tacoshield

[tacoshield]

Go on anon and pretend to be a journalist. Ask my muse the hard-hitting questions. Make them squirm. Make them admit things they don’t want to.

[tacoshield]

i hope we're not just brushing over the fact that john walker was literally about to jump to his death after watching himself be a neglectful dad

[tacoshield]

JOHN WALKER and AVA STARR Thunderbolts* (2025)

[tacoshield]

where does it hurt?

PROMPTS FOR AFTER THE BATTLE // accepting ! @goldenandvoid

Maybe it would've been easier to ask where it didn't hurt. Because for a second—a long, painful second—John’s whole body felt like it had been crushed. And that said a lot, considering that ever since the serum, pretty much nothing could leave him in this kind of shape. And it wasn’t just bad—it was frustrating. And despite working on it, John still wasn’t exactly great at handling frustration.

He let out a low grunt but pulled himself together quickly.

He got up on his own (still too proud and uncomfortable to ask for help), trying to straighten himself without making any face that might give away just how bad he was actually feeling. This would pass—just a few minutes. Or hours. A day at most.

“I’m fine,” he muttered, shooting a quick glance at Bob, hoping his new friend couldn’t see right through his bullshit just yet. “Not in any pain at all. This? This was absolutely nothing.” He flashed a shaky smile, which immediately vanished when a sharp jolt of pain shot through his body.

Fuck, what a day…

[tacoshield]

‘ am i supposed to be scared? ’ - Elliot

RANDOM DIALOGUE . // accepting ! @curse-of-frell

“If you’re not scared, then it means you’re stupid.” The words came out harsher and colder than they had sounded in his head a moment ago, but that didn’t really matter to John. Sometimes the painful truth needed to be said, and if that made him sound like a jerk, so be it. Right now, his priority was keeping Elliot out of trouble—even if he wasn’t doing a great job of making that clear.

John straightened up, trying to look bigger—a little more intimidating. His gaze didn’t leave Elliot’s eyes for a second. “What I've been told is that there are people after you. So maybe you should listen to me and sit this one out. It’s going to attract the wrong kind of attention, and that should be scary.”

It wasn’t exactly an order. He was giving him a choice—one John hoped he’d be smart enough to make. But Elliot was a soldier, just like him. And if he was in his place, he’d probably tag along anyway.

[tacoshield]

i said i'm fine, please just drop it. - Ella

𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄, 𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄, 𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄 // accepting ! @curse-of-frell

Not for a second did John believe that crap. A lot of people tended to forget that, well, he wasn’t stupid. He could tell when something was off. And, contrary to popular belief, he actually did care about people. A lot. That was something that was within him long before his time in the military—that only sharpened the way he paid attention to others.

Still, John wasn’t a stranger to that kind of attitude. It looked a whole lot like the way he used to act when he wasn’t ready to accept help, even when he needed it. He huffed and rolled his eyes, raising both hands in a quick gesture before taking a step back.

 “Suit yourself. But if you need anything, I’ll be around.” He gave her one last look—a final chance for her to accept the help he was offering.

[tacoshield]

@curse-of-frell // cont.

John gave him the most unimpressed look one person could possibly give another. If he’d had any doubts about following Elliot before, they’d only gotten worse after all that nonsense about always being right. Unfortunately… it wasn’t like he had any better options at the moment. John had no idea which way to go—everything looked the same in that damn place, and that alarm was really starting to get on his nerves.

He shifted his weight from one foot to the other, adjusting the still bent shield on his arm, then shook his head. He let out a sigh and started scanning the path ahead, hoping something would catch his eye. Nothing did. 

So, he turned back to Elliot. “Alright, but we need to find the exit fast, because we’re not gonna be alone for much longer.”

[tacoshield]

PROMPTS FOR AFTER THE BATTLE *  dialogue for post-conflict conversations, adjust as necessary

you did good out there.

you made me proud.

they had the advantage.

you saved my life.

how many were lost?

we can't stay here forever.

that was way too close.

i searched everywhere!

how can i ever repay you?

you came out of nowhere.

help me look for survivors.

you couldn't have known it was a trap.

i knew i could count on you.

were you hiding the whole time?

you saw what they did out there.

i can't believe we won.

how long have i been out?

we're lucky the walls held.

no more bloodshed.

here, i think this is yours.

you impressed me.

think i'll sleep for two days straight after a fight like that.

i'm still limping, but i'll be fine.

i can't believe they're gone.

don't blame yourself.

they were stronger than we were.

i tried to save them.

are you giving up?

it was close. we made it out.

how are we supposed to beat them?

never do that again.

it'll be dark soon. we should move.

how are your injuries? let me see them.

stay close to me.

i'm not as young as i once was.

that went better than expected.

i don't think i can do that again.

i need a medic over here!

i'm a little sore, but i'll be okay.

war is hell.

i didn't know what to think.

they were ready for us.

we did what we could.

i can still remember the screams.

was it worth it? for this?

i don't think this is a fight that can be won.

you left me to fend for myself out there!

where were you when i needed you?

i thought you were dead.

after a fight like that, i want you to stay close.

i'm more worried about you.

i saw you fall.

let me clean you up.

where does it hurt?

it was a trap.

this used to be a pretty spot once.

can't believe it's all gone.

one second you were right beside me, and the next, you were gone.

i knew i'd see you again.

pull yourself together!

no one's ever taken that castle.

we knew it'd be close.

you dropped your sword.

is it over?

i don't think i can do this anymore.

i had your back!

this is a lost cause.

i'm not strong enough.

you're covered in blood.

next time, we'll be ready for them.

i needed you out there!

i couldn't have done this without your help.

we should keep moving.

we're not done yet.

they had the numbers.

[tacoshield]

bc i'm crazy & i have 0 self control—

STARTER CALL !

lengths will vary but they'll probably be set up around/post thunderbolts*

[tacoshield]

bc i'm crazy & i have 0 self control—

STARTER CALL !

lengths will vary but they'll probably be set up around/post thunderbolts*

[tacoshield]

It's so important to me that Ava asked Walker if he actually liked his suit's helmet, because in fact he didn't, and he probably never even questioned it before. the suit came with the Captain America title, it was his job, his personal preferences never mattered. he was the perfect soldier, so he did what he was told. he didn't defy orders like Steve or Sam and he thought that made him better, when it only made him easier to use and manipulate. and then in thunderbolts*, just as he's realizing he's not better than these people he's trapped with, that he's just another discarded weapon, finally someone asks him do you like this? Is this what you want? and he starts to wonder, because maybe what he wants matters, and he doesn't need to be Captain America. maybe John Walker can be good enough, maybe all of them already are. and so he goes, ditches the helmet and gets himself a beret.

[tacoshield]

you know what i like ? the fact that john was actually happy to see bucky coming to aid them when they’re being attacked even though they had issues in the past.

[tacoshield]

Thunderbolts* (2025)

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John gets frustrated with the fact that people still don’t believe in his team overall, even after months of operating as the New Avengers. And he can’t help but get a little frustrated that people still don’t seem to trust him either. He always knew that what he did would be hard to forget. However when Valentina introduced them as the new avengers, he really thought public opinion about him would change. But then the questions started. And then came the memes, and John realized it wasn’t going to be that easy.

[tacoshield]

It might not look like it at first, but John actually listens & respects everyone of the group.  But it’s extremely obvious that he follows Yelena or Bucky more easily.

He complains sometimes, of course, and teases them about leadership, saying he could do it better. But deep down, he knows they’re the best for the job—and he’d probably follow them into hell if they asked. 

Because at the end of the day, John’s come to trust those two a lot.

[tacoshield]

John would probably set up a schedule with training times for everyone on the team—both individual and group sessions—as soon as they all moved into the tower…

…And most likely, his schedule would be completely ignored by the others. But still, he’d welcome the company if any of them wanted to train with him.

[tacoshield]

“—here goes an idea. I think I should lead this one.”

OPEN TO MUTUALS !