#now leave me and my fic and it's very clear ���not canon compliant” tag alone

[not-poignant]

Every now and then I just get the kind of comment that makes me stop working on a fic and just has me going 'how about you write it since you're so concerned with correcting me on this one tiny thing that doesn't matter because it's fanfiction actually'

And like, I do want to work on this fic, but damn, not today.

[vina-writes]

Ten Favorite Drarry Fic Recs

I’ve reached a bit of a follower milestone, and I thought, why not celebrate? I’m happy! This is an incredible feeling that I honestly can’t fully articulate in writing. Knowing someone enjoyed my work and presence enough that they’d want to be notified if I posted again just makes me squeal and want to hug everyone from joy!! Thank you to anyone who has ever left me kudos, a comment, a tag, a note, an emoji, a tag emoji!! I am endlessly grateful to you all for this support and kindness.

Now, since it’s party time, I’ve compiled a personal list of my ten favorite Drarry fics to share the love. This is by no means a stamp of quality (as there are thousands of brilliant fics out there) and neither is it a guarantee that these are everyone’s cup of tea. But they are certainly my cup of tea— my whole buffet honestly.

I chose fics that made me feel deeply. Fics that made me cry, laugh, throw my phone, squeal and wiggle and dance at the end. These (mostly) weren’t fics which answered deep philosophical questions. They were fics which instead showed me love and adventure, joys and betrayals, misunderstandings and occasionally unbelievable (but appreciated) levels of smut (you know who you are). These are stories I read to be entertained, entranced, delighted, and happy. These are stories that made me feel in love.

In honor of that (and of my Canva addiction) I’ve made little banners for each. I hope they do some justice to these works. I’ve tried to capture the feeling of each fic in just one image. Without further ado, read on to find out exactly what my guilty pleasure (as if Drarry isn’t enough) is:

The Songbirds of Avebury Manor by Tessa Crowley [E, 18k] 

Summary: Harry Potter presents as alpha at fifteen, and it is supposed to change his life for the better. Instead, it leads him to a beautiful noble omega he cannot have, a political plot he cannot escape, and a threat on his life.

This story. Oh my stars, this story. What can I even say to properly express how I feel about it? This is the Romeo and Juliet, the Pride and Prejudice, the Hades and Persephone of Drarry. Reading this made me feel like an unwedded Victorian lass waiting for her Prince Charming. It’s a wonderful Historical AU that throws around power dynamics and questions of who is worthy of love, freedom, and respect despite them. This is a brilliant portrait of deep romantic love. Harry’s dedication to Draco is all-encompassing, beautiful, intense, intimate— earth shattering, really. The way they fall in love despite class and situation made me want to cry and write poetry. This is a true fairytale romance.

The Pirate and the Prince by @nerdherderette​, maniacani [E, 49k]

Summary: Draco can't believe that fate and circumstance have made him a stowaway on the Master of Death's ship. He doesn't know what's worse: the dread pirate's legendary vendetta against the aristocracy, or the fact that his captor is the most infuriating yet irrefutably fascinating man Draco has ever met.

The moment I started this story I knew it was going to be an instant favorite. It’s swashbuckling, debonair yet disheveled, dangerous, fun, adventurous— everything you could desire from a romance on the high seas! Though they come from very different backgrounds, this Draco and Harry are a power couple to the core. Their romance is once again beautiful, intense, and dedicated, but this time it’s mixed with a healthy dose of self-exploration and mutual acceptance. But apart from romance this fic holds delicious secrecy and identity issues, an astounding knowledge of sailing ships, plenty of piratey shenanigans, some heart-wrenching found family dynamics, a cursing parrot, and a glorious angst with a happy ending finale! 

Soup-pocalypse and the Great Curry Cataclysm by SquadOfCats [E, 104k]

Summary: Eleven years after the war, Draco Malfoy leads a quiet, boring, and perfectly respectable life, thanks very much. Or, at least he does, until a sudden and very unexpected veela awakening causes him to throw soup all over Harry Potter in the middle of the Ministry cafeteria.

What can I say about Soup-pocalypse? It will lure you in with tales of Veelas and romance, and then it will kidnap you and throw you in cooking class and therapy. You’ll come out wondering what just happened and how two days have passed. There will, of course, be Veelas and romance aplenty, but it will be a caring romance, a familial romance, a supportive and kind and nurturing romance. This story feels like family, good cooking, sunny days, the deep heartbreak of change, and through all of it, the truth of a real and solid partnership. This is the humorous yet angst-ridden tale of two idiots learning to love as adults, and then in turn learning to face the world together.

you’ve got the antidote for me by Kandakickass [M, 20k]

Summary: When Harry Potter unintentionally severs their soulbond before it can fully form, Draco Malfoy resigns himself to a slow death and decides not to burden Harry with a soulmate he's made it very clear he doesn't want.

He's never been selfless before, but for Harry, he can try.

Right then. On to the angstiest story I’ve ever read and truly enjoyed. Not just enjoyed, adored! Worshipped! Come back to time and again whenever I needed a good cry! Here is the beauty of it: this fic is deeply painful and heartbreaking, yet it steers clear of emotions like disgust and discomfort. Never once was it disturbing— only sorrowful, in the purest and most heart-wrenching way. Yet despite the pain strung throughout the majority of it, this fic left me feeling relieved and rejuvenated, the way one feels after crying their heart out over something simple. It’s an emotional release that does not leave you broken.

On the Last Day of Our World by Sansa [E, 84k]

Summary: During a detention, Harry and Draco get locked in a strange room together overnight. When they escape the next morning, they discover they are alone. Love, angst and adventure abound as they struggle to survive in an empty world.

Truly one of my favorite takes on canon divergence. Truly. This is an exploration of isolation and the joys and comforts that come with it. It is the power couple Drarry to rule them all— a Draco and Harry so strongly connected, in love, and attuned to one another that the world could fall at their feet. This story leaves you on the edge of your seat until the very bitter end— one of those where the second things are briefly peaceful the world goes up in a new set of flames. Those of you who daydream about a partnership that needs no others, two souls who are each other’s family, friend, and future, and would gladly abandon everything to spend eternity alone together: this is for you.

The Arc of the Pendulum by brummel [E, 30k]

Summary: After his father casts a mysterious curse on Harry Potter, Draco Malfoy is forced to try to make things right.

Yes. YES. YES!!! The Beauty and the Beast take you didn’t know you needed! Still canon-compliant to an extent, this is realistic and raw and incredible. Draco makes the choice to help Harry here, and the vulnerability of their interactions while Harry struggles with the curse is everything you could hope it to be. There’s a distinct fairytale atmosphere in this fic— both of them confined together, finding support and comfort in one another while struggling through the effects of the curse, and falling in love along the way. I could write sonnets about the ending using my tears for ink, but they shan’t be revealed here.

Picking Up Pieces by Tessa Crowley [E, 43k]

Summary of Part One: Fifteen years after the War, Draco is a social recluse and award winning author. Harry is an auror who works too hard, ensuring his old war wounds never heal. They meet at a masque ball, unaware of each other's identities. In another situation, it would have been love at first sight. But for them, it would never be so simple.

Picking Up Pieces deserves no introduction, but if you haven’t read it yet, please find a blanket, and cup of tea, and a quiet place to read, cry, and recover. I sobbed my little heart out through the entire second half— the tears were really never ending. How does it end up on a reclist by a fluff lover like me? The answer is similar to Antidote— though this story broke me apart, it was never twisted nor ugly, never disturbing. It was an incredibly touching tale of redemption, forgiveness, human nature, and recompense. The writing does put you through the emotional wringer, but it leaves you relieved and whole. I would lay down my life for this Draco. He truly needs to be protected and loved at all costs. Even though I’m usually careful when recommending heavy stories, I would encourage everyone to read this— it made me feel new, it made me feel like I’d spent an hour crying in the shower, but most of all, it really did make me happy.

Two Trees by LakeWitch [E, 36k]

Summary (shortened): In his Eighth year at Hogwarts, part of Draco Malfoy's probation is to see a Mind Healer once a week. Another part, unfortunately, is having to take Muggle Studies.

It wouldn't be so bad, really, if it weren't for the mandatory outing—a 'field trip'—booked at a Muggle lakeside retreat for the better part of five days. [...] Draco is determined to get it all over with as painlessly as possible. He'll keep his head down, and stay out of everyone's way. That is, until Pansy tells him—at the very last moment—that she's schemed to have Draco stay in the same room with Potter for the whole trip.

Just the two of them... in one room.

This is the comfort fic of all comfort fics. It feels like camping, like sitting by a lake in the sun, like marshmallows over a fire and sparks against a starry sky, and cool, feather-soft hotel sheets. Draco is dealing with several different anxieties here, but the brilliant setting and easy plot turn them into a cathartic read. This is a fic about young love and the ability to build bonds on trips. It made me remember my first crushes and the feeling of getting breakfast in a hotel lobby. There’s cuddling, there’s love, there’s some highly emo Draco (both warranted and unwarranted), and there’s a truckload of nature. Go read it!

Your Place Or Mine? by @l0vegl0wsinthedark​ [E, 26k]

Summary: "This person is so much harder to hate. And I’m supposed to hate Malfoy. How the fuck else am I supposed to limit this to just sex?" 

At first I was like, “Damn, Harry,” but then I was all, “Damn Harry!” but then I went, “DAMN Harry!” (interspersed with a lot of whistling and cursing). I could have slapped him, and you will want to. This is another Draco that deserves endless love and hot chocolate, with a Harry that deserves a good smack. I think about this fic weekly, and not just because it’s endlessly hot— although it is scorching hot, like how do you even write something that hot type of hot. Draco’s pining and Harry’s stupidity makes for the angstiest yet most satisfying friends-with-benefits-but-really-there’s-more combination, and the climax (pun intended) and resulting spill of emotions is everything anyone could hope for. Ten out of ten.

The Courting by the Pureblood Who Only Has Five Milligrams of Romantic Intelligence and Thinks He’s Real Smooth by @cibeewastaken​ [T, 19k]

Summary (shortened): Draco could grab Potter and shove him into a stall before proceeding to suck his soul out of his dick, but secretly, deep down, in the part of Draco that he will never admit to anyone, he is (everyone pauses to shudder) a romantic. Potter is not someone Draco wants a one-off with. Potter is — Draco’s beloved!

So Draco decides to boldly go where no one has gone before: to put himself through scrutiny; their friends’ teasing and pranks; unsound romantic advice from a house-elf; wearing pretty clothes; all to try and win Potter’s heart through courtship...

This thing of beauty is exactly as hilarious as it sounds. However, it is so much more than the endless laughs (although there are many). It is sweet, tender, touching, and filled with glorious pining and misunderstandings. Inside you’ll find extravagant (the word was literally invented for Cibee’s Draco) outfits, confusing customs, a blanket that brought me to tears, one badass house-elf, one very confused beloved, absolutely no fornication (wink), and one hopelessly smitten pureblood. Be warned, this fic is actually three “What the fuck, Draco?”s in a trenchcoat. I read it when I want to laugh, facepalm, and submerge myself in the adorable stupidity that is Draco Malfoy in love. It is well worth your time and is sure to bring a smile to your face.

With this final fic we conclude my list on a happy note! It’s long, it’s tedious, and I had a spanking good time writing it. I hope these bring some joy or happy tears to your day.

Love, Vina 

[hoboal87]

Elastic Heart Chapter One

Elastic Heart Chapter One

Characters: Y/N Y/L/N, Sam Winchester, Dean Winchester, John Winchester, OFCs

Pairing(s): None

Summary: Y/N Y/L/N sees a familiar set of eyes in the crowd, and remembers the first time she saw them and how they changed her life.

Word Count: 4300+

Warnings: Show level violence, cursing, pre-Stanford era Winchesters

Notes: Series will be mostly canon compliant, taking place during season 8/9. Also, for purposes of this fic Sam was born in '84 instead of '83.

Please give a comment or reblog and let me know what you think!

Elastic Heart Masterlist

Chapter One - Senior Year

“Y/N Y/M/N Y/L/N”

I don’t hear my name being called, I’m in my own world, looking out into the crowd for a set of familiar eyes. I spot them three rows back and smile. It’s been too long since I’ve seen them, and I miss the days where I would see those eyes nearly every day.

Life as a nursing student consists of going to class, lab work, interning at a hospital, and occasionally sleeping. I’ve spent the past two years doing nothing but that. I’ve always been one to do things early, but this was the one thing that, for once, I was on par with my peers. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. From the first time I saw those eyes, they altered my life, sending me down a path that I never planned to be on. Taking longer than we had thought, but eventually, I got back on track.

Finish school and get my fresh start. That had been my goal for the past two years. Move on, with or without those eyes in my life. I wanted them, but I knew that logically, it couldn’t happen. Our lives were too different, especially now. I lost my chance of having them with me always; now, I could only cherish the holidays and long weekends that allowed us to be together.

“Y/N Y/M/N Y/L/N,” the announcer’s voice contains a bit of urgency this time, drawing my attention. I step across the stage, shaking my supervisor’s hand, and receive my metaphorical diploma. I look back out into the audience and connect with those eyes again, wide and filled with joy. I take my seat and think back to the first time I saw them and how they changed my life forever.

Fall, 2002

This was it, the first day of my senior year. This is the year I will prove to everyone that I am no longer a kid. This is the year, mom and dad will see that I can act like an adult and make ‘good choices’ but, I’m determined to have just a little fun.

For the last two years, mom and dad have insisted that I take extra courses and go to summer school to ensure I graduate not only with good grades but early. I’ll graduate in the spring and be off to college in the fall. All I really want is to wait, take a year or two, experience life outside of my parents’ house.

I make the point to do as many high school activities as I can. Activities that they discouraged me from doing for the last two years; choir, volleyball, anything that will get me out of the house but still considered a school activity. I joined the decorating committee, wanting to participate in homecoming as much as possible. I know as long as I do nothing life-altering, I’m gonna be free in May.

“Be mindful of your grades, Y/N,” dad said, reading over all the consent forms, “if they slip, you will need to cut these extracurricular activities.”

“They won’t slip, dad.” I roll my eyes. “It’s my last year, let me have a bit of fun, please?”

“Your average drops below an A, and I’m pulling you out of each one of these clubs, understood?”

“Yes, sir.” I mull over telling him the other part of my plan. “I was… thinking about getting a job.” I look down, not wanting to make eye contact. “Something part-time?”

“I don’t think that’s the best idea, Y/N,” mom enters the room, “You’re going to be so busy already, tell her Rob.”

“Your mother has a point, and if they accept you to all these clubs, when will you even have time?”

“I may not even end up in the choir or the volleyball team,” I argue, “and if I don’t I’ll have a free period every day, I can talk to the counselor about making it my last class and—it’s my Senior Year, please, don’t you guys think I deserve a little more credit than this? I should get to experience a little bit of independence, don’t you think? I’m gonna be away at college in a year, I’m probably gonna have some on-campus job, I need to learn how to balance between the two.” I catch my breath, hoping that they will agree.

“Fine,” dad sighs heavily, “the same deal goes. Your grades slip, no more working. Am I making myself clear?”

“Yes!” I throw my arms around him, “Thank you!”

“Maybe you could get a job at the clinic,” mom chimes in, “get some experience in the field?”

“I don’t think anyone wants a sixteen-year-old working at the clinic, Sarah. Maybe at the drugstore, though?”

“Yeah,” I sit on the couch, “maybe.”

I discreetly start looking at apartments that could be for rent after graduation. I look on the outskirts of town and find a garage apartment that a very sweet older lady agrees to rent to me if it is still unoccupied over the summer. Finding a job gets put on the back burner as the school year moves into full swing. It turns out I can’t sing, and I suck at volleyball, but the coach offers me the position of manager, allowing me to still participate with the team at pep rallies and travel with them on away games. As the season comes to a close, and with Thanksgiving break around the corner, I decide it’s time to actively look for a job.

The trouble is finding someone willing to hire a 16-year-old high school student with no experience. I try some local retail stores, but I know that mom and dad will never go for the hours they want me to work. I walk into Joe’s Burgers, my favorite place to get some dinner and continue looking through the classifieds.

“Hey, Y/N/N,” I look over and wave to the man behind the counter.

“Hey, Dan, can I get a Bacon—"

“Your usual?” he cuts me off, smiling.

“Yes, please,” I look down sheepishly, handing him the exact amount of money without being told the total.

“Whatcha got there?” he nods towards the paper that’s now on the counter as he hands me my receipt.

“Oh, I’m just looking for a job,” I tuck the paper under my arms. “Need to earn some money so I can get outta this town after graduation.”

“What’s wrong with the town,” his face grows serious, “I’ve lived here my whole life.”

“Shit—I mean, n-nothing. Fuck."

“Y/N/N!” Dan bursts into laughter, “I’m just messing with you! You think you’re the first person who hates living here? We’re a small-ass town in the middle of nowhere.”

“You’re such a jerk,” I say, relieved, “I’ll be in my spot, okay?” He tries to contain his laughter as I walk away, making my way to my usual table. I flip through the pages, seeing nothing that would really work for me.

“You know Joe has been talking about hiring another cashier,” Dan says, bringing my food over, “and you’re practically here all the time anyway, you may as well make some money while you’re at it. You want me to talk to him?”

“Really? Do you think he’d hire me? I can’t stay late on week-nights because of school, mom and dad would kill me.”

“Yeah, we need someone to work the register, Jana can’t do it all herself. Whaddya think?”

“Oh, my god Dan, that would be amazing!” I get up and throw my arms around him to give him a hug. I watch as Dan walks to the back of the restaurant, after a few minutes he returns, giving me the thumbs-up. Before I leave, he gives me paperwork to fill out and a uniform, telling me to return the next day for training.

For three days, I train, working with Jana on the register. She is a few years older than me, with absolutely no filter. She always has me hunched over, laughing at something she has said or done. The lunches are busier than usual with the break. On Friday, she decides it’s time to leave me on my own, ‘best way to learn,’ she quips.

I’ve never been a social butterfly, and the thought of having to deal with customers on my own genuinely terrifies me for a few moments. After giving myself a small pep talk, I turn around to see three large men waiting for me.

The shortest of the three looks at me, and leans over the counter, “I’m here, what are your other two wishes?” he asks, flashing me a wink.

“I’m sorry?” I can’t believe this guy is serious.

“My brother and I were wondering,” he gestures to the tallest of the three, “if it hurt when you fell from heaven?”

“W-what?” I feel the heat pooling in my cheeks.

“Dean, knock it off, we’re here to work.” the older man behind him smacks him upside his head, and I have to stifle my laughter. He offers a sympathetic smile toward me.

“Did your mother drop you on your head when you were a baby?” I shot back; it was the only thing I could think of, albeit an awful comeback.

“It’s okay, just blink if you want me,” I stare straight into those green eyes for a solid 10 seconds before turning away.

“Dean, leave the girl alone, how old are you doll?” he asks, turning to me.

“Sixteen,” I say, watching as he rolls his eyes at the other two.

“See, are you trying to go to jail, son?” he says, looking at me apologetically “I’m sorry my sons are two walking hormones.”

“I didn’t even say anything!” the tall one huffs. Green-eyes shrugs and rubs the back of his head.

“Don’t even Sam, I heard you when we walked in.” Their dad grabs them by the shirts and drags them both to stand in front of me. I couldn’t believe my eyes, this man grabbing his two grown sons like they were pre-teens, “Now apologize to…” he looks at my name tag, “… Y/N.”

“Sorry, sweetheart, didn’t mean to offend you,” Green-eyes says insincerely.

“That’s fine, it’s part of the job, learning to deal with frat boys who love to mess with townies,” I smile back curtly.

“What the fu—” green-eyes is clearly trying to contain his anger, but his dad chuckles at the remark, and his brother can hardly control himself.

“Yeah, frat boy, don’t mess with the townie,” the younger one laughs, pushing his shaggy brown hair away from his face, revealing gleaming hazel eyes flecked with hints of green and blue surrounded by dark full lashes.

“Listen, Y/N,” green-eyes looks at my name tag again, “we ain’t no frat boys, in fact, we’re here becau—”

“All right, Dean, that’s enough.” His dad gives him a stern look that is clearly a silent conversation. “Since we’re off to such a wonderful start, let’s start over, yeah?”

I nod politely. These guys are clearly passing through and will be gone in a matter of hours or days, but Joe wants us to make all people, even the ones we’ll probably never see again, feel welcome.

“I’m John, you already know Dean,” he reaches his hand out towards the tall one, “and this is Sam. We’re actually looking into the recent animal-related deaths,” he says, producing a Fish and Wildlife Badge. I study it for a moment before handing it back. “We’re interviewing some of the local business owners and residents in the area of the attacks. Have you heard or seen anything usual, smelled anything weird, anything that comes to mind?”

“Oh.” I look at the three men; here I was being a bitch to the people trying to help. “Um, I just started working here a few days ago, animal attacks?” I look back up to John, who nods. “The only animals around here are coyotes, but even they’re pretty rare. I haven’t heard anything, but I keep to myself. Joe might know something, he’s the owner and knows everything about everyone.” I offer a smile.

“Is Joe in today?” John asks. His grey eyes hold so much pain as he looks at me.

“Um… yeah. He may have a few minutes now that we’ve slowed down. I can see if he can come talk to you?”

“That’d be great, thanks, Y/N.”

“Please, Y/N/N,” I say, blushing, covering my nametag, “No one really calls me Y/N.”

“Y/N/N,” he repeats, “I’d really like to speak with Joe if it’s not a problem.”

“Yeah, shit. Let me go get him,” I say, walking towards the back. “Hey Jana, I’m gonna go get Joe. Watch the register?”

“I got it,” she hollers back.

“Dude! She’s 16!” I hear who I assume is Sam whispering loudly. “Shut up! How was I supposed to know that?!”

“Dean, she’s obviously not 18. Stick to girls your own age,” John responds. “Sammy—.”

I can no longer hear the men as I reach the door to Joe’s office. Jana and Dan had both told me that his door usually stayed open, today it was not only closed, but it was locked as well. I knock, waiting for him to answer. He looks a little frazzled when he opens the door, but smiles at me, “Hey, Y/N/N, what’s up?”

“There’s a guy from Fish and Wildlife; he’s looking into the recent animal attacks? He’s asking about strange occurrences or something? I don’t know, but I know you pay attention to that kind of stuff, so he wants to talk to you.”

“I—shit, yeah, let him know I’ll be out in a few minutes,” he straightens his shirt and closes the door behind him.

I nod and head back to the front of the building. I watch as the boys and their father seem to be in deep discussion. Turning away when I realize Dean has caught me staring. I gather their food, and as I walk towards their table, I can hear that for some reason, I am the current topic of discussion, specifically, my age.

“Actually, I’ll be 17 in a month,” I quip, dropping their food, unsure of why I am engaging with this odd group of men.

“Huh?” Dean looks at me curiously.

“Well, for some reason the two of you are overly concerned with my age, I’ll be 17 next month.”

“Still illegal, Dean,” Sam smirks.

“Yeah, but right up your alley, Sammy,” Dean winks at him.

“Boys, stop treating this girl like she’s a piece of meat,” their father doesn’t even look up from his plate.

I can’t help myself, I’m usually not this brazen, but something about these outsiders coming in, I have to say it, “Well, here in the Great State of Texas the age of consent is 17, it’s not technically illegal,” and before I can stop myself I wink at Dean.

“Oh, Y/N, you are killing me here,” he says, bringing his hand to his chest. “Unfortunately, I’m gonna have to pass, but Sammy here,” Dean grabs Sam by the shoulders, “may be able to help you out.”

Sam blushes furiously; it’s actually adorable. I can feel the heat coming up in my own cheeks, and know if I stay any longer, they will see it very clearly.

“Joe’ll be out in a few minutes,” I say, turning to go back to the register. I walk away, adding a little sway in my hips as I know the younger men are watching. “Lemme know if there’s anything else I can get you,” I shoot another wink, this time in Sam’s direction.

“Thanks, Y/N/N.” John’s baritone voice carries through the restaurant.

I watch Joe take a seat with the three men, the younger boys listening and observing their father very carefully. I watch John grab something—a fork?— out of his pocket and discreetly place it in front of Joe. Why would he do such a thing? Joe and the men continue to speak for 10 minutes until the dinner rush starts, and Joe excuses himself.

The three men finish their burgers and leave the restaurant; concern etched on their faces as they have a heated conversation.

Throughout the dinner rush, I notice that Sam is stationed outside of the building. It looks as though he’s watching somebody. But every time I look up, his position has changed. After it grows dark, I can no longer see him outside; I realize I shouldn’t let him occupy my mind. Jana and I work furiously until a few hours later when we finally close.

“First day on your own,” Jana says, letting her hair down and hopping onto the counter. “You did good Y/N/N, only a couple mistakes.”

“Thanks, it’s not always gonna be like that, right?” I say, sighing, mimicking her actions with my own hair.

“Nah, I mean, the Friday and Saturdays will be, but unless it’s a school break, the nights are not usually too crazy,” she reassures me.

“Thank God,” I laugh, “what about the customers? Did you see those guys earlier? The ones talking to Joe?” I ask, hoping that she doesn’t pick up on the fact that I am blushing at the mention of the men.

“Oh, you mean the green-eyed one who was clearly hitting on you?” She smirks at me, “With the older guy and the really tall guy?”

“Yeah… you have an excellent memory…” I laugh, “he was so cheesy. ‘Did it hurt when you fell from heaven?’” I mock him. “I mean, he can’t think girls really fall for that? Even the tall one knew it was a bad line.” I blushed a little, thinking about them.

“Oh my god, you like him, green-eyes.” She gasps, “You wanna jump his bones,” she sang mockingly at me, “you love him!”

“Shut up,” I threw my apron at her playfully, “I do not want to jump his bones. Besides, I’m jailbait. He’s at least 21 or so.” Jana raises her eyebrow at me. “He basically told me he couldn’t.”

“So… you’re saying you would if he was younger?” she giggles.

“Jana! No! He’s not my type. He’s way too cocky—he probably thinks he’s God’s Gift to Women,” I mock him again.

“What about the tall one? He was gorgeous,” she offers, “And the dad? He’s hot, like I will so call him Daddy. Let him just—."

“That’s way too much information, Jana. Anyway, if green-eyes is too old, how on earth is the dad not even more wrong?”

“That’s what makes it so hot… like, the wrongness of it…” she says mock fanning herself. “Okay, so clearly, the giant is the one you’re gonna have to do. You can just climb on top—" she says, moving her whole body onto the counter, “and take him for a ride.”

“Jesus, Jana.” I try to suppress my embarrassed laughter. But I blush furiously at the thought of Sam, especially with the image that Jana just planted in my head. I cover my face with my hands as I try to compose myself.

“Oh my god, you are so red!” Jana laughs, “It’s the giant! He’s the one you lo-ove!”

“I don’t even know him! They’re just passing through. You know the type, no one actually moves here. Not for real, at least. They’ll be gone in a week.”

“Y/N/N, that’s why it’s perfect. Hook up, get all that pent-up frustration out of your system, and then you’ll go your separate ways,” she offers. “Wham-bam-thank you-ma’am.”

“I’m really not into that one-night stand stuff,” I say, “I mean, what’s the point?”

“Come on, Y/N/N, that’s the point. Sometimes you just need a release. It’s not like you’re gonna fall in love with some guy you just met and hook-up with once. I mean, you’ve hooked up with guys before, right?”

I shrug my shoulders.

“Oh, my God. Y/N/N, you’re not a virgin, are you?” she whispers so that Dan and Joe won’t hear. I nod, I didn’t have a problem with my own virginity, but other people did. I know I have plenty of time. And with how busy mom and dad keep me, I have no time for boys. “Oh, okay, there’s nothing wrong with that.”

“I know. Besides, mom and dad don’t even like the thought of me dating; they’d make the guy ask for permission. It’s not that I would ever have time for it anyway. Either way, it’ll happen whenever it happens, and it will probably not be great the first time,” I laugh, trying to break the serious look on Jana’s face. “I have very low expectations, especially if he’s never done anything either. Most boys my age don’t know what they’re doing anyway.”

“Not to be all romantic or whatever, but you know it doesn’t have to be like that. Your first time doesn’t have to suck. It can be really nice if you get the right person.”

“I figure it will either be awesome or okay,” I laugh, “hope it’s awesome, but it’s not that big of a deal.”

“Okay, I’m gonna have one more mom moment with you, and then we can leave, okay?” she grows slightly serious, and I nod my head. “Bring condoms.” I choke out a laugh. “I’m serious. Don’t count on the guy to do it. And don’t trust the ‘pull-out’ method. Dudes always think they can time it right, and half the time…” she makes a gesture I don’t quite understand, I look at her confused. “Inside. Or at least not all the way out. And I’m sure getting pregnant isn’t a part of your grand plan.” She smiles softly. “If you ever need someone to talk about this stuff with, you can come to me, okay?”

“Thank you, if and when the day ever comes, I’ll be sure to tell you.” She raises her eyebrow. “I swear. Don’t count on it being anytime soon, though.”

Jana finishes counting the tips, and I count the register. We grab our bags, say goodbye to Dan, who’s still closing down, and Joe, who’s in the office looking at receipts.

Jana and I live about a block away from each other, and close enough to the restaurant that neither of us bothered driving. Every week it’s getting colder, and I know by the first week of December it will be too cold to walk home at night. But until then, Jana and I walk together, her house off of the main road that leads to mine.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to walk you all the way home?” Jana asks as we reach her street.

“Don’t be ridiculous. Then you’ll have to walk back by yourself.”

“Yeah, but I’m prepared.” She pulls mace and a small knife that’s attached to her keychain out. “If someone or something tries to get me, stab stab.”

“Jesus, Jana,” I laugh out of shock. “No, I’ll be fine, how about tomorrow before work I get me one of those and then I’ll be prepared as well.”

“Fine, but call me when you get home,” she jots a number down and waves goodbye, “I’m serious Y/N/N, call me. If you don’t, I will call your parents.”

“I will,” I yell, turning back to head home.

I feel that I’m being followed. Paranoid, I know. I swear I can hear footsteps behind me, but every time I turn around, there’s nothing there. Freaking Jana, this is her fault. I’ve never had issues walking home at night before, but now I’m hearing things that I probably wouldn’t have noticed if she hadn’t put “I’m prepared,” in my head, now feeling like a taunt. I’m less than 5 minutes away from my house; what could possibly happen?

I hear a growling, something inhuman; it grows louder as I try to will myself to move faster. I turn the corner, and that’s when it happens, someone, something, jumps out of nowhere and starts running towards me. I try to run, but my legs won’t move, “fuck.”

I hear yelling, but I still can’t move, the creature is getting closer to me, and I get a good look at it. Claws, it has fucking claws. Its eyes are yellow, and its teeth are huge. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say it was a werewolf. But werewolves don’t exist. This must be the creature that John was looking for.

‘It’s some kind of rare species of bear,’ I tell myself, ‘a bear.’

It’s only about a foot away from me; it looks like something out of a horror movie. It’s on its hind legs, unnatural noises leave its body, and before I can even move, it's swiping at me. All I can do is close my eyes and pray it doesn't kill me. A loud bang forces my eyes open, I stand there, still unable to move. I look up to see a set of familiar eyes before me, ones I hadn’t expected to see ever again. Sam.

Chapter 2

[messie2624]

Title: He’d Never Thought He’d be Captain

Fandom: Haikyuu!

Relationships: Tsukishima Kei & Yamaguchi Tadashi, Hinata Shouyou & Kageyama Tobio & Tsukishima Kei & Yachi Hitoka & Yamaguchi Tadashi, Ennoshita Chikara & Yamaguchi Tadashi

Characters: Yamaguchi Tadashi, Ennoshita Chikara, Tsukishima Kei, Yachi Hikota, Kageyama Tobio, Hinata Shouyou

Additional Tags: Canon Compliant, during time skip, Haikyuu First Years as Second Years, Yamaguchi Tadashi Becoming Captain, Captain Ennoshita Chikara, Captain Yamaguchi Tadashi, Yamaguchi's friends support him, Ennoshita believes in him, kageyama and hinata being kageyama and hinata, ships can be whatever you want

Language: English

Status: Complete

Summary: Ennoshita announces to the Karasuno volleyball team the next captain. Said future captain doubts he's the best choice for the team.

Link Above, Fic Below

The Karasuno volleyball team was done for the year. They had made it the 3rd round of the Spring Interhigh tournament, barely missing the spot they had reached the previous year. The team had filed into the bus, not quite as sad as they thought they would be. They were too busy cheering for their friends on teams’ success. Hinata was practically vibrating with glee that Nekoma (mainly Kenma) had won it all, lamenting that they didn't have a chance to play against each other this year. Tsukishima was a bit ruffled from being stuck between Kuroo and Bokuto for the Nekoma vs Fukurōdani match. Yamaguchi was surprised his friend could still hear, especially since Hinata was just as loud as Bokuto.

Ennoshita called for everyone to gather around him when the bus brought them back home. “I have a few announcements to make.”

“We’re getting meat buns!” Hinata interrupted.

“Maybe,” he said. “My fellow third years and I were talking on the bus--”

“Don’t tell us you’re leaving!” Yamada, a first-year, cried.

“Well, we…” the rest of his sentence was drowned out by Hinata and the other first years. He waited silently for them to finish. When that finally happened, he cleared his throat. “Now, we’ve decided that we would still like to be a part of the club until graduation,” he was cut off by cheers and he held up his hand to quiet them. “That being said, we can’t dedicate that much time to club anymore. Entrance exams are on the horizon for us and we need to focus on that. We’ll still be around but not as much. That means we have to appoint a new captain and that’s Yamaguchi. Congratulations. Good job everyone, I’m proud of you all and I’ll see you at practice.”

With that, the third years and first years disbanded, congratulating Yamaguchi as they left. Yamaguchi himself was standing in stunned silence.

Yachi hugged him. “Congratulations Yamaguchi!”

“That’s so cool that you’re the captain!” Hinata exclaimed. “Oh! Kageyama should be your vice captain and I can be the ace!” He beamed.

“And what would I be?” Tsukishima asked, looking very unimpressed with his teammate.

Hinata thought for a bit. “You can be Tsukishima!”

“Great,” he deadpanned.

“Why me as captain though?” Yamaguchi asked quietly. “You’re all better at volleyball than I am.”

Hinata tilted his confusion. “Do you not want to be captain?”

Yamaguchi fiddled with his hands. “It’s not that…”

Tsukishima nodded, as if he knew what he was thinking. “But you didn’t expect to be.”

Yamaguchi nodded in agreement. “Maybe we should vote on it. That way the worthiest candidate will be captain.”

Kageyama frowned. “With just the five of us?”

“Sure,” Hinata said. “We’re gonna ‘inherit’ the club anyway. That’s what Sugawara-san always said. Besides, this doesn’t even count. Ennoshita makes the final decision.”

“But we could always take it to Ennoshita-senpai and get him to change it,” Yamaguchi offered nervously.

“Well, let’s vote then,” Yachi said. “I’ll say each person’s name and the one with the most votes gets captain.”

“What if there’s a tie?” Hinata asked.

Kageyama scoffed. “Dumbass, there won’t be a tie.”

“You don’t know that, Bakayama!”

“If there’s a tie, they’ll play Janken for it,” Yachi said.

Tsukishima seemed unimpressed. “We’re placing the fate of the team on Janken?”

Yachi smiled. It seemed nice but was a little on the threatening side. “It won’t come to that. Now, second place should get the vice captain spot, only if the captain approves. Everyone ready?”

The boys nodded.

“Hands up for Tsukishima.”

No hands went up.

Tsukishima shrugged. “Good call.”

“Hands up for Hinata.”

No hands went up.

Hinata pouted. “Awww.”

“You didn’t raise your own hand,” Kageyama pointed out.

“You can’t vote for yourself, stupid!”

“Yachi never said you couldn’t, dumbass!”

She sighed as they looked to her for ruling. “You can vote for yourself. Hinata, do you want a re-vote?”

He shook his head.

“What about you, Tsukishima?”

“Nope, I’m good.”

“Okay, moving on. Hands up for Kageyama.”

One hand went up.

“And hands up for Yamaguchi.”

Four hands went up and Yamaguchi pouted at being outnumbered by the rest of the second-years.

Yachi clapped. “We have a winner! Congrats again Yamaguchi! And congratulations to Kageyama for having the captain’s vote! You’ll make a great vice!”

Kageyama blinked owlishly. “What?”

Hinata pulled him down the road. “Congrats Kageyama! I’ll buy you a meat bun this time! And milk!”

The pair continued their trademark bickering until they were out of sight, Yachi following not far behind them. It looked like they probably wouldn’t get much studying done that night. Speaking of which…

“Your place or mine?”

Yamaguchi blinked. It was just him and Tsukishima now. “Huh?”

“We were going to study for our math test, remember?”

“Of course I do. Can we go to yours?”

Tsukishima nodded and they continued down the road to the Tsukishima residence and they didn’t talk much about Yamaguchi’s new appointment.

---

“Um, Ennoshita-senpai? Can I talk to you for a moment?”

Ennoshita turned from watching the first-years. “Hmm? What’s up, Yamaguchi?”

Yamaguchi nervously passed the volleyball he was holding between his hands. “Can I ask you something?”

“This is about the captain position, isn’t it?”

“How’d you know?”

Ennoshita gave him a small smile. “Because you looked as confused as I did when Daichi-san told me that I would be captain. Toss me that.”

Yamaguchi tossed him the ball.

He caught it and motioned for Yamaguchi to follow him. They stopped in an unused corner of the gym and Ennoshita gently bumped it to his kouhai. The two fell into an easy rhythm before Ennoshita spoke.

“So what’s your question?”

“Why me? I mean, the other three are more skilled than I am.”

Ennoshita made a humming sound. “I guess that’s true in a technical sense, but there’s more to being a captain than skill alone. If that was the case, Tanaka or Nishinoya would be captain over me.”

“But you were a great captain, senpai.”

“Thank you, and you’ll be a great one too. You wanna know how I know?”

Yamaguchi nodded.

“Because you make the most sense to be captain. You’ve done the most growing as a player and the other second-years will only listen to you.”

Yamaguchi chuckled nervously. “I’m not sure if that’s true…”

Ennoshita raised an eyebrow. “No? Would Hinata and Kageyama listen to Tsukishima.”

He cringed. Tsukishima as a captain was kind of a scary thought. “No, they wouldn’t.”

“Would Kageyama and Tsukishima listen to Hinata?”

“Definitely not.”

“And would Tsukishima and Hinata listen to Kageyama?”

“No…”

“Exactly. They’ll listen to you because they respect you as a person, player, and teammate,” Ennoshita smiled fondly at him. “You and Yachi are going to take good care of the team.”

“But I’m not sure if--”

“Do you feel like you don’t deserve it? You work just hard as everyone else and then some. You can’t stay on the bench forever. Do any of the other second years have a problem with my decision?”

“No, we even voted on it.”

Ennoshita chuckled.

“Senpai…”

“I’m sorry, Yamaguchi. I’m guessing they all voted for you?”

He nodded. “They did.”

“And who did you vote for?”

“Kageyama.”

Ennoshita was quiet for a moment. “Kageyama huh? Does second place make him your vice? Especially if you were the only person that voted for him.”  

“That’s what Yachi said the rules were.”

“He’ll make a good vice. He has the skills to be a good captain but not quite the personality. He’d be afraid he would revert back to the King.” He caught the ball. “He’s grown beyond that, of course, but the fear’s still there. Take care of him, okay? You two will help each other grow.”

Yamaguchi smiled. “Yes, senpai.”

There was a loud crash behind them and the bickering voices of Hinata and Kageyama.

Ennoshita gave a long suffering sigh. “I swear, they’re not even mad at each other. This is just a habit for them at this point.”

“I’ll go talk to them, captain.”

Ennoshita smiled. “I should be calling you that. Get you used to it. Have I answered your questions?”

He nodded. “Yes.”

“Good, now get over to those two before Tsukishima makes it worse.”

Yamaguchi quickly turned to the scene. “Tsukki no!”

---

After all the commotion settled, Yachi handed a bottle of water. “You handled that well. That maybe stopped their fighting all together.”

Yamaguchi laughed. “I doubt it. To be honest, I’d be more worried if they weren’t riling each other up.” He passed the bottle back to her when he was finished.

She smiled. “Did you have a good talk with Ennoshita-senpai?”

He nodded. “I did. I feel a bit better about all this now.”

“You’ll be a good captain, Yamaguchi-kun.”

“And you’re an amazing manager, Hikota-chan.”

She laughed. “Stop flattering me and get back to practice.”

As he returned to the court, he still wasn’t 100% sure he would do a good job, but he was slowly and surely gaining the confidence in himself. He knew he had support whenever he needed it. Ennoshita did have a point. He was the logical choice for captain next year and he couldn’t disappoint.

He wouldn’t disappoint. He grinned. Maybe he’d take them to Nationals next year.

[inawickedlittletown]

Walking The Wire (161/163)

Summary: Tony Stark always knew about Peter Parker. He didn’t know that Peter was going to get superpowers and become Spider-Man, but he always knew about Peter because Peter was his son.

This will span from pre-Iron Man up through the rest of the MCU (eventually including Infinity War) and will be for the most part canon compliant except where I’ve taken some liberties and interpreted canon a certain way.

Pairings: Pepper/Tony, Tony/Steve (endgame), Tony/Mary (past)

A/N: If you want me to tag you when I post new chapters let me know. This fic is also on AO3

I used Collider’s MCU timeline to stay canon and the title of this fic is an Imagine Dragons song that is just so fitting for Peter and Tony

@findmeinthestarss

Masterpost

Chapter One Hundred Sixty

-

The first thing that Steve did once he’d stepped into the portal and over to another planet was step towards Tony. Tony was there first, reaching for him. Steve fell right into the hug and then a few moments later, Peter was there hugging them both and Steve knew the world was right again. They’d done it. He turned slightly, bringing an arm around Peter’s shoulders. 

“I said you’d make it out too,” Peter said. 

“I know, Pete.” It was good to see him away from the orange tones of the Soul Stone.

When Peter stepped back, Steve had eyes only for Tony and he could see how much Tony’s eyes glinted with unshed tears. There was anger and pain there and Steve knew it was his fault -- he didn’t regret it at all even if it was clear that he had put Tony through something. 

When Steve’s hands had touched him, his fingers brushing tears away before they had a chance to fall very far, Tony melted under his touch and he took in a breath, shuddering as his eyes fluttered closed and he leaned into Steve’s touch.    

“You’re never leaving me like that again,” Tony told him in a whisper.

“Never,” Steve whispered back and Steve drew him into his chest and Tony let out a breath as he pressed his face into Steve’s neck. Steve breathed him in and closed his eyes and everything felt right. He had Tony in his arms, Peter was just a few feet away, and Thanos had been dealt with. 

“You know I had to,” Steve said, low and just for them. “The choice was me or you and Peter needs you more. The world needs you more.”

“But I need you,” Tony said.

“Not as much as you think,” Steve said and it was true. Tony would have survived if he had really died as much as he might try to deny it. Tony would have done it for Peter and for the others and Steve would have become just a memory. 

Tony let him go after a long moment and then he turned away and Steve noticed their audience. None of them seemed to be bothered by them, though. He saw Natasha’s smile and the way that Nebula was almost smiling. 

Natasha hugged him and then Thor picked him up off the floor just because he could. Carol offered him a handshake and Scott grinned and hugged him awkwardly, letting go quickly and looking like he was about to offer an apology. 

“I’m not hugging you,” Rocket said just as Rhodey’s hand landed on Steve’s shoulder.

“Good to have you back, Cap.”

“Good to be back,” Steve returned.

Clint did hug him and he looked emotional and clearly ready to get back home and back to his returned family. Actually, almost everyone looked ready to leave, even those that actually belonged somewhere out in space. But then, they all did need to regroup, and the planet they were currently on didn’t look like it would be habitable for any of them.  

Strange got them all back to Earth using a portal and the first person they saw when they arrived at the compound was Nick Fury. Maria Hill was not far behind. 

“Right,” he said, “so here you lot are at last. The only people that might know what’s actually up and how we’re going to deal with the whole world in shambles.” 

“You mean the world we saved,” Tony said. “Including you.”

Carol stepped around Tony and Steve, then, and whatever Fury was going to say died on his lips. “Carol Danvers.”

“Hey,” Carol said with a smile. “I got your page.”

Steve had never seen Fury so pleased to see someone. If he were a hugger, Steve was sure that Fury would gone and hugged Carol, but as it was, he instead gave her a smile and a nod which was more than any of them got from him most days. 

“The only one around here with any answers was Ms. Potts and she’s too busy with your company to do much,” Fury said, directing his gaze at Tony. “But we need a plan. People are confused, they don’t know what happened and no one has offered any explanation. Some people are talking about that orange world we were all in, but not many. They need some answers and those should come from you.”

Steve hadn’t seen Fury in the stone. Then again, after finding Peter and Bucky, he hadn’t exactly been looking for anyone else. Maybe he should have. 

Tony sighed. “Fine.”

Steve touched his elbow and Tony smiled back at him. 

“What do you want to do?” Steve asked. 

“Well, I was planning on marrying you, but I guess that’s going to have to come second to everything else.” 

He could tell that Tony was joking but that there was some truth mixed in too. The thing of it was that there really was a lot for them to still do including putting the stones back. The aftermath of The Decimation and getting society back to normal wasn’t exactly their responsibility, but Fury was right in that they alone knew everything that happened and people needed answers. 

Carol walked ahead of them and into the compound with Fury at her side and he could tell that they were catching up. The others started following, but Tony stayed behind and so did Peter. 

“Strange,” Tony said, “I think it might be useful if you pop into Wakanda and get the rest of The Avengers back and maybe even T’Challa if he’s available.” 

That was a start. 

And even though he’d seen both Sam and Bucky in the stone and for a time he’d caught a glimpse of Wanda, he was excited to see them again outside of the stone. 

“I guess there’s no rest for the weary,” Tony said. 

---

Fury mostly just wanted to talk to him, Steve, and Carol. Tony didn’t really want to part with Peter, but he could tell that Peter was getting a bit antsy with not having seen May yet. So, when he realized that Strange had created a portal for Clint to go to his family and for Scott to go to his, he asked if he could send Peter to see May. 

“Are you sure, dad? I don’t want to--”

“Look, kid, I’m going to be busy for a few hours and it’s best you go now. You don’t want to keep her waiting. I’m surprised she hasn’t called/ See your friends too.” 

“Yes, definitely go see MJ,” a newly arrived Sam said and Peter stuck his tongue out at him. 

Tony had been there to witness Peter hugging Barnes -- almost as if Barnes were his best friend and not Steve’s. But Steve had hugged Barnes next with the same excitement while Tony greeted Sam. 

“They bonded,” Steve told him, “while they were in the stone.”

“Oh. That’s good that he had someone.”

“Yeah,” Steve said and then Tony watched him go check on Wanda. 

Wanda stuck close to Natasha and had ever since they’d been returned and Tony knew that she had to be taking it hard being back and Vision still being gone. Their only loss, it seemed. 

He, Steve, and Carol sat with Fury and together they came up with a plan of sorts and somehow Fury got the returned President and the Vice President on a video call to explain it all to them. At some point, they’d called Rhodey in too seeing as he’d been the one primarily dealing with the government before. 

In the end, it came down to the UN and the Accords council and a version of the truth was drafted to tell the public. It was mostly true and Tony didn’t really care as long as people stopped freaking out. 

At some point, Pepper arrived with her own numerous lists of things mostly to do with SI and how the company and Tony were going to help with the aftermath. They’d already been doing a lot back when the snap first happened, but Pepper wanted to do even more and she wanted Tony’s input. All of that of course came after she hugged him and hit him and after hugging everyone that had returned to them, she asked about Peter, and looked only a little deflated when Tony told her he was with May. 

By the time that everything was decided and Fury somehow convinced Carol and Steve to be the ones to give the news out to everyone in a pre-recorded video, Tony felt more than ready to collapse. Too much happened way too soon and they still had a lot more to do. The most important being the stones that needed to go back to the past -- to exactly where and when they had been taken from. It was one of the few things they were leaving off for another day. 

Tony was so tired that he didn’t even have the energy to ask after the living tree that Rocket was talking to in a corner. So when Steve touched his back, Tony let himself rest back into him. 

“I think everything is set up for tomorrow. We don’t have to worry about anything else, want to go home?” 

Tony nodded. “Better words have not been spoken. But, I’m still a little mad at you.”

Steve chuckled and kissed his cheek. “I did it because I needed to. For you. For Peter.” 

“I know and I love you for it. I want to marry you for it.”

---

Doctor Strange delivered him into May’s living room which was luckily empty, because Peter didn’t think that May could have handled him arriving via portal well at all. 

“May?” he called out. 

The house looked mostly the same and it was a good sign that it was clean and normal and that May hadn’t let it fall apart. It meant that maybe she was handling things better than Peter had expected. 

“May?” he called again. 

He walked towards the kitchen and found a few dishes on the sink but not much else, but when he turned, May was just outside the kitchen, standing completely still and with a hand covering her mouth. 

“Peter, is it really you?” 

“Yeah. May, haven’t you heard, we’re all back. My dad and The Avengers -- they did it.”

“Oh,” May said and then she stepped forward and Peter met her half way and hugged her and he could feel her shaking. She was crying and clinging to him and Peter felt so much absolute relief at being with her again. 

“Are you okay? What was it like? I couldn’t imagine -- when Tony told me, it was--”

“It wasn’t bad. Painless. It was just kind of boring but I wasn’t alone and we were safe until they brought us back.”

May nodded and she pulled back from the hug, her hands lifting to cup his cheek and look at his face. She seemed to be assessing him and making sure that he was all really there. 

“And your dad? Everyone else? Everyone okay?”

Peter nodded. “Yeah. They’re all okay. Everyone���s good and Thanos is gone.”

May told him about the last few months and how horrible things had been. She told him about the accidents that occurred when the snap happened and how the governments of the world were in shambles. 

“I don’t know how much worse things could have gotten,” May said. “Mostly I just spent my time hoping and wishing you’d come back. Your friends kept coming by and that helped a lot -- they’ll want to see you.”

Peter nodded quickly. “I want to see them too. Ned and MJ.” Saying her name made him blush a little and Peter didn’t know if it was because he really did have a crush or because of all the teasing Sam and Bucky had given him. 

He stayed with May for a while longer. She made him a sandwich and they turned on the tv, but there was mostly news coverage on everything that happened and Peter wasn’t too keen on seeing it. He kind of wanted to forget that it had happened at all. So May turned it off and Peter told her about what it had been like to be in space and in the Soul Stone. He tried not to tell her too much about how much danger he’d been in, but she seemed to have already been aware. 

“I yelled at your dad after he came to see me. He looked horrible and I knew that but I--” she trailed off and Peter could see a glint of guilt in her eyes. “I was just really upset and I blamed him even though I guess you would have disappeared wherever you were.”

“I think he blamed himself too,” Peter said. “It’s okay, May.” He hugged her again for a long time. 

Instead of going to see Ned or Michelle and getting in the way of their reunions with whatever family members had been dusted, Peter sent them both texts letting them know that he was back and well. Neither responded immediately. Instead, a text from Tony came in. 

Peter, I Am Your Father: Steve and I are going back to the tower for the night. Let me know if you’re staying with May or coming home.

He stayed with May a bit longer and managed to get on her computer to see for himself what was happening. He asked May if she wanted to go to the tower with him, but May shook her head and he could tell that she wished he would stay with her, but she didn’t push it. 

“I’ll be back soon, May,” Peter said before hugging her. “I just--”

“Your dad. I know,” May said. “Call and visit soon, though. I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you too.”

Peter decided to swing to the tower and it felt amazing to be back in New York and when he got close enough to see the tower from afar, he couldn’t help but smile wider because he really was home.

-

Chapter One Hundred Sixty Two

[tonystarkbingo]

Week 5 Roundup!  Keep reading to see the spectacular stuff everyone got up to this past week!

Title: Not Your Damsels In Distress Collaborator: katling Link: AO3 Square Filled: T2 - Damsels (and others) In Distress Ship: FrostIron Rating: Teen Major Tags: not Team Cap friendly, not IW compliant Summary: The Rogues make a very, very, very big mistake when they decide to crash a certain girls' day out. Word Count: 719

Title: this undoing of the first end Collaborator: deathsweetqueen Link: AO3 Square Filled: A4 - Skrulls! Ship: Bucky/Steve/Tony/T’Challa Rating: Explicit Major Tags: explicit sexual content, dubious consent due to identity issues, PTSD, implied/referenced child abuse Summary: “Sir?” “Yeah, JARVIS?” Tony mumbles, skewering his screwdriver through the gauntlet. “It appears that Captain Rogers, Sergeant Barnes and King T’Challa have returned,” JARVIS informs him. Tony jumps out of his chair. “Well, why didn’t you tell me earlier?” “I told you the moment they arrived!” JARVIS argues. “Not soon enough,” Tony huffs. “I believe it is time to form a union, sir,” JARVIS snipes. “Oh, come on, don’t be such a baby.” “I simply cannot work in these conditions,” JARVIS sighs, exasperated. “Baby,” Tony sings, as the elevator doors close around him. Word Count: 10347

Title: Flutter Collaborator: mortenavida  Link: AO3 Square Filled: K2 - flutter Ship: WinterIron Rating: Teen Major Tags: No powers AU, meet-cute Summary: It's couples night at the drive-in, but Tony shows up alone (as he always does). They won't let him in without a partner, but before he could drive away upset, a stranger hops into his car and says, "Hey babe, sorry I'm late." Tony rolls with it. Word Count: 859   

Title: From Russia with Purrs Collaborator: tisfan Link: AO3 Square Filled: A2 - free square Ship: Ned Leeds & Peter Parker Rating: Gen Major Tags: cat sitting, friendship Summary: Spider-Man doesn’t always get called in to help with the Avengers stuff, but when Peter is given a special, urgent mission from the Winter Soldier, he needs to call in backup Word Count: 2505

Title: Memory Lane Collaborator: buying_the_space_farm Link: AO3 Square Filled: R5 - Kink: Mind Controlled Sex Ship: FrostIron Rating: Explicit Major Tags: explicit sexual content, sexual roleplay, consensual nonconsent, BDSM, rough sex Summary: The past cannot be changed. But with a little roleplay, overwriting haunting memories can be easier than it seems. Word Count: 3269

Title: I would've bought you dinner first Collaborator: Bill_Longbow Link: AO3 Square Filled: K4 - Kink: pornstar/rentboy/sexworker Ship: Stony Rating: Explicit Major Tags: No Powers AU, pornstars, explicit sexual content, fluff, meet cute Summary: Steve meets Tony on the set of a porno movie. A porno movie meet cute. Word Count: 2131

Title: It's Not The Perfume that You Wear Collaborator: chase_acow Link: AO3 Square Filled: K2 - kink: crossdressing Ship: Tony Stark/Sam Wilson Rating: Teen Major Tags: crossdressing Summary: "I've been waiting for someone to wander by," Tony said, flippantly gesturing over his shoulder as if Sam wasn't standing a foot away having a midlife crisis. "Zip me up, would you?" Word Count: 2084

Title: Trying to be the hero (like always) - Chapter 2 Collaborator: alexisriversong Link: AO3 Square Filled: T5 -  puzzle Ship: Stuckony Rating: Mature Major Tags: polyamory, angst, fix-it Summary: So... This got longer than I thought... This is literally a full chapter in wich Tony is in a coma... Word Count: 4255

Collaborator: famedglory Link: Pillowfort Square Filled: R4 - Asgard Ship: None Rating: Gen Major Tags: art, Tony Stark, Heimdall Summary: I can't see Tony visiting Asgard and not asking this.

Title: Lost Boy Collaborator: Politzania Link: AO3 Square Filled: S5 - Edwin Jarvis Ship: None Rating: Gen Major Tags: canon character death Summary: After the funeral of his former employers, Edwin Jarvis comforts their son, Tony Stark. Word Count: 751

Title: You're Just What I Needed Collaborator: chase_acow Link: AO3 Square Filled: S4 Costume Porn Ship: Tony Stark/Sam Wilson Rating: Teen Major Tags: costume kink Summary: "Uh, believe it or not," Tony said, having to clear his throat when it threatened to close over the delicious things Sam was doing with his tongue to Tony's neck. "I actually need your help down in the workshop, not a quickie before dinner." Word Count: 1801

Title: we were written in the stars you and i Collaborator: Sbiderslut Link: A03 Square Filled: K5 Ancient Civilizations Ship: Tony Stark/Peter Parker Rating: M Major Tags: Major Character Death Summary:  Swept up in Mnemosyne’s current, Tony Stark and Peter Parker remember their past lives. Word Count: 2381

Title: [Podfic] take my hand, take my whole life too Collaborator: only_more_podfucs (only_more_love)  Link: AO3 Square Filled: Square K4: Never meant to hurt you  Ship: Stony Rating: Gen Major Tags: asexuality, fluff, podfic Summary: Podfic for take my hand, take my whole life too," by FreyaS. "Tony stands in front of the mirror and nervously adjusts the cuffs of his bespoke suit. He fiddles with the cufflinks shaped like the atoms of the element he created (a present from Rhodey for his forty-something birthday) and tries to breathe in slowly and calm his nerves. This is his fifth and probably last date with Steve and he wants to commemorate the moment with his most polished look. The suit is his armor and it’ll carry him through to the bitter end."

Title: Damsels Lacking In Distress Collaborator: katling Link: AO3 Square Filled: A3 - free space Ship: FrostIron Rating: Teen Major Tags: not Team Cap friendly Summary: You asked for it, my muses decide to play ball - What happened to the ladies in Not Your Damsels In Distress. You probably should read that one before this. Word Count: 1884

Title: John Wick AU Collaborator: feignedsobriquet Link: Tumblr Square Filled: S1 - revenge Ship: WinterIron Rating: Teen Major Tags: art, guns Summary: The Winter Soldier is on the run, but even he is aware of the rumours in the underground about the Continental Hotel. Anthony Edward Stark went missing, presumed dead shortly after the deaths of his parents but Antonio Carbonell is the Sommelier at the Continental. They might just end up being each other’s best chance for revenge..

Title: Happy Feet Collaborator: calmena Link: AO3 Square Filled: T3 - Magic Ship: Tony Stark and Loki Rating: Teen Major Tags: magic Summary: Tony didn't expect to end up on Jotunheim. He also didn't expect Loptr, or to be turned into a penguin, but what can you do. Word Count: 1311

Collaborator: lbibliophile-mcu Link: Tumblr Square Filled: R1 - Canon MCU (Pre-CA:CW) Ship: Pepperony Rating: Gen Major Tags: gifset, PTS Summary:  gifset of Tony's PTSD and relationship with Pepper

Title: S1 & A5-Frozen Together - Chapter One Collaborator: Thudworm Link: AO3 Square Filled: S1 - Loki Ship: Stony Rating: Teen Major Tags: huddling for warmth, there’s only one bed Summary: Thwarting Loki's latest attempt at world domination leaves two Avengers stranded in a frozen wasteland. Word Count: 1363

Title:  Let’s be Together Collaborator: Alexisriversong Link A03 Square Filled A3 Freesquare Ship: Peter Parker/Tony Stark Rating: M Major Tags: Age gap, non explicit sex, drunken confessions Summary:  Peter loves Tony, he tells him and then runs away and gets drunk because he thoght he had no chance. It’s not exactly like that. They both have issues but they can face them together. Word Count: 1359

Title: T2 Maria Hill Collaborator: rainbowshoes Link: AO3 Square Filled: T2 - Maria Hill Ship: none Rating: Teen Major Tags: panick attacks, PTSD, mock battle Summary: Maria misses the days when she got her hands dirty on a regular basis. That was the good part about being a regular field agent. She knows she's more valuable where she is now, working at such a high level for Stark, but she does miss it. So, she'll watch the agents train sometimes. It's enough, just to observe quietly. It keeps the itch under her skin at bay. Word Count: 2226

Title: The Kids are All Right Collaborator: 27dragons Link: AO3 Square Filled: A2 - Next Generation Ship: none Rating: Gen Major Tags: Dad!Tony, pranks Summary: The kids are going to drive Tony mad, he’s sure of it. Or, three times Tony despaired of the next generation, and one time he didn’t. Word Count: 2520

Title: Gladiator - Chapter One Collaborator: rainbowshoes Link: AO3 Square Filled: A4 - Ancient Civilization AU Ship: none Rating: Explicit Major Tags: blood, violence, gore, canonical character death, slavery, gladiator AU Summary: “Remove your helmet,” Anthony orders. James hesitates for a moment. He was arrested for Rumlow's lie that he'd murdered the emperor's parents. He hadn't, of course, but that didn't seem to matter much. Rumlow was close to the Praetor, and he'd said James did it, so James had been arrested. He'd expected to be executed, but then Rumlow had fucking sold him into slavery instead. He's only glad he wasn't executed now, because it gave him the chance to get his revenge. Word Count: 2802

Title: Gladiator - Chapter Two Collaborator: rainbowshoes Link: AO3 Square Filled: T4 - Slave fic Ship: none Rating: Explicit Major Tags: blood, violence, gore, canonical character death, slavery, gladiator AU Summary: “Remove your helmet,” Anthony orders. James hesitates for a moment. He was arrested for Rumlow's lie that he'd murdered the emperor's parents. He hadn't, of course, but that didn't seem to matter much. Rumlow was close to the Praetor, and he'd said James did it, so James had been arrested. He'd expected to be executed, but then Rumlow had fucking sold him into slavery instead. He's only glad he wasn't executed now, because it gave him the chance to get his revenge. Word Count: 2802

Title: Last Chance Collaborator: rainbowshoes Link: AO3 Square Filled: R4 - last chance Ship: WinterIron Rating: Explicit Major Tags: Dark Tony, memory suppressing machine/The Chair, assassination Summary: “Last chance, Rogers,” Tony said, holding out a newly printed copy of the amended accords...“No, Tony,” Steve said, shaking his head. “I can't sign something like that. I don't agree with it.” Word Count: 2790

Title: Second star to the right and straight on 'til morning Collaborator: rainbowshoes Link: AO3 Square Filled: K4 - Picture of Stark Industries Ship: none Rating: Mature Major Tags: Full Metal Alchemist, fusion AU, human transmutation Summary: “Heard you fixed automail.” “Best in the East,” Tony said, not a bit arrogant. He knew he was good at what he did, and he wasn't ashamed to admit it. Word Count: 3534

Title: Resolve Collaborator: rainbowshoes Link: AO3 Square Filled: S4 - Resolve Ship: WinterIron, Stuckony Rating: Explicit Major Tags: suicide, temporary character death Summary: God, Tony could go for a drink. He just wanted to resolve all this shit and go home. But it wasn't that simple. It never was. Word Count: 11375

Title: It must be a Friday - Chapter Two Collaborator: rainbowshoes Link: AO3 Square Filled: K5- Royalty Ship: WinterIron Rating: Teen Major Tags: Brooklynn Nine-Nine AU, past alcoholism Summary: Spiderman gets arrested while chasing down a thief, but he winds up outside of Queens and in Brooklyn... and he gets picked up by the 99. Word Count: 4685

Title: Morgan Stark - Chapter 4 Collaborator: rainbowshoes Link: AO3 Square Filled: T5 - Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier Ship: WinterIron, Pepperony Rating: Mature Major Tags: AU, PTSD, cheating Summary: Tony wakes up and finds himself trapped in another reality that sort of reminds him of the freakin’ Matrix. He’s married to Pepper and has a kid in this universe? What even is this? But it turns out that everything isn’t sunshine and roses in this reality. He still loves Morgan, though, and isn’t that odd? He’d never wanted a kid before... Word Count: 12935

Title: Dealer’s Choice Collaborator: summerpipedream Link: Tumblr Square Filled: S2 - Tony/Jan (Picture) Ship: Tony Stark/Janet Van Dyne Rating: Gen Major Tags: moodboard Summary: “So, are you in or are you out?”  Tony rolled his eyes, “What, start an underground, very illegal, gambling ring to pay off our large mountains of student debt? That at the very minimum we’d get expelled before getting tossed in jail?”  “Only if we get caught. Which we won’t if you help me.” Tony scowled. “You’re lucky I wouldn’t let you do this without me. Of course I’m in.” Cut off from their families’ fortunes, Tony and Jan work together to start a student underground gambling ring to pay off all their student debts. Juggling courses,  group projects and papers, can Tony and Jan tip the odds in their favour?

Title: Confessions Collaborator: anthonystarhk Link: AO3 Square Filled: T2- Confessions Under the Influence Ship: none Rating: Gen Major Tags: Tony and Wanda have issues Summary: During training Wanda digs a little too far into Steve's mind and uncovers one horrifying secret about the Winter Soldier and Howard and Maria Stark. Unable to believe her Captain would keep such a secret she tells Tony Stark. Many nights later she and Tony have confessional with each other. Word Count: 1592

Title: Fuel Collaborator: NastyBambino Link: AO3 Square Filled: R3 -  Alcoholism Ship: none Rating: Teen Major Tags: alcohol abuse/alcoholism, moodboard Summary: Tony drowns his sorrows in as much alcohol that his body can handle (and sometimes as much as it can’t).

Title: Unexpected Sights Collaborator: mortenavida Link: AO3 Square Filled: K3 - witness  Ship: Tony Stark/Mystery Man Rating: Explicit Major Tags: no powers AU, middle school AU, first person, explicit sexual content, voyeurism Summary: There's someone in the back of the library office and I go to inspect it. I didn't expect to see two men in the middle of getting their rocks off, but that's what I came across. I should have kicked them out. I watched instead. Word Count: 814

[yetanotheremptypage]

Happy Fanfiction Writers Appreciation Day!

It’s another fic rec list! Here’s last years, which includes a link to my 2016 recommendations. They are all amazing, so you should definitely check them out, but in the mean time, here’s some more. I tried to tag most of the ships and/or fandoms, so if you ship any of those or are in the fandom, check out the recs below the cut. Of course, there are plenty more amazing fanfictions/writers out there, and to them, I give a huge THANK YOU! Finally, for the shameless plug, if you have any interest in any of my stories, links can be found here.

Arms Extended (Gen, Bandstand) AO3 [Complete]

a remix of “welcome home (finale)”

(or: the moments that inspired the lines of julia's poem)

Bandstand on the whole deserves more love, attention, and fanfiction, especially because the relationship these people build is so beautiful and there’s so much to be explored. This fic does it BEAUTIFULLY, and I can’t stress it enough. TW: I mean it’s Bandstand so anything that applies there applies here

Cut, Print, Moving On (Gen, Smash) AO3 || FF [In progress]

An imagined third season, starting approximately two years after the Tony Awards.

This fic is perfectly written and explores all of Smash’s complicated, messy, great relationships, romantic and otherwise, beautifully.

Epic Love (Han x Leia, Star Wars) AO3 || FF [Complete]

Here is what is believed: that Leia Organa has been abandoned by her husband and her brother, the two men who loved her best, in her time of greatest need. But things are not always as they seem. A TFA fix-it fic about family, the Force, and the love that could save the galaxy. Again. Also features Luke, Chewbacca, Rey, Finn, and mentions or cameos by several others.

I love the new Star Wars movies, I do. But this fic treats Han, Leia, and Luke so much better than TFA does. Please go read this pure perfection of a work and give it all the love it deserves. While you’re at it, check out... Everything else @lajulie24 has written; it’s all golden.

Everything I Never Knew (Emmett x Rosalie, Twilight) AO3 || FF [Complete]

Because sometimes a split second decision changes a life… One night, Rosalie Hale walked a different way home. Because of this, she didn’t meet Royce on the road and the worst night of Rosalie’s life happened to someone else. So what happened when Rosalie was never hurt, never turned vampire, and got everything she had always thought she wanted?

I love a good AU, and Rosalie and Emmett seem the best suited for one. Their connection is amazing and well-written and honestly, everything makes sense to me. I lowkey wish things could have played out this way for them, but alas, they didn’t, so let’s read fic instead. TW: Spousal abuse, bear attack so like blood and stuff

hey baby (i think i wanna marry you) (Donna x Josh, The West Wing) FF [Complete]

Josh goes to dinner with his old law school study group. He ends up defending the institution of marriage, before going home to Donna. Set in the Santos administration.

It’s just such a cute, fluffy little piece. How could I not, you know?

in a storm in my best dress (Percy x Annabeth, Percy Jackson and the Olympians) AO3 || FF [Complete]

"Point is, Percy's not used to being swamped in friends. So you can bloody well imagine his shock when he wakes up one morning and looks impulsively at his arm and there’s one, two, three, four, five, six, seven Marks on his line and holy crap the seventh is a soulmate mark."

or, Percy finds it difficult to make friends and Annabeth is the popular girl with a heart of steel. Soulmate AU.

Not gonna lie, this is a behemoth-- two chapters that come out at like 70k which like, damn, most of my one-shots aren’t even 1500 words, you get props for that alone. However, every word is perfect. There’s lot of pining, and hey, Percy Jackson with anxiety? Works. I saw my own anxiety reflected all over the place which... Was not the main reason I fell in love with this fic, but it’s nice to be recognized, you know? No, I fell in love with this fic because it’s about falling in love and making friends and growing up. And it’s beautiful, so go read it. TW: Anxiety attacks (Is that a tw? Oh well)

Miracles, etc. (Wanda Maximoff x Vision, Marvel Cinematic Universe) AO3 [In progress]

Wanda Maximoff’s life has been a set of frightening miracles: living in a war torn country as an orphan, escaping her anarchistic biological father, and surviving the American foster system with seven older foster siblings. Now 26 and working as a hotel waitress, Wanda has very distant plans for love and for a child. Unfortunately, her complicated life is about to get more complicated when a medical mix-up leaves her artificially inseminated with a stranger’s sperm. That stranger? Her boss, with an equally dark past.

Now pregnant- and possibly falling in love- Wanda finds herself with only nine months to rethink her entire future. Because the only thing more frightening than a miracle… is parenthood.

Did you know that a Jane The Virgin AU is EXACTLY everything you ever needed for this fandom, and specifically this pairing? My depression is cured, my skin is clear, and my crops are thriving, especially now that there’s new chapters again. Read this fic, please. It will not disappoint, especially if you enjoy JTV’s tongue-in-cheek style humor. Also dad!Clint.

My Beauty, My Baby (Gen, Downton Abbey) FF [Complete]

Cora and Sybil share a moment on the eve of the birth of Sybil and Tom's child. This story takes place in Season 3, sometime between Episodes 4 and 5. This is a bit of a departure for me, but the title words were an inspiration.

This is just so lovely. Sybil and Cora’s relationship is, I feel, kind of unexplored, so this was such a lovely treat.

people can surprise you (or not) (Anya x Dmitry, Anastasia) AO3 [Complete]

He's a poor joke of a journalist, she has something to prove to her family, and they're in here for a hell of a ride.

(“You’re asking me to be an asshole to some random woman just to prove a very sexist and offensive point like I’m some guy on Reddit who has no idea women are actually people?”)

(“Next Wednesday. I bet you can’t find a guy tonight, in this bar, and keep him until next Wednesday. Prove me wrong and introduce him to Nana during the gala. As your boyfriend.”)

OR, the reversed How to lose a guy in 10 days AU nobody asked, but everybody gets.

Angst, fluff, pining, misunderstandings, this has got it ALL. And it’s written flawlessly to boot.

Take Me Back To Me (Mary x Matthew, Downton Abbey) AO3 || FF [Complete]

When heiress Mary Crawley finds herself in the headlines for her third scandal of the year, Cora decides that it is time for Mary to turn her public image around. The solution? Hire humanitarian lawyer Matthew Crawley, whose new charity just happens to need a new donation, to play Mary’s boyfriend. (Modern Mary/Matthew!Fake Dating AU)

Were you aware you needed a modern fake dating AU for these two? No. But you do. It cleanses the soul with its perfectness. Go read it. TW: Descriptions of past not quite rape but I think it’s still classified as sexual assault

The Only Crime Is To Lose (Gen, Game of Thrones) AO3 [I think in-progress?]

The series doesn’t have a description, so here’s my attempt at one: The major houses of Westeros are crime families at war. This author expertly adapts the plotting and relationships into this scenario, which takes place after the Red Wedding-- which, in this world, involved Robb getting arrested and put away for life-- and most of the action surrounds the kidnapping of Jaime Lannister, though no one knows who did it. I’m not actually certain if this series is finished or not, but it leaves me reeling from unanswered questions and its overall beauty every time I finish the last story, so you should check it out so we can all share the pain. TW: I mean it’s Game of Thrones so like a lot of that stuff still applies

Treading Water (Annie x Finnick, The Hunger Games) AO3 || FF [Complete]

They don't tell you when you go into the arena that the lucky ones are those who die.

I don’t think I can state enough how amazing this fic is. The beautiful relationship between Finnick and Annie, the breathtaking way Catching Fire is woven into the story, and seeing the Games from the mentor’s perspective is fascinating. Go read this fic! TW: It’s the Hunger Games so anything from the books applies

we got the world (Jesse x Beca, Pitch Perfect) AO3 || FF [Complete]

"They say you're a freak when we're having fun, say you must be high when we're spreading love, but we're just living life and we never stop, we've got the world." Beca/Jesse, post-Kennedy Center flop. A series of missing Jeca moments from Pitch Perfect 2. COMPLETE.

Did you wish there had been more Jeca in Pitch Perfect 2? Then read this fic. It’s perfect in every way. (Written before PP3 though, so not canon compliant for that).

Willow (Anya x Dmitry, Anastasia) AO3 [In progress]

In a city by the sea, Anya and Dmitry find their footing.

Beautiful, happy Dimya, plus dashes of you know, revolution and angst and history. It’s gorgeous and perfect and go read it.

[inawickedlittletown]

Walking The Wire (47/?)

Summary: Tony Stark always knew about Peter Parker. He didn’t know that Peter was going to get superpowers and become Spider-Man, but he always knew about Peter because Peter was his son.

This will span from pre-Iron Man up through the rest of the MCU (eventually including Infinity War) and will be for the most part canon compliant except where I’ve taken some liberties and interpreted canon a certain way.

Pairings: Pepper/Tony, Tony/Steve (endgame), Tony/Mary (past)

A/N: If you want me to tag you when I post new chapters let me know. This fic is also on AO3

I used Collider’s MCU timeline to stay canon and the title of this fic is an Imagine Dragons song that is just so fitting for Peter and Tony

Masterpost

Chapter Forty Six

“He’s my friend,” Steve said and he lifted his shield and hit Tony’s chest sending him back against a wall.

Barnes appeared then, his arm gleaming. “I killed them,” he said as he came after Tony. “I remember all of them.”

Barnes’ hand pressed into his chest and his fingers tried to get at the arc reactor and Steve just watched and suddenly Tony wasn’t in the suit and it was Obadiah taking the arc reactor out of his chest and Tony was on the ground and he couldn’t breathe. Yinsen appeared here and there out of focus. “You are a man that has nothing.”

“Tony, he didn’t do it,” Steve said in the background.

“I don’t care,” Tony said and then he was on the road but his feet seemed to be stuck to the pavement and Barnes was walking around the car. Tony screamed and then he was falling as if the ground had opened up but everything was black and--

He was in the dark of space and the Chitauri were all around him. When he looked down he could see Steve and Barnes and Peter. They were all--

“Mr. Stark! Mr. Stark!”

His body shook and he jerked up as his eyes opened and found Peter leaning over him, one of his hands on Tony’s shoulder, frowning worriedly.

“You had a nightmare,” Peter said and he pulled his hand away.

Tony sat up slowly and he tried to calm his breathing, very conscious of the fact that Peter was standing at his bedside watching him.

“Are you alright?” Peter asked.

“Yes,” Tony managed. “Yes, I’ll be okay.”

Peter nodded. “Can I get you anything?” he asked.

“No, no, don’t worry about it,” Tony said. “I think I’ll just go take a shower. No use trying to sleep now. Thank you, Peter.”

“Are you sure?” Peter asked.

“Yeah, kiddo. Thanks. Glad you were here to wake me.”

Peter didn’t say anything for a moment.

“Just go back and get some more sleep. We’re leaving in a few hours.”

Peter nodded again and Tony could feel his eyes on him as he got up feeling more sore and stiff than he had expected. A hot shower would definitely help with all of that. It wouldn’t make him stop thinking about Barnes or Steve or the nightmare but it would help. He heard Peter leave the room slowly and Tony just continued towards the bathroom, taking small strides.

---

They arrived in Wakanda after a detour to Berlin to drop off Zemo in Everett Ross’ hands and Steve was not too far gone into his thoughts to not take a moment to admire the place because it was simply amazing and no one knew it was there. It was an honor, he knew, to be allowed inside and even though there would be safety in staying there, Steve knew that he couldn’t just hide out. It wasn’t in his nature. He had never been one to stay idle and this was really not the time to do so. Not when his team had been taken and put into cells and he was really the only one that could get them out of it. It was also his fault that they were there in the first place so he really did need to get them out.

Steve was aware that Tony would want to help them get out of The Raft but his hands were tied. There wasn’t much that he could do without getting into trouble. Actually, Steve wasn’t sure if Tony wouldn’t be in trouble with Ross and The Accords without even trying to get the others of of The Raft. Everything really was a mess. Steve needed to figure out what he might be able to do.

T’Challa gave them the resources that he could which turned out to be more than Steve could have expected it. It was how Steve managed to get in contact with Sharon who gave him as much info on The Raft as she had available and then promised to get back to him with more as soon as she was able. But what Sharon could give him was enough for Shuri to help Steve with tracking The Raft down.

Steve didn’t know quite what to make of Shuri except that she was amazing. Amazing and brilliant and so young. He wished that Tony could meet her because he just knew that they would have conversations that went over his head but also that he would just love her and see the future in her. He missed Tony. It was an ache deep inside him that wouldn’t go away mostly because Steve was well aware that he couldn’t yet know if or when he would be able to see Tony again. Or, if Tony would want to see him. Steve was not deluding himself into thinking that everything was okay between them and he hated it -- hated that he couldn’t even do anything to fix it either.

---

Ms. Parker,

Peter is wonderful. I am in awe of him and I have loved every second I have spent with him even if there were other pressing things happening. It just makes me want to spend more time with him. And it makes me want to tell him the secret. I think it is better told now than later. This is not asking for permission, I think we are past that. I intend to tell him before I return him to you tomorrow night. I just wanted you to be prepared.

Tony Stark

Tony sent the email while they were in the air. Tony had decided that they might as well take the quinjet back to New York. Happy had been against the idea, mostly because he didn’t really like flying, but Tony didn’t mind that Happy prefered to take the private plane back because it gave him more alone time with Peter even if Happy had made the attempt at making Peter go with him. Happy could be a little dramatic.

In some ways, Tony understood where Happy was coming from. He was protective and wasn’t too fond of Tony involving new people in his life because everyone was a possible danger. It had been so clear throughout breakfast that morning when Happy had been prepared to stand between Peter and Tony no matter where they went. At first it had been a little amusing but then it had gotten tiring.

But to add to that, Tony was also left wondering about what Happy would have said to Peter about how the German papers were calling him “sticky-boy” if Tony hadn’t been there. There had been a very specific look in Happy’s eyes when he’d seen the headline right on the front page of their morning paper. Tony wasn’t exactly thrilled with it either, but it the picture wasn’t good quality and actually looked a bit grainy and Friday had certainly done her job by keeping the moniker, Spider-Man, out of the papers. So, it didn’t really matter much. Happy was just a drama queen and Tony had begun to understand why Peter had left via window the night before because if Happy had been acting like that the entire trip then he probably would have left too. Tony might have been tempted to escape too. It brought Tony back to Happy’s days as the head of security as SI and how paranoid he’d become when it came to badges.

So, letting Happy go home in the comfort of the private jet meant that his friend would calm down some and that Tony was finally getting some unsupervised time with Peter. Ever since waking up from the nightmare that morning Tony had been left feeling a bit shaken, but having Peter around was helping and making things better probably due to how amazed Peter was by everything.

The whole drive to the airport, Tony had spent it watching Peter and enjoying how he just stared out the window. It almost made Tony wish that they were staying there a bit longer so he could really show Peter all the sights. He promised himself that one day in the future they would do it and it wouldn’t just be Berlin. It would be anywhere that Peter even had the slightest interest in.

Peter had been amazed when first getting onto the quinjet, too. His eyes had traced everything and his hands twitched to touch things. Tony had loved every second of it. Peter was just -- he was so new to everything.  

“This is amazing,” Peter had said at one point. “I just can’t believe it. And it’s super fast, right? Like, faster than normal planes?”

“Yes,” Tony said.

“So cool,” Peter said in a low tone.

The excitement faded eventually after he’d gotten to explore the whole thing including all the different weapon compartments and gear. Eventually he just settled down in the seat next to Tony up at the front where he curled up and fell asleep halfway back to New York. It was in that moment, watching Peter’s eyes flutter close and the peaceful way that Peter slept that Tony knew that he had to tell him. He had to tell him because Tony knew what a secret could do. He had experienced first hand how a secret could be used against you and the last thing he wanted was for this one to get out of hand and bring along a rift between him and Peter or Peter and May.

So, while Peter slept, he wrote to May and he felt justified in saying that he had made the decision. It was like all those times that May and Ben had made the decisions without his say. This time it was his turn. Peter shifted in his sleep and hair fell over his forehead. He was just so young and in many ways innocent. Tony didn’t want to change a thing about him.

Chapter Forty Eight