#these are so funny i love steve committing crimes

[meraki-sunset]

I love your pyramid Steve art so much, it's just so funny to me, I don't even know why

Maybe it's because he's somehow doing real crimes? Or that he's basically designed to piss off Bill forever?

I love him though

Yeah he's like spongebob on crack.

He can be all sweet and stuff but he also experienced the destruction of Euclidea, and has also lost grip on what's moraly right.

Being a part of Bill's circle (to Bill's dismay) for such a long time, means he ends up joining him and the henchmaniacs on their crimes. he might commit less violent crimes but still breaks the law almost every day just like the rest

Besides, those are the only people he knows, what's he gonna do if he doesn't tag along?

He still has this silly ovblivious attitude on life and very anoying personality which drives Bill insane, but sometimes they have fun.

[holylulusworld]

Torn in two (1) - Angstober 19

Summary: It should’ve been the happiest day of your life.

Pairing: Mobster!Steve Rogers x fem!Reader, Mobster!Bucky Barnes x fem!Reader (platonic for now)

Warnings: heavy angst, Steve being the worst, cheating, lies, deception, sadness, arranged marriage, unrequited love

Square filled for @steverogersbingo 2023 (expired): E4: Unrequited

Square filled for @steverogersbingo 2024: D3: Crime/Mafia

Trope: angst

Kinktober vs Flufftober 2024

Should’ve. Could’ve. Would’ve. You never understood the meaning of the song until today. What a difference a day can make, huh?

Not hours ago, you twirled in your white wedding gown, giggling like a schoolgirl because you were about to marry the man you loved and adored for so long.

Everything seemed perfect. Your wedding gown. The ceremony. Your husband. For a moment, you believed you’d get your happily ever after.

That was, of course, until you discovered the truth behind his commitment. Not love and devotion but greed and power hunger were the reasons for his proposal.

One day earlier, after your wedding ceremony, …

You smile as Steve holds your hand tightly. Even though your marriage was arranged by your father, Steve promised you could make it work. You never doubted that your marriage would be anything but happy. For years, you have been hopelessly devoted to Steve, and your heart only ever belonged to him.

He was the one who needed time to confess his love to you. Your father doesn’t need to know that you would’ve married Steve, with or without his involvement.

“My love,” Steve whispers lowly, “we should welcome our guests at the party. How about you greet your friends? I’ll talk to Sam and James.”

You nod but hate that Steve lets go of your hand to walk toward his friends. Sighing, you look around the crowded room.

While you walk around the crowded room to greet your guests, chatting with them, Steve, Sam, and Bucky leave the room to talk in private.

You frown. Why would your groom leave his party to talk to his friends? He can speak to them any other day.

Curiosity is getting the best out of you. Before one of the guests can stop you from sneaking out of the ballroom too, you excuse yourself, lying about using the bathroom.

“You must be all over the moon." Bucky can’t hide the jealousy written all over his face. Steve Rogers, the golden boy, always seems to get the best in life. “You’ve got this pretty wife, and to spend a honeymoon with her on an exotic island.”

Steve huffs. “If only you knew.”

“What do you mean?” Sam furrows his brows. He believed his friend got his happily ever after, only for Steve to look like someone kicked him in the guts. “You do not look happy for a newlywed.”

“I’d look happier if my bride was Peggy, not that spoiled brat.”

Bucky cocks his head at Steve’s words. He didn’t expect his friend to talk like that about you. “What the fuck, Steve! You just married the woman. She’s sweet and pretty. I’d kill to get a wife like that!”

“Well then, take her,” Steve spats. “I never wanted to marry her.”

“Steve, are you drunk?” Bucky grabs Steve’s upper arms, shaking him lightly. “Because if you’re not, I gotta punch the stupidity out of you.”

“Her father wanted this bond, okay. If I want to take over his empire one day, I must give him an heir. I agreed. Y/N isn’t Peggy, but she will do. After her father retires, I can divorce her and marry someone else.”

Sam’s eyes widen. He opens his mouth to say something, but nothing comes out. The business is not new to him, but hearing Steve talk so lowly about you makes him sick.

“I got to go.” Sam turns on his heels and storms off, not looking back.

“Punk, you can’t be serious." Bucky looks his friend in the eyes. “Please tell me you tried to be funny, and we can laugh about your not-funny joke.”

Unbeknownst to the friends, you stand a few feet away, clasping one hand over your mouth. Hot tears spill from your eyes as you try to fathom what you just witnessed.

You put a brave face on and hold your head high. This is your wedding, and you won’t let anyone see how torn your heart truly is.

After hearing the truth and crying for half an hour in the bathroom, you freshened up your makeup and decided not to give anyone in the ballroom the satisfaction of laughing about your predicament.

Even if you despise Steve now, you let him ask you for the first dance as husband and wife. You don’t look him in the eyes; instead, you look around the room, finding a similar pair of blue eyes.

Bucky watches your lips wobble, and a single tear run down your cheek. His stomach drops because he can see you trying so hard to not show the hurt.

“You look beautiful tonight,” Steve lies through his teeth. You can see it in his eyes when you look up at him. “I like the gown.”

“Sure,” you reply with venom in your voice. “How about you dance with Peggy next, because she will be the second Mrs. Rogers, won’t she?”

He looks like someone slapped him across the face, and for the first time since he broke your heart, you smile.

“What? Got nothing to say, Steve?” You huff. “Oh, I forgot. You discuss your betrayal only in private with your buddies.”

Dropping his hand, you step away from Steve and size him up before you leave the ballroom, excusing yourself.

Now, ...

Half of town was looking for you. After you ran from the party, you were nowhere to be seen for a day. I felt like the ground opened and swallowed you whole.

That night, you should have laid in Steve’s arms; instead, you were sitting at your old apartment, crying yourself to sleep because he didn’t even try to find you. You left your phone on, and he knew where you were living.

Steve simply didn’t care enough to look for his missing wife. Maybe he even spent the night with his former lover, Peggy Carter. The woman he wanted to marry instead of you.

You can’t blame him, though. Your father loves to make promises he doesn’t intend to keep. He promised to never use you as a pawn in his business. But here you are, sitting in your wedding gown, with messed-up makeup and a broken heart.

“Doll?” Bucky sighs because he finally found you. He didn’t believe you had come to your old apartment. It’s empty except for the old armchair Steve hated and didn’t want to keep. “What are you doing here?”

“I could ask you the same,” you reply.

“You heard—” Bucky bites his tongue when you sniffle. “Hey, I’m sorry. Maybe Steve didn’t mean it that way. He gets a little intense sometimes.”

“I don’t think so,” you snap at Bucky. “He said loud and clearly that he wants to marry Peggy Carter after he took over my father’s empire.”

You angrily wipe the tears off your cheeks. “There is nothing to get wrong, James. Steve hates me. He lied for months. He never loved me. He'll never love me. I thought—" You look at Bucky with tear-clouded eyes.“ I waited for him, James. All those years I waited for him to see me, and when he did, I was the happiest.

“Oh,” Bucky nods, understanding your feelings very well. He has been waiting for someone to require his feelings for years, too. Only for you to marry his best friend.

“I was a fool to believe Steve Rogers could ever love me.” You raise your hands and drop them again. “How could he? I’m nothing like Peggy. She was all a man could ever want.”

“Doll,” he steps closer to crouch down next to the old armchair you’re sitting in. “What are you going to do now?”

You dip your head to look at Bucky. “I’ll get my life back. My father, Steve, and everyone else in my life always told me what to do. It’s time to stand up for myself. Don’t you think?”

Part 2

Tags in reblog.

[sadie-bug345]

could you write either hcs for the gang getting their wisdom teeth removed, or a mini one shot fic of soda after he gets his out? <3

(I love ur blog btw)

yesssss OML i love you sm🫶‼️

ponyboy:

just so wacky istg

lowk thinks he’s in a book so starts talking in the third person and narrating everything that’s happening

darry struggles to get him back in the car after the appt but once they finally get back home pony stumbles through the door

”ponyboy feels peaceful as he walks through his humble abode” yells pony while darry chases after him

dally is chillin on the couch and pony sits RIGHT next to him

”dally has an elfish face and is anything but handsome, idk what cherry saw in him” and dals just like🧍‍♀️

he refrains from “knocking his block off” just cause he knows he’s on anesthesia

johnny:

pretty quiet afterwards ngl

but he’s just in awe of absolutely everything

😲 24/7

he just has his jack skellington moment like “what’s this? what’s this?”

by the end of the couple hours everyone’s just so done 💀

but no one takes it out on him cause i mean it’s johnny

who could be rude to that face🤨

people try and baby him a bit and he’s just like

”lay OFFA me🙄”

sodapop:

similar to johnny he just asks SO many questions

but it’s just “why” OVER AND OVER

ISTG ITS CRAZY

just so goofy

darry and steve are riding from the dentist with him in the car and darry gotta stop for gas

so sodas like “why”

and then steve goes off abt car mechanics and how car engines work and everything

so sodas like “why”

steve’s just like “uhhh cause that’s how the world works”

so sodas like “why”

and steve goes into an existential crisis and darry’s just like “cmon soda we gotta get you home”

darry:

this is bouta be so chaotic i’m sorry😭

cause he had a group talk abt who he wants taking care of him when he’s on the anesthetic

can’t be two bit cause hed just goof off, dally would commit three felonies and one war crime in the space of an hour without the threat of darry punching his skull in, steve just goes along with soda and hypes soda to do dumb shit, pony can’t even drive, so johnny is the only remotely responsible one

and dally chooses to invite himself along🙄

dally drives darry home after flirting with a girl waiting in the doctors office. she’s kinda crying and he’s like “what’sa matter baby😏”

and she’s like “i just got diagnosed with crippling anxiety” or smth (i know people get their wisdom teeth out at an oral surgeon/ dentist office but ITS JUST FOR THE JOKE)

and dal is OUTTA THERE

johnny sits with darry in the backseat and darry just kinda lets loose on the both of them

like “dally, yk you’ll never amount to anything at this rate right?😀” and “johnny, do ya think your troubled home life will affect the way you’ll live as an adult for decades to come?”

dally:

flirting way too much with literally everyone

”i may not be able to feel anything in my mouth but YOU sure will tonight 😏”

and two-bit is just standing like 🧍‍♀️

EWEWEW i’m actually throwing up that made me cringe sm but it’s funny so idc

the whole gang is there cause they gotta make sure dally doesn’t run away and become a drug lord overnight

pony buys him an ice cream cone and he just breaks down crying like

”this…this is the nicest thing anyone’s ever done to me 🥹” and it’s probably true

two-bit:

making the MOST non-sensical jokes ever

he’s just talking the ear off this old lady nurse like

”and THEN a poodle walks into the bar holding a *wheeze* a frying pan‼️”

BUT two-bits delivery is so on point that it’s actually funny cause no one expects it

just the epitome of wacky

tries to jump out of the car while they’re driving

he thinks it’s the funniest thing ever when everyone freaks out

in general just thinks everything is so funny

dally will make his usual threats to anyone in the car and two-bit will be like

”remember when dally threw up at the christmas party we had cause ponyboy bet he couldn’t drink a gallon of eggnog in two minutes💀‼️”

and dally just sits there silently for the rest of the car ride

steve:

actually thinks he’s invincible

SPRINTS and parkours his way through the doctors office

two and dal are just egging him on

sodas dying

sticks his head out the car window

TOTALLY passes out once they get home

lowk just keeps sleeping everyone thinks he died cause it’s been 12 hours since the appointment and he’s just out of it

TYSM for requesting @obsessedwithyouxx‼️

and my inbox is always open!!

[stevetonyweekly]

SteveTony Weekly - The Best of 2023

We made it to the end of the year!! I read…a lot. A lot. According to my records, I read: 

1300 fic 

15million words 

98% of that was SteveTony and narrowing that down to my favorite 10 was…a mission. Here you go--And I’d LOVE to hear what your favorite reads of the year was. 

~

Trust Fall by Sineala

Tony needs someone who cares about him, bandages, a jacket, ibuprofen, dinner, a lasting romantic relationship, a nice time in bed, and assistance committing federal crimes. He gets them. In that order.

Gather Ye Rosebuds by lazywriter7

It isn’t like that, for many people. For them, love is the point: the axis around which everything else revolves, the destination at the end of a long, tumultuous journey. Realisation, confession, resolution. Happy ending. That’s how it goes. And love was a point in Tony Stark’s journey, except it came towards the beginning, rather than the end. The issue, instead of the solution.

He hasn’t been alone on the trip, of course. Steve’s been there: sometimes three steps behind, sometimes waiting up ahead by the turn of the road. They’ve sprinted and stumbled, sometimes stood still and refused to move on ahead, sometimes thought of turning away altogether.

Steve and Tony’s story began after they fell in love, and this is about how they fell in everything else.

a rose by any other name by meidui

“Just Steve,” he says quickly, softly, and his voice is music to Tony’s ears. “Please call me Steve.”

Tony can’t help but stare as it occurs to him that he should have prepared a proper greeting. What on earth is someone so young and pretty doing in an engagement like this?

-

There are a lot of things about Steve that make this arrangement easier than Tony thought it would be, but then there are a lot of things about him that complicate it, too.

Second Chance Lives by raeldaza 

Tony's gonna die of palladium poisoning anyway, why not join a pointless expedition to recover Captain America’s body? And after, well, why not dedicate his last few months to making sure an American hero settles into his new life? What else is he going to do, get drunk at parties?

My Known Unknown by shetlandowl

That True Lies AU nobody asked for, set in a world where Stane Inc is the world's foremost weapons manufacturer, and Tony's employer.

I could lie tangent to your curves by RurouniHime

Steve is bodyguard to a prominent young socialite with too much genius on his hands... and who has taken an unfortunate shine to him.

Not a Breakup by Annie D (scaramouche)

Tony knew it was a bad idea to start sleeping with Steve. It could mess up team dynamics, make things even more awkward between them in the future, or just plain get in the way of their trying to save the world. Tony foresaw all of the above but not the advent of feelings, and at the most inopportune moment.

now I worship a celestial sun by haemodye

The thing that gets Tony the most is how long it takes him to notice.

Not Steve, or even the other Avengers, but Tony himself. It takes Tony almost two whole weeks to figure out that he’s unable to disobey a direct order from Steve, which just- what the hell is that? What happened to the days when he flew off the handle, unable to play well with others, a notorious wild card?

“God, don’t tell me I’m getting old and predictable,” he says, rubbing a hand over his forehead. And then, “Fuck.”

A mostly-comedic farce involving: 1 obedience spell, 2 pining Avengers, 1 long-suffering Sorcerer Supreme, and 1 single, extravagant Saint Patrick's Day float.

Can't Write One Song (That's Not About You) by FestiveFerret 

Ten years ago, Tony fell in love with his roommate: funny, handsome, kind, smart Steve Rogers, who also happened to be the lead singer and guitarist of a band, The Howlies.

Then The Howlies made it big, Steve moved away, and Tony vowed to avoid any mention of the band, their songs, and the man he missed his chance with.

But chance has a way of giving you exactly what you need, even if you don't know it yet...

[Podfic of] When The Lights Go On Again by Dr_Fumbles_McStupid, kalakirya, KD reads (KDHeart), lattice_frames, lavenderfrost, miss_marina95, Opalsong, paraka, Superstitiousme, vassalady

Aliens have invaded earth, and the Avengers are scattered. While Steve leads the resistance, Tony once again finds himself playing captive scientist. In the midst of a violent alien regime, separated by seemingly insurmountable boundaries, Steve and Tony have nothing to keep themselves going but each other.

[findafight]

Oh yeah, in my head Robin’s coming out swiftly derails into an argument between her and her Mom because “you would disown me, don’t even try to pretend-“

I love the idea of Steve discovering she’s a Summer of love baby and uttering the phrase (or mimicking Melissa calling her a “love child”) when he wants to to shut up.

I also like to imagine, that as exams are coming up, Steve starts coming over and doing Robin’s chores for her in an effort to maximise the time they can spend together. Robin’s parents are convinced that she has bullied him into this somehow and, while initially impressed with her, are getting sick of coming into the kitchen to see Steve trying to pretend he wasn’t washing dishes two seconds ago.

Also, I know you’re a fan of Hop adopting Steve, but hear me out; Robin’s parents occasionally stand in for Steve’s (hospital etc) and Richard amuses himself by telling people they’re Irish twins (he makes himself laugh and that’s what matters). A couple of times he refers to them as “the twins” to Melissa, but it’s when he refers to them as “my twins” in conversation with someone that knows he only has one kid he realises - they kinda have two kid now.

Alternatively, they’re eating dinner, there’s an argument and when Steve buts in at the wrong moment Melissa or Robert automatically (bc they were expecting it to be Robin who was going to argue back) snap “go to your room!”

And Steve, looking out upon, gathers his plate and his glass and without hesitating takes his dinner to eat in Robin’s room (or the guest room, is their house is big enough).

Robin’s only reaction to yell “You’re 19 you Dingus, they can’t boss you around like that anymore!”

Robin arguing with her mom that she would hav totally disowned her and Melissa going "I'd only disown you if you joined the military and committed more war crimes that normal!! and even then it's iffy!! We just wanted you to feel safe!!" while Steve (moral support for Robin) and Mr. Buckley stand off to the side.

Mr. Buckley walking in of Steve looking like he got caught with his hand in the cookie jar but he's actually vacuuming the drapes(have never been vacuumed before bc that's a rich people thing to do) is so funny. when asked why he's doing them for her if she didn't blackmail him or something he says "because if I do them when she's at school then she doesn't have to do them and we have more time to hang out 🥺" a la patrick "wait fo you to get back" star.

Listen okay. I am actually a fan of a cold war happening in Hawkins between a select group of adult who are all vying for being seen as parental figures to steve. Hop, Claudia Henderson and the Sinclairs (they're a team), and the Buckleys are all glaring at each other and inviting Steve for dinner and asking if he needs anything. they all think they have the Most Claim over the role lol. Steve is unaware of why everytime he says he's having dinner with Hop Mrs. Henderson invites him over a few days later, or that he says Mrs. Buckley showed hi how to troubleshoot a clogged or leaky sink Hop suggests they go fishing the next weekend, or why Richard Buckley offered to teach him his Nonna's tiramisu recipe when told Sue Sinclair baked date squares with him....

I don't really think steve and robin having a very sibling-like relationship but a few people half-jokingly calling them the twins is funny. like it's their Team Name. they aren't siblings but they're twins do you see this. Will and El are THEE Wonder Twins but Steve and robin are the ""wonder twins"" am i making sense.

[lucyskywalker]

My dearly loved person. Let me tell you something. I am not anti bucky. I love his character indeed. As I love Steve, Natasha, Clint, etc,etc. The only problem regarding Tony-Bucky for me is Steve, who never told his friend about how his parents were murdered in the hands of his brother in everything but blood (even if Bucky wasnt aware of what he was doing at the time) and turned a serious political problem into something personal.... Well. More personal than already was. (Tony also did that, since he was in favor of the acords because of his feeling of guilty for uk, Ultron). I can understand both parts very easily. I understand why Steve did what he did, and why Tony reacted the way he did. And Bucky - the victim he is - was literally caught in the middle of the crossfire between the two of them.

The only person in the entirety of UCM with all its characters I dislike is Wanda. What is not fair, if I am being honest, but that is how I feel and I won't excuse myself for it.

I agree with u that Tony is not the greatest person who ever lived. But I disagree with u on the fact that he never learns or that he never feels the consequences. The entire point of UCM Tony is that everytime he tries to fix something, he actually makes things worse. All the time he creates something after IM 1 was to protect himself and the people he loved, while seeking redemption for all his wrongdoings in the past, and most part of the times - if not always - it blows up in his face. He tries, he tries, and it never works. This comes with his anxiety and paranoia for all his trials in IM 1, Avengers 1 and later on with someone messing with his head. (Even if barely, as you liked to point out). That is why a lot of people actually relate to him.

Now trying to excuse Wanda's wrongdoings saying that Stark doesnt need powers to be a cósmic threat is another thing entirely. I agree Tony is dangerous enough being a regular human no need of enhancement, but Wanda also is one. You wanted to mention the comics - weird the post is not even about the comics, hence I dont like to read comics enough - Dimension W also proofs that Wanda is as big as a threat as Tony is. Not only that, Wanda is one of the most powerful beings comic wise, and ucm wise.

Funny enough, Tony is not my favorite character in the comics. That would be Steve, Storm or Rogue. Tony is only my favorite in the UCM, and in the comics - since you mentioned it - he also faces consequences for his actions, since he lost his entire fortune, his team, his friendships for the actions he did for himself being fully aware of the consequences. You can argue that this punishment is not enough - what I agree - but these are marvel heroes comics.

What I don't like in Wanda fandom is that they always come to a content that is not related to Wanda, be it on TikTok, Tumblr, YouTube to stir hate or glaze on her. Everytime I come across that fandom - what is always by accident, mind you since I have the tags filtered in tumblr and later on filtered on tik tok what is very much the reason I barely complain about UCM/Marvel here on my blog -, you always criticize everything Tony had done but excusing every war crime she commited, what it is a double standard.

You know who else had a hand in the creation of Ultron? Banner. But I don't see a single soul pointing finger at him. Wanda also did have a hand on Ultron, messing with the mind of Tony during the process. So did Tony have a hand on Ultron, since he created the most part of the code.

Now for me that discussion is over. I wont stop disliking Wanda because of a thread, neither I will stop liking Tony because of it.

Oh. I love when an anti-tony stark post comes into my dash for him commeting war crimes... and the op profile pic is Wanda.

Dont you guys love it? The hypocrisy?

[sleazyjanet]

my mother watching stranger things, every five seconds: but i don’t remember anyone having haircuts as bad as mike and will’s why do they have such ugly haircuts

[appocalipse]

Heyyy. If you're taking requests, could i request something where steve and reader are at a party (or anywhere) and reader offers Steve the chocolate shes eating and he says "ill take it if u give it to me" and then when sjes trying to give he says "not with your hand".

anon, you have such a big brain i love this, i love u

"You're heavy."

Steve's answer is an incoherent murmur. He has an arm around your shoulders for support, even though he's clearly not that drunk — barely tipsy. Dragging him upstairs is a struggle anyways, even though he's not putting his full weight on you. Inebriated or not, he's always nice and thoughtful.

His elbow bumps into the wings you're wearing. “Sorry,” he says, almost against your cheek.

"It's all right."

The problem with Steve is that he doesn't know what it's like not to be Steve. The effect he has on people. Even now that he's graduated, he somehow still retains that popular boy charm, something that effortlessly draws people in like moths to flames. After you'd earned the official best friend title, you thought you'd be able to say that you're the exception — but you're not.

A guy coming down the stairs bumps into you and apologizes, but Steve grumbles as if he's committed a capital crime anyways. Luckily, the boy pays him no mind, and you and Steve reach your bedroom door without further complications.

People spare you a few glances here and there when you turn on the light and close the door behind you. It's more curiosity than surprise, you're sure. Seeing you and Steve together is nothing out of the ordinary, although a lot of people insist that there's more than friendship involved.

Well...you wish.

You lower Steve onto the bed as gently as possible. With an exaggerated ooof, he plops down like it's the most comfortable bed in the entire world.

"What are we doing here?" he asks.

��Preventing a disaster, probably” you reply, taking off his shoes. This situation should be awkward, but it's not. He's slept in this very bed a hundred times. Never with you, of course, but still. Nothing new.

You turn around and slide the straps of your wings down your shoulders. They're shiny, pretty. You've put effort into your costume for Halloween this year — a fairy costume — and you tell yourself this had nothing to do with the half-drunk boy lying in your bed, but you know that's not entirely true.

You've seen him laughing and talking to several other girls wearing very unimpressive costumes tonight, though, so your costume is not to blame for anything.

You're putting the useless wings down on the ground when Steve says, “You have a nice back. Pretty.”

You look over your shoulder and try to hide your embarrassment. He probably won't even remember that, you convince yourself. Steve gets flirty when he's tipsy.

“Behave,” you say softly, walking back to the bed as he starts touching random objects on your bedside table: a book you've been reading, your alarm clock, a fake flower. You put everything back in place and push his hands away gently. "You're so drunk, Steve."

“You're so pretty, Y/N,” he croons.

You gasp. He's trouble, incorrigible, more so when he's drunk, you're aware. And if you were smarter, your heart wouldn't be beating so fast right now.

Steve reaches for you with determined hands. You wisely move your arm away and glare at him. Or at least try to. “Stop,” you admonish.

“Stop what?”

“You know what.”

Steve giggles. He's impossible. You should be used to his ways by now, but you’re definitely nowhere near there.

Ever the loyal friend, you're pouring him a glass of water. Steve obediently sits up against the headboard and waits. You're not entirely sure how to interpret his sudden good behavior.

“Here,” you offer.

Steve takes a generous sip. He licks his lips and puts the glass down on the bedside table when he's satisfied, careful not to break anything. You sit on the edge of the bed and try not to feel sorry for yourself when he looks at you and your heart does that funny thing inside your chest.

Unlike you, he has no trouble keeping eye contact. He looks way too sober when his eyes find yours.

“Why didn’t we ever kiss?”

He says that like it's no big deal. Like he's talking about the weather.

It’s like someone up there really wants you to make a fool out of yourself, you think. Oddly enough, Berlin's Take My Breath Away is playing downstairs, muffled by the closed door but still very much noticeable. What's with that song? It's a Halloween party, for God's sake.

Steve shifts closer to you, hand coming up to rest on your knee. You wish you had drunk more.

Or maybe you just wish he were totally sober.

“I don't know,” you manage to say. “Because we're friends?”

“But you’ve thought about it before?”

You chuckle, hoping he's drunk enough not to notice anything suspicious but highly doubting it. "Steve."

"What?"

You lean over and grab a spare chocolate bar from your bedside table, taking a small bite, savoring the sweet taste on your tongue for a moment before his gaze on your face feels overwhelming and you feel the need to say something.

"What?" you say. "Do you want some?"

He beams at you. "I'll take it if you give it to me."

It's nothing out of the ordinary — you've given food to Steve like this before, and while you do get a little flustered every time you do it, it's no big deal. You break off a small piece of chocolate and lift your hand toward Steve's face.

He grabs your wrist.

“Not with your hand,” he says, eyes on yours.

Your breath fails. You look at him nearly in shock, throat dry, lips parted though no words manage to come out.

Steve gently cups your chin between his finger and thumb, tilting your face towards his. "Here," he whispers quietly, taking the chocolate from your hand and lifting it to your mouth.

“Steve,” you falter, a whisper of many meanings. Should we really do this? Will we really cross that line?

He seems to understand completely. You look at each other for three seconds that feels more like three hours, and Steve patiently waits for you. We only cross that line if you want to.

You lean closer and take the chocolate between your teeth before you can argue against your own judgment, before you can think about how silly you must look doing that. Maybe you can blame — or thank — the punch you drank earlier for the extra courage, or maybe you're letting this happen because Steve Harrington is your oldest, kindest, most trusted friend; but now none of that matters, because he smiles. He smiles, leans closer, and lets his lips brush yours lightly as he gently takes the chocolate from your mouth.

It's slow, a test, each move carefully thought beforehand. That chocolate is an excuse and nothing more — you know, he knows; and when Steve's lips touch yours again, it becomes absolutely clear.

The kiss obviously tastes like chocolate, though. It's still slow, still tentative, but now it's a kiss that can't be disguised, a line long crossed, erased, forgotten.

You pull away to ask if he's really okay with this, but your question is answered before it's even asked when, half a second after you break the kiss, Steve cradles your face and begs, "Wait, wait - don't pull away yet, just…,” and kisses you again, and again, and again.

He opens his lips against yours and your brain short-circuits, body tensing up before you're able to relax under his touch. You hold onto his shoulders as his hands firmly slide down to your waist, years of mutual pining momentarily pushing away any doubts that might have arisen.

A squeeze on your waist makes you nearly moan and the sound alone is enough to make Steve smirk; he buries his face in your neck when he needs to catch his breath, trailing slow, open-mouthed kisses down your throat, along your jawline, biting just below your ear…

“Steve,” it's something between a whisper and a moan, but Steve sees it as nothing but encouragement, adoring every part of your skin he can touch. He lays you down on the bed and his lips find your collarbone, brushing against your warm skin softly, hands firmly moving up your sides. "Steve."

Steve stops as quickly as if you had just pressed a button to turn him off. “Shit, sorry, I- should I stop? Is this too much?”

He shifts back to a sitting position and helps you do the same.

"No!" your quick reply makes him raise his eyebrows and laugh. You slap his arm playfully. “Of course not, I…I want this. If you-"

“I think I'm in love with you.”

You must look panicked. You feel panicked — perhaps no more than Steve himself, judging by the look on his face, though for quite different reasons; you because you're sure you must be in a dream you're going to wake up from soon, Steve because he thinks he's just scared you for life.

He runs a hand through his brown hair nervously and says, leaning back a little further, “Shit, sorry, I didn’t mean to drop this on you like that. I just- well, it’s true, but…you don’t have to, like, say anything back. I-”

“Steve-”

“-I don’t want to freak you out.”

“Steve-”

“Are you freaking out?”

Giggling, you wrap your arms around his neck and say, “No! I’m in love with you too, silly.”

[truezero]

OK TOH THOUGHTS let’s go (these are just in order of the episodes progression btw)

Spoilers for Clouds on the horizon below

-look at the collector being a silly little guy!! Love them fr fr

-“what if it’s all chaaaanged? What if YOU changed??” Dude

-“you can barely keep your human shape anymore!” DUDE

-ok so at the very least we know that they aren’t gonna make a new grimwalker while Hunter is still around

-but also Belos’ utter lack of care about him makes me :(

-Yeah Belos free the collector, I don’t think they’re one you want to break a promise of :)

-“you need to have more faith in pinky swears >:(“ the collector grows on me more and more every episode I swear

-I could go on a whole rant about why the shift from their initially just kinda silly behaviour (in my opinion) to truly childlike nature is what both warmed me up to them and made me very scared for him

-but that’s for another post

-KIKI GOT FUCKING DEMOTED LMAO

-I’m gonna punt her

-hidden Blight kids what they doing

-“Blights always uphold their end of the deal” FUCK you

-oh hang on so Odalia talks about “reconsidering her deal” with Alador and immediately moves into talking about how the kids should get more involved, does that mean that Alador has been convincing Odalia not to shove them into business work? I hope so

-HE LOOKS SO DISTRESSED OH NO

-I must say I am enjoying Alador’s gradual redemption. I like that he hasn’t been forgiven right away, reasonably so, but is working to be better I think that’s just a very good way to go about his character and I’m very happy about it

-ok scene change to sum up fuck Odalia I’m gonna crime her

-Dude I want to give King a hug so bad

-LUZ HAS A LITTLE PONYTAIL

-Eber is real funny lookin’ I love them

- AAA Eda seems like she’s trying to put up a brave face and I’m gonna sob

- EGG EGG WGG EGG EGG EGG THATS SO SWEET

-AWE EDA ENCOURAGING LUZ TO GO SAVE AMITY

- “bossy boots” 🥺🥺🥺

-Raine making a promise to Luz aaaaaa

-YES MAKE IT YOUR BATTLE CRY CAUSE PROBLEMS FOR DARIUS SPECIFICALLY

-DUDE Katya is so fun and also my sister is so gay for her

-THEY’RE BEST BUDDIES I LOVE THEM

-H U N T E R MY DARLING THERE HE IS HE HAS A NEW OUTFIT I AM GOING TO GIVE HIM A KISS

-HÉ HAS A HANDSHAKE WITH GUS AWE

-HUNTER BB NO YOU’RE MORE THAN THAT :(

-Gus using the thingy he nabbed from Adrian is so excellent

-“SORRY MAN” Hunter my beloved

-why’d they slide in like that gkdjdhd

-YESS Hunter jumping in to help Luz they are siblings your honour I love them

-THEY ARE ALL SO POWERFUL LOOK AT THEM GO

-LUZ GO BLUSHYYYY THEYRE SO CUTE

-ROMEO AND JULIET MOMENT WITH THE BALCONY MY GOD

-AYO flowers around the balcony??

-ODALIA FUCKING BROKE THE TAMAGOTCHI I’m gonna commit a crime actually

-they tried to burn down. The FUCKING factory. I sometimes fear the Blight twins just as much as I love them

-NOOO AMITY :( I’m giving her a hug too everyone is getting hugs

-Emira prompting Amity to talk about Luz,, I’ll cry methinks

-“I would say all that :)” they’re so cute I’m on the FLOOR

-THE FLOWER FRAMING RESEMBLES THE VINES AROUND THE WINDOW WITH EDA AND RAINE FROM TTBK

-LUZ SPINNING AMITY AROUND IS SO GOOD AND SWEET

-holy shit did the frame rate go up when amity said “I know”

-KISSKISSKISSSKISSKISSKISS AAAAAAAADJGIKSJDDH DISINTEGRATING

-c r i k e y

-They are such nerds I’m going to scream slash positive connotation

-AMITY MAKING THE SAME FACE AS BACK IN THE TUNNEL OF LOVE SHE LOVES HER GIRLFRIEND

-oh yeah everyone else is here too

-HUNTER LOOKS SO GRUMPY

-STEVE TIME

-ooh haven’t seen the elixirs in a while that’s slightly concerning

-HOOTY WEARING CLOTHES WHO DID THIS

-why is Amber the one piloting the ship she’s too TINY FOR THAT

-“it won’t change your voice, so try not to say much” that’s gonna come back

-EDA STILL HAS HER GOLD TOOTH I GUARANTEE THATS GONNA COME BACK

-oh god there goes her head I forgot she could just do that

-mmmm I don’t quite like that they just h a v e a sigil glove

-I trust Steve with my life but it is TERRIFYING that he can (is about to) brand Eda with a sigil just at any given notice

-why the FUCK does Odalia’s hair move like that

-Kiki looks so pathetic it’s incredible

-they are hiding :)

-AWE NO LET KING HELP

-THE COLLECTOR IS IN KING’S HEAD THATS PROBABLY NOT GOOD

-I do NOT like how even the collector HIMSELF is doubtful of Belos’ integrity I am so prepared for him to betray the collector (never planned on freeing them in the first place maybe?) and the collector to go NUTS

-maybe that’s how we get collector!Luz? They team up because the collector feels betrayed and they’re like “Y’know what we do not like each other but this puritan bitch has to go”

-is king getting kidnapped with a trail of hex mix I swear to god

-The music is always so peppy when we get a new Blight product that dichotomy of sound and what’s actually happening is AWESOME

-SNORSEPOWER

-Snorses :)

-dude Kikimora just getting fucking picked up is so funny

-“IM TALLER THAN E V E R Y O N E” she’s so unhinged oh my god

-she’s going to kill someone with that

-and I have no idea if it’s going to be on purpose or not

-WHY THE FUCK IS THERE A RAT THAT LOOKS LIKE ALADOR

-is that his palisman

-I’m gonna start a riot if that’s his palisman

-I don’t even mean it negatively just fucking RAT

-Hunter trying to trick Odalia has no right being as funny as it is

-Dude how did Odalia not notice the abomination-purple hair poking out of one of those masks

-stop calling his voice annoying :(

-“sOrrY mAn” coven scout noooo

-AYO every one of the wild witches in this scene look awesome why are these designs so jammin’

-ok good King didn’t get kingnapped

-King hanging out with Alador? Not what I expected but I’ll gladly take it

-how is Odalia still running a business dude you can’t just fire HALF A TEAM and expect the same work rates

-I hate her

-she’s literally a toxic store manager but a million times worse

-GIRL GIVE YOUR HUSBAND A WEEKEND OFF WHAT THE FUCK

-“sounds like I joined the wrong coven” does mans not get LUNCH BREAKS??

-THE WIND BLOWING AFTER KING MENTIONED NEVER MEETING HIS DAD

-IS THE TITAN TEYING TO GIVE HIM A LITTLE PUSH ON THE SWING

-SCREAMING

-dude did Alador make that swingset for the kids??? It’s very abomination-y so it doesn’t seem unlikely

-I hope so that’s so cute

-“I’m gonna spend more time with my kids. Get to know them.“ SOBS

-oh fuck he knows now

-“I’m tired of all this draaama” I’m going to kill you

-AWE AMITY DEFENDING LUZ LOOK AT HER STANDING UP TO HER MOM I’M SO PROUD OF HER

-“oh no, no, that won’t do” dude she’s literally acting like Luz is like,,, a fashion choice or an object she’s so yuckyyyy

-YESSS GO AMITY SHE’S SO POWERFUL

-STOP HUNTER LOOKS SO SCARED AT KIKI THREATENING TO BRING HIM TO BELOS

-all the more reason for me to punt her

-“The Emperor has eyes everywhere” THERE BETTER NOT BE A TRAITOR I SWEAR TO GOD

-I really hope it’s just the collector watching through King and not a traitor

-oh fuck they plotting

-GO AMITY HELL YEA SHE IS UNBELIEVABLY POWERFUL

-“IT WAS THE POWER OF SCIENCE” what a nerd

-WHAT THE FUCK SHE KNEW ALREADY

-ODALIA IS SO SO ICKY

-G O D

-bro Amity gets her red-faced trait from her dad that’s kinda cute

-THANK YOU ALADOR FOR REALIZING YOUR WIFE IS SHIT

-I forgot how oracles fight that’s pretty sick

-WAITWAIT LUZ DID THE HUNTER TELEPORT

-THAT’S NOT NORMAL

-ARE THEY ILLUSIONED AS EACH OTHER

-ok “Hunter” blowing a raspberry at Kiki they’re definitely illusioned as each other

-“Hunter” did Luz’s classic little lip curl

-I will now be pointing out every detail that is proving this until either they switch back or I am proven wrong

-“LUZ” HAS A TOOTH GAP

-I REPEAT

-TOOTH GAP

-also both of them aren’t talking much did Steve not say illusions can’t change voices 👀

-Ok so Luz’s plan was definitely to illusion them as each other for some reason yea

-unfortunately, the jet pack did indeed work

-NO ODALIA LETS NOT GET BACK TO BUSINESS I AM GOING TO BITE YOU

-YES GO AMITY CUT HER OFF

-mmm Odalia calling amity “princess” just really gave me the icks I Do Not Like

-AYO Alador can pack a fuckin punch his eyes went purple and everything

-“Also, I quit” DIVORCE ARC

-“I’ve been meaning to find a new competent business partner anyway” Odalia that’s your fucking HUSBAND. Who you are MARRIED TO

-this slightly implies that she married him purely for business and that’s just :(

-and off into the mist she goes

-bye bye bitch I hate youuuu

-damn even Alador is scared of Odalia

-Gus is still holding an illusion even though the fight is over 👀 👀

-DUDE I FUCKIN CALLED IT

-THERE HE IS

-HE LOOKS SO DISTRESSED HE IS NOT USED TO KINDNESS FROM ADULTS ALSO HE IS NOT IN FACT LUZ

-oh no

-OH NO

-OK SO LUZ GOT HERSELF CAUGHT AS HUNTER ON PURPOUSE

-WOW THATS NO GOOD

-FUCKING CLIFFHANGER GOD DAMN IT

FINAL THOUGHTS

Very good episode 8.5/10 Hootys from me

[emma-ofnormandy]

5 things you never get tired of writing

I was tagged by the talented and always wonderful @witch-and-her-witcher

rules: list five things you never get tired of writing. it can be tropes, themes, characters, phrases, whatever brings you joy. then tag five people!

Domestic prompts. Always. It doesn’t matter if they are funny, soft, heartbreaking, platonic, romantic or a mix of anything in between. They are my bread and butter and what I get the most joy from.

Romance. I feel like anyone who has tuned into my stuff could probably guess that for themselves. It makes me happy and I hope it makes other people happy too.

Happy endings. I will take a good angst one shot now and again, but over all I want a happy conclusion. Our lives are already filled with so many unhappy endings that I want to make sure people always have the escape.

Yenralt. Their disastrous, complicated life is mine to fix and manipulate and the people I have met along the way in the fandom have only made this pairing more alluring to me.

“Crime” AUs- a broad way of lumping it all together. Whether the characters are committing them or solving them, I’ll write it.

Tagging @naps4bats @encomium-emmae @shelivesinhermind @southsidewrites and @sailor-steve .As always, no pressure lovelies!

[small-gremlin-thing]

MY THOUGHTS ON TOH S2E19:

Sorry this is so much later in the day than usual, I went to a restaurant with family and we lost track of time. Also this obviously isn’t a combined post again because ya know. The Amphibia finale isn’t out yet, and I’m not doing an analysis for that.

This episode was very plot focused, and that’s great! It also kinda had to be, because in the words of Luz, we don’t have time for 20 more adventures (thanks Disney /s). Speaking of Luz, it’s nice to see where she’s been, as well as the rest of the main cast. I honestly wasn’t expecting the Owl House to be raided so easily with Eda and Lilith there, but then again they didn’t have magic or Hooty. Hiding out on the knee was also quite a good idea, good on them! The plot then branches off from here, and I’ll cover each bit individually.

First off, good on you Luz for wanting to spend your last day to do whatever you want committing crimes, what an icon. I thought it was funny how lax the coven scouts are with giving away their warehouse key, like this is the most powerful coven on the Boiling Isles but with a half decent costume you can get access everywhere? Belos, your coven kinda sucks. On a totally different note, the conflict between Luz and Eda totally grabbed my heart and shattered it to pieces. Like Eda just wants what’s best for Luz and to keep her safe and Luz wants to prove that she’s strong enough to help and just aaa, I love the found family trope but boy does it hurt sometimes! Thankfully it got worked out and Luz finally got to properly meet Raine, Darius, Eberwolf (is that how it’s spelled?), and the rest of the CATTs! Man, it was nice to see them again.

While all this is happening, King is off with Steve doing some serious soul searching. It was nice to watch him slowly accept his titan status, and then double back on the fact that he just wants to be treated normally like before. Also, we get a Steve face reveal, and man he Does Not look like how I pictured. Actually, I don’t think I had a picture of what Steve looked like, I just kinda pictured the coven scout mask as like,,, his face.

Lastly, once the whole cast meets back up, we see Luz and Eda finally get around to carving Luz’s palisman! I’m excited to see what it will be, and to be honest, I’m on team bluejay (and no that’s not an intentional name pun). Birds are a Clawthorne thing, so it makes sense in my mind!

All in all, I really enjoyed this episode, but I’m also worried for what’s to come. We’re in the home stretch now, so it can only get more action-packed from here!

[euclydya]

Gamers I would like to see: any strangers thing for the blorbo sheet 😏

OHHHHOHOHOHOHOHO BOY OK OK OK LET'S GO LET'S GO

UNDER TJE CUT BC THIS WILL BE LONG PROBS. BC HYPERFIXATION SHOWGJJGKDMFMGGM

STARTING OFF: THE BASTARD. BILLY

I went into this show like "Oh he's a jackass. I hope he dies I hope we all dies <3" Then system shit happened Uhhhhh anyways I'd kill for him. @ Fandom please be normal abt him he was a whole-ass kid who had like The Most God Awful Abusive Racist "Dad" (aka Neil) Ever. Okay? Okay. ok <3

ANYWAYS ABOUT THE MURDER: HE WAS POSSESSED. NOT HIS FAULT THAT AN OTHERWORLDLY BEING DECIDED TO USE HIM AS A PUPPET FOR CRIMES! HFNSKDMFMDKSJD

I think it's fucked up and evil that he's canonically dead but he isn't 2 us (both system reasons & both Fuck Canon reasons) fjdkdfn

Also before u ask what The Realization™ is: it is up 4 u 2 decide. hav fun

edit just realize the ficking. the boxes aren't transparent..................... fuckign. hell on earth IDC im jot fixing it these took like am hour to do. whatever MOVING ON!

NEXT UP: EDDIE

pov ur just a dude who likes loud music and tabletop games and ur entire town decides that u need 2 die bc of The Horrors (read: supernatural bullshit). SAD!! Like it is Literally not his fault Chrissy got Vecna'd. ok? ok. </3

ANYWAYS I THINK HE SHOULD KILL PEOPLE! I think he should kill people. Ignore how I think all my faves should kill people HE DESERVES TO KILL SOMEONE! Fucked up demon bats don't count!! fjskxmKfjcjjaksjc

ignoring system shit btw but he truly is just like our singletsona for real. Hyperfixates on Games?? Check. Is obviously very much ADHD & autistic???? Check. etc. etc. I can go onJGJDKSKFmfmd

omg it's S🅱️eve Sepsis (/inside joke??) omg <3.

SO IN S1 HE REALLY FUCKING SUCKED. LIKE...... HE WAS BAD. LIKE. USED SLURS AND WAS JUST GENERALLY A HUGE ASSHOLE.

bUT Uhhhhh he Got Better (read: accidentally became an adoptive parent to like 6? 7????? children,) and also other things (such as Experiencing The Horrors, Acquiring Brain Damage, Becoming Besties With Gay People) Anyways he's normal as of like s3 and onward. we don't talk abt s2 bc it is boring (also bc we don't remember itFJFJDKDKF)

He Has Killed Many Monsters but afaik he has yet to kill A Human Person. I may be wrong tho but i don't remember..,,,, cjakdkfk

OK NOW THEIR KINDA ADJACENT CHILDREN/SIBLINGS OF SORTS LET'S GO

FIRST CHILD: MAX

As a child I too was also very tomboyish and loved music and was a social outcast </3. I care her a lot. One of the coolest kids fr NFNDMZNF

I do Not like how the show's handled her character-wise and On God If She Doesn't Fucking Wake Up In S5 I Will Riot. Also she needs to kill Neil too (DID YOU KNOW THAT WE COLLECTIVELY HATE THAT MOTHERFUCKER. FJDJSJSJAJAKDKFMFMDSKFKF)

for clarification on the murder™: in s2 Billy almost killed Steve (and,,, according to the fandom Lucas too but *mildpanic* I'M NOT. GOING TO OPEN THAT CAN OF WORMS IN THIS POST) so naturally Max tranquilized him and then threatened to bash his face in with a nail bat. WHICH! WAS DESERVED YES! BUT. Y'KNOW WHAT THIS IS A RAMBLE FOR A DIFFERENT POST LET'S LEAVE JT AT THATJFJKDKFGK

ANYWAYS GIVE THIS KID THERAPY GODDAMN!!

ok this one is vaguely system influenced bc our Eddie adopted our El so. There's that HFNSKF.

She's literally a walking mass murder weapon (AND YES SHE'S KILLED PEOPLE. MULTIPLE TIMES. THAT'S KIND OF HER THING) and she has Fucked Up Psychic Powers. She was stuck in a lab until she was middle school aged and life has been pain for her almost ever since.

I want 2 see her v happy and just being a kid but also if the show ends at s5 then I need 2 see her just fucking Eviscerate Papa without hesitation. Fuck that guy I hope he burns in hell.

.... omg her backstory is so edgy actually it's so funny. Anyways whatever she's cool actually NFNSSKF

IT'S HIM!! DUSTIN!!! GET A LOAD OF THIS KID!!!!!! ONE OF THE KIDS OF ALL TIME!!!!! i see him and I'm like I Will Commit Violence For U. GNNFMDF

He is literally just A Kid. But also he's p much Steve's adopted brother by s2 (i think. maybe it was by s3 i DoNT REMEMBER JGJDKG) they're like besties ur honour!

He Is One Of The Braincell Holders™ I Think. definitely btwn him and Steve that's for sureGJDJSKKFGK

here's 2 hoping s5 also treats him well too (ALONG W STEVE. AND MAX. AND EL.,,, and eddie actually i refuse to believe that [DATA EXPUNGED]. ok.) if anything happens to him, well! Y'know! 🔪!!!!

[hopeshoodie]

Media I would put LITG islanders into in an AU where they weren't LITG characters:

Hope: I would still cast her in a reality TV dating show, but I would make it the Bachelorette. Her experience would've been radically different if instead of Love Island's premise (which challenges her more insecure, territorial and angry parts) she's instead uplifted. She has the right decisiveness, confidence, accolades, and attractiveness to be a Bachelorette, but I think putting her in a power position is a way for her to be much more endearing to the audience. Watching her take no shit from the men, enjoy herself, and ultimately work through her commitment issues in a more positive environment 😚👌

Henrik: a kids TV show on like PBS where he just excitedly shares geology and nature facts for 20 minutes. Think the Kratt Brothers or Zoboomafoo.

Rahim: a lifetime drama/romance movie or Bridgerton or some similar bodice ripper. He just has the romantic temperament, uptightness, and interiority where the audience can project onto him that makes him perfect to be the main love interest in a steamy drama/romace.

Gary: I can only see him as a sports commentator lmfao. Or maybe on one of those car shows where they talk about different cars or rig them to go super fast and then Gary would be the dude they cut to in order for his reaction to just be "😯whoaaaa". Or a commentator on WipeOut lmfao.

Hannah: a memoir or self help book that literally no one reads and if you do try to read it you realize the author is just like... having basic realizations about life, the world, and identity and thinking that they're mind-shattering. Like "when I'm overwhelmed I like to imagine that everyone else is overwhelmed too! Here's a story about how I was standing in a line and realized everyone else was a person with interiority too-"

Bobby: either a rom-com movie or a preschool children's TV show ala yo gabba gabba. I think Bobby fits well into the standard 'boy pines for girl, girl realizes she likes him, boy messes up, boy does big gesture to reconcile, then happy ending' rom-com format. But I also think he would thrive being loud, nonsensical, and childish in a controlled way that TV shows for babies are. Like one step below Steve from Blueclues but a step about being a Boobah.

Marisol: she's an under qualified interviewee in a documentary For Sure. Maybe she was taken out of context/tricked, but it's definitely a documentary like "diagnosing a famous person with a personality disorder" or "this true crime that we're going to go full conspiracy theory on even though the simplest answer is likely correct" and she's there giving credence to that. Her title is simply 'Marisol: Psychology Expert' or 'Researcher'.

Rocco: a travel show initially pitched and produced by some smaller, less popular TV channel like TruTV or Scify and got nearly no ratings so was cancelled after the first season. But then Rocco pivots and does the same thing but for a low budget on his YouTube channel, and people like it because the travel part is generic but his constant factual errors, mispronouncing words, being a general nuisance, and misinterpreting people around him is funny to watch in compilations.

Noah: a post apocalyptic teen drama novel where he's the hot leader of the group that the self insert main character who Isn't Like Other Girls initially has conflict with him because she's a renegade and doesn't follow the rules and he's the voice of reason. They have a screaming match where she accuses him of never committing to action and he yells that she nearly got his friends killed. Then they kiss and 14 year old me thinks about it for 3 days until I find an identical book.

[marvelousescapism]

Yo i have a question, how do you feel steve and bucky are about social media. bc like i think steve doesnt like to use it and mostly just like, reads long articles about literally everything and watches video essays while bucky has a wildly popular instagram account that somehow hasnt gotten banned even tho all he posts is shitty blurry blair-witch-found-footage pics and half the captions are like, unashamedly explicitly talking abt how he got it Good™ last night and the like

like imo bucky was coming back to himself at such a time that hed have absolutely developed a gen z type sense of humor and idea of how to use social media so his pics are like, him floating facedown in a public fountain or a huge pyramid made out of pink monster energy cans or a super blurry shot of him and steve smoking weed in their kitchen that was taken While bucky's phone was falling out of his hand

omg 😂😂 yes I love this

Steve is definitely the type that loathes social media (samesies Stevie) and for a while he only had a twitter because the others bullied him into it. At first SHIELD was adamant that he let a PR manager take care of it, but he works out a little while later that they’re liking things and saying things in his name without telling him because they think he won’t understand how to use twitter so he won’t find out. He promptly demands the PR manager be fired and continues to use twitter himself without oversight to retweet and promo cool stuff (like up and coming artists and fundraisers and miscellaneous fun facts) and post passive-aggressive tweets about politics and modern things he doesn’t like like itchy nylon exercise clothes and no cocaine in coke anymore (he got a stern talking to from Fury after that one and sheepishly retweeted a cheesy Say No To Drugs campaign post afterwards).

After Bucky got back and they settled down though his twitter feed became mostly domestic tweets of him and his hubby and the besties being sappy together, along with silly ones like “my darling husband put an empty milk carton back in the fridge, gonna go commit a war crime brb <3”

(Also Steve’s page is like 60% Sam appreciation at this point, tons of pictures of Sam in his Captain America outfit with a bunch of 😍🥰🤩❤🤍💙 emojis and #ThatsMyCaptain)

As for Bucky! He was wary of social media at first (because 'who wants to hear from me, everyone hates me, i'm the winter soldier') until Steve showed him all the posts in the trending tag #JusticeForJBB (let's imagine this is in a post-catws universe where footage of what Hydra put the Winter Soldier through in between missions got leaked on the internet and everyone very quickly changed their tune about Bucky being the Winter Soldier), so he tentatively signed up for it.

At first he signs up for twitter and uses it to comment "🐙🐙🐙" in the comments of several politician’s posts. They all get investigated and found guilty of working with Hydra. But after a while he gets bored of Twitter and switches to Instagram.

Thing is, I imagine Bucky is quite quick with the basics of technology - he picks up how to use computers and phones fairly easily. But he is far from capable of any finesse when using them, and I don’t think he'd pick up online gen z culture/humour himself but he would absolutely completely accidentally radiate gen z humour energy. LIke, he has no idea why all these kids find his blurry posts and captions so funny, but he's just happy to be here.

Also he’s completely oblivious to his own levels of impropriety on public online spaces. Like, his first picture was a picture of Steve looking conked the fuck out with bed hair and a dopey smile on his face CLEARLY taken after they'd had sex with the caption "fuck america, if you know what i mean"

Steve makes an Instagram account originally just to like all of Bucky's posts, but he ends up making a secret account where he posts a few pictures of his artwork as well 🥰🥰🥰

[5uptic]

crewfu: fanfic spotlight!

We work together by Anonymous (5up & DK, unrated, gen | 248 words)

Summary: One likes plants and baking, the other loves to create and design video games. They stay up and create monstrosities together, it's their fun, it's their favourite game. Aka a 5up and Dk roommate au!

No matter how life tangles, I’m still here with you. by hungryandsleepy (5up/Steve, general rating, m/m | 279 words)

Summary: 5up has been working so hard on his new map, and of course, he needs someone to give him a motivation to go to sleep.

objectively pretty by vesque (5up/Steve, general rating, m/m | 462 words)

Summary: steve is drunk. he's pretty sure 5up is too. that doesn't mean being called pretty is any less momentuous.

you plus me by mangoedges (5up/Steve, teen rating, m/m | 489 words)

Summary: 5up and Steve meet.

he said to me by mangoedges (5up/Steve, teen rating, m/m | 656 words)

Summary: 5up and Steve share a moment.

by the snowmen by mangoedges (5up/Steve, teen rating, m/m | 670 words)

Summary: Steve has a moment when it's all over.

today you got to know me (a little bit too slowly) by runninohhoney (5up/Steve, teen rating, m/m | 675 words)

Summary: Steve lights up a cigarette. 5up doesn't smoke.

what would it take by mangoedges (5up/Steve, teen rating, m/m | 787 words)

Summary: It's Steve's first mission. He hecks up. Or does he?

sorta cute by floweruru (5up/Steve, unrated, m/m | 822 words)

Summary: ‘I wouldn’t do that,’ he said. ‘That’s just disrespectful,’ he said. Yet there was 5up, crushed like a can in Steve’s embrace, feebly kicking at nothing as his feet leave the pavement.

i was gonna kill u, but ur kinda cute?? by Cthulhuer (5up/Steve, general rating, m/m | 1k words)

Summary: Steve is a mess and 5up is worse.

I hear a Symphony by AwkwardAce (5up/Fundy, unrated, m/m | 1.1k words)

Summary: He exhaled until his lungs ached for air, fingers twitching as he opted to remove the sleek white gloves he wore in a feeble effort to soothe himself. It didn’t work. He wrung his trembling hands together as his eyes raked down the worn leather case taking in the doodles- some etched some drawn- across the faded surface. He snapped the buckles open and his breath hitched, catching in his already tight throat. For a moment the world span, his head throbbed and he wanted nothing more than to run and hide. 5up breathed out slowly, shakily.

staring by lytriis (5up/Steve, teen rating, m/m | 1.1k words)

Summary: steve asks 5up out. 5up doesn’t know how to respond.

and it's four am, and yet, you're here by vesque (5up/Steve, general rating, m/m | 1.2k words)

Summary: in which steve shows up at 5up's house, in the middle of the night, completely spontaneously

more than this by mangoedges (5up/Steve, teen rating, m/m | 1.2k words)

Summary: Steve catches 5up venting.

3:15 by vesque (5up/Steve, general rating, m/m | 1.2k words)

Summary: Steve tries to guess Five's name. It's much more difficult than he anticipated.

things were different by fourpebbles (Apollo/Steve, teen rating, m/m | 1.5k words)

Summary: His eyes circled around to his friends, Kimi and Janet engaging in pleasant comversation, sleepy and becoming increasingly more sober. He looked, finally, across him, and caught Dumbdog staring at him. What now bro, what did this guy want. small talk, turns into not small talk, then there's no talk

Once Upon A Dream by SmearedWords (5up/Steve, teen rating, m/m | 1.5k words)

Summary: 5up looks ethereal, while Steve is struggling to breathe. "You're not real either." Or: Steve has a crush and a nightmare in three parts, 5up is tired, the crew life is hard and Polus sucks.

the ones you love will call you back by homeward_bound (Apollo/Steve, teen rating, m/m | 1.8k words)

Summary: stevesuptic: dude, is it weird that i miss vegas   DumbDog: No? I do too.   stevesuptic: okay [steve misses vegas and apollo. they talk about it]

cough it out by cj__writes (Apollo/Steve, teen rating, m/m | 2k words)

Summary: Apollo thinks that Steve must be well and truly gone, at this point, because he giggles, like Apollo’s just told a particularly funny joke. He looks Apollo right in the eye and asks, “Do you trust me?” “Absolutely not.”

ivy by Secular_Czar (5up/Steve, teen rating, gen | 2.1k words)

Summary: It might be a sad day, in general, but Steve isn't about to let it get to him. His friends won't ever let him wallow either.

The Colosseum by WhenTheFogClears (general rating, gen | 2.1k words)

Summary: Five squinted, looking at the colosseum intensely. He thinks Apollo was latched onto the sphinx’s shoulder, fur matted with blood. Janet was slumped against a column, probably out, with Kimi whose bow was snapped in two, her leg twisted at an odd angle. DK was in the corner trying to cast various supporting hexes and charms with a broken arm, whilst Hafu was dragging a heavily bandaged Steve away. or 5up slaughters a cat

Oneshots :) by woofles1990 (5up/Fundy, 5up/Steve, teen rating, multi | 2.5k words, oneshot collection)

Summary: Just a bunch of MCYT/Among Us oneshots, mainly featuring 5up's crew because yes :)

the adventures of 5up and steve staying up late because they're under 30 by 5280ft (5up/Steve, teen rating, m/m | 2.5k words)

Summary: “The night is young!” Steve yells at the ceiling, throwing his hands up in the air. “Take advantage of it! Commit crimes! Fuck hoes!” Five catches his hands in the air and laughs. “You wish you had hoes.”

unreasonably in love by cj__writes (Apollo/Steve, teen rating, m/m | 2.6k words, chaptered WIP)

Summary: "It was like pieces of a puzzle, everything coming together. And now, here they are, standing in their apartment, which looks more like a hollow shell than a home, filled solely with scattered boxes and the minuscule amount of furniture that they brought with them to Vegas." Or: what happens after Apollo and Steve move in together.

cant be love by fourpebbles (Apollo/Steve, teen rating, m/m | 3.5 words, chaptered WIP)

Summary: He had chuckled to himself, he felt so stupid. Who in their fucking minds names a playlist 'sugr?', he thought, internally cringing. A story where a Steve meets an Apollo, and some things happen.

Somewhere in the darkness, us together for a while by tumtummeke (Apollo & Kimi & Steve, teen rating, gen | 3.6k words)

Summary: Apollo worries about Steve. Steve breaks his vape pen. Kimi plays power washer. Self-indulgent angst, with a generous helping of friendship and cuddles.

odyssey by 5280ft (5up/Steve, teen rating, m/m | 23k words, chaptered WIP)

Summary: "First you will come to the Sirens who enchant all who come near them. If any one unwarily draws in too close and hears the singing of the Sirens...they warble him to death with the sweetness of their song. Therefore pass these Sirens by and stop your men's ears with wax that none of them may hear." -Homer, The Odyssey

Also: SilverSprinklez10‘s yupwaves collection.

Summary: This is a Harry Potter AU based on the characters/personas of the youtubers/streamers.

FAQ:

Wait what is this: pretty straight to the point! i’ll regularly share crewfu-related fanfictions to this blog :)

How regularly is “regularly”?: great question! LOL. it depends on the flow of fanfics that get uploaded, which i do not have any control over, but i’m looking forward to do this twice a month. after all, it’s only me doing this and i often run on a tight schedule.

What’s the format like?:

[title of fic with link] by [author of the fic with link] ([main pairing(s), if there is one/multiple], [fic rating: eg, general rating], [relationship: eg, m/m] | [word count in k] ([added prompt to specify if it’s complete or not)])

Summary: [summary provided by the author. if it doesn’t have a summary, a “No summary” prompt will be put instead]

(What does WIP mean again?): Work In Progress :)

Why are you doing this?: from the beginning, my blog has hosted conversations about RPF (real people fiction) and crewfu pairings. this has evolved into people sending me updates about certain fics in the crewfu tags every now and then, but i wanna take the next step and just do these things myself. after all, i’m already lurking in the tags often to see the fics that get posted. as someone who is both a writer and a reader, i wanna appreciate fanfic writers and help out other people that want to read fanfic and consume more fandom content!

Will it be AO3 only?: well, ao3 has a very helpful tag system that makes finding fics incredibly easy, as well as allowing people with no accounts to like and comment on fics, so that’s the site i will personally look in for fanworks. but if there are any fics you’ve written or liked in any other platforms, such as wattpad, you can always contact me through my inbox (send an ask or a dm!), and i’ll make sure to include for the next fanfic spotlight :)

Does it mean you won’t reply to fic asks anymore?: yeah, i guess. since i’ll be doing the searching myself it seems counterproductive. but if i ever skip a fic or again, it’s in another platform, or you’ve posted/read the fic a while ago and you want to get more traction on it, hit me up and i’ll take it into consideration!

Will you read every single one of the fics on your list?: oh no. again, i run on a tight schedule, and also i have my own taste when it comes to fics. i won’t be reviewing fics or any of the sort, and my intention extends to simply sharing these fics to this page so people will have easier access to them :) that’s where ao3 tagging becomes SUPER useful!!!

So what’s the criteria for the way you’ll sort out the fics in your list?: word count, going from lowest to highest. in case of fics in other platforms, i guess i’ll put them at the top of the list. i’ll also be looking for fairly recent fics, so let me know if you want any old-ish fic to be included.

I see you talking mostly about 5up/Steve and Steve/Apollo. Can I still send/see other crewfu fics?: why yes absolutely! my goal is to push every fic which heavily features regular crewfu characters - 5uptic and supdog just happen to be very popular pairings. so, to give you a list: core 4 (5up, hafu, dk, steve), apollo, aipha, annie, janet, kimi, ellum, koji... you know the drill. it doesn’t have to be centered on a relationship, or about 5up in specific, etc. my only requirement is that any of the previously mentioned members are a central part of the fic or are HEAVILY featured in it (sorry, minecraft fics with 50+ tags who only mention 5up as an afterthought won’t make the cut :/).

Isn’t shipping Bad™?: well, it’s a little more nuanced than that. i will go out of my way to discourage and shame people who often violate CCs’ boundaries by acting like so and so has a crush on this person, or that this and that are Actually Into Each Other or secretly dating. any sort of tinhat bullshit is a big nono (think larries). but i run on the assumption that people who write rpf understand that what they’re doing is simply write a completely fictional story using real life personalities, and understand the boundaries necessary to do it - aka they’re not tinhats, they understand they can’t assume everything about CCs’ thoughts and personalities, they understand that what they’re writing is strictly fiction, they keep these works only in fandom circles, etc. (but again, it’s only one me doing this, so please be kind if i don’t happen to know that this person is Actually a tinhat or whatever).

show fic: NO. (seriously. i don’t feel comfortable putting my ao3 account out there. please respect my privacy on these trying times <3)

I REALLY don’t care about your rpf/fic talk: fair! i’ll be tagging every single one of these posts as “fanfic spotlight”, so just mute the tag using tumblr settings so you’ll never have to look at these! likewise, you can follow the tag if you want to keep up with it, or search it on my blog to look at the other entries you might have missed (but this is the first one! lol).

Hey, my fic is here and I don’t feel comfortable with it being shared over here: no problem! let me know as soon as you can and i’ll take it down <3

[janeykath318]

Darcy And The Ghost Of Christmas Past 3

The sixth day of Bucky’s human existence passed and Darcy was to say the least, smitten. It was ridiculous, but the chemistry between them was undeniable. Bucky continued to be a gentleman, though, and besides the nightly dance by the tree, he didn’t attempt to make a move on her.

She’d loaned him her Tolkien books and he’d binge read them in five days, reporting that they were amazing and he was very thankful for her letting him borrow them. They spent every evening discussing what he’d read and plotting to get Steve to get a clue. Their plan never got to be put into action, however, because a mission gone wrong led to a very injured Natasha and a frantic Steve whose love declarations and pleas for her not to die were witnessed by every other Avenger. Darcy gave Bucky a full report afterwards and he sighed.

“Well, that’s not nearly as much fun as trying to make him jealous, but I’m glad it worked out. Why does it take near-death for him to get his head out of his ass?”

“I don’t know. It seems to be common for superheroes, though. Makes me crazy,” Darcy admitted, before she changed the subject back to him.

“So, Bucky, I was thinking about your situation and I have an acquaintance that might be able to give me some advice on why your soul can’t move on. Would you consider giving me permission to share your story? He’s very good at confidentiality, so no one else would know.”

Bucky furrowed his brow as he pondered this.

“I don’t know. So many people claim to be experts in the supernatural, but are just charlatans.”

“Oh, he is no charlatan, I assure you. I’ve seen him in action before. He’s good. Kinda arrogant, but good,” She told him. “It couldn’t hurt to ask, anyway.”

“No, you’re right,” he sighed. “But even Wanda couldn’t find any answers, so I guess I’ll believe it when I see it. I’ll admit, being here with you has kinda made me less enthused about moving on.

“Really?” she asked, heart warming at his admission.

“Really. You’re a special gal, Darcy Lewis,” he told her, with a longing look that made her heart do funny things.

“Aw. You’re pretty special yourself, Bucky Barnes,” she replied softly.

She called up Stephen Strange the next day and mentioned the situation, which made his eyebrows hit the roof.

“I know this isn’t necessarily your area, but could you give me an idea of what could cause a soul to be stuck in limbo?” she asked hopefully. “This man died in World War Two serving his country. I would really love to be able to help him finally rest.”

It hurt to say those words, but this wasn’t about her.

“Hmm,” Stephen pondered for a bit.

“The most common instance is when the body is not yet dead,” he said. “Though, that obviously doesn’t apply here. Also, if someone has committed a terrible crime, their soul is not allowed to move on until they have sought to atone for it.”

Darcy shook her head vigorously and Stephen smiled and continued.

“Also, and this is rare, there could be some unfinished business between the soul and another soul and neither can move on until the matter is addressed. I’ve never heard of such a long time of wandering, though. I’m afraid It’s very likely he missed his opportunity and the other soul has already passed on.”

Darcy’s face fell. Poor Bucky’s chances didn’t look too great. Nevertheless, she thanked Stephen for his help and went home to talk to Bucky about it.

“The only people I can think of that I have unfinished business with are my ma and…….and…...Steve,” he finished gloomily. “I always wished I’d have told her I loved her before I left. No chance to make that one right.”

Darcy took Bucky’s hand in hers and held it tightly, the lump in her throat preventing her from speaking..

“But if it’s Steve……. I’d have to put him through losing me again,” he said, anguish in his tone.

“What do I do, Darcy?”

“Bucky, I can’t decide for you,” she told him gently. “You don’t have to decide this year, if you don’t want to.”

“I know. But I feel like something has to give. Sooner or later, you’ll meet someone who can give you more than two weeks a year and my presence will only cause problems. It’s better for you that I move on, Darcy.”

Darcy’s eyes filled up with tears.

“I doubt I’ll ever meet anyone who’s made me feel the way you have, Bucky,” she whispered. “It’s been the best week I’ve ever had. Maybe in some alternate universe, I’ll travel back in time, save you from the train and we both live happily ever after.”

“Yeah, That’s a really nice thought.” He said huskily, pulling her head down onto his shoulder.

Bucky was very quiet and withdrawn for the next few days as he worked through his big decision. Darcy did her best to give him space and let him work it out on his own, but she’d never felt so helpless as she did, watching his inner turmoil play out.

Finally, on December 24th, he came up to her as she was leaving for her family Christmas party.

“Call Steve,” he said, chin set and determined. “I’ve got to talk to him. Even if it doesn’t work, I know I’ve been avoiding this way too long.”

Nodding mutely, Darcy called Steve and asked him to meet her at the apartment, claiming she needed help intimidating her Scroogish landlord.

Steve, being Steve, quickly agreed after a consultation with his still healing girlfriend.

“You know I love telling off bullies,” he said gaily. “But Natasha is suspicious. She thinks you’ve got a secret boyfriend you aren’t telling anyone about.”

If Only, Darcy thought sadly.

“You can tell her she will hear the entire story from me tomorrow. Time is of the essence, right now.”

Sure enough, when Darcy returned home from the longest family dinner in her life, Steve was waiting for her. Bucky was keeping out of sight until she gave him the secret knock, so she let the bewildered Steve in and practically ordered him to a chair.

“What is this really about, Darcy?” he asked, looking around warily.

“Okay, this is going to sound really crazy, but I need you to hear me out.”

He nodded solemnly.

“You lived here for a time, didn’t you?’”

“Yeah. Bucky took me in after my mom passed.”

“Did you ever hear the rumors of the place being haunted?”

“Of course. I thought it was just superstition and rumors made up because of who Bucky and I were. People love to create legends out of normal people.”

“That’s true, but Wanda and I can confirm that there is a soul stuck in this place. I’ve made friends with him, in fact, and the man can dance like a dream.”

Now, Steve looked at her like she was crazy.

“Darcy, have you been drinking?’

“A fair question, Cap, but I’m stone cold sober. What I’m trying to tell you is that ghosts are real and you definitely know this one.”

Gesturing to him to stay seated, she went to the spare bedroom door and a rat-a-tat-tat knock on it. Bucky looked nervously out.

“He’s here,” she whispered. “Would you like me to leave?”

Bucky shook his head and followed her into the living room.

Darcy heard a gasp and a scrambling sound.

Steve had leapt to his feet, face drained of color.

“Is this some kind of sick joke? Cause it’s not funny!” He hissed, looking ready to bolt or tear into Darcy.

“Steve, it’s me. Your ole pal, Bucky. I promise you, this is not a hoax,” Bucky said calmly, stopping dead while he waited for Steve to process this.

“It can’t be. You died in some ravine in Switzerland and we never found your body.” Steve whispered painfully before rounding on Darcy. “Is this some kind of alien shapeshifter here to manipulate me?”

Bucky’s eyebrows went up and Darcy sighed. This was going to be harder than she thought.

“No, Steve, I can promise you that.” She said earnestly. “I scanned him just to be on the safe side and he is indeed, a human ghost. Though, right now, he has his human body temporarily.”

Steve slunk back into the couch, shaking his head. Bucky walked over and sat down beside him.

“Steve, I know it’s hard to believe, but did I ever lie to you?” he asked.

Steve shook his head, taking deep breaths to try to calm himself before he let himself get a good look at his best friend.

“How?” he asked helplessly.

“I don’t know,” Bucky shrugged. “I just know that I’ve been hiding from you for too long and I needed to clear the air with you.”

“So, you’ve been here all along and no one told me?” Steve asked, a dangerous tone in his voice that had Darcy fleeing to her bedroom. She’d let them talk it out alone. Bucky would stick up for her.

“You were in the ice for most of the time and I didn’t even know you were alive. Then, when I found out, I thought it would be too painful for both of us. Turned out, the painful part was keeping the secret. Don’t blame Wanda or Darcy. They were just respecting my wishes. But I promise you, Steve, it is me.”

“So that really was your voice I heard yelling at me that one time when I came to visit Wanda?”

Steve asked, finally calming somewhat.

“Yep,” Bucky said, clapping Steve on the back the way he used to do. “And I stand by everything I said. You clearly have not changed in the reckless dumbassery department.”

Steve shrugged sheepishly and Bucky told the whole story of his long existence as a ghost and his yearly two-week reprieve in a human body and how he’d hit it off with Darcy and their quest to find the solution to his dilemma.

“You fell for her, didn’t you, Buck?” Steve asked knowingly.

“Yeah.” Bucky admitted. “I know it was a bad idea, but……...I got to feel love, Steve. All those girls I used to hang out with were fun, but nobody stole my heart the way she did.”

“But you’re sure that moving on is the best thing.”

“Yeah,” Bucky sighed. “I can’t give her what she needs in this state. But I wanted to talk to you because I want to know that you’re moving on with your life. I hear you and Black Widow finally got it together.”

“Darcy tell you that?” Steve asked in fond annoyance.

“Of course. She’s my primary source of Avengers gossip nowadays.” Bucky said proudly, glancing at her closed door.

“She was right.” Steve confirmed, a small smile appearing. “I’d think you’d really like her, Bucky.”

“I do. Saw her on tv a few years ago kicking ass with you and I was quite impressed. You two are what they call a power couple. But Steve, that’s not all we need to talk about. Have you forgiven yourself for what happened on that train yet?’

Steve winced like he’d been stabbed, his long silence speaking volumes.

“I’ve tried, Buck. I’ve tried,” he admitted wearily. “My brain likes to keep bringing it back up at inopportune times and I’ll see you falling all over again. The scream……” Steve shuddered.

“Maybe the universe knew you’d have to hear it straight from me,” Bucky mused, then looked intently at his friend.

“Steve, I have never once or ever will blame you for what happened,” he told him urgently.

“It was Hydra. You fought your damned best and I know you would have saved me if you could have.”

“I almost let go,” Steve mumbled.

“What?” Bucky asked, horrified.

“I almost let go after you fell,” he repeated miserably. “I’ve never told anyone else, because I was so ashamed, but it’s the truth.”

“Oh, Steve,” Bucky sighed, wrapping his arm around his friend. His friend’s burden had been heavier than he thought.

“The point is, you didn’t let go and you’ve saved a lot of lives ever since,” he told him. “Even though you still scare the shit out of me with your jumping without parachutes and taking on twenty hydra agents in an elevator. “

Bucky gave Steve a disapproving scowl like he’d done many times in the past and Steve grinned at him.

“I miss your angry glares, jerk,” he said, returning Bucky’s hug.

“It’s 11:45,” Bucky sighed. “We’ll know at midnight whether I’m movin’ on or sticking around. I think I should say good-bye to Darcy. Are we good?”

“Yeah,” Steve managed, swallowing the lump in his throat.