#traumatized widows club

[fagfictions]

Black Widow Tim

Imagine Tim developing his own Brucie Wayne playboy persona, by becoming Gotham City's infamous Black Widow (but he doesn't kill his husbands.)

Tim knew when his parents had died that the Drake family name had died with them. They weren't considered old money with generational wealth, so their status began and ended with Janet and Jack. Okay, he's being a little bit melodramatic. He knew that he had enough money in the bank for him to live comfortably for most of his life, but forgive him for not wanting to live below his means.

After he had taken up the mantle of Robin, he saw how Bruce had cultivated this character that allowed him endless liberties and alibis for his vigilante life. He had also seen how Bruce would sometimes indulge in his playboy persona, satiating his lust for flesh - justified by the inherent nature of his playboy reputation. However, Tim could see how Bruce Wayne had relished in these carnal acts. To an impressionable young boy, this seemed like an obvious fool-proof plan.

With that being said, he had needed to cultivate who Timothy Jackson Drake exactly was, so there wouldn't be a link between him and Red Robin. He took some inspiration from Bruce's playboy persona, and decided to become a Black Widow. He knew that he needed a man to financially support Timothy Drake's lifestyle, and to elevate his social stature.

In the beginning he married for love, as he became Timothy Drake-Grayson. He married Richard Grayson, a humble police officer from Bludhaven... who also happened to be the son of a billionaire. If he wanted his long term plans to succeed, he needed to show that he was never a gold digger, looking for the biggest catch.

Tim loved being married to Dick as it became his official entry into the Wayne family as Bruce never legally adopted him. Dick was always a gentleman who had kept their home warm, despite all the fucked up shit they had to deal with as vigilantes. Their home life was a temporary sweet solace. However, Tim knew about Dick's notorious wandering eye as he would still see Nightwing constantly flirt with Starfire and Oracle. Tim knew that their agreement was never exclusive, but it didn't stop the hurt in his heart. After a year, he had filed for divorce from the man, since Dick wanted to pursue things with Babs in the end.

A few months later, Tim Drake got tangled in a whirlwind romance with a Crime City club owner, Jason Todd, thus he eventually became Timothy Drake-Todd. Much to the surprise of everybody, Jason was a better husband to Tim than Dick ever was. He was sweet, caring, and most importantly loyal. This agreement might've started off as a plot to piss off Bruce, but they ended up genuinely falling in love with one another. Jason's reputation and wealth in Crime Alley provided Tim with luxuries, but not the reputation that he had desired. A suspected mob wife could only achieve so much. After a very public hostage situation involving gang activities, Tim took this opportunity to divorce Jason, much to both of their own dismays.

Admittedly, Tim took a break from the dating scene a couple of years to really sell the idea that he was traumatized from his previous marriage. It wasn't until he was spotted having dinner with the infamous Wayne heir at a glitzy restaurant. Damian was everything Tim could have ever wanted. He had the riches and status that would alleviate Timothy Drake to his level. When Damian finally married him, he blossomed into Timothy Drake-al Ghul-Wayne. Damian was also very possessive with his love for him, so Tim knew that he safe from the upper echelon. Sure, there was an inside joke about noticing the pattern of Tim being ran-through by all of Bruce Wayne's sons, especially when it was revealed that Jason Todd was Bruce's son who "died". Furthermore, Tim had gotten the reputation of being a Black Widow in Gotham, having more husbands than half of the population, and still not being over his twenties. However, Tim took all of these in stride. As he had grown older, he knew that he wanted a family. He was still relatively friendly with his past husbands, and he knew that there was still love between them. To everyone's surprise, it was revealed that he had divorced Damian a few months later, yet he retained the last name. Nobody had known except Tim and his family.

But before the public could react to this, they were met with the announcement of an engagement between Timothy Drake-Wayne and Bruce Wayne. This confirmed the rumors of Timothy being passed around in the Wayne family, as it was revealed that he was marrying his former father-in-law x3. Despite all this talk, this would be Tim's final marriage and his longest lasting one.

This marriage also lead to the birth of ten beautiful children, who despite having the same parents, looked different from one another as if the sire of these children differed. His ex-husband Dick Grayson could be seen carrying a pair of twins to gymnastic practice. His ex-husband Jason Todd was spotted shopping for three pairs of onesies. His ex-husband Damian had brought his new "siblings" to his office job as all four of Tim's children caused some chaos in Wayne Enterprises. Finally, his husband, Bruce could be spotted cradling a baby in a golf course.

Every Gothamite was baffled at this new development, despite Tim having 3 ex-husbands in the same household, marrying his former father-in-law and giving them 10 new siblings, they all seemed to get along really well. If they were happy, who were they to judge?

He had finally settled on becoming Timothy Drake-Wayne, a name he had always wanted since he was a little boy. Despite all odds, he had also given children to all the men he had loved before.

tl;dr Tim going through the Bat family last names like he's calling attendance.

[fictionfromthevoid]

Bucky Barnes x ex-red-room-agent! reader headcanons:

A/N: Some of my thoughts about how it would be like if Bucky dated an ex-red-room agent because I think it would really fit. I might write a part 2 that plays during the events of The Falcon and The Winter Soldier when I have rewatched the show. Because it's been a while since I've last seen it.

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

like Natasha you grew up in the red room as part of the black widow program

after a failed mission you got captured by SHIELD, Natasha convinced you to join SHIELD

you meet Bucky a few months before the beginning of the events of The Falcon and the Winter soldier

You meet when you both run to help some kids who where being robbed by a gang or something like that

You both are intrigued by each other's combat skills, both asking each other about it and receiving the same answer "long story I'd rather not tell"

You invited him for a drink at a nearby bar that night and you two had a great time talking and laughing and silently agreeing to not ask about each other's past. At the end of the evening, you exchange numbers

You are the one to ask him out first. Which is fortunate, because he wouldn't have done it. Even tho he liked you he was still too insecure and felt like he didn't deserve something like romance at the moment.

You had not much experience with dates that weren't set up for a spying mission or an assassination, so you two simply got drinks at the same bar again.

After that, he took you on a lot of old-school 40s-like dates.

Walks in the park, 'going dancing' where he realised that clubs are vastly different now than what he remembered

when you were out one evening it started raining horribly and since you were close to Bucky's flat you two sought shelter from the weather there.

He made the both of you tea and you sat on the floor (he didn't have much furniture) and spent the night talking. That's the first time you tell each other about your past.

You realise that you have a lot in common.

You both are so happy to finally have found someone who understands again.

He lost Steve, you lost Natasha - you both lost the only people who could understand your life

You spend the whole night talking until you both fall asleep on his living room floor.

This is also the first time you see him having a nightmare.

You talk it out and comfort him. He falls asleep again in your arms.

Not long after that, you make your relationship official

He asks you, all 40s style, with flowers and all, to be his girlfriend. You think it's incredibly cute but also incredibly funny and you might laugh at him a little

when his past is haunting him, or when he has had an especially bad nightmare he calls you. You either come over and comfort him or you talk it out over the phone.

You teach him about your culture and introduce him to the Russian community in New York, where you live.Even though your childhood in the red room was traumatic, you are still Russian, and you still think your culture is beautiful, regardless of the government.

When you find out that he speaks Russian you are thrilled

Because speaking to the person you love in your native language is just a lot more intimate. English will never touch your heart as much as your mother tongue does.

You start speaking in Russian more often. Soon you two mix the languages

He will ask something in English, you answer in Russian or you start a sentence in English and finish it in Russian

When other people hear you speak they are always VERY confused

But you two think it's amazing that you can communicate in both your native languages

You are the one who convinces Bucky to go to therapy

In the beginning, you accompany him to the sessions since he doesn't feel comfortable talking to anyone but you about his problems

But slowly he trusts his therapist more and more until he eventually doesn't need you there anymore

You still often drive him there and pick him up, since a therapy session can sometimes leave you feeling pretty shattered

[novas-fic-recs]

bucky barnes fic recommendations

my welcome post

my favourite fics and headcanons about the wonderful bucky barnes! none of these were written by me, so make sure to give lots of love to the amazing writers who did write them! this will be updated as i find more.

silent girl + the winter soldier by @kinanabinks

summary: after a traumatizing event, you aren’t the friendliest or most talkative of people. bucky understands, and in turn becomes the one person you soften your hard exterior for.

seceret santa by @buckybarnesandmarvel

summary: the team decides to do a secret santa… of course you get the one person you’re in love with

secret girlfriend by @jenwritesstories

summary: steve thinks bucky has been acting weird lately, and after asking him what's going on, he takes matters into his own hands and follows him.

bucky barnes hcs by @b6cky

summary: what the title suggests

hc: peter's science fairs by @golden-barnes

summary: you and buck are like parental figures to peter parker and you have a little tradition before and after his science fairs.

theatre by @loving-barnes

summary: a bucky fic inspired by the avengers musical in hawkeye.

rain therapy by @stardustdreams-andcaffeine

summary: the line between friends and lovers is impossibly thin, yet somehow the hardest line to cross. it’s a line that you and bucky just can’t seem to break, but it’s nothing one of tony’s infamous parties can’t fix.

differently by @tweedlydumbtweedlydoo

summary: you treat bucky differently than the other avengers do. 

who's she? by @itsapeterthing

summary: when sam gets injured during a mission and isn’t able to go to a hospital, bucky brings him and natasha to his own home to get cared for by his girlfriend, y/n, who he’s been keeping a secret.

confrontation by @imgoingtofreakoutnow

summary: you and bucky have been together for some time now, so hearing he got himself arrested (again) makes you panic, to say the least

mr. barnes, teacher aide of the year by @soulgazingwithbucky

summary: your brooding avenger boyfriend becomes a regular visitor in your classroom.

dating bucky barnes by @beyondspaceandstars

summary: what the title suggests

the widow by ↑

summary: what bucky dating a widow (from black widow) would be like

midnight blue by @cupids-crystals

summary: two resident insomniacs find company in the quiet hours of stark tower

bucky barnes as your boyfriend by @bonky-n-steeb

summary: what the title suggests

secret book club by @starks-hero

summary: bucky’s got a new book and he just can’t seem to put it down.

right a wrong by ↑

summary: you, sam and bucky get to work repairing sam’s family boat. turns out the boat isn’t the only thing in need of fixing. but with help from you and sam, bucky figures some stuff out.

welcome to new york by @lives-in-midgard

summary: reader moves to new york to start a new life and meets bucky there....

restoring a legacy by @alisonsfics

summary: you are there when bucky finds out about the “new cap”

the forever third wheels by @witchywithwhiskey

summary: it's the weekend of your town's annual valentine's day carnival and you go with your group of friends, though you can't help but be sad you don't have someone special in your life. your friend, and fellow third wheel, bucky barnes makes it his mission to give you a valentine's day you won't soon forget—and show you how special you are to him.

knock by @biisexualemma

summary: bucky and you never get along, but he walks in on you needing help.

[catierambles]

Blood Moon Ch.28

Annalisa didn’t look at him as he was shoved down into the chair in front of her in the backroom of Tell-Tale Heart. The club was closed for “maintenance”.

“Where was he?” She asked.

“He managed to get asylum from Van Heusen.” Ethan said, walking back and forth behind him, his arms folded over his chest. “But we told Gunther what he tried to do and the coven handed him over no fuss. He says congrats on the upcoming wedding, by the way.”

“Remind me to send him an invitation.”

“How many is that now, Annie?” Sy asked from his seat on a table against the wall. The entire coven was there, sitting or standing around the room.

“We’re going to need a bigger venue.” She said.

“Why don’t you have it at the ranch?” Jack suggested. “Got the room for it.” Sy’s family wanted to be there as well, even after she told them what she had planned for Eugene.

“The reception would be nice there.” She agreed, and turned her attention back to Eugene who was in the chair in front of her, hands tied behind his back. “Eugene.”

“Annalisa, please.” He said, “I never meant—”

“Yes, you did.” Sy said, interrupting him. “She wasn’t supposed’ta be there, remember?”

“You killed Markus.” Annalisa said.

“How long have we been together, Annie? You would believe his word over mine? Markus was my friend, I would never hurt him or you. I love you.”

“No, you don’t.” She said, “Or else you wouldn’t have hurt Sy like you had. You know that if a vampires’ Tovaras dies, so do they. You know that.”

“He’s not your Tovaras, he can’t be your Tovaras.”

“And you would know that better than I?” She asked but he was silent. “At first I wondered why. Why would you kill Markus. Why would you attempt to kill me, albeit indirectly. You were Markus’s trusted friend, his confidant. Why would you kill him?”

“I didn’t. Annie, what happened was tragic, but I—”

“Greed.” She said, “When Markus met you, you were some low merchant, barely getting by. Then he introduced you to high society, better contacts, buyers, sellers, and you flourished. Your little operation grew into an empire because of the connections he gave you, but you still wanted more. You wanted what he had. You were wealthy, yes, but you weren’t one of them. They knew it, you knew it. Maybe if you had what Markus had, they would see you as an equal. Then something happened. He met me. This maid in his estate who didn’t bow her head, who spoke her mind, who met his gaze. Then we were married and you knew that if Markus died, I would get everything. Such was the law at the time. It didn’t matter what document you forged, his widow would receive it all.

“I think you were planning his death even then, but you needed to secure his wife. So you attempted to woo her before the ink was even dry on their marriage certificate. You framed it as wanting to get to know your friends’ new bride better, especially since you knew he Turned her on their wedding night. But I was in love with Markus, and I would never betray him. Then one night, you had Markus killed. I wasn’t supposed to be there, I was supposed to be at the opera with you, but Markus and I had just celebrated our anniversary and he wanted me to stay home. So I did. And I watched my husband die. I watched blood stream out of his mouth and nose from the holy water the Hunter had forced down his throat liquifying his insides.”

“Jesus.” Pete whispered but she paid him no attention.

“Once Markus was dead you wasted little time in seducing me. I was traumatized, vulnerable, and you were there for me. A shoulder to cry on, a rock I could use to hold myself steady. But you made a mistake, you held on too tightly, tried to control me too much. Markus loved me because I wouldn’t allow myself to be controlled by anyone, he loved my strength and independence. So I left you, but I kept you around because you were Markus’ friend and he trusted you. True to law, I got everything when Markus died, all his land, his wealth, his businesses, everything. You helped me with those, too, in the beginning. I was a farmers’ daughter and former maid, what did I know about running anything? Then one day I realized I didn’t need your help anymore, but still I kept you by my side because you were Markus’ friend and he trusted you.”

“Annie—”

“I’m not finished.” She said, cutting him off. “You watched as I became more and more powerful, as I surpassed Markus in almost everything. I was in control of my own coven, numerous businesses and subsidiaries. I was respected and feared and you wanted that. You wanted what I had, just like you wanted what he had. You knew the others saw you as lesser than. The second-fiddle, the “try-hard”. The imposter, the wannabe, and you hated that. You also knew that if I died, as my second-in-command, you would get everything. That’s how covens work. So you watched, and you waited, until I got to a place where you figured I was ripe for slaughter. But then. Something. Happened. I met Sy. I met my Tovaras. You should have been happy for me, but you just saw an opportunity. Get rid of me, him, and line your pockets all in one move. Because if he left me and then I died because he did, no one would question it. He just had an accident. Somewhere. But again, you screwed up. You didn’t do your research. You made assumptions and your ruse was seen through pretty damn quickly.”

“Read the note.” Sy said, “Fucker. I would never do that to her.”

“Whoever killed him would walk free. That was the order you gave to Damascos, but I found him before it could be carried out. Now we’re current. Anything to say for yourself?”

“Annalisa, please.” Eugene said, “I never—I care for you too much to ever hurt you like that. We’ve been together for centuries, you’ve been with him for less than a year. Please, Annie, everything you think I did, I didn’t do it. I promise you, Little Raven, you have to believe that I would never—could never hurt you like that.”

“Little Raven?” Sy asked.

“Markus had ravens he cared for. I took to them, and them to me. He loved seeing me with them so it was his pet name for me. His Little Raven.” Annalisa said.

“Eugene.” Sy said, “Did you know when someone lies, no matter how good they are at it, how long they been doin’ it, they still release adrenaline? Smells like piss. Ethan, he piss himself at all?”

“Nope.” Ethan said.

“Thought so.” He said and hopped down with a grimace. His wounds were mostly healed, but he was still dealing with some lingering pain. “You lyin’ and you lyin’ hard, boy.”

“Is that what that smell is?” Ethan asked and Sy nodded. “Learn something knew every day.”

“You believe these dogs over me?” Eugene asked.

“Damascos kept detailed records, Eugene.” Annalisa said, “Every transaction, every wolf delivered, ever payout given. Even if I believed you didn’t do what you had to Markus, you still drugged Sy and delivered him, along with many others behind my back, to the fighting pits to die. For money. That alone would warrant punishment.”

“Annie—”

“Do you remember what I told you I would do if you didn’t leave him alone?” Annalisa asked and went to a small table set off to the side, untying the leather roll and opening it, various implements tucked into pockets inside. “There are pressure points above our fangs that make them extend.” Opening her mouth to show them, she pressed right above her own canines and her fangs slid down, sliding back up when her hand fell away. “Hold him.”

“Annie!” He exclaimed, struggling against his bonds, and Ethan grabbed him in a vice grip, holding his head still. “Annie, please! Please don’t!” Ethan forced his mouth open as she approached him with the tool and his screams rang through the room, no one moving or making a sound. She backed away from him, the screaming cutting off, blood staining his lips and chin and she closed her hand around the fangs in her palm.

“Dispose of him. I don’t care how.” Annalisa said evenly and Ethan pulled him out of the chair, dragging him from the room.

[winchestergirl2]

December Reading Recs

Thank you to all the incredible writers here on tumblr, who provide us with these fantastic stories and thank you to everyone who interacts with these fic recs posts to help spread the love for these writers.

Happy New Year everyone, and happy reading!

To show some love and appreciation to all the amazing writers here on tumblr, here are all the fantastic fics I've read this month. 💖

Many of these fics and blogs are 18+ only, and NSFW please heed the author's individual fic warnings and requests regarding no minors. I am not responsible for your media consumption.

2023 Reading Rec List

Supernatural

Sam Winchester

Take Me Back Series Chapter 3 | Epilogue | @kaleldobrev

Authors Summary: After making a deal to bring you back, Sam doesn't see you until years later when your paths cross during a case

The Widow Timestamp: I Love You @pink-sparkly-witch

Authors Summary: Sam tells Y/N that he loves her for the first time. This is basically PWP.

The Widow Timestamp: Marry Me? @pink-sparkly-witch

Authors Summary: It’s almost Christmas, and Sam has an important question to ask you.

A Blacksmiths Hands @sams-sass

Fall For You @justagirlinafandomworld

Authors Summary: You don’t always go flying through the air. But when you do, there is one Winchester who is always there to catch you. Or. A series of times you and Sam fell over each other. And Dean’s there.

Imagine Walking Your Dog With Sam @imagineteamfreewill

Dean Winchester

Smoke Eater Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | @zepskies

Authors Summary: Dean Winchester is the cocky, but well-respected Lieutenant at Firehouse 25. He leads by example, but he’s also known to break a few hearts. He’s starting to crave something he’s never had, though. Something stable. Something real. 

That’s when he meets you, on a truly terrible day, trapped in a rickety old elevator.   

The One That Got Away Epilogue @pink-sparkly-witch

Authors Summary: Childhood sweethearts, Dean and Y/N, are very much in love with each other. When she accepts a full scholarship to an out-of-state college, she finally gets to leave behind her traumatic childhood and abusive father, but it means leaving Dean behind too.

Over a decade later, Y/N returns to Lawrence, Kansas, and finally tries to heal the only wounds she has left… the psychological and emotional scars her father gave her and the heartbreak she endured by Dean Winchester, the one that got away.

Just Thought You Should Know @smellingofpoetry

Authors Summary: It was just one of those drunk calls until it wasn't anymore.

Christmas Boredom @soaringeag1e

Screw Consciousness @kaleldobrev

Authors Summary: Taking a nap with Dean after a long drive

Strangers @smellingofpoetry

Authors Summary: They were just two strangers, dancing in the middle of a club.

10 Inch Hero

Boaz Priestly

Black and Blue @lipstickandwhiskey

Authors Summary: You can’t help your feelings for your friend, but maybe some jerk will give you a push in the right direction?

Pondering Fate While Ignoring The Obvious @impala-dreamer

Authors Summary: Priestly has got it so bad for Tish that he can barely see past the end of her... well, her back end, anyway. He's love sick and forever rejected, constantly stuck inside his own head. When a new girl in town starts messing with him, he quickly loses his cool...

Unique and Brightly - Colored @crashdevlin

Authors Summary: You don't like Priestly's new look and you really don't like the reasoning behind it.

Smallville

Jason Teague

Miss Professor @zepskies

Authors Summary: Jason has to make a decision. You, or Lana Lang.

The Boys

Soldier Boy

Memories Are All I Have @kaleldobrev

Authors Summary: You’re all Ben thinks about while he’s in Russia

From Russia With Love @kaleldobrev

Authors Summary: You’re the first person Ben goes to see after escaping from Russia

House

Robert Chase

Kiss and Tell @iwritefandomimagines

Authors Summary: after endless mutual pining, you and chase finally hooked up over the weekend. you agreed to keep it a secret while you figured things out, but it doesn’t last long with the team around.

Dark Angel

Alec Mcdowell

Not So Lonely Christmas @daughterofcain-67

Authors Summary: You’re beginning to grow accustomed to doing things by yourself now that you’ve moved away from family, but your friends at Jam Pony seem to forget that Christmases after moving to a brand new area can often result in being alone during the holiday season… and Alec won’t stand for it.

Bullseye @zepskies

Authors Summary: Alec’s tired of being ignored. Whatever you’re reading can’t be as interesting as his company, now could it?

Chicago Fire

Matt Casey

Untitled Imagine @deanstead

Authors Summary: Imagine: Matt looking for his captain jacket and finding it on you

Any Fandom

Unamed Male (Choose your own)

Midnight @kittenofdoomage

Authors Summary: New Year’s Eve brings a surprise at the end of a crappy year.

[imagining-in-the-margins]

Spencer POV Fic Recs [SFW]

Hey friends! Someone requested recommendations for SFW fics from Spencer Reid’s POV. I’ve collected all the fics me and the lovely people of my Discord could find. I hope this helps!

GN!Reader Fluff

Spoonful of Sugar by @reidgraygubler: Spencer stays home from work to take care of his partner, who’s sick with the flu.

Kiss Them, Or Keep Them by @/reidgraygubler: Spencer loses his best friend, but has a secret gift to bring them back.

GN!Reader Angst

Better Off Without Me by @sassymoon: This is the end of a relationship that was the best thing he ever had, and it’s time to say goodbye.

Week From Hell by @/reidgraygubler: Spencer has one hell of a week after he has nightmares and a close call on a case.

Fem!Reader Fluff

Java Jive by me: Spencer and Emily take a break at the local coffee shop and she makes an understandable mistake about barista Reader and Spencer’s relationship.

Pumpkin by me: Spencer can’t handle how cute Reader’s southern accent is.

Serendipitous by me: Spencer’s pretty sure Penelope mixed up his blind date.

Prickly Pear by me: Reader tries to hide her body hair from Spencer. It doesn’t end well.

Not Your Backup by me: Spencer!POV. Following JJ’s confession, Spencer admits she’s more like a sister to him. Spencer and JJ argue about JJ’s unwarranted jealousy of his girlfriend.

Impromptu 3AM Meeting by @andiebeaword: Spencer learns the woman he’s falling for has a teenage daughter.

Side by Side by @foxy-eva: Spencer is mesmerized by Reader on their first date and is surprised that she apparently feels the same way about him.

Different Dialects by me: Autistic!Reader. Spencer is trying to tell Reader he likes her, but it feels like they speak entirely different languages.

Funny Thing Fate by me: Autistic!Reader is tipsy and lost in D.C. when she spots a man she thinks might be able to help.

Porcelain by me: Autistic!Reader has a meltdown in the cafe. Luckily, there is a Dr. Reid nearby.

Baggage Claim by me: Autistic!Reader is having a hard time at the airport.

Act Your Age by me: Platonic. Reader was recently released from being held hostage for several years, and for whatever reason, she’s taken a liking to Spencer.

You are My Destiny by @/reidgraygubler: Spencer meets a girl at a club. She convinces Spencer to dance with her.

Look at My Son by @/reidgraygubler: Spencer has a heart to heart with his newborn son while his wife sleeps.

Buttercup Bakery by @/reidgraygubler: Spencer meets the woman of his dreams at JJ and Will’s wedding, but misses the chance to get her number.

Lonely Moonlight by @/reidgraygubler: Spencer left his partner and ends up regretting it.

Fem!Reader Angst

Rib Cage by me: Spencer realizes Reader is the one, but it might be too late. He has to find her.

Forbidden Fruit by me: When Professor Reid falls in love with a student, he learns why Adam choked on the Forbidden Fruit.

Passing in the Night by me: Spencer learns about Reader’s feelings too late and loses his own battle as a result.

I Won By Loving You by @sassymoon: Reader is terminally ill and is saying goodbye to her loved one.

If I Could See Me Now by @andiebeaword: Spencer hits his head. Next thing he knows, he’s talking to himself … from 15 years ago.

Handle with Care by @foxy-eva: Spencer tries to be there for his wife after a traumatic experience.

Partial POV

Defining Family by me: [Fem, fluff] Spencer finds out he’s a dad… to a twelve year old girl. Your twelve year old girl, who just broke into the FBI.

Dead Air by me: [Fem, fluff] Professor Reid is hesitant to be a guest on his old student’s true crime video series, but is surprised to find it’s not so bad.

Moonlight by me: [Fem, Angst] Spencer tells Reader’s boyfriend how she really feels.

Sleepless in Quantico by @/andiebeaword: [Fem, fluff] Spencer is a widower. His son wants him to be happy. Spencer’s son and his therapist conspire to get him on a radio show to talk through his grief. Reader is one of the listeners. 

A Lettered Confession by @/andiebeaword: [Fem, Angst] Spencer is in love with Reader. He confesses his feelings through a letter.

Everything I Want and More by @/andiebeaword: [Fem, Angst] Spencer believes that Reader is head over heels for another guy. He has no idea the guy she’s in love with is actually him.

No Expectations by @/andiebeaword: Reader is in love with Reid. He’s fallen for a woman named Maeve. While trying to save her, Reader makes a choice.

Wanna See Something Beautiful? by @/andiebeaword: [Fem, Angst] Spencer has been in prison for months now. After he chose to take her name off the visitor’s log, Reader decides to start writing Spencer letters. Eventually, he writes her back.

Wish I Could Take it All Back by @/andiebeaword: [Fem, Angst] Spencer gets his usual coffee, only to follow the girl to an NA meeting

[mermaidsirennikita]

do you have any recommendations for good bodyguard romances?

Yes!

Salt Kiss by Sierra Simone. One of my all-time favorites, and you can read it before Honey Cut comes out on 6/18! Tristan is a traumatized, romantic soldier who's hired to guard Mark Trevena, Kink Club Owner/Man About Town/Ex-CIA Secrets Man. Getting fucked by Mark is not, by any means, a REQUIREMENT of the job (though the last bodyguard did in fact experience that) but Tristan realizes quickly that he'd like it be a PERK. Complication: A) feelings B) Mark actually has the pesky issue of a fiancee, Isolde, who he asks Tristan to go fetch and ALSO act as a bodyguard to. And Tristan is all "I AM SO IN MY FEELINGS RN???" until he realizes that he... also.... likes.... Isolde......

Dearest Rogue by Elizabeth Hoyt. Historical romance, v. good. The hero is a former captain of the guard type who's become the bodyguard of a duke's sister, specifically because she's blind. A local idiot decides to try to kidnap her, which leads them on a sort of roadtrip romance, complete with dry humping in an inn.

A Fated Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen. A fantasy romance heavily based on viking lore. The heroine is discovered to be this goddess-born woman and the local jarl believes he's destined to marry her. So he does force her to marry him; BUT she needs to learn how to fight AND needs to be guarded, and who better to do that than his hot son who is TOTALLY! FINE! HE IS FINE! HE IS NOT UPSET AT ALL!

Knockout by Sarah MacLean. Local hot woman who likes to blow shit up ends up being guarded by the detective who's been trying to catch her for blowing up shit this entire time! A great book wherein this girl is like.. getting her back blown out by a man with such big thighs...

Joss and The Countess by S.M. LaViolette. Joss is technically Alicia's footman, but for all intents and purposes he functions as her bodyguard while she bops around town trying to get orgasms. Sadly, none of the men in town are able to give her orgasms. But you know who can? JOSSSSS.

Waiting for a Scot Like You by Eva Leigh. A widow in her mid/late forties heads out to this famous orgy now that her dumb husband is dead. A younger (mid-thirties) veteran accompanies her as her bodyguard, but she gets complicated when they start fucking on the road.

The Temptation of a Highlander by Elisa Braden. The heroine is in Scotland because she essentially has a stalker back home, and that stalker has followed her there. Fortunately, the local big man who she constantly keeps saying double entendres around is there and ready to be her bodyguard!

Moonglow by Kristen Callihan. This is a paranormal historical. The heroine is a young widow trying to get her life when she's almost killed by a werewolf. ANOTHER werewolf (who happens to also be a slutty Scottish man) is like "MMMM I'm gonna keep an eye on you now" which leads to this shockingly deep, verrrry sexy romance.

Heart of Iron by Bec McMasters. ANOTHER paranormal historical with a werewolf bodyguard (but this one is not slutty and is in fact a virgin). The heroine basically got in over her head with some covert mission stuff, and the hero becomes her bodyguard... But werewolves spread their illness~ through bodily fluids, so they can't have sex, right?

The Professional by Kresley Cole. The heroine turns out to the biological daughter of a Russian mobster, and one of his right hand men basically plucks her out of America (after they dry hump in a cornfield) and takes her to Russia. He stays on as her bodyguard, and things get... complex.

[lirational]

Who's the local folklore? 🤔

Slight rant under the cut

I don’t know whether a version of this that is familiar to my primarily English-speaking followers exist, but basically, where I live, there is a certain folklore taught in 90% of local language classes for elementary schoolers.

The gist of it is:

Once upon a time, there lived a boy and a widowed mother in a village. They are poor, but they are happy.

One day, the boy, as a grown-up, asked whether he can go to the city to change their fortunes. For years upon years, there were no letters. Fast forward to the future, the mother is now elderly. She heard of a merchant ship coming to their little village, and she went to the harbor, hoping this time, her son was in it.

The son was, but for some reason, rejected the mother with harsh words until she cries. The mother was furious, and cursed the son, turning him into a rock.

The TLDR moral is: don’t be an asshole. However, this particular traumatizing folklore is usually used as a threat (religious country things, welp) for when a child is doing something that is not bad, but their parents personally disapprove, such as refusing to be their piggy bank in the future, refusing to change their dream job to something their personally like, and so on, often comparing themselves to the oh so slighted mother in the story above despite, hey, they’re not a 10/10 parent objectively.

TLDR: local folklore taught to most people at elementary school grade is often used as a psychological club by certain types of parents.

[up-risingrp]

Timeline

1831 - Sebastian Shaw forms the Hellfire Club as a way to keep mutant property and ideals aligned

1931 - Dr. Abraham Erskine begins experimentation to create a super soldier for the United States Military

1940 - Howard Stark forms Stark Industries and aligns himself with the US Military for the Second World War.

1943 - Steve Rogers is injected with the super soldier serum

1945 - Steve Rogers and the Howling Commandos take out Johann Schmidt. James Barnes is lost during the fight. He is saved by HYDRA and experimented on to create the Winter Soldier

1949 - Howard Stark and Peggy Carter launch the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics division (SHIELD). They are unaware that former Nazi spies infiltrate SHIELD to form a secret second division of HYDRA within the division

1961 - Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr are brought together by the FBI with the influence of the Hellfire Club to bring a team of mutants together and protect the world from the potential of a new world war during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Charles becomes paralyzed during the Bay of Pigs.

1963 - John F. Kennedy is assassinated. It is rumored that a mutant was the cause of it and Erik Lehnsherr is arrested and held at the Pentagon. This is considered the first major incident of a mutant being held by the US military and sparks underground discussions on the dangers of metahuman kind. 

1973 - Charles Xavier, Logan Howlett, and Hank McCoy break Erik Lehnsherr out of the Pentagon in order to keep Raven Darkholme from assassinating Boliver Trask, one of the main champions of Registration laws being drafted. They stop Raven from her assassination attempt.

1982 - Charles Xavier starts the Xavier’s Institute for Gifted Youngsters. It is not well known for many years, usually acting as a safe haven for mutants who are pushed out of their work or home life.

1991 - Howard and Maria Stark are assassinated by the Winter Soldier

1992 - Tony Stark inherits Stark Industries, led by Obidiah Stane until Tony is old enough to run it himself. Stark Industries heavily shifts towards machine weaponry under Stane’s leadership.

1995 - Nick Fury begins drafting what will later become the Avengers Initiative

1997 - After a traumatic event, Jean Grey is brought to the Institute and becomes Xavier’s youngest student and starts the push to rescue younger mutants from their home lives.

2005 - During an experiment with the bio-tech enhancement force of the US military, gamma radiation turns Bruce Banner into the Hulk leading him to disappearing to avoid being turned into a weapon

2006 - After a surge of her powers, Amara Acquilla creates an island off the coast of Africa. She names it Genosha and claims it for mutant kind. Thanks to many other mutant help, the island becomes inhabited by mutants looking for a safe place and becomes the new headquarters of the Hellfire Club.

2007 - Following the horrific deaths of his wife and child in Poland, Erik Lehsherr moves to Genosha and starts the Brotherhood. Meant as a group of mutants against the humans becoming involved with mutant control

2008 - The X-men are first brought together by Charles Xavier. He cities the need for an undercover group of mutants sent on missions to bring other mutants to safety. The original team includes Warren Worthington III, Jean Grey, Scott Summers, Hank McCoy, and Bobby Drake. 

2010 - Following a mission, Natasha Romanova is deprogrammed through the help of Clint Barton. She leaves the secret Russian program of the Widows to join SHIELD as the Black Widow

2012 - During a weapons demonstration, Tony Stark is captured by the Ten Rings and during his captivity creates the first Iron Man suit to escape. When arriving home to Malibu, he begins to work on a more high tech version and starts to hunt down his weapons in the hands of the enemy. At a press conference following Obidiah Stane’s attack, he outs himself as Iron Man 

2013 - The House of Congress drafts the first bill outlining the need for regulation of metahumans and human bodysuit weaponry technology. The Iron Man suit is included in this bill. The bill dies on the House floor.

2014 - Thor, prince of Asgard is sentenced to Earth and stripped of his powers by his father, Odin. The Asgardian technology, the Destroyer is sent by his brother Loki to attempt his destruction when he regains his powers.

2015 - Steve Roger’s frozen body is found in the Atlantic Ocean and brought back to SHIELD headquarters. When realizing he is not in the right place, he finds out that over 70 years have passed since he went down to stop the Tesseract from being stolen.

2016 - SHIELD begins experimentation with the Tesseract following the events of Thor and the Asgardian technology.

2017 - The Avengers Initiative is invoked after the Tesseract begins to become unstable from experimentation. A portal is opened creating the ability for alien invaders to attack New York City. The Avengers including Tony Stark, Bruce Banner, Natasha Romanoff, Clint Barton, Steve Rogers, and the appearance of Thor manage to save New York City with Tony Stark flying a deadly missile through the portal and seeing what lies beyond Earth.

During this battle, Charles Xavier forbids the X-men from intervening as SHIELD has looked the other way when it comes to mutant activity and is concerned that should they become involved and allow the general public see their powers, they will not be looked at favorably. This causes rifts in the X-Men as well as mutant kind in general.

The Department of Damage Control (DODC) is created in order to help clean up the mess left behind after the Battle of New York, a jointly funded project between Stark Industries and the United States Government.

2018 - Talks of Registration spark up once again in Congress and many laws are drafted on the need for regulation of metahumans. All laws die on the floor of the House and Senate.

2020 - For years following the Battle of New York, Tony Stark has been working on an Artificial Intelligence that would serve as a shield around the Earth. When the AI goes off the tracks, Ultron is created. 

The Avengers assemble again including the new recruits of Scott Lang, Hope van Dyne, and Sam Wilson. With this group, and the eventual defection of Wanda and Pietro Maximoff, they are able to destroy Ultron but not without destroying Sokovia as well. During the fighting, Pietro is killed while saving Clint Barton.

Reed Richards, Susan Storm, Ben Grimm, Johnny Storm, and Victor von Doom leave on a SHIELD-sanctioned trip to space prior to the events of Ultron.

2021 - Following the events of Ultron, emergency action is taken and the first Registration Law is passed. This requires all metahumans to enter into a database with their powers noted. Bodysuit weaponry is heavily monitored and is strictly forbidden except for the permission granted by the US military. 

SHIELD is effectively shut down due to their involvement with Ultron and metahumans. The DODC takes up the duties of enforcing the Registration laws and absorbs many of the former SHIELD agents.

The Metahuman Advisory Council or MAC is formed after the legislation passes as a way to give insight to Congress about metahuman rights and abilities. The original members of MAC include Charles Xavier, Reed Richards, Steve Rogers, Hank McCoy, and Emma Frost. 

On the other side of the world on Genosha, the Metahuman Alliance of the State of Humanity (MASH) is formed spearheaded by Erik Lehnsherr with other members including Warren Worthington III, Amara Aquilla, Sebastian Shaw, and the unlikely appearance of Natasha Romanoff.

Reed Richards, Susan Storm, Ben Grimm, and Johnny Storm return from space after being hit with a cosmic storm. Their spacecraft crashes, and the four are picked up by the DODC for further studies. Victor von Doom is assumed dead, but a body was ever recovered.

2022 - On top of congressional and military restrictions on the use of metahuman powers, registration laws are passed requiring minors to be registered. Charles Xavier offers to take on the mutants whose abilities are considered dangerous, making the executive decision that all mutants living on in the Institute will register without complaint. Tension mounts amongst its residents and the remaining X-Men. 

Natasha Romanoff finds Yelena Belova. She manages to deprogram Yelena. They are the only two living widows outside of General Dreykov’s direct control.

2023 - Justin Hammer and Aldrich Killian have joined forces to create weaponry for the DODC to use against metahumans. There have been whispers that one of them is building on Trask’s old work on the Sentinel program. Those whispers also include William Stryker’s name.

Scott Summers has left the X-Men and moved to Genosha to create his own group of X-Men for those not interested in following Charles Xavier blindly. Jean Grey has stepped up to run the Institute while Charles works with Congress.

The Avengers are currently in shambles with some for the Registration laws and others vehemently against.

Illegal street teams are starting up, people are fighting back against the Registration laws even though to be caught would mean being branded as a metahuman.

[multi-lefaiye]

hehehe ty all for the encouragement <3 tagging @astral-runic @wherearetheplants @invaderskoodge and @albatris b/c y'all replied directly hewwo <3 and ofc @skitzo-kero hewwo <3

anyway okay so sad people wip is a concept that floated into my brain a while ago and didn't get much development and ngl i almost scrapped it entirely,

BUT yes!!!!! so sad people wip can best be summed up as: a group of strangers, who have each reached rock bottom in various ways, end up becoming each other's closest friends and support system and help each other find reasons to keep going.

now i'm going to list the new cast below, as well as explain the premise in a bit more detail <33

picrew used: [link]

content warnings (please tread lightly if any of these may be an issue! no pressure to read even if i've tagged you here): mentions of drug addiction, suicide, cancer/terminal illness, car accidents, and toxic romantic relationships.

premise in more detail: four strangers come to the same building on the same day with the intent of ending their lives. however, none of them ended up going through with it, because in the end having other people there made them all reconsider. the group ends up keeping in touch and becoming friends, helping each other find reasons to live and cope with living in the hell world.

and now,the characters!

Angel De Santis - he/him

Angel has recently been dumped by his long-time girlfriend AJ, who he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. Without her, he's lost his main support system, and he's been floundering. He's also slowly starting to realize that this relationship was not as healthy as it seemed to him at the time.

Phoebe Ross - she/her

Ross is a recovering drug addict who recently relapsed after a year and a half of sobriety. She feels as though she's let everyone down and is terrified to face her loved ones after, and part of her believes that she'll never be able to get back up again and that she's ruined everything for real this time.

Dr. Scott Wells - he/him

Scott is a successful surgeon at a local hospital whose life was recently upended by a traumatic car accident. Unfortunately, his wife and daughter did not survive the accident. Now, Scott is struggling to put his life back together without the people that were most important to him, all the while dealing with his own trauma following the incident.

Ezra Navarro Álvarez - they/them

Ezra is a recent widower whose wife passed away after a long battle with cancer, leaving them alone to raise their young son. Unfortunately, their wife's family has started a long, painful, drawn-out custody battle with them, insisting that Ezra is unfit to be a parent. Though Ezra is fighting for their son the best they can, they're starting to lose hope, and they've had no time to grieve their loss on top of everything.

and now,,,,, the actual title,,,,,,, currently the working title for sad people wip is Twelve Stories Club. very dark humor title but this is a dark humor wip

[daydreamerdrew]

Comics read this past week:

Marvel Comics:

Black Widow: Pale Little Spider (2002) #1-3

These issues were published across April 2002 to June 2002, according to the Marvel Wiki. All were written by Greg Rucka, drawn by Igor Kordej, and colored by Chris Chuckry.

This series starred Yelena Belova and, while she’s referenced as Yelena compares herself to her, Natasha Romanoff does not make an appearance in it. Very little has been established about the Red Room at this point so I was surprised by how this story went directly to making what would be sexual undertones to these kinds of female spies very overt. The story is based around Yelena investigating the murder of her mentor and father figure who had trained her since she was 15. That he had been killed at a sex club is really uncomfortable for her and she’s unable to hide her disgust, but she perseveres in maintaining her image of him as a great man. Then she learns that the reason he visited the sex club was to be hurt by and then get to fuck a woman he had pretend to be her. While this recontextualizes some of her memories of him, she still tries really hard to do right by him. I honestly felt bad for her. Her prudish nature is tested as she’s exposed to some very extreme things, all of which repulses her. When asked if she’s a lesbian she says, “I’m not… anything.” The climax of the story is her fighting and ultimately killing without hesitation the woman who was pretending to be her, who had gotten too far into the role and thought that she deserved to be called the Black Widow. This culminates in Yelena accepting that she is the Black Widow when she’d began the story thinking that she wasn’t because she hadn’t quite reached the marks achieved by Natasha. This is signified by her wearing her Black Widow spy outfit, which is tight black leather pants and a crop top, all of the time rather than the bulkier and weather or setting-appropriate clothing she’d been wearing when she wasn’t active as the Black Widow before. This also culminates in her superiors thinking that she’s fit to be considered the Black Widow as it turns out they orchestrated the whole thing as a test. The book ends on the note of them acknowledging that she’d be upset if she ever found out they’d manipulated her, but that it was no matter because they could always make another Black Widow.

I thought that it was interesting that this followed-up Black Widow (2001), which was co-written by Rucka, another story where Yelena fought someone who looked like her. That story had had Natasha kidnap Yelena and have them both undergo plastic surgery to look like each other to teach Yelena a lesson about them both being tools to be used, which Yelena was intensely disturbed by and called a rape and her soul being stolen. Something about the situation that particularly upset her was that Daredevil pretended that they’d had sex together as part of the scheme. Even being kissed by him before the insinuation that they’d had sex was really upsetting. Also, the first and final scenes of that series were Yelena ignoring a call from her mother trying to set her up with a man.

Wolverine: The Origin (2001) #1-6

These issues were published across September 2001 to May 2002, according to the Marvel Wiki. All were plotted by Paul Jenkins, Bill Jemas, and Joe Quesada and scripted by Paul Jenkins. All were penciled by Andy Kubert. There was no inker, instead digital colors by Richard Isanove were applied directly to the penciled artwork.

This was one self-contained story that covered Logan’s adolescence. He gets his claws at the end of issue #2 and becomes a loner at the end of issue #6. I was particularly intrigued by the approach to Logan’s memory and what is instinctive to him. The circumstances that prompted the change in him were traumatic and afterwards he’s not immediately confused, but then he doesn’t recognize a friend he’s known for years. He’s also distracted by his enhanced senses and thinks that what’s happened was only a bad dream. Then he doesn’t like being out in the cold and wants to go back home, not remembering why he can’t. After that point he speaks very little and is described as that he “seems unaware of where we’re going, what’s happening, or even who he is.” Later it’s said: “He seems so distant.. as if he’s trying to understand what’s happened to him, and yet block his memories of it at the same time. Could it be that his mind has been injured as a result of what happened to his poor, dear father? I wonder if his brain is trying to heal in the same extraordinary way his body does.” It’s revealed in issue #6 that he had such a little understanding of what had happened that he thought he was the one who killed his father.

In issue #4 Logan successfully hunts a deer despite not ever having been taught how, describing it as “an urge.” It’s speculated: “You burn with a desire to be someone other than yourself. Is it because of what’s happened to your body, I wonder? Or is it something more.. have you truly forgotten who you once were?” Prior to developing his mutation Logan was a particularly frail and inept child. When Logan changed his mother says, “You are not my son! You’re a monster… an animal!” His grandfather says, “This beast remains connected by blood, much as it pains me to imagine it. But I shun the revolting thing as I would shun a rabid animal.” A character sympathetic to him says that he’s “something more and something less than human.” In issue #5 Logan is depicted hunting a dear with a pack of wolves. He’s said to disappear in the mountains with them for days at a time. There’s a scene of him looking wistfully out a window at the wilderness. This is described as that “he goes to be with his other self” and the conclusion is that “there’s a dreadful creature inside that boy, just waiting to show its face to the world.”

The Incredible Hulk (1968) #258-259

Within the main The Incredible Hulk book I went from January 1981 to February 1981, according to the Marvel Wiki. Both issues were written by Bill Mantlo and penciled by Sal Buscema. Steve Grant assisted with the plot of issue #258.

Colonel Glenn Talbot, who’d gone rogue in issue #257 with a giant robot called the war wagon to try to kill the Hulk despite Congress defunding Gamma Base, got closer to the Hulk but didn’t quite reach him in these issues. And Rick Jones, who’d gone to the Avengers to ask for their help in finding the Hulk, was told no in issue #258 because the Hulk was in Russia and them going after him could cause an international incident, though he was also told that they’d help once the Hulk returned to the U.S. And in issue #259, with the assistance of a disc jockey who was a fan of his music, Rick sent out the message that the Teen Brigade was back in business, though what exactly he wants them to do hasn’t been explained yet.

Iron Man (1968) #82-85

With this batch of Iron Man issues I went from October 1975 to January 1976, according to the Marvel Wiki. Issues #82-83 were written by Len Wein and issues #84-85 were plotted by Len Wein and then scripted by Roger Silfer. Issue #82 was penciled by Herb Trimpe and inked by Jack Abel. Herb Trimpe drew the layouts for issues #83-85 and then Marie Severin inked and finished the art for issue #83, John Tartaglione for issue #84, and Kim Seong Hwan for issue #85.

In issue #82 Tony is meant to cohost a charity party in his apartment for the Iron Man foundation with Iron Man. In order to pull this off he attends as himself and Happy Hogan wears the Iron Man armor.

In issue #85 Tony changes his armor, which he’d previously carried around in an attaché suitcase, so that he only has to wear a form-fitting piece under his clothes that when activated extends to cover his limbs and head. It looks like he still has to take the time to take off his clothes, though.

Timely Publications:

the Captain America stories in Captain America Comics (1941) #1

This issue, which contained 4 Captain America stories, was published in December 1940, according to the publication date reported in the U. S. Copyright Office filing. These stories ranged from 7 to 16 pages.

The first story (written by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby; penciled by Jack Kirby with Joe Simon) was Steve’s origin story as Captain America and begins in an unexciting way with the president introducing demoralized army generals to the head of the F.B.I. who reveals to them that they are in the process of creating the first super-agent to fight against spies in the U.S. army. Nothing is explained about Steve’s past other than that he had volunteered for army service earlier that day but was turned down because of being in “unfit condition.” Bucky becoming his sidekick happens in that very same story when, after a montage establishing Captain America as an accomplished hero, Steve’s regiment’s mascot says that he wished he could meet Captain America and be like him and then that evening walks in on Steve changing into his costume. Steve says that because they’re sharing the secret of Captain America’s identity they’re now partners.

There was also a text story, which was possibly written by Martin Bursten or Joe Simon, that described: “Private Rogers stirred uneasily in his cot. His hand mechanically slid over the bed next to him- he was reassured- his young admirer, Bucky lay there, sound asleep. The soldier turned noiselessly on his cot, smilingly remembering that Bucky was there because a kind hearted Colonel of an indulgent government just could not let such devotion as Bucky’s go unrewarded.”

I enjoyed when Steve and Bucky’s cute interactions emblematic of them being an adult superhero and a kid sidekick. There’s a bit in the third story (written by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby; penciled by Joe Simon with Jack Kirby) when Steve and Bucky had to attend a lecture by an admiral and Bucky complains, “But I want to go out and chase crooks, and…” Steve admonishes him, “Shh-h! The admiral’s coming on now!” Later Steve asks him, regarding going after a crook, “Think you can handle a man’s job… Bucky, m’lad?” Bucky’s response is: “Sure I can- What do you think I am- a baby?” In the fourth story (written by Ed Herron; penciled by Jack Kirby with Joe Simon) Steve uses that it’s Bucky’s bedtime to get away from police officers in order to change into his Captain America uniform, which Bucky goes along with, but after Steve’s changed he says, “On second thought… I better handle this alone! Wait here, Bucky!” Bucky’s response is: “Aww- Gee!” There were also multiple instances of Steve coming in to save Bucky at the last moment from a criminal overpowering him. Bucky’s personality in general is entertaining and made the stories much more appealing than they would have been otherwise. There was another moment in the third story where a criminal had the upper hand on Bucky and he exclaimed, “My kingdom for a beebee gun!”

Fawcett Comics:

the Captain Marvel stories in Captain Marvel Adventures (1941) #54

With this issue, which contained 5 Captain Marvel stories, I finished the classic Captain Marvel appearances in February 1946, according to the issue cover date. These stories ranged from 7 to 12 pages.

The story “Station WHIZ Goes Television” (written by Bill Woolfolk; drawn by C.C. Beck) began with Billy being nervous about being on TV for the first time. He doesn’t get the opportunity to do his screen test, however, because he’s interrupted and has to transform into Captain Marvel right before it and then the director is much more interested in testing Captain Marvel. It’s found that Cap has a great singer voice and he’s made into a “crooning sensation” over the radio. He’s very unhappy with this. At one point Billy walks into a store playing one of Cap’s records and says, “I know what Capt. Marvel would like to do! So I’ll do it for him.. Blaaaattt!” For blowing a raspberry at his music, Billy then gets punched in the face by a Captain Marvel fangirl. Cap complains, “Women leaving their husbands! Girls running away from home! All because of me! That isn’t all! I’ve even received letters from women threatening suicide if I refuse to marry them!” But Sterling Morris tells Cap that if he doesn’t do his upcoming TV appearance, then his fans might wreck the studio in anger. Cap says, “Then I’m ruined! I’ll have to go on being a crooner for the rest of my life! Sometimes I wish I were dead!” Fortunately for Cap a jealous has-been singer sabotages his television performance and Cap has to transform back into Billy who expertly saves the broadcast with an impromptu news report.

[ilianquisition]

slams a $20 on the dash. someone make a Grace, stat. I need Curran to interact with her.

[disturbedbydesign]

The Widow and the Wolf - Chapter 3

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x dark!exWidow!reader

Summary: After Natasha Romanoff took down the Red Room, the former Widows scattered to the wind. Raised to be a killing machine and released into the world with nothing and no one, you decided to use your newfound autonomy to take down the bad guys of your choosing. But now Natasha is riddled with guilt for leaving you on your own. She wants to recruit you, rehabilitate you, make you part of a team again. But the rest of the squad has reservations, and no one is more against you than Bucky Barnes.

Warnings: Graphic violence; Mentions of domestic violence, rape, pedophilia, human trafficking, child sex trafficking; eventual Dubcon (not Bucky); eventual smut; slow(ish) burn enemies-to-lovers. [More warnings will be added as necessary but these are the Big Bads.] 18+ only, no minors.

If you prefer to read on AO3, you can do so here.

Chapter Three

If you had a home, it would be Bucharest, even though you despise the place. It was the first place you went when you got free, because you know he’s here somewhere, conducting his evil machinations from the shadows, shielded by layer after layer of vile men across the globe doing his dirty work. There are plenty of men out there deserving of your particular brand of justice, but no one more so than the Viper. Sometimes you think that, if you can just find him and take him out, you might be able to move on—try to make a normal life for yourself, whatever that looks like. You don’t allow yourself to think about what will happen if you finally achieve your life’s goal and it’s still not enough for you.

You remember everything about the day you learned of the Viper’s existence. You were just 7 years old, one of many little girls packed into a shipping container. You had no idea how long you’d been in there or how long you would be in there. It smelled rancid, and there was never a moment of quiet. Most of the girls were screaming or crying, but a few (like you) were silent, just observing. You don’t know who sold you from your orphanage and shipped you off to Dreykov and you never will. What you do know is that you had no family to miss and no one to miss you, so you didn’t understand what the others were so upset about. From the very beginning, you adjusted to life as a Widow almost effortlessly, which is its own form of tragedy.

Others, though, they were stolen away from people who loved them. This seemed a foreign concept to you when you heard about it from the tiny, sobbing girl huddled next to you in the shipping container—the girl who told you about the Viper, the girl who would become your first and only friend until Dreykov took control of all of your minds. Once you were given the serum, your memories were locked up inside your own heads—none of you could have talked about your past lives even if you’d wanted to. Your words were not your own. You didn’t know what was real and what was planted there. Sometimes you still don’t, and nothing terrifies you more than that.

You have no idea how many little girls the Viper funneled to Dreykov over the years, but it was probably a decent amount. His real bread and butter had always been sex trafficking, and he’s still doing it—on an even larger scale if your intel is correct (which, of course, it is). But he won’t be operating for much longer, not now that you’re so close you can almost taste the venom. You were barely 8 years old when you decided you would kill him, and now you have your chance. You are so close, closer than you’ve ever been, but he keeps slithering out of your grasp. And so you’re in Bucharest, again, looking for answers, again. But you have other business, too—almost as important, if not more so.

You head to the safehouse on the outskirts of the city. The building doesn’t look like much on the outside, but you’ve made sure the inside is comfortable enough for the women and children who live there. The matron greets you at the door and you hand her this month’s envelope, which contains enough cash to feed everyone for the next two months, keep the lights and the water on, and some extra to fix the plumbing issues that have been plaguing the building since you bought it.

The building can house about 40 people comfortably—it’s not nearly enough, and you’re determined to create as many safe spaces as you can, but it’ll do for now. For now, you have to select your charges according to a very strict criteria: they are all women and children (and the children of women) who have been bought and sold by the Viper. Some of them escaped on their own; some of them had assistance from you and the very few people you trust in the city. But all of them have suffered, and all of them have information that you need. Individually, it’s not much, but the more women you talk to, the more pieces of the puzzle you have to work with.

Besides for the cash drop, today you’re here to see the newest resident: Irina, a 19-year-old beauty your Bucharest contacts had managed to snatch from one of the sex clubs. Irina was delivered to the Viper at 12, and her life since then has been an endless nightmare that you can’t think about for too long without feeling physically ill. She’s sitting by the window in the living room, cupping a steaming mug of tea, when you approach her. You walk towards her slowly, and when Irina looks over at you, there is recognition in her eyes even though you’ve never met.

“You’re the Widow,” she says.

“Not anymore,” you reply. “But if that’s what you’d like to call me, go ahead. May I sit?” She gestures to the seat opposite her and you settle in for a chat. “I’d like to ask you some questions, Irina. Is that ok?”

“The others told me you’d be coming.” She speaks softly, her voice hoarse from screaming or crying or both. “I know what you’re trying to do. You’ll never catch him, you know.”

“I disagree,” you say, “but I need more information.”

“Alright,” she agrees, “if you think it will help,” and you begin the gentlest of interrogations.

Irina tells you that for the first several years after she was taken, she hadn’t heard anyone mention the Viper. She thinks that a lot of the girls probably knew about him or came directly from him, but no one would talk about it because it was too dangerous or traumatizing (or both). Things were different at her last club, though. When you ask her how many of the girls at Delirium knew about him, she tells you that several of them had passed through him somewhere along their journey. One of them—one far too young to be working there—even admitted that she’d been with him only two months earlier.

Finally, after all this time, you’ve got a clear line from point A to point B. You feel it in your bones that Delirium holds the answers, that if you can just get in and poke around a bit, you’ll be able to find him. You take Irina’s hands in yours and thank her for her help, and then you hear it: heavy footsteps coming down the hall. No woman or child in the building weighs enough to make a sound like that, and no men are allowed on the premises. You know who it is before you see him.

*****

Bucky watches you enter the building from his position on the roof across the street. His contact had told him that there were whispers of a Widow safehouse at this address, though no one would dare set foot within 10 blocks of the place to find out. Bucky doesn’t believe the rumor, though. He knows you work alone, that you pride yourself on it. He assumes this is just one of many places where your targets meet their ends, and he knows enough about Bucharest to know that there are a lot of men in this city who fit your modus operandi.

Still, something is off. It’s not an empty building. There have been women and children coming and going all morning, and nearly all the apartments seem occupied. Why would you choose to do your dirty work in a place with so much activity, with so many innocents around? That seems not only impractical but beneath even you. He’s lost in these thoughts, checking each window with his binoculars, when he settles on a beautiful young girl staring out the window, looking desperately sad. She turns to look at someone he can’t see, and then he sees you emerge from the shadows and take a seat opposite her.

There’s a softness to your face—a gentle kindness—that knocks the wind out of him. Bucky can’t take his eyes off of you, analyzing your body language and facial expressions to try to figure out what the hell is going on. This is the last thing he expected to see, and he tells himself that this woman must be hiring you for a job—except the woman is nothing but a broken child and doesn’t look like someone who would be taking out a hit on somebody (and certainly not someone who could pay for one).

It’s unnerving, watching you this way, and Bucky is no longer sure that what he’s doing is right. There’s something about your interaction with this girl that makes him feel like a voyeur, witnessing an intimate moment that he should not be seeing but that fascinates him nonetheless. Still, he’s here, you’re his mission—albeit one he took upon himself—and he needs to finish it. By this time, Natasha and Steve are almost certainly on their way, and Bucky needs to get to you before they show up. He went rogue and committed to this plan; now he just has to execute it. He’ll deal with the consequences later.

Bucky makes his way across the street and around the back, where children’s toys litter the small yard of weeds and dirt. When he gets to the back door, he notices that it isn’t the usual ancient rusted lock that one finds on the old buildings in this neighborhood; it’s brand new tech. There’s a pretty decent security camera setup around the building, too.

What the hell is this place?

Bucky has two choices: he can rip the door off the hinges, or he can scale the building and climb in the open window on the top floor. You’re going to be homicidally pissed either way, so he might as well not destroy any property—you may be a monster, but the other tenants here look like civilians, and he doesn’t want to sacrifice their security in his quest to bring you in.

Bucky makes it into the building and weaves his way through the hallways. Along the way, he runs into a few women, and each one of them freezes when they see him. They are shocked and deathly afraid—a look he knows far too well—and they scurry back to their apartments and lock the doors. With his hair cut short, baseball cap pulled down, and leather jacket and glove hiding his prosthetic, it doesn’t seem possible that all of these women would immediately recognize him as the Winter Soldier. That’s what it feels like to him, though, and it’s a gut-punch sensation he does not like at all.

When he gets to the sitting room, the girl you are with has the same look of terror, and for a moment, so do you. But you snap back to yourself quickly—having gone from soft to terrified to hostile within a span of about 15 seconds. Before he can react, you stomp towards him, grab him by the jacket, and hiss, “Not here.”

Bucky hears you speak to the girl in Romanian, “Don’t be afraid, Irina. He’s a friend,” although he knows you think him anything but.

The second you get him into the hallway, you’ve got your knife to his throat. Even with your cold blade nicking his skin, Bucky fights the impulse to disarm you. He doesn’t want to fight you. He knows that he’s intruded on something here, though he doesn’t know what, and he actually feels guilty. He could break you in half if he wanted to, but he lets you pin him to the wall—lets you feel like you’re in control.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” you growl.

“You know why I’m here,” Bucky replies, but he doesn’t know—not really, not anymore. “What is this place?”

“It’s somewhere safe,” you say, “or it was until you showed up. No boys allowed, Soldat. Time to go.”

You catch him off guard when you flip him around and throw him through the nearest door, and before he can regain his balance, you kick him straight through the window and into the yard two storeys below. The fall is nothing to Bucky, and he knows that you know that, but it certainly made a statement. He looks up at the broken window he’d just crashed through and sees you peering out with a satisfied smile on your face.

Bucky calls up to you, “I just want to talk.”

“Bullshit,” you snap.

“I mean it,” he says, and he actually does. “You can pick the place.”

He watches as you consider his offer, weighing your options—you obviously don’t trust him, but it’s clear that the sanctity of this location is important to you. Now that he’s violated it, you can’t just let him wander off. You agree to meet with him that evening—in public, at a club in Old Town.

“Come alone, Soldat,” you call down to him, “and if you tell anyone about this place, I’ll throw you out a higher window.”

Bucky tries to hide his tiny smile but he knows you see it, just like he sees the little quirk of your lip just before you disappear. He hoists himself off the ground and brushes himself off. When he turns to leave, he sees a little girl holding hands with her mother. He has no idea how long they’ve been standing there, but the girl is pointing and giggling at him.

The little girl asks, “What happened to him, mama?”

“The Widow’s bite,” she replies.

*****

“He’s not going to hurt her, Natasha,” Steve says as he prepares the Quinjet for landing.

“She might not give him a choice,” she replies, strapping herself in. “What the hell was he thinking coming here alone?”

“I don’t know,” Steve says. “There’s something about this girl that’s really gotten under his skin.”

Natasha looks at Steve, asking the question with her eyes she wouldn’t dare say aloud, and he picks up what she’s putting out.

“He’s not the Winter Soldier anymore. All of that programming… it’s gone. You know that. He’s just Bucky now.”

Natasha nods in agreement, but a part of her still has questions—not whether the deprogramming worked, she knows that it did, and she trusts Bucky with her life. No, Natasha’s concern is what is going on inside Bucky’s head. He was doing well, he was adjusting, he was finally ok, but the existence of you seems to have triggered something in him that the words never had. The words made him cold and empty and ready to comply, but you—you make him think, and Natasha knows how dangerous it can be to dwell too much on things you’ve left in the past.

When Steve and Natasha arrive at Bucky’s old apartment, it’s empty, but there are small signs of life—the indent of a head on the pillow on the floor in the corner, an apple core just starting to brown. He’s been there, and recently. Natasha and Steve don’t know who he would still have contact with in Bucharest, so they are left with nothing to go on. Bucky knows how to cover his tracks, and he left them just enough crumbs to get them to Bucharest but not enough that they could find him when they got there.

“He wants us to trust him,” Steve says, “to wait for him to bring her back here.”

“I can’t just sit around waiting for something to happen, Steve. I have a really bad feeling about this.”

“So what do you suggest we do?” Steve asks.

Natasha sighs and looks out the window. “I have no idea,” she replies, and that’s when she sees it: a piece of graffiti spraypainted on the wall of a building down the street—a coiled snake ready to strike.

The memory hits Natasha like a freight train. She knows that symbol. She knows what it means. She knows exactly who you’re looking for and it seems absurd to her now that she hadn’t thought of it before.

“Let me make a call,” she says. “I think I know why she’s here.”

[prismartist]

welcome to the green club! we got uhhhhh widows, widowers, an absentee australian, an absentee bastard, a dog, and traumatized gay people. some are several of the above! [id: a digital doodle of (from left to right) ren, cleo, etho, and scott from last life standing in a line against a dark grey background, colored in a pale palette. ren has long fluffy hair and is colored red. cleo has tattered wings on her back and a spider lily in her hair and is colored green. etho has fox ears and a cape with wool lined at the collar and is colored yellow. scott has flowers in his hair and vines covering the rods surrounding his head and is colored teal. ren is turned towards etho. cleo faces left but looks at etho as well. scott stares at etho in front of him. all of them have concerned, sympathetic expressions. etho faces the viewer and looks down at a communicator colored red, distressed. above them, red text reads in quotation marks, "we're lost." /end id.]

[artzychic27]

An akuma with reality powers, The Artist Family and the canon Art kids (maybe the other classmates too) meet each other

Their reaction? Chaos?

Another day, another Akuma for the Malevolent Miraculous team

This one is named Alterna, and they’re a scientist who got Akumatized because their alternate universe theory was rejected

They have the power to open portals to other dimensions

While fighting, Alterna grabbed Black Widower’s whip and used it to ensnare the team before flinging them into a portal

Once they land, they find themselves... In Paris? Only, something feels off, very off...

Since there doesn’t seem to be any danger, they detransform

They look around while getting weird looks from people. (Imagine the ‘Going into town’ scene form the Addams Family 2019 movie)

Nathaniel Artist: Everyone’s dressed so... Conformist. *Sees a magazine with Adrien on the cover* And what happened to Adrien’s new look?

Rose Artist: Is this one of the universes where his dad is a jerk?

Alix Artist scares off a few people by throwing a brick through a few car windows.

Marc Artist: Alix, don’t be rude. Let the others have their turns.

Manon approaches Marinette Artist and asks why she’s wearing dark colors

Marinette Artist: Manon, you know I despise all colors.

A few more minutes of walking, and they see Marinette Dupain-Cheng running to school

Marinette Artist: *Checks her watch* School has begun three minutes ago. She’s not very punctual, is she?

The Artist Family follow her to the alternate DuPont to see what’s going on, then they bump into Mme. Bustier, who was making her way to the teachers lounge.

Mme. Bustier: Marinette? But I just... I saw you, all of you in the classroom. And Marc, shouldn’t you also be in class?

The Artists rush to their respective classrooms and find their alternate sleeves, much to their shock

Nathaniel Kurtzberg: ... What the fuck?!

Nathaniel Artist: I could ask the same about your outfit. Must you insult my eyes with such a color combination?

Chloé: Ha! You just got burned by yourself, tomato head!

Marinette Artist: At least he doesn’t go out looking like a clown gave him a makeover.

Chloé: I’m telling daddy!

Marinette Artist: Yes, let your father get involved with petty teenage drama. That will get him more votes in the upcoming election. Now silence.

Marinette Dupain-Cheng: ... Thank you, me?

They explain what happened, (Leaving out the part about them being superheroes because this universe’s Lila will no doubt run her big mouth to Hawkmoth who they’re sure she’s working for), and the art club is not sure how to react

Alix Kudbel: So we’re basically the Addams Family?

Lila: Oh! You know, my great great grandfather actually inspired Chauncey Addams to create the Addams Family!

While the class eats it up, the art club and Artists just glare at her

Marinette Addams: It’s Charles Addams, idiot.

Lila: Oh, you guys hate me too? *Cue bitch crying*

Juleka Artist: *Waves a skull in front of Lila* Luxor, nexor, burst and burn!

Lila: What’s she doing?

Juleka Artist: Just a curse that will make your pants burst into flames every time you lie.

Lili: *Whining* Why are you all trying to hurt me?! I never lie! *Her pants bursts into flames and she runs out of the school before she’s left in only her underwear*

Alya: *To her Marinette* My sincerest apologies.

Suddenly, screams are heard, followed by Mme. Mendelive and her students running past the classroom. Marc Anciel and Artist walk into the classroom while being trailed by a clutter of spiders

Marc Artist: Well that was quite rude, wouldn’t you say?

Marc Anciel: In their defense, spiders are a little... Horripilante.

Nathaniel Artist just stands there, trying very hard not to kiss the alternate version of his boyfriend and wondering why his alternate self isn’t going kissing his Marc madly with passion

The Artists explain to the Art Club during lunch about their situation and tell them that they’re Miraculous holders in their world, much to Marinette’s shock since she’s never heard of the Malevolent Miraculous

The art club let their alternate selves stay with them until they can figure out a way to get back, but Nathaniel and Marc Artist insist that they stay together

Alix Kudbel and Artist volunteer to let them stay with them. (Cuz they ship ‘em!)

Marinette A is stunned to see her alternate parents, and when they welcome her with open arms since her own parents were always so distant.

Even when she shows her dark nature, they still treat her like family. She tries very hard not to show any emotion

When they’re alone, Tikki and Screech reveal themselves. Tikki explains that there are alternate realities with different Kwamis with similar powers to the Kwamis they’ve alternate versions of. Screech is her alternate self

Marinette A questions why Marinette DC’s Ladybug suit is so skintight and insists that she change her suit which Marinette DC doesn’t mind doing

Marinette A tells Marinette DC about her boyfriend, Damian, confusing DC a bit. What about Adrien?

Marinette A: Adrien wasn’t able to satisfy my needs. Yes, he’s quite attractive, but I needed someone who could keep up with me, worship me, be my love servant and follow me into the underworld.

Marinette DC: ... So who’s this Damian?

Nathaniel K insists that Nathaniel A spend some time away from his Marc so they can talk without them making out every five minutes

Nathaniel A: How is it that you have not gouged out your own eyes?! Your Marc is miles away from you, and you believe you have the right to live?!

Nathaniel K: ... We call each other.

Nathaniel K is starting to regret letting his alternate self live with him since he keeps starting fires! He had to hide all of the matches and anything flammable. And if that’s not bad, Chompp keep chewing on his sketchbooks

Once all of the fire causes were hidden, they bonded over their love for painting and sketching

Nathaniel K: So, your paintings are actually cursed?

Nathaniel A: Very much. One caused the mayor to stumble down the stairs and stay in intensive care.

Nathaniel K: *Thinking of all the ways he could torture Chloé and Lila with his art* ... Teach me.

Marc Anciel is trying not to scream every time one of Marc Artist’s spiders crawl on him, not wanting to seem rude

Marc Anciel: *Shudders* Oh, and that’s a black widow in my hair.

Marc Artist: They’re my favorite. It’s why I chose the name Black Widower.

To release some of the tension, Marc Anciel suggests they read each other’s writing... He will not be sleeping for a while after reading Marc’s Artist’s stories. He asks why his alternate self wrote eulogies for his Nathaniel

Marc Artist: I want others to know of the love we shared together before he’s put to rest. And who better to write my love’s eulogy than the one who knows him best? The one who has loved him, tangoed with him, stabbed his heart.

Marc Andiel ignores the last part and actually considers writing Nathaniel’s eulogy.

Alix K and Alix A are having an awesome time together

Alix A and Duuo throw grenades which Alix K dodges while skating until Alim tells them to do this away from the museum

They outrun the police, prank Kim by putting itching powder in the pool, and watch their Marcs and Nathaniels make out

It’s all fun and well until Alix A meets this universe’ Jalil. Her Jalil sold her out since there was a reward to turn her in, forcing her to run from the authorities and she’s never forgiven him

Jalil K assures her that he’d never do that and reminds her that family always comes first. Alix A is resisting the urge to cry and instead lights a firecracker in his jacket

Juleka A CANNOT stop staring at her alternate self’s Luka. She can actually see his face and body. And he can talk!

Luka: Hey, are Marinette and I a... Thing where you’re from?

Juleka A: She has two hands. Soon to be three when she takes Damian’s in marriage when they’re of age.

Juleka C and A bond over their love for the macabre and witch culture. She even teaches her a few spells to use against Chloé and Lila if she ever shows her face again

They work! Chloé broke out into a terrible rash, and all of Lila’s pants are on fire

Rabbid also may or may not have chewed up the rest of Lila’s clothes, forcing her to spend all of her money on new clothes

Rose A tries to get used to her alternate self’s love of bright colors and Disney movies, but it’s a struggle. So, she exposes her to the darker side of Disney.

Rose L is horrified but also a little excited.

They do a dark Disney marathon and watch all of the movies Disney tried to hide from audiences.

Rose A even changes up Rose L’s look so she looks like a badass punk Princess, which gives Juleka C a slight nosebleed

Rose L is still her bubbly self, but now also has a love for the darker things in life

The Artists stay in this universe for three more days, starting another goth trend in the alternate Paris by giving Adrien a makeover, introducing Marinette to Damian via pen pal program, teaching Nathaniel and Juleka how to curse their enemies, setting Lila’s clothes on fire a couple more times, introducing Marc to a more gothic style of or writing & Rose to a punk style of clothing, and teaching Alix all of the stunts she’s never even thought of doing that involve explosives

They also have a little fun with Nino and help him pursue his dream of traumatizing Gabriel Agreste

This involves chloroform, a coffin, and a walkee talkee. Gabriel is forced to listen to Nino’s voice for 12 whole hours, telling him to be a better dad to Adrien, fire Lila, and to give him $1000 dollars

Gabriel gives Adrien more freedom, fires Lila and burns all of the magazines with her face and name in them, and gives Nino $1000 dollars. Then he passes out

Nino: *Hugging the Artists* I... I love you guys so much. I don’t ever want you to leave. You have made me the happiest man alive!

Then Alterna shows up

Nino: NO! DON’T TAKE THEM! TAKE GABRIEL!

Adrien: Hey!

Nino: I’m just kidding... Not.

The Artists and Marinette transform. The Malevolent Miraculous team are shocked to see Chat Noir but are even more shocked when they immediately recognize him as Adrien

They’re able to defeat the Akuma even though Lila (Who’s being a brat because she got fired) keeps interfering by whining about her broken leg, this time in a skirt. (Loophole) And she keeps trying to snatch their Miraculous whenever she gets close to them

Jaws: *Uses power to make his teeth sharper* Keep crying and I’ll give you a real broken leg. *Lila shuts up and lets them work*

They defeat Alterna, and Ladybug and Nocturna use the Miracle/Malevolent cure to remove all of the portals opened by the Akuma and put people back in their respective dimensions

They start to disappear and head back to their dimension as the Bats and Ladybugs swarm around them

Nino: NO! TAKE ME WITH YOU! *They disappear* DAMNIT!

Alya: You have them. *Points to the Art Club*

Nino: Can they murder Gabriel or frame him for a crime?

Juleka: We can try. There’s six of us, one of him. Nathaniel and I now know how to curse people.

Nino: I’m in!

Alya: And while you go ruin Gabriel’s life, I’m gonna go kill Lila.

Back in the Artist’s Dimension!

Juleka Artist: Are we back? Is this our dimension?

Nino: Oh, thank God you’re back! Gabriel was starting to gain consciousness again and Adrien is becoming suspicious. I think he knows I’m keeping him in my basement.

Marinette Artist: *Sighs* Yep. This is our place.

[squirreljc]

Y’all, it’s time for an unsolicited finale thought™:

CW//Suicide mention

From a character perspective, I truly think Dean wanted to live on for Cas, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. He was trying to change into the person Cas saw when he looked at him, but he couldn’t. We saw an oddly placed plot-device, Dean saw a way out. Yes, I think the way Dean behaved was inaccurate to Dean’s version of depression and his character as a whole, but it’s not inaccurate to that of others.

From a production perspective, I see many attempts in the last few episodes to get our attention. The Impala, Dean’s home and most prized possession, was in this state:

I could be wrong, but I honestly don’t think he has ever allowed the Impala to get this dirty. The only time I can think of to compare is when he smashes up the Impala following John’s death, but that’s more of a fit of rage that he immediately rectifies. In this case, he’s neglecting a central part of his life.

Dean “Clean Freak” Winchester historically only allows his room to get messy when he experiences a depressive episode. Here’s his room in the finale:

Dean has been very insistent on keeping the bunker tidy, as this is their home. Yet, as he is supposedly getting his life together, he allows his room to enter a state of disarray. The only occasions when his room gets messy are following some traumatic event, generally a death.

Sam “Salad” Winchester is not only cooking, but he is making eggs and bacon, a meal that he generally wouldn’t approve of. Sam’s always been the health nut, so why make a comfort food type of meal? Dean’s always the one who makes bad dietary choices, not Sam. In “Advanced Thanatology,” Sam encourages similar poor behaviors in an attempt to console Dean. He gets him a beer, takes him to a strip club, and takes him on a case. This is Sam’s method of helping: distracting him.

Another food related point: on Dean’s season 14 (Damaged Goods, specifically) goodbye tour, he specifically asks Mary to make “Winchester Surprise.” Food/alcohol is pretty clearly established as a coping mechanism for Dean (as is sex in earlier seasons, but that is essentially obsolete at this point), specifically as pointed out by Famine:

When Famine says this, Dean is at a lower point that he is covering up. When he gets into better mental states, he clearly doesn’t tie himself as closely to these coping mechanisms. In the finale, he finally gets his pie. Pie has historically been a harbinger of awful situations in this show (leads to Sam’s kidnapping, Metatron shows up to take Cas, etc). In 15x19, Dean is also clearly getting blackout drunk, which, based on the rest of the show, is quite the feat.

I’m not going to explore the death scene too much, but Dean actively sees the rebar and adjusts his fighting style in a manner that can only end poorly. He switches from low blows to barreling toward a man who is clearly larger than him. He seems unsurprised by the pain,and then refuses any and all help from Sam, despite the 10-ish minute time frame for an ambulance to be called/God-son to be prayed to/spell to be performed.

What I’m saying is, this is just the Widower Arc without the sadness, but also sadder. It is beat for beat the same storyline: Cas’ self-sacrificial death, Cas’ funeral (which is skipped to avoid sad Dean™), Grieving by himself (ignored Sam, but ultimately this goes unaddressed), Drunk Dean/Mess Dean, Consoling Sam, Hatred of Smol Bean Jack, Getting Killed on a normal hunt (in a vision, but I’m still counting it), Allowing himself to die in borderline/straight suicidal manner.

The only plotpoint missing is Cas’ return. I will not be accepting a bs, supposedly unscripted off-screen return. Until I see the gay angel, he is dead. It’s that simple.

The set and costume designers clearly went ham on making this episode well-thought-out. The only explanation I can come up with is signaling that this wasn’t what they wanted. Giving Dean signs of depression but not visibly grieving indicates they were told to write and follow a script with Happy Brothers, but they showed us that wasn’t the case. The Chekhov’s rebar indicates a discontentment with the manner of Dean’s death. Sam’s old man clothes/hair aren’t good. Either Jared’s wardrobe department gave up, or they chose to make it awful on purpose.

The cast and crew clearly care about their work, so the literal only explanation is they all decided to listen to the network but indicate that a different story was intended.

tl;dr: The Supernatural ending was fucked on purpose as an act of defiance from the cast and crew.