#Ross Barton | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

literaryavenger · 2 months

Text

Captain America: Civil War - 5

Summary: Team Cap gets taken to the Raft.

Pairing: Avengers x Reader, Bucky x Reader

Warnings: Descriptions of injuries. Language. Mentions of Y/N. A little angst if you squint. My poor attempts at being funny.

Word Count: 1.8K

A/N: Thank god it took me very little to finish this one! Hope you like it!

Masterlist | Series Masterlist

The Raft.

That’s where they sent you after they arrested you in Germany. The fucking Raft.

You haven’t even seen Wanda since you were handed your very unstylish new clothes and they made you change.

You got separated from her when they took you to your cell between Scott's and Sam's. You dread what they're going to do to her, but you're powerless to stop them.

You sit on the ground of your cell and don’t move from there, barely registering what happens around you until the sound of clapping snaps you out of your trance.

“The Futurist, gentlemen!” Clint shouts but you still don’t move, just listening to the scene. “The Futurist is here! He sees all! He knows what's best for you, whether you like it or not.”

“Give me a break, Barton.” You hear Tony say and almost show some emotion, but stop yourself. “I had no idea they'd put you here. Come on.”

You hear Clint spit and then say “Yeah, well, you knew they'd put us somewhere, Tony.”

“Yeah, but not some super-max floating ocean pokey. You know, this place is for maniacs. This is a place for…”

“Criminals?” Clint interrupts him. “Criminals, Tony. Think that's the word you're looking for. Right? That didn't used to mean me. Or Sam, or Y/N, or Wanda. But here we are.”

“Because you broke the law.” Tony says.

“Yeah.” Clint says back and starts chanting “La la la la la” while Tony talks, making you grin slightly.

“I didn't make you. You read it, you broke it.” Tony keeps talking. “Alright, you're all grown up, you got a wife and kids. I don't understand, why didn't you think about them before you chose the wrong side.” he says and your face falls again immediately, knowing Tony went too far.

“You gotta watch your back with this guy.” Clint says before slamming his hands on the bars angrily. “There's a chance he's gonna break it!”

“Hank Pym always said, you never can trust a Stark.” You hear Scott say from the cell on your right.

“Who are you?” Tony says, his voice closer to you than before, and you can hear Scott mumbling “Come on, man.”

Tony gets to your cell and sees you sitting on the ground, hugging your knees tight to your chest, your head resting back on the wall while you look straight ahead.

Tony is nothing short of shocked when he sees your face all beat up and bruised, your arm bandaged with blood seeping through it showing just how big and deep the cut is, all courtesy of Ayo.

“I never wanted to see you like this...” Tony says softly but you don’t even react to his words.

He’s standing in front of you but it’s like he’s not even there, like you’re looking right through him to something more interesting behind him.

Tony sighs and shakes his head before moving to Sam’s cell.

“How's Rhodes?” Sam asks right away.

“They're flying him to Columbia Medical tomorrow. So… fingers cross.” Tony answers and you close your eyes, grateful that he’s still alive at least. “What do you need? They feed you yet?”

“You're the good cop now?” Sam asks almost in disbelief.

“I'm just the guy who needs to know where Steve went.” Tony answers calmly.

“Well, you better go get a bad cop, because you're gonna have to go Mark Fuhrman on my ass to get information out of me.”

“Oh, I just knocked the 'A' out of their 'AV'.” Tony says, much too playfully for your taste. “We got about 30 seconds before they realize it's not their equipment.”

You furrow your eyebrows at his next sentence. “Just look. Because that is the fellow who was supposed to interrogate Barnes. Clearly, I made a mistake. Sam, I was wrong.”

Your eyes snap open at his apology and, even though you can’t see either of them, you know Sam’s feeling the same way as you, which is confirmed by his next sentence. “That's a first.”

“Cap is definitely off the reservation but he's about to need all the help he can get. We don't know each other very well. You don't have to-”

“Hey, it's alright.” Sam interrupts him, then you hear him sigh and after a little pause he says “Look, I'll tell you… but you have to go alone and as a friend.”

“Easy.” Tony says and Sam proceeds to tell him all about the Hydra base in Siberia and the other supersoldiers.

When Tony leaves, Sam once again tries to make sure you’re okay even if he hasn’t had luck at getting an answer out of you since you got here.

He knocks twice on the wall between you two then pauses and then knocks three more times fast before talking, a thing you two started doing since you both moved into the Avengers Compound so you would know it was the other knocking right away. “Are you okay?”

You don’t answer him and can hear him sighing before continuing talking.

“Look, I’m sorry you got caught up in this and-”

“I don’t regret the choice I made, Sam.” You interrupt him before he can finish his sentence, speaking up for the first time since you got arrested at the airport. “As much as this sucks, it was the right thing to do. I know it was.”

You don’t say anything else. Sam can tell you mean it and he knows better than to push you.

“They’ll be okay.” He says after a moment of silence and then lets you be.

You know he means Steve, Bucky and Tony but you can’t help but think he’s trying to reassure you that Bucky’s gonna be fine.

And you can only hope that he’s right.

A couple of weeks after Tony’s visit there’s a commotion in the prison.

You haven’t so much as made a sound since that day, aside from your daily knock on the wall between you and Sam so he can make sure you’re okay, knowing you well enough to know you don’t want to talk but still wanting to check in.

But you can’t help but let out a loud gasp when you see Steve just standing in front of your cells.

You look around when the cell doors open and you hesitantly get up from the floor and walk towards Steve. He hugs Sam, then you, then Clint and then pats Scott on the back, but doesn’t linger long before he’s guiding you towards another level where Wanda is.

You get to her just as the door to her cell opens and you rush inside with Clint to take off her collar while he takes off her straightjacket. You hug her tightly and wrap your arm around her with Clint to help her move you since she looks a little worse for wear.

You manage to move through the prison without problems. You have to hand it to Steve, he’s a hell of a criminal.

When you get to the landing pad you see the Quinjet ready for take off and you all rush inside just to see Bucky at the commands and you smile brightly at the sight.

You have no time to comment, though, as Sam shouts “What are you waiting for?! Go!”

Bucky rolls his eyes but calmly says “We have one more coming.”

You frown. One more? You turn to Steve confusedly but before you can ask anything you can see blond hair darting into the Quinjet and then Natasha’s there.

Bucky instantly takes off and you all take seats and buckle up.

There’s a moment of silence while everyone processes what just happened, but you break it while looking at Natasha that’s sitting directly in front of you.

“Are we gonna talk about the hair?” You ask arching your eyebrow with a smirk.

She groans in annoyance and you can hear the others chuckling while she says “We are not.”

After a few hours you all get to a safehouse and Steve ushers you in before showing you around.

It’s not bad: a secluded cabin with three bedrooms, not too big but Steve assured you you wouldn’t be staying there long anyway. Which makes sense, you're on the run now so this is just temporary.

After the tour Bucky approaches you in the living room and only then you notice he’s missing his metal arm.

“You flew the jet with only one arm? That’s impressive…” You can’t help yourself as you reach to touch his left shoulder, your eyes fixated on it. But stop on your tracks when you feel his right hand carefully cupping your cheek.

Your eyes snap up to his and you can see him thoroughly inspecting the wounds in your face that are still healing a little. He grimaces when he looks down at your bandaged arm and whispers “I’m sorry…”

“It’s nothing I can’t handle, Sergeant.” You smile softly at him and put your hand over his still on your cheek, trying to reassure him that you’re fine.

“I bet you can, doll.” He chuckles.

You’re too busy staring at each other to notice everyone’s attention is on you until Steve clears his throat with an apologetic look on his face.

“We need to go, Buck.” He says and you look confusedly between the two men.

“I’m going back into cryo.” Bucky clarifies for you.

“Oh.” Is all you can say and your eyes widen for a second before you force yourself to put on a more neutral face.

“It’s okay.” He smiles at you, but you feel like he’s trying to convince himself as much as you. “It’s nothing I can’t handle, doll.”

You try your best to smile and not look too bummed out. “I bet you can, Sergeant.”

You hesitate for a moment before surprising him, the others and even yourself by giving him a hug. He hesitates too before delicately hugging you back and, after a moment, you pull away.

He smiles at you with a faint blush and you smile back, watching him walk to the door.

Steve passes you on his way to the door and kisses your forehead, whispering “He’ll be okay” before saying goodbye to the rest of the team, assuring you that he’ll be back soon. Then he also goes through the door and soon both the supersoldiers are gone.

You turn around with a sigh and see Sam, Natasha and Clint standing there, grinning at you, Wanda and Scott looking more compassionate than teasing.

You narrow your eyes at the first three and say sternly “Not. A. Word.” punctuating every word by pointing threateningly at each of them.

They raise their hands in mock surrender while snickering but thankfully don’t say anything and everyone just scatters around the safehouse.

You see the Quinjet depart from the window and try your best to look at the bright side: This isn’t forever, you’ll see him again.

Right?

Requested taglist: @sapphirebarnes @aki-ham @mary-jinx @abbyyourlocalmilf @selcouthial @esposadomd @americaarse

121 notes · View notes

sycamorelibrary754 · 5 months

Text

Guardian Angel

Chapter 3: You're Still Worthy

Summary: Emotional conversations and difficult choices were on the table for everyone the moment Wanda stepped back into the Avengers compound for the first time after Westview. But just because Wanda is starting over doesn’t mean she has to do it alone.

Warnings: Trauma, angst, cursing.

Word Count: 3.1k

A/N: This chapter has two distinct parts. The flashback of Wanda’s first moments back in the compound (italicized) and the present day, approximately one year after Westview.

Guardian Angel Masterlist

Trust takes years to build, seconds to break, and forever to repair. Stepping foot back in the Avengers compound for the first time after Westview was freed was but the latest in a series of painful and tragic chapters in Wanda Maximoff’s story.

Fury was seated in his spacious office, a glass of Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon in his hand. He had a stern expression on his face as he intently watched Wanda's movements on the numerous security monitors placed strategically around the compound. Every twist and turn she made was being closely monitored by Fury, who remained vigilant and alert throughout.

As he sat there, lost in thought, a soft knock on his door broke his concentration. He straightened up in his chair, alert and ready to face whatever was coming. The door creaked open slowly, and a faint light spilled into the dimly lit room, revealing the outline of a figure standing in the doorway.

“Director, Ms. Maximoff is here,” Maria announced.

“Maximoff, have a seat. Or do you prefer Scarlet Witch now?” Placing the glass down on his desk.

Maria glanced from Fury to Wanda before taking her place next to the Director's desk. Wanda sat down, trying her best to hide her nerves. The two of them sat in silence for a moment until Fury finally spoke up.

“You know, it’s crap like this that gives me trust issues,” leaning back in his chair reading the file on Westview.

“Really? I thought it was your sparkling personality that gave you trust issues,” the redhead whispered under her breath.

“Come on, don’t give me that shit. What the hell were you thinking? Throwing the file onto his desk. “3,892 people. 3,892 people manipulated, tortured, and held hostage so you could live out some television family fantasy!” he shouted. “Do you know what I went through to keep Westview classified? What I went through with SWORD to make sure you walked out of there alive and not thrown in the Raft?” His anger growing.

"It wasn't a fantasy!" she exclaimed, as her emotions finally surfaced.

“It was selfish!” Fury shouted.

Maria flinched at the sound of Fury's voice before the room fell silent again.

"Director, have you ever lost someone?" Wanda asked, her gaze fixed on his desk.

“I was a Colonel in the United States Army and a CIA Operative. I’ve lost more people than you can count, including my parents. You’re most certainly not the first person to experience grief.”

Wanda had a determined look on her face as she raised her head to speak. "I cannot help but feel sorry for the ordeal those people went through," she said with a heavy accent, her voice filled with emotion. "Their suffering will continue to trouble me for the rest of my life."

Tears glistened in her eyes as she continued, "When I finally realized the agony I was inflicting, I knew I had to put an end to it. It was a difficult decision, but I have no regrets about the life I lived with my husband and children. We had our struggles, but we also had many happy moments together."

As she spoke, it was clear that Wanda had gone through a lot in her life. Despite the pain and hardship, however, she remained resolute in her determination to do what was right and to find peace in her memories.

Fury exhaled heavily and asked, 'Where are your boys?'

The redhead immediately tensed up, her heart pounding against her rib cage.

“I need you to be completely honest with me, starting right now,” Fury said. “If you want to remain a member of this team and continue to be a productive member of society, it's important that I know everything. Please understand that no one will hurt them.”

In a moment of urgency, Wanda found herself making a quick decision. Despite her reservations, she hesitantly slipped into Fury's mind as his thoughts were too loud to ignore. She knew that this was the only way she could be certain of his intentions and confirm that he was telling the truth. When she emerged, she was certain that Fury was to be trusted. She responded with confidence, "Billy and Tommy are with Darcy Lewis."

Fury nodded. “Where is the Darkhold?”

“I destroyed it.”

“That’s not what the wizard thinks. Strange is sure you wouldn’t have survived the destruction of that type of dark magic.”

Wanda leaned forward in her chair and cleared her throat. "Given everything that's happened, Director, it would be unwise to bet against my abilities."

Fury finished his drink; the ice clinked at the bottom of his glass. "You are dismissed for now, but do not leave the premises," he said.

After leaving his office, Wanda rose to her feet without saying another word. Maria locked eyes with Fury before hurrying after the redhead out of the door. When they were out of earshot of the Director, Maria called out to Wanda, "Wanda, wait!" The redhead had a determined look on her face as she raised her head to speak. "I cannot help but feel sorry for the ordeal those people went through," she said with a heavy accent, her voice filled with emotion. "Their suffering will continue to trouble me for the rest of my life."

Wanda stopped moving and stood still with her back turned towards Maria.

“I’m… I’m sorry,” Agent Hill empathized.

"Sorry doesn't undo what I did or what I've lost," she countered. "Every season of my life has led to a goodbye. My parents, Pietro, Vision. No matter what I've done to try and be better, to help others, to heal. It never ends," her voice cracked. "I don't know how the boys survived, but my heart can't take anymore.

Maria gently placed her warm hand on Wanda's shoulder, feeling the tension and pain in her friend's body. In response, Wanda turned around and fell into Maria's embrace, her facade of composure crumbling as she let out a sob. Maria held her tightly, offering a safe and comforting space for her friend to release her emotions. As Wanda continued to weep, Maria could feel her tears dampening her shirt, but she didn't mind. All that mattered was being there for her friend in need, offering support and solace during this difficult time.

*^~^*

Wanda found herself wandering aimlessly around the compound for the rest of the day. The cold and judgmental gazes of numerous SHIELD agents going about their daily routines bore into her like a hot iron, making her feel like she had committed a grave mistake. The compound was the same as she had left it, but everything felt different. The once-familiar surroundings now seemed foreign and unwelcoming.

Wanda was not ready to return to her room, as she was not emotionally prepared to remember her life before Westview. The memories of her past life seemed distant and unfamiliar to her now. She was unsure of what she would say if she ran into any of her former colleagues. The fear of their judgment and condemnation made her hesitant and unwilling to face them. Lost in her thoughts, Wanda continued to wander around the compound, hoping to find some solace or a moment of peace. But the echoes of her past mistakes and the fear of the future kept haunting her, making her feel helpless and alone.

As she walked aimlessly, lost in her thoughts, the striking redhead found herself standing outside the familiar building of the gym. The sight of it brought back a flood of memories, both good and bad, of the time spent within its walls. She hesitated before peeking through the sliding doors, making sure no one was around before stepping inside. The gym had become a sanctuary for her, a place where she could channel her inner strength and work on honing her abilities. Countless hours were spent in this space, sweating, training, and pushing herself to the limits to discipline both her body and mind. However, all that hard work, all that dedication, was shattered. The unspeakable grief and loss that followed had left her shattered, both physically and emotionally. Yet here she was, standing once again in the same space, her heart heavy with memories and emotions that she had thought she had left behind.

“No matter how many times I tried to train you to fight without using your powers, you always resisted.”

Wanda's attention was immediately drawn to the distinct and familiar sound of a deep, slightly raspy voice that reverberated through the spacious gym. She turned her head and was captivated by the sight of Natasha Romanoff, who stood poised and confident on the other side of the room. Natasha's hair was elegantly styled in double braids, and her black workout attire clung to her fit and toned physique in all the right places, accentuating her curves and strength.

Wanda sighed, "Why fight with one hand tied behind my back?" She moved a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Because it makes you stronger," Nat replied, walking slowly towards her.

“I don’t feel very strong right now.”

“I beg to differ, otherwise you wouldn’t be here.”

Nat quietly observed Wanda's demeanor, noticing the subtle nuances of her body language. The woman standing in front of her seemed to be a mere shadow of her former self, weighed down by the immense burden of grief. It was evident that Wanda was still struggling to come to terms with all that had been lost in Sokovia, Wakanda, and most recently, in Westview. The pain and sorrow etched on her face spoke volumes of the emotional turmoil she was going through, and it was clear that she needed someone to talk to, someone who could understand her pain and help her find a way forward.

Natasha took another tack. “Get in the ring.”

“What?”

Natasha put down her water bottle and stepped between the ropes. "Get in the ring," she repeated.

“I’m in no condition to spar,” Wanda argued.

“Says the Scarlet Witch,” Nat smirked. “Now, come on.”

Wand let out a long, tired sigh and slowly took off her jacket. With a hint of nervousness in her movements, she cautiously stepped closer to the ring, her eyes fixed on the ground beneath her.

“No hand tied behind your back this time,” Nat said, securing her Widow Bites to her wrists.

Natasha took her fighting stance. Wanda mirrored her as wisps of red danced between her fingers. She took the first shot, summoning a wave of telekinetic force toward her opponent. With lightning-fast reflexes, Nat rolled out of harm's way, narrowly avoiding the destructive force. Sensing an opening, Natasha launched herself into an acrobatic assault. Her strikes were precise, knocking Wanda off balance. The split-second window allowed Nat to grip her arm and flip her over her shoulder.

With a flick of her wrist from her backside, Wanda unleashed a barrage of red energy crackling with otherworldly force. The sparring became an explosive dance as Nat deftly dodged and rolled through the chaos, narrowly escaping each attack. Seizing her only opportunity, she countered with a well-timed Widow's Bite. Grunting in pain, Wanda launched her backward into the ropes with one swift motion.

With a fierce determination, Natasha charged forward. Wanda used the last of her depleted stamina to summon a swirling vortex of red. As the intense aura surrounded her, she directed one final blast towards the Black Widow. Nat mustered every ounce of strength and somersaulted forward through the explosion, landing sprawled out on the mat.

Wanda collapsed to the ground, her knees hitting the mat with a thud. She was gasping for air, her body wracked with sobs. Natasha lay nearby, her chest heaving and her breath coming in short, ragged bursts. The widow slowly rolled over and crawled towards her, her movements slow and labored. She reached out and wrapped her arms around the redhead’s body, pulling her close. The two women held each other tightly, neither of them speaking. Wanda's sobs echoed through the room, the sound of her pain filling the air.

*^~^*

Secretary Ross glared intensely at the team gathered around the conference table, his virtual presence towering over his desk in a show of authority. With a tone that conveyed both anger and concern, he spoke up, "I'm genuinely curious. In what universe do you think I'm going to look the other way while you jeopardize the safety of everyone in existence?" His words hung heavily in the air, leaving no room for doubt that he meant every word.

“I don’t know, Mr. Secretary. Why don’t you pick one and we’ll find out,” Natasha remarked coldly. No love was lost between herself and Ross.

Maria gently placed her hand on Nat's arm, silently signaling for her to maintain decorum.

"If you had taken my warning about Wanda Maximoff seriously eight years ago, we wouldn't be facing the dangerous threats to all universes that she has unleashed. Her actions have proven time and again that she is a clear and present danger, and it's time we take action before it's too late." Ross urged.

"We don't judge people based on their past mistakes," Natasha declared.

"Perhaps you should," he said, his gaze fixed on the Black Widow.

Yelena stood up slowly from her chair, her voice laced with a hint of malice. "Maybe it's time the world knew about your worst mistakes, Thaddeus," she threatened, her eyes flashing with anger.

“And we’re sitting,” Kate said, wrapping her arms around her girlfriend and pulling her back down.

"Excuse me, Mr. Secretary, with all due respect, we are not seeking your permission in this matter. Our intention is to inform you of our decision as a courtesy. This meeting is solely for the purpose of sharing our plans with you and ensuring that you are kept in the loop about the steps we are taking,” Steve interjected.

“Tell me Captain Rogers, what is your intended course of action when the witch inevitably betrays your moral compass yet again?” Ross asked, rising from his virtual chair.

“We never abandon one of our own, Sir,” Steve said.

“To be honest with you, Mr. Secretary, the only one here who lacks a moral compass is yourself,” Maria hissed, swiping away his hologram in frustration.

A hard silence fell across the room.

“That went well,” Clint said, as he placed his head in his hands.

“I know you don’t want to hear this, but he has a point,” Fury concurred, leaning up against the door frame.

"Are you still here? I thought you were off to sail the seven seas," Tony said sarcastically as he got up to pour himself a glass of scotch.

“Fury might be right,” Bruce interjected. Are we all forgetting how we met Wanda? Or would you like a replay of the nightmares she put in our heads?”

“No, I’m not,” Natasha said heatedly, turning toward Bruce. “And I’m sure as hell not forgetting who destroyed the Mind Stone when it meant losing the one she loved. Or who was a split second away from defeating Thanos single-handedly, had he not blitzed the shit out of his entire army.”

“Maximoff took an entire town hostage! She manipulated the realities of 3,892 people,” Fury argued.

“In a state of shell shock and overwhelming grief,” Maria countered. “You and I both know she would never hurt anyone intentionally or of her own accord.”

“Are you sure about that? Do you know where the Darkhold is today?” Fury yelled. “Because I can tell you right now, Strange sure as hell doesn’t believe it’s gone.”

“I think you’ve made your point,” Bucky interrupted sternly. His Vibranium hand on Fury’s shoulder.

“Buck…,” Sam cautioned.

Thor's booming voice cut through the tense and chaotic chatter, demanding attention from all present. "Wanda is still worthy!" he declared with the power of a god. "We shall leave no stone unturned in our quest to help her regain her belief in herself." The weight of his words hung heavy in the air, a solemn reminder of the importance of lifting up those who have lost their way.

“That’s more like it,” Nat said.

“Let’s go,” Maria ordered.

*^~^*

Upon her return, Wanda made it clear that her priority was to provide a normal and safe environment for Billy and Tommy, free from the influence of her past mistakes or her sterile work environment. She was determined to create a loving and secure home for her boys. As a result of multiple meetings with Stark, Wanda decided to move out of the compound and into a home that was designed by Tony himself. And true to form, the billionaire created a spectacular home for her and her family.

The elegant craftsman-style house painted in a soft, creamy white hue exuded a warm and inviting aura, beckoning visitors to step inside. The stunning embellished concrete path, beautifully winding its way up to the charming wraparound brick porch and the wide entryway, added to the home's alluring charm. The interior was just as captivating, with each room meticulously furnished and decorated to perfection. Tommy and Billy couldn't contain their excitement as they were each given their own room to adorn and personalize to their heart's content. She encouraged the boys to let their imaginations run wild, and they eagerly reveled in the opportunity to showcase their unique interests and personalities.

A series of photographs adorn the walls, each capturing a distinct memory that the family held dear. As Wanda gazed upon them, she was immediately transported back to the bittersweet moments of their life in Westview - a life that was nothing more than a fabrication. Despite this painful truth, she remained steadfast in her desire to preserve a fragment of that existence for her sons, who knew no other place to call home. The memories, though tinged with sorrow, were a testament to the love and bond that the family shared, and Wanda was determined to keep that flame burning, no matter how difficult it was to revisit the past.

The family room is tastefully decorated with a large navy blue sectional couch, two elegant Paisley armchairs, and a beautiful Cherry coffee table that seems to beckon you to come and sit. The focal point of the room is a stunning painting by Wanda, hanging above the fireplace. The painting is a reflection of her creative soul and a way to channel her emotions and thoughts. The built-in bookshelves are a treasure trove of knowledge, holding a vast collection of books for all ages. The shelves are also adorned with a few carefully chosen plants, each in its own decorative pot, adding a touch of nature to the room. The cozy atmosphere of the family room is perfect for relaxing and spending time with loved ones.

As you step into the kitchen, a beautifully arched doorway frames the entrance, inviting you in. This is Wanda's favorite room in the house, and it's easy to see why. The spacious area is furnished with sleek granite countertops and a convenient center island, making it the perfect place for her sons to sit and share stories of their day at school. As you take a deep breath, the delightful scent of Paprikash or homemade pies fills the air, reminding every guest that Wanda's favorite way to show love is through her cooking.

Through the off-white French doors, one could step into a tranquil and inviting backyard that was meticulously cared for by Wanda. Her passion for gardening was evident in the way she had transformed the space into a lush oasis of greenery. The fragrant air was filled with the aroma of the citrus trees that she had lovingly transplanted, and the raised bed, bursting with a variety of colorful seedlings that had sprouted on the kitchen windowsill, was a testament to her dedication towards creating a verdant sanctuary for her family to relax and enjoy together.

*^~^*

"Boys, it's time for cake and presents!" Wanda shouted through the window.

"Coming, Mom!" Tommy shouted in response.

Wanda organized a cozy and warm birthday bash for Billy and Tommy, and had cordially invited the team and their families to join in on the celebration. It was the first time they were having a group gathering outside of work since Wanda's return to the team. While the adults chit-chatted and caught up with each other in the cozy family room, the youngsters were having a blast playing games in the backyard. Cooper, Lila, Morgan, and Nate were among the kids who were enjoying themselves with Billy and Tommy.

Let's go," Clint exclaimed, clapping his hands. "Bring on the cake!

“Relax, it’s not your birthday.” Yelena teased.

Steve and Bucky, with their arms full of colorful gift-wrapped presents, walked over to the elegantly set dining room table, while Wanda gracefully lit the candles on the birthday cake, which was decorated with blue and green icing. As soon as Wanda finished lighting the candles, the group of friends and family sang "Happy Birthday" in unison, and the twins, Billy and Tommy, eagerly blew out the candles.

After the birthday song ended, Billy and Tommy tore open their presents with excitement, while their mom looked on proudly. The team made sure to honor Wanda's request for no Stark-enhanced gifts. Tommy's gifts included a pair of stylish Nike sneakers, a shiny new scooter, a high-quality baseball glove, and a popular video game that he had been asking for for months. Billy, on the other hand, received a high-tech microscope that he could use to explore the world around him, a remote-controlled drone that could fly up to 100 feet in the air, and a brand new sketchbook with Prismacolor Premier colored pencils, so he could continue to develop his artistic skills.

"Okay, here's one more small gift, but let's not devour it all at once," Wanda cautioned as she placed the personalized candy bags from your shop in front of the boys.

“Candy!”

“Sweet!”

"You can each choose a couple of pieces, and we'll save the rest for later," their mom instructed as the boys rummaged through their bags.

Tommy whirled around the table and embraced his mother. "This is the best birthday ever, thanks, Mom!"

“Yeah Mom, this was awesome!” Billy followed.

"Mmmm, this is good," Tony said, returning from the kitchen where he had raided the bag of candy you made for Wanda.

“Excuse me, that’s not yours!” Wanda scolded.

“I don’t see your name on it.”

“Turn it around.”

“Well,” Tony paused. Calligraphy is a lost art,” tossing her the bag.

“Yeah, that’s what I thought you said.”

*^-^*

Maria and Natasha had decided to stay back with Wanda to help her with the post-party cleanup. As they were putting things away, they noticed red wisps of magic floating gently around the room, lifting empty plates and glasses over to the sink. Wanda had always been careful about using her powers outside of missions, but it was hard to resist the temptation to make things a little easier for herself, especially when her house was full of messy superheroes who weren't particularly good at cleaning up after themselves. As she was putting away dishes, one of them unexpectedly slipped from her grasp and hit the floor, shattering into two pieces.

"Are you okay?" Maria asked as Natasha carefully picked up the broken plate.

“I’m fine, just a bit clumsy.”

“Like mother, like sons,” Natasha teased.

“Oh yeah,” Maria said with a grin. “Nat told me all about your little adventure. She said you were smitten.”

“I was not smitten!”

“You had a goofy grin on your face when you came back to the cafe,” Natasha said, scoffing.

“I was simply being a good Samaritan,” Wanda argued.

Natasha's lips curled into a playful smirk as she spoke, "Oh really? And who were you pretending to be when you purchased those bags of candy for the young lads from Y/N's shop?"

Wanda's eyes widened as she asked, "How did you find out? And more importantly, how do you know her name?"

“Wands, I'm a spy. If one of my friends leaves with a stranger and goes up to their apartment alone, you can bet I’m going to check them out.”

“Well, nothing happened. I got her some ice for her ankle and left, and I didn’t even know it was her shop,” Wanda dismissed. Besides,” Wanda whispered, peering over at her boys asleep on the couch. “Billy and Tommy are just starting to feel at home here. I would never do anything to put that in jeopardy… Not again,” fidgeting quietly with the wedding ring still holding tight to her finger. It had been a year, but she still hadn’t found the strength to take it off.

“We know you wouldn’t,” Maria reassured, placing her arm around her shoulder. “But you are still worthy of the chance to be happy again, honey.”

“Just because you’re starting over doesn’t mean you have to do it alone,” Natasha added. “Is that what Vis would have wanted?”

*Chapter 4 coming soon*

119 notes · View notes

steveandbuckysdaughter · 4 months

Text

Personal review regarding what if…? season 2 episode 8 (spoilers)

No ok, I must admit, the episode was good in some aspects.

Wanda was majestic. Loki and Scott were hilarious and I loved every single moment with them.

Thor was amazing, dark and serious out of loss but still enjoyable, and the crumbs of his relationship with Hela were very nice.

I’ve actually liked Tony for the very first time in my life, probably because I tend to like him a lot more in AUs and fanfictions than I do in the normal timeline.

And then… there were those two.

I will never comprehend why marvel wants Steve to be so dependent on Peggy. And I will never comprehend why, to make him interact with her, they have to destroy or sideline every other relationship he has built, or make his character flat.

Bucky being friends with Scott was amazing, but the fact that him and Steve interacted like two times was extremely disappointing. You’d expect “best friends in every universe”, if you dislike the romantic pairing so much, to acknowledge themselves for more than a few scenes, in only one of which they’re in frame together (Bucky was literally 😐 while his best friend disappeared, come on now).

And the storyline about Peggy coming from another world to save the universe was just… Mbah. It could’ve been executed in another way without including her and it still would have made sense. It really feels like a Y/N insert.

Seeing literally any other character was so good, so fun, and they had to ruin it this way, making Peggy once again the self insert and girlboss she didn’t need to be.

Plus, forgive my constant complaining, but it’s extremely infuriating how all of Steve’s friends were eliminated to put the focus solely on Peggy. Where’s Sam? Where’s Nat? Where’s Clint? It’s not an underrated friendship we’re talking about, a big chunk of the fandom loves the cap quartet or team cap, and after civil war it would have been nice to see them interact, especially after its popularity and popular demand. Outlaw team cap would have been glorious, a good chance to bring back many characters who aren’t here anymore in the right way, and involve characters that are rarely involved in What if in the storyline, for a change.

The treatment of Sam in this series particularly angers me, and even more so in this episode. I understand not involving him in other storylines, but Sam was a big part of CATWS and he wasn’t even in the episode centered on that film. What, because Steve met him while running he can’t be introduced in any other way? And oh, there’s no excuse for this episode. If there was one episode they could have placed Sam in, it was this one. Sam was there in infinity war, where the mess happened, and he should have been with the other avengers in this one.

If marvel wanted to involve someone from another universe so bad, it should have been a Captain America Sam from another universe. Can you imagine the poetry of seeing Steve and Nat again after endgame? Can you imagine having closure with them both, and having fun in the process? It would have been so great.

Another great storyline without involving characters from other universes would have been one where Steve, who touched the time stone, accidentally brought everyone in the past, and he was the only one to remember it. And to go back and prevent everyone’s distraction, he had to recruit the avengers, who don’t know him and don’t trust him but that in the end become his friends and companions. It would have been so interesting to see the original avengers involved in something different from being some side characters or extras in the one woman show that seems to be What if, constantly centered around the same bland, one dimensional reimagined side character. Peggy’s blandness is so obvious in these episodes (aside for some random remarks that made me smile) that literally everyone who’s involved directly with her must be bland like her, otherwise risking to overshadow her.

I don’t think I was supposed to cringe and look away as much as I did during Steggy’s forced scenes, but I did. If they had to force Steggy and Peggy down our throats, at least they could have done something different from the same bland and boring storyline as always. I wouldn’t be as mad as I am now if Peggy and Steve’s relationship wasn’t as bland. I would have preferred an enemies to lovers type of twist or change, where Steve doesn’t trust Peggy and struggles with her because he sees in her a different version of the Peggy that died in that universe. But noooo, god forbid, let’s go with the same old song.

An episode five or ten minutes longer with a better, avengers-centric or Steve-centric storyline would have been much better than what we got.

And given that this was my most anticipated episode, I was very disappointed by it. I hope for the next seasons, if there’s other ones, Marvel will listen to the general complaint regarding Peggy and will give her a break. I don’t think any of the original avengers or relevant MCU characters made as much appearances as Peggy, and being a main focus in four episodes out of nine is ridiculous.

53 notes · View notes

giveamadeuschohisownmovie · 1 year

Text

I forgot who it was but I remember someone replying to me about how MCU Valentina Allegra de Fontaine isn’t a bad person and that I was being too quick to judge her based on her interactions with John Walker and Yelena Belova. You know, as if recruiting an unstable war vet who committed war crimes into her shady team and ordering an assassination on an original Avenger wasn’t that bad.

After what Val said about dreaming about the day that America acquires vibranium weapons, even at the cost of what happens to nations like Wakanda, I stand by my early assessment of the character lol. That line was just pure evil.

As a side note, one of my favorite reactions to the character that I’ve seen on this site is that Val is the MCU’s Lauren Boebert. Maybe part of the reason why I thought it was hilarious was because my first thought was that she’s the MCU Sarah Palin.

227 notes · View notes

unhingedmarvelandclassicwhobuff · 1 year

Link

I really should have talked about this author when I did my “good MCU fanfics” rec series a few weeks ago, but to be honest, there’s so much to recommend with this author that they get their own separate post.

Basically, ever since 2017 this author has been writing counters to all the things crazy Tony stans say, and pointing out all the bad things Tony has done. I’m going to share some of my favorite ficlets with you now. Warning, there are a LOT.

Tony [Stark] has a lot to answer for - the author’s very first ficlet series in which they detail every way Tony wronged the other Avengers in Civil War. This one is only 12 chapters, so I don’t see the need to point out my faves as there are so few.

Actions Have Consequences [For Tony Stark] - highlights:

- May Parker finds out what Tony did to Peter in CW and gets him arrested

- The many problems with the Sokovia Accords

- My favorite if this collection; the Wanda chapter

- Team Cap did not rely on Tony’s money

- The Guardians of the Galaxy offer their take on the Accords

But Wait, There’s More [Prop-Tony Tropes]! - highlights

- Howard Stark would not approve of Tony’s actions

- Tony’s man-pain is not an excuse

- Wanda’s illusions were not mindrape

- Obadiah Stane’s under-the-table deals are not comparable to anything Bucky (or Wanda for that matter) went through, and Tony was most likely self-aware enough to realize that

- Why the fuck would Ultron stop mid-fight to say that Wanda was responsible for creating him instead of Tony?

Inconvenient Truths About Propping Tony Stark - highlights:

- Tony’s gamble to kill Stane was not a sacrifice

- Nebula would be disgusted and horrified if she knew what Tony did in Siberia

- My favorite of these: after the Snap, Steve gets a visit from Wanda’s spirit thanking him for giving her a new family (this was written pre-Endgame where we learned everyone was totally deleted from existence)

And the [Prop-Tony] Tropes Just Keep on Coming - highlights:

- The idea that Tony could get the Accords amended is preposterous

- If Nebula learned about the Accords, she would be furious at Tony

- Steve crashing the Valkyrie in the ocean WAS a sacrifice

- Contacting the Nigerian authorities would not have stopped Rumlow

- There were absolutely civilians who supported Team Cap

- Vision would NEVER turn against Wanda

- Killing Vision immediately in Infinity War would have been a horrible idea

More Inconvenient Truths About Propping Tony Stark - highlights

- Pepper was probably aghast at Tony’s refusal to help undo the Snap

- Morgan could have seriously injured or killed herself with that helmet and gauntlet

- May Parker would be horrified if she learned about EDITH

- Tony never gave a shit about Vision

- Tony never cared about Wanda in the slightest

- The other Avengers would have personally arrested Tony if they learned about EDITH

- Tony was not left for dead in Siberia

- Tony was fine with letting the world burn so long as he got his perfect life

- If Tony knew about the Accords ahead of time, that makes him even more despicable than he already is

- Shooting Sam point-blank was arguably the worst thing Tony could have done

- Team Cap DID face the consequences of their actions

- If Tony tried to tell Wanda he wasn’t responsible for her parents deaths (which I’d like to think he had the common sense not to do), she would absolutely school him

- The Avengers would have been better off without Tony (this one is a DC crossover in which Luicis Fox and Superman take Tony’s place in the first Avengers movie)

- Tony may or may not have designed the sonic cannons Ross used on the Hulk

- Rhodey was not given a suit during the climax of Iron Man 3, and that was dumb

- Tony never gave Nebula a second glance after getting back to Earth

- Peter would cut ties with Tony completely if he learned about Siberia

- The SHIELD data dump was carefully planned

- Bucky would NEVER, EVER turn on Steve

- Bruce would be disgusted with Tony for supporting the Accords

- None of the Avengers tried to kill Tony during Age of Ultron

- If Wanda has to stand trial after Age of Ultron, then so does Tony

- Pepper and Rhodey would be furious at Tony if they knew what happened in Siberia

So Many [Prop-Tony] Tropes So Little Time - highlights:

- If Clint learned about Tony’s refusal to help undo the Snap while he was still Ronin, he would most likely have taken drastic measures

- The Doctor would never in his/her two thousand years of life or beyond support Tony (this one was particularly cathartic as a Doctor Who fan)

- Wanda does not have to forgive Tony just because Yinsen did (and I would like to hope Tony had enough self-awareness to understand that)

- Rhodey and Vision would both blow their stacks if they knew who Peter was

- Sarah Rogers would be proud of Steve for standing up to Tony

- Pietro Maximoff would NEVER support the Accords, much less take Tony’s side over his own sister’s

- Peggy Carter would be ashamed of Tony

- Steve is an actual captain

- Team Cap would not leave Scott (or anyone else) behind if they could help it

- T’Challa would not refuse to help get Wanda’s shock collar off

- If you seriously think a World War Two veteran would support Tony over Steve, you are delusional

- If Tony and Gamora ever met, she would not like him

- Maria Stark would not approve of Tony’s actions

- Steve having that checklist in Winter Soldier is not indicative of his skills as a leader

- Wanda would never side with Tony over Steve

- Nigeria did not support the Accords

- The universe would have been better off if Tony had gotten shot down instead of Rhodey and he went to Siberia instead

- Bruce never tried to hurt or kill Wanda in Infinity War or Endgame

- Why the fuck would Asgard support the Accords?

- There is no canonical proof that Wanda or Pietro were formally trained by Hydra

- Scott was probably horrified at the fact that Tony did nothing to help after the Snap

- If Sam actually did get shot down, Tony at least would probably have just kept going after the Quin-Jet

- If for whatever reason Wanda had cast her Hex in the ruins of the Avengers Compound while everyone was still there, it would not have lasted very long at all

- Abraham Erskine would probably hate Tony

- Michelle Jones would have had Tony running out of Peter’s apartment like a bitch if she had been with Peter that day

- If Tony forced the Avengers to choose between him and Wanda, they would choose Wanda

- May and Ben Parker would NEVER be pro-Accords

- Wanda convincing Tony to start spending his money on the world would be a good thing

- Wanda and Bucky never met until Leipzig

- If Logan Howlett randomly showed up in Leipzig, he would be on Team Cap

- If Redwing was sapient, it wouldn’t betray Team Cap for Tony

- If Howard and Maria Stark were deep-frozen in Siberia, they would horrified to see what Tony was doing

-If Tony summoned Khonsu to kill Team Cap, he would be the only one Khonsu would kill

Ghosts of Conversations Past - in which Tony’s awful words are reacted to more appropriately. Highlights:

- Bruce is furious at Tony for saying Steve should have been left on ice

- Peter dumps Tony upon realizing his deception

- Wanda and Pietro actually get to call out Tony for claiming that arms dealing was never his life

- Revealing Clint’s family to Ross was arguably the most evil thing Tony ever did

- Natasha is internally hurt at Tony’s callous insult after Leipzig

- Steve explodes at Tony over his WMD crack

- Bruce reacts more appropriately to Tony’s story in Iron Man 3

- Remember that double whammy homophobic AND transphobic comment in Iron Man 1?

- Stane’s final quip about Tony was 100% true

- Tony sticking it to Congress directly contradicts him being pro-Accords

- That famous gif of Tony rolling his eyes only exists because he is a jackass

- Vulture gets to take his explanation further and rants about Tony’s callousness

- Tony is a massive hypocrite

- Tony not paying the Avengers is completely in character

- Per No Way Home, Tony had a Star Trek Matter Replicator and never shared it with anyone

You Could Make a Case for That - assorted headcanons realized. Highlights:

- Morgan being a robot would have made about as much sense as what we got

- If Strucker’s pedestal for Loki’s scepter was booby-trapped, Tony would have died, and the universe would have been better off

- Tony insisting that Wanda and Pietro belonged in prison would be wildly hypocritical

- The Infinity Stones may or may not have made sure Tony died

- That deleted scene from Endgame where Tony shaves Rocket is 100% in character for him, and it is awful

- Tony not wanting to undo the Blip might have made more sense if Morgan was adopted after being orphaned by the Snap, but that would definitely have made him even more despicable

- If Mantis read Tony’s emotions, she would feel nothing but egotism and rage

- Whether Novi Grad was bombed by Hydra, NATO, or whoever, Tony is stil responsible for his bombs being sold to them

- If Pepper went to Siberia via the Rescue suit, she would be on Steve’s side

- the villains of the MCU liking Tony is not a good thing (this one was a rebuttal to a specific Tony stan fic)

- Tony failing SHIELD’s evaluation in Iron Man 2 was completely fair

- Tony has a lot in common with Lex Luthor

- Vulture didn’t reveal Peter’s identity, and Loki didn’t reveal Clint’s family, but Tony did

- The fact that Tony and Bruce were nowhere near an interface when Ultron came online is irrelevant; the mere fact that they had plugged in evil alien tech is the problem

- Steve did not hurt Tony by disabling his suit in Siberia

- Vision and Shuri probably helped keep Team Cap off the radar

- Goose the Flerken would not like Tony

- Steve and Tony on Vormir together would not work at all

- Tony has a lot in common with Kang

- If the other two Peter Parkers learned about Tony during No Way Home, they would be horrified that MCU Peter looked up to him

- If Tony had tried to rebuild the world after the Snap, he probably would have made things even worse

#ao3 #mcu fanfiction #anti tony stark #anti tony stans #steve rogers #sam wilson #clint barton #bruce banner #scott lang #wanda maximoff #bucky barnes #james rhodes #natasha romanoff #peter parker #thaddeus ross #anti sokovia accords

77 notes · View notes