#man of bronze

[chernobog13]

Dream casting for an early 1960s Doc Savage television series.

[evilhorse]

Doc Savage house ad (circa October 1988)

[whowouldwininafite]

Doc Savage (Man of Bronze) vs The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra

[captainfreelance1]

I painted this watercolor of Pulp Hero Doc Savage last year, he is the inspiration for modern Several Super Heroes; Since debut in 1934 Doc Savage captivated audiences with his adventures in Pulp Magazines, Novels, Comics, Radio and Film, It's safe to say The Man of Bronze has withstood the test of Time.

[nofingjustaninchident]

you have been claimed by poseidon. earth shaker. storm bringer. gabriel medina, son of poseidon

[mj0702]

Baby Bronze

Just something that suddenly hit me brain...

“Bubs come on... we're gonna be late” Lucy called down the hallway your little backpack in her hand

“I is coming” you chirped pressing the last butterfly sticker onto your face before you start toddling out your room and down the hallway

“What on earth...??” your sisters eyes widen when she saw the state of you

“I is buzzerfly” you grinned proudly

“I... I see that... Bubs you can't go to kindergarten like this” Lucy kneeled down so she was the same height as you

“But I...” your bottom lip started to tremble

“No Bubs.... you see Butterflies can't go to kindergarten... they need to fly around and do... Butterfly stuff...” Lucy tried to explain in a soft voice hoping you would accept that explanation and avoid a tearful breakdown

“I is no buzzerfly?” you asked tears already pooling in your eyes

“Not right now Bubs...” your sister said carefully before she got an idea “... but I tell you what... if your good today after training I'll help you train to be a Butterfly okay? We can start with small flying lessons okay?”

“Otay...” you sniffed being absolutely heartbroken

“Hey....” Lucy said softly wiping away your tears “... it takes training to become a Butterfly Bubs... small steps okay... you'll become a butterfly one day”

“But wanna now” you sobbed

“I know...” your sister said gently standing back up before she lifted your little three year old form up setting you down on her hip “... but right now you are my Bubs... so what do you say... we get the stickers out of your face and then we get you to kindergarten”

“I no wanna go there...” you cried as Lucy already walked down the hallway towards the bathroom to get your face cleaned

“Yesterday when I brought you there you loved kindergarten” Lucy said confused

“Wanna go Keiwa and yous” you sobbed harder when your sister placed you on the countertop next to the sink

“Bubs... I can't take you with me... Uni is no place for small Bubs” your sister started to clean your face from the stickers grabbing your little hands when you tried to smack her away “... no... stop it Bubs...”

“I's hate you” you cried hysterically as Lucy just held your hands down cleaning your face with a washcloth

“I know....” Lucy sighed “... sometimes I hate myself too”

“I's no want you” you kicked your feet getting your sisters thigh

“Bubs” your sister warned you after you kicked her thigh even tho she knew it was on accident

“Noooooooo” you cried trying to get away from her prying hands even trying to bite her at some point

“You stop that right now or I'll make sure you will go to bed the rest of the week without a story and no cuddle” Lucy said strictly looking down at you with a serious look on her face

“Wanna cuddles” you sobbed now trying to press yourself against Lucy

“Then behave” your sister said firmly seeing how you struggle to voice your feelings “... okay... are you ready to talk about what's bothering you?”

“Huggsies” you cried feeling lost and overwhelmed

“Come here” Lucy sighed as she picked you up and you immediately holding on to her like she was your lifeline as you sobbed into her neck

“Ssshh Bubs... calm down” your sister spoke softly while she rubbed over your back as you struggled to breath normally “... breath”

“No hate you” you hick upped into Lucys neck

“I know Bubs... I know you don't hate me” Lucy kept her voice soft “... but can you please tell me what the matter was?”

“No” you hick upped again

“Please Bubs... what do I always tell you?” your sister tried to pry you out of her neck already feeling your snodder on her skin

“Talkin imposant” you sniffled

“Talking is important exactly.... so I want you to talk to me” Lucy said picking up the washcloth again starting to clean your face of the tears and snot as good as she could

“Towi say I's no pwetty... buzzerfly is pretty” you mumbled pressing your face against your sisters neck

“Oh Bubs... you're the prettiest girl” your sister said softly “... you have the prettiest eyes and the most beautiful smile... but it doesn't matter what you look like Bubs... what's important is your character... because a person can be oh so fu...dging pretty if they have an ugly personality.. and you have the most unique and beautiful personality Bubs”

“But Towi saying I's no pwetty hair like shes” you hick upped again

“Fudge that Tori girl Bubs... no one cares about hair... even if you wanted to shave your head than that doesn't make you any less beautiful” Lucy huffed already feeling her annoyance towards another three year old

“Mum said you no sweawing” you lifted your head away from your little hiding spot

“I didn't...” your sister smirked as she finally was able to reach your whole face “... I said fudge and not the bad word”

“Can I's pwease come with you?” you asked shyly

“No Bubs... Uni is no place for Bubses... but I promise I'll pick you up later and you come to training with me okay... Jill and Tash already asked me when you visit again... and we have someone new too... her name is Georgia” Lucy said as she finished cleaning your face

“But Georgia there for whole time” you tilted your head in confusion

“Not Brougham Bubs... her name is Stanway... she came from Blackburn... like Keira” your sister explained as she carried you down the hallway to finally get going

“Keiwa” you looked around happily

“I swear you love that woman more that you love me” Lucy mumbled as she picked up your little dinosaur backpack and your little shoes

“Keiwa very soft” you said your toddler face as serious as it could get “very nice pillow”

“Oh and I'm not??” your sister exclaimed as she carried you to her blue Toyota Yaris

“You no soft... you bony” you huffed while you got strapped into your car seat

“I'm not bony... I'm fit...” Lucy mumbled as she tried to get the straps right

“You bony” you retorted as your sister finally clicked the belt close

“And you are a brat” your sister shot back as she pushed you your favourite book into your little hands so you would be occupied for the drive

“I no brats” you exclaimed bewildered but Lucy already closed the car door and walked around to get into the drivers seat

“You are...” Lucy smirked as she started the engine “... but you are my Brat”

“She did what??” Lucy asked flabbergasted into the phone listening to the person on the other end recalling the newest incidents

“Mhm... yeah... yeah I'll come and pick her up” your sister said already shoving her backpack into her locker grabbing her car key “15 Minutes? I'm at Uni at the moment but I try to be there as fast as possible... yeah... okay... thank you so much”

“What happen?” Lisa a classmate of your sister asked confused

“Apparently my little Sister chose violence today...” Lucy sighed “... can you please take notes for me I have to go and pick her up...”

“Sure...” Lisa smiled knowing how much you and Lucy mean to each other “... for a good pizza”

“Deal” Lucy smiled making her way out of the building

“Again... I’m SO sorry... I have no idea what she was thinking” your sister apologized for the umpteenth time to your kindergarten teacher while she held onto your collar tightly

“I know she’s usually not like this” Mrs. Evans says understanding “She’s a very well behaved kid and very polite so for her to snap like this is uncommon”

“I promise we will have a talk about it and there will be consequences” Lucy said as she pushed you forward harshly towards the exit

“Mrs. Bronze?” the elderly woman called out making your sister stop and turn around “I don’t think a punishment would help in this situation... I think a calm conversation will be more helpful”

“Thank you” Lucy smiled slightly knowing she would’ve definitely chosen the wrong way

“No problem... I was a young mother too... it can be overwhelming at times” Mrs. Evans smiled

“I’m not...” your sister started but the other woman just smiled and waved her off

“It’s okay... we know... I wanted you to know that we don’t judge and whenever you need you have our full support” the dark blonde smiled

“I.... I...” Lucy stuttered bewildered before collecting herself “...ehrm... yeah... thank you”

“Not a problem... at all” Mrs. Evans smiled kindly and Lucy chose not to discuss this topic any further and started to push you forward once again

“So...” Lucy started her eyes quickly checking you over through the rear mirror “... wanna tell me why you decked Sarah Axton?”

“No” you said grumpy

“We will talk about it...” your sister said strained trying to stay calm “... so you can either start talking and we solve the issue OR you can kiss the bedtime stories and desserts goodbye for a month and no football...”

“No” you said crossing your little arms over your chest sulking

“No what?” Lucy raised an eyebrow looking at your little sulking form through the mirror

“I is no talks” you snapped at her trying to turn away which didn’t really work since Lucy strapped you into your child seat quite tightly

“Okay.... then don’t...” your sister shrugged her shoulders “... but don’t come crying to me for bedtime stories”

“Me won’t” you huffed as you pulled up into the stadium parking lot

“Okay... seriously... what’s with that mood?” Lucy turned around in her seat to look at you directly after she killed the engine

“Go way” you snapped

“I’m not going anywhere...” your sister said firmly trying to get to the bottom of the problem “Come on Bubs... talk to me”

“I’s no want” you exploded tears springing to your eyes

“You know what... I don’t have the patience nor the time to do this right now” Lucy snapped getting out of the car making you think she’s leaving you behind which resulted in you absolutely losing it as you started to cry hysterically

“Woah hey....” your sister said stunned as she opened the hind door to get you out of the car “... hey... calm down...”

It wasn’t much use since you fell into a absolute state of anxiety your face already turning red from crying

“Bubs... HEY” Lucy yelled right into your red tear strained face trying to get your attention and to her surprise it worked and you got so frazzled that you sucked in some much needed air

“It’s okay... you’re okay...” your sister now said calmly as she started to unclip your seatbelt freeing you from the child seat “... you’re okay Bubs... keep breathing... that’s it... good... you’re doing good”

You continue to hick up as you breathed flatly tears still streaming down your face but calming down a tiny amount when Lucy picked you up and held you instead of putting you down

“Good heavens Bubs....” Lucy murmured as she picked up her kit bag you still placed on her hip feeling the distress that radiated off you

Lucy carried you inside while your head now laying on her shoulder your crying reduced to silent tears with the occasional hick up in between

“Hey Blitzen” you got greeted by Lucys teammate Steph as she came up behind your sister tilting her head to look at your face

“We’re not in the best mood...” your sister said as she turned halfway towards Steph while you turned your head to hide in Lucys neck

“Oh my... what happened?” the blonde asked stroking gently over the back of your head

“She decked a girl in kindergarten, doesn’t want to tell me why and got a complete breakdown when I left the car” Lucy recapped your morning

“That’s my girl!!” you recognized the voice if your Auntie Jill sounding extremely happy

“Jill no” your sister said unimpressed at the support of your Auntie “... we do NOT encourage her to hit people”

“I’m a 100% positive she had a good reason” Jill shrugged her shoulders

“Yeah well I wouldn’t know because she won’t talk to me” Lucy huffed feeling how you relaxed in her arms being surrounded by her teammates “... Bubs... I need to change for training... you need to let go”

“No...” immediately some fresh tears made it to your eyes “no leave”

“I’m not leaving... I just need to change into me trainings kit...” your sister said softly as she tried to peal you off her to place you onto the bench next to her cubby

“Nooooo” you cried out and grabbed her shirt tighter even going so far to bite into the fabric

“Bubs come on...” Lucy pleaded with you getting to her mental breaking point herself

“Lucy nooooo” you cried heartbreakingly your voice muffled by your sisters shirt

That was the moment Keira entered the locker room a shy young blonde girl following her like a puppy

“Look Bubs...” your sister immediately jumped on the opportunity to get you to let go of her “... Keira”

“Keiwa?” you sniffled looking up with your tear strained face

“Yes look... you wanna say hi?” Lucy said quickly already moving towards her girlfriend

“Hi Keiwa” you said shyly quickly hiding your face again

“Oh Bitsy... what’s wrong?” Keira asks concerned immediately seeing the tear strains

“People are’s tupid” you mumbled against your sisters collarbone

“Hear hear” Jill threw in smirking “Clever girl”

“Stop corrupting her” Lucy snapped but Jill just kept smirking “Bubs... why don’t you go over to Keira so I can change?”

“Otay...” you mumbled and extended your arms towards Keira

“I...” the blonde started but found herself with an arm full of Baby Bronze a second later “... never mind... what’s going on Bits?”

“Who that?” you looked over Keiras shoulder at the new girl that’s standing shyly in a corner her eyes trained to the floor

“That’s a new teammate...” Keira said as she sat down with you “... her name is Georgia”

The blonde girl in the corner quickly looked up hearing her name but just as quick looked down again noticing she wasn’t directly addressed

“She no talking?” you wondered loudly making Keira snort

“She’s shy... so Bitsy... what’s going on with you?” Keira asked

“People is mean and tupid” you mumble starting to pick at your trousers

“While I can confirm that people sometimes are stupid we still don’t call them stupid...” the blonde scolded you lightly while grabbing your hands to prevent you from tearing your pants apart

“But they ARE!” you screamed trying to wriggle away from Keira

“Bitsy” Keira warned you and tightened her hold on you

“Let I’s go” you screeched

“No” the blonde simply said holding your hand so you wouldn’t hit her in the face with your flailing arms

“Hand her back...” Lucy appeared in front of you two holding her arms out “... you still need to change”

“NOOOOO” you started crying again suddenly holding onto Keiras hand like your life depended on it

“What is wrong with you today?” your sister exclaimed confused

“Keiwa” you whimpered quietly

“Bubs come on.... don’t be a twat” Lucy rolled her eyes “... Keira comes out to the pitch in five minutes”

“Wannas stay” you sobbed

“No... you coming with me so Keira can change in peace...” your sister said sternly quickly pulling you away from her girlfriend which resulted in a heartbreakingly scream and kicking legs from you

As Lucy passed “the new one” you just kicked again getting the poor girl in the chest who just made a little groaning sound but other than that said nothing

“Did she kick you?” Keira appeared next to the young blonde girl

“Yeah... but it alright... really... nothing happened” Georgia said quickly not wanting to create a scene or anything

“Are you sure? I’m really sorry I really don’t know what’s going on with her today” Keira said apologetic softly squeezing the young girls shoulder

“We all have bad days?” the younger blonde mumbled quietly

“Yeah but normally she’s not THAT bad” Keira said shaking her head slightly “... I’ll get to the bottom of it later... now come on... you don’t wanna be late on your first day do you?”

“I just... don’t know where to go” Georgia admitted shyly

“Come on then... I’ll show you around” Keira smiled friendly

Training went alright. Lucy sat you down in a corner of the pitch asking some of the staff to keep an eye on you since you apparently were “a tad difficult today”. You couldn’t disagree more. You weren’t difficult. People were just stupid and it wasn’t your fault. Sarah said some really mean things and Auntie Jill said poo bags deserve what they get. And Sarah was definitely a poo bag.

You sat quietly in your corner trying to decide the right colour for your bumblebee (black and yellow were just too mainstream for you) when a ball belted into the barrier next to you startling the absolute bejesus out of you. You shrieked and threw yourself to the ground covering your ears and pressing your eyes shut.

“I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry” a totally panicked Georgia slid on her knees up to you not really knowing what to do

“It’s okay... she just got a scare” Lucy walked up slowly picking you up making you shriek again “she’s a little on edge today anyway”

“I’m really really sorry” Georgia said again not knowing how to react

“Don’t be... she’ll get over it” your sister waved off bouncing you in her arms gently pushing your face into her neck hoping you’ll calm down once you realize it was her

It took you another 5 minutes before you actually calmed down smearing your snotty nose against Lucys skin

“You feeling better now?” your sister asked softly

“Keiwa” you whined

“I swear you love that woman more than me” Lucys mumbled but took a look around for her girlfriend

“Lobe you too” you murmured suddenly feeling very tired

“I know Bubs” your sister rubbed your back “... someone is getting tired”

“No’s tired” you lifted your head from your sisters shoulder but Lucy saw right through you

“True... you’re absolutely knackered” Lucy said pushing your head back onto her shoulder

“I is no knacking” you mumbled against her trainings shirt

“Of course you’re not... wide awake” your sister mocked you softly starting to gently scratch your neck luring you to sleep.

“I seriously don’t know Kei...” you heard Lucy saying her voice uncharacteristically far away “... I got a call that she hit another girl”

“But do you know what happened?” you made out Keiras voice “... she isn’t someone going around hitting or bullying people”

“I tried... but first she refused to tell me and then she had these meltdowns” your sister said helplessly

“You’re doing nothing wrong Luce... she’s Three... sometimes they’ll have big feelings they can’t explain so they leash out” the blonde reassured her girlfriend softly

“But she can always talk to me...” Lucy sounded kind of concerned

“Just keep trying without pushing her....” Keira said seeing how it distressed Lucy

“Maybe you should try.... she loves you” your sister mumbled

“She loves you more...” the blonde snorted “... if you want we could talk to her together”

“I would like that a lot” Lucy nodded slowly

You decided to make yourself known by small quiet whining and a really harsh kick so the light blanket got pulled away

“Well... hello there” your sister appeared in your vision

“No” you whined tiredly bring unhappy

“Come on Bubs.... tea is nearly done...” Lucy groaned slightly as she picked you up your arms and legs immediately finding their way around her neck and waist

“No hungry” you yawned

“Keira cooked especially for you... there’s dino nuggets... and mashed potato... and gravy...” your sister told you while she carried you back to the kitchen “... doesn’t that sound yummy?”

“Mhm” you nodded tiredly just as Lucy sat you down on the pillow of books that were placed on the chair so you would be able to sit high enough to eat

“Hey Bitsy” Keira smiled softly gently stroking some lose hair out of your face

“Hi” you mumbled tiredly when a plate of food was placed in front of you

“What this?” you asked sceptically eying the greens on the plate

“Broccoli” your sister answered as she sat down “... you like Broccoli”

“No I’s don’t” you said pushing the plate away

“Since when?” your sister asked confused

“Auntie Jill said treeses of dooms... dangerous” you said in your childish naivety

“Dear Christ Scott...” Lucy groaned and Keira couldn’t help herself bursting out laughing

“Come on Bits....” Keira chuckled “... you know better than to listen to Jill... go eat your greens”

“But...” you whined

“No buts... Broccoli” the blonde answered pressing a soft kiss to your forehead

“Otay...” you sighed deeply

“Thank you” Lucy mouthed at her girlfriend who just smiled and winked

“So little miss...” your sister started later that evening after she bathed you and stuffed you in your PJs “... wanna explain what was going on today?”

“Nu-hu” you shook your head trying to basically crawl into Keiras side

“Mhm I think you do” Lucy said grabbing your ankles pulling you on tip of her making you shriek in joy

“No no” you laughed trying to get away from your sister again

“Oh but I KNOW you want to talk about it” your sister smirked suddenly standing up still a firm grip around your ankles letting you dangle upside down

“Lucyyyyyyy” you squealed

“Come on Bubs.... I need you to explain to me what was going on so we can find a solution so it doesn’t happen again because you can’t just punch people in the face...” Lucy said softly letting you back down on the couch

“But she was bein tupid” you grumbled as you got stuck between two cushions and Keira had to help you by pulling on your shirt a little bit

“I got THAT... but what did she say?” your sister asked sitting down next to you

“Saids that girls in footsball are no goods n playin no goods and boyses are better... I said it no true n dat you bestest playin in the wholes world...” it suddenly exploded out of you “... n Keiwa twoest bestest playin and then she saids you n Keiwa lovin each other’s and I saids yes and that yous gets marries and then...”

“Woah Bubs... breath” Lucy suddenly interrupted you seeing how your head already turns red from the lack of air

“... and then she saids you n Keiwa dis.... dis...” you kept on rambling “... dis... gushing and two girls no love each others because gods saids only boy n girl and you n Keiwa goings to hells and then I’s punched”

“Oh wow” your sister sat next to you looking at you shocked while Keira just looked horrified

“That’s...” your sister started but didn’t know what to say

“I’s no sowwy” you declared crossing your little arms in front of your chest

Lucy and Keira looked a you than at each other and just bursted out laughing

“You don’t need to be sorry Bubs...” Lucy said after she calmed down again “... but you also can’t punch people... ignore them or tell your Teacher... but you can’t use violence... violence is never the answer to solve problems”

Little did she know that a good placed right hook would solve the problem of the Spanish Women’s Nationalteam years later but that was a topic for the future

“Auntie Jill...” you started

“We don’t listen to Auntie Jill...” Keir said sweetly pulling you into her side grabbing the controller to start The Lion King – again.

“Auntie Jill said you love each others....” you looked up at the blonde

“That’s right... you still won’t listen to that mad woman” Keira smiled down at you pressing a kiss to your forehead “... now... do you want to watch Simba or do we bring you straight to bed?”

“Simba!!” you whined making Lucy laugh

“Then stop wriggling around” the blonde scolded you softly

“Otay” you froze up immediately and before you (or Keira and Lucy) could do anything against it you were snoring softly drool dribbling on Keiras shirt

[titsthedamnseason]

eras tour lookbook: my favorites edition

[nicolosercredit]

BRONZE THE MAN YOU ARE

he can be my princess too

[skipper1331]

For the better // Esme Morgan

a/n: based off this request. Hope you like it.

Esme was the love of your life.

She was sweet, loving and the most caring person you knew. She supported and loved you unconditionally - or so you thought.

The last few weeks, Esme‘s love felt distant, she kept her distance.

She did cuddle you at night and she did kiss you every time she could but each time it felt like it would be the last time you would feel her lips against your own. There was a certain sadness in the air, but you didn’t know why nor did you push her to talk to you. She would talk to you when she’s ready.

-

You sat in the living room, watching some random tv show as you heard the door open. Shortly after, the tall blonde entered the door you were sat in, "hi" you smiled, puckering your lips.

Something was wrong. Esme‘s eyes were red and puffy, did she cry?

"Hey, what‘s wrong?" you asked, leaving your seat from the couch as you took the few steps towards the defender. Your hands cupped her cheeks, thumbs caressing it softly, "you can talk to me" you whispered. She inhaled sharply, eyes closing as she leaned down, her hands gripping your waist, pulling you close.

She kissed you like you were her forever.

She kissed you like you were the love of her life.

She kissed you good bye.

Tears streamed down her face as she tried to contain herself, it‘s for the better. I‘m doing this for you.

You felt it, this wasn‘t a kiss because she was sad. She was about to do something, wasn‘t she?

"Esme…" you whispered as you took a step back, eyes wide.

You felt your heart break even though she didn‘t say anything yet, you could tell what was about to come - you‘d watched enough of romance-sad movies.

"I‘m so sorry" she apologized, "I want to break up" her own heart broke into thousand of pieces while saying those horrible words.

Shock was written over your face as hurt flashed through your whole body, "why?" you rasped, eyes getting blurry, tears about to fall.

She avoided eye contact, staring at the ground as her head hung low - in shame.

After a few broken seconds of silence, she spoke again, "I should go"

It only made you angrier, storming over, you grabbed her wrist, "look me in the eyes and tell me you don‘t love me anymore"

Both of your faces held so much emotions but one was the same: the world had just crashed down on you.

Never in a million years, you would‘ve thought that Esme would break up with you - not after 5 years.

Never in a million years, Esme would‘ve thought that she would break up with you.

You loved her.

She loved you.

Easy - yet she couldn‘t be with you anymore. It‘s for the better.

"I can‘t" she stated firmly. Your shoulders sagged, you had lost hope. If that‘s what she really wanted, you would support her - even if it broke your heart. If it‘s for the better.

Taking your chin between her thumb and index finger, she pressed one final kiss to your forehead.

I am sorry.

And I do love you.

-

Your once shared flat felt no longer like home. It felt weird to lay in bed without Esme, to know that she wouldn‘t come back - that she wouldn‘t join you. You were wide awake, wondering what the was blonde was doing at the moment. If she missed you the way you missed her? You had no energy to cry as you already cried the whole evening. What did you do wrong?

-

With dark circles under the eyes you went to training, your eyes looked swollen, noticeable for everyone. It was clear that something had happened because Esme looked the same. Both of you looked tired and exhausted, like neither of you had a minute of sleep which was the case.

So while Esme stayed at Hempo’s and Chloe’s side, you never left the Aussies sides, Mary and Alanna cheering you up. Well, at least they tried to.

At the end of training, you had lost all your patience, motivation and passion.

City did no longer feel like home. Manchester did no longer feel like home.

Esme was your home.

-

"Tommy?" you whispered into the phone, your manager answering with "yeah?"

The past week was horrible. To see Esme every day broke your heart in more and more pieces. You stopped leaving of your flat if not necessary, you ditched plans with friends - most of the time you sat in the living room crying while you ate ice cream and watched Glee. You didn‘t know what Esme was up to or where she lived, all you knew was that you didn‘t want to be in Manchester anymore, let alone the same country.

"I’ll do it" you told him, not much thought behind it.

You wanted to leave and you did.

As the season came to an end and the transfer window opened, you were the first to sign somewhere you always wanted to sign.

FC Barcelona.

It took you one week to get to leave Manchester.

You didn‘t say good bye to your friends and team mates, you just left the City and country.

It was your way of escaping the pain, your heartbreak.

It‘s for the better.

-

Barcelona as the club and as the City was amazing. Your new team mates greeted you with open arms and made you feel more than welcome. You settled in quite well, you stuck to your national team mates, Keira and Lucy, though. They helped you to furnish your new flat - not a picture with Esme anywhere.

It was Lucy who brought her up one day as the two of you sat in a little café. The og lioness had always been like a sister to you, she had taken you under wig the moment you joined City and the senior lionesses squad. She knew something was off, Keira had noticed it too, the way your smile never reached the top, your eyes not shining the way they used to. The sparkle was missing - the sparkle Esme was responsible for.

"So you alright, kid?" the defender asked as she sat across from you, sipping her coffee.

"No" you answered straightforward, munching on your panini.

"Esme?-"

"Broke up with me" you took a large sip of your drink, avoiding eye contact at every cost. If you looked at Lucy, you would’ve broke down in the middle of the day. Which did already happen a lot more often than you would‘ve liked, you just couldn‘t help it. Everything remind you of Esme: sometimes it was a song, the pictures on your phone or you just missed in her in general. It didn‘t make any sense. Why did she break up with you? It was the question that kept you awake at night.

"Did she tell you why?"

"No, she said fucking nothing" you spat, getting angrier by each second that went by. "I left the second I could. I couldn‘t stand seeing her" you admitted in a low voice, some tears streaming down your face, "It‘s like I can’t breathe anymore and I don‘t know what do to"

Wordlessly, the lioness stood up and took the a seat next to you, her arms going around your shoulders as she pulled you close.

"I‘m sorry"

Nothing more was said as she held you, tears wetting her shirt.

-

Being in the starting line up made you nervous - debut time.

With the Barca crest on your chest you felt so much pride. You did it. You made your childhood dream come true.

The game went amazing, you played phenomenal, the way you could link up with the girls, create chances and even score a debut goal was pure class. You celebrated like you usually would, a celebration Esme requested ages ago for you to do one time - you did it every time since then.

And maybe it was wrong to do so, she wasn‘t your girlfriend anymore, she wasn‘t even a friend, she was- well, nobody. Somebody you used to know.

Fuck that.

She was everything.

She was still the love of your life.

She would forever be the girl of your dreams.

She was fucking everything.

Unknown to you, the tall blonde stood in the stands of the stadium. She watched you shine while she wore your lionesses jersey. Everything you did, she watched with heart eyes, a proud smile displayed on her face as she cheered for you proudly. You did it. She couldn’t be prouder.

Barcelona made you glow and grow.

It was indeed for the better.

-

International break.

Something you hadn‘t thought about. When Sarina called, you didn’t say no. Of course not. You loved to represent England and the lionesses were a big family - your family.

As the days went the by and camp got closer, your heart went crazy. Your thoughts were consumed by Esme. Like always.

Esme.

You would lie, if you said you didn’t look at old pictures of the two of you.

You would lie, if you said you didn‘t cry yourself to sleep.

You would lie, if you said you didn‘t love her.

She used to be your best friend, soulmate and girlfriend, you were miserable without her.

Don‘t get me wrong, you went out with the Barca girls, they were a bunch of goofballs which you loved but your other half was missing. There was no one you could tell about your day, whether it was good, bad or just boring.

The thoughts just stayed inside of you.

Your bubbly side was missing. The transfer was a great decision for your career, you became the best version of yourself as a football player but as a human, you were the worst version of yourself. In no way, you were rude or mean towards anyone - it was just, the sparkle that was missing.

Lucy could sense your shut down. The way you gripped the seat in the plane, your eyes drained on the seat in front of you, burning holes into it as your jaw was clenched, veins popping up.

Esme.

-

Arriving at St. George’s Park was interesting. Lucy was engaging you in a conversation, talking about Barcelona as you stepped into the facility. What you failed to notice, thanks to Lucy, was that just minutes earlier the City girls had arrived. Esme was standing next to the much smaller Lauren Hemp as they turned around.

The tall blondes breath hitched, you looked breathtaking. Everything Chloe said fell to deaf ears, her only remaining focus: you.

Feeling eyes on you, you turned your head away from Lucy to see the City girl.

"Esme" you breathed out, suitcase dropping out of your hand as it clattered to the ground. Inaudible, you gulped, breathing quickening. She looked beautiful. Mixed feelings rushed through your body: relief, anger and anxiety.

You felt relieved to see her after what felt like ages - finally able to breathe again.

It made you angry to see her, standing there like that and looking pretty.

And then you felt anxious. Should you say hello? No, right? She broke up with you - not the other way around. The City girls, did they hate you? You left without another word, they were your friends too. Nobody knew you left, not until City announced your leaving and Barcelona announced your signing.

You wanted to cry, to be honest. Your whole world crashed down again. She was only a few meters away from you and yet it felt like she was on the other side of the world.

From strangers to friends, friends in to lovers and strangers again.

Lucy cleared her throat to bring you out of your trance, the blonde still having you wrapped around her finger even without doing anything. But what did you expect? You loved her and some months were definitely not enough to get over her, nor would be a year. It was Esme, your sweet girl.

Caught off guard, you grabbed your suitcase, mumbling something before you walked away. The facility, a place you knew well enough.

"Wait up" Lucy called, pulling her suitcase with her as she jogged in your direction.

"Do you still think it was for the better?" Lauren asked, "she looks so heartbroken."

Esme ignored her as she fought against her own tears.

You weren‘t the only one who had to deal with a heartbreak. Just because Esme was the person who actually ended it didn‘t mean she enjoyed it. She loved you. She loved you the same as before and she‘ll forever do so.

She did for you. It‘s for the better.

-

You didn‘t interact much with Esme and if you did, only on the pitch. It already hurt enough knowing she was there, but not yours.

She was your colleague now.

-

It seemed like Sarina hated you, pairing you up with Esme all the time. Of course that wasn‘t the case, the blonde defender and you had just so much chemistry on the pitch. You work together like an oiled machine which you hated.

You hated that you were still the same old duo.

You hated that she crossed passes to you like nobody else could.

You hated that you still loved her.

Though, both of you stayed silent while doing the drills.

colleague nothing more.

-

Back in your room, you fell on the bed, your roommate somewhere in facility. You felt physically and mentally exhausted.

As a soft knock was heard, you sat up, did she forget her key card?

Opening the door, you were met with a sight you didn‘t expect, "hi…" the tall girl said.

Anger floated through your body as you wanted to slam the door. You didn‘t. Instead you asked monotonously, "what do you want?"

She winced at your tone, so foreign.

"I‘m sorry- I didn‘t know why I came" she muttered, turning on her heels.

"You broke up with me" you stated, stepping in the hall. The defender stopped, "I did" she answered.

"Why?"

"Because it‘s for the better. Have a good night, y/n" with that she left, yourself feeling angrier than before.

It’s for the better, really? What kind of answer was that?!

-

You did not cry that night, your clenched jaw prevented it - your anger prevented it.

As soon as you woke up the next day, your anger was back and higher than before. You just wanted one reason why she broke up with you, so you could start healing.

It angered you to see her at breakfast - smiling.

It angered you to see her on the pitch - on the same team as you.

Everything she did angered you.

And suddenly you snapped.

It was just the two of you left in the changing room, the other girls already heading to dinner. As Esme was about to walk out, you marched over, blocking the door.

"No"

The blonde looked confused, what was going on? "No. Tell me why you broke up with me" your index finger poked her chest angrily as you took some steps forwards, the defender walking backwards. "After 5 years, Esme" a tear rolled out of your eye as she wanted so desperately to wipe it away. "You threw me away like I was nothing, like we were nothing."

"Don‘t say that" she whispered, closing her eyes to hold back the tears.

"But you did!" you shouted, angrily wiping away the tears that streamed down your face. Grabbing your wrists gently, she pulled your hands away, "you‘ll hurt yourself" and it broke you.

In the middle of the changing room, you started crying like you did the nights before you left Manchester and like you did the nights in Barcelona.

"Don‘t fucking touch me" immediately she dropped your hands, mumbling an apology.

Taking a deep breath, "I heard you talking" she said while sitting down at a random cubby.

"with whom?"

"Tommy"

-

Tommy and you sat at the dinner table, notes splayed across the table as his laptop was there as well.

"These are the offers" he told you as he leafed through the folder, "and that‘s the best" opening something on his screen, your eyes stopped at the club logo.

Barcelona.

"They want you"

Your eyes went wide, Barcelona wow. They‘re amazing, big fan ever since you‘re little. "They want you now"

He started talking about the contract, your salary, game appearances and more.

He simply talked you through every stage of the contract, their thoughts about signing you, every detail they stated in their document.

Two hours later, he leaned back in his chair, "it‘s now up to you if you want to do it"

"It would be amazing, wouldn‘t it?" you mumbled, biting on your lower lip. That‘s what you always wanted.

Barcelona. The best.

But that was before you met Esme, the girl of your dreams. "It would be perfect for your career"

"Do I have time to think about it?"

"They want an answer at the end of next week. Do you have doubts?" he asked kindly.

Over the years, Tommy became much more than just being a manager - a friend.

"I don‘t know. I‘d love to play there but City is my home. Esme is my home" you told him, fingers massaging your temples.

"You’d give up this of an opportunity for her?"

You looked at him - answering without hesitation, "yes"

"Okay" nothing more was said, he respected your answer and he understood that you had to think about such a decision, "call me when you have an answer."

-

"You would‘ve said no" she told you, her hand wiping over her face, "and I couldn’t let that happen"

"so you broke up with me because- " you connected the dots, realization hitting you like a truck.

"Well, I thought if I broke up with you, you would sign that contract. The thing you always wanted" she shrugged her shoulders, her only ever intention was for you to follow your dream - the dream you had since you were a little girl. Who was she to stop you from living it?

"You’re an asshole!" you yelled, marching the locker room up and down, "do you know what you put me through?!"

The defender stood up, your rapid movement stressing her out and her own anger slowly bubbling up, "i did what was the best for you!"

"Fuck you" you spat.

"Look me in the eyes and tell me you would‘ve said yes"

you couldn’t.

"Thought so"

"You had no right to break my heart like that!"

"I had no other choice! I didn‘t want to be the reason you didn‘t fulfill your dream!"

Grumbling, you stood up with new anger, hurt and confusion.

"I did it because I love you! I love you more than anything and to think that you would miss the opportunity to- to play alongside Alexia Putellas, Aitana Bonmatí and so on, for me, frustrated me. You have to think about yourself first-"

"You love me?" you cut her off, heart feeling so many emotions as your body felt so confused and mind was spinning.

"I never stopped"

"Esme…"

"You don‘t need to say it back- well, um actually, it would be okay if you don‘t love me anymore. I get it-"

You couldn’t stand it anymore - to think that you didn’t love her. After everything, there wasn‘t a day where you didn‘t love her. Your body, soul and mind was consumed by Esme. She was the love of your life. So you just kissed her. Your lips pressed desperately against the blondes, hands cupping her cheeks as her hands found your waist. She gasped into your mouth, caught off guard. There was nothing sweet about this kiss - Esme and you mostly shared the most sweetest kisses but not now. Not after everything. The kiss was rough, anger and frustration purred into one another, yet the both of you happy to feel each others touch again.

"I love you, you idiot" you muttered between more kisses.

With the need of oxygen, she pulled away, resting her forehead against your own, "do you?" big wide eyes looked at you, so much hope behind the orbs - the orbs you hadn‘t seen in so long.

"I do" you purred, playing with her baby hair, "you hurt me though"

She nodded slowly, her hands still around your waist, afraid you would disappear, "I need time"

She hummed, mumbling apology after apology. She never meant to hurt you, she just wanted you to be happy.

-

"I love you so much" Esme mumbled, pressing featherlight kisses along your jaw, stopping an inch above your lips, "you‘re so beautiful" gently, interlocking your lips, she kissed you good morning, the Spanish sun shining in your bedroom.

The last two weeks of the off-season Esme was in Spain visiting you and before that, the both of you visited Greece as you enjoyed your holidays together.

After a year, things were thankfully back normal. Neither of you could stay away from each other and after the day in the changing room, many conversations followed and your trust was slowly built up again.

This was Esme we were talking about, the sweetest girl in the world who no bad cell in her body and was always thinking about you.

Like before your break up, she took you out on dates - it didn‘t matter that she was in Manchester and you in Barcelona, she called you every day to ask how your day was and when she visited you or the other way around, you spent the day in the best ways possible: going out, playing mini-golf and so on. Esme had many cute little date ideas.

And after that year, where trust was earned back, love got stronger and missed kisses were shared, she asked you to be her girlfriend. To which you obviously answered with yes.

You loved Esme.

Esme loved you.

The way she handled things was wrong but you understood her - she wanted you to be happy and to be honest, she was right: it was for the better.

Your prime time was, is and will be at Barca, till the end of the line.

You would‘ve regretted it if you had said no.

So maybe your break up wasn‘t the worst thing. For sure, you never felt that much pain in the time of your break up ever before and you never want to experience something like that again but after all, Esme tried to push you in the right direction - to help you. She had no bad thought in mind, just what was the best for you.

And back strong again, one day not your surname will be at the back of your Barca jersey but Morgan.

It was indeed for the better.

————————

[wangmiao]

#pangxie just can't stopping hugging each other

Behind the scenes of 藏海花 | Tibetan Sea Flower (2024) aka Adventure Behind the Bronze Door

[whereserpentswalk]

Freindly reminder that King Hatshepsut was a trans man. He's probably the first historical figure we have pronouns for, and those pronouns were very clearly he/him. Queens ruled alone before and after him, he never had to do that. He had put so much effort into appearing as male to the world he doesn't deserve to be missgendered now. The idea that his gender is from political ambition is just applying terf logic about why trans men transition to one of our best documented transmasc historical figures, and one of the few trans historical figures to have a happy ending to his story.

[chernobog13]

A Doc Savage painting by Dan Brereton.  I regret to say I do not know who the young lady is, but if someone does please let me know.

[evilhorse]

Burn it down!

(1st Issue Special #2)

[loopyarts]

I sometimes think about and ponder on how Bruce is such an overprotective yet mostly well meaning parent towards Dick. Yet Bruce is also the type of parent who fails to realise that their kid has grown up and can look after themselves and doesn’t need them for protection and guidance anymore. 

Dick and Bruce are both control freaks but for different reasons. Bruce is a control freak because he thinks that as long as he is in control of the situation that means he can protect the ones he loves from harm or losing them altogether. Because when his parents died he had no control over that. He felt powerless that he couldn’t do nothing to prevent it. Even though he was just a helpless little 8-9 year old boy who could do nothing but stand there watching helplessly as it played out before his very eyes.

While Dick is a control freak for the opposite reasons to Bruce. He needs to stay in control of himself and not let others tell him what to do and values his freedom his independence if that makes sense. All his life even with his own parents he was excepted to do as he was told, like how most children do. He wasn’t listened to in his own mind he felt responsible for his own parents death depending on the version it was because he didn’t tell them about stranger threatening Mr Haly or in some tellings he wasn’t listen to by his parents. He had no one to turn to really and much like Bruce he was just a powerless little boy. Who nobody truly heard, Dick Grayson to the world was just a child and therefore had no voice.

The only person who truly heard Dick’s voice was Bruce Wayne who saw himself in the young boy and knew the only way to save this boy from becoming like him was to get him his justice and put Dick Grayson parents killer behind bars. He became like a second father towards the young lad, family, the dynamic duo crime fighters of Gotham. Which is why Dick was able to heal and move on mostly from the loss of his parents because unlike Bruce. He had someone to fill the void that was lost when his parents died. Bruce Wayne the Batman because like a father to him a second father, in a way he was Dick light shining hope in the darkest part of his life. It’s so important to Dick development as a character and without it he wouldn’t be the same person he is today and it’s also so important that Dick time as Robin was a pretty happy one as well.

Both Bruce and Dick saved each other just by becoming each other new family. Bruce didn’t need anything from Dick all he needs from him is to just exist to remind him why he does what he does.

So imagine the hurt Dick must feel as a young adult. That his second father who heard his voice and listen to him all those years ago. Is now not listening to his voice really anymore or respecting his decisions as a young adult a man in his own right. While it comes from a place of good intentions. Dick cannot help but feel he is still seen and viewed as just a little boy by him and the crushing feeling of never truly living up to his expectations and the shadow that the Bat casts onto him. When will he ever be good enough to finally be taken seriously by him as his own man. Dick coming of age story is about finding one self in the world and crafting out his own legacy and what being a superhero means to him and him alone.

While it wasn’t Bruce intention, he did in fact put pressure onto Dick even though he doesn’t want him grow up to be like him. He values him so highly and he is glad that he grew up to be a much better man than he will ever be. He loves his surrogate son so much but with that comes fear. Like any parent he cannot help but worry for Dick future and the decisions that he makes as an adult and he will state his opinion on what he thinks of said decisions Dick makes in his life. He didn’t approve of Dick dropping out of college which caused some tension between the two of them for a good bit.

I always found Batman #330 original released in September 11th 1980 really interesting because of how Lucius fox and his son Tim Jace fox comes into play in that story Bruce compares himself to Lucius while Tim to Dick and how he cannot understand why would in he in Bruce’s eyes be throwing away his future. So when Bruce is talking all this nonsense to Tim he wasn’t actually speaking to Tim rather it’s the things he wanted to say to Dick.

Dick probably understood at that point that this was never about Tim or the thugs rather it was about Bruce who took out his own frustrations with Dick by projecting them onto Tim and the thug members. The themes and parallels to a father that being Lucius and his son Tim to Bruce and Dick within that comic book story makes it so painfully clear to me. It was about a Father who was upset with his son life choices for his future and only wants what is best for him even if he isn’t going about it in the best way possible.

The biggest hurdle for Dick and Bruce relationship as surrogate father and son is miscommunication and how the other isn’t willing to listen to the other. Bruce is the parent who always think he knows what is best which is not always the case which leads to him fighting with Dick all the time because he is blinded by the idea that his adult son might know better then him and stubbornly refuses to budge on that for a stupidly long time.

[gayforbronze]

someone’s feeling horny on main today🤨

[life-imitates-art-far-more]

Charles Cordier (1827-1905) "Bust of a Moor"