#and not so deep down Bruce (super rationally) blames them for some of the distance between he and Dick over the years

[bigskydreaming]

That last reblog has me now contemplating.

What if to mess with his shiny new little brother, but like....gently....when they first started hanging out Dick told Jason a couple of slight falsehoods as umm. A training exercise. That’s it. It was about helping Jason get up to speed with his information gathering skills and also his bullshit detection. So in the interest of being helpful and A Good Big Brother, Obviously....Dick sowed a few.....less-than-entirely-factual details about the more fantastical elements of their lives. The stuff that isn’t common or public knowledge to most of the DC Earth. And then he just.....waited to see how long it took Jason to realize Dick had fed him a handful of straight up lies when briefing him about All Things Superhero.

Look, it was for Science. That’s Dick’s story and he’s sticking to it.

Thus, for the first couple months of their new sibling relationship, Dick had Jason convinced that Atlanteans were actually aliens who landed here thousands of years ago, speedsters can run so fast they can travel back in time, and Superman once accidentally let out a burp so forceful it created a shockwave that shattered every glass in a quarter mile radius so whenever he starts to look....gassy....your best course of action is to hit the deck. Don’t even hesitate for a second, just dive to the ground and grab some floor until he’s got it back under control. And oh yeah, Diana has her Lasso of Truth, but Donna’s version of truth-related powers is that she can sense when people are up to no good....only, the way this manifests for her is she suddenly registers a distinct bad smell in her vicinity, alerting her that bullshit is afoot.

“You’re kidding,” Jason said flatly. “You expect me to believe that Donna can literally smell bullshit?”

Dick just raised an eyebrow. “Like that’s somehow less plausible than Gar being able to change into any kind of animal but only in shades of green? And oh yeah, speaking of green, Green Lanterns can do just about anything with their rings....except protect themselves from yellow paint? I don’t make the rules, Jace. The truth is sometimes superpowers aren’t super-glamorous and not everything related to magic or gods or other planets is as....sophisticated...as we presume. I mean, its not like these things exist just to match up to our expectations for them. Why should alien civilizations or the rules of magic be influenced by whether or not our society would find something weird or ridiculous?”

Jason chewed his lower lip contemplatively. He lacked an official bullshit detecting power himself, but he did have good instincts. Unfortunately for him, his shiny new big brother gave good Lying-to-your-face Face.

“Plus, if you really think about it, it does make a kind of sense,” Dick continued to explain helpfully. But only according to certain specific interpretations of ‘helpfully’ that actually mean ‘like a liar.’ “Our brains are constantly translating all kinds of input and stimuli into shapes or patterns we can actually process in a way that means something to us. So we can make use of that information. This is just the same thing. Donna’s power takes however many variables are involved in registering something as false or something she needs to be wary of...and just condenses it into a simple ‘red alert’ indicator that takes all that abstract, ephemeral data and makes it something actionable. Something she can actually do something with. Her power - or how her brain perceives it - just didn’t actually consult her or give her a choice of notification settings, because why would it?”

“I guess that makes sense,” Jason begrudgingly agreed, with a frown that suggested this particular ‘truth’ Offended his sensibilities.

“I mean, you can ask Donna to explain it herself if you want,” Dick said with a shrug. “Just a heads-up though....she’s not really a fan of how that power works either. Its not exactly a superpower anyone wants to be known for, and she’s heard allllll the jokes about it by now. Roy, Wally and I were perhaps....not the most sensitive when we were younger and she was honing that particular skillset? Though in our defense, I maintain that most of our jokes were hilarious. But anyway, just saying. If you wanna bring it up with her directly, go right ahead! Its definitely one of her favorite topics and Amazons are for sure known for how well they handle being self-conscious.”

And that’s the story of the three months Jason spent convinced that Atlanteans were from another planet, confusing the hell out of Garth with his occasional references to ‘your homeworld’ and his numerous questions about all the Atlantean Green Lanterns that he for some reason seemed convinced the Green Lantern Corps must obviously have a long history of.

And its also why Jason spent those same three months getting wide-eyed and nervous any time he noticed Donna’s nose so much as twitch when he was around. Which it did a lot more often than usual, thanks to how often Dick got horseradish to go with whatever he was having for lunch, knowing full well that Donna can not stand the smell of horseradish. (Dick’s actually not a fan either, and he hates how it tastes, but he’s not afraid to Suffer for the sake of Shenanigans. Its a fundamental part of the Robin experience and persona, after all.)

But it was the Donna thing that gave Dick away, ultimately. No matter how hard he tried to keep a lid on how entertaining he now found the sight of Donna’s occasional nose twitch...even a Batkid poker face can’t keep an empath and telepath from finding this a mystery worth untangling after the tenth time it happens.

(Not that Lilith or Raven are gonna apologize for prying any time soon. They had an obligation as his friends and teammates to investigate when he’s acting bizarre, y’see. What if its because he was brainwashed again? “We’re intrusive because we love,” Lilith insists with zero shame. Raven clarifies: “I was intrusive because she was already doing it so there seemed no point not to.” Lilith points out that this could also be construed as a sign of strong leadership potential. Dick glowers. Lilith waves a hand dismissively. “We can circle back to that later. That’s fine.”)

Anyway, the truth came out at last, Jason cites this as the Moral Justification for every single time and way he was a pain in the ass to Dick in the years to come, and Donna - who was Not Amused - gave a pointed sniff and called bullshit when Dick tried to claim this was an important Bonding Opportunity for he and Jason, wherein they became brothers ‘for real’ instead of just via Bruce. “There are intricate sibling rituals to be observed,” Dick insisted. “I did my research! We had so much time to make up for, I had to speedrun through my shenanigans to get us all caught up! Would I have done all this if I didn’t care?”

Every Titan in the room, familiar with the lengths he’d gone to when messing with Rogues and randos as Robin and thus distinctly unimpressed: Yes. Absolutely. One hundred percent.

Dick foraged on heroically. “Regardless! That’s not the case here, as all of this was clearly done in the name of brotherhood and bonding! We’ll laugh about this someday, you’ll see!”

Ten years later, after Jason’s returned as the Red Hood and reintegrated with the Batfamily to varying degrees, enough so that he accompanies Dick and the rest of the OG Titans on a mission where they’re ambushed, captured and trapped in a supervillain dungeon they’re now trying to escape...

Dick: Definitely kicking myself for not seeing that ambush coming. Where’s a bullshit-sniffing power when you really need it, huh?

Jason: Still not laughing yet.

Dick: Oh come on!

As far as the rest goes, Jason does get a kick out of the speedsters discovering that actually, they can run fast enough to travel through time. He’s like, despite your best efforts you accidentally got one right. And Dick’s all ‘was it an accident or did I actually know or have strong suspicions all along’....but Jason shuts that down. “Nope. Not giving you this one. Try it with someone else.”

However, that still left one last card in play, long after everyone - even Dick and Jason themselves - had all but forgotten about it.

See, every Batkid knows that the best lies contain elements of truth. And that’s why Dick only peppered in his fake trivia very, very sparingly amidst a massive info-dump of actually accurate and useful info he gave Jason about all that stuff, way back when.

So despite the handful of things Dick had told him that Jason eventually discovered to be untrue...the vast majority of it did check out.

Which means even once he did catch on to Dick’s game....that didn’t change his acceptance of the stuff that had turned out to be true or verified by others. But in the end, there was only one little fib that slipped under the radar. Because the scenario it was based on just never happened to come up until long after Jason had returned....and thus Jason never had reason to put much thought into actually questioning whether or not it was true. Not until long after he’d stopped scrutinizing stuff Dick had told him, in search of possible ‘traps.’

And THAT is the story of how Jason - on one of the rare occasions that he joined the Titans and Justice League for an all-hands-on-deck kinda teamup - just happened to be in the right wrong place at the right wrong time to notice Superman suddenly start to look queasy after trying some alien cuisine....

And without a second thought, Jason just instinctively dove for the floor. With this followed by Clark letting out an extremely normal-sounding burp and a sheepish apology.

Everyone else, staring at the infamous Red Hood ducking for cover because Clark had a moment of indigestion: umm. wut

Dick, staring wide-eyed at his brother and trying not to laugh: Oh shit. I totally forgot all about that.

Jason, almost conversationally, while climbing to his feet and stalking ominously towards his big bro: Hey can you believe that after all the shit we’ve been through and all the times we’ve fought over like...actual life and death stuff, THIS is the thing I’m actually gonna kill you for?

Dick, backing away, hands raised placatingly: Hey, c’mon now, Jace, we called a truce about all this ages ago, remember? It was a much younger, dumber me who did all that in the first place, y’know? You’re better than this!

Jason: I’m really not.

Dick: Well then can I just take this opportunity to mention again how sorry I am for any creative embellishments I might have once come up with, in the mistaken belief that I was honoring important traditions of brotherhood, and....

Jason: Hey, where’s Donna? Can anyone see if her nose is twitching?

Donna and the rest of the Titans, blatantly amused and offering no explanation to the very confused Justice League: Oh, bullshit absolutely detected. In the interests of Truth and Justice, you should totally proceed.

Dick, jabbing his finger at his teammates before dashing for the door: Betrayal! J’accuse!

Donna, shrugging: Sorry, Rob. Justice demands impartiality. Our hands are tied.

Jason, running out the door and down the hallway in pursuit of his fleeing brother: Yeah you better run! I’ve waited ten fucking years to get back at you for this shit. Where you going anyway, bro? I thought you wanted to laugh about this someday!

Dick (offscreen): I regret nothing! It was all worth it! You should have seen your face!

Jason (offscreen): You couldn’t even see my face, idiot! I’m wearing my fucking helmet!

Dick (offscreen): Semantics! If something’s funny enough, you can sense what someone’s face probably looks like! If you know, you know!

Jason (offscreen): Oh yeah, go ahead and make up some more shit, Grayson, that’s definitely the right way to go here!

Batman, looking to the Titans and waving his hand at...whatever all that is offscreen: Explain.

Roy: Hey don’t look at us. You’re the one who made them brothers. This is on you.

Batman: What does that even mean.

Lilith: If you know, you know. Dick’s right about that much at least.

The Titans all nod like an actual, self-evident truth was just expressed. Bruce pinches the bridge of his nose, and starts muttering under his breath.

“You need to encourage Dick to seek out and make like-minded friends, Alfred said. It’ll be good for him, he said. Its what he needs and definitely not the point everything starts to go downhill.”

Lilith picks it up loud and clear, because of course she does, and incidentally, the smug, obnoxious know-it-all teenage psychic who started hanging out with Dick when they were teenagers has absolutely nothing to do with Bruce’s profound dislike of telepaths, nooooo, that would be ridiculous and irrational, to bear a grudge against everyone with a particular skillset because one of your son’s childhood friends was a royal pain in the -

Lilith: Oh, that’s adorable. He thinks we’re the reason Dick’s so profoundly weird and inexplicable.

The Titans, in unison: LOL.

Roy: The self-deluding, it is strong in that family.

Bruce is suddenly extra glad he’s wearing a cowl that hides what is definitely not a pout but might be mistaken for one by the uninformed thus its better to just dodge that issue entirely. He crosses his arms and stares down the collection of his eldest son’s friends, whom he has been unfairly plagued by since most of them were pre-pubescent little demons. Literally no one has suffered like he has.

“I don’t like you,” he informs them officiously. Not sulkily. Officiously.

Several of them snort. There’s a couple giggles. An eye roll from Roy. An aborted response hastily turns into Wally coughing into his hand. Blatant dismissal from Victor, his attention clearly on whatever he’s browsing online. Three varying shades of raised eyebrows: unflappable bemusement from the sorceress, patronizing amusement from the psychic, naked incredulity from Donna. Garth gazing off into an empty corner which he has on very good authority is basically the Atlantean version of the middle finger.

“Yeah, no shit,” Roy drawls, apparently on behalf of the whole group.

Ugh, they’re just. The worst. Why couldn’t Clark have had a kid Dick’s age so he never had to go looking elsewhere for socialization? That’s it. Clearly this was all Clark’s fault. He can’t believe he never realized that before.

Dammit Clark.

[ectonurites]

Tbh I kind of hate how fandom has latched on to the Lazarus Pit wrt Jason’s actions? Like despite having very little canon basis, it’s just so prevalent in fandom and fics, to the point where as far as fandom is concerned it’s become ubiquitous with the character, kind of like with baby stalker Tim or caffeine addict Tim. And it gets used as an excuse for his actions a lot, which I feel takes a lot of agency away from Jason. Like, sure, I can understand using Lazarus Pit madness as a contributing factor for like, the Battle for the Cowl nonsense and such, bc that was nuts and he was clearly unstable/OOC. But it’s used as a way to distance him from his actions and make it easier for the family to bring him back into the fold, which I get! True reconciliation with Jason as is would take a lot of work on the writer’s part, and I completely understand not wanting to get into all that. But I just feel like it’s a disservice to Jason’s core character. He’s someone with conviction and commitment. He believes his way is better than Bruce’s, and I feel like contributing that to Lazarus Pit madness, at least past a certain extent, undermines his character and takes away his agency and free will. Also, I’m ashamed to say it’s just while I was writing this that I had this epiphany as more than just a fleeting thought, but we can explain his Battle for the Cowl-era actions without the “Pit Madness”, bc mental illness is actually a real thing even without the Lazarus Pit

Oh I totally agree.

The thing is... while sure it’s nice in an ideal world and I know fanfic in general is a lot of wish fulfillment, realistically as he has ever existed in canon (especially pre-reboot) Jason ‘fitting in’ to the batfam is basically impossible without altering core things about him. And I think adding in ‘reoccurring lazarus pit madness’ as a way to rationalize his worst actions is the most common alteration, because as you said it distances him from some of his actions. 

Some rambling thoughts on this under the cut just looking at some Jason Moments™ but the main point I guess i’m making here is that taking away his agency kinda sucks because he is really interesting on his own

Jason, again particularly in preboot where he was at odds with the fam more constantly, is written very inconsistently and I think anyone would agree on that. He teeters on that line between Villain and Anti-hero. But no matter what in either of those positions, he is still having core differing ideals from the Bats, and that is not a result of the lazarus pits, that is a result of his life (and, well, death) experience.

Under the Red Hood (& Hush & that Teen Titans issue he’s in where he attacks Tim, so his earliest things after coming back) I think should always be interpreted as him acting more as a villain, because it is a revenge plot, it’s him acting out, it’s the result of every pent up feeling he had because of the circumstances of his death and how he felt he wasn’t properly avenged thus was unloved. Lost Days shows the foundation for that, but Lost Days also shows us that deep down in his core he still has a lot of heroic ideals, which is why when he’s not fueled by a need for revenge I think he’s best written as an Anti-Hero. When Jason sees people who are innocent (like the kids in that arc in Lost days) he is going to save them, he is going to be someone who stands up for those people. He is just willing to do any bad things he might need to in the process, he has sacrificed the more ‘heroic’ methods because he knows firsthand how they can still fail.

But honestly, after that point of crazy revenge schemes up until probably Battle For The Cowl where it all goes suuuper downhill, he falls way more in Anti-hero territory imo! Like, for example:

The Nightwing story with Tentacle Jason! (Nightwing (1996) #118-122)

Thinking about it aside from the sheer ridiculousness of the ending for a second, he expresses constantly in that story that he wants to be closer to Dick, he wants to work with him, because he does want to be a hero of a sort, he just thinks lethal methods are necessary. But that story was about him not wanting to be entirely isolated from the family. This is a Jason who is an anti-hero, he’s killing people because he thinks it’s necessary, not because he’s being driven crazy by a lazarus pit.

Then like, the Green Arrow story (Green Arrow (2001 #69-72) 

He kidnaps Mia to try to recruit her. He’s not just being ‘evil’ he is trying to make the tough calls and do things the rest of the general ‘hero’ community won’t do because it’s what he deems necessary, and he’s trying to convince her that she should do it too. It doesn’t make him right, or anything like that, but there is a logic to what he’s doing. It’s not ‘madness’.

Then like, he helps Dick out by giving him information on Black Lightning in the Outsiders! Because Black Lightning was innocent and Jason figured he may as well let Dick know what he knew. Countdown is a little bit of a mixed bag just because the event itself is kinda a mess but like, overall Jason cared about Donna and Kyle during it and while he was definitely the ‘black sheep’ of the group he still helped until it just became too much for him and he needed to peace out. But like, dude finally had gotten to a world where a version of Bruce had avenged him like he’d always wanted his Bruce to, and then he had to watch that Bruce get murdered in front of him. I can understand wanting to step away from the super scene for a bit after that! That’s not gonna put im in a great place mentally.

And then putting Bruce’s actual death in the main time during Final Crisis on top of it? NO SHIT HE WAS UNSTABLE DURING BATTLE FOR THE COWL. And like, even though it’s not fully justified reasoning, even BftC does show that something set Jason off. It was a tipping point:

(Battle For The Cowl #3)

It was still badly written Jason, but you can definitely start to explain it with literal just... instability because of trauma, unaddressed mental illness, etc, etc, you don’t need to say it was because he was dunked in the pit! Because that really does take away the responsibility he has over his own actions. 

Just... while it’s a fun idea to play with a Jason who can be an integrated part of the family, if you’re going to do it base it more on his current canon version where he has been shown to be willing to make compromises (rubber bullets) to be accepted because he is placing his need to be accepted by his family over his actual ideals at some points. This is honestly one of the biggest key differences between his pre-reboot version and his New 52 (especially Rebirth) and on version.

Pre reboot canon Jason wouldn’t do that. He absolutely would not. Not that he wants to be isolated from his family, (bc think about like not only the Nightwing stuff above, but there are TWO instances he reaches out to Tim, yes one of them is in BftC which ya know is a mess but he also does at the end of Tim’s Robin run before that!) He doesn’t even really hate them (ok he hates Dick in the way you hate your cool well-liked older brother but that’s different) but if he sees them as standing in his way he will take them down and stand against them. He is so deeply seated in what he believes is the right way to find justice, and they are not going to pull him out of it.

Blaming his actions that are rooted in his ideals on an outside factor like pit madness is definitely cheapening him as a character. 

ALSO side tangent but people who base things in preboot with Jason almost never even bring up Sasha and that just makes me sad. Like. Come on! He cares about that kid a ton! Sure Morrison’s version of Jason was also a mess, but the ending bit where he even does work with Dick & Damian to save her?? Winick had taken over writing by that point so it’s already a better characterization of him.

And this next bit also gets down to kinda the core of the matter: He’s willing to work with them as long as they let him do his thing, it’s just that they are not willing to work with him if he’s going to kill. And he’s not willing to fully compromise that longterm. 

(Batman and Robin (2009) #25)

Using a lazarus pit as an out for his actions and thus acting like he didn’t choose to continue a lot of the killing (without an outside influence) changes his motivation, and creates a version of Jason who probably would compromise like that. But that’s not... how he actually was, in pre-reboot especially.

[friday-ocean]

Fortuna Calling

Summary: An evening poker game in the Stark Tower seems like a great idea. Unfortunately, the invited guests are anything but exciting. This gives you the opportunity to play with a small, exclusive group. But this time your concentration seems to let you down. Will there be a way to make up for your loss?  Pairing: Bucky & Reader Warning: alcohol, SMUT (+ 18) Author‘s Note: For @buckysthot writing challenge. All the best for your birthday and milestone!  Prompt: „Don’t worry, you’ll pay. I’ll make sure of it.” Masterlist

~*~*~*~*~

With sluggish eyes you watch the little boys sitting in front of the gaming tables. All right. "Little" and "boys" may not be quite right. Many of the players are much older than you are. Grey strands of hair are running through her back combed hair, first bald spots are covered, and her eyes are undermined by deep shadows. And yet, they are children. Little children who have discovered a new game for themselves. Each newly revealed card elicits a reaction from them, their gaze racing restlessly across the entire table, the precious whiskey and old scotch in their glasses long forgotten. Every loss or gain of a few dollars is loudly commented on and every card analysed as in a crude science.

You lift the whiskey glass to your red lips, but to your disappointment you notice that the glass is empty. With your lips peeled, you put it back on the marble counter. That was already your third drink. Your absolute maximum at events like this. Should it have been? Little kids and empty whiskey glasses? How disappointing.

The empty bar stool next to you is moved and curiously you look over, away from the children playing. Falcon, Captain America and his best friend himself lean against the bar next to you. Not surprisingly, Tony Stark meets his team members and close friends at a party. But, meeting these famous men doesn't leave you cold.

You cross your legs. Your white High-Waist-Rock with the filigree embroideries slips a tiny bit higher, accentuates your thighs and long legs. Like true gentlemen, the three men seem to pay no attention to your figure. But you didn't miss how all three had almost unanimously shifted their weight from one leg to the other.

Suddenly you feel like playing. That would be the right antidote to your boredom. Elegantly you lean back in your bar stool, your sulking lips escape a clearly audible sigh as your gaze "accidentally" glides across the room. As if on cue, Falcon, better known as Sam, turns to you. His broad grin is an enchanting contrast to the stony expression of Winter Soldier.

"Well? Already all your chips gambled away?" With a small, innocent smile you turn to the men: "No, not really. At all these tables I'm not really..." You make a throw away hand movement towards the tables and look at Sam disappointed. "And I was really looking forward to this evening." Like a little child you push out your lower lip. "Understandable", Captain America himself seems to want to get into the game. He puts his empty glass on the counter and examines the tables.

"What do you think of it when we retire?" Sam attracts his two best friends and grins at you broadly. "Together with you, Wanda, Natasha, Bruce and Rhodey, we could have more fun. “ The small group decides to meet in a private room. Tony has always reserved one or two rooms for particularly ambitious or shy players. Rumour has it that these rooms were used for very special "games" before Pepper stepped into Tony's life. But they are only vague rumours. Their truth lies only a short distance above the rumour that Tony is the evil twin who imprisoned the good guy in a deep dungeon. They may be very entertaining, but that's all they are.

In the middle of the room there is a large round table, warm light illuminates the room and a small bar fulfils all wishes. A man you identify as Clint Barton, also known as Hawkeye, hands you a whiskey and you take the place between Steve and the lovely Wanda. Sam, Clint and Bucky also sit at the table. Rhodey, Natasha, Maria and Bruce decide to watch for the time being.

During the first rounds you hold back with your game. It's far too interesting to watch the others play. Steve next to you is a rather calm and cautious player. He avoids big risks and you can decipher his poker face in just a few minutes. It's reassuring to know that the great Captain America is indeed the exemplary person he always pretends to be. Boring to know he won't make the game any more interesting.

Sam and Clint deal with everything except the cards on the table. Lots of stupid sayings, even more whiskey and loud laughter. It costs you a lot of restraint not to let them empty their pants directly. Wanda on your right doesn't seem to be playing very long. She thinks longer, weighs and keeps her eyes on the cards. Yet she is a dangerous player. Her poker face is cool and the first small risks she takes are clever and courageous. But who you really can't figure out is Bucky towards you. He laughs at Clint's stupid sayings, ignores Sam, and talks calmly to Steve and Wanda. You wouldn't describe him as cool or dismissive, rather distant.

It takes a few rounds until the game finally begins to become more interesting. The mood loosens and there is still plenty of whiskey being poured out. Sam and Clint make a strange joke that you don't quite understand. Some pun called Clint and Bucky - you give the two men a little smile in recognition of their efforts, but Bucky almost pulls it from the chair.

His laughter is melodic and deep, but above all it's true. Politicians, entrepreneurs, professors - these men laugh, but they don't laugh with you, they laugh at you. Little girl. Uneducated. Not to be taken seriously. Little child. But Bucky laughs together with everyone at the table. A warm feeling spreads between your legs, your stomach balances backwards. The evening has taken an interesting turn. Maybe even more is possible? A new plan comes into being in your head.

Your cards show a promising picture. Time to put the plan into action... From the inside you bite your cheek, with your free hand you stroke along your throat. Your gaze wanders over the group, but briefly hangs over Bucky's bright eyes. Who can blame you? Eyes as clear as a star in the sky are attractive. Again, your eyes land on your own cards, which you place hidden in front of you on the table. With your lips pinched together, you push all your chips into the middle. "All in", your voice is thin, but attracts everyone's attention.

Steve moans and throws the cards on the table: "I'm out. It's too hot for me." Wanda, Sam and Clint flew Steve's example, with Sam and Clint probably doing everything Steve would have given them at that moment. All that alcohol had made any rational thinking impossible. Only Bucky doesn't part with his cards. He counts once, then his chips a second time. He wrinkles his nose and looks you straight in the eye. Again, your stomach does a somersault, but this time a forward one. How do you know that? You just must accept it after the jerk that runs through your body. "I'm missing some chips...", he pushes the few you he owns to yours in the middle. His pile is clearly punier than yours. "But I am certainly... In advantage." Bucky waggles his cards and a striking, crooked smile brightens his face. To prove it, he throws his cards in the middle of the table. Full House: Three ladies and two nines. Bucky's grin has widened a little, his white teeth flash brightly. His big hands already reach for the chips in the middle of the table, but you click your tongue. Irritated, Bucky raises his gaze, his eyebrows pulled together.

You can't avoid a small, winning smile. But quickly you level your features again and sort the cards on your hand. "I think my hand looks a little better..." You look at Bucky with big deer eyes, but then you lower your eyes to your cards. Slowly you spread one card next to the other. King of Spades, King of Clubs, King of Diamonds, King of Hearts and finally Seven of Hearts. Four of a Kind.

"Fuck...", the curse rolled Bucky unconsciously over the dark lips. Steve lifts an eyebrow but says nothing to his best friend. The lost game is already punishment enough. You collect the chips on the table. Carefully you sort the colourful thalers before you, a pretty small stack has developed before you. Bucky clears his throat. The whole situation is unpleasant for him. "I'll pay you the money, of course. I have enough in my room." A little smile plays over your lips: "Don't worry, you'll pay. I will see to it."

Bucky moves away from the table and the other players start a new round. But really, the mood slowly calms down, the time is moving incessantly towards midnight. Slowly the group dissolves. Natasha and Bruce have retired earlier, without anyone noticing (or wanting). Sam and Clint drink directly from a newly opened bottle of wine, which is certainly one of Tony's special treasures. Steve, Wanda, Maria and Rhodey have made their way to their private rooms together. You leave your chips on the table and turn to Bucky. He had rather stayed in the background when saying goodbye but didn't let you out of his sight. His glowing blue eyes almost burned into your body. It took you some effort not to tremble under his gaze.

Now, as you approach him, his gaze rests on your face. His eyes sparkling knowing, a super soldier like him will certainly not forget a promise of money. "I have the money in my room, I will fetch it directly", you like its direct nature. Why talk about it for so long when everyone knows what it's all about anyway? Betting debts are honorary debts. "Please don't bother because of me. I'll just come right along", your smile is warm and friendly. Bucky just shrugs his shoulders.

Without another word he leads you to the elevator, further up to the private level. In the long hallway he takes a few steps forward, you take your time to follow him. You just like the sight of his back too much. He had already taken off his jacket while playing cards and now he's just throwing it over his shoulder. The white shirt stretches delicately over the wide shoulders and the chic suit pants have a butt carved out of marble. You really wouldn't mind if the hallway was at least 100 km longer, but unfortunately Bucky stops in front of a door after only a few meters. He opens the door and enters the room and you follow him in uninvited. „I've got the money right here.“ Bucky crosses the room, past a large sofa and a huge, comfortable bed.

"I have no interest in money." Your strange comment makes Bucky pause and he turns to you. Asking, he has raised his eyebrows, unsure what to say to you. With swaying hips you walk towards Bucky, a sensual smile on your red lips. You stay close in front of him, stroke your lips with your tongue. Feeling his incredible body warmth, you can't stop yourself from stretching out your hands towards him. Gently you smooth the collar of his shirt. "Can't you imagine what a woman would like more?"

Bucky's face lights up, finally he understands you. His big hands lie on your hips, pulling you a little closer. "What did you imagine? Your smile gets wider, you didn't expect him to bite so fast - all the better for you. You stand on your toes, try to overcome your difference in size. With a smoky voice you whisper into his ear, your breath a warm breath: "I will ride you until I whimper your name".

Stunned, Bucky opens his pretty eyes. No woman had ever spoken to him like that before. But Jesus, he likes it. You wander down from his ear, over his cheek to his full lips. Your lips find each other, nibble, bite, dance together. You only interrupt the kiss to pull the tight black top over your head. Your full breasts are only tamed by an elegant black bra, but Bucky doesn't pay attention to it. Almost brutally, he tears the exclusive piece off your shoulders, but that's already forgotten as his mouth closes around your nipple. His tongue strokes your bud, sucking it into your mouth. His metal hand is dedicated to your other breast, the cool metal on your heating skin a sensation.

You could give yourself all to Bucky's mouth and hand, but it demands more from you. Your hand strokes his head, pulling his hair to release your nipple from his mouth and turn back towards you. "On the bed", you command him only. Bucky doesn't need another request. His hand around your hip comes loose. He quickly takes off his already open shirt, shoes, socks, trousers and underpants follow directly. You watch Bucky like an eagle chasing a little mouse. The sight of his abdominal muscles alone makes you tremble, but then his half erect penis jumps free.

Swallowing heavily, you look at his best piece. It was to be assumed that Bucky is well stocked, but that exceeds any of your wet dreams. Without taking your eyes off Bucky's penis, you say, "Lie down on the bed." Of course Bucky didn't miss your look and he smiles inside himself. Of course, he knows he's quite well equipped, but your recognition makes his friend pulsate even more. While Bucky lies down on the bed following your instructions, you quickly take off your high heels, skirt and panties. It doesn't surprise you that your juices have collected in the panties.

Bucky supports himself on his arm and watches you squirm out of the skirt. Finally, you follow him onto the bed, crawling over his body on all fours. With your mouth open, you spread feathery kisses on Bucky's pelvic bones while your hands stroke his thighs. With a moan, Bucky drops into the pillows. His hand finds your head and strokes your hair from your face.

Your lips find his shaft and you put your hand around his base. With your tongue you stroke over the tip, taste his salty pre-ejaculate. You continue stroking, moistening his entire length. As wet as you are already between your legs, your effort is completely unnecessary. Perhaps unnecessary, but the way Bucky trembles and moans under your tongue and lips is a real pleasure.

Bucky's hand finds a strand of your hair and he grabs it, a grunt escapes his throat. You lift your gaze from his penis and look straight into his eyes. His pupils are black, dilated with relish. You rise, swing a leg over his hip, kneel over him. His gaze strokes from your illuminated face, over your full breasts, down between your legs. Your vulva glitters and Bucky stretch out his hand, but you quickly grasp his wrist and put his hand on your hip instead. Slowly you lower your hip, your hand back to Bucky's penis. Your labia brush over his tip and you push him between them. He penetrates you, expands your innermost. A moan escapes your lips as you sink down on Bucky. You need to take a moment to trace the feeling of fullness and get used to it.

Your eyes are closed, your lips slightly open. Bucky absorbs each of your facial features, enjoying the sight he gives you. His metal hand also finds your hip and he begin to massage your soft flesh. Slowly you begin to move your hips. Up and down. Up and down. His velvety penis, you feel every vein. You keep moving up and down on his tail until only his round tip remains in you. With another jerk you sink down on him again. You moan together, your narrow tail and his mighty tail form a unity.

You lean on your chest, press your fingernails into his soft skin. The muscles in your legs begin to tremble with excitement and effort. Bucky strengthens his grip around your hip, begins to support your movements. Trembling your muscles clench together, your orgasm builds up stronger and stronger. Bucky's rhythm becomes faster, more powerful. "Bucky... Bucky!", your voice is just a soft whimper, your flat breaths are interrupted by deep groans.

The next blow hits you deeply and a wave of pure ectasia spills over you. Your innermost muscles cramp around Bucky and Bucky unloads his warm juice inside you. As if bedded in cotton wool, you drop onto Bucky's chest, pressing your face against his neck. Still deep inside you can feel your juices mixing. Slowly Bucky withdraws from you and pulls out the blanket under you. Sluggishly he wraps you in the blanket and wraps his arms around you before you come to rest breathing heavily.

"It's nice that I can still meet you!” Tony's sudden cry lets Bucky and you drive around. So late in the dark night you hadn't counted on anyone. Bucky insisted on escorting you from the tower and calling you a taxi. Of course, you didn't object. Too much you enjoy crossing the empty tower arm in arm.

Tony doesn't seem to confuse the whole situation at all. His eyes sparkle, his grin is wide and radiant. Either he had joined Sam and Clint, or he had already looked deep into the bottle during the official part of the evening. "You were my personal Fortuna today! The evening was a complete success. We've collected more than we've collected in a long time", he claps his hands, enthusiastic, his joy from the alcohol only increased. "I will arrange the transfer of your commission in the morning."

"You notice how Bucky stiffens in your arm involuntarily. "Yes," Tony already begins. "The little one is a professional player. I like to invite her to my poker evenings. Then I can always be sure that the rouble will roll! You put your head in the back of your neck and grin at Bucky mischievously.

"Sorry, sweetie. But you never had a chance against me."

 ~ Fin ~