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LOVE LIKE THE MOVIES // BUCKY BARNES // 8

EIGHT - MY BEST FRIEND’S WEDDING

Trigger warning: Alcohol, food

Masterlist

Summary: This is a story of boy meets girl. The boy, Bucky Barnes, finds himself thrown into a world that seems so different from everything he’s ever known. The girl, (Y/N) knows entirely too much about rom-coms and is quite particular about the way she eats her popcorn. Bucky meets (Y/N) a few months after returning to NYC. He knows almost immediately that becoming her friend is inevitable. This is a story of boy meets girl. This is a story about love. (Bucky Barnes x female!Reader // a few spoilers for TFATWS)

Darkness wraps around the lodge like a thick cozy blanket while the light from the old overhead lamp dips the room in a golden hue.

Julia Roberts’ voice sounds from the tv as she confesses her love to Dermot Mulroney. Bucky lounges on the bed, broad shoulders leaning leisurely against the headboard as his hand dives into a bag of sour patch kids.

(Y/N) sits on the cushioned desk chair with the gold ornamental border and the ugly green fabric, her feet perched on the desk itself as she paints her nails in a sparkling shade of gold.

“ Kimmy deserves better!” Bucky exclaims before popping another sour gummy into his mouth. “ This guy doesn’t know what he wants and Julianne is a horrible person. Why are we watching this again? “

“ It’s a rom-com classic.” (Y/N) returns, eyes squinted in concentration as she focuses on painting the nail on her little toe with utmost precision.

“ But why? It’s not even romantic. It’s just miserable. What am I gonna learn from watching two grown adults not own up to their feelings until it’s too late and then turn into horrible, manipulative assholes? “

“ Maybe that’s exactly it, “ (Y/N) says as she lowers the brush back into the bottle of liquid gold “ maybe the lesson is to tell people how you feel and not keep it all inside until it’s too late. And maybe also about real love meaning you want to see your loved ones happy even if it means sacrificing a little of your own happiness in the process. But what do I know? “

A lot. He thinks. And he wishes she knew even more. Wishes he could turn all the tangled knots in his tongue into words and speak them loud and clear. Confess every cloudy thought running through his mind. Isn’t that what the movie tells him to do? Tell her. Tell her. Tell her everything.

And yet ….

“ Honestly though, you are so right. Julia is a really shitty person in this movie. I should’ve started your journey into the Julia Roberts cinematic universe on Notting Hill or Pretty Woman. “

“ Next time then,” he says and glances at her from the corner of his eyes only to be met with a smirk that sends shivers down his spine and flutters through his heart.

“ Always a next time.”

“ Always.”

“ Come in, you’re an honorary bridesmaid”

Those words are how it started.

(Y/N) and him had gotten up really early and while she usually wasn’t a morning person, she was the human embodiment of the sun that morning. More bright and radiant than he has ever seen her.

After their respective showers, she had asked him to help her carry some stuff over to Robin’s suite where the two girls as well as some of the bridesmaids would be getting ready. Help her carry stuff, that was all he had signed up for.

That was until Robin opened the door to her suite, a similar smile on her face to that of (Y/N). Big and bright and full of joy and happiness. Looking at a smile like that makes you forget for a minute, all the bad and awful things in the world, and helps you focus on the good and the beautiful and the happy ones.

And then Robin called him an honorary bridesmaid and pulled him into the room alongside (Y/N).

That’s how he ended up here. Sitting on the couch in the middle of the room as some dude’s yells echo through the room, singing about it being a nice day for a white wedding. Though the lyrics seem fitting, the mood of the song is anything but. The girls are smiling anyway though, and maybe everything else doesn’t matter all that much in comparison.

Robin sits by the vanity, red mane curled to perfection and falling down her shoulders like waves of liquid fire while a little section is pinned in place by tiny rhinestone stars. She’s pulling a long black line across her eyelid, ending in a perfectly pointy tip while (Y/N) sits next to her brushing a dusting of gold onto her own cheekbones. There’s something weirdly calming about watching the girls do their makeup, Bucky thinks. They get so lost in the task and stay so damn focused even with the guy screaming at them from the stereo. From time to time, they share a little look, one he can’t quite read but one that isn’t meant for him anyway. It’s theirs. Years of friendship and silent understanding caught and captured in a tiny glance.

He misses Steve. Steve and him could do this too. Could share a secret or a memory or a feeling with just a look. He wonders if he will ever find a friendship quite like it ever again. Sam is his friend. In fact, Sam is a really fucking great friend. One of the best. But he’s no Steve. And while he makes a damn fine successor when it comes to donning the stars and stripes and carrying the shield, it’s a different story when it comes to Bucky. Sam is great but he ain’t Steve.

“ Meg just texted me, the girls are on their way over!” Robin exclaims after glancing at her phone for a second. The song ends and the soft strumming of an acoustic guitar replaces the rough shredding and harsh drum hits as a male and a female voice serenade each other and sing about how lucky they are to be in love with their best friend. Though it sounds awfully cheesy, Bucky enjoys this much more than the previous song.

“ Ugh, I enjoyed this little peace and quiet” (Y/N) speaks up and throws another look in Robin’s direction. “ Can’t be arsed dealing with their drama.” “ Be nice!” Robin scolds though her eyes hold no spite or malice, only amusement, and fondness for her best friend. “ They won’t cause any drama.”

“ They always do, “ (Y/N) murmurs before closing the little compact that holds the gold dust.

“ I guess that’s my queue to get out and leave you ladies to it. “ Bucky exclaims as he gets off of the bed and brushes off a coat of invisible dust from his jeans.

And while Robin calls out “You don’t have to go!”, (Y/N) gives him a wide-eyed look and mouths what looks like “run” to him. He can’t suppress the smirk pulling at the corner of his lips. Not smiling when she’s around is a task that gets exponentially more difficult the more time passes.

It’s then, that he really looks at her in all her gold-dusted glory. She’s wearing more makeup than he’s seen her wear before. Her eyes are framed by a wing of black liner and she’s wearing false lashes while her lips are painted a deep cherry red and her skin glows with subtle specks of gold. It’s a lot but it doesn’t look overdone and it’s not too much. She looks elegant and beautiful. Like a goddess. Like a movie star.

When he was just a kid, maybe 6 or 7 years old, Bucky remembers, his mother would always take him to go grocery shopping with her on Wednesdays. They’d buy whatever they’d need for the week, or whatever they could afford. That was neither exciting nor fun. Fun was what happened afterward. They took the long way home. The way that lead them past the bustling New York streets, full of people, full of opportunities and dreams. Past the shops and the expensive restaurants. And while they couldn’t afford ever really buying anything, they’d spend hours just looking at the window displays. Bucky loved the toy store most, the one that had the huge teddy bear sitting in the window with the big red bow on it and the miniature train swerving through little fake hills and valleys. His mother though, she’d always stay looking through the window of the jewelry store a little longer. The one that had the expensive diamond earrings and the pearl necklaces presented in the display for everyone to see and dream about. Sometimes he saw the ladies walking in and out of the store. They were beautiful and they looked like the princesses from the books he read or the fairies maybe. An air of magic always seemed to follow them, gold staining the cobblestone streets as they took one step after the other, leaving a little of that magic behind for everyone to see. When he was younger, and even now, he thinks his mother was just as beautiful, just as magical. Just different. Bucky can’t remember his mother’s voice, or her smell or the touch of her hand, or the sound of her laughter. But he remembers the way she’d look at the necklaces and the earrings and the magical women.

He thinks if he could see himself now, looking at (Y/N), he’d see that same expression reflected on his own face. One of infinite admiration, deep longing, one of pure and utter enchantment.

“ Before you go, can you help me with my necklace real quick? “ (Y/N) asks, handing him a dainty gold necklace with a rhinestone star charm, similar to the ones adorning Robin’s hair.

“ What’s with the stars? “

“ Robin and Charlie have this thing about stargazing and planetariums and stuff. The necklace was a maid of honor gift to me. It’s beautiful, isn’t it? “

She’s beautiful. She’s so unbelievably gorgeous it almost renders him speechless. Even with her hair not done and wearing sweatpants and a tank top with a hole in it. She’s the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen.

Her skin is warm and soft underneath his fingertips as he fastens the clasp of the necklace. She smells of lavender and mint and her.

The smile she grants him when she turns back around makes his heart beat just a little faster. The serum running through his veins, turning him into who he is, it has nothing on the way her smile has him under control.

“ Thanks a lot, grumpy. “

“ You’re welcome. “

“ So — I’ll see you in a bit? “

Bucky bites his lips as he looks her over once more, trying to hold onto this image of her for as long as humanly possible. Then he nods and places a kiss on her head, and parts with a smile and a promise.

“ I’ll be waiting at the bottom of the stairs. “

The flowy red fabric of her dress swings around her legs as (Y/N) steps out of the bathroom and back into the main room of the suite. The bridesmaids have left a few minutes ago, making their way downstairs to get in position for the ceremony and to make sure no one is causing a scene or making a fuss, as people like to do at weddings.

Robin stands in front of the big mirror with the gold ornamental border, regarding herself in the mirror with a smile so radiant, it sends little shocks of static through (Y/N)’s body. There’s a special joy in seeing your loved ones so happy. In sharing the best day of their lives with them.

“ You ready to get married? “ she asks as she wraps her arm around Robin’s shoulder, careful not to mess with her beautiful A-line dress. It really is breathtakingly gorgeous. The back plunges deep and intricate chains made from pearls and rhinestones fall from one shoulder to the other.

“ I can’t believe it’s actually happening. “

“ I can. This is where you’re supposed to be. Happy and in love. “

“ Girl, you gotta stop. I’ll start crying and my makeup looks too good to cry it all off again. “

Giggles fall from their lips in sweet harmony. Love is everywhere in that moment. It’s in the laughter of two best friends, it’s in the songs softly playing from downstairs where the band is entertaining the guests, it’s in the smiles on people's faces and the teary eyes of Robin’s dad as he enters the suite.

Love is everywhere then. It’s palpable. It’s real.

“ Honey, it’s time. “ he says glowing with adoration for his daughter, with joy and happiness and bittersweet nostalgia that conjures up every loving memory he has of her growing up.

Robin pulls (Y/N) into one last hug, lingering in her best friend’s arms for a moment. She’s not looking for reassurance, (Y/N) is certain this is the surest Robin has ever been about anything in her life. It’s more of an acknowledgment that things will change from here on out but not them. Never them. It’s a thank you. For everything.

“ I’ll make sure Charlie doesn’t run but in case you want to bail, just let me know and I’ll arrange the getaway car,” she jokes, trying to keep her tears at bay.

“ I think I’m good. But thanks, I appreciate it. “ Robin jokes back.

The girls share one last look before (Y/N) grabs her purse and her gorgeous white faux-fur coat and leaves the room to allow the bride a moment alone with her father.

Though she tries not to think this way, (Y/N) wonders if she’ll ever get this. This dream of a wedding. This wonderful day. This kind of love.

There’s a grand staircase dab in the middle of the lodge that connects the first floor to the lobby. Some people still mingle down there while most of them have been ushered towards the beautifully decorated back porch where the ceremony will take place.

The staircase is wide and beautiful gold ornaments adorn the banister. It curves a little and at the bottom, there’s a small table that holds a vase filled with white roses.

Across the floor, Bucky is leaning against the wall, left hand stuffed into his pocket while the other awkwardly fumbles with his bowtie. He looks good in his suit, even he himself can admit that. Though his self-esteem has greatly suffered since the 1930s, he’s not blind. And yet, as he musters the people around him in their shiny shoes and expensive suits, a sense of inadequacy grabs a hold of him and pulls him under like a goddamn tidal wave.

Everything here screams expensive and though he’s not sure whose family it is, at least one of them must be pretty well off. His money is on Charlie’s.

The band launches into another song, all of them instrumental covers of more or less popular songs, hardly any of them familiar to him.

His eyes keep flicking up to the top of the stairs, hoping to catch a glimpse of (Y/N). He’s not sure how he’ll manage to keep his heart from beating out of his rib cage when he finally sees her in her dress.

The sound of heels clicking on the stone staircase catches his attention and suddenly every rational thought he had is gone. They vanish from his mind like paper thrown into a fire that turns to ash that scatters in the wind and disappears.

It’s not the truth, he’s fully aware of this. It’s just his mind playing tricks on him. Clouded by —

You know what, Bucky!

Clouded by —

Admit it, coward.

Clouded by love.

It’s not the truth, and yet it feels like time is moving slower. So much slower than it ever has. Every move she makes is graceful and soft and gorgeous and he is mesmerized. She hasn’t noticed him yet and so he lets himself just look at her for a moment. Just take in all of her. This dream in red.

People fall in love while looking at sunsets. Bucky falls in love just looking at her walking down a staircase. More in love. Over and over. Deeper and deeper. Again and again.

And it isn’t right. He shouldn’t feel this way. He doesn’t deserve her. No one does but least of all him.

“ You don’t have to earn people’s love, James, “ he hears the nagging voice of Dr. Raynor spook through his mind. “ People give it to us because they want to and they don’t ask anything in return. You have to earn trust but never love. “

Maybe she’s right. He thinks. Bucky has never been particularly religious but in that moment he prays to every god anyone has ever chosen to believe in and every higher power there might be, that Dr. Raynor is right. Because while he can break a skull with his bare hands, he’s not nearly strong enough to deny himself from feeling and acknowledging the feelings any longer that have been brewing inside him since they slow danced in the middle of a street.

She lifts her head in that particular moment and time both slows down and speeds up when she catches his eyes and smiles. And he knows for a fact, he’s 100% certain, this smile is his. It’s meant for him and him only.

(Y/N) floats down the stairs like a scattering of rose petals or a spark of fire. So elegantly and beautiful it seems like she doesn’t even touch the ground. Of course, she does and Bucky knows his mind is playing him for a fool. But sometimes you have to humor yourself and give in and play along. For your heart’s sake.

“ You — you gave me a top of the stairs moment. “ she exclaims as she meets him at the bottom, her voice but a whisper, so gentle it almost gets lost between the piano and the acoustic guitar.

He can’t give her much. In fact, he has nothing to offer her but a shitload of emotional baggage, trauma that he hasn’t dealt with, and a murderous past that still haunts him. This is all he can give and so he will. Every chance he gets to make her happy, make her smile, he’ll take it. Grab it and hold it tight. Never let go of those moments. Because it’s all he has.

“ Mmh. “

“ And they’re playing a cheesy 90s love song” she points at the band and giggles then adds “ I don’t wanna miss a thing by Aerosmith. In case you wanted to look it up later.”

He 100% will.

“ You ready to go take your place ?” Bucky asks and holds out his arm prompting (Y/N) to link hers.

“ I am. My god, I’m so happy. So excited. “

“ You look beautiful by the way. “ Bucky says, unable to keep the words at bay any longer.

“ Thanks, grumpy! You clean up nice too. “

And as they walk towards the porch, and the laughter, and the lights, he can’t help but feel like this is where he’s meant to be. By her side.

“ By the love that has brought you here today and by the vows you have pledged, it is my great honor to now pronounce you…married! “

Robin gently holds Charlie’s face in between her hands as they both share a sweet kiss and the crowd loudly cheers and claps in celebration.

This is what they’ve all been waiting for. A kiss. A vow. A promise. Something to believe in. It’s their love that brought people here and it gives them hope that maybe things aren’t so bad. Good things can happen and they can exist amongst all the bad and they can thrive and succeed. It’s the love of two people that means so much to so many more. Even if it’s just a tiny drop in an ocean, it’s something. It’s enough.

Bucky’s blue eyes look back at (Y/N) as she dares to let her gaze wander away from the loving couple and over towards the guests. He’s not wearing his gloves today and she’s not entirely sure what brought that on but something must have changed and it’s a good chance. Probably a scary one for him but a good one. Today he’s not the Winter Soldier fighting someone else's war. He’s not Sargeant Barnes shipping off into an unknown future. He’s just Bucky. Handsome and kind and wonderful. And deserving of all the love life has to offer.

When the couple makes their way back aisle and the guests slowly migrate towards the tent where the reception will be held, (Y/N) steps up beside Bucky and without a word, her small hand slides into his, finger entwining like this is where they both belong. The vibranium feels cool against her skin but not as icy cold as she had expected with the outside air being so chilly.

“ It’s gonna snow tonight. I can feel it, “ she says while they both watch the crowd as it gets thinner and thinner.

“ How do you know? “

“ Air smells like it. “

Bucky lifts his eyes towards the sky, light veils of white cutting through a brilliant shade of blue.

While Bucky isn’t a particular fan of snow or the cold in general, he can see the enthusiasm and excitement sparkling in (Y/N) eyes, hears it dripping from her voice. If it makes her happy, maybe he can learn to deal with it.

The next few hours are a blur of congratulations and hugs and food and speeches. Of champagne bubbles and lipstick smiles. The place is decked out in Christmas trees covered in fairy lights and as the sun slowly sets around them, they turn the tent into an ocean of sparkling lights.

Through the transparent roof, the dusk settles upon the in a beautiful pink hue when the band starts strumming the first chords of a slowed-down acoustic version of Coldplay's a sky full of stars.

Robin and Charlie take the floor, a vision of white. Beautiful and deeply in love. They softly sway to the music, smiles on their faces while their eyes only know each other. (Y/N) is sure that if Robin’s eyes never got to look at anything else ever again she’d be perfectly fine with that.

There’s a beauty in all of this, she realizes as she lets her gaze drift around the room. From one smile to the other, from silent happy tears to hands clasped in gentle affection. It’s nice to feel the love in every little figment of today. And as the sun sets upon them and the stars come out to witness the couple’s first dance, (Y/N) slides her hand into Bucky’s for the second time that day hoping that a little of that love can be spared on their tainted little hearts.

“Dance with me!”

Once again her words dance on the light between a question and a demand. And while it shouldn’t be, Bucky finds it infinitely charming. It’s theirs somehow, the slow dancing. The owing the other a dance or two.

And anyway, he’s not gonna pass up on the chance to be close to her. To feel her skin beneath his hand and feel her hands on him.

So he takes her hand and follows her to the dancefloor as he’d follow her anywhere. The band starts a song he doesn’t recognize but there’s a spark in (Y/N)’s eyes and then a smirk that pulls at the corner of her lips and that tells him everything he needs to know. She likes this song. And when he starts to really listen to the words they’re singing, he thinks he might like it too. Thinks it’s awfully fitting.

“ When I'm feeling blue All I have to do Is take a look at you Then I'm not so blue “

“ What’s that song called? “ he asks as they sway along to the music and he twirls her closer to him. She’s radiant. Breathtaking. His heart strums a beat so unfamiliar and yet so comforting, he wants to get lost in it, in her, forever. Even if it’s scary. Even if it’s terrifying.

“ It’s called Groovy Kind of Love, by Phil Collins. He’s a genius. One day I’ll show you the Tarzan soundtrack. “

“ I like this song” Bucky admits as he lets go of her hand and instead rests both of his hands on her waist, pulling her closer and looking into her gorgeous eyes that shimmer with reflections of the Christmas lights and the stars and — and love.

“ Yeah, yeah me too. “

Never in his life has Bucky wanted to kiss someone as much as he wants to kiss her right then and there with everyone watching and the stars twinkling above them and the Christmas trees and the band. Not even when he was a teenager and Florence from down the street agreed to go dancing with him and he got to hold her hand in his clammy ones and she looked at him with a lopsided smile and her hair in gorgeous curls. Not even then.

“Wouldn't you agree? Baby, you and me Got a groovy kind of love “

He lifts his left hand to brush a strand of stay hair away from her face then rests it softly on her cheek. His hand is a weapon, it’s programmed to be strong and fast and to be able to cause damage. But she leans into it, even closes her eyes in comfort. How can he be all bad when this is something she likes about him? When the worst part of him is not even of the smallest concern to her? How can he be all bad when she sees so much good in him?

Buck tilts her face upwards to look at him and his heart almost stops at the emotions that stare back at him. It’s all there, written on her face, sparkling in her eyes, playing in the smile on her lips.

Take it Bucky.

This is for you! Just take it.

Right as he starts to lower his face towards hers, the strumming of an electric guitar cuts through their moment, effectively popping their bubble and making (Y/N) pull away with her face scrunched up in confusion and discomfort.

“ It’s time to get this party going! “ the lead singer calls out towards the crowd which ears him a few cheers from some of the bridesmaids though neither Bucky nor (Y/N) share the sentiment.

“ I’m uh — I’m gonna see what Robin is up to real quick. Think she might need help peeing in her dress. Be right back. “

He watches her shuffle through the crowd and towards where the bathrooms are located and he hopes and prays to any higher power in the universe that this isn’t his one and only chance slipping away from him as he does nothing but watch.

He loves this woman. He loves her in a way he hasn’t loved anyone in a long time, maybe ever. He loves her and it’s the easiest and the hardest fact he ever had to admit to himself.

He loves her and he’s not letting this go. Not anymore. He loves her and she needs to know that.

Because When you realize you love somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible … or something like that. Right?

“ I’m in love with Bucky.”

It’s the first time she says those words but that doesn’t make them any less true. In fact, they are the most honest she’s been in a long time, to someone else and to herself. And while it feels scary, it feels good. Liberating even.

“ I know. “

“ How do you know?”

“ I know you and I know what it feels like to be in love,” Robin says and pulls her best friend into a tight hug. The kind of hug that makes all your fears vanish for a moment and makes you feel like you can do anything and everything. The kind of hugs only best friends can give.

“ He’s so wonderful. He — he makes me smile like no one else and he puts this kind of magic into my world that I’ve only ever seen in the movies. “

“ What changed? “

“ I don’t know, Robin, “ (Y/N) shrugs “ but something did and I’m happy about it. I’m not scared anymore. I want this. I want him. I was — my god I was so stupid. I thought me and Bucky, we’re never gonna work. It’s just — it’s too risky. How silly of me. “ she says, a smile gracing her face before pulling Robin into another hug, blissfully unaware of her words spilling out into the hall, breaking a heart in the process.

“Me and Bucky, we’re never gonna work. It’s just — it’s too risky. How silly of me.”

It’s like a dagger straight to the heart. Like a bucket of ice water poured over his head. Like a thousand little needles pricking his skin. Like being injected with an unknown substance and waking up — different.

He tries to catch himself. To not break down. To know freak out.

What did you think, Bucky? What did you think?

That she wants you? That she loves you?

He fumbles his phone from the pocket of his pants, searches for the number he hasn’t called in a while. The one he should’ve called a long time ago. The one that kind of started all of this. Had he not been such a coward with her, he never would’ve fallen in love with (Y/N). Maybe to mend one broken heart you have to break another.

“ Hello? “

“ Hi, it’s Bucky. “

He looks different when she returns back to their table, not a good different. Tired and sad. So fundamentally sad. Sadder than she’s ever seen him.

“ You okay, grumpy? “

“ Mmmh. “

“ You sure? “

“ Yeah. “ he assures and lets a bitter chuckle fall from his lips “ I just called Leah. I uh — I have a date on Wednesday. “

It’s like a cold shower to wake you up. Like touching a hot surface for a little too long. Like a punch in the gut.

Like a heart breaking out of her chest and smashing to the floor, shattering into a million tiny little pieces.

“ You — you do? “

“ Yeah. It’s what you trained me to do, isn’t it? What you tried to teach me. Guess it worked. “

There’s a bitterness in his voice that she detests. One that’s put there deliberately. One that’s put there to hurt and to cause pain. All this time Bucky has been so scared to hurt her with his arm, with his part, with every little part of him. Yet here he is spitting words like venom, meant to harm.

“ Well, congratulations then. I need some air. “

The cold November night swallows her like an icy blanket, nipping at her ears and the tip of her nose, and yet at that moment, frostbite would hurt less than a broken heart.

Gravel crunching under someone’s steps catches her attention and makes her look up as she leans against the entryway of the Inn, the music from the tent playing softly in the distance.

“ Did you follow me? “

“ Why are you mad at me? “ Bucky asks, utter confusion flooding his face.

Does he really not know? How can he not know?

“ Why am I mad? I’m not mad, I’m sad, Bucky. I thought we — “

“ Thought we what? “

“ Had something. I thought maybe we could be more. “

“ Are you kidding me? “ he asks into the night, anger and confusion lacing his words. “ You told Robin that we’re never gonna work. That it’s too risky. “

She lets out a humorless laugh. “ You didn’t hear the full story, Bucky. I said that was my original thoughts. That I tried to mask my own fears of being vulnerable by telling myself those lies. “

“ Oh.”

“ Yeah. Oh. But it’s nice to know you measure heartbreak with heartbreak. “

Bucky takes her face in between his hands, a fire burning in his beautiful blue eyes as they stare back into hers. “ I never meant to hurt you. I thought you weren't interested in me, like that. I thought — why are you laughing.“

She glances above their heads for a second before her eyes fall back onto Bucky’s. “There’s a mistletoe. “

Bucky shakes his head in disagreement “I am not kissing you because of some stupid plant. I want it to mean something!”

“Then make it mean something!” (Y/N) demands before adding in a softer, more gentle voice “because it means something to me!”

His lips meet hers just as the last word is spoken. They are soft and urgent all at once. It’s a good kiss. One they could put at the end of a movie. One that people look at and sigh because they want it too. Almost too good to be real. But sometimes life gives you a movie moment and a perfect kiss. If this was a movie, they would play a romantic 00s indie cover of a popular 90s pop song and set it all with perfect lighting. But they don’t need any of that, in fact, (Y/N) is fairly sure she can hear the Cha Cha Slide echoing through the night. All they need is each other and the sweet taste of champagne on their lips.

Sometimes a kiss is just a kiss.

And sometimes it’s a lifetime of fighting forgotten in a mere second.

Sometimes it’s all the love a broken heart deserves.

As they pull away, Bucky keeps his hands on her face, trying to savor the taste and the feeling and the moment. And as they look at each other, a cold drop lands on her nose, then another one on his cheek. But they’re not drops at all. They are flakes. Snowflakes.

“ Told you it was gonna snow. “

“ You did. “

“ Can I tell you something? “

“ What’s that? “

“ Kissing in the rain is so overrated. Kissing in the snow is so much better. “

And as his lips lower onto hers again, he might just have to agree.

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julian-alderson · 3 years

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( 𝙲𝙷𝙰𝙲𝙴 𝙲𝚁𝙰𝚆𝙵𝙾𝚁𝙳 + 𝙲𝙸𝚂 𝙼𝙰𝙽 ) — have you seen 𝙹𝚄𝙻𝙸𝙰𝙽 𝙰𝙻𝙳𝙴𝚁𝚂𝙾𝙽 ? this 𝚃𝙷𝙸𝚁𝚃𝚈-𝚃𝚆𝙾 year old is a 𝙽𝙾𝚅𝙴𝙻𝙸𝚂𝚃 who resides in 𝙼𝙰𝙽𝙷𝙰𝚃𝚃𝙰𝙽 . 𝙷𝙴 has been living in nyc for 𝙷𝙸𝚂 𝙴𝙽𝚃𝙸𝚁𝙴 𝙻𝙸𝙵𝙴 , and is known to be 𝚂𝙰𝙽𝙶𝚄𝙸𝙽𝙴 & 𝙿𝙴𝚁𝙲𝙴𝙿𝚃𝙸𝚅𝙴 , but can also be 𝙸𝙼𝙿𝚄𝙻𝚂𝙸𝚅𝙴 & 𝙵𝙾𝙾𝙻𝙷𝙰𝚁𝙳𝚈 if you cross them. people tend to associate them with 𝙹𝙾𝚄𝚁𝙽𝙰𝙻𝚂 𝙾𝙵 𝚃𝙷𝙾𝚄𝙶𝙷𝚃𝚂 , 𝙳𝚁𝙰𝚆𝙸𝙽𝙶𝚂 𝙰𝙽𝙳 𝚂𝙷𝙾𝚁𝚃 𝚂𝚃𝙾𝚁𝙸𝙴𝚂 & 𝙳𝚁𝙸𝙽𝙺𝙸𝙽𝙶 𝙲𝙾𝙵𝙵𝙴𝙴 𝚂𝚃𝚁𝙰𝙸𝙶𝙷𝚃 𝙵𝚁𝙾𝙼 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙿𝙾𝚃 .

––– 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐄𝐑 .

𝙵𝚄𝙻𝙻 𝙽𝙰𝙼𝙴 julian francis laurent-alderson

𝙽𝙸𝙲𝙺𝙽𝙰𝙼𝙴(𝚂) jules

𝙰𝙶𝙴 thirty-two

𝙳𝙰𝚃𝙴 𝙾𝙵 𝙱𝙸𝚁𝚃𝙷 july 5th

𝚉𝙾𝙳𝙸𝙰𝙲 𝚂𝙸𝙶𝙽 cancer

𝙿𝙻𝙰𝙲𝙴 𝙾𝙵 𝙱𝙸𝚁𝚃𝙷 new york city , new york

𝙶𝙴𝙽𝙳𝙴𝚁 cis male

𝙿𝚁𝙾𝙽𝙾𝚄𝙽𝚂 he / him

𝚂𝙴𝚇𝚄𝙰𝙻 𝙾𝚁𝙸𝙴𝙽𝚃𝙰𝚃𝙸𝙾𝙽 bisexual

𝚁𝙾𝙼𝙰𝙽𝚃𝙸𝙲 𝙾𝚁𝙸𝙴𝙽𝚃𝙰𝚃𝙸𝙾𝙽 biromantic

𝙻𝙰𝙽𝙶𝚄𝙰𝙶𝙴(𝚂) 𝚂𝙿𝙾𝙺𝙴𝙽 english , french and others picked up during travels

𝙲𝚄𝚁𝚁𝙴𝙽𝚃 𝚁𝙴𝚂𝙸𝙳𝙴𝙽𝙲𝙴 new york city , new york

––– 𝐁𝐈𝐎𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐏𝐇𝐘 .

( neglect tw , cheating tw , drugs tw )

—— 𝙾𝙽 𝙹𝚄𝙻𝚈 𝟻𝚃𝙷 , 𝟷𝟿𝟾𝟾 , julian francis laurent-alderson was born in new york city , new york , and grew up in a dysfunctional family . his mother , clarissa laurent , was a renowned painter , museum curator , and heiress to an old money & private banking fortune while his father , alexander alderson , was a hotshot lawyer turned politician from a long dynasty of lobbyists , lawyers , politicians , and business executives . it was a story as old as capitalism ; two affluent families consolidating their fortunes through marriage to gain more power and influence . both clarissa and alexander knew the profits of their relationship — and love was never supposed to be part of it . it was a marriage solely for mutual gain and practical purposes .

—— still , they thought that having a child would make their marriage more authentic , that raising a child together would make what they have more than what it was . but as expected , neither clarissa nor alexander were fit to raise a child — never even saw it as a priority that should be place above their business and personal interests . the responsibility to be julian’s caretakers were placed on a revolving door of nannies and tutors who were more focused on rearing him to meet alexander and clarissa’s expectations of how a heir should be , which resulted to a lack of an affectionate and consistent parenting during childhood .

—— they maintained the portrait of a perfect family for alexander’s political campaigns and clarissa’s socialite circles — only ever involving their heir for photo ops and to parade him around as their beautiful , picture perfect child . but despite the emotional neglect he suffered from his very own parents , julian still grew up to be a well-behaved , intelligent child . he found solace in literature , history , music and art — he read about greek adventures and wished he could be saved by the same heroes , he learned about the lives of people he wished he was , and tried to find a deeper meaning in art and music in a desperate search for the meaning of his own pain and experiences .

—— as he continued to read books and learned how to listen to his own and other people’s emotions , julian discovered his own affinity for writing stories . he began to write poetry , short stories , essays , and journals of his own everyday experiences — developing his talents throughout the years . he frequented bookstores and libraries , choosing to spend his time surrounded by the things he loved rather than feel the emptiness of his home .

—— nonetheless , there was always a part of himself that yearned for his parents’ love and attention . he entered writing competitions , won trophies and received praise from his peers and teachers — but still , they were not enough for alexander and clarissa to finally look at him and say they were proud of him . clarissa had always been apathetic , concerned with her own art and vanity , while alexander did not like how julian strayed away from the path they clearly paved for him to become the typical alderson in the political or business world . so came julian’s other attempts to get their attention .

—— it was a cliché , a story written thousands of times — a teenager rebelling against their parents’ wishes and getting involved with the bad crowd . but it was effective . the laurent-aldersons could not afford their name to be tarnished and when word of julian’s failing grades , absences , and use of illicit substances ( that they , too , use but knew how to be perfectly discreet about it ) , alexander and clarissa finally acknowledged their son . it didn’t matter to julian that the reaction he got was less than positive , only relieved that they finally saw him and he knew what it would take to get their attention again .

—— although his rebellious streak against his parents was somewhat short-lived , julian retained that thirst for the rush and adrenaline , the thrills and excitements of first times and following sudden impulses . exploring his sexuality , experimenting with drugs , meeting new people , doing things that made his heart race , fall in love once or twice — julian did it all , and he knew they would all be wonderful stories one day .

—— it was through his experiences that he realized that he didn’t really care anymore if he had his parents’ validation , decisions now made for himself rather than if it would impress or frustrate his parents . of course , college was an argument — julian always knew he wanted to be a writer while his parents wanted him to be capable of inheriting their legacies and businesses . and after sessions of fights and threats , they made a compromise for julian to pursue both — get his writing degree , then attend business school in his choice of country so he can have something to fall back on if his writing career didn’t work out . it was a win either way , a story he could write one day and a fresh environment for inspiration .

—— julian went to columbia university , graduating early after taking more than a full load of classes and attending summer and spring intersessions every year so that he could quickly focus on his writing career . sure , it was difficult and maybe , even failed some of his classes except for the important ones — but it was all worth it . and just before he graduated , he managed to publish a book titled sylvan dreams , a compilation of short stories he had written over the years starting from he was a teenager .

—— business school in paris was much more difficult , a struggle that needed the help of friends and tutors for him to push through but he made it . and to make it all better , julian fell in love with the city and living in such a place , maybe , he fell in love with a couple of people , too . he always managed to see the good in every situation , to see lessons in adversaries and sometimes , see pain just for what they were — pain . but whatever happened to him , julian didn’t want to regret any of it .

—— after he finished business school , julian began to travel around the rest of europe — falling in love with every city and every town . he never stayed in one place for too long , always on the move to see more of what the world had to offer as he wrote his books and sometimes , broke deals for his parents during his travels overseas . it was definitely all for the best as traveling prohibited himself from being too work-oriented and always being surrounded by different people meant new stories he could experiences and tell .

—— after years and years of temporary addresses and constant packing and unpacking , julian finally decided to come back to new york when his champagne-drunk mother told him about his father’s numerous affairs and how his father got someone pregnant and they had to pay the woman off to keep it a secret so that it wouldn’t ruin his campaign . it was a drunk confession , something his mother simply scoffed at and never mentioned again — but it was a story that he needed to learn more about , a lost sibling out there that he needed to find . under the guise of a novel he wanted to write , a book about a child given away for adoption and their sibling looking for them , julian began his research and interviewing people around new york that could fit the bill of his missing sibling .

––– 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬 / 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬

—— 𝚂𝚈𝙻𝚅𝙰𝙽 𝙳𝚁𝙴𝙰𝙼𝚂 ( open to anyone around the same age as him and grew up in new york ) — a compilation of short stories from his adolescence . this connections are for the friends he grew up and shared all his secrets with . and although they have all grown up to be different people and drifted apart in some ways throughout the years , they’re all still in each other’s teams and would never miss each other’s calls if they can help it .

—— 𝚂𝙴𝙻𝙴𝙽𝙴 ( open to m / f / nb , must be same age as julian ) — a book loosely based on his first love . they have known each other since childhood and it was this thing were they always joked that they were gonna marry each other since they were kids . they didn’t actually start dating until the later part of high school but it was just this cute romance , voted prom king and queen , everyone was envious of their relationship . but after high school , they probably had different plans and slowly fell out of in love with each other during college until they had to make a mutual decision to break up . maybe , some old lingering feelings because of being each other’s first love but maybe , some what could have been but overall , it was all for the best .

—— 𝚆𝙾𝚄𝙻𝙳𝙽'𝚃 𝙸𝚃 𝙱𝙴 𝙽𝙸𝙲𝙴 ? ( open to anyone ) — a book about two tourists who met in nice , france and fell in love . so , this is probably someone julian met while he was travelling throughout europe and they hit it off due to both being originally from new york . they probably spent a week together sightseeing , going to bars together , getting closer and intimate with each other . maybe , if given more time , they would have fallen in love each other but after that week , they had to move on with their lives . and now , imagine them bumping into each other again but in new york .

—— he probably has a couple more books but i can’t think of anything KFDSFKF so i’m definitely open to other connections if y’all have any ideas !!!

#codintro #neglect tw #drugs tw #cheating tw #its a wall of text again KSKFF MY BAD

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bee-in-motion · 1 month

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Fitness & Sports Lesson for Child, Adults & Teenagers - Bee In Motion

Adult Fitness Training Programs - Are you looking for Best Things to do in NYC with Kids? Beeinmotion Guide kids, teenagers & adults to live an active, healthy & positive lifestyle through sports, fitness & funny lessons. For more information visit: https://www.beeinmotion.com

#fitness lessons for kids in nyc #plan kids birthday parties in brooklyn #bike riding lessons near me #kid's birthday parties in brooklyn #birthday party packages nyc #children's sports and fitness classes brooklyn

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woodyclawson · 3 years

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( MILO VENTIMIGLIA + CISMALE ) — Have you seen WAGNER ‘WOODY’ LAWSON ? This FORTY-ONE year old is a/an BARN MANAGER who resides in STATEN ISLAND. HE/HIM has/have been living in NYC for FOUR YEARS, and is/are known to be STEADY and HUMBLE, but can also be BLUNT and DISSONANT, if you cross them. People tend to associate them with THE SMELL OF FRESH HAY and AGED WHISKEY

Name: Wagner ‘Woody’ Lawson

Age: Forty-One

Birthday: January 25, 1979

Sign: Aquarius

Neighborhood: East Kingsboro

Home: Quaint two-bedroom home with a small yard

Occupation: Barn Manager

Character Quote: “Sometimes I feel like Jesse James / Still tryin’ to make a name / Knowing nothing’s gonna change what I am” ~Troubadour by George Strait

Pos. Traits: Hard-Working, Steady, Humble

Neg. Traits: Blunt, Firm, Dissonant

Likes: farm work, aged whiskey, loping through the open country

Dislikes: people who push around others, well-done steak, warm beer

Aesthetic: tennessee whiskey, the smell of fresh hay, roping

Born in Tennessee Wagner Lawson was raised along the banks of Mississippi mud, never given a chance to be anything but the down-home country boy, which had always suited Wagner just fine. His daddy was a colt starter and former rodeo champion, having won national titles for roping and reining. From the moment Wagner could waddle he was following his daddy around everywhere, at first just watching as his father worked and as he got older helping with the chores himself. He found that spending time tending to the many horses cathartic and volunteered for just about any chore that would get him around them. Never once did he need to be asked to pitch in to do what was needed at the family ranch, from picking vegetables in the garden for his mama to helping his daddy check the cattle fences. As far as most childhoods go, his was pretty perfect. Sure, sometimes his dad drank too much and sometimes his mom just would not stop fussing over him, but he had no cause to complain.

His father, seeing his boy take an interest in horses at such a young age decided to help Wagner begin to follow in his footsteps. As a kid he enrolled Wagner in the pee-wee portion of rodeos where his wife would take pictures of the young boy struggling to stay on the back of a wildly running sheep, but in the end, he stayed on. He almost always did. With natural talent like that his father was quick to get his son started on the path to becoming a bull-rider. His mama threw fits and got into fights with his daddy, it was too dangerous, he could be hurt, killed even, but as he got older and started to have a mind of his own there was nothing that he wanted to do more. So he practiced, and practiced. By sixteen he was competing on broncs, a safer alternative to the bull, and was cleaning up at junior rodeos, his room becoming full of belt buckles, the tack room full of all the special made trophy tack he had won. But being bucked was far from his only talent. At age ten he had broke his very first colt and at twelve he was winning local roping competitions. He even became adept at helping his dad sort and catch cattle, something he was never fond of but did anyways as it was expected of him. Despite how it sounds, his childhood wasn’t all work. While never the best in school he managed to get passing marks and had a group of boys he roughhoused and fucked around with who were constantly getting him into trouble as a teenager.

Fast forward a few years and he was one of the hottest young bull riders to hit the circuit. But his career as a rider didn’t last as long as anyone would have hoped. The reason? He fell in love. Some would have called the pretty woman he fell in love with a buckle bunny, what with her affinity of dating all the big rodeo stars, but when him and her spent one night together the rest was history. Now twenty-two and married with a baby on the way, Wagner knew he could not be as hell mell as he had been for the past few years. He now had a family to think about; and so, he quit bull riding and switched exclusively to broncs. It was still dangerous, but the risks less than if he was on the back of a bull. Life went on and for the most part the little family was happy, until tragedy struck. On the night of his twenty-eighth birthday, with his wife and little girl in the stands, he overtightened the strap around his hand. At first everything seemed to be going well, he had one of his best times, but as he threw himself off the bucking bronco his hand caught. It was an instant disaster. The animal began to panic, bucking harder and higher, with Wagner hanging on for dear life. His only blessing was that the first hoof to his head knocked him out cold. He was rammed into the side of the fence and drug for minutes before those in charge of wrangling the horse were finally able to calm it down. In the midst of the chaos, his wife, fretting over her husband, had not noticed her daughter slip down through the stands calling out for her daddy. No one noticed her presence in the ring until it was too late. All it took was one wrong move from the frightened animal and the sunshine of Wagner’s life was no more.

The blow to Wagner’s own head had been so severe that he was kept in a medically induced coma for two-weeks, giving the wounded flesh time to heal. When he awoke, his whole world was shattered. He grieved, and as he did his grief turned to anger. Anger at the situation, anger at the long arduous healing process, and anger at himself. But all that anger had to go somewhere, and with the only person around during his recovery being his wife, she took the brunt of it. It took him a little over a year to fully heal physically, and during that time he began to develop a dependency on his pain medication. He spent his days sitting in front of the tv drinking beer after beer on top of the opiates as his wife worked in a small diner to try and keep the roof over their heads. One day, a year and half after the tragic accident, the woman had decided that she had had enough. She gave Wagner an ultimatum, get help or she was gone. It led to largest fight yet, a massive blowout that made it clear where Wagner stood.

At that point he was nearing thirty and with nowhere else to go moved back in with his parents. His father though older now was still tough as nails and no patience for his son’s pansiness as he called it. He put Wagner to work. Sober or not he was expected to help, and if he didn’t, God help him. At first he railed, his rage boiling over and eclipsing everything. Rather than argue with his son, the elder Lawson simply gave him a new task. It would be his only job- start the colts. It was something Wagner had used to excel at, but his anger and rage at the horse’s mis compliance made things difficult. The gentle animals became scared of him and began to lash out. One colt in particular, a beautiful bay, resented Wagner more than any of the others, and he let him know it. That was Wagner’s wake up call. He ended up forming a bond with that colt that pulled him out of his stupor and set him back on track. His special relationship with that animal also earned him a nickname, Woody, because wherever Woody went, Buzz followed. Buzz and Woody quickly began racking up wins in roping and reining competitions, and for the next years, Woody allowed himself to feel the happiness that had come into his life. The two traveled all over the countryside, with Woody picking up odd jobs such as stable hand or working cowboy. Until one competition where in the middle Buzz came up lame with an injury too bad to fix, leaving Woody the tough choice of having to put his beloved companion down.

That was four years ago. Woody now resides in Staten Island, working at the local equine therapy and riding lesson program center. He’s the barn manager, the one in charge of making sure the stable hands are doing their job and that the horses are receiving the correct care. It’s a big job, and one he takes seriously. Being around the majestic animals once more is helping him slowly heal, correctly this time, from all the bad that has happened to him. It is a hard road to hoe, but step by step he’s doing it. Perhaps one day he’ll once more be ready for a horse of his own.

#bio #about || woody lawson #tw death #tw drugs #tw alcohol

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genyukandojo · 1 year

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NYC Self Defense Classes

Self-defense is a tactic that entails protecting one's health and well being from danger. It is predominantly used in Commonwealth English. Many jurisdictions permit the use of the right to self-defense as a justification for the use of force when necessary. Rape Aggression Defense and other self-defense courses are specifically created for women and men (Resistance against Aggression). R.A.D. classes are provided by the Department of Public Safety both in the regular academic year and during the summer session. Self-defense classes in NYC instruct students in risk detection, risk reduction techniques, and sexual assault awareness and prevention. Students also practice thorough verbalization and practical abilities to fend off aggressors or violent acts. Participants will undoubtedly leave the workshop with a better understanding of the variety of self-defense techniques accessible!

Self-defense classes methodically instruct students on self-defense tactics and advised conduct in the event of violence. In a broader sense, the martial arts industry includes commercial self-defense instruction, and many martial arts instructors also provide self-defense lessons. While it is possible to argue that any martial arts instruction has some implications for self-defense, self-defense programs are specifically marketed as being effective and tailored to circumstances that arise in everyday life. Commercial education uses a variety of systems, many of which are adapted for particular target groups (e.g. defense against attempted rape for women, self-defense for children and teens).

Reasons You Should Take a Self-Defense Class

There are many different types of self-defense training, from the many martial arts techniques to a fundamental self-defense course meant to assist you escape an assault. There are many other possibilities besides karate and taekwondo when people think of self-defense programs. Although there are certain classes that teach both children and adults, the classes are frequently tailored toward a particular age and skill level. There are numerous choices, ranging from public classes to ones at exclusive studios. When considering taking a self-defense course, it's crucial to be clear about your learning objectives so you can choose the courses that are best for you. A person might want to enroll in such a course for a variety of valid reasons. Spend some time investigating your possibilities in the area and speaking with several instructors before settling on one who will be a good fit for your circumstances and overarching objectives.

Improves Physical Strength:

This is a clear result of learning self-defense. One must be physically fit to be able to protect oneself from any and all types of attacks. With such exercise, physical strength develops organically. Through appropriate training, one can also increase their muscle tone and overall body tone.

Improves Awareness:

Students who take self-defense training gain a better understanding of themselves and their surroundings. Depending on the particular course type, the class may devote a significant amount of time to instructing students on how to avoid riskier environments and circumstances. A typical self-defense course also teaches students to become more self-aware so they are better equipped to deal with any risky scenarios they might find themselves in at any time.

Self-Discipline:

One of those traits, discipline, occasionally reverberates through a school's hallways. Most teachers believe it to be very impossible to help kids develop self-discipline, but by putting a strong emphasis on self-defense skills, this whole situation can be turned around. Chances are good that pupils who are taught these techniques—especially at such a young and impressionable age—will use them consistently afterward.

Improve mental and physical Health:

Numerous self-defense courses encourage participants to attend at least once or twice a week. This is a fantastic exercise method. The physical demands of the challenges increase as pupil’s advance, necessitating more conditioning workouts and improving general physical health. Exercise can also make you feel better, which benefits those who are dealing with depression and other problems. Self-defense classes offer a welcoming environment that is a fantastic choice for those who require motivation to start a fitness regimen. Taking a self-defense class might aid in the healing process for someone who has been the victim of a crime. It gives the individual a sense of increased control over their lives and can significantly impact how quickly they heal from the psychological effects of the trauma.

Protect yourself and your family:

People learn how to defend themselves against attackers in self-defense classes. Additionally, they discuss how and when to put the abilities that students are gaining to use. Knowing that you can defend yourself from an attacker and safeguard your kids when necessary might be comforting. Numerous experts advise against carrying a weapon since numerous assailants can overwhelm you and turn the weapon against you. Self-defense classes teach you how to utilize your own body as a weapon that cannot be taken from you. It improves your ability to react appropriately in challenging and frightening circumstances.

Creates a Strong Mind Body Connection:

All types of martial art forms place a strong emphasis on the relationship between the mind and body, and this is true of the self-defense component as well. In times of emergency, a person can only protect himself if they are 100 percent focused. The tight connection between the mind and body is a byproduct of this intense seamless focus.

Boosts social skills:

Respect for oneself and others is a major theme in many martial arts courses and self-defense training sessions. This may also include accepting more responsibility, watching out for others, and lending a hand. By teaching you to communicate with people in a more respectful and courteous manner, learning respect and civility can improve your social skills. Numerous martial arts students go on to hold leadership positions at their schools or in their communities.

Only with an experienced, qualified teacher can you learn all the advantages we have listed above. At Genyukan Dojo in New York, we work with the top instructors since self-defense is not about a sport but about real life.

#Self Defense Classes in NYC #Self Defense Classes for Women in NYC #Self Defense Classes for Men in NYC

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codeofliving · 3 years

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I turned 30 over the past few days! I have to admit, it felt pretty DAMN GOOD and I have learned a lot of life lessons along the way! The truth has to be told: I have always wanted to be 30 since I was a little girl. In my mind, I have always been a very old soul and I always felt like I don't fit in with my friends throughout school. I believe that being an adult makes you so much cooler than being a kid. I always dreamed in my childhood bedroom of going to a high-powered job, wearing a high line skirt and heels in my floor-to-ceiling window, a corner office in NYC. Yes, this is true! Other kids dreamt about barbies – but hey! That was me being a weirdo haha! Well, here I am today, at age 30, grateful and living my life how I always wanted. I am so incredibly grateful for everything I ...Read More on CodeofLiving.com (14 Important Life Lessons I Learned By The Age Of 30 written by Elissa Berrger) | https://bit.ly/3czu69A

#business #work #success #inspiration #entrepreneur #life #leadership #tips #influencer #successful #positivepsychology #selfhelp

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omyeol · 4 years

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defining colors - ii | bbh

word count: 3,100++

genre: fluff, angst

<< story masterlist >> | << writing masterlist >>

The color blue in your mocktail was so fascinating you couldn’t take your eyes off of it.

It reminded you of the swimming pool in the community center when you were little. The swimming pool that your parents regularly took every week for your swimming lesson. The swimming pool where you spent most of your time with your father. The calm water moving against you as you tried to swim towards your father who kept moving backward step by step until you could reach him.

It painfully reminded you of the past, way back in your life when the only thing you worried about was when your parents were going to take you swimming again. A point in your life where it was way much easier to make you happy and to make both of your parents happy. It was definitely a much simpler time—a time where it only took swimming a lap in a certain time to make both of them happy.

At the old memory, you smiled bitterly and took another sip of your drink.

The mocktail you’d been nursing gave off a pleasant feeling to you as you sat casually on the booth. The taste of soda was refreshing enough for your brain, and it made you smile, enjoying the buzzed feeling without even having to drink a sip of alcohol. The drink didn’t give you the rush of adrenaline that you desperately needed—that only alcohol could give—but it was fine. If there was any indication of how Baekhyun acted around you for the past hour, you would be just fine without alcohol.

“So, how did you know Sooyoung and Jongdae?” A small smile broke out across your face at his question.

“Tonight’s the first time I met Jongdae but Sooyoung… I met her in elementary school and we’re friends until I moved out of the country with my family.” Darting your gaze around the pub, you realized that the majority of the customers in this pub were wealthy people if you could judge from the clothes they wore and the way they brought themselves. “We met again three years ago when I moved back here.” You darted your gaze back to your drink, taking another sip of it before placing it back on the table.

“Ah, Sooyoung mentioned that you pretty much grew up in The U.S. Which part of it, if you don’t mind me to ask?” Angling your body better to face him, you tilted your head to the side a bit as you mulled your answer.

“NYC.” Baekhyun hummed at your answer. “You’ve ever been?”

“I went to Columbia. I was in love with the city.” You couldn’t help but snort out loud at his answer, shaking your head faintly at it.

“I hate it. The city. It’s way too stuffy for me,” you claimed strongly. It was the truth, though. Although there were a handful of times where you enjoyed it, there was always something that ended up making you loathe the city. “Did Sooyoung talk a lot about me or what?”

“You may or may not have come up during our conversation before.” At his vague words, you raised your eyebrows. “I’m close with Jongdae, and if you look at it, it’s hard to meet up with Jongdae without Sooyoung hanging off his arm. They’re pretty much a package deal.”

“Isn’t that what they are, though? A deal? Or am I seeing it wrong?” you remarked, keeping your eyes on his.

“You’re sharp, I like it.” There was a glint of amusement dancing in his eyes that you still could make out in the dimly lit pub and the sight of it intrigued you.

“So I’ve been told by my father.”

“Is it what you’re looking for, though? A deal?” That wasn’t surprising, but still a bit unexpected for you. You were surprised by how quick-witted he was and really, it was a nice thing to see. You couldn’t help but smirk at his words.

“A different kind of deal is what I’m looking for,” you corrected, enjoying to see the way his eyebrows furrow at your statement. “I don’t need money. Realistically speaking, I have enough of it until I’m old. What I need is someone who can act well enough to be acting as my partner for a while.” That glint of amusement was back and he didn’t hold back the string of chuckles that he let out.

You knew what he was thinking by now. You could’ve seen the look of his face to know that he wouldn’t be taking you seriously from now on. It didn’t even surprise you anymore, but you couldn’t let your guard down. You had gone a bit too far for things to fall.

“Who are you trying to piss off? Your parents?” he mused out loud, a teasing smile playing on his face.

“My mom. She’s been doing… things and playing matchmaker for the past two years and I’ve had enough.” She had been doing lots of other things ever since you moved out of NYC and you knew. You pretended as if you didn’t know and acted as a good daughter in front of her face all this time, but you knew. You knew there were times where you could be ignorant, but those didn’t happen that many times.

Besides, who knew what else was she planning? Things seemed way too quiet these days and it’s bothering you.

But that wasn’t something to tell to him at the first meeting. The place simply wasn’t fitting and you didn’t have a drop of alcohol in your system to push you to talk. You needed liquid courage to have that kind of talk.

“Why don’t you ask someone your age? A college friend, perhaps?” He teased.

“Doing it with someone that she can get rid of easily would be pointless. Besides, I know you’re more powerful than that. My mom would have a hard time trying to chase you off.” As much as you’d like to keep things wrap air-tight, you knew you couldn’t. Telling him this wasn’t something you planned to do, but the churning in your stomach just a few seconds before was a tell-tale sign that you shouldn’t hold the reins too tight for your own sake.

“If I were to do it, what’s in it for me?” he inquired with a raise of his eyebrows.

“It’s entirely up to you.” And you truly meant it. You had laid out your terms and you thought that it was only fair if he really told you his terms, too. This was a deal, after all, right?

There was a beat of silence between the two of you for a while. You angled your body back to face the bar, eyes on Sooyoung’s figure as she leaned on her hand propped on the counter. It wasn’t even hard for you to notice from your table that she had her dazzling smile plastered across her face as she kept her attention on the man next to her. If you didn’t know, you’d say they’re a couple who were madly in love and had been dating for so long. As if she felt your eyes on her, she turned a little bit to face you and gave you a little wave which you only replied with a smile.

She wasn’t the only one who felt eyes on her, though. For a moment, you could feel someone staring at you from your right, it was probably someone sitting on the tables behind Baekhyun. Squinting your eyes, you tried your best to see who it was, who would be staring at you for a while. It was hard because of the dim lights, but you managed to do it.

It was a man sitting at the end of the bar by himself. You couldn’t make out his face clearly, but by how he dressed, it seemed like he was in his thirties. What made you frown was by the way he didn’t even turn his head away when you caught him looking. Instead, he kept his eyes on you until you turned away first, goosebumps erupting along your skin.

Keeping your eyes on your drink, you finished what was left in it and placed it gently on the table.

Clearing your throat, you turned to face the man sitting beside you and spoke, “I think I’m going home now.” Baekhyun, who was scrolling through something on his phone, perked up at your words, furrowing his eyebrows and it took something in you to not reach out and smooth it down for him.

“You mind if I walk you to your car?” He inquired with a gentle smile on his face.

“Not at all.”

Baekhyun waited patiently as you said goodbye to Sooyoung and Jongdae, which didn’t take long at all because you hated to interrupt their time. Baekhyun, too, told them that he was going to leave as well, his words taking you by surprise because you had thought he would come back and join Jongdae after walking you to your car.

What didn’t take you by surprise was how he kept his hand on your lower back when ushering you out of the pub and how he kept just the right amount of distance between the two of you as you walked. He kept his distance close enough to you that you could even feel the side of your arm brushing his. There was a strong urge to turn your face and look at him, just to see if you could read his expression, but you held it in. You wouldn’t want to give him more than you already gave tonight.

When you finally approached your car, Baekhyun finally said something that gave a clear direction on what to plan for the future. “Could you pass me your phone?” You smiled at his request, digging through your clutch for your phone and passing it to him after you unlocked the screen.

“We’ll talk?” You asked when he passed you back your phone.

“We definitely will.” The smile on his face when he said that was not too bright but it was blinding enough for you to almost lose your composure. Looking at it, you wondered if his smile could get so much brighter than that.

“See you around, Baekhyun.” The way he reached up to push a strand of your hair to the back of your ear was a move you didn’t expect him to make tonight. You just smiled through it, though—hoping that it didn’t make you seem nervous even though deep down you certainly were.

“Drive safe, beautiful. Goodnight.” That was the last thing he said to you with such sincerity before you got into your car and drove away. The sight of Baekhyun standing in his place became smaller and smaller until you couldn’t see him again and you let out a breath you didn’t even know you were holding.

+++++

When you were still a kid, you had always been so curious about many things. Growing up, you had always driven your parents crazy with all the questions you asked. Whether it was about something you saw on the street or the TV or something you saw your brothers doing, you would ask about it. And most of the time, your parents would make up some random answers just so you would stop asking. It was a fun yet tiring process for your parents, and you hadn’t thought of that until you grew a little older. Your mother had started answering with, “it just is, baby,” and once you asked a follow-up question, she would scold you and tell you that “sometimes not everything has to be questioned, sometimes it’s just the way it is.”

That was why when Chanyeol showed up to the campus’ cafeteria with his hair bleached to the color of cotton candy, you didn’t question him. Instead, you just stared at him like he’d grown two heads as he had a seat across the table. He had his head down and eyes on his phone, clearly oblivious to the attention he’s getting from yourself.

“Chanyeol,” you finally called his name, itching to really ask him what he was thinking when he bleached his hair. Finally, he looked up from his phone and at you with those big, shiny eyes. “Your hair…”

Widening his eyes, he brought his hand up to his head, feeling his hair as if he forgot that he bleached it in the first place. “Oh.” He smiled sheepishly. “It looks weird, doesn’t it?” You hated the way his words came out shaky as if he was afraid that you’d criticize him. The way he kept avoiding your eyes and looking back at his phone made you hope that you had shut your mouth and not mentioned anything about his hair.

“No, Yeol,” you sighed. “It looks nice, actually. It matches you somehow.” That earned you a sigh of relief and a toothy smile from Chanyeol, which made him look so young and adorable and it kind of reminded you of a puppy.

“Where’s Sehunnie?” You frowned at his question.

“I thought you two are coming together, actually.” Chanyeol just pursed his lips. “He’ll be here shortly, I’m sure.”

Sehun arrived about fifteen minutes later, still looking quite sleepy even though it was past noon already. You couldn’t help but let out a sigh.

“Sorry, I’m late,” Sehun spoke casually as he took off his cap and placed it on the table. You waved a hand to let him know that it was fine and pulled out your planner from your bag.

“Should we start now, then?” Both of them nodded, Sehun placing his phone on the table with his calendar app open and Chanyeol going through his leather-bound planner.

The three of you huddled close together, talking about your classes’ schedule and trying to find the free time where you all could gather together. Certainly, it wouldn’t be easy with Chanyeol and you were preparing to take an internship, while Sehun would also have his heavy-load of coursework too. Even though most of the time you spent together were only to eat (and sometimes gossip) and to watch something, but this academic year you had promised to help Chanyeol and Sehun with their TOEFL preparation. They had originally planned to sign up for a formal class, but since you knew that it was expensive, you offered to teach them instead.

It was a win-win situation. They got to save money from not attending an additional while you got to enjoy their presence even more. It would do you good.

“Okay, so we’re doing it three times a week on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday,” you concluded as you circled the date on next Wednesday on the small calendar that you had in your journal.

“Can we study at your place?” You looked up at Chanyeol’s question. “It’s just,” he paused, “my place is too small and the building next to mine is having a renovation, so it’s just too loud.”

“We’ll bring dinner too. Don’t worry,” Sehun chimed in and you chuckled. You would be fine even if they only brought their books. But you knew if you told them to do just that, they would only insist.

“Yeah, sure.” You smiled at both of them and closed your journal, placing your pen on top of it. It was just in time where your phone vibrated, signaling there was a new incoming message. Withdrawing yourself from the conversation that Chanyeol and Sehun had, you decided to check on that new message. A new message from a certain gentleman you met a few nights ago.

Good afternoon, beautiful.

Pardon my forwardness, but are you free tonight?

Despite the slight pull of attraction that you felt from his text, you couldn’t help but wonder. Where did he get your number?

Pardon my curiosity, but where did you get my number?

Much to your surprise, it didn’t even take more than a minute for you to see the bubble of him typing on the right corner of your phone screen and for the reply to appear. The surprise must have shown on your face because the slight look that your friends gave you couldn’t be missed.

Sooyoung gave it to me. I hope that’s okay with you?

It’s fine. I’m just a little surprised...

So, regarding my question…

You looked up from your phone and cleared your throat to catch your friends’ attention. It succeeded in halting their conversation and you couldn’t help but smile a little at their confused expression.

“We don’t have something else planned for today, do we?” You asked, deep down trying to remember if you had yes to something else other than having lunch with them today.

“No, I guess not. Why, though?” You just shook your head at Chanyeol’s question, looking down at the conversation you were having with Baekhyun on the phone.

Just your luck. I’m free tonight.

Nice.

Let’s have dinner together, then.

You didn’t even need a second to think about it. Why would you even think about it first, though?

Sure! Where should we meet up?

Just text me your address. I’ll pick you up later at 6.

With a smile on your face, you sent Baekhyun your address and didn’t even need to wait long for his reply.

See you later, beautiful ;)

It was a lie if your heart didn’t skip a beat at his text or if you weren’t looking forward to the dinner. There was something about the way he text that seemed attractive enough for you—you had always had a thing for men who text with proper punctuation, besides, your brothers would approve of it, too. Approval from your brothers would be a pretty crucial factor that you needed to get since it would definitely increase the probability of things working in your favor.

The prospect of the dinner tonight kept you distracted throughout the day. Your brain was definitely not cooperating with you by the way it kept feeding you countless possibilities of the night would go. Excitement ran through your veins as the memory of a teasing smile and fleeting touches hovered in the front of your mind.

You hated how it only took Baekhyun only a night for him to cloud your mind and a little part of your brain hoped that you left a lasting impression on him from that night.

(Although, by the way he contacted you first, you knew you had done something right that made him think about you.)

#defining colors #I FINALLY FINISHED THIS CHAPTER #gosh this chapter has been sitting in my drafts for a month or so #hope you enjoy it #exo scenario #exo fluff #exo angst #exo series #baekhyun scenario #baekhyun fluff #baekhyun angst #baekhyun series

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deepbluexsea · 3 years

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Task #1

Basic Information

Full Name: Jonathan Scott James-Michaels.

Nickname(s): Johnny, John, Jay (Briel only). D.A. James-Michaels.

Age: 47 years young.

Date of Birth: May 10, 1973.

Hometown: Manhattan, New York.

Current Location: Yep, you guessed it – Manhattan, New York.

Gender: Male.

Pronouns: Johnny goes by he/him pronouns only.

Sexual Orientation: Mostly gay. He has been attracted to women in the past, but it has been extremely rare.

Occupation: District Attorney of New York County, N.Y.

Living Arrangements: Johnny lives with Briel in the home they bought and renovated together in 2010.

Language(s) Spoken: English (native), French (proficient), Spanish (intermediate).

Accent: Typically, Johnny doesn’t have a very strong accent; as an attorney of 22 years, he has worked on having skilled vocal control. He also had voice lessons as a kid. However, when he’s not paying attention, not at work, or gets really into an argument, his accent is clearly NYC metropolitan.

Physical Appearance

Hair Color: Dirty blonde/light brown.

Eye Color: Blue, very blue.

Height: 6′1″.

Build: Johnny usually maintains a fairly athletic and somewhat muscular physique.

Tattoos: Two. 1) A drunken “accident” in college that he now hides. Only Briel has ever gotten to see it. 2) His husband’s initials over his heart.

Piercings: None. Never. And none in the future.

Clothing Style: Johnny is almost always found in a suit due to his profession. If he doesn’t have court, he’ll wear slacks and a button-up or a sweater. On his off days, he’s mostly business casual. At home, he dresses as most guys do (e.g., a t-shirt and jeans).

Favorite Accessories: His watch and his wedding ring.

Distinguishing Characteristics: Undeniably, Johnny’s eyes are hard to miss. People comment on his teeth/smile. Mainly, he’s noticed for the way he commands a room.

Health

Physical Conditions: None. Johnny’s physical health is good. He wears contact lenses and has a couple scars, but that’s it.

Mental Health Conditions: Alcohol Abuse Disorder - in remission.

Allergies: Some mild seasonal allergies, but nothing severe.

Sleeping Habits: Johnny typically goes to bed at or before 10:00 PM and wakes up around 5:30 AM (much to Gabriel’s chagrin). On the weekends, he’s a little more lax. One thing everybody knows about Johnny is that he can sleep anywhere, and will fall asleep when/wherever he feels the urge.

Eating Habits: Mostly healthy/balanced. He sticks to lean meats, veggies, etc., although he isn’t obsessed. Food just isn’t on his mind a lot. Johnny will often forget to eat if someone doesn’t feed him.

Exercise Habits: He enjoys running, boxing, and weightlifting a few times a week.

Addictions: None anymore, thankfully. He will smoke a cigar every now and again, but it’s far from an addiction.

Drug Use: In college, he experimented with psychedelics, molly, and weed. It didn’t stick.

Alcohol Use: Once or twice a year now that he is sober. One drink + water.

Personality

Label: It’s literally impossible to pick just one, right??? The Competitor (attorney + personality), The Advocate, The Liberator, and The Reformer (attorney), and The Thinker (personality). Different ones at different times, and sometimes a combination.

Positive Traits: Intelligent, caring, hardworking, methodical, clean/organized, passionate.

Negative Traits: Competitive, stubborn, argumentative, blunt, relentless.

Goals/Desires: Taking an extended vacation on the boat. Seeing the aurora borealis. Raising/watching his kids grow successfully. Retiring and spending more of life with his husband. Seeing justice prevail more often than not.

Fears: Losing his family. Heights.

Hobbies: Watching the New York Yankees, taking care of and going out on his boat, playing with his pets + kids, cooking, reading, singing, traveling, taking Gabriel out.

Habits: Running his hands through his hair, chewing on pens, drinking when stressed (past).

Favorites

Season/Weather: Fall. Not too hot, not too cold.

Color: Probably blue. Maybe green.

Music Genre: Rock, singer-songwriter, classical.

Movie: Legally Blonde? He doesn’t watch a lot of movies because he doesn’t really have time, but when he does, he falls asleep during at least half of them.

Sport: Baseball, but he will also watch football.

Beverage: Coffee at all times of the day.

Food: Sushi? Pizza? Steak? Not picky.

Animal: Dogs. Definitely dogs.

Family

Father: Geoffrey Warren Michaels – former Wall Street analyst (deceased since June 2020).

Mother: Virginia Lorraine Matthews – former private practice attorney; current co-owner of Matthews & Wyatt, LLC. She resides at 305 West End Assisted Living Facility and is 87 years of age (although still sharp as a tack).

Sibling(s): None; a spoiled only child.

Children: Juliet Michaels (biological daughter), Andrew James (stepson), Constance James (stepdaughter), Arabella James-Michaels (adopted daughter, step-granddaughter via Constance).

Pet(s): Four dogs, two cats, a rabbit, a donkey, and an alpaca. The last two live at Gabriel’s place from when they were separated in 2018.

Other Important People: Sam Wilder – best friend. Joan Lourd (deceased; best friend for many years). His staff at the D.A.’s office. Gabriel’s friends and coworkers are also often a big part of his life (Nicola, Kale, Kid, Abby, etc.).

Extra

Zodiac Sign: Taurus – smart, ambitious, stubborn, hardworking, inflexible, reliable, pleasure-seeking, resilient, blunt.

MBTI: ENTJ – The Commander. While Johnny wavers between introverted and extroverted, this personality type fits him best. “People with this personality type embody the gifts of charisma and confidence, and project authority. Commanders can be dominant and relentless. They are true powerhouses. They cultivate an image of being larger than life – and often enough, they are.” Strengths: strategic, efficient, strong-willed, inspiring. Weaknesses: stubborn, impatient, ruthless.

Hogwarts House: Ravenclaw – intelligence, knowledge, curiosity, creativity, and wit.

Moral Alignment: Lawful Neutral: The Judge – law, tradition, order, organization, reliable, honorable. However, Johnny would not fit with the weaknesses; he is very appreciative of diversity and freedom.

Primary Vice: Pride – excessive belief in one’s own abilities; also known as Vanity.

Primary Virtue: Diligence – no matter what stands in their way, one with this virtue will accomplish their goals + stay true to their core beliefs.

Element: Earth – real, methodical, physical, bull-headed. Though Johnny has characteristics of Fire (natural leader, dynamic) and Air (clever, free-thinking), and he has wished to garner more Water characteristics, Earth fits him best.

#task #task 1

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tripsonflatground · 4 years

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Is it just me, or is it kinda capitalist that in order to get new superheroes, people kill off or age up the old ones and then put the new heroes in the same role/identity? Like, they killed Peter Parker to have Miles Morales. Bucky Barnes and Falcon/Sam Wilson both became Captain America after the death or age & retirement of Steve Rogers, depending on whether you’re looking at the comics or the MCU. Batman goes through Robins and Batgirls like it’s going out of style (and seriously, why does Dick Grayson let other people be Robin? That was a personal nickname from his birth family, right? Why would he give something so intimate away?). Replacing someone else and living up to their legacy rather than making your own path was a whole plot point/theme in Spider-man: Far From Home!

There are exceptions to this, like X-23 and Wolverine, who have managed to have some form of a father-daughter relationship in the comics (although, if memory serves, I believe he’s been killed in recent comics and she replaced him as Wolverine - though I haven’t read anything recent, so I might be wrong, and in the film Logan they killed him off). And things like Conner/Superboy from Young Justice being created with the idea to replace Superman doesn’t count in the same way because it was a villainous plot and Con didn’t end up following through. And there’s a new Ms. Marvel now that Carol Danvers is Captain Marvel, which is a much better alternative considering that Carol wasn’t using that identity anymore.

The idea I’m trying to get at, if it isn’t clear, is that the costume identity, AKA Spider-man, Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, etc. seems to me the thing that’s given value while the person behind the mask is more recently being treated as expendable/dispensable. Which doesn’t make a ton of sense to me, because the person created the mask, and so much of themselves and who they are and what their goals are drove the reasons behind the creation of the identity and the way they behave in that identity. It’s like being a kid and trying on your parents’ clothes or getting hand-me-downs, even if it fits, you didn’t exactly choose it, and you look different wearing it. And I’m calling this capitalist because it feels like capitalism. If we equate being a superhero to a job, which in many ways it really is, especially if you are employed by an organization to do it like SHIELD, then the value is being placed on the role/job, and not with the labor. Capitalism doesn’t give a shit who’s doing the job and how they’re being treated as long as it’s getting done. Employees in the service/retail industry get treated like shit and don’t get paid enough but that will never change unless people have other options and aren’t desperate enough to accept those conditions and get something better. Recently, with the deaths and/or replacements of superheroes in order to have someone else fill the identity in comics and films, the individuals behind the mask, who are the real source of emotional connection and relatability, not the mask, seem to have become dispensable in the eyes of the creators.

And I do get that it’s a shortcut and an attempt to bring in new audiences by putting more modern characters into recognizable roles. But why does the original character have to *die*?

Yeah, superhero-ism is a dangerous occupation, sure, but doesn’t death seem like the most extreme option? It’s not as if there aren’t other possibilities:

1.Having characters be located somewhere else other than New York City or its fictional equivalent (Metropolis, Gotham, etc). There are other major cities in the US where crime happens, let alone other cities in the world. Los Angeles, Chicago, Minneapolis, Dallas, Detroit, Atlanta, Seattle, Philadelphia. Who doesn’t want to imagine a Spider-man or a Batman with a Boston accent? Wouldn’t it be a cool storyline if other Kryptonians not related to Superman escaped Krypton and eventually made it to Earth and moved to different cities and took up mantles and eventually the Kryptonian race could start rebuilding on Earth? Talk about a really interesting and positive way to show a diasporic community. And also, it doesn’t make any sense statistically that the majority of the world’s superheroes are in the US. Put some in Toronto, Paris, London, Cairo, Sydney, Tokyo, Beijing, Moscow, Rome, Athens, Rio, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Seoul, Istanbul, etc. If the Olympics happen there, then there’s probably a lot of people that need saving and crime happening. It’s especially dumb with the alien invasion stories where they show the audience aliens popping up in places other than NYC and suddenly the heroes have to get other there, like unless you got super-speed or teleportation, it’s going to take a while, and how are you even going to communicate with the civilians if there’s a language barrier?

2.Having characters be from other dimensions. Marvel and DC have a history of playing with alternate timelines and multi-verse theory. Into The Spiderverse was a super-popular movie that inspired tons of people to make their own Spidersonas, and the lesson that can be taken from it is that you can take a character and make it still feel unique or individualistic even if you’re using similar themes. Maybe instead of the dimensions having evil versions they have to fight or being fucked up in some other way, make the new version of Wonder Woman or Iron Man or whatever be from an alternate dimension and end up in the main because of science/magic, or a dimension-hopping villain they’re fighting, or an accident, or to get help from other versions of themselves, or even escaping from an apocalypse/doomsday from their own universe. It’s so easy to either send them back to their own universe when you decide you’re done playing with them or keep them around if you want them permanently. Wouldn’t it be fascinating if the Captain America we’re familiar with met a Captain America from an alternate universe where he fought in the American Revolution or for the Union in the Civil War or even in WW1 or Vietnam?

3.Having female characters take on feminine versions of the identity, or vice versa, or non-binary characters find a way to have a gender-neutral version. This has been done with Hulk and She-Hulk, Superman and Supergirl, Captain Marvel and Ms. Marvel back when Captain Marvel was a dude, Spider-man’s daughter May was Spider-girl at one point, Batman’s cousin or something is Batwoman. There’s also been some adjacents, such as AntMan and Wasp or Wolverine and X-23. There are definitely ways that you can use a familiar identity to put more female and non-binary superheroes out there. I mean, military titles (the Captains) or even names like Black Panther, Green Lantern, and Flash aren’t even gendered. You can feminize names if you want to, but I’m pretty sure the female Hawkeye is just straight-up Hawkeye. People like Thor I feel differently about because Thor’s an actual mythological character, not something Marvel came up with, but you could just use a different Norse god/goddess? And yeah, Dr. Strange is the man’s actual name so that’s also a little different, but if he had a daughter or a non-binary child who also got their doctorate, they are in fact entitled to call themselves Dr. Strange rather than something lesser. Not to mention, that whole alternate universe versions point I just made? Yeah, these can be characters from gender-bent alternate universes or a universe where humans are androgynous or something.

4.Have multiple characters use the same secret identity. This would be the perfect concept for twins or friends with the same build. The bank’s been robbed but A is on a date? B can totally show up at the scene! B got really hurt in their last fight? A’s got them covered. There’s a bit of risk to it, like if people recognize they have different voices or someone notices them at two different crises happening at the same time, but that’s just what makes the challenge of pretending to be the same person interesting. And it could get even more complex if you had triplets doing it, or four college roommates, or whatever. It’s also a great excuse to be able to write deep interpersonal relationships and identity struggles. Hell, can you imagine how much scarier multiple Batmans would be? They could play even more on the “you never know where he’s going to be next or what shadow he could be hiding in” thing, like, just when the crook thinks he’s lost Batman, another comes out out of nowhere.

And if superhero writers don’t want to do any of this, there’s also the C-List and D-List heroes that maybe got introduced in like the 70′s or 80′s or whatever but didn’t take or ended up being a blip in another character’s backstory. If you want more modern superheros connected to the major ones so you can use them in the same stories, it is totally valid IMO to try revitalizing these obscure concepts. I have a vested interest in seeing if Monica Rambeau shows up as her hero identity Photon in the Captain Marvel sequel. This idea is still using what you have, but it doesn’t capitalize the lives of the characters you have or make them expendable in any way. In fact, it’s also kind of like recycling, or the opposite of capitalism, because you’re trying to use alternative resources or all of your resources instead of very specific ones to the point of over-saturation.

Look, I’m just very tired of superheroes getting killed off to be replaced by someone else using the same identity or because it’s edgy or dark or whatever. Even a debilitating injury that leaves them in a wheelchair or blind or deaf is a hell of a lot more interesting. Once a character’s dead, they’re dead, there’s nowhere else you can take them unless you bring them back to life (which admittedly happens a lot in superhero universe) or have them hang around as a ghost or something. It’s boring, it doesn’t give the audience any closure and just messes with their emotions for shock value, and it promotes toxic capitalism.

#superheroes #marvel #dc #capitalism #killing characters #alternatives to killing characters

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