of doctor." Her tone was strained, Steve being the only one to notice it. He knew she was thinking of her past. It was a look he had seen on too many people. A look of loss. He just wished she'd finally let down her walls. 

"I feel like I know you." 

Tony's statement sent a chill down her spine but she did her best to ignore the feeling, allowing yet another smile to grace her lips. 

"I wish." Y/n gave a short giggle, forcing away any suspicion Tony might've had. His eyes lingered on her for a moment but ultimately turned away, carrying on with their reason for visiting. 

Despite their pleas, Tony rejected their idea not that they could blame him. And while Y/n would've loved to work with him, she had just been ecstatic to meet the famous Tony Stark she looked up to all her life. 

He was the reason she took such an interest in science and technology. She was once trained to be the next Tony Stark after all. It was interesting seeing how different their lives had ended up, Tony choosing a life away from people while she chose to help them. She still admired him and she absolutely fell in love with his daughter, Morgan, an innocent replica of her father. 

There had once been a time when she imagined her and her soulmate having the stereotypical suburban life; married with kids. However when the snap occured, any hope of that life died with her soulmate. 

Yet this didn't stop her from pondering an alternative. She wondered if she and her soulmate did have a life together, what it would be like? What would he be like? Was he funny? Was he kind? Was he charming? Were his eyes really blue? 

"About what we were saying…" Steve said, capturing their attention once more. Scott wore a baffled and angry look after the whole picture interaction and Y/n couldn't help but be amused as he sat next to her with a pout. 

"Right. The whole time travel do-over? Guys, it's outside my area of expertise." Bruce explained. Y/n's heart sank and she sighed, her eyes subconsciously searching for Steve's. His eyes were still hopeful and he turned away from her trying to convince Bruce to help. 

"Y/n said she could get it started. Couldn't that help?" He questioned, almost desperate as Y/n shared a look with Bruce. She could tell he wanted to help just as much as the next guy but their entire plan rested on something that came straight out of a movie. 

"Steve, leading an experiment like this would be impossible if I don't even know where to start." Bruce tried to explain gently. Nat stared at Bruce, her expression unconvinced and even a little encouraging as a soft smirk twisted on her lips. 

"Well, you pulled this off. I remember a time when that seemed pretty impossible, too." She replied. Bruce fell silent, looking down at himself as he contemplated the decision. It would be risky but they didn't really have much else to lose, right? 

•••

Bruce had come back with them to the compound and after explaining the strategy she'd come up with, Y/n set off to find Steve. 

He'd been quiet since she'd asked him the truth about Bucky. She regretted it, having pushed him so far. But she was also kind of relieved. 

Finally she understood how her life had fallen apart. Understood why the man she feared had done what he did. 

She even understood why his eyes had looked the way they did that day. The pain and suffering within them made sense and the eyes that accompanied her nightmares only filled her with heartache. 

Would the guilt ever fade? Or would she just continue to find more things to feel guilt for? 

After a bit of searching, she found Steve in his room, leaning against the headrest of his bed. The room was neat and if it hadn't been for the few personal effects on the dresser she would've argued it wasn't lived in. In a way that was true since a majority of his nights were spent at her apartment whether it be movie nights, game nights or simply nights spent together doing their own things. 

Steve looked up from his sketchbook when she softly knocked on the door frame, leaning on it as he set down the book. 

"Come in." She wordlessly padded over, climbing up to sit next to him. Their shoulders brushed and the calming effect that came with her presence uplifted his spirits causing him to look over at her with a tender smile. 

"Let me guess. You wanna know what's wrong." He acknowledged. Y/n studied his thoughtful eyes, shaking her head with a brief exhale as she turned away. 

"You have a way of staring into someone's soul. Did that come with the serum or has it always been like that?" She asked him, her tone teasing yet a little genuine. He shrugged letting out a small laugh. 

The sound out her at ease, telling Y/n that he wasn't angry. At least not at her. Their interaction in the car had hurt both of them and Steve didn't want to continue it any longer. 

"I don't know. I guess I've always been a little intense." His smile faded slowly, allowing his gaze to fall back on the sketchbook. He'd been drawing a familiar sight, unable to get his best friend out of his head. 

Y/n followed his stare, landing on the drawing scribbled onto the page. Respectfully reaching over and picking it up, she looked up at Steve. He made no effort to stop her, watching as her finger traced the curve of the face upon the page. 

It was a rough drawing due to Steve's lack of time to really add the details he wished to but Y/n had seen plenty of his art so he didn't mind as much. Her lips parted but she didn't speak instead creasing her brow as she intently stared at the page. 

Steve had drawn Bucky plenty of times before but shamefully most had been of the Winter Soldier. He used drawing as a way to drag certain images from his head and nothing haunted him more than the monster HYDRA had made his best friend into. 

Yet this drawing was different. He drew him the way he remembered Bucky, from before the snap. When he was getting better. 

On the page was a tired man, a man she'd never seen before. There was a permanent crease in his brow, decades of pointed stares and menacing expressions having worn it into his very features. A bit of stubble had grown on his face and his hair was long like she remembered. Even his expression as exhausted staring back at her with a weak smile. 

Y/n wondered what moment Steve had drawn this from. What had happened to make Steve catalogue this within his memories. She wondered what had caused that look in his eyes. 

The eyes that stared back at her were completely different from the ones she remembered, though she knew they belonged to the same man. These were kind yet weary: eyes of a man who had broken by war and hate but still felt things like compassion. A man who saw the worst of the world but still chose to protect it. . 

"This was him?" She mumbled softly, meeting Steve's uncertain gaze. 

He nodded, watching as she looked away from him. 

This picture seemed to be her breaking point. 

All the rage and all the terror, all of it melted into the already overflowing pool of self hatred. How could she bear to think about the grudge she'd held against a man who despite everything that the world had done to him, still fought Thanos that day when the world ended. 

Today she had learned all at once the man behind the one she feared and all the hate she once felt was unjust. And as much as she wanted to hold onto it, she just couldn't. 

It was wrong. 

"You can keep it if you want." Steve offered once she had handed him back the sketchbook. She began to shake her head, trying to reason it meant more to him than to her but Steve had already pulled out the page handing it to her. 

"To remember who he really was." He reasoned. 

Y/n held it tenderly in her hands, taking care to lay it in her lap as if touching the page in any rough manner might damage the man displayed on it. 

When the silence came it didn't feel as suffocating as before. They sat there on his bed for an hour in that silence. Y/n was grateful for the time to think, trying desperately to come to terms with everything she'd been told. 

And it wasn't until Y/n was about to get up and head home for a change of clothes that Steve spoke, breaking the silence. 

"I know why you came." Steve said suddenly, making her lift her head to peer up at him. Shame flushed over him and Y/n could feel her heart drop. "You want to know why I wanted you to stay so bad. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have-" 

"You think keeping me around was a mistake, don't you?" 

Steve's expression morphed into shock and he instantly shook his head at her assumption. Allowing him to take her hand in his, she felt a bit ashamed for how hurt he was by what she had said. 

"No. Never. I want you here because I sincerely believe you can help us. You can help me." Y/n sighed, her eyes landing on their outstretched legs. She let him idly circle his thumb along the back of her hand, trying to fight the urge to argue. 

"I want to help, Steve. And I think I can, just..." She trailed off. "This is your thing, Steve. Not mine. I'm not equipped for this. I wish I was, I really do." 

A frown tugged at his lips and his lashes brushed his skin briefly as his eyes fell on his lap. He knew it was unfair to her to bring her into this and it certainly wasn't okay to keep her against her will but he needed her. 

"I know. And I'm sorry. Just-" He cut himself off, shifting on the bed to face her better. She watched with an unsure gaze as he took both of her hands. "Ever since I could remember I've done what I thought was right and for a while it worked. But the past few years, I've ruined so much." 

His voice was hushed and Y/n could see how troubled he was by his furrowed brow and clouded eyes. His eyes were trained on their intertwined hands, her touch filling him with a familiar ease. One he'd known all his life. 

"Things have gotten too hard. Being Captain America isn't white and black anymore and when we lost, I didn't see a point. But then I met you and things were easy again. I didn't have to be Captain America, I could just be Steve." He confessed. 

He felt guilty, not that his words weren't true. If anything, this was the most honest he had been with her. But the guilt that seeped into his heart came from Bucky. He hadn't just failed the world, he failed all of his friends, all people he would fondly consider his new family. Could he really risk losing again? 

"I don't know if that even makes sense but I need you here. I need to be Steve." He dared to take a glimpse at her, fearing she might condemn him. Instead a warm smile graced Y/n's features, patient and kind like Bucky always was. 

"Okay." She whispered, her heart clenching as she forced the simple word. She couldn't shake the feeling that her luck hadn't yet turned. Everytime she tried to help, it destroyed everything around her. She couldn't let that happen again. "I'm gonna go get some stuff from the apartment then you have my wholehearted assistance."

Y/n carefully tucked the picture into her pocket before climbing off the bed, standing next to it as Steve swung his legs over the edge. "Do you want me to go with you?" He offered. She shook her head, pulling her hair up and tying it. 

"Nah, I'll be ok. What, you scared I'll run away?" She attempted to lighten the mood. Steve chuckled as she walked over to the door running her fingers along the wall before pausing. He watched her small frame hesitate before shooting a short glance back at him. "Hey, uh- just…don't do anything stupid till I get back." She pleaded, earnest concern in her tone as he pushed off the bed. 

A soft smirk came to his face and he lifted a shoulder in a lazy shrug. "How can I? You're taking all the stupid with you." He replied instantly, not giving it too much thought. Y/n scoffed, rolling her eyes and letting her fingers wrap around the doorframe as she stepped out into the hall. 

"Grandpa's got jokes now." She offered a genuine laugh, her smile lingering upon her lips. 

Then she disappeared down the hall, leaving him standing silently in the now empty room trying in vain to brush away the painful overlap. 

•••

When she got back to the apartment she packed a bag of essentials for herself, making sure to stop by Steve's room and pack a few extra clothes in case he needed them. Speaking of the man, she scoffed looking at the full sink. 

"Steven Rogers, I swear." A long sigh filled the quiet apartment as she set about washing the dishes he'd promised to take care of. While she was at it she took care of a few other chores since she wasn't sure when she would be back again. 

There wasn't much to be abandoned at the apartment other than a few plants but they'd been dead for a couple days at that point. She never had been one to have a green thumb but Steve claimed having them around gave the apartment some life. 

Ironic.

The walk back to the compound was peaceful even in the constant gloom of the city. Knowing there was a shift in the atmosphere filled her with a new type of feeling, one she hadn't experienced in a really long time.  

There had been people on the street, going about their business. Everything was dulled compared to life before the snap but she hadn't noticed until she knew there was something to be done. How many times she had gone about her life while something was happening behind the scenes that she had been so painfully oblivious to? Perhaps that was why the Sokovia Accords had been created in the first place. 

There were so many close calls the Avengers prevented that the public didn't even know about until it was on the news. Though she didn't agree with the Accords she understood the government's wish to be more aware and even in control. 

Once reaching the compound, Nat let her in through the gate and Y/n began her trek to the building. Tugging her hair free of the hair tie, it fell loose around her face and she cringed at the grease starting to build on her scalp. Moving through the halls of the compound, she let herself really explore. 

Despite years of friendship she hadn't really been at the compound for longer than a few hours at a time, most of the visit being spent in the training room with Nat. Steve explained he wanted to keep his friendship with her separate from his life as an Avenger and since she had been doing everything in her power to forget her past, she appreciated the separation. 

As she continued to wonder, she hoped there'd be a shower somewhere on the large complex. But before she could ask anyone, her silent venture was cut off by the sounds of very frantic voices coming from a door to her left. Hesitantly she stepped through, finding herself in a large open space with a very odd scene. 

 The horrid van had been brought in and the back glowed while what looked like a portal swirled inside it. A baby, she assumed to be Scott, stood on wobbly feet in a crudely made suit as everyone turned to her with alarmed expressions. Y/n dropped her bag and rushed forward, pushing Bruce aside as she pointed for Nat. 

"When I say kill the reactor, kill it!" Y/n demanded, adjusting the calculations on the panel as Nat rapidly walked over to the reactor. 

"Kill it!" Y/n called. Nat's frantic hands quickly pulled down the knob, turning off the reactor before looking back over to the van. Scott had returned to his position and normal age, his face contorted in shock and confusion. 

"Somebody peed my pants." Scott proclaimed making Nat sigh, walking over to them. Y/n let go of her own sigh of relief, stepping away from the control panel. Bruce looked over the work she'd done, his eyes widening for a split second before returning to Scott. 

"God, I leave you guys alone for one hour! I told you not to do anything!" She cried, sending an aggravated look at Steve. He cowered under her detested glare, bringing his hand to the back of his neck. 

"But I don't know if it was 'baby' me or 'old' me...or just 'me' me." Scott elaborated, earning an annoyed stare from Y/n. However Bruce did not share her agitation, holding up his hands dramatically. 

"Time travel!" He announced, a proud grin on his face as he looked to the others for the same enthusiasm. Steve refused to reply instead shaking his head and stalking off toward the exit while Y/n tried to calm her racing heart. She made them promise to wait for her. She knew something like this would happen. 

"What? I..I see this as an absolute win!" Bruce called after Steve. Nat and Y/n looked at one another before moving to check on Scott. He was fine other than some wet pants and suit which Y/n painfully took knowing they'd need the suit for another test run, one she knew she'd be leading. 

"Here, Bruce." Y/n tossed him the suit. He caught it with a scrunched nose, holding it at arm's length with a disgusted expression. 

"That's what you get for not waiting." 

Part eight

Taglist:

@cancanmarvel

@jessyballet

@eldahae

@mc225g

@kissesofdeadforme

@wantingtobekorra

@sxphiiwrld

@lunaticbarnes

@indecisivedolly

@saiyanprincesswanie

@lextheflexsthings

[natashaashleymarvelromanoff]

I'm So Glad You’re Back - Chapter 5

Chapter 1.  Chapter 2.  Chapter 3.  Chapter 4.  Chapter 6.  Chapter 7.  Chapter 8.  Chapter 9.  Chapter 10.  Chapter 11.  Chapter 12.  Chapter 13.  Chapter 14.  Chapter 15.  Epilogue

See you in a minute

After Tony had refused to help them with their plan, Scott and Natasha made their way to find Bruce. Or professor hulk as he was called now. It was still a little strange to see Bruce as the hulk but she'd gotten used to it by now. However, Scott was mesmerised. She even had to elbow him a few times since he lost concentration because he was staring at Bruce so much. She supposes to be fair on his part he hadn't actually met Bruce before so seeing him like this would have been a lot to process.

They had met in the diner for lunch and told Bruce about their plans, Bruce had been more than happy to help them. He understood how his friends must have been feeling and he too would do anything to get their lost friends back.

….

Now back at the compound the next day, Bruce, Scott and Natasha had set up some equipment that attached to Scott's ugly brown van and Bruce had set up his station to control where Scott's presence in the quantum realm so that he didn't get lost.

But once they started up the machine and sent Scott into the quantum realm. It went a little wrong. Okay, maybe a lot wrong. Somehow they managed to turn Scott into a teenager, old man and baby before they had to cut the power and bring the normal Scott back.

As Bruce and Scott argued about how to fix the technical equipment to make it work, Natasha left the room. Opening the doors to the outside hangar, the Russian walked over to one of the pillars, leaned against it and let out a deep sigh. She felt defeated.

How were they supposed to get everyone back if they couldn't even help Scott travel safely through the quantum realm?

Maybe all this was a lost cause. She thought.

Deep in her unhopeful thoughts, Natasha didn't notice the car pulling down the driveway until it was a few yards away. Whipping her head up at the sound of the engine, the redhead instantly recognised the sleek Audi as Tony's.

Pulling up alongside her, Tony parked the car, got out and walked over to her.

“So let me guess. You turned Scott into a baby?” the genius sniggered at her with a smirk on his face.

Jutting her chin to the side in annoyance since she knew Tony was right, the first female avenger nodded and rolled her eyes at him.

Tony’s smirk getting even bigger he also laughed a little louder which in turn, made Natasha give in to laughing too.

“Yeah, and an old man. I don't think its gonna work tony.” Still smiling at the events from a few minutes ago, Natasha voiced her worries to tony, her smile faulting slightly.

“Well that's a shame, I guess I'll just head home them and not share my super awesome time travel plans with you, you know since I figured it out.”

As tony turned to walk back to his car, Natasha's eyes widened. Only realising what her friend had said.

"What did you just say?” Almost running the short distance between her and Tony, she looked up at him with hopeful eyes, but she was also in disbelief.

"I figured it out nat. I know how to time travel, and it's completely safe.” his brown eyes beamed at her when he told Natasha. He still couldn't believe it himself, to be honest.

If it wasn't for that picture of Peter he had saved in his kitchen, he doesn't think he ever would have tried to figure it out.

When he saw that picture it stirred some feelings inside of him. He loved that kid. Tony knew he never said it but he did. Yeah, he was annoying at times and was a pain in the ass but he loved the kid. It hurt to even think about him. Of course after he got back from space he had asked about his aunt may and friends, but unfortunately, they hadn't made it. Tony still felt guilty to this day. And he was sure if it was any other time he saw that picture of the two of them he would have just thought about Peter and put it back down. But Scott and Natasha's words had stuck with him all day. That photo. That photo was his reason to at least try and he did.

"Oh my god. You did it? wait. I thought you said you didn't want any part in this?” Natasha hopeful face transformed into a confused one.

“I know, but then I realised you were right. As much as I hate to admit that to your stupid face. We have a chance again. After 5 years and we should take it. But Tasha, if we're gonna do this, we need to make sure that we don't change anything. I don't want to risk losing the life I have now. And I'm sure you don't want to either.” Tony really hated admitting she was right, and naturally, she was loving it, listening to his words with a smirk of her face.

"Of course, I don't. I don't want to lose anything either. All I want is to bring everyone back.” Natasha's face softened as she watched tony.

"Okay then. Let's get started.”

As tony shuffled backwards to go to the boot of his car, Natasha stopped in her place, only just realising that something was missing. Or rather someone.

“Wait. Wheres James?”

“Oh yeah I forgot to tell you, I figured since we were gonna build a time machine it would be best to not have a 5-year-old running around near it just in case we lost him in the 1700s by accident.” Tony joked at her. Laughing at him, Natasha just agreed with him. He was right. She didn't want James near any of it just in case something went wrong.

Then after she had laughed at him, Tony pulled something out of his boot. Natashas breath caught in her throat as she instantly recognised the rounded surface.

Steve shield.

“I figured if we're gonna do this, you should have this. I don't know why I didn't give it back to you before but I guess better late than never.

You don't have to use it of course, but I just thought to have this on you, it would almost feel like he's there with you.”

Taking the large shield of him, Natasha felt her eyes brimming. She tried to sniff her nose to keep them from falling and she flashes the genius a smile. She remembered the last she saw it, back in Germany. Nearly 7 years ago now. Even though she wanted to take it with her on their mission, she knew she couldn't. It was steves shield, if something happened to her she didn't want to take it.

“Thank you, Tony.” She told him, in the sincerest voice she could. She really was thankful.

Tony and Natasha let themselves back inside where Tony explained he had figured out how to time travel. After a few hours. The 4 had the beginning of a plan. First, get everyone back on earth, then build the machine inside the hangar. They didn't have a solid plan on what to do exactly once they had built the time machine but a vague plan was formed to get the stones first before Thanos could get them.

As the boys got on with building the time machine, Natasha made video calls to all of their fellow Avengers and Guardians. She didn't explain in detail but Natasha had told them that they had a new plan on how to get everyone back and she would explain when they got here. Unfortunately, she couldn't reach carol but once Carol saw her video calls she was sure her son’s aunt would come as soon as possible.

Rocket and Nebula where the first ones to come back home as well as Rhodey.

Herself, Scott, Tony and Bruce explained to them all their plan. Most of them are sceptical at first but once Tony had explained that the details and that he was confident it would work, they accepted it. It also helped that rocket was on board with the plan and was also confident that it would work.

That left only Clint and Thor. Once Rhodey had returned to the compound he had informed Natasha that he thinks he knows where Clint is. This is the closest they have gotten to finding him. It was either now or never.

Natasha took the opportunity immediately. If anyone was going to get him it was going to be her. She hadn't seen him in 5 years. She had missed him so much. He was her oldest friend in this world and Natasha was determined to bring him back, and hopefully telling him about their new plan would convince him.

Since it had been nighttime where Thor was when they had been building the machine, she couldn't call him until it was the day for him, but since she was on her way to Tokyo she had Bruce make the call instead. Bruce had informed her that Thor would be at the compound by the end of the day. Natasha was relieved to hear it. She knew Thor had been depressed since the snap and she tried her best to make him feel better. She'd been there before so if there was anything she could do to help one of her closest friends she would.

…..

Arriving in Tokyo Natasha turned on the Quinjet's stealth mode, to make sure Clint wouldn't hear or see her and run.

As she walked through the alleyway littered with bodies Natasha approached the former archer. Now known as Ronin to his victims and enemies.

His back was turned to her as she stepped closer, then when she stopped, her oldest friend removed his hood. She couldn't help but think he looked different. His hair. His face. His eyes. They were the eyes of a distraught man. A man who had lost his entire family. But no matter what he had done, no matter what happened Clint would always be her friend and she would never judge him on his actions. He never judged her, instead, he saved her all those years ago. And she was just about to return that favour.

Natasha knew she maybe treading on eggshells when she moved closer to him but she needed him to know she still loved him. After all this time, She was finally speaking to him again.

“Clint. Killing all these people isn't going to bring your family back. We found something. A chance maybe…” her voice was soft, the same voice she used to speak to James when he was sad.

"Don't” Clint's voice was harsh as he spoke. The first words she had hear him say in 5 years.

"Don't what?”

“Give me hope” his voice broke. Throughout the years he had held onto hope that one day his wife and children would come back, but as time and time went on, he lost that hope. Clint didn't know if he could handle having that hope ripped away from him again.

"I'm sorry I couldn't give it to you sooner” she took another step closer. Just an arm's length away. The colourful neon signs were their only source of light as the former spy looked at her friend. Slowly raising her arm, she took Clint's hand in her own. Trying her best to comfort him right now.

It took a few minutes for Clint to agree to leave with her, but once he did they both made their way to the quinjet and set course to the compound in New York.

The ride home wasn't too long since they had taken the quinjet, but Clint had been near enough quiet the entire time. She had spoken to him and he had just listened. Natasha told him about their friends, who had survived and who didn't. The guardians and Carol who were their space team. But she neglected to mention James and morgan. Natasha didn't think telling him about her son and Tony's daughter would be the best idea, especially since he had lost his own kids and was still mourning for them.

Once the two former assassins arrived back at the compound they were greeted by their team and thor who had arrived just a few hours before them.

Thor had looked quite sad when Clint laid eyes on him, he still kinda looked the same since the last time he saw him, but his long hair was slightly scruffier like he hadn't brushed it in a while and he looked smaller if that was even possible. It was almost like he’d lost some of the bulk of his muscle. But once the god's eyes landed on nat, they lit up, with a smile on his face to accompany them. He almost considered it strange at first until he realised that they probably kept in contact for the past few years. Natasha had told him about what happened to Thor before Thanos came. It didn't surprise him after that, that the god and Natasha would be close.

After greeting Thor with a smile and a big bear hug, Natasha made it a point to notice how far their time travel machine was coming on and impressively they had almost finished thanks to Rockets help. Natasha figured him and Tony would get this done quick, not that Bruce wasn't a big help but he was a bit too big to get into the smaller details although he did do most of the heavy lifting and Scott helped with the engineering, when he volunteered to do it everyone had given him a quizzical look, until he reminded everyone about his degrees.

This was it, they were almost there. Not long now.

It had been so long since Clint had been at this stupid compound. Now that he thinks about it, it has been almost 7 years. He remembered setting of the alarms off base so he could get wanda out. Wanda. It hurt to know she had gone too. He felt responsible for her after her brother sacrificed himself for him, she was so young too. He almost thought of her as a daughter.

As he followed Natasha through the compound to the common room, Clint got lost in his thoughts, thinking about all of his friends. It wasn't until his foot kicked something on the floor that he was broken out of his trance.

Looking down, Clint noticed that the thing he had kicked was a toy? Furrowing his eyebrows he stared at the child's toy in confusion.

Natasha had walked further on than him into the kitchen, not noticing his frozen posture.

As clint stared at the toy at his feet, the father of 3 started to notice more toys. They almost littered the floor if It wasn't for a box in the corner that had been placed there to keep them tidied away.

There were crayons scattered across the table, drawings covering the walls. Toy cars on the floor placed to look like they were racing each other. As clint looked around the room his eyes started to well. Seeing all these toys, it reminded him of home. His kids. Cooper, Lila and Nate.

Natasha hadn't noticed clint had stopped to stare at the toys in the room until she turned around to hand him a cup of coffee. Stopping instantly in her tracks she grimaced at the look on her friends face. She didn't even think about James's toys when they had come back.

“Nat. who’s toys are these?”

Moving her feet so she could walk closer to clint, Natasha stopped in front of him. Placing the two cups onto the table, Natasha took a breath and looked him in the eye with a small smile on her face.

“They're my son’s.”

“What?” she had a son? That didn't make any sense. He thought she couldn't- Clint's eyebrows knitted themselves together even further, obviously curious about her answer.

“About a month after the snap, I found out I was 2 months pregnant.”

“2 months? But that means you got pregnant when you were- oh.” Clint's sudden realisation made him lose his voice. If she was pregnant when the snap happened, it meant she conceived the baby before. And before the snap, her sam and Steve were on the run together.

He knew that nat and Sam had just been friends and that's all. But Steve, nat and Steve were possibly even closer than him and her. They had been partners during shield. They had run the Avengers as co loaders after Ultron. And she had betrayed tony for him during the battle in Germany. He had no doubt, that Natasha's child was Steves. No doubt at all.

“Yeah” Natasha nodded at his silent conclusion. She leaned over to a cabinet at the side of the room and pulled a picture frame from it. The redhead passed it over to her friend for him to see.

It was a picture of her and James. She was pretty sure it had been pepper that took it one Christmas, James had a smile as big as a Cheshire cat on his face as she held him in her arms, both wearing garish red and green sweaters that lit up. A gift from tony of course.

“His name is James. James Samuel Clinton Rogers.” clients breath caught in his throat as he heard his name. She gave her son his name?

“Congratulations nat. Really. I know you would never admit it but I know you always wanted this. Even when you believed you could never have it. I'm really happy for you, and Steve. I know he isn't here but I know he’d to be so happy for you too.” as he finishes his sentence, Clint actually smiles at her. This was the first time she had seen him smile since she got him back. And she's guessing its probably the first time he's smiled in a long time. Leaning in she wraps her arms around her oldest friend embracing him into a hug. Clint was hesitant at first to receive the gentle contact. He hadn't been hugged in years. But once he felt the familiar feeling of safety with his friend, he instantly returned the gesture with the picture frame still in his hand..

“We're gonna do this Clint. We are. We're gonna get them back.” After pulling back from their hug Natasha reassured him of their goal. He nodded at her words to make her feel better but honestly, he was still trying to not give too much hope to the idea. Truthfully he was terrified that if he focused all his efforts and hope into bringing his family back and he failed, that he would completely lose himself and the man he was would never return. No matter who came to save him.

…..

It didn't take the Avengers long to work out a solid plan. With the help of everyone in the room, they figured out exactly where the stones had been before Thanos had taken them and even narrowed it down so that they didn't have to make multiple jumps

The plan was clear.

Jump back to the past. Get the stones. Do not let anything that already happened change. Jump back to the present. Use the stones with the new gauntlet. Bring everyone back. Return the stones to exactly where they got them from.

Sounds easy enough right? That's what they thought.

As Tony and nebula finished making the last of the bracelets for the team. The rest of the gang were planning on who would go to which destination to collect the stones.

Tony, Scott and Bruce would travel to 2012, during Loki's attack on New York to get the time, mind, and space stone.

Thor and rocket would go to Asgard in 2014. The same time Jane had been possessed by the reality stone.

Then Rhodey, Nebula, Natasha and Clint would jump to 2014 too. But rhodey and nebula would go after the power stone on Morag and Natasha and clint would fly the Benetar to Vormir, collecting the soul stone.

“Sounds good. Anyone wanna back out before its too late?” Clint questioned. Suddenly 9 pairs of eyes started to shift around the room, interested to see if anyone would do as Clint said.

But no one did. This was it. They finally had a chance, after 5 excruciating years of giving up hope. they were finally going to bring everyone they loved back.

…..

9 bodies stood on the platform around the time machine. 9 nervous people who wanted to bring their family back, and would do whatever it takes to do it.

They had all been silent with worry as they stood on the time machine. Natasha noticed the looks on her friend's faces and spoke up.

“5 years ago, we lost. All of us. We lost friends. We lost family and we lost a part of ourselves. Today we get a chance to take it all back. Remember your missions. Stick with your teams. Don't let anything mess this up. If you can, try to avoid changing anything that could affect us. We don't get do-overs. Be careful. Look out for each other.  This is the fight our lives. And we're going to win, whatever it takes. Does everyone understand.”

As she looked around at her team she saw each one nod at her. Following their orders from their captain. It was strange to be in charge of a team again, considering the last time she was it was with Steve, and with different teammates. But she fell right back into her old position.

“Shes really good at that huh?” Rocket piped up, making Natasha smirk at the little racoon.

Looking down from his height, Scott smiled at Rocket and agreed. He really was a big fan of the Avengers. Kiss ass.

“Okay, let's do this.” Tony said as they all punched in their coordinates and bruce activates the timer on the control panel. Then they waited for Friday to count down from ten, Natasha gave a final look to her team before they jumped and smiled as she said.

“See you in a minute.”

[theasgardianbuckylaufeyson]

Marvel Preferences~ Your First Meeting

Tony Stark: This was the first business meeting Toni has been to in a while but it was the only one that he actually gives a shit about. This deal was to merge his company with a well known home technology corporation. All he could focus in as her walked into the board room was how much safer this would make everyone and how much easier it would make his job protecting said people. Only those thoughts are wiped completely from his mind when he seen you sitting in the chair opposite his. You on the other hand seemed rather unimpressed by the arrival of your soon to be business partner. On the outside you held a stone expression having already read up what you needed to know about the billionaire genius, but on the inside you were internally screaming. No amount of informant sheets could prepare you for how handsome the man before you looked.

After clearing his throat he steps forward and offers you his hand, “You must be Ms. Y/L/N.”

“Oh please, call me Y/N. And you must be Mr. Stark,” you replay as you rise from your seat and slip your hand in his expecting him to offer you a handshake.

Instead he turns your hand up right and places a kiss on the top before responding, “Please, call me Tony Mr. Stark was my father.”

Steve Rogers: It was nice for as early as it was in New York that morning but no one was going to complain, especially not you. Deciding to take advantage of the weather as much as you could even though you had to work that day you leashed up your dog and walked towards the park near your house. It was typically pretty quiet so you knew it would be the perfect spot. Steve had the same idea when his alarm woke him up and he soon discovered the weather. Quickly slipping on his running clothes and shoes he heads outside and to the one place he thinks is truly peaceful. He knew not many people came here at this time of day because he always ran there so he wasn’t paying attention to your dog running straight towards him in route for the stick that had landed a few feet away. Y/D/N crashed right into his legs causing him to topple to the ground with a huff.

“Oh my gosh I’m so sorry about that. I wasn’t paying attention when I threw the stick, I figured people normally weren’t here this early in the morning,” you exclaim while helping him stand back on his feet.

“It’s not a problem ma’am, I’m sure this little guy didn’t mean it anyway,” Steve replies petting your dogs head as he does so.

Bucky Barnes: The one time Steve convinced Bucky to visit the Captain America exhibit in the Smithsonian you were there intently studying the section dedicated to Sergeant James Buchanan Barnes. The two men watched you from afar at first, studying your every movement but attempting not to seem like creeps at the same time. After a few minutes more of staring Bucky couldn’t take it anymore and gave into his curiosity before he could stop himself. Walking right up to you he tried to muster up as much of his old courage and charm that he could before asking, “What ya doing there doll?”

Startled you slam your notebook to your chest and nervously shift your eyes anywhere but to the man beside you, “Im uh. I’m taking down some notes for a report I’m writing for my blog.”

“And what could there be to report on a dead guy?” the man questions with a snort.”

“A lot more than you think,” you retort before mumbling under your breath, “Especially when he's not dead you idiot.”

The comment was so quiet a normal person wouldn’t have heard it, but Bucky did and he stiffened instantly. If you knew he was alive that meant you knew he was the winter soldier. It also meant that you could possibly recognized him if you looked at him. After a moment of silence he decided he didn’t want to take the chance and bolted to where Steve stood in front of the video of Peggy. As he dragged a confused and dazed Steve out of the building he left an equally confused you behind.

Thor Odinson: You were friends with Pepper as well as both the female Avengers so naturally you were invited to all of Toni’s parties. And every time you said yes, no matter if you wanted to go or not because there was nothing like a Stark party. Tonight was one of those nights. You were wrapped in you Y/F/C dress all dolled up and leaning against the side of the bar, but you wished at that very moment you were anywhere else. While you were drowning in your own thoughts and wine coolers you didn’t notice the god admiring your from where he stood with Steve across the room. After another cup of Asgardian alcohol and some more encouragement from Steve, Thor finally makes his way over to where you are perched.

Offering you a warm smile he begins to speak, “Hello my lady, I am Thor the God of Thunder.”

“Hello Thor, I am Y/N,” you reply with a giggle as you take in the features of the god before you.

Clint Barton: Today was the first day of Avengers training. Before this you were just a typical assassin until SHIELD realized you were more than human. Your parents were fallen agents of HYDRA and injected you with the super soldier serum at a young age hoping it would turn you into one of their greatest assets. Instead their plans backfired and they created their greatest enemy. When you were old enough to leave you did and from that day on you were always with SHIELD. That was how you ended up in the Avengers training room now with both Black Widow and Captain America flanking you on either side ready for you to show them what you got. First Natasha approached you, but you’ve been doing this so much that you predicted her moves before she even took her first step and easily had her on the mat. Steve took a bot more force to take down, but using the momentum you had from Natasha you took him down just as fast leaving face to face with a man in the doorway of the room.

He began to clap slowly as he approached you, “I was coming to see if Nat wanted to train, but it looks like she has her hands full..I’m Clint.”

“I’m Y/N.”

Sam Wilson: You worked as a volunteer for numerous support groups and other veteran situations so when you got a call from a friend today asking you to fill in for her you didn’t really think twice about saying yes. Instead you got dressed and raced over to the building the session was being held in as fast as you could to help whoever she was supposed to work with that day. When you arrived you were greeted by a man’s back as he set up pamphlets by the door, oblivious to your arrival as it appeared.

Stepping forward you clear your throat and speak up, “Uh hi, Y/F/N couldn’t make it today so she asked me to fill in for her. I’m sorry I’m late, but this one last minute so I tried to get over as fast as I could.”

It is then that the man turns around with a smile present on his face, “That’s not a problem, I would've done the session alone if i had to.”

With a nod of understanding you offer him your hand, “Im Y/N Y/L/N.” “Sam Wilson,” he replies shaking your hand

Loki Laufeyson: You had been trapped in the dungeons of Asgard fora crime you didn’t do for longer than you could remember. There was word spread that your were a dark elf working for to turn on Odin and overthrown the throne. The only reason they didn’t execute you was because not all of their story checked out, Instead they locked you away until they knew they truth, the only issue was they weren’t trying to find any other leads leaving you down here to rot. Until one night when you’re nearly asleep on your cot you hear someone being thrown into the cell beside yours. Sitting up in shock you look over to see the one and only Prince of Asgard, Loki, being tossed into the cell angry and screaming. Though the guards didn’t acknowledge his tantrum you were staring intently at the man since he had grown into a handsome prince since you last saw him. When he realized you were staring though he instantly put an illusion up causing you to return to your attempted sleep.

Peter Parker: Today you started at one of the est school’s New York could offer and to say you were nervous would be an understatement. Even though you excelled at you old school, everyone who went here excelled at something or everything. As you walked the halls trying to find your first class you weren’t paying attention to what was in front of you and plowed right into a girl walking down the halls in the opposite direction.

“I am so sorry. I should have been paying more attention to where I was going instead of the school map,” you say quickly while trying to pick up your things.

“It’s cool. You must be the new girl, I’m Mj,” the girl replies brushing herself off.

“Yeah that’s me,” you sigh before studying your map again.

“What class do you have?”

“Uh, english.”

“Oh, that’s on the way to my class. I could show you if you want,” Mj offers kindly motioning to the way she was previously going.

“Really that’d be great, thanks,” you reply rushing to follow her.

When you reached the classroom you said goodbye and parted ways with her. You had seen Mj a few more times throughout the day so when lunch rolled around you were relieved to see her face once again. As you scanned the lunchroom for an open seat she called your name, drawing the attention of the other students in the cafeteria as well. Quickly you made your way to the open seat beside her and sat down smiling at all the other kids already seated at the table.

“Hi, Im Y/N,” you say introducing yourself with a smile.

“Im Ned and this is Peter,” one of the two boys across from you answers while the other just sits there dumbfounded.

[drkoestersmithrpg]

Ok here is Chapter 4

“Nobabybabyno,” Tony gasped, scooping up Peter in his arms and holding him close.  He rocked him back and for, shushing him, and started to speak.

But then he seemed to think better of it and said nothing at all, simply holding Peter and stroking his hair.  After a few moments, he even started singing softly (something by Black Sabbath, Peter thought, although gently, like a lullaby.)

It was almost too sweet to interrupt, as embarrassing as it all was, and Peter relaxed in his embrace and let him continue.  

“I’ll delete it if you need me too,” Tony finally said softly, finally loosening his arms enough to look Peter in the face.

Peter looked up in confusion.  Only as the man kept talking did he remember what Tony had said right before the tears began.

“But baby, I need it,” he was saying, and sincerity in his eyes kept Peter from interrupting.  “I’ll trade <i>any</i> sexual favor you want for it, and I mean anything. Absolutely anything.  Any position, any country, just name it.  I’ll even put on a leather bustier and fishnet stockings and dance to “Singing in the Rain” in front of you and all of your friends, but, Peter, I’ve got to keep it.  

“Because, baby, you’re not going to keep making those noises.  Eventually you’re going to adjust to that feeling and that position…that’s not bad that’s just normal…. and it won’t be new and emotional anymore…what you gave me that night….”

Tony was struggling a little with his words, and Peter, oddly, found comfort in that.

“Tonight was the closest you’re ever going to get to sounding the way you sounded that night.  And that’s mine, and according to you, it’s only mine, and I need it.  

“But I can’t begrudge you your Damn Millennial Ethics.”

There was pain in his face, now, and Peter buried his own face into Tony’s shirt, hiding from it, knowing it was there. 

“But.  One word.” He whispered.  “One word from you will silence me on this subject forever.” 

 Peter pushed himself away from Tony’s embrace to look up into his face.  Listening to the older man struggle with his words, somehow, made it easier to speak his own.  So he took a deep, shaking breath and (after wiping away all the damn tears, of course) said:

“Don’t delete it.”

He spoke quietly.   He didn’t want his voice to quaver, and he knew it would if he said it any louder now. “I don’t want you to delete it.  It is yours.  It’s yours, and it’s only yours, and I want you to have it.”

“Thank you,” Tony said, relieved, and kissed him on the head.

“Just DON’T call it the “Twink Protocol…..”

“Toolatealreadyfiledit” he said casually.

Peter would have protested but now Tony was laying him down upon the bed gently.  Peter looked down – the man was gloriously naked from the waist down and still hard – but Tony was looking intensely in his face and seemed to be struggling to say something, so Peter waited.

Finally, he reached out to wipe away a stray tear from Peter’s face and said

“Do we need a safety word?”

And Peter, who had been thinking about it for quite a while, answered immediately.

“Yeah.  The safety word is “I hate it.””

He watched Tony think about it for a moment, then he nodded.

“So …..was this about the recording?”  he said gently, touching the place where tears drying on Peter’s face.

Peter groaned and covered his eyes.  “I don’t know – I don’t know – I was doing so well! But then I came so hard and after that…”

“You said you wanted me to keep going after that.”

“Oh god I did, and it felt amazing.  And when you stopped at the beginning and….let me catch my breath….I thought that was really good.  I think it made me louder,” he grinned, realizing that all he ever had to do to get Tony to do anything would be to say “I think it will make me louder.”

“But after that?”  Tony pressed.

Peter turned his head to hide in Tony’s shirt again. He couldn’t say what was more embarrassing, being caught crying or being completely unable to explain it.  The overwhelming feeling like a little kid made is cheeks burn.

“Ok,” Tony said indulgently, “Different question.”

He stroked Peter’s chest down the center and waited until Peter looked back up.  Then, giving Peter his best bedroom eyes, he started speaking.

“You were a good boy Peter, you brought Daddy the recording on your phone, but like you were told to.  You were a <i>very</i> good boy, and you’ll get a treat.”

As he spoke he lightly caressed Peter’s nipple, then pressed his whole hand down upon it as it pebbled to his touch.  Peter’s eyes fluttered as he floated on sensation (not just of the touch but at the words “good boy,” which were making him tingle, making him hard all over again.)

 “But now I need you to be straight with me,” he said, his voice changing a little, moving his hand to rest at Peter’s waist.  “Safety word question.

“Recording your Fuckbuddies, does that fall into Hate Territory?” he asked, and when Peter opened his eyes he very  suddenly found that frustrated feeling, that like-a-little-kid feeling, was gone.

He suddenly found himself rising from the bed, calm and confident.  Because he knew the answer the question.

He sat up and lookedTony steadfastly in the eye.

“No.  I get it,” he said, putting one solid hand on Tony’s shoulder.

“You’re Tony Stark.  You’re possessive.  You’re territorial.

<i>“I like it.”</i>

Tony tried to hide his expression – he nodded and then lay down on the bed casually, his arms under his head.

Peter copied him, positioning his arms a little under Tony’s, lying close but not touching, and congratulated himself.

Micro expressions of surprise and arousal went by fast, but Peter was getting good at catching them.

“Ashley is next in order, although I don’t know if he’ll agree to it.  But Percy will, definitely…”

“It’s not necessary,” Tony started, but Peter interrupted boldly.

“Oh no, you asked, and now you get.  Besides, I like the way you fuck me after you watch me with other guys.”

He looked for a reaction, but Tony only shrugged.

“But there’s no point now,” he said with exaggerated casualness.  “We already know what makes you make *that* noise.  You said it yourself.  With the Genius Returner Study-buddies you were always in control.  They told you what they wanted, but you always told them how it was going to work.  So there you were, always on top, if you were taking a dick for the first time or the fifth time.  You said it, “I like to be in control.”  Even there…” he said, pointing at the airscreen, still activated, currently showing the folder of videos sent directly to Tony’s secure line.  “Just listen to yourself.  I mean you’re very polite and sensitive and sweet and all that Millennial shit, but you’re still telling him what to do.  He didn’t even bend you over, you bent yourself.  

“So you were partially right, it wasn’t because I was the first one to give you a good pounding from behind…”

“First off” Peter interrupted.   “’That Millennial shit’ is called good manners.  Second….” He had to stop and laugh about it. He laughed at it until Tony got annoyed.

“What?”

“Oh poor Tony.  You just had to have documentation of all the boys that fucked me before you, just so you could compare, but now what are you going to do?”

He reached up and stroked Tony’s face.

“There isn’t anyone on the planet that can control me.  There isn’t anyone, not even an Avenger, that’s strong enough to make me do something I don’t want to do.”

 He was proud of himself, proud of his boldness, but of course Tony had to shrug it all off and continue his study of the ceiling.

“Well….” he said finally, and Peter looked up.

“We could continue the experiment – with the right Avenger. Maybe Bruce when he…”

“OH PLEASE.  I don’t think so.”

“I don’t know, he can get pretty big.  And his hands are like the size of….”

“Whatever, I’d just punch him and then he’d get bigger and then he’d punch me and then I’d punch him and he would get bigger and then we’d wind up taking down an entire building and we’d both forget all about the sex, so what would be the point?”  

“Alright, Thor…”

“No.  I’d get all tangled up in his draperies.  Dude I don’t even know what to say during sex, how am I going to talk all Shakespearian??”

“You’re damn lucky Cap is 90 and tragically heterosexual.”

“Still wouldn’t work – he’s not nearly as hung as you.”

Peter looked up slyly.

“Never trust Nat.  She tells tales.”

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

there’s more of course - what WAS chapter 3 is turning into 3 chapters - unless I’m cutting these things off to fast, I can’t tell.

[shesgayfor]

What Happened in Wakanda

Summary: Post CA:CW, pre Infinity War. Steve visits Bucky after he comes out of cryo in Wakanda. Steve encourages Bucky to have his teeth looked at when he notices a chipped tooth. How does Bucky deal with it?

Characters: Steve Rogers, Bucky Barnes, Shuri

TW: Dental, Anxiety

Steve had just gotten word that Bucky was coming out of the ice for the first time in months. The last he saw Bucky was right after Sokovia, as Bucky made the decision to go back under. Shuri, Wakanda’s youngest genius, found a way to deprogram Bucky’s brain and he was finally going to wake up. Steve was on the run but he had to make time to go see Bucky’s coming out of the ice. It had been a few days that Bucky came back, cooped up with Shuri, keeping an eye on him to make sure nothing happened. He’d been hooked up to wires and monitors for a bit, but Shuri was trying to make him as comfortable as possible.

Steve was being walked into the area where Bucky was by some Wakandan guards. Steve’s eyes lit up at the sight of him, happy to see him finally awake.

“Hey Buck.” Steve spoke out into the air getting his attention.

“Steve, whoa, hey.” A huge smile breaking across his face. He got up out of the chair he was sitting in, to further walk towards Steve. Bucky was the first to throw hands around him, as Steve returned the gesture. They held onto each other tightly, making up lost time.

“How are you doing?” Steve carefully examined Bucky’s face.

“Better.” He replied with a smile. Steve noticed as Bucky smiled that one of his teeth were chipped. He didn’t say anything, just kept it in mind.

“Shuri and T’Challa treating you well here?” Steve said as Shuri walked into earshot. Bucky smiled again before turning back to where Shuri was walking from.

“You know we are, Captain Rogers!” Shuri exclaimed in her enthusiastic, sarcastic tone.

“I can’t thank you guys enough, it just means so much to me that you’re taking care of him.” Steve says.

“It is our pleasure. How are you doing, Captain?” She asked.

“It’s rough not going to lie. Nat, Sam and I are keeping each other company though.” Shuri smiled and looked between Steve and Bucky, before walking off again. Bucky brought Steve to the room he’d been spending his time in for the past few days. Bucky motioned for Steve to sit on the bed he’d been sleeping in as Bucky sat right next to him.

“So, how are you feeling?” Steve asked.

“I don’t know, it’s hard to explain. My head feels clearer, I’m starting to remember things.”

“That’s good! What are you remembering?”

“I don’t know if it’s a good thing.” He nervously laughed. Steve took notice of the tooth again. Why is it chipped? How? Drop it, Steve.

“Why?”

“I’m remembering things I did, as the winter soldier.” Bucky went silent after he spoke.

“Buck, I, I’m so sorry.” Steve placed on hand on his shoulder.

“Shuri is trying to work on something to block all that out, but I don’t really know if it’s possible.”

“Are you having any good memories?”

Bucky laughed. “Yes actually, I remember all the times we used to walk around the town back in Brooklyn. In the 40’s.”

“Ah wow, yeah good times.” Steve replied.

“I mostly remember you being smaller than me. Now you’re not and, it’s such a crazy memory.” Bucky was smiling again.

“Buck can I ask a question?”

“Yeah, what is it?” Bucky’s face turned to one of concern.

“What happened to your, your, your tooth?” He didn’t want to be rude but he was mildly concerned.

“I don’t know, I woke up like it. Shuri said it’s probably because of the ice.” Bucky shrugged.

“Are you going to get it checked?”

“Maybe at some point? I’m letting them do what they need I don’t want to impede.”

“I can ask Shuri if she can set it up?”

“Uh, no it’s okay Steve.”

“No?”

Bucky looked nervous, his hand fidgeting with his pants. “It’s okay.”

“Buck? What’s going on?” Steve’s concern grew larger.

“Steve I, I haven’t been to a dentist since 1940. Hydra experimented on my teeth and chipped and pulled some out I don’t really want to relive that right now.” Bucky was on the verge of tears.

“I’m sorry I didn’t know. I can be there to accompany you?” Steve offered. Bucky eyes were leaking at this point. Steve started rubbing Bucky’s back to comfort him. “I can’t imagine the pain you’re feeling right now. But if that pain could be taken away wouldn’t you want that?” Steve’s voice was soft and comforting.

“Yes. Yes I would.” Bucky managed through tears.

Steve talked to Shuri, who talked to the medical staff, who arranged a private appointment for Bucky to get his teeth checked out. It happened a couple hours later while Steve was still visiting. Shuri brought Bucky and Steve into one of the private exam rooms upstairs. Bucky took a seat on the table that looked like a bed. It didn’t resemble a threatening chair at all.

“So Bucky, I will be here the entire time as will Captain Rogers. You are in good hands with this medical staff, and with our technology you should not feel any pain, okay?” Shuri walked closer to Bucky, explaining everything. He nodded in response. Steve took a seat in a chair floating on the side. Moments later, two women walked into the room with white coats on and materials in hand. Shuri was going to lead the appointment while the trained medical staff did the real work.

Bucky’s chest started pumping harder, as Steve noticed it very quickly. “It’s gonna be okay Buck.” He whispered, but loud enough that Bucky could hear.

“Bucky, go ahead and place your head here.” Shuri gestured to the padded headrest at the end of the bed table. Bucky did as he was told, lying down with his hand resting on his stomach. The fingers on his only hand were intertwining each other, trying to relieve some major anxiety he was feeling. The two dentist’s began to set up their area, as one of the clipped a light to the side of the bed and aimed it directly at Bucky’s mouth. They both pulled masks over their faces, and pulled out tools to work with. Shuri remained standing directly next to Bucky, placing her hand on Bucky’s to calm him down. Shuri didn’t know him for very long, but she felt a strong need to protect and take care of him. She took him under her wing when he first came here, and it’s been that way ever since.

“They are going to have a look into your mouth, okay?” Shuri said again, Bucky nodding to her response. One of the dentist’s had asked Bucky to open his mouth, and he complied. She carefully looked around his mouth with her mini mirror. They spoke in their native language, as they communicated to each other what was going on in his mouth. Bucky’s eyes nervously traveled to Shuri, as she continued to do her best to comfort him.

Steve felt bad for him, so bad. He knew Bucky didn’t want to go through this, but Steve also knew Bucky was in pain, in his mouth, but he wanted to avoid it. He couldn’t let him suffer like that, so he had to be a bit pushy and make this happen. Steve winced from behind, watching how Bucky laid there helplessly as someone probed around his mouth. It wasn’t a comfortable sight to watch at all.

More communication occurred between the two dentist’s, as the one finally removed her tools from Bucky’s mouth and shut off the light, moving it away from him. Shuri stepped aside to speak to them to find out what was going on. Bucky continued to lay still on the bed, too strung with anxiety and fear to move. He knew his mouth, it was a mess and he was going to need work done. He was just very afraid of it.

“You can sit up for this.” Shuri told Bucky. He nodded and sat himself up, looking between the dentist’s and Shuri.

“How bad is it.” He quietly asked.

Shuri grabbed Bucky’s hand and held it. “You need quite a bit done, Bucky. They can help you.”

He sighed deeply as he began to shake. “What’s going to happen.”

“We can sedate you, so you will not be awake for any of it. They said it could take hours. Or, if you’d rather not go under again, I can put something together to numb your entire mouth and you can be awake.” She offered. Bucky thought about it for a moment, trying to figure out which one he’d prefer.

“It’s okay I can go under again.”

“Of course. We can start right now if you’d like.” She felt Bucky’s hand tense under hers. He looked to Steve, who was trying to communicate a supportive look.

“Okay. Let’s get it over with.” Shuri nodded at him, as she said something to the doctors as they hurried out of the room. “Can I stay here though?”

“We can sedate you here, but we will have to move you to one of the other operating rooms that are more meant for this.” Shuri regrettably said.

Bucky’s eyes widened. “Can we do that please I’d rather not see the room.” He was panicking.

“Yes. Let me go and communicate that to them.” Shuri rushed out of the room.

Bucky looked down at his feet, looking like a lost puppy. “I’m so sorry it all came to this, I never wanted to make things difficult.” Steve spoke into the silence.

“I know Steve. It’s just, I’m remembering a lot of the things that they did to my teeth. I can feel the pain linger in my mouth. My front tooth is chipped for goodness sake. I needed this, to get help.”

“It will be okay soon enough, Shuri is going to fix you.”

“Yeah she’s been doing a lot of that lately. I don’t know what I’d be without her.” Bucky’s face fell to contempt. Steve smiled in response to him.

Shuri and one of the dentist’s walked back into the room, this time with a needle in hand. Bucky made a face at it, before he realized this isn’t the most painful thing he’s ever had to endure. He stuck his arm out, anticipating the stick. The dentist carefully prepared his arm for injection.

“This is an enhanced version of anesthesia put into a small needle.” Shuri explained. Bucky looked interested while Steve looked amazed.

“This is going to feel like a pinch.” The dentist spoke with a heavy accent, heavier than Shuri’s. Bucky nodded and he closed his eyes and the dentist carefully inserted the needle into his arm. Seconds later Bucky was falling over onto the bed as the effects of the drug kicked in immediately. Shuri and the dentist caught him and gently placed him on the bed.

“Captain Rogers, would you mind carrying him into the room?” Shuri politely asked.

“No of course.” Steve immediately got up and picked up his best friend. Bucky’s head fell backwards as Steve looked at his unconscious friend. He began to think about how this is when he is most peaceful, when he’s not awake. This made him sad, as he rested his head on Bucky’s chest.

“Captain? In here.” Shuri had walked to the other room, and Steve closely followed behind. He placed Bucky into the operating chair, one that looked like it belonged in a dentist's office.

“I see why you didn’t have him in here initially.” Steve confessed.

“Ah yes. Bucky did tell me about his triggers, and a chair of this sort was one of them.” Shuri spoke as she helped the two dentist’s prepare Bucky in the chair. An array of tools and technology was spread across a counter, all of which were going to be used on Bucky.

“Captain, I will stay in this room the entire time with Bucky, I will not leave his side. You are welcome to stay, but it will not be a pleasant sight. He needs a lot of work, which will probably take two hours. If you’d like, you can entertain yourself in any of our rooms around the building.”

Steve nodded, as he didn’t really want to watch all the work that was about to be done. Steve looked at a lifeless Bucky one last time before making the decision to walk away. “Come find me when he’s done, immediately. Please.” The please coming out broken. Shuri smiled and nodded, as Steve walked off and the exam room door closed. Steve took a deep breath, trying to rid the anxiety he was having about his best friend who was about to undergo a big dental procedure.

The two hours passed, and Shuri was shaking a sleeping Steve to wake up.

“Captain? Please wake up.” Her voice finally coming into his ears. Steve sprung up as he realized what was happening.

“Is he okay? Is he up?” Steve sleepily asked.

“He’s okay. He’s not awake. I need your help to transfer him again.” Steve immediately nodded as they headed towards the room. Shuri began to panic when she saw Bucky starting to move. “Captain I need you to move him, now please.” Her words laced with nervousness. Steve picked up his pace and picked up Bucky bridal style once again. Steve was walking down the hall to bring Bucky into the room he’d been in since he woke from cryo.

“Steve?” Bucky slurred.

“Hey Buck, it’s me.”

“What is-.” his words cut off as he closed his eyes and dozed off again. Steve’s heart sank, he felt so bad for him. They reached the room as Steve carefully placed Bucky on the bed. He rested his head on the pillow and pulled up a blanket for him. Steve stood for a second to look at his still lifeless body, overthinking his thoughts. Shuri was close behind watching all of this.

“Must be tough watching this.” Steve didn’t turn around, he continued to look at him.

“You have no idea.” His voice weepy.

“I’ll leave you guys alone. If he wakes up please call me, we need to make sure he doesn’t have a bad reaction to anything.”

Steve sat on the floor next to Bucky’s head, as he sadly looked at him. “Buck I’m so sorry. For everything. Everything you’ve been through. It’s just not fair.” Bucky continued being unconscious as Steve still spoke at him. “I think about you all the time. I think about the train. About hydra. About what just happened a few months ago. This shouldn’t have been your life but it is. It was. Now I’m on the run you know because of everything, but coming here to see you is just so painful.” Tears began to stream down his face. He was saying everything he’s always wanted to say to Bucky but was too scared. “I want you to be able to live again. Have a normal life. You can have it here in Wakanda and it’s all I want for you, Buck.” Bucky shifted in his sleep, as his eyes slowly began to open.

“Steve?”

“Buck, I’m here.” Bucky’s face turned into a smile as he realized who was in front of him. He was still out of it and deeply medicated, but he was able to recognize his best friend in front of him.

“Where, where am I.” Bucky slurred to Steve.

“You’re in your bed. In Wakanda. You just had a lot of dental work done.” Steve explained. Bucky’s eyebrows furrowed as he brought his hand to his mouth, using his pointer finger to feel all his teeth. This caused him to burst into tears, alarming Steve.

“Shuri!” Steve yelled outside the room. “Buck it’s okay I’m here, you’re safe you’re okay.” Steve was trying to calm him down.

“I, I have new teeth.” Bucky said through tears. He started crying harder. This was definitely a side effect of the anesthesia. “Where’s my arm.” Bucky’s hand was placed on his opposite shoulder as he felt the bandaged stump.

“Buck it’s okay.” Steve kept repeating. Bucky closed his eyes, trying to catch his breath. Shuri ran into the room with one of the doctors.

“Is he awake?” She said.

“He is yes, he’s having an emotional reaction I think.”

The doctor took out an advanced piece of technology and placed it on Bucky’s arm. It appeared that it read vitals signs as a bunch of numbers popped on it. Steve didn’t understand it so he didn’t ask. She told Shuri that he was fine, just needs to sleep off the medication. She left the room, leaving Steve and Shuri still at Bucky’s side.

“What happened?” She asked Steve.

“He realized that he got his teeth fixed then started crying I, I’m so emotional I can’t.” Steve’s voice cracking at every word.

“It’s okay,” Shuri motioned a hand towards him. She placed the same hand on Bucky’s head, stroking his hair. “Bucky? Can you hear me?” She whispered. His eyes opened to the sound of her voice. “Hi. You’re going to feel weird for the next hour. It would be more than that but you have the serum so you’re in luck.” She continued to tell him. “Do you understand what I am saying Bucky?” He nodded at her, as his eyes closed again.

“Give him an hour he’ll be awake and it will be out of his system.”

“Thank you Shuri.” She returned a smile as she headed off again. “Did you hear anything I said to you, about 5 minutes ago Buck?” There was no response, he appeared to have fallen back asleep. Steve sighed to himself as he fell asleep himself, wanting to wake up when Bucky did.

“Steve. Steve?” A familiar voice pulled Steve out of his second slumber of the day. His eyes opened to reveal Bucky sitting up on the bed, staring right at him.

“Buck.”

“How long has it been?” Bucky asked. Steve situated himself, shaking the sleep off him.

“You were under for 2 hours. And I think you slept for 1 I’m not sure I passed out with you.” Bucky nodded, looking hesitant and on edge. His tongue was traveling around his mouth, feeling the new set of teeth that were sitting in his mouth.

“They really did it.”

“They really did it Buck.” Steve smiled at him. Bucky couldn’t help but smile back, revealing a healthy set of teeth.

“Ah you are awake. How are you feeling?” Shuri came out of nowhere to check on him.

“I can’t feel my mouth but I can only assume that’s normal.” He replied. Shuri nodded.

“Yes it is normal, we had to numb your entire mouth. I can give you pain relievers if anything starts to hurt. But first I just need to check your teeth.” Shuri walked over with a pen light in hand. She tilted Bucky’s head back cautiously. “Open please.” She asked. Bucky complied as she carefully looked around his mouth, making sure everything was in order. “You are perfect Bucky, thank you.” She stepped away turning off the pen light.

“Thank you Shuri. I don’t even know how to thank you.” Bucky reached up and hugged her, as she hugged him back. They both smiled at each other, Bucky radiating a thankful expression.

“We still have much for you to learn, Bucky.”

[downeysgirl94]

Field Trip  Ch. 9 of Cure for Nightmares

Peter walked tiredly into his science classroom sitting down quickly next to Ned. Peter put his head on the desk.

“Hey man you ok?” Ned asked glancing at him

“Yeah I’m fine just a bit tired was out a bit late patrolling” peter responded in a whisper

Ned nodded, and peter grabbed out his notebook and textbook and prayed class wouldn’t last forever.

 When the bell rang Peter quickly gathered his stuff and was about to head to the door when his teacher made an announcement to the class.

“Before you guys rush out of here, I need to hand out permission slips for our annual field trip.”

“Where are we going?” a random student asked

“We got a special treat this year we are getting a special tour of The Avengers Compound.”

Peter immediately sighed he had a field trip to somewhere he goes on an almost daily basis.

“The field trip is next Friday so making sure you gets these signed by then.” His teacher said handing them out

As if on cue

“Hey penis I guess were finally going to see that you full of it when none of the avengers recognize you.” flash shouted at him as he walked out

Peter just looked at the permission slip and shook his head. While leaving class and walking to lunch he messaged tony

Hey can I come by today?

Tony responded about a minute later

Sure kid I’ll have Happy pick you up.

The rest of the day went by in a blur peter couldn’t stop thinking about the field trip.

Once he walked out of the school he saw happy there waiting with a smile on his face.

“Hey kid hop in, can’t wait to hear your nonstop talking” Happy said with a grin

Peter got in the car sighing

They were driving for a bit peter was responding anytime happy asked him anything but was not his usual talkative self.

“Hey Pete something up normally your talking my ear off by now?” happy asked

“I’m fine just tired I was out late patrolling yesterday so didn’t get enough sleep” peter responded

“Yeah me and tony noticed you like staying out late lately but you still need sleep don’t want May freaking on you again” happy said seeming to accept his answer

Peter nodded in understanding and sighed in relieve.

Once they arrived at the compound peter got out of the car quickly waved bye to Happy and walked onto the Elevator and headed towards the lab.

Once peter exited the elevator he walked to the lab saw tony mesmerized by his suits. Peter threw his backpack off his shoulder to alert tony he was there.

“Hey Pete sorry was in tinkerland” tony said with a chuckle

Peter wasn’t laughing he just went and sat near the work bench and sighed

“Kiddo what’s up what got you down?”  Tony asked considered walking over to him

“Why did you give my class a field trip here tony? And better yet why didn’t you tell me about it so I wasn’t blindsided by my teacher” peter asked annoyed

“Pete I totally forgot about doing that I was doing it for one another just because you’re here a lot doesn’t mean others don’t get too see here I know your school is full of gifted youngsters so I thought your science class would enjoy it.” tony said simply

“You guys will embarrass me you guys always do” peter said sadly

“I will not and ill will tell the others not to as well or they be kicked out, happy?” tony said smiling

“Makes me feel a bit better but I don’t think I can trust them” peter said shrugging

“I’ll make sure we all do our best ok tell them go with intern story again ok” tony said smirking

“Thanks dad but to be honest if you don’t show your face around me on the tour that probably be for the best” peter said quietly

“Pete I’m hurt you don’t want your class to see me? I’m one of the most important avengers” tony said pretending to be hurt

“No I just know you will embarrass me somehow if were in the same room as each other” peter said grinning

Tony smirked “ok kiddo I’ll try not to interrupt the tour happy?”

“Very thank you” peter said

Ok kiddo now that’s out of the way lets grab some food I’m starved.

Tony led him to the elevator.

They spent the rest of the night snacking and watching movies.

Once Tony dropped peter off at home he asked May to sign the permission slip.

 The day of the field trip arrived way quicker than peter would have liked. His talk with tony relaxed him slightly but didn’t help the nervousness he was felling right now. His teacher collected everyone’s permission slip and they all boarded a bus heading to Upstate New York to The Compound.  The ride seemed like it took twice as long as it did when he would go with Happy.  Luckily Ned and MJ were with him otherwise it would be a nightmare.

Peter sat with MJ and Ned sat close by on the bus. They both knew how nervous he was and were trying to talk about unrelated topics to distract him.

“Hey peter what’s your opinion of the Last Jedi? Does it betray the original star wars trilogy?” Ned asked

“I wouldn’t say it betrays the original ones but it definitely was my least favorite one” peter answered honestly

“Wow even worse than the prequels?”

“That’s debatable” peter said shrugging

Michelle rolled her eyes.

Ned was about to say something else when Flash interrupted him.

“So penis you claim to be a what? personal intern to tony stark?  Were about to learn the truth I can’t wait to watch you freak.” Flash said laughing

“Flash get lost did we ask for you two sense no so bye” MJ said bluntly

Flash just stared at her for a minute than sat down.

MJ turned to peter “ignore the idiot he’s just jealous”

Peter nodded. So much for not being nervous as they pulled up to the compound they used a different entrance than he usually did.

As they walked into the lobby of the compound his class was all filled with awe but peter had been here before again not as often as other parts as the compound so he kept his mouth shut.

A receptionist it seemed like greeted them.

“Hello Midtown Tech my name is Sarah and welcome to the Avengers Compound. First thing we need to do is get each one of you a security badge.”

She handed everyone a badge besides peter that of course always had one but rarely needed it because Friday recognized him.

“Make sure your badge can be seen at all times Happy is a stickler for that kind of thing never know when he’ll show up.” Sarah said with a chuckle

“Hey peter didn’t get a badge” flash called out which made Sarah turn

“Hey Pete you got yours right?” she asked

“Yeah right here thanks Sarah” he pulled it out of his bag and put it on his shirt.

Flash was staring gaping mouth for a second, which made peter grin.

As they began walking through the security check point Friday started scanning all the badges. And reading aloud identities.

“Sarah Abrams clearance level 5”

She directed the rest though

“Guest Clearance level 2” Friday kept saying until they got to peter

“Peter Parker Clearance Level 10” Friday stated

His class looked at him confused. Flash was literally speechless.

Sarah directed them to the Training room first which peter crossed his fingers hopping Natasha and Clint were not there currently. Of course when his group walked in not only was black widow and Hawkeye there so was Captain America. Peter sighed. Natasha was in the middle of fighting Steve, Clint was rooting her on. He glanced up and saw the class and walked over.

“I thought Stark mentioned a tour but I thought he was just messing with us like usual” Clint said with a smirk glancing at peter

“Well now that you’re here this is where we all train or I should rephrase get our butts kicked by black widow over there” Clint added

As if on cue she got Steve down to the matt.  The class cheered which made Clint laugh

Natasha helped Steve up and then joined Clint with the group.

“You guys do not want a go around with her she’s deadly” Steve said laughing

“Don’t you forget it” Natasha replied “if you guys want to learn some basic defense I can teach you” she added

Most of the student’s hands rose besides peter and MJ. But of course

“Peter come on you’ll be a perfect demonstration for them” Natasha pleaded

“Nat I don’t think it’s a good idea remember what stark said” Steve said into her ear

“Come on Pete it will be fun” Clint added

Finally slightly embarrassed peter nodded and followed Natasha back to the mat. When she lunged at him he easily Held his own pushing Nat back a bit, by the end he let her win since he didn’t want his classmates to know how strong he was.  She helped him up and smiled

“Wasn’t that fun? Well I think you got to move on to the next part of the tour but I’ll see you tonight Pete” she said walking to the showers

“Yeah kid was a blast seeing you knocked on your head” Clint said laughing

Before they left the training room they were allowed to ask Steve and Clint questions

Of course the first hand was flash’s

“Is pen- Peter really a personal intern for tony stark?” he nearly shouted

“Of course he is I’ve never seen stark grown so attached to a kid but once he hired Pete he always a constant presence. Clint said chuckling

“yeah Tony loves bouncing ideas off the kid even asked him for help when he stuck on projects peter is always willing to help.” Steve added

Flash shut up real quick after a few other questions Clint and Steve waved goodbye as they moved on through the compound visiting different floors before they got to the labs.

Peter’s day hadn’t been as bad as he imagined it but he knew it could just get worse he just hoped Tony would keep his promise and not show his face. But of course nothing could go his way could it.

As they walked into the main lab they saw Bruce Banner working on a computer before he noticed the guests enter. Bruce noticed peter immediately and gave him a grin.

“Hey Pete, is this your gang from your genius school?”

Peter nodded.

“Yeah peter has told me of all the gifted kids from midtown so Tony was sure to make sure to have a stop in the main lab” Bruce said grinning

“You guys are welcome to explore the lab but do not touch a thing I rather not have tony ring my neck” Bruce said laughing

The class began exploring looking at different iron man armors or other projects tony seemed to work on. The main lab was huge so of course they were there awhile

Ned walked over to peter

“Hey if this is the lab where is Tony you said when you’re over your always tinkering with him” Ned asked

“This isn’t the only lab Tony’s got a private one only me and him have access to I guarantee that’s where he is now” peter said

“Oh ok makes sense otherwise we be seeing a lot more amour and your suits” Ned whispered

Peter nodded.

Sarah asked “does anyone have any questions for Dr. Banner?”

Hands rose before Bruce picked a hand the doors opened and Tony walked in with a smirk on his face.

“Brucey who’s all your friends I thought I was in charge of parties here?” tony said with a chuckle

Peter knew it was too good to be true when tony showed up and smirked at him

“Look at all the egg heads that peter brought with him” tony said grinning “if you are all half as smart as he is then the future is in good hands”

Peter blushed.

“So what was I interrupting Bruce?” tony asked

“Kids were about to ask me some questions” Bruce replied

“Excellent ask any questions for me ask well” tony said making eye contact with peter.

Multiple hands shot up and of course Flash’s did as well.

“What is it like having Captain America under your roof again?”

“Never boring but again living with all the avengers makes life here interesting.” Tony said with a laugh

When he called on flash he prepared for the worst.

“Is it true Peter is your personal intern?” flash asked

“Of course it’s true Pete is an amazing worker and I’m lucky to have him” tony said give peter a warm smile.

Once the questions were finished the class left the lab to have a break for food.

Siting outside the compound with Ned and MJ, Peter was taking a bite of an apple

When Flash walked over to them. None notice tony followed the group out.

“Ok you got to spill right now what the hell was that Penis? How did you get them all to play along?”

Peter was about to say something when Tony showed up out of nowhere looking pissed and stepped towards Flash

“Excuse me what in the hell did you just call him?” tony sounded furious

“Umn. It was just a joke sir...” flash said quietly

“If I ever hear anything about you bullying my kid again ill make sure no college accepts you, you hear me?” tony said still pissed

Peter was embarrassed but at the same time smiled at the time tony call him his kid.

“Yes sir” Flash said looking away.

“Good, hey Pete come with me” tony said

Tony stopped quickly and whispered something to Sarah

Peter got up and followed tony back into the compound.

Once inside tony looked at peter directly

“Pete when you told me Flash was an ass you weren’t kidding” tony said sighing “why didn’t you tell me he was still bullying you?”

“I don’t know it didn’t really bother me and he stopped for a bit after I told him off before he only really started again because of the field trip.” Peter said shrugging

“so you didn’t want him to get any other ideas besides that you work for me that’s why you were so worried before” tony said raising an eyebrow” well I just called you my kid to his face sorry I screwed the pooch on that one” tony said chuckling

“Tony your fine I know for a fact after what you did he never bully me again you were scary out there” peter said with a grin

“Well good watch you back kid” tony said laughing

“Well thanks though you’re basically my dad nice of you to stand up for Me.” peter said smiling

“Of course Pete” tony said with a smile and pulled peter into a hug.

A few moments later tony let go.

“Well I guess I’ll be back tomorrow right?” peter said heading for the door

“Nope I let the tour guide know that you were staying here when the bus leaves you coming over tomorrow anyways why not, I already let May know” tony said

“Sweet that’s awesome” peter followed tony to the elevator

“I sure the others have great stories to tell me from the parts of the tour I didn’t get to see” tony said with a grin.

Peter’s smiles dropped slightly “will the embarrassment ever end? “

“Not when I’m involved it won’t” tony said smiling.

[smilingformoney]

America’s Most Eligible 2 Diamond Scene: Call Natalie with Mackenzie

You: Anyone who means this much to you is worth meeting. I’m in. Mackenzie’s face lights up at your answer. Mackenzie: Then we’d better get a move on.

You follow Mackenzie to her bedroom to find Omar and Wrenn positioning a camera crew. Mackenzie: I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this happy, Omar. Wrenn: He’s come up with a whole new direction for your arc. Omar: ‘The fierce competitor with a soft spot for her kid sister’ will be emotional gold. Mackenzie: If you’re going to film, then film. I’ll take whatever time with Natalie I can get. Wrenn directs you and Mackenzie to sit crosslegged on the bed in front of a laptop. At Omar’s cue, the sound of a dial tone fills the room. Video Call: … … … Finally, Natalie appears! Mackenzie: Hey, kid. It’s good to see you. Natalie: Hey, Mackenzie! Don’t look now, but you’ve got company. Care to introduce me? Mackenzie: As a matter of fact… I’d like you to meet someone really important. She interlocks her fingers with yours and gives you a shy smile. Mackenzie +2 Mackenzie: This is Jamie. Natalie: Any friend of Mackenzie’s is a friend of mine. It’s nice to meet you. You: It’s nice to meet you too! Mackenzie’s obviously been looking forward to some quality sister talk. Natalie: That’s interesting. Most of her friends don’t even know I exist. Mackenzie rolls her eyes covertly, but Natalie picks up on it. Natalie: I’m just saying, Jamie… Mackenzie can be a bit of a closed book. So if there’s anything you want to know, I’m your girl. You: Well, if you’re offering…

You: What’s the… -Sweetest thing Mackenzie’s ever done?

Natalie: There’s a lot to choose from, but my favourite is the first time she took me to the beach. Natalie: I took my doll into the water to ‘swim,’ and the next thing I knew, the waves were carrying her out to sea. Mackenzie: And you were screaming your head off. Natalie: I spent three months’ allowance on that doll! Natalie: But Mackenzie didn’t even hesitate. She swam out there, against the current, and brought her back to me. Natalie: That was the day my big sister taught me that you move mountains for the people you love. I try to live my life the same way. Mackenzie: Anything for you, sis.

-Most embarrassing thing Mackenzie’s ever done?

Natalie: That’s easy. In middle school, Mackenzie did a rendition of ‘Barbie Girl’ for her solo choir performance. You: Isn’t that song a bit… suggestive? Mackenzie: I didn’t notice the double meanings. I was only in seventh grade! Natalie: She sang Barbie and Ken’s parts… each with their own voice, I might add… Natalie: And worked the auditorium stage like she had sold out Madison Square Garden. Choreography, costume changes, the works. You: Sounds like you really brought the house down, Mackenzie. Mackenzie: I’m just lucky the performance didn’t go viral.

Mackenzie: I think one store about my childhood is more than enough for now. How’s school, Nat? Natalie: Oh! Yeah, no it’s… Natalie: It’s fine. Mackenzie: Well, that wasn’t convincing at all. What’s wrong? Natalie: It’s not that big of a deal. It’s just… these girls. Natalie: They’re so mean, and they won’t leave me alone. I thought summer break would be a good reset… Natalie: But coming back to school has just made it worse.

You: You should… -Kill them with kindness.

You: Words only have the power you give them. You: In just a few years, you’ll be out in the world, and their opinions won’t matter. Why give them the satisfaction of hurting you? Mackenzie: That’s a nice thought, Jamie, but I’m not sure I agree.

-Stuff their lockers with stink bombs.

Natalie’s eyes light up. Natalie: That’s genius! If I get in early, I can pick the locks-- Mackenzie: Whoa, wait a minute. Mackenzie: Ten points for creativity, but how about something a little less… complex?

-Make them jealous!

You: It’s simple, but effective. Everything they do, you’ll do, but better. You: If they’re on a team, you run for captain. If they get all A’s, you throw off the curve. When they’re tired of being outdone, they’ll back off. Mackenzie: That sounds like the perfect amount of petty for high school drama, but why not go even simpler?

Mackenzie: Just stand up to them. They’re messing with you because they think you’re an easy target. Put your foot down, and they’ll leave you alone. Mackenzie: And if they don’t, I’d be more than happy to pay them a visit when the season’s over. Natalie: Thanks for the advice, you two. I’m sure I’ll figure it out. Natalie pauses for just a moment. Natalie: Mackenzie… Do you mind if I talk to Jamie for a second? Mackenzie eyes you both with an amused look. Mackenzie: Keeping secrets from me already? You: More like spilling yours. She laughs and climbs off of the bed. Mackenzie: Well, don’t hold back on my account. Just yell when you’re ready for me. Natalie waits until Mackenzie’s footsteps recede, and you look at each other awkwardly for a moment. Natalie: The two of you seem close. I know I heard it from her, but… Natalie: As much as she looks out for me, I have to look out for her too. Natalie: Mackenzie obviously thinks you’re amazing, but what do you think of her?

You: Mackenzie is… -My best friend in the mansion.

You: AME is a wild ride, but there’s no one else I’d rather experience it with. Our friendship is part of why I came back. Natalie: Good. That mansion is a madhouse, and she needs someone she can trust to have her back, so… Natalie: I’m glad she has a cool friend like you.

-My number one competition.

You: I’ve seen what a fierce game Mackenzie plays. Out of everyone in the mansion this season, she’s the one to beat. Natalie laughs. Natalie: Who are you telling? We were a textbook case of sibling rivalry growing up. Natalie: I’m glad you can see what a badass she is, though. You’d better bring your A-game.

-Really special to me.

You: She’s smart, she’s gorgeous, she’s tough… How could I not admire her? Natalie: I know she’s strong, but she needs someone to take care of her every now and again too. Natalie: Promise me you’ll be good to her. She deserves that. You: I promise.

Mackenzie pokes her head in from the hallway. Mackenzie: I hate to break up this gossip-fest, but we’re getting the cue to wrap it up. Can I say goodbye to Nat? You: Of course. You wave her over, and she joins you on the bed again. Mackenzie: Alright, Nat. Spill. What’d you say? A sudden look of panic crosses Mackenzie’s face. Mackenzie: Did you tell her about that time at the lake house? Because I’m not admitting to a thing. Natalie: That’s between me, Jamie, and the rest of America when this airs. Natalie grins at Mackenzie’s horrified look. Natalie: I’m teasing. You know your secret’s safe with me! Natalie: I just miss you, Mackenzie. It sucks not having you here, but I know you’re gonna kill it. I’m so proud of you. Mackenzie’s face softens immediately. Mackenzie: Right back at you, kid. Natalie: Good luck, Jamie. I’m glad we got to talk, and hopefully, I’ll get to meet you soon. Natalie: …Maybe even sooner than you think. Before either of you can reply, Natalie hangs up. The camera crew starts dismantling the equipment, and Omar helps you both remove your mics. Omar: We got all of that loud and clear. Good work. He turns to Wrenn, who’s gathering the electrical cords. Omar: Let’s get this set up in the editing bay. We need to have this cut and ready to air by end-of-day. Wrenn: On it. Wrenn exits with an armful of equipment, followed by Omar and the crew. Once you’re alone, Mackenzie flops onto the pillows with a relieved sigh. Mackenzie: Thanks for doing this with me, Jamie. I know you have a lot on your plate. You: You move mountains for the people you care about, right? Mackenzie: Yeah. Ever since she moved in with me and Dad, we’ve always looked out for each other. She smiles thoughtfully and looks up to meet your gaze. Mackenzie: I thought the cameras would make it kinda awkward, but with you… everything just felt right. Mackenzie reaches across the bed and gives your hand a grateful squeeze. You smile back at her…

You: … -Kiss Mackenzie. Mackenzie +2

You prop your arms on either side of her and press your lips gently to hers. She slides a hand into your hair, locking you in place. With the tops of your fingers, you trace a feather-light path from her collarbone to her hip. There’s a hitch in Mackenzie’s breath. Mackenzie: And here I was thinking the call was my audience perk. Silly me.

-Hug Mackenzie. Mackenzie +2

You lean over to wrap her in your arms, and Mackenzie hugs you back tightly. It’s a long while before she pulls away. Mackenzie: Okay, that’s enough. If you make me ugly cry and the cameras aren’t around to catch it, Omar will never forgive you.

You laugh as you straighten up. You: See you at the Challenge later, Mackenzie? Mackenzie: No matter what Carson’s got in store for us, I’ll be there.

[i-am-a-closet-fanfic-fiend]

On Your Right - Bucky Barnes x Reader (Part 7)

A/N: HAPPY FRIDAY YA’LL! Have some Bucky fluff to celebrate the weekend. 

Thanks for the continued love, it makes my day every time. :)  Tags are open! 

Summary: Morning after girl’s day. Just some fluff with pretty much the whole team. Read on and enjoy. 

Rating: T for language

Warnings: Tooth rotting fluff. Like 0.5 seconds of angst. 

Pairings/Characters: Bucky x Reader, Everybody! 

Word count: 2000 even 

Masterlist

The next morning you woke up on Natasha’s couch slightly confused until you remembered passing out during A Walk to Remember. Nat was still asleep at the other end of the couch and Wanda was curled up in the arm chair, so you quietly left the room, taking the empty wine glasses with you to the kitchen.

You were rummaging through the fridge when Tony and Bruce entered.

“Good morning, thief,” Tony greeted you.

You would have been worried, but you could hear the amusement in his voice.

“If it’s not labelled it’s fair game, Tony,” you mumbled around a bite of cold pizza.

“I was more concerned about my credit card that got swiped yesterday. Do you know anything about that?” he asked with an expectant look.

“We live in a house of spies. You can’t trust anyone,” you reminded him with a shrug.

“Especially the quiet ones apparently,” he added.

“I never swiped your credit card,” you told him honestly. “All of the machines took the chip.”

“I never should have let you and Romanoff become friends,” he huffed.

“Probably not,” you agreed with a smirk.

Bruce snickered as he grabbed an apple out of the basket on the counter. Before he could retort, Tony’s phone rang and he stepped outside to answer it. You continued to munch of the slice of pizza as you gathered the ingredients for waffles.

“Dr. Banner, did you read Helen Cho’s latest article?” you asked conversationally as you mixed a large bowl of batter.  

“Yes, I did!”

His eyes lit up at the question and you quickly found yourself engaged in an in-depth discussion of the paper. During the course of the conversation you made waffles for yourself, Bruce, Tony, Peter, Nat, and Wanda. For the most part, everyone left the pair of you alone wholly uninterested in the topic.

You two were just starting to debate the pros and cons of semi-synthetic cellular regeneration when Bucky, Steve, Sam, and Pietro came in, arguing. Finding it impossible to continue with all the shouting, you shot Bruce an apologetic smile and started once again pouring the batter into the massive waffle iron Tony had purchased.

“Come by the lab later if you want to finish discussing the paper,” Bruce offered, as he skirted around the four other men.

“I will.”

He waved a hand to acknowledge that he heard you.

“That doesn’t count as you lapping us,” Bucky stated firmly, glaring at Sam.

“Oh yes, it does,” Sam argued back.

“No way,” Steve disagreed, shaking his head. “Pietro lapped us. You were just an over-sized backpack.”

Sam looked at you to back him up.

“Come on, y/n. It counts right?”

You scrunched your nose with a sigh, “Sorry, Sam. I don’t think so.”

“Seriously, y/n? It was your idea.”

Steve and Bucky looked at you in betrayal, and you threw your hands up in defense.

“I said it would be funny for me to get carried by Pietro and lap you guys,” you explained to the super soldiers, before glaring lightly as Sam, “I didn’t say anything about you.”

After a moment Steve and Bucky doubled over laughing.

“Now that would have been funny,” Steve gasped out.

“Really, Rogers?” Sam demanded.

“He’s right, that would have been hilarious,” Bucky agreed.  

“I would have enjoyed that a lot more too. I’m free any time you want a ride, Printessa,” Pietro winked at you.

“I’ll keep that in mind. Here, have a waffle,” you snorted as you shoved the waffle into his mouth to shut him up. You pushed the stack towards the rest of them and jerked your head towards the table, “Now, all of you go eat and quit arguing.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Steve quipped with a cheeky grin, grabbing the maple syrup and pecking you on the cheek.

“Thanks for breakfast, doll. It’s delicious,” Bucky complimented you after a harsh swallow. “Are you going to join us?”

“In a minute.”

Pulling sixteen fresh waffles out of the iron, you stacked them on a plate and placed them in the middle of the table, stifling a laugh as the four of them quickly demolished the tower while keeping up a constant stream of teasing. Perched on the stool closest to the breakfast nook, safely away from the chaos, you couldn’t help but smile. You had always wanted a big family and that was exactly what you got when you joined the Avengers.

“Mr. Stark requests all team members’ presence in the penthouse lounge immediately.”

You were already rising from your seats when you spoke up.

“What for, FRIDAY?” you asked, looking quizzically at the others who were equally confused.

“I’m unsure, miss. He just insists that you all join him and Mr. Parker upstairs.”

“Spider baby probably needs his diaper changed,” Sam snickered.

“Be nice,” you admonished, slapping him on the shoulder.

“Nah he probably needs a bottle,” Bucky whispered to Sam and Pietro who burst out laughing.

“I heard that,” you informed him, not bothering to turn around, “You be nice too, Mister.”

“And you accuse me of parenting everyone,” Steve muttered, arching an eyebrow at you.

“Well where do you think I got it from?”

He grinned and tugged your ponytail lightly as you walked through the doors to find the rest of the team waiting for you, looking serious. All of you snapped into mission mode, taking your seats and waiting for Tony to brief you.

“Well, team. There has been a major development in young Peter’s life here, and it seems like an opportunity for a teachable moment.”

You glanced at Peter who was standing next to Tony looking mortified. You just wanted to hug the poor kid.

“Peter has been…” Tony paused as if he couldn’t find the words. “Maybe you should tell them,” he suggested finally, nudging Peter forward.

“I’ve been,” he mumbled the rest of the sentence so none of you could make it out.

You expected him to say he had been exposed which would be devastating. Peter was the last of you to have a secret identity and all of you wanted to keep it that way. He was just a kid after all. You didn’t realize you’d grabbed Bucky’s hand until he squeezed it to calm you down.

“What happened, kid?” Steve asked patiently.

“I got asked to a cotillion,” he finally spit out.

There was a long moment of silence where everyone was relieved that nothing bad had happened. And then all at once, everyone started shouting at Tony for scaring you all.

When the yelling had mostly stopped, Tony was wearing a shit eating grin.

“So, as I said. I felt this was a teachable moment.”

“How so?” Steve asked in a wary tone.

You had your suspicions about what was going through the genius, billionaire, reformed (as he liked to remind you all) playboy, philanthropist’s mind.  He didn’t disappoint.

“Well, cotillion, for those of you who don’t know, is a young woman’s formal introduction into society, and that requires formal dancing. And it got me to thinking, how many of you actually know how to dance? Considering the number of missions that require formal wear and a stellar quickstep we are woefully unprepared. So today, we are going to have our first dance lesson.”

“I already know how to dance,” Sam whined.

“Grinding in a club doesn’t count, Wilson.”

You chuckled at Nat’s comment. While you were annoyed with Tony’s theatrics you were excited to learn.

Tony had brought in two championship dancers as your instructors. For the first hour the guys were sent off to the other side of the room to learn their steps while you and the other ladies remained where you were. Pepper and Maria Hill had joined you for the lesson, mostly for practice or entertainment you guessed given that they clearly knew what they were doing.

Once they had managed to get the right pattern the men were brought back in and asked to take a partner. Vision quickly hurried to Wanda’s side. Tony went with Pepper, Maria with Sam, and Natasha with Bruce. Bucky had just caught your eye when Peter bounced up to you.

“Will you dance with me, y/n?” he asked excitedly.

“Of course, Peter.”

You shot Bucky a silent apology before placing your hand in Peter’s. The two of you spent the next twenty minutes awkwardly fumbling through the steps, often stepping on each other’s toes. You desperately tried to let him lead, but he was so hesitant that it often slowed the dance to a stop. For a long while all that could be heard apart from the soft waltz playing in the background was your and Peter’s apologies.

“Alright, let’s switch partners so the rest of you gentleman can get a chance to practice,” Heather suggested.

“Sorry again, y/n,” Peter mumbled, not meeting your eyes.

“It’s okay, Peter. We’re both learning. Don’t worry we’ll keep practicing and make sure you’re ready for cotillion,” you smiled softly ruffling his hair.

“Thank you.” He hugged you around your waist and you happily hugged him back.

“Mind if I cut in?”  

You looked up to meet Bucky’s soft gaze, clearly finding the show of affection endearing.

“Of course.”

Peter quickly stepped back and Bucky took his place. You glanced down at the running sneakers he was still wearing.

“You probably should have opted for steel-toed boots. I apologize in advance for any bruises.”

He chuckled as his flesh hand settled on your waist, tugging you closer. You placed your left hand on his shoulder and your right hand in his metal one.

“Don’t worry, doll. Dancing is easy if you’ve got the right partner.”

“Remember, eye contact is the second most important thing in dancing,” Manuel instructed.  

Letting go of your hand for a moment, Bucky tilted your chin up so you had to look at him. His grey eyes immediately captivated you.

“Focus on me, doll, not the steps,” he whispered, as his fingers tapped out the count on your waist. On the right beat he started to move.

You weren’t surprised that Bucky was a good dancer. Bucky was good at almost everything. Honestly he could have told you he was going to be an Olympic gymnast and you would have been waiting for him to come home with the gold.

You were however surprised that with him leading, you could actually pass for a good dancer too. Your instructor applauded the two of you, but you were too distracted to hear exactly what she said. Your entire focus was on Bucky while the two of you were dancing. Eyes never leaving his, your body eagerly moved to mirror his motions, keeping you in time. It was suddenly quiet and you felt like you were floating. It wasn’t the music guiding you, only the light pressure from his hand as you moved around the room in whirling patterns.

He must have felt the music coming to a close because your movements slowed and then stopped, and suddenly you could hear again. Your cheeks turned bright red as your brain processed the applause coming from your teammates, but you were still caught in his gaze. His eyes were alight with excitement as he held you close.

A loud whistle caught your attention and you looked over at Sam who was grinning from ear to ear. The connection broken you stepped back from Bucky trying to come back to reality.

“That was excellent,” Heather clapped her hands together, clearly impressed.

“And there you see a perfect demonstration of the number one rule in dancing,” Manuel commented. Everyone turned their attention towards him, waiting for him to elaborate. Smiling at you and Bucky, he answered their question. “You have to trust your partner.”

You glanced at Bucky, a question in your eyes. Squeezing your hand gently he gave you a soft smile.

“Without a doubt,” he murmured so only you could hear.

You couldn’t help your answering smile. Bucky trusted you completely too. 

On Your Right Tag List: @bexboo616, @shitty-imagines-95, @spookyscaryscully, @chamongangae​, @elaacreditava​, @unevenpages​, @spiderrparkerr​

Bucky/Sebastian Stan Tag List: @waywardpumpkin

Permanent Tag List: @iamwarrenspeace

A/N: So there you go, lots of fluff to kick off your weekend. Because Bucky is 100% an amazing dancer and Peter Parker would 100% be a clumsy adorable goof. Hope you enjoyed it! Comments are lovely! <3 

Part 8

[lady-pei]

hiya! so i saw that ask you answered about the AA s3 finale & it made me really want to watch the show to see how it portrays their relationship, but im moving into college tomorrow, and im afraid if i don't start now, i'll never get around to it bc lack of time?? so i was wondering if you had the time, could you share which episodes are Essential(tm) for AA!stony, so i know which ones to prioritize if i don't get to watch them all? i 100% understand if you can't, but if you do, tysm in advance!

oh my goodness! well first off, congratulations on starting your freshman year at college! I hope it’s positively wonderful. Second, I’d be happy to give you the Essential™ list of AA episodes to watch (though I will say the episodes with stevetony moments far outnumber the ones without, so if you do get the chance, definitely watch the show the whole way through!)

Season 1:

Ep. 1 + 2 (”The Avengers Protocol”): the show is literally gay from the start. Tony saves Steve, Steve saves Tony, and there’s lots of gentle cradling and heartfelt speeches to be had.

Ep. 6 (“Super-Adaptoid”): you could cut the sexual tension with a knife in this episode. There’s lots of banter, a [redacted] shower scene, and a plethora of moments that destroy the “Steve Rogers is incompetent with technology” trope.

Ep. 7 (“Hyperion”): this episode is worth watching simply for the “I’d hate to be on the other end of that grunt” scene.

Ep. 13 (“In Deep”): the crown jewel of AA episodes. Steve and Tony role-play as bad guys while beating up the bad guys, and Clint finally catches on to their ““(b)romance.””

Ep. 16 (“Bring on the Bad Guys”): Red Skull predicts that Tony would jeopardize any mission just to keep Steve safe. He’s right.

Ep. 17 (“Savages”): Steve and Tony make a bet, the team gets stuck in the Savage Land, and the day is saved almost exclusively by Steve’s faith in Tony’s genius.

Ep. 22 (“Guardians and Space Knights”): Tony goes rogue to save the planet. Steve disapproves, but really is just glad he makes it out alive.

Ep. 25 (“Exodus”): Tony is scared he’s leading the team to their deaths, Steve just wants his co-leader back, and the two share a romantic moment under the stars.

Ep. 26 (“The Final Showdown”): “Iron or no, you’re still the man!” Enough said.

Season 2: 

Ep. 33 (“The Age of Tony Stark”): hands down the best AA episode of all time. Tony is de-aged, Steve is both supportive and starstruck, and long emotional hugs are shared.

Ep. 34 (“Head to Head”): the body swap episode. Also, Steve and Tony plan an implied shawarma date.

Ep. 35 (“The Dark Avengers”): in which Tony flirting with Steve is constant across all realities. Also: “told you if you fell backwards I’d catch you.”

Ep. 39 (“Thanos Triumphant”): Thanos underestimates just how Extra Steve and Tony can be. Also, this episode contains Steve’s most dramatic “IRON MAN!!!!” shout of despair to date.

Ep. 40 (“Crack in the System”): Tony breaks Steve’s trust, and Steve breaks up with Tony the team.

Ep. 41 (“Avengers Disassembled”): Steve and Tony bicker like a divorced couple that desperately doesn’t want to admit they still care for each other. No one is amused (especially Spider-Man). 

Ep. 44 (“The Ultron Outbreak”): Steve and Tony finally make up. Home of the famous “taking a risk that ends of saving the world? Tony does that five times before breakfast” line. 

Ep. 45 (“Spectrums”): worth watching simply for this gratuitous “don’t worry I’ll catch you” scene

Ep. 51 (“New Frontiers”): if I could rename this episode, I’d call it “gays in space.” 

Season 3: 

Ep. 53 (“Adapting to Change”): The flirting in this episode is just off the charts. Probably my third favorite AA episode of all time. 

Ep. 55 (“Saving Captain Rogers”): Tony proves that he’s Cap’s #1 fanboy and teams up with Natasha to save him from Baron Zemo. Plus, everyone in this episode looks extra pretty. Good job animators 👍

Ep. 63 (“The Kids Are Alright”): Steve and Tony adopt Ms. Marvel and Inferno. That’s pretty much the whole episode.

Ep. 66 (“Seeing Double”): Hulk is brainwashed, Natasha fights her duplicate, and Steve and Tony make a great (if not slightly intense) tag team.

Ep. 69 (“Panther’s Rage”): T’Challa is a true delight, and Steve and Tony are married as fuck.

Ep. 71 (“The House of Zemo”): Nat, Clint, and Sam get stuck in 1943 and meet preserum Steve, while present-day Steve is just relieved (and proud) that his boyfriend’s a genius. 

Ep. 78 (“Civil War Part 4: Avengers Revolution”): The most bittersweet season finale of all time. Ultron is an asshole that just won’t die, and when things go south, Steve and Tony share an intimate moment in front of the entire team.

Happy watching! 😄