#they’re so pretty. and so mean. well not MEAN mean but Russian mean. they just constantly do their own thing and listen to no one

[aww-canon-no]

Floating

The truth is- Steve hates his pool.  He hates his pool because it was the beginning of the end of a lot of things.  He hates his pool because while he never did get to know Barb the way she deserved to be known, a single drop of blood into that cool water...

Well.

Yeah.

He hates his pool.

Unfortunately for Steve, the pool becomes sort of necessary. After getting the shit kicked out of him by Jonathan Byers, then Billy, then getting his ass handed to him by Russians before they drugged him with some concoction that left him at first with ringing ears, then with dwindling tones, the weird little audiogram from his doctor told him that yeah, he was lucky to still be able to hear airplanes and dogs barking.

In short, Steve was deaf.

He hadn’t ever met anyone like that before so it was just easier to try and ignore it.  To nod and smile a lot and pretend like he had any idea about what was going on.  That’s what his parents wanted him to do.

So.

Why not.

They were never home before, but they’re gone even more now that the upside down had tried (and failed- thank God) to swallow Hawkins and left Steve kind of a fucked-up mess both inside and out.  But they’re all kind of fucked-up inside and out so at least he’s not alone.

Steve’s house was spared and the kids come over all the time and have pool parties.  And Robin sleeps over more than she doesn’t, and her favorite thing ever is a morning swim.  Nancy drops in to do laps when she can, just to get a break from the madness that is her life.  Eddie uses the cool water as a sort of self-created physiotherapy for all the pieces of muscle he lost to demo bats.

Steve wants to not hate it.  He wants to say that it’s all fine and he’s making new memories and while they won’t erase what happened to Barb, something good can come of it.

Vertigo has become Steve’s constant friend, especially on what he calls his bad-ear-days.  The pool, oddly, helps.  Not swimming.  The pressure of water in his ears makes him want to die.  It gives him ear-migraines, which might not be a thing, but it’s totally a thing.

But he’s got an old blow-up raft that’s shaped like a donut and bobbing along the water oddly kind of evens out the spins and makes him not want to hoark his lunch up all over the deck.

So he lays there with his eyes closed, simmering in his new silence sort of feeling everything around him differently now that he can’t hear for shit.  He’s usually alone, but this afternoon Eddie’s there.  Eddie who sees way too much.

And it happens while Steve’s floating and Eddie’s soaking and drinking beer.  His eyes are closed and the sun is hot on his face, and then he feels cool fingers playing with the short hairs by his temple.

Steve feels himself rumble a noise- which is probably the most disconcerting thing about his deafness.  It’s not losing the sound of other people- it’s losing the sound of himself.

He as no idea if the sounds he’s making are audible because Eddie doesn’t react.  He just keeps touching.  And God he does that a lot.  Steve’s not used to it.  Touch always had some sort of end game.  Like with Nancy, it used to mean at least making out, if not more.  With the kids, it’s to comfort.  With Robin it’s mostly to get on her nerves because even when he annoys her, he still makes her smile.

But Eddie’s so free with it- without expectations.  He just gives and gives and rarely expects anything back.  Lord, though, Steve wants to give him something.  and he has for a while now.

Steve’s come to realize in the past months that his attraction might not be so...focused on one gender?  He watched Robin struggle with existing as herself, but also so unabashed about it when she felt safe that Steve realized maybe he was just not looking in the right places.  Because he wants to feel that and noticing Eddie’s pretty mouth and clever fingers has made him look a little deeper.

So opening his eyes and staring upside down at Eddie’s grin and his big doe-eyes and feeling his hands in his hair as Eddie scratches along his scalp...it seems important.

Like a Moment- with a capital M.

He sighs, and Eddie tracks the rise and fall of Steve’s chest.

Eddie leans forward and knocks their foreheads together, and Steve breathes him in.  He smells like cigarettes, chlorine, and sunshine.  And he just stays there.  At some point he rumbles out a contented hum which Steve feels rattling around his head, and it makes the dizzies a little worse, but he wouldn’t trade it for the world.

He still doesn’t love his pool, but when he’s like this, he doesn’t hate it nearly as much as he used to.

#Steddie #deaf steve harrington #steve harrington #eddie munson #Steve x eddie #fanfic #stranger things

[techmomma]

whilst I am sick in bed, I want to put something out here before things start getting wild with conspiracy theories about this whole submersible debacle. because I think we will start seeing a lot of conspiracy theories starting up. some irrational, but some rational!

also note that I have no educated experience on these matters, just 33 years of living and a special interest in both the titanic and maritime disasters. so take everything with a grain of salt(water).

and while yes, if they’re dead, I genuinely think every navy and coast guard already knows and has known since like the first three hours since the sub went missing, I also genuinely do not think this was out of malicious or subversive intent, or trying to hide some big secret, and I will explain why:

underwater explosions/implosions make a very characteristic sound. this is called a bubble pulse: multiple booms being the result of initial explosion, followed by water pressure collapsing the gas bubble.

the major powers of the world, certainly the US with SOSUS/IUSS, have underwater listening stations. this is a system of underwater hydrophones and listening devices originally meant to track soviet submarine activity and underwater nuclear tests. this system was already quite powerful in the 60s, and its capabilities by now in the 2020s are classified but likely even moreso powerful. this is not me saying THEY’RE LISTENING TO US AND PUTTING TRACKERS IN US this is me saying “by the early 90s they could track a single whale over the entire Pacific for several years.”

if the submersible imploded--and I am leaning toward it not being built well enough to withstand four days of 375 atmospheres worth of pressure--then this was almost undoubtedly heard by listening stations across the atlantic

so why not tell the public?

despite having declassified much of the program, SOSUS/IUSS still has many parts that remain classified. to reveal that they heard the implosion would be to also reveal potentially delicate information such as station positions (figuring out WHERE a classified station might be based on the fact that it picked up the sound, and figuring out the minimum capabilities of such a system).

we’re already in kind of a weird proxy war with the Russians, again, so the government’s paranoia about not letting anything leak to them Russkies is, again, at an all-time high. I will state though that classified information is actually like, at the bottom of my list of “reasons why they may not have said anything immediately.”

this is an incredibly... unique situation. while I have no doubt they heard the implosion, they may not have been able to concretely confirm that it was an implosion, and an implosion of a civilian submersible, until after the story of the missing sub had already gotten out to the public. one of those “it looked like a duck and quacked like a duck so I’m pretty sure it was a goddamn duck, but I technically need to run tests to make 100% certain that it was in fact a duck, because if I’m wrong that could mean big trouble.”

in addition, to 100% confirm an implosion, typically the debris field has to be actually spotted on the sea floor, in addition to all the previous criteria being met. they have been trying to find a debris field... in a bigger, messier debris field.

they need to do this, because if there’s even a .0000000001% chance that they are still alive and you left them for dead, that would be... bad, for a lot of reasons

because the debris field has not been found and there IS a .0000001% chance that they could be alive, they still need to TREAT it as a rescue operation. this is standard procedure for like. everywhere.

even if they WERE still alive, they were going to die. every rescue party out there right now knows this. just planning to recover debris from that depth often takes months if not years of planning, let alone a sub about to run out of air in four days, max. in these situations, where the rescuers know the victims are alive but will, without fail, die, you have to still TREAT IT as if they are able to be saved (while also, quietly, making sure no one else is going to be further hurt). for the sake of the victims, their families, and the public at large. for the basic dignity of the victims. yes, out of compassion.

a comparable situation is when an EMT arrives to the scene of a traffic accident and knows, immediately, that this person, while not technically dead, is absolutely not going to make it. the EMT is still going to attempt to do everything they can to save that person, for their dignity and for the slim chance that maybe, by some miracle, they can help. you don’t give up until you know they’re actually dead. this is standard procedure and also like. a basic human compassion thing.

this is also likely why, if you’ve been watching any news about this, we’ve not seen any illustrations of “potential ways to rescue the sub,” or how authorities think they might do it, only diagrams and illustrations of where the sub might be or the depth it might be at. ideas have been floated around, but nothing concrete. because there is nothing concrete. at least, that’s what I’ve seen but that’s probably confirmation bias.

so yeah. in the coming days or years or whatever, I think it’ll come out that rescuers have known all along what happened and kept that little part quiet. but I also think it’s for the most boring, mundane reasons possible: standard procedure technicalities and human compassion while having to navigate a sticky situation between the media and the public.

#oceangate #titanic #submersible

[vixensbrainrotts]

Tr headcanons (volume ||)

Content: headcanons

Warnings: none, lmk if I’m wrong

Vixen’s two cents: this is the part two I sorta promised. Do you agree with some of my headcanons? Please do tell me some of your own I would love to hear about them!! Let me know if you enjoy this, I love hearing about it!!! Now enjoy! I’ll link the part one once I figure out how to change the link

VOLUME I

Rindou who went through a long stage of denial about having to wear glasses before he finally admitted that he can’t see jackshit without them.

Mikey who genuinely stops and stares at every rainbow he sees. No matter where, no matter what situation, if the refraction hits his eye all pretty and colorful he‘s going to take a moment to appreciate it.

Kakucho who is a bitch for crystals. Diagnose him with a clear lack of Rose-quartz and push some shiny rocks in his hands and he's happy. He melts when he's presented with personalized crystal pouches and pretty rocks that he can caress in his pockets. He doesn't really buy the whole rocks as remedies thing but he likes the stones that come with it.

Izana who has a whole Ecosystem figured out for his aquarium. He takes it super seriously and makes sure that every tropic level is sufficiently cared for. The plants are non-invasive and regenerative, he has a moss-ball for natural filtration and the algae that he does allow is probiotic. He makes sure to have a predator fish to control the exessive baby-making his Guppies do, and has shrimp as decomposers. He specifically cares to make sure he has the correct school-size for each type of fish and makes sure that there is no stress between species.

also Izana who has a log book for his aquarium where he enters all the plants and fish he's gotten, how many times he's done a water change, and whenever a creature dies. It's the most controlled part of his life.

Emma who has a single Orchid flower in her room that Shinichiro gave her for her Birthday one year. She's read books on how to care for it properly and nurtures it like a mother. She cried once when it lost its blossoms, thinking it would whither and die, but later figured out that it was just the change of seasons.

Baji who unintentionally mean-mugs people when he spaces out and stares. It's real bad because his eyebrows furrow deep and his lips fall into a frown. He doesn't mean it at all, and is kind of upset that he keeps scaring people away.

Takemichi who has really bad allergies against seasonal greens. You can't catch him outside during spring without a puffy, snotty, swollen face. Its bad-bad.

Ran who sort of lived for the buzzcut he had in juvie, and thinks about just buzzing off everything again every once in a while.

Mitsuya who has both his eyebrows pierced right where the slits are. They are (by some miracle) aligned perfectly and suit him sooo well.

German/Russian Hanma who gets frustrated whenever he forgets a word, because he doesn't only forget it in one language, but all languages he speaks. Its not like he could translate it cause he knows it in another language, no! He straight up forgets the word in every language he speaks

Hakkai who wants to be good at baking so bad but created poison whenever he tries. They aren’t even salvageable by sugar coatings, fruits or sprinkles- they’re dry and crumbly and sometimes salty. It’s sort of a shame because he tries really hard.

#tokyo rev x reader #tokyo revengers x reader #x reader #tokyo revengers #tokyo rev x you #tokrev #tr content #tr headcanons

[mostlylurkinbarelypostin]

Hopper Threatening Mike

Something that I think about all the time is what the heck Hopper threatened Mike with in the first episode of season 3.

Hopper tells Joyce he had to “improvise a little bit” when he tells her about the heart-to-heart. Well you know where else we see the word improvise pop up? When he mows down 4 Russians in the last episode. He literally kills 4 people, says “I’m improvising”, and then puts on a Russian uniform. Murray tries to handle the situation calmly at first but that lasts like 5 seconds, which is about how long it took Hopper to lose his patience with Mike while attempting the heart-to-heart.

According to Mike, Hopper didn’t threaten him with death so what else could be so bad? I don’t know but I think it has to do with Will. When Mike says the words “he threatened me,” the shot we see is of Will setting up the DnD board. This might not mean much on its own but then we have the Karen/Billy and Mike/El parallel.

The Pool Storage Parallel:

We get two scenes that happen in the pool storage room. The first one is Karen explaining to Billy why she didn’t meet him at the Motel pool. She tells him that she has a family and can’t do anything that would hurt them. What made her change her mind and not cheat? Seeing Ted sleeping on the couch with Holly. And what’s Ted wearing? A shirt that is stupidly similar to the one Will is wearing during his and Mike’s movie date.

The scene of Karen and Billy also comes directly after the scene in which Max tells El to dump Mike if he doesn’t explain himself. In the immediate next scene, we have Karen saying “I want to explain…” to Billy.

So explanations happen in the pool storage room. Just like his mom, Mike goes into the storage room to explain why he didn’t show up as planned. He tells El that Hopper made him lie, however he doesn’t say much more, just that he said they’re spending too much time together. This is a pretty garbage explanation though and we still don’t know exactly why Mike lied. Even Lucas questions why Mike did it.

If these parallels means what I think they do, Will is the “family” that Mike doesn’t want to hurt, and is the reason he had to lie. So what was the threat? I highly doubt it’s something as simple as Hopper threatening Mike with not letting him see El anymore if he doesn’t back off a bit cause 1. that wouldn’t work considering El has legit superpowers 2. that’s too basic of an explanation to warrant keeping the details of Mike and Hopper’s conversation a secret (they even remind you that we don’t know all the details when Hopper makes plans to tell Joyce about it at Enzo’s, which of course doesn’t end up happening) 3. they put way too much effort into the parallels for there not to be more there.

I don’t know exactly what I’m trying to imply. Maybe Hopper has witnessed the way Mike splits his time between El and Will and sees right through him. I mean he did witness the shed monologue and saw how disinterested Mike was in kissing El in season 2. Does he think Mike is using El?? I don’t know. I know Hop is just like Mike and wants El to himself but there’s just gotta be more here.

Would love to hear your thoughts! 😛

#stranger things #byler

[ghosttotheparty]

‘hey, how’d it go?’

‘uh. not great.’

‘shit. tell me.’

‘ well, it started kinda fine. she kept, like, looking at my neck, but she didn’t say anything. but we got along pretty well.’

‘ did you hook up?’

‘ well. we were going to. but it was… i don’t know. weird.’

‘weird awkward?’

‘yeah. like it just… jesus, i don’t know. it felt wrong? but not, like, wrong wrong, just. weird.’

‘sure.’

‘it was like we didn’t know what to do.’

‘how far’d you get?’

‘we made out. but when i went to take my shirt off, she said— i’m not exaggerating— oh my go-od.’

‘jesus, steve.’

‘yeah. honestly i don’t even know why i fucking bother.’

‘what do you mean?’

‘ i dunno. guess i knew i’m fucking ugly now, i guess i just kinda… i don’t know. hoped it wasn’t that bad. but i’m an idiot, so.’

‘jesus, steve, shut the fuck up.’

‘huh?’

‘you’re not— fuck, there was so much wrong with all of that, oh my god.’

‘eddie.’

‘no— okay, alright. steve. you’re not ugly.’

‘she recoiled, eddie.’

‘okay, well, cindy alden is a bitch. i remember her from school, she’s always been awful. don’t laugh, i’m serious, she’s terrible.’

‘okay, eddie.’

‘you’re not ugly.’

‘i’m…’

‘steve. you’re not ugly. your scars are cool.’

‘think you’re the only one that thinks that.’

‘well my opinion is the most important, so.’

‘okay, eddie.’

‘look. your scars are metal as fuck. even if you don’t think so.’

‘…’

‘when you see my scars, do you think they’re ugly?’

‘wha— no, of course not.’

‘so why do you think yours are ugly?’

‘…i dont know.’

‘have you actually looked at your scars? taken a really good look?’

‘i don’t really want to.’

‘look at them. now.’

‘eddie.’

‘come on, stevie, humour me.’

‘…okay. i’m looking.’

‘have you noticed how they, like, kinda swirl a little bit?’

‘…noticing that now.’

‘don’t they kinda look like storm clouds?’

‘…’

‘steve?’

‘yeah. a little bit. guess that’s… kinda cool.’

‘and the colours? aren’t they pretty?’

‘you’re trying to make me feel better about myself.’

‘yeah. i am. aren’t they pretty?’

‘…yeah. i guess.’

‘and our scars match. that’s pretty cool. they’re like friendship bracelets.’

‘some fucked up friendship bracelets. but yeah. it’s kinda nice that i’m not the only one.’

‘you’re not ugly, steve. even with your sick-ass scars, you’re ho— you’re so cool.’

‘yeah? you think i’m pretty, eddie?’

‘…anyway. don’t worry about what cindy alden has to say. you’re good. and you’re not an idiot.’

‘okay, eddie.’

‘don’t okay, eddie me, i’m serious. you’re pretty smart, steve.’

‘okay, maybe i’m not an idiot, but i wouldn’t go so far as to say i’m smart.’

‘well, it’s a good thing i’m not asking you, isn’t it? don’t sigh at me. you’re smart.”

‘eddie, i don’t mind being the dumb one of the group, it’s fine.’

‘no, it’s not, steve. you’re not the dumb one. just because you’re not a science nerd or something doesn’t mean you’re not smart.’

‘in what way am i smart?’

‘you’re observant as fuck, steve. i’m serious, you are. dustin and robin told me about how they only realised the russian code was coming from hawkins because you were the only one that recognized the music in it.’

‘…’

‘we only figured out we could communicate from the upside down because you heard dustin. no one else heard him.’

‘you guys thought i was crazy.’

‘yeah, until we heard him too, and then i thought holy shit, this guy’s got ears like a fuckin’ bat.’

‘…’

‘you knew how to drive that rv right away.’

‘didn’t have much of a choice.’

‘what i meant was that you’d never driven an rv before.’

‘…‘s true.’

‘you’re really smart, steve. you’re… resourceful. and intuitive, and observant, and it doesn’t matter if you don’t know science-y shit.’

‘…okay.’

‘and even if you weren’t smart, it wouldn’t matter. you’re more than your body and brains, stevie.’

‘what else am i, eddie?’

‘jesus, where should i start? …okay. you’re really sweet.’

‘sweet?’

‘so fucking sweet, steve, you’re one of the nicest people i know. even in high school, you were nicer than the other douche bags. and now you’re… you’re kind, steve. even if you’re being bitchy. you’re kind, and considerate, and patient when you need to be.’

‘…okay.’

‘and you’re… you’re funny. i know all the kids make fun of your jokes, but i laugh at all of them.’

‘thanks.’

‘you’re a good friend.’

‘am i?’

‘remember what i said about you being observant?’

‘yeah?’

‘i swear you can walk into a room and just… know. like, if anything is wrong, you pick up on it immediately, it’s insane. and you always know exactly what people need. you’re… safe.’

‘…safe?’

‘yeah. safe. everyone’s totally comfortable around you. the kids fucking adore you.’

‘really?’

‘yeah. the other day we were hanging out while you and robin were at work, and erica sighed very loudly and complained that she missed you.’

‘erica said that?’

‘erica fucking sinclair said, and i quote, i miss steve.’

‘…that’s really nice.’

‘you’re a good guy, steve, seriously. you’re selfless and brave and kind, and i love how you look after everyone, and how your eyes light up when talk about your sports, and how you get all mushy about the kids when they’re not around, and—’

‘…’

‘look. you’re, like, the best. and it— it breaks my fucking heart to hear you talk about yourself like you’re some piece of shit.’

‘…’

‘steve?’

‘…’

‘fuck, are you crying?’

‘…no?’

‘fuck, steve, i’m—’

‘eddie?’

‘yeah?’

‘i… i have to tell you something.’

‘what is it? are you okay?’

‘…i’m falling in love with you.’

‘…what?’

‘i’m sorry, eddie.’

‘no, don’t hang up, stevie— you’re— are you sure?’

‘yeah. i’m sure.’

‘but you… what about the girls?’

‘i was… i was trying not to— to fall for you, but you… fucking christ, eddie, you’re so…’

‘so?’

‘so good. you’re so perfect.’

‘fuck.’

‘im sorry, eddie.’

‘don’t apologise, stevie, i’m— i’m in love with you too.’

‘…say it again.’

‘i’m in love with you, too.’

‘holy shit.’

‘are you okay?’

‘i’m okay. i’m… can you come over?’

‘…to yours?’

‘or— or i can go to yours, i just— i wanna see you.’

‘you do?’

‘i wanna… i wanna kiss you.’

‘fuck. fuck, fuck, ow, okay, i’m—‘

‘what just happened?’

‘i fell off my bed, i’m fine, i can be there in a few minutes.’

‘are you sure?’

‘holy shit, steve, yes, i’ll be right over.’

‘okay.’

‘okay.’

‘wait, eddie—’

‘yeah?’

‘…i love you.’

‘fuck. i love you too. i’ll be right there, stevie.’

‘okay.’

#kinda wanna do a part two but it would just be them making out #if anyone has a plot idea feel free to steal this #steddie #steddie brainrot #steddie blurb #steve harrington #eddie munson #stranger things #stranger things blurb

[literary-illuminati]

2024 Book Review #5 – The Tusks of Extinction by Ray Nayler

I read Nayler’s The Mountain in the Sea last year and, despite thinking it was ultimately kind of a noble failure, liked it more than enough to give his new novella a try. It didn’t hurt that the premise as described in the marketing copy sounded incredible. I can’t quite say it was worth it, but that’s really only because this novella barely cost less than the 500-page doorstopper I picked up at the same time and I need to consider economies here – it absolutely lived up to the promise of its premise.

The book is set a century and change into the future, when a de-extinction initiative has gotten funding from the Russian government to resurrect the Siberian mammoth – or, at least, splice together a chimera that’s close-enough and birth it from african elephant surrogate mothers – to begin the process of restoring the prehistoric taiga as a carbon sink. The problem: there’s no one on earth left who knows how wild mammoth are supposed to, like, live- the only surviving elephants have been living in captivity for generations. Plop the ressurectees in the wilderness and they’ll just be very confused and anxious until they starve. The solution: the technology to capture a perfect image of a human mind is quite old, and due to winning some prestigious international award our protagonist – an obsessive partisan of elephant conservation – was basically forced to have her mind copied and put in storage a few months before she was killed by poachers.

So the solution of who will raise and socialize these newly created mammoths is ‘the 100-year-old ghost of an elephant expert, after having her consciousness reincarnated in a mammoth’s body to lead the first herd as the most mature matriarch’. It works better than you’d expect, really, but as it turns out she has some rather strong opinions about poachers, and isn’t necessarily very understanding when the solution found to keep the project funded involves letting some oligarch spend a small country’s GDP on the chance to shoot a bull and take some trophies.

So this is a novella, and a fairly short one – it’s densely packed with ideas but the length and the constraints of narrative mean that they’re more evoked or presented than carefully considered. This mostly jumps out at me with how the book approaches wildlife conservation – a theme that was also one of the overriding concerns of Mountain where it was considered at much greater length. I actually think the shorter length might have done Nayler a service here, if only because it let him focus things on one specific episode and finish things with a more equivocal and ambiguous ending than the saccharine deux ex machina he felt compelled to resort to in Mountain.

The protection of wildlife is pretty clearly something he’s deeply invested in – even if he didn’t outright say so in the acknowledgements, it just about sings out from the pages of both books. Specifically, he’s pretty despairing about it – both books to a great extent turn around how you convince the world at large to allow these animals to live undisturbed when all the economic incentives point the other way, a question he seems quite acutely aware he lacks a good answer to.

Like everyone else whose parents had Jurassic Park on VHS growing up, I’ve always found the science of de-extinction intensely fascinating – especially as it becomes more and more plausible every day. This book wouldn’t have drawn my eye to nearly the degree it did if I don’t remember the exact feature article I’d bet real money inspired it about a group of scientists trying to do, well, exactly the same thing as the de-extinctionists do in the book (digital resurrection aside). The book actually examines the project with an eye to practicalities and logistics – and moreover, portrays it as at base a fundamentally heroic, noble undertaking as opposed to yet another morality tale about scientific hubris. So even disregarding everything else it had pretty much already won me over just with that.

The book’s portrayal of the future and technology more generally is broader and less carefully considered, but it still rang truer than the vast majority of sci fi does – which is, I suppose, another way of saying that it’s a weathered and weather-beaten world with new and better toys, but one still very fundamentally recognizable as our own, without any great revolutions or apocalyptic ruptures in the interim. Mosquito's got CRISPR’d into nonexistence and elephants were poached into extinction outside of captivity, children play with cybernetically controlled drones and the president of the Russian Federation may or may not be a digital ghost incarnated into a series of purpose-grown clones, but for all that it’s still the same shitty old earth. It’s rather charming, really.

#book review #the tusks of extinction #ray nayler #sff #cli fi

[oh-stars]

All is Well

Lost

a Stobin Month 2024 prompt | 1,199 words | CW: lonliness | Rating: T

--

College sucks. 

There. She said it. It sucks. 

Growing up, Robin felt like college was her promise land. She could go to any school, learn anything, and have the freedom to be the person she wanted to be. She’d always struggled with the social aspect of school, finding a few good friends here and there to get her through classes but nothing that lasted. No one wanted to hang out on the weekends or sleepover – it was only ever for her birthday or super rare occasions. And when she was extra lonely or the girls at school were a little mean, her mother would always remind her that she’d find her people in college. 

Well, she’s here now and everyone sucks. 

That’s not exactly fair, she knows. Her roommates are decent. They clean up after themselves and every now and then, they’ll all grab breakfast together before class. It’s just clear that Robin’s the odd one out. She’s the one who isn’t clicking with the rest of them for no other reason than they just don’t work. And there are a few people from her German class last semester that she really liked, who still say hello and reach out if they have similar classes to study together. 

It’s just… tough to come back to, is all. 

The first semester felt impossible. She was all alone, with new people and no one that understood her on any level. She’d met a few lesbians, gone on a few dates, and it’s been incredible to connect with people in an aspect of her life that’s been so closed off for forever. Steve and Eddie may be together, they may understand, but they’re not lesbians. And even if she’s finally finding a community that understands her sexuality, she’s still stuck up here without anyone who understands her. 

Fine! There’s no Steve here. Happy? 

Sometimes, when she’s struggling to breathe after a nightmare, she wonders if the Russians somehow swapped out one of her lungs for his because she can never breathe without him around. It would make sense that she would need to be around her old lung, around him, to breathe the right way again. She misses him with every fiber in her being. 

The first semester was hard enough, but coming back after a month of uninterrupted Steve time? Where they spent the entire winter vacation attached at the hip? 

It kind of makes her want to curl up and die, if she’s honest. Just to stop the pain. 

Okay, she’s being dramatic. All that time with Steve meant she had to see Eddie and she’s pretty sure she absorbed some of his dramatics over the past few weeks. 

Robin checks the watch Eddie got for her, one that matches the new one he bought Steve, and sees she’s nearly late for her pre-calculus class. Shit. She doubles down on her speed walking and books it to Chapman Hall. 

The lecture hall is packed with students. It’s the first day back, so she’s not exactly surprised, but she really didn’t expect an early morning Tuesday class to be completely filled. There’s nowhere to sit other than by the windows and Robin can’t sit by the windows, she gets too distracted by the birds and squirrels (people she can zone out, but animals? They demand her attention, thank you). 

She kind of wants to cry. It’s just all too much all of a sudden and she doesn’t feel like the strong, capable woman she tries to be. She’s fought Russians and monsters and government agents, yet finding a seat in class is going to be her downfall. 

Maybe she should just run out of here, find the nearest bus station, and head back to Hawkins. She doesn’t need a fancy piece of paper to succeed in life. She just needs Steve. 

“Are you okay?” a girl asks, hugging her books close to her chest. 

Robin’s standing in the middle of the entry, blocking other students from slipping in behind her. She nods to the girl and slides to the left, away from the door, before she peers back up–

“Robin!” 

She’s hearing things. She has to be. 

A whistle sounds off, the one that could get her attention anywhere at any time. The one that has her heart racing and tears building in her eyes because that’s the sound of her soulmate calling out to her, bringing her back to safety. 

That’s Steve’s whistle. 

With the rest of the class, Robin follows the noise to see Steve waving at her, a few rows up and on the edge of the aisle, safely away from any windows. 

She runs up the stairs and into his arms before she can take another breath without him. “I missed you,” she says into his shoulder as she hugs him tight, her bookbag dropped in the process. 

Steve squeezes her back just as tight. “Missed you too,” he says. “I don’t know how to do shit without you, Rob,” he admits softly. 

Robin only pulls away when someone shuffles by them. She swipes at her eyes and only then does she realize where they are, that she’s getting ready to learn pre-cal and Steve’s just… here? And with books? 

He sits down, motioning for her to sit with him.

She does, her brow furrowed as she settles in. 

Steve’s smile turns both mischievous and shy in a way she rarely sees. She knows he’s trying to hide behind the surprise, that whatever the reason is, this is big for him. “I’m, uh, auditing the class,” he says as a blush rises up his neck. 

“Really?” Robin asks, scooting closer. She takes in the notebook and supplies he has set up in front of him, calculator ready to go. Ah! He’s really doing this! Robin has to bite her cheek as she gets her own things set up and ready, especially with the professor walks in to set up. 

“Just this one,” he continues. “But I am an official student as of today.” 

“What about–” 

“We got a place off campus,” Steve says, the smirk back in full swing. “Eddie’s been moving us in for the last month–” 

Robin swats at his arm with the back of her hand. “Is that where your bookshelf went?” 

Steve’s grin gets bigger. “It’s a two bedroom.” He lowers his head. “If you ever wanted to ditch the mean girls.” 

“They’re not mean–” 

“Dude, they purposefully ignored you. They’re mean girls.” 

Robin rolls her eyes as she picks up her pencil. “My last class is at–”

“Four, I know. I memorized your schedule,” Steve says. “I tried to get ours to align as much as possible.” 

“That’s creepy,” Robin says even though her smile is too big to hide. 

“What can I say?” Steve shrugs. “I’d be lost without you.” 

She gags. “Ew. Did you steal that from Eddie? It’s got his particular stench of cheesy, emotional one-liners all over it.” 

Steve’s laugh is too loud, especially when she joins in. But as they calm down, taking deep breaths and avoiding eye contact to stop their giggles, Robin feels her chest expand and take in all the air she can.

--

Thank you @lady-lostmind for beta reading!

Ao3 Link

#ohstars fic #steve harrington #stranger things #robin buckley #platonic stobin #platonic soulmates stobin #ohstars posting challenge #stobin month 2024 #stobin

[autisticshadowthehedgehog]

sconc middle names but me and cori are stupidt

last night me and cori got slap-happy and made a list of characters’ middle names so happy birthday sonic enjoy. tw catholicism jokes bc when we get slap happy we end up on that train

Sonic: His middle name is actually not Maurice. He won’t tell anyone what it is but it isn’t Maurice. Not in the “noooo it’s totally not ;)” way he legit doesnt know where anyone got that misconception from

Metal Sonic: His middle name IS Maurice. That’s where people got that misconception from

Tails: When he and sonic were filling out paperwork to make sure he legally existed Tails realized he didn’t know his middle name and could reasonably put “Tails.” Instead he put “Terminator”

rouge, losing it: oh my god are you serious tails: i was like five and thought it was cool sonic: you were right 

Knuckles: He literally doesn’t care so once again when filling out paperwork he’s like.

knuckles: so i guess my last name would be my tribe shadow: the knuckles tribe? knuckles: yeah shadow: so you’re putting down knuckles knuckles knuckles: yeah probably shadow: so what’s your middle name? knuckles: well take a fucking guess buddy

Amy: Also picked her own name. Debated between “Amy” and “Rosy” for a while before sticking with “Amy Rose”– rose for the pretty flower she loves and its symbolism, “Amy” because it means “much loved” and she’s desperate for affection. and then she well. picked a middle name that sounded cool

shadow: oh my god tell me your middle name isn’t “terminator” too amy: oh my gosh no amy: amy: it’s velociraptor shadow: oh my god amy: JURASSIC PARK JUST CAME OUT I WAS HYPED

Shadow: We had two (2) options: #1.) It’s something extremely Catholic like Clementinus. It doesn’t fit his brand so he just doesn’t tell anyone. also he can’t pronounce it. #2.) It’s like a deep, guttural screech/roar. Everyone assumes it was Black Doom’s name for him but no that was Gerald’s idea actually

Rouge: Francisca. Shadow was like “oh something really catholic as well” “actually my family were very much not catholic that’s just a funny coincidence.”

Omega: Terminator. Stole the idea from Tails

Cream:

Blaze: She has like 48 middle names cause she’s royalty and they’re like that

Silver: “In the future we don’t have middle names. We ate them for sustenance.”

Vector: ALSO something extremely Catholic like Benedict or someshit

Espio: “A ninja’s secret name is to stay absolutely secret. It is the key to their identity. Their soul. None shall know of it.” He picked his own middle name and it was SasuNaru and he’s embarrassed about it.

Charmy: Vector named him so it is also EXTREMELY Catholic. Charmy cannot remember it. “It’s VALENTINE, Charmy!! It’s literally one of the easiest Saints to remember!! Saint VALENTINE!!” “look i made a necklace out of gummy worms :D”

Mighty: it’s something like super normal like Evan or Thomas

Ray: Sunshine :D

Fang: It’s actually Nack. whudda think

Bean: And similar to Fang, it’s ACTUALLY “Dynamite.” Did he name himself? You’ll never know.

Bark: Something super Russian like Vladimir

Big: Big has no middle name he has no last name he is too powerful for all of us

Tikal:

Tikal: yeah we didn’t have middle or surnames in my time. Closest was just “oh that’s Pachacamac’s kid.” Tails: Okay but you need a middle name for paperwork so pick something Tikal: Termi-- Knuckles: No. Tikal: Okay. Lesbian

Jet: Tony. you know why

Marine: It’s just literally “Australian”

Sticks: “Classified.” Everyone is like “oh geez Sticks ok” and don’t realize her middle name is literally Classified

Surge: When she got to pick hers she picked Azula for obvious reasons

Kit: He picked “Surge.”

Belle: Periwinkle

Sage: Ann Ima. believe it or not, that is also. Catholic™

Tekno: Terminator

#sth #sonic squad #mine

[nataliasquote]

I Know What You Are (teaser)

I apologise for how long it’s taking me to get a new fic out. I’m so bad with procrastination that I’ve left all my university work until the last minute so that’s taking up a lot of my time. In the meantime, here is a sneak peak at my next post… enjoy

500 words

-⧗-

“I thought interrogations were supposed to be your thing, Natasha.” The way her name dripped off her tongue was like sweet honey and Natasha clenched her jaw, eyes fixed on the woman prowling in front of her. Sure, she could get out of the ties around her wrists, but something kept her there. A desire to learn more about her. “You gave up pretty easily.”

“You know damn well I didn’t give up,” she spat, glaring up at the woman who was now standing so close their legs brushed. “I came willingly.”

“Oh I know,” the woman said with a smile, tracing the sharpness of the redhead’s jaw with her knife. “You can’t resist me.” Her Russian accent was thick and had Natasha completely transfixed. The tip of the knife trailed down to her collarbones so gently. “I didn’t think it would take years though.”

“I knew where you were.”

“You break my heart.” There was a mischievous sparkle behind her eyes and it frustrated Natasha to no end. “Guess you thought you were too good for me now, huh? All caught up in your Avengers business and no time left for me.” She pouted like a child.

Natasha looked up at the dim light above her head before answering. It was cliche really, tied to a chair in the middle of a damp room with only a single string bulb as a light source. But the woman before her was far more calculated than she ever let on, so Natasha knew it was part of some much bigger plan.

“Well I can’t exactly have a coffee with the enemy,” she said sarcastically. “The Avengers would take you in if you stopped murdering people for no reason.”

“Ha!” She spat out, turning back around to face Natasha, her knife spinning casually between her fingers. “Avengers. What a pathetic excuse for an organisation. You think they mean well, and that’s just adorable really.”

“They’re not pathetic.” If there was one thing Natasha was protective about, it was her family. “Take a look at who you work for, you’ll find some pretty pathetic business going on there.”

Y/n’s eyes darkened. “Hydra is not stupid. At least our scientists actually do something useful instead of pottering about building metal suits.” A jab at Tony Stark. Classy.

“Yeah sure, if you call illegal human experimentation ‘useful’.”

Y/n let out a soft laugh. “Don’t get all big and bossy with me,” she replied, watching as Natasha’s stony expression cracked slightly. “The twins signed themselves up, I did nothing.”

“You lured them in.”

“What can I say, I’m irresistible.” She winked at Natasha and disappeared into the shadows, leaving a very disgruntled redhead alone.

To say she was the most annoying person Natasha had ever met was a severe understatement. That woman got under her skin and just festered there, and no amount of focus would ever make her go away.

#natasha romanoff #fanfic #marvel #natasha romanoff x reader #black widow #avengers

[valkyrieandstrangeridingaragorn]

Episode 2 of What If Season 2 poked the Peggy hornet’s nest and did exactly what I thought it would. 

So, for context, in this reality Yondu actually handed Peter Quill over to Ego when he was supposed to, and within just 6 months Ego was able to corrupt his son into a conqueror, so they invade Earth together. Peggy is director of SHIELD at the time, and she and Howard work together to assemble a proto-Avengers team to stop them. The team consists of Hank Pym, Bill Foster, T’Chaka, Thor, Wendy Lawson (who I think is from Captain Marvel), and… wait for it… the Winter Motherfucking Soldier. 

Yes, for real.

And because I know you’re thinking it, the excuse given is that he is in the hands of the Russians during this time, so Peggy and Howard couldn’t possibly have known about it UwU. Anyway, when they see him there’s a super drawn-out moment where they both think they recognize him (and it’s while he still has the mask on, so while this probably wasn’t intentional I actually read that as yet another middle finger to Steve, as Peggy could apparently recognize Bucky even under his disguise while Steve couldn’t). And then, Howard says, I shit you not: “I'd heard the rumors, but even if they’re true, the man we knew is long-gone, Peg, and we have bigger fish to fry.” And then later in the episode, with no segway from that to this, there’s a scene where they’re all together and the Winter Soldier has his mask off, and actually speaks. 

So, at least in this universe, Howard and Peggy are 100% aware that Bucky Barnes is in fact the Winter Soldier. Later on in the episode Howard attempts to get through to him, but only when it becomes a necessity to save the world (because he is about to kill Peter Quill while Hank is trying to convince him to turn on Ego), but it’s still pretty damning. And then at the end of the episode, rather than trying to rehabilitate him, they just let him go. Like, it’s not the same situation as Steve where he was out cold and unable to do anything, they could have taken Bucky in and tried to break his programming, but they didn’t. It’s left ambiguous what will happen to him after that, so it’s not like they sent him back to Hydra, but Hydra is still out there in this universe, so my hopes aren’t high.

TLDR; this episode attempts to handwave away the very strong possibility that the Howard and Peggy of the Prime Timeline knew what was happening to Bucky, but in doing so unintentionally made them look so much worse.

I don't... I can't even... WTF did I just read? (not you of course, I mean, what is wrong with Marvel?) 🤦‍♀️

So they use Bucky while brainwashed and/or still with Hydra's BS in his mind, and they don't even care to help him out after? They see a victim and they use him and then turn away from him, not caring about his well-being? And, I assume, Howard and Lady Brexit are still framed as good guys? And how are they any better than Hydra in that story?! The absolute nerve...

Once I read the spoilers a few days ago and saw they were going to have her as Director of SHIELD, I just knew they were going to absolve her of everything and never have her answer for any of her actions. And of course the only one who says he had "heard rumours" was Howard, not her. She's an angelic glorious being incapable of doing anything wrong. What in the absolute narrative protection is this...

Howard and Miss Brexit couldn't possibly know about Bucky... yeah, right. Except for the fact that they knew what Zola had done, because Steve told them, and they still willingly worked alongside him, even gave him a nickname. Oh Arnie, my beloved, wasn't it fun when you tortured Steve's best friend? Let's have some beer. I don't see how Miss "I shoot innocents when I'm jealous" Brexit could have recognized Bucky considering she didn't give a damn about him after Steve risked his own life against her wishes to save him, but apparently in this she can tell who he is even with a mask on? Damn girl, did you inject the serum in him yourself?

And I'm sorry but what is this... “I'd heard the rumors, but even if they’re true, the man we knew is long gone.” Excuse me? Oh, good enough to use but not good enough to save? How is the everloving hell is that even a line?! Oh my god, Marvel, just say you hate Bucky and go. I don't get it, what, he's the guy who ruins their beloved Steggy nonsense and they can't help themselves, they have to drag him through the mud for daring to be more important to Steve than Miss Brexit here? (And I say that as a non-shipper but holy crap, this is nuts.)

Not even in another timeline are these two somewhat redeemable. And Bucky is fucked up no matter what. Typical.

So the Infinity Saga had Stark as their golden boy and now it's Agent Brexit's time to shine... Will the Hero Cinematic Universe ever provide any heroes of narrative protection or are they going to choose the bad ones only? Oh, you're a soldier kidnapped, tortured and brainwashed? Go ahead and make amends, you monster. Oh, you willingly worked for the TVA and tortured and killed because you wanted to? Poor you, let us frame you as good and pat you on the back, you sweet thing.

Wow, I got mad in this one. Sorry. I have the Bucky feels right now 😜😂

#I'm so happy I'm not watching this series #anti peggy carter #mcu critical #what if spoilers #pro bucky barnes

[multifandomfix]

Red Reznikov Fluff Alphabet

A = Aroma (What do they smell like?)

Aside from the smells of the kitchen, Red smells like orange peels with a hint of sugar.

B = Babe (What would they use as pet names? Do they use them a lot?)

She has a ton of pet names for you. Mostly in Russian, and there’s a fair amount of them that she simply will not tell you the meaning of.

C = Cuddles (Do they like to cuddle? How would they cuddle?)

She’s not about to cuddle with you right off the bat. That’s something that’s earned with her. She does enjoy a cuddle every now and then though.

D = Domestic (Do they want to settle down? What would they think about living together?)

Red is all about family, so settling down isn’t even a question. She’s not in for something casual.

E = Emotion (How affectionate are they? How do they show affection?)

Red is pretty reserved in her affections, at least out in the open. Though she does show her love in less direct ways, like picking up something you need, or cooking you something extra special.

F = Flirt (How do they flirt? Are they smooth or awkward?)

If she feels like putting in the effort, Red can definitely flirt. She doesn’t often, mainly lets you pursue her, but when she does, it’s guaranteed to leave you feeling very flustered.

G = Gifts (Are they a gift giver? What kind of gifts do they give?)

Red is very much a gift giver. She likes to give you small gifts just as reminders that she loves you and has been thinking about you.

H = Hugs (Do they like hugs? How often do they do it? What are their hugs like?)

She can certainly get behind the idea of a good hug. If you’ve been apart for any length of time, expect a big ol’ bear hug upon return.

I = I Love You (How fast do they say the L-word?)

She shows it more than says it, so you might have to wait a while for the actual words to pass her lips, but it’s well worth it when you finally do hear it.

J = Jealousy (How jealous do they get? What do they do when they’re jealous?)

She only gets jealous if she thinks someone is an actual threat to you or to her. If they’re playing nice with you and she thinks they have ulterior motives, she’ll be stepping in and warning them off before you know it.

K = Kisses (What are their kisses like? Where do they like to kiss you?)

Red loves to kiss your head, your cheek and even sometimes the palm of your hand.

L = Little ones (How are they around children? Would they want some of their own?)

She raised three boys, so needless to say, she can definitely handle children. She wouldn’t want any more however. That chapter of her life is behind her.

M = Meet (How did they meet you?)

At lunch during your first day. Unlike Piper, you complimented the food, after having nil to nothing for the day or two prior.

N = Nurture (Are they good at taking care of you if you’re hurt/sick?)

The best. Red will have a thousand and one Russian home remedies to get you feeling better faster, some are far more palatable than others.

O = Out (What’s a typical date night with them like?)

A home cooked meal, usually made by Red, though sometimes she lets you help, followed by some quality time in whatever form that may come in.

P = Propose (When do you/they propose? How does the proposal go?)

Red wouldn’t want to make a big to do out of it. She’d prefer that if you were to propose, you’d just pull her aside and ask.

Q = Quirk (What small habit/feature/quirk do they have that you find especially endearing?)

The way she runs her fingers through her hair when she’s trying to look extra intimidating never fails to make you smile, but you wouldn’t want her to catch you doing it.

R = Routine (What does a typical day together look like? Routines, schedules, habits?)

She’s always up really early to get the morning meal started, and despite always wanting to help, she prefers you to get your sleep. It’s in the evenings that you really get to spend some time together. It’s her favorite part of the day, reading her book with your head on her lap is the best way for her to wind down.

S = Security (How protective are they? How would they protect you?)

She’s very protective. God help anyone who crosses you. Lucky for you, few people dare mess with Red, so you can rest assured you’re pretty safe.

T = Try (How much effort would they put into dates, anniversaries, etc?)

She puts in more effort than she’d ever admit to. She wants her special plans to look like they were spontaneous, but she’s organized every detail way in advance so everything will go off without a hitch.

U = Unique (What’s something they’d only do for you?)

She’d only let herself be truly vulnerable with you. She shows some vulnerability with Nicky, but even then there’s a bit of a wall up. But for you, it comes down.

V = Vulnerable (How long does it take them to feel comfortable being vulnerable around you?)

As mentioned above, it’s something she only allows herself around you. That being said, it does take a good, long while for her to even reach that point.

W = Wardrobe (What would they wear to impress you?)

That’s not something she ever really thinks about. You’re so damn besotted with her, she doesn’t think it would much matter.

X = Xtra (A random headcanon for them.)

Red’s main love language is food. But, she also loves physical touch, as long as it’s kept behind closed doors. You can get all lovey dovey with her and she’ll positively melt for it.

Y = You (What are some things they would like in a partner?)

She’d want someone who can be strong, yet still let her take the lead with most things. They’d have to have a good heart and go absolutely crazy for her cooking.

Z = Zzz (What are their sleep habits?)

Red can be a fitful sleeper at times. Sometimes you have to gently wake her from a nightmare, and when she’s able to settle back down, she’s usually a more peaceful sleeper afterwards.

For @demonbabe

Forever Tag: @baubeautyandthegeek, @ghostsunderstoodmysoul, @immyowndefender, @valencethefriendlychangeling, @crimsonwidow666, @rebelbossheart, @thedailyspiritualist, @orangeisnttheonlyfruit, @woman-simp, @aperol-with-izzy, @leonoralessoem, @ellepossum69, @lakita-fisher, @nclgsticore, @analuw, @luvlesavyy, @malfoyfeed, @aliciabrower, @bitchr-mkay, @sparrowspixie, @imaginationismyworldlypleasure

Red Reznikov: @derry-n, @riveranddoctorsong123, @music-bird, @geekyandgay98

#red reznikov #red reznikov fluff alphabet #red reznikov x reader #orange is the new black #oitnb #request

[girlbossnezuko]

Stobin Mandalorian AU part 3

[part 1] [part 2]

Abby’s eyes are so big and soft and brown. They’re like his mother’s eyes, round and sweet. She’s so cute, even in the bland grey onesie the Russians put her in, which isn’t nearly as nice as she deserves. She deserves nice, comfy, pretty clothes — and a warm hat, because it gets cold in the evenings even in the summer.

“Steve,” Robin sighs, “I’m soooo thirsty. Can you hold Abby while I get a drink from the fountain?”

Steve holds his arms out before she’s even done talking. She snorts and passes him the baby, who blinks up at him with big eyes. The weight of her is perfect in his arms. He’s never going to put her down.

He follows dazedly after Robin, and the only reason he doesn’t spend the entire time staring at Abby is because if he manages to trip and drop her because he isn’t paying attention he’s going to blow up the mall.

He hands Abby back very reluctantly so he can take his own drink of water, then accepts her again gratefully when Robin goes back for more. He’d get some for Abby too, but he’s pretty sure babies this small aren’t supposed to drink water. It’s all moot anyway because they’re both running off to puke before Robin’s done her second turn.

He holds Abby very carefully to avoid getting her dirty — either from the puke or the gross bathroom floor. She protests a bit but doesn’t start crying again so all in all it’s a success.

“Oh god,” Robin groans, “was that all of it? I hope that was all of it.”

“Think so,” Steve grunts, wiping his mouth with some toilet paper. It’s really flimsy, he hates this place.

“Quick, ask me a question.”

Steve blanks. He can’t remember any question he’s ever asked. He looks at Abby, then down at the toilet bowl.

“When was the last time you pissed your pants?” Whatever, that works.

“Today,” Robin says, sounding almost amazed. “When that Russian doctor took out the bone saw. It was just a little bit though.”

Steve laughs softly, tipping his head back to rest it against the wall. Definitely wasn’t all of it, then.

“Your turn.”

Robin hums. He can see her shoes tap-tapping against the tile through the small gap under the stall.

“Well, I was gonna ask if you’ve ever been in love, but after seeing you with Abby… now I’m wondering — why did you break up with Nancy Wheeler?”

Ah. Ouch.

“She broke up with me.”

“Wait, what?”

Robin scrambles up and around into his stall, crouching in front of him and Abby.

“She broke up with you?”

Steve doesn’t understand why she looks so confused. He nods.

“I mean, technically, yeah,” he says, and she tilts her head in confusion. “It was, uh, Halloween. Tina’s party, you remember. She was drunk and she started going on about how we killed Barb and our whole relationship was just…” —he swallows, looks away— “bullshit. That we spent a whole year pretending we were in love. When I talked to her the next day she couldn’t take it back, so.” He shrugs.

“Holy shit,” Robin whispers. “Steve, I’m so— I thought you broke up with her because you didn’t want to settle down or something, holy fuck.”

Steve laughs, “Settle down? Nancy? No, she’d hate that. She has all these big dreams, and she’s not exactly bad with kids but I don’t think she really likes them either.”

He looks down at Abby, strokes her soft little cheek. “No, if anything I was too boring for her, not the other way around.”

“You’re not boring, Steve,” Robin protests. “Wanting to settle down and have kids doesn’t make you boring.”

“What about you, then?” Steve asks, and it should be a simple question except Robin looks like she’s going to throw up again.

“Um, well, I don’t know,” she says, eyes fixed on the toilet roll. “I guess it sounds nice, but…”

She takes a deep breath.

“Do you remember… what I said about Mrs Click’s class?”

Steve nods slowly, “Yeah, you said you were obsessed with me because of my bagel crumbs, or something.”

“It wasn’t your stupid bagel crumbs,” Robin rolls her eyes, “it was because she wouldn’t stop staring at you. It was like she was half in love with you, bagel crumbs and all, even though you couldn’t more clearly be gone on Nancy Wheeler. She’d spend the whole class staring and sighing and I wanted her to look at me. Just once.”

“…Mrs Click?” he asks, because the blue drug might be mostly gone but his thoughts were soupy even before that.

Robin sighs.

“Tammy Thompson,” she says emphatically.

Steve thinks on this for a moment. He’d thought Robin was confessing to him earlier, back in the bunker, but apparently not because she was actually talking about a girl. But then, it still sounds..? Oh. Oh. Okay.

Well, he kind of feels like he’ll die without her at this point, so it’s not like he’s going to reject her for something he doesn’t really care about in the first place. Robin’s Robin, she matters more to him than who she does or doesn’t want to kiss. Besides, maybe if they aren’t dating then she can’t break his heart.

“Doesn’t she want to be a singer?” he asks dubiously, instead of trying to say any of that out loud. “That’s like the opposite of settling down. And she isn’t even good at it anyway.”

Robin’s jaw drops.

“Yes she is!” she protests.

“No, I’m serious,” Steve laughs, “she sounds like a muppet! We should get her to sing educational songs to Abby.”

“Steve!”

Steve starts singing through all the Sesame Street songs he remembers, except he doesn’t get far because he keeps laughing. Robin’s laughing with him, giddy with relief, and Steve feels his heart swelling into his throat again.

#stobin confession scene my beloved #placing the chekhov’s gun titled ‘settling down’ very gently on the floor to be fired later #don’t worry about it (yet) #oughh I want to continue but I need to refresh my memory of the s3 finale first #<— genius who gave itself homework 👍 nice going #stobin mandalorian au #the greatest qpr hawkins has ever seen #envy writes #stranger things #stranger things fic #steve harrington #robin buckley #stobin #stobin fanfic

[matan4il]

Buddie 602 meta

I mentioned with this gif that Buck and Eddie really were more than battlefield boyfriends in this ep, they were work husbands. Yes, they did their thing where they turned around in sync shortly after they arrived at the “lust tunnel” call, but even after they were back at the station, they observed a sleeping Hen together, somewhere between worried about her and poking fun at her. See, the show could have had Chim there for this bit as well. It did have him there when the guys later spill popcorn over Hen. But no, we get a tiny reminder that the only ones who are truly attached at the hip, who naturally turn to each other, who choose to be that joined together every chance they get, on and off the field, are Buck and Eddie. ~ ~

Remember back in ep 102, Buck talked about how, unlike with the Navy SEALS, what he loved about being a firefighter is that he got to be the tough guy, but also to help people (without becoming a machine)? I was hit by how much this parallels Eddie, who also had emotional issues due to his service in the army, but on calls like the “love tunnel” one, he still gets to be the tough guy, binding the hands of an attempted murderer, while serving as a peace officer. I just love how much the show stresses that Buddie will always get each other better than anyone else will, because they’re just so similar when it comes to the most important things in life in terms of who they are and what they need. They’re essentially made for each other. ~ ~

Buck resorting to a self help book reminded me of him in 406, reading about the different love languages. I thought it was an interesting link (even visually) to remind us that while his journey is leading him to currently choose being single, it is ultimately connected to his desire for romantic love as well. Not because every self-discovery search has to, but we’re reminded that for him personally, that’s something that he deeply craves. His journey will be complete when in addition to himself, he’ll find and get to enjoy this love that he’s been dreaming of for so long. ~ ~

Allow me to go wild (and geeky) for a second. The guy that they treat (and fail to save) at the happiness convention? His name is Lev. I might have mentioned in the past that I’m a name geek (I even once contemplated making a resource post for fans and creators in the 911 fandom about the meaning and origin of characters’ names on the show), so right away, my ears pricked up. I know that it’s revealed the patient’s name is ‘Nathan Levinson.’ But it’s a late reveal, towards the very end of the ep. For most of that call, they refer to him as ‘Lev,’ which is actually a first name as well. It has two possible meanings, depending on its origin. One is that it comes from Russian and means lion. Which might be a play on the name of the actor portraying Lev. He’s called Arye, and his name in Hebrew means lion. If this is what the show was going for, it would be pretty cool, and it would def indicate that they pay attention to an actor’s real life background. But then consider the other option. ‘Lev’ is also a Hebrew name, which means ‘heart.’ Arye Gross, the character’s actor, is Jewish himself, and ‘Levinson’ is a Jewish last name, which seems to suggest that the Hebrew interpretation for Lev’s name is the right one. This would mean that the patient who Buck related so deeply to and who Eddie noticed was really close for a very long time with his friends -  they’re all literally call him ‘heart.’ To top that all off, playing on the meaning of the word heart in a romantic context is brought up in this very ep, between Hen and Karen. So when we add all that to the fact that, as I’ve mentioned in previous weekly meta posts, we have had an ongoing heart theme with Buck and Eddie for a while now, you hopefully get why I feel there’s significance to this name choice. ~ ~

Lev obviously is meant to be another Red (from ep 316) for Buck. Unlike Red, Lev’s not a firefighter, he’s “just” a patient they lost, but because of where Buck is at this moment in his life, the encounter’s enough to shake him up. Just like Red basically came along and showed Buck that work isn’t everything, and that it doesn’t matter how much you give it your all, you still might end up lonely, Lev showed him that in every walk of “normative” life (career, wife, kids, possessions) you might do the same and still end up sad. Obviously, this is going to leave Buck feeling like he needs to try out new things, find a new direction that might lead him to that being at ease and happy that he’s been looking for (especially as the people he usually looks up to for answers can’t provide them right now: Bobby’s away dealing with his own family crisis, while Hen is a little lost herself). But I find it interesting, ‘coz this ep actually gave us an indication of what Lev might have ended up with. He doesn’t figure out the meaning to life and happiness when he’s injured, or during the following talk. He appears to find it after he chooses to make a sacrifice in order to save another person’s life and learns that was successful. I just find it very curious that at the end of the day, it’s implied the answer he found is what Buck already has, saving others. So I suspect (sorry to be drifting a bit into speculation territory) that this is the conclusion that Buck will eventually get to as well, that he’s had what he needs to be happy all along. And if you remember my meta for 601, that seemed to be the implied conclusion there as well, with the moving of the armchair. That Buck will eventually realize what makes him happiest, is what he already has, he just needs to redefine things a little. So all of this together feels like it’s further strengthening the idea that eventually, as part of his quest for self-realization and happiness, Buck is also going to figure out he already has the love he’s been searching for... ~ ~

Thank you so much for reading and for any and all support, like unbelievably kind tags in reblogs! Thank you also for the amazing gifs to the incredible @whosoldherout​​, who just knocks it outta the park. You can also find more of my Buddie fics, gifs and meta, if you’re interested. Thank you again! xoxox

#buddie #911meta #buddie meta #911 meta #9-1-1 #evan buckley #eddie diaz #buddie gif #buddie gifs #buddieedit #911edit #911 gif #911gif #911gifs #911 gifs #wm #911onabc #911 on abc #911abc #911 abc

[late-to-the-party-81]

Happy Birthday, Yasha

AN: Creeping in with a story for Bucky’s birthday, I bring you Cap Quartet filth. This is just porn. Not a sniff of plot. Based in the same BDSM AU as The ties that bind us. Sam and Steve have fully consented to this scene in advance and can safeword at any time without consequence.

Beta’d by the wonderful @endlesstwanted and with Russian help from @bittersweet-in-boston

Likes are loved, reblogs are golden

Mood board by me and dividers by @firefly-graphics

Bingo and Challenge fills:

@buckybarnesevents Bucky’s Birthday Bash - Base - AU Bucky; Filling - Forced Proximity Frosting - Sam, Nat and Steve; Toppings - Humiliation/Degradation Kink, And

Build a Bucky Bingo - March - Impact Play

@stuckygeekevents Bingo - O1 - “Why did you flinch?”

@stuckybingo - N3 - Free space

@steverogersbingoBingo  - D4 - Sex Party

@caplanbuckybarnes’s Weekly Writing Challenge #3 - “Please kiss me.”

Master list | Stucky Bingo Master List | SRB Master list | BaBB Master List | SGE Bingo Masterlist

Summary: It’s Bucky’s birthday and Nat has arranged a private party, just for him.

Relationship: Dom Bucky x Domme Nat x Switch (but Sub in this) Sam x Sub Steve.

Word count: 3.2k

CW: BDSM AU, Pre-established relationship, Polyamorous relationship, Bondage, Impact Play, Ass Play, Body Worship, Female Masturbation (briefly), Frotting, Anal Sex, Humiliation/Degradation Kink, edging, Face Sitting, Oral Sex, Cum Play/Cum eating, Cum Slut Steve Rogers, Aftercare, Safe, Sane and Consensual.

Bucky couldn’t help but grin, his arms around Nat’s waist and his chin resting on her shoulder as he took in the scene before him.

“Is this all for me, Natty?”

“Of course it is, Yasha. A party just for you.” His pack-mate and fellow Dom stated, her smile evident in the tone of her voice.

They were standing in the playroom, and spread out - and tied up - on the bed in front of them were their Switch, Sam, and their Sub Steve. 

Sam was laid on his back, arms attached to the headboard and ropes around his thigh holding his legs open. A silver plug with a bright red jewel poked out from between his round buttocks. Steve was laid face down on top of Sam, his small body similarly bound but with a blue, jewelled plug stretching his rim wide. Neither could move much, but it wasn’t stopping the pair of them trying to rub their cocks together as they messily made out.

“Fuck,”Bucky exclaimed again. “Look at them. Pretty as a picture and all dressed up for me. How am I gonna top this when it’s your birthday?”

Nat turned her head and nipped at Bucky’s ear. “You’ll think of something, handsome. You always do. Now, go enjoy your birthday treat. They’ve been like this for fifteen minutes already and I edged them a couple of times before I brought you down here, so they’re both a hair's-breadth away from coming apart.”

“You’re staying, though?” Bucky nuzzled into Nat’s neck, enjoying the way his scruff brought a red rash up on her neck. She might be a Dom as well, but that didn’t mean Bucky didn’t like marking her. She gave as good as she got anyway.

“I was hoping you’d ask. I want to see which one of them starts to cry first. You go left, I go right?”

“Deal.”

Bucky had known when Nat said she had a surprise for him today that it would be something along these lines, so he’d been waiting, just dressed in his leather pants, until she came to get him. Nat herself was dressed in her favourite PVC outfit - a push up bra with cutouts at the nipples, crotchless panties and thigh-high stiletto boots. She looked exquisite.

He stalked over to the right hand side of the bed, climbing up beside the two desperate, strung up men. He tapped Sam on his shoulder, as Nat on the other side tapped Steve, and the two broke apart and looked at the two Doms. Two pairs of eyes were blown wide and two faces had lax expressions, already looking totally fucked out. Bucky laid down and captured Sam’s lips, Nat doing the same to Steve.

It never ceased to amaze Bucky how different Sam was from Steve. Steve was a Sub, but a bratty one, needing to be forced into submission for his own good more often than not. Sam, though, as a Switch, was never intentionally bratty, but sometimes had difficulties moving from one headspace to the other. It seemed that Nat had done the hard work already, or maybe Sam was just in a submissive move, because he opened himself to Bucky’s domineering kiss without any resistance. Bucky laid his left hand on top of Steve’s buttocks, feeling the little movements his favourite brat was trying to make in an attempt to get friction on his no-doubt aching prick. With a grin into Sam’s mouth, Bucky brought his hand down onto Steve’s ass - a warning to stay still. He heard the angry squeak despite it being muffled by Nat.

Bucky pulled back, enjoying the way Sam chased his lips, and how Sam’s broad chest heaved with need.

“You’re gonna be a good boy for me, aren’t you Sammy? Gonna let me do exactly what I want, when I want, yeah?”

“Yes, s-sir,” Sam stuttered out, eyes glazed.

“Unlike this one,” continued Bucky as he took a firm grip of Steve’s dirty blonde hair and jerked his head back, pulling him from Nat. Steve’s eyes rolled, the little pain-slut he was, but there was still defiance in his eyes - he wasn’t as deep down as Sam was. “Fighting it as usual, Stevie? And on my birthday too? What am I going to do with you?”

Steve just narrowed his eyes, but for once didn’t talk back. He was probably too distracted by his throbbing cock to come up with something witty.

“Natty, can you reward Sam for being a good boy while I just work on Steve’s attitude?”

Nat smiled back enigmatically, then moved herself so Sam could turn his head and take one of her PVC clad breasts into his mouth and tease the nipple with his tongue. Nat let her head loll back and allowed herself to enjoy the sensations. Bucky, on the other hand, rose up from the bed, and with the feeling of Steve’s blue eyes boring a hole between his shoulder blades he went and opened up the wooden armoire that held their toys. His fingers trailed along the handles of the various implements used for chastisement and finally settled on his flogger. There were two of almost every implement, one made for Nat’s small grip and one made for Bucky’s much larger one. If Sam was in Dom mode with Steve, then he borrowed Bucky’s, but Sam wasn’t as much into impact play as the two Doms.

As Bucky turned back to the bed he carefully kept the flogger hidden behind his back, not wanting Steve to know how he was going to get punished until it happened. He positioned himself by the side of the bed and used his free hand to hold Steve’s head down against Sam’s collarbone, making it impossible for him to see.

“Stay still, and be good,” Bucky commanded, but wasn’t at all surprised when a sharp “Fuck you” was the answer. He leant down, head close to Steve’s ear. “I plan to, sweetheart. I’m gonna fuck you until you make a mess of yourself and Sammy. Maybe I’ll make you clean it up as well.” Bucky didn’t even need to see it to know that Steve shivered at the mental picture he’d painted. Pain and humiliation were Steve’s bag - it’s why they meshed so well, Steve enjoying everything that Bucky could dish out. Without any further warning, Bucky brought the flogger down on Steve’s deceptively plump ass. He didn’t strike all that hard, but starting too soft with Steve never brought the right results and he bit back a dark chuckle as Steve let out a shout and wiggled as much as he could, resulting in him just rubbing his trapped dick against Sam’s. 

“Why did you flinch?” Bucky asked with mock confusion.

“Fuck!” was the breathy response. This was gonna be good.

Bucky flicked his eyes up to Nat’s, which sparkled back at him with amusement as she stroked her hand over Sam’s short hair and encouraged him to pay attention to her other breast. She was already lazily playing with her clit, enjoying the scene before her. Bucky smirked and brought the flogger back down onto Steve, another beautiful sound of pained pleasure meeting his ears. It only took another dozen swipes, evenly distributed over Steve’s ass and upper thighs, for Bucky to feel the fight go out of his Sub, Steve finally relaxing under his hand.

Discarding the flogger to the floor, Bucky moved back around to the end of the bed and climbed up between the two pairs of spread legs. He took hold of one plug with each hand and slowly pulled and twisted them until Steve’s and Sam’s rims were stretched around the widest part of each before pushing them back in. Two choked off groans echoed around the room, and Bucky’s grin broadened as he started to fuck both of them with the plugs. As anticipated, Steve started showing signs of being close to orgasm first, so Bucky stopped playing with his plug, enjoying the strangled wail of disappointment that spilled from him. However, it was only a minute or so later that Bucky saw Sam’s balls start to draw up, so he stopped playing with his plug as well. 

Having tested for himself how ready they both were, Bucky unzipped his pants and pulled out his cock. He picked up the bottle of lube that Nat had thoughtfully tucked at the base of the bed and squirted some out onto his palm. As he stroked himself, he took another moment just to appreciate how beautifully Sam and Steve had been laid out for him. Fuck, it would be easy just to stroke himself to the view and leave the pair of them needy and unsatisfied. It was a tempting thought - he always delighted in marking both of them with his cum -, but neither of them had been particularly badly behaved recently and he was feeling in a kind mood.

Satisfied that he was sufficiently slicked up, Bucky removed Steve’s plug, being a little rough but in the way that Steve liked. Without ceremony, he pressed his cock inside Steve’s hole, the guttural moan sounding like music to his ears. Nat had moved off the bed and had come to stand behind him, a reverse of their earlier pose. She peered around his thick body as he speared into Steve, who had returned to kissing Sam as the pair of them were jostled together.

“Look how beautifully he takes you, Buck,” Nat observed, her gaze fixated on the way Steve’s body stretched to accommodate Bucky’s thick cock. Bucky placed his hands on Steve’s hips, gripping them tightly as he pulled back and thrust forward with vigour.

“You did a wonderful job preparing him, moya printsessa.”

He thrust forward again, enjoying the way his balls slapped against where Sam and Steve were pressed together, their combined precum making a sticky mess. He let himself sink into the pleasure of using his Sub until Nat let him know that Steve was close to coming.

“Careful, moy lyubimii.”

Gritting his teeth, Bucky pulled out of the warm clutch of Steve’s ass and pushed the plug back in, watching the ripple of the muscles in Steve’s back and listening to his once more frustrated wail. Bucky gave a harsh spank to his still red ass.

“Patience, kitten. ‘I want’ doesn’t get. You come if I allow it.”

Using deft fingers, Bucky removed Sam’s plug more carefully than he had Steve’s, and lowered his hips, curling himself over Steve where he was laid on top of Sam so he could sink into his other lover. Sam’s moan was deeper but equally as needy sounding as Steve’s as Bucky started to fuck into him. It was taking all of Bucky’s control to hold back, because he didn’t want to come yet - he had his own plan and was determined to see it through. And, with the way that he was pressed against both of them, he wasn’t surprised by how both Sam and Steve continued to moan, the friction between them increasing with Bucky’s movement.

“Don’t come yet, sweethearts. The first to come doesn’t get my cum and doesn’t get to have Nat ride his cock. He’ll also have to be on clean up duty as well. So best behaviour, both of you.

“Sir!” Sam shouted out in panic. “Please! I’m too close. I’m gonna come.”

“You’ll just have to hold it, Samuel. You get a break when I give you one.”

Taking a peak around Steve’s small frame, Bucky could see the way that Sam was now biting his lower lip, his fists holding tight to ropes that bound him to the bed as he desperately tried to hold back his orgasm. He gave a few more firm thrusts and decided it was time to return to Steve.

As soon as he slipped back inside his bratty sub, he knew that Steve was on a knife-edge. His whole body was trembling and he was letting out pathetic mewling noises each time Bucky punched his way up into Steve’s guts.

“Check his face, Natty,” Bucky huffed out between thrusts and Nat strutted around the bed. She leant down to peer at Steve’s face where it was buried into Sam’s neck. 

“You’re right, James. He’s crying already. Are you about to come, Steve?” she cooed. “You gonna make a mess all over Sam? Are you looking forward to cleaning me and Sam up and swallowing down all that cum?” She fisted her hand into Steve’s hair, wrenched it up and gave a little slap to his tear stained face. “I bet you’re not even sad that Bucky isn’t gonna come in you, because this way you get to taste it. You’re just our little cumdump, aren’t you, Steve? Can’t get enough of the taste. I bet we could get you to clean the whole floor with your tongue if we just splattered it with our cum. You act all bratty, but you just wanna be on your knees, don’t you? Maybe another day we should tie you down and just come all over you. Leave you in a sodden mess. You’d be in heaven.”

Steve cried out and his body spasmed around Bucky’s cock, his slim hips moving as much as they could, humping onto Sam as his orgasm rocked through him, pushed over the edge by Nat’s words. Bucky hissed and closed his eyes, trying to hold back his own orgasm, and Sam groaned as his cock slipped and slid against Steve’s.

“I knew it,” Nat said, her voice full of derision. “Pathetic.” She released Steve’s hair and shifted her attention back to Sam, running the back of her hand across his cheek bone as he looked at her with wide eyes. “You’re gonna be a good boy though, aren’t you? Gonna let Bucky come inside you, but not let yourself go until I’ve ridden that gorgeous dick of yours?”

“Yes, m-ma’am. G-gonna try.” 

“Make sure you do, or I’ll ruin it for you.”

Bucky almost felt sorry for Sam. He had to be struggling about now, and Bucky had seen Nat ruin orgasms before - it wasn’t nice. Bucky pulled out of Steve, who was now laid lax and snivelling, and returned to Sam’s waiting heat.

“Sir!” Sam shouted. “Oh god!” His hips bucked up as much as they could in his bound position, bumping Steve.

“Hold it, Sam,” Bucky barked back as he set a bruising pace, no longer able to resist the urge to just chase his pleasure. His movements jolted Steve even more, who whimpered as his spent cock was overstimulated from being rubbed up against Sam’s. Bucky could feel Sam’s channel flutter around him, desperately trying to hold back, and the sensation tipped Bucky off the cliff. A deep groan left him as he pumped rope after rope of cum deep into Sam, his hips continuing to snap back and forth until there was nothing left in him.

After he came down, Bucky pulled out and sat back on his heels, recovering his breath. Steve’s hole still gaped at him, and his cum was dripping out of Sam.

“Nat - come look.”

“Oooh, pretty,” she said before bending down and attacking Bucky’s lips with her own. They kissed ferociously for a few moments, fighting each other with tongues and teeth before they moved apart and untied Steve. They rolled him off Sam and he laid prone on the edge of the large bed. Bucky started to rub at the rope marks around his wrists and his thighs, bringing the blood back into full circulation

Meanwhile Nat climbed up onto the mattress, admiring Sam’s still rock-hard cock, the head a deep crimson-purple and covered in Steve’s cum and his own pre-cum. She leant down and licked a stripe up it, letting out an evil giggle at how it twitched.

“Nat! Please!” Sam begged, and with a smirk she took pity on him, throwing her leg over him, taking hold of his cock and sinking down in one move. She leaned back, her hands braced on Sam’s spread legs and began to ride him.

“Fuck, Sam. Love this dick so much. Feels so good. Just hold on for me.”

Bucky watched in amusement, only stopping to tap Steve’s face with his softening cock and then feeding it between Steve’s lips when he blinkingly opened his eyes. 

“First clean up duty, Stevie.”

Steve just moaned and started to suck and lick at the cock in his mouth, eager for every drop of Bucky’s cum he could get. 

On the other side of the bed, Nat had changed her position, now palming one of her own breasts through her bra, pinching the nipple through its peek-a-boo hole and rubbing at her clit with her other hand. Sam was tossing his head back and forth on the pillow, whimpering, and as soon as Nat shuddered out her own orgasm, Sam’s face screwed up and he shouted, finally letting himself let go. 

Nat gave herself a few moments to recover before she eased off Sam, his cum running down her inner thighs, and straddled Steve instead, her puffy cunt hovering over his face. 

“Next clean up, Steve. And you better make me cum again.”

“I will, ma’am. Please. Wanna taste you and Sam.” Steve couldn’t keep the eagerness from his voice.

“So you can be good? Now, get to work.” She sat down and Bucky heard her sigh in pleasure as Steve slurped loudly, his small hands coming up to hold Nat’s thighs. Bucky smiled and moved over to release Sam’s bonds and rub at his aching limbs.

“So perfect for us, Sam,” he praised. “Just relax for a moment. You worked so hard.” 

“Please kiss me,” Sam slurred out, and who was Bucky to deny him? He laid down next to Sam and gently kissed him, lazily trailing his fingers over Sam’s still sensitive body, amused by the answering whimpers and twitches.

“Fuck! Steve!” Nat shouted, her hips bucking. “There! Just there.” She had one hand on the headboard and the other in Steve’s hair, holding his head in place as she fucked his face with her pussy. She threw her head back and wailed as her second orgasm washed over her. She rocked her hips slower as she came down, and then slid down Steve’s body. His face was flushed red, shiny with her and Sam’s combined spend, and his hair was sticking up every which way. He looked totally debauched and more than happy about it. Nat kissed him deeply before urging him up and over to Sam. 

“Clean his cock first, Steve,” she urged. “Then you can get your taste of Bucky’s cum.”

Steve crawled with wobbly limbs over to where Sam was now dozing, his head in Bucky’s lap, having his hair petted. When Steve started to lick and kiss at his cock and balls, Sam let out a happy sigh. 

Nat pulled herself up against the headboard, the other side of Sam, and looked indulgently down at her Switch and Sub before turning her attention to Bucky.

“Did you enjoy that, Yasha?”

Bucky opened his mouth to respond, but was interrupted by Sam’s whining moan as Steve pushed his face between his ass cheeks, and most probably, wormed his tongue in Sam’s ass. Bucky chuckled. “Best birthday ever, milaya. We’d best start planning for Steve’s. What was it you said about all of us coming over him and leaving him lying in it?”

Tag list: @christywrites, @alexakeyloveloki, @doasyoudesireandlive, @apenny4thots,

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#Bucky Barnes Birthday #Cap Quartet #Smut fic #Steve x Bucky x Sam x Nat #marvel fan fic #barbershop quartet #Stucky Bingo #steve rogers bingo round 3 #Stucky Geek Events Bingo #Bucky's Birthday Bash #build a bucky bingo 2023 #Caplan's Writing Challenge

[theconstantsidekick]

My Greatest Creation Is You

Pairings: Tony Stark x Stark!Reader (siblings), Howard Stark x Stark!Reader (best friends)

Genre: A bickering fluffy look back at the good times, with slight angst

Summary:  Tony realizes he never really knew his father. Thankfully he has a box of Howard Starks's stuff and a video message from beyond the grave to help him out.

(These scenes incorporate y/n, codename—Static, into the pre-existing story as a character without making drastic changes to the plot or mythos. All the major plot points from the MCU remain in place with the addition of the reader as Static, who is not only a Stark but also enhanced. Whatever events from the canon aren’t mentioned, take place without much change.)

Warnings: Swearing, Mentions of Death, Mentions of Past Trauma.

a/n: read Age Of Ultron for more information on Y/n's backstory

sidenote: I just missed Tony a lot, ok?

The Suit And Tony Stark Are One (previous part) | Series Masterlist | The Avengers (Ft. Static) | Age of Ultron (Static Origin Story) | Static Verse Masterlist  | Iron Man 1 (ft. Static) | Bucky Barnes, the Boyfriend

“That thing in your chest is based on unfinished technology,” Fury tells him as they sit next to each other, listening to the sound of bird chip away at what once used to be his center table. They’re at his place, it’s pretty banged up from the party, the windows are all gone, he can hear the waves beneath them, hell, he can even hear the birds chirping. 

“No, it was finished,” Tony argues. “It has never been particularly effective until I miniaturized it and put it in my—”

“No,” Fury interjects. “Howard said the arc reactor was the stepping stone to something greater. He was about to kick off an energy race that was gonna dwarf the arms race. He was on to something big, something so big that it was gonna make the nuclear reactor look like a triple-A battery.”

This is the first he’s hearing of this. 

He begins pouring himself a glass of water. “Just him, or Anton Vanko in on this too?”

“Anton Vanko is the other side of that coin. Anton saw it as a way to get rich,” Fury tells him.

“I told you he got deported, what I didn’t tell you was that Howard was the one who got him deported,” Y/n chimes in from where she stands in front of them, smoking a cigarette while leaning against what used to be a wall. “Once he got back, the Russians found out he couldn’t deliver so they shipped his ass off to Siberia after which he spent the next 20 years in a vodka-fuelled rage.” She exhales letting out the smoke.

“Not quite the environment you want to raise a kid in, the son you had the misfortune of crossing paths with in Monaco,” Fury adds.

Ok, got it, he thinks. Irrelevant now, I’ve got bigger fish to fry.

“You told me I hadn’t tried everything. What do you mean I haven’t tried everything? What haven’t I tried?” Tony asks.

“He said that—” Fury points towards with a glass in hand as he continues, “you were the only person with the means and knowledge to finish what he started.”

Well, fuck.

“He said that?” Tony doesn’t believe a single word of it.

“Are you that guy? Hm?” Fury leans in, resting his elbows on his knees but his eyes or well eye remains locked on Tony. “Are you? ‘Cause if you are, then you can solve the riddle of your heart.”

It takes a second for Fury’s words to settle, but when they do, all Tony can do is shake his head slowly in what would be considered something similar disagreement or even maybe shock? “I don’t know where you get your information, but he wasn’t my biggest fan.”

“What do you remember about your dad? Huh?” There’s a challenge in Fury’s words.

“He was cold, he was calculating. He never told me he loved me. He never even told me he liked me, so it’s a little tough for me to digest when you’re telling me he said the whole future was riding on me and he’s passing it down. I don’t get that.” He really fucking doesn’t. “You’re talking about a guy whose happiest day was when he shipped me off to boarding school,” he adds, as he leans back into his chair. 

It’s a fucked up day, don’t you think? Tony’s being told Howard Fucking Stark bet the goddamn future on the son he couldn’t wait to get rid of.

“That’s not true,” Fury counters. His words fall out easy as if the years and years of trauma Howard gave him were not valid. As if whatever he lived through with his father wasn’t all that real. The world has always seen his father in a much different light than he ever did. He made peace with that. Howard Stark was a completely different than Tony’s dad but FUCK if it doesn’t grind his gears when he hears Fury spew this shit.

The future riding on me? Bull fucking shit!

“Well, then, clearly you knew my dad better than I did,” Tony half-concedes, wanting the topic to be over.

“As a matter of fact, I did,” Fury comments, putting his glass down on the makeshift table in front of them. The moment the words fall out of his mouth, a couple agents along with Agent Coulson and Natali—fuck! No. God!—Natasha Romanoff walk up in front of them. “He was one of the founding members of S.H.I.E.L.D.” Fury says that like that wasn’t a fucking bombshell he just dropped. The asshole is all nonchalant, looking down at his watch, absolutely uncensored about how he just broke Tony’s fucking brian a little bit.

The agents drop the crate infront of him.

“What?” Tony asks Fury, confounded. “WHAT?” He looks over at Y/n, who looks even more zen than Fury. “WHAT THE FUCK?”

Fury gets up off the chair “I got a two o’clock.”

“Wait, wait, wait, wait! What’s this?” He asks, pointing at the crate.

“Okay, you’re good, right?” Fury asks, ready to walk away.

Tony’s up too. “No, I’m not good.”

“You got this? Right? Right?” Fury asks, pointing over at the crate.

“Got what?” Tony’s fucking lost. “I don’t even know what I’m supposed to get.”

“Natasha will remain a floater at Stark with her cover intact,” Fury informs him as he puts on his jacket. “You remember Agent Coulson, right?”

“Yeah,” is all he can say because he knows he’s not getting any more answers out of that guy.

Fury begins walking away, but stops for a second, turning to face him again, “Oh! And Tony, remember, I got my eye on you.”

That’s fucking hilarious.

Natalie/Agent Romanoff/Natasha—We will—we’ll just call her Agent Romanoff from hereon out. Anyway, so, Agent Romanoff says, “We’ve disabled all communications. No contact with the outside world. Good luck.” And with that she leaves as well.

Turning to Coulson, Tony begins, “Please. First thing, I need a little bodywork. I’ll put in a little time at the lab. If we could send one of your goon squad down to The Coffee Bean, Cross Creek, for a Starbucks run, or something like that, that’d be nice.”

“I’m not here for that,” Coulson’s reply is simple. “I’ve been authorised by Director Fury to use any means necessary to keep you on-premises. If you attempt to leave or play any games, I will tase you and watch Supernanny while you drool into the carpet. Okay?”

Fuck me! “I think I got it, yeah,” he replies instead. 

“Enjoy your evening’s entertainment,” Coulson comments. He turns over to Y/n then, “Ms. Stark, good to see you again.”

She smiles then. “Hey Phill, how’ve you been?” She asks as she pulls out the cigarette from between her lips, pulling a foot up and rubbing the butt across the soul of her boots, releasing pretty yellow embers. Pocketing the now extinguished butt she walks over to the men.

“I’ve been great. You?” She just passes a pointed look over at Tony as a response and Coulson has the audacity to smile. “Fair enough. You need anything?”

“A pack of menthols would be great,” she answers with a smile.

“On it,” Coulson nods, walking off.

And Tony cannot help but stare.

“What?” She asks, looking absolutely innocent.

Rolling his eyes, he replies, “Fuck the fuck off, Stark.” And that somehow makes her chuckle.

She waves him over, “Come on,” she says pointing at the crate. Understanding her instruction, both of them pick up the damn thing and begin dragging in downstairs.

It’s a little while later when they’re in the basement that Tony is hit with the realization that he never really knew his father at all.

He’s looking through the crate, it’s all stuff that seems fairly out of place but somewhat useful? He’s not sure. There are blue prints for the arc reactor, newspaper articles, videos reels and such.

He decides to play one of the reels. It seems to be the outtakes from the video of his father that he showcased at the Stark Expo earlier.

“Everything is achievable through technology. Better living, robust heath,” his father speaks on the video tape, while Tony tries flicking through a notebook and notes down some of the calculations he thinks might come in handy. “—and for the first time in human history, the possibility of world peace. I’m Howard Stark, and everything you’ll need for the future can be found right here. City of the Future? City of Tomorrow? City of—Hang on” Dad begins to fumble on the screen, redoing the take. “I’m Howard Stark and everything you’ll need in the future can be found right here.” This is fucking stupid, Tony thinks. He’s about to turn off the damn thing when—

“Hold on,” Y/n speaks up from behind him. It startles him a little because he didn’t even know she had entered the room. “You’re gonna miss the best part.”

And yeah, that grabs his attention.

As she walks over to lean on her side against the wall opposite Tony, the video continues.

While Dad keeps talking to the camera, he reconginizes a small child pop up from behind the model and pick up a building with a mischievous smile on his face. 

“So, from all of us at Stark Industries, I would like to personally—” Howard turns a little and then seems to finally notice Little Tony. “Tony, what are you doing back there? What is that?” He scolds the kid on screen. “Put that back. Put it back where you got it from. Where’s your sister? Y/n? Y/n!”

And then Y/n walks onto the screen, annoyed.

“I’m right fucking here, Howie! Okay? Can you—can you just—I don’t know, relax maybe?” She looks the same as she does right now. Maybe a new wrinkle or two, but mostly the same, except a lot more pissed. “And don’t fucking yell at him, you asshat!”

“Don’t curse infront of him, Y/n! You know how he is, he’ll pick it up and Maria will kill us both,” Howard reprimands her.

He watches as Y/n walks over to Little Tony, leaning down and dropping a kiss on his head. “Well, then don’t talk to him like that. He’s an inquisitive kid. I mean he’s your kid, what the—” she covers Little Tony’s ears with her hands. “—fuck—” she takes them off, “else were you expecting him to be like?”

His dad just shakes his head. “I’m trying to do something here,” he says, pointing at the camera that’s been rolling.

He can see Y/n rolling her eyes at Howard. “Yeah, yeah. Because this is what he’ll remember years later—not the parts where you kept yelling at him for absolute—” she covers her ears again, “—fucking bullshit—” uncovers them, “—that you seemed to care more about. A1 parenting Howie. Why don’t you write a book about it?”

And clearly, Howard feels some sense of guilt about it all because his head falls. With one hand on his waist and the other resting on the model, he revalutes his word for a few seconds and then looks up. Tony (this Tony, not Little Tony) can see he’s about to say something, wants to say something but before he can, Y/n picks up Little Tony on her shoulder. 

“Come on, Stark, we’ll go have our kinda fun and not invite Dad at all,” Y/n says excitedly, making Little Tony giggle.

He watches his dad let out a sigh in defeat.

Then the footage cuts off.

The screen shows a few more outtakes of Howard talking to the camera guy while drinking whiskey or redoing takes.

Tony can’t help himself.

“Why didn’t you tell me Dad founded S.H.I.E.L.D.?” He asks.

Y/n (real Y/n, not the video Y/n) looks over, now leaning on her back, she shrugs. “Wasn’t really pertinent information.”

“Wasn’t pertinent—Are you fucking kidding me?!” Tony’s gonna loose his fucking mind.

“I told you I worked with him!”

Tony can’t help but chuckle. “Now that’s just bullshit!” He’s shouting now, “I thought you meant at Stark Industries!”

“Why the fuck would they need a goddamn spy at Stark Industries??!!” She bites back, standing straight now. She’s shouting too.

“To spy on competitive companies! I don’t know??!!”

“You think Stark Industries needed an expert spy, adept at espionage to keep an eye on their competition?!!” Her hands are flying everywhere. “Is the palladium giving you retroactive brain damage?!”

Frankly? It does seem really stupid on his part to presume that she worked as a spy for Stark Industries. But come on! He wasn’t provided the entire data.

“Oh my god, I get that you’re trying to insult me but that makes absolutely no sense whatsoever,” Tony bites back regardless. “Maybe you’re the one with brain damage.”

She begins walking over to him. “I’ll show you brain damage—”

He gets off the chair, ready to throw down with her. “Yeah, fine, show me, granny—”

Both Stark sibling halt in their position, with hands around each other’s throat, ready to throw punches, when the video recording on the screen calls out to him.

“Tony.” Dad is looking into the camera, sitting atop the model behind him. His previous put together suit gone, all that’s left now is his messy tie and white shirt with rolled up sleeves. “You’re too young to understand this right now, so I thought I would put it on film for you. I built this for you. And someday you’ll realise that it represents a whole lot more than just people’s inventions. It represents my life’s work. This is the key to the future. I’m limited by the technology of my time, but one day you’ll figure this out. And when you do, you will change the world. What is and always will be my greatest creation is you.”

The reel runs out. Screen goes white.

Both the Starks, slowly take their hands off each other and sit down on the floor, facing each other.

After a silence that seems to stretch on for a little too long, Y/n decides to break it.

“How could you think I was a spy for Stark Industries?” She has a small smile on her face.

Tony can’t help but smile too. “I don’t know, man. You’re just… You’re like the box of Cinnamon Toast Crunch in my kitchen cupboard. You’re just here, you’re always here, you’ve always been here. I don’t question it.” He shrugs. “I just enjoy having it be there.”

“It's me,” Y/n says, leaning back far enough to support herself with her elbows.

“What?”

“I replace the boxes of Cinnamon Toast Crunch.”

Tony laughs, “Figures.” He shakes his head. “I—I—I think—” He can’t help but laugh again, “I didn’t put much thought behind it, but I kinda just figured that Aunt Peg just handed you to Dad and that was that.”

Nodding her head slowly, she agrees. “That’s kinda exactly what happened. I was this freak of a thing she’d recued on an op, and then yeah, she basically handed me over to Howie.” Her head falls back as she looks up at the ceiling. “It helped that he was probably my best friend in the entire world.”

Tony snorts in amusement. “Didn’t really look like it on the video,” he says, pointing to the screen.

She looks at him then, “After—I guess, after you were born—I don’t know. It got complicated. I expected him to do better by you. And don’t get me wrong, he tried to… but—” Her words drop off.

“But—” He prompts, desperate to know more.

She shrugs. “But it wasn’t good enough, it wasn’t persistent. He could’ve done better, he should have. He knew that.” She shakes her head. “Like I said, it was complicated.” Her head falls back again. “Once you were born you became my favorite person in the entire world and nothing was good enough. I guess—I mean maybe he just didn’t know how to be a dad, you know? He didn’t make for a great dad, but he was still my best friend.”

And yeah, he can understand that.

This man, the man who saved her, gave her a home, founded an organisation with her, for her—opposing him on anything couldn’t have been easy for her. It all does sound fairly complicated.

I guess Howard Stark never had an uncomplicated relationship, did he?

The thought makes him smile.

But then he remembers.

“Still pretty uncool of you, you know? Going behind my back and calling mom,” he says, with a cunning smile.

She looks at him with an unimpressed look. “I called Fury because he was the only guy who could get through to you. You have a habit of overlooking my advice when shit is hitting the fan.”

He nods in understanding. “But you still called mom.”

“I saved you from dying.”

“...by calling mom.”

She kicks him gently with her leg. “Whatever, asshole.”

Read the next part here.

Find the series masterlist here. Find the Static Verse Masterlist here. Read The Avengers (ft. Static) here.

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[havendance]

Robin III: Cry of the Huntsman

Right now, I am in the middle of both of my major wips and they’re both long and feel like they’re going on forever, so here is something fun and quick and wrote in between for the Helena Dick Roleswap AU. Enjoy.

—

Mob creeps were all the same, Dick thought. Didn’t matter whether they were Italian like Zucco had been or Russian like this latest set. They still chewed up all the innocent lives around them to make their profit. The Russians had killed a father for resisting, and then his daughter for witnessing. For them, it was just part of their twisted game. The least Dick could do was ruin it for them.

His shift at the bar came to an end and he walked back to his place, planning his next move. The presence of KGBeast complicated things.

There was a lamp on when he entered his apartment. Dick knew that it had been off when he’d left.

“Who’s there?” he called, reaching for the escrima he kept stashed near the door.

“It’s just me.”

Dick turned the corner to see that Robin was sitting in his armchair, fingers steepled in front of his face. He relaxed marginally. “What are you doing here?”

“You agreed to team up on this,” Robin pointed out.

“Yes, but that wasn’t an invitation to show up at my apartment. How’d you even know where I live anyway?” And, the more important question, since Dick wasn’t the Huntsman right now. “How did you know who I am?”

“I figured it out. It wasn’t that hard.”

All the effort Dick had put into keeping his identities separate, well the costume and mask at least, and the kid says it wasn’t that hard. It was honestly a little insulting. He sighed. “Mind elaborating?”

Robin suddenly looked shifty. “It’s not important.”

“Considering it’s my secret identity, I think it is.”

“Look, I’m sorry about breaking in. Next time I’ll just meet up with you somewhere else.”

“Robin.”

The kid had stopped his little steepled fingers thing and had started fidgeting with his cape instead. He wouldn’t meet Dick’s eye. “I don’t want to hurt you,” he said softly, almost a whisper.

That threw Dick for a loop. “What do you mean?”

“It’s just— I really don’t think you need to know.”

Don’t snap at the kid. You don’t want to scare him off. “I kind of think it’d hurt me more not knowing what holes in my security I’ve got.”

Robin kept fiddling with his cape. He looked up at Dick and then back down again quickly. Dick waited. Finally, the kid said: “Last night, that flip you did. There’s only ever four people who ever managed to pull off.” Dick felt himself freeze. The quad. He hadn’t thought about it, had needed the extra power. Robin kept talking. “Of those, two of them are dead and another’s in Russia.” He gave a little shrug. “Process of elimination.”

Dick remembered to breathe. “You’ve got pretty good eyes to catch that. What if it’d been a triple and you guessed wrong?”

Another pause. This time, when Robin spoke, he sounded almost apologetic. “My parents used to take me to the circus every year, when it was in Gotham. I know what it looks like.”

Oh. “Then, were you…?” It had been nearly three years ago now since Haley’s had last come to Gotham.

Robin looked away again. “I’m sorry.”

That was a yes then. This kid who’s name Dick didn’t even know had been there on one of the worst nights of his life. The one that he could never forget. The one that haunted his nightmares. Judging by the look on the kids face he didn’t have any problems remembering either. He suddenly looked very young. And hell, it had been nearly three years ago. “How old even were you?”

Robin bristled. “I wasn’t a baby. Look, don’t we have mobsters to take down?”

Right. The reason Robin was even here in the first place. Well it wasn’t like Dick wanted to talk about this topic any more either. He let the subject drop. “I’ve got a few leads,” he said. “Give me a minute ti suit up and we can head out.”

“I’ve got a couple too,” Robin said.

“Sounds like we’ve got our work cut out for us.” Dick shook off memories of the past as he walked into his room. He didn’t need any more ghosts haunting him tonight when he’d need his focus. Zucco was dead. He’s made sure of that. His parents could rest knowing that Justice had been done. With any luck, he’d be able to ensure the same for the family the Russians had killed. It was time for the Huntsman to work.

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