#with the only difference this year being i'm going to edinburgh for 2 weeks instead of the whole month this year :/

[walkingstackofbooks]

I'm sure there are plenty of people who might feel differently, especially if they're younger than me (I'm 27), but for me I definitely feel this might be more noticeable a phenomenon in the US than the UK?

Kind of, anyway. The freedom of my teenage years compared to the freedom of those in prior generations seems like it was more limited, and there were definitely opportunities my parents had that would have been unimaginable to me. (Backpacking around Europe without a mobile phone on hand, for instance.) And 100% we're experiencing the erosion of safe, free/cheap public spaces for young people to be, and the rampant capitalism forcing us to prioritise work over actually living life happily 🙃

But on the other side, I've been taking the bus by myself since I was 11 -- some of my friends lived way out of town, so to meet up either they or I would have to do the 1/2 hour bus journey. It wasn't a problem for me to catch a train to London - 40+ miles away - with a group of friends from when I was about 16 or so, and just wander about there for the day. And on a regular weekend, I could walk pretty easily into town from our suburb - about 40 minutes, 50 perhaps to the cinema?

Hell, Duke of Edinburgh expeditions are a common sight each summer - a group of 14+ yos with backpacks practically as big as them wandering around the countryside for 3 days, trying to follow a route on a map, maybe having an adult check in on them 3-5 times in the day but otherwise left to their own devices and to walk miles in the wrong direction if they make a mistake. The shit we got up to in the campsites was real 😂

I feel like a lot of teens get a chance to do do young, dumb stuff in college, too (college in the UK being an optional educational institution for 16-18yos instead of staying on at secondary school.) (That's very simplified but shh.) It would depend where you are in the country I guess but definitely both of my 25yo housemates have some wild stories from college. Plenty of 17/18 yos I know went interrailing for a few weeks in Europe, too (although I know that's more difficult for the current generation with Brexit and price hikes and such).

And then as well if teens do go to uni* they're usually able to drink straight away, being 18 (which is debatable whether or not it's a good thing I guess) but Freshers' Weeks are certainly always wild and pubs and clubs always seem busy in uni towns -- and tbh I have friends who still regularly go clubbing well into their twenties, if it's their thing. And like, whatever you're doing when you're 18, you'll be able to hang out at a pub in the evening, and just have a chill night with your friends - half of us don't even drink alcohol. (I do feel minorly bad for always asking for tap water, but 🤷‍♀️. Sorry local pub for maybe spending only £20 there in the past 10 years 🙈 )

*(which I think is easier here? You only pay one ~$35 fee to apply to ALL your unis, not one-by-one, and our loans are less aggressive here too -- you don't pay them back until you're earning £25k ($30k) and they're written off after 30 years -- so it's more manageable to go? [Though don't get me wrong, it's still a damn sight harder if you're not middle-class+])

Ugh, sorry, this got long -- I don't want to diminish the importance of what you've all said because it's true. And it's been 8 years since I was a teenager, so younger folks might feel their freedom's been diminished since then. But at a time where social media was very much a thing, I had a 3/14/40 mile radius as a teen and it just doesn't ring true that we didn't get the chance to do dumb, stupid shit. 🤷‍♀️

Maybe this is the wrong platform to pose this question given the average tumblr user but

Is it just me or did our generation (those of is who are currently 20-30 ish) just not get the opportunity to be young in the 'standard' sense?

Like, everyone I talk to who's over 40 has all their wild stories about their teens and 20s, being young and dumb, and then I talk to my friends and coworkers and classmates, and we just... dont.

[visionsofus]

Wanda and Vision's Mixtape Masterlist (updating now)

cover by the wonderful @jjlover01​

Note: my inbox is currently open for prompt/ song submissions 🥰 (1-2wk turn around)

AoU to CW

#10 Death Stranding by CHVRCHES

what will become of us if we dare to dream? Wanda and Vision spend the night at a glitzy party for a mission and get jealous when they see each other with other people. read on AO3

# 11 Happy Together by the Turtles

the only one for me is you. In which Wanda and Vision try to deliver on a promise to cook breakfast for the rest of the team but end up goofing off together instead. read on Tumblr // AO3

#12 Where the Shadow Ends by BANNERS

put your trust in the light you cannot see. Wanda falls ill at the compound and Vision panics. Surprisingly, her illness gives them an opportunity to talk about their feelings. Wanda comes to terms with putting faith in her feelings and in Vision. read on AO3

#15 Flares by The Script

did you see the sparks filled with hope? Mere days after the battle in Sokovia Wanda is still coming to terms with Pietro's absence and the new life she is faced with in upstate New York. Waking from a nightmare she leaves sleep behind and takes solace in Vision as an unexpected comfort. Read on Tumblr // AO3

#19 Feel Something by Jaymes Young

you could be the one to make me feel. Movie night at the compound isn’t going well for Vision, and that’s even before he decides to try and be a bit more human and eat food. He manages to drunkenly confess his deepest insecurities about his own existence before the night is out. Ft. angsty Vision, jealous Vision, pining Vision and basically Vision feeling a whole array of emotions he doesn’t know how to deal with. read on Tumblr // AO3

#21 Start a Riot by BANNERS

I will tear down every wall just to bring you home. Wanda has a breakdown shortly into arriving at the compound and Vision is the only one who can get through to her. read on Tumblr // AO3

#25 Remedy by Adele

I will be your remedy. Wanda comes back injured from a mission and Vision has to come to terms with her mortality, and the limits of their relationship. Tender touching and the intimacy of tending to wounds. AO3

CW to IW

#3 Rescue my Heart by Liz Longley

Rescue my heart (I'll drown without you). In which Vision arrives to help break the Cap’s team out of Raft prison post-Civil War. Wanda recalls fond memories of the compound and comes to terms with the idea of living on the run. read on Tumblr // AO3

#5 The Best by Tina Turner

a lifetime of promises, a world of dreams. In which Wanda searches Edinburgh for Vision after she arrives late at their safehouse. When she discovers his energy signature floating around the city, she decides to follow the threads to their source. Along the journey she recalls the complications of their long-distance, secretive relationship but by the end recalls exactly why they sacrifice so much to be together. read on AO3

#6 Somewhere only we know

In which nobody died in Endgame and Vision gets the opportunity to pick up where he and Wanda left off before they were interrupted in Edinburgh. read on AO3

#7 Clarity by Foxes

don't speak as I try to leave (I'll fall right back to you). A distressed Vision shows up at Wanda’s door after a particularly bad situation goes down at the compound. She comforts him as they both try to reconcile with the very different lives they are now living. read on AO3.

#8 Our Corner of the Universe by K.S. Rhoads

Our little corner of the universe. In which Wanda and Vision are coming to the end of a few weeks together in Paris pre-IW and Wanda dreams a life for them where they no longer have to run and hide. Unknowingly, she draws Vision into her dream and they both must contend with the idea that this reality isn't something that will be easy for them. read on Tumblr // AO3

#9 If You Ever Come Back by The Script

just like you were never gone. Wanda and Vision recall an argument that forced them to go their separate ways in the early days of their relationship post-CW. Upon finding out Wanda is near the Compound Vision can't help himself and seeks her out to apologise. Read on Tumblr // AO3

#13 I Know Places by Taylor Swift

just grab my hand and don't ever drop it. Wanda and Vision try to spend a peaceful evening out for dinner in Paris when they are suddenly attacked. To keep each other safe they split up, forced to make the harrowing journey to the next safe house separately. Vision is faced with Wanda's mortality. read on AO3

#14 Me and My Husband by Mitski

when he walks in, I am loved. Vision is reminded that it is Valentine's Day and decides to show up at Wanda's safehouse to surprise her. Fluff ensues and Wanda's fugitive teammates realise exactly how close the pair have become. read on AO3

#17 Can You Feel My Heart by Bring Me the Horizon

can you feel my heart. One year into being a fugitive Wanda gets cornered, Vision sees the news in real time and runs to her aid. Aka Vision going apeshit when he thinks Wanda is dead. read on Tumblr // AO3

#18 That's All by Michael Bublé

All I have are these arms to enfold you and a love time can never destroy. Wanda and Vision share a perfect morning in Paris, snuggled up together watching the rain stream past the windows. aka 1000 words of fluff. Read on Tumblr // AO3

#20 The Scientist by Coldplay

you don't know how lovely you are. Wanda surprises Vision by breaking into the compound shortly after the fight in Germany. read on Tumblr // AO3

#23 Bury This by RVRB

I should bury this. Immediately after Wanda leaves in Civil War, Vision reflects on his feelings surrounding her departure. AO3

Post-IW

#16 Through the Fire by Jake Etheridge

I was lost (now I'm found again). The Battle of Wakanda is over. Vision knows he's gone and that there is no coming back. Taking pity on Vision, the mind stone lets him see some of his most treasured memories once more, to ease his passing. read on Tumblr // AO3

Canon Divergence

#1 Last Dance by Camera Can't Lie

If this was our last chance (I'd ask you to say). In which Civil War never happened and they all lived happily ever after. Wanda and Vision dance at one of Tony’s fancy galas and are forced to address the feelings that have become apparent to themselves, and the rest of the team. Yearning included with a happy resolution after a lil bit of angsty longing. read on Tumblr // AO3

#2 Infinity by Jaymes Young

Darling my soul, it aches for yours. In which Wanda and Vision sneak out of the compound and go on a date and just revel in the act of being together in public. The rest of the team doesn't know yet so they're working had on keeping everything a secret. When they arrive back Vision is so enamoured with Wanda that he trips the Compound alarms, waking everyone up with the fear of a break in at the front of their mind only to find the pair in a compromised position. Read on AO3

#4 Light Me Up by Ingrid Michaelson

we are tonight, we are forever. Wanda and Vision spend a domestic evening together free from the rest of the team. read on Tumblr // AO3

#22 Only Us by Ben Platt

it can be us, and only us. The Sokovia Accords are renegotiated so that the team are never divided. Following the successful signing of the document a press event is held at the compound. Wanda and Vision take a moment to breath away from the crowds, both have been holding back from each other for months, worried about risking their friendship. A simple miscommunication leads to a brief moment of angst as they realise their months of pining over each other has been mutual. read on Tumblr // AO3

#24 I Wanna Be Yours by Arctic Monkeys

I wanna be yours. Things get racy between Wanda and Vision in the compound kitchen. Vision tries to come to terms with the intensity of his feelings for Wanda. AO3

[skippingismagnificent]

filled in the machfest volunteer application form, which means my year can now officially start! :D