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thebibliomancer · 4 years

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Essential Avengers: Avengers #228: TRIAL and ERROR!

February, 1983

AT LAST! The trial of Yellowjacket!

Its been over a month in-universe and about a year out of universe but here we are. The Trial of Hank Pym.

Although the time getting here was mostly farting around with other stuff while Hank sat in prison. Can you believe Scott Lang is the only person we see visit him?

The Avengers found time to experiment on an immortal child who thought jumping into the sun was a good idea but not to visit Hank?

I’m not saying that Jan should have had to put herself through that and Tony is clearly feeling too guilty over the whole thing. But Cap didn’t visit? Hawkeye didn’t? Mr. Lets Bust Hank Out?

Possibly they did off-screen. The Hank arc has been kind of suffering from Shooter’s inability to balance writing and EICing. I feel that if redone, there would be more to the arc.

Anyway, the trial!

We skipped the first two days. Its the third day of the trial now.

The graphic guy went above and beyond for that Sad Composited Hank graphic.

I like the AN AVENGER’S DARKEST HOUR thing.

I also like the setup for recapping the necessary details.

Ex-Avenger attempts to heist the government would be big news so all the information is conveyed as this news report.

INCLUDING COURTROOM SKETCHES

God, that’s good.

That’s good comicing. Amazing.

Look at Thor in a courtroom sketch. Superb.

Look at that cheesy graphic for the coverage. Does anybody in Marvel even use a domino mask?? Everything about this is amazing.

People may say that Frank Miller revolutionized using media talking heads for social commentary in his comics. Maybe. Maybe so. But how many courtroom sketches did he include? Huh?

So apparently the reason why we’re on day three of the trial is that days one and two were entirely debates over whether Hank was even fit to stand trial.

I’d’ve thought they would get that out of the way ahead of time.

And Hank wants his day in court. So who was arguing he wasn’t fit to stand trial? The prosecution?

Apparently, the prosecution tried to argue that Hank’s history as a hero made his crimes more heinous, as a legal argument.

Which, uh? Um? Uh?

The defense objected that this was prejudicial but they were overruled.

The news recap ends when She-Hulk turns off the television angrily for reminding her of her legal career.

She-Hulk: “Leeches! I haven’t met Henry Pym, but he can’t be the creep they’re making him out to be! And that prosecutor -- ! I know it’s his job, but do they all have to be sanctimonious?! I hated that when I was a practicing attorney, and I don’t hate it any less since I’ve become She-Hulk!”

Reminds me that her nemesis in her original Savage She-Hulk book was an Assistant DA called Buck Bukowski who was a real sexist douche.

He mellowed out over the course of the book, mostly by learning that a death he blamed She-Hulk for was sorta his fault, but I wonder if she left LA so she wouldn’t be tempted to throw him out to sea.

She-Hulk is also still super bored (in New York??) and wanders downstairs to see if anyone is up to anything interesting.

Downstairs in the gym, she finds that the Caps are training.

The Captains America and Marvel.

Cap(tain America) is doing some combat training with Captain Monica Marvel.

This will not be at all confusing to have them on the same team.

Anyway, this training sequence is amazing so lets just have it all:

Cool stuff, Caps.

The training has to be cut short because Cap(tain America) has a prior commitment but still good stuff.

She-Hulk applauds Captain Marvel’s showing but Marvel waves it off as thanks to Cap(tain America)’s training. Which Cap(tain America) waves off as thanks to her being a quick study.

Its like a self-perpetuating modesty loop in here.

Cap excuses himself to go to his prior engagement.

Captain Marvel: “It’s easy to see why he’s called a living legend! He’s very good! And his grasp of strategy is second to none!”

She-Hulk: “Yeah, he does pretty well for a guy with no powers, but I could take him!”

What a this era of She-Hulk thing to say, She-Hulk.

Captain Marvel tells She-Hulk hey maybe not! Cap has stood up to some pretty tough customers, including Jen’s cousin the Hulk.

Which She-Hulk didn’t know!

Y’know, after Bruce (or recently implied to be Joe Fixit Actually??) started Jen’s origin story, the Hulk has not much further relevance in the Savage She-Hulk book. Jen doesn’t even give any indication that she’s keeping up with his exploits.

Not surprising, since the book was trying to be its own thing. And Jen’s life just starts to implode not very far into her solo so she doesn’t have time to also worry about Bruce.

Captain Marvel mentions that all of Cap(tain America)’s run-ins with the Hulk are recorded in the Avengers computer archives and She-Hulk concedes she should give that a look.

Hey, she finally has something to do in New York!

Captain Marvel also tells She-Hulk that she’s going to head home.

She-Hulk: “You have a place in the city?”

Captain Marvel: “Not this city... New Orleans.”

She-Hulk: “NEW ORLEANS?!?”

Captain Marvel: “Sure! It’s a snap to commute -- when you can travel at the speed of light! Take care!”

And then she nyooms off!

NYOOM!

It’s a good point! I hadn’t considered it but yeah, Monica can just commute. No need to uproot her life to become an Avenger.

I guess that’s why the decision was so easy for her to make.

She-Hulk is still at the window, wishing she could lightspeed to Malibu, when Thor and Janet arrive from court.

Janet thanks Thor for coming to court with her. Which he says no big to because “Time given to one’s friends is well spent. Would that I had given more time to poor Henry before this.”

You’re a cool guy, Thor.

The mention of Hank has Jan break down a little.

Jan: “Oh, Thor! Why has this happened to us... to all of us? We’re Avengers!”

Thor: “But still we are human -- aye, even a ‘god’ such as I! None of us are immune to wounds of the spirit. We err... we misunderstand. Janet? Is there anything more I can do?”

Jan: “No! No... I’m all right! We mustn’t dwell on the past. The future’s all that matters!”

Thor: “But...”

Jan: “I don’t want to talk about it anymore!”

Geez.

We’ve seen how affected the Avengers have been by what Hank has done and what they think he has done. We’ve seen Jan is more messed up by it than the smile she puts on lets on.

But the plaintive questioning of how this could be happening to the Avengers still hits hard.

Thor respects Jan’s wish to end the discussion to the frustration of She-Hulk who has been watching this conversation from the upstairs window.

She’s frustrated that Jan won’t just let it out, that Thor just let the subject drop.

She-Hulk: “It’s that blasted Avengers’ tradition of ‘respecting the privacy of members’ personal affairs.’ The founding members carry it too far! Can’t they see how it hurts them? And Jan -- ? Why does she hold in all that grief and heartache? Why doesn’t she cry and scream and shout and get it out of her system?!”

Jen and Jan are two very different people!

But She-Hulk, and Hulks generally, are about letting your feelings out. And Jan van Wasp has long been about playing the flighty sprite.

I’d crack joke about She-Hulk being this invested in the drama of the Avengers already but Jan is her friend. They presumably went car shopping together.

And She-Hulk has very few friends and almost zero female friends. Her one female friend died in a convoluted car accident and then She-Hulk mostly had a male supporting cast. Thank goodness she’s here on the Avengers with its two whole other women.

Meanwhile, at Stark International, Cap(tain America) has come to pay a visit.

He hasn’t been able to reach Tony in days. And Tony’s secretary told him that Tony has locked himself away in his private lab and that he doesn’t want to see anyone.

But if he didn’t want to see anyone, he should have thought twice about making it so that the security system will let in any Cap that flashes an Avengers ID.

Cap is particularly worried because of that nasty argument they had about Tony dating Jan. Tony has been pretty down since they broke up and Cap doesn’t want to see him fall apart like Hank did.

And.

Tony is. Doing. Maybe not okay.

He’s sweating a lot and unshaven and monomaniacally focused on a project.

Cap finds him holding up an enormous piece of machinery and doing SCIENCE.

This is the final evolution of Tony’s guilty conscience regarding Hank Pym.

Iron Man: “Remember how Moondragon used her mental powers to mess with our heads? Well, it’s my theory that she’s responsible for Hank’s recent troubles! I aim to prove that with this cerebral scanner! This baby should tell us whether or not Hank did the crazy things he did because of some outside mental influence! I hope I’m right!”

I mean, he raises a fair point! I don’t think its the case because what would it have benefited Moondragon to make Hank do what he did? And if its an inadvertent thing, she mind controlled a lot of people when the roster change-up was happening back in #211 so why did only Hank get affected? Plus, it doesn’t really match up with what both Hank and Jan have been saying about his behavior deteriorating before then.

But, Tony is going to Tony. And he, like many fans and writers and editors, just want a simple nonsense explanation that can make a distressing thing go away.

Cap points out that the ginormous machine can’t exactly be dragged down to the courthouse but this is just the prototype. Tony is going to have a miniaturized version ready by Monday.

Cap: “I see. Tony, how long have you been up?”

Iron Man: “I don’t know... 30... 40 hours, maybe. What difference does it make?”

Cap: “It makes plenty! You’ve had some rough sledding lately... You can’t keep on driving yourself this way!”

Iron Man: “But I have to do something for Hank. I feel that I let him down... In so many ways.”

Cap: “You can’t help him if you kill yourself in the process!”

Tony is going to Tony. I think that in some ways he might have a more overdeveloped guilt complex than Peter Parker or Matt Murdock.

For Reasons, I’ve taken a look at how things are going in the Iron Man book around this time and oof. Poor Tony.

Over in Leonia, New Jersey, Vision and Scarlet Witch are watching the trial coverage on the news and-

Okay.

1.) How do you make watching the network news so moody and dramatic, Vision? Do you ever actually relax?

2.) Do you two just wear your costumes around the house? Surely you must have other clothes? Vision? Do you have other clothes?

Some other stuff is that Wanda has been holding up Jan and Hank as the ideal marriage so this whole thing has been weirding her out. Although Vision has had a less rosy opinion of it, having been there for it with all of the marrying the split personality nonsense involved.

Although I don’t know why issue #68 is referenced. I don’t think that had anything to do with anything. Issue #60 is where the wedding happened.

Bet whoever put that caption wishes they had access to the internet.

I kind of wish we got more stuff like earlier, got to see Avengers not currently on the team and other heroes that worked with Hank Pym reacting to his disgrace exit from the team and then arrest. Wish we could have had Vision and Wanda try to visit him in jail.

Meanwhile, Long Island Sound.

A LOCATION OF EVIL

A suited man arrives and knocks on 13308 McKinley.

He is Dr. Chen Lu and he is expected.

Moonstone/Dr. Karla Sofen meets Dr. Chen Lu at the door and shows him in to the secret science basement where Egghead is running an experiment with the latest scientific equipment that can be begged, borrowed, or stolen.

I’m figuring... mostly stolen? Right? Like Egghead’s plan was to steal all the resources he needed? Because, ugh Effort?

Moonstone interrupts Egghead to let him know Dr. Chen Lu has arrived and Egghead is thrilled! He rushes from his seat to shake his hand.

And the sentiment is returned by Dr. Chen Lu who is eager to join Egghead’s project.

Y’know, Egghead is a jerk and is stealing all of his resources but his project will hugely improve medical science and he’s getting criminal scientists off the street and into some actual science jobs they can be excited about.

Dr. Chen asks how Egghead isn’t dead because he was pretty sure he was told Egghead was dead. And Egghead sure has a tale to tell!

In Defender #43, Egghead set up Cobalt Man to reach critical mass and explode to distract the Defenders so he could steal a magical star. When Cobalt Man found out, he was pretty pissed and decided to blow up Egghead.

Egghead: “We had a bit of a falling out, you might say... and he ended the situation most dramatically. Witnesses actually assumed we’d both perished. In actuality, I had been teleported by an experimental mechanism to relative safety in the New Jersey swamps... and unlike death, one can usually return from the state of New Jersey!”

Damn, Egghead! Criminal genius that you are, you’ve found the only New Jersey joke I’ve ever laughed at! Fiend!

I think its the glasses adjusting what does it.

Anyway, Egghead’s and Dr. Chen’s cool conversation gets interrupted by Tiger Shark and Shocker bursting through the ceiling fighting.

Beetle flies in after them and apologizes for the mess but says ‘really Shocker had it coming, man, fuck Shocker.’

Beetle and Moonstone jump in to separate the two.

Hey, you might be wondering how the Masters of Evil are out of jail when last time we saw them was getting arrested after attacking the Avengers like dumbasses?

Check that panel where Iron Man is lifting a really heavy thing. There’s a news broadcast about a bunch of prison escapes. Good job on the same issue setup, Stern!

Shocker complains that Tiger Shark called him a two-bit hood but Tiger Shark says in his defense that Shocker IS a two-bit hood (Not inaccurate...) who nearly screwed up the isotope heist. But Egghead says that Shocker is an important part of the operation.

Then Tiger Shark notices Dr. Chen Lu and says a slur.

C’mon, guy. Don’t be like that.

Dr. Chen Lu: “Speaking without thinking seems to be second nature to you, Tiger Shark. In the interest of our future partnership, I shall excuse the insult to my race... this time! But I warn you, do not use that word in my presence again, or you shall answer to -- THE RADIOACTIVE MAN!”

Tiger Shark hurriedly says that obviously he didn’t mean to offend. Because Dr. Chen Lu Radioactive Man fwooshed into his green skin (dammit comics whats with you and Asian people and green skin?) radioactive form and costume.

But with Radioactive Man on the team, the Masters of Evil are finally complete and ready for the next step of EGGHEAD’S BOLD PLAN.

Meanwhile, Hawkeye returns to his apartment from his day job, kind of looking a steady paycheck in the mouth. Sure the big wad of bucks is nice but its sooo boring. Thank goodness he has Avengersing to keep things exciting.

He then sings a short bit about “Best of both worlds -- !” because Hawkeye.

Hawkeye sees the news broadcast about the Hank Pym trial and even though he hasn’t been called to testify (because he wasn’t part of the team when Hank was caught with his hands in the government’s cookie jar) he figures what the heck, he’ll go to the trial anyway to show moral support.

And he does! In full costume!

In fairness, so are Thor and Captain America.

I guess Captain America and Hawkeye don’t have publicly revealed identities. But they couldn’t have thrown a suit on Thor?

Please put Thor in a suit. For reasons.

She-Hulk and Wasp are wearing nice court clothes.

Although She-Hulk seems uncomfortable in her nice court clothes.

(By the by, She-Hulk showing up at all makes Hawkeye warm up to her a little, since he figures that in her own way she cares about being an Avenger as much as he does.)

By the way, notice who wasn’t in that picture? Hawkeye leans over to whisper to Cap where is Iron Man? Annnnd Cap thinks maybe he just got wrapped up in his cerebral scanner project.

At this point in the trial (day 4), Hank has finally been called up to the stand to testify on his own behalf.

So, of course, given Hank Pym’s luck, the courtroom explodes.

What a dynamite conclusion to this arc!

The Masters of Evil (Moonstone, Radioactive Man, Tiger Shark, Shocker, and Beetle) jump into the court through the exploded ceiling, grab Hank Pym, have Shocker blow up the load bearing wall, and then run out while the Avengers are distracted holding up the entire ceiling!

An action scene fast enough that I can believe, yes, the Avengers didn’t have time to react to it before it happened.

But Thor is strong enough to hold up the ceiling, so Wasp orders Cap to get the crowd to safety and has She-Hulk and Hawkeye follow her to go after the Masters.

Cap: “Jan’s really coming into her own as group leader! Even Hawkeye’s snapping to at her orders!”

Good. I’m glad that people keep telling me that Wasp is doing a good job as Avengers leader.

Seriously. Given the way that the Avengers book handles teamwork and the idea that the Avengers even have a leader sometimes, I’m glad that the book is explicitly conveying that Wasp is doing good.

Hawkeye net-arrows Tiger Shark, She-Hulk tackles Radioactive Man, Wasp confronts Beetle, and nobody confronts Shocker because its just Shocker.

Beetle scoffs at Wasp trying to stop him but has to eat his words pretty soon. Her Wasp stings being souped up in this recent stretch of comics hasn’t stopped being a thing.

Beetle: “Ow! Maybe I was the one who spoke too soon! Even with my armor, I can feel a little of the Wasp’s bio-stings! If I can’t shake her, she might blow my micro-circuits!”

Very glad that Wasp continues to be an effective fighter in her own right and not just the distraction ‘fly around and pester people.’

She-Hulk just throws Radioactive Man out of the panel, mocking him for being green as her without any of her sweet moves.

Tiger Shark wants another go at She-Hulk after the way she stomped him in #222 but.

Oops guess I shouldn’t have mocked Shocker. Since he was ignored, he can sneak up behind She-Hulk and use HIGH INTENSITY VIBRO-SHOCKS to rattle her bones to dust.

Except, no. I should have mocked Shocker, a little.

Because even though the HIGH INTENSITY VIBRO-SHOCK rattles She-Hulk so that she chatters out “T-t-think a-a-again, y-y-you w-w-walking q-q-quilt!”, she grabs Shocker’s hands and holds him up in the air for Hawkeye to short out Shocker’s gauntlets with a couple of magno-volt arrows.

Shocker crumples, confused because one of the other Masters was supposed to be covering Hawkeye.

Radioactive Man tackles She-Hulk so She-Hulk just belts him away.

So Radioactive Man concedes, well, okay, She-Hulk is stronger than him. But brute force and being green aren’t the extent of his powers. He’s also radioactive, radioactive.

He hits She-Hulk with a controlled burst of gamma rays, which shifts her back into Jennifer Walters.

Hey, Jen! First time you’ve appeared in this book in this form.

She’s less than pleased. In fact, she starts screaming “No! Not this!!” and begging someone to help her.

Thankfully, the Masters put her out of mind as not a problem anymore.

And the dominoes fall.

Tiger Shark smacks Wasp out of the air, freeing Beetle to blast Hawkeye. And nobody can stop Moonstone from nerve pinching Hank Pym and pulling him into a truck.

Thor and Cap run out of the courthouse, presumably having gotten everyone to safety.

Thor: “Ho, villains! You’ve not won the day yet! Not as long as a single Avenger stands!”

Thor do what Thor do and what Thor do is throw Mjolnir.

Exceppppt its at Radioactive Man and Radioactive Man can still deflect Mjolnir with energy fields. Radiation can do that. Mjolnir doesn’t exist in real life so we can’t prove that radiation can’t do that.

Radioactive Man deflects Mjolnir right at Captain America. He gets his shield up in time but it still knocks him on his ass.

The Masters all book it into the truck while the Avengers get to their feet.

Wasp orders Hawkeye to shoot out the tires to the truck. But before he can and before it can be fruitless, a getaway truck explodes out of the truck and flies off more quickly than the Avengers can chase.

And by “the Masters all book it into the truck” I mean, “except Shocker” because they ditched him.

With the Masters escaped, Wasp turns on the shocked Shocker and rips off his mask and demands he tell them where the Masters are going.

But the shocked Shocker is too shocked to answer. He seems out of it, really.

So Wasp changes the question. Who is behind this? Why did they want to kidnap Hank Pym?

Shocker: “Why? It... it was his idea! Dr. Pym’s idea... He arranged for us to free him!”

DUN DUN DUUUUU- no wait we know thats not it

whats your game shocker

Sometime later, Hank Pym wakes up in Egghead’s lab. And, of course, immediately leaps up to kick the shit out of Egghead as soon as he sees him.

Alas, Tiger Shark holds him back.

Egghead: “Don’t restrain him too tightly, Tiger Shark! He’s of no use to us injured!”

Hank Pym: “I’ll ‘use’ you, Egghead! You’re responsible for ruining my life! You manipulated me into stealing that government adamantium... and set me up, when your scheme failed! You’re mad if you think you can make me help you now!”

Egghead: “Pish-tosh!”

Good rejoinder, Egghead.

God, this also cracks me up.

Egghead says that he’s in the middle of a great experiment and that he needs the world’s greatest biochemist, Hank Pym.

Hank is still on the ‘why the hell do you think I’ll help you, I hate you so much.’

So Egghead has the tv turned on.

Anchorman, Non Burgundy: “... Authorities were stunned by the news that Dr. Pym had planned his own abduction! The Avengers refused to comment on the Shocker’s confession, but polygraph experts confirmed --”

Egghead explains that Shocker was a patsy. His gauntlets were secretly rewired with special circuits that brainwashed him into believing what Egghead wanted him to. So thoroughly that it fooled a lie detector.

Egghead: “As far as the world is concerned, Henry, you are now most assuredly a criminal. No one will believe otherwise. Not the police... not even your former friends. You have no one to turn to in this world... except us! Join the Masters of Evil, Henry! We will give you a new life!”

Hank Pym: “All right... I’ll do it!”

DUN DUN DUN!!

Wow, so I guess Egghead wasn’t just being petty. He was also systematically destroying what little was left of Hank’s life to force him to work on SCIENCE project with him.

Proving his innocence and ‘getting his dignity back’ was all Hank had left to him.

Geez, sucks to be Hank Pym!

Psst, follow @essential-avengers? Like and reblog?

#Avengers #Egghead #Masters of Evil #Hank Pym #the Wasp #She Hulk #Hawkeye #Thor #Captain America #Captain Marvel #monica rambeau #Iron Man #not doing so well #essential avengers #essential marvel liveblogging #SUPERHERO LEGAL DRAMhaha just kidding it gets interrupted #lot of interesting trajectories the avengers are going on in this issue #so far so good on the Stern run

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catgluue · 5 years

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Chapter Two: Mortal/Immortal

I’m a day late but still trucking along!

Read on AO3

Chapter One: Coincidence

Chapter Two: Mortal/Immortal

“You’re going to be okay? Living here alone with him?”

“Of course,” Riza all but scoffed, a mannerism she had picked up from Roy - Mr. Mustang when her father was around. She didn’t know for sure that she would be okay, but at fourteen she was so different from the kid she’d been when Roy had come to study under her father. She was like a plant who had finally gotten to spend time in the sun. She’d flourished in his presence, and she would miss him.

“You’ll write to me, right?” He looked bashful, hopeful. She couldn’t quite place when he had gone from awkward and gangly to boyishly handsome. For that matter she didn’t know when she had gone from compact and sure-footed to awkward and gangly but here she was. Suddenly the gangly one.

“Lots,” she promised, holding out her hand and hoping it wasn’t sweaty. Instead he wrapped her in a tight hug that she returned hesitantly; she couldn’t remember the last time she’d been hugged.

“Oh and stay out of my room,” he joked. “I expect it to be waiting for me just as I left it when I come visit.”

He did come visit, years later, in time to help her plan a funeral, but he’d slept on the couch, as though not to venture further into her life than the sitting room. When she told him, somewhat self-consciously, that his room as ready for him he’d told her he didn’t want to intrude.

-x-

Riza entertains the idea of sleeping in her childhood bed for about five minutes, standing anxiously in the upstairs hallway by the huge window they had never gotten curtains for, before going to sleep on the couch in the sitting room. The fire she set earlier is crackling away, and shadows dance across the walls. She stops at the bottom of the stairs for a moment, breathless, feeling as though she’s been transported through time. She can almost see a scrawny fifteen-year-old Roy Mustang setting up the checkers board, alchemy textbooks piled high on the coffee table.

But she is alone. There are no alchemy textbooks, no checkers, and no Roy Mustang. Not yet, anyhow. She’s glad, not for the first time, that the General is accomplished at letting people only see the parts of him he wants to be visible. If any of their team guess at their shared past here in this house Riza knows that she personally will never hear the end of it.

She settles into the couch and stares into the fire, muscles taut with nerves. Something about being back here feels like floating in a void, in a place untouched by time, existing somehow outside the mortal coil. She remembers how living here before, sometimes she would feel like the one who was haunting the old house, too incorporeal to be real but too solid to fully float away.

Riza wakes on the couch in horror to find that it’s at least mid-morning and someone is knocking at the door. Blearily she grabs her sidearm off the coffee table, and creeps towards the front door. Halfway there she realizes it’s probably just the team but she’s been through too much not to stand on tiptoe to peer through the peephole before lowering her gun and opening the door.

“Nice place,” Breda tells her, leaning to look past her. “Sure you want to sell it? Fix it up a little and this could be a great place to retire.” Riza moves aside to let him pass, followed by Fuery whose arms are full of equipment. Havoc is nowhere to be seen, but the General walks up, hands in his pockets, with an impossible-to-read expression.

Impossible for most people, anyway.

“You slept on the couch,” he says quietly, peering around her into the sitting room. “How are you doing?”

“Fine, sir,” she says in a clipped tone, reminding him with a glance that he’s never been here before. “I’ve gotten a lot done since yesterday.” Havoc appears finally, striding around the side of the building.

“I couldn’t find much, boss,” he tells them. “There’s a few tracks around the northwest side, and some tampering with the window, but that’s about it. Hey Hawkeye,” he gives her a nod. “Really nice landscaping.” He shoulders the duffel bag he clearly left on the porch and heads inside. Riza gives her superior office another significant look, then turns and walks inside and to take stock of the chaos that had immediately befallen her house.

“Well I’m going into town,” she announces. “Just as soon as I change. I want to speak to the mayor about what he saw here.”

“I’ll go too,” the General announces. “You could use a second set of eyes and it won’t be the first time we’ve pretended to be a married couple.” she rolls her eyes but everyone seems to take this in stride.

“I’ll get a wiretap going and see what I can find out,” Fuery tells them.

“I think I should go alone,” Riza tries to give Roy a significant look but he’s carefully examining the contents of a china cabinet. “There’s no evidence of foul play apart from a tampered window. It might even just have been some kids from the town trying to get into what they thought was an abandoned house. And there’s certainly no reason to pretend to be married . This isn’t Aerugo.”

“Couldn’t hurt,” Roy says, picking up a teacup and turning it over.

“I don’t know,” Breda says slowly, still looking around the room. “Your father was an alchemist, right? But he never worked for the state-”

“How do you know that?” she asks, probably sharper than she means to.

“We did our due diligence,” Mustang replies, finally meeting her eyes.

“Which means,” Breda continues, “either he didn’t qualify because his research wasn’t enough to impress them, or he simply wasn’t interested in working for the military. Understandable,” he shrugs. “My biggest question is why Grumman sent us here - the pattern seems to be this individual - or group - going after state alchemists exclusively.”

“Exactly,” Fuery chimes in, busily setting up what looked to be a great deal of equipment on the dining room table. “So it looks like, for whatever reason, the state’s had their eye on your father for a while, Captain.”

“I remember them sending scouts to try and recruit him,” Riza says, and this much is true; however the last scout was years before her father ever decided to take on an apprentice. “But as far as I know his research is all destroyed now. I made sure to see to that after his death.” Also technically true. Havoc shrugs.

“It’s weird but the whole thing is weird; what do they plan to do with incomplete research?” he wonders out loud. Riza is already heading for the staircase to go change and almost misses the General’s quiet reply.

“Maybe they’re trying to solve the equations.”

-x-

The walk into town is almost painfully familiar. She walked this way every day to school for years, occasionally with Mustang to walk her home afterwards, chattering the whole time about a new transmutation or new theory or asking her what she’d learned. He was very good at talking then, just as he is now, pointing out a particular type of tree lining the path as they approach the town and he reaches out to lace his fingers through hers in a motion so natural that she doesn’t notice at first. She just has to give a sidelong glance to get an apologetic grin back.

“We’re undercover,” he tells her.

“Which I still think is unnecessary,” she reminds him, but leaves her hand in his as they walk through town. It’s changed, as she noted on her walk from the train station. There are more buildings, more houses closer to the center of town. Further off she can see the old schoolhouse - that building looks exactly the same. “I could have done this just as well on my own. Maybe better,” she considers, “ You might get recognized and that’s bound to be awkward for everyone involved.” He shrugs at this.

“It’s not a bad story. I studied under your father, left for the military, you followed, and now we’re married and selling the old house. Hardly unbelievable.”

“No,” she says slowly. “Not unbelievable.” It could have been reality, she thinks, had a butterfly flapped its wings at the right time.

Seemig to read her mind, as usual, he lifts their joined hands and quickly presses a kiss to the back of hers as they approach what passes for a town hall in Werthem, and she ignores the blush she can feel creeping up her neck. His touch makes her feel human, solid, not like a shade haunting the manor where she grew up but a flesh-and-blood human.

The receptionist directs them to what is really the only office in the place, but the door opens as Riza is about to knock, and she finds herself face to face with Ernst. He looks vaguely familiar, as do many of the people in town.

“Are you the mayor?” she asks anyway, holding her hand. “Riza Hawkeye. I got your letter.” The man looks between her and Roy for a moment.

“Ah… which letter was this?” he asks, and she falters.

“You wrote to tell me that trespassers were spotted on the property,” she reminds him. Surely he can’t be that busy. The town is miniscule and from the bustle of the office he looks like he has plenty of help. Roy looks to be bored but she knows he’s actually taking in all the details of the office.

“See honey, I told you it wasn’t that serious. There’s nothing in the house anyone would even want to take, unless they’re into ornamental spoons.”

“I apologize, Miss Hawkeye,” Ernst says with a shrug, donning his hat. “While it’s nice to have you - and your ...husband?”

“Fiance,” Roy corrects, settling an arm around Riza’s shoulders.

“-in town,” the mayor continues, “I didn’t write you. Terribly sorry for any confusion.”

-x-

“Well that was pointless,” Riza laments as they walk back up the road to the manor, having stopped in the market to buy groceries. It was reminiscent of the many times they did so as teens, although this time instead of generally being more of a nuisance than a help, Roy seemed to enjoy himself, strolling through the sunlit streets, her arm looped through his as she filled a basket - her old shopping basket, actually - with produce.

“Not entirely,” he replies. “The mayor was clearly lying, and while I’m not sure why I think we can safely say there was money involved.”

“And what makes you think that?”

“His hat for one thing. His jacket for another. Both brand new, and the suit was tailored, which I know for a fact isn’t cheap.” She snorts at this.

“Says the man who would rather buy nice suits than furniture.”

“Priorities, Captain,” he says. “I think Ernst might just be our man.”

-x-

She’s still resentful of the intrusion, but by evening the air in the house seems lighter, the voices of her comrades chasing away the spectres that seemed to lurk in the corners of her vision. They’ve stopped working for the night, and she can hear them laughing and chatting over a bottle of wine Breda found somewhere in the kitchen. Riza stands at the end of the hallway, looking at the double doors that lead to the study.

This is ridiculous, she thinks, and pushes the door open.

The metal was cold against her skin, the blanket between her and the table barely giving her any protection. It was in contrast to the burning pain that seared her shoulder blades. She had agreed to guard her father’s research but now she was beginning to think better of it. She’d planned on guarding a notebook, maybe, or even burying research notes somewhere in a weatherproof box.

This would be, her father told her, much more secure.

There it is, the metal work table where she spent much of the fall the year after Mustang left for the military. It’s smaller now than in the nightmares she had for years afterwards. She walks forward, touches it. All that trouble, she thinks, and the tattoo was destroyed not even five years later. All that trouble to ensure the secret of flame alchemy survived and here she was, still wishing its keeping had never fallen into her hands.

-x-

Chapter Three: Flashover

#royaiweek19 #day two #late af #riza hawkeye #Roy Mustang #royai

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talesofafangirlwithadvr · 5 years

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Endgame of Thrones (April Picks)

Does it even matter what else I watched earlier this month because THIS WEEKEND! If every weekend was like this one I don’t know how I could function. Thankfully Game of Thrones’ Battle of Winterfell and Avengers Endgame were on two different days so my body had some time to process it all. But even preparation couldn’t get me ready for all of the action that occurred. Here come the spoilers!

Spoilers.....

Spoilers....

Spoilers...

I’m serious here they come!

GAME OF THRONES 8x03

After last week’s episode I was FEARFUL for what would come at the Battle of Winterfell. The impending battle that was foreshadowed since the beginning was inevitable and with several (if not all) of the characters reaching a full character development I grew even more worried for their safety. 8x02 had to be one of my favorite episodes of GOT so far because we had some many characters reuniting and under the same roof with these full circles being made. The top moment for me had to be when Brienne of Tarth became Ser Brienne. Then I immediately started hoping she would survive the next episode. (Thanks writers for making us not be able to just enjoy anything anymore.)

So, last night as 8x03 began I got ready for the worst, unsure if anyone would survive and after watching I have to say that I am shocked at how many people lived through it. (Which once again makes me very fearful for what lies ahead in the rest of the show. There’s no way all of them will make it, right?) Our main focus has been on the Night King and his oncoming dark night that I was SHOCKED when Arya killed him! I thought we would have to fight him for multiple episodes. Okay, I actually thought he wouldn’t have even been at Winterfell. I believed the theory he was going straight for Kings Landing which actually would have probably been the smarter move. After he was killed I sat there for a moment like: What are the next 3 episodes going to be about? Completely forgetting that Cersei exists.

But that kill! WOW ARYA! I did not see that coming. I thought Jon would have been more of a contributing factor in the Night King’s death due to him being the product of Fire and Ice, but other than getting lost on his dragon Jon basically spent the episode on the sidelines. I was so happy that Arya got to kill the Night King with one of her oldest tricks. Which of course now makes me upset for her safety. Another full character arc?

I just wish Bran looked more thankful. But then again he only wears one face now-a-days. As I’ve heard several people mention, I really do hope we learn why the Night King was so obsessed with Bran (who btw I was expecting to have more of a role in the fighting).

There’s so much I want to discuss about this episode but let’s take a moment to remember the fallen: Edd, I knew someone would die protecting Sam and it made sense to be him. Your watch has ended. Lyanna Mormont, I was so worried about her and this crushed me, but she went out like she lived: a badass. Beric Dondarrion, so many times I was like how is he still alive? But it was all for a reason as Melisandre predicted he would help Arya survive. Theon Greyjoy, the complete character arc worried me, but I didn’t think we would lose him this soon. He went out protecting Bran, in the place that was his true home and Bran said he was a good man. What is dead may never die. Jorah Mormont, earlier in the episode as he was one of the first ones on the front lines to charge I didn’t feel confident and was all the more impressed as he made it back time after time. But it all made sense as he had to protect Dany one last time. [Man, as I’m writing all of these out they are starting to become realer and I don’t think I can handle it.] And last but not least, Melisandre, who I was pretty shocked to see at the start of this episode. She came in clutch and the living would not have been able to win without her. Valar Morghulis.

As everyone predicted the crypts were not the “safest place in Winterfell” as once the Night King emerged the dead started to rise. Once again, I was pretty shocked that we didn’t have more major character deaths down here. I loved the touching scene between Tryion and Sansa as we transitioned between the battlefield and the crypt with no audio except for the music track. Very impactful.

There is so much more I can say, but these were definitely my first thoughts on the episode. I can’t believe the battle has come and gone and now we have to venture back to Kings Landing. Be safe my friends!

AVENGERS ENDGAME

Over 10 years in the making and 22 films later Avengers Endgame closed a chapter in Marvel history. Walking into the theater I was not emotionally, mentally or physically (3 hours/no bathroom break) prepared. The night before I had re-watched Infinity Wars (and just like with Game of Thrones) prayed for the safety of these heroes.

I know it was said before but SPOILERS ARE COMING!

My first thought for defeating Thanos seemed to rely on time travel, but I was surprised to see that it took 5 years in the world after the snap before traveling back to get the infinity stones. I LOVED how much of a role Antman aka Scott Lang played in this role. (Thanks to that rat for hitting the right buttons after 5 years.) This character gave us some more insight into what had been going on for that amount of time and of course brought more humor to the film. (I mean he does deliver one of the best lines that gets repeated by Cap later: “That’s America’s butt.”

Opening with the Hawkeye flashback as he has a typical afternoon with his family and then the snap happens where he loses everyone was so tragic. I was not expecting the movie to start that soon as we usually see the classic Marvel opening. The transformation in his character made so much sense and was really interesting to explore. I liked how we got to see both Hawkeye and Antman included where they were missing for the previous film.

This movie reminded me why I enjoy the MCU so much with all the references to previous films. The site of the first Avengers film: New York City 2012, brought back so many great memories and made me want to rewatch all of them. I loved how we got some exact flashbacks from the movies and then some added scenes showing more of a transition from one movie to the other. (Example: The Avengers to Winter Soldier and Captain America’s “Hail Hydra” moment in the elevator. Of course, I also enjoyed seeing Loki again as it seems that we did truly lose him.) Also seeing clips of old movies from a different angle was cool, like with Starlord singing at the start of Guardians of the Galaxy. Other time events we had never actually been to before, but were still a great trip with Steve seeing Peggy again and Tony his dad. I personally loved seeing Jarvis.

One of the biggest moments for me was when Captain America held Thor’s hammer during the final battle. It had been predicted in earlier films (particularly Age of Ultron) that he would be worthy enough to wield Mjölnir and they were right. There’s times where he’s using the hammer and the shield and then he alternates with Thor. So good!

Just as with the Night King in GOT, Thanos is defeated in this film, but it is not without loss on our side. It starts with Black Widow sacrificing herself for the soul stone. I was really hoping there was some sort of loop hole that would bring her back because of all the time travel stuff and was really shocked when Bruce Banner/Hulk said he tried but wasn’t able to get her back. I had heard rumors of Scarlett Johanssen getting her own Black Widow movie so I am a bit confused unless it is a prequel story. Either way I hope this isn’t the last we’ve seen of this hero. Tony Stark’s death was one that I thought might happen going into the movie, but it did not prepare me for it actually happening. As I was talking about before with the full circle character development, Tony experienced this. He was also the kick off to the MCU, so it made even more sense for this ending. His final sentence: “I am Ironman” still gives me chills. While Captain America didn’t technically “die” and lived out his life with Peggy as he always wanted, it was also a goodbye to his character. It was great to see him pass the shield over to Sam but it will still feel a bit strange to not see Steve next film.

There’s so much more that I can continue to talk about and I know as soon as I publish this article I will probably think of something else to say, but as you can see I definitely enjoyed this movie and can’t wait to see it again in theaters.

So, I survived the weekend! I hope you did too. Let me know how you feel about all of this!

#endgame of thrones #spoilers #game of thrones #game of thrones review #got 8x03 #battle of winterfell #Arya Stark #avengers endgame #avengers endgame spoilers #avengers endgame review #tony stark #steve rogers #natasha romanoff

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ryanmeft · 5 years

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The Avengers: Endgame Dead Pool

Somebody’s gonna get it in Avengers: Endgame. Probably a few somebodies. Marvel’s going to be moving on from the original Avengers line up as they go into Phase 4, and with multiple contracts ending, not everyone is gonna survive this. Below, I make my best stabs at who will live, who will die and who will retire. Note I didn’t include everyone, because we know many characters have upcoming projects, including Spider-Man, Scarlet Witch and Vision, Bucky and Falcon and the Guardians. This deals with ones whose fate is actually sort of up in the air.

Iron Man: Dies

One of the Big Three Avengers is going to lay down their lives for their comrades, and since it not only happened in the comics but is in keeping with his personality, everyone expects it to be Cap. I’m going against the grain on this one and saying it’ll be Tony. It fits with his character arc in the movies: from a guy who became a hero in part because he thought he was just that cool, to arguing with Cap that it’s better to think of a way out of a situation than to go down fixing it, he’ll end his arc sacrificing himself to Thanos for the greater good. It also makes sense from two logistical standpoints: it’ll be way more surprising than if Cap did it, and it closes the loop on the original Avenger, allowing Downey to bow out of the MCU and move on with no serious pressure to return. Marvel has relied a lot on their Golden Boy, using him in some capacity in ten out of 21 movies, and they need a solid split in order for Phase 4 to establish a new identity.

Captain America: Retires

Cap will survive the fracas but also leave the life, passing on the mantle to someone else, though maybe not right away. There’s a fan theory out there that because time travel is likely involved, he’ll get to go back to 1944 and live out his life with Peggy as though he were never frozen, and it’s lovely---but it would also erase most of the continuity of the MCU, so don’t expect that. He’ll simply retire, possibly due to a serious injury even he can’t heal from.

Thor: Lives

Ragnarok was a major hit, and there’s already talks for Thor 4. Marvel’s only gotten one really good solo movie out of the guy, and they probably want more. Hemsworth is up for it and has been talking to Waititi. Loki has that solo series coming. It all adds up to: Thor lives, and keeps on hammering.

Black Widow: Lives

This one is purely practical: Marvel’s not going to kill off one of their few female heroes. I’d actually bet her in-the-works movie is a prequel set in her pre-Avengers days, but she’ll still live.

Hawkeye: Dies

Take a look at Hawkeye’s mood in the first trailer: he’s a bad-ass, but he’s not a cold-blooded killer, and he’s just straight up slaughtered a bunch of Yakuza. What else could cause such a shift in him other than his family getting Thanosed? He’s got a serious hate-on, and he’ll go down to get them back. It would be a fitting end for a character Marvel hasn’t always known what to do with.

Hulk: Lives

I’m not sure how much mileage Marvel could get out of Hulk eating it…and it certainly doesn’t fit with his character, as it’s unlikely Hulk would allow anything to kill him or Banner. Ruffalo’s got one more film on his contract, and I get the feeling he’ll be one of the ones left dealing with the fallout.

Rhodey: Depends

If Marvel doesn’t have the backbone to kill off Iron Man, they might offer Rhodey as a replacement sacrifice. If Tony dies, it’s hard to tell whether Rhodey will go down beside him or live to mourn his friend. Everybody likes both Rhodey and Don Cheadle, but he’s a bit of a wild card; he’d probably have more impact on the audience by dying than living, and it’s hard to see anything to do with him in a post-Iron Man MCU.

The Guardians

I’m handling these guys as a group. Most believe Gamora is trapped inside the Soul Stone rather than dead-dead, and she’ll probably come back in some capacity simply because of the need for female characters in the MCU. Nebula might sacrifice herself to make it happen somehow. Groot has died once and won’t do so again, Rocket is too popular, and Chris Pratt has top billing. Out of all the original Guardians, Drax seems most likely to go down in a suicidal blaze of glory, which is what he’s always wanted, anyway.

Star-Lord: Lives

Gamora: Resurrected

Drax: Dies

Rocket: Lives

Groot: Lives

Mantis: Lives

Nebula: Dies

Wakanda

Once again, I’m grouping the Wakandan characters, rather than doing individual entries. T’Challa himself is obviously coming back; he’s not only just started, but his franchise is worth too much to Marvel. We only found out Shuri was Snapped because of posters, but it doesn’t matter, because they’d be dumb to leave her dead. M’Baku and Okoye survived the Snap; they aren’t essential characters, though, and they’re easy sacrifices to up the cost of the final victory. M’Baku is less popular and more impetuous; I’d bet on him not making it. Just a reminder: no word on T’Challa’s girlfriend, and no one is asking. That’s how boring she was.

T’Challa: Resurrected

Shuri: Resurrected

Okoye: Lives

M’Baku: Dies

Girlfriend: No One Cares

Loki: Stays Dead

Tom Hiddleston is confirmed to return in Endgame despite his extremely chokey death in Infinity War, but that will be due to time travel. He’s also been confirmed to star in a Loki series on Disney+. My bet: the series is set prior to the original Thor film, will have a Journey Into Mystery vibe, and Loki in the present will not be coming back.

Thanos: Suicide

Here’s a bonus, and a bold one. Of course, Thanos can’t remain alive. Whatever his intentions are, he’s crazy, and a threat to all life. But how will he go down? Most people are probably wondering who will take him out, and my prediction is: himself. Someone, probably Cap, will convince him his mission actually brought more suffering than healing, and he, knowing his mind is warped and he’ll eventually try again, will cancel himself.

Those are my predictions. Leave yours in the comments, here, or on my Twitter or Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/ryanmeftmovies/

https://twitter.com/RyanmEft

#marvel #guardians of the galaxy #black panther #avengers endgame #movies #tom hiddleston #robert downey jr.#Iron Man #Chris Evans #captain america #spider-man #hulk #mark ruffalo #Scarlett Johansson #jeremy renner #thor #chris hemsworth

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ruserious-hi · 5 years

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Chapter V

Summary: You’re entire life you had felt that you were special, like you were mean’t for something greater. You weren’t ordinary. You had a mother, friends. You were even at the top of your class. It wasn’t until your eighteenth birthday that you discovered you were right all along and yet wrong in so many ways.

A/N:

Although it was early in the morning, you couldn’t sit still as the doctor began sawing off your cast. Your tiredness had quickly faded as the excitement of finally being able to train since your wrist and ribs had healed sooner than the doctor expected.

The moment your cast came off and the doctor went through the spiel of physical therapy you had to do you ran back across from the medical wing to the main dormitory facility. When you got there, you found Sam sifting through the cabinets looking for who knows what. With a flick of your wrist, you shut the cabinet causing him to turn around in shock.

“Notice anything different?” you asked with a slight smirk on your face.

“Yeah. Someone ate the last bit of fruit loops and didn’t replace them. Was it you?” Sam retorted while crossing his arms and leaning against the counter.

You shook your head and rolled your eyes.

“No bird brain, do you notice anything different about me?” you said spinning around.

While you were spinning, Peter yawned as he walked into the room dressed in his Thor pajamas and looked right at your arm. His eyes lit up.

“It’s off?!?” exclaimed Peter. You nodded and he rushed over to you. With a nod of approval from you, he wrapped you in a hug. “Y/N, I’m so happy for you.”

“I think this calls for a celebration,” said Sam jumping away from the counter, forgetting all about his fruit loop fiasco. “F.R.I.D.A.Y. initiate SALMON protocol.”

“What’s salmon-”

Just as you were about to ask what SALMON was Party Up by DMX started blaring out of the speakers, rave lights began flashing, and confetti shot out from every direction. At that point, Sam grabbed your hand and started bopping up and down. Peter joined in and started running around and wooing.

Eventually, everyone else, curious to what the commotion was so early in the morning, ambled into the kitchen. First, it was Wanda and Vision. After congratulating you, Wanda tried to teach Vision how to dance to the music. It wasn’t going so well. Then Nat snuck in and started showing you some new moves. Steve, after attempting to scold Sam who was too distracted by chasing Peter to listen, retreated to the corner of the room where Bucky stood with a neutral expression as he took in the pandemonium of the moment.

Peter, in an attempt to escape Sam, was literally hanging from the ceiling.

“F.R.I.D.A.Y. terminate SALMON protocol.”

The music stopped and the lights turned on which led to everyone freezing in their spot to find a stone-faced Tony.

“Sam how many times do I have to tell you not to initiate, you know what, unless it is for a special occasion.”

“It is a special occasion,” he retorted. “Y/N over here has a clean bill of health.”

Everyone wooed and patted you on your back. You couldn’t help but smile.

“I’ll allow it. Clean this up Wilson and Y/N,” he said. “I need to check to confirm with the doctor. Then you and I need to have a little chat.”

After your nod of agreement, Tony spun around and left the room with a trace of a smile on his face.

“F.R.I.D.A.Y. you know what to do,” Sam exclaimed.

And everyone began celebrating again.

As you let the joy of the moment vibrating throughout the room flow through your veins, for just a few minutes the pain and suffering that weighed heavily on your heart was lifted. It was just you and a bunch of bad-ass heroes dancing your hearts out.

While everyone went to train after your early morning celebration, you found yourself sitting on your bed doodling in a notebook Steve had given you.

That’s when you felt a vibration at your door. It was from Tony. With a flick of your wrist, you swung open the door.

“Hey, Tony.”

“Hey, Sparky.” Entering the room, Tony closed the door and sat at the foot of your bed. “I’ve got good news and bad-ish news. Which do you want first?”

You pondered for a minute. While looking at Tony, you could tell something was weighing heavily on him. “Bad.”

“Good choice,” he sighed. “Well, you healed much faster than the doctor expected.”

“This is bad news?” you questioned.

“Well, I did say bad-ish. We, the doctor and I, think there might be something in your blood. Like Cap and Bucky.”

You were confused, “What’s in their blood?”

“Well Steve got his powers through a serum my Dad was involved in creating. It takes all human abilities and turns it up to the max,” he explained. “We think you might have some variation, of course not the exact thing, because that was all destroyed in the 40s.”

“Then how did Bucky get all those same powers,” you questioned.

“HYDRA,” he said shortly before coughing and diverting the conversation away from Bucky. “Anyway. Our current theory is that HYDRA was dampening this power, which is why you didn’t heal immediately, so we want to run a few tests on your blood to see what’s in it and also to keep a close eye on you to see if anything else manifests.”

“Okay.”

“Are you sure? If you don’t want to know, you don’t have to. It’s up to you.”

“It’s okay. I want to know everything. And if part of that means finding what’s running through my blood and the full extent of what HYDRA did to me. I’m ready.”

Grabbing Tony’s hand, you sent a feeling of reassurance to Tony.

“Alright,” popping up off your bed, he pointed at your feet. “Then throw some shoes on. We’re going on a field trip.”

As you sat on the chair with a U.V. sticking out pulling the blood trickle out of your body, you asked Tony who was standing across from you with his arms crossed, “So what was the good news?”

“Oh, right,” adjusting the sleeves of his shirt. “Training. You’ve been sitting around locked in your room for most of the few weeks you’ve been here and I haven’t said anything because you were injured, but that’s no longer an excuse. Nat has been bugging me about training you to fight. Something about your magic fingers not being enough to protect yourself and ya da ya - but I agree. I think it would be good for you. What do you think?”

You nodded, “Yeah. I think it would be cool. I always wanted to learn karate, but I was always so busy with school and my mom never took me when I was little so it was just one of those things always in the back of my mind, like learning to do a backflip.”

Tony raised an eyebrow looking out the window, “Well, I can tell you now. Nat teaching you to fight will be tough. If you didn’t have such a fast rate of healing, I would say get ready for puking and bruises. And I am sure your pal Mr. Parker can teach you to do a back-flip he does it all the time.”

Finally, the doctor pulled the U.V. out of your arm and gave you an Elmo bandaid.

“The tests should be back in an hour or so. Tony, I’ll have F.R.I.D.A.Y. send you the results as soon as I get them.”

“Thanks, doc,” you followed Tony out of the room.

“What now?” you asked.

“We wait,” he said as he strode down the hall, you tailing behind him. “But first I want to show you my lab.”

“Cool.”

You felt like you were walking forever. For a place full of maybe the highest tech in America, it was strange that it took so long to get to-. Wait. Something wasn’t right.

You paused, but Tony kept marching forward. Looking at each of the doors, you tried to trace this unknown vibration that set off an alarm in your mind. Your heart rate picked up. It wasn’t coming from next to you, but above you? But this was the top floor...

“Hey Tony?” whirling around, he finally noticed that you stopped following him. Hesitantly, you continued, “I - I think there is someone in your vents.”

Tony rolled his eyes, “F.R.I.D.A.Y.?”

“Yes, Mr. Stark.”

“Smoke him.”

“As you wish, Mr. Stark.”

That’s when gas started pouring out of the vents. Coughing and stepping to the side, a figure came crashing out of one of the openings in the ceiling and landed perfectly in front of Tony.

“Damn it, Wanda,” the figure said. “I thought we went over not snitching on me.”

“It wasn’t Wanda,” Tony said pointing at you.

As the smoke began to fade giving a clearer image, you saw an older man with short blonde hair. He looked at you with confusion.

“Who’s this?” he loudly whispered to Tony.

Walking back up to Tony, you replied for him, “Y/N Y/LN. And you are?”

“Clint... and why are you here?”

“Because I am. Why are you here?”

Tony looked from you to Clint reveling in the weirdness of this interaction, “Yeah. I would like to know that too. Why are you in my vents - Clint? I thought when you retired we’d be free of you.”

“Uh what? Why am I being interrogated? And no one told you about me? This just isn’t right,” he argued to two amused people completely unfazed by his little rant. “Ok. Fine. I left something in your lab BEFORE I retired that I really need and I knew if I told you guys I was coming to pick it up you would do something extravagant for your favorite pal Hawkeye, so I figured I’d sneak in grab it and get out.”

“Bold of you to assume we’d be that excited about your presence,” Tony fired back.

With his hand held to his chest in defense, Clint reacted, “I leave for two seconds and you’ve already forgotten and replaced me.”

Tony patted him in the shoulder as all three of you proceeded to the lab, “You know I’m just messing with you pal. Good to see you, man. How’s the wife and kids?”

“Pretty good. Laura has been keeping me busy and the kids have been doing well in school,” he responded then turned to you. “Did they really not tell you about me?”

“Yup.”

“I’m going to have to have a chat with Nat. What about Banner and Thor? Did they say anything about them?”

You shook your head.

“That makes me feel, slightly better. So what brings you here to Avengerville Y/N Y/LN?” Clint asked as Tony placed his hand on a portion of the wall. Tony stopped to signal Clint to stop asking questions.

Glancing at Tony, you told him it was okay as you all walked into the lab.

“Kidnapped by H.Y.D.R.A., saved by the Avengers, and had nowhere else to go.”

Clint looked at Tony, “So you adopted another one?”

Tony was moving some parts around on a large metal table, “You know I can’t help myself, Clint.”

Clint laughed, “Alright, well it was nice meeting you Y/N. Welcome to the Avengers. Now I better go see at least Nat or else she’ll be pissed I visited and didn’t say hi.”

Clint then quietly walked out of the room as you waved goodbye. “That guy is weird.”You noted to Tony.

“We’re all a little weird,” observed Tony as he sat down on a metal stool. “Come here. I want to show you something.”

Sitting next to him, he waved his arms and a computer screen projected into the air. On the display was your picture from the day the Avengers rescued. You looked so different than you did today. Your skin looked suctioned to your face that was smudged with dirt and a faint purplish bruising. But what you noticed the most was how sad you looked and it reminded you how sad and lost you felt then. I feeling you didn’t want to remember. You couldn’t look at it too long, so you started looking at other parts of the screen.

“As you can tell we don’t have much,” Tony interrupted. “Still nothing on your Mom, but the team has been looking into some known HYDRA facilities that we hope might be able to extract information about your mom and or you.”

Your mom. You hadn’t thought about her in a while. Did she miss you? Was she looking for you? Was she still alive?

“Why are you spending so much time on me?” you wondered out loud, your eyes glued to the floor. “Don’t you have the world to save? I mean. I’m just one person and you don't even really know me...”

Tony looked at you with a concerned expression as if you just insulted him.

“You’re not just one person. You’re Y/N Y/LN. And we might have just happened upon you in that HYDRA facility, but as soon as Barnes rescued you, you became our responsibility. But more importantly you became a part of our family and that means we take care of each other.”

“And I am sure everyone else would say the same thing.”

“Mr. Stark. The doctor has sent the report. It appears your theory was correct. Miss Y/LN has traces of the serum found in Captain Rogers and Sergeant Barnes.”

“Thank you, F.R.I.D.A.Y.” glancing at you Tony stated, “Well, that’s one mystery solved.”

“I got to get some work done here. I’ll let Nat know she can start whipping you into shape tomorrow. Go rest up, kiddo. You’ll be out kicking ass in no time and we’ll be right beside you.”

Taking that as your cue to leave, you commented before you left the room, “Thanks, Tony. And in case no one has told you lately, you’re kind of the best person ever.”

Tony smirked and waved you off, “I know. Now go play with Peter or something!”

“For someone with super serum running through you’re blood you sure are slow,” Nat commented as you sat leaning against the wall chugging water and dripping in sweat.

After getting cleared for training yesterday, Nat decided to dive right into a mile run. It didn’t help that the effects of the serum dampener HYDRA had used on you still hadn’t taken full effect yet.

“Hey,” you said between labored breaths. “I went. From no movement. To a mile. And my body. Is not liking that.”

Standing up you started stretching and flailing around to loosen up. Everyone else, with the exception of Bucky and Cap who were sparring at the opposite side of the training facility, had already finished their training earlier.

“I’ll let you pull that card now, Y/N,” Nat replied. “But next week I’m not taking any excuses.”

“Tony was right,” you said while stretching. “You are tough.”

Nat’s only reaction was a raised eyebrow, but you could feel her heart warming at that compliment.

“Enough chit chat,” Nat declared. “It’s time to learn to fight.”

Jumping up and down, you started swinging your arms back and forth making a whooshing noise as you followed Nat to the sparring mats, you said confidently, “Okay. I’m ready.”

Lining up across from Nat, she stated, “Come at me.”

You looked at the five-foot-seven assassin. Oh god. What did you get yourself into? You tried to think of how to approach this. Should you go straight at her? Walk around? Throw a punch?

Fuck it. You were just going to go for it and hope for the best.

With a deep breath, you charged forward.

And the weirdest thing happened. The moment you charged forward everything clicked. You no longer saw Nat. Instead, you saw an enemy. Someone who you needed to take out. In a swift motion, you dodged the enemy’s first attack. That was all you needed to take them out. Crashing into the enemy’s exposed waistline, you lunged forward flipping yourself around the attacker causing them to lose their balance. Using the momentum from the forward roll, you swept them off their feet. This was your chance to secure them. In one quick motion, you landed heavy on their trapped body using your legs to secure them to the ground helpless. Raising your left hand above your head-

“DAMN Y/N!”

You turned your head in the direction to find Peter eyes wide holding what looked to be a bag of chips. Looking down you noticed a shocked Nat and then your right fist raised above your head and ready to strike.

“Oh my god,” jumping off Nat, your heart racing at a million beats per seconds. You knelt next to Nat who was still laying on the ground groaning. Was it hot in here? What the hell just happened? “Are you okay?”

Peter’s shout had attracted the attention of Steve and Bucky. Steve was now kneeling across from you on the other side of Nat while Peter and Bucky stood off to the side

“I’m fine,” Nat grunted as Steve helped her up, who then turned to look at you with a raised brow. “But someone’s been lying on their resumé.”

Steve looked between you two quizzically, “What do you mean?”

“Y/N over here did a little whoosh,” Peter demonstrated what he saw to Cap and Bucky. “And then BAM Nat was on the ground and Y/N was about to knock her out.”

That’s when all eyes turned to you.

Raising your hands, you pleaded, “I honestly have no idea how this happened. It was like someone else was holding the strings and I was just along for the ride. I’ve literally never fought a person before in my life, so this makes zero sense to me.”

“HYDRA,” Bucky asserted looking directly at Steve. “They probably trained her to fight and wiped her memory of it.”

“That would explain the aggressive fighting tactics Y/N used. I haven’t seen that kind of fighting since, well, you Barnes,” noted Natasha. “Whatever this is, Y/N, you need to learn how to control it.”

“Agreed,” Steve concurred. “Y/N, you need both hands on the wheel before you can continue any training.”

“But-”

“Someone could get hurt, including you,” Steve explained.

“Okay,” you accepted. As a silence took of the five of you.

“I can help Y/N,” Peter offered shyly raising his hand.

“Sorry. Bad idea Peter. If Y/N can take Nat down at a snap of her fingers, then you have no chance,” Steve pointed out.

“What about Barnes?” Nat prodded. “He’s been through it and knows how to snap out of it. It only makes sense.”

“What? No.” Barnes protested.

“She’s got a point.”

Barnes looked angrily and motioned Steve off to the side. Walking to the other side of the room, Bucky started whispering angrily at Steve.

“I wonder what they’re talking about,” Peter pondered as he offered you a chip.

“Probably 100 excuses why he doesn’t want to help me.”

Poking you, Peter continued “Hey don’t say that. It’s not your fault.”

“Bucky’s always like that, Y/N,” Nat confirmed. “Alone and brooding. But don’t worry it’s only temporary. Once you’re in control I will happily be your sparring partner.”

“How come you never offered to spar with me?” Peter questioned. As the two spider heroes began an innocent quarrel, you tried to focus in on the argument across the room. The only thing you caught Bucky saying was, “but it’s her.” What was that suppose to mean?

Before you could unpack all that, Steve must have won that argument because they were both walking back towards the three of you and only one stopped while the other angrily marched out the door.

“He’ll do it,” Steve reassured as he watched the door close behind the brooding soldier. “And don’t worry. He’ll come around.”

“If you say so.”

You could really feel the love tonight.

After the training incident, you retreated to your room to take a shower while Peter ran off to go tell Tony what happened.

Peeling off the sweat-soaked clothing, you hopped into the shower. As the warm water rushed over your skin, everything that happened at the training facility resurfaced.

But your feelings toward it were very murky. On one hand, you could kick some serious ass, which could come in handy if HYDRA or any other bad guys came after you again. But then again, you didn’t have any control over it and it wasn’t like you could summon it on command. Then with that came working with Bucky, the human form of a brick wall. How was he suppose to help you? He seems to already have problems of his own to deal with.

As you dried off and put a fresh pair of clothes and fuzzy yellow socks, you heard a knock at the door.

“Come in!”

“Hey girl!” said a cheerful Wanda. “Sam and Peter are starting a game of Life so they sent me up here to see if you wanted to join? I am playing too and Steve.”

“Sure.”

“So I heard about this morning,” Wanda prodded in the elevator ride down.

“Word travels fast here,” you commented.

“I blame Peter,” Wanda quipped. “He’s like your number one fan. I wouldn’t be surprised if he hasn’t already made an action figure of you and started playing with it. I just can’t imagine what will happen when he meets Thor.”

“Who is Thor by the way? That guy who lives in your vents mentioned him.”

Wanda laughed at that as you walked out of the elevator, “Thor he’s a god from Asgard.”

“Where is Asgard? Never heard of it.”

“It’s in a whole other dimension.” “Another dimension?”

“Yup. He has lightning powers and is super strong and handsome. He comes to Earth and helps us often and his adopted brother tried to take over the world.”

“ARE YOU GUYS TALKING ABOUT THOR?” Peter shouted excitedly from across the room. Sam, who was sitting next to him, smacked is arm putting him back in his seat.

“Oh good. We set him off,” Wanda whispered to you.

“Yup. But now we’re not,” you replied.

“Aww, okay,” mourned a disappointed Peter. “Well. Who’s ready to play?”

When the game ended with Steve winning and Sam ranting about losing his job as a doctor, everyone said goodnight and went their respective ways. Yawning as you stepped off the elevator, you noticed a small yellow sticky note on your door. Upon closer inspection, the black ink scrawled on the little yellow paper read:

Meet me at the training facility. ~ B.B.

You gently removed the note from the door. Your bed would have to wait.

#avengers x reader #Bucky barnes x reader #marvel #mcu

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h-lew · 6 years

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INFINITY WAR SPOILERS AHEAD

Okay, so I watched Infinity War this weekend, and I now have a ton of theories. If you haven’t watched Infinity War, I have warned you, there will be spoilers! Now, to go through all the theories.

Theory One:

The Avengers/Guardians/Other Characters that died (faded away?) were actually being saved by the Infinity Stones.

This one’s probably not the case, but it’s possible. The infinity stones all represent a different aspect of the universe if I’m remembering it correctly. One of these stones is the mind stone, right? So I’m thinking that this stone has somewhat of a mind of it’s own, but it had been a part of Vision. I think it saw through Vision, Scarlet Witch trying to destroy it, and the rest of the Avengers and heroes in the movie that they were fighting for good and trying to save humanity, so it “saved” some of the Avengers so they could defeat Thanos in that one future Doctor Strange saw.

Theory Two:

Doctor Strange “killed” the Avengers/Guardians/Other Characters so they could reach that one future where the Avengers win.

This one isn’t completely developed yet, but it’s still a theory of mine. Doctor Strange is an extremely powerful character, with or without the time stone. When he saw that one future where they win, he must have an idea of how they did it. So, he’s trying to reach that one future. Trial and error. Maybe he created a time loop? But the characters that “died” could have been necessary to reach that future. So he’s trying to either move them to another future, or save them until they’re needed to reach that future. Maybe he sent them to another dimension, and that’s why they kind of fell to ashes instead of just dying.

Theory Three:

Doctor Strange was showing the surviving Avengers how to win.

This would be Doctor Strange showing the Avengers how the lost in other realities/universes/timelines. He’s showing them all the futures, and how to win. The Avengers that faded away would have been the ones that survived in the real world. Peter, Bucky, Sam, Wanda, etc. That means that Tony, Steve, Natasha, etc actually died. So, when Peter says that he doesn’t want to go, that’s because Tony had died and he wanted to stay with him. Also his “I’m sorry” because he had to leave Tony. And Bucky trying to reach Steve too. He wanted Steve to be alive. I believe this one makes the most sense because it would help incorporate Hawkeye and Antman in the next movie, and would explain why some civilians faded away. Also, most of the characters we expected to die didn’t in that movie. This covers that as well.

Final Little Message:

Anyways, that’s my theories! There’s some holes and stuff in them, but I’m still thinking of theories and such.

#infinity war #infinity war spoilers #theory #infinity stones #doctor strange #avengers #mcu

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incorporealbagelbeing · 6 years

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Infinity War Theories: Who Lives, Who Dies, Who tells their Story?

The one thing that is almost certain about Infinity War is that people will die. I'm sorry, but it's gonna happen. Here's who I think will live/die, and why?

(Note: I do not harbor grudges against ANY CHARACTER, I am merely stating my opinion on the matter)

AVENGERS:

Captain America- I think that, unfortunately, Cap is going to die. Sorry. It's because he's had a long story arc, and it seems like his arc is ending. He's made questionable decisions, he's shown that he's devoted to Bucky more than anyone else. It feels like if he does live, it will be because Bucky died protecting him, bringing me to my next point, but killing off Captain America sets up a future of new and developing Marvel characters.

Bucky- he's probably also gonna die. The chances of him sacrificing himself for a worthy cause is a redemption arc of EPIC PROPORTIONS, and if he does it to protect Steve, his best friend who never gave up on him...well...that's just bonus feels

Iron Man- I...hate to say this...sorry in advance Iron Man fans...He's probably gonna die too. I think he might feel guilty about "all the things he's done" (it wasnt all you, Tony), and he would try to do "one last good thing". I dunno, but it seems like a very...Marvel way to kill him off.

Hulk- I highly doubt that he's going to DIE...but in Thor: Ragnarok he did mention how he might not ever go back to being Bruce Banner if he were to transform again, and he's almost certainly going to transform again...he might lose his more human side, but he's probably not going to die. The only way I can see him dying is if Black Widow gets hit, he goes psycho, and...actually hmmm I have to think about it more...

Black Widow- I think that she has a 50/50 shot of living. She would make an excellent mentor, and they've only brushed the surface of her past, meaning that keeping her alive would be valuable for future movie-making (@ Marvel HINT HINT, WINK WINK, NUDGE NUDGE)

Spiderman- He is almost certainly not going to die. He is a young Avenger, part of a future version of the Avengers (or the future team as I'm calling it). Also, he has another movie coming out. It would be difficult to explain if they killed him.

Scarlet Witch- I have reasons to believe she would go either way! She might sacrifice herself to see her brother again (distant sobs from me), or they could keep her alive because she's young, or powerful, or something similar

Thor- there's a chance that he'll die because he's a long running character with an arc (or multiple arcs, kinda), and there's a chance he'll live because he's immortal (duh) or because he has a kingdom to protect and rule.

Loki- He could live because, and I'm quoting my mom, "He's 'died' so many times, it's not like he can die anymore". The flaw in this is what if all of his deaths, faked or acted, foreshadow his real death? In my opinion, the general feeling coming from Thor: Ragnarok was "this may be the last time I see you alive, let's make it count". I personally hope that he sacrifices himself in one, redemption-worthy move that either shields his (adopted) brother, or defeats Thanos, if he has to die at all. I kinda hope he doesn't.

Vision- my theory is that, for a while, he's going to die. He has a bloody Infinity Stone in his head. But I also think that he'll cone back, that somehow the Avengers, or what's left of them, will regain his stone, and he'll be back.

Falcon- he's such an underdone character that I'm pretty sure he'll be kept alive? I don't know much about him, so

War Machine- again, 50/50. He could live because he's been thought to be dead, or near-dead before. He could also die because or this disability, but I lean more towards him living.

Black Panther- judging by the trailer, his kingdom is gonna be decimated, but let's be honest, he's gonna live. He's T'Challa, he's beauty, he's grace, and he only will have been in 2 movies beforehand, so probably gonna live.

Ant-Man- I think he'll live? He has a new movie coming out this year, other than that idk

Hawkeye- I hope he's gonna live, I think he will live, the only way I can see him dying is to protect Scarlet Witch, and that seems flimsy. That and...he has a FAMILY

Doctor Strange- He's probably either gonna live and resurrect someone/some people, or he's going to do what he did with Dormammu and put himself and a villain in a time loop

Guardians of the Galaxy

Starlord- he's gonna live. Totally! The Guradians have another movie coming out in 2020. Also, consider his lineage! Ego was his father (but not his dad, thanks for that gem Yondu, RIP), meaning that he is STILL PART CELESTIAL. Ego most likely lied about Peter being "just like everyone else". He lost Ego's magic to manipulate. That in NO WAY means that he has no magic, or that he is no longer immortal.

Gamora- also probably going to live, because she's one of the most important members of the Guardians

Rocket and Groot- either Rocket and Groot are going to both live, or both die. And seeing as Groot has (in his own way) "died" already, they're going to both live, most likely. I say that they would both live or both die because if Groot were to die at Thanos's hand, Rocket would snap and die in a blaze of glory, rage, and tears

Drax- Drax is probably, unfortunately, going to die, because he's dedicated everything to defeating Thanos. The reason that this isn't certain, is that...wait for it...they've introduced Mantis. I know that might sound weird, but the big reason that Drax is after Thanos is his family was killed. Mantis may not be able to entirely fix this, but...the possibility of saving him from death is compelling.

Mantis- I think that Mantis is going to live because she is an INCREDIBLY new character. She hasn't had much of a chance yet.

Nebula- I'm almost 100 percent sure she's going to die. She's begun her redemption arc, it's mainly a question of how. I think that she might end up sacrificing her life for Gamora to compete her arc.

Kraglin- he's also a new character, and he has no reason to sacrifice himself/die. The main excuse I can think of is that their ship would be taken, and non-human-supporting conditions would kill him, or Thanos would declare him unneeded and kill him.

And last but not least,

Thanos. Duh.

Please don't leave hate because of my dumb theories. It's not worth it.

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astormofships · 7 years

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Pick Your Darling: Illyana

“So they dug your grave, and the masquerade will come calling out at the mess you made. Don't wanna let you down, but I am.. hell bound! Though this is all for you, don't wanna hide the truth. No matter what we breed, we still are made of greed. This is my kingdom come, this is my kingdom come! When you feel my heat, look into my eyes. It's where my demons hide, it's where my demons hide; Don't get too close! It's dark inside. It's where my demons hide, it's where my demons hide!”

listen to the whole song.

Note: Hello my darling! You deserve the biggest apologies for waiting so long, you’re a saint to me. In order to make this work, the content is a little bit au: most civil war events will not be involved. It will take place after Ultron. I am not a fan of Avenger!Bucky either, carelessly flirting. My opinion on the matter is that the man needs thorough and serious help before thinking about any of the things mentioned earlier. Falling in love? Ok, you don’t control emotions. Being in a relationship and calling the Avengers his family? Not so fast tiger. I’m not sure if he was entirely himself again and miraculously free that working in this field might be a good idea in the first place. But since you wanted it after Captain America: The First Avenger, let’s hope the ship will still be good! xD I have never been in a polyamorous relationship, nor do I know anyone who tried it in my entourage so if you find clichés or negative stuff, ooops.

Ship name

Stullyana

Meeting

You could not be at the tower all the time yet still worked with the Avengers whenever possible. More than Thor and the doctor Banner, at the very least. That's how you met Steve, when Nick Furry recruited a team to save the planet against aliens or deities with bad attentions. Years later, Captain America introduced you to his best friend called Bucky Barnes. Yes, the soldier who supposedly fell to his death the previous century yet discovered as a weapon working for Hydra not long ago. Steve trusted you and was confident enough to organize a meeting between his favourite persons. Bucky was wary but tried to trust Steve's judgement; if he could handle Sam, he'd do the same with you. It's not like you could be worse than the Falcon, and this expectation turned out to be exact. You mainly agreed for Steve's sake: as tragic as Bucky's fate was, you didn't deem it safe to hide him. He needed professional help, Steve himself could not provide that. Well, at least he wasn't running free after a future prey. It went decently, no death showing up.

First impressions, the way it used to be before it became romantic

Out of all the members picked by Nick Furry for the desperate plan to save the day, you were the most approachable, in Steve's opinion. Being an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D had earned Furry's trust from the start, but it helped that you were empowered; captured a week during a mission, enemies used you as their guinea pig to test chemical solutions. Fellow agents came to the rescue, eliminating the threats. Terrified of the effects that could appear, the best doctors and scientists looked after you and noticed something. A positive growing super strength was the result. At the end of the day, that time spent in the clutch of criminals might have made you more mistrustful and careful than ever yet still added a bonus to your daily life and career. You had learned to control it as well, using it only when you wanted to. Enjoyment aside, the pride of climbing, riding horses and other physical activities remained genuine and well-deserved. And yet you showed nothing but courtesy and kindness, qualities that Steve respected and appreciated. Fun-loving, you were still extremely loyal to those closest to you and did your maximum to do the right thing. Yes, the soldier had a favourite team-mate and that person was Illyana. Wary of Natasha and Clint's ways, he didn't have this kind of doubt with you; metaphorical walls were built for protection and self-care but you were not deceitful nor dangerous when work wasn't involved. Steve liked the individual: kind, caring and honest. Although you spent most of your time with two other Avengers, which weren't Black Widow and Hawkeye, the captain tried to get to know you better or when he noticed you had too much on your shoulders, took half of that burden to claim for himself. It was thoughtful of him, you were grateful and half-heartedly refused by now since he rarely changed his mind anyway. Concerned about his well-being, you occasionally inquired about his adjustment to the 21th century, interested by the progress without pestering the super soldier. Instead you chose to guide him into the new world, show him new inventions, teach him new slang and get him to read good and classic books or movies so he wouldn't be out of the loop anymore. His satisfaction when he recognized a line was endearing. When getting all self-righteous and slightly judgemental at the same time, you'd try to reason with him. When it didn't work, you'd put him in his place. He might still disagree, but at least he'd agree to come to an understanding with the other party. If this method stopped being effective in the future to the point of Steve taking the point of no return, then you were ready to put up a fight or maybe step out of the way, letting someone else deal with the stubborn hero. But the time hasn't come yet, fortunately. Oh, you could be determined but it was a quality, never doubt that. Both could support and confront the other without losing the friendship and it was amazing. But Natasha's matchmaking and a possible woman catching his eye made you brave enough to share your growing feelings. Old fashioned, he looked half disappointed not to be the one to confess first. But he definitely made the first move and kissed you on the spot, conveying all his emotions in that gesture. Properly inviting you on a first date soon after, which turned out to be outdoor cinema followed by dinner. The others were just as good, like going to a ranch or watching martial arts and various sports in the real public or in front of the tv. All the while sitting on his bike, which seemed to be a very peaceful place. You loved to see the sights as he drove, happy and discovering new things. An addition you didn't particularly care for was Bucky Barnes. Yes, Steve Rogers finally found his long lost best friend. The HYDRA agent was free of the manipulation of his captors, now himself again. He was getting better, said your boyfriend. So to compromise, you insisted to involve S.H.I.E.L.D and their best team to look after Barnes, follow his progress. It was the smartest idea in theory and after some time spent debating whether Bucky could be trusted or saved, Furry agreed. Within the first year of his therapy, he thanked you in person. His face and tone showed nothing but sincerity. That's when you began to warm up to him, going with Steve to visit sometimes. It was very difficult at certain moments, when the doctors focused on the words used to activate the Winter Soldier. Yes, he had told them and it was the right decision. You showed up with friendliness, bringing music and books (which were of course checked by S.H.I.E.L.D) and a pastry freshly baked by yours truly. You wanted to offer him humanity, seeing that he was stuck in a well-meaning “cage” nonetheless. What he did to deserve this was beyond him; he tried to push you away at first, knowing that he had done nothing worthy to receive such pleasantries. Not giving up so soon had led you to victory since he allowed himself to feel content and chitchat, appreciating those moments. Believe Steve to get himself a woman as kind and strong as you. The third year marked Bucky's supervised independence as he was free to leave the headquarters of the secret organization to live alone in an apartment. Well, not truly alone. Agents took turns in the building nearby, ready to act if anything happened. If he removed the bracelet on his ankle, they'd also search for him. But Steve and you often crashed there, too. The visits felt like hanging out, less oppressed and free to do as you pleased. You taught him to bake simple but delicious recipes and he never stepped on your toes as you learned old dances. He smiled more, lately. Both had taken to confide in one another; Steve was sweet and all, but none wanted to... bother him more than needed. If anything, the blond man needed more attention than expected: he could be breaking in the inside and the untrained eye wouldn't notice. That's why you tried to be there, randomly asking how he was doing, interested by the answer and willing to listen to every words he had to say if needed. Butterflies still resided in your stomach and gleeful giggles still escaped your mouth when Steve was around, proudly holding hands, face buried in his neck. He was a rebel with a cause, a good man that would make any parents proud to welcome in the family as their daughter’s husband. Bucky and Illyana? It was like two old souls had clicked and found solace in the other. When Steve's best friend asked you to cut his hair, you were surprised. And pouting a little, amusing the tall man as he knew you had a peculiar appreciation for his hair. But he insisted, needing the change. So you complied. New haircut, new beginning? More or less. You had seen pictures of him before, and he looked a bit like that. It still made you feeling something. Later that evening, you knew you had to talk to Steve. Reminding him of your sexual orientation, how you could genuinely love more than one person at the same time, the announcement you dreaded came: you told Steve of your romantic feelings for Bucky Barnes. Yes, his until-the-end-of-the-line best pal. The patriot did not see it coming, to say the least. That's why he spent the night somewhere else, needing some hours of sleep before addressing the subject the next day. Steve was a possessive man, but his love for you was strong. It's not like you never told him of your preferences anyway, and you reassured him that the love between the two of you was still there. Days, maybe weeks later, he accepted to let you give it a try. Not himself since he knew he felt nothing for Bucky other than friendship. Therefore you taste the waters, tried to see how it would go if you confessed to Barnes. Mustering all your courage, you did it. He wondered if it was April Fool's because otherwise how else would those words come out of your mouth? It took definitely more time to convince him that your feelings were true and that you wanted him in. Bucky admitted that he also loved you but constantly asked about Steve. The man himself having a long conversation with his friend “sealed the deal”, probably. Tentatively, the three of you were commencing a peculiar yet promising adventure.

Who took the first step

Steve, completely. He went after what his heart coveted with less caution than you and Bucky. The brunet would not dare pursuit anyone in a romantic manner, not after what he's become; past experiences led to trauma and slight paranoia on your part. While Steve sympathised, he was patient but persistent. Letting go of loved ones was not his forte. It's true that you dated first, but with an important amount of communication, Bucky was welcomed into the picture.

Who approves, who disapproves

It is not public knowledge, nor is it advised considering Bucky's past and The Avengers' public image. Only the Avengers knows. Most of them don't complain but aren't totally reassured with the prospect. Bucky could hurt you, and the man needed help more than he did love at the moment. Was he really doing better to the point of getting emotionally involved? Time will tell, but it's better to be safe than sorry.

The best friend and the one you get along with the least.

Tony Stark. He gets on people's nerves due to his nonchalant attitude, sociable behaviour and certainly his huge fortune and company. Well, it seemed that way but you couldn't help but be baffled about these opinions. Even Steve judged him harshly at the beginning in spite of being friends with his late father, Howard. Tony might come off as arrogant thanks to his high IQ and confidence, but that's what made you comfortable in the first place. He is funny, helpful, intelligent, brave leaning toward foolhardiness but still has the best intentions in mind and does his best to fix his or the Avengers' mistakes. Yes, there is this selflessness and generosity about him, ever so subtle yet an elephant remaining in the room whatsoever. Iron Man had Rhodey for the deeper parts of friendship, so you and the genius often kept light-hearted topics of conversations and were efficient team-mates. There is this subtle attempt to look after the other, making sure they are safe and happy. When there are disagreements among the team and a member spoke against Tony unfairly, you'd stand up for him because although he possesses a witty tongue (like you do), you noticed he was not the first to defend himself, sadly enough. You are grateful for everything he supplies the team with and like the man too. So you show it as much as possible. He didn't know how to handle this, but appreciated the gesture all the same. He had a soft spot for the sass too.

You don't get why Wanda Maximoff gets to be a part of the team. Sincerely. The way Steve coddles her, an adult who willingly joined HYDRA, gets on your nerves. The twins' mantra to target Tony because he created the weapons that killed their parents INSTEAD of focusing on the people who bought them and used it against Sokovia was berserk. How could he trust her? Ultron was her ally and creation, if you don't count Tony and Bruce building it. Ok she joined the good side in the end but only when she realised the machine was hell-bent on destroying the world, including Pietro and herself. Let's not mention her power. Yeah, you are not at ease when she is around. This point of view was met with unsatisfying answers, even bad faith from a well known archer. So ignorance of her existence was your favoured method. If something went wrong with the Scarlet Witch, they could only blame themselves.

If somebody else fancies one of you

Yes, but it would spoil the normal ship waiting therefore I won't say who

Carter women seem to be attracted to Steve, don't they? Sharon is no exception

The best and the worst

If this isn't acceptance then what is?

Steve is a gentleman

Bucky beginning to be himself again

All three trying your best to follow the fairest path

Common love of vintage

Introducing them to the modern world: technology, internet, movies, tv shows, music. Ancient stuff were included when it came to the last three.

Checking if their mental is also catching up, if they're okay in the head you know

Feeling safe, loved and accepted

Chilling at home and dancing with Bucky

That fascination you got with each other's hair. Caresses, braiding. Steve's was pretty, but he lacked the quantity. It didn't stop any of you to give it some love or attention nevertheless: cuddling, hair pulling during sex, etc...

COMMUNICATION IS EVERYTHING

But giving space when needed

Sitting behind Steve as he rides his bike

The trio climbing rocks

Bucky found a new calming hobby in baking, something you greatly encouraged. Steve was the guinea pig, for sure.

Hand to hand combat although you principally watch them or practice with Steve; Bucky is scared of losing control

The Winter Soldier

Steve and his “my way or the highway” attitude

Dating giants who apparently find your height “adorable”

When they act before thinking, disaster ensuing

All three being overprotective at times

Missions, not knowing if you or Steve would return safe and sound

Hogwarts Houses

Bucky Barnes is a Hufflepuff, his undying loyalty is proof of that.

Bold, realist with a touch of optimism, varied interests, fond of learning and travelling, you are a Ravenclaw.

Ah, Steve. Righteous symbol of freedom. That is his Gryffindor side. Malignant, doing what must be done to get his way. The way he enrolled in the army and hiding the truth about Tony's parents to protect Bucky are examples of his Slytherin traits.

Seven Deadly Sins and Virtues

Well meaning but convinced to be right and not always caring about the consequences of his actions, Steve is Pride. But his good intentions and willingness to offer second chances are Kindness.

Hell hath no wrath like a woman scorned, and it was correct in your case. Your sin is Wrath, for when people manage to piss you off, your tongue can do harm like a rapier would hurt the flesh. But being raised with good manners and capable of seeing a situation from a different point of view goes with Kindness.

James Barnes is reliable, strong, devoted. A link to Diligence. But Bucky Barnes liberated from The Winter Soldier let himself exist, lost and memories of how he unwillingly got blood on his hand as faithful company. When authorities looked for him and tried to arrest the former assassin, he'd escape. When Steve tried to help, Bucky would push him away. So let's go with Sloth.

Who is the sun, who is the moon

Golden boy, friendly, the centre of attention. Demanding, capable of being ruthless. Steve is the sun.

Guarded, good-hearted and protective, you are the moon.

Standing in the background yet remaining a beautiful sight, light surrounded by darkness, Bucky is the stars.

Endgame or not

Why the relationship would not last remains uncertain, but in the long term I don't think it will. If CW events counted here, you'd have no desire to touch Steve with a ten foot pole and drop his ass instantly. Bucky would be stuck in Wakanda, a gloomy but ultimate goodbye would follow, moving on. So falling out of love, perhaps? Bucky revealing the secret they both hide from Tony. Or risky lives of superheroes, to be honest.

Who I truly ship you with regardless of the request’s details

Well, not those two. You will see in the Avengers ship ;D

#Pick Your Darling Ships

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