#nat and steve friendship is cute though

[mistysgardenn]

is the romanogers to wandanat pipeline real

[late-to-the-party-81]

Cuddles are the cure

Ask: Omg omg omg Jen please please can I have some Bruce/Hulk and Reader. I'm in desperate need of some super fluff, like imagine Hulk just picking you up and snuggling you all warm when you're I'm you're sad 🥺🥺🥺

AN: Super fluff, you say, Elsie? In fact it’s so fluffy I had to throw in reader comforting Hulk too - mutual comforting. Set in the world of You, Me and the Other Guy and slots in as part two of the series.

Beta’d by @lunarbuck

Moodboard by me and dividers by @firefly-graphics

Master list | Series Master list

Relationship: Bruce/Hulk x Reader

WC: 1.5k

CW: Fluff. Lots of cuddles. Soft kisses. Implied Tony being a dickhead. Working in customer retail sucks.

In every way that mattered, your life had improved immeasurably since you and Bruce had started dating. You already had a friendship, a connection, and you couldn’t believe how easy the two of you just fit. 

It was still early days though - you had your shifts, and when Bruce, or rather the Hulk, wasn’t off saving the world with the other Avengers, he had his research and other interests.You didn’t want to live in each others pockets, but still made the effort to see each other at least three times a week, and spoke on the phone all the other days.

You’d introduced him to your small circle of friends, and none of them realised who he actually was, aside from being a sweet nerd who’d swept you off your feet. It was the one advantage of having two personas, you supposed - it meant that he could maintain privacy when out and about.

In return, Bruce had invited you to come and meet the other Avengers. He’d done that charming thing of coming over all shy, asking you while cleaning his glasses with his shirt, so that he wouldn’t have to look at you and risk rejection.

“I mean, you only have to come if you want to. I don’t want you to be disappointed or overwhelmed, because they can be a handful. Tony will tease me… and flirt with you, Steve’s actually got a filthy potty mouth, Nat can be pretty intimidating, Thor, when he’s here, is loud and Clint… well… he’s got a specific sense of humour.”

You’d reached out and placed your hand on his arm, and he’d put his glasses back on and looked at you, expression unreadable.

“I’d love to meet them, and not because they’re the Avengers, but because they’re your friends and colleagues.”

“As long as you’re sure.”

You’d shifted closer, cupping his face with your hand and brushing your nose against his.

“Certain.”

They’d been everything Bruce had described and more, but you’d won them over, and now had your own Avengers Tower access clearance. Sometimes you and Bruce met up there, especially if he was working late, or had been on a mission. It was also the best space for you to hang out with Hulk. The green giant was actually a massive cuddle bug, and enjoyed lounging in his/Bruce’s room, watching Disney movies with you while eating insane amounts of popcorn and candy. 

At first, Bruce had been reticent about letting you spend time with his other persona, but you’d convinced him that you would be fine. You knew almost from the first moment that you’d met him that you and Hulk would be friends, because he and Bruce were two sides of the same coin - he would never hurt you.

Now, so far in your relationship, it had all been sunshine and roses - well, apart from that night, but considering what it had led to, you couldn’t be too upset - you and Bruce having cute dates, sweet kisses and lots of laughter.  As you got off the subway you hoped that he’d be able to manage something different, and you didn’t mean intimacy. Well, that would be nice, but also, you were content to wait until it felt right for both of you. What you did need today was comfort, because it had been A Day TM (a really shitty day) because even the best relationship could improve what it was like to work in a retail job.

It wasn’t as though you weren’t used to asshole customers - you had to usually deal with one or two every day, but today! It was like they’d all held a meeting and decided to show up at the same time and be meaner and more horrible than normal - asking for complex drinks that made no sense, then telling you that you’d done it wrong, when you’d actually triple checked with them before starting.

Walking up to the front entrance of the tower you fanned your face, trying to disperse the tears that threatened to fall from just thinking about it. You wouldn’t let them bring you down!

Striding into the building, you flashed your access card to the security guard before swiping it at the executive elevator. You were glad that you’d be able to travel straight to Bruce’s floor. He wasn’t expecting you at this time, but one of your colleagues had owed you, so you’d ended your shift a couple of hours early and made your way straight here. Hopefully you’d be able to hang out in his room while he finished up his work for the day. Or maybe you could keep him company in the lab if you signed some kind of NDA.  

You could feel yourself spiralling and you swallowed back a small cry, turning it into a hiccup as the elevator came to a halt and you virtually stumbled out into Bruce’s living room…

… to be met with the sight of Hulk, sitting on the floor, worry beads around his neck, watching Lilo and Stitch.

His face broke into a broad smile when he saw you, and he clambered to his feet as quickly as he could.

“Pretty Girl!” He turned and looked at the clock and then back at you. “Pretty Girl early!”

You bit your lip and nodded. Despite your mood, a small smile played at the edges of your mouth.

“Uh-huh. I just needed to see you… or Bruce.”

Hulk looked at you for a moment, and blinked. “Pretty Girl okay that Hulk here, not Bruce?”

You nodded, his earnestness and innocence threatening to destroy the last of your control. You took a step towards him, followed by a second and then you were throwing yourself into his arms, pressing your face against his chest and letting the tears of frustration flow.

Slowly, Hulk wrapped his arms around you, and you noticed he was a little unsure.

“Pretty Girl sad. Did bad man come back and try hurt you?”

You lifted your head, and sniffed with a little smile. “No. Nothing like that. Just a bad day at work.”

You eased out of his hold so you could drop your purse and take your coat off.

“How Hulk help? Want Hulk smash?”

He was too sweet. It was tempting.

“No. No smashing. Just be you, buddy. Sit back down and I’ll join you - we can finish watching together. I just need some cuddles.”

He let out a light snort and lumbered back over to his pile of cushions, dropping down heavily. You knew that Tony had had this floor reinforced, but you were still astounded when the floor didn’t shake. Once he appeared comfortable you joined him, climbing up into his lap and pressing into his side. He was so warm!

You watched in silence together for 10 minutes or so, both of you letting out the odd bark of laughter at the antics of Lilo and her extraterrestrial friend. You could feel yourself calming down just through this - being here and being cared for, with no expectation, something that previous boyfriends had never given you.

You were glad you had Bruce, and Hulk. Which brought you back to why the latter was here.

“Hey, Big Guy. Any reason you’re out today? Was there a mission, because I know Bruce had a load of scientific stuff to do today.”

You felt his body stiffen under you.

“No mission. No smash. Stark happen.”

You sighed - it stood to reason.

“Did he frighten Bruce again?”

He let out a resigned huff.

“Wanted to know what makes Hulk appear. Now Hulk not want to go back. Hulk come here, home. Watch movies, try to be calm.”

You rose up on your knees and pressed your palm to his cheek, feeling him lean into it gently.

“So you’ve had a bad day too? I’m sorry. What about if I get some more snacks and you pick another movie. How does that sound?”

“Hulk like snacks. Hulk like movies. Hulk love Pretty Girl.”

You dropped a kiss to the corner of his mouth.

“Love you too, Big Guy.”

You got up, and went to the kitchen, rummaging through the cupboards for enough snacks to keep Hulk sated. You smiled to yourself as you heard him talking to FRIDAY, picking the next thing you were going to watch. Snacks and drinks obtained you took your place, back on his lap.

The opening credits played and you smiled - the Little Mermaid.

“You know, if you ever have this problem again, ask FRIDAY to call me. I’m more than happy to help cheer you up. We’re friends, aren’t we?”

“Yes. Hulk and Pretty Girl best friends.”

You both settled down then to watch Ariel fight for her true love. Hulk kept an arm around you, holding you close, but without squashing you, and every so often you ran your hand up and down his arm or scratched your fingers into his black hair, quietly soothing him.

About 10 minutes from the end, Hulk started to fidget and shift under you. You got up and watched as he slowly shrank, and his skin returned to pink. Bruce looked up at you, slightly chagrined, from the pillow nest on the floor. “Hey.”

You smiled and sat back down next to him, wrapping your arms around one of his and leaning your head on his shoulder. “Hey, yourself. Feeling better?”

“Absolutely.” Bruce leant over and pressed a kiss to the top of your head. “And you? Sorry I wasn’t here to help.”

“Not your fault. And I’m sure there will be another day with a-hole customers. I’m also certain that Tony won’t frighten Hulk out of you again.”

Bruce chuckled. “You give him more credit than he’s due. Although he might not try it again for a while - the Other Guy smashed up his new Porsche…”

You couldn’t help it - you laughed out loud, cuddling into your boyfriend, and realising that life wasn’t so bad after all.

Tag list: @jobean12-blog @tuiccim @krissy25 @bodeckersdiamonddoll @goldylions @luxeavenger @wheezy-stucky @doasyoudesireandlive @chemtrails-club @peaches1958 @pono-pura-vida @writing-for-marvel @esposadomd

[nataliasquote]

Double the trouble [pt.3] | n romanoff

Double the trouble au: part 1, part 2

Summary: Natasha and Wanda's teenage twin daughters are a lot to handle, but despite their differences and arguments, there's nothing they wouldn't do for each other

Warnings: mentions of cheating, unhealthy coping mechanisms

Pairings: WandaNat, O!C × Valkyrie, Y/n × Bucky Barnes

wc: 5.3k

note: this part 3 was a Wattpad request with this particular plot line, so I’m aware that it moves very fast from part 2. But this ‘series’ of au oneshots aren’t really a series, but more of me just writing this family that I love so much. If you want to see more of this family, my asks are open! So please leave messages in there of what kind of things you want to see :)

- ⧗ -

Y/n and Isla wandered down the hallway in the direction of the cafeteria, their friendship group surrounding them as they all chatted and laughed now that classes were over. Maria was fiddling with the end of Y/n's braid as she walked beside her best friend and she made sure not to tug it too hard.

As they entered through the huge double doors, Isla let out a little sound and sprinted away, darting around the tables as she spotted the head of blue and black braids sitting on an almost empty table. She launched herself onto her girlfriend's lap and looped her arms around her neck as they met with a kiss, making the rest of the group groan with huge grins plastered on their faces.

"They're so perfect it hurts my soul." Maria commented to Y/n who just smirked. The group filled in the rest of the seats around Valkyrie's table, throwing their backpacks down as their shoulders ached from the weight of all their books.

"Lovebirds, no making out at the dinner table." Clint said, sending Isla a glare as she stuck her middle finger up and shoved her tongue in Valkyrie's mouth. Clint yelled out and stood up from his chair. He may hate their PDA but it would never take away from his monstrous appetite. Especially not on pizza day.

Y/n pulled out her boxed lunch, curtesy of Wanda and her love of making lunch for her girls. She knew exactly what she'd find; last night's pasta salad leftovers, some strawberries and blueberries and a small container of cheezits. Nat had slipped a little note and Y/n couldn't help but make a face at how cute her moms were. It didn't matter that she was almost a senior, homemade lunches would always be her favourite.

She noticed a hand sneak to steal a cheezit, but Y/nknew there was no stopping Maria. She was the group's food thief, so everyone was used to it by now.

"Hey Y/n," Steve called from across the table, grabbing the redhead's attention. "Where's Bucky?"

"He texted to say something came up. Not sure what though." They'd only been officially dating for two months, but Y/n still felt butterflies in her stomach whenever he was around. He was the perfect gentleman; picking her up from events, opening doors for her, surprising her with bunches of flowers whenever they went on a date.

Y/n was completely head over heels in love and it made her smile so much brighter. Clint joked that she was like Aurora and that animals would start following her wherever she went and if she started singing.

As they chatted their way through the lunch hour, Y/n's phone started buzzing like mad, almost vibrating so hard it fell off the cafeteria table. She was chatting to Maria so ignored the messages, knowing whoever it was could wait.

"Aren't you gonna check that?" Maria asked, scooping up another forkful of pasta. Y/n just shook her head and shrugged, her mouth full of food so she couldn't talk. "Wow. You've got some serious self control."

"If it bothers you that much then you can check it," Y/n said as she swallowed, reaching for her water bottle. She and Maria were really close, so her seeing messages on her phone was no issue. They were the kind of friends where nothing was TMI.

Maria reached for her phone and tapped the screen as Y/n got elbowed in the ribs by her sister who was still perched on Valkyrie's lap. Isla was asking to trade her blackberries for Y/n's strawberries, who was not at all impressed.

Their sisterly banter distracted attention from Maria, who had all colour drained from her face as she stared at Y/n's phone in horror. Her thumb was hovered over the screen and she didn't dare to take her eyes off the screen, not even with Clint's strange laugh.

"Hey Hill, you look like you've seen a ghost!" Valkyrie called, everyone turning their head to the brunette.

Y/n frowned. "You okay Ria?" Maria looked up at her and then over at Isla who was just smiling widely.

"Yeah I'm ok. I just remembered I've got some homework to finish before class. Sorry." She grabbed her backpack and shoved the rest of her food into it but Y/n seized her wrist, making her pause.

"What happened? What did you see?" Maria had a death grip on Y/n's phone and didn't seem to want to let go. "Maria, I need to know. Show me."

"No it was nothing. Just one of those texts from Bucky, you know how he texts."

Y/n narrowed her eyes. "Bucky doesn't text like that during school because he knows you're always on my phone. So show me what you saw."

Maria's eyes darted to Isla who's smile had dropped into a look of concern. She slid off her girlfriend's lap and rounded the table, taking the phone from Maria over her shoulder.

It was as if thunderclouds had darkened the sky when Isla saw what was on the screen. Her green eyes turned stormy and her fingertips were going white with how hard she gripped the small device. Her reaction had caused the table to be silent and Y/n pulled her lip in between her teeth, trying to pull her phone from her sister's hand.

But Isla held it up out of her reach before slamming it down hard on the table.

"I'm gonna fucking kill him!" She yelled, grabbing her back and swinging it over her shoulder, almost knocking out a freshman behind her as she did so.

Y/n swiped her phone from the table and punched in her password, hands shaking from what she might find. But she didn't have to search far, as her phone unlocked a single picture filled the entire screen and turned her mouth sour.

Bucky's side profile graced her screen, which wasn't uncommon as her lock screen was a picture of him and her kissing. But this time it wasn't her that his lips were pressed against. It was a senior girl, someone Y/n had seen at her mom's studio last year.

Blonde, tall, tanned, it was almost disgusting cliche. But the picture didn't stay in focus for long before it became fuzzy by the tears welling in her eyes. Everyone had crowded around her and had taken a look at the phone, Steve punching the top of the table as he grunted about his best friend.

Isla was being held back by Valkyrie, angry tears streaming down her face as she ranted in fury. The twins may tease each other and drive each other insane, but when it came down to it, they would do anything for the other. Which included getting revenge on stupid boyfriends.

Y/n looked at the picture for a few more seconds before clicking her phone off and sliding it into her pocket. She didn't speak and her face remained neutral as she took a sip of water, eyes remaining fixed on the table.

"Y/n?" Maria asked, slightly scared at her best friend's silence. The redhead slipped her backpack onto her shoulders and turned to leave but Isla grabbed her shoulder.

"Hey, you okay?" It was a stupid question but her sister's silence was starting to scare her. Her mom did the same when she was upset; Y/n was almost Natasha's carbon copy. "Y/n?"

"I'm fine." The shortest sentence with the least amount of truth. Isla looked at Maria with a concerned look and they both surrounded her so she couldn't rush away.

"No you're not. You can't trick me." Y/n looked her sister in the eye and only then did Isla see the tears balancing on her waterline, the green irises looking extra vibrant. "Talk to me."

That was all it took. The tough front she'd tried to put up came crumbling down and her forehead fell onto her sister's shoulder, whole body shaking with sobs.

Isla froze for a moment but wrapped her arms around her sister and Maria rubbed her back, letting her know he was there. Isla tried to channel Wanda, knowing she was the best at comforting her daughters whenever they needed it.

"What did I do wrong?" Y/n cried into her sister's shirt, holding on really tightly.

"You did nothing wrong. He is a dick who doesn't realise what he had when he has it," Maria spoke into her ear. "You're too good for him babe."

"Clearly I'm not if he went off with her!" She spat, lifting her head and catching Clint's gaze. "I just-" she let out a sound that was somewhere between a groan and a roar and Isla winced as it was right by her ear.

Maria suddenly turned her head, eyes bulging out of her head. "Hey Y/n, let's go to the bathroom. More privacy there." The redhead was still crying but protested, not feeling like she wanted to go anywhere.

"I can't. If I see him, I-," her breath hitched as she spoke, crying making it hard to breathe. "I don't know where it went wrong. He kissed me this morning! He told me he loved me, he promised to take me on a date later and now-" that was enough to cut her off from talking and her bottom lip trembled, breaking everyone's hearts around her.

Surrounding tables had turned to look away from Y/n towards the double doors at the far end of the room, everyone watching one thing.

Bucky.

He was strolling through the tables with his backpack on one strap on his shoulder, unsure as to why everyone was staring at him. But his determined steps were soon halted by Steve, who placed his hand on Bucky's chest to stop him.

But it was too late. Y/n had looked up and locked her eyes on him, seeing the boy she loved having forceful words with Steve, his brow furrowed.

She completely froze. Maria was trying to get her attention, as was Isla and the rest of the group, but she was glued to the ground. Her body wanted to run but her brain was in overdrive, emotions clouding every function and blocking out the rest of the world.

She could just see Bucky and she hated it. She didn't want to do it, but she retreated into Natasha's bad habits, ones she'd picked up when she was younger and watching her mother struggle on her bad days.

She hauled the wall up in her mind and blocked everything else out. She shrugged off her sister's hands, Maria's too, and adjusted her bag on her shoulder.

"I'm gonna go find Miss Potts. I need to talk to her about the English assignment." This time she didn't wait for a response, storming off down the cafeteria as far away as possible from Bucky as she could be. Students started whispering amongst each other as she passed, but she didn't hear. She didn't care. Not anymore. She didn't care about anything.

She had 20 minutes until the end of lunch, so she kept walking with no true destination in mind. The football fields were pretty empty so she climbed up onto the bleachers and settled with her arms crossed over her knees, resting her chin on her forearms.

She wanted to process, to think everything over but her mind was empty. She had made herself numb in an alarmingly short space of time. It was dangerous but she didn't know what else to do. She'd never been through a breakup before. Or been cheated on. Had never even opened her heart up to anyone like she had to Bucky. And there wasn't a doubt that she would ever do that again either.

She spaced out and time flew really quickly. Science as last period. A boring class but her friends were in it, so it wasn't too bad. Except now she didn't want to talk to anyone. But she didn't have to. She just needed to get through the day and then she could have her whole night.

Technically it was a dance night for Y/n, but she didn't even want to dance anymore. So she wasn't going to. Not tonight.

She made her way slowly to the science laboratories and saw the bright red hair of her sister in amongst the crowd. She didn't bother walking up to them, knowing they'd come to her. And they did, checking over her to see if she was ok. But Y/n just shrugged which frustrated Isla.

"Stop trying to play it off Y/n," she exclaimed, trying to get through to her twin. "I know what you're doing. And mom won't be happy at all." She leaned down to whisper that in her ear, which made Y/n's eyes suddenly lock on hers. "Don't give me that look. You know as well as I do."

"Then don't tell her." Her voice was dull and flat, a total change from her usual bright and cheery tone.

"Y/n don't be stupid, you know I have to do that." Isla looked at her sister for a longer moment, her eyes softening. "Don't shut it out. You know what happened-"

She was interrupted by their teacher calling everyone into class. Isla didn't finish her sentence, only squeezing her sister's hand before disappearing into her seat on the other side of the room. 

Maria sank into her chair, trying to act as normal as she could. She showed Y/n a funny video and made a joke about their teacher's bright green shirt. Y/n smiled but it was clearly fake. She felt bad for acting like this around Maria, but she understood why.

Her final classes went by quickly. She wasn't paying attention and her paper stayed empty from the beginning to the end. Maria slipped her an extra set of notes after watching how her pen wasn't even retrieved from her pencil case. As they walked out of class, Maria pulled Y/n into a tiny hug, not wanting to exchange any words.

Y/n knew the meaning of her affection and she secretly welcomed it, even if she wanted to push Maria aside.

"Text me if you need me, okay? And if I see that douchebag I'll..." she mimed a boxing action which made the redhead smile slightly.

"Y/n I'll give you a lift to dance." Usually Bucky took her, but there was no way she was even stepping foot anywhere near his car.

"I'm not going," she replied shortly, making Isla and Maria share a look. "I just want to go home."

"But Y/n-"

"I want to go home Isla. You can either drive or I'll walk." She adjusted her bag straps on her shoulder and turned away, marching down the hallway with her green eyes ice cold. Even the freshmen she usually smiled at were ignored and people skirted nervously around her.

"Fuck fuck fuck," Isla muttered, watching her sister walk away.

Maria placed a hand on her shoulder and nodded encouragingly. "Go. She needs you."

Isla hesitated, checking her phone. "Can you find Val? I said I would meet her-"

"I will. She'll understand." Isla smiled and then took off, her track history coming in handy as she sprinted off down the hallway.

- ⧗ -

"Y/n! Get in the car!" Isla had spotted the black hood of her sister walking down the sidewalk and she pulled over, driving along side her. But Y/n ignored her, keeping her head down. "Fucks sake Y/n! Get in the car!"

"Just leave me alone Isla."

"No. You can push everyone else away but you don't get to push me away." She checked the cars around her and shoved her own into park, jumping out and running over. "What happened to sticking together?"

"I don't care." That was the wrong thing to say and she knew it.

"Okay that's it." Isla grabbed her sister's arm and dragged her all the way back to the car, opening the door and lifting her onto the seat despite Y/n's protests to get away. It looked funny from the outside but neither of them were laughing. They were both pissed.

"Look, I get that you're mad," Isla began as she pulled onto their street, "but you cannot and will not get over this if you push everyone away." Y/n stayed silent, staring out of the window. "So talk to me."

"Please don't." Y/n really wasn't in the mood for talking; she thought that was evident. But her twin's persistent nature carried through strong, even if Y/n didn't break.

Isla had really tried to push to get information, at least something. But as she rolled into their driveway and Y/n had only sunk further into her seat with tears trickling down her face, she felt dejected.

"You won't be able to avoid it with Mom or Mama, you know. They're gonna ask- or I'm gonna tell them."

"Okay," was all that came as a reply before Y/n slammed her door shut and walked up the front steps. Isla watched her as a few spots of rain fell onto her windscreen. She puffed out her cheeks and let out a sigh before following the hunched figure, making sure to lock her car.

Wanda was in the middle of changing the bedsheets when she heard the front door close. She knew it was Isla and so didn't rush to greet her as a pair of feet sounded up the stairs. But they didn't come towards her, which wasn't unusual as the bathroom was in the opposite direction.

As she was replacing the pillowcases, a bright ringtone came from her dresser and Natasha's contact came into view. Wanda frowned but answered all the same, knowing she was calling from the middle of Y/n's private lesson.

"Hey Nat, is everything okay?"

"Is Isla home?" Nat asked as she chewed her lip, a rather annoying habit.

"Yeah I heard the front door go a few minutes ago. Why?"

There was a moment of silence before Natasha spoke again. "Is Y/n with her?"

Wanda frowned. Why would Y/n be with her? "I- well, I don't know. I haven't been down to check. But doesn't Y/n have dance tonight?"

"She does. But there's been no sign of her and Bucky's car hasn't pulled up either. And that girl won't answer her phone." She sounded worried and Wanda felt helpless. There wasn't much she could do to comfort Nat through the phone.

"Stay on the line, I'll go check." She opened the door and peered down the hallway, not seeing any of her girls. But footsteps up the stairs caught her attention and she spun around quickly.

But it was Isla. Not out of the ordinary.

"Hey sweetheart. Is your sister home?" Isla stared at her, eyes wide.

"Uh, yeah. I think she's in her room." Wanda eyed her suspiciously but turned towards Y/n's door. "Wait, I wouldn't disturb her yet. She's um-"

"What's going on?" Natasha asked as she heard Isla's quiet voice. The teenager grimaced and glanced at her sister's bedroom door before dragging Wanda back to her own room.

"Bucky cheated on her today," Isla said straight out, watching the colour drain from her mother's face and a string of curses came flowing from the phone's speaker. "But please, give her some space. She shut me out and if we push her she's only going to hide it more."

Wanda sank down onto her freshly made bed and placed her phone on her pillow, Nat still on speaker so her angry rant continued.

"- and I'll be home in 20 minutes. Yelena can sort the classes out and I'll cancel my privates for today-"

"Nat, no, you can't just leave the studio. They need you-"

"I'm a mom first Wanda. Our girls come first, you know that. And I don't like how Y/n is handling this so I will be coming home. And that's final." There was a jangle of keys before Nat hung up and Isla felt a fuzzy feeling in her stomach.

The twins really were lucky to have moms who would drop everything to go to them whenever they needed. Nat loved dance but she would give it all up for her family in a heartbeat.

"When did it happen?" Wanda asked, patting the bed beside her for Isla to take a seat.

The teenager pulled out her phone and got up the picture that made her stomach churn, holding it out for her mother to see. "She found out at lunch. But she did what Mama used to do and that scared me more than if she had been crying none stop."

Wanda placed the phone down with an unreadable expression and wrapped her arm around her eldest daughter's shoulders, kissing the top of her head. "She had you, even if she shut you out, you're her rock. I think just knowing you were there helped her more than you could know." Wanda's voice was gentle and definitely one of Isla's favourite sounds. Somehow she always knew what to say.

"She cried at first and it made me so angry I just wanted to protect her even more," Isla admitted, leaning into her mother. "And then he strutted in like the king of the school and I swear I could have punched him." Her mind flashed back to Y/n crying on her shoulder and Bucky's cocky face and her fist subconsciously clenched into a fist. Wanda noticed this and placed her hand on top, relaxing the tension straight away.

"She's lucky to have you," Wanda said with a smile as she kissed her daughter's head. "What do you say to ordering those cookies Y/n loves? To cheer her up?"

Isla smiled, nodding. "I think she'd love that."

Twenty minutes later Natasha walked through the front door with a box of cookies under her arm. She had intercepted them from the shy delivery guy who was more than happy to accept the large tip she gave him, accompanied by her terrifying scowl. Hearing Isla's news had put her in a foul mood and Yelena didn't dare argue when asked to cover the senior classes later on in the evening.

"Where is she?" She asked as she entered the kitchen, following the sounds of hushed chatting. Wanda stood up to retrieve the box and took Natasha's work bag from her shoulder, guiding her to a chair. Isla smiled and kissed her on the cheek which soften her glare slightly.

"She's still upstairs, my love," Wanda spoke softly and slipped behind her wife, rubbing her hands up and down the tense shoulders that Natasha wore. Her whole body was tense so Wanda's gentle massage made her let out a deep sigh. "We wanted to wait for you."

"She's less likely to bite your head off," Isla joked with a small smile. "I basically kidnapped her off the sidewalk so she's not too happy with me." Both women shot her a strange and look and Isla realised how weird her comment sounded. "She wouldn't get in the car... stubborn, you know?"

"And I know where she gets that from." Nat would have protested against her wife's comment but she was too into the massage for it to stop.

"I'll take her a cookie and see how she is. Being alone isn't good for that girl."

With a plate of three cookies in hand and a bottle of water in the other, Nat climbed the stairs to her room, her mind racing with different scenarios. Best case would be that Y/n would be crying on her bed. Worst case would be emotionless.

And there she was. Natasha's heart sank as she watched the shell of her daughter return to her bed after unlocking her door. Her cheeks weren't tear stained and she hadn't changed out of her school outfit yet. Her knees were pulled up to her chest as she leaned against the headboard and stared at a spot on the wall.

The framed picture of her and Bucky which usually sat on her nightstand was now tossed face down in a corner.

"Hey sweetheart," Natasha said softly, taking a seat on the edge of the bed. "Your mom ordered your favourite cookies." Y/n didn't move.

Nat scanned her entire body, the silence growing larger in the enclosed space. It unnerved her because this behaviour was such a contrast to Y/n's usual bubbly nature. There was always music playing whenever Nat came in her room, but now there was just a deathly silence.

"I heard what happened. How are you feeling?" No reply. "Y/n, don't shut me out please."

"I'm fine."

Nat let out a laugh. "Yeah, I can tell," she said sarcastically. "Talk to me lenya, it's okay."

Y/n gritted her teeth, digging the pads of her fingers into her knees. She didn't want to break, but the wall in her mind was growing weaker and Natasha knew exactly how to get through it. She'd learned her coping mechanisms from the best of course.

Nat could see it working. "Mama's here, you're okay. You can talk to me baby. Just let it out. What's going on inside that head of yours?"

That was the final straw. Y/n pulled her eyes away from the wall and found her mama's caring green ones staring back at her with love and compassion, and she cracked. Just one look at her mama and Y/N couldn't hold back anymore. She burst into tears and dropped her head to her knees, hiding herself.

Natasha moved quickly, sliding onto the bed beside her and and pulling her close to her chest, cradling her close. Y/n smooth hair was tangled but Nat ignored it and stroked her hand over it like she had done when her girls were babies. Three or seventeen, they were always her babies.

"I've got you, it's okay," were the words that Natasha murmured over and over. They didn't need to discuss what had happened yet. It was too soon. Y/N just needed her mama and a place to let it all out. Not that she couldn't do that with Wanda, but her connection with Nat was stronger. Wanda was Isla's rock, Natasha was Y/n's.

Nat couldn't help but let a tear slip down her cheek as she listened to Y/n's heartbreaking sobs. She could do nothing but let her cry, knowing that's what she needed. Blocking out emotions was Natasha's unhealthy habit and she kicked herself for letting Y/n learn it too. She encouraged her girls to let out their emotions, helping them do that if they needed.

Y/n choked out a sob and shuffled so she was hugging her mama's torso, looking for more comfort. "Aren't you supposed to be at the studio?" Always more worried about others, Y/n was selfless to the core.

"Nope. I'm supposed to be with my daughter who had a shitty day." Y/n smiled a watery smile and wiped her tears from her cheeks. "I left Yelena to oversee everything."

"That's a bold decision," Y/n said, her voice still shaky from crying. "But thank you."

"Oh my sweet girl, you don't need to thank me." She gently wiped a stray tear that had escaped down Y/n's left cheek. "You wanna tell me what happened?"

Y/n averted her gaze and looked at the dance company logo on Natasha's team jacket. "I got cheated on. It's stupid."

"You're right, he is stupid."

"She was really pretty too," Y/n cried, her tears appearing once more as the image replayed in her mind. "She's blonde and tall and probably everything he could ever want. I was dumb to think he'd be happy dating me when there are girls out there that look like her."

Natasha saw red. She hated negative self talk, but hearing it come from her daughter who was one of the most beautiful things she had ever seen made her furious.

Without saying a word, she got up from the bed and tugged Y/n to her feet, holding her steady as her head spun from crying. She walked over to the full length mirror on the wall and held her daughter in front of it, hands on her shoulders.

"You see that?" Natasha pointed in the mirror at Y/n's reflection. "That girl right there is perfect. She's so much better than any blonde girl who looks like a supermodel. You are beautiful, smart, thoughtful, funny, talented, this list would never end. Y/n Romanoff is perfect and you better remember that."

Y/n could barely see her reflection through the tears that had once again made another reappearance after her mama's speech. She tugged the hands on her shoulders so Nat's arms slipped in front of her and she had something to hold onto. Y/n pressed her cheek to Nat's forearm and leaned on it, feeling her mother hug her from behind.

"If I'm everything you say I am, why did he cheat?" She turned away from the mirror and looked up at her mother who's gaze softened as she cupped her daughter's face.

"Because men are shit," she stated bluntly. "Why do you think I married a woman? Why do you think Isla is dating one? Men are shit and he didn't deserve you one bit. You, my girl, deserve the very best. Not some immature high school boy who didn't realise what he had with you."

"I really thought he was the one," she said dejectedly. Nat kissed her forehead and brought her back to the bed. "How did he change so fast?"

"I don't know honey. But you don't need him anymore. My girl can find someone miles better than him."

"I don't think I want to date."

Natasha stroked her hand over Y/n's hair and reached for the bottle of water laying on the blanket. "Even better. Means I get you all to myself." She pulled Y/n into her side and held up the bottle for her to take. "Crying makes you dehydrated, so drink up."

Y/n took a few sips, feeling the cool liquid soothe her raw throat. She made sure the lid was on tightly before placing it on her nightstand. "Every time I see him in the hallway I won't know what to do."

"Unfortunately that will just fade with time honey. But you've got Isla and Maria who will be beside you at all times. They'll keep him away, you know your sister."

"Im scared she's gonna punch him."

Nat paused for a moment. "Part of me wants to let her, but I guess I have to be a responsible adult and talk her out of it." Her joke worked and Y/n laughed, smiling properly for the first time since lunch.

"Unless you want to be called to a meeting with the principal, then yeah I think so."

Natasha tightened her arms around her daughter and hugged her hard, breathing in the remains of her floral perfume. "You think you're ready to see Isla and Mom yet? They're worried about you."

As much as Y/n wanted to stay in that blissful moment with her mama, she knew she needed to see the others too. And also apologise to Isla who was only trying to help.

"If you'll help me talk to them?"

"Of course sweetheart. Of course."

[rebeliz7]

NAIVE

Wanda Maximoff x Avenger Reader

Word Count: 3837

Warnings: Betrayal

Thank you Van (aka @missmonsters2) for helping me by editing this, way back in the day LOL. 

…

It starts with a light-hearted comment from Bucky. 

He and Wanda formed a tight friendship at some point after he was found. He's always been thoughtful and quiet in a way that Wanda found comforting. They were good at sitting in silence and coexisting without being alone, and sometimes that was all they needed. 

You were a friend, not as close as Bucky but equally supportive and protective. You've never spoken about it, but Wanda knew that she could count on you whenever she needed you, and you have yet to let her down. 

"Right?" Bucky asks, the grin on his lips suggesting he already knows the answer to his own question. Wanda swallows thickly, her eyes catching yours across the gym fleetingly. 

You look away quickly, though, something Steve says catches your attention and makes you laugh. 

"She's cute," she shrugs, and although Bucky decides to focus on something else, the strange feeling in her stomach remains for the rest of the day. 

…

She starts seeing you in a different light. Maybe it's Bucky's comment that made her very aware of your smile, but she's suddenly enamored by it and the sound of your laughter. 

"Hey, Wands, want some ice cream?" You ask her as she approaches the dining table, where Natasha and Kate are also sitting. 

"Sure." She smiles, hands in the back pockets of her jeans and feeling more than a little vulnerable. 

It takes her a hot second to recognize that she's nervous--nervous about being close to you or talking to you. 

"Take a seat, babes. How was your day?" You smile, scooping some ice cream and offering her a small bowl with a tiny spoon. 

The gesture is friendly, but she still feels special under your momentary attention. 

"It was fine." She says, more focused on the color of your eyes and the smile on your lips than the ice cream itself. 

"That's good." You tell her, and she doesn't know what to say to keep the conversation going--so she says nothing at all. 

You go back to talk to Natasha, and Kate wastes no time in butting in, and Wanda's just there. She doesn't feel exactly out of place, but she does feel a tad inadequate. 

She should be talking too, you're all friends, and she's always gotten along well with Kate and Nat. But the sound of your voice and the distracting way in which you smile continue to throw her. 

…

She notices you more and more. It's innocent at first. You're beautiful, and everyone in the Compound seems to have a crush on you, so she's not entirely put off by her growing interest. You're a nice person; everyone knows it. 

"What about you, Miss Y/LN?" Sam asks during a friendly game of poker. 

Steve and Tony have been implementing two or three activities every week, a way to get to know each other better. So far, there have been movie nights, hiking, camping, and now it's poker.

Friendship is important in a team such as ours, Steve's always saying, and Wanda is inclined to agree with him. 

"Don't start with me, Sam." You warn him with an amused grin on your lips that Wanda inexplicably wants to kiss. 

She looks away quickly, the thought having startled her a little. Where did that come from?

"You're bluffing." Sam calls you out, and Natasha laughs, her own poker face falling as she sets her cards on the table. She folds. 

"She's bluffing, right?" Sam asks her, making Wanda look at you again. 

You're keeping your cards close to your chest now, a single eyebrow raised in her direction. Wanda's stomach sinks. You're so beautiful, and she's entirely stricken by the realization as if it were the first time she's noticing. 

"I have no idea." She says, and you wink at her as if there was a hidden joke between the two of you, and she feels special. 

"Girl's whipped." Sam laughs, and that catches her attention. 

"What?" She asks as Natasha smiles in her direction. "I'm not whipped."

Tony makes a whip lashing sound, and everyone laughs, making Wanda blush where she sits. 

"Natasha is too." Steve says with a boyish grin. 

"So are you." She tells him with a pointed look, and his eyes instantly meet yours across the round table. 

You pay them no mind. Wanda is almost convinced that you're not even aware that they're talking about you, or you're simply not interested in giving this conversation any attention. 

"Stop stalling, pretty boy." You tell Sam, and he hums to himself, his eyes taking you in before he sighs and drops his cards. 

"I'm out." He says, and you smile. Everyone else claps their hands, Natasha squeezes your shoulders, and Wanda claps too, completely distracted. 

"Bluffing, you say?" You taunt him before showing your hand. 

"A royal flush, of course," Tony says with only a little bit of jealousy in his tone. He was the first to fold, and you continue to be the solid poker queen. No one's ever beaten you. 

"You've got to be kidding me!" Sam picks up your cards as you swipe all the chips with a pretty smile on your face. 

The night progresses as it usually does. Beers are being passed, jokes being told, there's a lot of laughter, and Wanda enjoys herself to an extent. There's a part of her brain that continues to remind her that she wanted to kiss you earlier, though.

But you're just--you're just you. Everyone tries to gain your attention or sit close to you. Everyone tries to please you in some capacity, including her. 

It's more than your looks, what has them all falling over their feet, more than the pretty smile you always have for everyone. It's everything that you are. 

You're smart in a way that always leaves Wanda speechless. You're clever and articulate, even when you're upset. You always find the right words to speak without hurting anyone's feelings but getting your point across all the same. You're open; there's an inviting quality about you that makes the team want to be your closest friend. 

But then, of course, you're also incredibly beautiful, so much so that compliments are always raining your way. 

"You doing okay?" You ask her, sitting next to her on the large couch, while Natasha attempts to show Bucky how to properly hold a ballet pose. 

Everyone's laughing, and she's suddenly very aware of her silence--since she can't think of a single coherent thing to say to you.

"Yeah." She nods her head, nervously glancing your way and her stupid brain reminding her that she wanted to kiss you earlier again. "You?"

"I'm quite well. Take a look—Sam's already about to fall asleep." You point towards the next couch, where Sam is dozing off, and Wanda laughs awkwardly. 

"Still a lightweight." She comments as you sip your beer, the same one you've been holding the entire night she's noticed. 

"You'd think being in the army and all that testosterone would teach a guy how to hold his liquor, but nope." You laugh, and she's once again taken by how beautiful you are. 

"Yeah." She tries to laugh, following your joke, but all she can think about is how nice you look in white. The shirt you have on is loose and definitely something you wear to sleep, but the color makes your skin glow in a way that she finds absolutely gorgeous. 

"Y/N, please come collect your kids." Tony calls you, and you roll your eyes as you give Wanda a look. 

She can do nothing but smile at your reaction, and you squeeze her knee before you stand up. 

"What's going on?" You ask Bucky, and he takes a step back from Natasha. Natasha moves lithely towards you and wraps her arms around your waist as if looking for protection from the big bad Winter Soldier. 

"She's mean. She's a mean drunk." Bucky says, pointing at Natasha. You push Natasha away from you a tad, if only to look into her eyes. Natasha's not drunk, though—she never gets drunk. 

"We agreed." You remind her while Wanda looks closely at the interaction. 

"I know, I'm sorry." Natasha deflects, and you turn to Bucky, a serious look on your face. 

"Fine, I'm sorry too. We'll behave." He says, and Tony laughs, as does Pepper. You have them, metaphorically, eating out of your hand. 

"Whipped," Pepper says, and Tony makes the same whip lashing sound right after. 

"Uh uh." Natasha shakes her finger at Bucky, her free arm going around your waist again. "I'm not into sharing."

You laugh, and Natasha does too. It's a joke, but the phrase doesn't sit too well with Wanda. 

Are you dating Natasha? 

…

The question stays with her for good—the thought of you too. 

It's like one day she wakes up and finds herself infected with you. You're the first thing she thinks in the morning, and once you're in her brain, you're there to stay. 

She goes about her daily routine and can't help but wonder if you're already up and what you're doing. She goes to the gym and can't help but wonder if she'll see you there. 

When you're not there, she can't help but feel a little disappointed. But her day moves quickly, as does everyone's in the Compound. There's training, meetings, debriefings, and more training. 

She feels exhausted by the end of the day and craves a shower more than she craves air itself. No one said being a hero wouldn't be hard after all. 

She's on her way to her room when someone calls her name, and her stomach instantly drops. The sound of your voice hits her in the pit of her stomach; it's a sensation she's never felt before and one that makes her feel nervous and awkward to an extent. 

"Want some pizza, Wands?" You ask with a smile on your lips and a slice of pizza in your hand. 

"I was gonna go take a shower. I'm feeling kind of gross." She says with an embarrassed smile, but you're already walking closer to her. 

"By the time you come back, there'll be no pizza left. Plus, you look fantastic!" You tell her, handing her the slice you're holding, and she takes it with a blush on her cheeks that she hopes you don't notice. 

"Thank you." She says, and you bump her shoulder in a friendly way, and she feels--well, she feels special. 

"Come on. I ordered some wings too, I know you love them. I'll share with my ladies."

You walk with her back to the kitchen, but by the time you both get there, the entire pizza is gone. The boys are happily chewing while Natasha and Kate watch the scene with a grimace. 

"Ladies, follow me." You announce as you walk behind the counter and pull out a take-out container from one of the lower drawers. 

"Life saver." Kate touches her chest before she leans forward to kiss your cheek, and Wanda takes a seat in silence. 

"These are my favorites," Natasha comments as she goes for a wing, and you do too. 

Wanda watches you take a bite, and she has to look away when the feeling in her stomach makes her feel so uncomfortable that she can barely stand it. 

"I know they are, hon," You tell Natasha while picking up a napkin and cleaning her chin, where a little bit of sauce has spilled. 

"Thank you," Natasha replies, winking in your direction, and Wanda's stomach sinks again for the reason that she refuses to overthink.

Not that her brain listens.  

…

You're the first thing she thinks about when she wakes up now, and it becomes an unconscious habit of sorts. The thought of you comes to her mind effortlessly, as easy as breathing and it always comes accompanied by the weird feeling in her stomach that makes her feel as if she can't breathe.

It's just a crush, she tells herself. You're definitely crushing material, and there's nothing wrong with her feeling this way. 

It's a crush, and it'll go away. 

…

The crush does the exact opposite of going away. 

You're everything she can think about, and she has no idea of how to get closer to you. 

It all changes one night, though. 

She can't sleep, and she decides to go for a walk, the Compound is big enough, and she's done it before. She's walked through every corner of it; she's come to know every hidden ladder that leads to the roof and Tony's secret wine cellar. 

But tonight, something's different, not that she can put her finger on what that is exactly. She takes the stairs down to the first floor, and the silence is what tips her off. 

As she walks through the main lobby, she realizes that Friday hasn't said a single word to her since she left her bedroom. Usually, Friday would be asking her questions by now, keeping her company.

Suddenly on high alert, she rounds the corner to the main security area, and she sees you. 

All the red alarms in her head are quickly replaced by that same feeling in her gut and chest. You're talking amicably with the tech guy that oversees the security systems overnight. 

You see her, and she comes to a halt in the middle of the wide-open lobby. You smile, and she feels like melting right where she stands. 

"Wands." You smile, walking towards her quickly. "What are you doing up? It's so late."

You're wearing combat boots and skinny jeans, a black top, and an open denim jacket--a look that she's never seen you wear before. She's certain that she's never seen you wear that top. 

"I was just--walking." She tells you, and you reach out to tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear. Your fingers graze her skin, making her shiver, and you notice. 

Of course, you notice, just like you've noticed every other single reaction she has towards you. 

"You mind if I join you?" You ask her, and she can barely breathe. 

She can't answer verbally, so she nods, and you caress her cheek with the back of your fingers as you pull back your hand. A subtle action that can definitely be taken as friendly. After all, you don't want to scare her, or worse, tip her off. 

"Are you cold?" You ask her after noticing she's only wearing an oversized shirt. 

She's still trying to get her breathing back to normal, the ghost of your touch still lingering on her cheek and preventing her from thinking straight. 

"I'm fine." She tells you after catching the look on your face and remembering that you asked her a question. 

"Here." You stop walking and take off your denim jacket. 

"It's okay, really." She tries to intervene when you move to drape the jacket on her shoulders. 

"I insist." You tell her with a smile that quite literally steals her breath away. "Denim suits you, Miss Maximoff."

You fix the collar of your jacket close to her chest, smiling as she blushes right before you. You're cute and beautiful, so beautiful that she can barely think, let alone speak. 

It's ridiculous! You shouldn't have this much power over her. You two aren't even that close, but the more she looks at you, the more her brain shouts things that she's never thought about before. 

She wants you happy. She wants to see you smiling. She'd like to know everything about you, everything that you're willing to share; she wants to know it. She'd like to go wherever you go, and she'd like to see the world from your perspective. 

You're still smiling as you admire your jacket on her, and she tilts her head to the side in a sign of endearment. You're so cute, and she can't stop staring. 

She'd never hurt you. She only ever wants to love you and take care of you. She doesn't know you that well, but she wants to, but the universe, it seems, is not giving her an option.

If you give her a chance, she'd make sure that you never regret it. 

"You okay there?" You ask her after a beat, and she swallows with difficulty. Her face burns with embarrassment, and she nods her head quickly. "How about that walk?"

You smile and offer your arm for her to take, and she nervously does. 

It's not long before you're telling her about your time as a rookie in S.H.I.E.L.D. and Melinda May kicking your ass daily as your S.O. She finds your journey so interesting that by the end of the walk, she knows the names of most of your friends at S.H.I.E.L.D.

That's the first night she sleeps with your jacket on. 

…

You begin to spend more time with her. She refuses to ask if you're dating Natasha, especially after you both act like a married couple.

She doesn't ask because the thought of you with someone else--guts her. If you were to tell her that you and Natasha are an item, she knows the feeling that would take over her--she knows the feeling all too well. 

And maybe she's being naive. Maybe the more time she spends with you, she's just opening herself up to more inevitable heartbreak. Whatever the reason, she doesn't want to cut the time the two of you have finally begun to spend together short. 

It doesn't matter anyway because even after Natasha joins whatever conversation you're having, you still make sure to stay by Wanda's side, and she feels, well, she feels special. 

…

The late-night walks become a regular thing. Wanda would meet you in the lobby, where you'd wait for her with a smile that seems to be reserved only for her. 

There are many times when she's almost told you everything she feels for you, but something always holds her back. She's afraid to lose you, and she doesn't want to gamble with your friendship. 

… 

You kiss her one night. One second she's greeting you in the empty lobby, and the next, you're kissing her. 

She loses her breath, her entire body tensed, and for a moment, she feels like she's freefalling. But she opens her eyes and finds your gentle stare on her, waiting for a verdict as if you'd done something wrong. 

"But Natasha?" Is the first thing out of her mouth, and you place your hands on her waist, pulling her a little bit closer to you. 

"She's just a friend." You tell her, and she chuckles, the smile on her lips threatens to split her face in two, and you think she might be the most beautiful woman you've ever gotten to kiss. 

She's certainly the most beautiful target. No doubt about it. 

…

She's in love with you, so much so that she's completely blind to things that you know she's been trained to see. 

…

Tony believes they've been infiltrated. Recently he's found a code on Friday that he's certain he didn't write himself. 

Everyone is on high alert, but things go on as they usually do. Tony rewrites the coding, and Wanda continues to fall for you. 

You take her out on dates, and Natasha keeps her distance, though she does glare playfully at Wanda from time to time. Now Wanda laughs at her antics, reassured by the way you're always touching her in some capacity. 

She becomes increasingly addicted to the way your hand finds a home in her lower back whenever you're close enough and the way your slender fingers move to delicately fill in the gaps between her own. She becomes a junky for your sweet kisses and the way your hands sneakily touch her bare skin under every shirt that she wears. 

You always look at her adoringly and chuckle before running your nose across her cheek as you kiss her face. She'd wrap her arms around you then and giggle at having you happy, which is all she ever wanted. 

Your late-night walks become a habit that always ends in her bedroom with her under you, moaning and groaning your name over and over again like a breathless prayer meant only for your ears. 

Each day that passes by gives her something else to fall for you, and she collects these moments, these aspects of your personality, like a treasure. She's never felt as safe as she does when she's with you. She's never loved as fiercely. 

"You trust me?" You ask her one night when you're knuckle deep in her, and her bottom lip is caught between her teeth. 

"Yes," she moans as you brush your thumb over her clit and her nails dig a little deeper on your shoulders. 

"You love me?" You ask her, adding pressure on her clit and sinking your fingers a little deeper. She yelps, her stomach tightening and her throat running dry. 

"Yes," she gasps as she pulls you down and kisses you a little bit desperately. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she knows that she's being too vulnerable, but she still feels safe with you. 

"You sure you trust me?" You ask her again, and the look in your eyes has an earth-shattering effect on her; it always does. 

She comes around your fingers with a strangled gasp of your name, and you kiss her lips one last time before you bend to pick up your phone from her nightstand. 

She's still catching her breath when you return to her side with a little pill between your fingers. 

"What's that?" She asks as you twirl the pill, and she scoots closer to you. Her lips kiss your face, her hands pull you closer. 

"I love you too, you know." You tell her, and she hides her face in the pillows, laughing and blushing, and you think she's the most beautiful woman you've ever slept with. 

The most beautiful target you've ever gotten. 

"Take this." You offer her the pill, and she looks at you with a little apprehension. 

"But what is it?" She asks. 

"You said you trust me." You remind her. 

"I do." She nods as you roll on top of her. 

For such a powerful being, she's still just a girl staring into the eyes of the first person she's ever loved like this. 

"Show me." You tell her.

… 

Leaving the Compound with Wanda in the middle of the night proves to be by far the easiest part of your entire mission. But pretending to look for her when you return? That is by far the hardest thing you've had to do when you know exactly where she is and who asked you to get her.

Eric assured you she'd be safe, and you know better than to question Magneto himself. She's no longer your concern.  

… 

[sosa2imagines]

I know where I belong. Part 5

----------------------------------------------------- Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 ----------------------------------------------------- Warnings- Fluff for everyone, tiny mention of Steve -----------------------------------------------------

You had gotten over the pain, Steve had caused you. Talking about Steve, ever since he came back to the tower, he had been sent to back to back missions, and miss Sharon was busy to rise up in her career. Good for you though, you didn't have to see them much or hear their stupid moans.

Now it had became a daily basis thing, for you and Bucky to spend the nights together. You mostly spent time with Bucky, Nat, Wanda, Sam and Tony. You guys had become a happy little family.

Bucky made sure you are in good health, mentally and physically. You went for runs together, meditated together, practice your skills together. But little did you both know, that both of you were finding it difficult to control yourself, around each other. Bucky was still stuck on the idea of going to Wakanda, meanwhile you kept every trainee, any girl except for Nat and Wanda as far as possible away from Bucky.

Now spending time with Bucky felt different. Staring at Bucky would make you feel heat in your body, your stomach did do summersaults whenever you got slight touches by him. Bucky would often tease you about your blushing, and you would awkwardly laugh, and he found that cute too. And good lord have mercy on shirtless days, you blamed anything possible, but nothing made sense.

So on a very boring night, when you both were sleepless and had nothing to do, you teased Bucky to sing, and he did, by playing Bruno Mars. "Can I have this dance with you mam?" he bow down offering you his hand, you laughed at his antics, clearing your throat "Well yes kind sir" you took his hand and he began to swing you both, humming to the lyrics "I ain't playing no games Every word that I say is coming straight from the heart So if you tryna lay in these arms I'ma leave the door open" and with one last swing you crashed into his chest. His arms wrap around your waist and he pulls you closer to him until the two of you are pressed tightly against each other "Bucky" you whisper, your breath fanning out across his face. He licks his lips "Y/n" his breath hits your lips and you whimper softly. Just as he leans down, someone clears their throat.

It was Steve giving you both a hard glare. Bucky ignored him and took your hand and went out of the room, without giving Steve a chance to say anything. But that didn't stop you from thinking about the attempt of kiss, what would have happen if you both had kissed? Will it change your friendship? Would you be more than friends? Stupid Steve! ruin the moment. Little did you know, Bucky was thinking the exact same thing. Stupid Steve!

Both of you were red, from the earlier situation, and the fact that you are still holding hands. On the way to your unknown destination, you heard noises coming from the lab. It was Tony, on rare nights he would crash in the tower. "I'll wait for you in the kitchen. Bucky tells you, you nod and go to meet Tony.

"Hey Tons" you whisper and Tony yelps in shock, "Jesus have mercy on me!" putting a hand over his heart. "What are you doing here? Why aren't you home?" Tony tried to scoff, but when he saw your death glare, he gulped "Pepper and I had a fight" he said it casually as if telling you the local news. "What? why? what did you do?" you ask him. "Why do people assume it's me whenever something happens?" "I don't know maybe because you are Tony Stark?" "Damn right, anyway we were supposed to go out tomorrow, and I forgot, I tried to fix it but the babysitter is not free tomorrow" he quickly tells you, seeing you were about to open your mouth. "I will look after her" you offer. "You will?" he asks with hope in his voice. "Yeah me and Bucky can babysit, we don't have any missions or paper work." you tell him. "Tin man will be okay looking after Morgan too?" Tony smirks "Apart from you?" "Tony!" you warn him and he rolls his eyes playfully. "But really you both can babysit her?" "Of course, I miss my goddaughter" Tony gives you a big brotherly hug "You are a life savior!" "Anything for family" you smiled at him.

"So what are you doing all alone, terminator is sleeping?" You glare at him, and Tony mock surrenders "Fine Barnes" "He's in the kitchen" you blush thinking about Bucky which is not unnoticed by Tony. "Late night dinner date?" " About that, I need your advice" "I'm all ears, tell me" he wiggles his brows looking at you curiously. You tell him every single thing from, when you started to feel jealous, to not feeling anything for Steve, all the way to tonight, you guys dancing and almost about to kiss. "Stupid Steve" Tony scowls. "That's what I said" you both high fived each other.

"But don't you think I'm falling for Bucky too soon?" "Y/N it's ok not to feel anything for Steve it does not mean you didn't love him, it only means you have moved on, you had pain, but now it's time to gain, it's ok if you are falling for Bucky, and you are blushing hearing his name", yes you were blushing, every single time when Bucky crossed your mind you did blushed a lot. "Plus no offence if the idiot golden boy can cheat, you can definitely move on, take your time Y/n feel this new beginning, now go to your man" Tony advices you.

"Marriage and parenthood has made you smart, I love you Tony" before Tony can say anything you gave him a quick hug "Bring Morgan tomorrow and go to sleep" with that you left to go find Bucky leaving a speechless and smiling Tony behind.

When you enter the kitchen you saw Bucky sitting at the dinning table with his head down. You sat across him and grabbed his hand.

He looked at you with a sad smile. You gave his palm a light squeeze "Y/n I didn't meant to make you feel awkward.." "You didn't make me feel awkward Buck, we have been dancing around our feelings far too long now. We need to talk" Bucky nodded, you both just sat across each other, holding hands and staring at each other, before opening your mouths in unison. "I think I'm falling in love with you" "I think I'm falling in love with you"

You both looks at each other wide eyes, and Bucky spoke first "Y/n I don't know when I started to fall for you but..." he was nervous to speak and he started to fiddle with the fabric of his sleeve, you hold his hand making him look at you "Bucky even I don't know, how or when I started to fall in love with you." by this time you both had tears in your eyes. "Y/n you are trying to move on and I have no doubts about you, but I don't want to take advantage of the situation" "Bucky I don't even know when I stopped thinking about Steve. He no longer lives in my heart or mind Buck, you do!" Bucky's head snap towards yours, hearing your confession, a tear roll down his cheek, while you tried to blink the tears away, but failed miserably.

"Doll I don't think I have a heart, all I know is pain" "Bucky do you know why you feel pain?", Bucky shook his head no to your question, making you chuckle a bit even though your tears were flowing down. "It is because when you have a heart then there will be pain, and when there is pain then there will be heart too, and with that you will feel other emotions too, but most importantly you'll feel love." "It's a sweet difficulty isn't it doll?" "Yes it is, but we can over come together" "Doll I'm scared, I don't want to lose you and our friendship" "Bucky, even I'm scared, I don't want to lose you and our friendship, but looks like I'm in love with my best friend" you cried and Bucky jumped from the table coming to your side, he crouched down and took your face in his hands "I love you Y/n" and with the confession, Bucky kissed you, softly but passionately. Then he rested his forehead on yours, "I love you too Buck", you both chuckled, tears turning to sniffs.

"Doll go on a date with me tomorrow" "I would love to but not tomorrow" "Why?" he pouts, you kissed his pout making him blush "Tomorrow we are babysitting Morgan" he looked at you to elaborate more, you shook your head "It's a long story Buck" "I'm not sleepy" "Then I'll tell you"

----------------------------------------------------- Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 ----------------------------------------------------- (Part 5 is here lovely people, I hope you all enjoy. Please as always comments and feedbacks are appreciated. If you have any requests let me know. Pretty soon we will get rid of Sharon, just hang in there. 😅❤️) -----------------------------------------------------

[olderthannetfic]

Nothing is more disappointing than clicking on a fic for your OTP and it turns out to have what I call OC Stand-In Syndrome, wherein Character A and Character B have had their backgrounds, personalities and motivations changed alongside plopping them in an AU setting to the point where their names are just about the only thing tying them to who they were originally.

To use an example from a fandom I am not in now but saw a lot of this in when I was, take literally any MCU ship. Stony, but Tony and Steve are in the 1950s and Tony is a shy emotionally damaged Omega uwu and Steve is just a nice guy but not the badass who canonically would fight you for more or less any injustice you committed in front of him. Were their names changed to Antonio and Stefan, you would not recognize that they were supposed to be Tony Stark and Steve Rogers at all. Or it's Stucky, but it's a modern day AU and Bucky is a banker who falls for barista Steve and neither have any personality traits in common with their original namesakes outside of being I guess nice and arguably friendly with each other, though of course in addition to their childhood friendship being erased, so has their poverty, plopping them both into comfortable middle class backgrounds often with supportive living families, making them unrecognizable as far as origins go. Clintasha but Clint is a CEO of a company and Nat is a secretary with no dark backstory and they've never met until one day their soul marks activate and they go on a series of dates where they reveal personalities, backstories, interests and desires that do not match canon Clint and Nat to the point where you don't know why these two were chosen as the named characters.

If you want to write original fiction, by all means, go for it. Write your 1950's A/B/O M/M romance with an emotionally broken, shy uwu boy and his skinny sexy chivalrous Alpha. Write that coffee shop M/M middle-class-without-the-uncertainty thing. Write your busy workaholic cutesy secretary who fate has wed to a CEO and aaaah she's so nervous aaah why is this so awkward. Those are things with audiences who will love them and were they not presented to me with the names of other characters on them, I might like them, too.

But when I go looking for A/B fic and I just find a fic with a character borrowing Character A's name and they're into a character borrowing Character B's name, my thought isn't, "Wow, what a great A/B fic!" it's "you must've accidentally used find-and-replace to put in the wrong names on your OCs".

I got out of Reylo for exactly this reason. I like Reylo. I don't like the latest Sad Girl OC with a different backstory and either much more wallflower or viciously snide personality (depending on what the author thinks is cute/cool) and Sad Boy OC who lacks the rage issues, familial issues and ongoing flaws that make Kylo interesting.

And now it's creeping into my latest fandom and I'm just so tired. Please, I just want to read fic of two characters, not two of your OCs who you haven't named yet.

--

They probably find their portrayal IC, but yes, this often irritates me too.

[notafunkiller]

People are already hating on the bucky and yelena ship? I mean at first I wasn't sure about it but the more I think about it I think it's cute. I will never understand people shipping bucky with Steve or Sam, they were just friends! It's also funny how they have no problem shipping straight male characters with other males but oh no don't ship yelena with a man that's not aloud wtf?

PLEASE, I am so tired of this shipping police. They hated Bucky and Yelena when the cast was announced even!

They were upset with people making Bucky x Yelena videos when Black Widow came out too just because people were excited to see Sebastian's Bucky and Flo's Yelena interracting. So many fans who want them together are staying silent on social media to avoid hate.

So basically for them it's okay: to ship Bucky with Sam or Steve even though there is no hint at all Bucky is even bi, let alone gay (especially since he was seen on dates and flirting only with women till now), to ship Kate and Yelena, WinterWidow despite MCU Nat and Bucky having no romantic connection (timeline + characters' storylines + chemistry speaking would have made 0 sense anyway)...

And of course, let's not forget they keep saying Yelena is aro (as if some aro people don't date btw) despite the fact her creator debunked this on Twitter here. Wanting representation is wonderful, but this is not my point.

They also bring up Bucky and Yelena's ages, and they are wrong again... What huge age gap, though? Cause there are around 3 years between them, and to be honest, Yelena "lived" more than him.

2024 physically speaking (and without the snap) she is 30/31 (born in 1988/1989) and Bucky is around 33.

We can't count the age in cryo or the snap since he did not live his life.

This would be Bucky's timeline (if the calculations are wrong, he'd be still be at least 31 and max 36)

(I don't count the snap in Yelena's age either)

I talked more about this whole ship shaming phenomen here.

Bucky and Yelena are so similar but also different, they are protective and kind and confused... they feel guilty and lost and they udnerstand each other on another level. Thry would not gold each other back and they could learn and build things together. They are both stubborn and very loving. They both let themselves be definied by something and need(ed) to learn how to snap out of it (+ losing Natasha and Steve). Yelena wanting to live in New York...

There is a lot of chemistry and I think a friendship/companionship changing into a relationship would be great for them.

I made some parallels between them here and here.

I find this hate r-i-d-i-c-u-l-o-u-s!

[themculibrary]

Stucky + Samtasha Masterlist

Are You Lost In Paradise? (ao3) - dameronpoetry E, 54k

Summary: The one where Steve and Bucky are both actors who meet on the Evening Show with Clint Barton. They fall for each other hard - as you'd expect - but things get in the way - though no one falls off any trains.

This is a tale involving motorcycles, cuddling, disgustingly cute emails, terrifying Russian actresses, heartbreak, snarky New Yorkers, ridiculously convoluted plots between interested parties, and maybe, just maybe love.

Dude, Where’s My Pants? (ao3) - debwalsh steve/bucky, natasha/sam N/R, 3k

Summary: In which Steve wakes up with the man of his dreams in his bed ... but apparently that’s his crush’s worst nightmare.

What happens in Vegas may spell the end of a beautiful friendship.

It’s a good thing Nat and Sam aren’t going to allow Steve and Bucky to get away with not talking about what happened ...

Family Placement (ao3) - notlucy E, 88k

Summary: Steve Rogers had a train ticket in hand and the chance to begin again after losing everything in Brooklyn - his father, his mother, the comfort and familiarity of home. Going west meant the opportunity to become his own man and stake his claim on the wide, flat prairie.

Then, of course, there was Bucky Barnes.

Fire Alarms (ao3) - starlight_starbright E, 11k

Summary: Something sets the fire alarm of and, thankfully, Steve forgets his room key.

I literally cut myself out of my pants. Waste. Of. Money. (ao3) - relenafanel M, 6k

Summary: Hey friend of Sam’s can I get an opinion on this outfit? Bucky texted, attaching the selfie taken in Sam’s bathroom mirror.

He received an answer almost immediately. Bucky was almost expecting a lecture, or at least a concerned question about who had stolen Sam’s phone.

He got neither.

New text from Steve: What do you want it to say?

Or: Bucky strikes up a flirtation with a stranger over text message in the month leading up to Valentine's Day.

Laughter Lines (ao3) - drmcbones M, 100k

Summary: Bucky Barnes is a rising Hollywood star with a tragic past and a reputation for driving his bodyguards away. Steve Rogers is a veteran with the same tragic past and the need to get back out in the world. The two of them have been estranged since they were teenagers, so when Steve joins SHIELD as a bodyguard, he is less than thrilled when he finds out that Bucky is his first assignment. But how bad can it be? They're both professional adults, right?

Wrong.

Murder on the Dancefloor (ao3) - 74days T, 3k

Summary: After getting over a bad relationship, Steve is taken out for a night on the town by his best friend Sam. However, when he sees his ex on the dancefloor with a much hotter guy, Steve decides to grab the nearest guy and make out with him. It's actually a really good decision - if you don't count getting thrown out of the club.

Poltergeists (ao3) - enemyofrome T, 17k

Summary: When the helicarriers blow up and the Winter Soldier goes on the run, he takes Steve with him. He's got a name written in Morse code on the inside of his arm, a ton of questions he doesn't know how to ask, and now, a new handler with absolutely zero sense of self-preservation to contend with. Life is hard.

In which Bucky tries to figure out whether he's a human being, Steve does everything he can to keep from losing him again, and there are lots of explosions.

Shoot a Hole into the Sun (ao3) - keire_ke, PR Zed (przed) T, 28k

Summary: It was Nat who'd noticed the pattern. Every afternoon at exactly the same time, Steve and Barnes would share a heart-in-their eyes-hug, and then moon over each other at a table in their favourite coffee shop in the Tower.

Sam and Nat spend their afternoons making fun of the old people in love. Which maybe isn't the smartest thing in the world when they just might be in love themselves.

The Daily Rogers (ao3) - Nonymos E, 32k

Summary: College AU. May contain exchange students, a Starbucks addiction, daddy issues, anger issues, closets and how to get out of them, the ever-ominous influence of social networks, various levels of betrayal, awfully poor life choices, but also, ultimately, real chunks of love.

The Right Way to Fall (ao3) - Taste_is_Sweet T, 41k

Summary: He's just scruffy enough that most people would avoid eye contact in case he asked them for change. But his eyes are startling blue and stark and wild, and he looks at Sam and Sam looks at him, and yeah. Turns out he knows where Bucky is after all.

Except, Sam reminds himself, this isn't Bucky. This is the Winter Soldier, who's gone completely, absolutely still like an animal trying to decide whether to attack or run. And Sam is suddenly, terribly aware of all the people around them: all the tourists and the kids on their field trips; all the families with their babies and toddlers; all the sentimental fools like him come to visit Captain America on an overcast Wednesday afternoon.

But Sam has also seen that expression on the men and women who come to his counseling sessions. He's seen it in the mirror more times than he cares to count. He knows that kind of fear and pain, just like he knows that the man who was once James Buchanan Barnes could have already killed him. Killed as many people as he wanted to, and run.

He could have, but he didn't.

Through a dark night, without a sunrise, love will tell us where to go (ao3) - LunaCanisLupus_22 E, 126k

Summary: “I know you,” he says faintly.

“Yes,” the man agrees without looking up. “I’m Captain America.”

That’s no it. That can’t be it. There’s something more. There’s something-

“No.” The declaration is persistent now. “I know you.”

Or the one where Bucky doesn't remember being Bucky or the Winter Soldier but ends up a little too interested in Captain America anyway.

Welcome to the Jungle (ao3) - neversaydie E, 44k

Summary: "What do you think about guy-guy scenes?"

He was too self-conscious to act, modelling didn't pay enough, and time out of school for the medical trial that fixed his body had left him barely scraping a pass on his GED. He shared an apartment with a burlesque dancer, and she'd talked him into it over a weekend and way too much tequila.

Three pictures and one embarrassingly short amateur jerk-off video later, and here he is.

"Gay scenes?"

His mom can never find out about this.

[Porn Industry AU]

When Life Gives You Lemons (ao3) - starbunny G, 9k

Summary: Steve's idea of a simple life consisted of two things. First, drawing and taking art commissions whenever he pleased, and second, taking care of his wonderful garden. 

What it did NOT include was: Having the local wildlife unanimously decide that his garden was the greatest sanctuary ever, attracting the attention of the mysterious species of humans known as 'The Avengers', or starting a war with a cunning raccoon that destroyed everything in Steve's garden, then learning that the raccoon was not really a raccoon after all and Steve should have really known better. 

What has become of his life?

[valkyrieandstrangeridingaragorn]

Hi!! Today I was wondering about the overwhelming prevalence of "shipping fics", particularly when those two characters are portrayed as close friends in canon (or at least they are said to be close friends in the narrative).

Close friends? No, they are romantically (and sexually) involved. Without fail. Because clearly that's the only way two people can be that close, or be so determined to help each other. (rolls eyes)

It bothers me that close friendships are never "just" friendships, whether it's male-female or between men or women. It also bothers me that two characters who share even a little or a lot of screentime are lumped together romantically. I'm thinking of ships like Stucky, SamxBucky, IronStrange, even Stony (before the whole CACW thing).

Why is shipping so prevalent?? What am I missing? (Sorry that it feels so very vent-y...)

Honey, you're sending this to someone who has never shipped before so... hell if I know! 😜😂

Seriously though, I think it's a combination of things. Romance has always been a huge part of the narrative so it makes sense that many fics will include that. I used to think I didn't like it but I realized eventually what I didn't enjoy was a story where the characters are not written to be anything more than each other's loved ones.

It's one of my pet peeves when it comes to Steve and Bucky, for instance. I don't ship them (although I do find Stucky super cute), but I hate it when they're paired up romantically and nothing else defines them. Everything Steve does is for Bucky, or everything Bucky does is for Steve. As if they're not fully developed, complex and wonderful characters on their own. I'm not a fan of it in fics but I despise it passionately in metas.

Then there's the amatonormativity angle that impregnates pretty much everything. All that "unless it's romantic, the relationship is not valuable" has done a lot of harm. So I'm not surprised that many people will see two characters who are friends in canon (like Steve and Natasha, Nat with Clint, Carol and Maria, Sam and Bucky) and want their bond to be stronger... so they pair them up.

PS1. Just to make this clear, I'm not saying I have an issue with people shipping or writing whatever they want. By all means, go ahead! There are tags to navigate through that and whoever doesn't like it has to curate their experience, it's not the job of the creators to do so. That is very clear.

PS2. You can vent in my inbox whenever you want, by the way. Free range, it's all yours! 😉

PS3. Don't get me started on the IronStrange or Stony ships. I might combust.

[bulkyphrase]

I posted 3,155 times in 2022

68 posts created (2%)

3,087 posts reblogged (98%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@sersi

@pegsccarter

@captainjimothycarter

@margarethx

@dailymarvelgifs

I tagged 3,103 of my posts in 2022

Only 2% of my posts had no tags

#steve rogers - 546 posts

#sam wilson - 242 posts

#dracula - 192 posts

#eternals - 188 posts

#catws - 177 posts

#natasha romanoff - 166 posts

#moon knight - 157 posts

#catfa - 135 posts

#peggy carter - 115 posts

#star trek - 109 posts

Longest Tag: 132 characters

#but there i am reading screenwriter blogs like someone who is going to be tested on the process of selling a screenplay in hollywood

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

Gen Fic Friday

This week’s rec is a wonderful Nat and Maria friendship fic.

Counterfeit and Counterpart by Frea_O (Teen, 28,013 words) tumblr: @freaoscanlin

Summary: Five times Maria Hill doesn’t understand Natasha Romanoff, and why she might be better off that way.

For older gen fic recs, see the Gen Fic Friday Masterpost

18 notes - Posted April 15, 2022

#4

I made a set of resin avengers coasters!

21 notes - Posted August 4, 2022

#3

Steve Rogers and Robots - a fic rec list

I love Steve Rogers and I love robots, so here are my favorite fics that fall into the intersection of that particular Venn diagram. These are stories where Steve is a robot, Steve is a cyborg, or Steve is in a relationship with either.

I'm always looking for more fics with this premise, so if you've got a favorite that's not on this list, please let me know!

A Moment with the Director by Not_You (Gen, General, 1,458 words)

Summary: For a kinkmeme prompt, inspired by the 'Happy Birthday David' Prometheus marketing video. All the Avengers are different makes of android. Fury is the director of SHIELD, the company that makes them, and has come down to meet the new prototypes.

Failsafe by Not_You (Gen, Teen, 5,880 words)

Summary: The story of one Natashabot.

Out Of The Ring by Not_You (Gen, Teen, 5,078 words)

Summary: Steve is just glad not to have to hurt people anymore.

See the full post

22 notes - Posted April 8, 2022

#2

I stitched up a little Sam Wilson Captain America from the super cute pattern by @rebelmeg

46 notes - Posted February 11, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

Winterhawk Rec List

I don't post much about this ship, even though I love it, so have a rec list!

Afterimage by mariana_oconnor (@mariana-oconnor) (Teen And Up Audiences, No Archive Warnings Apply, 26,351 words)

Summary: Clint Barton's seen ghosts since he was a kid and they've always been the same: hollow empty things, right up until you draw the circle and light the candle. These days, he uses that talent to earn a living. After a seance goes wrong, he meets a ghost that isn't like the rest, a young man going by the name Bucky Barnes, who died in the Second World War. Confused by how Bucky manages to stay so aware, when other ghosts fade away, Clint goes looking for some answers.

Also available as a podfic read by GhostCwtch tumblr: @ghostcwtch

Be All You Can Be by flawedamythyst (Teen And Up Audiences, No Archive Warnings Apply, 45,554 words)

Summary: Clint had a horrible, sinking feeling. “And, by ‘go in’, you mean…?” Hill gave him a beaming smile. “You’ve both enlisted in the US Army, boys. Time to be all you can be.” Clint was aware that he'd been acting like a dick since Barnes joined the Avengers, but it felt like the asshole had taken over everything that Clint contributed towards the team and left him feeling useless. He couldn't help wondering exactly when he was going to be officially replaced and lose the closest thing he'd ever had to a real home. So of course SHIELD decided to partner them together for a long-term undercover mission in the US Army. This was going to be hell.

See the full post

62 notes - Posted November 23, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[janeykath318]

Mission: Marriage Chapter 2

Natasha twirled the ring on her left hand, contemplating her new status. She still almost couldn’t believe she’d gone through with it, and there was a lot she and Steve would have to talk through, but her gut was telling her very strongly she’d made the right choice. A few years ago, she would have scoffed at the very idea of marriage, but after the brief relationship with Bruce, she’d started to think it might not be such an impossible idea after all. Bruce had been a very good listener and very sweet about the things she’d confided to him, but he turned out to not be ready for anything serious. She suspected that Betty Ross had something to do with that.

She wandered into the kitchen where Steve was happily making breakfast, flipping pancakes with ease and frying bacon to the perfect crispness.

She snatched a piece and took a seat on the stool across the counter from him.

“Morning,” he greeted her. “Sleep okay?”

“Unusually well, thank you. And I see I got myself my own personal cook now.”

She popped the bacon in her mouth and gave him a thumbs up.

“Perfect. You have the makings of the ideal house husband. Is there anything you can’t do?”

Steve grinned one of his bashful smiles.

“Plenty. Hopefully, nothing deal-breaking though. I can’t sew or change your oil, and my laundry folding skills are somewhat lacking.”

Natasha chuckled. “I think I can manage to put up with that,” she teased. “My clothes organization skills are nothing to write home about and the only time I cook is when I’m actually trying to poison someone.”

Steve straight up laughed at that and she couldn’t help but smile. He was too cute when he laughed, head thrown back, eyes crinkling and hand clutching his chest. If she was around that a lot, she just might be very smitten.

“Good to know. If you cook for me, you’re trying to rid of me.”

His expression turned more serious and he leaned over the counter toward her.

“Nat, I want you to know if you ever change your mind about this, well, us……..I would face anything rather than having you be miserable. And if the accords get repealed or I get pardoned, well, you wouldn’t have to stay in the marriage if you didn’t want to.”

“That’s a lot of ifs, Steve,” Natasha answered gently. “I think at this point the chances of one of us dying are greater than us being miserable together. We may fight sometimes, but I could never be mad at you for very long, even when you’re at your most stubborn mule.”

“Same,” Steve admitted with a fond smile.

They contentedly enjoyed the pancakes for the next few minutes and Natasha allowed herself to revel in the domesticity of it all. It didn’t hurt that Steve’s fabulous arms and chest were shown off gloriously by the tank top he wore.

Afterward they shared dish duty and chatted about the monumental events of the previous day.

“You think word’s gotten out yet?” he asked.

“It’ll probably get out this morning,” she sighed. “I’ll have to brace myself to deal with Tony. He’s gonna be so annoying.”

“Definitely,” Steve sighed, with a shudder and a haunted look that said a lot. “Since he won’t speak to me I’m guessing that’ll fall on you. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be,” she told him reassuringly. She knew how hard the friendship break up had been on both of them, even if they wouldn’t admit it. “I’m used to handling him and if he still misbehaves, I’ll get Pepper involved.”

“If that doesn’t work, nothing will,” Steve agreed. He had a lot of respect for Pepper Potts. Lord knows the stuff she’d dealt with.

“Any plans for the day?” she asked him casually.

“Other than spending time with my wife, no,” Steve said, giving her another one of those slightly uncertain smiles. “Might do some sketching.”

“Sounds like a nice day,” she agreed. “Holing up here is going to be our safest bet once the headlines start rolling in.”

She grimaced as she heard her phone ringing relentlessly.

“Ugh. I’d better check that. Wanna bet on how many calls I take before I shut the phone off?”

“Knowing how little you suffer fools, I’ll say five or under,” Steve replied. “Let me know if I need to use the Captain voice on anyone. I may not have the shield anymore, but I can still talk the talk.”

Natasha shot him a grin as she headed for her room.

She could handle the nosy callers easily, but even the Black Widow appreciated back up.

[whatshername86]

The Protector

The Protector 

Summary:   Natasha x Reader are in a relationship.  But Natasha starts to pull away.  Flirting with another team member.  She crosses a line and loses the reader.  When the reader returns, will Natasha get a second chance?  Or is it too little too late?

(Word Count 7122)

(Warning:  Bad Writing)

Have you ever felt the urge to just stay in bed?  

Felt like the alternative is just too daunting to even conceive…

That is how Y/N has felt for the last six months.  

Not to say that Y/N’s life was perfect before.

But these last six months just doesn’t seem to be worth it.

 Two years ago, this was a different story.

Y/N had started dating the one and only Natasha Romanoff.  

Everything was going great.

The both of you planned cute little dates in secluded locations, met for lunches and coffee breaks, planned outings around each other’s schedules, prepared for missions together, and trained together.  Most importantly you both were there for each other.

Y/N was warned by her co-workers not to get involved with the Avenger.  

That she was cold.  

That she had something already going with a teammate.

Back then Y/N didn’t listen.

How could Y/N turn Natasha away, when she asked Y/N to dinner one stormy afternoon?  Those green eyes shining with mischief and anxiety while she awaited Y/N’s answer.

Natasha told y/n from the very beginning that she wasn’t interested in anyone else.  That there were rumors about her because she is constantly surrounded by Alpha Males.  It was always misconstrued that she must be dating one of them.  That the public saw a story of the all-American hero’s getting the girl.

Y/N believed her.

Why wouldn’t she. That was then…

However, Y/N started to see a different side to Natasha when Y/N got transferred to the Avenger’s strike team.  Y/N relocated from her regular S.H.I.E.L.D. extraction group that she led.

That was a little over eight months ago.

Y/N thought the transition would bring Natasha and her closer.

Y/N was born with the ability to create a physical shield around herself and others.  It also made her skin impenetrable.

The mutation made Y/N one of the original candidates for the Avengers.  The offer was declined because Y/N didn’t want to be in the spotlight.

Over the years Y/N had worked with the Avengers in small doses prior to the transfer.  There wasn’t a lot of one-on-one interaction.  

What Y/N did notice was…They always had this aura though.  Y/N couldn’t pinpoint what it was until it was too late.

…

THEY WERE ALL ASSHOLES!

Well not counting Tony.

Clint was always to over involved in Y/N’s relationship.  Y/N let it pass because that was Nat’s best friend.  But it’s gotten to the point that he acts like he has a right to feel threatened.  Like he is the only one allowed to be so close to her.

Y/N and Wanda never really disliked each other but they didn’t go out of each other’s way to hang out.

Vision followed Wanda’s lead.  Enough said.

Bruce was constantly sending longing glances Natasha’s way and glares over to Y/N.  What really took the cake was last night.  

Bucky & Sam were always flirting openly with Natasha.  Something that she didn’t discourage.  

Telling Y/N that it was all harmless.

Steve by far is the worst.

Apparently before we started dating Natasha had been fairly close to Steve.  The group thought the two were dating type close.  He automatically had it out for Y/N.  He had even said point blank to Y/N’s face ‘Why would she choose you?’

Steve really can’t let anything, or anyone go.

Tony was a delight. Y/N and Tony felt like two outsiders. Always called into action and expected to perform perfectly.  If there is some sort of silver lining from this whole experience, it’s Y/N’s friendship with Tony Stark.

Natasha well… Y/N had never been so disappointed in her life.

Once Y/N was transferred, she found herself on missions at an alarming rate.  It seemed that once she returned, she was being called right back out.  These types of missions weren’t even her specialty.  There was no real reason for her to go.  Other than the fact that Steve kept assigning them to her.

Y/N could deal with the lack of sleep, the beaten down body and the snide remarks from the Avengers as long as Natasha was there upon her return.  

Nevertheless, after two months of the same routine, Y/N had noticed Natasha pulling away.  It was little things at first.  Then came the missed dates.  The empty bed.  Natasha hasn’t touched Y/N in six months.  Not even a friendly pat on the shoulder.

What does Natasha do you may ask?

Well…

She sleeps in her own room now, she stopped sitting next to Y/N during meals, no more training sessions, no more cuddles, no more love…

Instead, she seems to be giving that all away to Steve.

It all reached its boiling point last night.  

“Y/N had just walked out of the med bay after Banner refused her treatment.

Y/N might have bullet proof skin.  But her body can still break down when exhaustion hits.  Bones can still crack.

Banner didn’t even have the time to look up from his ipad.  Upon entering the exam room, he stated that he couldn’t help Y/N.  That she should just go to bed.

After that Y/N stumbled out of med bay.

Y/N was already fuming when she entered the lounge area on her way back to her room.  

Y/N paused when she, heard laughing.  A breathy laugh that Y/N would recognize anywhere.  The flirty laugh that Y/N thought was only reserved for her.

But here she was in the shadows.

Natasha on the couch with Steve, her giggling while he was planting small kisses on Nat’s neck.

Y/N would like to say that she was surprised by this turn of events but that would be a lie.  She wasn’t stupid.  She had noticed the two getting closer.

Y/N put on her best resting Bitch-Face before clearing her throat.

‘Is this what you’ve been doing while I’ve been away this whole time?’

The two Avengers nearly snap their own necks with how fast they turned their heads.  Natasha’s face had turned pale.  She slowly extracts herself from Steve’s arms as she stands.

Y/N holds up her hand to stop whatever excuse is about to leave Natasha’s mouth.  ‘I don’t want to hear it.  I tried to be patient with you and everyone here’  

Y/N shakes her head. Giving Steve and then Nat a pointed look before stating ‘You’re just not worth the effort any longer.’

Natasha started saying something.  Y/N could no longer hear any of the words coming out of Nat’s mouth.  She no longer cares, and her heart is pounding so loudly in her ears.  Whatever love she had for Nat is completely gone.  Honestly it started diminishing when Natasha started turning a blind eye to the behavior of the team towards Y/N.  Along with her encouraging whatever relationship Steve and her had going on.

Y/N turns around and starts heading out of the room.  But before she clears the doorway Y/N looks back at Natasha.

‘If it wasn’t clear before.’

Gesturing between the two of them while standing a crossed from each other.

‘We’re done.’

And with that Y/N left the red head.  She can still hear Natasha calling out to her.  But she is just too tired to care.”

After last night Y/N knows that she can no longer stay here.

Y/N had been planning on transferring for a while.  But had held off because of her relationship.  

That doesn’t mean she didn’t start gathering intel and making plans for herself.

With a little help from Tony and Friday, Y/N was able to gather enough evidence.  

Y/N gets to leave the Avengers with a giant F U.

And with that Y/N starts her day with a little smile.

She has a room to pack.

 Three Days Later – Avenger’s Compound

Tony is sitting at the head of the table as the rest of the team trickles in.  On his left side are two lawyers and on his right side is Fury. Hill is standing not too far away but still off to the side just behind Fury.  A few agents are hanging around outside of the room and security has moved closer to the conference room as a precaution.

He knows that this is going to be an unpleasant meeting for most of the group.  But it isn’t undeserving.

Still a little too late, truth be told.

What they put Y/N through was uncalled for.  Professionalism was out the window.  He was sorry to see her go but he couldn’t really blame her for leaving.  

This team had become toxic and entitled.

This event may be the change that is needed to wake everyone up.

The spider is the last to arrive.  Slinking into her seat next to Barton and the furthest away from Steve.

Possible trouble in those still waters.

…

Tony is just here for the show and tell portion of the meeting.

The real performers will be the two lawyers and Fury.

Rogers sits straight on the opposite end of the table.  Flanked by Barnes and Wilson.

Everyone is looking around the room.  

Most likely wondering why we have two newcomers.

They don’t have to wait long when… Fury raps his knuckles on the table to gain everyone’s attention. ‘Before I begin Mr. Burnes and Mrs. White have a few things to hand out to a few members.  Without further ado we should begin with Mrs. White.’  With a lift of the chin Fury directs his attention to the female lawyer.

The middle-aged attorney introduces herself as a representative of the Board of Medicine for the State of New York.  She grabs a stack of papers and sets them in front of Banner before beginning.

‘Mr. Banner it has come to our attention that you have withheld care from a patient, this is in direct violation of your Hippocratic Oath that you vowed upon completion of becoming an active medical physician.’

‘Due to your neglect a patient was not diagnosed.  And could have been suffering grave injuries.’ She pauses briefly before proceeding, ‘Furthermore, I am here to inform you that an investigation is pending to review your actions.’

Nobody in the room dared to interrupt the woman while she spoke.  Tony could see a lot of confusion on the faces of the team.

They didn’t have a clue what she was talking about.

It’s a shame that everyone was so self-involved to have not realized a teammate was in pain and hurt on multiple occasions.

‘While we gather our evidence for the case, I am officially serving you with documentation stating that until our investigation reaches a not guilty verdict you are hereby suspended from practicing medicine in the state of New York.’

‘If you are found guilty. Then your license to practice will be revoke’

Bruce has turned slightly green in the face.  Fury and Hill moved their hands under their coats most likely to grab some sort of tranquilizer gun.  

Tony also started playing with his gauntlet.

Bruce looks up to Mrs. White with an unbelievable look on his face while he asks ‘Who exactly did I not diagnose?’

Mrs. White sends a shark like smile Banner’s way and says ‘Come now, Mister Banner.  That will violate confidentiality and patient privilege.’

Mrs. White waves a hand at the documents in front of Banner, before continuing…

‘If this does go to trial then you will have a right to face your accuser.’

‘That now concludes our business regarding the Medical Board.’ She picks up her briefcase before nodding her head to Fury and her fellow attorney.

After a few silent moments for Brucey-Bear, he seems to have calm down from his near Hulk-Out.  He still has a pale-green tint to his face though. But it doesn’t look like he’s about to erupt.

Fury points to attorney number two.  

…

Now this will be Tony’s favorite.

A man in his late sixties stands.

‘Good Afternoon Avengers. I am Mr. Burnes’ he says as he moves around the table.  

He’s moving counter clockwise and away from the team physically.

‘I am an Attorney working in the Human Resource and Legal Department of the Avenger Initiative.’

He raises the pitch of his voice before continuing.  ‘Contrary to popular belief the Avengers are like any other employee or employer.  You each receive a pay check, medical, retirement and a human resource packet upon joining the Initiative.  In this packet Equal Rights of the Employees was a clear document that you all would have sign.  Along with a professional conduct clause.’

‘Evidence has come to our department regarding a very serious matter.’  ‘Abuse of Power, misuse of one’s authority over others, hazing violation, harassment and lastly physical & verbal abuse.’

You could hear a pin drop in the conference room.  

It took 30 seconds for the team to process what was just relayed before the explosions started.

After a few minutes. Tony looks down and notices that it’s been close to five minutes since the shouting started.

Steve leads the charge. Practically jumping over the table. ‘What evidence?’

‘This can’t be right.’

Mr. Burnes turned to Tony and motioned to the projector in the middle of the table.

‘Ladies and Gentleman. I typically wouldn’t play such evidence but I have gotten permission from the abusee.  It has also been publicly shared within the S.H.I.E.L.D. agency since they took part in the investigation.’

‘Mind you this isn’t all the evidence, just a small taste’

And with that Tony hit the play button on his tablet.

‘What the videos showed was the complete disrespect Y/N had to endure while on the team.

Snide, petty remarks from Clint, Barnes and Wilson.

Wanda and Vision looking the other way when Y/N was getting harassed.

Y/N being clearly uncomfortable.

Steve assigning mission after mission.  The dates displayed on each assignment.  Clearly showing the none existent down time.

Bucky and Wilson sabotaging Y/N’s gear prior to missions.

Bruce ignoring Y/N groaning in pain when he was the mission’s doctor.

Natasha doesn’t say a word through all of the footage as she witnesses the treatment of Y/N. Looking the other way every time Y/N enters the room.  

Natasha joking around with Bucky, Sam and Clint after they practically destroy Y/N verbally.

The final frame is a clip of Steve bragging to Bucky that he has kept Y/N away long enough now. That Natasha was his girl again or about to be.  Practically tickled pink when describing the last couple of dates, he’s had with Natasha while Y/N had been gone.’

As the projector slides back into the table.  

The room is completely silent.

Wanda and Vision have their heads down in shame.

Clint has locked his jaw, still gazing straight ahead.

Wilson and Barnes aren’t making eye contact with anyone else in the room

Steve’s face has turned bright red.  From anger or embarrassment, Tony can’t tell.

Natasha looks sick.

Mr. Burnes explains to the rest of the team that these incidences are under investigation.  Due to what his department has gathered so far, each member of the team is now under review.

Additional group class or reeducation for the team has been ordered.  Possible lawsuits due to the violations could be a potential result. Burnes continues on and describes why each and every one of these actions is a violation of the Avengers code of conduct.  Also, if pushed criminal charges could be brought against the team.

With that Burnes hits the bricks.

 As the door closes behind Burnes.  Fury throws a folder into the middle of the table.

‘Regrettably I’m to inform the group that Agent Y/N has resigned from the Avenger Initiative.’

‘Effective immediately’

He takes in the room.

‘It isn’t very surprising considering what was shown’

Fury turns his one eye to Steve and states ‘Rogers you are no longer team lead’

Steve stands up to argue. ‘This is my team.  I have always led it...’

Fury cuts him off and glares him down

‘You can’t be trusted to lead a team any longer.  What you did to Y/N violated the position that you were placed in.  You could have gotten her killed countless times.  The reason for your neglect and actions was to move in on her girlfriend.’

Fury sits down and leans back and states clearly

‘Your judgement is compromised.  And since the lot of you can’t act like adults then I’ll treat you like the children that you are.’

‘A new field commander will be selected if necessary.  Until then Agent Hill will now lead the team from command.  All decisions regarding tactics and personnel will now be filtered through her, and her alone.  Out on the field, Stark will take lead.’

‘S.H.I.E.L.D. will also be reviewing the team members for possible alternative placements.’

Fury and Hill share a look.

Hill continues on ‘The team is suspended while the pending review.’

‘Most likely you will all remain on the team’

She looks at the agents right outside the door ‘Y/N is very much a beloved agent.  She saved a lot of agents over the years.  The inner agency now knows what was done to her.  So don’t expect a pleasant greeting.’

… ‘You are all dismissed’

With a flare Tony smoothly stands up and breezes out of the room.  He makes a mental note to send a copy of the meeting to Y/N.

That should provide some entertainment.

A Few Days Later – At the Compound

Another lab day for Tony. These have been happening a lot recently.  Being around the team has been intolerable.  

Maybe a vacation is in order.

In the middle of tinkering with a new helmet prototype, Tony hears the lab doors open.

He finishes up before spinning around, having expected to see Vision.  Tony nearly falls out of his chair when it’s Natasha standing in front of him.

She is wearing a hooded sweatshirt and pajama bottoms.  Her hair is a mess and she has bags under her eyes.  He is also pretty sure that she smells but has no urge to get any closer to her to verify that theory.

After a few awkward seconds Tony breaks the silence ‘What are you doing down here Romanoff?’

She shuffles around in place.  Stuffing her hands in her hooded pockets before asking ‘Do you know where she is?’

Tony lets out a cruel laugh. ‘Of course, I do.’

‘I am her friend Afterall’

Natasha nods her head because she knows that it’s true.  Tony was the only member of the team that gave you a chance.  The only one that treated you decently.  

While everyone else was either giving you a cold shoulder or going out of their way to make your life hard. Y/N had retreated to Tony’s lab for comfort.  Comfort that Nat should have been providing.

Only if she wasn’t a coward.

She had fallen back into old habits.  Bad habits.

You were just so giving with your love, time, and affection.

Natasha didn’t know how to accept such dedication.  

When Y/N first joined the team, she had seen some of the looks you received, heard the comments and knew that Y/N was putting up with all of that in order to be closer to Natasha. Y/N was so patient with those around her.  And none of them were deserving.

Natasha knew that you would have stuck it out.  

But she’s a poison.  

She needed to push you away, in order to save you from herself.  

She looked the other way. She was distant, neglectful and just plain mean and uncaring in her outward appearance.

Natasha started flirting again in order to deliver the final push.  

She never expected Steve to eat it up and run with it.

Looking back on it maybe she should have seen Steve for the man he truly was.

…

Years ago, he would stutter and turn red when she was flirting with him.  No relationship ever came out of anything.  The kiss at the mall while hiding from Hydra was the most physical intimate moment that they ever had together.

Imagine Natasha’s surprise that night in the lounge.  It had started getting out of hand, slowly but steadily.  She had of course noticed that Steve was eating up the attention. He would puff up every time Y/N would enter the room.  Almost like he had won a prize.  Natasha knew she should have cut it off a long time ago.  Regret and Shame kept her going.  In her head her actions just proved how toxic she was.  And her intentions were true.  She was saving Y/N after all.

That night she had just started to get uncomfortable and was about to shove off of the couch when Steve started kissing her on the neck.  The only thing she could do was release a nervous giggle.

She should have known there was a line that had been crossed.  A line that once crossed she couldn’t return from.

When she finally realized this, it had already been too late for Natasha.  

Y/N had seen the position, and that was the end.  With everything else going on, she could see the once love in Y/N’s eyes were no longer reflected towards her.  

Natasha would never cheat. But what argument did she have with you.

She had been flirting for months.  Allowed Steve to believe he could get that close.  Allowed Steve to kiss her on the neck.  Stopped sharing a space, left the room they had occupied.  Changed her schedule in order to make it easier to avoid Y/N.  Went out of her way to appear close with Steve.  Allowed the others to put Y/N down, to abuse Y/N.  Allowed the others the chance to get in-between their relationship.

And she did this in some misguided attempt to protect Y/N.

But none of it was worth losing you.

Now it’s too late. You had left.  And you are in a better place for sure.  Because any place has to be better for Y/N than here.

‘I just want to know that she is alright’

Tony studies her for a minute, before Natasha says ‘I don’t deserve to know where she is but I just want to know that she is alright, somewhere safe.’

Tony shakes his head ‘Why should I tell you anything Romanoff.’

‘You were the worst one out of everyone to Y/N.’

‘You were the one in a relationship with Y/N.  Just to turn around and practically throw yourself at Rogers.’

Natasha starts to get teary eyed and says ‘Don’t you think I know that.  I was doing it for her.’

‘BULL SHIT, Natasha. How was anything that you did for her’

He points a finger at Natasha and states ‘Everything that you did was for yourself!’

She backs up a few paces.

‘I didn’t deserve her and will never deserve her.  The team didn’t deserve her.’

Turning to leave. Knowing Tony isn’t going to help her.

…

Tony yells out.

‘Have you ever heard of a self-fulfilling prophecy?’

‘You need help Natasha. If you ever want to be ready for a love such as the one Y/N gave you.  Then you need some professional help if you ever thought what you did was for her.’

She doesn’t have any response to that.

…

 Five Years Later

Y/N wakes with a fist to the mouth.

Jolting further when the sun hits her face.

She forgot to close the blinds in her new room last night.

Looking down at her sleeping companion.  She is still in awe at the sight.

Little Rye has been the light of her life since she laid eyes on the little brunette.

‘A year ago, Y/N was performing a search and siege of a known hostile human trafficking ring in Eastern Europe.  The ring was working out of an old abandoned apartment building.  

Once all of the combatants were taken down, y/n began to assess the victims.  

The ring’s cycle for the children was to ship off the smaller ones to underground testing facilities or child predatory rings.  The older children were being relocated to prostitution rings around the continent.

After transferring out of the Avengers, Y/N joined a collaborative cross agency endeavor.  The group is made up of S.H.I.E.L.D., MI6, CIA, Military and other agencies.  The purpose of the group is to investigate, track and eventually take down crime rings that cross between borders.  The investigations usually center around drug & arms smuggling, human trafficking, child pornography rings, terroristic groups and other large-scale crime syndicates.

A broken-down apartment is where I met Rye.  She was the baby of a teen prostitute that died in child birth.  The leaders of the ring didn’t see the purpose of bringing in a doctor while the mother went through birthing her baby, and she soon bled out.  

Little Rye was being cycled back into the dark and violent ring.

I had scooped the little squirming infant up into my arms as we were clearing out the building. She was just a few days old. Still alive against all odds.  But she was so small and barely moved in Y/N’s arms.

When she opened her eyes and looked up at me that first night.  I knew I was hooked.

I didn’t have the heart to pass her to another agent.  I could never claim to have had a particularly Motherly instinct embedded in me.

But Rye shot me like a bolt of lightning when our eyes connected.  A buried natural instinct to nurture and protect was awakened.

There was no way I could part with her.

I wanted to protect her, love her and watch her grow.

She became my world. And I became hers.

I made a vow to always put her first later that night.’

Which brings Y/N to her newest transfer.  

It was a hard decision. Y/N loved her work with the collaboration teams.  It was her place, she belonged there, and she was making a difference.  

But with little Rye now being in her life, she couldn’t take the long hours and traveling away from home.

So, with a heavy heart Y/N started looking for employment elsewhere.

In the end Tony came through for her.

They had remained close even after Y/N left the Avengers.  Y/N was even the godmother to Tony’s daughter Morgan.

Tony and Y/N had bonded further over the years over the mutual venting sessions about the Avengers.  

Tony had provided updates over the years and a lot had changed with the Avengers since Y/N left.

Steve was no longer the team lead.  

He could never shake the fact that he had risked Y/N’s life for his own selfish desires.  The S.H.I.E.L.D. strike teams refused to work with the captain.  The trust between the captain and agents had been burned one too many times.  Leaving him with partaking in Avenger related, world ending missions only.

Bucky & Wilson were both selected to transition to support roles, search & rescue and the occasional raid.  Working alongside STRIKE teams and law enforcement groups.

Clint went back into retirement.

Wanda & Vision hung around the Avengers lifestyle for a few more years but realized they wanted a steady home and peace.

Bruce was found guilty of patient neglect and his medical license to practice was revoked.  He still remained on as a scientist. Research and development only.  He is no longer allowed to work with or on humans in any medical capacity.

Natasha had taken Tony’s words to heart and went into therapy.  She didn’t really go out on missions any longer unless absolutely necessary.  She now dedicates her time with her sister and training the new generation of Avengers.

Tony had finally married Pepper and had a beautiful baby girl.  It’s safe to say that his Avenging days are over.  The public can still see him promoting the next generation.  He has taken on a mentorship role within the group.

During Y/N’s job search Tony put a plan together to bring Y/N closer and provided a new alternative with a different technical related combat job.

He knew Y/N would work any job available but wouldn’t be happy with just a normal job.  Still being heavily involved with the development of the New Avengers allowed him to create an opening that would fit Y/N’s skill set.

Mission Coordinator.

The job included all of the benefits of working normal office hours, and coordinating the execution phase of a mission.  Making sure that all of the T’s are crossed before deployment.

It was a perfect fit for Y/N.  

The only downside being that it required relocation to New York in order to work out of the compound.

And putting Y/N into direct contact with the original Avengers when the missions required their presence.

Y/N would be working along side Assistant Director Hill for the most part, presenting mission plans to the team during staging.

…

After years of reflection Y/N had come to the conclusion that the original Avengers were just a bunch of insecure and petty individuals.

Clint felt threated by Y/N’s role in Natasha’s life so he took it out on Y/N.  He made it his mission to get between Y/N’s relationship by inserting himself in every aspect.  The snide comments became harsher the longer the relationship lasted.

Wilson & Barnes were practically Rogers’ shadows & cheerleaders.  Natasha being with Y/N had thrown a wrench in Steve’s ideology of him being right & good.  And the good man always gets the girl.  With that thinking Y/N must have been the problem that needed to go.  Assaulting Y/N physically and verbally should have never been a step for either of them.  

Bucky had been emotionally stunted for years as the Winter Soldier.  He relied on Steve for guidance when it came to morality.

Sam had little excuse. He was once a counselor that fell into the trappings of the Legend of Captain America.  

Bruce was longing for Natasha to be his.  Y/N became an obstacle.  He had no ground to stand on.  Ignoring Y/N altogether was the solution in his mind.

Wanda & Vision didn’t want to make waves or be seen as going against the majority within the team.

Steve wanted Natasha no matter the cost.  Selfishly putting others at risk.

Lastly, Natasha didn’t know what she wanted.  Instead of ending things she chose to play a game.

Y/N would like to say that she is a forgiving person but in all actuality she’s not.  The team never really gave her a chance and each of them contributed to a very dark spot in her life.

That’s not saying that Y/N isn’t going to be professional when at work.  Just not friendly.  She doesn’t plan on going out of her way to interact with any of them.

Today is Y/N’s first day in the office.  She bought a house fairly close to Tony’s and the compound.

…

Rye was still getting used to the new environment so she has been extra clingy since the move.  

She’ll be spending the day with Morgan & Pepper while Tony and Y/N go into the office for introductions.

Morgan and Pepper adore Rye. Relocating has provided Morgan with a playmate; she couldn’t be happier.  Pepper and Tony still rotate SI duties so they alternate the care of Morgan between each other.  

Rye should be comfortable with Pepper for the day. Morgan can provide additional distraction.

After getting Rye settled in with the Starks.  Y/N & Tony arrive at the compound.  Only a few key people knew that Y/N had taken the position and started today.  The new lead of the Avengers Carol Danvers, Fury, Hill, Rhodes and the group of agents that will be working under Y/N are the only ones that had been informed of the new hire.

Y/N made Tony and Hill relay the history between Y/N and the old Avengers before taking the job.  She didn’t want any surprises to arise later. Danvers was very understanding of the situation and stated that her leadership style was completely different.  And the past conflict between Y/N and the original group wouldn’t become an issue.

The original members didn’t have an overwhelming role any longer.  In the event that the original members still carried animosity towards Y/N then a different mission coordinator or member could be swapped.

As Y/N walks the halls of the new compound she doesn’t feel nostalgic like she thought she would. The compound is so different than it was before.  The new design is more in line with a combat training academy than the Avenger’s only training facility and housing.

It had the feel of a learning campus verse a members’ only frat house.

New Job, New life…

Two Weeks Later – Avengers Compound

 Yelena came crashing inside Natasha’s apartment with Fanny hot on her heals.

Natasha just sits back while the chaos factory whirls around the room.  

It’s sisters’ night now that Yelena has returned from her mission after being away for a little more than three weeks.  With a leash in one hand and a bag of food in the other Yelena finally spots Natasha with her book on the couch.

This is a new routine for Natasha.

Part of her therapy was finding closure with her past.

A large portion of her guilt centered around abandoning Yelena all those years ago when she defected to SHIELD.  Leaving her behind.

It took some time but Yelena eventually forgave Natasha.  Yelena still holds some insecurities.  The cracks will always be there but at least those cracks have been patched.

Natasha over time changed her relationships.

She had gotten into the habit of relying on others for emotional direction.  Clint was her compass since the very beginning.  That granted Clint with a lot of longitude.  It put a lot of pressure on Clint always trying to guide Natasha in his mind.  When Natasha started relying on him less over the years, he became almost territorial, possessive of his role.  Instead of being encouraging he would be unsupportive or indifferent.  Laura and Natasha had to sit down with him and explain that boundaries needed to be set.  But Clint would always have a special place in Natasha’s life.  He would always be her best friend.

Tony and Natasha had become a little more friendly over the years but it never went anywhere beyond polite inquires or small talk.

Natasha refused to speak to Bruce for a long time.  Him withholding treatment from Y/N just propelled Natasha into an ocean of guilt and anger at herself.  How many times had Y/N been hurt and Natasha didn’t even notice?  A spy didn’t notice when her girlfriend was in physical pain.

When she finally confronted Bruce regarding his failure to do his job.  She found out that the core of the withholding of treatment was his feelings and hopefulness towards Natasha and his relationship progression.

Which is another thing Natasha blames herself for.  She flirted with everyone on the team.  With the exception of Vision.  That was her MO.  That was what was always expected of her.  The famous Black Widow, sexy, alluring, flirty, she was every man’s fantasy. And sadly, she fell into her own hype, the myth of the Black Widow.  People had expected these traits from her, and she met those expectations.  She would flirt, touch, and wink at all of the men and women in the near vicinity.  She played a points game in her head.  1 pt for a blush, 1 pt for a stutter, 2 pts for a nervous look around, 5 pts if they stumble away and 10 pts if they try to ask her out.

When she was in relationships, she would try to key it down, however that shadow of the widow persona was always there.

The trend though was when she started to get comfortable in a relationship then the flirt would come out to drive a wedge.  Every time it was the same pattern.

This also caused issues with Barnes and Wilson.  Both would eat up her attention.  Both were natural flirts.  Both felt more manly flirting with a pretty woman.  Both didn’t know when to stop.  And both were eventually set straight regarding there comments and behavior.

The sabotaging of gear in the past now requires each member to have special permission to enter the equipment room or armory.  

What really cause a change in them both was relocation of each.  Without Rogers to hide behind they both had to grow up.

Rogers…

Still tried to pursue a relationship with Natasha after Y/N left.  

He just couldn’t understand that she didn’t want him.  A hot-blooded, strong, attractive male.

It was the worse mistake of my life entrusting anything to Rogers.  Without the leadership role in the Avengers.  Steve attempted to lead a different group without much success. With Danvers we had a capable team lead and with-it Steve’s chance of returning to a lead position within the Avengers were crushed.

Natasha and Steve had an all-out fight after Y/N left once everything came to light.  They had to be physically separated.

Steve originally tried to play that it was all taken out of context, but with all the mission logs as further evidence there wasn’t much weight to his argument.

Over the years Natasha has thought about reaching out to Y/N.  To try and be at least a part of her life in some way and apologize for the mistakes that she had made in their relationship.  

To at least explain.

They were friends and co-workers before becoming lovers.  Natasha found relief in knowing that Y/N was doing well.  

Y/N had found something deserving in Natasha years ago.  It was Natasha that had proved that wrong with her actions.  Who was she to question Y/N.  Y/N was one of the most intelligent people that Natasha had ever known.  Instead of voicing her doubts.  Natasha actively found ways of pushing Y/N away.  And because of this Natasha will always wonder what could have been.

What would have happened if she was brave?  If she had set boundaries?  If she stood up for Y/N?  If she looked deeper?  If she didn’t find a need to flirt?  If she just let herself feel love and return that love without fear?  If she let go of the fabrication of the Black Widow persona? If she didn’t take things too far?

What could have been between them?

Would they be retired, living in a home together?  Would you had been married by now?  Would you have been happy with Natasha?  Would you and Yelena become friends?

If only…

What would have happened to the team?  Would they have still took out there frustrations out on Y/N, if Natasha had put her foot down? Or would they have just circumvented Natasha in order to get too you?

Natasha hasn’t been able to completely move on from Y/N.  

She has attempted to date others over the last five years but nothing ever lasted longer than a few dates.  No one was measuring up in her mind.  

She had a taste of the closest thing to perfect in a relationship.

A relationship that started as co-workers, leading to friends and them finally progressing into lovers.  The relationship had been near seamless.  The two of you just fit together.  Over the years of knowing each other, the relationship had a deep mutual understanding. You both understood the long hours, the distance after a hard mission, the need to hide in work or training and the reluctance to being intimate.  Y/N never pushed the boundaries, she allowed Natasha to go at her own pace.  

Y/N didn’t see Natasha as an object to be desired.  But as a person just needing support and love.  Y/N had loved Natasha so deeply.  And Natasha had loved Y/N before she even realized that love was even what she was feeling.  Maybe that was the seed that would lead to Natasha’s downfall.

It was hard to pin point when it had all started.  Self-worth was something that Natasha didn’t believe that she was lacking.  She was strong and capable in the field.  However, when it came to her personal self-worth, she was in the negative.

After years of being shaped into an object to be used, directed, and wanted.  Natasha wasn’t ready to be her own person in matters of the heart.  Love and companionship weren’t something that Natasha felt that she deserved.  Happiness was something unattainable to Natasha.

Therapy helped Natasha find the root of her self-worth issues.  She believed that the only thing she was truly good at and for was the job she was trained to perform.  It had taken many hours before Natasha came to the realization that she deserved happiness and love from others without any ulterior motives.  She learned techniques of identifying toxic behavior and traits within herself and her immediate friend group.  What to avoid and who to avoid in order to change.  It was still a struggle to get into a more positive mindset. Profiling oneself is incredibly hard.

It will be something that she will most likely always struggle with.  With the childhood that Natasha experienced.  It is not all that surprising.

Yelena being around has also help.  

It’s also funny to Natasha that Yelena never really liked Steve or Bucky.  Sam is a non-entity to Yelena.  And she tolerates Clint for the most part.  

Yelena and Clint’s relationship is full of animosity.  Yelena feels shorted compared to all of the years that Clint had gotten with Natasha. It also came to light that Clint had known about Yelena from the very beginning and had never encouraged Natasha to seek Yelena out or bridge the relationship.

This all goes through Natasha’s mind while Yelena is chatting her ear off about the new Mission Coordinator that took over the last week of the op.

Natasha finally gets a moment to speak when Yelena starts taking out a pot.

‘What do you mean? Why would the mission change coordinators in the middle of the op and what happen to Turner?’  

Yelena stops pouring Noodle’s in the pot before answering ‘We got a new Mission Coordinator, that saw a flaw in the mission extraction plan.’

‘She was able to identify a leak in the data across the crypto coming in.’

Yelena started the stove before adding ‘It shaved off about two additional weeks of the operation anyways, so who am I to complain.’

Natasha nods her head in understanding.  After a few years of going undercover and being away from home can be taxing.  Especially when Yelena and Natasha have finally found each other again.

Yelena thoughtfully adds ‘Yeah Commander Y/N N/Y is great.  She is probably just as straight faced and no-nonsense as Hill or Fury.’

Natasha whips around and coughs out ‘Y/N N/Y’

‘Did you say Y/N’

[late-to-the-party-81]

He who Lovescraft loves loudest

AN: Here is my contribution to Stucky Halloween. I don’t really do true scary things, so I went a bit of a different route.

Big thanks go to @greekgeek24 for organising the event and making not only the cover for this fic, and for all the fics that are being entered, but also for the custom bonus image she made for me to share with you guys - you'll find it at the end.

Another big thanks goes to @zenaidamacrouras1 for beta-ing and giggling along to this silly story.

This story also fills Square O2 of my @stuckybingo card - Eldritch Horror as well as the October challenge prompt - Haunted House, and Square B3 on my @steverogersbingo card - Himbo Steve.

Dividers by @firefly-graphics

Summary: There’s some scary goings-on around campus. Several students have ended up in hospital, traumatised by something they’ve seen. Bucky, Steve, Sam, Nat and Alpine decide to investigate. Will they discover what’s going on and more importantly, will Bucky get lucky with Steve?

Relationships: Cap Quartet friendship, Steve x Bucky, FWB Nat x Sam.

Word Count: 6k

CW: College AU (all are late teens/early 20’s), kissing, groping, suggestive language, Bucky is constantly horny, Steve is a bit of a himbo, Nat has Sam right where she wants him, Scooby-doo inspired, crack treated seriously, cartoon style slapstick, Alpine is obviously the heroine, recreational drug usage (it goes without saying that in real life you should not have your cat inside your hotbox....)

It was quiet and peaceful in the library until Sam and Nat burst in. Steve had said he wanted to study, but Bucky had managed to convince him, as easily as usual, that making out would also be a good use of their time. 

Bucky was straddling his boyfriend's sinfully muscular thighs, arms wrapped around his neck, enjoying the feel of Steve’s lips against his own. Enjoying the way Steve’s tongue was snaking its way into his mouth. Enjoying the way both of their partially chubbed up cocks were pressed against each other through their layers of clothes.

It was in the back of his mind that it would probably be relatively easy to convince Steve to abandon the library altogether for the soft bench seats in the back of his van and a lot less clothing. However, that’s when the other two appeared.

Nat, making a statement with her skin tight purple jeans and matching top, threw her bag down onto the table and slumped into the nearest uncomfortable wooden chair, all the while making gagging sounds. Bucky pulled away from Steve with a sigh, sliding back onto his own chair. Steve chased his lips for a few seconds before realising why Bucky was no longer kissing the shit outta him. He blushed and immediately turned back to his books, pointlessly trying to make it look as though that was what he’d been doing all along.

“I don’t even know why you two even bother coming to the library to study,” Sam teased, smoothing out his orange turtleneck. “One of these days Mrs. Parker is gonna catch you and throw you out. That’s if she doesn’t throw you out for smuggling your cat in.” 

Bucky spun his chair around, planted his feet in Nat’s lap and tilted his head back to seeSam pointing at Bucky’s backpack. As if on queue, a small, white, furry head popped out of the open zipper.

“Mrow.” Bucky reached out his hand to scritch the top of her head and she started to purr.

“Nah. Mrs P loves Alpine. Who do you think gave my princess a taste for fresh cooked chicken? And she loves me too, especially after I helped her nephew study for his mechanics exam. Doc Octavious gave Peter an A. ”

“I don’t know how you do it, man,” Sam grumbled. “You never seem to study, but still manage to ace all your classes. Meanwhile the rest of us gotta work double time. Especially Goldilocks over there.” Sam jerked his thumb and Bucky twisted in his seat. Steve had gone back to his books, but he still had a cute flush covering his neck and cheeks and his hair was adorably mussed. Bucky smiled indulgently, taking in the sight of his boyfriend in his tight navy slacks and white cotton shirt, before turning back to Sam.

“It’s not my fault I’ve got more natural talent than any of you goobers.” Nat glared at him and shoved his booted feet from her knees. “What are you two here for anyway? I thought you were going to have your own ‘study session’.” He raised his hands in air quotes and Nat’s glare got more intense. Alpine ducked her head back into the bag. 

“We’re here,” she ground out, “because there’s been another attack.” Bucky looked at Nat askance and her announcement even got Steve’s attention as his head snapped up too.

“Yikes! Who was it, and when?” Steve’s shyness at being caught making out melted away, replaced with his no-nonsense ‘mother-hen’ tone. Bucky decided he loved Steve all the more for it.

Sam moved around the table and sat down on Steve’s other side. “It was Clint and Laura. They were found late last night, wandering around near the campus coffee shop.” He pulled a fold out map from his jeans pocket and spread it across the table. Steve picked up one of his pencils and, tongue poking out between his lips, drew an X on it. It was the fourth such mark on the paper.

Bucky scooched his chair closer, pushed his shaggy, shoulder-length hair out of his face, and peered over Steve’s shoulder. Nat got up from her seat and stood behind all of them, resting her hand on Bucky’s back.

“They were crying and talking nonsense when Campus security found them. They’re up at the hospital. I was gonna go up there in a bit and see if I could get anything out of them.” Her tone was laced with anger and Bucky turned his head to look at the clenched fingers of her free hand. Outside of him, Sam and Steve, Clint was one of Nat’s closest friends and she also adored his long term girlfriend Laura, having announced early on that the pair were definitely ‘endgame’.

“I can’t believe that Dean Fury isn’t doing anything about this. This is the fifth attack in just over two weeks and he’s acting like it’s nothing but Spooky Season pranks that have gotten out of hand.”

Bucky wouldn’t put it past Nat to storm into Fury’s office and refuse to leave until he took it seriously. She might not be the tallest, but she was definitely scary when she wanted to be.

“I think I see a pattern,” Sam said, cautiously. His finger tapped down on the map. “Here are the first two attacks, then the third, fourth and finally, the one last night. They’re all within half a block of the old Borson house.”

Steve’s brows drew together. “But no-one has lived there for years. As I understand it, the realtors only just got hold of his daughter to get her to agree to sell.”

“It gives me the heeby-jeebies,” said Bucky. “But maybe we should check it out this evening?”

“Got any twos?” asked Sam.

“Go fish,” Nat responded before she held out her hand for the joint Bucky was passing her. Sam grumbled and drew a card from the deck.

It was smokey and dark in the back of Bucky’s van, but that wasn’t unusual. Nor was the fact that, once again, Bucky was sitting on Steve’s lap. Now he’d passed the joint on, he could return to kissing Steve. 

Steve’s lips opened under his, so Bucky let go of his mouth full of smoke, shotgunning it to his boyfriend. Steve moaned back, his hands tightening on Bucky’s waist and rocking them together. 

“You’re so fucking sexy, Buck. Must be the luckiest guy in school.”

“If we were alone you could be even luckier,” Bucky mumbled into the soft skin of Steve’s neck.

“But you’re not,” drawled Nat, “so clothes stay on and flies stay zipped. That means you, Barnes. We all know who the bad influence is around here.”

“Anyway,” added Sam, “aren’t you two supposed to be keeping a lookout? Can’t do that while your lips are attached together.”

Bucky turned his head and stuck his tongue out at Sam. “You’re such a square.”

Sam raised an eyebrow and took a long pull on the joint. “I think you need to reframe your definition, man. I’m sitting in the back of a beat up van, smoking a joint, keeping an eye out for an unknown monster terrorising our campus and getting beaten at ‘Go Fish!’ of all things. Also, I’m me. As far from square as they come.” 

“Don’t get cocky, Wilson.” As she spoke, Nat stretched out her foot, placing it right into Sam’s crotch. Sam squeaked. Nat smiled.

“I still don’t quite understand what we’re even looking out for,” said Steve. “What did Laura say again?”

“Not a lot,” Nat replied as she stared down at her hand of cards, still rocking her foot back and forth. “She’s obviously traumatised from whatever it was that happened. Her parents said she wasn’t really talking at all, but when I got there she just grabbed hold of my shirt and pulled me really close. Then she just started muttering under her breath. The words ‘tentacles’ and ‘monster’. Then she let me go and went back to staring into space.” The others looked at her in horror, but Nat didn’t seem to notice. “Got any eights?”

Sam threw his cards down across the small table and the moment was broken. The slips of card slid across the melamine surface and Alpine, who had been lightly dozing upon it, opened her eyes and batted a few to the floor.

“Damn it, Romanoff. How the fuck do you do that?” Sam bent down with a huff to retrieve his cards, the joint wedged in the corner of his mouth.

“Observation, my dear Wilson. I can read you like a book.” As Sam sat back up, Nat plucked the joint from his lips and passed it back towards Steve and Bucky. She slipped around the table and slid onto the bench seat Sam was occupying, squishing him against the wall of the van. He grinned at her.

“And is that book the Karma Sutra?” He’d dropped his voice as low as it could go, pulling out all the stops.

“Depends how flexible you are, Sammy-boy.” Nat flicked the end of his nose and they both dissolved into giggles

Bucky, started to chuckle at their antics, when suddenly an ear-piercing scream from outside split the air. 

“Jinkies!” Steve exclaimed and leapt to his feet, banging his head on the roof of the van and tumbling Bucky to the floor in the process. Both exclaimed in pain.

“Damn it, Stevie!” 

“Sorry, Buck.” Steve rubbed at his head with one hand and with the other reached out to haul Bucky up from the floor. One strong jerk and Bucky was back on his feet. Bucky placed the joint in the ashtray and then rubbed at the ache in his ass. Sam and Nat were also on their feet and opening the sliding side door. Cool autumn air swirled into the space, flushing out the pungent fog they had all been cultivating.

Nat jumped down onto the asphalt, head tilted to the side as she waited to see whether any more noises would be forthcoming. She didn’t have to wait for long. A second scream met their ears and before any of the others could say anything she was off, sprinting towards whatever was happening. Sam and Steve looked at each other for a moment and then Sam sped away, hot on Nat’s heels.

“Nat! Wait!”

Bucky jumped down after him, but before he could follow suit he felt Steve’s large hands clamp down on his upper arms.

“Stay here, Bucky.”

“But Steve!” Bucky twisted in Steve’s hold to face him, confusion on his face.

“No, Bucky. I need to know you’re safe. Please. Stay here. You and Alpine. And we might need you to drive the van.” He dropped a kiss to Bucky’s forehead and then he was also running off into the streetlamp lit night.

Bucky watched him, mouth agape in stunned silence, before he stepped back and sat down on the edge of the open doorway.

“What the hell was that? Doesn’t he trust us, Al?” Bucky turned his head to look back into the van. Alpine was no longer sitting on the small table. “Al?” He stood up and then climbed into the van. “Alpine? Where are you, princess?” Bucky opened his backpack zipper wider, wondering whether his stalwart feline had decided to curl up in there for a snooze. No such luck.

Bucky planted his hands on his hips and let out a sigh. His girl was always trying to roam somewhere. He re-exited the van and strode over to bushes on the opposite side of the road.

“Alpine… Princess… Where are you sweetheart?” He ducked down but couldn’t see her. “Here, Alpine! Pss-pss-pss… I’ve got some chicken for you…” Bucky walked a little further down the sidewalk. She had to be around here somewhere. Just then, he caught movement in his peripheral vision; a dart of white disappearing between two fence planks.

“Ah-ha!” Bucky jogged off in pursuit. “You won’t get away from me.” He clambered over the short fence and followed the small blur of white into the shrubs. Branches snagged at his hair and his olive green t-shirt and he wished he’d worn a jacket now - it was a lot colder out here than he’d first thought and it would have protected his arms from getting scraped. The greenery thickened, forcing Bucky down onto his hands and knees. He shuffled forward and  stuck his head and shoulders into a gap under one of the bushes. Alpine was sitting under it, swishing her tail angrily.

“There you are, Princess. Come on. Out you come. We need to get back to the van.” Carefully he reached out, but Alpine let out an uncharacteristic growl as he did. “Hey! What’s gotten into you?” She growled again, the hair on her back standing up on end. As Bucky looked at her in the gloom, he realised something. She wasn’t looking at him. She was looking at something behind him.

Bucky felt a chill go through him, and realised that the ground around him was taking on a green glow. He looked at Alpine, her fur also taking on the eerie hue.

“I don’t suppose that’s Sam, trying to scare the jeepers out of me?”

Alpine continued to growl.

“Didn’t think so…”

Bucky took a deep breath and then backed up quickly, intending to surprise whoever it was behind him with his speed. However, the weed from earlier had made him a little light-headed and as he stood up and spun around, the world spun with him. Something strange - green and non-human looking - started to coalesce in front of his eyes. It opened its mouth and let out an inhuman noise as something else wrapped around his arms. Bucky stepped back in alarm and caught his heel on a tree root. As he lost his balance the creature lost its grip on his arms, but that meant there was nothing to stop Bucky as he pitched backwards. Pain flared from the back of his skull as it connected with the ground. The green, monstrous figure loomed over him, getting closer, but the world continued to spin, before it all went black.

Bucky was shaking.

No. He was being shaken.

“Bucky. Baby. Please. Wake up. I need you to wake up.”

Bucky groaned. His head hurt so much and Steve’s voice was so loud.

“For god’s sake, Steve. Let him breathe.” That was Nat. Bucky groaned again and tried to open his eyes.

“M’okay, Steve,” he croaked out. “What happened? Where am I?”

He sat up, clinging onto Steve and finally managed to open his eyes. He was in the back of his van. Hazy memories flooded back in.

“Alpine! Where is she?” Bucky whipped his head around looking for his beloved pet, but he just went dizzy again and had to cling to Steve harder.

“She’s here, man.” Sam knelt down beside him, a struggling bundle of white fluff in his arms. He opened them and Alpine jumped down onto Bucky’s lap, rubbing her head against his middle and purring. “We came back to the van after finding out that the screaming was Hope Van Dyne - Scott had jumped out on her to give her a scare. It apparently worked too well, although Scott is now sporting a black eye. But when we got back you weren’t here and the door was open. Steve was starting to have a nervous breakdown when Al came running out from the trees, meowing her head off.”

Bucky felt Steve slide to sit down behind him and pull Bucky’s slimmer frame against his broad chest. Bucky allowed himself to be pulled into the hug and Sam continued.

“As soon as Steve got close to her she turned tail and ran off again, but stopped every few yards and looked behind her. She was seeing if we were following. What on earth were you doing in the yard of the Borson house?”

Bucky inhaled deeply, letting the smell of Steve’s cheap, but familiar, cologne sooth him. “It was Alpine. She ran in there first and I followed. I didn’t realise it was the Borson yard. I was concentrating too much on getting my princess back.”

Nat sat down cross-legged next to him, eyes roving over his face as if she were a nurse checking for signs of concussion. Knowing Nat, that’s probably what she was actually doing. “We found you unconscious and Steve carried you back here. What happened?”

Bucky’s brow furrowed as he tried to recall the details. “There was some kind weird person - creature - and it grabbed me, and made this horrible squealing sound. It was green. But I slipped and fell. Banged my head. I didn’t even see it that clearly.”

Sam let out a whistle. “Jeepers! I know you were baked, but what in the HP Lovecraft did you see?”

“I really don’t know, but I want to go home.”

Bucky was still nursing a headache the next day, which sucked for two reasons. Firstly, it was Halloween, and he, Steve, Nat and Sam were supposed to be going to a party tonight and currently he wasn’t feeling it. Secondly, it was making it harder than normal to pay attention in Professor Zemo’s History of Conflict in Europe class. He just wanted to go to sleep, preferably with his head resting on Steve’s stomach as his blonde boyfriend combed his fingers through his hair.

“Are you with us, Mr Barnes?” Sam jabbed him in the ribs and Bucky lifted his head to find that the Professor's accented voice was aimed solely at him. He realised he must have been staring off into space. 

“Sorry, Professor. I didn’t sleep very well last night.” Bucky mumbled his apology into his chest. Professor Zemo sighed and briefly pinched the bridge of his nose. 

“Mr Barnes, please don’t make your nocturnal habits anyone else’s problem except your own. You can waste your own time if you want, but you will not waste mine. If you can’t give my class the proper attention then please avail yourself of the door.”

Bucky squirmed in his seat from embarrassment, aware of the heat in his cheeks that was probably turning his face bright pink. “I… umm…”

“Don’t be so hard on him, Prof. It wasn’t his fault. He got attacked by the monster last night.” Sam’s voice cut across the awkward tension in the air and Bucky didn’t know whether to hug him or hit him. However, his announcement had the effect of distracting everyone in the lecture hall. Or rather now focusing them on Bucky for something other than being chewed out by Professor Zemo.

“You saw it?” Maria turned around in her seat in front of Bucky, eyes wide with intrigue. “What was it like?”

“And why aren’t you in the hospital like the others?” Carol, in the row behind leant forward.

“Well… I…” Bucky rubbed at the back of his neck, trying to formulate an answer that wouldn’t make him look like an idiot. Fortunately he was saved from answering by the Professor trying to get his classroom back in order.

“Settle down, everyone. There is no monster. It’s all just pranks by your immature peers, I’m sure. The only real damage is going to be to the property prices. Who’s going to want to live near such a rambunctious group? I sincerely hope that whoever is behind it stops soon. It’s bringing down the reputation of our centre of learning. But anyway, enough of this distraction. Are you staying or going, Mr Barnes?”

Still awash with embarrassment, Bucky mumbled “Staying, Sir,” under his breath, but it seemed to placate the Professor. 

“Alright then. Where were we? Ah, yes… the Peninsular War…”

“Are you sure I look alright, Buck?” Steve’s voice was laced with trepidation, but Bucky was having difficulty concentrating. He knew that Steve’s costume was going to be a vampire one - he was a werewolf to go with him - but Bucky hadn’t quite realised how revealing Steve’s outfit was going to be…

The main part of it was a red singlet which made Steve look as though he was about to start wrestling. Bucky thought that he might enjoy wrestling with Steve. Under the singlet was a shirt. Sort of. It was sheer. It had a built in cravat at the net and had multiple folds of fabric around the wrists. However, it stopped just above Steve’s glorious tits. To finish it off, there was a short black cape with a red ‘pop-up’ collar. On his feet Steve wore his shiny black dress shoes, his black socks pulled part way up his calves. It was definitely ‘a look’.

Not that Bucky’s outfit was much more dignified - a furry hooded cape with ears that just about covered his nipples, some kind of cross between grey sweatpants and yoga pants with a fuzzy tail, and a pair of furry gloves with claws. He’d just put his battered combat boots on to walk around. And right now he was walking closer to Steve.

He pressed his chest up against his boyfriend’s, wrapping his arms around Steve’s slim waist. He smiled to himself as he saw Steve’s eyes flutter shut as the fur of Bucky’s cape rubbed over his exposed nipples.

“You look so good, Steve, it makes me want to howl. Ow-ow-woo!” Bucky threw his head back and leaned into the bit.

“Buck….” Steve hissed between his teeth, his neck turning a very un-vampire like shade of pink.

“What? The only other person here is your mom and she knows how I feel about you. She’s rolled her eyes at me enough. But I promise to behave myself while we’re out. Or at least I promise to try. And you can’t blame me, baby. You’re so god-damn sexy.”

Steve seemed to have got over Bucky’s over the top reaction and looped his own arms around Bucky’s neck. “Right back at you, Buck. I can’t promise not to bite your neck.” Bucky snorted at Steve’s silly vampire accent but leaned in for a kiss. It started innocently enough, but as was normal for the two of them, hormones raging, it wasn’t long until Bucky was lying on his back on Steve’s bed, being pinned down in a way he couldn’t complain about. However, before things could move from PG-13 to Rated R, they became aware that there was a knocking on the front door downstairs. 

As they listened to the dulcet tones of Sarah Rogers letting the visitors in, the two reluctantly drew apart and willed their erections to go down. There was one thing when your boyfriend’s mom knew what you were getting up to, but for her to see the evidence of it was another thing altogether. 

Costumes sufficiently smoothed out, the two descended the stairs to find Sarah chatting to Sam and Nat in the hallway. The three looked up. Sarah Rogers let a small smile play over her lips as she took in the costumes of her son and his best-friend-turned-boyfriend. Nat and Sam grinned.

“Well, well, well, what do we have here? Slutty monsters of the night?” Sam drawled.

“Can it, Mr ‘Nat and I aren’t wearing a couples costume’. You’re Batman and Catwoman for fuck’s sake.”

Nat rolled her eyes behind her mask. “Yeah, and Batman and Catwoman aren’t a couple.”

“They are friends with benefits though,” smirked Steve. “So I suppose it tracks. I don’t know why you two don’t make it official.”

“Why spoil a good thing, Rogers? Natty and I both know where we stand, don’t we, kitten?” Sam turned his head and flashed Nat his signature gap-toothed smile. Nat extended a gloved hand toward him, fingers curled like claws.

“Me-ow! Now, let’s get going, boys! Halloween parties wait for no creatures.”

The four of them all hugged Sarah Rogers goodbye, and Bucky carefully picked up his backpack from her sofa, a sleeping Alpine still inside. Sarah had said that he could leave the cat with her, but Bucky had decided to bring his faithful feline with him and let her chill out in the van while the party was in full swing at Scott’s house.

He pulled himself up into the driver's seat, placing his backpack down next to him and tucking his tail to the side. Steve slid in on the other side and reached across to squeeze his thigh. Sam opened the side door and helped Nat hop up, even though she was capable of getting in on her own. When the door slammed shut again, Bucky turned the ignition and they were off.

Steve fiddled with the radio, turning on a local station playing a medley of Halloween hits. Thriller was currently playing. Bucky hummed along while he drove, drumming on the steering wheel while Sam sang along, slightly off pitch, in the back.

It was one of those ‘blink and you’d miss it’ moments. One moment they were driving along a fairly empty street, towards campus, the next the headlamps lit up a strange green form in front of them. Bucky slammed on the brakes. Steve reacted quickly, grabbing Bucky’s backpack and stopping it, and Alpine, sliding off onto the floor. In the back, Sam and Nat let out cries of displeasure as they were shaken about.

“What the hell, Barnes!”

Bucky twisted in his seat to meet Sam’s outraged gaze.

“Did you see that? Did you see it?” He didn’t wait for an answer. He put the car back in drive and pulled over to the side of the road and leapt out. He was looking around frantically as the others climbed out of the van. Steve reached into the backpack and placed Alpine on the ground and she wound around Bucky’s legs, sensing his discomfort. Steve placed his hand on Bucky’s shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze.

“I saw something green, Buck. But I wasn’t really paying attention.”

Bucky spun to face him. “It was him, Steve. The monster.”

Sam and Nat came to stand next to them.

“Are you sure, Bucky?” There was a gentle questioning note in Nat’s voice.

“Absolutely, Nat. I’m certain.”

“Well,” said Sam, rolling his shoulders and puffing out his bat symbol covered chest, “He can’t have gone far.”

Down on the ground Alpine started to paw at Bucky’s leg. “Mwerp.”

They all looked down at her. She cocked her head, turned around and trotted off.

“She’s doing it again,” said Nat. “She wants us to follow her.” 

The four of them scrambled, Bucky only just remembering to lock the van, and they all jogged off after Alpine. She ducked down and squeezed under a gap in a fence and her faithful humans skidded to a stop.

“It’s the old Borson house again,” stated Steve. “Something very fishy is going on. Let’s go.” He started to climb over the fence, but stopped part way when he realised the others were looking at him. “What?”

“Seriously, man?” Sam raised an eyebrow. There was a heartbeat of silence, and then Sam shook his head in resignation. “Okay. Let’s go.” He followed Steve over the fence and held his hand out to Nat. She gave him a look and practically vaulted over, landing crouched, one hand on the floor between her bent knees. Bucky rolled his eyes.

“Such a poser.”

“You’re just jealous that you can’t do it,” Nat retorted.

Bucky snorted, but clambered over the wooden panel in a more sedate manner. He didn’t trust himself not to fall flat on his face. Nat smirked at him. 

With them now all standing in the yard, the very place that Bucky had been the night before, Alpine trotted back over, chirped at them and swished her tail.

“Okay,” said Steve, back in full-blown ‘large and in charge’ mode, which made Bucky’s heart pound loudly in his chest. “Let’s split up. Sam, Nat. You check the yard. Me, Buck and Alpine will go inside. Whoever finishes first joins up with the others. Let’s put an end to whatever this is.” They all nodded their agreement and Sam and Nat snuck off into the trees, black costumes helping them blend right into the shadows. 

Bucky turned to Steve and took his hand with a smile. “Do you think you’ll need an invitation to step over the threshold?”

“Ha ha, Buck. Come on.”

The front steps creaked ominously as they walked up them. Bucky clung to Steve’s back, now starting to feel a little creeped out.The only thing stopping him from going into full blown panic was wondering how Steve could be so calm and collected while his nipples were exposed and currently pointy enough to cut glass. “What do you think we’ll find in there, Steve?” Bucky asked. “A monster?”

“Pphht. It can’t be that scary.” Steve pushed open the front door, and they walked into the gloomy interior.

Something brushed up against Bucky’s leg and he let out a shriek that he quickly muffled with his hands. Looking down he saw Alpine’s reflective eyes looking back at him. Letting out a sigh of relief, Bucky bent down and picked her up. She wiggled out of his arms and settled on his fur-cape covered shoulder. 

“You wanna be close too, princess? I don’t blame you.”

He pulled out his phone and turned on the flashlight, sweeping it back and forth across the floor and walls. The house was still furnished, with thick layers of dust covering every flat surface. When old man Borson had died neither his daughter or two sons had really wanted anything to do with him or his things. It was sad, really.

Suddenly a noise ripped through the air, something akin to a hiss crossed with a scream. The two young men came to a halt.

“What on earth?” Bucky felt Steve’s voice rumble in his chest as he buried his head into Steve’s back.

“I don’t like this, Steve.” He remembered the fear and disorientation that he’d felt last night and tried to repress a full body shudder. 

The noise sounded again and they turned their heads towards the stairwell. The sound was coming from above them. As their eyes adjusted to the gloom, a green glow could clearly be seen. Bucky gulped.

“We’re gonna go up there, aren’t we?”

“We gotta, Buck. We gotta do this for Clint and Laura, and the others who were hurt before them.”

Bucky nodded against Steve’s back. He could do this. 

Slowly they walked towards the stairs, making their way up, one step at a time. The unnatural glowing got more intense and while there were no more screams, the ominous hissing got louder and louder. They crept, one foot after the other, closer and closer towards the partially open door at the end of the corridor, Bucky’s fingers curled around Steve’s red, spandex singlet. Steve stopped, one hand raised a hair’s-breadth from the old, scarred wood and looked at Bucky. His eyes looked strange under the eerie glow, but he looked so sure, so brave that Bucky knew he’d follow Steve anywhere, even if he did currently look like a cross between Bela Lugosi and Bret ‘The Hitman’ Hart. Bucky gave him a small nod, and Steve pushed the door.

The creature stood there, illuminated by its sickly green glow. Its face had two dark eyes, but where its mouth was, it seemed as though it had half-swallowed some kind of squid. Tentacles curled down around its chin, glistening with slime. It had two long arms, ending with three fingers and claws, which it raised menacingly at the two young men. 

Bucky and Steve lept in the air as it screamed, that ear-piercing sound combined with a hiss. They screamed in return, filled with terror and Alpine leapt down from Bucky’s shoulder, hair on end, hissing and spitting. They all turned tail and ran. Alpine was in front, her four legs carrying her faster and far more elegantly than either Steve or Bucky. Next was Steve, barrelling forward, clasping Bucky’s smaller hand in his, practically dragging him along behind. Bucky stumbled, bringing up the rear. He kept turning his head, shrieking incoherently as he realised the monster was right behind them. 

They thundered down the stairs, across the entrance hallway and out of the front door, Steve almost ripping it from the hinges as he pulled it open.

“Nat! Sam!” Steve shouted out for their friends as he dragged Bucky across the lawn.

“Here!” They heard Nat shout and turned to see her standing by the trees at the bottom of the yard - the place where they’d found Bucky yesterday. She waved them towards her. “This way!”

They turned toward her and carried on running. “He’s still coming,” Bucky wailed. What he wouldn’t give to be an actual werewolf right now. He could rip out its throat or something. They stumbled into the shrubbery, Nat having melted back into the darkness. Why did she want them to go this way? Surely it would have just been better to escape by running out the front gate and heading back to the van?

They ran between two trees, and as they did so, they heard Sam shout out.

“Now!”

Instinctually, Bucky and Steve came to a halt and turned around. The monster was bearing down on them, getting closer, when suddenly it tripped on something and crashed to the ground. Immediately, Nat launched herself from the shadows and landed on the creature’s back. She jerked his arms up and cuffed them together. At the same time Alpine leapt down from a tree, landing on the creature's head. She dug her claws into its skull and it let out an all too human type of noise.

“What the heck?” Bucky was dumbfounded. What just happened? Where had Nat found handcuffs? Why wasn’t she scared? She stood up, brushing loose dirt from her pleather outfit and sauntered over to Bucky. 

“We used a tripwire from Sam’s utility belt. The handcuffs are also part of Sam’s costume and I wasn’t scared because of what he and I found in the shed before you two wusses came shooting out of the house.” She patted Bucky’s cheek and he wondered if she’d read his mind or whether he’d actually spoken out loud.

Steve, choosing to ignore Nat’s teasing comment, looked down at the struggling creature in the dirt. “What did you find?”

Sam placed a booted foot in the small of the creature’s back, pinning it to the floor and trained his phone flashlight on it. “We found costume making supplies. And glow sticks. Lots and lots of green glow sticks.”

“Plus instructions on how to make a small speaker. Cos-play stuff really,” Nat chimed in, adding her flashlight to the mix.

“But that means…” Bucky’s jaw dropped and he strode over to their struggling captive, dropping into a crouch. “This isn’t a monster at all. It’s someone dressed up and trying to scare everyone. Just like the Dean and Professor Zemo said. But who?” 

Sam helped him to manhandle the creature into a sitting position, and now he was up close, seeing it lit up and having his hands on it, Bucky could clearly see the rubber and foam, the stitch marks and the little channels that had been made in the outside to house the multitude of glowsticks. Alpine came and sat down next to him, licking at a paw nonchalantly.

“Right - let’s see who you are.” Bucky grabbed hold of the monster’s head, soft and squishy rubber under his hand, and pulled to reveal…

“Professor Zemo!” The four of them exclaimed in shock.

The professor’s dark hair was plastered over his forehead, and in the torchlight his brown eyes gleamed with frustration.

“Yes, it’s me.” His lip turned up in a snarl and if he weren’t handcuffed, Bucky would have been reluctant to be this close to him.

“But why? What on earth do you get from scaring college students?”

“While I did enjoy a little of the karma from scaring some of your peers witless, it was more that I needed the house prices to come down. I wanted to buy the Borson house, but do you know how little a college professor makes? It was starting to work, too. The price had already been slashed once. I’d have gotten away with it too, if it wasn’t for you pesky kids.”

They all looked at him, dumbfounded, until Steve spoke up.

“Respectfully, Sir, that is really fucked up. Buck, sweetheart, can you call the police?”

“You kiss your momma with that mouth, Stevie?” Bucky sniggered, taken aback by Steve’s uncharacteristic swearing.

“No, but I’ll kiss my boyfriend with it.”

And he did. Just a vampire kissing his werewolf boyfriend in a dark, haunted stand of trees.

Sam made gagging sounds.

Nat called the cops.

Alpine purred.

The end.

Bonus: - They finally get to the party and have a fabulous time.

Tag list: @christywrites, @alexakeyloveloki, @doasyoudesireandlive, @galactusdevourerofworlds, @km-ffluv

[chaosromanoff]

Sorry for what I said when I was drunk (Wanda Maximoff x Fem!Reader)

Summary: You and Wanda are best friends, but you want to be more than that even though Wanda is oblivious about your feelings for her. Surprisingly, things go out of hand when, at a party, Wanda starts drinking a litte too much...

A/N: English is not my first language, sorry for the mistakes you could (and will) find in this one-shot.

Warnings: Maybe a little bit of swearing, mentions of drinking/being drunk, Tony being an idiot but in a cool way. This is mainly fluff tho. Enjoy :)

You knew Wanda was the one for you ever since you exchanged words, that moment you felt a connection with her and it was almost love at first sight, but you knew she didn't feel the same for you.

She was always talking about Vision. How cute and adorable he was, how he treats her like a princess... You've heard anything but good things about the android, and you were a little jealous because that's the way you have treated Wanda as well.

"That stupid toaster." You mumbled. Natasha, who was one of your closest friends, just laughed at your words while trying to cheer you up.

"We all know you're better than him."

"Well, he was created to be perfect. I'm just a girl who's in love with her best friend." You said. Natasha could hear the sadness on your voice and she hugged you.

"You should tell Wanda." She said. "She needs to know."

"I don't want to ruin our friendship, Nat. I can handle the pain of her being with someone else. But if she leaves..."

"Wanda would never leave you, Y/n. I know she loves you."

"As a friend." You assured.

"Whatever, she loves you. And I know she wouldn't like to see you in pain because of her."

"I'm happy if she is."

"Yeah, sure, that's why you came crying to my room while saying "The fucking toaster is taking her away from me." At 3AM, may I add."

"I came here to get some comfort, not to get exposed." You said trying not to laugh.

"Think about what I told you, ok? Wanda needs to know about your feelings."

You just nodded and went to your room, since you've been on Nat's room all morning. You haven't even eat breakfast and you noticed you were hungry when your stomach started to make weird noises.

"Man, come on." You complained but started walking to the kitchen. "Hope there's something good in here."

"Well, if I count as something good, then sure." The voice of your best friend made you smile and blush at the same time. "Just kidding, I made some pancakes. I was trying to find you but I didn't know where you were."

"Oh, I slept in Nat's room."

Wanda arched her eyebrows at your words. Something you didn't see because you were reheating your breakfast.

"You two are close, aren't you?"

"Well yes, she's been a good friend since I arrived."

Wanda just nodded at your words, feeling a little bit mad about them. She wasn't used to you being with someone else, you were always with Wanda, almost 24/7.

Obviously, she knew you were friends with Bucky, Steve, Tony and Nat, but she never noticed how close you were to the redhead before that day.

Wanda left the kitchen and you found it weird because she didn't say anything to you. You just ate your breakfast and went straight to your room to get ready for another infamous party. Of course, Tony planned that.

At exactly 9:30 pm, you left your room wearing a not-too-short red dress that hugged your body perfectly. When Natasha saw you, she gave you a compliment about your attire.

"Look at you! You look beautiful, Y/N!"

"Thank you, Nat." You smiled at her and you both intertwined your arms. "Should we get going?"

The redhead nodded and you went to the last floor of the Stark Tower. There was a lot of peope in there, most of them were dancing, other few were drinking and talking, and tere was Steve, who wasn't even drinking.

"Hey, old man." You greeted and he rolled his eyes smiling. "Come with us, take a drink."

"I'm waiting for Bucky." He explained. "He was supposed to be here like twenty minutes ago."

"He probably fell asleep." Nat said and both you and Steve laughed. "Why don't you go and look for him?"

"I will. I'll be back in a few minutes." Steve said and walked to the elevator. You follwed him with your eyes and that's when you saw her.

Wanda was with Vision and Tony, who was joking about them for being an unusual couple. Wanda never spoke a word, she was just smiling uncomfortably and drinking her cocktail.

"Are you gonna save your princess from the monsters?" Natasha asked you softly, smirking teasingly.

"I don't know if I should. I think she's mad at me."

"Why?"

"I told her I spent the night on your room, she got angry because she thought I replaced her."

"Sounds like she was jealous."

"On a friendly wa-"

"Y/n, you should stop with that or I'm gonna punch you on the face." She interrupted you. "Wanda likes you as much as you like her. Haven't you noticed the way she looks at you?"

"You're lying." Natasha rolled her eyes but didn't said anything. You forced yourself not to go after Wanda, but Nat took your hand and walked you to your best friend, Vision and Tony.

"Good night, lady and gentlemen." The redhead greeted, Wanda's eyes focused on you for a moment before turning her attention to your and Natasha's hand.

"It's nice to see you, ms. Romanoff and ms. Y/l/n." Vision answered.

"Hey, Romanoff." Tony smiled. "So is this place full of couples now? Seriously, first Capsicle and the other fossil, then Vision and witchy and now... the spy and the wonder-kid. Isn't this adorable?"

"It isn't." Wanda quietly mumbled before drinking all of her remaining cocktail. Stark and Vision didn't hear her, and Natasha pretended she didn't hear it.

"We're not really dating." You said to Tony.

"Really? Because someone told me you have spent nights on Romanoff's bedroom."

"We're just frie-"

"Trying to figure it out what happens." Nat interrupted you while wikning at you. She kissed your temple before whispering on your ear. "Trust me."

You nodded and you noticed how angry Wanda looked right now, like she was about to kick the hell out of Natasha.

"I need another drink." Your best friend said and ran away to the bar.

"Well girls and Vision, I need to go, Pepper just arrived. Have fun and congratulations to the new couple." You all smiled before you turned your eyes to Natasha.

"What the fuck are you doing?"

"Like I said, trust me, and trust the process. You'll thank me later."

Thankfully, Vision had left a few seconds ago, so he didn't hear your conversation with Nat. But your beloved brunette best friend was watching you from afar.

Her insides were burning up. She didn't like how close Natasha was from you. How her left arm hugged you by your waist. How her lips kissed your cheek. How you smiled and blushed at her actions.

That was supposed to be her instead, not Natasha.

Time passed by, Wanda never stopped drinking and Vision never left her side, talking to her about probably nothing important since she wasn't paying attention.

Thankfully to Wanda, Tony arrived again and took Vision off her side. Wanda's head was spinning, she was dizzy and the fury in her veins was present again when she saw you dancing with Natasha.

"I'm sorry, but I'm not gonna kiss you." You said to Natasha.

"I didn't want that anyways." Nat playfully rolled her eyes and you laughed.

"I'm so thirsty. Do you want a drink?"

"I'm fine, go and drink something."

You left the dance floor and approached to the bar, you ordered a cocktail and waited next to Wanda.

"Hey, Wands! Are you having a good time?"

"Not when I see you that close with Romanoff." She answered.

"What?"

"You heard me. I don't like when you're with her because you should be with me instead."

You blushed hard at her words, her green eyes never left yours. She meant it.

"Wanda..."

"I'm serious, Y/n." She said. "I know we've been friends for a long time now, but... I like you more than that." She was clearly drunk, but you couldn't help to feel happy at her words. "I wanted to forget about my feelings, but I can't now. Not when someone else is taking you away from me."

"Natasha is not really-"

She interrupted you but not with words, her arms circled your waist and you could feel her hot breath on your neck, making you silent in that very moment.

"Don't leave." She said silently. You rubbed her back and she snuggled closer to you. "I like it when you're close to me, when you hug me and when you brush my hair with your fingers." She confessed. "Stay here, please don't leave me"

"I won't, I promise." You assured. "You have been drinking all night, right? Let's get you out of here."

Wanda just nodded and followed you to her room. You took her dress off and helped her to get dressed with an oversized t-shirt. You were about to leave to your own bedroom but Wanda stopped you.

"Would you... sleep with me?"

"Sure." You smiled at her and cuddled her until she fell asleep. You went to your bedroom and changed your clothes before going back to Wanda's room again. But when you were a few steps away from Wanda's door, Natasha stopped you.

"Is everything ok?" You asked.

"That's what I should ask you, but since you're going to Wanda's room, I can say everything is more than fine" She said while arching her eyebrows.

"Don't be a prervert, you idiot." You rolled your eyes and Natasha laughed. "She said she likes me."

"I told you!"

"Yeah, but she's drunk. Probably just said that because she has been drinking all night."

"Stop being so pessimistic, dammit! Haven't you heard that drunk people always say the truth?" Natasha almost shouted. "Now go with your girl and have a talk about your feelings."

You entered Wanda's room and noticed she woke up, she stretched her arm trying to reach for you and you got close to her.

"What's wrong, sweetheart? I thought you were asleep." You mumbled.

"I was just waiting for you. Would you come here now?"

You nodded and her arms surrounded your body when you entered her bed and kept you close to her. Your faces just a couple of inches apart from each other, you could appreciate her features and you thought you couldn't be more in love with her.

"Are you gonna kiss me?"

"You're drunk." You simply said.

"I'll wait until tomorrow then."

"Sure, then. Goodnight." You answered, thinking she would forget about it in the morning.

But she didn't.

That's what you thought when you woke up to big green eyes looking at you. Wanda's hand cupped your cheek and she brushed your soft skin with your thumb.

"i'm sorry for yesterday." You almost heard how your heart broke into a million pieces.

"Don't worry. We all say stupid things when we're drunk." Wanda smirked, knowing she messed up.

"I think you're not understanding." She said. "I'm sorry that I had to be drunk to say that I like you, and I wasn't that drunk honestly." She confessed. "But I had to tell you I like you while I was sobber. But seeing you with Natasha..."

"We're not dating." You told her almost automatically, she laughed at that reaction.

"I know, I see the way you look at me." She said. "Sorry I hurt you, I just didn't know how to act to this... feeling inside me. And you don't have to forgive me just now, let me-"

"Hey, it's fine, Wanda. You just made me the happiest girl alive in this very moment." You smiled at her and brushed her hair with your fingers. "But don't do it again."

"I won't"

You both got up and you went to your room to get ready for the day. When you finished, you walked to the kitchen to cook some breakfast but noticed Wanda was just there, cooking something that smelled delicious.

"Smells good." You said approaching to her.

"It's a traditional Sokovian breakfast, you'll love it." Wanda said smilingly. "By the way, I think forgot something."

"Salt?" Wanda laughed at your question and she approached to you, her arms surrounded your neck and pulled you closer to her face.

"No, it's something sweeter."

"How do you know that?" You asked her hugging Wanda by her waist.

"I don't. I want to prove if my theory is right." She said looking at your lips and you did the same to hers.

"What are you waiting for?"

The moment you finished asking that question, Wanda's lips crashed on yours and you felt in heaven. Her lips were soft, warm and the sensation was better than you always thought.

"Yeah, you're definetly sweet." She said when the kiss ended, and you couldn't help but smile and kiss her again.

"She certainly likes you as a friend, Y/N!" You heard Natasha's sarcastic voice behind you and you just flipped her while still kissing Wanda, making both of them laugh at your action.

hope you enjoyed it! <3

[ravenirene]

Rating different sapphic ships for marvel women cause I'm bored. Some ships are mcu based most are comic based

First up Black Widow/Natasha Romanoff

1. Sharon carter - Widow13/Natsharon

9/10

they're adorable, friends to lovers. I love the way they are always complementing each other like sharons saying "but her speed still impress me" or mcu nat in tws saying she was nice, honestly mcu nat seemed more into sharon than mcu steve. Also they got 7th for a comic sapphic ship poll w over 6000 votes, so true of them

2. Bobbi Morse -bobbinat/mockingwidow

10/10

stealing clints wife, literally. There's panels of nat calling bobbi darling. They actually kissed in canon but it was just so nat could give bobbi medicine since she was under influence. After Bobbi gained control of herself again she told bucky to tell nat and I quote from bucky himself "she said to call her if you were still "curious", and clint got all defensive." Anyways they need to kiss again but for real this time.

3. Jessica drew - jessnat

7/10

Caroljess is my #1 but this is also cute. Spider x spider. They had rlly cute moments in secret avengers and avengers assemble(2013). Including this one where nat says jess is her soulmate and those panels of where they get a massage together. In one spiderwoman comic where jess was pregnant they almost had a movie night together until someone interrupts

4. Marina

6/10

Marina is natasha childhood best friend. They met in the red room and sometimes they escaped to watch ballerinas dance. When they got older(1960s?) they had a mission together but the handlers thought Marina was going to deflect from the red room so after the mission they had Natasha put k!ll Marina, nat almost doesn't do it but in the end...anyways they were adorable up until the end. Marina should be referenced again cause the only comic w her is Black Widow 2014

5. Maria hill - blackhill/marianat

9/10

Enemies to lovers to Enemies to lovers to Enemies to...Invincible iron man has major blackhill angst I swear ("but maria hooked up w tony in it" no) their relationship is confusing lowkey one minute they're protective of each other next minute they're bullying one another. But either way Invincible iron man and Black widow 2014 made some big blackhill points. Maria turning to nat cause she was the only one she could trust. Nat comforting maria when she had ptsd flashbacks. Maria saying that nat is the only one she can trust. Taskmaster 2021 where maria faked her death without telling anyone and the blame was put on taskmaster so u have natasha going after him to avenge her. U see taskmaster dialog "bullseye thinks that if u kill the heros girlfriend, their wife or partner or whatever, then you've got an edge on them. But all that does is get them.to come after you harder than ever. I've adopted a 'no wives, no girlfriends, no mothers' policy. Not just because it's gross. Though it is. No, it's because these heros, these guys...it always seems that all they are waiting for is one dead woman to motivate them" what's a hetero explanation for that?!? Nat is literally chasing this man down all throughout the comic and taskmaster is scared sh!t less, the only reason she doesn't kill him is because right before she does maria reveals herself to nat that she's alive. I only put it as 9/10 cause I'm not the biggest on Enemies to lovers plus there was those times where maria does make nat sheilds biggest enemy...

6. Elektra

6/10

They definitely hate f*cked once u can't convince me otherwise. Hate the whole "fighting over matt" thing though

7. Carol danvers - carolnat

5/10

I perfer them as friends but they do have some nice moments.

8. Janet van dyne(not hope)

5/10

I also perfer them as friends(not that ive rlly seen a lot of ppl ship them). They have a cute friendship in black widow and marvel girls

9. Wanda maximoff- wandanat

??/10

They have a total of 5 interactions mcu and comics combined. I see the vision but at the same time they both have better ships

10. Peggy carter - Peggynat

2/10

I see where you're coming from w the what if but I can't stand peggy for whatever reason. Like I won't go online and comment hate on her but I just choose to ignore her. If u ship tho go ahead tho it's legal and not toxic

I think I've covered all of natashas sapphic ships, or at least all the bigger ones. Some.of these probably sound rlly confusing...I'll probably do captain marvel or she hulk next

[httpjupiterbby]

Can we see how nat and r started dating/met

hope masterlist || hope taglist || masterlist || navigation

No one has permission to repost my work anywhere, if you see it please let me know. ®

a/n: i tried to go into as much detail as i can but not too much. their love story is just.. cute and hopeful

pairings: natasha romanoff x reader.

warnings:18+ mentions of suicide, 

part one || part two

─────────────────────────

You met Natasha when Clint recruit her in, since you and Clint were close, you helped him with Natasha. Getting Natasha used to working with a team, teaching her to speak without her accent (although you secretly loves the accent), you helped Natasha with everything and little by little Natasha let her in, You and Clint being the only two to break down her walls. You three became the three musketeers honestly, always having each other backs. You and Natasha go closer and closer, you slowly began to have feelings for the redhead and thank god you were a good agent, you were able to keep your feelings unknown. Though the friendship you and Natasha had was really close that you both would always jokingly ‘friend’ flirt with each other, though for you, you were actually flirting but to her it was just a big joke.

When Fury wanted to bring other ‘superhero’s’ together, he asked you to be apart of the team as well due to the fact that you have powers like some of them. Of course, you being you, you thought it was a big joke so walking in seeing a group of men talking about a god name Loki. You kept walking, going straight to Natasha and giving her a big kiss on the cheek, “Hello Natty”

She had gave you a very anger face, telling you that she had to you to stop calling her that, although the last time you check when you called her that, she had never said anything. So together you, her and Clint saved the world along with a god, green giant, American guy and a robot man and it continued that way, sorta. Natasha going on missions with Steve, you getting a little jealous. Helping her cover fic her wound after getting shot by the Winter soldier. Your heart breaking when she told you, she had kissed Steve but you quickly brushed it off.

When the team got back together, it was to destroy Ultron, to you it was the hardest time of your life due to the fact that you had to see your crush pin over a nerd/green giant. It pained you watching them flirt all the time but you pushed those feelings away and stayed focus on trying to take down Ultron. When you met Wanda and Pietro, that wasn’t really fun because Wanda was able to get to your head before you got a chance to get to use your powers against her. It was a nightmare, literally. Seeing the disappointment in your dads face when you stopped killing for him, leaving him and your brother to be on the good side. Seeing your mom commit suicide, you were only eight years old. Next thing you remember is getting to Clint’s farm house and hearing your lilabug. Laura let you wash up in hers and Clint’s room, you didn’t mean to spy but you couldn’t help it when you heard Natasha and Bruce talking, your heart broke for Natasha hearing Bruce’s words. You knew what she wanted, she longed for someone to love her for her, longed for kids. Part of you felt like you could be that person, be the person who loves her and who she loves, be the person to give her babies.

You didn’t tell her that you had heard the conversation until after the whole Ultron thing and a little after you had held her at night as she cried for the green giant that left her. The day Steve recruited Wanda and Sam, was when you told her, before his big “Avengers assemble” speech, and you also confessed your feelings towards the redhead but you made to to play it out safe with, “no matter what. whether you like me like that or not. I’ll always be there for you. Always. If i half to push theses feelings aside again, I will. If you somehow feel the same, than that’s fucking amazing but i’m not expecting anything right now because I don’t want to be a rebound. I love you Natty, through think and thin. I’m here. always and I will always stand by your side”

That conversation never got brought up again. And the half of the team got brought together again to sign the accords. You being on Nat’s side did, not because of the reason that her and Tony did but because you didn’t want to lose her. After that you stepped out, letting everyone else handle it differently, you even sat on the sidelines watching your family fight each other. It wasn’t until you saw her sneak into the garage where Steve and Bucky were at with Ta’challa right behind them. Using a portal, you took yourself to them, standing almost behind T’Challa, Natasha in front of him with Steve and Bucky in the middle. You see her give you a little nod, using your mind control you turned on the plane while Natasha shot T’Challa with her widows bite. You three watched them get away, T’challa scolding you and Natasha. You quickly grabbed her, creating a portal and going back to the compound.

Natasha kissed your head, telling you to pack a bag and head to her room. Confused, you didn’t question her and did as you told. Natasha had a bad feeling about the whole thing, she also had a feeling that T’Challa would tell either Tony who would probably tell Ross or tell Ross himself. After the conversation she had with the prick.. Tony. She knew she was right, heading straight to her room, she sees you sitting on the bed a backpack next to you. Quickly, she grabs it, putting a couple of things in it as well. She pulls you up from the bed, handing you the backpack and cupping your cheeks, “do you trust me?”

“Of course” You say back to her and next thing you knew her lips were on yours. Pull away, she lays her forehead on yours, and you told her that you better not be a rebound, in which she replies with, “My sweet girl, you are much more than that and I was too blind to never see it. C’mon”, Then you two were off, running away before Ross can storm both your rooms. Making your way to a building, changing to disguise yourself. You both stayed in a motel that night, that was the night you both made love. Then the next few days involved running away from Ross again, then making your way to Norway, meeting up with Natasha’s friend who was going to help you two.

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