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literaryavenger · 7 months ago

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You Were My Sunshine

Summary: Once a year you disappear for a whole day. Nobody knows where you go or what you do, but the team has learned to let you have your privacy. This year though, Bucky's curiosity gets the better of him and he follows you.

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Reader

Warnings: Mentions of death. Grief. Some angst. Fluff. No mentions of Y/N.

Word Count: 3K

A/N: I realize this is a little heavy and you absolutely don't need to read it. This one's mostly for me, but I thought why not post it and let Bucky comfort other people, if you need it. As always, my inbox is always open if you want to even just chat. I hope someone likes this. Also, I promise the requests are coming, a little slowly but they're coming. I'm on vacation for two weeks so I'll spend the time writing, probably.

Masterlist

“Have a good day.” Steve calls after you as you pass the kitchen.

You stop in front of the door to smile at Steve and wave at the team as they all have breakfast together before you keep making your way to the elevator that will take you to the parking garage.

“So, we’re really just accepting this?” Bucky asks the team when the elevators close behind you and he’s sure you can’t hear him.

“Yes, Buck.” Steve says firmly.

“But-” Bucky’s protests are cut off by Tony.

“She’s entitled to her privacy.” He says firmly. “Just let it go, Frosty.”

Bucky ignores the nickname and looks around the team, searching for anyone that might have his back, but nobody else seems to be too invested in your day. Bucky gets up with a huff and makes his way to the training room, resigned that he has to let you be.

You’ve always been an open person, you’re always there for everybody that needs you and you’re not afraid to talk about anything with anybody.

Your life is an open book.

Which is precisely why it drives Bucky crazy that, once a year, you disappear for an entire day and nobody knows where you go or what you do.

You disable all your communication devices, the tracking in your car and you don’t use credit cards anywhere.

It’s like you cease to exist for a day, leaving no trace that you were anywhere.

At least that’s how the team sees it.

They’ve all tried to figure out where you go, but that’s the only subject that you never talk about and, every time anyone asks you about it, your answer is always the same:

Don’t worry about it.

After so many years, the whole team has decided to listen to you and stopped worrying about it.

Everyone except Bucky.

It’s not like you’re that close with him, but he considers you his friend and he trusts you, so it irks him that you have this huge secret that nobody knows anything about.

Needless to say, he worries about it a lot.

That’s why right now he finds himself tip toeing down to the garage. He sees you get into your car and drive away and, without even thinking about it, he jumps on his bike and follows you.

He knows this is wrong, he knows he shouldn’t follow you, that you’re allowed to have your secrets. But he can’t help himself when it comes to you. You make him lose control, you make him go insane.

He just needs you. to know.

So he follows you, as discreetly as only a trained assassin knows how. He follows you into the city and stops a few cars away when you park in front of a secondhand bookstore. Bucky knows that shop all too well, it’s one of his favorite places to visit when he’s in the city.

He waits until you disappear behind a shelf before going in, watching you as you browse the books. It looks to Bucky like you’re looking for a particular book, when you find it, he can see your face lighting up.

You turn the book to look at the back cover and Bucky can read the title very clearly. ‘Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince’, one of your favorite books. Bucky knows that because he’s talked about it with you for hours, along with all the other books of the series and the Lord of the Rings books, Bucky’s favorites.

You chat amicably with the older guy that owns the shop while you pay for your book and then leave, getting back into your car with Bucky still on your tail.

Next you go to a small bakery and buy a coffee and a cupcake. Thankfully for Bucky you’re too distracted by talking with the nice, old lady that owns the place to notice him buying his own coffee.

He follows you again as you cross the street to the park in front of the bakery and walk until you find a secluded spot. You sit down against a tree and continue peacefully reading your book under the summer sun while sipping your iced coffee.

Bucky sits on a bench nearby where he has a visual on you, but you can’t really see him unless you were really looking for him. But you’re so engrossed in reading that Bucky’s sure he could sit next to you and you wouldn’t even realize it.

He knows you get like that when you’re reading something that captures your attention, and the Harry Potter books always do, no matter how many times you’ve read them already.

Bucky always thought you looked so cute while reading. You make no attempt to hide your reactions and it amuses him. So he spends the next few hours just watching you read, watching your beautiful face shining in the sunlight as you frown and snort and laugh and pout as your eyes dart around the pages.

It’s actually relaxing, he thinks to himself. Is this what you do every year? Take a whole day just to read without the chaos of the Compound and nobody to bother you?

But why would you be so secretive about this? Reading for hours with a cup of coffee is something you’d done countless times in your room, on the roof, in the backyard of the Compound or even in the common room, never really bothered by the noise the team makes when you’re so into the words you’re reading.

So why do it in secret?

After a few hours, around lunch time, you finally come out of the book’s trance and gather your things before getting up.

Bucky frowns when you don’t get back into your car and follows you as you walk to a small family owned Italian restaurant that Bucky’s never been to but always wanted to try. He discreetly follows you in and takes a table in the back where you can’t see him.

He watches you interact with the owner, the waiter and even the cook comes out to talk to you. It’s clear that they all know you and it seems to Bucky like you’re pretty close to them even though he’s never even heard you mention this place before. When you’re done eating, Bucky sees you playfully fight with the owner that doesn’t want to let you pay so you leave a generous tip that amounts to more than your check is and the owner chuckles to himself when you wink as you walk out.

After lunch, which Bucky has to admit was pretty good, he follows you to a flower shop a couple of doors down and he’s surprised to see the owner greeting you like old friends. It looks like she was already anticipating your arrival, a bouquet of blue roses already on the counter and ready to go when you arrive. You chat with the older woman for a few minutes before paying and leaving the flower shop to go to your car.

It’s clear to Bucky by now that you obviously have a routine on your secret day, and everyone you see on this day knows it.

So why don’t the Avengers?

You looked so comfortable with all the people you’ve met today, Bucky can’t help but think that maybe you don’t feel like you belong on the team.

You drive until you arrive at your destination and Bucky is both surprised and confused when you park in the parking lot of a cemetery, get out of your car and enter it.

He subtly follows you in, watching you walk past a few graves and it looks to him like you know your way around by how effortlessly you walk without needing to check the names, stopping at one almost at the end of the row you were in while Bucky keeps his distance, always making sure to stay out of sight.

He sees you take a deep breath before kneeling in front of the grave and putting down the bouquet of flowers in front of it.

“Hi, mom…” You wipe the dirt off the tombstone and tidy the flowers in front of it with what Bucky’s sure it’s a forced smile. “Happy birthday.”

You take out the cupcake you bought that Bucky now realizes you hadn’t eaten yet and he sees you put a small red birthday candle on it and light it, then you just look at it for a few seconds before you sigh and blow it out.

“So…” You say quietly, looking back at the tombstone and Bucky can see a tear falling down your cheek.

A piece of Bucky's heart breaks seeing you so vulnerable and hurting like this, but he stays put no matter how much he wants to be at your side right now.

Bucky stands there in complete silence, hearing everything you say, hanging on to every word. He hears you talk about everything that happened in the past year, he listens to you talk about missions and parties and holidays. He hears you talk about the whole team and his heart flutters a little when you mention his name too.

You talk for a while and, after he assumes you run out of new things to say, he sees you taking out the book you just bought today.

“So, this year we finally got to the half-blood prince.” You say with a small smile. “It’s our favorite, hadn’t read it in a while.”

Bucky sees you open it and go to the page you left the bookmark in.

“It took me longer than I thought to find your favorite quote, I have to admit.” You say with a small chuckle. “It’s like 400 pages in, don’t judge me.”

Bucky chuckles quietly at your playfulness, even in this situation. He can’t help but find you adorable.

“It is the unknown we fear when we look upon death and darkness, nothing more.” You read the quote before closing the book and looking back at the grave. “That’s what you told me when I was scared of the dark…” You say quietly with a smile.

��And that’s what you told me before you…” You trail off, not being able to finish your sentence as tears start streaming down your cheeks but Bucky has a pretty good idea where you were going.

That's what she told you before she died, so you wouldn't be scared.

He’s more than surprised that he didn’t know your mother died, and he’s pretty sure the rest of the team doesn’t know either.

Admittedly, families are a very touchy subject for the Avengers.

But Bucky’s even more surprised to see you breaking down, something you’ve never done before. You’re cheery, you’re bubbly, you’re everyone’s little ray of sunshine.

And it breaks Bucky’s heart to know you’ve been falling apart when you’re by yourself all these years.

“I’m sorry I only come here once a year, I just…” You start, so quietly that Bucky’s glad he has enhanced hearing otherwise he's sure he wouldn't be able to hear you. “I miss you so much and I can’t… I can’t bear this.”

He sees you running your fingers gently over the tombstone as you take a deep, shaky breath, but you can’t stop crying.

“I’m trying to be the person you loved…” You say after a moment of silence. “Your little ray of sunshine.” You chuckle softly through the tears.

It makes sense to Bucky now why you always try to be there for everyone else. It’s how you’ve always been, apparently. Always making sure no one feels alone because deep down you feel the most alone, and you don’t want anyone else to feel that way.

You are my sunshine

Bucky’s thoughts get interrupted when he hears you quietly starting to sing.

My only sunshine

Bucky knows this song. It’s a lullaby that he’s heard you sing once before.

Clint’s family visited him at the Compound and you offered to watch his kids so he and his wife could have a date night.

You probably didn’t realize he heard you, you probably thought you were alone and it’s not like he was spying on you. He just happened to pass by when you were in Clint’s room, trying to get the three kids to sleep by singing to them.

You make me happy, when skies are gray

You take a breath before continuing but your voice wavers a little.

You’ll never know, dear, how much I love you

Bucky can see you’re having trouble getting the words out, your voice almost breaking.

Please don’t take… My sunshine… Away

Before you can even get the last word out, you break down completely, burying your face in your hands while sobbing.

Bucky feels his heart break as he takes in your pain. He wishes there was some clear and simple solution to making this all better for you, but there's always been so much he doesn't understand about complex emotions like these.

Right now, as he's watching how broken you are, though, he knows that he doesn't even care about understanding. He just wants to comfort you, to try and make it better...

Bucky comes to rest beside you, he kneels down to your level and places his hand gently on your shoulder. “Hey…” He says quietly.

His presence startles you and you go into defense mode, taking his hand on your shoulder and bending it, then using your grip on his arm to push him face down on the ground.

Bucky didn’t expect you to react so quickly and aggressively which makes it easier for you to catch him off-guard and pin him down.

“Goddammit, Bucky!” You say after you finally recognize him and let him go, getting up and scrambling back to put some distance between you and him while breathing heavily.

For a moment, Bucky is a little stunned. It's rare that anyone is able to get the jump on him like that. But then he snaps back to reality. He lets you make your distance while getting back to his feet and stands a few feet away from you.

“Did you fucking follow me?!” Your sadness is quickly forgotten and replaced with anger.

“I…” Bucky doesn’t know what to say. He knows he’s in the wrong here and he has no defense for himself when he knowingly violated your privacy. “I’m sorry, I didn’t-”

“You didn’t what?!” You snap at him. “You didn’t understand what the meaning of privacy is?!”

Bucky doesn’t know what to say, he’s never seen you this angry at anyone that’s not an enemy and surely never at him.

“I’m sorry, okay?” He says quickly. “I’m sorry, I was just curious, I didn’t think this would be it, I thought…”

“You thought what?” You say when he trails off, clearly pissed as you cross your arms in front of your chest.

“I thought maybe you were a supervillain…” He jokes weakly, trying to make you laugh. “Or a stripper.”

His last word gets a surprised laugh out of you as you, fortunately, understand he’s just joking before you actually punch him in the face.

Bucky lets out a sigh of relief as he sees you laugh and then takes a tentative step towards you.

“I really am sorry…” He says quietly, reaching out to put his hand on your shoulder. “I know it was wrong of me to follow you, and I didn’t plan on bothering you at all, which doesn’t make what I did better,” He quickly adds when he sees you’re about to say something.

“But when I saw you crying, I just… I couldn’t help myself.” He trails his hand down your arm to your hand and takes it in his. “You’re always there for everybody, I don’t think it’s fair that you don’t let anybody be there for you.”

You look at him for a long moment, processing his words. Of course you know he’s right, you don’t let anybody be there for you, but you also never really believed anyone cared enough to.

But looking at Bucky right now, it feels like he really does want to be there for you...

So you let him.

You look back down at the grave, your hand still in his as you intertwine your fingers together.

“She died when I was 14.” You say quietly. “I only had her, so I was on my own after that…”

Bucky listens quietly, his eyes on your face as he sees the tears starting to gather in your eyeline again.

“A few years later, Natasha and Clint found me during a mission. They saw me knock out a dude that cornered me in an alley and they were impressed…” You have a faint smile at the memory although it’s clear you’re about to cry again. “They offered me a place in the SHIELD Academy and, after that, I don’t know… I wasn’t alone anymore.”

You look back at Bucky to find him looking at you intently, his gaze intent and unwavering.

“Doll…” He says quietly while cupping your face with his free hand as he sees you holding back tears. “It’s okay to be vulnerable in front of the people you care about. You taught me that.”

His gentle words, the way he softly strokes your cheek and the way he’s looking at you so lovingly, it’s all too much for you and can’t hold back your tears anymore.

With a broken sob, you bury your face in Bucky’s chest and hug him tightly, clinging to him while he wraps his arms around you and hugs you just as tight, kissing the top of your head before nuzzling his face against your hair.

In this moment, while holding you in his arms, Bucky realizes it’s not like you don’t feel like you belong with the Avengers.

This is just something you feel like you have to go through on your own because you’ve always had to.

And he’ll be damned if he lets you go through it alone ever again.

Drabble

#bucky barnes #avengers x reader #bucky barnes x you #steve rogers #tony stark #avengers x platonic!reader #bucky barnes au #bucky barnes x female reader #bucky x reader #bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes x y/n #bucky x you #bucky barnes imagine #bucky barnes one shot #bucky barnes oneshot #marvel fanfiction #clint barton

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mcelroyfamilystaff · 7 months ago

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This is in the post for today's TAZ episode on our website, but it just felt right to post it here too, sans context.

#mcelroys #taz vs dracula #the adventure zone #griffin mcelroy #justin mcelroy #travis mcelroy #clint mcelroy #tumblr 'sclusies #not a sclusie but you know the drill #yon cuck

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mellowmadds · 5 months ago

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Casual Study Dates | Peter Parker

(MCU) Peter Parker/Fem Stark Reader

Warnings - slightly suggestive

Summary - Avenger’s compound a usually busy place hustling with activity seems unusually quiet for the day. leaving y/n and Peter in a sticky situation (pun intended)

Word Count: 1,237

°°••....••°°

Avenger’s Compound, a place that’s usually bustling with activities and combat training sometime’s has quiet days like this where super-powered humans who have insanely intense hearing can hear a pin drop from across campus. For you though being one of the youngest on the team you hated those days because it seemed as if everybody always wanted to see what you were up to. You weren’t necessarily an avenger but you were extremely smart and helped out around the lab and worked on some Stark Industries projects with your dad every once and a while. And that’s how you met Peter Parker and during those first two years of awkward conversations and study dates you two seemed to find some comfort in all that awkwardness.

“Are you nervous about MIT sending out their decisions soon?” Peter asked while getting comfortable on your bed while staring out at the beautiful city view.

“Why would I be nervous Peter? Most of my family are MIT Alumni.” You said a bit cocky if you really think about it.

“I- know it’s just I figured maybe you’d be experiencing the same nerves I was. It was a stupid question nevermind sorry” Peter stuttered out.

“You don’t have to be sorry Peter and you definitely don’t have to worry my dad put in a good word about you. You’re one hundred percent getting into MIT” You told him confidently.

You knew Peter was an anxious person and you’d do anything to take his nerves away.

“Now are we going to keep stressing about MIT or are we going to figure out these formulas that Bruce gave us to solve?” You asked while holding up the stack of papers labeled ‘Top Secret Formulas’.

Peter nodded his head yes while lifting his body off your bed to instead sit on the edge of the bed closer to your desk where all of your work was scattered across your laptop.

“But first I need to put some music on or else I won’t be able to focus” You said before sliding the miscellaneous papers off your laptop.

“That’s the Stark in you talking, how can you focus better with music blasting in your ears?” Peter asked while laughing.

“I guess you are right, that is a classic trait of my dads. But it just helps me focus better. I don't know, I can't explain it.” You turned on your playlist before flipping to the first page of the stack of formulas Bruce assigned you to solve.

Your speaker was loud but who cares it’s not like anyone cared or was listening everyone was off doing their own things. The first few songs were upbeat and fun but the farther you got into your playlist the more guilty pleasure songs started playing, but Peter didn’t mind he was blocking out the music anyways so he could focus better on the formulas in front of him. What you didn’t know was that Steve and Nat were standing outside your room listening.

“Knee deep where? doing what?” Steve said worriedly looking over at Nat.

“It’s just a song Steve stop being so old-school” Nat smirked back at him.

“But Peter’s in there with her, what if they aren’t actually studying?” Steve asked as any worried uncle would.

“The song is talking about having relations in the bathroom during dinner time, that’s not appropriate Nat” Steve said firmly not accepting any excuse now.

Nat wasn’t interested in continuing this conversation any further and started walking toward the living quarters where there sat Bucky, Clint, Bruce and of course Tony.

“What’s got you so tense Cap? Your boyfriends right here if you have to relieve some tension” Tony laughed making fun of Steve and Bucky’s unusual bromance.

“I think you should worry more about what your daughter and Peter are doing upstairs” Steve said, crossing his arms.

“What? What are you talking about Cap? His vigilant ass better not be corrupting my innocent perfect daughter” Tony angrily stated as his face turned a shade of red nobody expected.

“They are listening to a song about having relations in the car and bathroom” Steve said pointing upstairs to your room.

“And you didn’t shut it down the moment you heard that? What kind of uncle are you?” Tony asked running up the stairs to take a listen for himself.

“Oh my gosh the lyrics are filthy but it sounds so calming, how does an artist achieve that?” Tony muttered under his breath before harshly knocking on your bedroom door and bursting in unannounced.

“What’s going on here?” Tony yelled loudly only to be met with a view of you sitting at your desk and Peter sitting on your bed leaning against the headboard with a textbook and stack of papers sitting on his lap.

“What dad? We are busy figuring out the formulas Bruce gave us. Why the hell is everyone crowding outside my room?” You asked, pointing towards Steve, Bucky, Nat, Clint and Bruce all huddling in a circle outside your bedroom door.

“Well we heard the song you guys were listening to and were a bit concerned. You guys aren’t acting on those lyrics are you? You guys better not be under my roof” Tony questioned with a look of disgust on his face.

“What the hell are you going on about dad?” You asked looking over at Peter who looked like he'd seen a ghost.

“Are you guys having sexual relations?” Tony asked in disgust as your playlist suddenly skipped to the next song which would make your case even worse.

“Head so good, she's an honor roll she’ll ride your what like a carnival?” Tony repeated the lyrics.

“I am on the honor roll though, so it’s not entirely a lie” You replied back smirking like a smartass.

“This is not a laughing matter young lady, we are talking about something serious here, answer my question right now” Tony stated with a straight face not joking around anymore.

“Yeah we are and what about it?” You said, shrugging your shoulders.

“Y/n not in front of everybody” Peter said shyly.

“Who cares Peter they were going to find out sooner or later anyways, might as well just tell them now” You said looking back at everyone’s shocked faces. As you looked past your father behind him stood Bucky handing Clint a ten dollar bill.

“You guys had a bet going on about us?” Peter asked, looking back and forth between them but also keeping one eye on Tony just in case he might try to kill him.

“This conversation is not over and from now on this door stays open” Tony said sternly ignoring all the giggles and snarky remarks coming from his fellow avengers. Your playlist then starts playing a different song which lightens up the mood just a little.

“This one has a dance to go along with it, watch H-O-T-T-O-G-O it’s like the YMCA'' You said while doing the dance.

“I like doing the YMCA” Steve said, smiling now entering your room.

“Of course you do because you're ancient” Peter said jokingly.

As you can expect you didn’t think you’d be ending your day teaching Steve Rogers the Hot To Go dance however you wouldn’t trade the quiet days at the compound for anything because at the end of the day you’re just one big family and you wouldn’t trade them for the world.

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rxmqnova · 11 months ago

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*Avengers meeting*

Tony: Y/N is late again.

Steve: How did this happen? I called her at 8 o'clock this morning and pretended it was 11.

Clint: I printed up a fake schedule for her saying we were starting at 9 instead of noon.

Natasha: I set her clock to say PM when it's really AM.

Wanda: Oh boy. We may have overdone it.

*Y/N bursts through the door*

Y/N: WHAT TIME IS IT?

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orangechickenpillow · 6 months ago

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happy fathers (?) day

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xenocorner · 9 months ago

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Trying out some stuff and of course he's my victim

#when was the last time I drew Stephen solo?#Clint you have ruined me #the comic studies begin oh no #clint barton #hawkeye #hawkeye 616 #comic clint barton #disaster baby girl orz

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ivysos2001 · 14 days ago

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God there’s something so refreshing about seeing Steve meet Natasha after seeing the ways everyone else has been treating him

Like everyone at shield has clearly been ignoring him or just allowing him to completely isolate himself (not sure which is worse considering this guy literally just lost everyone and everything he’s ever known, loved, or fought for) bc Fury doesn’t seem to be fully taking him seriously, Coulson (and I’m sure others he’s met up to this point) is such a big fanboy he can barely keep his composure around him

And then there’s Natasha who meets him and immediately starts teasing him (by poking fun at Coulson’s excitement nonetheless) and that’s when we get our first (of very few) genuine Steve smiles in this movie

After being treated like a comic book character come to life (either not taken seriously or fawned over), she’s probably the first person since he came out of the ice to treat him like a person and that is SO important

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ginnsbaker · 12 days ago

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All Of Your Pieces (6 - Dearly Lost)

Chapter Summary: You're no longer questioning your reality—that is until the twins does something you didn't think they were capable of. Monica, Darcy and Jimmy learn a fundamental truth about you from no other than Clint Barton. Pairing: Wanda Maximoff x Female Reader Chapter word count: 3k+ | Chapter Tags/Warnings: None

A/N: Let me know if the reveal at the end was pretty obvious :P // More author's notes here.

Series Masterlist | Main Masterlist

Things seem normal again. At least for a while.

Wanda watches you from the doorway, noticing how absorbed you are in a book, chuckling quietly at something on the page. You've always been a bibliophile, and she's never met anyone who reads as much as you do. Back when you went on missions together, you'd have a book in hand on the jet, finding time to read even on the way back to the compound. You'd even squeeze in a visit to a local bookstore whenever you were stationed somewhere new. In this reality, though you work hard to provide for the family, you still manage to read a page or two before calling it a night. She was more than relieved to find out that you were still wholly yourself in here.

Lately, Wanda’s found herself doing this more—watching you, making sure you're still there, still undoubtedly hers. She knows she’s keeping tabs on you more than she even does on her six-year-old twins, and deep down, she understands it's not healthy.

There hasn't been a major incident since your last big argument, the day she literally threw Geraldine out of town. But that's only because Wanda has been managing things before they can escalate. She’s been tweaking little things with her powers, smoothing over potential upsets, steering your mood when it seemed to dip. It never gets easier for her, using her magic on you. It feels as if she’s betraying you each time, but Wanda feels trapped into making these choices, believing it’s the only way to protect you and the boys and the happiness she’s found here in Westview.

“You’re spying again.”

Wanda blinks to find you looking up from your book, the corners of your mouth tilting upwards in a teasing smile.

“Can't help it,” she replies. “You look so beautiful.”

You close the book slightly, keeping a finger between the pages. “Have you seen yourself in the mirror?” you say, meeting her eyes. “Care to join me?” You pat the empty spot beside you on the couch.

Wanda crosses the room to sit next to you. “What are you reading this time?” she asks.

You hold up the book to show her the cover. “Just revisiting an old favorite.”

Wanda reads the title: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. She can't help but wonder why you decided to pick up that book now, of all times. Wanda feigns innocence about what it could mean.

“Mad scientist and monsters?”

“Yeah”, you say. “Though the monster isn't really the villain if you think about it.”

She raises an eyebrow, taking a seat beside you. “No?”

“No,” you continue. “He's just misunderstood, a creation trying to find his place in the world. It's the creator who's irresponsible.”

Wanda swallows, the irony not lost on her. “I see.”

Noticing the distant look in her eyes, you fold the corner of the page and set the book aside.

“Is everything okay?”

She forces a small smile and nods.

“Anything you want to talk about?” you offer, your hand brushing hers.

Wanda intertwines her fingers with yours, then shakes her head. “It's nothing, really. Just... thinking about how good things are.”

You squeeze her hand lightly. “I think about that too. Every day.”

Wanda smiles at you, though she can’t help but wonder how much of your response is truly yours, and how much is shaped by the spell she’s woven around you.

After a moment, you say, “You know you can tell me anything, right?”

Her grip tightens ever so slightly. She can feel her palm against yours becoming clammy. “I know,” she whispers.

“Good,” you reply, leaning in to rest your head against hers. “Because whatever it is, we'll face it together, right?”

Wanda closes her eyes, soaking in your words. “Thank you,” she whispers.

You chuckle softly at that, shaking your head slightly. It seems almost silly that Wanda feels the need to thank you for something so fundamental. Aren't you supposed to be there for each other no matter what? After all, that's what being married is about. Being there for her—it’s not something she should ever have to thank you for; it's just a given.

You reopen the book with your free hand. “How about I read to you for a bit?”

She nestles closer, sinking into your embrace. “I'd love that.”

You begin to read out loud, but even as she listens, a part of her remains restless. She wishes she could share everything with you—the doubts, the fears, the lengths she's gone to preserve these moments with you.

–

“If there's one thing I don't like about this show—” Darcy starts, her eyes fixed on the television displaying the latest episode of Wanda's broadcast. In Command Central, more than a dozen monitors are lit up around the clock to ensure they don’t miss a moment. Darcy's snagged this vintage TV for their own use, preferring to monitor and analyze the situation away from the others. Ever since Hayward declared Wanda the enemy, they've all agreed they couldn't trust him.

Monica and Jimmy both give her pointed looks. It's hard to appreciate the nuances of a TV show when you know an entire town is being held hostage for it.

“Okay, besides the whole ‘entire town under mind control by a former Avenger’ situation,” Darcy adds, rolling her eyes. “It's the lack of continuity. One minute, Y/N is giving Wanda the cold shoulder, they're arguing over something trivial, and the next, they're all lovey-dovey like nothing ever happened. We didn't even get to see how that last argument over the scorched lasagna got resolved!”

Monica sucks in her teeth. “I doubt that scene really happened.”

Darcy nods. “I can't even wrap my head around how she's pulling this off. Her powers are—”

“Autonomous,” Jimmy chimes in. “Or it could mean Wanda's losing control over the narrative?”

Monica shakes her head. “No. That’s definitely a result of her controlling the narrative.”

“What’s Hayward’s plan anyway?”

Monica’s head drops. “H-He isn’t including me in the closed door meeting.”

“Oh,” Darcy mumbles. That could only mean that whatever Hayward’s planning, he knows Monica would challenge it at all cost. And if Monica’s against it, well, it can’t possibly be good or morally tactful.

Right then, Monica’s phone vibrates in her pocket. She checks the message and allows a slight smile. “I might have some good news,” she says.

Darcy swivels her chair to face her. “Please tell me you found a way to fix this.”

Monica glances at the tent entrance. “Not exactly a fix, but maybe a step in the right direction.”

Before anyone can question her further, the tent flap opens, and a familiar figure strides in.

“Clint Barton?” Jimmy blurts out, eyebrows shooting up.

“Hey,” Clint says casually, giving a small wave. “Heard you all could use some help.”

Darcy's mouth hangs open. “Whoa… Hawkeye?”

Before the two can spiral into hero worship, Monica steps forward. “I reached out to Carol, but she's off-world. She suggested contacting someone who knows Y/N well.”

“We go way back,” Clint explains. “I trained her for a while before Nat took her under her wing.”

An awkward silence settles over the cramped room as Jimmy and Darcy stare at Clint with wide-eyed astonishment. Clint glances around at the hodgepodge of equipment piled in corners and cables snaking across the floor. He clears his throat. “So... this is Command Central?” he asks, arching an eyebrow.

“More like the storage room,” Monica replies dryly, arms crossed over her chest.

It’s Darcy who snaps out of it first. “Okay, I just have to ask—do you ever miss? Like, is that a thing that happens?” she blurts out.

“Darcy,” Monica warns.

But Darcy barrels ahead, as if not hearing her. “And your arrows—do you make them yourself? What's your craziest trick shot?”

Clint chuckles softly. “I designed them, yes.”

Monica places a hand on Darcy's shoulder. “We really should—”

Before she can finish, Jimmy pushes off his chair, nearly tripping over a stack of files as he moves closer. “In the Battle of New York, how did you keep track of so many targets at once?” he asks eagerly.

Monica sighs loudly. “You too?”

The former S.H.I.E.L.D. agent shrugs defensively. “What? I’m a fan.”

“Can we please stay focused?” Monica says, pinching the bridge of her nose in embarrassment.

Clint chuckles softly. “It's alright. I get it.” He looks around at them with a friendly smile. “But I heard you’ve got an urgent situation here?”

“Right, right. Sorry. It's just—you're kind of a big deal.”

Monica takes a deep breath. “As I was saying, Clint knows Y/N well. He might be able to help us understand why Wanda’s doing this, how important Y/N was to her, and give us a clue on how we could help her through her grief.”

Darcy tilts her head. “So, what's she like? I mean, off the record.”

Monica gives Darcy a pointed look. “Darcy.”

“Sorry, sorry,” Darcy concedes, raising her hands. “But this interview’s gotta start somewhere, right?”

Clint looks between them. “Hold on a second,” he says. “What exactly is Wanda doing?”

Monica opens her mouth but finds herself hesitating, unsure how to relay the gravity of the situation. How do you tell someone that their friend has commandeered an entire town? There's no easy way to frame it—Wanda's actions are both alarming and, not to mention, illegal.

Darcy blows out a breath. “Oh boy, where to start?”

“Mr. Barton—” Jimmy starts.

“Just call me Clint.”

“Mr. Clint,” Jimmy continues. “Wanda has... taken over Westview.”

Clint raises an eyebrow. “Taken over? What do you mean?”

Monica finally finds her voice. “Wanda created an alternate reality that’s protected by some hexagonal energy barrier—”

“Hex!” Darcy exclaims excitedly, proud to have coined the nickname that she’s heard other field agents using. “That's what we've been calling it.”

Monica shoots her a glare but keeps going. “—and people are trapped.”

“Trapped?”

Darcy nods vigorously. “Yep, complete with its own TV broadcast. Different eras, laugh tracks, the whole sitcom package.”

Clint runs a hand over his face, exhaling sharply. “Wanda did what now?”

Monica pulls two chairs over to the central table, motioning for herself and Clint to sit. “We can brief you more on that later. It's hard to explain when there's no broadcast at the moment,” she says, gesturing toward the small vintage TV that's been showing static for hours. “Right now, we're on a tight schedule to convince Hayward to take an approach that minimizes casualties as much as possible. So, what can you tell us about Y/N? Wait—Jimmy, can you...?”

“Got it,” Jimmy replies, pressing the record button on the device. “All set.”

“Coffee?” Darcy offers, holding up a fresh pot.

“Please, and thank you,” Clint replies gratefully. He takes a seat, wrapping his hands around the warm mug. Turning to Monica, he asks, “So, how do you want to begin?”

“We have her basic bio—date of birth, physical stats, the usual. We know she worked with S.H.I.E.L.D. and later joined the Avengers, but beyond that, there's not much. Officially, she died two years ago in Tokyo. That's where our trail ends,” Monica says.

Clint nods slowly. “That lines up with what I know.”

Monica continues, “What we need to understand is her relationship with Wanda. Who was she to Wanda? How deep did their connection go?”

Clint tries his best to appear nonchalant though he’s out of practice. Your relationship with Wanda was kept under wraps; only the Avengers knew the full story. How did these people find out about you and Wanda being involved if all they have is what's in Stark's database?

Monica senses Clint’s having second thoughts on how to answer. “I understand this is sensitive,” she says, giving him a moment. “We’ll answer any questions you have, but we really need your help.”

Clint takes a sip of his coffee before responding thoughtfully, “I don't usually delve into others' private lives, especially when they're not here to speak for themselves. But if it can help us understand what's going on with Wanda…” He stops for a second, a faint smile touching his lips. “Funny thing is, they couldn't stand each other at first.”

–

“Smells good in here,” Wanda says as she pads into the kitchen wearing her sleep gown. It's Saturday—the one day you insist she sleeps in while you handle the morning routine with the twins, repaying her for the five days a week she does the same for you.

You turn from the stove, a spatula in hand, and smile. “Morning. Pancakes are almost ready.”

She moves closer, wrapping her arms around your waist from behind and resting her cheek against your shoulder blade. “You're spoiling me,” she murmurs.

“Just returning the favor,” you reply, flipping a golden pancake onto the growing stack. “Besides, the boys love helping out.”

No sooner do you say that than Tommy and Billy dash into the kitchen, giggling and shoving each other playfully. “Mom! You're up!” Billy exclaims, eyes bright.

“Morning, sweetheart,” Wanda greets, reaching out to smooth his tousled hair. “Did you two help with breakfast?”

“Of course!” Tommy grins. “I stirred the batter.”

“And I added the chocolate chips,” Billy adds proudly.

You chuckle. “They've been a big help.”

Wanda looks between the three of you, her eyes getting a little misty. “I can see that. Well, let me set the table.”

Before she can reach the cabinet, you quickly intercept her movements with a gentle hand on her arm. “Ah-ah, not today,” you say with a grin. “Why don't you take your usual spot and sit pretty?”

Wanda looks amused. “Are you sure?”

You merely lean in and kiss her cheek, letting your lips linger for a second longer than necessary before whispering, “I’m absolutely sure I just want you there sitting pretty for me.” Wanda giggles, blushing.

After breakfast, Tommy asks, “Can we go play outside?” already half out of his seat.

“Finish your juice first,” you say.

They obediently chug their juice, cheeks puffing out adorably as they hurriedly swallow. You watch, momentarily concerned, but the sight is too endearing to fuss over.

“Done!” Billy declares.

Wanda laughs. “Alright, but stay in the yard.”

You begin clearing the dishes, and Wanda joins you at the sink. “They’re a handful,” she remarks, shaking her head fondly.

“I love it,” you reply, smiling as you scrub the same plate absentmindedly. “Honestly, I wouldn’t mind having two more just like them.”

Wanda nudges your hip with hers. Hearing you want to have more kids with her both terrifies and excites her. “Is that so?” she teases.

“Yeah,” you say, leaning in to rub your nose affectionately against hers. “I’ll carry the girls this time.”

“Girls?” she repeats with a soft smile, her face lighting up at the thought.

As you're both finishing up, a commotion comes from the backyard. The boys' excited voices carry into the kitchen. “Moms! Come see!”

You and Wanda look at each other in question before heading outside. The twins stand on the patio, each holding one end of a wriggling, scruffy dog.

“Look what we found!” Tommy shrieks.

The dog wags its tail furiously, tongue lolling out.

“Where did he come from?” Wanda asks.

“He was by the bushes,” Billy explains. “He doesn't have a collar or anything. Can we keep him?”

Wanda gently takes the dog from them, cradling it like a newborn. “Now boys, taking care of a living thing is a big responsibility,” she starts, “Dogs need food, exercise, training,” she brings her face closer to the little dog and begins nuzzling it. “Belly rubs and cuddles and kisses between his little ears.”

You watch your wife, noting that you’ve clearly lost her to the dog.

“We know,” Billy insists. “We'll feed him and walk him and everything!” Wanda hands the dog back to the twins as she turns to you, seeking your input.

“What do you think?” she asks, clearly hoping you’ll say yes. It’s always a challenge to say no when she looks at you like that—so childlike herself—but you’re not convinced the kids are quite ready for the responsibility—yet.

You sigh lightly. “I don't know, guys. A dog is a lot of work. And you're still pretty young.”

Tommy pouts. “But we'll be responsible, we promise!”

Billy nods earnestly. “Please?”

Wanda smiles at you, then turns back to the boys. “Maybe when you're a little older.”

“How old?” Tommy asks, tilting his head.

Wanda hesitates, glancing at you. You clear your throat and suggest, “Ten.”

“Yeah, when you're ten,” Wanda agrees.

The brothers exchange a mischievous glance. Wanda immediately realizes what's about to happen and begins muttering urgently, “No, no, no…” But she can't stop it. Right before your eyes, your six-year-old boys start to grow taller, their faces maturing as they rapidly age themselves to meet the age you've required for them to keep the dog.

Wanda glances back at you, hands on her hips. “Well, I guess that settles it, huh?”

–

Clint chews on what he's seeing for a long, hard minute. Watching you in proper pajamas—something he knows you'd never wear in your entire life—cooking pancakes and playing house with Wanda and two kids who look nothing like either of you, it's... it's a lot to take in, even after everything he's seen in this lifetime.

After sharing what he knew—what he could—about your relationship with Wanda, Clint asked Monica for more details on what exactly Wanda had allegedly done to the town. Monica's expression grew somber as she responded, suggesting that it was better to show him rather than tell. Skeptical, Clint doubted it could be as extreme as they were making it out to be, but he agreed to see for himself what was really going on.

He couldn’t have been more wrong.

“That's... that's definitely Y/N,” he mutters, eyes still glued to the screen. “Her face, her voice... even that annoyingly cheesy way she gets around Wanda.”

Monica glances at him. “So it's really her?”

“Yeah. Unless someone found her identical twin, that's her.”

Darcy folds her arms, skeptical. “But we thought Y/N died after the Snap. She didn't come back when everyone else did.”

Clint looks down at his lap, deep in thought. When he finally raises his eyes, there’s a hint of embarrassment on his face. He sighs and rubs the back of his neck. “That's…what most people were led to believe,” he says.

Three pairs of eyes are suddenly on him, waiting impatiently.

“Meaning?” Jimmy prods him for more.

Clint sighs, avoiding their eyes. He knows there's no turning back now.

“Y/N isn’t dead,” Clint finally discloses, earning a collective gasp that he’s already been expecting. “She went off the grid. Only Nat and I knew about this.”

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