#back in the day being a tony stark fan was like being in the trenches

[chadara]

a dark thing happens to me once or twice a year where i revive my robert downey jr obsession and watch all his movies and think about his life 24/7. not awful on its own but then i start to get nostalgic for the earl(ier) days of the mcu which is where the real danger lies

[mischief-and-tea-by-the-sea]

A wild fic tag game appeared!

I got tagged by @mcfiddlestan!

Rules: List all your WIP titles, all meaning even the ones that are vague or nonsensical. Tag as many people as there are WIPs (that might be a lot, so we’ll see!)

I have quite a few WIPs, so let's see what I can wrangle. Some are actually posted because they're started, so I'll give links to those. The rest just get their titles.

I'll start with All American Barbecue, which was started during Bendis' AvX run. I was still a bigger X-Men fan back then than Avengers, and Captain America PISSED ME OFF something awful when he jackbooted his way to Utopia to demand that they turn over Hope so the Avengers could put her in a "containment center for her protection" from the Phoenix. Anyway, so this fic, which I do have started was an X-Men/Avengers/Wicker Man crossover in which Steve receives a letter from someone on Utopia stating that Hope has gone missing and they're terribly concerned about her safety. He shows up, goes through the whole Sgt. Howie nonsense of being rude af to the mutants only to wind up in a Wicker Phoenix at the end and set on fire (with Bendis inside with him). It was to be therapeutic given the stress AvX caused. I never finished it. Chris Evans started playing Cap, and I liked him, and eventually my fandom interests slid more toward Avengers because of the movies and I've since decided that AvX never happened. So I probably won't finish this unless I get tickled enough to one of these days.

The Break of the Day in the Trenches series currently just has the first fic in it, but the second is started. It's a Scott Summers/Steve Rogers fic that I started off writing for @scottcyclopssummers with a fic prompt from the Comfortember 2021 thing. The prompt was "make something together," so it takes place the day before Thanksgiving, and Emma decided that the Avengers and X-Men would work together to create a huge Thanksgiving feast for themselves and the students still at the school over the holiday. AvX never happened, so I didn't have to address those tensions, but Steve and Scott have still always butted heads over stuff, so they, as the two team leaders, have been assigned to work together to bake desserts for the meal. Things happen that lead to something more fun than fighting, and yeah, it's not just a single fic anymore.

The Every thing would appear to man as it is, infinite series is also just one fic into a Winteriron (Tony/Bucky) no powers AU set. Tony and Bucky meet in an AA group in Brooklyn. Bucky is a wounded vet, Tony is still a Genius Billionaire Playboy Philanthropist but neither of them are superheroes. I already know where I'm starting the second fic; I just haven't yet.

Hemispheres is my big Frostiron baby, and I've just started into Part 3 with Roll the Bones. It started with a prompt fic (Tony wakes up in an alternate reality and discovers that he's married to Loki). By the time I got to the end of the first one, Tony had fallen head over heels for the Trickster, only to wake up and find himself back in his own reality with a need to get Loki out of Asgardian prison. It vaguely follows the movies with a lot of changes.

Light a candle, light a motive is a series of prompt fics that have managed to weave themselves into a cohesive story. It's Frostiron, Stucky, Clint/Natasha, Bruce/Jane, Pepper/Maria and eventually will have Thor/Darcy (though probably not in a huge, they get their own major fics way - maybe?). It's post-Endgame and very canon not-compliant. Morgan Stark is still a part of it, but her mother isn't Pepper.

The Is this a dagger I see? series is two fics into a Winterfrost (Bucky/Loki) series. It's semi-MCU compliant with a lot of non-compliant twists and turns. Probably more non-compliant than anything. Obviously. The first fic starts with Bucky in the training room in the tower, throwing knives at a target. Loki is bored (oh no, a bored Trickster!) and asks to join him. Bucky has no problems with Loki, and he finds out that Thor's a super dick to his brother by keeping him in the tower unless Thor accompanies him (something that wasn't a part of the treaty with Asgard in regards to Loki being on Earth to help the Avengers). So Bucky takes Loki to Luna Park/Coney Island, and they don't come back until they've decided they like kissing each other a lot. The second fic is them coming back to Thor throwing a tantrum about Loki leaving the tower, and it ends with Bucky making Loki very happy and then threatening Loki's brother into behaving himself toward Loki. This also has Steve/Tony in it and Nat/Clint. Oh and it's also Bruce/Thor. There will be a part in the future - not sure when - that'll involve Bucky and Loki going on a road trip to try food in all 50 states.

Washed by the rivers, blest by suns of home is a Steve/Loki series, two fics in. The first started with a prompt from a Steve Rogers bingo that I never finished and eventually finished that fic at least, which has led into a series. It's another semi-compliant/not-compliant series. Aspects of the movies are mentioned. Loki's living in the tower, has to work with the Avengers, and in the first one, he accompanies Steve to Siberia to obtain Bucky's Winter Soldier records so that they can help him with whatever deprogramming/therapy he needs. The second fic also reveals Bucky/Tony are a couple. Thor is a dick in this one (but not nearly as much in the Bucky/Loki), but Steve is also willing to be a good boyfriend in that regard. This series also has Natasha/Sam and Clint/Bobbi Morse, but mentioned, not fully explored yet.

Wantons light of heart is a Scott Summers/Tony Stark (aka Mechanical Boy Band) series that started as a one-shot (haha) out of spite for @scottxlogan's stalker who claimed to hate Tony Stark. Needless to say, what started out as spite has turned into a big time love of this ship. Two fics in, the third is started, and it's going to prove extremely cathartic for me for reasons.

And white the fading forests grow, Yet what can I give him, give my heart, and Don’t you draw the queen of diamonds (She’ll beat you if she’s able) are a trilogy (so far) that just need a series name because they all go together (in that order, so far). The pairings are: Emma Frost/Loki/Tony Stark and Scott/Logan, and there is also mention of Bobby Drake/Christian Frost and Kitty (Kate) Pryde/Danni the tattoo artist (I don't know if that's the name of the tattoo artist that Kitty kissed in the comic - I don't think they named her, so I did).

Now is the Winter of Our Discontent Made Glorious is a gift fic I did for the FrostIron Holiday Exchange 2020. By all rights, it's a one-shot Frostiron college AU, but I've had inklings of ideas on ways to continue it, so chances are, at some point, it'll become a series.

Hey Jealousy is a one-shot, Frostiron adjacent fic in which Loki expresses jealousy during the Ragnarok capers when he finds out that Bruce is wearing Tony's extremely tight pants. I planned for this to be a one-shot, but there's a lot of interest in seeing how this could go on, and one day, I might continue it further. It would obviously be an Infinity War/Endgame non-compliant series.

Call My Name or Walk On By is a Scott/Logan one-shot that has had interest expressed in it becoming more than one-shot. It's comic non-compliant, after Logan's 'death' and Scott and Emma are running their own training center in Canada on the other side of the country from where Scott discovers Logan alive. This might not become a WIP, but it's got a good beginning of something that could go further.

Brownies is a Scott/Emma turned Scott/Kurt fic, which was going to turn into Scott/Emma/Kurt series. It started because of a Tumblr post that @scottxlogan made. Yeah, so Scott found some brownies on the counter left behind by one of the students going on a field trip with the rest of the students. But obviously, they weren't ordinary brownies.

Some ideas I have but haven't been started (and definitely haven't been finished) are: an Avengers/Flash Gordon (think 1980s version with Queen music, all bright and colorful) fic, a Loki and Emma are the leaders of the Hellfire Club fic, an unnamed Loki + Yelena + Peter Parker + Wade Wilson team-up fic that @scottxlogan is also dangerously responsible for planting the fic bunny in my brain, an unnamed TVA Loki/TVA Steve Rogers fic, a Steve/Emma series that I'm almost done with the first fic for, an unnamed 20s-30s X-Men/Avengers fic that'll have a lot of Boardwalk Empire and Gatsby elements to it, apparently an idea for a Kid Loki/Kurt Waggoner fic (Kurt is being taken care of by Howlett and Hercules and POC Scott Summers), an unstarted Tony Stark/Chris Knight (Real Genius crossover) fic that does have a title (Sun god robes on a pyramid).

That seems to be it - all I can dig up for now.

Tagging: @scottxlogan, @kleenexwoman, @izhunny, @elvenferretots, @chaotic-hypnotic-erotic, @mistressofmuses, @iamanartichoke, @rabentochter, @stephrc79, @scottcyclopssummers, @holistic-alcoholic and anyone else who wants to pick this up and run with it.

Thanks for the tag!!!!

[starkeristheendgame]

Just a little drabble for @darkerstarker who is feeling a lil down today so please send all the love ❤ Inspired by this Instagram post.

A very soft meet cute AU 💕

Contrary to popular belief; Tony did enjoy 'living normally' once in a while. Stepping out amongst the general public and blending in as good as he was capable of. The signature facial hair was hard to hide, but so many had attempted to copy his likeness these days that as long as he kept all other identifiers hidden, people would eye him with hopeful suspicion long enough that he could usually get his coffee and get out before they plucked up the courage to come over and ask.

And that was why he was here, the coffee. The best mid-grade coffee in New York, if he were to admit it. The store was small, housed only eight tables, and was typically generous with being a place that recognised him only two out of ten times. All the girls behind the counter knew him, but were kind enough to keep their excitement to a minimum. It helped that he left large tips, he supposed.

It had taken him half an hour to shake the paparazzi lurking outside the Tower, still hungry for morsels of information after last weeks missions. They'd linger for several more days still, but they weren't the smartest Tony had faced, and several alleyways and a change of clothes had done the trick. The sweater he wore was thick and powder blue and the long trench coat with its collar upturned to his calves helped hide the glow and shape of the reactor in his chest. The dark shades hid enough of his face that most dismissed him as a wanna-be.

The coffee is worth it, he told himself. The normalcy is worth it.

The queue wasn't long, four people obviously needing their caffeine fix before heading to their 9-5's or their morning classes, if the boy in front of him was anything to go by. The kid couldn't be more than a hundred and thirty pounds wet, with a thick flop of curls that erred wildly towards his right temple and stuck up at the back where he might well have just rolled out of bed and walked out of the door.

A backpack hung heavy on one shoulder, stuffed full of books with the zipper straining in one corner, and he wore a baggy shirt that reminded Tony of his own 'lab comfies', too loose around the neck and hanging off the kid's frame like a blanket. Something dark had stained the kid's slender fingers where he flipped his phone over and over, and it made Tony's own hands twitch against his thighs, reminded of the motor oil and grease that had become practically a second skin.

When the kid stopped flipping the phone and thumbed the screen on, he ought to have looked away. It was only polite, after-all, but he really couldn't, because the lock-screen that flared to life was his own face. It was from a magazine shoot he distantly remembered, lounging in a throne-like chair in an expensive Giovanni suit, laughing at something the photographer had said. The kid seemed to stare at it for a moment before keying in his passcode, and tapping straight onto Google.

Tony should have looked away. Social convention said it was only the proper thing to do. But then...He was a billionaire with a hole in his chest and a flying gold alloy suit. Social convention didn't really apply to him anymore. So he kept staring as the kid typed in a single letter, just a T, and breathed out in bemusement at the drop-down list.

Tony Stark. Tony Stark photoshoot. Tony Stark news. Tony Stark Iron Man. Tony Stark smiling. Tony Stark 2020.

He raised a brow as the kid thumbed the 'Tony Stark smiling' option and adjusted his phone, secretive to those around him but heedless of whoever was standing behind.

"Ah, yes. The good stuff" the kid murmured to himself, and Tony couldn't have stopped the grin if he tried. Watched as the kid spent the rest of the line scrolling through hundreds of images of Tony, pausing here and there to save one that particularly caught his eye. The line shuffled onwards without the kid so much as glancing away from the screen, but when it came to his turn he locked his phone and shoved it into his pocket, looking up.

"Hey, Lolly. Can I get my usual, please?" The boy asked, in quite possibly the sweetest voice Tony had ever heard. A little high, a little quick, like he was in a permanent state of excited. Behind the counter, Lolly's gaze had already latched onto Tony, and she flashed him a flushed, secretive smile as she tapped in the kid's order. Tony tipped his head, then raised his hand a little to catch her attention.

"And mine onto that, please" he instructed her smoothly, reaching past the kid to slide his card down onto the table. Part of enjoying normalcy meant he carried a debit card around with him, forsaking contactless methods and hacking. He'd even gone and paid extra to have a customised image on it, and a beaming dog dressed as Iron Man lolled its tongue happily at every cashier.

The kid turned abruptly, clearly ready to start an argument, and his brain visibly stalled, jarring to a halt much the same as Tony's did. Because the kid was gorgeous. A babyish face belayed by a strong jaw, round cheeks and dark eyes framed by long lashes. Pretty was the word Tony wanted to bring forth. Pretty, like a painting. Like a sculpture.

Tony reached up and slowly slid off his shades, fixing the kid with the most dazzling, I'm your hero smile he owned. "The least I can do, to say thank you for being a fan" he purred, laying the charm on thick as Lolly handed him back his card. The kid's brain seemingly hadn't come online again yet, gaping at him with flushed cheeks and wide eyes.

The kid's order turned out to be a fruit smoothie, which was done by the time the kid managed to stutter out "Holy shit, you're Tony Stark" and the billionaire reached into his pocket, uncapping the Sharpie he carried around before reaching past the kid to take his cup. Careful not to spill any, he scrawled his number across the plastic, signed it, and pressed it into the kid's lax grip.

"You should call me when you're done with classes for the day. You're going to be late" he noted softly, eyes sparkling, and the kid glanced down at the pink plastic watch around his wrist, spitting a curse.

"I'm- You're- But you just- Fuck, I'm gonna be late" the kid rushed out, tugging his bag strap tighter and taking a step, before looking across at Tony, down at his cup, back at Tony. His mouth opened and closed and then he spun on his heel, practically fleeing for the door. When Tony turned back to the counter for his own, Lolly was grinning at him.

"His name is Peter" she informed him cheerfully, holding out his dark roast. "And he has a shirt that says Mrs. Tony Stark".

Tony raised a brow. Does he now? He flashed Lolly a charming smile.

"I might ask him to see it sometime".

[andromath-old2]

Iron Stepson AU! Prank-bonding

So this was inspired by a gifset I saw in which Peter was Pepper’s son, which I can no longer find (I swear it was on @tempestaurora‘s page but apparently it wasn’t? I think I’m going insane)

Premise: Peter is a normal kid and didn't become spider-man, and is Pepper's son. He struggles to bond with his soon-to-be stepfather.

 Tony accepts that before Afghanistan, he wasn't a good person. He was selfish, and if something didn't involve him, he kinda zoned out. He did care deeply, but he purposefully forced himself to act and be a certain way. His fucked up way of rebellion against the world that produced his own deadbeat dad.

But his all time low was not realizing that Pepper had a son.

When he sold his tower to Stark Industries and moved upstate, he was on a break with Pepper. Getting away was good for both of them. Pepper needed to stay in the City to run the company. Tony needed to get away with all the stress after his disagreement with Cap.

Once they got back together though, that distance became a problem. So he made a conscious effort to go into the City to see her. Unfortunately, that usually meant actually attending all the boring meetings Pepper always wanted him to attend.

It was when he finally got out of one of those meetings when it happened.

He was sitting in Pepper's waiting room, waiting for her to be free when he sees some random teenager just walk through the desks toward Pepper's office. He passes Tony, giving him a dirty look, and just walks right into Pepper's office like its no big deal.

Like Tony, her fiance, doesn't even get the special privilege of just waltzing in and has to wait for her assistant to let her in.

So of course Tony asked him his secret afterwards, nobody just walks in on Pepper Potts. But the kid, Peter, didn't like him very much and they may have had a tiny argument.

That Pepper had to break up.

Which is how he learned Pepper had a son. Peter. 15. Goes to a private boarding school in Geneva, which had many CERN scientists as professors.

Not great boyfriending, especially since as she chastised him in her (formerly his) office, he starts noticing things. Like the pictures of her and the kid on the walls, which he hadn't looked at since at since Pepper started moving in.

Or remembering how almost 16 years ago, he had to deal with the worst assistant of his life because Pepper took a sabbatical. Which only know he realizes was Maternity leave.

Or when Pepper asked him if he knew any good private schools specializing in science and engineering a few years ago. He thought it was for a charity donation.

Or that Pepper had a standing appointment, every day at 6:30, when she would have a private call. Tony knows for a fact she ended a conference call with the President once to make that phone call.

He was only drawn out of his musing when he noticed the room was quiet. Pepper was staring at him her patently 'Tired of Tony's Shit' glare. So had noticed he wasn't paying attention.

Tony would like it on the record they had a serious adult discussion. Pepper admitted she purposefully didn't mention Peter in front of Tony. At first, it was because she thought Tony was a terrible influence and wanted to keep her sweet, innocent son away. After becoming Iron Man, she was going to introduce them. She even brought him to the Stark Expo.

Which promptly got blown up by Hammer's drones.

Understandably, in Tony's opinion, she didn't want her son to be around after he almost got shot for wearing an Iron Mask.

After, when they got together and engaged, she planned on telling Tony. That was what Peter and Pepper were talking about earlier. The problem was that Peter despised Tony Stark.

Apparently when someone's reckless behavior almost kills your mother, several times, you grow a bit of a grudge.

After finding out about what Barnes did to Tony's mother, the rage he felt, he really can't blame the kid.

But for better or worse, he is going to marry Pepper. Which means he will be Peter's step-dad. He promises he will try to bond  with the kid, and he does try.

Peter doesn't make it easy though.

The kid just started his summer vacation, and Pepper arranges for him to stay at the Compound for a bit so they can bond.

The kid is a science nerd, top of his class and Pepper says several Ivy League colleges are already trying to get him to enroll with him. So Tony figures it should be easy to dazzle him with Avengers technology.

It works, and Tony thinks maybe Pepper was exaggerating about Peter's hatred of Tony.

She wasn't.

The next day FRIDAY notifies him that he has made the headline of every media tabloid. Someone, and FRIDAY is unable to determine who, hacked into her and entered Tony's bathroom.

They posted several pictures of Tony's extensive beauty products on Tony's twitter account. The tagline was the brand and colour of Tony's hair dye. The kid started a war.

Tony couldn't prove it was the kid, he tried though. Even dusted for fingerprints, but the kid covered all his bases. So Tony struck back.

First, he replaced all the kid's clothes with Iron Man merchandise. Then, before the kid could find something else to wear, dragged him into the City. They were going to a good old fashioned baseball game.

Tony knew that Peter would act like they weren't together. He planned on it, on Peter being embarrassed and acting like Tony was a stranger.

So by the end of the day, the internet exploded about the "Iron Man Super-fan that was lucky enough to have seats right next to Tony Stark". The kid was not happy.

Tony had been expecting retaliation, but he never expected what the kid did next. Tony woke up two days later to find FRIDAY out of commission.

Instead, Peter had installed a new AI in her place. A temperamental and agitated AI, called KAREN. She wouldn't even unlock his door and let him out of his room. She played Taylor Swift over the speakers.

She turned off the hot water mid-shower.

Tony had to crawl through the vents to get out of his room. He needed to get to the AI data-bank to get FRIDAY back online, which normally wasn't hard.

Except the kid had laid booby traps throughout the halls, locked doors in the way, and made what was normally a 3 minute walk from his room in the Compound turned into a 45 minute trench run from hell.

In the end, when FRIDAY was restored, he thought that was the end of it. He went back to his room to wash off the glitter, slime and a white substance he hoped was flour.

He never suspected the hair dye in his shampoo. It was the oldest and most cliched prank. Which is exactly why Peter distracted him with bigger pranks first.

Tony doesn't think he ever saw Pepper laugh as much as when she saw him drag Peter to her office, hair and goatee bright pink. He expected Pepper to punish the kid, instead she gave him a raise of his allowance.

So Tony bought Peter's school, and plastered his name all over it. Peter would be getting his degree from the "Tony Stark School for the Scientifically Gifted...and Peter".

Unfortunately Stark Industries PR team put a stop to that, apparently it opened them up to bad press to mock the CEO's underage son. But he did get his name on the school, so Peter would have to live with that.

Tony was also prepared to buy a significant portion of whichever University Peter went to. But that is when things got better.

Or well... got worse and then got better.

Peter and Pepper were out to Lunch, a rooftop cafe in Queens, when a Pepper was kidnapped. A flying weirdo with metal wings, who was angry about a recent Stark Industries decision not to use his construction company for a big project. Turns out, he had been stealing pieces of alien tech and decided to test out a suit he made from it.

Peter could do nothing but stand and watch as the man lifted his mother into the sky, before dropping her.

Until an Iron Man suit showed up. Only... it wasn't an Iron Man suit. It had a different body shape. Peter watched as it wrapped itself around his mother and she began to fly as well.

Peter watched Pepper Rescue herself. Watched her shoot down the Vulture and come make sure she was okay.

After that, Peter seemed to warm up to Tony, whose had known Pepper would be a target again and made an Iron Man suit for her. They spoke civilly. Tony and Peter starting doing projects together in Tony's labs. Things were looking up.

And if Peter broke into Tony's lab, made himself an Iron Man suit and started going out as a vigilante named "Iron Lad"...

Well Tony was proud, even if Pepper grounded Peter for the next 30 years.

[surrounded-by-superheroes]

The Poisonous Cure Ch. 2

CLICK HERE FOR CHAP ONE!

Summary;  Loki runs into a young girl on his morning walk and is shocked to learn she’s more than just a minor selling herself on the streets. Her web is more tangled than perhaps even his, and she certainly holds as many secrets. He swears to find more about her, but does he really want to?

Author’s Note; So, I thought I already posted this but can’t find it anywhere!! I’M SO SORRY.

Warnings; Language, talk about sex. (Oh my)

Words; 3,581

Chapter Two

Moving Day

When I wake up it’s about one in the afternoon and time for me to get groceries. After gently letting Ghost back out I head out myself to the nearby market. I wave to Mack at the front desk and get what I need, which isn’t much, then head back to him and pay. Quietly, I enter my apartment building and slip back into my room unnoticed. Seems others had the same idea.

“What the fuck are you doing in my place!?” I hiss, moving around trench coat guy to put my groceries in the kitchen. Spinning around to face him, I cross my arms and fix him with a cold stare. “You have one minute to tell me why I shouldn’t kick you out. Go.”

“These are immensely small lodgings.” He comments smartly, letting his hands linger in his coat pockets as he looks me up and down. My gaze sharpens at his words.

“Forty seconds.” I state curtly and lean against the fridge.

“How can you use magic?” Trench coat guy asks and I shrug.

“I don’t think that’s any of your business. Thirty-five seconds.” I continue to count down while trying to think of a way out of this that doesn’t include murder. He grins at my attitude and seems to actively enjoy it.

“You have two choices, little witch. Come with me peacefully and answer all my questions or I will drag you out of this place.” He offers with the calm sincerity of a serial killer. Which, I suppose, he is.

“You’re the man who tried, and failed, to destroy New York, so your word isn’t really worth a lot to me. Loki of Asgard.” I sass, once again moving around him and sitting on my bed. That seems to get under his skin since he frowns at me. I rejoice in the small victory.

“I am much more than just a man-”

“If you’re talking about your godliness, save it. I’ve met plenty of people who thought they were gods, guess what they all had in common? They were worms.” I spit. “I doubt you’re different.” I finish interrupting him and savor the anger on his face. Get someone else angry and they lose control and I like having control.

“Must I speak to your…owner about this?” He asks with a heavy dose of spite. I jump up and walk over to him, grabbing his tie and yanking his face down to my level, then freezing him with a hand on his shoulder.

“I am not owned by anyone, you sack of dick-tits.” I stare into his eyes to make sure he gets the point before releasing his tie and body. A light chuckle falls from his lips as he gracefully shakes out his limbs once he can move again.

“Then why don’t you come with me?” He continues to question me. At that, I hesitate to give an answer.

“Sure, why don’t I go with the homicidal god?” I ask sarcastically. “You don’t understand what you’re asking…” I sober and trail off, beginning to taste the familiar hint of fear on my tongue. The heavy copper taste is irritatingly familiar and Loki seems to recognize it in my eyes. “I’m dead if I leave.” I tell him in a hushed voice, paranoidly glancing at the door. When I look back at Loki his face has hardened into tense determination.

“Not if you come with me. I swear to protect you, little sorceress, on my, somewhat already tarnished, honor.” He promises sincerely and strangely, while the gears in my mind start turning rapidly. Maybe this could be my escape? I doubt Strike would look for me in the Avengers’ tower. I could be free. I hesitate only a moment more before pulling out a bag and shoving all my clothes into it. Next comes Ghost’s tuna cans and my money jar, then I turn towards Loki with thinly veiled irritation.

“Meet me out front and don’t get caught.” I instruct shortly and open my window, just barely slipping out while I wait for Loki to leave. After he shuts the door and it automatically locks, I start screaming bloody murder. If I ever need to come back here, I’ll need to have a good story to go along with it. Kidnapping is as good as it gets. When I see the doorknob start shaking I slip carefully down the alley and quickly look around for Loki. When I see him staring aimlessly into the distance I nearly shout in irritation. “Loki!” I shout and gesture for him to get out of there. My feet start hitting the concrete at a fast pace away from the building as soon as he moves. Obviously, I’m not waiting. I skid to a stop when fucking Iron Man appears in front of me and scoops me up, the freezing temperature of his metal suit making my entire body burst into goosebumps.

“Hey, Penn and Teller. Big fan.” He tells me through his suit and I have enough decorum to roll my eyes as we fly through the afternoon sky.

“Can any of you do anything normally?” I sass while intentionally looking up instead of down, clutching my bag to my chest like it’s a parachute.

“No.” Is his short answer, but I believe I can hear a smile in his voice. We reach the tower in minutes and when he puts me on my feet I instantly take steps away from him. The mask over his face opens and he gestures in front of him with a metallic hand. “You might want to go first.” Tony Stark suggests as metal arches separate from the roof and start circling him. I take his advice and hurry inside the enormous glass room, nearly running into a certain blonde god.

“Geez, you all are everywhere.” I mutter and put a good amount of distance between us. Once Tony joins us I smirk and wrap the strap of my bag across my chest instead of my shoulder. “Well, I always thought I’d one day get called to the Avengers tower, but I thought it’d be to a bed and not to a conference.” I joke to relieve nerves, but all I receive in return are frowns.

“Uh yeah, how old are you? Sixteen? Been dabbling in some illegal stuff there, kiddo.” Tony says in an almost concerned tone. A laugh tumbles from my lips and I can’t stop it.

“Oh no, I had to feed and clothe myself and didn’t steal.” I respond with flagrant sarcasm. “Sorry, but should you even be allowed to say that kind of thing to me? The great Tony Stark, who was once famous for his blowout parties instead of being Iron Man.” I continue pointing out while backing up as they move forward. At least until I run into another chest. I jump and spin around to face the slicked back hair wonder once again. I continue backing up until I’m surrounded by the three of them.

“And this is the girl that bested you, Loki?” Thor asks skeptically, but I see a tinge of wariness in his eyes that flatters me. They keep moving and my eyes can’t watch them all at the same time. Nervousness builds in my stomach until I can’t stand it anymore.

“Stop moving.” I command emphatically and throw my hands down in frustration. The men freeze, but not of their own volition. Taking a deep breath, I move out of their circle and off to the side so I can see the three of them at the same time. Then release them as I exhale.

“Would you stop doing that?” Loki asks, clearly berated with me. He straightens his black suit ensemble with angry, quick movements that almost make me giggle. It’s strange to see Thor in a blue t-shirt and jeans, but he has a much godlier air than Loki even in casual wear. Maybe it’s because of his short hair nowadays. His eye is wary and his hand is open at his side, as if invisibly gripping a weapon. Tony’s eyes hold the same wariness, but hold curiosity more than anything else. I’m not sure if I’ve ever seen Tony Stark in anything but a suit, but he looks very comfortable in dark jeans and a black T.

“How are you doing that?” Tony asks and walks forward, but stops when I take another step back. He presses his lips together for a moment as he thinks, then speaks. Huh, a change from the old days I suppose. “Look, I don’t know what you’ve heard about me, but I don’t have any interest in sixteen-year-old girls. Except you know, scientifically.” Tony says with earnest eyes. I sit down on the nearest piece of furniture, which happens to be the arm of a white leather couch, and tap the floor with my tennis shoe.

“I want to talk a deal first.” I state firmly and cross my arms.

“Alright,” Thor speaks up first and sits across from me, leaning his elbows on his knees. “what do you wish?” He asks, seemingly interested. A smile stretches across my face.

“I want the promise of food, water, decent lodgings, and protection.” I list off things easily, shifting my eyes between the three men leisurely.

“Of course, you’ll get those. We aren’t fucking monsters. We can even arrange for a shopping trip to personalize your stuff and get you…regular clothes. If you stop acting like a brat.” Tony responds immediately, clearly a little annoyed at me. Loki approaches in the back of the group with an amused smile.

“And what do we get in return for giving you all these things?” He asks like a true businessman and actually manages to gain a modicum of respect from me.

“I will allow your tests and I will answer your questions.” I answer simply, staring him down like two brawlers in a fight club. After a few moments, he breaks his face in half with a smile.

“I like her. I say deal.” Loki responds and walks over to me with his hand held out. I stare at it like it’s infected.

“Not shaking that.” His hand lowers, but his smile doesn’t dim. If anything, it brightens.

“I’d like to add to this deal, actually.” He says interestingly as both Thor and Tony look at him in shock. “I want to add training to this list.”

“Oh, well, I don’t know if you’re good enough for me to train.” I instantly snap, knowing full well what he means. Tony and Thor now smirk at me as we wait for Loki’s response. Within a second, hundreds of Loki’s fill the room. I frown. Alright, I can’t do that. Pursing my lips, I raise a hand and snap, sending a ripple of gold dust throughout the room. Every time it hits a fake Loki, he disappears until they’re all gone and only the original is left.

“I could teach you to duplicate yourself.” He offers and I rearrange my bag on my body, the strap having been digging uncomfortably into my shoulder.

“Fine. Can I be shown a room now? This bag is heavy.” I request and follow Tony when he stands and starts walking.

“I’m putting you in between these two for now so they can look after you. I’m the floor below and Natasha is above. That amount of us should keep you in check. Personalizing will come after your attitude improves.” He says like a parent, but I just roll my eyes.

“So, never?” I remark playfully and I see him smirk before opening a door to his right. The doors themselves are glass, but they’re darkly tinted so no one can see inside. I glance backwards at Thor and Loki as we enter the room and note that I can see out from within.

“Tada!” Tony announces in a tone laced with sarcasm. I look around the room and take a deep breath to try and wrap my head around the sheer size of it. A chandelier that resembles a small tree hangs from the ceiling and has its own divot so it isn’t too low. The far wall is completely made from windows, but I notice shutters on each end so I know they can be covered. To my left is an almost wall that houses a fireplace with fresh wood just waiting to be lit. It’s in the center of the opening to another room, so the space is still open. A few feet above the fireplace are doors that I assume lead to a television. A tan rug sits down in a pit the same circumference as the large chandelier and has various pieces of furniture littered throughout; all dark red or black excepting the plain glass coffee table. Finally exhaling, I move around the fireplace and find the bedroom. The clearly king-sized bed is up on its own platform, requiring whoever sleeps there to climb up three steps before falling into the white comforter and sheets. Two small, black, side-tables flank the almost blindingly bright bed and a dresser is just on the other side down the stairs. It’s the same black and I think may be a little shorter than me. I drop my bag at the steps of the bed pedestal and walk to the only unexplored room left. My lips part after I peek into the bathroom. Everything is a pristine white, marble no doubt, except the tiles in the shower are gray. There are double sinks and I could most likely fit five of me inside the bathtub. My old apartment could have fit inside this bathroom alone. I walk back out of the bathroom and find Tony, Thor, and Loki in the same place I left them, but now Tony has a smug look on his face.

“What? No kitchen?” I quip and grin when Tony’s face falls.

“Instead of encouraging the team to be recluses, we have a communal kitchen where all the food is.” Tony explains while looking a little crestfallen. I sigh and cross my arms.

“Joking, tin can. Just saying, you know I’m just a slut, right? I don’t need this kind of room unless you want me here for something else?” I question seriously, almost flinching when all three men frown.

“Leave. I’ll speak with her.” Loki speaks up from the back and walks forward. Shockingly, Tony and Thor do as he requests, albeit they both look shocked.

“I’ll come by to grab you before dinner to do some tests. Don’t kill each other.” Tony reminds us before shutting the doors behind him. I walk over to the bed and sit down on the edge, crossing my legs so my dress falls further up on my thigh. It’s a reflex when a person of power is in my vicinity. He walks over and once again surprises me by sitting on the floor next to me, placing me in the position of power above him.

“Alright, little witch, allow me to shed light on a few things for you.” Loki starts in a tone of voice I have yet to hear him use. It’s tender and it instantly puts me on edge. When men speak like this they usually want something from me. “While you’re here you will not give yourself to anyone and I assure you that you will not be asked to. That is over. Do you understand me?” He asks and I instantly nod without giving thought to his words. Yes is a man’s favorite word. Not Loki’s, apparently. “Do not jest with me. Say the words back to me and I will know if you lie.” He instructs and waits patiently with blue fire in his eyes.

“I…I don’t have to sleep with anyone while I’m here?” I try to say, but my mind is having a ridiculously hard time accepting the words. I can’t remember the last time I went more than a week without business. Loki seems surprised I didn’t instantly shoot back with a sarcastic response. “What?” I ask and cross my arms defensively.

“Generally, decent people don’t let young girls do such things.” He tells me seriously as I continue staring at him.

“And you consider yourself one of these people?” I ask with just a taste of sass. He smirks and examines me for a couple moments before suddenly letting his skin brighten into blue instead of white. His eyes turn red and I can feel the soothing cold emanating from him.

“I was born a king, so yes. I have the dignity, decency, and intelligence to see when someone is doing something monstrous.” He explains and my interest in him grows.

“You’re so cold. I can feel it rolling off you like waves on the sand.” I tell him factually, watching him absorb the words with a sort of grim acceptance. “May I see your hand?” I ask without thinking and extend mine towards him. His skin starts to change back, but I shake my head. “No, no, no. Don’t do the fake thing. I would’ve shaken your hand earlier if I wanted to touch your fake hand.” I snap, but my voice has no venom in it. A beat passes and his skin fades back to blue as he lets his hand hover under mine with a timid curiosity in his eyes. I let my fingers gently tap his palm before grabbing onto it like a lifeline. A chill rolls through me and I shut my eyes for a moment, relaxing. I can live with this kind of touch; cold. Usually when I touch people they’re hot, needy, and sweaty. Warmth isn’t comforting, it’s body heat and too many blankets and someone beside you that doesn’t care. Warmth is where the germs of life thrive. Cold is the opposite; sterile and sharp and safe in the assurance that most avoid it. I sigh and open my eyes, letting my own skin turn its normal color. A small gasp leaves Loki’s lips as my skin changes from nude to a dark green, like jade. My iris’ turn a fiery orange and my hair turns an unnaturally bright red. Loki’s freezing blue skin soothes my burning green skin and I allow a small smile to grace my face as he watches in awe.

“How about…when it’s just you and I…we look like this?” I propose hesitantly as I continue scanning his face for signs of what he’s thinking. His expression is interested and curious when he reaches up with his other hand to encapsulate mine.

“Deal. Now, do whatever you like until Stark arrives for you. I will also be present during the tests.” He tells me and stands, pressing ice cold lips to my sweltering knuckles before walking to the door.

“Don’t tell anyone else.” I whisper and he looks back at me, nods, then leaves. Sighing, I change my skin back to it’s normal color and get up, walking around the bed with my bag and unpacking it into the dresser. I hide my money under my clothes and use an extra drawer to store Ghost’s tuna. He’ll find me tonight, he always does. Now that I’m closer to the windows I see a small balcony covered by a small awning. I press on the glass and it opens instantly, sliding to the right. Taking a deep breath of fresh air, I step out and lean against the railing. The city lights are just barely starting to steal the light from the fading sun and the sky is just starting to seep pink and yellow with the blue. I’ll tell you one thing, I could definitely get used to the view. A soft mewing alerts me to Ghost and I instantly turn to face the door.

“Wow, buddy. I haven’t even opened your dinner yet. I’m impressed.” I congratulate him and head in, smiling at the way he twists around my legs. Quickly I open and set down his dinner, tickling his bum like I always do. I sit on the step next to him and stare out the door peaceably. “You have free roam of this building now, bud. Just make sure to stay out of sight, okay?” I ask nicely and he looks up at me, his amber eyes shining in the fluorescent lights. “Kay, good.” My head snaps up when I hear a knock at the door and I instantly stand and straighten my dress. “Hold on!” I shout and turn back to Ghost. “Now you behave, mister. No pranks.” I warn and quickly go to the door, slipping out of it and meeting Stark face to face. He looks a little surprised at my quick exit, but seems to accept it.

“Ready for a check-up, kiddo?” He asks with a lazy grin on his face, but his eyes are alight with the promise of gaining new knowledge.

“Lead the way, metal man.” I gesture forward and follow him when he starts to walk. Butterflies flutter in my gut at the thought of what the team may find out about me. They have two gods here, so maybe they’ll be accepting to me as well, yes? I sigh as we walk down the hall and up two floors, then finally into a lab mostly made of glass and metal and concrete. Time to get poked with a stick.

[ramajmedia]

Avengers: Endgame - Everything Cut From The Final Battle

Avengers: Endgame's final battle is the biggest action sequence in the MCU, but there are several ways it was almost very different, with a number of scenes cut from the finale. Avengers: Endgame is now the highest-grossing movie of all-time, and provided a satisfying conclusion to Marvel's Infinity Saga.

After a time heist storyline that saw the Avengers time-travel via the Quantum Realm in order to retrieve the Infinity Stones and bring all of the blipped heroes back, Avengers: Endgame culminated with an epic battle that brought together just about every known MCU superhero to fight against Thanos and his minions. Covering much of the film's final third, and concluding with Iron Man's own snap and death, it's an action scene worthy of the fourth Avengers film.

Related: All 36 Characters In Avengers: Endgame's Final Battle

While some of the moments in Avengers: Endgame's final battle were instantly iconic - the A-Force team-up, Captain America wielding Mjolnir, and Tony's Snap, for example - there are a number of scenes that could've played out differently, and some that were cut altogether.

Thanos is a man who knows how to make an entrance, but even by his standards his original entry onto the battlefield in Avengers: Endgame was quite something. The initial idea was to have Thanos find and kill the Avengers in 2014, and then the Mad Titan would arrive in 2023 and throw Captain America's decapitated head at the feet of the present-day Avengers. Joe Russo said: "We had most of the script working except for the third act, because Anthony and I were clinging to this concept that we wanted Thanos to walk up to the Avengers and throw Captain America’s head on the ground." 

Kevin Feige went further with the idea, describing a scene of Thanos sitting atop a throne of skulls and bones when the Avengers return to the present day, with the Mad Titan having already conquered the world, and throwing Captain America's head at Cap like a bowling ball. Either way, it would've been incredibly dark for a film that is supposed to be child-friendly, although the idea was scrapped mostly to find a way of getting Thanos from 2014 to 2023 in a fashion that flowed better, and so it instead begins with his attack on the Avengers Compound. The scene was never shot, but hopefully some concept art will see the light of day eventually.

Valkyrie and Okoye both got to play their part in Avengers: Endgame's final battle, with the Asgardian and Wakandan forming part of the A-Force team-up, but there was almost another scene just for the two of them. As seen in unused concept art, Valkyrie and Okoye would've swapped weapons in Avengers: Endgame, so Okoye would've wielded Valkyrie's sword, and in turn she would've used the former's vibranium-tipped spear. The scene was designed to show that the two are so skilled in combat it doesn't matter what or whose weapon they're using, but it's not too hard to see why it was cut. The scene involving Cap and Thor, with the former lifting Mjolnir, needed to seem special, and this weapon-swapping might've been a bit too repetitive to work.

Related: Avengers: Endgame’s Time Heist Almost Visited 2009 - But Why?

Much of the action in the final battle of Avengers: Endgame takes place on the ground, which makes sense since that's where most of the superheroes typically prefer to do their fighting. Nonetheless, Marvel movies were once known for big aerial fight sequences, so it's not too much of a surprise to hear that Avengers: Endgame did shoot one that ultimately went unused. Sean Gunn told Screen Rant an aerial battle was shot for Avengers: Endgame, and that he had Yondu's arrow with him, although it didn't get used. It's likely that this sequence would've taken place relatively early on in the final Endgame battle, with the Ravagers and Wakandan ships going up against enemies such as the Chitauri. It would've distracted from the action on the ground though, and aside from Kraglin wouldn't have featured many recognizable heroes, so it makes sense that it was scrapped.

Captain America wielding Mjolnir isn't just a highlight of Avengers: Endgame's final battle, but one of the most fan-pleasing moments in the entire MCU - yet it could've gone down in a rather different manner. Unused Avengers: Endgame concept art shows Captain America unsure he can actually lift Mjolnir, with Thor's hammer lying on the ground in front of him, rather than flying straight into his hand. This fits with the common belief of Steve Rogers not being worthy as seen in Avengers: Age of Ultron, and works with his own belief that he might not be. However, the Russos have said Captain America was always worthy, and their presentation of the scene works better with that idea, and gives a more epic presentation of it. This still would've been great, but given the finished version elicited cheers in cinemas around the world, it's safe to say they made the right choice.

The final battle in Avengers: Endgame is already very long, but it was almost even longer, and would've included a scene where many of the superheroes involved pause for breath and begin to strategize what their next moves will be. As the BTS photo from Avengers: Endgame shows, it would've included many of the biggest characters, including Captain America, Spider-Man, Star-Lord, and Iron Man. The scene ran for approximately three minutes, which is quite a long time to pause the action for a break in the trenches, and that's ultimately why it was cut. Writer Stephen McFeely said: "It didn't play well... When you have that many people, it invariably is, one line, one line, one line. And that’s not a natural conversation." 

13 Reasons Why star Katherine Langford's role in Avengers: Endgame was cut, and it's one of the biggest scenes the Russos decided not to include in the film. Langford's role was the subject of much speculation heading into Avengers: Endgame, and there was a lot of surprise when she never appeared. It's since been confirmed that she would've played an older version of Morgan Stark, appearing to Tony in a metaphysical realm after he performs his snap. It would've been a parallel of a young Gamora appearing to Thanos in the Soul World at the end of Avengers: Infinity War, but the Russos decided it didn't work in the context of the movie, especially as audiences didn't have an emotional connection to an adult version of Morgan. Still, it remains a major deleted scene, and one that's yet to surface.

Related: Watch Every Avengers: Endgame Deleted Scene Released Here

"Where is Gamora?" may be an Infinity War gag, but it is one of Avengers: Endgame's biggest questions, and one that it leaves behind at the end of the film, likely setting up Guardians of the Galaxy 3. But while audiences simply had to assume she'd left the battlefield at some point, this Avengers: Endgame deleted scene confirmed it - and had a poignant tribute to Tony Stark to boot. Coming at the point when Tony dies because of the snap, it sees every MCU hero assembled there taking a knee one-by-one in tribute to Iron Man, before cutting to Gamora, who quietly walks away. It fills in a key mystery and is touching, but at the same time it performs the same function as the even better funeral scene that comes not long afterwards, so it's easy to see why it was cut from Avengers: Endgame.

More: Avengers: Endgame Writer Confirms 'Old Steve' Cameo Theory

source https://screenrant.com/avengers-endgame-ending-final-battle-cut-deleted-scenes/