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veterveter · 3 years

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Are you in the mcu fandom? Just curious that's it

Heyyyy friend!! Thanks for asking!

Yeah, in a pretty casual way. I really loved catching the films at the cinema at midnight premieres and stuff as soon as they came out, it was a cool and collective experience. Especially Infinity War and Endgame, it felt like such a global experience we all shared. I miss that, I hope we can have that again soon. I’ve been enjoying the D+ shows too, WandaVision had a strong start and TFATWS has... Zemo. I’m not fiercely passionate about it though, I bug my friend to give me all the deep lore I might need.

This being said you can always come @ me to discuss MCU stuff, friends!! I’ll try and be really smart for you.

#asks #natures-marvel #here's some of my opinions for your reading pleasure #civil war's my favourite MCU film #Shuri is the MVP #Infinity War was so great Endgame could never measure up #I saw the Captain America films back to back at the cinema ending with the premiere of Civil War #and that was one of the best experiences of my entire life #I miss the cinema so much #ngl the phrasing of this ask was a little scary #thanks for asking though #this made me really miss the MCU I should rewatch Civil War #Age of Ultron isn't as bad as people say???#thank you very much for asking honestly I can't believe someone asked me something I feel blessed by that actually #MCU #The best MCU line is forever 'we will deep fry your kebab' from that shop window in Infinity War #I lived in Scotland at the time and I felt it in my heart #I went to see on Letterboxd and I had my top three as CW - BP - 1st Avenger???#I changed it so now Infinity War has 1st Avenger's place #That feels about right

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ohshititslezz · 6 years

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Dear Black Panther fanfic writers!!

If someone ain’t tell y’all this today then I shall, Y’ALL ARE THE SHITTTT! You guys are so creative and Fucking talented! Keep doing y’all shit! I love reading your stories and for my first time Fic writers keep Fucking writing !

#black panther fic #black panther fanfiction #yall are the real mvps #erik killmonger #t’challa #shuri #yasssss

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blackbat05 · 3 years

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I need a break

Shangqi x Reader (Platonic)

A/N: I feel like I’m loosing steam towards the end of my placement and wow I have never needed a break this badly before. Perhaps a short Shangqi x Reader imagine where they are both University students. Seriously at this rate I’ll just be solely a Shangqi writer HAHAHA. Doing this on my phone because I don’t want to open my work computer. Let’s see where this impromptu idea takes me to. Hope you enjoy it and as always like and comment if you wish!

Genre: PG-13

Warnings: None really, just friends supporting each other! I guess there’s an inaccurate timeline if you look at the MCU but hey this is an imagine plus if you look at some of the wiki pages, Shangqi is actually born in 1998/1999. So appreciate if you’re kind enough to go with the flow to read this comfort fic!

‘Y/N!’ Shangqi rushes to catch up with you after class. You made an effort to conceal your tiredness but he saw it right through. ‘Gosh…you alright?’

You think to yourself. Were you really alright? The answer was pretty obvious. You were ten weeks into your placement and your emotions were a jumbled up mess. Having to deal with work responsibilities was one problem, school assignments were another issue all together. At this point, you felt like you were just getting through each week for the sake of it.

At first, you believed that what you were going through was simply a transition to becoming an adult. You thought that naturally, you would be able to persevere through the stressful periods by yourself. But of course, it has been hard.

You were a social work intern at a neighborhood youth centre, thirty minutes away if you took the train and bus. The work was fulfilling in it’s own ways, but recently there were self-doubts filling your brain, if you were really cut out for the job in the future. If you weren’t, what else could you do?

As you sat with Shangqi in the school’s student-ran cafe, you found yourself pouring out the exact same concerns to him. Credit to him, Shangqi never interrupted your monologue, he just simply listened. That’s what best friends were for. That’s what you did for him to when he ran into issues with his family.

Even then, he couldn’t deny that hearing you doubt yourself broke his heart. He had known you since high school. You mostly kept to yourself and one or two close friends. Despite joining the school’s athletic team where you were one of the main athletes, you preferred to stay in the shadows unlike some of your teammates. That didn’t stop you from going out of your way to help other students in need; like helping the girl who was in an arm cast to copy the social studies notes, even if it meant you had to do it twice. Or maybe just talking to a friend who was stressed out about their results.

Basically, you had studied your ass off to get a secured spot at this university who were only one of the few that offered the degree. He remembers you telling him the moment you got your offer, ‘I’m finally good at something. I don’t have to worry anymore!’

Shangqi wasn’t stupid. The pandemic had done some crazy things. And by crazy, it affected the self-esteem that you had been working so hard on by participating in various projects and events, with you being in charge of a drama production that was promoting on mental health. That was a big deal considering that you were a major introvert.

Online engagement was never easy. In fact he has heard some of your struggles that you’ve shared with him regarding this and it only makes him admire you even more. For someone who preferred to keep to themselves, stepping out of one’s comfort zone, to take on a role that wasn’t just simply about helping people - that took guts.

‘I’m sorry I’m just loading you with all this. I just feel…’ You trailed off, suddenly becoming emotional again. Again, Shangqi does not pry. ‘That I can’t do anything right.’ You emphasize that you had ended the statement for you were unsure that you could keep your cool if you had tried to continue on.

‘If I hear you saying sorry another time,’ he chides, ‘you’re paying for our meal later.’ Your lips curved upwards slightly before returning to its somber position. Shangqi decides that a meal won’t cut it. He needs to deploy ‘Operation Y/N’. Standing up with your buzzer to collect the food, Shangqi whips out his phone. There will be a few changes for today.

Food was definitely a cure in this situation, but it was only a part of the solution. After inhaling your ramen at light speed, Shangqi tells you that today will be a different Friday. ‘And you can’t complain! It’ll be a weekend tmr,’ he tells you. So why not? You figured that even if you went back home early, your head wouldn’t be in the right place to complete the essay for your English module.

‘Hold up! The VR studio that Katy was talking about?’ You look at the tickets inside the taxi that was taking you and Shangqi to the location. ‘How did you even, it was so hard to get these tickets!’ From the time Shangqi met you outside the classroom, he had yet to see you so ecstatic. Until now.

‘Well,’ Shangqi gives his best shrug. ‘I called in a favor from a friend. Said that it was for emergency purposes.’ He raised his fingers to make connotations in the air much to your amusement.

‘Wow… just how much do I not know about you Mr Popular?’ You teased. Shangqi decides to leave the fact on him having to persuade the Wakandan Princess in giving him free tickets.

‘Please! I swear whatever you want me to do, I’ll do it! It’s for Y/N!’

‘Ey well why didn’t you say so? If it’s for that nice friend, of course!’ Shuri leaves the entrance of the compound, an exasperated Shangqi trailing behind.

Yeah, the VR studio that Katy told them about was also funded by King T’Challa himself. With stunning life like visuals thanks to Wakandan technology, the VR studio was located in a middle class neighborhood. T’Challa believed that no matter where kids came from, they should have the right to enjoy and to explore the world. For now, he wasn’t ready to share that he was on the way on becoming a full-fledged Avenger yet - you just had too much on your plate. He’ll just have to settle with this white lie.

‘Is Katy coming?’ You were on the verge of vibrating off your seat. ‘She would love this place!’ Even when you were struggling, Y/N still manages to think about other people. Today, Y/N will put her needs first.

As if to answer your previous question, you can see an equally excited Katy waiting for the two of you at the roundabout. ‘HEL-LO EVERYONE! LET’S GET OUR FRIDAY STARTED IN PROPER SHALL WE?’ Her loud voice had attracted stares, some very displeased looks too but at this point in time, you didn’t give a damn. Katy was right, it was time to enjoy!

You wished that you could slow down time, or even replay it continuously when you needed cheering up because the only thing you felt was pure happiness - euphoria even. Your stomach was in knots for laughing hysterically together with Katy when Shangqi jumped in shock from a surprise scare from a zombie. ‘I’m keeping that for leverage,’ she tells you, quietly slipping her phone into her fanny pack.

The Wakandans had really outdone themselves this time. Your favorite VR was the paradise VR. Slipping the headgear, you say goodbye to the smiles of Katy and Shangqi, whisking away to a beach that oddly reminded you of your dream destination - Hawaii. From where you were standing, you were surrounded by green and majestic islands. Despite their sheer size, you weren’t intimidated. In fact, you were healing.

Your mind was no longer in the room of the VR studio. How could it when the sun kissed your skin, giving you the much needed energy that you were lacking for so long? In the room, the two sees you kick your shoes to the side, going barefoot. It may have seem strange, but with the monitor beside you, your actions were perfectly logical.

As a kid, you used to despise the prickly feeling of sand in between your toes. But now, you grew to love the sensation that each grain of sand had on your skin. It made you feel grounded, that everything was going to be ok. You raise your virtual hand to touch your face - were you crying?

‘She must have been really stressed huh?’ Katy whispers to Shangqi who nods in return. How he hated the fact that you were giving so much to your work but still felt underappreciated. Forget the Avengers with superhuman abilities, you were the true MVP. The VR ends and you remove your headgear. ‘I’m ok,’ you automatically reassure them despite the dry tears left on both cheeks. You step down the platform slowly, trying to regain sense of the real world.

What you didn’t expect was the two embracing you in a hug, squishing you in between them. Maybe that had set off the waterworks. For someone like Katy, she had sage advice.

‘Life can be pretty shitty right? But I’m so proud of you fighting it Y/N. Just remember that it’s ok to be weak. I mean, I’ve seen worse from Shangqi,’ she jabs her finger towards his direction, earning a glare from him. That’s Katy, always trying to add a bit of humor to this grey world. Calming down, you let go of the both of them. ‘Thanks guys, for everything.’

‘Hey,’ Shangqi responds, slinging his arm over your shoulder. ‘We’re friends, so we don’t leave each other behind.’ Phone beeping, he retrieves it to check the message. ‘And look at that, nice timing. Who wants Korean BBQ?’

Trailing behind them, you get an amusing view of Shangqi bickering with Katy on how many Soju bottles she’s allowed to order later. As San Francisco welcomed the night, you were just thankful that you had the two of them to walk through this crazy maze called life.

‘Last one to the shop is paying!’

‘Oh you’re on Mister!’

A/N: I really just think that this was also an imagine for me to cope too. So I can only hope to finish my placement/assignments/exams well! To anyone who does studies and work simultaneously, I fucking respect you (allow me to use expletives for now, these people deserve the respect). If you’re going through a stressful time, I hope this brings the slightest comfort for you and remember… YOU ARE NOT ALONE! Again, thank you for reading!

#shang chi #xu shangqi #shangqi x reader #shangqi imagine #katy shang chi #shang chi x reader #shangqi #simu liu

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mcufandomhatespeopleofcolor · 3 years

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let Sarah Wilson interact w other women, other mothers, too. Like may Parker, pepper Potts, let her distinguished bisexual self crush on other women too pls even if she’s dating Bucky let her feel a little attracted pls make her bi and date bucky at the same time. I ship samBucky and sarahbucky and we don’t crap on shippers of the other, unlike some stuckies and buckynats.

Yessss!!!! Thank you for this I love the idea of Sarah being a wlwoc! Omg the avengers moms/sisters/aunts club would be so great. Personally I think Sarah wilson and May Parker are the real mvps having to deal with raising kids on their own. Like yes Pepper is a widow but she's a recent widow and like she can learn so much from May and Sarah. They get the kids together for playdates and pepper makes sure they all have personal shields that will activate in the event of an emergency that rhodey built and that they test on Peter because he's super strong.

OMG I JUST THOUGHT OF SOMETHING.

QUEEN RAMONDA teaching the other three how to deal with kids that are meant for greatness or at least are too precocious. Like she's raised Shuri and T'Challa she knows a thing or two!

mod laina

#sarah wilson #sarah x bucky #sarahbucky #wlwoc #may parker #pepper potts #queen ramonda

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benoitblanc · 2 years

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mcu!

favorite character: pepper potts my beloved <3

least favorite character: ego is probably the worst (as in morally, not in terms of writing) villain in the entire franchise. i hate his guts

5 favorite ships (canon or non-canon): tony and pepper, scott and hope, t'challa and nakia, peter and mj, & druig and makkari

character I find most attractive: peggy obviously have you met me

character I would marry: honestly? scott. i love him a lot

character I would be best friends with: shuri 1000%. i love her so much

a random thought: i just fuckin love rhodey, man. mvp of the mcu

an unpopular opinion: it really doesn't always matter if a character or storyline isn't 100% comics-accurate as long as it's not actively harmful. to be clear, i'm not talking about things like comic fans talking about whitewashing of the maximoffs, because that is a very real issue that definitely needs to be discussed and ideally fixed. i'm talking about other comic fans who get really pedantic about things like iron man's favorite brand of cereal. they're adaptations, and considering comics canon usually makes no sense anyway, non-harmful changes aren't that big of a deal

my canon OTP: pepperony... i miss them...

my non-canon OTP: carolmaria... why is feige a coward...

most badass character: carol and okoye are a dead tie. queens. they should be friends

most epic villain: okay see this is hard because the most EPIC villains are definitely killmonger and the emo odinsons, but my favorite villain is ava starr. she'd better be in quantumania or so help me feige

pairing I am not a fan of: *HEAVIEST OF SIGHS* st/eggy

character I feel the writers screwed up (in one way or another): wanda lmao cast an actual romani actor and then we'll talk

favorite friendship: nat and steve, but tony and rhodey are a REALLY close second

character I most identify with: my three immediate answers are all from various shows (kate, jemma, and daniel) and i'm trying not to do shows here so that i don't end up answering ONLY shows, so let's go with hope

character I wish I could be: also probably hope. i love her even if evangeline lilly has been getting up to some questionable shit

send a fandom, ship, or character!!!

#thanks so much for asking!!!#answered #marvel #mcu

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pass-the-bechdel · 4 years

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Marvel Cinematic Universe: Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

Does it pass the Bechdel Test?

Yes, once.

How many female characters (with names and lines) are there?

Nine (25.71% of cast).

How many male characters (with names and lines) are there?

Twenty-six.

Positive Content Rating:

Three.

General Film Quality:

For a movie which is pretty much wall-to-wall fight scenes...I love it. I always start out going ‘maybe I overrate this movie, maybe it’s not as good as I remember’, but by the end, I’m right back in there.

MORE INFO (and potential spoilers) UNDER THE CUT:

Passing the Bechdel:

Wanda apologises to Natasha for lying. It’s a close call.

Female characters:

Pepper Potts.

F.R.I.D.A.Y

Gamora.

Mantis.

Wanda Maximoff.

Natasha Romanoff.

Okoye.

Nebula.

Shuri.

Male characters:

Ebony Maw.

Thanos.

Thor.

Loki.

Heimdall.

Bruce Banner.

Stephen Strange.

Wong.

Tony Stark.

Peter Parker.

Ned.

Peter Quill.

Rocket.

Drax.

Groot.

Vision.

Steve Rogers.

Sam Wilson.

The Collector.

Thaddeus Ross.

James Rhodes.

T’Challa.

Bucky Barnes.

Eitri.

Red Skull.

M’Baku.

OTHER NOTES:

Heimdall had proven himself too much of an MVP in previous films to be allowed to live in this one. Bastards.

Heimdall and Loki, both dead before the opening titles. That’s how you know this movie means business, it’s not faking at high stakes.

I also am from space and have come here to steal a necklace from a wizard.

“Mr Stark, it smells like a new car in here!”

“All words are made up.”

Not gonna lie, when I saw this at the cinema and I realised that Captain America had arrived? My heart LEAPT. It was intense.

Depressed Thor is a great touch - after all previous films with Thor had him so bland, and then Ragnarok made him funny but essentially glossed over any of the difficult emotions it was dredging up, I’m glad to finally get something real and meaty from the character. If characters go through all manner of Hell and don’t show any signs of labouring under that weight, you’re doing character development wrong.

Nice callback with Red Skull.

The sacrifice of Gamora on Vormir is a really well-balanced piece; it was asking a lot, to make the emotion of it land despite how little of Thanos we’ve seen before, and without genuine emotion at it’s core it’s just the killing off of a female character for shock value. I feel like they got the pitch just right (most thanks to the music).

As much as I enjoy Thor and Rocket’s bantering, the side-quest for Stormbreaker feels like an unnecessary and over-the-top distraction in an already stuffed-full film. Easily the weakest part of the plot.

The fact that Quill fucks everything up with defeating Thanos on Titan because he can’t keep himself under control for two seconds certainly does not endear him to me in the slightest. Like ok, you’re upset, but if you can’t stop yourself from getting violent that’s on you, that makes you a dangerous person with serious issues, that’s not normal and it’s not ok. Also, literally half of all life in the universe was at stake. So there’s that.

Listen, I’m very susceptible to heroism (and that’s why superhero movies work for me), so every time someone comes to someone else’s rescue, I have feelings.

I had convinced myself that somehow, Thanos wouldn’t succeed with his whole plan in this movie, that he would get all the stones but that he would like, go to a special place or something before enacting his plan, so that the good guys would have a chance to regroup and race to stop him before it was too late, all that jazz. So (even though Thanos had already snapped at that point), when Bucky Barnes disintegrated before our very eyes, I was SHOCKED. That got me like a smack in the face.

Considering I’ve never really been a fan of Tom Holland’s Spider-man, it’s a credit to his work that Peter’s death scene is so effective. That’s acting.

So, what makes this movie work despite being so heavy with bombastic action? The short answer is: it’s because the good guys lose. I’ve made no secret of being a fan of the ‘hour darkest before the dawn’ in storytelling, so this is playing to the sweet spot for me there, but it’s not as simple as just making everything miserable and hopeless. In this case, specifically, the lead-up to that ultimate failure is key; it’s gotta still feel like a superhero extravaganza, even as it takes an increasingly dark turn. The action works because it’s part of what we signed up for (the best camouflage for subversions of the traditional model), and it works because it’s all carrying the story forward - the Infinity War is comprised of multiple battles, and because of the way the pieces of the narrative are separated, the characters don’t know how any of the other battles are turning out; everyone is just trying to fight what’s in front of them and defend the stone in their midst, they don’t have the option to sit around doom-and-glooming and restrategising as news of each defeat comes in. Rather than dragging us wholesale from Point A to B to C in ever-escalating stakes and complications, the writers have had the good sense to spread things out and let things fall apart for our heroes (and the universe) in multiple smaller pieces until they reach a cumulative critical mass. Consequently, instead of feeling as though we’re sitting there watching things go from bad to worse, the audience forms this false sense of security in the action; it’s a superhero movie, after all. We expect them to work it all out in the end, to build toward a moment of apparent hopelessness (a darkest hour before the dawn), and then to rally triumphantly for the big win. As such, we perceive small victories (i.e. the defeat of Thanos’ various ‘children’, the creation of Stormbreaker, the way things draw out in the battle on Titan) as if they are more significant, as if they are signs leading us to that big win; without those small, expected victories, the ultimate failure would not hit as hard, because after two and a half hours of watching the good guys get wrecked without a chance, what surprise would there be in the snap?

Of course, plenty of viewers knew about the snap already or expected an ultimate failure of some sort based on the fact that we pretty much all knew that this was the first half of our grand Avengers finale (my mother, who is not a superhero movie fan, did not know what she was getting into and was...very shocked), so it’s important that the film still works to engage us on a character level so that the good guys losing in the end can hit like a ton of bricks even if you knew it was coming (and even though you no doubt expected to get the big win eventually, once Endgame came out). After all the fighting and the bantering, all the usual stuff we expect to see our heroes go through in the course of an average adventure, having them then watch their beloved friends/allies/whatever literally disintegrate before their eyes in a quiet, drawn out scene of devastation is a magnificent piece of cinema, communicating the shock not only of the event itself, but of the complete disruption to the superhero status quo. It’s not just that good guys don’t lose like this, it’s that they don’t lose with a whimper instead of a a bang. It’s not only that the cost of failure has never been this high; it’s also that they have never been forced to watch it play out with such inevitability; they have never before been rendered so powerless. If the entire film had the tone of the last ten minutes, it wouldn’t work so well, it’d just be a drudge and the audience would be desensitised by the end. By the same token, if the rest of the film had not planted the seeds of the finale so thoroughly in all its smaller losses and smokescreen victories, the ending would not be so horrifically fitting.

Neither, of course, would the ending be so affecting, if we were not as attached to the characters as we are. We have many, many films worth of history with most of them, or at least one solid encounter in which to become attached, and even in a movie chock-full of more characters than any other before, everyone gets a chance to show their personality and remind us why we care if they live or die. I’m not going to argue for this being an incredible character piece (nor is it pretending to be one), but it plays its very large hand very well, putting emphasis where it needs to be without overloading or unbalancing the story. As I noted above, I was particularly impressed with the way Thanos was handled, considering our exposure to him previously was very minimal and it was left up the this film to build his ethos as well as his relationships with his ‘children’ almost from scratch, creating complexity and simplicity without falling into the trap of trying to make the villain sympathetic; Thanos isn’t necessarily relatable (nor does he need to be), but he is understandable in that we’ve all probably encountered at least one person who holds the same limited worldview and is somehow convinced that they could ‘fix’ everything, given the power. Thanos isn’t actually aiming for universal domination in the traditional sense, and it makes him more disturbing and more realistic as a villain, because his evil is not nebulous or purely self-serving; he is a true believer, and his delusions have an all-too-familiar ring about them, so as we watch him lumber and pontificate around the story, we get a clearly-drawn image of someone possessed of such basic and humble flaws that he is - again, without being treated as sympathetic - quite significantly humanised, despite all of the non-human elements that make up both his character, and his situation. Even as it planet-hops and draws upon cosmic magic, the narrative is grounded by a centrepiece of plain, ungodly fallibility.

Now, I recognise that in all of this praise for the way this film was executed, there isn't really anything to be said for it regarding the purpose of this blog; on the female representation front, it's not really doing anything (the fact that it juuust manages to pass the Bechdel and juuust over a quarter of its cast is female does not win it brownie points; its better than not having either of those things, but that's not a genuine achievement). The two female characters who were more prominently positioned in this movie are Gamora and Wanda; Gamora largely in context of her relationship with Thanos, and Wanda as Vision’s significant other and the means of his destruction. Notably, both women’s arcs are accessories to the arcs of male characters, which is not what we’re aiming for in good representation, though it does not exclude the possibility of quality content; Gamora’s role may have a lot to do with Thanos (not least, after he kills her), but it is still distinctly her own story, rich with emotion and coming to a surprising and depressing end which I felt struck the right chords to be compelling rather than an enraging disposal of one of the few female characters around (more on this after Endgame). Wanda’s presence leaves less of an impression, in terms of screen time, plot complication, and audience engagement, but all things considered I don’t think that was a terrible choice; Wanda and Vision’s relationship had been a somewhat sparse subplot in previous films and the chemistry was not strong, so I don’t think it would have been to the film’s benefit to try and expand on that relationship further than they did. As it was, there was enough there to sell the emotion, and nothing extraneous, and as much as I enjoy this movie, I wish I could say better things for its female representation than that. It is stuffed-full, and definitely not perfect, and space could have been made to pump up some of the other female characters’ roles more (the Earthbound characters get the least attention in the movie, and since basically all my faves are there it is a testament to how well this movie works for me that I enjoy it so much anyway, but a little more attention there would not have gone astray, especially since that’s where most of the female cast is). That said...I still really enjoy it, man. As far as popcorn action goes, this is top shelf.

#Marvel Cinematic Universe #Avengers: Infinity War #female representation #Bechdel Test #MCU

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what-the--curtains · 4 years

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Braving the Elements

Chapter 5: Training day

TW: Possible PTSD, burns, fighting (friendly)

Authors note: shout out to the very few people following this you guys are the real MVPs!

Song youre listening too when the boys enter

When youre sparring with Sam

You awake to a high pitch beeping of what you can only assume is an alarm clock. “Fuck off” you yell putting a pillow over your head before tossing it in the general direction of the sound. You let it beep for another minute before climbing out of bed. Feeling defeated, you find the alarm and turn it off cursing when you read the time. 6:30AM. You stretch your arms up over your head causing various bones to pop and squat down over the pile of clothes that you had left on the floor the day before. You pick up a pair of grey leggings and a matching sports bra. Pulling them on before reaching down to grab an oversized t-shirt that you throw on to conceal your figure. You really hated it when people ogled you at the gym. You put on a baseball cap and pull your hair through the back opening, tying it up in a ponytail with an elastic. You walk into the kitchen and over to the island where Wanda and Nat are sitting. Grabbing some toast you turn to join the conversion at hand. “Odds someone tries to explain to you how to use weights today?” Nat asks, biting down into a bagel.

“I’d wager pretty high.” you respond still slightly groggy.

“Very high!” yells Shuri from another room causing you all to snigger.

“How are you all so awake?” you ask

Handing you a coffee Wanda replies, “ Well as you know crime doesn’t sleep!” Rolling your eyes you fill up your water bottle. Shuri walks into the kitchen and hands you a phone

“Here all employees need them, and if you need anything just ask Friday he’s linked up to all the systems in this building”

So that's the bastard who woke me up, you think to yourself.

“This is great, thanks Shuri!” you say as you admire your new possession. You down the rest of your coffee and head off to the gym, getting there at 7 on the dot.

No one was there yet so you plug in your headphones and stretch for a few minutes before starting on the punching bag. Your back’s facing the door and you’re blaring your music so loudly that you fail to notice Bucky and Sam enter the room laughing about something.

“Someone’s early.” Sam says in your general direction. No response.

“Guess she’s not a morning person?” He says. Bucky shrugs, dropping his bag on the floor. Sam walks over to you placing his hand on your shoulder. Startled and without thinking you grab his wrist and throw him to the ground. Realizing who you had just slammed into the ground you begin to apologize profusely while removing your headphone “Shit Sam, I’m so sorry I didn’t hear ya come in!” you exclaim, pulling him up. He gives you a disgruntled look before turning to Bucky, who has been in a fit of laughter since Sam hit the ground.

“Shut up man! She caught me off guard!” As the two friends argue you couldn’t help but notice how amazing Bucky’s body was. He was in joggers and a muscle shirt showing every curve of his perfectly sculpted arm. How the hell were you supposed to focus with someone so muscly walking around? I mean seriously he’s built like a Greek god! Whose ogling now you think chastising yourself for objectifying him.

“Well I can promise that’s the only one your gonna land on me kid” Sam states as you follow him onto the sparring mat

“Alright kid, hit me with your best shot!” You dance around each other for a bit. He swings first. You lean back to avoid contact, he swings again and you duck somersaulting behind him. You jump on his back and pull him down using your weight. Your side slams into the mat first, but you quickly get Sam face down on the mat pushing your shin bone down on his back keeping him in place. You smile relishing your win before looking up just in time to see Bucky’s steel blue eyes dart off you and back to the pull up bar.

“Alright, alright,” Sam says “not bad let’s see if you can do it again.”

“I’ve already done it twice” you remark, pulling him up.

“Don't get cocky now.” Sam retorts. The two of you banter back and forth for a bit before squaring up for the second round. You swing first this time. Sam blocks it easily, and grabs your arm, twisting it behind your back. You stomp down on his foot causing him to release you. You’re about to turn back to face him when you catch a glimpse of Bucky doing chin ups. You zone out for a second, mesmerized by the way his arm muscles clenched as he pulled his weight up. Unfortunately, your little daydream gave Sam just enough time to press his foot into the back of your knee and flip you down onto the mat.

“You know you're gonna have to get used to that. His muscles look just as big in his get up.” Sam says quietly enough so only you can hear him.

“Shut up!” you say, sticking your tongue out at him as he helps you up. You square up for the third round. You swing first again, he ducks and puts you in a headlock. Then, all of a sudden, you're back in that room with Romans hands wrapped around your neck, feeling helpless. You can sense the anger rising in you. Before you can make sense of what’s happening you connect your hand with Sam’s bare arm burning him.

“Ow! Fuck! No powers allowed!” Sam shrieks pulling you back to reality. Looking down at his arm he continues to yell

“I’m RUINED!”. The commotion causes Bucky to walk over “What the fuck?” he says noticing the slightly charred skin on Sam's arm.

“Sam, i'm gonna need you to calm down and let me fix it!” You reach for his water bottle removing the liquid and lowering it onto his now, medium rare arm. You move the water from side to side and slowly the cells begin to regenerate until the blistered flesh is completely healed.

“There.” you say putting the water back into the bottle “All better now drama queen?”

“How did you do that?” Bucky asks evidently amazed.

“Charles taught me how to do it, I used to accidentally burn lots of people so he said least I could do was heal them up afterwards!”

You pull Sam up

“Alright” he says “I think that's enough sparring for today, and remind me not to drink outta that bottle. Let’s go see if you can light the weights on fire.”

“Rude.” you says before following Sam over to the squat rack

“So, you ever seen anything like his arm?” Sam asks hoping to get a rise out of you. Bucky rolls his eyes returning to his workout.

“You know I used to know a guy made of metal” you respond coolly, much to Sam’s dismay.

“Exterior?” Sam asks

“No interior all his bones were metal, well I guess I also knew a full metal guy and hey! He’s Russian do you know each other?” you shout over to Bucky who's moved on to bicep curls.

“C’mon not all Russians know each other.” He huffs.

“Well I just figured that metal people may have some kind of support group!” this comment causes him to crack a small smile

“So what’s the coolest power you’ve ever come across?” Sam asks as you do your squats.

“Well there was this guy, named Darwin, who could literally adapt to any scenario…” Just then Shuri walks in.

“Hey workouts over, I got your suit ready come check it out!”

“Yay!” you say in pursuit of the princess.

“So what’s she like? Fighting wise?’ Bucky asks Sam

“Why are you so interested tin man?” He responds.

“Fine, keep your secrets” Bucky says holding his hands up in surrender and returning to the weights.

“It’s weird, she fights like she’s invincible. I can’t imagine the toll it takes on her body. She literally slammed her side onto the floor so she could get the upper hand on me! It was insane.”

“Shit,” Bucky laughs “sounds like you kinda liked it.”

“Oh please like I didn’t see you staring at her from over here while she beat me up!”

“Maybe I was staring at you?” Bucky responds and Sam rolls his eyes

“Here” Shuri said, showing you the blue, black and gold suit she had designed for you. “Amazing!” you say under your breath before high fiving the princess. It was full body spandex like Natasha’s, but with a scoop neck and exposed arms. Shuri brought out two gold arm bands that went half way up your arm. “These convert humidity in the atmosphere into water so you can have unlimited access to it. I've also installed lighter fluid so you can make flames any time you want.”

“Awesome” you say, testing out the arm gadgets on two nearby dummies.

“ The suits are also designed to keep you cool so you don’t accidentally flare up and burn someone.” she explains handing you a belt with various attachments for ammunition and two leg attachments with holsters.

‘This is amazing Shuri! Thank you!” you exclaim hugging her. “When do I get the guns for these holsters?” you ask

“Not until you're cleared by Tony.” she says

“So never then.” You say

Ignoring your last comment Shuri continues “ If there’s anything wrong with it let me know and i'll fix it! Looks like I finished it just in time. Suit up! you’ve got your first mission to get to.”

#braving the elements #bucky barns #bucky x you #bucky x reader #bucky x oc #avengers fanfiction #Spotify

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sunriserose1023 · 5 years

Text

Sparks

SQUARE FILLED: Enemies to Lovers AU PAIRING: Bucky Barnes x Female Reader WARNINGS: Angst, medical situations, mentions of blood and surgery, sexual content, canon-level violence WORD COUNT: 12,112

You limped into the living area, muttering under your breath, cursing the very air James Buchanan Barnes breathed. You threw your bag onto the couch as forcefully as you could, wincing when the motion tweaked your sore shoulder and the ribs that were broken on that side of your body. You hobbled into the kitchen, bent over because you could breathe better that way, narrowing your eyes when the rich sounds of laughter rang out behind you.

“Hey, there you are. You took off before the debriefing.”

You grunted, opening the refrigerator, gritting your teeth at the pain shooting through your body.

“Hey, you alright?”

You nodded, gritting your teeth even harder.

“Fine, Captain.”

Steve’s eyes widened at the way you spit out his name.

“Hey, come here.”

You couldn’t help the gasp when he laid his hands on your shoulders. You slowly turned to face him and he sucked in a breath.

“Jesus, Y/N.” “I’m fine.” “Yeah, you look fine. F.R.I.D.A.Y.?” “Yes sir?”

You rolled your eyes at the soft, feminine voice that floated up from the hidden speakers around the room.

“Call …”

Steve’s voice trailed off.

“Who am I supposed to call when the team physician is in need of a physician?” “First of all, Cap, don’t call me a physician. It’s 2019. I’m a doctor.”

Steve raised an eyebrow as you went on.

“Second of all, I’m fine.”

Steve poked your side and you flinched back from him, breath catching in your throat at the pain that was rolling through you at those few movements.

“Son of a bitch!” “Yeah, you’re fine. F.R.I.D.A.Y., call Dr. Banner.” “He’s not even a real doctor.”

Steve smiled as your shoulders heaved up and down, still trying to catch your breath.

“Still got an M.D. behind his name.”

You rolled your eyes and Steve pointed towards the door.

“I will carry you.” “I can walk. Jesus. So pushy. Who decided you were the boss and why didn’t I get a vote?” “I’m a captain. I outrank you all.”

You rolled your eyes, reaching the stairs. You grasped the bannister, stepping down and stopping on the top step. You took in a sharp breath, closing your eyes and shaking your head.

“Oh, jeez.”

Steve scooped you into his arms a mere second before you passed out. He jogged down the rest of the steps, walking through the infirmary doors. Bucky was sitting on the table there, legs swinging off the side.

“Hey, where’s— oh shit.”

He hopped off the table, wincing and hopping once, shaking out his leg. Steve raised an eyebrow and Bucky sighed.

“Tweaked my ankle. I just wanted to come bother her. She alright?” “Yeah, looks like it, doesn’t it?”

Bucky pressed his lips together and Steve sighed.

“She was hobbling around the living area. Any idea how that could have happened?” “Wha—why come at me like that?”

Steve rolled his eyes, glancing up as Bruce walked into the room, wiping his glasses off on his white coat. He slid the glasses onto his face.

“You guys know I don’t do medical things, right?” “She did say you weren’t a real doctor.”

Bruce rolled his eyes.

“I am a real doctor. Just … in biochemistry. Not … medicine.”

Bruce walked over to the table, murmuring for Steve’s help to lift you and remove the coat you were wearing. Steve whistled softly when dark bruises on your arms were revealed.

“Christ. I didn’t know it was that bad.”

Steve and Bruce glanced at Bucky, who gently rolled his metal fingers over the bruises. Bruce cleared his throat.

“Can you go find Natasha or Wanda? I could use some help getting her in a gown and I don’t think she’d want either of you to see her like that.”

Steve nodded, lying you back on the table and stepping away, clamping a hand on Bucky’s shoulder.

“Come on, Buck.”

Bucky let out a breath, slowly nodding before turning and following Steve towards the door, stopping at the doorframe and glancing back at you.

“Hey. How you feeling?”

You grunted, making Wanda giggle. You shuffled into the kitchen and pulled open the fridge, taking out a bottle of water and wincing as you twisted the top. You took a sip and sighed, turning slowly and shuffling towards Wanda. She was sitting back with her arms crossed, watching you, the spoon in her tea slowly stirring in a circle. You shook your head, a soft smile on your face as you set your water bottle on the table across from her.

“Show off.”

She smiled.

“I’m tired of using my hands.” “Not all of us have that luxury, you know.” “You need me to stir your water, Doc?” “Smart ass.”

Wanda laughed, and you sucked in a breath before letting it out slowly. Wanda’s spoon settled against the side of the cup and she lifted it to her lips before setting it on a napkin. She picked up the cup and took a sip, then spoke softly.

“You feeling any better?”

You tilted your head from side to side.

“My ribs hurt like a bitch. Bruce said there were three completely broken and two cracked. I’m all wrapped up like a cocoon, but it still hurts.” “Anything I can do?” “Yeah, grab me a few dozen Tylenols.”

Wanda laughed, but the cabinet near the sink opened and an industrial-sized bottle of the painkillers floated into Wanda’s hand. You laughed, one hand grabbing your side and whining until she opened the bottle and shook two pills into her hand. She handed them to you and you nodded, shaking your head as the top twisted off your water bottle.

“You’re the real MVP, Wanda.”

She grinned and you downed the pills, draining most of the water bottle. You closed your eyes and just breathed for a moment, forcing your lungs to expand through the pain. After a few deep, painful breaths, Wanda spoke.

“So how exactly did you get all banged up?”

Your nose wrinkled.

“Oh, yeah. You got to sit out this little ‘milk run,’ didn’t you?”

She nodded and you sighed as you blinked your eyes open.

“I just started training, you know? Tony finally agreed to let me out of the compound on something other than a doctor basis. And what happens? Bucky freakin’ Barnes. He’s all ‘you good?’ when I am most certainly not good. But he didn’t even ask, you know? I mean he did ask, but he didn’t stick around to hear the answer! All he thinks about is his own damn self.” “I’m sure he didn’t do it on purpose.”

You shot her a look that had her shrinking back, hands up in an apologetic way. You shook your head.

“He’s such a … dick. I could have died out there, you know?”

Wanda nodded sympathetically and you shook your head.

“Well, I’m sure that was my first and last mission. At least, it will be once Tony gets back. But, until then—“ “Everyday you’re shufflin’?”

You glared at Sam as he walked into the room, sweatshirt soaked from his run. He cackled as he walked to the fridge, pulling out a bottle of water that he drained. You shook your head, not even dignifying him with a response as you … damn it. You shuffled back towards your room.

“Hey, crip! How goes it?”

You heard Wanda sharp inhale, Sam’s soft groan, all followed by Steve’s fatherly sigh. You glared over your shoulder at Bucky, who wiggled his eyebrows at you. You rolled your eyes, picking up your shuffling pace again, but lifting the hand on your uninjured side, flipping Bucky off and making Sam laugh.

As the weeks went on, your injuries lessened to the point where you could go almost a full day without feeling pain. Tony, as you’d expected, fully blew a gasket when he got home and was given a report of your injuries. He banished you to the clinic, and Pepper promised you that she’d work on him, but you resigned yourself to the fact that you’d just be the Avengers’ doctor, instead of an Avenger yourself.

Luckily for you, being the Avengers’ doctor was an almost full-time job. You patched at least one of them up on a daily basis, some more than others (i.e. Clint and Sam). You also kept busy on a direct video line to Wakanda, where you were working on a project with Shuri.

You’d just signed off with her when the doors to the clinic burst open, Bucky rushing in with a limp Natasha in his arms. You turned to face him, motioning to a room that he ran into, laying her on the table, babbling almost incoherently as he pushed his fingers through his hair. You noticed that Natasha was breathing fine, and pressing your fingers to her neck, you felt how strong her pulse was. There was no visible bleeding or any other sort of injury, so you turned back to Bucky. His eyes were wide and his skin was pale, and you walked to stand in front of him, reaching up and grabbing his face in your hands, yanking him down to your level.

“Breathe.”

He stared at you, and you threaded your fingers into his hair, tugging gently.

“Breathe, Barnes.”

He did, following your lead at inhaling and holding the breath before exhaling slowly. You nodded and he nodded back at you.

“What happened?”

He shook his head, which was still in your hands.

“I don’t know. One minute she was fine, the next, she just crumpled. She’s been out cold ever since.” “How long ago did she pass out?”

He shook his head again.

“Ten, twenty minutes?” “Anybody else around do like her?”

He shook his head, and you finally moved your hands from him. You felt your cheeks heat up as you turned away from him and Bucky lifted a hand to brush against his cheek. He tilted his head when he saw you combing through Nat’s fiery hair.

“What are you doing?” “I’m thinking tranq, but I don’t know where. It’s not obvious.”

Bucky watched you as you held her face, studying it before you began unbuttoning her blouse.

“You can go now.” “What if you need help?” “Then I’ll call for it. She’ll kill us both if she finds out you were here when I undressed her.” “She and I have a pretty extensive background together, you know.” “And if you’d like any kind of future, you’ll show yourself out.”

Bucky rolled his eyes, but made his way to the door. He held a hand on the knob, then shook his head, opening it and walking away.

Natasha had fallen victim to a new kind of tranquilizer. This new kind pretty much dissolves through clothing, until it latches onto skin, where it quickly takes effect. She was more pissed off than anything else, once she’d woken up hours later.

You sat in your office and tapped a pen against the notepad you had on the desk. You couldn’t shake how scared Bucky had looked, how downright frantic he seemed, and the way he calmed almost instantly when you put your hands on him. You’d never noticed just how blue his eyes were until you were staring into them from only inches away.

You huffed out a breath and tossed the pen onto the desk. You crossed your arms over your chest and glared at the wall.

Bucky had been nothing but a pain in your ass since you stepped foot into the Avengers compound. He’d started out being short with you, questioning your skills, refusing to let you treat his very minor injuries that were soon cured by the serum pumping through his veins. You’d grown to dread seeing him at any point during your day, so naturally, once Tony convinced you to move in, since missions happened at all hours of the day and night and injuries had no timeline, he’d placed you in a room just down the hall from Bucky’s.

Of course, Bucky didn’t use his room all that much. Claimed he’d slept enough in his hundred years. He didn’t say that to you—you’d overheard him talking with Wanda once day. He was surprisingly gentle with her.

As time went on, his bristliness wore off, and he went from prickly and standoffish to downright annoying the living hell out of you. When you expressed your desire to go out on a mission, Steve let you train with Bucky a total of one times, before you threatened to grab a gun and shoot him or else dunk him in water and let his arm rust off. Steve took over your training then.

Wasn’t enough, because when you finally did get to go on a mission, the person you thought would have your back all but fed you to the wolves.

Your all-but-healed ribs gave a painful throb then, as if to drive home the point. You sighed, shaking your head. You and Barnes were nothing but acquaintances. Enemies, would be more like it. He annoyed the shit out of you and you had to constantly talk yourself out of seeing just how much sedative it would take to make the former Winter Soldier pliant.

Or, even better, comatose.

You studied the cards in your hand, picking one up from the deck. You tried to keep your face from showing that it was the card you needed, and as you discarded your final card, you laid your cards out on the table.

“Gin.” “Son of a bitch.”

You laughed at Clint, who laid his cards down and jammed a finger on the table.

“One card. I’ve needed one damn card for the last seven rounds.”

He groaned and leaned back in his chair and Natasha scooped the cards up, bringing them closer to her and beginning to shuffle them. You smiled and grabbed a chip from the bowl between you and Clint, popping it in your mouth.

“What is that, five to one now?” “Don’t you even start.”

Natasha laughed as she shuffled.

“She’s a shark, Clint. Didn’t you know?” “Apparently not.”

You shrugged your shoulders, popping another chip into your mouth.

“Gambling, really?”

You couldn’t stop the laugh as Steve walked up, hands on his hips and what you’d lovingly named his “disappointed dad” look on his face. He shook his head, but Bucky pulled out the chair next to Natasha.

“Deal me in. What are we playing?” “Doc’s kicking our asses in gin.” “Rummy?”

You rolled your eyes, eating another chip instead of giving the snarky remark on your tongue. Natasha nodded, finally satisfied with her shuffling. She began dealing the cards and Steve sighed, pulling out the chair next to you.

“Might as well join in.” “Look at ol’ Cap, giving in to peer pressure.” “Oh, you just hush.”

You laughed, waiting until Natasha had dealt everyone’s cards before you picked up your hand. It really wasn’t your fault that this was your game. You moved a few cards around, keeping them close to you, because you knew Steve had a wandering eye, as much as he’d deny it. You let the game go through two rounds, drawing a card and laying it on the discard pile.

“Gin.” “Oh, are you kidding me?” “I’m done with you.”

You laughed as Clint pushed his chair back from the table, taking your empty beers and carrying them to the kitchen. Steve leaned over, studying your cards, then shaking his head.

“Did you cheat?” “Nope. I’m just lucky.”

Bucky snorted and you clenched your teeth together, refusing to give in. You pushed your chair back from the table and stood up.

“I’m grabbing some more snacks. Any requests?”

Natasha raised her hand.

“The hummus we brought back from Lebanon.”

You nodded, and Steve looked up at you.

“Do we have anymore of those strawberries from Louisiana?” “I think so.”

He winked at you and you looked over at Bucky. He lifted his chin.

“I want some—“ “Don’t care.”

You turned and walked out, leaving Steve and Natasha nearly falling off of their chairs with laughter. You were smiling when you met Clint in the kitchen and he raised an eyebrow at you. You shook your head, going to the refrigerator for the snack requests.

“What exactly is it about Barnes that rubs you the wrong way?”

Your eyes widened as you turned from the fridge, staring at him.

“What?” “You heard me. Soon as he walks in, you get all … prickly. Why?”

You shrugged your shoulders.

“He doesn’t like me.” “And you don’t like him back?” “He’s never been my buddy, Clint. He’s not like you or Nat. We started off on the wrong foot and it’s just been downhill ever since.” “Why don’t you give him a chance?” “Because the last time I did, I ended up with five broken ribs.”

Clint made a face.

“Fair enough.”

You shook your head, grabbing a platter out of one of the cabinets and loading it down with snacks. Clint grabbed enough beers for the table, and the two of you made your way back into the room. You scattered the snacks among those who requested them, sitting in your chair and watching Bucky shuffle the cards. You hated to admit it, but you were kind of fascinated by his metal arm. You knew how deadly it could be; you’d seen it firsthand. But, like now, he was shuffling the cards almost gently. The arm seemed to be an anomaly in itself.

“Earth to the good doctor.”

You blinked, cheeks flushing when you looked to Steve.

“What?”

He smiled that pristine toothpaste advertisement grin of his and you rolled your eyes.

“I said, Buck wants to switch the game up. Are you such a shark at poker?”

You shrugged.

“I can hold my own.” “Yeah, we’ll see.”

You narrowed your eyes at Clint as he popped the top on his beer and tossed it into the trash can across the room.

Four hands later, you and Bucky were neck-and-neck. Steve had won the first round, but you and Bucky had switched off every other. Steve, Natasha, and Clint were really just watching now, playing just enough to get the game going before folding.

You tapped a finger on the cards in your hand, looking across the table at Bucky. He had a deep frown on his face, lines carved into his forehead as he studied his cards. The way tonight was going, along with the beers you’d had, gave you a little more courage than you usually would.

“Hey, Barnes.”

He nodded at you, not pulling his eyes from his cards.

“Want to make this a little more interesting?” “I’m not playing strip poker, no matter how much you beg.”

Steve nearly spit his beer out, while Natasha bent over laughing. You rolled your eyes, glancing at the cards on the table.

“You’re such a jerk.”

Bucky looked up then, giving you a wink and a smile.

“What’re you thinking?”

You shrugged your shoulders.

“If I win, then you clean my clinic for a month.” “And when I win?” “If you win … I don’t know. Whatever.”

Bucky licked his lips, glancing down at his cards before bringing his eyes back to you. You swallowed at the look he gave you, your traitorous mind going places you’d never imagined before. He lifted his metal arm, thumb swiping over his bottom lip before coming to rest on the table. You missed the way Natasha’s eyes widened, how she looked to Clint who just shook his head once, shushing her silently.

“You know those … those things that you bake?”

You rolled your eyes, but nodded. Bucky’s sweet tooth was legendary in the compound, and he’d made no qualms in letting everyone know that while he didn’t care for you, you could bake like a wizard. He leveled his eyes at you.

“When I win, you make me whatever I want, whenever I want.”

You pushed a smile forward.

“Deal.”

He nodded, and you took in a breath, turning your cards over.

“Straight, in diamonds.”

Clint whistled low and all eyes turned to Bucky. He bit his bottom lip, then sighed, turning his cards face down on the table.

“I fold.”

You jumped up, punching your fists in the air. You laughed as Natasha ran around the table, putting her head down, whispering to you about how exactly you managed that. You wrapped an arm around her waist and the two of you made your way into the kitchen.

Bucky watched you leave, oblivious to Clint and Steve stealthily turning his cards over.

“What the hell, man?”

Bucky looked to Clint, sighing when he saw his cards face-up.

“Don’t.” “You had a royal flush. You beat her.” “Shut up, Clint.” “But a flush beats a straight every time!” “Shut up, Clint.”

Bucky pushed away from the table, rubbing a hand over his head as he walked away. Clint looked to Steve, who shook his head as he leaned back in his chair.

“He’s got it bad.”

Clint huffed out a breath, leaning back in his own chair and propping his feet on the table.

“Almost as bad as she does.”

Steve nodded, crossing his arms over his chest, leaning his head back and closing his eyes.

“This is bullshit.”

Steve laughed from his perch on the counter, taking a healthy bite of the apple he’d snagged from the kitchen. Bucky grumbled under his breath as he pushed a mop back and forth, cursing when he hit a tile that was slightly uneven, snagging one of the curls of the mophead. Steve shook his head.

“If you hate cleaning so much, then why did you let her win that poker game?” “Momentary lapse.”

Steve rolled his eyes, taking another bite of apple. Bucky stopped and held the mop upright, resting his regular arm on it.

“What do you think of her?” “Doc?”

Bucky nodded, and Steve swallowed the bite he was chewing.

“I like her. She’s very intelligent. Good at her job.” “I don’t want to hire her, Stevie. Jeez. I mean as a person.”

Steve smiled, bouncing his shoulders once.

“She’s nice. Funny. Genuine. She’s fun to be around.”

He took another bite of the apple, then tossed the core into the trash can across the room.

“I don’t know what you want me to say, Buck. You want me to sell you on her? I don’t think you really need me to do that.”

Bucky hung his head, going back to pushing the mop across the floor. Steve smiled and looked down at his hands.

“You remember second grade?” “Vaguely. It’s buried under some HYDRA bullshit.”

Steve sighed.

“There was a little girl in our class. She sat … across the row from me. In front of you.” “Are you talking about … what was her name? Nancy? The girl with the two brown pigtails?” “Yes!”

Bucky shook his head.

“Why the hell are you thinking about her?” “It’s not so much her that I’m thinking of. Do you remember how you dipped her pigtails in the blue paint?”

Bucky smiled.

“My dad tore my ass up after that.” “And she asked you to push her on the swings and you wouldn’t.” “Because she had cooties. All the girls back then had cooties. Except my ma.” “And when we made those puppets out of the brown paper grocery sacks, you ripped hers in half.”

Bucky sighed, propping up on the mop again.

“Is there a point to this stroll down memory lane, Grandpa?”

Steve smiled.

“You liked her.” “We were kids.” “But you thought she was pretty. You told me that.” “I also told you that if you ever told anyone else, I’d knock your teeth down your throat.”

Steve rolled his eyes.

“I’d like to see you try.” “You’re not exactly the scrawny little shrimp you used to be, Stevie.”

Steve smiled, then met Bucky’s eyes again.

“My point is … you like Y/N. Just as much—if not more—than you liked Nancy with her pigtails.” “I do not.” “You liar.”

Bucky huffed out a breath, taking his mop and walking out of the room. Steve laughed, swinging his legs off the edge of the counter, shaking his head.

You flipped another sandwich in the pan on the stove, waiting a few moments before sliding it out of the pan and onto the plate where a monstrous stack already waited. You picked up the plate and walked down to the conference room, knocking twice before opening the door.

“Oh, Doc. Yes.”

You winked at Sam before you set the sandwiches in the middle of the table, laughing under your breath when the Avengers attacked the plate like a bunch of animals. Tony sauntered towards you, a sandwich in one hand that he took a bite of as he stopped in front of you, narrowing his eyes.

“I thought I banished you from the conference room.” “I can take my sandwiches and go—“ “No!”

You laughed at the chorus of negative responses, and even Tony couldn’t help but smile. He shook his head and you lifted your shoulders.

“I’m not here to be briefed. You’d all been in here for a while and I thought you might need …” “Sustenance.” “Exactly. Thanks, Thor.”

He gave you a thumbs up—much better than when he’d flipped you off without truly understanding what that meant a few weeks prior—and reached for another sandwich. Tony nodded, taking a bite and turning away from you. You glanced towards the screen that all but filled up one wall, blinking when you saw the photos. You tore your eyes away when Natasha cleared her throat and you glanced to her. She shrugged, giving you a wink. You swallowed, pushing a smile onto your face.

“When do you roll out?”

Quiet fell over the room until Bucky spoke up.

“1700 hours.”

You nodded, glancing at your watch before looking back at the screen. You licked your lips.

“Be careful.”

You turned to leave, stopping at the door and glancing back, surprised to find a pair of ice blue eyes looking back at you.

You paced around the entire compound while everyone was gone. You cleaned every space you could, including Wanda’s room, which she’d given you an open invitation to any time, and Thor’s, because he never minded or really bothered to clean much. You scrubbed the showers while wearing a mask you’d brought up from the clinic. You slept on the couch in the living room, jolting awake at regular intervals, at any little noise, until F.R.I.D.A.Y. lulled you to sleep with ambient noise and a promise that she’d wake you if something happened.

Five days went by without a word from anyone. F.R.I.D.A.Y. kept you up-to-date as best she could, but your heart leapt to your throat and set up camp there when she stopped updating you and went quiet.

You sat in your clinic, on the floor that you knew was clean, hands clasped together, eyes closed. You refused to check the news or anything else, knowing that it would just drive you out of your mind with worry. Well … more than you already were.

“Doctor.”

You opened your eyes, unable to speak. F.R.I.D.A.Y. must have sensed that, because she went ahead and briefed you.

“The quinjet is sixty miles out. They’ve got a critical patient on board.” “Who is it, F.R.I.D.A.Y.?” “Agent Barton.”

You groaned, pushing yourself to your feet.

“Goddamn it, Clint. Laura’s going to kill me.”

You walked towards the scrub room, tying up your hair and shoving it under a scrub cap on the way.

“How bad is it?” “Three gunshot wounds. Vitals are very low.” “Give ‘em to me.”

You tied a mask on your face as F.R.I.D.A.Y. spoke, stepping over to the sink and stepping on the button that turns the water on.

“Blood pressure seventy over forty. Respirations of nine. Heartbeat is eighty-two and falling.” “Damn it, Clint.”

You scrubbed your nails and your hands, your forearms all the way up to your elbows. You tried to steady your breathing, looking into the sterile room where one of your friends would soon be rushed into.

“They’re here, Doctor.”

You swallowed, nodding your head, stepping through the doors and over to the table where your instruments waited. You dried your hands on the special towels, slipping on a gown and tying it. You slid your hands into the sterile gloves, breathing in through your nose and exhaling through your mouth. The mask tended to make you feel claustrophobic, but you knew that would all fade as soon as Clint was rolled into the room.

Tony had decked out your medical suite with nothing but top-of-the-line equipment. The best part, according to you, was the full-body scan that occurred just before the patient entered the operating room. Despite your best efforts, Tony insisted on the gallery, and you tried your best not to look up to see all your friends staring down, watching you attempt to save the lives of the people on your table.

You heard the clicks and whirrs that signaled an incoming patient, and you took in a breath just as the doors opened and the stretcher wheeled into the room. You walked to the table as the side rails dropped, breath catching in your throat when you saw Clint’s face. You shook your head and grabbed a pair of scissors from your table.

“It’s your lucky day, Barton. Welcome to the Fun Zone. F.R.I.D.A.Y., pull up the body scan.”

She did, and you looked at it as you cut Clint’s clothes away.

“Three entry wounds, but only one exit.” “He would make it as difficult as he could. The shoulder was a through-and-through?” “Appears that way.”

You nodded, squinting your eyes.

“F.R.I.D.A.Y., enhance the liver.”

She did, and you breathed a sigh of relief when it appeared unscathed.

“Now the kidneys.”

You grabbed a sheet, draping it over the lower half of Clint’s body before you picked up a scalpel.

“Spleen.”

F.R.I.D.A.Y. enlarged the spleen for you, and you shook your head.

“Let’s do the upper portion of the small intestine.” “Doctor, his blood pressure is bottoming out.” “Shit.”

You stared at the scan, eyes widening.

“F.R.I.D.A.Y., enlarge the thoracic cavity.”

She did, and you cursed under your breath. You looked down at Clint’s chest, swallowing before you pressed the scalpel into his flesh. The machine that worked as your scrub nurse handed you the different instruments you needed without you having to ask for them. You looked up at the scan again, shaking your head and cracking Clint’s chest open, watching the cavity fill with blood.

“You are not doing this to me today, Barton. Not today.”

The machine beside you turned the suction on, and you did your best not to let the sight or the sound turn your stomach. You looked back up at the scan, tilting your neck from side to side, hearing a soft cracking before you settled in to work.

“Al… most … got it!”

You held the bullet up, shaking your head.

“Little bastard.”

You heard applause, and you looked up, feeling your cheeks heat when you saw Natasha’s relief and Tony’s proud papa smile. You rolled your eyes, dropping the bullet into the small basin the machine brought over to you. You lifted your eyes back to the scan and shook your head.

“F.R.I.D.A.Y., where’s the other bullet?” “You were wanting to check the small intestine.”

You shook your head.

“It’s not there.” “I can bring up—“

Alarms began blaring and you cursed as you grabbed towels to try and clear away the blood suddenly filling Clint’s chest again. The sound of the suction was roaring in your ears as you reached a hand in, gently moving Clint’s heart out of the way.

“Damn it. Damn it!” “Doctor?” “The bullet traveled up to his heart. Put him on bypass.”

F.R.I.D.A.Y. did as you asked, as well as turning on the countdown clock on the wall. You worked as quickly as you could, deliberately ignoring the gallery, where you were sure Tony and Natasha still were. Time seemed to drag on, even as it flew by.

“Doctor, he’s been under too long.” “I’ve almost got it.” “He needs to come off bypass in the next thirty seconds.” “I know, F.R.I.D.A.Y., but I’ve almost got it.” “Doctor, you’re risking permanent brain damage—“ “I know the risks! Just shut up for one minute.”

The seconds ticked by loudly in the silence of the room. Just as the last second clicked down on the clock on the wall, you lifted the bullet from Clint’s heart.

“Got it. Take him off.”

F.R.I.D.A.Y. turned off the machines and you stared at the screen beside the table. A flat line was all that appeared and you nodded.

“Charge to 200.”

The machine beside you whirred into action and you lifted your hands.

“Shock.”

Clint’s body twitched on the table, but the flat line remained on the screen.

“250.”

The machine whirred again and you kept your hands lifted.

“Shock.”

Another twitch, but the flat line still remained. You swallowed.

“300.”

You kept your eyes on the screen, clenching your hands into fists.

“Shock.”

Clint’s body gave a bigger twitch, and before you could say anything, a blip appeared on the screen. A steady, rising heartbeat, along with a normal blood pressure, made you give a sigh of relief, hanging your head as grateful tears came to your eyes. You nodded, draping a section of what looked like plastic wrap over Clint’s chest. Once it was in place, his bed moved to take him to a room down the hall, where Dr. Cho’s fancy machine would close him up without any stitches and minimal scarring.

You blew out a breath, reaching back and untying your gown, dropping it into a bin, followed by your gloves. You looked up then, a soft smile crossing your face when Tony gave you a thumbs up. Natasha, surprisingly, had her eyes closed while encased in Bruce’s arms. He smiled at you and you gave him a nod. You left the operating room, yanking the mask off your face as you went back to the scrub room to re-wash your hands and arms.

“Doctor, there’s another incoming.”

You stopped, removing your foot from the water pedal.

“What? Who?” “Captain Rogers has radioed in. They were caught in an ambush.” “Who’s hurt, F.R.I.D.A.Y.?” “Sergeant Barnes.”

Your heart gave a stutter in your chest. You blinked, shaking your head.

“He’s got the serum. What will I be able to do?” “It seems he’s bleeding out faster than the serum can work.”

You sucked in a breath then, tying another mask on your face and stomping on the water pedal, washing your hands as thoroughly and quickly as you could. The machines worked double-time to renew the operating room, setting out new instruments and sterilizing the place. You walked into the room and dried your hands, slipping into a gown and new gloves.

The door opened and the stretcher was brought in. Your breath caught in your throat when you caught sight of him, pale and still on the bed. You swallowed.

“F.R.I.D.A.Y., show me the body scan.”

She projected it onto the wall for you and your eyes widened when you saw the blood filling his belly.

“Doc.”

You glanced up, seeing Steve’s terrified face in the gallery. He stood beside the intercom on the wall and you shook your head as you looked back to Bucky. .

“What the hell happened, Steve?” “I don’t know. He—damn idiot pushed me out of the way. There was a knife. I don’t—he passed out and he won’t wake up.” “Must have nicked an artery.”

You reached back and picked up a scalpel, stopping when you heard Steve’s choked voice.

“Doc, you … you gotta save him. Please, just … don’t let him die.”

You swallowed, looking up and seeing the tears sparkling in Steve’s eyes. You shook your head.

“Bruce?”

He stepped closer to the speaker on the wall.

“Yeah?” “Get him out of here.”

You heard Steve begin to protest, Tony’s voice begin to speak, Bruce’s stammering refusal, and you let out a hard laugh.

“If you want me to save his life, then you better get Captain America and his watery, puppy dog, ‘please save my best friend’ eyes out of here because I can’t stand it. I’m sorry, Steve. But you’ve got to go.”

You heard Steve begging them to let him stay, heard Tony gently ushering him out, promising to take the blame if something went wrong. You shook your head.

“Nothing's going wrong. Not today. You hear me, Barnes? You’re not dying on me today. Too many damn people have tried to take out the Winter Soldier and I will be damned if I let you fall to … whoever the hell did this.”

You shook your head, laying the scalpel aside and suctioning some of the blood out of Bucky’s abdomen.

“Jesus, there’s so much blood. F.R.I.D.A.Y., shift the scan twenty-five degrees, and remove the abdominal organs.”

She did, and you studied the branches of arteries and veins.

“Zoom in ten percent.”

She did, and you felt around as you studied the scan. Your eyebrows lifted.

“Zoom in to the abdominal aorta, six centimeters below the kidneys.”

She did, and you shook your head.

“Son of a bitch. There you are.”

You grabbed some sutures and sewed up the small nick you’d discovered.

“No other internal injuries detected, other than soft tissue swelling to his face and extremities.” “Thank God for small favors. What’s his blood levels?” “Low. He’s not replenishing the way he should.”

You shook your head.

“Probably a result of the serum. He should kick it up soon.” “Doctor, his platelets are dangerously low.” “How low?”

F.R.I.D.A.Y. brought Bucky’s lab results up for you and you let out a shaky breath.

“Damn it. He needs blood and he needs it now.”

You closed your eyes as F.R.I.D.A.Y. said what you were afraid she’d say.

“The available units were sent to Chicago after the mass shooting there.” “Damn it. Bring up Barnes’ file. What blood type is he?” “A negative, Doctor.”

You lifted your head.

“Are you kidding me?”

F.R.I.D.A.Y. didn’t answer, and you shook your head.

“Is there anyone else in this compound with A negative blood?” “No one but you, Doctor.”

You let out a laugh, shaking your head.

“F.R.I.D.A.Y., get Dr. Banner in here now.”

You finished the last suture on Bucky’s side and looked at his pale face.

“You owe me, Barnes.”

You pushed back, pulling your gown off and tossing your gloves into the trash bin. You picked up a few things and set them on the table, unrolling tubing and hooking it up, grabbing an alcohol pad and swiping it across your arm. You glanced up as Bruce stepped into the scrub room and you shook your head.

“He’s closed. I need you in here now.”

Bruce stepped through the door, holding a mask to his face.

“I don’t do medical things. How many times do I have to tell you?” “You can start an IV, right?” “Of course.” “Here. Start one on me.”

Bruce’s eyebrows furrowed over the mask.

“What? Why?” “Barnes needs blood now and I’m the only one with the same blood type.”

Bruce shook his head.

“Somebody here’s got to be O negative.” “I don’t have time to check. Come on. If you don’t do it, I’m going to and I’d rather not butcher my arm if I can help it. ”

Bruce huffed out a breath and you shook the needle towards him. He grabbed it from you and you nodded, holding your arm out towards him.

“There’s a juicy one right in the crook. Go for it.” “Don’t make me nervous.” “Don’t turn green and we’ll be fine.”

Bruce let out a laugh at that and you sucked in a breath as he slid the needle into your vein. You pressed your lips together as he connected one end of the tubing, and the two of you watched as blood from your arm began traveling through the tubing and disappearing into Bucky’s arm.

“Turn it wide open.” “We’ll let it go for a minute, then slow it down.” “He needs all he can get, Bruce.” “Yeah, but we don’t want to drain you dry in the meantime.”

You shifted, making a face as the tubes pulled at your arm.

“You better sit down before your legs give out.” “I’m fine.” “Have you given blood before? Do they let you stand up while you give it? No, because they’re removing blood from your body. Stop trying to be a hero and sit down.”

You sat on the end of Bucky’s bed, blinking widely. Bruce lifted your chin with his hand.

“You okay?”

You nodded, lifting your other arm, weakly batting his hand away. Bruce looked at you with that same worried look and shook his head.

“Hey, talk to me.”

You shook your head.

“It’s … I think it’s the serum.” “What about the serum?” “It’s like … a vacuum. Hard and fast.”

Bruce glanced over, seeing how pink and healthy Bucky now appeared, while you grew paler by the second. Bruce shook his head.

“We need to stop.”

He reached for your arm and you shook your head, weakly batting at his hands.

“He needs it.” “Not at the risk of killing you.” “Don’t … stop.” “Doc, you’re going to lose consciousness soon.” “Don’t … let … him ... die.”

The last thing you heard was Bruce’s frantic voice before the darkness that had been dancing at the edges of your vision suddenly swooped in and sucked you under.

You slowly blinked your eyes open, feeling beyond exhausted. Your body seemed too heavy, and you would have closed your eyes again, had you not noticed the flash of red in the corner.

Natasha smiled as she stood, walking over to you.

“Hey, Doc. How you feeling?” “Tired.”

Your voice was hoarse and Natasha turned away, returning with a cup with a straw in it.

“Small sips.”

You nodded, taking a sip and giving a soft moan at the cool water soothing your dry mouth. Natasha took the cup back and you smacked your lips, letting out a sigh.

“You want the lecture now or later?”

You smiled as you closed your eyes.

“Give me five minutes.”

Natasha smiled, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Do you know how dangerous that was? What might have happened if Bruce hadn’t been there?” “That’s why … I called him. I knew he’d … take care of me.” “Well, you needed blood yourself after that. Tony had to fly to Montana to get it.”

You glanced to the side, looking up and seeing an almost-empty bag hanging on the pole connected to your bed, bright red running through a tube into your arm.

“Is Bucky okay?”

Natasha snorted.

“Seriously? After everything that happened here, he’s who you’re worried about?” “Nat, I’m going to be sick.”

She softened, rushing to help you sit up and holding your hair back as you threw up into the trash can she handed you. She wiped your mouth when you were through, helping you lay back down, wiping the tears from your cheeks. She sighed.

“He hasn’t woken up yet.” “How … how long?” “It’s been twenty-seven hours since you passed out in the O.R.”

You blinked, shaking your head.

“He should … be awake … by now.”

Natasha nodded.

“All his tests are back to normal. F.R.I.D.A.Y. has orders to scan him twice a day. There’s no reason why he’s still out.”

You sighed, reaching up a hand and rubbing it on the end of your nose. Natasha smiled.

“You feeling any better?” “Maybe a … little.”

Natasha smiled, pulling the blanket up as you shivered.

“Steve’s been bouncing from your room to Bucky’s. He said he’s still mad at you for banishing him from the gallery.” “I am not.”

You smiled as Steve stepped into the room, taking hold of Natasha’s shoulders and kissing her cheek. She stepped back and he knelt beside your bed, taking your hand.

“How you feeling?” “Like I got hit by a truck.”

He smiled, reaching to brush your hair back.

“You saved his life.”

You rolled your head to look him in the eye.

“I couldn’t let him die, Steve. I just did what … any doctor would do.” “I don’t know many doctors who would stick a needle in their own arm for a patient.” “Maybe she’s saying he’s not just a patient.”

You rolled your head back, staring up at the ceiling and sighing. Steve’s thumb rolled over the back of your hand and you closed your eyes. Natasha laid her hands on Steve’s shoulders, gently kneading them.

“Rest, Doc. We’ll be here when you wake up.”

It took you longer than anticipated to recover from being Bucky’s blood donor. Bruce and Tony were working overtime to try and figure out why the serum had reacted the way it did, nearly sucking your blood supply dry to reinforce Bucky’s. Bucky had woken up an hour after you, with no memory of the mission, but feeling better than he had in years.

He avoided you, though. Even when Bruce had deemed you healthy enough to return to work, Bucky wouldn’t step foot in the clinic. It was spotless every time you stepped through the doors, though.

You found yourself in the kitchen more often, perfecting recipes you’d long memorized, even taking the time to come up with some new ones of your own. You often found yourself wondering what Bucky would think of the desserts, and you often tried to take a plate to his room, but you’d always chicken out and leave before you would see him.

You had entirely too much time on your hands. Not that you’d want your team to go on a mission and come back needing you, but you were kind of antsy. You were in one of your clinic rooms, building a house out of tongue depressors and Q-tips when a sudden, blaring alarm began sounding, the power shutting off and red lights flashing. You jumped off of the stool you were sitting on, hands going to cover your ears.

“F.R.I.D.A.Y. what the hell is going on?!” “It seems the compound has been breached.” “Breached?! What do you mean ‘breached?!’”

She didn’t answer and you felt your heart begin to pound in your chest. You felt your breathing speed up, feeling claustrophobic in the clinic, but unsure of what you needed to do. You looked around, trying to remember where things that you could use as weapons were stocked, going still and covering your mouth in order not to scream as a large figure loomed in the flashing red lights.

“Doc, you okay?”

You could have cried when you heard his voice. You rushed to him, metal arm wrapping around your waist. You shook your head, laying a hand to his thick chest.

“What’s going on?”

Bucky shook his head.

“HYDRA goons. Steve and Tony have it handled.” “I wouldn’t be so sure.”

Your eyes widened as you ducked in a breath. The two of you looked over to see a man stepping forward with what appeared to be a machine gun in his hand. Bucky stepped forward, subtly pushing you behind him and shielding you with his body. The man smiled, speaking in Russian, using words you didn’t understand, but you couldn’t miss the way Bucky went completely still, spine ramrod straight.

“Fuck you. Never again. I will never—“

The man replied in Russian, and you watched Bucky hang his head, teeth bared and eyes squeezed shut. As the man spoke again, Bucky groaned and you rushed to him, covering one of his ears with your hand, putting your lips right at his other ear.

“Tony built a panic room. We can get to it from any room in the clinic. Once I press the button, we’ve got eight seconds to get in, but once we're in, we’re there until he puts the code in to let us out.” “Go.” “I’m not going without you.”

He lifted his head and you covered his other ear with your hand. He stared into your eyes, both of you flinching when the man fired off a round from his gun. Bucky’s eyes hardened, and you grabbed his hand, squeezing it and taking off at a run. Bucky followed as the man began shooting, covering you with his body as best you could. You reached the supply closet of the room, pressed the button only you knew about, and the floor gave way, letting you slide into the panic room. Bucky was right behind you, and just like you were hoping, the floor righted itself before the man could join you.

You were breathing hard, heart racing as your legs crumpled beneath you and you sat on the floor.

“You okay?” “Ad—adrenaline rush.”

Bucky nodded, groaning as he sat beside you. You glanced to him and sucked in a breath before crawling to him.

“Jesus.” “I’m fine.”

You huffed out a breath, going up on your knees and studying the bleeding wound on his shoulder.

“I think he just grazed you.” “Like I said, I’m fine.”

You rolled your eyes.

“I’ve certainly had enough of you bleeding, so will you just shut up and let me help you?”

Bucky tossed his hair back out of his face to meet your eyes. He sighed and you pushed to your feet, going to a small cabinet in the room and opening it up. Inside, you’d stocked a first aid kit with all the medical equipment you could. You grabbed some gauze and some tape, making your way back to him.

“Take your shirt off.” “What, you’re not even going to try to buy me dinner first?”

You rolled your eyes.

“Just take the damn shirt off. You’re bleeding all over it anyway.”

Bucky sighed, wincing as he shifted and removed his shirt. You made a face when you saw the jagged gash along the upper part of his bicep, taking hold of one of the alcohol wipes you’d grabbed. Bucky bared his teeth and hissed out a breath when you swiped the alcohol over his skin, and you pursed your lips, gently blowing on his wound. You laid a few pieces of gauze down, taping them as best you could, knowing the serum that coursed through his veins would probably heal him before the tape even settled against his skin.

“Okay. You’re good. Anything else hurt?”

Bucky shook his head, glancing down at where your fingers were still gently resting against the thick muscle of his arm. You swallowed, moving your hands, moving them and setting them in your lap.

The silence hung thick between the two of you, and you finally pushed yourself up and began walking towards the little kitchenette in the corner of the room.

“It might be awhile before they get to us. Are you hungry?”

“Hey, I uh …”

You glanced up from the book you’d found in one of the cabinets and met Bucky’s eyes. He was sitting on the floor across from you, one knee pulled up and his metal arm resting on it. He licked his lips, then spoke again.

“I never did say thank you for … saving my life and all.”

You smiled.

“You’re welcome.” “You didn’t have to go as far as you did, but I … appreciate it.” “I couldn’t let you die, Barnes. Who would drive me literally out of my mind with annoyance if you weren’t here?”

Bucky smiled, glancing away. You watched him swallow and you set the book aside.

“What?”

His eyes were wide when he looked to you, and he moved to cross his legs. He took in a breath, then spoke again.

“There wasn’t any kind of … blowback or anything, was it?” “What do you mean?”

He swallowed again, pushing a hand through his hair, letting out a shaky breath before lifting his head to look at you.

“I know you gave me your blood, but … did you get any of mine?”

You blinked.

“No.” “Are you sure?”

You tilted your head to the side.

“Why are you so worried about it?” “Just … you’re sure?” “Yes, I’m positive.”

Bucky gave a hard breath of relief, hanging his head and leaning back against the wall. You shook your head as you watched him.

“Why are you so worried about it?” “No reason.” “I mean, it’s not like you’ve got any disease I can catch. The serum …”

You looked at his face, how hard his features seemed, but the pure shame and pain he couldn’t hide from his eyes. You stood up, walking over to him and sinking down to sit near him on the floor.

“Were you afraid that I’d get the serum somehow?”

Bucky shrugged his powerful shoulders, and you listened to the almost-silent clicks and whirrs of the plates in his arm as he moved it. He wouldn’t look at you, so you continued to softly talk.

“You were afraid some of your blood would get into my veins and … what? I’d become the Winter Soldier, Volume Two?”

Bucky didn’t answer, and you smiled.

“Winter Soldier, New and Improved. Winter Soldier: Better Than Before. Winter Soldier, Should Have Had a Girl to Start With, Because We Get Shit Done.”

Bucky laughed at that, then met your eyes.

“I wouldn’t wish this serum or the Winter Soldier on my worst enemy.” “Then I guess I’m good, huh?”

Bucky smiled, but looked down at his hands.

“You’re not my worst enemy.”

You pursed your lips and nodded, looking down at your own hands.

“I’m certainly not your friend.”

Bucky tilted his head towards you.

“We’re not friends?”

You let out a laugh.

“You can’t stand me.” “Is that what you think?” “If the way you treat me is how you treat one of your friends, I would hate to see what you did to your enemies.”

Bucky looked down at his metal arm and you felt your cheeks grow warm. He was quiet for a moment, before he spoke softly.

“I don't hate you.”

You swallowed, replying just as softly.

“I don’t hate you, either.”

He lifted his head at the same time you did, and you met his eyes. You gave a soft smile and he did the same, reaching over and brushing your fingers with his metal ones. Your smile widened and you leaned closer to him, moving your fingers closer, falling to your side when a powerful rumble shot through the ground. You looked up to see Bucky hovering over you, covering you with his body and you closed your eyes, ducking your head.

After a few tense seconds, the rumbling stopped. You uncurled yourself from the ball you’d been in and stared up at Bucky.

“What … what was that?”

Bucky shook his head.

“Either the compound was just nuked or …” “Bruce has gone green?”

Bucky nodded. He looked down at you and you realized how close the two of you were. You looked into his eyes and saw them darken just a bit and you swallowed.

“Bucky?”

He cleared his throat, moving away from you and getting to his feet, walking from the room. You stayed on the floor on your back, staring up at the ceiling as you blew out a breath.

“How long do you think it’s going to take for them to find us?”

Bucky shrugged. He was pacing around the main room, while you were sitting on the couch.

“People know about this panic room besides Tony, right?”

It was your turn to shrug.

“I think Pepper may know. Or Happy, maybe? One of them, surely.”

Bucky sighed.

“I’m bored.”

You let out a laugh.

“We’ve only been here for a couple of hours.” “Feels like days.” “Have you always been so restless?”

Bucky smiled.

“Kind of ADHD, Nat says.”

You rolled your eyes.

“She hit the nail on the head with that one.”

Bucky walked over to you and stood in front of the couch you were sitting on.

“Come on.” “What?” “Let’s spar.”

You let out a laugh.

“Not just ‘no,’ but hell no.” “Why not?”

You blinked at him.

“Because the last time we were in a fight together, you left me behind and I got five broken ribs as a result.”

Bucky went still.

“Are you serious?”

You held out your hands.

“You knew I got hurt.” “Yeah, but I didn’t know that.”

You rolled your eyes.

“Well, I’m all good now.” “I’ll go easy on you.” “Bucky, no.” “Please? I’m so bored.”

You looked up at him, the whining tone making him seem like a little boy, not a deadly former assassin. You rolled your eyes and got to your feet and Bucky grinned. You held up a hand to him.

“No punching.” “Obviously.” “Go slow, because I’m rusty.”

Bucky nodded, holding his fists up. You mirrored his stance, leaning out of the way when he slowly moved his arm in a punching motion towards you. You did the same back to him, and he easily moved out of the way.

“Not bad. Twist your wrist while moving your arm. Like this.”

He turned to the side and showed you, and you attempted the move.

“No, hang on.”

He stepped behind you, taking hold of your hand with his, slowly moving it. You closed your eyes at the warmth of him at your back, shaking your head and huffing out a breath.

“You okay?” “Yep. Just … trying to focus.” “Let’s go again.”

He moved to stand in front of you, slowly punching towards you. You dodged the blow, twisting your wrist like he’d taught you and almost punching him. He laughed, nodding his head, punching a little faster. You easily dodged him again, trying to trip him up by switching your hands, but he was too good.

After a few minutes, both of you were sweaty and breathing hard. Bucky was watching you as you twisted your hair up into a messy bun on top of your head. He swallowed, stepping closer to you and you laughed as you held up a hand.

“Let me breathe for a second.” “You think HYDRA will let you breathe when they storm the compound again?” “Oh, I didn’t realize Steve had entered the room.”

Bucky laughed, shaking his head.

“You’re pretty good at the hand-to-hand stuff.” “Well, I trained with Steve for a good bit.”

Bucky nodded, putting his hands on his hips. You rushed to him, laying your hands on his chest and pushing, laughing when he stumbled backwards, blue eyes wide as he looked to you. You settled into your “fighting stance” that Natasha had taught you and smiled.

“First rule, Barnes. Never let your guard down.”

He slid his tongue along his teeth, giving a soft chuckle.

“That … that was good.”

You relaxed, shrugging your shoulders and turning towards the couch. You gasped when Bucky was suddenly behind you, pushing you forward until you—gently—hit the wall. You shivered when his low voice scratched at your ear.

“Second rule: never turn your back.”

You nodded, eyes closing and a gasping breath escaping your lips when Bucky dipped his head.

“God, you smell good.”

You licked your lips, leaning back into him, taking in another shaky breath as he gently pushed you into the wall a bit more, his hard body surrounding yours.

“Buck—“

You groaned when he pressed his hips forward, and you turned, wrapping your arms around his neck and pulling him in, lips locking onto his. His hands went to your waist, gripping you tightly. Your lips fought against his, his hands sliding up your body before twisting in your hair.

You let your head fall back and moaned as his lips went to your neck, sucking a dark bruise into your skin before taking hold of your hands and pinning them above your head. His metal hand gripped your wrists tightly enough that you couldn’t break his hold, and you gasped as the fingers of his other hand danced under the hem of your shirt.

“Buck, please.” “What?”

You surged forward, pressing your lips to his again, before he let you go and stepped back from you, reaching behind his head and yanking his shirt off. You did the same, reaching for him as soon as your shirt hit the floor. He wrapped his arms around you and you sucked in a breath as the coolness from his metal arm sank into your skin. You pushed your hands into his hair, surprised at how soft it felt, groaning as you all but melted into the warmth of his chest.

You somehow managed to switch your positions, pushing him against the wall and sinking to your knees. Bucky stared at you, lip between his teeth, groaning when your fingers went to the band of his jeans. You undid his belt and popped open the button, dragging the zipper down before tugging his jeans and boxers down enough to let his cock free.

“Holy shit.”

Bucky gave a laugh that quickly trailed into a groan as you wrapped your hand around him, dragging your fist up and down his hard shaft.

“Doc, you … you don’t—“

Bucky’s head fell back against the wall as you took his cock into your mouth, sucking gently as you swirled your tongue around. Bucky groaned, the fingers of his normal hand threading through your hair. You leaned back and let his cock fall out of your mouth with a “pop.”

Bucky took hold of your arms and lifted you to your feet, pushing you back against the wall and kissing your lips. He slid his hand down the front of your jeans, foregoing trying to unbutton or get them off, and you gasped, gripping his arms tightly when his fingers slipped between your legs.

“Damn, baby.”

You took hold of his face, pulling his lips back to yours, moaning into his mouth as the movement of his finger slipping into you sent shivers up and down your spine. He groaned as he slid his teeth over your skin, while two of his thick fingers kept a steady rhythm inside you.

“Bucky please.”

You whimpered at the loss of his fingers as he pulled back, using his shaky metal hand to unbutton your jeans. You kicked them off, sucking in a breath when the cool metal of Bucky’s hand brushed over your breastbone, a mere second before he snapped the front clasp of your bra open.

He groaned as he cupped your breasts in his hands, and you shivered at the sudden contrast, the warmth of one of his palms versus the coolness of his metal hand. You impatiently pushed his jeans further down his hips and he smiled at you, leaning in and kissing you more gently than he ever had as he kicked his jeans off. You sucked in a breath as he picked you up and carried you over to the couch.

You watched him as he laid you back, bracing his metal arm on the back of the couch as he leaned down and kissed you. He lifted his head and you reached up, tracing his mouth with your thumb as you laid your hand against his stubbled cheek.

“It’s been a while.”

Bucky nodded.

“I’ll go slow.”

You nodded, closing your eyes as his lips touched yours again. You took in a breath when Bucky began to slowly push forward, and at one point, you had to stop him.

“Wait. Just—please.”

He stopped, hanging his head and putting his face in your hair. You took in a shaky breath, letting it out slowly, focusing on the way his thumb kept moving in circles against your shoulder, until the stretching and fullness you felt gave way to pleasureable warmth. You nodded and he began to move, both of you groaning with the sensations.

“Fuck, babe. You …”

Bucky groaned, moving his metal hand to your hip, gripping you so tightly you knew there’d be a bruise there tomorrow. You gasped and moaned, breath heaving into and out of your lungs, a grateful groan rising from your throat when Bucky increased his rhythm. You shook your head and Bucky growled, lifting his head and shaking his hair out of his face.

“I want to feel you come.”

Your head fell back to the couch as you groaned, hands diving into his hair and lightly gripping the strands. Bucky’s hips stuttered and you smiled, bringing his lips back to yours and kissing him again, Bucky’s thrusts quickening until you pulled his hair again.

“You’re going … god. Fuck.”

You smiled, gasping as Bucky’s metal hand moved to cup your breast, cold fingers plucking your nipple until it hardened. He slid that hand down between the two of you, flicking your clit with those cold, metal fingers, and you dug your fingers into his back as you came without any warning. Bucky’s rhythm faltered as you tightened around him, and through the rush of blood in your ears, you heard the powerful roar he gave as he followed you over the edge.

You stared at the ceiling, heart still rabbiting against your ribs, Bucky’s arm thrown over your stomach. You were lying on your back on the couch, legs still tingling from your orgasm. Bucky was laying on his stomach beside you, really almost on top of you, metal arm under your head, face in your hair. You could feel his heart pounding just as quickly as yours.

Neither of you had said anything, and to be quite honest, you had no idea where to even begin. You licked dry lips as Bucky lifted his head, and you turned to meet his gaze, blue eyes staring into yours. He just looked at you for a moment, before a smile worked its way onto his lips.

“Hi there.”

You gave a soft laugh.

“Hi.” “You okay?”

You nodded, and he shifted just a bit, pulling you closer. You closed your eyes and moved your forehead to rest against his cheek, speaking softly.

“Buck, what does this mean?” “Why do you have to ask that question?”

You sighed, turning to stare at the ceiling some more.

“This is … a big deal, Bucky.” “So?” “‘So?’ All you have to say is ‘so?’” “If all I say is ‘so,’ then you have free rein to lose your mind and blow it all out of proportion, which I know you’re just dying to do.”

You blinked, turning your head to meet his eyes again. He shrugged his shoulders.

“You know it’s true.”

You rolled your eyes.

“You think you know me.” “I think I know more than you think I do.” “Oh, really?”

Bucky pushed himself up to where he could look down at you.

“You love to read. You want to say non-fiction, but you are a fiction junkie. The trashier the romance novel, the better.”

Your eyes widened, but he kept on.

“You cook like a goddamned wizard. You throw shit into a pot and it comes out tasting better than anything I’ve ever tasted. Steve used to sneak me bowls of whatever and put it aside for me when you refused to let me have any.” “I have never—“ “If you could have put up the ‘We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone’ sign you would have, in a heartbeat. And you would have marked out ‘anyone’ and wrote in ‘Bucky.’”

You swallowed, and he smiled.

“Can I continue?”

You nodded, and he went on.

“You like the medical tape that’s only an inch wide instead of the two inch. You think it’s wasteful, plus it gets in your way. You love lemon-scented cleaners, and the citrus or orange-scented ones give you a headache. You love chocolate—except for dark—“

You made a face and he chuckled as he went on.

“And I have been a complete ass to you for no apparent reason.”

You blinked as you met his eyes and he gave a sigh. He moved a hand and brushed some hair off your forehead, then smiled.

“No, don’t interrupt me. Let me finish.”

You giggled, giving a sigh, lifting a hand to link your fingers with his. He went quiet, and you spoke softly.

“Why have you been such an ass to me?”

Bucky huffed out a breath, dancing his metal fingers over your knuckles. He lifted his head to look into your eyes.

“The truth?” “Please.”

He sighed, glancing at your entwined hands before looking back to your eyes.

“Because I’ve been wanting this to happen since the first time I laid eyes on you.”

Your eyes widened and he smiled as he ran his other hand over his eyes.

“Don’t look so shocked.” “Seriously?” “You don’t have to say anything. Steve’s already torn me a new one.” “Steve knows?”

Bucky dropped his hand, lifting an eyebrow at you. You rolled your eyes.

“Of course Steve knows.” “Steve knows everything about me.”

You pursed your lips, trying to hide your smile.

“Does he know you have that freckle right there by your—” “Don’t even.”

You laughed, hands moving to Bucky’s biceps—one smooth skin, one surprisingly smooth metal—as he moved over you, shifting where he could look down at you.

“Can we start over?”

You gave a quiet laugh.

“You think we can? I’ve been pretty awful to you, too.”

Bucky shrugged his powerful shoulders.

“I’m willing to give it a shot if you are.”

You pursed your lips, but instead of giving the snarky comment you wanted to say, Bucky leaned down and pressed his lips to yours. You let your hands come up, fingers sliding into his silky smooth hair, tightening slightly when he deepened the kiss.

“Doc? Buck, are you here?”

Bucky pulled away from you, tilting his head.

“That wasn’t …”

You shook your head.

“You didn’t hear …”

Bucky met your eyes just as the door burst open.

“Oh my god!”

You covered your eyes with your hands and Bucky burst out laughing. Steve turned his back to you, hands on his hips as he hung his head. Tony cleared his throat and Bucky glanced over his shoulder.

“Can you give us a minute, guys?”

Tony slowly nodded, turning around and shaking his head.

“This is not what I meant this panic room for.” “Can you see if F.R.I.D.A.Y. can wipe this from my brain? I can’t unsee that, Tony.” “You and me both, Cap.”

Bucky crawled off of you, gently pulling your hands from your eyes. You met his eyes, seeing the smile on his face.

“Real funny, Barnes.” “I just can’t get over the fact that Stark and Steve come running in, catch us buck-ass naked, and your first thought is to cover YOUR EYES.”

You laughed at that, reaching a hand up. Bucky laced his fingers through yours and helped you sit up, and you pushed a hand through your hair. He gave you a smile and you tugged on his hand until he leaned forward.

“How much time do you think we have?”

Bucky raised an eyebrow a second before a smile broke over his face. He leaned in, both of you closing your eyes as his lips inches closer to yours.

“Don’t even think about it! We have to burn the damn panic room as it is! Get some clothes on and get the hell to your own rooms!”

You and Bucky laughed, and you closed the gap between you, throwing your arms around his neck and kissing him.

TAGS: @marvelangstbingo, @star-spangled-man-with-a-plan, @captain-rogers-beard, @bionic-buckyb, @evansrogerskitten, @nuvoleincielo, @rhapsody-in-flannel, @unapologeticallymimi

#marvel angst bingo #square filled #bucky barnes x female reader #marvel fanfiction #marvel au #bucky barnes AU #marvel cinematic universe #mcu fanfiction #reader insert #marvel reader insert

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tyrantisterror · 5 years

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Ok actual Endgame Spoilers This Time

Finally saw the movie, have some thoughts, everything’s a spoiler now because people are cowards, read my bullshit after the cut

I didn’t think I’d feel emotions for Tony Stark ever again but this fucker managed it

A lot of people don’t like that Captain America went back in time to have a blissful marriage with Peggy Carter because they think it’s “not in character,” but, like, listen buddy, she’s Hayley Fucking Atwell. If you can have a relationship with Hayley Fucking Atwell and the only thing stopping you is whether or not you use time travel, then listen, you’re gonna use fucking time travel. Especially if you’ve already saved literally half of all life in the fucking universe. You earned it. You earned that life with Hayley Fucking Atwell. It’s deserved. You’re gonna take that shot. No fucking person is gonna pass up on that chance. It’s Hayley Fucking Atwell we’re talking about here.

Kinda pissed about how they killed Black Widow instead of Hawkeye. I mean, I get it - they’ve failed to make me emotionally connect with Hawkeye in literally every movie he’s been in, while they finally got me to do it with Black Widow in Winter Soldier, so, like, of those two, the one whose death will actually mean something is Black Widow’s. I would have felt nothing if Hawkeye died except relief that this meant they wouldn’t try to make me care about him ever again - and maybe excitement because this might mean we get Kate Bishop as Hawkeye later, because the isolated pages I’ve seen of Kate Bishop’s Hawkeye are pretty fun. Remember that one where she called Deadpool Freddy Kreueger? It’s funny. I’m bummed that Black Widow won’t get to, like, ever pay off on the interest she built in Winter Soldier, but I get it. I get it. Still sucks though.

Also I’m pissed that OG Gamora’s story still ends with her getting killed by her shitty abusive dad. I mean we have a new Gamora now so it’s not like she’s ENTIRELY gone but it’s a new Gamora. Everything we built with the old Gamora is undone. As a person who loves the MCU Guardians of the Galaxy, that feels like a kick in the dick.

Oh hey two of the most prominent female characters in the MCU up to this point are dead. That sucks. That really sucks actually.

I mean we have a BUNCH of new MCU female characters who have bright potential futures - we can have more movies with Valkerie and Okoye and Shuri and Captain Marvel and Nebula, and also New Gamora, so it’s not a TOTAL loss but still fuck though.

Oh yeah Scarlet Witch is still around too. That’s... that’s something I guess. Maybe they’ll find a way to make her interesting! It’s theoretically possible!

I’m glad funny Thor stuck. I mean, it sucks that a lot of his development from Ragnarok was sort of subverted or undone completely, but this movie ends with Thor still as a funny, charming oaf and about to go on new adventures, and that’s nice.

Kinda sad that Hulk’s story seems to be ending.

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but Ant-Man is sort of essential to this world and kind of one of the best heroes now? Seriously, Ant-Man is MVP. I can’t skip the next Ant-Man movie. He’s kept earning my love and to be honest, I feel bad for skipping his first two solo movies initially. I’m sorry Ant-Man, I wasn’t the fan you needed. But I will be.

Man it sure is gonna be convenient when all of Peter Parker’s important classmates are revealed to have ALSO been disappeared in the Snap so that way they can all still be the same age.

That snark aside, I’m glad we get more Tom Holland Spider-Man. Spider-verse is still and will still be the best Spider-Man movie ever made, but I love Tom Holland’s Peter Parker and the supporting cast they gave him. There’s room in my heart to love both. I’m Poly-Spider-Man-Movie-Amorous.

The fact that some fans are mourning Thanos or being, like, “His death was sad because he meant to do the right thing” is so fucking befuddling to me. He’s an asshole. This movie makes that especially clear - it was never about helping others. It was about his ego. It was ALWAYS about his ego. The “saving the universe by killing half of it” was ALWAYS an ego trip. He didn’t want to save anyone. He wanted to be right when he was wrong. He’s an asshole and I’m glad he died heartbroken. I was glad when he died the first time, and doubly so when he died the second with the added realization that everything he did was for nothing.

Eat shit Thanos, you stupid cockwaffle.

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thedarkreichenbach · 6 years

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Avengers Infinity War Review

We are less than an year away from an ultimate culmination in the MCU with Avengers 4, but Avengers Infinity War is still fresh in my mind. Infinity War - a movie that basically shows us how last minute efforts may not be worthwhile. So it started with Tony's morning walk with Pepper in the park and lasted till afternoon in the rushed Wakanda Battle, barely an entire day and it's a war, with casualties being ½ life of all universe!

Tony Stark - Who we can say was on top of his game with nanotechnology in the Mark 50 Bleeding Edge armour, went toe to toe with Thanos, gave his everything what he had, every piece of his new nanotech, made Thanos bleed and almost lost. Had the battle been on earth, he could use all his supporting tech that might have made a difference.

Captain America - He had shorter screen time in this one although he played the role of assembling the Avengers on earth in Wakanda. Natasha, Bucky, Falcon did okay.

Hulk - So a 5 minute brawl with the Mad Titan and he's done? It was a really bad payoff and false marketing by Marvel this time, makes me wanna sue them for overtly hyping us till the end for a last minute entrance of the enormous green rage monster and he says no!

Thor - The most formidable character, who still had the will to fight, despite losing everything in front of him he believed that fate was on his side, as he survived the annihilation of the Statesman by Thanos. After being rescued by the Guardians, he was willing to do what it takes for a rematch, travelled to Nidavellir and became half-dead again by taking the full force of a dying star (Odin's beard!), got Stormbreaker, his new upgraded enchanted king's weapon, even ALMOST defeated Thanos, but all in vain. The God of Thunder knew what it's like to lose, to be desperately right, yet to fail nonetheless.

Dr. Strange - The Master of Mystic Arts, he proved to be VERY useful in the Battle of Titan, he chose to sacrifice his precious Time gem to save Stark's life, which he didn't cared for minutes ago. He gave it willingly even though it meant defeat for them now, possibly for that 1 future outcome to succeed out of those unsuccessful fourteen million six hundred and five possible outcomes. I believe in his Endgame plan cause he used the Time gem, and that it's definitely worth saving Tony's life! Wong could've made himself useful if not for the Sanctorum!

Black Panther - He was nerfed a lot by not using all the state of the art Vibranium Wakandan tech & weapons they showed us in his solo movie. Shuri boasted like a bitch in the prelude about Ultron being an inferior AI compared to Wakandan tech and yet she was unable to separate the synapses from Vision's Mind Stone on her own. Tony made Thanos bleed but maybe Wakandans cannot.

Spider-Man - Crime fighting spider-ling got a massive upgrade from Tony Stark. With his new Iron Spider suit, he was officially knighted an Avenger by Tony and fought Thanos in his own quirky vigilant insect ways. Waldoes were cool, but I expected some cool new tricks like the 'Instant Kill Mode'.

Vision - Stark's most advanced superbot grandchild, who took on Ultron's army all by himself was crippled in the entire movie! Well, that's just lazy writing here, being the one with Mind Stone & Vibranium body fused with JARVIS, Vision could've proven a worthy character and might've literally overpowered Thanos.

Wanda - The only one who knew and did what others could've, destroyed an Infinity stone on her own by sacrificing the love of her life! She's the real MVP here by doing that by one hand and fighting Thanos by another, at the same time.

Loki - I still wonder if he's really dead or not. Even though it was for 5 minutes, Loki made it count with his 'Undying Fidelity', he chose to sacrifice the Tesseract for his brother and died. Loki knew this day would come from the beginning, Thanos really made the antagonist of the first Avengers movie look like a tiny ant that he could crush and long for death, but who knows maybe we haven't seen last of Loki.

Heimdall - One of the wisest decision maker in the movie, by using the Bifrost, I'll rephrase that : an Einstein-Rosen bridge - a friggin wormhole from his hands with the help of his enchanted sword, to send Hulk to Earth to inform the Avengers, Heimdall's death was heroic as he bid farewell to Thor as their eyes met.

Guardians - They had some really good tech with them that was standing at par with the Avengers' and tried to fight Thanos with their fierce combat skills. Their crossover did supplement the Avengers, given they were outnumbered on Titan and on Earth. Starlord was willing to kill Gamora but they both were indeed powerless as destiny was on Thanos' side. Groot and Drax did well on their parts, but I personally found the hilarious sweet rabbit, Rocket Raccoon the best Guardian.

Thanos - The Mad Titan got real character development in a single movie, Thanos had the intellect, resources, will and choice to fulfill his destiny no matter what toll it extracts. Such a deeply written persona melded into something equally catastrophic worked wonders for Marvel. Not only did he chose to sacrifice his own children to complete his goal, he even understood his enemies, the Avengers and the Guardians with a sound mind and empathy, which isn't something a mainstream psycho killer villain does. Thanos can't be called as a villain in this movie, instead he's an antagonist.

If Avengers was about an alien invasion prevented, and Avengers : Age of Ultron was about Deus ex Machina, Avengers Infinity War is a really cosmic & philosophical movie you can't get enough of. It's a movie that has drastically improvised plot twists, one thing seems bound to happen in a scenario, but then suddenly at the eleventh hour it doesn't and gives rise to another out of the box new situation. It's a piece of art which expresses death from the POV of Thanos who thinks he's trying to do good, and showing mercy by killing half of all life in the universe, as he explains saving it from total annihilation as life will at some point, cease to exist. It's a real unique beauty in what hard choices one can take if he has a strong will, and ultimately accomplishing his mission. It changed my perception of will, defeat, loss, hope, power, balance, life & death, in a way I didn't imagined ever. Now I'm hereby waiting desperately for Captain Marvel & Avengers 4 since forever!

#avengers #avengers infinity war #thanos #mad titan #iron man #dr strange #thor #avengers 4 #endgame #infinity stones #aiw #captain marvel #stormbreaker

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sleepynegress · 6 years

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Now that I’ve let it marinate, here are my THOROUGH thoughts on Black Panther...

Cut because extensive spoilers...

First, it was a great film. Great in terms of being a big budget “blockbuster” fun movie and great in weight. Budget and weight are areas previous black superhero entries have lacked and why this one resonates so much now.

Now, I’m gonna break down the contents that stood out to me...

We open with a beautifully done and narratively resonant breakdown of the history of Wakanda. Basically, the civilizational advantage of inherited wealth (<- coming back to this), via space metal, times multi-trillions. They watch the world fight, violate, and destroy --ESPECIALLY to people on the same continent on which they exist-- and choose, smartly, to remain hidden.... Or who knows?? Maybe they would have defeated the guns of old and stopped the colonizers before they did real damage... Which is a what if?...

...That Killmonger symbolizes. He is the dream deferred, the one that exploded. He is the gaping wound of the enslaved that Wakanda did not even try to save. He is post-African black pain/rage at that scattered people that reaches for a home that was snatched from them generations ago... The ones taken from home without choice, with potential squandered by lesser people. Which is why he is the most sympathetic villain I’ve ever seen. Grounding him in Oakland, even to the point where even his vision took him back to that project (with the ancestral sky of Wakanda outside his window, honestly I cried). #killmongerwasntwrong

As for the Wakandan feminine... This movie was honestly, the most thoughtful mainstream rendering of black womanhood in the hands of a black man, I have seen on screen... I argue Daughters of the Dust is still the tops for me, but this mainstream big budget comicbook film(!) reminded me of it with certain elements...

Nakia is the “we knew and we told you but men stay not listening”, black woman from the future, ahead of even T’Challa until the movie’s plot resolves and catches up to her vision. Killmonger wasn’t wrong, but Nakia was right. The hashtag should be #NakiaWasRight. As usual, black women know and tell with a precision first, but rarely get the credit. Killmonger wasn’t wrong but toxic masculinity, courtesy of Western values and abandonment, corrupted his vision for himself and black and other oppressed peoples.

Okoye is the strength of black womanhood, -not the gross stereotypical SBW garbage that too many white people think is a compliment, but is really their trite way of saying “Pain must not affect them the same way!” No, she is disciplined, capable, beautiful, and beloved. As an aside, I just know Alek Wek screamed when she threw her wig in that one scene. That act reminded me so much of Wek doing similar at that runway show (which was iconic!) and pretty much made the same statement (that wig was totally raggedy and ugly on purpose).

Shuri is black potential unhindered and allowed to thrive. All because the expectations and opportunity in Wakanda are limitless... She is as important a cultural touchstone in terms of influencing young black girls to take up STEM fields as the film Hidden Figures is. She is black girl joy and magic rolled into one. Mischievous, loving, sweet, kind, curious. Letitia’s performance was brilliant because she played the girlhood we are so often denied so well, it was undeniable even by the usual suspects who would... That said, I can see people treating her too preciously in a direction could also go the way of dehumanization. She’s not a mascot, child, baby, or spirit animal. She’s an intelligent teenager, a genius. She’s not your token prop for proving how much you can adore “one special” black female character. I can already see the overly-precious and precocious cameos in white slash fic where she drops off a “tech thing”, is hugged, has her hair ruffled amiably, sasses cutely, and then disappears... WHITE PEOPLE, DON’T DO THIS.

Queen Ramonda, the female elders tending to blossoms, the elderly woman at council all represented a kind of feminine energy that is something we black folks (of course) had first, but is universal... The women who know the rituals, the medicines, the crafts, traditions, passed down among them. Just about every culture on Earth has this... A gathering of cooperative women who heal and guard traditions

T’Challa The Black Panther represents healthy/regal uncorrupted masculinity. Again, courtesy of the privileges of being Wakandian royalty, just like his sister. Steady, protective of his family, responsible, confident, and vulnerable. Heavy in burden, but projecting lightness and ease of wisdom to all alongside his tread, Shuri’s invention of sneakers was perfectly perfect for him.

M’Baku could have gone wrong easily, with his size and comic origins (“Man-Ape”) but no, he was strong in both mind and body, and most importantly human, (this is where white filmmakers would have ruined him and made him a lovable lout). A vegetarian who challenged, lost, teased, and made wise choices for his people.. A people that represented that proud underclass, even on the boundaries of supposedly enlightened Wakanda.

The TECH... OMG...The tech, the beads, the transportation, the organic design and flow and interconnectedness of it. The flying ships shaped like lifeforms already designed for flight. The energy bolts, shock absorbers and redistributors... If I remember my physics, energy expelled does not disappear. It HAS to be expended in some way. Shuri’s inventions all had that in common, effectively harvesting and using energy.

Now, I’m getting back to that inherited wealth, that I feel is one of the biggest messages taken away from this film: There is no such thing as benevolent privilege. ...Even if that .00000001% status literally dropped out of the sky, (which we know, did not happen that way for the actual privileged among us). Wakandians never exploited people, never actively subjugated, nor committed genocide and yet, their hands were still red... They were the passive bystanders, who knew what wrong was, but did nothing. This was T’Chaka leaving his nephew in that project, Erik glimpsing that ship fly away...

And yet, that kind if purposeful greedy, manic, snatched-away at the cost of stomping on “the other” kind of privilege WAS ALSO represented in this film via Claue. ...His racist taunts, his jealousy, his repugnant personality. He was the embodiment of the evil of whiteness. Brilliant performance by Serkis on that.

Freeman was an exposition machine for entry into the (white) Marvel world. He had to guided and instructed to obvious places (a nod to what black actors typical endure in white narratives). I found it fascinating reading one fan lament that the importance of Captain America’s shield was taken away because it wasn’t just his, wasn’t rare, but Wakandians had a bounty all this time. It was no longer this white hero’s “special thing”. They were sad about that, but not that it had been stolen and sold on the black market to become his shield in the first place. ...Freeman’s character represented white fans awaking to their own casual racism and disregard of the black other. In this case, it helped these advanced people hide. Sometimes, you don’t disabuse people of their low expectations.

As for random bits? Loved the thoughtful costuming and set design. NEVER has a black film set in “fantasy/scifi” had the money and work and black perspective this film has. LORDT Jordan got a juicy ASS! (I’m sorry, but I’m human yall), M’Baku is tall-thicc-hotness personified, Bassett is an immortal goddess, Lupita is a dainty doll made of empathy, The Dora Miljae is the power of black cooperative womanhood... Also shout-out to the elderly member of council with the Namibian influenced hairstyle.

The ancestral plane, yall... Note that it was twilight when T’Challa first visited, but brightly lit during his second visit.

“Bury me in the ocean with my ancestors who jumped from ships.” T’Challa taking Erik up to see the Wakandian sunset...

“...Hey auntie.” also, Jordan brilliantly played Erik as full of posturing as a mask for deep-seeded pain... Just jeez.

BATTLE RHINOS!!! where Nakia ended up after that car was destroyed, Okoye paddle-sailing on the damn road with a spear, Just THE WOMEN being the MVP’s in every way in this damn movie. Listen, I loved Wonder Woman? but it did not do cooperative womanhood nearly as well...NOT EVEN CLOSE... I’m probably gonna add more to this post... I’m still dazzled and gobsmacked a day later.

THAT SAID, my only quibbles are that you CAN TELL that this movie’s original cut was 6 hours long (editing felt a bit off at places) and the way fight scenes were filmed, weren’t filmed-and-cut as well as Winter Soldier.

But that’s it. These are my scattered thoughts.

ONE MORE THOUGHT!!! Could be that Killmonger did the Wakandians favor burning all those flowers, IF Thanos is going to Wakanda for the reason I think he is, in Infinity Wars... That might make it harder for him to locate.

Gotta link this, because totally neglected W’Kabi. I should add that I’ve only seen it once. But I hope to see it again.

#black panther #meta #discussion #spoilers

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persephone-is-here-omg · 6 years

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I JUST SAW BLACK PANTHER AND MY LIFE HAS BEEN FOREVER CHANGED.

First of all, I wanna thank Ryan Coogler and Jesus and Bast for blessing my life with this masterpiece. It was perfect in every way. T'Challa... Mah dude, mah guy, I feel you. If Nakia came at me, looking like that and being that smart and that strong and that amazing I would freeze, too. You do freeze, like an antelope in headlights. No shame in that, Nakia is amazing, I would freeze, too. Shuri is AMAZING. AMAZING. "Another broken white boy for me to fix, this is gonna be fun" That's... That's it. She knows. She's woke. "WHAT ARE THOSEEEE???" Girl, same. The world ain't ready for how amazing you are. Killmonger. "Bury me in the Ocean. With my ancestors that jumped from the ships because the knew death was better than bondage" That's some real shit over there. He's the real shit. He has a real motivation to be the way he is. He's fed up with the world. And he's trying to change it. He's trying to do what he thinks is right, even if his vision sets the world on fire. M'Baku can feed me to his children whenever he feels like. I love him. He's the real MVP. I want him to cuddle me and keep me warm at night. This movie is amazing.

#black panther #black panther spoilers #bp spoilers #wakanda forever #spoilers

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