#discount avengers!!!!!

[doolallymagpie]

alright, ferro-fibrous armor, endo-steel, double heat sinks, and jump jets doesn’t sound like much of an improvement, but looking at undertaker’s MAD-GLG next to a stock marauder, it really is

[starcchild]

((*stroking my computer screen* le.go rive.ndell my beloved,,,

[clintbarton-thearrowguy]

I plead the 5th

[allophonicmess]

Too Sweet

Logan Howlett x fem!Reader

Act 3

Warnings: spoilers for Deadpool & Wolverine

This is a fluff chapter. Gotta give you guys some candy after all that angst

Word count 4.1 K

Life resumed as normal after that. Or as normal as it could be when you are suddenly placed in the new timeline. Logan kept getting confused by little details that were different to the life he had lived before. Professor X ? Sure he exists but he had hair. Cyclops? Oh yeah. He was just as annoying as he remembered. Who are the fucking Avengers and what sort of rich nerd was Tony Stark? And what about Jean?

“A hot red head with the telekinetic powers?” Wade hummed, pretending to be lost in thought. “Uh, no. UNLESS! Charles used to have a beautiful flowing mane that I don’t know about. He is turning grey, you know… but it suits him. Silver fox”              

So Jean was out of the picture. That was good, right?

Logan groaned at Wade's bad joke. He shifted his focus outside, watching the landscape change from looming tall skyscrapers to even fields and trees that started changing colour with the season. It reminded him of home.

“Just to get this straight.” Logan shifted in his seat. The car that Wade had bought from the dealership had been heavily discounted and Logan now understood why. You would think it can’t get worse than the Odyssey? Oh boy, were you wrong. It was too small for 4 people, let alone 2 mutant men. He already felt sorry for whoever might have to sit in the back for whatever reason.

“Y/N has powers?” Logan asked, trying to play it cool. The whole drive had been a big Q&A.

“Yup,” Wade said with a pop. One hand on the steering wheel and the rest of him laid back in his seat.

“They call her Osmium, too?” Logan didn’t like this dependency on the wanna-be hero. But he had to make a good first impression.

“Osmimimum? Uh no. She is called Atom” Wade laughed “Don’t if she actually does stuff with atoms… It's more like…” Wade groaned as he tried to think of an example.

“She manipulates density.” Logan pointed out. They had trained together many times. But Y/n was never allowed to use her full potential with the X-men. They condemned violence and so she was often left out on mission and focused on keeping the school running.

“Ugh- I guess? She once told me in great, boring detail why ‘Atom’ is a bad superhero name for her but they kept it for the marketability. “ He shrugged “Oh! I remember that one time we stopped a child-mutant trafficking and she got mad, like REAL MAD, and then she turned this one guy into goop.” Wade nodded fondly, thinking back at that moment. “And I mean like Nickelodeon kids choice award goop, like slurpable slushy goo, like-“

“Okay, alright! I get it.” Logan groaned in annoyance. Shaking his head at Wade. He was thankful for the man’s support and friendship but god was he annoying. Constantly.

“I wish she would do that to me sometime. It’s on my ways-to-die bingo. But she keeps refusing!” Deadpool hit the wheel dramatically.

“You are disgusting,” Logan stated dryly. “The most disgusting person I ever met.”

“Don’t forget the most annoying!”

...

The decision to go back to teaching was not made out of fun or for the joy of doing it. Maybe partially, even though Logan would not openly confess so. It was made out of necessity. Living with Wade and Al became tiresome after the first few weeks. It was always the same antiques, the lack of schedule as well as a constant state of chaos that made him crave the ordered life at the school once again. He hoped that it would give him a sense of belonging. The X-men might be different here, with a few quips and details that didn’t match with his reality. But living at the school would tie him to a strict schedule and by god, he needed some structure in his life.

 But all in all, it meant home.

“Okay, peanut. Today is a big day. But I know you’ll do great and meet a lot of new friends.” Wade joked in a motherly tone as they arrived at the Mansion. “And no hair pulling or biting unless they ask for it, okay?”

“I can’t wait to be rid of you” Logan groaned as the car came to a halt. He exited the car with a low groan, stretching to lose stiffed muscles. Not having to constantly ride in Wade's joke of a car was another reason that he preferred living at Xavier’s Institution. Speaking off:

“There you are. Welcome, welcome.” Xavier rolled into the mansions yard.

“A pleasure to have you, Logan. I must say, I was very pleasantly surprised when I received your response to my inquiry.” He moved towards Logan, offering his hand for a handshake.

Logan inspected the man. He was older, in his 40s maybe. But younger than the Charles Xavier he had worked with. He sported shaggy longer hair that was starting to thin out. Soon he would need to get it trimmed to keep his professional exterior. Along with a beard that was rather spotty and seemed too reminisce of his look in the 70s. Xavier looked like a mix of the two versions that Logan got to meet during his time at the school and it made him wonder how time worked here. Events seemed to play out in different order, they didn’t happen at all or much later than seemed correct.

He shook Xavier’s hand, thanking him for the offer. “Of course. I was surprised when you contacted me.” Logan confessed. His gaze shifted towards the grand building in front of him. It was the same old English style build that he knew, with a few modern elements added here and there.

“Is it familiar to you? The school? I assume you have experienced quite a few dejá-vus since arriving here.” Charles observed Logan.

“I do. Some things are the same. Others don’t match what I know or didn’t happen at all.” He confessed. Already feeling the brother connection build, similar to the one he had with the other Charles.

“You will find your answers. I am sure of it.” Charles turned around motioning Logan to follow him inside. “I think it is best if we continue this conversation in my office.” He looked over his shoulder at Wade, who had waited in the car, listening in on the conversation.

“Oh, yeah, I’ll be on my way. You call me if you need to get picked up, Pookie!” He waved at Logan in a motherly way.

“You aren’t coming?” He asked, somewhat confused. But then he saw Charle’s face, the intense stare he gave Wade.

“Uhhh, no I technically have a house ban for no apparent reason-“

“You burned down the west wing” Charles answered dryly.

Wade clicked his tongue, “Right, okay. Yeah… But! It’s very modern now.” He chuckled weakly. “You’ll still call me up for a mission, right?” He tried to persuade the professor.

“If the mission takes place outside of my building then yes.” Charles agreed, focusing back on Logan. And leading him inside. Neither of them commented on the cheer that Wade gave as he drove off.

Being back at the school felt surprisingly good to Logan. It was like coming back from a long holiday. Most everything was the same: Students running in the hallways, playing games in the gardens and-

“Fancy seeing you here!”

Logan turned around quickly, looking for whoever addressed him. Some children were buzzing along the halls, none of them too interested in him. Then he spotted her by the stairs. Leaning onto the dark wooden rails of the gallery. The light from the window behind her illuminating her figure.

“Y/n”, he breathed.

“Hi! Charles told me that you wanted to start teaching again.” She made her way downstairs, focus shifting between not falling and keeping her gaze on him. She seemed pleasantly surprised to see him.

He turned more toward her, watching her get closer to ground level. With each step he felt his excitement grow “He contacted me, actually. Asked whether I wanted to work here…”

“Oh really? What a coincidence ”She grinned mischievously, stopping at the end of the stairs and leaning on one of the bannisters. She kept a little space between them. There might be some familiarity between them but she didn’t want to push him too far yet and give him the chance to get closer to her if he felt like it.

But Logan stayed in place: “Do you have anything to do with that?”

She smirked,  and he felt some of his charm return to him . He might be rusty but some things were just engraved in him.

“Maybe” She shrugged, smiling softly with a playful sparkle in her eyes “But I’m assuming that you won’t be teaching history, right?” Y/n teased carefully. The multiverse situation was a thing she wanted to be careful about. Wade had told her a little bit about what had happened to Logan before he transferred but she didn’t know any details.  

“No, I teach PE and defence classes. You do science, right?” He shifted his weight from one leg to the other, hoping to lose the tension in his body. He threw the tidbit of knowledge into the conversation, hoping that he was right and that the two versions of her had that much in common.

“Chemistry and Literature, yeah.” She smiled. She then looked at her watch before pointing towards another corridor with a sigh “I’d love to talk more, but I need to get to class. Maybe we could meet sometime.” She secured the book in her arms.

“Yes.” He answered with a stiff nod, his hands were getting sweaty.

They stood In awkward silence.

“Maybe over a coffee?” She asked, looking up at him, her lip curled upwards. Her look became more expecting as he watched her in silence.

 He would catch the bait she just threw, right? Scott had laughed when she asked him about what Logan had been like; What this version might be like.

 ‘He’s an asshole’ He said ‘a cocky asshole and who thinks he can charm any girl he likes’ she blushed at that comment ‘But he is into the dark, mysterious type if that is what you are after’

“Maybe”, Logan gave  cold and curtly.

He regretted his demeanor when he saw her smile slip for just a moment.

Fuck.

Her face slipped for a moment “Oh.. okay.” She huffed softly. “See you around then.” Y/n nodded quickly before running off.

...

A routine established itself after the first weeks back at the school. The work there itself was the same. Teach the children standard curricula, training them in controlling their powers and some extracurricular activities.

He would spend some evenings with the other members of Team X ,as they called themselves here. Sometimes he would meet Y/n in the hallway but he didn’t work up the courage to stop and talk to her beyond a quick ‘hello’.

What is wrong with you? You used to sweep women off their feet. She is offering herself to you at any chance and you still can’t manage to ask her out?

He sighed as he changed back into his regular clothes. The class had just ended. It was Friday, still fairly warm for October and the trees looked beautiful in all shades of red, orange and yellow.

 Would be perfect for a romantic walk… A charming, rugged man could ask a woman out for that.

“That guy died a long time ago…” He mumbled to himself. Picking up his bag and closing the locker.

He exited the gym, making his way to his room or rather apartment. Wade managed to burn down the teacher's quarters along with the kitchens and cafeteria in some wicked stunt. No one knew what happened and that was for the best, he guessed.

However, that incident resulted in a modernized reconstruction with more spacious rooms for the teachers and a communal cafeteria that students and members of Team X shared.  Great for extroverts but Logan had to pass it every time he went to his rooms, much to his dismay. To make it worse,  the communal space was separate from the hall via a glass wall, allowing for a perfect view of everyone who tried to sneak past. Which led to uncomfortable situations such as this.

“Logan!” Piotr called, waving his huge metallic arm to get the other man's attention. Logan's initial reaction was to ignore him as he had done many times with the members of his old team.

No, he wanted to do better. He needed to. It was that kind of behavior that made him spiral in the first place. So he took a deep breath and channeled all jolliness available to him after 6 hours of teaching and a generally low level of it to begin with.  He slowly made his way towards the teacher's table.

“Come, eat with us.” Piotr offered him the seat next to him on the thick wooden bench. A seat opposite of… fuck- of fucking course he was in on Wade’s plan to play matchmaker.

 “We can’t have you get scrawny, eh?” he joked.

“Not that that would be likely to occur” Y/n joked as Logan sat down. His look snapped towards her and her eyes widened in shock at what had just come out of her mouth.

A knowing, wicked grin spread across Colossus's face. That fucking asshole…

“What are we having?” Logan asked, ignoring the situation that had just occurred. He tried to keep his gaze on Piotr who was busy filling a plate with whatever was in the big metal pot on the side of the table. His eyes shifted to Y/n every so often.

“Pierogi. I am trying out new recipes for a cooking class with my students” He said proudly, placing the plate in front of Logan “Y/n said, they are very good. Right?” He asked her, putting the woman on the spot.

“Oh, uhm…yeah. I like the new… stuffing.” She said, the answer sounding more like a question, carefully looking at Logan when he tried it. She was thankful for Piotr’s brotherly demeanor and gentle nature. Yet sometimes he would tease her as any older brother liked to do. And they sure liked to do it in front of people that the younger sibling might fancy.

Logan nodded in agreement, complimenting the man for his cooking.

“You cook here regularly?” He asked with a mouthful.

“Of course! Cooking is a very important life skill. As well as baking. You should join one of Y/n’s baking classes, she is very talented.” Colossus complimented the woman, making her grin.

“I plan on holding a workshop on the weekend for older students and alumni. You should come.” She offered, a hopeful look in her eyes. Maybe she was too discrete the last time she tried to get Logan to ask her out. So this time she tried to be more direct with her offer.

“I don’t bake,” Logan answered in a backhanded comment as he continued to eat. He didn’t think too much about it. He had planned to ask her out after lunch. He was overly focused on what he would say to her once the others left to notice how he had sounded.

It only occurred to him when he saw how Y/n visibly deflated. “Oh, right” She hummed, swallowing another bite of her food, eyes looking anywhere but towards the man who had once again rejected her so swiftly.

Piotr, just sighed with disappointment, leaning back in his chair. His hard elbow bumped into Logan’s side.

You fucked it up. Again.

...

“Okay, stop. You mean to tell me that she tried to ask you out not once but TWICE and you rejected her?” Wade paced through the living room. Trying to make sense of what his friend had just told him. “You mean to tell me that you now spend 3 months at that school? Being in her proximity 24/7 and actively avoiding her?”

Logan sat on the familiar black couch that looked even more beaten up than the last time he was at the flat. With disgust, he realized that he didn’t even want to know what caused the new damage.

 “I don’t avoid her”

“Oh no? And yet the few times she does catch you creeping in the halls you manage to scare her off.” Deadpool said down one of the rotatable bar chairs. Swirling dramatically.

“No wonder the girl’s not interested in a sad drunk fuck like you,” Al commented from the table where she sat, carefully packaging her newest acquisition of sellable goods.

“ No, Al that’s the thing! The girl wants him DESPITE being a sad drunk fuck!”  Wade jumped from the chair to pace around some more. He had to come up with a plan to get the two to spend time together, and get to know each other better. Create some closeness to let the sparks fly and catch on.

“That’s even worse.” Al laughed, snoring.

“Thank you for the compliments… Reassuring.” Logan groaned, regretting to even have answered Wade when he asked him about how things were going with Y/n. Maybe he wasn’t ready to be with someone again. He liked her and wanted to get to know her but something was stopping him. The urge to protect her from danger and he still thought of himself as the greatest danger to her and his team.

“On the other hand, she is still interested after being rejected TWICE. So you still have a chance, Pookie.” Wade said, sitting down next to Logan, yet again way too close.

“I’m gonna help you, buddy, Don’t you worry.” He leaned in closer, his lips brushing Logan's ears “Act three needs some lovin’ and I make sure you get all the loving you need, baby” He whispered towards Logan. And with dread, and a bit of disgust,  Logan accepted that he had no chance of stopping the man.

...

By the time the midterms rolled around, Logan had gotten familiar with the schedule and his  profession once again. He slept better, tended to snap less at people and even his drinking tendencies seemed to get better. Being part of a community felt good and it made him angry at his younger self for rejecting the people who loved him out of some ill-placed ideology: that to keep them safe, he had to distance himself from them.

And yet you are doing it again.

He sighed as he trotted into the community kitchen. He broke his coffee maker in a fit of frustration last week and hadn’t found the time or energy to tell Charles to get a new one. He stayed out of the professor's way for the most part, not wanting to be roped into some conversation about ‘needing therapy’. So he sourced his caffeine intake from the machine that sat in the big, homely department kitchen. Another benefit was that there was always a fresh pot ready and waiting for him. Downside, there were almost always people in the kitchen, waiting for others to join in for conversation and breakfast.

This morning he should be safe from conversation. Most students and some staff went home for the fall semester break, leaving the school running on a minimal level to accommodate those who had no home to go to. There were no classes, meaning that the school apparatus calmed to a halt.

In practice that meant that almost everyone slept in with no pressure to get up early. And for Logan, that meant that he could enjoy his drink in peace before people tried to talk to him.

Lost in thought he strolled into the kitchen. It seemed empty, thank god. He sighed in relief, stretching languidly. The air exiting his lungs in a low groan.

Then a soft click sounded through the room.

A fridge being closed.

“Oh hey, you’re up early.” Y/n appeared behind the full-size fridge door that had previously shielded her from his view. She looked a little tired, not yet fully awake and a bit tousled from sleep.

Aww C’mon. Maybe Wade was right about the universe wanting them to come together. But primarily to annoy him and allow for Wade to give him the ‘I told you so’ speech.

“So are you.”  He answered, leaving on the door frame and watching her pour some creamer into her cup. Upon closer inspection, she did look younger than her other iteration. Her features were softer looking with fewer wrinkles and scars. He needed to ask her about that at some point.

She leaned onto the counter to reach for another cup, taking it out of the overhead cabinet. Proceeding to pour some coffee in it. “How do you take your coffee?” She asked, turning towards him.

“I’ll take two sugars” He answered, moving towards her with slow even steps. The threat of Wade’s ‘help’ kept looming in the back of his mind, pushing him to be more open towards her and to come out of his shell. Who knows what that maniac had in mind?

Y/n hummed in agreement, dropping in two cubes of sugar and stirring the dark liquid before handing it to Logan.

He thanked her softly, holding the porcelain with his much larger hands. He had moved quite close to her, both leaning against the kitchen counter. The closeness and difference in height between them meant that Y/n had to look up to him, to make eye contact.

With a grin he noticed how she shifted her stand, one hand bunching up the material of her cardigan.

You still got it if you let it happen, man.

They stood in comfortable silence for a moment, enjoying their drinks and watching the sun paint pictures onto the kitchen surfaces, colored by the stained glass windows.

She was the one who broke the silence. “Are you ready for the training session today?” She asked, turning towards him, shifting her position so that her hip was pressed against the counter.

“Training?” He asked confused, setting down his cup to cross his arms over his chest, the muscles shifting visibly under his skin.

That’s right! Show her what you got!

“Yes, staff training? We got the call from Washington about a mutant security threat. Charles wants us to be ready just in case. Do you read your emails?” She teased, watching him over the rim of her mug.

“I don’t know how that stuff works if I’m honest with ya.” He shrugged “Do you go on missions regularly? On Government orders?” He remembered that Xavier had mentioned something along the lines of that. Some complicated struggles between heroes about government regulation and so on.

“Yes, after the blip it was decided that an X-team force should be established to take care of mutant-related threats or endangerments.” She explained.

He had heard of that, too. “Right. What was that blip again?”

The energy in the room shifted suddenly.

Y/n huffed, almost spilling a bit of her drink. “Ha, that’s a bit of a heavy topic for morning coffee talks.” She looked around uncomfortably. Logan seems to have hit upon a heavy subject.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.” He apologized quickly. Beating himself up for screwing it up once again.

“No, no it’s fine.” She shook her head, setting down her drink to cross her arms as he did. Only that she seemed to do it defensively. “Half of all life stopped existing for five years and… that left a few scars.” She explained somberly, softly nodding to herself.

Logan blinked, his mind moving at high speed to get the conversation on a good topic again. Anything to turn it around and to prevent her from having a bitter aftertaste to their first proper talk.

Yet it was her, once again, that stepped up. She noticed how he got nervous, eyes wandering, shoulders sagging.

“I’ll explain it to you later. When we are not so pressed on time.” She reached out slowly, placing her hand on his arm, squeezing it in reassurance. Y/n smiled at him softly, moving around him to exit the kitchen and prepare for the day ahead.

Without thinking Logan placed a hand over hers, just in time before she pulled hers away. It had her stop in her tracks. Her eyes moved to where his rough callused palm warmed the back of her hand, up to his eyes. He was watching her with intention.

She was nervous. This was either going to be an invitation to finally get to know him or he had enough of her and told her to stop fancying him.

“You can explain it to me on a walk to the lake? Tonight?” He asked, one eyebrow raising in question. His hand squeezed hers gently.

A second of silence followed.

She exhaled, the stress leaving her body but she had to keep her composure. A grin spread across her face “Sounds like a plan.” She held eye contact for a few beats, then let her hand slip out of his hold as she left.

That’s how you do it, Tiger!

Her lips pressed together to keep from smiling too hard as she exited the hallway.

Taglist: @sarahskywalker-amidala @myu3ki @stinastar @zortlort @zeeader @lolurk @eddiesguitarskills @elianamarie-blog @byhuenii @sunfairyy @weallhaveadestiny @catiwinky @halerune@yawnzshit @sseleniaa @starfleetteddybear @ipreferreadingtocope @br1-11 @kalicox  @rushin--spy @poplottie @pushingdaisies1 @nikki-says-beautiful-lies  @lizlil @matchamidoriya @simonsbluee @beiroviski  @spideybv28 @suiien @prompto-is-a-chocobo@landlockedmermaid77@passionfruiticedtea @valorant-v  @onlyforyuto @fallen-angels2213  @danicl25 @meowmeowyoongles @qardasngan @savy-luvs-dilfs @i-dont-do-too-much  @kittykookies @hooomansstuff

I hope I got everyone on the taglist. Write to me if I missed you.

New requets for being added to the list via comments on the Masterlist post, please. That helps me to keep things organized :)

But please leave a comment on this post to provide me with serotonin 😍

[the-cat-and-the-birdie]

VERY IMPORTANT SPIDER-VERSE QUESTION -

Do Nueva Yorkers know about Spider Society?

In Across the Spider-verse, we essentially see The Spider Society essentially terrorize the downtown of Nueva York in an attempt to capture Miles.

All of the Spider-people seem pretty versed and keen on where they're going for the most part. None of them seem particularly shocked by the floating train to the moon too.

This could be chalked up to the fact that they're Spider-people, and that means naturally good navigation -

But the Spider Society is basically one of the tallest buildings in NY99

So I'm assuming everyone (citizens) knows what it's for, or at least have a name for the tower (O'Hara Tower, or maybe just Spider Society Tower like the Avengers).

And it makes me wonder -

Do they see Spiders often? Do they know about The Society?

Do citizens know about the multiverse, as if it's taught in elementary school? Do they understand why there's so many Spider-people?

They seem to know it well - so do Spider people hang out in Nueva York? Maybe you can eat lunch at the cafeteria, or go off campus for some local 2099 food?

Are they celebrities? Do people see them like super-stars, or like students at a college in a college town?

Or do they go out there plain clothed so they blend in more?

But if they can do all that, that implies they're getting 2099 currency from somewhere. Maybe an allowance/stipend from Miguel? If he can own that big building, then why not?

I'm so curious!!!!! AHHHHHH

I NEED A POLL

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Cause nah for real, think about it -

Margo and Gwen hanging out at a super futuristic arcade together during their off time.

Cafes run Spider-Society discounts like cafes around college campuses. They have local fans.

Ben Reilly getting stopped in Nueva York for a picture with a fan and he doesn't stop talking about it for weeks.

The Spider-saur and Spidey-Jeep pulling up to the drive thru and you — the poor McMiguel's employee in 2099 have to act like that's natural and normal

hanging out with Hobie and hitting a bar with him in Downtown Nueva - listening to some obscure as future-retro punk band from 2099.

WAIT A MINUTE AM I COOKING LET ME COOK

Are y'all seeing the vision??

[pers-books]

The Ninth Doctor meets River Song! 

Christopher Eccleston is joined by Alex Kingston in Star-Crossed, a brand-new box set of full-cast audio dramas from Big Finish Productions, due for release in May 2024. 

For the final release in the current series of The Ninth Doctor Adventures, the Time Lord with a war-torn past meets a very important woman from his future. 

Alex Kingston first played Professor River Song in Steven Moffat’s 2008 Doctor Who TV episode Silence in the Library, and since then the assassin-turned-archaeologist has met many incarnations of the Doctor – though not in the right order. 

It’s finally time for her to say “Hello, sweetie” to her husband’s ninth incarnation, as the two of them embark on three adventures together. They visit a planet in thrall to a dating app, an intergalactic bank with a catastrophic glitch, and a raging maelstrom. Fantastic! 

Doctor Who – The Ninth Doctor Adventures: Star-Crossed is now available to pre-order for just £29.99 (collector’s edition CD box set + download) or £22.99 (download only), exclusively here. 

The three thrilling stories are: 

Swipe Right by John Dorney  Face of the Apocalypse by Lizzie Hopley  Archipelago by Tim Foley 

Christopher Eccleston said: "Returning to the world of the Doctor has been a great experience precisely because it has allowed me to re-explore my interpretation of the character and how he interacts with the many extraordinary beings he encounters along the way. Alex’s River was one such character and this was an interesting, challenging and enjoyable encounter for the Doctor too.” 

Alex Kingston said: “This is the first time that I’ve had an opportunity to work with Chris's Doctor. It’s a challenge for River to step into his interpretation and navigate it. He’s got a different energy to any of the other Doctors – she has to work harder to engage him, to get through to him, which is great fun.” 

Big Finish listeners can purchase Doctor Who – The Ninth Doctor Adventures: Star-Crossed as part of a as part of a complete four-volume series bundle for just £108 (on collector’s edition CD box set + download) or £88 (download only). 

All the above prices include the special pre-order discount and are subject to change after general release. 

Series 1-2 of The Ninth Doctor Adventures are still available to purchase as triple LP vinyl bundles – limited to a pressing of 1,000 per volume – for £140 per series. Collector's edition (CD box set + download) bundles are also available at £110 per series, as are digital download bundles, for just £96 per series.  

Please note: the vinyl editions do not include any behind-the-scenes extras. However, listeners purchasing vinyl LP editions will receive a download of the story automatically and be given access to the CD edits as a bonus download. Episodes will be edited specifically for the vinyl format, presented as 2 episodes, one on each side, each with opening and closing music. In addition, all pre-orders of the vinyls will also receive the behind the extras as a bonus download.

Please note that Big Finish is currently operating a digital-first release schedule. The mail-out of collector’s edition CDs may be delayed due to factors beyond our control, but all purchases of this release unlock a digital copy that can be immediately downloaded or played on the Big Finish app from the release date.

-- What an announcement - and on Alex's birthday, too!!! 💙😍💙

[direquail]

One of the many things I find funny and irritating is the slant of a lot of interpretations of Alecto's name (that it's about feminine rage)--on this here wlw internet in the year of our lord 2024, it's easily made to figure as rage against God, or rage against patriarchy, or religious oppression, and therefore an allusion to the idea that she's going to get her vengeance on John for betraying and oppressing her somehow, but like

John is the one who named her Alecto. He's the one who named her that. So, naming her "Alecto" is alluding to the embodiment of John's rage--their rage, since they are joined inseparably (John even explicitly says that when he first perceives her: "You wouldn't stop screaming. You were so scared. You were so goddamn mad").

He says of Alecto to Harrow, "In a very real way, you are [Alecto's] children". At a very surface level, Alecto is (depending on the text or tradition), one of the Furies--famously, in several surviving Greek tragedies, who punish Orestes for the crime of killing his mother. In fact, in Aeschylus' Oresteia, they declare that they are specifically bound to avenge matricide.

So the name "Alecto" alludes to the nature of John's mission and how he sees it.

It also implies that his divine rage, the rage that gives him power, the power that makes him divine, that he either represents or wants to represent, is feminine rage. He was chosen by Earth (which, Furies are sometimes the daughters of Gaia); he is her champion, however he's managed to fuck that up. Once the truth of that comes out, it becomes clear that all of his power comes from her.

And that's why you get statements from Tamsyn Muir like:

“[T]he God of the Locked Tomb IS a man; he IS the Father and the Teacher; it’s an inherently masc role played by someone who has an uneasy relationship himself to playing a Biblical patriarch. John falls back on hierarchies and roles because they’re familiar even when he’s struggling not to. Even he identifies himself as the God who became man and the man who became God. But the divine in the Locked Tomb is essentially feminine on multiple axes – I think Nona will illuminate that a little bit more."

So yes, he plays the role of Emperor and God and Teacher, with all of the things that implies. And I don't think it should be discounted. But he also is (and partly sees himself as) the chosen champion of a goddess, or what is for all intents & purposes for a human like him a goddess. He is her avenger, and while she sleeps, her avatar.

And I don't think we're meant to read him purely as a parasite who's taking advantage of her to gain power for himself, either. Or an oppressive, Kronos-like figure. Especially if you consider Palamedes' theory of the Grand Lysis, even if he was purely motivated by desire for power before (which I really doubt), there are parts of each in the other, now. What was clear and separate before is uncertain and interpenetrated. Is his rage his own, or hers? Is his mission of revenge his, or hers? If he wants power, is that his own selfishness, or her desire to survive?

And does it matter?

[citadelstorage]

Hero Arcade! (Open RP)

In a pocket dimension far removed from the ordinary universes, there is a group of thieves and perverts that run a highly advanced procurement agency called, The Sex Arcade. Here a customer can pick from any number of heroes from around the multiverse, and have them delivered at a moment's notice. Due to their unique business model customers can make rather unique requests. Want Barbara Gordon from when she first discovered the Batcave? Easy day. Want Wonder Woman when they had to save the world from Mordred? Done deal. Want Sue Storm when she's already pregnant, one pregnant Invisible Woman is yours! A quirky frog girl, a hero from Overwatch? They're yours, no questions asked! Saleswoman: "Hello there customer! Welcome to the Sex Arcade, we're having a special today on heroes specifically! Superheroes to be exact, from Overwatch, Justice League, The Avengers, The Hero Academy, all on heavy discount running today only!"

[bitter69uk]

Recently watched: MaXXXine (2024). Tagline: “She’s gonna be a star no matter what it takes!” MaXXXine, of course, represents the hotly anticipated concluding chapter of the juicy elevated horror trilogy beginning with X (2022) and the prequel Pearl (2022) by director Ti West and leading lady Mia Goth. I’ve been yearning to see this one for what felt like an eternity. Its trailer (soundtracked by the Laura Branigan classic “Self-Control”) was so tantalizing it tormented me! We watched MaXXXine last weekend and it was - OK! I felt like I was willing it to be better. Of the three films, MaXXXine is definitely the slightest and flimsiest entry. Maybe my expectations were unrealistically high and the remarkable Pearl (which I consider a modern masterwork) set an impossibly high bar for this follow-up. Anyway, there is still much to enjoy. Set in 1985 Los Angeles, MaXXXine unfolds against a backdrop of satanic panic paranoia, the rise of Tipper Gore’s censorious Parents Music Resource Centre, Ronald Reagan’s presidency and the Night Stalker’s reign of terror. Goth returns as driven, burning-with-ambition porn starlet Maxine Minx. Now 33, she knows it’s now or never if she’s ever going to transition from skin flicks into legit cinema (well, a low-budget slasher movie entitled Puritan II in this case). “In this industry, women age like bread not wine” she laments. But just as stardom finally seems within Maxine’s grasp, her friends start getting gruesomely picked-off one by one by a serial killer … MaXXXine boasts an authentically scuzzy, grungy discount bin VHS vibe. The soundtrack pumps with 80s tunes (ZZ Top. Frankie Goes to Hollywood. “Obsession” by Animotion. Kim Carnes’ “Bette Davis Eyes.” John Parr’s theme tune to St Elmo’s Fire. And yes, Laura Branigan). Aficionados of 1980s trash cinema will revel in West’s references to the likes of Savage Streets (1984), Brian De Palma’s Body Double (1984), Vice Academy (1989), Angel (1984) and Avenging Angel (1985). Goth is a riveting, singular presence and one of THE great actresses currently working (The Guardian’s Peter Bradshaw aptly called her the Judy Garland of horror). MaXXXine is a pulpy, grisly down-and-dirty summer thriller – just don’t expect another Pearl!

[medievalandfantasymelee]

THE HOT MEDIEVAL & FANTASY MEN MELEE

FIRST ROUND: 67th Tilt

Turgut Alp, Resurrection: Ertuğrul {Diriliş: Ertuğrul} (2014-2019) VS. King Edmund the Just, The Chronicles of Narnia (2005-2010)

Propaganda

Turgut Alp, Resurrection: Ertuğrul {Diriliş: Ertuğrul} (2014-2019) Portrayed by: Cengiz Coşkun Defeated Opponents: - Elendil [Lloyd Owen], The Rings of Power (2022-)

“The shit this man GOES THROUGH. It would be impossible not to love him anyway, but on TOP OF IT ALL he looks like THAT. LOOK AT HIM. The height, the physique, hair, the gaze, the nose. THE AXE. FIND ME A MORE **PERFECT** SPECIMEN OF M A N. He unites every extreme in the most attractive way – gentle with the women he loves, so brutal when he inevitably has to avenge them; incredibly loyal and also just ADORABLE with kids.”

King Edmund the Just, The Chronicles of Narnia (2005-2010) Portrayed by: Mark Wells Defeated Opponents: - Merlin [Nicol Williamson], Excalibur (1981)

“Look. I know we see older Edmund for like. Five minutes at the end of the movie. But look at how beautiful he is.”*

Additional Propaganda Under the Cut

*Master of Revels' note: I know Skandar Keynes is the Edmund we all fell in love with as wee children (And he's not here for what i think should be pretty obvious reasons), but just remember, this tournament is Character-based, so all of Edmund's hot qualities, such as his intellect, his fair-mindedness, his history of betrayal and redemption, and his scathing wit are characteristics that apply to him as an adult as well, and should not be discounted when voting.

Additional Propaganda

For Turgut Alp:

For King Edmund:

[taraljc]

One thing that always struck me in WandaVision was how Wanda used her powers in ways she hadn't since Age Of Ultron. Once she joined the Avengers, we never see her in Civil War or Infinity War use her powers to control anyone else's minds and bodies, or to induce hallucinations / nightmares.

I think that it is a part of her powers that she rejected--that she herself felt ashamed for using them against the people who would later become her peers. Particularly Steve, who was the first she formed a bond with and who trusted her when she told him the truth about how Tony Stark was incapable of seeing reason vis à vis Ultron.

The only time we ever see her use her ability to control others by imposing her will upon them was when she had the soldiers retrain their guns on Director Hayward. and the only time we see her induce an hallucination again was with Agatha. Hayward and Agatha were the villains of the piece in the traditional sense and she felt justified in her behaviour, but that doesn't mean that it was right and moral.

But I do think that was the moment when she stopped hating that part of herself and recognised that she had been closing parts of herself off because she was uncomfortable with them. And it was in a way her accepting culpability for her prior actions as well as recognising that power is neither innately good nor evil but merely a tool that can be put to any purpose and it's the intention that matters.

I don't think Teen has processed yet what truly happened with Agatha, Jen, and Lilia when his powers manifested. I think he feels deep regret and shame, coupled by remorse and guilt about what he in that moment believes to be his culpability in their deaths. obviously this will be short-lived, and I think it will be very interesting to see their reactions once they catch up to Agatha and Teen.

One of the parallels that I am really enjoying them exploring are the parallels between both Agatha and Wanda, and Wanda and Teen. I actually hope that Agatha is able to help Teen understand and accept his power in all the ways she wasn't able to help Wanda, not because she wants to siphon his magic but because she genuinely cares no matter how much she hides it behind the various masks that she wears.

Part of the reason I was so angry about Multiverse of Madness is that it completely ignored the fact that no-one knew Wanda was a witch prior to the events in Westview and even then, only Wanda knew any of that. None of the public did. So far as the Avengers and the wider world understood, her powers were the result of a science experiment by Hydra exactly the same way Steve Rogers had been during World War II.

Only she knew what had happened in Westview, and she had to process that information in complete isolation while being corrupted by the Darkhold, but with no knowledge whatsoever of the history of witchcraft or its place in the world when compared to sorcery.

And instead of actually exploring that, it's completely skipped because it's inconvenient to the story they want to tell, which had no actual basis in Wanda's story thus far. Stephen Strange and Wong act as if it's common knowledge that Wanda is practicing witchcraft and that they had always known that Wanda was practicing witchcraft which is a HUGE continuity error that no-one has ever actually addressed. And it bothers me a great deal because so much of the plot of the film hinges on knowledge that there is no way anyone could have gained. To the point where I've basically discounted it completely as not part of the MCU because it doesn't fit. none of the pieces fit with the other films and it doesn't build off of the first film well nor does it fit with WandaVision and it's just so poorly written in direct comparison to Spider-Man: No Way Home.

but what I love about Jac Schaeffer is that she has taken the hot mess and character assassination of Multiverse Of Madness and found a way to make it work with everything that has gone before in ways that make sense logically and emotionally. and at no point does it judge Wanda for her actions when she was under the direct influence of the Darkhold and her judgment was completely impaired. But neither does it sugarcoat her actions in Westview. she is responsible, and accepts responsibility for her actions even though her actions were not under her control and she was unaware of the true extent of them until Agatha kidnapped her children and gave her her first lesson in the craft.

Much like the events of Civil War where Wanda was able to partially contain an explosion created by former SHIELD/Hydra agents that would have murdered countless thousands of people (not to mention brought the entire building down) she still bore the guilt for those deaths she could not prevent and shouldered responsibility for them in public even though they were not her fault and in fact she spared everyone in the immediate area through her quick thinking.

Wanda has always accepted that she deserves whatever misfortune befalls her because she somehow deserves her pain. It's survivor's guilt taken to be extreme and that's I think why WandaVision hit me so hard because of course she doesn't deserve loss after loss after loss with no comfort and no family to support her-- found or otherwise. No-one does.

I genuinely hope that Teen avoids this fate because he doesn't deserve it, either. He's only a few years younger than his mother was when she was duped by Hydra, and I hope that Agnes will be a better tutor and mentor to him even if it is only for the final four episodes of the series.

The first episode would not have mentioned how absorbing Rio's power would destroy Agatha without that being Chekhov's gun. but my hope is that it won't be permanent, even if it is inevitable.

[merrysithmas]

warning: The Hobbit review where I am a hater lmao

I know I'm like a decade late to watching these but:

• Mourning bc we could have gotten Guillermo's version of King Thanduil who wouldve been the ancient and frightful Becoming-the-Forest shadowy, eldritch, eerily mad power-clinging creature we deserved but instead we got Makeup Vlogger Thanduil (which is still so funny to me I'm almost not mad) & jock spray-tanned Legolas. THEY KILLED LEGOLAS AND THEN LET A MEAN JOCK WALK AROUND IN HIS SKIN FOR 3 HOURS.

We could've had scary pagan Green Man Thranduil the ancient being who refuses to give up power so much so that he's being consumed by the (ever-darkening) Forest which he once ruled with magnanimity ... and baby!Legolas struggling with the isolationalism & prejudice he learned from his father's court but we got... That instead.

LMAO proof nothing perfect can last

• also Tauriel? every scene between her and Thranduil should've been between Legolas and Thranduil to flesh out their relationship, instead of sideling him for an unnecessary OC who was put there to fulfill a weird corporate romance tick box, a repetitive and boring romance nonetheless with a subpar stock Strong Female Character.

• The only good thing about the movie was Martin's Bilbo (spot on!!) and the Gandalf/Elrond/Galadriel teamup even tho it was a little infected with the Avengers-y virus for me, they're all just such good actors I could watch them sleep and I'd be like... Oscar.

• I also hated Bard (they shouldve cut Tauriel and genderbent Bard or a couple of the dwarves if they wanted to add women) and I hated the design for Smaug & the Trolls. No creativity there at all.

• The film had zero regard for tone and went for pseudoLOTR instead. Where was the fairytale-esque children's tale of growing up and leaving one's comfort zone and discovering the big, sometimes terrible, world? Where was the almost Winnie-the-Pooh shine which covered the Through The Looking Glass maze?

• Also, I hated Thorin (why did they make him Discount Aragorn?) and none of the Dwarves had ANY development... wtf? They were Dollar Store Fellowship.

• I cannot for the LIFE OF ME understand why they put BILBO in the "Emotional Supporter" role for Thorin LMAOOOO... what??? Anyway, I support all the Bagginshield shippers because everything should be, and is, gay. No issue there.

That's my review, overall I was deeply surprised how bad it was and it makes me leery about The Hunt For Gollum, because shockingly Jackson&Co are 1 for 2 in regards to triologies right now and the odds of it being quality are split.

IMO I genuinely feel like The Hobbit should be remade by another team, that's how off it was.

[nkatr84]

Deadpool and Wolverine

I just saw this movie today and I had to give it its own post! It’s so good. Bloody and violent and vulgar but that’s Deadpool. He can do PG 13 but he shines in R rated fair. Heck even his Disneyland Avengers Campus variant is PG cracking a few sex innuendo jokes that only parents will get. But the real draw is Hugh Jackman’s return as Wolverine. When a rouge TVA agent tells Wade he wants him to join the Sacred Timeline but his universe will get pruned, Wade is desperate to save his universe and the people he loves. When he’s told his universe is dying because its version of Logan died, he steals a timepad to find a Wolverine to replace him. Only to find the so called Worst Wolverine. They both get pruned to the void and have to survive a delightfully crazy and dangerous Cassandra Nova, a variant twin sister to Charles Xavier. There are so many fight sequences that are incredibly insane. Plus Hugh Jackman is finally in the comic accurate suit. Including the mask! They save that bit for the third act but it’s so satisfying to see him wearing it. Speaking of which…

Lord that man is pretty…(whispers from the sidebar) What? What do you mean he’s single now!? Dang it…(thinks of that one scene at the end where his shirt literally explodes off) I’m doomed…

Here’s some other things I loved about this movie…

She may have won Britain’s Ugliest Dog Contest, but she’s still freaking adorable! 🥰 Wade Ryan Reynolds melting every time he sees Mary Puppins aka Dogpool was everything. Plus Logan cleverly uses her to get past a Deadpool Corp without getting hurt. That was good.

Paradox was a fun secondary villain. And a stand in for not only the meta commentary about the corporate merger of Disney and Fox, but also the certain kind of fan that discounts the so called “bad movies” (and tv shows) of the MCU and thinks they know better than the people in charge of the MCU…you know what I’m talking about. Whereas this movie is a love letter to the Fox Marvel Universe in all its forms.

The opening fight sequence to Bye Bye Bye made my millennial self giddy with glee.

Again Hugh Jackman’s performance as Wolverine. This variant lost his X Men to hateful humans and he went in berserker mode killing bad and good guys. He lost his whole world and then comes this guy that won’t shut up saying he needs help saving his whole world and he shows Logan a picture of his friends. The parallels man…plus Logan helping Wade ends up getting him a new purpose and friends. And Wade begins the movie wanting to matter and learning he does to the people he loves. And the bromance Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman share in real life is echoed on screen. Granted a little more reluctantly on Logan’s part…and Ryan and Hugh didn’t need a Honda Oddesty to build their relationship on…😉

The Cameos I won’t spoil here. But a few genuinely surprised me.

This bit of fan service…

Again….

Plus they gave this Logan a happy ending! With new friends and a purpose! And he moved in with Wade and Blind Al and Mary Puppins…so what I needed to see after seeing Logan. Which was good, but a little depressing. I need happy Logan in my life. And Hugh Jackman wouldn’t hurt either…

[tylermileslockett]

Originally performed in 458 BC, Agamemnon is the first play in Aeschylus' Oresteia trilogy, which also includes Libation Bearers and Eumenides. The play is set in front of the palace of Argos and begins with a Watcher noticing a beacon fire which signals the return of Argos’ king, Agamemnon, ten years after sailing away to conquer Troy. The information is subsequently confirmed by a Herald, soon after which Agamemnon arrives in a chariot that also carries Cassandra, the Trojan princess, a spoil of war and a new bedmate of Agamemnon. Regardless of this, Clytemnestra welcomes her husband gushingly, eventually even persuading him to enter his palace by treading over a purple tapestry more becoming for gods than humans. It is a hubristic act, with which Clytemnestra tries to give further justification to what she intends to do next: murder Agamemnon. Left behind, Cassandra, a prophetess cursed not to be believed by anyone, senses this outcome. Even so, she decides to enter the palace as well, believing this to be her inevitable fate. Indeed, it is: Clytemnestra murders both Agamemnon and his lover, and defends this decision before the Chorus as a just act of revenge for Agamemnon having sacrificed their daughter, Iphigenia, to appease the gods for a transgression of his own – namely, killing Artemis’ sacred deer. However, that’s not the whole story, as we soon learn from Clytemnestra’s lover (and Agamemnon’s cousin) Aegisthus, who unexpectedly appears on stage. He is in on the murder plot as well, as a way to avenge his brothers, who had been not only slaughtered by Agamemnon’s father, Atreus, but also cooked and served as dinner to Aegisthus’ father, Thyestes. The Argive Elders bemoan this sudden turn of events and warn that Agamemnon’s son, Orestes, will inevitably return to look for v3ngeance. Source: greekmythology.com

Want to own my Illustrated Greek myth book? Support my kickstarter for my book "lockett Illustrated: Greek Gods and Heroes" coming in October.You can also sign up for my free email newsletter for free hi-res art and a big discount on my etsy print shop. please check my LINKTREE 🤘❤️🏛😁

https://linktr.ee/tylermileslockett

[supercap2319]

Killer frost male reader x ikaris fighting all over the city and I comes to a stop when ikaris flies over male reader while he is using his powers to make a one pathway and picks him up and drops them both into an ally and ikaris kisses him

Ikaris flew around the city of New York. Now that he was shunned by his own people, Ikaris had to do something to pass the time of his immortal life. He was a photographer under the alias of Ike Harris and lived a pretty normal life. Bleh. But with superheroes like the Avengers. Justice League. The Flash. Supergirl. There was no reason for Ikaris to get involved in mortal affairs. Until tonight.

He flew over a nearby bank, when the sound of an alarm caught his attention. From his vantage point up in the air, Ikaris could see that it was a metahuman stealing money from the bank.

Now, he normally didn't get involved in mortal affairs or problems, but tonight he felt like he should. He flew down for a better look to see it was the infamous Killer Frost. What's doing so far away from Central City? He's usually the Flash's problem, but tonight, he's Ikaris's.

"No honor amongst thieves? That's cold." Ikaris said. "Especially, with the holidays right around the corner."

Killer Frost turned around and gave him a cold smile. Literally. "And just who the hell are you, huh? A good Samaritan? An idiot in a navy jacket?"

"Actually, my friends call me Ikaris. So, let's just skip the theatrics and you just give back the money and turn yourself in. And we'll call it a night." Ikaris said.

"I've got a better idea." Ikaris watched as a mist of cold formed on Killer Frost's hands and raised them towards Ikaris. "How bout you leave, and I won't kill you slowly and painfully."

Ikaris smiled. "I'd love to see you try."

Killer Frost launched a bunch of icicle spears at the Eternal as Ikaris's eyes glowed gold, and he shot each of the attacks down with his optical lasers. Ikaris smiled at him. "I think you should give up now."

"Are you a discount Superman? Gender bender Supergirl? Though, you are much cuter than both of them combined.

"Better. An Eternal. Give up yet? And you think I'm cute?" Ikaris was shocked that the villain admitted that out loud.

"You are. And unfortunately, I don't have time to play with you right now." Ikaris watched as Killer Frost made an ice barrier between them that reached the ceiling. "See ya around, hero." He winked and Ikaris watched as he summoned an ice slide and he slid away.

Ikaris had to admire the young man's spirit. He was cocky and arrogant, but Ikaris liked that for some reason. He smiled and punched through the ice easily as he flew after him.

When Killer Frost realized that Ikaris was following him, he tried to blast him with his cry Oki Erickson powers of ice as ika weaved and dodged the attacks, before firing his lasers at the slide controlled by Frost, until it broke, and he fell towards the ground.

Ikaris quickly flew downward and caught the ice meta until they were in an alleyway. He looks up at Ikaris. "That was cold." He glared at Ikaris.

"It was." Ikaris agreed. "But so is this." He leaned down and captured his lips into a kiss.

[gttoomh]

No More Distractions Part 2

Alright, here we go. I made a part 2. Honestly, this didn't end up going where I thought it would, but I'm not mad about it.

Let me know if you guys would be interested in part 3. I'm not sure where I'd go from here, so drop some ideas too. Lol.

Part 1

Agent Hill doesn’t take long to find me on the street. I have no doubt there’s some sort of tracking device on me. Shield provided everything I’m wearing, so it only seems natural. She gives me a disapproving look before cuffing my hands in front of me and leading me back to the jet. I smile the whole way there, not bothered that my actions could label me a traitor. I take my seat in the jet, leaning my head back against the wall, and close my eyes as I replay the last few hours in my head. It’s not until I hear the cocky tone of Tony Starks voice that I open them again. Scanning the group, I almost snort as my eyes land on a detained Loki, and a wide grin spreads across my face.

“Well, well, well. You know, if you wanted to see me again, all you had to do was ask. There was no reason to go and get yourself arrested.”

He scoffs at me, sending a sharp glare, but there’s amusement in his tone as he sits beside me.

“Silence yourself, pet.”

I snicker, crossing my legs, and purse my lips in a small smile.

“Yes sir.”

The rest of the so-called Avengers load onto the bus, Natasha taking the driver's seat as the others linger nearby, keeping an eye on the two of us. The first thirty minutes of the flight go by quickly. Stark and Rogers continue to send glances our way, muttering amongst themselves. I’m sure they’re gossiping, but I’m more focused on the god sitting next to me than them. He seems lost in thought, and I reach out with my mind, poking at his to see if he’ll let me in. He sends a glance my way, a small, almost unnoticeable quirk on his lips, before he pushes me out. I pout softly, huffing as I scrunch my nose. My tantrum is short-lived. In the next moment, a bolt of lightning shoots across the sky, making me jump. I quickly turn to Loki, sharing a look with him before I bubble out a laugh.

“Oh, absolutely not. I’m moving to the other side of the jet. Good luck with that.”

He scowls at me, trying to grab onto my clothes to keep me from leaving, but misses me as I dart my way across the aisle. Stark and Rogers turn their attention to us, and the captain stares at my patron closely.

“What’s the matter? Scared of a little lightning.”

I almost cackle loudly, grinning at the god as he shifts uncomfortably; the two of us already know what’s coming.

“I’m not overly fond of what follows.”

I hum in amusement, shaking my head and wrapping my arms around the seat harness.

“You boys may want to hold on.”

The jet shakes violently as something lands on top of it. Stark puts on his mask, moving to the hatch, and opening it. The wind whips through the jet, and It only takes a second before a blonde man falls onto the opened door. The next moments are a blur. Before I know it, Loki is being ripped from his seat and practically thrown from the jet. Stark steps up to the door, Rogers not far behind him.

“Stark, we need a plan of attack!”

The man hesitates for a moment, glancing back at the captain.

“I have a plan. Attack.”

I blink as he flies off, disbelief on my face.

“Well, he really is a great team player, isn’t he.”

Rogers sighs heavily, glancing in my direction before pulling on a parachute. Natasha looks back at him from her seat, getting ready to turn the jet around to land.

“I’d sit this one out, cap. These guys come from legend. They’re basically gods.”

Steve grabs his shield, turning to walk towards the open hatch.

“There’s only one god, ma’am. And I’m pretty sure he doesn’t dress like that.”

He doesn’t hesitate, jumping from the jet in the next second. I frown, annoyed at how he practically discounted my religion and many others.

“That’s rude. I hope his chute messes up, and he hits a few trees on the way down.”

I hear Natasha chuckle from the front, and my ego gets a little boost from making her laugh.

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------

It takes around thirty minutes for the three men to come crawling back with Loki in tow. They all look a little worse for wear, but I chuckle at Loki’s appearance. His clothes and hair are disheveled, with sticks and leaves sticking to him.

“Welcome back, dear. Did you enjoy your camping trip? I hope you had a nice boy's night out.”

He glares at me, huffing as he sits beside me again.

“Enough of your taunting, pet.”

I hum in amusement but say nothing else, instead using the rest of the trip to pick the bits and pieces from his hair and clothes. Thor gives me a confused look, not expecting his brother to let anyone so close to him, especially a mortal.

“Brother, who is this?”

Loki rolls his eyes, pursing his lips as he pushes my hands away.

“An annoying pest who doesn’t know the meaning of personal space.”

I fake gasp, holding my hand to my heart.

“I’m wounded! And here I was, thinking I’m your favorite devotee. How silly of me.”

The god of mischief hums in agreement, but I feel a reassuring presence in my mind. He’s purposefully being cold to me, not wanting to give the heroes any ammunition to use against him. Thor seems content with the answer and turns his attention elsewhere.

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------

My head falls back to lean over the chair I’m sitting in, boredom filling my mind. The moment we stepped off the ship, Loki and I were separated. He was escorted to some fancy prison cell while I was to attend the debriefing with the rest of the heroes. Fury was growing increasingly frustrated with me, wanting to know precisely everything that was said after my comm was destroyed. I groan loudly as he presses me for the millionth time.

“I already told you everything that happened!”

Fury clenches his fists, grinding his teeth as he takes a breath.

“We know there's more to it. We have the security footage. Hill, pull it up on the monitor.”

The agent does as she’s told, the moment playing for everyone to see. I see Loki’s scowling face… then a soft look… followed by amusement. I watch as he breaks my comm… and when the two of us move to the dance floor. At this moment, the silence in the room is broken; Thor almost runs up to me with a firm look. He grabs my shoulders, staring at me intently.

“How do you know this dance? Tell me! Did Loki teach it to you?”

I purse my lips, swallowing hard. Of course, he would be the one to recognize it. He’s the only one in the room that would.

“He did. He taught it to me a few years ago now.”

The confession only seems to spur him on, tightening his hold on me.

“Are you aware of the significance of it? Do you understand what it means?”

I wince and can only nod my head in response. Rogers moves quickly, pulling the god away from me.

“what‘s going on? Why is the dance important?”

Thor turns his attention to me, his look urging me to answer the question, and I sigh.

“It’s an Asgardian dance. It tells the story of two people forbidden from being together. That’s why there's never any touching. It signifies the distance between them.”

Thor narrows his eyes, clenching his fists.

“On Asgard, It’s almost only performed between two lovers as a sign of their devotion to one another. Loki would never have taught you the dance if he saw you as a devotee.”

I purse my lip, shifting uncomfortably under the heavy gaze of everyone in the room.

“That is… correct.”

Thor steps closer, looming over me with a dark expression, intent on finding the truth.

“Tell me. What exactly are you to my brother?”

I stare back at him, not flinching despite his attempts at intimidation.

“Alright, fine... I’m his wife.”

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