#this is the only short!Clint i will ever accept actually

[midnightwinterhawk]

Out of Context Clint

“Plus, he likes me better than he likes you. Because I’m charming and you’re like an angry wet murder kitten that hasn’t had its claws trimmed in over a decade.”

Mokusatsu by @shadesfalcon

[themculibrary]

Bruce Banner Pairings Masterlist

part two

5 Times Bruce Accidentally Did Boyfriend Things + One Time He Did It On Purpose (ao3) - dandelionpixels, bruce/thor G, 4k

Summary: A soft thorbruce fic where each chapter is bruce being an oblivious boy. pretty self-indulgent after the endgame pain

assume a defensive stance (ao3) - hoosierbitch bruce/clint T, 4k

Summary: No one can understand why Bruce and Clint are together. Clint's loud, brash, irritating--exactly what Bruce doesn't need in his life. (Also, there are sandwiches. Of LOVE.)

although it's so romantic on the borderline tonight. (ao3) - paperclipbitch bruce/natasha T, 6k

Summary: Post-movie. “You shouldn’t google yourself,” Natasha tells Bruce.

Distance Into Miles (ao3) - circ_bamboo bruce/pepper/tony E, 26k

Summary: Pepper Potts, Tony Stark, and Bruce Banner are all, well, not completely mentally healthy people. But it takes less time than one might think for them all to end up together. At the same time, the Avengers manage to reassemble as a team, rather than just as people. Pepper's there for all of it.

Far From Perfect (But Close Enough) (ao3) - i_buchanan bruce/tony E, 69k

Summary: If there was one thing Tony Stark was good at, it was being contrary. He didn't plan on that extending to the 'predestined plans' of the universe that paired him and his soulmate up. But there were some things that he couldn't ignore, and probably the most dangerous man in the world was one of those things. Especially when he had a brain like that.

Home (ao3) - NotEvenCloseToStraight bruce/tony M, 11k

Summary: An Ace!Bruce-centric peek into our favorite Poly-family, from the first meeting with Alpha!Tony through the addition of Thor, Loki and the most recent kiddos.

You guys know how the story goes-- unconditional acceptance, Alpha!Tony being an instantly smitten kitten, tooth rotting sweetness and our favorite genius getting all the love he deserves.

In This Together (ao3) - i_buchanan bruce/tony E, 62k

Summary: Bruce was pretty sure that he was going to be the youngest person at MIT. He didn't realize that honor actually went to his roommate, the already-infamous Tony Stark. Granted, the child prodigy turns out to be nothing like he expects, for better or worse, and Bruce figures that they just have to make it work. Besides, it should only be for one semester, right?

Or, the fic where they live together, move out together, and eventually get together.

Irreconcilable Differences (ao3) - determamfidd bruce/tony E, 133k

Summary: Bruce has been searching for a cure again, but Tony doesn't think the green guy is a disease. Abruptly, he's given everything he's ever wanted, and... well, it seems it's all more complicated than that.

FEATURING:

Hulk - Amateur Psychology Hour with Tony Stark - Clint as a troll - more Hulk - Bruce as an angry introspective mess - Hulk again - Steve as Team Dad - Nick Fury as Nick Fury - Hulk smash! - Tony as a caped crusader for Hulk Rights - Rules, Rules, Rules - Natasha as the boss of everything - the Experimental Method (by T. Hulk) - Thor as the God of Thunder and Frustration - Tony as the king of the oblivious idiots - Stealth Sass Master Banner ...

...and a lot of figuring out who you really are.

And Hulk.

i will follow (ao3) - dustbear bruce/natasha T, 7k

Summary: The breaking point comes out of nowhere. Bruce is sitting in the kitchen around noon, and Clint walks in and microwaves up an Indian curry. Natasha comes in too, dressed up for a short assignment, and her perfume smells like jasmine and opium. Tony is already there, holding a tumbler of very expensive scotch. And all these smells sliding together - from different continents and different places - the cardamom and lemongrass and jasmine and peat moss - Bruce can feel them all and his entire body tenses, and he is absolutely certain that he wants to leave.

Dr. Bruce Banner packs his backpack - two pants, four shirts, a toothbrush, three sets of forged documentation, and twenty thousand dollars in cash - and walks out of Avengers Tower. He drops his phone in an envelope, then a mailbox, and disappears.

Natasha follows.

long to win (ao3) - queervampire, bruce/thor T, 6k

Summary: Loving Bruce may very well be the most terrifying thing that Thor could do.

no one id rather be stuck with (ao3) - angelheartbeat, bruce/thpr G, 4k

Summary: Whilst on a diplomatic meeting with government officials, Thor and Bruce get stuck in the building elevator.

The Daily Rogers (ao3) - Nonymos steve/bucky, natasha/sam, bruce/clint E, 31k

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

To Taste (ao3) - felinefelicitations bruce/steve E, 15k

Summary: It isn’t that Bruce does not like Steve (quite the opposite). It’s that Bruce very much can’t have Steve, not the way he would like. After all, Steve is Captain America, and Captain America is a paragon of command and control.

In other words, not submissive.

(Or how Bruce is sometimes the least observant scientist in the world, Steve is shyly in love and tells this to Bruce with food, and the team mostly just wants to make sure their supply of baked goods doesn’t dry up.)

(Unsuccessful) Seduction (ao3) - ReginaNocis bruce/rhodey/tony T, 3k

Summary: Tony and Rhodey have been happy together for years. Who could blame Bruce for being suspicious when they both start flirting with him?

Warm You Up (ao3) - Trumpeteer34 bruce/steve T, 3k

Summary: After a battle, Bruce de-Hulks somewhere away from the team, where he’s hard to find. Wherever that happens to be, it’s cold. By the time they finally find him, he’s half-frozen, shivering uncontrollably, dazed, etc.

Steve still has his own issues with cold/ice and is all over Bruce with blankets, hot drinks, and various shoulder/hand/body rubs until he’s sure Bruce is properly warmed up.

Working the Steps (ao3) - the_wordbutler bruce/clint T, 14k

Summary: In which Bruce discovers that everyone has secrets, and everyone still suffers.

Worth It (ao3) - snack_size bruce/steve E, 15k

Summary: Bruce likes Steve, and, as it turns out, Steve likes Bruce - but it’s all very awkward, and they agree to take it slow.

You're gonna catch a cold from the ice inside your soul (ao3) - TrashficParlour bruce/justin T, 2k

Summary: It ended with them beneath the bleachers, making out, their hands all over each other and Bruce realized in that moment that maybe accepting that dance was one of the best decisions he’d ever made.

And he had been so sure of that too.

[muxtique]

Goodnight Tea & Kisses

Title: Goodnight Tea & Kisses.

Ship: Kate Bishop × Yelena Belova.

Themes: Cuteness, Domestic, Fluff, Octoberish.

Triggers: None!

Synopsis: Kate is up late one night, trying to pin Kingpin's whereabouts, when Yelena comes up from behind with a cup of tea, kisses on the head, and whispers of Good Night's.

Notes: My first fanfiction!! Obviously, it's a bit of a cheese-fest but I needed something to lift my spirits. I doubt I've voiced for them well, but I've never written an actual short story so give me a break. 😭 I would love some scenario/theme requests, I've been clueless as what to write lately. (I got this prompt from a random generator, credits to the Tumblr they archived it from!!)

─────────────────────────────────

Kate's head hurt.

No, it was pounding. Her senses felt fried, tired eyes battling off sleep as cold autumn air circulated the room. It was three AM, and still no trace of Kingpin.

A hearty year has passed since Wilson Fisk was hauled off to jail with a grimace on his face and the mutterings of revenge. It had also been a full year since Kate watched her mother, Eleanor Bishop, gradually disappear in the backseat of a cop car. Last year's Christmas had been very...jolly to say the least.

And now it was October. And, as you can imagine, a lot of things have changed since then. For one, Jack Duquesne took charge of Bishop Security, when it became apparent Kate wasn't scurrying for the throne. She also spent every other weekend with the lonely bachelor (maybe out of pity for the previous events or shame from her past behavior) and came to actually enjoy the odd-ball's company. On the occasion, they would fence and the other times play Blackjack or Gin-rummy with a couple drinks shared between.

Also adapting the title (and alias) of Hawkeye, Clint would make the drive to the heart of the metropolis city. But...typically Kate was forced to take the train out to the suburbs. They would practice; with Clints mentoring and Kate's enthusiasm. They (as in "she") still testing the waters of a possible catchphrase. The only decent retort being, "The people who tolerate you on a daily basis are the real heroes." Which, by Clints definition was too wordy and definitely stolen from a pro wrestler.

But the most significant of all these things, nevermind Clint, Jack or even her new apartment – was who she got to share it with. Yelena Belova.

After their rather fruitless fight, after Clint managed to somewhat subside the ache in Yelena's heart, Kate received a notification a day later. When her apartment was still wafting in residue of fumes; when soot and flames forever tarnished her furniture. They had kept in touch ever since.

Ever since Kate migrated to a new apartment above a pharmacy called Little House. Ever since Kate got home from a day of training and smelled Mac & Cheese.

Ever since.

Clusters of leaves fluttered past the window, overlooking the vivid streets of New York. The only light illuminating the parlor besides Kate's own, pouring over newspapers and tabloids of New Yorks infamous Kingpin and his escape. It left the archers blood boiling; seeing how hard of a bastard he was to capture before. Couldn't she have at least one holiday to herself?

"Isn't it a little late to be Hawkeye?"

A toasty arm snaked it's way under the cloth of her shirt, pressing warmly against the flat of her stomach. The other mystery arm outstretched and presented; a mug of steam to mist her face. Kate smiled.

Sleepytime Tea. Chamomile flavour. Kate could practically smell the gentle notes of apple and honey-like sweetness. She despised the typical mints and flowers (who would even want to drink a flower anyway?) unlike Yelena; who cherished those flavours and thought sweeteners were childish. (Although she continued to purchase chamomile after Kate commented her liking of it.)

"Never too late."

Kate relished the moment. Accepting the mug just for the warmness to spread to her palms, eyes briefly closing. The weight of the woman's head resting between her shoulder blades, a comforting silence blanketing them both. A sigh fled her lips.

"Well, maybe Superheros should have bedtimes too."

"Hey–"

Kate broke their faceless embrace in favor of turning around. It was one of those rare times when Kate got to see Yelena with her hair down; blonde hair cascading in gentle curls. Through Kate was unsure if that was natural or just from being put up all the time. Either way, she was mesmerizing. She took preference of Kate's shirts over anything else, being they were slightly baggy on Yelena it automatically became her sleepwear. It wasn't surprising to see litters of shopping bags where Yelena had gone shopping; the woman loved two, maybe three things in this world. Kate, vests, and shopping. Especially shopping for Kate (knowing well, it would be for herself also.)

"I thought you were asleep?"

Kate would finish, stealing a sip from her (of course) purple themed mug with the word 'sharpshooter!' bending across. Yelena shrugged.

"Hard to sleep when you get use to snoring."

Yelena smiled and that swarm of butterflies came swarming. It made her nervous; made her utterly and terribly stutter-ish, even if they have been going steady for months now. It still felt all new with Yelena, made that arrogance walk right out the front door. She grinned.

"Okay, first off I do not snore. That's probably Fanny."

"Dogs can't snore!"

"Sure they can."

"Why don't you prove it then and come on to bed?"

"Is that your seduction line?"

Kate was beating around the bush. But also – you could never be too sure. Yelena was an aggressive flirt and sometimes–

No.

She was definitely beating around the bush.

Kate sighed. She probably looked disastrous if Yelena was this passionate on sleep. Guiding her girlfriend into her arms, her free hand laced around her waist. She could see the visible disappointment, though she tried to mask it.

Onto her tiptoes, Yelena pressed a kiss into her girlfriends temple, squeezing her arm in a means of encouragement. Without any evidence, Kate was without any sleep. She wouldn't give in. Something she hated – yet loved about her. Kate took this as an opportunity to sweeten her; catching her lips with hers as her tongue delve it's way eagerly threw.

"Maybe that line did work on me."

For when she pulled back, a pink faced Yelena stared back.

"Stubborn."

─────────────────────────────────

The breakage of dusk gave leeway to dawn.

As clouds began to stir and the city braced for a new day, Yelena found herself sluggishly hauling herself to the kitchen. It was daily routine to make strong coffee; with no childish sweeteners or sugars. Nothing but pure (except the times when she would lace Rum or Vodka, in which she was told was a very Russian thing to do.)

Kate never went to bed that night. Yelena told herself she'd give her the silent treatment if she had too – maybe even purposely guilt trip the archer. But that moment never came. Instead of finding a groggy, discombobulated woman she found a passed out, snoring archer. Yelena had to bite down a smile.

The dogs – Fanny and Lucky swam around her feet, anticipating their breakfast and inpatient for it. She stalled it, in the meantime.

The tea was downed, nothing but precipitation left to greet her. Kate was stretched on the couch, long limbs half dangling off and looking quite...well, comfortable wouldn't be the right term. Drool streaked her snoring lips while Yelena went to snap a picture for playful blackmail later. That's when she got the news.

New York City's Kingpin, Wilson Fisk, found and captured! Sentenced another fifteen years for jailbreak!

"I think this calls for a celebration."

Yelena whispered, the brightness of the phone awaking Kate. She blinked, tiredness very vivid on blue eyes.

"Yeah, sleep."

[trashywormeateroffics]

The right universe.

Summary: After Y/N's life turns upside down, she's full of grief. Somehow, one day, she manages to travel to the MCU, where she meets her favorite characters, including a certain god who seems willing to establish a friendship with her. Suddenly she's enwrapped in this new world, where everything she loved in a screen is now reality. How will she react? Will she be able to deal with the ghosts that haunt her? Or will she let them consume her? Will she be open to accept the love she is offered? Read to find out!

Read this on AO3! 

Category: F/M.

Relationships: Loki/reader.

Characters: Wanda Maximoff, Pietro Maximoff, Sam Wilson (Marvel), James "Bucky" Barnes, Vision (Marvel), Tony Stark, Natasha Romanov (Marvel), Stephen Strange, Nick Fury, Maria Hill, Bruce Banner, Thor (Marvel), Clint Barton, Steve Rogers, Peter Parker, other minor appearances of other characters but these are the main ones, Pepper Potts, Loki (Marvel).

Additional tags: Loki/reader - Freeform, Avenger Loki (Marvel), Loki & Tony Stark Friendship, Fluff, Fluff and Angst, Fluff and Smut, Tooth-Rotting Fluff, Fluffyfest, Slow Burn, Friends to Lovers, Mutual Pining, Pining a lot because we love to suffer, Domestic Avengers, Tony Stark Has A Heart, Tony Stark is a parental figure, Natasha Romanov Is a Good Bro, Everyone is a good bro, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, y/n, After Infinity War but no one died and the purple bitch was defeated, Missions, Y/N is a universe traveller, Grief, Therapy, Protective Loki (Marvel), Loki in love.

MASTERLIST OF THE STORY 

Chapter 4: 177A Bleecker Street.

It had been seven weeks since she arrived at the compound. The avengers quickly turned into friends and even though she did not want to think about it, they were the closest thing to a family she had now.

That day, as she walked down the hall with her crutches, she heard a booming voice, which she knew belonged to Thor. Excitement bubbled up inside her, the two Asgardian brothers and Strange were the only ones she hadn't met yet.

“Y/N, come in, meet Thor!” Bruce said, excited to see his friend. She noticed that Thor had his short Ragnarok hair.

“Lady Y/N, Thor Odinson, pleasure to meet you.” He said, kissing her hand.

“Hi Thor! It's so nice to finally meet you, is Loki here too?” She asked, overly animated. Thor chuckled.

“My brother is taking care of some business in the other seven realms, letting them know where New Asgard is and reassuring allies,” he explained. “He'll come back in a few midgardian months I suppose.” He furrowed his brows. “But do not worry, after we lost our home and fought Thanos, my brother is a changed man. He has no malicious intent as he once had.” He clarified but Y/N laughed.

“I'm not scared of your brother Thor,” she said, confusing the blond god.

“You are not?” He asked.

“Nope.”

“Actually, creepy here is a fan of his.” Tony said and Thor's eyebrows shot up in surprise.

“He may have been one of my favorite characters in the MCU…” She said nonchalantly.

“The MCU?”

“Marvel Cinematic Universe,” Bruce explained to him, “the movies we're from.”

“Oh,” he nodded. “Loki will be delighted to meet you then!”

“NO!” Y/N shouted. “Don't ever tell him this, ever. It's embarrassing.”

“Mmm… and why would admiring someone be embarrassing? Perhaps you read some fanfiction about a certain god?” Tony asked knowingly.

Y/N's face reddened and she laughed nervously. Thank the Gods Nat interjected.

“Tony, we all know you've read fanfiction about Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos so don't even try to make her feel ashamed.” Everyone, except Tony, who seemed offended, burst out laughing. She looked at Nat with a thankful expression and in response, the redhead winked at her with a smirk.

“Oh Y/N!” Cap said. “Don't forget that tomorrow me and Tony are taking you to the doctor to take off your cast.”

“How could I forget about this thing finally being gone?” She responded.

“Right. After it's gone, we're gonna do the exercises that the doctor says and as soon as you are permitted to, you'll start training with me and Romanoff for hand to hand combat, and with Strange for your alleged powers. Got it?”

“Yes sir!” She said in a mocking soldier tone, saluting with her hand before leaving to her room.

                                 -------------------------------------

The cast was off and it had been a month of combat training with Steve and Nat. Strange had insisted that she should have some physical training before starting the magic training.

But today was the day, Happy took her to 177A Bleecker Street, New York City to finally meet the Sorcerer Supreme. Standing in the doorway, she rang the bell and, before she could process what was happening, she was inside the sanctum, losing her balance and falling to the floor.

“Ouch! Do you do that because you know everyone hates it?!” She asked in annoyance before glancing at the caped man.

“Yes,” he responded with a hint of mockery in his tone. “Dr. Strange.” He introduced himself.

“Y/F/N.”

“Okay Miss Y/L/N, we need to figure out if you have powers or not. First I'm gonna ask you a few questions, then we are testing your alleged powers and we'll see what we do after that. Clear?” He asked in a serious tone and she nodded. “Right. Take a seat. Would you like some tea?”

“Yeah, sure. Thank you.” She smiled shyly.

“So tell me, how did you travel universes? Stark and Banner explained some things but I'd like to hear it from you, if that presents no problem.”

“No problem at all,” she said apprehensively. “To put it simply-”

“Don't put it simply,” he interrupted. “I need the whole story, with as much detail as you can possibly give me.”

“Okay, to not put it simply then…” She smiled sheepishly. “I have always been normal… by that I mean I've never had powers or any indication that I possessed them.” She looked over at Strange, who seemed to be paying attention to her every word, so she continued. “My whole family died in a car crash, pretty cliché,” she chuckled, “but it doesn't make it hurt any less. Two weeks passed after that and I was staying at my grandmother's sister's house. I was pretty much numb, it felt as if the wave of a tsunami had washed over me and I didn't have the strength to fight back, to try to swim, so I just let the current take me wherever it wanted. That was until one day, I don't know exactly what it was, but I was in my room there, about to have a snack, and something cracked inside me.” She looked at Strange, giving him the space to ask something if he wanted and he nodded.

“How did it feel? How do you know that something cracked?” That made Y/N’s expression turn thoughtful.

“I suppose it was a realization… of how ridiculous everything is and how much had happened in so little time. It was like I peeked my head out from under the water and something came alive in me.” The Sorcerer motioned for her to continue. “I left and I started running. I assumed I was having some sort of panic or anxiety attack, but it was the worst one I've ever had. I ran and ran and ran and I ended up in the middle of nowhere, in front of a cliff. I collapsed on the floor and cried, more like sobbed, for a while and then I felt something inside me… it was like all the pain, all the fear, all the love, every single thing I've ever felt in my life, it all kind of came together and I screamed, so loud. And then I was involved in that white tunnel, going up and then down and before I hit the ground, everything went black.”

They both stayed silent for a while after that. Strange out of respect for Y/N, and her because she was trying to collect herself and put the grief back in that little box at the back of her mind. A few minutes passed and all that could be heard was the clock on the wall, tick tock, tick tock.

“Y/N,” she looked up. “Do you think that you did it?”

“Yes, I don't know why, it's a feeling. Perhaps it's my own desire to be something more than… me.” Strage nodded.

“I agree with you,” that made Y/N lift her head up and furrow her eyebrows. “On the part where you said that you did it, not on that nonsense that you said after.” That made her laugh and he smiled. “We are going to do one more thing and then we are done for today, you need to rest.”

“Okay,” she answered softly.

Strange stood up and motioned for Y/N to follow him to what seemed to her like a witches cauldron for potions.

“This is the Cauldron of the Cosmos,” at least she got the cauldron part right, she thought. “It will determine if you have powers or not, after we confirm that, if it turns out that you do have powers, Wong will help us figure out where they came from and you'll be training with us. But you must know that it's a tedious process.”

“Well, it's not like I have many other things to do.” Y/N said half-jokingly.

“I need you to grab onto the cauldron with both hands.” Strange said as he grabbed something from a cabinet nearby and she did. When he came closer, she could see a tiny bottle with some liquid in it. He put a few drops in the cauldron and said “ahenum mundi ostendit veritatem” and suddenly the room was illuminated by a purplish light, in the middle of the image of a blueish spiral, she could see what seemed like a million little white stars.

Strange moved the image with his gloved hands and zoomed in the middle of it, where a baby appeared, a very familiar baby. Her. The baby was crying, it seemed that she was just born a few moments ago and there were two hands holding her, one on her body, the other on her head. What caught her attention more than anything was that the baby was englowed in that same familiar white light, and so was she, standing there, holding onto the cauldron. With a movement of his hand, everything went back to normal and she let go of it. Y/N looked at Strange with a shocked expression.

“What does this mean?” She asked, her voice a bit strangled.

“That we were right.”

~taglist~ @mischief2sarawr @midnights-ramblings

[justabigassnerd]

Dreams

Pairing - Yelena Belova x Romanoff!daughter reader

Word count - 1,088

Warnings - mentions of death, angst

Summary - you move in with Yelena after the loss of your mother and struggle to come to terms with your grief

A/N - boom new character time bitches! I actually really enjoyed writing this fic because I really like Yelena (although I'm not confident in how well the fic turned out). As per y'all please send in requests and enjoy!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

In the five years you and half the universe had disappeared you lost someone you thought would be by your side forever. You woke up surrounded by confused people who had clearly gone through the same experience you just had. Your first thought in that moment was finding your mum and having a happy reunion with her.

Those hopeful dreams were shattered the instant you managed to track down the Avengers. Clint was the one to gently break it to you that Natasha had sacrificed her life in order to retrieve the Soul Stone so that you and the rest of those snapped, could return. You turned down the offer to stay with Clint or any of the other Avengers because you knew the second you found out your mum was dead who you wanted to stay with.

You had only met your Aunt Yelena a few months prior to Thanos invading in his efforts to find the six Infinity Stones to eradicate half the universe. But in the short time you had known her a close bond was formed between you two and it hadn’t gone unnoticed by Natasha who later pulled Yelena aside while you were asleep and asked her if in the event of her death that she’d take you in and look after you. Yelena hated the thought of Natasha being dead but agreed, nonetheless.

Yelena accepted you into her life almost instantly when she heard your tearful voice on the other end of the phone explaining what had happened to your mum and you were incredibly grateful that she had, unaware of the conversation she had with Natasha five years earlier. Yelena was kind and caring and you enjoyed living with her. She couldn’t ever replace your mum, but you were glad she was there to take care of you when Natasha wasn’t. She helped you through the grieving process as best she could, you were both grieving and found comfort in each other but you also both understood that sometimes you needed time to be alone.

It had been almost a month since you moved in with Yelena and you were starting to feel more like yourself again. You were obviously still upset that you had lost your mum and you’d carry that hurt forever but you were starting to feel like the sun was breaking through the clouds of pain. You spent the whole day with Yelena, taking a walk and enjoying each other’s company, you even ended the day by watching a film with an almost endless supply of snacks Yelena had in her cupboards for moments like this.

When the movie was over and the snacks eaten both you and Yelena retire to your rooms, exhausted by the day of activities. You get into your comfiest pair of pyjamas and climb into bed, cocooning yourself in your duvet and allowing yourself to fall asleep instantly. You dream that night. You dream that your mum was by your side once more, giving you the biggest hugs and you swear you could feel her running a hand through your hair the way she always used to when she gave you a hug. She was speaking to you too, her voice as clear as a bell as she told you how much she loved you.

Waking up and noticing that you were in your room at Yelena’s instead of being in your room at your mum’s shattered your heart. You switched your bedside light on and sat up, surveying the room for any hope that your eyes were deceiving you in the darkness. When you realised, they were in fact right and the memory of being told about Natasha’s death resurfaced. You found tears rolling down your cheeks as you tug your knees up to your chest. You thought you were over this, this horrible feeling but clearly it had stuck around. You sobbed as you remember that you never got to say goodbye to your mum before she died. You tried to stifle your sobs but to no avail.

“y/n, are you okay?” The worried voice of Yelena makes your head snap to the side, watching as she hurries into your room and perches on the side of your bed, worried eyes meeting your tear filled ones. You open your mouth to respond but you choke on a sob, instead moving to hug Yelena, being welcomed into her arms instantly as she held you tight, whispering words of reassurance in both English and Russian as you try to regain control of your breathing.

“I’m sorry.” Is the first thing you manage to say once your breathing is back under control, your face buried in Yelena’s shoulder.

“Don’t be sorry. Is this about Natasha?” Yelena says reassuringly before asking you what she suspects you’re upset about. She figures it would be best if you talked about it now rather than later.

“I dreamt she was still alive. I could hear her voice and feel her hugging me.” You say quietly, pulling away from the hug and wiping your eyes with your pyjama sleeve.

“I know what you’re talking about. I have dreams like that too sometimes.” She responds, rubbing a gently hand up and down your back.

“You do?” You question, looking up at Yelena with curious eyes as she smiles softly back at you.

“I do. It shows just how much we loved her and how much we miss her. We’ll never forget her, and she lives on in our hearts.” Yelena says gently, reassuring you with every word she says.

“I’ll love her forever Aunt Yelena.” You mumble, your eyelids growing heavy which Yelena notices, lying you down and covering you with the duvet.

“I know you will. And she’ll love you forever too.” Yelena says before humming ‘American Pie’ gently to help you fall asleep. Once you’re asleep, Yelena presses a kiss to your temple and switches off your bedside light before heading for the door. She looked into your room one last time before she closed the door and returned to her own room.

The grieving process is longer than you thought it would be but with people like Yelena by your side you knew you had comfort and someone to talk to whenever you needed to and just knowing you weren’t alone was enough for you. You were going to get through this, Natasha would want you to and you loved her with all your heart so you honoured what you knew she’d want you to do.

[darkenedreaper]

Pairing: Natasha Romanoff x Reader, Avengers x Reader

Featuring: GoTG, Peggy Carter

Warnings: Angst, sad I suppose

Summary: 2 years after her death, your struggling even more. And it’s killing the team to keep their secret. (I changed Endgame because I can. Come at me. I might make it into chapters.)

Masterlist

‘It can’t be undone’ she said

*2 years ago*

You had gone through years with her. Years with the Avengers and the Guardians of the Galaxy. You had gone through love with her. You had gone through the 5 years with her. You had gone to Vormir with her. Yet you had won the final fight without her.

When you all came back from the time travel success you had to try and keep yourself from collapsing. You saw the others standing with smiles on their faces but all you saw was her. Her lips and eyes pleading you to let her go. Her body descending forever. And her sprawled out onto the floor, a pool of blood surrounding her head confirming Natasha Romanoff no longer wondered the earth.

“Are you telling me this actually worked?” Rhodey questioned, followed by Thor’s wheezy laugh. Their faces became confused when they heard a long bang. You have dropped down onto your knees, stone in hand and body wet from wherever you had been teleported to after she had sacrificed herself.

“Y/n where’s Nat?” The big green guy said. Your eyes were stuck in front of you. A sorrowful look on your face. You couldn’t even move. You couldn’t speak. You could’ve all been there for hours or seconds. But Steve lifted you up by your arms and tried to read your expression. With the help of Nebula you were taken to your bedroom you shared with Natasha. The both of them tried to gently take you to the bed but instead you walked shakily to the bathroom and shut the door. Of course Steve was upset. He had a lost a part of his family. He had shed tears while he walked with you. He could only imagine what the scene must’ve been for yourself. The unspoken news of his friends death was indescribable, but having to be there in an unimaginable situation would’ve been even harder. And he understood that. Nebula grieved, she barely knew the woman. But she grieved. She saw the distraught and pain on your face and in your eyes. She placed her hand on Steve’s shoulder and took him out of your room.

In the bathroom you had caged yourself into. You had your hand gripped to the sink. Your eyes trained to the sink bowl. Your eyes drifted to the left for you where her makeup and hairbrush had been layed out this morning. You took a step back, nervously clasping your hands together. You tried to calm down before someone got hurt. You looked down at your hands and you were maintaining some level of sanity before you remembered that your hand had let her go. If anyone would walk past your bedroom door, they were bound to hear glass smashing and screams and words of anguish.

You didn’t speak to anyone. You completely shut yourself down. The only reason you spoke to someone was to communicate over the earpiece when you were fighting. There was a short debate over the coms as to who was going to steal the stones from Thanos. You nearly went into a fit of rage and upset before Carol ordered you to look into her eyes. Your excuse to use the stones was so you could be with her again. When Tony clicked his fingers the enemy became dust, and the world became a little more louder and a bit more lighter. The battlefield was filled with new and old faces. Tony’s snap had been so powerful he was able to bring back the people that mattered the most to those around him. Steve had Peggy in his tired arms. Clint had Laura and his children. Wanda had Vision. Quill had Gamora. Thor had his mother and brother back. Tony had Pepper. He was unharmed and Bruce’s arm had healed. Everyone had someone. You had someone. You had your whole family. But your special someone was Natasha. You had never felt so lost. Natasha would be holding you, you holding her. She would tuck your head into her shoulder while letting your arms envelope around her. But all you got were sad looks.

Some of the ‘newbies’ had questioned their closest. After a lot of loud whispering, there was silence. The battlefield was silent in memory of Natasha. The only noises were the hundreds of sniffles and sobs of those who had the news broken to them. The dying fires crackling. The next minute footsteps were approaching you. You had internally begged for it to be Natasha. But you looked up to see a short boy. His suit red and blue with a spider on it. His brown curly hair was tinted with grey. His teary eyes gave you the saddest smile before and steadily put his arms around your shoulders. You accepted the young boys embrace. You were thankful for it.

The news were around the place as quick as they could’ve been. Pictures were taken. Statements were took. The public had tried to surround the heroes but were pushed away by the helping police. It has been released to the enormous crowd that one of the most heroic heroes had died. The crowds became distraught. They sounded like how you felt inside. They tried to surround you and shout out their condolences but you kept walking. Where to? Who knows.

*2 years later/present time*

You spoke to no one. You spoke out in bursts of anger. Anger if someone tried to tell you to come away from your desk and to stop working and trying to find a way. Peggy, Steve’s wife, had became close to you. She understood how it felt to lose a loved one. She understood she wasn’t Natasha. She understood why you were working yourself so hard. She would never judge you, if you looked all disheveled or smelt from not taking a shower. She encouraged you to do your best, but she never pushed you. 2 years ago, you found a solution to stop Thanos. 2 years ago you lost her. 2 years ago Steve returned the stones. You haven’t been able to go through any videos or voice messages of her. Just a photo that you have framed. There were and still are memorials for her, but you would never attend any.

You had only cried to yourself. But right now you were on the edge of having a definite breakdown. Tony and the whole team of Avengers, Wakanda, GotG and Carol had wanted to check in as you had been back to Vormir. Which you greatly regret. Scott had made an extra time travel refill for you. All you were told by red skull was a ‘soul for a soul’. You argued with a ghost. You lashed out a ghost. You didn’t dare look to the edge. Knowing you would either throw yourself of or cry so much you wouldn’t be able to move.

They all met you at the Compound. At the platform that sat on top on the lake.

Steve and Peggy. Tony and Pepper. Rhodes. Bucky and Sam. Clint and Laura. Thor and Loki. Bruce. The Guardians were there. Rocket was by your side. Peter was there with Happy. Carol was at the edge of the platform. Wanda and Vision. And the rest were all there. You had your back turned to them. You were silent trying to understand why they all had such guilty faces, except Thor. They all had a secret. One they had agreed to not tell you, for fear it may completely break you. But they decided enough was enough. They had to tell you.

“Look we need to get her back to stop this shit with the Avengers get it together.” Thor spat at Steve, as he still saw him as the Captain.

“Can’t get her back.” You spoke up, causing everyone’s attention on the two of you.

“Wh..wha..what are you..?” Thor mumbled out.

“It can’t be undone. It can’t.” You said quietly looking at him from over your shoulder.

He laughed at your words before saying, “Look.. I, I’m sorry but your a very earthly being okay, we’re talking about space magic and can’t seems very definitive. Don’t you think?”

“Yeah look I know that I’m way outside my.. my paid rate here. But she still isn’t here is she?” You said. Tony took of his sunglasses, getting upset.

“Yeah well that’s my point.” Thor said in a hushed manner.

“It can’t.. be undone.” Your voice cracking, your tears had crawled their way down your face now. “Or that’s at least what the red floating guy had to say. Maybe you wanna go talk to him. Ok, go grab your hammer and you go find him you talk to him!” You yelled at him. He looked down to the floor. You shouldn’t be angry with him. He missed Natasha. But you couldn’t help it.

“It was supposed to be me.” You admitted with a breaking voice. Bucky let a tear fall freely from his eye. “She sacrificed her life for that goddamn stone, she bet her life on it.” You started to breakdown in the middle of everyone. Angry at how she could’ve died for nothing. How it wasn’t supposed to be like this. Even Wanda began to breakdown. She felt your pain from far away. Your longing. And your grieving. Rockets fur was wet as he was upset just like everyone else.

He couldn’t take it anymore. The lies. Not the acting. But the lies. Clint stood up and said, “Y/n we’ve been lying to you. Natasha is here. She’s perfectly fine. She’s alive. You just can’t see her.” No one else bothered to look up as he said what was needed to be said. You slowly turned around to him. “What?” Was all you could choke out. Steve stood up and walked towards you before keeping a distance. “When I returned the stone. He told me that we could all get her back, after all it was a soul for a soul. But the one who travelled there has been cursed. You can’t see or hear her and I don’t know if you ever will. But she’s alive.”

You took time to observe his words.

She was standing in front of you. Her arms crossed but her eyes were stuck on your face that was wet from the tears you had cried. Your eyes brows moving in a sorrowful way. She wasn’t crying for herself no. She cried for you. For your pain. She had never seen you so upset. And because she had been with you ever since she got back, she’s had to watch you cry almost every day.

Natasha wishes you could see her. She has been next to you this whole time. She was gone a few hours and then she was back. She couldn’t find you and instead ran into Sam who held her tightly. Instead she sped off to Tony’s cabin where she found Bucky and Steve, who explained everything.

She wishes you could hear how proud she is of you. She wishes you didn’t have to see you break yourself and live in your mental anguish. It hurt her. Every night you fell asleep at your desk, she would drape a blanket over you, and almost cry at your confused state in the morning of who had been to your office and covered you.

She wishes you hadn’t been traumatised by her silly yet heroic actions. She wishes she could tell you how much she loves you and how she wants to be held by you and she wants you to be able to hear her words, “I love you.” The others heard it. But they didn’t dare tell you.

She was determined to get her words to you. If not by speaking to you then by page. Determined to prove that she was with you all of this time. She wants to tell you how much she loves you.

She wishes there was a way.

If you would like a part 2, let me know.

[wrenhyperfixates]

We Make a Pretty Good Team

Pairing: Loki x reader Summary: It’s game night at the Avengers Tower, and you find the perfect partner in Loki. Warnings: ‘tis but fluff A/N: Just another self-indulgent, fluffy story. Hope you enjoy :)

Tag List: @lucywrites02​​ @frostedgiant​​ @lunarmoon8​​ @twhiddlestonsstuff​​ @lokistan​​ @lowkeyorlokificrecs​​ @gaitwae​​ @whatafuckingdumbass​​ @castiels-majestic-wings​​ @kozkaboi​​ @cozy-the-overlord​​ @birdgirl90​​ @myraiswack​​

Disclaimer: Gif not mine 

“First Saturday of the month. You know what that means,” Tony hollered to the Avengers scattered about the Tower.

“Yes!” Thor boomed. “Be prepared to lose.”

“Funny,” Clint laughed with a roll of his eyes. “I was just about to say the same thing to you.”

“What is happening?” you asked, somewhat bewildered, as the heroes came into the room. “What’s significant about Saturday?”

“Oh my gosh, that’s right. You just missed the last one. Every first Saturday of the month we have a game night,” Nat explained.

You’d been part of the team for just under a month, having officially joined on a Sunday. So, it was true that you’d yet to experience their apparently traditional game night. It sounded like a great deal of fun, though, especially because the Avengers had become your second family in the short time you’d known them. Well, you’d actually known Nat and Clint for years, since you all worked for SHIELD. In fact, they were a huge part of the reason you were an Avenger now. A few months ago there was a particularly dangerous crime ring, and they’d specifically requested you as backup. You’d clicked with everyone immediately and, numerous transfer papers later, here you were.

“Sounds exciting!” you told them. “What are we playing first?”

“Well actually,” Bruce said kind of sheepishly, “it’s not that I want you to sit out, but they’re all team games, and we don’t have an even number of people.”

“So we have a team of three,” Nat said, as if it were obvious.

“No way. That’s unfair,” Tony argued.

You bit your lip, feeling like maybe you were intruding on something you shouldn’t be a part of. It was their thing, after all, and perhaps there was simply no room for a newcomer. As they continued to bicker about whether one larger team mattered or not, you considered just slipping away. That’s when you noticed that there was someone missing.

“What about Loki?” you said. “He would make the numbers even.”

Much to your surprise, everyone burst out laughing. You nervously ran your sweaty palms on the legs of your pants and let out a small laugh, though you weren’t quite sure at what. Once their cackling died down, you dared to ask what was so funny.

“My brother never attends these games nights,” Thor informed you. “He isn’t one for group activities, as I’m sure you’ve noticed.”

“Well, have you ever invited him?”

“Once or twice,” Tony said. “Listen, if you want to try to make a social butterfly out of Reindeer Games, be my guest. In the meantime, we’ll work out a feasible way for us all to play.”

You rolled your eyes and scoffed a little, standing up to go find Loki. It was honestly ridiculous that they still treated him the way they did. Sure, he likes to be alone sometimes, but that doesn’t mean he likes being lonely. Not that he’d ever actually admitted to you that he was, but you knew. It was blatantly obvious in the way he sent longing glances toward the rest of the team when you gathered together. You always made sure to ask him over, an invitation he usually accepted. Everyone else had laughed the first time you’d done that, too. They’d only ever asked him a few times, and it was right when he was new and still so lost, so alone, so afraid. Why they took that to just be his permanent disposition, you didn’t know. Regardless of how insensitive they were to his situation, your inclusivity had brought Loki out of his shell a bit, and a friendship had blossomed between you.

A short walk later, you reached his door. You stretched out a hand, but hesitated to knock. Doubt gnawed at the back of your mind. Maybe he truly was not a fan of board games, and then you’d be interrupting his night. After all, he must have a tradition of his own if this happens every first Saturday. Still, you knew that was usually not the case, and steeled yourself against the uncertainty.

“Hello, my little mortal,” he greeted you, opening the door. “Is everything alright?”

“No.”

“What is it? Are you ill? Hurt?” he questioned, jumping into action and shepherding you to his couch.

“No, nothing like that,” you laughed, though you were touched by his concern. “It’s just that it’s game night, and we don’t have an even number of people.”

“Oh? And I suppose that you are asking me to join,” he mused as you nodded. “I am not usually invited, and I am notorious spoiled sport, just ask Thor.”

“Well, people say a lot of things about you, and they’re usually not true.” He shrugged his shoulders. “You don’t have to play if you really don’t want to, but will you? Please. For me?”

“For you, my little mortal, anything. After all, how can I resist those puppy dog eyes?”

You giggled and led the way out of his room, ignoring the thumping of your heart when his hand accidentally brushed yours. Nat and Tony were still bickering about the teams when you arrived, but were quickly stunned into silence when they saw Loki.

“Brother! Good to see you’ve decided to join,” Thor greeted, breaking the somewhat awkward silence. “Shall we begin then?”

First up was Cranium, and you could tell that everyone else was divided into their usual teams: Tony and Bruce, Clint and Nat, Thor and Steve. You rubbed your hands in excitement, ready for some friendly competition.

“Yes!” you shouted a while later, after you and Loki answered the final question right. “We win!”

Everyone else’s jaw hung open, shocked by how serious of a competitor you were. Not to say you were mean-spirited or gloated or anything, but it was obvious you took game night very seriously. Loki was a little surprised too, but he relished in the infectious energy of your feisty spirit. Not to mention he absolutely loved to be on the winning team.

“Congratulations, guys,” Steve said. “Don’t expect to get as lucky in the next game, though.”

The next game, apparently, was charades, which you and Loki absolutely dominated again. The two of you worked as a well-oiled machine, guessing the simple ones like sewing and the more obscure ones like whale watching with ease. Loki was also surprisingly knowledgeable about Midgardian movies and literature. The two of you high fived, having just edged out the competition.

“Wow, good job guys,” Nat congratulated. “Tony and Bruce usually win that one.”

“Way to rub it in,” Tony groaned, flopping back on the couch.

You could tell a part of him wanted to accuse Loki of cheating but, having no real evidence and not wanting to start a fight, restrained himself. Instead, he contented himself with just mumbling how much of an outrage it was. You, however, were on cloud nine.

As the next game was set up, Loki pulled you onto his lap, instilled with confidence after his latest wins. Of course, if anyone were to ask, he would just say he was saving room on the couch. It would have, though, been a lie.

“Ready for a clean sweep, my little mortal?” he whispered, his breath surprising cold on your ear.

“Bring it on!” you whispered back with a wink.

The last game of the night was Pictionary, and by now everyone knew you and Loki were the team to beat. Unfortunately for them, you got this win, too. The Avengers let out a collective sigh as you shouted a victorious whoop and hugged Loki.

“Good game everyone,” you said, starting to help clean up.

“What are you doing, my little mortal?” Loki questioned, half joking. “Do you not know the losers have to clean up?”

“Not sure that’s actually a rule, Rock of Ages,” Tony grumbled.

“Fine, I’ll help,” he replied, placing a singular piece back in the box. “There. Now it is time for our victory lap.”

Then he scooped you up bridal style using his superhuman strength and began running you around the Tower in his arms, both laughing the whole time. He finally brought you to a stop on the balcony of his room.

“You’re ridiculous, you know that right?” you said, still chuckling.

“Perhaps. But we deserved that after an excellent showing.”

“I guess so. As much as it pains me to admit it, we should probably go easy on them next time. We’ll just win one a night, ok?”

“That’s my little mortal,” he happily sighed, wrapping his arms around you. “Always looking out for others. Always looking out for me. Thank you for inviting me along tonight.”

“No problem. It was a lot of fun. We make a pretty good team.”

“Indeed.”

A comfortable silence settled between you, and you rested against Loki, whose arms were still wrapped around you. He felt more relaxed and happy than he had in a while. He knew he’d ask you out someday, but right now he was still too shy, this friendship still too new. One day he would, though, and he couldn’t wait to get there and to every day after.

[wiypt-writes]

Guilty As Charged

Guilty As Charged: Bucky Barnes One Shot

Summary: Defence Attorney James ‘Bucky’ Barnes is the absolute bane of your life…

Pairing: Lawyer AU Bucky Barnes x Reader (Frenemies!)

Warnings: Bad language words.

Word Count- Under 2k

A/N:  This was originally posted on my old blog ages ago, but I’ve just given it a little polish and thought, seeing as I’m on the Bucky Train at the moment, I’d bring it back. Also, my knowledge on US Criminal Law is sketchy at best, so humour me…

Disclaimer: This is a pure work of fiction and classified as 18+. Please respect this and do not read if you are underage. I do not own any characters in this bar reader and any other OCs that may or may not be mentioned. By reading beyond this point you understand and accept the terms of this disclaimer.

Bucky Barnes Masterlist // Main Masterlist

*******

In God We Trust, the words set about the Judge’s podium were fixed in your vision, motes of dust moving freely in the rays of sunlight which were streaming through the large, ornate windows of the court room and you took a deep breath, letting it out slowly, concentrating on expelling the nerves you were feeling with the air that left your mouth and lungs.

No matter how many times you were in this position, the reading of the verdict still got to you. Your gaze turned to the jury, as the judge did the same, that all important question ringing across the room, the air stiflingly tense.

“On the charge of murder in the first degree, do you find the defendant or not guilty"

“Not guilty.”

Fuck.

Cheers from the defendants family drowned out your loud groan as you rubbed at your temple. Looking over at your colleague, Sam, you shook your head in utter disbelief.

The judge continued through the remaining charges, second-degree murder and voluntary manslaughter, and your despair grew as the same verdict was returned for each.

You’d lost. And it stung, not merely because of your near perfect conviction rate, but for the family of the victim you were one-hundred percent convinced the accused.

"Y/N this wasn't your fault.” Sam stated in a low voice but you simply sighed again and shrugged.

"I was sure they'd see through his lies,” you glanced over to your right where the defence team, headed up by James Buchanan Barnes of Barnes and Rogers Law firm were shaking hand with each other and their defendant. Barnes' face was arranged in the usual smug look that you always had the urge to slap right off it. His partner, Steve, glanced over at you and gave you a genuine, sympathetic smile.

He’s always the most courteous out of the two, the one you actually didn’t mind dealing with when it came to cases.

"He fucking did it Y/N," Sam's voice was almost a growl, "I know he did."

"Well in the eyes of the law he didn’t." You stated, standing up.

The commotion continued behind you, as the defendant was told he was free to go. Making sure to keep your head down, you hastily shuffled your papers back into their respective files and packed your briefcase up. Picking up your jacket, you shrugged it on, smoothing down pencil skirt before you head to leave the courtroom before Barnes can pipe up with his usual smart ass quips. But you're not quite fast enough. "Commiserations Miss Y/LN, can't win em all." The familiar Brooklyn drawl hit your ears.

"Buck," Steve sighed "c'mon pal..."

You grit your teeth. You know you shouldn't rise to it, but you just can’t help it. The man is an utter jack ass in the courtroom. Spinning to face him, you shot him your best contemptuous glare, the one you always reserve for those people you really cannot stand, and looked at him like he was something you'd just trodden in.

"You know Barnes, there is such a thing as being gracious in victory as well as defeat." "Defeat?” He asked, looking at Steve with a puzzled expression on his face, “no, not sure what that is." "Eat shit.” You mumbled before turning to Sam who was stood behind you, watching the exchange. You nod to him and the two of you continued up the aisle towards the exit. The victim's family were congregated outside and all at once the start barraging you with questions.

"How did that happen?"

"You said it was a cert he would go down!”

"What about a private prosecution?”

You sighed and turn to look at them, you were exhausted. "I'm sorry.” You shook your head. “That new evidence that his attorney submitted, it was just threw too much of a doubt into the juries mind..." you held your hand up to gently silence them. “If you're serious about a private prosecution then I can meet you next week to discuss and put you in touch with a few people but I’m sorry, as far as the State’s involvement goes…I can’t do anymore."

Escaping as quickly as you could, you and Sam headed back to your office. After a short meeting with your boss, the District Attorney, who was as pissed as you were that the prosecution had failed, you emerged feeling twice as tired and battered as you had when you’d left the courtroom.

As Sam stated, there was only one thing left you could do. Drink alcohol. A lot of alcohol.

It was a short walk to your preferred bar, having decided to abandon your car and collect it in the morning. You were going to get drunk. Really drunk. "Hey Y/N, hey Sam." Clint, the bar tender greeted you. “I hear it wasn't a great day.” You looked up and saw he was pointing to the TV behind the bar. It was on a news channel, focussing on a report from earlier that afternoon which wasn’t surprising. The case had thrown up huge public interest ever since the body of the teenage girl has been found in the alleyway in Queens. The defendant confessed but somehow, the new evidence submitted was an alleged recording that the defence had gotten their hands on as proof the confession was taken under duress. If you were being totally honest, you had to admit that it didn't sound great, the officer did seem to be leaning heavily on the defendant, but the other evidence was, no, IS overwhelming.

But all it needed was that little seed of doubt, which the defence sowed expertly, and the jury couldn't convict. And now, thanks to Barnes and Rogers, specifically Barnes, in your mind a dangerous killer was walking free. As you stared at the television, you saw Barnes on the screen with the defendant, all smiles and Steve at his side. Barnes greeted the press with a raised hand. "Clint turn it over man." Sam almost pleaded and Clint shot you both a sympathetic look, before he pointed the remote at and flicked the report over to a mundane, late afternoon game show. You ordered 2 beers, and then settled at the bar on one of the tall chairs, crossing your bare, heeled legs as you and Sam began to dissect the case. You couldn’t help it, you always did this, analyse where you went wrong or right.

The pair of you got that enthralled in your discussions, that before you know it, it was an hour lager and you're now four beers deep... and Sam was fielding an angry phone call from his wife, Natasha. "I gotta go, boss." He sighed, apologetically, “it’s my little girl’s dance recital at six and if I miss this one, Nat’s gonna hang me out to dry!” You waved his explanation off. “Its fine, Sam. Oh, and take the morning tomorrow. That case has had us working all hours and I don’t intend on being there till lunch. Clint, gimme a bourbon please?" "Don't let Barnes get to you.” Sam sighed. “You know what he is like" "Smug, arrogant and annoyingly self-righteous.” You nodded. “Yup, I got it.” Sam smiled and dropped a friendly kiss to your cheek. "See you later." Clint slid the glass of bourbon over to you and you smiled before pulling out your phone to check a few emails and your social media. You were just reading through an article about a Billionaire in Manhattan who had designed some kind of metal suit that allowed him to fly (because that's gonna end well), when a familiar voice broke your concentration. "Can I buy you a drink?" You rolled your eyes and looked up at Bucky Barnes as he leaned on the bar, still in his suit, although he had dispensed of his black and white tie, and opened his top button. This was another thing you hated about him. He is utterly gorgeous. Like GQ cover gorgeous, especially in his sharp suits and silk ties.

And he fucking knows it, too. "Depends." You shrugged, throwing back the remainder of your bourbon. "Does it come with a side helping of irritating smugness?" He chuckled. "I'm off duty, Doll so no."

"In that case I'll have another Monkey Shoulder." You slid the empty glass back to Clint. "Take it you're not driving home?" Barnes asked, his azure eyes running over your bare legs. "Well if I do and I get caught, I'm sure you can get me off any charges.” You replied sharply, shooting him a look that made it clear you caught him eyeing you up. And it isn't the first time either. That's another reason you clash so much in the courtroom. Sexual tension. Fucking jerk. He barked out a laugh "You're really not happy with me are you?" "Not particularly." You shook your head, thanking Clint as he pushed the now full glass back to you, with a small wink. It's a double, you noticed. That should set Barnes back a bit. Bucky reached for his beer and after a pull he looked directly at you. "Come work for me." He said and you groaned.

Not this again. "I'm a prosecutor." You rolled your eyes. "Not a defence attorney. I told you that last time you asked. And the time before, and the time before that." "I'm nothing if not persistent." He winked, turning in his stool so he was facing you. "Besides, I can teach you the ways of the dark side." "You’d love that wouldn't you?" You snort. "Oh, Sweetheart you have no idea." He leaned forward slightly, his elbow on the bar and this time he is blatantly staring at the flash of skin that was showing above the buttons on your blouse. "My face is up here, ass hole." With a smirk he raised his deep, blue eyes and they locked onto yours. Despite yourself, you feel your breath hitch slightly. Dammed him and his sex appeal. "Why are you always this insufferable?" You eventually tore your gaze away from his and picked up your drink, glancing up at the TV as an excuse not to look at him. "Ah come on Y/N, don’t be like that." He reached out to squeeze your hand which was resting on the back of the tall chair you were sat in. "We could make a great team..." You raised an eyebrow and looked at him. "Professionally.” He added, his eyes not leaving yours as he took another large drink of his beer, and you pulled your hand away from under his. "I'd kill you within five minutes of us being in the same office." You glared at him as you took another sip from your drink. He chuckled and eyed you again, “to be fair I'm not sure Stevie would be able to function with a beautiful dame such as yourself in close proximity. He still flusters around any woman that isn’t his Peggy.” "That's because Steve is a happily married man." "So am I." He shot back. Ah yes, Mrs Barnes… "Your wife deserves a medal. She must have the patience of a fucking saint to put up with you." You said into your glass. "I have other hidden qualities which mean she's prepared to overlook my slightly less favourable personality traits." He quipped, and you looked back to see that lopsided grin on his face that flips your stomach. Behave Y/N. "They must be very hidden." You mused, and he let out another loud laugh.   "You're killing me, Doll.” "Good." You drained your glass. The liquid burnt your throat and you could feel the effects of the alcohol from the last few hours as your brain started to hum. You looked at Barnes who was watching you, his eyes shining with all the cheekiness of a teenage boy and you know you need to leave before you do something stupid.

Like snogging his dumb, handsome face off. "I think it's time I got going." You said simply, standing up. Barnes gave a nod, draining his bottle. “Yeah I should be making tracks too. Wife to see to, you know how it is.” You stood and he did the same, and you realised he was holding up your jacket, ready for you to slide your arms into. Narrowing your eyes slightly at his sudden chivalry, you couldn’t help the small smile that flickered across your face as you turned and allowed him to help you into it. His hands dropped to your shoulders and he span you round gently and smiled with those perfect teeth, a smile that lit up his beautiful face, his eyes crinkling in the corners. "Lead the way Mrs Barnes.” He instructed softly, dropping a tender kiss to your lips. "You know it's a good job I love you,” you smiled, sliding your arms up round his neck. "Yeah, I know." "Although right now I'm struggling to remember why." "Well, when we get home I'll just have to show you some of those hidden qualities I was talking about, see if they help jog your memory.” You bit your lip slightly at the dark flash of desire that flit across his eyes, and you leant up to brush your lips across his stubbled jawline. "Unanimous verdict,” your voice drops slightly as you pull back and he smirked again, “guilty as charged.” You tossed Clint a good bye, linked your hand into your husband’s and he walked you outside into the brisk wind, his arm pulling you close, his lips pressed a soft kiss to your temple. Yeah, James Buchanan Barnes might be an insufferable, arrogant ass hole in the courtroom, but outside it he's simply your Bucky.

[thorin-is-a-cuddler]

Archive of laughter

A/N: Natasha realizes that Clint’s motivation is at a new low and tries to shift his mind away from the present. When he accidentally offers her the perfect method for doing so, she does not hesitate. Set in the What if… episode 1x08 with post-apocalyptic Clintasha vibes. I missed them.

2766 words

„Ughhhh.“

„…“

„Hngggh.“

„…“

„Aw man aw man aw man.“

Natasha looked up from the sheets in her hands with a reprimanding look in her eyes. „Clint!“

„What?“ With a sour expression he sent her a glare over his metal shoulder from where he stood in front of a gigantic shelf, stacked with boxes full of documents. „If I don’t get to bitch about this, I doubt I’ll live through it.“

Natasha’s annoyed countenance made room for worry when she saw how large the shadows under Clint’s eyes were. How dark and hopeless they looked over the left-over shelves of the Archive. Hundreds of them, holding God knew how many files they had to look through to find answers.

It wasn’t like Clint was being dramatic. He was at the limit of his strength, at the far corner of his already fragile mental stability after years of running, hiding, bleeding and grieving. After years of trying to endure the fact that him and Natasha were, as far as they were informed, the last two living beings not only of their planet, but of the entire universe. After Ultron had destroyed everything and everyone else.

Natasha knew what he felt like, knew how hard it could get to keep it together, to not succumb to madness. Especially when faced with an enormous Russian Archive stacked with billion sheets of paper that may or may not offer them a solution in a single printed line or a minimal percentage of about 0,0001 percent of the files at hand.

She could see the horror Clint was experiencing in connection to the possibly hopeless workload that lay ahead of them and she was scared of the thoughts that were currently running through his mind, unseen, pondering dark questions and possibilities she did not dare to even consider.

She had to do something.

Slowly she lowered the files she held in her hands and stared at Clint’s back while he was already busy flipping through boxes again, his head hanging almost as low as his shoulders.

„Hey,“ she gently addressed him, making him stop and look over his shoulder again. Such tired blue eyes. She’d never seen them look this tired before. „Clint, I promise, this will be worth the effort. We will find something that will make all this go away again. Something that will defeat Ultron. I know it.“

His eyes lingered on her for a few moments longer, sadness reflected inside them. Then he turned around again, his shoulders as heavy as before. „Yeah. Sure.“

Now Natasha’s shoulders slumped down as well.

No, no, no, she could not leave him be this way, she could not let this slip and act as if everything was a-okay. She was acting cheerful for the sake of the both of them. But she knew it wouldn’t be good for anything if Clint continued faking smiles and showcasing his I-have-no-hope-left-but-I’ll-do-this-for-you expression.

He didn’t want to worry her. Which was the exact reason why she was so worried.

„Clint?“ She tried again, smiling, despite his loud sigh as he put his box away and turned around another time to face her. With one hand resting on the shelf to support himself he looked at her, softly, despite his obvious frustration. „Yes?“

„Can you imagine that we once thought being caught in an airvent for two days was basically the worst?“

Something in Clint’s posture changed at that. He opened his eyes a bit more and suddenly huffed a short laugh, nodding at her words. „Yeah. Two days. How laughable that seems now.“

„It sure does. But we made the most of it, didn’t we? How did we keep ourselves distracted back then?“ 
Clint pushed himself away from the shelf with a smile, his thoughts obviously shifting from the dark corner of his mind to a brighter one. Natasha’s smile widened.

„Well, you took an awful load of time to find out that I repeatedly wrote the same word during our Hangman matches.“

Natasha had to laugh out loud at that. „Okay, to my own defense: I did not yet know how stupid you actually were back then!“

„Touché,“ Clint grinned, the shadows under his eyes vanishing slightly. „You did find out about quite a few things while we were hiding out up there. The worst part being that you discovered how ticklish I was. Not exactly fun times for me.“

Natasha smirked at the memory. „Oh no, those were actually reeeeally fun times for you. I remember you laughing incessantly in fact.“

„Do you now?“ Clint squinted his eyes at her in mock anger, a warning spark shooting through them.

„Especially when I tickled you in that one particular spot… where was that again? I think you actually begged for me to stop when I got you th-“

„Tz, shut up!“

Natasha gasped in fake indignation as Clint suddenly turned his back to her, his voice altering to a slightly more embarrassed tone and his hand waving her off, as if to tell her not to dwell on it too much. Of course, that was, in her opinion, the most adorable reaction he could have possibly chosen and she would now dwell on it even more than before. Slowly she moved out of her cross-legged position on the floor, threateningly wiggling her fingertips around. Wasn’t this actually the perfect way to cheer up her favorite person in the world? Why hadn’t she thought of this before?

„Wait, I think I actually do remember. Would you mind if we test this memory, just to make sure-“

„Now is not the time, Natasha.“ He gently tried to reason with her, a meaningful look in his blue eyes when he shortly turned his head around to glance at her.

Natasha lowered her hands. But a teasing smirk remained on her face. „The time for what?“ Clint tried to appear unimpressed by her attempt to make him say it. He seemed determined not to step into her trap this time. Not after all those times he’d already made that mistake.

„You’re not gonna make me say it.“

„Say what, Clint?“

Natasha noticed that he kept looking over his shoulder ever so slightly, as she started approaching him, taking note of her sneakily coming closer. The smallest smile played around the corners of his lips.

„I said you’re not gonna make me say it.“

Natasha felt a wave of happiness course through her stomach at the way Clint’s voice altered ever so slightly. He was smiling, she could tell. Now she was going to make him laugh.

Clint sighed as Natasha came to a halt right behind him. By now he had to be able to feel her breath on the back of his neck.

Natasha’s fingertips were itching to search for some ticklish spots.

„Don’t!“ He said gently, without any conviction whatsoever, the small smile still audible in his words.

„Don’t what, Clint?“ Natasha asked again, her hands slowly nearing his sides from behind.

Clint sighed, his shoulders moving up and down. It was a sigh of defeat. The sigh of someone who had accepted his own fate. Probably already had on the day he’d met her. A fate filled with being Natasha’s favorite victim. She could feel anticipation surge within her as Clint tried to mentally prepare himself for the consequences of his actions. Or rather of her actions.

„Tickle me!“ He submitted with a slightly panicked ring to his voice.

And Natasha didn’t allow him a moment to second guess. „My pleasure.“

Clint was on his knees in no time, dropping the files he’d held in his hands and throwing his head back against the awful feeling spreading on his sides. He instinctively tried to press his elbows to his sides to limit the access for Natasha’s ticklish scratches but she easily wormed her way past his defenses, making his suppressed groans turn into giggles effortlessly.

„NO!“ He huffed, trying to bend over more, further away from her, giggling madly as Natasha’s fingers managed to weasle their way under his arms to scratch at his ribs. „Noho plehease!! Tasha!!“

Natasha chuckled triumphantly and tried to climb her fingertips up higher, tried to get them past his ribcage to wiggle them right into his most ticklish spots, right under his arms. But Clint was trying his utmost to keep her from reaching that spot.

„You are saying no, but you asked me to do this, remember?“ Natasha teased, chuckling when Clint tried to snarl at her, with the emphasis on „tried to“ since any possible effect fell flat due to his laughter mixing in loudly.

„Stahahhaap I mean it!!!“ Clint barked when she suddenly pulled her hands away from his ribs to sling her arms around his chest and pull him down on his back, trying to climb on top of him to pin him down properly. He had to laugh at her antics as he in return tried to grab a hold of her arms or legs or basically any part of her body to have a minimal chance of coming out of this without ridiculing himself senseless.

He didn’t stand a chance though, for his bones and muscles already had to start feeling like useless goo, his laughter wouldn’t seize and he couldn’t see properly through his closed eyes. Natasha couldn’t stop smiling either as she could witness all the beauty of Clint melting underneath her touch - into a tiny puddle of giggles and shrieks.

„No no NOO!! AHahaha GET OHOHFF MEE!!!“ Clint yelled when she accidentally pushed a knee in his stomach in their grappling for the upperhand, resulting in her managing to sit on his hips properly, keeping him down where she wanted to keep him.

„Youhohu fohohoul cheheeater!!“ He laughed when her fingertips started crawling up his sides again and he only had limited space for flailing and turning anymore, his laughetr sounding deeper and more breathless already.

„Cheater? Really? What, just because I hit you here?“ She questioned, making him choke on his laughter when she scribbled her fingers on his stomach.

„Dohohon’t!“ He shrieked, hitting his head against the floor by accident and laughing even more in the aftermath. „IT TICKLES!!“

„I know, honey, it’s why you’re laughing!“ Natasha explained in a playful voice, before she had to free her wrists from one of his iron defensive grips in protection of his upper body, which didn’t stop her for long as she merely had to lean down to blow a raspberry on his unprotected neck, making Clint who had not expected this at all squeal with laughter.

„TH-THAHAT’S NOT ALLOWED!!“ He argued, letting go of her hands and trying to push her away from himself again, laughing helplessly when her fingers were back on their way up his ribs in no time. „Stahahap it already!!!“

„No! We haven’t yet tested my memory!“

„It’s my armpits!! I prhohohomise!! No need for tests, rehehheally!! rEHEHEALLY!!“

Clint kicked out as hard as he could behind Natasha’s back as she managed to wiggle her fingertips the slightest bit underneath his biceps and metal arm to get at the sensitive spots. She smirked and tried to distract Clint by blowing air into his face, chuckling when she saw him squeeze his eyes shut even more. „StAHHAP THAT!!“

„Come on, lemme! Just for a second!“

„Nohoho wahahay!!“

Clint’s laughter was flowing completely freely by then. He had seemingly let go of all things depressing for just this small amount of time, giving in to the unrelenting ticklish feeling and not trying to fight his own laughter anymore. Natasha hadn’t seen him this carefree in years.

She could not stop now, where she was seconds away from making him lose all track of thought. Just for a little while. Determined she moved up a little further on his body, sitting down on his upper stomach and almost making his eyes pop out by the sudden shifts of weight. He couldn’t form a coherent complaint though, since Natasha quickly moved her hands behind her back to dance her fingers down his sides, that were now completely at her mercy due to their new position.

„NHOHOO!! Nohoohoho!! stAHHAHP!! I can’t bREHEHEATHE!!!“ Clint’s eyes were shining from his laughter by now, the bright blue of his iris taking Natasha’s breath away. She grinned at his futile attempts to get a grip of her hands and took this opportunity to push her knees up further, blocking Clint’s ability to defend his armpits any further. He realized this immediately and barked out a single „SHIT!“ before her fingers attacked, making him arch his back and give in to a defeated laughter that came straight from his belly and sounded deeper and richer than all the sounds he’d already made. He couldn’t get another word in, as his laughter kept pouring out of him, merely started shaking his head around and kicking out less than before.

Natasha smiled fondly as she listened to his hearty laughter, the one she hadn’t heard in so long and saw how it brightened up his features.

„I think this proves it alright.“ She chuckled, removing her fingers from his armpit to allow him a breather before she evilly snuck them in again.

„NO NO NO PLEHEHEASE!! STAHAHP!!“ Clint barked out, his laughter sounding a tad bit hysterical as he tried to move out of his fatal position now. But Natasha immediately stopped at his request and gently shifted back to sitting on his hips, allowing his arms to cover his ampits again.

She chuckled softly as he gasped for air, noisily, sounding as if he’d just ran a marathon, his head falling back to the ground. She put her hands on his stomach and grinned when he flinched underneath her touch, gently patting the spot in an offer of peace.

„No more tickling, I promise.“

Clint sighed in relief and moved his head up to look at her again. They glared at each other for a little while, before they both had to laugh - about each other, about themselves, about the fact that they had just done this in the midst of an apocalypse.

Clint groaned and tried to stop chuckling with a pained expression. „Ah, I can’t laugh no more. My stomach will explode!“

„What can I say, Clint, you asked for this!“ Natasha smirked, chuckling when Clint squinted his eyes at her dangerously.

„Oh, you better watch it! I know that you’re not immune to this either!“ Clint tried to poke her in the side, but Natasha snatched his wrist and held on tightly.

„You wouldn’t stand a chance!“

Clint grinned at her, a grin she hadn’t seen in quite a while.

„I’ll attack when you least expect it!“ He purred in a voice that sent a goosebump down Natasha’s arm. Damn, she’d missed this Clint.

„I’ll always expect it then,“ she retorted and stuck her tongue out at him, getting back to her feet and offering him a hand but dropping it again before he could reach for it. Clint chuckled at that. Slowly he pushed himself off the ground as well to get back to where he’d been so rudely interrupted previously.

With his hands on his hips he looked over the shelves of the Archive and sighed. „If you keep doing things like that, we’ll never be done here.“ Clint remarked, bending over to pick up the files he’d dropped earlier.

Natasha waited until he was standing upright again, before she took a step closer to him and threw her arms around him. Clint gasped in surprise, the files flying from his hand to the floor. With a tired huff, he ignored the mess and gently wrapped his arms around Natasha as well. She could feel his warm breath on her head and snuggled closer to his chest.

„It’ll be okay,“ Clint suddenly whispered, stealing her line. She moved her head away from his chest in surprise to look at him. He was smiling, nodding - and she realized that it was all she’d needed from him: reassurance.

She turned her lips into a thin line and nodded as well, a weak smile on her face.

„It will be,“ she agreed, meaning to move away from him and get back to work. But his grip tightened around her. She looked up in horror.

„You didn’t expect that.“ He smirked and Natasha could not believe that he had turned the tables this sneakily until he lifted her into the air, threw her over his shoulder and tickled her sides until her laughter and her fists to his back grew weaker.

[somnambulants]

see where you’ve been

summary: Natasha is a tease and she likes to see you flustered. 18+ word count: 1.6K.

Spending time with Natasha is the best and worst thing in the entire world. 

The best because she’s the single most interesting person you’ve ever met and any time you spend in her presence feels like the ultimate gift. 

(You may be slightly biased, considering your overwhelmingly large and borderline schoolgirl-esque crush on her but that was another matter entirely and one you’d firmly decided you were not going to be addressing any time soon)

But, while you coveted every second spent with her like a kid would covet candy, it could also be the worst at certain times. 

Times like now.

With her pressed up so close to you that there’s not not even an inch of space between you.

Usually you’d be face down on the mat as she dug a knee into your spine by now. 

This is the first time you’ve been able to pin her down and it was almost entirely by accident.

So it’s probably not surprising that you freeze up but it doesn’t make it any less mortifying.

“Okay good….You would probably make a move on the target now, though,” she teases lightly after a second of you just gaping down at her. “Not just grope them.”

Letting her go, you swallow roughly, heat crawling up your neck as you realise your hands are on her chest. God. “R-right. Sorry.”

She winks at you playfully. “Not that I mind.”

You squeak, lips moving soundlessly as you try desperately to think of something to say and come up empty.

The only other occupant of the room -- thank god, you don’t know what you’d do if all the avengers had witnessed this -- Clint makes no attempt to hide his snicker as he does a set of pull-ups in the corner. 

As you scramble off her, she gives you a small, slightly amused smile and accepts the hand you hold out to help her up.

You make your excuses and book it out of there the second trainings over.

And If you take a longer than normal shower that night, definitely not doing what you’d normally do in the shower well, then, no one else has to know about it but you. 

Still, you know you’re going to have a hard time meeting Natasha’s eyes tomorrow. 

--

And you definitely do. Have a hard time meeting her eyes, that is.

You don’t know how but you somehow make it through your whole workout without once looking her in the eyes.

If you had looked though, you would have seen the speculative, knowing look in her eyes as she watched you fumble your way through training.

And then throughout the rest of the week, too.

And the week after that too.

Of course, you’re no expert in body language, but if you had just looked properly, you would have clearly been able to tell that she was planning something. 

And something devious, at that.

--

The universe hates you. So hates you. Thats all you can think.

You really must have accumulated some major karma to have deserved this.

It’s like Natasha’s taken your normal workouts and upped them by three hundred in their intensity. 

You’d thought you’d been a pretty decent fighter before this but you’re quickly realising she’s been going easy on you this entire time. 

And it’s also like she knows how much her touch affects you because all of a sudden she’s always touching you. 

Every-time she takes you down, her hands are on you. Lingering.

Every. single. time. 

You’ve had so many cold showers over the last month, you’re surprised you haven’t picked up hypothermia. 

In short, as time passes it just gets worse and worse until eventually you’re just a human ball of tension.

Like an elastic band that’s been pulled too far.

And even though you don’t realise it yet, it’s about to snap.

--

You yelp as she throws you down again, shoving you onto the floor and leaning down, pinning you there so you’re forced to just look straight up at her.

No matter how hard you struggle, she’s firm, holding you down, and pressing her knee against your stomach as she leans in closer. 

Your heart picks up even more, rabbit fast.

“I thought I taught you better than that,” she teases you, making the hair on the back of your neck stand up as you feel her lips brush slightly against the curve of your ear.

You then let out an audible squeak as she lets you go, pulling away with this look on her face you can’t quite decipher.

You must imagine it but for a second you swear that as she goes to move off you, she grinds her hips down against your own ever so slightly. 

And all of a sudden, all you can think about is her doing that. All the time. Sans the workout gear she’s currently wearing and on a much nicer, softer surface.

Like a bed.

She’s going to be the death of you. You just know it. 

You feel flushed, trembling a little. If you looked at yourself in the mirror right now you’re sure you wouldn't even be able to see your irises from how dilated your pupils must be.

There are times you swear she must know how she affects you. She’s literally trained to pick up on every single thing; there’s no way she couldn’t see your pathetically obvious attraction to her.

Sometimes you’ve thought that maybe she’s just being nice and politely ignoring it, others you’re not so sure.

Other times you think she knows and she likes it.

“Damn,” Natasha is chuckling, taunting you as she throws you down again less than five minutes later, her knees on either side of your waist as she holds you down, her eyes glinting with amusement. “You’re really off your game today, aren’t you?”

The elastic band snaps.

Looking up at her infuriatingly attractive face as she hovers on top of you, victorious smirk on her lips -- god, it’s so attractive, she’s so attractive -- you just stop ...thinking. 

You crash your lips to hers before you can stop yourself. 

Surprisingly you don’t get punched in the face. No. What happens is much weirder. 

She’s kissing you back.

"Finally,” she breathes against your lips. She’s smirking as she says it. You can feel it. 

Why is she smirking?

What she says is confusing enough that it sticks in your head, even with the confused state of mess that your own mind is right now. 

“I -- what?” 

Natasha jerks your head toward her, pulling you into her as she kisses you again, more roughly this time.

“It took you long enough,” she pants, pulling away to breathe and ripping your shirt off you. She pulls it over your head and throws it on the floor. “I’m a little insulted, actually.”

You stare at her, hands freezing where you’d been fumbling with the zip on her jeans. “You...knew?”

“Obviously.” Natasha smirks down at you as you dig your nails into the flesh of her hips harder in response to her mocking tone. “You’re kind of slow, you know that?”

She lets out a surprised sound as you abruptly flip your positions. 

Unconsciously, you must have picked something other than frustration from all these practices because she looks genuinely taken aback with you hovering over her all of a sudden. 

“You could’ve said something.”

The look on her face fades away into amusement at your words. She hums a little. “I could’ve. But watching you squirm was more fun.”

With a growl, you pull back a little, forcing yourself between her thighs that she gladly parts for you, wrapping them around your waist loosely as you settle your hands on her hips, jerking her towards you as you kiss her again, nails digging into her skin.

This is where what little control you have ends.

In the next breath, she’s manoeuvred you both so that youre now flat on your back beneath her, gazing up at her as she looks down at you, chest heaving a little.

Not even bothering to pull your panties down, she just shoves them to the side as she enters you quickly with one, then two fingers.

You inhale sharply and then whine out loud as she removes her fingers completely after a couple of thrusts, snickering at your clear disappointment.

She brings them up to her mouth and you watch as she laves them with her tongue before pulling them out with a pop, moaning quietly to herself.

“Nat,” you plead, breathing heavily. “Please.”

Natasha smirks. “Well since you asked so nicely.”

Your hips buck up against her as she enters you again. Rougher than before.

With her free hand, she presses down on your throat ever so slightly: not enough that you can’t breathe but enough that it’s harder for you to suck air in between your moans.

“Oh my god,” you pant heavily, your eyes rolling back a little as you adjust to her pace, which is sharp and unrelenting and already dangerously close making you fall apart with the first few thrusts.

Her hand on your throat tightens ever so slightly as you close your eyes.

“Look at me,” she demands. “Look at me or I’ll stop.”

Struggling to obey, you train your suddenly blurry vision on her face and watch as Natasha’s lips curl in a slow, satisfied grin in response.

“Good.”

[lacontroller1991]

Hayloft (Bucky Barnes x Reader)

Author’s Note: Will be based off of the song “Hayloft” by Mother Mother

Summary: Bucky stays at Clint’s farm due to hydra following him, reader is Clint’s daughter and one day she comes across Bucky topless doing farm work and smut follows.

@not-another-fangirl​ @hailmary-yramliah​ @moonysmycomfortcharacter​ @lonewolf471​

Warnings: Smut 18+ - fluffy sex, vaginal sex

Bucky Barnes has been on your farm for exactly 3 weeks, 4 days and 2 minutes. Not that you were keeping track though. You’re Clint’s oldest daughter, and he wouldn’t let you leave the farm, not wanting to risk you or any one of your siblings and mother get captured by hydra, so once Bucky had moved to the farm, you were instantly curious as to who he was and why he was there. After asking your dad, all you got was a name, so you did some research.

“Winter Soldier?” You asked yourself, continuing to read the numerous articles that had popped up. Slamming your laptop shut, you looked out your window and saw him picking up hay barrels and loading them onto the truck. He was attractive and dangerous, and it’s been forever since you have gotten laid, and you were almost positive he hasn't gotten laid in a long time either. Say what it is, but you were incredibly drawn to him, not just because he was attractive, not just because he was there, but because you wanted to know the real Bucky Barnes and not what the internet makes him out to be. Standing up, you moved to the kitchen and got out a pitcher of fresh lemonade that Laura had made. Grabbing two glasses, you poured out the yellow liquid before heading out the door, walking to where he was hard at work, watching the way sweat dripped down him. You tried to clear your heard as you approached him. Sensing you were there, he turned around with a small smile.

“Hey (Y/N), can I help you with something?” He asked. That was another thing about him that drew you to him, he was always eager to help around and make sure he wasn’t being a burden to anyone.

“Nah, thanks though. I brought you some lemonade, figured you could use something cold,” you replied, handing him a glass as he generously accepted it, gulping it down, You watched him curiously and he seems to notice.

“What do you want to know?” He asked with a slight frown, snapping you out of your thoughts.

“What?”

“You’re staring, what do you want to know?” You shook your head, glancing at him with a small smile.

“Nothing, just was wondering if you ever wanted to talk, I’m here,” you replied as he gave a small smile back.

“Thanks,” nodding your head, you returned back to your house to prep for dinner.

That night, Bucky had found himself dreaming about you instead of the normal nightmares that usually came. Stirring awake, he looked around the room before getting up and heading to the bathroom, noticing a small light emitting from your room. Knocking gently on the door, he was surprised when you had actually opened up, standing there in a tank top and shorts.

“Can’t sleep?” You asked as he shook his head, opening the door wider, you allowed him to enter your room, letting him look around before patting a seat next to you on your bed. Hesitantly, he sat down and fiddled with his hands.

“Wanna talk about it?”

“Nah, it’s nothing, just thought we could talk, if the offer still stands,” he mumbled looking at you as you smiled.

“Of course.”

He soon came to your room every night, the two of you talking about whatever, sometimes he even fell asleep on your bed, no nightmares in sight. You and him had gotten close and Clint noticed. Pulling you aside, he looked around for the assassin before talking to you.

“Why have you and him become close, you shouldn’t do that sweetheart,” he started as you scoffed, looking at your dad.

“He’s a human, he has feelings and he just needs someone to talk to, so we talk,” you replied as he shook his head.

“I don’t want you around him, he’s dangerous. He killed people.”

“He was brainwashed.”

“He almost killed Nat,” Clint begged as you rolled your eyes.

“Nat’s dangerous too, probably more so, she was never brainwashed, she made those choices, he never did, it wasn’t him,” looking at your dad, you pulled him in for a hug, “I’m not gonna stop talking to him, yes he’s killed people but so have you, for the same reason. A job is a job, doesn’t make anyone less of a person,” you stated as he gave you a small smile.

“You’re right, just be careful okay?” Nodding your head you ran out of the house to where Bucky was working, only this time he was shirtless. Your mouth immediately went dry at the sight as you stared.

“You’re staring again,” Bucky stated, looking over to you, noticing the blush, “like what you see?” He joked, expecting you to reject him, over his metal arm and where it met his shoulder.

“What if I do?” You retorted with a smirk, crossing your arms as he gave you a small smile.

“Then you have a messed up taste in guys.” He mumbled to himself, not knowing that you heard him.

“Nope, I am insanely attracted to the bad boys,” you commented, coming closer to him, watching him tense up as your hands fell onto his chest, “you can’t actually expect me not to look when you’re standing here looking like this.” You retorted, surprised at your confidence.

“Doll, you shouldn’t do this,” Bucky whispered as you smiled at him.

“Why not?” Tracing his abs, he looked down at you, deep in thought.

“I could hurt you,” he gritted through his teeth, trying to control himself.

“The Winter Soldier can. Bucky Barnes? I don’t think he could hurt a fly.” Leading him to the barn, you climbed up the ladder, expecting him to follow. When he didn’t, you placed your hands on your hips and released a sigh.

“Do I really have to spell it out for ya?” You asked as he stared at you, flabbergasted at what you were insinuating. Still, he climbed up the ladder, half hard at the thoughts of what was about to go down. Standing there awkwardly, he looked at you, waiting what you were going to do next.

“Doll, I really don't think I can do this,” he stated but you shook your head.

“No, you do. You’re just scared of what could happen. Let me do it then,” you replied, gently shoving him down and getting on top of him, slowly rolling your hips against his as you placed his hands on your hips. Leaning down, you gently kissed him, immediately he kissed back, your lips moulding together as you tangled your fingers in his hair. Pulling away, you removed your shirt, leaving you in your bra. You could see the hesitation in his eyes but you just smiled at him.

“It’s okay, Bucky, let go of your mind,” you whispered as he nodded, lips immediately going to your neck, placing kisses all down your neck, trailing down to your left breast where he placed a gentle kiss as you threw your head back, still rubbing your hips against his. His hands went to your back and unclasped your bra. Tossing it to the side, his lips attached to your left nipple while his hand played with the other. Moaning at the sensation, you closed your eyes and reveled in the feeling.

His lips returned to yours in a soft kiss that you smiled into, although your lower body was needing some friction.

“Do you want to do this?” You asked as he eagerly nodded, not trusting his voice right now. Smiling, your hands moved to unbutton your pants and he removed his. Removing your pants and underwear, you moved back to him, straddling him again, rubbing your folds against his length as he moaned at the feeling.

“God, doll, that feels good,” he whispered as you gave him a lopsided grin.

“Just you wait,” you replied, taking his length in your hand before lining up your entrance with the tip of his cock. Sliding down onto him, you both moaned as you got used to his size. He was definitely the biggest you’ve had, not the you were complaining. His hands moved to your hips, grasping onto them as you began to move up and down on his cock slowly, getting used to the feeling and trying to live in the moment for as long as possible. 

“Babe, you’re so fucking tight,” he moaned, bucking up into you hard as you gasped at the feeling. Worried that he had hurt you, he immediately stopped, looking over you for any sign of discomfort but was met with none. Thrusting up into you again, he watched as your hands fell behind you and your eyes rolled back into your head. Picking up the pace, he fell into a constant rhythm, enjoying the way your breasts bounced with each thrust. Flipping you over, he hovered over you, hitching your legs around his hips as he buried his head into your neck, hitting into you harder than before, causing you to scream out his name.

“You gotta be quiet for me, Doll, don't want your pop knowing what we’re up to,” he whispered into your ear, stuffing your underwear in your mouth to keep you from making loud noises. Your eyes rolled back as he continued thrusting into you, finding your g-spot and angling himself to hit it better. Spitting out the underwear, you looked into his eyes and pulled him in for a kiss.

“Bucky, I’m close.”

“Me too darling,” he replied as his thrusts became more erratic, with one last thrust you came around his cock, your walls tightening around him as you released a moan. Milking out your orgasm, he felt his come quickly. Pulling out of you, he tapped you to sit up as he stood up.

“Open,” he commanded. Doing as he requested, you stuck out your tongue as he jacked off into your mouth, coming with a grunt as he watched your mouth collect his cum before swallowing. Pulling you up with him, he stared into your eyes before kissing you, tasting himself on your tongue.

“That was amazing,” you whispered as he hummed in agreement, picking a stray piece of hay from your hair as you laughed.

“We need to do that again,” he replied as you nodded in agreement. Collecting your clothes, you both quickly got dressed and exited the barn, startled to see your younger sister there.

“What were you two doing?” She asked innocently as I knelt in front of her and brushed her hair to the side.

“I was helping Bucky move some hay,” you replied as she eyed you skeptically.

“You’re shirt’s on backwards. Don’t worry, I won't tell dad,” he whispered as you smiled and Bucky looked away bashfully.

“Thank you sweetheart.” She nodded before running away to play with her brothers. You looked over at Bucky who had a smile plastered on his face.

“My room? Tonight?”

“You bet.”

[tlcwrites]

Two Hearts Make a Whole

Prompt: “Kiss me again, like you mean it.” Photo prompt below.

Summary: NYC Pride is for celebration, and occasionally, long-overdue revelations.

Word Count: 2,001

Tags/Content warnings: Marvel. Stucky. If you have a problem with it, there's the door. SFW. Slight TFATWS spoilers so read at your own risk. Platonic Reader. Two idiots in love. Technically canon-divergent because I'm still in my everyone-is-alive-and-in-this-timeline happy place that I will never ever leave fuck you very much Russo brothers but not AU. Found family. All the feels. Complete and total LGBTQ+ support. Lots of bad language words because #me. Un-beta'd.

Author’s Note: Okay so yes this is technically 4 weeks late for @autumnleaves1991-blog's Writer Wednesday weekly challenge. BUT, it was incredibly important to me to finish this one before Pride month is over. Made it by the skin of my teeth.

Happy Pride, y’all. If you’re out, you’re amazing. If you’re closeted, you’re amazing. However you identify is valid and important. Trans folx are LGBTQ+. Bisexuals are LGBTQ+. Ace folx are LGBTQ+. Anyone who identifies or thinks they may be as queer is LGBTQ+. All are welcome in the family. You have the right to choose your pronouns and we have the responsibility to use them. Live whatever your truth looks like to you and love each other. Love is love is love is love. If your family doesn’t accept you for you, I’m your mom now and I’ve got mom hugs available on demand. Homophobes and TERFS can fuck off and roll in poison ivy. Always punch Nazis. Pride shouldn't be limited to the month of June. And don’t you dare forget that Black and Brown trans women were the ones who rioted at Stonewall, and we owe everything to their bravery. Don’t forget that much of popular ‘gay’ culture was appropriated from Black women. And for more facts about Pride that you should absolutely know, Rawiyah Tariq (@ mammyisdead on Instagram) has a phenomenally good overview.

“Oh my god.” You gasp loudly. "Oh my GOD. Is that-"

“What?!” Instantly in First Avenger Protective Mode™️, Steve surveys the crowd, wishing he had an actual shield instead of the screen printed one on his shirt. “What is it?”

You gasp again, smacking Sam’s arm repeatedly. “OHMYGOD IT IS HOLY FUCK.”

“First; ow.” Now-Cap rubs his bicep. “Second; clue in the class before Steve has an aneurysm, please.”

Vibrating with excitement doesn’t begin to describe your current state. “HER ROYAL HIGHNESS MISS LEMON MERINGUE IS STANDING RIGHT FUCKING THERE.”

With the finesse of a shampoo commercial, Bucky's dark locks fly as he whips around. “What?!”

“RIGHT THERE RIGHT THERE RIGHT THERE.” You abandon a relieved Sam and latch on to Bucky’s vibranium arm. “Oh my GOD I love her so fucking much.”

“She was robbed, absolutely fucking robbed,” he agrees, craning his neck to get a better view. “Divine Tension’s lip sync was shameful.”

Sam glances at Steve, who is slowly coming out of protector mode. “What the ever-loving hell are they talking about?”

“RuPaul’s Drag Race.” Nat flicks more confetti at both Cap-the-former and Cap-the-current. “They watch it every week.”

“Really, Steven, for a guy with enhanced super senses, you miss a lot.” Tony hefts a bedazzled Morgan higher on his back. The toddler, accompanied by Scott playing air-piano on the ground, sings along with the ABBA song being blasted at full volume through the street. Tony continues as if this is an everyday occurrence. “Why do you think both of your People disappear every Friday evening?”

Ears pink, Steve mumbles something.

“What?!” The only other one with hearing enhanced enough to hear a murmur over the cacophony of several thousand people belting out the chorus of ‘Dancing Queen’ at the top of their lungs, Bucky turns to stare at his friend. “You thought we were datin’?”

Steve’s blush extends down his neck.

You and Bucky stare at each other for a moment before you both collapse on each other, exploding into stomach clenching, thigh slapping laughter.

“I’m gonna guess that’s a ‘no’?” Clint confirms with Nat.

“Oh, a big ‘no’.” She watches affectionately as you and Bucky calm down enough to look at each other, breathe for a second, and both promptly dissolve into hysterics once more. “Like, the biggest ‘no’.”

Sam crossed his arms across his chest, his stoic stance so reminiscent of Steve it’s amusing (as well as a beautiful disparity to the sequined crop top he’s sporting. Oof, those abs.). “How do I not know about this?”

“Because you’re not a former super spy?” The usually-Black-but-today-Rainbow Widow tosses the last of her confetti at Tony, who spins a jubilant Morgan into it. “Or because you and that leggy barista from the lobby coffee shop are too busy playing hide-the-“

“-Baby Shark!” Morgan suddenly shrieks, flailing towards a guy on roller blades wearing a fin and tail (and not much else).

“Yeah,” Nat finishes with a smirk, “Hide-the-Baby Shark.”

Sam flips her a gesture that makes Clint laugh and Bruce sigh.

You and Bucky have finally managed to pull yourselves together. “Oh my god, Steven Grant,” you gasp, wiping tears from your eyes. “That’s the funniest fucking shit I’ve ever fucking heard.”

“Language!”

Steve glares at Tony. “One. Time. It was one. Time.”

Bucky slings his flesh arm around Steve’s shoulders. “Oh, punk. You may have perfect vision now, but sometimes you’re still as blind as you were before.”

Visiortn himself nods sagely. “Humans can be quite unperceptive when it comes to matters of the heart.” Vision casts a fond smile at Wanda, who is using her powers to make Pietro’s tinsel wig fly on and off. “Sometimes you have to look harder to see what’s right in front of your nose.”

A confused frown on that handsome face, Captain Clueless looks at Bucky. “Why do I feel like everyone else knows something that I don’t?”

His bestie sighs deeply. “Because, Stevie, almost everyone else on this planet knows that my tastes tend towards tall, blonde, blue-eyed knuckleheads who have zero sense of self-preservation.”

“And an ass you could bounce a quarter off of,” Scott helpfully supplies.

“And that,” Bucky agrees.

Steve frowns.

You press your palms to your eyes in vexation. “You, Steve. He’s talking about you.” (Seriously, how has this idiot survived for over a century while being so dumb?)

Whatever he was expecting, it was certainly not that. “He-“ The Man With A Plan gapes as he turns to his oldest friend. “You-“

“Me,” Bucky says gently.

Even though you’re slightly surprised that Bucky is going to do this in such a public forum, you can’t help but be so proud of your friend. It has taken a long time for Bucky to believe he deserves to be happy. There are days he still sinks into that dark place, where his inner demons whisper that he should have fought harder against his Hydra captors, and that his past actions were still somehow his fault. Those are the days no amount of baking or Modern Marvels will bring him out of his funk. You, Steve, Sam, and Nat have all held those strong shoulders as they shook with sobs, overwhelmed by the shame and horror at what his hands had done without his consent.

But he’s here. He’s free. And he’s smiling nervously at his best friend.

“I-” Steve is short-circuiting. “Me?!”

“Stevie.” With the kind of tender patience that can only be born of a lifetime of keeping (or attempting to keep) an idiot such as one Steven Grant Rogers from flinging himself headlong into every fight he comes across, Bucky moves his flesh hand to the back of Steve’s neck. His face is full of such soft affection that you almost want to look away for fear of intruding on this suddenly intimate moment. “What do you think ‘til the end of the line’ means, you idiot? You’ve been it for me since I was thirteen-years-old.”

Blue eyes are locked with blue eyes as Steve processes this revelation. “I-” He shakes his head as if to declutter his thoughts. “This whole time?”

“Since the first time I saw that asshole knock you down, and your scrawny ass climbed right back up.” A wry chuckle escapes as Bucky reminices. “You were ninety pounds soaking wet, and you stood there, against a guy who was three times your size, and never waivered for a second. It was magnificent.”

“I don’t like bullies,” is Steve’s quiet response.

Bucky’s grin is adoring. “I know, sweetheart.” He gently strokes the back of Steve’s neck with his thumb. “You’ve always had a heart way bigger than your brain.”

Steve is still back on the first part of Bucky’s admission. “If you’ve felt- if you-” He’s practically pleading. “Why didn’t you say anything then?”

Bucky shrugs, attempting and failing nonchalance. “It was a different time, you know?” He’s uncharacteristically unsure of himself, the subtle waiver in his voice revealing the anxiety born of a lifetime of being forced to hide his truth. “I mean, you remember how it was; you didn’t talk about, no one talked about- about being- about people like...” He swallows thickly.  “And I was so scared you didn’t, that you weren’t-” His voice breaks.

Even though you’ve all been emotionally invested in this love story for years, the entire team respectfully pretends not to listen as the former Winter Soldier quietly admits his deepest secret to his closest friend. It’s enraging as Bucky confesses yet another way he's been a victim of his circumstances, and denied his right to live freely without derision. Once more, you’re awed by his resilience.

“-it was a risk I couldn’t take,” Bucky finally gets out, that stubborn fire back in his eyes. “I couldn’t lose you, Steve. I couldn’t chance it. I could live with just being your friend and only your friend so long it meant you were in my life.”

Stunned silence meets the end of his confession. Steve’s face is impassive, those cerulean eyes uncharacteristically inscrutable.

You can all tell Bucky is heading steadily towards dread and heartbreak the longer Steve takes to respond. You and Sam exchange a look, both ready to intervene if Steve demonstrates any of the abhorrent attitudes that were so prevalent in the society of his youth. It would be completely out of character for him, but...

Finally, Steve speaks. “You’re telling me,” he says, his words slow and deliberate, “that you made me wait ninety-three years to tell me you’ve felt the same way about me as I have about you since the day you picked me up out of that alley?!”

The whole found family breaths a collective sigh of relief as Steve pulls Bucky even closer, broad chest to broad chest.

“Okay, to be fair, you were an ice cube for most of that time and I wasn’t exactly available for a relationship.” Bucky’s grin stands in contradiction to his mullish defense. “But yeah, that’s the gist of it.” There’s the Bucky you all know and love, biting his lip with those perfect white teeth. “Now, punk, I’d really like to kiss you now, but first I need you to say you want me to.”

“You-” Steve’s throat works as he attempts- and fails- to rein in his emotions. “You jerk.”

And then the Star Spangled Man seizes the president of the Sometimes-Former-Assassins Club by his ridiculously perfect face and crashes their mouths together.

At any Pride event, seeing two men kissing is, obviously, to be expected. But seeing The First Avenger and The White Wolf attempting to swallow each other’s tongues is not at all routine. As people realize what is happening, the crowd is whipped into a frenzy the likes of which is usually reserved for the aftermath of sporting events and elections that defeat fascists.

Watching the two men embrace, Scott sniffles loudly. “I’m gonna cry, I’m so happy.”

He’s certainly not the only one. Wanda has a watery smile as she wraps her arms around Vision and Pietro; Pepper, Tony, and Bruce are watching with fond parental energy; you and Sam sandwich Peter between the two of you, grins practically splitting your faces. Even Nat’s eyes look suspiciously shiny and she and Clint sling their arms around each other with platonic affection. And that’s not counting the several thousand people who are cheering for love being love being love being love.

When they finally break their embrace, the Centennial twins are startled to see they’ve collected quite an audience.

“Uh, so…” Suddenly bashful, Steve glances back to his- partner? Boyfriend? Soulmate? Is there a word that can accurately describe two people who have found each other time and again in a world that seems hell-bent on keeping them apart?- his ears practically maroon with embarrassment. For a guy with one of the most-recognized faces in the world, Steve is still incredibly and endearingly uncomfortable with attention. “Buck?”

Bucky seems just as stunned as Steve.

Thankfully, the masses demonstrate the usual support that’s the hallmark of Pride. “LOVE IS LOVE!” someone screams in the crowd. It’s quickly echoed, and chants fill the park.

The attention momentarily off them, the former Winter Soldier and his giant himbo of a soulmate look back at each other. You pretend not to watch through the happiest tears as they embrace again, bringing their foreheads together. The relief they share is palpable, as they’re finally able to show the world- and each other- the love they’ve each hidden for so long.

Bucky’s voice is so soft you have to strain to hear it. “You have no idea how much m’in love with you, Stevie.”

“Pretty sure I do,” Steve answers, bringing a hand up to carefully wipe the tears from Bucky’s face. “‘cause it’s as much as I love you, Buck.”

Bucky's answering grin can only be described as saucy. “Then kiss me again, like you mean it.”

And Steve, for once in his long life, does exactly as ordered.

---

A/N: “The Sometimes-Former-Assassins Club” is from Starry_Emerald173’s BRILLIANT The Avengers Wrangler over on AO3. If you haven’t read it yet, drop what you’re doing and do so immediately. Make sure you're not drinking any liquids, or your keyboard/phone may be in peril.

[aurumacadicus]

I’m trying to be creative because you’ve actually done a lot of different kinds of AUs lol. What about an AU where everyone works at a Zoo/Aquarium (or a wild animal rescue sanctuary/shelter if you have mixed feeling about those places).

I have mixed feelings on zero of these places!

Clint and Natasha work in the bird house. Clint used to work it alone until one day he didn’t hear a bird screeching at him and almost got his eyeball pecked out, and Natasha, who was just passing by, had had to rescue him. She’d transferred over when word had gotten around that he’d be moved elsewhere where his hearing impairment wouldn’t pose a danger to himself or the zoo guests and he’d made sad eyes at the idea. He’s perfect with all the birds who need quiet, and most days he has at least four birds on him. Natasha is smitten about it and she fucking hates it because she’s seen him walk into a glass wall and she should not be attracted to idiots. But! It’s the lot she’s given, so she’ll take it, she supposes.

Steve and Bucky work with the big cats. Bucky makes fun of Steve for always being so enthused about how deadly the cats are. Steve makes fun of Bucky for the one time he spilled his cinnamon toast in the morning and how the cats had adored him for the entire day. Everyone else makes fun of them for the one time they got super drunk after work and started crying about the size of the cats’ “murder mittens.” It’s all very friendly, probably.

Thor works with the nocturnal animals. They have a many varieties of bats and he gets to hold them for exams. He especially likes this because his little brother, Loki, is going through a hard time, and only ever seems to respond to the pictures of the bats. Even if Thor doesn’t quite understand what Loki means a lot of the time (like pictures back of Loki with heavy eyeliner captioned ‘they’re the only ones who understand me’), both their family therapist and their older sister have assured him that this is progress from when he wasn’t responding at all. Thor wonders if there’s a way to get permission to let his brother shadow him one day. He thinks if Loki actually gets to hold a bat, he’d be more willing to come around.

“Dr. Hot-Pants is coming in,” Clint says during lunch, and Steve, Bucky, and Natasha spew their food. “Oh good,” Thor says brightly. “That means Bruce is coming in, too!” “Who’s Dr. Hot-Pants,” Sam, new to working with the penguins, asks. “He’s the specialist vet who comes in,” Clint replies as both Bucky and Natasha thump Steve on the back. “He’s a bit eccentric? I think we decided?” “I’m still convinced he’s doing it specifically to fuck with us,” Thor asserts. Clint shrugs. “It could be both. Two birds.” “Why is he eccentric?” Sam asks, and then, “Should we do the Heimlich maneuver, or...” Thor shrugs his concern off. “He’s always like this when Tony comes in. Which, I mean, to be fair, I also tripped and took a header to a fence when I saw the booty shorts he was wearing the first time.” “Booty shorts?” Sam askes, raising an eyebrow. Natasha finally deems Steve a lost cause and turns her attention from him to Sam. “Tony’s actually independently wealthy. This job is just a hobby to him, so he basically charges pennies. The zoo directors would be idiots not to accept his help, even if he can’t be bothered to wear anything resembling a professional uniform. So when it’s hot... he shows up in clothes he’s comfortable in. And if that’s indecently short shorts, that’s apparently our problem.” “It is our problem,” Bucky snaps immediately. “I mean, if he wants to get caught in a lion’s murder mittens with no pants on, sure,” Clint deadpans. “If you bring up the murder mittens one more time,” Bucky warns. Sam frowns. “Okay, Steve’s been coughing for an awfully long time, should we--” Thor, finally standing to dispose of his lunch wrappers, gives Steve one firm clap on the back. Steve coughs out a grape and collapses on the table, panting.

“Oh, okay, I get it,” Sam says as Dr. Stark goes strutting by in shorts that would be indecent if the zoo were open. He’s mostly jealous that he gets to wear shorts, though--it’s eighty degrees even with the sun starting to set, and he can’t wait to clock out and get his pants off. “Oh! You’re new!” Dr. Stark says, giving him a doubletake. “Let me guess--pangolins.” “Penguins,” Sam replies. “That was my next guess!” Dr. Stark declares, and then adds a hasty, “Come on, Bruce, I heard Steve’s still by the tiger exhibit.” Dr. Banner follows him at a more sedate pace, looking like no one in the world could possibly be suffering as much as he is in that moment. “Tony, I have to go check on the pregnant bat.” “I bet you drinks that Steve would keel over into the water in the tiger exhibit and you’re going to pay up,” Tony retorts, turning to keep chugging along toward the tiger exhibit. Sam follows him, because he’s seen Steve choke on a grape, and now he wants to know if Steve’s really as smitten as everyone says he is.

Bonus: There’s a running bet on when Steve will finally get his head out of his ass to ask Tony out and so far, somehow, Director Fury is winning.

[wandaownsthisass]

If You Need Me (pt.2)

So this is the second part from the requested anon! I honestly had no idea where to go with this, but a happy ending is confirmed (my heart can't handle angst with WandaVision going on). Anyways, hope you enjoy, sorry it's a lil short.

Warnings: None!

Pairing: Wanda Maximoff x F!Reader

Summary: Set after Y/N's birthday party, catching up with friends and your ex.

“Y/N you here?”

Groaning to the voice echoing through your apartment, you finally open your eyes to Steve standing at the entrance of your bedroom.

“Mmm hi Steve, how can I help you?” You say, rolling away so your back is to him, trying to drown out the bright light shining through the doorway.

“Well, no one’s heard from you since last night, you disappeared on us. We were all worried” He says, making his way towards the bed and you feel the weight of his body near your feet.

Rolling back so that your head is against the frame, you stare at Steve confused for a moment before answering, “What do you mean? I couldn’t find any of you. Plus, I dropped my phone in the toilet. Actually, Wanda was the one that helped me get home”

“You talked with Wanda?”

“She didn’t really let me have a choice; you know how persistent she is”

He laughs, “Yes I do. So…how was that?”, he pushes carefully knowing the sensitive topic wasn’t something you desired talking about.

“She apologized actually. For everything. Not that it means anything to me though”

“I’m sure it doesn’t”

“What is that supposed to mean?” You defend, getting increasingly annoyed at Steve.

“Despite how convincing you think you are; I don’t think you’ve ever hated Wanda; I don’t think you could. In fact, I think you still love her”

“Oh? I didn’t know you could read minds.” You reply sarcastically, “Did you also come here to drill me on my feelings?”

“No, I just find it entertaining is all. Come on, let’s go get some breakfast”

Later in the day you found yourself in the company of Steve, Bucky, and Natasha back at the compound.

“You’re lying, there’s no way you can hear us from your room” Bucky cringes, trying to hide his embarrassment.

“Now why would I lie about that?” Natasha is smirking.

“What’s new with you Y/N? We never see you here anymore” Bucky jumps in, trying desperately to switch the conversation.

“Not a whole lot, and yeah, I just decided to separate work and my personal life”

They know that you and Wanda’s separation pushed you out of the compound, not that it was a bad thing, being separate from the rest of the team was beneficial. But you’d be lying if you said Wanda wasn’t a large factor in that decision.

“She’s busy ignoring her feelings for Wanda…” Steve mutters under his breath, you immediately shoot a glare his direction.

He just shrugs, eyeing the liquor on the table as an excuse for his confession.

“Thanks for that Steve, to be frank I am completely over it” You lie, and you’re not sure if you are trying to convince yourself or the others at this point.

Luckily, you’re spared from having to share more, when you hear laughing coming from down the hall. It’s an all too familiar laugh, one that always makes you feel a sharp pang in your chest. The other three send you a look when Wanda, Clint, and Sam enter the living room.

Her laughing stops once she notices your presence, visibly collecting herself before sending you a smile.

“Hey Y/N, long time no see! I’m sorry I couldn’t make it last night, duty calls.” Clint says, giving you a hug as he reaches you.

“It’s fine! Guess you’ll just have to make it up to me somehow” You shrug, he sends you a glare in return until you both smile and sit down.

You can’t help but notice that Wanda is still lingering, debating whether or not to sit down, seeing as the only spot left is right beside you.

“Wanda, are you going to sit down or stand there awkwardly?” Clint chimes, clearly oblivious to the situation.

“Oh! Um, yeah”

You scoot over giving her some room and everyone seems to pick up on the painfully uncomfortable silence between all of you.

“Wanda, I heard you helped the birthday girl get home last night, how chivalrous of you” Steve says, sipping nonchalantly on his drink.

He once again gets another glare from you, “Well she wouldn’t have had to but seeing as you ditched me, I’m glad she was there. I could have been kidnapped or killed”

“Hah, Y/N have you forgotten that you are an Avenger?” Clint laughs

Wanda’s eyes are on you now as you realize your admittance.

“Y/N can handle herself, I just happened to be nearby”

A small blush rises to your cheeks as you make eye contact, her eyes searching your face briefly before returning to the conversation.

“Well, I should probably get going, it was nice seeing all of you, but my quiet apartment awaits me” You say, standing up abruptly.

Saying your goodbyes, you make your way to your car before realizing your keys are not on you.

“Looking for these?” Wanda says behind you, turniing on your heel the red head is standing close, causing your breath to hitch. Wanda notices of course, eyeing your lips for a moment before handing you your keys. “Oh, um yeah. Thank you. Also, thanks again for last night, I’m sorry for being a bitch” She stands there for a moment contemplating and you take the silence as the opportunity to turn back towards your car, but before you can fully turn around a hand wraps around your left wrist. “Wait-I- “ “You what?” “I love you” She chokes out, her hand is still wrapped around your wrist as her eyes search your face desperately for any emotion. Inhaling sharply the words wash over you, you’re not sure how long you two are standing there before she releases her grasp on you. Your mind is reeling, and you hope that Wanda can’t hear the mess going on inside your head. Since the break-up, you had come to the realization that you’d never hear Wanda say these words, not to you at least. It’d been hard for her to open up since she lost Pietro and the Sokovia Accords. You understood of course but waiting for her to possibly come around was heartbreaking. Before you could come to the conclusion together, she broke up with you, leaving with no explanation but you knew why, and you were forced to accept it. “I’m sorry it took me so long and I’m sorry I left. It was wrong of me, I just couldn’t imagine someone loving me but then you came along and showed me what it was like, and I got scared” “Wanda you don’t need to apologize, I’m over it. I don’t hate you”

"Are you over me?" Wanda speaks, it so quiet you almost don’t hear her. A tear falls down her cheek as she watches you. It breaks your heart to see her like this, it was rare to see her so emotional.

“No” You admit, “I don’t think I ever was, even though I wanted to be. I wanted to be over you so badly”

It’s clear Wanda is trying to hide her relief, “I showed up last night to tell you but now in hindsight I realize that was kind of stupid of me”

You’re not sure what to say at this point, but you do notice her lips, suddenly that’s all you can think of. Part of you wants to walk away, be done with her for good and move on. The other part though wants to kiss her and forget everything that’s happened.

Wanda catches on of course, licking her lips teasingly doing her best to elicit a reaction out of you. It works almost immediately, your eyes dragging back up to hers. Her pupils flashing red momentarily before you pull her in.

The redhead doesn’t hesitate, slamming you against your car door, a moan escaping your mouth giving her the access she wanted. Wanda’s tongue sweeps into your mouth as her warm hands reach the hem of your shirt, her thumbs rubbing your bare skin.

Wanda’s moaning against your mouth, her fingers reaching higher now digging into your skin. Your leg finds its way in between her thighs, pushing up against her core and just as Wanda’s fingers reached the edge of your bra, a blaring sound breaks you two apart.

“What the fuck?!” You jump away, crashing into Wanda’s body.

The redhead’s eyes are glowing, “I’m sorry I think that was my fault”, she confesses sheepishly.

You both laugh before you cut her off, “I should probably get going anyways, it’s getting late”

“I’ll call you tomorrow?” You add.

“I can’t wait, drive safe Y/N”

“Goodnight Wan”

[trashywormeateroffics]

The right universe.

Summary: After Y/N's life turns upside down, she's full of grief. Somehow, one day, she manages to travel to the MCU, where she meets her favorite characters, including a certain god who seems willing to establish a friendship with her. Suddenly she's enwrapped in this new world, where everything she loved in a screen is now reality. How will she react? Will she be able to deal with the ghosts that haunt her? Or will she let them consume her? Will she be open to accept the love she is offered? Read to find out!

Read this on AO3! 

Category: F/M.

Relationships: Loki/reader.

Characters: Wanda Maximoff, Pietro Maximoff, Sam Wilson (Marvel), James "Bucky" Barnes, Vision (Marvel), Tony Stark, Natasha Romanov (Marvel), Stephen Strange, Nick Fury, Maria Hill, Bruce Banner, Thor (Marvel), Clint Barton, Steve Rogers, Peter Parker, other minor appearances of other characters but these are the main ones, Pepper Potts, Loki (Marvel).

Additional tags: Loki/reader - Freeform, Avenger Loki (Marvel), Loki & Tony Stark Friendship, Fluff, Fluff and Angst, Fluff and Smut, Tooth-Rotting Fluff, Fluffyfest, Slow Burn, Friends to Lovers, Mutual Pining, Pining a lot because we love to suffer, Domestic Avengers, Tony Stark Has A Heart, Tony Stark is a parental figure, Natasha Romanov Is a Good Bro, Everyone is a good bro, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, y/n, After Infinity War but no one died and the purple bitch was defeated, Missions, Y/N is a universe traveller, Grief, Therapy, Protective Loki (Marvel), Loki in love.

MASTERLIST OF THE STORY

Chapter 19: Swiftie night. 

“Okay Frosty, you are getting bathed. Yay!” Y/N told the cat while taking him out of his cage and handing him to the veterinarian. “I'll be back in half an hour to pick him up!” She said, bidding goodbye to the lady and turning to the door, but stopping when she bumped into someone.

“Oh god, I'm so sorry!” She said, frantically picking up the papers that the stranger dropped.

“Y/N?” She looked up and saw Sarah. “Seems like we are meant to bump into each other, quite literally.” She said, chuckling, and Y/N did too.

“Sorry again.”

“It's okay, don't worry.” She paused. “Are you doing anything now?”

“I was actually gonna get a coffee, to wait for Frosty to get bathed. Would you like to join me?”

“I'd love to!”

They ended up in a cafe, two blocks from the vet. They sat at a table next to a window.

“So, tell me. What do you do?”

“Oh, not much. Just a boring office job.” Y/N responded, she couldn't tell her that she was an avenger, or close to becoming one. “What about you?”

“I work with the doctor in the office next to your veterinarian.”

“Wow! That's cool.”

“Nah,” she said, disregarding the comment with a movement of her hand. “I'm just a helper now, but one day, if I ever finish the career, I'll be something different.”

“So, you are studying medicine?”

“Something like that, yeah.”

“Cool.” She said, smiling and Sarah smiled back. “So, do you listen to Taylor Swift?” Y/N asked suddenly.

“Are you kidding me? I love her!”

“Really? Me too!” She said, excited.

“What's your favorite album of hers?” They both eyed each other and at the same time said: Reputation! And started laughing.

“But I also love every other album in her discography.” Y/N told her.

“You know, there is a club not that far from here that has “Swiftie Nights” where they play only Taylor Swift songs. We should totally go! Actually, if I'm not mistaken, tonight is Swiftie Night!”

“Really?”

“Yeah, would you like to go?”

“Yes, I'd love to! Can I tell another friend that loves her too?”

“Yes, of course. The more the merrier!”

                                      ---------------------------

“Y/N, we are going to be late!” Wanda called out to her.

“One second I'm just-” She came out of the elevator. “Fixing my hair.”

“Y/N! You look amazing!” Sam told her and everyone agreed.

She was wearing a multicolored pastel short dress, with shiny ribbons everywhere and bright pink thigh high boots.

“Thanks guys! I'm Lover, the album.”

“And I am Folklore.” The Scarlet Witch said, wearing jeans and a shirt with a creamed coloured cardigan, accompanied by a braid.

“You both look insanely cool!” Peter said and Y/N shimmied her hips to make the ribbons move in every direction.

“Thank you everyone.” Wanda said. “Now come on, we are going to be late. Pietro are you coming?”

“A Taylor Swift dedicated night? Of course.” He said, running like a flash next to his sister.

“Loki?” Y/N said as she got closer to him.

“No, but thank you for the invitation.” She pouted and he smirked. “But you look ravishing darling.” He said, getting closer to her ear, while everyone else was laughing at Pietro with a long blonde wig. She felt her face grow hot and smiled shyly at him.

“T-Thank you.” He nodded and Wanda interrupted them.

“Alright, it's just the three of us, let's go.”

“Bye Loki,” she said, turning around.

“What was that? You are as red as a strawberry.” The witch asked her in the elevator.

“What? Nothing.”

“Uh huh,” she hummed.

“Come on guys!” Pietro said and forced Wanda to drop the subject.

                                       ------------------------

Y/N came out of the elevator bidding goodbye to the twins and entered the kitchen to grab a glass of water before she went to her room. As she was grabbing it she felt someone behind her and turned around.

“Were you going to sneak up on me?” She asked, jokingly.

“I don't think I can anymore mortal, you've grown too aware of my presence.”

“That I have.” They looked at eachother, the tension in the kitchen could be cut with a knife. It was something about the way he had complimented her earlier, in a way that he had never done before.

“Did you have fun?”

“I did! Though I would've had more fun if you had been there.” She said in a moment of bravery.

“Is that so?” He said, getting closer to her.

“Yeah,” she answered, looking up at him. She was trapped between him and the counter. “I always have more fun when you are there.”

Hearing that, he felt the strongest impulse he had ever felt in his entire life, and instead of pondering on it for a bit, he smashed his lips onto hers. Her eyes went wide before shutting closed, and her hands went to tangle in his hair and she pulled, earning a small moan from him. He slid his hands from her waist to her hips and lifted her onto the counter, about to open her legs and get in between them, but when she moved to give him space, the glass that Y/N had grabbed fell into the sink, snapping both of them out of their daze. They pulled away, panting.

“I- I apologize.” He said.

“Loki,” she began but he quickly disappeared into a green shimmer. She wasn't sure he heard her. Sighing, she got off the counter and made her way to her room, where she collapsed on her bed and stared at the ceiling. Had Loki just kissed her?

~taglist~ @mischief2sarawr @midnights-ramblings @mealoncholy-hill

[all1e23]

Bad Habit [Pt.1]

Pairings: Biker!Steve x Reader

Series warnings:  Drug use. Violence. Smut so 18+ please and thank  – No smut this chapter. Sorry to disappoint

A/N:   Part 1! 800 years later. I’m doing my best to get my wips finished by the end of the year so fingers crossed I actually do so. Un-beta’d. So, uh, yeah. Be prepared for that. 

***My fics are not to be saved or posted on any other sites without my written permission. Reblogs are my jam, though! Thanks!****

Two weeks it’s been since his mystery girl came into his life, and Steve hadn’t seen or heard from her since she bolted out of the clubhouse’s front door before the sun had cleared the trees. At the time, Steve was disappointed. He had plans. There was a burning need for waffles and bacon and syrup covered kisses, the exchange of numbers, or the very least names and a plan for next time. All those wants quickly evaporated along with the dust those tires kicked up during the hasty getaway. In hindsight, it was probably for the best that morning played out as it did. If Bucky had been there to witness a girl running from his room at first light, he would never hear the end of it. Before the day was out, Bucky would have the whole clubhouse believing he ran another girl off. Thankfully, the only person to catch the escape was Sam, and he was doing everything he could to convince Steve to forget about it. Sam told him nothing good came from chasing a girl that didn’t want to be chased, but Steve has this feeling in his gut, this time wasn’t like before. 

Whoever you were, you were different. 

Maybe you had him under some sorta spell, and that was why he couldn't forget you. It would explain a lot. You captivated him from the moment you stepped into the bar, and he still saw stars long after you ran out the front door and out of his life. He never really stood a chance if he was honest with himself; Steve knew he was in trouble from the first glance. Two things were apparent right off the bat, you were going to be a handful, and it would be hard, if not impossible, to earn your love. Still, Steve chased after you like a novice sailor following a siren’s melody. He had no problem admitting he was willing to follow you out to the middle of the ocean only to find himself unable to swim in the dark waters you lived in.

In the past, Steve had a bad habit of falling too fast, loving quick and fierce. You would be his last. He just had a feeling things would go his way this time--if he could find you. 

As much as he wanted to see you again, he didn’t have any idea how to make that happen. He didn’t even know your name and had no idea where to start looking for you. Hell, he didn’t even know if you lived in Brooklyn. For all, he knew this could have been a stop on your way home where you already had someone waiting on you. All he had was the necklace you gave him, and that was a dead-end. It was just a one-night stand. He should toss the chain in a drawer and put that night behind him. Most men like him would. They would move on to the next girl and forget you existed. Steve, though, he’s stubborn (so says Bucky), and it’s a good thing he is because it’s always worked in his favor. 

Steve ran his thumb over the gold pendant resting against his chest and grinned as he watched you move around behind the bar. 

The one place he would have never thought to look. 

"Well, I'll be damned,” Steve whispered to himself, still watching as you talked and laughed with customers. 

Natasha mentioned she hired a new girl he hadn’t met yet a few nights ago, but without knowing his siren’s name, there was no way he could have connected the two. He had no idea that this Y/n was his Y/n. Now that he found you, he only had to get past the high walls you built up around your heart.

Steve parted the worn red leather stools to make room for him to lean against the polished wood, drumming his fingers impatiently along the bar top waiting for you to finish up with the man you were serving at the far end and finally notice him. You gave the stranger in dark brown leather a high squeaky laugh in return for the lousy pick-up line he threw at you. It wasn’t the same laugh, Steve knew. The laughter he memorized was light and airy, your whole body shook when it took hold of you, and it made your eyes sparkle in a way that could steal his breath like nothing else. Steve found that out early in the night when his beard tickled your inner thigh. The memory made him grin. He wanted to hate how fake you sounded right then, but it also meant you let him see a part of you you kept hidden from the rest of the world, and that was enough for hope. 

You turned around and stopped short when you spotted Steve standing there, grinning at you, looking just as pretty as he did the last time you saw him. He trimmed his beard, but it was still thick only cleaned up a bit, and those pretty blond locks tucked behind his ears made him look like a young boy. The tattoos on his forearm peeking out from the rolled-up sleeves and the black leather kutte resting over the snug burgundy Henley reminded you he was no boy. He was trouble, and he was looking to drag you into his mischief. That wasn’t going to happen, no matter how pretty he looked. It took a second for your brain to remind your feet they needed to move. Steve slid around the bar as you made your way towards him. 

"What are you doing here?" You asked quietly, refusing to look up from the IPA bottle you were cracking open. 

"Came to see a friend of mine. His wife owns the place. I have to admit I thought it would be a lot harder to find you." 

Shit. You stopped mid pour and set the glass down, half full of foam. That would need a re-pour. 

No. This wasn't happening. Surely, he didn’t mean… No, no. No. 

"Wait..." You needed to know before you said things you couldn’t take back. "Are you talking about Bucky?" 

Steve tilted his head to the side. Now, that had his curiosity piqued. You could see him processing your question, and you knew exactly what he was thinking: Why did you know that Bucky was Bucky? It was rare that Bucky interfered in Natasha’s business at all. Everyone knew who her husband was and what he was, but it never went beyond James Barnes, Vice President of The Howlers. This sounded like you were… friends? 

You should have kept your mouth shut and walked away the second you saw him. 

"You know, Buck?" 

Buck... Oh, god. 

It suddenly all made so much sense, and you were such an idiot. 

“Why me? What did I ever do to deserve this? I’m a decent person, aren't I?” You asked, looking up at the ceiling as if someone from the heavens would answer you. “This is so bad. Why do you have to be you?” 

You groaned and dropped your head to the bar top. Your one night stand was Bucky's best friend. Club president. Your Steve was Steve Rogers. The Howler’s MC President. The man who went on the road for three years and no one knew why, the one who went nomad and only returned home a few weeks ago. This was why you never let tequila make your decisions. You always end up doing something foolish, like charming bikers that will break your heart.

“I think this necklace of yours might be my good luck charm. Led me right to you, firecracker.” 

“Good luck or a curse?” You grumbled against the slick wood top. Steve hummed, clearly amused by the light chuckle that followed. You slowly lifted your head to glare at him, and he simply grinned back.

“Definitely good luck, sweetheart,” Steve assured you with a wink.

You refused to smile, and you certainly weren’t going to be the one that looked away first. You won’t give in to whatever he’s playing at. Steve settled against the wood and stared right back; his bright blue eyes glittered with amusement and something else that made your skin tingle and your inside burn with want. You recognized a young blond man from a night or two spent at Bucky and Natasha’s place strolled by the bar, only slowing down long enough to pat Steve on the back, but Steve didn’t even blink at the distraction. 

Nothing could pull him away from you. 

“Hey, Nomad. You comin’?” 

Nomad? 

“Yeah, I’ll be there in a minute Clint. I’ve got some business out here first.” 

You could hear Clint cackling as he walked down the long hallway that led to Natasha’s office. You wondered what the club wanted here and how often the club— and Steve— would be hanging around. Natasha said there wasn’t any overlap between the two. There was a moment of uncertainty and fear when she first offered you the job. You didn’t know if you could work for her if her business was mixed up in club business. That was until she assured you the club didn’t interfere in her affairs. That put some of your worries at ease, not all but enough to give you the courage to accept the job. Your last run-in with an MC was why you ended up south Brooklyn begging Natasha for a place to stay and a position. That was how you ended up working at Red Star and sharing a pathetically tiny apartment with your new friend Wanda. 

There was no one else, no other friends to run to if things go south again. This was the only second chance you were getting, and you couldn’t blow it on someone like Steve Rogers. 

“Thought your name was Steve?” 

Steve grinned.

“That’s my given name. These idiots call me Nomad when they aren’t calling me Prez or Cap. Stevie on occasion. Everyone’s got a nickname ‘round here.”

You’ve heard plenty about their nicknames and all the things they’ve done to get them. 

“I think I prefer Charming,” you mumbled, walking down a few stools to finally hand over a fresh, less foamy IPA to the grump at the far end of the bar.

Every time you moved, Steve followed you, dodging the bodies sitting and standing, and there were several times you had to tell your heart to shut up and keep the flutters to herself. It was becoming increasingly evident that Steve wasn’t going to give up easily. Seeing as how he would probably be around often, you needed to put an end to whatever storybook ending he was building up in his head. 

"You can call me whatever you want." 

You rolled your eyes and slipped the neck of two bottles between your fingers on each hand. 

“Can I have your name now?” 

“No.” 

Steve laughed. He just laughed as if there was something funny about what you had said. He didn’t seem annoyed or upset by your callus tone. If anything, he enjoyed it. Once your hands were free, he reached for you and circled his long fingers around your wrist, loose enough you could easily slip free if you wanted to, but you made no move to lose his touch. You didn’t want to draw any more attention towards the two of you than you had already. That was absolutely the only reason you were letting him touch you. It had nothing to do with how much you liked the feel of his warm, calloused hands on your skin.

“I could keep calling you my firecracker.” 

“I’m not your anything,” you were quick to correct him. 

“No, you're not,” Steve said with a grin. “We haven't even gone on a date yet.”

Yet! As if there is a chance it would be happening. He was sadly mistaken if he thought there was going to be another page to your story. You raised a brow, and Steve hung his head in defeat, but the smile on his face hadn’t changed when he finally looked back up. Something about this man made you want to hide in the safety of his arms and stop running long enough to see if fairy-tales were real.

That was why things between you would never work. 

“Why won’t you give me a chance, hm?” 

Because you're just like all the rest, pretty and dangerous, the harsh voice in your head screamed. It was probably better he didn’t know you thought he was pretty. He seemed like the type to focus on the compliment and ignore the rest.

“Mmm, I’ve played with bikers before. The ride is dangerous, dirty, and short-lived. The risk is never worth the reward.” 

That made Steve frown for the first time since he walked into the bar and your heart-clenched at the look of concern on his face. For a second, you thought about taking it back. Telling him he could be different and maybe he was a good guy with a half-decent heart—even if you didn’t believe it. 

“Sounds Like you're playing with the wrong bikers. My rewards are always well worth the ride, babydoll." 

On second thought, with lines like that, maybe you were right from the start. You weren’t about to fall for the same overplayed words he’s used on every other girl to catch his eye. It would take a lot more than a cheap shot to get you back in his bed. You leaned forward, ghosting your lips over his and slowly pulled back, grinning when he chased after you. You were starting to like this game, and that was begging for more trouble than your heart could handle. 

“All you bikers are the same,” you whispered, leaning across the bar practically nose to nose. “Sweet talk to get into a girl's panties, and then you’re over it. You all claim it’s love at first sight, but it never is. It’s about the chase, the high. It’s never about the girl.” 

Steve sighed. It didn’t sound annoyed, genuinely unsettled by your words, but he wasn’t irritated. More importantly, he wasn’t aggravated with you, but you were sure he felt sorry for you, which bothered you more.  When you dropped your gaze, he gently nudged your chin up with his knuckle until you willingly looked up to meet his eyes.“One problem with your theory, firecracker. I’ve already been in those pretty panties of yours, and I’m still chasing you. Did you ever think that maybe I’m not playing with you? That I actually like you?”  

The knot wedged in your throat made it impossible to answer. So you shrugged instead and let your silence speak for itself; no, you didn’t think that, and you didn’t trust him. None of what he said proved anything. It didn’t mean he was different. It just meant his rules were. The high would end once he won your heart, and you would be tossed to the side while he moved onto a newer, prettier skirt. 

Steve would get bored once he finally earned your heart and your trust, and that made him worse than the others. You would know. You pulled your chin away from his hand but stayed close enough to feel the heat from his hand.

"Go to dinner with me." 

"Steve--" 

"Y/n," Steve sighed playfully, grinning at the shock on your face. He knew your name, but he still asked for it? He shrugged, reading the question that was burning in your eyes. Natasha. She must have mentioned the new girl she hired, and Steve was smart enough to put two and two together. You weren’t sure you liked him knowing your name. He was that much closer to knowing all your secrets, and you couldn’t let that happen. 

"Go. To. Dinner. With me. Please." 

You hated how adorable he looked begging and pleading for only a few hours of your time. He was so cute, and you nearly gave in. Your head overruled your heart and reminded you exactly why you weren’t dating men like him. It only led to heartbreak, and you would very much like to avoid spending your nights crying over another beautiful biker who rode off with your heart. 

"I told you, I don't want anything serious. I’m not looking for more than what we had." 

"It doesn't have to be more than dinner, and I swear if you really don’t want to go on a date with this will be the last time I ask you. I don’t want you to do anything you don’t want to, but I am dying to get you back on my bike. Next Saturday night, if you’re up for it. You can even pick the place if you want to. I promise it will be dinner only. No strings." 

"No strings?" you questioned, eyeing him for any signs of deceit as you did. There was none. Just an excitable puppy staring back at you, ready to give you whatever you wanted if you’d let him.

"Yeah, why not? We can be friends with benefits or whatever the kids call it nowadays." 

"Are we friends?" 

"We are if you say yes, darling." 

You could feel yourself giving in, and you already hated yourself for it because Steve was grinning victoriously, eyes bright, and pleading with you to say yes. You held up one finger ready with your conditions, and Steve quickly grabbed your hand, pressing a kiss to the back, lost in the excitement of what he already knew was about to leave your lips. 

“One dinner, and I’m not promising any benefits.”

Steve lowered your hand and tilted his chin an inch, so his lips were brushing yours when he whispered, “Good. I prefer to earn every one of those sweet whimpers.” 

Someone behind you cleared their throat, and you quickly yanked your arm back, bumping into the wall of bottles behind you, causing the glass to rattle against each other. Bucky’s eyes flicked back and forth between you, and it didn’t take long for him to put it together. A slow grin stretched on Bucky’s face, quickly turning smug. He knew about your one-night stand, not in any detail but that you liked your mystery man far more than you should, and you assumed Steve shared his thoughts on that evening.  You narrowed your eyes at the brunet when he opened his mouth, and it quickly snapped shut—grabbing the empty crates at your feet needing something, anything to use as an excuse to get as far away from both of them as you could. The fridge in the basement was the furthest you could get at the moment, and that was precisely where you were headed. 

“Don’t even say it,” you hissed as you pushed past Bucky. 

Bucky watched as Steve’s eyes followed you until you were out of sight, disappearing down the stairs behind the bar. He looked drunk, maybe a little high, and definitely a little lovesick. 

“Gettin’ into trouble again, Stevie?”

“You could say that, Buck,” Steve sighed helplessly. “I’m getting into something. Not sure what just yet.” 

Prologue // next