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#odin hate club
artthoufruity · 5 months
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Odin sucks and Mobius doesn't hence Mobius isn't an Odin variant, case closed
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puppeteerpoet · 4 months
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They’re kinda me and my husband by mitski
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I always saw the song as being about an abusive marriage where the wife tried to keep the marriage working and the way freya talked about her marriage to Odin…
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abby118 · 4 months
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readerconfused · 1 year
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Major Spoilers God of war Ragnarok
Wow, i cried with Brok's death
- I cried with Sindri fighting with Atreus and Kratos for his death
- I cried at his funeral
- I cried now finishing the episodes of the secondary missions (that i leave for later) because i realized that it was the last time i would see him alive
- I cried when i see that it's not Sindri and Brok in the stores scattered across the map anymore
Bring the old one-eyed man back, he had a very smooth death, i want pain
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dcisanerd · 11 months
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Ramblings About God of War: Odin addition!
First of all: MY ASKS ARE OPEN!! I'm running out of ideas for character analysis jelp
Note: yeah I know I said I was gonna make Freyas next but I wanna talk about how much I hate him. He sucks so much i hope he dies again all my homies hate Odin he sucks so much you don't even understand
Odin: The top Gaslighter, Gatekeeper, and Girlbosser
Tis' the season to point out the diffrent manipulation tactis odin uses! God, Odin is so horrible. Hes a horrible dad, grandfather, friend, role model, and basically everything ever.
There are few things that motivate villians. The main ones are fame, money, vengence, and power. I think the thing that motivates him is solely power. He wants power over everyone. He claims all he wants is knowledge and vengence, but he just wants power, in my opinon.
For the first time Atrues went to Asgard, Odin excpictly stated he was only in it for the knowledge. But he wants power. As the saying goes, Knowledge equals Power. I know basing this entire character Analysis on one old saying doesnt make much sense, but hear me out here.
Odin loves being on top of the world. He loves having people do anything he wishes. He keeps (or, well, kept) his trusty servant, Heimdall near him at all times. He did, however, manipulate people countless times, which i will get into later. OKAY NOT THE POINT-
My point is; When Odin said that he only wants knowledge, he was telling a half truth. Odin wants knowledge in order to gain power. Because Odin knows so much about everything ever, (or, at least he says he does) people are bound to trust him more. ergo; The knowledge that Odin has equals power over the people who don't know. ...ergo knowledge = power but YOU GET THAT BY NOW.
Each manipulation tactic my least favorite old guy used on his targets
Thor: Odin earned Thors dedication by a very common tactic: Bullying. Hes so unnecessarily mean to Thor, and I think he does this because he can not emotionally manipulate him in his normal tactics, so he just resorts to bullying him like a middle schooler.
Atreus: Promises and flatter. Atreus' entire storyline is wanting answers. And here comes Odin, trying his hardest to convince Atreus that he can have those answers if he just helps him out with translating a mask. But, obviously, he has worse intentions than he claims.
Kratos: Harassment. This is the last tactic that manipulators try to use. Similar to Thors, Odin can't do anything to Kratos. After all the ranting Odin said when he went to Kratos' and Atreus' house all he said was "No," then almost killed his son. So, the only way to get him to do what he wants is physical violence.
Heimdall: literally nothing what happened there he came out the womb worshipping him
Edit: @/pgirl1986 made a really good point about Heimdall !!! Go check it out😱😱
alright folks‼️
That's all I've got for him. I hate him so much. I might add more manipulation tactics later but I think that's it. My asks are open for any thing you want me to analyze about god of war, I might even do some animes 😱😱 okay I think that's it time for tags
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ajax-is-sugar-daddy · 3 months
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ROUND 1 MATCH 26
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707 propaganda:
“He likes cats. He likes memes. He's weird and sad and needs a hug! Whats not to like about him ??”
Loki propaganda:
“OK, I submitted 2 RC guys I did not romance, but I did romance Loki. He is a hilarious shithead. He pranks people, doesn't take things seriously, is scheming against Odin, everyone hates him. He even betrays/uses the MC and if you're romancing him, he's just like, sorry love. He is insanely fun to romance and he just is so... punchable, you will want to punch him. The dumbass energy is off the charts, plus you have no idea what he's actually planning.”
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silvergoldraeven · 1 year
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Part 8 which took way longer than it should've hfhdhfhf
(im so r ry fsdfdsfds)
Part 7 here
- Heimdall just trying to eat in peace but Huginn and Muninn constantly stealing his food.
Just. Heimdall taking a bite of an apple and both the birds being like "yo snack time!!" and chomping down.
Huginn and Muninn trying to eat cheese and Heimdall having to VERY quickly take it away from them and scolding them
- Heimdall telling Atreus "don't be too eager to prove yourself to others. You'll turn into some people pleasing prick"
"sounds like you're talking from experience :D"
Cue Atreus being kicked off of Gulltoppr
- Heimdall actually adores animals since they never really have bad intentions. Yes they're a bit mischievous from time to time, but if they're actually "bad"  it's for their own survival.
- Baldur and Heimdall constantly lean on Atreus' head and whenever anyone asks why they do it they reply with "so he won't grow taller than us :)"
-  on Atreus' birthday, Heimdall takes him to Alfheim at night, sets up a comfy place with a bunch of furs, pillows and snacks while they camp there all night.
- when it's winter again, Heimdall tries to look tough by going out to hunt without the thick furs he normally wears, Kratos sternly calls him back. Heimdall reluctantly walks back to his father who puts the fur coat on Heimdall's shoulders, making sure it won't fall off.
"father I can dress myself-"
"I know. That is not why I'm doing this."
-  Heimdall and Atreus having to go somewhere in Midgard while it's winter. Atreus sprints ahead, Heimdall doesn't think much of it
Until a snowball hits him right in the chest.
Cue a gasp from both Heimdall and Atreus.
Heimdall slowly turning to Atreus who is about to start celebrating for being able to hit him but stops as he sees Heimdall's face. Just as he's about to apologize to his brother, Heimdall grabs his chest with a loud and very dramatic groan, falling to the floor even more dramatically.
Atreus is scared first, thinking something actually happened, but when he realises what Heimdall is doing he grins and runs back over, falling to his knees with a loud "nooooo! My dearest brother!"
Drama club mode activated as they act out how Heimdall is dying as Heimdall sneakily grabs a fistful of snow and throwing it in Atreus' face.
Atreus, who was very into character, splutters for a second and Heimdall takes the opportunity to swiftly get up and grab as much snow as he can to throw at the younger one.
They end up having a whole snowball fight and having to go home immediately after from how soaked their clothes are.
- Freya making Heimdall help with collecting ingredients for a spell. When he comes back with what she needs, she kisses his forehead and thanks him. Heimdall is stunned for a bit but wipes his forehead before grumpily walking away
Heimdall offers his help more often to Freya after that tho
- Heimdall refusing to use his bifrost arm whenever doing most things that require 2 hands, he'd rather rely on someone else since he knows he needs to learn how to work with others
- also Heimdall: uses said bifrost arm just to make his gestures more dramatic while talking
- Baldur and Heimdall getting super drunk together one night, the whole group funding out that they're the giggly type of drunks
- Atreus starts making a lot of friends around villages, towns and trading caravans in Midgard and beyond. The parties he throws are even more grand than what Odin used to do.
Heimdall hates it at first, but Atreus insists on him sticking around every time. Slowly but surely he actually starts enjoying parties, he'll just leave the dancing to Atreus.
- Heimdall, Baldur and Tyr try to fix their relationship. Tyr suggests just drinking tea and talking, both Heimdall and Baldur are a bit skeptic at first but start enjoying the routine of going over to Tyr for tea.
They convince Thrud to let them take Mjulnir with them, so Thor is included in some way still.
- speaking of Thor; they made a small gravesite for the friends and family they've lost. Heimdall goes to Thor's a lot to leave food he made or just to talk, even if he isn't sure if his brother knows.
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night-market-if · 1 year
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January Patreon Round Up
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Feebus blinked, the past and present colliding as he remembered a young boy with dirt streaked cheeks and a temper to boot. “What’d you do?” he asked, narrowing his eyes.
Milo flopped down on one of the chairs nearby, crossing one leg over the other and placing his hands on the arms.  He sat in repose, his body loose and unencumbered.  It wasn’t often anymore that he felt comfortable in his own skin.  Hazel’s used to bring that relief but in recent months even that succor had been whisked away. “You know, eventually you are going to need to understand that every time I show up here doesn’t mean that I fucked up in some way.”
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Malcolm Albright was dead.  
It was a funny thing to say, really, especially once he realized he was Malcolm Albright. It was a whisper he had heard for as long as he could remember. Some rejoiced at his demise. Others felt such deep sorrow.  And some, sought him out. He remembered in the early days how there were spirits that would greet him but when he only stared at them with a blankness and a memory that had crumpled somewhere in another world's ether, they had begun to leave him alone.
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“What did you do.” It did not fall from her lips as a question. Accusations rarely did. And while Belladonna had always been someone who had left almost everyone to their own paths, something about tonight had settled against her in a way that left her silence to be nearly impossible.
Hazel looked at her, trying to find the bravado she had held so tight earlier. That was before she had nearly bled herself dry and let the spirits of the dead wander through her like a revolving door.
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Belladonna rolled her eyes at the formality before nodding towards the paraphernalia he saw fit to scatter across her workspace. “Would you care to give me an explanation?”
“You are expected to read this material before your first Baron meeting near the full moon.  There will be no quiz but I do suggest an effort to at least know the rules before engaging in any sort of political conversation with the others. Upon arriving, you will be sworn in, which usually is a blood right, but the Book Baron has suggested that perhaps that is not what should be done for a vampire so recently gorged on blood.  So it will be more symbolic than an actual swearing in.”
Belladonna stared at him, amusement curling at the corner of her lips. “Do I get an honorary plaque that makes me a part of the Big Boys club?”
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Setting aside the dirty rag, Gabriel looked upwards at the semicircle of thrones that sat before him.  Nine of them. The monthly Baron meeting came on the heels of Kavatti’s demise so her chair remained empty. So did the Gatekeepers, like usual. Along with the Dockmaster’s since Reese never came to the meeting in order to keep up the ruse that he was dead for Elias.  But, it seemed as if today, most of the Barons did not seem to deem it necessary to attend their meeting.  The Baron of the Deep only had a conch shell in her place, having called in from the depths of her castle instead of making her way to the surface today. Odin was irritated at his inability to get back to the Nine Realms like he initially thought he would so easily do, so his other raven, Huginn/Julien, Gabriel didn’t know which he wished to go by, was sitting surly in his place.  
In fact, the only true Barons attending today seemed to be Elias.  Perhaps, Lady Chrysanthemum.  
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Blood splattered across the floor in one long streak, a scream falling short in a wet cough.  Belladonna tipped her head to the side, a bit of a frown marring her crimson lips. You couldn’t see the carnage on the black flooring. She loved obsidian but it didn’t do well for setting such an example.
Looking at her “guards”, and oh how she hated calling them that, she waved her hand. “Next.”  They came forward, dragging away the decapitated form of some low life vampire trying to still lick Kavatti’s boots long after her demise.  At the same time, another was pushed forward.  “State your grievance.”
🪷✨🪷✨ If you want to support me 🪷 ✨🪷✨
        Demo 🌿 Patreon 🌿 Ko-fi 🌿Discord
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engardeitsme · 8 months
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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This new chapter I’m SCREAMING
Him looking for her and getting increasingly more frustrated and worried!! Trying to read his father’s mind just out of pure INSTINCT before the years of manipulation kick back in!! The last words where he welcomes rage like an old friend AAAAAAAAAHHHHH
Also rip to any intelligence miss Y/N had because girl you have been the leader of the Odin hate club and have been RIGHTFULLY blaming him for everything but didn’t immediately think that this was also a ploy to get rid of you? Girl is a little bit more than silly, girl left the braincells with Heimdall in the forced divorce smh
I hope they both get a happy ending, they deserve it, I’d cry if they don’t. Tbh I’d cry if they do, I’m too invested in this.
AJSKSKSLSSJ SHE WAS COMPROMISED OKAY SHE LET HER GUARD DOWN😭😭🤡 (but also wait, was odin's shapeshifting that well known before the whole tyr thing..? i honestly can't remember)
lmao they canonically shared one(1) brain cell between themselves lbr and it got lost somewhere between asgard and midgard aksk but hey, it's not like odin's little trickery is helping lol (..or is it🤔)
i'm glad you still liked the chap though despite it being a little heavier than usual<33 maybe it'll help ppl through these trying times to know that i def have a happy ending in mind🙏😌
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themculibrary · 24 days
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Angry Kissing Masterlist
A is for Asphyxiation (ao3) - shieldslut steve/tony E, 2k
Summary: Tony's used to messing up on missions, and he's used to an angry Captain America yelling at him for it... but this? This is new.
Angry Kiss (ao3) - thegreenwomanswalkman steve/natasha G, 794
Summary: Maybe fighting while angry isn't the best idea, but it's the best way to get over the UST between them.
Borrowed, Stolen, Sworn and Sealed (ao3) - Im_The_Doctor (Bofur1) peter/mary jane T, 4k
Summary: Every kiss Peter and MJ share is different but in the end, they all boil down in translation to the same three words.
Don't Talk Just Kiss (ao3) - Dormammu steve/tony G, 2k
Summary: Steve and Tony are at Club A, each thinking about their never realized friendship and crush on the other and that the other hates him.
Fit The Profile (ao3) - WaterHorseyBlues loki/mobius N/R, 77k
Summary: Violent attacks, attempted murder and an unclaimed inheritance. Loki's dull life is interrupted when he's unexpectedly taken as a hostage one night. Private Detective Mobius is on the case, and Loki grasps at the chance to turn his life around and hunt down the perpetrator. What at first seems like unmotivated violence caused by an untraceable ghost soon turns into something much bigger than either Loki or Mobius could have expected. Could the answer lie in Loki's past? Or is something far more sinister going on?
He Doesn't Need Me Anymore (ao3) - loricameback steve/bucky T, 690
Summary: What really happened after Steve rescued Bucky from Red Skull.
In the End in Wonderland We Both Went Mad (ao3) - snarkysweetness skye/grant M, 1k
Summary: After a mission gone awry Skye and Ward get into a very heated shouting match that has unforeseen consequences.
Let my love erase all your doubts (ao3) - Mimisempai loki/mobius M, 1k
Summary: While traveling with Loki in Asgard on a mission for the TVA, Mobius stumbles upon what appears to be a tender moment between Sif and his lover. When Loki finds him in their room, Mobius lets his jealousy take possession of him to Loki's great surprise.
Let's Hear It For Captain America! (ao3) - Magnetism_bind steve/bucky E, 5k
Summary: A missing scene from Captain America: The First Avenger
Marked For Good (ao3) - buckybarnesdeservestobehappy (hutchabelle) steve/bucky E, 1k
Summary: Steve Rogers is noble to a fault, and that's how he manages to get himself into really dumb predicaments more often than not. Bucky Barnes is fed up. In fact, he's so fed up he decides a spanking's in order. They both end up enjoying it way more than either expect.
Nine Days Of Loki (ao3) - EarthAngelGirl30 loki/sif N/R, 74k
Summary: The Lady Sif has been given a mission. She's been sent to Midgard with orders to bring the troublesome trickster Loki, back to Asgard. He's been in hiding amongst the mortals after fleeing the realm eternal, in order to escape the wrath of Odin, as well as Thanos who still has a score to settle with him. With his magical abilities, Sif isn't able to apprehend him easily and inadvertently becomes his hostage. When their hatred of each other begins evolving into something more complicated, her integrity, loyalty and honour will be tested. Likewise, Loki even begins questioning his reasons for holding her captive in the first place. Unless she can convince him to return, Sif may end up being stranded on Midgard indefinitely, and who knows what fate may befall her captor. But with the possibility of Heimdall observing all, as she's pushed to the limit, will whatever happens on Midgard...stay on Midgard?
oh captain, my captain (ao3) - silentstreets steve/tony M, 1k
Summary: steve's angry so tony's angry and they make out wow
Staring at the Sun (ao3) - Silver17Springs yelena/kate E, 11k
Summary: After spending Christmas with the Barton family, Kate remembers the blonde assassin who left and is determined to find her and remind her that she still had people. She finds, her, but the second part doesn't go so well.
Or, the "Yelena is super fucked up and people ignore her trauma" trope where Kate Bishop gets thrown a learning curve about how to deal with a ticking bomb of a human person.
Surrounded, Surrounded (ao3) - ryry_peaches steve/bucky G, 3k
Summary: Before the battle in Wakanda, Steve and Bucky take a little time to catch up, resolve some things and remind one another what they're fighting for.
Take Me, Quake Me (ao3) - tisfan robbie/skye E, 2k
Summary: Robbie's got a demon inside him... And Daisy was never big on caution.
The Only One For Me (ao3) - scarletvisionforever wanda/vision T, 1k
Summary: PROMPT: Fighting that leads to an angry kiss~
under the neon lights (all I see is you) (ao3) - smish1 steve/bucky E, 9k
Summary: Bucky expresses some feelings with the help of karaoke, Asgardian mead and some bad decisions.
We Don't Kiss & Tell (ao3) - STARSdidathing loki/tony T, 4k
Summary: The first time it happened, they were in the middle of an argument.
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artthoufruity · 5 months
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loki would melt at seeing mobius be fatherly 😭
Loki is literally the king of daddy issues of course he would
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unwelcome-ozian · 9 months
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I have a few questions if you don't mind answering.
1) is it a thing to be "gifted" a new name within a military group?
2) is it common for military programmed systems to have a script?
3) do you know of any groups in Indiana (USA) near Fishers or Noblesville that used military programming around 2005-2012?
Thanks for your time
1) is it a thing to be "gifted" a new name within a military group? Yes, groups do this to give the group member a sense of belonging.
2) is it common for military programmed systems to have a script? Government military yes. A high control group the script would be the indoctrination used and the phrases used by that group and the belief system.
3) do you know of any groups in Indiana (USA) near Fishers or Noblesville that used military programming around 2005-2012? High control military groups typically have a name. For example the statewide groups in Indiana: American Patriot Vanguard, Patriot Front, American White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, Blood and Honour Social Club, The Daily Stormer, Firm 22, Soldiers of Odin, Traditionalist Worker Party, Vanguard America, Vanguard America Women's Division, and Vinlanders Social Club.
Hamilton County: Moms For Liberty
Letters: Urge legislators to pass hate crimes law
I don’t know the belief system you may be looking for. Let me know if this isn’t what you’re looking for.
Oz
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just-missunderst00d · 6 months
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I've had this blog for who knows how long and I never wrote a text post to pin lol so here we go...
Hi! My name's Jess, I'm from Argentina and here's a few things about me:
✨ AFAB, bisexual. She/her pronouns. Don't really mind when or if people use they/them.
✨ I'm in my 20s (easier than to update every year, though who says I'm getting older 👀).
✨ Italian and Spanish heritage. My grandpa (born in Sicily) says there's some Turkish on his mother's side, and maybe some Viking/Normandie sprinkle lots of quotes on the last one.
✨ In case you haven't noticed already, I have ADHD. Went undiagnosed for 25 years so yea, that was fun. I also struggle with depression and anxiety.
✨ Intersectional feminist. Pro choice. BLACK LIVES MATTER. TRANS RIGHTS ARE HUMAN RIGHTS. GUN CONTROL. FREE HEALTHCARE. FREE EDUCATION.
✨ I wasn't raised a socialist, I found Spend Rich Money dot com at a formative age and that did the trick.
✨ I've been studying witchcraft and the occult for almost 10 years now and I'm a practicing (ish) pagan since mid 2022. Started working with Odin and Freyja. Tried avoiding Loki for a while but it was futile, the chaotic energy was too strong, and they were SO persistent. They even took my partner's appearance in a dream.
✨ I have 5 tattoos, for now. I used to have a piercing on my ring finger. It was awesome, until I almost yanked it out and then it wasn't. Now I have two small scars on my finger as a reminder of my youthful stupidity.
✨ EAT THE RICH.
✨ Elder emo, turned goth babe. I very much enjoy horror movies, loud metal music, playing videogames and taking photos of pretty much anything. Specially food. I love food. Love cooking and baking.
✨ Yes, I'm a kitchen witch. And I'm also a Taurus, how did you know? Taurus sun, Piscis moon and Capricorn rising.
✨ I can't whistle and I hate cheese.
✨ Did I already mention that I LOVE football? Actual football, not the abomination the U.S. citizens call "football". No, I refuse to call them the A-word. America is a whole continent. Argentinian who loves football!? shocking I know. My favorite football club is Club Altético River Plate, a.k.a, El Millonario (the Millionaire) ironic, I know. Us fans are either called Millonarios/Millos or Gallinas (🐔) . Proud to be called any. Still, EAT THE RICH.
✨ LOTR and D&D kinda nerd. I can recite 90% of LOTR Fellowship of The Ring extended version BY HEART. It's my comfort film, alongside with Scream. I read The Hobbit as a teen, long before the movies (which ignoring a few CGI malfunctions blew my mind, you can fight me).
✨ I can kinda sing a little.
This is getting too long so here's me, because I don't think I show my face here very often:
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Old pic from last summer (jan-feb 2023).
Anyways, if you made it this far, you might as well follow me. I reblog lots of artsy stuff and some witch tips. All pics I post are mine and tagged #me or #mine. If otherwise, credits are always given. DON'T STEAL PEOPLE'S ART. And that includes AI generated images.
Lastly:
THIS IS A SAFE, INTERSECTIONAL, FEMINIST SPACE.
NO TERFS, NO RACISTS, NO FASCISTS, NO BIGOTS ALLOWED PAST THIS POINT.
May you have the day you deserve ✨
-J
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pegasusknightsonly · 1 year
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how i think the nohr siblings relationships eventually break down:
Xander and Charlotte: shivorce when she finds out that every time they had an argument leading to a trial separation (multiple times) he has used that time to "explore" with men and then come back to her and she's frustrated that he doesn't see this as a pattern of behaviour, it's just coincidental that after their first really bad fight he had a one night stand with a recently divorced Laslow and has been trying to recreate it ever since. she probably does take him back eventually once she's decided he's got his shit together but i don't think the hurt from him keeping that secret until he couldn't ever really goes away.
Camilla and Silas: entire relationship haunted by the spectre of Corrin. third wheeled by someone who wasn't even there until it runs off the road. or if we're talking modern au then it doesn't survive Silas' last tour in Iraq and Camilla becomes a proud military ex-wife.
Leo and Felicia: inexplicably mated for life like swans and they die of old age within a week of each other. everyone hates this
Elise and Odin: after meeting on club penguin they date over AIM for two months before she adds him to her Minecraft server and he fucks up her intricate redstone creations because he didn't notice they were there and built his house right in the middle of it so they break up then and there. Effie offers to go to his house and break his fingers to cheer Elise up
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starmieknight · 1 year
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A Truth Universally Acknowledged
Pairing: Loki x Original Female Character, Tony Stark x Pepper Potts, Thor x Jane Foster
Summary: After a long period away from home, Collins returns to work at the Avengers Tower where she meets their newest guest. He’s certainly charming and handsome, but she can’t shake the feeling that everyone is hiding something from her when it comes to him.
After the events of the Convergence, Loki is finally given a second chance to redeem himself by Odin’s favorite method of dealing with unruly sons: banishment to Midgard. Sometimes, he’d rather be sent back to isolation on Asgard than deal with Stark and his lackeys. But the pretty little PA that stumbles into his parlor is a welcome distraction.
At the very least, he can use her to rile up the Avengers.
___________________________
“I’m Collins Cunningham, Miss Potts’ assistant. I haven’t heard any news about a guest in the Tower, Mister…”
“Cooper. Damos Cooper.”
“Mister Cooper.”
“It is an honor to make the acquaintance of a lady as lovely as yourself, my dear.”
Contents: Secret Identity, Fluff, Romance, Soft, Gentleman!Loki, Pre-Age of Ultron, Flirting, Slow Burn
Chapter One, Chapter Two, Chapter Three, Chapter Four, Chapter Five, Chapter Six, Chapter Seven, Chapter Eight, Chapter Nine, Chapter Ten, Chapter Eleven, Chapter Twelve, Chapter Thirteen, Chapter Fourteen, Chapter Fifteen, Chapter Sixteen, Chapter Seventeen, Chapter Eighteen, Chapter Nineteen, Chapter Twenty, Chapter Twenty-One, Chapter Twenty-Two, Chapter Twenty-Three, Chapter Twenty-Four, Chapter Twenty-Five, Epilogue
Collins stepped out of the elevator with a newfound sense of familiarity with the Avengers’ floor.
For the past two weeks, she had spent more time with Pepper in her bedroom than she had with Oliver in her own. Her apartment was getting rather dusty and the orange tabby seemed grumpier with her by the day.
Collins hated to leave him so often, but it couldn’t be helped. She only hoped that he didn’t stop visiting her altogether.
She would miss the fuzzball if he went away.
She rounded the corner and found Pepper waiting in the kitchen with most of the team.
Collins had learned, through her many visits, that Agents Romanoff and Barton were off on a SHIELD assignment - the only reason she hadn’t met the entire team yet.
“Hi, Pepper!” Collins greeted her cheerfully. “What are we going over tonight?”
“Ah, no.” Mister Stark interrupted, leaving his spot by the counter to catch Collins by her shoulders. He wagged a finger at her. “No work tonight! If Pepper can nag me about not taking a break and I can’t, then I call hypocrite.”
He fixed his girlfriend with a stern look, to which she just rolled her eyes with a smile, before he continued. “Forget playing super spy tonight, Doolittle, you’re wining and dining with me and the Baywatch Bunch tonight. Thor and Cap, I mean. I’d prefer if they kept their shirts on, though. Bruce, Pep - that’s optional for you two.”
Collins snorted at the mental image and moved away to stand with Pepper. She accepted the glass of wine the older woman offered her with a murmur of thanks. She nodded at the rest of the guests in greeting.
Doctor Banner gave Mister Stark an unimpressed look. “I’m flattered.”
The sarcastic tone in his voice was the most personality Collins had heard from him yet. Well, that and what seemed like anxiety most of the time.
She couldn’t be sure, but it often seemed like Doctor Banner avoided her on purpose.
Mister Stark pouted. “Well, that’s disappointing. So much for dinner and a show, then.”
Pepper groaned in exasperation and muttered to herself about her life choices. Or maybe it was about her choice of men. Her wine glass was an efficient muffler and made her words intelligible.
Collins snickered and bumped her hip gently.
“It’s because you’re not in the kinky paperwork club.” she teased Mister Stark. 
Doctor Banner laughed at the return of her joke and Pepper eyed Collins and Mister Stark with dawning apprehension.
“Again, I don’t want to know.” Pepper raised her hands in surrender. “Collins, we can pick up on the work tomorrow. We’d love for you to have dinner with us - and then the night’s yours to do as you please. I’ll understand if you want to go straight home, though.”
Collins had to admit, the idea was tempting. She had spent so much time between work and looking into the data breach with Pepper that her energy meter was running dangerously low. She wasn’t sure what good she would be in present company or if she would even be good company at present.
Pepper and Mister Stark were the only people there she really knew, so maybe it would be alright for her to call it a night and just go home.
Mister Stark seemed to think otherwise.
“I won’t!” he protested, waving his hands at his teammates. “Cap may be a fuddy duddy, but Thor’s hilarious and Bruce makes up for Cap with just like, twelve percent of his presence alone.”
Steve looked long-suffering and made a face that made Collins and Pepper giggle as he passed Mister Stark into the dining area. He didn’t even deign to respond to the other man’s quip.
Thor smiled good-naturedly and threw an arm around Mister Stark’s shoulders.
“Well spoken, my friend! But explain to me this Fuddy Duddy of which you speak. Is it some Midgardian beast?”
While Mister Stark got stuck explaining a bit of pop culture to the God of Thunder, Pepper linked arms with Bruce and beckoned Collins to follow them into the dining area too.
Tony and Thor followed after them shortly, carrying the wine from the kitchen and a few foil covered pans. Thor carried three, one resting over his forearm, seemingly immune to the heat that radiated from the dish. He set them in the center of the table according to Pepper’s directions.
“Do I take it, you'll be our guest for dinner?” Thor asked Collins hopefully when she lingered by the table.
She bit her lip, the desire to go home still strong, but wavering in the face of the endearing expression the blonde Asgardian had fixed her with. 
“Oh, I don’t think I could. I don’t want to impose.” She demurred, turning her eyes from him in desperation. How dare he use the puppy dog eyes on her.
By chance or by fate, her eyes landed on a newcomer to the room. 
Mister Cooper strode into the room, his long legs helping him close the distance so quickly she had little time to raise her guard against his presence, and he smiled charmingly at her.
He came to a stop before her, inclining his head and taking her hand to his lips in greeting. “I’d say you can impose on this floor whenever you like, my dear.”
Collins had to laugh at him, still utterly charmed by his manners, and met his eyes.
“Mister Cooper! How are you?” she squeezed his fingers before he released her hand.
“Better for your company.” His eyes swept over her and his smile turned into the soft expression she was beginning to find familiar on his face. “Please, call me Cooper as the others do. I dare say you and I are on more familiar terms as it is.” 
Collins glanced over at the others, surprised at the sudden silence that had come over them without her notice. They stared at Collins and Cooper in surprise, the latter even more so.
Pepper and Thor seemed pleasantly taken aback by the interaction between them, a slow grin spreading over Thor’s face as he observed the closeness between them.
Doctor Banner and Steve looked distinctly uncomfortable, the former more so than the latter, and Mister Stark looked more annoyed than he did when he’d dealt with Senator Stern.
Collins raised her eyebrows at Pepper before turning back to Cooper.
“Then you call me Collins. My name is stuffy enough… as it is.” She teased lightly, determined not to treat him differently in the face of company.
“Though a lovely name, I shall abide by your request.” Cooper smirked at her and inclined his head to the table. “Will you join us for supper then, Miss Collins?”
“You’re joining us!” Mister Stark exclaimed unhappily. He stepped forward, a muscle in his jaw ticking, but was intercepted by Pepper. 
She stepped forward, giving Mister Stark one of those looks that was testament to the long years they had spent together, even before they were a couple.
There was a tense silence in the room as Mister Stark and Pepper seemed to hold a conversation through their eyes only. Mister Stark was the first to look away, throwing himself down into the chair at the end of the table and downing a glass of whiskey.
Pepper turned back to Collins and Cooper with a polite smile.
“All the more company!” she said kindly, giving Collins a pat to her shoulder before linking her arm through Cooper’s. The man stiffened, but allowed Pepper to lead him to the opposite side of the table. “Cooper, you can sit next to me.”
She fixed Mister Stark with a warning look and saw Cooper into the seat next to her.
It surprised Collins when she chose a seat in the middle of the table, putting Doctor Banner between her and Mister Stark and keeping a measured distance between the men and their mutual dislike.
It seemed that Pepper and Thor were of one mind in keeping Mister Stark out of the interactions between Collins and Cooper, as Collins found herself settled next to Thor and across from Cooper. An empty seat was left on Mister Stark’s other side when Steve chose to sit at the other end of the table.
“Well, I for one am quite happy with this arrangement.” Cooper smirked to himself, looking pleased to have the company of both ladies. He had quite successfully stolen them away from the one who insisted on the family-like dinner - and had all of the room he desired at the table.
Collins could hardly scoot her chair to either side without being in danger of an elbow from Thor in her plate or catching Steve’s leg with her own.
“I bet.” she pouted half-jokingly. She raised a brow pointedly at the blonds on either side of her. “At least you’re not in danger of being squished.”
“Come, darling, don’t you feel secure between the strongest Avengers?” Cooper teased her with a gleam in his eye. There was something even more charming about those eyes than usual.
Collins caught herself staring and turned her eyes away.
“From what? The salad?” She gave Thor a playful glare as she reached for the salad tongs. He chuckled at her and moved the bowl closer so she could reach it better.
“Hardly, Miss Collins,” he assured her. “Have all you like.”
“I dare say it would be the roast.” Cooper leaned forward, catching his tie with one hand, and wore an expression like he was divulging a great secret. He glanced at Thor with a smile bordering on wickedness. “Fill your plate quickly - Thor could eat the pan and still demand more.”
Collins lifted a hand to hide a smile.
“Cooper…” Thor huffed in disapproval. He frowned and looked like he wanted to say more, but was holding back.
“Okay, okay!” Collins passed the salad on to Steve and held up her hands. She fixed Thor first, then Cooper with a warning look and a wag of her finger. “Let’s not get our feelings hurt over dinner, boys. Besides, neither of you have had dinner with me before - you might catch me keepin’ up with y’all after a long day at work.”
Her little joke got a snicker from Steve and smiles from the others at their end of the table.
Doctor Banner even looked a little more at ease, though held himself as tensely as ever, and drew Mister Stark into conversation to distract him from the annoyance of having Cooper at the table with them. The billionaire resisted at first, but Doctor Banner knew him well enough by now to catch his interest and soon the two were firing new ideas for robotics back and forth while Pepper turned her attention to them and offered some business applications for the ideas. 
With Cooper and Mister Stark away from each other, the atmosphere of the room lightened enough to fall into a comfortable silence when the plates were filled and everyone focused on sating their hunger.
Collins again caught herself watching Cooper from time to time when she wasn’t worrying about her table manners. It was hard to relax sitting between a prince and a figure from history, let alone across from one who seemed more refined than most of the people she had met in her lifetime. But it was hard to worry about scraping her fork over her plate or chewing too loudly when Thor openly laughed and called attention to himself throughout the meal when Mister Stark made a joke.
Collins had to dodge a careless hand from the God of Thunder more than once when he began a story from home, gesturing wildly and never seeming to notice Collins until he nearly hit her. Then he would apologize and scoot over a bit until it happened again.
After a while, the empty chair between Thor and Mister Stark was removed and the former moved closer to the Science Bros (as Mister Stark had started calling himself and Doctor Banner), leaving Collins and Cooper to share a look of quiet exasperation.
They were left in a little bubble of quiet with the addition of Steve and Collins found herself able to observe him freely without fear of an elbow to the face.
He was more reserved than she was used to him being, though his manners to her were as nice as ever. He seemed almost entirely fixated on her and paid little attention to the others except to Pepper, with whom he was distantly polite, and Thor, who he seemed eager to tease. Steve and Doctor Banner he ignored entirely.
He had said nothing to Mister Stark throughout dinner, but Collins had caught him looking down his nose at the other man with a smug expression when the billionaire glanced their way.
Mister Stark looked increasingly agitated with every silent jab at him, and Collins exchanged a look with Pepper. An unspoken agreement to intervene was made between them.
“So… Cooper.” Collins mused quietly and caught his attention. He curled a brow and she offered a cheeky grin in return. “Have you started The Lord of the Rings yet?”
He chuckled at her impatience to have him caught up on the story and nodded. Cooper lifted his wine glass, long fingers playing with the stem of it, and his attention was wholly on Collins again.
“Oh, yes.” he confirmed. “It’s proving quite different from The Hobbit. Bilbo’s tale seemed almost fairytale in nature - and I must admit, I believe I prefer it over the other so far.” 
It was a touch surprising, considering that he was fond of Hamlet, which had little shortage of conflict, but Collins thought his preference endearing. It wasn’t often she heard a man prefer the whimsical over something with more action and grit. 
“It does. But the books are meant to be told from the Hobbits themselves - I could see why Frodo’s story would have a darker tone.” She agreed and took a sip of her own wine. “How far along have you gotten?”
“The Hobbits have parted ways with Tom Bombadil and met Strider.”
“Oh, I’ve just gotten to that part, too!” Steve exclaimed, surprising them both with his interruption. He looked a little embarrassed, but pushed on. Collins felt rather guilty that they had been ignoring him. “Sam said I should just watch the movies, but I’ve heard they leave things out.”
“Unfortunately, that’s the way it goes in movies.” She made a face, but kept her preference for the movies to herself. She would readily admit that there were parts of the book that didn’t fit into the movements of the film. “The bit with Tom and Goldberry is left out entirely. How are you liking the books, Steve?”
Collins turned to Steve in an attempt to make up for her earlier neglect and he looked surprised by her sudden interest. 
“Well, I don’t think I’m far enough in to judge the newer books, but I like The Hobbit alright.” he admitted.
Collins laughed quietly, incredulous. “The newer books?”
“I can remember when The Hobbit first came out.” Steve smirked a bit bitterly and Collins was suddenly reminded that he was a child of the forties and not the new millenia like herself.
“I forget you didn’t grow up the same as me.” She gave him an apologetic look and tried to recover. “Y’know, if we ignore the time you lost, we’re about the same age.” 
Collins winced and turned her eyes to her plate again. A blush crept over her cheeks.
How could she even dare to bring up his time in the ice? How could she be so insensitive to remind him of the time he lost? Everyone else seemed to love reminding him of the fact and here she was, no better than the others for not treating him like a person.
He was a man, even with the shield, not some relic of the past. 
“It’s nice to not be seen as an old man for once.” Steve chuckled kindly. Collins felt that it was safe to look up at him again, relieved that he wasn’t upset with her. “And to see that people still appreciate the same books after all these years. Was it you that talked Cooper into reading them?”
He glanced at Cooper and she followed his eyes to find the man watching them with literal green in his eyes. Envy turned his lips downwards as Steve captured Collins’ attention, but he perked back up once she turned to him. He turned his eyes to Steve for a moment, but looked at Collins again when he spoke.
“I admit she sparked my interest in them. But it was Miss Collins herself who forced the books upon me.” Cooper teased her with a faux solemnity to his expression.
A surprised laugh tore itself from her throat, too loud to be ignored, and she grinned at Cooper openly.
“I did not! You said to lend them to you, you sneak!” she cried. “In fact, if I have forced a book on you, it was Pride and Prejudice. You can’t read only Shakespeare and still call yourself cultured - you need variety, Cooper.”
“I wouldn’t say Cooper here has any culture - unless it’s in his hair.” Mister Stark cut in with a snort. Collins turned to him in shock, her jaw dropping at the malice in his voice. “I gotta warn you, Doolittle, Rock of Ages looks like he goes weeks without washing it sometimes.”
“Tony!” Pepper cried, aghast.
“Y’know, you’re not meant to overwash curly hair, Mister Stark.” The words fell from her lips automatically, a reminder drilled into her by her great-grandmother all her life, and Collins grimaced at her own response. She frowned at Mister Stark. “I don’t see what hair has to do with the type of culture we were talking about anyway…” 
“I’m surprised you can talk to the man at all, given what he’s really like.” Mister Stark fixed Cooper with a sneer. The decanter of whiskey that sat before him on the table was low, but Collins knew the man’s tolerance was too high for the excuse of drunkenness to fuel his attitude.
Cooper tilted his chin up in challenge, ice in his eyes as he met Mister Stark’s own unflinchingly. 
“Just what are you implying, Stark?” he asked cooly, his voice low.
Cooper’s lips curled in a mockery of a smile. It was more of a baring of teeth, a wolf ready for a fight.
Collins and Pepper exchanged an alarmed look and began rising to their feet. They worked well together for a reason - Collins would follow Pepper’s lead if it came to stepping between the men and they would divide and conquer between Cooper and Mister Stark respectively.
Thor rose with them and soon the others followed. The God of Thunder caught Mister Stark by the shoulder as the shorter man tried to press forward and kept him in place.
“Stark, you would do well not to start something.” Thor warned, keeping his voice low. He cast an anxious look at the women and nodded at them with an expression meant to be reassuring.
It did nothing to calm Collins. She had never seen Mister Stark like this and was baffled by the change in attitude. She had only ever seen the pleasant side of him, all jokes and flirtatiousness, occasionally interspersed with manic engineer when he spent too much time unchecked in his lab.
Mister Stark tried to brush Thor’s hand off. “Because you’ll finish it for him?”
“Okay, I think we can call dinner over now.” Pepper exclaimed and stepped around Doctor Banner to cut off the line of sight between Mister Stark and Cooper. She continued speaking between gritted teeth. “Tony, can I have a word with you?”
“Sure, let’s have it out right here! Doolittle here’s gunning for the Cooper Defense Squad, Thor’s the president - where better to get everything out in the open?” Mister Stark scoffed.
Collins looked over at Cooper, worrying her lip between her teeth at the thunderous expression on his face. She had begun moving around the table without conscious thought and found herself now behind Steve, close enough to touch her friend.
Cooper tensed when Collins brushed her fingers down his elbow. He turned his head minutely, still watching Mister Stark intently, but reached behind to catch her fingers. He gave her hand a gentle squeeze, his hand cool against her own.
A touch of tension left her shoulders and Collins tugged him a little closer to her and Steve.
The action didn’t go unnoticed and the captain clapped a hand on Collins’ shoulder before pressing forward so that he stood in front of Collins and Cooper. He crossed his arms and Collins found her line of sight blocked entirely by his broad shoulders and Cooper’s own tall frame.
She felt like a kitten guarded by a pair of large dogs.
“Careful, Tony.” Steve warned the other Avenger. “You’d need your suit to take on Cooper. After all, he’s looking like the bigger man in more ways than one right now.”
There was a moment of stunned silence around the table as everyone stared at Steve. Collins could see the swell of Cooper’s cheek rise and he turned his head to hide a grin.
The others seemed shocked that Steve was on Cooper’s side, but Collins had to tuck her head as well, just as amused as Cooper with the jab at Mister Stark’s height.
Steve had really thrown them a curveball with that.
“I think that’s the cue to go.” Doctor Banner said slowly, his eyebrows raised. He took Mister Stark by the arm and led him away from the table amidst protests from the other scientist. “C’mon, Tony. Pepper.”
He inclined his head at Pepper and she hurried after them, calling over her shoulder to the others with an apology in her voice.
“I’m so sorry everyone. I’ll sort this out.”
An uncomfortable silence fell over the room. Those left behind shifted awkwardly, trying to avoid each others' eyes.
Collins looked around the men and huffed a humorless laugh as she started gathering the dishes.
“Family dinners, huh?” she commented and succeeded in breaking the tension.
Thor snorted and, like a spell being broken, the men moved to help her. The remaining food was carried to the kitchen and leftovers on plates scraped away into the trash.
“Aye, it’s quite reminiscent of home.” Thor made a face as he caught up to Collins by the fridge. Behind them, there was a quiet laugh Collins had only had the delight of hearing a few times before. 
She turned and caught Cooper watching Thor, his lip caught between his teeth to hide a smile.
Thor looked at him too, a tentative smile also on his face.
Collins raised her brows, rather lost on what seemed like an inside joke, but didn't comment. Instead, she nudged Thor to remind him of the casserole dish he had in hand and took it from him to cover and place in the fridge.
Between super soldiers and hardy Asgardians, it was in little danger of going to waste.
Collins had often heard Pepper lament the loss of some leftover dish or another.
The quiet sounds of the kitchen were almost domestic and Collins was reminded vividly of the after dinner clean ups back home. There, it had only been her and her mother left in the kitchen while her father wandered off to some project or television show.
The kitchen had been the center of many a heart-to-heart with her mother and was, in her mind, the center of her home.
Kitchens seemed to have that effect no matter where they were found.
“Sorry about Tony, you guys." Steve sighed once the dishes were put away. He looked so upset that he could hardly contain himself. But also sad and a little defeated. "He’s… not been himself lately. Part of it might be all these late nights Pepper’s been putting in. Doesn’t excuse that, though.”
Collins worried her lip between her teeth. 
“I’ll see about getting her to step back a little.” she offered, eyes wide with apology.
Cooper surprised her by reaching out to tip her chin up. She was surprised by their difference in height every time he drew close.
He dropped his hand and offered her a small smirk.
“Don’t be too concerned, my dear." he murmured. "This attitude from Stark has become commonplace whenever he and I have the misfortune of crossing paths with one another.” 
It did little to reassure her. Now, not only did she have to worry about Pepper's health and the health of the relationship between her and Mister Stark, but now Collins would worry about the severity of the feud between Cooper and Mister Stark.
“If you don’t mind my asking, why do you stay here? Why put up with that crap, especially since y’all’s dislike of each other seems mutual. Seems like spittin’ gasoline on a fire at this rate.” Collins frowned up at him, her brow furrowing in confusion and displeasure.
Cooper’s expression was oddly fond as he watched her emotions play over her face.
“I would leave the Tower today if the circumstances would but allow it." He admitted with a sigh and took her hand, tracing small doodles against her palm. Again, something itched at Collins' mind, telling her something about him was different today. "As it is, I cannot.”
Collins opened her mouth, ready to push on and ask why. Why was he there then? What was keeping him from just leaving?
But she found herself nearly barreled over by Thor, the blond behemoth nearly knocking her against the counter as he threw an arm around Cooper’s shoulders and gave him a shake.
He gave Collins a nervous grin.
“Because, he’s a… refugee!” Thor drew out the words like he was trying to catch them. He winced at his own tone and turned his head. 
“A… refugee?” Collins asked slowly, quirking her brows at the pair of men before her.
Cooper sighed deeply through his nose and closed his eyes like he was wishing he were anywhere else.
He shook Thor off and moved to stand next to Collins, his nose wrinkled in annoyance.
“From Europe!" Steve chimed in, a smile just on the side of too charming plastered on his face. It looked like the smile he wore in the old videos Collins had been forced to watch in school. It made her have horrible flashbacks to PE. She turned her eyes to Cooper as Steve continued to explain. “There was a sort of coup there and SHIELD had Cooper placed here for security!”
“And Mister Stark’s not happy about that.” Collins murmured. Her brow furrowed. That wasn’t like Mister Stark. “I guess that makes sense considering his relationship with SHIELD. Still…”
Mister Stark, for all the carefree air he liked to present, tended to care too much. He became a superhero to make up for his own mistakes for crying out loud!
Collins couldn’t see him being angry at someone just for sharing his living space.
Mister Stark would have just given him his own penthouse and upped the security if it was a simple case of not getting along or SHIELD interference.
There was something more going on with Cooper than Thor and Steve were letting on. Something they either didn’t want her to know or… something classified by SHIELD.
Collins lowered her eyes, lost in thought, and Cooper seemed to feel the confusion and tension radiating off her.
“Don’t fret about it, Miss Collins.” he murmured, nudging her lightly. The brief touch left a trail of goosebumps in its wake and Collins found her attention stolen by Cooper again. “It is only a temporary situation. As soon as the tension in my… country has eased, I shall be out of Stark’s hair for good.” 
“Oh…” The idea of Cooper leaving made Collins’ heart drop to her stomach. They had only known each other for a short while, broken into chance meetings and interspersed with long absences, but Collins felt like she was losing a chance on something great if he walked out of her life now.
“What’s this? Are you disappointed by the idea of my departure?” Cooper tried to tease her, his voice gentle. His eyes, however, contained a hint of melancholy as well.
“Well, if you’re gone, I don’t have anyone to harass about books and poetry.” Collins sighed, trying for a smile to lighten the mood. It was too early to ask him to stay for her, a near stranger, but she could be honest. “I’d be terribly disappointed.”
“I see.” Cooper offered her a miniscule smile in turn. “Perhaps I won’t stray far if that’s the case. I should sorely miss our conversations, Miss Collins.”
There was a quiet longing in his voice that threw Collins for a loop and she was left speechless by the naked sincerity in his words.
Looking back on their previous conversations, there was always something more lingering around Cooper, a slight air of superficiality in his words that left him polite and reserved of any truth in his desires. He had charmed her and convinced her - in a somewhat roundabout way - to come back with books in tow to break the monotony of his time in the Tower. She wasn’t a resident of the Avengers’ floor and unfamiliar enough still to be interesting to him.
The freedom to leave the Tower should kill any false hopes between them of continuing this… flirtation they had going on.
But Cooper implied that he would hang around. For her. Because of her.
Even he seemed surprised by this admittance, his eyes darkening to storm darkened seas as he peered down at her.
Behind them, Thor and Steve exchanged an awkward look, seemingly forgotten.
Steve cleared his throat, breaking Collins from her trance.
She blinked rapidly as she turned to the blond, still trying to place just what was different about Cooper.
“I think I’m gonna call it a night.” Steve announced, eyeing Cooper hesitantly before nodding at the others. “Thor, Miss Collins. Hey, uh, Cooper - if you’re not too busy later, can we finish that talk about The Hobbit?”
Cooper looked poleaxed.
“.... I suppose?”
“Great. Good night, everyone.” 
Steve left them to their devices and headed down the hall to his room.
Collins fidgeted awkwardly, fighting a yawn. She glanced at the time on the microwave and winced at the late hour.
“I guess I oughta get goin’, too. Before I fall asleep under the table, anyway.” She made a face and thought longingly of her bed and the extra sleep she would be able to get.
“Allow me to walk you out, Miss Collins.” Cooper inclined his head towards the elevator and offered her his arm.
Collins’ eyes lit up and she slipped her arm through his with a shy smile. His suit was smooth and crisp beneath her fingers and he smelled of something sharp and crisp, like a winter morning. What a Yank.
“Sure. Night, Thor.” Collins allowed herself to be led out of the kitchen, offering the God of Thunder a wave as she went.
“Good evening, Lady Collins.” the blond inclined his head. “I hope you’ll join us again soon.”
“You got it, dude.” Collins shot him a finger gun and grimaced at the cheesiness of it. 
Cooper raised his brows, amused, and Thor laughed.
“You are a fan of the Full House! My Jane has shown me many episodes.” He enthused. “It is most amusing!” 
His joy was contagious and Collins found her awkwardness melting away with ease. She laughed quietly and nodded before turning the corner.
Yet again, she was alone with Cooper.
She looked up at him, suddenly shy again, and her grin gentled.
“So, that was something else.” Collins murmured.
“Something of a disaster, you mean.” Cooper corrected with a smirk. “I had imagined your coming to dinner quite differently.”
“Is that something you think about often?”
“It’s a coping mechanism. If I look forward to my time with you, what little time I spend in Stark’s presence is more manageable.”
“I would say that I’m flattered, but it’s really just sad to think about.” Collins murmured with a frown.
“You are as a guiding star in but a temporary storm, my dear.” Cooper slipped a hand beneath her chin to tip her face up. She met his eyes and found what was so different. His tie was blue and made his eyes seem lighter and clearer than ever. “Do not worry - even the smallest ship may at times surprise you by enduring to arrive in its harbor no worse for the wear.”
“And even the strongest barque can be toppled by a well-placed wave.” she challenged in turn. A pout threatened her lips. “I don’t like sittin’ idly by while others struggle, Cooper.”
“Such a kind heart you have, Miss Collins.” he sighed fondly. The corners of his eyes crinkled and Collins felt her heart skip a beat. She was becoming all too fond of those lines in his face. “I feel all the more fortunate to have met you for it. If you are still so concerned, I would have you visit more often - if you have the time to spare, that is. Perhaps I could even enjoy my time in the Tower with such an amicable companion.”
Collins felt her face warm and her eyes flickered involuntarily to his mouth. The combination of her exhaustion and his easy flattery was messing with her skills of perception.
When had he gotten so close to her, close enough for a stray ebony lock to brush her cheek? Her hand had strayed to his chest, her palm resting over his heart to feel the steady thump of his life force while his enchanting eyes held her captive.
He was whittling away her desire to go home one flutter of his eyelashes at a time.
Cooper unlocked their arms and trailed his fingers down her forearm until he could slip her hand into his own.
“Could I give you my number?” Collins asked breathlessly, feeling her heart run wild with the contact. She had to break up the moment before she lost herself entirely. “That way we can text each other before I come over - and keep in contact when I can’t. I hate to think of you stuck here without anyone on your side.”
The thought of him alone grounded her and helped her find her senses again.
“Thor has been on my side from the beginning, and it seems you’ve helped me find a champion in the captain as well, but one can never have an overabundance of allies. Tell me your ‘number’; though I warn you, these… cellphones are not my forte. It will no doubt be some time before I work my way around this concept of ‘texting’.” Cooper shook his head doubtfully.
“Y’know, I could also have an intern run messages from my office.” Collins offered, a mischievous light sparkling in her eyes. He acted like such an old man at times. “If you’re so invested in this old world persona you portray.”
“And what of you? Ordering the help about like a lady of the court!” Cooper exclaimed quietly with a laugh. He shook his head again. “No, I will settle on your terms and give you a call.”
“Alright, then.” Collins accepted and rattled off her number. “You think you can remember that?”
“I have an excellent memory, my dear. I won’t forget. Go now - your eyes look as heavy as lead and you’ve begun to list with weariness. I shall call you tomorrow when you’ve had the time to rest.”
“Call around one - that’s my lunch hour.”
“Very well. Good evening, Miss Collins. Go safely.” Cooper lifted her knuckles to his lips, lingering there for a long moment before releasing her.
Collins felt her face warm to boiling. She cleared her throat and lowered her eyes bashfully.
It seemed she was doomed to blush like a fool everytime they said their goodbyes.
“Good night, Cooper.” She bid him, reluctant to look away even for a moment as she stepped into the elevator.
He inclined his head to her, watching her go with an affectionate smile as the doors closed and she was carried away.
Collins cocked her head to the side as a thought caught her.
Cooper’s mannerisms left him looking a lot like Thor.
A princely manner indeed.
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