#grifter Natasha

[drgrlfriend]

fic author Never Have I Ever ask game:

Mafia AU?

I'll be honest and definitely no offense to anyone who loves this AU, but I don't even read Mafia AU, even if I have read anything else by that author. I just don't like my faves being outright criminals, even if they are on the benevolent side of crime. (Red Hood gets a pass somehow.) I mean, having a character be a grifter or a pickpocket or thief or something is not a dealbreaker, but to me Mafia AU is entrenched organized terror and exploitation of people who don't deserve it and it doesn't appeal.

So, IIRC the meme was "how would I do it" if I've never written it. I'd probably down-age a character. Clint Barton would be good for this -- raised in a crime family but too soft. And at some pivotal moment he'd have to make a choice and he'd do something (refuse to hurt someone, set someone free, take down someone on his side who was hurting someone else) that caused him to go on the run. And Bucky would maybe be the one they send after him to take him out, but he's having doubts of his own, and then in the end they run away together, or meet up with District Attorney Steve Rogers and FBI Agent Natasha Romanoff and with their help take the whole family business down.

[gdmbrwiththerealcrew]

Day 3 - July 1st (Canada Day)

Yes, I’ll say it again, last night’s campsite was the worst ever. When we got up, the five of us (including Natasha) decided to go for breakfast at Mel’s instead of cooking in camp. When we got there we learned that it was closed but that the Lions were holding a pancake breakfast at the community center. Sure enough, when we found the community we were able to enjoy some local hospitality for a good cause, whatever it may have been. By the time we left breakfast, we already had 5 ride miles logged.

The route out of Elkford started with a 1000 foot climb on pavement over 3 miles that took us north of town. At the top we turned onto a gravel road that was soon rutted with 4 wheel drive tracks and mud puddles. About 10 miles in, we looked into the valley below to see Elkford. We had gone north only to pass Elkford again as we came south and it took us about two hours to get there. That mountain road continued through high meadows with lovely mountain views. Fortunately it was taking us downhill.

Since it was Saturday and Canada Day we got to see how the locals enjoy the mountains. Let me tell you, it was on bicycles. Our first encounter was with a half dozen 4-wheel drive trucks and jeeps speeding their way higher into the mountains. Our second was with a couple trail motorcycles. Everyone slowed as was necessary but probably would have been more happy if they didn’t have to.

Somewhere along the way.

Eventually we reconnected with the Elk River Trail. This time it was a few miles of flowy single track. Fortunately not technical but definitely up and down. We popped off that and onto some secondary roads into Sparwood. As we approached town we could see the coal mining operation that was reducing a nearby mountain to 1/2 its size. The coal was hauled away by train, one of which we saw rolling by but never saw its first or last cars even after watching for 5 minutes.

You’re looking at a coal mine. Zoom in to see current operations. To the left of that is previous operations.

In Sparwood we checked out the worlds largest truck (a monument to big coal) in the center of town. That gave us a chance to have lunch and just sit in the shade on a patch of grass for an hour or so.

Big truck! Used to move coal.

After we left Sparwood we ended up on a stretch of gravel road that was so rocky it was like riding on the cobbles in France. Again, bone jarring. It required all of our concentration to stay upright.

Steep AND rocky!

Later we found some smooth gravel then some double track that required a little hike-a-bike. Back on smooth gravel we found the road’s end at some railroad tracks. We had to carry our bikes over the tracks to get on pavement for the final miles into Fernie.

Busy tracks!

Throughout the last few hours of the day we were hammered by a constant headwind. It both slowed our progress and drained our spirits.

Insane winds.

Finally at our hostel for the evening, we quickly ordered beers and sat out on the porch overlooking the street and the mountains beyond. Two women were there and, naturally, we sparked up a conversation. They were in town from Calgary to see a band they liked, Daring Greatly. They didn’t have tickets so they needed to get to the club early for the 10pm show. They were already 3 drinks into their evening at 5pm so it was going to be interesting to hear their reviews on the show. It turned out they didn’t make it to the 5th song.

Beers upon arrival.

We, on the other hand, filled our afternoon with laundry and a good meal downtown. Upon returning to the hostel we met an attractive young couple that said they had just moved into the area. They were quick to invite us into the bar for shots. However, they just gave off a grifter vibe and we all thought better of their offer. Our bunk beds without AC were the better choice.

Downtown Fernie

Couple observations from the day: First, it may look easy on paper but… today was our toughest day mentally and physically. Jet lag, lack of sleep, head winds, rough terrain all made it difficult. Second, sometimes people give off a vibe and you know there’s an agenda. Follow you gut and avoid a situation.

Cheers!

Ride stats:

Miles ridden: 49.53

Elevation gain: 2,027 ft

Max elevation: 5,075 ft

Start time: 8:07am

Moving time: 5:21:05

Elapsed time: 8:04:46

Ave speed: 9.2 mph

[huntsvillehq]

(Vanessa Morgan) [THE GRIFTER]. Please welcome [PEYTON WILSON (SHE/THEY)] to Huntsville, WV. They are an [31]-year-old [VISITOR] who lives in [TOWN]. You may see them around working as a [RATION CARD FORGER]. Poor unfortunate soul. We’ll see if they survive. (natasha, 29, she/her, est)

WELCOME TO HUNTSVILLE, WV, peyton. Please follow this checklist and submit your account within 48 hours. Do not stay out after dark, and beware the whispers calling you into the woods at dusk.

[huntedinhavensdale-rpg]

Name: Lennon Baker Pronouns: She/Her Age: 30 years old Hometown: Las Vegas, NV Species: Psychic - Mediumship Affiliation: Neutral - Unaffiliated FC: Kylie Bunbury

Bio ➜

❝BARRICADED IN THE BATHROOM WITH A BOTTLE OF WINE, ME AND MY GHOSTS, WE HAD A HELL OF A TIME.❞

Lennon Baker has always been a shapeshifter. Not literally (she knows that needs to be clarified, these days!). She could easily fit into any crowd, mold herself into whoever she needed to be. If it was charming or reserved, powerful or mysterious, she could do it all. Lennon always knew how to read people. Noticing their every move, their tells. In a lot of ways, she was born to be a grifter. Before settling down, her old man was the same. He couldn't resist teaching her a few tricks of the trade early on and Lennon was a natural. The first rule was to keep it simple. Start small. But it wasn't long before she wanted to run bigger and bigger jobs, with bigger and bigger scores. Trouble flirted with Lennon just as much as Lennon flirted with trouble. She lived for the adrenaline rush, flying too close to the sun. She is charming but she's pissed off a lot of people in her time. Moving from place to place, Lennon never stuck around too long. Breaking hearts, taking names and never looking back. Eventually, she landed in Vegas where her life would be flipped upside down forever. Lennon wasn't much of a team player but this was different. It was just supposed to be one job but when Lennon got together with Kashmira Pawaskar, Natasha Parker and Rafael Porter... The chemistry was undeniable. The results even more so. For a while, they were unstoppable. Lennon didn't let herself care about a lot of people but they were her exception. The ones that weaseled their way into her heart. They might have even made her soft. Long story short? Lennon trusted the wrong person and the crew went their separate ways. Life went on, mostly. And then things started to get really weird.

Additional Information ➜

Before Founder's Festival, Lennon was in Vegas running her longest con: the fake psychic. Theatrical? Definitely. Real? Not a chance. So, there she was, pretending like she was reaching for the answers from the great beyond (cue lights flickering, table knocking) when it happened. Lennon doesn't scare easily but the scream she let out was real. Because the damn ghost she was looking at, was real!

Lennon did the reasonable thing in that situation and ran for her life. She was not a believer, no way. She had to be losing it, right? Too many tequila shooters the night before. Only the weird didn't stop there. It wasn't long before Lennon felt like she was being full on haunted. Like, call the Ghostbusters... haunted.

And then came the dreams. The unrelenting dreams of a place she'd never been: Havensdale Valley, Connecticut. The faces of people she didn't know. And a tree, always this freaking tree. If Lennon didn't notice Rafael was popping up in her dreams too, she maybe wouldn't have pursued it further. Curiosity killed the cat, right?

So, Lennon and Rafael reconnect and it turns out all the weird shit happening to her, is happening to him. Minus the ghosts. They reluctantly agree to face it head on and head to Havensdale but not without back up. Kash agrees with a grunt. Nat is already there. Lennon wanted answers, she just never figured they'd end up with her trapped in a nightmare.

But hey, she's nothing if not adaptable. Ghouls, ghosts, gremlins... Bring 'em on!

[tonystarktogo]

“It’s never gonna be over.” They are a practiced liar in it only for her own gain, an amoral mercenary who doesn’t play well with others and a business shark on a warpath. [If there is such a thing as a match made in Hell, they are it.]

*

Natasha stares at the number on her bank account — well, one of them — in stunned silence, too numb to feel the happiness, joy, ecstatic shock that is probably appropriate for a moment such as this. 

As a grifter — a damn good one at that, Natasha strives for nothing less than perfection in her chosen craft — Natasha is used to being surrounded by wealth and money, extravagance and shameless posturing. It’s basically her job description. 

But there’s a lot of zeros and then there’s a hell of a lot of zeros. It’s too much, the amount far too high to feel real. The kind of money that goes beyond wealthy, beyond filthy, stinking rich. Tony’s rich, Natasha knows that. Everyone knows that. Or, well, he used to be. Back before he sold his properties and put all his money into saving Stark Industries, only to turn around and retire from his position, sell his stock to his successor and disappear out of the public eye.

[Everyone in the industry knows there’s more to it than that. Everyone knows there’s something shady about the way Tony Stark left his own company — some say of his own volition, some say his hand was forced. No one is stupid enough to believe that the murder of his assistant preceding those changes is in any way or shape a coincidence.

But Natasha is one of the few who has run into Tony Stark since then — or rather the ruin of what used to be Tony Stark. He goes by Anton, these days, and that he smiles a hell of a lot less is the least of the changes. As such Natasha isn’t forced to rely on unconfirmed rumors and gossip. She knows damn well that Stane did something unforgivable. And didn’t have the smarts — or the guts — to put Tony Stark down when he could.

He’ll regret that weakness one day, of that Natasha has no doubt. If there is a man out there, that will one day turn Tony Stark into a killer, it is Obadiah Stane.]

The point is, even for the old Tony Stark this would amount to an indecent fuck-ton of money. For your usual mortal — which Natasha in spite of all her talents is — it’s the kind of sum you vaguely dream about because you can’t even picture what it might look like. What it might mean.

Now here they are.

“We’re gonna be set for life when this is all over,” Natasha mutters. Tries to work through the confusing mixture of disbelief, shock, relief, exhilaration and amusement this seemingly innocuous number evokes in her. To understand how she feels about this, not just the situation itself but its implications.

She’ll never have to work again. She’ll never have to do anything she doesn’t want to again. And — far more important — she’ll be able to do anything she wants. 

This? This is what Natasha’s been working towards, been dreaming of all her life. It’s what every grifter wants, really. Every criminal even. This is the mythical big score. The one everyone always talks about and most never, ever achieve.

[It should feel more satisfying, shouldn’t?]

And yet, despite all that Natasha isn’t sure what to do with it. She’d assumed it would take her several more years yet to reach this moment. [And even then, the payoff she would’ve considered acceptable would’ve been much, much lower.] It feels almost too easy.

Natasha forces herself to tear her gaze away from the screen. The number won’t change and it’s not wrong, she’s already run those checks a dozen times. While her temporary colleagues have remained quiet — perhaps caught up in their own shock, though considering their identity, that doesn’t seem likely.

Anton isn’t smiling.

It’s such an odd, little thing to stick out to her, and yet it’s the first thing Natasha notices. After all, people usually smile when they’re holding a payout of more millions than they knows what to do with. Not that it surprises Natasha.

[She hasn’t seen Anthony Stark smile since the day Pepper Pott bled out in his arms.]

Anton’s staring at her now, not avoiding eye contact for once. An unvoiced challenge. [Natasha’s never been good of letting those go unanswered. And it irks her, just a bit, that he knows her well enough to know this already, even though she’s already decided she doesn’t mind playing along. For a bit.]

"There’s no way Hammer put this much aside," Natasha states the obvious. "Even if we’d taken his company for everything it got, no way would we have made this much money off one job."

"Or maybe you’ve been working the wrong jobs." Anton smirks when she rolls her eyes in response. "Come on, I’m a motherfucking Stark. You can’t seriously think I don’t have any tricks up my sleeve. Playing with the stock market? I’ve been doing that shit since I was fourteen and contrary to what my esteemed former board members like to think, I’ve learned a lot over the past decade."

And the thing is, Anton wears casual arrogance like second skin and just like his infernal goatee and those ridiculously fancy suits he’s so fond of, he makes it look good.

As if to underline Natasha’s point, Anton continues with a simple "All of this?" accompanied by a careless wave of his hand. "There was no way I was gonna let us walk out of this job with anything less. It’s the least of what we’re owed."

There’s something in Anton’s eyes that sends a by now familiar thrill down her back  – because Natasha knows that cold edge. Knows Anton’s brilliant mind that constantly works on fifteen problems at once. Knows even now, with this little game of theirs finished [a stunning victory, as though it could’ve been anything else] he is already setting up the next move. [The next target.]

Natasha has met men on a warpath before and Anthony Edward Stark meets every single criteria. She doesn’t need to understand how he thinks exactly — doubts anyone could, the man’s been called many things, but his unofficial title as a genius has been hard-earned — to know that somewhere in that pretty, pretty head of his, Anton’s keeping book of every offense committed against him and his. Is slowly but surely working through a list only he knows the full extend of.

[Stane was a fool. Part of Natasha — the part that has watched Anton break himself apart over the last fourteen days — hopes she’ll be there when Anton finally, inevitably turns his attention to him.]

But now is not the time for these things. With that in mind, Natasha forces a teasing grin on her lips, keeps her eyes shadowed but her words light. "Yes, yes, we all know you’re amazing."

Even Barnes snorts at the dryness of her tone, though Anton, at least, is unbothered.

"And don’t you forget it."

"Well, then." Natasha catches herself before she involuntary glances down at her phone’s screen again, still not convinced that this money is real. Is hers. "I suppose this is it."

Catches the eyes of Barnes, then Anton because they deserve that much. Working with competent partners is always a pleasure. And though Barnes prefers too much brute force for her taste and there’s a ruthlessness to Anton’s machinations that goes far beyond Natasha’s own cool practicality, she’s enjoyed this job. [More than she thought she would.]

"It could be."

To her genuine surprise, it’s Anton who says those words. [The same Anton whose first words to Natasha were 'I don’t do teams’ with casual derision.] But there’s no doubt he means them — means what they imply — else Anton wouldn’t have spoken up at all.

A quick glance towards Barnes confirms what Natasha has assumed: He’ll let her take the lead on this conversation, if only because it means he won’t have to talk himself. Barnes is a man of very few words indeed.

"What else is there to do?" Natasha obligingly asks. "The job is done. We’re done. It’s over."

[She knows those words are a lie, of course. Knows that big score or not, it was never just about the money. You don’t become a world-class grifter wanted in seven countries and counting just because you need money. Maybe that’s how it started — and sure, the riches are nice to have — but Natasha loves it. Loves the rush. Loves reading the mark, enticing it, blinding it. Loves pulling off a job and getting away with it against all odds.

It’s been less than ten minutes, but Natasha doesn’t need time. She already knows that, millions or not, she won’t stop now. Wouldn’t know where to start, even if she wanted to.]

“It’s never gonna be over.” Anton says it absently, matter-of-fact. "Not for me."

A simple acknowledgement of a truth Natasha already knows. [Men like Anton, they don’t stop half-way through. They don’t stop at all. And perhaps she should know better than to get involved with someone so hell-bent on revenge, but. Hell was always gonna be her ultimate destination anyway. Why not enjoy the ride?]

The way Anton looks at her, at Barnes, there’s no missing the implication. The unspoken offer. The warning. 

You can walk away now if you want. [Get out while you still can.]

A sensible person would’ve taken him up on that offer. A sensible person would walk away.

“Good.” Barnes hums. “I’d be bored to death if I didn’t have to pull your ass out of a fire.” Light and easy, everything he shouldn’t be and usually isn’t. [Like he isn’t committing to a cause without a take-back option.]

Natasha thinks she hates Barnes for that, a little. For the light in his eyes that never dims, no matter how much blood he spills. For how easy he makes it seem, like he really just makes that decision in the spur of the moment, because he likes Anton well enough and doesn’t mind sticking around some more.

[Like he doesn’t care at all about all the ways in which this can and will blow up in his face.]

Anton raises a questioning eyebrow at Natasha. She licks her lips. Thinks of the life she can afford now, somewhere far, far away, without an extradition agreement to any of the countries she wouldn’t like to revisit. The comfortable, even extravagant life she could lead. [Thinks of the bloodied smile on Barnes lips, the way Anton’s eyes lit up when Hammer broke.] Shrugs.

“You’re not completely incompetent. Sure. What’s one more job?”

*

AN: I hope you’re all safe and healthy and that this fic will be a pleasant distraction for everyone who’s currently trying very hard to keep calm and carry on. Please take care of yourselves, lovelies!

[cagliostrohq]

+ GILBERT GLADSTONE (Ryan Reynolds) is looking for their LONG LOST CHILD.

+ GILBERT GLADSTONE (Ryan Reynolds) is looking for their LONG LOST CHILD.

+ GILBERT GLADSTONE (Ryan Reynolds) is looking for their LONG LOST CHILD.

+ GILBERT GLADSTONE (Ryan Reynolds) is looking for their LONG LOST CHILD.

full information under the cut!

the tale of Gilbert Gladstone (Ryan Reynolds) is missing an important character! their story needs a long-lost child, fulfilled by someone who resembles UTP (Sophie Thatcher, Nico Hiraga, Michael Evans Behling, Jessie Mei Li, Mason Gooding, etc) and is between 20-27 years old. (the player doesn’t need to approve the connection, @chocalafolie) conceived in a night of passion, this long lost child grew up to be a grifter uncovering the wrongdoings of the rich and powerful. like their father, they uphold the code of a "gentleman thief" and dream of surpassing his notoriety.

the tale of Gilbert Gladstone (Ryan Reynolds) is missing an important character! their story needs a long-lost child, fulfilled by someone who resembles UTP (Eli Brown, Zoey Deutch, Alisha Boe, Geraldine Viswanathan,  Elliot Knight, Dacre Montgomery, etc) and is between 20-27 years old. (the player doesn’t need to approve the connection, @chocalafolie) conceived in a one-night stand, this long lost child grew up to be a con artist like their father. after being double-crossed by their crew, they're on the run and under a lot of heat. they never wanted to track down their father...until they realized they'd need his help.

the tale of Gilbert Gladstone (Ryan Reynolds) is missing an important character! their story needs a long-lost child, fulfilled by someone who resembles UTP (Jessica Sula, Maya Hawke, Lulu Antariska, George MacKay, Natacha Karam, etc) and is between 20-27 years old. (the player doesn’t need to approve the connection, @chocalafolie) conceived in a short-lived romance, this long lost child grew up to be an accomplished artist. they've studied their father's criminal behavior extensively and dream of making a work of art he'd find worthy enough to steal.

the tale of Gilbert Gladstone (Ryan Reynolds) is missing an important character! their story needs a long-lost child, fulfilled by someone who resembles UTP (Tyler Posey, Avan Jogia, Natasha Liu Bordizzo, Naomi Scott, Daisy Edgar Jones, Nico Tortorella, etc) and is between 20-27 years old. (the player doesn’t need to approve the connection, @chocalafolie)  conceived in an on again, off again romance, this long lost child grew up to be a private investigator. they are a proponent of justice and want to catch their father to prove that they are nothing like him. however, at times they fear his conman charm and thieving fingers are genetic.

[thevindicativevordan]

My Superfamily Set-Up

By and large I’m fairly happy with the upcoming Infinite Frontier status quo for the Superfamily. Granted that’s in part because I’m still convinced Kara will get an ongoing or mini in 2021, probably to coincide with her show returning, and PKJ hinted at plans for Steel on Twitter. But Kon has escaped the Titans dumpsterfire for a little while, and I’ve heard good things about Thompson as a writer as well. Kenan is popping back up in a one shot written by Yang that will hopefully herald more appearances in Batman/Superman. Jon is still co-protagonist with Clark in the main books, Tanya is in the Future State Shazam book and also a candidate for the FS Justice League book, so hopefully she’ll be in Titans Academy, and Lois is poised to be a big player in the upcoming Checkmate mini by Bendis. So fingers crossed, all the core members of the Superfamily will be in stuff come end of 2021.

Now that said, were DC to suddenly realize that I alone can save Superman, and asked me what kind of status quo I would like (whether for a mainline or Elseworld book makes no difference to me), this is the basic set up that I would go with:

Superman - I’d do a traditional status quo. Superman is disguised as Clark Kent, mild mannered reporter, married to Lois Lane, etc. I’d have Ma and Pa go back to being dead since I still am not a fan of them being alive. Note that this isn’t a reaction against Bendis, I loved Bendis’ run, but I do want to play with the traditional status quo a little bit before diving into something different. Especially since so many Superman writers have traditionally completely wasted the potential of Superman’s status quo.

Lois Lane - Similar to Superman I’d go with a more traditional status quo at the start. She works at the Daily Planet, she and Clark are married, she’s the best reporter in town, etc. I would eventually have her take over as editor-in-chief of the Daily Planet from Perry, I thought that was a great idea the New 52 wasted, and I love the idea of her and Cat Grant being rivals with the Daily Planet and Catco competing. 

Jon Kent - I’d restore kid Jon and toss him back to the Super Sons, not because I think what’s been done with him has been bad, but mostly because I don’t want to write him as Superman, I want to write Clark. Jon seems to be being set up to be co-Superman, and I just don’t have any interest in writing that. To restore kid Jon without destroying Bendis’ run which I enjoyed, I’d explain that teen Jon is actually the “evil” Jon we saw from the Super Sons of Tomorrow future. He went back in time and rescued his kid self from Earth 3, and explained to him that he wanted to prevent that future from coming to pass, but that he needed to take his younger self’s place to do so. Kid Jon agreed, after all he was terrified of becoming evil in both Tomasi’s Super Sons of Tomorrow and Bendis The Man of Steel, and has basically been in hiding watching the events and also studying Hypertime so he can learn how to avoid ending up evil. 

Clark and Lois would blow up at the Jons for the lie when Teen Jon judges he’s changed things enough for his kid self to return, but both Jons could point out that both Clark and Lois have kept secrets when they deemed it necessary from each other and Jon. That would be a neat conversation to have, and a way to continue the untraditional family dynamic that Bendis set up. You could keep teen Jon as a time anomaly until Hypertime catches up with him and restores him to his timeline, with him continuing to be Superman as penance, while kid Jon goes and pals around with Damian in Williamson’s Robin or whatever.

Superwoman/Kara Zor-El - I like the idea of Kara “graduating” to the Superwoman name. It’s open right now given Lana’s retirement, and I think it would suit Kara. I would keep Kara in National, it’s her own little corner to play in, but I would keep that development from (I believe it was) Andrea Shea, where Kara gets fired from Catco because she’s a terrible intern due to always running off to be a heroine. She and Kal talk, Kara admits she doesn’t really want to be a journalist, and so she goes and interns at STAR Labs. I hate how DC keeps turning all the members of the Superfamily into Clark clones. It’s goddamn stupid and I want them to please STOP. Why the hell would Kara want to go into journalism anyway? We’ve never even seen a damn journalist on Krypton! It’s a stupid thing they did on the TV show because they wanted to swipe Clark’s stuff. Let Kara be the scientist of the Els, the one who carries on the family tradition. What form that takes is something I’m open too, I liked Venditti making her interested in history in his annual, maybe make Kara an anthropologist? That would be hilarious. 

Also give Lena to Supergirl, they can be best friends, enemies, lovers, I don’t care. But Lena is wasting away in a vault under Lexcorp last we saw, and that’s a damn shame considering how popular CW Lena is. I’d also add Natasha Irons (who I’d rename Mastersmith) and Tanya Spears (Powerhouse) to Supergirl’s supporting cast, they could play off each other as three supergenuis women).

Kon-El/Conner Kent/Scion - I’m really excited to see what Thompson is going to do with Kon on the Suicide Squad, but here’s what I would do with him. Kon would finally be able to shake off the Superboy moniker and leave that to Jon. Instead he’d take the name “Scion” as a reflection of his origins, and a tie-in to his new status quo. In the wake of Death Metal, Lex Luthor would abruptly step down as head of Lexcorp, stating that he needs time to redefine himself in the wake of his latest attempt to justify himself as the true hero by serving Perpetua, ending up with him needing Superman to save the day again. While he is away, he’s turned over complete control of Lexcorp to his sole heir: Conner. Conner is now head of one of the evilest megacorps in existence, and is one of the wealthiest men alive. Conner knows this is just another maneuver by Lex in his neverending crusade against Superman, but he’s determined to not just be another pawn. He accepts control, renames Lexcorp Superman, Inc. His mission will be to transform the megacorp into the force for good it pretends to be. Conner will have to take on not only Lex loyalists and traitorous underlings who would love to be CEO themselves within Lexcorp, but new megacorps who have flocked to Metropolis in hope of establishing themselves, now that the former Master of Metropolis has abdicated his throne. Threats within and threats without, but armed with the powers/morals of Superman and the charm/brains of Lex Luthor, Kon is just cocky enough to think he can handle it.

John Henry Irons/Steel - It will be a big year for John Henry Irons. His private company Steelworks is about to go public and make him a billionaire. Lana Lang has accepted his marriage proposal and they’re due to be wed. His niece Natasha has left the nest and is off working at STAR Labs. Irons is posed to finally resurrect the decrepit Suicide Slum and allow it to catch up to the rest of the City of Tomorrow. However there are problems: new megacorps are moving into the city in the wake of Lex Luthor leaving, people are disappearing from Suicide Slum with dark rumors are spreading about the reasons why, and the people of Suicide Slum are accusing Irons of planning to gentrify the borough. Making matters worse, weapons that Irons designed as a young man are appearing on the streets of Metropolis, attracting negative attention from the media and putting Steelworks at risk. Irons is going to have to suit up and take up the fight all over Metropolis, from the darkest levels of the Undercity, to the bright deceptive board rooms at the top of skyscrapers in the city’s heart. Irons will have to reckon with his past to secure his future, and confront the evil Metropolis would rather pretend doesn’t exist.

Kenan Kong/New Super-Man - Look just give Yang a damn Kenan book and let him go wild. Right now is either the best or worst time to give Kenan a book given the situation with Hong Kong, but if anyone is equipped to deal with it, it’s Yang. I’ll just add that I would love to see Kenan on a Global Guardians team, but I’d also love to see Justice League of China as a spinoff book of the main Justice League. Kenan is as close as DC has come to their own Spider-Man/Invincible take on Superman, Jon sadly hasn’t really differentiated himself from his dad while Kenan is VERY different. I would love to see Kenan pushed more and would buy a new book in a heartbeat. Also put out a damn New Super-Man omnibus Jim Lee, for God’s sake can’t you abuse your power to push the character you wanted created and is actually good unlike most of Wildstorm? You’re shoving Grifter back into everything but not Kenan? Christ.

So yeah that’s the Superfamily status quo I’d establish. Keeping my Clark and Lois ideas close to my chest for now, but I might go into more detail later.

[antlerqueer]

hi there! do you mind giving some fc suggestions for a female char in their 20s who kind of has chameleon/slightly grifter vibes to 'em? sort of sly and charming? any ethnicity is fine, thanks!

I don't mind at all! Please note for any fcs of color or jewish fcs you want to be mindful of the negative stereotypes associated with grifting/criminal activity.

Erin Kellyman (1998)

Lovie Simone (1998)

Amita Suman (1997)

Myra Molloy (1997)

Sydney Sweeney (1997)

Brittany O'Grady (1996)

Tati Gabrielle (1996)

Maddison Jaizani (1995)

Zion Moreno (1995)

Khadijha Red Thunder (1994)

Natasha Liu Bordizzo (1994)

Halston Sage (1993)

Zazie Beetz (1991)

[moralcoded]

op give us some fc suggestions for natasha romanoff because you always have the best fcs

hey hey, anon !    asdafghjkl; pls.    this was such a joy to receive bc there are so many underrated action female fc’s out there.    my top choices are under the cut.    lmk if you decide to go w/ any of them tho,  i’d be stoked to see it bc i've defs put a lot of thought into this !

[  4.  KERI RUSSELL,  THE AMERICANS.   ]    this was a super obvious choice imo bc the character’s literally a russian spy living a domestic life in the US.    she even has blonde and red hair in some eps,  which might be good if you’re looking for those ‘undercover’ looks !    i’m not sure if there are many gifsets and such to rb here on tumblr tho.  (  she’s white : irish, german, dutch + danish background )

[  3.  INBAR LAVI,  IMPOSTERS.   ]   hands down one of my fave underrated shows w/ an actress i could hearteyes over for days !    she’s essentially a con-artist / grifter,  and there’s a fair bit of action as well.    idk i sometimes feel like iconing action sequences is too difficult bc screenshots get blurry from movement.  (  she’s israeli-jewish )

[  2.  LYNDSY FONESCA  (  OR MAGGIE Q !!! ),   NIKITA.   ]   chef’s kiss if i don’t say so myself.    if you haven’t watched this show,  you need to  –––  i definitely make the rules. :P    and yeah,  ik lyndsey’s already a character in the mcu,  but like...    i personally wouldn’t care ?    we’re all hella divergent these days lmao.    the character also has a russian bg,  which is a plus ig ?    you could also use maggie q ( vietnamese / irish / polish ) from the same series bc lyndsey ( half-portuguese ) may appear a little young,  but either way...   yup yup !

[ 1. MOZHAN MARNO, THE BLACKLIST. ] THIS IS ME BANGING MY POTS AND PANS BC I'VE BEEN PITCHING MOZHAN AS A NAT FC FOR LITERAL YEARS. she's flawless and incredibly underused in the rpc, which is SUCH a shame. my fave action girlie from this show, and she's in it for 5 seasons if i remember correctly so you'll have a TONNE of scenes to work with. i pitch her ( persian if i'm not mistaken ) to you and basically everyone reading this WITH MY WHOLE ENTIRE CHEST.

[  BONUS:  COTE DE PABLO,  NCIS.   ]  i’m just throwing this out there bc my fc is from the same show but it’s v handy that the character cote plays is an assassin turned agent :~)  she’s a chilean actress.

** i also want to point out that none of these actresses are russian,  or at least to my knowledge.    that might affect your decision bc it would also mean you’d have to change up nat’s backstory if you ever did want to use them.

[whindsor]

lu has to put together her own leverage team. what role does she play? who else? (i ask lu bc mika knows elliot if i’m remembering correctly)

this is the best question i’ve ever received???? (and you’re right! mika knows hardison - when civil war hits, she tells bucky that she has a friend in america on the west coast)

alright so first lets look at canon characters...these guys could play multiple parts but we’re not thinking too hard we’re just following our hearts

hitter: lu! she’s tough as nails, and a great fighter. plus, she gets underestimated a lot, which helps in a fight. 

hacker: shuri. she’s young, she’s quick, she’s really good at computers, and she’s competitive. not to mention resourceful. she’s basically a technology princess and we’re here for it.

grifter: natasha. obvs she’s a spy, and is great at making herself as noticeable and as invisible as she needs to be. plus, she’s great at tricking people into giving her what she wants. 

thief:  clint. he can get into/out of tight spaces, and has a super keen eye. and he always has a hundred exit strategies. 

mastermind: bucky. when they’re winter/summer he’s the one who comes up with the plans, the one who’s best at seeing the picture of the whole battlefield. he can read people, and he always plans for contingencies. 

honorable mentions: steve as the mastermind, maria hill as the thief, peter as hacker, t’challa as the hitter, sam as the hitter (”retrieval specialist”), nakia as the grifter

NOW FOR THE FUN PART WHICH IS OTHER PEOPLE’S OC’S

hitter: amelia from @starsandstormyseas. i mean, she went toe to toe with the winter soldier once and didn’t die so.

hacker: lynn from you, you beautiful @witchofinterest! she’s resourceful and smart and knows how to get out of a pickle after being with the x-men for a while. 

grifter: sutton from @universalfanfic. she’s been through some stuff. she and she’s learned how to read people. and she knows what lies she can get away with (except with steve but we won’t get into that).

thief: star from @inkoutsidethelines. she’s fast, she’s strong, and she fits into teeny-tiny spaces. 

mastermind: for the purposes of this, lu would be the mastermind. she is a pretty good strategist, and can get a big picture thinker. in reality, it would be q from @cassercole. i know she won’t see this tag, but q was a data specialist, and great at reading people. she’ll always be the mastermind to me. 

this was SO MUCH FUN thank you for sending it!!!!!

[kropotkindersurprise]

This is Part 7 of my list of Antifascism related articles. Check out [Part 1], [Part 2], [Part 3], [Part 4], [Part 5] and [Part 6] for loads more articles.  Statement on the Far-Right's Attempt to Criminalize Protest of Concentration Camp Deaths and Hate Groups What Is Anti-Fascism? An interesting Q&A with Natasha Lennard. How to Be an Antiracist: Ibram X. Kendi on Why We Need to Fight Racism the Way We Fight Cancer How We Fight Fascism - On Clara Zetkin’s still incredibly relevant analysis on how to fight fascism from 1923. “They Didn't Just Go Away”: Historian Talks About NYC's 1939 Nazi Rally Analysis and Reflection of #AllOutDC: On the Past and Future of Antifascist Tactics Notes on Defending Dissent: organising effectively under police scrutiny Why covering your face at a protest is the right thing to do “If others have rifles, we’ll have rifles”: why US leftist groups are taking up arms How Pacific Northwest Soccer Fans Are Building Antifascist Culture Black Metal For The Oppressed - On the fight against fascism in the Black Metal scene How YouTube Radicalized Brazil - How Youtube’s algorithms psuh people into the far-right in the pursuit of profit And a special series of articles on the topic of “Fuck Andy Ngo and the morons who pretend he’s not a propagandist for fascists”: - We’re being played - Milkshakes aren’t terrorism - Antifa in America: Militant Anti-fascism Isn't Terrorism, It's Self-defense - Portland’s Andy Ngo Is the Most Dangerous Grifter in America - What To Do If The Older People In Your Life Are Sharing False Or Extreme Content: What do you do when your parents go from posting Minions to posting hard-right memes about cement milkshakes?

[tonystarktogo]

Natasha stares at the flowers Anton’s proudly presenting her with in genuine confusion. Although flowers might be a bit of a stretch. It’s really just a very huge, very meaty looking flesh-eating plant that Anton swears has been genetically modified because quote "I wanted to get you something you didn’t have!" unquote.

"What am I supposed to do with a genetically modified, flesh-eating plant?" Natasha asks the empty air where an over-excited Anton used to stand seconds ago.

"Throw our enemies at it in hopes that it’ll eat them first when it inevitably turns against mankind?" Barnes suggests from where he’s looming in the kitchen entrance. "Put it in some place where you don’t keep any valuables. Your cake’s almost ready."

"There’s cake?"

"Obviously." Anton peeks over Barnes’ broad shoulders, dark eyes sparkling. "You can’t have a birthday party without cake."

Huh.

[gripefroot]

Cut and Run [11/11]

A date.  

After everything, you and Bucky get a date. Even if it has been over a month since your return, with such difficulties popping up such as your previous run-ins with the law; the hassle of arranging your finances in a legal manner (with Stark’s help, it wasn’t so bad) and the strain of being so close to Bucky but not quite taking the steps forward that would, ah, lessen the tension of sharing a bedroom. Sleeping in the same bed had become habit enough that you’d refused a separate room, and Bucky had been teased about it until his face was flaming-red and you’d been howling with laughter. 

He’s cute when he blushes. 

“It was nice of your probation officer to let you out after nine,” Natasha teases, perched on the counter in her bathroom as you help yourself to her store of cosmetics and hair supplies.  

“Yeah, because ten is so late,” you snark back.  

“Better than house arrest. You got off easy.” 

“It’s easy to get off easy when you donate stolen goods to the Smithsonian,” you tell her. “And the Met. And...a dozen other museums and high-ups in the government.” 

Natasha snorts. “You’re still a grifter.” 

“I know how to get what I want.” 

A knock sounds on Nat’s door - and Bucky’s deep voice sounds through it.  

“Can I have my date, Tasha? We’re gonna be late.” 

Natasha’s eyes meet yours - she quirks a brow, and you laugh. There’s the sound of footsteps shifting outside the door. Antsy, is he? A final look-over in the mirror, and you purse your lips in semi-satisfaction. The difference between making yourself up for a mission and a target, and for yourself and Bucky, for something real… 

It’s a little terrifying.  

“You look great,” Natasha assures you, hopping down from the counter. “Got any protection?” 

“Um - ” 

“A knife? Pistol?” 

“Oh!” you laugh. “No. Don’t need it. I’m out of the game.” 

“You’re never really out of the game,” Nat says in warning, but she’s smiling. Picking up your clutch, you make your way out of the bathroom and to the door, where Bucky is still waiting - and pull open on the handle.  

His face is obscured by a massive bouquet of flowers. After a shocked moment, it lowers, and you can see the bright blue of his eyes peeking out. Bluer than usual, with the shade of grey blazer he’s wearing, a black button-down peeping underneath. With the top button undone, it’s a casual look. A hot look. A lazy smile lifts your lips, which he returns.  

“Oh, hello,” Bucky says. “I was getting hungry enough to start eating these lilies. Thanks for showing up.” 

“Jerk,” you say fondly, taking the bouquet as he hands it off to you. 

“Brat.” 

“Put these in water, will you, Nat?” you ask, a little dreamily as you pass the flowers on. “And don’t wait up for us.” 

Bucky’s eyebrows shoot up, but there’s a smile dancing on his lips as he offers his arm.  

“I hope you tell your probation officer?” Natasha says, taking a long sniff, and then sneezing.  

“Already did.” Your eyes are only for Bucky, and you smile sappily as he tugs you away from Nat. It’s a good thing he’s leading, because you might just bump into some walls. He’s chortling as he pushes the button to the elevator, patting your hand.  

Because it’s a lovely night and maybe you’re feeling too antsy to sit in a car - and Bucky seems to be equally as jittery - the walk to the restaurant is only about four blocks, and taken slowly to enjoy the odd peace that comes from the New York City sidewalks. Of anonymity, of familiarity, of being just another fish swimming in the river. Not a target. Just nobody. 

But being with Bucky is a feeling of being one in a million - at the strange juxtaposition of these sensations, you lean your head against his shoulder at a crosswalk, and he kisses the top of your head.  

The interior of the restaurant is much quieter than the streets; dimly lit with candles on tables. Soft music. Your heart is hammering - it feels so strange to be in a place like this without a target - but as soon as you sit, and Bucky takes the place across the table and his eyes meet yours - it doesn’t feel as strange. 

A glance at a clock on the wall - 7:23 p.m. Everything should be going according to plan.  

“Distracted?” Bucky teases, and your eyes flit back to him. That handsome smile - returning it with a curve of your lips, you lean slightly across the table.  

“You wish.” 

“You are distracted.” His eyes sparkle in the candlelight. “Picking out something to lift?” 

“Ha, ha,” you say sardonically. “The paintings are a little big to fit in my clutch.” 

“I’d offer my pockets, but they’re not very large, either.” 

“You’re kind to think of me,” you joke. “Offering a pocket and becoming an accessory to a crime.” 

Bucky’s grin widens. “Not my worst fault.” 

“No, that’s your snoring.” 

“Yeah? Well, you sleep like an octopus.” 

“Is that why I wake up every morning with you clamping my arms down?” 

He chortles. “Obviously! Gotta keep you reined in if I want any space.” 

“You want me in your bed, so…” you give a shrug. 

“You invited yourself, darlin.’” 

“You refused to let me take the couch!” 

Bucky’s lips part, grin lighting up his face. “You were wounded - ”  

“Not that badly!” 

But it all dissolves into laughter - covering your mouth as Bucky snorts in disbelief, a measure of tension is relieved. For a while, at least.  

The restaurant had been recommended by Stark; and so while it’s not cheap, the food was amazing. For all you notice, too busy laughing and teasing Bucky over each course. After the entrée, you rise to find the bathroom - and when you return, Bucky’s eyes having followed you hotly all the way back to the table - you sit back down with a smug smile.  

“I got us free dessert,” you say conspiratorially, as his eyes widen.  

“How’d you do that?” Bucky asks, amused. 

“Ah. Grifter’s secret.” And you tap the side of your nose with a wink. He laughs, causing warmth to prickle across your skin. With a smile you reach over to grasp his hand under the table. “And maybe when we’re done, we can go for a walk,” you suggest softly. “Let the food settle.” 

“Are you asking me sincerely, or trying to grift me?” he asks with a brow lifted.  

“Does it matter?” 

A moment of silence as he ponders this. “Nope,” Bucky says with a smile.  

“That’s for the best,” you tease.  

It’s getting late when the restaurant is finally left behind - the streets are quieter, in this lull before everyone starts heading home for the night. The air is chillier, too, and Bucky drapes his jacket over your shoulders as you wander together in a direction you had predetermined.  

“It’s still early,” you muse, as his arms drape around your shoulders, too. “Only nine. Don’t have to be in until ten, you know.” 

“You want to slow down a bit?” Bucky’s slanted smile is proof he knows what you’re up to - at least, that you are up to something. You shrug as nonchalantly as you can. 

“Looks like some shops are still open,” you say, nodding towards golden light spilling out onto the sidewalk.  

“If you want.” 

Only fifteen minutes needs to be wasted. Through the door of a bookshop, and Bucky’s hand tightens on yours.  

“No stealing,” he murmurs into your ear. “I’m shaking you down before we leave. If you have so much as a bookmark snuck into your purse, you’re in big trouble.” 

“I bet you want to shake me down,” you mutter back. “You gonna plant something on me, just so you can get your hands all over me?” 

“Tempting.” 

A narrowed look, and your face is hot as you move away from him to browse alone.  

With an eye on a clock above the bookstore door, you take your time wandering the shelves, as Bucky studies the history section. It’s a quiet shop; only one other customer in the back, and you pretend to be interested until finally wandering back to Bucky. Winding your arm through his, you rest your cheek on his shoulder, breathing in deeply that Bucky-scent that fills your soul to the brim. 

“Ready to go, sweetheart?” 

“Yeah.” 

There’s a purpose to walking, now. Briskly you lead Bucky on - not towards Avengers Tower, but he doesn’t question it. Until you’re stopped by a crosswalk.  

“Does your probation officer know about this?” he asks, a little suspiciously.  

“Yes.” No need to elaborate past that.  

Your heart is picking up its pace, and not just from walking by the time you and Bucky arrive at the address. His eyes scan up the high-rise apartment building, and you don’t offer explanation as you pull a key from your clutch to enter through the front doors, all glass and shining lobby lights.  

“So,” you say at last, as you step into the elevator in front of Bucky. He quirks a brow, and you clear your throat. “Remember how you didn’t cash the check I gave you for recompense of my being the cause of your apartment getting - um - blown up?” 

His eyes narrow. “Yes…” 

“Well, you can rip up a check, but you can’t throw away an apartment.” This you say with a smug little smirk, and Bucky’s low laugh fills the elevator as it sweeps upward. Then his hands are circling your waist, and your heart is pumping fast, and his head his lowering with his eyes all glittering and sparking blue fire, and -

The doors open.  

Biting your lip, you tug Bucky out - and down the hall. Only two apartments on this level, and you stop at the one to the left. Another key, and with a grin over your shoulder at his patient bafflement, you push the door open.  

He pauses, and goes in.  

Following behind, you deadlock the door. You’d updated your address with your probation officer, after all - there’s no reason to go back to the Tower tonight. Bucky’s jacket goes up on a coat rack, and you follow him further inside.  

The walls are windows; overlooking the Brooklyn skyline and its twinkling lights. Enough overhead lights had been left on that the apartment is glowing with golden light, and you smile at Bucky’s form standing and looking out the windows, hands in his pockets.  

Didn’t even stop to admire the furnishings in the living space, or even the kitchen. And it’s all open, too - he should’ve noticed all the effort you’d put into this.  

“You know you didn’t need to do this,” Bucky says, without turning around.  

“I wanted to,” you retort, and come up behind him to wind your arms around his middle. He chuckles, and the vibrations send little trembling waves of heat through you - but with a shuddering breath, you just rest your chin on his arm. “And anyway,” you add. “If you don’t like it, I’ll keep it for myself. I’m tired of living at the Tower, anyway.” 

“Oh no - don’t you even think of escaping without me,” Bucky laughs. “Take me with you. I’m tired of Sam.” 

“Come on,” you say, pulling away. “There’s more.” 

“What, two bedrooms?” Bucky teases, turning around with a grin.  

“Sam has to stay somewhere when he visits, right?” you snark.  

“Ugh, don’t even suggest it.” 

“There’s only one bedroom. Since you’d end up with me, anyway. I know you can’t keep your hands off of me.” A little smile, and you tug on Bucky’s hand to lead him into the living space. He rolls his eyes fondly - but doesn’t dispute.  

The furniture and decorations are reasonably similar to his old apartment - simple couch and sideboard, coffee table, bookshelves - empty for now. But on the sideboard, just like it used to be - the new record player, ready and waiting with a stack of records beside it.  

“Hey,” Bucky blurts. “I’m pretty sure that was in my room when we left.”

“Oh, it was,” you clarify, choosing a record. “Steve brought it over for me.” 

“Steve - you - he…” A pause, as you place the record on carefully. “You’re a real conniver,” he declares at last - but you just laugh.  

“You’ve known that a long time,” you say in a soft voice, turning ‘round as the sultry music starts. Bucky is grinning ear to ear, holding out his hands for you as you sidle in close to him.  

Only a few minutes of dancing, in that new living room with the lights of Brooklyn watching on, and Billie singing her softest and sweetest. Then Bucky’s hands are roaming up your back, and your breath is catching, and his nose is nudging against yours.  

“I love you,” he says, and it’s hoarse and ragged.  

“Bucky,” you sigh, your eyes fluttering shut. “I love you, too. You know that, right?” 

He chuckles, low and husky in your ear. “If I wasn’t convinced before, buying me a new apartment was a dead giveaway.” 

You pull away to give him a glare, but he only laughs more, and dips his head low for a very thorough, very belated kiss.  

Things are less dignified on the way to the bedroom - as Bucky doesn’t know the way, he accidentally backs into the bathroom before you break off the still-going kiss to laugh - he pinches your waist and pulls you back into his arms, shifting his direction to go further back in the hallway.  

The zipper of your dress snags, and rips. The bed creaks. Yanking off Bucky’s belt, it snaps against his chin on accident and he groans in pain. There’s still soft jazz audible from the record player - but you just laugh again, and Bucky crawls over you, his eyes dark and his touch so, so certain of this choice - and you surrender.  

This isn’t a con. Bucky isn’t a target. This is what you want. 

While your heart is pounding, while your hands are roaming across his shoulders - his lips press into the discolored, lumpy flesh of your shoulder. A whimper at the sensitivity, and Bucky pulls his head back slightly. “Does it hurt?” he asks huskily, brushing his flesh fingers over the scar.  

“Not really.” 

“You just like me kissing you, huh?” 

“Who wouldn’t?” you sass.  

“Most people.” 

“Well, I’m not most people. Keep going.” 

“Should I kiss the other one?” Bucky asks, all innocent as his eyes glint navy as he slides down, his waist between your bare legs from your skirt riding up. Buttons are undone and there’s a peek of his muscular chest. Discomfiting, but it doesn’t awe you completely.  

“Well, it’s hurting a little,” you tease. “All the walking we did put a little strain on the scar.”

“Oh, is that it?” he teases back, his fingers trailing across your thigh. “Why didn’t you say something? I could’ve carried you.” 

“That wouldn’t have looked stupid at all,” you say sardonically.  

“Who cares what everyone else thinks?” Bucky’s reply is reasonable enough, as his lips graze across your goosebump-ed skin. A little suck of breath, and your spine arches slightly to get closer to him. “Calm down, sweetheart,” he murmurs over the scar. “I got you.” 

And he proves it. All evening long, he proves it good.  

Dozing in the rumpled sheets, you hear a distant chiming of bells from a nearby church - twelve chimes. And Bucky’s quiet footsteps, and he disappears to turn off the lights in the living area. The record player had stopped long ago. There will be more time for dancing later.  

It’s only a moment before he returns, sliding in behind you and wrapping your body in a tender embrace. Your fingers brush up his metal arm, clenching around the wrist as he kisses behind your ear.  

“Thank you for the space, darlin’,” he whispers. “You don’t mind sharing it, right?”

“After all the effort I put into setting things up? You’d better share with me.” It’s a drowsy reply, and Bucky chortles as he kisses you again. A sigh from your lips, and you snuggle in deeper.  

“You didn’t even look at the kitchen,” you mutter. “But don’t worry - you can make breakfast for me tomorrow. Steve stocked the pots and pans and groceries.” 

Another husky laugh. “Steve really appreciates you returning his pictures, apparently.”  

“Steve knows better than to keep me an adversary.” 

“True. You’re much better as a friend.” 

A friend. Really? You huff sleepily, but don’t protest.  

“And more,” Bucky adds after a moment.  

Are you imagining it as you drift to sleep, or is he rubbing your left ring finger, in particular? That can’t be right - but it doesn’t stop the dazed smile from creeping up your lips. His final words drift into your ear, low and sweet and a purr that fills your bones:  

“But we can talk about that over breakfast.”

fin

[caiti-creative-corner]

Title: A Quiet Moment Series: The Hunters Square Filled: Marvel Poly - G4 – Sense8 – requires 250 words - @marvelpolyshipbingo Natasha Romanoff - B4 – Mind reading – requires 500 words - @natasharomanovbingo Bucky Barnes - B3 – Hair braiding – requires 250 words - @buckybarnesbingo Marvel Fluff - O2 – Private security AU – requires 250 words - @marvelfluffbingo Star Spangled - O4 – Domestic AU – requires 250 words - @star-spangled-bingo Word Count: 1561 words Warnings: Alternate Universe, Alternate Universe - No Powers, Polyamory Pairing: Oh what a tangled web.  Network noted below, but the story is at the link. Summary: Natasha and Bucky spend a quiet moment together. Link:  STORY

Darcy Lewis – Hacker Romantic w/Clint & Bucky

James "Bucky" Barnes – Veteran – Special forces/Front man Romantic w/Darcy & Casual w/Betty

Clint Barton – Veteran – Sniper Romantic w/Darcy & FWB w/Natasha

Natasha Romanoff – Thief/Grifter Romantic w/Steve & FWB w/Clint

Steve Rogers – Veteran – Sketch artist/Front man Romantic w/Natasha & Casual w/Jane

Betty Ross – Genius – Forensic Scientist Quasiplatonic with Brock & Casual w/Bucky

Brock Rumlow – Veteran – Hitter/Muscle Quasiplatonic with Jane & Betty

Jane Foster – Contact woman Quasiplatonic w/Brock & Casual w/Steve

[gifsbysimplysonia]

Anyone out there a fan of the MCU and the show Leverage?

I’m doing a rewatch of Leverage, which I LOVE, and my brain is trying to fill out the crew with MCU characters. I think Tony as Nate (mastermind) and Bucky as Eliot (hitter) makes the most sense. 

But for the life of me, i can’t decide on who would be Hardison (hacker), Parker (thief) and Sophie (grifter). Canonically, Sophie and Nate are pining for each other, but Pepper just doesn’t seem to fit that grifter role for me. And conversely, my brain says Natasha as Parker is too obvious? I dunno. 

But I’m hoping that someone else out there happens to be a fan of both and can help me figure this out cuz I think if I get it worked out….it would just be good for me lol.

I also need to know who would make a good Sterling cuz Eliot just beat the snot out of him and I was like, omg who do I wanna see Bucky beat up??

[aww-writing-no]

Fondue:

Clint was standing in the buffet line waiting for his turn to hit up the fountains of cheese fondue when the person standing in front of him suddenly turned around.

“Anthony does know how to put on a New Year’s Eve party, doesn’t he?”

Clint turned around to make sure she wasn’t talking to someone behind him before answering. “Uhh, I suppose so. They’re sure a lot fancier than the ones I went to in the circus.” He shrugged, hoping that wasn’t an overshare. It probably was.

The woman laughed with the refined tinkling laugh of the well bred. The laugh that invited you in on the joke, but never really reached their eyes. Tony laughed like that when he had to talk to reporters.

“New year’s with the circus, huh? Those must have been a wild time.”

Clint scuffed his foot, wishing the line would hurry up so he could take his melty cheese and leave. “Sure, if you think getting drunk on moonshine whiskey and orgies under the bleachers are a good time. That straw gets real itchy real fast, though.”

The woman laughed a real laugh this time. “Oh, you are a character! I can see why Scott likes you.”

Scott? The only Scott Clint knew was Scott Lang, and he really couldn’t see Antman hanging around this kind of well-refined lady. Scott hung out with, well, criminals. Okay, technically reformed criminals. Not that Clint was one to judge, having been one himself. But either way, this lady wasn’t giving off the criminal vibe. Unless she was a grifter. A really really good grifter.

Clint patted down his pockets. It seemed like everything was still there, but grifter would explain what she was doing at a Stark party making small talk with a guy she didn’t know. Ugh. Where was Natasha when he needed her?

“Uhhh, so, what’s your con?” he asked, mentally kicking himself the moment it came out of his mouth.

“My what?” the woman asked with a laugh.

Wow, she was good. Clint was thoroughly impressed. “Your con,” he said, figuring he might as well just get straight to the point now. “Grifter, right?”

The woman let out another peal of laughter. “Oh darling, no. I’m a physicist.” She held out a hand. “Janet Van Dyne.”

Clint shook her outstretched hand. This was Hope’s long lost mother?

Awkward.