#Pizza-Themed Christmas Humor

[noisycowboyglitter]

Make Your Own Pizza Christmas Tree: A Fun Activity for the Whole Family

Deck the halls with pizza balls! This festive twist on a classic holiday centerpiece is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. A Pizza Christmas Tree is a fun and delicious way to celebrate the holiday season.

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Imagine a towering tree made entirely of pizza, complete with a cheesy trunk, leafy green pepper branches, and colorful pepperonis for ornaments. This edible masterpiece is not only visually stunning but also incredibly tasty. Whether you create a single, impressive tree or individual pizza tree slices for a party, it's a guaranteed conversation starter.

From classic Margherita to adventurous gourmet combinations, the possibilities are endless. You can customize your pizza tree to suit any taste preference. Get creative with toppings and shapes to create a truly unique and memorable holiday treat. It's a perfect dish for family gatherings, holiday parties, or simply a fun weekend project.

So, why settle for a traditional Christmas tree when you can have a pizza tree? This cheesy creation is sure to bring joy and laughter to your holiday celebrations.

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Forget the reindeer and the sleigh, it's time for a cheesy Christmas takeover! A Funny Pizza Christmas is all about swapping traditional holiday cheer for pizza-filled hilarity. Imagine a world where Santa's elves are pizza chefs, and the only gifts under the tree are boxes of cheesy goodness.

Picture this: a Christmas tree made entirely of pizza slices, topped with a pepperoni star. Or a gingerbread house replaced by a pizza-shaped gingerbread house, complete with pepperoni shingles and olive windows. And let's not forget the ultimate holiday feast: a pizza buffet instead of a turkey dinner.

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From pizza-themed ugly sweaters to "All I Want for Christmas is Pizza" sing-alongs, this is a holiday season filled with laughter, cheesy puns, and unforgettable memories. So gather your friends and family for a slice of the fun – a Funny Pizza Christmas is the perfect way to spread joy and pizza love.

Transform your home into a winter wonderland with enchanting Merry Christmas decorations. From shimmering ornaments and twinkling lights to festive wreaths and charming figurines, there's something to delight everyone. Create a cozy atmosphere with plush

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stockings, plush blankets, and scented candles. Add a touch of elegance with gold and silver accents, or embrace a rustic charm with natural elements like pine cones and wooden decorations. Whether you prefer a traditional or modern style, let your creativity shine as you craft a magical Christmas ambiance.

[alotofpockets]

Cheesy pickup lines

Pairing: Yelena Belova x Avenger!Reader

Prompts: “Your flirting is so bad it's adorable." & “Are you bleeding?”

Warnings: Meantions of minor injury and blood.

Masterlist | Marvel masterlist | Words: 600

It seemed like you had a cheesy pickup line for every situation, and were not afraid to use them. Just a few weeks ago the team was headed in the direction of the kitchen when Yelena asked, “What are you all in the mood for, dinner wise?” You were the first to respond, “I'm in the mood for pizza. A pizza you, that is!” After a couple of rolling eyes, and groans, of your fellow Avengers the conversation moved on. Yelena moved your way, “Aw, don’t listen to them, baby. I thought it was a good one.” You quickly pecked her lips before following the rest.

The team was often confused how you managed to convince Yelena to go out with you, after they had witnessed your horrible flirting over and over again for months. Your go to flirting consisted of bad pickup lines, and you used a lot of them. They had hoped that once you and Yelena made your relationship official, the pickup lines would stop. Much to their dismay the cheesy pickup lines continued. 

Not a day went by without you using a pickup line, the team wondering when you would finally run out. But your supply seemed endless when you threw pickup line after pickup line to the young widow. Even throwing some holiday themed ones in the mix like, “Will you send me a selfie so that I can show Santa what I want for Christmas this year?” To which Yelena simply replied that she was already yours, with a peck to your lips.

When you got back from your mission with a few cuts on your face, Yelena rushed to your aid. “Are you bleeding?” She asked, even though she could clearly see the blood on your face. Of course, in your line of work it could be anyone's blood. “Oh, it’s nothing. I just got a few scrapes from falling for you.” You say with a sly smile. Yelena shakes her head at your line with a laugh. She knows that even when you’re in pain you would joke around, trying to hide behind the humor but she knew by the slight wince you did as you smiled, that you were hurting. Without another word she leans in and hugs you tights. “Come on, let’s get you cleaned up.” She says stepping back and taking your hand in hers. 

She cleans up all of your cuts, and puts bandages on the ones that were in need of them. Once she was done she walked you to bed, where you talked about your mission in some cozy pajamas. It had almost become tradition to spend the day after either one of your missions together like this. Making sure to get some rest, and not letting the darkness get to your head without your partner being able to help you. It was one of the things you loved about your relationship with Yelena, the two of you understood each other so well.  

You cuddled into Yelena more when you were done talking about your mission. Smiling when another pickup line idea forms in your brains. “You remind me of a magnet.” You whisper into her shoulder. Yelena, who by now is used to you saying the most random things, is still confused about what you’re getting at. “How come?” She asks with a furrowed brow. “Because you sure are attracting me over here.” Yelena laughs at the newest addition to the ever growing list of pickup lines. “Your flirting is so bad it’s adorable.” She says and hugs you tighter. Unlike your teammates, Yelena would never grow tired of your pickup lines, no matter how bad they were. 

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[officially-kate-bishop]

About Me

•Basic Information•

➳ Name: Katherine Elizabeth Bishop ➳ Alias: Hawkeye ➳ Age: 21 ➳ Sexuality: Bisexual ➳ Gender: Female ➳ Species: Human ➳ Nicknames: Kate or Katie ➳ Zodiac sign: Capricorn (December 31)

•Physical Appearance and Traits•

➳ Hair color: Dark brown ➳ Hair type and length: Wavy and long ➳ Eye color: Brown ➳ Skin tone: Pale ➳ Face shape: Heart ➳ Body type: Slim and athletic ➳ Scars: Various from from training and fights ➳ Predominant features: Her father's eyes ➳ Height: 5'8" ➳ Dominant hand: Right ➳ Hair Style: Pulled back or into a half up style ➳ Allergies: None known ➳ Glasses?: No ➳ What do they wear when they are home alone?: Sweatpants and hoodies/tshirts

•Mannerisms•

➳ Speech Style: Sarcastic and energetic ➳ Quirks: Picks at her cuticles when nervous, ➳  Positive traits: Intelligent, quick-witted, fiercely loyal ➳ Negative traits: Stubborn, blunt and impulsive ➳ Drives/Motivation: Save people, ➳  Sense of Humor: Dry, sarcastic, loves dark humor ➳ Private or Public?: Somewhere in the middle, but leaning towards public ➳ Leader or Follower?: Follower, but can be a leader ➳ Daredevil or cautious?: Daredevil, and very reckless ➳ Optimistic/ Pessimistic/ Realistic?: Optimistic ➳ Speaker or Listener?: Speaker, often talks too much ➳ Accent: Slight New York accent ➳ Voice Claims: Hailee Steinfeld ➳ Theme Song(s): “Champion” by Neoni ➳  Temperament: Energetic ➳ Talents: Martial arts and archery ➳  Flaws: Stubborn, overconfident, blunt, and too talkative at times ➳  Loud or quiet?: Loud ➳ Messy or organized?: Messy. Very messy ➳ Solo or team player?: Team player ➳ Introvert or extrovert?: Extrovert ➳ Relaxed or serious?: Relaxed, but can be serious ➳ What will always make them cry?: Memories of her father ➳  Do they celebrate their birthday?: Not much since her mother got arrested  ➳  What will make them smile?: Archery, making people laugh and pranks

•Background•

➳ Hometown: New York ➳ Social Class: Upper class ➳ First memory: Pretending to be asleep while in the car ➳ Worst memory: Her father's death ➳ Best memory: The day she got to reunite with Loki ➳  Most important childhood event, why?: The invasion of New York, where she saw Hawkeye fight the Chitauri ➳ Most influenced by: Clint Barton/Hawkeye ➳ Role models: Hawkeye, Valentina Acosta and Katniss Everdeen ➳ Where does the character live? And with who if they live with someone: She lives in a apartment in New York, a little ways from where her family used to live ➳ Do they want to move and where?: Maybe for a bit, but she would ultimately return back to New York ➳ Type of childhood: Comfortable ➳ Upbringing: Strict, but very privileged ➳ Best Qualification: Archery ➳ House environment: Messy and chaotic

•Family• ➳ Mother: Eleanor Bishop ➳ Father: Derek Stark (Deceased) ➳ Siblings: None ➳ Relationship with family?: Strained, because her mother lied to her for years ➳ Any children? Do they want any?: No, and she's not sure if she ever wants any ➳ Pets: Lucky the Pizza Dog

•Favorites and Least Favorites•

➳ Favorite Movie: Gladiator ➳ Least Favorite Movie: Might Ducks ➳ Favorite Book: The Hunger Games ➳ Least Favorite Book: School textbooks ➳ Favorite Holiday: Christmas ➳ Least Favorite Holiday: Christmas ➳ Favorite Mythological creature: Unicorn ➳ Least Favorite Mythological creature: Selkie

•Abilities and Biases•

➳ Affiliation: Avengers ➳ Powers: None, she relies on archery and combat skills) ➳ Weaknesses: Often gets distracted ➳ Allies: Avengers ➳ How well known are they?: Not very well known ➳ Costume: Her Hawkeye costunme ➳ Alias: Hawkeye ➳ Weapons: Bow and trick arrows ➳ Gadgets/Tech: trick arrows ➳ Fears: Losing the people she loves ➳ Motivations: To protect people ➳ Why do they do what they do?: Because she wanted to be a hero, even though she doesn't have any magical powers ➳ Mental/Emotional weaknesses: Anxiety and ADHD ➳ Rivals: Tracksuit Mafia ➳ Romantic interest? Who if yes: Nope ➳ Do they have a known quote?: 

“I need a bow and arrow.”

"Being a superhero is nice. Everyone should try it."

"The plan is... to figure out the plan in the car."

"Oh holy fucking shit- this is bad!"

•Miscellaneous•

➳ If I could put them in a different universe or Fandom, which one?: The Hunger Games ➳ What was there first kiss like? Have they had it yet?: No ➳ Have they ever lost somebody they loved and who was it? How did it impact them?: Her father. It made her determined to help people and become a superhero ➳ What would happen if they were granted 3 wishes?: 1) That none of her loved ones will die early 2) Bring her father back 3) More wishes ➳ They're stranded on an island with________ and they have 4 items, who and what do they bring?: A boat, her phone and Lucky the Pizza Dog ➳  What quote do they feel portrays them?: “I can be changed by what happens to me, but. I refuse to be reduced by it.” ➳ Most prized possession and why is it prized?: Her bow ➳ Have they ever stolen anything? Were they caught? Do they feel guilty or prideful?: She stole archery stuff from her mom's room after she got them confiscated ➳ What textures do they absolutely hate to feel?: Itchy clothes, anything that's too tight and denim ➳ How long can they go without showering? When do they feel dirty?: Maybe one day; hates the feeling of grime ➳ Where do they put their clothes when they’re dirty?: A pile in the corner, or on her bed ➳ Do they sleep with the bedroom door open or closed and why?: Closed because of slight paranoia ➳ If they could only eat one thing for 20 days, what would they eat?: Pizza ➳ Do they re-read books they already have?: Only if its really good ➳ If they had the option to know when they would die, exact date, would they want to know or would they want to stay oblivious to it?: Know ➳ Do they believe in a form of an afterlife?: No ➳ Do they crack their joints?: Yes, and it's annoyingly loud ➳ Spicy, Savory, Sweet, Bitter, or Sour?: Sour ➳ Do they adopt stray animals?: Yes, Lucky the Pizza Dog ➳ Do they procrastinate or do they get it done ASAP?: Procrastinates, and then gets it done last minute, works extremely well under pressure ➳ What is the temperature when they shower?: Boiling hot, enough to leave her skin bright red ➳ Do they daydream?: Yes, occasionally ➳ Do they work best in a messy or clean environment?: Messy ➳ Do they indulge in anything?: Yes, caffeine and pizza ➳ Would they do the exact opposite that someone says to them just to spite them?: Absolutely ➳ If they’re alone and they hear a noise, would they go check it out or would they hide? Why?: Check it out, because she's very curious ➳ If they’re lost, what is the first thing they do?: Probably freak out for a good five minutes, and then actually try and figure out where she is ➳ What is a dream they had that was terrifying and made no sense to them?: A nonsensical dream where she's falling... and she can see the faces of her loved ones pass by, their faces morphing into skulls ➳ What is the stupidest thing they have ever done because someone said not to do it?: Literally everything ever, because she's pretty ➳ Are they stoic or melodramatic about being injured?: Stoic about serious injuries, but will be melodramatic about papercuts

Credits: @thanathecreator

[mjolnirswriststrap]

Hi! You made me think of Bucky Barnes, being dragged to a bar, but it’s a holiday pop-up, so it’s all over the top Christmas decor & themed drinks 🙊

❄️ DAY TWO OF COUNTDOWN ‘TILL CHRISTMAS ☃️

A/N: Firstly, thank you so much for the ask! I absolutely love the Always Sunny gif, it’s one of my favorite shows. Dennis dancing gave me even more ideas for this 🤣 Taking Requests - link to the characters I write for. Masterlist

Word Count: 971

Summary: Bucky hasn’t been to a bar since 1941, and is about to have a culture shock, brought on by his holiday obsessed girlfriend.

You dance in your spot. Trying to muster up enough warmth to keep yourself breathing. Philadelphia was frozen over this December. Your boyfriend took his time to lock the apartment door behind you, “C’mon Buck, it’s freezing.” You plead, needing to get to the bar.

He walks down the stairs, and swiftly grabs your hand, beginning to walk beside you. “I’m surprised all that rage doesn’t keep you warm inside.” He laughs poking fun at your short temper. You groan. “I wouldn’t be like this if you didn’t stall getting ready!” You say, laughing to let him know, you’re partly joking.

“Sorry if I seem so eager. I just love the look on your face when you see something new for the first time. You look like a little kid.” You say, letting him in on your excitement. “Plus it’s been 364 days since my last mistletoe mule. Let a woman live.”.

“All I do is let you live, crazy.” Bucky laughs as you turn the corner. It’s true, he always indulged you on every wild whim you had. If you wanted pizza at 3am, he would find pizza at 3am. You wanted to go to the beach in the middle of November, but since it was almost below freezing in Philly, he took off work to take you to Florida for the weekend.

So if you want to drag him to a bar on Christmas Eve, he’d be there, no questions asked. Even if the idea made him nervous. He already stuck out like a sore thumb. He can’t imagine what it’s gonna be like with drunk people.

You squeeze Bucky’s hand when you see red and green neon lights. “There it is!” You say, dragging him towards the humming music. Bucky opens the door for you and you’re met with warmth and the sound of jingle bell rock blasting on speakers. You show your ID to the door check, he doesn’t ask Bucky for his though, he knows who he is. Being a super hero has its perks, you guess.

Pushing your way through the rowdy crowd, you find the bar. You see a man, spinning around with two bottles of gin. He looks right at you as he continues to entertain other customers “Be right with you babe.” He winks at you and starts shaking ice and liquor.

Bucky comes up from behind you, pressing into your back. “Did he just say what I think he just said?”. You could hear the jealousy dripping from his voice. It made you laugh at him, “He’s so obviously gay! Calm down killer.”. You turn back to the bar and instantly get greeted by a blonde woman. “I actually agree with you, but nope. Not gay.” She looks at you shaking her head. You smile at her, “Excuse me, I didn’t mean to assume.” She just waves you off. “That’s my brother Dennis, I’m still waiting on him to come out.” You don’t know what to say.

“So, you guys gonna order or just question people’s sexuality all night?” She says, a bit of an attitude coming from her. You read her name tag, Dee. “Two mistletoe mules, doubles please Dee.” You say, handing over a twenty dollar bill.

“Keep the change, Merry Christmas!” You say after she tries to hand you your change. “Big spender!” She yells, looking unenthusiastic as she pockets the 5 dollars. You blush, embarrassed by her crass humor.

She slides over the cold drinks. You and Bucky move away from the bar, and the clusterfuck that’s happening there. “Let’s see what’s going on with the dj, maybe request a song.” You offer, sipping on your cocktail. Bucky nods as he clings to you, holding an already empty glass in his other hand.

You find a a short guy in the corner, with big green sunglasses on and a light up necklace around his neck. “Next up! My favorite Christmas classic Dirty Jingle Bells!” He yells, tapping a button oh the laptop in front of him. You look back at Bucky, you know the song, but you’re certain he doesn’t. When the tall tell ‘stroke on my, lick on my’ blares on the speakers, you’re covering Bucky’s ears. This might break him.

You release his ears when he’s doubling over in laughter. “It’s not that bad right?” You ask, referencing the night in general. “It’s something.” He holds you from behind as you sway and wait for your turn to request a song.

When you step up to the booth, he adresses you loudly. “Hey guys, I’m Charlie, I’ll play anything for 5 bucks.”. You pull a five from your pocket, sliding it to him as you whisper the song in his ear. “I’ve already played that 100 times tonight, what’s one more time.” He turns away, ignoring you now.

All I Want For Christmas starts playing, and you set your glasses down. You pull Bucky to the dance floor as you sings the lyrics to him. “Make my wish come true, all I want for Christmas is you!” You point at him, letting go as you dance with him. You could see it in his eyes, he was letting go too.

After a few more peppermint flavored vodka shots, you and Bucky find yourself walking the streets, drunkenly trying to find a 7/11. “I need skittles, I might die.” You say, blowing clouds of condensation from your mouth.

“You need water too.” He says, not nearly as drunk as you. “I think that lady was over pouring. Where’s the business in that?” He says taking things too seriously as always. “At first I didn’t like her, but I think she grew on me.” You say honestly, eventually catching on to her humor.

“Whatever you say honey.” Bucky says, just happy you had a good night.

[paladin-of-nerd-fandom65]

No need to apologize ppl are busy I understand ;)

1: what’s their biggest pet peeve?

2: what’s something they both can’t agree on? Best spider-man actor, best Star Wars trilogy, etc…

3: what’s their favorite & least favorite animated Christmas movies?

4: is Jon & mar’is reaction the same as the duo when they react to: somebody getting hit in the nuts both real life & movie/cartoon, toliet humor, & the whole rikishi stink face thing?

5: for the duo, what’s the best gift they got for each other? I can see Jake giving Chris a blue domino mask with white lenses.

6: are the duo fans of the game awards? If so, what game are they hoping for win game of the year?

7: not really a question but I like the little fanfic snippet of “Lava bridges & you” would love to see a full fanfiction of that, would love to help to ;)

Thanks for your patience. It’s very appreciated ;-)@gothicghost2000

1) For Chris, while getting his superhero identity confused with Dick’s Nightwing is an all too common way to annoy him a bit, a far bigger one for him would be hearing and looking at comments of all sorts that claim Superman being a ‘lame’, ‘boring’, ‘Un-relatable’ and overall ‘dull excuse’ of a superhero who should step aside in favor of any other heroes, especially Batman, just because they’re ‘cooler’ and ‘edgier’. Yeah he doesn’t take it too kindly deep down of people having those thoughts about his adopted dad. Frankly neither Jon nor him is they would be honest.

For Jake, it’s from what he can admit is a tad bit more petty on his end and he apologizes for it. That said, do not mock the original Discowing in front of him. Jake looks up to that first suit his father made with pride and he will not be taking any badmouthing against it if he can help it, No siree. Not even family members are other Titans are safe from his objections to their opinions should they make fun of Discowing

2) Best Star Wars film (Chris votes on A New Hope while Jake firmly believes it’s The Force Awakens) , Best Pizza Place (Jake will always back the local Marv and George’s while Chris favors Shakey’s) , Fairly Oddparents (Jake) vs Jimmy Neutron (Chris) but most of all and most fiercely, the Best Godzilla film ever made (besides the 1954 OG; Chris champions Godzilla vs Monster Zero while Jake touts King of the Mosnters 2019 as the best)

3) Chris

- Favorite: Elf (2005) (Not just for the obvious reason of it being funny as heck but also since it deals with themes of adoption and trying to fit in, he can relate so well with Buddy)

- Least Favorite: Grandma Got Ran Over By a Reindeer (Mainly cause the song it’s based on just sounds too morbid for a cherry beat and tone)

Jake

- Favorite: The Muppet Christmas Carol (Alfred and him almost every single time at the family’s Christmas party do a karaoke of ‘A Thankful Heart’)

- Least Favorite: The Nutcracker 3D: The Untold Story (Those visuals all throughout the movie….he can never get them out of his head no matter how hard he tries)

4) More or less almost the same though Jon is tad bit more likely to have a small chuckle with watching a Stink Face as long as it’s short and against a true heel. Mar’i also doesn’t cringe as hard with nut shots as she had seen her Dad pull that off during Father-Daughter patrols together sometimes and the reactions from the crooks who receive are pretty funny form a distance.

5) While Jake’s best gift for Chris was that mask as described, in turn thanks to Chris, Jake was given a rare one of a kind 12-inch replica of Voltron which being a fan of, all to well bringing a big smile to Jake’s face

6) They’re a bit more casual than most when it comes to those shows as the Duo really only enjoy the games they play and Jude on their own merits. That said as for this year, Chris and Jake are hoping for Super Mario Bros Wonder to win Game of the Year as they love that one

7) You know maybe later this month I can write a small snippet to expand it. Not saying it’s a guarantee but it’s certainly an idea now that you brought it up lol

[twistedtummies2]

Top 6 Easter Bunnies from Movies & TV

Happy Easter, everybody! In honor of this special day, here’s a list that I’ve been sitting on for a good long time. It’s time to talk about Easter’s favorite mascot, the Easter Bunny. The Easter Bunny is sort of an odd duck when it comes to the mythical icons of various holidays. On the one hand, I think you could argue he’s the most popular after Santa; unless you count Jack Skellington or the Great Pumpkin (and I don’t), Halloween doesn’t have any one wrote mascot to speak of, and I’m not sure if Leprechauns count when it comes to Saint Patrick’s Day. And there are dozens of other holidays that don’t really have mascots, either: essentially, it’s always been Santa and the Easter Bunny, at least in American culture. The weird part of this is that, between the two, you’ll find the Easter Bunny tends to get the short end of the stick. There are dozens of books featuring the character or about him, but none are as popular as the Christmas books, and when it comes to movies and television, the Easter Bunny has precious few cinematic outings, and most of his TV specials are less successful than the ones released at Christmastime featuring Jolly Old Saint Nick. Why this has occurred is likely a discussion better suited for smarter folks than I, but with that in mind, I think it’s high time everyone’s favorite rabbit got at least a little time in the spotlight. Finding good Easter specials and great takes on the Bunny was more difficult than I thought, but I think I’ve managed to narrow down my personal favorites nicely. So with that in mind, sit back and enjoy some chocolate eggs, whilst I present My Top 6 Favorite Easter Bunnies from Movies and Television!

6. Rabbit, from Winnie-the-Pooh.

Confused? Then you probably haven’t seen the special “Springtime With Roo.” I don’t know the special is called that, incidentally, since the main character of the film is actually Rabbit; Roo is really just a supporting player. But I guess Roo was just more marketable. (shrugs) Anyway, “Springtime With Roo” is, weirdly enough, an adaptation of “A Christmas Carol,” but with an Easter theme and featuring the characters from Winnie-the-Pooh. The story features Rabbit as our Scrooge surrogate, as it’s revealed Rabbit is actually THE Easter Bunny…but because of past events, he’s decided to call the holiday off. In Dickensian fashion, adventures through the past, present, and the future all give him a chance to change his ways and bring Easter back to the 100 Acre Wood. This is a surprisingly clever, sweet reimagining of the Carol story, and the idea of Rabbit BEING the Easter Bunny is kind of cute to me. I felt it would have been cheating, though, to place Rabbit in the Top 5, hence why this only gets an Honorable Mention.

5. Todd Tolces, from Claymation Easter.

“Claymation Easter” is a somewhat forgotten special nowadays, created by the mighty Will Vinton: a legendary animator most famous for his work with stop-motion, and the creator of various animated mascots for advertising products, including the California Raisins, the Noid for Domino’s Pizza, and the M&Ms (no, I’m serious, he made the M&Ms, too, look it up). In 1992, Vinton directed and co-produced an Easter Special made in his signature style, which featured Todd Tolces as the Easter Bunny. The plot tells the story of a villainous pig, Wilshire, who plans to take over Easter as part of an elaborate money-making scheme. Simple enough, but what makes the special so…well…special is its style of comedy and its animation credit. The special has a very absurd, bonkers sense of humor, riding a fine line between playfully whimsical and satirically mean-spirited, which gives it a unique identity among specials for this holiday. There’s also an underlying current of a theme of tradition vs. expansion: the Easter Bunny in the story is an upholder of old standards and ideals, while Wilshire is a villainous cad who uses massive machines to get what he desires, and speaks with a lot of modernized lingo and subtle innuendos and jokes. In the middle of all this Spike Rabbit, a psychologist who becomes the true hero of the story, and essentially plays the role of the middle ground: he’s got more modern sensibilities than the Easter Bunny, but he’s nowhere near as diabolical as Wilshire. Whether you see it as just a silly romp or something more, “Claymation Easter” is a hidden gem, and it’s Easter Bunny one of the more interesting and integral parts of its story.

4. Bob McFadden, from The Berenstain Bears’ Easter Surprise.

This is one of three Easter specials I used to watch all the time as a kid (the other two will come later), and it’s still got a special place in my heart. Featuring the classic Berenstain Bear Family, the story of this special focuses on Boss Bunny - the Easter Bunny himself, voiced by Bob McFadden - deciding to retire, and calling off Easter for good. This is a problem, because in this universe, Easter is also the beginning of Spring: if Boss Bunny doesn’t do his job, winter will go on forever. When Papa Bear’s plans to replace the Bunny and save the holiday fail most spectacularly, Brother Bear takes it upon himself to try and convince Boss Bunny to go out once more. What’s interesting about Boss Bunny’s role in the story is that he’s the only Easter Bunny I’ve encountered who’s outright an antagonistic presence: he’s grown tired and bitter, and wants to call off Easter not so much because of any philosophical issues, but simply because he feels overworked. He feels he’s doing a thankless job, being taken for granted, and he’s so old and worn out he’s not sure he has it in him to continue doing the job. Of course, in the end, good sense prevails for the old timer, and he gets back to his regular duties…and it turns out chocolates and colored eggs aren’t the only surprises Brother Bear has to look forward to on Easter Morning…but I mustn’t say more, or I shall spoil the rest of the story.

3. Hugh Jackman, from Rise of the Guardians.

I don’t know what crazy person came up with the idea of the Easter Bunny as a fluffy boomerang-toting Crocodile Dundee action hero voiced by freaking Wolverine…but whoever decided that was an awesome idea deserves ALL of the candies this year. (pauses) That’s it. I’ve…I’ve got nothing else. This one speaks for itself. Moving on.

2. Skip Hinnant, from The Easter Bunny is Comin’ to Town! Both of my top two choices are the creation of Rankin/Bass; they’re the other two specials I used to watch every year as a kid, and these two I actually make a point of STILL watching every year. Easter just wouldn’t feel complete without them. The first up is the sequel to the popular Christmas Special “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town,” and in many ways, this Easter-themed follow-up is sort of the same basic story. It chronicles the origins of the Easter Bunny - voiced by Skip Hinnant, and named Sunny - from his birth to his role as the icon of the holiday, explaining how many of the Easter traditions were born in the process. While it follows a lot of the same beats from the previous special, it changes things up enough to still have its own identity, and Sunny is a wonderfully fun, sweet, smart character. It’s just as good as its Yuletide predecessor, in my opinion; if you haven’t seen it before, take a peek.

As much as I love sweet little Sunny, however, there’s one Easter Special - one Easter Bunny - I like even more…

1. Casey Kasem, from Here Comes Peter Cottontail!

Rankin/Bass actually made three Easter specials, and of the three, this one is the most popular, and my personal favorite. In this story, we don’t just focus on ONE Easter Bunny, however…we essentially have a story of SEVERAL. The tale takes place in April Valley, which is basically to Easter what the North Pole is to Santa Claus. Here there lives an entire species of talking rabbits, who all work to make Easter run smoothly; the Chief Easter Bunny is the leader of them all, and the one responsible for delivering all the goodies on the big day. One year, the old Chief - Colonel Bunny - decides it’s time to retire, and chooses a young upstart, Peter Cottontail (voiced by Shaggy himself, of all people, Casey Kasem) to be his successor. Peter is a boastful, rash, and occasionally prone-to-fib bunny, so others doubt he’s suitable for the job, but the Colonel sees himself in Peter, and it becomes clear that, for all his faults, Peter does have his heart in the right place. Unfortunately, his main rival does not: the villainous Irontail (voiced by Our Lord and Savior of Villainy, Vincent Price) decides to challenge Peter to a contest…which Peter, thanks to his laziness and Irontail’s scheming, loses. With help from a time machine (yes, a time machine, just run with it) Peter decides to go back and try to find a way to fix things, and in the process, learns to shape up his act and become a responsible Rabbit. All three of the main bunnies in the story are wonderful (especially Irontail, mostly because this is Vincent Price at his absolute hammiest; he is to Price what Dr. Mystico is to Tim Curry, in my opinion), but Peter is the main character and obviously our Easter Bunny Prime for the purposes of the tale. It’s a very fun special, one of Rankin/Bass’ best productions, in my opinion, with great music, charming characters, and glorious voice acting. While I’d be lying if I said Peter is my ideal Easter Bunny (that honor actually belongs to a book, and that’s rather a different story), this is, without a doubt, my favorite Easter Special, and Peter, by extension, my favorite take on the Bunny from onscreen outings. He is more than deserving of my number one spot.

[dollycas]

Cozy Wednesday featuring Sleep in Heavenly Pizza: A Deep Dish Mystery by Mindy Quigley #Review / #Giveaway @MinotaurBooks @StMartinsPress @minty_fresh_books

Welcome to Cozy Wednesday!  It is my pleasure to share my thoughts today about Sleep in Heavenly Pizza: A Deep Dish Mystery by Mindy Quigley! Sleep in Heavenly Pizza: A Deep Dish Mystery Cozy Mystery 4th in Series Setting - Wisconsin Publisher ‏ : ‎ Minotaur Books (October 22, 2024) Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 320 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1250326281 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1250326287 Kindle ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CPWSF641 Audiobook ASIN B0DFQXT5X5 Sleep in Heavenly Pizza is the fourth book in Mindy Quigley's delectable Deep Dish Mystery series, set in a Wisconsin pizzeria. Pizza chef Delilah O’Leary and her kitty companion, Butterball, get into the holiday spirit as Geneva Bay, Wisconsin hosts the nation’s premier snow sculpting championship. The annual event transforms the charming resort town into a wonderland of snow castles, ice rinks, and cozy cups of cocoa. On the eve of the festival though, a too-good-to-be-true Chrismukkah catering gig brings some frosty tidings and heralds an unexpected visit from Delilah’s high-intensity older sister. Suddenly it seems that the holidays may not be the hap-happiest season of all. And when one of the town’s snowy sculptures reveals a chilling surprise, murder threatens to put the celebrations—and Delilah’s crew—on ice for good. Dollycas's Thoughts We arrive in Geneva Bay, Wisconsin just in time for the holidays. The nation’s premier snow sculpting championship is set to begin soon and the town will become a winter wonderland of ice and snow sculptures. Pizza chef Delilah O’Leary caters a Chrismukkah event for Daffi and Adrian Hoffman the evening before and is surprised to see her niece and brother-in-law in attendance without her sister. The surprises don't end with the party, the next day one of the sculptors makes a terrifying discovery. It appears murder is on the menu and Delilah's crew and family will be getting more than a slice of attention. Can Delilah and her feline friend Butterball put the clues together to serve up the real killer before anyone else gets iced? ______ Ms. Quigley has created a sensational set of core characters for this series. I related to Aunt Biz and her longing for a family holiday. It is hard to get everyone together these days. At first Delilah's sister, Shea was not coming for Christmas but circumstances in the story brought her and her family to town. While they were all together at times you could cut the tension with a knife. Delilah feels so true to life. The woman has a huge heart. As this series continues, the supporting characters become more fleshed out too. It is easy to get invested in their lives. The way the murder takes place and the aftermath was really freaky. Capone wants Delilah to stay out of the investigation. He wants to protect her, but she looks out for all her friends and family no matter what. The murder is linked to the Chrismukkah party and there is no shortage of suspects, including some dear to Delilah. Connections and interactions pared them down but people she cares about are still being questioned. As clues started to come together and motives and misdeeds were revealed epic twists had me reeling. The reveal had me gobsmacked and a little heartbroken. While some heavy topics were themes in the mystery, Ms. Quigley adds a perfect amount of humor. She also mentions Wisconsin traditions and happenings that always make this Wisconsin girl smile.  Delilah mentions a previous Christmas when she flopped on the couch to "watch the Bears get clobbered by the Packers". Yes, a very enjoyable part of every Packer football season. They are two of the oldest teams in the NFL and have been rivals since 1921. Also, a Wisconsin winter is not for the faint at heart. There can be snow and frigid temps that need to be taken seriously especially when trying to solve a murder. Sleep in Heavenly Pizza was wonderfully plotted and written. Delilah, her friends, and her family had a heck of a holiday season. I loved tagging along for every minute of it. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC. Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent About the Author MINDY QUIGLEY has won a number of awards for her short stories, including the 2013 Bloody Scotland Prize and the 2018 Lightbringer Award. Originally from Chicago, she possesses a naturally sophisticated pizza palate. Her desert island pizza choice would be Lou Malnati’s “Deep Dish Lou” or an Aurelio’s thin crust with spinach, tomatoes, and black olives. She lives in Virginia with her history professor husband, their two children, and their miniature Schnauzer. You can find more info about Mindy Quigley on her website here. This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting Escape With Dollycas. Thanks to the publisher I have 1 copy to give away! The contest is open to anyone over 18 years old with a US mailing address. Duplicate entries will be deleted. Void where prohibited. You do not have to be a follower to enter but I hope you will find something you like here and become a follower. Followers Will Receive 2 Bonus Entries For Each Way They Follow. Plus 2 Bonus Entries For Following My Facebook Fan Page. Add this book to your WANT TO READ shelf on GoodReads for 3 Bonus Entries. Pin this giveaway to Pinterest for 3 Bonus Entries. If you share the giveaway on Twitter or Facebook or anywhere you will receive 5 Bonus Entries For Each Link. The  Contest Will End October 23, 2024, at 11:59 PM CST The Winner Will Be Chosen By Random.org The Winner Will Be Notified By Email and Will Be Posted Here In The Sidebar. Click Here For Entry Form Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” Read the full article

[bestshirtcanbuy]

Be Nice To My Cat Ugly Sweater Christmas Party

The holiday season is the perfect time to spread love and joy to those around us, including our beloved pets. If you're searching for a fun and unique way to celebrate Christmas with your friends and family, look no further than the "Be Nice To My Cat Ugly Sweater Christmas Party." Ugly sweater parties have become a popular holiday tradition, and they never fail to bring laughter and excitement. However, adding a twist to the concept by centering it around our feline friends makes it even more special. This party theme caters to both men and women, ensuring that everyone can partake in the festivities. The "Be Nice To My Cat Ugly Sweater Christmas Party" invites guests to wear their most unique and humorous cat-themed ugly sweaters. From sweaters with adorable cartoon cats to those showcasing hilarious cat puns, the options are endless. This type of party encourages creativity and guarantees countless laughs throughout the event, as guests will undoubtedly come up with outrageous designs to impress their fellow attendees. One of the highlights of this party is the chance to involve your cat in the celebration. After all, they are the guest of honor! Encourage your guests to bring their own cats along and let them join in on the fun. Set up a designated play area with various toys and treats to entertain the feline attendees, ensuring they feel comfortable and included in the festivities. You can also arrange a photo booth with props and costumes for people to take memorable pictures with their furry friends. To make this event even more enjoyable, consider organizing cat-themed games and activities. You could host a cat trivia quiz or a "Pin the Tail on the Cat" game. Offering small prizes, such as cat treats or toys, will only amplify the competitive spirit and create even more excitement. In addition to the entertainment, don't forget about the food and drinks! Serve a variety of cat-themed snacks, such as "meowgaritas" (cat-shaped margarita cookies) or "paw-some" sandwiches. For the cat lovers who prefer something a bit more substantial, consider offering a "catnipoletan" pizza, which showcases various cat-shaped toppings. As for the drinks, be sure to have a selection of cat-inspired cocktails and mocktails, like the "Purr-fect Eggnog" or the "Whisker Sour." To ensure that everyone leaves with a special cat-themed keepsake, consider providing small gifts or party favors. These can include cat-shaped keychains, cat-themed mugs, or even personalized cat ornaments that guests can hang on their Christmas trees to remember this unique celebration. Whether you're a cat lover yourself or know someone who is, the "Be Nice To My Cat Ugly Sweater Christmas Party" is a fantastic way to bring people together, celebrate the holiday season, and show appreciation for our feline companions. This party idea is not only suitable for men and women but also for guests of all ages, making it a gift for everyone attending. So, put on your most outrageous ugly sweater, embrace the cat-themed spirit, and get ready to have a meow-velous time!

Get it here : Be Nice To My Cat Ugly Sweater Christmas Party

Home Page : tshirtslowprice.com

[progiftreview]

Be Xmas Fabulous Ugly Sweater Party

The holiday season is synonymous with joy, warmth, and togetherness. It's a time where friends and family come together to celebrate and create unforgettable memories. And what better way to add some fun and laughter to your holiday celebrations than by hosting a "Be Xmas Fabulous Ugly Sweater Party"? Ugly sweater parties have become a popular tradition during the holiday season. These parties allow guests to showcase their creativity and sense of humor by donning the most outrageous, over-the-top, and "ugliest" Christmas sweaters they can find. It's a fantastic opportunity to bring people together, have a good laugh, and spread some holiday cheer. The appeal of an ugly sweater party lies in its inclusivity. It's an event that welcomes men, women, and people of all ages. From the comically large reindeer-shaped sweaters to the ones embellished with blinking lights, there is an ugly sweater option for everyone. The joy of finding that one sweater that perfectly captures your personality and uniqueness is a thrill that's hard to beat. Not only are ugly sweater parties a great way to have fun, but they also serve as an excellent icebreaker. As guests arrive sporting their festive attire, conversations start flowing naturally. People bond over the creativity and effort put into their sweaters, sharing nostalgic stories, and cracking jokes. It's an opportunity to meet new people and strengthen existing relationships - all while having a blast. To elevate the experience, consider hosting a "Be Xmas Fabulous Ugly Sweater Party" with a twist. Encourage your guests to bring a small, wrapped gift. These gifts can be simple, inexpensive, and even quirky. The idea is to have an exchange where everyone gets a chance to walk away with a unique surprise. It's a way to spread the holiday spirit and show appreciation for one another. In addition to the traditional ugly sweater contest, you can add a few more activities to keep the party atmosphere alive. Set up a DIY photo booth corner, complete with fun props and accessories, where guests can capture their fabulous sweater moments. You can also organize a gift-wrapping station, complete with festive wrapping paper, ribbons, and tags, where guests can wrap their exchange gifts together, fostering teamwork and camaraderie. Of course, no party is complete without delicious food and drinks. Serve festive-themed appetizers such as mini-tree-shaped pizzas, reindeer-shaped cookies, and warm cups of mulled wine or hot cocoa. Don't forget to create a playlist filled with holiday tunes to get everyone in the mood for a jolly time. To ensure your party is a success, spread the word by sending out custom-designed invitations featuring the most outrageous ugly sweaters you can find. Use social media platforms to share party updates, including sneak peeks of the sweater creations your guests will bring. In conclusion, hosting a "Be Xmas Fabulous Ugly Sweater Party" is a surefire way to make your holiday celebrations memorable. By inviting men, women, and people of all ages, you create an inclusive and fun atmosphere that encourages laughter and togetherness. Don your ugliest sweater, exchange quirky gifts, take fabulous photos, and indulge in festive treats. Embrace the holiday spirit and let the "ugly" sweaters be a source of joy and laughter during this wonderful time of the year.

Get it here : Be Xmas Fabulous Ugly Sweater Party

Home Page : tshirtslowprice.com

[kingjain]

Santa Wearing Mask Dank Ugly Sweater Christmas Party

With the holiday season just around the corner, it's time to start thinking about fun and unique ways to celebrate Christmas. If you're tired of the same old traditional gatherings, why not spice things up this year with a Santa Wearing Mask Dank Ugly Sweater Christmas Party? This creative and light-hearted theme is perfect for men, women, and makes for a fantastic gift for everyone involved. First things first, let's talk about the main star of the party - Santa wearing a mask. In light of the ongoing pandemic, it's crucial to prioritize safety and promote the use of masks. By incorporating this element into your festive gathering, you not only show your commitment to keeping everyone safe but also add a unique twist to the traditional Santa Claus image. Imagine an array of Santas, all donning masks while spreading holiday cheer and merriment – it's a sight that will surely bring a smile to everyone's faces. To take the theme one step further, encourage all partygoers to dress in dank ugly sweaters. The idea behind these sweaters is to find the most outrageous, eye-catching designs that just scream "ugly Christmas sweater." From vibrant colors and a mishmash of patterns to tacky Christmas-themed decorations, the possibilities are endless. Whether you choose to buy one or get creative and make your own, the dank ugly sweater is the ultimate fashion statement for this festive occasion. Now, let's dive into the party itself. Start by decorating your venue with festive ornaments, twinkling lights, and of course, Santa-themed decor. Hang stockings, pull out the reindeer decorations, and put up mistletoe in strategic spots to create a fun and immersive holiday atmosphere. When it comes to food and drinks, think of classic Christmas treats with a twist. Serve up Santa-inspired cocktails and mocktails, such as the "Sleigh Bell Spritzer" or the "Reindeer Punch," complete with a candy cane garnish. Finger foods like mini Santa pizzas or reindeer-shaped cookies will be a hit with partygoers of all ages. To keep the festive spirit alive, plan some engaging activities and games. A Santa-themed trivia quiz, an ugly sweater fashion show, or even a "pin the mask on Santa" game can all add a touch of laughter and friendly competition to the event. Don't forget to award prizes to the best-dressed Santa and the most creative ugly sweater! Lastly, ensure that everyone leaves the party with a memorable gift. Consider providing customized Santa masks or mini ugly sweaters as party favors. Additionally, you can organize a Secret Santa gift exchange, where each person draws a name and buys a quirky or humorous gift for their chosen recipient. The Santa Wearing Mask Dank Ugly Sweater Christmas Party is a fantastic way to inject some humor and cheer into the holiday season. By combining safety measures with festive fun, you can create an unforgettable experience for everyone, regardless of age or gender. So, gather your loved ones, embrace the ugly sweaters, and get ready for an evening of joyful celebration and holiday merriment.

Get it here : Santa Wearing Mask Dank Ugly Sweater Christmas Party

Home Page : tshirtslowprice.com

[winterhawksamplers]

Pet Fic: Lucky, Alpine, and More

It's dogs. And cats. And the occasional ferret. Come on, of course we love them! This sampler offers a variety of animal-centric fics: in some, pets and animals are what bring Clint and Bucky together; in others, they serve as key components to helping Clint and Bucky figure things out; in one, we get some of Lucky's actual POV. Animals act as therapists, as cockblocks, as the absolute best pillows. This is a (literal) fluff, humor, and pizza dog filled theme, but don't be too surprised when some of these furry facades are actually vehicles for processing complex winterhawk themes like trauma, PTSD, and figuring out how to be human.

Space to Run, Space to Hide by: @ialwayscomewhenyoucall length: 1.1k | rating: T | tags: free verse poetry, barton farm, fluff, avoidance, podfic available, shifting POVs summary excerpt: Clint is spending some time at his farm. Not because he's running away. Nope. Not at all. He just missed the farm. Why this one? In this incredibly beautiful, sweet, and lyrical fic, the author utilizes Lucky's POV to help capture a classic example of Clint's emotional avoidance. bonus: podfic by @flowerparrish

Rescue Me by: NotEvenCloseToStraight length: 25k | rating: M | tags: PTSD, depression, service animals, misunderstandings, amputee!Bucky, Deaf!Clint, h/c, no powers au summary excerpt: Still struggling with PTSD and nightmares a year after leaving the Army, Bucky goes to a shelter to find a therapy dog. He finds companionship in Beef the Pitbull, a purpose in volunteering on weekends, and when the dog trainer starts smiling his way, Bucky finds something else that feels a little like love. Why this one? This heart-wrenching fic situates a post-military service Bucky struggling to find a new normal alongside a disaster human/pet-trainer Clint. C&B's journey to recovery in this fic is realistic, rife with struggles and mistakes, and filled with enough feels to make you want to rush to hug the nearest animal you can find.

Through the Streets of Long Gone Dreams by: Rivulet027 length: 11k | rating: T | tags: canon-adjacent, Bucky Barnes recovering, mutual pining, bed sharing, Lucky as the best bed buddy summary: Bucky’s having trouble sleeping until Lucky decides to adopt him. Now Bucky isn’t sure if he’s sleeping better because of a dog or the archer that comes with the dog. Why this one? This one feels like a more classic Bucky recovery story, in that the setting is the tower, and there are PTSD and nightmare themes throughout. Lucky here helps push Clint and Bucky together and helps Bucky ground and find himself. bonus: art by prompt_fills

A Christmas Miracle: Getting Lucky by: Lissadiane length: 11k | rating: T | tags: veterinarian!Bucky, performer!Clint, temporary animal injury, fluff, holidays, no powers au summary excerpt: Clint Barton’s absolute worst nightmare comes true on a snowy highway in the middle of Colorado on a cross country drive — he hits a dog. It’s just his luck that the only vet he can find hates people — especially those who hurt dogs — and happens to look amazing in a pair of kitten scrubs. Why this one? A sheepishly adorable Clint, an adorably grouchy Bucky, and the cutest Lucky in a pair of reindeer antlers to ever attend a holiday festival make for the most fluff-and-feels-filled fic, possibly ever. A dash of misunderstanding, a sprinkle of enemies-to-lovers, and you're in for a fic streaming from the hallmark channel straight to your ao3 account.

Lucky in Love by: @drgrlfriend length: 59k | rating: E | tags: no powers au, mutual recovery, PTSD, depression, veteran!Bucky, h/c, roommates, pining, touch-starved, canon disabilities summary excerpt: Clint is only a couple of sips into his cardboard cup of coffee, his brain barely out of neutral, which is probably why it takes him so long to realize that some damn psycho is trying to kidnap his dog. Why this one? This classic au blends a variety of canon and fandom favorite tropes in a beautiful story of mutual recovery. Lucky brings Clint and Bucky together in a disaster of a meet-cute, and is there to support them through every nightmare, every flashback, and every shaky and sweet step towards trust and healing. bonus: art by @drizzledrawings

The next nine fluff-filled fics are sorted in descending order by length.

Look What The Cat Dragged In by: @flawedamythyst length: 22k | rating: G | tags: Bucky Barnes Recovering, Lucky, Alpine, co-raising a cat with the Winter Soldier

Making Me a Habit by: @kangofu-cb length: 20k | rating: T | tags: war vet! Bucky, Clint owns an animal shelter, no powers au, PTSD, kittens, + 1 ferret, bonus: art by @soapyquartz and art by CountessofLovelace and art by noxnthea

Barking Mad by: @xria-rose length: 4k | rating: T | tags: magic, pre-relationship, established stony, Steve and Tony are turned into a dog and cat

Ready to Hear it by: @noxnthea length: 3.7k | rating: T | tags: feelings realization, love confessions, Clint treating Lucky like his therapist

How to Prevent Sugar Bloom by: @tawryn length: 3.7k | rating: E | tags: flipped A/B/O, humor, dog park meet cute/disaster, STEVE IS A LITERAL DOG

Winter Puppy by: @pherryt length: 3.5k | rating: G | tags: werewolves, towerfic, Clint wants a dog so bad he's willing to believe the random wolf in the tower is one

Modern Drift by: @claraxbarton length: 2k | rating: T | tags: alpine, no powers au, Nurse!Bucky, pre-relationship, covid, best cat dad Bucky

Five Facts You Need to Know About Clint and Bucky by: @skylarkevanson length: 1.8k | rating: G | tags: domestic fluff, one fact is=Clint is the type of man who stops in the street to pet every dog

it's got to be you(r cat) by: atheoryon length: 1k | rating: G | tags: no powers au, firefighter! Bucky, meet-cute, alpine is not stuck on a fire escape

What other animal or pet related fics would you include? reblog or add in the comments for your fellow readers!

Find other themed winterhawk samplers here. Suggest fics for us to include on future lists here!

[innuendostyles]

Your from the UK right??? Not to make u sad but imagine going to Asda with Ben at 2 in the morning (u only went for some milk) and u end up coming out with almost the entire shop in ur trolley 😂😂 Happens to the best of us

YAY

“We’re only going for milk.” He quietly mumbled as he aimed the keys at the car and pressed the lock button, hearing the sound of the mechanisms working to ensure the car wouldn’t get stolen from the car park. He held his hand out for you to take before he crossed the zebra crossings, giving a silent nod to a car that’d stopped so the two of you could pass.

It was a gentle reminder but also a jest at himself, considering the last time he’d gone to Asda this late, he’d returned home with a new DVD player for your living room, an abundance of on-sale Easter chocolate, and a DIY friendship bracelets set (it was located in the 6 years and over section, but he wouldn’t tell anyone that part.)

The bracelets aforementioned had been tied to your wrists for a month and a half now, yours was a braided black, white and yellow band while his was black, white and red. He somehow matched his outfit, black jogging bottoms, a red Nike hoodie and the best part of all…. socks with sliders. You’d claim that if he wore those out of the house, you’d pretend not to know him, but later decided that it was more endearing than embarrassing. His socks were black with red love hearts printed all over them, some you’d got him for Valentine’s Day as he claimed that “a pair of socks is the best present you could ever buy a man.”

You, on the other hand, wore a pair of black leggings, paired with an extremely worn “Rolling Stones 1979 Tour” acid wash t-shirt. Ben had insisted that you wear one of his jackets, given the fact that your local Asda always seemed to be freezing around this time, so it was topped off with a navy blue Nike Air Max windbreaker. Your fluffy bed socks really pulled the outfit together.

You each had one of Ben’s AirPods in your ear, currently listening to a song by The Lumineers, one that Ben described to you as making him feel as if he was “running down a sandy beach trying to get to you.” His pinky finger slid around your pinky finger as he strayed to the shelter where all the trolleys (shopping carts) were located.

He always pushed the trolley, claiming his driving skills were better than yours, but you knew the only reason he enjoyed pushing them so much was so he could “fly down the aisles”, an act in which he would push the cart extremely fast when there was nobody near you, and lift his feet from the ground, letting the cart take all his weight.

The song ended and changed to a Snoop Dogg song, to which you quirked an eyebrow, asking, “What fucking playlist is this?” with a laugh.

You walked through the sliding doors, Ben already getting distracted by some plants that were on clearance at the front doors, silently placing 2 small plant pots with some sort of pink flower in the middle into the cart.

There was a display as soon as you entered the shop floor, a large green cardboard cut out of the grinch, next to it sitting a handful of Christmas DVD’s, letting all the customers know that they could “Buy 1 Christmas DVD and receive a free 9” pizza”. Ben’s eyes immediately lit up, turning his head towards yours as he exclaimed that Christmas films and food are two of his favourite things ever. You shook your head in disbelief as you picked through the DVD’s, most of them being new and animated films you’d never heard of.

You were looking for one in particular, though you had little faith that it would be in the same pile as these cartoon ones. Ben loved The Nativity, one of the funniest Christmas films in the world, he reckons. He thought Martin Freeman was one of the best actors ever, and that along with Marc Wootton, it had to be the best film ever.

You rifled through the array of cases, finally picking out a white cover that read, “The Nativity!” You placed it in the cart, seeing Ben’s eyes light up as he bounced up and down in excitement, like a child.

“Can we get pepperoni on the pizza? Please!” He whined, earning a “yes” from you, to which he skipped down the aisle and giggled like a schoolboy.

You reached the fridges, Ben picking up 2 pints of milk and putting them in the trolley before giving an accomplished nod.

“Can we ‘ave a look at some vinyls?” He asked, with a pleading pout that he knew always won you over.

“Ooh, yeah actually, Gwil said he wanted the Hamilton vinyl a couple of weeks ago. Might be a good present, yeah?” You suggested, knowing it would result in Ben realising he hadn’t yet bought Christmas presents for any of his friends yet, something you’d been trying to gently remind him of for the last couple of weeks.

You made your way to the music section, getting distracted by anything and everything you could find. Ben was clinging onto a t-shirt with a green dinosaur on it, lit up by Christmas lights with a star on top of its head, the phrase “Tree-Rex” printed underneath it.

He held up the knitted fabric to you, and you both whispered, “Joe.” at the exact same time. It was folded and placed into the cart.

A pack of 250 small Christmas cards was the next thing to grab your attention, Ben telling you that the two of you “had to send the neighbours a card this year, considering the amount of times they’ve had to endure foolish giggles and the  creaky bed really late at night!” You’d simply nodded with a chuckle, though he didn’t put them in straight away. He noticed the box had been busted open at the top and went on a hunt for an unopened box. He reached his arm all the way back into the shelf, jokingly asking you to hold his hand so he didn’t get lost. He finally grabbed a pack, throwing them into the trolley from about a meter away and doing a celebratory dance when they went in.

One of the lights overhead flickered, which caused Ben to turn to you with an over-exaggerated gasp, claiming “Asda is haunted!!!!” and running away from you frantically. You guffawed at his antics, lightly jogging after him while trying to catch your breath from laughing.

After collecting your pizza on the way to the music section, Ben made a quick turn down the homeware section. He browsed the cushion cases, holding up a few colours and patterns that he thought may match your living room sofa, all of which received a horrified glare from you (this was the exact reason you didn’t let him take the lead when you decided to start decorating your flat together… his first suggestion was warm brown walls with a stripy turquoise and black sofa…)

He reached the mirror section, finding an extremely large plain mirror, with no frame, slowly running his finger over the edge of it.

“Might buy us this for Christmas.” He stated.

Your brows raised in confusion, tilting your head to tell him you were unsure why he’d said it.

“One of them naughty mirrors…… when you put it on the ceiling so I’d be able to see everything when you’re ridi-“  your hand quickly shot over his mouth, your eyes widening as you took in what he meant. You could feel his lips sporting a smirk beneath your palm. You shook your head and giggled along with him.

“C'mon babe… know you’d love seeing this juicy cheeks every time I’m on top of you…” you lightly smacked his chest and delivered a sharp, yet humorous, “enough!”.

Once you’d finally made it to the music section, Ben appeared to be in his element. He’d picked up the Hamilton vinyl for Gwilym, as well as a new Ariana Grande record for Lucy. He was eyeing up Taylor Swift’s newest release, hoping you wouldn’t notice when he slipped it into the cart. He groaned when you looked him directly in the eyes and shook your head with a knowing smile on your face.

“I was gonna give you that for Christmas! Now you’ve ruined the surprise!” He whined with a pout.

“You are all I want for Christmas.” You replied, already cringing wondering if anyone else had heard you.

He, too, shook his head, but still gave you a quick kiss on the cheek to show his appreciation for you.

The next aisle was the clearance aisle. This was a dangerous one for Ben. His Mum had always taught him “never to pass up a bargain, cause you’ll see it one day, regret not buying it, go back the next day and it’ll be gone!”.

Within 5 minutes of browsing the shelves, he’d picked up a large Christmas-themed Yankee Candle gift set for his brother, a turkey-shaped dog toy for Frankie (this one you’d suggested) as well as a pack of 3 photo frames and a new flower vase for his mum.

Walking to the checkout was always a dangerous game, as the bakery part of the shop was located right next to all the tills. He’d always claim to be “just looking” while you unloaded the trolley onto the moving belt so the cashier could scan your items, and most times he only came back with a box of flapjacks or at the most, 2 jam donuts and a reduced fat chocolate eclair cake.

What you weren’t expecting today, however, was for your boyfriend to return with a basket he’d picked up from somewhere, filled with pastries and cakes that made your mouth water.

“These’ll be alright til Christmas Eve won’t they? Can watch Nativity with our little pizza ‘n then fill ourselves wi’ these after? Yeah?” You didn’t really get a chance to reply before the food was placed down onto the belt. You’d never seen him so happy with himself, thinking he’d just come up with the best idea in the entire world, even though you’d done basically the same thing for the last 2 years of spending Christmas together.

The cashier gave you your total, a whopping £110, even though you’d originally come in for 2 pints of milk, which should’ve brought your total to around…. £3.

He shook his head with a small smile as he took his card out of his wallet, swiping it over the reader and thanking the lady when she gave him his receipt. He rolled the trolley out onto the car park, you following closely behind telling him to unlock the car so you’d be able to hear the beep it made and find it, considering how dark it was outside. After locating the vehicle, he gently placed all the items in the backseat, taking extra care to make sure the pizza was cushioned by Joe’s new shirt and Frankie’s new toy. He dropped the trolley back off at the shelter before getting into the car, strapping his seatbelt and turning the radio on.

Paul McCartney’s “Wonderful Christmastime” filled the speakers, causing Ben to let out a quiet, “What a fuckin’ banger!”.

You couldn’t resist the urge to lean over and give him a peck on the cheek and a ruffle of his hair. You simply were having a wonderful Christmas time.

[starlingsrps]

clara cooke char. dev.

BASIC INFORMATION

full name: clara elizabeth cooke

reasoning: not really

nickname(s): nope.

preferred name(s): clara

birth date: april 29

age: twenty one

zodiac: taurus

gender: cis female

pronouns: she/hers

romantic orientation: heterosexual

sexual orientation: heterosexual

nationality: american

current location: [blep]

living conditions: she finally has a single at the sorority house and she's very ruthless about keeping it organized and tidy. sure it's the size of a glorified dorm room but she's got a window, plants, and her mini fridge. all is well.

BACKGROUND

birth place: rye, ny

hometown: cortland, ny

social class: middle

education level: senior (junior?) in college; b.s. in psychology

father: harry cooke, 47, apple orchard owner

mother: rachel cooke, 47, apple orchard owner

sibling(s): riley cooke, 25; colin cooke, 19; taylor cooke, 16

birth order: middle

children: nah

pet(s): the cooke family has a very large, very simple labradoodle at home named felix. felix's skills include eating and being a sentient weighted blanket.

other important relatives: the usual course of aunts/uncles/cousins.

previous relationships: dylan cooper, on and off (and off and on)

current relationship: on and off with gavin hall (it's complicated but she'll give you a timeline)

arrests?: nah

OCCUPATION & INCOME

primary source of income: student loans

secondary source of income: work-study at the psych lab entering data.

content with their job (or lack there of)?: it's all just fine for now.

past job(s): her family owns and operates an apple orchard so she's done pretty much every job possible at the orchard up to and including driving a tractor on hay rides, making apple donuts, herding small animals at the petting zoo, and wearing the cursed scarecrow costume and scaring children.

most valuable possession: gavin gave her a designer bag for her last birthday they were together and while she doesn't like to carry it because it's expensive and a bit too much for her, she will use it when they are dating but otherwise it stays in her closet.

SKILLS & ABILITIES

physical strength: b - like it's okay.

speed: b+

intelligence: a

accuracy: b

agility: b

stamina: b

teamwork: good but she prefers to be in charge and sees herself as a good leader. she's president of her chapter and she tries to be benevolent.

talents: good memory, multi-tasking, beer pong.

shortcomings: stubborn, possessive, two beer maximum

language(s) spoken: english

drive?: yep (car AND tractor)

jump-star a car?: yep

change a flat tire?: yep

ride a bicycle?: yep

swim?: yep

play an instrument?: nope

play chess?: nope

braid hair?: yep

tie a tie?: yep

pick a lock?: nope

PHYSICAL APPEARANCE & CHARACTERISTICS

face claim: casimere jollette

eye color: blue

hair color: blonde

hair type/style: long and wavy; she styles accordingly with the occasion.

glasses/contacts?: 50/50

dominant hand: right

height: 5'2

build: hella petite. she's the first to call herself portable.

exercise habits: five days a week, weekends are for sleep.

skin tone: fair

tattoos: nah

piercings: ears

marks/scars: freckles; scar on her left shoulder that she brushes off if asked but definitley came from climbing through a broken window in high school.

notable features: hella cheekbones, disarmingly adorable.

usual expression: neutral listening

clothing style: she really prefers skirts or dresses and tends to be slightly overdressed. she's big on presenting herself well which is why clara is a twenty one year old with a suit and is prepared to dress for any theme.

jewelry: whatever suits the outfit

allergies: dust and pollen

diet: p reasonable

physical ailments: nah

PSYCHOLOGY

enneagram type: 2 - the helper

moral alignment: lawful good

temperament: phlegmatic

element: earth

mbti type: esfj

mental conditions/disorders: nah not really

sociability: excellent

emotional stability: p good

obsession(s): not so much but she does always just feel better when things are where they're supposed to be and she knows what the day holds.

compulsion(s): nah

phobia(s): worms

addiction(s): nah

drug use: nah

alcohol use: sure

prone to violence?: nah

MANNERISMS

speech style: to the point

accent: nah

quirks: sunday nights she does yoga, organizes her planner for the week, and restocks snacks and minifridge. she does not ever skip this.

hobbies: planner design, event planning for the sorority

habits: general organization

nervous ticks: drumming her fingertips

drives/motivations: success, independence

positive traits: reliable, grounded, creative, hard working

negative traits: stubborn, possessive/hypocritical about that, petty

sense of humor: nothing too notable but like: she laughs. she's human.

do they curse often?: not really so when she does, it's with purpose.

FAVORITES

activity: solving

animal: dogs

beverage: her giant water bottle is always present but she likes to crush a red bull now and then.

book: big little lies

color: pink and yellow

designer: nothing specific but she is the queen of a tj maxx bargain.

food: pizza, always.

flower: gardenias

gem: she thinks spending that amount of money on jewelry is stupid but like, diamonds /are pretty.

holiday: christmas

mode of transportation: walk or drive

movie: ever after

song: "brutal" by olivia rodrigo is a vibe.

scenery: truly just a simple bitch who enjoys fall colors.

scent: vanilla and patchouli

sport: football in theory - she enjoys a good tailgate and gavin plays so here they all are.

television show: gilmore girls and csi

weather: sunny and mild, early fall preferred.

vacation destination: cities - spring break is fine but she usually winds up needing a seperate vacation afterwards.

ATTITUDES

greatest dream: short term is maintaining order in the sorority. long term, she absolutely has a ten year plan that starts with graduating and getting into a strong ph.d program and ends with marriage and kids by thirty.

greatest fear: settling.

most at ease when: working towards something; she's not great at just doing things for fun - there should always be an end goal.

least at ease when: she really hates fighting with anyone. in the moment, she really hits below the belt and feels terrible about it later.

worst possible thing that could happen: failure.

biggest achievement: everything she's accomplished in school so far - she's been on the dean's list every semester, she's set to graduate with honors, she's president of her sorority. she has busted her ass for this and she's proud of herself.

biggest regret: dylan sometimes.

biggest secret: she really does love dylan and it drives her nuts.

top priorities: finishing school strong, her family and friends.

[purplesurveys]

1106

survey by mickey-mouse

Who was the last person you couldn't take your eyes off of? I haven’t been feeling that way towards anyone, be it from real life or someone on the internet or a celebrity, for a while.

Do you drink the milk from the bowl after you eat all the cereal? I’ll try to drink some of it, since I do think milk tastes nice haha, but I keep it in moderation so that my stomach won’t end up being too upset.

Have you ever kissed anybody accidentally? Oh wow, how does this even happen? Hahaha but no I haven’t.

Who was the first person to wish you a Merry Christmas last year? Most likely a family member. My friends and I usually greet each other late into the evening.

Do you think it'll be the same person this year? It will probably be family again, yeah. I just can’t tell which one would be first.

Is your display picture in black and white? None of my profile photos on all social media are.

Do you know anybody who has had an online relationship? I don’t think so. I have some friends who met their SOs through dating apps, but I think all of them have since seen each other in person. I’m not sure I know of anyone whose relationship has been entirely online/virtual so far.

What food are you always in the mood for? No matter how full I am, I will always take a slice of pizza or two if it’s ever served at a table. That or chicken wings or spicy tuna salad.

When was the last time you played Guitar Hero? Safe to say more than a decade ago. I had always preferred Rock Band since I found it more fun that switching instruments was a main part of its gameplay, whereas you were stuck with the guitar on Guitar Hero.

What friend could buy clothes for you and not have to worry what they bought? Angela. We have nearly the same sense of style and we find the same things cute, so if I ever had to make a friend control my wardrobe for the day I will likely trust her the most.

1 thing that your guy best friend doesn't like about you: I don’t have a guy best friend. Hans is my closest friend of the opposite sex; while I don’t think he dislikes anything about me, I’m sure he thinks I’ve acted dumb about love and relationships many times before. Which is fine, we’re very honest and blunt about those things and I actually appreciate it when he gets brutally honest with me.

How about your girl best friend? Again, I don’t know if Angela doesn’t like a certain trait of mine but she’s well aware of my past stupid decisions i.e. staying in a harmful relationship.

Do you loan your friends money? No, but I’m ready to lend to my closest friends should they ever be in need.

Are Lucky Charms really magically delicious? I dunno, I’ve never tried.

When was the last time you had Lucky Charms anyway? See above.

Who is the last person you called long distance? I don’t do video calls with friends living in other countries, mainly because I’ve grown apart from them haha. My mom will sometimes start calls with relatives living abroad though; I believe the most recent one was a group video call with my dad’s side of the family, which included an uncle who lives in New York.

Do you sleep with a nightlight? No; I would find this too distracting and bright.

Is Lil Wayne really the best rapper alive? I never thought he was one of the best to begin with. Some of the songs he’s featured in are fine but I don’t like his slurred style of rapping very much.

What is the first text in your inbox? Like...the very first one in my inbox? I scrolled all the way down and it’s from Frances - an orgmate who has since disappeared off the face of the earth and blocked all her friends on social media lmao - asking about an org-related thing three years ago. Wherever she is, I hope she’s doing okay.

Are you taller than your siblings? I am the eldest yet smallest child in the family. My relatives get a kick out of it, which is fine because I do too HAHA

What are the first letters of your friends first names on your top 8? Myspace? Was never active on it.

When was the last time you almost cried from laughing? I can’t pinpoint an exact moment for you but this happens a lot when I watch 2 Days 1 Night, so this has probs happened recently.

Do you have “photoshoots” with your friends/family members? Not with me as the subject – I’m very camera shy and turn into an awkward stick once I’m asked to pose. But I love taking photos of loved ones, especially an SO.

Are you generous? To a fault.

Are you excited for Thanksgiving this year? I don’t celebrate that.

Are you excited for Thanksgiving ANY year? Yeah, I still don’t celebrate that.

Any plans for the weekend? I had plans to start a new series and spend a lazy day watching YouTube videos, but we haven’t had internet all day today and it’s felt quite deflating to have the first day of my weekend taken away from me. I’ve been running on data which is...fine, I guess, but I can’t use too much if I don’t want to keep paying for it. That said I’ve only been able to do surveys and stream music today. For tomorrow, I wanna go to a coffee shop and perhaps even treat myself to ramen because I’ve been craving.

Do you lay your clothes out the day before? Before Covid happened I planned out my clothes the night before, but I didn’t lay them out.

Who was the last person you bought a gift for? Andi; got them a dress and a skirt.

What was the last song you had stuck in your head? My Limb has been repeatedly playing in my head all day.

Are you ignoring anybody currently? Not ignoring, more of I’ve already given up on them.

Do you curse at your parents in a different language? I don’t curse at my parents in any language, lmfao.

Do you get the mailman a Christmas gift every year? We don’t have mailmen, buuuuut the maintenance staff in my village (trash collectors, security guards, those in charge of trimming the grass, etc) will usually hand each household an envelope in time for Christmas. My family and I help them out and place a certain amount in all envelopes.

Are you afraid of lizards? They are very common visitors in homes here so no I’m mostly not. They move very fast and get freaked out when they see humans though, so sometimes I’ll be shocked by them suddenly scurrying away.

How legible is your signature? I don’t make it legible at all so that it’s difficult to replicate. I actually get a lot of comments on it because my signature is mostly a lazy scribble and I don’t actually spell out any part of my name, which exactly fulfills my goal of making it hard to copy.

Do you think anybody else has a bedroom EXACTLY like yours? I actually live in a neighborhood where the houses are the same models, so I can confidently tell you that there are around 10-20 bedrooms that look similar to mine. But as for being styled and furnished exactly like mine, I doubt it.

How hot are your neighbors? Lol uh I don’t pay attention to this particular trait. All my neighbors are your typical suburban families with young kids, anyway.

Do you have pictures of clouds on your cell phone? A lot. I like looking up at the sky from time to time.

Do you send compliments through text message? Sure, when it’s appropriate and only with close friends.

Do/did your high school theme colors match? I never thought they didn’t go well together, that much I can say.

Do you own any Nike shoes? Several.

Have you ever rode in a VW Bug? Never.

How about a Mini Cooper? Never have, would absolutely love to.

What was the last fast food place you got food from? Yellow Cab. I got two pizzas and pasta for my family.

When you invite people to your house do you usually hang out in your room? I never invite people to my house because it’s too far compared to where most of my friends live, and it would only be a big hassle for everyone. As for my room, the only people who’ve been in it are Gabie and Angela/Hans, the latter only once.

Have you ever seen your crush/current bf/gf cry? I don’t have any of these.

Do you own any Spongebob merchandise? I’m pretty sure we have a Patrick plushie we continue to keep around.

Do you have any food traditions with any of your friends? My orgmates and I frequented a certain bar near our university; we went there whether it was to celebrate the end of an exam-filled week, or if we simply wanted to spend an ordinary Thursday with a few drinks. A few months ago they were in danger of closing because of the pandemic, but I hope life has been kinder to them recently.

Do you like Gwen Stefani? Erm, not particularly. Some songs of her I like, but I’m not a passionate fan.

Do you know anybody with a thick Jamaican accent? No.

Are you closer to your mom’s side of the family or your dad’s? Mom’s. Aside from being able to see them more often, our humor is also similar.

Have you ever been to a haunted house? I’ve stared at one, but never gone inside haha.

Yes or no: red eyeliner? Do whatever you want with your face and makeup, man.

Yes or no: red lipstick? ^ Still applies.

Would you ever own a pet black widow spider? No.

Do you wear holiday themed clothing? I don’t think I own any, so no.

At 6:00 tomorrow night where do you think you’ll be? On my way home, or preparing to head home, I hope.

Is it night or day right now? Evening.

What time did you get up today? Like 5:30. I fell asleep on the rooftop and got to see the pretty sunrise and the sky gradually change colors :)

[keishiko]

What Gives It Value (Chapter Four)

A lot can happen in five years, and after.

[Chapter 4/?  |  Rated for language, adult themes  |  Angst  |  Natasha x Steve  |  Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3]

[Set during the five-year jump in “Endgame”.  My latest, lame attempt at a fix-it fic]

Extraction in 10 outside yours. Wear the Cap-links :)

Steve stared bemused down at his phone as he absent-mindedly toweled his shower-wet hair. He hadn’t heard from her in a while, not since Morgan’s birthday some months back when she’d suddenly picked him up in the quinjet and neither of them had mentioned how they preferred not to go to the party alone. He had just turned to put the beer back in the refrigerator, still wondering if he should remind her he had retired, when he heard his phone chirp another alert.

Feel free to bring your laundry :p

Headlights glinted off the enameled stars-and-stripes on his sleeves as the sleek silver sedan pulled up to the curb on the dot. The window powered down as he approached, a battered duffel bag of laundry hoisted over his shoulder and contrasting oddly with his crisp black suit.

“Hey, stranger.”

The familiar throaty purr sparked something hot inside his chest. He peered in the open window at gleaming green eyes. “My machine broke down not two hours ago, Nat.”

“I’ve missed you too, Cap,” she drawled. “I’m glad to see you followed orders.”

He grinned at her. She’d given him the cuff links several years ago for Christmas, each designed to look like a miniature shield (official Captain America™ merchandise of course, 100% made in the USA; employee discount, free gift wrapping). This was the first time he’d worn them.

“You know, I had a whole glamorous night in all planned for myself.” He tossed the duffel bag in the back seat and climbed in the front. The car pulled into the street as he fastened his seatbelt. “Couple of beers, pizza delivery, six-hour documentary marathon...”

“Vikings or animals?”

“Anim... I meant Vikings, of course the Vikings—”

“Of course the Vikings.” Street lights glimmered off the sequins on her dress as they turned a corner. “You’ve only done the animals marathon three and a half times already.”

He’d fallen asleep the last time. She looked especially gorgeous tonight, even if she was smirking at his expense. He tore his gaze away from her to look out the window at storefronts streaking past. “Last time I checked, I was retired.” They were heading Midtown.

“I know. I’m sorry.” Sincere underneath the humor, she gave him a sidelong glance. “I’ve got two tickets, but I can drop you off at the laundromat instead if you prefer.”

No doubt she already knew which laundromat was his favorite, even though it wasn’t the nearest one to his apartment. “It’s okay. I suited up, didn’t I?”

The corners of her eyes crinkled in her smile. God, he’d missed her.

They joined a queue of vehicles that snaked glitteringly from the street up into a driveway. “This is ‘Swan Lake’,” Natasha pointed out, although Steve hadn’t missed the huge colorful banners down the front of the building announcing exactly that. “Boy meets girl, girl turns out cursed to be a swan unless she finds true love, boy cheats on her without really meaning to, girl dies. That’s the version with the sad ending, anyway.” Briefing over, her smile turned teasing. “If you don’t fall asleep, I’ll treat you to dinner afterward.”

He’d never attended the ballet before. It had never held any particular fascination for him, but as the curtain finally came down on the third round of crashing applause at the end he found himself wondering how he’d missed it. Already his fingers itched to sketch the long, lean lines of muscle and bone, the elegant lift of a chin, the graceful flutter of a slender hand. Beside him Natasha dabbed at her eyes.

“It was one of my first missions at SHIELD,” she said abruptly, digging into her Chinese takeout at headquarters. She had changed into a ratty sweatshirt, her hair out of its coif and curling around her shoulders, red at the roots. His jacket and tie hung over a chair. Elsewhere in the building, the first load of his laundry tumbled merrily in the machine. “Human trafficking, Eastern Europe. Major revenue stream for terrorists, as you know. Kids mixed in with the adults.” Steve glanced at her, but her face was carefully neutral. “Fury found them places, I’m not even sure where. Not all of them had families. Not all of them had families who would take them back.” There was a faraway look in her eyes as she pursed her lips around her chopsticks. “Oksana made principal dancer a few years ago, but this was her debut as Odette-Odile.” She quirked one corner of her mouth at him. “I didn’t want to miss it.”

He smiled back. “She was amazing. Thanks for bringing me along.”

She shrugged, but looked pleased with herself. “I thought she had talent.”

As she fished around in her takeout box for the last morsels of cashew chicken he strode slowly across the room, his hands in his pockets. Outside the main office the empty complex was shrouded in shadow and, in some places, a thin layer of dust; but inside she had cleared a space for them amidst the books and files, and the lamps threw cozy circles of warm light. Here and there pilot lights glowed green: no urgent notifications. Little had changed in the few years since he’d last been here, watching over the world with her. After Thanos, he remembered, he’d done so with an increasing sense of futility.

In the corner there was still the corkboard he’d put up amidst the screens and monitors, because there was something to be said for actually looking at and holding things that weren’t just electronic pinpoints of light and he refused to be told otherwise. Tony and Clint had noticed right away, of course, and Steve had had to withstand a good thirty minutes of ribbing about his stubborn fondness for index cards. (“So... so analog,” and Tony had shuddered, like it was a fate worse than death.) The photograph he’d tacked up ages ago—“the graduating class of 2015,” Bruce had quipped—wasn’t there anymore; instead he found it framed and hung, with pride of place, on a nearby wall. Natasha’s work, no doubt. The pinhole from his thumbtack was barely visible under the glass.

With an almost physical effort he forced himself to look at the photograph. He didn’t have any photographs at his apartment. It had been the twins’ birthday, and everyone had gathered for a party. Wanda stood smiling up at the camera between Clint and Vision, whose ghastly approximation of “cheese” still made Steve chuckle out loud, even if the sound came out a little strangled tonight. Natasha winked elaborately from behind the bar, both hands full as she mixed cocktails for Maria, Nick, and Pepper. Thor and Tony wore similar broad grins and smears of frosting across their faces, because the cake-smashing would begin in earnest as soon as the picture was taken. Steve himself was off to the side, his smile strained with disgust at the waste of perfectly good cake, and Sam had slung an arm each around him and Bruce while flashing his usual sunny smile. The photo was slightly skewed; Sam had still been trying to get the hang of controlling Redwing.

“I can give you a copy of that if you want,” she said from her seat at the table.

He smiled. Maybe later.

“You’ve really found your place, Nat.” He hefted his bag of clean laundry as they pulled up to the curb outside his apartment building. Inside the car it was heady with the smell of fabric softener. “I’m happy for you.”

“I do what I can.” Her smile softened as she turned to him. “You know you’re always welcome to come back, right?”

He chuckled. “You seem to be doing just fine without me.”

“Steve.”

He glanced at her, almost shy, but she was still smiling. “Tell ‘em I said hi,” he said at last.

She nodded, searching his face. “Will do.”

It reminded him of old times, her looking at him from the quinjet’s pilot seat; sometimes asking, sometimes laughing, sometimes knowing what he needed to see in her eyes even before he did. I’ve missed you, he wanted to say, and more. But then maybe she knew that already, like so much else about him.

“I don’t suppose I could offer you a cup of coffee for the road.”

She knew he was only half joking. Her smile turned wistful. “I’d love that, but I’ve got an early start tomorrow.”

“Right, right.” How many times had they said that to one another, the night before a mission? “You know”—he paused, his hand on the door—“I still have my old keys.”

She grinned. “Well, I did stockpile your favorite kind of laundry detergent.”

She’d looked lovely earlier tonight, in her jewelry and coiffure and perfect makeup; but now he wanted to feel her hair curl delicately around his fingers, her soft mouth open to his. He didn’t want to stare, so he looked hastily away and down instead, to where his cuff link caught the light. “You know all my weaknesses.”

He never did get around to having his washing machine fixed.

  to be continued

The previous chapter seemed a bit too bleak, and the latest MCU revelations have got me down with missing my favorite Avengers, so here's a little bit more of a laugh :)

[preeshera]

Tagging Meme

Rules: Answer 21 questions then tag any people who you want to get to know better.

I was tagged by the amazing @nevermore-plutonianshore Thanks Syd!

1. Nickname: Angie

2. Zodiac: Gemini

3. Height: 5′3″

4. Last movie I watched: This old Russian fairy tale called ‘Morozko/Морозко’ [Old man Frost? Grandpa Freeze? He’s like Jack Frost but old, what can I say, Russian folklore..] I really like rewatching it over Hogmany cause it’s really old, but has so much quality fairy tale content/humor :D

5. Last thing I googled: Perovskite solar cell assembly [my dudes, don’t even ask T^T]

6. Favourite musician: I don’t think I have one, like, I listen to a whole bunch of different things - lately the Dead South, Hozier, and Mumford and Sons, but give it a few months.. :)

7. Song stuck in my head: Empty Chairs at Empty Tables, because I was thinking about that scene from the musical... you know the one.. with the ghosts... aaand I’m crying again

8. Other blogs: I only have an art side-blog @preeshera-art

9. Do I get asks: Not very often, sadly :’) I LOVE talking to people, so I’m usually the one to send asks :D

10. Blogs following: 569 .. that’s a lot, maybe I should do a spring cleaning

11. Amount of sleep: I am a final year masters student, we sleep when we die (except for the 4 hour depression naps that sometimes spontaneously occur)

12. Lucky number: 6

13. What I’m wearing: Lol, I haven’t left the bed today - I’m wearing a blue graphic tee, pink bunny onesie, turquoise sweater, and fuzzy christmas themed socks :’) please appreciate the peak house-wear fashion

14. Dream job: Having a small farm, living peacefully in a post-capitalist society

15. Dream trip: I would love to go to South America, or Siberia, or.. ya know what, basically anywhere I haven’t been before, preferably where there isn’t too many other humans.

16. Favourite food: Anything my boo cooks, they’re magic.. but in general I like sushi a lot, also pasta.. and pizza, ya know, anything vaguely food shaped will generally do ^^

17. Play any instruments: I play the recorder (ish), tenor saxophone and guitar only very theoretically, and I have a passable singing voice (if that counts)

18. Languages: English, Spanish, Slovak, and Czech

19. Favourite songs: I have this condition where I find a song I love then listen to it until I’m completely sick of it, at the moment is this really old Czech song called ‘Bludicka Julie’ [Juliet the wandering spirit] but overall, anything slow, balad-like, bonus points for spooky aesthetic or nice melody - that or angry revolutionary/protest songs

20. Random fact: I don’t know how to whistle, but really really want to learn

21. Describe yourself as aesthetic things: Early morning just before the break of dawn, nervous energy when you’re about to ask your first crush out, the feeling in the air after a good spring storm, hiding curled up on a stone windowsill of a haunted house -wrapped in blankets, with a good book and cup of cinnamon cocoa, but spooky-, ugly tears or frustration/anger, laughing so hard you get hiccups - then laughing some more, forget-me-nots in an overgrown thorny garden, pajama pants with cartoon prints, oh AND lots and lots of colorful candy

I tag:@suzimi, @fairy-princette , @jormundgandr, @cockabeetle, @onegaymore, @enjoloras, @doeeyedcourfeyrac and anyone else who fancies :)