#tony adopts strays fight me

[manestjerne]

I'll do that again for you

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x female reader

Summary: Bucky pushes you away again and you let him this time.

Word count: 3k

Warnings: angst, swearing, comfort, a little fluff, doubts, angry behavior, mentions of physical abuse and injuries, crying. Let me know if I forgot something.

A/N: I'm not sure about this one, but it's been on my mind for so long I had to finally sit down and write it all down. Hope you enjoy it guys <3

I walked into Bucky’s apartment and tossed my keys on the dining table before opening the fridge and getting myself a bottle of water. I looked around slowly and walked to the pile of bedsheets on the floor. I picked them up before sitting down on the couch. The quiet sound of shower in the other room seemed to wash all my worries away, but I knew they will come back the moment I see him. His deep blue, tired eyes full of regret and and guilt, his usually steady hands shaking whenever we were alone. All the things no one else besides me was allowed to see. Things that only I could perceive in a conference room full of people. Things I couldn’t do anything about. He was more devastated than ever, when Steve started talking about leaving him. Leaving us, but Bucky couldn’t wrap his head around that, believing I have already found my peace in other people. As compassionate as he was, he never saw how lonely I was since I was trying to get him his life back. But I never blamed him. 

The peaceful sound of water flowing got quiet unexpectedly, making me snap back to reality. I heard quiet footsteps getting closer and my heart started pounding in my chest. 

„Hey sweets, you’re here early.” 

He said calmly, sitting on the couch next to me. I only replied with a smile, realizing he looks worse than usually. He wasn’t surprised I was here, I always were on friday mornings. We talked about his last therapy session before going to the compound together, it was our routine. The thing that kept us both on tracks, helping to get a steady rhythm in our messed up lives, something to stick with for once. But today my thoughts were focused on something else, I didn’t care about the therapy, knowing he might finally found something better to help him get his life together. 

„How was your date yesterday?”

„It was awful and I don’t want to talk about it.” 

His reply was dry and harsh. He didn’t do that often while talking to me. He had a soft spot there, always treating me gently and respectful, but I knew this moment would come, sooner or later. I knew the perfect bubble of our strange relationship would finally burst, because he couldn’t handle it. I knew it would change for him, but never for me, I felt the same way since I met him, when he squeezed my throat so hard that I passed out and had to look at the bruises covering my body for the next two weeks, whenever I passed a mirror. But even as the Winter Soldier, his eyes were the same, that’s why I chose to help Steve get him back. That’s why I had the worst possible fight with Tony, when he told me I can’t just pick up assassins from the streets and adopt them like stray cats. He never said that about Wanda, he never called Nat an assassin, but he never hesitated when it came to Bucky. Thinking about that sent shivers down my spine, remembering how much I had to give up to bring things back to normal, to help them understand, that the Winter Soldier is not the person standing in front of them.

„So I chose a wrong person again?” 

I asked with a weak smile. It wasn’t the first date he didn’t enjoy, but he never blamed me for that.

„You chose the wrong thing for me, I don’t get why do you want me to find a fucking love of my life by setting me up on hookups I don’t want to attend.”

His voice started to sound unsettling, I shifted in my seat and straightened my back, looking at him carefully. He tried to do that earlier, to push me away by scaring me, but I never let him. I knew he would never hurt me, too focused on protecting me at all costs, like his life depended on it.

„Don’t be such a dick and stop blaming me for your poor love life, I’m just trying to help you get back to reality.”

I was surprised by my own words, I never spoke to him that way, no matter how he treated me. I felt a wave of frustration flushing through my veins, making me feel like my blood is boiling. I looked at his hands, his metal fingers clenching in a fist, the flesh hand rubbing on the soft fabric of his jeans, but I knew how much they were trembling at this moment and how much he was fighting himself not to break the character he was trying to play. 

„I never asked for it.”

His jaw clenched and I felt a sting in my chest at his words. No matter how grateful he was for me being there, he would never admit it, he would never say how much he needed and appreciated all I ever did for him. 

„Do you want me to leave?” 

I decided to make it easier for him, knowing he would struggle with saying it out loud. He never wanted me to leave his side, but he thought it was the right thing, and I couldn’t fight it anymore.

„I don’t want you to play a babysitter anymore, seeing one shrink at a time is enough.” 

He huffed and rolled his eyes, almost making me believe his words and for the first time I felt some kind of doubt. My safe place by his side was slowly fading away as he kept looking at me with something what felt like blame in his eyes. I shrinked into my seat trying to find any words, but every time I opened my mouth the room was filled with nothing but silence. 

„Do you want me to leave?” 

I repeated myself quietly, not able to find any other words suitable for what I was feeling at the moment.

„Are you even fucking listening?”

He wasn’t angry, but frustrated. I didn’t flinch at his voice, but I could feel the tears filling up my eyes slowly. I got up and picked my keys up from the table. After a few short breaths I found the courage to face him again.

„That’s what I do all the time, James. I listen. I wish you could do that for once.”

With my last word I turned away and walked to the door. He never tried to stop me, he didn’t say anything before I left. I held my tears back for as long as I could, letting go at the moment I sat in my car. I doubted all I did for him at the moment, knowing that one of us wasn’t ready for what we were doing, but I couldn’t realize who was the problem.

-----

„It’s been a week since you stopped attending the meetings. If Tony was mad earlier, you don’t want to know what Steve said today.”

Nat entered my room without knocking as always. She brought me a piece of Wanda’s cake, but I pushed the plate away, still refusing to eat whenever I wasn’t starving.

„I really just don’t want to see him, I’m not ready for that.”

She sat on the bed next to me, looking at me closely and sinking every word I said. It was the first time I said anything about what happened that day and she was willing to listen carefully to every word I say, analyzing every sigh and deep breath between them. I felt bad about treating her this way, she deserved to know everything, but I was scared of what I was going to say, I tried not to think about it, knowing my pain is now fully replaced with anger and frustration.

„I did everything I could, all this months I tried to help him and he acts like a fucking brat, trying to push me away. I’m so done with him, I’m not going back and begging him to let me do that all again. If he’s so devoted to Steve let’s just stick with that and let him live his pathetic little life without my interruptions.” 

I said it all in one breath trying not to sound paranoid, but Nat only nodded slowly and laid on her back, staring at the perfectly white ceiling. 

„I respect your every decision, but he’s only doing that to help you, and you know that. It’s you, who convinced me he means no harm and just can’t deal with his own mind, that’s why he’s trying to push you away. But it’s okay you’re tired with that, you don’t deserve it.”

I rolled on my stomach laying next to her and picked up the plate she put on the bed earlier. I stared at all the layers of my favorite toppings and saw how uneven it was looking, realizing Natasha helped Wanda with cooking this time. I smiled to myself remembering how much she hates doing that. 

"Just wait for him to come back, he'll do it eventually."

„Thanks Nat, I’m glad you’re here.” 

I said before dipping my fork in the cake.

---

Everyone got quiet when I entered the shared kitchen, it was the first time I was in the same room with Bucky since I left his apartment in tears. But I didn’t mind his presence, I knew he’s not going to bring it up when there were so many people around and I wasn’t planning on giving him a chance to speak to me in private. I walked up to the counter and poured myself a glass of water before heading to the coffee machine. I waited for my drink to brew when I turned away and rested my elbows on the counter behind me, almost tasting the tensed atmosphere I brought into the room. 

„Are you planning on attending any meetings this week or should I just send you a fax with our arrangements?” 

Tony asked calmly. He was mad at me, but acting as a human as possible he wasn’t planning on letting me know.

„Yeah, I’ll be there today.”

I shrugged my shoulders when Steve rolled his eyes, but I wasn’t looking at him. Bucky’s eyes were glued to the countertop in front of him, filled with guilt. He looked pathetic and I blamed myself for enjoying the view. After hearing a quiet beep my eyes left him to pick up the coffee.

„See you at 6.”

I said and started walking away lazily with mug in one hand and a glass of water in another. I was slowly getting used to this, feeling more comfortable leaving my room, not caring about the stares.

„You two should just fuck and let us get back to normal.”

I froze at Tony’s words and turned back to face him unconsciously.

„Come on, we can all see how you’re looking at each other, let’s finally get over this awkward phase.”

„Shut up.” 

Bucky replied him firmly at his next words, but Tony just shrugged his shoulders and went back to eating his cereal. I tightened my grip on the glass in my hand and looked him in the eyes, shaking my head slowly. Little did he know, we did that once, a few weeks back and it never helped, it never changed our relationship. I couldn’t find proper words to respond so I just walked away and stopped after passing the first corner, when no one could see me. I let my head fall back and took a few deep breaths, feeling the almost healed wound open up again. I started walking away when I heard footsteps approaching me, but he was faster and caught up with me after only a few seconds. He blocked my way with his body, towering over me before I could reach the elevator and hide in my room. 

„He shouldn’t have said that, I’m sorry.” 

Bucky was trying to look me in the eyes but I successfully avoided it.

„Don’t act like you regret anything.”

I huffed and tried to pass him, but it was impossible. He raised his hand to tuck the strand of hair behind my ear but I flinched at his movement. He was visibly hurt by that, but not surprised, taking a step back his gaze never left me. 

„Can we just talk like adult people do?”

„You’re not so good at that.”

I replied coldly, matching his earlier energy, trying to push him away as he did so many times.

„I am, you taught me that.”

„No, that’s a job for a shrink, so I’m not doing that again.”

„I know how you fee-„

„No, you fucking don’t!”

I replied throwing a glass at him, my words louder than necessary. He didn’t flinch, knowing I wasn’t actually aiming at him. The glass flew next to his face and shattered at the wall behind him. 

„Fuck.” 

I mumbled and dropped on my knees to pick up the glass from the floor. He kneeled besides me and pulled me away gently, grabbing the shattered pieces with his metal hand. 

„You’ll hurt yourself.”

He said gently and I almost fell in his arms after these words, knowing how much I miss him and how much I want to be allowed to do that again. 

„Like you care.”

I huffed in response and entered the elevator leaving him alone, kneeling in the puddle wetting his jeans, letting my frustration take over.

-----

I heard a soft knocking on my door. I raised myself on my elbows before realizing Nat and Wanda never knock, no matter what time they decide to come see me, so I rolled over with my back facing the door now. I didn’t want to talk to anybody else at the moment.

„I know you’re not sleeping, I can hear your uneven breath.”

I heard the words clearly, even tho his whisper was muffled by the door separating us. I didn’t respond, knowing he’ll come in eventually. I heard a resigned sigh before the door opened. His quiet footsteps echoing in my head when he circled the room and kneeled besides my bed to face me. 

„I’m sorry for being such a dick.”

He said confidently waiting for my answer, but also knowing I’m not going to speak. He gave me a few seconds to make sure I don’t have anything to say before he spoke up again.

„I know how you feel, I can see how much you have to give up in order to help me. I know how alone you are, even with so many people supporting you. I know you did it all to make me feel better and I appreciate it more than anything, I need your help just as much as you think and more.”

I was a little confused at his words, actually admitting all the things he couldn’t say earlier.

„Then why are you like that?”

I felt the tears filling up my eyes again, but I didn’t care, letting them fall on my cheeks as our murmurs were filling up the quiet room. 

„Because I can’t stand watching you do this. You don’t deserve it, I don’t deserve you, but I can’t function without you. I need you back and I’ll do everything for you to forgive me again.”

His hand slowly landed on my cheek, wiping the tears away as he looked me in the eyes.

„See, that’s the problem. Again. How many times will you push me away before finally opening up and letting me really help you?”

My voice wasn’t shaking as much, feeling his touch calmed me down as always, no matter how I wanted to resist the feeling.

„I won’t do that ever again, I won’t hurt you. I just need you back, as clingy as always, being a pain in my ass every Friday morning, asking about my therapy. Making me watch all the stupid romantic movies, cuddling on the couch when I’m trying to move away. Dragging me back to bed when I lay on the floor and making me talk about my nightmares before we fall asleep again.”

"Who would think that Bucky Barnes could ever kneel before a woman."

"And I'll do it again for you."

I couldn’t help but giggled at his words, knowing how much I miss that feeling too, no matter he was trying to act like he hates it, he loved it more than I did. He smiled softly at my reaction, and I knew it was sincere. He slowly stood up and took the covers off me. Picking me up gently he moved me to make space for himself and laid next to me, resting my head on his chest before pulling the covers over us once more.

„Just come back for the last time and I promise I won’t act like a brat and start treating you as you deserve. I would do anything for you and I can’t run from it anymore. I’m ready to give you everything I can and finally take care of you, like you did this whole time.”

He brushed his fingers through my hair and I nodded slowly, knowing he finally understood that pushing me away is not an option. I took a deep breath smelling his cologne and my eyelids got heavy as my body started to relax. I closed my eyes sinking in the feeling of our bodies being so close again, our legs tangled under the duvet, his heart beating right where my head was resting. 

„Just close your eyes now, and we’ll start everything again tomorrow, okay?”

He asked quietly, his flesh hand not leaving my hair and the metal one still drawing circles on my back.

„Okay.”

I said before falling asleep, knowing I won’t wake up in the middle of the night as I did every single time for the past week. 

[darkdemeter]

・issue #1・ HABITS OF MOTHER NATURE'S WILL

⚤ Wanda Maximoff x Werewolf! GN/Female/Male Reader, (Platonic) Avengers x Werewolf! GN/Female/Male Reader angst (reader has insecurities/self esteem issues) — Tony being a bit of a dick — some minor language — some weird fluffy humour? — mentions of a “passed relative” in said humour — minor name calling and usage (“mutt and stray/pup”) — and I think that’s it? ✎ 3.4k

↳ MASTERLIST | ↳ TAGLISTS ────────────────────────

Mother Nature decrees that her law is absolute. Her will is to be respected, and all are intended to follow in her great design.

You do not change it. You embrace it.

And this applies to you as well, thanks to your common ancestor, that you shared the habit that left you tracking the red ball Tony kept bouncing against the polished floors like it’s the only thing in existence that mattered to you. And maybe because it did.

How could this happen? No high risk missions or deadly villains to stop from achieving world domination. No, today was one of those special days where you and your fellow Avengers could relax. And with the full moon so close, what better combination?

What you wouldn’t give to suddenly be on a quinjet flying into enemy territory. Nothing like a good fight to get the blood pumping.

For everyone’s sake, you tried to keep to yourself for the past week but you’d exhausted your options. Walks in the park weren’t cutting it - not to mention the other dogs started it first - and you’d already destroyed five punching bags in the gym just prior. The treadmill be damned, you weren’t burning any energy on that.

Your last resort was to sit in the common area with your favoured beverage, a cool rag and some TV to calm the intense wave of anxiety. However, by her divine intervention, your beloved crew had come to flock in.

Mother Nature knew you were a pack animal at heart, as both human and wolf. It was how she made you.

The ensuing anxiety of being in a crowded space enough to put you near over the edge. It’s not like your heart rate only picked up a few hundred beats more when Wanda walked in.

When a few of the new arrivals waved and greeted you, you shared a hesitant yet trying smile and equally reluctant nod in return.

The battlefield was the only place you felt comfortable around your new comrades. But without missions or villains you were still getting accustomed to life at the compound; adjusting to life around people.

You were still considered fresh. A new recruit to the team. As Tony liked to call you… a pup.

Fuck, how you’d bite back your snarls from that term.

Fury assigned you to the Avengers some months ago. And though you had no intention of staying long, the missions kept coming in and a lot more required your specific skill set.

You remember as though it was yesterday that Tony said, “Alright Fury, we’ll adopt the stray pup. Just don’t go ripping up the furniture now.”

Suffice to say, you broke your own record at doing just that in under 3 hours.

“I think they’ll settle in just fine,” Fury had chuckled with a clap to the billionaire’s shoulder.

You shake your head at the memory. Still, if felt wrong to feel certain things for one of your teammates already. It wasn’t like you felt you really had a chance with her anyway.

The thought made your eyes falter from the now still ball for a moment, clutched in Tony’s hand as if it were your heart.

‘Who am I kidding?’ You chuffed silently to yourself, ‘She wouldn’t take a chance on me, I’m a damn mutt!’

Your self esteem issues had to wait though.

Thump.

Thump.

Thump.

‘Ball.’

‘Ball.’

‘Ball.’

Your entire head at this point tracked the ball’s movement, but your mind was still distracted by Wanda. The idea of her wanting to play ball with you, to spend those moments of intimacy with you. Tony’s words zeroed in from a muffled backdrop to the forefront of your mind.

“And that is why red indeed travels at a superior speed to any other. Ergo, why my suit is red, brilliant, eye catching and can beat anyone.”

You could hear the collective groans and disguised snarks beneath coughs without the noise being present. It was in everyone’s eyes and their scents.

Your eyes froze on Wanda, her striking eyes bore into yours with no hesitation. No fear.

‘How long has she been doing that?’

She offered one of her smiles that made your heart swell and stop at the same time, that made your searing skin cool and rise with goosebumps.

‘She’s so beautiful when she smiles like that.’

If she had one of those smiles then… you knew that grin that spread across her lips and showed a thin line of her teeth.

Your eyes gave away the betraying thought that you knew. Her smile turned grin riddled with mischief spoke volumes.

‘She read my damn mind!’

“I don’t think that is actually possible, Tony,” Sharon said with a click of her tongue and a disbelieving squint to her eyes.

“Oh no, it is,” Tony replied with a nod, “I’ll show you how the colour of this ball determines the speed in which it returns to my hand.”

He held up the ball in his hand, a proud display of its immaculate accomplishment, just a throw away.

Shit.

You bite down on your lip hard to suppress the whine coiled deep in your throat. A deep heat settled all along your neck and your ears.

Wanda still stared at you even in your peripheral.

Tony flicked his hand forward and the ball flew forward, bouncing once against the floor and bound into the wall with a determined thump before Tony caught it again, mouth agape to huff in his triumphant display in tandem with a curt yelp.

A good throw. Bad timing.

Everyone’s eyes had diverted to you. Their attention captured by the sound you made. Even Bucky, the stoic and reserved man who hardly acknowledged anyone with anything other than a grunt, appeared surprised if not the slightest bit intrigued by this new discovery.

You didn’t dare risk a second glimpse at Wanda, the flush in your neck seeped higher up into your face. Not that the shock and interest on everyone else’s faces were easier to process.

But you couldn’t face Wanda’s eyes now.

She had read the racing thoughts you couldn’t keep in line. Who knows how much she read about how alluring you think her scent is, how you whine and whimper whenever you hear her softly cry when in the privacy of her room because you wish to be there with her, her hand running through your fur to comfort herself; to let her know you’re there for her. How much it hurts you that she would never see you as nothing more than the mutt of the team. A beast that maims and runs rampart whenever you lose yourself to anger.

A lovesick pup.

You feared that the hot sting of tears was sure to follow any moment now.

Your fingers tightened against your legs, nails not longer the tamed length you maintained them as. In their stead were claws.

“Something wrong, pup?” Tony teased and you didn’t refrain from the rasped snarl that rose in your chest. Your teeth - and fangs - bared.

Fuck. Why did Mother Nature have to make you the way you are?

“Tony,” Sam warned, eyes cast between the two of you.

“What?” Tony only shrugged as if he wasn’t intentionally pissing you off and embarrassing you at the same time. “I just wanna make sure our new recruit here is alright, I mean, they have been temperamental over the past week. Chewing on expensive furniture and specially crafted improvements to my suit—“

The ball flew from Tony’s hand just as he was about to make a show of the ball again, the unmistakable red, misty tendrils swiftly brought it to Wanda’s hand.

Everyone was silent as they glanced between the red ball in Wanda’s hand and you. Their combining scents overwhelmed you to a new height. The fear that pinned you in place made the skin along your arms radiate with heat, either from the desire to run with your tail between your legs or to get defensive; to ‘wolf out’ as the others had called it. It didn’t help when Thor made an attempt to say something but otherwise thought better not to say what was on his mind.

Wanda eyed the object that held your attention. And you in turn couldn’t help but study her. Something in the way her eyes twinkled with curiosity, her lips pulled to one side as if to contemplate heavily on the fact that this ball held you in a vice grip.

Your short temper as of late, how you’d skulk around, much to the dismay of everyone fearing you had turned into another Bucky. The guy wasn’t that bad, you’d give him credit for that, the guy had a lot on his plate.

But what Wanda was perhaps most interested by that whenever she was present in the same room as you, all that would vanish. At least for the most part.

But to her, you would ask her how she was doing or even compliment her. Little did she possibly know that it was because you had felt a little courageous to take that small leap of faith to tell her she looked good.

But she might as well have that knowledge now.

You weren’t sure if it bothered you or not that she read your mind. Invaded your thoughts. In some weird way, you wanted her to. But you also feared her rejection.

But in the end, it all made sense. No one else pieced it together but her. And this time, she didn’t have to read your mind to do it.

She could read you. She knew you.

“It’s the full moon tomorrow night. They’re anxious.”

You were often lucky to avoid this topic with the others. They’d just chalked it up to catching you at the wrong time, that the mission was a hard one that day and you had some pent up anger to burn. The other half, you’d be out of the compound. Taking a much needed break at your apartment, visiting your sick grandma who they suspiciously noted you saying had passed away years ago three times now. But who was counting.

Never did they realise it all happened around the same time every month.

But Wanda did. She noticed it.

You brave to stare into those eyes you were content to drown in but find something else. It’s mysterious. Not what you’d expect to see in her eyes when she looked at you of all people.

“Y/N, Fetch!” Wanda cooed as she tossed the ball away from her. It’s a primal instinct that ignited within you at that very moment. A natural, engrained sense and desire.

How Mother Nature intended for you to react to survive or to have fun, your skin tingled with the sensation all too familiar.

The shift is over within the blink of an eye, seamless as you launch yourself over Wanda’s sitting body after the ball, large paw-like hands scrapped across the floors as you skid to a halt and the ball captured within the grasp of your maw.

Your tail wags involuntarily and your ears pinned against your head as you bashfully ducked your head at the sound of the others who chuckled and praised your reflexes.

It felt nice. Wanda turned in her spot on the couch to peer over at where you’d jumped over her, chin tucked into her folded arms.

“Nice catch,” she giggled and you swore she could see your blush in this form, “bring it here.”

Hesitant, you take a step forward and then another, your eyes cautious as they wandered over the others in case they deemed your advancements were dangerous to be left unchecked.

Rarely did you allow this form to take around them without the proper surveillance equipment and safety precautions. They already had Bruce to worry about losing control as the Hulk. They couldn’t risk you as well.

But no. They marvelled in their stares, smiles of contentment encouraged you to approach Wanda. You let the ball fall into her grasp with a small whine, ears still pressed back.

“Don’t be shy, Wolfie,” she whispered, the sound soft for only your ears to hear. You liked that nickname. You could only hope she would continue to use it.

Wanda raised the ball again only for Tony to interject. “No! No, you are not playing fetch in this compound, Miss Maximoff.”

Wanda smirked at the look in your eyes. The same one you had right before you tore up all the good, expensive furniture within that 3 hour window.

A few more throws turned into furniture shoved aside to make room. Tony remained in the kitchen, arms folded and a scowl etched hard into his face, it would take a miracle for Pepper to wipe it from his face.

Everyone else was too engrossed in the game of indoor fetch, all having had a couple of turns by now with throwing the ball. Bucky humoured you once and threw it, an approving nod when you caught it. Clint, Thor, Peter and Scott fought hard to get the ball numerous times, Natasha and Wanda were promoted to ‘ball-directors’ so everyone had a fair go.

But Wanda maybe got an extra throw in once or twice - by order of Natasha.

Steve now held the eye catching sphere in his hand, high above his head. Though with your stature in this form, it was rather tricky to keep it away from your snapping jaws.

You yipped and howled in anticipation before Steve tossed the ball and you leapt after it. You caught it before it could bounce off the wall. An eruption of claps and cheers followed immediately, your ears flopped back as you whine softly with that feeling that buzzed in your ribcage.

“Bring it here, Wolfie.” Your ears perked up high and alert at the soft tune of Wanda’s accented voice. A few of the others couldn’t refrain from laughing a little at the sight.

Whenever they had permitted you to shift on mission skirmishes, it was all done through protocol and extensive preparation to ensure you were stable.

And they only saw one emotion when you changed. Aggression.

To finally get the chance to play and be comfortable in your own fur felt good. Shit, well beyond good.

“I was promised the next throw! Come on, give the ball here, Y/N,” Sam called with an outstretched hand.

Even if Sam had a point, you couldn’t stop yourself in your approach towards Wanda, who now was crouched down with her hand out to receive the ball.

Her eyes were soft in their gaze as they pierced through the veil of your own. It was like she could see the humanity deep within you.

Her magic touched you differently, prickled against the shell of your mind, you welcomed her in.

‘I see you as more than you realise.’

A whimper crept up your throat in response, ears tucked back and eyes often shrouded with the thirst for carnage grew to relax. Become tender in the embrace of her eyes - her soul - touching yours.

Your fur bristled suddenly and you shook your head with a huff. You dropped the ball into her hand and she threw it down the long hallway.

You bound after it, your claws clinked against the tile floor, your breath hot in ragged pants as you gave chase. Each bounce of the ball echoed faintly in the back of your mind, too occupied by the words Wanda spoke through your mind.

It was the first time you’d heard her voice in your head. And you enjoyed it. It settled you into a sense of calm.

You didn’t register the elevator doors open ahead of you, Nick Fury stood with files tucked under his arm.

Your eyes shot open and you swore you saw his unpatched eye mimic yours. Your weight was too much to control with the momentum you had backed up behind your pursuit in a cramped hallway. You skid to a halt but slipped forward, the force of your body knocked Fury and yourself back into the elevator.

A series of cringed groans and gasps reminded you of your teammates as the elevator doors closed behind you.

You’d knocked Fury into the buttons and now, your destination was another floor.

Sheepishly, he could tell, you whine a pathetic sound in your apologies. You shuffle in the elevator that was almost too tight for the two of you to fit with you like this.

“So,” Fury said after a few moments of silence, eye intently watchful of the floors you both now visited. Some had agents give pause and a receptionist even dropped her cup of steaming coffee at the sight of you.

“What brought the wolf out?”

He turned his head slightly when you grunted, ball held up in your mouth to show him what had ensued before his arrival.

It felt like hours that the rest of the team stood in their places, eyes stuck on the elevator door you and Fury both disappeared into.

“Do you think he’ll be mad?” Wanda asked, voice coated in a toxic amount of unease.

She was scared what would happen to you. As a matter of fact; everyone was scared.

The government knew just enough and that was a hard - yet private - case that was not disclosed with the public.

Your existence and your species as a whole had to remain top secret. One slip up that was determined out of hand would grant you a one way ticket to who knows what for punishment.

“It’s okay, Wanda,” Clint assured, “I doubt Fury would do anything like that. I mean, he brought them to us.”

“He’s right. No way would Fury do something like that,” Steve added, firm in his judgement or perhaps what he hoped for.

“We will… figure it out if it comes to that,” Tony sighed from his place. Not often did Tony jump to your defence in cases such as this.

But in the end, you’d proven yourself mostly to be trustworthy.

He had some inkling of reason to believe you wouldn’t cause intentional harm to the team.

The elevator pinged and everyone held their breath as the doors slid open.

Fury and you stood side by side, gazes directed down the hallway towards your team. Your eyes immediately sought out Wanda who gave you a smile but her brows were furrowed.

Fury held up the ball as he strutted forward, like an obedient pup, you followed close to his heel.

“Next time, take the game of fetch outside,” he advised and threw the ball forward and Tony caught it swiftly.

Another good throw. Really bad timing.

You were still hyped up and because of that, you charged forward and closed the distance within a matter of milliseconds.

“Wait no—!” Tony grunted as he was pinned to the floor beneath your weight. “Get. Off!” He growled and you slinked away from him with your tail tucked.

The others did little to hide their laughs at Tony’s unfortunate expense.

“Good job,” you caught Bucky mutter to you as you joined Wanda’s side. You chuffed rather proudly and your head held high.

Steve aided Tony from the floor. “Alright, Fury. We’ll note that down.” Steve flashed a toothy smile and wink your way.

“I have a mission briefing. Ya’ll better buckle up and dress for the cold. You’re going on an undercover operation located in Alaska.”

“Alaska?” Wanda asked in sync with your curious head tilt, ears flopped to the side.

“Alaska. And you also have a guide present right now who is familiar with the territory.”

It didn’t take a second long for your team and yourself to gather what Fury meant, his single eye on you knowingly.

Fury left some time later after he handed the files over that provided more information on your new task in Alaska.

Wanda turned and knelt down in front of you, a hand ran through the thicket of your fur. The act itself made your eyes droop and your chest rumble. Wanda couldn’t keep the full, toothy smile to spread on her lips.

“I think this gives us all the perfect opportunity to play more fetch with our beloved wolf.” Wanda’s words didn’t go unnoticed by the numerous hums of agreement. Truly you felt seen by them all. For the first time perhaps ever, you felt accepted.

You even looked to Tony who shrugged with an eye roll. “I suppose I could indulge in a couple throws myself. So long as I can test my new theory of what travels faster: the wolf or the red ball?”

“Wolfie,” your team chimed in claim of their theory right there.

Your pack that Mother Nature intended for you.

THANKS FOR READING!

✎ no note from the author

on this issue's taglist, we've got: @alexawynters

[autisticbokutoenthusiast]

pit babe ep 3 stray fever thoughts

- they are NOT playing with these episode lengths like damn

- still love the intro like come on color grading

- black turtleneck suit jacket combo this man is one of the baddies

- “he’s the one who babe calls daddy” i feel like is maybe more of a translation thing…. but awlright

- i see babe already pulling out the puppy eyes… its joever for me if we’re being honest

- ok how many of the characters are tony’s adopted children cause im gonna go with any and everyone until proven otherwise

- sonic again with the fits. at least he commits and we must stan for that

- oh this is kinda nostalgic for fixing cars with my dad…

- ok alanjeff kinda funny. like alan whining about his current crisis and jeff in the corner eating noodles and being judgy i love it

- oh way knows people ?? he has conversations that don’t revolve around babe??

- ok coloring. i love you blue sets

- HIS FUCKING CARS AHHHH

- oh so babe is rich.

- he has a tortured soul and hot wheels collection your honor how could i not wanna hit

- GET A JOB!! STAY AWAY FROM HER!!!!!

- oh this subplot goes wild actually like the super children thing…. delicious little backstory. plus peep the others there too

- awwwwww they’re so cute. not ready for the pain that’s coming. obsessed with this cute lil song playing like we switched genres for a sec here

- vroom vroom mf making it sound like the pits of hell up in here. i would. need my noise blockers

- wait whose dean did we meet him yet. is this the one yall shipping with winner

- obsessed with jeff and how he moves through the world like a prey animal

- oh here’s pete. here’s the poor little meow meow ig

- they got sponsored time to go crazy on those chicken nugggies

- help winner being a loser again. kim needs to knock some sense into him or something. NOT HIM SUGGESTING SABOTAGE THEN GOING “ oopsie 🤪” djjdjdjdjdjdjdj

- is one of them an omega and can it be kim and jeff

- tony eating his evil little treats, unfortunately a slay

- here we go the famed milk placement

- not charlie in his casuals with that big ass watch who is this kid. also babe sleeping …. i need to do atrocious things to this man

- it’s such a brave choice having a digital clock as a prop

- what did way see… i think way is one third wheeling moment away from exploding

- ooo is way mind controlling rn… that felt strange

- he plays car video games it’s his special interest

- oh shit this kinda making me sweaty

- i get babe if i try to focus without listening to my tunes i lose my fucking mind

- can someone deck winner oh here we go pfjdjejrjrbd winner stumbking this clown can’t even end the fight ejejdj

this ep was my fav so far feels like we’re settling into the rhythm of the world and also descending into chaos, fun

[irondad-defensesquad]

okay so current wips:

and i say to myself, what a wonderful world - short fic that takes place before peter travels to europe in ffh. but here tony is alive and he doesn't want to stay away from peter after the last five years (trust me, it's more light-hearted than this summary)

you're all i need to get by - sickfic in which tony gets sick and peter looks after him. peter also kisses tony's forehead on instinct and he's very embarrassed about it (THIS IS PLATONIC. DON'T EVEN TRY TO TAINT IT.)

i need some sleep - tony finds peter wearing the spider-man suit late at night, but he finds out that the kid isn't fighting anyone. peter just wants to talk

and then you're left in the dust - a sequel to kid arachnid, in which mcu!miles gets spider powers during the five year skip in endgame, so tony starts mentoring him (they've previously met when miles was a kid too). suddenly, one day, miles' father, who was dusted, returns as if nothing happened. miles later finds out peter and everyone else is back once he visits tony.

EDIT: sorry seems to be the hardest word - a revisit to an old fic of mine. basically tony is in a bad mood and he takes it out on peter. but the conflict doesn't resolve quickly like in the original story.

not sure about this last one but:

untitled - sequel to and the void stared back, in which peter brings home a stray black cat and tony ends up adopting it. until one day, peter rescues yet another cat, but this time it's an orange kitten. to their surprise, tony jr. (the first cat) quickly adopts the kitten. shenanigans ensue.

[straying-further-from-gods-grace]

Horror is my favorite genre, ever. Here's some movie reviews! 

And before anyone asks. Whatever kink you're thinking I might have while reading this. Yes. 

I'm actually rewriting this after having finished it and deleting the whole thing on accident. So. It's not as good as it was originally. Sorry y'all. 

Candyman 1992 10/10 ⭐

Not only was the lead actress amazing and hot but the lead actor, Tony Todd, was sooo sexy even covered in mother flipping bees. I'm allergic but I'd risk my life for a kiss from that man. He's still hot! I got a thing for noses and he's checking all the boxes idk what to tell ya. 

And sure the murdering and kidnapping and stalking isn't so good. But like. He loved that white gurl of his and it killed him. Smh

Friday the 13th idk which 10/10 ⭐

Sexy. Buff. Manly man. Can rip me apart bare handed. Can crush my skull in one fist. Is a mama's boy, always a plus. But maybe on the wrong end of the spectrum soo… idk. Seems a terrible MIL but I dunno I'm not planning to make it past the honeymoon. So. Worth it. 

Jeepers Creepers 3 11/10 ⭐

I love this entire series. I think Jeepers is sooo hot leather daddy frfr. 

Him hunting people for body parts and being immortal is pretty damned cool. 

Those claws. Ugh. Moan. 

Favorite scene is in movie three tho. Idk why him catching those teenagers on the bikes was so amazing to me but it was??? I love that he has a pimped out torture van! 

Hellraiser 13/10 ⭐

Cenobuns are sexy AF. They can ice these buns ANY day ANY place. The Engineer, The Female and Butterball can have foursome with me as the meat or the olive on a toothpick any fucking time. Pinhead can get it too, but, idk… I wanna cuck him. 

They are dimension hopping puzzle box loving autistic BDSM Dom's who live outside of any other form of normal there can ever be. They know the key to pleasures and horrors never before seen and all they wanna do is give it to you. And lemme say. I'll take it. Any. Fucking. Time. 

Terrifier 10/10 ⭐

My sis HATES clowns. One of these days I'm gonna get her to sit down with me and watch it. With all my clowns and dolls and gnomes. It's so yummy, sexy, and funny! Clown-ussy, as teens would say. 

Terrifier 2 11/10 ⭐

Loved how they thickened the plot. They threw some flour in that stew and let it burn. I want all costumes in this from the clowns to the Halloween the teen wears. Clown-ussy back at it again and even better! Love the sidekick, too. I imagine he adopts her like a little stray. 

Idk how people were throwing up. I laughed the whole movie! Clowns ARE funny, y'all. 

Scarehouse 11/10 ⭐

I can't even-

Corset popping her ribs. 

Acid pillow fight. 

Ripping out her implants. 

By the time I watched this movie I was ELEVEN and had been hit by the puberty semi truck that ran he over, backed up, and went back over. I was over sexualized while being increasingly disinterested in sex of any form dealing with a number of mental health illnesses and gender and sexuality concerns. Having only fake female friends after losing my only true one. So Idk I really liked this one. 

[polizwrites]

PoliZ's WIP Update: 7 Feb 2024

A busy IRL week, which cut into my writing time/energy.   I  touched  4 fics (1 new works & 3 WIPs) for a total of 1525 words.  

On Ao3, I posted: 

NamNori -  Tony from another dimension sparks some revelations - eventual Stony.    

Ringing In the New - newly established Stony ficlet with some mature content.

On the Edge of Disaster -  CA:CW fix-it, but just barely. 

The Secrets That We Keep -  Stony secret identity & FWB ficlet

On Tumblr I posted: 

Finding a Partner -  Steve & Natasha go dancing (potential pre-slash) 

I’m juggling  19  😬 active/semi-active WIPs with my current  deadlines being the Tony Stark Bingo & Stony AU Bingo which both wrap in mid-February.    

See  below cut for what I’m working on/planning to work on - arranged more or less by bingos/challenges/etc.  As always, feel free to send me   prompts or plot bunnies as well as asks regarding  any of these projects  or any other WIPs I’ve got out there.   Interaction really helps feed the Muse and keep me motivated!

Bucky Barnes Bingo  - [BBB_R5]   (Ends 10 31 Jan 2024)

Ended up with twenty-six fills  and  an assisted blackout!   Masterpost coming some time this week. 

Tony Stark Bingo Round 7  - [TSB_R7]   (ends 15 Feb)

Twenty-six  fills and two WIPs as of the moment  - getting an assisted blackout, thanks to a couple of adopted squares! 

* A2 - KINK: Concubine -  This will get filled with Chapter Two of  The Sultan’s Gifts  whic will also fills my SAUB Gentle Dom square and the Build a Bucky Bingo February prompt Fingering.  It’s coming in at 1065 words and will post on Friday.  A third smutty chapter (filling my SRB Multiple Submissives squares) is  currently sitting at 441 words.  

* K5 - AU: Anime - I had Vague Ideas of doing a “Battle of the Planets” (my first anime and a childhood favorite)  fusion, with Tony as Princess, Steve as Mark and Bucky as Jason - but wasn’t sure who to put in as  Tiny (Happy? Thor?) or  Keyop (Vision?) -  JARVIS would have been their 7-Zark- 7 of course….  if I have time/spoons/inspiration - I may do something with this.   

* Jan Adoptable: Enemies to Lovers -  working to fit this into another Flash Fiction Friday-inspired fic -  To Earn the Dragon’s Heart  was written for prompt  [#FFF237 A Fool’s Quest] and will also fill my SAUB AU: Fantasy square.  The fic is inspired by CoffeeOwl’s really cool dragon!Steve/ indebted!Tony prompt in the STB Discord server.  The expansion is up to 1045 words and will hopefully be posted on the 14th.  

Stony AUniverse Bingo  [SAUB_R1] (ends 15 Feb)

Another brand-new bingo I’m helping co-mod!   I’m up to fourteen  fills, four  WIPs and several  crossover ideas in play.  Not sure I’m going to get a blackout - but I’ll do my best!  

* S1 - Edging - Posted  Ringing In the New to Ao3 on Monday -  where Tony makes a suggestion to Steve improve/change up their love life. It crossed over with a Flash Fiction Friday prompt: How Do You Use ‘It’? and came in at 335 words.

* S3 - AU: Wings -  think I need to pivot on this - maybe I’ll be self-indulgent and do a second remix of some part of Take What Was Wrong (And Make it Right) from Steve’s POV - since  the first remix  is Bucky POV (and therefore tricky to make Stony-focused) 

* S5 - Accidental Baby Acquisition - see BBB Yelena Belova  - this may have to come off the table/pivot to something else.  

* T1 - AU: Fantasy -  see TSB  Enemies to Lovers. 

* T2 - Adopting a Cat - combined this with a Flash Fiction Friday prompt  [#FFF236 Fight or Flight]  for  Feline Fight and Flight  - which will probably get a better title before I post it to Ao3.😁 This No Powers established Stony ficlet - where Tony’s rescuing a stray cat and Steve helps out -  came in at  390 words. 

* T4 - AU: Canon Divergence -  Filled this with  On the Edge of Disaster -  a  CA:CW last-minute partial fix-it from Steve’s POV that also filled a Flash Friday Fic fill   [#FFF209 On the Edge] as well as my SRB Fix-It square.  I’ve gotten one cranky comment on it already.  🙄🙄🙄

* O2 - Omegaverse - I have a Vague Idea inspired by  @kandisheek’s lovely art piece.  

* O3 - FREE - used this in combination with a previous  Flash Fiction Friday prompt:   [#FFF235 Little Pink Houses]  to come up with  Those Old Crazy Dreams (Just Kind of Came and Went) which was posted to Tumblr and came in at 461 words.  I may tweak it a bit before posting to Ao3 before this event is over.   

* N2 - Mutual Pining - crossover with CABB Royal Knight?

* N3 - Gentle Dom - see TSB KINK: Concubine above

* N5 - AU: Multiple Identities - Posted  The Secrets That We Keep  to Ao3 this morning.  It’s a first person present tense alternating POV ficlet with mutual pining (and secret identity) Stony. Inspired by the  Flash Fiction Friday prompt [#FFF225 I Can't Tell], the ficlet came in at 340 words.

Captain (America) Bottom Bingo - Round 2 [CABB] (ends 28 Feb 2024)

I signed up for a 3x3 card for this bingo and have six fills, two WIPs and a couple of crossover ideas.

* B3 - Royal Knight - see SAUB Mutual Pining.

Post July Break Bingo  [JBB_23p] (Ends Apr 2024)

One fill on my  2x3 non-fandom-specific card - still working on  potential crossovers.

* A1 - “It’s you. It’s always been you.” - I may be including this in a Canon Divergence prompt I have on one of these cards 😁

* B2 - Character’s personality is split into two different beings – I’ve never played with Bucky & the Soldier being two different people, but this seems like the perfect opportunity! Will see what might be a good crossover on one of my open cards.

*  C1 - Touch Starved – another good fit for a Bucky-centric fic. (Steve or Tony or Clint).

Steve Rogers Bingo - Round 3 [SRB_R3] (ends  15 Jun 2024)

Seven  fills and one WIP - need to ponder possible crossovers, especially with  CABB.  

* A1 - Steve can actually dance just fine - Matched this up with the Flash Fiction Friday prompt  [#FFF238 Take My Hand]  for   Finding a Partner -  where Steve & Natasha go dancing (potential pre-slash). It came in at  239 words and will post to Ao3 before the event is over.    

* B4 - Fix it  - See SAUB AU: Canon Divergence

* C5 - Exes to Lovers  - crossover with  CABB - "B1 - "All I wanted was for you to be happy."  – Bucky or Tony as the Ex?   SAUB S4 - Arranged Marriage  might be an additional crossover  

* D1 - Multiple Submissives -  see  TSB  KINK: Concubine

Bucky Barnes Connect Four - Alt Jun-iverse [BBC4_R2]  {Ends June 2024}

The good folks over at @buckybarnesevents  have opened this event up early!  You sign up for a single row card of four squares and the challenge is to see if you can combine any/all into a single Bucky-centric AU fanwork - although you can also create 2-4 separate fanworks if you want.  

The combo of prompts on my first card [Reality Show,  Omegaverse, Talent/Manager, Royalty] sparked an idea that I’m about 230 words + misc notes into already -  Alpha!Bucky as a technical prince   who gets talked into joining a reality show that is supposed to match him up with an omega… but there’s a twist!   I’m torn between striking while the iron is hot vs spending time on the fics that have a looming deadline…  🙃

Hawkeyes Bingo [HB_R2] {Ends TBD] 

Just signed up for this fun Tumblr event - got a 3x3 card and want to swap out one square, but otherwise am looking forward to creating more  Clint-centric content and trying my hand at a bit of  Kate Bishop fic as well!    

*A1 - Werewolf AU -  possible inspiration to continue A Hairy Situation? 

* A3 - Awkward Flirting – this might be a good entry into my first femslash fic with Kate/Yelena?    

Build-A-Bucky Bingo [BaBB_R1] {Ends Oct 2024}

Another fun year-long  event from the folks at  @buckybarnesevents!  Each month there’s a list of prompts and you choose (at least) one  each month for your card!

* November:  Crackfic - DONE  

* December: Wingman  - DONE

* January: Wingfic  - DONE

*January: Polyamory - DONE

* February -  Fingering -  see TSB KINK: Concubine 

Warm and Fluffy   Bingo  [WFB]   (no end date)

Four  fills on my card, courtesy of   @warmandfluffybingocards  - need to try for another crossover or two! 

————

On  other creative fronts:  I am working on a Taylor Swift figure as a commission;  I still have one figure to go for one of my Marvel Trumps Hate  auction winners:  Captain Rambeau aka Photon. If  you’re looking for one of a kind gifts for birthdays or other celebrations, check  out Stuffed With Character    over on Facebook for a full list of my designs (now over 150!).   These soft stuffed figures are  mostly Marvel and monsters, but I have some Star Wars, Star Trek, DC   and Disney figures as well. Plus I love to take custom design   requests  for any fandom!

[rubythecrimsonwriter]

this is the randomest ass question about post-flipping legacies which we havent even gotten to but do you ever see jason headed up to nyc for a visit? along with damian or just all the batkids? ive savored the brief avengers cameos a lot hehe

I have. Uh. Three works that are VERY vaguely plotted out for when Flipping Legacies is finished. One is a prequel focused on pre-SHIELD Clint and the few days between the Greysons' deaths and Dick's adoption. It's a good thing that they're both high energy and filled with rage.

One is a prequel one shot centering around Natasha that is absolutely meant to make everyone--including me--start crying.

And the last is the only sequel, centered around Natasha and Clint as a pair this time (not, like, romantically? But definitely you-and-I-have-no-concept-of-personal-space-with-each-other), with Jason as the Holder Of The Braincell this time. Natasha finds out that Coulson is alive and oh boy she is PISSED. Jason will spend a few days running around with Strike Team Delta in New York, which will also feature Shenanigans Had. ("What do you mean, you don't carry a gas mask with you?") For that one im going to have to rewatch Agents of SHIELD and kind of guess where the story would insert itself so that's like. Several years in the future. The likelihood that a stray Captain America wanders through is pretty high. I'm pretty sure Tony is getting sat on by Pepper so that he doesn't injure himself and tear something post-arc-reactor-removal. But he's loud about it. Very loud.

I could also see Jason just dropping in very casually to say hi with Kori and Roy in tow while he's vibing with the Outlaws. That could be a very tense hello the first time. Prior first encounters involved probably about 35 Billion (note the Capital B) dollars in destruction and also a nuke. Tony and JARVIS would both probably be insanely twitchy until they realized this is Natasha's kid, uh, project and his friends.

As for Damian or the rest of the batkids? Honestly coming up blank. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Tim probably would go visit just because he's a nosy parker, but the rest of them are pretty enthusiastic about staying in Gotham, and fighting with Bruce about the Avengers and their. Ahem. Enthusiasm in killing the problem deader than Jason. Is not worth it.

It's kind of funny, imagining a world with both the Justice League and the Avengers. You have the Last Line of Defense, the Justice League, who are, on the whole, remarkable people who have done remarkable things. Are good, upstanding people. Are people who have made mistakes and publicly apologized for them.

And then there are the Avengers, for when shit is so fucked no one cares that two assassins, a billionaire with too many brains, an alien god who tried his hand at starting wars with literally everyone ever, the guy who Broke Harlem, and Captain Fucking America, are the ones who are either going to save the day in inglorious fashion or avenge it with a well placed Molotov cocktail.

[itsallavengers]

STARK BEANS OMG HE TOTALLY WOULD

It starts out bc he finds a lil kitty curled up on the hood of his car.

He has no idea how or why it got there. But it’s… it’s tiny, and it’s black as night and curled in on itself like a lump of dark matter against the striking red of his Ferrari. He cocks his head and scritches the top of its teeny little head, and when the kitty wakes up, he realises that it’s holding its leg all funny. The poor thing is obviously a stray, and there’s something wrong with its back paw.

Pepper is going to kill him for being late to that meeting, but come on- this kitten obviously needs his help.

So he heads in the complete opposite direction of the meeting rooms he was supposed to be driving to, and instead goes to the nearest vet, the little kitten curling back up, this time in his lap. He makes sure not to move around too much, so as not to hurt it more. Unfortunately, however, when the vet looks her over, he tells Tony solemnly that the leg is too badly damaged to heal on its own, and if they wanted to help her they’d either have to amputate or just put her to sleep.

Tony checks his watch. He’s already thirty minutes late- might as well go the whole way and just miss the meeting entirely.

The kitten stays over at the vets whilst Tony throws a load of money at the person he’d been speaking to and tells him to do the best job he can with the operation, and when he goes home, he instantly claps his hands and signals for JARVIS to start a new database.

JARVIS makes a wry comment at the ‘Stark Beans’ decision, but fuck him, Tony thinks it is absolutely fitting. 

It takes him six hours to come up with the perfect design. It’s tiny and barely even uses any materials at all, but it’s flexible and lightweight and the kitty is hardly even going to notice the difference when it’s on. He puts a small rubber paw on the end- soft and durable, and fit like the real thing, and on the back of it he stamps the smallest little StarkIndustries logo on it he’s ever created.

And thus, Stark Beans™ are born.

He saves the project and sends it off to Pepper, telling her that he’s terribly sorry, but this needs to take priority now, I’m going to save all the cats in the world with this. And then once that’s done, he gets in the car and drives back to the vets.

Needless to say, it’s an instant success. 

The Stark Beans™ are put into practise almost immediately. They fast become the best thing on the market. Tony expands a little, making some for the canine counterparts too (Stark Paws™), and suddenly he has a whole market of prosthetic limbs for disabled pets. His favourite part is seeing the little boys and girls that end up running up to him, toothy smiles and sunlit eyes and fists with pictures of their puppy’s new leg and their cat’s new paw. They’re so happy. He made them happy in the space of an afternoon, because of the little kitten who sat herself on his hood and took a nap.

Of course, he keeps her. She came home with him as soon as the new limb was fitted. She was like the tiniest shadow in the galaxy; the only thing that gave away her position in the darkness was the single white paw of her Stark Bean™.

Fittingly, he named her nebula. (Well- technically her name was Horsehead, due to the fact that it was the most famous dark nebula he could think of and at the time he’d thought it was hilarious- but Pepper had quickly put a halt to him yelling out ‘HORSEHEAD NO!’ In the middle of the office when everyone else was working.)

So yes. Nebula. Excellent model for his tech. Even better lab partner. But the best part about her was definitely her little purr when he scratched under her chin

AO3 /// buy me a kofi!

[winterhawksamplers]

Winterhawk Samplers: Mutual Recovery

What do you get when you stick two formerly brainwashed assassins in a tower together? How do you move on from trauma when you're still fighting? What happens when you find someone who understands what it's like to have red in your ledger? Coping with the abandonment of best friends, brainwashing, or being seen as a weapon: Welcome to Winterhawk's bread and butter (and probably one of the ways you've tried to convince someone it's a viable ship). This is mutual recovery -- of self, of confidence, of soul. This is recovery via therapy, social media, flight, target practice, or inappropriate humor. This is Clint and Bucky finding common ground, finding themselves, and finding who they want to be. This theme naturally (and deservedly) trends heavy, but the following list shows that it doesn't always have to. For the sake of cohesion and similarity, all of the fics on this list are set in canonverse. Other posted and planned lists do, and will feature AUs.

Clint Barton's Super Secret Sniper Club by: @captn-sara-holmes length: 67k | rating: T | tags: towerfic, PTSD, therapy, implied alcohol abuse, sniper bros, Bucky Barnes recovering, references to brainwashing summary excerpt: When Steve brings Bucky back to the tower for the first time, Clint’s first thought is that Tony Stark’s pride and joy is quickly becoming a less of a very tall and expensive ‘fuck you’ in the faces of investors who don’t believe in self-sustaining energy, and more of a superhero rehabilitation center. Why this one? Witty banter, finding solace and solidarity on the shooting range, Clint's avoidance of therapists, nightmares, interfering best friends, and learning to trust oneself again; this fic helped set the standard for how Clint and Bucky are able to support each other in the journey of accepting themselves.

You rearrange me till I'm sane by: @redsector-a length: 56k | rating: E | tags: suicidal thoughts, road trip, PTSD, mutually protective sniper bros, Bucky Barnes recovering, Bucky remembering summary excerpt: Clint finds himself spiraling into a deep depression after the Battle of New York...until the Winter Soldier ends up saving him and inadvertently giving him a new purpose – to save the man that the Soldier had once been – Bucky Barnes. Not one to be outdone, the Soldier decides that his new mission is to ensure that Clint remains alive himself. Why this one? As Clint and Bucky cross the country on a road trip together, they blur the lines between giving each other space to grow and define who they want to be, and protecting each other from everything -- including themselves. bonus: art by @albymangroves and art by mekare

Sweet Home Was Home by: @there-must-be-a-lock length: 109k | rating: E | tags: post endgame, Hawkeye + Falcon and the Winter Soldier elements, communication, humor, the power of choice, farm fic, ensemble cast summary: Clint and Bucky try to let go of the past and start thinking about the future. They also celebrate the holidays, juggle knives, assemble furniture, see a musical, adopt a few strays, and rescue each other repeatedly. Why this one? This fic reflects changes in the winterhawk dynamic by incorporating recent traumas from the post-endgame era while doing an amazing job of highlighting how two tenets of winterhawk recovery (communication and the freedom to choose your own future) are just as important as they ever were. Plus, it does this all with a beautiful blend of humor, raw emotion, and soft, soft boys getting -- and creating for themselves -- the life they deserve.

Coffee Spoons by: @cakeisnotpie length: 5.6k | rating: T | tags: memory loss, coping with inappropriate humor, sexting, some violence summary: Bucky Barnes might not remember who he is, but he knows what he likes. Or Clint Barton is a pretty good therapist among other things. Or Steve and Tony are clueless. Why this one? Combining classic team feels with quick banter, this fic blends heavier themes like memory loss and brainwashing with humor and levity as Clint and Bucky make the best (and worst jokes) out of the hands they've been dealt.

Laconic Lassitude by: Cristinuke length: 20k | rating: M | tags: panic attacks, PTSD, post CATWS, being misunderstood, towerfic, allowing space and silence to process summary: Clint Barton and Bucky Barnes just wanted everyone to leave them alone. Why this one? An early winterhawk fic, this showcases how Clint and Bucky understand what the other needs when no-one else does, no matter how well-intentioned the rest of the team can be.

The next eight amazing, amazing fics are sorted in descending order by length.

Mend and Make Do by: Ishtar12 length: 106k | rating: T | tags: mental health issues, hallucinations, PTSD, unreliable narrators, suicide ideation, h/c, angst with a happy ending Like Real People Do by: @kangofu-cb length: 68k | rating: E | tags: canon divergence, cabin fic, flashbacks, learning to be people again With Us (Or Without) by: dentalfloss length: 46k | rating: T | tags: pre-relationship, clint-centric, h/c, brainwashing, torture, marmosets, unintentional therapy animals, bonus embedded art Barely Breathing by: lissadiane length: 16k | rating: M | tags: non-consensual body modification, torture, wingfic, PTSD, taking ownership of the harm done to you Hard to Love by: @bekala length: 15.5k | rating: T | tags: post endgame, self-destructive habits, ronin!clint, learning to accept help, learning to move forward with your heartbeat next to mine by: @tintedglasses length: 7.4k | rating: E | tags: virginity role play, past sexual abuse, established relationship, soft and sweet, reclamation of self and autonomy save your first and last chance for me by: @1000-directions length: 4.9k | rating: E | tags: PTSD, Bucky Barnes Recovering, established relationship, codependency, disordered eating Picture Perfect by: @flowerparrish length: 3.3k | rating: T | tags: post CATWS, light angst, tower fic, podfic available, recovery via snapchat bonus: podfic by the author This theme could arguably be found in at least 75% of all winterhawk fic -- so what else would you include? reblog or add in the comments for your fellow readers! Find other themed winterhawk samplers here. Suggest fics for us to include on future lists here!

[sail-not-drift]

Stucky Fic Recs

I’m waiting for my hair dye to develop and have also lost my mind to these two, so here, have some recs. All are amazing. The ones that make me FERAL are bolded, the ones that made my soul ascend have stars.

Dedicated to @neversleepingever and @mygutsforgarters, you heathens.

Dishonor On Your Cow - Shrunkyclunks (but not really, sort of) where Steve and Bucky have a hate at first sight meeting during the Battle of Manhattan and Bucky eventually joins the Avengers for feelings and hilarity.

****He's All That - College AU where frat boy Bucky takes a bet to turn disaster Steve Rogers into the class president but catches feelings instead. 

dance with a ghost - Shrunkyclunks where Bucky moves into an apartment and finds himself haunted by the ghost of Captain America.

Introduction to Fake Dating Your Best Friend 101 - Professors AU, Steve and Bucky are a pair of professors who have to fake date for academic purposes and are real dumb along the way.

Five times Steve kissed Bucky - Pre-serum “fight me” Steve Rogers to post TWS.

To Believe in Tomorrow - Shrunkyclunks AU; Bucky's mornings at the community garden get a little more interesting when the new guy shows up.

Blush Pink - Dirty talking, dom!Bucky PWP.

if all my mistakes (led me to you) - No powers AU, Steve has to scramble to find a plus one for Peggy’s big day after being spontaneously dumped. Bucky is his slutty neighbor.

**Unusual Weather - Tony gives Bucky Asgardian drugs to chill him out while Tony fixes his arm. Steve is there to hold Bucky down. Then Bucky starts dirty talking.

a long way from the playground - Fake dating, no powers AU, Bucky needs to pretend he has a date to Becca’s wedding and blurts out his best friend’s name.

Something Borrowed - In-universe Sam POV AU where Sam, Steve, and Bucky go to Sam’s sister’s wedding.

Bucky Barnes: Sunscreen Assassin - In-universe AU; Steve refuses to wear sunscreen, Bucky takes that as a challenge.

winter wheat, sunflower peat - Powered AU where instead of re-meeting in TWS, Steve meets Bucky as a hitchhiker. ANGST AND FEELS.

**The Daily Rogers - College AU, exchange student Bucky meets Steve “fight me” Rogers, who classmates run a nasty blog about.

No, Mr. Bond, I Expect You to Pine - Secret Agent adversaries-to-lovers AU where the Winter Soldier keeps tying Captain America to walls and sticking around to chat.

Drive It Like You Stole It: A Bodyswap - Steve and Bucky get bodyswapped then go on a magical road trip with Peter Parker; extreme antics and harmless emotional torture for Peter ensue.

Your Lack Of An Answer Is Kind Of An Answer: Four Questions Natasha Asked Steve Rogers, And One Time Bucky Barnes Answered - Beautiful and painful Natasha POV, so many Steve feelings, SO MANY.

Achilles Come Down - You jump, I jump, pre-serum and after.

eros and psyche - Post-TWS, Steve and the Winter Soldier start an affair where the Soldier never lets Steve see his face.

Sparked Up Like a Book of Matches - Beautiful Steve-centric, post-TWS. Sometimes Tony gives him super alcohol in a sippy cup. Sometimes he sees Bucky out of the corner of his eye and wonders if it's real or if he's starting to lose his mind.

Itinerant - Nomad Steve goes wandering the world without the rest of the team to try and find himself while Bucky recovers in Wakanda.

Sweet Relieving - Pre-serum PWP, Steve cross-dresses, Bucky talks DIRTY.

4 Minute Window - Post-TWS, Bucky “kidnaps” Steve and they build a life together.

time on my hands (could be time spent with you) - Nomad Steve runs missions while Bucky recovers in Wakanda and everyone thinks they’re married.

My Working Week and My Sunday Rest - Steve's life after he throws down the shield and hides with Bucky in Wakanda.

Cat Nap - AU where Winter Soldier Bucky and Steve didn’t know each other; Bucky deprograms himself and Steve accidentally steals his cat.

The Size of Perfection - WWII, Steve is shy about how big the serum made his dick. But then there is extreme bittersweet beauty.

Ain't No Grave - Post-TWS (with a pre-TWS prologue) where Bucky accidentally adopts two homeless kids and tries to recover before finding Steve again.

So, You've Adopted a Fruit - Retired Steve and Bucky; Bucky rescues a stray kitten.

Bucky Barnes: on top of the Polls - Steve gets extremely unbalanced during American elections and Bucky both hates and lusts for it.

Together Forever and Ever - PWP, Bucky’s birthday.

Meet-Cute AU's - A gazillion different AUs, heaven on earth.

Lessons in Normality - Shrunkyclunks AU where Steve doesn’t know his normal boyfriend Bucky is a secret agent gathering information on him, Shield, and Hydra.

Pedantic Affectations - Shrunkyclunks AU, Steve is a vigilante badly undercover as a teacher, Bucky is the detective trying to bring him in. Steve in his brilliance decides to throw Bucky off his scent by dating him.

*That Ass (Property of James Barnes) - Bucky is loudly obsessed with Steve’s ass.

Strange Visitor (From Another Time) - Lois and Clark-esque Shrunkyclunks AU; Bucky is a reporter pissed at the new kid in the newsroom who ends up being Captain America.

Snapshots - Post TWS: Steve is trying to find Bucky. Instead, he finds the sexy Navy "propaganda" Bucky somehow never mentioned he modeled for before the war. Painful and profound.

The Roommate - Shrunkyclunks AU, Steve decides not to live in Avengers Tower and instead gets an apartment and finds a one-armed veteran for a roommate.

Side bitch out of your league - Shrunkyclunks AU, Steve misdials Bucky while on a mission. Then misdials him again. Then dials him on purpose.

(760): I literally cut myself out of my pants. Waste. Of. Money. - No powers AU, Bucky texts a random number on Sam’s phone for outfit advice.

Slide To Answer - No powers wrong number AU; Steve misdials Bucky for dating advice, then keeps doing it.

a line that goes all the way. - Recovery in Wakanda pining.

**********they're gonna send us to prison for jerks - Post-TWS, Steve and Sam are undercover and move in next door to a math teacher who looks just like Bucky, but Steve can’t be sure... MY EMOTIONAL SUPPORT FIC.

***Siege - Post-TWS AU where Bucky sticks around after pulling Steve from the Potomac and there are some painful and beautiful plot twists and some goddamn PROSE.

a blade with no handle - AU, the Winter Soldier joins the Avengers; identity porn.

Let's Fall in Love - Tony sends Steve and Bucky to a ridiculous fake speakeasy bar, feelings happen.

***Circling Back - Steve looks for Bucky, Bucky finds Steve, Steve tries desperately to put Bucky back together. Bucky tries desperately to let him. ULTIMATE POST-TWS RECOVERY FIC. Avenger family feels.

#TweetMeDaddy - Shrunkyclunks AU; Bucky works for Shield and tweets something that gets flagged as a death threat. It isn’t.

Good Boy - PWP, dom!Steve petplay; Bucky is still adjusting to life with the Avengers, and Steve is willing to do whatever it takes to make him feel comfortable.

[there-must-be-a-lock]

MCU ships & gen

A Muscle The Size Of Your Fist: Bucky x Clint. The 2000s punk band AU! In which Clint listens to a lot of mix CDs, dyes his hair, adopts a dog, and finds his people. ~99k, explicit. 

Marshmallow Crime Lords series: DCU x Marvel. In which Jason Todd, Bucky Barnes, and Clint Barton reform the Gotham underworld while being secret cinnamon rolls. Roughly 95% Batfam nonsense, identity porn, borderline crack, and domestic fluff; 5% plot. WIP. 

If It’s A Highway: Jason Todd (DCU) x Bucky. A Red Hood: Lost Days/post-CA:TWS fusion. WIP, explicit. 

Decaf and Health: Bucky x Clint. In which they go for a hike and everything goes wrong. 2680 words, PG-13. 

7 Times Clint's Christmas Did Not Go According To Plan (+1 Time It Did): Bucky x Clint with a side of found family feels/friendship. What it says on the tin. Post-Endgame everybody-lived fluff. 4860 words, PG-13. 

A Kind Of Blind Love: Bucky x Clint. In which words are hard and so is Clint. 2339 words, mature. 

Sweet Home Was Home: Bucky x Clint. In which they try to let go of the past and start thinking about the future. They also celebrate the holidays, juggle knives, assemble furniture, see a musical, adopt a few strays, and rescue each other repeatedly. ~109,800 words, explicit. 

Paper Thin Walls: Bucky x Clint. AU in which Clint has pierced nipples, Bucky has a thirst, and their showers share a wall. ~8690, explicit. And two follow-ups: Watching Me Watch Them (1225 words) and Shake Me Down (1667 words), both explicit. 

The List: Bucky x Clint. In which Bucky’s therapist assigns him some homework. 1445 words, PG-13. 

Mercury Switch: Bucky x Matt Murdock. In which the Winter Soldier runs to Hell’s Kitchen instead of Bucharest, and Matt maybe has a thing for danger. 1220, mature. 

Five Times Bucky & Clint Might’ve Been Flirting (Plus One Time They Definitely Weren’t): Bucky x Clint. What it says on the tin! 3371 words, PG-13. 

Days That Used To Last A Lifetime: Bucky x Clint. In which the universe keeps trying to push them together, except the universe is drunk and its aim is off. ~9.6k, explicit.  

Baby (Give Me Bruises): Bucky x Clint. In which Clint really needs a fight. 7566 words, explicit. 

Raining Men: Bucky x Clint. In which Clint is a fairy. 1125 words, PG. 

Great At Boats: Clint x Darcy. In which Clint is (you guessed it!) great at boats. 1171 words, explicit. 

One Star Shining: Bucky x Clint. Childhood friends finding each other again, a decade later. ~2100 words, PG-13. 

Knife’s Edge: Kate x Yelena. Soft hammock kissing, and also knives. 482 words, mature. 

Apologies: Bucky x Sam. Enemies to lovers, I guess? 938 words, mature. 

Kick It Like A Ninja: Bucky x Clint x Matt Murdock. In which date night is interrupted. 1030 words, mature. 

Found Out: Bucky x Clint (x Bucky x Clint). Time travel doppelganger shenanigans. 980 words, explicit. 

Something Sweet: Bucky x Yelena. In which Bucky crosses a line. 796 words, mature. 

And I Miss You When You’re Around: Bucky x Natasha. Non-sexual submission and Bucky recovering. 830 words, PG-13. 

Surprises: Bucky x Frank Castle. Bizarrely soft, for what it is. 373 words, explicit. 

We Stole The Fire: Bucky x Clint. Winter Soldier Clint, and a mission with some unexpected consequences. ~1990 words, mature. 

How A Resurrection Really Feels: Gen. Bucky recovering, on Easter. 680 words, mature. 

One Thing At A Time: SPN/MCU, Dean Winchester x Bucky Barnes. Dean’s first time with a guy. 311 words, mature. 

Complimentary: Bucky x Jessica Jones. Snarky aggressive super-strength smut. 240 words, explicit. 

Sunshine: Bucky x Clint. Farmer!Bucky fluff to go along with some art! ~880 words, PG-13. 

Merely Players: Bucky x Clint, Natasha x Matt Murdock, and Steve x Tony. Silly community theater AU. ~1700 words, PG, to be continued. 

…And A Little Bit Mean: Bucky x Clint. Animal shelter meet-cute and awkward flirting. 1060 words, rated PG. 

The Amazing Hawkeye: Bucky x Clint. Tropetastic idiots-in-love silliness feat. Natasha. 630 words, PG-13. 

Seasons Change: Steve x Bucky. Reunion sex in a stolen HYDRA tank. 1110 words, mature.

Reveille: Natasha x Steve. Lazy morning sex. 436 words, explicit.  

Not That Kind Of Movie: Steve x Bucky. One failed romantic getaway, some Steve self-pity, lots of Bucky sass, lots of banter, and plenty of fluff. 2590 words, PG-13.

The Modern Superhero’s Guide to Self-Love: Natasha + alone time. 539 words, PG-13.

Soft: Natasha x Wanda. What it says on the tin. 338 words, mature.

Back to the main masterlist here!

[dameronology]

the one where you bring home a dog (s.r x reader)

on episode #48598 of val’s sitcom binge - this has a million sitcom references in it. sorry, but also not sorry 

also ft. tony, pepper and morgan because their little family warms my cold dead heart 

- jazz

warnings: none, probably language 

Steve knew when you’d done something. You had a look. The I’ve done something you’ll hate me for please hear me out look.

Okay, maybe this wasn’t wrong. Taking in a stray puppy and becoming attached to him in the space of approximately 0.001 milliseconds was hardly villainous but probably the kind of thing you should have discussed with your boyfriend.  Adopting a dog was a big commitment, and sometimes an expensive one. They needed care and attention and a lot of effort - but you didn’t give a singular shit about that when the little terrier followed you home from an alleyway. 

Asking Steve about it did cross your mind. But, not until you’d brought the little man a collar, a bowl, a little jacket and a chewy teddy. Your order of priorities may have been skewed but you had pure intentions. You realised that asking Steve should have been slightly higher on that list when he walked into your apartment and greeted you with what the hell is that?

That was when you cracked out the look; big watery eyes and pouty lips. It was the same look you had when you painted your bedroom wall yellow without consulting him first, and the same look you had when you accidentally let your niece bring his shield into school for show and tell. It was also the biggest weapon in your arsenal, because he couldn’t say no to it. Below the layers of stoic patriotism and steely determination, he was a big softie. 

‘It’s a dog.’ You responded to his query. ‘Four legs, a tail, a snout-’

‘- I know what a dog is, baby.’ Steve put his jacket down, walking further into your shared apartment. ‘And I also know that we don’t have one.’

‘Yeah, about that.’

‘Where did you even find him?’ Steve took a seat beside you, where you were sat cross-legged on the floor in front of your puppy’s new basket.

‘He followed me home. I’ve checked online and no-one’s looking for a tiny terrier.’ You said, absent-mindedly scratching his belly. ‘Look at him. How could you not want to love him forever?’

‘He’s cute, but dogs are a lot of commitment, doll.’

‘I know. Watering, feeding, regular sunlight-’

‘- he’s not a plant-’

‘- you know what I mean!’ You elbowed him in the ribs, a grin on your face. ‘I was going to ask you but I became too attached before I could.’

Steve looked at the little dog in front of him. He was laying on his back, tongue hanging out as he snored quietly. He was a dog person, without a doubt - his job just made it hard. In an ideal world, he’d have five of them, but he didn’t have the time. Perhaps your impulsiveness, on this occasion, was a blessing in disguise.

‘Also, if you kick him out I’m going with him.’ You continued. ‘We’re a package deal now.’

Steve knew he’d lost the argument before it had even started. Your steely determination and commitment to helping people (and dogs) was one of the things that made him fall in love with you. It felt a bit lethal when you were playing Monopoly but for the most part, it was admirable.

‘What’s he called?’

‘The scruffy brown hair and aloofness sort of reminded me-’

‘- no. We are not naming our dog after Bucky-’

‘- is exactly what I thought you were going to say.’ You quipped. 

‘How about Chewy?’

‘Like from Star Wars?’ You raised your eyebrows. 

‘Exactly. Because he’s hairy and I like to think that I resemble a young Harrison Ford.’

Chewy Rogers quickly assimilated into life at the Rogers household, of which he was now a valuable member. Even though he had his own bed, he preferred sleeping in yours - specifically between you and Steve. Then, he’d join Steve on his run in the morning, and you’d take him to the park in the evening. He left hair everywhere but when you took one big look into his stupid big, brown eyes, you knew you’d forgive him for murder. (Steve was familiar with the feeling - that was how he got into this predicament in the first place). 

But, Chewy’s favourite activity was his regular visits to the Avengers Tower. Between the showers of attention he got from Morgan and the influx of treats from Thor, he was in heaven.

‘Hey, little guy.’ Tony beamed at him, rubbing behind his ears. ‘I need to get one of these.’

‘Do it!’ You grinned. 

‘Tony, we already have a four year old. We don’t need a dog!’ Pepper called from the kitchen.

‘Steve said the same thing!’ You reasoned. ‘But I think it was something like we already have a Bucky, we don’t need a dog.’

Your boyfriend, who was stood a few feet away making coffee with Pepper, rolled his eyes, but he couldn’t fight the smile off his face. Steve had become more than attached to the furry little creature over the last month. Coming home to his little yaps and the sound of his paws on your wooden floors after a long day was nothing short of the best feeling in the world. 

‘I didn’t have much of a choice in the matter. The devil works hard but a determined (name) works harder.’

‘You love him really.’

‘It’s true,’ Steve raised his mug of coffee in the air, as if he were drinking to your statement. ‘I’ve only had him for a month and a half but if anything happened to him, I’d kill everyone in the room and then myself.’

‘Don’t go soft on me, Rogers.’

[mrsbarnes107]

Secret of the Widow

-part four-

Summary: Post Endgame time period. The team is healing, trying to navigate this new normal they’ve found themselves in when Bucky and Sam bring home a stray with an attitude and a secret. Will the broken team take her in? Or is it too much to bare?

Warnings: language, *eventual* violence and smut, death, fluff, angst

Pairings: Bucky x OC

Disclaimer: this is posted to Wattpad as well and it WILL HAVE PLOT. I’m a Bucky hoe so there will be smut and romancy stuff but this is a series, so plot plot plot.

Six sets of eyes darted between me and Fury. A different emotion flashing in each one. The eyes that concerned me most stared right back into mine, unblinking and silent.

"You're a Romanoff? Like- like Nats sister?" Banner barely managed to stutter it out. I knew his eyes held a deep sadness, but I didn't look away from the man that witnessed her death, the man that carries it every second of the day.

Tilting my head in the doctors direction I answer him steadily. "Romanoff. Like Natashas daughter."

The typically docile man slams his fits on the table, standing fast enough to send his chair flying into the wall. "No. Fury how dare you come in here- how dare you bring her up like this. Nat couldn't have children. Why are you really here?" The doctors voice rose with every sentence he ground out, his voice dropping an octave with each heaving breath he took. The other team members shock soon gave way to concern as they look to their green friend. Bucky and Fury both angling their bodies slightly in-front of mine.

I finally broke connection with Clint to look at Banner. "Doc you need to cool down. You might be Banner and Hulk, but don't let the rage control you."

Before Banner can reply I glance around the group and address them. "If you don't believe me, or Fury, or even Wanda.. ask Clint." My eyes find his again. "Hawky, you've been silent this whole meeting, studying me since you walked in here." I tilt my head and squint my eyes in curiosity. "You knew Nat better than anyone in the world. Do you think I'm lying?"

The room collectively held their breath. Besides Banner who was still trying to reign Hulks rage back in.

Clints pain was written across his face, yet his eyes held questions, held the hurt of not knowing this piece of Natasha. "You're not lying sweetie. The second I saw you, I thought I was looking at Natasha fifteen years ago." His breath hitched and he cleared his throat, apparently he wasn't finished. "You look so much like her, I've been trying to figure out how it was possible. Why she never told me." He shakes his head, the smallest hint of a smile gracing his lips for a moment as he huffs out a laugh. "Man, you even sound like her you know? Same fire, same wit. I see it in your eyes."

Banner has effectively calmed himself back down, having gone to retrieve his chair that he is now slumped over in.

Clint clears his throat loudly, all trace of sadness hidden for the moment. "Hm unfortunately I can also see Stark in you too. You've got his sass and wise cracking attitude it seems." He smirks as he says this, making the somber mood dissipate.

"Thankfully that's not all I got from him, also have a killer mind and good music taste if I do say so myself." Seeing Fury's nod the room chuckles a bit remembering the two Avengers they lost not too long ago.

Banner seems to have shut down, barely getting out his question. "If you're your Nats daughter, why all the secrecy about your identity?"

This prompted Sam to add on to what Banner said. "I don't understand that either. You spent years with Tony and he never said a word to anyone, he cared for you just as Fury seems to. Nat obviously knew of your existence. So why spend years working alone, knowing all of us yet never allowing us the same to you."

Fury took over from there.

"When Natasha was fifteen, she secretly gave birth to a baby girl. That little girl was left outside a hospital with only a name. At this time, Natasha wasn't on SHIELDS radar, so the baby was lost to the world." Fury sets his hand on my shoulder, giving it a squeeze, before he starts a slow walk around the room, ever the drama king.

"A few years later Natasha is pulled from the fire and becomes our top agent. We learned of the baby and spent weeks tracking her down. We found this tiny, red headed girl in the middle of nowhere Romania. I adopted her."

An authoritative glance around the room kept the occupants attention as I took sip of water, hiding the stuttering of my heart. Buckys eyes strayed to my chest for a moment, then my face. His curiosity and concern ran deep with the watery depths of his eyes. As I met his gaze all I could think of was how sad it was to have those eyes not recognize me.

I turn back to Fury as he continues, still feeling Buckys gaze.

"You see, Natasha wanted to protect her child, save her from the torment she herself was about to go through. So she gave her up. And it almost destroyed her. When Natasha came to SHIELD Ali was only five, she asked me to make sure her daughter was safe, that she was happy." He looked to me for a moment before pressing on.

"Natasha has seen the darkest parts of this world, and she didn't believe she would be a good enough mother. She didn't believe she deserved the love of her daughter. Ali met her mother only once, the moment Natasha looked into her eyes, as her baby ran forward and hugged her legs, she couldn't bare to put her in the line of danger. Natasha knew what her life had become, so she entrusted me."

Fury came over and swiped my glass, chugging my water, chuckling quietly as I roll my eyes at him. "Natasha had made a lot of enemies at that point. She wanted me to raise Ali in a safe environment, nurture her joy and her mind, and she wanted her to be trained to protect herself. Natasha oversaw everyone who had access to her: teachers, trainers, guards. She had to approve all of them. She told them what to teach her and scared them to death if they even looked at Ali wrong. Her top priority was keeping her out of the public eye and unknown to her mother's enemies and past. So she was deemed classified."

My breath hitches the tiniest bit at this. I never knew she watched over me to that extent. All these years she had been there, in the shadows of my life, the mother I always wanted and never knew I truly had, in our own little way.

I stop that dangerous line of thought before my eyes can mist over, not paying attention to the sharp eyes set upon me.

"Once Stark found out, the sneaky bastard, Natasha about strangled him to the grave. But he convinced her, he said that her daughter had the makings of greatness, but her mind needed nurtured as well as her spirit and body. He told her that Ali was combat ready, but she needed his guidance and his friendship to thrive. Natasha eventually relented. Ali was raised by two unqualified men and the ghost of her mother. Hidden away until she was old enough to fight this worlds battles."

Clints piercing gaze swept across my features then up to Fury. "Was she ever going to tell us?"

Fury looked to me, giving me a silent nod when he saw my clenched jaw and closed expression. He knew this was a touchy subject. "Natasha decided to bring Ali into the open, she wanted to introduce her to you all, to herself officially. After years of watching her train and grow, years of reading her mission logs, and then finding out about her year of taming the super soldier-" at this Fury sends me a glare, this was in fact a touchy subject for him as well. I gave him a small smile and a shrug, wanting him to continue. "-Natasha decided she was ready for the team."

He looked to Clint now. "Then the snap happened." At that everyone turned to look at you.

[phantomphangphucker]

Ectober Day 7: Hero - But It’s Not Funny

*a sequel to Realities Little Joke For Infinity* Highly recommend reading that first but it’s not exactly necessary.

Tony has a bad habit of adopting strays. Particularly the stupidly heroic kind that were too reckless and too selfless for their own good. So of course he wasn’t going to just ignore the random teen that literally saved the universe only to disappear into the future. Even if said teen was somewhat dead and the only hero left in a world and time that seriously needed more.

Tony grins as he finally gets the connection to work, making his face appear on the strange future teens laptop; or whatever tech people used in whatever time this kid’s in. Going a bit wide-eyed and wheezing when the first thing he sees is Phantom -in alien PJ’s, because of course the first thing he sees on the kid who showed up in a t-shirt and jeans to an active warzone is pjs- shrieking and jumping a foot off the ground while holding a full pot off coffee; which predictably sends the contents of said coffee pot flying into the air and splattering all over the teens face and floor.

Phantom looks to the screen slowly, with steaming coffee dripping off his chin, hair and eyelashes, “seriously?”.

At that Tony can’t help but bend over laughing. Straightening up and looking at the coffee pot, “what were you even doing walking around with a full coffee pot?”.

“Well I was going to drink it. But now it’s as empty as my wallet”, Phantom looks down at the pot and grumbles, “ya know what? Fuck it. I’m still gonna drink it”, then pointing his finger around and telekinetically making all the droplets of coffee on him and the floor float back into the pot.

Tony watches, a little disgusted, as the kid practically takes a full swing of the previously spilled coffee, shrugs, and sits down by his own screen; feet clearly pulled up onto the chair seat as well and coffee pot cradled between his knees and chest. Tony eyeballs the coffee pot, “you’re really going to drink that huh?”.

Phantom shrugs, “I know what’s on my floor”, looks down at the carpet and shrugs again while muttering, “a Zone damned biohazard of blood n’ ‘plasm that’s what. Oh!”, eyes widening a little, “and a sock with a questionable stain”, looking back to the screen, “‘s not like I can get sick anyway. I could drink this shit outta a radioactive waste barrel and be fine. Prob’ taste like shit tho”.

Tony wheezes both amused and pained, “please don’t kid”, that... that would definitely make him gag.

Phantom chuckles, “don’t intend to”.

The two sit in silence for a bit. Tony taking in the teens appearance. There’s hand-shaped bruising coating his neck, one of his fingers is clearly broken, and there’s a pencil-sized hole going clean through the other hands palm. Phantom doesn’t even seem to care about the state of his body, considering how relaxed he seems and the PJ’s. Plus, no way would Tony be carrying anything, including a full pot of coffee, with his hands in the state Phantom’s are.

Phantom yawns, Tony noticing that he’s missing more than a handful of teeth, before Phantom asks, “so...why’s the past tin can face-timing my laptop?”.

Tony puts on a smile, so it was a laptop. Neat. “future or not, I’ve adopted you as one of my brats. I remember you saying there wasn’t superheroes in your age”, waving his hand around, “no older generation to guide the newer. Well you're getting the older generation now”, shrugging and smiling more genuinely, “plus underroos won’t stop talking about you”. Understatement of the century, Peter was thrilled to meet another teen hero, and wouldn’t stop going on about what powers he might have or if he even has anyone to support him. The latter Tony cares about more.

Phantom wheezes, “whom the fuck is ‘underroos’?”, shaking his head, “so ya wanna be my mentor of sorts and help me blast my foes from the past?”.

Tony smirks and nods, this kid’s humour sure was something else, “exactly. And you met before, the kid? Peter?”. Sure it had been a few months but he couldn’t have seriously just forgotten?

Phantom tilts his head, “the red and blue teenager?”.

Tony grins, “you got it, kid”, eyeing the teen's hands again, “your hands gonna be fine?”.

Phantom waves one hand around, chugging more coffee, “eh don’t worry your metal ass about it. I heal like crazy”, stretching his feet out and resting them on the desk, “I’m just putting it off a while on my hands ‘cause the broken ribs and missing bits of spine are kinda more important ya know?”.

Tony rubs his temples, “Jesus Christ”, just how much damage can this teen sustain? That kind of injury should kill a person.

Phantom laughs, probably at Tony’s pained expression, “don’t worry about that either! Not like I can die twice! Haha!”.

Tony looks back to the screen at that, feeling a bit more serious, “yeah, Thanos said something like that. That you were dead but alive. And you confirmed it. What did he even mean?”.

Phantom purses his lips, “well I could explain but that also could mess with the time stream and could result in some weird immoral science crap”. Tony doesn’t get a chance to comment on that as Phantom turns his head to the side and whines exaggeratedly at the thin air, opening his mouth as wide as looks physically possible, maybe even past that, “tiiiiiiime dadddddddyyyyyyy, will this break the time stream? Your problem child has a proooooobleeeeeeem”.

Tony wheezes into his hands, “Christ”, and stares dumbfounded as a giant hourglass with purple sand comes out of nowhere and smacks the teen in the face, making Phantom fall out of the chair with a thud.

Phantom groans and begins laughing, righting himself and spinning the hourglass around, pointing the bottom of it at the screen, it reading ‘you’re fine’. Tony is so not reading into that, kid had someone like Strange in his corner. Phantom sits back down, lifting up the hourglass like it’s a weight, “Kay Kay Kay, so I’m a halfa right? Unique creature, that’s what I am. A fucked up little science project gone wrong, or right. Your choice. My folks screwed up in the lab and boom!”, he sticks his limbs out comically before righting himself and catching the coffee pot he effectively tossed in the air, “a whack-a-mole of electricity and a wormhole decided to stop my tiny little heart. Also restarted it too though! So it’s cool”, tilting his head, “wait... didn’t I already explain this?”.

Tony sighs, “sort of. We were in the middle of a war”.

Phantom quirks an eyebrow, “your point? That was, like, the bloody third one I’ve been in”, rolling his hand around, “first there was the High Ghost King, his fifty-thousand odd skeletons, and objects of near-unlimited power. The alternate future where an evil me single-handedly annihilated humanity, talk about traumatising having to fight yourself literally”, tilting his head, “and no clue if the plant guy with his army of mind-controlled people and plants or the sleep guy with his army of Walkers, counted as ‘wars’. And eh!”, snapping his fingers, “there was that guy I stole the Reality Gauntlet from! He took over the planet and turned people into clowns and shit. So that might be big enough to count as a war, even if it was just him versus me. But then the tornado guy caused storms all over the planet too so would that count then too?”, shrugging, “eh whatever. I’m sticking with three. Pariah would have eventually destroyed the Zone, which woulda ended the universe. Dan was actively on his way to ending all life in the universe, probably all death too. And grape guy, Thanos, was about to annihilate half the life in the universe which honestly would just end all life eventually... maybe”.

Tony stares at the kid before wheezing some more and falling backwards, “Christ”, righting himself and his chair, “there is something seriously wrong with your life. Like, seriously wrong”. Apparently the future was a freaking mess and fixing its crap was all on one random teen's shoulders. All because the kid died, which somehow gave him superpowers, and decided to make something good out of that death. Talk about unfair. And messed up. Really messed up. At least Tony had his team and they had each other, “please tell me you have some kind of support?”.

Phantom grins and nods eagerly, “got my guy in the chair techy, he destroyed a sataliget once! My rich activist goth, she sued one of my enemies into oblivion. And a ghost hunter who only sometimes tries to murder me and got a nanobot supersuit running through her veins; she can lowkey kick my ass if I hold back enough to avoid accidentally killing the living”, wagging his finger at the screen and getting really close, “us dead fucks are borderline indestructible immortals, halfas even more so”, leaning back and shrugging, “can still die, or fade it’s called for the spookies, though. Well, most can anyway. Timedaddy’s straight-up immortal. But if they died then, well, then the universe would literally implode from the time-stream collapsing”, and makes a little explosion sound and motion with his hands. Oh fuck, the kid was really just a damn kid. And from the sounds of it, his entire support was three teenagers. Ah Hell. Oh and some time being, ghost?, that just left him to his own devices.

Tony shakes his head, “you know what? That doesn’t actually make me feel any better”.

Phantom shrugs, drinks, swishes the coffee around, “don’t know what to tell you, man, my entire existence is pretty fucked up. My archenemy is my uncle, wants to adopt me, and gave me his inheritance. My girlfriend has a solid murder boner for me. My parents get giddy at the idea of dissecting me and are actually worse about that the odd time they’ve been successful. The kids’ at school think I’m their personal punching bag. The government would love to shoot me full of missiles and bombs. Pretty sure my sis is just using me for her research paper on ghost psychology or whatever. And my friendships are pretty much based on the three of us just being really weird”.

Tony groans, this kid probably needed more help and support that literally any other teen or hero. “ClockPops is great though. We play chess”,

Tony blinks, mentally pausing, “you... play chess? Seriously?”, this kid seemed to have more issues sitting still than Peter did. Tony finds it hard to believe he can sit through even half a game of chess.

Phantom nods and grins, “yup. Switched the pieces out for shot-glasses once, it was great. One of my teachers is cool too. He crossdressed and pretended to be his own sister to get me to try harder on a test; it worked better than it had any right to”.

Tony blinks and breathes, “your life”, shaking his head because it sounded like the future was just pure insanity, “well now I’m here and while I’m a bit reckless and a recovering alcoholic, I’m not insane”.

Phantom chuckles, “I’ll probably prove to be a bit much for you then. I’d have to be stupid to not think I’m not at least marginally nuts. Nowhere near frootloopy but eh”.

Tony sighs, being self-aware enough -or just not giving enough of a damn- to recognise that was both impressive and depressing. Impressively depressing. “A few of us Avengers are trained doctors and psychologists outside of being experienced heroes. So kid? You’ve got all of us. At least for verbal advice. Strange already went and basically confirmed that paying you a visit wasn’t a smart idea”.

Phantom snorts and rolls his eyes, sipping a bit more before staring down the pot at the small amount left. Speaking into the pot, “oh yeah, I can just imagine all the time problems that could cause. I’m surprised this is okay”.

Tony can’t help chuckling at the slightly silly image, though he’s not sure why the kid doesn’t just drink what’s left, savouring it maybe? “Same. Strange looked at me like he was questioning my sanity. He’s probably going to pester you about the Clock guy you keep mentioning”, grumbling to the side, “I just hope Loki will keep his trickster mitts off you”. Because fuck, they’d probably get on like fire and more fire. Which yeah, slightly horrifying mental image. Probably inevitable though. Loki was already impressed, amused, and interested by Phantom and literally everything the teen did after showing up. Seriously though, who’s first thought when fighting giant spaceships with mouths and other horrifying shit, is to turn it into bouncy balls and worms??? And a smoothie for a reward? For effectively saving the universe? Kid was a trickster, dabbled in death kind of literally, and ‘gave precisely zero fucks’. Loki would have a field day and probably be a horrid influence. Though thinking of it, Phantom might be a bad influence on Loki. Loki generally had reasons for anything beyond mild messing with people. Phantom seemed more likely to just go buck wild purely because he could. Even if he seemingly had a heart of gold and more self-sacrificial bones in his body than actual bones. Seemed like his entire world/time belittled and beat the shit out of him, and yet he gladly got dissected and lost chunks of his freaking spine for them. At least he had the power to back it up.

Tony quirks an eyebrow at mist, or something, leaving the kid’s mouth before Phantom goes wide-eyed and Tony jerks as an actual literal swear-on-every-ironsuit-and-the-entire-tower cartoonish rocket smashes apart what he’s assuming is-was a window; sending glass flying everywhere... and Phantom flying off-screen, the coffee pot going up in the air and sounding like it smashed apart on the ground.

Tony can practically hear the glare in Phantom’s voice, “hey! You spilled my damn coffee!”, while a robot blasts into the room, breaking more glass and bits of wood from the looks of it.

The robot pauses, seems to frown apologetically before shrugging, “apologies whelp, but it is no matter! You won’t need such things after I skin you!“. Tony chokes and gags a little at that. “Also-”, pointing to where Phantom probably is, “-that was practically empty”. Tony then stares as Phantom comes back in screen -looking all black and white- only for the robot to shoot a missile at him immediately, Phantom just sort of shrugs and lets the missile hit him in the face. This kid seriously really didn’t give a damn about his own well being.

And not even seconds later Peter walks in out of the blue, face lighting up as he notices the screen and probably Phantom’s very noticeable self on it, and dashes over. Obviously noticing Phantom’s current situation, “oh Phantom! Kick his butt!”.

Phantom does a silly thumbs up at the screen and immediately gets stabbed in the shoulder. Tony watches in slight disbelief at the kid looking at the knife, saying, “oh! You got a new knife! Shit is the handle engraved?!?”. And the robot actually stops and replies with a wide grin, “it was a valentines gift from Ember! Impressive right?”.

Tony and Peter both blink at the fight effectively stopping as Phantom pulls out the knife and looks it over, seeming impressed, “actually yeah”, pointing almost aggressively at the robot, “you got her something too right? You’re fucking horrible for that man”.

The robot rolls Its eyes, how metal is moving that organically Tony has no clue. “Of course whelp, those drum sticks you can sing into”. Phantom facepalms and Peter actually shakes his head in disappointment. Though Tony agrees, that was awful. But who talks with their enemy -who wants to skin them for peat's sake!- about presents?

Phantom makes a tsk tsk sound, “you dumbass, she got you a sick-ass knife and you got her a knick-knack? Seriously?”, Phantom walks off-screen, the two watching as what they’re assuming is cash flys over to the robot and Phantom returns on screen, “go by some flowers to make up for that crappy present. And for the love of everything, don’t get roses”, waving his hand around, “that’s so cliche. Go with tulips and forget-me-nots”.

The robot inspects the cash before flying off-screen, presumably back out through the window It destroyed, “I will have your pelt next time, whelp!”.

Phantom chuckles, shouting back, “sure you will, Skulkie! Ghost Zones greatest hunter”. Tony and Peter can feel the sarcasm in that. “Also! No you don’t have to ask! An engraved knife would be a wicked Christmas Truce present!”. Tony sighs when a ball or something slams into Phantom’s stomach and sends him flying off-screen.

Peter leaning towards the camera, “woah! You okay?”.

Phantom’s laughter echoes horribly, “right as rain! Mind you, it’s not actually raining”, righting himself and pulling himself up into the previously knocked over chair, “don't mind Skulker, he’s a poacher and I’m rare. Practically one of a kind actually. A poachers dream prize. His girlfriend has a mind-controlling guitar and occasionally attempts at world domination”. A ghost-shaped guitar floats on-screen, Phantom grabbing it, “she gives awesome presents though”, and gives the guitar a good couple strums.

Peter’s eyes go wide, “you can play the guitar?!?”, tilting his head and asking what is in Tony’s opinion a more important question, “wait, your enemies buy you presents?”, tilting his head back, “oh man that’s awesome”. Tony just shakes his head with a smile, teenagers.

Phantom grins and strums some more before the guitar floats off-screen, “all my enemies do”, shrugging, “for the Christmas Truce and my death-day anyway. But that’s normal. A ghost culture thing. Even the prison warden guy, whose got special torture weapons set aside just for little ol’ me, buys me some kind of present. Heck! Even the eyeballs do! And they’ve repeatedly tried to assassinate me”.

Tony blinks, “kid, that makes no sense. But I’m glad they’re at least occasionally nice to you”. Hell knows Phantom needs someone to be nice to him.

Peter tilts his head, “what even is a ‘death-day’? Sounds dark”.

“Oh nothing special, just the day I died. Like a birthday! But for death! A real dead-ringer of a holiday!”, and laughs loudly before rolling his eyes at Tony, waving his hand around, “eh, I’m kinda their king so be kinda a dick move to not give me gifts on literally the two biggest holidays”.

Peter practically shrieks, “WHAT! You’re a king! Oh that is so cool”. Tony blinks, “you did mention something about being the guardian of death and Earth”.

Phantom laughs some more and finger-guns while winking at Peter, “yup! Very important, much power”, and grins stupidly before pointing to the air above his head; a green floating crown bursting to ‘life’ with green mist or something wafting off, followed by a black cape with a flaming white collar and large flaming green skulls pinning it closed with a shadowy chain.

Peter cheers immediately, then adding, “Loki would love this!”. Tony points at him, “no. I want to keep that one as far away as possible for as long as possible”.

Phantom snickers, “I have chronic bad luck, so don’t count on that working out for you. Spidey probably has better tastes than you though, Ironass”.

Tony shakes his head with a smile, “you like making up names for people huh?”.

Phantom grins meanly, “it pisses people off. Which makes them easier to hit”, and holds up a fist, smacking a hand on his bicep.

Tony can’t help but laugh at that, “you got a point kid!”, though that was stupid reckless, and effectively confirmed him being tricky. One of Tony’s tech toys starts beeping so she moves to check it out. Peter taking his place in the chair. Glancing back at Tony before looking back to the screen, “hey I’ve got a question, teen to teen. What’s being a hero to you? Why do you do it? It just... it seems like your only suffering for it. Waaaaay more than normal. And not making stuff much better for it”.

Phantom hums, spinning around in the chair, “a hero's not afraid to give their life, and anything worth doing is worth getting hurt for. I do it so others will not suffer. That is all. It doesn’t matter if things change or not. If there’s still unnecessary violence and pain, then it is still a hero's place to grab their fists around it and pulverise it to Hell and back. So long as cruelty exists I will be there to stand against it. With a smile on my face and a laugh in my heart and Core. Because there is no greater joy, no greater choice, no greater path, than self-sacrifice for the sake of another. Regardless who they are, what they are. Good or bad. Young or old. And whether they support you, or not”, Phantom nods, puts his hands behind his head, cape bunching up, and looks to the side, “and maybe someday things will change. I doubt it, but who knows. But if things do, if that kind of future is on the horizon, then I think I’ll rest. Until then, I’ll be here. Doing what I do and suffering immeasurably for it. Until the world doesn’t need ‘heroes’ anymore. Till it doesn’t need me anymore”, looking back at the screen, Tony having walked back over slowly though the kid doesn’t pay him any mind, “so I guess, being a hero to me is being the embodiment of a brighter future. To absorb the suffering of the world”, sticking a finger up, “like a paper towel!”. Tony chokes at that a little; though the kids' sudden seriousness and introspection was just as startling as last time.

Tony shakes his head, “you make it sound like you’re immortal, kid. Also, that’s what a team’s for, to help share the load. The burden. Sure your ideals are noble and probably needed, but you can’t help anyone if you destroy yourself”.

Phantom smiles but something about it seems almost... sad. “In a way, I am. A ghost can not die and a human can not fade. A ghost ceases to exist when they fade and a human when they die. Yet I can do neither. So that raises the question, what is ‘death’ for a halfa? An idea? An ideal? A reality? Or just pointless conjecture. And besides, for a ghost to fade they must satiate their Obsession. Be satisfied with the fulfilment of their existence”, pointing to his chest, “and my Obsession? Protection. To protect is a physical and mental need for me. And it will never be satisfied till there’s nothing left needing protection. And it is thus that I will always be here”, shrugging and chuckling, “likely anyway”.

Tony blinks, that... that changed a lot actually. It also explained a lot. This wasn’t some kid playing hero, or even an experienced hero just doing what’s right and their job. This wasn’t someone stuck in a bad way and doing what needed to be done purely because no one else could. This wasn’t someone trying to do good to make up for their sorted past. This was someone wise beyond their years, with little to no regard for themselves, and a living -half-living- embodiment of the word ‘hero’. Watching the teen turn his head at someone -likely his mom- shouting that supper was ready. There was a rocket-powered fistfight minutes ago and his parents’ didn’t even check on him. Christ that was depressing. But it also made him want to help this kid out all the more.

Phantom turns back to the screen, “whelp that’s my queue then I guess. And let me guess? This-” gesturing at the screen, “-is gonna become a thing? Which totally cool, little warning next time. And keep this mind, walking the straight and narrow takes more time than I got. I will steal, mildly harm, trick, and lie, as I see fit”.

Tony rolls his eyes, he’d expect no different from a kid basically left up to their own devices, “we’re all guilty of that, kid”. Phantom just laughs as the screen goes dark.

Tony leans back, well fuck, he wasn’t prepared for the kid to have shit that bad. And the King situation definitely threw him through a loop. He’ll have to talk to Thor -not Loki, dear God not Loki- about that. Being a hero and a king.

Regardless, they’re gonna help the weird spooky future kid out. And Peter absolutely liked Phantom, which hopefully wouldn’t be a bad thing. Hopefully. (And it wasn’t, if you ignored Peter carrying out more than a few pranks on Phantom’s behalf).

End.

[pandawritesmanythings]

Chapter Summary: Frigga helps you rethink some things, she truly is a blessing.

Word Count: 1,907k

Warnings: Mentions of arranged marriages.

A/N: I’m really excited about where all this is going! Some interesting revelations going on and I can’t wait to see where this story ends up! I have the general structure, but I’m still discovering a lot about this world, if you have any thoughts I’d love to hear them! Take care lovelies!

Masterlist

-

The rest of the day went by painfully slowly. Loki didn't even look in your direction, and the ladies of the court really did have the veracity of wolves that Loki spoke of.

"He looked upset! Have you seen him? He's been frowning all day!"

Oh, boohoo. Poor baby. You rolled your eyes internally.

"He had a lot in his mind." You tried to excuse with a faux worried expression.

That was your job, all day. Try to keep up appearances. Despite everything, you had agreed to play the perfect royal couple, and you would go through with it!

After the dancing, and towards the end of the night, you saw queen Frigga looking at you, intently. You saw where Loki got his conniving looks from.

She called you with a wiggle of her finger and you called Steve so he could follow you from a safe distance.

"I would like to speak to you in private, my dear."

"Of course." You smiled.

"Shall we go to the palace library?"

That piqued your interest. "That sounds lovely."

She linked her arm with yours and together, with Steve trailing behind you, you made your way towards the gigantic library that the royal family had.

Frigga pushed the wooden doors and rows after rows of books became visible to you.

"You may wait out here captain. I'll take care of her." Frigga instructed Steve when he tried to walk inside.

"With all due respect, your majesty. But my duty is to-" He began but you quickly interrupted him.

"It's alright captain." You smiled softly at him, trying to reassure him from a distance. "I'll call you if I need anything."

He wasn't convinced, you could tell, but he gave a quick bow and posted himself outside of the room.

The queen then turned to you and with a placid smile pointed towards the seats by the window to signal where you would be sitting.

You wordlessly walked on over there and placed one of the soft cushions on your lap, softly hugging it.

"It has been quite an eventful day, wouldn't you say, dear?" She asked turning a book she had picked out of the bookcase on her hands.

"I suppose."

"Well, I believe that getting to know your soon-to-be lawfully wedded husband must be quite eventful, is it not?" She pointed a look at you. "Especially when it comes to my son."

"He definitely hasn't made things dull. I believe we're still both wrapping our heads around the matter."

"That's understandable. After all, not marrying the woman he loves has taken quite a toll on him."

Hold on. Does she know?

She raised an eyebrow in your direction. "I believe you already know about this, do you not?"

"W-Well..." You tried to cover for him. Why? No idea. But you wanted to.

However, you could not find it in yourself to lie to the queen. "I... Must admit that I do..."

She had an unreadable expression. Sort of like Loki's. It was sort of scary how they looked nothing alike and yet he and his mom shared the same pointed looks, deep in-thought expressions, and poker faces.

"And does it not bother you?"

Could you trust her? If she was trying to help Loki, or looking only for Asgard's benefit, could you really tell the queen?

"Well, it is none of my concern. It certainly is unfortunate, but it wasn't his or my decision to enter the alliance."

"However, it was certainly your idea."

"Of course, but, your majesty, your husband is the one who offered your son." You explained. "I would have married any noble that you put across me. But it was Odin who decided it was to be Loki. I never chose him. He never chose me. So neither he nor I am to blame."

"I take it he understood this explanation?"

You smiled, when you thought back on it, he had been kind enough to understand that both of you had been powerless under this situation. "Yes. He was very understanding, actually."

"Then I am wondering what did you do to upset him so much that he would go from teasing you to ignoring you in the span of a less than an hour." She thoughtfully looked out of the window to the shoreline and the night sky.

"Your majesty." You called her and she turned to look at you directly in the eyes. "Everything I've done is in my people's best interest. I hope you understand that."

"So you've distanced yourself from my son for the benefit of your people?"

"I'm only trying to decide if I can fully trust him yet."

She nodded. "I believe then that his reputation has been brought up to you."

"Unfortunately."

"Whoever told you, they are not wrong. My son has the tendency to trick others into aiding his own plans." She agreed. "But my son underestimates the frailty of his own heart."

"You're saying I've hurt him?"

"He doesn't give people the silent treatment unless they have." She smirked and you chuckled at that.

You looked outside to find the stars twinkling down at you. At Midgard, you had never seen so many. That was the advantage of living close to the beach, wasn't it? It was absolutely mesmerizing.

"What should I do, your majesty?"

"Oh please, call me Frigga."

You looked back at her in surprise but a small smirk formed in your face. "Only if you call me by my name." You conceded telling it to her.

"Fair enough. Now, about your question, that I cannot answer." She said, a twinge of regret in her tone.

"I know... I just hoped..."

"My dear girl..." With her soft hand, she lifted your chin to make you look at her. "You've already done all that you could. Now, let everything unfold how it's supposed to. And don't close yourself off. You have a very powerful ally in my son. And I should know. I raised him."

You laughed and nodded at her response. 

"Help him and let him help you. His trust is not easy to earn, and you might have just made it harder for yourself today. But don't wait, before those scrolls are here, you and Loki must have come to terms and give each other the trust you deserve before they arrive."

Her voice suddenly had a grave tone to it. "If you don't, Loki can be still a very powerful enemy."

You nodded slowly, understanding how you needed to proceed. "Thank you, Frigga... Please know that... I really appreciate that you took the time to advise me."

A knot formed in your throat. You bit your lip to avoid to become a mess in front of the queen herself.

"Oh, my dear! But what has come over you?"

"Nothing! I just-!" You tried to look away, the heaviness of the tears pressing in the corners of your eyes. "It's just, only my mum has been like this with me."

Frigga sat, her face showing understanding. She placed a hand over yours. "You miss her much, don't you?"

"I do." You nodded, a stray tear falling down your cheek. You quickly wiped it before more could come down. "Pepper has been... The absolute best with me."

"I never got to meet her, she wasn't at Yggdrasil. Is she much like you?"

"You could say that. She helped my dad raise me, even if she only married him about a decade ago."

Frigga's confusion was obvious. "Forgive for asking, but... I must have been mistaken by believing that Pepper Potts was your biological mother?"

"Well, dad never hid it from me or Peter that we were both adopted." You shrugged. "But Pepper was always there, just like Tony, so they are in a way our mum and dad."

This left Frigga pensive. A shadow crossed her face. "You are very open for a person who still is looking for who to trust."

You nodded. "True. But that is because I know I can trust you."

"How could you?"

You smiled. "Your highness, when I look you in your eyes. When I see your kind words and actions, how could I not? I have not seen anyone else in court be the same for me here, besides my handmaiden. I trust you both."

"If so," She took both your hands in hers, "Please, my dear girl, promise me this: That you'll have patience with my son. He will be your greatest ally. But you must allow him to open up.

"I promise you that it won't be easy. He has secrets of his own that I know he will have a hard time sharing. But do not take his secrecy for betrayal. Will you promise me?"

You mulled over her words. In your heart, you had already decided to give Loki a fighting chance despite all the rumours, but your mind finally caught up to it. "Alright, I promise I'll try."

-

Steve was beginning to fidget where he stood. It was the most anxious feeling to have left you there with the Queen alone. Although, after all, you were with the Queen. You were her guest of honor. What danger could befall you?

Any. Literally, anything could happen. His own brain admonished him.

He didn't remember the last time he was this tense and fidgety. It was an unusual feeling. He had always been protective over you, but never to this degree.

Maybe it was because you were somewhere strange with strangers surrounding you. Yeah, that was totally it. 

There was no other reason.

None whatsoever.

...

Okay. Maybe yesterday had left him a little bit confused. 

Oh for God's sake, I'm not fooling anyone, am I? He mentally cursed himself. 

It had been such a strange feeling. The panic that settled in his bones when Vision told him that he and Wanda hadn't seen you for a while. The fact that the infamous dark prince had been last seen with you. And then suddenly you had disappeared and he was absolutely about to lose it.

King Stark had given him the chance to prove himself by caring for his daughter in this dangerous mission.

And it's not like he wanted the mission to fail. But since that night at the beach, he had suddenly seen how much of a woman you had become.

And when he saw you deal with the Asgardians, and answer questions, and strike deals... He just loathed the idea that all of the life that was inside you, your care, your kindness, it was all going to go to waste on a man who didn't know you. Someone who didn't see you as more than a political pawn.

It enraged him and made him wanted to sweep you off your feet and run away with you to keep you safe.

But he knew you wouldn't forgive him for that. Not when your family and your people were in danger. 

However, he had served his country ever since he and Bucky were young boys. He had done everything in his power to make Midgard a better place. He had fought valiantly against the Jotuns. Lost many friends and companions to the enemy. He wanted to be selfish for once. He wanted to forget about his duty to his country, to his king, and to you as his princess and be selfish.

But he couldn't... Because he loved you too much.

-

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[polizwrites]

PoliZ's WIP Update - 24 Jan 2024

Had a nicely productive writing week - I touched  6 fics (3 new works & 3 WIPs)  for a total of  2595  words - on track to break 10k for the month!  

On Ao3, I posted: 

 Chapter Three of   Half of the Flesh and Blood That Makes Me Whole  -  Post CA:CW  Stucky wingfic remix 

A (Not So) Misplaced Gift -  Bucky & Steve ficlet with a magic twist.  

Two of Swords, Ten of Wands -  No Powers!Tony/ Cap!Steve in a fated  meet-cute.

On Tumblr I posted: 

  Feline Fight and Flight  - a Flash Fic Friday fill with Steve & Tony rescuing a stray cat  

I carried over 16 semi-active WIPs into the new year 😬 with my  current  deadlines being the Bucky Barnes Bingo which now wraps on 31 Jan and the Tony Stark Bingo & Stony AU Bingo which both wrap in mid-February.    

See  below cut for what I’m working on/planning to work on - arranged more or less by bingos/challenges/etc.  As always, feel free to send me   prompts or plot bunnies as well as asks regarding  any of these projects  or any other WIPs I’ve got out there.   Interaction really helps feed the Muse and keep me motivated!

Bucky Barnes Bingo  - [BBB_R5]   (Ends 10 31 Jan 2024)

I’ve got  twenty-six fills  and six bingos, with  one WIP - thanks to the extended deadline, I’m getting an assisted blackout! 

* C2 - Yelena Belova–   The plan was to use this prompt in the next chapter of Peresmešnik,  (aka Three Avengers and a Baby), which is I poked at a little recently and is currently sitting at 1551  words (800-ish of which are mine). I’m thinking this will get carried over to the next round at this point.

* C5 - Marriage of Convenience/Pretend Couple - Combined with a Flash Fiction Friday prompt  [#FFF234 How It Ends] to write  A Mission In Prague - a Red Room-era BuckyNat ficlet where she and the Soldier are pretending to be a couple in love at a Christmas market.  I tinkered with it some more and it’s coming in at 478 words.  The new version will get posted to Ao3 before the event ends.

* K2 - Humor - see TSB  KINK: Cock-blocking 'bots  below. 

* K3 - Magic -  Wrote up A (Not So) Misplaced Gift as a crossover with the Flash Fiction Friday prompt   [#FFF232 Among Any Option]. It came in at 301 words and will  post to Ao3 before this event ends.

Tony Stark Bingo Round 7  - [TSB_R7]   (ends 15 Feb)

Twenty-five  fills and two WIPs as of the moment  - getting an assisted blackout, thanks to a couple of adopted squares! 

* T2 - KINK: Cock-blocking 'bots -  Thanks to a recent Flash Fiction Friday prompt,  [#FFF233 Imperfect Sign]  I finally sat down and wrote up the idea I’d been playing around with to  combine this with  the  Fictober Day 27: prompt   "I don't know if they will accept this."   I threw in my BBB - Humor prompt as well and ended up with  Competing for His Affections  - ‘bot shenanigans based on Tony & Bucky’s new romance.  It came in at 537 words and will be posted to Ao3 before the Bucky Barnes Bingo is over. 

* A1 - “Where are you?" –  Filled this with  Two of Swords, Ten of Wands. This ficlet - which also fills the  Stony JAnUary Week Four prompt: Supernatural  and my SAUB Fluff prompt – features a non-Iron Man psychic!Tony getting together with Cap!Steve courtesy of a bit of fortune telling. It came in at 622 words and posted this morning.

* A2 - KINK: Concubine -  Working on  The Sultan’s Gifts basically an extended PWP scene with Dom!Tony/ sub!Steve/ sub!Bucky.  Chapter One  - which will fill the TSB Jan Adoptable: Caning as well as my  SAUB Pre-Serum Steve Rogers + SRB Crops/Floggers/Whips  squares is coming in at  946 words and will post on Friday.   Chapter Two, which technically fills this square and my  SAUB Gentle Dom  and SRB Multiple Submissives squares is sitting at 483 words  words.  

* R5 - Doppelganger/Evil Twins -   The Flash Fiction Friday prompt [#FFF214 Broken Mirror] got me at least a good start on the idea I’ve been playing with for this square. I posted NamNori on Tumblr and have a general idea of how I want to build on it to also fill my SAUB AU: Crack square. It’s currently sitting at 360 words and I need to stretch it to at least 600 words to fill both squares.   

* K5 - AU: Anime - I had Vague Ideas of doing a “Battle of the Planets” (my first anime and a childhood favorite)  fusion, with Tony as Princess, Steve as Mark and Bucky as Jason - but wasn’t sure who to put in as  Tiny (Happy? Thor?) or  Keyop (Vision?) -  JARVIS would have been their 7-Zark- 7 of course….  if I have time/spoons/inspiration - I may do something with this.   

* Jan Adoptable: Caning - see TSB KINK: Concubine

Stony AUniverse Bingo  [SAUB_R1] (ends 15 Feb)

Another brand-new bingo I’m helping co-mod!   I’m up to twelve  fills, four  WIPs and several  crossover ideas in play.  Not sure I’m going to get a blackout - but I’ll do my best!  

* S1 - Edging - Filled this with Ringing in the New, where Tony makes a suggestion to improve/change up their love life. It’s a crossover with a Flash Fiction Friday prompt: How Do You Use ‘It’? and came in at 324 words - I will post it to Ao3 before the event is over.

* S2 - AU: Crack - see TSB   Doppelganger/Evil Twins

* S3 - AU: Wings -  think I need to pivot on this - maybe I’ll be self-indulgent and do a second remix of some part of Take What Was Wrong (And Make it Right) from Steve’s POV - since  the first remix  is Bucky POV (and therefore tricky to make Stony-focused) 

* S5 - Accidental Baby Acquisition - see BBB Yelena Belova  - this may have to come off the table/pivot to something else.  

* T1 - AU: Fantasy -  CoffeeOwl shared a really cool dragon!Steve/indebted!Tony prompt in the ACB Discord server that I may be playing with for this.

* T2 - Adopting a Cat - combined this with last week’s  Flash Fiction Friday prompt  [#FFF236 Fight or Flight]  for  Feline Fight and Flight  - which will probably get a better title before I post it to Ao3.😁 This No Powers established Stony ficlet - where Tony’s rescuing a stray cat and Steve helps out -  came in at  390 words.  

* T4 - AU: Canon Divergence - I may write a follow up on Setting Aside the Shield   to fill this square. 

* O2 - Omegaverse - I have a Vague Idea inspired by  @kandisheek’s lovely art piece.  

* O3 - FREE - used this in combination with a previous  Flash Fiction Friday prompt:   [#FFF235 Little Pink Houses]  to come up with  Those Old Crazy Dreams (Just Kind of Came and Went) which was posted to Tumblr and came in at 461 words.  I may tweak it a bit before posting to Ao3 before this event is over.   

* O4 - Fluff - see  TSB  “Where are you?” prompt 

* N2 - Mutual Pining - crossover with CABB Royal Knight?

* N3 - Gentle Dom - see TSB KINK: Concubine above

* N5 - AU: Multiple Identities - Posted  The Secrets We Keep  to Tumblr.  It’s a first person alternating POV ficlet with mutual pining (and secret identity) Stony.   It came in at 314 words and will get posted to Ao3 before the event ends. 

Y1 - Pre-Serum Steve Rogers - see TSB KINK: Concubine above

* Y4 - AU: Soulmates  -  see TSB  FREE square   

Captain (America) Bottom Bingo - Round 2 [CABB] (ends 28 Feb 2024)

I signed up for a 3x3 card for this bingo and have six fills, two WIPs and a couple of crossover ideas.

* B3 - Royal Knight - see SAUB Mutual Pining.

Post July Break Bingo  [JBB_23p] (Ends Apr 2024)

One fill on my  2x3 non-fandom-specific card - still working on  potential crossovers.

* A1 - “It’s you. It’s always been you.” - This might fit in with my TSB Doppelgangers/Evil Twins fill NamNori above :: ponders::

* B2 - Character’s personality is split into two different beings – I’ve never played with Bucky & the Soldier being two different people, but this seems like the perfect opportunity! Will see what might be a good crossover on one of my open cards.

*  C1 - Touch Starved – another good fit for a Bucky-centric fic. (Steve or Tony or Clint).

Steve Rogers Bingo - Round 3 [SRB_R3] (ends  15 Jun 2024)

Five  fills  - need to ponder possible crossovers, especially with SAUB, & CABB.  

* C5 - Exes to Lovers  - crossover with  CABB - "B1 - "All I wanted was for you to be happy."  – Bucky or Tony as the Ex?   SAUB S4 - Arranged Marriage  might be an additional crossover  

* D1 - Multiple Submissives -  see  TSB  KINK: Concubine

* D5 - Crops/Floggers/Whips  - see TSB KINK: Concubine (multi-chapter) 

* E4 - Tower Fic  - Posted Chapter 3 of  Half of the Flesh and Blood That Makes Me Whole  on Friday. It’s a post CA:WS Stucky wingfic that’s a remix of Take What Was Wrong (And Make It Right).  It came in at 1379 words.   

Bucky Barnes Connect Four - Alt Jun-iverse [BBC4_R2]  {Ends June 2024}

The good folks over at @buckybarnesevents  have opened this event up early!  You sign up for a single row card of four squares and the challenge is to see if you can combine any/all into a single Bucky-centric AU fanwork - although you can also create 2-4 separate fanworks if you want.  

The combo of prompts on my first card [Reality Show,  Omegaverse, Talent/Manager, Royalty] sparked an idea that I’m about 230 words + misc notes into already -  Alpha!Bucky as a technical prince   who gets talked into joining a reality show that is supposed to match him up with an omega… but there’s a twist!   I’m torn between striking while the iron is hot vs spending time on the fics that have a looming deadline…  🙃

Hawkeyes Bingo [HB_R2] {Ends TBD] 

Just signed up for this fun Tumblr event - got a 3x3 card and want to swap out one square, but otherwise am looking forward to creating more  Clint-centric content and trying my hand at a bit of  Kate Bishop fic as well!    

*A1 - Werewolf AU -  possible inspiration to continue A Hairy Situation? 

* A3 - Awkward Flirting – this might be a good entry into my first femslash fic with Kate/Yelena?    

Build-A-Bucky Bingo [BaBB_R1] {Ends Oct 2024}

Another fun year-long  event from the folks at  @buckybarnesevents!  Each month there’s a list of prompts and you choose (at least) one  each month for your card!

* November:  Crackfic - DONE  

* December: Wingman  - DONE

* January: Wingfic  -see SRB Tower Fic

May also throw the Polyamory prompt into  A Sultan’s Gift  (see TSB KINK: Concubine)

Warm and Fluffy   Bingo  - [WFB]   (no end date)

Four  fills on my card, courtesy of   @warmandfluffybingocards  - need to try for another crossover or two! 

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On  other creative fronts:  I am working on a  Superman Stuffed With Character figure for the Hall of Heroes con in early March;  still have one figure to go for one of my Marvel Trumps Hate  auction winners:  Captain Rambeau aka Photon. 

If  you’re looking for one of a kind gifts for birthdays or other celebrations, check  out Stuffed With Character    over on Facebook for a full list of my designs (now over 150!).   These soft stuffed figures are  mostly Marvel and monsters, but I have some Star Wars, Star Trek, DC   and Disney figures as well. Plus I love to take custom design   requests  for any fandom!