#old!steve is a skrull
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Steve Rogers was a lot of things, but a two faced son-of-a-bitch he was not, have some respect for his mother Sarah. Thank you very much.
What he was though, is a liar.
He has lied plenty, more times than he can even remember.
Every time he arrived home with a new bruise before his mom, and stayed in his room until she was gone again he said he was A-ok, only tired.
All the times Bucky asked if he was fine after a fight, and if he was having fun after another rejection by a pretty dame. He said he was just peachy.
When he was on deathâs door he said it was nothing.
He lied more than what he was willing to admit (Steve from New Jersey ring a bell?)
Every time people expected him to be the ideal man with a plan, THE Captain America, he just faked a smile and performed how they wanted him to.
Lie, after lie, fake smile after fake smile.
He was so tired of pretending. At least he used to lie for better reasons before, and for himself.
He was what they needed him to be now, and more times than not people didnât need Steve.
No one seemed to see HIM after being defrosted either: Steven Grant Rogers, the person behind Captain America. They only saw what they wanted to see and expected to hear.
Thats why he didnât try and be friends with his teammates after the New York incident. Thats why he let them do those shitty âeducational videosâ for high schoolers.
Thats why he stayed alone for the most part.
(Nick Fury didnât let him be either, what an asshole).
They needed him, they wanted him. But not really, right? Because Captain America is an ideal, a superhero. It isnât HIM really.
Steve Rogers is only a man after all, tired, lonely, a sad man out of time.
Who would need HIM?
Thats why he tried to contact Peggy and have a somewhat relationship with her again. He didnât care if it was based on âwhat ifsâ at this point and that she was old. He needed something, someone from his past, anything at this point that made him feel like Steven Grant Rogers, human again. Maybe she would need him in some way?
Once he knew she couldnât even remember him for the most part, he went back to square one.
He missed her, the old her. The strong independent woman that she was, and sometimes he lamented the fact he didnât give her the coordinates in time. Maybe he would have had a good life with her by his side. If he only loved her soâŠ
Maybe he wouldnât feel like dying in this new scary and terrifying world every single day.
Thats why he came back alive when he saw Bucky again.
Bucky was his home, his everything, always was, always will be. He never thought he would have another chance to be near him again.
So he once again became Steve Rogers. Sure before Buck he was friendly with Sam and he had a cordial relationship with Nat. But after knowing of Buckyâs existence in the present (heâs alive, heâs here) did he became friends with them.
He fought with tooth and nails for Bucky, because he wouldnât let anyone tear them apart again. Not even the man himself (not matter what Sam said about co-dependency. What did he knew anyways?)
When Buck wanted to stay in cryo Steve wanted to scream and cry in his face. But didnât, because he knew Bucky needed it, needed to have his own choices and for them to be respected.
So once again he started to lie. He didnât want to make his friends worry about him after all, he was fine. Bucky was the one that needed all the attention, not him.
Then⊠The battle of Wakanda happened andâŠ
Never in a million years Steve would have thought he would lie to himself without knowing.But he did, and for literal years until present.
See? Steve didnât know he was in love with his best friend until he lost him for the sixth fucking time. He knew he loved him, but not that he was in love with him. He didnât realize, but even then he couldnât admit it. He was terrified, so he replaced his name with Peggys, even on his mind.
That was safer, more ânormalâ. He knew people werenât that homophobic anymore but⊠he wasnât a regular Joe, right? No. That would be a disaster.
Even if he didnât have the mantle of Captain America anymore, he was horrified. He didnât even want to think about Bucky that way. So he started to lie to himself.
He has lied to everyone else for literal decades, what was lying to himself now?
And well⊠talking about deluding himself and lying⊠he couldnât let himself think that Bucky and Sam were⊠they werenât! They could change things, they needed to bring them back. Bring him back.
So they planned and they succeeded, for the most part (Only at the cost of one of his best friends and people he cared about).
Steve was so happy once he knew he had Bucky with him again (heâs fine, heâs alive). But he couldnât forget about what he now knew about himself. And couldnât let himself be distracted by any of that, after all there was also a hole Nat and Tony left on his heart, on everyone's hearts and lives (And Wanda wasn't stable anymore, he needed to fix that too).
He wanted to lie again, be comforting to Bucky, treasure him, but he only seemed awkward and cold. He was uncomfortable with his own feelings and on his own skin, and didnât know what to do to fix things with Buck. (I love you, I'm in love with you please forgive me, Iâm sorry).
So he once again fucked things up and tried to bring back Nat, Tony and Vision with him. Only⊠he didnât discuss this with anyone else so he had no back up, nor help. No one knew of this plan of his after all.
He was on his own. On a prison cell for what it seems. (For the crimes of creating new alternatives timelines apparently, huh. Who would have thought that fighting and talking with himself from 2012 would lead him here. Trying to bring back the others didnât help either).
This place was bare of anything recognizable, it was ugly and cold.
He was a man out of time once again.
Bucky probably hated him now, Sam too.
What a joke.
Everything was fucked up
For what they told him a âSkrullâ (what is even that?) replaced him and everyone bought it, even Bucky. (And no, no no no... Bucky would notice, he would know!).
And would you believe it, he wasnât the only fucker that was here too, huh. What a weird place.
So yes, Steve Rogers is a liar and a disasterâŠ
and what a good companion that would be for Loki, the God of mischief, no?
So both tried their best to escape that fucked up prison.
Together.
#ok listen#I donât know how to write and I did this as fast as I could bc I need to do other things#stucky#Steve rogers#steve rogers headcanon#Steve Rogers and Loki would be friends#bc I said so#more headcanos#This also corresponds with other headcanons I've been trying to write where Bucky doesn't believe Old!Steve was actually Steve#Sam would be too invested and overwhelmed by the mantle of Cap to actually think about something being wrong#Clint would also believe Old!Steve isn't Steve#Loki and Steve would have a rocky relationship at first and then would be like friend-enemies#They would be lil shits together tho and joke around at others peoples expenses#old!steve is a skrull#Steve Rogers is a liar#Steve Rogers has internalized homophobia#Also Steve did bring back Nat Tony and Vision only... Not to the present they are with him in prison only he still doesn't know that#Also I will make him bring back Pietro too bc I can this is my hc and bc he wants his child Wanda to be HAPPY#Fuck endgame and fuck AOU Pietro deserved better#Wanda actually has people that care bc they did NOT leave her alone Same with Peter idgaf they have a support system#So Wandavision? Nope not happening
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like I know itâs been five years but like. itâs NOT too late to reveal in a post credit scene that old man steve is a skrull and the real steve rogers has been incapacitated. perhaps in the thunderbolt film. perhaps someone asks about steve n bucky grimace laughs, thinking of the old man who he hasnât seen in years who left him w his trauma alone (another man out of time) when he needed his best friend, and says âheâs fine.â cut to nomad steve trapped in the cosmic cube like in secret empire when heâs replaced by a hydra agent. ITS NOT TOO LATE!!!
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I love the theory that the elderly Steve at the end of Endgame was a skrull. Why? Because it would literally fix EVERITHING revolving Steve's ending, as well as major plot inconsistencies.
‷ How come Steve was able to just... wait out at the same park that his past-self left for the past when it was clearly established that when you go back in time to change something, a new branch is created in the timeline, creating a completely new reality, therefore it would be impossible for old Steve to just wait at the same park to meet up with Sam and bucky? (it was literally the explanation they gave as to why they couldn't just go back in time and kill baby-Thanos lmao)
Because that wasn't the real Steve Rogers, it was a skrull pretending to be him.
‷ Why would Steve ever want to go back to the past to live the rest of his life with a woman he barely knew when it was already established by Steve him-fucking-self that he was ready to move on?
Because he wouldn't. That wasn't the real Steve Rogers, it was a skrull pretending to be him!
‷ How could Steve ever be capable of living his cute little domestic life, when logically, the past version of Bucky would still be out there at the same time as him? Being abused, brainwashed and tortured into becoming a cold-killing machine for HYDRA??
Because he couldn't. That wasn't the real Steve Rogers!
‷ In what world would Steve ever be physically capable of, not only forgiving, but also living the rest of his life with Peggy Carter?? Peggy-fucking-Carter??? You know, the woman who knowingly hired and worked with NAZIS??
None! That wasn't the real Steve Rogers!
‷ How come Steve would ever have the balls to leave Bucky- no! Not just any Bucky- THE James Buchanan Barnes, to fed for himself in a whole new world he has not yet had time to understand as well as Steve did, when he PROMISED him that it would always be them against the world? Till' the end of the fucking line?
Because he would never! That wasn't the real Steve Rogers!
See what I mean? That could transition into to such an interesting conflict too! Maybe (to tie in with a better version of Secret Invasion idk) it was part of the skrulls' plot! To take Captain America off the picture, and manipulate others into believing that Steve just left them out of his own volition, as a way to discourage anyone from looking for him. To make taking over the earth easier!
Gosh! The concept of skrulls has got to be one of the most interesting, most scary concepts the MCU has ever introduced, losing only to The Red Room.
And yet, just like The Red Room, the MCU fucked it all up. I hate it.
#anti endgame#mcu salt#eddie yaps#I watched the movie cynic's review of secret invasion and I just couldn't stop thinking about this#anti peggy carter#vent#team cap#stucky#anti steggy#steggy is hydra trash party#the red room
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DP X Marvel #22
Nick Fury hadnât known peace in years. Aliens, HYDRA, interdimensional rifts, Tony Starkâs emotional instabilityâhe thought heâd seen it all. That was until a small, gremlin-like twelve-year-old girl phased through the wall of the S.H.I.E.L.D. helicarrier, exploded three vending machines with a casual flick of her wrist, and declared with unshakeable confidence, âYou guys owe me a snack for saving the multiverse.â
Her name was Danielle PhantomâDani, with an âiââand she was, allegedly, a clone of a ghost-human hybrid from another dimension. She was twelve, made entirely out of spite and ectoplasm, and Nick Fury made the catastrophic mistake of not immediately tossing her into a containment chamber.
Not that it wouldâve helped. The last time they tried, she melted the titanium walls by burping.
âSheâs not a threat,â Banner had insisted.
âSheâs twelve!â Steve argued.
âShe called me a rotting rotisserie chicken and set my cape on fire,â Thor grumbled, looking genuinely unsettled.
âSheâs perfect,â Tony said. âCan I adopt her?â
âNO,â Fury barked. âSheâs mine.â
And thatâs how Dani Phantom became Nick Furyâs personal chaos goblin.
It started with the incident in Belarus. Fury had sent her to shadow a low-risk intel extraction missionâget in, get out, observe. She got bored. Two hours later, she returned with the mission completed, three HYDRA bases blown up, and a new trench coat sheâd stolen off an agent twice her size. She looked proud. She also had a churro.
âWhere the hell did you get that?â Fury asked.
âMultiversal Costco. Long story.â
She ate it while hovering upside down.
Dani didnât walk. She floated. She didnât knock. She phased through walls, floors, and sometimes people, which she claimed was âgreat for making dudes pee themselves.â She kept trying to haunt Clint Bartonâs hearing aids (âfor funsiesâ), called Natasha âMurder Barbie,â and threatened to sell Peter to the Tooth Fairy for âa good price.â
âI donât even have ghost teeth!â Peter shrieked.
âExactly. Youâre rare,â Dani replied ominously.
She made the mistake of touching Loki once. Just once. Sheâd been told not to.
âDonât touch the Asgardian,â Fury had said.
âWhy not?â she asked.
âBecause heâs the God of Mischief.â
âOh. Cool.â
She poked him.
Loki screamed. She screamed louder. Everyone screamed. For some reason, there were snakes involved by the end of it.
Now, every time Loki sees Dani, he immediately teleports to another continent. âSheâs worse than Odin,â he whispers, eyes wide and glassy.
Fury had to admit: Dani got results. She was an absolute menaceâa glowing, cackling, miniature poltergeist in ripped jeans and combat bootsâbut she could sniff out a Kree spy from fifty yards away, beat an Ultron drone with a piece of rebar, and disable alien tech by licking it. (He didnât approve of that one, but she claimed it was âa ghost thing.â)
âWhy do you keep her?â Hill asked him one day, as Dani was in the background convincing a rookie agent that she was a resurrected Soviet weapon.
Fury sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. âBecause the little gremlin saved my life.â
That part was true. Heâd been cornered by a Skrull impersonating Agent Coulson, and before he could blink, Dani had flown through the ceiling screaming, âNOT MY BALD DAD, YOU SLIMEY LIZARD BASTARD!â She obliterated the Skrull with a ghost ray and threw Fury over her shoulder like a sack of potatoes.
âYou weigh like a thousand pounds!â sheâd grunted, struggling to fly him out of danger.
âPut me down!â
âNo! Youâre grounded and dying on my watch is against the rules!â
It was, somehow, the most competent rescue Fury had ever experienced.
From then on, Dani followed him everywhere. She sat in on briefings, chewing bubblegum obnoxiously loud. She hacked into S.H.I.E.L.D. files just to draw little ghost doodles on top of agent profiles. She replaced the AIâs voice with her own. Every time the intercom came on, it was her:
âAttention all agents, remember to hydrate or I will personally possess you and make you chug milk.â
She terrorized the Avengers with zero remorse. Steve got glitter-bombed. Clint was stalked by a floating sandwich. Bannerâs lab notes were mysteriously replaced with eldritch doodles and âDani was hereâ scribbled in the margins. Tony found all his Iron Man suits programmed to play âGhostbustersâ every time they powered on.
âI SWEAR TO GOD, IF I HEAR THAT SONG ONE MORE TIMEââ
âWho ya gonna call?â Dani whispered from inside the vents.
Tony screamed.
But in her own completely deranged way, she was loyal. Deadly. Protective.
When some alien parasite tried to mind-control Fury, Dani showed up mid-briefing, opened her mouth, and screamedâa full-on ghost wail that shattered the windows and disintegrated the creature instantly.
Silence.
Everyone stared.
Dani wiped her mouth and grinned. âOops. Was that loud?â
Fury was on the floor, bleeding from the ears. âYou think?â
Later, she brought him noise-canceling earmuffs with skull stickers. âFor next time.â
Fury eventually stopped questioning it. Heâd wake up and find her floating three inches above his bed.
âSleep check,â sheâd say.
âI am very awake now.â
âGood.â
She haunted meetings, stole alien artifacts to make jewelry, and referred to Maria Hill exclusively as âGeneral Mom.â She threatened to possess Tonyâs coffee machine and did it. It only made decaf for three months. He cried.
And somehow, Dani ended up as the unofficial child mascot of S.H.I.E.L.D.
She was terrifying.
She was beloved.
She bit Deadpool once. He cried.
And yet, when Fury got taken by a rogue faction of former S.W.O.R.D. agents trying to expose classified data, the first person to show up wasnât Steve, or Natasha, or even Carol.
It was Dani.
She burst in mid-interrogation, glowing, floating, and furious. Her eyes blazed green. Her ponytail whipped behind her like a comet trail. She didnât say anything.
She just started throwing people.
âYOU THINK YOU CAN KIDNAP MY DAD?!â she screamed, hurling a desk at someoneâs face. âI live in his walls! I KNOW THINGS!â
âYouâre not even related to me!â Fury yelled as she fried a guy with ectoplasmic lightning.
âI TOOK A BLOOD TEST ONLINE AND IT SAID IâM 78% NICK FURY, 22% CHICKEN NUGGET!â
âYou WHAT?!â
She ghost-punched the lead agent into the ceiling, caught Fury by the collar, and flew him out of the crumbling compound as everything exploded behind them.
When they landed, she wiped the soot from his coat, then hugged him hard.
He stood there stiffly before awkwardly patting her head.
âYouâre insane,â he muttered.
âThanks, Dad.â
âIâm not yourââ
âToo late. I already wrote it in my diary.â
Later, at S.H.I.E.L.D. HQ, Dani threw her feet up on the command table and declared, âThis whole place is my haunted house now.â
Nobody argued.
The AI was programmed to greet her.
The agents stepped aside when she passed.
She had a personal couch that sheâd painted green and black, and a glowing âNO NERDSâ sign that Tony kept trying to steal.
Every so often, she disappeared into the multiverse. âGotta stretch the legs,â sheâd say, then come back two hours later with three infinity stones, a new jacket, and a baby goat.
Fury didnât ask.
He learned not to ask.
But when the next alien invasion hitâwhen half of Manhattan lit up with something eldritch and writhing and very not-from-Earthâit wasnât Thor who responded first.
It was Dani.
Hovering above Times Square, cracking her knuckles, eyes glowing like nuclear fallout.
âAlright, weird space tentacle thing,â she said. âYou just messed with the wrong twelve-year-old.â
And from the helicarrier, sipping his bitter coffee, Nick Fury watched the ghost girl he never asked for absolutely wreck an interdimensional horror, cackling like a goblin while civilians cheered.
He sighed.
âGod help us all.â
#danny fenton#danny phantom#dp x marvel#danny phantom fanfiction#marvel mcu#mcu#marvel#mcu fandom#crossover#danny phantom fandom#marvel fanfic#mcu fanfiction#nick fury#agents of shield#dani fenton#dani phantom
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2024 Captain America/Iron Man Reverse Bang Masterlist

After months filled with creativity being crafted into fanworks, this year's Reverse Bang is finished! Thank you to all of our fantastic participantsâcongratulations on posting, and we hope you had a great time working together, whether this was your first Cap-IM RBB or not!
Hereâs the final list of our 12 fantastic artwork entries and their accompanying works, all created specifically for this event. Enjoy exploring the new Stevetony content, and remember to show your appreciation through kudos, comments and sharing if you haven't already!
Mind the warnings for each individual work on their AO3 page, please.
A Brooklynite Abroad by BladeoftheNebula (G, MCU, art) â
Team Masterpost

Found My Heart Wandering by ItsMayBiTheWay (M, MCU, 2972 words)
The scenery, for lack of better words, is simply breathtaking. The colors of the sunset before him, as he crosses his legs on the wooden pier, reach inside Steveâs sternum and cradle his heart gently, the soft pinks and blues swaying in the sky to create the perfect shade of lilac. They fill in the cracks like the ancient art of kintsugi, proudly emphasizing all the scars with gold- you are better for all the scars you take, Steven, it shows you have loved, it shows you have lost- it all shows you have lived; instead of wasting your heart away, the voice of his mother repeats. Backpacking across Europe for inspiration for his upcoming art show after a bad breakup; the last thing Steve expects to find is love.
caught red-handed by jetblackfeeling (T, 616, art) â
Team Masterpost
Red Strings of Fate (Tying Me To You) by ItsMayBiTheWay (E, 616, 5035 words)
It should be uneventful. Steve has done this a million times, one way or another. Being used in public service announcements and publicity for the army came with the shield long before the ice did, and just because they changed mediums and became online in this century has made no difference for Steve. Shaking his head, Steve physically tries to chase the memories of last night away. He puts on his most charming smile- one that Tony always tells him that makes his knees go weak, and takes a deep breath, promising himself that he wonât think about Tony until he ends the live stream. These people are tuning in for a good cause, his whole attention is the least he can give back to them in exchange. Well, things rarely go according to plan, huh?
Situationship by Neverever (T, 616, 6832 words)
Steve isn't surprised that a clip of Tony appearing on his zoom meeting just wearing his thong went viral. He is surprised that his friends all think that it was a really weird way of making their relationship public. The thing is, he and Tony aren't dating and really aren't in any relationship.
A Dragon's Pride by massivespacewren (G, 616/MCU, art) â
Team Masterpost

A Dragon's Pride by Naivelittleprincess (G, MCU, 14436 words)
Sir Steven has a great task ahead. Bring King Dreykov the heart of the dragon that took Princess Natalia and the knight would be rewarded with the truth. But all his expectations are thrown off the back of his horse when the dragon whisks him away to a distant land, where he just might end up finding what he had been missing for all those years of his lonesome wanderings. A home.
Etch Your Kiss Like Acid On My Lips by Zappedbysnow and Pia Bartolini (E, MCU, art, 8396 words) â
Team Masterpost

A Skrull, an explosion, and a vat of lethally corrosive goo. - - - - - Or, that time when Steve lost his clothes, his left eyebrow, his dignity, and a boatload of baggage relating to one, Tony Stark. The forced proximity smut nobody asked for.
Gift of Consequence by oluka (G, MCU, art) â
Team Masterpost
Gift of Consequence by KandiSheek (M, MCU, 15117 words)
Steve remembers the old wives' tale of the dragon in the mountain, sleeping on a pile of gold. He has never paid it any mind, but when his mother gets sick and time and money is of the essence... he might reconsider believing in fairytales.
I prayed on the unmovable by tossha and Missy_dee811 (T, MCU, art, 5177 words) â
Team Masterpost
âThereâs no way anyone survived out here,â said Steve. âThatâs rich, coming from you,â said Tony. âYou suspect heâs here; I gathered as much. Thatâs why you put together this team and why youâre tight-lipped about whatâs inside that base,â he said. âIâll admit, itâs a smart plan. At best, heâs here. At worst, weâve learned the ins and outs of a Hydra base and hopefully, the location of another.â She looked up and met his eyes. âAnd what if I think heâs here?â âAre the rumors true?â âThat depends, which rumors?"
A Kiss [ART] by Fluffypanda (G, 616/Warp World, art) â
Team Masterpost
Ordinary Days by Neverever (T, 616/Warp World, 5275 words)
Sigurd cares for Stephen and Stephen cares for Sigurd. But Stephen can not be sure if his feelings only come from memories of emotions from other lives.
Lost Self [ART] by Fluffypanda (G, 616, art) â
Team Masterpost
a four-dimensional object by veslarkinson (T, 616, 14722 words)
The year is 1975: the stonewall riots were only six years ago, the CD has yet to be invented, and Tony Stark is taking his first steps into trans-humanism. >> initializing(extremis-setup)...
President Rogers by AvengersNewB (T, MCU, art) â
Team Masterpost
Codename: Liberty by SomeSortofItalianRoast (M, MCU, 11282 words)
United States President Steve Rogers is a Medal of Honor recipient. Billionaire lobbyist Tony Stark once sold arms to the Taliban (it wasnât on purpose, Pepper!). Itâs a match made⊠in the Oval Office? President Steve Rogers canât stand billionaire lobbyist Tony Stark. Bad press between them requires them to work together and pretend to be friends. They slowly realize that they have a lot in common, and end up in a secret relationship, which, of course, gets out.
Stars, Stripes, and Unconfirmed Sources by ashes0909 (E, UNIVERSE, 13600 words)
BREAKING NEWS: Bucky Barnes, Press Secretary: I have answered this question multiple times, Stark and the President met at the Climate Conference over a year ago and became friends thereafter. Thatâs all there is to say on the matter. Next question.
Redemption by MassiveSpaceWren (G, MCU, art) â
Team Masterpost

Redemption by Sedna (truthiness_aura) (T, MCU, 17863 words)
Steven of Stormwind, Paladin of the Silver Hand, has finally made one too many important nobles angry. Now heâs been sent halfway across the world to assist the Allianceâs new members, the draenei. And heâs been assigned to accompany the strangest of them all - Tony, an artificer - on a goodwill mission across the new territory.
Sunshine on Leith by KandiSheek and AvengersNewB (E, MCU, art, 16889 words) â
Team Masterpost
With the new government law prohibiting the employment of unbonded omegas, Tony has no hope of keeping his job at SHIELD, knowing full well that he has little chance of ever finding a mate. That is until he's officially claimed by a very special alpha: Steven Grant Rogers, also known as Captain America.
Wine and Dine Me by Neverever and BladeoftheNebula (E, MCU, art, 5289 words) â
Team Masterpost
Four times Steve tries to convince Tony he's ready to put out + the one time it works đ
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Why Steve Rogers and Sharon Carter are perfect for each other*
*With caveats: 1) a large portion of Sharon's personality and backstory I'll reference are my own creation, because the MCU keeps on forgetting she exists; 2) F&WS!Sharon is not the real Sharon but is a Skrull or comes from another dimension or something; and 3) the Steve who dances with Peggy at the end of Endgame is not the Steve I'm talking about. If any of this is confusing, please feel free to ask!
For starters, they're clearly attracted to each other, and it seems obvious they're interested in pursuing their relationship, which is more than I can say for some people that get shipped with Steve.
While attracted to each other, they don't let that get in the way of doing their job or fulfilling their responsibilities.
They have the same/similar sense of morals/justice (noticing something fishy about S.H.I.E.L.D. and standing up against it; breaking the law to save an innocent man's life).
The kind of person Steve needs in a partner (romantic or otherwise) is someone with compassion who will also challenge him when needed and not just crumble when the going gets tough. Sharon is usually gentle and kind, but she also doesn't take any crap and isn't afraid to speak up when it's necessary.
Steve has a tendency to not ask for help and try to do everything himself, because there have been so many times when there was no one to turn to, or he felt he had to prove he could do it when no one said he could. But Sharon doesn't wait to be asked for help. If she sees something that needs to be done, she takes the initiative and dives right in. That will be so important to their relationship, because Sharon won't let Steve do everything alone.
Steve's love language is Acts of Service, and Sharon has always struck me as the kind of person who would step up and help out as soon as she sees a need. Sharon's love language is Words of Affirmation, and Steve is surprisingly good at finding the right words to say to both inspire, and make someone feel good about themselves.
Sharon always interacts with Steve as Steve first, Captain America second. She doesn't fawn over him or expect him to be perfect, she doesn't pat herself on the back for managing to catch the eye of the world's first superhero. She just sees him for what he is: a man. That's got to be pretty rare for Steve, and would make her even more attractive to him.
What Sharon needs most in a partner is someone she can trust. Someone she can let her guard down around, who will be honest with her so they don't have to play guessing games. And Steve is as honest as they come. He's bad at lying, and he's always just himself around her, so any problems that arise are out in the open and they can work through them together.
Steve's first love was Peggy, and Sharon was really close to Peggy. Not only would she have heard lots of stories of what Steve is like, but she also would have been influenced by Peggy. Peggy is one of Sharon's most important role models, so the person that she wants to become (and is already well on her way to becoming) is exactly the sort of person Steve is looking for in the first place. No, they're not the same, and I don't think Steve would ever expect her to be. But the strength and kindness he admired in Peggy is also present in Sharon.
Steve and Sharon are both the kind of people who, once they make a commitment to someone, will not abandon them. This is perhaps the most important thing for a couple, because at the end of the day, no matter how compatible you are, no matter how "in love" you are or how much "chemistry" you have, what matters when the rubber meets the road is commitment. And Steve and Sharon are the kind of people who will put in the effort to make it work even when it's hard, even when other things change. Even when they both grow old and ugly and weak, they will be there for each other.
#captain america#staron#steve rogers#sharon carter#don't ask why i wrote all this out#just trying to put out some positivity for my otp
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what was the inciting incident that brought earth 1285âs mightiest heroes together?
Social Worker Sam Wilson--inspired by stories of WWII heroes like The Destroyer and Isaiah Bradley--took up what he thought was a replica shield passed down through his family, only to discover it was real Vibranium. Throwing on a Steve Rogers Halloween costume, Sam rushed into the chaos of New York's first modern-day alien invasion as the All-New, All-Different Captain America.
He was quickly joined by Iron Man, Ant-Man, The Wasp, The Hulk, Thor (pursuing his sibling, Loki, who had seemingly sided with the invaders) and Rick Jones. In the chaos of the fight, Rick found himself quantum entangled with Genis Mahr-Vell and Col. Carol Danvers, transforming the three of them into Captain Marvel. Genis was able to elucidate the invasion as part of Marvel's composite intelligence: a Kree extremist faction called the Accusers had allied with the Chitauri, a Skrull "Kill Cult" who had been hiding on Earth since WWII under the leadership of Herr Kleiser, the Golden Age "Khameleon". Much of their world's history and geopolitics had been shaped by the secret war between the many of arms of the Chitauri's Secret Empire and a subspecies of mutant humans (Janet among them) known publicly as the X-Men.
Loki, for reasons unknown, betrayed the invaders, possessing Hulk's mind and leaving a bloodbath of Kree and Chitauri forces in his wake. Banner, horrified, disappeared after the battle. Hank was forced to step away for a support position as the ULTRON nanites powering his cyber-hybrid body became more aggressive. Hank and Jan's old friend Bill took his spot as Goliath.
The team of Captain Sam Wilson, Goliath, Iron Man, Thor, Wasp, and Captain Marvel debuted soon after as The Destroyers. Wasp and Marvel would leave for various reasons (Jan to form The Unifiers and Marvel to return to Kree Space under the influence of the Exolon), with new members Swordsman (a Cotati-Human hybrid), Hellcat, Scarlet Witch, Vision, and Black Panther
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Okay but Bucky being friends with the Space-Based heroes
Carol showing Bucky the Skrull Memory band and letting him use it to recover memories of his family and childhood that he thought HYDRA had well and truly beaten out of him
Mantis using her powers to help Bucky sleep, like she used to with Ego, and her being happy that she can help a good person find some peace this time
Rocket understanding what Bucky has been through better than most. When he's working on the ship or weapons or something Bucky comes and sits with him and he explains what he's doing and why and Bucky is super interested and always asks a ton of questions
Kraglin taking Bucky to Nowhere and showing him around and Bucky being enraptured by it because he's a giant fuckin nerd
Cosmo absolutely loving playing with Bucky, he's also the only one who speaks Russian to her
In a similar vein, Goose absolutely ADORING Bucky and maybe sending one of her kittens with him so we can get Flerkitten!Alpine
Nebula and Bucky talking best practice for prosthetic maintenance, and bonding over the fact they've both lost their sisters, one to old age and one to... *Gestures to IW*, as well as the fact that, like Rocket, she gets what he's been through better than most
Drax and Bucky sparring and Bucky realizing he's one of the few people he can spar with and not worry about hurting
Thor teaching Bucky about the 9 worlds like he did Jane in Thor 1 and Bucky being absolutely fascinated also Bucky is ABSOLUTELY worthy of picking up Mjolnir. He doesn't try because he doesn't think he is, but Thor knows. Just like he did with Steve.
Valkyrie and Bucky being bi disaster squad drinking buddies. They hang out and drink Asgardian mead (Bucky is shocked when it gets him drunk for the first time in 70 years), talking about the people they've lost, doing what they can to keep their memories alive. She lets him ride Warsong once and Bucky is freaked out because "god dammit Val I've never ridden a normal horse before let alone a fucking flying one". He figures it out enough to have fun eventually
Star-Lord making Bucky a playlist of all of the best music that he missed. He also ABSOLUTELY makes Bucky watch Footloose and though he refuses to admit it to Peter he ended up really liking it
Bucky loving being around Phylla when he hangs with the Guardians and Love when he's with Thor because they remind him of his sister when she was young
I know there are other space based heroes but these were the ones I could think of, I just like the idea of Bucky having a bunch of friends and being a giant nerd with them đ„șđ„č
#bucky barnes#star lord#valkyrie mcu#thor odinson#drax the destroyer#nebula mcu#cosmo the space dog#kraglin#rocket raccoon#mantis gotg#carol danvers#goose the flerken#idk i thought this was cute#like we know Bucky is a giant nerd in canon so like he would LOVE having space based and formerly soace based friends đ„čđ„č#warsong mcu#love mcu#phylla mcu#kes's headcanons
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I REALLY DON'T want to find out that some of our favorites have been Skrulls for years. I don't want the last appearances of Maria Hill to come out as not actually her. That's not fair. Or that Rhodey's been a Skrull since pre-Endgame. I love Marvel but that's too big a surprise. If they do that, that's a fuck up... It's just not fair to fans that have loved these characters and so many others (if they're Skrulls, who else is?? Strange??? Old Man Steve??? Hank Pym? Laura Barton????). We've gone through adventures and cared for these like fictional people. Don't fuck with what they mean to hundreds of thousands of people. Yeah it's fantasy but that's not to say it doesn't mean anything
#secret invasion#maria hill#rhodey#laura barton#hank pym#doctor strange#steve rogers#worries#mcu#marvel#marvel tv
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FIC REC WEEK 5 - FLUFF
Lay Thee Down by Arukou
Pairing: Steve/Tony Rating: G Words: 2,702 Tags: Insomnia, Team as Family, Hurt/Comfort
Summary: Tony would love to sleep. He really would. But his body's just not letting him.
Reasons why I love it: The whole team coming together to help Tony with his insomnia is just really lovely to see. They're all so soft for him, it's adorable. My heart really aches for Tony here, poor thing. Give this one a read, it's amazing!
All These Things I've Said by Amuly
Pairing: Steve/Tony Rating: M Words: 5,839 Tags: Language Barrier, Dirty Talk, Hurt/Comfort
Summary: When Tony starts talking in a language Steve can't understand--the language of science--Steve figures he'll retaliate with a little foreign language knowledge of his own. Only once he starts speaking French around Tony, Steve finds that sometimes it's easier to say what he really wants to say to Tony in a language he can't understand. Good thing Tony doesn't know French.
Reasons why I love it: Okay, so â I have a huge thing for the Avengers speaking different languages, and this hits all of those buttons. Plus, the whole premise of Steve wanting to tell Tony what he really thinks (and how he feels) but only ever saying it in French is amazing. I love this fic to pieces, and I bet you will too!
Just For Today by missbecky
Pairing: Steve/Tony Rating: M Words: 9,078 Tags: PTSD, Hurt/Comfort, Established Relationship
Summary: After Steve nearly dies beneath New York Harbor during a battle, Tony shares his own fears of drowning with him. Determined to find a way to put the fear behind them, Steve comes up with an idea. Just for today, they aren't going to be Iron Man and Captain America. Just for today, they aren't even going to be Tony Stark and Steve Rogers. Today, they are just going to be Tony and Steve.
Reasons why I love it: They're so cute in this! I love the action in the beginning and how it recognizes the similarities in their trauma. And the way they seek comfort in each other just warms my heart. The last few paragraphs never fail to put a smile on my face. So yeah, please go and read this one, it's fantastic!
More Than Skin Deep by Sineala
Pairing: Steve/Tony Rating: T Words: 3,521 Tags: Pining, Skrulls, Humor
Summary: Tony can just about accept the fact that he and Steve were kidnapped and replaced by Skrulls for three months. But what he can't figure out is why none of the Avengers noticed. And what he really can't figure out is why none of their teammates will tell them what the Skrulls did while they were gone.
Reasons why I love it: I never would've thought that a fluffy Skrull fic could actually work, but holy shit, it does. And it goes hard. It's so cute and funny at the same time, and I really love the team being all shifty and apologetic, it's fricking adorable. I highly recommend you check this one out, it's super sweet!
Mistake on the Part of Nature by idiopathicsmile
Pairing: Steve/Bucky Rating: T Words: 1,274 Tags: 40's Trivia, Men Out of Time Bonding, Humor
Summary: Steve takes in Bucky's betrayed look and Sam's confusion, follows Sam's gaze to the pile of mangled fruit in the trash can. Sudden comprehension fills his face. "Oh," he says. "Bucky found out about bananas." In which an American icon is mourned. But probably not the one you're thinking of.
Reasons why I love it: Chances are, if you like Stucky, you've probably read this one before, but it's one of my favorite fluff pieces, so I'm going to rec it anyway. I adore it when Steve and Bucky reminisce about the good old days, and I learned some fun facts about bananas in the process. Funny AND educational? Well, now you just have to read it ;)
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#I have this idea Im trying to write but fuck itâs difficult#Basically⊠only Bucky (and Clint) are the only ones that believe that Old!Steve wasnt Steve at all#everyone else treat them like theyâre delusional and they should actually grieve Steve#while⊠Steve is out there in a prison trying his best to go back to Bucky and Sam (even tho he doesnât know Sam already gave up on him)#I made two ficlets already but I still need to bullshit my way through a lot of plot#im actually considering watching some shows to have a more accurate view and understanding on lore lmao#even tho I hate the new shows#ignore I wrote only two times in the same sentence onfg thsgs why I dont write anything ever#also dislexia#stucky#post endgame Stucky#fuck canon#Old!Steve is a skrull#steve rogers#bucky barnes#more sketches#im actually going to finish this! but Im going to use it for the fic I donât know if Ill be able to finish or write correctly#i will try my best#same with other ideas I have that have a lot of lore#Why am i doing this to myself? because Im a dumbass#thats why#also I love Stucky with my all bc theyâre one of my otps
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Taking It Slow
read it on AO3 at https://ift.tt/xVmkbWe by Anonymous Sam makes a surprise visit to New York to check up on Bucky and winds up doing something he never thought he would: telling him how he really feels. It doesn't go as terribly as he thought it might. Words: 9675, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English Fandoms: Marvel Cinematic Universe, The Avengers (Marvel Movies), The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (TV) Rating: Mature Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Categories: M/M Characters: James "Bucky" Barnes, Sam Wilson (Marvel), Alpine (Marvel), Yori Nakajima, Sarah Wilson (Marvel) Relationships: James "Bucky" Barnes/Sam Wilson, James "Bucky" Barnes & Yori Nakajima Additional Tags: POV Sam Wilson (Marvel), POV Bucky Barnes, POV Alternating, Post-Avengers: Endgame (Movie), Old Steve Rogers (Avengers: Endgame) is A Skrull, Sam Wilson Loves Bucky Barnes, Bucky Barnes Goes to Therapy, Friends to Lovers, Developing Relationship, Mentioned Steve Rogers, Worried Sam Wilson (Marvel), Bucky Barnes's Metal Arm, Bucky Barnes Has Issues, Bucky Barnes Has Nightmares, Hurt Bucky Barnes, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Cat Owner Bucky Barnes, Consent, Insomniac Bucky Barnes, Awesome Sam Wilson, Grief/Mourning, Moving On, Past Bucky Barnes/Steve Rogers, Feelings, First Kiss, Sad Bucky Barnes, Interracial Relationship, Insecure Bucky Barnes, Trust Issues, Soft Bucky Barnes, Getting Together, Denial, Town of Delacroix Louisiana (Marvel), Mild Sexual Content, Dry Humping, First Time, Kissing, Sweet Bucky Barnes read it on AO3 at https://ift.tt/xVmkbWe
#Bucky#Captain America#Winter Soldier#Sam Wilson#James Barnes#Falcon#SamBucky#BuckySam#IFTTT#ao3feed
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Anamnesis | Word Count - 11294
In the wake of Steve Rogers' seemingly heart-wrenching decision to leave Bucky Barnes behind and reunite with Peggy Carter in the past, Bucky grapples with the agonizing belief that Steve chose a life without him. Years later, a startling discovery leads Bucky to a secret facility where he finds Steve, his memories wiped, trapped among others whose lives have been usurped by Skrulls. As Bucky strives to rekindle their lost connection, he faces a daunting question: Can he help Steve remember their shared history and love, or will they forever remain friends in a world forever changed? AO3
âBabe!â Bucky called from the bedroom, just as Steve was getting ready to leave. He smiled to himself, sure this was another ploy to get him to come back to bed, but he had to go and speak to Bruce.
âIâll be back soon,â he promised, picking up his keys.
âNo, I need your help! I think I pulled a muscle, I canât move.â Bucky sounded genuinely distraught and Steve rushed back into the bedroom, finding Bucky flat on his back. âIt hurts when I try to sit up, but itâs really uncomfortable lying this way, help me roll on my side please,â he begged, his piercing blue eyes staring at Steve pitifully.
âSweetheart, Iâm so sorry, I thought you were just trying to get me to come back to bed,â he apologized as he wrapped his arms around Bucky, who promptly pulled him down on top of himself and kissed him deeply, grinding his crotch upward so Steve could feel his hard-on.
âMmmm, you were right, but isnât this worth it? You donât want to leave me here suffering, do you?â he asked huskily, kissing Steveâs neck, his hands running up under his t-shirt, marveling at how perfect it felt every time they touched. It never got old, he never lost the sense of wonder at how happy and whole this made him feel. Desire curled through him like smoke and he rolled them over, so he was on top, looking down into Steveâs glorious pale blue eyes, kissing his cheekbones, his lips, working at getting his t-shirt removed so he could lick the delicious divots above his clavicles. âStay a while,â he suggested huskily, âAnd make love to me.â
Steve knew it was useless arguing. His partner was an incorrigible brat, who always got his way. Theyâd known each other so long that he knew exactly which buttons to push, and after believing for years that Bucky was dead, Steve was always worried about squandering a single moment. The fact that touching Bucky felt like coming home and bursting into flame at the same time didnât help matters.
âIâm going to be late,â he put up a token protest.
âBut youâll be very satisfied,â Bucky promised, kissing his way down Steveâs torso, his fingers already unbuttoning his jeans.
âBuck,â Steve groaned, but they both knew he wasnât going anywhere. Steveâs fingers tangled in Buckyâs soft, dark hair, his breathing already fractured and Bucky hadnât even taken off his pants yet. Heâd always expected that eventually theyâd grow used to this, to making love whenever they felt like it, not needing to sneak around like they did in the 40âs and they were in the Howling Commandos. He expected them to be like most couples, settling into comfort as the initial fervent passion raged and spent itself, but every time still felt like the first. Like his dreams were all being granted and he was strapped to the worldâs most exciting ride.
Heâd once admitted that to Bucky, whoâd lifted a sardonic eyebrow and responded, âYou are, we can get actual straps if you want.â He loved this man so much. The darkness from the time after he believed Bucky had died when he fell from the train still haunted his dreams frequently. Or, for some variety, heâd go back to the day Bucky was dusted, and the five years heâd spent believing heâd lost Bucky a second time. On these nights heâd be the one to wake Bucky, making love to him slowly, driving him wild with his hands and mouth until Bucky was a trembling mess in his arms, reassuring himself that Bucky was here with him and they had time enough to savor each other.
âOh my God,â Steve groaned when Bucky licked up his shaft, teasing the frenulum with his tongue, those mischievous eyes sparkling up at him.
Bucky let go of his favorite lollipop for a moment and grinned cockily, âIf you really have to go thoughâŠâ he drawled.
Steve narrowed his eyes at Bucky, âDonât you dare stop now,â he growled.
âYes, Sir!â Bucky said happily, diving right back in, using his mouth with the kind of exuberance reserved for doing things you truly enjoyed. Steve was never sure if it felt so incredible because Buckyâs mouth was just that talented, or because he so obviously loved every moment, making Steve feel a thousand feet tall.
âBabe, Iâm going to cum,â Steve warned and Buckyâs eyes smoldered up at him, the corners of his mouth tilting up slightly. Heâd told Steve a thousand times that he loved his cum, loved the taste and consistency, loved the idea that swallowing it put a piece of Steve inside him, but Steve still warned him every time, as if this would be the day heâd suddenly not want to swallow anymore. He grabbed Steveâs hand with his real one, eyes closing in pleasure for a moment when the first pulse of Steveâs amazing cock ejected his sperm into Buckyâs mouth. Their eyes locked again and remained devotedly fixed on one another until Steve was done. He pulled Bucky up, hugging him to his chest and kissed him fervently.
âI love you so much,â he breathed, his hand lightly stroking Buckyâs penis, smiling when his boyfriend groaned, lifting his hips, pushing his groin toward Steveâs hand.
Steve reached into his bedside drawer and pulled out the vibrating cock sleeve, slipping it over Buckyâs dick, kissing the tip gently while he lubed up his own penis, rubbing some around Buckyâs anus. âI want to look into your eyes,â he told Bucky, their hands entwined as he lowered his mouth to his loverâs, sliding into him slowly, his tongue delving into Buckyâs mouth, ravaging him.
He turned the sleeve on, catching Buckyâs gasp in his mouth, relentlessly thrusting, his heartrate increasing with each propulsion, Buckyâs eyes growing darker with desire, his legs wrapping around Steveâs waist, trying to pull him even deeper. He wanted to meld them into one being, to know theyâd never be separated again. He wanted to be doing this every moment of every day, being as close to Steve as it was humanly possible, inconceivable pleasure firing through all his synapses, building to the inevitable explosion, the moment when they both break into bits and absorb a little more of one another.
âFuck!â Bucky screamed, ejaculating forcefully when he felt Steve release inside of him. âI love you; I love you so much, holy shit how does it keep getting better?â he murmured.
Steve turned off the sleeve, removing it before it became uncomfortable and lay down next to Bucky, pulling his head on to his chest, his fingertips grazing Buckyâs shoulder, causing goosebumps to pop up.
âTell me youâre going to be fine,â Bucky requested softly and Steve tilted his head back, looking deep into his eyes.
âIâm going to be fine. Iâll be back before you have time to miss me.â
Bucky sighed; he knew there was no way to convince Steve not to do this. Theyâd discussed returning the infinity stones the night before, agreeing together that it was the safest course of action, to avoid anomalies on the timeline. He also knew Steve was the obvious choice. None of that made him feel less anxious.
âLetâs just stay here, you can talk to the other Avengers tomorrow,â Bucky suggested.
Steve kissed the top of his head, âItâs going to be fine; youâll see. I love you, Iâll always come back to you.â
~~~
Bucky stared at the time portal, his eyes like burning coals, âWhere the hell is he?â he asked, glaring at Bruce who looked bewildered. Steve should have been back by now, unless something went wrong, but he was sure they would have had some sign on this side if something happened.
Sam put his arm on Buckyâs shoulder, âWeâll wait, heâll be back.â They sat in the New Avengers facility for hours, Bucky staring at the portal with dry, burning eyes, remembering the sweat running down Steveâs neck while he was thrusting into him earlier, the love in his gaze, the strength of his grip. Why wasnât he coming back?
âLetâs go for a walk,â Sam suggested after another hour had passed. Bucky refused at first, but eventually he had to move, before he tore the place apart.
They walked in silence, neither of them had any words that would lessen their fear, or provide an explanation for why Steve wasnât back. Sam spotted the shield first, Bucky was like a sleepwalker, unaware of his surroundings, all of his thoughts turned inwards. He nudged Bucky, pointing to the old man on the bench. It had to be a toy, some kind of replica, but they went over anyway, incapable of ignoring what seemed like an omen on today of all days. The moment he looked into the manâs eyes, Bucky knew. He didnât care, it didnât matter that Steve was old, heâd take any time he had left with him, no matter what he looked like.
âMy love,â Bucky said, falling to his knees, âWhat happened? How are you here, why didnât you come back through the portal?â he was fighting tears and losing the battle. âIt doesnât matter, youâre here. I thought Iâd never see you again.â He tried to hug Steve, who gently, but firmly, pushed him away.
Steve glanced at Sam and rose from the bench, âSam, I need to talk to you, please wait here,â he requested, walking down towards the lake.
Bucky followed, feeling like an electric current was running over his skin, his mind buzzing with white noise. It was Steveâs eyes, but the emotion was gone. The love that had been there that morning, had melted away. Steve stopped and turned to Bucky, his grey hair and lined face was unimportant, all Bucky saw was the pity in his gaze.
âI saw Peggy when I went back,â Steve said and Bucky felt nauseous. Theyâd spoken about her before, with Steve always insisting heâd only ever loved Bucky, that she was a wonderful woman, whoâd been sweet to him when he felt like a nobody, but he only had one true love and he was with him. âI decided to stay with her. You were always just a placeholder for her Buck.â Steve kept talking, but Bucky couldnât hear the words, he felt like heâd imploded and was falling apart in slow motion, finally slumping to the ground. Steve touched his shoulder for a moment, then turned away and walked over to Sam.
~~~
No matter how many times he wished heâd died that day, Bucky was still alive, had lived with the constant ache of loneliness for years. The feeling that something was missing never quite left him. He wanted to go back to the day when he fell from the train and launch himself headfirst into the canyon, leaving nothing for Hydra to find and resuscitate.
He and Steve had made love that morning too, quietly and secretively squashed into Buckyâs narrow bunk, careful not to let anyone hear them. Worried about what the world would do if they found out Captain America was gay. Making promises about a future they werenât sure they could have, but longed for wholeheartedly. Steve used to have nightmares about that day, and the dusting, saying he couldnât survive losing Bucky again, terrified that something would rip them apart. None of it made sense, it hurt without end. Bucky understood the pain of being the one left behind now, but heâd never left Steve willingly. Steve chose to leave him.
Sam had tried over the years to get him to date again, but Bucky couldnât stand the thought of being with anyone else. He couldnât even get himself to have meaningless sex when it was freely offered. Heâd tried once or twice, but couldnât get as far as letting his lips touch theirs, never mind taking off his clothes. He attempted to drink the pain away, but gave up eventually; no matter how much he drank, his enhanced metabolism meant he couldnât get drunk. Nothing helped, nothing eased his aching soul.
Smiling felt anathema to him, like something that couldnât ever have belonged on his face. He never went looking for Steve, it would have been pointless and he had no desire to look into eyes that always used to shine with love for him, and suddenly see very different emotions there. He had his answer, at least he didnât have to spend his life waiting and hoping, he suspected that would have been worse. And life carried on, as it inevitably does, whether he was shattered or not.
Sam knew that Bucky lost so much more than his life partner the day Steve left. He lost faith in himself, as well as the ability to believe that anyone truly cared about him. He accepted nothing on face value anymore and kept a wall between himself and everyone else. He still saved people, but heâd moved out of the house he and Steve had bought together, and into a tiny, dark, depressing studio apartment, furnished with the bare necessities. Sam kept showing up unannounced, knowing if he called ahead Bucky would make sure he wasnât home. He didnât take it personally; he was the one who had to try and get Bucky back to the tower when geriatric Steve left.
Bucky kept repeating, âIt was always her. He never loved me.â
He disappeared for a while, telling nobody that he was leaving and when he eventually returned, he looked like the same person, but the sarcastic, funny, warm Bucky was gone, replaced by someone somber, who never smiled and barely cared about his appearance. He worked out like a madman and fought like a machine. It took a long time for some semblance of warmth to return to his eyes.
Sam was hammering at Buckyâs door, a six-pack of beer in his free hand, when he got the call about the warehouse full of pods. He tried not to take it personally when Bucky opened up and looked relieved to hear they had to go. They stared around the huge space in horror, the number of people replaced by Skrulls were staggering.
âHoly shit,â Bucky muttered, âAll these people have been drained of their memories, their lives stolen from them.â He felt awful for thinking it may not have been so bad if it happened to him. Steve may never have truly cared about him, but Bucky knew his own feelings had been as real as anything could ever be and he could never bring himself to regret the time theyâd had together.
Even if it did end up smashing him to smithereens.
SHIELD agents were scurrying around, opening pods and helping the captives out. Most of them had been in stasis so long their muscles had atrophied and they had to be taken out in wheelchairs. Many woke up screaming, in the grip of panic. None of them knew who they were, where they were, or how long theyâd been there. Bucky and Sam helped where they could, grateful when Thor, Bruce and Clint showed up.
âOh, holy shit!â someone called loudly.
Sam rushed over, staring into the pod in disbelief, before screaming, âBuck! Bucky, get the hell over here.â
Bucky stood frozen, staring down into the clear blue eyes of Steve Rogers. His Steve Rogers, blond-haired, face unlined, young and gorgeous, and the implication hit him like a freight train. Steve didnât leave him. The person who came back and blew up his existence had locked the love of his life in this pod and stolen all of his memories, ruining two lives in one full swoop, as though it meant nothing. Bucky knew there was no way Steve remembered anything, but he felt the flickering flame of hope in his chest, despite believing for years that it had been extinguished the day Steve walked out of his life.
Not Steve. A Skrull. Oh God, when did the Skrull steal his life? Had Bucky made love to the impostor? He shook that thought off, none of it mattered now, but Steveâs eyes were truly the window to his soul and Bucky felt sure that heâd never been intimate with anyone other than his Steve Rogers.
âSteve?â he asked softly, praying for a glimmer of recognition, but the beautiful face remained blank, his eyes full of confusion.
âCap?â Sam tried, but there was nothing there. They helped him out and Bucky immediately put his arm around Steveâs back, helping him to walk.
âDo I know you?â Steve asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
âNearly all your life,â Bucky said with a smile, making a decision right at that moment. He knew now that his heart had been broken by a Skrull, but for the fractures in his soul to truly close, he had to know the truth. If given the opportunity to start all over, would Steve choose him?
~~~
Sam stared at Bucky, âWhat the hell do you mean we canât tell him you guys were together? Please tell me youâre not so messed up that even after finding out it was never Steve who walked out on you, youâre still going to be a miserable shadow of yourself?â
Bucky raised an eyebrow, âNo Sam, please donât hold back, tell me what you really think of me.â
Sam glared at him, but his heart lifted at the sardonic tone.
âI donât want to force him into a mold. Iâll tell him we were childhood friends and that heâs a superhero, but I need to know manâŠâ
Sam sighed, âI think youâre crazy, but I guess I get it. Iâll tell the others; you stay here and wait for him to wake up.â
âTrust me, I wasnât planning on leaving,â Bucky said dryly. âOh, and I hope there are two rooms free at the tower?â
Sam grinned, âIf there arenât Iâll build some myself.â It felt like two of the people he cared most about in the world had been returned to him today.
~~~
Bucky was sitting next to the hospital bed, his eyes drinking in the sight in front of him, tracing every inch of Steve that was visible. His large hands, so great at holding him close. The blond hair, like silk under his fingers when he pulled Steve closer for a kiss. The sculpted mouth, which expertly knew where and how to kiss his body, making him squirm and beg. The wide shoulders and hard chest, housing a heart big enough to fit the entire world in it. A heart that Steve used to say belonged to him. He hoped he would be deemed worthy again.
Steve looked at the dark-haired man sitting next to his bed. Heâd been there earlier, when all the people stood around him, staring at him like he was some kind of newly discovered bug species. This guy had been there, his eyes full of so many emotions, none of which Steve understood, but it was one of the only memories he had. Everything else was blank. Steve wondered why the guy was staring so intently at the sheet covering him, almost like he wished it wasnât there.
Buckyâs heart lifted for a moment when he glanced up and saw recognition in Steveâs eyes, but it was dashed immediately when Steve said, âYou were there earlier. Iâm sorry, I donât remember your name.â
Bucky smiled, âI never got around to telling you, they were in quite a rush to get you some medical attention. Iâm Bucky Barnes, we grew up in the same neighborhood, a long time ago.â
Steve tried really hard, he got the feeling that he and this Bucky had been good friends, but nothing came to him. âIâm sorry,â Steve said again.
Bucky smiled, âYou have nothing to be sorry about, none of this is your fault. You may not remember yourself, but take my word for it, youâre the best person I know.â Bucky chastised himself for the emotion that had crept into his voice, but Steve didnât seem to notice anything strange.
âYou called me Steve; I gather thatâs my name? The other guy called me Cap, is that a nickname, or a rank?â
Bucky grinned, âKind of a self-proclaimed title that was eventually earned,â he joked, before starting the long tale of Steve Rogers, who went from sickly child to superhero with the help of the super serum. Bucky went up to the formation of the Howling Commandos, before declaring that was probably enough for today. He didnât want to dredge up train accidents, being captured by Hydra, all the terrible things heâd done as the Winter Soldier, how Steve never gave up on him.
It was part of their story, but perhaps theyâd be starting a new one someday, if Steve wanted to, and Bucky didnât know if they needed to be dragging the pain of a forgotten past with them. Even if Steve never fell in love with him again, he didnât want to saddle him with past trauma.
Steve felt calmer when Bucky was here with him. Despite having lost his memories, he could sense that theyâd shared a really close bond and from Buckyâs reminiscences it seemed theyâd been as close as brothers. Heâd woken earlier, alone in the room, and the emptiness in his head had him shaking with anxiety. The nurse came in and gave him a sedative, looking at him with awe in her eyes, assuring him his friend would be back soon. He didnât remember being a superhero, but it seemed everyone knew who he was. Except him.
âCan I get you anything? An iced coffee, or something other than hospital food?â
Steve shook his head, âI know the names of foods, but not what I like, isnât that crazy? Is there something I particularly enjoyed before?â
Bucky smiled, his knowledge of Steve was encyclopedic, there was nothing he could ask him he didnât already know.
âDo you want me to tell you, or would you prefer to make new choices?â
Steve was quiet for a moment. âMaybe youâre right. I may never regain my memories and I shouldnât be defined by who I was before.â Bucky nodded, convinced now that heâd made the right decision.
Bucky left reluctantly when they said it was time for Steve to go to sleep. He didnât suppose a good buddy would have insisted on sleeping in the room with him; there wasnât really much wrong with Steve. He was back early the following morning and Steve was surprised to find his heart lifting when he walked in. Bucky looked different today. Heâd shaved and cut his hair and he was wearing a pair of tight blue jeans and a form-fitting black tank top, with a black leather jacket, which heâd taken off and slung on to a chair shortly after he arrived. Steve found his eyes drawn to the bulging biceps and taut stomach again and again, chastising himself for acting inappropriately with a friend. Bucky seemed not to notice, so that was good, he assumed he just wanted to get his own body back in tip-top shape and that was the attraction to Buckyâs physique.
Bucky noticed every glance, filing them away to remember later. Heâd dressed this way on purpose, he knew he looked good. He was carrying a bag of clothes and toiletries for Steve.
âHow did you know my size?â Steve asked when he came out of the bathroom, freshly showered, smelling divine, wearing light blue jeans, a white t-shirt and sneakers. Heâd felt a bit strange when he pulled the black boxer briefs out of the bag, knowing Bucky had picked these out for him. They fit really well.
âStaff records,â Bucky lied without compunction.
The nurse came in soon after, to let them know they were releasing Steve, with instructions to keep him hydrated and not to let him have too many rich foods for a few weeks. âHis digestive system is still fragile. He should get some exercise, but donât overdo it. Long walks are fine, but avoid jogging, weights and sprints for now. If it wasnât for his enhanced system, heâd have been in much worse shape, but all he needs is a little time to recover and to rebuild whatâs been lost.â The nurse blushed, âI mean like muscle mass and physical things. We just donât know enough about the process the Skrulls use for memory extraction and the effect it has on humansâŠand heâs superhuman, so that changes everything again. I canât venture a guess as to whether his memories will return or not.â
Bucky bristled, âHeâs right here in the room, you can talk to him,â he said sharply. She turned even more scarlet and Bucky felt like an asshole for a second before brushing it aside brusquely. Steve lost his memories, not his mind, and he wasnât a child. The fact that Steve didnât interject with âItâs fine,â or some kind of reassurance to set the nurse at ease, let Bucky know loud and clear that heâd been bothered by it too. Steve may not have memories, but he was still sweetness and light right down to his core.
âIâm sorry, of course, I didnât mean to... Weâve prescribed some pain medication in case of headaches, and muscle relaxants, take them as needed if you feel any discomfort, just not more than four times per day. I wish you all the best CapâŠMr. Rogers.â Bucky had to suppress a smile at that. Heâd always teased Steve that he was almost a carbon copy of TVâs Mr. Rogers, the yardstick of niceness.
âThank you,â Steve said, looking to Bucky, uncertainty foremost in his eyes.
Steve was in a hurry to get out of the hospital, but he had no concept of where he was going. Bucky assured him yesterday that he had a room at the New Avengers Tower, but he had no idea what that looked like, who the others were that lived there, or even how to get there.
âCome on, weâll head home and get you settled,â Bucky said confidently and Steve immediately felt better.
He wasnât alone, Bucky would take care of him.
He blinked at the noise and the brightness of the sun outside, his heart lifting a little when Bucky stopped next to a large black motorcycle.
âYour taxi awaits,â he said with a grin, handing Steve a helmet. He got on behind Bucky, uncertain where to put his hands. He gingerly placed them on Buckyâs hips, but he turned to look at Steve and warned, âYouâll want to hold on a lot tighter than that, I donât go slow.â Steve wrapped his arms around Buckyâs waist and had to fight the incredibly strong urge to turn it into an embrace, leaning his head against Buckyâs strong back and hugging him hard. Was he being overly emotional because of the memory loss, or was he gay and harbored a secret crush on his friend? Bucky would surely have told him if they were more to each other than that? Heâd chalk it up to Bucky being his pillar of strength, providing a steady foundation for Steve to stand on. He felt like he was totally unmoored when Bucky wasnât around, scared and uncertain. His so-called attraction was obviously just emotional displacement.
Bruce and Sam were in the kitchen when they arrived, waving and calling out greetings. Bucky had asked them not to overwhelm Steve when he got there, but he was suddenly worried Steve wouldnât know how beloved he was. âI told them to keep their distance for a bit, until youâre settled in. Sam wanted to throw a welcome home party for you, but I thought it may be a bit much to deal with right away. Theyâre allâŠweâre all, so relieved and happy to have you back. If you want the fanfare, Iâll tell him I was wrong?â
Steve shook his head, âNo. Thank you, I do need a little time. Iâll definitely want to chat to them later, but I still feel so unsteady, like Iâm on a small raft in the middle of the ocean and the waves are turning choppy, threatening to tip me over.â
Bucky wanted to take his hand, instead he gripped his shoulder firmly, âIâll anchor you, the boat doesnât need to be wobbling.â He led Steve to âhis roomâ.
Bucky had filled the cupboard with clothes, having an amazing time shopping for Steve, buying the softest cashmere sweaters, and things as close as possible to the things he always loved to see Steve wear. He also couldnât resist picking up Steveâs favorite cologne. What used to be his favorite cologne. Steveâs smell was such a huge part of Buckyâs memories, the olfactory trigger had been impossible to resist.
Steve looked around, but the room didnât trigger anything. The clothes all looked brand-new and he wondered whether theyâd thrown his stuff out. It would make sense, there was no point in hanging on to things that wouldnât be used again. He assumed Bucky had chosen these too; he had good taste. There was a picture on the dressing table of him, Bucky and some other people in army uniforms. It was obviously old, but the two of them still looked about the same.
âWhy havenât you aged? Did they use the super soldier serum on you too?â
Bucky glanced away; he didnât want to talk about Hydra. âA version of it, and I was cryo-frozen quite a few times. The serum doesnât keep us from aging though. You were also encased in ice for a long time.â
Steve sat down on the bed, âWill you tell me about it?â he asked, looking up at Bucky, looking wide-eyed and lost for a moment.
Bucky wanted to pull him close and assure him he would do anything for him, but instead he nodded and sat down, âYeah, of course.â
He skipped over his own supposed death, continuing from Steve crashing into the ice and remaining frozen in the Arctic for nearly seventy years. Steve wasnât going to let it go that easily, he immediately picked up on the evasion.
âWho froze you?â Bucky didnât want to open that can of worms, but how to avoid it without lying?
âA group of German scientists. You found me not too long after they unearthed you from the ice and helped me when I had no memories, itâs odd how life sometimes bring us full circle. Obviously, Iâm not glad this happened to you, but Iâm glad Iâm here to return the favor.â
Steve looked at him seriously, âMe too,â he admitted.
Steve had a million other questions, but Bucky quickly interjected, âIâm starving and Iâm sure you could do with a decent cup of coffee. How about I make us something and Iâll introduce you to Bruce and Sam. YouâŠthe Skrull, passed your shield to Sam when he came back from your mission as an old man. Weâll have to sort that out somehow, but itâs not important right now.â
Steve held up a hand, âHow do you know I was the Skrull then?â he asked in confusion. Bucky cleared his throat, digging a hole and tossing his memories of that day into it, trying to bury them deep.
âYou were wearing the same suit that you wore on your mission when we found you in the warehouse, so they must have caught and switched with you while you were returning the stones. It definitely wasnât you that came back old, or youâd still be old.â
Steve nodded thoughtfully, âThat makes sense. I think Sam should keep the shield and continue being Captain America. I donât even know who I am.â
Bucky smiled, âYou can make decisions like that later, and in fairness, you donât know who he is either.â
Steve frowned, âIs he bad at it?â
Bucky laughed, âNo, but please tell him I said he sucks. Heâs a great guy and I kind of think heâs perfect for the job, but so were you. If you repeat any of the last bit to him, Iâll say youâre delusional,â Bucky warned with a grin. Steveâs eyes lit up at the sight of it, hoping he could make Buckyâs face do that far more often.
Bucky smiled at the sound of Steve talking to Bruce and Sam in the living room. He was as personable as heâd always been and genuinely interested in everything they had to say. Sam was telling him what an unerring moral compass he had and what a role model Steve had always been to him; probably embarrassing the hell out of Steve. Bucky was making pesto eggs. Steve used to cook it for him when they had a leisurely morning at home, staying in bed until hunger finally drove them out. It was Steveâs favorite meal in the whole world and the only thing he ever really cooked. Bucky knew his way around the kitchen far better and usually took care of dinner. He was eager to see if Steveâs tastebuds would remember. He also made a pot of coffee with freshly ground dark-roast beans. Steveâs favorite beverage.
âBreakfastâs ready!â he called, laying out the plates and two cups of coffee on the counter.
Steve looked at the green eggs suspiciously, âThat smells incredible,â he said, and Bucky knew heâd choke them down and praise them, even if he hated them now.
âThanks Buck, but weâve already eaten,â Sam said pointedly, staring at the two plates.
âYou donât eat pesto,â Bucky shot back, âAnd I know Bruce already had breakfast because he was eating when I left to go to the hospital.â
Steve looked at them with a smile, it was clear that Bucky and Sam were close.
âDo I like pesto?â he asked.
Bucky shrugged, âOnly one way to find out,â he said, taking a sip of his coffee.
Steve mimicked him and groaned happily, âOh wow. Is this what itâs supposed to taste like? Thatâs heavenly. The stuff they gave me in the hospital was awful.â
Bucky took a bite of his eggs so he wouldnât have to answer, his throat was feeling suspiciously scratchy. Steve put a forkful of the eggs in his mouth and closed his eyes, emitting a low hum of delight. âThis is phenomenal,â he finally decreed.
All of Steveâs tastes still seemed to be the same, surely that meant he was still something Steve would like too, Bucky thought hopefully.
âItâs a gorgeous day outside, is there anything you want to do?â Bucky asked.
Steveâs brow crinkled, âI have no idea. Maybe we can just go for a walk? Iâd kind of just like to get to know my surroundings a little. I must be keeping you from doing your own stuff, eventually Iâll have to start doing things alone.â
Bucky wasnât planning on ever letting Steve out of his sight again, if he thought he could get away with it heâd get Steve one of those leashes they used on kids. He made a non-committal sound, âI donât have anything urgent waiting for me, thereâs no rush, but familiarizing yourself with the area is a good idea. It should help you feel more at ease.â
They walked down to the lake; an area Bucky hadnât returned to in all these years. Heâd forgotten how beautiful it was.
âI assume others canât get in here?â Steve asked.
Bucky smiled, âNo, the security is pretty tight. A lot of bad people would like to get their hands on the technology inside, and wiping out a few of The Avengers would be a pretty lucrative prize if they could manage it.â
Steve nodded, feeling quite content with the knowledge that they had privacy here. âTell me some more about my past please,â Steve asked.
âObviously I had no family left after so many years, but was there anyone I was particularlyâŠclose to?â He wanted to ask about his sexual orientation, but couldnât quite spit it out.
âMe,â Bucky said easily.
Steve nodded, hoping for a little more information, but Bucky didnât say anything else; there was no way to ask without asking and he didnât want to say, And were we ever more than friends, because I kind of want to wrap myself around your body and kiss you until your head is spinning.
Bucky felt the tension and wanted to pull Steve down to the grass and beg him to use him in any way he saw fit, but he wasnât sure if it was Steveâs sexual tension he was feeling, or his own, or if he was projecting his own feelings on to Steve. Steve had always been the dominant one in their relationship, steadfast and confident, soothing and coddling Bucky as needed. It was different having to be the one who took charge and he was constantly second-guessing himself.
âWow, itâs really hot,â Steve said when theyâd been walking for about twenty minutes, Bucky doing most of the talking and verbal acrobatics, trying to side-step anything that came too close to entering uncomfortable territory.
âLetâs go for a swim,â Bucky said immediately.
âSure,â Steve said, turning around.
âWhere are you going?â Bucky asked already pulling off his boots.
Steve turned back to look at him, âYou mean here?â he asked, looking around.
âYeah, did you imagine I meant letâs trek back to the house and use the pool? Youâre hot now, arenât you?â
Steve swallowed deeply, Bucky was pulling off his jeans and he wore the same underwear heâd bought Steve. The bulge at the front was substantial. He felt like his oxygen had been cut off, while he was screaming at himself to act like a normal person.
Bucky yanked his tank top over his head and for a minute Steve thought heâd pass out. He was perfect, flawless, and he made all kinds of somersaults turn in Steveâs stomach. To his utter horror, Steve felt his penis growing erect. He immediately sank to the ground and pulled his knees up, taking his time to untie his sneakers.
âAre you okay? Youâre looking a little pale,â Bucky asked in concern.
Steve nodded frantically, âYes! Great. Iâm so good. You go in so long; Iâll be there in a minute.â
Bucky looked puzzled, but turned away and walked into the lake. Steve stared for two seconds, then forced himself to look away, desperately trying to get his hard-on under control. He couldnât let Bucky see that; heâd know immediately. He was definitely, without any doubt, one hundred percent gay, or gay for Bucky, whichever it may be. He lusted after his best friend with a ferocity he didnât think was normal, but the only person heâd feel comfortable asking was Bucky, and for obvious reasons that was impossible. Buckyâs ass was a work of art, with a gorgeously pronounced contour, muscular and taut, and Steve stared at the grass for a full minute before he was able to get up and remove his clothes.
Bucky watched him walking into the water, his eyes fixed on Steveâs tall frame. Heâd lost no obvious muscle mass during his years in the pod, he was as beautiful as ever. Solid, dependable, incredible, home. The love of Buckyâs life. His first, last and everything. Steve finally looked up again when he was waist deep in the water, his eyes meeting Buckyâs, his heart filling with joy at the smile spreading across Buckyâs face. For a while everything else dropped away and he just relaxed into the arms of euphoria, appreciating this moment.
The sun was warm, the water cool, he was with a friend he couldnât remember, but who stirred incredibly powerful feelings in him. Things would surely get complicated later, but for now, this minute, he was utterly content. Bucky dove under the water and reappeared in front of Steve a few seconds later, shaking his dark hair wildly, spattering drops of water all over Steve, who swept Buckyâs legs from under him and dunked him without thinking. They tussled for a while, splashing and doing their best to submerge each other, laughing and taunting all the while. Steve ran out of breath first and they got out, sitting on the grass, letting the sunâs rays dry them. There was a sense of ease between them suddenly, as if a knot of uncertainty had been untied. Steve no longer had to just take Buckyâs word for it, he knew, felt it deep in his soul, that they had always been exceptionally close and that bond wasnât rooted simply in memories, it was part of their DNA, and nothing could ever wipe it out. Bucky felt his fears ebbing and couldnât understand how heâd ever allowed one sentence to wipe away a lifetime of proof. Of course, Steve loved him. He should have known his Steve would never hurt him like that. Even without his memories, even if all it ever was now, was friendship, it was deep, abiding and unshakable.
âWe should go on a da-ay out tomorrow,â Bucky suggested, catching himself before the word date was fully formed. âIâll take you to two places, one will be something youâve always loved, the other something you donât enjoy all that much, and weâll see if thatâs still the same.â
Steve smiled, âAs long as we can get coffee too, Iâll go anywhere with you.â Heâd go without the coffee too, but now that heâd rediscovered the amazing, magical beans, he wanted more and he didnât want to make Bucky uncomfortable by sounding like he wanted to follow him around like a puppy. Even though he absolutely did. The view from the back was exquisite.
They walked back to the tower slowly and Bucky grilled them some tuna and asparagus for lunch. âI think Iâd better take some of those muscle relaxants, Iâm feeling a little sore,â Steve admitted.
âDid I grab you too hard earlier?â Bucky asked and Sam popped his head around the door to his room.
âOh awesome, you told him! Have you two been-â
Bucky nearly threw a lemon at his head.
âSam! Hey! What are you talking about? Told who what?â Bucky asked manically.
Sam grimaced, realizing his mistake immediately. âAh, haha, oh, itâs you two. I thought it was Thor and Bruce, theyâŠUhm, shit. I donât think I can tell you.â He disappeared back into his room, locking the door audibly.
âThat was weird, I donât know what Thor sounds like, but neither of us sound like Bruce, do we?â Steve asked in confusion.
Bucky glared at Samâs door before turning back to face Steve, âNo, we donât. Sam is weird, donât mind him.â
Bucky scrolled through the streaming service and they watched Puss In Boots while eating lunch on the couch in front of the television. Steve hadnât lost his love for animated movies either, but the pills made him sleepy and he nodded off about an hour into it. Heâd been giggling like a small boy until a minute before. Bucky paused the film and pulled Steve down, so his head was resting on Buckyâs lap. He stroked his hair and rubbed his thumb over Steveâs mouth, remembering well how glorious it was to kiss those lips.
Heâd loved Steve before he was a super soldier, when he was a small, scrawny kid with more daring and heart than brains, suffering from every ailment known to mankind, but determined to stand up to bullies. The way he looked had never mattered, Bucky loved who he was. He didnât hate that Steve could swing him over his shoulder and carry him around, physically overpowering him when he really set his mind to it, pin him down and have his wicked way with him, but those were bonuses, not dealbreakers. He didnât know what Steve would think if he woke up in this position, his hair being stroked tenderly, and he didnât want to overwhelm him. Bucky got up as gently as he could manage and fetched a pillow for Steveâs head to rest on, lifting his feet on to the couch as well. He got a book to read and sat in the armchair next to the sleeping Steve, keeping guard, making sure he was safe.
~~~
Steve was excited about his day out with Bucky and had to keep telling himself it wasnât a date. It felt like one to him though and he didnât know what to wear. He didnât want to look like he was trying too hard, but he had to make an effort. He finally chose an off-white, button-up knitted shirt and forest green chinos, with charcoal sneakers. He found a brown leather cuff in one of the drawers and took it off and put it back on a few times, before discarding it in favor of a tiger eye bracelet. He loved the cologne Bucky bought him and spritzed himself three times, before realizing that was probably too much and panicking that he was going to make Buckyâs eyes water.
Bucky found him standing bare chested, flapping his shirt out the window when he came into the room after giving a perfunctory knock. âIs this a bad time?â he asked with a lopsided grin.
Steve pursed his lips in thought. âNot great. I think I overdid it on the cologne,â he admitted.
Bucky walked closer and sniffed the air around Steve, his blood pressure rising exponentially with each deep inhalation. âI think youâre perfect,â Bucky said hoarsely, taking a quick step back.
They went for coffee first, before heading to a nearby ice-skating rink. âDo I know how to do this?â Steve asked, eyeing the sharp blades of the skates.
âNot sure, weâll have to see,â Bucky returned, fastening his own skates. Steve was on the ice for a second before he fell for the first time. Bucky helped him up and offered his arm to balance Steve while they slowly made their way to the side-rail.
âIs this the thing I hate?â Steve asked.
Bucky laughed, âYou havenât even given it a chance yet. Youâre very athletic, take your time and see if you can figure out how to balance.â
Steve gave it a go, but he didnât think he improved much. He did enjoy it when Bucky put his arm around his waist to help him, so it wasnât a total disaster, but heâd much rather have stayed at the coffee shop.
He tried for an hour, then shook his head, âNo, enough, I donât enjoy this.â His ass was wet and he was shivering, despite the fact that Bucky had given him his jacket to wear. âYouâre swanning around like one of those people who do the shows on ice, Iâm holding you back, go on and show me how itâs done, but Iâm going to watch you from that bench over there.â
Bucky grinned, âFine, I guess this wasnât a success.â
Steve had always abhorred ice-skating, for some reason he just couldnât get the hang of it and it frustrated him terribly. In all their years together, Bucky had only managed to get him to go skating three times. Four if he included today. It was something that came naturally to him and he showed off a little, knowing Steve was watching him.
Bucky was incredible. Steve didnât know how he managed it, but for a fairly tall, well-muscled guy, he managed to glide around like he was weightless, the epitome of gracefulness, doing several showy twirls and looking like poetry in motion. Steve could only watch him, awed by his skill, entranced by the way he managed to contort his body. Bucky eventually left the ice, joining Steve on the bench, his lips slightly blue.
âOh my God, youâre freezing,â Steve said, taking off the jacket and hanging it around Buckyâs shoulders, using his hands to chafe his arm. Bucky wanted to assure him he was fine, but the contact felt so good, he let Steve continue, while the body heat that was still trapped in the jacket soaked into him, Steveâs smell encircling him completely.
They went for a latish lunch, before catching the subway to Brooklyn. Bucky had booked them two easels at a popular paint bar. Their theme for the evening was Ethereal Treetops. A live jazz band was playing in the background; the bar supplied all of the painting materials and served excellent wines by the glass. Anticipation bubbled up in Steve immediately when he looked at the set-up, his fingers itching to hold the paintbrush, to use the palette to mix his colors. He already knew exactly what he wanted to paint, he wasnât sure if it was a lost memory, or something his creativity cooked up, but he could see it so clearly. Bucky grinned when he saw the familiar far-away look in Steveâs eyes and he knew his imagination had already taken wing.
âYou sit down and get started; Iâm going to get us some drinks.â
Steve was a great artist and it felt so right to see him sitting there, immediately lost in his own head, plotting out his vision. Bucky didnât need any more evidence; it was obvious nothing had changed. He liked the same foods, hated the same activities and Bucky was sure there was electricity between them. Heâd still hold off on making any type of sexual advance, simply out of consideration for not piling too much on Steve at once, but all of it was still there, he was absolutely sure.
Bucky dabbed at his canvas a few times, but he was having a great time listening to the band, sipping an excellent Merlot and watching Steve paint the view from their house at sunset. Bucky was glad he hadnât sold the place. Back then, he was tempted to burn it to the ground. To turn it to ashes just like his heart. Instead, heâd locked the door and left, moving into the dankest little place he could find. It had to be very musty, heâd have to get a cleaning company to go and give it a thorough spring-clean. He was hopeful that it wouldnât be too long before he and Steve moved back.
Steve sat back, looking at what heâd created. The more he stared, the more familiar it felt, but he couldnât place it. He looked over at Buckyâs easel and laughed, before quickly biting his lip and feeling terrible.
Bucky leaned back in his chair and took a deep sip of his wine, âSteve Rogers, are you being mean to me?â he asked in mock distress. Steve shook his head, keeping his mouth firmly shut. He felt a little better about the ice-skating now. It was very obvious they had different talents.
âI like the bunnies,â Steve said, eyeing the brown and white creatures on the bright green grass.
âTheyâre squirrels,â Bucky said solemnly and Steve couldnât hold back his laughter any longer.
âSquirrels donât have long ears,â he argued.
âBunnies donât climb trees,â Bucky countered, pointing to a blob in one of the apple trees.
Steve giggled joyously, âThe error is clearly mine, I apologize most profusely,â he said.
Bucky sighed laconically, âYes, I paint like a six-year-old, we canât all be artistic geniuses.â Steve stopped himself before he planted a kiss on Buckyâs cheek.
They stayed for the music and more wine, and finally made their way back to the tower when it was nearly midnight. âThank you,â Steve said when they got inside, his voice full of gratitude. He didnât want the night to end, it had been absolutely perfect.
âI had a great time, thereâs no need to thank me,â Bucky responded, trying desperately to think of some reason not to say goodnight just yet, but nothing sprang to mind.
âMaybe you can come to my room and weâll chat a while longer, if youâre not too tired?â Steve suggested, a surge of boldness rising in him. Buckyâs mouth was suddenly dry, he didnât know what heâd do if nothing happened. If Steve really meant they should talk, like chums, he may lose his mind, because need had planted a garden in his body and it was growing wild, taking over every part of him.
âSure,â he managed, walking into the room ahead of Steve.
Bucky was reaching for the light switch when Steve grabbed his shoulder from behind and turned him into his body, his hands twining in his hair.
âI want to kiss you,â Steve growled softly, his eyes burning into Buckyâs.
Bucky didnât answer him, he put his hands on the back of Steveâs neck and pulled him down, managing, âOh thank God,â before their mouths collided and the world surrounding them melted away, until only the two of them were left.
Steve walked Bucky backwards until his back was braced against the door, slowly unbuttoning his shirt while his mouth laid claim to Bucky, leaving no questions as to whether they belonged to each other.
âDid we do this before?â Steve asked raggedly, when his lips moved to Buckyâs neck, slowly kissing the hollow behind his ear, his tongue sweeping over Buckyâs throat before his lips suctioned on, making Bucky tremble.
âYes,â Bucky admitted, removing Steveâs chinos.
âWhy didnât you tell me?â Steve asked, a note of frustration in his voice.
âItâs a long story, do you want to stop and talk first?â Bucky asked.
âOh God, no,â Steve sounded horrified. âI want to do a lot of things before we get to talking again.â
Bucky sighed happily, âOh, good.â
Steve kicked his own pants away, before yanking Buckyâs down. âI donât think Iâm going to be gentle,â he warned and Bucky made a needy little sound that made something dominant roar to life in Steve. He pulled Bucky tight to his body, pressing his erection against his abdomen, feeling Buckyâs large cock wedged between them. Heâd been right about the bulge earlier. âTurn around,â Steve ordered, pushing Bucky up against the wall, putting his hands over Buckyâs and pinning them above his head, his fingertips slotting between Buckyâs fingers, just above his knuckles. âI think I love you,â Steve admitted, before putting his mouth to work on Buckyâs neck, his cock slowly pressing into him.
âI love you too,â Bucky gasped, his ass clenching around Steve for a moment, before relaxing again, inviting him inside. âFuck me hard baby, Iâve missed you so much,â Bucky begged. Steve hated that he had no memories of this. It felt so right, having Buckyâs body trapped by his while he trust into him, each penetrating jab making his brain light up like a Christmas tree. His balls were throbbing, his hands clamped around Buckyâs. He was worried he was being too rough, that he was hurting Bucky, but he couldnât stop to ask, he trusted Bucky would tell him if he wanted him to slow down.
Instead, Bucky was leaning his head back on to Steveâs right shoulder, breathing fast, murmuring, âYes, oh God, itâs been so long. I need you so much,â his voice full of reverence, almost like he uttering a prayer. Steve moved faster, skewering Bucky, pushing his cheek against the wall, his full weight leaning forward on to Bucky as only his hips and thighs kept moving. âCum for me baby, cum please, I canât hold out much longer,â Steve begged and Bucky whimpered.
âPlease donât wait, I need new pieces of you inside me.â Steve exploded, seeing actual starbursts as his penis pulsed and pulsed, Bucky crying out when he felt the warm semen shooting into him, finding his own release.
Steve didnât pull out, he stood up straight and pulled Bucky with him, with their fingers still twisted together, he clung to Buckyâs hand, folding his arms around him. âDo you know what that felt like?â Steve asked quietly.
Bucky sighed out a laugh, âHeaven?â
Steve bit his ear, âMore,â he corrected Bucky, finally pulling out and tugging Bucky towards the bed. âI want to taste you,â he said, pushing Bucky on to his back and kneeling between his legs, moaning when his tongue found the cum still beaded around the head of Buckyâs cock. âWe could have been doing this since I got out of the hospital,â Steve tutted, twirling his tongue around the head, before daintily sucking on the very tip.
âNo. I had to give you time,â Bucky tried to argue, but his words dried up when Steve started to lightly massage his balls, his lips still teasing around Buckyâs frenulum. He was already hard again, helplessly lost in ecstasy, voraciously needy. Steve brought Bucky to the edge again and again, stopping when he felt the first hint of pulsing, pinching the tip of his penis between his fingers and forcing the orgasm back. Buckyâs head was rolling around wildly, his thighs shaking, the duvet crushed in his hands. Steve looked at his lover, writhing unrestrainedly, stimulated to the edge of endurance. He swallowed Buckyâs cock, all the way down to his throat, thrusting a finger into his ass and fingering him fast, triumph lifting him when Bucky bellowed, cumming into his mouth. Steve swallowed, keeping his mouth lightly suctioning, elated at the intensity of his orgasm.
âAehaogh,â Bucky tried to speak, but gibberish came out of his mouth. It was probably a combination of being celibate for years, having gotten Steve back after believing he was gone and the slight hint of anger he could feel buzzing in Steve, but heâd never cum that fiercely. Steve had never pushed him quite that hard before. They always had incredible sex, but Bucky knew he would never forget tonight. âNow tell me,â Steve demanded.
âOh my love,â he murmured when Bucky was done, kissing him again and again. Soft, comforting kisses full of tenderness. âI donât remember anything yet, but after two days with you I knew how deep our connection went, how could you have believed Iâd do that?â
Bucky had his head on Steveâs shoulder, âIâve never felt like I deserved you, Steve. Not after HYDRA.â
Steve frowned, âWhat are you talking about?â
Bucky sighed, âIâm so happy right now, can I tell you in the morning? All the things Iâve glossed over.â
Steve paused, âIâm not sure I love the sound of that all, did something terrible happen between us?â
Bucky rubbed his head on Steveâs shoulder, âTerrible things happened to us, but weâve never purposely hurt each other.â Steve was satisfied with that for tonight. He wanted to make out endlessly and make love to the man he adored.
The sun was coming up, the room turning incrementally from black to grey; Steve sat with his knees bent to the sides, the bottoms of his feet touching, Bucky in his lap, with his legs wrapped around Steveâs waist, pressed so close to him that his anus was able to sink down over Steveâs cock. Their lips were locked, arms wrapped around each other and Bucky was tilting his hips back and forth, setting the rhythm of their thrusting. They were exhausted, and finally nearly sated.
There had been frantic fucking, long bouts of kissing, gentler copulation and now they were softly making love, wound together completely, kissing without end, marveling at their happiness. Their final release was far less explosive than some of the others, but it left them utterly satisfied. Relaxed to the point of somnolence, and they finally tumbled on to the mattress, sinking into sleep with their hands clasped together.
~~~
Steve had been horrified when Bucky told him about all the bits he left out, especially when Bucky admitted to the guilt that never left him of his time as an assassin.
âYou have to go to therapy,â Steve declared.
Bucky scowled, âIâd give the therapist nightmares, is that what you want, to traumatize some poor, unsuspecting head doctor? I spoke to someone at SHIELD.â
Steveâs brows wrinkled, âIâm not sure I trust them completely, they have their own agenda. We have to find you someone who specializes in trauma.â
Bucky pulled him closer, âI donât need to talk to anyone babe, Iâve got you back.â
Theyâd spent two days in Steveâs room, only exiting to get food and drinks. Thereâd been a lot of the promised talking, but far more kissing and rediscovering. Bucky felt as content as a kitten in a mohair blanket.
âThis isnât negotiable,â Steve said fiercely, a commanding tone to his voice that made the hair on the back on Buckyâs neck rise in splendid anticipation.
Bucky batted his eyelashes, âWhat will you do if I refuse?â he asked defiantly.
Steve rolled on top of him, moving his hips from side to side, his dick rubbing lightly over Buckyâs stomach, more blood rushing into it with every pass. He kissed Bucky deeply, until he was uttering soft, needy, moans. âI wonât do any of that,â Steve whispered, putting his hand on Buckyâs cock, stroking him gently.
âOh, fuck babe, Iâll go anywhere you want me to,â Bucky agreed, incapable of putting up even a token resistance.
~~~
Every day was like opening a brand-new gift, which turned out to be exactly what he wanted. Steve wished fervently his memories would come back, he didnât want to lose the myriad of moments heâd shared with Bucky in the past. He would never hear about all of them, or have them from his own perspective. Bucky wouldnât know how often he watched him and just marveled at his own good fortune. The little things that made Steveâs heart feel like it would explode with love. There was a particular sound he made when he was incredibly turned on and his eyes would close and his mouth open in a silent scream, which made Steve hornier no matter how turned-on he already was. Steve didnât want to lose any of these tiny, intimate facts that made up the whole of how much he loved his sassy, incorrigible, insatiable boyfriend, but if the memories never returned, he was okay with making new ones.
Bucky was reborn. He was having the time of his life reintroducing Steve to all his favorite things. They spent their days watching movies, reading, painting, playing cards, hanging out with the other Avengers when they were around. Steve remained adamant he didnât want his shield back. Heâd help out if there was an emergency, but Captain Americaâs mantle belonged with Sam. Bucky felt relief at that, he knew Steve had grown progressively more uncomfortable with working for the government in recent years and this would give them more time together. Heâd also been in touch with Shuri and she was working on a vibranium-based, collapsible energy shield for Steve, which would be capable of withstanding powerful attacks. He needed to know he was safe. Bucky would wait for Steve to pick his own name, but he thought perhaps The Sentinel, or something similarly neutral, that showed he wasnât aligned with a specific government or authority, but dedicated himself to global justice. Heâd bring that up when Steve wanted to return to work, for now they were on vacation. A sexy, lazy, relaxing vacation.
~~~
âI have a surprise for you,â Bucky told Steve. âYou should pack up all your stuff.â
Steve cocked his head to the side, âAre we moving?â
Bucky groaned, âYou havenât forgotten what the word surprise means, have you?â
Steve chuckled, âFine. You know Iâd follow you to the gates of hell.â
Bucky blindfolded Steve, who grumbled, âI literally donât remember anything, so if itâs not somewhere youâve taken me before I wonât recognize it.â
Bucky ignored him, helping him into the passenger seat of his car. âIndulge me, please,â he asked, kissing the side of Steveâs head. Steve immediately stopped complaining.
Bucky was shocked at the sense of homecoming he felt when he pulled into their driveway and into the garage. The landscapers had done an amazing job of getting the garden to look amazing and he had the cleaning company out three times, so they could deep-clean everything. It smelled of polish and fabric softener when he opened the door and Steve inhaled deeply.
âOh, thatâs very nice, where are we?â Bucky took off his blindfold and scooped Steve into his arms before he could argue, carrying him over the threshold, into their home.
Steve laughed, âNobody would believe me if I told them how sentimental you are. Did you rent us a house?â
Bucky put Steve down and took his hand, âThis is our house, where we were living beforeâŠyou disappeared. I couldnât bear to come back here. We bought it together.â Steve looked around with child-like wonder.
âThis is where we shared our life? We picked out all these things?â Bucky nodded, watching breathlessly as Steve prowled around, touching and inspecting everything.
âItâs beautiful,â he finally said, âWe have amazing taste.â Bucky grinned, âWell you obviously do,â he said, indicating himself.
Steve laughed, âOh baby, you shouldnât be so modest, you need to get some more self-confidence.â Steve tugged him toward the main bedroom, âI believe after you carry me over the doorstep, itâs customary to christen the bed.â
Bucky swooned a little, then rallied, âRe-christen, this bed has been very thoroughly broken in.â
Steveâs eyes gleamed, âWell then, I guess weâll have to try and show it something it hasnât seen before.â
Bucky looked dubious, âI donât know if thatâs possible, itâs seen a lot, but Iâm very willing to give it a go.â
Steve felt so full of love, that he imagined heâd burst open, prisms of rainbow light shooting from him if any more emotion added the mix. âKiss me,â he ordered Bucky, who immediately hurled himself into Steveâs arms, âYes, Sir!â he said swiftly.
Steve felt like a dam wall burst open in his head. Memories tumbling out like a mountain of diamonds, each one falling into its own special slot. He sank down to the floor, his eyes screwed shut against the intensity of it all. The pain, joy, love, camaraderie, friendship, all of it washing over him in a huge tidal wave.
âSteve! Babe, are you okay? Please talk to me,â Bucky asked frantically, trying to pull Steveâs hands away from his eyes. It took a few minutes and Steve was panting by the end, trying to reassure Bucky that he was okay in monosyllables.
Bucky was terrified. What if this was some terrible, unforeseen consequence of being in the pod for so long? What if he was losing Steve all over again?
âJames Buchanan Barnes,â Steve said softly and Bucky froze. He hadnât told Steve his full names. Maybe someone else did? âIâm with ya âtil the end of the line pal,â Steve said, his voice getting stronger. âIt wasnât too long after that when I kissed you for the first time.â
Bucky grabbed his face between his hands, âYou remember?â
Steve nodded, âItâs always been you and me Buck. If anyone wearing my face and eyes ever try to tell you differently, you tell them to fuck off and start looking for me, because I love you. Only you. Forever you. I want us to get married. Will you marry me? Sorry, no wait, Iâm going to do something special and make it a big surprise. Could we wipe your memory for a bit?â
Bucky was laughing and crying, shaking his head, âNo take-backs, Iâm marrying you. As soon as possible. I love you so much,â Bucky babbled, straddling Steveâs lap and kissing him deeply, âForever. Promise me?â
Steve pulled his mouth down, âTil the end of the line, baby,â he swore, sealing their pact with a kiss.
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Snow On the Beach Chapter One
"did you ever hear about the girl who got frozen?"
Summary:
Former Avenger Leila Whittaker lost everything in the snapâher chosen family, her reputation, and the love of her life. Three years later, sheâs keeping a low profile in New York when Natasha, the de facto leader of the intelligence community, calls her back into the field for some undercover work. Leila finds herself paired with Scott Lang, known to the public as Ant-Man and known to Leila as some guy she met on the Raft six years ago.
This is fine. Leila is content with sticking with what remains of her team, and keeping the rest of the world at armâs length. Most of them want to be there, now, anyway. And thatâs fine.Â
Itâs fine, except that Scott Lang turns out to have a way of getting under her skin, in a way she canât quite shake off.Â
Chapter Summary: Scott and Leila both agree to get back in the game.
Warnings: None
Pairings: Scott Lang/OFC, past Steve Rogers/OFC
Tags: @ocappreciation @arrthurpendragon @suethor @notaboutcat (let me know if you'd like to be added or removed from this list!)
FF.Net | AO3 | Masterlist
Out of all the recurring nightmares Leilaâs had over the course of her lifeâand there have been manyâthis one might be the most versatile.Â
Sometimes it starts differently, but it always leads to the same place. She's on a stage, being controlled by puppet strings, and she looks up and finds the person controlling the strings, and it's always different, but pulling from the same pool of people. Everyone whoâs ever interfered with her autonomy. Thanos, David, Johnny. Iain Warner, one time. Her past self, with blank, emotionless eyes, a few times. Occasionally more than one person, even if the people in question never met in real life.Â
Itâs Thanos, this time. She locks eyes with him, and as always, she wakes up.Â
Leila isn't a shrink, but it's not hard to figure out what the dream means. What's trickier, and what she hasn't quite figured out yet, is what to do about it.Â
She sighs and drags herself out of bed, and tries to shake the nightmare off. Sometimes she can't; sometimes it haunts her all day. A few times she's woken up into a panic attack. Today, though, is one of her better days; she can already feel it slipping out of her mind like sand through her fingers.Â
Sheâs on her third chai latte when her phone rings. âI'm on my way,â she lies.Â
âHello to you too.â Natasha sounds amused.Â
âThought you were Tony,â Leila replies, stirring her latte absently. âI'm heading up there today. It's Morganâs birthday.â
âBe sure to enjoy it, because I need you to come in tomorrow.âÂ
Leila pauses. âSo this isn't a social call,â she says, hiding her unease under a layer of snark.Â
â'Fraid not, Princess.â Despite being out of the field for years, Leilaâs nickname, derived from her codenameâSnow Whiteâlives on. Old habits die hard, she supposes. Natasha has been calling her that forâŠalmost a decade, now.Â
âI'm retired, Nat.â
âNo, you're clinically depressed. There's a difference.â
âThanks, Doctor Romanoff, I'll keep that in mind.â
âYou can ponder it more tomorrow when you come in.â
âMake someone else do it.â
âWe need someone with your specific skill set.â
âMake Talos do it.â
âHe's busy.â
âThen make Gravik do it.â
âAlso busy.â
âThen makeââ
âStop naming skrulls. Besides, we need someone with your experience with organized crime.â
âYou have that experience, too.â
âI've got a lot on my plate, as Iâm sure you can imagine.âÂ
And Leila can. The responsibility Nat took on in the aftermath of the snap is extraordinary. Sometimes Leila feels bad about rejecting her offer to be her right hand. Then she remembers why she did.Â
It's funny, in a way, that the thing that's made her more trouble than she's worth is the one thing that wasn't even her fault. (It wasn't, right?)
âOrganized criminals lost people, too. They're not gonna want to talk to me.â
âThey wonât be talking to you. Theyâll be talking to each other. Or so they think.â
âYes, I understand how shapeshifting works.â
âLeila,â Nat says, suddenly serious in a way that makes Leila sit up straight. âItâs about the Trust. Thatâs why we need it to be you.â
Leila takes several moments to process this, making a point to take deep breaths.Â
âFine. Iâm in.â
âGood. Meet me at the compound tomorrow at 8.â
âIâll be there.âÂ
âLeiâby the way, just so you arenât taken off guardâyouâll be working with someone.â
Leila tenses reflexively, and tries not to let that tension into her voice. âWho? Anyone I know?â
âYou might remember him. His name is Scott Lang.â
Itâs early mornings like this that Scott starts to have reservations about X-Con. He comes into his office, and something about the morning light reminds him of the single office theyâd inhabited years prior, lit almost entirely by fluorescents, four desks crowded into the space. Him, Kurt, Luis and Dave. Itâs him, Kurt, Luis, and a small number of employees now.Â
(He wonders sometimes, which office Dave wouldâve taken, and if he wouldâve liked it.)Â
The success of the business is great, of course. Itâs great to be able to help support Cassie. Itâs great to be able to keep people employed that would otherwise be exactly where Scott was when he got out of prison. And itâs great to help keep people safe.Â
The only problem is that the business didnât start growing to this level until right after the snap. Scott doesnât have, like, hard data to prove it, but he can never shake the idea that thereâs a cause-and-effect there. People, now more than ever, want to feel safe. X-Con canât protect people against genocidal aliens, unfortunately, but it can help them feel protected. Scott knows he isnât doing anything wrong, technicallyâwhy people give him their business is their own prerogativeâbut sometimes it feels opportunistic, anyway.Â
Heâs at his desk, going over his schedule for the day, when the door to his office swings open. âYou have a visitor,â Jez announces.Â
âYou couldâve used the phone,â Scott says without looking up.Â
âBut then I wouldnât get to spend this quality time with my favorite brother,â she replies, leaning in the doorway.Â
âIâll be sure and let Matt know you said that.â
âHe knows what he did.â
If Scott had more time, heâd probably take the bait, but he doesnât. âCan you send the client in? Itâs a tight schedule today.âÂ
Jez gives a lazy salute and heads back to the front desk. Weeks ago, their usual secretary had resigned, and Jez has been âfilling inâ ever since. Sheâs not an ex-convict, and she didn't have secretarial experience, which makes her a nepotism hire by any definition, but she needs the work, and Scottâs been watching out for her since she was nine years old. Heâs not going to stop now. Besides which, sheâs done enough free babysitting for him over the years to have earned it, anyway.Â
Heâs also pretty sure that nobody hereâoutside of Luis and Kurt, who knew her pre-X-Conâhas figured out that sheâs never been to prison. Not that itâs a secret, but still. Sheâs young, but even on her best behavior, she still has roughly the same personal energy as the Tasmanian Devil from Looney Toons.Â
(He remembers her first visit to him in San Quentin. âItâs weird, because I always thought Iâd be the first one of us to go to prison,â sheâd told him.
âSorry, first?â heâd asked.Â
âYeah. Me, then you, then Matt.â
âWhy would Matt go to prison?â
âWrong place, wrong time. Iâd be locked up on drug charges, obviously.â
âOf course.â)
The door opens. He looks up and smiles. âHi, Iâm Scott, thanks forââ he pauses, and then tries not to sputter. âHawkeye?â
Clint Barton gives him a half-smile, the kind where Scott canât quite tell if heâs happy or not. âScott,â he greets. âGood to see you again.â
Leila always forgets how beautiful the sky above Tonyâs home is until sheâs there. Itâs one of those summer nights where the twilight seems to last forever, and she knows that once the sun is finally down, the stars in the sky will be actually visible, unlike the city. She can even see a few of them now, faintly.Â
Itâs the lakeside that ties it all together, though. Isabella had wanted to live somewhere by water, and Tony had, as he did to any and all requests or mild whims that Isabella made, obliged. Â
Isabella is some ways ahead of them, maybe ten yards, holding a toddling Morganâs hand. Still clearly in sight, but far enough away for Leila and Tony to talk, which Leila knows is comingâotherwise they wouldâve had Leila take Morgan for a walk by herself while they cleaned up the house.Â
âSo,â Tony says, âwhyâre you crashing on our couch tonight, again?â
Leila knows what heâs actually asking. Are you okay? Do you need to not be alone? Are you about to go off the deep end again? Are you trying not to relapse? She kicks a rock into the lake.Â
âIâm just saying, itâs an expensive couch,â Tony continues. âI feel like I at least deserve to know. Not that you arenât always welcome.â
âI know,â she says, and she does, both about the couch and the welcomeness. Leila could ask to move in tomorrow and Tony would have the guest bedroom decorated for her within the hour. Her friendship with him is possibly the one thing in her life that sheâs never questioned.Â
âIâm going to the compound tomorrow,â she says finally. âNat wants me back in the field. Itâs just easier to stay here than go home and come back up.â
Tony whistles lowly. âYou sure youâre up for that?â
âNo. But apparently Iâm the only woman for the job.â She pauses. âItâs about the Trust.â
âThe Trust? That crime ring we took down back inâŠâ Tony runs the numbers in his head. â2012?â
âApparently we didnât take it down far enough. Or someone decided to reboot it.â
Tony nods. âAre you working alone? I imagine itâs hard to build trust, givenâŠwell, you know.â
âGiven that half of the world hates me.â Leila can handle innuendo from anyone else, but she doesnât like dancing around things with Tony. His straightforwardness is one of the things that first drew her to him.Â
âThatâs the one, yeah.â
She smiles a little despite herself and kicks another rock. âApparently Iâm going in with someone named Scott Lang. Nat said I might remember him, from the Raft back during the whole Accords thing.â Leila had only spent a few hours on the Raft, and she doesnât remember a lot of it. Frankly, the entire debacle is somewhat blurred in her mind. âI donât, though. Do you?â
Tony thinks. âRight. Ant-Man. He was in Munich with Cap.â
Thereâs that straightforwardness she loves. Tony is one of the only people who doesnât hesitate to mention Steve around her. The good, the bad, all ofâ
âSorry, did you say Ant-Man?â
âYeah. Why?â
âWhy the fuck is he called Ant-Man?â
âCause he shrinks. He can also grow, but I guess âGiant-Manâ didnât have the same ring to it.â
âI dunno, I might take it over Ant-Man.â
âBecause youâre the expert on code names.â
âSnow White is a perfectly respectable code name, thank you.â
âSorry.â He gives an exaggerated bow. âPlease forgive me, your highness.â
Leila laughs. âHow do you even know all this?â
âI have a vested interest in knowing the names of people who may or may not hold grudges against me.â
âThatâs healthy.â
âThatâs precaution.â Tony takes a few quick strides and then steps in front of her to face her. âIâm serious. Are you okay with this? Itâs been years.â
âItâs only been three years. Not even that, actually,â she waves a hand. âAs long as this doesnât become a recurring thingâŠIâm fine. I can handle it.â
Tony watches her for a long moment, looking for any sign of indecision on her face. Finally, he nods.Â
âAlright. As long as you stay up long enough to watch Tangled. Itâs Morganâs favorite right now, and she wanted to watch it with you.â
Leila smiles. âTraitor,â she mutters. âBut yeah. I can do that.â
Scott clears an hour from his schedule (he makes a note to thank Kurt and Luis both for taking on his meetings that day), and makes three phone calls.Â
The first one is to Hope.Â
He explains the situation: Clint Barton (yes, that Clint Barton) showed up at his work asking him, on behalf of Natasha Romanoff (yes, that Natasha Romanoff) to get involved in some kind of espionage-related, superpower-related mission-type-thing. He said he wouldnât do it without Hope (nobody can say he doesnât learn from his mistakes.) Barton said they wanted him for his security and heist experience more than for his Ant-Man activity. Scott said heâd think about it.Â
âSo now Iâm asking you,â Scott says.Â
âAsking me what?â
Thatâs actually a good question. âIâm asking if you think I should agree to help,â he says, âand if you think I should do it without you.â
âI mean, youâre always better off with me there,â Hope replies easily. âBut if theyâre trying to keep the team small, and you trust themâŠI think you should at least consider it.â
If you trust them. He supposes he does. The Munich incident had involved a lot of mistakes on Scottâs part, but that hadnât been either of their fault. Neither had the way it ended.Â
âHave you told Maggie?â Hope continues.Â
âThatâs the next call Iâm making.â
âMake it. And think about it. But if you say no, just donât do it because of me.â
The second call is, as promised, to Maggie.Â
âHey, Scott, is this important?â
âUhhhhhâŠ.yes. Iâd say so.â He clears his throat. âI need some advice.â
âOkay, but can you make it quick? Iâm on my lunch break.â
I can try? âYeah. Totally. Itâll be quick.â
âOkay. Whatâs up?â
He tells her the same thing he told Hope, and then tells her what Hope said. âSo now Iâm asking you. Do you think I should do it?â
âNo, I donât, but thatâs not the question youâre actually asking.â
âOkay, what am I asking?â
âYouâre asking me if youâd be a bad person if you said no. And youâre asking me if youâd be a bad father if you said yes.â
Maggieâs ability to cut to the heart of the issue is not a quality Scott remembers her possessing during their admittedly short-lived marriage. He wonders idly if, given enough time and thought, he could pinpoint exactly when it started.Â
âOkay. So what do you think?â
âI think nobody could blame you if you chose to stay out of it. And I think youâre going to do it anyway.â
Scott stays silent for a long moment, and Maggie takes it as an invitation to continue.Â
âItâs who you are, Scott. Since the day I met you. You see a chance to be useful, to help someone, and you canât resist.â
Scott sighs. âAnd Cassie?â he asks hesitantly.Â
Itâs Maggieâs turn to stay silent for a moment. Then, finally: âI canât ask you to be someone youâre not. But Cassieâs already lost one father. If things get too dangerous, do you think you can back out?â
Scott looks at the photo on his desk. Him, Matt, Jez and Cassie.Â
âYeah. I can do that.â
The third call is to Clint Barton.
âBarton,â he answers. Thereâs a sort of lazy quality to his voice.Â
âHey, itâs, uh, itâs Scott. Lang. Ant-Man.âÂ
âName rings a bell. Made your decision yet?â
âYeah.â He takes a deep breath. âIâm in.â
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I definitely think that is an avenue to explore for writing, but I saw in an interview that Cobie did after the first episode of Secret Invasion about Maria that regarding Maria's "backstory" and minor development on screen that Maria "had parents and siblings." I'm not sure if that's something they told her and cut out of the show or something Cobie did on her own for trying to figure this character out.
I think it's telling that the scene only her mom is there that could indicate either a biological or non biological mother/daughter relationship. Both are powerful things to explore but I think killing off Maria in the MCU by her father figure (or what she believed was) and keeping her orphaned/child abuse by her father comic book back story was probably a little too dark for the MCU.
Personally, for my own writing I actually really like the idea that Maria and Elizabeth both escaped the abusive father/husband and that they had a very strong mother/daughter bond because of it--whether it was biological or not. However I still think this means Fury could have co-opted Maria's need paternal approval much like he did with other orphaned women. TBH post Secret Invasion, Fury making talented yet vulnerable people do his work makes him look like a horrible manipulative monster and going back and watching old MCU projects it's hard not to see that in him now even if the characters are blinded by it. Maria especially so because maybe from her background of abuse she so severely believes in justice and helping people and she's drawn by her admiration of people like Fury and Steve Rogers too! (Which Cobie confirmed that Cap was always Maria's favorite Avenger)
but i think it's clear that Fury basically saw a young woman who was very skilled and desperate for paternal approval and was just like bingo! this person will do everything i say and stand up to me very little--especially when she is younger and we actually see that development in the movies where Maria never goes against him and then in then in Secret Invasion tells Fury basically 'Hey, don't do this' so Fury's absence from Maria's life actually helped her grow a lot, even if in the end she still went back to her old ways of following blindly. Another reason why her mother was so infuriated as she clearly stated at the "funeral" scene and IMO good fuel for the theory of 'i saved my daughter from a dumb dangerous man and now a dumb dangerous man gets her killed'
thoughts??
I do agree that her motherâs reaction is very much one of âI worked tirelessly to make sure my daughter had a better life, only for it to be cut down by a mediocre man or and the hound he trainedâ (because Gravik is also a victim of Furyâs CIA tendencies)
The whole showing an abusive dad thing Iâd say isnât too dark for the MCU considering that Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 3 came out and that has some very gruesome and hard to watch animal cruelty stuff, so Iâd say the MCU is willing to get dark with it (as I would intend to)
I feel like Secret Invasion needed more focus on Maria as a main character because I wanna truly understand what the loyalty to Nick Fury has done. I interpret that sheâd be tired of the secrecy and abandonment and the selfishness of Fury and the other people she has to work with, and probably the general xenophobia and racism lobbied at the Skrulls from people who already knew about them, and how much worse itâd get, and how the Skrulls experiencing it is pretty much on Fury.
I feel like Cap is the one stable person sheâs looked up to. He has blood on his hands, but heâs the closest to Mariaâs moral compass in my personal opinion (because I think Maria is generally a much kinder soul despite her job because sheâs seen fellow agents, Fury included, do absolutely atrocious things to innocents and refuses to stoop down to their level).
I think Maria would be someone who doesnât need Fury by the end if she didnât die in Secret Invasion, which is really important I think. But Marvel unfortunately fumbled big time.
Also Iâm sorry if some things donât make sense because I agree with you on a lot of this, like youâre spot on and practically reading my mind in some cases.
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Something about the way the Marvel franchise(s) develop (and this is really a very Marvel problem) that is so tiresome is how more and more narrative "copouts" and "get out of jail free card" writing mechanics are added just to be able to undo poorly thought out/poorly received writing from previous releases.
Between the Multiverse, the Skrulls, the way magic system gets used as plot devices in non-magic characters' stories, the time travel/timelines... there's so many features of the fictional universe that are blatantly concocted not really to tell their own stories but to create avenues so the "architects" can look at the audience and see how they reacted to the previous decisions and hover their hands over the "McGuffin retcon plot device #3" dial and look at the proverbial live studio audience(test screenings) to see how far they should turn it to win people back.
Because these concepts (when used in the Marvel universe) are rarely ever used to tell stories specifically centered around them, but when they are, the stories are better because writing a story that's centered around a Multiverse concept (see: EEAAO or Spiderverse) is much more coherent than tossing Time Travel into an existing story with characters already tied up in their separate arcs/worlds/development.
In Marvel, whenever characters from previously established linear stories and grounded environments suddenly get thrown into stories where they're a "Variant" or replaced by an invading race of reptilian shapeshifter (there can be and definitely is a lot of writing around the Skrull concepts' unoriginal connections) that's just Marvel wanting to retcon a terribly received writing decision they made but don't want to actually retcon old installments and depreciate their value in the eyes of the audience so they play a farce where this is all "planned" (don't laugh!) and every increasingly convoluted and contradictory pseudo-retcon are all necessary to take in to "understand" the stories that never manage to complete any narrative arc properly before some cashgrab crossover event happens that either retcons or creates things that will need to be retconned.
But it's planned. đ
(For reference for the audience: this ask was sent to me 4 days ago, before I posted my longer post with thoughts on Rogers: The Musical. Anon was probably responding to my initial tweets related to it and my Steve theory.)
I don't disagree with you. But I will say I don't think it's all done in service of retcon but more in service of like... well, they have to level up the stakes for the heroes, right? So that's why everything is now about the multiverse and the skrulls and the like. The Big Bads have to get Bigger because they're trying to supersede Thanos. Who comes after the final boss? And that leveling up has a degree of absurdity and messiness to it for sure, especially as they try to make so many things feel connected or "planned" even unnecessarily.
I will say they've at least done a decent job of keeping some of the shows distinct â or at least, the ones where they did that are the stronger ones in my opinion.
But yeah, such is the invented problem / difficulty of having a big universe of storylines that go on indefinitely, where the main draw has unfortunately become the spectacle of it all + the crossover events that garner stupid amounts of hype. And sometimes the narrative arcs don't get satisfactorily completed because things are always, on some level, in service of teasing what's next to keep the machine moving đ It can certainly feel exacerbated by how much material they've been pumping out in such a short amount of time in recent years too.
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