#love how he showed up for an issue and tried to kill tony stark and y'know. iron man fights him off he goes away.

[vulpinesaint]

incredibly based moment from venom. my favorite journalist 🖤

[arlana-likes-to-write]

Reborn

Part 2 of Monet Issue by Chase Petra

Summary: A phone from your best friend alerts the Avengers of your disappearance. It’s a race against the clock to save you before it’s to late. 

Warning: Torture, forced experiment, truth serum, 

Word count: 3.6k

Natasha was surprised it took him this long to confront her in the weapons locker of all places. It was mid-morning on the day after you left. She was cleaning her pistols and fine toning her Widow Bites. They still had no idea when they were leaving as the information was still coming in. But it was still good to be prepared. “Romanoff,” Tony said. He leaned against the wall. 

“Stark.” She didn’t look at him. She was still furious with the man but out of respect for you, she would be civil. At the end of the day, they were a team and they had to watch each other’s backs. 

“I’m guessing you are upset with me too.” She loaded the bullets into her magazine. “This is probably the worst place to talk to the person sleeping with my daughter,” Natasha smirked. 

“I’m not going to kill you.” She said. He laughed. 

“Well, that’s a relief.” There was a silence between the two. “So how long have you been sleeping with my kid?” He finally asked. Natasha sighed, placing her guns. She faced the man. She knew a shovel talk was in her future but she didn’t expect it to be like this. 

“8 months,” she answered honestly. There was no reason to lie. 

“I’m guessing if I ask you to call it off you won’t.” She smiled. 

“You could be correct.” Natasha took a step closer to him. Her arms crossed. She noticed he was becoming nervous. “Let me ask you something, Tony. Do you love Y/n?” She asked. 

“Yes,” The man answered without hesitation. Natasha wasn’t surprised by that. She’s caught him reading every article he could find about you. 

“Have you told her that?” He didn’t say anything but Natasha saw his head shake, no. “Let me make an educated guess here. Howard didn’t show any emotions, right? He didn’t spend time with you, didn’t praise you when you wanted him to, and didn’t tell you he loved you when in fact he did. Which makes sense because it was probably how he was raised.” She went back to her guns to put them away. “I’m not your therapist but to your surprise, I care a lot about Y/n. So stop the generational trauma and be the father she deserves. 

“How-how do I do that?” He asked. Natasha has never heard the man so unsure of himself. She put her guns away. 

“I don’t know, Tony, but I see the way you act with Peter. That fatherly instinct is there somewhere.” She had a training session with Wanda to get to but her phone ringing stopped her. She half expected to see your name on the caller ID but it was Taylor. The Black Widow had met your best friend a handful of times. “Hey Tay,” she answered.

“Is the Egghead still with you?” Taylor asked. Natasha smiled at the nickname but the smile was short-lived. She heard the sound of a car so Taylor must be driving. 

“No, she left yesterday. What’s going on?” Taylor sighed. 

“She didn’t show up for work this morning. I tried calling her but she’s not answering her phone so I thought she stayed another night at the compound and you and she were engaging in adult-related activities. Natasha rolled her eyes at that. She turned to face Tony, who was watching the Russian. 

“Maybe she overslept.” That was unlikely but she needed to give another option besides the worst-case scenario. She heard Taylor turn off her car and slam the door shut. 

“I’m at her place now and will dump cold water on her.” Natasha waited for Taylor to take the elevator to your floor and unlock your apartment. “Shit,” Taylor said. Natasha put the phone on speaker. 

“Tay, what do you see?” She asked. Taylor was calling out your name, oblivious that Natasha asked her a question. She could tell Taylor was running throughout your apartment. 

“Taylor,” Tony said. “What is going on?” The sudden voice of your father cut through her fog.

“She’s not here,” she said. “Her window is broken and her coffee mug is shattered. There is graffiti on her kitchen cabinets.” Natasha’s phone dinged and she opened the text message Taylor sent. Her heart stopped. She looked up at Tony. The color was drained from his face but his jaw clenched. HYDRA had you. 

*

Your eyes slowly opened but you admittedly closed them as a bright light was shining down on you. A pain throbbed behind your eyes. You were so thirsty. You reopened your eyes and looked around the room you were in. It was a 4 wall room with a door. You were chained to a metal chair. An IV was attached to your right arm. You looked down at your chest and noticed CAM patches attached to a monitor of your heartbeat. The only sound in the quiet room was the quiet beeping of the heart monitor on your left. It was comforting to some extent. You tried to test the resistance of the metal chains but your arms wouldn’t move. No matter how hard you tried your arms wouldn’t move. There was a discount between your brain and your limbs. “Impressive,” you looked up at the door. You didn’t notice it open. “We thought you would be out much longer.” The man was German. You noticed the slight accent. He wore a black uniform with the HYDRA symbol on his shirt. 

“HYDRA,” you said. The man smiled. A female walked from behind him. She was wearing a white lab coat and a mask covering her mouth. She checked your vitals. 

“So you know who we are,” Of course you did. The Avengers were working day and night to remove the organization. 

“Her vitals are good,” the doctor said. “We can begin.”

“Begin?” You questioned. Your throat was killing you. “Begin what?” The man nodded. The doctor pulled a syringe out of her pocket and inserted it into your IV. You tried to fight her but it was no use. She pushed the clear liquid. 

“You should be honored, Miss. Stark,” he said. “You are going to be a part of history.” The heart machine began to beep rapidly indicating your growing panic. 

“What did you inject me with?” You asked. Breath, you told yourself, breathe. You were no use to anyone if you sent yourself into a panic attack. The beeping settled down. 

“A truth serum,” he answered. “In 30 minutes, no matter what question we ask you, you will be forced to tell the truth.” Impossible. He smiled at the disbelief clear on your face. He took a step forward, taking your chin in his hand. “In 30 minutes, you will tell us all of your secrets.” 

*

Tony was abnormally quiet as Peter and Kate gave their report on your apartment. Since they were stationed in the city it made sense to have them check it out. The security camera caught you being dragged out of the back door and into the van. FRIDAY was tracking the van but Tony wasn’t hopeful. They’ve spent months trying to track down HYDRA bases and have only found a handful. “Thanks, guys,” Steve said. “Report back to the compound.” They nodded and the feed ended. It was all hands on deck even Bucky and Yelena were being pulled from their missions to help out. 

“Do you think it could be connected to the upcoming mission?” Wanda asked. Their next target was a Russian factory. It was rumored that they were developing a new drug. 

“They took her alive,” Natasha said. “That means they want something.” You were alive. Tony had to keep reminding himself of that. You were alive but in the hands of a monster. There is so much Tony wanted to say to you and the way things were left between you and him left a sour taste in his mouth. 

“Tony,” Steve said. The conversation directed at him pulled him out of his thoughts. He hummed, looking at the super soldier. “We are going to find her.” Of course, they were. They were the Avengers but Tony was afraid of the state they were going to find you in. 

*

You were extremely warm. A layer of sweat was covering your body. The doctor would place a wet towel on your forehead. It offered you some relief. “Her temperature is stable at 99.2,” she looked at the man. “We can begin.” The man smiled. 

“Let’s start with a baseline,” he said. “Who is your father?” Lie. Lie. Lie. You licked your lips. 

“Go to hell,” you said. His smile grew. 

“It’s useless to fight it. You know the saying the truth will set you free,” There was a pressure building in your chest. You squeezed your eyes shut. Lie. Lie. Lie. 

“Tony Stark,” you said. The pressure lifted on your chest. 

“Who is your mother?” Lie. LIE. 

“Meghan L/n,” you mumbled. 

“And what happened to your dear mother?” He asked. You squeezed your hands into a fist. 

“She died from cancer.” You missed her so much. He touched your cheek. 

“You poor, little girl,” you flinched from his touch. “Now let’s get down to the nitty-gritty.” He let go of you. “The Avengers are hitting our facilities. Where are they hitting next?”

“I don’t know,” the pressure was slightly building on your chest. He frowned. 

“Move to plan B,” he said to the doctor. “I forgot she’s a Stark. They are stubborn.” The doctor pulled out another syringe. This time she pinched your skin with a needle. It didn’t even hurt. “She just injected you with adrenaline. A mix of that with the truth serum is a deadly combination.” 

“I don’t know,” you said again. “They were looking at a factory blueprint somewhere in Russia.” You never felt this weak. Your heart was thudding against your ribs. “Please,” you whispered. “I need water.” The man nodded and the doctor left the room. 

“This factory,” he continued. “Tell me about it.” You squeezed your eyes shut. The image of the blueprint was engraved in your mind. You couldn’t tell him. If the Avengers were interested in this factory it must be important. HYDRA must be planning something. 

“You know,” you said. “They are going to find me and when they do you are fucked.” The door opened and the doctor came back in with a cup of water. But the man grabbed it from her. 

“I’m impressed,” he said. “You are still fighting it. Our other test subjects submitted much faster.” He poured the water on the ground and crushed the paper cup in his hand. “But even the strongest metals can bend. We just have to wait and we have all the time in the world together.” He opened the door and the doctor wordlessly followed him. “We will see you soon, Miss. Stark.” They left, closing the door behind him. You rested your head back looking up at the ceiling. You just needed to hold out till you were found. 

*

Natasha needed to busy her hands. They were going through all known HYDRA associates and trying to connect it to the factory. It was slow work but it was the best option they had instead of blindly engaging. One slip-up could alert whoever took you. So Natasha was in the kitchen making a sandwich. “Hey,” she turned to look at her sister. “How are you?” Yelena was one of the few people at the compound that knew of the relationship between you and Natasha. 

“I’m fine,” the blonde rolled her eyes and opened the fridge to grab a bottle of water. 

“Bullshit,” she said. “It’s not nice to lie to your baby sister.” Natasha cut the sandwich in half and handed one half to Yelena. They sat down at the table. Natasha took a few bites of her sandwich. It tasted bitter in her mouth. 

“I feel useless,” she told her sister. “We have no leads and the longer she’s with them the worse it will be.” Yelena finished her half and Natasha pushed her half so she could eat it. 

“We’ll find her and then you can tell her that you love her,” Natasha kicked her sister underneath the table. “Ouch, that hurt,” she whined. “It’s the truth!” Natasha sighed. 

“I know, I know,” she rubbed her hands against her face. “She’s just had a lot going on and no time seemed right.” You were so focused on your work and then the issue with Tony came up. Yelena smiled. 

“That’s the thing. This life is so uncertain no time will seem right. You just have to tell them before it's too late,” Natasha was surprised at how much Yelena has healed from the hands of the Red Room. 

“Widow 1 and Widow 2,” Clint said. Natasha looked at her oldest friend. “We have a lead. Come on.”

*

“Wake up, sleepyhead,” you opened your eyes. The man was in front of you holding your head up. “How are we doing?”

“Bad,” you said. “Bad.” Everything hurt and you were so hungry. He removed his hand and your head fell to the side. A new set of hands touched your face. It was the doctor. She whipped your face with a wet towel and an alcohol pad to clean up the dried blood on your face. You weren’t sure when your nose started bleeding. 

“Are you ready to be good and tell me what I want to know?” You nodded. “Tell me about the factory.” You licked your lips. 

“I saw the blueprints for a split second and the words were in Russian,” You let out a shaky breath. “But it mentioned that the factory was on a lake and that is where it got its power from,” you had to admit you were surprised that HYDRA was so into clean energy. “That’s all I know.” The man nodded and the doctor put a cup to your lips. You almost sobbed as the cold water touched your lips. “Thank you,” you said when the cup was dry. The man smiled. 

“Of course, you’ve been very good to us.” He pulled out a phone and sent a text message with the information provided. “Do you know when they plan to attack?” You shook your head. 

“No, but their priorities shifted when you kidnapped me.” The man put his phone away. 

“Are we good to move on to phase 2?” He asked the doctor. She nodded. 

“Her vitals are stable and she’s the strongest test subject we’ve had.” She moved a rolling table over to her with a briefcase on it. 

“Miss. Stark, I do appreciate your willingness to be part of our experiment,” she opened the briefcase. “Our lovely doctor has been fascinated with mutants and how to turn normal people into one.” She took out a big needle with red liquid swirled in the syringe. “Unfortunately, all of her other test subjects died. But we have strong hopes for you.” She cleaned a spot on your arm. 

“Wait,” you said. “Please.” But your pleas went on deaf ears as the needle pinched your skin. You watched helplessly as the red liquid was pushed into your system. An alarm began to go off. 

“Impossible,” he opened the metal door and the sound of shooting and yelling echoed against the wall. Your body felt like it was on fire. You groaned in pain. Patches of darkness began to cloud your vision. You swore you heard your name. 

“Get away from her,” Was that Tony?

“It’s too late,” the doctor said. It was the first time you’d heard real emotion in her voice. “She’ll either die or be reborn into something beautiful.” You heard her yell and a crash as she fell against the table. 

“Hey, squirt, can you hear me?” Tony asked. He removed the gloves from his suit and wasn’t sure where to touch you. He decided on your arms. 

“D-dad?” You questioned. You weren’t sure the last time you called him that. He nodded. 

“Yeah, I’m here,” he said. “We’re all here. We are going to get you home.” 

“Home?” You put your head back and yelled in pain. “It hurts.” You forced out. Tears were forming at the corner of your eyes. “Dad, it hurts. Make it stop.” You sobbed.

*

Tony removed the IV from your arm. He felt helpless as he watched you cry in pain from whatever they did to you. The skin of your arms started to bubble and your normal eye color began to flicker from red, to green, gray, and blue. “Romanoff, Belova, I found her. Where are you?” He asked over the coms. The Black Widow sisters were given medication from Helen before they left and they were tasked with going through the office to find what they did to you. 

“On our way, Stark,” Natasha said. Gun fire could be heard through the coms. 

“Dad,” you mumbled. Your eyes were fluttering close. 

“Hey, squirt, I need you to stay awake,” you looked at him.

“I’m sorry,” you said. “I’m sorry.” Your eye color stopped rapidly switching. It stopped on red. 

“You don’t need to apologize,” he said. “And when we get out of here, we are going to be a family.” You smiled. 

“I’d like that,” your eyes closed. The only indication that you were alive was your shallow breathing and the heart monitoring beating. 

“Stark,” Tony looked at the doorway and saw Natasha and Yelena. Natasha had a vial in her hand but she was frozen as she stared at your still form. Yelena took the vital out of her sister’s hand and ran to your side. 

“This should halt whatever they gave her and give us enough time to get her back to the compound.” Yelena opened the vial and tilted your head back. 

“Should?” Tony questioned. 

“We didn’t have a lot of time to check our work.” She poured the vial down your throat. They waited in silence for something to happen. Soon you began to cough and your eyes opened slowly. The billionaire let out a sigh. 

“Lena,” you mumbled. The blonde smiled. 

“Gave us quite a scare,” you laughed. Yelena moved out of the way and Natasha took her sister’s spot. 

“Let’s get you home,”

*

You sat on a bed at the compound in their med bay. Helen said the truth serum would make its way out of your system in 24 hours. As for the mystery red injection, they were running tests on your blood and DNA to find out more. But you sneezed when Helen brought you food and almost set the doctor on fire, you had a pretty good idea of what your new ability was. You slowly ate your soup when the door to your room opened. It was Tony with a bouquet. “I thought you’d prefer this to a teddy bear,” he said, placing them on your side table. 

“It’s a good choice,” he sat down in the empty chair. “Hele did tell you that the serum isn’t totally out of my system, right?” He nodded. 

“She did but this conversation can’t wait,” he sighed. “I meant what I said when I told you we would be a family when we got you home. I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness and I don’t want it. I’m sorry for not being the father you deserve. You’ve done so well on your own and I’m so proud of you,” you looked down at your soup unable to look at the man. “I’d like to earn your forgiveness if you’ll give me the chance.” 

“Dammit dad,” you whispered, whipping away a few tears that fell from your eyes. “I’ve waited so long for you to say that to me. I just didn’t think me getting kidnapped would be the thing that changed your mind.”

“It shouldn’t have come to that,” you looked at him again. “I love you, squirt. You being born was the best thing that happened to me.” You held out your hand and he took it. 

“Please don’t break my heart,” you said. “I don’t think I’d be able to take it.” He squeezed your hand. 

“I won’t be perfect but I promise to change.” You smiled. “Now about you and Romanoff.” Your smile fell and you groaned. “I’m just messing with you.” You weren’t sure if you believed him. “Finish eating and get some rest once you heal, we'll discuss your choice in women.” You pulled your hand away from him but you didn’t miss his smile. 

“You are the worst,” you said. He stood up and kissed the top of your head.  

“I’m so happy you're safe.” He whispered. 

*

You must have fallen asleep because when you woke up Natasha was sitting next to you. She was reading a poetry book. You smiled at the sight. “Hi,” you whispered. She closed the book at the sound of your voice. 

“Malyshka (baby girl),” she said, standing up. You moved over to make space on the bed and she sat down next to you. 

“Kiss me,” you said. “Please.” She smiled and connected your lips. You loved kissing Natasha. It was your favorite thing because each kiss was so different. Right now it was slow as if she was savoring it. When the need for air was too great, you pulled away and rested your forehead against hers. 

“I was so worried,” she whispered. “I was scared I’d never see you again.” You’ve never heard so much vulnerability in her voice.

“You would have found me,” you said, pulling her onto the bed so she was laying down next to you. You rested your head on her shoulder and kissed her neck. You smiled as you watched goosebumps on her skin. “I can’t lie, remember.” She chuckled and kissed the top of your head. 

“There is so much I want to tell you,” she said. You nodded. 

“I know and we’ll talk but right now I just want you to hold me.” You felt safe in her arms. The safest you’ve felt since you woke up in that chair.   

Part 3 

__

Taglist: 

@natsxwife @mymommawanda @doudouneverte

@thatgayinsomniac @catswag22 @marvelogic

[sjsmith56]

Regret, Chapter 10 - Eyes of the Father

Summary: The person responsible for the play set makes themselves known. Lacey goes to the funeral of a family member but has to leave early when she is followed.

Length. 4.6 K

Characters: Lacey, Clint, Tony Stark, Phil Coulson, OCs (Lacey’s family)

Warnings: Emotional family issues get addressed.

Author notes: Bucky isn’t directly in this chapter, although he is referred to. I brought in Phil Coulson so that he and Clint could have a moment to resolve what happened when Clint was compromised. The funeral helps to set up other chapters further in the story.

<<Chapter 9

🛝 📷

Shuri contacted Lacey after Bucky returned to cryostasis to learn more about the play set. When the Princess described the toys that were actually sent on Bucky's behalf Lacey didn't know what to think. It was suggested that Lacey take a closer look at the play set and see if there were any marks on it of any kind that could identify it. When she brought it up later to Clint and Laura they both looked concerned.

"If it wasn't the Wakandans that sent it then who?" asked Clint. "No one except Fury knows we're here and I can't see him sending this without making an appearance or at least an acknowledgement."

"Could it be one of the Avengers that came here after that mission to hide out?" asked Laura.

"Steve sent a present, so did Natasha," said Lacey. "Thor and Bruce are still missing, right? That leaves Tony and he wouldn't, not after finding out about Bucky."

"What do you mean?" asked Clint. "He's known about Bucky most of the time. What haven't you told us?"

Lacey covered her mouth, angry at herself. "One of the things that Zemo did was to reveal to Tony Stark who killed his parents," she said, not wanting to say anything further but Clint still looked blankly at her. "He revealed it in Siberia, when he followed Steve and Bucky there. It's why he shot Bucky's arm off."

"Shit, the Winter Soldier," said Clint. "It was always thought to be a traffic accident but it was a hit?"

Lacey nodded. "There was traffic cam footage and Zemo showed Stark," she said. "Sent him into a rage and he tried to kill Bucky. He and Steve had to team up and fight him together to stop him. It's why Steve and Sam went underground."

"Damn," said Clint. "But why would Tony send a play set, an expensive one at that, to the son of the man who killed his parents? Unless, the decryption of the HYDRA files has made him realize Bucky was never in control."

Lacey went over to the play set and began to inspect it for any sign it came from Tony, knowing that his ego was big enough for him to put something on it but she found nothing and although she agreed with Clint's speculation there was no actual proof he sent it.

The matter would have been considered unresolved if Lacey hadn't received a visit from the man himself soon after. Clint applied to have his restrictions relaxed. He had to attend a hearing outside of his 10 mile radius so Agent Jones came to pick him up and Laura went with them. The older two children, Cooper and Lila, were at school, leaving Lacey to look after Nathaniel and now 20 month old Tommy. While they were outside playing a sound from the sky attracted their attention. Gathering the two boys close to her Lacey watched as Iron Man descended into the yard. The two little boys were awestruck as the suit opened and Tony Stark stepped out. Lacey said nothing when she saw him, unsure of why he was there but to his credit he came right over, smiling in a friendly manner.

"It looks good," he said, waving his hand at the structure. "Tommy likes it?"

"He loves it," she replied. "Why didn't the installers say it was from you? And how do you know his name?"

"I wasn't sure you would accept it, given the circumstances," he said, frowning slightly, then looking closer at Tommy. "He is definitely Barnes' son. Those eyes ...." Lacey didn't respond. "Look, here's the thing. Yes, I did try to kill Barnes but I was in a rage at the time due to that Sokovian madman showing me something no child, even one as old as me, should ever see. I'm still working on forgiveness but I have acquired understanding of what HYDRA did to him to make him into what he was. He needs treatment and I'm glad he's getting it."

"It might be years before he's well enough to join us," said Lacey. "Are you going to come after him then?"

Tony paused, giving her a sad but understanding look that said it all.  It was probably the only time Lacey would see Tony Stark looking humbled.

"No, there's been too much hate and violence already because of HYDRA.  He won't be in danger from me. I know I'm not the easiest man to deal with. God knows my father and I were at each other's throats often enough. I would give up all my money to tell him face to face that I loved him, just once. Barnes has a chance at a normal life with you and Tommy. I'm willing to let him have it."

Lacey nodded, realizing this was as close to an apology that anyone would ever receive from Tony Stark.

"You still haven't said how you know my son's name," she stated.

"Being a billionaire has its advantages," replied Stark, grinning wickedly once more. "I just put Friday on it. Now, can I see how this little guy moves? I'm guessing he is showing signs of inheriting the super soldier abilities? We'll have to keep what's left of HYDRA and the CIA from finding out. The lawyer said the decrypted HYDRA files will go a long way to exonerating Barnes but it will be a while until he can return to protect his family himself."

"You're paying for the lawyer, aren't you?" asked Lacey.

"I refuse to answer on the grounds it may make me seem like a better man," smiled Stark, then turned back to the two little boys. "Come on, Tommy, Nathaniel. Show your Uncle Tony how you use this thing."

He stayed and played with the boys for almost an hour, climbing up the structure with them, sliding down on the slide portion then encouraging them to use the rope swing, even helping Nathaniel get down when he panicked after being up too high. As Lacey watched she could tell Tony was assessing Tommy's capabilities as he played. Her son didn't disappoint as he jumped up from the ground to grab hold of the monkey bars portion and pulled himself across them. Then he climbed to the top several times and jumped off with a joyous yell. His strength, dexterity and bravery were all on full display and when Tony finally stopped playing, claiming he was too old for this, he came and sat on the grass next to Lacey, still watching the pair.

"He's impressive," he stated. "Just a toddler and he's doing things that much older kids would do. Does he know about his dad?"

"We've had a couple of video calls with him," she replied. "They've restored Bucky's early memories and found other HYDRA memories that set him back a little. They're working on the activation words right now."

"His arm?"

"They haven't really said other than they're working on a replacement," she admitted. "I'm guessing it won't be the heavy burden the first one was. Why do you care, Tony?"

He sighed. "I told you." Lacey looked unconvinced. "I guess what it comes down to is that if the CIA had told my dad after the war that Bucky Barnes was still alive and being tortured to turn him into an assassin my dad would have flown the plane to rescue him. He would have probably bankrolled the rescue himself. He talked a lot about Steve Rogers when I was growing up but he also told me about Sergeant Barnes, Captain America's protector since childhood. Dad and Barnes competed for the same women but also had some good conversations about science and technology. Barnes must have impressed him with his knowledge and understanding because my dad talked about how the differences in their upbringing made Barnes an ordinary soldier instead of an engineer. He thought that was as great a loss as Barnes dying. I'm just trying to honour my dad by trying to help Barnes now, I guess."

"It's true then," said Lacey, grinning. "Tony Stark does have a heart."

"Now you're just insulting me," he said, standing up and brushing off his backside. "Time to go before you say I probably feel guilty about breaking up the Avengers."

He stopped in his tracks, realizing he had spoken that last part out loud. Then he turned to her with a regretful smile before walking over to his Iron Man suit. The boys both stopped what they were doing and watched in fascination as the suit opened up, enclosed Stark inside, and then with a wave lifted off into the sky. Both boys waved back watching him until he was no longer visible. When Clint and Laura arrived back an hour later with the news that Clint's radius had been extended to 50 miles she told them of Tony's visit.

"Good thing I wasn't here," said Clint. "I'm still angry at him. But at least it sounds like he's slowly coming around. He actually played with the boys?"

"For an hour at least," she said. "He was assessing Tommy while he was doing it. He's paying Bucky's lawyer as well."

"Now I have heard everything," grinned Clint.

It remained a source of conversation between the three for much of the day. Two days after Tony's visit a FedEx truck delivered some boxes addressed to Nathaniel Barton and Tommy Chapman.  Inside were several sets and varieties of toddler friendly building blocks.  Clint didn't want to accept them but both Laura and Lacey convinced him that the boys would both enjoy the toys.

Later that week Lacey received word via a Nick Fury phone call that her mother had died. He left it to her whether she wanted to go to the funeral but did say he would provide transportation, accommodation, and security for her, if that was a concern. She discussed it with Clint and Laura, who advised her to go. After sleeping on it she agreed and informed Fury she would. The day came soon enough and she waited for what she thought would be a limousine to pick her and Tommy up. Instead it was a quinjet and a rather straight laced man in a suit stepped out. Clint immediately stepped forward offering his hand.

"Phil, it's been a long time," he said. "I'm sorry I was on the wrong side at the time."

"Clint," the man politely accepted his hand. "It's all water under the bridge. Miss Chapman, I'm Phil Coulson, SHIELD. If you and your son would follow me I'll strap you in."

Clint waved goodbye and stepped back as the quinjet took off. Coulson sat next Lacey on the aircraft and smiled kindly at her.  Right away, she felt at ease with the man.

"We have a safe house in Philadelphia for you and your son to stay," he advised her. "We will transport you to the funeral in Wilmington. Myself and another agent will provide security for you, with a third agent driving. Afterwards we will return to the safe house then return you to Barton's farm the following morning." He looked at Tommy in a friendly way. "He seems to be a happy child. Is he aware of his father?"

"You know?" asked Lacey, surprised.

"I was read in," he said calmly. "This child is unique and mustn't be raised by anyone other than yourself. He must grow up without interference."

"May I ask what your connection to Clint is?" asked Lacey.

"We were colleagues at SHIELD," replied Coulson. "Barton was compromised, his mind taken over by a demi god with delusions of grandeur. He helped attack the location where we were holding the individual. I was killed in the process." Lacey looked horrified as Coulson smiled grimly. "Fury used alien technology to resurrect me but there was a cost. Clint still feels guilt for his part in my death and I'm still angry at Fury for not letting me die. I still trust him as part of SHIELD which is why I still work for him but we're no longer friends."

"I'm sorry," said Lacey. "Clint and Laura have become like family to me. He never mentioned it."

"He wouldn't," said Coulson. "He still wears his guilt inside."

They didn't speak for the remainder of the flight. When they landed a limousine was waiting for them and she was taken to a high rise apartment building. Their "safe house" turned out to be the four bedroom penthouse with a 360 degree view. Two other agents were already there, a young woman named Daisy Johnson, and a rather stern faced man by the name of Alphonso Mackenzie.

"Just call me Mack," he said on their introduction. "I'm sorry for your loss. I'll be your driver while Coulson and Johnson will accompany you to the funeral."

"Is there really a possibility that HYDRA or the CIA will come after us?" she asked.

"Hard to say," said Coulson. "You've done very well staying off the radar, except for allowing your own picture to go with your pseudonym for your second book. If they know of your first book written under your real name they can make the connection pretty easily as you were listed on your mother's obituary as next-of-kin.  Someone may be watching for you and could wonder how you got pregnant with this little guy."

"He is pretty adorable," said Daisy, smiling at Tommy and getting a shy smile in return. "I'll make sure no one touches him."

"Except for my family," said Lacey, quickly. "Although if my brother is still an asshole I'll rethink that."

"Come on, I'll show you to your room," said Daisy. "We don't have a crib for Tommy but it is a king-sized bed so there should be enough room for both of you to share."

She opened the door to a fairly large room with a king-sized bed. There was a bathtub in the bathroom which Lacey was glad for Tommy's sake as she brought some bath toys in her suitcase. Daisy kept her eyes out the window as Lacey unpacked which drew the latter's attention.

"Is everything alright?" she asked.

"Force of habit," replied Daisy before turning her attention to Lacey. "May I ask if Tommy has his father's abilities?"

"It appears so," said Lacey. "Tony Stark gave us a big play set for Christmas and this guy is all over it, even jumping off the top ... a distance of about 12 feet. When I was still nursing him it was pretty tiring. Every four hours until he was a year old, even though I started him on solids at about 5 months. Bucky said it's because super soldiers need more calories than regular humans. Tommy can eat as much as a normal adult now."

"That's incredible," said Daisy. "I'll make sure we have lots of food available for him for dinner and breakfast. Can't have this little guy go hungry."

She smiled at him again and this time he climbed on the bed and began jumping on it, making a show of it, as he touched the high ceiling several times. He entertained both of them for as long as they were willing to watch. After dinner and a bath he tired himself enough to sleep and Lacey joined him soon after. In the morning it didn't take long to get ready for the 11 am funeral. While Mack drove, Coulson sat in the front, as Daisy sat in the back with Lacey and Tommy. They arrived at the funeral about 15 minutes before its start time and both SHIELD agents stepped out of the car first, checking the area before giving Lacey the okay. Other funeral goers were confused to what was going on but several family members recognized Lacey and waved.

"It's okay, I know these people," said Lacey to Coulson, when her aunt and uncle approached her.

"What's going on?" asked her Uncle Bert. "Why do you have a bodyguard?"

"It's a long story but in a way it's related to Tom's death," said Lacey. "Some unsavoury people kept looking for me for a long time after Tom died. I'm still a little paranoid so I have a security detail."

"Who is this little angel?" asked her Aunt Mavis, reaching out to touch Tommy's cheeks. "Look at those beautiful eyes."

"The result of a brief affair," said Lacey. "His name is Tommy."

"Miss Chapman, we are exposed," said Coulson in a low voice. "I would suggest we go inside."

They entered the funeral chapel and were escorted to the family reflection room where her sister and brother were already seated. Her sister Nancy got up right away and tearfully embraced Lacey, then asked about Tommy, making a fuss over him. Her brother Terry was less friendly.

"So, after what, two and a half years you finally show your face?" he said, angrily. "Could you ever have told us where you were? How did you even know Mom had died?"

Coulson looked at her and shrugged slightly indicating it was her choice what she wanted to tell her family.

"You know Terry, if you had been a bit nicer to me and didn't have your entourage hanging around at Tom's funeral I could have told you what I was facing," she said. "But you had to play the big man and told me to stop being a selfish brat."

"So it's my fault you took off?" he snarled. "You always were immature, weren't you?"

Lacey took a deep breath. "The day after Tom died four Russian mobsters broke into the house looking for a flash drive that he had hidden," she said. "The flash drive contained the location of laundered money that a co-worker of Tom's tricked him into setting up an investment account for. Instead, he hid the money in a secret account and came to see me. He went to tell the FBI but as you know the Russians got to him first. The four that came to my house ..." Terry made a face. "...Grandpa's house that he left to me because I was the only one who was there for him the last two years before he died, were not in a mood to be polite. They were armed and willing to hurt me. I wasn't alone. Bucky Barnes, yes that Bucky Barnes, spent the night and he took on all four men, subduing them and tying them up. He told me to call the FBI and sell the house because they would come looking for me again. Tommy is Bucky's son and if HYDRA or the CIA find out about him they'll come for him. So I've been in hiding ever since, Terry. Not because I didn't want to contact you but because it was safer for me, for Tommy and for you both if I didn't. I don't even know why I came to the funeral, to be honest. Especially since it's obvious you haven't changed.  You're still the asshole you always were."

She glared at her brother, daring him to make a smart ass comment again, like he usually did. Her body was shaking as she struggled to keep herself from crying. Instead he stepped forward and enveloped her in his arms, which did made her cry which made Tommy cry. After several long moments, Terry stepped back and looked at his nephew then at his sister.

"You don't have to be scared of me, Tommy," he said emotionally. "I'm your Uncle Terry and I will protect you as much I can." He stroked Lacey's hair. "I'm so sorry. I was such an asshole then. As you can see there is no more entourage. I blew my knee out last year and the team released me this year. Officially, I'm an unemployed ex-football player with no actual skills to work in the real world. I had no right to treat you the way I did."

Nancy came forward and hugged Lacey again. "I'm sorry I didn't stand up for you at Tom's funeral," she said. "We were all hurting so much and with you being the last one to see him alive it was easy to blame you even though you had nothing to do with it. It's our fault you left without a word. I'm just glad you're okay and that you have someone that means the world to you. He's beautiful, Lacey."

Nancy touched Tommy's cheek and he shyly smiled before laying his head onto Lacey's shoulder. The funeral director came in, advising that it was time to enter the chapel. Coulson and Daisy stood to the side, keeping their eyes on all entrances, while Lacey and her family took their places. It wasn't a long ceremony and when the siblings followed the coffin outside to enter the limousine Coulson advised Daisy to accompany the family while he and Mack followed in their car. The drive to the cemetery was quick and without incident. After the interment a line of people waited to hug the siblings. Coulson, Mack and Daisy all kept their eyes open when they noticed a vehicle enter the cemetery. It stopped some distance away but the driver's side window lowered and Daisy saw a telephoto lens appear. Immediately she went to Lacey, blocking the view to her, while Coulson and Mack approached the vehicle with their weapons drawn.

"Get in the car," she said urgently while she kept scanning the area for any more threats.

Lacey immediately complied, followed by her brother and sister. They all sat in the limousine wondering what to do next until Daisy looked inside to update them.

"Mack and Coulson are checking the guy out," she said. "They're holding his camera and Mack has pressed some buttons. Now they're coming back."

Coulson returned to the limousine and looked inside at the others.

"He was paid to get a picture of you and the baby, for an unknown client," he informed them. "Mack deleted the images. I think it's time you and the baby return to the safe house. I'm sorry to cut your reunion short. He's bringing our car up alongside this one."

Lacey turned to the other two apologetically. "I better go," she said. "I don't know when I'll see you again."

Nancy pulled out a card, wrote her phone number and email address down on it, then handed it to Terry for him to do the same. "If you find a safe way to contact me here's our information," she said. "I wish we had more time. I bought your book and I loved it. I hear it's doing really well and I'm so proud of you."

They hugged affectionately. Terry kneeled on the floor of the limousine and took Lacey's hand into his own.

"I meant what I said about protecting you two," he said emotionally. "If you ever need extra muscle wherever you're hiding let me know. Don't wait so long for the next visit. Take care little sister. I'll see you again little man."

He hugged Lacey hard and ruffled Tommy's hair. Mack pulled their car close and Lacey quickly transferred over. She looked out the rear window as the car pulled away from the limousine trying not to cry. Daisy held her hand the entire time.

"We're being followed," said Mack, just minutes later as he looked out his rear view mirror. "Two vehicles, tinted windows."

Coulson and Daisy both looked back. "Can you get on the expressway?" asked Coulson.

"Only if I double back," said Mack. "That could put them before and after us. I could try to shotgun a left turn up ahead."

"Do it," said Coulson. "Daisy, if we have to ...."

"I understand," she replied. "I'll be ready."

Mack pulled up to a stoplight with a regular left turn. As the traffic lined up in the opposite direction he kept his eye on the traffic light for the cross traffic. Just before that light turned red he spoke.

"Hold on," he warned, then he gunned the accelerator making the turn just as their light turned green.

The oncoming traffic beeped their horns but let him pass. They didn't let the next two vehicles turn and Mack accelerated turning onto another busy road that led to the expressway. He got on it, watching carefully behind him before leaving it several exits later and taking a roundabout way back to the safe house. They entered the underground parkade where Mack backed into a stall then stepped out with his gun drawn and checked the immediate area before giving the okay.

"Who were they?" asked Lacey as they exited the vehicle.

"Don't know," replied Mack tersely, "but I wasn't going to take any chances. They tried to shotgun with us so they were definitely following us."

Back safely in the penthouse Coulson made a phone call, presumably to Fury, to report about the photographer and the two cars following them. After hanging up he looked grimly at Lacey.

"Fury isn't happy about the two incidents," he said. "He's concerned whoever is trying to find you already knows about Tommy. It will delay any chance you have of living elsewhere."

"So back to the farm?" Lacey asked. "I'm okay with that. My family aren't in danger are they?"

"Probably not," replied Coulson, "but you won't be able to contact them through normal channels. They are going to put the photographer under surveillance and see if that leads them to who paid him. We'll also try to locate images of those two vehicles through traffic cam footage."

"Will it always be like this?" asked Lacey, as she watched Tommy approach Mack, who just looked sternly down at the boy.

"I would like to say no," replied Coulson, as he watched with her. "But he is unique, born a super soldier. That is worth a lot to the wrong people. HYDRA had their own aspirations to breed Winter Soldiers that failed miserably because their scientists didn't understand how fragile the reproductive system really is. The fact that Bucky Barnes was eventually able to father a child may have them scrambling, I think."

The next morning they made it to the airport without incident and Coulson accompanied Lacey on the quinjet flight back to the farm. Clint came out of the house as the aircraft landed and nodded at Coulson as he escorted Lacey and Tommy off.

"We had to leave the funeral at the interment," said Coulson. "A photographer tried to get a picture. Then we were followed by two vehicles."

"Well, she'll just have to stay with us," replied Clint, putting his arm around Lacey briefly. "She and Tommy are like family now so it's no hardship for us."

"You're a good man, Clint," said Coulson with a smile. "Miss Chapman, it has been a pleasure. You look after Tommy and yourself."

Lacey hugged him, which he accepted somewhat bashfully, then they watched the quinjet leave before going inside. There were worse places to raise a child but there weren't many that were better.  Clint had done a good job keeping the existence of this farm a secret.  Right from the time she arrived there Lacey had felt safe.  The prospect of living there indefinitely wasn't a problem.

Chapter 11>>

Series Masterlist

Please support the author by reblogging.

[themculibrary]

Fics With Titles That Start With U Masterlist

Uncertainty of the Law (ao3) - mambo steve/bucky M, 26k

Summary: Steve didn't expect to fall in love with the lawyer looking at his painting.

But he did.

Uncompromised (ao3) - Lillyflora E, 3k

Summary: After the battle Clint and Natasha have a few thing to settle before they can become uncompromised

Unconditional (ao3) - DreamingAngelWolf bucky/clint T, 5k

Summary: Lucky loves Clint. That goes without saying. Which is good, because Clint suddenly isn't saying anything anymore, and Lucky doesn't know why - he just knows that he wants to make Clint talk again, and if he can't do that, he'll make him smile instead. It isn't easy.

Undeniable (ao3) - writerchick0214 clint/phil E, 3k

Summary: After Clint breaks his femur during a mission he's laid up for half a year. During this time he gains a little weight and grows self-conscious about it. After Tony makes an off-hand comment about it, Clint thinks Phil will no longer find him attractive.

Phil takes the time to show him just how wrong he is.

Undercurrent (ao3) - NachoDiablo steve/bucky T, 4k

Summary: Bucky might be more than a little smitten with a certain cute, blond lifeguard, but there's no way his feelings are reciprocated... right?

Underneath and Unexplored (ao3) - eiluned clint/natasha M, 5k

Summary: Natasha first tried to seduce Clint a few weeks after he helped her defect from Russia. A progression of emotion in five parts.

Underneath the Smiles (ao3) - Peps4lyfe mj/peter T, 173k

Summary: It’s been a couple months since the homecoming fiasco. Peter struggles through the rest of his sophomore year, filled with nightmares that won’t go away, anxiety attacks that hit him hard and managing an unexpected crush on Michelle Jones. Tony Stark is there day in and day out to help Peter through his hard times but as the year goes by, they realize Michelle doesn’t have it easy, either.

Under Stars (ao3) - vulcanscully steve/tony T, 14k

Summary: Commander Tony Stark, just kicked off the USS Expedition for mutiny, finds comfort in an ensign wandering the halls of the USS Quinjeti at 0400 hours. Southern comfort, no less.

Undertones and Overtures (ao3) - RockSaltAndRoll steve/bucky E, 106k

Summary: In which Steve is deaf and Bucky is an amputee.

Bucky Barnes is studying for his masters in Music Composition at Juilliard when he unexpectedly meets skinny little artist Steve Rogers in a book store one Saturday. They both have their issues and it’s going to take a lot to understand each other, but with a little help from friends and family, they might be able to make this work.

Unexpected Houseguest (ao3) - faeryn sam/bucky M, 20k

Summary: When Sam comes across Bucky in the strangest of places, his first instincts are to run, and to call Steve. He does neither, and in doing so manages to form a strange bond with the Soviet assassin who once tried to kill him. Bucky is broken, a shell of his former self, and Sam wants nothing more than to help return him to himself. But can he maintain a respectable and responsible distance from the man, despite how Bucky draws him in, in order to help him? Or will he falter, and shatter all the progress he has made by giving in to his own desires?

Unexpected Surprises (ao3) - Caahs steve/tony T, 6k

Summary: When The Avengers decided to plan a surprise birthday party for Tony, they didn't expect the man to get a gift that wasn't exactly on his list.

Unintended Side Effects (ao3) - Margo_Kim steve/natasha T, 5k

Summary: Written for the Avengers kinkmeme: "Among the serum's many little quirks and oddities is that in addition to making his body stronger and his mind sharper, it also kind of cranked his libido up into overdrive. During the war it was easier to suppress/ignore because hey, being shot at is quite the boner kill, but now he's in the 21st century and though they still happen, battles are rather less regular. As a result, well; let's say that Little Steve is suddenly "standing at attention" when not explicitly ordered to do so."

Steve respects Natasha as an agent and a person, but he also needs to stop looking at her when they are in public together because his body can't quite handle it and his uniform is very tight. The fact that Natasha's having entirely too much fun with Steve's noticeable problem doesn't help matters.

Uninvited (ao3) - Foxglove_Fiction loki/stephen T, 8k

Summary: How Loki convinced Stephen to agree to go on a date with him.

Unknowing Guise (ao3) - STARSdidathing loki/tony T, 4k

Summary: An arranged marriage was, more often than not, a loveless affair.

When Loki was told he would marry a mortal to better unite the realms, he was expecting an ignorant fool. He did not expect the bright and fiery Anthony Stark.

For nearly a year, Loki thought things were perfect - and then his skin turned blue.

Unusual Weather (ao3) - novembersmith steve/bucky E, 8k

Summary: Bucky’s been at the Avengers Tower for three weeks before he finally gives in to Steve’s gentle coaxing and Stark’s cheerful waving of fistfuls of circuits, and lets them scan the arm.

It doesn’t go well.

Unsettled (ao3) - mrs_d sam/steve M, 35k

Summary: After the fallout from the Accords, Steve and Sam try to settle into something resembling civilian life. To the people in their neighborhood, they're Rob and Marcus, a couple of married veterans who are always happy to lend a helping hand.

But when a local teenager seems to develop superpowers, Steve and Sam find themselves drawn back into the world of spies and secrets, where enemies hide behind every corner and things are never quite what they seem.

Up in the Stars (ao3) - NachoDiablo sam/steve T, 5k

Summary: Sam meets a cute lifeguard on his family vacation.

Upon a Hill, Across a Blue Lake (ao3) - I_Mushi bucky/darcy/steve M, 12k

Summary: Fluffy ABO - Darcy has a few run-ins with the police and a couple Alpha Avengers show up to help. She /really/ should have specified to Jane not to send her crushes when she called for help. Steve/Darcy/Bucky Alpha!Steve, Alpha!Bucky, Omega!Darcy

Uprooting (ao3) - MyShipsinStormySeas pepper/tony T, 3k

Summary: 5 time Pepper and Tony moved house, and one time they stayed right where they were. For Pepperony Week 2019 Day 1: 5+1 times fic.

Urgent Care (ao3) - Jo (jmathieson) clint/phil E, 45k

Summary: When a gorgeous young paramedic named Clint Barton walks into Dr. Phil Coulson's ER, both of their lives get a lot more complicated.

[kitmoas]

Gentle Sin Universe

Gentle Sin Master List

A/N: This is a drabble/hc on things that probably won't be touched on tooooo much in the actual writing, so here's some nice universe building for you guys to be able to understand the world. Hopefully spark some questions too!

Warnings: 18+ Dark fic where blood, violence, murder, death, kidnapping/trafficking, and sexual acts will be talked about in most parts if not all. It won't always be blunt or obvious but the dark themes will be there.

***MINORS DNI*** **18+***

In a time where Steve died while getting the serum, meaning Captain America never existed and the Allies lost the war.

Howard never died there for never leaving Stark Industries to Tony. Iron Man never existed and Tony partied his life away. Dying and letting his father’s company go down the drain before it could truly reach its potential.

Thor never understood how to be worthy, and was sentenced to a lifetime as a human. He died trying to do superhuman feats in an attempt to prove his worthiness.

Clint…well he was blind instead of going deaf. He lives a normal life on a farm, no thoughts of any archery ever happening.

Bruce was successful in killing the big green guy

Natasha received the Russian super soldier serum and became one of the best Russian assassins in history. When the Red Room took it one step too far by also putting her sister under a mind-controlling chemical Natasha went crazy. She killed every single widow, after breaking her sister free, and brought the Red Room down. The two of them had to kill the entire widow army to escape Russia, and then flee to America. Natasha initially tried to infiltrate Wanda’s hotel when she was caught in the middle of a gun fight.

Wanda was a product of the Sokovian nuclear war. She miraculously survived a bombing as a child but she watched her parents burn to death. From the toxins she received her “Scarlet Witch” powers and fled to America with her brother. They made their way through high school without an issue until Pietro fell into a bad crowd. It resulted in him getting killed, directly in front of Wanda, and it cracked the last bit of good will she had. Spending nights vengeance killing, Wanda spent the days becoming one of the most well known business owners. Granting her money and immunity from many things, and allowing different covers for her henchmen.

Wanda and Natasha met and the bloodlust between the two got entirely too strong. The two killed anyone and everyone that they came into contact with during the night. Falling in love with the madness and violence, the two fell for each other as well.

Peter was just a young teenager when he was taken from his foster home, brutally and violently. He was brought in front of two women who ended up shooting the men who brought him here immediately. It seems as though he was taken by mistake but with nowhere to go, the two women became mother figures to him. Being raised as a mock black widow, and as a future businessman, he quickly became one of the most dangerous people in the world but his innocent and loving heart stayed. Wanda and Natasha shield him from the dangers of their lifestyle.

Yelena spent her time in America hidden away behind security. Natasha spent most of her days spending time with her, helping her get rid of the remnants of the chemicals. She quickly became friends with Peter when he showed up. The two become a chaotic duo. Together the two lived out all their childhood dreams, and even ones they couldn’t even think of, with the never ending supply of money that Wanda and Natasha supplied. Yelena had an itch to do what she was trained from toddler age to do, murder, but she knew that she was Natasha’s soft spot so she didn’t.

When Wanda and Natasha started running into corpses and blood smears left over from kills they knew weren’t from any of their people, concerns went up throughout their ranks. The two started to get competitive, and began killing during the day. Natasha taking the reins on this one, stealth from her red room days coming in handy. The murders were getting more and more graffic and gruesome as the mystery party started leaving scenes for the two to find.

The two traveled together at night, loudly and proudly killing anyone in their wake when they stumbled on a young girl sitting arrogantly on the desk of Darren Cross, president of Pym Technologies. She’s surrounded by Cross’s head, along with the heads of the entire remaining Pym bloodline.

Kate Bishop, America’s golden girl who’s a certified genius, and is now in charge of the biggest security company on Earth. Kate thrived in school, and athletics. When she finally settled down and graduated college, her mother gifted her with an entire branch of Bishop Industries; Bishop Security and Technology.

The first time Kate killed it was an accident, but it sparked something in her brain. She fell in love with the warmth of the blood as it leaked out of the body, the pained whimpers as the person slowly fell into unconsciousness. When she got control of almost every single security system in the US, she used it to her advantage. Her murders got more adventurous as her bloodlust became uncontrollable, and her brain worked on overdrive on ways to stoop the authorities. Letting them stumble upon evidence and killing them as they try to turn it into an actual investigation.

The three of them decided to team up, using the technology and money to continuously stay one step ahead of the authorities. No one put it together that three of the most prominent women in the United States were the terrorists that left an ocean of blood behind them.

Natasha quietly stepped down when it started getting too close to Yelena and Peter. Opting to protect the one thing that the three villains, as they were now considered by the public, loved the most.

Kate and Yelena meeting was crazy to say the least. The two of them fought and teased each other consistently before one day Yelena snapped and kissed the archer. Since that day the two have dated, and the rest of the group teased the brunette about her soft spot.

When Wanda almost died one night during a shoot out with the FBI the entire group was shaken, and it caused Kate to go into a bloodthirsty frenzy. The young archer killing and torturing an entire building, only stopped by Yelena. This was the moment when the blonde decided that she needed to step up and become part of their group. Stepping in as a bodyguard type person, and protecting Wanda in public during the day.

The three spent most of their nights in a club or hotel that Wanda owned as their henchmen looked for more people to traffic, a new business that Wanda and Kate got into. When someone caught Kate’s eyes, and that is where our story starts.

Taglist: @tforjatp @inluvwithfictionalwomen @lightupthemoon @katebishop-ladyarrow @yourtaletotell @simpfornatasharomanoff @8bitscarlet

[nope-we-are-friends-now]

Love

Fandom: Marvel

Characters: Iron Man x GN!Reader, Vision x GN!Reader, Captain America x GN!Reader

Word Count: 952

Summary:  What was supposed to be head canons of the way they show love turned into this…

Tony Stark

Before Iron Man, Tony Stark didn’t love anyone. Working every day and partying all night, the man barely cares for himself. With a lonely childhood and the people near him turned vultures at the slight mention of money, the only love he knew was superficial. Giant teddy bears, a room full of flowers, and an expensive box of chocolates for the important holidays. For your birthday, all of this, a piece of jewelry, and a party in your name. (While it’s noted in his calendar, Pepper has done all the planning.)

After Afghanistan, Tony Stark, the billionaire playboy, the man without fear, suddenly fears everything. And so, he builds. Iron suit after iron suit, Tony builds to fight what his mind can’t. Chest pains, anxiety, panic attacks, survivors’ guilt, these are all things that Tony cannot fix, but he tries.

“You can’t keep doing this, Tony.” You tell him as you drag him to bed after yet another night of drinking.

“You’re not okay, Tony!” You yell, doing your best to blink the tears away. Tony holds back a groan. Your shouting isn’t helping his headache. So, what if he hasn’t eaten or slept or showered in a few days, Iron suit Mark 5 was complete.

“I can’t watch you kill yourself,” you say, no longer nagging nor pleading. The final straw was Tony passed out drunk yet again. After university, after Afghanistan, after everything the two of you went through, this is the day you two part.

You don’t though. Tony doesn’t ‘fix’ himself, but he tries and really? That’s all you really wanted.  He’s different, this new Tony. He still has the same issues, but his attitude has changed and that makes all the differences.

His love is different too. While there is still the over-the-top party and ridiculous public declaration of love (“I have an appearance to keep up, Y/n!”) There are also quiet days with just the two of you.

Burnt pancakes and a kitchen filled with laughter.

After-nightmare cuddles and 3 a.m. promises

Hand-picked flowers and fast-food dates

One night, after being locked away in his lab all day, he slips into your bedroom.

 “Hey, Babe, wake up.” Tony in true form is wearing his iron suit with the face plate off.

“What?” you say, blinking the sleep away.

“Let’s get married.”

“Tony,” you groan, “Let’s get some sleep first.”

Vision

Before Vision was Vision, It He was JARVIS. When he was JARIS, his only concern (if you could call it that) was completing tasks. His world was made of sequences of zeros and ones and then it wasn’t. The world is a confusing place, but Vision finds that its less with someone you can trust by your side.

For all his attempts to assimilate into society, Vision is just an android. Try as he might, he doesn’t understand many social cues. But you are always ready to answer his questions and for that he- he doesn’t know what he feels, but he would follow you to the end of the universe if you only asked.

He doesn’t know how to care for you. The internet provides mixed information and Vision’s ‘gut’ warns him off asking majority of the avengers for advice. The captain is not of this time, while Iron Man is an alcoholic. Black Widow is a former assassin with no previous relationships and Hulk is just unfamiliar. Thor, despite being in a relationship himself, is just as confused on the topic of human interactions. Vision's only hope is Hawkeye.

Following Hawkeye’s advice, Vision has taken to noting all your hobbies and interests. He has gone as far as to keep up with all the latest information about them.

He updates you on all the new details

He watches you as you work on your hobbies

And he always listens to your rants

In all the chaos that is the Avengers, the relationship you and Vision has is calm. It is peaceful.

Steve

Steve Rogers is ancient. He knows it. All the jokes and comments that go over his head whenever the Avengers hang out remind him of the fact. When Steve was trapped in ice the world changed. He sees it everywhere he looks- media, politics, health care, fashion, and especially relationships.

Used to be a time where a guy would ask a gal out, they’d go to the movies and out to a diner. Afterward, the guy pays for the meal and walk the doll home and if he’s lucky, he’ll get a peck on the cheek.

Times are different now. It’s new, growing, changing. They put a robot on Mars and cheese in a can.

Steve Rogers is ancient. And you are not.

At first Steve didn’t understand why you were always around him. You made jokes he barely understood and liked to call him old. But when he pays attention, he sees it.

Notices how you stare when he workouts

See you look away when he smiles at you

He can’t ignore how you insist on "bringing him into the future”

But he is also aware of the changes in himself

How nervous he is around you

How he finds excuses to be around you

How he feels like an old man and more like a person in love

Once he realizes this, Steve, a true gentleman, woos you the classy way. You two, once friends who were always there for one another, fall in love slowly. Dinner dates and your favorite flowers. Walks in the park and midnight runs to the nearest ice cream shop. Movie nights and picnics. He sketches you often. You take photos of him frequently.

[widow-maximov]

hi! i love your work and was wondering if you’d write a one shot where reader is thor’s younger sister and it’s her first time visiting earth. she’s clueless and doesn’t know how anything works 😩 wanda and nat get super smitten and eventually fall for the reader 😳 can we also get some protective big sister hela ♥️♥️♥️

Goodbye forever..

Pairing: Natasha x Wanda x Reader

Warning: Language, fluff, little bit of angst :3

Summary: First time visiting a place and being left by your brother, Thor for safety, falling into hands of Natasha and Wanda, will they help you adapt?

Word count: 4.1k

My requests are always open so feel more than welcome to pop in a suggestion for the next story :3

⸻⸻⋙☸🗲⋘⸻⸻

"Asgard is in danger at the moment so I had to bring her down here Stark" Thor explained as you stood not far from him as you looked around.

"That's not what I'm saying, she doesn't know anything here and I can't babysit her, I am a busy man if you haven't noticed" Tony raised his concerns.

"I'm not asking you to babysit her, all I need is for to stay here until Asgard is clear from whatever is putting it in danger" Thor had that charm at convincing people to what he wants, which was working on Tony.

"What if she leaves or something? Or accidently hurts someone with her powers, she's still young and doesn't know her full strength" Tony was sitting down as he slowly started to crack, but there were doubts.

Thor looked back at you as you stared at the one of the tools that were laying around "She is young but she has been trained by me and Loki but if you're still worried, Wanda knows how to control her powers so she can train her and just keep an eye out. She is the strongest so she can easily over power her"

There was a moment of silence as Tony thought "Okay, I will brief Wanda about this"

Thor smiled widely as he was quick to give the rather smaller man a hug "I will be back as soon as possible"

Tony nodded with a small smile himself as he asked for Wanda, Thor turned towards you and took couple steps towards you which caught your attention "Y/n"

You looked at him with a smile "Brother"

"You'll be staying here for now until I came back from Asgard" He place his hand on your shoulder.

"I could help you fight in Asgard, you don't need to leave me here" Convincing Thor was a lot more harder than anyone really thought.

"We already spoke about this Y/n and you know my answer to that, I will try to visit but until then I'm ordering you to stay here and you can't leave" Thor stood straight as he slightly tensed when this was mentioned again.

You nodded, it's not like you had a choice and he nodded back "Good" Just in time Wanda walked in as she saw Thor since he was blocking you from her view, he turned with a smile at her sight, to which Tony walked out.

He hugged you "They will take care of you don't worry"

You nodded once again as you let a tear slide down your cheek, this was a big change, you didn't know anyone here and you was slightly afraid but only slightly.

He moved to the side to which now Wanda had a full view on you "Wanda, that's Y/n, you'll be training her. They will brief you now I have to go" Tony explained as he walked out.

Wanda raised her eyebrows at Tony but her gaze shifted to you and Thor to which she took couple steps, Thor rolled his eyes at Tony "Well anyways, this is Y/n as Tony said, she will be staying here for some time before I came back so I just need you to keep an eye out and keep her out of trouble so Tony doesn't try to kill me"

Wanda nodded as she smiled at you "Okay, that's not a problem, If I understood from what Tony said I will be training her?"

He nodded "Yes, she has powers even though she has them under control but just in case, just give her some tips or something"

Wanda wanted to know why you were here but she didn't want to cross any lines, she will find out if you tell her and that's what she will stick to.

"Well I have to go.." He stated as he awkwardly waited for Wanda to stop staring at you.

"Okay, I will show her around then" Wanda looked at Thor with a smile as he nodded, he gave you the last hug and walked off.

You followed Wanda around as she showed you everything, your room, meeting room, party room, training room, anything that she knew of, the last was the living room where most of the team was.

No one knew you were Thor's sister and you didn't know they didn't know so you just went along with it, as soon as you walked into the living room, the TV caught your attention.

Wanda stood near the kitchen as she faced you "Well this is the living room where the team usually relaxes after missions"

"And there is the kitchen to make food, usually I cook since they can barely make toast without burning it" She pointed towards the door that led to the kitchen.

You looked and smiled "Thank you, I think I understand everything now"

She nodded "Well if you have any questions, you can ask me"

This pulled the teams attention toward Wanda, their eyes landed on you and they quickly gathered around the two of you "Who is this?" Steve asked as he crossed his arms.

"This is Y/n, Thor brought her here from Asgard for the time being, so she will be staying with us" Wanda simply explained.

They all nodded and Wanda asked again "So Y/n do you have any questions?"

You nodded with a small smile "Yes, why are there people stuck in a box?"

Natasha frowned in confusion "People stuck in a box?"

You nodded as you pointed towards the TV "There, they seem to be frozen"

Natasha along with everyone looked over to see what you were talking about, Natasha tried her best to keep her chuckle in as she looked back at you "It's a TV, this is already recorded so we are just watching back"

Your lips turned into a perfect O shape as you nodded "Oh that's definitely new"

Sam held his face as he stared at you "You don't have TV's in Asgard?!"

You shook your head "That is not a thing, no. We have advanced technology there"

"Well, besides that I'm Steve" He reached his hand out for you, you looked at Wanda a little clueless to which she giggled slightly and showed you what to do.

You smiled widely at the hand shake, and then moved to Sam and Bucky and Bruce, they all shook your hand but when it came to Natasha, you leaned down and kiss her hand as she introduced herself.

They all stared at you with shock, Natasha didn't pull away which was more of a shock for the team, you turned back as you looked at the team "Is this not normal for people to do?"

They shook their head with awkward smiles "Not really, unless you're are rich and you're looking for a business deal"

You nodded slowly and looked over at Wanda "Don't worry I will teach you everything"

You gave a quick nod as you excused yourself to go back to your room, to which the team went back to watching the movie but Natasha lingered near Wanda.

"What is it Natasha?" Wanda asked as she knew it was her.

"Do you mind me tagging along?" The redhead didn't waste any time.

Wanda looked at her with her brows raised "Really? But why?"

She shrugged "I have nothing else to do"

Wanda tilted her head "Didn't you just tell the team you were overloaded with mission reports?"

"Well they aren't interesting unlike our new female recruitment" Natasha leaned on a door frame as a small smirk made it's way to her lips.

"Yeah okay, it will be easier with another person around" Wanda nodded to agree and started to prepare things to cook.

⸻⸻⋙☸🗲⋘⸻⸻

For few weeks, Natasha and Wanda trained and taught you how to be more human, which you really appreciated. It wasn't as bad as you thought this stay would be, you grew fond of the two women quite quickly.

The witch and the former assassin felt the same, well they were more aware of what those feelings were but for you it was a lot more harder to understand why you wanted to spend more time with them than the rest of the group.

The two women started to fall in love with you and each time it was harder to hide. The team had their suspicions to which they were confirmed each time.

There was this one time...

"Okay, we need to somehow get some clothes for Y/n" Tony stated as he tried to think of a loophole.

You was standing in front of him, being quiet and just waiting for them to come up with a solution, your attention shifted to Steve "We can always just go shopping with Y/n"

Bucky raised his brows at Steve "As if you know anything about women's fashion"

Steve frowned "I rather think of myself as an expert"

Sam laughed "Yeah an expert in messing up, she would look like fashion show gone wrong"

Tony even manged to crack a smile at the comment "Sorry Steve but no"

Steve dramatically huffed "You guys are so mean, you need to give me a chance"

A voice spoke up from behind them "Give you a chance for what Steve?"

You turned around at the familiar voice, as you saw Wanda and Natasha walk in, a smile spread across your lips at the sight of them and you waved at them and quickly going back to your serious face after they wave back.

"It seems like Steve wants to buy me clothes" You spoke up for the first time since you was called in her.

"That's a terrible idea" Natasha spoke up this time as she walked past Steve with Wanda and stood next to you.

"Thanks for the support Romanoff" Steve sounded offended at the comment, earning a laugh from Wanda.

"You know what, just leave it up to us Tony, we will take care of this little issue" Wanda proposed the idea to which Tony quickly agreed and went on with his little project.

And so Wanda and Natasha snuck you out and went on a shopping spree to find you better clothes. You looked like you were from the medieval rather than from this century so a new wardrobe was in desperate need.

You ended up buying a lot of clothes and decided to explore a bit before coming back, you had like 10 bags in one hand and it was still light to you, it was pretty impressive and definitely Natasha with Wanda admired the way your muscles would flex.

The amount of dirty jokes Natasha had to swallow down, Wanda didn't even need to look into her mind, she was thinking the same thing.

You stopped abruptly as you looked at the creature before you "Stay behind I will protect both of you"

Natasha nearly bumped into you to which she peeked to see what you were talking about "Protect from what Y/n?"

"That creature" You narrowed at the dog that was walking lazily with it tongue out.

Wanda looked at Natasha with a smile at how cute you were with your knowledge "It's a dog, not a creature Y/n/n"

You looked over at Wanda "A dog? It wont try to attack us?"

She shook her head with a smile, she pulled the woman's attention who was walking the dog "Sorry, do you think my friend can pet your cute dog?"

The woman was quick to agree with a big smile across her lips, Natasha kneeled down and you followed her lead, she placed her hand over yours, you felt goose bumps at the contact and she placed your hand on the dogs head.

"See, it just loves pets" Natasha spoke softly to you as she watched your reaction.

You were sceptic at first but gently petted the little dog, a smile slowly appeared across your lips as you looked over to Natasha, inches away from her face, if heart eyes were real Natasha would definitely have them in that moment.

"It's harmless.." You stated out practically with disbelief.

Wanda smiled as she placed her hand on your shoulder, she felt her heart melt at the scene in front of her "Okay, let's go and grab something to eat"

You looked at the woman in front of you and thanked her politely "She really trained that creature very well"

"Why do you call it a creature?" Wanda asked curiously as she linked her arm with yours and so did Natasha.

"Well in Asgard we have Fenris Wolf, they are a lot bigger but very violent and it did look like Fenris so I was worried it would try to hurt you both"

They were melting, the way you felt like you had to protect them from a Fenris Wolf and put yourself in danger first, it was adorable and there was slight worry in your tone.

"Well" Wanda spoke with a huge smile "Thank you for worrying"

You smiled back and looked between the two women who were on either of your side "You shouldn't thank me, ladies should be treated like treasure"

An innocently precious look settled across the two women's faces at your words, their eyes filled with adoration and love, you were perfect and that's what they loved about you.

Or this time...

You had woke up pretty early, having your mind set to preparing breakfast for the two redheads, you wanted to do something nice for how they both took care of you and always made sure that you felt a little bit less loner here.

You knew how to cook but it was a little difficult to make anything here with earth ingredients, that didn't mean you would give up, you make sure Natasha and Wanda taught you how to use something called internet, you managed to search up videos and taught yourself how to make food.

With a smile at your success, you delivered your food to their beds, Natasha and Wanda shared a room together which made it a lot easier to give them your hard worked breakfast.

You memorized the way they did their coffee and quietly walked inside their bedroom, with food and coffee in hand. You placed it down as you slowly started to wake the women in bed.

Wanda was quicker to wake up, she sat up as she stared at you "What is wrong Y/n/n?"

Natasha slowly stirred as she opened one eye and looked at you and half awake Wanda, she never was a morning person so she groaned at being woken up.

"I have made food for my two favourite ladies" You stated simple with a innocent smile.

Wanda rubbed her eyes and finally was able to take in the smell and the sight of the food, it was waffles with blueberries and whipped cream, it was both of their favourite.

She looked at you again "Thank you Y/n/n"

She looked over at Natasha who had a smile but her eyes were shut "Yeah thank you Y/n I really appreciate food in bed"

"You welcome Lady Natasha"

Wanda giggled at how you called her "You didn't have to do this"

You stood up as you walked over to the food and give Wanda her plate and Natasha as well "Nonsense, I will be forever grateful how yous have treated me, with most care and respect so I shall give back something as well"

Natasha smirked "You should definitely feed me if you want to give back something"

Wanda raised her brows at Natasha's comment to which you proceed at her command "Anything you wish for Lady Natasha"

Natasha chuckled as she waved her hand to dismiss you "I was joking Y/n but I appreciate your dedication"

"You are most certainly welcome" You bowed down in front of them, earning nods and slight giggles.

This was just a pure moment between the three of you, something that the redheads treasured and adored, it was those moments that made them realise how important you had become to their simple lives, you bright them up and surprise them each time which was new compared to the boring days on earth.

If we were to go through all of the times, we would be here for days, but the point has been made to why the team had their suspicions.

Weeks turned into months and you definitely was better and had a better grasp on your powers, you learnt their language properly and slang which made expressing a lot more easier.

The only thing you struggled was your feelings, asking was a lot more complicated since you didn't quite understand what you should even ask, you wanted to just be with them and when you learnt about something called kissing, it never left your mind.

To understand it better you searched everything they had on kissing on the internet, realising it's something you wanted to do, something you wanted to experience with Wanda and Natasha.

So now that you understood that, you were determent to ask about it to Wanda and Natasha, making your way towards the meeting room where they were.

You opened the door and almost immediately they looked up at you "Y/n/n what brings you here"

You felt hot just at them looking at you "Lady Natasha, Lady Wanda" You bowed as you always did.

Natasha noticed your nervous to which she stood up and Wanda followed, she walked over to you with a soft smile "Why are you nervous Y/n?"

You smiled nervously at her "I wanted to talk"

Wanda followed right after with a soft smile just like Natasha's "What do you want to talk about Darling" They slightly trapped you in between them which you didn't mind at all.

You took a deep breath and just as words were about to leave your mouth, a familiar voice to you spoke up but to the redheads it was unknown "There you are Y/n"

You turned to face the voice as Natasha took a step in front of you along with Wanda, her hands ready to fire away with red mist, what took them off guard was your question "Sister Hela?"

They looked back at you with shocked faces, the tall woman stood in the same place but just opened her arms for you, to which you gladly took, you hugged her.

Living on earth for long and having company made you forget that Asgard even existed in the first place "What are you doing here?"

"I will get to that in a second, right now I want to know why these two trapped you?" The protective sister was activated as she death stared the two women in front of her.

You pulled away from Hela as you looked in the direction of the two redheads "They didn't trap me, they are cool don't worry"

"Cool?" Hela questioned as she raised her brows at you "Is this the language they teach on earth?"

She shook her head "I knew your brother did a mistake taking you here"

Natasha crossed her arms "I'm sorry but who are you?"

She looked with no emotions at Natasha "Hela Goddess of death?"

"Doesn't ring a bell" Natasha spat out with a cold glare.

"Thor's sister?" She answered but more in a question tone.

Wanda looked from you to Hela as realisation hit her "If you are Thor's sister... And Y/n is your younger sister.. That means Thor is Y/n's brother"

You nodded simply "Yes, I thought everyone knew"

Wanda facepalmed herself "Of course! That's why you were so clueless of everything on earth and your powers! You are a goddess"

Wanda looked up at you with the most huge smile anyone had witnesses, she was impressed and surprised at her discovery, Natasha spoke up with a smile "Damn she's more badass than we thought"

"Well, this interaction seems nice but I'm here because it's safe to come back to Asgard, Thor sent me to fetch you" Hela cut in before this can go any further.

You looked at Hela "Asgard is safe?"

She nodded with a smile "Yes, you can come back home"

Those smiles that were on the redheads lips, fell almost instantly at Hela's words. They didn't want to lose you, there was an obvious pain in their hearts at this news but they decided to stay strong.

You nodded at her "Is brother Thor here?"

"Yes, I believe he is talking with some people inside, so now let's go so you can say your goodbyes with everyone" She spoke up as she placed her hand on your shoulder.

"Okay sister" You agreed as you looked over at Natasha and Wanda.

"We are right behind you Y/n/n" Wanda spoke up through the pain in her throat, she was going to break and she didn't want you to see.

You nodded and your sister led you towards the rest of the people, you hugged Thor as you commented "Nice haircut, I really like it"

He laughed "Thank you Y/n, the long hair was really hard to fight with"

You nodded and pulled away, so you started off by saying goodbye to everyone, they had grown pretty attached to you and your weird outbursts, they grown to love you as you and your food.

The last two people that were left were Natasha and Wanda, you walked over to them. You wished you had realised what you felt towards them and acted on it before you had to come back.

They both hugged you, each face on your shoulders as you whispered "I wish I could stay more but it isn't my choice"

Natasha had a sad smile as she whispered back "Everyone has a choice детка (baby)"

You pulled away and looked at Wanda who let tears finally slide down her face, you wiped it with your thumb as you looked into her eyes "I will miss yous"

Wanda nodded as she chocked out "We will miss you too, make sure to visit more often"

You nodded and finally returned next to your brother and sister, you couldn't stop your heart practically breaking at the sight of Wanda's eyes looking like a waterfall, whilst Natasha tried to act strong.

It felt like everything was muted until Thor spoke up "Have you gathered everything important Y/n?"

You looked up at him, in this moment you knew what to do "No"

He tilted his head "Well then go bring that important thing to take with us"

"It's impossible" You stated.

"How so?"

You looked over at Hela who had a proud smile across her lips "Are you sure Y/n?"

You nodded as you wiped a tear from your cheek "Okay, what's happening that I don't know off"

"Forgive me brother but I will not go to Asgard because I'm not leaving what's important to me" You spoke up with more confidence.

There was a gasp from practically everyone in the room but you only heard Wanda's "I am staying here because this has became my home when you left"

You looked back at the two redheads "I don't want to leave them because they are important to me and I think I might have feelings for them"

Thor had a smile across his face so when you finally looked back at him, he spoke "Okay Y/n, I'm glad you are able to decide for yourself and what you need"

His gaze shifted to the Russian and the Sokovian "I'm glad you found a home in these two"

You looked back with a smile as you made your way towards them and finally blurred out "I want to kiss yous"

Wanda giggled whole heartedly as your outburst as Natasha giggled with her brows raised perfectly "Are you sure?"

"You said everyone has a choice, so I chose to want to kiss the both of you" You said in one sentence so nervously to which Natasha proudly smiled and pulled you into her face, kissing you and you kissed her back gently, just like you were.

You pulled away and instantly Wanda collided her lips with yours, guiding you and preventing herself from deepening the kiss in front of everyone, she pulls away, leaving you wanting more, just like whenever you would spend your time with them.

"Okay okay, enough" Hela spoke up with slight disgust in her voice, causing the three of you to look over and turn the whole room into giggles.

"But I swear if my little sister ends up heartbroken, I will haunt you two redheads to the rest of your life" There was seriousness in Hela's tone and they both respectfully nodded, acknowledging Hela's words.

This time you were saying goodbye, not to the people you met here but to your previous life and welcoming the new beginning with open arms....

⸻⸻⋙☸🗲⋘⸻⸻

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[captainkirkk]

// no way home spoilers

So how do we feel about Peter returning to his Spider-Man roots: young, broke, lonely, and likely clinging to Spider-Man as a coping mechanism. Because I feel a lot of things

I like it A LOT

It's been my biggest gripe with MCU. Peter hasn't felt like Peter; he's felt like Billionaire-Hero Tony Stark's Bumbling Apprentice. I do think Tony would meddle considering the MCU's timeline/population (esp considering the fact that the Civil War happened early on in Spider-Man's career). HOWEVER, it stripped Peter of a core aspect of his character. He's the underdog. He's the Normal Everyday Guy with the world's worst luck, who's trying to do the right thing, even though it's hard and he doesn't always get it right.

Marvel tried to balance Tony's influence out by emphasising Peter's teenage-ness, but IMO it didn't really work. The world is always working against Peter (re: Parker Luck), but in the first two MCU movies, it felt... It felt kind of like the whole world was talking down to him, and they were justified in doing it. The Adults Were Right - until they weren't and Peter bled to show them better. And even then, the narrative justified it! Peter needed the wake up call. He needed his priorities re-assessed. He was too wrapped up in the glitz of heroism, the fame, the technology - and that's not Peter Parker. Yes, he can be selfish and make mistakes. We saw that in No Way Home, when he almost shattered their reality - but he did it because he was worried about his friends. Not himself. He almost killed a man, but it was from a place of grief. Not because he was star-struck.

AND WE GOT HIS GRIEF BACK. When they erased Uncle Ben, they took away Peter's grief, the bedrock that so much of his love and his drive and his anger comes from. Without it, his mistakes felt flimsier. Shallower.

Before No Way Home, Peter had friends, and money, and Tony Stark/SHIELD breathing down his neck, telling him how to be a hero. Peter wasn't being a hero for the love of his city, or for his grief, or for any of his typical reasons; he was doing it to prove something.

Don't get me wrong, Peter Parker is a deeply flawed character. He can be selfish, angry, egotistical, etc. Like you said, clinging to Spider-Man to cope! That's him! But his character had been reduced to Tony Stark's Kid, with all the bells and whistles that came with it. It took away all the important parts of him: his financial issues, his grief, his isolation, the way he floundered and made the wrong decisions, etc.

TL;DR So yes, I think it's great and makes Peter finally feel like Peter again. Don't get me wrong, it was sad and my love for found family is screaming (Ned and MJ!!!!!!) BUT as a character choice? I love it

[elius-learns-to-write]

Class Drama and Anger Issues

Hey besties this will contain swearing, violence, catcalling/ sexual harassment, blood and just horrible behaviour so please take care reading this, love you all <3

You had always been very protective of your friends

It wasn’t like you didn’t think they could stand up for themselves

You understood that 100%

However whenever anyone insulted them or talked bad about them you were the first person to throw hands

You were sure that your jaw had locked from how long you had been tensing it. You see, being sat at the back of the classroom was great, you could see everyone and hear everyone. Which means that whenever someone decided to bitch and moan about the people in the little group you had managed to join, that you would be the first person to hear it. Like right now for example, Liz and Peter had broken up a few days ago and she didn’t take it so well and had taken up talking about him behind his back. Which had led us to this: you at the back of the room, fists and jaw clenched in an effort to not walk over to her and her little friends and wipe that smug look right off her face. “And he isn’t even that smart, God knows how he got into Stark industries” nope that was it, that was the last straw. You pushed the stupid science lab chair back so hard it fell to the ground, heads turned to you as you stormed over to where Liz and her group where currently at which just happened to be at the front of the classroom. God, were you lucky that the teacher had left to go grab some more textbooks from some cupboard down the hall, otherwise you would have been dead when you said “Listen Liz. Peter is an amazing and smart boy who cares more for others than he does himself. He works harder than anyone else I know and he still manages to make sure others are okay. He is twice the person you will ever be and if you don't shut up in the next 2 minutes you won’t have to worry about being bitter over a breakup, you’ll be too worried about getting a set of new teeth”. If this was a cartoon steam would be pouring from your ears and your face would be blood red, which wasn’t too far from what you looked like now. Peter had taken a sick day and thank god he had, otherwise he would have killed you for even saying anything, however Ned was still here and he was waiting to see how far you would go before having to step in and calm you down. “Oh how sweet L/n, you think you’re all strong and scary” her and her friends' sickly sweet laughs echoed in your ears as you clenched your fists even harder. “Y/n come on Peter wouldn’t want this” ned tried to reason and even in your rage filled stupor you realised he was right and took a breath to try and calm yourself down “say anything again and you’ll see just how strong and scary I can be” you spat, stroming away, grabbing your bag and walking out of the room just in time for your teacher to walk back in, “where’s L/n?” he asked. 

Okay maybe you did tend to overreact 

You just really cared about your friends

They were there when you needed them and you wanted to do the same 

You couldn’t help it that you got angry when people decided to talk about them 

In some situations though it was acceptable to get angry

You, Mj and Betty had been coming back from the Cinema late one night after deciding that you deserved to spend some time together after exam week to treat yourselves. Unfortunately walking through the streets at 10pm meant getting some very unwanted attention from older men. “Hey mama looking good” one man slurred as you walked past him grabbing the girls hands a little tighter in an attempt to ground yourself and reassure them that you would keep them save, “hey don’t be like that, we just want to talk” another man added, honestly what was it with them? Couldn’t they see you obviously didn’t want to “talk” to them. You hadn’t even realised your feet had stopped moving until Betty gently placed her hand on your shoulder and whispered “It’s fine just let it go” and tried to give you a nudge in the direction you had originally been going. “Hey! Don’t just ignore us! We know you want some attention” you didn’t know who had said it and at this point you didn’t care, worrying more about teaching them a thing called respect than about who voiced their unwanted thoughts. Letting go of your friends hands, turning around slowly and walking towards the men with a smile on your face so sweet it was almost scary. “Didn’t anyone ever tell you that women aren’t your submissive little toys?” you sung punctuating your sentence with a kick to one guy's nuts and a punch to the other's nose. “Because someone really should” and as the men were recovering from your atack you stalked away along the dimly lit street and continuing your journey to Mj’s house.

Okay so we have clearly established your hatred towards people who disrespect your friends 

The Avengers new about your strong feelings and respected the fire that you had 

Of course they did have Bruce try and teach you some breathing exercises 

Spoiler alert they didn’t help very much 

So when Bucky got a call from your school telling him that he would have to pick you up as you were suspended for a week

He couldn’t say he was surprised

“I’m going to pick Y/n up from school, be back in a bit” Bucky called to the rest of the team who had been watching some sort of reality show on the new Tv Tony had no reason to buy but did, “why? What happened?” Steve replied, a look of concern on his face “They got into a fight and so they are suspended for a week” the supersoldier sighed, grabbing the car keys and whispering “what did you do this time Y/n” to himself.

I’ll tell you what happened

You had been on your way to English when you had seen Flash taunting Mj, waving her book above his head and laughing hysterically about something. Instantly you dropped your bag to the floor and stormed over to them “Hey Flash, what are you doing there buddy?” you shouted loud enough to seem intimidating but not loud enough to capture the attention of the teachers and students who were already in class. “None of your business Y/n, move along” he spat back, if looks could kill he would be six feet under and halfway to hell as you ripped the book from his grasp and slammed him into the lockers “really? Because to me it looks like you’re being rude to my good friend Mj and I don’t take that very lightly”. Gripping him by the collar and pushing him even further into the lockers that he was sure his body had made a dent in the metal, however flash was never one to give up like the shaking leaf of a man he was. Pushing you hands off and shoving you by your shoulders he said “aww look Mj your angry little guard dog has come to your rescue again. How sweet” if there was one thing you hated more than stupid boys and disrespect it was being called a dog. You weren’t gonna let him call you that. Quicker than he could say “Don’t hit me” your fist came flying straight into the boy's noise, a satisfying crunch being made upon impact. Now throughout all of this no one had heard the commotion and they wouldn’t have if Flash didn’t scream out in pain and then faint at the sight of his own blood.

That’s how you ended up getting suspended 

It was what you had told your dad when he picked you up because you had no reason to lie

No matter how proud of you he was he still gave you a talking to 

You both had a long talk about how best to go about controlling your anger and instead of going back to Bruce you decided to take a few anger management classes

And so far it’s going great

(Until flash decides to open his mouth again)

[iamnmbr3]

Another day. Another questionable interview from someone involved with the production. This time the Director (who to her credit at least is better than Mike Waldron in that she is able to say she likes Loki’s character whereas his interviews drip with open disdain and disrespect and he can’t even pretend otherwise). (x)

Kate Herron: But Loki doesn't have many friends, you know? He builds this friendship with Mobius across the second episode.

Here again we get out-of-universe confirmation that the narrative framing of Mobius in a positive light is intentional. Mobius is not Loki’s friend. He’s his captor and his torturer. Loki isn’t on equal footing with Mobius. They don’t even have a boss-employee relationship. LOKI WAS MOBIUS’S SLAVE until he escaped. He was being held against his will and coerced under threat of death to work for Mobius and his organization without compensation. That is slavery. And it’s not ok. 

Mobius also berated him by telling him that he is inherently evil and monstrous - the very things that drove him to suicide. Mobius is complicit in acts of torture, genocide, murder, privacy violation, and  police brutality and shows no signs of having any problem with it. He’s no more Loki’s friend than Thanos or the Black Order are. 

When has he ever treated Loki with dignity or respect? Even if we ignore all the horrific stuff, he’s just plain not nice to Loki. He constantly mocks and belittles him and never takes his side. That’s not a how a friend behaves!  That’s how a bully behaves! Where is the basis for this friendship??!!

Kate Herron: “And obviously, we're seeing it through Loki and Sylvie's POV. You know, neither of them are good or bad. A complete, pure good hero would probably join the queue and be like, "Well, hopefully we'll get on the train." But they're not those characters. They're going to try and get on it.”

They snuck onto a train??? That’s what she thinks a grey character is? That’s so dull! Loki was a complex and grey character. Larry (as I call the tv show character) and Sylvie...got on a train without a ticket. That’s laughable! That doesn’t make me think about complex morality or issues. And c’mon. All the heroic Avengers have done that level of rule breaking MANY times and they don’t lose their “pure good hero status.” Tony Stark constantly does things like that! I want Loki back. HE is a grey character. But I haven’t seen him in the show so far. Instead I get Larry the watered down clown. 

Kate Herron: “When Loki and Mobius are at Pompeii, for example, that's shown through Loki's POV, right? He's joyous and he cracked the case. Pompeii was horrific, but we're seeing it through his perspective and he's in a completely different headspace.”

You know a scene can have more than one emotion right? Like he could be happy about solving the case but also horrified at the destruction of Pompeii? Instead he is laughing at the people who are about to die horrifically and seems to have no compassion for them whatsoever. Sure people can headcanon reasons why he behaved that way (and more power to them. Fixing dumb canon is what fandom is all about!) but the narrative framing is to me pretty clearly lighthearted and the director confirms that intent. There seems to be no awareness that by having Loki behave so callously it makes him come across as incredibly cruel. Far more than he ever was in canon. 

In Thor 2011 Thor is laughing while slaughtering Jotnar (as is considered appropriate in his culture) but Loki isn’t. He kills when he has to but he doesn’t enjoy it, something that’s unusual for the culture he was raised in. This Pompeii scene could’ve been a great time to see Loki’s more compassionate side as he looks at the people who are going to die. We could’ve seen some real conflict from him. And it would’ve been a great moment to start introducing the concept that he’s more than just a simple villain to more casual viewers. Instead, although they think they’re “redeeming” Larry over the course of the show they’ve made him far worse and more villainous. I wish they had hired an experienced Director who also understands Loki - like Kenneth Brannaugh!!! - rather than a Director who has never headed up a major project before. Though even the best Director couldn’t fix the abysmal and ooc script and story Mike Waldron came up with. 

Kate Herron: “I think that's the thing that's really key for her is that she's a completely original character, completely born out of our writers, and that, for me, was exciting.” 

Remember when I said Sylvie is the favored OC? Called it. 

Kate Herron: “The train scene I love because Loki doesn't get many wins and it's nice to see him having a nice sing-song. He's just enjoying himself. Because I think that's such a funny way, as well, to show the difference between him and Sylvie is that she's on a mission. She's like, "We're going to get off this moon." And when she's offered a drink, she's like, "No, thank you."

WOW. I hate this SO much. So suddenly Sylvie gets to act more like Loki and Loki suddenly doesn’t know how to be subtle and is just a dumb clown messing everything up. C’mon! This is absolutely ridiculous. This is not Loki silvertongue. This is not the Loki who tried to diffuse the situation on Jotunheim and almost succeeded. This is not the Loki who was always a restraining voice in Thor’s ear. They’ve turned Sylvie into discount Loki without any depth or complexity or vulnerability and they’ve turned Loki into discount Thor ft. dumb clown! Absolutely outrageous. 

Kate Herron: “everything is not what it seems and even in our design, people have picked up on certain things. Like the way that they dress, or the posters and that there's something a bit more going on there.”

If the TVA actually turn out to be twist villains I will laugh SO hard; I’d say that twist is too dumb even for Marvel but...it’s really not! Like. Guys. If they’re gonna be TWIST villains you have to not have them do obviously villainous things on screen!!!! BECAUSE THEN IT’S NOT A TWIST!!!!

From the moment we meet them we see them commit acts of police brutality, murder, genocide, trial without due process, enslavement, privacy violation, and torture IN ORDER TO ELIMINATE FREE WILL. Like. They are literally the most evil organization in the MCU. Even Thanos can’t compare. So having them be revealed as villains will fall flat. Because the twist isn’t the audience learning new information or the main character learning it. It’s just the narrative suddenly acknowledging it and treating their atrocities seriously. So the twist is in the real world not the show. And it’ll make Larry look like an even bigger idiot than he already does if he’s suddenly like “Wait the people who tortured and enslaved me are evil?! What?!??!” (I stg if he has to fight miss minutes in the end like I joked about I will lose it).

Also. Why make it a twist?! When you treat the villains as a joke it robs the narrative of tension. Their acts of evil should’ve been acknowledged from the beginning in order to create sympathy for the protagonist and tension in the narrative as we watch him try to escape this situation! Smh. The only funny joke in this series is how badly the writing fails. 

[thran-duils]

And Those I Can’t Charm, I Can Kill (P.4)

Title: And Those I Can’t Charm, I Can Kill (Part Four) Summary: Fem!Reader x Mafia!Tony Stark. Too many fringe gangs were making ties and your father noticed. He reached out to the Stark mob for an alliance, offering up a piece of his territory at first. When Stark told him he had enough land, your father offered up the next best thing: you. He knew Stark needed a wife and what better way to solidify a relationship between the two mafia families? You were not naïve, you knew the life and you were trained with guns and negotiations. Your father had made sure of that. The two of you had seen each other on multiple occasions at mafia get togethers and knew of each other. Stark accepted the transaction but little did he know he was going to get a little hellion handed over to him that would not kiss the ground he walked on. He would grow to love it too. Words: 3,561 Warnings (more WILL be added, I am sure): Eventual smut, power dynamics, sexism, smut, public sex, fingering, dom/sub powerplay, kidnapping, violence, death, knife kink, gun kink, angst with a happy ending

Part Three || Part Five || Masterpost mobile || Fanfic masterpost

You and Tony had stared at each other – you down at him and him up at you. It had felt good, fucking him. You had surpassed the real intimacy of a relationship – something the two of you had never had – straight to physical. It was how you normally did things, but it had just taken longer this time than a one-night stand.

But this was different. This was your husband.

You had a deeper connection now. You were startled out of your desire for this to be continuous.

And suddenly by your own doing, the two of you were apart, you standing yourself and him sitting, and you brushed at your hair, uncomfortable before turning for your clothes just to try to escape this unfamiliar territory. Normally, you would say something witty, grab your clothes, and leave. But there was no leaving him. You slept in the same bed. Even if that bed itself had not been christened by the two of you yet.

Tony was off the couch and came up to grasp your arms, stopping you and you looked up at him.

“You don’t have to be afraid of me.”

The words fell around you. And your breath was short, working yourself up again. Tony saw it too and his thumbs caressed your arms, peering in closer. It was not threatening the way he was acting – comforting more than anything.

“I’m here… I’m here to be with you,” he started slowly, stumbling though. He was a man after all in the mafia, raised with the toxic masculinity that came with it. He was trying to navigate his feelings and be soft with you as well. “I want you to feel safe with me. In all aspects.”

It was intimate. And it was reassuring to know that he was making the effort to move even deeper with it. It was exciting. But you still wanted to be guarded.

“I’m not afraid of you,” you answered. Your eyes shot down and then you said, thinking on your feet, “We are both just naked in this room… standing in front of each other. I want my clothes. In case someone walks in.”

Tony’s eyes shot down and he gave a strangled laugh. “Right.” He let you go.

You gave a half smile before you ducked down and grabbed your bra, doing it up. Tony followed suit, beginning to dress himself back up. And then you grabbed your dress. You pulled it over your head and turned around promptly, “Zip me?”

The complete opposite of what you had asked merely ten minutes ago.

Tony cleared his throat, “Yeah.”

He zipped it up and his hands rested around the base of your neck. You were only suspended for a few moments before you turned around to face him again, your faces close. His slacks were back on, belt done, but his dress shirt half buttoned up, that drew your eyes for a split second.

“This is awkward,” he acknowledged sheepishly.

“Yeah,” you agreed and then cleared your own throat. “Um, let’s exit separately. That would seem normal to everyone else. Don’t want to shock them and all.”

He was amused, giving a little laugh, “Right. Don’t forget your thong though.”

“And there you go being the ass that I know,” you retorted, going to grab it and shimmying into it as he gave another laugh.

<><><>

You saw Bucky and Rhodey watching you come back out, curiosity painted on their faces. They had seen how angry Tony had been taking you back into the room and now that you were coming out alone, that was sure to draw their attention. Shit. Tony should have walked out first. You looked away quickly walking past their table and going back to where your friends were sitting before they could stop you.

Moving through the center of the group, you sat back down, adjusting your dress but did not miss the white-hot stares you were receiving from your circle of friends. You met their gazes and leveled them before giving an expectant shrug.

“Where did you go?” one of them asked.

“Nowhere,” you answered simply. You picked up one of your bottles on the table and began pouring shots. “Let’s drink.”

Another friend answered with a giggle, “She went somewhere with her husband.”

You glowered, stalling in pouring the shots, and asked, “So?”

“Did you finally give it up then? Because you’re being defensive. Oh, look, here he comes.”

Following their gaze, you saw Tony walking out now. He was being as normal as you, no sign of a smirk on his face. But then he did give it away. His gaze did flick over to you and the two of you locked eyes for a moment before he looked away again.

“You totally did,” your same friend crowed.

“If you don’t shut the hell up, I’m going to kick you out of the VIP section!” you threatened her.

“Touchy, touchy! Fine, I’ll drop it. It’s done. And so is your honeymoon officially!”

“Ass,” you snapped as you passed the shots out.

<><><>

Tony sat down at the booth and straightened out his suit jacket. “Where are the shots?”

“Well, we took them without you because you were gone for so long,” Natasha said with a twinkle in her eye.

“There’s plenty of alcohol in this bar. I should know. Where’s our bar—”

Someone showed up at the table, dress in the staff uniform and asked, “What’ll it be, Mr. Stark?”

“A round for the table. Bourbon.”

Natasha and Bucky protested. “No, vodka, please.”

“Fine, bourbon and vodka. Just bring two bottles, everyone has their glasses already. Blanton’s and Grey Goose.”

The server nodded, “Of course, Mr. Stark.”

As soon as they walked off, Tony looked around the table again. And they all averted their eyes. Sighing annoyed, he asked – even though he had a good idea already what was going on – , “What is it?”

Clint took the dive for everyone else and tried to say as nonchalantly as possible, “You look… not pissed off.”

“And?” he asked with a sharp edge to his voice. “Do I always look pissed off?”

“Yes,” came the chorus around the table and he frowned, displeased.

Unable to help himself, Bucky chortled, “You fucked,” as Rhodey cracked a wide smile at his statement.

“Be respectful,” Tony snapped at them.

Bucky closed his mouth, biting his cheeks as Tony took a long swig of his drink.

“Respectful? You’re the one that’s been complaining she sleeps turned away from you!” Rhodey said, still laughing lightly. “I was frankly getting tired of hearing about it. This is good news for everyone.”

“You’re welcome then,” Tony muttered to everyone’s continued amusement as the server came back with their bottles. He thanked them and took the bottles, beginning to pour everyone their own respective shots.

“To the King and Queen then,” Natasha proposed, holding up her shot glass.

<><><>

A few weeks later, there was commotion at the front door, and you put your book down before sliding out of the recliner you were in. You could hear Tony; he was angry, ranting. You came into the entrance hall cautiously and found him storming up the stairs. He stopped and was shouting still back at Steve, something about making sure that the car was destroyed and far from the city.

He noticed you were standing there suddenly and that is when you got a full view of his face. He was scraped up.

“Christ, what happened?” you asked him worriedly, coming closer to the bottom of the stairs between him and Steve. Steve took the hint and told Tony he would make sure it happened and turned on his heel to leave.

To you, Tony said, “Don’t worry about it. I’m fine.” He began to turn to go up the stairs further.

You followed quickly, “You don’t look fine. Here, let me help.” He started to protest but you were already there, going past him. You stole another glance and saw there were scraps by his eyebrow and upper cheek, bleeding still. “There’s a kit in the guest bathroom. That’s closest. Come on.”

Tony followed you and you told him to sit on the toilet. He did as you said, looking hesitant. You dipped to grab underneath the sink and pulled out the first aid kit. Working quickly, you got the hydrogen peroxide as well and used the cotton balls to wipe at his face. He hissed and you apologized gently, dabbing with care.

“What happened?” you asked again as you wiped at the cuts.

“It doesn’t—”

“Tony.”

He ground his teeth for a few seconds before saying, “I almost got run over.”

You stilled and pulled away to meet his eyes. “Excuse me?”

“One of Weston’s guys.” You knew Weston. He ran an outfit outside the city, smaller but it was influential for keeping the borders secure.

“Weston?” you asked in disbelief. As far as you knew, he did not have any issue with Tony.

“I don’t know. We were working at a site and all of a sudden I heard someone coming in quick and Thor shoved me out of the way.” Your heart clenched and he saw. “He’ll be fine. He got nicked and it sent him spiraling. If it had been one of us, we would have had broken bones. He’s shaken up and bloodied, but he’s gonna be fine.”

“That’s good,” you said dropping the cotton balls into the trash and moving towards the bandaids and antibiotic ointment. “But, did Weston send him?”

“I don’t know,” Tony said honestly. “I don’t think so. The guy is someone who had an issue with me personally. Seems his brother got killed or something in a recent raid. Wanda and Rhodey were interrogating the guy after Steve forced me to come back here in case there were other people gunning for me.”

“That was smart of him,” you said tapping the ointment onto the cuts. “I’m glad he brought you back.”

“Oh, yeah?” Tony asked with a small smirk, trying to lighten the mood.

“Yes, I would like you to always come back alive if you could manage that for me,” you retorted, opening up a bandaid. You bandaged up the worst of it and added for good measure, “And if you could be more cognizant of your surroundings that would be a good place to start to make sure that happens….”

Turning away from him, you heard him give a light chuckle at your quip. You felt the air shift behind you, and you closed the kit, pushing it back further on the counter.

You made to ignore how close he was and walked towards the door, but he was quicker, grabbing your arm and stilling your movement. His other hand grasped the door, and he threw it closed before turning you around and holding you against it. Staring up at him, you stayed still, waiting for him to make his move.

“I’ll take that into consideration, just for you. I’ll keep my head on a swivel. How does that sound?”

“It sounds like a good plan.”

Tony’s lips curled into a smile before he leaned in and you followed his movement, coming in to kiss him softly. He hummed in approval, his hands ghosting up your sides. His thumbs brushed over your nipples, and you wrapped your arms tight to paw at his ass through his pants. He liked that by the noise he released, and you sucked in at his bottom lip. Pinning your wrists above your head, his lips dragging roughly over yours. You bit at him now in a mock threat, and he chuckled before capturing you in a passionate kiss. Your pelvis ground towards him and your tongue slipped into his mouth, swirling. The two of you were locked in a passionate dance.

Tony groaned, pulling away as you brushed his length through his slacks with your thigh. He turned you around in a fluid motion, keeping your wrists pinned and pressed himself against your back. Your neck was sucked and peppered with eager kisses, him dry humping you. You dragged your teeth across your bottom lip, a wanton whine escaping.

He let go of your wrists and made quick work of pulling your sun dress up and freeing himself from his pants. Working with him, you spread your legs and arched your back, anticipation crawling over your skin. Pulling your underwear aside, he drove up into you, holding tight at your hips.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck,” you gasped as he picked up speed.

Anyone walking by outside the room would be greeted with loud, pleasured moans and the sound of skin slapping skin with how hard Tony was driving into you. You hardly cared; it was your damn house after all.

The two of you found a slow rhythm to relieve the intensity, a needed break. You rolled your hips, riding him with precision. His hands flexed, one coming up to cup your breast, kneading at it through your dress. He leaned forward enough to suck at your earlobe, whispering filth into your ear before he gave a rough nip.

You pushed back roughly and hissed, “I’m so close. Please.”

Tony’s hand fell from your tit and found its way between your panties and wet pussy. His fingers worked at your clit, and you groaned loudly, begging for him to not stop and he promised you he was going to fuck you good. He was working fast again, his breath coming quick and hot.

“I…I…” you stuttered moments before you clenched, your heat enveloping him tighter.

“Oh, god, that’s it, baby,” Tony praised in a low groan, his fingers faltering on your clit. But he thrusted quicker for a few seconds before he was pulsating. His hand fell to your thigh, fingers digging in as he stilled, emptying completely.

His head rested on your shoulder, the two of you breathing heavy. He found his breath again and laid a soft kiss at your neck.

“Well, that helped my stress,” he breathed.

Leaning back, you turned your head to be able to see him well enough to give him a kiss. Against his lips, you smiled, “Glad I could be of some assistance.”

<><><>

Erick was walking beside you, checking his phone. He suddenly stopped, holding out his arm to stop you as well. “We should go to another store.”

You furrowed your brow and said, “What? Why? I’m done. And they said they would be at the café now for lunch.”

“They’re going to be late.”

Shooting a look across the street, you spotted Bucky inside and slid your eyes back to Erick, looking completely unimpressed. “Nice try. Bucky is already inside.”

Erick swore underneath his breath and you frowned, sensing you were being kept out of the loop about something. You had been surprised when Bucky and Natasha had asked to ride along with you and Erick when they learned where you were going to be going shopping but had told them to come along. They had made it clear they were going somewhere else but would meet back for lunch.

You began walking again and Erick said more firmly, “Y/N, we should find another store to go into.”

Pressing the crosswalk button, you crossed your own arms, your bags bumping up against your middle. You always insisted on carrying some of the bags. Erick was your bodyguard, not your servant.

“Y/N.”

“I heard you. And I’m choosing to ignore you.”

Erick sighed loudly as the light came on to cross and you did so, hearing him follow you despite his protesting. Bucky spotted you through the window and his eyes shot back to Erick, giving him a disappointed glare. It only served to encourage you to move a bit quicker. Upon entering the café, you saw Bucky staring directly at you and Natasha looking at you over her shoulder.

“You’re supposed to be shopping,” Bucky said as you approached the table.

“I’m done. I thought we were having lunch,” you told him, sitting down beside him, placing your bags on the ground. “What’s the hold up?” Natasha was tight lipped as was Bucky as Erick sat down next to Natasha. You exhaled deeply and said in a quieter voice, even though you were alone in the corner, “You can trust me. You know you can. You’re doing a drop off, aren’t you?” Bucky cocked his head and you picked up his coffee and took a sip. “I know Salazar likes to do business in that building. You must need some new toys.”

Natasha and Bucky exchanged a look and for once, you noticed Erick actually looked amused at the fact you had forced yourself into the situation. He knew you were not stupid and he was probably feeling a little sense of pride that they were noticing that as well.

Adjusting in his seat, Bucky admitted in low tones, “Yes. And someone who isn’t gonna be happy about it has people set up inside watching to see who goes in and out.”

“I can do it.”

“It’s dangerous, Y/N,” Erick told you immediately before the other two could respond. His amusement was gone.

Seriously, you asked, “For me? They’re not even to think twice about me walking in. Sure, I’m married to Tony and my dad is a boss. But people really don’t pay attention to me except thinking about getting me on my back.”

Natasha ground her teeth at that, uncomfortable.

“Well, it’s the truth,” you said, shrugging. “They’ll think I’m just going in to look at the back jewelry room. All I care about is shopping anyways, right?” Natasha cocked an eyebrow and you said with a smirk, “Yes. I do know about that too, and I’ve been inside. Problem is I’ll have to actually go up to the room and that guy — Tucker — is a sleazebag.”

“You think I’m gonna let you go alone?” Erick asked.

You patted his arm, “Look at you being chivalrous.”

“Tony would have my balls if I let you around Tucker without me.”

“Wait, we did not even agree to this,” Natasha cut in, holding up her hand.

“Give it to me,” you told her, holding out your hand. “I can carry it in my purse. Go upstairs, get something small from Tucker or act like I was not impressed with the selection, and then come back down a back way to drop it into the chute before circling back and coming back out the front entrance.”

You flexed your fingers after they did not react quick enough. “I have concealed carry if anything goes wrong. And you know Erick is a great protector.”

“I have to ask Tony—” Bucky started to say.

“Bullshit,” you told Bucky. “This needs to get done. I’m assuming it’s time sensitive. And you had an unexpected snag and you have the solution sitting right beside you. Not acting on it is going to make you miss your goddamn window. I have gotten my hands dirty before and involved with this type of shit. It’s nothing new.”

Natasha nodded at Bucky stiffly and he sighed, reaching into his jacket, pulling out a thick bag and handing it to you. You felt it was money and put it into your purse swiftly. It was concealed by the fact it was hidden in a grocery store bag, not see through. Picking the menu up, you quickly scanned it.

“Erick and I both like breakfast sandwiches, his with ham and mine with bacon,” you told them putting the menu back down on the table. “I want an orange juice too. You?”

“Water,” Erick answered before following your movement to stand up.

“I’ll be back before you know it. Hopefully before the food gets here. Mind my bags, please,” you told the pair before striding off and not waiting for their answer.

Tucker was a sweet talker as always, commenting on how nice your jumpsuit looked. His hands trailed along your own and you pulled away naturally, not forcing it. When you politely brushed off his advances, he congratulated you on your recent marriage since he had not seen you since it happened. You bantered back and forth with him about how he was always able to find out the latest gossip. He told you that it was big news that Tony had gotten married; if you did not know it, you were not keeping your ear to the ground at all.

To your surprise, he had something in stock you really wanted. And it was for Tony. A nice new ring and you took it happily. Hopefully if Tony caught wind of this – which he certainly would, you doubted Bucky or Natasha would lie to him – this would soften the blow.

On the way down, you did exactly what you said were you going to do and you dropped the bag off in the chute and came back around. Walking right past the people that you knew were watching for whoever it was that Natasha and Bucky were worried about. They only glanced at you and looked away when they saw the small signature bag of Tucker’s business.

Sliding back into your chair, you placed the bag on the table and said, “It’s done. Also, do you think Tony will like that?”

~~~

Marvel tags: @coconutqueen21 @undecidedsworld @holl2712 @agustdowney  @biiskuitx @buttercupfangirl @namjoonwatcheshentai @kaylamcd2000 @damntonystarkandhissmile @aditimukul

Fic tags: @patheticallysentimental @suchababie @downeyreads @teenageregression​

[favefandomimagines]

Join the Club (b.b.)

Summary: two ticking time bombs find solace in each other 

AN: had my self a little Captain America triple feature today and I miss bucky barnes so enjoy lol also since we haven’t met any of the other marvel universe characters, the reader has Magneto’s powers, do with that what you will

taglist: @amourtentiaa

There were many words people used to describe you. Asset, liability, crazy, tortured. The list went on and on and those were words you were accustomed to hearing for so long. 

Growing up as an enhanced individual made you a social periah from the get go. You always thought you were a freak and that there was no one else like you.

You thought there was nowhere or no one that made you feel wanted until you met a small mob family in New York City. They told you you’d be the number one asset and ‘part of the family.’ But they used you. Used you to kill people and if you showed any hesitation, they’d torture you with various weapons. None of them metal so you couldn’t fight back.

The only way to escape was killing them all. And again, you were back to feeling like the outcast and now a murderer.

Until Tony Stark himself recruited you for a ‘mission’ of sorts. 

He showed up at your apartment and asked for your help. And who were you to say no to Tony Stark? 

“I’m nothing special, Mr. Stark. I’ve done some really bad things.” You told the man. The billionaire was sitting across from you on your living room couch as you fiddled with the tea cup in your hand. “On the contrary, Y/N. You have the ability to anything with metal in it. That’s a gift. You did what you had to do to survive. I know all about your past.” Tony said. 

“You’re probably the first and only person who thinks that.” You said. “I need your help. Captain Rogers and I had a falling out and I need you to help me stop him from making a huge mistake. And then you can come work for Stark Industries.” The man told you. 

You looked at him for a moment when you realized you had nothing left to lose.

From that day on, being at the Avengers compound had made you feel like a little less of an outcast. You had Wanda, who you sparred with a few times. Using your powers of course. Clint made you laugh and had a paternal sense about him that you could tell came from having three children. He was obviously a natural at it. 

You played pranks on Steve and Sam, giving their signature shield and flight suit were made out of metal. And then there was Bucky Barnes. The infamous Winter Solider that you have heard numerous stories about. 

You felt bad for him. He was used as a pawn in someone’s screwed up game and faced the consequences for it every single day. You could relate to that on a lot of levels. You were quite the insomniac and had issues falling asleep so you ran into him in the kitchen on a few occasions. 

He told you about the night terrors and how every time he closed his eyes he saw all of the terrible things he had done. Every single thing HYDRA had him do and every person they had him kill. From that point on, you and Bucky had formed a bond. A bond that soon surpassed the levels of friendship and blossomed into a romantic relationship.

Bucky had told you that you sleeping next to him seemed to be the only thing that stopped his past from haunting him in his sleep and you soon spent many nights in his bed. 

You and Bucky had went to bed like it was any normal night. You showered and laid in bed for a few hours before the both of you had drifted off to sleep. But your insomnia struck again and you slowly got out of the bed and made your way to the kitchen. 

After making a small cup of tea, you stepped back into the dark bedroom, cup in hand. You assumed Bucky was still deeply asleep but were quickly proven wrong when you felt a hand wrapped around your throat and your body was pushed against the wall.  

The cup left your hand and shattered to the floor but the sound wasn’t enough to knock Bucky out of his trance. “Bucky.” You croaked out. 

“Bucky, it’s me.” Your voice strained, trying to pry Bucky’s hand off of your neck. You looked down at your free hand and used all of the strength you had left to focus on Bucky’s metal arm and soon you felt the oxygen hit your lungs as he was thrown across the room. 

But oxygen wasn’t enough to keep you awake and alert. You fell to the ground and completely lost consciousness. 

__

When you woke up, you were back in your own bedroom. Steve was sitting in the chair in the corner asleep, in a position that looked rather uncomfortable. 

“Steve, wake up.” You tried to say, your voice coming out hoarse. The man stirred and woke up, seeing that you were awake as well. “Y/N, how are you feeling?” He asked. “What happened?” You asked. “Bucky, he, uh, had a night terror. He must have been startled and he tried to kill you.” Steve explained. “No, no I know that. Where is he?” You questioned. 

“We don’t know. After he came to get Nat and I he just took off. Said that he was too dangerous to be around you.” The man answered. “I have to go find him. He didn’t mean to hurt me.” You said, moving to stand up. “Are you sure? You were completely drained of energy.” Steve rebutted. “Yes, I’m sure. Bucky thinks he’s a monster and now he probably feels even worse.” You explained. 

Steve sighed as he also rose to his feet. “I’ll help you find him. You’re important to him and if anyone can talk to him it’s you.” He said. You gave him a grateful smile as he helped you stand. 

You hacked into every traffic and public camera you could and discovered that he had taken a Greyhound bus to Washington DC. “Why would he go to DC? That’s a five hour bus ride.” You asked Steve. “The Smithsonian. They have an exhibit there and he has his own display.” Steve answered. “Then we’re going.” You ordered. 

Five hours later, Steve dropped you off at the museum and you began your search for Bucky. And it wasn’t too difficult to find the exhibit on Captain America. You wandered around and examined the photos and read the plaques when you stumbled upon a man standing directly in front of the exhibit for James Buchanan Barnes. 

You noticed that he had been standing there longer than most of the patrons and you could sense it was Bucky. Approaching him slowly, you maintained your distance as you stopped next to him. 

“You look good with short hair.” You commented, looking at the photo. Bucky looked over at you with a pained expression before you finally made eye contact with him. 

HIs gaze shifted downwards towards your neck and he clenched his jaw upon seeing the dark purple bruise around it. 

“How’d you find me?” He asked.  “Well, I found out you took a bus to get here and Steve connected the dots.” You answered. “Why are you here, Y/N? After what I did?” Bucky questioned. “Because it was an accident. You didn’t mean to have night terrors.” You said. 

“I could have killed you. I’m a monster.” Bucky said. “Join the club.” You replied. “You’re not the only Avenger on a redemption arc, Barnes.” You added, slightly agitated as his self loathing. “What do you mean?” Bucky asked. 

You looked at him for a second before looking back at the picture of him. “I killed my mom. It was an accident but I did. We were arguing on me not wanting to go to Saturday detention at school. I refused to get in the car and I got angry. So angry, my powers went out of control and I crushed the car with my mind. It was so bad my aunt told the police it was a hit and run. I had to stage my mother’s death because I was the one who killed her. Then I joined a mob family as their personal hit man because it was the only way I could survive. Even then, if I didn’t comply they’d torture me with plastic weapons because then there was no way I’d be able to fight back. I killed all of them the second I could.” You confessed. 

You hadn’t told anyone but Tony about the real reason you had been on your own since you were 16 and your own past demons. You didn’t tell Bucky but you always told him you understand how it felt to be out of control. 

“You didn’t mean to do it.” Bucky spoke. “I know. Just like you didn’t mean to hurt me. You weren’t in control because you still thought you were the Winter Soldier. It wasn’t your fault.” You said. 

“There will always be a part of us that emulates our past whether we like it or not.” You added. “I just, I can’t risk hurting you again.” Bucky replied. “I know you’re afraid but you’re not going to hurt me again. Not if you don’t let what they did to you control you. You’re stronger than them, James and you’re the one in control now. Not HYDRA.” You said.

Bucky looked at you with a sense of adoration. No one had ever treated him with such compassion before. Steve and Sam used the tough love tactic and Tony would just show him zero pity. But you treated him with care and love and no one had done that before since he escaped HYDRA.

“You’ve never told me about your past before.” Bucky finally said. “Because I was afraid. You’d find out I wasn’t the clean and shiny Y/N you thought I was when we met. That you’d not want to be with someone with a damaged past.” You explained. “I love you because you’re you not because I thought you were clean and shiny.” He said.

Your head snapped up from the floor to look at him with wide eyes. He had never told you that before and you didn’t know if you were hearing things. You had told him you loved him and you knew he wasn’t ready to say it back. You understood. Those feelings don’t come lightly after one has the past Bucky has had.

“W-What did you say?” You asked. “That I love you.” He confirmed. “You’ve never told me that before.” You said. “But I mean it. I haven’t felt this way for anyone before.” Bucky said.

You stepped closer to Bucky and wrapped your arms around him tightly. Whatever tension Bucky was feeling instantly melted away and you felt his body soften.

“You’re gonna be okay, Buck. I promise.” You whispered.

Bucky held on to you like a lifeline and you held on to him and for the first time since Bucky escaped HYDRA, he truly believed he was going to be okay.

[banditthewriter]

Intensity - Loki

Here we have a Loki fic. That came out of nowhere, I’ve only ever written drabbles for him. It’s not long but hopefully it’s not bad?

Enjoy!

*gif not mine*

*****

Unlike most people, the mutant gene didn’t show up when you were a kid. You could be grateful for that at least. Because of that little grace, your childhood had been completely normal. No worries, no fears, nothing out of the ordinary.

Then you started to notice changes.

People seemed calm around you for the most part. If your emotions were out of control, you realized that others would be that way too. It took a while to understand that it was more than just the environment, more than just coincidence.

It took a disaster.

It was a fight with your dad when you were a teen. You didn’t even remember what it was about, what caused the issue, but you were angry enough that you were told to go to your room. Your mom had come in to sit with you for a while to try to calm you down.

The next thing you know, she went into the living room and tried to attach your dad with a butcher knife. He was okay but he did have to get sixteen stitches. And your mom was traumatized, not understanding why she tried to kill the man she loved.

That’s what had them put it all together. The little things they’d noticed but had brushed off had come out in a big way.

You could influence other people’s emotions. Oddly enough, anger was easier than the nicer emotions, but you’d had a pretty laid back life so you didn’t feel anger a lot. 

Maybe that’s why it was so potent when you did feel it.

Emotion manipulation could be dangerous without proper training so in college, after a few years of trying to pretend you were normal, you left to find someone to train you. Therapists, doctors, military people all tried their hand to get you trained. All of them had the same thing to say.

You were undisciplined at best. At worst? You’d never be able to be completely in control. 

Over the years it became harder and harder to keep in contact with people, including your family. It wasn’t like you could have an actual relationship that way. You could never be sure if you were influencing someone’s emotions, even when you tried to get control of your powers.

The military had a bracelet that worked for other mental powers. It didn’t work flawlessly, but it helped. It dampened your emotional field so that it took touch to influence someone for the most part. That and a steady regime of keeping calm, you got a better grasp on it.

Better didn’t mean perfect though. You still sometimes affected people when you didn’t mean to. You still hated it when you did it.

One of the things you did learn while working with various therapists was that there was more to your power than just emotion manipulation. To a lesser degree, you could read emotions on people. It didn’t work as well when you had the bracelet on, dampened that power as well, but sometimes...sometimes you could catch bits and pieces off of the people closest to you.

While you traveled from military base to military base to try to figure out a way to work on your powers, you didn’t expect to get a call from the Avengers. 

Well. It was less of a call and more of Iron Man dropping down in front of you and one of the generals so that he could offer you a place to stay at his tower.

“How’d you hear about me?”

Although you couldn’t see his eyes, you knew that Iron Man—Tony Stark, it was Tony Stark in front of you—was looking at you.

“Fury. He has a way of getting information on lost souls that need a little help. What do you say? Wanna be a part time Avenger? Use your mojo to make some people really docile so that we don’t have to keep wrecking New York City every time some supervillain decides to stop by?”

You shifted a bit and looked at the general beside you. He just shrugged.

You weren’t a prisoner of the military. It had been very evident that you were there voluntarily. It was up to you.

“I’m working on a better dampener for mental powers. Maybe I can make one that’s specific to your power and you won’t have to worry about it anymore.”

And just like that, you didn’t need to hear anything else.

------

The tower is bigger than you thought it would be. Which is a good thing. Especially when you realized it’s not just the Avengers that frequent the tower but other members of Shield.

“This area is all yours,” Mr Stark says as he shows you to your room. Suite. Apartment. “The walls are made from the same dampening material as your bracelet so it’ll contain your powers.”

“My powers aren’t that powerful,” you said softly as you touched the bracelet in question. “Thank you Mr Stark. I...I want to help people but I am scared of what my powers might do. I want to protect people from me.”

He turned to look at you and dropped some of that rich man bravado he’d been sporting since he escorted you onto his private jet.

“You don’t have to be scared of yourself here. I promise.”

That’s not the last time you see him either. He explains that you should call him Tony and although it’s weird at first, you do.

“Tony, aren’t you scared I’ll influence you?”

He looked up from where he was typing on a tablet, his feet up on the table in your kitchenette.

“Pretty sure you do,” he said casually as he looked back down at the tablet. “It’s only ever small things though. Calm sometimes, tired sometimes. Hungry that one, that’s why I ordered pizza.”

You felt your heart start to beat fast at the thought of you accidentally influencing him, but he must have caught on to that. 

“Anxiety and I are old friends,” he explained as he put the tablet down and crossed over to you. “I’m not worried about it. Your influence doesn’t last if I’m not around you so once I leave, I’m back to myself. But honestly? Your influences are a lot simpler than some of the things I’ve felt.”

You thought about everything you knew about Iron Man and the Avengers and decided, yeah, he was probably right. Anything you could make him feel would be pretty tame compared to flying a nuclear warhead into a wormhole without knowing if you were coming back.

------

The first time you meet Natasha Romanoff, you spill orange juice on your shirt. She just smirked and grabbed a napkin to hold out to you.

It was the first time you’d let yourself out of your rooms. The new bracelet was supposed to be more effective, but Tony said he wouldn’t know if he was on the right track until you let yourself be around people. 

People meaning Shield agents. You didn’t expect to be face to face with Black Widow.

Her grin wavered for a second before it came back even brighter.

“You have better control than I thought you’d have,” she admitted as she leaned against a nearby table. “Stark said this new bracelet would still let you influence, but you stopped it pretty quick.”

“I didn’t even realize what I was doing,” you confided as you gripped your half full glass of orange juice. “I just want to hold it all in when I’m around people.”

Natasha tapped her fingers on the table before she crossed over towards the door.

“It’s not good to hold it in. You might end up like a grenade without a pin.”

With that helpful piece of advice, she left. 

Later, in Tony’s lab rather than your room, you told him what she said. He nodded as he made a few adjustments.

“She’s got the right idea at least. You stretch your wings with it every now and then, that’s one thing. You don’t work it at all and the muscle will atrophy. Who knows what a gift like yours can do if it degrades and you don’t have control over it?”

It took a while to come up with a plan. A few Shield agents, volunteers specifically, would work with you and let you influence them. Under supervision in case you lost control. 

It was a step. You just wish you knew if it was in the right direction or not.

------

“This is Thor and that’s his...brother Loki. Don’t worry, he’s on his best behavior these days.”

You nearly swallowed your spit when you turned around and sure enough, you were faced with Tony, Thor, and Loki. This was somehow your life but you hadn’t really figured it out yet. You were a few feet away from literal Gods.

Thankfully Tony couldn’t read your thoughts because he’d think you lumped him in with that group. 

“Uh, hi,” you said as you introduced yourself.

“Ah, another Avenger? Welcome.”

You smiled at Thor and shook your head, but Tony moved over and draped his arm over your shoulder.

“Definitely an Avenger, just with training wheels. Probationary,” he explained at Thor’s uncertain look. “We’re working on the kinks.”

You wanted to elbow Tony to get him off of you, especially as you could feel your heart start to race in your chest. This was nerves, anxiety building into a spike in your chest. Only Tony didn’t seem to react. He usually would at least look at you if he felt you influencing him.

And he didn’t seem to feel anxious or nervous in the least. Neither did Thor who was talking to Tony about...something about a bridge, you weren’t sure.

But Loki. You hadn’t paid much attention to him after the initial greeting, but you met his gaze now. He was staring straight at you, an intrigued look on his face as he watched you. 

Tony and Thor might not have noticed your influence, but it seems Loki had. Great.

“I should get back to the lab,” you said as you stepped out from under Tony’s arm. “It was nice to meet you both. Bye.”

You heard Thor’s farewell at your back, but you could still feel Loki’s gaze on your as you turned the corner.

------

Any other time that you ran into Thor in the tower, he always put you at ease. Tony had explained your powers and how you were coming to grips with them. Thor asked questions about it, always careful to never put you on edge, but he didn’t seem concerned for himself.

“It would be hard for a human such as yourself to influence an Asgardian mind,” he said with a smile when you asked him about it.

That didn’t explain Loki then. Besides your first meeting, every time you were around the dark haired God you’d turned into a nervous, babbling mess. The look on his face was always intrigued, but it wasn’t cruel. It seemed almost clinical. 

Although you’d heard a lot about that particular God’s abilities. Maybe since he had some mind control abilities himself, he could feel it in you.

And didn’t that just put you on edge. You weren’t sure how you felt about having something in common with Loki, God of mischief. 

Although you weren’t entirely sure that was the only reason you felt nervous around Loki. Most people talked about how attractive the God of thunder is, with reason, but there was just something about the dark haired God that caught your attention.

So of course you would find yourself alone with the God in question while you waited for Tony. The Avengers were off Avenging and you didn’t like to be holed up while you waited for them.

You weren’t sure why you expected Loki to be off with them, but he wasn’t. He was in a chair in the room, a book on his lap that he flicked through lazily. When you walked in, his eyes lifted up and met yours.

There was a challenge in his gaze. Normally you’d make an excuse and turn to leave. He was challenging you to see if you’d do it now that there weren’t other people around.

Instead you crossed over and went to the kitchen area.

“Is it because of my past misdeeds? Is that why you’re nervous around me?”

You hadn’t heard him speak before right then, but his voice fit him. You tapped your fingers against the fridge door that you had pulled open even though you weren’t hungry. 

“I’ve heard a few stories about you, sure. But you’re a God. It’s...intimidating.”

You heard the chair creak. When you looked over your shoulder, he had stood up and crossed a few feet to be closer.

“Regardless of my past, you have nothing to fear from me.”

Slowly you shut the fridge door and turn to face him completely. The look on his face made you believe him. But it was more than that. You could feel something from him, an emotion buried in the haze from your bracelet.

Honesty.

“Okay,” you whispered as you met his eyes. “I’ll...keep that in mind.”

------

The lower library wasn’t exactly your favorite, but it was usually empty. You walked through the first few aisles and froze when you saw that you weren’t alone.

“You come here to be alone,” Loki guessed as he looked around the room. “It’s one of the few places that’s technically public but usually void of people.”

You wrapped your arms around yourself and nodded.

“I’m supposed to be in public for a few hours each day but sometimes it gets to be a bit too much. So I come here.”

He nodded as if he understood that. Then he turned to face you head on. 

“How powerful are you?”

You almost laughed at that, but held it in.

“I’m not powerful, I’m untrained. Dangerous,” you added as you looked away from him.

One of the Shield agents had to be sedated when you’d made her feel too many things at once on accident. You weren’t sure how she was doing. 

Tony was still calibrating the new bracelet, but you wore it anyways. You just hoped...hoped it was enough. 

“I can help you. I’m skilled with mind control of stronger beings than humans.”

You fingered the bracelet you wore and thought about the Shield agent, your parents, all the people you’d influenced over the years that had bad results.

“I’ll think about it,” you said softly. Then you sighed. “I should go back to the lab. Tony will be looking for me.”

“Ah, yes, we wouldn’t want that, would we?”

You smiled and looked away. You weren’t sure you could handle for Loki to pick up on how charmed you were by him just then.

You really needed to get better at keeping your feelings a secret.

------

The lab was in disarray. You stumbled from where you’d fallen, the debris mostly away from you.

Even in his panic, Tony hadn’t hurt you. He’d flung himself as far away as he could, kept his robots from hurting you, but he’d nearly destroyed his lab in the process.

“Tony?”

It was quiet for a moment but then you heard a rasping breath. You climbed over a fallen stool and went to your knees next to where he was crumpled on the floor.

“Tony, are you...what can I do?”

He let out a gasp, his eyes on your face for a moment before they slammed shut tight.

“JARVIS, get Pepper,” you called out, unsure of what else to do. 

The mechanical voice said it would be a moment and then said that Miss Potts was on her way down. You slumped on the floor next to Tony, careful not to touch him.

Your anxiety about this test, about how long it had been since there had been any progress, had bled over to Tony. Only it was heightened somehow, the anxiety and worry causing a full blown flashback for him. You’d caught glimpses of it, almost-images of the wormhole and falling through the air.

It’s why you asked for Pepper. He hadn’t been able to talk to her before...before.

When she came in, she gave you an understanding look before she went to his side. Since he was being cared for, you got up and stumbled away from them. Your bracelet was still on the receiver so you grabbed it and hooked it on, grateful for the dullness you felt afterwards.

Then you left the lab. All you wanted to do was go to your rooms, to bury yourself under your blankets and wish it all away, but instead you headed in a different direction.

The room that Loki had been given was in the same hall as Thor, but you thought Thor was away on a mission with Steve and Sam. Loki’s door was shut, but when you raised your hand to knock, it came open.

“I need help.”

Loki came from across the room in a hurry, probably thinking you meant you were being chased. When he was sure the issue was less immediate, he nodded and met your eyes.

What he saw there made him let out a breath. He reached for you, slow so that you wouldn’t pull away. He unhooked the bracelet and set it to the side.

“This might be a bit uncomfortable,” he said softly as he raised his hands to your forehead.

In an instant you were no longer in the tower, no longer in New York. You were in your childhood bedroom, your mom helping you make your bed while your dad laughs at the two of you. It was such a distant memory, something you had forgotten.

As more and more of those happy memories come to the surface, you sense something from Loki. A bitter tang on your tongue. 

He had hoped that your childhood would have been like his. He had seen you and imagined that you’d been set apart as well. To see a loving, happy childhood had almost been a disappointment for him.

That faded away as the next memory appeared. He watched from your own eyes as your mother, in a rage not of her own, tried to kill your father. He sees your best friend yelling that she can’t trust you, teachers telling you that you can’t come to class, job and job firing you after only days.

He sees relationship after relationship burn hot and bright at first and then the horror sets in, the worry that they didn’t want you like you wanted them, the anger from them, the apathy. You felt it all in spirals, in such quick succession that embarrassment started to well up inside you.

“Shh, it’s alright,” he promised as he continued to dig inside your memories. “You’re not there. They don’t matter.”

There’s something like a tug and then suddenly, like a dam breaking, you're overwhelmed with emotions. They seem to come from every direction like the room is crowded.

You open your mouth to say his name, to ask him for help, but instead there’s nothing but darkness as you give in to the pain.

------

The medical wing is new to you. When you sit up, there’s a hand on your shoulder to help you ease up the rest of the way.

“It’s been two days,” Natasha says in a tone you can’t quite read. “Thought we were going to have to take turns kissing you, Snow White.”

“Thanks for…not doing that,” you said as you reached up to rub at your forehead.

Loki. You had been in his room, he was in your mind. He was trying to help you, going through your memories. There had been...oh the emotions you’d felt before you’d passed out.

“Where’s Loki?”

Natasha doesn’t say anything, just reached out to grab a cup of water from next to your bed. As she held it out to you, you pushed it away.

“Natasha, where’s Loki? Tell me.”

She sighed and put the cup down.

“Steve and Thor had him put into a holding cell for attacking you.”

You were shaking your head before she even finished.

“He didn’t though!”

A tablet was on the table. After a brief hesitation she grabbed it and navigated through a few things.

“Watch this and tell me he didn’t attack you.”

You watched the recording from his room. The two of you were in front of each other, his hands on your head. There didn’t seem to be anything at first but then you saw what looked like a surge of magic go from his hands to your head.

You shook your head as you rewound it and watched the same spot.

“I need to see him,” you said when you finally looked up at her. “Now, Natasha.”

Although she obviously didn’t want to let you, she gave you a nod. You were already in sweats for comfort while you were unconscious, so you just slid on some too big slippers and let her lead the way to the holding cells. 

Steve immediately raises his hands once you enter the hallway.

“What the hell Romanoff, I said–”

“Yeah, when’s the last time I listened to you,” Natasha snarked with a smirk. Then she gestured at you. “She wants to talk to him.”

Steve was just about to say no, but Thor came from down the hall with a frown.

“I think she should. I know what we saw, but we don’t understand it. It’s possible the only one that can understand it is her. Besides,” he added with a sly look in your direction, “Loki is on his best behavior when she’s around.”

You didn’t know how to take that, but thankfully it seemed to persuade Steve. He told you he’d buzz you into the cell once you were there. They had a camera so they’d see and hear everything and, if you needed it, could come and save you.

You really didn’t think you’d need it.

In the cell, Loki seemed different. He ignored you when you came in, just threw a ball against the wall and caught it over and over again.

You wished you could use your powers to read Asgardians as well as humans, but...wait.

There was nothing. From Natasha, from Steve, from the nurse who had released you. Usually you felt something, a low hum of their emotions, but there was nothing.

“The force of it was too much for you, but it’ll come back.” He caught the ball and let it rest beside him on the bench. “You felt too many emotions at once. Your mind was adapting to having mine in there when it happened and it overloaded.”

You nodded and sat down beside him, a few feet away just so that Steve wouldn’t bust in. You really didn’t need observers with this, but you knew you didn’t have a choice.

“It felt so weird. It was like I could feel the emotions of everyone in the tower at once.”

Loki looked over at you in surprise.

“In the tower? That was everyone in the city at once.” At your surprised look, he offered a smile. “I knew you were powerful when we first met, I just didn’t realize how powerful.”

You sighed and leaned back against the wall.

“Holy shit,” you breathed with another laugh. “No wonder I’ve been asleep for two days.”

And here you thought you couldn’t really surprise the God of mischief more than you already had.

“Two days? So that’s...why you haven’t come to set the record straight.”

Oh. Had he thought that you believed the story that he’d attacked you? Or did he just think that you were letting him suffer?

“Just woke up. Saw the video, heard you were down here, came to rescue you.”

He laughed at that, a sound that both surprised and pleased you.

“How do you feel?”

You thought about it. The emptiness in your head was blissful. So was the fact that you didn’t need to worry about making people feel your emotions.

“I hope it never comes back.”

His hand closed around yours and, with a gentle tug, he pulled you a little closer to him.

“You shouldn’t hope for that. The gifts you have don’t have to be a burden. You can learn to control them, learn to use them.” He smiled at you, his eyes locked on yours. “I said I knew you were powerful and I meant it. I could feel it in you.”

You rubbed a hand over your wrist where your bracelet usually sat.

“Maybe I should be the one in the holding cell.”

Loki’s face became more serious as he looked you over.

“It could happen one day.”

The memory of Tony curled up on his side after your influence made you think about what had happened in Loki’s room. Your mind had reached the entirety of the city. If you could push your influence that far…

“I have to…”

You didn’t bother saying more, just tore from the room in a rush. Steve was outside and he nodded when he met your eyes.

“We saw. We believe you. We’ll let him out.”

You nodded because that was good, but that wasn’t the only thing on your mind.

You needed to talk to Tony.

------

“You sure you don’t feel anything?” At your baleful look, Tony shrugged and looked back at the scan. “Your brain is unusually active.”

“I’ll try not to be offended,” you said with a laugh. 

Tony crossed over to where you sat. He looked good for a man who just a few days ago had been basically curled up under his table in a panic. And he had forgiven you for that.

“Make me feel something. Something small, please,” he added with a grin.

You drummed your fingers on the table for a moment before you nodded. Then you focused on Tony and a new feeling.

“God I could eat a cheeseburger,” he commented as his hand went to his stomach. “Wait. Was that it? Was that you?”

You started to smile but then you focused on him some more. There was surprise, under the surface, but you had to actually look for it. It didn’t come out of nowhere.

“I have control?”

Tony clapped his hands together. Then he reached out for your bracelet and tossed it into the trash can.

“It was a prototype anyways. We’ll get one together just in case, but I think we can say you’re off the bench for now.”

You laughed and tossed your arms around his neck.

“Thank you Tony.”

“Yeah, yeah, now let’s get something to eat. Seriously, I’m starving.”

------

A few days after his release, you found Loki in the library. He looked up as you entered as if he knew it was you.

Maybe he did.

“Thank you. Because of what you did, I have control now.”

“I know,” he said with a smile. “Thor said you’ll be going on a mission with them soon to celebrate.”

Yeah, you’d heard that as well. It was exciting, if a little daunting.

“It might do you some good to continue to train with me, if you wish. To perfect your talents.”

You smiled. Then you moved over to sit beside him. Now that you had control, you let your mind open to try to read him.

Silence. You frowned and tried again.

“Because of my powers, I can protect myself,” he said with a tap of his fingers to his temple, a grin on his lips. “I do appreciate the effort though.”

You laughed and looked down at your hands. Nervousness settled over you.

“I just thought if I could read your emotions, I could know if…”

If he was interested in you. If your feelings had influenced him at all.

“You could never influence me, I promise.”

You opened your mouth to ask how he knew that’s what you were thinking, but then you remembered. He’d been in your head. Besides seeing just how horrifically all of your past relationships had ended, he would have felt how you felt about him.

He was putting you at ease. Your nerves started to rise and either he could tell, or he just knew you that well already.

“I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”

You met his eyes and smiled, a little breathless as you thought about the possibilities. 

“Not uncomfortable. Just...nervous.”

He leaned in towards you, his grin nearly blinding until his lips met yours. 

You didn’t need to be nervous anymore.

X

Thanks for reading!

[just-dreaming-marvel]

Out Of Time ~ 126

MASTERLIST

< previous chapter

Word Count: 2,525ish

Summary: Y/N sees her men after saying goodbye to Coulson and the team. Infinity War starts.

Tony’s apartment was dark and quiet, which was extremely unusual for any of Tony’s places of living. 

“Tony?” Y/N called, her body was exhausted. She was trying to hold herself together from also saying goodbye to part of her family. “Tony?”

“The Boss is currently away on a business trip, Agent Rogers,” FRIDAY responded. “I will inform him that you are here.”

“Thanks… Uh, FRIDAY?”

“Yes?”

“I’m… I…”

“If I could step in, it seems like your body is exhausted, running on its last amounts of fuel. May I suggest that you rest? I will order food and work with Mr. Stark to get him here as fast as possible.”

“Okay… I’ll be in Tony’s room.”

~~~

“Y/N?” Tony called. 

When FRIDAY had told him that Y/N was back, Tony quickly ended the meeting he was in and flew home. He had been kept up to date on the SHIELD issues, since they were being broadcast everywhere. The man hunt was on Y/N like nothing it had before. He was concerned and so very worried, Tony was barely making it through the meeting.

“Y/N? Are you there?” He tried again, exiting his suit and searching his apartment.

“Boss,” FRIDAY responded. “She is resting in your room. She came back with extreme exhaustion. I’ve sent her to be and ordered food.”

“Thanks, FRI,” Tony sighed, relieved. 

He quickly, but quietly, made his way up to his room. Opening the door, the light from the hallway illuminated a very asleep Y/N, buried in the covers. He walked over, tucking her into the covers more before pressing a kiss to her forehead.

“Tony?” She rasped, eyes half opening.

“Go back to sleep,” he urged, brushing his fingers over her cheek. “I’ll let you know when the food’s here.”

She nodded, quickly falling back to sleep. Tony watched her lovingly before changing into something comfier. He was in the living room, waiting for the food, when the elevator dinged. Quickly on guard, Tony stood up defensively. He relaxed slightly when he noticed Peter waltzing in, bags of food.

“Hey, Mr. Stark!” Peter greeted excitedly.

“Hey, kid,” Tony responded. “What ya got there?”

“Oh, FRIDAY told me that you needed me to run and get some food. Even told me where to go and what to go.”

“FRIDAY, huh?” He looked up at the ceiling with a little shake of his head. “We’re going to have a conversation later.”

“Am I intruding on something?”

“No, kid,” Tony sighed. “It’s about time I let you in on a little secret.”

“A secret? What secret?”

“How about you go and get everything set up for three in the kitchen and I’ll be right back?”

“For three? Okay, Mr. Stark!” 

The kid rushed away to the kitchen. Tony headed back to the bed room. He had the urge to leave Y/N sleeping, as she very well needed it, obviously. But she needed to eat as well. He walked over and gently sat next to her.

“Y/N,” he called softly. “Time to wake up.”

“Hmm?” She hummed, stirring from her slumber. 

“Food’s here. And, there’s someone I want you to meet.”

“Meet?” Y/N was more awake now. “Tony, you know I can’t—“

“They won’t say anything to anyone. I promise.” He grabbed one of her hands and brought it up to his lips for a kiss. “Please?”

“Okay, Tony,” she nodded. Her stomach growled as she threw the covers off of her.

Tony chuckled. “You hungry?”

“A little.” She put her hands out. “A little help.”

Tony smiled and nodded before grabbing her hands. He carefully guided Y/N so that she was standing. Keeping hold of one of Y/N’s hands, Tony began to lead them out of the bedroom. Suddenly, Y/N tripped over her own tired feet.

“Woah, there, honey,” Tony said, steadying her. “When was the last time you ate?”

“Uh… honestly, I don’t remember,” Y/N responded. “It was… I thought happened.”

“And you better plan on telling me all about it after dinner.”

“Yes, Tones.”

Tony wrapped an arm around Y/N’s waist to keep her more steady as they made their way to the kitchen. When they arrived, Y/N saw a teenager, one from the pictures on the wall. He was setting up dinner.

“Mr. Parker,” Tony called, the boy’s head snapped to look at his mentor. The boy was clearly surprised to see who was standing beside Tony. “I’d like you to meet Y/N. Y/N, this is Peter Parker. Or, Spider-Man.”

“Hello, Mr. Parker,” Y/N greeted holding her hand out for the young hero to shake. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Peter nervously shook Y/N’s hand. “You’re…” He swallowed. “Y-you’re Lady America. I… I fought your brother in Germany.”

“You did, huh?” Y/N gave Tony a look. Tony looked away, not willing to meet her eye. 

“Yeah! I even stole his shield from him.”

“Well, that sounds like an interesting story. I’d love to hear it sometime.”

“Okay!” / “Let’s not.”

“Miss Rogers, I promise I won’t tell anyone about seeing you,” Peter continued as they sat at the table. 

“Thank you, Peter,” Y/N replied. “It means a lot.”

“How was school today, kid?” Tony asked, taking Y/N’s plate and dishing food onto it. “And patrol? Save any cats?”

“School was school. I spent most of science reworking my webbing. And I didn’t save any cats today, Mr. Stark. Just some old ladies crossing the street.”

Y/N honestly enjoyed the dinner with Tony and Peter. It was a sense of normalcy that had disappeared from her life what seemed like ages ago. After dinner was done, Peter needed to go home to get Aunt May. He awkwardly said goodbye before disappearing into the elevator. Y/N leaned back into Tony once Peter was gone. Tony pressed a kiss to the side of her head.

“Coulson’s dying,” Y/N whispered.

“What?” Tony quickly moved so that he was facing Y/N. “How?”

“I don’t know. But, I said goodbye to him and the team. Only final time.”

Tony pulled her in for a hug. “I’m sorry you had to do that,” he said softly. “I know how much they meant to you.”

“He was there when I woke up… he was my first friend.”

“Do the others know? Does Daisy know?”

“No. And I wasn’t meant to find out.”

Tony looked down at Y/N. “What do you need me to do?”

“Hold me.”

So that’s what he did, all night long.

~~~

To say Bucky was anxious would be an understatement. Y/N had been gone for about a week, without a word from her. Shuri had tried to cheer him up, but it was only met with grumpiness. He was beginning to worry that something had happened to her. After that worry crept it, Bucky noticed that T’Challa and the others were keeping something from him.

“What do you know?” Bucky asked, marching into the throne room where T’Challa and his counselors were.

“Leave us,” T’Challa requested, and the others quickly left. “This is about Y/N.”

“What do you know?”

“I will show you.”

T’Challa showed Bucky the news footage of Talbot’s press conference and him getting shot in the head by Daisy, only for Y/N to appear moments later.

“The government will stop at nothing to throw her in Raft,” T’Challa stated. “I have—“

“They won’t waste their time with Raft,” Y/N’s voice came from behind. The men spun around to see her standing there. “They’ve already made it clear that they will kill me on sight.”

After spending time with Tony, Y/N knew she needed to go back to Wakanda to see Bucky. She willingly let Tony make her breakfast before fighting him to let her leave. Luckily, she won.

“But I’m fine,” Y/N continued. “Healed it myself.” Bucky began marching towards her, clearly angry. “What? I’m okay, I pro—“

She was quickly cut off by his lips smashing onto hers. With his only arm, he pulled her into him, keeping her tightly against his chest. Y/N could feel all the worry and frustration that was being poured into the kiss.

“Don’t ever do that again,” Bucky growled against her lips. 

“I’m sorry,” she replied softly. “I really had no choice.”

T’Challa cleared his throat, reminding the two that they were not alone. “I’m glad that you are alright, Y/N,” T’Challa said with a slight smile. “I’m afraid Barnes here was about to burn the whole country down to search for you.”

“The whole country, huh?” She looked at Bucky, teasingly. “Wow.”

“The whole country, no,” Bucky defended. “The whole world, that’s probably about right.”

“Cause that would solve the problem.”

“Anything to get me to you, doll.” He gave you a softer kiss. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine. And I’m safe.”

~~~

The next year went by in this weird, fast-slow sort of way. Both Tony and Bucky were as understanding as they could be with the situation Y/N was putting them in. But as time went on, the more frustrated and jealous both men became. Valentine’s Day was honestly the least problematic of any of the holidays. And that was saying something.

Alone, Y/N worked to gain more control and confidence with her abilities. She needed to be ready for whatever was coming. At the start of 2018, the Stones slowly began haunting her dreams, concerning both men greatly. Sleeping was becoming a luxury. The Stones showed to her their powers and the vision Wanda showed her three years previous. They kept telling her to prepare, but not exactly what to prepare for. 

The mounting stress of choosing between the men she loved and the oncoming battle that laid ahead, was enough to make anyone go crazy. But Y/N tried her best to keep an even killed head on her shoulders. Both her men could see that this was all weighing on her, but they did their best (somedays) to take a weight off of her.

Y/N also began to grow more angry at Steve. Though she missed him greatly. She was so mad at him. Mad at him for not reaching out or appearing to not care. She was mad at him for not telling her about Howard’s death and for not being willing to see outside his stubborn ass. For that being there when she lost AJ. But Y/N also missed him terribly. Steve was her twin after all. She would always love him.

It was now currently April and Y/N was up late after having visions of the Reality and Power Stones. And a purple giant. She was alone in her Wakandan bedroom, staring at her hands nervously. She had woken up deciding that she couldn’t wait any longer to choose. A choice needed to be made before what ever was haunting her came. In all honesty, Y/N had known for months, who’d she choose. She was just lying to herself.

With a deep breath, Y/N looked over at her side table. There were two clocks on the table, one with New York’s time and one with Bucky’s. It was almost time for her morning run with Tony. 

“I guess it’s time to make the choice official,” she whispered to herself. “Someone help me.”

~~~

Tony was already waiting at the Compound for Y/N. He had bought the property on the other side of the lake months back so that their dates could be outside more. He put in a dirt path so that they could run in the mornings too. Tony was leaning against a tree, waiting for Y/N, with his fingers running over his knew (detachable) arc reactor. Ever since Y/N began to struggle to sleep at night, he knew he needed to do something to protect them. To protect her. The new arc reactor didn’t get placed without a fight. But Y/N eventually gave in.

“You ready to lose again, tin man?” Y/N teased, appearing through a portal beside him.

“I never mind losing,” Tony smirked. “The view’s great.”

“Perv!” 

Y/N playfully swatted him. Tony grabbed her hands and pulled her into him for a kiss. Something was off about it.

“You okay?” He asked, pulling away.

“Yeah,” she responded, unconvincing. “Just ready for a run.”

She pecked his lips once more before sprinting off. He quickly followed. They ran in silence for a while before Tony started talking, but it wasn’t all making sense to Y/N.

“Slow down, slow down,” Tony requested. “I’m totally not kidding.”

“You’re totally rambling,” Y/N laughed, slowing down to a walking speed.

“No, I’m not.”

“Lost me.”

“Look, you know how you're having a dream, and in the dream you gotta pee?”

“Yeah,” Y/N nodded.

“Okay, and then you're like, 'Oh my god, there's no bathroom, what am I gonna do?', 'Oh! Someone's watching,' ''m gonna go in my pants.’”

“Right. And then you wake up, and in real life you actually have to pee.”

“Yes.”

“Yeah. Everybody has that.”

“Right! That's the point I'm trying to make. Apropos of that, last night, I dreamt, we had a kid.” Y/N stopped turning to face Tony. “So real. We named him after an eccentric uncle. Uh, what was his name?”

“Right… Tony, I think—“

“Morgan! Morgan.” He snapped his fingers.

“So you woke up, and thought that we were…”

“Expecting.”

“Really?”

“Yes?”

“No,” Y/N shook her head. “We haven’t even had sex in a year. How could that me possible?”

“I had a dream about it. It was so real.”

“I’m sure it was, Tony. But I haven’t even—“

“I know, I know. You haven’t chosen yet. But just think about it, will ya? My dream can’t be far off.”

Y/N sighed and untied the jacket sleeves around Tony’s neck. “Also, if you wanted to have a kid, you wouldn’t have done that.” She tapped the new reactor.

“I'm glad you brought this up, 'cause it's nothing. It's just a housing unit for nano particles.”

“It's not helping your case, OK?”

“No, no, it's an attachment, it's not a—“

“You don’t need that.”

“I know. I had the surgery. I'm just trying to protect us. The future uses, and that's it. Just in case there's a monster in the closet, instead of, you know…”

“Shirts?"

“You know me so well. You finish all my sentences.”

“You should have shirts in your closet.”

“I should have more of your shirts in my closet.”

“Tony—“

“I know, getting ahead of myself again. You know what there should be no more surprises. Let’s have a nice dinner tonight and we should have no more surprises. I should promise you.”

“Actually, Tony, I really need to talk to you about something. I made—“

“Tony Stark,” a man with a red cloak appeared a few feet away. There was an orange portal behind him. “Y/N Rogers, I’m Doctor Stephen Strange. And I need you both to come with me.”

next chapter >

I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS AND SUCH!!! FEEL FREE TO SEND IN AN ASK OR DM, OR YOU CAN REBLOG OR COMMENT. THANKS FOR READING!

NOTES: from now on the taglist when be added by a reblog. I will reblog it using my second account, @just-dreaming-marvel-2​​. Just so that my main page doesn’t get too cluttered.

If you want to be added to the tag list, please dm me or send in an ask.

[stevetonyweekly]

SteveTony Weekly - May 2

I know I say every week that I read a lot this week but I have been indulging in my favorite coping technique and so this list is ridiculously long. Twitter encouraged me. Blame them. 

**Indicates my recent favs 

~*~ 

On the inherent homoeroticism of cake decoration by welcoming_disaster (616/8K)

“She’s matchmaking, Barton,” Carol sighed.

“We,” Thor corrected, thumping himself hard in the chest, “art matchmaking.”

“Who, Cap n’ Tony?” Clint asked, his mouth full.

“Cap and Tony,” Janet confirmed, cutting herself a thin slice of egg and gently depositing it on her whole grain avocado toast, “it’s getting ridiculous.”

“Wait, I thought they were—“ Clint frowned, glancing around the room as though to confirm. Nothing but confused faces met his questioning gaze. “Huh. I really thought they were fucking.”

“And there is the crux of the issue,” Jess licked a bit of spaghetti sauce off her lip.

“Aye,” agreed Thor, “there’s rub.”

-----------

The team tries to set up Steve and Tony. Things don't go as planned.

Baby lovers like you and me (never say die) by FestiveFerret (Old Guard AU/7.5K)

The Avengers. They'd found him frozen in the ice, told him he was immortal, of all things. And with the way he'd lived through seventy years deep in the Atlantic, he found himself inclined to believe them. They'd also been very… convincing.

Without question, they integrated him into their unit - The Avengers, a secret team of unkillables seeking wrongs around the world and making them right, supported and housed by an enigmatic billionaire named Tony Stark. Their immortality, it seemed, was a secret to everyone but him.

Ready, set, bake by ChocolateCapCookie (Great British Bake Off/11k) 

The Avengers are on a nationally televised baking competition, but nobody seems to have warned the producers that the Avengers, while they save the world everyday and put their loves at risk doing so, are a) insanely competitive, and b) absolutely terrible bakers. Steve Rogers, especially, has a competitive streak a mile wide, and he's determined to win this competition, but it's not easy when his only real opponent is also the man he's been in love with for years.

***To make flowers grow (in this barren heart) by SoldiersShield, KakushiMiko (Hanahaki AU/16K) 

“You hide yourself away in your technology, but you are just as human as the rest of them. Your heart betrays your desire to possess.” Her gaze falls to the arc reactor, and Tony's blood runs cold in his veins.

“The Earth will reclaim what we have lost,” she says, dragging a hand over the chestplate of the armor. “It is you, and your kind-- your greed that pulls life from the soil as if it were nothing. You will reap what you have sown, Stark. The avarice in your heart will strangle the very life out of you.” Arna meets his eyes once more, a serene smile on her face as she leans forward.

“I hope he is worth dying for,” she murmurs, before digging her hand into his ribcage.

(Tony Stark falls in love with Steve Rogers. A rogue enchantress ensures he pays for it.)

Shelter from the storm by silkspectred (KidFic/5k) 

Tony adopts a baby. Guess who's Majorly Fucked Up™ about it.

Keep on beating by itsallAvengers (Domestic Fluff/6K) 

There were an awful lot of things Steve loved about Tony. But one thing in particular Steve could never get enough of was his heartbeat.

The good or bad thing by petreparkour (Multiverse/10k) 

 “It’s the metal suit,” Thor informed Steve, his normally-booming voice tinny over the SHIELD comms. “What did Stark call it—Iron Man?”

“But he’s down here,” Steve protested as the Hulk roared in Stark’s face, startling him into waking with a shout. “How could—”

“It’s damaged,” Thor reported. “But it looks different. More advanced. And he—ah. He’s carrying you, Captain.”

“Please tell me nobody kissed me,” Stark breathed out, and then Stark’s voice suddenly came over the comms, but the man lying next to him hadn’t moved.

“Guys, come on, you’re killing me here. What is it, 2012? God, I hate time travel. First, I'm fighting Thanos. Now, I have to deal with my past self and Thor's bad haircut? Oh my God, Cap, yes I hacked their comms, they’re my comms.”

Steve nearly opened his mouth to protest that he hadn’t said anything when he realized that this replica of Tony Stark wasn’t speaking to him.

***The tipping point by nightwalker (Domestic Fluff/7K) 

Tony has a few quirks. Steve's still trying to figure them all out.

We two, how long we were fool’d by glassessay (Soulmate AU/9K) 

Steve Rogers comes into the world as unblemished as his mother. When Anthony Stark is born, his soulmark is an obvious pattern of ink across his tiny chest.

It only takes a century, two names, and a shared love of Walt Whitman for them to find each other.

The tape in the cave by betheflame (Canon Divergent/5K) 

Steve had no idea what was happening.

“You think I didn’t know that?”

Tony was staring Zemo down as though the Sokovian was actual vermin - which, Steve reflected, he kind of was.

“You think that I,” Tony continued, not hiding the sneer in his voice, “Anthony Stark, who has more powerful technology in my literal fingers than most nations have, that I wouldn’t know everything possible about how my parents died? That I wouldn’t know it wasn’t an accident, that your silly little HYDRA Nazi knock-off pals are the ones who murdered them? Please, you are pathetic.”

Happy ending by Robin_tCJ (No-Powers AU/28K) 

 Steve is a mobile massage therapist, and Tony is a stressed billionaire. What could go wrong?

With a decent happiness by torigates (Teacher AU/16K) 

Tony Stark is Iron Man. Steve Rogers isn't, and never was Captain America.

Or, the one where everything is the same except Steve is a kindergarten teacher.

Nothing left but scars by SailorChibi (MCU/6.7K) - Reread

Steve wakes up to the fact that no one ever compliments or even says thank you to Tony, and that he has fallen into the same trap of painting Tony with a specific paintbrush.

This is how he showers a very confused Tony with praise to make up for it.

Our hearts should remember and follow by frostfall (MCU/5K) 

Steve hums. “I didn’t know you could play. Or sing. Don’t think I’ve heard anyone mention it before.”

Tony shrugs. “It’s one of the few things, skills, I don’t flaunt. Not something people are interested in, anyway. Not gonna sway any board members by playing fucking Für Elise for them. Sides’, there’s a high chance I wouldn’t even play. Well, maybe if you get me drunk enough and near an instrument. Then, I might reconsider.”

(After a dream leaves Tony rattled, he turns to the piano as a way to distract himself.)

Finally, you and me by pensversusswords (Multiverse/10K) 

Because in every layer of time, in every conceivable dimension, he was always meant to love Steve.

By some miracle, Steve was meant to love him back.

***Full disclosure not required (but appreciated) by Potrix (Identity Porn/16k) 

The one where Steve knows more than he lets on, Tony knows less than he pretends, Clint has a big mouth, Bucky is a little shit, and everyone learns why keeping secrets never ends well.

Almost never, anyway.

Heartlines by nanasekei (MCU/7.9K) 

“Let me,” Tony repeats. He regrets it deeply, so much, he wants to stick the words back into his mouth again, and it must show, in the way his voice wavers. He feels exposed, all of a sudden, as if he’s asking something bigger than what he can actually say. Let me touch you, let me take care of you. “Just… Let me do it.”

i found a way to let you in, but i never really had a doubt (marriage series) by quidhitch (Marriage Series/16k) 

Tony Stark doesn’t believe in marriage. It’s nobody’s fault. —Well, it’s Howard's fault, probably, but Tony doesn’t like to think about that for too long, finds that it dredges up all sorts of issues he’d rather keep buried under a mountain of strategically employed sarcasm, humorous self-deprecation, and the occasionally effective substance abuse.

***Hide your love away by sineala (Soulmate/33K) - Reread

Tony has suspected for a long time that the soulmark on his chest matches Steve's -- but he's never told Steve about it. And then it's too late to tell Steve anything at all ever again. In the wake of Steve's death, the Skrull invasion, and Norman Osborn's rise to power, the identity of his soulmate is just one of the many things Tony cuts out of his memory forever.

When Tony returns to consciousness, he's forced to deal with the aftermath of a war he no longer remembers fighting, not to mention a Steve Rogers who can barely stand to be in the same room with him. Surely the last thing Tony could ever need in his life is more amnesia. But that's what he gets. And Tony's new missing memory just might be the key to finding out the truth of his soulmark... as well as his chance to make things right once and for all.

Break the chain (can’t live in circles again) by orphan_account (FWB/19K) 

There had been seven amazing weeks of dating Steve Rogers before Tony realised that they weren’t dating at all. And then it was a scramble to adjust to the situation as it had always been: being Steve’s friend-with-benefits.

And if Steve seemed a little confused and bewildered by the way Tony was acting, well. Tony was probably just misreading that, too.

Five times steve and tony (tried to) bail each other out of jail by Teyke (MCU/6k) 

Twice before Civil War, twice after, and once during. For very loose definitions of both 'bail' and 'jail'.

Cracked hearts under iron ribs by XtaticPearl (Established Relationship/14k)

Rhodey is away for almost six months now and comes to meet Tony after the mission. He doesn't understand the domesticity of the whole Tower and unknowingly sets off a whole truck of insecurities which make Tony crawl back into being a Stark instead of just Tony. The team is not at all happy and Rhodey joins them in trying to figure out a way to help their resident genius feel better in his skin.

The single biggest problem with communication by BlossomsintheMist (616/108K)

In the wake of Steve's return from the dead and the end of Norman Osborn's reign of terror, the superhero community is recovering--Steve has taken on a new role and Tony is trying to put his life back together. Things are still awkward between them, but they're determined to put things to rights. But when a discussion about their feelings leads to further misunderstandings, they discover that might be more difficult than either of them realized. Set in the early Heroic Age after the end of Dark Reign, this is a get-together story about crossed wires--and second chances.

What are friends for? by bobertsmallismydad (MCU /2.8K) 

In which Steve is targeted by a virus. Will the Avengers be able to save him in time?

Starving by festiveferret (Vampire AU/2K) 

Steve woke up starving.

***Everybody wonders (What it would be like to love you) by SoldiersShield (MCU/3K) 

“...Is that what this is about?” He asks slowly. Steve blanches.

“Oh my god. It is.” Tony has no right looking as giddy as he does. “Steven Grant Rogers, are you jealous?”

--

Or: Steve and Tony have been dancing around each other for a while now, and Steve's rather content with it. Attending a gala together just might change that.

Re(A)d all over by brandnewfashion, MusicalLuna (Drunk Flirting/3k) 

Contrary to popular belief, Tony Stark can blush.

It just takes Steve getting drunk on some magical Asgardian mead for it to finally happen.

***The Do-over Proposal by nightwalker (Established Relationship/1.2k) 

Steve wants to go on a journey, Tony doesn't think it's a good time, and Bucky needs to beat some sense into both these idiots.

A Winter’s Ball by alliejowrites (Victorian AU/3.8K) 

Steve moves to London in search of a patron, so that he can finally devote himself to painting. He is not expecting everything he finds upon meeting Lord Stark. A fluffy little Victorian AU. One-shot.

What’s a fanfic by starksnack (AvAc/1K) 

Kamala introduces Tony and Steve to the world of fanfiction. There is a surprising amount of content about them being gay.

[spneveryseason]

On Sam’s Mindscapes

A conversation I had with @ocdsamwinchester a few days ago made me revisit the glances we get to see into Sam’s mind on occasion. I did a close reading of a snippet of one of them here but there’s lots of other instances in the show where we get this intimate look into Sam’s head and get to know some really important information about him. They’re some of the only times we really see him alone, and get access to parts of him that nobody gets to see. Interestingly, it seems his thought process is very much based on speaking to avatars that his mind creates, of both himself and others, and informs how he sees himself. We have six distinct times where this happens, which I’ll get into below:

(Note: there are other times where Sam enters a mindscape or hallucination and interacts with it, but I’m focusing specifically on A. Ones that have avatars to represent his thoughts and arguments (so not him alone in the scene), B. Ones with avatars he created by himself with no outside direction (like Toni and Lucifer had done previously), and C. Ones that have these avatars go through a thought process or issue he’s having (so not a flashback, memory, or hallucination that does not give insight into his thinking.))

4x21 When the Levee Breaks

This is the first time we get a really good look into Sam’s thought processes through thought manifestations, and it’s when he’s locked in the panic room and detoxing from the demon blood. He’s also struggling internally here about whether or not he’s doing the right thing, and if his decision to go full on with the demon blood is justified.

The way he approaches this struggle in this mind is through avatars. Arguments take the shape of people he knows and loves, and work together to “convince” him to do something or other. In this particular case, his subconscious reveals to him his child self, Mary, and Dean.

His child self here represents his disappointment in himself. He constantly questions why Sam has ended up this way, why he didn’t stick to his dreams or his principles. He tries to use emotional means to convince him not to go forward with the plan to kill Lilith, implying that he’s betraying himself and his morals if he does it. This is the side of Sam that is a hunter: his child self grew up with his family as a moral compass, and that is reflected in the child self’s complete rejection of what Sam is doing. However, he’s also using Sam’s own dreams (Jessica, college) to convince him not to go through with it, indicating that his “normal life” morality would also be against the decision. This is Sam struggling with his upbringing, which lies in complete contrast to the decision he has to make.

Mary represents his practicality, his stubbornness, his certainty. Mary is fully on board with his plan: she tells Sam that he’s doing the right thing, that he has no choice because it’s the best he can do in a bad situation. Sam’s practical side takes over here from his previous emotional one, and tries to reason Sam back into going through with killing Lilith. Here, he’s making his own argument about why he has to go through with it. The fact that this aspect of himself takes on his mother’s face is interesting, especially since it deliberately cites her past with hunting to make its argument. This shows that to Sam, his perception of his mother has changed massively: instead of seeing her as a representation of normal, he now sees her as the ultimate hunter.

Dean represents his self-hatred. This part is interesting because at its surface, it seems that Sam is arguing against the plan: mindscape Dean throws accusations against Sam, calls him evil and tainted, seemingly trying to talk him out of it by painting his actions in these stark terms. However, it seems that this is Sam actually convincing himself to go through with the plan instead. Here, Dean is implying (thus meaning that Sam believes) that Sam has always been evil at his core, and thusly is destined to makes these terrible decisions because they reflect who he really is. This is actually what pushes Sam over the edge: it is this argument that convinced him to follow through on killing Lilith. The fact that this avatar was Dean is no coincidence either: Sam’s greatest fear was to earn Dean’s ire, to have Dean see who Sam thinks he really is, and for that to happen then Sam could convince himself he was forever lost.

6x22 The Man Who Knew Too Much

Here, Sam’s avatars take a less subtle approach and actually appear as different versions of himself as well as other people that he used to know. This was deliberately used to show him accepting parts of himself that the wall had kept out, and shows that Sam views himself as an amalgamation of different people rather than a distinct person, which is really interesting. This is also the first time we get an actual mind landscape, which is a really interesting look at Sam’s own head. We start in a bar, a frequent and familiar location for Sam, and end up in a forest: isolated in nature, out to hunt and constantly in danger.

We again get three distinct figures here (except for Sam himself, the narrator of the mindscape) to represent different facets of the situation that he is trying to reason out. The first is Soulless Sam, who exists as the “antagonist” in Sam’s mind here. This is Sam confronting his own brutal practicality, the extent to which he can go without a conscience to hold him back. This is Sam cutting off practical thinking and deciding to rely more on his decisions made from the heart. Interestingly, to get rid of soulless, Sam had to kill him, which says something interesting about how he views his soulless self. The act of killing to reabsorb his memories rather than embracing or accepting says that Sam is trying to kill or remove elements of himself that he dislikes, seeing himself as having been a variety of different people rather than shades of the same person. Sam is so scared of going “bad” again that he can’t even bear to think about the not-so-good still being alive in his head.

The second figure is Robin, the non-Sam present in his mindscape. This one is interesting because she takes the shape of a victim of soulless sam, but is also Sam’s guide around his mind when he can’t remember who he is. She’s kind, brave, and selfless, and dies trying to protect Sam from accessing his memories. On one hand, she’s a manifestation of Sam’s guilt: as a victim of his soulless self, she represents goodness and innocence and the violence that took her away. As Sam’s victim, she’s trying to make sure that the part of him that made her a victim can never be accessed again. Sam here is this trying to protect himself and others from the consequences of remembering. She’s also a manifestation of Sam’s good traits, whether he’s aware of it or not: her positive traits are Sam’s positive traits, and her attempts to save Sam from remembering could be Sam’s attempts to finally start to heal himself from his trauma.

The third figure is Hell Sam, who is more straightforward in his existence. Sam sees the traumatized version of himself as separate from him, and is willing to take on the pain that it will bring him. However, he also has to kill this version of himself, even if he wasn’t a direct threat like soulless Sam was. Hell sam was non threatening and not dangerous, and was instead an innocent victim. Sam killed him anyway, revealing that he A. Does not see himself as a victim and B. Seems to believe that version of him deserves some punishment in some form.

Season 7 Hallucifer

This one is distinctly different from the other examples, because rather than being a one-time hallucination that Sam uses as a tool for his thought process, Hallucifer is a manifestation of the trauma he suffered in the Cage. In a general sense, Hallucifer is annoying, whiny, quippy, and has a terrible sense of humor. His main goal seems to be tormenting Sam, which he does gleefully. He’s very animated, with loud speech and dynamic movements.

In other words: he’s not Lucifer. At least, not how we knew him in s5. Instead, he’s Sam, which is a fact I feel we forget far too often (as do the writers of later seasons, as they rely far too much on Hallucifer to characterize post s7 Lucifer). And, being a part of Sam, Hallucifer is a representation of both Sam’s fear and Sam’s methods for coping with the memories in his head.

Hallucifer as fear is quite clear in the narrative: all of Sam’s worries are reflected in the things Hallucifer says or does. His worst memories of the Cage are projected onto his mind constantly. His fear that he’s not actually in reality is voiced out loud by Hallucifer. His traumas that he experienced in the Cage are mockingly repeated to him. Hallucifer is a direct manifestation of Sam’s fears, and remind him of them constantly, just as they play constantly in his mind.

However, Hallucifer also reveals certain ways Sam thinks or tries to make sense of things in his own head. When he first appeared, he echoed the suicidal thoughts that Sam was having at the start of the season, and only stopped doing so when Dean managed to convince Sam to use him as his rock. So, he found other methods for coping, like digging into his scar, that was largely pushed by Hallucifer as a way to deal with his pain. Hallucifer also forces Sam to confront him directly (confronting his problems directly) and grows more and more irritating as Sam’s insomnia grows (signaling to Sam that his mental state is detonating). His animated manner and little jokes seem like a deliberate confidence and humor that Sam wants to find comfort in but ultimately ends up hurting him instead. In a way, Hallucifer is an honesty that Sam has never allowed himself to verbalize.

9x01 I Think I’m Gonna Like It Here

This mindscape interaction is one of the most interesting to me, because I feel it’s the most clear about Sam experiencing a distinct decision making process. Here, Sam is fresh off of falling apart entirely in season 8 and only barely being convinced to not go through with the trials fully. He’s still mulling that decision over in his head, wondering about whether to go through with his death. The decision is discussed over with two distinct figures: Bobby, who represents his acceptance of death, and Dean, who represents his will to live.

Before discussing the actual avatars, I want to talk about the setting for a bit. We’re back in the woods, like we were in the season 6 hallucinations. The lightening is different now, though: it’s lighter, more dreamlike, less severe. So the isolation and lifestyle that still haunts Sam in season 6 seems to have softened, and he’s fully accepted his lot in life and his position in hunting. The cabin reflects a similar change in his thinking: the woods are homey now, comfortable. This is a very different Sam than the one who was lost in the woods. Now, he’s comfortable in them.

Bobby’s role in this internal debate is interesting because he’s given a sort of...merciful interpretation of a pro-death stance. Sam’s view of death as exemplified by Bobby is restful, earned, calm. Bobby offers his arguments for sacrifice not in the same fiery way that the Dean avatar does in season 4, but instead in a way that implies finality. Sam’s view of death has been altered between now and then: instead of seeing death as redemption or punishment, death is seen as an ending, a final rest. The fact that this face is Bobby’s is also interesting: here, he’s given a fatherly, benevolent attitude and displays a really care for Sam. As Sam had reconnected with Bobby fairly recently, releasing his soul to heaven as part of the trials, it makes sense that Bobby was in his thoughts recently and would coalesce into a supportive paternal figure. The real Bobby was a bit less...outwardly kind in this way (to Sam specifically especially, as they had some tensions near the end of his life), but he’s saved in Sam’s consciousness as someone who’s said and thought nice things about him. Bobby is comfort in this scenario, meaning that Sam at this stage sees comfort in death as well.

Dean’s role is Sam’s will to live, and it also expresses itself in an interesting way. Rather than trying to argue for the good things about living, staying alive is framed as a duty or responsibility. Dying is seen as giving up, which is an ethical wrong. This will to live is also quite violent: the Dean avatar beats Sam up to try to convince him to stay alive, meaning that there is a part of Sam fighting hard to survive. It seems that there wasn’t much of a chance that this side would win, though: Sam had seemed more or less set on siding with the Bobby avatar from the start. He had been completely broken down by the events of the previous season, and this showed in his mindscape. Dean playing this role is interesting, because it seems almost counterintuitive to how he was characterized as an avatar in season 4: instead of telling him that he should die, Dean is adamant that he should live. I think this has to do with the fact that it was Dean who had recently stopped Sam from dying last season, and so Sam uses him to play that role again in his own head.

Honorable Mentions: 10x19 The Werther Project and 12x01 Keep Calm and Carry On

I’ve put both of these as honorable mentions and not on the official list mainly because I’m not exactly sure they fit the criteria fully but I still think they’re interesting to discuss.

10x19 is questionable to me simply on the basis of I don’t know how in control of his mind Sam was. It’s implied that the box was controlling him to try to kill him, so it’s possible that the Rowena hallucination was its own design entirely, much like how dean’s was purgatory. If this was the case, then Rowena would not be a significant look at Sam’s mindscape because she wouldn’t be constructed by him at all, and instead made by the box to try to distract him. If she was chosen by Sam in some form, however, it’s interesting that he saw her as a trustworthy figure, due to their relationship at that point in time. Despite their mutual dislike then, Sam choosing her as a guide for this would mean that he greatly respected her and saw her as somebody to listen to, hinting at their coming, more friendly relationship down the line.

My hesitance to fully include 12x01 is I’m not sure how truthful the hallucination part in it actually was. 12x02 with Toni is absolutely by her design, but the auditory hallucinations Sam has of Dean in 12x01 are questionable. He had been recalling some memories and transitioned to hearing Dean calling him a monster and other similar terrible things. Sam passes out shortly after, and Toni goes to check on him but is attacked by Sam, who implies he faked passing out. So did this hallucination actually happen, or was it something that Sam exaggerated to get Toni to come to him? If he faked it or even didn’t fully buy into it, then I don’t think it counts here because it doesn’t reflect a way that his mind attempts to parse out his situation. If it is fully accurate, then it reveals that Sam, who believed Dean was dead here, was wracked with guilt and was mourning his brother. It’s also telling how similar these words are to how dean’s avatar was speaking in season 4’s example: Sam’s self hatred emerged again in this moment if this was indeed what he experienced.