#HE MAYBE AN LMD NOW

[chibitortuga]

what if she was an LMD???

[sineala]

what are ur must read comics for tony ? i want to read more of him but idk where to start

Unfortunately, for Tony, unlike Steve, there isn't really a comic I can hand people and say "just read this if you want to start reading Iron Man comics and know where Tony came from and what Tony is like." (For Steve, this is Captain America: Man Out of Time.) There isn't a similar newbie-friendly retelling of Tony's origin story with modern art and a modern sensibility -- at least, not one that I would recommend, because Iron Man: Season One is… not set in 616 and is not a whole lot like like the events of canon.

(This took me very long to get around to, and in the meantime you might also like the more Tony-centric entries in my recent Steve/Tony comics recs post.)

So the answer to this question, I would say, depends on how familiar you are with comics in general, and specifically if you know you like reading older comics. Because comics nowadays are very different than older comics, and a lot of people who start reading comics now don't like the older comics when they try to go back to them. The art is different, and the style of narrative is different, and the pacing is different, and also the farther back you go the more likely you are to find something that is sexist and racist as fuck. Some of the early 60s stuff especially can be… not great. (Not that all modern comics are entirely free of this, but, like, I'd like to think that by now we've stopped publishing comics with literal yellowface.)

And the thing is that most of the classic, must-read storylines that I'd point to and be like "yeah, this is an important comic to read to understand Tony," well… they're all older comics.

But I'm recommending them anyway, and you can try a few to see if you like them. I'm putting the dividing point between old and new at the end of volume 1 (1996); some people will say that volume 3 (1998) is not modern enough for them, but I think the storytelling and pacing is modern enough that it should count.

Anyway, here's some volume 1 recs.

The classics:

Tales of Suspense #39: This is the first Iron Man comic. There are later retellings, but this is the original, so you might as well. He is wounded! He has to wear the chestplate forever in order to stay alive! I recommend one of the modern recolorings for, uh. Obvious reasons.

The Senate hearing arc (ToS #84): You should probably start a few issues before this, maybe around ToS #80, because the issues all just run into each other in one continuous storyline. If it turns out you like the extreme melodrama of ToS and you can handle the general Problematic nature of a lot of the plots (there will be more evil Communists than you can shake a hammer and sickle at), you can go back and read some of the other stuff, but this is the arc that is probably the most famous, because #84 is the issue where Tony testifies about the Iron Man technology at a Senate hearing and has a heart attack right there in the Senate.

Tony's first artificial heart (Iron Man #17-19): In case you're wondering when Tony stops having to wear the chestplate, it happens here, in an extremely bonkers arc where Tony makes an LMD of himself who promptly tries to replace him, meaning that Tony has to wander around sadly in the rain and jump his heart off a car battery. He is then kidnapped by people who think they are kidnapping the LMD to force him to do evil. This is actually Madame Masque. It all culminates in him suiting up in the Model 1 armor to fight the LMD in his newest armor, and the old armor doesn't have enough power to run the armor and his heart at the same time, so guess which one he picks. Anyway, he has a massive heart attack and gets an artificial heart implanted.

Demon in a Bottle (Iron Man #120-128): Skipping way way way ahead to the late 70s/early 80s, this is the arc that makes Tony an alcoholic, and it's a classic of the Layton/Michelinie run.

Doomquest (Iron Man #149-150): This is the arc that establishes Doctor Doom as a villain of Tony's, and features both of them time-traveling to Camelot. It's great. (Layton and Michelinie come back for a sequel in #249-250, and then a much later sequel to that in the miniseries Iron Man: Legacy of Doom, which is one of the absolute weirdest IM miniseries I have ever read and features Doom penetrating Tony with Excalibur.)

The second drinking arc (Iron Man #160-200): This is Denny O'Neil's run and it is, IMO, a much better storyline about Tony's alcoholism, and it is absolutely my favorite classic Iron Man storyline. But it also is definitely a comic from the 80s so you should decide if you're up for that kind of storytelling. This is the one where Tony starts drinking again and loses absolutely everything he has (his money, his friends, his home, being Iron Man) and lives on the streets and nearly dies, and then he works his way back up. This is also where Obadiah Stane comes from.

Armor Wars (Iron Man #225-232): Layton and Michelinie come back for a second run in the late 80s, and Armor Wars is pretty much universally agreed to be the highlight of their run. Tony starts stealing his technology back from villains using it for evil. Then he starts stealing it back from literally everyone, including the government, who is not real thrilled.

I realize there's like a hundred more issues of volume 1 but you can probably skip them. The early 90s were sure A Time for comics. Some of Len Kaminski's run has some good backstory, and if you read anything you will probably want to read #313, which is about Tony going to AA and talking about his childhood.

Then we've got the modern stuff. If you try the older stuff and bounce off the art style, I'd recommend Extremis, which most people find readable and has lovely art by Adi Granov, although admittedly I prefer Busiek's Iron Man run for its characterization of Tony.

You will note that there's about ten years here where I am only recommending miniseries and that's because I honestly don't believe there's been a really good Iron Man ongoing since the Knaufs left at the end of v4 and Duggan's current run. So that's, what, twelve years? It's been a long time since we've had good Iron Man comics.

(I will grudgingly additionally recommend Bendis & Maleev's International Iron Man, because I think it's a really good story about Tony searching for his biological parents, but you do NOT want to read any other storyline about Tony being adopted because the rest of them are… bad… and pretty much thoroughly establish that none of Tony's family, biological or adoptive, with the possible exception of Maria, ever cared about him in the slightest, so that's kind of a downer.)

Here are my slightly more recent picks:

Kurt Busiek's Iron Man run (Iron Man v3 #1-25): This is one of my favorite Iron Man runs and I would definitely recommend it as a starting point. Busiek's runs on Iron Man and Avengers (which he was also writing at this time) are basically love letters to The Way Comics Used To Be, so his Avengers run has the Avengers all living in the mansion and being friends (this is the last time they lived in the mansion), and his Iron Man run features Tony being a more updated version of the character he started out as, which is basically the fantasy of the ethical billionaire who sincerely wants to use all his money to do good in society and help people out. It's worth reading the first issue to see if you like it. I think it's really great. Also there's a lot of whump.

The rest of Iron Man v3: There are about 60 more issues of Iron Man in volume 3 after Busiek leaves the book, and they continue the same characterization even if not all of it is quite as good as Busiek. Highlights include the Sentient Armor arc (you have probably heard about the Sentient Armor), both DreamVision arcs (featuring Tiberius Stone), and even more whump with the arc Manhunt, in which Tony gets shot three times, poisoned, attacked with missiles, and then has to go fight the Mandarin, all while being on the run from the government because he's been framed for bombing an embassy and everyone hates him.

Extremis (Iron Man v4 #1-6): I would say that Extremis here is when Marvel really started to try to make Iron Man cool. This is a good jumping-on point for a few reasons -- it doesn't require you to know anything about anything, the art is pretty, and it recaps Tony's origin story in a way that will probably be a little more recognizable to MCU fans, plus Extremis would later be part of IM3. The thing about Extremis is that it actually gives Tony superpowers, which is either good or bad depending on how you feel about this; I will say that it's a massive departure from the way Tony has been written the entire rest of his existence, in that the fact that he is a regular human (occasionally with a lot of disabilities) is important to his storyline, and reading this as your very first Iron Man comic means you won't really be aware of how unusual this is for him.

The rest of Iron Man v4: This is kind of a conditional rec, as it really only makes sense to keep going in v4 if you're planning on reading Civil War, because the rest of v4 hinges on it. There's an arc that leads up to Civil War (Execute Program), then the Civil War tie-ins, then Director of SHIELD. DoS has some excellent angst for Tony, but it's also very much about him being the director of SHIELD -- he doesn't do his usual rich-person stuff. So if you want a run where he does the things you expect him to do, it's not that one.

Iron Man: Legacy: A miniseries consisting of two short arcs; for all that they're supposed to be set at specific points in canon, they're pretty readable and they've got some fun panels that you will often see reposted -- Tony on a winged horse with a lance, Tony falling right into a dumpster, an LMD of Tony dressed in a French maid outfit and painting Pepper's nails. It's cute.

Iron Age: Technically most of this takes place in the past but you don't need to know anything. Tony timetravels through his past and has some entertaining adventures with a bunch of random characters while trying to save the world which is ending and it's all his fault. Features a panel of Tony crying sadly in the rain and also him accidentally hitting on his past self.

Iron Man: Fatal Frontier: This one is so much fun. So much fun! This is a miniseries where Tony makes friends with a Soviet robot on the moon, becomes sheriff of the moon, plays all the parts in a heist, and defeats a villain by using hurt/comfort fanfic.

Any time Ryan North gets to write Tony: Ryan North studied computational linguistics and it shows. He's just really good at writing Tony as a great big nerd with a great big heart who always wants to do the right thing. I recommend all the Tony cameos in The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, the issue of Marvel Comics Presents (#7) where Tony tries to punch the 2007 financial crisis, Darkhold Iron Man (if you like body horror; I can't read this), and the recent Secret Invasion miniseries.

Any time Jed MacKay gets to write Tony: He just really has a good read on Tony's attitude, and he's currently writing Avengers, where Tony is on the team; I'd also recommend his work on the Iron Man and Avengers 2021 (Infinite Destinies) annuals.

Gerry Duggan's current Iron Man run: This is literally the best Iron Man run I have read since I got into this fandom. He absolutely nails Tony's character AND he's done the reading, which means that my brain has been screaming AAAAAAAA nonstop since I read the last issue where Tony was heavily concussed and having several pages of flashbacks where he thinks he's still stuck in the blizzard from IM #182 and dying. AAAAAAAA.

Hope that helps!

[originium-archives]

hihi!! could i request for a w x reader please? <3

W x Reader

Your current mission required you to be stationed near a remote Village in Victoria, meaning tents and rations. But at least you weren’t alone, you were deployed together with your squad and W. Many people were apprehensive having her around some were afraid even, but to you she was a welcome addition. She was a mercenary before and has been in enough fights, she should be a steadfast ally.

Unconsciously you have been staring at her over the table, your thoughts being interrupted by her,

“You wanna fight or something?”

“Ah, oh no I don’t.”, you apprehensively waved your hands in front of you.

“Then quit staring at me. Or is there something on my face?”, she said irritated.

“No, I’m just glad to have you on board.”, you said with a genuine smile.

“Huh? The hell is that supposed to mean? You know damn well that I’m going to carry this whole mission you airhead.”, she said standing up and pointing at you.

“Haha, I’ll be in your care then.”, you laughed softly.

“Ugh.”, she said with a disgusted face before walking off.

The next time she showed interest in you was when you were playing poker with one of you squad mates.

“Hehe, I win! Hand it over.”, triumphant yet again your teammate handed over his betted LMD that he graciously lost.

“Captain I bet you are cheating or something.”, sounding overly frustrated your teammate stared daggers at you.

“I’m just that good.”, you grinned.

Seemingly popping out of nowhere W joined in,

“Hmmm, let’s see if talking big will get you somewhere. Deal me in.”

Your teammate spoke up first while standing up,

“No thanks.”

Watching him leave W muttered,

“I see.”

“Now, Airhead are you going to deal me in or what.”, suddenly turning to you expecting an answer.

“Sure.”, you remarked with confidence.

But after losing to her 0-8, you gave up.

“Please spare me, I’m done.”, you said with your forehead on the table.

“Hehehehe not so confident in your skills now are ya?”, she said lightly kicking you under the table.

Turning to face her again you smile,

“I guess you are just that good.”

“There you go again saying that sappy shit. Stop doing that it gives me goosebumps.”, she said fake shivering.

But this moment was interrupted by scouts returning to base,

“Enemies sighted near the village.”

Everyone suddenly high alert you begin to organise the team,

“Suit up guys! We are heading out.”

You yourself headed to your tent to get combat ready, completely forgetting your poker match with W.

“I guess I’ll take the rest of your money later Airhead.”, she said in a teasing tone which made you stop in your tracks.

“Maybe I’ll let you after we get through this.”, you playfully winked at her before heading out.

Defending the village was going smoothly, W going on her rampage as usual, bombs going off all over the place. Amidst the chaos you notice two very scared looking Kuranta children outside of shelter, you ran towards them to get them out of the battlefield. W also noticed you leaving your position but was preoccupied with fending off an enemy to follow you.

“Why are you outside? Quick! Let’s get you both to safety.”, trying to sound as calm as possible despite your nerves you began guiding the kids to the nearest house.

Noticing a presence behind you you quickly draw your weapon to fend off the attack. But the blow from the heavy armoured combatant shook you to your core, gritting your teeth you try to parry it to the side without much avail it still strikes your right arm. Breathing heavily you grip your weapon one handed, you’ll definitely have to see a medic after this you thought.

Yelling over your shoulder to the children,

“Run to the shelter while I hold them off!”

All you can hear is shoes crunching behind you and running, not taking your eyes off the foe before you, you try to find the best possible way to take them out.

After a few more heavy blows you manage to find a weak-spot and bring down the enemy despite the violent shaking of your arms. The adrenaline high wearing off you begin to get light headed because of the pain. Slumping down next to a fence you hear the medic calling out to you, finally some painkillers for the throbbing pain.

Your squad dealing with the rest of the enemies and your wounds all bandaged up but then you saw W storming towards you with an angry expression.

“What the hell did you think you were doing??”, she screamed pulling you down by forcefully by gripping your clothes.

“Do you actually want to die?”, continuing to twist your jacket in her fist, W continued to stare you down.

“Playing the goody two-shoes like this isn’t going to get you far in life. You know what it’ll get you though? Huh? KILLED!”

This frustration was new to her, she was unable to comprehend her own feelings. Why did she feel afraid of the thought of seeing you hurt? She has seen enough battlefields, enough death, what makes you special?

“I couldn’t leave them like that W..”, you confessed.

Unable to deal with these feeling she let go of you with a push,

“You know what, go ahead and do what you want. I don’t care anymore.”

She started to walk away but you couldn’t let her go like this, you gripped her arm which made her turn around like a frenzied animal, you both spoke at the same time,

“W, don’t…”

“Let go of me!!”

“Please…”, she said this like it was painful to articulate.

The moment you let go of her arm she started to run, but before she turned around you could see the crack in her mask of apathy, she looked afraid.

Watching her disappear in the crowd made you feel helpless, your chest painful you continue to stare into space. You can’t leave things like this, but things will just get worse if you go after her now. Biting your lip you turn around to go back to your own tent.

It was beginning to get dark when she sought you out, you both locked eyes and just stared at each other without saying a word, yet it was her that broke the silence,

“Lets go.”

Without a word you followed her out of the camp, to a scout campfire little ways out, both of you taking seats on logs next to each other. You couldn’t bring yourself to say anything, after all it was your actions that got you in this situation in the first place.

When the quiet became too unbearable she spoke up.

“I was weak…”, she began, “I let my feelings take control, I thought I had everything boxed up, locked away.”, she laughed at herself.

“But its alright for you to be weak..”, you said quietly before she cut you off,

“No it’s not!! If I’m weak people die! And I don’t want you to end up dead at my feet as well!”, she screamed before clutching her face and curling down do her knees.

Like this she looked so small, so afraid, not knowing how to give her comfort you placed your hand on her back and slowly pat her. It seemed like she was holding a breath, because when she let it out it came out like a shudder.

“I won’t die.”, you slowly began but she snapped at you again,

“How do you know that?! It can happen so fast! I-“

Holding her face between your hands and looking straight at her you repeated again,

“I won’t die.”

After staring at you for a moment she shook you arms off her and looked away,

“Dumbass.”, she said quietly, after a few quiet moments she started rummaging in her clothes. She pulled out a small silver flask and shoved it in your hand.

“It’s strong, it’ll be good for the pain.”, she mumbled without looking at you.

“Thank you.”, you breathed. Opening the flask with your teeth you caught a whiff of the strong smell of alcohol, taking a sip anyways you hissed,

“What the hell is this??”

“Ahahahaha you actually drank from it.”, she almost fell over laughing.

But finally seeing her back to her old self made your pain so much easier to bear, you smile at her but she looks at you full of annoyance.

“I told you to stop that.”, punching you in the arm with full force she continued “And that’s for actually making me worry before.”

“Agh.”, you let out a painful noise,

“You’ll have to feed me now, both of my arms are hurt.”, giving her puppy dog eyes.

“Like hell I will.”, she retorted.

You continued to bicker even after the sun completely went down, no battlefield, no superiors, no mission to think about, nothing. Just untold affection.

———

I had so much fun writing this, W is such a good character. I’d love it if she’d actually come home though. Thank you very much for the request anon!

[shinygoku]

Please Please Me (1963)

Part 1 in the CutCat Reviews Beatles Albums series, and what better place to start than the beginning?

Dang... they were sure Baby Bugs back then!

I ain't yet listened to every song on this here album, so this'll be interesting and strangely new, haha (Though I should disclaim that I'll be listening to the highest quality versions I can find on YT, so some will be innately more advantaged than others)

SIDE ONE

I Saw Her Standing There: One, Two, Three, FAUWH!! While part'a me raises eyebrows at "Well she was just 17, and you know what I mean" part (which is also somewhat mitigated by their own youth at the time! lol), the rest is such a fun, high energy bit of Rock n Roll that I enjoy this quite a bit, and it makes a great energetic opening to the album to boot!

Misery: A sad song set to jaunty music, if I didn't understand English I'd prolly miss that detail XD - Though I defo prefer said upbeat instrumentations to the otherwise kind of stock breakup song

Anna (Go To Him): Ahh, our first cover! Not keen on their harmonies here, something sounds Off. The song itself is fine, but as they didn't write it I won't be going into much about the words :P

Chains: Harmonica! Another cover so I'm gonna skip the lyrics, but the instruments and harmonies are on good display here~ I'm sorry to say I didn't notice it was George on vocals until I checked though, sorry! ^^;;

Boys: Ringo's turn with a cover!! He puts a lotta energy into this, and I like that they didn't change it to Girls or something instead lmao - His range works well for this, there's great guitar and Paul screaming in the background too, but the lyrics themselves don't stick in my mind much, it seems to be mostly "Talk about Boys, [Yeah Yeah Boys]"

Ask Me Why: We leave the sea of Covers for this side, for a lot of stringing out single words lmao, it kinda feels like an inverse of Misery, being much lower key but being Glad, though again the lyrics ain't really making a strong impression on my memory so when I get to the next side I doubt I'll be able to recall it well

Please Please Me: NOW WE'RE TALKING, BAYBEE! The words may be cheeky and arguably shallow, but it's got such energy and rhythm that I really do feel motivated to stand and move in response! The instruments all do a strong job here, and I think I actually first heard this as an instrumental and knew I needed to check it out more lmao. I can't think why Love Me Do got the #1 and this didn't, man!!

SIDE TWO

Love Me Do: I do not care for this song! Objectively it has a lovely bass, nice steady drums and impressive harmonica. But URGHHHH I cannot stick the vocals saying such inane, repetitive words! I feel like this is the only Beatles song that Beatle Haters hear, and form their entire opinion on. I can't fathom how it reached a #1 slot, other than it having been an exceedingly slow period for Tunes, or maybe the mouth organ really WAS that novel?! But when playing the Number Ones CD I always, always skip it, and even the newest version with the Now and Then release fails to win me over. And Ringo ain't even the drummer here!!

P.S. I Love You: Really benefits from following LMD, lmaoooo. It's a nice little tune with some instrument I can't identify (castanets?). I feel like From Me To You kinda does the long distance thing better, but there's a nice rhythm and harmonies that make this pleasing. It's also not Ringo drumming, again - no offence to Andy White, but y'ain't one'a the Lads! :T

Baby It's You: We're back in the Cover Realm. This song is nice. When I first heard the "Cheat" I thought they were saying "Shit" though, which I think woulda made it better XD ...15 mins after listening to it I have no memory of how it sounds :v

Do You Want To Know A Secret: In original and George territory! Gotta say the "secret" was extremely predictable :P The music is perfectly nice, but it doesn't strike me as Beatles Standard, ya know? That applies to a fair few on this album, not just this, but it's now that I really Am Thinking it ^^;;;

A Taste Of Honey: Cover! Less to say! They do good! When I listen to it my brain tries turning it more into a meme song, like it goes "A taste of Honey! Tasty!!", so idk what that says about the song itself but it's not the most glowing of reviews lmao

There's A Place: Ahh, the last Original on this album~ Sounds oddly modern in the sense of maladaptive daydreaming...! They really WERE ahead of the time (or having a Mind Palace is old as Hunter Gatherers maybe, both work lol). It's another inoffensive but hard to really talk about number, musically.

Twist And Shout: I've been pretty Cool to all the covers here, but this is quite the exception, and OOOOH IT'S SO RAAAAW (Infamously so, we all know John had to save this one for last as it shredded his vocal chords somewhat!). Another one that actually makes me Move, which is impressive, and it closes the Album on a very strong note~

CONCLUSION

Best 3: I Saw Her Standing There, Please Please Me, Twist And Shout

Blurst 3: Love Me Do, Anna (Go To Him), Baby It's You. [To be honest I kinda wanna put LMD here three times instead, but myeah]

Overall Quality?: It's Decent! In the context of it being their debut album, it's more impressive, but knowing how much the songwriting and music would develop does rather cast this in a long shadow. My 3 faves here are also the only ones* that got Red Album remasterings by the looks of it, and I sure see why they were chosen over the rest (*Though Love Me Do's omnipresence baffles me!)

🪲🪲🪲🪲

Neeext Time on my Bug Music reviews, we shall be With The Beatles ;3c

[illwynd]

2022 writing meme

Tagged by @pandirpus​. TY!!! :D

Word count for the year: 42,051 posted, significantly more than that written but not all of them were good words so we’ll roll with the posted number. Not the worst, I suppose.

Number of stories posted to Ao3: four new fics, and added chapters to two other WIPs.

Pairings written for: Thorki

Fandoms I wrote for: Thor & Loki fandom 5eva

Most popular story: If we’re not including ongoing WIPs from previous years, then What You Are in the Dark.

Story I’m most proud of: Hmm, despite being one of those ongoing WIPs, I think LMD, since it’s not just one of the longer things I’ve written in a while but also one of the more ambitious in terms of complexity and some interesting narrative and thematic stuff going on. Now that the spookyfic is just about done I’ll be able to get back to wrapping this one up, and with any luck y’all will agree.

Funniest: Illegal. Spur-of-the-moment incest smut with Thor in lingerie, written to taunt antis. It gave me a lol at least.

Kinkiest: I’m pretty sure Thor enjoying getting railed by tentacles wins this fight.

Saddest: Hmm, probably Once Again. Canon separating Thor and Loki forever hurts me. Or if we’re including ongoing WIPs, Turned to Lead. Poor mute Loki.

Least Popular: I guess Battlefield Voices? But it is a tiny random ficlet with kid brodinsons so. *shrug*

Most Cringe-Worthy: i have never done anything cringe in my life.

Favorite Opening Line(s):

Anyone else, maybe, would have been grateful.

Favorite Closing Line(s):

Since I can’t give you the last lines of WYAITD or LMD yet, I guess these had some punch...

Thor kisses him again, and Loki’s tears are cleared enough to see his expression now, so warm.

Thor kisses him, smiles at him, and it’s all he’s ever wanted.

“Whatever it is, it can’t get you anymore.”

Top Scenes from Anywhere You Would Choose to Have Illustrated:  

omg I am so bad at thinking of things like this. i just can’t tell which scenes make the best visuals. which makes it even more awesome when someone who can think in art.jpg rather than art.txt answers that question for me, like @hechizero-emplumado did here for LMD :DDDD

Story I haven’t yet written, but intend to:

OK so I’ve at least started writing all of these but they’re not close to posting yet so that counts, right?

Skrull Thor (I am rly looking forward to this one. convoluted but fun.)

Werewolf Loki (probably next year’s spookyfic)

The one where Thor goes to Jotunheim specifically because he’s got a size kink a mile wide and wants to get boned by giants, and Jotun Loki volunteers to be his tour guide, so to speak

The one where Asgard Thor and Loki meet Jotunheim AU Thor and Loki

a bunch more idk. i have so many wips in my folders. so many.

Fic-writing goals for 2023:

i just rly want to write more again. I want to finish some of the backburner stuff and drawer fics and write some stuff I’ve been meaning to write and have new ideas and write some absolute filth and some tear-streaked angst and some silly crack. I want to get back into the swing of things.

Tagging (but no pressure): @gorgeousgalatea, @incredifishface, @pennypaperbrain, @worstloki... anyone else who feels like doing it, you can say I tagged you, too ;)

[agl03]

In all the talk of returns and reboots...

Just wanted to dust off the old meta skills and dive into the talk of seeing some of the AOS Characters possibly returning to one of the many upcoming MCU projects.  

@eclecticmuses​ let me know that there was a little hub bub on the Twitters about Iain’s response when asked if he would reprise his role, and he said likely no.

This is absolutely no surprise, Iain indicated awhile ago he was happy with how Fitz’s arc had all played out.  And as seen in the quote above and from other interviews we know he and Elizabeth loved their hard fought for Happily Ever After.  I’ve watched a lot of TV and that kind of perfect ending is so rare...and it still came with a price.  They lost Enoch and Deke (though I die on the hill Deke finds his way home).

How many times have i said over the years that we and Fitzsimons have to “Pay” for those big moments with some sort of terrible awful thing and/or separation:

You’re more than that - Fitz TBI and a freaking whole season of miserable angst that was saved by a hand hold, sandwich, and Maybe There Is.

Date - Jemma eaten by Harold the Evil Space Rock

First Kiss - In the aftermath and angst of Space Rando (forever salty)

Got Together - Fandom lived multiple episodes in terror one of them would be the fallen agent

Happy Couple - Hidden Secrets, trip to the hell dimension, LMD’s and freaking Self Control

Teasing FItz’s Backstory Finally - We got Alistair (would have paid good money for Dadcliffe)

Fitz is thinking of Marriage - Hello Framework Hades

Fitz is rescued - There is only room in my heart for her, pod hugs, then Harold the Evil Space Rock Part 2, Back to the Future!

First Proposal - Jemma Doesn’t Hear

Actually Engaged - Nearly separated again

Married - Guestures at 5.14 - 5.22 

Trying to find each other - Half oa season of near misses

Home again - Chronicoms are a coming and basically everyone died.

And this brings me back to what was a sore spot in Season 7 for some.  In the whole lack of Fitz. As much as I missed having Fitz and Iain for time travel fun times and would have loved some Fitzsimmons family bonding, I know how much there would have been a price to pay should he been there.  

Something absolutely awful would have happened in order to get us to the Alya (to this day love that that theory hit) and Perthshire reveal.  Jemma could have lost her memories for who knows how long,  Fitz could have been kidnapped and trapped in the mind prison again, Nathaniel could have used them against each other. Like I really don’t want to think what the writers could have gotten up too.

Iain noted that in his interview too.  He and Elizabeth rooted for FItzsimmons too, they didn’t like many of the same plot twists we didn’t.  Elizabeth was not a fan of Space Rando and Iain didn’t like playing the Doctor are two notable ones.  

Coming back to them now, there would have to be something terrible to get them out of their life in Perthshire and away from Alya.  And I honestly agree I don’t think we’d get lucky again.  We ALMOST didn’t get what we had.  It all nearly ended with Maurader Fitz dead and us just knowing Jemma was going to find him.  No Season 6, no besties Enoch/Fitz, No Inescapable, no we had time, and not awesome Season 7.

Yes, there are many other timelines and arcs they could pull characters from.  I’ve addressed that if we see Daisy/Quake or any of the AOS team again it will be a rebooted version of the character.  One with a backstory that fits the show/story they are in.  

That is the beauty of how AOS spun themselves off from the MCU, it allows for this and protects our HEA and the characters we know an love.  This opens the door should someone want to reprise a role in a new way but also for a recasting should they not.  My two cents is if they need a science duo for whatever is coming up new characters are more likely as to not step on the iconic path that Fitzsimmons already walked.  If they REALLY want some sort of FItzsimmons connection....we’ve got Deke just chilling out there in the blown up timeline that is an option.

Fully realize this could fall into an unpopular opinion for some but I hope it helps others feel better.  I love that Iain and Elizabeth have that loyalty to each other, their characters, and their fans.  I’m ready to defend that HEA with as much verocity as I did my Die on the Hill theories and ask box explosions. 

Also felt really good to meta again.

[ijustreallylikecaptainamericaok]

Earth’s Mightiest Heroes thoughts (season 2, episodes 11 - 15):  

- I’m guessing T’Challa is still T’Challa, because the Skrulls had gotten to him they wouldn’t’ve needed those Skrull Avengers to attack Wakanda. But I’m still not sure... fuck, this stuff makes me tense in a bad way.

- Though admittedly, watching Jan pop Skrull!Hank in the face was pretty good, lol.

- CD: “T’Challa, I’m sorry. I didn’t know. I didn’t know what to do.” T: “I assume you do now.” CD: “Oh, yeah.” Oh, they pissed off Carol. Bad idea.

- MH: “When all this is over, I’m gonna get a t-shirt made. Know what it’s gonna say? [...] It’ll say ‘Nick Fury was Right.’“

- LMD!Maria! LMD!Maria!

- MH: “I’ve had the same car since I was 19 years old, never had a problem. Yet this thing [the SHIELD helicarrier] falls out of the sky every other Thursday.”

- CB: “Told you I wasn’t a Skrull.” CD: “If we survive this, I’ll apologize.” Also: CD: “Are we even now?” CB: “No.” Fuck, I love Clint. The show really should’ve let him bitch-slap Skrull!Steve when he charged at him. I get they wanted to let Steve-Steve beat that fucker up, but still.

- Don’t even get me started on Captain Skrull Fuckface. That hit me even worse than I thought it would.

- Oh, thank fuck, Thor. It’s always such a relief to see him.

- Okay, but what the hell is this:

The Cyclops/Wolverine hybrid was weird, too.

- CB: “This is their photographer? He’s 10 years old.” PP: “Uh, I’m 17.” CB: “Respect your elders, punk.”

- BB: “A few questions? Captain, what happened? Everyone on the planet thinks that you told the world to surrender to an invading force! How do you respond to that?” SR: “I take full responsibility.” BB: “Do you maybe want to elaborate on that?” SR: “Not really.” PP: “Please?” Aww, Peter, I’m with you, bud. Even though I know exactly what that big, self-sacrificing jerk (affectionate) is doing.

- PP: “How could you be so... so not upset about this?” SR: “I know who you are. I talked to the police, the firemen, the people that you helped. And I heard their stories, about how you saved lives, how you never asked for recognition or reward or even thanks. It doesn’t matter what the newspapers say or the politicians or the whole world. They don’t define who you are. You do. And not by your words, but by your actions. The truth will come out. But until then, I’m going to keep fighting, just like you do.” PP: “Can I be your sidekick?”

- Yeah, following up the Skrull stuff with a Spidey episode was a very good call.

- “That shield and I have been through a lot. And honestly, it’s one of the few things I have left. That and the Avengers.” Aww, honey. :-(

- Good Lord, Clint, want a little “passive” with your “aggressive“? We get it, you missed your man, chill. XD

- Deserumed!Steve crawling up walls and getting tossed around was weird to see. How is he not eighty kinds of broken after all that? But the Stubborn Bitch Disease persists, so there’s that.

[overwatch-wad]

It had been a long couple of days with each project that Commander Barton had assigned to her and now that she was pretty much done with her part other than monitoring Zane and the Cam LMD, she was able to get some much needed rest and sometime with River.

She found that she missed being able to spend some alone time with him. There as just something about him that she gravitated to. He was a bad boy, but also sweet and attentive.

When she arrived back to the cadet quarters she took a chance and instead of going to her room she slipped into his. He wasn’t there, but maybe he would show up soon. She slipped out of her heels and clothes and into his bed. Hopefully she would be a nice surprise for him when he returned.

@riversalvatore

[electrivolt]

@rockheadcd asked : He hadn't expected this operation to go as long as it did—well, no one in the squad did, but it wasn't as smooth of a day as it could have been. Such was the life of temporary contracts and exchanging labor for trust between nations. It was only in Rhodes' best interest to be cordial with every nation, and it was enough for Roark to care about these assignments and not potentially slander the precious resources needed to understand and combat oripathy. He simply wasn't intending on coming back to the mothership two days later than he had told Volkner, the short notice shift coming in ill-timed days where the poor feline was still trying to acclimate to this place.

Well, as far as the whole team was concerned, there weren't any casualties after the sudden ambush at their little outpost, protecting the borders of Lungmen. These sorts of things never really ended, did it? Not when the buzzing commerce could be seen from miles away, like some jaded lighthouse just too far out of reach.

Roark is just antsy to get to his room, worried.

And he wastes no time rushing back, ignoring his own minor injuries ( thank goodness he wasn't assigned captain this time around ), beelining it to the dormitories with weapon in tow. The medics could evaluate his damned blood later, he's not the priority right now ( and when did he ever get so stubborn over a person, anyway? ).

When he finally makes it back to his room, there's an exhale of relief when he finds Volkner still there, albeit curled up again. He didn't run, at least, and Roark can finally slow himself down to carefully prop his hammerpick where it usually rested in it's holster, attached to the wall, and when he steps in far enough the door slides closed behind him. "Sorry.. we got caught up with trouble at the last second. Can't leave the LMD behind, unfortunately," he sighs, and rounds the edge of his bed to kneel down closer to Volkner's level, disheveled in his combat gear and a little bruised, a little nicked, but otherwise the same gator that had come to his rescue in appearance alone. Maybe the worry and the general fatigue of travel has him calmer than usual, but it's easy to see the way his brows crease when he takes a long look at Volkner's complexion under the layers of clothing he hadn't parted with still, slit gaze flitting and catching details he didn't remember seeing before he left.

"…Hey, hey, I'm here. It's alright, Volk," he hums softly, pressing a hand against his shoulder and rubbing carefully. Those dark circles had color to them, he was sure of it.. but, why..? Did something happen? "You look like you're gonna tear up again.."

Just three days, he tries to remind himself as time slowly trickles by. Just three days and he’ll be back. It would be alright, he could wait just three days after countless weeks, months, years going by, barely surviving out there with no one caring. This was nothing, no matter how he has basically confined himself to the only safe place that Roark’s room felt like, how he couldn’t quite sit still, hands constantly gripping the warm jacket he refused to let go of. Three days, three days and— ( three days were too much. )

It was painfully easy to keep track of time, for once, more often than not simply staring outside the window, watching as everything passed by, as clouds drifted away and day gave way to night. And Roark still wasn’t back.

( it would be fine, right? it was just three days of watching over a post, nothing should happen, he would be back soon— )

At least Volkner was making an effort to care for himself to some extent. As best as he could after the excuse of a life he came from, with what little knowledge he did carry. Roark did mention before leaving how he made sure to stash at least some good amount of food he could eat, and then stressed out how he could, in fact, take whatever he wanted and it wouldn’t be a problem in any way. ( he hates a little how much roark had to remind him he was allowed. he knows this isn’t how it should be and yet— )

He still doesn’t really bring himself to touch it much. Doesn't really find a reason to, either.

( roark isn't there and it's been too long already— )

He doesn’t really notice when three days have passed already. It’s a blessing in its own way, regardless of the mess they have been— it means he doesn’t have to keep waiting, and everything can go back to some sort of normalcy he’s still trying to grasp as his own, where he can at least make an effort to feel safer without everything screaming at him that he’s simply being too stupid to see the danger he’s in until it’s too late.

( and he hates having to depend on him like this, hates how this is the only way he can feel somewhat more at ease just staying put and like for once, nothing is gonna happen. even when this is the only scrap of kindness he’s seen in so long, even when it’s something more than that for once, starts to feel more genuine than he thought it could ever be, he hates this feeling, not being able to even just be alone— )

Somehow, slipping by other operators and into the landing area on the outside was easier than he expected, hopefully unnoticed enough that no one would find him or try to approach him, settling for a quiet corner, far enough out of the way to keep an eye on the oncoming airships without being a bother. And there he waited, just as invisible as he has felt most of his life, the jacket he has refused to part from the only thing he’s clinging to, hood pulled just a bit more over his face, tail curled around himself. Any moment now, right?

And there he kept waiting. Waiting and waiting until the sun goes down and the chill of the evening starts to seep in, and with it so does the slowly sinking realization, colder than the approaching night.

( he's... he's not coming back today. he said he would, he swore it wouldn't be long, but he's not here and it's late already and— )

( maybe he should've seen this coming. )

Before he freezes out there and is forced right back into the infirmary, Volkner slips back into the landship and makes his way back into that room, quieter than he's been before. Somehow, it feels colder than the outside now. He can't really get comfortable in bed, no matter how much he tries. He can't fall asleep either.

( why is he not back yet... did he— )

And then sleep doesn't come, just like all those nights spent trying to keep warm from the rain leaking through the decaying roof or expecting danger to find his shelter. Maybe he isn't even thinking about it, about what he's doing, awareness drowned in a spiral of intrusive thoughts and giving way to instincts he tried to bury. No matter how much or little time has passed, it's been enough for Roark to make his way into his life and cement his place there, so stubbornly refusing to let go. That's all it took, isn't it?

And now he can't let go. There are a few realizations in that blur of time that sort of stick to the back of his mind between hunger and exhaustion.

The time passed hardly registers in his mind, curled up on Roark's bed as he is, he only hears the door open, preparing himself for some medic coming to find him after so long, bracing himself for more nagging and scolding— and then he freezes.

( he's back...? )

His voice is failing him now, and suddenly Volkner is very aware of how dry his throat feels, how he doesn't really feel the strength to push himself up after so long running on auto pilot. ( he's upsetting roark already with this, why can't he stop fucking up for once— )

"I... I-I thought you..." he can't even being himself to say much with such a miserable whisper, can he? So little has his throat so hoarse already. "... You said three days. I was waiting—"

That's it, that's all Volkner can really say, and a hand reaches out to rest on Roark's, as close as he can get with initiating any touch on his own without feeling already like he was pushing it. He's really trying, despite it all, isn't he?

"Sorry..." And yet he still ruined all of Roark's efforts with just a few days of wait. "I tried, but..."

( he's miserable, isn't he? )

[ayankun]

AoS S4 (Agents of Hydra pod specifically) is hitting so right this time around 🥰

Not that it isn't normally something I love a lot, but I'm in a good spot right now to be over-analyzing folks' psychologies and interior motivations, and watching all these excellent performers perform excellent character writing is just blowing my mind.

And, like, I understand that the LMD/Framework storyline felt to some like a "a dream all along" kind of cop-out, but personally I can't get over the level of attention and care the writers put into asking the question, "at a certain level of complexity, is there a difference between a simulation and the real thing?" And all these characters go into this storyline with different starting points and interact with this question differently, and we get a nice big conversation on the topic with no spoon-fed answers.

Mace's story is amazing, and Framework Ward and Trip are actually so good.

Especially Framework!Ward being ACTUAL, ALGORITHMICALLY-CORRECT Ward, just with different inputs producing a different output, existing as a foil to the Doctor to show that all these Framework personalities belong to the real underlying person -- they're not AI-generated fictions, I mean -- and amount to alternate timeline versions of themselves.

So on the topic of the Doctor, what a fun (fun is NOT the right word) example of toxic masculinity as a concept that doesn't exist in a vacuum but rather is an external oppressive force exerted onto its victims by those already in power. Fitz is a deeply deeply emotional guy, by nature, and in this timeline his nurturing environment forbade displays of, AND I QUOTE, "womanly sentiments," i.e., processing his emotions in a healthy way, and he becomes cruel and vicious as a direct consequence.

Even the real, generally well-adjusted Fitz is shown to strike out in anger, he throws stuff off desks and punches rocks when he's angry, right? In the Framework, the Doctor doesn't have ANY alternate methods for channeling this huge uncomfortable emotion. It's either Bottle It Up (exhibit A: when he sees his dad's body) or Hurt Whoever Hurt You x1000 (see: all the state-sanctioned torture, personally hunting Simmons down, etc.)

(And, it's like, I think Dad!Fitz is characterized as being that stiff-upper-lip person by nature. His worldview is informed by what makes instinctive sense to HIM, and maybe he wouldn't be as much of a negative impact in the world around him if he also had the capacity to see that other people ... are different!!! His son is different. The narrative here is explicitly that the Doctor is what Leopold Fitz would have become if the universe allowed his father undue influence over Fitz's own worldview -- if his father used his parental authority to hold Fitz accountable for adopting and perpetuating his toxic, one-size-fits-all worldview.)

Which, I think -- I think -- is the problem. Thee capital P problem. People in authority trying to put people in black-and-white boxes, no matter what, even when that isn't going to work.

Daisy and Aida talked around this point, Aida the bad parent saying "I'm just giving them what they want" and Daisy the childhood trauma victim saying "sometimes what people want isn't right for them." (I know that Daisy saying this is also meant to be her reflecting on her post-S3 journey of self-distruction, and her getting to this point is a major milestone in her recovery but)

This conversation leads to the reveal of Aida's true goal -- self-determination. Her own "childhood" trauma has led her to this point. She was L I T E R A L L Y programmed to behave according to Radcliffe's personal worldview (side note: chief among his desires is to prolong and enhance life; you think Aida's NOT going to react badly when her own "life" is threatened???? She literally doesn't have another option than to preserve herself at all costs. She's mirror-verse Agnes, facing her own mortality not with Agnes' grace but with Radcliffe's ethically-unhinged stubbornness.)

Aida had a pad parent, who was blind to her needs (and/or deliberately chose not to meet them), and this is the result. #notallandroids

I got lost, but I think what I'm trying to say is something something cycles of generational trauma?

[agent-42]

The Marvel ABC shows (cable + hulu)

Do people remember this era?! Like really remember? Like agents of S.h.i.e.l.d promised us it was going to be canon with the mcu and even with a few guest spots and references the movies never reference them to the point it films made it seem that S.h.i.e.l.d was disbanded after winter soldier. And bring back coulson took the sting away from that scene in avengers. (He should have been a lmd at the start) maybe if the show focused on the agents and not been the daisy show. And if they didn't waste deathlok and ghostrider I would have liked it more. That being said I did enjoy it maybe not season 6 but the rest of it was okay. Probably would have been better as an else world story. The Coulson lived timeline or something.

Now the other shows runways and cloak and dagger were on other networks so that felt like an inconvenience screeching for there canadian channels.

And the there is inhumans which had all the problems the other shows ten fold. They away most of the main characters because the inhumans have expensive powers. Inhumans also made their villain to likeable.

And finally there is agent Carter. Which a had a nice two seasons. I am glad they made it canon but I think they only did that because the show was set in the past and not alot of craziness happens in the series unlike agents of S.h.i.e.l.d

Oh and did anyone even watch hellstorm

[dcviated]

@hallowleylines sent: Current's staring... or... staring? It's difficult describe how his eyes wander in random directions. Hmmmm. Thinking now. He's kind of annoying to deal with considering he's doing all the talking (to himself) in his head. Trickshot was an engineer, so how much better than Closure. Soon to be seen. "Bombadier Princess, got a favor to ask." That nickname stuck. How sweet. "More like a customer request. I need you to do a model update on this arm. I'm willing to put down... hmmm... 2 million lungmen dollars right now as an upfront. Then once you're done and it's up to standard I'll cash out the other half. I need this... more combat capable. Your competitor is Closure after all, so best not to disappoint." There's a lot to digest here. First off... 4 million dollars? Like the fat stacks he's dropping in front of her as they speak. He didn't even haggle but that's certainly a drop in the bucket. Second of all, and the question you shouldn't ask, where is that money coming from? Regardless, who cares? If she does spectacular... he might spread good word? Doing better than Closure is quite the boost to a reputation, not like either of them are completely honest businesswoman anyways.

"....?? Whuhf?"

Could it be he's staring at how many fries she's shoved in her mouth at once? With his art-sight or whatever? Creepass he is. But. A service bay in the lower decks isn't the best place to be eating food to be fair. Not that she cares. The Liberi wasn't one for taking casual breaks. She prefers to mix business, pleasure, and whatever other descriptor you'd want to add to the brazen woman. It's that or she has a problem putting things down.

"Whahf dat?" Classy, shoving down the comical bite of her deep fried salty snack and speaking around it. At least her hands were clean, though she'd be quick to put the gloves back on soon as she was finished with Noodles and whatever he had to ask her. Which was. Not something small. Neither was the amount of LMD being deposited freely on the table. Instincts try to kick in to hoard it like a beast and start snarling.

Imagine the fries you can buy with that pile!

"Whahf da fhug?!" Swallow swallow swallow. Just about chokes. That's a lot of goddamn money! She could actually, probably-- agh, one thing at a time. Even if she wanted to finish building her pet project there's a thing attached to this, obviously. Why wouldn't there be? And it's then she takes notice that Current's prosthetic looks ... not great. Yeah, try to hide it but she notices.

"Wheeeeho, guessing it's a rush job looking at that sad thing. Sheeeez, the fuck happened to you? I get jerking off puts strain on a dude but-" She sets down the cardboard pack of fries, hopping up from the swivel stool and taking an inspection at the damaged limb. It looks crunched. He's not moving it right. Like at all. Just an attempt to lift it feels like it's about to snap the thing off after the damage to the rotor cuff. But. Ops like this aren't outside of her loop. The problem will be making it look pretty. But then. There's 2 million LMD here.

"Suuuuure, I can... cook up something that oughta work for ya, Noodles. But we'll haveta talk some shop about it. Gimme like, guidelines. Wishlist. Else I might give you a shiny old peg to smack people with. Competitor- Fuck. What is this, did you put a challenge to the others too? Good thing I work better under pressure-" Spoken without comment. Just let her have this.

Trickshot grumbles, mulling how many other engineers like herself came about this landship. Her garage is back in Columbia, but she's seen the others here. Closure aside, you had people like Eunectes. Stainless. Windflit. Some were better than others but maybe, just maybe, all of that on the fly crafting on the now permanently retired Siracusan train left an impression.

The Liberi smacks the man hard on the broken arm before holding out the greasy hand she'd just been shoving fries with.

"Got yourself a deal otherwise."

[multiverseofmiracleshq]

For the whole history of DAISY JOHNSON, please click here.

← ONCE THERE WAS AN IDEA TO BRING TOGETHER →

Following her stint in space with Daniel Sousa and Kora, Daisy has returned to Earth to continue serving as an Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. The agency looks a little different on Earth-Prime than he did back home, but S.H.I.E.L.D. is S.H.I.E.L.D. It’s familiar at the very least and Daisy knows that she’s good at her job. Trying out where she fits in the new world and what to do with Kora hasn’t been entirely obvious; they’re all out of place but doing their best. Daisy’s learned to be adaptable over the years, so she knows it’s only a matter of time before things fit again and life will move on. Being a hero is messy and she’s learned that the hard way. A few bumps in the road now won’t deter her.

←  A GROUP OF REMARKABLE PEOPLE TO SEE IF THEY →

✗ PHIL COULSON (AOS) will always be one of the most important people in Daisy’s life. He’s like a father to her, and even though he died he’s still around as an LMD. It may not be exactly the same, but Daisy can’t imagine life without Coulson. Not only did he recruit her, he was also the first person to believe in her.

✗ KORA (AOS) came into Daisy’s life unexpectedly and unsettled it. The two are no longer trying to kill each other, and after their time in space together Daisy has a better understanding of her sister. She hasn’t had it easy but Kora is tough. She’s strong and smart and Daisy is glad to have another addition to her family.

← COULD BECOME SOMETHING MORE  →

✗ S.H.I.E.L.D. → The agency changed Daisy’s life in more ways than she can count. She hasn’t always been proud of its actions, but she’s come back time and time again. It’s home, in a sense, and where her family is. Fitz, Jemma, May, Yo-Yo, Mack and Coulson are everything to Daisy and she never would have met them if it wasn’t for S.H.I.E.L.D. Maybe that’s why she stays.

✗ OTHER AFFILIATIONS -- n/a.

← & IF WE CAN’T SAVE THE WORLD, WE’LL AVENGE IT →

✗ AGE → 30′s ✗ MULTIVERSE ORIGIN → aos ✗ SPECIES → nuhuman ( inhuman ) ✗ ETHNICITY → half chinese / half white ✗ SECRET IDENTITY → public ✗ RELATIONSHIP STATUS →  open ✗ FACECLAIM → chloe bennet ✗ AVAILABILITY → taken

← FUN FACTS →

born july 2nd, 1988

once cosplayed at stark tower

formerly classified as an 0-8-4

[thesillybus]

Daisy Johnson in Agents of SHIELD: ‘The Honeymoon’

[deltagram-a-blog]

kricify replied to your post: kricify replied to your post: ...

ralsei: oh no! 

ralsei: 

ralsei getting out the popcorn'

When you don’t know how awful your mom is so this is actually pretty fucked uP?

[starvels]

From the anon the prompted and loved your “AI Tony and Ghost Steve have an argument about souls” fic, comes the question,

Ghost Tony and AI Steve have an existential crisis together

Aka, Tony get confirmation that he had a soul this whole time, and Steve gets to be mad that someone (Ultron? Doom? Red Skull, Tony?!?!??) digitized him to this extent. (Maybe it was punishment, maybe it was the answer to a crisis and this was somehow a solution, maybe someone couldn’t let do)

(Not a prompt so much as a brain tickler)

hi darlin'! i hope you are well :')))

you have the funnest ideas! this is a delightful role reversal.

my question is, WOULD tony take this as confirmation of a soul OR WOULD he take it as proof of eternal suffering that he's earned, to never be at actual peace? or maybe both, okay he has a soul but its still not...allowed to end, to rest at the end of things?

i feel like ghost tony would absolutely be at his UNHINGING END with his lack of ability to affect the world around him in any tangible way. not able to touch, to problem solve, to be heard even - would render him so helpless? no chance of fixing his own cataclysmic fate, just kinda doomed be an inactive particle floating along other people's choices. seeing people suffering, unable to do anything for them.

i firmly believe that stagnancy is a circle of hell for tony stark.

for AI steve, i totally agreeee. he'd be hornier than a puffed toad. full sense of betrayal, definitely lashing out at ghost tony, but also i think bowled over by the cognitive differences that being an AI engenders in him? protocols, look-ups, wet ware connections? does he have an LMD? is he amorphous? he would struggle with both having a fake body and not having a body at all.

he'd probably be a bit terrified and distraught that tony is dead and that means potentially there is no one around to 'fix' him? is his body still around actually?

two wild possibilities have occurred to me, writing this:

steve always was a form of AI. his brainwaves were somehow copied and pasted onto the super soldier body the US army grew in a lab.

tony wakes up a ghost after having discovered this, seems conclusively killed because of this knowledge and now has to break it to steve, who is anything but amused by this joke. but the more and more time steve spends as an AI he realizes the truth and an existential crises hits him like a brick to the face. meanwhile, tony is trying to manage steve, keep him going instead of shutting down, and also try to figure out how this was possible in the 1940's, AND maybe slightly more importantly - who exactly killed tony for knowing steve was an AI and who stuck steve in a computer terminal?? can tony catch a fucking break?? he's already dead, how much worse can it get, etc. mystery, intrigue, plot, yearning, maybe a happy ending?? can tony please get a waffle??/

OR

tony has to teach steve how to code/engineer/build a new body (with as little mech or as much as your brain thinks is sexy, obvs) for himself because steve refuses to stay as a hologram.

its all endless time together without the need for sleep or basic human functions like superheroing interrupting them and they get to talking about all the things they both have forgotten and remember and blah blah they fall in LOVE, ALREADY WERE, NEVER HAVEN'T BEEN, ETC. BUT IT;S DOOMED bc tony is dead for good :)))) and the more they share, the more at peace tony feels and the further he fades into the afterlife. and steve realizes this and cries, etc. and tries to sabotage his own body and tony stops him and says i want you to live on, that's what i need to be at peace, i know now. and steve's like, that's such an asshole thing to put on my shoulders, i hate you, don't do this to me. and tony says i need you to live. steve says i need you to be alive and tony says, only one of these things are possible, steve. so it's! unhappy ending?? magical intervention?? pain either way? :) pain either way.

ANYWAYS. good prompts buddy ✨👌