#a black and gold armor looks hot on Tony wait

[larcenywrites]

I know it’s technically a hologram, but it lets me imagine my favs in the same room 😔

[russiandoll-from-brooklyn]

Just Once - Part 2

Title: Just Once - Part 2

Some of y'all were asking for Part 2 of Just Once so here ya go! This picks up right after the first story.

Pairing: Tony Stark x fem!reader

Summary: Grief and loneliness got the best of you last night. Your friendship with Tony was too precious to risk, and now all you want to do is move on. But what happens when the other party doesn't want to forget?

Warnings: smut, language, (technically) cheating, friends to lovers, mentions of past canon trauma, oral (f receiving), protected sex

Word Count: 5.1k

[Starts out sweet and all about tony x reader friendship, then turns into steamy Tony smut. Table sex, included. 😳]

---

Thump, thump, thump.

Your feet hit the pavement rhythmically as you jog your normal morning route. It’s a misty Seattle morning, and the world is still quiet. The sun is rising sleepily, beginning to bathe the world in gold. All is well.

Except. It isn’t.

You turn the block corner, and your apartment comes into sight. You take a glance down at your watch.

42 minutes.

That’s how long ago you had quietly slipped out of your apartment for your morning run. That’s how long it had been since your eyes shot open and you remembered the events of last night, rushing into your mind, all at once like a tsunami. You had turned your head to find Tony still asleep beside you in the bed. One leg sticking out of the messy sheets and his face buried in the pillow. Your pillow.

You had stared at him in disbelief, half-expecting him to disintegrate into a fleeting figment of your imagination. You had rubbed your eyes, trying to clear the haze.

Nope. Still there.

You silently curse yourself and your stupidity (see: weakness in the face of sexual temptation) for the 50th time this morning as you approach the brick building. Perhaps, when you reenter your apartment, Tony will be gone, and this will all have just been a bad trip — or something of the like.

Before you even open the door, the smell of frying bacon reaches your nose. You step inside and are greeted by a peculiar sight.

Tony Stark, clad in nothing but a pair of dark jeans, is buzzing about your small kitchenette. Simultaneously, there are eggs being flipped over-easy on the stovetop, orange juice being procured from the open fridge, bacon sizzling happily in a pan, and toast being buttered. You stand in amazement for a few seconds, processing the scene before you. The wonderful aroma of the all-American breakfast makes you mouth water.

“Y/N! Hey!” Tony exclaims when he sees you.

You slide onto a stool at the bar top, overlooking the controlled chaos unfolding in the kitchen area. Tony truly has remarkable skill when it comes to multitasking. You guess, all that time in the suit, operating about twenty computing systems at once, was good practice.

“Wow. Breakfast?” you remark, raising an eyebrow. “Since when do you cook?”

He scoffs, shooting you a brief smile before turning away to rapidly crack some black pepper onto the eggs.

“Cooking is easy. People think it’s a skill, but really it’s just planning, timing it out. It’s like assembling anything else. You just do the parts in order, trying not to break any yolks.”

You roll your eyes sarcastically at the classic “Tony” response.

Suddenly, all the components come crashing together, and Tony is setting down two perfectly assembled breakfast plates on the bar top — complete with a glass of orange juice for each of you. It looks delicious; it’s been way too long since you had a proper breakfast. Meaning, a breakfast that wasn’t cereal, a protein bar, or a bowl of sad, pale, scrambled eggs. You thank Tony as he pulls up the other stool to sit across from you.

“Dig in,” he says cheerfully, raising his fork. “Good run this morning?”

You nod, taking a big gulp of orange juice.

“Yeah, I heard you leaving,” Tony continues mindlessly. “Kind of weird waking up to an empty bed after a night like that. I finally know what it feels like to be on the other side, I guess.”

You nearly spit out your bite of toast. And just like that, reality comes crashing back down to earth. For a brief moment, it had felt like things could possibly come out normal on the other side. You and Tony could go back to being perfectly normal best friends.

How ignorant.

“What?” you remark incredulously.

You’re on the verge of laughter, partially out of amusement but mostly out of bewildered embarrassment.

Tony gives you his award-winning “I’m innocent!” raised-eyebrow expression. You suddenly become acutely aware of the situation. Tony Stark is sitting in your kitchen, shirtless, serving you breakfast. After you spent a far-from-platonic night rolling around your sheets together. You want to slap yourself.

“I’m talking about the incredible sex we had last night. And then, you leaving me alone before sunrise,” Tony explains casually, pushing your buttons further. “That's usually my play.”

He looks up at you, expecting a playful quip in return. Instead, you just slowly set down the fork you had been gripping.

“Tony,” you begin, seriously and calmly. “Let’s not talk about it. It was one night, and it won’t happen again. It was just once. We gave into the moment, but we shouldn’t-“

“The moment?” Tony suddenly blurts out, interrupting you. You purse your lips, surprised by the new and unexpected edge of anger in his voice. “God. Y/N. The moment, huh? You’re really just going to shrink it down to that. Just a moment.”

You stare at him, confused. Tony’s big brown eyes hold yours with an intensity. It's amazing how fast his sarcastic, playful tone can morph into ferocity. You want to look away, break his gaze, but you can’t. This whole thing was a mistake.

“It was fun,” you finally say. “But it was just a fuck. We were lonely.”

“You know, Y/N. You’re so damn smart,” Tony replies, leaning back a bit in his seat. “So, why do you always try and kid yourself? It bothers me. I know -- that you know -- that this wasn’t just a fuck.”

Your mind races through a million different responses.

Then, what was it?

What do you mean?

Why are you acting like this?

I'm not kidding myself.

But something tells you, deep down, that there's nothing you can say that won't lead to something you don't want to hear.

So, instead, you angrily snatch up your glass of orange juice, rising from your seat at the bar. You grit your teeth at Tony one more time before turning your back and striding toward to your study. You feel your cheeks burning hot.

The study is a second living room-sized space where you keep all your projects. Early sunlight is now streaming in through the large windows, falsely giving the impression of a peaceful Saturday morning. The large wooden table tops are littered with wires, microchips, and other electronic parts. When you first met the Avengers year ago, you and Tony butted heads over your shared expertise in technology and robotics. After much bickering and trying to outdo each other, you eventually accepted one another's intelligence and bonded over your shared field.

You look to the floor of your large study to see the air mattress you had set up there prior to Tony's arrival yesterday, obviously still pristine. You squeeze your eyes shut. Your apartment is absolutely dripping with reminders of last night's events. The empty whiskey glasses, still sitting on the side table in the living room. The couch pillows crumpled from the weight of your bodies, hungrily crashing together above them. You don't even want to think about your bedroom, where you're sure Tony's missing shirt is strewn on the ground.

You push the thoughts out of your your mind, pulling up a seat at your work table. You start to fiddle with a new lightweight shoulder pauldron you're currently designing. You can feel yourself going into 'shut-out' mode, trying your hardest to focus all your attention on the metal in your hands. This was all too much. This was all wrong.

When you hear footsteps behind you, entering the study, you ignore it. Tony quietly traverses the floor, coming to pull up a chair on the other side of the work table. He silently watches you working the wires into place. You don't look up. You don't have to see his expression to know the contemplative expression undoubtably painted on his face. You also don't have to look at him to know he's pondering more than just your work.

"You know, aluminum-titantium alloy won't hold up after a few heavy hits," Tony comments, nodding to the armor piece.

"I'm gonna chromatize it," you reply dryly, not looking up from your hands.

"I wouldn't bother. You can't just give everything a shiny coat to hold it together. If the problem is underneath, that is."

Fuck Tony and his fucking metaphors.

You growl angrily, throwing the pauldron down in frustration. You sit back in your seat and cross your arms, finally meeting your friend's eyes.

"Ok, fine," you say matter-of-factly. "Let's talk about it. It was good. It was really fucking good. And we both needed it. But that's it. I'm willing to leave it at that and forget about it if you are."

Tony rubs his beard in his palm, seemingly mulling over your words. His brown eyes don't leave yours. The warm sunlight coming in through the window behind him paints yellow patches on his bare shoulders, bathing him in gold. You take a mental picture of him, sitting there in his thoughts. A brief, intrusive thought passes through your mind, threatening that this could be the last time you see him. You immediately banish the notion. This friendship means too much to you. Not even a fuck-up as big as this one could make you want to toss it away. You hope Tony agrees.

"Help me understand where your head's at, Y/N," Tony finally replies. "What is your biggest concern right now? Wait, listen, I know there's a lot of reasons why last night was bad. But I want to know what you're thinking."

You sigh, uncrossing your arms. As much as Tony's 'list-and-analyze' reaction to crisis could be annoying, in some ways, it comforted you. Tony is impulsive, yes, but those who know him best also know his calculative nature: the mental risk assessments, the contingency plans labelled through Z. Always searching for the route that will hurt everyone the least. Always.

You consider his question carefully. Again, there's a million answers: the risk of ruining your friendship, the potential awkwardness, Pepper -- oh, god, Pepper --, the pain and grief you've both been through in the past few years. You close your eyes and pick one.

"You're one of the only people left that I trust. One of my only friends. Complexity doesn't often end well."

"You're right," Tony admits. "But aren't you the one who asked, 'is it wrong to not want to be alone'?"

You scoff loudly, angered by his using your words against you. However, that bitterness melts away into nothing when you see the heart-wrenching expression on Tony's face. His lips are pursed, and his eyes are searching yours desperately. Tony rarely shows outward weakness, but right now, the man before you isn't Iron Man. The man before you is broken. Someone who has tried everything to hold it -- his sanity, his relationship, his life -- together, to save the people he loves, to be strong. Someone who failed at that. Someone who truly felt alone.

You rest your chin in your palms and sigh, the weight falling over you as well.

Finally, you speak.

"Isn't it awful -- and strange -- how it can feel like a lifetime ago and just yesterday at the exact same time?"

Tony nods sadly at your observation. Of course, you were talking about the snap. About Thanos.

"You're right. About everything," he remarks. "Sometimes, it just gets too much. The...”

Loneliness. You finish his sentence in your head.

“Me too.”

“You should know though,” Tony continues. “I would never stop being your friend. No matter how complex things are. This — what we’ve been through — could never change, Y/N.”

There it is.

Some situations feel like you're running in circles; you're spiraling downwards and everything you say only makes matters worse and worse. It feels like sinking in quicksand with no way out. In every one of those situations, there's a key -- that one sentence, that one idea, that effortlessly clears the fog. This was it. Tony is going to be here, always. Everything is going to be alright.

You straighten up a bit in your seat. You let out a long sigh and give Tony a small smile.

"I know," you assure your friend. "Sometimes I forget everything that's happened. How complicated it's been before. How we made it out."

Tony laughs, and you're relived.

"How could you forget? It's been a wild ride."

The two of you grin at each other. You take a sip of your orange juice, which you had forgotten about and was now lukewarm.

"OK, happy?" you inquire with a playful tone. "Base material fixed. No need for shiny coats of anything. We're solid now."

Tony lets out a hearty chuckle at the stupid analogy. Suddenly, he stands, circling the work table until he's right in front of you. You suck in a breath of oxygen. From your seated position, your head only comes up to his abs. Bare abs, that is. You tilt your face upwards to meet his eyes.

"Y/N," he says gently. “Stand up.”

Confused, you rise to your feet. Before you can open your mouth to say anything else, Tony’s lean and muscular arms are wrapped around you. He pulls you into his chest, embracing you in his warmth. His grip is firm, as if he’s afraid you might run away. You soften into the hug, wrapping your arms around his back. You feel safe.

After a few moments, Tony releases you. However, he doesn’t move away, and the two of you are still nearly chest-to-chest. You peer up at him, and your friend’s warm toffee eyes meet yours.

“Wow, a Tony Stark hug?” you remark sarcastically. “I should play the lotto today.”

Tony chuckles under his breath. Despite your joking, it was true that Tony rarely gives hugs. He just isn’t the touchy-feely type — according to himself. Somehow this gesture, right now, meant everything. A hug was the most intimate thing Tony could have given you. It was a seal, a mark saying ‘I meant every word I just said.’

Tony is still standing directly in front of you, so close there’s only a magazine’s width between you. He’s so near that you can feel the warmth of his steady breathing, and the slight radiating heat from the arc reactor in his chest. Suddenly, you feel that familiar tug in your stomach. A rush of blood downwards...

“Tony-“

“Do you want me?” Tony cuts you off. His voice is low, gentle.

You suck in a breath of air at his words. Despite his directness, there's a detectable edge of nervousness in his tone. You smile internally at knowing you have this effect on Mr. Playboy. The slight uncertainty in Tony's voice also tells you that it's true: this is different. Last night was not just a mindless fuck. This is an understanding, wrapped around a mutual care that runs so deep that it burns.

You don’t even try to convince yourself that you don’t want Tony. Every ounce of your being is screaming to close the gap between you. You can still hear the scientist-logic-brain in you resisting, but your heart feels at ease. You and Tony. A concept that felt like the forbidden fruit itself just ten minutes ago now looked more like an oasis. And oasis that was maybe alright to take a drink from every once in a while.

You snake one hand upward to hold his cheek. Tony pushes gently into your palm.

It's you who leans in first. When your lips collide, it's soft. He presses himself into you, a delicate sigh escaping. You pull back just enough to whisper a breathy "I want you."

And oh, god do you want him.

“Then, have me,” Tony whispers back, gently.

You nearly visibly shiver. Any trace of hesitation is gone from his voice now. His words are demanding, but his tone is more of a plea.

“Do you want to go the bedroom?”

“No,” Tony replies immediately. He’s breathless. “Right here.”

You immediately feel wetness drop into your panties. Tony’s eyes have grow darker, as they bear down at you. The intensity makes your legs feel weak. You need him. He needs you.

In a moment of boldness, you bring your hands down to the hemline of your shirt. You lift the garment up and over your head, placing it on the work table beside you. Tony’s eyes wander to your red sports bra and your now-stiffened nipples showing through the sleek fabric.

In the next breath, Tony is suddenly kissing you again, his lips against yours in a desperate hunger. He brings his large, roughly calloused hands to your waist. He firmly grips your body, making you feel tiny in his hold. You let a small moan escape your lips.

Still holding you in his grasp, Tony starts to walk you backwards until your backside is pressed against the edge of your large work table. Tony’s hips press forward into you, making you gasp with excitement. You fingertips tangle in his hair, just wanting more and more and more...

In an effortless movement, Tony lifts your sports bra over your head. He throws the red fabric to the side, neither of you caring where it lands. Tony breaks away from your lips, starting to kiss down your cheek, jaw, and then finally giving attention to the delicate skin on your neck. Again, he’s careful not to nip or suck too hard to leave marks. The light scratching of his facial hair contrasts with the soft wetness of Tony’s lips, making you throw your head back in pleasure.

He continues to attend to your neck and jaw as one of his jean-clad thighs moves to fall between your legs. You let out a deep groan as Tony begins to rub and and roll his knee forward, stimulating your clothed core. His movements are like a wave, every forward crest bringing you a tiny bit of that friction your body wants so, so much. You’re in awe of the control Tony has over his movements and the effortless pleasure he’s capable of giving. You can’t help but find his experience and expertise sexy.

“Y/N,” Tony breathes against your neck. “Say it again. Please. Say you want me.”

It occurs to you that, aside from last night, Tony hasn’t felt wanted in a long time. Like, truly wanted. A pang of sadness fills your heart.

“Tony. I want you,” you declare, making sure the conviction in your voice shines through. You don’t have to try. You desire him more than anything right now. “I want you. I want this.”

With your words, Tony moans deeply into your jawline and begins to move his leg between yours more vigorously. Your fingertips trace over his bare back muscles. You trail your hands upward, into the nape of his neck, massaging his scalp. Everything about his beautiful form fits perfectly in your hands.

Tony continues moving downwards, soon finding your right nipple in his mouth. You arch your back, letting a loud moan escape your lips. He works your nipple expertly, rolling it and playing at it with his tongue. He alternates to your other nipple, his thumb replacing where his mouth just left. He lightly strokes the hard, spit-slick bud, and the combination of coolness and friction is heaven.

Tony stands back up, and a second later, his hands are at the elastic band of your running shorts. His eyes meet yours for a moment, silently asking for your permission. You nod a bit too eagerly, and Tony cracks a small, teasing smile. You scoff and lightly slap his shoulder, returning the smile.

Tony pulls your shorts down in one swift motion, leaving you in just your underwear. Next thing you know, Tony’s arms are around your waist. You let out a soft, surprised squeal as he lifts you effortlessly to sit on the edge of the work table behind you. Slightly elevated now, you come to about the same height as Tony.

“Hey,” you protest playfully. “Be careful. There’s important stuff here.”

Tony reaches behind you to clear the area, moving your half-finished projects and parts to the side.

“My apologies, Ms. Y/L/N,” he replies with a huge grin. “Got a bit carried away.”

You pull him into another deep kiss. He growls with pleasure when you nip at his bottom lip. Tony is now standing between your knees, his torso pressing gently into your panty-covered pussy. You can feel his erection through his jeans, straining against his clothes. After seeing Tony’s length for the first time last night, the mental image of his cock — just a few millimeters away from your core — is enough to make you drool. You wrap your legs around him, pulling him in harder against you. He moans into your mouth, and you feel the vibrations as your tongues tangle together.

You feel Tony’s body leaning forward, slowly coaxing you to lay down on the table. Now fully on your back, Tony’s above you, taking in the sight of your body.

“Has anyone ever told you that you’re the most magnificent creature on Earth?”

“No,” you reply with a smirk. “But now, knowing how many other planets are out there in the galaxy, just being Miss Earth doesn’t seem like a huge deal.”

Tony laughs, smiling with his teeth. You find the crinkles that form on the outer corners of his eyes utterly endearing.

“Well, you’re still one out of four-and-three-quarters billion,” he jests back. “Not too shabby. It’s all about the little victories.”

You giggle. The pleasant thought passes through your mind that despite the current situation, everything does feel strangely normal. Tony is still Tony; you’re still you. The banter between you and your friend is still comfortable and easy. Your relationship, although maybe morphing into something more nuanced, remains unmoved.

You’re so caught up in your inner thoughts, that you don’t register Tony kneeling to the ground between your legs. You gasp when you feel his warm mouth over your still-clothed pussy. The combined wetness of his mouth and your core easily soaks through the fabric of your panties, making it cling to your skin. Tony runs his tongue over your folds, through the saturated cloth. You groan with pleasure, the small of your back arching off of the table. You grip Tony’s dark hair, needing something to hold onto.

The sensation of Tony’s lips and tongue through your thin panties is completely unique, and fuck, does it drive you wild.

After a few minutes, Tony’s hands reach up to hook in the waist of your panties. He removes your final garment, leaving you fully bare. His mouth immediately returns to your pussy. His tongue circles your clit, before running downwards through your lips, and then back up again. He alternates this pattern with gentle sucks on your clit.

“Oh, Tony. Shit,” you manage to call out. “That feels so good.”

He hums hungrily into you, pleasuring you to a level that no previous lovers have ever come close to. Tony’s large, rough hands wander upwards. One palm gentle grips your breast, while the other comes under your waist to hold the small of your back.

You raise your head slightly to glance down at Tony. The sight is pornographic. His face is buried in your cunt, head bobbing. The shape of his shoulder muscles, and his strong back. His tan skin, all bathed in golden sunlight.

Pleasuring you. On his knees.

It’s like a painting. Beautiful and erotic.

“Tony. I need you,” you gasp out, suddenly overcome with neediness. “Inside me. Fuck, I want you.”

Those magic words, again. I want you. The effect they have on Tony is instantaneous. Without hesitation, Tony is on his feet. He swiftly unbuttons his jeans and pulls down the zipper. His pants fall down to his ankles where he kicks them off. To your surprise his naked cock springs free. A glistening pearl of precum is formed at the tip.

“Wow, commando, huh?” you tease, gently biting at your bottom lip. “You were so confident you were going to get lucky again today?”

“Of course not. I just like to let it breath sometimes,” Tony remarks. “You wouldn’t get it. It’s a man thing.”

You scoff and roll your eyes sarcastically. Lovable idiot.

“Top drawer?” Tony asks, referring to the location of the condoms.

“On the left.”

Tony hurries out of the room and returns a second later with a condom from your bedroom. Stepping closer between your knees, he gives his cock a few pumps in his fist. You can feel your heart quickening with anticipation. Your pussy is nearly pulsing, needing to be stretched and filled.

Tony rips open the shiny wrapper and rolls the condom down onto his length. You scoot slightly closer to the edge of the table as his hands travel to grip your thighs. You moan deeply as Tony rubs the head of his cock over your slit, spreading your moisture.

“Are you ready?” Tony asks, eyes dark with desire.

“Mmhmm,” you hum. “Make me feel good.”

With that, Tony starts slowly pushing into your dripping pussy. You groan as your walls accommodate to his girth. It’s amazing that you took him just last night, and he’s already capable of stretching you like this again. Tony throws his head back, hissing in pleasure as he bottoms out, his pubic mound flush against yours.

He starts pumping gently. The way Tony’s hips roll forward in fluid motions makes you want to scream with pleasure. His hands are gripping your thighs tightly, fingertips digging into the soft flesh.

Tony’s pace quickens, and soon the room is filled with sounds of wetness, skin slipping on skin, and the moans leaving both your throats. One of Tony’s hands moves to your pussy. His thumb rubs tight circles on your clit making you see stars behind your eyes. The extra stimulation almost immediately starts tightening the orgasmic coil in your stomach. Tony seems to know the exact speed to move his cock and thumb to turn you into a whimpering mess beneath him.

“Oh, more,” you groan, your pleasure growing. “Tony Stark. Yes, oh, please.”

“Come for me, Y/N,” Tony growls almost primally. “Wanna feel you squeezing around my cock.”

Tony’s filthy demands go straight to your pussy. You love the feeling of being under him, sprawled out on the table, completely naked for him to fuck. And the dirty talk is the cherry on top.

The pleasure in your abdomen continues to rise until you’re on the edge of ecstasy. With one last thrust, your orgasm washes over you. You scream Tony’s name into the room, not caring who hears. Pulses of pleasure rip through your entire body, even making your feet tingle. When you come down, the convulsions slowing, your head feels fuzzy and bubbly.

Not even a moment later, you feel Tony lifting your legs higher. Still inside you, he straightens them, bringing your ankles to rest on his shoulders. The new sensation is instantly nirvana. He starts pumping into you, and the head of his cock rubs your G-spot on every thrust. Penetrative sex had never felt this good for you.

“You feel so fucking amazing, Y/N,” Tony manages to says between moans. “I’m not gonna last much longer.”

The feeling of your pussy being pounded in this angle has your eyes rolling back into your skull. All your thoughts seem to leave your head. The only thing you can focus on is the immense pleasure. The sound of Tony’s balls slapping against you wetly with every stroke combined with his desperate moans fill your ears.

Tony’s thrusts start to become more jagged, needy. His moans slowly transform more into whimpers as he continues to fuck into you. Suddenly, Tony comes with a series of loud groans, his eyes shut tight. You feel his dick pulsating inside you as he orgasms. He thrusts a few more times, riding out the last waves.

He gently slides out of you, his hands coming down the tabletop next to your waist to steady himself. Both of you are breathing heavily, your bodies radiating with the afterglow of pleasure.

Silently, Tony helps you to stand before sweeping you up easily in his arms. You lean into his chest as he carries you to the bedroom. Tony lays you down carefully on the cool mattress before hurrying to the bathroom. He returns a moment later with a warm washcloth.

After cleaning yourselves up, Tony crawls into the refreshing sheets beside you. He slips one arm under your neck, and you cuddle in closer to his body. The warmth and smoothness of his skin is so, so welcoming. In the strangest way, it feels natural.

“I didn’t think it was possible to top last night,” you finally say, chuckling.

“Me neither,” Tony replies. “I guess we just have good chemistry.”

“Who would’ve thought?” You laugh and drape an arm over his chest. “Hey, question.”

“Ask away.”

“Why did you cook all that stuff earlier? Like the eggs, toast, the whole nine yards. It was sort of...”

“Out of character?” Tony finishes your sentence.

You nod. Tony takes a deep breath, exhaling loudly.

“Honestly, when I woke up, and you were gone, I was freaking out a little bit. I wanted to talk about last night, but you weren’t there, and I just didn’t know what you were thinking. If you were having serious regrets, or if you were angry, or upset with me. Or if you were thinking our whole friendship was burned to the ground.

“I just needed to do something. Anything. Busy my hands, distract my mind. Sorry that I kind of raided your kitchen.”

You turn to peer up at him, letting out a soft laugh. His chocolate eyes meet yours, and you give him a kind smile, endeared by his typical, hyper ramblings.

“I’m sorry I left,” you start. “I was freaking out a little, too. I guess that’s always been a difference between us. I always try to run from the unknown, while you just want to plow straight through it.”

Tony smiles warmly and blinks his gorgeous, thick black eyelashes at you.

“It’s why we make a good pair. Balance. Yin and yang. Ya’ know.”

You both chuckle, content in one another’s arms. You open your mouth to reply, but you’re cut off by a loud growl from your stomach. Tony bursts into laughter.

“Your fault for barely touching breakfast,” Tony remarks playfully. “Which — not to toot my own horn — was quite artfully made.”

“I guess I could settle for a bowl of lowly cereal as punishment,” you reply with mock sadness.

Tony chuckles and shakes his head. He starts to rise from the bed, then offers his hand for you to follow.

“C’mon, I’ll make you some more eggs.”

[awesomerextyphoon]

Speculum Cupido

Summary: You’ve been Dr. Strange’s apprentice for some time now and you wanted to prove your best friend wrong. It goes awry and both of you find yourselves in a ‘dark mirror’ universe where the Captain, the Asset, the Kraken, and the Fallen Angel want to make both of you theirs.

Pairing: Dark!Steve x Female Reader x Dark!Ransom, minor Dark!Bucky x OFC x Dark!Sam

Rating: 18+ / Explicit

Word Count: 3,072

Warning: Dub/Non-Con Smut, Oral (m & f receiving), Daddy Kink, MMF Threesome, Double Penetration, Spit Roasting, Non-Con Drugging, Breeding Kink, and Artistic License w/Biology

A/N: This is my gift to @labella420​ for @drabblewithfrannybarnes​, @chrissquares​ , and @amythedvdhoarder​’s Happy Hoelentine’s Day Challenge.  Dividers are by the lovely @firefly-graphics​. Shout out to @saiyanprincessswanie​ for letting me borrow an idea of hers for this fic. Thanks to @the-soulofdevil​ for the beta.

Back to Masterlist

Another Valentine’s Day, another day for the world to mock me being single.

You were having enough of a ‘meh’ week as it is. Dr. Strange had to return to Kamar-Taj for an in-person meeting and Wong was who knows where. They had instructed you to work on your portal and transfiguration spells while they were away which was fair since you’ve been lacking in that department.

It’s just that you longed for some excitement.

Luckily you wouldn’t be spending Valentine’s completely alone; Isabeau, your best friend, was coming over due to as she put it, ‘no one cares about a day where all one gets is somewhat good sex’.

Fast Forward two hours and you’re getting your room ready for Galentine’s Day Movie Night. You had decked out your room with homemade baked goods, drinks, best friend movies, all the good shit.

“I have wonderful news!” Isabeau burst in with gusto yet again.

You shot her a bemused smile, “What is it this time?”

“I have a new crush! It’s Eric from IT!”

“Are you sure this won’t end up like last time?” you queried in reference to the time when Isabeau’s crush turned out to be a complete asshole.

“Oh hush! This won’t be like that at all,” Isabeau retorted, “Now how about you? Have you had any luck with a hot sorcerer?”

“If only I’d be so lucky,” you muttered as Isabeau started on the Toffee Crunch Cookies you made.

A few minutes later, Isabeau’s eyes narrowed and her full lips curved upward in a mischievous smirk.

She had one of her ideas again.

“Hey, why don’t you try an ambiance spell. They’re harmless and you always feel better afterward.”

You didn’t like casting them due to something always going awry, but you relented once Isabeau broke out her puppy dog eyes.

“Alright, alright, I give,” you submitted, “I’ll try a simple floating star spell. Let me find the book.”

 Both of you went to the library for the book but it was nowhere to be found. All of the ambiance and illusion books were blank.

“Is this a sorcerer thing? I’m not seeing any words or illustrations,” puzzled Isabeau as you went through book after book in the library only to find them blank.

“No. Maybe we should just go back to my room,” you suggested as you made your way to the exit.

“Wait! There’s one book left. You could try that one.” Isabeau pointed to the last book on the shelf. It was a little worn like many of the books that resided in the library, but the inscriptions seemed odd; like it wasn’t supposed to be there.

Yet it was the only book that had anything in it.

“Fine,” you relented as you took the book back to your room.

  The spells in the book weren’t anything out of the ordinary, but one spell seemed to stand out to both of you.

“Speculum Mundus?” Isabeau wondered.

“It means Mirror World in Latin.”

“Oh,” her eyes got a mischievous glint to them again, “I bet you can’t cast the spell.”

“Not this again.”

“Oh come on,” Isabeau goaded, “It’s a simple mirror world spell. You’ve done it before. What’s the worse that can happen?”

“I don’t know…”

“Are you gonna chicken out again?”

“No! Just give me a minute,” you mumbled as your hands got into the starting position and recited the incantation.

  The room changed instantly.

It was filled with prism-like structures and kaleidoscope imagery giving the space a surreal ambiance.

It wasn’t unlike the last time you went into the Quantum Realm with Dr. Strange and Wong, and yet the hair on the back of your neck stood straight, and a chill shot through your spine.

You heard a gasp and turned around to see Isabeau with her protruding eyes opened wide and her mouth gaping. Following her line of sight, you saw four of the hottest men you’ve ever seen.

Though something was amiss.

For one thing, there were two Steve Rogers; one with a beard and one clean-shaven. Bucky Barnes’ arm was silver and not dark gray with gold highlights. All of them were in black uniforms with sections of vermillion and/or maroon. Clean-shaven Steve had a black tactical suit with a vermillion Kraken on his chest. Bearded Steve had a skull with tentacles on it. Sam had three vermillion stripes and one maroon stripe across his chest and shoulders with a falcon’s head in red surrounded by a black circle between his pecs.

But the thing that set off all your alarms was the fact that Bucky’s outfit was a dead ringer of his Winter Soldier days.

Instinctively, you grabbed Isabeau’s hand and made a mad dash for the hallway. You needed to get some distance so you could ground yourself.

You tried breaking the spell but to no avail. Not only did the spell not break, but your hands also burned at each attempt.

“We won’t lose you again!” one of the Steves yelled as you and Isabeau turned a corner.

“Come here, mici prințese!” another voice, probably Bucky’s shouted as the two of you made your way into a closet.

“I think we’re okay for now,” you breathed telepathically as the four Adonises crept past your hiding place.

“What’s the plan now?” Isabeau asked fearfully as her heartbeat started to rise in terror.

“I don’t know but-” you were cut off by a strike to the back of your head and your vision rapidly fading to black.

  Muffled voices and the beeping of medical equipment brought you from the void.

“Nothing is wrong….they’re…good, sir.”

“Be sure that they are. We can’t leave anything up to chance.”

Groggily, you open your eyes to find yourself in a sleek hospital room lightly chained to a bed. Several other people were monitoring your vitals. One of them is Dr. Bruce Banner, or what seems to be Dr. Banner.

Bruce turned to see you looking around with a slightly confused expression, “Ah, you’re awake,” he turned to one of his aides, “Contact the Captain and Lieutenant. Tell them to come to get their bride.”

You blinked. Bride?

“Where is Isabeau, my friend?” you inquired as one of the aides brought you some water.

Bruce scowled, “Don’t think about her. You might be able to see her if the Captain and/or Lieutenant wills it.” he remarked while eyeing you up and down in a condescending almost lecherous manner, “Hmm, looks great for breeding,” Bruce noted as he fondled and prodded your curves.

You’ve always been proud of how you looked, but at that moment you wanted to shrink in the corner after giving this Bruce a roundhouse kick to the groin.

You were about to tell Dark!Bruce to fuck off when Tony Stark, fuck it, Dark!Tony entered the room. This Tony looked a lot more sinister with his silver, gray, light, and steel navy blue armor. His face and hair were mostly uncovered with his facial expression positively predatory.

“Cap’s one lucky bastard. He gets a sexy bunny along with Lieutenant Smart Ass.”

Recalling how some megalomaniacs liked shows of submissiveness, you lowered your head and asked where you were.

Whether it be out of pity, spite, or malice, Tony answered your question, “You’re in another earth, another universe.”

You nearly swiveled to look outside the window. NYC’s skyline was radically different. There were fewer buildings and HYDRA insignias everywhere.

“HYDRA took over this world.” You deadpanned. FUUUUCK!

“Sexy and smart.” Tony praised sardonically.

It didn’t take time for HYDRA to regroup after WWII. Zola and his associates were able to convince Howard Stark to give them the Tesseract with the promise of great renown, riches, and no longer being bound by the laws of weaker men. They were able to create a superweapon with the help of Dr. Whitney Frost and have been ruling the planet ever since.

It could be worse. HYDRA knew they had to offer the people comforts in exchange for their obedience. They eradicated all diseases, created a good standard of living, and ended all petty conflicts under the new world order.

Though Tony didn’t feel the need to tell you. You’ll figure it out on your own.

The doors opened to reveal Steve Rogers and his younger, clean-shaven counterpart in all their masculine glory.

“Good, you’re here.” Bruce welcomed smirking at your silent pleas.

Both soldiers walked over and inspected you.

“Hello, kitten. Name’s Ransom.” The clean-shaven soldier drawled as he moaned from your scent, “Nice set of lips you’ve got there.”

“We’ll definitely have some fun with her,” Steve noted as licked his lips ogling your curves.

You had to use all of your restraint not to spit in their faces.

“We’ll take her.” Ransom decided while Steve nodded.

Several of the aides breathed a sigh of relief as Steve broke the chains on your bed like they were nothing.

“Don’t have too much fun now!” Tony called as Steve picked you up bridal style.

“Who am I kidding? they’ll breed her like a Catholic rabbit!”

  “Um, where are you taking me?” you queried, your voice barely above a whisper.

“You will address us as ‘Sir’ in public unless instructed otherwise. Is that understood?” It took all that Steve had not to push against the wall and pound your pussy with his cock he was so enraged.

No, he needed to wait. No one was to see what’s theirs.

Ransom, for his part, chuckled and shook his head, “Best not to anger this one, kitten. He hasn’t been in the best of moods.”

  You gasped once the doors to their living quarters opened.

The place was huge!

It had a modern yet retro design; it should’ve been confusing, but it worked. Grand windows showcased the skyline with a balcony in the middle with a huge kitchen next to what looked to be a restaurant-style fridge and a huge living room with a TV and a fireplace.

Yet there seemed to be something missing.

“Place needs a woman’s touch,” Ransom commented sending a smirk your way.

“I’ll see you in the guest quarters Ransom” Steve deadpanned as he led you down a hall.

  The bedroom was enormous yet sparse like they didn’t know what to do with it.

You were about to say something when Steve dropped you onto the incredibly soft mattress. His eyes darkened with lust and you knew what he wanted. You couldn’t think of a way out of this, not with the magic inhibitors Bruce placed on your wrists.

Maybe you could give escape one last try; you just had to wait for the right opening.

Steve smirked upon seeing you removing your clothes. He liked that you knew your place, his pretty little princess.

You could only gasp when Steve removed his uniform top. He had an incredibly defined musculature: broad shoulders, beefy biceps, chiseled pecs and abs, and a seriously drool-worthy Adonis Belt. The light shining behind him made his body appear even more glorious.

Steve looked like an ancient god brought to modern times.

With a predatory smirk, Steve slowly crawled to you loving the smell of your arousal. “Let me lay out a few rules, sweetheart. You will make our meals, clean our rooms, bear our children, and be our good little whore. You must earn the right to wear a bra; panties are out of the question.”

Each rule was emphasized by a kiss or a love bite to your jaw, neck, collarbone, and shoulders.

Finally, you are to address us as Sir in public and Daddy in private. Say it.”

“Yes, Daddy,” you muttered with your eyes downcast.

Steve lifted your chin up with his forefinger, “That’s a good girl,” and brought you in for a kiss on the lips.

The kiss was demanding yet soft. You were surprised he was capable of such gentleness.

Steve was about to push his tongue into his mouth when Ransom strolled into the room.

“Does she know the drill?”

Steve broke the kiss with a smirk,” Just finished explaining it.”

Ransom shot you a sardonic smirk, “You got the rules, kitten? Good. Now if you misbehave, I’m gonna send you to the dungeons for a few days.”

Steve started up again, “But...if you’re good-”

“A good little wifey,” Ransom interjected caressing your right cheek and leaning in for a kiss.

This kiss started off soft then intensified (really know how to lure a girl) into one filled with passion and dominance. Ransom forced his tongue into and moaned at your taste. A few seconds later he was pushing what felt like a small tablet past your tongue forcing you to swallow.

“Did you do it yet?”

“Cool it, grandpa! I did, don’t you worry. She’s gonna feel it. Aren’t ya, kitten.”

You started to feel strange. Your body temperature skyrocketed, your mind was in a deep haze, your thighs were clenching on overtime you were so turned on. You needed relief and fast.

“Please Daddies!” you begged as you tried your best not to touch yourself.

“See grandpa? She’s ready.” Ransom purred as he grabbed your thighs and placed them over his shoulders. He planted a few kisses near your entrance and groaned at the smell of your arousal.

It only took one long, slow lick to your slit to turn you into a moaning mess. You couldn’t believe the pleasure you were feeling. It was like a bolt of lightning shot through you.

Ransom groaned at the taste of your juices. Not even Stark’s overpriced chefs could compare. “Fuck, she tastes divine,” he groaned and dove in for more. Ransom attacked your folds and swollen clit with insane intensity and precision alternating between his tongue and fingers.

You were on cloud nine. Each motion took you further to the precipice of an orgasm. Ransom kept bringing you back from the edge only thrust you back into his level of tumultuous.

Steve got in on the action by covering your moans with a kiss of all-consuming passion and started playing with your breasts.

“Fuck, these tits are amazing! Can’t wait until these are filled with milk” Steve purred as he took one of your nipples into his mouth and the other between his big and forefingers.

After twenty minutes of teasing, Ransom finally let you come. A volcanic eruption of ecstasy erupted from your core and Ransom lapped up all of your juices.

“Rogers, you’re in for a treat!” Ransom exclaimed as he hopped off the edge of the mattress.

“I get her pussy first since you got to eat her out,” Steve uttered as grinned at your blissed-out state.

With a tsk, both of them got you into position with Steve’s thick, muscular thighs on either side of your hips and Ransom standing in front of you taking off his pants.

He was huge! His cock was long, thick, and veiny. It wobbled against his masterfully sculpted abs with each step he took. You wondered how that was going to fit in your mouth. Turns out Steve’s was no smaller if his tip being coated with your slick is any indication.

“This won’t hurt, kitten. You were made for us.” Ransom cooed.

You didn’t know how right he was.

Steve made his move by pushing into you inch by delicious inch and moaned at the sensation. “Fuck, she fits like a dream.”

“Don’t take forever, grandpa.” Ransom chided.

“Shut up, ya punk!” Steve retorted as he began thrusting into you loving the way your pussy clenched around him like a vice’s grip.

“Open wide, kitten,” Ransom started to push his throbbing cock into your mouth.

It took a bit of time and effort to loosen your jaw enough for him to fully enter you. He started fucking your mouth before you were ready. You tried not to gag he was so rough.

What happened to the man from earlier?

“Fuckin’ perfect.” Ransom breathed as he was approaching his climax.

Steve came with a primal roar that reverberated throughout the room after making you come two more times.

“Swallow it, kitten” Ransom ordered.

Funny thing is, you didn’t need the order. You delighted in the salty, tangy, and slightly sweet flavor.

Two minutes after you swallowed all of Ransom’s spent, both men decided it was time to move. Ransom got onto the mattress and pulled you on top of him with his tip nudging your entrance. Steve got behind you and placed kisses along the juncture between your neck and shoulders while positioning himself at your ass.

“Please...please don’t do this!” you pleaded, the pill’s effect slipping for the tiniest of moments.

Steve grabbed your neck with just enough force to pause, not hurt.” Best be a good girl now, sweetheart,” he warned.

Ransom slid in first, “Holy fucking shit!” he moaned, “Sam owes me $40.

“That depends on how well their bride is taking to them,” Steve pointed out.

“Eh, we’ll say ours is better.”

Ransom moaned again once he bottomed out and grabbed the globes of your blessed backside. He couldn’t wait to grab and smack it around in their quarters.

Steve moved slowly causing both of your breathing to hitch, his from pleasure and yours from slight pain.

With a grin and smirk, they started moving in tandem. Your body almost couldn’t take the immense pleasure you were feeling.

“I could get used to this,” Ransom remarked.

“Well, we have the week,” Steve breathed past your ear.

Both kept at it until they came in you twice. You nearly passed out after your twelfth orgasm.

“Rest kitten,” Ransom purred as you finally gave in to your exhaustion.

  “The bride took to our seed,” Steve reported to Director Pierce.

“Good. We found their parents along with the rest of the resistance.” Pierce imparted.

Steve scowled at the information.

You and your friend, Isabeau, were the only ones to survive the Eve Project. HYDRA wanted to genetically groom compatible brides for their top soldiers. You were promised to Steve and Ransom and your friend to Bucky and Sam. Both of you were whisked away to another Earth by the resistance and your treacherous parents.

Now you were back where you belong.

“When do we leave?” Ransom growled.

“Once Strange and Wanda crack the protection spell. In the meantime, enjoy your bride.” Pierce turned to leave, but stopped before turning off the screen,” I want to see some little ones soon.”

[sukorakurai]

@snarkyship is a true genius. I commission this Stark Family Portrait and I couldn’t be happier. I wrote a little fic to accompany this fabulous Picture. hope you all enjoy.

Stark Family Picture Day

 By Sukora Kurai

  Tony sighed over the counter in the communal kitchen. He had been there since dawn when he asked Jarvis what day it was. Then his trusty AI informed him of an importance of this month. Now he was stuck with what to do now.

 “Hey Tony what’s got you down?”

 “Hey Capsicle, I’m doomed.”

 “Oh come on Tony, it can’t be that bad you are an Avenger.” Steve smiled as he got out food to make omelets for the Team, and greeted the in coming members. “Morning Nat, morning Bruce.”

 “Morning Steve, what’s wrong with Tony?” Bruce greeted heading to the stove to put the kettle on for his morning tea.

 “Not sure I found him like this.” Steve stated cracking some eggs into a bowl.

 “His and Loki’s anniversary is this month and he has no idea what to get him.” Nat answered pouring a large mug of coffee.

 Tony shot up in his seat and stared slack jawed. “How could you possibly know that?”

 “It’s my job as a shield Agent and Pepper’s PA to keep tabs on you. So it is well documented when you clumsily asked Loki to be your boyfriend during the Lord of the Rings Marathon where you bought out the AMC Theater for the day.” The Spy shrugged ignoring the fact that all her team mates stared at her in horror. All were now wondering what she had on them in those SHIELD files.

 “So Tony, you have and anniversary coming up? Have you though about what Loki might like?” Steve coughed drawing the conversation back to the main topic.

 “No, I don’t. What does one give a god especially one that has magic and can make anything appear out of thin air?” Tony waved his arms in frustration.

 “That is a tough one but I’m sure anything you get him will be fine. Loki loves you Tony.” Bruce tried to be supportive.

 “I hope you will be putting more thought into the gift you give me next month for our anniversary.” Nat gave the Gamma Doctor a pointed before wandering out of the room to start her routine before heading out to work.

 “Ha, I’m not the only one in hot water now!” Tony crowed at the look of devastation in his science-bro’s face.

 “Tony, knock it off. Now in my day it was the thought that counted most. You should find what Loki cherishes the most. You find that then you can present to him in a meaningful way. It’s true he’s a prince and probably has had his other lovers throw jewels and meaningless expensive trinkets at him to win his affections. You know Loki better because you love him and he loves you.” Steve pointed out.

 “Yeah, Lokes complains a lot about his life in Asgard and that there were many who wooed him just to get to Thor. At night when it’s just the two of us and RC snuggled between us he sighs soft and says what a perfect night it is. He never elaborates but I think it means that he likes just the quiet nights with us.” The genius eyes went glazed as he recalled the many nights he cuddled with his god. Then the idea hit him. “Hey Spangles, can you paint or do you just draw?”

 “Huh,” Steve was caught off guard and almost dropped the omelet he was flipping. “I paint from time to time.”

 “Don’t lie babe you are in your studio whenever can get the chance.” Bucky laughed entering the kitchen. “All the paintings in our apartment Stevie did.”

 “Great! Can you do a portrait if I get you a picture?” Tony asked digging in to the ham and cheese omelet.

 “Yeah, it might take two weeks maybe less depends on if we get called out or if SHIELD needs me.” The captain estimated placing another plate in front of his boyfriend.

 “As long as it’s done before the end of the month we’re good.  Jarvis start looking through my photos and pull out any possible portraits.”

 “Yes, sir.”

 “Delicious breakfast as usual Capsicle. I’ll get you the photo as soon as I find one.” Tony dumped his empty plate in sink and ran off to his lab.

 Two hours later…

 “None of these are good enough J.”

 “Sir, might I suggest you take a new photo of you and Prince Loki.”

 “Yeah and RC too, because she’s our baby. We can’t have a Family Portrait without all the family members. Where’s are RC now?”

 “She is currently with Alpine in his play room.”

 “Cool, I think I got the perfect outfit in mind.” Tony grinned as he ran to his emergency closet in the lab. Tony had put in the closet when he realized he destroyed a lot of his clothes during his inventing and building phases. Also there was a suit or two for the days he forgot he was supposed to be in a meeting and had to make a rush to the board room.

  In the penthouse…

  It had been a quiet morning with no call outs, no calls to Asgard and no need to go anywhere. Loki decided to enjoy the peace and quite lounging in his soft Asgardian casual clothes on the couch reading his mother’s spell journal.

 “Hey there, Bambi! It’s Picture Day!”

 “Anthony, what are you on about?” The prince looked up from his book to see his lover carrying their cat into the living room.

 “Well Picture Day refers to the day school kids take pictures for the yearbook and photos are bought for family distribution. Anyways I want to have a family picture that was honest. I never had that growing up because Howard was an asshole and Maria, my mother, was frail. She loved me but she couldn’t express it because she was always ill. Now we have our own little family and I want a picture to put in the lab.”

 “You want to take this picture now? Anthony, I look a mess and how did you get the bow on the cat?”

 “Aww, you look gorgeous, love, as always. Anyways, I put a bow on our baby because RC loves to look pretty for her daddies. Don’t you sweetie.” Tony scratched under the kitty’s chin as they sat on couch next to the god.

 “Mew,” RC purred.

 “Fine, you win, where would you like to take the picture? Also what are you wearing? I don’t believe I’ve seen that outfit before, and what is on your feet?” Loki set his book aside and took in his lover’s appearance.

 “Oh you like? I dressed in red and gold to match my shoes. I had these shoes made based on my Iron Man suit. I thought maybe putting them on the market for kids but I liked them too much to share. So I have a life time supply in the lab. If you want I can have a pair made for you.”

 “No thank you. They clash with my outfit. Now let’s take your picture.” Loki said taking the cat in his arms.

 “Okay, okay. Let me get out my phone.” Tony fished his Stark Phone out of his back pocket and held it out to make them all fit in the frame. “Okay say cheese!”

 “Click”

 “Okay let’s see how that one turned out.” Tony looked at the photo to see him smiling a black blur and a bland look on Loki’s face. “Nope we got try again. This time smile Loki and RC you need to stay still so we can see you.”

 And it went picture by picture they have yet to take a family portrait.

 “Shit I only got half your face.”

 “Anthony your thumb is on the lens.”

 “RC Stay still!”

 “Achoo! Ow! I dropped on my foot!”

 “Do not eat my hair you Retched Creature!”

 “Okay I set it up on a tripod. Now say cheese.”

 “CHEESE BROTHER!” Thor popped up between the two men who stared at shock at the blond god.

 “Next!” Tony rolled his eyes as Loki vanished his brother to where ever. Tony didn’t ask where the Loki sent Thunder god. He rather liked staying in the tower and wanted to keep it that way.

 “Meow!”

 “No RC! Don’t chase the bunny!”

 Three Hours Later…

 “Okay, this is it I can feel it. Now Jarvis is going to take the picture the bunnies are secure in their room. The penthouse is locked down, so no unexpected guest and RC is filled of milk to keep her calm and relaxed. And I promise after we get this picture I will have Jarvis order you favorite meal from the Thai Palace down the street and I’ll rub your feet, while we watch you favorite Harry Potter movies.”

 “Oh Anthony you spoil me. I love you.” Loki sighed as a soft smile graced his face and he leaned into his lover as Tony joined their hands together. RC who was seated now on the god’s shoulder leaned in and purred soaking up the love of her people. The genius couldn’t be happier in that moment as he had his to precious family members with him and the grin on his face was wide and bright.

 “Click.”

 Two Weeks Later…

 “Sir Prince Loki and Mr. Odinson have returned from Asgard.”

 “Great, I got everything ready. Tell Loki that I have dinner ready and waiting.”

 “Yes, sir.” Tony had the table set with Loki’s Favorite food from the five star steak house, they go to. He paid extra to have the chef come over and cook for their anniversary.

 “Ding.”

 “Thank you, Jarvis. Evening Anthony, never in my life had been so glad to leave Asgard. He talked for hours at the council over stagnant topics. What’s all this?”

 “Well my hard working God of Mischief, today is our one year Anniversary and I have planned the perfect evening. Dinner, a bath and I installed a movie screen in our bathroom so we can enjoy the movie of your choice during the bath and then I plan on us making love until dawn.” Tony pulled Loki over to the dinner table, watching as the god’s magic removed the armor and replaced it with comfortable Asgardian wear.

 “You lovely little man, you spoil me so; I don’t deserve it or you.” The Raven pulled the billionaire into his arms and planting kisses all over the man’s face.

 “Yes you do, because I love you and I got you something, well I got Cap to make it, but it was my idea.”

 “You didn’t have to, dinner is more than enough.”

 “No, I wanted to. Now close your eyes and I’ll get your present.” As Loki closed his eyes Tony ran out of the room and grabbed the portrait from where he hid it. He placed it on the wall then Jarvis turned on the lights illuminating the painting. “Okay open them.”

 “Oh Anthony! It’s wonderful.” Loki’s eyes became all misty seeing their little family together and there was so much love radiating from painting. “It’s perfect.”

 “Happy Anniversary Reindeer Games.”

 “Happy Anniversary, my Man of Iron.” Loki whispered pulling Tony in to the sweetest kiss they ever shared. They didn’t hear the click sound of Jarvis capturing the moment with the sunset background. Another memory to save for another day.

 The End.

[ad1thi]

2020 fic recs!! [Part 2]

part 2 of my 2020 fic recs!! as before, ive limited this to five fics per month; and fics are ordered by the month they were published. This spans fandoms and ships, and hopefully you find something you like!! credit for the idea goes to @iam93percentstardust

***

July

this is the start: @capnwinghead

Clark and Bruce continue raising the Wayne children and encounter a number of challenges along the way.

great minds (love alike): @starklysteve

Steve’s eyes flicks down to Tony’s knees on the floor.

“Are you – are you proposing to me with my ring for you?” Steve asks incredulously, eyes wide and confused.

---

Or, Steve finds Tony’s ring for him, Tony finds Steve’s ring for him. Panic happens.

Marvels Unsolved: @iam93percentstardust

Marvels Unsolved was never supposed to be this popular. It started off as a novelty web-series about Tony trying to convince Bucky about the existence of the supernatural—he firmly believed that if science could turn Uncle Steve from an actual shrimp to the god of muscles, then magic had to be out there—and then they’d started talking about an unsolved crime from the early 20th century after filming an episode one day, forgetting that the camera was still rolling, and had ended up with enough footage to make a second episode about real crimes. They had stayed pretty unknown throughout that first season but then true crime podcasts had exploded in popularity and Unsolved along with them.

it’s a small world after all: @maguna-stxrk

“Great speech.”

Smiling at the compliment, Tony turns around. “Thank y—”

And nearly drops his champagne flute.

His world comes to a stop.

They had only spent a night together, but Tony would recognize those baby blues anywhere.

It’s Steve.

Steve from Tony’s London business trip. Or, as Rhodey has become accustomed to calling him—The Soulmate That Got Away.

you’re in my blood, you’re in my veins: @nethandrake

Tony always figured that if they ever were to break up, it would be like a blaze. Scorching and hot and all-too blinding. Intense like the two of them have always been.

Instead, they break up on a Tuesday, with the rain pelting the windowpane and the midnight silence stifling.

August

Five Times Danny said he’d marry Steve (plus one): @five-wow

Danny humphs. “Look, all I’m saying is, I think I’d probably have married you by now.”

“I’d marry you, too,” Steve says.

Or: An experiment in how many times you can say something before you have to put your money where your mouth is.

Family (You’ve Always Had It): @/SunnyQueen

A black Camaro and a scowling blond was not what Junior had been expecting.

“Hi, sir. You didn’t have to pick me up.”

The blond looked up from the screen on his phone and groaned, completely ignoring Junior's statement. “You are right, I didn't have to."

Ode To Yoga Pants: @riotfalling

OR the continued terrible mating dance of Bucky and Tony, AKA when betting on your friends stops being fun

Through The Years: @hawkbucks

Tony brings home Natasha one day, proclaiming her to be his new sister.

Natasha takes this all in stride.

The broken road that led me home to you: @just-fandomthings

A documented list of conversations between Steve and Danny via text and phone call following the events of 10x22 "Aloha." (Where, even thousands of miles apart, Steve and Danny can't go without talking to each other.)

September

someday, we’ll pass it on to you: @starklysteve

Steve smiles.

Reaching up, he flattens his hand against his son’s far smaller one, curling gently around it. “You wanna be like him?”

“Da!” Peter agrees again.

One year old, and you already know who’s the best of us, Steve pauses to reflect, all his fears chased away by a fierce pride. “Your Dad’s coming home real soon,” he promises, “you should tell him that.”

---------------

Or, five times Peter did the repulsor pose as a toddler

+ one time he used the repulsors as an adult

Classic Sci Fi: @notdoingsohot

Bucky wakes up to Steve telling him he's lost his memory, but not to panic, it'll only last a few days. Easier said than done when the last thing Bucky remembers is fighting Hydra with the Howlies in WWII.

He tries to make the most of it however, and there's this guy... Tony Stark. It's pretty clear the guy hates Bucky's guts, which is unfortunate because god damn is he a sight.

He tries to figure out what he did to wrong Stark, but everyone just tells him he doesn't want to know.

They were right.

Blooms in Frost: @/Diomedes

Tony coughs up his first petal on the sixth of July. He has been married to the love of his life for two years.

Bury a Hanahaki corpse in earth and it will beget the most beautiful garden. All that love, it is said, must go somewhere.

Hanahaki AU: Established relationship

------------------------------------------

A Single Thread of Gold: @lovelyirony

Rhodey doesn't believe in love at first sight or any of that cheesy shit. He just wants someone who is nice, dependable, and safe.

Tony Stark is Housing Service's little problem for the school year, and now he's stuck in Rhodey's room because he's exploded the last two dorm rooms he's been in and won't live off-campus.

high roller, place your bet: @machi-kun

“Would you kiss Stark for a hundred bucks?”

“I would pay a hundred bucks to kiss him.”

October

press my luck: @omg-just-peachy

But... Steve is almost ten years his junior, and he could be with just about anyone, looking and acting like he does. And then there’s the not so small fact of Tony’s name and net worth and the fact that, okay, Tony had paid for Steve’s grad school tuition, and now he’s worried Steve feels obligated to stay. Or something.

Or, Tony is a billionaire, Steve is a grad student, and they learn to let themselves be taken care of.

see it with the lights out: @starklysteve

Tony goes on a business trip, and he does not - not at all - get jealous of Dodger hogging his husband's chest, a territory otherwise known as Tony's pillow.

(or, Steve goes on an Instagram spree and Tony misses home)

adulthood is looking both ways before you cross the street and getting hit by an airplane: @starkslovemail

It was a perfect plan, if Peter did say so himself.

The Buy In: @dracusfyre

For the ImagineTonyandBucky prompt: Mafia AU with Tony as the Boss (except he's a really good one, making the streets safe, keeping drugs away from kids etc) and Bucky as the detective sent to go undercover to catch him out but ends up realizing he's actually doing more good than harm and they end up falling in love

trinkets of your affection: @starklysteve

Kissed him once for every year I loved him, Steve had written.

By that count, Steve owes him five more kisses now.

Tony traces the words, hands trembling, and tips back a shot of Howard's ancient whiskey. None of it burns anymore.

One day, he'll have lived more days without Steve than there are words in the diary.

For the first time since he'd woken with shrapnel in his chest, Tony fears the future.

----------

Or, five things Tony keeps to remember Steve by, and one thing Steve gives him to remember.

November

“Hey Tony”: @riotfalling

Steve points out that Bucky never calls Tony by his actual name. Bucky doesn’t believe him, until he does.

Remembering You is Hard to Do: @lovelyirony

“The future’s crazy, honey-bear.”

Jim looks up.

“Why do you call me that?”

“Call you what?”

“Honey-bear. It’s weird.”

“Inside joke we have,” Tony says, chest tightening. “We thought those couples that have the lovey-dovey nicknames were ridiculous.”

overheard your heartbeat (calling me yours): @starklysteve

"Tony - "

"I wish I could promise to come home this time," he feels the armor crawl back down his arm, continuing unnoticed over Steve's red gloves, then up the blue uniform as Tony fights to keep Steve's gaze firmly fixed on him.

The last eyes Tony might get to see, and he wants to be lost in them.

In the end, his entire life boils down a few simple things: "JARVIS, take care of him for me."

----------

Or, Tony overhears a phonecall where Steve proposes, a battle happens, and a paper ring settles some misunderstandings.

i (really, really, really, really, really, really) like you.: @nethandrake

For as long as Steve can remember, he's been crushing on Tony Stark. The thing is, he's pretty sure Tony doesn't know Steve exists. And how could he? Steve's scrawny and little. He's a nobody compared to Tony who's Mr Popular and the son of a billionaire.

Or at least he thought so until Tony swings by the bakery Steve's mother happens to own to enlist Steve's help in finding the perfect Valentine's Day card.

The perfect Valentine's Day card for someone who isn't Steve.

One Song (My Heart Keeps Singing): @iam93percentstardust

When Thor is old enough to understand what a Heartsong is, he goes to his mother to ask her why he can’t understand the language his is in. He listens as she tells him about the first soulmates who couldn't understand their Heartsong until the day they meet, excited by the thought of a grand adventure, one that will take him across the cosmos in search of his One.

He’ll search all the Nine Realms if he has to.

December

Swiping Right: @s-horne

“Ouch. Definitely a hard pass for that one?”

Steve startled at the sudden comment from the row of chairs behind him and turned around. He’d been passing the time in the airport lounge by swiping through Tinder and had gotten lost in his own world. It was almost jarring to be pulled away from the screen of hot men and back into reality where the PA was screeching and there was noise everywhere.

Adjusting to the difference, Steve frowned. Wait, he knew that face. Oh, shit… he knew that face.

“No, no, it’s fine,” the man said before Steve could get out anything other than an embarrassed sort of yelp. Waving his hand through the air, the stranger smiled ruefully. “I get it. It’s the beard, isn’t it? True be told, it was a weird winter choice that year and I knew it would come back to hurt me.”

Steve didn’t know what to say. He knew it must have shown on his face and could feel himself flushing, panicked and embarrassed all at once. What were the odds of swiping left on someone literally sat behind him?

set your flight path home (to me): @starklysteve 

Tony puts down his welding torch. “I’m building you a plane.”

Stepping carefully over the gears and tools scattered about, Rhodey slowly makes his way to him.

“And when did you become an expert on how to build a plane?”

“Last night,” Tony grins.

---------------

Tony builds a plane, and Rhodey teaches Tony how to fly it. Or he would be teaching Tony, if Tony didn't distract him so much.

I Want A Man With A Slow Hand: @thefourofswords

“Can I ask you a question?” he asked on their way to a crime scene, because no time like the present, and Danny believed in ripping off band-aids.

“Why not?” Steve replied, eyes on the road. “You’re gonna even if I say no.”

“What do you like in bed?”

*

Danny undertakes a very important mission to get Steve laid. For his health. Ahem.

same time next year: @omg-just-peachy

“I forgot to ask. When’s your flight home?” Steve asks, draping his arm over Tony’s shoulder and settling in against him.

Tony ignores the knot that forms in his chest at the idea of it, leaving Steve again for his own impersonal apartment, his piles of books and projects and the nights without sleep.

“Day after tomorrow.”

Steve huffs a little sigh, then brings his lips to Tony’s neck. “Well, we’ll have to make the most of it, won’t we?”

Or, four (4) Christmases with two (2) idiots who can't admit they're in love.

rearrange my heart (to fit your smile): @starklysteve

"You dare," Howard's chair makes an ugly noise as it scrapes against the stone floors, the chatter of the room shifting into hushed whispers and stolen glances. "I am your father and your King!"

"My King is my husband," Tony tips his chin up, defiant. "And I refuse to hear you suggest that my husband has been anything other than good to me."

Next to him, he feels Steve's shoulders stiffen in surprise.

Howard's fist slams loud on the table. "Your husband does not even love you!"

Tony jerks back, burned. He knows that. Knows that Steve did not marry him for love – does not need any reminder of the cold truth, of what he desperately yearns for and can't even hope to have – but the harshness of Howard's words was scalding, and Tony can't afford for this to go any further.

----------

Or, King Steven marries Prince Tony, Tony is pretty sure he shouldn't panic when he falls in love with his own husband, and Steve tries his very best not to cause diplomatic crises.

Keyword: try

[thatsgay-writes]

Day 3

PREVIOUS

You woke up the next day slowly. You blinked you eyes a couple times trying to get the blurriness to disappear. You felt something warm against your back and turned around to see Toni holding you close. You woke Toni up and you both walked over to the Fire Dot had started. Weirdly, Shelby wouldn't make eye contact with either of you. "We need to make a shelter." Dot said as you and Toni shared a bag of airplane nuts. "Well I'm out." Fatin responded almost immediately. "That sounds like hard work and with rescue coming I don't see a point." Dot let's put a frustrated groan as no one else seems to jump at the chance of making a shelter.

You watch quietly as Rachel and Leah walk by and head towards the ocean. "Where are you guys going?" Shelby asked them. "We're going to go swim out to the plane wreck, see if we can find anything useful." "Are you should that's a good idea?" You ask and Rachel gives you an annoyed look. "Well it's not like you and Leah are always on the best term." You say holding your hands up. "Oh yeah, well if it's such a big deal than why don't you join us? Oh wait I forgot you only have one—" "I'll go." You say, interrupting Rachel. Rachel pauses for a second and nods her head, a little respect showing through her eyes. "Alright cool, you just better be able to keep up once we're in the water."

You nod your head and Leah let's go of the homemade raft to help you stand. "Umm what the fuck? No your not going with them." Toni interrupts. "You can't even walk by yourself." She says matter of factly. You roll your eyes at her. "I'm more useful in water than I am on land. Just because I got one leg doesn't mean I can't fucking swim Toni." That seems to make Toni mad. "Can you really because I remember having to fucking haul your ass last night to get out the storm. Didn't make it seem like you were useful in water." Toni says standing up in getting in your face. Leah felt very awkward having to stand there as the two of you stared at each other. "Don't be an ass Toni and I didn't fucking ask you to drag me out the storm last night. I also didn't ask you to help me get over here this morning. I have been perfectly fine for 6 months without my leg and without you! So whatever knight in shining armor shit your trying to do now needs to be put to rest. You couldn't protect me before and I don't know what makes you think you can protect me now." You turn away and get Leah to start walking before Toni could even respond.

The swim out to the wreck was quiet and you couldn't tell if it was awkward quiet or normal quiet, so you just didn't say anything. "You know you and Toni are pretty hot and cold with each other." Rachel says as you get closer to the wreck. Leah nods in agreement, "Yeah on the plane you two looked like you hated each other and then the last few days, you two have been like holding each other non stop. Then this morning it's all happy and stuff and then y'all got back into another yelling match." You let out a sigh as you kick your leg. "What can I say, we have some interesting history..." You want to stop there but you can feel Leah and Rachel burning a hole into the side of your head. "We grew up together... Best friends before Marty ever joined the picture. Some... stuff went down and we stopped talking. Last time I talked to her was the day I found out my brother died." The two girls nodded and thankfully didn't ask anymore questions.

"Alright, we're here. I'll go down first to get a quick look at everything down there." Rachel said before taking a deep breath and diving down. You floated at the top with Leah silently. You didn't really like Leah, you don't know what it was but she just gave you this weird vibes."Okay so I saw a suit case and a black box which we could use and a guitar case but I don't think that'll be useful." Rachel reports as she surfaces. "Wait what color is the guitar case?" "Black and gold." "We need that too." Rachel rolls her eyes, "Look the guitar might be yours but it's not really useful to anyone." "It has my back up leg in it." "Oh."

"Come on Leah we need to get that black box!" Rachel yells as she and Leah come up for air the 5th time. "I can't, I can't..." You put a hand on Rachel's shoulder. "I'll go." "You sure?" "Yeah."

Holy shit! I almost died! You think as you guys make your way back to shore. The plane was a lot deeper than you thought but you managed to stay down long enough to get the black box out of the plane. You watch as Leah and Rachel pull everything up to the camp as you use your guitar place as a second leg. You stood in the circle with the group as they discussed what to do with the box. "I agree with opening it. We don't know if it could have gotten messed up from the crash." Rachel goes to argue again but someone else cuts in. "Why don't we just vote?" Everyone thinks for a second before nodding in agreement. "Alright then, raise your hand if you want to open the box" Shelby says and almost everyone raises their hand. "Welp I guess that settles it."

After Dot and company worked on opening the black box and fixing it, you finally take the time to sit down and put your leg together. You open the guitar case and let out a sigh as you rub a hand over your brother's guitar. You were glad you had made improvements to the case and that making it air tight was one of them. "Wow that's a pretty guitar." Shelby says as she walks up behind you. "Thanks, it was my brothers." You say as you pull out pieces of your leg. Shelby sits down next to you and watches you work for a few seconds before speaking again. "Anything I can do to help?" "I would normally say no but I don't have a screw driver and it's making it take forever to screw stuff in... so sure." You hand Shelby the calf and foot part of the leg while you work on the knee cap area. "Here." Shelby says as she hands you a Bobby pin that she shaped into a mini wrench. "Thanks." You say as you look away from your leg to her. "You know, your hair looks very pretty down." You say and reach out to play with the ends of her hair. "Thanks." Shelby mumbles, trying to hide the blush that crossed her face. Maybe there was more to her than what met the eye.

NEXT

[polaroid15]

Febuwhump day 17 - Field surgery

Summary: During a battle, Peter gets shot. With no time to get actual medical care, Tony is forced to do his best with what he has. 

Read this chapter and previous ones at: https://archiveofourown.org/works/29138196/chapters/72537189

-----

Peter isn’t quite sure when it happens.

Adrenaline is funny that way.

One minutes he’s fighting, and the next, he’s on his knees.

For a moment his senses dial down and everything seems to move in slow motion. Steve is fighting close by, his shield shooting off sparks where it collides with his opponent’s metal armor. One of many in some sort of twisted, super-soldier army.

All the Avengers are on deck for this particular escapade. Peter had nearly fainted in excitement when Tony had called him to join them.

They’re winning, but barely.

Everything continues to move as if it’s underwater, and Peter catches a flash of light from the opposite rooftop. It’s one of the soldiers. Despite the distance Peter can see the orange paint streaked across the man’s eyes and his grim look of satisfaction. He makes no move to hurt Peter, even though he’s shouldering a sniper rifle, and the boy wonders why.

His attention is stolen as Steve yells out, his shield arm being kicked in. In danger, Peter realizes, and feels stupid for kneeling in one place for so long.

He tries to stand, and can’t.

Then he feels it.

With shaking hands, Peter spreads his fingers across his abdomen. As suspected, it hits warm blood. His vision swims.

He’s been shot.

“Queens?”

Peter looks over at Steve as he tries not to hyperventilate. The hero must have bounced back because the three soldiers he had been fighting are lying prone at his feet. He’s looking at Peter with an expression that does not make him feel any better, and when Peter doesn’t respond, he jogs closer. “Spider-Man? Oh no-”

“‘S okay,” Peter slurs, holding up a hand to stop Steve from helping. God, he’s screwed up big time. “S’okay.”

“It’s not okay,” Steve disagrees, his mouth pinching into a frown. His hands are hovering awkwardly near the wound. “Wow, kid. This is bad. Even for you.”

“S’rry.”

“Don’t apologize. It’s okay-”

A loud explosion knocks both of them onto their sides, a section of the roof disappearing in thick black smoke. Peter is distantly aware of Steve’s hands on his face, tapping on his cheeks, and he moans.

“Spider-Man, can you hear me?”

Through the sharp ringing in his ears, Peter hears gunfire and flinches. Somewhere above him Steve grabs his hand and helps him place it firmly back over his wound. He must’ve let go in the blast.

“Hang on Queens,” he hears Steve say, but his voice sounds like it’s miles away. “Tony’s on his way. I have to go hold them off. Keep pressure on that.”

“What?” Nothing is making any sense. Peter blinks open his eyes just in time to see Steve sprinting towards the burning side of the roof where half a dozen soldiers are advancing. Peter tries to move, to stand, and gasps when bright hot pain shoots through his side. It cuts off his air and he chokes, shuddering when he tastes copper on his tongue.

He has to help him-

“Spidey!”

Red and gold enters his vision, a blurred spot of colour against the wreckage. Metal hands rest on his shoulders.

“Oh God. Peter? Peter can you hear me?”

He thinks he groans, but he can’t be sure.

“Damn it. I’ll take that as a maybe. Okay, okay. We gotta move. We have to get off this roof.”

No duh, Peter wants to say, but his voice is stuck somewhere under the consuming block of pain in his chest. Without further warning, he feels himself being lifted. If he possessed the energy to scream he would have, and isn’t really aware of anything past that. It feels as if he’s been dropped into a fireball, every inch of his skin burning.

Something cold lands on his face, jarring him back into his body. He gasps and opens his eyes, seeing double. Tony’s face drifts in and out of focus above him.

He looks scared, Peter thinks, and wonders why.

“Peter?”

“Mmm. M’ Stark-”

“Oh God. You’re losing way too much blood kid. We’re not going to make it back to the Tower.”

Blood?

Peter furrows his eyebrows, his head lolling to look down at his abdomen. His suit is a darker shade of red than he remembers.

The cement is red, too.

Oh.

“I got shot,” Peter slurs, remembering.

“I need- I need to stop the bleeding-”

Peter’s breath hitches and he feels liquid pool into his mouth. Unable to get air past it, he turns his head and spits it out.

Somewhere off to the side, Tony curses. The man’s hands are in his hair, rubbing circles that he’s too numb to really feel.

“Burn it.”

“What? Pete-”

“Burn it,” he repeats, his voice cracking. “‘S the only way.”

In the heavy silence, Peter drifts once more. When he comes back to himself Tony’s hands are gone from his hair and he shivers. Instead, they’re held above his abdomen.

The gauntlet is on.

“Breathe, Peter, okay? You hear me? Breathe in nice and deep for me.”

He tries.

“Good, good. Again. One more time.”

He does.

Then Tony engages the gauntlet, and Peter’s world lights on fire. He claws against the cement underneath him, kicks out, screams. Tony’s other hand is pressed down against his shoulder, trying in vain to keep him still.

Someone is crying, but Peter isn’t sure who.

Finally it ends and Peter is left gasping for air, surrounded by the smell of his own burning skin. His vision is dark on the edges, begging for him to give in, to let go.

“The bleeding stopped. Thank God.” Tony’s hands are back in his hair, cradling him close. Peter reaches up blindly, his own shaking hands threading around Tony’s bicep as he sobs out the rest of his energy. “Shh, kiddo. It’s over. It’s okay.”

“T-Tony-”

“It’s okay,” he hushes, his lips pressed into the top of his head. “You can let go now, Pete. I got you.”

“Got me,” he echoes, and his vision tunnels down to a pinprick of light.

Then it disappears all together.

----

Twelve hours later, Peter and Tony are in medbay eating jello.

“So have you ever done a field surgery before?” Peter asks casually.

Tony chokes on his jello. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me.”

“Uh, no. Congrats kiddo. You’re the first.”

“That’s so sick. I can’t wait to tell Ned.”

“Peter Benjamin Parker!”

[areiton]

drowning in love - stony

Read on AO3

~*~ 

The thing is that he doesn't keep his words hidden. They're delicate chicken scratch that he used to trace when Howard left his bruises and when Maria couldn't bother to be around him. 

They were a promise, that one day, someone would be glad of him. 

And then Rhodey spilled into his dorm room, took one look at Tony, sitting cross-legged on the floor and unassembling a lamp and he'd grinned, wide and white and pleased. 

"Oh good, you're here." 

Tony's eyes had gone wide and he'd dropped the lamp and blurted, "It's you, platypus, holy shit." 

And that wide pleased grin went wider. 

*~* 

He doesn't hide it. 

He's got the best fucking soulmate in the world, his platypus, and he's never wanted to hide that. 

But when the giant blonde guy smiling at him while he orders coffee catches sight of his words, all watercolor splashed blues and red, his face goes still and sad and his smiles stop. 

Tony doesn't say anything else, just keeps that smile firmly in place, shoves a tip in the jar and takes his coffee as he retreats. 

*~* 

Rhodey loops an arm around his shoulder, words brushing Tony's arm and tingling. "You gonna come with us tonight?" 

He flicks a look at them--Rhodey in his jeans and tight tshirt and that smile that he only gives Tony, his words a brilliant splash of color. Carol with her long hair blonde and curling, stunning in that tiny red number, her words a curling lick of black. 

"No, I'm gonna study, I think," he says, smiling. 

Rhodey's grin dims, just a little and he steps closer. "You ok, genius?" 

"I'm fine, platypus. Go. Have fun." 

He hesitates, but let's Carol drag him away. 

*~*

This is the thing: words are black, until you meet your soulmate, and white if they die. 

Most parents register a word or phrase, something unusual or distinct, with the ISMD--but Tony had never registered platypus, and Rhodey had never bothered at all. 

This is the thing: soulmates trump wedding vows and military orders, trump laws of man and god, have ended wars and marriages and toppled kingdoms. All in the name of cosmic love. 

This is the thing: not all soulmates love each other. 

*~* 

The blonde watches him. His nametag says Steve, and he’s tall, with these impossible shoulders and tiny fucking waist, giant hands that are so careful when he’s working the levers and machine, deftly creating art in the top of Tony’s drink. 

He doodles, too, when the coffeeshop empties out and it’s just the two of them, him behind his counter and Tony behind his tablet, a million lines of code and four watercolor words between them. 

Because Tony--he knows what those heavy-lidded, guilty stares mean. 

He knows that Steve wants him. 

But those heavy-lidded guilty stares always slide from his ass or his lips, from his eyes and his long fingers--to the words on his arm that he’s never, not once, hidden. 

And they drop away. 

*~* 

“What are you drawing today?” he asks, while Steve presses a panini for him and he inhales the first delicious sip of coffee. 

It burns in the best possible way, chases the chill of Howard’s disapproval and Boston in January away. 

Steve blinks at him and Tony smiles. “I’ve been in here every other day for over a semester. You think I didn’t notice you sketching?” 

Steve tips his head, studying Tony. His words are still covered by the long sleeves of Rhodey’s sweatshirt, and maybe--maybe that’s why. 

Steve slides the sketch pad across the counter, and Tony looks at it. 

It’s--his table, an almost watercolor sketch, the blacks and greys blending with the whites in a way that immediately calls to mind the watercolor splash on his arm. 

But it’s his table, his tablet discarded and long fingers wrapped around a cup of coffee, the shape of his shirt in the background. 

Tony looks up at him, and Steve is staring back,bright-eyed and hungry and his heart does this thing--flips and twists--

The door swings open, and he hears, clear as day, “Oh good, you’re here.” 

The color drains outta Steve’s face and he shuffles back, looking sick, and Tony huffs, twisting to look at Rhodey. “Oh my god, platypus.” 

Rhodey’s grin is sharp and pleased. 

*~* 

He loves Rhodey. And Rhodey loves him, this deep and abiding sort of love that settles him when he feels like he’s shaking apart, that feels like home when nothing in his life has ever felt like home. 

But he’s not in love with Rhodey. 

He thinks it’d be easier, sometimes, if he was. If they could be that, too, 

They aren’t. They tried, once--Tony tried, crawled into Rhodey’s bed and pressed a wet drunk kiss to his lips and Rhodey had sighed and wrestled him down, forced him to sleep. 

He was gentle, when he explained to Tony that they were never gonna be more than this. More than friends, brothers, soulmates. 

And it didn’t sting, the way he thought it would. It was right, settled next to that home and safe and loved feeling that Rhodey always gave him. 

Still. 

In a world that saw soulmarks and equaled up to epic love--it was damn complicated. 

*~* 

“Your soulmate,” Steve says, and his words are stiff. Almost angry. 

It’s the first time Steve’s talked to him in weeks--even the glances, all sweet and longing and conflicted--had slowed. 

Tony blinks at him. 

“You should talk to him.” 

He frowns. “Why--did something happen?” 

“Just--this--talk to him,” Steve almost begs, and drops a chocolate croissant on the table before stalking back to his counter. 

Panic clawing at him, Tony bolts for home. 

*~* 

They wore them, the words that marked each other, like badges of honor. 

Tony didn’t get it, really, why Rhodey never complained about being tied to Tony. He just smiled and shook his head and once, when Rhodey dragged Tony home--he understood, just a little bit. 

Because Rhodey was the middle child in a family of five, the one who was peacemaker and forgotten, the son that everyone expected to succeed and no one celebrated when he did. He was loved, deeply, the kind of love so deep and abiding it didn’t need to be stated. 

But he wasn’t seen, really. 

Not until Tony stared at him, bright eyes fixed on him like he was the only star in the sky. 

*~*

Tony swings into the cafe, and the dark haired burly guy is behind the counter. 

“I need to talk to Steve,” Tony says, abruptly. 

“Stevie ain’t here.” 

“That is very clear. I’ll just sit here and wait for him.” 

The man snorts, and digs in his pocket for his phone. “Your boy is here. No, I don’t think he’s gonna move. Just get your ass down here, man.”

He huffs, and pockets the phone. Eyes Tony sharp and serious. “You better not hurt him.” 

*~*

They never said--not publicly--what kind of bond they shared. 

It was no one’s business but their own. They were close, Rhodey falling into Tony’s space and Tony curling into Rhodey’s lap, easy affection and teasing nicknames, and people made their own assumptions. 

They never cared. 

*~* 

Steve’s gaze immediately tracked to the big guy behind the counter, and Tony, tucked into his corner, watched, the way they communicated without a word, the tension easing in Steve’s shoulders, and the little smirk, cocky and knowing, on the other man’s lips before he pushed off the wall. “Gonna close up early, punk.”

And he knows, he knows what that kind of easy intimacy and closeness means, what that word means, heavy hung in the air and easing the tightness in Steve’s eyes. 

“See ya at home, Buck,” Steve says, his gaze finding Tony, and something sure and hot settles in his gut. 

*~*

He’s asked about it, sometimes. He’s never made a secret of his mark, never done anything to keep it tucked away or hidden. He’s asked about it, when it gleams bright and beautiful at the world and his date sways, blonde and beautiful and not his. 

But Tony may not hide his mark--might flaunt it, because his Rhodey loves him, wants him, needs him and there is not a single person in the world better to be loved by--but he’s never once answered questions about the mark. 

He merely smiles, when they shout questions, while Howard stiffens and Tony flirts and slides his way out of the questions. 

Because the words--they were a promise, that one day someone would want him--and he did, Rhodey did. They were his armor, the shield between him and a world that only wanted him for what he could give them. 

Rhodey though--Rhodey was his, and Tony? He’d always been fiercely jealous and bad at sharing. 

*~* 

“Show me your mark,” Tony demands. 

Steve stared at him, his head tipped curiously as he watches, as Tony pushes out of his corner, and into Steve’s space. 

His mark is brilliant, a splash of blue and red and hues of gold shot through. It’s bare and glaringly evident, the sleeves of his sweatshirt shoved up over his elbows. 

Steve hesitates, and Tony reaches for him. “You watch me. You stare at it, and you stare at me.” 

“You’re wrong about him,” Tony says, and he smiles, fingers running gently over the dark blue band around Steve’s arm. “He’d never hurt me. He’s not--we’re not like that.” 

Something bright and hopeful flickers in Steve’s eyes and Tony murmurs, as gentle as a caress. “Show me?” 

Steve sighs, and he strips the band away slowly, his shoulders and jaw stiff. 

His word--just the one, scratched in rough hurried script--is pale. Is white. 

Tony’s stomach drops and Steve shakes his head. “Bucky--when he lost the arm--it went white. He’s--you met him, he’s fine, but--” 

“But you keep it hidden,” Tony says, softly. Steve nods, and Tony licks his lips. “Do you watch mine because you miss your own colors--or because you want my words.” 

“I love my soulmate,” Steve says, soft, fierce. 

“I love Rhodey,” Tony says, and steps closer, a long line of warmth draped across Steve’s chest. “But not all love is romantic, sweetheart.” 

Steve’s eyes go wide, and his hands--his big, broad hands that are so gentle and so capable--close over his hips. 

The kiss is soft, a gentle brush against Tony’s lips that feels like moth wings and a promise as intoxicating as the one written on his arm. 

*~* 

Rhodey is his home, has been since they met and his wrist burned and brightened and warmed. 

Steve--Steve isn’t his home, isn’t written into his soul and skin. 

But he holds Tony in the dark, and his fingers tangle with Tony’s in the bright green spring, and his eyes are soft and warm, when he stares at Tony, when he murmurs promises and praise against Tony’s lips, and fucks him hard. 

Rhodey glares and huffs and threatens Steve, once, when Tony is in the bathroom. Bucky does the same. He’s not terribly surprised--he is a little pleased. 

They are very good soulmates after all. 

*~* 

When they marry, years later, their soulmates stand with them, and Steve’s mark is pale white and faded and Tony’s is a riot of watercolor, and they’re sandwiched between the two who loved them first and last and always. 

Tony kisses Steve, a ring burning on his finger, and words burning on his arm, and drowning in love. 

[fanficwriter013]

The Tower: The Queen of Asgard - 30

The Tower: The Queen of Asgard An Avengers Fanfic

Series Masterlist PREVIOUS //

Pairing:  Avengers x OFC, Bruce Banner x Bucky Barnes x Clint Barton x Wanda Maximoff x Steve Rogers x Natasha Romanoff x Tony Stark x Thor x Sam Wilson x OFC (Elly Cooper)

Word Count: 1908

Warnings: None

Synopsis: The twins are now three and while the Avengers know that Clint and Thor are the biological father’s none of them know or care which blond, blue-eyed baby is related to which man.  When Riley gets the power to control wind and it becomes evident that she is the heir to the Asgardian throne, Elly, Steve, Thor, and Tony take the twins to Asgard to train her.

Not every Asgardian is happy with their king’s choice of consort, nor the impurity of the heir’s blood.  While others expect Thor to make things more official.  What’s clear is, the role of Queen of Asgard is not easily filled.

Author’s Note:  Written with @avengerscompound​

Chapter 30: Preparations

Loki burst into my room early the next morning to wake me up.  I had been curled up tightly into Clarke’s side overnight, apparently, I’d started conditioning to move in close to warm bodies in my bed.  I jumped at the sound of Loki shouting at me and sat up quickly while Clarke just blinked around the room bemused.

“You need to get up!”  She barked.  “You!”  She pointed at Clarke.  “There is breakfast out at the dining room.”

“I don’t get to eat?”  I asked.

“You are being cleansed.  You shall eat after the bonding.  At the feast.  When you have been bathed you will be given a soup made of herbs.”  Loki explained, impatiently.  “Now hurry up.  I have too many things to do to be babysitting you.  Get up and go to your bathroom.  Now!”

I scrambled out of bed as Loki swept back out of the room.  Clarke got out of bed slowly and stretched.  “You think they’ll give your scalp a good scrub?  Get rid of those impure thoughts?”

“If they get rid of those, there won’t be any of me left,” I joked and we both started laughing.

“Okay, you go get cleansed.  I’m gonna eat.  I’ll meet you back here to dress,” Clarke said.

I should have guessed by the fact that Loki kept saying cleansed that it wasn’t a simple bath.  I was painted in thick, warm mud from head to toe and then wrapped in leaves and left for around half an hour.  After that, I was hosed off and given an enema.  They did hair removal everywhere except my eyebrows (which they shaped) and scalp.  Something I normally didn’t really do.  I was then taken into the large tub with four attendants and they started to scrub me down.

The water was hot and pungent.  I couldn’t quite place the scent of the soaps they were using, but they were floral and slightly woody.  They used large scrubbing brushes on my body and scrubbed my skin to the point that any part of my skin that wasn’t covered in the henhalda artwork, turned bright pink.  They washed my hair.  First with a soap.  Then with hot oil that they left in for a while, before scrubbing it with soap again and finally a cream-like substance I assumed was the Asgardian equivalent of conditioner.

When they seemed happy with how clean I was, I was led out of the bath and dried off and oil was rubbed into my skin.  By the time they were done, my skin glowed and my hair was as soft and shiny as it had ever been.  The cleaning had done something to the Henhalda too.  It was brighter and slightly reflective, and there were parts that now shimmered like they were alive.

I was given a thin robe and allowed to return to my room.  Clarke was already in there, along with Katveil and another 4 women.  Two were older, while two were around Katveil’s age.

Clarke was sitting on a large, comfortable-looking chair that had not been there before and three of the women were working on her.  One doing her hair, one her nails and one giving her a pedicure.  “Wow, they sure did clean you, huh?”  Clarke said.

“Oh, yeah.  Inside and out.”  I said, making Clarke pull a face.  “Morning, Kat,” I added smiling at her.

“Good morning, Elly,” Katveil said.  “I’ve come to do any touch-ups on the art.”

I nodded and the two of us moved behind a screen that had been set up for dressing.  “Are you excited?”  She asked as I dropped my robe and she began to look me over closely, touching up any spot she wasn’t happy with.

“Oh yeah.  A little freaking out.  It’s a big deal.”  I answered.  “You know, the big ceremony.  Living longer.  New powers.  Being cleansed.”

“I’d be nervous too,” Katveil said.

“You’ll be pleased to know that Hulk did great with the Henhalda,” Clarke said.  “I saw Jax at breakfast.  Well everyone really.  Loki is going to have the kids with her all day.  They’ll get ready with her and Thor.  They have no idea what’s going on but they’re super excited about all the things that are happening.”

“Oh, that’s good.  I’m glad they’re with one of their parents,” I said.

“Yeah.  They’re good.  Hulk has been in control since yesterday.  He fell asleep at one point while they were doing Henhalda.  Jax said he plans to stay in control until after the bath.  So it’s probably Bruce now, or Bruce soon,” Clarke said.

“Oh good.  There were definitely parts of the cleansing Bruce would not have enjoyed.” I said as Katveil turned me around.

“So I guess you get the nails and hair done next and then we dress,” Clarke said.

“Elly also has to drink the broth that was made for her. But that is essentially correct.”  Katveil said.  She stood back up and picked up my robe, holding it open for me.  “I am done.  Just stay standing for a little while.”

I nodded and slipped the robe back on.  “Thank you again.  You made the whole process very enjoyable.”

She hugged me and wished me good luck before leaving me with Clarke and the other women.  Just after she left Loki came into the room, carrying a bowl with the twins marching after her.

“Mommy!”  The twins, cried, breaking formation and running at me.  I crouched down and hugged them both.

“Hello, my little terrors.  Are you being good for Auntie Loki?”  I asked.

“Yes,” they both said in unison.

“D’joo know dat everyone has dis on dem?”  Pietro asked, scrunching his fingers on my arm where he could see the Henhalda.

“I know.  It’s pretty isn’t it?”  I asked.  The twins had both been fascinated by the artwork when they had seen me last night and they both had made up a story to go along with the bits they could see.

“Wiwl it go away?”  He asked.

“Eventually.  It’s just a special thing for today,” I explained.

“Okay, my darlings.  We have to take breakfast to all your parents.  Say goodbye to your mother.”  Loki said, with much more patience in her voice than when she’d come to wake me up.

“Otay,” they both said and hugged me again.

I stood when they let me go and Loki handed me the bowl.  “Drink all of it.  When it is time for the ceremony I shall return to take you personally with the twins.  Do not go with anyone else.” 

“Thank you, Loki,” I said.

“I shall be glad when this is over.  I need a vacation,” she said, playfully.  It made me chuckle and she shook her head and left the room followed by the twins.

“Did Loki…?”  Clarke asked looking from the door back to me.

“I think she did.  I’m her favorite,” I joked.

Clarke snorted.  “Don’t let her hear you say that.”

I drank the soup.  It was pungent and tasted really medicinal and did nothing for the fact I was ravenous.  I was then bustled into the chair where my hair was cut and styled.  My nails were painted and my makeup was done.

When it was done my nails were painted with the same iridescent oil slick style the fabric of my dress was and decorated with Celtic style knotwork in gold.  My eyeliner was done in a cat-eye style with gold and purple eyeshadow, and my lips were painted a deep red.  I had my hair braided in a thick, loose braid with a gold and silver hair vine adorned with crystals wound through it.

The women left and the tailors bustled in immediately helping both myself and Clarke into our dresses.  Clarke's was a shade of lavender to offset her eyes, in satin with ornate silver armor that sat on her hips, chest, and shoulders.  The skirt ended at her knees and she wore knee-high black boots with the same silver plating on the sides and toes.

“Wow, Clarke,”  I said as the women helped me into my dress.  “You going to be my bridesmaid or security detail?”

“I can be both,” she teased.

They did a last few adjustments on the dress and then moved me in front of the mirror while they fit the gold diadem and veil in place.  I couldn’t even believe I was looking at myself.  I looked like a queen from a fantasy novel, dressed in shimmering liquid color and lace and painted in ornate detail.  At my forehead sat a dark opal that shimmered with blue, red, and green and matched the rest of my outfit.

“God damn, Elise.  You are a queen,” Clarke cursed.  “Look at you.”

I smiled.  “Well, at least I look the part.”

“Good luck to you, my lady,” one of the tailors said bowing slightly.  “I shall fetch the lady Loki.”

The tailors left and Clarke came over and rubbed my arm.  “Ready to become Mrs. Odinson?”  She teased.

“That’s not how it works here,” I deadpanned.

She started laughing just as Loki came in followed by the children.  She had a floor-length gown in her usual dark green and gold.  The gold mostly forming panels around the bust but also running down her arms in elaborate scrollwork.  She had smokey eyes and black lips, and on her head, she wore her horned crown.

Riley was wearing a white dress with a gold sash around the middle, while Pietro had white leggings and a gold tunic.  They both had flowers in their hair.  “Wow, mommy, you wook so beudifuwl,” Pietro said, awestruck.

“Thank you, honey.  You look very pretty too.  So does your sister.”  When I said that, Riley pulled a face.

“Are you ready?”  Loki asked.

I nodded and our small group made its way down towards the main hall.  Though we took a less direct path than we normally would take.  “I’m taking you to the front entrance,”  Loki explained as we walked.  “Thor will be waiting at the throne with the High Priest.  I shall go and stand with him.  When you hear the crowd quiet and the music start-up you will proceed down the main aisle to the throne.  Do you think you can handle that?”  She asked.

“I think I can do that.”  I agreed.  “What about the others?”

“They will be entering from different doors.  You will take the main one because you are the mother of the heir, and you will be accompanied by your children,” Loki explained.  “You should attempt to time your procession that you and the others all arrive at the same time.”  She stopped when you reached the doors and turned to look at me, her face set in deadly seriousness.  “Elise, when you go on your journey, remember who you are and what they mean to you.  Do not get lost in the fear of the unknown.”

I nodded.  “I will.”

“Good,” she said and reached to touch my arm before pulling her hand away and saying something in Asgardian to the guards by the door.  When she turned back she addressed the children.  “Alright, my darlings.  Take care of your mother.  I shall see you very soon.”

“We wiwl Aundie Woki,” they both echoed.  Loki nodded and slipped through a small side door.

I took a deep breath and looked over at Clarke and waited for the signal.

//NEXT

[shreddedparchment]

Shattered Glass Epilogue

07/15/2019

Pairing: Tony x Reader, Steve x Reader     Word Count: 5,638

Masterpost  Warnings: smut, unprotected sex, language, angst, water balloons

A/N: Guys...did you really think that I could just leave the story like that?! lol I had to stop writing because it was 4am when I finished both chapter two and three but there was always going to be an epilogue and one of you guessed what it was kinda going to turn into! Maybe I’m becoming predictable? Either way, I hope you enjoy this final piece of this angsty puzzle. If you happen to reblog, thanks so much for helping me spread my work. xoxo

You’d always assumed your little slice of heaven would look a certain way.

After losing your parents, all you’d ever wanted was to feel warm and safe. Protected as you had when you were a girl.

For a while that slice of heaven had included Tony. He’d made you feel safe and though he hadn’t meant to make you feel loved too, he had.

It had slipped out in small, tender moments even before you two collided and imploded.

When he'd found you struggling with your ability in a vacant parking lot, drunk off your ass and lifting cars.

He’d shown up like a hero, clad in hot rod red and gold, falling from the sky like some metallic angel.

He caught the third car you'd been about to pile up onto the roof of the bank next door, dropped it, then blasted you with a sonic pulsar boom that sent you flying onto your ass.

You'd groaned and scraped your knee, turning to climb back to your feet where you teetered and then fell back again.

Tony had moved towards you, stepped out of his armor, and then squat down beside you.

He’d pushed back the curtain of hair on your face then sighed when he saw your hazy drunk eyes.

“What are you doing out here, kid?” He'd asked and his voice had been sultry and deep. Comforting.

Like a baby duck you imprinted on him, fell hard in that moment as you stared up into his gorgeously tanned face. His dark eyes peered straight through you, seeing you as the mess you were instead of the menace he’d probably been sent to dispatch.

“Tony Stark?” You'd whimpered at him.

“Come on. Get up. I know just what to do with you.” Just like that he’d plucked you from nothing and given you purpose.

You were part of the team. Untrained. Unfocused. A hazard really. Everyone knew it.

Nat, Wanda, and Vision had attempted to reign your frenetic energy in but they could only help so much.

And your heart; egged on by stolen smiles with Tony on one-on-one lessons on his tech and lingering grazes, skin to skin. Swift deliberate caresses to the back if your head, a stroke of your shoulder. Always accompanied by an array of warm flutters.

The imprint left by Tony Stark was impossible to ignore and it had consumed you.

It ate you up and digested you before spitting you back up in a heap.

If there’s one thing you know now, it’s that Tony Stark never loved you. Not the way you wanted.

You'd been an obsession for him as much as he’d been to you. A broken toy to fix…or break beyond repair which is what it had nearly felt like.

So, you left.

Here in your little house, you tidy your small breakfast table and gather your dishes to wash.

The day is young and the sun streams in through your tall front windows filling the small space with warm golden glitter.

You love the warm swish of your maxi skirt, soft stretchy red cotton, as you settle in front of the sink and get to work.

This consists of you holding onto the edge of the sink. You focus, chewing on your lip as you use your ability to move the soapy brush across the dirty plates. The water running gently, rinsing and washing with only the strength of your mind.

It’s liberating, being gentle. Using your power for something so unlike the night you first received them.

Killing your parents, however inadvertently, still haunts you and you wake up at least once a night from nightmares that strangle you into choked sobs. You wish the memory would fade but it seems emblazoned into your mind and you’ve stopped fighting it.

It takes a lot of your energy to focus on doing menial tasks, but you know it’s necessary. If you want to control it. If you want to reign over what you see as your curse and appreciate it as a part of who you are, then maybe things will get easier.

You spend the morning cleaning, only to dirty a new plate and glass for lunch.

Being lazy from using your ability so much, you opt for the easy sandwich. Nothing fancy. Just enough to take the hunger with a large glass of lemonade.

You take your meal outside to sit in the wicker bench on the right end of your covered porch. Your other wicker seat, angled so that you can sit with your feet up, plate in your lap. With the larger dish of three more sandwiches waiting to be devoured, and your lemonade sitting on the small outdoor table to your right.

As you eat, you shut your eyes and enjoy the sun while it can still reach you here in your sheltered retreat. You observe the small country house you found, investing most of your money earned while still working with the Avengers into purchasing it and the property it sits on. Nestled out of the way, a mile outside of the nearest town so that no one will bother you and you don’t accidentally go scaring any civilians with your powers.

The pink floral print of your cushions makes you happy. You feel the seat beside you, smiling as you chew.

These are the things you look for now. The small bits in your life that can make you smile. If the incident with Tony has taught you anything, it’s that things will always come along to make you happy and other things will always come along to make you sad.

Nothing in life is easy and you’re going to be stressed or worried or angry or sad more often than you are happy, but those happy moments are yours to relish. You know now that you need to make the most of them and let the rest fall away.

Breaking down like you did…that can’t happen again.

Sitting with your eyes shut, you feel the storm before you see it. You smell it before it comes.

The gentle warm breeze that rustles the viridian oaks and cypress that nestle your home in a protective cocoon suddenly gusts, turning gold and chilling. Like the air straight from an AC vent. You open your eyes, take in the suddenly darkening sky—the sun suddenly swallowed by large majestic puffs of fluffy black cloud—and hurry to your feet to clean up before the rain can come.

You head inside, bare feet plopping gently against the weatherproofed wood of your porch and then the shining chocolate brown of your living room. You grab your breakfast tray, clutching it close as you walk and move back out onto the porch.

You nearly scream when you notice someone suddenly standing at the foot of your stairs, but the storm blue hue of his eyes takes your breath away before you can utter a single cry.

He looks too good. Too good to be here, darkening your doorway…or lighting it up, if you’re honest.

With his blonde hair combed back, a blue button-up hugging the not so subtle curves of his biceps, shoulders, and pecs…you’d forgotten how pretty he is. How heartbreakingly beautiful.

You’d been sure that this had passed, this urge to see him, this yearning for those late-night cuddles where he’d chased those pesky nightmares away and kissed you until you couldn’t remember your own name.

Now that you see him, your chest tells you no. You’re not over it. Not over him.

“Hi.” He says, his deep voice making your heart ache so much that you reach up to rub the spot on your white t-shirt over your heart.

“Hi.” You reply, unable to think of anything else to say.

You’re so utterly flabbergasted by his sudden presence, after months of no contact, that your mind stupidly sings the chorus to Dolly Parton’s song, Here You Come Again.

Here you come again,

Looking better than a body has a right to,

And shaking me up so,

That all I really know,

Is here you come again,

And here I go.

No. You don’t need boys. They’re nothing but trouble.

You move for the seat you’d occupied, pushing yourself to ignore him as best you can. You’ll get what he wants out of him and then send him on his way.

“What are you doing here, Steve?” You nearly gasp, finding just enough strength to demand the answer from him somewhat sternly.

Around your house the storm builds, the wind whipping the trees back and forth as the smell of wet earth reaches your nose.

“I…I’ve been looking for you. After you left the way you did, I wanted to make sure you were okay.” He admits, and you cringe where he can’t see, placing the tray down to pile on the plates and glass with your back to him.

You pick it back up, balancing it just above your waist as you turn back to look at him.

“Well, I’m okay. As you can see. So…you can go now.” You move past him as he climbs up your stairs, but he doesn’t follow you inside, letting your screen door shut behind you as he lingers just on the other side.

“I-” He stops, you can hear the hesitation in his voice but as you put your tray down, you don’t dare turn to face him.

“Y/N…about what happened the night you left,” He begins.

“It was a mistake?” You ask him, probing despite your better judgement.

Your mind plays those final hours on the compound over again, remembering every sensation, every touch.

~~~~~~~~~~

Steve shuts the door, kicking it closed as he hoists you up and you wrap your legs around his waist.

You know it’s wrong. You know that it’s just your sorrow, your grief. You just lost Tony and you’re leaving. You’re abandoning this life to seek out another, abandoning Steve who was only trying to give you some comfort.

A quick hug before you leave but things sparked, and the flame grew too big as his touch lured you in.

He’d kissed your cheek, too close to your mouth and the way his hands felt on your hips, squeezing and pulling in familiar ways.

He’d pulled back to look into your eyes, searching, hoping…then leaned down to kiss you softly. Then harder, hungry but so tenderly that your heart nearly heals itself from his affection.

He’d pulled back again, moaning as you did, and he’d pulled you into his room.

Now, as he tumbles with you towards his bed, you forget that you’re leaving. You forget that Tony just ripped your heart out because Steve is here, and he means more to you than even you’d known. More than you want to admit.

He collapses with you, pushing you up until he has you pinned at the center of his bed. He kisses you as he pulls each piece of your clothes off. Shirt, pants, bra, panties, each article followed with sweet, aching, searing buttery kisses.

Then he’s naked too and he’s inside you, filling you up in ways that only he can.

You don’t compare him to Tony in the moment, but you think about the way Steve makes you feel more cherished, special, almost holy in his worship. He holds you close, not tight, but softly like he’s trying to show you how much he loves you there but also not break you. Skin sliding slick with yours as he pulls you up and lays back to watch you rise and fall on top of him.

You press your hands, so small against his muscles, to his chest and rock your hips against his cock, breathless moans tearing through your throat as you half cry, half whimper.

His hands trace your hips, your sides, he cups your breasts and then moves them down along your stomach until he can help coax your climax faster, rubbing your nub in slow tantalizing circles.

You come undone above him, shaking and trembling then falling against his chest where he holds you and pumps himself into you in four quick thrusts before he releases himself into you, groaning with his climax.

He caresses the back of your head, running one hand along the length of your back and the two of you fall asleep from exhaustion. Emotional. Physical. Mental.

You’re both so tired.

When you wake up, you get dressed, give him one last lingering look, and escape from this life. You escape from the pain of it because while your heart had beat with Steve’s tonight…Tony is still waging his war inside of you. Tearing you apart with his love that can go nowhere. A love that you need to learn to give up before you can have even the slightest chance of moving on.

So, you leave him there in his bed, arms empty, with the love he wants to give you that you don’t deserve.

~~~~~~~~~~

“No.” He nearly growls. “No, it wasn’t.”

You relax a little, sighing.

“Steve, why are you here?” You’d been doing so well but it would be a lie to say that you hadn’t missed him.

Before your jealousy and temper had begun to put a rift between you and the rest of the team, Sam, Wanda, Nat, Vision…all of you had gotten along well. Your love for Tony, your love for Steve. It had all ripped holes in you bringing out the worst parts of you.

Sam had been cruel in many ways but he’d also only had half of the story. Before all of the dramatics, you and Sam had actually been getting along. There was no friendship yet but had your bad sides not been so prevalent, you might have struck up a friendship with Sam. Wanda might have been given the chance to really get to know you, and maybe Nat might have also welcome you more warmly?

You miss the team too, but you don’t belong there, and you know you can’t go back.

“I missed you.” He admits, stealing your breath.

You stand up straight, hesitate…

Finally, you turn to face him and slowly make your way towards him as the sky outside rumbles.

He stares into your eyes, those storm blues drinking in your face as if he literally can’t get enough of seeing it. Is this really what he’s like? Is this Steve in love? You’ll find out shortly.

As you get closer, his eyes wander down, following the flow of your arm, down along your wrist and as you push the screen door open and step back out onto the porch, he takes two steps back as his eyes take in the bump that your tummy has become.

That bump pushes against the stretchy cotton of your skirt, white t-shirt tucked in, so it accentuates the bump a bit more.

Steve’s breathing heavily as the wind whips your skirt around your ankles. You rub your tummy, wary of his reaction and what it might possibly mean. He stares for so long, blinking and trying to piece together what it is he’s seeing.

“How long-?” He asks, stopping because he can’t finish the question for some reason.

“Five months.” You hear the rain start and it pours hard.

It rattles against your roof and then trickles down, falling onto the shoulder of Steve’s shirt.

You move towards him and reach for his forearm, pulling him under the porch fully so that he can avoid getting wet.

Your touch seems to awaken him. He shifts his hand instantly, grasping hold of your wrist and instead of letting you pull him too far under the porch, he pulls you towards him instead. He’s at least not getting wet anymore, but you’re so close to him you can smell the sweetwater of his aftershave, the soft scent of soap from his morning shower. The melon of his shampoo. He smells like Steve and it smells so good.

“Tony’s?” He asks, a clipped question because he doesn’t know how to phrase it in a complete sentence.

You feel the shock in the tremble of his fingers and the see it in the shiver of his eyes.

You shake your head, “I don’t know.”

Steve seems to deflate, mindless running his right hand down along your shoulder to your other wrist as his left continues to hold your right.

“I-I think it’s yours.” You confess, thinking back to those horrible days before you left. “Tony and I had a scare on that mission we went on. He…I took the morning after pill.”

You’ve never told anyone this at it embarrasses you because back then you’d have been happy to be pregnant with Tony’s baby.

For a fleeting moment, you’d been excited. Now you’re only terrified that it is his. That Tony will always be tied to you in that way…you don’t want that.

Steve sighs, it’s weighty. There’s something he’s not saying. “What?”

Steve shakes his head. “No…I don’t want to-”

“Tell me.” You insist, staring up not his beautiful face, now screwed up with that all too familiar disapproving frown.

“Pepper’s pregnant.” He tells you and it’s like you’re punched in the gut.

You shut your eyes, hating the pain that this news gives you. It confirms your suspicions. It had never been about Tony not wanting kids. He just didn’t want them with you.

“Are you sure?” Steve suddenly asks, pulling your wrists up to press them against his chest. “Is the baby mine?”

You blink, startled back into the present and away from those memories that you’ve worked hard to put behind you.

You get what he’s asking but despite your wish to give him an easy answer, the truth is never easy. It never has been for you.

“No.” You shake your head. “The truth is Tony and I started using condoms after what happened on the island and…it could have broken. I wasn’t on birth control so…I think it’s yours Steve.”

You want it to be Steve’s. Even before he’d shown up, it was your deepest wish. “I haven’t been on birth control since you and I broke up and you’re the only man that I’ve slept with without protection, but we can find out. We can test the baby and we can know for sure.”

“Isn’t that dangerous?” He asks, suddenly dropping your hands to place his on either side of your belly. “I don’t want to hurt the baby.”

Your heart flutters and melts. Steve. Your inner voice croons.

“Can you ever forgive me for being so stupid? So blind? I’m literally the stupidest person on the planet for not seeing what I had before I gave it up and now…what if it is Tony’s baby?” You panic, voice rising in octave.

Steve reaches down to pull your chin up so that he can look at your worrying face.

“It’s my baby, Y/N.” He tells you, no question or doubt in his mind. “If you’ll let me be here…no matter what…it’s mine.”

And you want to kiss him. You’re relieved and you’re swooning from the sheer gallantry this man is showing you and you seriously hate yourself for doing what you did to him. But you don’t kiss him because what if he’s reacting to the baby? What if he’s doing it because you’re falling to pieces again?

You smile up at him, forcing your hands to push him back a bit but he doesn’t go far. He feels the baby kick in your stomach and he smiles wide, storm blue eyes sparkling as thunder rumbles overhead.

“Come inside. This storm isn’t going anywhere for a while.” It takes every bit of will power you have to turn away from him and move back into the house, but he follows close at your tail, his hand reaching out to stroke the small of your back.

At six months, your belly is rounding out nicely.

Steve hasn’t left since he showed up randomly that day at the cusp of spring.

With birds chirping in the trees and your backyard freshly cut, Steve lets the lawn mower power down as he reaches up to scratch an itchy spot on his forehead.

He’s not sweating but he looks misty. Hot. Gray t-shirt clinging to his torso, jeans sitting pretty on his nice ass.

You smirk as you watch him, waiting with the cold glass of lemonade dripping with condensation balanced at the center of your palm.

He turns to look towards the house and notices you watching, a smile tugging at his lips as he shields his eyes from the sun of the passing morning.

“Is that for me?” He calls to you and you nod before moving down the steps towards him.

“Woah, wait. I’ll come to you.” He fusses, bounding across the law towards you.

When he reaches you, you shake your head. “You know, I could catch myself if I fell. I don’t need a man to help me.”

“Wha-? I’m not a man.” He informs you, taking the glass from you and taking a long gulp. He gasps with delight at the cold sensation of the liquid trailing down his throat. “I’m Captain America. Look, you’re even flying my colors.”

He points at the flag on your back porch and you try not to laugh. “That came with the house.”

“Oh.” He pouts. “Well, you didn’t take it down.”

“Thank you for cutting my grass.” You watch him down the rest of his lemonade and resists the urge to lean in and take a nice long whiff of his sweat misted skin.

Your hormones are crazy right now and jumping Steve seems to be the only thing you can think about lately.

“Of course.” He smiles at you, holding his glass out for you.

“Let it go.” You tell him.

“What? Just drop it?” He asks.

“Yeah.”

He tilts his head, confused, but drops it as you ask, and it floats there in the air between the two of you.

You struggle to hold your concentration with Steve breathing heavily behind you, moving closer and blowing hot air on the back of your neck. His hands come around you from behind, pressing against your stomach to feel for the baby.

This is the only way that he touches you.

You know that he doesn’t know why you won’t pick up where the two of you left off. You know that he wants to, but he’s been respecting your wishes and he hasn’t tried to hug you or kiss you or sneak into your bedroom—no matter how much you wish he freaking would.

But with your baby, he has the perfect excuse to touch you and he takes it as often as he can.

Of course, that doesn’t help with your training and the glass falls, thunking against the ground but thankfully, not breaking.

You sigh, disappointed.

“Maybe you’re doing this all wrong?” He asks.

“How else am I supposed to do it?” You ask him, annoyed with his need to touch your tummy but also greedy for it.

You can hear the amusement he has for your annoyance and he turns you around slowly, releasing you completely once you’re facing him.

“When do you find it easy to control your power?” He wonders.

“When I’m pissed off.” You tell him pointedly. “But…I guess also when I don’t have to think about it too much? Like, when I was the dishes I-”

“I’ve seen you play your little game.” He’s talking of course about the way you try to make music with the brush and the clinking of the plates, forks, and spoons.

You didn’t know he’d been paying attention that closely.

“Well, I’ve noticed you trying to develop your gift and I had an idea. Really, you’ll be doing me a favor.” He tells you, wandering away towards a large basket you hadn’t noticed just by the steps of the porch.

He walks it over to the left side of your yard, puts it down, and then waves you over.

You move to him, hand on your lower back as you carefully avoid the uneven parts of your hard.

“I’ll read up on how to even the yard out.” He says, noticing your careful footing.

“I’m okay.” You insist, but you can see him making a mental note.

As you reach him, you peek into the basket and smile. “Water balloons?”

“It’s really hot.” He tells you. “And after cutting your yard, I could use a cooling off. Assuming you can catch me with those.”

“You want me to use my power to fling water balloons at you?” You ask, incredulous but smiling.

“You not up for it?” He teases and you bite your lower lip.

It takes no effort to get the nearest blue balloon to fly out of the basket.

Steve gasps and rushes off at a slow jog as the water sloshes inside the sheer rubber. You make it zoom after him, but he dodges it easily and laughs as you miss.

“Ooh, missed.” He brags.

You narrow your eye at him.

“Uh-oh.” He says, chuckling as you chuck balloon after balloon at him.

He’s too fast. Too good at dodging and you’ve gone through almost half the basket when he stops with his hands on his knees.

“Give it up, doll face, you’re just no match for my speed.”

Your heart flutters at his old nickname for you, but his taunt pushes you to think slightly outside of the box.

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah.” He says, a wide smile spreading over his pearly whites.

You look down at the basket and it takes slightly more effort, but you manage to make all the balloon float up to hover around him.

“Hey!” He complains. “That’s cheating.”

“Dodge this, Rogers.” You taunt and send all of the balloons flying at him at once.

He doesn’t stand a chance of course and doesn’t even try to move from his spot across from you. He’s pelted with balloon after balloon. A cacophony of bursting rubber and splashing water fills the better part of a minute and when he’s no longer being hit, Steve stands, soaked from head to toe.

He gasps and spits, dripping, that t-shirt clinging so very nicely to his form.

“That was not-” As he looks up at you, you send one final red balloon at his face where it bursts with a loud pop.

He spits the water, looking so stupid with his face all scrunched up against the impact that you can’t help but laugh.

“-fair.” He complains, wiping at his face.

He looks up at you, watching you as you struggle to find support while you laugh in loud streaming chuckles. You reach down to cup the bottom of your belly, really belting out the laugh as you replay the look on his face over and over.

“Think that’s funny?” He asks, and you nod.

You laugh until you’re gasping for air and Steve watches you, eyes dazzling in twinkles as he does. His smile slowly fades, and you straighten up, recovering from your fit of laughter because of the serious set of his jaw.

“Steve?” You check, worried that you might have taken this all too far and upset him. “I-Did I hurt you with that last one?”

Your worry seeps through and you rub your belly, taking a step towards him when he suddenly struts towards you with a purposeful gait.

“Steve, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean-”

But he sweeps you into his arms, hands holding the sides of your face as he ducks down and meets you in a crushing kiss.

Your knees nearly buckle as the sweep of his kiss steals your breath. Steve is always stealing your breath.

His lips move slow, hungrily, open mouthed kisses where his tongue slides between your lips to deep it. He moans against your lips, satisfied but nowhere near sated.

He’s dripping wet and your skin pimples as he presses his very wet torso against your chest and tummy but you can’t find it in you to mind as you wrap your arms around his neck and pull him closer to kiss him just as eagerly as he needs.

It’s minutes before he pulls back, pulling out of a lingering peck only to rest his forehead against yours.

“Choose me.” He begs, eyes shut. One hand wanders down to the side of your tummy and he caresses it lovingly.

“Yes.” You nod, staring up into his face, wishing you’d said yes to him when he first asked you to choose him. “Yes, Steve. I choose you.”

He smiles, so happy you can see the flush of pride on his cheeks. He opens his eyes to meet yours, staring with the pure devotion, the choosing that you’ve been searching for too.

“I love you.” He whispers, and you cry but pull him into another kiss as you once again tell him with just your body how much you really love him.

Steve eventually has to go back to the team, and he promises to come back.

When he leaves the first time, the panicked insecure little girl in you worries and is absolutely sure that Steve won’t return.

He stays away for a week and when he comes back, you’re so relieved you cry.

He holds you close and kisses your tears away then kisses your belly.

You don’t wonder about Steve returning anymore after that first time, but a new wonder begins to sprout in your mind.

The bigger your stomach gets, the more often he comes back. For Steve, leaving the team so often is strange.

“Do the others wonder where you go?” You ask, nestled in against his side, naked bodies covered with your blanket.

Steve’s hands are always on your tummy, especially when he can touch it directly. Skin to skin.

“They’re curious. Let them wonder.” He says, nuzzling into your hair as he drifts off to sleep.

Your heart gives a tiny ache, a deep-seated worry cropping up to poison your heart. Is Steve hiding you again?

This worry follows you into your eighth month of pregnancy. It makes you grumpy and when Steve asks you what’s wrong, you blame your swollen ankles and your aching back.

He convinces you to go back to the compound to give birth to the baby.

He doesn’t trust the local hospital for a possible enhanced baby birth, and you suppose that after nearly nine months away, and with Tony and Pepper now officially married, it’s safe to go back.

You’re not happy as the two of you arrive. It’s late and you’re terrified of running into Tony and Pepper, but Steve assures you that they’re at their new house and don’t come up to the compound as often.

No one is up when you arrive and as soon as you step off of the elevator, F.R.I.D.A.Y. greets Steve with a message.

“Hello, Captain. Welcome back. You too, Y/N.”

“Thanks.” You grumble at her, the late-night arrival not helping with your suspicion that Steve might be trying to get you in here when one is around. Maybe he’ll sneak you out too?

“You okay, baby?” Steve asks, rubbing your aching lower back.

You don’t answer because F.R.I.D.A.Y. interrupts.

“Captain Rogers, Natasha would like you to bring her the London mission report. She said she forgot to include a few things and would hate for you to file them incomplete.”

Steve sighs. “Damn it, Nat. Quick detour, baby. Come on.”

You don’t want to go to Steve’s office! Your feet are hurting, your back is aching, you’re tired and irritated and you’re still nothing but Steve’s dirty little secret.

Then you reach Steve’s office and as he flicks on the light, your eyes wander over to his desk and find at least fifteen pictures frames, each one holding a picture of you.

Steve doesn’t stop at his desk but instead moves to the filing cabinet on the opposite wall and with his back to you, rifles through files upon files of mission reports.

You waddle over to his desk, reaching for the closest picture and try to remember when he took it. You’re sitting on your sofa, reading a book. There’s another of you cooking. Another of you washing dishes with them floating in front of you and the silliest look of concentration on your face.

There’s one of you and Steve together. That one you remember taking. And another where he’s got you wrapped in his arm as he kisses your cheek. It’s your face over and over again on his desk from all different angles doing various different things but the largest picture, sitting just beside his computer monitor so that a mere tilt of his head might bring you into view, is one of you standing on your porch, hands on your swollen belly. You’re staring down at your baby, a peaceful smile you don’t recognize on your face.

Strong arms wrap themselves around you as slow tears trickle along your cheeks. He’s had you on display here, in his office, for everyone to see this entire time?

“Everyone’s been so eager to see you in person. I told them it wasn’t the right time yet. I don’t want us to move back here when the baby’s born. I want to stay out in our little house. I like us there better.” He tells you, lips pressed loosely against your cheekbone. “Is that okay?”

You shift in his arms, elated because you aren’t his secret.

You’re just his.

“Yes.” You smile. “Hell, yeah it’s okay.”

Two days later, your baby girl is born, and she looks so much like Steve you think your heart will burst.

You and Steve name her Sarah.

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[lothirielswanmarvel]

TONY STARK/ AVENGERS MUSICAL: “SUITS” — FROM HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER

I frowned. I was standing in the middle of a street in New York City. Yellow taxi cabs were parked by the side of the road. The cars were empty. The sidewalks were abandoned. I looked up.

I was standing before Avengers Tower.

My throat closed up. I hadn't seen this building in years. So many fond memories here, memories that I was just getting back and reliving.

I was starting to hear music, faintly. It was coming closer.

The doors to Avengers Tower opened.

Pepper stormed out, her heels clicking as she walked down the street. Tony burst out of the doors next. And to my complete shock, he turned to me, and started to sing.

“I know what you’re thinkin’—what’s Tony been drinkin’? Pepper was smokin’ hot,” Tony pointed at Pepper, who was disappearing around a corner. “Yes I coulda nailed her, but not it's not a failure cause there’s one thing she is not,”

Tony stepped out onto the road with me, “To score a twelve would be just fine, but I’d rather be dressed to the nines! It's a truth you can't refute,”

Tony straightened his jacket and smirked. “Nothing suits me like a suit!”

Without warning, he grabbed my arm and we were racing down the street. I finally noticed a few people by the sidewalks and on the steps leading up to apartments. I yelped when we stopped abruptly, and Tony motioned at the open air before me, “Picture a world where all the spiderboys and girls are impeccably well-dressed,”

I jumped when the nearby cars moved. Peter Parker, and his friends Ned and Michelle stood on top of them. Yes—they were wearing suits. Tony looked exceptionally proud of Peter. I wanted to roll my eyes, but I was too terrified of what would happen next.

Tony turned, and I spun with him. He pointed at people walking down the street, “That delivery guy in a jacket and tie,”

When he pointed at an elderly Fedex worker, the old man’s uniform transformed into a suit. My eyes widened. The old man shot finger guns at us, “Excelsior!”

Tony pointed at another, “That agent in a double breast!”

“FILE INCOMING!” My eyes widened as Phil Coulson dropped from one of the high windows and landed straight-up on the sidewalk.

Tony spun again in a random direction. I struggled to keep up with him. He gestured at some more poor victims walking, “That eighties dude with mutton chops,”

A suit appeared on Logan Howlett, the Wolverine. He lifted his middle metal claw up at Tony.

Tony gestured at two others, “Those doctors with no coughing drops!”

Stephen Strange and Bruce Banner were suddenly laced up in jackets and ties. Poor Bruce looked around for his missing lab coat, that he seemed to prefer over his new violet three-piece.

Tony jogged, dragging me with him as one of the apartment doors opened, “That hot young aunt who’s kinda cute,”

Aunt May blushed and tucked her hair behind her ear, posing on the top step before she danced down the stairs. The music still continued in the background—I had no idea where it was coming from. Everyone seemed to accept this new musical form of reality.

Tony pushed me away, and opened his arms, “Nothing suits me like a suit!”

The people in suits started to gather on the street. I backed away from Tony, but he only seemed to move towards me with new intensity. I started running from the superheroes dressed in suits, who continued to chase me down the street.

“Suits!” They sang.

“Wingmen I can wear!” Tony declared. I scrambled to a stop as Sam Wilson floated down before me, his metallic wings spread out behind his back. Sam wore a bow tie with his suit.

I sidestepped him. The singing continued, “Suits!”

“Oh they’re so debonair!”

“Suits!”

I yelped when Loki appeared before me, in a full-raven black suit. Tony put an arm around the towering God of Mischief, “The perfect way to snare a god with daddy issues!”

My jaw dropped. Whatever this was, Loki was in on it. That wasn't good. I broke between the two and thundered down the cement road.

“Suits!”

“In navy, blue, or black,” Natasha, Clint, and Bucky jumped out from the nearby cars and blocked my path. They were also spectacularly dressed. They smiled, but the hardened looks in their eyes terrified me.

“Check out this perfect rack,” Tony rode on the back of a rolling rack of suits to me, “I want to give them a squeeze,”

“Oh, really?” A new voice asked behind me. I looked up just as Director Nick Fury stood by my side, next to the assassins on the road. Fury squinted at Tony doubtfully. “Then answer these questions, if you please,”

Fury gestured grandly to the clear sidewalk nearby. Four people stood in a row. Tony tossed me an accusing look, then started down the row.

Rhodey came first, “What would you do if you had to choose between your suits and a pot of gold?”

“Suits.” Tony scoffed and moved onto the next.

My breath caught at seeing Thor in a suit. I never heard him sing in his deep, foreign accent before, “What would you say if you gave your suits away and in return you’d never grow old?”

“Suits.” Tony rolled his eyes like the answer was obvious.

Mariah Hill stood at attention next. Her face was stern and formal, as usual, “What would you pick? One million chicks, or a single-three-piece suit?”

“It's mote.” Tony moved on to the last.

Steve Rogers held up a spinning globe, “What if world peace were within your reach—”

“Alalalalalah—I’m gonna stop you right there. It's suits. Come on, Steve. Get your head out of your ass.” Tony barked. He looked almost normal for a minute. His weird-like trance continued seconds later as the four on the sidewalk formed a line and they tread backwards, “Two! Three! Four!”

All of the superheroes fanned out on the sidewalk before me. I had finally bested amnesia and remembered all of their names—Wanda Maximoff in her flashy crimson suit, T’Challa in a sleek, black tie. Scott Lang wore a glittery bow tie. Wade Wilson’s suit spelled “juicy” on the back of his ass. “Suits” was starting to hint at something more, just on the tip of my tongue—

“Girls will come and girls will go, but there’s only one absolute,” They sang as one, advancing on me with their hard, piercing stares, “Every Science Bro on the go needs to know there’s no accepted substitute,”

Tony stepped forward, separating himself from the crowd. He ran a hand down the front of his torso, smoothing down his perfectly pressed jacket, “I'm sorry, suits, let’s make amends. My Sunday Best are my best friends!”

All of them reached up towards the sky, “Send Casual Friday down the laundry chute,”

Vision suddenly appeared in the sky, wearing a suit. With the brilliant shining gem on his head, he hovered like a well-dressed angel. He crossed his arms and glared, “My cardigans are better.”

Vision dropped down and joined the group. The Avengers started to form a long kick-line, and advanced forward on me. I tripped backwards to avoid the jutting out of limbs, “ ‘Cause nothing suits the undisputed, oft-saluted, suitor of repute,”

I rammed into something hard from behind. It was cold against my skin.

“Like…a…”

I looked up and my eyes widened.

“SUIT!”

Tony’s red and gold suit glinted in the sun. Everything seemed to click in that moment, rushing back to me. I had finally found the key to the locked box of memories, and all of the little details came flooding back at an overwhelming pace.

Then the suit of armor punched me in the face.

I fell back into darkness.

~Author’s Note~

Hi Awesome Adventurers and thank you so much for reading! I was going to wait to post this, but we could all use a distraction right now. This is actually a sneak peak of one of my fanfics, including a Peter Quill vs Thor love triangle: THE UNA-THOR-IZED BIOGRAPHY OF EVANGELINE GREEN, and you can find more fun and laughs at that link! This is also apart of my March Marvel Musical Madness here on Tumblr, where I’ll be posting more Marvel musicals! Stay tuned for more, and as always, love, fortune and glory to you!!!

[lemonsandstrawberries]

I am Iron Man

fandom: Stony (Steve x Tony), MCU

characters: Tony Stark, Steve Rogers, Pepper Potts, James Rhodey Rhodes, James Bucky Barnes, Peter Parker

summary: When Tony used the Iron Gauntlet and erased Thanos and his troops, Steve thought he would have to watch his boyfriend die. Thanks to quick thinking of their team, Tony got a chance to live and the healing process starts.

length: 3 781

warnings: MAJOR AVENGERS ENDGAME SPOILERS

a/n: this is my last fic from the ones I planned to write after Endgame. the happy ending. totally self-indulgent and from a Stony shipper point of view! also, it doesn’t have to make sense if it makes me feel better. hopefully, it will make you feel better too!

——————–

I am Iron Man

He was looking at it, but he couldn't believe it. Alien troops fading away and turning into dust, just in front of his eyes. In the middle of it all, he saw Thanos taking his last breath, before he turned into nothing, vanishing from the face of the Earth.

They did it. They won. How did they win?

And then Steve saw how.

Tony. In the midst of a broken world, among dust that was left of the compound, his back leaned against some rubble, supporting him. Right hand covered up to the elbow with gold and infinity stones shining on knuckles, above from that dark and charred, black marks stretching all up to his face, covering half of it. Tony's gaze was unfocused and his breath was so shallow, it was almost gone.

Tony did it. He did the snap and defeated Thanos and his army. They won.

And yet...

Tony was dying. His Tony was dying.

The whole world around Steve slowed down, draining out of color and sound, eyes focused on his boyfriend's almost lifeless form.  

Tony was dying. His Tony was dying.

He couldn't move, his body not listening to him. His whole body felt heavy and there was a painful silence ringing in his ears, stretching and consuming everything.

Tony was dying. His Tony was dying.

Rhodey was the first one to get to Tony. He opened his faceplate and leaned over his best friend, reaching to him, eyes wide and terrified.

Tony was going to die.

Steve couldn't believe it. He didn't want to believe it. The weight of grief and pain smothered him, his knees buckled and Steve fell, digging his hands into the dry ground, hot tears blurring his vision and falling down.

Tony was going to die. His Tony was going to die.

It wasn't supposed to end like this.

It won't end like this.

A bullet of fire and energy cut the air. Steve raised his head, watching Captain Marvel landing between Tony and Rhodey. Rhodey said something, gesturing to Tony and the glove, and Carol leaned down. Something snapped, just like a piece of wood snaps in two, dry and loud. Then a metal clank when the Iron Glove with infinity stones was thrown away, landing few feet in front of Steve, discarded like something toxic. Steve looked at the stones and gold, eyes wide and not understanding. There was another person flying past him and he recognized the silver and blue armor, belonging to Pepper. Carol and Rhodey moved aside when Pepper stopped, her hand reaching to Tony, a thick, foamy substance Steve had seen before spraying from her fingers and coating Tony's right side with a shell resembling frost. Tony's mouth moved, faint and weak, but Steve read the words.

'Hi Pep.'

Tony wasn't dying.

He was alive. Barely, but alive.

They still had a chance.

Feeling new energy coursing through him, Steve got back on his feet. He pushed his emotions aside and acted on instinct, falling back into the line of command. Time was crucial and they had to act quickly.

"Queens!" Steve called in a strong voice when Spider-man tried to make his way past him. The teenager stopped, hearing the call. "Go and find the wizard! Bring him here!"

"But- but Mr. Stark-" Peter hesitated in a broken voice, face pale and dirty and with droplets of dried blood near his nose and mouth. He kept looking away, torn what to do and just desperately needing to get to Tony.

"Go!" Steve yelled. There was no pleading note in his voice, just a rough, cold command. The kid was smart, he would understand. Peter took a last glance at Tony and turned around, searching and calling for Doctor Strange.

"Sam?" Steve put a hand to his ear, relieved to find that he still had the communication device on himself. "Sam, if you can hear me, find T'Challa or Shuri, we need to get Tony to Wakanda, now," he gave more orders. He didn't get an answer and his eyes scanned the battlefield looking for anyone he could turn to when the device crackled.

"Copy that," Sam said, cutting the connection.

They had a chance. There still was a chance.

Steve rushed forward, giving coordinates where Tony was, trying to organize everything as quickly and smoothly as possible.

Tony was not going to die. His Tony was not going to die.

***

It was taking forever. Why it was taking so long?

Steve couldn't find his place. He was pacing back and forth along the corridor, his shoulders squared and jaw tight with worry. Pepper and Rhodey were sitting in the corner on the couch, their thighs touching, Rhodey's arm slung over Pepper's back. They were silent and exhausted and worried. Steve looked around. Peter curled on the chair, holding knees close to himself, trying not to break. Bruce, Thor, and Clint remained silent, avoiding everyone's gaze. Even Nebula stayed, leaned against the wall with arms crossed and closed eyes, waiting for news.

The door to the surgery room opened and a female doctor approached them, everyone focusing on her.

"We couldn't save his arm," she said in a thick, Wakandan accent, "but he will live."

Everyone breathed out in relief, but it was Peter who uncurled and yelled out in excitement, getting a scolding look from the doctor and amused ones from the team. Pepper started to smile through her tears and Rhodey hugged her close, not even trying to hold back his own emotions, laughter mixing with sobbing. Steve felt a huge boulder lifting off his arms and the painful grip on his lungs and throat loosening.

Tony would live.

***

"I am sorry about your arm, Tony," Helen said, busying next to Tony's bed, examining his damaged right side. His arm had to be amputated at the shoulder and the damage from using the gauntlet spread all over to his face, leaving a network of scars and damaged tissue. Helen gently examined Tony's face, looking at his jawline and temple area. "After all this radiation exposure, you are still lucky the nerves on your face are intact."

"Yup. Lucky," Tony repeated, nodding to the words. It took days before he got well enough to do basic activities and still was on bed rest, confined to a small and bright room in the medical sector in Wakanda. His tone was light and optimistic and he even smiled at Steve, trying to lighten the mood and not deepen the frown on soldier's face. Steve tried to not look so worried, but it was difficult when he saw the dark network of scars on his boyfriend's body, not even imagining the pain Tony had to endure when he had slid the gauntlet on his arm. He tried smiling back and to match Tony's smile, but it came out as strained and forced and not genuine at all.

"Drink this," Rhodey handed Tony a green smoothie, some special blend of herbs and nutrients to nourish him and help to clear his blood. Tony took it with his left arm and sipped through a straw, not even protesting at the earthy taste. Pepper was also in the room, changing the display of flowers and balloons and 'get well soon' cards that were flooding to Wakanda from all over the world. Iron Man, Earth's best defender. Steve liked that title much more from the famous 'genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist' that stuck to Tony for years.

"I think we can fix this," Helen said, creasing her forehead before smiling and gesturing to the damaged half of Tony’s face and Steve looked hopefully at her. "It will take a long time and a number of sessions in the cradle,  but I think we can get a good result with synthetic tissue."

Tony didn't say anything and quietly finished the smoothie. When he was done, he pushed the straw out with his tongue and turned to Helen. "Yeah, great. Maybe except that, let's not do it?" he asked, his voice waving at the last words. The room fell silent and Steve looked in shock at Tony, Pepper, and Rhodey pausing their work.

"Tony, what are you talking about?" Rhodey was the first one to break the silence. Maybe it was the painkillers speaking and Tony was just dazed and not thinking clearly.

"I am thinking that this," he said, using his left hand to point at the scars on his face, "is not lethal. It is not spreading and is under control. Improving this would be just for cosmetic reasons."

Steve stared at Tony is silence. The whole room was silent, and Pepper and Rhodey exchanged worried looks.

"Road accidents. Acid. Burning," Tony listed, not addressing anyone in particular, more of having a conversation with himself. "It all happens all over the world, all the time. And people have to live with it," he touched the damaged skin on his cheek. "Why I should be the one privileged asshole who can get healed while millions of people can't?" he asked, not really waiting for anyone to answer and let the question hang in the air. Then, he turned to Helen. "Your cradle is amazing and will revolutionize the medical industry. Please keep working on it and once it will be available to the public, I will sign in line. And until that happens," he faced Steve on his left, "you will have to get used to me looking like this," he said, sounding minimally sorry and a whole lot sarcastic.

It was the first time Steve had smiled for real in many, many days.

***

Thanks to T'Challa's hospitality, Tony and Steve stayed in Wakanda until the clearing after the battle and rebuilding of the new Avengers compound had been finished. Tony kept healing under the watchful eye of Wakanda's medics and kept working on projects, forming a bond with Shuri and welcomed to used her lab for the time being. Steve trained and sketched and organized a new life for the Avengers and for himself and Tony. The Guardians and Thor left to space, Doctor Strange and Wong retreated to Sanctum Sanctorum and Peter resumed his education, attending school once more like a regular teenager and swinging by the compound whenever he had a chance to visit Tony. Sam went back to VA, and Steve helped him during lectures from time to time, while Bucky enrolled in the group. Soon, Pepper shared the news that she and Happy were expecting and awaiting the birth of their firstborn, Tony calling dibs on being the godfather and Pepper accepted it with a smile, not seeing a different possibility. Slowly, everything went back to normal, the missing pieces falling back in their places.

"You know," Tony yawned, spread comfortably on the couch in the new compound, his missing arm hidden under a black shirt, "if they would put us together, one healthy dude would come out of it," he said, gesturing with his left hand between himself, Rhodey and Bucky.

Steve looked at Tony with a confused expression on his face, the same look mirrored on their friends' faces.

"He would have two pairs of legs, Tony," Rhodey said calmly, closing the fridge and holding a plate with a sandwich on it.

"Kinda like a human centaur," Tony mused out, nodding to himself.

"That is not a thing," Rhodey answered and grinned at Steve, catching his shocked expression. Tony was still on a high dose of painkillers and did tend to say the most random things from time to time.

"Hey, you, one armed bandit!" Tony called, sitting up on the couch. Bucky turned to him, eyes narrowing suspiciously. "Come here for a sec, I want to look at that arm Shuri made for you," he said, calling Bucky over.

"It is your arm that is missing, not your legs, come here on your own, Two-Face," Bucky retorted, and Steve gagged in panic, trying to scold Bucky solely with a look. Bucky only shrugged, not remorseful at all.

Tony seemed more amused than insulted and turned to Rhodey, hungry eyes focusing on the sandwich before flipping up to his friend. "Sandwich me, Rhodes," Tony said, sounding as flirty and dirty as he just intended to.

Rhodey grimaced, because no, painkillers or not, this just sounded wrong. "Get your own sandwich, Tony," Rhodey replied before Steve had the chance to jump in and offer to make a sandwich for his boyfriend.

"Un-freaking-believable," Tony said, raising his one arm up in a dramatic gesture, that admittedly looked a lot less dramatic. "How many times do I have to almost die for this planet to get some respect around here, not mentioning getting a sandwich-"

"Okay, okay!" Rhodey went back to the kitchen isle, opening the fridge and taking out some deli meat, cheese and mayo, putting it all on a slice of rye bread.

"Don't forget the pickles," Tony called, smiling sweetly when Rhodey send him a sour look.  With two plates with sandwiches on, Rhodey walked to the couch, handing Tony one of them.

"Thanks!" Tony beamed a smile and grabbed the sandwich, standing up from the couch and walking away, Rhodey looking after him with a scoff. Tony made it over to Bucky and set next to him instead, too close and not having any issues with barging into Bucky's personal space. He put the sandwich in his mouth and used his free hand to urge the former soldier to put his bionic arm closer for inspection.

Steve put the end of the pencil to his lips and chewed it in thoughts, watching everyone in the room. Rhodey took Tony's place on the couch and bit into the sandwich, while Tony ran his hand delicately over the vibranium lines in Bucky's bionic arm, asking questions in a sandwich obscured hum, Bucky answering the best he could, trying to decipher the words. Steve kept looking in Tony's and Bucky's direction, his heart happy with seeing his boyfriend and best friend being on speaking terms. Still, he would prefer if Bucky was nicer to Tony, who still was in a delicate state and was recovering. Then he realized that Tony would absolutely hate if someone took pity on him and maybe sarcasm responding to sarcasm what was he needed, and not doting over.

***

In front of the team, Tony was coping remarkably well with a missing arm and scarred face. Just sometimes there were situations that gave him more troubles.

Steve heard a thud, when something heavy fell into the sink, a curse following. He waited for another sound and soon heard another thud.

"Babe?" he called in the direction of the adjoined bathroom. "You okay?" he asked, deciding to stay in bed for the time being.

"M'fine…"

Somehow Tony didn't sound fine. It was hard for Steve to accept, but he had to learn to not barge in whenever he suspected that Tony had troubles with everyday tasks. Tony was still capable of taking care of himself and rarely asked for help, unless it was absolutely necessary. Just something in the tone of his voice told Steve that he could use some help... Throwing the covers away, Steve got out of the bed and peered into the bathroom, leaning over the door frame. Tony was turned away from him and saw Steve in the mirror and smiled weakly. In his left hand, he was holding an electric shaver.

"I have some troubles," Tony admitted in a defeated sigh.

Steve clicked his tongue sympathetically, entering the bathroom. No matter the circumstances, Tony Stark had to keep his trademark goatee impeccable. In the last days, Tony had become nicely scruffed and rough, but it was time to get back to his usual look. Just it turned out to be more difficult than he expected.

"Can I do it?" Steve asked, holding Tony by the chin and examining his face. He didn't want it to sound like he was suggesting that Tony couldn't shave on his own. Steve felt that he needed that moment of closeness too. Just to feel connected to Tony again.

"Yeah," Tony agreed, handing him the electric shaver. Steve took it and put away on the shelf.

"Let's do it the traditional way," he smiled gently at his boyfriend, reaching for a disposable razor and his shaving soap in a ceramic bowl.

"You won't get a sharp cut using that thing," Tony grimaced.

"Try me," Steve kept smiling, almost challenging. How Tony could say no to that?

Tony watched Steve dipping the shaving brush into water and shaking it to get some of the excess water off. Then he rubbed the brush in a circular motion over the soap, creating some paste on the tips.

"Give me your hand," Steve asked and Tony reached his hand out, palm upwards. Dropping a few more droplets of water on his skin, Steve pressed the brush in the middle of the palm and swirled it around until the foam became dense and heavy, almost like whipped cream. With long strokes of fingers, Steve applied the foam over brunet’s jaw and neck and anywhere his face became too scruffy. Tony closed his eyes when the razor slid down his skin, getting the hair off and shaping his beard and mustache. Quiet, clinking sound when Steve rinsed the razor in a bowl of clean water from time to time, resuming the process. Steve took his time, trying his best to recall the shape of Tony's goatee. Tony was leaning into his touch, not wincing even once, putting all his trust in Steve and Steve felt a serene, full of love feeling taking over him. It was so domestic and comforting. When Steve was satisfied with the result, he used a damp towel to wipe his boyfriend’s face clean and patted it dry.

"All done," Steve said proudly. Tony opened his eyes and looked into the mirror.

"Huh," he mused out touching his smooth cheek and jawline. Steve even remembered to leave a thin strip of facial hair there, just like he liked it. "Looks good," he smiled at his reflection, turning around. "Thanks."

"Welcome, babe," Steve smiled, leaning down for a kiss. It wasn't aimed at any spot in particular, but Tony still turned, making sure that it would fall on the left side of his face. When Steve kissed his cheek and straightened up, he looked admittedly a little irritated and a lot heartbroken.

"Sweetheart, you know I don't mind it," Steve whispered, meaning Tony's scarred face and neck. Steve really didn't care. Tony seemed to not care either, just in their intimate moments he seemed a bit more self-conscious.

"I know, I know," Tony grimaced, looking back at Steve, a sorry look in his eyes, "I am just not ready yet," he admitted in a quiet voice.

"Okay," Steve smiled softly, agreeing. "I will wait for you to be ready."

After all, there was no rush.

***

"Tony, lunch is ready, we all are waiting for you -" words got stuck in Steve's throat as soon as he entered Tony's workshop and saw his boyfriend. It seemed almost wrong, after months of living and getting used to one-armed Tony, here he was, standing in front of Steve, one arm flesh and bones, other shiny metal.

Tony smiled brightly, pleased with the stunned reaction. He moved his right arm and spread fingers and closed his fist a few times, showing that he had full control over it. "It is enhanced with vibranium," Tony said and Steve remembered the long talks his boyfriend had with the princess back in Wakanda. "Shuri helped. She gave me the blueprints for Bucky's arm so I went through the design, creating something new. Took a few tries before I was satisfied with the result."

Steve walked closer. He was still in awe and looked at the artificial limb attached to his boyfriend, completely stunned.

"So, I think this is what I will be doing in the nearest future. Creating prosthetic limbs. Of course, not vibranium for safety reasons and not as flashy as this one, or maybe flashy, all depends on the wearer-"

"It is amazing," Steve said breathlessly, wanting to touch it, but not daring to. Luckily, Tony understood the need and reached his prosthetic arm in Steve's direction, making the move slow enough to give him time to move away, if he changed his mind. Steve didn't budge and Tony rested the mechanical palm against his cheek, fingers touching his ear. It felt hard and smooth, but not unpleasant.

"It is warm," Steve said, not expecting that.

"It is temperature controlled. It is set to match my body temperature, but I can make it hotter or colder, up to a point where it can change into a weapon," Tony explained.

Steve put his hand on the artificial wrist and slid his hand down, cupping the elbow. It was smooth and flawless, its dimensions matching Tony's left arm perfectly.

Just…

"Is this your everyday arm?" Steve asked carefully, unsure if he worded himself correctly. The prosthetic was hot red almost up to the elbow, inner arm was gold and the part near Tony's tank top was red again. Almost like in Mark 3. Iron Man classic armor.

"Yeah," Tony laughed, "because I am -"

"Iron Man," Steve finished, smiling with joy. "You are Iron Man."

"I am Iron Man," Tony confirmed a proud note hearable in his voice, before it was gone, replaced by hesitation, "but I was thinking that maybe for a while I could not be Iron Man and you could not be Captain America? That maybe we could settle somewhere calm, maybe in a secluded house near a lake or something-"

And Tony didn't finish, Steve already pulling him into a kiss. He was carried on the moment and cupped Tony's face with both hands, lips meeting long and sweet. When he drew away, his gaze was soft and full of love, but the look was quickly gone when he realized where his hands were.

“Shit, sorry-” Steve said quickly, withdrawing from the touch. To his surprise, Tony stopped him and held his hands in place with his own hands, one palm pressed to healthy skin held by a warm hand, the other to his scarred cheek and ear held by the prosthetic arm. It was a new feeling and a bit confusing, but Steve focused on Tony’s brown eyes and soft lips instead. After all, it was still Tony. His Tony.

"So, that's a yes to my idea, right?" Tony asked after the kiss ended, just to be sure.

Steve only smiled and kissed him once more, whispering 'yes' over and over again.

[canumoveurseatup-no]

Shadow and Shade pt.2

Summary: You let the team know that your son, Thanatos, is soon to come and though you don’t know what he plans on doing, you recruit all the help you can get. Bucky and the team meets your kids and in the midst of all the trouble, he wants to get used to you and your life.

Pairing: Bucky x Black!Goddess!Reader; Avengers x Black!Goddess!Reader

Warnings: A lot of Greek mythology, mention of death (Thanatos), lead up to IW

WC: 5K

I realized while finding all the tags for this, I forgot to tag people in the casting lists I made, so just let me know if you want to know who is casted and I will direct you to the lists!!

A/N: Nyx is my favorite Greek/ primordial Goddess and I’m glad to see so many people like this rendition of her and know of her omg!! Thank you for the support and if you asked to be tagged all I ask is that you leave verbal feedback! <3

It is time.. he is coming

“Who is coming, father?,”

Your son... God of Death.. Thanatos and he will show no mercy. You’ve given him life, only you can stop him.

---------

Bucky slept so peacefully, he can’t remember the last time he slept so good. He didn’t want to wake up just yet but he heard your voice whisper in his ear.

“Wake, my darling,”

His eyes slowly opened and saw the sun peaking through the curtains. You rested your head on your hand with your elbow propped up. You wore a small smile on your face.

“That was great. The dreams, the sleep,” he sighed, “Thank you much,” he smiled at you and you just nodded, placing a kiss on his cheek. You saw his cheeks turn red and you raised your eyebrows in amusement. You realized mortals aren’t used to such random displays of affection like a simple kiss on the cheek.

“I don’t want you to think I’m interested in you just because you can help me sleep,”

You raised up off the bed and opened the blinds, seeing your daughter and son in the distance, sitting atop the clouds.

“I know your heart, James. You have nothing to worry about. That thought never even crossed my mind. But you should get dressed. I had Nick call a meeting because I received word from my father about my duty here,”

“Is everything okay?,” 

Bucky noticed how uneasy you seemed. He wanted to comfort you but he was never really good at comfort. You inhaled a shaky breathe before speaking as you were about to walk out the door.

“Only if I can figure out how to stop what’s about to happen. Then it will be okay. He’s coming and usually I can see what’s about to happen but he’s planning something so dark.. s-so dark that it’s clouding my precognition and that has never happened before,” -------

The team sat in the conference room waiting for you and Fury to walk through the doors. They were discussing what could possibly be coming. They figured it was another Chitauri attack but when you and Nick busted through the double doors they realized just by your stance they were wrong. 

Bucky noticed your attire and it was something completely different than what you’d been wearing here. It was still all black of course but more regal. The long skirt had a slit on both sides and touched the floor, flowing as you walked and your heels were exceptionally tall. Your top, the shoulders resembling those of a knight’s armor but in gold. You wore gold cuffs on your wrists and your hair was up in a sleek puff and your make up was dark and dramatic but it suited you so well.

“I have received permission from Director Fury to bring you lot back with me to Tartarus, my home. The travel will be safe. If you could keep the questions to a minimum and change into the attire I have put together for you in your rooms and bring yourselves to my chariot that would be great. The reason for this journey will be explained when we get to Tartarus. Thank you,” 

“Nick, what is going on??,” Wanda’s voice was full of worry.

“As Agent Nyx has explained. Her chariot is waiting, please change into your designated attire and meet her on the roof,” 

Everyone noticed how even Nick himself seemed nervous. Even though he didn’t know much, he knew he didn’t want the God of Death to get the chance to create catastrophe like you said he would.

“Agent Nyx? She’s agent Nyx now?,” Steve arched an eyebrow and Nick just found himself walking out the double doors. Thor brought it to everyone’s attention that they still had to go change and meet you on the roof.

“Best not keep Lady Nyx waiting,” --------

When everyone got to the roof they noticed a big chariot with two black horses with eyes that resemble fire. Peter walked up to one, amazed and intrigued about to touch one until you stopped him.

“Not that one, if you’re gonna pet one, pet her,” You pointed to the other horse that seemed a lot more calm. Peter thanked you for looking out as he pet the girl, the horse huffing in content.

“That one is Shadow, she’s a sweetheart. Her brother Shade on the other hand can be a bit of an ass but he’s still my good boy nonetheless,” You kissed his face and led everyone onto the chariot before getting in, letting Nick know you’d all be back before tomorrow’s sunrise. You shut the chariot door and whistled for your horses to start running off.

“Drink this,” You took out a flask and told them to pass it around. 

“What is that?,” Natasha almost gagged at the potion in the flask as she took a sip.

“It’s to make sure mortals like you don’t burn to death when we arrive,” You state simply as you fix your cuffs.

Sam, Pietro and Peter’s eyes almost popped out of their head, “Anyway what does this journey entail? And why do we have to wear these clothes?,” Pietro asked.

“You must wear those as we are going to my home. It’s a respect thing,” You shrug, they do however look nice. Wanda wore a long maroon dress with gold epaulets and sandals that criss crossed up her calf. Her hair was back in a long braid and her make up was light. Natasha’s dress was similar except her dress was forest green and had a golden belt. Tony, Steve, Sam and Pietro’s attire resembled Thor’s normal Asgardian attire. Thor didn’t have to change considering he wasn’t a mortal and his attire resembled those of the warriors of Tartarus. Peter and Clint wore what resembled a toga but in black with pants. Their shoulders adorned in silver. Bucky, you specifically picked that outfit for him.

His top was black leather, with gold shoulder pads and cloth pants and a gold belt with the boots of your most respected warriors, you had put his hair back in a low ponytail and two pieces left out, framing his face. While they all looked of royalty, you made Bucky look like the King as his outfit resembled yours the most. The Queen of your region.

“You will be meeting my kin and my warriors as well as a few of my siblings as you will be training with them to prepare for what is to come,” Peter handed you the flask once everyone received a drink.

“What exactly is coming?,” Tony questioned.

“I will save that for the city meeting once we arrive. Now if you would please close the shades. We will be arriving soon and I don’t want the souls of the damned to suck you in,”

You heard Peter and Pietro whine as Clint mumbled he should have stayed in retirement.

“The ride will get hot but do not fret, it will go away. It will get scary and dark and bumpy. You will hear screams, ignore them. You will know once we arrive in Tartarus. As I said before, you are safe with me,”

You saw most of them go pale and Sam planted his head in his hands. Bucky just sat beside you silently. He closed the shades on his side as Thor closed to shades on his. You waved your hands and a black mist came out and placed itself across their torsos like a seat belt.

“You really have nothing to worry about. You mortals misinterpret Hell. There are different versions. Though where we are going is technically hell, another version is a boiling sea floor stoked by hydro thermal vents and exposed magma. You know how demons and mermaids have dragging human souls down in common? There’s a reason why mermaids are called Sea Demons. Hell is really the deepest depths of the ocean that you mortals have not been able to explore. Poseidon is kind of the devil if you wanna look at it that way because he has a horn-like crown, submerged home and a pitchfork/ trident, he’s really the devil or a version of it. Your bible says it would be better for child abusers and sinners to be chained to an anchor and sent to the bottom of the ocean than to face God’s wrath and that sure sounds a lot like sending them to hell,”

You started rambling trying to take their minds off the trip but that didn’t help them in the slightest.

“Oh God, oh God, oh God. No more trips to Bora Bora, no more trips to Hawaii, no more trips t-,”

“I don’t wanna diiiiie,” Pietro whined and Wanda smacked him upside his head.

“Have a little faith,”

The screams that you mentioned early had started ringing through the chariot. Steve started fanning himself and Natasha started turning red.

“We will meet Styx first as she is the guardian of the passageway. She might be a bit rude, she just has to warm up to you all, which she will during this preparing period. I think you guys will like her though. Especially you Peter,” You couldn’t tell if he was blushing due to the heat or because of what you said. The ride suddenly became bumpy and they all grabbed each other to keep steady. 

“We’re almost theeerrre,” you smiled trying to ease them with your sing-song tone.

Bucky grabbed your hand and you could tell he instantly eased unlike the others. It surprised you that you truly brought this man comfort. The ride came to a jerking halt, you released the black mist seat belts and Steve’s face landed right in your cleavage.

“Back up,” Bucky mugged Steve’s face away and back into his seat.

“Mother!,” a voice was heard outside the chariot.

You smiled widely and kicked the door open, crawling over Bucky to get out. You saw your beautiful daughter standing at the edge of the river with her large staff. She wore her dark hooded cloak and you saw her gorgeous white smile. Everyone filed out of the chariot and Styx eyed them, raising her brows in interest.

“Mother, you didn’t tell me you were bringing such... delicious looking guests,” she smiled, stepping close to them.

“She’s not going to eat us is she?,” Sam asked.

“Only if you’re into that, beloved,” she winked at him and saw Peter, her face brightened up and she walked over to him, “Mother, I want this one, I promise I’ll play niiiiice,” she kissed his cheek and smiled sweetly.

Peter blushed and you shooed her away from him so he wasn’t suffocating.

“Peter, she can be very overly affectionate. Though her words are stated a certain way, she means no harm,” Sure Styx was the Goddess of Hatred but once she sees someone or something she likes, she does a complete 180.

She stared at Peter, winking at him and he waved back at her, “I’m of age s-so I’m totally down for it,”

“Peter!,” Tony scolded and you laughed at the bickering. You took Styx’s hand and pulled her toward her boat.

“Your brother is about to cause a universal catastrophe I don’t know how but I need you to take us to my palace so I can call a city meeting and build up an army. I don’t know how this will go but no matter what, I need all the help I can to stop him,”

Styx was attentive and soaked in every word you said before her face showed absolute horror.

“When is he coming?,” her voice was low. You held her face and tried to soothe her, she hated conflict, she was a hateful girl most of the time, but deep down she hated it when trouble came around. She was such a sweet girl and you protected her at all cost.

“I have no idea. That’s why we need to start preparing now. They,” you pointed over your shoulder, “are Earth’s greatest defenders and your grandfather assigned me to them that’s why they are here with me. To help me stop him,”

She nodded her head and actually took a minute to analyze everyone.

“Is that one going to be my step father?,” she pointed at Bucky and you felt your face heat up as you smile bashfully, “his attire is awfully similar to yours and that only happens if you think he’s worthy enough to be your mate,”

“That is a conversation for another time, my love,” you patted her cheek and waved them over to her boat. You watched them file in the boat and you got in last sitting by Bucky. Styx climbed in and started rowing.

“Mother... did you tell the mortals about the hell hounds?”

They all looked at her like she was crazy then back to your for confirmation. 

“HELL HOUNDS?!,”

———

The ride on the river wasn’t that long but it did freak them out a little when the crimson river would bubble up and steam in some places. You knew you were home when you saw the bats flying around, smiling at your little babies.

You saw Keres roaming around the garden of withered flowers. She looked over to the river when she heard Pietro and Sam’s bickering.

“Mother is that you?” She jogged over to the river’s edge and smiled wide. She wore a long blood red dress with slits in it, much similar to yours. Pietro practically gawked at her as they all climbed out of the boat.

“Keres!!,” you hugged her tight and kissed her forehead, “oh how I have missed you,”

She smiled at you and hugged Styx, “What are you doing here? I thought grandfather sent you to Earth?,”

You nodded and sighed, “Yes, but my duty calls for all of the help I can get. I notified Oizys already to send out word about a city meeting to discuss,”

She nodded and finally acknowledged the team behind you. She scanned them all and her eyes stopped at Wanda, biting her lip and held out her hand, “Keres, Goddess of violent death but one night with me can bring you to life like never before,” the glint in her eyes dark, winking at the Scarlet Witch.

Wanda blushed and took her hand shaking it, “Wanda,”

You lightly tapped Keres’ arm and scolded her. “I am clearly going to need to have a talk with you all to stop hitting on the mortals,”

Keres whined and rolled her eyes. She was such a spoiled brat and hated being told no.

“Where are your siblings?” You asked. She swung her hair over her shoulder and jerked her head towards your palace

“Feasting. You know how Moros gets when you leave,” she grabbed Wanda’s hand and starts heading off to the palace, “So how long are you here for?”

“Just today,”

Keres grew a mischievous smile on her face,” Well then... I’ve got to show you my chambers while I can,”

“NOT IN MY PALACE!!!,”

——-

You heard Moros’ drunken laughs in the dining hall, mocking one of his uncles, “Moros, you better get your ass off that table this instant! That gold is millenniums old and must be treated with care!”

You walked into the dining hall and saw him immediately sit in his chair and the others look at you wide eyed.

‘’Mother!,” Philotes came up to you, pressing a kiss on your cheek before looking at the team behind you with a confused frown before her eyes landed on Tony, “Philotes. Goddess of affection, friendship and sex. I may seem innocent but one night under the covers with me will have you praying to your God for forgiveness,”

Tony smirked and entertained her antics. Akhyls ran up to you, hugging you tight and turning to Natasha, “Akhyls, Goddess of Misery. I’m not sex crazed like my siblings but I find you very attractive,” she smiled up at Natasha. For her to be millenniums old, she was still short as ever.

Natasha smirked that sultry smirk of hers and nodded at Akhyls, “Not so bad yourself, sweetheart,”

Oizys, baddest bitch of them all, her words verbatim, came right up to Bucky and you eyed her suspiciously. She tucked a silver strand of hair behind her ear and sized him up and down, “Oizys, Goddess of.. you know what, doesn’t matter. Mother told me you mortals were attractive but she didn’t tell me thiiis attractive,” Oizys practically purred at Bucky and you stood in between them.

“Tough shit. Back up and stay in a child’s place,” your tone had gone stone cold and Bucky smiled lightly. Oizys sucked her teeth and winked at Bucky anyway. Oizys loved to defy you so you’d definitely have to keep an eye on her.

“Mother, can I have these ones?,” you turn and see Elpis looking hopeful while she had Sam, Pietro and Steve around her, “I can’t be mean so you know I’ll treat them wonderfully,” she looked hopeful and you scowled.

“I claim him,” Eleos held Thor’s hand and honestly you didn’t dislike that match too much. It fit.

“They’re not playthings, girls!,” Hypnos came up, drinking from his chalice. He properly greeted you with a bow and a kiss on the forehead, “My dear child. The only one with decency around our guests,” you patted his cheek.

“HEY! I’m doing good!,” Geras came and shook his head, “You lot are acting like savages. Step back from the mortals and the... other God, let them breathe,” Geras waved his hand at Thor. Geras was the old soul of them all so he wasn’t really into the whole savagery of sex.

“Oh now we have the old geezer weighing in,” Oizys rolled her eyes, “Anyway, mother. The city knows, even told Hades to let his people know. The meeting will be in about two hours.”

“May I ask what this meeting is? I have an appointment with that hot little mortal soul down by the park of the damned,” He fist bumps Momus and Geras frowns

“Gross,”

“Oh shut up, Ger. Just because you can’t get it up-,”

“I can get it up just fine! Just because I’m the God of old age doesn’t mean it’s dysfunctional!,” 

“Would you two shut the hell up!,” you slap them upside their head and they mutter an “ow”

“You can get your little peewee wet another time. This is dire,”

“Haha, peewee,” Keres teased

“You shut it or you can get it too, little missy,”

Keres immediately zips her mouth and you tell them all to get away from the team. You have them follow you and show them where they will be staying and training once you get everything in order and set. Once you give them a quick tour of a portion of the palace, you bring them to your housing quarters. A perfect combination of maroon and black is splashed around your room and everywhere else. Your room is huge and your bed is something larger than a king bed, it’s so huge they don’t eve know what to call it.

“Goddess bed,” you run your hand over the material of your covers, “James, if you would like to stay here rather than the room I have set out for you then just say the word and it can happen,” you pat his left pectoral and kept it moving. Your brought them back out into the dining hall and saw that Hemera and Aether were back. You easily waved your hand and knew that the moon was starting to come around to bring night to the world of the mortals.

“Mother, what is this talk that you’ve brought the mundane?,” Hemera runs to you in her white flowing dress. She eyes the humans behind you and wears a confused frown on her face, “You know how Uncle Tartarus feels about mortals showing up here that haven’t died,  mother,” She warns.

“Hemera, mortal guests will be the least of our worries, now stop frowning, you’ll get wrinkles in that pretty little face,” you patted her cheek and she swatted your hand away and groaned.

“Hello, mother,” Aether came up to you and kissed your cheek, “We have missed you and Hemera apologizes,” he glares at his sister, “For her informal greeting. We have heard that grandfather has finally given you word on your duty. What does it entail?,”

“I have raised some impatient ass children haven’t I?,” You walk over to the table and sit, telling the others to join you, “Sit and feast,” you snap your fingers and the mess Moros has made was cleaned up and fresh, delicious food appeared on the table. If you were Mystery Inc., Sam would be Shaggy and Pietro would be Scooby, they rushed over to the table and started devouring the food.

“Guys have some manners,” Steve scolded, “You are literally in he presence of Gods and Goddesses here,”

You waved your hand and laughed as your children sat as well and plated their food, “Wait until you see how my boys eat. It’s nothing compared to them,” 

A loud belch comes from Momus and he laughs along with Moros. Elpis swats their shoulders and tells them to have some manners as well.

“I would just like to say that I will not support the idea of having a mortal step father,” Geras blurted.

“I second that,” Hemera side eyed you. You drank from your chalice and frowned.

“Who said anything of the sort?,” You arched a brow.

“It’s clear, Mother. You have raised us to be plenty of things but stupid is not one of them. Look at everyone’s attire compared to that one,” Hemera pointed to Bucky and his breath hitched, “It literally matches yours,”

“I’m not quite sure was has crawled up your ass, Hemera, but you will respect me and my guests especially in my own palace, watch who you’re talking to,” 

She huffed and sat back in her chair playing with her fork, “You know it’s forbidden,” she hissed. With your shadow mist, you popped her in her mouth like she was a young child and she whined.

“You may be millenniums old but I am still your mother. Now watch it. Until I have confirmed any feelings for any mortal, you keep that mouth of yours shut, do you hear me?,”

She side eyed you yet again and nodded, “I asked you a question, Hemera!,” you flared your nostrils, “Do. you. hear. me?,”

With a tight lipped smiled she looks at you, “Loud and clear,” 

You sighed and turned your attention back to the team and your other kids, “What has been happening since my departure?,” you asked sweetly.

“Akhyls and Moros have been wreaking havoc on the mortal souls,” Eleos admits and Akhyls slams her fists on the table, “You are such a snitch!,” she growls

“Philotes has been roaming Earth again and sleeping with mortals,” Geras almost gags.

“For the love of Gaia, can you just loosen up for once in your life?,”

“Like you have between your legs?,” 

“I am a Goddess it never gets loose,”

“Oh really?,” Tony asks intrigued.

“Cut it out!,” Bucky’s voice finally booms throughout the dining chamber and everyone shuts up. Most of your children seem offended that a mortal such as Bucky had the nerve to tell them what to do. 

“I like a man who can take control,” Oizys leans forward and smirks. You glare at her and shake your head, “I will lock you away if need be. Now watch it,”

“When I asked what has been happening I didn’t mean tattle tale on your siblings like three year old children. I mean has anything weird been happening,” You sigh and rub your temples.

“The river has been going grey here and there which is odd,” Styx recalls.

“The screams of the damned have been quiet lately and I did find that weird. Scary almost,” Keres adds. You hum in interest and nod your head and check the time. You still have a bit of time before your announcement. 

“Thanatos has also gone missing. We usually keep in touch but I have heard nothing from him,” Oizys says and you were relieved that the words that left her mouth weren’t about Bucky. You looked at the team and they slowed their eating down.

“That’s the God of Death right?,” Natasha questions, “You briefly mentioned him when you first came. Is he who the announcement is about? Is he the reason you seem so worried?,”

You nodded and took another gulp from your chalice, “Thanatos has an admiration for omnicide and he always has been since the beginning of human life. He is the God of peaceful death but he claims mortals need to start anew as their resources have gone finite. I figured he was just talking but when father came to me last night I knew it was much more than that. Thanatos hates mortals and deities alike meaning you, Avengers, are not the only ones at risk, but my people are as well,” You could hear everyone’s breath hitch from around the long table. “And not even just us, but all living things around the entire universe. Not just your galaxy, not just my world. But all worlds and galaxies alike,” You felt Bucky’s hand on yours and he squeezed it in comfort. 

You felt Eleos use her abilities to calm everyone around the room. The trumpets sounded and you knew it was time for the announcement as you heard the voices of minor Gods and Goddesses as well as the souls and warriors. You took a deep breath and stood up from your seat.

“Geras, lead everyone out into the courtyard, I will start soon,” you played with your hands and started down the hallway to head to your bedroom and to your balcony as you would be giving the announcement from there, it was the best place as you could see everything in the courtyard from there.

Bucky came up behind you and grabbed your wrist, turning you around. He kissed your forehead and leaned his against yours, “If everything doesn’t turn to shit, I’d like to build things up to possibly be the stepfather of bickering Gods and Goddesses,” he lightly smiles which made you relax and smile back at him.

“You’ve got yourself a deal. Now head back, the announcement won’t take long,” You kissed his cheek and pushed him down the hall and he watched you walk away and open the doors to your balcony, hearing the outbursts of everyone in the courtyard.

----------

“Training will begin immediately. I am not sure of the forces Thanatos will bring with him but we must be prepared for every and anything. Even lost lives,”

You were wrapping up the announcement as it had been going for thirty minutes due to questions and roars of interruption. You could see everyone visibly tense. You saw the way Styx leaned into Peter and held his hand. You could see how Wanda wrapped herself around her brother’s arm as Vision comforted her by rubbing her back. Some of the warriors seemed adamant but they made an oath to not just you but Tartarus to fight if war ever came.

“Hopefully,” you sighed and your shoulders trembled as your breathed out, “Hopefully, it will not come to that,” You nodded and tried to give an assuring smile.

“For Tartarus,” You raised your fist in the air and the courtyard started to chant back at you as your retreated back in the house. You knew you would have to have a council meeting with Gaia, Tartarus, Erebus, Hades and everyone else. But that would happen later. The chanting died down as you reached the foyer and saw your children and the team sitting there. Hemera came up to you and frowned, she hugged you and apologized, her actions had taken you aback as she rarely shows any physical affection towards you. 

“I’m scared. What if I lose you, or one of my brothers or sisters?,” she whined. You knew technically you couldn’t die, as night was always needed. But your children on the other hand, some of them were minor Gods and Goddesses so anything could happen, but you didn’t want to worry her. The others came up to you and added to the hug. The team stood behind and watched. One minute they were all arguing and throwing shots at each other but now you were hugging and whispering I love you’s.

“I won’t let anything happen to you, my loves,”

Eleos started to become overwhelmed as feelings of pity were strong in the air, “Calm down, my sweet, Ellie. We will make it,” You tried to keep your voice strong so you sounded convincing but you knew that if you couldn’t convince yourself then you weren’t doing a well enough job convincing them.

“Everyone get some rest,” you kissed your children goodnight and sent them to their chambers, alone, “As for you all,” you turned to the team and somberly smiled, “We have an early departure so get some rest, for as soon as we get back I have another meeting and we will discuss plans to prepare for what is to come,”

Bucky came up and took your hand before leading you to your room. He helped you undress and get you into your night clothes and into bed, you swiped his clothes away with your shadow mist and dressed him in night attire as he crawled in with you. 

“Do you wish for me to help you sleep?,” your voice was low and full of worry.

“No, but I wish for you to trust me and tell me what is going on inside that head of yours,” he ran a thumb over your cheek.

“Never, in all my time of living has my precognition been this blurry and fogged. All I can see is colors of red, blue, yellow, purple, green, and orange. I can’t see what he’s doing or planning, that has never happened. It must be something so sickening that even I can’t see it. I’ll contact Gaia when we get back and see if she can see anything... if not... then we’re in trouble, James,”

---------

OOOUUUUUU WHAT IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN?! (yeah we all know but like... this version will be different so stay tuned!)

Thank you all for your support. Will get part 3 out once this part gets to 100-150 notes.

Tags- @sideeffectsofyou @majikmelanin @mbaku-babygirl @babybubastis @chonisberonica @vozit @mirajanestrauss1999 @scarletlingeries @whothehellisbinky @amandahq @jillilama-blog @motivation-idontknowher @anise-d-castle6 @just-a-littlebit-of-everything @adreamemporium @ssaaraw @a-lumos-in-the-nox @blackreaders-assemble @unstable1902 @winksasleeplesseye @hold-me-like-a-heart-beat @cutiepiemimi13 @celishaa-xx @amethyst-dreams-and-candy-canes @curlyhairclub @abschaffer2 @yournonlocalpoc @gucciofthenorth @random-fandom-lady @callmedaddys-blog

[lokikingofasgardslover713]

Oh Glory! {Part 1}

Masterlist

Part 2

My entry for @buckmesideways22 writing challenge!

Thank you @moonfaery for the help on this one!

Steve Rogers x Plus Size Reader

Warnings: Swearing, blood. SMUT in the next part! Promise!

A/N: This is to be a 2 part for the smut writing challenge. We meet the reader while she is making off with Tony Stark's favorite sports car just to prove it could be done. All in all, Tony & Steve get more than they handle & it takes Thor to pull the woman off of the two men who mistake she for a he at first & are shocked to find out who truly stole the car. It gets smutty, trust me! Reader is a hybrid of alien and human, not sure what.

Prompt: Oh Glory by Panic! At the Disco {Lyrics in Italic}

Words: 2,100

I can only hope it's true enough

That every little thing I do for love

Redeems me from the moments I deem worthy

of the worst things that I've done

The screeching of tires barely making it over the song blasting over the radio of the car freshly ‘borrowed’ from none other than Tony Stark who was possibly hot on their ass, a laugh echoing through the face covering as they jerked the steering wheel the instant a bolt of lightened hit the pavement in front of the nose of the very expensive Audi. It was easy enough to handle & take a side street, the very voice of Tony breaking in on the music that blared over the speakers.

If I wake in the morning

I only need two more miracles to be a saint

Everything I promised, everyone I'd be

Well I just ain't

“Stand down NOW,” he ordered only for them to laugh, looking in the rear view mirror to note the billionaire in the flying red Ironman armor hot on their ass & uttering a command for the music to be turned back on.

Another command having the same song to blare through the speakers in the Ironman suit, laughing hysterically when the rocketing billionaire behind them appeared to lose control, not waiting to see him wipe out to turn attention back to the road.

It wasn’t much further till they reached their stopping point they designated for themselves to leave the vehicle itself unscathed, there was no value or money to be had for the heist, for breaking into the highly guarded Avengers compound. It was just to prove a point it could be done, to have the experience under their belt. Finally managing to slip all the cameras that where focused on the road they were on to skid into the abandoned parking garage to slam the breaks on sliding to a stop & jumping from the vehicle to take off into the wooded area that surrounded it.

It was a nice thought the entire time until the sting of defeat slammed into the back of their right shoulder to send them tumbling to the ground, rolling one time only to pop back up to steady feet, regretting they didn’t wear their armor as pain burned through their shoulder down their side & up to the base of the skull. Eyes squinting at the very Captain America as he situated the shield on his back as the person before him in the black canvas suit that had metal braces running the entire thing, glinting like vibranium & knowing the only ones who had the use of the ore were in Wakanda.

The face mask depicting the sharp fangs of a snarling wolf in the same type of metal, the goggles they wore reflecting the dim street lamps to take on an eerie glow as he heard an audible pop as if a bone was pushing back into place, possibly the shoulder the shield hit. Taking a step forward to look them over more closely, no indication of what or who they were, hair hidden, not a stitch of skin nor clothing showed.

“Your little joy ride is over, why don’t you come on back with me? No need for this to end in a fight,” the captain began as they watched the person move in a way that didn’t truly look natural, more fluid than even Natasha’ movements, noting they were keeping gloved hands away from the blades at their disposal as well as a gun he didn’t recognize hanging off their hips.

Tony finally landing behind the thief, quick to advance on the figure that gracefully moved past the irate billionaire who stumbled next to Steve who grabbed the skinned up suit to help him stay steady a chuckle coming from behind the mask before their feet bumped the ground to expose a set of rockets. Both Avengers noting them preparing to take off only to be hit with an e.m.p pulse to disable the tech & sitting them harshly onto their ass on the grass with a huff. The figure getting up to their feet, dusting themselves off as they did, glaring at the two.

Really, well so much for an easy escape, in no mood to put up with the two, ready to leave as it was, one lithe step forward to engage the two in hand to hand combat. Hand never reaching for a dagger but using the metal on the suit to deflect the hits from the shield while using the suit to channel repulser blast back into Tony’ chest, sending him scooting on his ass so it was only they & the captain.

It wasn’t long the fighter took the captain by surprise, pinning the super soldier onto his stomach, hands crushed into his spine with an audible crack as they buried a knee into the small of the soldiers back holding tight to make him struggle more & tire out before releasing him to get to their feet. Though Tony was ready, hitting them hard under the chin but to their shock it didn’t faze them & the face mask remained on with a loud growl echoing through the face piece.

“I'm sorry,” Tony began before they leapt at him, knocking the billionaire to the dirt, gloved hand digging into the chest of the bleeding edge armor to disable it, careful of the blast that would have clearly takin their head off as Steve feel onto the fighter in an attempt to pull them off only to be flung to his back in the dirt.

Succeeding in ripping the power pack free, the fighter looked up in time to receive a hit from Stormbreaker. The hit knocking them sailing through the air onto their back, knocking the breath out of them as they made a small carter from the impact & letting out a stifled yelp. Slowly they sat up, watching, Thor help Tony to his feet as Steve came to check on him before starting for the fighter that looked wobbly to say the least, sputtering on possibly blood as well.

“I hit you hard enough to knock your head clean off,” came the blond gods voice as the fighter reached up with shaky hands to remove the face piece & shattered goggles so they wouldn’t be drowning in blood.

The head gear jerked free to show that blood coated their nose & lips while hazy, unfocused glowing blue eyes flecked with gold landed on the men to make them pause as bright blue hair spilled forward. Bright mermaid blue tresses fading to silver white at the ends & reliving what fought like a man was actually a woman.

“We just got our asses beat by a girl,” Tony blurted looking over the woman as she made a move to get up but had to stop, the rush going to throbbing head made the world around her spin.

“For the record you two did, not me,” Thor spoke up as Steve stepped forward to look down at her careful how close he got, the dazzling golden blue eyes focusing on him to study him over.

“You're a hell of a fighter,” the captain spoke up, reaching down to get her to unsteady feet obvious the hit from Stormbreaker had rocked her world, shimmering orbs looking  Tony over as he stepped close to look her over as well, his helmet bleeding away to reveal how beat up he was as well.

“You broke into the compound, got past F.R.I.D.A.Y, redirected all cameras, hacked my suit, which is nanotech by the way which was no easy feat in itself, stole my car & didn’t put a scratch on it… I'm impressed,” Tony smirked at the woman who sneered back, freehand reaching up to wipe at the blood dripping down her chin.

“Tony,” Steve groaned, the soldier working more to keep her up right wondering what she would look like cleaned up, the cascade of sweaty hair spilling into bloodied face as she looked up to Thor more so than the others, the god eyeing her close.

“You are not mortal or else that hit would have killed you,” Thor began watching her smile drunkenly at him obvious the hit had rattled her brains around in her skull.

“Nope,” she finally spoke, popping the p to spatter blood on her own face, addled beyond all comprehension the woman not sure what was causing her to respond to the three maybe it knocked her brain free.

“Then enlighten us,” Steve spoke up having to wrap an arm around thick middle to keep the swaying woman on her feet.

“Nope,” the woman spoke once again looking up to Steve with a bloody smirk, teeth bared to show fangs covered in blood.

“Stubborn,” Steve huffed out unable to look away from the sparking gold blue of her eyes.

“I think I see you round the bend & I think I'd try any poison & get there in the end. Oh glory,” the wobbling creature sung drunkenly & badly off key as she continued to smirk at the three.

“What does that mean,” Thor asked the others the woman singing terribly off key once more but this time all of it jumbled as she made an attempt to sway to the music.

“I was a song she was playing over the speakers after stealing the car & put it on perpetual loop at the compound. You’ve knocked her brain loose point break,” Tony spoke up the men noting her look up to Steve as if serenading the man trying to sway once more with the music only she heard.

“Oh, no don’t do that,” she paused herself wrapping the free arm around Steve to stay steady & to keep from losing her lunch as she buried bloody head in his suit in efforts of stop the spinning.

“What do we do with her,” Steve asked, holding onto her with both arms now as it appeared she was looking up at him serenading the soldier like a drunk prom date.

“Come on captain,” she slurred trying to get his attention they tried to figure out what to do with her.

“When I'm looking past the silken sheets, take a breath to notice I'm between, every little piece of thread and memories, that constitutes your dreams, if I wake in the morning, I only need two more miracles to be a saint, everything I promised, everyone I'd be, well I just ain't,” she finished with a weak wobble letting out a loud yelp the instant sore body was jerked into the captains arms noting he had heard the part about the silken sheets by how exposed cheeks blushed for a second before staring straight ahead.

“Oh captain my captain,” the woman continued drunkenly leaning back in his arms with hers around his neck as she continued to try to get his attention.

“Are you drunk,” Tony finally spoke up to the woman who was actually making him laugh at how she made the captain blush by the way she continued to croon at the solider, golden blue orbs focusing on Tony who was walking next to them.

“Nope,” came the same repose as she smiled at the billionaire, “Bu-t. Hey! I need to talk to you about your security protocol, do you realize the loop holes in the algorithm is like a mi-l-e long-g,” she continued to slur hand releasing the captain to rub bloody jaw & glaring at Thor.

“In all fairness I thought you were going to kill Stark,” the god spoke an apology in his voice as he looked her over.

“Nope, I can’t kill old Starkie here! Your good guys,” she crooned laying muddled head back in the captains elbow as they paused for the Quinnjet to land & the back hanger to open.

“This is better than being on an all-nighter,” the woman slurred looking at the group upside down, “lately it seems like, everybody's sick, everybody's tired, build myself a wall of unhappy hearts & only my heart knows my head is lying, lying, Oooohhhhh GLLLLOOOORRRYYY!”

This time it was belted out as loudly as possible Steve rolling his eyes to utter the question if she ever shut up to which she raised her head to make the world spin around her.

“Yes actually, I normally never speak but a near death experience has its effects on me, no offence godly man,” the woman slurred out to Thor who waved her off with a quiet “none taken” realizing the captain carried her onto the jet noting the man with the metal arm stepping towards them as she was laid on the gurney that apparently waited for her.

“Hey! Your Bucky,” the woman blurted out making Bucky look at her in confusion then to Steve for an explanation.

“I don’t know,” was all the bewildered captain shrugged as he hinted to Sam who stepped up to help get her looked over, the woman floundering on the gurney still singing or that was until Sam sedated her to get some peace from the horrendous crooning.

Tags open! And re-blogs are ALWAYS welcomed!

Tags: @dark-night-sky-99  @prettybubblesintheair  @gramaeryebard  @reallyheckinggay  @jovanna-shewolf  @andiyholly  @katstablook   @nickyl316h  @beets1bears1battlestargalactica @aslandia726 @moonfaery @furstinnajoelle   @itsbqueenthings @lookwhatyoumademequeue

@whovianwookie86-captainxev@jazzieomega @tomhardy41

[shellheadtmarc]

| BASIC INFO

MCU-based.

On October 23, 2077, the Great War finally ended.  The nukes were launched, the vaults were shut well below their maximum capacity, and civilization as we know it ended in nuclear hellfire.  

The Avenger otherwise known as Iron Man, Tony Stark, was in NYC when the bombs dropped.  Instead of finding shelter in a vault, or following through with one of the many contingency plans put in place for just that occurrence, he instead tried to do what he could in the aftermath, where a city full of panicky people rioted and looted after so long of rationing and not enough, trying his best to help keep some kind of order, to prevent those left behind after the vaults closed turning on each other in the worst possible way.

The years kept passing, and while some people became ghouls with the exposure to the massive amounts of radiation and FEV present in everything, and most died, tests run by he and JARVIS confirmed his initial suspicions,that the arc reactor was keeping him alive in more ways than one.  And in the end, there ended up being nothing for him to do but wait until the worst of the radiation had passed, bide his time, tinker, and keep an eye out for the first of the vaults to start opening.

Two hundred and some change later, the Brotherhood of Steel, on their way to the Commonwealth, crawl past New York in the Prydwen, and Tony, having adapted to wasteland living and doing his best to initiate and oversee rebuilding efforts (and, in the controlled environment of the NYC wasteland, succeeding to a degree), does what any rational, cagey, paranoid wastelander would do:  He suits up and follows them into Boston.  Any Hindenburg 2.0 like that with an amassment of vertibirds and power armored personnel isn’t knocking on the door to borrow a cup of sugar, and he’s heard enough rumors about factions in both DC and Boston with passing traders that he figures New York will have to look after New York for a little while (or...JARVIS will have to help New York look after New York, same difference), while he goes and pokes his nose in the Commonwealth’s business.

He touches down north of Fort Hagen (around the abandoned chapel) after the Brotherhood of Steel arrive and set up base at Boston’s old airport, and from Fort Hagen he’ll start his own investigations into the BOS, the Railroad, the Minutemen, and the Institute.

| APPEARANCE

Tony’s a far cry from five hundred dollar haircuts and bespoke suits these days; the wasteland is rough, and he’s had to get rough back.  Function takes precedence over fashion, and while he still cleans up fairly well, you’ll never see him like that.  His typical uniform is no different than the rest of the wasteland’s, ranging from old flannel and threadbare denim to mechanic coveralls and worn tank tops, all of which are thin enough to let his arc reactor shine through them like a beacon.  

Physically, his entire silhouette has changed:  He’s probably a lot healthier than the average scavver, simply because he is and was born before the war and due to the arc reactor isn’t prone to some of the genetic troubles and illnesses that plague the wasteland.  However, due to the nature of living in the wasteland, where fighting for your life is very often literal, his musculature has changed, and he’s leaner than he was before the war.  His face, too, especially shows that, as his cheeks have hollowed out considerably, and he looks entirely more gaunt these days.

His hair runs in two directions:  Either he’ll take scissors to it himself (and he’s gotten good at giving himself a trim in an approximation of the hairstyles he’d favored before the war, even if they tend to fall flat with no hair product being available these days) when he has the time, or he lets it grow until he can’t stand it any longer.  When it’s longer, he has a habit of pinning it back with bobby pins, which works out just fine for him, because he’s never without one if he needs to pick a lock.

More often than not, he can’t be bothered with his trademark laser-precision facial hair, because shaving takes time these days, and clean water is a resource that can’t be wasted on frivolous pursuits when it’s needed for drinking and cooking.  Instead, while he sometimes is seen shaping it back up every so often, he tends to let it grow as it will (and he does do his best to tame it, but, again - who has the time to worry about things like developing beard oil and balm when there’s so much else to be done that’s more important?), or he shaves completely and the process starts all over again.  Having trademark facial hair is just one of the many quirks he’s had to let go of in the name of survival.

He’s carrying more obvious scars, other than those around the arc reactor.  All those blows to the face and years getting his face banged around in the suit have finally taken their toll, and he’s got a scar that runs the curve of his left brow bone and eye socket, as well as an arch over the bridge of his nose and a permanent one from having his lip split open so many multiple times.  He’s usually sporting a black eye or fat lip, because he still runs his mouth, and running from a fight is no longer an option.  You should see the other guy, honestly.

| FEV ENHANCEMENT

Tony has never been shy about the idea that physical enhancement is as much part of the game of being Iron Man as the suit is.  After all, it’s only a suit, and response times can only be so fast, when there’s always going to be a delay between thought and getting the suit to follow that thought.  So, much in the vein of the 616 run for Extremis enhancement, Tony’s...Tinkered on himself.  Mostly, stumbling across the same strain of FEV developed in the Institute was sheer luck, and it took years for him to decide it was the route he wanted to go, with innumerable simulations and alternatives ran and checked before he made that leap.

To be clear:  He’s not a super mutant, much as 616 Tony was not a true Extremis enhancile.  He took the structure of FEV, broke it apart, cut out the parts he didn’t want, added parts he did, and put it all back together before using himself as a guinea pig to see if it’d work.  And work it has.  He’s a little stronger, yes, but not in a way that matters.  He heals a little faster.  He regrew himself new organs.  But much like with Extremis, he forced it to do what he wanted it to do, which was rewire himself from the inside out, and now when he says ‘the suit and I are one’ he means that.  Literally.  He wires himself directly into it when needed, and the most crucial components of it hide out in the hollows of his bones.

More importantly, however, he’s only reinforced the length of his lifespan, and upped his metabolism, so now he runs on the hot end of the spectrum.  He’s a great bed buddy now in the middle of winter.

Another side effect of the FEV use and rewiring himself includes:  Low level technomancy.  He can literally interface with some machinery within reason and hack it with his brain.  Useful, when you’re up against a bunch of haywire robots and want to turn the tide in your favor by hacking a few but can’t stop shooting and ducking behind things long enough to do it the old fashioned way.  It’s limited, though, and not something he necessarily makes a lot of use of unless absolutely necessary.  

| WASTELAND SPECIAL

The Wasteland Special is the new FEV-based suit.  Well.  “New” is relative.  Years were spent putting together the perfect one size fits all suit suited for the wasteland and its dangers, as well as combining it with Tony’s FEV enhancements so that he has it at a moment’s notice in the chance a super mutant behemoth decides to induct him into the wasteland space program.

It has an assortment of functions, and while it has a connection to JARVIS, unlike his earlier suits it doesn’t require JARVIS to run its systems, as that’s all done with Tony being directly connected to it himself.  JARVIS is, for all practical purposes, more a partner in this venture, and tends to watch Tony’s six.

He doesn’t use it often, and that should be heavily stressed.  Iron Man, for all practical purposes, is something from the past.  What there remains of him existing before the war - which isn’t much - includes some comic illustrations that show the classic Marvel red and gold (that Fallout aesthetic, you know) not anything like what his suits actually looked like.  If he does pull out the Wasteland Special, it means things are bad.  Or he’s off for a stroll through the Glowing Sea.  A or B.  It can also be used piecemeal, much like most of the Iron Man suits.  Jet boots for this, gauntlets for that, he’ll do that far more often than the whole shebang, because he likes perching on overpasses that no longer connect to Boston’s highway system to feel tall.  Or get a layout of the land.  It varies with his mood and whims.  Traveling alone at night, that’s typically how he likes to camp, anyway.

For relevant visuals on how it works, see the Extremis run in 2008 Invincible Iron Man and the MCU’s Avengers: Infinity War.  It’s a long term solution to the problem of lacking resources, since building suits for every function is no longer a possibility.  Yes, it’s still red and gold and lights up in a way that pleases him.  His hall of armors is looking a bit bare, because outdated and outmoded suits were broken down for components to build it. 

| QUIRKS / HABITS / VOCABULARY

First things first:  If you expect Disney dialogue options here, you won’t find them.  Tony’s around wastelanders; he lives like them, he talks with them, he’s friends with them.  These days his dialogue is as peppered with casual profanity as anyone else’s, because it just seeps in without you realizing it.  He was never squeaky clean before, but the wasteland is a whole other ballgame in that respect.

While he’s fairly adapted at this point, his habit of making references to things has never stopped.  Unfortunately, unless you’re as much of a prewar relic as he is, or are remarkably knowledgeable about the prewar world, they tend to not make a lot of sense.  It’s okay, he makes himself laugh and that’s what’s important.  Too, he swaps terms for things interchangeably.  A brahmin might be a brahmin in one sentence, and he’ll turn around and call it a cow in the next.  People eventually stop, usually, trying to correct him, because he says what he says and he’s standing by it.  Yes, he knows brahmin are probably significantly different than a cow now.  Still tastes like hamburger.

He will not, under any circumstances, eat Fancy Lads.  He will starve before he eats one, he will throw them in the Charles; if he ever even picks up a box he finds scavving, it’s because he’s going to trade them when he gets to a settlement.  He thinks they’re horrid.  Anything else in the wasteland he can mostly choke down as long he doesn’t think about what he’s eating too hard, including things like bug meats.

Realistically, there’s a lot more littering the wasteland that just what’s shown in game.  This includes instant coffee, without a doubt, and it means Tony is 100% caffeine-powered 120% of the time.  He hoards it.  He’ll trade for it.  And he only shares it with people he actually cares about, because it’s more valuable than gold at this point.

If he’s traveling with someone by foot he will not travel at night.  The arc reactor is something of a curse and a blessing at this point, because while sure, it keeps him alive, it’s bright, and when all your clothes are threadbare there’s nothing short of wasting resources to cover it.  It means at night Tony’s chest becomes a glowing target, and not only does it put himself at risk from raiders and super mutants and everything else that lurks in the wasteland, it puts the other person at risk, as well.  That’s not something he’s willing to do if it can at all be helped.  He has to be pressed for time or have something more important than the safety of two people on his mind to keep going once the sun hits the horizon.  Alone, he can and will just...Fly to wherever he needs to go.

There are even less people left in the world he’ll take things from directly.  All others must place things on a surface and let him pick it up himself.  This actually has practical applications at this point, with how loosey goosey morality is in the wasteland, which is something Tony really never saw coming, but it makes a peeve a blessing.  His own morality has had to join that loose interpretation of ‘good’, as well, because there are groups in all wastelands who will shoot first, loot your corpse later, and having a staunch ‘I will not kill’ attitude will leave you dead.

He’s got something of a traveling handyman vibe in the Commonwealth, where he moves from settlement to settlement because he’s busy collecting info on the various machinations of the different groups present, he’s interested in the state of things, he starts setting up his own settlements to put under Minutemen care once he decides they’re good eggs, and because he’s genuinely curious, and if something needs to be repaired or done while he’s in those settlements, he will.  He doesn’t take caps for the work.  Tony’s carrying a lot of guilt, about not being able to have much of an influence in stopping the war, and because of that, any money he takes from people he sees as needing it more is blood money.  He will, at most, accept slim supplies, like water or food or a stimpak or two; just enough in the way of things to get him to the next place he’s going.

With that, he’s really good at scavenging for what he needs.  He had to get that way being on his own in NYC for so long until it was safe enough for people to start trickling back in.

He can always be found with a pocketful of fuses and wire and electrical tape, and various other things he usually has on his person are a small tube of wonderglue, a few pencils and pens, and small pocket-sized grid moleskine missing its bookmark and band (he uses a paperclip as a bookmark and a rubber band to hold it closed, and it’s full of cramped writing because he makes every page count), and other odds and ends.  

| AS A COMPANION

Tony does not work via FO4 game mechanics, which sadly needs to be pointed out.  He’s got agency and his own shit to do, and while he might roll with someone for a while because it’s nice to have someone to talk to and it’s nice to have someone to watch his back, there are definitely times he splits off to do his own thing.  Sometimes he gives warning, sometimes he doesn’t.  Regardless of if he does or doesn’t, Tony’s sole purpose isn’t to crawl up the sosu’s ass and stay there.  He breaks the trope of his entire existence being centered around them.  He came to the Commonwealth with a purpose, and he’s going to complete that purpose.  Sometimes that means heading in a different direction than the sosu, and you know, that’s just life, as far as he’s concerned.

He’s also not a companion for every sosu.  Institute and BOS aligned people will find him standoffish and...Well.  Honestly, kind of mean, once he gets an idea of what those two factions are all about.  Siding with the Institute won’t necessarily lock him out as a companion - that’s determined by how canon divergent of a sosu a person is.  The same goes for the BOS.  However, if at any point the Railroad is wiped out, Tony’s gone.  He’s gone, and whoever did it should probably start looking over their shoulder.  Expressing sentiments that ghouls, synths, and super mutants deserve death, despite being sentient beings with free will and the ability to reason and form their own opinions will also see him bouncing.  He won’t come after you in that case for being an asshole, but he’ll be sure to spread the word.

What.  No one ever said Tony Stark wasn’t petty as fuck.

AS A HUGE BIG NEON SIGN FLASHING NOTE:  In the event that MacCready was not picked up by the sosu and taken as a companion, and has not been romanced or had his affinity quest completed, Tony is going to directly default to his relationship with @gwinnetts‘s MacCready.  This isn’t set in absolute stone, Tony’s not unwooable as a companion, but it’s gotta be hashed out.  The reasoning is:  If MacCready hasn’t been picked up as a companion by the sosu, Tony will fairly early on in his time in the Commonwealth end up hiring him himself (for information, not as a mercenary) and there is a major rewrite of MacCready’s quest in play there.  This can be changed with plotting, but the key word there is that we plot it out.  Otherwise Tony and Mac are an item and them’s the breaks.

AS A SECONDARY FLASHY NOTE:  If Strong has not been picked up as a companion by the sosu, Tony will also end up going to Trinity Tower to check out the message and will end up taking Strong on and running through his quest for the milk of human kindness with him.  In the default, natural course of this verse, Tony and Strong will make their way to Saugus together (sans Mac - Tony makes a home and settlement of the town within Fort Hagen military base, and if someone were to go looking, that’s probably where Mac can be found, if not Fiddler’s Green or wherever else he wants to go, he’s got his own free will and things to do, he and Tony aren’t necessarily attached at the hip) and there Tony’s ends up getting fucked up by the Forged.  Strong’s the one that drags his ass out of there, and delivers him to either the Slog or Finch Farm until he can be moved somewhere with better medical facilities.  The reason for this is Tony’s a little too slow  on the uptake at Saugus and ends up losing an eye and suffering burns to his face (and neck).  Eventually he’ll show up with at modified synth-esque replacement that he’ll call a stopgap until he can work up something better.  You’ll never lose him in the dark again, between the arc reactor and the new glowy eye.

Tony has a lot to do, so again, he’s not a companion for everyone.  Someone that needs to keep their companions close and wants them all in one place will find Tony incredibly frustrating, because he can respect the sosu completely and still not deviate from his own to do list and goals.  And if they happen to recognize him (since they’re both prewar relics and he was pretty famous - you might have heard of him?) that shouldn’t come as any surprise whatsoever.

| SETTLEMENTS

Tony, whether he hooks up with the sosu or not, once he allies with the Minutemen will absolutely put any settlements he’s put together under their oversight.  It’s a case of he finds a spot that would be good farm land, would be easily defensible, has a lot of resources - something that catches his eye about it - and he’ll spend some time there, getting it set up for habitation and later be the guy you call to get things fixed, but will also put an emphasis on teaching others how to do what he’s doing, because the plan is not to stay in the Commonwealth (he will, he just doesn’t know that yet).

In the main version of this verse, Tony doesn’t touch vanilla settlements unless there are some a sosu hasn’t done anything with.  Those he does touch can include:

Croup Manor (pretty non-negotiable if @rahasyamay’s stephen is also in play - stephen lives there) Egret Tours Marina (Either way he’ll poke around there - it ties into his and Mac’s relationship) Finch Farm Greygarden Greentop Nursery Hangman’s Alley Jamaica Plain Murkwater Construction Site Outpost Zimonja Nordhagen Beach (he’ll hang around here anyway to keep an eye on the BOS) Oberland Station Starlight Drive In Taffington Boathouse Abernathy Farm (shared with @gwinnetts’s Zetta if she’s in play) Sunshine Tidings Co-Op  (shared with @gwinnetts​’s Zetta if she’s in play it’s their vacation home)

Otherwise, he has his own set of settlements, which may include the following:

Fort Hagen (he...literally lives there and it’s where his main lab is) Fiddler’s Green Trailer Estates (actually considered just an extension of Fort Hagen) Natick Power Substation Ryder Rentals Tucker Town (and the overpass - near the rotting mansion) Sanctuary Saloon (tucked in the swamps near Sanctuary) Reeb Marina Norwood Depot (far south a safe distance east from the Glowing Sea) Evan’s Way (near Diamond City) Gunner’s Plaza / GNN Building Wattz Electronics Prospekt Hill Chestnut Hillocks Reservoir Mystic Pines Rest Home Malden (from the Slocum’s Joe HQ, to Medtek, to outside of town) Concord (from the church down the hill, also the large parking lot below the museum into the woods) Andrew Station (to prevent more raiders from moving in) Quincy (shared with @gwinnetts‘s Zetta if she’s in play) South Suffolk Charter School Neponset Park Walden Pond (to keep raiders out) ArcJet (the area surrounding the building) Several piers on the east side of Boston Quincy Lighthouse USS Riptide (to prevent more raiders moving in) Salem (to keep the mirelurks under control)

And anywhere else that catches his eye.  To keep this from being twenty miles longer than it already is, each settlement might get its own post, and questions are always welcomed!

| OTHER FACTIONS

Part of Tony’s to-do list in the Commonwealth is checking out the other groups in play, and he forms fairly strong opinions about each one.

Minutemen:  He stans.  Preston Garvey is an angel and Tony Stark will not even contemplate hearing otherwise.  He’s not a joiner, but he does ally himself with them and put the settlements he founds himself under their rounds, and makes himself available to them as needed.  Once they get back on their feet, he definitely trusts them to do the right thing, and will advocate they move themselves into a more police force role in the Commonwealth after the main quest endgame.  If any Rhodey is in play with a sosu that isn’t interested in being General, will nudge Rhodey gently in that direction.  (”Gently”, about as subtle as a bag of hammers, honestly.)

Railroad:  They’re doing good work.  Again, not a joiner, and their focus is very narrow and they’re going to make themselves obsolete (which is a great endgame, but expanding to be more helpful to the Commonwealth as a whole after endgame is better) and he can and will do tourist work for them as needed.  He’s not interested in actually becoming a heavy, or anything of that nature.  

Brotherhood of Steel:  He doesn’t like the looks of them right off - they’ve got that stupid airship and vertibirds and their power armor and laser weapons - and he likes them even less when he hears about what they’re doing and how they treat non-humans.  He’s not outright hostile, not unless they give him a reason to be, but he doesn’t encourage them to hang around his own settlements.  He also won’t shed any tears if a sosu sides with the Railroad and destroys them during Rockets’ Red Glare.

Institute:  Not a fan.  Actually, not a fan is a huge understatement.  At first, he’s willing to admit that maybe there’s a little hysteria in the Commonwealth concerning them?  But after literally witnessing replacements trying to take place, getting firsthand accounts - in some cases being invited into the Institute itself to make him less of a “problem” (that’s the joke) - and seeing the paranoia and fear concerning them all over the place, plus the treatment of synths like things rather than people, he’s not here for it.  It’s why he’s an endgame faction for storming them.

Gunners:  His first full day in the Commonwealth he gets jumped by an outpost of Gunners, and that’s what sets him on his path to meeting MacCready.  He doesn’t get them - the really are wound too tight - and there’s very little reasoning for them.  A person can’t even accidentally stumble across them without getting punched full of holes, and after he learns what happened in Quincy, it’s safe to say he is absolutely not their biggest fan.

Children of Atom:  He thinks they’re a little weird, a little misguided, a little kooky, but if they’re not actually hurting anyone - or, you know, brainwashing kids and exposing them to large doses of radiation - and it’s all consenting adults...Well.  Live and let live.

Nuka-World Raiders:  Yeah, do you even need to ask?

| AS AN ENDGAME FACTION

For the truly intrepid and canon-divergent sosu, Tony can be used as their endgame faction, right by himself.  Not that he can take out the Institute on his lonesome with nothing but a suit, that’s just silly.  But he does have the Iron Legion, bolstered by a ground force built from reclaimed gen 1 and 2 synths and spare suits of power armor that run on an ai hivemind.  This is an option for the sosu who’s managed to convince Tony they aren’t an asshole and are going to do right by the people of the Commonwealth, and who wants to minimize human and gen 3 synth casualties.  Tony can be given the designs for the teleportation device and the chip from the courser and get them into the Institute, and he can be the one that the sosu storms the Institute with, if running with any ending other than the Institute’s.

| M.O.E.

MOE is the very first synth Tony rebuilds and reprograms as part of his expansion of the Iron Legion.  Originally he was a limited test run - something of a code debugger - but while the ai MOE is using is buggy, it works.  He learns, he’s self-aware, and he’s conscious, so Tony’s made the decision to keep him online, because otherwise pulling the plug would feel something like murder, as far as he’s concerned.

MOE mostly hangs out in Fort Hagen - his parameters keep him there after he managed to wander off one day and got attacked by feral ghouls and lost his lower jaw, so to keep him safe, he can travel from Fiddler’s Green all the way up to the radio transmitting dishes past Tony’s house, and no farther.  Mostly he can be found tromping between Tony’s house and lab, and he’s a frequent fixture in doing chores such as sweeping and putting away dishes.  MOE himself is picking up most of his cues in behavior from Tony, so there are definitely times he mimicks him well enough to be a little unnerving.  He’s stubborn, very fixated on doing things himself for himself and learning himself and refusing help when offered it.  He’s also a bit tunnel-visioned, getting absorbed in the tasks he determines for himself and can and has barreled people over pulling up rugs to sweep  or walking down the street to the lab in the actual fort.  

He talks!  He’s not a silent robot with  no personality.  He can and will talk and once started is entirely hard to shut up again.  There’s always a million questions once he’s determined someone is trustworthy because he is new, his consciousness is new, and he’s learning.  

He can be a bit startling to see at first, with no lower jaw and the fact that Tony never cosmetically altered him to look less murdery, like the rest of the Iron Legion, but he’s a gentle skeleton robot who has particular ideas about the way certain household chores should be done, and can and will go behind Tony and “fix” things if he thinks Tony hasn’t done them correctly.

[imagine-loki]

The Witch's Familiar

TITLE: The Witch’s Familiar CHAPTER NO./ONE SHOT: Chapter 14/? AUTHOR: nekoamamori ORIGINAL IMAGINE: Imagine getting so attached to Lokitty early on that you insist on carrying him just about everywhere.  RATING: T (so far) NOTES/WARNINGS: Also on AO3 Click here

    “What are we wearing to this… party?” Loki asked on the elevator ride back up to your rooms. He sounded nervous. You took his hand and brushed your thumb over the back of it, reassuring.

    “We’re wearing our battle costumes,” you told him gently. “You don’t have to come if you don’t want to. It’ll be loud and obnoxious and probably full of Tony being drunk and people acting stupid,” you added, equally gently. It really wasn’t going to be an event that Loki would like. Hell, it wasn’t going to be an event that you would like, but you were obligated to go. Tony had made you promise.

    “You will be there,” Loki replied carefully.

    “Because I have to go. It’s supposed to be fun. Tony insists it will be. I don’t believe him, but I have to show up at least for a little while,” you told him, whining. You just wanted to sit on a couch with a purring Lokitty and a book.

    “Then I will join you and we will protect each other,” Loki’s voice was warm, obviously caring about you and your well-being, but you could hear the nerves in his voice. He didn’t want to spend the evening with the mortals, with Tony, or his loud drunken friends.

    “Lokitty, just stay here. You’ll be safer and happier and won’t have mortals stepping on your tail. I know how you feel about them not giving you a chance,” you insisted. You didn’t want to see him suffering through this party.

    “Nonsense. It would be dishonorable to let you face this battle alone,” he said in such a lofty formal tone that you couldn’t help laughing. He seemed pleased that you had relaxed. You kissed his cheek when you were outside of your room. It had become a friendly, caring, gesture over the last few weeks when you couldn’t reach the spot between the cat-ears on top of his head.

    “Wait for me and we can go down to the ballroom together,” you suggested.

    “That sounds like an excellent idea,” he agreed quickly. He lifted your hand and bowed over it as he kissed your knuckles. You smiled at the old-fashioned gesture and ducked into your room to get ready for the party. You used magic to summon your battle armor. It was a pain to put on normally. Coulson had given you a new set when yours was destroyed in the explosion. It now had gold trim with the green and black. You had a feeling he was trying to ship you and Loki too. But it looked cool and was functional, so you didn’t complain. You did your hair and put on makeup since this was a party and made sure your wand was wrapped securely around your wrist pretending to be a bracelet. You didn’t want to be without it among all these people, most of whom you wouldn’t know.

    You carefully settled your witch’s hat on your head, securing it in place with magic. You took a glance in the mirror before you left your room. You looked tiny, innocent, and adorable. It was the exact look Coulson had been going for in your costume, a cute little witch who helped out the team and saved the world. There were negative connotations about witches being evil, so he’d designed your costume to look adorable, despite that it was mostly black. You were also careful to keep up a cheerful, polite, kind demeanor at all times. It had gotten you the reputation of being America’s sweetheart and the public loved you.

    You stepped out into the hall and saw Loki waiting for you in his full battle armor, including his golden horned helmet. You saw the illusions hiding his cat-ears and tail. You only saw the illusions because you were a witch. They were very well done. You also noted that he chose his current armor setup and not the set from New York. Wise choice. “Hope you weren’t waiting too long,” you greeted him with a smile. He was leaning against the wall with a book in one hand. He vanished the book and looked over at you as he stood.

    “Not at all,” he replied with a smile.

    “Good job on the illusions,” you told him by way of complimenting his appearance. He would be uncomfortable if you told him how hot his battle armor was. Instead, you complimented his skills, which he would appreciate more.

    “You look lovely as ever, little sorceress,” he replied warmly, accepting your praise for what it was. He hesitated a moment, but finally said: “I wanted to ask before we head to Tony’s party: would you allow me the honor of escorting you on a proper date this Saturday evening?”

    “It would be my honor,” you replied automatically, just as formally as his question had been. You’d been waiting for him to ask after all. “Where are we going?” you asked curiously.

    “It is a surprise,” you gave him a look. The last date you had gone on had not turned out well. Neither had the ones before that. You weren’t sure you trusted surprises, even from him. “Trust me, love. It will be a pleasant surprise. At the worst, we will have a fun evening out and remain friends.” You relaxed at that. You could accept the surprise fun evening if there was no pressure that you’d lose your best friend if the dating thing somehow didn’t work out.

    “Alright, but you’re going to have to give me some clue or I’ll have no idea what to wear,” you informed him with a teasing smile. You saw his grin and the glimmer of mischief and fun in his eyes.

    He offered you his arm. “Shall we?” you hesitated before you took it. He looked surprised and a little hurt that you didn’t take his arm automatically like you usually did.

    “Not that I mind,” you told him quickly “but if we go down to that party arm-in-arm every single person there is going to assume that we’re dating and it will end up all over the news and tabloids. I don’t mind,” you repeated firmly. “I just want to make sure that you’re ok with it,” you knew how shy he was even around the team, though they were all starting to warm up. Out among normal people who would probably recognize and hate him for trying to take over the world? It was already amazing enough that the magic school accepted him with little to no question. He was a cat and a god, of course he’d tried to take over the world. Everything had worked out in the end, so the witches and wizards moved on. It’s what they did. Muggles were harder to convince.

    “You wish to make sure I feel safe?” Loki mused with a warm smile. He looked truly touched that you were thinking of his feelings. “I promised to face this challenge with you,” he reminded you and offered you his arm again. You smiled and placed your hand on his offered arm. “This might be fun after all,” he commented as you walked to the elevator to head to the ballroom. He would enjoy the press having a field day.

    You tightened your grip on his arm when you stepped off of the elevator, glad for his presence. The ballroom was packed. Everyone was in costume, though the rule was that only the team were allowed to dress as Avengers. At least your friends would be easy to find. You didn’t know how or why Tony had invited so many people to this stupid thing. “It’s alright, love,” Loki’s voice was kind, but you saw his tail bristle under the illusion spell. He wasn’t comfortable in this crowd either. You steeled your spine and courage and stepped into the room proper.

    “Let’s go get drinks,” you told Loki and gestured to the bar. “That’s where Stark’s likely to be and we can’t escape until he sees us here,” you added. Loki inclined his head to indicate that he’d heard you over the crowd and he led you to the bar. The crowd seemed to part for him and you couldn’t tell if it was magic or his presence that was getting them to move.

    “You two finally decided to show up!” Tony exclaimed when you reached the bar and handed you each a drink.

    “You threatened me if I didn’t,” you glared at him.

    “You need to have fun sometimes too, kid,” he teased, “even if it’s forcefully. Now have fun,” he told you and shooed you toward the dance floor. You weren’t going near the dance floor until you had to, or until Tony played something you could actually dance to instead of this…club music. Instead, you found the science bros corner. It was a quiet corner where Bruce and Doctor Strange were currently hanging out.

    “Nice illusions, not-a-cat,” Strange greeted Loki when you two made your way over. Loki bristled, not liking being teased by Strange who didn’t really trust or like him.

    “Stop that,” you told Loki firmly and kissed his cheek to calm him. “Strange teases, it’s what he does. You can’t stab him for it,” you added quickly before Loki could do just that.

    “The press is loving you,” Strange said sarcastically, commenting on the pictures that were being taken of you being escorted by Loki and of course that kiss on the cheek. You shrugged.

    “No one cares what the press thinks,” you replied more bravely than you felt.

    “I think you’ll care when they put out the story that America’s sweetheart is being courted by a reformed super villain,” Strange countered. You shrugged again.

    “They’ll learn what he’s really like, eventually. Until then, who better to prove that he’s not evil than ‘America’s Sweetheart’?” you replied. Loki raised your hand to his lips to kiss, grateful that you were standing up for him.

    You chatted with Strange and Bruce until your drinks were gone. You vanished the empty glasses back to the bar, then went to go find the others. You couldn’t escape from the crowd until the entire team had seen you here. Thor was overjoyed to see Loki here and clapped him on the shoulder jovially, while Loki growled at the treatment. Nat and Clint were on the dance floor. Cap was hanging out with some WWII friends and nodded to you when he saw you.

    You grinned when one of the line dances started and dragged Loki out onto the dance floor by the hand. He followed, letting you drag him like a well-loved stuffed animal, or your best friend, which he was. “I do not know this dance,” he protested feebly, interested by all the people dancing in sync. So you taught him the electric slide.

    A slow song started and he looked equally confused at this dance. You wrapped your arms around his neck, his arms went automatically around your waist. “I know, it’s not like a proper ball,” you empathized with him mournfully. “There’s no finesse to these… slow dances. Not like the waltz. You just kind of…hold your partner and sway,”

    “That can be enjoyable as well,” Loki’s voice was a purr as he held you close to him. His lips touched your forehead. “Quite enjoyable, though you are correct. This is nothing like a proper ball. There is no finesse, no style, no… emotion in the dance itself.” You both ignored the press taking pictures of the pair of you.

    Thor grabbed both of your arms later in the evening, once most of the crowd was dying out and dragged you over to the bar where the others on the team were gathering. “Thor!” you both protested.

    “C’mon, you two, it’s tradition!” Tony exclaimed. “Thor, you brought it, right?” he asked. Thor let you and Loki go now that you were at the bar with the others. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a giant flask.

    “What tradition is this?” you asked Nat.

    “Stark wants to get shitfaced off of Asgardian booze. So he makes us all drink it, forgetting that it takes a lot more of the stuff to get those of us who aren’t normal humans shitfaced,” she explained quickly as she took her shot from Thor as he passed them out. You shrugged and took one too. You weren’t a normal human either.

    “Be careful with this,” Loki warned as he accepted one as well.

    “It has been aged 1000 years,” Thor reminded the team. “And not for mortals,” he glared at Tony, who downed his shot, regardless of the warning.

    “How many shots does it take to get you drunk, anyway?” Tony demanded as he watched you down the shot.

    You shrugged. “More than a human, less than Thor,” you answered. You hadn’t tested your limits in a long time. “That stuff is good,” you added to Thor as he refilled your glass.

    “Careful,” Thor reminded you again. You nodded and sipped on the second round. Tony was not nearly so careful and was down for the count almost instantly. Clint and Bruce were soon on the losers pile with Tony. You stopped after the second, not wanting to end up drunk. A taste of the stuff was one thing, getting drunk was just silly.

    It was getting late and you’d been social much longer than intended, so you turned to Loki, who was watching the antics with amusement. “Lokitty, mind walking me back upstairs?” you asked. He raised an eyebrow, but set his glass on the bar. “Guests are only supposed to have access to this floor of the tower, but mistakes have been made… I’d rather not find out alone that someone snuck into my room,” you explained, though tried to make it sound like it wasn’t a huge concern.

    One of the guys always walked you back to your room after these kind of events, usually Thor, since he was the most responsible as the most sober. Nat and Clint always slept in the same bed after these things, claiming it was for protection from nightmares. No one dared dispute their story or tease them. Bruce was safe because of the Hulk, an Iron Man suit guarded Tony, and Thor and Cap were…Thor and Cap. Thor wouldn’t leave you alone last time until you’d created satisfactory shields around your room. There had been one incident since you’d lived here of a drunk girl in a Black Widow costume making it to the living room and passing out there. No one was taking chances with anyone’s safety on the team.

    “Of course, darling,” Loki replied warmly. He offered you his arm and nodded a goodbye to the others. He wouldn’t be coming back to the party once he escaped.

    “Brother… ” Thor’s tone was a warning. He wanted to say more, to make the suggestion that your relationship was too new and too unofficial to handle without breaking.

    “Lady Y/N is perfectly safe in my care,” Loki replied grumpily, growling that Thor questioned his honor. That wasn’t what was going on, but was the obvious conclusion.

    “I am not questioning your ability to keep her safe. I merely wish to remind you that it may be necessary to do so, which is uncommon in the safety of the tower,” Thor replied calmly, not offended at Loki’s grumpy reply. “People have slipped past our security into the tower before. Take this responsibility seriously, despite the fact that Lady Y/N asked you lightly,”

    “I’m not helpless, Thor,” you grumped at him.

    “No, you’re not,” Thor agreed mildly. “But that doesn’t mean you should be stupid,” he replied. You nodded in agreement with that. It was a perfectly logical assessment. You took Loki’s arm more firmly and let him lead you to the elevator.

    “Are you alright?” Loki asked you softly, noticing your grip tighten.

    You nodded. “Just tired of all of the people,” you admitted softly. The others knew you were an introvert, but only Bruce seemed to really understand how exhausting it was.

    “I completely understand,” he agreed, just as shy and introverted as you were. Once the elevator doors had slid shut you both used magic to ditch the costumes, back to comfortable pajamas and normalcy, and Loki dropped the illusions on his cat-ears and tail. You reached up automatically to scratch behind one of his ears. He gave you a warm smile in return. “Are they others taking a buddy with them to look for intruders?” he asked you curiously.

    “Nat and Clint are sharing a bed tonight. Tony and one of his suits will be sharing a bed, or hanging out in the lab with Bruce. Hulk will keep Bruce safe. Cap is Cap; I’m not sure he even sleeps. Your brother is well… Thor. He can take care of himself. If not, his roars will wake the entire tower,” you explained on the elevator ride.

    “The oaf is quite loud,” Loki agreed. “Is he exaggerating the threat?” he asked softly, his tone demanding a truthful answer.

    You didn’t want to worry Loki, but you knew better than to lie to him either. “I don’t think it’s as bad as he’s making it sound, but there have been intruders before, including one since I’ve lived here,” you told him. He nodded, accepting your words, but you saw the worry behind his eyes.

    He wrapped an arm around your shoulders as you walked down the hall to your room, an overprotective gesture, but you didn’t mind, especially when you had asked him to walk you safely home. You opened the door and stepped aside so he could go in and check for intruders. You knew how this worked and didn’t deny that his honor demanded that he verify you would be safe. Loki peeked his head out of the room a minute later. “It’s safe,” he told you. You nodded and followed him into the room. He hesitated and you saw what he wanted to ask, and saw him try to figure out how without upsetting you or sounding like he was pushing for more than just sleep and protection.

    “Lokitty, just stay,” you told him gently and began pulling back the covers on your bed. He just stared, shocked at the suggestion. “You want to make sure I’m safe, especially now that you know it’s a legitimate concern and not just something your idiot brother made up. I’d feel better knowing you’re safe too,”

    “You would not think it… forward?” he finally asked, though it sounded like that wasn’t the word he was looking for. It got the concept of his hesitation to you well enough.

    “Lokitty,” you sighed in exasperation. “You’re my best friend and I trust you,” you saw a heartbreaking expression in his eyes that anyone would say that they trusted him. “Besides, you’ve slept here plenty of times before,” most of those times he’d been in cat form, but still, it had only been most of those times. “I’m inviting you to stay for sleep and safety. There’s plenty of bed for both of us. So, yes, you’re invited to stay. But if you climb on my face or do any other annoying cat thing to wake me in the middle of the night, you’re never getting another invitation,” you warned him lightly, using the exact words you’d warned his cat-form with.

    He chuckled. “Does that mean you wish for me to change forms?” he asked just as lightly, willing to do that if it would make you feel safer about his presence.

    “And risk you refusing to turn back again? No. I was just teasing so you’d relax and cool that adorable blush. Especially when there’s no need for a blush over a simple sharing of a sleeping space,” you teased. He laughed and seemed to finally relax. “Now I’m exhausted after having to deal with so many stupid people. Are you staying, or do I need to come with you to make sure your room is clear of intruders too?” you asked and covered a yawn with your hand.

    He kissed your forehead. “Take the side of the bed furthest from the door,” he told you firmly. You couldn’t help smiling at his automatic jump to taking the more vulnerable position. “I’ll join you in a minute,” he added warmly. You nodded and climbed into the bed while he went to the door to lock it. You both made the shields around the room, twining your power together. Nothing was getting through those shields. Loki joined you a minute later, sitting against the pillows with a book. The lights in the room went out, but he held a little ball of light in one hand. “Will this disturb you?” he asked, perfectly willing to set the book aside so he didn’t keep you from sleeping.

    “Not at all,” you replied, curling yourself comfortably under the covers. “Goodnight, Lokitty,” you bid him warmly and closed your eyes to finally relax after dealing with so many people. You needed to recharge your introvert batteries.

    “Sleep well, darling” he bid you softly. His voice was warm honey as he read aloud from the book of poetry he held. You fell asleep listening to his sweet honeyed voice and the lovely cadence of his words and accent, feeling perfectly safe in his company, and knowing that if he was here reading to you that he was safe and happy too.