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themculibrary · 7 months

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Unrequited Love Masterlist

All the Best Things Come in Threes (ao3) - Potrix bucky/tony, steve/sam M, 3k

Summary: “I can’t be pregnant. I’m 47 years old, it’s not possible. I haven’t had a heat in over eight months, I’m menopausal, I can’t be pregnant.”

A Place Called Home (ao3) - Anonymous steve/bucky T, 6k

Summary: New Years Eve. Suits. Party at Stark's place. Honesty happens.

Being In His Possession (ao3) - valiantlybold steve/bucky E, 57k

Summary: James Buchanan Barnes is nineteen years old, and he is about to make what might be the worst decision of his short little life. But little by little, he comes to like his new place of employment, as well as his employer. Well... Maybe a little more than just like.

Blue Lips, Blue Veins (ao3) - romanoff steve/tony E, 300k

Summary: Tony Stark is Iron Man.

Before that, he was an man with bigger heart than brain. Before that, he was an asshole with a bigger mouth than sense. And before that, he was was a scared little boy. Not that it matters. Stark's always have had iron in their backbone.

De Nile (ao3) - orphan_account matt/foggy M, 11k

Summary: Matt hates listening to Foggy's heartbeat.

Denial ain't just a river in Egypt.

Fractals of a Criminal Mind (ao3) - STARSdidathing loki/tony, steve/bucky M, 132k

Summary: AU. Tony Stark is the Top Forensic Scientist at S.H.I.E.L.D. and possibly in the world - if he does say so himself - there’s only one person he’s come up against and can’t beat: international criminal mastermind Loki Laufeyson. He’s gotten close but Loki always has a lackey to throw in front of the blame. He’s completely untouchable and if Loki wasn’t his enemy than Tony would be marvelling at and adoring his genius. But Tony can’t, because he’s a good guy, he has morals and a duty to the public that he’s trying to protect. Loki Laufeyson, however, is equally fascinated and he doesn’t do anything other than what he wants. COMPLETE.

haha, jk (ao3) - relenafanel steve/bucky T, 13k

Summary: (A tale of Not Unrequited Love)

Steve: I love you. Bucky: oh no. (and other fallacies)

Bucky learns to never say never when it comes to the effect his best friend can have.

I am so gay I can't hear straight (ao3) - AvengersAU carol/wanda T, 3k

Summary: Never in her life, she would have ever thought about using her powers for anything else than to beat the shit out of someone that wasn’t her enemy. And yet, she was currently using all her strength not to send a photon blast right between the eyes of the man sitting on the couch.

Love of Ours (ao3) - emeraldine087 bucky/steve/tony T, 253k

Summary: Tony Stark REALLY hates magic with a passion. He knows it's got something to do with how his memories aren't quite as he remembers them. He knows Steve screwed him over and sent him that shitty apology with an even shittier phone. And he is pissedsupposedly with no end in sight and no resolution to be had. And yet, he also has this other set of memories - One where he is madly in love with Steve...

Steve Rogers REALLY feels like things with Tony could've gone a lot better. So he stubbornly stays in the Avengers compound to try to set things to rights, vowing to repair his Avengers family and his friendship with Tony. And yet, his endgame is still to help Bucky get rid of the Winter Soldier programming - Help his first and the one true love of his life to find himself again...

Bucky Barnes REALLY loathes having to rely on others to tell him about his life. Steve is a big help, but sometimes, Bucky feels like Steve's after helping him for the benefit of the person he used to be rather than the person he is. Unlike Steve, Tony doesn't give a shit about him. And yet, it's with Tony that he feels like he can be or do anything - Like fall in love with the man he had orphaned all those years ago...

Malfunctioning Time (ao3) - Kiragirl17 steve/tony, bucky/tony T, 245k

Summary: FemiTony. Time travel. Eventual Steve/Toni. With some Bucky/Toni thrown in thereTrying to forget that today was March 15 and trying to escape the long lecture from Rogers, Toni locks herself in her lab to work on a new project; however, she never expects her unfinished device to misfire and send her back to the sexist 1940's.

Now, completely alone with no resources whatsoever, Toni finds herself struggling to survive on her own, especially when she discovers she's being followed. Unsure of who it is and what they want, she struggles to keep them at bay. To make matters worse, she finds herself on Colonel Phillips' radar. However the worst of it, she has to deal with her Egoist Father, who doesn't get the picture and won't leave her the hell alone.

What a woman to do?

Marshmallow Matrix (ao3) - orphan_account matt/foggy M, 12k

Summary: “So, nothing? No, like, latent homosexual urges? No subconscious pining that is only now coming to the surface in light of these revelations? Nothing?”

Sometimes it's not as easy as saying 'I love you'.

Not Another Supersoldier Fantasy (ao3) - triedunture steve/bucky E, 16k

Summary: Bucky finds a popular sex toy modeled on Captain America's own anatomy. Well, isn't this just perfect? Because even after all this time, he still hasn’t seen Steve’s supersoldier cock. But apparently in this day and age anyone with $29.95 can get a decent replica. The unfairness of this is of galactic proportions.

Surrogate (ao3) - Awritinghufflepuff bucky/tony/steve, steve/bucky, clint/natasha E, 58k

Summary: Tony Stark does not like it one bit when two unknown alphas come to inspect him. For what, you might ask? To be their surrogate.

this city bleeds its aching heart (ao3) - Anonymous steve/bucky E, 34k

Summary: The one where Steve and Bucky pose as a happily married couple while on a mission for SHIELD, to catch an international arms dealer hiding in a suburban neighbourhood.

who will be there (to take my place) (ao3) - SailorChibi bucky/tony, peggy/steve T, 3k

Summary: Steve's not listening, slipping out from under Bucky's hand and shoving the door open. Through the glass, Tony watches as Peggy and Howard turn around. He can't help wondering if it hurts Bucky when Steve bounds forward and hauls Peggy into a big hug as much as it hurts Tony to see Bucky and Steve together on a regular basis.

You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To (ao3) - EmilianaDarling steve/bucky E, 26k

Summary: “What about you, Barnes?” asks Dugan. The sound of his voice brings Bucky back to the present, dredges him out of memories of a beat-up little apartment with sunlight streaming in through the windows. “Got yourself a girl waiting for you back home?”

There’s an answer on the tip of his tongue, one that he’ll deliver with a cocky grin and a half-laugh and a little shake of his head. But Bucky is exhausted and hungry and so sore it hurts to move, and one of the guys in their platoon fucking died yesterday. His mouth tastes like iodine water and his feet hurt and none of it’s going to get better any time soon, and all at once Bucky misses Steve so badly he can barely see straight.

“Yeah,” Bucky declares abruptly, the word escaping from his mouth before he fully realizes what he’s saying. “Yeah, I do.”

#themculibrary #mcu #marvel #unrequitedlove #unrequitedlove masterlist #masterlists

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kaunis-sielu · 3 years

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Him

You would’ve sworn he was an Alpha. Based only on physical and behaviors that you’ve seen. The way he moves for example, long strides with purpose, each movement is precise and nothing wasted. He’s built like an Alpha, all muscle, large and sharp angled. He’s observant, seems to notice everything and is always aware of a new person entering the space. But when you get transferred to be the new manager of the Avengers you’re shocked to find that he doesn’t smell of an Alpha. Instead he smells like a Beta. Steve, Tony and Clint are all Alphas while the rest of the team are Betas, you are the lone Omega in the room.

You take suppressants which helps hide the fact that you’re an Omega from most people but these aren’t most people and now that Steve has called you into his office after only a week it has you worried sick. You tap on the door and hear him call for you to enter. Pushing open the door you’re surprised to find not only Steve but the surprise Beta Bucky waiting.

“You wanted to see me?” You say softly and Steve gives you a smile.

“You’re not in trouble if that’s what you’re worried about.” He soothes and while that, and his calming pheromones put you more at ease you’re even more surprised to find that it’s actually Bucky that’s putting you at ease.

“I was.”

“No, I just wanted to make sure that you’re feeling okay in this new job. I know we can be an intimidating group, especially for an Omega.”

“I’m not-“ you protest for a second before he stops you with a look.

“You don’t need to worry, as long as you’re comfortable we’re not going to stop you from working with us.”

“How did you know? Most Alphas can’t tell.”

“Oh, I couldn’t. Bucky could.” You blink over at him in confusion. This is the first time ever that a Beta has been able to tell. “So just let me or Bucky know if anyone harasses you or you feel uncomfortable okay?”

“But he’s a Beta?” You mutter and a wave of irritation rushes over you. “No, wait sorry. Let me explain. I take the suppressants and was told that a Beta wouldn’t be able to tell, they’d think I was just another Beta. Occasionally an Alpha would be able to tell but it’s rare so I’m just confused as to why Sargent Barnes could tell.”

“Bucky.” He corrects you and you nod.

“Well, if you don’t want to use suppressants anymore you’re safe not to.” Steve tells you with a small smile, “I know they can make your heats really unbearable.” He’s not wrong,

“Thank you. I’ll think about it.”

“Okay, you’re free to go.” He says dismissing you, and both he and Bucky wait quietly until you’ve left.

————————————————————————

“Buck, you need to tell her.”

“I don’t need to do shit.” Bucky growls and Steve rolls his eyes at him.

“If you think that we can’t handle adding another Alpha to the mix you’re nuts. She’s clearly your Omega.”

“What? No she isn’t.” Bucky protests.

“Why else would you still be able to smell her? I certainly can’t. You’re not being fair to either of you if you stay on the suppressants.” Bucky growls at the other Alpha but Steve only laughs. “If you’re trying to prove that we can’t manage you in your true nature you’ve proven yourself wrong.”

“Fine. I’ll think about it.” He snaps and Steve nods.

“I’d hurry, if she’s gonna stop taking hers than she’s gonna have some interested Alphas around.” This gets a real growl out of Bucky and he decides in that moment that he’s going to go off the suppressants and he’s going to claim you. If you’ll have him.

————————————————————————

You decide to go off the suppressant as soon as the month is over and the second you do Alphas notice. Some of the men on the tac team are getting a bit too much,

“Come on Omega let me take ya out baby.” Brenden coos and you shake your head. He’s been the most persistent, but his scent really puts you off. It’s almost acidic.

“No thank you Brenden.”

“That’s Alpha to you.”

“No. It’s not. I am not your Omega.” You argue, under his smell is one that’s soothing, it’s a cedar and smoke and coming closer.

“You’re an unclaimed Omega. I’m an Alpha.” Brenden argues backing you against the wall, you feel the rage before you realize who it is that’s so angry. It’s not you and it’s not Brenden. It’s not until Brenden is yanked away from you that the calm settles over you.

“She said no.” Bucky growls and you find your hand clutching the back of his shirt. Since when did Bucky Barnes smell so good?

“Back off Beta.” Brenden sneers and Bucky lets out a snarl.

“He’s no Beta.” You say softly, “He’s Alpha.” You mutter and Brenden laughs.

“Everyone knows Barnes is a Beta.” Bucky goes for Brenden but doesn’t get far with you clinging to his shirt. Bucky freezes and looks back at you with soft blue eyes.

“Omega?”

“Let’s just go please.” You mutter but when his attention is off of Brenden the other man lunges for Bucky. Without even looking away from you Bucky catches the other Alpha around the throat.

“Omega. Please go to my room. I’ll be right there.” Bucky says calmly.

“Your room?”

“I don’t want to invade your nest.” He explains as Brenden thrashes in his grip.

“Oh, okay.” It’s very sweet of him to not want to invade your space.

“Really quick,” he takes your hand and scents your wrist. “So you’re left alone. Now please go.” It’s incredible how gentle he can be with you while holding the struggling Alpha. You go, making your way to his room like it’s a path you’ve walked a million times. When you get to the door it slides open without you even needing to touch it.

“Sargent Barnes requested I give you access to his rooms.” FRIDAY informs you as you step inside. The room is cooler than yours, which isn’t a surprise, and his scent is everywhere. His space is bigger than yours, it’s not a studio so you don’t have to worried about his bed being the most prominent thing in the room. You sit down on the couch and wait silently for Bucky to come back.

Tag list:

No tags because it might have smut in the next part.

#bucky imagine #imagine bucky barnes au #alpha!bucky #alpha!bucky x omega!reader #a/b/o fanfic #avengersau #Bucky Barnes x reader #Bucky x reader #Bucky Barnes x reader au #him story

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emrysaf · 4 years

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Never Enough Pt. 14

Pain. This is painful. **TRIGGER WARNING: attempted suicide, suicidal thoughts/actions, blood**

Always look to someone for help. The strongest can feel weak. Those who always stay standing can fall. It isn’t weak to ask for help when you need it or even think you need it. You are a vital piece to the world.

--------------------------------------------

@peggycarter-steverogers @dottirose

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Just tell me, tell me how to keep this

And I'll be alright

Just tell me, tell me what's the secret

And I'll hold it tight

'Cause I don't want to spend another moment

Without you again

Just tell me, tell me how to keep this

So it never ends

If I were God, just for a day

I would be guilty

Of letting the whole world slip away

I wouldn't change,

No, I wouldn't change a thing

I'd leave the mistakes

I'll take the blame

And I'll use the chance

To keep you just the same

If I were, if I were God just for a day

Don't tell me, tell me how it changes

It's you I can't replace

Don't tell me, tell me that we're hopeless

I can learn from my mistakes

'Cause I don't want to spend another moment

Without you again

♫🎝♫🎝♫🎝♫🎝♫🎝♫🎝♫🎝♫🎝♫

Y/N had been here for three months and hadn’t spoken a syllable.

She hadn’t spoken one month and a week after she was admitted. When the staff found her looking out the big bay window at four in the morning. She had tears running down her face and her hands clenched so hard blood was dripping from the crescent indents in her palm.

If only the staff had known. They thought she was crying in despair over her situation, and longing to be outside.

Half of that was true. She was in despair, but as vain as it sounds she was looking at her reflection in the window. Not to the outside world. Her. The nasty scar; a beacon to others of her past and present. She had never thought she was all that great to start with, and now she had a sick sense of validation about the branching pattern.

But, yes, if they had noticed what was really going on in her head there would’ve been no doubt about what would come next.

Two months and twenty-eight days into her psychiatric stay and they found her again. This time it was in front of the shattered remains of a bathroom mirror. Y/N had wrapped her extra psych ward provided shirt around her fist to silence the shattering of glass.

Blood was everywhere. But there were no tears this time. Just anger.

---------------------------------------------------

She had a brief second of cold feet about trying this whole dying thing again and gripped the glass shard too hard. The sharp pinch was painful, but a release as well. Then she went to switch the shard to her other hand and commit to doing the deed, and there it was. The slice to her hand was already healing. Not as fast as when she was at full power, but not an average human’s rate either.

One would think this was a good thing. A sign maybe? Her power was there, somewhere.

No. Y/N wasn’t happy. She was pissed. Now she heals? After everything. The scar across her whole back and up to her face? She didn’t want her power, without it she was supposed to be human. Easier to die that way. And now her healing factor kicks in.

Fuck this.

So Y/N went to town slashing and tearing into herself where she could reach. But the more damage she did, the faster her healing factor kicked in.

So when the hospital staff rushed in Y/N barely had any marks on her, but the bathroom looked like a slaughterhouse.

--------------------------------------------

Steve was her proxy and got the news in the middle of that night. Blood, anger, horror. But not even a hint of sound from her. In pain or otherwise.

Right then and there he decided to have the facility run some more medical tests. He had thought she was being difficult, stubborn. But maybe her lack of speech had more to do with the loss of her powers or something like that?

--------------------------------------------

The hospital agreed to run some blood tests, and double check medical and psych history. To do this they needed her records from the compound doctor, and as they had Y/N medicated to keep her from hurting herself again Steve was able to sign over the documents.

So, Captain America made his way to the hospital to sign the paperwork and be there when the results came through. Once he signed, however, he didn’t have to wait long. Sitting in a rather uncomfortable chair in the too white visitor’s waiting room, Steve was dragged out of his thoughts about the past year by the head doctor.

“Ahem,” he coughed. “Mr. Capt- Mr. Rogers. Can we speak privately?”

Definitely concerned he replied, “Yes, of course.” and followed the salt and pepper haired man to his office.

“Have you-”

“We haven’t done any testing yet,” began the doctor, and he rushed on at the super soldier’s raised brows. “First we were going over the medical and psychological history you signed for. And I just have to ask; why weren’t we told about this? It would have a great effect on her mental well being. She should have had counseling or something with this considering her mental health history.”

“This?” Steve prompted, feeling accused. All he could think of was the man she put in a coma. “She shocked that man too hard, but I didn’t see it as something for counseling. By the time I got there that same day she had already made that first attempt?”

“No, Captain. This loss? The effect it has on women of varying ages.”

“Loss?” Now he was confused and frustrated. Loss? Did the doctor mean her breakup with Bucky? She chose to do that. And why was that in a medical history? “I didn’t think relationships and breakups were in medical files.”

“Break- Wait. You don’t know what I am talking about at all, do you?” questioned the doctor.

“Apparently not. So tell me what you’re beating around the bush about.” demanded Steve. When the doctor hesitated and looked like he was about to refuse Steve pushed on. “I am her proxy. In order to help and assure she gets the best possible care while I am responsible for her I have to be told everything.”

“Well,” began the doctor. “It seems she was deemed incapable of conceiving just a few months before her first incident in New York City. Infertility is a tricky, and painful condemnation to give a person. According to the timeline you provided, she was told this shortly before being sent to the city. . . Alone.”

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Steve was at a loss. Y/N, why didn’t you tell us? Tell me? What exactly happened?

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vengadeshsago · 3 years

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Marvel universe Hero Captain Marvel .. “I keep having these memories. I see flashes. I think I had a life here. But I can’t tell if it’s real.” – Carol Danvers .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Design by @sago.pixel ........................ #marvelstudios #marvelphase4 #marvelbr #captainmarvel #comics #comicsart #comicsofinstagram #starwarscomics #firstavenger #des_faisal #gotg #avengersau #mr360 #marvelstud10s #navigatoroftheseas #avengersassemble #captainamerica #marvelindia #marvelkerala @designshoutout @adobe @photoshop @adobegencreate @adobecreativecloud @adobe.in @adobe_india (at Marvel Universe) https://www.instagram.com/p/CP-C2gjnsCX/?utm_medium=tumblr

#marvelstudios #marvelphase4 #marvelbr #captainmarvel #comics #comicsart #comicsofinstagram #starwarscomics #firstavenger #des_faisal #gotg #avengersau #mr360 #marvelstud10s #navigatoroftheseas #avengersassemble #captainamerica #marvelindia #marvelkerala

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danni-boi-x · 3 years

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The Secret Love - Clint barton - ᴾʳᵒˡᵒᵍᵘᵉ (on Wattpad) https://www.wattpad.com/1114458590-the-secret-love-clint-barton-%E1%B4%BE%CA%B3%E1%B5%92%CB%A1%E1%B5%92%E1%B5%8D%E1%B5%98%E1%B5%89?utm_source=web&utm_medium=tumblr&utm_content=share_reading&wp_uname=danni_boi_x&wp_originator=eBIF%2BHP4%2FmZAWfj8b84kJU3x3xID9F%2BJ2%2BcnZ6362kvEmBQMg%2B7VTk7F18Nq7UtYZDUfKpEd2qXemXbjwktrBpvneazT6VIMs1pU2kfVpUagsT5k4JRnKgJv53%2FxpjMj Sage Aquila Rodriguez is your average Latin woman, she worked at a coffee shop after moving to the US from Puerto Rico, doing so because her parents disowned her. One day while working her morning shift she really hit it off with a certain S.H.I.E.L.D agent, their relationship only growing from there; with all the challenges will the relationship flourish or will it burn in flames?

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yomimio · 4 years

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Oh my God! Mythology AU Know your gods

A/N: This is an avenger x reader. English is not my native language so I apologize for any mistake. Italics mean that the character is thinking. The Marvel characters belong to Marvel, the gifs and images belong to their owners, I only own the plot.

Warnings: None

Gods in order of appearance:

Poseidon

(Y/N). One of the twelve Olympians. God of the sea, storms earthquakes and horses.

Symbols:

Trident, fish, dolphin, horse and bull.

Represented as:

White male figure. Big, muscled man with long and curly hair and beard. Usually depicted with only a loincloth on and holding a gold trident.

True physical appearance:

(S/c) skinned female. (Your height), (body type) woman with (h/l) (h/c) hair and (e/c) eyes. Usually spotted with white/blue chitons, barefoot and with shinny pearls woven between her locks.

Personality:

Friendly but not to mess with (the oceans seem calm but storms are brewing underneath the surface).

Relationships:

On the contrary of what the human myths say, Poseidon does like Pallas Athena, they have a close relationship.

She likes Circe, Hephaestus, Hera, Zeus, Persephone, Asclepius…

Tolerates (secretly likes, even though she will never say it) Aeolus. “He’s annoying!”- Poseidon.

Dislikes Hecate. “He can go shove his staff up his a--“-Poseidon. “Language!!”- Athena.

Romantically interested in… “Ares, Ares, Ares, Ares, Ares, Ares, …”- Poseidon.

Pallas Athena

Steven Grant Rogers. One of the twelve Olympians. Goddess of wisdom, the arts, olives, weaving and battle strategy. Patron goddess of heroic endeavor and freedom. Also known as Athena Parthenos (‘Athena the Virgin’).

Symbols:

Owls, olive trees, and snakes.

Represented as:

White female figure. Tall woman with long and curly/wavy hair. Usually depicted with a long white dress, a helmet, holding a spear and with a round shield by her feet.

True physical appearance:

Male god. Blond, blue eyed, huge man, with pale skin and broad shoulders and chest, that contrast with a narrow waist. Easily recognized by his tall, very muscled figure and round behind. “As far as I’m concerned that’s Olympus’ ass”- Morpheus.

Enjoys dressing traditionally with pastel colors. Seen carrying his shield on his back almost 24/7. “I think he’s more of a tortoise than an owl.”- Hephaestus.

Personality:

Heart as huge as his body. Sweet, protective (overprotective), attentive and caring. The best friend you could wish for. The best leader you could hope for. The best man you will ever find. A warrior on the outside and a softie on the inside.

Throves for justice and fights for freedom.

Relationships:

On the contrary of what the human myths say, Athena does like Poseidon, they have a close relationship. “I love her with my whole heart, but she can be a bit reckless.”- Athena. “Look who’s talking”- Ares.

He has the strongest bond with Ares. Sharing upbringing, they grew beside each other, defending and protecting each other (the protection being provided by Ares for a vast part of their younger years). They consider themselves as brothers. Don’t mess with one in front of the other. Would kill (and have killed) for one another. “I’m with you till the end of the line”.

Likes Artemis, Aeolus, Asclepius, Apollo, Zeus, Hades and Hermes.

Also likes Hephaestus, but sometimes gets frustrated at him. “Following orders is not my style”- Hephaestus “And obviously style is all you care about”- Athena “Who is the one wearing the skintight outfit here?”- Hephaestus. Does not understand how Hera can stand him and his big ego all day (secretly happy that he has somebody that loves him so much). “He can be a handful, but he is a good man”- Athena.

Romantic interest: not disclosed.

Hephaestus

Anthony Edward Stark. One of the twelve Olympians. God of the fire, metalworking, stone masonry, forge, the art of sculpture, technology and blacksmiths.

Symbols:

Hammer, anvil, tongs, and volcanoes.

Represented as:

White deformed/ugly male. Man with short hair and beard. Not as muscled as other gods, but with a toned body from working as a smith.

True physical appearance:

White, brown-eyed male with short black/dark brown hair and styled beard. Not particularly tall, not particularly muscled, but with a fit body. Opposite to what the myth says, Hephaestus is a good looking god.

Occasionally seen with his metal suit, he normally sports normal clothes. Favors the last trends and is the god with the most polished and pricey appearance (is also the one that spends the most time in front of the mirror).

Personality:

He may come across as highly irritating, egoistical and arrogant at first sight (which he is sometimes), but deep down he has a big heart and a need to protect his friends and family. If you can deal with his ego, he will become attached to you and will care deeply for you.

Hotheaded and impulsive, this man-child likes to keep a cool and sarcastic front but will melt if you show him affection.

Relationships:

Likes Pan, Circe, Dike, Asclepius, Zeus, …

Also likes Athena, but sometimes is irritated by Athena’s righteousness and selfless heroism. Profoundly enjoys poking fun at him. “Ugh Mr. Rogers, that suit did nothing for your ass”- Hephaestus “No one asked you to look, Tony”- Athena.

Has a tense relationship with Ares, but is working on improving it.

Romantic interest: Madly in love with Hera, will give his life for hers (secretly grateful for her immense patience with him).

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need-a-fugue · 4 years

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Why Not? - Chapter Ten

Summary: With a garage to run and a young daughter to, well… run after, Bucky Barnes doesn’t exactly have time for dating. And with his relationship track record – and the constant meddling of a certain overbearing best friend – he’s not so sure that’s a bad thing. But then he meets Annie – a rather insistent, pretty damn cute fellow car enthusiast – and it’s got him asking himself, despite all his hesitations, why not?

Author’s Note: Written for Little Darlin’s Mystery AU Challenge. Thanks to @sourpatchkidsandacokecan for triggering this… sprawling thing simply by supplying me with the prompt of Mechanic!AU for Bucky. It’s taken on a life of its own already… look at what you’ve done!

I'm so sorry it took so long to update... I got a little sucked into a different WIP that I've been obsessing a bit over. But here we are, the final chapter!

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x OFC

Warnings: Bit of angst, mostly fluff. Some bad language words…

“Come on,” Annie intones – practically whines – as both hands come up to wrap around his wrist. She gives a sharp tug, lets out a dramatic groan, and then plants her high heels and pulls on him with all her might.

But Bucky’s feet remain cemented firmly in place, his eyes still lingering on the throngs of well-dressed, Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous people behind her as they casually saunter into the country club. The corner of his mouth ticks up ever so slightly, lopsided grin blooming as he watches her antics from his periphery, catching sight of the pretty pink chiffon of her dress blowing in the soft breeze as she leans heavily back and lets out another huff while continuing to manhandle him.

“Uh-uh,” he mutters, shaking his head slowly, methodically. “No way in hell am I going in there.”

She pulls herself upright and gives him a disappointed look, bottom lip protruding in an overdone pout. “You promised.”

He shrugs, twisting his hand easily in her grip to wrap his fingers around hers. “Changed my mind.”

There’s a cheekiness to his gaze – and a brilliant hue to his crystal blue eyes – that she recognizes immediately. It’s the same vague, teasing look he gives his daughter whilst telling her that dinosaurs used to keep sabretooth tigers at pets… and made wooly mammoths use their tusks to clean their litter boxes. Or when he insists that ice cream for breakfast is against the law, and he’s keeping her out of jail by giving her waffles instead.

It’s a look Annie’s had directed her way a time or two as well, the playful flash in his features doing more to set her ablaze than just about anything else – save maybe seeing him slide out from under a car, covered in grease and sweat. Those moments when he sneaks up behind her while she’s washing dishes, gives her a swift and startling slap on the ass that every time causes her to nearly jump out of her skin? There’s that glint burning in his gaze as she turns to coyly chide him. Or when she bemoans being tired after a long day and a late night, only to feel his fingers trail slowly up her thigh, setting her flesh to tingle and singe? Sure enough, when she rolls over in bed, it’s that look she’s met with, impish anticipation painting his features.

It’s a look that has already become adored and craved by her. And freely given by him. A gesture, an unspoken admittance of affection that – in just these few short months – has managed to work its way into a new, shared vernacular.

She steps closer to Bucky, the slowly setting sun beating harshly on her back as she presses herself to his chest. “What if I change my mind about coming home with you tonight?” she asks with a sly smile, eyes fluttering flirtatiously up at him. “I mean, if I go in there alone, chances are, I’ll find some handsome, rich man and go home with him instead. Let him whisk me away in his Ferrari.”

Her mere presence coupled with the unseasonably warm temperature causes sweat to build beneath his collar, and he reaches up with his free hand to tug at the suffocating tie. “If he’s got a Ferrari, I can’t blame you,” he breathes out casually. “Go for it.” He drops his palm down to her hip, taking in the cool silkiness of her dress. “But you’re not gonna find anyone in there more handsome than me.”

She pulls back with a sudden – utterly enchanting, he can’t help but think – laugh and slaps him in the chest. “Cocky much?”

He merely wiggles his brows at her, earning an eyeroll – amid a beautifully dimpled smile – in response.

“C’mon,” she breathes out then, spinning round and twining her fingers with his before setting off towards the celebration. “You’re my officially RSVPed plus one. There’s no backing out now. It’s the law.”

He bites back a short chuckle, lets out instead a rumbling growl, but easily relents just the same, this time allowing himself to be pulled forward towards the massive gardens ahead. “I don’t know any of these people,” he whines pathetically, plodding behind her with heavy feet.

“You know me. And Tony,” she supplies, forging on without casting a glance back at him.

He rolls his eyes restlessly. “Last time I saw your boss, he was practically dusting for prints in my garage.”

“So dramatic,” she mocks thickly, accepting a program from one of the ushers as they enter the sprawling garden. She stops short once inside, Bucky very nearly ramming into her from behind. “It looks amazing,” she lets out in a low, astonished tone, the very tenor of which shoots a wide grin across Bucky’s face. She spins to look at him, her eyes inadvertently ticking round to take in more details of their surroundings. The lush, green topiaries looming on all sides. The big, beautiful lilies and orchids encircling the seating area. The perfectly placed fairy lights streaming from the tall trees. The giant pergola up front where a terribly well-dressed justice of the peace is already stoically standing. “This is exactly like what Pepper requested,” she mutters delightedly. “She must be so happy!”

He tugs her off to the side – out of the way – as more people stream in. “Well, it is her day, right?”

Annie nods, small hum spilling from her lips as she turns and drags him off towards the pristine white chairs, marching ever closer to the pergola at the front. “Tony said that if I sit any further back than the third row, I’m fired,” she tells him when his heels begin to dig in yet again.

And again, he yields, a deep, rather comic frown pulling on his face as they lightly push their way through the other guests. “So Stark is the bridezilla,” he mutters, no question to his voice.

She leads him into the seats, across a few already sitting – oddly familiar-looking – people before plopping down with a huff. “Ugh,” she drones, completely ignoring his comment and instead straightening her skirt beneath her before letting out a long, weary sigh alongside the very simple utterance, “It is hot.”

“You’re hot?” He turns on her with wide eyes, tugging once more at his tie, trying – and failing – to slide the sleeves of his suit jacket up his forearms for just a little air. “If they say anything more than just I do, I might freakin’ melt out here.”

A soft, clever smile rolls across her face. “But you’ll look good while you do it,” she says, reaching up to flatten his lapel before giving a single, terse nod. “I like you in a suit.”

He lets out a small scoff. “Don’t get any ideas, doll.”

“Any ideas?” she intones, grin only growing. “We’re at a wedding, Buck. I’m getting all sorts of ideas.”

His eyes blow wide for the briefest of moments, mouth falling agape and head cocking towards her as an anxious trilling buzzes through his brain. But then he sees the teasing turn to her lips, the tightness in her jaw as she works to hold in a bout of laughter. And he releases a breath he hadn’t even realized he’d been holding as an exasperated, “Very funny,” slips from his lips.

The bright, airy chuckle she’d been holding so tightly to spills out, her fingers dropping to splay wide over his knee. “Relax. I promise I won’t propose to you at the end of the night.”

His face drops, and along with it, his voice. “Might not mind you proposing certain things,” he mutters with a shrug.

A quick bark of a laugh has his eyes veering automatically back up at her, locking onto her mirthful gaze. “Fine,” she eases out after the giggles begin to fade. “Maybe I’ll propose something.” Then she shifts in her seat, turning towards him, her face mere inches from his. Her eyes take on a somewhat solemn quality as she tells him, voice dropping nearly a full octave, “I’m not one of those super-sentimental, sappy girls who’s going to get all weepy just because we’re at a gorgeous wedding.” Her eyes tick over to the waiting pergola, a wistful air wrapping around her tone. “Or because I genuinely love the two people getting married. Or because,” she looks back at him, something clenching and burning deep in her core as she catches his bright blue eyes. “Because I love the fact that you actually came here with me.”

A tight breath hisses between his teeth. “Jesus, doll. You keep looking at me like that, you might just turn me into one of those super-sentimental, sappy girls,” he tells her before throwing an arm over her shoulder – despite the heat – and settling back with her body nestled close to his.

000

In the weeks following what had since been dubbed FLU: Revenge of the Toilet, Annie and Bucky had not only grown closer, but more… solid.

That rather rough Wednesday night – when everything seemed to go wrong and all of their insecurities were laid bare – had been a bit of a turning point in their relationship. Looking back, both of them would likely say that it was, in fact, the beginning of their relationship. Before that night, they were dating. They were two people who talked and laughed and hung out… and were – undeniably, categorically – attracted to one another. But after, they became so much more.

For Annie, the defining aspect of that evening – the thing that convinced her they were about to head down a new path together – was simply the fact that Bucky had pushed. He forced a conversation about whether or not she could handle his messy life, felt the need to because – I really like you – he was beginning to see a place for her in his future. That, coupled with the fact that he never asked her to leave, clearly never wanted her to leave, served to quiet Tony’s well-intentioned warning – You’ll never come first, you know – that always seemed to linger in the back of her mind.

Maybe that would still be true at times. Maybe it should be true, especially when the one she’d be competing against for that top spot was a four-year-old girl. But in that moment – that night – Bucky had made it abundantly clear that she was his priority.

Needless to say, she had stayed the night after all. After a rather intense and achingly long make out session that resulted in swollen lips, a bit of beard-burn, and a broken coffee maker; a quick everything’s good here check-in phone call from Steve and Natasha; and too much lukewarm Indian food, Annie ended up coiled around Bucky’s hulking form, breathless in his bed, sweaty sheets sticking to naked flesh as her exhausted body drifted off to sleep. It was blissful and hot, and above all else, it just felt… right.

The next morning, on the other hand, wound up being less than stellar. She woke cold and alone, sprawled atop an otherwise empty bed, pulled from her slumber by the muffled sounds of retching emanating from behind the closed bathroom door.

She cared for Bucky that day – much to his chagrin – helped him shower and dress, cleaned his toilet, even ran to the store to stock up on Gatorade and ginger ale. And she allowed him to care for her as well – to come and fetch her and take her home, clean her up and keep her hydrated – when she blew chunks all over her desk at work two days later.

And that is what became the defining moment for Bucky.

It had all been a somber sign of things to come. Sickness. Hardship. Going to bed on cloud nine and waking the next morning with a faceplant to the dirty ground. It was all the things that he’d been afraid might happen. Burdening Annie with the cumbersome task of caring for a stubborn patient – I see where Lana gets it now – and the painful domesticity it bore. Having to do the same for her, just looking at her pale skin and hooded eyes, wiping the sweat from her brow, all the while knowing she was sick because of him. Having to break plans – the first plans they managed to make that didn’t involve chicken soup and Netflix – when a rather green-looking Natasha brought Svetlana over two days early because Steve’s horrendous retching was making the little girl cry.

But they made it through just fine. It was oddly easy, in fact… easier than he ever expected it to be. Caring for one another. Wanting to care for one another. It had been too damn easy.

If he were to be completely, unabashedly honest, Bucky would have to admit that this degree of ease… of comfort and simplicity – because that’s really what it is, isn’t it? Just a bizarrely uncomplicated, effortless sensation? – was not something he’d ever had with any other woman before. Even with Nat – whom he’d loved long before Lana came along, though admittedly not in the way that allowed two people to forge a life together – it had never been easy. She was strong and independent and wholly her own person. Her strength reeled him in and turned him on. But it also terrified him. Still does. Showing any vulnerability in front of Natasha Romanov – despite her telling him repeatedly that she can see right through his cocky façade – is not a thing he has ever been willing or able to do.

And with other woman too, he’s only ever allowed a certain side of himself – or perhaps a select few sides – to be glimpsed. More often than not, he’s shown them the charming, self-assured smile, imbued every movement, every word with the seemingly subtle confidence that he could see turned them to mush. But never, that he can recall, had he shared with them his struggles. No, instead he’d wear that charm like armor, a beguiling indifference that got him laid while still keeping his heart safe. And after Lana was born, once he realized his heart had become even more precious – more full and seemingly fragile now that his baby girl lay inside – an utter air of detachment was added on as an extra, thicker layer of protection.

He’d tell women about himself – what he did for a living, where he grew up. He’d share with them that he loved cars, loved screwball comedies, loved his daughter more life itself. He’d let them into his home and his bed. But his heart – and most of what made him truly him – was simply off limits.

He never really realized how much of his time was spent walking on eggshells around the women in his life, cautiously selecting which pieces of information to reveal, which parts of himself – if any – to lay bare. He’d never realized quite how hard it had been to be himself… to be real and genuine and – God help him – vulnerable with women.

Until Annie came along and made things so damn easy.

000

The music is surprisingly… intense. For a wedding reception, at least. The not-so-subtle beats of AC/DC and Metallica permeating the air for a good hour or so before slowly tapering off into some more appropriate rock ballads. “Tony got to choose the tunes for the cocktail hour,” Annie whispers to him with a smirk. “Don’t worry, it’ll be over soon.”

But for Bucky, the predetermined cocktail hour expands well into the post-dinner lull, his general wariness of large crowds and unease with small talk driving him to keep his hands and lips busy with drinks for as long as humanly possible. He gets it down to a science… sip easily at the watered-down drink in his hand to keep from having to say more than a few words to any of Annie’s overeager – borderline neurotic – coworkers. Then slip back over to the bar, taking his sweet-ass time to get a refill.

He’s on his fifth lap now, taking a break to sit at the far corner of the open bar. He watches from afar – head ducked, fleeting smile stifled – as Annie laughs and talks and mingles with a handful of work friends, her kind eyes ticking his way every few moments in quiet – easy – reassurance. And with each tender glance he feels a new wave of adoration wash over him, a steadily undulating current that both buoys him and threatens to drown him in the depths.

“You’re drinking the cheap shit,” he hears from over his shoulder. His hand grips the crystal tumbler of bourbon a little tighter as he slowly spins on the stool, raising a brow at the suspiciously unaccompanied center of attention. Tony ticks his chin toward his glass before calling the bartender over and saying simply, “Break out the Pappy Van Winkle.”

“The what?” Bucky asks, his eyes following the bartender’s cautious steps as he makes his way around to the back of the bar, throwing furtive glances over his shoulder as he goes.

Tony rolls his eyes and lets out a small grunt before dropping into the seat beside him. “Stupid name, wholeheartedly agree.” He tugs at his bowtie, unfurling it in one quick swipe and flinging it down atop the mahogany bar. “But it’s the best. Or…” he shrugs. “One of the best. Don’t worry, you’ll like it.”

Bucky’s eyes narrow – not unkindly, but certainly suspiciously – as he watches the bartender return with two tumblers and a bottle that his fingers curl around as though it were the freaking holy grail. “Shouldn’t you be out there mingling with all your high-society guests?” he asks once they’re left alone with their drinks.

Tony raises his glass, holding it high with an expectant sort of impatience. “C’mon,” he mutters fitfully. “I just married the love of my life. Toast me.”

The corner of Bucky’s mouth quirks up into an amused grin, a quick snort of a chuckle spilling out as he brings the bourbon up and clinks Tony’s glass. “Congratulations,” he deadpans, the smallest gleam in his eye revealing the depth of his sincerity.

“Thank you.” Tony pulls back and sips at his drink, a look of pure comfort spilling across his face as his Adam’s apple bobs.

Bucky brings the bourbon to his lips – slowly, cautiously – and lets the amber liquid slide inside, coating his tongue, his throat, his soul in the most delicious burn possible. “Damn,” he breathes out, staring wide-eyed at the drink in his hand. A delicate trace lingers as he swipes his tongue along his bottom lip, head shaking slowly. “Damn.”

Tony chuckles under his breath. “Probably shouldn’t have introduced you to good ole Pappy,” he declares. “Like sending someone who’s only ever flown coach across the ocean on a private jet.”

“I’d settle for business class,” he smarts with a frown.

Tony nods, another small chortle spilling out of him. He takes another sip and cheats out on his stool, gazing across the large dancefloor in front of them until his eyes light on the tall strawberry blonde, dripping with white silk, a glass of champagne in her left hand that sets a sparkling backdrop for the platinum band clinking delicately against it. “Nah,” he mutters, grin growing as he watches his new wife throw her head back in a carefree, delightful bout of laughter. “Why settle when you can have the best?”

Bucky’s shoulders pull into a quick shrug, his gaze sweeping out to find the object of Tony’s attention before returning to settle on the drink in his hand. “Not everyone can afford the best,” he mutters a bit under his breath.

Tony turns to him with a disappointed glare. “You do realize I’m not actually talking about bourbon, right?” He lets out a long, exasperated sigh and settles in, placing his glass on the bar and leaning close to the man beside him. “She’s ruined you, hasn’t she? Annie,” he clarifies when Bucky’s brows curl in confusion. “Can’t go back to the cheap shit after getting a taste of her. Am I right?”

Something akin to a growl pulls from his chest, his jaw ticking tightly to the side. “Don’t talk about tasting my girlfriend.”

And Tony just laughs. Loudly. Haughtily. Slapping Bucky on the shoulder as he goes. “Relax, will ya?” he chokes out before swallowing down the snickers. He shakes his head with a fond sort of amusement. “Metaphor, Barnes.”

“Yeah,” he mumbles, hint of agitation still in his voice as he brings the glass back to his lips and lets the liquor wash away the remnants of his irritation.

“I was watching you before,” he states simply, mirthful eyes still trained on the rather uncomfortable looking man before him. “The way you look at her, eyes following her around like a little puppy dog.”

Bucky’s lips press tightly together into a small snarl.

“I’m a genius, you know,” he lets out vapidly before giving a quick shrug and reaching up to pop open the top button of his starched, white collar. “Doesn’t take a genius to see what I saw, though.”

“Oh, yeah?” Bucky bites out, perhaps a bit harsher than intended. “What’s that?”

A smug smile, a stifled laugh, a short, incredulous snort… that’s all the answer he really needs. But Tony says it anyway, never one to pass up the opportunity to be heard. “You’re smitten. Intoxicated. You’ve had the Pappy and – you’ve gotta admit – nothing’s been sweeter, smoother… easier going down.”

He flashes him a stunned look, his stare reflecting something between confusion and accusation. And his lips part, jaw popping open to emit nothing but dumbfounded silence.

“Love’s a good thing,” Tony tells him, his voice light and airy, flitting atop a soft laugh. “Annie is a damn good… thing,” he finishes, frown forming as he realizes what he said. But he shakes it off, a look of you know what I mean flashing Bucky’s way. “She tell you about the promotion?” he asks, curiosity lacing his tone.

Bucky sputters a bit, the swift change in topic causing him to reel. “Uh,” he thinks. Promotion… promotion. “Yeah,” he utters finally, once his brain catches up. “Yeah. Something about… operations…” He shakes his head. “Or operational… something.”

Another snort of a laugh. “Operations manager for our new Innovative Tech Division.” He shakes his head with an almost annoyed air. “Up and comers are the worst. They all think they’re the hottest shit, each of their ideas the most… innovative. I find them… exhausting.” He narrows his eyes pensively. “Actually I find them to be the most irritating little shits on the planet.” He issues out a quick scoff and downs the rest of his drink before returning his gaze to Bucky. “Annie says they’re too much like me and that’s why I hate them. But I don’t buy that. I love me.” He shrugs. “Anyway… figured she could go unleash some of that insight on them. Help them all get their shit together and function like a team. Or, hell, I’d settle for just function.”

Bucky lets out a soft snicker, crooked smile blooming. “Want her to clean up more of your messes,” he muses thickly, taking another pull of bourbon.

Tony flattens him with an uncharacteristically serious stare. “It’s what makes us a good team.” He turns on his stool to bodily face the man before him, brows knitting tightly as a contemplative expression washes over his face. “I can only function in a world tempered with chaos… need it to be able to find the answers that just swirl around in the air. I make messes. It’s part of my process. Annie, she likes to… clean things up. Organize them. Fix them. She’s good at it too.”

Bucky’s lips pinch tightly together, his head slowly bobbing in a pensive nod as a sudden swell of doubt rises in his gut. “She likes order,” he says, almost to himself.

“Nah,” Tony mutters. “She just knows that sometimes order is what you need to make things more… palatable for others.” Bucky’s brows twist tightly together, utter befuddlement tugging at his features. Tony stifles a laugh as he catches the look. “What she likes is the mess. Because it gives her something to fix. She likes the challenge.”

“The challenge,” he repeats, his shoulders deflating, head drooping. “Great. Just what every guy wants to hear… I’m a challenge to be around,” he murmurs under his breath.

“Give her some credit,” Tony mutters drolly, pulling Bucky from his haze. “If she didn’t want to be challenged, she’d shack up with one of the boring-ass intellectuals down in accounting. Lord knows enough of them have tried. She saw your ramshackle little garage, saw you racing all over the place to fix things…”

“My garage isn’t ramshackle,” he interrupts with a frown.

“Every time I went in there the place was overbooked, you had some new project going on – ”

“You brought me those projects,” he defends a bit heatedly.

Tony merely shrugs. “Tools and grease everywhere,” he goes on. “A business partner who comes and goes as he pleases. Some teenager trying not to break shit in the back…”

“Hey, Peter’s a good kid.”

He rolls his eyes. “Yeah, I know. I’ve heard.” He stares Bucky down, his deep brown eyes holding a steely edge. “Barnes, I have heard everything about you. About how great you are with early model fuel-injection systems. How generous your are with your regulars… working out financing and payment plans and other nonsense that’s just gonna land you in the poorhouse. How patient you are with working around other people’s schedules. How wonderful you are with your kid,” he finishes with another overdone roll of his eyes. “Yeah, you got a little bit of chaos surrounding you,” he goes on with a tender note. “And she likes that.”

“You’re saying she likes me because my life’s a mess,” he mutters, only a hint of a question to his voice. “She wants something to fix.”

“Your skull really that thick?” he asks with a raised brow. “I know you’re not a genius like some people…” Bucky rolls his eyes and snorts, both actions being completely ignored by Tony as he goes on to say, “You fix cars. She fixes people. You clean up after a kid. She cleans up after me. You hold together a complicated little family unit, work to make it, well, work. She’s about to do the same with a group of arrogant young prodigies. She’s not trying to fix you. She’s not looking to be challenged by you. Barnes, you idiot… she wants to be challenged with you.”

000

As the party slows, the night growing long and stretching out towards its inevitable end, Bucky finally leaves the bar and returns to their table. The other Stark Industries’ workers that had been surrounding them before, smothering Bucky with their enthusiastic welcomes and long-winded inside jokes that drove him to the silent corner of the bar to begin with, had all filtered off to either take over the dancefloor or simply retire for the night. It’s only Annie now, a vision in pale pink, the loose curls around her face coiling tightly at her temples due the unseasonable humidity. She rests heavily in her seat at the empty table, head propped on her fist as her eyes trail along the smaller – yet still substantial – crowd before her. The sweetest smile rests on her lips as she placidly watches people dance, laugh, talk, and just be.

Bucky flops down in the chair beside her, scooting a plate piled high with two different types of cake and a heaping scoop of fruit covered in chocolate sauce – because apparently there had been a chocolate fountain sitting at yet another dessert buffet on the opposite side of the room all night – over between them. Her smile grows into an excited, toothy grin as she accepts the proffered fork and stabs through the mountain of sugar, trying to capture all of the sweet treats into a single bite.

“Finally get tired of keeping yourself sequestered?” she asks just before popping the fruit-laden cake into her mouth.

He lets out a small chuckle and spears a chocolatey strawberry with his own fork. “Kinda backfired on me,” he murmurs, swiping his tongue around some of the dripping chocolate. “Your boss found me.”

She laughs indelicately, almost snorting around the massive bite of dessert as she chews and effortfully swallows it down. “Yeah,” she says with a nod. “I saw.” Her fork returns for another serving, playfully batting his away to get at a plump blueberry sitting atop a mass of vanilla buttercream. “Could’ve been worse. Gary from accounting found his way over here.” Her head drops dramatically back, a mocking – and loud – snore pulling from somewhere deep in her chest alongside a theatrical moan. “Sooooo boring.”

Bucky can’t help but laugh at that, his wide smile settling into something fond and familiar as he watches her sigh and slouch forward and focus once again on the dessert, taking another too-large bite and leaving a smear of frosting along the corner of her mouth. “You tired?” he asks, reaching down and plucking a naked raspberry from the pile, raising it up to swipe along her lip, using it to clean her mess before he pops it into his mouth with a wink.

She cocks her head at him and grins, eyes crinkling at the edges as she finishes chewing. He reaches out with his thumb to clear off the remnants of icing and chocolate pocking her bottom lip, and she lets her eyes blink slowly shut, head drooping a bit once she swallows. Bucky unfurls his hand, palm opening to easily accept her flushed cheek as she nuzzles into him. “Is that a pickup line?” she asks, leaning over the edge of her seat, gradually fading into his warmth. “You want to put me to bed?”

He laughs – the sound light and airy and wonderfully melodic to her ears – and scoots his chair closer, wraps an arm around her and tugs her casually to his chest. “Maybe.”

Her eyes flit open and take in the twinkling fairy lights above, each tiny, haloed bulb melding masterfully in with the night sky. “Thanks for coming with me tonight, Buck,” she murmurs languidly as her head rolls back along his shoulder.

He lays a chaste kiss atop her head and pulls her a little closer with his left arm, his right hand still absently stabbing at fruit with his fork. “Any time, doll.”

She shifts beside him, turns her head just enough to be able to catch a glimpse of his face. Her eyes shine with something akin to mischief as she says, “I have a friend who’s getting married in December. We went to high school together so everyone I grew up with will be there.” Her eyebrows wiggle almost maniacally, the look equal parts terrifying and endearing.

“Great,” he deadpans, swallowing down a chortle. Then, “Ah, you know what?” oozes out of him in an easy cadence. “Yeah, I think I have Lana that night. Probably can’t make it.”

“I didn’t tell you the date,” she says, blank face just barely cracking as a sneaky smile threatens to tug at her lips.

“Yeah, well,” he breathes out. “I’m a busy guy, you know.”

She scoots a bit closer, her hip splitting his knees apart as she settles in and wraps her arms around his center. “You’re not that busy,” she intones, dropping her face to his chest and letting out a small yawn. “Or did you forget that I updated your calendar myself?”

No, he hadn’t forgotten. He actually – silently – thanks her daily. Every time he gets an alert on his phone… a reminder about swim lessons, soccer practice, a change of days with Lana. Or a notification – complete with embedded heart emoji – telling him exactly where to be and at what time for their date that evening. She had – now that he thinks about it – somehow managed to already calm the inherent chaos in his life, easing the strain of the everyday.

“Hm,” he hums out casually as his fingers weave into her hair. “You know, I’m pretty sure that calendar told me just the other day that Lana’s starting gymnastics next month…”

She pops up excitedly, coming to life in his arms as she presses her palms into his chest and pushes off of him. “I know!” she enthuses, turning a beaming smile his way. “I’m so excited for her!”

The corner of his mouth quirks up, soft chuckle spilling forth. “Well, that’s good, I guess,” he mutters cheerily, all the while shoving down the butterflies that so often burst to life in his gut when she’s around. She’s excited for my baby, he thinks, grin growing wider from just that one thought. “But I was trying to point out that I’m sure I’ll be way too busy for any more weddings.”

Her bottom lip pushes out into a pout, pensive look tugging at her features as her eyes narrow. “Nah,” she says after a moment of seeming contemplation. “We’ll make it work.”

“Oh, we will?” he questions amid a laugh.

She drops back into him, her head colliding with his collarbone and causing a harsh grunt to sound, cutting off his laughter. “Of course we will,” she mumbles into his chest, the sound of her voice muffled but the feel of it edging into him, vibrating through his chest and colliding with his heart.

He squeezes her a little bit tighter, his fingers trailing softly along the bare skin of her neck, swiping down over her shoulder in a delicate trace. He drops his lips to her hair once more, breathes in the now familiar scent of coconut shampoo… smiles when he gets a swift hit of Lana’s lavender detangler too.

“I think,” he breathes out, low voice slowing trailing off. She curls deeper into him and gives a small hum by way of encouragement. But he doesn’t go on, can’t quite form the sudden, overwhelming thought into a coherent sentence. He releases a long, hot breath into her hair, the statement that had only just cracked forth and dropped through a chink somewhere in his armor now lodging in his throat.

I love you.

She pulls back and gives him a curious, almost worried look. “You want to go home?” she asks, her voice soft, achingly tender.

He offers a fond, closed-lip smile before tugging her back to his chest, nuzzling her close, and tucking her head beneath his chin. I love you. The words are now tickling the very tip of his tongue, smacking ceaselessly atop the roof of his mouth. I love you.

But… not yet. Not here. “Home,” he muses serenely, hums softly into her hair. A deep sigh spills from his lips, and along with it – carrying a note of practiced ease – he utters plainly, “Yeah, doll. Why not?”

#bucky barnes fanfiction #dad!bucky #LDAMC #bucky x oc #bucky barnes au #bucky barnes fanfic #marvel fanfic #marvelau #bucky imagine #avengersau #avengers fanfiction

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wifeofbuckybarnes · 4 years

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Til the end of the line...

#Bucky Barnes #bucky #bucky art #bucky x oc #james buchanan barnes #james barnes #Steven Grant Rogers #Steve Rogers #bucky x reader #bucky x y/n #bucky x you #avengers au #avengersau #Avengers

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bartonsarcheryacademy · 7 months

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Story idea dump #3 - because I have way too many ideas 24/7

COAST GUARD AND RESCUE DIVER AU

The team works together as coast guards, and a search and rescue squad on sea. Their ship is called ‚The Avenger’ and part of the local emergency response team. Clint is the only one not permanently on the team. He is the island‘s best diving instructor and gets called in whenever the situation needs an experienced rescue diver. He likes it quiet and lives outside of town, where he doesn‘t meet a lot of people. („Tourists? The smart ones book my courses. The stupid ones end up stuck in caves thinking they know better than the ‚no diving‘ signs“ ) . Each of them has their specific role on the team. It also includes Sam, who changed over to their team from being a para-rescue after losing his best friend Riley.

Bucky is the last one to join. He‘s Steve‘s best friend and comes back from the military. Tony is thrilled because he is the first person to wear his prosthetic arm prototype. Tony is the mechanic of the team. It‘s his ‚hobby‘ next to running Stark Industries. It started as something he did to piss his father off, now he‘s invested in giving the rescue teams the best tech to rescue people and keep the island safe. Bucky wonders why Clint is the way he is- reckless, determined to a ridiculous unhealthy level, almost anti-social. He keeps pushing the interactions until someone tells him about the incident that marked the only person that Clint wasn‘t able to safe. Bucky starts to understand and makes it his mission to make Clint understand that there is more to his life and job than punishing himself for losing that person.

WinterHawk. Shameless Clint whumpage and the Team as family.

Art exists lol

#hawkeye #ao3 #winterhawk #marvel #FanFiction #AvengersAU #StoryIdea #WriterProblem #StoryIdeaDump #AvengersAsFamily #MindInInk

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zaynmirrors · 5 years

Text

Hardware: Bucky Barnes AU

A/N: so this didn’t go the way I planned but hey it’s fine, I finally got it up though. If you want a part two or any other type of request they’re open so send me a message! Enjoy!

Pairing: Norm!Bucky Barnes x Fem!Reader, Norm!Steve And Fem!Reader

Warnings: swearing, almost passing out? I don't know

I turned the dial on my combination lock, pulling down as I heard the click of the final tumbler opening. Opening my locker I pulled out my vest and slipped it on, but before I left the break room I bought water from the vending machine.

“Hey Y/N, how'd it go with that guy?” Wanda asked as soon as she caught a glimpse of me. I shook my head and she frowned. “You know my offer still stands”

I chuckled slightly remembering her offer to try and set me up with someone at work. “Yeah, Thanks Wanda” I gave her a small smile.

“Hey, Y/N you’re out in Garden,” Nat said coming by, I nod and start the trek out to the sweltering heat that is the garden center.

As I rounded the corner to the registers, I landed eyes on the well-built body that was standing next to the drink machine talking to Steve.

Steve caught my presence first. “Hey, Y/N” this caught Bucky's attention causing him to turn to my direction. I gave them a small smile and a wave.

“What’d you do to get sent out here” Steve joked causing me to chuckle and I stop in front of the register and log in.

“I guess I was late too many times” I joked back leaning against the counter beside the register. Steve let out a hearty laugh as Bucky chuckles.

The day goes on people come through my line, I joke around with a coworker until a customer needs assistance lifting some stones into the back of their truck. I dial into the intercom and say “code 50 to garden registers”, praying that its Bucky.

Soon enough here came Bucky round the corner. “What’d you need?” He asked looking at me expectantly. I explained the situation and he went to work. He hopped into the back of the cab, causing the truck to bounce slightly with the weight. The customer began to hand him the stones and I watched, in a trance.

His muscles glistened with sweat as he worked under the unforgiving sun. He pushed the long pieces of hair behind his ear and looked up into the sky taking a break for a split second, “You’re drooling” I jumped and looked for the voice, finding steve standing there with a smirk.

“Shit Steve”, I sighed “you gave me a heart attack” he laughs and grabs a bottle of water from the fridge, placing it on my counter.

“You stare at me like that?” He asked leaning on the counter while opening the water as he watched his friend load the stones by himself, obvious to steve that bucky had it handled.

Steve loved to tease me about the small crush I had on the buff loader. I shake my head, cheeks burning bright crimson. He just laughed.

He pulled another water out of the fridge and handed it to me nodding at bucky, who had hopped off the back of the truck and was heading back towards us looking flawless even as he sweats.

“Here Bucky,” I said trying to be confident but it came out soft as I held out the water bottle to him. He gave a soft smile and took it before standing in front of the large fan they kept outside to keep everyone cool, pulling up his shirt slightly to let the mildly cool air blow on his sweat sheen toned abs.

It was hard to tear my eyes away from the sight but I managed. Steve gave you a sly thumbs up and a cheeky wink that made you roll your eyes. “Thanks for the water” Bucky called out as he began the walk to his designated area in the back along with Steve.

The hours dredged on, the heat was slowly getting to me as I stood there not even noticing that Bucky had surfaced until he spoke, “What's up?” Bucky asked laughing slightly as he saw the position I was in, head pressed against the palm of my hand.

Without looking up I mumbled “I feel like I’m gonna pass out,” he wasted no time in grabbing a Gatorade from the fridge and placing it on the counter. This caused me to look up at him confused by these actions.

He rummaged around in his pants pockets for a second before pulling out both his discount card and his debit card, “What are you doing?” I asked as he held out his employee card for me to scan.

“I’m buying you a drink” I tried to argue with him but he wasn’t having it, I finally had to just ring him up as he kept insisting but he didn’t stop there, he carefully helped me sit down on the cinder block behind the register.

Bucky examined the fan that had been pointed at me and turns it up as high as it would go. He bent down to pull the hair off the back of my neck as he yelled, “Hey Steve, can you call a head cashier and tell them to get me an ice pack?!”

“Sure thing!” I heard Steve yell back. I opened the Gatorade with a shaky hand, and took a few small sips before feeling a coldness on the back of my neck, causing a shiver to run down my spine. “Did you eat?” Steve asked from beside Bucky

I shook my head, completely ready to receive a lecture from Steve about the importance of properly eating but at this point, I didn’t care. Instead, to my surprise, I was handed a candy bar.

“Hey Y/N, Nat said you could leave early,” Wanda said, coming around the corner and taking in the sight before her. She was obviously sent out here to take over. I would have argued but I felt like shit and it was just fifteen minutes

“Can you stand?” Bucky asked, still holding the hair up off my neck. I sat for a moment

contemplating if I were stable enough to stand before leaning forward to stand, Bucky moving in sync with me.

Steve moved out of the way and said, “go ahead and walk with her” Bucky nodded and kept a hand on the small of my back gently guiding me inside as a precaution.

I was able to clock out and grab my things from my locker with the help from Bucky. “Are you sure you should drive?” He asked when the two of us reached my car.

I nodded, “yeah, I’ll be fine. I don’t live far” but he still looked worried. So I finally mustered up the courage to say, “if you gave me your number I could text you that I got home Okay”. I felt my cheeks heat up, my heart was just about ready to jump out of my chest.

He thought for a moment before pulling out his phone and handing it to me calming the anxious beating of my heart. I quickly put in my number and sent a text to myself before handing the phone back before getting into my car, but leaving the door open.

“Now I expect a text” he said sternly but with a hint of playfulness as I turned to position myself in front of the steering wheel.

“You’ll get one,” I said with a small smile before closing the door, waving at Bucky and turning on your car. The ac blasted out scorching air before finally cooling off as I drove away in awe at myself.

I had made sure to pack a lunch today as well as some snacks in case I began to feel light-headed. I stood next to Wanda in front of the registers.

“What about” she paused for a moment, in thought and then continued, “Steve?” I looked at her and shake my head. “What why not!?”

“Because I like our friendship, I don’t want anything to ruin it,” I said, but I had to admit he was attractive but just not like Bucky.

“Hello ladies,” Bucky said coming up with a smile, a box that contained a ceiling fan inside slung onto his chiseled shoulder. A heat spread to my cheeks as he looked at me.

Wanda smiles and subtly wiggles her eyebrows, I stifled a laugh and just shook my head. “Hey Bucky, are you closing tonight?”, I asked hoping I had all afternoon to look at him.

“Sure am” he replied eyes moving up to meet mine, “I hope you’re feeling better.” he said with a small smile. I nodded at a loss for words, this crush would be the death of me. “I gotta get this back to receiving” he gestured to the fan, that had a faulty sticker on it,

He walked off, ending the conversation. I watched as he walked away, eyes zoned in on his ass, god it was such a nice ass. “Oh my god, you like him!” Wanda exclaims grabbing my attention, my cheeks burning red in embarrassment.

“Would you hush, he’ll hear you” I seeth through gritted teeth looking to see if he was somehow around.

“Why haven’t you told me?” She asks looking almost hurt, I sigh and look at her. She was already awaiting my answer.

I shrugged, not really sure why I hadn’t told her other than the fact that I wanted to keep my feelings private, well mostly private. Steve the little shit, was smart enough to figure it out himself and would constantly tease me about it but it was all in good fun.

“Have you asked him out to dinner?” she asked as she walked to her register with a customer in tow. I shook my head, there was no way he’d want to go out with me. “Well you should, I think you two would be cu- Do you have rewards card with us?” I chuckled to myself as she got interrupted.

I caught a glimpse of Bucky heading towards me and I put on a smile to mask my anxiousness. He gave me a smile as he leaned against my counter, “what's up?” I asked looking into his sea like eyes.

“I’m supposed to be doing my register training, is it cool if you train me?” He asked running a hand through his hair as if he was nervous.

I nodded, “Yeah that’s fine” I logged out and moved so he could take my place. He stared at the computer in confusion, hands out as if he wanted to log in but was unsure of how to do it. “It’s your genesis log in” I replied softly.

It clicked with him as he moved his hands typing in his username and password. I stood behind him, watching as he got his first customer and helping him through it. “You have a good day man” he said to the guy in front of him.

He turned to look at me and gave me a smile, to which I returned. “What time do you get lunch?” he asked randomly.

I didn’t think much of it as I replied with, “Soon”

He nodded and went to say something but a customer walked up ready to check out. I watched, leaning on the counter behind us. Nat came over and tapped my shoulder, I looked at her as she said, “Time for lunch” I wished Bucky luck before heading to the breakroom to take my lunch alone.

I had finished all the tasks in order to be able to leave for the night. I joined the rest of the cashiers at the service desk waiting on the manager Tony to let us out. Bucky rounded the corner to join the group of people, a small smile on his face when he sees me.

Once Nat gives us the okay, we log out and head over to the door where Tony stood waiting to let us out. I went out in line with Wanda talking about nonsense as we headed to our cars.

“Hey! Y/N wait up!” I turned around to see Bucky jogging towards us. I stopped and let him catch up, he caught his breath and pushed his hair back with a smile on his face. “Hey”

I laughed slightly “Hi Bucky”, and watched as Wanda walked on waving me off.

“Um, I’ve been wanting to ask you something for a while” He rubbed the back of his neck out of nervousness, I nodded for him to continue, a smile plastered on my face. “Would you want to grab dinner?”

I was dumbstruck and at a loss for words, as I stumbled for the words Wanda shouts from somewhere behind me and says, “She would love to! She’s free right now!” My cheeks burned with embarrassment.

He waited patiently for me to actually answer to which I said, “Yeah I would, do you want to go to CookOut?”

“Yeah that's fine, we can take my car” he went over to the jeep that was parked somewhat close to my car and I followed. He opened the car door for me and helped me in. I was freaking out on the inside, after crushing on this guy for almost a year I was finally able to go on a date with him.

part 2

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vinylanimationll · 4 years

Photo

childhood

art is abit blurry yikes

#au #avengers #loki #avengersau #art #digital drawing #wifeau

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neotechs · 6 years

Photo

💪 Avengers AU ; pt.1 → Spiderman & Hulk (insp. ceci interview)

#nct #jisung #jeno #nctwork #graphics #the avengers #neotechs #techsgfx #admin: caroline #avengersau #(prince au series 2.0... does anyone remember??^^)

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emrysaf · 4 years

Text

Never Enough Pt. 22

Shit keeps hitting the fan y’all!!

@dottirose @peggycarter-steverogers

-------------------------------------------------------

Down under the night sky

I lay and wait

Praying to whoever

Will listen to me

I founded my own cross

Been clutched by its weight

There's no darker message

Than turning your face

I'll see you down the end of the road

I deal in a different story

Oh, I will never let go again

I feel it in my bones (bones)

Bones (bones)

I feel it in my bones (bones)

Bones (bones)

I'll do this on my own

Oh oh oh oh bones bones oh

When thin spirit swelling

My poor flesh is always weak

I found everything I needed

Right beneath my skin, oh

I'll see you down the end of the road

I deal in a different story

Oh, I will never let go again

♫🎝♫🎝♫🎝♫🎝♫🎝♫🎝♫🎝♫🎝♫

Back in New York state, Steve, Wanda and Y/N were none the wiser to the crisis their teammates were in.

‘Since the other three weren’t scheduled to be back until tomorrow there was no reason to worry,’ Steve thought; convincing himself while thinking back on the day before when the mission request was sent in. ‘Typically we’d check in while away on a mission, but they didn’t know I was picking Y/N up.’

//”I don’t want to go on this one,” Bucky said while Sam nodded and Natasha’s fingers tapped her sides where her hands held her hips in a stance of feigned nonchalance. “You are getting Y/N and I want to be here.”

“Only two can go to get her anyway Buck,” explained Steve. “And Wanda and I have been there a few times already. You’re scheduled out for today and tomorrow; to come back the night after she gets here. It’ll give her time to breathe a bit, this is gonna be hard enough pal.”

The three heroes wanted to object further, but the look in Steve’s eyes said there was no room for compromise.

So, with that, Bucky gave a rough exhale through his nose and nodded. Then the tree were in the jet and on their way.//

The memory faded out as the light giggles and whispers were heard from the back of the truck, and Steve smiled brightly. A couple more hours, and they would be home. Then tomorrow would be the hard part.

How was Captain America to know the hard part was coming much quicker than any of them would have anticipated?

--------------------------------------------------

In the collapsed base, thousands of miles away, there was the sounds of crashing, rustling and three people coughing harshly. But very much alive.

The simultaneous explosions were meant to bury them, if not kill them. But they severely underestimated the abilities of the Avengers. Hydra had done their research, sure; knowing these three were the most ‘human’ of the team. Without godlike powers or mind reading or super speed they should be easy to take out.

But everyone on the Avengers’ team was well aware of their abilities and lack thereof when compared to one another as well. As such, the more mortal of the team worked that much harder to lessen the gap between themselves and their super-god-enhanced team members.

When the explosions first started, all three knew what had been planned for them.

Crouching under the thick metal desk, and reinforcing the support with Bucky’s arm and Sam’s titanium wings. Once the initial chaos stopped, it wasn’t that hard, with Natasha’s flexibility, to un-bury herself, scan the rubble for any precarious pieces, and move enough debris for Bucky to punch his and Sam’s way out of their imprisonment.

Hydra wasn’t known for not having backup upon backup plans. That being said, the parts they took from the jet were easy enough to fix with spares. Tony was always prepared for something like this. The enemy would have been better off destroying the whole damn plane.

Bucky wouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth though, “Hurry. We have to get back to base. They’re after Y/N.”

------------------------------------------

For hours Steve had heard giggling, whispers and singing along to the radio before the two in back fell asleep. Looking back at the two young women cuddled close together and Y/N slightly drooling, Steve smiled with eyes beginning to mist.

‘We will do more normal things Y/N. All of us. Together.’

But now was time to wake them since the truck had pulled through the outer gate; they would be there in about five minutes.

“Y/N, Wanda,” called Steve in a louder tone when the gentle coaxing hadn’t worked. Both women shot up; sleep still settled in their eyes. “We’re almost there.”

------------------------------------

Now Y/N was a bit more nervous. Sure Sam, Natasha and. . . Bucky wouldn’t be in until late tomorrow, but it had been so long. Steve parked the car as he looked in the rear view mirror again to check on Y/N. The young woman was staring out the side window, gazing at the building that was once her home. But, to her, that felt like a lifetime ago.

She got out of the left hand side after Steve and Wanda, and the super soldier seemed tense; looking up.

The two women looked up as well to see the near silent jet; a streak of black and silver with wings was swooping down as a faint whistling noise gave way to a dark-haired man quickly descending down a rope from the jet to land in a crouch with a solid thud.

Y/N was frozen in place to see her old teammates. Her. . . Bucky.

“Y/N,” he said in a breathy, relieved voice as he stood from his crouch and made eye contact. Bucky’s lips were slightly drawn up to smile, and they both seemed pulled to one another as they both took a simultaneous step forward-

BOOM.

The sudden explosion landed between them. The two old lovers were flown apart as wide eyes made contact again, and mouths were open in screams of each other’s names.

Calls they couldn’t hear over the sudden burst of explosions and firing shots as Hydra agents swarmed the base; intent clear.

Kill whoever. Terminate Y/N.

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vigilantdistressed-pretendwriter · 5 years

Text

Memorial - Avengers AU

Alright. First not Thomas Sanders story that I’m posting.

This is set after Endgame with a couple of changes. Uhm. Pepper moves back to the city, Peter lives with her and Morgan. When I wrote this, Far From Home hadn’t come out and I had looked up if May dusted and what I found said she hadn’t so my first thought was she lost Peter and Tony and was driven to kill herself and Peter blames himself. Up to you if you want Steve to be old or young in this.

Characters: Peter Parker, Pepper Stark, Morgan Stark, Steve Rogers, Thor, Bruce Banner, Clint Barton, Scott Lang, James Rhodes, Sam Wilson, Wanda Maximoff and Bucky Barnes. Word Count: 6010 Trigger Warnings: Implications of suicide, talk of death, a lot of crying (If I have forgotten any or if there is something you would like me to tag, let me know.)

It started with soft crying in the middle of the night. Someone in the small house would wake up and someone else was crying.

Most of the time, everyone would wake up in the same bed each morning. A few times, there have been locked doors and no sightings.

Peter keeps track of who’s crying each night and how they react.

Morgan cries and will accept hugs. She will get up, have a warm drink, and climb back into bed with whoever came into her room,

Pepper accepts hugs most nights, only a few nights she closes and locks the door, hoping Peter and Morgan leave her alone.

Peter opens his door occasionally, mainly just letting Morgan in. Peter remembers the last time he saw him. That sense, that feeling he got. That knowing that he wasn’t coming back this time. Hearing his heartbeat slowing down.

Every night that Peter Parker cried, he hoped that Tony Stark would come into his room and hold him. He hoped that he would wake up and Tony Stark would be there, offering to watch a Star Wars movie with him. Every night that Peter Parker cried, Morgan Stark would climb out of bed and hug her big brother till he was asleep again.

***

“Morgan. You have to get up.” Peter whispered, gently shaking the little girl.

“I don’t want to.”

“I don’t care. I have some clothes picked out for you and Mummy has breakfast waiting for you. Can you get dressed then come eat some breakfast?”

“Okay.” Morgan dramatically got out of bed.

Peter left Morgan to get changed. He also got dressed, preparing himself for the day.

“Hey, Peter. How’s today?” Pepper was stood in the doorway.

“Okay.”

“You’re seeing them today, aren’t you?” She asked softly.

“Yeah. But I’ll be okay. I can do this.”

“Yeah. Just remember that if you need anything, anything at all, my phone will be on.”

“I know. Thanks, Mum.”

Pepper smiled at Peter before going back to the kitchen to make sure Morgan was eating.

Peter made sure to pack his suit, his headphones and his charger into his bag before joining his family for breakfast.

Once breakfast was over, Peter help Morgan finish getting ready for school. He brushed her hair and help her make lunch.

Morgan then sat quietly reading a book as Peter finished getting himself ready.

They left the house after saying goodbye to Pepper and headed off to school.

“Peter. Mummy was crying last night.”

“I know, Morgan.”

“Was she crying because daddy isn’t coming back?”

Peter took a deep breath. “Yeah. That’s why she’s crying. Because daddy isn’t coming home. But you know why, don’t you?”

“Daddy isn’t coming home because the Angels need his help. When the angels don’t need his help, they will send him back to us.”

Peter smiled. “Yeah.”

“Don’t cry, Peter. Daddy is smart. He will help the Angels and be home soon.”

“Yeah. He will.”

They arrived at the school.

“Have a good day, Morgan. If you need me, press the button on your watch.”

“Yep. Love you, Bye.” Morgan said before running off to join her friends.

Peter walked back out the gate and walked around the school into a nearby alleyway. He leant against the wall and tried to steady his breathing.

“You’re okay. Everything’s okay. They’re your family.” Peter whispered to himself.

Peter changed into the suit and started swinging around the city. He helped out whoever needed him, just giving directions and helping kids in crowds find their parents.

***

“Peter. Everyone is waiting for you.” Karen alerted Peter.

“Okay. Thanks, Karen. Let them know I’m on my way.”

Peter made his way over to Stark Tower, hesitating as he approached.

A wave of emotions hit him as he walked through the door. Peter made sure to keep his mask on so that no one could see the tears slowly making trails down his cheeks.

He walked towards the elevator, thankful the workers still left it empty for special visitors.

“You know where,” Peter whispered. The elevator slowly rose, carrying Peter to the 19th floor where the Avengers, at least whoever was left, were waiting for him.

“Hey, Guys,” Peter said as he walked into the room.

“Hey, Peter. How are you holding up?”

“I’m okay.”

Wanda moved forward and wrapped her arms around Peter.

“Why are we here?”

“We’ve been asked to hold a public memorial for Tony.”

“Why only Tony?”

“What do you mean?” Sam asked.

“Why not anyone who was lost? Auntie Nat? Aunt May? People who died because no one was caring for them in the dust? People who couldn’t adjust to life after the dust? What about all of them?”

“That’s actually a really good idea. We can hold a memorial for anyone who’s gone,” Bucky said, just loud enough for everyone to hear.

“How’s everyone going to take that?” Wanda asked

“They can just deal with it. Everyone has lost someone in the last five years due to Thanos, we included. We’ve been given the task of holding this memorial so we can make it what we want.” Rhodey said.

“Like what they had around the place during the five years?” Scott asked.

“Exactly,” Steve confirmed. “We can ask the public to send us the names of those they lost during that time and we can replace the old sites with our new ones. And have a big one here in New York for Tony and Nat.”

“Everyone who was lost has to be recorded in the New York one, though,” Peter said. “It wouldn’t be fair to have only some names in the main one.”

“Good point.”

“How are we going to do this, though?” Wanda asked.

“We could have the big stone slab things spread in a huge circle. Maybe in rows, so there are, like, rings of stone slabs with names on each side of them. And we could have pathways dividing it up into sections or something to make it easier to get around and remember where names are,” Scott suggested.

“This is going to take a lot of work. I mean, years of work.” Steve pointed out.

“That’s okay. As long as this gets done for them,” Peter said, hoping the others didn’t notice the quiver in his voice. Wanda placed an arm around Peter’s shoulders and squeezed him slightly.

“It’s okay. We’ll be okay.” She whispered in his ear. Peter took a deep breath.

“Shouldn’t mum- I mean Pepper be here?”

“We asked her if she would help and she said she couldn’t go through that,” Steve answered. Peter nodded in understanding.

“Where’s Morgan?” Rhodey asked from across the room.

“I dropped her off at school before I came here,” Peter explained. Rhodey nodded in understanding.

***

“Guys. Can we take a break from planning for a while?” Bruce asked from the corner. “I think we all need a break.”

“Yeah. A break sounds good.” Clint agreed. The papers and pens were left on the coffee table as everyone moved through to the dining room. Wanda and Bucky moved to the kitchen to make food for everyone.

“What was Mr Stark like? At the beginning of the Avengers and when he was in school?” Peter asked hesitantly.

“At school? Tony was so stuck up.” Rhodey smiled at the memory. “He was top of all his classes. Hated joining outside clubs unless he knew he would be good at them. Seemed like one of the laziest kids in the class until test time came. Never studied but got top marks.”

“Sounds like a dick,” Sam remarked.

“Guess he was what he ate, then,” Rhodey muttered to himself.

“How about when the Avengers formed?”

“I read the report done on him by Nat. Apparently he was originally too narcissistic to be on the team. Iron Man was allowed but Tony Stark wasn’t.” Bruce smiled slightly.

“He seemed to think to put everyone’s life in danger was funny and picking a fight with me without his suit on was smart. Still not sure why everyone thinks of him as a genius.” Steve joked.

“Really? How did he put everyone in danger?”

“He was playing around, scaring me, poking me with tools and lab equipment,” Bruce spoke up.

Peter smiled. He missed his mentor, his dad, so much. He knew it would take a lot to move on but hearing about who he was helped.

“You okay, Kid?” Thor asked quietly.

“Yeah. It’s just hard.” Peter smiled at the god.

“I know. If you need anything, you have me. And the whole team.”

“Yeah. Thanks, Mr Thor.”

Everyone moved back into the lounge when they were finished eating.

“I think this is really good. I’ll send it off later. Who’s up for a movie?”

“Movie sounds good,” Rhodey said.

“I can’t. Sorry. I have to get going to pick up Morgan. And I need to make sure Pepper is okay. It’s been a while since she was left home alone this long.” Peter started to repack his bag.

“It was nice seeing you again, Peter. We should meet up again soon.” Wanda hugged Peter tightly.

“Yeah. I’ll try to meet up with you guys soon. I have all your numbers.” Peter smiled at the team before heading to the elevator.

Peter, having taken his mask off to eat, put his mask on before swinging back to Queens. He stopped outside the school, waiting for Morgan to come out of class. He knew that his eyes were still puffy and Morgan would know he’s been crying. He put a hoodie and some track pants on before too many parents showed up. He removed the mask then headed into the school, heading towards Morgans class.

“Peter!” Morgan called as she ran out of the classroom.

“Hey, Princess. How was school?” Peter asked

“Boring.” Morgan pouted. “How was your day?”

“My day was okay.”

“You’ve been crying.” Morgan pointed out.

“Yeah. I was.”

“Are you okay?” “Yeah. I’m okay. I just spent the day with Dad’s old friends. We were talking about him.”

“Really? Are you okay?”

“Yeah. I’m okay. Let’s get home and you can tell me all about your day at school.”

“Can we have ice cream?”

“Of course we can.” Peter smiled at Morgan. Peter reached out and help Morgans hand as they walked home.

“Hey, Mum. We’re home.” Morgan yelled as she opened the door.

“Hey, baby. How was your day?” Pepper asked as Morgan rushed into the lounge where Pepper was relaxing.

“Boring. It’s school. How fun could it have been?” “Learning things is fun.”

“Yeah. That’s why school was boring.”

“Don’t worry, Princess. I can teach you some stuff after dinner.” Peter smiled at Morgan as he sat on the couch.

“And how was your day, Peter?”

“My day was good,” Peter replied. “Tell you later, though. For now, I have to eat some ice cream with Morgan.”

“Can I have some?” Pepper asked.

“Sure.”

Peter went out to the kitchen and served three bowls of ice cream.

Peter and Pepper were sitting in the lounge, listening to Morgan complain about an annoying boy in her class.

“You know, Morgan. If he’s annoying you, it means he likes you.” Pepper smiled at Morgan.

“No. Don’t listen to mummy. That’s not true. If a boy is annoying you, you tell the teacher and try and get the teacher to listen. He shouldn’t be annoying you. If he keeps doing it and the teacher doesn’t do anything, tell me and I’ll talk to your teacher,” Peter said.

“Okay. Thanks, Peter.” Morgan smiled at her big brother.

“Peter. Can you tell us about your day?” Morgan asked once she had finished telling her story.

“Uhm. Well. I spent some time talking to Dad’s old friends. We’re thinking of building a statue of dad somewhere in New York.” Peter said, keeping an eye on Pepper.

“Wow. Would daddy be okay with that?”

“Yeah. Daddy would love it.” Peter smiled at Morgan.

***

Once Morgan was in bed, Pepper asked Peter about what they had discussed at the meeting.

“We didn’t really discuss much. We spent a lot of time just chilling out. They were talking about Tony.”

“What are the plans for the memorial?”

“Statue of Tony and Auntie Nat with memorial stone slabs like what they had during the years. Everyone who died because of the decimation will have their names on the slabs. There will also be a building with computers that have all the names on them and people can look up names and read about them and see pictures and we might even allow people to write about their lost ones.”

“Were you okay with being there?”

“Yeah. I kept my mask on for a while because I was crying when I got there. But they all understood and being around them helped.” Peter smiled at Pepper. “I promise I’m okay.”

“Alright. Go to bed. Get some sleep.”

“Are you okay?” Peter asked.

“Yeah. I’m okay.”

“What’d you do today?”

“Not much. Did a little bit of cleaning around the place. Watched a movie. Just relaxed a little.”

“We aren’t that stressful, are we?” Peter joked.

“No, Peter. Not you two.” Pepper smiled at Peter.

There were a few minutes of silence.

“I really miss him,” Pepper whispered.

“Same,” Peter whispered as he curled into Pepper’s side.

“I thought I told you to go to bed?”

“Don’t want to sleep alone tonight. And I don’t think you should, either.”

“Alright. What do you want to watch, then?”

“Anything’s fine.”

***

Peter slowly made his way down to his room after leaving Pepper asleep on the couch. A soft crying reached his ears as he passed Morgan’s room. He gently pushed open the door and approached the crying girl.

“Hey, Princess. Are you okay?”

“I want him back.” Morgan looked up at Peter from under her blankets. Peter sat on the edge of the bed.

“I know, princess. But he can’t come back.”

“Why not?”

“Because he has to help the angels.”

“Why can’t he come back when he’s finished helping them?”

“Daddy can’t come back because he died, baby. He died protecting our lives.” Pepper was standing in the doorway, tears threatening to spill. “Your 1daddy was fighting a bad guy and he didn’t win.” She approached the bed and sat down.

“Why was daddy fighting?”

“Because no one else was going to fight for him. He was fighting so that we could live. He was fighting for you, baby.” Morgan crawled onto Pepper’s lap. She wrapped her arms around Peppers' waist and buried her head in Pepper’s shoulder. Pepper wrapped her arms around the small child and rubbed her back.

“It’s okay, baby,” Pepper whispered, tears falling down her cheeks.

Peter left to set up a movie on the TV and made three cups of hot chocolate. Pepper, Peter and Morgan spent the night together.

***

“Peter. Hey. It’s Wanda. Please call us back when you can. We need to talk to you.” Peter turned his phone off and threw it on his bed.

It had been two years and he had intentionally not called any of the Avengers. He would text them, asking for updates, but he never rang. After being ignored by them for weeks and trying to move on from his dreams of working with the Avengers. It was time that Peter grew up. He had a little sister to look after as well as a mum. He couldn’t keep living in his dream.

Peter. Meeting at the tower. You NEED to be there. If you don’t come, we will hunt you down. -Sam

What is the meeting about? -Peter

Can’t tell you that. Please come. Starts in an hour. -Sam

How do you know I’m not busy? -Peter

Not as important as this -Sam

Peter quickly packed his charger, a change of clothes and some snacks. He slipped into his suit and made his way out of the house. Just before he started swinging away, he sent Pepper a text.

An urgent meeting with the Avengers. Not home. Don't know when I will be -Peter

Peter swung towards Stark Tower. He flew in a few levels below the shared floor and took the elevator up to where the team was.

“I’m here. What’s so important?” Peter asked, not bothering to even greet anyone.

“Well hello to you. How have you been?” Wanda greeted.

“I’m fine. Why am I here?”

“Not sure how often you’re in the area, but the memorial is finished.” Sam walked in from the kitchen.

“And? You couldn’t have texted me that?”

“Peter. This is Tony’s memorial we’re talking about.”

“I know. I’m sorry. Just.” Peter sighed. “It’s been a while since this was something I spoke about. How does it look?”

“It’s alright, Peter. The memorial looks great. We can go see it in a few days. It opens the day after our viewing,” Steve explained.

“Cool. What day, exactly? And what are the restrictions?”

“What do you mean, restrictions?” Wanda was confused.

“Can I bring Pepper and Morgan if they want to come?”

“Yeah. They can come. It’s next Wednesday. Meeting here at 9 then heading over to the park as a group,” Steve said.

“Okay. I’ll try and make it. Can’t promise Pepper and Morgan will come, though.”

“That’s okay.” Sam smiled at Peter.

“Anything else or was that all you need?”

“We are actually planning a movie night for this weekend. It’s the anniversary of the Blip and we all wanted to be together for it. Would you and the ladies like to join us?” Rhodes asked.

“I’ll have to ask Pepper if she’s okay with it.”

“I understand. You don’t have to bring them along, though.”

“I’m not leaving them overnight so it’s either they come or I don't,” Peter said.

“Alright, Kid.” Steve seemed to understand.

“Anyway. I have to go. I gotta pick Morgan up and I should be home when Pepper gets home. I’ll text to update you on if we’re coming to movie night and the Memorial. Bye.” Peter rushed to the elevator, heading back down to the floor he landed on. He rushed off towards Morgans school.

***

“Hey, Mum? Would you be keen to spend a night at the tower?”

“What do you mean?”

“The team invited me to a movie night at the tower this weekend for the anniversary. I don’t want to leave you and Morgan here alone. Do you want to go?”

“You don’t have to worry about us. You can go, Peter.”

“I don’t want to go without you guys.”

“Why not?”

“I can’t sleep without you guys around. I won’t be able to sleep at the tower.”

“Okay. I’ll try to make it. When is it?”

“I’ll ask. Another thing I wanted to ask. The team also invited me to a private showing of the memorial site on Wednesday next week. It’s finished. They said it would nice if you and Morgan could come. Is that okay with you?”

“Peter. I would love to go.”

“Great. I’ll confirm for Wednesday and ask about this weekend.” Peter relaxed a little and pulled out his phone, texting Wanda. Wanda replied almost instantly.

Great. Can’t wait for Wednesday. Heads up. It’s formal dress. No dark colours, though. Movie is Saturday night. Aim to be here about 4 so we can order dinner though. -Wanda

“Hey, Mum. Movie is on Saturday. Wanda said to be there about 4. And Wednesday will be formal dress but no dark colours.”

“Okay. I’ll go out tomorrow and get me and Morgan something to wear. Do you have something formal to wear?”

“I think I still have a lavender suit in my closet.”

“Okay. And we may as well go to the movie night. No point being alone.” Pepper smiled at Peter. “You okay?” She asked.

“Yeah. I haven’t spoken about him much over the past two years. That’s all. Was a bit of a shock today when they suddenly needed me.”

“It’s okay, Peter. If you change your mind and you don't want to go to the movie night or the memorial, tell me.”

“Okay. Thanks, mum.” Peter hugged Pepper before disappearing to his room.

***

Saturday rolled around quickly. Peter helped Morgan pack a bag with her pyjamas and a change of clothes for the next day before he packed his own bag. Once Morgan was all set, he let her play games on his phone as he went to check to see if Pepper was ready. He heard her crying as he walked down the hallway. He knocked gently on her door, waited a few seconds, then opened the door. Pepper was sitting on her bed, a bag packed next to her, crying into her hands.

“Hey.” Peter sat next to her, moving the bag out of the way. “Hey. It’ll be okay. I know you miss him. I do too. But being with the team, remembering him, will help. I promise. Do you want me to take Morgan and let you have some time to yourself?”

Pepper took a deep breath, calming herself.

“No. I’m okay. I’m sorry. I’m almost ready. Could you keep Morgan occupied for a bit longer?”

“Yeah. No problem. Love you.” Peter stood from the bed, leant over and placed a kiss on Pepper’s check before leaving the room. He went back into the lounge where Morgan was sitting.

“Who’s Wanda?”

“What do you mean?”

“You got a text from Wanda.”

“Oh. She’s one of dad’s old friends. She’s one of my friends, too. You can meet her this afternoon.”

“Is she pretty?”

“Yeah.”

“Yay.” Morgan smiled widely. “When are we going?” She asked excitedly.

“Soon. Mum’s almost ready. Just wait here for her.”

“Okay.” Morgan sat patiently on the couch.

Pepper appeared in the lounge a few minutes later. She smiled at Peter and Morgan.

“You two ready to go?”

“Yeah!” Morgan yelled as she jumped off the couch. Peter followed an over-excited Morgan outside to the car. Peter jumped into the driver's seat after making sure Morgan was in properly. Pepper sat in the passenger seat and smiled at Peter.

“You okay?” She asked. Peter kept his eyes ahead of him as he started the car.

“Yeah,” He whispered.

The car ride was mostly quiet, everyone lost in thought. Peter pulled around to the back of the tower and parked the car. He climbed out and helped Morgan collect the bags. Pepper stayed in the car, keeping herself calm before going into the tower.

Peter took Morgan inside, leaving Pepper to come in when she was ready. Peter made sure to get Morgan upstairs as quickly as he could before she started asking too many questions.

"Peter, are dad's friends The Avengers?"

"Where did you hear that?"

"The news was on the other day and it said something about a memorial made by the Avengers for those that were lost, including their teammates Tony Stark and Natasha... I can't say her last name."

"Romanoff."

"Yeah."

"Yeah. Those are dad's friends. That's who lives here."

"But this is dad's tower. Mum and dad worked hard on this tower."

“Mum still owns it but she is letting the Avengers live here because she doesn't want to live here and it's better for the team to stay together."

"Okay. Are we meeting them all now?"

"Yeah."

Just then, the elevator door opened. The room was full of energy. The coffee table was covered in snacks and drinks.

"Peter. You guys made it." Sam called loudly.

"Yeah. Hey guys. This is Morgan. Morgan, This is the Avengers. Dad's old friends."

"Wow. this is so cool. This tower is so big."

"Hey, little one. You want to come and help us pick what movie to watch tonight?" Wanda asked from across the room.

"Yeah!" Morgan yelled excitedly before running over to where Wanda was.

"Peter. Is Pepper here?" Steve asked quietly.

"Yeah. She stayed in the car while I brought Morgan up here. I think it's a bit much, being back here."

"Understandable. Is she alright?"

"She's strong. And she would do anything for Morgan. So I think she'll be okay." Peter nodded. Just then, the sound of the elevator opening reached their ears. Pepper walked into the room.

"Hey, mum. Are you okay?" Peter rushed to her side.

"Yeah, Peter. I'm alright." Pepper smiled at Peter but he could see that she had been crying.

"Hey, Pepper. How have you been?" Steve stepped forward to take the bag out of Pepper's hands.

"I've been better." She answered.

"Am I allowed to- uh. Can I hug you?" He asked awkwardly. Pepper nodded her head. Steve instantly wrapped his arms around her comfortingly.

"Hey, Sam. You want to move these round to the back of the couch?" Steve asked, pointing at the bags that Peter and Pepper had left by the door.

"Oh. It's okay. I've got it." Peter grabbed the three bags and moved them to where Steve pointed.

"How's this gonna run? Like. When's dinner?" Peter asked.

"Dinner should be here at about 5. Once dinner's over, we are gonna move into the lounge and start the movies. We have all planned to fall asleep on the couch in here instead of going to bed tonight." Bucky explained.

"Is there a mattress we could put on the floor? There isn't enough room for all of us to sleep on the couch."

"Sure. I'll get the guys to find one for you."

Dinner arrived right on time. Everyone squeezed around the table in the dining room to eat.

"Damn, guys. It's been 2 years, now. That's kind of scary." Bruce said while everyone was eating.

"Yeah. It used to be hard to imagine not having them around." Clint said.

No one had to ask who they were talking about.

Dinner finished quickly and without much more conversation. Everyone moved through to the lounge.

The team took the couches and seats while Pepper, Peter and Morgan claimed the mattress on the floor.

The movies started and no one talked.

***

The guests left the next morning, Pepper saying she had stuff to do. Morgan gave everyone a hug and tried her hardest not to cry. Peter carried Morgan to the elevator and once the doors were closed, she started crying.

“It’s okay, princess,” Peter whispered in her ear.

“I want my daddy.” She said through her sobs.

“I now. But dad can’t be here. It’s okay.” Morgan continued to cry.

Once they got back home, everyone went to their rooms. It didn’t take long for Peter to hear Pepper crying.

Morgan quietly left her room and went into Peters.

“Peter? Can I have a nap in your room?”

“Yeah. Of course.” Peter moved away from his desk where he was sitting and laid on the bed. “Come here, Princess.” Peter opened his arms and Morgan crawled into them.

***

Wednesday took forever to arrive. Pepper spent part of Monday and most of Tuesday locked in her room. The few times Pepper was out of her room, she would apologise to Peter for making him look after Morgan. Peter would reply “It’s okay. I understand”, smile, and go back to whatever he was doing.

Wednesday morning, Pepper got up early, made sure they all had everything they needed, then woke Peter and Morgan, who were both sleeping in Peter’s bed.

Peter was quick to get in the shower and then get ready for the day. As soon as he was close to ready, Peter started getting Morgan ready.

Morgan was dressed in a red dress the fluffed out from the waist down. There was a row of flowers across the top of the dress and lace lining the bottom. In all honesty, she looked like a real princess.

“Hey, Mum? Did you let Morgan pick out her own dress?”

“Of course. She saw it in the shop window and decided she needed it. I wasn’t going to say no.”

“It looks very nice on her.” Peter had gone to check on Pepper, making sure she was okay. “Do you need help with anything?”

“No. I’m okay. Thank you, though, Peter. How about you go put your suit on instead of walking around in a top and track pants. We’ll leave soon.”

“Okay. Call out if you need anything.” Pepper smiled at Peter before he rushed off to get changed.

Peter’s lavender suit was hanging up on the back of his door. He quickly got changed and tidied his hair before going back to the lounge where Morgan was watching TV.

“You ready, Princess?” Peter asked.

“Yep.” Morgan turned away from the TV to look at Peter. “Is that a purple suit?” She asked excitedly.

“Yeah. My favourite colour.” Peter smiled at Morgan.

“Peter? Can you come here, please?” Pepper called from her bedroom. Peter rushed to the room.

“Everything okay?”

“Yeah. I can’t do the zip up, though. Can you help?” Peter zipped up the dress. Pepper stood in front of the mirror, looking at herself. The diamond belt and chest of the dress reflected light around the room, the long, champagne skirt twisting slightly as she moved. Pale coloured high heels prevented the dress from dragging along the ground.

“He would love this, you know. Us taking a whole day off for him.”

“It’s not just for him. It’s for everyone.”

“I know. But he would make it about him. You know that.”

“Yeah.” Peter smiled sadly.

“Hey. Don’t cry. Not yet. There will be plenty of time for that later.” Pepper hugged Peter tightly.

“Are we leaving soon?” Morgan's voice echoed down the hallway.

“I guess that’s our cue to leave,” Peter said, smiling slightly at Pepper. He held his hand out to her. Pepper allowed him to lead her down the hallway to the lounge. Morgan gasped when they entered.

“Wow, mummy. You look really pretty.” Morgan smiled.

“Thank you, baby. You look really pretty, too.”

“Ladies. I think it’s time to go. We don’t want to be late.” Peter interrupted.

The three of them made their way out to the car, Peter getting behind the wheel again.

The ride to the tower was mostly quiet. Peter had put on some quiet music and no one felt the urge to talk. They reached the tower and the team were standing outside, all in different coloured suits apart from Wanda, who was wearing a red mermaid dress with lace sleeves. The dress clung to her body, fanning out slightly at her knees and brushing the ground.

Peter parked the car and all three of them got out.

“Hey, guys. How is everyone?” Peter asked as they joined the group. There were a few mumbled replies.

Everyone climbed into the two vans that were waiting for them nearby. Wanda, Clint, Pepper, Peter, Morgan, Sam and Rhodey were in one van while everyone else was in the other.

They arrived at the memorial site five minutes late.

“Everyone okay?” Steve asked while they were standing by the entrance.

Everyone nodded silently.

“Let’s go.” Everyone followed Steve through the gates. The scenery of the town disappeared and was replaced by the sight of Tony and Natasha towering over everyone.

“She would hate this.” Peter heard Clint whisper.

“He would love this.” Pepper smiled.

“Take a look around. Uhm. I believe that the computers inside will tell you the location within the park of anyone you want. If there is anyone you’ve lost, go ahead and search.” Steve said awkwardly. Peter didn’t wait for anyone to move. He rushed towards the building that Steve had pointed at and to the nearest computer.

After a couple of minutes, he left the building and, following the directions that had come up on the computer, Peter found the stone slab that had May Parker written on it. After scanning the stone for a few minutes, he found her name.

“I’m sorry,” Peter whispered as tears started falling down his cheeks. “I’m so sorry, Aunt May. I should have been there. I should have been there. I’m sorry.” Peter was on his knees now. He was whispering to himself, tears streaming down his face. “I shouldn’t have left you alone. I should have tried harder.” A soft hand on his shoulder caused Peter to flinch.

“It’s okay. It’s only me.” Pepper kneeled beside Peter. “I didn’t think you should be alone.” Peter threw himself into her open arms.

“It’s my fault. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

“It’s not your fault, Peter. None of this was.”

“If I had tried a little harder. Or if I had listened to him. It’s my fault. I’m to blame.”

“No. It’s not your fault. You all tried and fought as hard as you could and we won.”

“No one wins in war,” Peter whispered. “There is only ever loss.”

“Peter. Please don’t blame yourself. None of this is your fault.” Peter stayed there, crying silently now.

“You okay, kid?” Steve asked once everyone had gotten back to the tower. Not trusting himself to talk, Peter nodded.

“I wanted to ask you to do something for me, Peter. It’s okay to say no. I don’t want you to feel forced into doing anything. But would you be willing to officially open the memorial tomorrow?”

“Really?” Peter whispered.

“Yeah. Really. Do you want to?”

“Do I have to say anything?”

“Only if you want to.”

“Okay. I’ll be there. What time?”

“Here at 8:30 if you can. Light colours again. It’ll be okay to wear that again.” Steve smiled softly at Peter.

“Peter. We should get going.” Pepper was carrying Morgan, who was asleep. Peter smiled slightly at the team before following Pepper to the car.

“Are you okay?” Pepper looked worriedly at Peter.

“Yeah. I’m okay.”

“It’s okay to not be.”

“I know. But I am. Can I hang out with Ned this weekend?”

“Yeah. Of course.”

Peter made sure to get up extra early the next morning. He showered and put on the suit that he hung up the night before. He took a moment to breathe, preparing himself to be in the public's eye.

He drove himself to the tower.

The team arrived at the memorial in vans.

All Peter remembers is getting out of the van, being escorted through the silent crowd and then suddenly he was sitting in a seat on a stage next to the statue. He heard his name being said and then Steve was standing there, offering a hand.

“It’s okay, Kid. you don’t have to say anything. Just cut the ribbon.” Peter stood from the seat and followed Steve to the front of the stage where there was a piece of ribbon strung between two small poles. The crowd clapped and cheered.

“The Stark memorial is now, officially, open. Please be mindful of others and follow the rules.” Steve announced. The crowd quickly vanished, spreading out through the park.

You okay, Peter?” Wanda asked once they were back in the vans.

“Yeah. I’m okay.” Peter smiled sadly at her before staring out of the window.

“We are having snacks and stuff this afternoon and the tower. You want to invite Pepper and Morgan?”

“Nah. I think I’ll skip. Sorry.”

“It’s okay. We understand.”

From then on, Peter had constant contact with the team. He and Wanda, being close in age, became close. Peter spent more time at the tower. It still hurts every time he went there, but being with his family made it all that little bit easier.

***

Peter cried.

Peter cried as he walked across the stage at his graduation, knowing that all the Avengers were sitting in the audience, cheering him on.

Peter cried as Steve officially made him an Avenger, knowing that Tony would have killed for the chance to do it instead.

Peter cried as he got a job at Stark industries. He knew Tony had left him a job that would pay well for him to take as soon as he left high school.

Peter cried as he hugged Morgan who was now 15, standing by Peppers grave, silently promising Pepper he would look after Morgan.

Peter smiled as he walked past the memorial site to pick up dinner for him and Morgan 15 years later, remembering all the times he cried over the man who made him smile so many times.

#AvengersAU #Avengers #Avengers Endgame #Peter Parker-Stark #Morgan Stark #KPD Stories

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