#sarah&steve

[whoahoney]

The Big Bad Day

Steve Harrington x teacher!Reader

Summary: You’re a new teacher and your year has been hard, this day in particular, and your boyfriend Steve knows just what to say.

Content Warnings: children are dicks, hurt/comfort, mature language

A/N: for all of us that need to cry in Steve’s arms just for a little bit 🤍 requested by my dear @loving-and-dreaming

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

You had had enough.

You were no stranger to difficulty or bad days, but this one would go down in the books.

Ever since you got the teaching position at Hawkins Elementary, you’d been optimistic about your days spent with the future of the world, teaching them their order of operations and proper sentence structure, eagerly imagining the books you’d read with the class and what crafts to make to decorate the door for each season and occasion.

But when it came down to it, it felt most days like they saw you as another child. Lessons were filled with thrown pencils, students getting up out of their seats to move around and bother their friends, as if you weren’t there, homework going without being filled out, literal 8 year old boys heckling you during your lectures,

And as if that wasn’t enough, your colleagues seemed no different. You were easily the youngest teacher there and staff meetings and lunch breaks were spent feeling invisible behind your coffee mug, no matter how many thoughts you tried to contribute. They always seemed to silence your words before they could manage their way out of your mouth.

Today, things amped up.

Richie Timmons incited a riot.

A full on riot.

The assignment was making paper snowflakes. You’d given a wonderful tutorial on how to fold and cut the snowflakes, you’d shown them the special glitter glue you’d bought with your own money, and passing out supplies seemed to go well and then they just… ruined it.

Richie decided today he’d crumple up the center pieces for their desk clumps you’d worked so hard on and start a snowball fight, leading everyone to use any and all paper to their disposal.

You’d tried to stop it, everyone throwing them at the quietest kid in the class first, but then their attention turned to you, and not in the way you wanted. Suddenly all the paper wads were smacking you in the face, with impressive aim and power, you noted.

Not to mention the pencils, crayons, and eventually scissors that flew about the room, causing you to lose your cool.

And to top it off, the wicked witch of the west hall shows up to the staff meeting talking about hearing it all from the other side of the school.

This earned you so many dirty looks from your peers, not to mention the principal. Your cheeks heated as you stared into the bread of your sandwich so lovingly prepared by your boyfriend, wanting nothing more than to melt into the floor and disappear.

You wanted to quit.

But what about Sarah H and her cursive? She’s almost got it!

Or Corey B and his separation anxiety from his mom? He’s shown some real courage lately, and another change in his routine could just mess it all up.

You laid in bed that night waiting for your boyfriend to come home to your newly shared place, trying to get the tears out before he showed up.

But they wouldn’t come.

Your body wouldn’t allow it. You felt it, so strongly, the urge and pressure to burst into tears, but the cries were buried deep in your chest, not allowed to erupt for whatever reason. Instead, you curled up on your side of the bed with a massive tension headache.

Right as you thought you might fade into restless sleep, the front door clicked open and your heart leapt.

Steve’s home.

He worked late a couple evenings a week, tonight being one of them. As you heard him drop his keys onto the counter and shrug off his jacket, you weighed the options of talking to him about it all or pretending to be asleep to not bother him.

But then the bedroom door creaked quietly, clicking closed behind him. Steve had mastered the art of walking silently, practically floating across the floor as he whispered hopefully, “Are you awake?” He reached out to touch your shoulder, his fingertips grazing it before you turned over to face him.

Of course he looked this beautiful, he always did. But why did he have to look at you like that? Like you were special, like he longed for you though he already had you.

The sight alone made the dam you spent your whole day building crumble. With your brows knit together and a pout on your lips, his face melted into concern as he scrambled into bed, pulling your pliant body to him and wrapping you up in an embrace.

“Sweet girl, what’s wrong? What happened?” He whispered just above your ear. You felt your hands against his bare chest, the contact soothing you some. His hand found its way into your hair, his fingertips stroking your scalp as you heaved and sobbed. “I got you, it’s okay, I’m here.” He said intermittently.

When you found yourself blurry eyed and stuffy, and your sobs had ceased, you found yourself laying with your head on Steve’s chest. His hand stroked up and down your back while the other kept your hair from falling in your face.

After giving you a few regular breaths of quiet, he wrapped his arms back around you, “Do you wanna talk about it, baby?”

“My dream job sucks.” You sniffled against his warm skin. “And I suck at it.” You whispered.

“What??” Steve craned his neck to look her in the eye.

“No one respects me. Ever! Not even the other teachers. It’s embarrassing, everyone else has great classes and cute artwork they’ve gotten their kids to collaborate on, but when it comes to 8 year olds?” You shook her head, “I’m hopeless. I chose the wrong career path.” You shrugged.

“That’s so not true, are you kidding? You’re kidding, right?” He asked, searching for the light ‘just kidding’ after your usual self deprecating jokes. But it didn’t come.

“Maybe I’m just not cut out for it.” You shrug, sliding off his chest and situating yourself on your side, his hand reaching out to hold yours.

“Babe, I’m sorry, but I don’t think you could be more wrong.” He sighed, his finger coming up to trace your cheekbone.

You closed your eyes in avoidance, you’d already made up your mind. “There’s a little boy being bullied in my class. He’s shy, smart as a whip, though. But today we were making snowflakes—” Steve smiled, remembering you sitting at the dining table, meticulously folding and cutting paper while he cooked your dinner, “—and Richie,” Steve rolled his eyes at the mention of the kids name, “just got all these kids to gang up on him! And me! Can you believe that? And it took forever it felt like, to get everyone to stop throwing shit, and yelling. Thankfully, he came out unscathed, but—“ your breath caught, “he’s gonna remember that forever. He may not want to come to school tomorrow. And it’s my fault. I’m the freaking teacher and I can’t get them to— I’m a freaking joke, Steve.”

“—You are not a joke!” He said without hesitance, his tone laced with offense taken from your words. You froze. “Do you.. do you not see how much time to spend putting lessons together? Or hear how much you talk about your kids? How much you care? You love your job. Your job is just hard and overwhelming, and you’re new at it! It’s gonna be really hard for a few years, don’t you think? But once you settle, things are gonna get so much better.” He nodded as he spoke softly, just above a whisper in the quiet apartment.

“The year’s halfway over,” he continued, “If you hate it by the end of the year, then quit! Find somewhere else, and we’ll go, but don’t quit now.” He pleaded.

The tears pouring from your eyes were steady and quiet, his message received as he ran his thumb over your cheek. You nodded. “You’d come with me?” You asked.

He nodded, “Of course I would. I’ll go wherever you are. And wherever we end up, I’m gonna come visit you in your classroom. And I’m gonna bring you lunch and flowers, and someday your kids are gonna have to start calling you Mrs. Harrington, instead.”

You sniffle and chuckle airily at the thought. “It’s all gonna be okay. And if you decide you don’t wanna teach and do something else, I’m more than happy to cheer you on in your next venture. No matter what.” He implored.

You nodded as he leaned forward to kiss your forehead. “I want you to sleep. Okay? And tomorrow you’re gonna go to school, and try again. Because that’s what you do. And I’ll be here when you get home waiting to hear all about it, yeah?”

You nodded, tears filling your eyes once more.

“And if you need to, call me at lunch. Okay? My whole day’s open, I’ll be home.” He nodded, “You aren’t alone. And you aren’t the worst. If anything, I think you’re the best. The greatest! Y’know if you were my teacher in fourth grade I would’ve been so happy to listen to you.” He traced around your brow and down to your cheekbone, ending at the tip of your nose as you chuckled. He wiped your tears away.

“S’gonna be okay, baby.” He whispered.

You nodded. “Thank you, Stevie. I love you, so so much.” You leaned forward and pressed a kiss to his lips.

“I love you more. Tomorrow’s gonna be better.” He assured you, pulling you close again and holding you until you fell asleep in his arms.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

As you wait for the call to go through on your lunch break, you hear a knock at your classroom door, making you jump and hang up the phone. You smooth your hair and open the door, only to find Steve standing there with his brightest smile, a vase of daisies in one hand and lunch in the other.

“There’s my girl! How’s your day?” He asked before kissing your cheek and stepping inside.

-

-

Taglist darlings 💖

@loving-and-dreaming @newshade

[rabideyeartist]

1000 Tiny Magnets Show #305: December 25, 2020

1000 Tiny Magnets Show #305: December 25, 2020

Rabideye presents 1000 Tiny Magnets Show #305: December 25, 2020 SUBSCRIBE VIA ITUNES  Download :: Stream  Artist, Track, George Duke, I Love You More, and Daft Punk, Digital Love, MASH UPWaze & Odyssey vs. Tommy Theo, Always,Killers, Caution,Sarah Brightman & Hot Gossip, I Lost My Heart to a Starship Trooper,Esther Phillips, What a Diff’rence a Day Makes,Disclosure, Energy,rex the dog,…

[innytoes]

For the AUs! ❤ Peterpatterlina + Apple Orchard AU?

Gig money was great, and all, and while Julie and the Phantoms was really starting to gain traction (they had two gigs this month, and only one of them was at Flynn's Mom's Tupperware Party), it wasn't exactly enough to buy a new amp (fixing it in the rain had not gone well), go to the laundromat, buy enough food for him and Stevie when their parents forgot, and save up for Christmas Presents for the band and his little brother.

Which meant Reggie had to get a Job. Except not one that needed him in the evenings, because while Luke had been very gracious (after Julie kicked him in the shin) about Reggie not having his entire weekends free to practice, Reggie wasn't about to cost them any gigs. So food service was out, and most supermarkets saw a seventeen year old and figured of course he could work evening shifts as well, and well... Harold's Apple Orchard closed at four thirty, and the ladies who ran it even offered to drive him back into town in their truck on the days he had a gig.

So Reggie biked up early every morning on Saturday and Sunday, dragging out the square hay bales for the little seating area and sweeping out the barns and stacking the baskets for the pick-your-own-apples in an aesthetically pleasing way, and making the rounds to ensure any gross mushy apples were off the walking paths, while Sarah got the petting zoo ready and Norah made that weekend's fresh apple pie, apple cake, and caramel apples.

Usually around nine thirty, the first families rolled in. Reggie helped pass out baskets, guided people to their designated trees, and his favourite part, showed kids where the petting zoo was. Today was a pretty slow day, because the forecast had been threatening rain, but the weather seemed to be holding. Reggie was just pestering Norah into letting him do 'quality control' on her latest batch of apple-cinnamon cupcakes when he heard it.

"Oh my god, Julie look, they have ALPACAS!"

He whipped around, staring when he saw Luke and Julie. Julie was wearing the prettiest yellow sundress, and Luke was wearing, well, his usual get up, but he'd styled his hair all pretty. They looked amazing together, the picture perfect couple.

And Reggie knew he hadn't had as much free time, but he'd been doing his best to balance work, and the band, and Steve, and his chores, and time with his boyfriend and girlfriend. He didn't mind that they went on dates without him, they'd talked about that.

They had said they were okay with him taking this job, that they understood he had to work, even on their anniversary. They'd had plans for later in the evening, after Reggie'd gone home to make sure Steve was okay. It wasn't ideal, but Luke and Julie had promised him they'd understood.

Which was why it seemed particularly cruel that they'd go on a date together at his job, where he was stuck behind this table for the rest of the afternoon, lucky to catch glimpses of them enjoying themselves without him when guiding other clients to their trees.

"Hi," Julie said, beaming at him as she dragged Luke away from the alpacas and over to the check-in area. "We have a reservation?"

Reggie tried not to let the hurt show on his face, ducking his face down to look in the books. "Um, there's no Molina or Patterson in here," he said, confused.

"It'll be under Peters," Luke said, grinning. "We have the special deluxe package?"

"We don't have a special..." Reggie started, confused, when Norah strode over.

"Absolutely," Norah said, grinning. "We have your personal guide right here."

Reggie blinked, before realizing she meant him. "Oh," he said, before looking back at Julie and Luke. They were beaming. "Oh!"

"You kids have fun now," Norah said, shooing them off, shoving a picnic basket full of goodies onto Reggie's arm.

"Surprise," Luke murmured into his ear, pressing a quick kiss to it, while Julie grabbed his free hand.

Best anniversary ever.

Send me a pairing and an AU and I will write (at least) 3 paragraphs for it.

[brandywine-tomatoes]

Kyu Sakamoto - an excerpt

Literally just procrastination writing from yesterday. I created 2 badass lesbian ocs for the MCU (mainly Rogers, Barnes, and Wilson's stories) and now I have a 7-page outline...... been in the fandom for 3 days..... ANYWAYS

Masterlist

@icedcoffee101 and @dragon-pups pushed me to write this sad excerpt, so here you go everyone!

TW: sad/depressing thoughts, questioning existence for a hot second, honestly it's just really fucking depressing, but I love it nonetheless.

Word count: 1519

Prompt/Inso: my 7-page outline of badass lesbians that keep an eye on bucky when he's the winter soldier (this excerpt isn't about that tho)

QUICK NOTE: this is during the events of TFATWS, episode 5 I believe? And Grace is mute, so she uses sign language (tho she's only in the flashback). So yeah. Enjoy some sad angst!

--

“Well,” she picked up the leather bag from the chair, holding it up with a smirk. “I brought records.”

Bucky’s resting bitch face turned up into a small smile. The only person with a decent music taste thankfully brought records to Sam’s ‘let’s finally work on this fucking boat’ party with most of the neighbours and people owing favours. Everyone was milling around, fixing whatever they were assigned to fix and laughing in the cool bay breeze.

“I sure hope you have 60s stuff in that huge bag of yours,” he chuckled, walking past her up the dock to bring the record player from the shore. She held the heavy bag with one arm as she unzipped the zipper, an old and dusty smell escaping the inside and showing the spines of dozens of records.

“You pack all those just for us, Ash?” Sarah came up beside her, admiring all the casings.

“I found them stuffed in a closet back in Africa. I thought I’d revisit some old favourites,” she smiled at her.

Bucky and Sam came back down the dock with the record player in tow and an amp, talking with each other about god knows what. They set the gear down on a bench, plugging in the amp. The four of them dug into the bag, each of them taking out 2 or 3 records each to examine.

“Damn, you really like your slow songs, huh?” Sam spoke up, showing her the record covers in his hands were indeed black and white photos and words she didn’t understand.

She smiled brightly. “Yup! The 60s were the times of slow songs, the best ones.”

“I full-heartedly agree,” Bucky laughed. He slid a perfect disk out its paper cover and carefully placed it on the spindle, sliding over the needle to the first song ridge.

“I hope you picked something upbeat,” Sarah said.

The music flooded through the amp, the old-sounding and staticy bass vibrating through the deck and resonated in everyone’s hearts. People started taking their wives and husbands and kids to dance to the seemingly upbeat song.

Sasha just stared wide-eyed at the spinning disk, a long shoved down lump of unshed sobs pushing up her throat.

--

‘We don’t have anywhere else to go, we have the papers, and we have the rings,’ Grace signed quickly, pulling Sasha through the doorway gently and resting her hands on her waist, Sasha’s hands instinctively moving to behind her neck.

“All we need is a song, Graceless,” she smiled softly, mesmerized by her new wife’s radiating happiness and her beautiful smile that could seemingly never be darkened. The white curtains blew gently in front of the open window by their records, the moon's soft glow flooding the hardwood floors the only light they needed.

She nodded in return. Grace pulled away and walked to their stack of brand-new records, picking the one off the top and putting the needle of the travel-sized player on the first song.

‘We better thank him for his demos,’ Grace signed, then extended a hand to her wife. Sasha smiled so brightly as she took it.

“The neighbours will have a fit, it’s 3 o’clock in the morning,” Sasha whispered, putting her chin on Grace’s shoulder and started swaying slowly with one hand lightly holding Grace’s and another around her arm.

‘Doesn’t matter,’ Grace tapped on her shoulder in a familiar rhythm.

She sighed in contentment. Why couldn’t every day be like this, nothing to worry about other than what song to choose, no people to run after, no running from Hydra. Just the soft blowing of curtains and Kyu Sakamoto on their travel record player.

“If you say so, Ana.”

--

“Ash, you alright? You look like you’re about to cry,” Sarah laughed awkwardly and put a hand on Sasha’s shoulder, bringing her back from her wedding night. The others started to notice the reddening of her eyes and the shaking of her hands.

She walked away from the 3 of them, vaguely registering someone's failed attempt at reaching out to grab her wrist.

She couldn’t cry here, not in front of people she didn’t know and wouldn’t understand. She picked up the pace, the dammed river behind her eyes becoming unbearable to keep holding up. Soon enough she was running up the green hill leading to Sam’s house with no intention of stopping until she was with the love of her life again. Running might get her there, it might get her back in her arms, swaying softly to Kyu Sakamoto back in Africa.

She ran across the street of the empty house, bursting through the green forest and didn’t stop. The stray tears escaping her eyes were pushed past her face from the wind, clouding her eyesight.

--

“What was that?” Sarah asking, concern evident on her face.

Bucky sighed in realization of what he did. He dropped his face into his hands groaning. “Shit.”

“What-”

He started walking up the dock to make up for lost time. He shouted back to his friends, “It’s her god damn wedding song.”

“Oh shit,” Sam whispered. He didn’t know much about Sasha or her history, but he remembers her and her deceased wife, how much they loved each other. He couldn’t even begin to imagine what force would be able to pull them apart. They were both super-soldiers, they lived longer than Bucky or Steve had, they had more than half a century of camaraderie. She was off the grid for 7 years after her death. “Oh shit.”

“I didn’t know Sasha’s married,” Sarah tried to lighten the mood.

“It’s a long story.”

--

When Sasha finally collapsed in the dense forest, the light shining through the trees dimmed and turned the colour of the orange clouds above. Little streaks of light escaped the canopy and left little spots of highlighted roots or fallen leaves. Grace would try to step in every streak of light, sign that Sasha should help her find all the new tree sprouts and clear the leaves from around it to give it a fighting chance at survival.

She kneeled in the dirt beside an old and tall tree, the fabric of her jeans digging into the soft earth and the moisture seeping across her knees. The first sob she let go made her feel so weak and helpless, like a wounded puppy trying to fight its way off the streets. After that, she only thought of Grace coming up behind and hugging the life out of her, trying to make her feel as safe as possible. But she’d never feel the bone-crushing safety again, only the hollow and emptiness of her evaporated shadow.

She cried and sobbed and spread her tears around her face well into the darkness of night with only the moon to watch in pity. The sleeves of her white crew neck were dried with snot and dirt and pieces of bark from the tree she was leaning on. It was only a dent, a chip off the sorrow she felt, and it didn’t make her feel any better. Nothing would make her feel better.

Her legs were numb under her body, prickling like hundreds of needles were puncturing her skin. Her hands were rested in the dirt, fiddling with dried chucks as she stared out an open spot in the canopy. It was a clear night, a couple stars blinked back at her tired and puffy red eyes.

She was in the middle of thinking that sinking into the old tree supporting her side would solve her problems when the sound of leaves crunching beneath footsteps came closer and closer and eventually stopped just off to the side of her.

“I’m sorry, Sasha,” Bucky’s words were genuine. She stayed silent, grimacing at the change of sound. “I wasn’t thinking.”

She turned her head to look at him, a frown etched in his face as he took in the sight of how small she looked, how the whites of her eyes were clearly bloodshot, even visibly in the silver light.

“I hope you never find someone that makes you feel this way,” her voice was beyond strained and wavered at every word.

“Sasha-”

“Her real name was Anastasia, like the Grand Duchess. After Hydra tried to burn the warehouse down, we assumed other names,” she looked back to the canopy. “It meant resurrection.”

“Look-”

“I’m not coming back, James. This country has her blood smeared on its soil and I’ll never be able to forgive it.”

Bucky was surprised, to say the least. “We need you here, Sasha.”

She turned a cold and raging glare at him. “We helped you enough. We spent decades helping you. I’m done.”

She had a hard time using her numb legs to get up and the tree's roots around her didn’t help either. Bucky held out a hand for her to take. A last helping move before she left. He knew he wouldn't be able to talk her out of it.

She gripped his flesh hand tightly and hoisted herself up, steadying herself and shaking the blood back into her limbs. She nodded at his darkened face.

“Goodbye, James Barnes.”

--

A/N: WAS THAT SAD OR WHAT?! I teared up a couple times writing this, ngl. If y'all find this interesting, let me know! I need the motivation to write the real fic with Grace and Sasha alive, Sasha isn't always deep in a depressive state with Grace dead.

ANYWAYS! Go drink some water, go have a snack, take a break, you deserve it so much, I'm so proud of you for getting this far!! ❤️❤️

(The nickname 'Graceless' came from my friend Shae and her friend on Insta 💕💕)

[wordynerdygurl]

Skin Deep ~ Part 4

Author’s Note:  Hi everyone!  As @that-one-person​ reminded me, we were overdue the next chapter of Skin Deep!  I hope this has been worth the wait. As always, if you’d like to be added to my tag list, let me know!  Also, requests are open and I love when you re-blog and like my work!  Thanks for all your kindness!!

This is the 4th Part of our Story with links below to the previous chapters!  ENJOY!

Skin Deep Part 1

Skin Deep Part 2 Skin Deep Part 3

Pairing;  Loki x Reader, Steve x Reader, Bucky, Natasha, Nick Fury, Thor and Valkyrie round out of cast! Summary:  Picking up where Part 3 ended:  You’re on the run with Loki, who wants answers.  Steve comes clean to an old friend, Natasha and Fury make a plan. Warnings:  References to violence, smut, intergalactic travel, and some kissing!

From his vantage point at Steve’s grill Bucky noticed the almost frantic vibration coming off his oldest friend from all the way across the lawn.  And Steve wasn't carrying any champagne.  In fact, he was whispering furiously to Natasha, shaking his head.

Looking to the skies, Bucky smelled the electricity in the air.  It made the hairs on his human arm rise, antenna to trouble, tuning into the wrecked wavelength his friend was putting out.  It was about you, of that Bucky was certain, and with your own strange behavior tonight, he knew trouble was en route. He had let you sneak away, sensing your breaking point, knowing your need for a minute alone.  It was the reason you were such great drinking buddies.  You let Bucky be himself and he returned the favor.   Besides, something in Steve was different these days, something Bucky didn't exactly like.  His friend, Captain America, hero to the weak, was pushy.  Aggressive.  Angry.

And when Steve looked at you, there was a gleam, a spark of possessiveness that gave Bucky pause.  Sure, you were amazing.  Funny, smart, undeniably sexy in a way all your own.  Bucky understood wanting you, he even got the need to have you, hold you, lock you down with a ring.   If only Steve could see how unhappy you were.   Each time Bucky saw you, the strain had pulled more of your joy away.  Sure, you baked pies, smiling the whole way, chirping platitudes and teasing Steve.  That happiness, though, it never reached your eyes.   Telling Steve that an engagement ring was too much, too soon, Bucky had tried in his very stoic way to prove that you weren't ready.  Never fully able to give his buddy his blessing, Bucky had opted instead to provide you a shoulder to lean on.  And lean you did. Slugging back vodka shots at all these parties, in the quiet and seldom used spaces of kitchens and dining rooms, you had talked easily with Bucky.  No topic was too wild or off limits, with the exception of Steve.  Anytime the name of your new love came up, the subject would change.  You'd deflect and Bucky let you. Maybe he should have pushed harder, he thought as Steve stomped his way.  Maybe Bucky should have forced you to talk about whatever issues you and Steve faced, tried his hand at advice, or offered excuses for his best friend’s erratic behavior.  If Bucky had done that, then perhaps the stifling stench of trouble wouldn't be pooling around the party, pulsing through all the high energy people gathered together.  “Buck… come here, would ya?”  Sure, Steve sounded like himself.  Jovial, a little concerned in that serious way he had, but not mad.  For some reason, it reminded Bucky of the way Steve’s father would talk, just before he’d beat the ever loving hell out of Sarah… or Steve.  It soured the stomach of battle tested Sergeant Barnes.  War was coming. “Sure thing, punk.”  Cocking his head, Steve couldn’t quite look his friend in the face, opting instead to focus on the open back door of his farm house.  Would you come strutting out of it, unaware and un-phased?  Steve prayed for that, even if his gut told him otherwise, “Bucky, you said my girl was in the ladies’ room?” Tucking his hands in his pockets, nodding solemnly, “Yea, Stevie.  Yea.  She had to piss.  It happens.”  Waiting for the battle was exhausting and Bucky just didn’t have the patience to stew in the slow burn of Steve’s anger. Clapping a broad hand along the neck of the Winter Soldier, Steve pulled his friend close.  To anyone looking, the embrace would seem brotherly, kind.  What they couldn’t see was the tight grip used to keep Bucky contained, or hear Steve’s heated harsh whisper, “Where the fuck is she, Buck?  I know you know.  So tell me.” Reacting instinctively, pulling against the restraining hook of Steve’s palm, “I don’t know what you’re talking about… she went to the bathroom, I came out here.” “Well she’s gone now and so is Loki-” Stepping back out of Steve’s reach, “Wait.  Loki was here?  I thought you said he left.  Opened the Bi-Frost or whatever.  Disappeared.” Almost growling, Steve ran desperate hands through his blonde hair, ignoring Bucky and turning to Natasha, “We need to let Fury know.  Set a perimeter.  Loki won’t be able to get off the planet, not without help anyway.” “Fury’s involved?  Steve, what is going on?” Jabbing a finger into the chest of his best friend, Steve spun, spitting, “You let Loki kidnap my fiance, that’s what’s going on!  And now I have to find her and rescue her before that greasy alien asshole does something else to the woman I love!” Rearing back, Bucky inhaled, lifting his shoulders.  If you have to fight a friend, fight fair, he thought.  Already Bucky could read violence in Steve’s muscle movement.  The graceful way Steve bounced on his toes to build momentum into his fierce throw was minute but effective.  Dropping his right arm, just a touch before stepping into his swing, Steve's eyes screamed murder and they were locked onto James Buchanan Barnes. A swish of air brushed at Buck's dark hair as the blow missed.  Bucky easily blocked the punch, grabbing his pal at the wrist and twisting until his chest was pressed into Steve’s back.  It was as fluid as the ballet you had forced them to attend a few months back, quick and clean movements, executed flawlessly. Bucky felt Steve spin in his grasp, planting his feet, preparing to toss the Winter Soldier on his ass.  His counter maneuver was a leg sweep, one Bucky was ready to use, when Steve went limp in his grip.  Natasha had sucker punched her mission partner in order to get his attention, “Steve.  You gotta relax.  Bucky didn’t know and you’re drawing attention.  Too many eyes around here, ya know?”   Natasha waved to Tony, a gesture that said, no worries, everything is ok over here.  It was enough to satisfy the playboy, who turned back to his cocktail and conversation with Rhodes. “I'm fine.  It's fine.  I’m just…” unable to find the right word, spiraling, Steve sagged towards the ground. Catching him at the waist Bucky steadied his woozy friend as Natasha brushed off help from the other guests.  Returning to the pair of soldiers out of time, The Black Widow, barely containing her disgust, “Bucky, get him inside.  Steve, I'm sending everyone home, then I’m going to make a call.”   True to her word, Natasha whispered something to Tony and Pepper, Bucky clocking their reaction of concern for both you and Steve.  It was very clear to the Sergeant that The Avengers were not in on this mission.  None of them were permitted to hang around the farm house with Nat going so far as to walk out with Clint and Rhodes.   Bustling Steve into the kitchen, Bucky kicked a chair free from the table, dropping his buddy on his ass.  Still a little amped up from the almost altercation outside, Bucky decided to put a bit of distance between him and his childhood friend, resting his hip against the counter, "What the hell was that, Steve?" "Stay out of it, Bucky." "It's too late for that, punk.  Either you start talking or we take this back outside." Side eyeing the super soldier with a metal arm, Steve tugged at the corner of a pretty place mat sullenly, "Fuck you." "Language!" "You think I give a shit about bad words?  Now?  No… things are too far gone." Waving his hand, begging for more, "Care to elaborate, Cap?" Steve had a second to consider his options.  He could let Bucky in, tell him what was going on, hear his opinions on the situation at hand.  Or… not.   "You don't need to be involved.  Once Nat gets back, it's best if you go." Thunking into the opposite seat, Bucky leveled his grey gaze on his pal, "And if I say no?" "Look, it's an off the record thing.  Tony, the rest of them?  They know nothing.  I don’t need you sticking your nose in-" That was all it took for the dam of Bucky’s own outrage to burst.  With a wood rattling slap to the custom built dining table, open palm connecting enough to make Steve jump, "Damn it, Rogers!  My nose is in this already.  Hell, you were ready to half kill me over this… over her, not fifteen minutes ago!" Sighing, hard and heavy, Captain America pressed back in the wooden chair.  He saw the questions in Bucky's look, the need to unravel this mystery, the desire to find a way out for his friends.  And Steve realized that to accept his buddy's help, Bucky would need the full story. The truth hurts and Buck's words stung Steve.  Bucky was right and in the end, he reasoned, they might need him to help bring down Loki.  After a second of consideration, a rough hand sliding through his blonde locks, "Fine.  FUCK!  Fine.  What do you know?" Crossing his arms over his chest, stern voiced but curious, Bucky started, "Just you and Nat reporting to Fury?  Small team." "Small mission.  At least, at first."  Trying not to give anything away, making Bucky work for it felt good, almost like a return to his life before Loki, before you.   Tapping his metallic finger on the table, Bucky resumed his questions, "So, how does Loki figure into this?" Leaning forward, Steve lowered his voice, “Weapons tech.  Power.  More than when he attacked New York.  He’s been off world gaining followers, an army, and a throne.” “So the plan was to keep Loki away, right?” Nodding, Steve’s inflection solemn, “By any means necessary.” Rocking his head back, as if slapped, Bucky’s eyes widened.  Just the implication of those words, by any means necessary, used by Nick Fury meant that this mission was crossing a line from mundane into murderous.   "And she was your way in."  It started to take shape, the whole sorted plan, Natasha’s involvement and Steve’s role in it all.  Bucky felt that prickly sensation again. Bowing his golden head, Steve shook it yes, "Only… I wasn't brought in… I… volunteered." "Ok, but why?"  Inching closer to the truth, waiting out the Captain, Bucky nodded for him to continue.  When Steve wasn't forthcoming, Bucky nudged his foot with a sharp kick, eager to accelerate the story. For a second that frantic, frenzied energy flashed through the room again, pulling on Bucky's sixth sense, "Because I wanted what Loki had… who Loki had.  I wanted her, so bad Bucky.  So bad."  “Steve… come on, man.  There are other girls out there-” Cutting his friend off with a shout, “Why should that asshole have her?  He doesn’t deserve her.  Before he left, she was always so sweet, so cute… then he… abandoned her!  Left her!  Man, that was… just so hard to see.” “Yea… I know.  I mean, I remember when she and Loki were together.  And I know his leaving was hard on her.” “Hard on her?  She… she stopped eating, stopped sleeping.  God, I could hear her crying all night.  Know how hard it was to keep away?  To know that Loki had forgotten her?”   Steve kept talking, about you, about loving you, and the lengths he went to in an effort to court you.  He followed up with all the ways you denied him, over and over, until Natasha intervened.  That all of it played into Fury’s plan was a convenient cross-point, coincidence, until things had gone wrong this afternoon. Bucky let him tell his story, knowing full well it was merely a version, a fairy tale wrapped around the rotten apple of truth. In Steve’s world he was the hero, wronged by fate, Fury and Loki Odinson.  His path had been paved with good intentions and pure hearted motives.  It was everyone else who misunderstood, miscalculated and mistook his actions.  Could Steve be blamed for that?   Of course, this edition of Steve’s tale didn't include beating up a cuffed prisoner.  It also omitted the fact that Steve had been pursuing you while actively lying about Loki's whereabouts.  Glossing over the details allowed Steve to paint a picture highlighting the best of him, but Bucky had known the little punk a long time.   During a long pause that found Steve with his head in his hands, Bucky took a deep breath and asked, “And how did you and Fury know what Loki was up to?” “He was sending mission reports weekly.  Loki had been tasked with helping promote peace across the Nine Realms.  That he gained so much was the tipping point.  Fury felt like a return to Earth would be 2012 all over again, only this time… total annihilation.” Something was still nagging at Bucky, “Had Loki made any threats?” A guilty look passed over the face of Captain America and his normally solid voice wavered, “Not that I was told about.” “So, Fury...?” “Fury needed… no, that’s not right.  He wanted to keep close tabs on Loki, monitor his return, his mood, his movements, if he ever came back.” “And since she was his lover, she was a potential point of contact… the entry point?” “A possible one.” “If you were dating her and Nat was posing as her friend, then you’d know if Loki reached out, spilling the details on his plans, and be able to head him off at the pass.” “Exactly!”  Oddly proud, Steve was almost happy that he no longer carried the burden by himself.  Sure, Natasha knew, had even engineered some of it, but having a friend on his side made Steve feel better. “But Loki didn’t do that?  He surprised you today?” Blowing out a frustrated snort, “Natasha went to meet him at the base.  Apparently, the high and mighty Prince expected to be greeted by Fury and his forgotten lover.” “That didn’t sit well with the God of Mischief?” “Nope.  Somehow he froze Nat.  Confined her, I don’t know… Anyway, he came here and…”  Trailing off, Steve could still picture his lady’s body, your body bent under his own, your eyes pressed shut in ecstasy.  How you ground against what looked like his own sculpted skin, moaning through an orgasm that appeared amazing, and left you with shaky legs. Going silent, Bucky didn’t push, not this time, but he did feel the moment Steve surrendered fully.  His shoulders let go with a deep inhale, his voice sounding like that scrawny kid from Brooklyn after a bad scrape,  "She loves him, man.  And I fucked up.  Loki’s got my girl and I don't have any way to find her or fight him." Tears?  Sighs?  This wasn't Steve.  No, Captain America was an unstoppable, unflappable hero.  Spinning out was Bucky's move, not Steve’s.  Putting his fleshy hand on Steve’s shoulder, trying to console the broken man in front of him, "Come on, kid.  There's always a way to win.  It's what you and I have been doing for over a century." “Not this time, man.” "Why not?  Did you come clean?  That’s why she left, isn’t it?  You told her what was going on and she went after Loki."    Shame filled Steve’s heart, his cheeks burning, "I… I didn’t get the chance.  She left here, but not alone." "She'll be back."  Words, pathetic platitudes, were all Bucky could offer.  He had seen you tonight, skittish and jumpy.  He saw Steve’s reaction to your disappearance, angry and hurt.  Bucky thought that a snowball in hell stood a better chance than you're returning. "Not happening.  I lost it on her, Buck.  Smashed up mom's dresser, yelled… It was like being outside myself, watching myself do and say these terrible things.  And it wasn't her fault.  Not really.  I mean, yea, she fucked him but he was me, so-" "Whoa.  Stop.  Say that again?" Steeling himself to relieve this afternoon’s nightmare again, Steve swallowed hard, "Loki, you know how he can… shape shift?  Well, he came here as me and I walked in on myself screwing my girl!" Bucky's eyebrows lifted, his full lips curling into a cockeyed grin, "Wait.  You're telling me that you came home and saw yourself banging your future fiancé?" Pausing, catching Bucky barely holding back a smirk, "Yea… why?" And for some reason, after all the incredible things Steve had shared tonight, it was the idea of Steve catching himself balls deep in your naughty bits that made Bucky laugh.  Once he started, Bucky couldn't control the mad giggles from overtaking him, much to Steve’s astonishment.  But then Steve laughed, too, "I guess it is pretty funny, when you think about it." "I mean, your face must have been priceless!"  Clutching his stomach as the laughter grew stronger, Bucky had tears running down his cheeks at the image Steve described.  Sure, it was a horrible thing, but who could say that they watched themselves having sex like that without being in porno?   It took them both a minute to calm down, with Steve settling enough to counter, "Shit, Buck!  I was pissed!  I probably looked crazy." "That I do believe.  What did you say to her?  Them?" Now his face flushed scarlet, burning with embarrassment.  The lie was just easier to get out, "Um… I don't really remember.  I know I surprised Loki and well, my girl fainted from being used by him.  The shock of it not being me, ya know?" Bucky didn't buy it, but he let his friend sell the story anyway, "Must have been scary for her.  And that's when you secured Loki in the locked shed?  And set Nat as your watchdog?" "Yup."  Unable to meet his friend’s stormy stare, knowing that it would undo him completely, Steve focused on the edge of the table, running his fingers back and forth along the rough wood.  If this were an interrogation and Bucky were sitting across from a suspect and not his best friend, he’d have no problem beating the guilty man into submission.  But Steve was his strongest connection to this world, this time, and it was hard to walk away from family, even if they didn’t deserve the benefit of your doubt.  To that end, one thing still bothered Bucky, "Why not cancel the party, man?" "Because I still want to marry her."  Pulling the small black box from his front pocket, Steve toyed with the thing, his vision of a future with you still so close to realized. Whistling at the size of the sparkly rock enshrined in white gold, "Fancy.  What do you think your chances are?  Think she'll say yes?" "My chances went down to zero the second Loki dropped down to Earth.  As for her answer… Dunno.  I… I hope so, but now…", Steve faded off, knowing there was little hope for your romantic reunion if he didn’t have a clear idea of where you were at the moment. "Now Loki’s back." "Right." “And they’re gone, together.” “Right.” “And Fury’s on his way.”  Striding in on impossibly high heels, Natasha folded her arms over her chest, eyeing the two gossiping men in front of her.  It was going to be a long night. --- Somehow you had made it to the treeline undetected, using the orchard as a shield, ducking behind trunks as you and Loki scrambled toward the edge of the property.  You couldn't help looking over your shoulder, checking for pursuit, worrying that Steve or Natasha were going to find the pair of you.  There was no possible way they would let you get away, not after today, not with Loki. It was a bit treacherous, though.  There was only natural light to guide you through twisted branches and raised roots, so your progress was slower than you wanted, but Loki was with you.  Even beaten and bruised, he radiated calm, a soothing balm for your frayed nerves.  Something about that made this whole situation seem better, manageable.  You were no longer alone, Loki was here, holding your hand, not directing you but consulting.  "Pet… the roadway is up ahead.  Stay here, tucked out of sight." Pulling your long lost lover close, a small kiss passed between you, a passionate promise to sit still.  Stepping tentatively out onto the gravel filled shoulder, Loki surveyed the highway quickly.  When he was satisfied that the coast was clear, Loki waved at you, motioning you forward.   Striding confidently at your side, Loki stopped in the dead center of the yellow lines, his grounding arm around your waist.  A car, low, black, expensive, came racing round the bend, barreling towards you.  Tucking your chin to Loki's chest, you gripped him tight, readying for the car's impact.   A roar of wind swirled around you, grabbing at your skirt, whipping around your legs.  For a second you thought you'd been struck.  Breathless, your lungs emptied.    There was nothing solid under you, just the feeling of Loki and a current of warm air.  Next, you felt the impact of hard earth under your feet, vibrating through your shins, then Loki's grip loosening a touch, "Ok, darling?" Peeking from under his arm you saw lights everywhere.  A bar was to your left, filled with noisy drinkers, barely discernible from the traffic around you.  Honking horns made you jump, "Where the hell are we?" "Cleveland.  I can't yet take us off world.  I'm still a bit weak, I'm afraid… but at least we have a bit of a head start on Rogers and Fury." People pushed past you on their way to dinner, chirping happily, not seeing you in their tunnel vision.  Being anonymous was a nice change, welcome even, as your personal life had been lost to Steve's intergalactic presence.  On the busy streets of Ohio no one took notice of the two well dressed people standing on the damp sidewalk. "Um, you changed?", no longer sporting his battle gear, Loki was dapper in a black suit with an ebony tie.  Leaning closer you straightened it, not because it was crooked, but because you needed to feel it… him.  The whole look was just shy of too much, but that was the space Loki filled best and honestly, looking at him made your heart swell. Loki was back, and yours.  After more than two years, having him close again felt natural, easy.  In so many ways, the opposite of your life with Steve.  As if somehow sensing your tug into nostalgia, Loki knuckled your chin up, "Just keeping up with you, love." His nose brushed against your own, so weirdly intimate and innocent for a man who had slapped your ass red only hours ago.  Resting his forehead to yours, you inhaled that magical combination of burning sparklers, broken in leather with just a hint of honeyed citrus, "God, I forgot how great you smell." "Hmm… dove, there is nothing on Asgard that smells or tastes as wonderful as you.  Believe me.  I looked." "Careful Loki… people will say we're in love."  At your cheekiness, Loki claimed your lips, his hands sliding over the soft fabric of your dress.  Clinging to him, unwilling to let go now that he had returned, you puffed out a pouty sigh as Loki withdrew. “Norns.  You know how badly I want you again?  I can barely think straight for wanting you.” Oblivious to everything around you, lost in the sweeping pools of Loki’s desire filled expression, you toyed with his collar, “We have a lot of catching up to do, for sure.” “I’d love to get reacquainted-” here he paused to lick over his full lower lip, hunger for you dripping from every word, “-but we are on the run from the Earth’s mightiest heroes.”  Snickering, you rolled your eyes at the thought of the Avengers, hours away eating charcuterie in Steve’s backyard.  Stepping back, you sighed, “You’re right.  So, have you got a plan?” Hanging in the air, your sentence had just left your mouth, your tongue still savoring the syllables when a sizzling crack snapped next to your ear.  Swinging you away, forcing you to the sidewalk, Loki spun in a blaze of green.  Crouched over you, snarling, “Fury!  Always a pleasure to see you.” Stepping from the blazing golden circle supplied by Dr. Strange, Fury crossed onto the Cleveland sidewalk from your now empty garden party, weapon trained on Loki’s broad chest.  “Wish I could say the same, Loki.  You know it’s time to end this.  Let’s take our… deliberations back to the office.  Talk about this man to man.” A barking laugh left your lover, “Man to man?  I am a GOD!  And you… you are pathetic.  Your attempts to keep me off Earth, imprisoned, away from my woman have all failed.” “Where are you going to go?  You can’t get off the planet without help.  My help.  And it’s yours, Loki, if-” “If I come quietly?  Tail between my legs, submissive and compliant?”  As the words left his mouth, you watched, focused on the way Loki was shifting closer to you.  The long fingers of his right hand were visible, reaching back for you, a silent signal of his escape plan. Fed up and furious, Nick Fury’s voice was flat with frustration, “Loki.  Enough.  Let’s do this somewhere people aren’t.” “Oh, I don’t know, this seems as good a place as any!”  Circling Loki, edging nearer, Fury tried reasoning, “Endangering civilians isn’t going to make things easier.  You know that.” “You know, I’d love to talk about how you betrayed me.  How you stonewalled my lady… how you put Captain America in my place, as if he could ever be worthy of her.  But, I’m a little busy at the moment.”  Snapping his fingers, you jumped to your feet, grabbing for Loki’s outstretched hand.   The second your palm connected that feeling of floating overcame you once more.  This time you were ready for the roar of traveling through space by Loki’s magic, the push of meeting the ground, the curl of Loki’s body against yours.  Blinking, you opened your eyes on new scenery, the chill of a beautiful sea soaked morning breaking around you. Straightening the coat of his pristine suit, Loki smiled at you as his fingers wove between your own, “New Asgard.  My brother’s realm, now ruled by Valkyrie, by his abdication.  We need to find him.  He has a lot to answer for.” --- "Just what in the hell happened?  I thought I was very clear about avoiding this exact problem."   Pacing, hands firmly on his leather belted waist, Nick Fury growled at the bent head of Steve Rogers.  "Now Loki’s on the run, dragging your… Well, what is she exactly Captain?  Girlfriend?  Fiancé?  Mark? along for the ride." At those harsh words, Steve started, ready to focus his own anguish somewhere, anywhere.  Fury was as good a target as any, as far as Steve was concerned.  Pushing off the paving stones, he was stalled from rising by Natasha's firm hand and quiet words, "We have an idea-" "I don't want ideas.  Not from you two.  What I want are answers, Romanoff, and I want them now." Sitting on the emptied bench of the picnic table, still covered with your pretty tablecloth and jars of peonies, Natasha sighed, "I didn't have time to alert Steve.  Loki made it here first and… reconnected-" "Is that what we're calling it?"  Snapping, Nick glared from his good eye, his last name never more appropriate. Exhaling deeply, Natasha Romanoff squared her shoulders, "Sir, Loki… manipulated the circumstances." "Just what in the hell does that mean?" All three available eyes locked onto Steve, “What it means, Fury-” lifting his golden head with a jaw clenched tight, “- what it means, is that the son of a bitch showed up here and had his way with my woman. “After Loki… took advantage of her, I had him.  He was contained, here, in my shed.  It was modified with the restraints Tony provided with Thor’s direction.” “And still, he got away?”  Disbelief clouded every syllable from Fury.  That his two top agents had failed and so badly, had the normally stoic director steaming. Standing now, Steve was almost chest to chest with the man who’d been pulling the strings of this entire operation.  Natasha, watching closely, knowing that she would only be able to subdue one of them if it came to it, gently palmed the dagger concealed in her waist band.  Steve thrust forward, brushing past Fury before facing him once more, “Yea, Nick.  He did.  He got away.” “Do you know how?”  Fury’s fingers were curled around his pocket taser, just in case Captain America needed a jolt, reminding him of who was calling the shots here.  It wouldn’t do much except give Nick a head start, but with the Captain looking so rough and so raw, the SHIELD director would take any advantage available. “We believe that… he was set free.”  Natasha didn’t want to say the words.  You had let Loki go, that much she knew to be true, and she supposed that it made some sort of sense. Steve had been right all along.  You and Loki did have some cosmic connection that even time and distance couldn’t eliminate.  Intervening for the sake of Fury’s mission and Steve’s pining heart, Natasha had no qualms about why she’d guided you into a relationship, in fact, she still believed that he was a better man for you than Loki. But no.  No matter what Rogers did, you had never let go with him like you had with the younger son of Odin.  Not that you complained.  You had taken all of Natasha’s words of praise, her seemingly well intentioned advice, her flat out advocating for Steve in stride.   Sure, your friendship suffered for it.  Natasha, never having been one for close ties to anyone, had enjoyed the talking and gossiping.  It was nice to have a girl around the tower.  One who understood period cramps and cravings.  A person who would put on high heels and makeup for a night of dancing then suggest hoodies and shorts for watching Pride and Prejudice.  That was over now.  When she had been, well, frankly, overpowered by Loki and his new paralyzing weaponry, Natasha knew the plan for a peaceful capture of the prince was over.  Having seen the aftermath of your reunion with the space god, having seen Steve’s seething anger, the Black Widow felt her own ire spike. Didn’t you know how hard she had worked?  How tireless her efforts had been to keep you and Loki apart?  Just how invested she was in joining you and Steve together?  It was like you wanted to throw all of that away, squandering those bonding moments where you had become something more than a mission, those times when you were Natasha’s only real friend. Couldn’t you just go along with the plan, unknowing, quietly?  She knew you couldn’t, wouldn’t.  It wasn’t in your nature.  So, channeling that frustration into the cold facade that so many had seen just before they met their end, Natasha had to compartmentalize the “you” she cared about away from the “you” she was responsible for trailing.  Both had pissed her off. Now, hearing the gruff grumble of Director Fury bearing down on her, Natasha could only accept the berating tone of his hard words.  He wasn’t wrong.  She and Steve had fucked up royally, the whole mission was blown, and while Bucky had certainly aided in your escape, he was blameless collateral damage.  The consequences fell to you and the Captain.  Killing you was going to be hard for them both, but if it had to be done, so be it. Shrugging, Natasha started again, “Nick, we have a tracker on her.  We know that she and Loki made it to Cleveland, but he can’t get away from Earth without some aid.” “Well, that’s good to know, if only it was some new intelligence.  You’re tracking her?  Great!  Where is she now?  Don't know huh?  Well, she and Loki tele-ported from a city sidewalk, in front of me and hundreds of civilians, with no word on their next destination.  “And make no mistake.  Loki will find a way off of this planet and when that happens, there’ll be nothing else we can do.” “So what?  Let him go!  He’s won, Nick.  It’s over.”  Throwing himself down onto the bench, Steve’s dejected voice breaking, he slumped over his feet. “That’s not an option Cap.  Loki is more powerful now than he’s ever been.  You both read the reports.  He wasn’t just hanging around on Asgard.  No, Loki was negotiating peace between his native realm of Jotunheim and his adoptive home.  He was gifted with tools and technology that no human could hope to wield.  Earth ending stuff, Captain.” “Whatever plans you had of making peace are over now.  There’s no way Loki gives us any help… and why would he after all this?” “Rogers, I’ll do whatever I must to keep this planet and the creatures on it safe.  Loki is a threat to that, just by existing.  With his new powers, high placed connections and intergalactic royal title, he had the potential to be unstoppable.” Seething breath puffed out the chests of the two men standing toe to toe.  Machismo made Natasha want to vomit.  Men. “Look, I’ll go after them.  Steve, stay here, in case she reaches out.  I’ll take the quinjet and trace their path.”  Standing now herself, Natasha turned to the depressed super soldier, patting his arm, “Bucky’s still here.  I’ll let you know when I’ve found anything.” “No.  Nat, I can’t let you go alone.  It’s my fault, too.”  “You’re no good to me like this, Rogers.” “But, She’s-” Cutting him off, Natasha stepped closer to Nick, “I know, but you’re too involved.  If tough choices need to be made, can you?” Gulping hard, passing a rough hand over his face, Steve frowned, “I can do my duty, if that’s what you’re asking.” “Steve.”  Her tone said it all the words she wouldn't vocalize.  I don’t trust you, not now, not like this.  I don’t believe you will have my back at the cost of the woman you claim to love.  I don’t think you can do the job. Fury didn't allow her the chance to elaborate, jumping in with his definitive voice, “Natasha’s right, Rogers.  You’re staying right where you are, on the bench.  Romanoff and I are going to resolve this issue without any further problems.”  Half hearted, strength sapped, Steve raised his eyes to the leather clad figures before him, “Please.  Please, Nick… Nat.  Don’t hurt her.” “I promise, Steve.  I won’t.”  And in the second, all three knew she was lying.

--- Finding Thor’s shanty was easier than you expected.  A friendly fisherman was only too happy to point you in the right direction.  What you saw upon arrival was not entirely what you had expected when visiting Loki’s brother. It was a beat up looking cottage, surrounded by empty cases of cheap Midgardian beer, crumpled take out containers, and a collection of well fed seagulls situated near the edge of the village, “Ugh.  What a pig.” “Loki!  It’s… charming?”  Your admonishing whisper turned the statement into a question at the sight of Loki’s disgusted face.  For a second you just stood at Loki’s side, staring at the weather beaten front door, your hand clasped in his strong one. “It’s disgusting.” Agreeing with a small nod, “Um, yes.  Yes, it is.  But, this is your brother’s house and you said we needed to talk to him.  Step one is ringing his bell.” “No.  I won’t do it.” You had forgotten about this side of Loki.  Fastidious, precise and obstinate, Loki could cop an attitude that had the ability to drive someone crazy.  Someone like you. Over the last two years it had been easy to forget all the little things that made Loki prickly.  It was even easier to forgive him.  Since he’d left, you had looked at your life together through rose glasses, through a gentle fog of missing him, and those elements of your relationship that were less than perfect had been abandoned. Now, standing outside the hovel that Thor called a home, as a fresh day dawned over New Asgard, you were reminded of all those imperfect things that came with loving Loki.  A wave of need, love, and longing for him rolled over you.  All of those imperfections made you perfect for each other. Rising up on your toes you pressed a small kiss to Loki’s pout, taking the tall God by surprise, “What was that for?” Shyly grinning, you bit into your bottom lip, “I missed you… missed kissing you.” “Then perhaps you should come over here again?”  That was all the invitation you needed.  Stepping into Loki’s space, your chest resting against his own, you savored the nearness of him, as himself.  He wasn’t playing at being Steve.  Loki was here, he was with you, and if you weren’t mistaken his hands were drifting down your backside.  The rush of it, well, it was familiar and new at the same time.  How Loki seemed to inhale your breath, inhale you, as his mouth opened to accept your lips.  His gentle exhale, a moan, as his tongue licked over your own.  It was overwhelming.  It was wonderful. Stepping back, you started to pull away, only for Loki to wrap his arms around your waist, “Not so fast, darling.” Losing yourself, you focused solely on the firmness of his body, the weight of his hands on your hips, the intensity of Loki’s desire.  Intoxicating, heady, you leaned into those feelings.  Kissing Loki back, you tangled his hair in your hand, earning another one of those sultry sounds that made your legs weak.  How had you lived without the passion and pleasure he provided for so long? A smashing crash broke the quiet morning causing you to jump in Loki’s embrace, “What the hell was that?” Immediately on the defense, Loki pushed you behind him, crouching into a protective stance.  From over his broad shoulder you watched, worried about the new danger coming your way, unsure how to help your reactive lover.  Another rattle had Loki palming his dagger, anticipating an attack.  That’s when a raccoon, bigger than your childhood terrier, scuttled from under an overturned trash can carrying what looked like a half eaten slice of pizza in its mouth. “Appalling!  Mother would be modified!” Loki cursed as he offered you his hand, kicking away an empty glass bottle, "Why is he living like a dirty animal, surrounded by trash?  One would think they were back on Sakaar!"  “I don’t know what’s going on with Thor, but we came here for a reason.  Let’s get it over with, ok?” Loki shook his head, refusing to step any closer, “He’ll have to come out here.  I won’t go inside this… dilapidated shit box.” Sighing, “Fine.  Fine, I’ll do it.”   Stepping around a pile of broken electronics, you carefully picked your way to the front door, gracefully knocking on the splintering wood.  After an answerless few seconds, you tried again, rapping lightly with your knuckles before turning to flash Loki a small smile.  That’s when you noticed the striking woman striding towards you and your returned lover. “My, my… is that pretty Prince Loki I see?”  Even her voice was sexy, you thought, as the sarcastic words dripped from her full lips.  The swaggering stranger radiated cool, calm, sensual energy.  Otherworldly energy that made you feel mortal and boring.  You couldn’t help tugging your skirt straight and fluffing your hair as she got closer. “Ah… Valkyrie!  How are you?” Hugging her tightly when she opened her arms, Loki found that he was genuinely happy to see the fierce, battle tested warrior. Smirking at your man, she countered, “That’s King Valkyrie to you.  Your brother crowned me, or have you forgotten?” “On the contrary.  It seems like he finally realized what I’ve known all our lives.” “Which is what, exactly?” “He’s not fit to be the ruler of Asgard, obviously.” Drawing right up to Loki, hands on her hips, Valkyrie leveled her dark eyes at his, “What would you know about ruling, Mischief?” “Enough to know that you’re good at it.  Enough to know that I no longer want to be the King of Asgard.” “Is that so?  And what’s changed your mind?” At those skeptical words, Loki wound an arm around your waist, tugging you close, “I’ve got more… important concerns these days.” Looking you over with her shrewd, searching gaze, but speaking to Loki, “And she likes you?  Are you sure?” Laughing, the sound deep and rich, “As much as you like fighting and drinking.” “I hardly drink anymore.  As King I have mead only on important occasions, I have to keep my wits about me the rest of the time.” Sharing a laugh, the two shared another small hug before Valkyrie turned to you directly, “Alright.  Who’s this then?” Loki started to respond but you cut him off, extending a hard towards the newly crowned King of Asgard, “Uh, I can answer for myself, thank you, Loki.  Valkyrie is it?  Nice to meet you.  And, yes, I love Loki.” Making a face that was part disgust, part pride, Valkyrie smirked, “Love?  Oh no.  Hasn’t anyone told you yet?  Loving the Odinson boys is hard on a girl.” Pulling Loki in for a small kiss, taking him by surprise, “I’ll take my chances.” Shrugging nonchalantly, “Suit yourself.”  Focusing on Loki once more, Valkyrie shifted on her feet, “Listen, if you’re looking for Thor, he’s not here.” “Oh?  And where exactly is the lovable oaf?” Hitching a thumb over her shoulder, pointing up the hill, “At the palace… the new palace, that is.  You can come and, please, don’t forget your girlfriend.” Falling in line behind the King, Loki couldn’t help but add, “You know Val, I think I liked you better when you were drunk.” Snorting in response, “And I know I liked you better when I was drunk, weird right?” Bringing up the rear, your own sarcastic comment dying on your throat when the Palace of New Asgard came into view.  Banners of gold shimmered in the light of the rising sun, flapping in the breeze of the young morning, beckoning you closer.  You hugged Loki’s arm tighter, excited and exhilarated by the sight before you. “Home is a people, not a place.  Those were some of my father’s last words to Thor and I… and while I can never take you to the place where I grew up, this… this is the home of my people.” “Loki… it’s beautiful!” Valkyrie, stopping so you could both catch up, “It’s getting there.  Thor’s been a huge help.  Come on, let's show you around the palace and let your brother know you’re here.” ---To Be Continued!

My minxes:  @sammy-jo1977 @vodka-and-some-sass @just-random-obsessions @brokenthelovely @lots-of-loki  @thefallenbibliophilequote @iamverity @iluvsumbucky @unadulteratedwizardlove @wolfsmom1 @procrastinatinglikeabitch @mizfit2 @shxdowofdarkness @nonsensicalobsessions @ahintofkiwistrawberry @alexakeyloveloki @jessiejunebug @rorybutnotgilmore @crystalizedcaramel @lokislittlecorner @scrumptious-finicky-illusion @capcapcapsicle @jamielea81 @caffiend-queen @thenatalie @otakumultimuse-hiddlewhore @jenjen8675309 @that-one-person

[thecrownnet]

Emmy Nominations By Program:

Watchmen - 26 The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel - 20 Ozark - 18 Succession - 18 The Mandalorian - 15 SNL - 15 Schitts Creek - 15 The Crown - 13

Here’s the full list:

OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES

Better Call Saul The Crown The Handmaid’s Tale Killing Eve The Mandalorian Ozark Stranger Things Succession

OUTSTANDING COMEDY SERIES

Curb Your Enthusiasm Dead To Me The Good Place Insecure The Kominsky Method The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Schitt’s Creek What We Do In The Shadows

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series

Black Monday Showtime • Sony Pictures Television, Point Grey Pictures, Shark vs. Bear, After Alaska Don Cheadle as Mo Monroe

black-ish ABC • ABC Studios Anthony Anderson as Andre “Dre” Johnson Sr.

The Good Place NBC • Universal Television in association with Fremulon and 3 Arts Entertainment Ted Danson as Michael

The Kominsky Method Netflix • A Warner Bros. Television Production Michael Douglas as Sandy Kominsky

Ramy Hulu • A24 Television Ramy Youssef as Ramy

Schitt’s Creek Pop TV • Not A Real Company Productions, Inc. Eugene Levy as Johnny Rose

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series

The Morning Show Apple TV+ • Media Res Steve Carell as Mitch Kessler

Ozark Netflix • Media Rights Capital Jason Bateman as Martin ‘Marty’ Byrde

Pose FX Networks • Fox21 Television Studios and FX Productions Billy Porter as Pray Tell

Succession HBO • HBO Entertainment in association with Project Zeus, Hyperobject Industries and Gary Sanchez Productions Brian Cox as Logan Roy

Succession HBO • HBO Entertainment in association with Project Zeus, Hyperobject Industries and Gary Sanchez Productions Jeremy Strong as Kendall Roy

This Is Us NBC • 20th Century Fox Television Sterling K. Brown as Randall Pearson

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Limited Series Or Movie

Bad Education HBO • HBO Films in association with Automatik, Sight Unseen and Slater Hall Productions Hugh Jackman as Frank Tassone

Hollywood Netflix • Netflix Jeremy Pope as Archie Coleman

I Know This Much Is True HBO • HBO Entertainment in association with Willi Hill Productions and FilmNation Entertainment Mark Ruffalo as Dominick Birdsey/Thomas Birdsey

Normal People Hulu • Hulu Originals in association with BBC Paul Mescal as Connell

Watchmen HBO • HBO Entertainment in association with White Rabbit, Paramount Television, Warner Bros. Television & DC Comics Jeremy Irons as Adrian Veidt / Ozymandias

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series

black-ish ABC • ABC Studios Tracee Ellis Ross as Rainbow Johnson

Dead To Me Netflix • CBS Television Studios Christina Applegate as Jen Harding

Dead To Me Netflix • CBS Television Studios Linda Cardellini as Judy Hale

Insecure HBO • HBO Entertainment in association with Issa Rae Productions, Penny for Your Thoughts Entertainment and 3 Arts Entertainment Issa Rae as Issa

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Prime Video • Amazon Studios Rachel Brosnahan as Miriam ‘Midge’ Maisel

Schitt’s Creek Pop TV • Not A Real Company Productions, Inc. Catherine O’Hara as Moira Rose

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series

The Crown Netflix • Left Bank Pictures in association with Sony Pictures Television Olivia Colman as Queen Elizabeth II

Euphoria HBO • HBO Entertainment in association with Reasonable Bunch, A24, Little Lamb, Dreamcrew, ADD Content Agency | HOT | TCDY Productions Zendaya as Rue

Killing Eve BBC America • Sid Gentle Films Ltd. Jodie Comer as Villanelle

Killing Eve BBC America • Sid Gentle Films Ltd. Sandra Oh as Eve Polast ri

The Morning Show Apple TV+ • Media Res Jennifer Aniston as Alex Levy

Ozark Netflix • Media Rights Capital Laura Linney as Wendy Byrde

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Limited Series Or Movie

Little Fires Everywhere Hulu • ABC Signature Studios / Hello Sunshine Kerry Washington as Mia Warren

Mrs. America FX Networks • FX Productions Cate Blanchett as Phyllis Schlafly

Self Made: Inspired By The Life Of Madam C.J. Walker Netflix • SpringHill Entertainment and Wonder Street in association with Warner Bros. Television Octavia Spencer as Madam C.J. Walker

Unorthodox Netflix • Studio Airlift and RealFilm Shira Haas as Esther Shapiro

Watchmen HBO • HBO Entertainment in association with White Rabbit, Paramount Television, Warner Dros. Television &amp DC Comics Regina King as Angela Abar / Sister Night

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series Brooklyn Nine-Nine NBC • Universal Television in association with Fremulon, Dr. Goor Productions and 3 Arts Entertainment Andre Braugher as Captain Raymond Holt

The Good Place NBC • Universal Television in association with Fremulon and 3 Arts Entertainment William Jackson Harper as Chidi Anagonye

The Kominsky Method Netflix • A Warner Bros. Television Production Alan Arkin as Norman Newlander

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Prime Video • Amazon Studios Sterling K. Brown as Reggie

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Prime Video • Amazon Studios Tony Shalhoub as Abe Weissman

Ramy Hulu • A24 Television Mahershala Ali as Sheikh Malik

Saturday Night Live NBC • SNL Studios in association with Universal Television and Broadway Video Kenan Thompson as Various Characters

Schitt’s Creek Pop TV • Not A Real Company Productions, Inc. Daniel Levy as David Rose

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series

Better Call Saul AMC • High Bridge, Crystal Diner, Gran Via Productions and Sony Pictures Television Giancarlo Esposito as Gus Fring

The Handmaid’s Tale Hulu • MGM, Daniel Wilson Productions, The Littlefield Company, White Oak Pictures Bradley Whitford as Commander Joseph Lawrence

The Morning Show Apple TV+ • Media Res Billy Crudup as Cory Ellison

The Morning Show Apple TV+ • Media Res Mark Duplass as Charles ‘Chip’ Black

Succession HBO • HBO Entertainment in association with Project Zeus, Hyperobject Industries and Gary Sanchez Productions Nicholas Braun as Greg Hirsch

Succession HBO • HBO Entertainment in association with Project Zeus, Hyperobject Industries and Gary Sanchez Productions Kieran Culkin as Roman Roy

Succession HBO • HBO Entertainment in association with Project Zeus, Hyperobject Industries and Gary Sanchez Productions Matthew Macfadyen as Tom Wambsgans

Westworld • HBO • HBO Entertainment in association with Kilter Films, Bad Robot and Warner Bros. Television Jeffrey Wright as Bernard

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Limited Series Or Movie

Hollywood Netflix • Netflix Dylan McDermott as Ernie

Hollywood Netflix • Netflix Jim Parsons as Henry Willson

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. The Reverend Netflix • Universal Television in association with 3 Arts Entertainment, Little Stranger, Inc. and Bevel Gears Tituss Burgess as Titus Andromedon

Watchmen HBO • HBO Entertainment in association with White Rabbit, Paramount Television, Warner Bros. Television & DC Comics Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Cal Abar / Dr. Manhattan

Watchmen HBO • HBO Entertainment in association with White Rabbit, Paramount Television, Warner Bros. Television & DC Comics Jovan Adepo as Officer Will Reeves / Hooded Justice

Watchmen HBO • HBO Entertainment in association with White Rabbit, Paramount Television, Warner Bros. Television & DC Comics Louis Gossett Jr. as William Reeves

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series GLOW Netflix • Tilted Productions Betty Gilpin as Debbie Eagan

The Good Place NBC • Universal Television in association with Fremulon and 3 Arts Entertainment D’Arcy Carden as Janet

Insecure HBO • HBO Entertainment in association with Issa Rae Productions, Penny for Your Thoughts Entertainment and 3 Arts Entertainment Yvonne Orji as Molly

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Prime Video • Amazon Studios Alex Borstein as Susie Myerson

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Prime Video • Amazon Studios Marin Hinkle as Rose Weissman

Saturday Night Live NBC • SNL Studios in association with Universal Television and Broadway Video Kate McKinnon as Various Characters

Saturday Night Live NBC • SNL Studios in association with Universal Television and Broadway Video Cecily Strong as Various Characters

Schitt’s Creek Pop TV • Not A Real Company Productions, Inc. Annie Murphy as Alexis Rose

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series Big Little Lies HBO • HBO Entertainment in association with Blossom Films, Hello Sunshine, David E. Kelley Productions and crazyrose Productions Laura Dern as Renata Klein

Big Little Lies HBO • HBO Entertainment in association with Blossom Films, Hello Sunshine, David E. Kelley Productions and crazyrose Productions Meryl Streep as Mary Louise Wright

The Crown Netflix • Left Bank Pictures in association with Sony Pictures Television Helena Bonham Carter as Princess Margaret

The Handmaid’s Tale • Hulu • MGM, Daniel Wilson Productions, The Littlefield Company, White Oak Pictures Samira Wiley as Moira

Killing Eve BBC America • Sid Gentle Films Ltd. Fiona Shaw as Carolyn Martens

Ozark Netflix • Media Rights Capital Julia Garner as Ruth Langmore

Succession HBO • HBO Entertainment in association with Project Zeus, Hyperobject Industries and Gary Sanchez Productions Sarah Snook as Shiv Roy

Westworld HBO • HBO Entertainment in association with Kilter Films, Bad Robot and Warner Bros. Television Thandie Newton as Maeve

[... more via link above]

[onthesandsofdreams]

Matchmaker(s) Make Me A Match

Fandom: Wonder Woman Ratings: G Pairing: Diana x Steve Words: 1016 Summary:  Steve and Diana are High School Professors and their students think they'd make a cute couple. For them it's almost fun to dodge the 'subtle' attempts their students make. One problem though: They are already dating. Notes: For the @wondertrevnet‘s Valentine’s Day Event.

Read @ AO3

Steven Trevor considers himself a patient man. Even amidst the chaos that comes with being surrounded by teenagers. As a history teacher, he has found interesting ways to make his classes interesting. Which is a necessity, teaching in one of the most elite schools in New York, surrounded by teens who are used to having it all, makes it hard. But Steve likes his job and finds it rewarding, especially when he has the attention of the full class.

It’s also hilarious that they’re trying to get him together with Diana Prince.

“You know Professor Trevor, Miss Prince has a fencing championship under her belt?” Asks Amanda William, whom Steve knows is the ringleader of these… shenanigans.

“Yeah, she mentioned it once,” Steve shrugs in a nonchalant way, and watches and Amanda near pouts, he has to turn away to hide the smirk that threatens to grow on his face. “Back to what I was saying…”

*****

Diana stood waiting for her students to finish getting ready. Today, she was going to pair them and have matches as she went around looking at their form, while offering advice on how to improve. She knew that some had a natural talent, and some were better than others, but still, she gave her attention to all of them.

“Miss Prince?”

Diana froze for a minute, she knew that voice, Sophie Bancroft. Amanda Williams and her friend had been trying to set her up with Steve Trevor, something she had shut down as best she could, but it seems that the girl was dead set in making it near impossible. If things kept this way, she might have to speak with the principal.

But before she spoke with the girl, she turned to her students, “Everybody, pair up. We’re getting ready to begin.” Then she sighed and turned. “Yes, Miss Bancroft?”

The girl in question gave her a coy look, “Did you know that Professor Trevor can sing?”

Diana arched her eyebrow. “Good for him. Now, pair up, we’re about to begin.” The girl looked ready to protest, “En-garde!” Diana watched as Sophie slumped her shoulders and went to the only person who had no pair. She resisted the urge to smile. “Allez!”

*****

It was February, so it was (in Steve’s mind) only logical that Amanda and her small crew to amp up her matchmaking efforts. Of course she would, fortunately, he’s perfected the art of misdirection.

“Professor Trevor,” Sarah Abbott ambushed him one day, a week before Valentine’s Day. “I was thinking, maybe we could do some secret valentine trade on the day off?”

Steve pretended to think about it for a moment. “Mmmh, I don’t think so,” he said as he rubbed his jaw for lack of beard. “It would be unfair for anyone who may not get something back. However, given that Valentine’s coming, I will be teaching you the origin of it as a treat.”

Steve had to bite the inside of his cheek seeing Sarah’s downtrodden face. “Sorry I asked, professor.”

“No problem miss Abbott, now sit, we have to get started.”

*****

Diana was walking towards the professor’s lounge when Katherine Baudin all but squealed at seeing her, immediately putting Diana on alert.

“Professor Prince, hello!” Katherine fell into pace with her.

“Hello miss Baudin. How may I help you?”

“Well, I was wondering if you had plans for Valentine’s day? You see, I could use some ideas?”

Diana stopped and turned to look at Katherine, who tried her best to look as innocent as possible. “None at all. I don’t celebrate Valentine’s day.” Diana could see the girl’s face fall.

“Oh.”

“Well, have a good day and good luck for your Valentine’s day ideas, I’m sure you’ll think of something.”

*****

Diana and Steve sat down at a small corner table of Serendipity 3, Diana’s idea. She had been craving their chocolate black out cake, so they went. It was late and they decided to have dinner there, Diana opted for the chicken pot pay and Steve went for the Texas style chili.

“Did you know that Miss Amanda William recruited her friends to try and match us up?” Steve asked and then took a spoonful of chili and ate. It was good.

“Ah, now all those questions make sense,” Diana said as she cut her pie and took a bite. She swallowed and looked at Steve. “They’re not bothering you too much, are they?”

Steve shrugged. “No more than they’re bothering you. I can deal with them, but if they keep pushing, we might have to speak with Etta.”

Diana looked pensive as she savored her pot pie. “Well,” she said slowly. “We might have to, just to cover all our bases.” Then she smiled. “But it’s so funny that they think we need help.”

Steve chuckled at that. “True. Can you imagine how disappointed they’ll be when or if they find out we are together?”

Diana bit back a laugh, opting for another bite of her food. “They’ll be crushed.”

“Yeah, they fancy themselves matchmakers and here we are, just being together all on our own.”

“They asked me about my Valentine’s day plans, you know? Told them I didn’t celebrate.”

“Well, we don’t in the traditional sense.”

“I know, Katherine Baudin was crushed.”

“Ha! That girl has a very expressive face, no wonder you noticed her being crushed.”

“I felt bad for her, but, that is my private life after all.”

They fell into an easy silence after that, eating without any rush until they finished and then ordered desserts, for Diana, it was the chocolate black out cake, for Steve was the celestial carrot cake.

“So,” Steve said as he bit into his cake. “Same plans for Valentine as usual?”

“Take out, movie and cuddling on the couch? Absolutely. I’d love some French food for a change this time.”

“You got it, I’ll get it and you pick the movie. I’m up to watch whatever.”

Diana smiled and took Steve’s face in her hands, giving him a gentle kiss. Steve’s goofy grin was adorable. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

[nancythebisexualslutwheeler]

I’m Coming Home to You

Please read this and validate me.. I wrote this monster in like three hours. XX T 

Part One  Part Two 

He texts Eddie probably too soon. He’s barely folded himself into an uncomfortable seat to wait for the airplane and he only forces himself to send a text to Sarah, before he sends one to Eddie.

From your number: One step closer to home man!

His phone chirps nearly instantly,

From Edward Kaspbrak: I’m glad. Are you in pain?

Physical? Absolutely not. Mental anguish that Eddie thinks he’s playing a game with him because he couldn’t man up and kiss him back? Um, yes.

From your number: I’m fine. Can’t wait to get back home and hit the booze though.

From Edward Kaspbrak: No plane drinking for you?

From your number: And end up crying into the lap of a random stranger? No thanks.

From Edward Kaspbrak: I offered to go with you. You played yourself.

He sends the shrugging emoji and Richie bursts into laughter.

From your number: I’m scared.

From Edward Kaspbrak: I know. Doesn’t mean I love you any less.

Richie’s heart pounds. This is what he means. He can’t do this, he can’t. Their chance is over. They could have had so much, everything. High school and college and they could have gotten married dammit. But nope. Now he’s middle aged and the thought of Eddie saying those words directly to his face, makes him want to vomit.

He puts Eddie on do not disturb, thinks better of it and then powers down the entire phone. He’s having difficulty breathing, and he’s convinced it’s not all entirely his lung.

Richie takes three weeks off to recover, reschedules eight shows and loses about ten grand. His ankle is healed, as well as his head but his lung still hurts if he moves too quickly and he still has this disgusting scar on his face. That’s gonna cost a pretty penny to fix.

He flies out to New York to see Sarah for a few days, and he’s been keeping regular contact with the Losers.

Him and Eddie are.. well. They talk on the phone. Every night. Eddie’s healing up, back to work- analyzing risks- or whatever that bullshit meant. Plugging along with his divorce from Myra. Begging Richie to see him.

Richie avoided it at all costs, terrified of seeing him. So he rambled about his day, his new set, everything.

Richie’s a touch nervous about his show. He’s been laying lower than low since his accident, making extremely sure no one saw him before he was damn well ready.

And apparently that time was gone because he’d no more than ordered his iced latte when some teenager who in all reality is a little too young to be watching his sets, asks for a picture.

It takes him over an hour to get out of the small coffee shop, and that’s only because a manager comes out, pissed.

He doesn’t even want his watered down latte any longer. He angrily throws the coffee into a nearby garbage can and rests heavily against the wall of the building. If even that little interaction was too much, how was he going to get through an entire set tonight?

His phone rings and he has every intention of letting it go to voicemail, until he sees it’s his manager, Steve.

“Hey-o.”

“Rich man, what the fuck were you thinking?! You want to get attacked or something?!”

“I’m barely famous,” Richie says flippantly, hoping he’s not going to get actually yelled at because he can not handle that right now.

“You’re a fucking bum from Maine who somehow got signed with the top comedian company and was promised two back to back tours before you even took pen to paper. Not to mention you nearly died Richie.”

He’s getting sick of hearing those words come out of Steve, and his wife’s mouth. The first entire week he’d been back, he’d stayed with them. He’d gained like fifteen pounds from all the home cooked meals. He’d taken a bubble bath. With epsom salt. So he knows how Steve feels about his accident, he does.

“I just wanted to be normal. For once.” Richie admits quietly.

Steve laughs lightly,

“Me too. Maybe if you were normal, it wouldn’t be so hard being your manager.”

Richie knows it’s a joke, but the sudden thought that Steve wouldn’t want to manage him anymore. His wife is Christian, they have a daughter for Christ’s sake... they don’t need Richie being a bad influence. God, he was just going to get up there and make jokes without any care for anyone else. Not Steve. Not.. he who must not be named. (Okay this isn’t fucking Harry Potter, pull it together Rich.)

“Hey Steve?”

“Yes o favorite client of mine.”

“I made a new set.”

“I know. I am thrilled.”

“Well you may want to taper that back a little.”

“Rich? Is this one of your moments? Do I need to amp you up? Do we need to play Beyoncé?”

Richie is going to kill him. He doesn’t know how to do this. Come out. This is a problem for thirteen year old girls who realized they liked the taste of their best friends lip gloss during practice kissing rather than a boy’s bad breath during real kissing.

“Um, some of my jokes revolve around a guy.”

“Oh cool. You know, you’re not as ugly as you think, but the crowd does go wild for that self hate shit, mainly because your photo of you shirtless at the pool on Instagram got flagged as inappropriate content because people kept commenting “daddy” under it. It’s funny Rich.”

Richie had forgotten about that. He’d thought it was a joke, and he’d sat up drinking beer and eating pizza with his beard Natalie as she insisted, no, he was daddy material. Natalie was a twenty seven year old  from fucking Wisconsin of all places and played a ditzy granddaughter on a soap opera that Richie, being the terrible boyfriend he is, has never seen. She wouldn’t know daddy material if it slapped her in the face. She insists she does. But it’s kind of like the way she insists she's slept with Liam Hemsworth. Her beautiful blue eyes beg you to believe her, but she can’t keep the smirk off of her lips.

“No, I mean. Fuck Steve, you know you’re like a brother to me,”

Steve cackles,

“Damn, this is how you treat your family?”

“Ask my sister because the answer most definitely is yes. Anyway, the joke is about me liking a guy.”

There’s a pause,

“Um, Rich my dude. There’s a word for that and it’s called homophobia.”

Richie grunts and balls his free fist at his side,

“No like, I like a guy. For real.”

There’s a pause,

“Is something wrong with Natalie?”

“No, no no! Oh god Natalie. I have to tell her. Oh god, I can’t go on tonight. I can’t.” He says pathetically. Desperately.

“I understand this is a crisis situation, I do, but we’ve got a baby on the way, and this show is raking in like a quarter of a mill so, you’re going on.”

“A baby? Oh wow!”

Something Richie will never have. Wait. Where did that come from? Does he want kids?

“Richie, shut up. Okay, I’m only going to ask once, are you sure this is what you want to do?”

Richie hesitates. He wonders if Natalie will still want to be friends.

“If you think this will ruin her career, we’re not doing it.”

“Other than that?”

Richie presses his thumbs against his eyelids in concentration.

“Yes.”

It’s barely a whisper.

“I’ll take care of everything.”

“Steve-“

“Everything. Be at the studio at 5.”

“But I don’t go on til 8.”

“Richie, be there on time I swear to god.”

Richie shows up around 6:30. He hasn’t heard from Natalie or Steve, so they can’t be too pissed.

He’d had to shower twice. He’d talked to Mike on the phone. He’d texted Eddie about twice before he got nervous. He’s tired and crabby and this is not the way he’s supposed to be starting his first show back. Not by a long shot.

So the first thing he does is ask the first person he sees for some scotch. Steve might kill him but he needs to be at least tipsy to make it through this one.

He’d thought he was ready, but maybe he wasn’t. He’s not ready to face Steve’s inevitable wrath, or at least annoyance, so he ducks into the dressing room.

To his dismay, Natalie is in there, talking to his hairstylist Maggie. She stands up immediately and she’s got her wide smile on and she hugs him tightly and kisses his cheek instead of his lips,

“You’re late.”

“Sue me.”

She snorts, “I have a lot of reasons too, so I’d shut up. Anyway, I have dinner for you.”

“Dinner?”

“I’m not just a pretty face you know.” And she hands him a Tupperware container.

He hasn’t seen Tupperware in like 15 years. He laughs and she rolls her eyes,

“Come on, there’s a microwave over here.”

She places her hand on the small of his back, perhaps more out of muscle memory and she leads him into the small kitchenette, taking back the Tupperware before heating the food.

“So? This is interesting.”

“You can’t be.. surprised.” He says, even though that’s a straight lie.

“I assumed all men in their forties had issues getting it up, even when a pair of perfect tits in their face.”

He knows she’s kidding. He does, and it’s not even the first time she’d given it back as good as she got but he suddenly feels like crying. She must sense this immediately because Natalie is amazing like that, and she’s wrapping her arms around him. He cries into her chest like a fucking child. They only pull away after the microwave beeps for like the millionth time.

“Oh honey. It’s going to be okay.”

“How are you going to be?”

“Oh you’re cutting me a check. Steve promised.”

“You should be cutting me a check princess. I know your contract just got renewed.”

“You’re making nearly 25k... tonight.”

“Snooping are we?”

She shoves the Tupperware at him,

“Eat your dinner.”

“Natalie, are we still, gonna be friends I mean?” He asks sheepishly.

She made him chicken, potatoes and green beans. He knows everything is homemade. She hated the chemicals in the fake meat he ate. Hey, he was gonna die for a lot of other shit, and probably first. The environment was worth it. Okay not time for a fucking rant right now.

“Honey, we’re family.”

There’s a knock on the door,

“Rich? I’ve got the fucking liquor you ordered.” Steve says, handing him the bottle. “Do not get too wasted.”

Richie gets like.. half a shot too wasted. He’s buzzing. He’s flushed and warm and his hands are sweaty and Natalie isn’t fawning all over him like she usually does and he is stressed. He’s alone. He wants to message Eddie but he pussies out.

When he goes out, the screams are deafening. Once he gets the mic in his hand, he’s flying. He goes on about the nasty gash on his face, hobbling around with a twisted rib and how his crazy, lazy, halfway drunk ass is going to be an uncle. The jokes flow easily, even if he didn’t plan on saying it, and suddenly he has the terrible thought, shrugs and hopes that Sarah has already told her baby daddy.

And then he gets into it.

“So I know you’re all dying to know what the hell happened. I wish I could say that it was some badass like, car robbery. But it was just a straight up mugging. The thing is that I was with my friends, right? I know that’s shocking, hardy har har. But I’m with some friends, and I have this one friend. Her name is Bev, she’s gorgeous, and a bad ass through and through, strongest person I know, my bad, I’m exposing myself a bit too much, I am a heartless prick, I promise.

“But we’re at a bar, and some skeeze, no a real dick, I mean it. Takes her purse. Is this fucking 1992? Who steals a purse? Now, I’ve got a shit ton of liquor in me, but suddenly I’m running. And it’s cold, we’re in Maine and it’s winter And I’m freezing my balls off. And I’ve almost got him, I did track in high school, yeah yeah I don’t look like I can run from here to backstage, I get it.”

The crowd roars.

“The point is, I’m almost on him. This motherfucker pulls out a knife. Now, I know this doesn’t sound funny but  listen, number one, Bev is a fucking receptionist at a dental office, she’s not even raking in the dollars. Trust me, I’ve paid her rent a few times,” he straight up hasn’t and even though he thinks it’s funny ,he shouts out a quick, “love you Bev!”

“Anyway, the guy pulls out a knife and goes insane. I thought this beer belly would protect me, but alas,” his voice is getting sad, so he pulls it together, “Anyway. The first of my friends to find me is someone I’m close to right. My first love. And I’m bleeding out on the cold cement, for real, Natalie, though she could have given me some tips on how to handle it so beautifully, but my first love’s in front of me and I’m pretty sure I’m going to die.

“So I’m going on and on and throwing around big words that my man child ass doesn’t know the meaning of, like love and forever, and he’s staring at me like the idiot I am, and I promise there’s a point to this joke, and the joke is that once again, Richie fumbled. Good old Rich just lost it. So the fuck up you see right here, it turns out I’m actually this way in real life. So please remember what an absolute goof I am, especially next time you want to stalk  me at fucking Dunn Brothers, and fuck up my oat milk latte, which is an extra ninety cents by the way, please remember that I’m a big dork,”

Suddenly there’s a commotion in the crowd and some guy is standing on his chair and Richie’s never wanted to die more,

“Did you say a guy?” He shouts.

It’s silent, before he nods slightly,

“Yes I did. I’m a big ol-“ he doesn’t even know what fucked up thing he’s going to say, when the crowd erupts into applause.

And he’s sure that some people left, or there’s comments, but the applause is all he needs. He is a slut for validation after all. Thank you love language quiz. Words of affirmation baby!

The rest of the set goes great and he’s still properly buzzed when he steps off stage. Steve is clapping him on the shoulder, even though he’s on the phone and then Richie’s rushed backstage and handed water and there’s. He squeezes the water bottle too tight and it explodes all over him. It’s freezing, even though he feels warm and before he’s thinking about it, he’s yanking off his shirts and suddenly someone’s handing him a towel and he hears a dog whistle. He’s about to tell Natalie to fuck off, when he sees who she’s standing by.

There. In the flesh, is Eddie Kaspbrak. He looks good, dammit. A maroon sweater and tight black jeans. His cheeks are flushed and he’s holding his black jacket in his arms.

“No one took his coat?” Richie yanks it out of his hands and throws it somewhere. “Where’s everybody else?”

He looks confused,

“What do you mean?”

“Impromptu Loser’s trip to my show. Is Bev pissed about the rent thing because I swear-“

Natalie sips at some cocktail awkwardly and Eddie swallows hard,

“Um, it’s just me.”

Richie halts. He sees someone off the scene - he knows these people’s names- he swears, it’s just dark. But he gestures for the booze again. Eddie came to see him. For his first show. Oh god. Eddie heard him go on about his jawline for Christ’s sake and now. He looks like a deer in headlights. The scotch is thrust into his hands and he takes three long pulls before doing anything.

The worst part is Eddie is just chilling. Kicking it, while Richie has this internal meltdown which he knows is showing on his face. He doesn’t know what to do so he all but thrusts the liquor at Eddie, grabs Natalie’s arm and storms off.

“What am I gonna do? Shit he’s here, he’s here.”

“You knew he was gonna hear the sketch anyway, why does it matter?”

“Because I’m drunk. I acted like a lovesick fool. My dad bod is exposed. What am I gonna do?! And be serious. There’s only room for one funny one in this relationship.”

She smiles,

“Good thing it’s me, my darling. Talk to him. He seems cool.”

“You talked to him?!”

“Uh yeah. He’s been back here since about half way through the set. Barged right back here. Lucky I recognized the name.”

He stares and she sighs,

“You’ve been saying his name in your sleep. Ever since the accident.”

“Oh god. You probably think I’m pathetic.”

“Not pathetic, in love.”

“In love? But I’m, we don’t know each other. We haven’t kept in touch in years.”

“Love doesn’t fade with age sweetie.”

“Oh stop being reasonable! I understand you just got a new gay best friend, but be logical.”

She snorts,

“Trust me, no one wants to go shopping with you. I am being logical. That man is head over heels for you. And you’re head over heels for him. Now do something about it before I kick your ass.”

“Your shoes are too expensive.”

“What am I gonna do? Talk about my feelings?”

She shakes her head quickly,

“Oh god no. Who knows what would come out. Just, ya know, go seduce him, with all of this.”

If it were anyone else he’d think they were kidding, but the have had sex dozens of times and so he knows she can’t be joking too much. His insecure ass isn’t that desperate so he keeps his mouth shut. She touches his shoulder,

“Go out there and kiss him. Just kiss him.”

He stares and she whacks his arm,

“And keep your mouth shut. No jokes.”

“What if he tries to slip in a little tongue?” He wags his eyebrows.

“You’re not nearly as charming as you think you are.”

“Eddie thinks so,” he says quickly, before he can stop himself.

Natalie grins,

“By the grace of god he does. Now go kiss him dammit!”

He strides out of the room, not paying any attention to if she’s following him, but he bets she is, as if she’d miss this. Eddie is looking flushed and cradling the scotch bottle like a pacifier and all Richie does is take it out of his hand and set it down quickly. Eddie stares. Eddie’s here. Eddie came here. To California. To see his set. He’d paid to see Richie. He remembers to ask Steve about a refund, vaguely of course, before he’s fitting a hand around Eddie’s jaw, Eddie’s beautiful jaw and ducking in to kiss him.

There’s no symphony or choir that starts singing but his heart does feel about three sizes too big like that Dr.Seuss book, and Eddie kisses him back so softly, as if he’s going to break. More likely that he’ll pull away, but Richie can’t imagine. Pulling away from this magical kiss. Eddie’s tongue licks tentatively at his lips and Richie opens his mouth immediately in a grin.

He hears a dog whistle and an “Atta boy!” And wow he hates his team so much. They’re getting fired, the whole lot of them.

Things must get a little heated because he hears the sharp clearing of a throat,

“I can get you out the back way,” says Steve, sheepishly.

Except Steve, Steve can stay.

Richie is being handed a clean, dry shirt from someone, he’d forgotten, that wouldn’t be a good look, and then he takes Eddie’s hand. Firmly. It’s a good hand.

“You ready to get out of here?”

“After you,” Eddie says, squeezing back.

“Why not after you? You’re the one with the ass that won’t quit.”

“You’re the one paying for this Lyft so you’re going first.”

“Hm, expensive date. Am I going to get into your pants later at least?”

Eddie scoffs,

“Do you ever stop?”

Richie halts,

“Actually no. Is that a deal breaker, because-“

Eddie shakes his head quickly,

“No. No. I love it. I love you.”

Richie’s head swirls,

“Um. I’m not ready.”

He knows he’d brought this up. His secret had started it, but, the last person he’d said I love you to was Sarah. And he most certainly was not in love with Sarah.

“It’s okay. I just don’t want there to be any confusion on how I feel. I love you Richie.”

Eddie squeezes his hand as a black car pulls up in front of them.

“Damn that was fast.”

“Oh Edward, bold of you to assume I don’t have my own car.”

“Don’t call me that! God, you really are famous.”

“A little bit,” he says in a singsong voice, opening the door for Eddie.

“Shut up dick.”

“Hey, your face will look good in paper print, I think.”

Richie slides in the car next to Eddie,

“Your face would look good-

“Where Eddie?” He dares, “where?”

“You know what, your... mom. It’s unfair, I haven’t worked on my insults in thirty years, you’re over here being a professional cornball.”

Richie snorts,

“Not my problem. Cause I can go all night baby.”

Eddie raises an eyebrow,

“Can you now?”

There’s a cough from the front seat,

“Sorry Carl. I’ll tell my friend to simmer down, there are innocents around.”

“You know I can hear you starting it Richie. Right?”

“Carl, you wound me. How can you think that I would have such a dirty mind?”

“Where are we going sir?”

He makes a puking noise,

“Sir.. gross. Just home.”

“Sounds good sir,” Carl says once more to be a dick.

“I like the sound of that,” Eddie teases, “Sir.”

“Oh hell no. First of all, fuck off. Second of all, you’d be referring to me as sir under entirely different circumstances.”

Eddie’s face flames,

“Natalie didn’t say you were this insane.”

“Natalie, Angel, light of my life, would never betray me like that. What did she tell you?”

Eddie mimes zipping his lips,

“Secrets, secrets.”

“I don’t think you’re meant to be friends with my ex.”

Eddie pales slightly at that and Richie wonders if he made it too weird.

“I mean, she’s my best friend too so,”

“No no, it’s fine, I just never thought of it like that. Oh god? That’s my competition? Teenie bopper soap star with a great rack?”

Richie stiffens at hearing Natalie being reduced to that, but he hears what Eddie is saying,

“There’s no competition Eds. Never been one.”

Eddie looks up at him and smiles softly. Richie leans in for a kiss. It gets a little heated and Richie tries to stretch out so Eddie can lay beside him, but Eddie kicks Carl’s chair and there’s a very judgmental  stare coming from the rear view mirror,

“Mr.Tozier, there’s a reason I don’t drive preteens anymore.”

“Fine, fine, can you speed up then?”

“I am happily going the five over the speed limit you usually request.”

“If I pay you extra can you make it ten?”

He hesitates like he wouldn’t do it for free, before grinning,

“3%?”

“Done.”

The car speeds a little faster and luckily Eddie’s short enough to crunch his legs up on the seat so that he can lay on Richie’s chest. He feels good. He feels real. He feels promised.

[djohnhopper]

FAVOURITE TRACKS: Artist: Apparat​ Track: Heroist (2019).

DIRECTOR/PHOTOGRAPHER: MATILDA FINN. CINEMATOGRAPHER: BEN FORDESMAN. PHOTO ASSISTANT: SEBASTIAN HINDS. PRODUCER: MARTHA MCGUIRK. EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: KATIE LAMBERT. PRODUCTION COMPANY: STINK FILMS. PRODUCTION MANAGER : NELLIE HERON-ANSTEAD. CASTING DIRECTOR: LOUISE COLLINS. ART DIRECTOR: CAMILLIA BYLES. COMMISSIONER: JOHN MOULE. STEADICAM: JAMES CHESTERTON. FOCUS PULLER: EDWARD TUCKER. 2NDAC: JOHNNY LEWIS. CAMERA TRAINEE: ERNIE GRIFFITH. 1ST ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: JACK MEREDITH. LOCATION SCOUT: FREDDIE WRIGHT. PHOTO PRODUCTION ASSISTANT: RACHEL BASHFORD. GAFFER: ESTEBAN GIMPELEWICZ. SPARK: JEFF CELIS. SPARK: JOSEPH NOWELL. TRAINEE SPARK: TOM PARKINSON. PRODUCTION DESIGNER: CAMILIA BYLES. MAKE UP: NATASHA LAWES. STYLIST: JADE ELISE MOORE. CAMERA TRUCK DRIVER: ALEX BROWN. LIGHTING TRUCK DRIVER: ABS ALLAM. MEDIC: ALEX @ TEAM MEDICS. RUNNER: HENRY GUNN. RUNNER: TIGER BREWER. RUNNER: FREDDIE WRIGHT. RUNNER: ALI COPLAND.

EDITED BY: MATILDA FINN & GAIA BORRIETTI @ THE ASSEMBLY ROOMS. COLOURIST: SIMONE GRATTOROLA & MYLES BEVAN @ TIME BASED ARTS. POST PRODUCERS: SEAN EWINS + JO GUTTERIDGE @ TIME BASED ARTS. COMPOSITER: SHELDON GARDENER.

A BIG THANKS TO: ANNIE STEVENS, LOUISE DANCY AND AMP STUDIOS. ANNA PEDUZZI, SARAH SOLDAN, CONNOR MCCOY AND BEN DRABAVICIUS @ STINK LONDON.

VIDEO CAST: HERO: ROBERT RHODES. HELPERS: MEG AMSI, NAOMI WONG, OLIVIA NORRIS, DENISE LEVETT, JANET MAYER. DOGS: ULF @ ANIMAL ACTORS.

PHOTO CAST: RUFUS WHITE, SARAH HARE, JANET MAYER, AYUMI T FULLER, NATHANIEL TONG, SIMAO MENDES, OLIVIA NORRIS, ADRIAN MOZZI, DAVID LANDAU, DARIA SHIPOVSKIKH, DUNANE NASIS, SABU SUZUKI, LINDY PIERI, DAWA MA, TOBY BUCHAN, MEG AMSI, DENIZE LEVETT, SARA RAIMONDO, AYODEJI BABATOPE, MILLY COPE, NAOMI WONG, GREGORY MALLARD, STEVE JONES, SAMUEL FRIBERG, GZI WISDOM, LATESHA WILSON & RAYHAN WILSON.

KIEV PHOTO SHOOT: Service company: 23/32 Films. Producer Dasha Deriagina. PA // 1AD: Alexander Timkov.   Locations: Viktor Shava. Dog Handler: Jenya Ovcharka.

Cast: Smirnov Alexey. Denikeeva Zinaida. Shishko Anatoly. Kravchenko Valeria. Kravchenko Evgeny. Evstropova Natalia. Efimenko Yuri. Perepelyak Inna. Pustovgar Elena. Kalandyrets Aleksandr. Daniel Kravchenko. Marina Maruschak. Artem Shkylevych. Toma Romanenko. Kristina Suzova. Victoria Varley. Dasha Deriagina.

Big special thank you to Ian Pons Jewell.

[whoareurl]

👕 for sick Bucky?

👕 A: “*laughs* Dude, it’s still too hot out for sweaters.” B: “What no it’s freezing.” A: “It’s literally 80 F / 27 C…” B: “…hold up-”

(canon - post!ws au where civil war never happened and everybody lives in the tower. also this got kinda long so now i has a read more!)

-

“You wanna do something fun?” Steve asks, looking at Bucky with pleading eyes.

After Steve’s incident with some weird alien virus two weeks ago, he’s been stuck in quarantine long enough to send his nervous energy levels through the roof. Steve likes the team to think that it’s a side effect of the serum but Bucky knows better. It’s always been like this; Steve has never, in his life, been able to sit still for more than ten minutes.

“You wanna go to Taco Bell?” Natasha deadpans without looking up from her phone. She’s taken to spending most of her time on Steve and Bucky’s floor, sprawled somehow elegantly in one of the armchairs. 

Steve ignores her, turning his stupid blue puppy dog eyes on him and amping the pleading up to 100. Bastard.

Bucky sighs, making sure it sounds as dramatic and long suffering as possible. “Alright, fi-”

But he doesn’t get any further before Steve is on his feet and rushing towards their bedroom to change. “See you downstairs in 15!” He calls over his shoulder. 

Natasha’s shoulders are shaking with silent laughter. Bucky curses her out in Russian and leaves to strap a knife to his thigh before they leave. 

-

They’ve been in the park for maybe ten minutes before Steve is ambushed by a crowd of small children.

“You’re Captain America!” One boy shrieks excitedly from under his homemade Iron Man mask.

A girl, dressed as Thor, smacks him with her cardboard hammer. “Cody! Don’t go yelling about it! You’re being rude!”

The boy, Cody, merely sticks his tongue out at her but he does look back at Steve with apology in his eyes. 

“Sorry, Mr Captain Sir. I just wanted to say hi.”

Steve, bless him, chuckles fondly. He’s always had a soft spot for kids. It’s one of the many things Bucky finds hopelessly endearing about him. 

“It’s alright, son,” Steve says in that stupid deep voice of his. Bucky feels a shiver race up his spine. “You can call me Steve. I’m only Captain at work.” All of the children are now sporting equally awed looks which have Steve rubbing awkwardly at the back of his neck. “Are you kids training to be the next team of avengers?”

“Yeah! I’m gonna be just like Captain Marvel!” Squeals a boy who can’t be much older than six, dressed head to toe in Captain Marvel memorabilia (with the exception of his shoes which seem to be sporting several cartoon dogs). 

“Wow, that’s great!” Steve enthuses, offering the boy a high five. “You all look awesome.”

“Do you wanna play tag, Mr Cap- I mean, Steve?” Cody asks. 

Steve looks hesitantly at Bucky who rolls his eyes fondly and nods towards the kids as if to say “go ahead, you absolute moron.”

“Alright, I’m gonna count to five and then I’m gonna catch you!” Steve grins and Bucky shakes his head.

“I’m gonna get coffee,” he says while Steve counts. Bucky shivers again and folds his arms across his chest, watching Steve take off after the gang of squealing tiny avengers. 

Not for the first time, Bucky thinks Steve would probably be a great dad. But, like, only for the fun stuff. Steve Rogers would be a terrible influence on an impressionable mind. It’s bad enough when Peter swings (hah!) by after school and asks Steve about the fights he got into in the ‘30s. 

-

Before coffee, Bucky ducks into the nearest thrift store and buys a truly hideous sweater that he knows Tony will absolutely loath. It’s mostly grey with a horrendous shade of pink woven in a zigzag pattern across the arms and the same across the torso in orange. It’s awful and he loves it. He finds he’s still shivering even with the sweater and the Starbucks cups he’s got clutched in each hand. 

For a very brief moment, Bucky’s Steve-o-meter flashes red and he hears Ma Sarah’s voice in the back of his head telling Steve to take a coat so he doesn’t catch his death. But then he remembers all at once that Steve is now, what’s the phrase? Built like a brick shit house. 

Bucky sees his own concern, however, reflected in Steve’s face when he returns. The kids have moved on from tag and seem to be playing an elaborate game of hide and seek. Steve is making a show of being unable to find one of them quite obviously hidden in a tree when Bucky thrusts his coffee into his hands and sees a worried pinch form between Steve’s eyebrows.

“What’s with the sweater?” He asks. 

Bucky grins. “Isn’t it the worst?”

Steve smiles tentatively and sips his coffee, resuming his seeking while Bucky trails behind. 

“Tony will hate it,” Steve agrees mildly. “Why are you wearing it, though. It’s still too hot out for sweaters.”

Bucky eyes the golden leaves scattered around the grass and frowns. “Steve, it’s freezing.”

Steve really does frown then, stopping dead in his search and turning to peer at Bucky, who raises an eyebrow. 

“Buck, it’s like 85 degrees.”

Bucky frowns and pulls out his phone. No way is it 85 deg-

The number is there, clear as day. 81. 

“Hold up,” Bucky says, tugging the sleeves of the sweater down over his hands. Steve, for all his pinched worry, is smiling slightly too. “It’s warm out.”

Steve reaches a hand up to brush a strand of hair away from Bucky’s face, brushing his fingers against his cheek as he does so. “Yeah. And you feel pretty warm yourself, sweetheart. I think you’re coming down with something.”

Suddenly, the excess anxiety he’d woken up with that morning made so much sense. And god he’s exhausted. Have they really only been out for an hour? Bucky feels like he’s been on a mission since a week last Sunday.

“Now that I think about it,” Bucky admits slowly. “I actually don’t feel great.”

Steve’s lips twitch in a knowing smile before he glances up and sees the boy hidden in the tree.

“Aha!” Steve crows triumphantly. “Finally. Good job, son. I think this means it’s your turn to count.”

Steve throws an arm around Bucky’s shoulders and tells the kids that they have official avengers business they have to get back to and gives them a little mock salute which they all return with gusto. Bucky burrows close into Steve’s side, revelling in the fact that he’d fallen in love with a human furnace. 

“Movies in bed?” Steve asks.

Bucky hums in agreement. “Can we watch Back to the Future again?”

Steve laughs and it’s a beautiful, hearty sound that makes a new kind of warmth settle deep in Bucky’s chest. Grinning, Steve jostles him closer as they walk. “Sure, pal. Whatever you want.”

[skruttet]

Moominvalley Articles & Interviews

“As we follow the story of Moomintroll’s growth and encounters with his family and other creatures, we learn more about our own humanity, relationships and emotions – and especially about love. Moominvalley is an uplifting series with many positive messages!” - https://www.moomin.com/en/moominvalley/ (not an article I just wanna show that that’s the ‘official’ description of the series kinda?)

Here’s just a bunch of links to articles & interviews for personal reference & if you love getting more insight into the series like me! Keep in mind that the character interviews may also mention general stuff and vice versa. These definitely aren’t all the articles on the series; I may add more in the future. Oh I also decided to add the creators’ comments at the end bc why not.

General

Interview w/ Nick Ostler & Mark Huckerby - https://tvfeatures.bradfordzone.co.uk/2019/04/15/moominvalley-interview-with-nick-ostler-mark-huckerby-writers/

Interview w/ Steve Box - https://tvfeatures.bradfordzone.co.uk/2019/04/15/moominvalley-interview-with-director-steve-box/

Filmed interview w/ Steve Box - https://youtu.be/87AZPOgeRZw

Filmed interview w/ Steve Box - https://youtu.be/MrsiSBCNVMA

Filmed interview w/ John Woolley - https://youtu.be/Gw632m9UELM

Filmed interview w/ Nick & Mark - https://youtu.be/U3YNOC2Vh8g

Filmed interview w/ Sarah Hauldren - https://youtu.be/X8njAQBlddQ

Interview w/ Marika Makaroff - https://yle.fi/aihe/artikkeli/2019/01/29/uuden-muumilaakso-sarjan-aiti-on-kuin-muumipeikko-utelias-drama-queen-joka

General Info - https://yle.fi/aihe/artikkeli/2019/01/07/miksi-oi-miksi-lahes-kaikki-mita-haluat-tietaa-uudesta-muumilaakso-animaatiosta

World Premiere - https://areena.yle.fi/1-50054235

Interview w/ Marika Makaroff, Steve Box, and Antti Haikala - https://animation-week.com/moominvalley/

Recorded interview w/ Marika Makaroff - https://areena.yle.fi/1-4612555

Filmed interview w/ Marika Makaroff - https://areena.yle.fi/1-4097573

Filmed interview w/ Marika Makaroff - https://areena.yle.fi/1-4080409

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/inews.co.uk/culture/television/moominvalley-moomins-sky-tv-series-finnish-crown-jewels-sophia-jansson-503534%3famp

Makaroff & Box - https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/sky/moominvalley-sky-1/5138593.article

Interview w/ Nick & Mark - https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/books/2019/apr/06/it-is-a-religion-how-the-world-went-mad-for-moomins

Interview w/ Marika Makaroff - https://www.is.fi/viihde/art-2000006014107.html

Interview w/ Nick & Mark - https://www.pressreader.com/australia/sfx/20190327/page/22 (I think you have to make an account or something but I somehow found a bit of it once and posted a quote)

Characters

Character Biographies - https://tvfeatures.bradfordzone.co.uk/2019/04/15/moominvalley-character-biographies/

Finnish Voices - https://yle.fi/aihe/artikkeli/2019/01/07/muumilaakson-hahmot-heraavat-henkiin-tunnettujen-nayttelijoiden-aanilla-talta

Moomintroll

Interview w/ Taron Egerton - https://pgsentertainment.com/blog/interview-with-taron-edgerton-the-voice-of-moomintroll-in-the-new-moominvalley-series

Filmed interview w/ Christoffer Strandberg - https://youtu.be/HOTRlrdGo2s

Filmed interview w/ Joonas Nordman - https://youtu.be/hbhLe13RGzM

Filmed interview w/ Joonas Nordman - https://areena.yle.fi/1-50022764

Filmed interview w/ Joonas Nordman - https://youtu.be/n8kU8qau1LE

Interview w/ Christoffer Strandberg - https://svenska.yle.fi/artikel/2018/11/27/christoffer-strandberg-i-ny-roll-att-bli-ihagkommen-av-barnen-som-mumin-det-ar-ju

Snufkin

Interview w/ Edvin Endre - https://tvfeatures.bradfordzone.co.uk/2019/04/15/moominvalley-interview-with-edvin-endre-snufkin/

Filmed interview w/ Edvin Endre - https://youtu.be/LWndo1CkAag

Snorkmaiden

Interview w/ Akiya Henry - https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/alt-africa.com/2019/04/19/red-carpet-moominvalley-adapted-for-sky-one-interview-with-akiya-henry/amp/

Filmed interview w/ Alina Tomnikov - https://youtu.be/2KQX4Tkg6LU

Filmed interview w/ Edith Holmström - https://youtu.be/9yeaDG2ofKk

Interview w/ Alina Tomnikov - https://yle.fi/aihe/artikkeli/2019/02/25/alina-tomnikov-niiskuneiti-on-parhaimmillaan-optimisti-ja-ennakkoluuloton

Recorded interview w/ Makaroff & Tomnikov - https://areena.yle.fi/1-50080966

Filmed interview w/ Makaroff & Tomnikov (not available in England) - https://areena.yle.fi/1-50080896

Filmed interview w/ Alina Tomnikov - https://areena.yle.fi/1-50080937

Moominmamma

Interview w/ Rosamund Pike - https://tvfeatures.bradfordzone.co.uk/2019/04/15/moominvalley-interview-with-rosamund-park-moominmamma/

Filmed interview w/ Rosamund Pike & Taron Egerton - https://youtu.be/ReojzD8o4RE

Interview w/ Satu Silvo - https://yle.fi/aihe/artikkeli/2019/03/11/satu-silvo-tunnistaa-muumimamman-itsessaan-ja-lahipiirissaan

Moominpappa

Filmed interview w/ Carl-Kristian Rundman - https://youtu.be/F6bG6oGrqrE

Interview w/ Ville Haapasalo - https://yle.fi/aihe/artikkeli/2019/03/18/ville-haapasalossa-ja-muumipapassa-on-paljon-samaa-pipon-ja-silinterihatun-alla

Filmed interview w/ Carl-Kristian Rundman - https://areena.yle.fi/1-50081047

Little My

Interview w/ Bel Powley - https://tvfeatures.bradfordzone.co.uk/2019/04/15/moominvalley-interview-with-bel-powley-little-my/

Filmed interview w/ Saga Sarkola - https://youtu.be/Dfb3wtZoTM8

Interview w/ Bel Powley - https://www.irishnews.com/lifestyle/2019/04/22/news/tv-quickfire-moominvalley-makes-you-think-about-families-that-are-a-bit-different-1599165/

Interview w/ Saga Sarkola - https://www.mtvuutiset.fi/artikkeli/muumilaaksoa-tahdittava-saga-sarkola-yritan-imea-itseeni-kaiken-pikku-myysta-huokuvan-voiman/7274376#gs.58w9yk

Interview w/ Kiti Kokkonen - https://www.is.fi/viihde/art-2000006014095.html

Sniff

Interview w/ Warwick Davis - https://tvfeatures.bradfordzone.co.uk/2019/04/15/moominvalley-interview-with-warwick-davis-sniff/

Filmed interview w/ Andreas af Enehielm - https://youtu.be/Aa0IAAzsvp4

Filmed interview w/ Markku Haussila - https://youtu.be/eIq30qj5XEs

Interview w/ Markku Haussila - https://yle.fi/aihe/artikkeli/2019/03/04/nipsun-aaninayttelija-markku-haussila-kaikkea-ei-pida-ottaa-niin-tosissaan

Mymble

Interview w/ Jennifer Saunders - https://tvfeatures.bradfordzone.co.uk/2019/04/15/moominvalley-interview-with-jennifer-saunders-mymble/

Filmed interview w/ Jennifer Saunders - https://youtu.be/j5Z8tQ-DmJc

Too-ticky

Interview w/ Katie Leung - https://tvfeatures.bradfordzone.co.uk/2019/04/15/moominvalley-interview-with-katie-leung-too-ticky/

Interview w/ Katie Leung (Moominvalley is only briefly mentioned) - https://www.scotsman.com/news-2-15012/beyond-hogwarts-harry-potter-s-katie-leung-on-her-role-in-gripping-new-drama-1-4796576

Emma

Interview w/ Alison Steadman - https://tvfeatures.bradfordzone.co.uk/2019/04/15/moominvalley-interview-with-alison-steadman-emma-the-stage-rat/

Muskrat

Interview w/ Will Self - https://tvfeatures.bradfordzone.co.uk/2019/04/15/moominvalley-interview-with-will-self-the-muskrat/

Misabel

Filmed interview w/ Kaj Korkea-aho - https://youtu.be/ReojzD8o4RE

Creators’ Comments

The Beginning - https://youtu.be/mbZalqK3D5U

Episode 1 - Little My Moves In - https://youtu.be/vHcyHAgSegM

Episode 2 - The Spring Tune - https://youtu.be/5spVFKMJGJE

Episode 3 - The Last Dragon in the World - https://youtu.be/000yduwfbQo

Episode 4 - Moominsummer Madness - https://youtu.be/dFrgBNque7k

Episode 5 - The Golden Tale - https://youtu.be/Kp2iAnv_jdM

Episode 6 - The Secret of the Hattifatteners - https://youtu.be/A8RRK5ro7KM

Episode 7 - Snufkin and the Park Keeper - https://youtu.be/wFkul9-TNO0

Episode 8 - Monster Fish - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBvAHDui11I

Episode 9 - Night of the Groke - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=362CK8Nrczg

Episode 10 - Moominmamma’s Maid - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRVILnppQd8

Episode 11 - Ghost Story - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOSKU5LQPFw

Episode 12 - The Invisible Child - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iq9OmwhZ4Xo

Episode 13 - Midwinter Ancestor - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKfPMs83Amw

[uneminuteparseconde]

Des concerts à Paris et alentour

Mars 05. Orgue Agnès + Borja Flames + Gilles Poizat – Petit Bain 06. Abortion Boys + Chuzo + Terdjman – Pointe Lafayette 07. Gum Takes Tooth + Usé + Society of Silence – Badaboum 07. The Dead Brothers + Dédé Macchabée – Péniche Antipode 07. Méryll Ampe + Elek Ember + Saada Abe + Forced into Fimininity – Le Zorba 07. Badbad + Belvoir + Ar Ker – L'International 07. Hippie Diktat + Jérôme Noetinger & Lionel Fernandez – Instants chavirés (Montreuil) 07. Kobosil + Illnurse + Herrmann – Rex Club 07. Scratch Massive ��� Gaîté lyrique ||COMPLET|| 08. Annabelle Playe + Hugo Arcier & Chrs Galarreta – Plateforme 08. FTR + Deadpan – Olympic café 08. Pigeon + 205 Skatocosmos + Poison Point (dj) + Le roy se meurt + Allesklar + Munsinger – La Station 08. Anetha + ABSL + Beurette sentimentale + Madcat – Badaboum 08. AZF – La Machine 08. Cassegrain + Inland – Badaboum 08. [14 Anger : ANNULÉ] + Oddz + 69db + Jaquarius... – tba 09. L'autopsie a révélé que la mort était due à l'autopsie & Capacitors – Bibliothèque musicale de Paris (gratuit) 09. Deeat Palace + Anthem + Krikor + Crave + Iueke + Moyō [+ Maoupa Mazzoccheti : ANNULÉ] – La Station 09. Paulie Jan + Witnesses Without Hands + Mod303 & The SHADERS + Alexandre Navarro (dj) (Sulfure fest.) – Le vent se lève 09. Marc Prépus + Mr Marcaille + Bisou mamie – La Gare expérimentale 09. Cacophoneuse + Celldöd + Romance Disaster + Sarin + Massenstörung + Lapse of Reason + Rendered + ZNZL – tba 09. AnD + None of the Above + Parallx + Sentimental Rave + End of Mortal Life + Acid Division + David Asko + NZ42 + 909 Resistance... (4 ans de Fée croquer) – tba 10. Michael Snow – Centre Pompidou (gratuit) 10. L'autopsie a révélé que la mort était due à l'autopsie & Capacitors – catacombes de Paris 10. James Chance & Die Contortions – Supersonic 12. Vitor Joaquim + Blackthread vs Witxes + Sabiwa (Sulfure fest.) – Le vent se lève 12. Galarreta + Flesh World + Ravi Shardja + Kristallroll – Les Nautes 12. Yann Tiersen – Salle Pleyel 12. Dominique A – Espace 1789 (Saint-Ouen) 13. Terrine + Bobby Two – Café de Paris (gratuit) 13.  Helluvah + IDK | IDA + Cebe Barnes (dj) (Sulfure fest.) – Le vent se lève 13. Romain Turzi + Flavien Berger (dj) + Bumby... – Les Étoiles 13. F/lor + Jérôme Lorichon & Quentin Rollet + Don Nino – Instants chavirés (Montreuil) 13. Imperial Black Unit + IV Horsemen + Philipp Strobel + K – Rex Club 14. Parade Ground + BadBad + The Wheal + Versolo – Supersonic (gratuit) 14. Stefan Rusconi & Tobias Preisig + Étienne Jaumet (fest. Paris Music) – Église Saint-Eustache 14. La Colonie de vacances – Cabaret sauvage 14. Raoul Vignal (fest. Paris Music) – Bibliothèque historique de la Ville de Paris 14. Chloé + Ivan Smagghe – Rosa Bonheur 14. Dave Phillips + Evil Moisture + Feromil – Instants chavirés (Montreuil) 15. Rubin Steiner (fest. Paris Music) – Crypte archéologique du parvis de Notre-Dame 15. Bertrand Burgalat (fest. Paris Music) – Musée des Arts et Métiers 15. Feromil + Satanox + Mecano Lacrymo – L'Omadis (gratuit) 15. Silent Servant + Machine Woman + Tolouse Low Trax – Concrete 15. Radio Slave + Vril + Boskow – Badaboum 15. Jonas Kopp + Sujected + Blaxad + Olivia Mendez – Folies Pigalle 15. Zombie Zombie (fest. Paris Music) – Cathédrale américaine ||COMPLET|| 16. Christ. + Alexandre Navarro (Sulfure fest.) – Le vent se lève 16. Aïsha Devi + Léonie Pernet + Flore + Rag & Cassie Raptor + Méryll Ampe – Gaîté lyrique 16. Rendez-Vous + Structures + Wallenberg [+ KaS Product : ANNULÉ] – La Clef (Saint-Germain-en-Laye) 17. Giulio Aldinucci + Paskine + Waveland (Sulfure fest.) – Le vent se lève 19. thisquietarmy + Haxo + Ilia Gorovitz (Sulfure fest.) – Le vent se lève 20. Oomph! – La Machine 20. Arto Lindsay – Instants chavirés (Montreuil) 21. Olivia Block + Marc Baron – Instants chavirés (Montreuil) 22. Delia Derbyshire (diff.) + Lettera 22 + Evil Moisture + Caterina Barbieri + Drew McDowall : "Coil's Time Machines" (fest. Présences électronique) – Studio 104|Maison de la Radio 22. The Young Gods – La Maroquinerie ||COMPLET|| 22. Crystal Fighters – Gaîté lyrique 22. Peter Hook (dj) – Supersonic 22. Chevalier Avant-garde + Bracco + Mary Bell + Officine – La Station 23. Pierre Boeswillwald (diff.) + Max Eilbacher + Andrea Belfi + Sarah Davachi + William Basinski & Lawrence English (fest. Présences électronique) – Studio 104|Maison de la Radio 23. Snapped Ankles + Wild Classical Music Ensemble + Man from Uranus – La Maroquinerie 23. Les Harry's & Stefan Neville (fest. Sonic Protest) – Châpiteaux turbulents 23. Kas:st + Paule Temple + Shlømo + VTSS + Parfait – tba 24. Warren Burt (diff.) + Mats Erlandsson + Okkyung Lee + Low Jack + BJ Nielsen (fest. Présences électronique) – Studio 104|Maison de la Radio 24. Chantal Acda + Miles Oliver + Julien Ledru (Sulfure fest.) – Le vent se lève 25. Laibach – Trabendo 26. Bleib Modern + Kill Your Boyfriend + Post Modern Chaser – Supersonic (gratuit) 26. Jon Porras (Barn Owl) + Mathias Delplanque + Frédéric D. Oberland (Sulfure fest.) – Le vent se lève 27. Strangelove + Background (dj) (Sulfure fest.) – Le vent se lève 28. Komplikations + Pinoreks + Computerstaat – Supersonic (gratuit) 28. Scanner + Openendedgroup & Natasha Barrett + Raphaël Imbert & Benjamin Lévy – Centre Pompidou 28. Euromilliard + Humbros + Peür + Pumice (fest. Sonic Protest) – La Station 28. Radiante pourpre + Myako + Wizaeroïd + Spaghetti ala bolonoise – Le Klub 28. Emmanuelle Gibello : "Loin derrière j'ai laissé mon jasmin" – Le Cube (Issy-lès-Moulineaux) 29. Perturbator – Le Trianon 29. Jandek + Confusional Quartet + Société étrange (fest. Sonic Protest) – théâtre de l'Échangeur (Bagnolet) 29. Dj Stingray + Varg + Solid Blake + Spfdj – Concrete 30. Marc Almond – Le Trianon 30. Seabuckthorn + Rach Three + CollAGE D (Sulfure fest.) – Le vent se lève 30. Lahcen Akil & les Chaâbi Brothers + Suzanne Ciani + The Coolies + Lemones + Les Statonells (fest. Sonic Protest) – théâtre de l'Échangeur (Bagnolet) 31. Fuji Kureta + Mei (Sulfure fest.) – Le vent se lève 31. Claudio Simonetti (Goblin) joue "Suspiria" et autres – Flow 31. Verity Susman : cinéconert sur "Häxan" de Benjamin Chistensen (fest. Les femmes s'en mêlent) – Grande Halle de La Villette

Avril 01. Matt Elliott + Vacarme – Café de la danse 02. Schtum + Shit & Shine (fest. Sonic Protest) – Mona Bismarck American Center 02. Steve Gunn + Papercuts – Petit Bain 02. Ballaké Cissoko & Vincent Segal (fest. Les Rares Talents) – théâtre Berthelot (Montreuil) 03. Han Bennink + Jean-François Pauvros + Anne-Laure Pigache & Anne-Julie Rollet + Parlophonie (fest. Sonic Protest) – théâtre de Vanves 04. Os Noctambulos + The Shazzams + Veenus – L'Alimentation générale (gratuit) 04. Shannon Wright + Anna Calvi + Requin Chargin + Kate NV (fest. Les femmes s'en mêlent) – Trabendo 04. Dust Breeders & Mattin + Lydia Lunch & Marc Hurtado jouent Suicide et Alan Vega + Anna Zaradny (fest. Sonic Protest) – église Saint-Merry 05. Bégayer + France + Frédéric Blondy joue "Occam XXV" d'Éliane Radigue (fest. Sonic Protest) – église Saint-Merry 05. Beirut – Le Grand Rex 05. Rendez-Vous + Qual – Gaîté lyrique 05. Asian Dub Foundation : cinéconcert sur "La Bataille d'Alger" de Gillo Pontecorvo – Auditorium|Palais de la porte Dorée 05/06. Nadia Lauro & Zeena Parkins : Stichomythia – Centre Pompidou 05. Camilla Sparksss + Georgia UK + Emily Wells + Tiny Ruins + Emilie Zoé (fest. Les femmes s'en mêlent) – Trabendo 06. Regina Demina + Ionnalee + Pongo + Sink Ya Teeth + Oh Mu + Dope Saint Jude + Silly Boy Blue (fest. Les femmes s'en mêlent) – Trabendo 06. The Hacker + Kittin + Arnaud Rebotini + Djedjotronic + David Caretta + Cardopusher – Terminal 7 06. Molecule – Gaîté lyrique 06. These New Puritans + Scintii – Petit Bain 06. Kokoko! – Badaboum 06. Dylan Carlson + Julien Clauss + Hermine + Lee Patterson + Ut + Blenno Die Wurstbrücke (fest. Sonic Protest) – Cirque électrique 07. Tashi Wada Group + Julia Holter + Corey Fogel – Lafayette Anticipations 08. The Specials – La Cigale 09. Young Widows + Nesseria – Petit Bain 10. The Flying Luttenbachers – The University of Chicago Center (gratuit sur résa) 10. Daughters – Point FMR ||COMPLET|| 12. Orchestra of Constant Distress + Arnaud Rivière + Oliver Brisson – Instants chavirés (Montreuil) 13. Toner Low + Ambassador 21 + The Fat + Orso + Evil Grimace + Gurt + Ddent + Froe Char + End of Mankind + McLane + Suprême Mycosaure (Monospace fest.) – Petit Bain 14. Arnaud Rebotini joue la BO de "120 Battements par minute" – Cité de la musique|Philharmonie 17. Teenage Fanclub – Trabendo 17. Soap&Skin – Le Trianon 17. Apparat – Gaîté lyrique 17. Cave + Derinëgolem + Korto – Cirque électrique 18. Chrysta Bell – Supersonic (gratuit) 18. Kompromat – Trabendo 19. Hocico + Heerschaft – Gibus 19. Ho99o9  – Trabendo 20. The Horrorist – Rex Club 20. Vincent Epplay + Black Zone Myth Chant & High Wolf + Domotic + Jean Benoît Dunckel + NSDOS + Erol Alkan + Tim Glass + Roscius + Sahalé + Golden Bug + Pouvoir magique + Cät Cät + RA+RE + Wael Alkak + Molecule (Inasound fest.) – Palais Brongniart 20. Michael Rother joue "Harmonia" de Neu! + Steeple Remove – La Maroquinerie 20. Rien virgule + Pardans + Ellah a. Thaun – Instants chavirés (Montreuil) 21. Plaid + NSDOS + Myako & Basses Terres + Jonathan Fitoussi + Danton Eprom + La Fraîcheur + Edouard Rostand + Prieur de la Marne + The Supermen Lovers + Panteros666 & Inès Alpha + Matt Black + Sara Zinger (Inasound fest.) – Palais Brongniart 22. Fontaines D.C. – Point FMR 23. Lambchop – La Maroquinerie 25. Lali Puna + Surma + Zalfa – Petit Bain 25. Kap Bambino – Trabendo 26. Art brut + Les Olivensteins – Petit Bain 27. She Past Away + Isolated Youth + Potochkin – La Machine 27. Chloé : Lumières noires – Le 104 27. Cocaine Piss + Tôle froide + Avale – Petit Bain 27. Thharm + Harpon + Heimat + TG Gondard – Cirque électrique 27. Bérengère Maximin, Fred Firth & Heike Liss – Instants chavirés (Montreuil) 27/28. Alva Noto + Anetha + Antigone & Shlømo + Ciel + Clara 3000 + Daniel Avery + Deena Abdelwahed + Djrum + Kink + Lanark Artefax + Octo Octa b2b Eris Drew + OKO + Red Axes + Sentiments + The Pilotwings + Tryphème + Park Hye Jin (Weather fest.) – La Seine musicale (Boulogne-Billancourt) 30. The Undergound Youth + Dune Messiah – Petit Bain

Mai 02. Master Musicians of Jajouka – Instants chavirés (Montreuil) 04. Covenant – Petit Bain 07. dEUS – La Cigale 07. Le Prince Harry + UVB76 – Petit Bain 08. Sneaks – Supersonic (gratuit) 10/11. Dead Can Dance – Grand Rex ||COMPLET|| 11. Christina Vantzou + Eiko Ishibashi + Jan Jelinek + NPVR (Nik Void & Peter Rehberg) – Le 104 12. Massimo Toniutti + François Bayle – Le 104 13. Foals – Bataclan 17. Philip Glass : Études pour piano – Salle Pierre-Boulez|Philharmonie 17. Hen Ogledd + Faune – Instants chavirés (Montreuil) 18. Bruce Brubaker & Max Cooper : Glasstronica – Cité de la musique|Philharmonie 18. Eliane Radigue : musique (diff.) pour "Continuum" de Félicie d'Estienne d'Orves – Centre Pompidou 19. Julien Claus – Ancienne Brasserie Bouchoule (Montreuil) (gratuit) 22. Housewives – Supersonic (gratuit) 23. Lots in Kiev + Thot + Brusque – Petit Bain 24. Beak> + TVAM – Gaîté lyrique 24. Shonen Knife – Petit Bain 24. Antichildleague + Corps + Geography of Hell – Les Voûtes 26. Jérôme Poret – Ancienne Brasserie Bouchoule (Montreuil) (gratuit) 28. Alice in Chains + Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – Olympia 29. Flotation Toy Warning + Raoul Vignal – Petit Bain 31. François Bonnet + Knud Viktor + Jim O'Rourke + Florian Hecker (fest. Akousma) – Studio 104|Maison de la Radio

Juin 01. Eryck Abecassis & Reinhold Friedl + Hilde Marie Holsen + Anthony Pateras + Lucy Railton (fest. Akousma) – Studio 104|Maison de la Radio 01/02. Metronomy + Laurent Garnier + Ricardo Villalobos + Mr Oizo + Bonobo (dj) + Yves Tumor + Marie Davidson + Pond... (fest. We Love Green) – Bois de Vincennes 02. Bernard Parmegiani + Jean Schwarz (fest. Akousma) – Studio 104|Maison de la Radio 05. Shellac – La Maroquinerie 06. Tim Hecker & Konoyo Ensemble + Mondkopf + Kelly Moran (Villette sonique fest.) – Cabaret sauvage 07. Danny Brown (Villette sonique fest.) – Périphérique 08. Julia Holter + Cate Le Bon (Villette sonique fest.) – Trabendo 08. Deena Abdelwahed + David August + Ross from Friends + Objekt (dj) + Apollo noir (dj) (Villette sonique fest.) – Grande Halle 09. Stereolab + Jonathan Bree + Anémone (Villette sonique fest.) – Grande Halle 12. Matmos + John Wiese – Instants chavirés (Montreuil) 13. Christian Death + Little Nemo – Gibus 13. Fat White Family – Élysée Montmartre 19. Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks – La Gaîté lyrique 26. Magma – Salle Pierre-Boulez|Philharmonie

Juillet 02. Interpol – Olympia 04. Cat Power + H-Burns (fest. Days off) – Salle Pierre Boulez|Philharmonie 05. Pantha du Prince (fest. Days off) – Cité de la musique|Philharmonie 06. Jonsi & Alex Somers jouent "Riceboy Sleeps" (fest. Days off) – Salle Pierre Boulez|Philharmonie 07. Jonsi, Alex Somers & Paul Corley : "Liminal Soundbath" (fest. Days off) – Cité de la musique|Philharmonie 07/08. Thom Yorke (fest. Days off) – Salle Pierre Boulez|Philharmonie 07. Ministry – La Machine 11. Full of Hell + The Body + Pilori – Gibus 11. Masada + Sylvie Courvoisier & Mark Feldman + Mary Halvorson quartet + Craig Taborn + Trigger + Erik Friedlander & Mike Nicolas + John Medeski trio + Nova quartet + Gyan Riley & Julian Lage + Brian Marsella trio + Ikue Mori + Kris Davis + Peter Evans + Asmodeus : John Zorn's Marathon Bagatelles – Salle Pleyel 11>13. Kraftwerk (fest. Days off) – Philharmonie 13. The Will Gregory Moog Ensemble (fest. Days off) – Le Studio|Philharmonie 13. Chloé & Vassilena Serafimova : "Sequenza" + Apparat (fest. Days off) – Cité de la musique|Philharmonie 18. Neurosis + Yob – Bataclan

Août 23>25. The Cure + Aphex Twin... (fest. Rock en scène) – parc de Saint-Cloud

Septembre 05. Oh Sees – Bataclan 13. Rammstein – La Défense Arena (Nanterre) ||COMPLET|| 14. Patti Smith – Olympia 14. Clan of Xymox + Plomb – Gibus

Octobre 19. Sisters of Mercy – Bataclan

Novembre 17. Nitzer Ebb – La Machine 24. The Young Gods + Les Tétines noires – La Machine

en gras : les derniers ajouts / in bold: the last news

[bolachasgratis]

Bolachas Now Playing, a new music Spotify playlist updated every Tuesday.

Welcome to the fifth season of Bolachas Now Playing. We're back with a packed double playlist. We tried hard to limit it to 30 songs. Our pick from the first Friday of releases of 2019 is Angelo De Augustine's new record Tomb, the closest thing to a Sufjan Stevens new album you'll get this year (nah, we hope not). Plus: new songs by Nicholas Krgovich (actually by Ariana Grande, but his version is too good to not be featured), Sharon Van Etten, Hand Habits, Stella Donnelly, Adia Victoria, The Avett Brothers, Steve Earle, The Delines, Lana Del Rey, Michael Chapman, William Tyler, J. Mamana, Beirut, Juan Wauters, Sarah Louise, Jards Macalé, Nick Waterhouse, Kid Dakota, The Growlers, Half Japanese, Girlpool, Kim Lenz, Bill MacKay, Steve Gunn, Scott Hirsch, Leah Senior, Kaia Kater, and Tiny Ruins.

Bolachas Now Playing, 01/2019 (#171):

Nicholas Krgovich - Thank U, Next Sharon Van Etten - Seventeen Hand Habits - placeholder Stella Donnelly - Old Man Adia Victoria - Different Kind Of Love The Avett Brothers - Trouble Letting Go Steve Earle - Dublin Blues The Delines - Eddie & Polly Lana Del Rey - hope is a dangerous thing for a woman like me to have - but I have it Angelo De Augustine - You Needed Love, I Needed You Angelo De Augustine - Somewhere Far Away from Home Michael Chapman - After All This Time William Tyler - Call Me When I'm Breathing Again J. Mamana - I'm Not Yr Guy Beirut - Landslide Juan Wauters - Blues Chilango Sarah Louise - Rime Jards Macalé - Trevas Nick Waterhouse - Song for Winners Kid Dakota - Thoughts and Prayers The Growlers - Who Loves the Scum? Half Japanese - The Puppet People Girlpool - Hire Kim Lenz - Pine Me Bill MacKay - Pre-California Steve Gunn - Vagabond Scott Hirsch - Nothing but Time Leah Senior - Graves Kaia Kater - Heavenly Track Tiny Ruins - School of Design

[thedjmusic]

Defected Selectors | Simon Dunmore 2022-06-22 FLAC or MP3

DOWNLOAD: https://thedjmusic.com/music/defected_selectors_simon_dunmore_2022_06_22_flac_or_mp30

A brand new selection of records from the boss.

DATA CREATED: 2022-06-22 TOTAL: 100 

Adam Port & Alan Dixon - Forms of Love

Afefe Iku - Sista Georgia

Austin Ato - When Love Is Tender

B Beat Girls - For The Same Man (Nic Fanciulli Remix)

Carlo Gambino - Dance For You

Dam Swindle - All I Want (Edit)

Dam Swindle - Hey Mister

Dames Brown - What Would You Do? (feat. Amp Fiddler & Andrés) [Two Soul Fusion Remix]

Dario D'Attis - Tanzstube

Dennis Cruz - Ready for the Blues

Fka Mash & Sió - Bumblebee

Francisco Allendes - What You Do

Fred Everything - Searching (feat. Jinadu) [Deetron Remix]

Gerd - We Bring U Muzik (Warehouse Mix)

GruuvElement's - Boom Room

Honey Dijon - Love Is A State Of Mind (feat. Ramona Renea)

Jamie Jones - My Paradise

Joeski - Rude Boy

Julien Jabre - Voodance

Kerri Chandler - Tenacity (feat. Bluey Robinson) [Main Vocal Edit]

Khan Feat Julee Cruise - Say Goodbye (Losoul She's Homeless Mix)

Lady Blackbird - Lost and Looking (Colleen 'Cosmo' Murphy Cosmodelica Remix) [Edit]

Louie Vega - All My Love (feat. Robyn)

Low Steppa - Closer

Make A Dance - I Need Somebody

Malone - Time to Move

Mike Dunn - When The Dust Clears (feat. LOA.) [MD MixX]

Musta & Venessa Jackson - Loving Me (Hot Toddy Remix)

OVEOUS & Don Kamares - Legacy

Paperclip People - Throw

Paul Kalkbrenner - Bengang

Paulo Maria & HRDY - Connected

Pig&Dan - Rock You All Night

Purple Disco Machine & Bosq - Wake Up! (feat. Kaleta) [Extended]

Ramin Rezaie - Searching

Risk Assessment & KE - Feel That (Franck Roger Remix)

S.A.M. - Spotlight (feat. Sarah Ikumu) [Mousse T. Shizzle Mix]

Saturday Love, Kon & Fiorious - 2 B Free (Oliver Dollar Remix)

Seamus Haji - Better Come Again (feat. Phebe Edwards)

Sophie Lloyd - Angels By My Side (feat. Pauline Taylor) [Floorplan Remix]

Star B, Riva Starr & Mark Broom - Fire (Ron Bacardi Remix)

Steve Bug - Back To '95 (feat. Mr. V) [Cinthie‘S 'just a Vibe' Remix]

Steve Bug & Cle - Let It Go

Tony Lionni - Out of Sight (Special Edit By Jerome Sydenham)

Youandme & Kristina Sheli - Moment

[c3375318]

UN Sustainable Goals Chosen

Figure 2 image of UN 17 Sustainable goals

Note. From Sustainable Development Goals kick off with start of new year, by The UN, 2015 (https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/blog/2015/12/sustainable-development-goals-kick-off-with-start-of-new-year/#) © 2015 United Nations

Chosen UN goals:

Figure 3 image of Climate Action goal

Note. From Sustainable Development Goals kick off with start of new year, by The UN, 2015 (https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/blog/2015/12/sustainable-development-goals-kick-off-with-start-of-new-year/#) © 2015 United Nations

Figure 4 image of fossil fuel emissions

Note. From UN: Pandemic did not slow advance of climate change, by Deutsche Welle, 2022 (https://amp.dw.com/en/un-pandemic-did-not-slow-advance-of-climate-change/a-59197095) © 2006-2022 Zoonar

Figure 5 image of a polar bear and her cub on sea ice in the Arctic north of Svalbard

Note. From Explainer: how does climate change affect the ocean?, by David Adam, 2020 (https://chinadialogueocean.net/en/climate/15101-how-does-climate-change-affect-the-ocean/) © 2020 Larissa Beumer

Greenhouse gases and fossil fuels have been the main topic of climate change, but we also need to recognise our purpose on tackling this - protecting our natural world. Steve Rose exclaims “in the past 5,000 years, human activity has reduced the Earth's total biomass by an estimated 50%, and destroyed or degraded 70% of the world's forests.” (Rose 2021, para. 5)

Here is a video showing the disastrous climate change effects to our world… https://youtu.be/E2j0pu_tM2Q

Figure 6 image of Responsible Consumption and Production goal

Note. From Sustainable Development Goals kick off with start of new year, by The UN, 2015 (https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/blog/2015/12/sustainable-development-goals-kick-off-with-start-of-new-year/#) © 2015 United Nations

Figure 7 image of dumpster truck moving waste

Note. From 5 Ways to Solve Sydney’s Landfill Problems, by Sarah Ann, 2020 (https://www.paulsrubbish.com.au/solve-sydney-landfill-problems/) © 2022 Paul’s Rubbish Removal Sydney

Figure 8 image of activists staged protests to demand safe conditions for garment workers on the sixth anniversary of the of the Rana Plaza collapse; Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Note. From 8 Years After the Rana Plaza Disaster, We Still Aren’t Doing Enough to Protect Garment Workers, by Emily Chan, 2021 (https://www.vogue.com/article/garment-worker-rights-protection-eight-years-after-rana-plaza/amp) © 2019 NurPhoto

Figure 9 image of garmet worker vs American civilian holding the price of labour payment vs price of purchase

Note. From Inside the Ugliness of the Fast Fashion Industry, by Mehreen Tariq Ghani, 2020 (https://medium.com/maverickyouth/inside-the-ugliness-of-the-fast-fashion-industry-ac40f6a24e01) © 2020 Medium

Not many people stop and think about where their clothes had come from, and in my experience I haven’t much insight on the topic of ‘fast fashion’ or it’s wastage.

What was shocking to realise when discussing fast fashion research with my group is how Australia is involved with this issue….

In Australia 85% of textiles are sent to landfill every year making Australia the second biggest consumer of textiles (The University of Queensland, 2018). Thinking of User context, Ming (2016) explains consumer views of limited knowledge when it comes to recycling from too many exchanged information between companies.

[antreducoteobscur]

Conosci i finalisti del DWAA Goodnewsforpets.com Digital Award

Unisciti a Goodnewsforpets nel dire Congratulazioni! I finalisti sono: AGGIORNAMENTO: IL VINCITORE È: “The Dogs of Chernobyl: A Story of Tragedy and Hope” di Paula Fitzsimmons “Kim and Brian and Lana” di Carol Novello, David Whitman e David Scott “Sarah & amp; Domino "di Carol Novello, David Whitman e David Scott Editor ed editore di Goodnewsforpets Lea-Ann Germinder con la vincitrice Paula Fitzsimmons. "Siamo entusiasti di sponsorizzare ancora una volta questo premio nell'anno del 20 ° anniversario di Goodnewsforpets.com. Il DWAA è stata una delle primissime organizzazioni sotto gli auspici dell'allora presidente Mordecai Seigal a farsi avanti e sponsorizzare Goodnewsforpets.com come media partner. 

Da quel momento ho avuto l'onore e il privilegio di lavorare con molti presidenti DWAA tra cui Jen Reeder, l'immediato ex presidente, Carol Bryant, attuale presidente, Ranny Green, un ex presidente DWAA e Hall of Famer e il più giovane Hall of Famer, Steve Dale. È stata una relazione gratificante, ma la parte più gratificante sono state le amicizie fatte e il legame formato con la comunità di scrittori di cani. Congratulazioni a tutti i finalisti e a tutti i vincitori ", ha affermato Germinder."

Sponsorizzato da GoodNewsForPets.com per celebrare il ventesimo anniversario della piattaforma digitale, il premio speciale Goodnewsforpets DWAA è per la migliore storia digitale: video online, post di blog o articolo online con fotografie che dimostrano al meglio il legame tra le persone e i loro compagni canini. Il contenuto deve essere dimostrato come condiviso attraverso i media digitali. Il vincitore riceverà una sovvenzione di $ 500.

Tutti i vincitori del concorso sono stati annunciati al banchetto annuale dei DWAA Awards il 9 febbraio 2020. Il banchetto si è tenuto presso l'Holiday Inn Secaucus Meadowlands. Goodnewsforpets è un sostenitore e sponsor di lunga data di DWAA, quindi ci congratuliamo con tutti i finalisti! Per leggere l'elenco completo dei finalisti clicca qui.