graytitaniumalloy

[graytitaniumalloy]

Send me a ★ and I’ll bold what applies to your muse.

((Feel free to add your own. Have fun~ ))

I like you / I hate you / I dislike you/ I love you / You are family / I would take a bullet for you / I would shoot you / I would lie to your face / I would say something cruel to you on purpose / I would say something cruel to you accidentally  / I would cheat on you / I would physically hurt you / You annoy me/ You amuse me / I’d laugh at you / I’d laugh with you / I’d manipulate you / You scare me / You confuse me / I wish I knew you better / I trust you / I don’t trust you / You inspire me / I consider you an equal / You are beneath me / You’re better than me / I would trust you with my life / I think you’re mean / I think you’re petty / I think you’re childish / I think you’re smart / I think you’re stupid / I think you’re a bad person / I think you’re a good person / I’m not sure what kind of person you are / I wish you would listen to me / I want to make you proud / I wish you would notice me / I want to impress you / I would hurt other people for you / I’m not sure how to make you happy / I’m a bad influence on you / You deserve better than me / We make a great team / I’d have a one night stand with you / I’d have a relationship with you / I would marry you / I fantasize about our life together / I would trust you with my most treasured belonging / I would tell you my darkest secrets / You disgust me / You intimidate me / I hope I intimidate you / I’d hug you / I’d let you hug me  / I’m scared of losing you / I don’t think you like me / I want to be better for you / I respect you / I don’t respect you / You’re my mentor / You’re my friend / You’re my best friend / I have a crush on you / I could easily watch you die / I’d get drunk with you / I’d party with you / I’d comfort you / I’d prank you / I’d spike your drink / I’d act behind your back / I’d abandon you / I’d hurt you to get what I want / I would choose my happiness over yours / I would choose your happiness over mine / I despise how much I care for you / I need you / I’m dependent on you / I don’t know what I’d do without you / I’m scared of you leaving me / I’d give my life for you / You frustrate me / I’d call for you in a time of need / I would protect you / I’d visit you in hospital / I’d carry you if you were hurt / I’d feel guilty if I hurt you / I’d let you be near me when I am vulnerable / I’d ignore a phone call from you / I’d call you at 3am / I’d break you out of jail / I’d get angry at you / I would shout at you / You’re too loud / You’re too quiet / You’re too sensitive / You can’t take a joke / You embarrass me / I feel nothing for you / You’re reckless / You’re bossy / You bore me / I would ask your advice / I would blame you for something I did / I would cry in your arms / You have the power to hurt me more than anyone else /

[graytitaniumalloy]

When the night has come And the land is dark And the moon is the only light we’ll see No I won’t be afraid Oh, I won’t be afraid Just as long as you stand, stand by me

(based on @cyborgrhodey’s tags)

[graytitaniumalloy]

Daily drawing 3 june 2025

Iron Man Mark II

[graytitaniumalloy]

One December, his Dad came stumbling through the door, nearly tripping down the stairs while he laughed. A guest from one of his parties had said something he’d found particularly tickling, apparently. Gray could practically smell the scotch wafting off of him.

“Are you okay?” The young boy had asked, a little concerned. His Dad ruffled his hair.

“Yeah, kid. I’m fine. It was-that was just really funny.”

Years later, Tony rocked the house as he crashed through multiple layers of flooring, onto his car collection. Grayson raced down the stairs, jaw agape. He’d drawn up beside him, waving away some of the dust.

“Are you okay?!”

“Yup- Fine. Just… gonna lay here for a minute. Really liked this one.” More worried about the car than his bruises.

After everything with Obadiah… Gray had asked if he was okay a lot. Routinely met with a sad smile, and a nod. “I’m fine, kid. You doing okay?”

And that wasn’t even accounting for Rhodey and Pepper. They were no better on the fine front. At least Pepper occasionally shared what was going on, when she was really pushed past her limits.

So, Grayson didn’t inherently take Sterling at his word. “You sure?” He confirmed, not pushing, just leaving opportunity to talk if the other wanted.

It seemed they had the same idea. Apparently Gray wasn’t as good at hiding his feelings as a trained agent, who’d have thought?

“I’ll get through it, I survived the first time.” Grayson reassured, sombrely. He wasn’t going to go into all of what he’d seen, Sterling didn’t need those visuals. But there was one moment he’d opened up about a couple times over the years. To his Dad, to his therapist. While it was difficult, he also felt it was important to speak aloud, to honour the loss.

“Back when I was a kid, when my Dad and I… had an extended stay in a cave.” That was one way to put it. “There was a man, named Yinsen. He was a doctor. He saved our lives, and…” The young man’s voice cracked, his chest tightened. His hands shook along with his breath.

I have steady hands.

He brought the tea up to his lips for a moment, trying to use the flavour, the warmth, to calm himself. “We couldn’t- we lost him.” He wiped at his eyes. “I just have a lot of doubts… I can’t help but wonder if I’d done something different, whether… And I was stuck there. Again.” Living it. Over and over.

Despite the calming herbal tea he'd been sipping, Grayson felt his stomach clench with the question. There was a stitch in his chest as he breathed. Light glinted on the edge of his mug. Lamp light reflected in a pair of glasses.

"Wait! Please! Don't go!" His throat had become hoarse with the cries. The regrets, the what ifs? Had taken hold yet again. The void had shaken him to the core.

He'd been sent to the lunch room by his attending physician. She'd noticed he wasn't... coping well.

Too. It was easier to focus on that part of the question.

"Yeah..." He swallowed. It felt like he could shatter at any moment. "You okay?"

[graytitaniumalloy]

Despite the calming herbal tea he'd been sipping, Grayson felt his stomach clench with the question. There was a stitch in his chest as he breathed. Light glinted on the edge of his mug. Lamp light reflected in a pair of glasses.

"Wait! Please! Don't go!" His throat had become hoarse with the cries. The regrets, the what ifs? Had taken hold yet again. The void had shaken him to the core.

He'd been sent to the lunch room by his attending physician. She'd noticed he wasn't... coping well.

Too. It was easier to focus on that part of the question.

"Yeah..." He swallowed. It felt like he could shatter at any moment. "You okay?"

@graytitaniumalloy

"Gray... You got caught in it too?"

[graytitaniumalloy]

✎ㅤ. . .ㅤ𝑯𝑬𝑨𝑫𝑪𝑨𝑵𝑶𝑵 𝑸𝑼𝑬𝑺𝑻𝑰𝑶𝑵𝑺.

₊˚⊹ ㅤa collection of character analysis/headcanon questions to learn more about your character and your partners'! writing/headcanon prompts requested by anonymous. feel free to edit these as you see fit.

[ 🖐️ ]ㅤ.ㅤwhat do their hands feel like: soft, calloused, trembling ? [ ☂️ ]ㅤ.ㅤdo they crave touch or fear it ? [ 🎐 ]ㅤ.ㅤdo they have a sound, like a song or voice, that they associate with peace ? [ 🕊️ ]ㅤ.ㅤwhen did they feel the safest ? [ 💤 ]ㅤ.ㅤhow do they sleep ? curled up, sprawled, holding onto something ? [ 🦇 ]ㅤ.ㅤwhat is a fear they never talk about ? [ 🔒 ]ㅤ.ㅤwhat is a secret they’ve sworn never to tell ? [ 🪢 ]ㅤ.ㅤwhen was the last time they broke a promise ? [ 🫳 ]ㅤ.ㅤwho do they feel they owe, but never paid back ? [ 💼 ]ㅤ.ㅤwhat do they always carry with them ? [ 🧨 ]ㅤ.ㅤwhat’s the quickest way to set them off, even if they hide it well ? [ ⛓️ ]ㅤ.ㅤwhat does guilt feel like to them ? [ 💢 ]ㅤ.ㅤwho have they never forgiven and never will ? [ 🩸 ]ㅤ.ㅤis there something or someone that, if lost, would break them ? [ 🌧️ ]ㅤ.ㅤis there a pain they refuse to heal from ? [ 🪞 ]ㅤ.ㅤwhen have they looked at their reflection and hated what they saw ? [ 📿 ]ㅤ.ㅤwhat superstition or ritual do they cling to ? [ 🌊 ]ㅤ.ㅤwhen was the last time they cried ? [ 🐾 ]ㅤ.ㅤdo animals like them instinctively ? [ 🪶 ]ㅤ.ㅤhow do they laugh ? [ 🫀 ]ㅤ.ㅤwho taught them what love is ? did it hurt ? [ 💭 ]ㅤ.ㅤdo they believe they’re worthy of being loved ? [ 🎀 ]ㅤ.ㅤwhat is their main love language ? [ 🔦 ]ㅤ.ㅤwho do they search for ? [ 📜 ]ㅤ.ㅤis there a story they love sharing with others ? [ 🌒 ]ㅤ.ㅤdo they have a dream or goal they have given up on ? [ 🕯️ ]ㅤ.ㅤwhat memory do they replay when they’re alone ? [ 🌪️ ]ㅤ.ㅤwhat’s the one choice they regret (not) making ? [ 🧩 ]ㅤ.ㅤwhat’s a truth about themselves they refuse to admit ? [ 🍻 ]ㅤ.ㅤwhat kind of drunk are they ? [ ✉️ ]ㅤ.ㅤwhat kind of letter would they write but never send ? [ 🗡️ ]ㅤ.ㅤwhat is a scar that they have but never talk about ? [ 🕸️ ]ㅤ.ㅤdo they have a favourite lie they like to hear ? [ 🪦 ]ㅤ.ㅤwhat would they want on their gravestone but never admit aloud ? [ 🎱 ]ㅤ.ㅤwhat kind of future do they crave, and who’s in it ? [ 🌀 ]ㅤ.ㅤdo they have a recurring dream or nightmare ? [ 🍃 ]ㅤ.ㅤdo they feel like they belong ? [ ⚓ ]ㅤ.ㅤwhat does “home” mean to them ? [ 🧭 ]ㅤ.ㅤwhere would they go if they could disappear tomorrow ?

[graytitaniumalloy]

MEDICAL THEMED PROMPTS ( pt. 1 )

THE PHYSICIAN / NURSE

❝ i know this hurts but i need you to breathe, we're almost done. ❞

❝ can you open your eyes for me? ❞

❝ how long have you been experiencing those symptoms? ❞

❝ i can't help you unless you tell me the truth. ❞

❝ i know you wanna get discharged and go home, but we have to keep you for observation just a little longer. ❞

❝ i know you're scared, but you're in the right place. we're gonna do everything we can to make you better. ❞

❝ next time, call your general practioner or come see us sooner. google is not a reliable source. ❞

❝ just a few more stitches and we're done. ❞

❝ does it hurt when i touch here? ❞

❝ we're gonna get you fixed up, i promise. ❞

❝ i'd appreciate it if you could sit still and let me work, please. ❞

❝ sorry, could you repeat that last part for me? ❞

❝ is there anybody we can call for you? ❞

❝ it'll be a long road to recovery, do you have anyone at home to help? ❞

❝ it's a sprain. we'll get you a brace. ❞

❝ it does look like it's fractured, we're gonna get some imaging, okay? ❞

❝ you wanna see your x-rays? ❞

❝ bad news is its broken. good news, it's a clean break. with proper care and some physical therapy to follow up, it should heal well. ❞

❝ so you are going to need surgery. ❞

❝ don't worry, it's noninvasive and outpatient. ❞

❝ it is an invasive surgery, but we have some of the finest surgeons on the case. ❞

❝ we're a teaching hospital, is it okay if i let some student doctors observe? ❞

❝ i'm actually new. this is my first day. ❞

❝ i've never done this procedure before—well, except on cadavers. ❞

❝ that was unprofessional, i apologize. ❞

❝ tell me what's going on today? ❞

❝ you wanna tell me how you managed to get a gunshot wound like this? ❞

❝ that is a nasty laceration, what happened? ❞

❝ you know your blood type? ❞

❝ i know you haven't had the best of luck before, but i'm a new face. fresh ears. i am listening, i promise. ❞

❝ i'm sorry you've had a bad experience. i promise i believe you. ❞

❝ any pre-existing conditions we should know about? ❞

❝ how many fingers am i holding up? ❞

❝ we're gonna need to draw some blood. ❞

❝ you're right. i should've listened. ❞

❝ you need to listen to what i'm saying. ❞

❝ i know it sounds really scary, but we see it all the time. ❞

❝ it's manageable and you'll be able to live with it. but you have to follow the treatment plan. ❞

❝ if you keep moving like that it's gonna hurt more. please sit still. ❞

THE PATIENT

❝ honestly it doesn't hurt that much. ❞

❝ uhhh...that's not? normal, right...? ❞

❝ i'm sorry you said i'm gonna have to do what? ❞

❝ sorry, uh. could you repeat that? i'm nervous i wasn't really listening. ❞

❝ i hope it's not cancer. ❞

❝ well doctors do make the worst patients, what can i say. ❞

❝ could you just hold my hand for a second? ❞

❝ there's no one. it's just me. ❞

❝ shit—yeah, that hurts. that really hurts. ❞

❝ can i get outta here any time soon? ❞

❝ you look kinda young to be a doctor. ❞

❝ i thought i was fine but it just kept getting worse. ❞

❝ could i get something for the pain? ❞

❝ no—no drugs. please. ❞

❝ you're telling me it's 'just stress'? what's that supposed to even mean? ❞

❝ no one ever believes me. they think i'm exaggerating. i'm not making this up! ❞

❝ i just feel like i can't breathe. ❞

❝ that's a lot of blood... ❞

❝ how long is that supposed to take? ❞

❝ i'm scared of needles. ❞

❝ am i gonna be okay? ❞

❝ i-i'm so stupid. i should've been more careful. ❞

❝ do i really have to wear those gowns...? ❞

❝ what? what does that mean? ❞

❝ could you explain that again? ❞

❝ i'm having another episode. ❞

❝ i feel like i might pass out... ❞

❝ kinda wish i didn't have to be discharged. feels safer here than out there. ❞

❝ well aren't you doctor cutie? ❞

❝ have you ever done this before? ❞

❝ my veins are kinda tricky, try my left arm. ❞

❝ thank you. i mean it. ❞

❝ sorry i'm not trying to take it out on you i'm just really stressed. ❞

❝ i kinda hate hospitals. ❞

❝ don't come near me. ❞

❝ don't touch me! ❞

❝ that wasn't so bad. ❞

❝ there's air bubbles in my iv. ❞

❝ i don't mean to be difficult, it's just my condition is kinda particular and only my gp knows the details. i have this folder here that explains everything. ❞

❝ don't look at me like that. i know my own body. ❞

[graytitaniumalloy]

"Daaad." Grayson groaned, just full on flopped against the side of the fridge. He was appreciating the distraction, but boy was that joke cheesy.

"That's not very fair, you've seen me stuck." The boy argued, but decided he wouldn't press further if Tony really didn't want to go into it.

"Okay..." It was a relief to hear the de-sticking wouldn't hurt. He really didn't feel like dealing with even more chest discomfort than he already was. "You? Sarcastic?" The retort was said weakly, evidently distracted by the phone hovering over him. "How does that... " But he trailed off, and decided against asking once he was freed, second guessing the question as anxious concerns stewed.

"I just... really wanted a sandwich." He was evidently a little disheartened. Making a sandwich was supposed to be easy. He'd been able to do that for years. But now? It felt like... like everything had changed. The entire world felt different. It felt scary. Even his Dad's reassurance that he was physically alright, didn't entirely quench the feeling that something was wrong.

He tried to take in the feeling of the pat on the shoulder, to focus on it rather than the nervous sensation in his stomach and muscles. Homework. Right. "I-I've done a little..." His cheeks turned pink. It was difficult to admit. He was used to school work coming easy to him, but since they'd gotten home? Even with their temporary tutoring setup, he was having a hard time getting his mind off... everything.

Tony's features turned sincere, the comfort of his words seeping in. Gray's eyes prickled, and the boy felt himself stepping forward, wrapping his arms around his Dad's waist. He buried his face into his side. Even their hugs had changed. They had to hug at an angle, because two powerful magnets coming nearly face to face wasn't exactly comfortable, either.

Deep breaths. He breathed in through his nose.

"Easy, easy. Slow and deep, all right?" Rapid, gasping, panicked breaths. A gentle hand smoothed over his hair. He could almost hear their old companion's voice.

A deep sadness rose up in the young boy's chest.

[Jarvis] "Sir? Grayson is requesting your immediate assistance in the kitchen, he seems to be in a... slightly precarious predicament."

A slightly precarious predicament was putting it lightly, in Gray's eyes. He'd just wanted some peanut butter for his toast. His first pb&j since they'd gotten home. His first pb&j in over three months.

Apparently he'd leaned too close to the door on the other side of the fridge and... well. He had a giant electromagnet in his chest. For a moment he wondered whether Jarvis had resisted the urge to describe the predicament as a sticky situation.

"Daaaaad!" The boy called, forehead resting against the fridge door. He'd be able to figure something out, right? - graysonstark

@graytitaniumalloy

"Yeeeeah?" Tony said, engrossed in something in his lab but splitting his attention nonetheless to hear what Jarvis had to say. That split attention became un-split once he heard the words son and immediate assistance. "What kind of precarious predicament?" Tony said, extricating himself from his equipment in preparation to go help Grayson. Jarvis seemed reluctant to provide details, however, and that only served to worry Tony more. "C'mon, man, gimme somethin', don't do me like this," he said.

"He attempted to get himself a snack from the refrigerator, and there was an unfortunate mishap," Jarvis finally said.

Tony blinked, pausing for a second. "No."

"Yes, sir," the A.I. insisted.

"No," Tony insisted right back.

"Yes," Jarvis asserted.

"Wait, how do you even know what I'm thinking, I didn't... program you to mind read," Tony said, his face scrunching up in irritation. "Be neat if I could," he mumbled to himself.

"I assumed that from your own earlier incident of a similar nature, that you would have made the connec-"

"Yeah, yeah, alright, that's... that's fair enough," Tony said, hauling ass to the kitchen. When he got there, he was caught mid-sentence with the sight of his son getting up close and personal with the refrigerator door. "Okay, what seems to be th-" Tony got out before he snorted loudly and laughed for a moment in a high pitched manner. "Sorry. I- Sorry, I'm laughing with you," he said as he went to Grayson. "That's something I would've done." He pointed to where he was stuck fast.

"Have done, sir," Jarvis corrected.

"Okay, wow, loyalty... means nothing to you, apparently," he said to the A.I. "Fine. Have done," he said, taking out his cell phone and bringing something up on the screen before bringing it close to where Grayson was stuck to the door. "You're so related to me, it's not even funny. My condolences." Pressing the touchscreen, the phone temporarily emitted a magnetic wave disrupter. It wasn't enough to mess with the function of the reactor, but enough to allow Grayson to... un-stick himself, especially with the gentle push back Tony gave him at the right time.

"There you go. You gotta be careful with that thing, okay? C'mere." He turned Grayson to face him, looking him over. "You're good," he said, patting his cheek. "Listen, I'll put this on your phone too, okay? Case it happens again. But it's not gonna happen again, right? Because you're gonna be careful? Yes? Nod with me. Homework goes on the fridge, not your whole self."

[graytitaniumalloy]

Grayson quirks a brow, arms crossed. Little does he realize, he looks so like his Dad. "Uhuh. Well, it's pretty delicate, so be careful... Please." He adds the last word after a moment's pause. Walker's not exactly known for his tact, but Gray has to admit, he's being judgemental. His awareness of the man's past is getting in the way of them starting off on a clean slate. He'd seen the news. What John had done in Latvia was nothing to brush off.

A part of Grayson can't help but think back to when he'd picked his father up in Siberia. Tony too, had gone after the wrong person, in a sense. But the two situations had so many juxtaposing aspects outside of the pain of loss that he couldn't help meet his Dad with empathy, and Walker with wariness. Bucky was still alive, for one.

The young man could recognize that John had helped people since, though. And people even included Gray and his own family, his friends. They'd been in New York when the Void had taken over. Grayson had been slammed back to some of his most painful memories. Years of healing, picked back like a scab. John had helped, with that whole situation. People were complicated, as were emotions.

Gray releases a breath, lowers his arms, and steps towards John, eyes falling to the partial-nanotech leg prosthesis he'd been admiring. "Sorry. That was a little uncalled for, on my part. It's just taken a while to put together, and I'm kind of exhausted. You can help me attach this plate, if you'd like?"

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." - graytitaniumalloy (hey! :) )

John startles as he turns around, almost feeling like a kid getting caught with his hands in the cookie jar. "I was just admiring the circuitry, wasn't gonna break anything." He grumbles a little sheepishly, he was only going to just poke it for a second.

[graytitaniumalloy]

"Don't worry about it." Gray reassured, brows furrowed slightly in concern. He shook his head with her apologies, rubbing a thumb over the back of her hand in hopes of helping to soothe her further. "Hey, no sorry's. You have nothing to apologize for. It's okay. It happens."

Had someone made her feel it wasn't okay to express her own emotions? That it wasn't okay to need a moment? Or was it just the discomfort of being thrust into a moment of vulnerability, of being looked after, and letting her guard down, that left the apology slipping out?

Sandy lifted her head to lay it on Mantis's leg, looking up at her with her big brown eyes, and Gray felt the thud of Morgan's feet vibrate through the floorboards as she returned to the living room, holding out a bunny stuffy with long floppy ears, for Mantis to hug.

Right. She was an empath. Gray outstretched his hand just in time to meet hers, "Okay."

This was a panic attack, right? Yeah. Yeah... Friday would've mentioned if something seemed otherwise off. He had to focus.

Calm. Recent months, years, had been far from it. Things were only just beginning to settle, between his Dad's recovery and the destruction of the Avengers compound. School was on a short break to give people a chance to reunite with loved ones, and for systems to adjust to the return of half of the world's population. So, he'd been spending time with his family.

Memories of a vacation in Malibu came to mind. It had taken place the... previous summer? Yes, because Morgan had been four. They'd shown her the area where he'd grown up. They'd swam at the beach, built castles, he'd done a little surfing, and he and Morgan had covered their Dad's legs in sand. Sandy had come along and run through their work. Morgan had squealed in alarm, but Gray had quickly shifted the situation to incorporate Sandy as a giant who'd come along, and now the city would have to rebuild all the stronger! To dramatic effect. Luckily, it had done the trick in distracting her, while putting a fun twist on the situation at hand.

That had been a nice trip. Gray's mind wandered to that day, trying to picture the warm sand between his toes. To feel the refreshing waves over his arms as he glided along. To hear his Dad's enthusiastic roar and Morgan's giggles when he eventually freed his legs from the sand. To see Pepper smiling from beneath her umbrella.

[graytitaniumalloy]

[graytitaniumalloy]

"Great, thanks!" The boy mused, setting his drink by the pool edge and moving to sit with his legs in the water. The cool liquid embraced him, lapping at his skin in little ripples. The teen watched the other zoom around, his little legs reminding him of a boat's propeller. He tossed a soft smile towards the other.

Gray had heard that Pilot and the rest of his crew had been going through a tough time, and he couldn't help but notice the various marks which appeared to be scars, trailing over their new friend's skin... shell? Skin. At least he seemed to be in good spirits. A nod met the bright reply, "I do. I really enjoy it, it's pretty relaxing and fun, and refreshing in the summer. Especially in California." New York could get pretty toasty, too, of course. "Do you have pools, where you're from?" The space ship, or the planet, if he was from one.

He took another draw of his smoothie and then slid into the water. He waded in until his feet touched the pool floor, with the tops of his shoulders just barely above the surface.

Water Bug || closed with graytitaniumalloy

{ @graytitaniumalloy, continued from here. }

Pilot smiled when he saw the young human. He was still learning everyone's names, but he thought he remembered his. "Hello, Grayson. Not at all. This pool is adequately sized for many occupants," he said cheerfully. "I would appreciate the company."

He swam over to where Grayson was, on his back with his larger legs curled over his body. His smaller legs acted like swimmerets, fluttering down by his abdomen to propel him along. He stopped near the boy, looking up at him and smiling. Pilot noticed the scars, and he wondered about them, but for now he decided it would be very rude to ask. Still, he didn't like to see young ones of any race dealing with dire wounds like that. Pilot had his own scars from the wounds he'd suffered when he was separated from Moya, but they were healing very nicely. The tissue grafts had been a definite success for him.

"It's going... swimmingly!" Pilot replied with bright enthusiasm. "I enjoy swimming very much. It makes me happy. Do you like swimming too?" How wonderful it was that swimming was a thing here, and that there appeared to be many humans who enjoyed it just like he did. It was perhaps a small comfort for his otherwise depressing situation, but it was still a comfort nonetheless.

[graytitaniumalloy]

An enjoyment of swimming was something they had in common. Having grown up by Malibu beaches, Grayson had been in and out of pools and the ocean as far back as he could remember. And then there was surfing. In elementary school, the boy had developed a love of track and field, but after getting the reactor implanted in his chest, and everything that came along with it, he'd found he didn't have the endurance or same physical comfort with track that he'd had before. He'd been down about it for a while, but the reactor was water proof, and he'd found swimming easier to manage, so he'd thought why not try surfing out for size? It came with it's own challenges, but overall he loved it.

The teen had been dealing with exam week at school, and while most of them came easy enough to him, there was still a lot to juggle between them and homework and his extracurriculars, alongside all the new drama with the accords at home. So, he'd thought he'd take a break from his studies and go for a dip. Take his mind off things. It seemed he wasn't the only one.

"Hi Pilot. Absolutely not. Would you mind if I join you? How's it going?" Grayson greeted warmly, towel slung over his shoulder. He wore a pair of teal board shorts with a gold, leafy pattern, and goggles left his wavy bangs crinkled. His chest had a circular scar down the middle, alongside a few other smaller ones scattered about. The teen wore a watch on his right wrist; it too, was water proof, and he held a smoothie in the same hand.

Their alien companions were still somewhat new to him, but the boy was used to new people, and had had years to adjust to the idea of aliens by this point, even if none he'd met prior seemed quite the same array of species as Pilot's crew. He was naturally a little wary, but Pilot seemed pleasant as of yet, and while Grayson had not a single clue how old he actually was, in his face there was a kind of grandfather-like softness that was quite endearing.

Water Bug || open to mutuals

{ This is for Pilot's MCU verse! Any muses who might be in or around the Avengers training compound are welcome to jump in. Also, feel free to reply with multiple muses, if you're so inclined. I can always add some of mine as well, too. =) Also, when I imagine Pilot swimming, I think of deep sea isopods! This clip shows how they can sometimes swim upside down, although they do swim rightside up too. But I imagine Pilot swimming like that, just... with his larger legs still and pulled in close while his smaller little leggies in the back propel him along. I feel like he's equally as comfortable swimming upside down as he is rightside up, and he can hold his breath for several minutes at a time. }

Pilot spent a lot of time in the large training pool at the Avengers compound. His home planet had a lot of water, and his species were excellent swimmers. Although it was very nice for him to reconnect with something he'd loved so much before being joined to Moya, Pilot still missed her immensely. Swimming helped to pass the time and keep himself active while his tissue grafts continued to heal, but... it was no substitute for hearing Moya's voice in his own mind.

Although Rygel and Aeryn had chosen not to accept the humans' help with regard to the counseling services they offered, Pilot and Zhaan had. Talking to someone about his feelings regarding being separated from Moya was helping him greatly, even if the human therapist didn't always understand what he was talking about. Sometimes he and Zhaan went to therapy together, so that at least if the therapist needed further explanation of their species, cultures, or everyday life aboard Moya, Zhaan could help him out with some of that. Little by little, Pilot was learning to be happy again... in his own way.

The only thing he did not like about the pool was the excessive amounts of chlorine in it. Apparently, humans had no better way of sterilizing water than this? It didn't bother his chitin carapace or his softer, unarmored parts, necessarily, but his eyes... Oh, his poor eyes burned from all that chlorine. Nevertheless, Pilot went for a swim anyway and was happily gliding the length of the pool, back and forth, until he noticed he was not alone.

"Hello," he greeted the other, his large armored head poking out of the water. "Am I obstructing your use of the pool?" he asked politely, understanding that not everyone was fully comfortable around him. Some of the humans seemed a bit unsettled by him, whether by his size or appearance, and so he tried his best to be understanding of their fear and discomfort. Perhaps, in time, they would see that he meant no harm.

[graytitaniumalloy]

Right. She was an empath. Gray outstretched his hand just in time to meet hers, "Okay."

This was a panic attack, right? Yeah. Yeah... Friday would've mentioned if something seemed otherwise off. He had to focus.

Calm. Recent months, years, had been far from it. Things were only just beginning to settle, between his Dad's recovery and the destruction of the Avengers compound. School was on a short break to give people a chance to reunite with loved ones, and for systems to adjust to the return of half of the world's population. So, he'd been spending time with his family.

Memories of a vacation in Malibu came to mind. It had taken place the... previous summer? Yes, because Morgan had been four. They'd shown her the area where he'd grown up. They'd swam at the beach, built castles, he'd done a little surfing, and he and Morgan had covered their Dad's legs in sand. Sandy had come along and run through their work. Morgan had squealed in alarm, but Gray had quickly shifted the situation to incorporate Sandy as a giant who'd come along, and now the city would have to rebuild all the stronger! To dramatic effect. Luckily, it had done the trick in distracting her, while putting a fun twist on the situation at hand.

That had been a nice trip. Gray's mind wandered to that day, trying to picture the warm sand between his toes. To feel the refreshing waves over his arms as he glided along. To hear his Dad's enthusiastic roar and Morgan's giggles when he eventually freed his legs from the sand. To see Pepper smiling from beneath her umbrella.

She pulled her hands away from her ears just enough to be able to hear what Grayson was trying to tell her. Morgan had gone off... somewhere, and as much as she wanted to make sure the young girl was alright (safe, is Morgan safe?) Mantis simply couldn't think clearly in that moment.

The green scenery was appreciated, always finding the color soothing and restful. But Mantis knew what would work, the fastest way to calm her down. She gasped for air, trying to force the words out.

"T-Think... Gray, y-you... P-Please... Try t-to think of... things tha-that ma-make you... feel calm," Mantis said, tears still flowing down her cheeks. A hand then flew to take Grayson's, clutching his fingers as if he were a lifeline, and Mantis simply waited. Waited for Gray to think of something, anything that made him feel calm and safe.

[graytitaniumalloy]

The Goonies had been playing in the background. A classic, childhood adventure movie. Gray was particular about what he watched. He knew how impactful cinema could be, for better or worse. Unfortunately, they hadn't known the impact the movie would have on Mantis until the skeleton appeared on screen.

The young man had caught the tension in her features, watched as her eyes squeezed closed. "Friday?'

"On it." The AI replied from overhead, switching the tv to a video with scenic greenery, bird sounds, and gentle music as she spoke. He encouraged Mantis to breathe, to focus on him.

"She's okay?" Morgan peeked over the couch, brows knit with concern, following Mantis's shaky response. Gray crouched in front of their friend, giving her some space.

"She'll be okay." He assured, "Mantis, I think you're having a panic attack. I know they can feel scary, but it's just a matter of getting through it, hey?" He reassured, voice calm. "Do you want me to call Sandy over?" She'd been napping on the recliner chair, but lifted her head at the sound of her name, tottering over between them. "Or, alright, here she is all the same. If she's not helping just let me know... I know a trick to help. I'll be right back, try to take slow breaths and focus on the birds, and Sandy for a moment, okay?"

As he got up, he caught sight of Morgan, still staring with worry. "Can you go pick out a stuffy for her to hug, from your room?" She nodded, clearly grateful for some way to help, and her feet were quick to thunk across the floorboards, disappearing into her bedroom a moment later. Meanwhile, Gray hurried to the kitchen, pulling a bag of peas from the freezer. The young man sat in front of Mantis once more. "Here, want to try holding these, or putting them on the back of your neck? It sounds weird, but stimulating your senses can help."

@graytitaniumalloy sent: "Hey, just breathe. Look at me- look at me, in and out. Breathe with me okay?"

EMOTIONALLY CHARGED SENTENCES STARTERS

She thought she had gotten used to them. Mantis had gone to bed each night with piles and piles of them beneath her feet. She didn't think she would have such a sharp reaction to seeing a skeleton on Tony Stark's screen while paying his family a visit by the lake. She knew it was only a movie. She knew, and yet–

Her eyes squeezed shut as a wave of violent terror hit her. Tears flowed down her cheeks as she slid down the wall, gasping – palms pressed to pointed ears. It took Mantis a moment to realize Gray was talking to her, trying to help her. Breathe? She sucked in a ragged breath, lower lip quivering.

"I- I... I can't... Gray, I c-can't..."

[graytitaniumalloy]

Send An Emoji For

💞 - Five things my character likes about your character.

❌ - One thing my character hates about your character.

☀️ - One thing my character loves about your character.

♾️ -  A random headcanon about our characters' relationship.

✨ - One assumption my character has about your character.

🔍 - My character's first impression of your character.

📝 - My character's worst memory of your character.

🫂 - My character's response to someone assuming our characters are dating.

👗 - An outfit my character would wear.