#we got some good things out of it specifically mai's aunt and a little more time with her mom

[swan2swan]

Remembering how the comics even ruined the Earth King's character... the feats in that were staggering

[introvertedelf]

The Daughter of Iron-Tony Stark x Daughter!reader Story

This story is on my Wattpad (IntrovertedElf) but I’m posting here too!

Tony Stark-Genius, Billionare, Playboy, Philanthropist.

But about the 'playboy' part-Tony had a one night stand 20 years ago. Ok, he had a lot of one night stands 20 years ago. But one of them resulted in a daughter. And he never knew about her, until now.

TW: This story contains heavy and mature themes such as: sexual content, rape, torture, parental death (the OC's mom), and probably more. But it WILL have a happy ending.

Chapter 1

It was your second year of Uni. You were the bright age of 20, felt like you had the world in your hands.

You were studying science—chemistry to be specific. You always loved the subject, so you figured that would be a good way to go.

You were brilliant, truly. Your mom used to tell you that all the time, but you would always just shake your head. Since your mom died from cancer, nothing was the same. Everything reminded you of her. It had only been a year. It took everything in you to even be able to muster up the strength to enroll in a university.

You sat down in class, looking beside you at your best friend: Peter Parker. He was all you had left. Your dad who you never even met before apparently didn't give a shit about you, and you never had any other lasting friends besides Peter. You didn't even know your father's name. Your mom had just said it was a mistake, though she was grateful to have you.

He nudged your shoulder, and you came back to Earth.

"Y/N, you good? You're doing that zoning out thing again," he said, chuckling at you.

"Yeah, I'm good," you lied. Peter never bought your lies, and he quirked a brow at you. "Ok ok, I just have a lot on my mind, I guess," you shrugged.

He let out a sigh. "Y/N, you need to get out more. When you're not in class you're just cooped up in the dorm. I'm worried about you..." he said with concern knitted in his brow. You hated that look of pity. But Peter understood what it was like to lose your parents. To grow up without them. But at least he had aunt May still.

"Pete, I'm—" you were about to say you're 'good' again, but you caught yourself. "Fine. What do you want from me?"

He grinned at you mischievously. "Since I just started the internship at the Avengers tower, you should come. I can totally get you in."

You didn't know about him being spider man yet. So the internship seemed purely academic to you. "What? Peter, I can't ask that of you...besides. I doubt Stark wants his annoying little intern's best friend around to annoy him too," you huffed.

"Y/N, pleaseeeee, just come with me tonight. Mr. Stark won't mind. Plus, he has Dr. Banner there now, and he could use a hand. One of his specialties is chemistry, too." When you didn't reply, he started begging again. "Pleaseeee—"

"Okay! Fine. I'll go with you. But you have to call Mr. Stark beforehand so it's not awkward. I don't want to just show up uninvited..."

He smirked at you. "Deal."

***

You paced around your dorm room, waiting for Peter to get off the phone with Mr. Stark.

"Thank you Mr. Stark! Trust me, she's brilliant, you won't regret—ok, sorry, see you soon!" He hung up, looking at me excitedly. "Guess what??"

You perked up, though you had a lump in your stomach. What if you weren't good enough? What if he told Peter not to bring you back?

"He said you can come! He said Bruce is working on some chemistry shit and needs help. We have to leave soon, you ready?"

I nodded, getting my crossbody bag and stuffing an extra notebook and pens in there just in case.

We got on the bus, arriving at the tower soon. "Oh and I forgot, you'll get to meet the Avengers", Peter said excitedly. Your jaw dropped. You never thought—omg. Peter knew how much of a crush you had on several of them. Specifically Bucky and Cap. "Try not to drool everywhere, m'kay?" Peter teased you.

You elbowed him in the ribs. "Shut up. I swear if you say anything!"

You got off the bus, heading into the tower. You followed Pete as he ushered you into the elevator, when an arm stopped it from closing and came in with you. A rather large arm, you should say.

Before your eyes was Steve Rogers. You felt your body tense up, looking at the behemoth of a man before you.

"Hey Peter," he said, patting him on the shoulder as he looked at you.

"Oh Cap this is Y/N, she's going to be interning with me for Dr. Banner," he smiled.

Steve looked down at you, and you felt very short. "Hi Y/N, Pete here talks about you all the time, nice to put a face to the name," he said, looking you up and down with a wide smile. He put his hand out, and you shook it, squeezing it like you were taught. Firm handshakes said a lot about a person. "Quite the grip you've got there, gorgeous," he said with a wink, disappearing out of the elevator as you got to the floor.

You stood there practically hyperventilating as Peter laughed at you silently. "Somebody has a crusshhhh, somebody has a—ow!" You flicked him in the nose. "Come on, the lab is this way."

You followed him, still thinking about the fact that Steve Rogers called you gorgeous. When you got to the lab, you practically melted. It was *huge*, and everything was up to date and sparkling.

You saw Mr. Stark and Dr. Banner in a corner talking, and you and Peter approached them.

"Mr. Stark, Dr. Banner," Peter started. "This is Y/N."

They both turned to look at you. Bruce smiled and shook your hand, while Tony just stared at you. Finally he put his hand out for you to shake.

"Y/N. Peter never shuts up about you. I hope you're all he led you on to be. You'll be with Bruce today working on some chemical equations," he said, his eyes strangely familiar to you. You couldn't explain it. I mean, you saw him on TV a lot, maybe that was it.

You swallowed. "Thank you so much for this opportunity, it means more to me than you know," you said.

Tony nodded at you, leading Peter off somewhere and leaving you with Bruce.

"Alright miss Y/N, I've got some equations here that need solving. Let's see what you can do," he smiled softly.

You took out your pen and solved them in no time, and apparently way faster than Bruce would have thought because he seemed shocked when you told him you were done.

He looked the paper over, checking it. "Alright then. That was clearly way too easy for you. Looks like we've got a new intern," he smiled, shaking your hand again.

The rest of that day you didn't see Tony or Peter again, and you helped Bruce with whatever he needed. When the sun set, Bruce said he was ready to call it for the day. He led you out to the common area, and you sat on the couch until you fell asleep.

Finally, Peter walked in with Stark, and chuckled. "Looks like Dr. Banner tired her out," Peter said, his arms crossed.

"Looks like it. I want both of you here every day after school, deal?" Tony said, patting Peter on the back.

"Deal," he tried to contain his excitement. Tony walked off and Peter nudged you awake before you went off and took the bus back to your dorms.

***

Authors note:

hiiii I hope yall enjoyed the first chapter. It was just like a 'setting up the story' chapter. I'm publishing these as I go to get motivation to keep going from my readers 😭

[jackfrombaskinrobbins]

adopting a pet with the avengers!

type of writing: headcanons / scenario

word count: 911

request: yes / no

original request: hello good fellow. can you do a headcanon set on adopting a pet with the avengers? thanks

dynamic: avengers x teen!reader (teenage avenger series)

characters: mainly tony stark, scott lang, reader, peter parker, harley keener, miles morales, and bruce banner!

a/n: bucky + alpine = fave duo ever. OK maybe natasha & liho too. and clint and lucky. there are so many good pets already in marvel (usually just comics tho smh) so i had some stuff to go off of. THANK YOU FOR THIS REQUEST i loved writing it <3

taglist: @nutellani @thecloudedmind

(fill out this form to be on my taglist!)

-----------------------✰----------------------

you had been BEGGING tony to let you get another pet

bc a few of them already lived at the tower

lucky, liho, and alpine

but you wanted a dog.

not just any dog

specifically a puppy 

and miles, peter & harley were on ur side

especially harley bc he rly wanted a dog

so one day when tony got rly tired of y’all asking him, he came up with an idea

“tell you what. how about you kids make a petition. if you can get a decent amount of signatures, i’ll consider getting you a puppy.”

and that was good with u!!

i mean u were all taking government class at midtown so this was gonna be easy

the first person you went to was scott

bc he’s scott, he wasn’t gonna have an issue with a puppy right

right?????

but when you asked him, he seemed kind of sad for some reason.

and when you asked him why?

“well, it’s just… i don’t want my ants to feel left out.”

“scott, i don’t think they would feel left out. you love those things more than anything!”

“yeah.. you’re right. ant-onio banderas won’t be mad right? or ant-ibacterial? oh, hopefully if they’re mad, it won’t be permen-ANT!!!”

you got the signature and left asap because once scott says one pun he takes like hours to figure out another

love him though

so next you went to clint

and he was more than happy to sign!!

bc ofc lucky would love a little friend

and natasha was there too

she was a little more hesitant bc liho is rly sweet but kinda skittish

but you convinced her because you told her how cute it would be if they loved each other & like you could get the cute stock photos of a dog & a cat together or something

thor was totally on board

because he’s thor ofc

and thor loves puppies

“y/n, this is so exciting! i remember when i got my first pet!! well, it turned out to be loki in disguise. it was still very exciting, though!!”

oh btw miles and peter signed 

they were ur first signatures!!!!!!

next up was sam, bucky, and steve

and you and harley decided you needed a little extra push to convince them

so you made a powerpoint presentation. 

and it was awesome

like you may have used every single available transition

twice

maybe three times each

like i said it was awesome

maybe a little excessive

but awesome!!!

steve kept making you go back a slide because he was taking notes

TAKING NOTES

what a nerd, am i right???

jk we love steve rogers in this house

anyways then they deliberated

and they made you and harley go stand outside the room

it literally felt like shark tank you guys

well not the standing outside while they decide but still

but they signed it yippee!!!!

bruce and wanda signed quickly too

especially bruce was really excited

i feel like he would totally be a dog person 

like he prob had a puppy when he was young that he really loved

you even went over to the sanctum sanctorum to get stephen and wong to sign it!!!

and they did!!!

well wong did

and then he forged strange’s signature for you

wong supremacy fr

you were on a roll

you got aunt may to sign it. you got phil coulson to sign it (pretend he’s alive oml sry yall) you got maria hill to sign it.

hell, nick fury even signed it!!!!

so you took it back to tony

and he was like 

“woah this is a lot more than i expected”

AND SO HE TOOK YOU TO GET A PUPPY!!

and y’all

you and peter, harley, and miles found the cutest one

a little german shepard 

w like the floppy ears & stuff?

oml he was so cute

tony kept saying his named was tony jr

but you told him no

but he kept saying it

ok, live in ur fantasy world ig stark!!!!

jk love him

anyways you named him max!!!

bc yes!!!!

and you took him back to the tower

thor was really excited and max like totally loved him from the start fr

any time he liked ripped up the furniture or smth thor would just hold him with one hand and take him around

but he was happy so he was like wagging his tail and stuff

sam and bucky looked like they didn’t like the dog at first

but then alpine was like obsessed with it and so bucky had to like him

and max kept sitting on sam and licking him

and he was like “omg stop”

but he was laughing so you knew you were good

tony and bruce even built a little spot for max in the lab

and a bunch of like cool toys for him

max was the perfect dog for y’all bc like he loved everyone and everyone loved him

every night he slept in a new room & he loved to play 

he ran with y’all too when you had to run so it was way more fun

suddenly dr strange was over at the tower a lot more…

he’s such a softie

and scott loved him too they were best friends

tony was just proud of himself for “teaching you to be good citizens”

HAHAHA

dw y’all he loved the dog too

just trust that max is the most spoiled dog EVER!!

-----------------------✰----------------------

[gaybananabread]

okey okey since we got tadashi can we also se Hiroshima headcanons

omg i would love to see them especially made by you

have a grate day/ night

🫶🫶🫶

💻⚡️Hiro Hamada Tkl Headcanons🕹🤖

~AN: Awww thank you! I’m gonna assume that auto-correct happened and you meant Hiro. I've been rewatching the series, and a lot of people point out his age and size. Poor boy looks so uncomfy when they do! Incorportaeted that a bit cuz I can- These reqs are so fun to do! I get to ramble without all the stress of a fic! ( ˶ˆ꒳ˆ˵ ) Anyhow, thank you for requesting!~

General:

Hiro feels like he’s looked down on by others for his age/younger appearance.

For that reason, he strayed away from tickling in public and around his friends.

Fortunately for his mental health, he’s got a whole gang of buddies who helped him work through that backwards thinking (see lee section). 

Baymax may or may not have downloaded a new program specifically for tickle cheer-ups/therapy. Definitely not prompted by said friends…

Slowly, they got through to him. Turns out, once he got past the anxieties and irrational embarrassment, it’s actually kinda fun for him. Only with certain people, though, for both giving and receiving.

He gives lee vibes, so maybe a lee-leaning switch? Ler moods happen too, but they take time.

Lee:

At first, it took major getting used to. It was normally okay with Tadashi; he always meant well, and Hiro trusted him more than anyone. 

After he was gone, the boy really only trusted Aunt Cass. Even then, only light pokes or quick squeezes were allowed before he started thinking too much.

Once his friends helped him move past all the bad thoughts, he was much more open to the touch around them. In moderation, of course, but it was a start.

His worst spots are his knees and ribs. Surprisingly enough, he melts into bubbly, airy giggles when they go for his belly.

Super squeaky, bright giggles in general. When he really gets going, his laugh is loud and pitchy, full of little squeals and voice cracks. So, in other words, incredibly adorable-

His favorite lers are Honey Lemon, Wasabi, Go-Go, and of course Baymax. He’s obviously comfortable with Cass tickling him, but it’s sort of like being really vulnerable around your parents. Great sometimes, but not always the ideal situation.

Honey is just really sweet in general, always asking if he’s comfortable or in need of a break. Super nice about everything, and only goes as far as he asks. It can be really flustering, but he knows she means well. She smiles nearly as much as he does; it’s refreshing.

Wasabi is normally super selective about his touch, but if he’s in the right mood, he’ll tease Hiro all day. Typically super gentle; tickle hugs are generously given. Super methodical, makes little notes, out loud, about his spots and reactions.

Go-Go doesn’t tickle him often, but when she does…eugh boi. If it’s a really good day, and he’s in a massive lee mood, he’ll go to her for help. She’s a lot rougher than the others, unless he asks her not to be. Goes for his ribs almost immediately. She’ll never admit it, but she likes hearing his awkward laugh.

Baymax will tickle Hiro with some of the ~special features~ Tadashi installed. He can extend small little quill-tip like objects from his fingers. He's very gentle, only tickling Hiro lightly to cheer him up and get him used to feeling confident in his likes again. If needed/requested, though, he can definitely get full-on belly laughter from him.

He’s definitely a squirmer, no matter who’s getting him. Wiggles around and flails like a fish on a hook.

Ler:

Once he realizes most of his friends love the touch, Hiro starts getting ler moods.. 

The only one he ever really tickles is Honey Lemon. She gets lee moods pretty often, and will drop subtle hints to see if Hiro’s in the right mood.

He’s kinda shy until he gets in the groove of things. After that, he gets all snarky and smug; it’s all in the name of fun, though.

“This spot must be pretty bad if you’re laughing that hard~” “I’m barely touching you!” “Wow, that looks like it really tickles. Think I’ll stay here a while~”

All that confidence immediately dies when they ask for more or compliment him. He absolutely cannot handle what he dishes out.

Will blush as bright as the sun at a simple tease from his lee. We all know how Honey loves complimenting people. A few simple, sweet praises through her giggles, and he’s redder than she is!

She absolutely lets him tickle her.

While he would try, we all know the stringbean wouldn’t be able to actually pin any of his friends without help from his suit. He’s gotten stronger from hero work, but so have they.

The others don’t really ask him much, except for maybe Fred every blue moon. He’d normally bug Go-Go, but Hiro’s his backup if she isn’t available. 

I’d say he’s in between a rough and soft ler. Likes to poke and gently scribble, but he can and will dig in if the situation calls for it (or if he just feels like being a meanie). 

[iminyourwallsbabe]

That's just a theory, a JACKSON'S DIARY THEORY

yeah if you haven't guessed by the title, I have a THEORY (there will be spoilers for like... all of it)

Okay so yk how the contents of Jackson's diary have an affect on real life and people are split on whether or not Exer's feelings for David are real or not because of that? I have come to answer that question.

Okay so the diary entry that is credited to Dexer becoming a thing is an entry about Jackson kissing Pamela and how he felt when it happened. Taken out of context, it isn't remotely specific enough to suggest that when it manifests in Exer's life it would have to happen with a male or female, it could literally have been anyone. And even if it did have more specifics, there's no guarantee they would've held any weight.

This is a trend we see often in regards to the diary. Yes, he may have written down or drawn an event but that doesn't mean it'll play out exactly the way he wrote it. For example, the empanada entry. Exer still got empanadas, but not from his aunt like the diary entry says.

I think another layer of it is also that Jackson's feelings and Exer's magic are deeply connected and the diary only makes that bond stronger. Think about the first season. Jackson was really nervous and stressed along with other things and it only got worse as time progressed. As those feelings got more intense and overwhelming, Exer began to lose control of his magic. This is no coincidence, because we see it again as Jackson works to get his mental health back in a good place. As he recovers, Exer's magic gets a little more manageable too. They don't make these progressions at the same speed, but they're happening at the same time which is what's important here. I say all this to say that Exer's feelings for David are 100% genuine and probably go back further than the story let's on because they're tied to Jackson's feelings towards Pamela.

Unfortunately, this most likely means that if for some reason, Jackson and Pamela were to split, David and Exer might as well. This all depends on how the diary interprets his entry about it, if he even writes one, and how strong his feelings are. Either way, Exer's feelings, magic, and love life are all heavily dependent on Jackson. Who is on the receiving end of any of this, however, is not something Jackson can control.

[pixeldotgamer]

✨All My WIP Projects✨

Since the results of that Twitter poll I did show people REALLY wanna know what I'm working on, I figured I'd just announce/summarize most of the things I have in development right now!

This will be pretty long so it's getting tucked under a read more!

Don't Tell My Wife / DTMW (Game, Horror VN) Status: Active Development

DTMW is my entry for SuNoFes2024 on Itchio! Folks may actually recognize this one as I streamed some concept art a while back, and even posted some as well!

This game focuses on a Husband and Wife in the woods. Specifically, the Husband and something he's been trying to plan for a while. Now there's only one week left and his Wife has taken notice.

"You have one week to get your plans sorted. You thought you had more time than this. Don't let her find out."

---

Treacherous Flesh (Game, RPGMaker Horror) Status: Research & Writing

TF follows the story of Ila, a woman who contracts a deadly illness and must wait 8 months for treatment. The game follows her over that time as her symptoms worsen, and her body turns against her.

Like many of my projects, TF pulls from a personal feeling. This game is an outlet for my own ongoing health problems. I started working on this game after being told I had to wait 8 months for an ultrasound I need for diagnosis. It's month 4 of 8 now.

Probably the most outright depressing thing I'm working on, this game actually means a lot to me. This is an outlet, but I'm also hoping it resonates with people who may be going through what I am.

---

Dead Girl's Club (Game, VN) Status: Research & Writing

DGC follows a girl from a religious cult town tracking down the male "murderers" of girls from said town. The game is a very blatant look at the transmasc experience tackling themes of family, community, passing, more.

---

Computer Angel (Game, Point & Click/Interactive Fiction, Horror) Status: Concept Development

Computer Angel comes from my own fascination with the concept of "angels speaking to you through your screens" and such, whether for horror or comfort.

In CA, your aunt has just passed away suddenly and you end up with her computer. As you investigate the machine to use for yourself, you realize there's something in the computer. Something that would very much like to make your acquaintance.

With 3 narrative paths depending on your choices, I want CA to be a spooky and surreal little game! While the concept has been fleshed out, this one is on the back burner until I dedicate myself to learning GameMaker which is the engine I want to use.

---

Pop-Rock & Curly (Game, Point & Click) Status: Research & Writing

A brainchild of mine from 2019, where I said to myself "What if I made a detective/robber OCs but they're lesbians?" and then PR & C just. existed in my brain?

After just having them rattling around in my brain but never drawing them more than once, I decided to adapt them into a game! I've always had a love of P&C games, so it only makes sense I take a stab at one (Art from 2019)

The game follows detective Pop-Rock, who is personally requested by Curly to help as she rats out her no good boyfriend who has stolen a big flashy item. Using this as a chance to improve her reputation, PR ventures into the cities criminal underworld.

---

Juno Law (Game, VN) Status: Pre-Dev Done, Art Concepts Started

Juno is what I'd call my first "modern" game idea, the first game idea I can pinpoint where looking at it I could go "Wait this could actually be a game!" Basically a "what if I made an PWAA game" type deal

We got lawyers, punny names, gimmicky designs, and more! While not what I would call a fangame, Juno is meant to be my love letter to Ace Attorney that I started cooking up after playing the main 6 games. I actually was pursuing this as my first game!

Juno is a LARGE game. The biggest of anything even on this list in scale. Because of that, I've had it on the back burner since I finished the full game notes back a few years ago. The game is completely outlined! All characters, trials, plot lines, all of it!

I'm really passionate about Juno, but I knew I had to be honest with myself; This is just too much for my first game! My weakest skill, in my opinion, is my writing. So, starting out with massive narrative VN? Maybe not, haha. Someday though, I want to make it.

---

7. Cleopocha (Game, ???) Status: Concept Development

Cleopocha is about an android idol named Chapel, who starts dreaming of their past personas. It's a game largely about identity and asking what do we own those who came before us, especially when we don't remember them?

My current sticking point with Cleopocha is actually genre! The story I want to tell needs breathing room in a way a VN can't provide, but I'm unsure if an RPGMaker type game is quite right. What should the gameplay even be? Those kinda questions 🤔

---

A2amB (Podcast, Liminal Space Horror) Status: Research & Writing

I've had this fascination with doing some kind of story based podcast as far back as 2019, where the title A2amB comes from! The name is a placeholder from the idea I had way back then. (Art from 2019)

The story now is WAY different than the first concept. Salvaging characters and concepts from a MOTW campaign I was running, the podcast is now about a liminal space mall and the people stuck within it. (Art from Aug 2023)

Casey Day, local computer repairmen and burnout, gets dragged into the liminal mall and is stuck fumbling around trying to get out again. Besides twisting halls, a mannequin cult, and unpleasant personalities - Casey will also be haunted by his own issues.

I've been on a steady dev pace with A2amB, but I'm still figuring out what I want from the story, as well as how I want to deliver it. So currently I'm just locking down the pacing and themes in a way I find satisfying. I'll probably have to trim a lot of ideas..

---

And there's the bulk of what I'm working on! I need to refine my pitch process a bit, but I honestly just love gabbing about ideas!! I have no set release dates for these projects, they'll happen when they happen! (๑•̀ㅂ•́)و✧

[flesh-into--gear]

@rozecrest this was just easier but im so glad you liked it!

honestly you can't go wrong with any of his albums.

Purgatory is hilariously strong from start to finish and has these tracks which i love (i love the whole album but, in order)

I Swear (To God)

Feathered Indians

Tattoos

Purgatory

Universal Sound

Lady May

Live at Red Barn Radio I & II in absolute entirety tbh but the usual standouts are here

Shake the Frost

Deadman's Curve

Charleston Girl

Rock Salt and Nails

Follow You To Virgie (oof, about his mom, its a hard listen some days but FUCK its good.)

Bottles and Bibles

Country Squire was a mild style change-up, a little more honky-tonk. it's got some great tracks on it but it was also a mild writing departure for him as well, focusing a little more on country tropes and a LOT more tongue in cheek (the song Ever Lovin' Hand is a masturbation joke wrapped in a song about missing the person you love a lot). probably his weakest album? but:

Creeker

House Fire

Peace of Mind

All Your'n

Long Violent History is a kinda cool album, it's all instrumentals, old school holler jams and stuff. kinda hard to get into unless you're from that kinda thing i would assume? just reminds me of when i was a kid at thanksgiving and christmas back when we still spoke to my dad's side, and he and my uncles and one of my aunts would all get together and jam on some old gospel and bluegrass tunes. everybody brought instruments.... ah well. but i digress. you can take me out of the country but ill always be a big tomboy butch who gets a little too excited around jacked up trucks of a specific set of years, or the smell of gas and oil in the morning.

Can I Take My Hounds To Heaven i admittedly completely checked out on because i was deep in covid depression throes so i can't and won't comment because it won't be an accurate representation so.

Rustin' In The Rain I still haven't taken time to fully check out, as im working through a music backlog, but.

In Your Love is an incredible song and go watch the video because it cut me deep as fuck. i know a lot of people still stuck in those mines and i have friends with family members dying today because of coal companies. and im a trans woman from backwoods VA with all my roots in Appalachia from both sides (we had a handful of bootleggers in the family, explains a lot tbh). song hit me hard, in a good way.

anyway! im sorry! thank you for listening to me ramble about an artist i really enjoy! one of these days i should really just start a podcast called "Nobody Asked" and it's just me screaming into a microphone about stuff like this!

like dave matthews! like yeah i get it "ha ha dad rock" but come on!

Live at Radio City with Tim Reynolds is a fucking MONSTER album! and dave is a good guy! or at minimum is actually worthy of supporting because the dude has been doing activist things quietly and loudly for longer than ive been alive! and their music spans so many genres!

Eh Hee

Bartender

Still Water / Don't Drink The Water (back to back! they must be listened to together! please listen to this and Bartender off Live at Radio City)

#41

Two Step

Satellite

Some Devil

Grace Is Gone

and thats not even touching a fraction of this man's catalogue, he's been making music for forty something years

ahain im sorry i just really really love music and GAH theres so many artists from my chilhood and teen years and stuff that get so undeservedly swept under a rug because... i really don't know why. i feel like a lot of artists immediately get written off because of styles or genres or whatever and thats just so unfair and upsets ke geeatly.

that's not directed at you whatsoever rozecrest to be clear lmao sorry it may have come off that way

also anyone who has an interest in bluegrass/gospel go listen to The Seldom Scene's "Old Train" and "Live at the Cellar Door" in their entirety

[sootyships]

Since both of you mentioned how I project my cultural identity, I wanted to talk about it, bc I believe that it's beneficial to foster a cultural identity... But it's not always easy. So I wanted to share some advice!

1. It may be necessary to wake yourself up to your culture.

If it's your everyday, and you have little interaction with anyone who views it as anything other than everyday, one easily ends up taking their culture for granted, becoming almost numb to it. Interacting with people from different cultures, asking them "hey, do you do this thing we do?", and finding content about your culture by immigrants are good ways to shake yourself awake!

2. National culture, good? Bad? *vague hand gesture*?

There are things that most Finns have in common—certainly Finnish tumblrites!—but I'll always prioritise the culture of a smaller local population and a landscape over that of the nation-state. National culture is by necessity homogeneous (to foster a sense of national identity), and while regional cultures are encompassed by "culture of the nation-state", they're not the national culture! National culture tends to have a core—in Finland, the southern shores, aka Uusimaa and historically the Turku region, have the greatest influence on the culture, being where the capital is/was—and regional cultures further from the core tend to be more distinct, which also leaves the people local to those regions with a stronger regional identity. Meanwhile, regions closer to the core may go through a loss of an active regional sense of identity; in Finland, my home region of Tavastia is adjacent to both Uusimaa and the Turku region, and people tend to have a much weaker identification of themselves as Tavastians as compared to Ostrobothnians or the residents of Kainuu or Finnish Karelia (the Karelia thing is complex, in short there's ppl who identify as Karelians as a national/ethnic identity and those who identify as Finns + Karelian as a regional identity) or non-Sami Laplanders.

If you're from one of those regions that have lost some sense of regional identity, it may be necessary to do more shaking yourself awake to notice what is regional. In my case, it's mostly the foods that my family, in particular one of my paternal aunts makes for holidays, that I found out were specifically associated with this region. Iirc there's a type of netted bag associated with Tavastia as well. There's also bobbin lace from my municipality of birth! (My gma made bobbin lace.) Many municipalities in Finland also have mitten patterns associated with them, and both many municipalities and most regions have their own men's and/or women's national dress designs. Ideally the designs are based on museum pieces originating from the region, but humorously my birth city's dress is both beloved by many and confusing, as it apparently has at least some features that are not present in local museum pieces. 🤔

Also, since moving to Ostrobothnia, I found out that certain turns of phrase that I use were unfamiliar to the Ostrobothnians. 😂 "Jurmu, what the fuck is that?" (And nowadays I definitely use some Ostrobothnian and Kainuu turns of phrase, which in turn are odd to the ear of other Tavastians.)

3. Well, the above actually got into it, but research&recognition.

Someone at some point has probably studied regional differences and jotted down what things are associated with what region. I don't necessarily think it's valuable to look at these lists with a mind of "I will incorporate these things into my life!", I rather prefer their use as reference for recognizing what things already in your life are culturally informed.

4. Ancestors?

I'm a huge proponent of people doing genealogical research. Look, even if your living family fucking sucks, once you get into the dead and buried ancestors, it's just... Interesting. IMO. I know it's not accessible for everyone, there's family you don't speak with and there's unknown fathers and lost or destroyed records and whatnot, but if you can, I'd recommend looking into it. I can give some pointers that are likely to be applicable in multiple countries... *smacks your hand* Hands off those atDNA kits! They're a last resort or a supplement, most people who use them are fucking useless when it comes to the actual genealogy aspect, and the percentages just mean you share some DNA markers with the current population of some region, and that's essentially meaningless culture-wise.

(Granted, the long dead and buried ancestors do tend to also be essentially meaningless culture-wise, as only those who can influence you can pass on culture. But y'know, my mom still knows tell about my great-great grandma, and some vague legends even further back that I've been able to find possible confirmation for. It can still help foster a sense of continuity and connection, so I still think it's a good practice.)

5. Community!

It's not just your family who pass on culture, though! Everybody in your life can. That family friend, that neighbour's granny who babysat you, the traditions they gave you are yours. If you have an inkling of a cultural identity but your family is super assimilated, seek out a community to help you reconnect. Culture is found in people, not blood.

6. Spite.

Partially, I do all of this out of spite. In terms of the state, there's much to improve, and yet it feels we're sliding downhill. Still, due to being queer and trans, I'll rather remain a Finnish citizen than become a Russian one any day of the week... And that is the extent of my nationalism. But I don't accept racist, queerphobic Persu-types claiming cultural pride as theirs; certainly not, when they barely show their faces anywhere relating to loving Finnish culture! One of the prevalent Persus even called culture a luxury! This is mine, and you are posers.

7. Love.

But I also do it out of love. I love the landscape I grew up in, the language (you have to go out of your way to misgender someone!), the idiosyncrasies my people share. I love that these forests could feed me if I knew them better, but even with what little I know, I can get the occasional snack thanks to the right to roam. I love the recipes my mom used as I grew up; the ones I learned and made mine. I love our holiday traditions and our feast foods. I love my FUCKING AMAZING traditionalish boots. I'm even proud of the little positive accomplishments of my state, my fellow countrymen who have been part of changing the landscape of technology, and that one soldier who pumped himself full of Pervitin and skied 200km, ate a bird raw and went on to live to 70. 😂

And I wish everyone could have something like that! It doesn't need to include the nation-state—sometimes there is nothing to love. Really, no part of this is mandatory. 🤔 But I see people bemoaning their lack of culture and envying those who live theirs, and it makes me want to shake them. YOU HAVE CULTURE! ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS LIVE IT!

[hermesserpent-stuff]

i wrote a one shot for the mysterio's apprentice au

might cross post onto ao3 laters

also got a lot more ideas for this in my brains now!!

Peter rubs his glasses on his shirt, trying to get the rainwater off. He huffs as he puts his glasses back on and tugs his rain jacket back down over his shirt. He looks up at the roof of the bus shelter. Rain pings off of it in a steady rhythm, accompanied by the swooshing of cars through puddles. He supposes it is not too terrible that his headphones were broken today. Stupid Flash. He huffs again, rubbing at a bruising arm before pulling out a notebook.

In better news, he had found a smashed game console in the trash. Most of the internal hardware is still usable. So that is nice! He doodles a few ideas of what to do with these components. He tilts his head as he doodles and writes, losing himself a little. He hears someone else enter the bus shelter but keeps to himself. He only looks up when he notices that the other person has gotten closer. He looks up.

It is an adult, well-dressed, with eyes firmly on Peter’s sketches. Peter grips the notebook, nervous. The man blinks and flushes.

“Oh! Sorry. Terribly rude to me. But I find your design fascinating.”

“Really?”

Peter finds so few people that are interested in his technical work. His aunt and uncle try, but they do not understand. 

“Yeah, I think that you are definitely going to have a really interesting way to open a drawer. But have you considered making it remote-controlled, just for the heck of it, using these sensor bits?”

“How… How would you do that?”

The man plops down on the bench beside him with a dramatic hair swish. Peter hesitantly hands over his notebook and pencil and the man carefully writes a few things down as Peter leans in to watch. 

“Oh! But what about?”

  They fall into deep conversation and Peter eventually flips to the other designs that he has drawn over the past few weeks. It feels really nice to have someone ooh and ahh over his designs. Neither notice that time is passing them by, enraptured by the discussion and trading of ideas. Both realize that they have missed their buses as the man checks his watch. Peter feels a bit bad.

“I'm sorry sir.”

“It's fine, kid. I made you miss your bus too!” The man says with a smile and a cheery laugh. 

“Im Quentin Beck, at your service.”

The man offers his hand. Peter snorts a little at the dramatics and takes the offered hand, getting a firm shake.

“Peter Parker.”

“Oh what an alliterative name!”

Peter tilts his head and adjusts his glasses. Beck lights up.

“Meaning that the first and last name starts with the same letter.”

“There's a word for that? Why?”

“Because we have to have words to specifically describe things for ease of communication.”

“But you just had to explain the word.”

“But I won't need to again!”

“... That's a good point.”

They chat a little more and discover that they are taking the same bus. This time they both keep an eye out for it and hop on when it comes. It starts raining more harshly as they ride the bus and Peter scrunches his nose at the thought of taking the miserable walk home. A umbrella and card are pressed into his hands. 

“Valete Alliterative Peter Parker. May we cross paths again.”

Beck says with a bright smile, before slipping off the bus. Peter does not even have the chance to try and return the umbrella, much less thank the man for it. He looks at the business card. A flourishing name and series of numbers adorn it, giving no hint as to the man’s job. But Peter finds himself plugging it in, somewhat enamored with the idea of being able to talk to the tech genius again. Plus, he had to return the man’s umbrella at some point. 

[vlyteng]

Beauty standards and its relation to racism and colourism

I am a film junkie and I adore Japanese films. My love for Japanese films started when I watched a specific movie, which just so happens to be one of the most breathtaking films I’ve ever watched in my life - Helter Skelter. Helter Skelter is a movie that tells the story of a famous actress, Lilico, who has had several cosmetic procedures over her body. Lilico makes life terrible for people around her as she struggles to manage both her professional and personal issues as a result of the adverse effects of her surgery (Letterboxd 2012). It is based on a manga that Kyoko Okazaki wrote and released between 1995 and 1996 (Cherif 2022). The message of the movie is made clear to be depicting the extent we can go to achieve what we deem as "perfect beauty", but how it can lead to an unhealthy obsession with our physical appearance. Throughout the film, the audience will witness Lilico’s fall into an endless, abyssal spiral of depression as she tries to fix the side effects of surgery with, well, even more surgery.

Beauty standards in every culture look different. In the West, the hourglass figure (otherwise known as “slim thicc”) is the goal! Some features that are commonly celebrated and strived for in Western countries are light-coloured eyes, blonde hair, pale skin and small noses. The beauty standard in Asia also has a similar standard but skinny is what most people go for. Obviously, Asians do not have the same genetics as Westerners. If someone frequently consumes beauty content from Western culture, they may be influenced to change their features in some way in order to fit what they think is the “standard of beauty”. Some may think beauty standards are merely just guidelines for people to follow to be seen as more attractive, but I think it goes much deeper than that.

I believe beauty standards are built on the foundation of racism and colourism, discrimination or prejudice towards those with dark complexion. You might think it’s a stretch but hear me out. A good example of this is when we discuss skin tones. Have you ever thought to yourself “Man, my skin is so dark” or “Man, I wish I had a more pale complexion”? Why are we so scared of getting a little tan from the sun? Why do we immediately deem darker skin = undesirable? As a Chinese, why are bigger eyes and double eyelids more adored than mono or hooded lids despite it being the most common outcome for our ethnicity? All these questions point to an underlying distorted perception that we were taught since young and continue to experience in our daily lives. They take the form of seemingly harmless little statements, like when the aunt that nobody likes asks you if you’re going to keep eating those pineapple tarts during Chinese New Year, or when your beautician mentions how perfect you’d look if you just got a little nose lift during your monthly visit to the beauty salon.

All in all, there is no such thing as “perfect beauty” as the definition of it is so different for every single person, everyone has their own version of beauty. Aiming to achieve it is unrealistic and will not only cost you millions of dollars, but also endless amounts of mental strain. I understand that it is easy to fall into the rabbit hole that is insecurity and anxiety over appearances and our bodies. But something I truly believe is that without our body, no matter what it looks like, we will not exist. Your body is constantly trying to take care of itself and we should be grateful for having two arms and two legs, functioning ears and nose, eyes to see the world and a mouth to taste Kyochon fried chicken (yes, I am craving it as I am writing this). To end this, I’d like to dedicate a poem I wrote for an e-book about self-acceptance and to love our body because it is trying its best to keep us alive every day. 

Don't be angry with your body Your arms lift the weight of responsibilities Your legs walk you through life Your eyes see the beauty behind the ugly Your stomach houses butterflies that make you feel alive Your nose lets you smell that wonderful apple pie that you love Your body has been through everything with you it does not deserve your hatred and your anger. - S. Z Tao

References

Cherif, M. C 2022, The Dark Side of Beauty Standards in Helter Skelter: A semiotic analysis, The Artifice, viewed 8 June 2023, <https://the-artifice.com/helter-skelter/>.

Letterboxd 2012, Helter Skelter, Letterboxd, viewed 7 June 2023, <https://letterboxd.com/film/helter-skelter-2012/>.

[thecryptidzenith]

Seconded on most of these. Seacaster half-siblings is too good a concept not to follow up on, especially given that Bill's said "Leave it to Bill Seacaster to sire twins in two different women." Ayda originated from Aguefort pointing at a phoenix and saying "I fucked that bird." Seacaster siblings all the way. It's so thematically relevant given the variety of families in Fantasy High. The moment we got any kind of information about Cathilda's past, I wanted more. She's so nice, and her putting on the clothes of Cathilda the Black was Iconic.

I could see Gilear and Hallariel having a kid. At the moment I think they're both too... domestically incompetent for it, but it's not like Cathilda won't be there. I'll also admit to some bias on this front, I've a distaste for that sort of thing.

Hard agree on the Gukgaks moving out of Strongtower. They deserve it, and now that Gorthalax is no longer ruling in hell, they may as well. I will also add onto this: Bud Cubby & Sklonda friendship. Sklonda's an ex-cop current law student (potential future public defender) and Bud's a postal worker. Take it down from the inside, motherfuckers. Littlefolk rise up. It'd also be hilarious given Bud's reaction to Riz saying that his mom is a cop when they first meet. She'll come around eventually, Bud.

Mountains of Chaos/Gukgaks extended family gimme gimme now. There's just. There's so much good stuff there. Pok literally mentions Riz having aunts & uncles & stuff, I want to see them. In terms of Pok stuff, I do think the Bad Kids meeting him could be interesting, but I'm way more interested in the specifics of what he was doing for Solace. Kalina says it herself, Pok was a secret agent. Even if he ended up in heaven, there's no way he hasn't done some fucked up stuff. Seeing them grapple with that would be neat.

Kristen reconnecting with her brothers is also excellent. It's also a great way to show how much she's grown. For other Kristen stuff, I'll add on that I want her and Tracker to be broken up or break up during the season. I think that's a neat dynamic, especially since Tracker's doing moon goddess stuff in Fallinel. It makes more sense than the alternative, to me.

I think Gorgug's bio parents might be part of the band, but either way, there should actually be some interactions between them. The emancipation of Adaine O'Shaughnessey is also a pretty easy 'hell yeah.' Everybody being trying to bond with Aelwyn is incredible too, I don't have super solid thoughts about what she should be doing, (besides maybe dealing drugs. Jawbone catches her and they have a very awkward conversation about it, but she's a lot chiller around him after it cause he was very sympathetic and knew where she was coming from. Fuck, I might write that, actually)

I don't think driving is as much of an important thing in the Fantasy High universe, but yeah, it's all very representative of their characters. I can see Adaine multiclassing easier than I could see Riz multiclassing, but fuck it, multiclassing for everyone. For more gamey elements, I'll also say that I want the battle maps back. They probably will be, now that it's not a live show, but that was one of the things that was so special about Fantasy High and I want it back thank you. Everyone who worked on those sets is a master of their craft and I love them.

And come on, Kalina is my girl (she's not a girl) I absolutely want to see her again, especially outside of being menacing towards everyone. Okay, maybe a little bit of menacing as a treat, she deserves it.

Sorry if this was too much i Also Had Thoughts.

things i wanna see in fantasy high junior year

seacaster half siblings

backstory on cathilda and her children

hallariel and gilear pregnancy announcement

gorthalax and sklonda engagement / moving in together

riz and sklonda moving out of strongtower

travel to the mountains of chaos (riz gets his own "fallinel" episode)

bad kids meeting pok in some roundabout way

kristen reconnecting with her brothers

gorgug building a relationship with his bio parents

the emancipation of adaine o'shaughnessey

sandra lynn, jawbone, fig, and kristen all attempting to bond with aelwyn

which of the kids would be learning how to drive, and how would it be going

adaine and riz multiclass

KALINA my favorite bitch back as cassandra's familiar

[letarasstuff]

Introvert meets Extrovert

(A/N): This was requested by an anon. I hope you enjoy it, Sweetheart :)

Summary: How does life for Spencer look like with an extremely extroverted baby?

Warnings: mentions of drinking alcohol

✨Masterlist✨ ____________________________________

To Spencer, it was always clear as day that a child doesn’t inherit all, or even specific, character traits of their parents. After all it’s a complete new human being, not a shift+c shift+v programme line. Still, some things come out as a shock to him, now being the father to a one year old baby.

“Baby, are you excited to go to Auntie JJ’s for Henry’s birthday party? She told me at work that Micheal is thrilled to play with you again!” Spencer talks to his daughter and kicks her legs in the air to get a laugh out of her while changing her diaper. Even though they are in the middle of potty training and he already packed an extra set of clothes for her in case (Y/N) throws an (admittedly understandable) fit about wearing a diaper in the day, he wants to prevent any incidents and meltdowns because of wet clothes. After all, he still has to get her to go to the toilet and sit her down, because she may feel the need, but postpone it when she is busy playing.

“Yes”, she giggles and puts her balled fists into her mouth. Spencer smiles, adoration written all over his face. The bliss of moments like these remind him that the struggles he went through and will go through are all worth it. Worth to see her smile, hear her laugh, listen to her proclamation of love between baby gibberish.

The father puts a pair of her playpants on, which is essentially a pair of leggings that already has a few holes and various stains on them. It won’t be a problem if they get dirtier, he will just throw them out after this day. It’s not like his baby girl doesn’t have enough clothes, especially with Penelope Garcia as an aunt and Emily Prentiss as a godmother. You may not believe this, but going shopping for baby/toddler articles brings the agent more fun than she dares to admit.

Not long after putting (Y/N)’s last sock on, the small family is on their way to the party. Spencer tries to manage his way through the subway station with his little one in one arm and pushing a stroller at the same time. Somehow he gets onto a train without causing any altercations and sits down on a bank with a sigh. He puts (Y/N) back into her stroller and straps her in. Despite her age she can be a wiggly monster and when her father isn’t paying attention for a few seconds she may sit right next to him. It has to be some kind of magic.

“Ok Sweetheart. We are riding this train for five stations. Do you want your book for entertainment?” Excitedly the baby claps and makes happy noises. Smiling at her antics, Spencer fishes a child book from his satchel and puts it on the table attached to the stroller before cracking his own open.

While getting lost in it, little (Y/N) takes a look around and sees a few people throwing her smiley faces. Audience, that’s good. In a semi dramatic fashion she tries to clear her throat, just like the people who held these big speeches her father took her with him. Then she opens the book and begins to “read” it. In reality it’s just a bit of baby gibberish with a few short sentences the girl memorized from Spencer reading it over and over again to her. What can she say, it’s her favorite book.

“Excuse me”, a nice looking lady interrupts Spencer’s continuous page turning, “This little one of yours really is such a sweetheart. I’m sure she got that outgoing personality from her momma.” The father throws a glance towards his daughter, spotting her being the entertainer she is since day one.

He smiles at the mention of her mother. “Not really, nobody knows where she got that. Nonetheless, it brightens my day.” After a look at the sign that shows the next stops, he gives the woman an apologetic look. “I’m really sorry to cut this short, but we have to get off now.” She assures him that it’s fine and compliments his parenting before the train stops and Spencer maneuvers the stroller off.

On their way to the Jareau-LaMontagne house (Y/N) keeps herself entertained by singing rather loudly songs her babysitter taught her. Her father kind of ducks away under all of the “aaaws” and loving glances he gets. Getting this kind of attention is not something he enjoys, but endures because his daughter loves it.

Finally they arrive and the birthday party is in full swing. Spencer gets her out of the stroller and puts (Y/N) down at the first patch of grass. Immediately she crawls up to Micheal, while her father greets JJ, Will and the rest of his colleagues.

“Hello (Y/N)”, Emily gushes, kneeling down to be more on the same eye level with her goddaughter. “You got sooo big, can you please stop growing,” She throws the baby a dirty look, who squeals and goes up to her aunt. Of course the agent picks the child up and the little one strikes up a conversation out of baby gibberish and a few actual words while playing with her raven black hair.

Against everyone’s beliefs, Emily really is interested in what (Y/N) has to say, even though she doesn’t understand half the things. Still, she tries to engage in the conversation (Spencer also appreciates it, because it’s improving her speaking skills).

While all the kids, Henry and his friends as well as the two babies/toddlers, play, the adults prepare dinner and talk about the things that happened recently. Especially their children’s (or godchildren’s) milestones are swept between them and gushed at.

“I don’t know where she got it,” Spencer starts and tells the story of his daughter being an entertainer for everyone on the train. It’s always a good laugh around them hearing about the youngest Reid and her extrovertness.

“Maybe she was swapped at the hospital?” Derek muses before taking a sip from his beer. Another laugh. “That’s not possible”, Rossi counters, “Boy Genius over there watched her the whole time like a hawk. There is no chance she was mistaken. He was there every step the doctors took with that girl in their arms outside the room.”

“Also, she has so many of his character traits, there is no use in denying her, Reid”, Hotch says with his signature Small-Smile. Spencer laughs, knowing that his friends are right. “You know, something like that doesn’t have to be passed down genetically. It’s just how some kids are and I think it suits her. It makes (Y/N) (Y/N).”

Just as he ends his sentence, he spots his child playing with some of Henry’s friends, despite their age difference. This makes the father smile.

They may be two ends of the same stick, but that’s ok. Not everybody is the same and it makes them love each other even more.

Taglist:

All works:

@dindjarinsspouse @big-galaxy-chaos @jswessie187

Criminal Minds:

@averyhotchner @mggsprettygirl @herecomesthewriterwitch @ash19871962 @ellyhotchner

Spencer Reid x child!reader:

@ilovetaquitosmmmm

[shititbe]

Anyway, Peter Parker is Bi, and I Won’t Be Convinced Otherwise.

Firstly, we have to get our bases covered. What exactly is Bi-sexuality? What is sexuality? 

Sexuality is defined as a persons identity in relation to gender(s) they are attracted to. Why is this important? Peter’s sexuality has never been specifically stated in the comics, nor in any other form of media. It’s assumed that he is straight because of his popular relationship with Mary Jane Watson in the comics, and the movies. 

Now that we have a bases for what exactly sexuality is and how it’s defined, let’s go over Peter’s partners. 

Obviously Peter and Mary Jane are a piece of comic book history. They eventually get married, though sadly, during the events of Civil War II (I think, don’t quote me) Peter and Mary Jane sell their marriage to Mephisto in order to save Aunt May

They later had their memories of their marriage restored, they have yet to get back together and it’s been a few issues if I remember correctly. Next we have Peter’s first, and most unfortunate love, Gwen Stacy. 

They dated in high school where she later died. Of course, Peter has dated other people (namely, Black Cat, Betty Brant, Carol Danvers, Anna Maria, Cindy Moon, Lian Tang, and so on). Since we have his known history of heterosexuality out there, we need to move onto another important part of Peter’s Bi-sexuality. An important implication in any media, especially queer media though, and that is the homoerotic subtext. 

Homoerotic subtext is important part of queer culture, a lot of the time it’s used to portray a characters queerness without saying it out (see: Dorian Gray by Oscar Wild or Great Gatsby By Fitz). In current decade, homoerotic subtext is often used for queer baiting or creating more realistic male friendships. 

So what’s the difference between someone creating a health male friendship (or a character comfortable in their heterosexuality) and implying a character is queer? 

Here are some examples of a healthy male character, both with himself and his friendships.  

Clearly he’s just taking the shit, and messing around with Reed. He’s comfortable enough (or as I like to see it, so traumatized because good god this guy has been Spider-Man since he was 15 good god that’s awful. He probably doesn’t care anymore). Here are some examples of Peter a little more than just a straight man shooting the shit. 

This has three meanings. Two of which I will take, one of which is just deeply embarrassing. Despite Peter’s history with humiliating events, I don’t think he would get his own spunk in his eyes. Leaving the other two options, he has experience getting spunk of - some kind - in his eyes, and/or he’s taking the shit again. Which is very likely. 

Kissing a cop? For....no reason? A little not so hetero of you Peter. 

You can practically hear his disappointment in his voice. Also could be read as taking the shit, but why would you. 

Making out with The Thing? Gay. 

This one is the most important. Peter is clearly tired, annoyed by his teammates (see wolverine being wolverine in the corner). Shits on fire, its mid battle, and Peter has the audacity to mutter “I hate men” to himself. The only people I have every heard say this in that was are lgbt and straight women, and lgbt men. This kind of expression only comes from people who date, or deal with men in a completely different world than straight men. Straight men use this phrase as an endearment, “Oh have you seen Bill today, I hate that guy.” “Man Jerry can do so many push-ups, I hate that guy.” Very different language, and implications (I also, obviously don’t know how straight men speak). 

 Now that we’ve gone over our bases, and homoerotic subtext. How else could we gather that Peter Parker is Bi? There are many tropes in media - queer media - that allure to a characters queerness. Like homoerotic subtext, there are ways to tell an audience something without specifically saying it. 

This is a gay wedding Peter went to in the recent comics. I don’t know if any of you have been to a gay wedding recently, but Peters face (the first panel above the wedding) is the same exact face I made at my first gay wedding. It’s the face of excitement for not only the couple, but for yourself. The hope that maybe, you too can actually be in a same-sex relationship. 

I’m also going to allure to queer tropes as stated previously. Such as the real, and fictional trope of lgbt people sticking together. Thousands of years of belittlement and oppression will make groups of people not want to wonder out, and subconsciously look for others like them. 

Johnny Storm (and Wade Wilson since he comes in later but I couldn’t find a picture of the confirmation) is cannon Bi-sexual (Pan-sexual). 

Their friendship is deeply homoerotic as most queer friendships in media and real life are. Johnny flirts with Peter on many occasions (saying his ideal women is a female version of Peter, inviting him over to watch is sex tape, and so on) and of course oh my god they were roommates. 

Some other popular queer tropes are: Found Family, Soulmates, and Enemies to lovers. Because it’s superhero related, this includes the Identity Porn tag as well.  

Peter Parker and Wade Wilson have a famous Love/Hate relationship. I mean, how could you expect anything less when your first meeting with this known mercenary is him throwing your civilian persona out the window of a car. Now, Wade still doesn’t know Peter is Spider-Man in the current run of comics, but that doesn’t make anything about them any less gay. 

For the Found Family Trope: 

Because it’s Peter and Wade, their whole development can be read as Enemies to Friends to Lovers, so I wont bother backing that up because, uh, it speaks for itself. One panel really does to add that cause though 

I’m not going to explain what a free-pass list is.

The Soulmates part I know I have to back up. 

For SoulMates:  

Now this panel requires a little explanation. Wade kills Peter, not knowing he’s Spider-Man. Weasel takes over for Peter (they don’t know its him) so no one suspects he’s dead. Deadpool begins to feel guilty he killed his best buds best bud, so he tries to bring Peter back to life. Losing his stunning good looks (switching back to how he looked before Weapon X making his wife Shiklah estranged (then she married Dracula but thats beside the point)). Spider-Man is Peter’s “true self” or patronus for Harry Potter fans. Wade is stupid and hasn’t connected the dots yet, effectively making him the biggest simp in history. Seriously, who destroys their marriage for the c h a n c e for getting some with their idol? A Simp, that’s who.

Peter forgives Wade for killing him (and for saving him from killing their genetic daughter itsy-bitsy). If someone killed me they better be hot as fuck before I even thing about forgiving them. Ignoring Peter’s super sexy forgiving nature, uh, he’s kinda simping. 

Died in each others arms. Nothing else is needed. 

They’re heartmates. From what I read, the feeling has to be mutual in order for it to work. The witches (long story, comics are hard to explain) that captured deadpool were expecting his wife so they could get the headmistress back. Instead, they got Peter. Basically Heartmates = soulmates but chosen for you instead of chosen by you. 

To conclude my point: 

Thank you for coming to my TED Talk. 

[moonlayl]

Imagine Ben Skywalker time travels to the past, during empire strikes back. 

He would be with Leia, Han, and Chewie on Bespin, and would come face to face with his grandfather, except Vader obviously doesn’t know. Leia and Han are worried sick because they know it’s a trap that Luke might fall for, and Han is being lowered into the carbonite, and even though Ben has heard the stories and knows they make it out okay, hearing things and actually experiencing them are too very different things. 

Ben observes Darth Vader, and his obsession with Luke, and what he’s willing to do to get his hands on him, including hurting his own daughter, and really how blind is this guy to not recognize Leia as his daughter???? 

Then Lando helps him, Leia, and the droids escape, but uncle Han is with Boba Fett, we have to do something!!

Ben doesn’t know what’s going on with his daf, but he, along with Leia, hear Luke’s cries for help. Luke may have meant Obi-Wan, but he was calling out to a Ben, and this was before Luke really knew how to direct the force towards specific people. Ben gets the message and is shocked to hear his father...so afraid. In hindsight, it should’ve been obvious to Ben that his father being much younger also meant he’d be different and with less experience, but he’d grown up his whole life with his father being seen as THE jedi, THE hero of the rebellion, extremely powerful individual who can take down even the most difficult of foes. Ben grew up a little distant from his father, because really, being that man’s son would be difficult with all the expectations and shadows cast on him. 

But to hear his father, a man he childishly believed to be indestructible, sound so afraid and helpless? That stops Ben in his tracks, which ultimately ends up being a relief because than Leia wouldn’t think he’d heard Luke either. 

Ben watches as his aunt Leia rushes to wrap her arms around Luke, and he’s taken aback by how beaten and lost his father looks. It wasn’t a look he’d ever associated with Luke Skywalker, and Ben’s perspective begins to change. 

When Leia leaves Luke on the medical bed to deal with the imperials and getting the hell out of there, Ben remains in the room, hidden, so his father wouldn’t see him. He’s startled when he hears his dad call out to him-but how does Luke know his name? He hasn’t given him his real one?- before realizing Luke was calling out to his namesake instead.

“Ben, why didn’t you tell me?” 

Ben stares at his injured, nearly unconscious father, and starts to wonder. How could his father forgive the man? How would Luke ever come to forgive him and love him? How does his father heal from this? Go on and accept his parentage when it so clearly destroyed him at this time? And how could Vader ever redeem himself or sacrifice himself for Luke when he had no issues with cutting off Luke’s hand and traumatizing him in such a way? 

And the hand is something else that shocks Ben. Sure, he’d always known on some level that his dad had a prosthetic. It was a simple fact, one he barely ever gave much thought to except that one time he’d asked about it when he was much much younger. But seeing his dad now? With a hand missing and blood all around his ripped clothes? It was terrifying. Luke’s hand had always resembled a real one and Ben remembered trying to find differences between the prosthetic hand the real one to determine if it felt any different. He remembered his dad’s  amused smile watching his four-year old play around with his hands. But now? It was very clear and obvious how painful losing a hand was.  

Did his father ever look at the prosthetic and remember this day? Did Luke still have phantom pains even decades later? 

Basically, Ben actually getting to witness Luke’s journey when he himself was still inexperienced and not yet a jedi and getting to learn more about his father and understand him better. 

And then afterwards, Ben accompanying Luke, Leia, Chewie and Lando to rescue Han, and getting to see his mom on Tattooine. Being shocked as hell and wondering what his mom was doing before realizing this was when his mother was Palpatine’s hand and oh God, was she there to try and kill Luke? 

No one else seems to notice Mara, and Ben isn’t sure what to do, but then chaos quickly ensues. Ben still doesn’t want anyone to know his real name OR his power, so he stand helpless as Luke takes care of the ‘plan’ and really dad? That’s the worse plan, how did you EVER survive anything? 

Leia kills Jabba, and they all manage to make it out okay thank God. Before Ben realizes what’s going on though, his dad suddenly left AGAIN, and he’s stuck with his aunt and uncle who are kind of grossly invested in each other ugh. 

Then Ben signs up to help the mission on Endor with Leia and Han, and Luke suddenly reappears and why is he looking at aunt Leia differently? Wait...DOES HE KNOW?????

Luke feels Vader’s presence and Ben doesn’t know what his dad plans on doing, but given his track record this past year, Ben now knows his father was kind of stupid during his youth (I got my brains from you, mom) and whatever he’s planning can’t be good. But isn’t this when Vader comes back to the light side? Ben shouldn’t do anything. Should just let things go on the way they’re supposed to. But wouldn’t his presence in the past cause changes? Ben is unsure.

He stays with Han and Leia, his dad has to do his own thing, and when they manage to succeed and Leia lets them know that Luke is her brother and Vader is their father, Ben smiles because FINALLY! 

But his dad takes forever to make it to the celebration and Ben walks around trying to find him because no way his dad didn’t survive, (what if he didn’t though? Wouldn’t Ben have felt it?) until he smells the smoke and notices the flames. He makes his way a little furthur into the forest and standing alone is Luke Skywalker. Darth Vader’s armor and mask burning on the pyre. 

Ben stands there watching his dad grieve silently. 

[starks-hero]

What He Doesn't Know Won't Hurt Him

Pairing: Loki x Stark!Reader

Summary: You and Loki had been doing a fairly decent job at keeping your relationship a secret from the other members of the team, specifically your father. But what happens when word finally gets out?

Word Count: 4,480

Warnings: fluff, implied smut, angst

a/n: This gif, that is all

You had your music playing at full volume as you worked your way around the lab, your latest suit laid out on the table. It was almost finished and you were more than impressed with how it had turned out.

Grabbing one of the many tools strewn out on the tabletop, you got to work assuring each circuit was in place.

It was fair to say that whilst you were in one of your zones, you could easily get lost in your work. Which was probably the reasons you hadn't noticed Loki make his way into the lab.

You jumped slightly when two slender arms wrapped around your middle. “Loki,” you scolded, not taking your eyes away from your work. “I'm busy.”

He chuckled. “I can see that, dove,” he purred. “But I'm bored.”

“You're welcome to stay here as long as you stay out of my way,” you offered, smirking when Loki rose his hands innocently.

“You won't even know I'm here.”

You managed to steal five minutes of peace. And then Loki's ability to sit still and not cause trouble seemed to reach its end. He started simply, standing ridiculously close, running his hand along your side. Your frustrated sigh and visible struggle to focus on your suit only egged him on. He re-positioned himself behind you, hands resting on your hips and lips finding your neck.

When one of his hands began to trace down your stomach and towards the waistband of your jeans you drew the line.

“Loki, stop.” you chided urgently. “Not here.”

“Why not?” he asked, nipping at the exposed skin of your neck. “It's as good a place as any.”

“Someone could see,” you pressed on.

Loki’s kissing ceased but he didn't remove his arms from around you. If anything he held you tighter.

“And would that be such a bad thing?” he asked after a beat of silence. You sighed and turned in his arms, now facing the god. His eyes said it all, he wasn't hurt, but he was tired of keeping up this charade.

He hated having to wait till you were both alone to show his affection, having to settle for stolen kisses and subtle glances all in an attempt to keep your relationship a secret from the rest of the team. Loki was growing sick of it. He wanted to hold you, kiss you, mark you, to show everyone you belonged to him. He hated having to hide his feelings as if they weren’t acceptable.

“Loki, we've talked about this. If the team finds out, especially my dad, it'll cause nothing but trouble.” You frowned at Loki's defeated expression. “I want to tell them, I do. I love you and I want everyone to know that. But only when the time is right.”

Loki nodded, a smile tugging at his lips. Slender fingers wrapping around your wrist and he placed a kiss to your hand. “As you wish, darling.”

Loki turned to leave but you gently grasped hold of his sleeve and tugged him back. “Where do you think you're going?”

Loki tilted his head. “You said-”

“I said I wasn't ready to tell them,” you clarified. “I never said anything about you leaving.”

A devilish smirked spread across Loki's lips as he stepped back towards you, hands grasping your waist. “Why of course, my dear.” He pushed you against the cool steel of the table. “How may I be of service to you?”

You pulled him into a hungry kiss and he practically moaned into your mouth. Grasping hold of your thighs, he hoisted you up onto the table and slotted himself snugly between your legs. Truth be told, this wasn't what you had in mind. You were serious when you said the lab wasn't a good place to start something but Loki was just too irresistible. His kisses trailed from your jaw down your neck and you couldn't help the whimper that left your lips as he sucked on the sweet spot just above your collar bone.

Your hand tangled in his raven hair and he laughed breathlessly against your skin as he pulled you closer to him. “That's it, pet.”

The sudden sound of someone clearing their throat caused both of you to almost jump out of your skin. You turned towards the lab door and found a rather unimpressed Natasha standing in the threshold, arms crossed and glare seething into a certain god.

Your heart jumped into your throat as you hurriedly pushed Loki away and scrambled to your feet.

“Oh, no. Don't stop on my account,” Nat snarled and the venom in her tone was enough to send shivers down even Loki's spine.

“Nat! We were just-”

“Don't bullshit me, Y/N. You know it doesn't work,” Nat stated plainly and you swallowed. She was right, it was near impossible to successfully lie to her. “Does your father know?”

“No, no, no. Nat, you can't tell him,” you begged. “He'll kill us.”

Natasha scoffed, pointing an accusing finger at Loki, who was still standing sheepishly behind you. “He's lucky I haven't killed him myself.”

Loki shifted uncomfortably. When it came down to it, he was a god and Nat was human. She probably couldn't do much damage to him. But she was certainly intimidating. Loki wasn't so much upset over the fact that you'd been caught, if anything Loki found it rather exciting. His only worry was how this situation would pan out for you. And your relationship.

“Natasha, please. You know how my dad overreacts.”

“I'm not sure I'd count ‘getting pissed that your daughter's dating a criminal’ as overreacting.”

You felt helpless. With Tony as your father, the team were the closest thing you had to family. Nat had always been important to you, she was an older sister, a cool aunt and in some cases, a understanding mother all rolled up into one. She wanted what was best for you, and you knew if that meant throwing Loki under the bus, she wouldn't hesitate.

Noticing your struggle, Loki decided to intervene.

“Agent Romanoff, if you'd allow us to explain. I-”

Nat turned to Loki with a glare that stopped the god mid-sentence. “I'm not talking to you. I'm talking to Y/N.” She turned back to you. “Tell your dad.”

“What?!”

“Tell Tony about this.” She clarified, gesturing between you and Loki. “Or I will.”

“Nat,” you started but as she raised an eyebrow you knew she wasn't bluffing. She was dead serious.

“Okay, okay, fine. We'll tell him. But just not yet-” you hesitated. “Just give us a little more time to figure it all out.”

Natasha seemed unconvinced, to say the least, but when she noticed the genuine worry in your expression she backed off and her voice softened.

“Fine. But if he finds out beforehand, I had no idea about any of this,” she ordered. “And you,” Nat glanced at Loki who was still standing behind you. “Are on thin ice.”

Nat turned to leave, shooting one final glare Loki’s way. “Oh, and a bit of advice. Next time lock the goddamn door.”

You both sighed in temporary relief as the door slammed shut and you were left alone.

“Well, that went well,” Loki commented sarcastically, rubbing at his temple.

“And that was only Nat. How do you think the others are going to react?” You took a seat on the workbench and Loki joined you.

“Were you serious?” he asked. “About telling them? Telling him?”

You sighed, dropping your head into your hands. “I suppose we don't have much of a choice now, do we?” You murmured and Loki chuckled slightly.

“I suppose not.”

“You're enjoying this.” You growled as Loki’s mood seemed only slightly diminished by the situation you’d just been landed in.

“Yes, I find being threatened by a world-class assassin immensely enjoyable,” he noted nonchalantly. Loki sighed when the fear remained evident in your expression. He gently caught your wrist and pulled it away from your face, lacing your fingers as he did so. “Honestly, my dear. There's no need to worry. It will be fine.”

“You sound awfully sure.”

“That’s because I am,” Loki smirked, his tone reassuring and soft. He placed a harmless kiss against your cheek, but couldn’t resist the urge to continue down to your jaw.

His nose grazed your neck as his breath fanned out over your skin. His voice fell to a low whisper. “Now, what was it we were getting to before we were so rudely interrupted?”

You couldn’t help but laugh in slight disbelief. “You never learn, do you?”

Loki flicked his wrist as he began to plant kisses down your neck. “Do you take me for a fool?”

 You glanced at the labs' door to find the keypad had turned red. Locked. Smirking, Loki pushed you down and picked up where he'd left off.

It had been a little over a week since Natasha had found out about your relationship with Loki and thankfully, she hadn't said anything as of yet. She was giving you a generous amount of time to build up the courage to tell both your father and the rest of the team, but it was courage you were yet to find. The stress of the whole situation had been getting to you, something that was becoming more and more apparent to Loki.

In some desperate attempt to help you blow off a little steam, the god had dragged you down to the training hall. You and Loki often trained together, though since the beginning of your relationship, training seldom actually took place during your sessions.

But you needed it today, and after less than fifteen minutes of sparring, you could already feel some of the stress dissipating.

“Let's try that again,” Loki stated, helping you up from where you'd fallen back onto the training mat. He steadied you before pacing back a few steps as you both prepared for another round.

You made the first move, Loki easily blocking your strike. He caught your other arm as you tried to hit his shoulder and he only barely avoided a knee in the groin by spinning you around and catching you in a gentle headlock.

“Fighting dirty today are we, darling?” He purred in your ear and you smirked. Leaning forward, you used the momentum to throw Loki over your shoulder, straddling him to assure he stayed down.

“Problem with that?”

Loki chuckled, staring up at you. “Certainly not.” Throwing his leg over and shifting his weight, he threw you off of him and you landed on the floor beside him. He then took up his position on top of you. “Two can play at that game.”

He used his new vantage point to lean down and kiss your shoulder. “And I do enjoy it so very much.”

You turned your head to the side to grant Loki better access as he kissed up your neck, but your blood ran cold when you noticed a familiar figure standing dumbstruck at the halls entrance.

“Shit, Steve!” You pushed Loki off of you and for a moment he thought it was an attempted diversion until his own eyes locked with the captains. “Steve, wait!”

He was already turning to leave and you took off after him, Loki right behind you. You barely caught him before he reached the door. “Steve, hear us out, please.”

He turned to look at you with slight disappointment, his cheeks still tinted red with embarrassment given what he'd just walked in on. “Why didn't you tell us, Y/N?”

“I swear I was going to. I should have sooner and I'm sorry.” You rushed. “But please, Steve. You can't tell my dad, not yet.”

Steve hesitated. He'd taken you under his wing from day one and he'd be lying if he said he saw you as anything less than family. He didn't want to put you in a situation where he knew you'd face hardship. But he also didn't want to put his relationship with Tony on the line. He knew what that could lead to.

“I won't lie to Tony.”

“Then just don't say anything!” You tried. “Not saying anything technically isn't lying.”

Steve sighed, glancing between you both, his eyes lingering on Loki a moment longer. Loki seemed to have read the captains mind.

“Captain, I understand your concerns. But I can assure you my intentions are completely good-willed.”

Steve shook his head, questioning his sanity. “Does anyone else know?”

“Natasha, that's it.”

Steve seriously pondered the dilemma he was being faced with. Part of him wanted to march off and tell Tony, part of him wanted to strangle Loki for even putting his hands on you and the other part was still hung up on how upset you’d be if he chose either of the latter options.

“Alright,” Steve said after a moment of silence and relief flooded your expression. “But if your father asks-”

“I understand.” You nodded, still breathing a sigh of relief. “Thank you, Steve.”

You counted your lucky stars as Steve left the training hall, the whole conversation having gone way better than you could have possibly imagined.

“You know, my dear,” Loki stated from behind you. “We really must stop picking the worst possible places in the compound to make out.”

You'd been peacefully working away in the lab, adding the finishing touches to the suit you'd been working on. A few more final touch-ups and a test run and it would be ready for missions.

The door slamming opened behind you immediately caught your attention as a severely pissed off Loki stormed in. His jaw was set and his hands were balled into fists. This couldn't be good.

“Loki, what's wrong?” you asked, rounding the table and approaching him. He was already pacing.

“Thor knows,” he growled and your heart stopped. “He was asking ridiculous questions about you and I and he knew I was lying.”

You inhaled sharply and did your best to avoid groaning in frustration, unable to grasp how Loki of all people had gotten caught out lying. “Loki, you're the god of lies.”

“And Thor's a persistent bastard!” He bit back.

You grappled with the little composure you had left and sighed. Loki was still clearly fretting and at least one of you had to start thinking straight.

“Okay, well what did he say?”

“That he wouldn't tell anyone,” Loki murmured, running his index finger along his top lip, something he often did when nervous.

“Alright then, what are we worried about? He said he wouldn't tell.”

Loki scoffed. “It's Thor! He struggles to keep the simplest of secrets, he's going to let it slip!” Loki took a seat and wrung his hands. “Your father is going to kill me.”

You stepped towards him and ran a comforting hand through his raven hair. He sighed and wrapped his arms around your waist, resting his head against your stomach.

“You're a god, Loki. I don't think he could kill you even if he wanted to.”

“He'll find a way,” Loki moped, tightening his hold on you.

You huffed at Loki's dramatic antiques as you continued to run your hand through his hair. One thing was now painfully clear, you needed to tell your dad. Before anyone else found out.

It was all planned out perfectly. The team was set to have dinner together in an attempt to bring some normality to your crazy lives, and you figured it would be the best time to break the new. You'd wait until everyone had finished eating and you and your dad were alone and then you'd tell him.

Not only did you think it would be better to have the conversation one on one, but Loki not being there also lessened the likely hood of your father trying to kill him if he didn't take the news kindly.

The only major challenge now was making it through the dinner itself without losing your nerve. Loki assured you that he'd be by your side right up until the moment he had to leave, and he meant it. Your father sat at the head of the table, because of course he did, and you sat to his right. Loki was seated beside you.

Most of the dinner passed as they usually did when the team ate together. Clint complained about the take out choice, Nat downed an impressive amount of wine whilst somehow remaining sober and a philosophical debate had broken out despite their being no indication as to what had started it.

For once, you and Loki remained silent, too nervous to offer any input should your worrisome tone give you away. You had spent most of the dinner toying with the food on your plate with your fork.

Loki's hand gently held yours beneath the table. It was risky, but no one had noticed and it was currently the only thing keeping you sane.

“You alright, kiddo?”

You glanced up to find your dad staring at you. He motioned to your untouched plate of food.

“You haven't touched your take out. It's your favourite.”

“Oh yeah, I- uh,” you stumbled over your own words and cursed yourself for being caught off guard. Most of the team were still chatting amongst themselves, but Steve and Natasha were now watching the exchange between you and Tony attentively. “I guess I'm just not that hungry.”

He seemed entirely unconvinced and leaned in slightly, away from the prying ears of the table. “You sure everything's alright?”

You gulped. Your father was no idiot and he knew something was eating away at you. From the corner of your eye, you could see Nat nodding her head and Steve smiling supportively. This was the perfect opportunity to bring it up and you decided it was now or never. “Well, actually-”

“Nice going, Clint!”

Both your heads snapped up to see that a knocked over wine bottle had stained both the end of the table and Bruce's white shirt.

“Hey! It's not my fault. Who even drinks this stuff anyway?!”

“What the hell is that suppose to mean, bird brain?” Sam yelled, possessively grabbing what was left in the overturned bottle and dunking it into his glass. Bucky hid his smile behind his bottle of beer.

Everyone else's attention had turned to Bruce, who seemed to be doing an excellent job at not hulking out and sending Clint through the nearest wall.

You bit your lip.

“Dad, is it alright if I leave? I'm not feeling up to eating right now.” You asked. Now clearly wasn't the best time to bring something up and you decided waiting till after everyone had turned it in for the night was probably best.

“Sure thing, sweet pea,” he smiled as you stood and pushed in your chair behind you. Loki followed you, rising to his feet.

“I think it's time I also take my leave.” No one paid much attention as Loki mimicked your actions and prepared to leave the table.

“Leaving already?” Wanda asked politely and you smiled back, already prepared to answer with ‘Yeah, I'm just tired.’

“Of course they are! I'm sure my brother and Y/N have much to do and discuss,” Thor smirked, winking and raising his glass to the both of you in a not so subtle way.

Silence fell over the entire table and you and Loki grew rigid. Natasha and Steve turned to glare at Thor, who lowered his glass, realising what exactly he'd just said.

“What?” Tony said, turning to Thor with a shocked expression. Loki quickly stepped in.

“I think my brother may have had a tad too much Asgardian ale, I-

“No, what did you say?” He asked again, voice raising. All eyes were now either on Tony, Loki or you.

Thor seemed to shrink into his seat, taking interest in the bottom of his cup as he attempted to backtrack and fix his mistake. But it was too late.

Your father's gaze turned to you and then Loki, who was cautiously standing behind you. 

“One chance.” He was livid. “You get one chance to tell me the truth.”

“Dad, can we not do this now,” you asked quietly.

“The truth, Y/N.” You couldn’t recall the last time you’d seen your father so angry. And as terrified as you were, you knew lying would only dig you a deeper hole.

“I was going to tell you,” you started, wincing as he ran a hand down his face. “I just didn't know how and then Nat told me I should just-”

Your father's glare turned to Natasha who choked on her wine at your words. You mentally grimaced as you realized what you'd just said.

“Oh, so you knew!” Tony yelled, pointing an accusing finger at Nat. He turned back to you. “You told Thor and Natasha before you told me!”

“I didn't tell her! She just sort of found out...” you fumbled and Tony laughed humorlessly.

“Did anybody else know besides Nat and point break?” he asked, addressing the whole table. Steve fidgeted awkwardly in his seat and Tony immediately singled him out.

“Steve.” He crossed his arms as he glared at the captain. “Something on your mind?”

Steve sighed. “Look, Tony I-”

“Don't bullshit me, Rogers.”

Steve nodded wordlessly and Tony bit the inside of his cheek, looking as though he was prepared to rip into each member of the team. You cowered back slightly and Loki stepped infront of you, shielding you from your fathers rage the best he could.

“Great! Awesome! Did anyone else know my daughter was dating a psychopath and just decided to keep that information to themselves?”

Everyone awkwardly shifted in their seats, some clearing there throats and others offering you sympathetic glances. Natasha mouthed a ‘sorry’ and Thor seemed to still be beating himself up for letting it slip in the first place.

Loki stepped forward. “Stark, I can assure you-”

“Zip it, Reindeer Games,” he warned and for once, Loki did as he was told. Tony pointed to you as if he were scolding a child.

“You are grounded,” he stated. “No more missions, no more lab privileges, nothing.”

You scoffed. “I'm not a kid!”

“Yes, you are! You're my kid.”

“Dad, will you please just listen to me.” You begged as you stepped towards your father in hopes of reasoning with him. He rose from his seat to meet you.

“No. This,” he gestured between you and Loki. “Ends now. End of discussion.”

You took a step back, feeling as though an arrow had hit you in the chest. Tears were brimming your eyes and you couldn't find it in you to meet anyone's gaze. Seeing how upset you'd become, Loki refused to bite his tongue any longer.

“Stark, with all due respect, I won't allow that. I understand your disdain for me and it's more than warranted but do not take that anger out on Y/N. You have no reason to trust me but I can assure you that my feelings towards your daughter and nothing but sincere and genuine.”

Loki's sudden statement seemed to have surprised Tony. He opened his mouth to argue but Loki didn't give him the chance as he continued.

“She has given me a second chance and I love her dearly for doing so. And I would never do anything to harm her. I love her unconditionally and all I ask is for a chance. Allow me to prove myself.”

Loki's speech had left you teary-eyed with a warmth spreading in your chest. A smile pulled at your lips as Loki turned to you. The genuine and loving look in his eyes spoke volumes and it took every ounce of control you possessed not to launch yourself into his arms then and there.

“Tony, I don't know about you but that seemed pretty convincing to me.” Nat voiced from the table and Thor immediately agreed.

“My brother may be the god of lies but he has spoken nothing but the truth tonight.”

Steve, ever the diplomat, offered Tony an encouraging nod. “All he's asking for is a chance, Tony.”

“It's pretty sweet if you ask me,” Bucky murmured from beside the captain, Sam and Wanda nodding in agreement.

Tony watched as the table seemed to take Loki's side and he battled with himself until his eyes landed on you. You were standing side by side with Loki, whilst he smiled at you in adoration. The glances you shared were nothing short of loving and Tony couldn't help but notice how genuine and mutual it truly was. Loki's hand was brushing against yours, desperate to grasp hold and comfort you but not wanting to overstep the line the tension had drawn.

Tony sighed as he realized what he had to do. You were his daughter, his everything. And he just wanted you to be happy. Even if it was with someone he didn’t initially approve of. 

“You love him?” he asked nonchalantly and you nodded.

“And you, Frosty,” Tony motioned to Loki who tried not to frown at the nickname. “You love her?”

Loki glanced at you, smiling softly. “Wholeheartedly.”

Tony swallowed down the lump in his throat as he watched the both of you, not completely ready to accept that you weren't a kid anymore.

“Well then, I guess that's that.” He smiled at you softly. “Leave it to you to fall for the God of mischief. You always were a troublemaker.” 

Your father pulled you into a hug, muttering a quiet ‘love you, sweet pea’, before pulling back to look at Loki.

“You hurt her,” he started and Loki cut him off with an amused chuckle.

“You'll kill me?” He guessed.

“Oh no, not just me. They'll kill you.” Tony smirked, pointing to the table full of avengers.

Loki nodded. “Understood.”

Nat sent you a wink and Steve and Thor smiled whilst the rest of the team seemed to congratulate you with supportive, and in some cases embarrassing, comments.

You and Loki smirked at each other, slowly turning to leave the dining room when your father's voice called you back.

“Woah, where do you two think you're going?” he asked. “Cats out of the bag now so no need to run off and hide. Sit.”

Seeing no point in arguing, you both took your seats, Loki holding your hand atop the table for everyone to see. Things quickly settled back into a comfortable conversation, you and Loki feeling freer than you had in months. The domesticity of it all was enough to make your heart burst.

“So,” Clint, who was slightly tipsy at this point, yelled. “When's the wedding?”

Tony turned red. “Don't push their luck, Barton.” He partially joked, glaring daggers at his teammate as the rest of the team laughed. As for you and Loki, you couldn't help but smile at the possibility.

tag list: @leftperfectionmoon @doozywoozy @bakerstreethound @miraclesoflove​ @Kealohilani-tepise

[brawltogethernow]

@mirrorfalls​ submitted: Came across this while searching for James Bond’s scrambled-eggs recipe (long story). Your thoughts?

~~

But did you find James Bond’s scrambled eggs recipe?

In this article, Scocca laments his inability to find accessible, lighthearted superhero comics suitable to read with his young son, while also demonstrating a mysterious aversion to looking at DC and Marvel’s lines of comics for children, which is where the accessible, lighthearted superhero comics suitable for reading with young children are. He wants his elementary schooler to be able to safely have the run of all superhero media so he doesn’t have to touch the yucky baby books.

This is not an industry-wide crisis. This is just one dude who got paid to write an article where he accidentally exposed one of his personal hangups.

The child headed toward the trade paperbacks of Marvel and D.C. superhero titles on the side wall […] a few steps in front of me. […] Is he with you? a clerk asked me. I said he was. You know, the clerk said, we have a kids’ section. The clerk gestured backward, at a few shelves near the entrance. I said, Thanks, we know and tried throwing in a little shrug, as the kid kept going.

You can’t just turn a seven-year-old child loose in a comic-book store to look at the superhero comic books. […] My seven-year-old really wanted to see that last Avengers movie […] that is, he wished it were a movie he could see, but he understood that it was, instead, a movie designed to scare and sadden him—a movie actively hostile to people like him.

They have a children’s section. Because comics are a medium suitable for stories for everybody, and they are sold in comic book shops, which have sections, like bookstores. You can use this organization to find books that you know in advance are suitable for children. What goes in that category is determined by industry professionals. This area will be bigger the bigger the shop is. These comics are not lower quality that titles from the main lines. They are actually slightly better-written on average.

Your local comic book shop has considerately wrapped Empowered in a plastic bag, so your child will not be drawn in by a colorful superhero and accidentally read a graphic scene. If you think your kid might find a memoir about internment camps upsetting, it is your job to notice them picking up They Called Us Enemy and read the blurb on the back before you let them have it. This comic adults are meant to read is in a comic book shop because that is where comics are sold. Not every public place is supposed to be Disneyland.

Movies have ratings systems. If you do not want your child to watch a PG-13 movie, you will find that most superhero cartoons are for children. They are about the same characters. Some are quite good! I really enjoyed Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. Your child may like Avengers Assemble. At least I think that’s right. I’m always mixing those titles around.

This is a deeply weird bias for Scocca to casually demonstrate, because he identifies in the article that real childishness is striving for empty maturity.

He compares an old comic,

[…]a 1966 Spider-Man comic in which Spider-Man meets, fights, and defeats the Rhino; participates in a running argument between John Jameson and J. Jonah Jameson about his heroism; buys a motorcycle; breaks up with his first girlfriend, Betty Brant; flirts with Gwen Stacy; and reluctantly agrees to let Aunt May take him to meet her friend Mrs. Watson’s niece, Mary Jane.

and a new comic,

[…]a 21st century comic book in which Thor, brooding in a Katrina-destroyed New Orleans, beats up Iron Man. He also yells at Iron Man a lot about some incomprehensibly convoluted set of grievances, including involuntary cloning, that he believes Iron Man perpetrated against him while he was dead(?), and then summons some other Norse god from the beyond somehow for reasons having something to do with real estate. I think. Where the 1966 comic is zippy and fun and complete, the whole contemporary one is muddled and lugubrious and seems to constitute a tiny piece of a seemingly endless plot arc—simultaneously apocalyptic and inert.

and concludes that the edgier comic is actually less mature. This is true. (This is not news about mediocre comics.)

It also has nothing to do with either comic being child-friendly, the article’s nominal thesis, except in the sense that ASM #41 (yes, I eyeballed that from that summary, yes I am just showing off now) is better written, making it more everyone-friendly. It also has practically more space dedicated to word balloons than art and is about a college student juggling girl problems and a part-time job with a tyrannical boss. But the immature one, as Scocca points out, is dour.

These are both teenagery issues, separated only by quality. It’s true that lots of new comics published by the big 2 are bad in the specific way Scocca describes here, taking themselves too seriously and hauled down by associated stories instead of buoyed by them. Some are not! Some titles from these companies’ main continuities are zippy, contained, and child friendly. Give your child The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl! Or if you like vintage comics so much better, why don’t you…buy some?

The books on the kid’s rack are good and fun and totally suitable for parents to read with their children without wanting to scoop their eyeballs out. Scocca cites the Batman ‘66 comics as the brightly colored, tightly written all ages solution to his problem about sharing superhero stories with his son. My local comic shop stores this title in the kid’s section. I am glad that Scocca’s does not, as he seems to have a peculiar aversion to looking for comics to read with his son there.

Scocca cites Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse as a superhero movie he could watch with his kids. (I was surprised when this line made it sound like he has several. I don’t want to assume the other one isn’t in this article because they’re a girl, but I very much am assuming that.) Great! Go to the kid’s section and look for Marvel Adventures: Spider-Man. It’s a fun, zippy title directly inspired by ITSV where Miles, Gwen, and Peter superhero together. It’s much more tightly written than most of the various Spider-Verse comics, which are ambitiously messy ubercrossovers. You may not want to give those to children because they include murder and so on, but also you just have the choice between the two as an adult reader deciding how much continuity you want to deal with. Adventures is one of the only titles I would buy on sight before corona. The kid comic rack is a reliable place to take a break from How Comics Get Sometimes regardless of how old you are.

This article makes me feel quarrelsome. Maybe it’s that it doesn’t seem like exploration of a single idea so much as a loosely grouped bundle of things to kvetch about. Maybe it’s that the experience of getting into superheroes that Scocca describes experiencing, projects his seven-year-old son will experience, and from which he extrapolates a metaphorical microcosm of the history of the genre is completely alien to me.

Comic books [and] comic-book movies—are […] trapped in their imagined audience’s own awful passage from childhood to adolescence. A seven-year-old has a clean […] appreciation of superheroes. They like hero comics because the comics have heroes: bold, strong, vividly colored good guys to fight off the bad guys and make the world safe.

But seven-year-olds stop being seven. […] They become 13-year-olds, defensively trying to learn how to develop tastes about tastes.

The 13-year-old wants many things from comics, but the overarching one is that they want to prove that they’re not some seven-year-old baby anymore. They want gloomy heroes, miserable heroes, heroes who would make a seven-year-old feel bad. (Also boobs. They want boobs.)

Not because of the boobs line, although that does illicit an eyeroll that this gloomy thinkpiece is fretting over preserving the superhero experience of little boys who resemble the little boy the writer was while casually dismissing everyone else. I was one of those unlikable little seven-year-olds with a college reading level and the impression that maintaining it was the crux of my worth. I only read Books - distinguished media you could club someone with. I have a formative memory of pausing, enraptured, in front of a poster for Spider-Man 3, preparing to say that it looked pretty cool, and being beaten to the punch by my mother making a disparaging comment about how the movie was trash. It wasn’t out yet, but it was a superhero movie. That meant it was for loud, brainless children.

That was the total of my childhood experience with superheroes, excluding being the unwilling audience to incessant renditions of “Jingle Bells, Batman Smells” that left me wondering why in god’s name Batman’s sidekick was named Robin. I certainly never visited a comic book shop. I got into TvTropes, which got me into webcomics, which got me following David Willis, who got me into Ask Chris at ComicsAlliance, which led to me rewarding myself for studying like a demon for the AP tests with three volumes of Waid’s Daredevil, pitched as a return to the character being colorful and swashbuckling. I was seven…teen.

This is of the same thread as Scocca’s point that immaturity is running from childish things. It leaves me baffled that he doesn’t follow that maturity is embracing them.

I will disclose here that while I think it was dumb I had to overcome my upbringing’s deeply embedded shame associated with enjoying arbitrarily defined lowbrow media and children being childish, I think it’s fine that I was allowed largely unchecked access to technically age-inappropriate content. In my limited experience, content small children are too young for is also content they’re too young to understand, so it kind of just bounces off of them, and what actually ends up terrorizing them is unpredictable collages of impressions that strike out at them from content deemed perfectly child-friendly. I would not forbid a seven-year-old I was in charge of from seeing an MCU movie unless I had a reason to believe that specific child would not take it well. These are emotionally low-stakes bubblegum films. It will probably be easier to socialize with other kids if they have seen them.

But then, when I picture being in charge of a hypothetical child, I usually imagine this being the case because they are related to me, and the pupal stage in my family strongly resembles Wednesday Addams. ALL children love death and violence, though, right?? This isn’t a joke point. I know it looks like a joke point.

The MCU thing seems especially weird in light of the article’s particular focus on Spider-Man, which is the kiddie line of the MCU, even if they refused to waver from their usual formula enough to get a lower rating. Though I am more inclined to describe it as “preying on the young” than “child-friendly”.

(MCU movies are increasingly dubious propaganda, but I would not judge them in front of a child who wanted to watch them for that reason, just in case this led to them partaking of them without me the second they were old enough to and then they grew up to run a blog about them while our relationship suffered because they didn’t feel like it was safe to talk to me about their interests…Mom.)

I tried to overcome the philosophy of letting anyone read anything while compiling this handful of mostly-newish superhero recs for the road that anyone can read. (Handily, I have been in spitting distance of being hired as a comic shop clerk enough to have thought about it before):

For actual children:

Marvel Adventures Spider-Man (the new one is reminiscent of ITSV, the old one is more like 616) any DC/Archie crossover, Archie’s Superteens The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl (for bookish children who think they’re too good for comics and adults afraid of the kid’s section) Teen Titans Go (even if you hate the show) Superman Smashes the Klan

For teens:

Ms. Marvel Young Avengers (volume 2) Unbelievable Gwenpool Batman: Gotham Adventures Teen Titans Go (the tie-in comic based off the old show was also called this)

Here are a bunch of relevant C. S. Lewis quotes.