#I proposed to one of my friends in America but she’s busy and has her own stuff on | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

grits-galraisedinthesouth · 2 months

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Revisiting information from Tom Bower's book Revenge and current events in the House of Windsor.

Misan Harriman: All Roads lead back, to Soho House & the person Rachel described as her "gay husband," Markus Anderson.

Anglo-Nigerian photographer, Misan Harriman, was instrumental in Meghan’s 2014 post-Trevor re-brand from Deal or No Deal Briefcase Girl to faux philanthropist/humanitarian.

Allegedly he's also gay, along with the other "boys" in MEgain's Soho House Circle. All in "contract" marriages with female "beards" like Rachel Meghan Markle. All liars.

According to Tom Bower's research (Revenge p. 63), Meghan was determined to use One Young World as her launching pad to celebrity philanthropy.

She was unknown to the OYW founders and event staff so she contacted Misan Harriman to ask for an introduction to his friend, tennis star, Boris Becker.

Becker was already scheduled to speak at the Dublin conference and Misan pitched the idea of Meghan's participation.

Becker referred Meghan to HIS AGENT, Gina Nelthorpe-Cowne.

If I remember correctly, in Gina's pre-wedding articles and interviews, she mentioned that Meghan contacted her office in 2014 to express an interest in helping with the OYW conference(s). I had no idea that Meghan and Misan were friendly while Meghan cohabitated with Celebrity Chef Cory.

MEgain did not choose Misan for her engagement photographs. Misan has only been in the photography business for five (5) years.

Soho House members, the York Sisters, invited Misan to capture the moment Edo proposed to Beatrice. (sigh & smh) SAME Eugenie who told the press, "we really like her..." when someone (OMIT & Jessica) gave Camilla Tominey permission to publicize their affair. Camilla repeatedly writes that William MUST forgive Sparry. Tominey cares nothing for the Wales family or the country. Her interests are rooted in greed and irresponsible reporting to sell papers.

Notice The Meghans began paying Misan during MEGXIT. He captured the stills and video footage for Megflix. He is also paid by Invictus. There's a lot of cash flowing into Misan's bank account via The Meghan and their archeficicial business ventures. IRS, where you at???? 🤔

I'm not sure why I included the following in my original 2022 post: "Allegedly, during Harry's 2 nights in Tornto (babysat by Jason Knauf), just before he flew to the US-FL IG, Meghan (while cohabitating w/Cory & just back from spending Mother's Day weekend w/Cory's parents) Meghan told Harry about her interest in helping him with the Invictus Games."

One thing that stands out to me is how much both Meghans lied during the engagement interview:

Sparry & MEgain admitted (on international television) that they were secretly dating for 5-6 months BEFORE Tominey received the story.

Do the math. If they met in July of 2016 and had 5-6 months together in secret, Camilla's article would have been published in December or January, not October/November.

Camilla's article was published at the time of their Toronto (soho house) Halloween party with Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank: October 2016 = only 3 dating months.

If they began dating during Sparry's Spring promotional visit to Toronto for Ingriftus, then YES--- they were "together" (like spooning bananas) for five (5) months before MEgain leaked the details to Tominey

Sparry is just as much of a compulsive liar as his wife. He lies about the unnecessary details:

"we had to announce your megnantcy for the tour because you were showing..."

"It's true, you did blend in-----‐until our farewell week..."

I have future content coming about Victoria Hervey and Dan Wootton's despicable behavior during kategate. At the moment I wish she would stop extending open invitations for Sparry "to come home," when he's repeatedly been clear that America is his home & America is where he feels safe.

In my opinion, Sparry and MEgain deserve to be married to one another FOREVER!! Initially I viewed Sparry as her victim but just because Sparry is mentally & emotionally unstable and intellectually "sub-educational" (as Lady C would say), does not excuse his character issues: lying, cheating, stealing, grifting to achieve fame and fortune in America. People all over the world with low IQs know the difference between right and wrong. There is no excuse for Sparry's crimes.

Royal Families cannot expect their people to look past bad behavior. Charles got what he wanted, "Camilla." Despite the good press she receives, the majority of the world sees Charles as spoiled and feckless. I do think he will be surprised to learn just how many Brits wish he & Camilla would just go on a permanent holiday.

In a world of meritocracy, we have watched Meghan Markle, Sparry, and Andrew get away with murder. Zero on the job consequences for bad behavior------>Out of touch with everyday people.

Andrew & Sparry have caused permanent damage to brand BRF. When Charles chooses tone deafness over humility and shame, they are begging the people for a Republic.

Normal people pay a price for their unwise decisions. Selfish Charles chose Jesus' resurrection day to rub Andrew into the faces of the British people and global royal watchers.

People won't take these moments of pure contempt for the will and opinions of the people and just let it all go due to cancer. Charles is still seen as a feckless king who will ultimately destroy this monarchy because it appears he cannot or will not manage his household.

Go to church Andrew & Fergie, but not in front of the cameras and not at the expense of the taxpayers. These are not difficult situations for Buckingham Palace. Does anyone have a working brain? It's as if Charles is deliberately destroying everything his mother & father worked so hard to preserve.

I agree @sassyfrassboss and don't get me started on Sarah's health related virtue signals. Why is it so difficult for Fergie to stop talking? And why won't Andrew go away and live out a solitary life? No one wants to shake hands with Epstein's pal. No charity wants to be represented by Epstein's pal. Consequences.

Andrew is reviled and despised because he refuses to accept responsibility for his unwise choices. He has no remorse for choosing "sleazy e & co" over his family and his country. It's not complicated.

I have drafts of future content about the York's. Surmise it to say, Andrew and Sarah are just not bright people. What's worse is they are selfish and refuse to step out of the limelight to give their daughters & grandkids a fresh start.

Unfortunately, like The Meghans, Eugenie was willing to exploit the identities of other people's children while concealing the face of her own child with stickers.

Ultimately Eugenie used the Jubilee to change course. She finally held up the child to show his face. Cute child. What's not cute is the elitist mindset that "blue blood makes us extra special."

After visiting Davos, Eugenie was quick to parrot her elitist, WEF talking points. There was no critical thinking about the issue(s) (like, "hmm, my husband wears glasses"), just a regurgitation of elitist talking points.

No one wants to see Andrew on Easter Sunday or for that matter at any other holiday. Seeing him jolly on parade is a slap in the face to all who had a deep affection for Queen Elizabeth's virtues and basic human decency. It's past time for him to retire from public life.

Rolling up to Easter service as though the York's are respectable members of society who serve Jesus Christ is absolutely shameful.

Not because of a liar named Virginia and her fake photo, but because of Andrew's REAL Central Park, NYC photos and the video footage of Andrew coming and going from Epstein's NYC home. Not to mention their big Epstein dinner with guests like Katie Couric, George Stephanopoulos and Woody Allen---- to name just a few.

Andrew used tax payer's money to travel in support of Jeffrey Epstein upon his release from prison.

A man who was convicted of sexually assaulting under age girls served about 12 months in prison and upon release he threw a NYC party for his royal pal Andrew! The Palace was "too honorable" to reply, "No thank you. Have a nice life." Andrew seems too self centered to concern himself with the commandments to "avoid even the appearance of evil" and to "honor" his mother & father's legacies.

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blueshistorysims · 4 months

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September 1920, Harlem, Manhattan, New York, New York

“Byron?” Stella asked one morning in her bed, laying on his bare chest.

“Yes?”

“Have you ever thought about being married?”

“Truthfully, I’ve never had a girl long enough to even consider it. You’re the first woman I’ve been with that’s lasted this long.”

“Hmm. Are you against it?”

“No. It has its economic and social advantages. Not just for love. Any good marriage I think should be built on friendship, not romance. Those tend to be happier.”

“Would you want to get married?”

He sat up, perplexed. “Are you proposing to me?”

She shrugged. “Why not?”

“Why not? Your father would murder me. And I thought interracial marriage was illegal in America.”

“Not in New York. It’s just severely frowned upon. There’s no laws against it. What about your England?”

“The same,” he mumbled, still stunned by her question. “Why should we be married?”

“Why not? Like you said, economic reasons. And truthfully, I like a good scandal.”

“You’re playing with fire, Stella.”

“We’re friends. We already practically live together with all the sex we have. And Toussant likes you. He likes no one.”

“I don’t love you. Well, not in the way I should.”

“We could learn to.” She smiled. “What? You’re not interested?”

“I didn’t say that.” He sighed. “Let me put clothes on first.”

Byron sighed. “You really want to get married?”

“I’m feeling spontaneous. You’re graduating from Columbia in the spring regardless. I’d like you to have a reason to stay.”

“When would you want to do this?”

“This Saturday.”

“We would need a marriage license. No judge in their right mind would give it to us.”

She chuckled. “Byron, darling. There is this amazing method called bribery. Works like charm involving anything government-related.”

He sighed. “If we are to be married. I want to make a personal contract. Between ourselves. Not anything legal. More like a promise. Or a vow.”

“What are your demands?”

“This would be monogamous. You’re not only the only person I see, but if we marry, then I’d stop that.”

“Like that?”

He nodded. “Yes.”

“I agree. You’re not my only lover either.”

“And I’d like to help with paying rent. I won’t freeload.”

“You can’t afford to pay half of my monthly rent.”

“I can pay a quarter.”

“Can you?”

“...a fifth then.” He swallowed. “And what are we to wear?”

She smirked. “Leave that to me.”

“You’re really eloping with Stella?”

“It seems so,” Byron muttered. “She’s a hard woman to say no to.”

“I suppose that’s the end of our fling.”

“Yeah.” He frowned. “I’ll miss it. But we’ll always be friends?”

“Of course.”

He swallowed. “Did you tell her that you sleep with men too?”

Byron shook his head. “No. I’m afraid that I’ll reveal you if I do. Besides, I don’t need to worry about that if we were to be married.

Samson looked wary. “I don’t think that’s something to keep secret, Byron.”

“It’ll be fine,” he insisted, though he was trying to convince himself more than his friend.

The other man clearly didn’t believe him.

“You would like a marriage license?” The judge asked, glancing at the pair. “For this Saturday?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Are you making this marriage to get a hold into the United States, young man?”

“No, not at all. I’m dearly in love with my girl, and we see no reason to wait,” he lied, giving the judge an innocent smile.

He turned to Samson. “And what’s your business in all this?”

“I’ll be one of the witnesses. He’s marrying my cousin.”

The judge began to laugh. “...You’re serious?”

“Extremely.”

“And what makes you think I’ll give you a license?”

Byron slid over the fifty dollars Stella had given him. “Another fifty once you marry us. My girl father’s is Jedidiah Gardenhouse. This here is Samson Gardenhouse, son of Tobias Gardenhouse.”

He stared at the two young men before pocketing the cash. “...Saturday morning. Nine o’clock. No later, no sooner. Understand?”

“Yes.”

Saturday

Thaddeus walked his sister down the aisle as Campbell and Samson stood as witnesses. Campbell didn’t look too happy about the wedding, but he said nothing. Thaddeus didn’t like the idea, but it didn’t surprise him. Stella liked making statements. And what better than to marry a white middle-class Englishman?

#the walshes #the walsh legacy #ts4 #the sims 4 #sims 4 decades #sims 4 historical #ts4 story #sims 4 history challenge #ts4 historical #ts4 decades challenge #1920s #ts4 1920s #tw sex mention #tw racism #byron walsh #stella gardenhouse #thaddeus gardenhouse #samson gardenhouse

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zablife · 2 years

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Zablife Story Share-Chapter 1

Summary: Tommy wakes to find his wife has left along with half his fortune. With his family at his throat, he must work to solve the mystery on his own.

Author's Note: This story will be told by many talented writers as part of a collaborative effort. This chapter was written by @zablife. The next chapter will be told by the lovely @evita-shelby. Get ready for a wild ride!

Warnings: fighting, drinking

Masterlist

“Tommy, love, you were married to her for three bloody years. What do you actually know about her?” Polly asked drumming her fingers on the desktop. She was trying to be compassionate, but her patience was wearing thin. They’d done nothing but chase a ghost for weeks now and the strain was exhausting the whole family.

Arthur had not been so understanding, acting on his rage instantly. He burst through the doors of the betting shop like a bull, overturning desks and crashing through Tommy’s door demanding an explanation. Polly had to wedge herself between the brothers when Arthur learned the awful truth of just how much money the family had lost. It was only with John’s help that she prevented an all out war. Of course, it had been his embarrassment that fueled him, feeling like a failure to his wife and child. Linda was furious at the thought of their escape from Birmingham being blocked by her sister-in-law’s thievery.

Tommy sat back in his chair speechless. No matter how he tried to rationalize it, the sad truth was his bride had stolen away in the night with more than half the contents of the company safe and enough jewels to bedeck the royal family. She had gone to bed with him the night before and then left without a note or a trace she had ever existed in his life.

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Four years earlier….

“Tommy, she’s lovely,” Ada said with a smile as she watched the young woman chat in the corner booth with Finn. “Where did you find her?”

“She fell into me lap,” Tommy said, drunk on whiskey and his newfound love.

“She what?” Ada asked incredulously, a grin plastered to her face. Plenty of women threw themselves at her brother, but he wasn’t naive. He had a business to run and he guarded his feelings almost as carefully as his empire. She simply had to know how one woman had broken down his defenses so effortlessly.

“If you must know, dear sister, I met her in a London club, one of Alfie Solomon’s,” Tommy said, slurring his words slightly.

Ada raised an eyebrow at her brother. “Since when are you friends with the wandering Jew?” she teased.

“Ada, please. She’s going to be my wife. Don’t make jokes,” he said, attempting to straighten himself to his full height. He squared his shoulders and cleared his throat.

“Oh, my God, Tommy! Are you going to propose tonight?” Ada asked with wide eyes. Before she received an answer, Tommy was marching toward the booth and Ada watched as her brother sunk to one knee and pulled a velvet box from his pocket. Her eyes welled with tears as she watched him mouth the words Freddie had spoken to her not so long ago. She wished nothing but happiness for her older brother and said nothing more of her reservations. If Tommy had found happiness, she would celebrate with him.

——————————————————————————-

Tommy tossed in bed and wondered why he was even attempting to rest despite his exhaustion. The weight of responsibility loomed over him and he wondered how he would ever replace the fortune his wife had stolen from his family. Arthur and Linda were unable to travel to America. John and Esme would not be able to buy their farm in the country. Polly had wished for nothing more than a life of travel after years of being confined to the slums of Birmingham. And poor Ada wanted a better life and a good school for Karl. Even Finn would be affected by the changes, unable to move past his dismal prospects on Watery Lane due to the setbacks afforded to the company. Tommy hated himself for the misery he had brought down upon everyone.

A thousand questions plagued Tommy as he lay there in their bed, listening to the wind beat the tree limbs mercilessly upon the window panes. Had she ever loved him? Why hadn’t she stolen all the money? Then inevitably, his mind turned to her beautiful face and the way she looked so vulnerable when she lay sleeping next him. He couldn’t help the way he cared for her. Was she in trouble? Did someone force her to do this? He shook his head, disgusted at himself for caring for her, even now after everything she had done. He ran a hand through his hair, yanking at the roots harshly to dislodge the unwelcome thoughts.

Sitting up in bed, he reached for his cigarette case. He tried to remember that it was useless thinking of her well-being now. She had taken so much from him. How could he wonder about her now? Of course she was fine. He tried to be cold and objective once more, thinking back to any sign of deception during their relationship and wondered how he could have missed it.

He inhaled deeply and closed his eyes at the calming effect of the nicotine coursing through his body. It steadied him long enough to recall his honeymoon in New York. The flash of memory came to him quickly as though he were reliving every part of it now. He could see the street they walked down, hear her laughter and feel her trim waist beneath his arm. She had taken him to an establishement she said was special to her and they spent an entire afternoon there enjoying each other’s company. If he searched for it now, he could find the photograph of them, looking into each other’s eyes longingly. It had been an important place to her. He knew that now and he realized what he had to do.

Continue reading Ch. 2

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Tag list:

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@evita-shelby

@tommydoesntpayforsuits

@shelbydelrey

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#zablifestoryshare #Peaky Blinders fanfic #Peaky Blinders imagine #Tommy Shelby fanfic #Tommy Shelby imagine

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meatmensch · 2 years

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May I request hearing about your jewishnatural headcannons????

woohoo, yippee, whee!!!

babygirl (gn), of course, 100%, absofruitly

the campbells are jewish (deanna immigrated from russia as a kid and samuel's family has been in america for a while) and john is a gentile. him being a goy is part of the reason they don't like him and mary shacking up.

sam and dean both have a bris when they're babies. mary brings them to synagogue every once in a while. they observe chanukah and she teaches them blessings and bakes them challah and rugelach and babka and other yummy treats and plays klezmer music for them and they overhear some raunchy borscht belt comedy that they're definitely not supposed to hear.

sam obviously gets way less of this because mary dies when he's six months old lmao. mary's living relatives and friends are furious that john, sam, and dean didn't attend her funeral because those kids should be able to mourn their mom.

dean remembers bits and pieces about judaism and sam knows barely anything because john is too busy being a gentile revenge-hungry loser to help his kids remember their culture.

dean becomes more aware of judaism as he nears thirteen because all of the other jewish kids at school are talking about their bar mitzvahs and the fact that he doesn't have the same experiences as them is just another thing that makes him feel like an outcast.

he starts checking out books about judaism and jewish history and fiction written by jewish authors. he reads to sammy. they watch jewish movies if they happen to be on tv or playing at a theater (mel brooks films, fiddler, dirty dancing, etc).

dean's performative masculinity is based on his dad and gentile movie stars etc but he feels deeply conflicted about this because he sees jewish men in the movies / at school / just out in the world and he finds their masculinity to be more comforting and reflective of how he wants to act and how he feels inside. but he also sees the antisemitism that his jewish brothers deal with and he already is so afraid of people hurting him for being weird and poor and queer that he represses these feelings.

he starts going to shabbat services when he's off on his own in his early twenties and he feels really out of place but it's one of the only things that's getting him through such a fucked up lonely faithless period of his life.

sam goes to hillel at stanford and is so relieved to finally be able to really have a stable place where he can learn about judaism and connect with other jews. jess is half-jewish and they bond over how out of place they feel in among jews and among gentiles. they start learning hebrew together and get some jewish cook books and when he decides he's going to propose he starts dreaming about them having a traditional jewish wedding.

a lot of my jupernatural hcs are about when they're younger so that's all i got for now boss 👍👍😎😎✡✡

P.S. in my heart they are such guys who say "oy vey". at every minor inconvenience they moan and groan and say "oy vey" or even "oy va voy" or even "oy vey iz mir" or even "oy gevalt". the only reason we do not see this is the ghostfacers effect

#i wrote a shitton omg #jupernatural #mail #my posts #spn

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firebatvillain · 2 years

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When I was a kid, my aunt S (related to me via marriage - she married my uncle D) had always seemed kind of weird from my point of view. S is very traditional and she moved here from Korea as an adult and doesn't speak great English.

She also was very awkward in our like, Korean-diaspora culture events due to her traditional upbringing, and would often retreat to the kitchen rather than eat with us whenever we were at her place. It took years of trying to get her to come out and sit with us to bear fruit, and get her to awkwardly join us when there were events at her house.

Conversations with her were often painfully awkward because she couldn't relate to anyone in our generation, and actually couldn't relate to anyone in her generation in our family either, as they had all moved here at a young age. On top of that, Uncle D had a job that involved a lot of travel, and Aunt S seemed very lonely, especially as her kids grew up.

Once Uncle D retired and started spending all his time with her, she seemed a little happier, but I still think of her life as really really lonely and without anyone who understood her, even her own children.

II.

I know that it was an arranged courtship between the two of them, but I never got the details.

Recently, at a family event, Aunt S and I were chatting, doing the usual awkward pleasantry exchange. I mentioned that I was single and trying to date, and she decided to give me some romantic advice, from the older generation to the younger one! So now I'm getting romantic advice from a 60 year old Korean woman who moved here as an adult, has no real engagement with American culture, and whose experience of dating is an arranged courtship. Oh boy.

Her advice was to “trust in God” and that eventually I'd find the person that I'm meant to be with. Uh, not very actionable.

I think my disappointment with her advice must have shown, because she decided to share the story of her first date with Uncle D. They had been introduced by family members, then went on a date. At the end of it, D was so enamored with her that he proposed to her on the spot. She responded by laughing in his face! But she liked him, and they eventually did end up marrying after meeting a couple more times.

III.

This was meant to be a funny story, but then she went on to say that when she met him, she'd been planning to move from Korea to Vancouver, Canada to pursue a PhD at UBC. Her aunt (a spinster) lived there and they had a good relationship on her occasional visits. Her aunt had prepared a room for S, and S was looking forward to moving to North America, living with her aunt and pursuing her dreams.

After getting engaged to my uncle, S set her dreams aside. She abandoned her ambitions for higher education and living with her aunt. Instead, she married my uncle, became a housewife, had two kids, never had a job or got another degree. She spent the next few decades being alone in a society she never really understood, with no close friends other than her husband. And even her husband often had business trips and never had time to love her or help with their kids, kids she couldn’t relate to, until he retired.

She told me this story, and I thought it was terribly sad.

#fbv writes #okay to reblog #asian-american #korean-american

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themculibrary · 10 months

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Sam & Sarah Wilson Masterlist

Bucky Barnes Hates Christmas (ao3) - QuestinWitchFace sam/bucky T, 19k

Summary: Bucky tries to survive the Avengers Christmas party and the Wilson family Christmas despite not feeling very Christmas-y. Also, yeah, he's in love with Sam Wilson.

‘cause with a love like this (ao3) - philthestone G, 3k

Summary: “I am so proud of you, Sam Wilson,” Sarah says, and means it, so very much.

'Cause With A Love Like This, There's Nothing Left To Do (ao3) - plantswithme sam/bucky E, 4k

Summary: Sam has his ideas, he’d seen the faded papers from his moms recipe book on Sarah’s kitchen counter, meaning she had taken them out from the folder.

Sam isn’t wrong but he also isn’t right as when they get closer to Sarah’s property he hears music and people talking but he does smell food.

Sarah spots them and pokes a few people making them aware of Sam’s arrival.

Sam looks at Bucky and is met with a grin, “You bastard, do you know how much cheese I ate?” Sam says.

Bucky laughs and takes the flowers from Sam, “Go on birthday boy, you got people waiting for you”

Everyone knows, so Sam puts his hand on Bucky’s waist and leans in for a sweet kiss, before making his way over to the people that are there to celebrate him.

Dance Bucky Dance (ao3) - JadedJotunTales bucky/sarah M, 682

Summary: In which Sam invites Bucky to a Wilson family dinner, and Bucky's new secret is revealed. And of course Sam and Bucky banter and tease each other.

Family (ao3) - woamx G, 1k

Summary: Sam’s surrounded by people. Bucky is not.

I seem good on the surface (ao3) - whothehellisbuckles sam/bucky G, 3k

Summary: When Sam came home in the spring, he did everything he was supposed to: made a routine, spent time with loved ones, kept himself busy, and didn’t talk about it. Now it’s the end of summer, and Sam’s afraid he lost himself somewhere along the way.

Out & Reclaim (ao3) - szarvasoks sam/bucky G, 1k

Summary: Sam comes clean with Sarah, when Bucky visits he proposes a way to further their relationship.

Static in the Dark (ao3) - thefatedthoughtofyou sam/bucky T, 4k

Summary: Prompt from abc-easy-as-123 on tumblr:

So prompt idea, some bad guy follows Bucky to the docks for revenge (over whatever you can decide) and Sarah gets to see how protective Bucky really is over Sam when he gets in the line of fire

summer’s end (ao3) - junipermoss sam/bucky n/r, 5k

Summary: When Sam shows up to Sarah’s house with an injured Bucky, she expects them to hate each other.

They don’t.

The Big World of A Small Town Hero (ao3) - SpaceCaseWriter13 G, 3k

Summary: Sam Wilson's in Delacroix with Bucky for a Wilson Family Cookout, and has an unexpectedly heartfelt conversation with one formerly brainwashed assassin about family, expectations, and living life as a small-town hero.

the smile that’s on my mouth (it’s hiding the words that don’t come out) (ao3) - the_crown_jules G, 1k

Summary: Six months ago Sam walked back into the Wilson family house for the first time in two years. Except it hadn’t been two years, it had been seven.

Sam tries to find his footing.

Things are Looking Up (ao3) - Politzania sam/bucky G, 551

Summary: Bucky’s reaction to a Wilson family tradition gets Sam to check in with his teammate and friend; crystalizing their connection.

Unboxing Memories & Feelings (ao3) - JustStuck sam/bucky G, 794

Summary: Why was it impossible for Sam Wilson to find some act right? The simplest task and still he finds room for shenanigans. He may be Captain America to the world (and a few alternate realities) over. But to Sarah, he would always be her goofy big brother whose level of compassionate leadership was only matched by his level of can't get right.

Sam gets a day off to goof off and does so with the bonus of reflecting on the good of his past, present and what could be in his future.

What Comes After (ao3) - Shadith G, 4k

Summary: Sam Wilson is the baby of the family. Everyone agrees, even his baby sister.

#themculibrary #sarah wilson #sam wilson #siblings #siblings masterlist #masterlists

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freeworldallahexecutivembaclass · 1 year

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In honor of my friend and my new found family 50 Cent and his crew that he choose that is cool with me here's to a new day and I toast to all these laws may they all get passed and we all live in prosperity my city to your country

Proposing the job safety and job secure act for all employers

Full labor union membership at job signing which means job security at the signing of the job for guaranteed long term full time employment , too many single mothers are afraid of losing their job which is her only stable income and she loses her job she is left to fend for herself without any financial support . I say that companies should want this to law pass into legislation because they get to keep them employees for a long time thus eliminating a high turnover rate and let's think about the young man trying to stay out of trouble he is young ambitious just does not have the opportunity of long term employment he needs to know that he has a job that he can safely call his own as long as he knows how to do that job with efficiency and is effective in carry out his responsibility and duties , he should not fear losing employment as soon as he get the job he needs a job so that he can start his life and have a family and be able to support his family and love his wife and children and be able to provide a good healthy future for them .With all that is going on in America right now i feel as though the most important issues are being overlooked this month I want to bring up the issue of economic inequality and the income gap between the peoples of America .

Honestly welfare reform is working but it makes you wonder can more be done like for instance you have to congratulate the programs and training programs that put people that is on welfare back to work or in some cases that train them how to work but the problem at most times these jobs are only seasonal temporary jobs , so that means after the assignment the person is back to square one no what is needed is permanent employment to help curb the curse of poverty , recidivism to prison , idleness , alcohol and substance abuse , gaps in employment on resumes , now don't get me wrong these are good programs that help clean up cities like Baltimore , Washington , Chicago , and New York the workers are given not just a job but a sense of purpose and get to commit to doing environmental and community repairs and maintenance to their neighborhoods like for instance cleaning up city shelters and the parks in our inner cities giving workers a chance to not only indulge in building their communities instead of destroying them at the same time it is providing safe and enjoyable places to eat , play and live , these jobs provide the workers with a stable income so that a person starting at ground zero can provide themselves and their families with higher standards of living , better access to housing , education , healthcare , and better chances of gaining employment in the field that they are trained for , the problem is then that most of the time they are no jobs for these workers when they are finished with their assignments what is needed is permanent job training programs or training programs with automatic job placements in permanent jobs .

And these are some of the programs that the American government can invest in the government can take job depleted areas and create businesses that put it's citizens back to work permanently , we need environments with access to more resources like jobs with good incomes that can provide good standards of living economic situations that enriches the social and cultural net worth of the people thus creating richer and better healthy habits , attitudes , values , self images and behaviors , goals , dreams , and reality for the people .

These programs can be the paid training before the full and fair employment , thanks to past Presidents we have the job corp program this should be an expansion on that , including people's ages 24 to age 65 it would be good to walk into a Brooklyn or Bronx workforce and see these programs , also free grants for educational programs that not only train a person to work but give them a place where they could learn to work and think for themselves as liberals .

Financial counseling and full financial advisor services promised at the time of job signing .

Counseling services on 401 K plans retirement and investment retirement accounts income stocks , mutual funds and portfolio diversification .

Full medical coverage insurance and other type of insurances offered through employment .

Insurance coverage : Health insurance Automobile insurance to help with payments on car insurance Education insurance to help with payments on active schools Life insurance to help with payments on regular life insurance Home insurance to help with mortgage rent assistance and insurance on a home owners home

Automatic union protection and membership guarding employees benefits at the signing and hiring for employment .

Unions offer protection of employment litigation against work related discrimination but only after a number of months and union payments to employers and labor union that fail to adequately protect the interest of newly hired employees and candidates for that employment .

I'm proposing Unions do their job and be a people that fight for employees rights in wage increase every 2 years at 2 to 3 dollar increase and training full training monthly training helping employees become better trained and working professionals .

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christinesolstice · 2 years

Text

Jungkook's Bon Voyage Romance

Part: 1

Summary:

BTS has come to America to film a new season of Bon Voyage. With their regular director gone for the week, they trust his advice and hire an American director.

Sera's Uncle is a small-time director who landed a new gig thanks to an old friend. Upon her Uncle's urging, she hires on as the assistant to seven men that she had never heard of.

Will their week in the woods go as planned?

“Ugh! I hate rain! And I hate the cold! Whyyyyyy did I agree to this job?” I complained, once again, to my Uncle who was directing the show that we were about to start filming. I huddled tightly under the umbrella even more, trying to keep from getting even more wet from the light rain that was coming down. It was definitely a cold and rainy morning; a morning that I should have been spending in my favorite reading chair, curled up under a huge fluffy blanket with a hot up of coffee and my latest mystery thriller book.

My Uncle chuckled as he checked the protective gear over the camera equipment in the back of the equipment trailer one more time.

“Because you need the money, this is a good paying job, and you’ll be good at it.” He answered with a sickeningly sweet smile. “Plus… aren’t attractive men a bonus?” I rolled my dark brown eyes and pulled my hands inside of my jacket sleeves to try to warm them up.

“It’s not like I’m lacking in the dating area, plus I haven’t even seen these men, they are probably all ugly,” I huffed in annoyance, not really meaning the words that came out of my mouth. My Uncle just smiled to himself and walked off to talk to some of the other film crew.

I usually worked as a personal assistant for an up-and-coming actress but due to personal reasons, the actress was taking a leave of absence from acting and therefore, leaving me jobless for the fall season. My plan was to take the time to relax and enjoy my earnings until the actress came back in the winter, but it seemed as though my Uncle had other plans.

~*~

Uncle Tito had called one afternoon and asked to meet up for dinner at my favorite restaurant that night. I had agreed thinking that it would be a family dinner with my Aunt and cousins as well. Instead, I arrived to the restaurant to see my Uncle sitting alone at a table with a thick pile of papers before him and a business proposal brewing in his mind.

Uncle Tito stated that he was going to be directing a type of reality show that he had never directed before, he said that it was almost something like a Variety Show, whatever that was.

“It’ll be great! It’s a brand new market for me and a HUGE opportunity and honor to be able to work with BTS.”

I screwed up my face in confusion. “What’s a BTS?” I asked confused.

“You know, the Global K-Pop sensation group of singers, dancers and rappers?”

I shook my head, still not recognizing them.

“You know, they went to the White House…..they have been on multiple award shows here in the US?”

I just lifted a shoulder in a half shrug, “Since when do I pay attention to politics or to who is who in the music industry?”

My Uncle heaved a heavy sighed and rubbed his hand down his face but then he stopped and tilted his head to look at me. “Actually, this might be good. This might be VERY good. Their management team was worried about hiring a fan as their personal assistant while they were here. So this is actually in our favor since you’re oblivious to who the men are.”

My Uncle went on rambling before his words finally caught up to me.

“WAIT! Personal assistant? THEIRS? ME?” I asked incredulously.

Uncle Tito nodded his head a little too happily. “Yes! Exactly!”

~*~

And that’s how I came to have this job. However, when I signed the contract it never said that I would be the assistant to SEVEN men, that I’m supposed to be in the filming with them, in the woods, on a camping adventure for something called Bon Voyage?? Apparently, it’s a vacation thing they do where they travel and it gets recorded? But this time it’s supposed to be a week with them camping? Which seemed easy enough though I hadn’t met them yet so I couldn’t rightfully say, they may be like literal babes in the woods. Although if I can handle a prima donna actress then I can definitely handle them… I hope.

“Alright, it looks like we are all set here.” My Uncle’s voice sounded from the truck parked in the parking spot closest to the camper that the men were supposed to take.

I looked the camper and shook my head, wondering how on earth seven grown men were supposed to sleep in it. Uncle Tito had taken me through the camper and above the driver seat there was a bunk bed, there was a large bunk bed in the back, over the small bathroom, the table could be converted into a bed and the window seats could be converted into a bed. So I guess technically, if they all slept REALLY close, then they cold fit but it made me feel grateful that I had my own tent that I didn’t have to share with anyone, even if the weather was cold and rainy.

“Okay! They are almost here! Everyone get ready!” Uncle Tito shouted to all of us.

I straightened up under my umbrella, interested to find out exactly who I would be working for. I could have looked up BTS before hand, out of curiosity, but I decided not to. It was a week-long job and then after that, I would never see these men again, so what was the point, really? Besides, they were just normal guys, right?

Suddenly a camera was shoved right into my face, which I’m sure would give the audience a clear shot up my nostrils.

“Sooooo, Sera…how do you feel about working with the ultra-famous and ultra-hip group B…T…S!!” My friend Daniel yelled behind the camera. I rolled my eyes and pushed the camera out of my face.

“I would a lot better about it if everyone would just chill. They are just guys.”

Daniel’s mouth gaped open and he put his hand over his heart in mock pain. “JUST GUYS?!” he screeched, causing several other crew to turn their hands to look at us. I slapped my hand over his loud mouth and told him to quiet down.

“Yes, just guys. I don’t see what the big deal is.”

Daniel’s eyes bulged out. “Just…guys… do you REALLY think the…THE Jung Hoseok is JUST a guy?” I

shrugged my shoulders for what felt like the twentieth time that day. “I’ve never seen the guy so how would I know?”

Daniel went to reply but his eyes bugged out even more, which I really didn’t think was possible, and he grabbed my shoulders roughly.

"THAT is THE Jung Hoseok.” He said as he spun me around to face the van that had just pulled up.

Out of the passenger seat had come a golden skinned man, with wavy brown hair and possibly the best bone structure I had ever seen in person. “Oh.” I said quietly in slight awe before turning back to my friend.

“Okay, okay, I get it. I REALLY get it. The guy is gorgeous. Just remember that you’re on assignment, so no trying to hook up with the celebrities.”

Daniel nodded quickly, straightening his face.

“You’re right,” he said, suddenly trying to look very professional. “I cross my little gay heart that I will not try to hook up with the celebrities until the assignment is over.”

He gave me a firm nod and I just giggled, looped my arm through his, and we made our way to where seven men were emptying out of the vehicle.

My Uncle stood before them, talking to the tallest one who had these remarkable dimples every time that he smiled.

“We appreciate you doing this, our regular director was unable to come because of health reasons. He highly recommenced you, and it’s nice to work with someone that he trusts.” Uncle Tito shook the guy’s hand.

“Oh no, It’s an honor to be able to work with all of you. It’s my first time filming something like this so I hope that everything work out well.”

The dimpled man smiled again and waved his hands in the air, “I’m sure it will all be wonderful.”

My Uncle noticed me out of the corner of his eye and waved me over, “Mr. Kim, this is my niece, Sera. She will be the one assisting all of you in whatever you need on this trip." I smiled politely and the man did the same back.

“It’s nice to meet you,” I said warmly, “Please rely on me for anything that you might need.” I stuck my hand out and it was enveloped in his much larger one.

“We definitely will, thank you,” he responded. “Let me introduce everyone. First off, I’m Kim Namjoon but you can just call me Joon”. I nodded and consented to calling him that then my eyes roved over the other men as he introduced them, trying to keep the names straight with who they were.

“This is our eldest member, Kim Seokjin, we call him Jin.” He waved to a tall lanky man with curling brown hair, large lips, who I realized was the one whose laugh had sounded like a windshield wiper when Daniel and I were walking up. ‘He seems absolutely precious, omg.’ He waved shyly and I waved back, nodding my head at him.

Namjoon waved to a man with jet black hair that was curling under his ears, who looked like he was ready to crash into a bed at any moment. His tired eyes roved over me in scrutiny and a small part of me became a little nervous. He seemed a little more intimidating that the other men so far. “This is Min Yoongi, he normally goes by Suga.” “Suga?” I say in question and the tired man nods his head at me, “You can call me whatever you like, but I normally do go by Suga.”

“This is Jung Hoseok,” he motioned towards the one that Daniel had been orgasming over. “You can call me JHope or Hobi,” he said sweetly. “I will definitely do that, thank you.” I responded.

“This is Park Jimin, we just call him by his name.” Jimin’s beauty almost took my breath away. His bleached blonde hair contrasted perfectly with his tan and his eyes crinkled up into half moons when he smiled. ‘He looks like a freaking angel!’ We both nodded high at each other as he ignored an elbow nudge and a whisper from the guy standing beside him.

Namjoon then introduced the man who had been elbowing Jimin as Kim Taehyung. The man with the boxy smile and curly brown hair sauntered to me, took my hand in his and gave the back up my hand a kiss before looking up at me and wiggling his eyebrows. “You can call me Tae or even better, boyfriend, “ he said in a deeper voice than the other men. A loud laugh/snort escaped me as Jin yelled, “Yah!” and Jimin quickly pulled Tae back as the members rounded on him and started hitting him. “I WAS JUST KIDDING.” He yelled in surrender.

Namjoon shook his head, “I’m sorry about that.”

I waved away his apology. “Don’t worry, I have a best fried that acts the exact same way sometimes,” I side-eyed Daniels whose ears turned red at my words. “I’m sure we will get along perfectly."

I laughed and Tae shot me finger guns which had Jimin putting his face in the palm of his hand.

Namjoon then turned to the last one who had caught my eye since the beginning. He was tall with black hair, dressed in all black, had a lip ring and I could see a few tattoos on one of his hands. “This is our maknae Jeon Jungkook, we call him JK or Kookie. “

I looked at the leader in curiosity, I had never heard the term ‘maknae’. Before I could control my loud mouth, in jest I blurted out, “What’s a maknae? I that like a prison term or something?”

I slapped my hand over my mouth as soon as the words came out, realizing that not only were these not normal people, but they were people that I did not know well enough to joke around with in that way, if in any way at all.

Uncle Tito sighed and looked up at the sky as if praying to a god for divine intervention.

“I’m so sorry! I was just kidding!” I tried to quickly say but every single man was laughing loudly at Jungkook’s shocked expression.

Taehyung and Jimin had fallen onto the ground laughing and Jin’s windshield wiper laugh echoed thought the parking lot. Namjoon and Yoongi were laughing so hard that they could barely breath and Hobi was clapping his hands and pointing at Jungkook, “It’s probably because of his tattoos,” he said, which sent them al into another round of laughter, this time even Jungkook joined in.

I watched them all laugh, bewildered that they were not pissed.

Yoongi came over to me and placed his hand on my shoulder, “That was amazing! That’s the best thing I’ve ever heard about Jungkookah.” He said, giving me a gummy smile and suddenly he no longer seemed intimidating.

As the laughter slowly died down, Namjoon wiped his eyes, “Maknae means youngest, he’s the youngest of our group.”

I blushed from my forehead and all the way down to my toes. “I am so, so sorry.” I said to Jungkook but he just grinned a cute little bunny grin, his nose scrunching up. “It’s okay, it was really funny.”

“I’m still sorry, that was so rude and unprofessional of me.”

Namjoon smiled sweetly at me, “I promise, it’s okay. It’s refreshing to be around someone who acts like we are just regular guys.” The others nodded to what their kind leader said.

“In fact,” he said seriously, “I think we would all prefer if you would just be yourself, even with things like that. It’ll be more like having a friend along instead of an employee, it’ll be refreshing and fun! What do you say guys?” he turned to the other men and they all agreed.

“I definitely think you should be yourself around us, after all, we are going to be stuck together for the next week anyway.” Jin reasoned.

“Yeah,” Jimin piped up. “I would much rather work with the real you than with a fake version just for the sake of the show.”

“Besides,” Hobi stated, “If you keep making jokes like that about JK, the I’ll probably love you forever.” He said, giving the youngest member a smug smile, to which JK responded by flipping him off.

Namjoon turned to Uncle Tito, “Mr. Martinez, I think this is going to be a great show.”

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thebibliomancer · 2 years

Text

Essential Avengers: Avengers #272: Assault on ATLANTIS

October, 1986

Finally, prevenge for Atlantis Attacks!

Huh Atlanteans dress in green and purple? I know that’s common villain colors but good job being indistinguishable from several other groups. Including the Skrullkree united empire.

Also, guest starring Alpha Flight! I know very little about Alpha Flight! Except Puck. Puck is great.

Last time on Avengers: Namor joined the Avengers. This has made a lot of people very angry and has been widely regarded as a bad move. Namor’s past behavior as a guy that flooded New York but also punched Nazis has caused a public opinion split on him. A bunch of insurance companies got together to sue Namor. Despite insisting that the trial be held as soon as possible, Namor also skipped town due to Atlantis drama. This made Wasp very angry and has been widely regarded as a bad move.

And then Namor came back to ask for the Avengers’ help after insisting This Is Something He Has To Do Himself.

So that’s what they’re doing now.

As Captain Marvel nyooms ahead as invisible energy, helpfully rendered bright yellow for the readers’ benefit, she worries about where Namor’s priorities lie. She fears that though Namor asked for the Avengers’ to help him rescue Marrina, he may use the team as muscle to reclaim his throne.

Inside the Avengers sub (they have subs now. There was a whole thing about a submarine dock and a submarine tunnel, remember?) Black Knight assures Wasp the power harnesses he created will protect the Avengers from the crushing deep sea pressure and help them move.

And at Cap(tain America)’s prodding, Namor exposits about his history with Marrina.

See, she’s an alien.

Yup.

A fish alien. So at home in the ocean as he.

And they loved each other, Namor even proposing marriage.

But before she could give him an answer, Marrina got bogged down in Alpha Flight nonsense and got captured by the Master of the World. The Master of the World exposed her to another, more monstery, member of her race which caused a transformation in Marrina.

Namor helped Alpha Flight defeat the Master of the World but Marrina vanished in the confusion and Namor couldn’t find her no matter where he looked.

So, eventually, Namor moved on. Got busy with other stuff. And then he heard that Attuma had captured Marrina and was using her as bait in a Namor trap. So obviously, he went to try and rescue her.

Namor: “But the people of Atlantis... my former subjects... turned against me and supported Attuma when I tried to rescue Marrina. Despite my abdication, I never thought... never dreamed I would so lose the love of my people. I had no choice but to turn to the Avengers for help!”

Which brings us to now.

Meanwhile, in Atlantis, Attuma taunts a captive Marrina. A captive Marrina whose face is very conspicuously being kept hidden.

Attuma: “Hah-hah-ha! The former prince was not of much help in saving your worthless skin... was he, creature?”

Marrina: “Why do you continue to torture me, Attuma? Why don’t you simply kill me and get it over with?”

Attuma: “Because, monster, Namor yet lives. He will never stop trying to free you until his cursed heart ceases to beat! But never fear, the moment I behold proof of his demise -- you shall follow your ‘beloved’ into the embrace of death!”

Charming guy, Attuma.

One of Attuma’s guards comes to report forces moving on the defense perimeters, which Attuma assumes (correctly) is Namor returning with help from air-breathing friends.

Attuma sends the guard with a message to surround the interlopers and then obliterate them.

And then he taunts Marrina again about how he’s totally going to kill Namor.

Villains really do love a captive audience.

At Atlantis’ outer fortifications, the Atlantean soldiers are confused why so much weaponry is needed against just a single ship but you know those tricksy drylanders. Always with treachery.

The Avengers’ ship just floats right outside range of the Atlantean armament... and that’s because the Avengers themselves have left the ship and circled around behind all the fortifications.

Hard to fortify when 3D movement is easy.

Of course, Namor loudly announces their presence and demands they lay down their arms and they won’t be harmed ON HIS WORD AS THE SUB-MARINER.

And Wasp chimes in on her word too.

So the soldiers immediately start firing on them.

Captain America: “Nice try, you two, but they’re not going for it!”

So the Avengers start shaming the pride of the Atlantean military.

Black Knight scoots around on his atomic steed and breaks stuff with his extremely cursed sword.

Wasp shoots people with her pew pew bio-electric stings. She mentions that Black Knight wasn’t able to make diving gear for her that could also shrink with her so she can’t use her usual tricks. But I think her energy blasts are more potent when she’s full sized so its maybe worse for the Atlanteans.

And Namor whines that nobody in Atlantis listens to him.

Although he springs into action when Atlantis launches a warship against the Avengers.

Namor: “It is an Atlantean warship! And those aboard must be taught the folly of firing upon the allies of a former prince of the blood!”

And he and Hercules punch the warship together, reducing it to scrap in one simultaneous punch.

This is their get along move.

I like the Atlantean seaman being ejected from the collapsing vehicle. He probably has no idea what’s going on.

Anyway. Captain Marvel ‘flies’ around underwater as electricity, stunning the Atlantean soldiers.

Captain America is the one who is doing the worst here since he doesn’t have a good way to do a lot of damage fast underwater. But even slowed down underwater, he’s knocked out a dozen Atlantean soldiers.

Also, I have to say. These pressure suits don’t look much like they would be pressure suits. They have helmets and oxygen tanks but nothing that would prevent the water pressure from squeezing your gooey insides out.

Science sure is amazing.

Anyway, with the Avengers all making Atlantis look like fools (something Namor really should keep in mind the next five times he decides he’s mad at humanity), they panic and flee the Avengers.

An Atlantean: “Retreat! Better to risk the wrath of Attuma than battle the Avengers unarmed!”

Captain America suggests pursuing the retreating soldiers but gets distracted because it seems like Attuma’s forces are under attack from a second group as well.

Namor recognizes them. Because he sent his treacherous cousin Byrrah to find them and bring them to help.

It’s Alpha Flight!

‘Oh right,’ the Wasp says, having briefly met them in Secret Wars II.

Anyway, it’s Northstar, Aurora, Shaman, Box, Puck, Snowbird and Vindicator.

I don’t know a lot about these guys. Except Puck, as I’ve already established.

Also, Sasquatch. But he doesn’t seem to be here. Maybe he isn’t on the team yet or currently.

The two teams exchange greetings and Vindicator mentions that Alpha Flight wants to avoid an international incident.

I’m also not sure if Alpha Flight is still working for the Canadian government at this point. But if they are, that explains why they’re more worried about that then the Avengers are, who are in the doghouse as far as the government goes.

Captain America: “We’re not invading Atlantis, Vindicator, we’re just going to rescue your teammate, Marrina... and get out!”

Wasp: “The faster, the better!”

Namor: “I concur. Atlantis is no longer mine... When I ruled her, I ruled neither wisely nor well. I will not force myself upon my people now! They have chosen the rule of a barbarian over mine. They must live by that decision. All I demand from them is Marrina’s freedom.”

Meanwhile, within Attuma’s fortress, he is STILL taunting Marrina?

Dude, you are under attack, take an interest!

He’s just assuming that everything is going fine so he can continue talking his captive audience’s ear off.

So he’s not happy when his messenger brings him not Namor’s head but news that the invaders are at the outskirts of Atlantis. And less happy when the great warning horn signals WROOAAHHH! indicating that Atlantis is now under siege.

But, again, its hard for fortifications to matter much in an environment with 3D movement. The Avengers aren’t sieging the city walls, they’re swimming over the city.

Wasp tells Namor and Hercules to lead the charge. Which just further annoys Hercules’ emergent misogyny.

Hercules thoughts: ‘Take the lead,’ says she... bah! What else would I do? The Prince of Power needs no slip of a woman to tell him the obvious!

The Avengers and Alpha Flight storm the city, if such a small number can be said to storm. Putting the pressure on the palace guards.

Attuma actually shows up to his own battle and berates his guards for thinking that the Avengers could be fought without using the BIGGEST guns available.

A soldier: “But Lord Attuma, such weaponry could level the city!”

Attuma: “What of it? Cities can be rebuilt! ... I would level a hundred cities to insure our victory! The accursed Avengers must fall! The Sub-Mariner must die!”

Attuma finally showing up puts a little pep in Namor’s step and he launches himself across the battle to punch Attuma through a wall.

Namor: “You have the throne... you have the kingdom! Yet, you would sacrifice both to see me dead! You are either a madman or a fool!”

While Namor helps Attuma destroy the kingdom a building at a time, Northstar swims into Attuma’s Marrina mocking tower and frees her by punching open her prison globe.

Northstar is surprised to see what Marrina looks like (though we still don’t) while the underwater woman weakly begs him not to look at her.

Somehow, Attuma senses a disturbance in the mocking tower and knows that Marrina has been freed.

Attuma: “The half-breed traitor dares to assault me... an air-breathing accomplice frees his monstrous lover! Where are my legions?”

QUINCTILIUS VARUS, GIVE ME BACK MY LEGIONS!

Hah but no.

Even though the Atlantean military hasn’t done much good so far, apparently having failed to keep the Avengers out of the city has done them some good.

The armies come storming into the city and surround the Avengers and Alpha Flight.

How did you dinguses let yourselves get bunched up like this?

Surrounding them doesn’t do a lot of good though.

Because. Ocean. Three-D movement.

Hercules just gets mad at Attuma proclaiming that the bunched up heroes will be slain and does a big stomp, which flings a bunch of soldiers away. Then Wasp commands Namor, Box, and Vindicator to follow Hercules’ lead in fighting the legions, Captain Marvel to take out their mobile artillery and warships, and for the rest of the heroes to escort Marrina to safety.

Wow. Mook armies less well equipped and with less homefield advantage than the Atlanteans have do better against superhero teams than this. This is embarrassing for Atlantis.

Namor confronts Attuma personally and demands that he call off his legions.

Attuma disagrees so he hits Namor with a rock.

It was a really big rock.

He plans to follow it up with what looks like a pillar or maybe a statue, presumably torn from one of the underwater buildings.

Attuma: “This time Attuma is the sovereign of Atlantis, and Namor the usurper! And this time, Namor will know the ultimate defeat!”

-Namor punch-

Namor: “You may rule, Attuma -- but you shall never slay me! Listen to me! I don’t want your throne!”

Attuma: “You... you are serious!”

Wow. This whole thing was so avoidable.

Attuma managed to get Atlantis but he was paranoid that Namor would come take it back so he decided better have it on his terms and tried to lure him into a trap by capturing his ex.

Except Namor was so bummed that none of his people like him that he doesn’t even care that Attuma took over Atlantis finally.

Attuma and Atlantis deserve each other!

Also, the book isn’t even pretending that the Atlantean soldiers were much of a threat to the Avengers and Alpha Flight.

Namor: “Now order your men to stop fighting, before my allies are forced to injure more of them!”

Let this senseless violence cease! My guys are getting tired of whupping your guys’ asses!

Actually, I joke but Box of Alpha Flight literally does get tired of whupping Atlantean ass.

Apparently his thing is that he’s a guy... who merges with a robot body? And he’s never been merged this long and isn’t feeling too good.

Team leader Vindicator tells him to go to the surface and unmerge with that armor ASAP.

On his way up he passes the escort team and does them a startle. And while they’re done a startle, Marrina vanishes on them.

One job. You guys had one job.

Back unda the sea, Namor is still scolding that this whole plot was so avoidable.

Namor: “Look about you, Attuma! None of this destruction was necessary! The affairs of Atlantis are now but part of my past. I doubt that I would ever have returned, had you not taken Marrina prisoner. There is a saying among the surface people... that every nation has the government it deserves. If that is so, then I pity Atlantis.”

Hercules: “Let us return to the land, Namor. There is nothing for you here!”

Then Marrina shows up to try to kick Attuma’s ass but one of the otherwise useless Atlantean soldiers shoots her to stop her from attacking his warlord.

Namor clobbers the soldier and then swims after Marrina.

When the Avengers and Alpha Flight leave to head back to the surface, Captain Marvel lingers to read Attuma the riot act.

Captain Marvel: “All right, Attuma... you can keep on running Atlantis for as long as these people put up with you. We won’t interfere. But if you ever pull anything like this again, the Avengers will be on top of you like mud on a crawfish! And don’t you forget it!”

Then she nyooms off. And because Attuma is a villain, he has learned nothing. He vows he will get revenge for being humiliated in front of Atlantis.

Meanwhile, Namor has managed to catch up with Marrina, despite her blood trail running cold because she’s healed from the shoulder shot.

Still covering her face, Marrina demands Namor go away because she doesn’t want him to see her like this.

Marrina: “I didn’t want you to find me, Namor. I knew you’d repeat your offer of marriage, and... I am not worthy.”

Namor: “You’re in pain. You don’t know what you’re saying.”

Marrina: “Don’t I? Must I show you the horror that I’ve become?! I am an alien, Namor! The only reason I’m female... the only reason I’m even humanoid... is that the first organism I came in direct contact with was a human woman.”

Marrina exposits the biz with the Master of the World exposing her to another member of her alien race causing her horrible transformation!! into the same person but with a monstery face.

I’m not going to say she’s overreacting because she’s had a horrifying discover that she’s an alien meant to breed a whole lot and overrun Earth and also because the transformation has her in constant, unending pain.

But the part where she wants to cut all her social ties and lost herself to the depths is probably a wrong impulse.

Also, Captain Marvel is eavesdropping on this drama as invisible, undetectable neutrinos. Very possibly also the wrong impulse. Give them some privacy, Monica, geez.

The worse wrong impulse is that when Marrina declares that she’s going to lose herself in the depthiest depths of the ocean, Monica becomes visible light and pleads with Marrina not to do that thing because maybe the Avengers can help! Or if not them, then all the top biologists they know!

Marrina declares that nothing can “alleviate the spawning urge” except time or death. Then freaks out and tries to kill Monica.

Since Monica is intangible light form, Marrina instead escapes to the ocean depths.

Captain Monica offers to go after her but Namor tells her no. This Is Something He Has To Do Himself.

Dammit, Namor, that’s how we got here in the first place!

Captain Marvel: “You invoked personal privilege a week ago, and wound up having your mind changed the hard way.”

Namor: “This is different.”

Although, in fairness to Namor, trying to talk Marrina around is a different matter than trying to take on Atlantis single-handedly.

And as Namor says, this whole ordeal is sorta kinda only if you squint his fault since Attuma only tried to use her against Namor because Namor loved her.

Hey, Namor, this is fucked up logic.

Either way, he feels responsible for the situation and doesn’t want any help and in other fairness, Marrina tends to freak out when people see her so maybe let Namor handle it. Though I have my doubts about his soft skills.

Captain Marvel reminds Namor that he has other responsibilities. Avengers responsibilities. TWO BILLION DOLLAR LAWSUIT RESPONSIBILITIES.

Namor: “Recognition in the courts of my father’s native land is very important to me. It is a priceless opportunity to declare my place amongst the humanity of the surface world.”

Captain Marvel: “This could be your last opportunity.”

Namor: “I know that, but I cannot abandon Marrina now. I must help her find some sort of peace. I want you to tell the Wasp that I wish to take a leave of absence from the active ranks of the Avengers. Tell her I shall return... as soon as I can.”

Captain Marvel asks if he’s sure but no, of course not. But he’s gonna do it anyway.

Namor: “I am not certain of anything in this world, Marvel -- save duty and honor. When the first is ignored, the second must wither and die. Farewell, Captain. I shall miss being an Avenger... I shall miss you all.”

And then he swims off, to try to save Marrina. Leaving Captain Marvel to ponder that maybe she pegged him all wrong with her kneejerk first impulse of him.

Maybe indeed.

Ignore that Masters of Evil thing though. Pay it no mind. We don’t have time for that. Because it’s really time.

For baseball.

Follow @essential-avengers because I’m going to do annuals in the same post. Hopefully. Sometimes tumblr posts can’t handle that much comic at once. Maybe if you like and reblog this post, it will help that post handle the strain. But probably not. These things are not connected.

#avengers #essential avengers #attuma #atlantis #the wasp #captain america #captain marvel #Monica Rambeau #Namor McKenzie #Hercules #Black Knight #Marrina #Alpha Flight #not gonna tag them all #essential marvel liveblogging

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sleuth-hounds · 1 year

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The Tomb of Slytunkhamen, Part 1

New York City, circa 1975.

Scandinavian detective Christopher Alister and his Spanish partner Carmelo Fox arrived to a cellar apartment. The detectives entered a boiler room with shabby proportions and an overall sombre ambience. They also met a female mutt, Shirley Müller. She was petite, blonde, and was casting a spell from outside the window while muttering magic words to herself. Maybe the foxes came at a bad time...

The lady seemed like a trobuled soul. Either way, Christopher was willing to help her out. He walked a few inches closer to her.

"Excuse me, madame. I can see you're busy muttering to yourself, but--"

"Why you break my concentration on curse?! You in cahoots with Cooper gang, no?", The lady fired back at the ritzy arctic fox.

"No, we're not!", Christopher said.

"Actually, we're two thirds of the Alister gang- pretty much the same as the Cooper gang, but from the good side of the law." Carmelo added to the counter-accusation, and grabbed the attention of Shirley. She suddenly recognized his face...

"Wait! Meska Leeza Dooza-Fizzle Einsafeld... It is you! Nut Boy!" She said in awe, like she was in presence of a celebrity or a deity.

"Christopher, she just called me Nut Boy...", Carmelo murmured to his partner.

"The one with great power from body! To squish himself down to can o' nuts, ya?" She asked him.

Taking this in, Carmelo realized the lady was alluding to his unflattering moniker. However, he kept his cool and pretended to be flattered at the acknowledgement. "Oh! Si, si! It's me, Nut Boy!", he said, smiling nervously.

"Nut Boy!" She sobbed and laughed at the same time through her thick German accent. "Rotten, stinking diska-feisik thieves!" She ranted as the peeked through the window.

"So long have I been searching for sacred can o' nuts, stolen from Tomb of Slytunkhamen! To find it in theater, to see it making with glorious magic Nut Boy squish down with arctic fox friend... And then, to lose it to those grubby, sacrilegious thieves!" She continued her rant. She stopped and turned around back to the boys.

"You seem upset", Carmelo sensed some anger on Shirley's part.

"Would you like to talk about it?", Christopher asked her generously.

"You, Nut Boy and arctic fox friend! You will come to aid of this pitiful dog lady. You will take can o'nuts back from nasty thieves and bring it back to me." The lady proposed them the quest to recover the stolen item.

"Sure!"

"The first part, anyway."

The two foxes accepted the assignment.

"And perhaps there is something I can do for you?" Shirley asked them.

"So, miss..." Christopher was about to ask her a question, but she cut him off.

"You can call me Shirley, sir." She politely introduced herself.

"Right. So this vampire curse... how does it work? Is it instantaneous?" Christopher asked her.

"Nein. My magic only sets process in motion. Cursed thief thinks himself safe now, but wait until he runs into a wumpire, ha! Nothing can save him then!"

"I guess you curse a lot of guys who mistreat you, no?" Carmelo asked her.

"Eh, not so many. I cursed an interloper back at the tomb once, but that was five years ago..."

"Shirley, you said something about the Tomb of Slytunkhamen..."

"Oh, how I miss it! Ze happy pitter-patter of little scarabs! Ze smiling faces of the sarcophagi! Guarding ze tomb has been my family business for many generations."

"Then, why did you leave the old country?" Christopher asked with intrigue.

"Tomb-guarding business is no longer what it used to be. Nowadays, zhere is no decent tomb raiders to impale. Zo, my family sent me here. I make it big in America, I send for them!"

#story #the tomb of slytunkhamen #reupload

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newstfionline · 2 years

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Saturday, August 20, 2022

Crisis looms without big cuts to over-tapped Colorado River (AP) Hydroelectric turbines may stop turning. Las Vegas and Phoenix may be forced to restrict water usage or growth. Farmers might cease growing some crops, leaving fields of lettuce and melons to turn to dust. Those are a few of the dire consequences that could result if states, cities and farms across the American West cannot agree on how to cut the amount of water they draw from the Colorado River. Yet for years, seven states that depend on the river have allowed more water to be taken from it than nature can replenish. Despite widespread recognition of the crisis, the states missed a deadline this week to propose major cuts that the federal government has said are necessary. The river, which cascades from the Rockies down to the deserts of the Southwest, quenches the thirst of 40 million people in the U.S. and Mexico and sustains a $15 billion-a-year agricultural industry. Lake Powell and Lake Mead, the two largest reservoirs that hold Colorado River water, have fallen to dangerously low levels faster than anyone expected. The decline threatens to disrupt hydroelectric power production and water sent to cities and farms.

The Roads Weren’t Made for a Hotter Climate (Bloomberg) The historic heat wave that’s smothered western Europe this summer has caused transportation chaos. Railroad tracks warped, airport runways failed and key roads buckled. On July 18, the busy A14 highway in Cambridge, England, was shut down after developing a bizarre ridge that would be calamitous to fast-moving cars and their passengers. As it happens, the same thing has been occurring across America, Australia, China and Africa. Roads all over the world weren’t built for the increasingly hotter climate caused by global warming.

The UK Hits Double-Digit Inflation (1440) Consumer prices in the UK increased to 10.1% year-over-year in July on higher food costs, according to a government report yesterday. The numbers confirm a stark Bank of England forecast earlier this month predicting 13% inflation as the country anticipates a likely recession this fall. While inflation is on the rise globally, Britain’s rate is the highest of the G-7 nations, which represent some of the world’s wealthiest democracies. July’s report hit double digits for the first time in four decades behind the fastest monthly increase in food costs in 21 years. Despite relative growth in worker payouts, real wages declined 4.1% in the second quarter, squeezing purchasing power. Ahead of winter energy costs, the government has promised a series of vouchers to 29 million households, one of several initiatives to address the increasing cost of living.

Video of Finnish prime minister partying sparks outrage—and applause (Washington Post) Germany’s Bild newspaper named Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin the “coolest politician in the world” last week, calling the 36-year-old leader “casual, modern and self-confident” as she navigates the threat from Russia—and also attends music festivals with her friends. But now that reputation appears to have landed her in hot water after footage of Marin partying at a private event was leaked online. As the videos circulated online this week, some critics called her behavior childish, while others accused her of not staying focused on Finland’s cost-of-living crisis. But many others paused and asked: What’s all the fuss? Analysts say that Marin’s age and gender—and the intersection between the two—make her a particular target for criticism in a world led mostly by older men. “I have a family life, I have a work life and I have free time to spend with my friends. Pretty much the same as many people my age,” Marin said Thursday, the BBC reported. She said the videos were private and filmed in a private space. “I resent that these became known to the public,” Reuters quoted her as saying.

Europe’s Scorching Summer Puts Unexpected Strain on Energy Supply (NYT) In a Nordic land famous for its steep fjords, where water is very nearly a way of life, Sverre Eikeland scaled down the boulders that form the walls of one of Norway’s chief reservoirs, past the driftwood that protruded like something caught in the dam’s teeth, and stood on dry land that should have been deeply submerged. It has been a summer of heat and drought across Europe, affecting nearly every part of the economy and even its normally cool regions. France has been scarred by vast wildfires, and its Loire Valley is so dry the river can be crossed in places on foot. The Rhine in Germany is inches deep in parts, paralyzing essential commerce and stranding riverboat cruises. Italy is drier than at any time since 1800, and the growers of its iconic rice used for risotto now risk losing their harvest. But perhaps the drought’s most surprising impact can be found in Norway’s usually drenched south, where sheep have gotten stuck in exposed mud banks and salmon have lacked enough water to migrate upriver. Hydropower reservoir supplies—responsible for 90 percent of Norway’s electricity as well as electricity exports to several of its neighbors—have sunk to the lowest point in 25 years, causing shortages that have driven up both prices and political tensions. The summer’s extreme heat and devastating drought, coming on top of Russia’s weaponization of natural gas exports—in response to European Union sanctions for its war in Ukraine—have all combined to expose the vulnerabilities of Europe’s energy system in unexpected places and unanticipated ways.

Doctors stay in Ukraine’s war-hit towns: ‘People need us’ (AP) Dr. Ilona Butova almost looks out of place in her neatly pressed lavender scrubs as she walks through a door frame that hangs from a crumbled wall into what used to be an administrative office of her hospital in Zolochiv. Not one building in the facility in the northeastern Ukrainian town near the Russian border has escaped getting hit by artillery shells. Since Russia’s invasion on Feb. 24, space to treat patients at the hospital has shrunk constantly because of damage. Her staff has dwindled to 47 from 120. And the number of people seeking treatment in the small town 18 kilometers (11 miles) from the border is often higher now than before the fighting began. Ukraine’s health care system struggled for years because of corruption, mismanagement and the COVID-19 pandemic. But the war has only made things worse, with facilities damaged or destroyed, medical staff relocating to safer places and many drugs unavailable or in short supply. Care is being provided in the hardest-hit areas by doctors who have refused to evacuate or have rushed in as volunteers, putting themselves at great risk. “It’s very hard, but people need us. We have to stay and help,” said Butova.

The war’s effect on Greece (NYT) Once a sleepy outpost, the port of Alexandroupoli in northeastern Greece has taken on a central role in increasing the U.S. military presence in Eastern Europe. But the port’s transformation has angered not only Russia but also neighboring Turkey, underlining how the war is reshaping economic and diplomatic relationships in Europe. In the months before the war, the amount of matériel moved by Washington through the port jumped nearly 14-fold. U.S. officials say the equipment is destined solely for U.S. military units stationed in Eastern and Northern Europe, not for Ukraine. U.S. military operations in Greece have expanded greatly since the Russian invasion in February. “What we have done is transform the port into a dynamic military operations hub,” said Andre Cameron, who oversees U.S. military logistics at the port. “Nothing like it has been done here before.” The spike in U.S. military activity has been welcomed by Greece’s government, most of the country’s Balkan neighbors and local residents, who hope it will stimulate the regional economy and provide security. But Turkey sees a deeper relationship between Athens and Washington as a potential threat. Although Turkey and Greece are both NATO members, there is longstanding animosity between them.

Japan tax agency urges more alcohol consumption (1440) The Japanese government is trying to encourage its young people to drink more alcohol as moves toward a healthier lifestyle have led to a steep decline in the tax take from alcohol sales. The National Tax Agency has launched the “Sake Viva!” campaign to come up with ways to promote alcoholic drink consumption among 20 to 39-year-olds. Tax officials in part blame the coronavirus pandemic for freeing workers from office rituals. “As working from home made strides to a certain extent during the COVID-19 crisis, many people may have come to question whether they need to continue the habit of drinking with colleagues to deepen communication,” one official told the Japan Times. As the Guardian reports, the health ministry has asked that promotions include a reminder to only drink the “appropriate amount” of alcohol (which a recent Lancet study suggests should be none for those under 40).

Israel shutters Palestinian rights groups, drawing diplomatic backlash (Washington Post) Israel closed the offices of five leading Palestinian rights organizations in an early-morning raid in Ramallah on Thursday, tightening its restrictions on civil society nearly a year after it labeled the organizations terrorist groups in an internationally criticized move. Israel says the organizations have ties to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, an armed group that has carried out deadly attacks against Israel. The rights groups deny the allegation, and the United Nations criticized the move. The groups accuse Israel of targeting them because of their political activism against Israeli rule and their work documenting alleged abuses in the occupied territories.

For some Gaza children, another round of violence reopens trauma (Reuters) When Israeli missiles started landing in Gaza in early August, shattering glass and collapsing buildings, Jouman Abdu put on headphones, covered her eyes with a blindfold and stretched on the couch. The 8-year-old Palestinian girl said she came up with this ritual to escape the bang of the blasts, the second round of steady violence she had experienced in 15 months. “I didn’t want to hear the sounds of explosions,” she told Reuters as she sat with her mother. “I was afraid they would bomb our house.” The latest outbreak of hostilities lasted only a weekend but buttressed the trauma faced by Palestinian children growing up in the densely populated strip in the years since 2007 when Israel and Egypt imposed a blockade, cutting it off from outside, four people, including parents and experts, told Reuters. “If you are a child in or around Gaza and you are 15 years old, in your life you have already gone through five different conflicts,” said Lucia Elmi, special representative of UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund, in Palestine.

Zimbabweans hit by 257% inflation (AP) After working as an overnight security guard at a church in Harare’s impoverished Mabvuku township, Jeffrey Carlos rushes home to help his wife fetch water to sell. Prolonged water shortages mean most residents of the capital city of more than 2.4 million must source their own water. Carlos is lucky because the property he rents has a well and his family can haul up buckets of water to sell to neighbors. “This is our gold,” he says of the well water. “If we are lucky, we can sell up to 12 buckets of water (per day) for $2,” said the 50-year-old father of three. That’s about enough money to buy the family’s food for the day, he said. Rising prices and a fast depreciating currency have pushed many Zimbabweans to the brink, reminding people of when the southern African country faced world-record inflation of 5 billion% in 2008. With inflation jumping from 191% in June to 257% in July, many Zimbabweans fear the country is heading back to such hyperinflation.

#headlines #news

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tricksters-captain · 3 years

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Bucky Barnes imagines - Some Sunny Day Part 4

AN: What a crazy episode! I definitely think this episode was one of the best so far and I cannot wait to see what happens next after that insane ending!

Overall Summary: Before the Blip, you and Bucky were close. After you both returning and Tony’s funeral, you decided to go back to your home town to spend time with your family. When duty calls, you return.

In this chapter: Now in Latvia, you and the boys must find Karli before the Dora take Zemo away (Based on S1 EP4)

(PART 1) (PART 2) (PART 3)

Pairing(s): Bucky Barnes x Fem!Reader, Sam Wilson x Platonic!Reader

Word Count: 6,123

Warnings: Spoilers for episode 4, violence, strong language.

Once inside Zemo’s apartment, you started to look through the cupboards.

Zemo had excused himself to take a bath but you felt starved.

Even with the limited stock you managed to whip something up for you and Sam.

“Thank you.” Sam took the bowl from you gratefully. The food Zemo had given you on his private plane wasn’t exactly edible and you were still feeling the affects of the Nagel fail in your body.

“Well, the Wakandans are here.” Bucky announced as he entered the apartment; having returned from his walk. “They want Zemo. Bought us some more time.”

“”Were you followed?” Sam looked up at him.

“No.” Bucky made his way over to you and Sam by the kitchen island.

“How can you be so sure?” Zemo pondered.

“Cause I know when I’m being followed.” Bucky sent an unimpressed glance to the man in the bathrobe.

You pushed a bowl of pasta towards Bucky but he shook his head and pulled out his phone.

“It was sweet of you to defend me at least.” Zemo stated.

“Hey, you shut it.” Sam quipped. “No one’s defending you. You killed Nagel.”

“You gotta eat.” You whispered to Bucky.

“Do we really have to litigate what may or may not have happened?” Zemo rounded the island so he was closer to you all.

“I’ll eat later.” Bucky mumbled back to you as he furrowed his brow at twitter.

“There’s nothing to litigate. You straight shot the man.” Sam argued with Zemo.

“Sam.” Bucky had found something.

“What?” Sam turned his attention to Bucky and away from Zemo.

“Karli bombed a GRC supply depot.” Bucky showed you his phone screen so you could read.

“What? What’s the damage?” Sam’s concern grew quickly.

“Eleven injured, three dead.” You said after skimming over the article.

“They have a list of demands and are promising more attacks if those demands aren’t met.” Bucky added as Sam sighed.

“She’s getting worse.” Zemo spoke up. “I have the will to complete this mission. Do the three of you?”

“She’s just a kid.” Sam was right. She was only young, she reminded you of you when you first joined the avengers. Desperate to fight for a cause.

“You’re seeing something in her that isn’t there.” Zemo disagreed. “You’re clouded by it. She’s a supremacist. The very concept of a Super Soldier will always trouble people. It’s that warped aspiration that led to Nazis, to Ultron, to the Avengers.”

“You’re talking about our friends.” You felt the need to remind Zemo that you were actually apart of the Avengers as you placed your empty bowl in the sink.

“The Avengers, not the Nazis.” Bucky felt the need to clarify.

“So, Karli is radicalised, but there has to be a peaceful way to stop her.” Sam was determined there wasn’t a need for a fight.

“The desire to become a superhuman cannot be separated from supremacist ideals. Anyone with that serum is inherently on that path. She will not stop. She will escalate until you kill her.” Zemo explained as he reached for the bowl you had originally offered Bucky. “Or she kills you.”

You swatted his hand away to which he frowned at.

“Maybe you’re wrong, Zemo. The serum never corrupted Steve.” Bucky argued his point.

“Touché.” Zemo picked up a biscuit instead. Holding it on his finger as he spoke. “But there has never been another Steve Rogers, has there?”

“Well, maybe we should give him to the Wakandans right now.” Bucky suggested to you and Sam as he moved over to the couch.

“And you’ll give up your tour guide?” Zemo asked as he opened the cupboards to look for some food.

“Yes.” Bucky didn’t hesitate.

“From my understanding, Donya is like a pillar of the community, right?” Sam interrupted with a new thought. “So, when I was a kid, my TT passed away.”

“Your TT?” Bucky asked, unsure of what Sam had meant.

“Yeah, my TT, yeah.” Sam nodded.

“Who is your TT?” Bucky asked as you sat down beside him.

“Fine. When I was a kid, my aunt passed away and the entire neighborhood got together for a ceremony. It was like a week long. Maybe they’re doing the same thing for Donya.” Sam proposed. He could be right.

“Worth a shot.” You proclaimed.

“Your TT would be proud of you.” Zemo sounded more awkward at the use of the phrase before he pulled out a fancy looking tin. “Turkish delight? Irresistible.”

Sam caught the small sweet that Zemo had thrown.

“I say Zemo put’s some clothes on and we head over to the refugee camp that Donya was staying. See if anyone knows anything about a funeral or ceremony for her.” You ignored Zemo as he looked down at the sweets.

“Sounds like a plan.” Sam stood from his seat at the island and looked over at Zemo.

Zemo nodded before disappearing into a bedroom to change.

It didn't take long to get to the camp from Zemo’s apartment.

“Shame what’s become of this place. When I was young, we used to come here for fabulous dinners and parties. I knew nothing of the politics of the time, of course, but I remember it being beautiful.” Zemo seemed saddened by the state of the buildings being used as the camp.

“I’m gonna take a look around upstairs. See what you can find out here. And keep an eye on him.” Sam told Bucky as he gestured to Zemo.

“I’ll stay out of your way.” Zemo promised.

“(Y/n), you look around through there. See if you can... You know.” Sam pointed down through one of the ground floor doors. You nodded and left the men.

Most of the adults fled when you entered the building but you noticed a young girl who looked too busy with what she was doing to notice. She had looked maybe 16 or 17 years old and she was embroidering an old silk scarf.

“That’s beautiful.” You knelt down beside her but as you spoke, her eyes shot up and widened with shock and fear.

“T-t-thank you.” She stuttered as her eyes flittered around the room for help.

“It’s okay. I was just wondering if I could have a look at it.” You smiled softly at the girl as you held your hand out.

She reluctantly gave it to you.

“This truly is beautiful. You are very talented. May I buy it from you?” You placed your hand in your pocket and pulled out a note that you had previously stolen from Zemo’s jacket.

“You c-c-can have it.” She whispered as she stood. You rose with her as you folded the scarf to place into your pocket.

“I insist.” You took her hand gently and cautiously and placed the money in her palm. She smiled but she still was nervous and full of worry. You figured she knew who you were.

You folded your hands over hers and that’s when you unplugged the cork on your powers.

You closed your eyes and within seconds all the girls memories flooded into your head.

You tried not to react as it happened.

You tried your best to filter through the memories quickly. When you reached the time after the blip, you slowed down. You saw the horrors of them being rejected, being abandoned and then you saw Mama Donya and Karli.

You focused on Karli.

You watched Karli smile and laugh with all the children, she’d play and look after them as Donya looked after Karli.

Closer memories brought what seemed like events that only just happened. Karli visiting with supplies.

You saw the mourning of Mama Donya from everyone and then you saw the arrangements for the funeral.

You opened your eyes and let go of the girls hand. She thanked you again and left. She would have never realised what you had seen as the memories are shown to you within a matter of seconds.

You leant against the table and inhaled deeply.

You felt weak again.

You pushed yourself off the table and headed back out to Bucky.

Zemo was surrounded by a bunch of small children.

“You okay?”Bucky asked. The second you reappeared he immediately noticed a change in you.

“I’m okay.” You lied. “I spoke to one of the teenagers inside. I looked inside her head. You were right, Sam. They are having a funeral but she only knew that she would be taken to it later this afternoon.” You explained as Sam joined you both.

“Good work.” Sam wrapped his arm around you and gave you a small squeeze of appreciation.

They both knew how hard it must've been for you to use your powers after the Nagel incident.

The toll of touching the dead had knocked you for six in the past and in a matter of forty eight hours you had touched the dead and looked into the memories of a live person.

You’ll need an energy boost before you can do this again.

Zemo turned back to you and you all returned to the apartment.

“Well, I got nothin’. No one’s talkin’ about Donya.” Bucky slouched down on the couch in defeat.

“Yeah, it’s because Karli is the only one fighting for them.” Sam joined him on the couch. “And she’s not wrong.”

“What do you mean?” Bucky asked.

“For five years, people have been welcomed into countries that have kept them out using barbwire. There were houses and jobs. Folks were happy to have people around to help them rebuild. It wasn’t just one community coming together, it was the entire world coming together. And then, boom. Just like that, it goes right back to the way it used to be. To them, at least Karli’s doin’ somethin’.” Sam explained himself.

“You really think her ends justify her means? Then, she’s no different than him or anybody else we’ve fought.” Bucky pointed over to Zemo.

“She’s different. She’s not motivated by the same things.” Sam argued with Bucky.

“Sam’s right.” You spoke up. “When I looked into that girls head I saw a lot of Karli. She means a lot to those people, she is their light, their Captain America. But she’s just a kid. From what I saw she has a whole lot of love in her heart and I'm not saying that hurting and killing people is right but she sees it as the only way to help her people.”

Zemo had walked over from the kitchen with a tray as you spoke.

“That little girl. What’d she tell you?” Bucky questioned him.

“The funeral is this afternoon.” Zemo only said what you already knew.

“We know that. Now you know the Dora’s coming for you any minute. In fact, they’re probably lurking outside right now. Keep talking.” Bucky demanded.

“Leaving you to turn on me once we get to Karli. Hmm. I prefer to keep my leverage.” Zemo sure knew how to push someone’s buttons.

Bucky shot up and threw Zemo’s cup against the wall. The crashing of the glass made both you and Sam jump to your feet.

“You wanna see what someone can do with leverage?” Bucky threatened Zemo.

“Take it easy. Don’t engage him. He’s just gonna extort you and do that stupid head tilt thing.” Sam tried to de-elevate the situation. “Let me make a call.”

“You want some cherry blossom tea?” Zemo offered Bucky as Sam walked away.

“No, you go ahead.” Bucky grumbled, scowling at the Baron.

“Come on.” You took Bucky’s hand and pulled him away from Zemo.

You headed into the bathroom and started to fill up the tub with some cold water.

“Will you get me some ice?” You asked Bucky to which he complied.

Once the tub was full of ice water, you stripped and climbed inside.

Bucky had taken a stool and faced the door to give you some privacy.

“You shouldn’t let him get to you.” You said as you settled into the water. Your body was screaming at you as the ice touched it but you knew it’d give you the wake up call you and your muscles needed.

“I don’t.” Bucky grimaced.

“You don’t? Oh, so the shattered cup in the other room was just a scare tactic?” You mused.

“Yep.” Bucky grumbled.

“Okay.” You sighed before going under.

The cold water hit your brain and you immediately sat back up.

“Feel better?” Bucky had heard the splashing of the water.

“Yeah.” You admitted, running your hands over your face and hair. “Can I have my towel?”

Bucky kept his back to you as he passed you the towel.

You wrapped it around you and stepped out.

“You can look.” You told him.

Bucky turned and his eyes went straight to the bruises that covered your legs and arms.

“I’m okay, Buck.” You assured him as you watched the cogs turning in his head.

“I forget you aren’t...” Bucky’s words dropped off as he stepped closer and lightly took your arm, examining the damage.

“That I’m not a super soldier?” You smirked. “I may bruise but I can hold a lot more than most, Buck.”

“Doesn’t stop me worrying.” Bucky admitted as he lowered your arm.

“I know.” You whispered, looking up at the man’s deep blue eyes.

“You better get dressed. You already know what Sam is thinking with us both being gone right now.” Bucky went to go towards the door when you stopped him.

“I had a dream about Wakanda on the plane ride here.” You confessed.

Bucky stopped and looked back at you.

“It was the day you finally beat the Winter Soldier.” You told him.

*Flashback*

“These are incredible, Shuri.” You smiled widely as you threw the new high tech Vibranium knives that Shuri had made for you.

“I know. I know.” Shuri was well aware of her awesome brain.

Shuri pressed the combat button on the wall which simulated attackers for intense weapon training.

You inhaled as you closed your eyes.

A footstep gave away your first attacker. You threw the knives to the holograms and the attackers were down. You ducked and dodged and jumped around the room as you practised with the knives.

Shuri cheered you when you finished. You smiled through your heavy breaths and Shuri jogged towards you to give you a fist bump.

“You are something else, my friend.” Shuri praised you.

The doors opening behind you made both you and Shuri turn to see who had entered.

It was Bucky.

He rushed towards you with a bright smile. His lips seemed to quiver and his eyes were glassy. Something had happened.

It had happened.

He embraced you tightly and you returned it. Your fingers gripped onto Bucky’s long hair as he buried his face in your neck.

You looked back at Ayo (who had followed Bucky) and Shuri and mouthed a ‘Thank you’.

Ayo bowed her head at you before leaving the hall.

Bucky had finally gotten over HYDRA’s programming after all these years of being held prisoner by a few words.

You and Bucky stayed like that for what felt like hours. The relief from Bucky washed over you and bound him to you until he was ready to part.

It was an incredible day.

*End of Flashback*

“Maybe you could sense that the Dora’s were close on our tails.” Bucky suggested.

“No, we all knew that they’d come for Zemo eventually.” You dismissed the idea. “I think it was after seeing Zemo treat you like him again.”

Bucky remained silent.

“I don’t think I ever told you how proud I was of you that day.” You folded your arms over your chest as you leant back on the tub.

“You didn't need to.” Bucky assured you. “I already knew.”

You watched Bucky leave the bathroom so you could change.

When you had returned to the main space again it was just about time to head out again.

You felt a little nervous as you didn’t really want a fight with Karli since you weren’t 100% but you figured you had felt a hell of a lot worse before.

As you left the apartment, a voice and face you didn’t particularly wanna see called out.

“Karli Morgenthau is too dangerous for you guys to be pulling this shit.” John Walker and his little side kick were walking down some stairs towards you.

“Ah! How’d you find us now?” Bucky called back.

“Come on. You think three Avengers can walk around Latvia without drawing attention?” Lemar, Walker’s partner, scoffed.

“No more keeping us in the dark. You could start by telling us why you broke him out of prison.” Walker pointed out Zemo.

“He did that himself, technically.” Bucky corrected Walker.

“This better be an unbelievable explana––”

“––Hey, take it easy before it gets weird.” Sam interrupted Walker before things could get heated in front of civilians.

“I know where Karli is.” Zemo kept walking as the others stopped.

“Well, where?” Walker asked, stopping Zemo by stepping in his way.

“All we know is it’s a memorial. So, we’re gonna intercept her there.” Sam informed them.

“That means civilians. High risk of casualties.” Lemar relaid to his partner as you continued to walk.

“All right, good, we’ll move in fast. Take her by surprise.” Walker started to talk through his plan when Sam stopped him.

“No, I wanna talk to her alone.”

“I’m not losing her again.” Walker argued with Sam.

“Look, the person closest to her died, she’s vulnerable. Now is the best time to reason with her.” Sam was trying to defend his reasoning but Walker wasn’t having it.

“What? No. Wait, no! No! Stop. Hold on. Stop, okay?” Walker ran up ahead to stop everyone again. “I think we’re way past reasoning with her, unless you forgot that she blew up a building with people still in it.”

“Sam, you walk in there cold, she could kill you, man.”Lemar tried backing up his partner.

“If I go in hot and the op goes wrong, more people will die.” Sam handed over the other scenario.

“You’ll let him do this?” Walker looked between you and Bucky. “Are you gonna let your partner walk into a room with a Super Soldier alone?”

“He’s dealt with worse.” Bucky told him flatly. “And he’s not my partner.”

“I used to counsel soldiers dealing with trauma, okay? This is in my wheelhouse.” Sam walked past you and Bucky to face Walker.

“I know. And I know those soldiers, which is why I know this is a bad idea.” Walker still wasn't on board.

“Wait, John.” Lemar stopped Walker. “If he can talk her down, it might be worth a try.”

“Thank god Battle-scar here has some sense.” You declared.

“It’s Battle Star actually.”Lemar smiled at you but you ignored him.

“We’ll deal with you later.” Walker told Zemo as he caved in.

“I’m sure it will all come to an agreeable conclusion. My associate is just up ahead.” Zemo lead you towards the young girl he had spoken to earlier that day.

“Hello, my friend. This is for your family. Can you show us the way?” Zemo handed her some money and the girl beckoned for you all to follow.

“What the hell?” Walker seemed a little confused by Zemo’s ‘associate’ being 12.

The girl lead you to the building where the funeral was being held and you all waited for a signal.

“Karli’s in there.” Zemo announced as the girl ran off.

Sam went in whilst Walker cuffed Zemo.

“You got 10 minutes. Then we are doing things my way.” Walker told Sam before he left.

“Aggressive.” Zemo mumbled after being handcuffed. “But I get it.”

You rolled your eyes subtly at both Walker and Zemo.

You took up a position by the door with Bucky.

You watched Walker sit down, his grip on the shield was tight as he slowly huffed in and out.

You frowned as you studied the man. Your eyes glanced over to Zemo who was also watching Walker.

You shared a look before you let your eyes fall back down to your feet.

“Uh-uh. No, no, no. This is a bad idea.” Walker started to pace as he let his impatience get the best of him.

“It hasn’t been ten minutes, John. Just sit tight.” Bucky sighed unimpressed by the young solder.

“Don’t do that. Don’t patronise me.” Walker glared back at Bucky.

“Sam knows what he’s doing.” You backed Bucky up.

You all watched Walker stop as he thought. His heavy breathes causing his chest to rise up and down quickly.

“I’m goin’ in.” Walker didn’t want to listen anymore. He stormed towards the door but both you and Bucky stepped in his way.

“This is all really easy for you, isn’t it? All that serum runnin’ through your veins.” Walker didn’t even look at you as he squared up to Bucky.

That really bothered you.

You took hold of the man’s upper arm and yanked him to look at you.

“You may be Captain America right now but we don’t follow you. We said we’d give him 10 minutes. So, he’s getting 10 minutes.” You glowered at the man.

“Your partner needs backup in there. Do you really want his blood on your hands?” Walker leant towards you, trying to be intimidating but it wasn’t working.

“Just wait.” You looked the man in the eye with a subtle threat in your stare. His jaw clenched as he tugged his arm away from you.

Walker went back to look at the clock again.

After a couple more minutes, he tried once more.

“Time’s up! Our turn.” Walker didn’t hesitate to push past you as he charged ahead.

Bucky kept his tongue in his cheek as he watched it happen.

You and Bucky stayed behind Walker and his partner as they marched ahead.

“Karli Morgenthau, you’re under arrest.” Walker announced as he entered the room.

“This is what that was?” Betrayal flashed across Karli’s face as she looked at Sam.

“No, wait––” Sam didn’t have a chance now that Walker had intervened.

“––Tricking me until help came?” Karli started to back away.

“We had enough time to talk.” Walker exclaimed as he headed straight for Karli.

“Nazi! “ Karli wasn't going the easy way. She hit Walker back and he went straight into a table.

Lemar tried to keep you and Bucky back but you had easily managed to get round him to chase after Karli.

Bucky being what he was managed to get ahead of you but you were close on their trail.

Sam had found his own way but ultimately you all lost Karli.

“I lost her.” Bucky sighed.

“This place is a maze.” Sam looked around at the several doorways with a frown.

The sound of gunshots is what caught your attention next.

“Come on.” You rushed through the building trying to get to the source.

You didn’t manage to get there before Walker did.

Zemo was unconscious on the floor and vials of the serum were smashed around the concrete floor.

“What happened?” You asked as you looked down at the mess.

“He was shooting at Karli. I stopped him but she got away.” Walker lifted his shield a little to symbol how he had stopped Zemo.

“Let’s get him up.” Sam started down the stairs and you followed.

Zemo woke up after a little encouragement and some smelling salts. You had decided it was best if you split up on your way back to the apartment.

You and Sam were going to stay with Zemo and see if you can dig up anything on socials and the computer and Bucky was going to do a round and see if she had holed up anywhere familiar.

Sam sat at his computer, he was contacting Sharon whilst you stood with your phone searching Twitter to see if any Flag Smashers appearances or Karli were popping up in recent tweets.

Zemo laid down on the couch with a wet towel and a strong glass of scotch.

“You got anything?” Sam asked you.

“Nothing. I don’t think we’ll find her this time if she doesn’t want us too.” You put your phone down in defeat. It wasn't usual for people to give her Karli’s location anyway.

“I think you’re right.” Sam hated to agree but this was the first time you had come close to actually talking Karli down and it failed.

“And now with the serum’s gone. Who knows what her next move will be.” You knew that Karli didn’t have the option to create more super soldiers now and that gives her a disadvantage. The idea of an army is gone now and she would only have her current foot soldiers to help her.

Zemo moved for the first time in ten minutes as he lifted his cold compress.

“Were you ever offered it?" He asked aloud.

“What?” Sam furrowed his brow at the man.

“The serum.” Zemo replied.

“No.” Sam smirked at the idea.

“If you had been, hypothetically, that is, would you have taken it?” Zemo inquired.

“No.” Sam answered instantly, his smile dropping.

“No hesitation. That’s impressive.” Zemo nodded before removing his towel. “Sam. (Y/n). You can’t hold out hope for Karli. No matter what you saw in her, she’s gone. And we cannot allow that she and her acolytes become yet another faction of gods amongst real people. Super Soldiers cannot be allowed to exist.”

“Isn’t that how gods talk?” Sam queried. “And if that’s how you feel, what about Bucky?” There was a silence from Zemo. “Blood isn’t always the solution.”

Before the conversation could continue, the door opened and Bucky strode inside.

“Something’s not right about Walker.” Bucky stated as he removed his jacket.

“You don’t say.” Sam huffed with amusement. It was clear as day that Walker was at his wits end with the pressure on him.

“Well, I know a crazy when I see one. Because I am crazy.” Bucky poured himself a glass of whiskey. You rolled your eyes at his statement.

“Can’t argue with that.” Sam retorted.

“Shouldn’t have given him the shield.” Bucky was back on this topic again.

“I didn’t give him the shield.” Sam rose to his feet to face Bucky.

“Well, Steve definitely didn’t.” Bucky sipped on his drink just as the doors flew open.

All right. That’s it. Let’s go. I’m now ordering you to turn him over.” Walker commanded, his face red and his ears steaming.

“Hey, slow your roll. Shield or no shield, the only thing you’re runnin’ in here is your mouth. Now, I had Karli and you overstepped. He’s actually proven himself useful today. We’ll need all hands on deck for whatever’s comin’ next.” Sam approached Walker to try and pump his breaks.

“How do you want the rest of this conversation to go, Sam, huh?” Walker chuckled softly as Sam remained silent. “Yeah. Should I put down the shield? Make it fair?”

Sam scoffed, shaking his head at the man’s antics.

Walker put down the shield but the only thing flying next was a spear that struck the pillar by Walker’s head.

It was the Dora Milaje.

They had come for Zemo.

From your time in Wakanda you understood the language as Ayo spoke to Bucky.

“Even if he is a means to an end. Your time is up.” Ayo reverted back to English. “Release him to us now.”

Walker introduced himself to Ayo, not that she cared for him.

“Well let’s, uh, put the pointy sticks down and we can talk this through, huh?” Walker suggested, only to be met, yet again, by silence from the Dora’s.

“Hey, John, take it easy. You might wanna fight Bucky before you tangle with the Dora Milaje.” Sam tried to warn him but he wasn’t backing down.

“They don’t have jurisdiction here––”

“––The Dora Milaje have jurisdiction wherever the Dora Milaje find themselves to be.” Ayo cut Walker short.

“Okay.” John chuckled lightly. “Look, I think we got off on the wrong foot.” Walker made the mistake of putting his hand on Ayo’s shoulder.

Ayo responded with an attack.

The surrounding Dora’s fell into defence positions as Ayo and Walker fought. Lemar bounced into action, trying to help his partner out but it only warranted in more fighting. Or more asses getting kicked by the Dora Milaje.

“We should do something.” Sam said as you, him and Bucky stood together watching.

“Looking strong, John.” Bucky called out.

“Bucky!” You tried not to laugh as you scolded the man.

“Guys...” Sam nodded to Ayo about to strike John with her spear which made Bucky reluctantly intervene.

“Ayo, let’s talk about this.” Bucky only landed himself directly in the mess.

You realised how serious this was as Ayo didn’t hold back and went ahead to help Bucky. Sam went over to help Lemar but was met by more Dora's.

You grunted as one of the women attacked you. You had almost forgotten just how incredible they were at combat. Almost.

You were backed against a wall with the spear to your chest when the room fell silent.

You looked over at Bucky to see his arm was on the floor.

You wanted to move towards him but you were stuck until orders were given to release you.

“He is gone. Leave it.” Ayo had opened the bathroom doors to reveal the manhole had been opened. Zemo had escaped.

You were trying to slow your breathing when finally the Dora’s fell back.

She retracted her spear and left with Ayo and the others.

“Did you know they could do that?” Sam asked Bucky as he pushed himself off the floor.

Bucky reattached his arm. He groaned as he swung it round to adjust it.

“No.” He said but the shock on his face from before had already given away that answer.

You looked past Bucky to where Walker was still on the floor.

“You all right, man?” Lemar offered his hand to help him up.

“They weren’t even Super Soldiers.” You heard Walker mutter.

“Come on.” Lemar tugged him to his feet.

“I can’t believe he pulled an El Chapo.” Sam walked over to the bathroom and stared at the hole.

“I can.” Bucky wasn’t really that surprised and neither were you truthfully.

“Come on.” You beckoned the boys out of the apartment so you could talk.

You got down to the streets and away from Walker before you spoke again.

“Walker isn’t stable. He’s on the brink of cracking.” You kept your voice low as you spoke to the boys.

“What do you mean?” Sam asked.

“We may not like him but he’s not stupid. He knows that he can’t be Steve, do the things Steve did and it’s killing him. He's so obviously trying to win this fight by himself and it’s going to drive him insane if he isn’t the one to beat Karli.”

“But he can’t beat Karli. You saw her kick him across the room like he was a cardboard box.” Sam reminded you of what happened earlier.

“We have to get to Karli before he does because he’s either gonna stop her or kill himself trying.” You weren't worried for the man but worried about what would happen if he finally snapped.

Suddenly, Sam’s phone started to ring. It was his sister.

“She said what? Right. Hold on, hold on. I know, I know. Listen, pack an overnight bag and take the boys...” Sam sounded worried.

“What happened?” Bucky asked.

“Karli called Sarah. She threatened my nephews.” Sam told you both. “Okay. Go somewhere safe. Only pay cash. All right? Tell me when you arrive. I know. Look, I love you. I’ll never let anything happen to you and the boys. Okay. Bye.” He hung up and then immediately texted an unknown number.

“What does she want?” You knew Karli was desperate but threatening kids was a different story.

“Karli wants to meet. She left a contact number.” Sam’s phone buzzed with a new text. “She said come alone.”

“We’re coming with you.” Bucky wasn’t going to take no for an answer.

“Alright but keep your distance.” Sam didn’t bother to fight you on it. “We better suit up.”

You suited up by adding a few more weapons to your body. You placed your favourite thigh holsters on that held your Vibranium knives out on display.

Sam got his wings and soon you were at the location.

“Karli!” Sam bellowed as you entered the building.

Karli leant over a balcony to make herself seen. You remained on the ground floor but looked up at the girl. Bucky followed Sam.

“You called my sister? That’s how we’re gonna play this?” Sam was upset and understandably so.

“Sam, I would never hurt her. I just wanted to understand you better.” Karli confessed.“I see you, um, didn’t come alone.”Karli peered down at you then up at Bucky.

“You have to end this now.” Sam told her.

“I don’t wanna hurt you. You’re a tool in the regimes I’m looking to destroy. You’re not hiding behind a shield. If I were to kill you, it’d be meaningless. I was gonna ask you to join me. Or do the world a favour and let me go.” Karli spoke pretty boldly for someone who seemed to be alone. Super Soldier or not.

“Hey, Sam, new Cap is moving, looks like he’s found them, or maybe they found him.” Sharon’s voice came through on Sam’s intercom.

“It’s Walker.” Sam looked down at you and then Bucky.

Karli jumped from the balcony at the realisation the jig was up but Bucky was quick to jump too.

Karli kicked Bucky back but you managed to weaken Karli as you flipped over and kicked her in the jaw.

Sam put her down momentarily as he flew down and kicked her also.

“I’ll send you the location. Go!” Sam ordered both you and Bucky before he took off.

You knew Bucky would be fast enough to run there but you didn’t have that luxury.

You crossed the street to a parked motorbike and opened up it’s wiring. Just as you managed to get it running, Sam’s coordinates came through.

You docked your phone and set off.

You dodged through the narrow streets and traffic to arrive at another large building. Karli must have a favour for buildings you could get lost in.

You drove through the doors and skidded to a stop.

Bucky had gotten there before you. You could hear his grunts from a flight or two up.

You raced up them only to be met by a super soldier fighting Bucky.

You sent a knife forward, it embedded itself into the man’s soldier, he cried out which gave Bucky some time to throw him down the stairs.

You tucked up, over the tumbling body, holding onto the railing and the wall.

Bucky jumped over the rails and with one final blow knocked the soldier unconscious.

“Stay there.” Bucky told him before climbing back up to you. He thanked you for the help, handing you back the knife that had been in the man’s shoulder.

You then both went ahead to find Sam and Walker.

They were fighting more super soldiers a floor up.

You didn’t hesitate to go in for the attack.

You pulled a knife and threw it to Bucky for help; he caught it midair.

You screamed with frustration as the soldier you were fighting, pulled your arm behind you and slammed you into the pillar. You managed to swivel around, taking out the soldiers legs as you freed your arm.

You threw a knife into both his biceps. You only intended to injure, not kill, them anyway.

He groaned as he pulled them and tried to use them against you.

All at once, the fighting stopped when you all witnessed Karli kick Lemar into one of the concrete pillars.

Lemar’s body slumped down with blood painted across his lips.

John broke free from his attacker and slowly made his way over to Lemar.

From the sight of the body, you already knew he wasn’t walking out of there.

Walker desperately tried to wake him up.

That’s when Karli took her chance to flee.

You and the boys took off after her but lost her again pretty quickly.

When you rounded the building, you saw a crowd gathering.

What you saw next made you feel psychically sick.

John Walker stood above Karli’s right hand man, blood splattered up Steve’s shield and across his uniform.

He had killed the man in front of all these civilians. He had killed a man as Captain America.

(PART 5 HERE)

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simsadventures · 3 years

Text

Gilded: Chapter 1: To Bride or Not to Bride

Mob! Steve x Reader

Summary: Your life is a mess and you need a little help from time to time. But, when somebody proposes a plan to rid you of all your problems all the way to the far future, you’re suddenly not so sure it is worth it. Especially since the plan is proposed to you by the most notorious gangster America has seen since Al Capone: Steve fucking Rogers.

Warnings: mafia AU, swearing (like, a lot this time), angst, struggles with money, loan-shark, sleazy men, harassing

Word Count: 7969

A/N: It’s finally here! It only took me around 6 months to bring it, and I apologise for the delay, but I hope I will make up for it with introductory this chapter :) Share your thoughts, let me know what you thought and what do you think will happen next :) xx

Series Masterlist __ Masterlist

“Just, wait a second,” you said, your brows knitting together as you tried to piece together all the information the man in front of you had just given you. He was gorgeous, there was no question about that, but that wasn’t the issue here. There were many gorgeous people in New York, and you didn’t marry any of them. Yet, that was.

“You want to marry me. But you still haven’t told me why, so?” You asked for what felt like the hundredth time that evening, and the man just smirked again, playing with his cuffs, never answering to your satisfaction.

“I told you, honey, what I want, I get, and I decided that I wanted you, so, what is going to be? Are you gonna be a good girl for me or am I gonna have to force you, hm?” He smiled sweetly, but even you knew better. Behind that oh-very-sweet smile, there was venom and a ton of it. You rubbed your temples and plopped down on the nice-looking couch, thinking about what he was proposing.

2 weeks ago

“Coming!” You yelled through the loud music at the guests seated by the table number 5 where a group of guys was seated, hollering at you every two seconds as if you didn’t hear them the first time. You rolled your eyes at your colleague, who just laughed under her breath as you strode towards the clients. You put on your best fake smile as you approached them, and from the whistles, you assumed they appreciated it.

“Thank God you came, sweets. We thought you were getting tired of us,” the loudest of them laughed, and the group followed his suit, making your clench your jaw even more. Oh, how you hated this type of men, who had nothing better to do than calling a woman pet-names, making her feel uncomfortable just so his friends could have a laugh and a story to tell.

“What can I get you, gentleman? Another round of the same?” You asked as sweetly as you could, but it was getting harder by the second as they all eyed you like a piece of raw meat, ready to be devoured.

“I mean, that would be nice, and could you serve us a piece of that sweet ass of course as well? We’d really appreciate it, pretty face,” the loud guy smirked sleazily, and you fought the urge to vomit in your face. One of the guys made the mistake of actually making a move to swat you across your butt, but your reflexes were quicker.

You took a step back and breathed in, trying to calm your beating heart. This was, however, nothing new in your line of work, and you just learned to ignore it, or, at best, politely turn them down. Because, as you learned very early on, the manager didn’t appreciate if his “girls” were nasty to his customers. He almost made it sound like you were to provide your bodies with the beers, but you told him straightforwardly that that wouldn’t happen, and if his pub was one of these, you wanted to have nothing to do with it. All you were there to do was to work the evening and night shift to get some extra money on top of your regular job, and that was it. He even made a few remarks how he wanted you all to himself, but you politely declined every time and just tried to ignore it altogether.

“This ass is not for sale, I’m sorry, boys. But, the vodka shots are coming right up,” you tried to give them your best wink but didn’t wait long enough to see if they accepted their loss or not. You genuinely didn’t care.

The night continued in a similar manner, some people being inappropriate and you just ignoring their behaviour, and some people actually nice, even leaving you a few tips which always made you smile. You were beat when it was 11, and your shift ended, and you were thrilled today wasn’t one of those days when you had to stay there till 4 AM. It was then that people got really disgusting and you even had to resolve to hit a guy this one time because otherwise, you were pretty sure he’d manage to rape you. You sighed at the memory as you continued on your way home, just now remembering you left the tips meant for you in your locker.

Sighing you turned around and walked back towards the bar, and when you were in, you noticed three men in black suits talking to your coworker, who looked stunned and scared at the same time. You cocked a brow at her, and she discreetly shook her head, telling you that you shouldn’t come nearer.

This time, you really frowned and looked around, but the rest of the pub looked exactly the way you left it, even with the assholes by the fifth table. But you listened to her and took a step back to one of the dark corners, watching what was going on by the bar. It didn’t take long, definitely not longer than 5 minutes before the men turned around and left the building.

Your coworker looked positively alarmed by now, and you almost ran to her to ask what the fuck did just happen.

“I have no idea, Y/N. I noticed them by table 10 like an hour ago, but I didn’t pay them any attention because that was Christy’s sector tonight and I had the veranda. And when you left they just came here asking about you,” she breathed out, and it was your turn to look alarmed.

“The fuck? Why would they ask about me when it was Christy who took care of them?” You screeched, your brain not really comprehending the situation.

“I have no fucking idea, Y/N. But, like, they asked your name and stuff, and like, if you were a regular waitress here or what. I didn’t want to tell them anything, I swear, but they didn’t take no for an answer. So I just told them your first name, I wouldn’t budge on your last, I promise, and told them that you sometimes worked here but that I didn’t know when was your next shift,” she finished, a little scared of your reaction now, but from the look of those guys, you knew they were bad news and that Anja did the best she could.

“Nah, it’s ok, An. I would do the same. I’m really grateful that you didn’t give them my last name, though, that was really thoughtful of you,” you smiled at her, and it obviously put her at ease as she hugged and hurried back to the veranda, where you both saw a few guests waving that they needed a refill.

The hell did just happen, and why would three mysterious men ask about you?

It couldn’t be that they found out, right? No… you made sure all the traces were hidden, forever, so, that wasn’t an option.

No, you told yourself, there must be another reason for them to ask about you. But you didn’t want to find out. It was a one-time thing, these men were just confused, or one of them liked you or something like that, and you would never see them again. This actually calmed you down enough to start functioning again, and you remembered that you came for something specific, took the money and went straight home.

“This can’t be happening,” you muttered as you looked over your bills. There was so much to pay and so little money on your account that you actually started to sweat. You worked two jobs and still wasn’t able to afford to live a life where you didn’t have to worry about money. What was more, with the high taxes, your rent, subway card and food you went into red numbers, and that was something you definitely didn’t want. Nobody told you that as an Arts Major, you could still be struggling to stay alive in the city of New York.

You went over the bills again even though you knew your math was correct and that you didn’t have enough to pay your landlord this month.

Fuck, you muttered again and considered your options. You could ask your friends, but you didn’t want to bother them since you knew they were struggling as much as you were. You shared your apartment with two of your best friends who you considered a family by now, Caroline and Aidan. And while you knew they would do anything to help you, neither of their jobs paid enough to be able to help you as much as you needed this month.

Your other option was asking your landlord to give you some more time before more money arrived, but just imagining the conversation gave you goosebumps because you could picture the kind of service he’d want from you, and you’d literally rather go and beg on the street than to sleep with that middle-aged pig.

So, as you summarised it, the only option remained the loan shark. Tony was actually a nice guy, once you got to know him, and he was nice to you because you always paid precisely what he told you to when he told you to, and never asked too many questions or begged for more time. You were smarter than that, and, besides, you’ve seen too many movies with loan sharks to know what could happen to you.

The first time you went to him was probably 2 years ago, straight from university when you still thought you could make it big in New York. Well, safe to say that you didn’t make it, and while you remained hopeful, you had bigger problems than becoming a renown painter, like not starving to death and other fun stuff like that.

You were awfully scared to go to Tony, he had a reputation of being kind of an ass, but people also said that, compared to the other guys in the business, he actually had the fairest demands, and as you had no other choice, you just went to him. And because life was a bitch, you ended up going there on more occasions. Tony was kind enough always to lend even small amounts of money because you really didn’t need 100K. No, you always need like 1 or 2 thousand, and while the other loan sharks turned people like you down, Tony didn’t, and he never wanted more than like 400$ as a return, which seemed quite fair as the other guys always wanted 100% or more.

Well, Tony, it was, as you sighed looking around your room, thinking how you even got where you were. But there was no time to waste pitying yourself, and so you shot Tony a quick message, as you always did, and to no surprise, he was very quick to respond that you should come by later that afternoon.

You were just getting ready when Aidan burst through your door. He stopped mid-step, looking at you confusedly because you didn’t tell him you were going somewhere.

“Got a date or what? You never go out on Saturday afternoon, not if you can help it,” he said sceptically, looking around the room as his eyes landed on the fumbled papers on your table, and the look of realisation hit him.

“You going to Tony again? Y/N, we told you, we can help you, babe! Let us help just this once, please?” He pleaded with you even though he knew it was useless.

“C’mon, babe, you know you and Caroline are not making much either, and you’re both glad to get by another month. Tony is like an old friend by now, really. I don’t mind it that much, and it’s definitely a better option than burying you two with me under this pile of shit,” you huffed as you finished applying mascara, but you didn’t even check yourself in the mirror, really not caring that much how you looked. You went to Manhattan just to meet Tony and would go straight back, quick mission, in and out.

“You need to find a better job, Y/N,” Aidan smirked at you, and you just laughed because you both knew it was pretty much impossible, especially since you loved your day job with the only issue that it paid like shit.

“You know this is my chance to be close to art and I really want it. I mean, it could happen that they promote me from being a receptionist to like, I dunno, being a secretary to one of the curators of the gallery, right?”

He just huffed and kissed the top of your head, striding towards the door. It was only then that you noticed he was dressed to go out as well.

“And where are you going, mister?” You asked with a mother-like tone, and he just laughed, turning around as if he was caught in the act.

“So, you remember John?” He asked, sitting on your bed, and you actually laughed out loud at him.

“Which one? I mean, there has been so many Johns and Peters that I swear to God I’m starting to think there are only men called John and Peter in the whole fucking New York. So, more info, babe, please,” you scooted to him and listened to which John it actually was he was meeting and was pretty excited about this. This was John the Ballet dancer, and he looked really nice, so far.

John the Fake Mobster was a lying bastard, John the Hairdresser wanted Aidan for just that one thing but would never admit it, and then you didn’t even have John-the for the guys because they were all just idiots who didn’t see your best friend for what he was: an amazing, although a little extra person with a very good heart, great sense of humour and amazing hair.

“Alright, well, you know the drill. Keep your phone on data so we can use Find your Friend if needed, keep your eyes open for anything sketchy going on, but, most importantly, enjoy yourself, babe. I’ll see you tonight,” you hugged him tightly and walked out of the apartment and into the busy streets.

If it were all up to you, you’d live in a secluded place, somewhere in the north probably, like outside Seattle, where you’d have a lovely little house, maybe by a river or by the ocean or something, where you’d have enough inspiration for your art and where you wouldn’t be annoyed by the little things, like the car horns blaring all the way to the night, people shouting underneath your bedroom’s window, and little things like that.

But life was not a factory for fulfilled wishes, and you had to endure another day trying to make it in New York. You thought about all of this as you walked down the street to where you knew you could find Tony. You weren’t happy that you had to go to him, again, but you also knew that you didn’t need to worry anymore. You would have the money for your landlord by the end of the week, and when the gallery paid you, you would pay Tony back. Again.

“If it isn’t my favourite girl!” You heard a familiar voice hollering from the shop, and you laughed lightly as you walked into the pawnshop Tony had set up in the lower Manhattan.

“Hello to you too, Tony. Today a yellow day, or what?” You greeted him as you looked at his outfit, which was just a canary yellow tracksuit and a matching hat. He looked like a character from a bad movie, but you knew better than to say anything like that.

“Yellow is very classy and trendy, thank you very much! Yesterday I wore this really nice green velvet tracksuit, and you should have seen some ladies walking by, they almost ate me with their eyes! I swear!” He added as he saw you stifling a laugh, but you just nodded in fake understanding, and both of you shared a relaxed laugh.

“So, what can I do for you today, sweetheart?” He drawled, and you shuffled on the spot, always feeling slightly uncomfortable when it came to this part.

“I need a thousand this week. Ton. I’ve been working my ass off, but the bills keep building up, and every time I think I’m out of it and I can live normally, there is always something holding me back,” you sighed, scratching your arms which was a nervous habit of yours that Tony grew quite fond of.

He was almost sorry for saying the next thing, but this was way above his pay grade, and while he really did take some liking to you, and he would always give you enough time to pay him off, he knew who he couldn’t piss off.

“Listen, Y/N, I have a proposal for you,” Tony started, and you frowned, not really knowing where this was going, but from the look on Tony’s face, you could tell it was nothing good.

“There is somebody who would like to get to know you, and he has a proposal for you that he believes you can’t refuse. I don’t know any specifics, I just know he is willing to pay you a lot of money, and I’m talking thousands and thousands, Y/N. He said that nothing sexual would be involved because I told him that if he was looking for a one night stand, you weren’t his girl, but he assured me that this wasn’t it. He would like to meet with you and tell you all the details if you let him. And before you say no, Y/N, think about it. All you gotta do now is to meet him and listen to him, and he is one of those guys who don’t take no for an answer,” Tony finished, and while you saw it pained him to give you the message, you were too stunned to care.

“What the hell are you talking about, Tony? Is this some kind of a sick joke? Like, did this guy tell you he wanted to talk to me specifically or just a girl desperate enough to come here?” You blurted, still not getting what he was about.

“He asked for you, sweetie. I don’t know how, but he knew you’d come and told me when you did to give you the message and give you his address. Which is here,” he said, handing you a piece of paper with an address and a date with the time written on it, “and he told me that if you came and agreed to his plan, you wouldn’t have to worry about money this week or any other week. It could be your chance, Y/N. Look, the guy is extremely powerful, so, please, just go and meet him, and you’ll see, ok?” He was scared, and it made you scoff out loud.

Great, so a loan shark was giving you a message to meet some mysterious, powerful asshole who wouldn’t take no for an answer and who probably stalked you as he knew you would be coming to Tony sooner or later. Just great, really.

“It seems I don’t really have a choice, do I? Sheesh, Tony, at least tell me who this guy is and like how scared I should be. You gotta give me something because I can’t just go to some random house and be totally ok with it. Nobody can’t expect me to do so,” you pointed out, and Tony nodded in understanding.

“Totally, yeah. I even asked if I should come with you, but I was told you should be alone. You should be alert, let’s put it that way. If I were you, I’d really think before I speak, because this guy doesn’t take anything lightly. And I think it would be best if you didn’t know his name, Y/N. Just… he doesn’t want to hurt you, all he wants to do is speak to you, so please, just do it,” Tony finished just as some customer came into the shop.

You waited patiently because the conversation was far from over, but you knew better than to start shit in front of some stranger. Tony was evidently scared shitless of the guy, and it only fuelled your already growing anxiety. Tony was determined not to share too much information with you, but you didn’t understand why. Why could you not at least know the guy’s name? Who could it be?

Your brain took a detour to a few nights ago back at the pub where you saw the men asking about you, and a cold sweat broke on your skin. It must have been connected, there was no doubt in your mind about that, and it filled you with so much dread you actually had to catch your right hand with your left to stop yourself from shaking violently.

The doorbell rang signalling the customer left, and your eyes gazed at Tony, who was already staring at you apologetically.

“And what about the money, Tony? It’s Saturday, and I need to pay my rent by Friday next week. Nice of the guy, whoever the fuck he is, that he wants to see me, but he won’t if I’m on a fucking street next weekend,” you seethed, and Tony was quick to walk around the counter behind which he was standing this whole time and walked closer to you.

“He wants to see you on Wednesday, Y/N, and he specifically told me not to lend you any money, that he would take care of it. Whatever the fuck it means.”

“The fuck? I don’t even know his fucking name, and he will stop me from getting money to survive? What the actual hell, Tony? You can’t be serious right now,” you cried out in utter desperation because none of this was supposed to happen. You were supposed to come, chat a little with the goatee man, get the money and walk back home, where you’d watch some stupid TV show and drink shitty wine.

But no, of all the people living in New York this shit must be happening to you. As you didn’t have enough on your fucking plate as was, some mysterious fucker had to be interested in you for whatever reason, and he wouldn’t let you live without talking to him first.

“Can’t you just call him and tell him that I want to have nothing to do with him?” You asked when you felt calm enough to talk again. You didn’t even know whether you were scared or desperate or angry, but at best, you were feeling a mix of all these and some more, that was for sure.

“No can do, sweetie, but I promise it will be alright, ok? You’re a strong one, I know that and whatever he wants from you, you can either give or can talk to him,” Tony smiled sweetly, and while you knew he was full of bullshit you let it slide because you just didn’t have it in you to fight with him when he was clearly just the messenger. Whoever wanted to speak to you, however, he would hear it from you because where were we that a guy just asks for a girl and the whole of New York delivers her to him on a silver platter?

Wednesday

“You gotta be kidding me, Y/N. Are you seriously considering going there? For all you know it might be some elaborate trap and somebody’s gonna jump you and kill you in some dark alley,” Caroline screeched at you as she saw you getting ready after you came home from work.

You had to ask for a night off from the pub since mister nobody wanted to meet you on your night of work. But you knew you couldn’t say no. Whoever it was, Tony was afraid of him, and Tony was a tough guy. And not that you wouldn’t be brave, but your bravery was mostly concentrated on being able to throw a spider out of the apartment or walk the corridor with the lights out, not really crossing some powerful guy who could do God-knows-what to you if you didn’t come.

“C’mon, guys. You know I gotta do it. And I honestly think if they wanted to kill me, they would have already done it,” you muttered, trying to pick something to wear, that wasn’t too revealing, but you also didn’t want to go wherever you were going in a pair of baggy sweatpants you were currently rocking.

“But like, what if they want to make a personal slave out of you, huh? Like, cuff you to a ceiling and serve them with your body, like a personal kind of slave, you know what I mean? You were not made to be strapped to a ceiling, babe,” Aidan panicked, and you actually had to laugh.

“Your imagination never ceases to astonish me, Aid. Or are you speaking from personal experience?” You smirked as both you and Caroline laughed out loud at Aidan’s expression of utter disgust.

“You two are disgusting, and I hate you, but that doesn’t change the fact you still don’t know where the fuck you’re going,” Aidan countered and you rolled your eyes at him.

“I’ll keep my data on so you can see me this whole time, and if I don’t call you by 9 PM you can send the cops there, deal?”

They both nodded in agreement, knowing this was the best they were getting. You were glad you had them in your life and that you had people caring enough to try and stop you from doing something stupid, but something in your told you that your life would be even worse if you didn’t go. At least this way you’d know the whole story, and you would be able to make an educated decision based on all the variables.

“A’ight, but if anything sketchy happens, you run, ok? We can figure out the money, but we can’t figure out shit if you’re not here with us,” Caroline reminded you, and you nodded solemnly.

God, you just hoped you weren’t making a mistake by listening to Tony. He even shot you a message in the afternoon, reminding you to go there because if you didn’t, it could end up badly for both of you. And it was actually one of the decisive arguments in the whole thing, surprisingly. You didn’t want anything happening to Tony, especially not because of you and your decisions, and so you just told yourself to suck it and prepared for the evening.

You really couldn’t afford the cab, so you had to leave super early to be at the given address at precisely 7 PM. You also grabbed the book you were currently reading, Kim Stanley Robinson’s New York 2140, so that the ride to Manhattan wouldn’t be as dull and dreadful. You could think of the utopian future he depicts rather than thinking of your journey to the lion’s den, and that was the most promising image you created in your head about the place where you were headed.

Not that you didn’t try to find the place on Google maps, but all the buildings on the address looked the same, and, actually, quite nice, so you had no idea what you were getting yourself into.

Meanwhile, Tony texted you again since you didn’t reply to his previous text, and this time you took the time to craft a message telling him that yes, you were indeed headed to the manor and he didn’t need to worry about his own neck because you wouldn’t let others be hurt because of your incompetence or your cowardice.

You knew you were getting off on Chambers St station and you actually took the time to think how many people living in Tribeca had to take the subway. The answer was, very obviously, zero, as the majority of the people in the subway were either passing or were clothed in a way you knew they worked in either one of the restaurants there or as a help. And you felt like one of them, because you too didn’t live in the wealthiest village in New York, and you too were going there mainly for business. Well, at least you hope you did.

Checking every house number when you got to the street you were supposed to meet the mysterious guy at, you tried to find where exactly was the bat cave, and when you saw the number 112, you knew you found it.

Your breath came in ragged huffs as you tried to gather the last remnants of your bravery as you walked up the stairs and buzzed on the door. Your head was spinning lightly, and you actually had to lean against the wall beside you to regain your composure.

The door soon revealed a massive man dressed in a black turtleneck and a pair of black jeans, and you were actually quite surprised not to see him with sunglasses and an earpiece. If the situation weren’t so tense, you’d probably joke about it, but as it was, you just followed his lead as he beckoned you inside.

“Miss Y/L/N, I presume? I need to see your phone and your belongings, ma’am,” he stated, and you raised a brow at him.

“Excuse me?”

“It’s a standard procedure, ma’am. Everybody here to see the boss needs to be checked, just in case,” he stated, leaving no room for discussion, and while you sighed exasperatedly, you still handed him your bag and made a point by fishing out the phone and shoving it in his outstretched hand. He took a quick look through your belongings, pushing it against what you assumed was some kind of a metal detector before he pulled out another device. This looked like a big phone, and he scanned your bag once again.

“What is that?” You asked, unable to stop your curiosity.

“Checking if you’re not bugged,” he answered matter-of-factly as he continued before he put the device down, clearly not finding anything. Where would you even get a bug, and why would you do it? You rolled your eyes inwardly but kept a straight face in front of the man, just in case he was watching. Which he was, as you found out by him waving in front of your face and showing you to follow him.

You braced yourself for whatever was awaiting upstairs and obediently walked behind him.

As you walked through the house, you got the impression that whoever lived there was wealthy, but that kind that didn’t really put on a flashy show. There were no chandeliers, no heavy curtains and stuff you pretty much imagined this place would look like and that image had nothing to do with the Beast and the Beauty dance room, nothing at all.

But this was… modest. Everything was very contemporary, some prominent brick here and there with mostly grey floors and the furniture was most definitely customary but, again, it was plain yet luxurious. You assumed that’s how the really rich people lived. They knew they had the money, and the people around them knew it as well, so there was no need for diamond stairs and a golden toilet.

A few names surged from memory as you heard your coworkers discuss the wealthy New Yorkers, but you didn’t want to assume anything before you actually saw the person, so you just walked by the halls before the man stopped in front one of the rooms and quietly knocked.

It was not surprising when another man dressed exactly like the guy leading you appeared from the room and took a quick look at you before he said something to whoever was behind him. When the affirmative came that you could indeed go in there, they shoved the door open and what you assumed was a living room appeared in front of you. It corresponded with the whole house, but your attention was caught by one specific thing. Your brain had its own world, and when you saw one of Tunji Adeniyi-Jones’s paintings from his last year’s exhibit, you almost fainted. He was your favourite contemporary artist. And seeing his work outside of the gallery was practically an otherworldly feeling. You gaped at the beautiful play of colours, and your heart swooned at the perfection of the brush strokes.

“Ehm,” you heard somebody cough beside you, and it startled you so much you actually jumped to the side, your hand flying to your chest in a feeble attempt to will your heart to stay calm.

You took the intruder in and found out that unlike every other man in the room (and there were a few, as you noticed) this guy wasn’t wearing all-black attire. He was in a comfortable-looking creme sweater and a pair of dark blue jeans, everything fitting him as if the clothes were sawn to his body.

Which, as far as you could tell, was the body of a Greek God.

“See something you like, honey?” The man interrupted thoughts, and it just crossed your mind that he was really rude, not letting you breathe even for a second before he had to make his presence known.

“Yes, actually. I’m quite a big fan of the artist whose painting you have there, so I admired that. And you are?” You trailed at the end, signalling that while he was very handsome, you had no idea who he was and why it was that you needed to come to him this evening.

“Straight to business, huh? I like that. I’m quite surprised Tony didn’t tell you who I was. Was he scared you wouldn’t have come if you knew?” He didn’t wait for your answer, however. “Well, honey, I’m Steve Rogers, and I am very pleased to meet you,” he smirked at your stomach dropped.

Steve Rogers? That Steve Rogers? It wasn’t possible.

“You gotta be kidding me,” you muttered as you scratched your arms nervously.

“Oh no, on the contrary. I’m all too real, Miss Y/L/N, and from the looks of it, I’m glad Tony didn’t tell you, you look like you might faint. Are you feeling alright?” He asked like the smug asshole he was, and you just turned away from him, taking a deep breath before you finally turned back around to face him with a pokerface.

“I’m alright, thank you. So now, can I know what it is you want from me so much you stalked me and made me come here, pretty much by force?”

He scoffed but showed you to follow him to the sofa. When you didn’t budge, he simply took you by your elbow and pretty much shoved you down to the plump sofa.

“Force, I have no idea what you’re talking about. I simply asked you to come visit me, is it so wrong? But yes, you are right, we should talk about why I invited you here. You see, Y/N, I’m in need of a wife, and after long calculations, I came to the conclusion you would be perfect for the job,” he said straightforwardly, and it was now that you felt like you’d faint.

“Marry me? Are you fucking insane?” You couldn’t hold it in any longer. Form the pissed off expression on his face, you could see it was not the right move, but he couldn’t expect any other reaction, really.

“Easy, honey or I might have to use the said force to shut that smart mouth of yours,” Steve mumbled dangerously, and you swallowed harshly.

“Right, you’re a notorious mobster, and I’m literally nobody, and if you killed me, nobody would miss me. Good, now that’s out of the table, why do you want to marry me? And what does it mean you are in need of a wife? I mean… you are notorious for dating a different girl every week, can’t you just marry one of them if you’re in such a great hurry?”

“No, honey, I can’t. All you need to know right now is my proposal. So, here it is. You will marry me, we will stay married for a year and then get a divorce. You will have everything every girl ever wanted: loads of clothes, all the time in the world to do whatever the fuck you want, you won’t have to work, and I will pay for everything and more. You will live here so you won’t have to worry about your rent money, and I will also pay your student loan, on top of which you will be paid 20.000$ every month for playing your role. And when the year is over, you will walk away rich, without any debts slowing you down and you will be able to do anything you want. How does that sound?”

“It sounds like it’s not a proposal but a directive,” you smiled sweetly and stood up, pacing the room and scratching your hands like crazy. This was not happening, no, no, no!

You needed the money, you really did, and getting rid of the debt from your student loan that would have been sweet too, but at what price? On the other hand, you thought, how bad could it be to just be somebody’s wife for a year? He did make it sound pretty easy.

“What would be expected of me?”

“Well, you would go with me to every event and pretty much listen to everything I say,” he shrugged as if it was the most natural thing to say to another human being.

“Like, you’d ask me to spread my legs for you here, and I would do it?” You asked, suddenly very angry that the man just assumed what kind of a person you were. You were desperate, but not that desperate.

“Oh, no, honey. That is one of the reasons why I chose you: I’m not attracted to you, so no, I wouldn’t ask you for any sexual favours. We could even put that to our contract if you’d feel better, but, really, you have nothing to worry from me,” he again said with ease, and you didn’t know if you were glad he just told you this or really pissed and ashamed.

Not that you thought you were some kind of a beauty, far from it, but he also didn’t have to be so upfront about it. And now you understood it even less why the hell he chose you.

“You want to marry me. But you still haven’t told me why, so?” You asked for like the hundredth time that evening, and the man just smirked again, playing with his cuffs, never answering to your satisfaction.

“Honey, what I want, I get, and I decided that I wanted you, so, what is going to be? Are you gonna be a good girl for me or am I gonna have to force you, hm?” He smiled sweetly, but even you knew better. Behind that oh-very-sweet smile, there was venom and a ton of it. You rubbed your temples and plopped down on the nice-looking couch, thinking about what he was proposing.

“Then why choosing me if you don’t find me attractive? Not that it’s an issue, I’m just really trying to understand the situation here,” you said, totally ignoring the threat in his voice as you needed some much valuable answers.

“Right, well, first of all, as I already mentioned, what I want, I get, honey, and you should always remember that. Secondly, it was your ability to keep a straight face, even though I can see the ability is not endless. I need somebody who will be sickly sweet to both my friends and enemies alike, who won’t mind a few sleazy comments from the old fuckers, and who will look like an obedient wife. I need somebody who will blend in and who will look trustworthy, and not like she was to stay only for a week. And when I saw you in that pub where you used to work, I could see you had what it took to be in this life, even if only for a year,” he finished, and you were glad you were right at least about the guy, Steve, also sending the people to sniff around your workplace. But then it hit you.

“Where I used to work? I still work there,” you said dumbfounded, and Steve chuckled humorously.

“Oh no, you don’t. You see, I need my wife free all the time and I need her here with me. Look, Y/N, this is getting tiring, and I really need an answer now. What is it gonna be, huh?”

“Like I even have a choice. You just said you would use force if I said no, so, what am I supposed to say, huh? I don’t want to get married, but I don’t have any money and your snoopy ass is getting in the way of my life, and you ended one of my jobs, and before you say you terminated my contract in the gallery, please think about it again. That job is very important to me, it has always been my dream to be in a gallery surrounded by beautiful art, and, by chance, having my art there as well.

I don’t know Steve, your offer is very generous, it really is, but I don’t think I’m the right one,” you sighed finally and looked around the room, ignoring the boring looks from Steve. Then you saw the clock and you almost panicked, it was two minutes before 9.

“Oh my God, I need to call my friends, or they’re gonna call the cops,” you said quickly already dialling Caroline’s number. You told her you were fine and that no, you weren’t a personal slave yet, but that you’d tell them everything when you got home. When the call ended, the venom was back in Steve’s eyes.

“If you think you can talk to people about anything I have just said, you are terribly wrong, doll,” he seethed, and you were taken aback, but you didn’t want him to think he intimidated you.

“Well, if you think I’m not gonna tell my family about this, then it’s you who is terribly wrong, Steve. We tell each other everything, and if I considered this proposal of yours, it would mean Aidan and Caroline would know about this, at least that I’m marrying you for more than my undying love for you,” you spat back, and Steve saw the determination in your eyes. He knew he had to compromise with you, even if only a little bit.

He already found out everything about you, he knew your whole life, your past, everything his people could find on the internet. And what he got from the search was that you and the people you lived with were extremely close. He considered getting rid of them but realised it would only push you away from what he needed from you. And he needed a wife ASAP.

The mafia was still very conservative, and as he was the only boss without a constant woman by his side, he was sometimes excluded from important meetings that happened on “family retreats.” And he needed all the info there was if he wanted to be the best of the best. Or, the worst of the worst, if we were being literal.

“Fine, but they will need to sign a contract saying that they will keep their mouths shut,” Steve smiled back, and you nodded, your head already spinning.

Were you really considering it? But was there any other option? You needed the money, and it would’ve be great if you didn’t have to care about your student loan for the rest of your life. You would see the world, just like you wanted, you would have time for your art, and you would be free after only a year. That didn’t sound that bad. Sure, you’d be affiliated with a known mafia boss, but that was nothing you couldn’t handle. But there was still a question Steve didn’t answer.

“What about my job at the gallery? If you made them fire me and I’m gonna find out tomorrow, I can’t even begin to consider this. I want that job, I want to work at that gallery, Steve.”

“Fucking hell, I could buy you the gallery if you agreed!” He shouted, exasperated that it was taking so long. He really didn’t get it. He was proposing a life in luxury, and he knew that the majority of women in New York would be more than happy to be seen by his side. But you? You had to be difficult and even demand stuff. Fucking hell…

“But whatever, you wanna work there, fine. Whatever, I don’t give a fuck. Do we have a deal or not? I have better things to do with my evening than just bargain with you, honey,” he accentuated the pet name that you already hated.

Well, this wasn’t how you imagined your proposal to go. Not that you were too keen on the whole idea of a marriage, but still, a girl could dream. Yet, here you were, actually considering getting tied up with a mobster for a year just because he offered you enough money and a life that you felt like could be interesting, if only for a year and with a man who blatantly told you he wasn’t interested in you in that way. This was the only reason you didn’t feel as dirty as you expected because you knew he would never touch you and never want you to do something sexual against your will.

You were used to lying through your teeth ever since you were little, your parents made sure you knew how important it was to keep your secret, and dangerous life wasn’t something you only heard of on TV. All this made the decision slightly easier, as you finally made up your mind.

“Fine, but we still have a lot to talk about, Mr Rogers,” you set your jaw and outstretched your hand to shake on it with him.

“Whatever, Mrs Rogers. Consider your rent paid and I’ll see you on Friday when we discuss our matter in greater detail. Now, if you excuse me,” he kissed the top of your hand and walked away.

Well, this would be fun, you told yourself as you watched the man you would soon call your husband walk away from you, and contemplated whether you made the right choice. But your life wasn’t great as was, as much as you tried to fill it with laughter and happiness, and, in a sense, Steve offered you an out, even if only for a little bit.

Here was to nothing, you hollered at yourself in your mind and followed one of the turtleneck-guys out of the manor and into the chilly air of evening New York.

/ Next Chapter >

Tags will be in reblogs. Taglist for this series is open, all you have to do is send an ask or a message to me :) x Thank you for reading!

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freeworldallahexecutivembaclass · 1 year

Text

Dont listen to the hecklers in any crowd and talk about the greatest comeback ever

youtube

My list of accomplishments : 🤗🚲🛣🌠🌟🌆🗽

I built hotels for the homeless in New York City 2021

I got union contracts for Amazon the company owned by Jeff Bezos

I got union contracts for Starbucks employees - 2022

I got my own Bibles numerous Bibles

I'm John F Kennedy in his captivating history book kindle Amazon book and my wife in the book is Nicki Minaj they was just joking with her but I like it ( My Marilyn Monroe ) true story they made her my friend and I'm grateful . We actually have had our own Ferraris next to each other on 55th street on park avenue our own books like I said of course as the Roosevelt's and the Kennedys she into music and her personal business and me with politics economics social science and now music because I moved on from my prior interest in those arenas of betterment for our society and her claiming me as her creation in numerous songs and videos I honor that and yes Wendy Williams has mentioned us as together as friends and being cool .

I got the minimum wage raised to 15 $ dollars to 17 $ dollars an hour for the United states of America it goes up every 2 years an 2 dollar increase which is great for the economy think about it in a few more years we will be at 24 to 26 dollars an hour for a base salary like that would be the minimum you could get from there it can only increase more and more in dollars amount but we do need some kind of tax break so it not like we still making 11 dollars an hour at 15 and 17 dollars an hour like put more money in the pocket of the people providing society services like security , sales , stock clerks , cashier's and even clerical and computer driven jobs say yes for all states of America receiving this healthy and much needed bonus it is suppose to go up every 2 years an 2 dollar increase suppose too I proposed it and the deal was signed into law I just got it done and never really seen where he was trying to take it hopefully he went with the every 2 years which is great for the economy think about it in a few more years we will be at 24 to 26 dollars an hour for a base salary like that would be the minimum you could get from there it can only increase more and more in dollars amount but we do need some kind of tax break so it not like we still making 11 dollars an hour at 15 and 17 dollars an hour like put more money in the pocket of the people providing society services like security , sales , stock clerks , cashier's and even clerical and computer driven jobs say yes for all states of America receiving this healthy and much needed bonus .

I got the fair chance act put in place to get ex convicts returning to society jobs and licensing without discrimination Joe Biden and vice president Kamala Harris should include this law into all of their plans for cleaning up America I'm glad to see it go beyond New York City it is now happening in California and even other counties in New York I want to share this honor with author Michelle Alexander who I did my research from her book about mass incarceration of the black and Latino community the New Jim Crow and the political office and my friends that help put this law in place I reached out to hopefully stop the recidivism to prison and hopefully to help some of my friends and people that go back and forth to jail because they couldn't get a job due to the felonies on their record I recommend a certificate of relief of disabilities to all people returning to society if they haven't given you one go get it from your county's or borough courthouse it works wonders .

I was named The 16th Captain of New York City that is New York Yankees history and current captain of New York city New York Yankees hat history and time magazine 2022 man of the year from 25 cell in protective custody on Rikers Island

I got Weed ( Marijuana ) Legalized in New York City

I got free gym membership for people on Medicare

I got free college education for people in New York City

Elon Musk reinstated my Twitter account

Kanye West named his album Jesus is king after me

Nas and Michelle Obama called me the black Jesus

I got Citibikes for New York City and the citibikes 5 dollar monthly plan

Cam'ron got me in good with Jay Z and Roc Nation

Amazon prime deal for people on human resources assistance

Benefit monetary increase for people on Human resource assistance

I won the Nobel memorial prize for Economic sciences twice 2019 and 2021

I won the Nobel Peace prize only one time though that is big big that is a great accomplishment for me , thank you so much 😀

I got Video games and tablets to be given out in prison

I shared the 2021 Emmy with Debbie Allen the Governor's award and got a standing ovation from the crowd thank you so much .

I shared a Heisman trophy with Johnny Menzel

Cleaned up Fox Square in Brooklyn New York so now people can have somewhere to sit and talk in Brooklyn New York .

Next order of business : My Plans for infrastructure in a utopian society hotels jobs pay raise on citizens paycheck from 15 $ - 17 $ dollars minimum wage pay to 19$ dollars to 20$ dollars an hour to better provide for all costs emergencies uncovered insurance payments due to partial health care coverage and full union membership granted to employees of any company free education grants and school loans payment plans

Pay raise for school teachers in every city at junior high school , high school and elementary school level since they are stewards of our children's future .

Pay raise for civil service workers and Civil service exams made and updated daily to the public , school crossing guards , correction officers , supervisors , probation officers , construction site supervisors .

Pay raise for day care workers

Free day care services for temporarily unemployed mothers and fathers

Pay raise for city fire fighters and police officers .

Job contractors fulfilling contracts with back to work public assistance programs that train and employ job candidates without their high school diploma or GED and granting them full employment with full medical and medicare coverage union membership and back to school Acces Vocational rehabilitation counseling and restoration of financial aid assistance for non violent crimes like drug sellers and abusers to stop recidivism to prison and to cure an addiction to a habit of committing perpetual crimes thus creating repeat offenders

Jobs moving back to inner cities through the effort of study and research groups from urban planning courses from their neighboring colleges

Tax abatement and financial incentives and business incentives and tax breaks

Joe Biden and vice president Kamala Harris should include this law into all of their plan for cleaning up America I'm glad to see it go beyond New York City and other counties in New York I want to share this honor with author Michelle Alexander who I did my research from her book about mass incarceration of the black and Latino community and the political office and my friends that help put this law in place I reached out to hopefully stop the recidivism to prison and hopefully to help some of my friends and people that go back and forth to jail because they couldn't get a job due to the felonies on their record I recommend a certificate of relief of disabilities to all people returning to society if they haven't given you one go get it from your county's or borough courthouse it works wonders

Next order of business : Tax cuts to help the everyday person keep more of their check in their pockets cut the tax rates in New York City by 4 percent I see it as New York State taxes % 8.82 to % 4 percent and business tax cuts to create more jobs Proposal For a Wage increase of $ 22 dollars an hour Including : Fire safety directors Security guards Librarians Fed Ex workers UPS workers Ready Willing and able with free vocational grants from access vr programs they should hire vocational rehabilitation counselors and job developers finding permanent housing and permanent job placement after the clients training Stock Clerks and cashier's at major stores like Gristedes , C Town , met foods , Burlington coat factory wage increase for all warehousing and factory workers jack pallet and forklift training for people with no experience and a starting salary at $ 17 - 19 $ dollars an hour and it increase with more time on the job how about the first year at that base salary of $ 17 - 19 $ dollars and on the even of that year the employee gets an raise of $ 2 dollars more on their check and other financial incentives as cash allocation from their check for newly place employee mutual fund packages besides with other benefits that said company is offering this helps to place that company on the stock market because of the huge huge employee buy in it is like employers investing in their employees their stores and company .

Educational requirements for jobs posted is less than a high school diploma but the job candidate has to be in a vocational program or GED preparation course half or full time hours .

Civil service jobs and exams posted weekly .

Sales professional salary plus commission on sales and stock options for mutual funds packages as bonuses with an wage increase to $ 19 dollars to $ 21 dollars an hour .

Newly added benefits to a job description benefits an employer on jobs posted give to their employees an employer get to hold back cash or take money out of an employees check to put towards a mutual funds stock fund option to help that client make more money as a second job the municipals funds and stock and funds and stock and then you gotta get hedge funds option packaged in to help the employees money make more money for them talk about overtime whew and at the same time that local market and store owner can put his company on the stock market and give out public shares thus in the end making it a good investment a regular place of shopping in a family like environment it is like getting to know your deli clerk , butcher , bakery attendant again only this time you are making money with the people you are spending money with Think about it that in turns build better communities better stores customer relationships safer neighborhoods and the beautifying of economically depressed environments more money for your kids college tuition school supplies newer roads being built leading to and from better neighborhoods and businesses and this is a future that we all as fellow New Yorkers can build together

Next order of business : Fat Joe and Salt from Salt and Pepa communications company a for profit organization this is a company that I'm pitching that travel from city to city across the united states of America and even the USA carribean Islands like Saint Croix Saint Thomas and Puerto Rico and visit the jails and educate the misfortunate that happens to be incarcerated and provide them with vocational training programs and certificates upon graduation to help stop recidivism to prison and make honest working citizens out of the men and women even the adolescents that find themselves incarcerated in places like New Orleans 3rd ward 5th ward and the 7th ward even in Texas in towns like Temple Killeen Copperas Cove Houston and Dallas Texas and help these men and women even adolescents become civilized citizens America earning an honest living wheter entreprenuerial activities or working a day to day job with classes in managing and budgeting their finances .

Every city or country can take this model and use it for their city , town , county or country to better the lives of the people of their society .

Rikers Island

when it moves from the beach out there in Queens into more like the inner city of the boroughs they should have and develop educational and vocational programs for the inmates at Rikers .

I mean government funded school in prison with real certified teachers in GED training and High school completion courses as well as College courses for students that is ready for it and all inmates should be able to practice their religion and culture without any retaliation for it because this gets them to change their life to learn love from the heart and a love for a creator whether themselves or a higher power .

That they believe it internalizes into their heart and spirit of their character thus changing them righteously making them want to take responsibility for their actions and change their savage and brutal behavior into becoming a more valuable human and contribute something to their immediate family instead of taking from their family they can give something in return whether that be financial with the skills productive skills gained while incarecerated or just being a son to mom or dad or a young father to their children being their for their kids raising and teaching them the right things and hopefully they steer them from the same fate that they suffered and endured .

The school programs should include

Basic mathematics - addition subtraction multiplication fractions percents and decimals and each operation in each like how to multiply fractions decimals and percents and then instruct them on algebra and the harder subjects after if follow that sequence more students wouldnt lose interest and then drop out but more can gain their GED diploma then steady employment when released from incarceration which ensures employment and not recidivism to prison and their guidance counselor should make sure to remind the inmate that they can receive a certificate of relief from disabilities when released from prison so that they will have no problem getting a license for their chosen field of employment or to get back in school

English courses Language art classes Earth science class Social studies class

And vocational classes should include :

Mechanics for automotives Carpentry Janitorial Maintenance skills Electrician Plumbing AC and refrigeration

I heard prison has so much private investors to build more prisons even celebrities and corporations are getting in on the action so why not turn jail prison into a more revenue generating machine and a school house for societies so called rejects maybe Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls or Corcraft can invest in creating educational programs for students or even students that have been out of school and who wants to return to society a more reformed person who wants to help provide value to society and not be destructive in society this plan is even better for business because it creates job opportunities for teachers / instructors and teacher assistants principals and financial aid granting Pell grants and full financial aid the plans like all my plans is to help boost the economy by creating more businesses and putting more money in the consumers pocket and creating more job opportunities for those consumers it is reciprocal create jobs you create business .

Let's Make New York great again , true meaning of going left notice he is pointing to me .

youtube

Check the news on CNN The US helped prevent AIDS from being a death sentence in Africa . The us is me and 50 Cent the rapper from his hit show power

We did it congratulations on the cure for Aids in Africa .

The US helped prevent AIDS from being a death Sentence in Africa

Check the news on CNN on ending HIV Aids in Africa with the cure and new medicine Cabenuva HIV medicine that cures HIV Aids like the common cold and any other kind of communicable diseases

We did it congratulations on the cure for Aids in Africa .

The US helped prevent AIDS from being a death Sentence in Africa .

Cabenuva the new HIV Medicine is the cure for HIV Aids it knocks out HIV Aids like the common cold please send it to Africa to help heal the people .

#Youtube

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oddaodd · 4 years

Text

· MASTERLIST ·

THOMAS SHELBY

· Fast Enough · In which the reader is there for Tommy during one of his mental breakdowns. (Angst)

· Awfully sensitive · In which Tommy comforts an emotional reader. (Fluff)

· Her Eyes · In which Tommy and the reader are in an arranged marriage. (Fluff/Angst)

· Hesitation · In which Tommy´s reaction to the reader´s pregnancy isn't what she expected. (Angst)

· Wishful Sinful Wicked Blue · In which the reader and Tommy love drinking together. (Smut/Fluff)

· Concern In Painting · In which Tommy snaps at the reader´s concern about his wellbeing. (Angst/Fluff)

· Tender Sunken Sea · In which the reader convinces Tommy to go to the beach with her. (Fluff)·

· Not Quite It Seems · What You Want (part two) ·In which things turn sour when feelings get involved between Tommy and the reader. (Smut/Angst)

· In The Depths Of Despair · In which the reader refuses to let Tommy go into the tunnels alone. (Angst)

· All The Knives That Lacerate Your Brain · In which the reader deals with the aftermath of Tommy´s PTSD. (Angst)

· Stormborn · *Requested * In which Tommy helps the reader give birth. (Fluff)

· Body And Soul · In which the reader convinces Tommy to paint. (Fluff/Angst)

· Relax · In which tommy helps the reader relax. (Smut)

· A Second,Or Two, Or Three · in which the reader tells Tommy she loves him for the fist time. (Fluff)

· I Will Be Your Wine · A Lace Ghost · (Part two) *Requested* In which the reader realizes she and Tommy were never meant to be. (Angst)

· Dancing Out In Space · In which the reader has an anxiety attack and Tommy is there for her. ( Fluff/Angst)

· The Wait · *Requested* In which Tommy deals with the reader’s mood swings during pregnancy. (Fluff)

·A Mundane Occurrence Heavy With Significance · *requested* In which Tommy spends the night at the reader’s place for the first time and his nightmares pay an unwanted visit. (Fluff)

· Pretty Empowering I Must Say · *Requested* In which John and Arthur tease Tommy for being soft in the reader’s presence. (Fluff).

· Dedicated To Touch · *Requested* In which the reader makes a touch starved Tommy feel loved. (Fluff)

· What No One Would Ever Know · *Requested* In which Tommy’s wife is badass and he is soft only for her. (Fluff).

· Besides Tea And Toast · * Requested* In which the reader is a war widow with a daughter and Tommy proposes to her. (Fluff)

· The Flames Singing · *Requested* In which Tommy is vulnerable and Y/n comforts him. (Fluff)

· Cold Tea And Romantic Gestures · In which Tommy makes the reader feel loved. (Fluff)

· Mementos Of The Sea · *Requested* In which the reader takes tommy away to the sea for their wedding anniversary. (Fluff)

· Lydia Pinkham’s Remedies · *Requested* In which Tommy comforts the reader while she suffers from period cramps. (Fluff)

· The Emerald’s Life Long Wait · *Requested* In which Tommy feels the reader deserves better than him. (Fluff/Angst).

· One Of These Days These Heels Are Gonna Stomp All Over You · *Requested* In which the reader is harassed by her boss and tells Tommy. (Angst)

· Winter Son · *Requested* In which Y/n and tommy rejoice over their baby son’s first Christmas. (Fluff).

· For Ages · In which Y/n falls for Tommy, her lifelong friend. (Angst/Fluff)

· What’s Going On? · *Requested* In which y/n isn't sure who her baby’s father is, Tommy or John. (Drama)

· I Was Listening · In which Tommy makes the reader feel less insecure. (Fluff)

· Dangerous, The Horse · In which Tommy doesn't want to open up to the reader. (Angst/Fluff)

· Broken Bones · *Requested* In which Tommy’s wife breaks her leg and he takes care of her. (Fluff)

· Light My Fire · *Requested* In which the reader, Charlie’s nanny, gets pregnant with Tommy’s baby. (Smut/Fluff/Angst)

· Unwanted Surprises · In which the reader wonders if she and tommy have fallen out of love (Angst).

· Can You Feel How Fast That’s Going?· *Requested* In which tommy needs to sort out his priorities and confesses his love to the reader. Based on the The Weekend’s song Where You belong. (Angst/Fluff/Smut)

· Just Till Noon · *Requested* In which the reader convinces Tommy to stay in bed a bit longer. (Fluff)

· Whisky Floors · *Requested* In which Tommy disappears for two days and comes home to his annoyed pregnant wife. (Angst/Fluff)

· Birthday Pearls · The reader wants Tommy to spend her birthday with her, but he’s busy. (Angst/Fluff).

· Maimed · *Requested* In which Tommy finds out the reader had to resort to prostitution when he was away at war and doesn’t react well to it. (Angst)

· A Conjured Up Death Wish · *Requested* In which the reader begins to worry about how much damage Grace’s Ghost can cause (Angst)

· Delightful Misty Dream · In which Tommy joins the reader in the bathtub after a rather stressful day. (Smut/Fluff)

· A Whimsical Tale · *Requested* In which Tommy gets jealous of Finn flirting with his maid because he likes her. (Smut/Fluff).

· Nice Things · In which Charlie snaps at the reader and Tommy feels guilty. (Angst)

· Ominous · *Requested* In which Y/n gets hurt stopping the Lees from raiding the betting shop and suffers from it. (Angst)

· Heedless Words That Numb The Heart · *Requested* In which Tommy snaps at the reader and then makes it up through small acts of love. (Angst/Fluff)

· A Concoction of Honey, Oatmeal and Herbs · In which Tommy agrees to do skincare with the reader. (Absolute Fluff)

· A Dress Made Out Of Daffodils · In which the reader isn't ready to sleep with Tommy and he is understanding and loving about it. (Fluff)

· They Were Closer Now, Fernando · In which Tommy comes home exhausted from a bussiness trip in London and snaps at the reader. (Angst/Fluff)

· Cloudberry Flavored Midnight Cravings · *Requested* In which the reader is craving some biscuits late at night and Tommy being the loving husband he is scours Birmingham to satisfy his wife’s craving. (Fluff)

· Soft Words Professed Amidst Uncertainty · *Requested* In which the reader is shocked by tommy’s newfound compliments towards her. (Smut/Fluff)

· Fake It Till You Make It · *Requested * In which Tommy pretends to be Y/n’s boyfriend in front of her brothers. (Fluff)

· Gardens That Like To Run with Blushing Flowers · *Requested* In which the reader leaves a flower on tommy’s desk every morning and one day he confronts her about it. (Fluff)

· Slumberless Hours On A Gloomy Saturday · In which Tommy tries to make Y/n feel better after Charlie tells him she has been feeling down. (Fluff/Angst)

· The Devil’s Hour · *Requested* In which Tommy comes home late at night to find the reader still awake waiting for him because she wants to cuddle. (Fluff)

· Bishops And Pawns On The Storm · *Requested* In which the reader teaches Tommy to play chess (Fluff)

·Idyllic Announcements In The Wake of Epsom · *Requested* In which the reader has something very important to tell Tommy after the races. (Angst/Fluff)

· I Don't Go In For Sweets · *Requested* In which Tommy reluctantly agrees to marry the reader and is awfully cold and distant towards her. (Angst/Fluff).

·July's Official Birthday Flower · In which the reader suffers from yet another miscarriage and Tommy is there for her, but there's always going to be a reminder of what they've lost. (Angst)

·Wailing Teapots · In which Tommy begins questioning Y/n's allegiances and goes and pays her a visit to confront her about it only to find out a dark truth. (Angst/Fluff)

CILLIAN MURPHY

· Slip Of The Tongue · In which after an embarrassing slip of the tongue while filming a scene with Cillian, the reader feels she ought to explain herself. (Fluff)

ALFIE SOLOMONS

· Home · *Requested* In which y/n Shelby falls for Alfie. (Fluff)

· Cointreau · *Requested* In which Alfie is intrigued by his next door neighbor. (Fluff)

· The Best Pies In England · *Requested* In which the reader finds out that Alfie isn't really a baker and gets sad that he cant bake. (Fluff) .

· Life In Margate · *Requested* In which the reader decides to move with Alfie to Margate when he tells her he has cancer. (Angst/Fluff).

MICHAEL GRAY

· A Lavender Bath · Chamomile Tea · *Requested* In which Michael receives a distressing phone call from the reader. (Angst)

· Like A Queen In Days Of Old · *Requested* In which Michael offers his coat to the reader who is a jazz dancer. (Fluff)

· What About France ? · *Requested* In which Michael tells the reader he must away to America (Smut/Angst)

ARTHUR SHELBY

· Sounds Like A Dream · *Requested* In which Y/n makes Arthur feel better after one of his breakdowns. (Angst/Fluff)

· A Lemon Tree Would Also Be Divine · *Requested* In which Arthur goes strawberry picking with the reader and then they bake a pie together. (Pure cottage core fuel/Fluff)

· Someone Able To Put Your Fires Out · *Requested* In which Arthur relaxes as the reader reads to him (Fluff)

JOHN SHELBY

· Passing Clouds ·*Requested* In which the reader suffers from depression and John comforts her. (Angst/Fluff)JOHN SHELBY

#Tommy Shelby #tommy shelby imagine #tommy shelby x reader #tommy shelby masterlist #peaky blinders imagine #peaky blinders masterlist #thomas shelby #thomas shelby imagine #thomas shelby x reader

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purrincess-chat · 2 years

Text

Marinette Dupain-Cheng’s Spite Playlist: Remix CH37

It’s time.

Previous First Next AO3

Chapter 37: Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing (linking Nate’s version cause I couldn’t find one on YT linked to the original artist’s official account)

Alya scrolled down her Twitter feed, chin resting against her fist.

Up and Coming Fashion Designer Marinette Dupain-Cheng Meets with World Leaders to-

Alya scrolled past.

Audrey Bourgeois’s Protégé Designs Gown for Royal Family’s-

Swipe.

Clara Nightingale and Jagged Stone Announce New Single Featuring Marine-

Alya rubbed her eyes with a sigh. Marinette had a busy summer, and it was impossible to avoid her face or her name. School was starting tomorrow, and they were all moving up to lycée. Adrien moved to the same private school as Marinette, and everyone was talking about them. He and Nino made up, which Alya didn’t like, but she couldn’t rightfully ask her boyfriend to give up his best friend. Not like she gave up hers.

Marinette made a name for herself just like she always wanted. A different Alya would have been happy for her, and maybe deep down a part of her was—the part of her that still missed their friendship. She tried not to think about that part. It was too painful.

But that part was getting harder to ignore, especially when Marinette was everywhere she looked. Her friend group was dwindling as more and more of her classmates joined Marinette’s side. With Lila gone all summer and her social media flooded with Marinette, Alya spent most of her days exploring other hobbies. Reading, writing, watching TV, taking her sisters to the park. She’d been avoiding as much Marinette news as she could, but it was virtually impossible.

Prince Ali Discusses Go Green Initiative

That was Lila’s plan! At least she had a productive summer too. Maybe she’d be back in Paris soon, and they could hang out again. Alya clicked the article and turned the volume up.

“Prince Ali has had a busy summer with visits to America, Japan, as well as France where he attended Paris’s newest teen celebrity Marinette Dupain-Cheng’s debut fashion show!”

A pit formed in Alya’s stomach.

“The two connected behind-the-scenes and have become good friends. Marinette was even spotted spending time at the prince’s palace this summer with her boyfriend, Adrien Agreste, son of famous fashion designer Gabriel Agreste,” the reporter said. “Marinette has taken the world by storm, not only with her unique designs and bold message but her charitable heart too. She and Prince Ali have proposed a Go Green initiative that is spreading rapidly across Europe.”

“What?” Alya gasped. “But that’s-”

“Out of all my close friends, Marinette is the most selfless and hardworking person I know, and her campaign is going to change the world!” Prince Ali said on the screen.

“Her campaign?” Alya pressed her lips together.

I’m such good friends with Prince Ali. He invites me to his palace all the time!

She lies with every breath.

Alya’s stomach jumped up to her throat, hands shaking as she clicked on another interview.

“Aw, I always wanted a cat. They are so rock n roll!” Jagged gushed, nuzzling a kitten. “What do you think? Should I get Fang a furry sibling?”

“Definitely!”

I saved Jagged Stone’s kitten before he had to get rid of it because he found out he was allergic.

She’s a liar.

Ladybug consults me before giving out every Miraculous because we’re such good friends.

Your identities are your most important asset. No one must know who you really are.

“This just in, Ladybug and Chat Noir have finally defeated Hawkmoth with the help of their superhero friends Malin, Emerald Shell, Tigress, Souris Rose, Bunny, and Queen Bee. The team of superheroes faced off against Hawkmoth at the Eiffel Tower-”

Alya tossed her phone aside, burying her face in her pillow as tears slid down her cheeks. Her hands shook, lungs too heavy to draw a full breath, leaving her grasping for a foothold to fall back on. But there wasn’t one. A gaping hole had moved in where her heart should be, chewed away from months of lies and deceit.

Marinette wasn’t her enemy. She never had been. All along she’d tried to warn Alya about Lila, and even now she’d gone to such great lengths to throw them all a lifeline to save them from a ship they didn’t know was sinking.

It could have been Rena Rouge by Ladybug’s side. It could have been her helping Marinette, modeling in her show, visiting sick kids, changing the world—being a hero. Alya wasn’t sure she knew what that meant anymore, but if anyone deserved the title, it was Marinette.

She didn’t know when she moved. She didn’t even recall putting on her shoes, but she found herself stalking up the street to Lila’s apartment, tears burning hot on her cheeks.

More than anything, Alya wanted to be wrong. Wanted Lila’s apartment to be empty. Wanted Lila to be in Achu with Prince Ali like she said. But Lila’s grave expression when she opened the door was the final nail in her coffin.

“You lied,” Alya said, “about everything.”

“Alya-”

“Marinette was right about you, and I let you tear us apart.” Alya’s voice shook.

“Don’t mention that brat!” Lila snapped.

“She was my best friend, and you drove a wedge between us! You made me question everything I knew and loved for months. I’ve been going out of my way for you because I believed you were out there making a difference, and not once have you ever done anything except lie and use me!” Alya’s hands balled into angry fists. “You’re nothing but a coward, Lila. A liar and a coward!”

“Fine, I lied. You happy?” Lila shot back, crossing her arms over her chest. “But I’m not the one who turned my back on my best friend. How much did Marinette do for you for you to abandon her so quickly? I barely had to do anything, and you dropped her in a heartbeat.”

“You’re sick,” Alya said. “But you have nowhere left to run. Marinette claimed every lie you’ve ever told.”

“So what? I’ll just think of new lies. Marinette is kidding herself if she thinks this is over,” Lila said.

“I won’t let you.” Alya shook her head.

“What are you going to do? Post about me on your blog? Oh wait, you deleted it, remember?” Lila said. “If you get in my way, I’ll take away everything you love for good. No one will ever be your friend again.”

Alya stormed off, teeth grinding until they hurt. When she made it home, she slammed the door to her bedroom and dug her phone out from under the blankets. Her old tripod was still in her closet, and she set it up on her desk just like she used to. Lila had already taken everything from her. The least Alya could do was ensure that she never did it to anyone ever again.

Taking a few deep breaths, she pulled up her Instagram and went live. She sat in front of the camera as viewers piled in, composing her thoughts. Swallowing hard, she shifted in her chair.

“Hey, um, it’s me,” she said. “A lot of you have probably forgotten, but I used to run a blog called the Ladyblog where I would give all of the latest news on Ladybug and Chat Noir and superheroes. One day, without warning I shut it down, and I’ve never really explained why, but I think I’m finally ready to tell my story.”

She paused for a few beats, pursing her lips. “I had this friend—my best friend. She was scatterbrained and clumsy, and she could never quite confess her feelings to the boy she liked no matter how many times we tried. She was kind, always helping people whenever she could, but one day, someone new came along who had this fantastical life, and suddenly my best friend became this suspicious, skeptical person. She never wanted to be around when this person was there, which was so out of character for her. She was always nice to everyone, and she barely knew this other person. It didn’t make sense.

This person told such amazing stories, but my friend never believed any of them. Several times, she tried to prove that they were made up, but she never could, so we all turned our backs on her. We turned our backs on a person we knew and trusted and loved for someone who was, in actuality, a stranger. Well, this friend decided to leave our school because of the way we brushed her off. This person led us to believe that our friend was the one bullying her, and we couldn’t believe that our friend who was so kind would ever do such a thing. We shouldn’t have believed her…”

Alya shook her head. “My friend and I split up, and I became friends with this new person. I believed for a long time that she was so great and that she was out helping people. She told me things about her so-called extraordinary life and said she knew famous people, that she had done so many amazing things, and I believed her. Every time, I believed her, and I let her alter what I believed about my friends and about myself.

Since Hawkmoth is defeated now, and I’ll never get the opportunity again, I am, or rather I was Rena Rouge for a time. I was someone Ladybug trusted, but when I broke ties with my friend and started hanging out with this new person, Ladybug stopped trusting me, which didn’t make sense to me because this person was supposedly Ladybug’s best friend, so why would my friendship with her make me unworthy of being a hero? But I let her warp what I knew to be true. She convinced me that she had a falling out with Ladybug and that I was just a casualty. Because of her, I started to resent Ladybug, so I deleted my blog. Ladybug stopped trusting me because I was no longer trustworthy, and I see that now, um…” She paused to wipe her cheek.

“This person stripped everything that I was from me. She used me and isolated me from people I truly cared about, and I feel like I owe so many apologies. To all of you who followed my blog, to Ladybug for letting her down, to my boyfriend for brushing aside his suspicions, to the people who tried to warn me about her, and especially to Marinette Dupain-Cheng, my friend, for turning my back on you. I’m sorry…” She pressed the back of her hand to her mouth. “I’m really sorry. I know it probably doesn’t mean anything anymore, and I know that you have moved on in life, and I am so happy for you. But I hope that you can find it in your heart to forgive me one day, and I hope that no one ever has to be used by this person again. So, Lila Rossi, let this be a wake-up call to tell the truth because using someone the way you used me is so vile and disgusting, and I hope that you feel as horrible right now as I have felt for the past 6 months.”

Alya leaned her head back with a sigh, biting her lip.

“I’m sorry to everyone I’ve disappointed. If any of you out there ever find a Marinette in your life, hold onto them because they will always lift you up, and if you ever encounter a Lila—run.” She shook her head. “This is Alya Cesaire. Stay connected, bugheads.”

♪♫♪ Everybody’s Fool ♪♫♪

“There she is.”

“Ugh, can you believe her?”

“What a joke.”

Whispers echoed through the halls as Lila passed. Her first day at their new school, and everyone already knew her name, though not for the reasons she’d been hoping. This was all Marinette’s fault. That stupid goody-two-shoes stealing all of her ideas. Lila had spent the better portion of the summer thinking of ways to thwart Marinette, but when Alya posted that Instagram live, she was basically toast.

Maybe she could convince her mom to move again. They could start over in another country and leave those losers behind. But with how famous Marinette was across Europe, Lila doubted she could ever escape her. Ugh! Stupid annoying brat. If that ugly insect hadn’t defeated Hawkmoth, Lila would have been akumatized on the spot. Then she’d have shown them what she was capable of.

“Well, well, well, look what Jagged Stone’s new cat dragged in,” Alix called as Lila approached her locker down the row.

“How’s that tinnitus?” Kim asked.

“Is compulsive lying a side effect?” Nathaniel echoed.

“Lay off, dudes.” Nino chided. “Don’t stoop to her level. Just ignore her.”

“Oh, like she ignored Marinette and drove her from our old school?” Alix shot back. “Ignoring her would be too nice.”

“Yeah, Marinette never did any of that stuff Lila said! She’s totally the same Marinette we always knew,” Kim said.

Lila rolled her eyes, stuffing her books in her locker and slamming it shut. She didn’t have to talk to any of those idiots. They weren’t worth her time.

“She’s just lucky Marinette is so awesome. If I hadn’t spent the whole summer helping out with charities and being the bigger person, she’d have it way worse.” Alix grunted before their group stalked off.

Lila took a deep, shaky breath. Of all the mistakes she’d made in her life, Lila had to admit, challenging Marinette Dupain-Cheng was probably the worst. Left and right, she was met with glares from her classmates. Luckily, she was in a different class than most of them, though annoyingly, Chloe Bourgeois was in her class. As if Lila needed another reminder of Marinette.

Now that Chloe was officially a model for Marinette’s brand, everyone was enamored by her, and she was loving all of the attention. Lila could have barfed watching her take selfies with all of her adoring fans before class. Just because Chloe wasn’t tormenting everyone anymore didn’t mean she wasn’t still self-absorbed. It made Lila’s blood boil.

The icing on the cake was Alya. She’d gone crawling back to her old friends and boyfriend like Lila never existed. Neither she nor Nino looked twice at her all day. Lila wanted to scream.

Somehow leaving turned out to be the best decision Marinette ever made. Lila had been so busy making moves across the board that she didn’t notice her king was cornered until it was too late. The most infuriating part of it all was that Marinette did it without getting her hands dirty. If it were Lila, she would have scraped and clawed her way to victory, but Marinette took her out from above.

Ugh! Whatever. Lila didn’t need those idiots anyway. She’d always been better off alone.

#mdcspr #marinette dupain-cheng's spite playlist remix #my writing

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