Tony throws a party, and you have no shortage of admirers. But where does your heart really lie? And why does Thor have a glittery beard? (Reader is Tony’s sister)
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Tony Stark x daughter!reader
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Summary: Loki and Sigyn have known eachother since childhood. Tired of waiting, she gets engaged to another man, but Loki won’t accept it, and tricks Sigyn into marrying him instead. Married life is not bad, and for a long time they consider themselves happy. When the choices they make threaten with tearing them apart, an unbreakable bond and an everlasting promise could be the only things keeping them together.
Summary: Faith and Loki are fuck buddies. Someone who was there when no one else was. When Faith was sleeping with a married man who all of the sudden decided to grow a conscience right after his wife got pregnant with twins. When Loki was being cheated on by his fiancee only a couple of weeks before their wedding. It is a comfort thing and they were perfectly fine with it, why make it complicated with a baby? It’s ridiculous!
Rating: Mature Pairing: Loki/OFC - past Bucky/OFC Hospital!AU
Summary: Loki is capable of sweet talking his way into the bed chambers of anything with legs so successfully that you often wondered if his words were laced with magic. But after being yet another victim of his charm, you knew it was no magic, and only you were to blame for falling like an inexperienced pubescent girl into his trousers. You thought you could keep your heart out of it, but it doesn’t work like that. Is it too late to get out unscathed?
For the Anon who requested a little Loki x reader fluffiness.
WARNINGS:Some violence, mentions of blood.
SUMMARY:When Thor asks for your help in clearing his brothers name, your secrets about the God of Mischief are unraveled.
My Lady, I require your assistance!” Thor boomed as he landed on the lawn in front of you.
You looked up with furrowed brows, a spoonful of Gelato half way to your mouth.
“Mine?”
“Time is of the essence!” He said in a rush, grabbing a hold of you and pulling you taut against his chest.
“Thor, buddy, I am flattered but you’re not my WHOA!” Whatever you’d been about to say was cut off as Thor twirled Mjolnir and you were both pulled into the air.
In your shock you managed to drop your Gelato and you sadly watched it hurtle to the ground, a pout forming on your lips.
“Cap, did you hear that yelling?” Tony asked, running onto the lawn.
“Yeah, I did. But there’s nobody here.” Steve said, scratching his head.
They both jumped back in shock as a small tub landed on the ground between them, the icy treat splatting on the ground.
“What the???”
“Oh my god! It’s Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs!!!!”
Like a Crateful of Grenades | Fratt | Rated E | 30,841 words
Father Lantom drove the same lumbering station wagon he’d driven for as long as Matt could remember, half its guts replaced through the trials of time and the smell of rust emanating from the undercarriage, no matter how diligently its owner washed it. After they swung by his apartment for his armored suit, Matt climbed into the blessedly roomy backseat to change while they drove.
“We had time for you to change before,” Father Lantom said again. “I don’t like you back there without a seat belt on.”
“I’ll be –” Matt grunted as he squirmed his way into the top of his suit. “– fine. We’re driving – mmph – twenty miles an hour through traffic.”
He hadn’t even wanted to stop for the suit in the first place, but when Father Lantom saw him take the black mask out of his bag, he’d scolded, “Matthew, you’re wearing jeans.”
Once he managed to get everything but the helmet on, Matt climbed over the console to the front seat, taking care not to bump the driver. Father Lantom drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. “Traffic isn’t usually so bad this time of night,” he commented. They were stop-and-go, mostly stop, heading into the Lincoln Tunnel.
More than five minutes later, they were still on the New York side of the tunnel. “This is taking too long,” Matt muttered. He cracked the window and strained to hear up ahead. Over the cacophony of horns and stereo music, he honed in on a single radio that had the traffic report on.
Matt sighed and rolled his window back up. “There’s a semi crashed on the other side. What time is it?”
“Seven thirty-eight.”
Twenty minutes until Tony called SHIELD, fifty until all hell broke loose.
“Get over to the right lane,” he decided.
“Why?”
“I’m going to run. I need the tunnel wall to cover me when I get out so no one sees what car I came from.”
“You can’t run through the tunnel,” Father Lantom argued even as he started nudging them over.
Summary:Once upon a time, the youngest son of Odin, Loki Laufeyson, was imprisoned in the highest room of the tallest tower, ne'er to be seen again. The arrival of a stranger put everything to the test… and for a while it seemed as though they’d passed. However, not all is as well as it seems. There was more than met the eye in the deal that Odin made, all those years ago. Ends were left loose and promises were not kept. Friends, both old and new, must face an enemy unlike any other as sons are forced to pay for the sins of the father. The bonds of friendship and, more importantly, of family will be tested to their limits.
A/N:Part 3 already! Aren’t you lucky? If you want a song to set up the beginning of this one, check out ‘Touch the Sky’ bu Julie Fowlis. We couldn’t have The Tower 2 without more Disney references. Let me know what you guys think about this one. Enjoy! :3
The branches shivered; the leaves shook. For each horseshoe that struck the soil, a tremor thundered through the earth. ‘Twas a shire horse. Ebony in colour, save for the dirty white feathering on its legs – practically one of the shadows until a break in the canopy lit the beast up with sun. Each one of its chuffing breaths released a furious cloud of heat.
Atop the animal’s back was a woman. For the most part she wore leather – boots, pants, gloves, and gauntlets. However, a loose white shirt fluttered against the wind. She pulled the crossbow from her back and, after a long, steady breath, took aim at the upcoming target.
It was a plank of wood with a crudely painted circle in the center. Instinct dictated that you shut one eye to focus on it, but your mentor’s words rung in your mind and you kept them open. The arrow erupted from the bow with a thwip! – and hit the center of the plank.
You resisted the urge to yell and whoop with glee, instead readying for the appearance of the second target. Your horse chuffed again and shook its mane. Thwip! The arrow hit the plank, but slightly outside the center mark. It was a victory, if a little lacking.
Before you could prepare for the third target, you caught sight of the fallen trunk that was approaching fast. You could practically feel the lowering of your horse’s rear, ready to jump. He was excited. You’d not taken him for a ride in too long.
Squeezing your thighs a little tighter together, your hand rushed to clutch the horn of the saddle. The crossbow – still in your dominant hand – was pointed upwards, until you spotted the third target! Your stomach was turning circles as your horse jumped, but your brain was already reacting, aiming your crossbow despite the elevation.
Thwip.
To your surprise and delight, the arrow hit! The target swung back so far that it ensnared the branch to which it was attached. This time you did shout with glee. You hooted and hollered, punching the air with your fist. The laughter that permeated the silence of the forest seemed to make the birds sing. A couple abandoned their perches and flew into the sunrise sky.
Brynjolf looked up as the birds took flight, wondering if a misfired arrow had been the cause of their hurried escape. Duke, upon whom he sat, had grown a lot in the last year. Sure, he was still a runt, especially in comparison to the shire that pulled up beside him, but he’d grown nonetheless. Even Brynjolf looked grand sat atop him, beaming proudly as you manoeuvred your horse like you’d been riding all your life.
“How’d ye’ fare?” He asked, urging Duke forward to ride alongside you. “Every single one!” “Really? Even the third?”
You cocked an eyebrow and smirked. “Yes, and don’t think I didn’t notice that it had moved since the last time.” “I’m sure I don’t know what you’s talkin’ about.” “Uh huh.”
The two of you began a gentle trot back towards the capital. Duke leant over and nudged the shire’s flanks with his nose. Your shire - Angus - was less than pleased by this and attempted to swerve away from the little irritant until you steered him back. “So how’s the crossbow treating ye’?”
You pulled it from your back – leaving Angus to go where he pleased – and held it between both hands. “Alright, but it feels a little unbalanced. This back end is too heavy; I’m having to aim lower to compensate.” “Tha’s a real shame,” he hummed, leaning over to fiddle with the clasp on one of his saddle bags. “I suppose it’s a good thing I got ye’ this then.”
When he sat upright, the most beautiful crossbow was in his hands. Polished dark cherry wood, reinforced leather string, and decorative artwork painted in ivory on the foregrip and stock. It was, quite simply, stunning. “Happy birthday, lady,” he smiled.
“Oh, Brynjolf,” you gasped, trying not to cry as you pulled Angus to a halt. “It’s… I don’t know what to say: it’s beautiful.” “That’ll do ye’,” he chuckled back, leaning over to hand the weapon to you. He’d been right to have it customised; to say it looked perfect in your hands was an understatement. His chest puffed with pride. “And– And– And look at the paintin’ on the side there.” He waggled his finger, pointing frantically.
You tilted the crossbow over and examined the artwork. It was tapestry-like in style, depicting a story you knew all too well. It started with a tower… The water that flowed out from the base drew the eye across, to where a man and woman embraced under a canopy of lanterns. There was more to it than that – but your eyes had already grown misty, blurring the rest from sight.
“Well, I wasn’t tryin’ to make ye’ cry!” Brynjolf fetched a handkerchief from his jacket pocket and thrust it under your nose. You laughed weepily. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry… It’s happy crying though, I promise.” “I believe you.”
The two of you cantered back to the marketplace together, parting ways only when you caught sight of Loki awaiting your arrival. He offered you a hand in dismounting Angus but it ultimately wasn’t needed. Loki felt all manner of things at the sight of you swinging your leg over a mount in such a beautiful arc. There were many advantages to your increased riding proficiency, least of all your improved fitness and stamina. He’d benefited from that quite nicely.
Casting such impure thoughts aside, he kissed your hand sweetly. “Happy birthday, love of mine,” he said. “How was your morning ride?” “All three targets,” you admitted proudly, before taking Angus’ reins and heading for the palace stables. Both you and he were starved. Loki skipped to keep up. “All three?” “Yes, one of which I shot whilst Angus was leaping over an obstacle. I’m not bragging, but I’m definitely smug.”
Loki chuckled, running a hand through his hair. “And the crossbow? It’s new, yes?” “My birthday present from Bynjolf. Oh, you should see the artistry on it, Loki. I was practically brought to tears! Well, in fact, I was brought to tears, but you haven’t seen the bow.”
For the entire walk home, you rambled excitedly about this and that. Happy for nothing more than your company, Loki let you. Passers-by noted the lovesick smile on his face, uncharacteristic of the mischievous God prior to his resurrection. It was the unique type of smile that could only blossom on a man genuinely enjoying the sound of his lover talking passionately about their interests.
And it was true. ‘Twas a rare occasion that you truly wished to talk and talk, so when it did happen, Loki found himself inclined to do nothing more than listen. Eventually, you would slow, or silence, worried you’d spoken too much or for too long. This is when Loki would sigh, gather your face in his hands, and kiss you softly.
“You worry too much, my love,” he said. Angus appeared to snort in agreement. You shot the horse a filthy look. “I’ll have you know I worry the perfect amount.”
“Speaking of perfection,” Loki winked at you and turned to leave the stables, “what are your plans for this evening?” You rolled your eyes and, after scratching Angus behind the ear, pursued him. Angus whinnied a farewell to the pair of you before shoving his head into a feeding trough. “Fenrien wrote me this morning,” you said, lacing your fingers amongst his as the palace guards bowed their heads and opened the main doors for you both. “Jarle is working with his engineers today so they’re going to make a day of my birthday tomorrow.”
“And how do my least favourite architect and his boyfriend fare in their new abode?” “They finished unpacking this morning,” you smiled. Before Loki could ask if you’d consider spending the rest of the day with him, you’d made it to the corridor of the residential wing – where Thor was exiting his bedroom.
When he caught sight of you both, his face lit up. Thor swept in and gathered you into a magnificent hug, spinning you around in circles. “Happy birthday, sister!” He laughed raucously. Loki pinched the bridge of his nose. “We’ve talked about you calling her that.” Thor dropped you back onto the floor, and glared fiercely at his brother. “Hush, Loki. On this day, I answer to nobody but the good woman in front of me.” You bit your lip and turned away. “So, where is it then? Let me see it!”
You cocked your head with a bewildered smile. “See what?”
“Your crossbow,” Loki said quickly, cutting off any words that might’ve spilled from Thor’s open mouth. “Brynjolf went through Thor to get it made. He wants to see that his interference was for good cause.”
“I… Yes, that’s what I meant. Allow me to see the fine weapon you’ve been gifted!” A little baffled but compliant nonetheless, you handed over your crossbow for Thor to examine. However, the man looked like he’d never handled a bow in his life. “Yes, this… is very nice. Very nice indeed. A fine gift.”
“As you know, brother,” Loki hissed, “I’d intended to take the rest of the day off to give my beloved her birthday gift. I simply haven’t asked her if she wishes to yet.” “Oh, I see!” Thor said, smiling apologetically to Loki as he returned you gift to you. There seemed to be some context to the conversation that you were missing, and you weren’t particularly pleased to be out of the loop. Frankly, you were tired, sweaty, and hungry. You wanted out of your riding gear and intended to be so.
“If that is the case, I should change forthwith. Thank you for your assistance with my birthday present, Thor. I shall see you at dinner this evening.”
You bowed your head respectfully before departing down the corridor towards your quarters. Loki mouthed an insulting comment to his brother along the lines of him being ‘bone-idle’ before following.
Summary:Once upon a time, the youngest son of Odin, Loki Laufeyson, was imprisoned in the highest room of the tallest tower, ne'er to be seen again. The arrival of a stranger put everything to the test… and for a while it seemed as though they’d passed. However, not all is as well as it seems. There was more than met the eye in the deal that Odin made, all those years ago. Ends were left loose and promises were not kept. Friends, both old and new, must face an enemy unlike any other as sons are forced to pay for the sins of the father. The bonds of friendship and, more importantly, of family will be tested to their limits.
A/N:Hoo boy! I’m so far ahead with this now, as my beta-readers will attest. I’m really excited for you guys to see what I’ve written. It’s going to be a wild ride, I promise. Let me know what you think by dropping me an ask! :3
Once upon a time, there was a city. Though still cast in gold and iron, Asgard no longer shone amongst all nine realms. It’s involvement with varying different catastrophes had left it tainted. Rusted. A diamond that had lost its shine.
Just outside the centre of the capital city lay Asgard’s largest marketplace. Royal Fair. Merchants and vendors flocked and gathered from all over the realm to flog their goods. Caravans, spaceships, and even the odd water-faring vehicle transported a plethora of peoples to sell upon the polished cobbled roads.
Elios was a small boy; baby-faced, bright, and fair, there wasn’t much he couldn’t get away with. It would only take a flutter of his eyelashes and a quivering lower lip to the right mother or father and his purse would become a little bit heavier. Unfortunately for the unobservant, he milked that ability for all it was worth. Currently, it was worth several gold coins and a few silver. They jingled nicely in his pocket. But Elios wanted more.
The marketplace was his playground, and the vendors were his toys; their stalls his goal, and their produce his prizes. One toy in particular jumped out at him – the baker. The sheer size of the man had gifted him with a fine set of lungs, letting him boom and bellow about his prices every morning, noon, and night. However, his gargantuan weight also led Elios to believe that he ate as much of his produce as he sold. The cheeky child smiled to himself the more he thought about it.
Business was booming on account of the baker’s powerful and persistent advertisement method. A crowd had gathered around the glorious smelling goods to froth at the mouth and empty their coin into his flour-dusted palm.
Light and nimble, Elios weaved amongst the legs of the shoppers until the top of his head was just beneath the display. One moment longer… If he left too soon, too swiftly, he’d incriminate himself; not soon enough and his face would be known.
When a red-haired woman behind him reached over to collect her purchase, Elios struck. He reached up, and snatched a roll, before turning on his heel and beginning the wriggle to freedom. It had been a risky move, and, unfortunately, not one that paid off. The baker happened to be looking at the woman’s hand as she reached over – the lack of an engagement ring having raised his hopes a little – and that was how he saw the smaller hand reaching up over the edge of his stall to pilfer a roll.
“Hey, you,” he bellowed, and every head in the crowd suddenly turned. “Get back here!” “Try and catch me flat-foot,” Elios laughed, before breaking into a sprint. Outrunning the baker would’ve been easy, only it was not he to be doing the chasing. Two palace guards were on patrol nearby and, on account of the commotion, began the chase. Elios was really having no luck today. There’d be no fluttering his eyelashes out of this one.
Noon was always this busy, but at least for once it served as an advantage. A strong swimmer in the currents of crowds, Elios navigated the dense populace like a pro.
A livestock farmer placed a crate of chickens down by his stall; Elios vaulted over it. The first palace guard caught his foot on the top and went sailing down. The chickens squawked and flapped their wings in fright. A nearby baby began to chuckle and pointed a chubby finger at the guard.
Elios was also laughing. He chucked taunts and heckles over his shoulder at the remaining pursuant. Weighted down by his armour, he was doing well to have lasted this long. At last, Elios spotted the opportunity for this escape. A series of boxes stacked 1, 2, then 3 high were just beckoning him to climb. He prepared for the leap upwards – when a hand grabbed the back of his collar and hauled him back to earth.
Elios’ head hit the cobbled stone, and, for a moment, he heard nothing but birds. Eventually he cracked open his eyes, to see who had thwarted him.
His eyes met those of none other than the Forgotten Prince. Loki.
“Up you get,” the man uttered, not giving him a choice in the matter as he lifted him by the scruff of his neck again. Once on his feet, Elios could see the two guardsmen who’d been chasing him. The former was covered in feathers and blood that poured from his nose; the second was red in the face and panting heavily. Loki Laufeyson folded his arms and raised an eyebrow. “What happened then?”
“He… He stole from the… from the baker, my lord,” said the secondary guard, who was now doubled over and wheezing. Elios tried not to laugh at the sight. Was this truly the best the palace could do? Even Loki looked unimpressed. “Is this true, boy? Is that roll in your hand paid for or not?”
“But, my lord,” spoke Elios, tongue admittedly a little thick from his head wound, “you asked me to bring you a roll!”
If the rumours were to be believed, then the Forgotten Prince was something of a renowned silver-tongue. Fluttering eyelashes and a quivering lip would not work on him, but perhaps he could be impressed with a bold enough lie…
Admittedly, Loki was impressed by the twinkle of mischievous delight in the young lad’s eye. The left side of his mouth quirked a little. But was it enough to let him off, just like that?
Apparently, yes.
Loki fished two gold coins from his pocket and handed them to the bewildered guards. “Apologise to the baker for the trouble that I appear to have caused. It shall not happen again.”
Elios breathed a heavy sigh of relief as the palace guards bowed, and then turned to leave. He resisted the urge to stick his tongue out at the retreating figures – least of all because he wasn’t quite sure what to anticipate with the company he’d been left with.
“So,” Loki chuckled, folding his arms, “you consider yourself smart, do you?” Elios had nothing to say to that. How did you answer such a question when it was the God of Trickery asking it of you? The lack of a response seemed to please Loki well enough, and he invited the boy to walk.
“As smart as you may be, young one, you have much to learn.” “Oh, and I suppose you intend to teach me?” Loki scoffed. “Please. I have better things to do. If I catch you stealing things again, I will let you take the fall for it.”
Elios frowned. At this point, he was prepared to fully ignore this man. His eyes scanned the crowd for an opportunity to slip away, when he caught sight of a vineyard owner flogging very expensive bottles. “I will say one thing, though,” Loki smirked, completely aware of the boy’s intentions. “You can’t cheat an honest man.”
Placing his hand on the top of the boy’s head, Loki swivelled it away from the vineyard owner towards a caravan owner in the distance. He bore fierce sideburns down the side of his face, and a greasy brown rat rail that had been braided over the side of his shoulder…. Loki knew of this man; he’d recently been released from jail but had gone right back into his old business. Of course, Loki couldn’t interfere directly, but the boy… “Find somebody who wants something for nothing and give them nothing for something.”
The smile that spread across Elios’ face could only be described as ‘shit-eating’. Loki resisted the urge to chuckle. “Where’s your mother then?” He asked. Elios’ head snapped up, offended. “Where’s your girlfriend?”
Summary:Once upon a time, the youngest son of Odin, Loki Laufeyson, was imprisoned in the highest room of the tallest tower, ne'er to be seen again. The arrival of a stranger put everything to the test… and for a while it seemed as though they’d passed. A whole year later sees the rumour of nuptials circulating amongst the palace walls, amongst other rumours. Somebody is looking for you, somebody you thought was lost to the wind many moons ago. Adventure once again appears to be on the horizon. However, not all is as well as it seems. There was more than met the eye in the deal that Odin made, all those years ago. Ends were left loose and promises were not kept. Friends, both old and new, must face an enemy unlike any other as sons are forced to pay for the sins of the father. The bonds of friendship and, more importantly, of family will be tested to their limits.
A/N:I’m so excited to be back, you guys! I’ve been bursting to get started on this for ages and now I’m actually posting. It’s seems ages ago that I started this series, and now I’m already on a sequel? :O Who knew it was possible?! Anyway, I’ll shut up so you can go read. Enjoy!
Once upon a time, there was a city. Cast in gold and iron, it shone amongst all nine realms as a beacon of hope, strength, and wisdom. Asgard. A diamond on the neck of the universe.
At its centre, the royal palace. Visible from as far as the eye can see, it was testament to the triumphant history of the monarchy. It pierced the skyline like a blacksmith’s finest blade, twinkling similarly in the midday sun. The woman who approached it was careful to take her time ascending the ivory stone staircase. One wrong step and she’d have a dislocated hip for the next few months.
The coal-coloured cloak that enshrouded her was about 2-inches too long and, as such, threatened her footing every time her slipper met with the floor. Liver-spotted hands reached down every so often to pull it up, long, unkempt nails digging into the fabric. Contrary to the rest of her appearance, however, were the ribbons of gold that stuck out from under the hood on her head.
“Halt, who goes there?” called out a guard from the top of the staircase. The woman stopped and, with bones that might as well have creaked, pushed her hood down. Her face was as worn as her apparel, worn like well-tanned leather and several teeth missing. She smiled like she knew the guard’s dirtiest secrets. His armour rustled as he shifted uncomfortably under her gaze. “I have business with his royal highness,” she replied, voice like a creaking cabinet. “I believe he is expecting me.”
A few minutes and one enquiry later, the witch was allowed through the gates into the palace of Asgard…
Odin’s throne room was the crown jewel of Asgard’s palace. Everything from the walls to the furniture seemed to gleam with gold and sing in the sunlight. It was magnificent.
Even the Allfather himself looked as though he deserved to be artwork on the wall. His posture denoted nobility, and his apparel was dripping of wealth. Yet Odin was pensive. Concerned. “I daren’t make a deal with a devil,” he said. “If you think you can help my son, I must know it.” “Your highness, tell me again what you wish me to achieve and I shall assure you of what I am able.”
Odin adjusted his sitting position. The witch could see the hesitance in his sinking eyebrows. She’d dealt with men like this before; more familiar than he could ever fathom. His request was… unique, but it was an opportunity nonetheless. An opportunity she’d been anticipating for a very long time.
“It’s my boy,” Odin began. The witch held back the twitch at the corner of her grinning mouth. “The eldest?” “No. My youngest.” “Ah yes, your son who is not.” “He is my son so long as I have raised him as such.”
“What of the boy, my lord?” She continued, artfully dodging the Allfather’s temper. As it had been noted, she’d dealt with men like this before. “He has disgraced his name, and mine, by the attempted subjugation of another realm. Midgard. It was the intervention of my eldest – and some native accomplices – that led to his capture.” “If Laufeyson has been thwarted, what should you want of me?”
The question was a pertinent one; if this opportunity was to be successfully utilised, she needed the Allfather’s complete and utter compliance. Any hesitation, and her plan would be at risk. Like a finely weaved tapestry, one thread out of place and the whole piece was at stake. If her plan was to work, it required Odin to finally take some responsibility for his actions. For Loki’s.
“His… His punishment was suited to the courts,” Odin began, and the witch could practically hear the sounds of everything falling together. “Imprisonment seemed fitting at the time – the wound was fresh and my people wanted justice. They would not listen to a father who wished to help his son; instead they wanted a ruler who held no bias.” “You do not approve of your boy’s punishment then?” The witch tilted her head and for a moment, in the sun that streamed through the throne room’s window, she looked younger. “Oh, I approve of his imprisonment absolutely. What I regret is the sentence’s lack of potential for redemption. He is still my son and should he wish to prove that he has changed, I should like him to have that opportunity.”
The witch chewed one of her disgustingly long fingernails. This was… not what she’d anticipated when the opportunity had arisen. However, if she played her cards right, it wasn’t completely horrible either. A different type of cage to what she’d had in mind, but a cage nonetheless. And Odin seemed willing. All she needed now was the last piece of the puzzle; the thing that would bind Odin to her deal. Carefully, she allowed herself to smile and saw Odin visibly relax. “Thankfully, I think that I am more than capable of assisting in the matter.”
“I will be grateful for your discretion,” he sighed. “I said that I was capable of assisting. If you should have discretion as well, that shall cost a pretty penny.” “Tell me what you desire.”
The witch grinned and once again youth flowered in her eyes. “I am a vain woman, and my best days are behind me. However, I have read of a flower that can grant youth to anyone in its ownership. It’s located a fair distance from the city and I have not the strength to retrieve it.” “It shall be a training exercise for my men. We will have it within one week.” “Most gracious, your grace,” the witch smirked. Odin ought to be unnerved that her price was seemingly so small. And judging by the narrowing of his eyes, he was.
“Now,” he boomed, feeling suddenly more confident, “to the matter at hand.” “Quite,” the witch smiled. “We will begin straight away.”
For the second time that week, the witch climbed the stairs to Asgard’s palace. This time, however, she climbed with fervour. Excitement – unlike that which she’d felt in years – had gotten the better of her. She thought less and less about tripping and falling, and more of the prize that lay waiting for her.
“Halt, who goes there?” called out a guard from the top of the staircase. The witch revealed her golden hair yet again, smiling at the guard much more sincerely. “I am here to conclude my business with the King. He is expecting me.”
A few minutes and one enquiry later, the witch was being… turned away.
“But he’s expecting me, you imbeciles!” The witch screamed as two guards led her down the staircase. “Our orders are to turn you away at the gate. Your business with the King is done.”
No. Impossible! How could he have backed out on their deal? It had been so simple! Did he suspect her? No, she’d made sure of that. Unless…
With a gasp in realisation, the witch wrenched herself free of the guards’ grasp and turned to face them. Malice contorted her face like a wilting rose. “Very well. Tell him I’ll be in touch.”
And just like that, she disappeared in a cloud of foul-smelling smoke. The guards covered their faces and coughed horribly, hunched over. When finally they were permitted to breathe again, they stood upright and stared at the empty steps. The taller guard turned to his companion. “You don’t think that she would-” “I do think that,” he said. “Hurry, we must reach the King.”
Thor’s steps were sluggish and slow. He could feel his father’s hand on his shoulder; it felt heavier than his hammer. “I’m so sorry, my son.” “I just… I can’t believe he’s gone. Are we sure that it was real? He’s… He’s faked it before, maybe– maybe–”
Odin sighed and strengthened the grip on his son’s shoulder. “I understand your concern, but it is true. He’s… Loki is dead.” “I just… When? How?”
Thor stopped in his tracks at the end of the corridor, his face the picture of grief. A single tear rolled over his cheek. Odin placed a hand under the boy’s chin and wiped it away with his thumb. “If it’s any consolation, it was quick. It happened in the night. A stroke, followed by cardiac arrest, the healers say.” “Just like that?”
Forced to think quickly, Odin turned away to grant himself a moment’s pause. That was when he saw her. Odin tensed, and at the sight of this, Thor followed his father’s gaze.
A woman with golden hair and a haggard face stood in the corridor. Immediately, Thor raised his guard. He knew an intruder when he saw one, and this woman reeked of danger. His father, however, seemed oddly unsurprised by this woman’s appearance, despite his apprehension. Did they… know one another?
“Your father has lied to you, boy,” she said, with a peace reserved for the most dangerous of wraths. “He’s lied to us both.” “Explain yourself,” Thor said, stepping in front of Odin. The latter’s face had fallen with disappointment. He should’ve known it wouldn’t be this easy. “What did he tell you?” The witch began. “That your brother died in the night? Inexplicably? And let me guess: you have been forbidden sight of his body. ‘Ah, my son, that would be too cruel’. Something like that?”
Thor’s guard slowly began to melt away. Either she was an expert eavesdropper or… “Father, I- I don’t understand.” “You ask him?” The witch cackled. “After what you now know? Do you truly trust him to explain?” Odin was denied every opportunity to defend himself. His hands were balling into fists of rage and his mouth thinned substantially. His gaze with the golden-haired woman never wavered; nor did hers. The two were in a fierce yet silent showdown.
“He lied to you, boy,” the witch finally confessed. “Your brother isn’t dead. Your father paid me to move him, to imprison him elsewhere. He’s in a tower just outside of the city; specifically, he’s far enough away that he’d never fortuitously be found by you, but close enough that he could find his way home should he ever make it out of there.”
Thor’s mouth fell open and he looked to his father for explanation. None came. Odin’s silence was telling. The witch frowned and continued. “Except he didn’t pay me. He backed out on his end of the deal, only to proceed with his schemes regardless. That is why I’m here. That is what I came for.”
When the witch finally silenced, Thor ‘s hearing was replaced with the sound of his heart in his throat. It pulsed and pounded like a raging bull. “Of all the things…” For a moment, he considered exploding, screaming in his father’s face, berating him. However, that was not important to him currently. What mattered to him currently was bringing his brother home. Loki needed him. “I will deal with you once I have rescued my brother,” Thor growled, spinning on his heel and storming down the corridor.
He’d made it barely two steps, however, when a halo seemed to appear over his head, silver and twinkling. Thor’s balanced wavered and he stumbled to the side, gripping his forehead. When the halo disappeared, he turned around again, an expression of concern on his face. Even Odin was a little bewildered at the sight. “Father?” asked Thor. Odin stepped forward. “My son, are you… alright?” “Yes, I’m…” Thor rubbed his head. It must’ve been… a migraine. “Forgive me, I’m being completely rude. Who is our guest?”
Odin blinked and turned slowly around. The witch lowered her hand with a knowing grin. “Do not think of your manners, young man. I am only here to have a word with your father.” “Of course, my lady. I will grant you some privacy. Good day.”
Had a lump of coal been placed within Odin’s fist, it would’ve swiftly become diamond. “What do you want?” He snarled at the witch. “You didn’t search for it, did you?” She snarled back.
“My men failed to find your flower, after days of dedicated searching in the area you specified. I simply will not sanction another pointless exercise for something that is clearly just a myth!” The grinding of the woman’s jaw practically echoed amongst the walls of the room. “How many times would you have me search for this insipid thing before the realm is left defenseless at its most dire hour?” “As many times as is required - you owe me a debt! I fulfilled my end of the bargain, I should expect the King of Asgard to fulfil his.”
“Silence!” The woman’s mouth clapped shut, lips tightening into a sour knot. “I will not be insulted this way. You have burdened my time long enough. Go now, whilst I still have my mercy.”
The witch did not leave immediately. Her line-ridden forehead wrinkled further with disdain. It was only when the two palace guards burst into sight at the end of the corridor that her hand was forced. Odin’s head was turned at the sound of their shouting. The witch saw yet another opportunity.
With her horrible fingernails, she pulled his ear down by its lobe and hissed into it. “This is not the last your family will see of me, King of Asgard. You shall pay for this injustice. Perhaps not today or tomorrow, but you will. I shall see to it personally.”
And just like that, she was once again nothing more than foul-smelling smoke.
WARNINGS:signs of depression, severe anxiety disorder, SUICIDE
A/N: Please contact me if you have any kind of problems or need help.
She tried to take deep breaths, holding onto the wall, trying to stop her hands from shaking. It was one of those moments where she stopped pretending, she wasn’t who she was portraying; a hero; a powerful member of the Avengers who always stood strong.
She was used to bad days. She knew loss, grief, dark days; she used to think she could overcome it all, it would all be okay with time. Time had been the cure for every single disappointment, or a sadness she had in her life. She had learned to heal, and to be strong with time. But she also learned that some days could be unbearable by the hard way.
Those days, were now more than just ‘bad days’. They had became her weeks, months…now her whole life.
Pain changed people and now, she was not who she used to be. She had started to realize that she couldn’t take what it takes to be a hero. All her friends, her family were heroes. They were strong. They knew how to live with pain, regret, sarrow, grief, loss…She felt like the weakest one in the team, she knew would make mistakes others had to pick up after her. She thought that she was a burden, everyone’s lives would be better off without her. And living with that thought, made her life unbearable. She had started to wake up every morning trying so hard to make it out of bed, and sometimes she didn’t.
She didn’t want anyone to know how she felt, because she was ashamed. So she always put on a mask, did her best to look as happy as she never could be.
When she felt like she couldn’t breathe, she stumbled into the terrace. She could feel her knees shaking, she just sat down on the floor, trying to stop her whole body from shaking.
What is wrong with me?
At first,it got harder to breath but she tried to stay calm, then she felt the air in her lungs, relaxing her in each breath.
Okay, there you go, you’re fine, you’re fine, you’re fine….
It was not her first time experiencing a severe anxiety attack. She got up slowly, walking around the terrace, trying to make herself forget about the pain by watching the beautiful view of the city from the tower. She unconsciously walked over to the edge, just to look down. It was too high, she had trouble seeing the street. She thought that it would be impossible to survive if she fell. She had thought about death before, but not like this. She had gotten to the point where she started considering it. She stepped up on the edge, feeling the wind, looking down; trying to see the ground clearly.
It would make things easier, for everybody. She thought.
“Sir, I think you would want to see this.” FRIDAY spoke to Tony as he was down his lab, buried deep in work.
“No just-“ When Tony looked up on the screen, he was shocked; paralyzed. It was (Y/N), standing by the edge, looking down on the ground. His brain froze for a moment, he couldn’t believe his eyes. Was she…considering to take her life?
He immediately ran out of his lab, straight up to the terrace. When the others saw him rushing outside, they ran after him, figuring out that something was wrong.
“Oh my god.” Natasha breathed out in shock when she saw her.
“(Y/N)!” Steve called out for her, they walked towards her until she turned to face them.
“DON’T!” She shouted, and they all froze in their places in panic.
“(Y/N)-“ Tony tried to speak, taking a step closer but she wouldn’t allow him.
“D-don’t move!”
“Okay- hey, let’s just calm down for a moment, okay?” Natasha said with a low, calm voice.
(Y/N) was now in tears, she didn’t even know when she did start crying.
Steve got so scared he didn’t know what to say, he tried pulling himself together, “J-just hear us out, okay?”
“Whatever is it that you’re going through, we can do it together…” Tony said, speaking too fast because (Y/N) was still looking down on the ground, scaring the hell out of him.
“Sweetheart,” Clint called out to her, adding; “This is not, this can not be the option.”
“You can’t leave us like this.” Wanda said, followed by Natasha: “You wouldn’t be the only one taking the hit, you know?”
“And you don’t have fight whatever it is, alone. We’re here-“
“You-you can’t fix this! Okay? There is n-nothing to stop it, I-I can’t keep waking every morning, feeling like a burden to all of you!”
“W-what? A burden? Do you have any idea, how fucking lost we would be without you?” Tony asked, raising his voice.
(Y/N) was like the glue holding the group together. She saw the good in everyone and brought out the best of them. She taught them how to be friends, family. She used to be a cheerful, hopeful girl filled with laughter, joy.
But it wasn’t the same anymore.
“Tony-“
“If it wasn’t for you, we wouldn’t be living together at all.” Steve said.
“You are the reason we stand together, more than a team.” Wanda added, taking a step closer.
“A family.” Thor said, he had realized how important each member of the team got for him lately, they had became something else.
“And you need a reason to live? It’s family.” Tony said, even stepping closer.
She took a step closer to them to, even though she still was crying, and shaking in panic. Steve noticed her getting farther off the edge, so he took it as an advantage, and moved fast to grab her by the arm. Steve’s sudden move made her stumble backwards in fear, when she almost lost her balance, she tried to stand still by opening her arms; but it was too late. Her heel slipped, it all happend so fast she couldn’t function it. She screamed at the top of her lungs as she fell backwards into the darkness; Steve tried so hard to hold her hand, but only their fingertips met lightly.
Without any hesitation, Tony ran to the edge and jumped after her, everyone was so scared they ran up to the edge to see them.
Tony didn’t have his suit when he jumped, but he had to risk his suit not being fast enough. It was (Y/N). She was worth all the risks, he didn’t want to think how his life would be without her.
Tony’s suit met his body part by part in the air, when he was suited up fully, he flew faster to grab (Y/N). When they almost hit the ground, Tony held her in his arms in the last second before rising up high in the sky, landing back on the rooftop.
He kneeled down on the ground as he layed her down, checking for injuries. Everyone gathered around them, sitting down in a circle. (Y/N) was terrified; shaking so bad and hardly breathing.
“Hey, hey it’s alright. You’re safe.”
“Just breathe, (Y/N)- breathe…” They calmed her down slowly, than took her inside to get her a blanket and warm her up.
They sat by her, trying to talk to her, holding her until she stopped shaking. After a while her body shut down from that much stress and pain, she fell asleep on the couch and Steve carried her up to her room. They decided that they weren’t going to leave her alone, so they took turns. In the first night, Steve slept on her floor. The next night, it was Natasha who fell asleep right next to her. It went on and on no matter how bad she protested they didn’t have to. They talked to her, helped her, make her feel loved, safe.
It was hard; beating depression, believing life was worth living again. But being with them, it got easier. She started thinking time wasn’t the solution, or the cure. It’s family, she thought.
It took weeks, maybe months but she was better each day. They started to notice that she was smiling, laughing. She had good days, even though her bad ones. Time passed, and none of them left her side until she got through it all.
One morning, when they were walking towards the kitchen to have breakfast, Natasha heard her. She was cooking again, mumbling lyrics to some old rock song.
“Sssh!”
“Ssh what?” Steve whispered.
They all stood silent to hear her.
“She is singing again.” Tony smiled.
It used to be their tradition, (Y/N) would cook pancakes on sunday mornings. She loved to sing while doing so, they all remembered it.
They gave each other looks and small smiles, she was okay. She was better, and that was all that mattered; things could go back to the way it used to be.
They walked into the kitchen.
“Smells good in here!”
“You have no idea how much I missed your pancakes!”
(Y/N) watched them messing around, laughing as they started to help her make breakfast. It was that moment she knew; I’m okay…I’m home.
••••
a/n:please tell me what you think, I would love to hear them
need to tell you guys something! please read and tell me what you think
so a lot has changed in the mcu, as you all know the fanfic world was about all the avengers living in the tower together, it was all fun and games, pietro was alive, bucky was back with Steve also living in the tower…you remember the good days, right? I just saw a post about this and I realized maybe I shouldn’t write my stories the way I do? I mean, the way I write them they’re all living in the tower together -it’s like pietro is alive, clint is not married, civil war hasn’t happend, bucky is not in the ice. Is it wrong? Please tell me your opinion guys, would it be better if I stick to the mcu or just keep doing it my way?
I skipped to another song as I layed back down on my sunbed, enjoying the sun warming my skin. It was a good day. We rarely had good days.
Tony had bought a yacht and he convinced us that we all should take a break to go on a little vacation. Everyone agreed, and I hadn’t seen any of them this happy in months.
Steve, Bucky, Sam, Peter and Thor were racing to see who could swim the fastest, Tony, Rhodey, Natasha, Clint and Bruce were at the bar preparing cocktails, Wanda and Vision were in the back of the yacht, watching the view. I was being me, laziest person in the team, laying down sunbathing with my earpods in.
“Thanks.” I said to Tony as he brought me a drink.
“You’re welcome,” He said as he threw himself on the sunbed next to mine.
“This is amazing.” I said as I took another sip from my drink.
I chatted with Tony for a while until Natasha called us to the water.
“Come on.” Tony said as he got up, everyone was now in the water, waiting for us to join.
“No-uh, I think I’ll stay here. I am getting really tan.”
“Come on (Y/N)!” Natasha shouted for me from the water.
“You can work on your tan after a swim, just get up.”
The reason I didn’t go in the water was that I actually didn’t know how to swim. When I was a little girl I had fallen into the neighbor’s pool and ever since that I would never go into a pool where my feet didn’t touch the ground and that I couldn’t see the bottom of. I knew it would sound ridiculous, I was a member of The Earth’s Mightiest Heroes but I couldn’t swim.
Tony kept insisting, “Tony…I- I don’t know how to swim.” I said quietly.
“What?” This is embarrassing.
“I-I am scared. It’s just that I almost drowned when I was a kid so-“
“That’s okay! This is the best chance you get to learn! We’ll teach you and you can overcome your fear. A good thing to cross off your bucket list.”
“I am good here. Thanks though.”
“Alright, no pressure.” He left and joined the others.
I put my earpods back in, laying down again. I closed my eyes, trying to relax, Just when I was about to fall asleep, I felt someone standing above me, blocking the sun.
I opened my eyes to see Bucky. He had just gotten out of the water.
“Hi honey-“ I noticed he had a evil smile on his face, and the others were silent, watching us. They looked like they were trying not to laugh.
Fuck. He was going to grab me and bring me to the water. I knew it.
I jumped up screaming, “No! Don’t you dare- Bucky I SWEAR TO GOD NO!” I tried to run from him but he caught me by my waist, wrapping his arms around me and picking me up. As he walked towards the edge of the yacht, I kept screaming and asking for others to help. He held me down and jumped inside the water, with me in his arms.
Luckily, I managed to inhale before we hit the water and hold my breath, but I was still terrified as fuck when the cold water hit my warm skin. When we got on surface again, I wrapped my legs around his torso and hugged his head, not knowing what to do. I started freaking out, there were even fish and all.
“Oh god-OH GOD! GET ME OUT, I-“ moved around in panick, splashing water all around me including his eyes. He tried to hold me steady, “Calm down babe, hey,” He held me gently and I just hugged him, I felt like my heart was about to pound out of my chest.
“I would do this sooner if I knew you would be all around me like this,” He said with a smirk.
“Now is no time to joke Barnes! I hate all of you.”
Everyone tried to calm me down and saying it was okay. They insisted that they could teach me how to swim, I really just wanted to go back to safety in my sunbed. But they wouldn’t let it go, so I had to say yes.
Natasha and Sam showed me how to move my legs and arms, I listened like a little kid.
“Okay, now try it. I am letting go.” Bucky said but I panicked, hugging him tighter, “NO!”
“Ssh it’s okay. I am holding you-fine.” He put his hand on each of my body, and I practised how to move my body.
“You’re ready. Just try to swim towards Steve, I’ll get you if something is wrong.” Bucky said after a while of me practicing.
Everyone cheered for me as I tried to encourage myself. Steve opened his arms, he wasn’t even that far but in my eyes it was really scary.
“Okay, here I go.” I said and Bucky let go. I moved my arms and legs fastly in panick, trying my best to swim towards Bucky.
Sam, Natasha, Clint, Tony and Thor clapped for me as I did my best to swim as fast as I could -I was ridiculously slow-.
When I finally reached Steve he let me hold onto him, I was out of my breath and my heart was pounding. After I rested for a minute.
“Okay now, swim towards me!” Natasha said and I did, hugging her.
I swam towards everyone so I could practise.
“You’re doing great!” Wanda stated when she let go of me and I swam back towards Bucky.
I had gotten tired and he must have realized, he swam towards me too and pulled me in his arms.
“Thanks guys, this is not so bad, I guess.”
We hanged out for a while in the water, then everyone except me and Bucky went back in the yacht.
He swam a little further from the yatch, to a spot no one could see us.
“You trying to take advantage of me, Mr. Barnes?” I asked playfully before resting my forehead against his.
“You caught me.” He said with a smirk before locking his lips with mine.
It was a slow, passionate kiss, I ran my hands through his wet hair as his hands rested on the back of my thighs.
We were really enjoying that moment before our team mates, the actual 5 year olds decided to splash cold water at us from the yacht with a big water gun.
I screamed after we pulled away, “TONY I SWEAR TO GUN I WILL FUCKING KILL YOU WHEN I GET BACK UP THERE!”
After that, the water fight began, and it lasted pretty much our entire vacation. It was a huge mess, but we all loved it. Those couple of days were the kind of days I would just look around and think to myself; I am happy. I love this family, I am happy with my life. Our lives always had been tough, but dayslikethis lighted it up.
When you arrived at the hastily agreed upon meeting point that Walker came up with, there was no one in sight. It was a dark and eerie old warehouse, the only sound around you an annoying constant drip in the distance, just loud enough to grate on your nerves and add to your already incessant anxiety over the situation. You ventured out slowly to look around into each corner, details hidden by shadows and lifting clouds of dust as your feet moved across the uneven surface of the old concrete floor. You had no idea why Walker would choose a place like this other than if he wanted complete removal from view; to hide something that he trusted you with, though you had no inclination as to where trust would come from. You had no idea who the other was beyond name and loose associations. Maybe he was counting on your life as an Avenger to define your character, or maybe it wasn’t that at all; maybe it was your Stark name and resources that he needed. He wasn’t exactly held in the best regard after his antics across the world in such a short time as Captain America, and maybe he needed a well-known face to represent him.
He must have forgotten that Steve was your friend. One of your best friends, and to see this guy carry the shield made you physically ill. Whatever it was, you wanted nothing to do with it. You had only one purpose and reason for even being here, and he would soon know exactly what that was.
“Walker?” you whispered harshly, as loudly as you could without being too obvious. “Walker, are you here? Walker…OW! What the hell?!” you shouted out, feeling a stab into your thigh as you turned one of the dark corners into the next room. “Son of a bitch!”
“Quiet!” Walker snapped. “Just sit down before that kicks in.”
“Before what…kicks in?” You stumbled slightly, feeling your head quickly begin to swim and your vision cloud over. “What did you do?”
“Started an experiment.”
Grabbing your head, you leaned against the nearest wall, feeling his hands take your arms but you couldn’t shake him away. Your feet felt heavy, then up your legs and to your torso, followed by a searing heat that built in your chest and felt as if you could breathe fire. If only you could, you might have a chance of getting away. “Walker-“
“Just sit down, okay?” he urged. “It won’t take long. Just try to relax.”
“Relax?! What did you do?!”
“I couldn’t take it myself until I could see it with my own eyes. I had to guarantee the serum was safe first, and you were willing to meet.”
“The…the serum? Are you fucking kidding me?!” You slid down the wall, pushing your hands against it to try to stay up, knowing that if you gave in then you’d be fully at his mercy. You tried to connect with Bucky, the first time in so long, hoping that he was open to you so that he would know, but you had ruined that chance with your last meeting. You gave it all of your might to stay on your feet, but they betrayed you and you finally fell to the ground. “I don’t want this.”
“I’m sorry, (Y/N),” he answered flatly, his expression lifeless from the little of it you could still see. “But if this works, I have big plans for us. Plans that you’ll follow if you ever want to go home and see Morgan again.”
~~~
The next time your eyes opened, the warehouse was gone. You felt like you had slept for an eternity, and the energy you had lost was returned in excess that made your body yearn for movement and your brain eager for stimulation. Bright lights now took the place of deep shadows, and you no longer sat on an unforgiving dirty floor; instead, you felt the comfort of a soft bed and warm linens, clean and crisp around you, almost impossible to deny until you saw his face staring back at you.
“You’re awake,” John sighed. “I was starting to worry.”
“Where am I?”
“You’re safe, don’t worry.”
“If I’m with you, I’m not safe,” you countered. Pushing yourself up, you spun your legs over the side of the bed and sat very still, waiting to see if the dizziness had gone and if you had the strength to stand. Much to your surprise, you felt an energy within yourself like you could do anything with ease, and your vision had never been sharper. “Oh my god,” you groaned, lowering your head into your hands, “it wasn’t a nightmare. You did this.”
Walker stood quickly and crossed the room to kneel in front of you, his eyes searching yours eagerly once you finally looked up to acknowledge him. “So, it worked? How do you feel?”
“Very murdery.”
He pushed back and stood straight, taking a few steps away from you and the glare that was boring into his soul. Now that the serum had become a part of you, and you were feeling the success that he wanted for himself, he looked scared of being the only one in the room with a disadvantage. “(Y/N), this isn’t a bad thing.”
“How do you figure?”
“You’re a super soldier now,” he tried. “You can have anything. You can live so much longer for Morgan. You can lead the team where Tony left off-“
“Don’t you dare say his name to me,” you hissed, rushing to your feet and crossing the room towards him. “He would kill you for what you’ve done to me, without a second thought. I might just carry on that legacy for him.”
Walker raised his hands, pleading for you to stop and listen, “(Y/N), I need you to help me, and this was the only way I could make that happen. I needed to know that I could take the serum too, and then with you at my side we can stop Karli and her band of terrorists before more people die. You want that too, right? A better world for your daughter? So that she doesn’t have to live in fear every day?”
“Stop talking about my family like you know me. You don’t know me at all.”
“I know that you’re an Avenger, and that means making the world safe. That’s who you are, (Y/N), and this serum will help you make that happen.”
“No. I don’t believe for a second that you have an altruistic bone in your body. This is for your own gain, right?”
“A happy side effect, yes,” he conceded eagerly. “But once this is over, we can move to the next thing and the next, until it all gets back to the way they were.”
“Before the snap?”
“Yes.”
“That’s never going to happen,” you said, shaking your head and pushing past him towards the door. “Nothing will ever be the way it was, not for me, so this was all a waste of your time, Walker. I have no reason to help you.”
“No,” he goaded, “but you do have Sam and Bucky to save.”
You stopped in your tracks and turned towards him, the heat growing in your cheeks as your anger built at even more names that he had no right to utter. “What do you mean?”
“They’re out there right now, trying to take on Karli themselves, trying to reason with her rather than trying to stop her. They broke Zemo out of prison, (Y/N). They’re not thinking clearly, and they’re going to get themselves hauled to prison if they keep this up. They need you to talk sense into them, they’ll listen to you. Maybe more than ever, once they see what you can do now.” Walker paused and cautiously stepped closer once more. “I know that you have no love for Zemo, (Y/N). Help me bring him in. He needs to pay for what he’s done to you and everyone you love. Help me stop Sam and Bucky from letting him get away with it all.”
~~~
Despite the gnawing ache in his chest that was telling him that leaving you behind was the wrong decision, Bucky gave in to Sam and Zemo, leaving to continue their hunt for Karli in hopes that they would find her before Walker did. They all knew that if he found her first it would only make everything worse and put more innocent people in danger, and now Bucky feared that you were one of those people. Even with the past that haunted him every day, if he was a part of a loss like that, to be a part of you getting hurt or causing Morgan to lose another parent, it would be insurmountable, and those other voices would be drowned out with a new terror for him to suffer. After a nearly silent plane ride, with Sam speaking volumes of disappointment through his stare alone, Bucky all but stomped his way into the next safe house with Sam quickly trailing behind and trying to talk some sense into his reluctant co-worker.
“You saw wrong,” Sam argued, “there’s no way that she’s in with Walker. It makes no sense.”
“I know what I saw, Sam.”
“Yeah, I’ve heard that before. Listen, let’s just entertain that you’re right and figure that out. If we can’t, then maybe you need your eyes checked. (Y/N) would never be on his side, no way.”
“You’re seeing something in her that’s no longer there, Sam. You’re clouded by it and your history,” Zemo added quietly. “Her interaction with Bucky in that club was heavy with resentment. It could be felt from across the room. She has changed into something else…something darker and not the person that you’ve known for so long. The person you have once loved is gone.”
“That’s our friend you’re talking about,” Sam warned. “She’s been through hell and back but she’s still (Y/N).”
“I certainly hope so, for her sake, and yours,” Zemo nodded towards Bucky. “Having a soulmate on such a tortured and destructive path cannot be an easy prospect to face.”
“She did it for me,” Bucky answered readily. “She never gave up on me until…until Tony was gone. But I don’t blame her anymore. I have to let that go. After seeing her again, I know that I need to stay with her and pull her back from this. She did that for me so many times that I’ve lost count.”
“And you are a better man for it?”
“Absolutely. I’m standing here today because of it. Because of her.”
“Then why are the two of you so divided now if she brought you this acceptance of yourself that you were unable to find on your own?” Zemo took a seat across from the other two, genuinely interested in the answers he was getting. Normally he would be pushing like this with an agenda, to break down his enemy, but in this moment, he was purely nothing more than curious and seeking understanding of a dynamic that he found fascinating.
“I don’t know, Zemo,” Bucky sighed. “All I do know is that when Tony died, he took her with him. I haven’t been able to really connect with her since then, and I don’t know if I ever will. But if I can’t, it doesn’t matter for me. I just want her to find a way to be okay, and if it turns out that’s without me, then that’s how it has to be. But I refuse to stand by and let her destroy herself like this. Nothing good can come from associating with Walker, and I’m going to find out what’s happening. I know what I saw, and I’m putting a stop to it whether she likes it or not.”
hi guys!! I’m slowly getting back into writing again, and I’ve just recently begun watching titans, and discovered a love for dc so once my requests are open (which I promisewill be soon!!) I will also be taking requests for dc fics as well. mainly Bruce Wayne, Jason Todd, Dick Grayson, Tim Drake, and Older Damian Wayne. I am going to attempt to finish some ongoing fics I currently have up right now. However I think I am going to redo heartbreak summer. I’m just not feeling it completely anymore and want to change it up a bit. That being said a new over the love part is coming out soon so stay tuned for that! there’s only a few more parts left because I just want to finish it at this point. I need to get my blog on track and revamp it a bit. also please please let me know if you guys like the rose with metal thorns because I love it but if you guys aren’t interested in it then I won’t continue to upload it on here anymore.
