#How Compound earns Interest

[sosa2imagines]

Hiii please can I ask for a Steve x reader where they have broke up for some stupid reason and the whole Avengers team trying to make them up again? Maybe something like a team-trip and they get them "stuck" in a "only one-bed" situqtion or Bucky/Thor trying to flirt with the reader in a Tony party just to make Steve jealous and make a move. Thanks 🫶🏻

Hi thanks for this ask. I have used both of the suggestions and I hope you like it. Warning- Angst, fluff, idiots in love, misunderstanding.

The party was in full swing, the hum of conversation and laughter echoing through Tony’s sprawling penthouse. You found yourself in a corner, nursing a glass of something you weren’t entirely sure was non-alcoholic, avoiding Steve like the plague. After the last mission, it was easier this way, less awkward, less painful.  

That mission. Damn that mission!

It had started as a straightforward retrieval op, but things had gone south fast. You’d disobeyed Steve’s orders, convinced there was a better way to secure the asset without risking innocent lives. Your plan worked, but the fallout had been brutal. Steve had confronted you the moment you were back at the compound, his anger laced with something deeper, disappointment, frustration, hurt.  

“Do you even trust me?” he’d asked, his voice low and wounded.  

Your response had been defensive, born of exhaustion and stubbornness. “Do you trust me? Or do you just want someone who’ll follow orders without question?”  

It was the kind of argument that didn’t end in resolution but in silence, the air between you heavy with everything you didn’t say. Two days later, you broke up.  

Now here you were, trying to pretend you weren’t glancing at Steve every few minutes as he stood across the room, talking to Natasha. You wondered if she knew. Probably, Natasha knew everything.  

Unbeknownst to you, the rest of the team had noticed the tension and decided to take matters into their own hands.  

“Alright, here’s the plan,” Sam said, leaning over the bar where Tony and Bucky were gathered. Thor joined them, a gleam of mischief in his eye. “Steve’s too stubborn to admit he still loves her. So, we make him jealous.”  

“What are you thinking?” Tony asked, turning to look at Sam and Thor. Bucky raised an eyebrow, looking just as puzzled, “How?” Bucky asked, his tone skeptical.  

Sam grinned. “Thor and you are gonna flirt with her. Get under his skin, make him realize what he’s missing.”  

Thor’s booming laugh earned a few side-eyes from partygoers. “I am more than willing to assist in this endeavor. Who could resist the charm of a god?”  

“Subtlety’s key, big guy,” Sam muttered, patting Thor’s arm.  

It didn’t take long for the chaos to begin.  

Thor approached you first, his smile dazzling. “Lady Y/n,” he greeted, taking your hand and bowing dramatically. “You are radiant tonight, as always.”  

You blinked at him, a laugh escaping before you could stop it. “Thank you, Thor. That’s sweet of you.”  

From across the room, Steve’s posture stiffened, his jaw clenching. Natasha raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at her lips. “Interesting.”  

Next came Bucky, his approach smoother but no less deliberate. “Hey, doll,” he said, his voice low and familiar. His hand brushed your arm as he leaned in. “You look incredible tonight. Mind if I steal you for a dance?”  

Your cheeks flushed. “What’s going on with you two tonight? Did Tony spike the drinks or something?”  

Bucky chuckled, but his gaze flicked toward Steve for a brief moment. “Just saying what I feel.”  

Steve, who had been silently watching the exchange, clenched his jaw, his gaze on Bucky and you. He was clearly bothered by the scene unfolding in front of him. Steve’s glass hit the bar harder than necessary, drawing the attention of everyone nearby. His expression was thunderous as he shot Bucky and Thor a glare before abruptly turning on his heel and leaving the room without a word.  

“Steve?” you called after him, your voice lost in the music and chatter. He didn’t stop, the doors to the balcony swinging shut behind him before he disappeared entirely.  

“What the hell was that about?” you muttered, turning to Bucky, who looked sheepish.  

“Uh, maybe we went a little overboard,” Bucky admitted, scratching the back of his neck.  

“Overboard with what?” you demanded, your frustration growing.  

Sam approached with an innocent grin that didn’t fool you in the slightest. “Just trying to give Captain Grumpybear a little nudge in the right direction.”  

“What?”  

“You two are miserable without each other,” Sam said, shrugging. “We were just trying to help.”  

Your heart clenched as his words sank in. Miserable wasn’t the word you’d have used, at least not out loud, but it wasn’t entirely wrong, either.  

Tony, overhearing, smirked from the bar. “You’ve got to hand it to him…Rogers has perfected the art of storming out dramatically.”  

“Real helpful, Tony,” you snapped before turning back to Sam. “What do I do now?”  

Sam gave you a knowing look. “You go after him. Talk to him. The rest of us did our part, it’s your turn now.”  

You hesitated for only a moment before nodding. Clutching your glass tightly, you headed toward the balcony, hoping Steve hadn’t gone too far.  

Behind you, Thor clapped Sam on the back with a booming laugh. “A most excellent plan!”  

Bucky shook his head, “Yeah, except for the part where I nearly got murdered.” 

The cold night air on the balcony seemed to cut through your resolve as you found Steve leaning against the railing, his shoulders tense and jaw tight. His gaze was fixed on the city lights, but you knew his mind was elsewhere, likely back in that room, reliving whatever had caused him to storm out.  

“Steve,” you started softly, approaching him.  

He didn’t turn around. “Go back to the party.”  

“I’m not leaving until we talk.”  

That earned a bitter chuckle. He finally turned to face you, his blue eyes sharp and guarded. “Talk? About what? How you let Thor and Bucky flirt with you like it’s some kind of game?”  

Your mouth fell open, incredulous. “Let them? Steve, I had no idea what they were doing! I thought Thor was just being, well, Thor, and Bucky...”  

“Don’t!” Steve interrupted, his tone laced with anger. “Don’t defend them. Do you have any idea how it felt, watching them act like that? Watching you laugh with them?”  

“Steve, that’s not fair,” you argued, stepping closer. “They’re our friends. And I…”  

“Friends,” he spat, running a hand through his hair. “I can’t do this, Y/n.”  

He turned away again, his broad back a wall you couldn’t seem to break through. Frustrated, you finally gave up and returned to the party, your chest aching.  

The next day, Natasha strode into the common area with a smug smile that immediately set everyone on edge.  

“I’ve got a plan…” she declared, crossing her arms.  

Sam raised an eyebrow. “Another one? Because the last one almost got us all killed.”  

Tony, who had been nursing a cup of coffee, raised an eyebrow. “What kind of plan?” he asked.

“Watch and learn!” Natasha said, smirking.  

The plan was simple, send you and Steve on a mission. Steve's eyes had widened when he heard the news. He did exchange a glance with you, the implication not going unnoticed. “Oh, great...”/ he muttered under his breath.

Before you knew it, you and Steve were assigned to a mission together. Natasha conveniently left out the detail that the safe house you’d be staying at had… limited accommodations.  

The tension was palpable the moment you and Steve arrived. The safe house was small, with a single bedroom, a tiny kitchen, and a living area that felt more like a closet.  

Steve grunted as he set down his bag. “Not much, but it’ll do.”  

You ignored him, dropping your gear on the table and surveying the room. The bed caught your attention immediately.

One bed. Of course.  

“Don’t even start!” Steve muttered, catching your look.  

“I wasn’t going to!” you shot back, already irritated.  

The next few hours were filled with petty bickering. You struggled to reach the top shelf in the kitchen, refusing to ask for help. Steve watched you for a moment, then muttered under his breath as he came over to grab what you needed.  

“You’re welcome.” he said, handing it to you.  

“I didn’t ask for your help!” you snapped, cheeks heating.  

“And yet, here we are…” he replied, walking away.  

When it came time to gear up for the mission, you predictably forgot to strap your knife correctly. Steve, out of habit, fixed it for you without a word.  

“I can do it myself…” you grumbled.  

“You never could…” he retorted, his fingers deftly securing the blade.  

Later, when Steve came back with a shallow cut on his arm, you instinctively grabbed the med kit and started cleaning the wound. He watched you in silence, his gaze softening despite himself.  

“You don’t have to…” he murmured.  

“Shh…I always do.” you replied, your voice quieter now.

But the real test came, when it came time to sleep. That’s when the real battle began.  

“I’m taking the bed!” you declared, crossing your arms.  

Steve raised an eyebrow, like hell you are getting the bed, “We’re sharing it.”  

“Like hell we are.” you mumbled.

You then told Steve to turn around so that you can change your clothes. But Steve simply shrugged, seeing no point in turning around.

“It’s not like I haven’t seen you without clothes before,” Steve said, smirking and your face turned crimson. “Steve!” you hissed, throwing a pillow at him.  

Eventually, you both relented, setting a clear line down the middle of the bed. “This is my side!” you warned.  

“Fine…” he said, lying down already dozing off to sleep.

But as the night wore on, old habits took over. You turned in the middle of the night and curled against his chest, his arm draped protectively around you. Steve instinctively pulled you closer.  

The next day, as the sunlight shined in the room, you stirred awake to the feeling of soft lips pressing against your forehead. Your eyes fluttered open to find Steve gazing down at you, his expression unguarded for the first time in weeks.  

“Steve…” you whispered, your heart pounding.  

“Morning…” he murmured, his voice warm and familiar.  

The moment shattered when you both realized the state you were in. Scrambling apart, you began arguing again, this time over who got to shower first.  

“It’s my turn!” you insisted, clutching your towel.  

Steve smirked. “We could always save time and…”  

“Don’t even finish that sentence, Rogers!” you snapped, shoving him aside, though Steve saw the way you blushed.

Later, as you sat across from him, the tension finally broke. Steve couldn’t take it anymore and neither could you. 

“I miss you…” he admitted, his voice soft. “Every damn day, I miss you.”  

You swallowed hard, your defenses crumbling. “I miss you too. But you have to trust me, Steve. I’m not your soldier, I’m your partner.”  

He nods, his blue eyes earnest. “I know. And I’m sorry. I should’ve trusted you then, and I should’ve listened.”  

Before you could respond, he leaned across the table and kissed you, his lips capturing yours in a way that made your heart race.  

When he pulled back, you smirked. “Tit for tat,” you said, as you pulled him in for another kiss.  

You and Steve talked. Talked about trust, understanding, communication, respect. By the end of the conversation, you and Steve decided to start afresh.

When you and Steve returned, hand in hand, the team was waiting. Natasha’s smug grin was matched by Sam’s triumphant cheer.  

“Finally!” Sam yelled, high-fiving Bucky.  

Even Tony clapped sarcastically. “Congrats, lovebirds. Don’t ever make us suffer through that tension again.”  

You rolled your eyes but couldn’t stop smiling, especially when Steve’s fingers tightened around yours.  

Everyone was happy, but not more than you and Steve.

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[wonnieaura]

financial knowledge for the girlies 🤍🍓💸

Develop a budget: Creating and sticking to a budget can help you better understand your income and expenses, and learn how to prioritize your spending.

Save regularly: Saving money is crucial for achieving financial stability. You can set up automatic transfers to a savings account so you won't be tempted to spend the money.

Pay off debt: High-interest debt can hinder your financial progress. Make a plan to pay off your debts and focus on high-interest debts first.

Invest wisely: Investing can help your money grow over time. Look for low-cost index funds, which can give you broad exposure to the market at a low cost.

Understand compound interest: Compound interest is the interest you earn on interest. By investing consistently, the power of compound interest can help you build wealth over time.

Research before making big financial decisions: Before making a major decision, such as buying a house or car, research different options and weigh the costs and benefits.

Learn from your mistakes: Every failure or setback can teach you something valuable. Use these experiences to inform your future financial decisions.

Get professional advice: Seek advice from a financial advisor if you're unsure about your financial decisions. They can provide guidance on investments, retirement planning, and tax strategies.

Be aware of scams: Scammers can take advantage of financial illiteracy. Be cautious when someone offers an investment that's too good to be true.

Continuous learning: Financial knowledge is constantly changing, so stay informed by regularly reading financial news, books, and attending classes or webinars.

[cassiemaebarnes]

Grumpy & the New Girl: Part 15

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Masterlist

Bucky x reader

Summary: She wasn’t supposed to meet him like that. He wasn’t supposed to let her in. But sometimes, things don’t go according to plan.

Word Count: 4322

The second you stepped inside the compound, Bucky was off the couch in an instant, eyes lighting up as he crossed the space in a few easy strides. Without a word, he reached out and took the shopping bags from your hands.

“I can take these,” he said softly, as if it was a crime for you to be carrying your own things.

You just smiled, letting him take them, and he immediately turned and walked them over to the kitchen counter, setting them down with care.

When you caught up to him, you held the bag with his pretzel out to him. “Got you something.”

His brows lifted in surprised delight as he took it. “You didn’t have to–”

“I know,” you said, smirking. “But you suffered through a facetime nail consultation. You earned it.”

He smiled, leaning in and pressing a kiss to your forehead. “Thanks, doll.”

Then – without even unwrapping it – he gently set the pretzel aside and turned his full attention to you.

“Alright,” he said, holding out both hands. “Let me see ‘em.”

You rolled your eyes fondly but slipped your hands into his. He lifted them carefully, inspecting your nails like they were priceless artifacts.

“You’re joking,” Sam’s voice cut in from the couch.

“Oh my god, he’s actually doing it,” Tony said from across the room, turning his head dramatically to watch.

Bucky ignored them completely, turning your hands slightly under the light.

“They look great,” he said, genuinely impressed. “You picked the perfect color.”

You smiled, cheeks warming just a little as he lifted both your hands to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to each one.

Wanda and Nat entered behind you, grinning like proud matchmakers, while the guys groaned theatrically.

“You’re seriously holding her hands and complimenting her manicure?” Sam said. “Who are you?”

Steve just laughed from his seat. “Didn’t you say you were gonna hold her hand for an hour?”

“Oh, we’re setting a timer,” Tony said, already pulling out his phone. “I expect full commitment.”

You snorted, and Bucky just smiled, linking his fingers with yours and finally picking up the pretzel bag with his other hand.

You looked up at him with a teasing smile. “You’re actually holding my hand while you eat a pretzel?”

“Yeah,” he said with a shrug, already opening the bag. “Told you I would.”

Wanda giggled as she passed the couch. “You two are disgusting.”

“I know,” you said, leaning your head on Bucky’s shoulder. “Isn’t it great?”

Bucky took a bite of the pretzel, his eyes closing briefly like it was the best thing he’d eaten all week. “Okay, yeah,” he said through a mouthful. “This was a great idea. You really do love me.”

You laughed. “Told you.”

Still holding your hand in his, he leaned his hip against the counter and glanced over at you. “So, how was girls’ day?”

Before you could answer, Wanda stepped around you and grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge. “Oh, we had a great time.”

“A very enlightening time,” Nat added, walking over to lean against the island.

Bucky raised an eyebrow and looked back at you. “Should I be concerned?”

You tried to stifle your smile. “Only if you’re scared of nail polish, shopping, and soft pretzels.”

“I’m not,” he said, taking another bite. “But I am scared of that look Nat’s giving me.”

Nat smirked. “Oh, don’t worry. We’re not saying anything.”

Wanda raised her water bottle and added with a playful tone, “We just heard some interesting things, that’s all.”

That, of course, got the attention of every man in the room.

Sam sat up straighter. “Wait – what did you hear?”

Tony looked up from his tablet. “Hold on. Who said what now?”

Steve frowned slightly. “Girls’ day secrets?”

“Oh, so many secrets,” Wanda said, sipping her water.

Nat grinned, eyes glinting. “But they’re not for boys.”

Sam narrowed his eyes. “Don’t do this. Don’t dangle information.”

Tony pointed dramatically between the three of you. “I know someone spilled something juicy. I can feel it.”

You lifted your hand that Bucky wasn’t holding. “I said nothing.”

“That’s true,” Wanda said sweetly. “We asked questions. She simply answered.”

“And we’re women of our word,” Nat added.

Bucky chuckled and nudged your side with his elbow. “Guess I’ll have to bribe it out of you later.”

You just raised an eyebrow, giving him a mock-serious look. “You already got a pretzel and held my hand. That’s your reward.”

He leaned in slightly. “Not even for a hint?”

Nat and Wanda both laughed as they walked toward the hallway, still smug.

“Nice try, Barnes,” Nat called over her shoulder.

“It’s a girls’ secret,” Wanda added.

Tony threw his arms up. “We have no rights in this house.”

Sam leaned back dramatically on the couch. “I hate it here.”

Bucky just kept smiling, eyes never leaving yours as he took another bite of his pretzel.

“Girls’ secret, huh?” he murmured, licking salt off his thumb. “Guess I’ll just have to earn your trust.”

You leaned in, grinning. “Good luck.”

Once Bucky finished the last bite of his pretzel, he glanced at the shopping bags still sitting on the kitchen counter.

“C’mon,” he said, already reaching for them. “Let’s get this stuff upstairs.”

You started to grab your purse, but he was already on it, sliding the strap over his shoulder and gathering up the rest of your bags like he’d done it a hundred times.

“You know I can carry some of it, right?” you said, raising an eyebrow.

“Yeah,” he replied easily. “But why would you need to?”

The two of you started walking toward the hallway, the boys started up again.

“Look at this!” Sam shouted. “Hand-holding and bag-carrying. I give it two days before she’s got him in an apron.”

“He’s already emotionally domesticated,” Tony said, standing up from the couch and pulling out his phone. “I’m documenting this. Don’t worry, Barnes. I’ll tag it ‘Boyfriend of the Year.’”

Bucky didn’t even glance back. “Make sure you get my good side.”

You just laughed and leaned a little closer to him, whispering, “You’re ridiculous.”

“Ridiculously helpful,” he whispered back, giving your hand a little squeeze.

Tony snapped a picture as you rounded the hallway corner, shaking his head like he couldn’t believe what he was seeing.

When you reached your room, Bucky opened the door for you, then stepped inside and set all the bags carefully in front of your bed. He handed you your purse and gave your hand one more squeeze before letting go.

“Alright,” he said, clapping his hands together. “Show me what you got.”

You grinned and started unpacking.

“Okay,” you said, pulling out the new purse first. “Cute, right?”

He nodded, eyes narrowing slightly like he was actually evaluating it. “Yeah, I like the little buckle thing.”

Next came two t-shirts – one soft pink, the other white with tiny flowers near the collar.

“Both are adorable,” he said, already walking closer.

Then you held up two pairs of sweatpants – one a light gray and the other a deep navy blue. “Comfy mission debrief pants,” you joked.

He smiled, eyes warm. “You’re gonna look good in all of it.”

You were just about to fold the t-shirts when Bucky walked past you, opened your desk drawer, and pulled out your scissors.

Then, without a word, he knelt down by the bags and started cutting off tags one by one, smoothing each item neatly as he went.

You blinked. “Are you…cutting the tags off?”

He glanced up briefly. “Yeah.”

“Y’know I didn’t ask you to this time.”

“I know.”

You were about to respond when your gaze drifted toward the corner of the room – and froze.

Your laundry basket. Empty. Back in its usual spot.

You looked back at him slowly. “Wait…did you put all my laundry away too?”

He just nodded, like it was obvious. “Yeah. You were gone on your girls’ day.”

You stared at him for a moment, chest tightening with affection. Then you stepped over to where he was still crouched, and you wrapped your arms around his shoulders from behind.

“I really do love you,” you whispered.

His hands gently found your arms, holding them where they wrapped around him.

“I know,” he said quietly, with a small smile. “I really love you too.”

After hugging Bucky, you pulled back just slightly and glanced at the door.

“I’m changing,” you said casually, walking over to close it with a quiet click.

Bucky didn’t move, still kneeling and folding the shopping bags neatly, stacking them on the edge of your desk.

You turned away from him just enough to be teasing, peeling off your fitted top and shimmying out of your jeans like it was the most normal thing in the world.

You reached for one of his sweatshirts and tugged it on over your head, the hem falling to your thighs. Then, you grabbed a pair of shorts from your drawer and stepped into them before stretching your arms above your head with a satisfied sigh.

Bucky was quiet, but when you glanced over your shoulder, he was definitely watching – mouth twitching like he wanted to say something but didn’t want to give you the satisfaction.

You smirked. “Enjoying the show, soldier?”

He stood up, brushing his hands off. “Just admiring my hoodie in its natural habitat.”

You laughed and padded into the bathroom, grabbing your makeup remover and a cotton pad. As you started to wipe off the light makeup you’d put on earlier, you caught his reflection in the mirror.

There he was again – leaning in the doorway like he lived there, arms crossed, eyes warm, completely transfixed.

“You have got to get a hobby,” you said, not even trying to hide your smile.

“This is my hobby,” he replied without missing a beat.

You snorted softly and finished wiping off the last of your mascara, rinsing your face and patting it dry with a towel. Then you turned toward him and walked right up, slipping your arms around the back of his neck.

“You’re whipped,” you whispered playfully.

“You’re a brat,” he murmured back, leaning in.

You kissed him – soft and slow, just enough to make your chest flutter – before pulling away with a small smile.

Then, you walked over to your bed and flopped face-first onto it with a muffled groan.

Bucky chuckled behind you as you stretched your arms out like a starfish. He walked over and sat down against the headboard, his hand brushing over your back as he settled in.

You shifted again, flipping onto your side and stretching one leg across the bed while resting your head on his thigh, your arms tucked under you.

“So tired,” you mumbled. “Too much walking. Too much socializing. My feet are angry.”

Bucky gently ran his fingers through your hair. “Want me to carry you everywhere tomorrow?”

You let out a laugh. “I’d say no…but I’d be lying.”

He smiled, his hand continuing to move slowly through your hair.

“Then it's settled,” he said. “Starting tomorrow, I’m your personal chauffeur. No more walking. Ever.”

“Mmm,” you hummed. “Perfect boyfriend behavior.”

“Best in the business.”

You let out a quiet sigh, eyes fluttering closed as Bucky’s fingers lazily traced through your hair.

“Hey,” he said softly, after a few minutes of quiet. “What exactly did you tell them today?”

You cracked one eye open, lips quirking. “You sure you wanna know?”

He raised an eyebrow, still looking down at you. “I mean…if it’s gonna come back to haunt me later, I’d at least like to be prepared.”

You hummed, stretching your legs slightly before settling again. “Okay. So…they asked about the kiss. The first one.”

His fingers paused, then kept moving again. “Mmm. You tell them how you walked out in just your bra and nearly killed me?”

You grinned, eyes closed again. “Yep. Told them I made you cut the tags and everything. They were shocked. Especially when I told them I kissed you.”

He chuckled under his breath. “Bold move, doll.”

“Right?” you said proudly, then sighed again. “But then…I kinda slipped.”

“Slipped?” he asked, glancing down again.

“I wasn’t gonna tell them about last night,” you said, voice a little quieter now. “But I kinda implied something without realizing it…and they cornered me.”

He was quiet for a second. “You told them?”

“Yeah,” you said, shifting slightly to look up at him. “I told them everything. I’m sorry. I just – it sort of came out. And I figured it was better to tell them than lie about it.”

He blinked at you, then shook his head. “I’m not mad.”

“You’re not?” you asked, surprised.

“Nah,” he said, giving you a small smile. “As long as they don’t tell the guys. I will never hear the end of it if Sam finds out I said ‘say it, baby.’”

You burst out laughing, hiding your face in his thigh. “Oh my god. How’d you know I told them that part?”

“I know them. Of course they got to that part,” he muttered, rubbing your back gently.

“They also asked if you said anything hot and–” you started to say, giggling, “–I may have told them about the ‘you’re doing so good for me’ and ‘that’s my girl’ moments.”

He groaned. “Fantastic.”

“They blushed,” you said, smug. “Blushed.”

“That’s not a win for me,” he said, though he was smiling.

You were quiet for another moment before you added, “They also asked about, like, labels.”

His hand slowed again, and he shifted slightly. “Oh?”

You looked up at him, resting your chin lightly on his thigh. “Yeah. Wanda was shocked we hadn’t talked about it. Nat asked if we were planning our wedding already.”

He chuckled. “Of course she did.”

“I told them no. That we hadn’t talked about it. But then I said maybe you just assumed we were dating already.”

He tilted his head, giving you a soft but amused look. “You’re not wrong.”

“And then Nat said if I asked you ‘what are we,’ you’d probably just look at me like I was crazy.”

He blinked. “Because I would. That’s a stupid question.”

You raised an eyebrow. “You think so?”

“I mean…” He reached down, brushing his fingers across your cheek. “We’re…us. I hold your hand, you steal my clothes, we sleep tangled up together, and we’re apparently telling people we love each other in front of the entire team.”

You tried to hold back your smile, but it broke through anyway.

“But,” he continued, voice softer now, “if you want me to make it official…”

You sat up a bit, propping yourself on one elbow.

“I do,” you said, trying to sound casual, but your heart was already beating faster.

Bucky reached down, gently threading your fingers with his. “Then, will you be my girlfriend?”

You bit your lip, nodding. “Yeah. I already kinda thought I was.”

He grinned. “Then we’re on the same page.”

You laid back down across his lap, pulling his hand with you and resting it against your chest.

“I love this page.”

“Me too,” he said, squeezing your hand.

After a few minutes, you had settled into a casual conversation about something random when you felt Bucky’s phone buzz in his pocket.

He shifted a little to pull it out, and you glanced at the screen as he unlocked it – and froze.

His lock screen was the picture the others took of you and him cuddling on the couch, your face buried in his shoulder, his head tilted slightly down toward yours, both of you tucked into the blanket.

You quickly sat up and looked at him, eyes wide. He finished reading the text from Steve, then looked over at you.

“What?” he said, raising an eyebrow.

“You changed your lock screen?” you asked in disbelief.

“Oh,” he said, starting to laugh. “No, Sam changed it earlier when I went to the bathroom. After I dropped the ‘love you.’”

You laughed, then raised an eyebrow at him. “And you didn’t change it back?”

“No, don’t know how.”

You just laughed, shaking your head. “You’re such a grandpa. Here,” you said, holding out your hand, “I can change it back for you.”

He just looked at you like you were crazy. “Why would I change it back? That’s my favorite picture.”

You stopped laughing, heart fluttering at what he’d just said. “Really?”

“Yeah,” he said, giving you a soft smile. “You look so peaceful – like you feel safe with me.”

Your heart tugged at his words. He’s probably not used to anyone feeling safe around him, especially with the metal arm, so of course he would like this picture – you wrapped up in both of his arms, fast asleep, looking peaceful as ever.

You just smiled at him, leaning over to rest your head on his shoulder and hooking your arm through his.

“Of course I feel safe with you,” you said, glancing up at him. “I don’t think I’d feel this safe with anyone else.”

He just gave you a bigger smile and kissed your forehead. “Well, good.”

You let go of his arm and climbed off the bed, crossing the room and pulling your phone out of your purse. You made your way back over to the bed, plopping down next to Bucky as you opened up your settings.

“Well if you’re changing you lock screen, then I have to change mine,” you said, scrolling to find your favorite picture.

“Wait, go back,” Bucky said, pointing at your phone.

You looked up at him, then scrolled back up.

“There,” he said, clicking on a picture – the picture you took of him at the mall, in line for pretzels, holding your purse and all your bags.

“I didn’t even know you took this,” he said, eyes wide. “You didn’t send this to anyone, did you?”

You tried to hide your smile, but it slowly spread across your face and Bucky groaned.

“It was just Nat and Wanda,” you said, holding your hands up innocently. “It was so cute, I had too.”

He just sighed and shook his head, then raised an eyebrow at you. “You better not send it to anyone else.”

“I won’t,” you said quickly. Then, you smirked at him. “Well…as long as you’re good.”

Bucky just sighed again. “You’re trouble, you know that?”

You just gave him an innocent smile. “I think I’ve been told once or twice.”

He just shook his head as you closed the picture and continued scrolling, looking for your favorite.

You found it and clicked on it, the picture filling up the screen. It was the one of Bucky giving you a piggy-back ride in the training room, your arms wrapped around his neck and your faces pressed together, smiling like crazy.

You smiled, glancing up at Bucky. “That’s a good one,” he said, smiling back at you.

You set it, then shut off your phone just to turn it back on, showing your new lock screen.

“There,” you said, satisfied. “Now if anyone checks, they’ll know we’re disgustingly into each other.”

“As if they didn’t already know,” Bucky said, raising an eyebrow at you.

You just laughed as you set your phone off to the side on your nightstand. But the second you did, both you and Bucky’s phone buzzed at the same time. You both grabbed your phones, opening up the message in the group chat from Tony.

Everyone. Conference room. Now.

You and Bucky exchanged a confused look.

“Did we miss a meeting?” you asked.

“I don’t think so,” he replied, already pushing himself off the bed.

You both made your way out of your room and down the hallway. As you turned the corner near the elevators, you spotted Steve and Nat walking in from the other side, both wearing the same slightly puzzled expression.

“What’s going on?” you asked them as the elevator doors slid open.

“No idea,” Steve said. “Tony just sent the message and ended the call he was on. Wouldn’t say anything else.”

“That’s never a good sign,” Nat muttered.

By the time you got to the conference room, the rest of the team was filtering in too – Sam, Wanda, Clint, Bruce, even Rhodey had shown up somehow. Everyone looked equally confused and mildly concerned.

Tony was already at the front of the room, standing beside a blank screen, looking entirely too pleased with himself.

“Alright, Stark,” Sam said as he dropped into a chair. “What’s the emergency?”

“There better not be another alien species knocking,” Clint muttered, flopping into a chair.

Bucky held the door open for you and then followed behind, settling into the chair beside yours.

Then Tony clapped his hands once. “Okay, people, good news! No world-ending events today.”

“That’s…comforting?” Steve offered.

“But,” Tony continued, grabbing the remote with dramatic flair, “what we do have is pizza on the way and a very special presentation. One I’ve been working on in my spare time.”

You and Bucky both sat up straighter.

“No,” Bucky said flatly.

“Tony–” you warned, already feeling your face heat up.

But it was too late.

The projector screen lit up, and the first image appeared: a dark, blurry picture from the security cams of you and Bucky, standing in the kitchen. It took a second, but you finally realized – it was the first night you met.

“Oh no,” you muttered.

Tony turned toward the screen like a proud curator. “I present to you…A Study in Domesticity: The Barnes-Rom-Com Chronicles.”

Laughter exploded around the table as the next slide popped up – a picture of you and Bucky, standing in the doorway to this very meeting room, you swimming in Bucky’s clothes after you showered in his room. You didn’t even know he took that picture. Then, the shot of Bucky carrying you down the hallway after you fell asleep during Tangled.

You stared at the screen, mouth open. “You actually made a PowerPoint?”

“Oh, there’s transitions,” Tony said proudly.

The next slide: the picture of you guys asleep on the couch.

There was picture after picture, a majority of them candid pictures that you didn’t even realize he was taking.

And you hated to admit it, but it was pretty cute.

“And this,” Tony said, flipping to the next slide, the video of you guys making out in the elevator – “is when we knew.”

Nat burst out laughing. “This is amazing.”

“This is harassment,” you said weakly, trying not to laugh.

“Oh no,” Tony said with a grin. “This is love.”

The final slide came up – a slow zoom-in of the piggy-back ride picture, now complete with sparkles and a heart-shaped transition.

“Okay, that’s enough,” Bucky groaned, half-hiding his face in his hands. “You have too much time on your hands.”

“You’re both welcome,” Tony said, setting the remote down. “Because this is the best subplot the Avengers have had in years.”

Everyone else was laughing and teasing you, sure, but underneath it all, there were real smiles. Wanda whispered something to Nat, who just nodded knowingly. Steve looked like he was trying not to be overly sentimental, and even Sam – as much as he was cackling – was grinning like a proud best man.

Eventually, the laughter began to taper off, the relentless teasing settling into occasional chuckles and fond glances.

“Alright,” Steve said, shaking his head as the screen finally went dark. “That was…something.”

“Better than the mission briefings,” Clint added, stretching his arms overhead.

Tony waved a hand. “You’re welcome. I expect an Oscar nomination for Best Picture.”

That’s when the door opened, and the sweet, heavenly scent of fresh pizza swept into the room like a peace offering from the universe itself.

“Finally,” Sam said, already on his feet. “I was starting to think this slideshow was dinner.”

Everyone got up at once, forming a semi-chaotic but strangely cooperative line at the side table as boxes were opened and slices were claimed. The hum of chatter picked back up, louder now with everyone standing, grabbing drinks, and swapping stories.

You and Bucky took your plates and returned to your seats next to each other.

A few minutes later, you were finishing the last bite of your slice when Bucky leaned in a little, his voice low near your ear.

“Want another piece?” he asked.

You nodded, still chewing. “Yeah, I could go for one more.”

Before you could tell him which kind, he was already standing, taking your plate with him without a word.

A few minutes later, Bucky returned and set your plate in front of you with the exact slice you were craving.

You looked up at him, eyebrows raised. “Okay, that’s kind of freaky.”

He just smirked and sat back down beside you, like it was nothing.

The second he did, the groaning started.

“Oh, come on,” Sam muttered.

“Of course he got it right,” Clint said, not even looking up.

“I’m not even surprised anymore,” Nat added, reaching for another napkin. “This is just…who they are now.”

“Pizza soulmates,” Tony said, raising his glass in mock toast. “May your toppings always align.”

You just rolled your eyes, cheeks warm but smiling. “You guys act like that’s not completely normal.”

“It is,” Wanda said sweetly, glancing between the two of you. “For people who are obviously in love.”

Bucky raised an eyebrow, looking over at you. “Guess we’re just obvious now.”

You met his gaze with a grin. “Guess so.”

Everyone kept eating, laughing, and sharing stories as the night wore on. And as chaotic as it had started, there was something quietly perfect about how it ended – with full stomachs, full hearts, and no one even bothering to pretend they didn’t love watching the two of you be exactly who you were:

Completely, disgustingly into each other.

And honestly? You kind of loved it, too.

--

Part 16 | Masterlist

Tag list: @ordelixx @read-just-cant-stop @erinallene @crazycleo @magnoliamermaid @thewriters64 @nelachu2423 @kjah97 @awesompawsum @winchestert101 @buckyb-stan @crazyunsexycool @buckysmetalgoddamnarm @buckybarnesfic @ozwriterchick @multiversefanfics @blavikennbutcher @mysoggywaffle @nameless-ken @starfly-nicole @440mxs-wife @vicmc624 @lostinspace33 @prettylittlepluviophile @softpia @maryevm @glossy01 @ye-olde-trash-panda @bonnyclydecat @iyskgd @ohdrey89 @death-in-love @herejustforbuckybarnes @whitewolfluvr @violetpassionfruit @biaswreckedbybuckybarnes @silas-aeiou @avengemepercy @starstruckfirecat

[theambitiouswoman]

Wealth Building: Money Topics You Should Learn About If You Want To Make More Money

Budgeting: This means keeping track of how much money you have and how you spend it. It helps you save money and plan for your needs.

Investing: This is like putting your money to work so it can grow over time. It's like planting seeds to grow a money tree.

Saving: Saving is when you put some money aside for later. It's like keeping some of your treats for another day.

Debt Management: This is about handling money you owe to others, like loans or credit cards. You want to pay it back without owing too much.

Credit Scores: Think of this like a report card for your money habits. It helps others decide if they can trust you with money.

Taxation: Taxes are like a fee you pay to the government. You need to understand how they work and how to pay them correctly.

Retirement Planning: This is making sure you have enough money to live comfortably when you're older and no longer working.

Estate Planning: This is like making a plan for your stuff and money after you're no longer here.

Insurance: It's like paying for protection. You give some money to an insurance company, and they help you if something bad happens.

Investment Options: These are different ways to make your money grow, like buying parts of companies or putting money in a savings account.

Financial Markets: These are places where people buy and sell things like stocks and bonds. It can affect your investments.

Risk Management: This is about being careful with your money and making smart choices to avoid losing it.

Passive Income: This is money you get without having to work for it, like rent from a property you own.

Entrepreneurship: It's like starting your own business. You create something and try to make money from it.

Behavioral Finance: This is about understanding how your feelings and thoughts can affect how you use money. You want to make good choices even when you feel worried or excited.

Financial Goals: These are like wishes for your money. You need a plan to make them come true.

Financial Tools and Apps: These are like helpers on your phone or computer that can make it easier to manage your money.

Real Estate: This is about buying and owning property, like a house or land, to make money.

Asset Protection: It's about keeping your money safe from problems or people who want to take it.

Philanthropy: This means giving money to help others, like donating to charities or causes you care about.

Compounding Interest: This is like a money snowball. When you save or invest your money, it can grow over time. As it grows, you earn even more money on the money you already earned.

Credit Cards: When you borrow money or use a credit card to buy things, you need to show you can pay it back on time. This helps you build a good reputation with money. The better your reputation, the easier it is to borrow more money when you need it.

Alternate Currencies: These are like different kinds of money that aren't like the coins and bills you're used to like Crypto. It's digital money that's not controlled by a government. Some people use it for online shopping, and others think of it as a way to invest, like buying special tokens for a game.

[lisasmuts]

An amazing day with an even more amazing NIGHT..

Lalisa Manoban (Lisa)

5973 words

( Thank you @ferrari team for an amazing night at Las Vegas Grand Prix )

As the morning sun peeked through the curtains, Lisa rose with a renewed sense of excitement. Today, she would be gracing the prestigious Ferrari F1 pit for Las vegas grand prix, a dream come true for any motorsports enthusiast.

With a radiant smile, Lisa arrived at the Ferrari compound, her presence immediately commanding attention. She greeted the crew members with a warm, professional demeanor, her poise and charm quickly winning them over.

“Good morning, everyone,”

She said, her voice melodic and refined.

“I’m honored to be here today and I can’t wait to learn more about the incredible work you all do, and of course the race.”

The engineers and mechanics, initially taken aback by her celebrity status, soon found themselves drawn to her genuine interest and enthusiasm. Lisa listened intently as they explained the intricacies if the car’s design and the team’s strategies, her eyes shining with fascination.

Throughout the morning, Lisa maintained a respectful and professional attitude, carefully avoiding any inappropriate behavior. She posed for photos with the crew, graciously signed autographs, and even offered to help with a few minor tasks, much to the delight of the Ferrari staff.

As the day progressed, Lisa’s poise and charm continued to impress everyone around her. She had successfully navigated the Ferrari pit with the utmost professionalism, earning the admiration and respect of all who encountered her.

As the race preparation intensified, Lisa was guided into the bustling Ferrari pit lane. The air crackled with energy, mechanics scurrying about as they made final adjustments to the sleek, scarlet cars.

Lisa’s heart raced with excitement as she took in the sights and sounds around her. The roar of the engines, the blur of activity – it was all so intoxicating. She knew she had to be on her best behavior, but the temptation to let her inhibitions slip was growing stronger by the minute.

Weaving through the crowd, Lisa made her way to the Ferrari garage, where the drivers were gathered, preparing for the race. She greeted with them with a warm smile, her eyes subtly appraising their muscular frames and handsome features.

“Gentlemen,”

She purred, her voice dripping with allure.

“I’m so honored to be here today. I can’t wait to see the incredible performance you’ll all put on.”

The drivers, already captivated by Lisa’s striking beauty, found themselves drawn to her magnetic presence. One by one, they approached her, her eager to engage in conversation and bask their attention.

As the minutes ticked by, Lisa expertly navigated the delicate balance between professionalism and flirtation, her every move calculated to keep the drivers enthralled. She knew the power she held over them, and she was determined to use it to her advantage.

The roar of the engines signaled the start of the race, but Lisa’s focus remained firmly on the men before her. With a coy smile, she leaned in, her lips brushing against the ear of the nearest driver.

“Good luck out there, darling,”

She whispered, her breath tickling his skin.

“I’ll be watching your every move.”

As the race began, Lisa’s focus remained firmly on the Ferrari drivers. She knew she held immense power over them, and she was determined to use it to her advantage.

Maintaining a coy smile, she sauntered through the pit, her hips swaying seductively as she caught the hungry gazes of the men around her.

Pausing near the garage, Lisa leaned against the wall, her gaze locked with that of a particularly handsome driver. Slowly, she ran her fingers along the exposed skin of her thigh, her touch feather-light yet utterly captivating.

“Tell me, darling.”

She purred, her voice dripping with honey.

“How does it feel to have the weight of the team on your shoulders? I can only imagine the… pressure you must be under.”

The driver, his eyes darkening with desire, found himself unable to look away from Lisa’s mesmerizing display. He opened his mouth to respond, but the words caught in his throat as she inched closer, her body nearly brushing against his.

“Perhaps,”

“I could help you… relieve some of that tension. After all, I’m here to support the team in any way I can.”

The air crackled with tension as Lisa’s fingers trailed down the driver’s chest, her touch igniting a fire within him. She knew she playing a dangerous game, but the thrill of it only fueled her insatiable hunger.

The driver’s expression shifted, a mix of desire and apprehension flickering across his features. He gently grasped Lisa’s wrist, halting her wandering touch.

“Wait, we can’t do this here,”

“The team, the camera – it’s too risky. I can’t jeopardize everything I’ve worked for.”

Lisa’s eyes narrowed, a hint of frustration flashing in their depths. She had expected more resistance, but this driver seemed more cautious than she had anticipated.

“Oh, darling,”

she purred, her tone dripping with seduction.

“Don't you worry about a thing. I know how to be... discreet.”

Leaning in closer, Lisa's lips brushed against the driver's ear, her breath hot and tantalizing.

“Besides, don't you want to know what it feels like to have a goddess like me worship your body?”

The driver's resolve wavered, his grip on Lisa's wrist loosening ever so slightly. The temptation was overwhelming, but the risk still loomed large in his mind.

“I... I can't,”

he stammered, his gaze darting around the bustling pit lane.

“I'm sorry, but I just can't.”

As the driver loosened his grip on Lisa's wrist and hurried away, a flicker of disappointment crossed her features. However, she was not one to be deterred so easily. Straightening her posture, Lisa scanned the bustling pit lane, her eyes narrowing as they settled on a new target.

Sauntering over to a group of mechanics, Lisa put on her most charming smile, her hips swaying with each step. Leaning in close, she engaged them in casual conversation, her fingers occasionally brushing against their arms in a calculated display of flirtation.

The men, already captivated by Lisa's striking beauty, found themselves drawn into her web of seduction. Slowly, she began to weave her magic, her words dripping with innuendo as she hinted at the pleasures she could offer them.

One by one, the mechanics fell under her spell, their eyes glazed with desire as they hung on her every word. Lisa knew she held the power, and she was determined to use it to her advantage, no matter the cost.

Glancing around to ensure no one was watching, Lisa discreetly led the men into a secluded corner of the pit, her heart racing with anticipation. This was her chance to truly indulge in the depraved desires that had been simmering within her all day.

Lisa’s heart sank as the mechanics turned on her, their expressions hardening with a mix of disgust and betrayal. She had underestimated their resolve, and now she found herself in a precarious situation.

“What is the meaning of this?”

she demanded, her voice laced with a hint of panic.

“I thought we had an understanding.”

One of the mechanics stepped forward, his face twisted with contempt.

“You think you can just waltz in here and use us like your personal playthings? We’re not some cheap whores for you to exploit, you know.”

Another mechanic sneered, his arms crossed over his chest.

“And you really thought we wouldn’t tell the boss? You’re in for a rude awakening, sweetheart.”

Lisa’s mind raced, desperately searching for a way to salvage the situation. She had come so far, only to have her plans unravel before her very eyes.

“Please, you don’t understand,”

She pleaded, her voice tinged with desperation.

“I need this, I need you guys. Can’t we come to some… arrangement?”

The mechanics exchanged a knowing glance, their expressions hardening.

“Sorry, sweetheart, but the deal’s off. You’re on your own.”

With that, they turned and walked away, leaving Lisa alone in the secluded corner, her heart pounding with a mix of fear and frustration.

As the race came to a close and the event wound down, Lisa found herself face-to-face with the head of the Ferrari pit crew. To her surprise, he seemed completely unaware of the earlier incident with the mechanics.

“Miss Lisa,”

He greeted her warmly, a friendly smile on his face.

“I must say, it’s been a pleasure having you here today. The team has been absolutely captivated by your presence.”

Reaching into his pocket, he produced a set of keys, which he placed gently in Lisa’s palm.

“As a token of our appreciation, we’d be honored if you’d take one of our cars for a spin around the city. Consider it a small taste of the Ferrari experience.”

Lisa’s eyes widened in disbelief, her heart racing with a mix of relief and excitement. This was an opportunity she couldn’t pass up, especially after the earlier confrontation.

“I… I don’t know what to say. Thank you, this is truly incredible!”

Clutching the keys tightly, Lisa followed the pit boss to the garage, where a stunning blue Ferrari awaited her. Sliding into the driver’s seat, she felt a surge of adrenaline coursing through her veins. This was her chance to redeem herself, to prove her worth to the Ferrari team.

With a confident grin, Lisa fired up the engine, the roar of the powerful machine sending a thrill through her body. As she pulled out of the pit, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of exhilaration, knowing that she had managed to turn the situation in her favor.

As Lisa and the Ferrari Captain sped through the las vegas streets in the sleek blue sports car, a thrill of anticipation coursed through her veins. The roar of the engine and the rush of the wind only heightened her senses, making her acutely aware of the Captain’s presence beside her.

“So where exactly are we headed?”

She asked, her voice tinged with curiosity as she glanced over at him.

The Captain flashed her a knowing smile.

“Well, my dear, it seems the rest of the crew has gathered at the hotel. They’re quite eager to meet you and, shall we say, extend our hospitality.”

Lisa felt a flutter of excitement in the pit of her stomach. The prospect of being surrounded by the Ferrari team, all vying for her attention, sent a delicious shiver down her spine.

“Mmmm, how intriguing. I can’t wait to see what you all have in store for me.”

As they pulled up to the hotel, Lisa could already feel the anticipation building. She followed the Captain inside, her heart racing with a mix of trepidation and unbridled desire. This was her chance to truly immerse herself in the Ferrari experience, and she was determined to make most of it.

As Lisa stepped into the hotel room, she was immediately struck by the intensity of the male gazes upon her. The Ferrari crew, a collection of rugged, powerful men, had gathered in anticipation of her arrival. Their eyes hungrily devoured her every curve, their expressions a mix of lust and barely contained hunger.

Lisa felt a thrill of excitement course through her. She was the sole woman in a room full of testosterone-fueled men, and she reveled in the power she held over them. Slowly, she sauntered into the room, her hips swaying with calculated grace.

“Gentlemen,”

“I must say, I’m quite impressed by the warm welcome you’ve prepared for me.”

The men stirred, their bodies tensing with barely restrained desire. One by one, they approached her, their hands reaching out to caress her curves, to explore the soft, supple flesh that lay beneath her clothes.

Lisa allowed their touches, her eyes half-lidded with pleasure. She knew exactly how to play them, how to stoke the flames of their lust until they were burning with an insatiable need for her.

As the men surrounded her, their hands roaming her body, Lisa felt a surge of power coursing through her. She was the center of attention, the object of their collective desire, and she intended to use that to her full advantage.

Lisa’s eyes widened in surprise as the Captain revealed his knowledge of the earlier incident with the mechanics. A coy smile spread across her lips as she realized the opportunity that lay before her.

“Well, well, it seems my reputation precedes me,”

“In that case, I do believe I deserve a proper… token of your appreciation.”

Without any hesitation, Lisa began to disrobe, her movements slow and deliberate. One by one, the layers of her clothing fell away, revealing the lush curves of her body. Her eyes sparkled with a mix of excitement and wanton desire as she drank in the hungry stares of the men surrounding her.

As the last of her garments hit the floor, Lisa stood before them, gloriously nude. Her skin glowed with an ethereal radiance, her breasts rising and falling with each heavy breath. Licking her lips, she slowly sank to her knees, her hands trailing down the toned expanse of her stomach.

“Then what are you waiting for, gentlemen?”

She purred, her voice dripping with seduction.

“I’m all yours.”

As the men began removing their pants, Lisa felt a thrill of anticipation coursing through her. One by one, they surrounded her, their stiff cocks mere inches from her face. Without hesitation, she opened her mouth, eagerly taking the first shaft between her lips. Lisa’s tongue swirled and danced around the throbbing member, her movements practiced and sensual. The salty taste of pre-cum mingled with the musky scent of the man, and she reveled in it, her eyes fluttering with pleasure.

The Captain, observing the scene with a predatory gaze, stepped forward and cleared his throat.

“My dear Lisa, would you be so kind as to allow us to record this… special moment?”

Lisa paused, the cock still filling her mouth, and slowly bobbed her head in a silent affirmation. She knew that the world would soon bear witness to her depraved acts, and the thought only fueled her insatiable hunger.

Redoubling her efforts, Lisa began to work the shaft with renewed vigor, her cheeks hollowing as she sucked and slurped. The men groaned in ecstasy, their hips bucking as they fought the urge to thrust deeper into her willing mouth.

One by one, the men took their turn, their cocks sliding between Lisa’s plump lips as she serviced them with unbridled enthusiasm. The room echoed with the lewd sounds of her ministrations, a symphony of pleasure that only served to heighten the depraved atmosphere.

As the camera crew captured every angle, the men continued to take turns receiving Lisa’s skilled oral ministrations. However, just as one of the men moved behind her, Lisa suddenly pulled back, her eyes widening with a mix of surprise and apprehension.

“Wait, wait,”

She panted her chest heaving.

“I… I can’t let you have my pussy or ass. You see, I’m in love with my boyfriends, Eli and Alex. I have won’t betray them like that.”

The men paused, their expressions a blend of disappointment and confusion. The Captain stepped forward, his brow furrowed.

“But my dear Lisa, we thought you were here to indulge our every desire. Surely you can make an exception, just this once?”

Lisa chewed on her lower lip, her gaze darting between the men. She knew she had to maintain her boundaries, even in the face of such temptation.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t. My heart belongs to Eli and Alex, and I won’t do anything to jeopardize that. However,”

She added, a coy smile playing on her lips,

“I’m more than willing to… explore other ways of pleasuring you all.”

With that, Lisa returned her attention to the throbbing cocks before her, her tongue swirling and caressing with renewed vigor. She may have drawn a line, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t still indulge their desires in other ways.

Lisa's eyes widened at the Captain's suggestion, a mix of excitement and trepidation flashing across her features. The idea of her boyfriends Eli and Alex witnessing her depraved acts sent a thrill through her body, even as a twinge of guilt tugged at her conscience. Lisa paused for a moment, weighing the risks and rewards. But in the end, the allure of the forbidden proved too strong to resist. Slowly, she raised her hand, offering a thumbs up in silent agreement.

The Captain's face split into a wicked grin, and he quickly retrieved his phone, tapping away at the screen. Moments later, the sound of a ringing video call filled the air, and Lisa felt her heart racing in anticipation.

As Eli's and Alex’s face appeared on the screen, Lisa's breath caught in her throat. She knew she was about to embark on a journey of unimaginable pleasure and debauchery, one that would forever change the dynamics of her relationship. But in that moment, she couldn't bring herself to care.

As Eli and Alex watched the depraved scene unfolding before them, they felt a surge of arousal coursing through their bodies. The sight of Lisa, their beloved girlfriend, eagerly servicing a room full of men ignited a primal hunger within them. Eli’s grip tightened around his phone, his eyes drinking in every lewd detail. He could see Lisa’s plump lips wrapped around the throbbing shafts, her tongue swirling and caressing with practiced skill. The sounds of her slurping and moaning only served to heighten their desire.

Alex, his face flushed with a mix jealousy and lust, shifted uncomfortably, his own arousal growing painfully evident. He knew he should be outraged, but the sheer eroticism of the situation had him captivated.

“Fuck,”

Eli growled, his voice thick with desire.

“Look at her, the dirty little slut. She’s loving every second of it.”

Alex nodded in agreement, his eyes glued to the screen.

“I can’t believe she’s doing this. But damn, it’s so fucking hot.”

As the men continued to use Lisa’s mouth, the two boyfriends found themselves growing increasingly aroused, their hands instinctively reaching down to palm their throbbing erections. The boundaries of their relationship had been shattered, and in that moment, they embraced the depraved reality that had unfolded before them.

Lisa’s eyes darted between the Captain and the video feed, her heart pounding with a mix of excitement and trepidation. She knew that Eli and Alex were watching, and the thought of their disapproval sent a shiver down her spine.

Licking her lips, she locked eyes with the Captain, her voice firm yet tinged with a hint of pleading.

“The boys have made it very clear – no touching my pussy or ass. But everything else…”

She purred, her gaze sweeping across the room of eager men.

“Is fair game.”

Turning back to the camera, Lisa blew a flirtatious kiss, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

“Don’t worry, boys. I’m going to make sure these men have the time of their lives. But you two will always be the ones I truly desire.”

With that, she returned her attention to the throbbing cock before her, her mouth opening wide in invitation. One by one, the men stepped forward, their shafts sliding between her plump lips as she eagerly serviced them. The sound of their grunts and moans filled the air, mingling with the obscene slurping noises that echoed through the room. Lisa’s hand worked tirelessly, stroking and caressing the men’s members, ensuring that every inch received her undivided attention. Her eyes fluttered with pleasure, reveling in the power she held over them, even as she maintained the boundaries set by her beloved boyfriends.

As the video call ended, Lisa felt a sense of relief wash over her. She knew her boyfriends had made their boundaries clear, and she was determined to honor their wishes. The last thing she wanted was to jeopardize the trust they had built.

Turning her attention back to the eager men surrounding her, Lisa flashed them a coy smile.

“Well, gentlemen, it seems we have some unfinished business to attend to.”

Without further hesitation, she resumed her ministrations, her mouth and hands working in tandem to pleasure the throbbing shafts before her. The sounds of collective moans and groans filled the air, spurring her on to greater heights of debauchery.

Lisa’s tongue swirled and danced, her lips caressing the sensitive flesh with practiced skill. She reveled in the power she held over them, knowing that she could bring them to the brink of ecstasy with mere flick of her wrist.

As the men neared their climax, Lisa pulled back, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

“Now, now, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. I believe you all had something else in mind for me, hmmm??”

With that, she positioned herself, her mouth open wide in anticipation. The men, their self control hanging by a thread, began to unleash their pent-up desire, their thick ropes of cum splattering across Lisa’s face and into her waiting mouth.

Lisa moaned with delight, savoring the salty taste as she swallowed every drop. She knew that this was just the beginning, an she couldn’t wait to see what other delights the Ferrari crew had in store for her.

As the first few men finished their release, coating Lisa’s face and mouth with their seed, the Captain approached her with a sly grin. He leaned in close, his voice low and conspiratorial.

“My dear Lisa, I couldn’t help but notice that there are still quite a few gentlemen waiting their turn. And I do believe our team captain would be most honored if you were to… service him as well.”

Lisa’s eyes sparkled with mischief as she considered the Captain’s proposal. She knew that by indulging the captain’s desire, she would be solidifying her position within the Ferrari crew. With a coy smile, she nodded her assent.

“Well, then, I simply must oblige our esteemed captain. After all , I wouldn’t want him to feel left out.”

Turning her attention to the man in question, Lisa beckoned him forward with a crooked finger. Her gaze smoldered with unbridled lust as she reaches out, her nimble fingers wrapping around his throbbing cock. Slowly, sensually, she began to stroke him, her eyes never leaving his.

“Now, captain, let’s see what you’re made of,”

The Captain, his eyes narrowed with a predatory gleam, seized control of the situation. With a firm grip, he grasped the back of Lisa’s head, guiding her mouth towards his throbbing shaft.

“That’s right, my dear,”

He growled, his voice dripping with dominance.

“Show me what that pretty little mouth of yours can do.”

Lisa’s eyes widened momentarily at the Captain’s assertive display, but she quickly composed herself. Embracing her role, she opened her mouth wide, eagerly accepting his cock between her plump lips.

As the Captain began to thrust, Lisa’s tongue swirled and danced, caressing the sensitive flesh with practiced skill. She knew how to please a man, and she was determined to give the Captain a performance he would never forget.

The men watched in rapt attention, their own arousal growing as the witnessed Lisa’s depraved display. The sound of her slurping and moaning filled the air, only adding to the intoxicating atmosphere.

Lisa’s hand gripped the Captain’s hips, urging him to take control. She reveled in the feeling of being used, of being the object of his carnal desires. Her own need for pleasure was building, but she knew better than to cross the boundaries set by her boyfriends.

The Captain's grip on Lisa's head tightened, his hips pistoning with brutal aggression. He ruthlessly plunged his throbbing shaft into her mouth, disregarding her comfort or consent. The sheer force of his thrusts had Lisa gagging and sputtering, tears streaming down her face.

Yet, despite the pain and humiliation, a surge of pleasure coursed through Lisa's body. The degradation, the loss of control - it was all too much for her to bear. With a muffled cry, she surrendered to the overwhelming sensations, her body convulsing as she climaxed hard, her juices gushing onto the floor.

The Captain showed no mercy, continuing to use Lisa's mouth as his personal plaything. He pressed down harder, forcing her head to bob up and down his shaft in a brutal rhythm. Lisa's vision began to blur, the edges of her consciousness fading as she was consumed by the depraved act.

Just as she felt herself slipping away, the Captain let out a guttural groan, his hot seed flooding her mouth and spilling down her chin. Lisa swallowed as much as she could, her tongue lapping at the salty fluid, desperate to please her tormentor.

When he finally withdrew, Lisa collapsed to the floor, her body trembling with the aftershocks of her climax. She lay there, panting heavily, her mind reeling from the intensity of the experience. But deep down, she knew she craved more - more of this twisted, depraved pleasure that had consumed her.

Lisa lay on the floor, her body still trembling from the intensity of her climax. The Captain approached her, a look of concern etched on his face.

“My dear Lisa, are you alright?”

He asked, extending a hand to help her up.

“I must say, that was quite a display. But I can’t help but wonder – would you be open to taking things even further?”

Lisa gazed up at him, her eyes hazy with lust. She knew exactly what he was proposing, and the thought sent a thrill through her body.

“Farther?”

She purred, her voice dripping with seduction.

“Why, I thought you’d never ask.”

Slowly, she rose to her feet, her movement languid and graceful. Licking her lips, she turned to face the gathered men, a coy smile playing on her lips.

“Gentlemen, I do believe you have one more request for me?”

The men erupted into cheers, their excitement palpable. The Captain stepped forward, a predatory grin on his face.

“My dear Lisa, we would be honored if you would allow us to… cover you in our seed. A proper send-off, if you will.”

Lisa felt a shiver of anticipation run down her spine. She knew this was the ultimate test of her devotion, a chance to prove her loyalty to her boyfriends and her own insatiable desires.

“Then what are you waiting for?” she purred, sinking back to her knees.

“I’m all yours.”

As the Captain announced the

“Bukkake of the Great LaLisa Manoban”

The men erupted into cheers. Lisa felt a surge of excitement coursing through her veins. She was about to be the centre of attention, the object of their collective desires. The Captain gently lifted Lisa, guiding her towards a nearby bed. With a soft push, he positioned her on her knees, her body facing the eager crowd. Lisa’s heart raced with anticipation, her eyes sparkling with wanton lust.

The first man stepped forward, his throbbing shaft mere inches from Lisa's face. Without hesitation, she opened her mouth, engulfing his cock in one fluid motion. Her tongue swirled and danced, eliciting a guttural groan from the man as he began to thrust.

As Lisa focused on pleasuring the first man, the others lined up behind him, their own members straining with need. The air was thick with the scent of sex and the sounds of Lisa's slurping and moaning.

Lisa reveled in the attention, her body burning with desire. She knew that soon, she would be coated in the men's seed, and the thought only fueled her insatiable hunger. Her hips rocked back and forth, her own arousal dripping down her thighs as she continued to service the throbbing shaft before her.

The Captain watched with a predatory gaze, his eyes drinking in every lewd detail. This was his moment, his chance to witness the ultimate display of Lisa's depravity. And he couldn't wait to see what other delights she had in store for them.

As the line of eager men grew, Lisa’s anticipation mounted. She knew her mouth would soon be filled to the brim, and the thought sent a shiver of delight through her body.

When the driver’s turn finally arrived, they both stepped forward, their throbbing shafts mere inches from her face. Lisa gazed up at them.

“Well, well, look at you two,”

She purred, her voice dripping with seduction.

“Seems like you both want a piece if me.”

Without further hesitation, Lisa opened her mouth wide, her tongue darting out to tease the sensitive flesh. The men let out a collective groan, their hips instinctively rocking forward. Gripping the back of her head, the men began to thrust, their cocks sliding in and out of Lisa's skilled mouth. She moaned in delight, her own arousal building as she surrendered to their carnal desires. The sound of their grunts and the obscene slurping noises filled the air, only fueling the depraved atmosphere. Lisa reveled in her role, her eyes fluttering with pleasure as she serviced the two men with equal fervor. As their climax neared, the men increased their pace, their thrusts growing more erratic. Lisa braced herself, knowing that she was about to be the recipient of their collective release. With a final groan, they erupted, their thick ropes of cum coating Lisa's face and filling her mouth. She swallowed greedily, savoring the salty taste as it dribbled down her chin. Lisa had proven herself worthy, and she knew that this was only the beginning of the depraved delights that awaited her.

As the final men in the line gathered around Lisa, their throbbing shafts mere inches from her face, a sense of anticipation filled the air. Lisa gazed up at them, her eyes sparkling with wanton lust.

With a deep, shuddering moan, the men began to climax, their thick ropes of cum splattering across Lisa's features. She opened her mouth wide, eagerly swallowing as much of the salty fluid as she could, her tongue lapping at the sensitive flesh.

The men grunted and groaned, their hips rocking as they emptied themselves onto Lisa's waiting canvas. She reveled in the sensation, her own arousal building as she was coated in their collective release.

When the last man had spent himself, Lisa sat back on her heels, her face and hair dripping with their seed. A satisfied smile played on her lips as she gazed up at the spent men, her tongue darting out to savor the remnants on her skin.

This was her moment of triumph, a testament to her insatiable appetite and her ability to please. And as she basked in the afterglow, Lisa knew that this was only the beginning of the depraved delights that awaited her.

As the men filed out of the room, Lisa and the Captain were left alone, the air thick with the scent of their recent tryst. Lisa gazed up at the Captain, her eyes hooded with a mix of satisfaction and anticipation.

“Well, well, it seems we’ve been left all alone,”

She purred, her voice dripping with seduction.

“Whatever shall we do to pass the time?”

Without waiting for a response, Lisa rose to her feet, her movements lithe and graceful. Slowly, she sauntered towards the Captain, her hips swaying with each step. Reaching out, she trailed a finger along the line of his jaw, her touch feather-light.

“You know, I can’t help but feel like we’ve only scratched the surface of what we can accomplish together.”

She murmured, her gaze burning with intensity.

“What other delights do you have in store for me, hmm?”

The Captain’s eyes darkened with desire, his hands instinctively reaching out to grasp Lisa’s waist. He pulled her close, his breath hot against her skin.

“My dear Lisa, I believe we’ve only just began.”

“The night is still young, and I have a feeling you’re just getting started.”

With that, he crushed his lips to hers, the kiss hungry and demanding. Lisa melted into his embrace, her own desire flaring to life once more.

The Captain's eyes gleamed with hunger as he tumbled Lisa onto his lap, his throbbing shaft brushing against her slick folds. Lisa let out a soft gasp, her body trembling with anticipation.

Gripping her hips, the Captain began to tease her, rubbing the tip of his cock along her sensitive pussy lips. Lisa moaned, her own arousal building with each tantalizing stroke.

“Please,”

she whimpered, her voice thick with need.

“I need you inside me. Don't make me wait any longer.”

The Captain chuckled, his grip tightening as he slowly began to guide his shaft into her waiting heat. Lisa cried out, her back arching as she was filled to the brim.

Inch by inch, he sank into her, their bodies joining in a primal dance. Lisa's nails raked down his back, her hips rolling in time with his thrusts.

The room echoed with the sound of their coupling, a symphony of gasps and moans that only served to fuel their carnal desires. Lisa had never felt so alive, so consumed by the raw, unadulterated lust that coursed through her veins.

As the Captain's pace quickened, Lisa knew she was teetering on the edge of ecstasy. With a final, desperate cry, she surrendered to the waves of pleasure, her inner walls clenching around him as she climaxed hard.

The Captain followed soon after, his release flooding her depths as they rode out the aftershocks together. Spent, they collapsed into a tangled heap, their breathing ragged and their bodies glistening with sweat.

The Captain's eyes widened in shock as he realized what he had done, his seed spilling deep within Lisa's womb. He froze, his body trembling with a mix of fear and guilt.

“Oh god, I... I'm so sorry, Lisa,”

he stammered, his voice laced with panic.

“I didn't mean to... I couldn't control myself.”

But Lisa's expression was not one of anger or disgust. Instead, a wicked grin spread across her face as she gazed down at the Captain, her eyes gleaming with unholy delight.

“Sorry?”

she purred, her voice dripping with amusement.

“Why, whatever do you have to be sorry about?”

Leaning in close, Lisa traced the line of the Captain's jaw, her touch feather-light. Her hips began to rock slowly, grinding against his softening shaft.

“You've given me exactly what I wanted, you know,”

she whispered, her breath hot against his skin.

“A little... insurance, if you will.”

The Captain stared at her, his mind reeling with confusion and trepidation. But before he could utter a single word, Lisa silenced him with a searing kiss, her tongue plundering his mouth with wanton abandon.

When she finally pulled away, her eyes sparkled with a mischievous gleam.

“Now, my dear Captain, I do believe we have some... unfinished business to attend to.”

The Captain's eyes widened as Lisa's words sank in, a mixture of fear and arousal coursing through him. He knew he had crossed a line, but the thought of the consequences only seemed to fuel his growing desire.

Without a word, he surged forward, crushing his lips to Lisa's in a bruising kiss. Their bodies tangled together as they gave in to their primal urges, all thoughts of restraint abandoned.

The night was a blur of tangled limbs, desperate moans, and the slick sounds of their frenzied coupling. The Captain explored every inch of Lisa's body, his touch igniting sparks of pleasure that threatened to consume them both.

Lisa reveled in his attentions, her hips rolling and grinding as he took her in every position imaginable. She cried out in ecstasy, her nails raking down his back as he pounded into her relentlessly.

By the time they were spent, the room was a mess of discarded clothing and the lingering scent of sex. The Captain lay beside Lisa, his breathing ragged, his mind reeling from the intensity of their encounter, while his spent cock rested inside Lisa’s used pussy. Lisa, on the other hand, wore a satisfied smirk…….

[rxmqnova]

WandaNat x fem!reader request!!

Reader is the youngest and the compound and it’s our first birthday there and everyone has forgotten but not Wanda and nat and they try to make the day extra special because they couldn’t be there on our birthday since they were at a mission

Best birthday

Y/N: 18 years old ——————————————————

NO ONE'S POV Being the youngest Avenger sucks. At least that's what Y/N thinks. She just wants to help people and go on missions like all of the others, yet she's not allowed to, because she's 'too young' as all the others say.

She loves every single one of the Avengers, even though a few of them really piss her off sometimes. And especially when they use her just to do their work for them.

It's just not fair. Peter was even younger than her when he joined the Avengers and still Y/N's only good for doing the others' paper work.

With a smile on her face Y/N makes her way over to the kitchen for breakfast. It's her 18th birthday today and she was promised that once she turns 18, she'll be allowed to start going on missions.

"Morning, kiddo. I'm happy to see you. I have some work in the lab today and don't really have time to work on my mission report. Fury wants it by tonight, could you do that for me please?" Tony gets straight to the point.

"Oh. Well. It's my bir-"

"I'll pay you. I really need to have it done by tonight. Please" He cuts Y/N's sentence off, making the girl sigh.

"… Fine, I'll do it" Y/N gives up. It's definitely not how she was hoping to spend her birthday, but it still doesn't ruin her birthday mood.

"Thanks, kiddo. I'll bring it to you after breakfast" Tony says, patting Y/N's shoulder and earning a nod from the young girl.

Just like Tony said, he dropped off the papers at Y/N's room after both left the kitchen after breakfast. So she gets into work right away, wanting to get this over with as soon as possible.

Unfortunately, the day hasn't contained just this one task and every time Y/N tried to ask someone to spend time with her, they just didn't have time for her…

———

Wanda and Natasha smile widely, standing in front of Y/N's room, each holding a gift wrapped in a wrapping paper for the youngest Avenger.

It might not have been the best birthday for Y/N, especially when every single Avenger that was on the compound forgot, but that's about to change now.

Both, Natasha and Wanda, returned from a mission in the middle of the night. Of course they're quite disappointed because they couldn't spend the special day with Y/N, but that doesn't stop them from making today the best day for the birthday girl.

"Good morning, Y/N/N. It's time to wake up" Wanda says softly, sitting down on the bed next to Y/N's sleeping body, Natasha sitting down on the other side.

Y/N groans in response, opening her eyes to find her two favorite redheads in front of her.

"What are you guys doing here?" A smile immediately forms on the youngest girl's face.

"Well, it was someone's birthday yesterday and because we couldn't spend it with her, we decided to celebrate the special day today" Wanda explains on which Y/N can't help but wrap her arms around both redheads, hugging them tightly.

"Alright, детка. We can cuddle later, now it's time for you to open your gifts. We have quite a busy day ahead of us" Natasha smiles, letting go of the girl and handing her the present she got her. (baby)

"You didn't have to give me anything, guys. I-"

"Hush. It's your birthday. Now open your present" Natasha shushes the younger girl, making Y/N's cheeks turn a bit red.

Y/N carefully unwraps her first present, gasping when she sees what's inside.

A while ago Tony got Y/N an old gramophone for helping him out with something and Y/N took quite an interest in it. She likes to collect old vinyl records and listening to them, so seeing Natasha got her a few old vinyl records she's been trying to get for a long time made her really happy.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Y/N squeals happily, jumping into Natasha's arms once again which makes the redhead let out a chuckle.

That's not the only thing Y/N's interested in though. Lately she's been really into photographing and making photo albums, so Wanda got her a brand new polaroid camera.

"Alright, alright. Now my present" Wanda interrupts, hoping to get some hugs from the birthday girl as well.

Just like with the first present, Y/N opens it very carefully and gasping once again.

"Oh my god, how did you know I've been wanting one of those?!" Y/N squeals, repeating her actions and jumping into Wanda's arms, hugging her tightly. "It must have cost you so much, guys. You really didn't have to give me anything"

"Okay, again. It's your birthday, so just enjoy it… Besides, it was Tony's money, so who cares" Natasha shrugs, making Y/N let out a chuckle. "But now it's time for breakfast, so follow us, birthday girl"

———

The day hasn't ended with birthday breakfast though. For lunch the redheads took Y/N to her favorite restaurant. And after a little walk around the Central park, the three ended up on a fair.

They had a lot of cotton candy, Natasha won a huge teddy bear for Y/N and they went on so many fair rides which wasn't Wanda's favorite, but what wouldn't she do for the birthday girl.

Now it's dinner time though and the redheads prepared a picnic on the roof of the compound. So now the three are sitting there, watching the sunset.

"I've never ever had a birthday picnic on the roof and we should definitely make it a tradition. It's so beautiful!" Y/N squeals, referring to the sunset and making both redheads chuckle.

"Well, I agree. We should definitely make it our tradition" Wanda agrees, receiving a huge grin from Y/N.

Silence fill the air as the three get back to watching the sun setting down, Y/N smiling and wondering how did she get so lucky to have Wanda and Natasha in her life.

"… Thank you" Y/N breaks the silence, both redheads turning their heads to look at her. "It's been the best birthday i've ever had. No one has ever done anything like this for me and I will never be able to thank you enough for this"

"Y/N/N, you don't have to thank us for anything. We've had the best time with you today and we're so happy that we could celebrate your birthday with you" Wanda smiles, pulling the younger girl in for a hug.

"I can only agree with Wanda, детка. And the day hasn't ended yet, there's still a movie night planned" Natasha smiles, receiving a hug from Y/N as well. "The sun is down now anyway, so who's ready for the movie night?" (baby)

"Me!"

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

WandaNat masterlist

Masterlist

[antlrqueen]

𝒔𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓, 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒐𝒖𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒅 𝒎𝒚 𝒉𝒊𝒑𝒔. 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒖𝒏 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒔𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒄𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒍𝒊𝒑𝒔, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒂𝒔 𝒏𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 ����𝒆𝒍𝒍 𝒊 𝒌𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒘𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅𝒏'𝒕 𝒌𝒊𝒔𝒔.

synopsis: a southern gothic cult au, where lottie is a long time and highly enmeshed member and you're the newest lost lamb to join the flock. think eden's gate of fc5 meets the freaky wilderness shit that has been going on in the show. pairing: lottie matthews x gn reader. all parties are 18 and over. warnings: vague mention of religious themes and shady practices. word count: 669.

part 1/? of my lottie and her lost lamb series.

as the milky lace curtain billows, your eyes instinctively cast upwards, catching the first streaks of sunset painting the spring sky. for a moment or two you lay there on your mattress, breathing in the fresh air that breaks in through the cracked window, chest rising and falling in the most peaceful of rhythms. it's only when you catch sight of the bed beside yours, empty and covered by a tattered knit blanket, that a pressure crashes down on your ribcage so violently that you're sure it'll crack open.

you've forgotten. today is meant to be it. your last day here, at least of your own free will. you might be the newest member of the flock, fresh-faced and fully embraced by the others, but this was never meant to be permanent. and the more you stop and study your surroundings, the more you listen to the teaching and preaching of its leader, the deeper the seed of suspicion roots itself in your body. this isn't your home. this isn't your family.

throwing on your boots and heading out the dusty old cabin, you spot her. sat under a tree on the outskirts of the compound is your roommate, deceptively appearing so small and frail from this distance. as your near closer, you notice her eyes are closed, her mouth moving to utter silent words while those long arms are curled around her torso in a tight embrace.

you inhale, readying your own mouth to talk, when suddenly her focus is on you and the words are snatched from the reach of your tongue. her impossibly dark orbs, doe-like and now searching yours, have a habit of making you lose every track of thought, and had the unease of your goal not weighted your every limb, you're sure right now the only thing on your mind would be the divinity of image her in this fading daylight.

"what's wrong?" she quietly greets, the thick of her brows pinching over cute nose, her head angling up at you. those concerned eyes of hers burn into your very being as you debate how to answer, hovering restlessly in front of where the other is positioned.

"nothing, i just..." you lick your lips and swallow, throat burning drier than you thought. silence falls again, the only sign of life coming from the branches swaying in the gentle breeze above you both. with a pained sigh, all your overdue offer is, "lottie."

the usage of her name earns a slow blink from her and you feel it, the energy shifting and muddying, the former softness of her expression completely draining and a hollowness carving out of her face instead. "no." she shakes her head, her messy brunette locks tumbling dramatically with the movement. "not yet."

"i think it's the right time to go," you begin, voice audibly weak from the power of her disapproval. "i just don't think this is for me. you all feel so strongly about the cause and i feel...well, i don't know what i feel." except that you care for her. that you long for her. that you're only still here for her. your cheeks redden as you guiltily tear your vision away from the girl sat on the ground. "isn't it better for me to leave now? before i've become an official member. before i am lustrated—"

your explanation cuts dead by the way her head unexpectedly snaps away from you and her stare becomes wide. your back automatically straightens as you glance over your shoulder to the direction that has consumed her attention but you find nothing of interest. as you turn back to her, you're nearly knocked to your feet with a fright. instead of sitting, she now stands lank and looming over you, a childlike wildness claiming her features.

"come," lottie excitedly beams, her warm hand closing around yours, and as she tugs you further away from the tree and towards the derelict church, the faraway melodies of familiar songs start to penetrate your ears.

[sexymemecoin]

The Rise of DeFi: Revolutionizing the Financial Landscape

Decentralized Finance (DeFi) has emerged as one of the most transformative sectors within the cryptocurrency industry. By leveraging blockchain technology, DeFi aims to recreate and improve upon traditional financial systems, offering a more inclusive, transparent, and efficient financial ecosystem. This article explores the fundamental aspects of DeFi, its key components, benefits, challenges, and notable projects, including a brief mention of Sexy Meme Coin.

What is DeFi?

DeFi stands for Decentralized Finance, a movement that utilizes blockchain technology to build an open and permissionless financial system. Unlike traditional financial systems that rely on centralized intermediaries like banks and brokerages, DeFi operates on decentralized networks, allowing users to interact directly with financial services. This decentralization is achieved through smart contracts, which are self-executing contracts with the terms of the agreement directly written into code.

Key Components of DeFi

Decentralized Exchanges (DEXs): DEXs allow users to trade cryptocurrencies directly with one another without the need for a central authority. Platforms like Uniswap, SushiSwap, and PancakeSwap have gained popularity for their ability to provide liquidity and facilitate peer-to-peer trading.

Lending and Borrowing Platforms: DeFi lending platforms like Aave, Compound, and MakerDAO enable users to lend their assets to earn interest or borrow assets by providing collateral. These platforms use smart contracts to automate the lending process, ensuring transparency and efficiency.

Stablecoins: Stablecoins are cryptocurrencies pegged to stable assets like fiat currencies to reduce volatility. They are crucial for DeFi as they provide a stable medium of exchange and store of value. Popular stablecoins include Tether (USDT), USD Coin (USDC), and Dai (DAI).

Yield Farming and Liquidity Mining: Yield farming involves providing liquidity to DeFi protocols in exchange for rewards, often in the form of additional tokens. Liquidity mining is a similar concept where users earn rewards for providing liquidity to specific pools. These practices incentivize participation and enhance liquidity within the DeFi ecosystem.

Insurance Protocols: DeFi insurance protocols like Nexus Mutual and Cover Protocol offer coverage against risks such as smart contract failures and hacks. These platforms aim to provide users with security and peace of mind when engaging with DeFi services.

Benefits of DeFi

Financial Inclusion: DeFi opens up access to financial services for individuals who are unbanked or underbanked, particularly in regions with limited access to traditional banking infrastructure. Anyone with an internet connection can participate in DeFi, democratizing access to financial services.

Transparency and Trust: DeFi operates on public blockchains, providing transparency for all transactions. This transparency reduces the need for trust in intermediaries and allows users to verify and audit transactions independently.

Efficiency and Speed: DeFi eliminates the need for intermediaries, reducing costs and increasing the speed of transactions. Smart contracts automate processes that would typically require manual intervention, enhancing efficiency.

Innovation and Flexibility: The open-source nature of DeFi allows developers to innovate and build new financial products and services. This continuous innovation leads to the creation of diverse and flexible financial instruments.

Challenges Facing DeFi

Security Risks: DeFi platforms are susceptible to hacks, bugs, and vulnerabilities in smart contracts. High-profile incidents, such as the DAO hack and the recent exploits on various DeFi platforms, highlight the need for robust security measures.

Regulatory Uncertainty: The regulatory environment for DeFi is still evolving, with governments and regulators grappling with how to address the unique challenges posed by decentralized financial systems. This uncertainty can impact the growth and adoption of DeFi.

Scalability: DeFi platforms often face scalability issues, particularly on congested blockchain networks like Ethereum. High gas fees and slow transaction times can hinder the user experience and limit the scalability of DeFi applications.

Complexity and Usability: DeFi platforms can be complex and challenging for newcomers to navigate. Improving user interfaces and providing educational resources are crucial for broader adoption.

Notable DeFi Projects

Uniswap (UNI): Uniswap is a leading decentralized exchange that allows users to trade ERC-20 tokens directly from their wallets. Its automated market maker (AMM) model has revolutionized the way liquidity is provided and traded in the DeFi space.

Aave (AAVE): Aave is a decentralized lending and borrowing platform that offers unique features such as flash loans and rate switching. It has become one of the largest and most innovative DeFi protocols.

MakerDAO (MKR): MakerDAO is the protocol behind the Dai stablecoin, a decentralized stablecoin pegged to the US dollar. MakerDAO allows users to create Dai by collateralizing their assets, providing stability and liquidity to the DeFi ecosystem.

Compound (COMP): Compound is another leading DeFi lending platform that enables users to earn interest on their cryptocurrencies or borrow assets against collateral. Its governance token, COMP, allows users to participate in protocol governance.

Sexy Meme Coin (SXYM): While primarily known as a meme coin, Sexy Meme Coin has integrated DeFi features, including a decentralized marketplace for buying, selling, and trading memes as NFTs. This unique blend of humor and finance adds a distinct flavor to the DeFi landscape. Learn more about Sexy Meme Coin at Sexy Meme Coin.

The Future of DeFi

The future of DeFi looks promising, with continuous innovation and growing adoption. As blockchain technology advances and scalability solutions are implemented, DeFi has the potential to disrupt traditional financial systems further. Regulatory clarity and improved security measures will be crucial for the sustainable growth of the DeFi ecosystem.

DeFi is likely to continue attracting attention from both retail and institutional investors, driving further development and integration of decentralized financial services. The flexibility and inclusivity offered by DeFi make it a compelling alternative to traditional finance, paving the way for a more open and accessible financial future.

Conclusion

Decentralized Finance (DeFi) represents a significant shift in the financial landscape, leveraging blockchain technology to create a more inclusive, transparent, and efficient financial system. Despite the challenges, the benefits of DeFi and its continuous innovation make it a transformative force in the world of finance. Notable projects like Uniswap, Aave, and MakerDAO, along with unique contributions from meme coins like Sexy Meme Coin, demonstrate the diverse and dynamic nature of the DeFi ecosystem.

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[homelanderbutbig]

The Feeling Of Love (G/T Homelander x Reader)

1554 words. Pure fluff. Homelander is 8 feet tall. Reader is non-descriptive. Established relationship.

You give Homelander's hands a once-over.

It's been a stressful afternoon at the penthouse. Homelander has been sitting in silence while he intently watches the television, tapping his index finger impatiently on the couch's armrest. The voice of Victoria Neuman reverberates through his ears, as she has yet another rally rattling on about the dangers of Compound V. She spares no expense with her pot-shots at Vought, and the formidable power that Homelander possesses as the world's strongest supe. His face twitches from his growing anger, hearing her compare him to the biblical warrior Goliath, a giant inhuman monster that must be taken down by David… by the people of New York.

And to top it all off, Stan Edgar has forbidden him from interfering. They knew about this televised assault in advance, but the board insisted he make no appearances until his PR team has a chance to formulate an appropriate response for him. Instead, he is forced to sit and watch like a dog held back from doing its only purpose, and correcting these mudpeople from harming its 'masters'.

Suddenly, Homelander hears your familiar heartbeat coming out of the elevator and into the living room. Although he usually enthusiastically greets your arrival, he doesn't even tilt his head to look at you right now. But it doesn't take some Sherlock-level detective work from you to tell that he is pretty on edge about something.

"Hi hun," you say, as cheerily as you always are, the only real constant positive in his life. "Whatcha watching?" you enquire while you hop onto the couch cushion to the right of him.

"Press conference," he states bluntly, barely acknowledging you as he refuses to tear his eyes off the screen.

"Can I watch with you?" you ask. He finally glares down at you, slightly annoyed that he can't engross himself in these attacks against his character in peace, but he can't stay mad at your innocent expression.

"…Fine," he relents, sighing under his breath. "Just… be quiet if you're going to stay."

"My lips are sealed," you promise, beaming up at him as you make the motion of zipping your mouth closed. He rolls his eyes at your child-like theatrics before refocusing himself to the broadcast, earning a giggle from you in return.

After a couple minutes of hushed viewing, you're starting to feel a tad bored. Victoria's speech isn't very interesting to you; all of the political jargon flies over your head. However, Homelander wears his heart on his sleeve, even if he'd never admit it. Just a glimpse up at his face is enough for you to see the rage bubbling up to the surface. His uncontrollable twitching and fidgeting are failing to keep his emotions in check.

When he's in this kind of mood, he can be a bit stubborn to accept some relief, especially when it's offered to him. He wants to keep stewing in his frustration, and be alone to sink further into his own hostile thoughts. Smiling to yourself, you have an idea on how to keep yourself silently occupied and quell Homelander's fury all in one fell swoop.

Slowly, you reach over and place your hand on top of his right one, which is clenched into a tight fist. You completely catch him off guard as you lightly stroke his knuckles with your thumb, rubbing the leather of his glove. He gazes at you through his side-eye, but quickly looks away when you angle your head up at him. You can't help smiling at how he fights his inner yearning to give in to your love, trying his best to be coy and not let you spot him sneaking glances.

His fist gradually begins to relax from your tender caresses, until it's laid flat on the couch cushion. Now you can initiate phase two. With both of your hands, you methodically pull his glove off and place it on the adjacent cushion. Although Homelander still won't directly look at you, you can see that his body has completely tensed from your actions. And yet he still doesn't stop you, and waits noiselessly for you to make the first move.

With the utmost care, you start exploring his hand. The entire length of your own hand fits into just his palm, and even then it is still larger. Hell, practically any of his digits are taller than your hand. His fingers are long and slender, nails well-manicured. His skin is immaculate, as smooth as polished marble and without a callus or scar in sight. He has Compound V to thank for that, whether he'd like to or not.

Running your fingers along his skin has the exact effect you were hoping for, as you feel the tension and displeasure drain from his body. He's let his limb go deadweight, permitting you to pick his hand up to rest it on your lap. Luckily it's considerably light compared to the rest of his body mass, weighing only a few pounds on your thighs. It's still massive enough that it takes up more space than your lap allows, but that's never really been a point of concern. You lay his hand facing palm-up, and start tracing the lines with your index finger. Each crease tells its own tale, of a life marred with insurmountable pain and the longing to be appreciated despite its many faults.

At first he tries to continue ignoring you, but he finds it impossible to focus on the television anymore. Feeling your kind touches is awakening his deep-seated desire for affection, buried within his subconscious. The need to immerse himself in unconditional love, which you are currently doling out in spades.

From now on, Homelander's eyes are solely fixated on you.

"Y'know, I never realized how big your hands are," you remark, flipping his hand over so you can splay your palm on the back of his hand for comparison.

He swallows hard at your comment. Of course his hands are big, he thinks to himself. They're gigantic, just like the rest of him. They're freakish instruments designed to kill, maim and destroy. Even when he was a child in the lab, the scientists would flinch in fear when he would dare reach his hands over to them. He was forbidden to lay a finger on them, lest he break their fragile human bones.

He was forbidden to touch them, or be touched by them.

"But you know what else?" you continue, inadvertently cutting off his spiraling train of thought. "That's what makes them special. They're soft, and warm, and gentle too," you add, lifting his hand up to kiss his knuckle. "They're perfect, just like you."

Your words are so earnest, so heartfelt, that he can't stop the tears from welling up in his eyes. Homelander wishes his brain could connect with his mouth so he could say something, any words at all. Everything in his mind is so jumbled, so thick in a jungle of murkiness that he can barely process the barrage of memories seeping in and out of his psyche.

He would be in a state of overwhelm right now, except for the one thing bringing him back down to reality, cracking through the armour his trauma wears to shield itself from healing. And it's not even anything grandiose. It's just you. You and a simple touch to his ungloved hand. The feeling of your skin on his skin, the feeling of acceptance… the feeling of love.

As he cannot find it in himself to speak, he does the only thing he can think of and offers you his left hand. You waste no time removing that glove as well, and allow him to return the favour by engulfing your hand in his hold. It might seem intimidating to anyone else, but you aren't afraid, you know he would never hurt you. The level of precision Homelander has over his strength is something he's honed over the years, as the amount of politicians that he's had to shake hands with over his tenure at Vought has made handling human hands basically child's play. But it's not the same currently; it's a trade-off of trust.

This moment is about the trust you give him, and the trust he now gives back to you.

Delicately, he wraps his right arm around you and pulls you in closer. Your body slots so perfectly into the side of his abdomen, it's almost like you were always meant to be there, right next to him. You make him feel things he never expected to experience. You embrace his vulnerabilities without a second thought. You care, because you love him.

"Why don't we watch something else? Maybe one of your movies?" you suggest.

Your question brings a smile to his face; you know he's never been one to miss an opportunity to show off his accomplishments. He relinquishes your hand from his grasp, only briefly, to change the channel to one of his personal favourites: 'Homelander: Rise of a Hero'.

The rest of the afternoon is spent watching the movie, cuddling with Homelander, and him making the occasional declaration about how well his acting is in certain scenes. Your secret mission is a success, as Victoria Neuman's rally against him has been totally forgotten. And all it took was for you to hold his hand.

[literaryavenger]

So I read somewhere that if the word ‘Sputnik’ is said to Bucky it knocks him out. Like it was a way for HYDRA to temporarily incapacitate him until they could control him better if he got out of hand. I’d love to see if you could write about how the reader and the team would deal with this situation. Maybe incorporate the satellite, as we know how much Bucky loves space. 💙✨ Maybe an established relationship? Again don’t need to do this, but I thought you’d appreciate a little help to get out of this writers block :)

Sputnik

Summary: Bucky's fascination with Space gives the team an interesting, emotional week.

Pairing: Boyfriend!Bucky Barnes x Girlfriend!BlackWidow!Reader, Platonic!Bucky Barnes x Various!Avengers

Warnings: Language. Established relationship. Mentions of Bucky's past and trauma. So much angst, but tons of fluff too. My poor attempts at being funny.

Word Count: 6.4K. This one got away from me, lol.

A/N: Okay, so I heard about this too and did some research and found out it is a thing that the Red Skull uses against Bucky in one of the many universes of the comics, but it can only be used once. What I couldn’t find is how to wake him up, so that part is made up by me lol. Anyway, I hope this satisfies you, Anon, and to everyone that’s sent me requests already, I promise I plan on working on all of them, even if it takes me a little time. But keep ‘em coming! Also, I put a lot of MCU references and lines, so have fun finding them all, lol.

Masterlist

Life isn’t always fair.

That’s something most people can agree on. But it’s especially never been fair for one Bucky Barnes.

Bucky has been an Avenger for years now, and sometimes he still feels like he’s made little to no progress. Other times even he can’t deny how far he’s come.

Like right now, he’s sitting on the couch with you, his girlfriend, sitting next to him with your legs over his as he strokes your thigh absentmindedly while he’s engrossed in a conversation with Peter about astrology.

That’s something that Bucky has always found interesting, and the young genius has been filling Bucky in on everything he’s missed on the subject since the 40s.

Most of the Avengers are away on missions and the rest of the team that’s at the Compound (Tony, Steve, Peter, Wanda, Sam, Natasha, Bucky and you) are all hanging out in the common room, the fading colors of the sundown coming through the window making for a nice setting.

Tony, Steve and Sam are talking about Formula One, Peter and Bucky are in their own little nerd world and you are talking with Natasha and Wanda about the latest tv show you’ve all been binging together.

Your attention is brought on Bucky when he taps on your leg gently to signal you to get them off of him so he can get up, never breaking his conversation with Peter.

“What’s a satellite?” Bucky asks with furrowed eyebrows as he gets up from the couch.

“It’s an artificial body placed in orbit around the earth, or moon or another planet, in order to collect information or for communication.” Peter explains like the cute little geek he is while Bucky goes to the kitchen to get another beer, still concentrating on their conversation.

“You know,” Tony interjects, the whole team’s attention now on their exchange. “The first artificial Earth satellite launched in 1957, it was called Sputnik and it was-”

“Bucky?” You interrupt Tony in the middle of his fun fact when you see your boyfriend freezing as he’s about to sit on the couch where he was a minute ago.

He doesn’t say anything but you can see his eyes rolling back into his head and then he falls to the ground unconscious.

“Bucky!” You yell as you kneel beside him, everyone else rushing to his side, just as worried as you.

You grab him by his shoulders and shake him a little, but the man doesn’t move a muscle. You look around at the team, but everyone is equally as clueless about what’s happening as you are.

“Should we try slapping him?” Sam offers, earning a glare from both you and Steve and a slap on the back of his head by Natasha.

You look back at Bucky, but you can’t think of anything to do to help him, your mind completely blank. You feel a hand on your shoulder but you pay it no mind, your eyes focused on Bucky.

“We could try the book…” Steve’s voice is quiet but to your ears those words feel like a scream and your eyes snap up to his just to find him already looking at you.

You know what book he’s talking about, of course you know. The Winter Soldier’s red book, the one Bucky gave you to keep safe because he trusts you with his life.

You’re the only one that has access to it, but you’ve never even opened it because Bucky trusted you not to unless it was necessary. He chose not to destroy it for this exact reason, in case something inexplicable happened to him. 

He himself has never opened the book, so it stands to reason that there are a lot of things he doesn’t know about the Winter Soldier’s programming.

You promised him you’d keep it safe and that’s what you’ve done so far, but you also promised yourself you’d never open it and see the horrors even Bucky doesn’t know they did to him. You certainly never thought it would be necessary, that’s why you agreed to it.

But right now, as much as you hate to admit it, it’s your best option. 

You leave Bucky in Steve’s care and go to your and Bucky’s room. You go into the closet and remove the hardwood plank in the far corner and reach into it to take out a small safe.

It’s Stark Technology, even Bucky wouldn’t be able to get into it, if he even knew it was there. But he doesn’t, he was very insistent on you being the only person that knew the book’s hiding place.

You scan your thumbprint, then your retina and lastly say the voice command ‘Jamie’ and the light turns green. The safe opens and you reach into it, moving away the files about yourself you recovered from the Red Room after you and Natasha escaped, then the Hydra file Natasha found on Bucky and some other documents you have there before spotting the red leather at the bottom of the safe. You pull it out and hesitate before sighing. 

This is necessary. 

That’s what you keep telling yourself over and over as you open it and start looking through the pages for anything about Bucky passing out.

Thankfully it doesn’t take long for you to find it, and you’re careful to put everything away the way it was before going back to Bucky.

While you were looking for an explanation, Steve and Sam moved Bucky to the medbay where Tony hooked up some machines to him to make sure he was still healthy, even if he’s unconscious.

You enter the room and hesitate before walking up to the bed. You can tell everyone’s worried, most likely because even the shuffle of bringing him here didn’t wake him up.

“Please tell me nobody slapped him.” you say quietly, half joking and half actually worried someone tried to slap him awake. When Steve shakes his head no, you let out a relieved breath and cross your arms in front of your chest. “I think I know what happened.”

“You do? What is it?” Steve asks hopefully, although the tone in your voice doesn’t prompt anything good.

“Apparently, Hydra planted a failsafe in Bucky’s subconscious.” Everyone’s attention is on you, and you look at everything but Bucky. “It was made in case the Winter Soldier rebelled and they needed a quick way to shut him down.”

“I don’t get it, why didn’t Shuri take it out with his trigger words?” Sam asks with a frown.

“She didn’t know about it.” You answer simply. “Bucky didn’t even know about it…”

“If she didn’t know it existed, she didn’t know to look for it…” Tony elaborates and Sam nods.

“Does it say what the word is?” Steve asks you.

“The word is ‘Sputnik’.” You say while looking at Tony with a tight-lipped smile. You know it’s not his fault, he obviously didn’t do it on purpose and you know he understands you don’t blame him, and neither would Bucky. “Good news is, the failsafe can only be used once.” Everyone relaxes a little, at least there’s the bright side that this won’t ever happen again.

“And the bad news is…?” Natasha prompts while raising her eyebrow, making everyone tense again. You sigh, damn her for knowing you so well.

“Since it’s never been used, there’s no saying what will happen to him, how long it’ll last or how to wake him up…” You trail off, looking down at your feet while biting your lip before finishing your sentence. “If he even wakes up.”

You hear Wanda gasp at your words and the room goes silent. You don’t have the courage of looking anybody in the eye at the moment, so you just keep looking down.

“What do you mean, if he even wakes up?” Peter is the one that asks the question, his voice quiet and a little unsteady.

“It’s Hydra we’re talking about, I doubt they cared about the consequences their actions would bring on Bucky’s psyche…” You say bitterly, wishing you had any Hydra agent at hand so you could snap their neck. “That trigger word could’ve done anything to him.”

“T-there has to be something else, maybe you missed something.” Steve mutters and it takes everything in you not to roll your eyes. You know this is coming from a good place, he’s worried for his best friend, but it’s still annoying that he’s doubting you.

“All it says in the book is that it’s supposed to knock him out long enough to provide an opportunity to move him somewhere where he can’t do any damage or even put him back into Cryo if necessary.” You recall word for word what you read in the book, making it clear that there’s nothing else to be done. “All we can do is wait it out…”

You glance at Bucky and something inside you snaps. You know you can’t look at his still, angelic face any longer or you’ll lose it, so you turn around and walk out of the room, leaving everybody perplexed at the wake of your actions.

“Wait!” Steve says from behind you, but you don’t turn around until you’re at the elevators.

“We can keep watch on him one at a time until he wakes up.” That’s all you say while entering the elevator, giving him no chance to say anything back.

He understands this is a lot for you, so he decides not to push it. Instead he sighs and turns around, walking back to the rest of the team to tell them your, admittedly simple, plan.

Day 1

Steve volunteers to be the first one to watch over Bucky, hoping that he’ll wake up within a day and then everything will go back to normal.

“Hey, Buck.”  He says quietly as he sits down on the chair next to Bucky’s bed. 

“This is weird…” He says more to himself while studying Bucky’s face. “Should I talk to you? What should I even say to you? I don’t know, man…”

Steve sighs and runs a hand through his hair. “You’ve known me my whole life. My entire, overextended life… Is there really anything you don’t know about me yet? Well, maybe…” 

Steve knows there’s something he hasn’t told Bucky. It’s something he hasn’t told anyone, really. But he needs to get it off his chest, so he takes a deep breath and decides to go for it.

“It’s hard, Buck… This whole hero thing.” He says quietly while looking at his lap. “I got into this life to help people, that’s all I’ve ever wanted to do, but… I never thought it’d be this hard.”

Steve plays with his fingers as he talks. He knows Bucky probably can’t hear him, he can’t even see him at the moment, but he still feels guilty about what he’s saying. 

“Remember during the war, how we used to think about going home after it was all over and find a nice gal, settle down, have a family…” Steve can’t help but smile at the memory of all the times they spent in bars between fights with the Howling Commandos, just fantasizing about what their lives would be like after the war was over. “I know what I have with Natasha is real, and I love her, and you got pretty lucky too.” He smirks at Bucky while thinking about his relationship with you. 

“But this isn’t really the life we imagined, is it?” His smile falls. He can’t help but feel like saying these things out loud make him look selfish. But who better to understand him than his best friend, who went through something very similar? So he keeps going.

“This job, man… People depend on us to keep them safe, and that’s a lot of responsibility on its own, but being Captain America…” Steve scoffs, just the title he was given all those years ago now carries a weight he can’t escape. “It’s exhausting.” 

Steve finally looks up at Bucky, half expecting him to be looking at him with an irritated expression, but Bucky’s still unconscious, his face still and peaceful, almost as if he’s merely sleeping.

“I try to be perfect all the time, but, outside this team, no one wants me to be myself… They want me to be the version of myself that they like. The version that serves them better.” Steve leans in, resting his elbows on his knees, his eyes focused on Bucky’s face. “But I’ve always known I could be myself with you. ‘That little guy from Brooklyn who was too dumb to run away from a fight’, right?” 

Steve laughs. That’s how Bucky described him. Even after the serum, that’s how Bucky always saw him.

“That’s me… You’ve always seen me for who I was, not who you needed me to be…” He takes Bucky’s hand in his. “Even when I had nothing, I had you… And I know what you’d tell me if you were awake,” 

Steve chuckles, knowing his stubborn best friend would insist Steve would be fine even without him. “I have the Avengers, I found myself a family, I’ll be okay…” He pauses thinking about the team, but then he gets to you and his smile falls again. “But her.” 

He knows he doesn’t have to say anything more. If Bucky were awake, he would immediately understand Steve’s talking about you. “For her it’s different.” Steve says quietly. Everybody knows how much Bucky means to you. “You’re everything to her, Bucky.”

Day 2

Bucky still hasn’t woken up, but you can’t bring yourself to watch over him and Natasha can see it on your face when Steve suggested you’d be the next one on Bucky watch, so she offers to go instead of you like the good big sister she is.

“Hi, Barnes.” She says when she sits down on the same chair Steve spent the day on yesterday. “I think we both know I’m only here for your little doll.” Natasha teases with a small smirk before she gets more serious.

“She can’t face this yet…” Natasha says quietly, thinking about your face just moments ago. “She doesn’t believe she’s as strong as we both know she is.”

Natasha knows you haven’t slept much, the darkening circles under your eyes give you away.

“But I get it,” she sighs “you mean so much to her.” She’s never seen you as happy as you are since you started dating Bucky, and she knows you’d do anything to protect that. Hell, Natasha herself would do anything to protect something as pure as your relationship with Bucky.

“Our whole lives, all she wanted was what she has with you now.” Natasha smiles sadly at Bucky. “And now that she’s found it, it’s hard for her to face reality and admit to herself that she might lose it…” 

Natasha sighs and shakes her head, thinking about everything organizations like Hydra and the Red Room took from all of them, and how they’re still managing to hurt them even after all these years.

“You know,” She says after a moment of silence “I’ve never been homesick. Because there was no place I belonged to.”

She knows Bucky felt the same way for the longest time, and she wants to give him the same hope she had. “And then I got this, this job… This family. And you’re part of that family too, Bucky.”

She leans in and scans Bucky’s face, looking for any signs that he might be conscious, but she finds nothing. 

“None of us are ready to lose that. To lose you.” She tries to drive home the point by taking his hand. “You have a family again, a family that cares for you.” 

“And you can’t do this to her… You know you can’t.” She adds after another moment of silence. “All our lives, she’s been looking for a home… You are her home, Bucky.”

Day 3

“Hey, man.” Sam sits down on the chair next to Bucky’s bed. 

“I know, I know, I’m probably the last person you want here…” Sam chuckles. “But that’s too damn bad for you, because I’m gonna be here anyway.”

Sam looks at Bucky, it feels kind of weird for him to see him without the scowl that’s usually directed at him. “Oh, how I wish I could know what’s going on in that big cyborg brain of yours…” Sam says with a small grin. 

“If you were awake you’d be glaring at me. Is it weird that I kind of miss it?” He wonders out loud. “Two days without your annoying staring problem is two days too long…” 

Sam chuckles again. He knows Bucky would be threatening his life at this point if he were awake. Not that he’d ever follow through with his threats, though. Sam sighs.

“I know you don’t want me getting all sappy on you, but… I never did tell you why I tease you so much, did I?” Sam says quietly as he sits back on his chair and crosses his arms over his chest. “You’ve asked me repeatedly why, but you don’t really expect an answer when you do…”

A lot of the conversations between them end with Bucky asking Sam why he’s such a pain in his ass while Sam, and anyone else witnessing the exchange for that matter, just laugh. Even you.

“But here I am, giving you one anyway.” Sam says with a grin. At this point he’s almost hoping that if he annoys Bucky enough, he’ll wake up just to kick his ass. 

“You know how they say ‘we accept the love we think we deserve’? Well, I know how little love you truly believe you deserve.” Sam has never said these things out loud, especially not to Bucky because he knows that wouldn’t end up well for anybody. But now he feels like he has to.

“Thing is…” Sam says quietly, taking the rare moment where Bucky is not rolling his eyes or glaring at him to be honest. “You deserve so much more than you care to admit, Bucky.” 

He looks out the window for a moment before looking back at Bucky.

“And I’m gonna mess with you, and make fun of you, and tease you like friends do.” He says defiantly, almost challenging Bucky to stop him. “Because, whether you like it or not, I am your friend.”

Sam grins at Bucky, wishing he was awake just so Sam could see Bucky’s face as he annoys him. “You have people that care about you, Bucky. You have a whole team that does.” 

Sam says sincerely with an easy smile, but then he sighs. He knows, if Bucky could reply, he wouldn’t want to believe what Sam’s saying. Ever the stubborn one, that man.

“Look Bucky, I know you believe you’re hard to love…” Sam says quietly, thinking about his next words carefully with you in mind. “But she loves you like it’s breathing, man.”

Day 4 

“Good morning, Bucky.” Wanda says as she enters Bucky’s room in the medbay. “How are you feeling?”

She sits down and sighs. “Yeah, I know, I could easily just look into your mind and see for myself, like Tony has been bugging me to do since all this started, but…” She pauses and smiles softly at Bucky. “I made you a promise.”

Bucky didn’t trust Wanda when he first met her. He knew she had ties to Hydra, he knew she could control his mind and he had enough of that for a lifetime.

“I’ve never entered one of our friend’s minds on principle, but I know how important it was to you that I willingly promised you outright.” She says softly while remembering the look on his face when she seeked him out to relieve his worries. “It didn’t take a mind reader to see the weight being lifted off your shoulders when I actually said the words…” 

After that Bucky seemed less guarded around her, they even had some conversations about their experiences with Hydra, and Bucky came to understand where Wanda was coming from.

“And I get it, you’ve had no control over your own mind for the longest time, you don’t want anyone else in there.” Wanda says quietly “You trust me not to, and I’d never betray that trust.” 

She’s proud that she was able to gain Bucky’s trust, and she’d never do anything to lose that.

“You and I both know what it’s like to have nothing,” She sits back on her chair, her eyes on the window. “and we both value trust above all else, having had no one to trust for the longest time.” 

“After I got these… These powers…” She looked at the red energy coming out her fingers while they played with it. “I knew people saw me differently. I knew they feared me…”

Her Sokovian accent comes out more as she gets emotional, her eyes leaving her hand as she looks back at Bucky. “And Hydra conditioned you to expect people to fear you, too.” She says sadly. “But we can’t control other people’s fears. Only our own.”

That’s a lesson that took her a while to learn, but it’s an important one for both of them.

“We’re not monsters.” She says with conviction, like she’s trying to convince him more than just remind him, before adding. “We are all born so beautiful… The greatest tragedy is being convinced we’re not.”

Wanda smiles, that’s another lesson that was hard to learn, but luckily for them they had someone to help them believe it.

“You know who taught us that, who helped us really believe it…” Wanda chuckles softly, thinking about how you went above and beyond for both her and Bucky. Even before you started dating him, you wanted to make him see himself the way you saw, and still see him. 

“She believes wholeheartedly that you’re beautiful. I don’t need to use my powers to see the way her eyes, her face, her whole soul lights up when she looks at you…” Wanda feels like he needs to remind Bucky what he has. If he’s fighting, he needs to know what he’s fighting for. “You’re her hope, and her peace… You’re her whole world, Bucky.”

Day 5 

“Hello, Mr. Barnes, sir.” Peter says shyly as he hesitantly sits down on the chair, almost expecting Bucky to look at him and tell him not to do that because Bucky always insists Peter call him by his nickname like everybody, but Peter never does.

“I’m sorry, I know you hate it when I do that.” Peter scratches the back of his neck nervously. “You always say ‘just because I have a few decades on you, it doesn’t mean you have to call me sir’.”

Peter chuckles. “I know that, but I can’t help it… It’s not because you’re older,” Peter quickly reassures him. “It’s because I respect you. I admire you, really…” Peter blushes a little at the admission, but after all Bucky is a war hero and a role model.

“Everything you went through, even before Hydra…” He trails off, glancing at Bucky with a pained expression before continuing. “It made you stronger. You’ve always been able to help people, even without being a supersoldier.” 

Peter remembers the conversations he had with Bucky, after the man got used to the 16-year-old’s enthusiasm and energy, where Peter’s curiosity and genuine interest of what he had to say brought them hours of Bucky recalling what it was like to live in the 40s and through a war.

“You had a duty back then… To protect your country, your family and your friends… It was a responsibility, albeit a terrible one at that.” Peter says admiringly, recalling how shocked he had been when Bucky told him he got drafted and didn’t enlist like it says in his exhibit at the Smithsonian. “But you know what it’s like, to do what you have to do because it’s the right thing…” 

“I know you look at me and see a younger version of Mr. Rogers… Young and small and in need of help…” Peter says after a moment of silence, chuckling at the similarities he felt he shared with the pre-serum version of Steve before Peter got his powers. “And I get it, I spent my whole life like that… And then I got this opportunity.”

Peter looks at his hands, knowing what he can do with them alone is extraordinary. But he didn’t feel like he deserved it when it first happened.

“It was an accident. A fluke, a mistake…” He said quietly, words he’d never said out loud but he’s said to himself countless times. “But it gave me a chance to help people.” He says, now very proud of the opportunity he’s been given.

“When you can do the things that I can, but you don’t… And then the bad things happen, they happen because of you.” He says while smiling at the memory of telling Tony that when he first recruited him. “And I know fighting is the right thing to do, but it’s also a lot for me to take on…” His voice gets quieter.

“And it took me a while to get the hang of it. I still struggle with it sometimes…” He admits sheepishly. 

“But, ‘just because you took longer than others, doesn't mean you failed.’” He says before smiling at Bucky. “Remember that, kid.’” he says imitating Bucky’s deep voice with a chuckle.

“You told me that, sir. And I always remember that.” He says, proud of himself. “I’m doing my best, and that’s what matters…” His smile falters when he then sees you pass Bucky’s medbay room, like you do a few times a day even if you still can’t bring yourself to enter it.

“She’s doing her best too, Mr. Barnes.” Peter says quietly, looking worriedly at you. “To keep herself together, to not break down… To not lose hope.” 

Peter looks back at Bucky and leans in, like he’s telling him a secret. “But I can tell it’s getting harder. She can’t sleep, or eat, she can’t stop thinking about you but she can’t bear to see you like this…” 

Peter almost hoped that telling him this would be enough to make Bucky wake up, but he understands that it’s more complicated than just willpower. Peter sighs and leans back in his chair, his eyebrows furrowed with worry as he looks at Bucky. “You have to come back to her, Bucky.”

Day 6 

You almost shove Tony into Bucky’s room. Everybody else is busy, most of the team being out on missions, and you still can’t bring yourself to see him.

“Hey, Terminator, how’s the coma going?” You groan loudly enough for him to hear while yelling ‘Tony!’ from outside and he chuckles. “Kidding, kidding…” 

Tony reluctantly sits down on the chair next to Bucky’s bed. It’s not like he hates him, they have slowly developed a relationship. It’s not quite enough to call it a true friendship, but it’s enough for them to get along when they’re in a group setting, they just don’t spend any time just the two of them. 

“Fine, let’s level, Barnes.” Tony says with a sigh after several minutes of silence. “I know we’ve had a rocky relationship from the start, but you have to see where I’m coming from.” 

Tony thinks back at what happened in Siberia. He feels guilty about it now, but in the moment he was in the eye of the tornado. He couldn’t see a way out.

“Seeing you do those things on camera… It did something to me. And then that’s all I could see, your hand around my mom’s throat…” He trails off, swallowing hard as the memory comes rushing back. “But that wasn’t your fault.” He concedes after another moment of silence. 

“You know how they say that villains deserve to have their stories told from their own point of view?” He asks rhetorically, knowing Bucky can’t answer. “I never believed that. I thought it was just an excuse for bad people to justify their actions… A ‘you don’t know what drove me here, so you can’t judge my actions, as bad as they may seem to you’ type of thing.”

He glances down before looking back at Bucky with a small smile. “And then I met you. And I tried to kill you…” He chuckles awkwardly, then sighs. “But I’m glad I didn’t succeed. I’d never been able to get to know you, to understand your side of things… You’re a pretty badass dude.”

Tony smiles at Bucky. Even he has to admit that Bucky has made so much progress. He’s opened up more than anyone would’ve expected, he cares about the team, he laughs and jokes around with everybody. He’s not as guarded as he used to be, he’s truly a part of their evergrowing, eccentric family.

“I know I should’ve told you this a long time ago. It’s always been kind of implied, but…” He takes a deep breath. “I don’t blame you for what happened to my parents. Not anymore.” 

He pauses, he’s never actually said the words out loud, but right now he needs to.

“But I will blame you if you leave her like this…” He says playfully before adding more seriously. “She needs you, Bucky. More than you know, maybe even more than you need her.”

He’s never actually called him by his name, but he knows this is important and doesn’t find it in himself to come up with some funny nickname.

“Everybody wants a happy ending, and you’re hers.” He adds after another second. “And I know, part of the journey is the end, but… It’s not time for your end yet. Don’t leave her like this.” 

Day 7 

You can’t put it off any longer.

The team is out on various missions, you’re the only one in the compound along with a still unconscious Bucky. You take a deep, shaky breath and enter his room.

For a moment you stand in the doorway, tempted to run out as far and fast as you can. But you need to do this.

You walk to his bedside and bite your lip as you look at his peaceful face. Steve was right, he looks like he’s just sleeping. But you know better.

“Hi, baby…” You say quietly as you run your fingers through his hair softly. “I know, I’m sorry I haven’t… I haven’t been here.”

You feel guilty that you haven’t been taking care of him like you should. “But seeing you like this… It just hurts so bad.” You know it’s selfish. He’s the one that you should be caring for, but all you can preoccupy yourself with is your own feelings. “I want to be strong for you and I’m sorry I can’t…” 

You sit down on the chair next to his bed, gently taking his flesh hand in yours, and it’s as warm as it’s always been. For a few moments you do nothing more than just look at him, the beeping of the machines becoming background noise. You almost hope he’ll wake up out of sheer willpower, but you know it won’t happen.

“I need you to wake up, Bucky. Please…” You say quietly, almost pleading with him as tears start to come to your eyes, but you try your best to hold them back. “I need to see your smile, and your beautiful blue eyes, even if they are rolling in annoyance at some stupid pun I made.” 

You chuckle at the thought of all those times that he rolled his eyes at you when you made bad puns and dad jokes, only to laugh a second later. 

Not even because he found them funny, but because of the look you’d give him. Like you were doing everything you could not to laugh, because to you those silly jokes were the funniest thing ever, and he loved how much joy they brought you. 

And that was nothing compared to the way your eyes would light up when he’d laugh, like your greatest accomplishment in life was bringing him joy, even when both of you were entirely aware that it’s not the jokes that he enjoys. 

It’s you.

“I need to hear your voice and feel your touch… You’re everything to me, baby… Everything I need, everything I love…” You pause and bite your lip.

Love. That’s a word you two haven’t said yet. You feel it, you show it, you both know it. But you don’t say it.

Is this the best moment to say it for the first time? Probably not, but, with some hesitation, you say it anyway.

“You are love. When I think of love, when I hear it, when I say it… It’s you, just you, filling my head.” You reach out to caress his cheek. “It’s just you. I love you, Bucky. I’m sorry I’m telling you like this, and I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you sooner… But I need you to wake up  so I can tell you. I need you to hear it, I… I need you, Bucky.” Your tears start to fall without you even noticing. 

“I can’t lose you… I’m not ready… No one ever is, but I can’t…” Your voice breaks and you try to stifle a sob but fail miserably. “I can’t do this without you, Jamie... Just please wake up...” 

You wrap your arm around Bucky's, your other hand holding onto his like it's the only thing keeping him, and you, alive. Like you almost expect to hear the monitors flatlining if you were to let go. 

So you don't, you lay your head on his arm and allow yourself to break for the first time all week and your voice becomes a whisper. “Please…”

Day 8 

Somehow you managed to fall asleep, the first time you’ve slept in a week, still holding onto Bucky’s arm. 

When you wake up the next morning there’s a few moments where you forget everything that happened. You try to get up from the bed, but feel a weight on your stomach and when you look down you see Bucky’s arm holding onto you. 

Suddenly everything that happened in the past week comes rushing back and, at the same time, you realize you’re no longer in the medbay but instead you’re laying on the bed of yours and Bucky’s shared bedroom.

Confused as to how you ended up here and still a little sleepy, you look up with a frown to see Bucky already looking down at you with a goofy grin.

“Bucky!” You all but yell while throwing yourself at him, pushing him onto his back and straddling him. You hug him tightly as he chuckles at your more than enthusiastic reaction.

You feel his arms wrapping around you as he hugs you back. You want to look at him, but part of you is terrified that if you were to let go he'd disappear. You'd wake up and realize this was just a dream and Bucky is still unconscious.

“Doll,” That simple word, his deep voice was all you needed to confirm this is indeed real and he's awake “you're kind of crushing me here, sweetheart.” Bucky teases you playfully, but he doesn't mean it and you both know it. 

Even though you are clinging to him like a koala bear, it doesn't bother him in the slightest. He just wants you to look at him.

You reluctantly pull away from Bucky’s neck just enough to look into his eyes. He brings his hand up to stroke your cheek softly and you instinctively lean into his touch. 

You close your eyes for a second before they snap open again as you realize there’s something you need to tell him.

“I love you.” You take his face in your hands. “I love you so fucking much. And I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you sooner, I ju-”

Bucky interrupts what he’s sure it’s gonna be a long rant that ends with you unnecessarily apologizing a bunch of times by placing his hands on yours on his face and squeezing them softly, bringing you back to the present.

“I know, doll.” he says simply and you frown a little.

Sure, you’ve both always known you had deep feelings for each other, but he seems pretty sure when you have never actually said the words.

Bucky can see the wheels turning in your head and, chuckling, he decides to solve the mystery for you. “I heard you. I could hear everything while I was unconscious.” 

“You could?” you ask, blushing a little now that you know he heard you breaking down. You’re glad he now knows the depth of your feelings for him, but it’s still a little embarrassing.

“I could,” he says with a smirk. “It's gonna make for a lot of interesting conversations with the team.”

You can’t help but laugh, you’re not sure what the rest of the team talked to him about, but if they were all as emotional as you then Bucky’s gonna have a field day discussing all of that with equally embarrassed Avengers.

Suddenly, Bucky brings your face down to his and kisses you. You make no attempt to resist and actually whine a little when he pulls away, which makes him chuckle at your antics.

“I love you too, baby.” He says softly while stroking your cheeks with his thumbs. “You’re everything to me. My best friend, the love of my life, my very reason to live.”

You feel your tears starting to gather again but, even if this time they’re of joy, you still don’t let them fall.

Before you can say anything though, the door of our room slams open and you can barely understand what’s happening before Steve, Wanda, Peter, Natasha, Sam and Tony throw themselves on the bed, crushing you while they all yell at the same time, the chorus of joy being along the lines of ‘Bucky’s alive’.

Bucky’s arms around you tighten while he tries to protect you from the team’s attack as best as he can while the two of you laugh at your friend’s antics.

You may have had the worst week of your life, but it’s over now. And while you’re looking forward to having some time alone with Bucky, right now you’re happy to be squished under a pile of shouting Avengers.

This just feels right. As weird as your life, and your family is, you wouldn’t want it any other way.

[bbyboybucket]

Okay besties, today I’m giving you the run down of Buckys finances and networth. Because as I’ve said multiple times, he’s obscenely wealthy despite the fact you’d never know by looking at him.

Now first off, MatPat (my fav YouTuber who I’m so sad is retiring, literally adore him) did a mini theory a few years ago, calculating Bucky’s compound interest in previously earned money from WWII in his frozen bank account while he was presumed dead. It totaled out to $51,143. This is just the money that he earned in the 30s/40s and has grown interest on. This is assuming the money wasn’t given to his family and for the purpose of this post, we’ll go with that it wasn’t. However, MatPat didn’t account back pay, for disability pay, and other military pay/benefits.

So as a starter point, we’ll use $51,143. Next, I’m going to calculate his back pay from being MIA/POW because he would have been considered active duty. A MIA/POW is given back pay of 50% of the average per diem rate, for each day held in captivity. The 2023 rate is $157 per day, and I assume that would be similar for him because TFATWS takes place in early 2024. So that means Bucky would get $78.50 per day. There is no time limit on how far back pay can date to, so the entire span of Bucky’s capture is accounted for. As per the Smithsonian memorial in CA:TWS, Bucky was captured in 1944, making it exactly 70 years of capture. So, the back pay for those 70 years, is $2,005,675.

Next, we’ll look at the different forms of disability pay he would receive. I’m only going to look at canonical, confirmed disabilities for this. Bucky would be classified under SMC-N 1/2, where one arm was amputated above the elbow and/or was amputated so close to the shoulder that a prosthetic cannot be worn. Now obviously, Bucky does have a prosthetic but it is implanted into his body, as a majority of his left shoulder seems to have been amputated. Since he is single and has no dependents, aka has no children and is not taking care of any family, and he is still able to work, he would be receiving $6,182 a month.

He also has PTSD, which he would most likely get a 70% percent disability rating for, as 100% is very rare to receive for mental and is considered to be extreme impairment in daily functioning. (He could recieve 80 or 90% but I’m being generous here and trying to give the most realistic assessment). All this means, his mental illness pay for PTSD would be $1716 a month.

It’s also canonical that he has brain damage via The Wakanda Files book. We know in that book, he’s described to have pretty severe TBI. However, we don’t know anything of his symptoms and the book only describes of the brain scan looks bad and that the serum is keeping him from being more impaired. The VA uses 10 areas of impairment as criteria to rate the severity of TBI disability. The only canonically confirmed area that we know Bucky deals with is memory. Since we know no other symptoms and we know he’s not extremely impaired, I’m going to estimate he’d be rated at 50%. Which would give him a compensation of $1075 a month.

Now, we can assume Bucky is retired from the military. From being a retired sergeant, we can assume his monthly pension is around $5,482.

Reminder, all VA pay is untaxed. All of these together, his monthly salary is $14,455. However, this is not including disability back pay. The VA sometimes will pay a lump sum from back from when the diagnosis was made. Assuming the Wakandans were involved in Bucky’s trial and pardon, I’d assume some of his medical records were brought in as well. Back dating to when he was being treated in Wakanda, that’s 7 years, however we don’t know if the blip would count so for that reason, I’ll say 2 years. So, his lump sum would be around $215,352.

Now, endgame was in October, six months before TFATWS, meaning it took place around March/April. Within, the span of October to March, Bucky woulda have accumulated $86,730. Because even if his pardon wasn’t official yet in October, he would still receive payment for that month.

Finally, in grand total, all of this is $2,358,900. His networth would be in a similar, slightly lower range. Meaning: yes, Bucky Barnes is a millionaire and nobody would ever guess.

[mintconditioned]

how to save 101

so i recently had a poll asking what you'd do if you have $10,000, and over half of the respondents said that they'd save it for something big

if you're saving for something big — like college, a car, starting a side hustle, or even financial freedom — here's some unexpected advice that actually does something. not cute. not tiny. real.

open a HYSA (high-yield savings account) at a credit union or online bank. no, not your regular bank. they usually pay literal cents in interest. but online banks like Ally or SoFi (or your local credit union) offer 4–5% APY as of now. if you’re saving over time, that compound interest builds and beats inflation. it’s not glamorous, but it works. set it. forget it. grow.

invest in an I-Bond. you heard right — a government bond. it’s basically a super-safe investment you can buy with as little as $25. I-Bonds adjust with inflation and earn interest over time. teens can buy them through a parent or guardian's TreasuryDirect account. way better than letting your money rot in checking.

don’t save — prepay. saving up for something long-term? like a course, a trip, or even SAT tutoring? instead of stashing cash, prepay now if there’s a discount or price lock. a lot of services let you pay in advance, especially if they’re small businesses. this saves you from price hikes — and yourself.

build credit (yes, really). if you’re 18 or close to it, use $10,000 as a starter safety net for a secured credit card. this builds your credit history early — a big deal for apartments, student loans, and future jobs. make one small charge monthly (like Spotify), pay it off, never miss. boring? yes. life-changing? also yes.

micro-fund a revenue-generating skill. take that $10,000 and turn it into money. Examples:

buy a domain + hosting for a blog you monetize

invest in a course that teaches design, data entry, or UX

get supplies for a hyper-niche Etsy shop (e.g. enamel pin display boards or zines)

buy an external mic and start voiceover freelancing

a 10,000 bucks won’t change your life. but how you use it might.

[urdepressedslut]

Love Me to Death

✧ Pairing — Avengers!Bucky Barnes x Siren!Fem!Reader

✧ Summary — The Avengers compound receives a new recruit. She’s a siren who can make anyone fall deathly in love with her with one word. Bucky immediately takes interest in her as he discovers she’s mute, for good reason of course.

✧ Warnings — light angst, hints to past trauma, mentions of bucky’s trauma, hints to PTSD, hints of anxiety

series masterlist ✧ inbox open

You would never get over the view of the Atlantic Ocean. The way you found yourself getting lost as your eyes focused further and further into the distance. The way the earth curved, the way it appeared the ocean just dropped off. Nobody could ever know what went on out there, what happened when there were no wandering eyes. The secrets that the water held, the dark beauty that painted the waters.

Of course, this wasn’t a goodbye forever— just for a while. You couldn't help the pain that formed in your chest, the way your eyes watered at the last view glimpses of your home.

"You about ready to go (Y/n)?" Fury asked from the sand below.

You turned your head towards him, not missing the quick flash of guilt that passed through his expression. You turned back towards the water, taking one last deep breath in— the crisp air filling your lungs.

"If everything works out the way it should— you'll be back here soon." He reminded you, and you knew that was an estimation.

It was the best outcome that you'd return— but the chances were slim. Considering everything, this might as well be the last time you'll ever set foot on this rock, looking at this view that you'd grown to love so much.

You stepped down from the rock, standing next to Fury with a solemn look. You shook your head and avoided his eyes, you couldn't seem to come up with a good answer— so you shoved your way of communicating in your pockets. Plus, you didn't feel like signing a bullshit response— you were upset and you had the right to be.

"Remember I'm not the bad guy here, and neither are you. This is just how things need to be for a while." He reminded you, trying his best to make this feel less forced.

You gave in and signed the only thing you could come up with for now.

I know. You signed before you shoved your hand back in your pocket.

He gave a tiny smile, one that didn't seem genuine but you didn't seem to care too much.

“I don’t know why I have to be here.” Bucky grumbled, running a hand through his hair in stress.

Natasha rolled her eyes, giving Sam a smack on the head to wake him up. He was falling asleep on the couch when it wasn’t the time.

“Rude! I was sleeping.” Sam complained.

“Don’t care— and Buck you need to be here. We are receiving a new recruit.” She explained.

Bucky let out a sigh, shrugging his shoulders— wondering why Nat. thought he cared.

“We always receive new recruits. What’s so different about this one?” He wondered, earning a stare from the redhead before she replied.

Her features grew serious, all kicking and joking stripped from her face.

“This one is enhanced… and deadly.”

His eyes widened and all at once he understood his place now. He was here when things went wrong— the expendable one. Although it made his jaw clench, slight anger running through his veins— he nodded in understanding otherwise.

Natasha seemed to read him without him having to utter another word, she immediately backtracked.

“God, it’s like I can hear you thinking— you’re here because you’re part of the team. Everyone, including you is meeting her.” She corrected, watching his features soften slightly.

“How do you do that?” He asked, squinting his eyes in defense.

She was always able to read his mind, hell— everyone’s!

She laughed, shrugging her shoulder— avoiding to answer his question to mess with him.

“She’s a woman, of course she can read your thoughts. They all can.” Sam added from the couch, trying to drift back to sleep.

Natasha threw a pillow at Sam’s face, taking him by surprise.

“Oh shut it Wilson.” She mumbled, with a roll of her eyes.

“Ow! Why’re you so violent today?” He asked, sitting up and walking towards the bookshelf in the living room.

Natasha smiled to herself, taking his words more as a compliment than an insult.

“Everyone else will be here soon, but seriously— I know you know what it’s like to feel like an outsider when you first showed up here. I want you to help her out, okay?” The redhead asked, earning a scowl from him.

“Why me? Everyone at some point has had to feel like that too— c’mon Nat! I was just starting to settle down here, almost have a little routine for myself. How do you know she won’t be afraid of me— I’m sure she’ll know who I am.” He rambled on, complaint after complaint.

The redhead rubbed a hand down her face.

“I’m not asking you to marry her— just help her out, while she’s settles in.” She told him.

He sighed, knowing he wouldn’t be able to get out of this. He nodded, but kept a scowl on his face. This was not how he expected the day to go.

Soon enough, Fury was walking a surprisingly pretty woman into the room where all the Avengers either stood or sat waiting.

It wasn’t supposed to be a dig, Bucky only assumed she’d be less… pretty— with the way Natasha had described her. Deadly. He was expecting a more disturbed, haunting character— not this beautiful face.

“I’m sure all of you have heard whispers here and there— so this isn’t entirely new to any of you. Well… maybe some of you.” Fury mumbled, looking in Sam’s direction. “You are receiving a new member. She will be an amazing addition to the team— powerful and will help keep you all alive.”

Everyone said hello, waving and sending warm smiles her way— Bucky could only imagine the nerves of this woman with all the staring.

She seemed to be holding up quite well, in fact— she seemed glum. Her face was sagging with defeat every so slightly— enough for Bucky to notice of course. He immediately felt drawn to her distress, wanting to know the cause of it.

“Now, as all of you noticed. She doesn’t speak, and will not speak unless she is to do so. Meaning while in a mission, or any other situation where one of you are in danger.” Fury explained.

Bucky couldn’t help the frown that formed in his face. It felt wrong to listen to Fury talk about her like she was an object and nothing more— just a weapon at their hands. He felt uncomfortable, and almost like a flash in his quick blinks— he suddenly remembered the same feeling back at HYDRA. All of a sudden— it was personal.

“Can I ask why she can’t speak?” Natasha wondered, voicing what most of us were thinking.”

It felt weird to talk about her like she wasn’t standing right in front of us— but she didn’t seem bothered by it. Guess you wouldn’t be bothered either, after years of someone speaking for you.

There was that uncomfortable feeling again.

“Yes, that was the next thing I wanted to discuss.” Fury started, letting the woman take a seat beside him. “(Y/n) is a Siren. One peep from her and you all would fall under a spell. A love spell, you could say.”

Everyone went silent, taking in the new information. Nobody knew how to react— as nobody had experience with a Siren before. In fact— mostly everyone assumed Siren’s were a myth.

“So… what? (Y/n) talks and we all go in a trance? How do you get out of it?” Scott asked from the back row.

Fury shook his head, sneaking a glance at (Y/n) before speaking.

“You don’t. You stay trapped in the trance until death.” Fury finished.

Everyone’s mouth went into O’s, silence taking over the room yet again. Half of the group were intimidated— while the other half which contained the stronger Avengers, such as Thor and Wanda— they were impressed.

“A love spell that kills you? Wow.” Natasha muttered to herself, having never heard of something like this before.

(Y/n) surprised everyone when she started signing something in her seat, a shameful expression on her face as she did so.

“What did she just say?” Sam asked, looking at both Bucky and Nat.

Bucky and Natasha shared a look with each other, looking back a you before revealing to the rest of the group.

“She said, you’ll love me to death.” Natasha told them.

Everyone grew rigid at that sentence. The sinister way the endearing saying went from sweet to dark. Even Wanda and Thor gulped, swallowing in fear. (Y/n) was new too, nobody knew if they could trust her yet. Even with the approval from Fury— everyone felt a little on edge.

Meanwhile, Bucky gazed at her with a new fascination. Something in him pushed him towards her— something inside him wanted to know everything about her.

He wondered why.

A/N: this seems short and i’m sorry if it feels rushed, but i just wanted to get this out there. has been sitting in my drafts for awhile. hasn’t been proof read 👀

TAGLIST: @billy-reads @potatothots @buckyb-stan @kmc1989 @silverfire13 @ghostofwinter @hanihoney88 @stilesofhannah @skittle479 @marvelogic @meetmeatyourworst @engie115 @wilsons-striped-ties @x209x @kandis-mom @l0kilaufeys0n7

[sam24]

Metal Arm Cupid

Summary: Bucky didn't know what to expect in the 21st century. But he definitely didn't expect cute girls to barge into meeting rooms and beat people up.

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x fem!reader

*****

Bucky made no attempt to stifle his yawn as he pretended to listen to the debrief (that was looking more like an argument to him) that was going on way too long for his liking, earning a sharp glare from Steve, but Bucky could tell that deep down, Steve wanted to hightail outta there too.

“Stop taking all the credit, Josh. I was the one who stabbed him. You just sat there and watched like an obese cow.”

Josh (Bucky thought his name was Jack until now) scoffed. “That’s Agent 16 to you, Avery.”

“It’s actually Avril, you little-”

“Agents, you better stop this instantly.” Fury narrowed his eyes at the bickering partners.

“Stop embarrassing me in front of the Avengers, Evelyn, and let me do the talking. Clearly you can’t because of those oversized donkey teeth of yours.” Josh paid no heed to Fury.

The girl (Avril?) gasped and her hand instinctively flew to cover her mouth. “Why you-”

“Okay, that’s enough.” A dangerously calm voice rang through the room.

All eyes flew towards Natasha, you looked like she was going to murder the next person who opened their mouth.

“This is why I don’t go on missions with sensitive baby agents.” She muttered in Russian.

Bucky cracked a smile.

“How come no one listens to me?” Fury grumbled.

“Probably because you aren’t a trained assassin with 20 different weapons hidden on your body, and I bet you also don’t know 5 different ways to kill someone with an oven mitt.” Clint whispered in Fury’s ear.

“It doesn’t matter who stabbed who, it matters what happened in the end. And in the end, I was the one you saved your ungrateful asses, so you can stop arguing like toddlers now.” Natasha growled.

Her eyes narrowed specifically at Josh.

Nobody spoke. Probably because no sane person wanted a bullet from Natasha’s gun in their head.

“You seriously couldn’t have done that 20 minutes ago?”

Of course, though, Tony Stark was far from sane.

“Shut up, Tony.” At least 5 different people said at the same time.

Josh cleared his throat, recovering from his mini paralysis stroke.

“No offense, but-”

Before Josh could get himself killed, loud voices outside of the door made everyone turn.

Honestly, they all probably would’ve turned even to watch a fly so they could ignore Josh’s excuses.

“Miss, I can’t let you-”

“I really don’t care, so move. Now.”

Bruce immediately sat up. “Is that Ace?”

“Oh, thank god.” Tony let out a dramatic sigh of relief. “I’m so bored right now, maybe she’ll make this actually interesting.”

Even though Bucky’s stay at the compound started recently, he had heard plenty of stories about you, the infamous ‘Ace’. To what he’d heard, you worked at the lab with Bruce and Tony, like a daughter to them both. You were an ‘intellectual sage’ (described by Barton), hence the nickname, Ace.

“I said, MOVE!”

“Banner, what is the meaning of this?” Fury ordered.

Bruce furrowed his eyebrows and completely ignored him. “What in the world is she doing?”

“Banner!”

“I SAID MOVE, DAMNIT.” A loud thud followed closely and the door was flung open so hard it practically ripped off of its hinges.

“Lord have mercy.” Bruce buried his face into his hands as you barged into the room, pulling along a terrified looking girl behind you.

Bucky’s eyebrows raised with interest as he took in your purple highlights, Converse High-Tops, and Gravity Falls shirt peeking out from under your lab coat.

“Look, missy, in case you haven’t noticed, this is a private meeting. I’m going to give you 5 seconds to leave before I have you escorted out instantly.” Fury demanded.

“Yeah, that’s cool, Patchy the Pirate, just give me a minute.” You weren’t even looking at Fury as you scanned the room.

“Ha! Patchy the Pirate! Laura’s gonna love this!” Clint smacked his hand on the table and leaned his chair back (and almost fell backwards if Steve didn’t catch it, but that’s not the point).

Fury looked like he was seriously contemplating life as you still didn’t spare him a glance, and your narrowed hawk eyes landed on someone behind Bucky.

He followed your gaze to meet Josh, who had raised two fingers in the air cockily to greet you and the girl behind you.

“Josh, you mother fucker.”

And before Steve could say ‘language!’ (yes, Bucky had caught on pretty quickly after Tony would say it every other sentence), you had crossed the room in what felt like just two strides and socked Josh right in the jaw.

The room erupted in chaos.

“Whoa whoa whoa!” Steve was up on his feet in a millisecond, his Captain America side taking over.

“That’s it, honey! Do it again!” Tony cheered.

“Is this some kind of Midgardian greeting that I have not yet been informed of?”

“Someone tell me what the hell is going on in my own meeting!”

“That was the best thing I’ve seen in my whole life.” Avril grinned.

Natasha didn’t say anything, but her face clearly said ‘girl, me too’.

“I’ve been wanting to do that for a long time.” Sam chuckled from next to Bucky.

“Same.” Bucky muttered under his breath.

“Whoa hold up, did you just agree with me??”

“Shut up, pigeon brain.”

“Excu-”

The only thing that stopped Sam and Bucky’s cat fight was another punch to Josh’s precious face, this time right in the nose.

Bruce tried to reason with you from across the whole ass room, practically shouting over all the commotion as Steve tried to pull you away from Josh.

“Ace, sweetheart, why don’t you talk it out instead of going straight to violence? Doesn’t that sound like a better idea?”

“Sounds great, Bruce, but that’s not an option anymore!” You shouted back over your shoulder.

“Look, champ, it’s not right to randomly punch people like that!” Steve was still trying to pry you away from Josh.

“Look, Pops,” You mocked. “It’s also not right to cheat on your girlfriend with some random chick you ran into at a bar!”

Everything stopped.

Except Josh’s struggling from your grasp.

“He cheated on you?” Tony broke the silence, looking like he was going to blast Josh into outer space. “Wait, when were you guys even together? And why in the goddamn world would you date that guy?”

“Not me, dimwit, her.” You point your free hand that was not gripped on Josh’s collar at the girl behind you, looking ready to sprint out of there when all eyes landed on her.

“Just leave it, ma moitié, it’s not worth it.” She said quietly, her words coated in a thick french accent.

Bucky recognized her as the nice agent who gave him a coffee last week after Sam ‘accidentally’ knocked over Bucky’s.

“Just leave it? Absolutely not, hun!”

“Listen to her, Ace.” Bruce pleaded.

“No! This sleazy bastard cheated on my best friend! No fucking way! Literally, who the hell would cheat on a cute french girl?”

“Ace, violence isn’t the right way to-”

“Excuse me?” Josh’s voice rang out, sounding like someone was holding his nose closed shut. “Can someone get me an ice pack?”

You whipped around towards him.

“You. Want. An. Ice pack.” You restated, shooting daggers- no, 7 inch sharp kitchen knives at him.

“My nose hurts.” Josh rolled his eyes. “Y’know, after you turned all Crazy Psycho Lady on me and broke it.”

“You know what?” Your smile dripped with bitterness and sarcasm. “How about I punch it again so it’ll go numb and it won’t hurt anymore?”

You reached your arm backwards to land another punch, but Steve rushed to grab you again, and the chaos resumed.

Tony was instructing you to “kick Steve in the balls and resume beating the shit out of Josh”, while Bruce was very strongly vetoing the idea.

Sam and Clint, meanwhile, were placing bets on how much the medical bill was gonna be.

Suddenly, Bruce rushed over to Bucky.

“Look, man, you gotta help me.”

Bucky looked at Bruce with wide eyes. “Me?”

“Yeah! If you tell her to stop, she would in a heartbeat!”

“Why?” Bucky knew where this was going.

“Because of your metal arm!”

Bucky’s heart sank. Of course you were scared of it. Everyone was. They thought it made him a monster.

So did he.

Even though he was so, so grateful to Shuri for trying to help him feel like a new person with a new arm that wasn’t associated with HYDRA, that bloody ruthless murderer that they made him into never seemed to leave.

He would always be him.

No matter how hard he tried, the memories followed him like a lost puppy, attacking at night when he was trying to sleep.

No matter how hard he tried, he could never shake off the imprint HYDRA had left on him.

No matter how hard he tried or how much Steve told him otherwise, Bucky was still a monster.

A cruel, cold-hearted, evil monster who killed the innocent.

Who killed innocent men, women, and children who didn’t deserve to be killed.

He was the one who deserved to be killed.

“She’s absolutely obsessed with it!”

Bucky choked on his spit.

“Wha-w-what?”

“She adores it.” Bruce rushed. “She says it’s, and I quote, the most beautiful and extraordinary thing to ever be made in history.”

Okay, so apparently Bucky did not know where that was going.

“Still not convinced?” Bruce groaned. “She thinks it’s the most amazing thing in the galaxy. She says it’s the ‘peak of engineering’. You can ask Tony if you still don’t believe me.”

Tony wasn’t extremely fond of Bucky, and neither was Bucky of him, so he decided to take Bruce’s word for it, no matter how much it shocked him.

She likes my arm?

Just because she likes your arm doesn’t mean she likes you, idiot.

“Uh, okay? So, um, what do I do?”

“Tell her to stop!” Bruce lightly shoved Bucky forward when he slowly got up out of his seat.

Bucky hesitantly took a step forward, his mind still trying to process everything.

Bucky maneuvered around Steve, tapping you - who was still out to get it for Josh- on the shoulder after a moment of hesitation.

“Bruce, I already told you, it’s too late-” You spun out of Steve’s grip, but your mouth dropped open when you realized it was not Bruce.

You stared at Bucky with wide eyes. But not out of fear.

Out of adoration.

He was struck with a sudden flash of nostalgia of how his mom looked at him when he gave her a card for Mother’s Day when he was 6.

"Oh, Jamie, I love it.” She had said as she read it with a soft smile.

And that same smile was on your face. “Um, hi there.”

He smiled back.

But not one of those fake smiles he put on to make Steve happy. An actual genuine smile.

And it felt good.

You smoothed out your coat, taking in a breath. “Can I help you?”

Steve stared at the two of you, a grin spreading onto his face.

“I’m not surprised. Those psychos are perfect for each other.” Josh rolled his eyes.

Neither of you heard him.

“Hi, I’m Bucky.”

“She knows.” Tony groaned.

“Shut up, Tony.” Your eyes never left Bucky’s. “Hi Bucky.”

He saw your eyes light up as they made their way to look at his metal arm.

Bruce cleared his throat loudly.

“So, um, Ace. The arm has been giving me a bit of trouble recently. I was wondering if you could maybe take a look at it?” Bucky glanced at Bruce before looking back at you.

“He means now.” Bruce added.

You looked like you were going to faint out of excitement.

“Y-yeah, of course.”

Bruce let out a loud sigh of relief.

“Um, actually.” Bucky started.

Bruce’s head shot up and started mouthing something to Bucky - probably something along the lines of ‘No! Get her out of here before she kills him!’- but he was busy looking at you.

“Maybe you wanna grab a coffee first?”

[lunesviolettes]

Void - 04.

(This series was originally posted on my Wattpad, so I’m bringing it over here)

pairing: MCU!bucky barnes x MCU!female reader

word count: 2.2k

summary: Y/N was far from any normal girl in Brooklyn during the 1940s. Her physical and mental strength were far from ordinary and her mother and father were nothing short of strange, just like her. Secrets and strange occurrences were all that she had ever known and with the approach of a second global war, it seemed that everything would only become stranger. A powerful organization, a target on the back of a young girl, a serum, and an infinity stone were all that it would take to change everything she knew about her world.

chapter warnings: none

a/n: This fanfic follows the course of the MCU movies (The First Avenger - Thunderbolts). It’s more focused on the story aspect of the MCU and is very much a slow burn type of story with not a lot of focus on smut.

Series Masterlist Next Chapter

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"So it's not complete yet?" You asked, ducking down until your eyes were level to the beaker of a bright blue liquid. It was beautiful, but there was something almost sickly about it. Like it was meant to kill rather than grant them incredible superhuman abilities. "Yes."

"How do you know? I mean you had to have tested it before, right?" You turned, crossing your arms over your chest as you looked to Erskine. "It was tested...but I'm afraid that is classified information." You hummed, glancing back over your shoulder at the small beaker of liquid.

Your eyes narrowed as you took in the array of varied chemicals in their own separate vials. "Can you tell me everything that has been put in it so far?" You asked, to which Dr. Erskine was happy to explain to you.

You were truly amazed at the number of compounds that existed in one small mixture. Your mind was nearly caving in on itself trying to figure out what exactly needed to go in it. Abraham Erskine seemed particularly eager to not disclose what had happened to the first test subject, but that was the information you needed. If you knew what reactions were produced on the human body then you could use that to determine what needed to be added. So far, you were lost. Without that information, the serum might as well have been trashed.

After days and days of working and pleading with Dr. Erskine if he could just tell you what happened, he finally caved and sat you down for what you figured would be a very long conversation.

"I am assuming you know who Hitler is," he began, earning a hesitant nod from you. "He had come to me, telling me that I would make his people strong. When I expressed my lack of interest he instead sent someone from Hydra, or rather the head of Hydra, Johann Schmidt. An ambitious man that wanted the greatest power known to mankind. When he heard of my plans for this formula, he seized the opportunity to take it."

"And what did it do to him?" You asked, although part of you was unsure you even wanted to know said information. "It changed him. Yes, he became stronger, but his skin had begun to burn away. The only reason he is still alive today is because of the strength the serum gives to him." So the serum worked to an extent. There was just a side effect.

"Radiation." You whispered, biting away at one of your fingernails. You barely heard Dr. Erskine's response as you shot up from your seat, crossing towards the nearest slip of paper you could find. "There wasn't enough radioactive exposure! There needs to be some sort of electromagnetic radiation with enough stabilizing properties to help properly activate the serum. There's no missing ingredient in the serum, there's just somethin' that needs to be activated at the same time!"

You released a small breathless laugh, meeting the eyes of Abraham Erskine who still seemed in a state of shock at your outburst. "Now I just need enough time to figure out exactly what kind of electromagnetic rays will be weak enough to not permanently mutate the host. If I can just do that then...Dr. Erskine! Are you coming?"

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"Miss Y/L/N, I am sure you have already met Mr. Stark who, like me and your parents, is part of the Strategic Scientific Reserve. He will be assisting us in our quest to find what sort of radioactive wavelengths will give us the best results." You were the first to nod, smiling briefly as his eyes landed on your own. "That was quite the argument between you and your parents." He responded to which you felt your face heat up in embarrassment. "Sorry you had to see that."

"I'm not. I've seen how passionate of a person you are and that seems like something we need on our side to defeat these damn Nazis." Howard Stark pulled you into a short side embrace and it was then that you realized he must not be a huge fan of human touch…or any interactions at that. Interesting. You thought to yourself. "So, Dr. Erskine tells me you need help to create some form of electromagnetic radiation that will help activate the serum properly."

You nodded, following the man around the room as he moved from one machine to the other. Soon, you fell into step beside Dr. Erskine, leaning over to whisper into his ear. "Is he always like this?" The doctor stood back to his full height with a smile, nodding to which you released a quiet chuckle.

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Days passed. Weeks passed. Nights were spent working down in the lab underneath the antiques building and you found yourself growing closer to both Dr. Erskine and Howard Stark. You often called the man ‘Mr. Stark’, something he was not fond of in the slightest because he claimed it made him sound older than he was. One of the smaller offices in the lab was soon stacked with piles of paper that were filled with each of their experimental ideas.

On the days that Abraham Erskine was not available, you and Howard would be working side by side, or rather laying across the desk in various uncomfortable positions as you scanned through your hastily written words.

"I don't think any of these are quite what we are looking for," You announced on a normally quiet Monday afternoon. "Polonium is a no-go unless we want to kill the tester. I don't think we're gonna find any answers in these damn elements." You laid your head down on the desk, overcome with a sense of defeat and exhaustion. A month had passed and still nothing.

You could barely remember the last time you spoke to your parents, Steve, or even Louise. You had no idea how Bucky was doing during his training and it was only contributing to the mass amount of insanity you felt had been taking over your mind.

Howard lifted his head, blinking away the few minutes of sleep he had just gotten. "If only we could just create our own electromagnetic radiation that could do whatever we wanted it to..." Your voice slowly died off as you met the wide eyes of both Howard and Abraham Erskine. "It's not a terrible plan." Dr. Erskine said, clicking his tongue as he sorted through the papers in front of him.

You smiled, pushing yourself away from the desk before sprinting from the room. The bright lights ahead led you straight into the open lab space and you began to compile all the information you collected over each of the radioactive elements and what they were composed of.

As the days carried on, you and Erskine had spent the most time together, conducting tests and trials of small samples of what elements or compounds were in his possession. With promising results, the two of you felt that you were closer than ever to finally creating a successful formula. But there was one issue. None of the elements produced an electromagnetic radioactive current strong enough or weak enough to activate the formula.

It seemed that you were so close to the end goal, but there was one wall in your path that none of you could seem to climb...until you were finally left to your own devices.

You had originally planned on working with a small sample of Uranium Ore Pitchblende, attempting to crystallize it and work through each of the nonmetals it could be combined with that you had access to. You made sure to take note of the sort of reactions it would have with water. The next steps were the process of finding Radium, breaking it down, its dissolving process in water, and that was what you thought would be your one-day examination before resuming work with Dr. Erskine.

What you created had been entirely by accident. It was when you rose to leave that you knocked over a small vile of what you could not visually label due to its nearly translucent color. Your first concern was that it had touched another sample, but, upon finding no such reaction, you managed to compose yourself and your heartbeat long enough to put on the proper protection before disposing of it. Long hours were not uncommon and that day, in particular, had lasted nearly forty-six hours without any sleep.

To say you were fatigued would’ve been an understatement, but it still came as a shock when you moved into the path of the chair right beside you and hit the table as you fell. You cursed underneath your breath and slowly dragged yourself back up onto your feet. As you neared the table, you caught a strange and foul odor leaking into the air. It was as if you were shaken awake by an imaginary force. Sleep deprivation was no longer a concerning factor as you moved away from the table at inhumane speeds.

The sample of radium you were working with had jolted during the fall, a few particles of its dissolved substance meeting the remaining droplets of the translucent liquid. What you found went beyond anything you ever believed was possible. The combination of the two liquids had crystallized completely, creating an entirely black substance, its edges sharp but brittle as a few of its peaks crumbled onto the table.

You were captivated by its existence. One could almost say that it was beautiful. Far more beautiful than coal, but nothing like diamond. The horrible stench soon left the air and you felt it was finally safe enough to uncover your nose. You were unsure how many minutes had passed of you continuously staring at it on that table, but it was long enough that your legs began to fall asleep from holding you upright.

With a pair of tweezers in hand and a spare test tube, you slowly pushed the substance inside, knowing it would’ve likely been brushed aside into the trash otherwise.

Despite how late it had been, you stayed in the lab, observing it underneath a microscope to better process its properties. How is that possible? You thought, checking it once, twice, and then a third time before you realized you were not imagining anything. It was almost similar to Uranium, but in the center was what looked like a kaleidoscope of textured patterns. What you were looking at was something you had never seen before and that alone seemed impossible. The elements and their appearances were something you took pride in knowing.

This however, it was a mystery. You didn’t dare say the words out loud for they seemed too foolish. I might have just accidentally created a new element…or created a new variation of some previously existing one. Even hearing it spoken in your mind seemed unhinged. Narcissistic almost. This wasn’t supposed to happen, but somehow it did. You were working with something that had not yet been recorded…ever.

The particle you broke off, had already changed when you peered back into the microscope. The kaleidoscope in the center had separated into two and seemed to be shrinking in front of your eye. The two pieces eventually came back together into the original shape you observed before repeating the process again. The number of protons or neutrons did not change, and that had eventually raised the question of whether or not what you were observing was similar to gamma decay.

If it truly was like gamma decay, you might have very well found the missing piece that was needed to bring Dr. Erskine's project to life. You just needed to test it. You found one of the extra vials of the serum that was made and placed a small sample onto the slider before breaking a piece off of the black substance, placing them together. The reaction that occurred was almost immediate. The serum turned a deep shade of black before it was completely absorbed by the foreign substance.

Okay…not what I was expecting. You said to yourself, soon turning to the next best thing. A sample of your blood would likely show similar effects that the true test would. Your hands shook throughout the entire process and although you had only taken a small sample of blood, you couldn’t help but be concerned. Another small piece of the substance was broken off and you put it in close proximity with your blood, watching with a careful eye underneath the microscope.

The cells in your blood had begun to split apart as expected, but very quickly burst. Your eyes widened and you sat back, frowning. Dr. Erskine himself said that the serum alone wouldn’t work. A single injection of the serum with the substance would only repeat Johann Schmidt’s failure. This new substance should work. You saw the gamma decay…or what you believed to be it with your own eyes. You just needed some sort of contraption. Something to break down the substance into its radioactive components.

A chamber to neutralize and stabilize it. The substance was the key, the machine would be the activator. And that’s where Howard Stark would come in. "I did it." You whispered victorious, pushing yourself away from the lab table. You had accomplished something that seemed impossible only a few months prior. With your eyes clamped shut, you lifted your hands into the air, a silent cheer escaping you.

Next Chapter

[solradguy]

tbh everything you said about Unika I agree with, but funny enough it's how many people felt about Sin for the longest time. We're all aware GG's storytelling is some of the most scattered I've ever seen a piece of media, no one can access Vastege, or is willing to find a copy of Judgement, or hunt down and translate so many japanese exclusive drama CD's, side stories, and interviews. And many people never played Overture, and even if you did, this angsty new dude comes out of NOWHERE. I'll always be bitter at Daisuke for off-screening Ky and Dizzy's romance, and all the initial family drama over Sin's birth. We are force fed the meat of this sudden "super important" characters interpersonal drama, then it's slowly resolved in Xrd, all without us seeing how it STARTED, and it pisses me off to no end. This is the full-blooded son of some of the two most important characters in all the lore. Even his goddamn relationship to Sol comes prepackaged instead of earned, when Overture could've EASILY had flashback levels devouted to telling the story of Sin's entire childhood in short but effective fragments. The excuse of legal troubles with Sega at the time only goes so far, especially because they never bother revisiting it when Arc DOES buy back their characters. Sin has since grown a lot in player's perceptions since those days, and I'm personally super fond of him now compared to how ticked he used to make me feel, but even now I find myself thinking of all the ways he should've been better. Ultimately the point I'm trying to get to is that it feels like Arc Sys never learned ANYTHING from Sin's sloppy and forced inclusion to the story, and that they're repeating everything again with Unika, only this time there's no legal barriers and no excuses. Which makes me so sad, because if they handeled it right, this could've been the most hype I've felt for a new character in ages, instead of just confused and annoyed 😮‍💨

Oh yeah I totally understand where GG lore people like Ed Chang and the others in the Gear Project group in the early 2000s were coming from when they talked about how Overture sucked because of what it did for Dizzy and Ky, and how Sin came out of nowhere. If I had been into GG's lore back then I probably would've been mad about it too. Idk if I'd've left GG like the Gear Project group mostly did after Overture, but it definitely would've taken some fun out of it, I think. It was definitely compounded back then by the lack of access to official side media too. Western fans didn't even have the short stories from the Material Collection when Overture released.

Like you said, it sucks so much more this time around because we can't even blame it on things like the Sammy-Sega merger holding 90% of the legacy cast hostage, or rushed development, or anything like that. It's just Overture back in 2008 again but worse, and I'm bummed about it too!! Like leading up to this point I was so optimistic about Dual Rulers haha!! It looked like it was gonna be great! The animation is gorgeous, they got the guy from the novels writing it, the cast and team seemed excited about it... Idk... I don't know how they proofread the script and decided having Unika be a significantly less interesting Sin was going to be exciting for anyone. We didn't even get 8 tie-in short stories this time...

I wanna be hopeful that the remaining 3 episodes will maybe make things better but I think it's cope at this point lol

On a brighter note, we've got basically all the scripts from every GG on the wiki now (Judgment is there!): https://guiltygear.wiki.gg/wiki/Category:Scripts

And fan translations for just about everything else: https://solradguy.neocities.org/ggmasterpost

We're missing Vastedge in English, and the two light novels, but Lightning the Argent (novel) is almost fully fan translated into English and we've got pretty detailed summaries of Vastedge in English too. The Butterfly & Her Gale (novel) is kind of left out in the cold... Idk what the status is like on that one's translation

Dual Rulers might ultimately end up being kind of disappointing lore-wise, but overall the state of GG lore accessibility has never been better, even if a detailed guide is still required trying to figure out what order to go through it all in lmfao