#PLEASE KEVIN FEIGE MAKE IT HAPPEN

[thosebitingdoxies]

i completely understand Chris Hemsworth wanting to quit Thor after the recent news he got

but PLEASE GOD/ODIN/TAIKA or whoever give us one last Thor film or even just a guest role in a Loki episode and give us a sweet final ending for the Loki and Thor brotherhood where they acknowledge they care deeply for another, just you know, put a final bow on this character driving relationship

preferably ending with a hug

[sincericida]

I have a lot of expectations about "Secret Wars", and I think it's cool to see multiversal variants, but will "Secret Wars" really happen in the current conjectures and problems with VFX teams?

Moreover, make it happen, Feige!

[valiantphantomangel]

There is nothing wrong with being shy

Request: could you please do something like Chris Hemsworth X Reader where she’s somewhat new to the marvel cast and is quite shy and whilst Chris is trying to make her feel comfortable he accidentally finds out she’s ticklish?

A/n: My Tumblr was once again not working so I'm gonna do it this way for this request and it took a hell of a lot longer then expected but here it is, i hope you enjoy 💜

You had no idea how you could have gotten so lucky, it all just started as a joke.

Audition to play Thor's sister. That was all it said in the page that your best friend send you, thinking of it as a joke you applied for the role.

A few days later you suddenly got an email from THE Marvel Studios, you almost fainted when it appeared in your inbox and before you could utter 'ta-da' you had opened and sped through the email, you read it again and again and again not believing that this was happening.

They were sending you some lines that you had to say, record and send to them since you were one of the last three candidates.

Not long after you send in your little scene and a week later you were flying to Atlanta to start filming.

Now that you are standing in your trailer, nerves racing through your body as you try to stop your hands from shaking, never in a million years did you think that it was possible for you to be in a Marvel Movie, as a main character!

You met Chris a few days ago and he was the sweetest guy you ever met, always making sure that you were comfortable and ready for the scenes. Today was the day that you would start with your first big fight scene and the nerves were getting the better of you.

Sitting alone in your trailer while your leg was bouncing up and down, in just a top and sweatpants since you would change into your costume later as you waited to be called over.

Suddenly there was a knock at the door to which you shouted "come in".

"How are you doing, nervous?" Chris asked with a smile as he walked in and closed the door behind him.

"yeah you can say that, I couldn't even eat with the nerves" you grumble as you flop onto the couch and look at him sideways.

"You have no need to be nervous Hun, you're absolutely perfect and one of the best teen actresses that I've worked with" he said with a soft smile as he poked your side as a joke.

Not expecting it you let out a soft giggle which both of you heard and you looked up at him with wide eyes.

Chris was grinning like the cheshire cat as he looked down at you and quickly sat down on your thighs and traced your ribs.

"Is little Y/N ticklish? That's adorable" he cooed while ghost tickling your bare stomach.

"Don't you darEHEHEH" you try to protest but fall into a giggle fit as he squeezed your sides.

"Oh I do dare, how else would I hear that cute little laugh of yours my lady" He said in his Thor voice as he continued to attack you.

"My laugh is not cuTehHIHIHI, CHRISHAHAHHA" you scream laughed as you trashed around.

"Yes Y/N" Hemsworth said innocently as he spidered over you tummy.

"STOPHAHHAA ITHIHIHI"!!!

"No not else you tell me what's wrong"

"NEVERHAHAHAHAHGAGA"

"Then I guess I'll just have to continue" he sighed as if it hurt him and blew a raspberry in your neck.

You continued to stay resilient until he moved from your tummy to your feet.

"OkAY OKAY OKAY I'll tell youhihihihi" you say still breathless from the giggles.

"I'm listening"

"It's just that- argh I'm nervous that I'm going to screw up everything and that they don't want me to act anymore and that I'm too shy that they don't want to talk to me anymore" you sighed as you sat up.

"Oh darling, they would never. Kevin feige loves you and every crew member can't stop talking about how polite you are to them, there's nothing wrong with being a bit shy, Even Downey was impressed with your acting and that's saying something" Chris said with a smile as he pulled sat next to you and pulled you into his side, with his arm over your shoulder and rubbing comforting circles over your arm "And I think you're the best young actress that I've worked with, next to my daughter of course"

I tried to find something to say but couldn't so you just settled for curling up next to him, filming could wait for a few minutes. And even though you didn't say anything, Chris knew perfectly well what you wanted to say.

[satellite-evans]

I'm Truly Yours.

Pairing: Chris Evans x actress!reader

Summary: Chris would do the stupidest thing not to lose you : listen to his noisy brain.

Word count: 1.9k

Warnings: lil angst, fluff, Chris being jealous

A/N: Hello everyone! I hope that everyone is doing great and is healthy. I am back with another Chris fic that I hope with all my heart that you guys will enjoy. My inbox is open for everything, so please don't hesitate to send me a message. Love you all dearly xx

English is not my first language, so I apologize if I made any ( grammar) mistakes. Feedback and requests are always welcome.

Happy reading <3

I do NOT give permission for my work to be translated or reposted on here or any other site.

You loved Concord. You loved how quiet it was and that everyone knew each other. You loved how you just could walk freely without worrying about the paparazzi. You loved that the people were so nice and always treated you with a big smile. You could walk for hours in the woods if you wanted it too, listening to the birds chirping and how the leaves crunched beneath your shoes. But the most thing you loved was the person that made you fall in love with Concord: Chris Evans.

Chris and you met in 2018 when you guys were shooting a movie together. He was immediately shaken. He just got over a relationship, so he didn’t think he would fall in love with someone so quickly, but he couldn’t help himself. He loved that you were intellectually challenging and ambitious. You were so kind to people on set and not bratty what he thought you would be. He couldn’t be more wrong. You carried yourself with class and were honest. Chris couldn’t get enough of you. Chris wanted- no, he needed you in his life, just like he needed oxygen. He had to see you; he had to hear your angelic voice just to act like a normal person.

He fell madly in love with you, without even knowing. You too were always flirting on set but never daring to take it a step further, too scared to lose one another. You went to movie premiers with him, took his dog for a walk with him, and met his family back in Concord. His siblings loved you instantly and Lisa saw the energy you too had. You were made for each other. She could see it in her son’s eyes when you were playing with his nieces. She also could see it in your eyes when he told his family stories about what happened in his life or on set. Chris never wanted to let you go.

That all changed with one phone call.

You got a phone call from your manager saying that Kevin Feige wanted to meet you. You were beyond excited and told Chris the news immediately. He was extremely happy for you and all the opportunities this was going to give you. He knew that you had a brilliant career in front of you. You flew back to LA and had a meeting with Kevin and his team. You found out that he wanted you to play the character Sersi in the new ‘Eternals’ movie. You fell in love with the character and said yes without even thinking. You got the details and found out that your love interest would be played by non-other than Richard Madden. The two of you met a couple of days later, and he was the sweetest person ever. You were nervous working with big stars like Angelina Jolie and Salma Hayek, but he always made sure that there was nothing to be nervous about and that everything would be fine.

When all of this happened, Chris was still in Concord, accepting your calls and hearing you talk about Marvel and how excited you were. It made his heart flutter hearing you laugh and being so excited.

“ I’m telling ya, Chris, this is like a dream come true. And everyone is so nice and omg I have to tell you about Richard! I don’t know if you met him, but he is the sweetest guy ever. He always makes sure if I am comfortable, and asks how I am. He is like my best friend on set!”

That took Chris off guard. It made him feel uneasy and his heartbeat got faster. He didn’t like this at all. It felt like he could throw up, and his blood was starting to boil. Of course, Richard was so nice to you. You’re the prettiest woman ever. Chris thought that Richard wanted to take advantage of you because you were so inexperienced. You didn’t have feelings for Richard, no. Impossible. You and Chris were made for each other. Maybe Chris didn’t make any move, but that didn’t mean he never would. Your voice woke him from the nightmare he was seeing in daylight.

“Uh Chris, you there?”

“Hmm, what? Yeah, sorry sweetie, Ma was saying something. What were you saying?”

He asked you, still pissed at Richard.

“I just said that I had to go. I have to film a sex scene with Richard now. I’ll call you tonight.”

You were going to kill Chris.

The following weeks got you and Richard closer. Posting each other pictures on Instagram, going to get coffee together, and then eventually doing interviews together. The media loved the two of you. Saying that you were perfect for each other, seeing paparazzi pictures of the two of you, and thinking that you were together. You didn’t mind the rumors since there were just rumors and Richard and you were just friends, but Chris was pissed. He never thought that violence was the answer, but if he saw one more article about you and Richard Madden, he was going to kill someone. Your phone calls went from 7 times a week, to 3. It wasn’t like you didn’t want to call him; you wanted to so badly but were so busy that you didn’t even have time to call your parents. And obviously, Chris took this the wrong way. He was now in the thought that you and Richard were together and that Ricard stopped you from seeing him. 'That piece of shit, he thought.

Even after the shootings were done and you went back to Concord, things weren't the same. There was an unreasonable change of air between you, too. You felt it. And you knew he felt it too because he was the reason for it. He was distant. Answering your messages late, not going on walks with dodger anymore, skipping Sunday brunches. It was very obvious. The reason for it was not obvious. Your thinking was that he was anxious about his new role and that could explain his latest actions. So, to give him some time, you didn't push or nor asked him questions about the change of his behaviour.

When the premiere came up, Chris was beyond happy when you asked him to be his date to the premiere. If you went with Richard, he would kill himself. He couldn’t handle it seeing you with someone else. You hanging out with Richard was already enough. No need to go to premiers together too. He was so afraid that Richard was going to take his place, that he had panic attacks when he thought about it. But now was not the time. He had to get himself ready for his girl.

He picked you up in his car wearing a suit, similar to his ‘Knives out’ premiere. After waiting for about 15 minutes, you came out the door. And you, god. He didn’t even know where to start. You looked just like a dream. It was the first time he saw you in 2 weeks and he tried so hard not to faint. His heart was leaking with your love and his lips were begging to kiss you. His hands were desperate to touch you and his feet wanted to walk towards you and only you. But his brain, his brain, was mad at you. How could you replace him? How could you be in love with someone else? His whole body was in a fight with his brain, trying to stop him from saying horrible things to you, but he couldn’t. His goddamn brain won.

“Wow Y/N, you look great. A little surprised you invited me to be honest. Thought you rather wanted to go with your ‘new’ boyfriend, Richard.”

There it was. His hands were desperate to touch you, wanted to smack him in the face. His feet that only wanted to walk towards you, wanted to walk into a dig. His heart, which was leaking with your love, was beating so fast in hope that it would explode. But his brain couldn’t be more proud. Dammit.

“What do you mean by that, Chris? He is not my boyfriend. And of course, I would invite you. You’re the closest person to me. So that's why you were so weird to me since I came back? You think I am in a relationship with Richard?"

This is a perfect time, thought his legs. Kneel in front of her. Tell her how much you love her. Yes, thought his eyes. Cry right now to show her how heartbroken you were about the thought that you didn’t want to see him anymore. But they all lost. Their wishes were unheard by Chris' ears when the only lousy noise he heard was from his brain. It was so loud that it almost damaged his ears.

she broke you. You break her.

“You know what I am talking about. This isn't about jealousy, okay? What, like, Is this a thing for you? You meet a guy on set, become friends with him, even meet their family but dump him as soon as you met another guy on set? Damn, what a great technique you got there, Y/L/N.”

His eyes gave up when yours started crying. His lips were mad at him when yours started trembling. His legs wanted to kick him in the balls when yours almost gave up on you. His arms were his only hope. The only thing that could save all of this. So he took you in his arms and started hugging you. His nose smelling your heavenly scent made his brain normal again. 'You idiot, you broke her, do something.' His hands were blessed with touching your back and his eyes started crying harder.

“ I am so sorry sweetheart, I don’t know why I said such horrible things to you. You are the most important thing in my life. Your smile is my oxygen, and I just killed you with my words. I committed suicide. I am so sorry, honey. I was a jealous bastard. The thought of you looking lovely at someone else other than me broke me. I just had to trust you. Please, I beg you, don’t leave me out of your life. I’ve never been so scared of losing something in my life. Then again, nothing in my life has ever meant as much as you do.”

When you looked at him, you saw that he was telling the truth. It took him almost 4 years to confess his love to you. And it took you almost 4 years to kiss him, blessing his lips and slowing his heartbeat. His heart didn’t want to explode anymore, it wanted to beat. Just for you.

“In case you ever foolishly forget Christopher, I am only thinking of you. I am only and truly yours. I want you today, tomorrow, next week, and for the rest of my life. I love you with all my heart, inside and out. Please never break it again. It needs it to love you, Chris.” He kissed you again. And again. And again. He promised himself that day to never listen to his brain again and always, love you.

You arched your brows and scrunched your nose.

“Girlfriend? I don’t think you asked me to be your girlfriend.” He took you between his arms, kissed you again, and whispered in your ear.

"Don't you worry, I'll ask it more romantically since we have eternity together."

[thedevilsoftruth]

Haven't posted in a while, but something that was really bugging me a lot was some shit I noticed when rewatching the Moon Knight series that I think a lot of comic book fans could relate to. I know, Mr " um actually " comic book guy is talking right now but imma need you all to bare with me here for a second. and before any of you start typing, please remember everything said here is MY opinion. All I ask is that you're respectful. I'm going to start of with how I don't understand the hype around this motherfucker.

Literally the most whiniest mf in the ENTIRETY of the MCU. The only people who can like or tolerate this bitch are mfs who have 9 hours of daily screen time on TikTok, listen to hyperpop music and think that he's a soft uwu meow meow baby girl hurt emo princess boy.

Moon Knight is literally one of the most metal superheros out there and the directors saw that and said, " now imagine that but we make his woman so much better than him and water him down and completely change his back story and then wipe our asses with it, spit on it and then pretend we were trying to show representation. " Like what the fuck are you fucking doing?

My first problem is that I felt like this show focused too much on Layla and her relationship to Marc... Nvm, Sorry I lied. Not Marc, fucking STEVEN. This show isn't about " Layla ", its about MARC and Steven and JAKE. (I'll talk about Jake later) Like can we just... " Are you an Egyptian superhero? " " I am. 🥺" GIRL BYE 💀💀 this part of this show was so bad it made eternals look good. This was cringe on the level of seeing your mother do a dab. All that episode 6 was about was Layla kicking ass and that's it. I don't understand why Kevin Feige has the urge to make everything about badass women. Like theres ABSOLUTELY nothing wrong with that, I love badass women and we need more women superheros, but I'm just saying, I came here to watch MOON KNIGHT not Layla El-faouly.

So funny how they make a show about Marc Spector and he only gets like 20 minutes out of the 6 hours of the entirety of the show. I think the most time he got on screen was like episode five and maybe two but that's about it. It felt like he was only there to make things depressing and to make Steven Grant have better character development because he himself is just so fucking boring and not funny. Marc Spector is so much more than " I got hit as a kid and my alter ego is fucking my ex wife. " He's a Jewish antihero struggling with a personality disorder that's eating his life away and a toxic relationship with a man who's been basically lying, emotionally abusing, and manipulating him since his CHILDHOOD. What I love most about Marc Spector is that he's not like all other these mighty superheros, he's just some dude. He just some dude with real human struggles like you and me, trying to figure himself out and navigate through his disorder. Marc should have had a bigger role in this show but I guess Steven Grant and Layla were more interesting than him. Steven is the main course, Layla is the desert and Marc is the salad off to the side that's barley been eaten.

Steven Grant is not a shy British man with great manners who works in a gift shop and is giving in his moms flat, he's a savvy millionaire ( who's from Chicago, Illinois, so as Marc and Jake ) who works in the film industry and lives in a mansion. Those are two completely different characters. Everyone that I've seen who's criticized Steven in the slightest has said that he was bland, boring, and the producers were trying too hard to make him funny. You can't try to have something that's just straight up sad happening with a character and then pretend that it's funny and try to make it into comedy. That's just not how it works and it's not realistic. That's why movies like The Crow are good and movies like Renfield are bad. The Crow takes itself seriously and is genuinely sad but lightly sprinkled with comedy, Renfield wanted to be a bit sad, but ruined itself by trying to hard to make every scene funny.

The only good scene in this entire show is the scene where Marc says, " you are you the only real superpower I ever had " or whatever the fuck. I didn't pay attention because all I could think about was the scene from frozen where Anna fucking froze and Elsa cried about it and then unfroze her with her tears or something. I guess her tears must have been really hot.

What I'll give Muhammad Diab credit for is casting. Having Layla be Egyptian is good, and having Oscar Isaac casted as Marc is also really good. Everyone In the comics is white for a character normally centered around Egyptian bullshit. They also got Khonshus personality right and that's about it.

I hate how the producers said that this show was all about " representation" and then didn't add Frenchie, who is a gay french guy in it or Bushman who is a black mercenary because he was " too much like Killmonger " ( which doesn't make any fucking sense because they are drastically different on so many levels but okay. ) they also said that this show is they're most brutal and violent show yet, but they were " violent " ( and bloody-ish ) the first three episodes and then just kinda gave up towards the end.

For the last thing, I'm gonna talk about Jake finally. Just pretend that I'm sighing right now. Like a really audible, dramatic sigh.

I get they wanted for us to differentiate the differences between each personality with accents but Jake doesn't need to speak Spanish. He doesn't speak Spanish in the comics and having him do it is completely unnecessary. I get it's Hollywood and Hollywood needs to make everything sexy and attractive, but Jake Lockley is the least sexiest alter of Marc Spector. He doesn't wear a suit with black leather gloves or drive a limousine, he's a fucking taxi cab driver with a really weird mustache who wears a turtle neck. When I think sexy, I don't think taxi driver. And it ruins the point of Jake Lockley as well because Marc uses Jake to see what's going on on the streets in New York. New York is really busy and crowded, so people are more prone to using a taxi, not a limousine unless you're bougie and rich.

Anyways that was my rant. Good night.

[amarriageoftrueminds]

did you saw that marvel (comics this time, but also ruled by Kevin feige) is mcufying comic peggy to look like her nazi-cynthia-glass-hayley version of the movies? they are even making her younger and changing her old appearance (that was blond and not Cynthia like) and ignoring that she died?? they are probably planing to RETCON comic peggy, that has nothing to do with with mcu peggy (who I'm going to remind again, it's not based on comic Peggy but in Cynthia glass) just to please steggy fans and mcu stans who loved captain carter?? Kevin and his weird obsession is literally breaking platform barrers

old meta post about this here

Yup that creepy dead-eyed ignoramus is trying to whitewash what they did and people are so ignorant you know they’ll fall for it. 

Every time Pggy stans deny all this, they jump right into the Narcissist’s Prayer: 

‘That didn't happen. And if it did, it wasn't that bad. And if it was, that's not a big deal. And if it is, that's not my fault. And if it was, I didn't mean it. And if I did, you deserved it.’ 

Feige is going through all those stages (last step will be making Steve a Nazi to match her and then denying he’s done that!) 

I hate hate hate that he has power over Kirby & Simon’s Antifa creation. 

I wonder what Virginia Hall’s family think of all this, too. 

Do they know that their real-life Nazi-fighting heroine ancestor used to have an analogue in Marvel comics, but that MCU completely erased her in favour of a Nazi? 

Do the family of Kirby & Simon see that KF gets to destroy both their creation and that real woman’s analogue, just because he’s desperate to suck the fart out of Tom Cruise’s ex? 

I thought Feige was supposed to be a Yiddish name, but I can’t see how any self-respecting Jewish person could stand for this, let alone condone it. 

(The only explanation I can think of is that he’s actually as ignorant as those people who stan? But it seems unlikely... How could anyone mistake a blonde blue-eyed Virginian American woman with a beret, undercover in France, for a brunette brown-eyed Englishwoman in a uniform in America? Cynthia and comics-Pggy are nothing alike!) 

[the-anxious-stargazer]

Late For Movie Night || Kate Bishop

Pairing: Kate Bishop x Fem!Reader

Summary: With Kate's night being disrupted because of a robbery, she went to deal with it but at the cost of being late to see her girlfriend. What happens when an angry reader waits for her at home?

Words: 1.8k

Warnings: Kate being cute please give me season 2 already Kevin Feige!

[Masterlist]

・ ‥…━━━━━━━━━━➼ᗢ➼━━━━━━━━━━…‥ ・

Kate begged for a better time for this robbery to happen out of all times. As much as she loves saving the day, this was not it. She's had several instances of her plans being postponed because she saved the day, her precious plans are getting ruined at the cost of her heroism.

Specifically her movie night with her girlfriend.

The black-haired woman had been doing it more frequently as much to her displeasure and her girlfriend has been affected by her tardiness. Luckily enough, Y/N was incredibly patient but she has seen her lose it in some cases. It's one of the last things she wants to see. All she wanted was to buy the food they needed and come back early. So pushing her thoughts aside and readied her body for the actions she was about to do. Kate then enters the familiar local grocery that was being robbed by some dudes wearing ski-mask and all-black clothing. She didn't have time to throw immature comments their way and annoy the heck out of them. The last thing she needed is to be too talkative and make this problem go longer.

"I'm going to say this once, but put the money and stolen goods back and leave the store," Kate warns the five men who stared at her, and two chuckled.

"Look what we have here fellas, a hero! Fuck off, kid." The biggest guy told her off but knowing Kate Bishop, she's too stubborn to do so.

After not doing so, the guy who was now supposed to be the leader gestured to his friend and the other guy marched forward to attack Kate. She immediately caught a glimpse of the brass knuckles that he wore on his left hand and it was easy to say that this was his dominant hand. The archer didn't have her signature bow so she has to handle this with some old fashion hand-in-hand combat and to her luck she's had the training for that. Following her words, the archer then caught his fist before she went to twist his hand after he attempted to lay a punch on her and the guy screamed in pain. His friends then went to help him while the last two stayed to continue grabbing the money. Kate has been doing this for a while that she's almost predicted their attacks, but she still misses some and gets herself hurt from them. But alas, the fight dies down and they run away with the money left behind and the store a bit damaged from the fight. Thankfully, there were at least two aisles that were disarranged, but many items were scattered to the ground. She would have figured that Clint would be surprised at her barely joking around. The raven-haired woman takes a deep breath after the scene and apologizes to the cashier who she knows is also the owner of the shop.

"Please, you've saved my store from being robbed. Don't be sorry." Mr. Sanchez lets her know. She'd been a common face to his store and offered some sandwiches, "Take these, Kate. It's all I can offer for now and I know these are your favorites." He continues with an appreciative smile.

"No need for money, Mr. Shanchez. I'm just glad I'm able to help around." Kate reassures and the man's smile couldn't get any wider.

"You got a good heart, missy. Go on now, I'm sure you still got places to be." He pats her shoulder and with a curt nod she rushes out to go back to her apartment.

Kate had run as fast as she could with a bag filled with sandwiches. She checks her phone on the other hand for the time and would franticly speed up whenever the time moves by 1 minute forward. If the people of New York cared enough, they would probably think that the archer was a robber. Ten minutes of sprinting had her reaching the front door of the apartment complex and being greeted by the owner of the pizza place. They usually order from them when it's movie night or when Lucky won't eat his food that wasn't pizza and Joe is always happy to oblige.

"Miss Bishop, great timing. Here are the pizzas you ordered!" Joe, the head chef, hands out 3 boxes with a proud smile on his face.

"Thank you so much, Joe. Have a good night!" She sends her thanks.

Rushing to her apartment door, she let out a sigh of relief when she made it by being seventeen minutes late. Kate has arrived way later before, but this was a first. And the best part was she wasn't too injured or anything. Maybe just a small cut on her bottom lip. The archer has had worse before, but the perks of having a girlfriend who's studying nursing are kind of help though she can't be saved from the lectures that follow. Taking a deep breath, Kate fishes out her copy of the front door key from her pocket and opened it as quietly as she could. With the boxes of pizza and the said bag of sandwiches being balanced in one hand while the other opens the door, the woman enters her apartment. Sadly for her favor, the tv could be heard and Lucky has instantly welcomed her with a bark. Kate closes the door as stealth as she could and reluctantly she turns around to face her girlfriend who had sat by the couch with a visible frown present on her face.

'Uh oh...' Kate thought to herself.

"Hi, baby!" The archer greets her only to be replied with and dissatisfied nod and hum.

"I got pizza and sandwiches for us." Highlighting the things she held with one hand before she walks close to the dining table to settle them there.

The apartment had been fixed and had new furniture ever since it got burnt down by the Tracksuit Mafia. Kate loved the place too much and settling at her family home didn't feel the same way for her so she was happy that there was still enough money for her to rebuild the place. The living room had been a new addition and the kitchen looks a hundred times better than how it was when Kate was still living alone. She also has to thank Y/N's taste for the decorations.

"I know the wings are missing, but the place you craved for was close so that's why I took a bit longer." Kate tries to reason out.

But nothing makes Y/N budge out of her pursed lips. Knowing her girlfriend enough would tell her that this was the exact thing she didn't want to reach out here tonight. In defeat, Kate puts down her shoulders and finally admits, "There was a robbery at Mr. Sanchez's grocery. I saved him and the shop." She says.

"Seventeen minutes." Her girlfriend voices out and she slightly winces at the mention of how late she had arrived.

That kind of voice sometimes scares people and patients when they're being too entitled to her, even Kate herself is scared when she dictates her full name, almost like her mother when her patience is lost but Eleanor was way more different. Waiting for her to walk out, Kate is surprised when a giggle was heard from the love of her life and she watches as her eyes crinkle. The change of expression left her stunned while her girlfriend stood up from the comfort of their couch. She had never been this fazed since meeting Yelena. Y/N then goes to where she stood and examines the cut on her lip with a hum. She goes to planting a careful peck. The archer realizes that she had been playing with her all along and couldn't help but pout.

"It's a new record and I'm happy that you made the effort to come early. Now sit and let me clean that up." Y/N teases her with a kiss on her cheek and referred to her injury.

Kate wastes no time following her instruction and sat by the couch with her dog following her from behind. Observing what was playing on the screen, The Good Place had been playing. Y/N had been talking about it lately and Kate knew she wanted to watch it together. That is how it has always been for them, they binge a series or movie together. Her girlfriend comes back with a familiar red box from the bathroom and also the food she had brought for them. With the number of times, she has tidied up her wounds, keeping the medkit stocked was a must at their place.

"Hm not too bad, but still needs an ointment." Her girlfriend mentions while studying her lip. She has seen worse scars before and thankfully they weren't Kate's. Just the thought of her having those kinds makes her shiver.

"Did Mr. Sanchez give you these sandwiches?" Y/N asks to which the raven-haired girl bobs her head as a response.

"You love his ham sandwich too much, love." She comments while grabbing the ointment she needed. Kate always liked how delicate she is when she's in nurse mode and that focused look she wears with it. After applying the ointment to her cut, she pecks her nose and offers a soft smile.

"All done!" Kate giggles at her girlfriend's cuteness.

"Thank you, baby. You're always too good to me."

"Hey, you always deserve it even if you're kicking butts and being late all the time. You know that I get it. I don't always do the saving part your way but I'm the one who patches things up." Y/N reassures her.

"I know, but I'm aware that being late affects you too. You sometimes have to stay up just to wait up for me to come home when you should be sleeping for your morning shift." And Kate only worried about her well-being more than her own. She knew that her lover chose to do so because she cares a lot about her, but she hates the idea of being a burden when she already has more to worry about,

"Well, I'd rather be sleepy in the ER because even if I don't wait up for you I won't be able to sleep," Y/N tells her with her hand being placed on her cheek.

Kate couldn't help herself from leaning to her touch.

"Being a hero means a lot to you and you still have a long way to go. Who knows, maybe you'll get live with a new group of the Avengers!"

The archer then sincerely smiles at the dream. Kate still has a long way to go from all the hero stuff and she's still at the beginning of it all. Her idol is mentoring her and invites her to spend the holidays at his home, her hero life is going well, college is college, and she has an awesome loving girlfriend to support her for whatever lies ahead. Even if life has been hard for her for a while ever since her mom got arrested Kate's still happy about what her life has become. Just the love Y/N gives let's her remember her dad. She just can't wait for what comes next.

"What can I say, I'm a lucky gal dating the sexiest future surgeon in the world." Kate brags to which she giggles.

"Alright Lady Arrow, drop the arrogance vibe, and let's watch the show." Y/N jokes knowing that the archer would cringe at the mention of the title she had thought of back then.

"Spare me from the embarrassing names, baby." All she could do was laugh before kissing her cheek again and opening a box of pizza after.

"Never. They are too funny to forget, Kate."

・ ‥…━━━━━━━━━━➼ᗢ➼━━━━━━━━━━…‥ ・

[weirdos-am-i-right]

Fuck Traveling// Pete Davidson x reader

Request from @annalayton19

Hi! I’m a new follower and I really like your stuff! Could I request a Pete Davidson x reader (angst to fluff) where Pete is on tour or filming away from home and the reader is left behind. After like 6 months of being apart Pete starts to get tired of the long distance and basically like done with it. And then he realizes his mistake and comes home to make it up to her! I’m sorry if that’s super long! Also if this imagine doesn’t interest you, then no sweat! Thank you so much in advance 💕

A/n: This took so much less time then I thought it would. Anyway, here you go, I really hope you like it!

Warning: angst, swearing, like one cigarettes

€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€

Six months. Six months was an extremely long time to be away from someone you loved.

Y/n sat on the couch, a small pout on her lips. She looked at Pete—her boyfriend of a year—and frowned. “I wish I could go with you.” Pete frowns too, and sits down next to her.

“I know. I wish you were coming with me too. But hey, it’s only a couple of months, all right? I’ll be back before you know it.” He kissed her cheek.

“I just wish my contract would let me. You have no idea how annoying it is to not be able to do things because of freaking Marvel.” She groans, falling on her back with a slight ‘plop’.

“Well, because of freaking Marvel, you are one of the best actresses out there. And I know you’re going to kill it with filming. My tour isn’t even that cool. It’ll broke you to death.” He jokes, leaning back on the arm of the couch.

“Babe, you’re a comedian.”

“Oh right, I forgot.” He grabs her arm, and pulls her up into his chest. “I love you, okay?” He lifts her chin up, and kisses her. “So fucking much. We’ll face time everyday, I’ll call you every evening and wish you goodnight.”

“Okay.” She looked over a the clock, and sighed. “We have to go. Your flight is leaving soon.” He brushes hair behind her ear, bringing her eyes back to him.

“I love you. It’ll be over before you know it.”

“I love you, too.”

********

The car ride to the airport was long, and quiet. Pete was driving, he had one hand on the steering wheel, and one hand on Y/n’s leg, rubbing small circles into the center of her thigh.

She knew she was going to miss him so much, but she also knew she was going to be extremely busy with filming, so it wouldn’t be as bad.

Once they were at the gate, they tearfully hugged, and she kissed him. “All right, now get out of here. We’re not doing that rom-com turn back at the last second goodbye.” She laughed at him, tears steaming down her face a bit. He wiped one with his thumb, and kissed her again. “Love you. Now go, so I get to watch you walk away.”

“Really?”

“Yes.” She turns around, and starts walking back to her car. She knew he hated leaving her too, but he was a lot better at hiding emotions then she was, that was one of the only things she learned while dating him.

She got in her car, and put her head on her steering wheel.

She groans, and leans back. Starting her car, she pulled out of the airport, and drove home.

**********

The first few months were the worst. Y/n hated going to bed alone, the left side of the bed always cold.

She was filming almost every day, and seeing her co-workers and friends always cheered her up, after all she had been working with the same people for quite some time now, so she felt comfortable around them.

The fourth month was slowly becoming easier. She got use to coming home to no one there, and making dinner for herself. She still talked to Pete every day, texting him good morning, and Goodnight, and FaceTiming him a lot during the day.

Though she knew he loved her, she felt as though he was slightly pulling away. The FaceTime calls were short, and he never texted her back right away like he use to.

“And so, we we’re almost done with the shoot, so close I could practically taste the coffee in my trailer waiting for me, and then Kevin calls cut, and he makes us do the whole scene over again! I swear, I was about to strange that man. Ugh, I can’t wait til you come home. Only two more weeks, I can’t believe we made it.” Y/n rants, talking to Pete on the phone.

“Uh huh. Cool.” He wasn’t looking at her, instead his attention was somewhere else. Y/n frowns, tilting her head a bit.

“Pete…are, are you okay?” That seemed to catch his attention, and he finally looked at the screen.

“What? I’m fine.”

“Okay…you just seem so…different lately. I don’t know, maybe it’s just me, but you seem like you don’t have time for me anymore. Or if you do, you don’t like talking to me.” Pete scoffs.

“Of course I don’t have time for you right now. I’m in between shows, I’m driving to one as we speak. I mean, god forbid I get a minute to myself without my agents or you calling me.” Pete snapped.

“Wha-I’m just talking to you. If you didn’t want to, you could have said something.”

“That’s bullshit you would have thrown a fucking hissy fit or something.” He rolls his eyes.

“That’s not true. I understand when people are tired, believe me I would know.”

“Would you?”

“Yes!” She had tears stinging her eyes. “Of course I do, you’re forgetting what I do for a living. I work from 6 am to whenever we finish which most of the time is in the middle of the night. I have to re-do the same scene about ten times because RDJ won’t stop making jokes in the middle of the scene!”

“Oh, sorry, I forgot about your super-star actress life.”

“Why are you being so mean to me? I was only concerned about you.”

“Mean? What are you, five? I can’t-I can’t do this anymore.” She huffs, crossing her arms.

“What do you talking about? Are you breaking up with me?”

“Wh-”

“Because then fine. If you don’t want to be with me, I don’t have to take this shit. I’ll be with someone who, oh, I don’t know is actually here.”

“Oh that’s fucking rich, you know I can’t be there, don’t even do that.” She scoffs.

“I don’t care. You want to act like a petty bitch, I have no problem doing it right back.”

“No, I think you’re just a petty bitch.” She wipes her eye, and he laughs dryly. “Oh of course you’re crying.”

“Shut up. If you don’t want to be with me, fine. Go enjoy your show, Pete.” She hung up the phone, and turned off the ringer. She plugged it into her charger, and went into the bathroom, turning the shower on.

********

Pete rubbed his eyes, and took a drag of his cigarette. He knew he shouldn’t have snapped at her, it wasn’t her fault he was cranky, and needed to take it out on someone.

“I’m a dick.” He mumbles to himself, and bangs his steering wheel.

His phone rang again, and for a good second his heart leaping out of his chest, thinking it was his girlfriend, calling him back. He checked the phone, seeing it was Colson. He answered the call.

“What’s up, man?” Pete asks.

“The shows starting soon. You almost here?” Colson questioned. Pete looked at his google maps, seeing he was supposed to be there in ten minutes.

“I’m a good ten minutes away. I’ll be there.”

“You sound weird. What the fuck did you take without me?” Colson asks, trying to lighten the mood.

“Uh…Y/n and I just broke up. I think.” The line was silent for a few seconds.

“Why the fuck would you do that, you idiot? Are you kidding me?” Colson scoffs. “Man, what the fuck?”

“Shut up, man. I can’t stand talking on the phone with her. I’m busy, she’s busy, she plays a superhero for fuck’s sake. I didn’t even expect it to last this long to be honest.”

“Man, you fucking dumbass. That girl was probably the only good thing you had going for you. Get her the fuck back.I thought you loved her.”

“I did-I do. I do love her. I’m just so stressed right now, and excuse me for not wanting to hear about fucking Kevin Feige being a shitty director.”

“Hey, fuck-shit, you ever think that maybe this is more hard on her? Acting is fucking hard, you should know that, especially for a company like Marvel.

“Man, who’s side are you on?” Pete turns into the parking lot, and grabs his phone.

“You think I’m on your side here? You’re forgetting that we were friends before I met you. I can not believe you just fucked up the best thing in your life. Fix it, man. You’re going home in a week, fucking fix it.” And with that, Colson hung up, and put his phone away.

He kicked a rock across the pavement, and cursed under his breathe.

********

The worst thing about breaking up with someone you live with, who so happens to be long-distance is that their stuff fills the apartment with an existential amount of regret.

Y/n laid on her couch, flipping through the channels of the TV. She had called off work for the next few days, not feeling up to put on a performance for anyone. She knew she would get shit for it later, but she didn’t care.

Her head perked up when there was a knock on the door. She sighed, and got up, going over to the door. She really didn’t feel like company at the moment, and was sure she was going to send away whoever it was.

When she opened the door, her breathe caught in her throat. Pete stood in the doorway, looming over her. He looked like shit. She could tell he hadn’t slept, and probably didn’t eat anything, but she knew he didn’t look much better.

“Why-why didn’t you use your key?” Y/n asks, opening the door a bit for him.

“I uh, didn’t want to barge in on you. You also probably weren’t expecting me.”

“I wasn’t. I thought you didn’t get back until next week.” She says. It took every ounce of her not to jump into his arms, and kiss his face until she was sure she kissed every part of it.

“I took off early. Can we talk? Please. I was a dick. I was such a dick. I’m sorry, I know we grew apart in the last few months, and I promised we wouldn’t but we did, and I’m so sorry for that, baby.” He grabs her hand, and she slightly pulls it back, but let’s him grab it. “Please, forgive me. I love you, so much, okay? So fucking much, you’re the best thing that’s happened to me.”

She felt tears welling up in her eyes, and she looked away from him. “What you said really hurt.”

“I know. And I’ll spend every day trying to make it up to you.” She quickly wrapped her arms around him, pushing her face into his chest. He didn’t hesitate to hug her back, leaning down and kissing the top of her head. “I love you.”

“I love you, too. Fuck traveling.”

“Fuck traveling.”

.

[imaginesfordifferentfandoms]

Enchanted To Meet You

Click here for my masterlist.

Click here to add yourself to my taglist.

Requested - Yes - Anon

Prompts -36 - ‘We’re friends and both famous and we talk about each other in interviews because we're the biggest fans of the other and people ship us.’ except they’re not friends but they meet on like a talk show or red carpet, please!!!

Sometimes it felt like you didn’t stop but you loved your job more than anything. You were an actress most well known for your role in the Marvel movies though you did have fanbases in many other areas.

You had not long finished a new movie, it was a completely new style than you were used to, the role being that of a detective responsible for tracking down a world renowned serial killer.

Now that the movie was finished it was time for the press interviews which you were always super excited for. It wasn’t long before hair and make up was finished and you found yourself in a chair opposite an interviewer.

He had started off the interview by asking you the general questions one expects when doing press for a movie before he had asked you a question that made you smile.

“So obviously a big release in the past few weeks was from your fellow avenger Spider-Man.” The interviewer said, causing you to nod, “Have you had a chance to see it yet? What did you think of Jake Gyllenhaal as Mysterio?”

This would be a bit of an odd question to most people but over the years you’d begun talking more about Jake Gyllenhaal in your interviews than the actual movie you were promoting. It was the same for him too, you were both big fans of each other and it wasn’t long until the internet was shipping the two of you together like crazy.

“I have watched it, yeah, I managed to watch it the day it came out actually. Obviously I think Jake did an amazing job as always, he’s such an incredible actor, you know? I mean this isn’t really a role he’s done before but I think he really hit it out of the park.” You gushed meaning every word.

You did enjoy going online and seeing all the fans going wild over the two of you together considering you had never met the man.

“It’s too bad you couldn’t make an appearance in this movie, I think the two of you meeting would break the internet.” He said, causing the both of you to laugh.

“I think you’re right. Honestly, I tried so hard to be in that movie, even for a second. I went to the big bosses and I got Tom in on it too but unfortunately they rejected my request, so it’s another day in which I haven’t met Jake Gyllenhaal.” You said whilst laughing. “No but seriously, I think he’s absolutely incredible and the way he portrayed Mysterio was amazing!”

-

“Thank you for being here, Jake, Tom!” Jimmy said as he welcomed Tom and Jake onto the show. Spider-Man had been out for a while now but the two of them were still going out and doing the interviews together.

Again, the interview followed the same back and forth pace that people expected from talk shows but it wasn’t long before your name was mentioned.

“Is it true Y/N got you involved in trying to get her a part in this movie?” Jimmy asked whilst laughing.

“Oh my God, yes she did!” Tom replied, laughing himself, “So obviously her and Jake have massive crushes on each other,” He said, causing the audience to erupt into cheers. Jake rolled his eyes but there was a smile on his face. “But they haven’t actually met, so when I told Y/N/N that Jake was going to be in this movie she tried so hard to get in it. I think she even called Kevin Feige at one point and asked if she could have an unpaid role in the movie.”

“Wait really?” Jimmy said as everyone laughed along with the three men on stage. “How come you two haven’t met yet? I mean I feel like you’ve been together for years.”

“I don’t know, I honestly don’t know. I mean if the chance was there I’d take it in a second but for some reason we just, our paths haven’t crossed yet.” Jake explained, he really had wanted to meet you for so long but unfortunately it had just never happened.

“It’s so crazy though, I mean you two are friends with all the same people, like she’s super close with Hugh Jackman, it’s just crazy that you haven’t met.” Tom chuckled.

“Trust me man, I know, I’m making it my goal to meet her.” Jake laughed as everyone cheered.

The smile he got when talking about you never went even as the topic changed.

-

It was Oscar’s night and you were super excited having been nominated for best actress. You had spent hours in your hotel as you had your hair and make up done before you were being helped into the most beautiful Versace dress.

It wasn’t long before you were in the car and heading to the Dolby Theater. Your team was running through things you needed to know and do for the night and you listened, nodding along with what they were saying.

Soon enough you were in the middle of all the excitement. You made your way up to where celebrities were standing, turning as camera people shouted at you.

You smiled in each direction, making sure to throw a few poses each way too before you felt someone tap your shoulder. You turned around and your eyes widened as you saw Jake Gyllenhaal stood there with the biggest grin on his face.

“Hi!” He greeted loudly, grin widening as you smiled back at him.

“Hello there stranger.” You returned, completely forgetting about the many, many cameras on the pair of you.

Jake opened his arms to you and was quick to engulf you in a tight hug, you matching his grip.

“Thought I’d come and say hi before we never saw each other again.” He said with a laugh, causing you to giggle.

“Yeah it’s been a long time in the making.” You shot back. When he pulled away, he was still smiling, looking at you like you were the only person here.

“Y/N, Jake, this way!” A voice cut through causing you both to jump slightly before laughing.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to crash your photos.” He said but you just shook your head.

“Don’t be, you’re more than welcome to stay, I’m pretty sure these pictures might actually break the internet.” You joked and the two of you turned to the cameras, Jake’s arm resting on your waist as you leaned into him.

The two of you stayed there for a few moments before you were being ushered off and into the interview part of the carpet.

“Y/F/N Y/L/N and Jake Gyllenhaal, together for the first time ever!” The interviewer exclaimed, causing you all to laugh.

“I saw her out there, man, and I couldn’t resist.” Jake said, making you smile.

“I don’t blame you, who knows when you would’ve met otherwise. You both look amazing by the way, who are you wearing?” The man asked as he held the mic out to you.

“I’m head to toe in Versace tonight and I absolutely love it.” You said before turning to Jake.

“And you, Jake?” He asked.

“Well first of all, Y/N, you look stunning tonight.” He said, causing you to try desperately to hide a blush as he explained who he was wearing.

Meeting Jake in person was strange, it was like you already knew him. Somehow, despite literally knowing him for a handful of minuets, he managed to give you butterflies. It was something that had never happened before.

You both spoke about and praised each other’s movies before you were heading off to the next interviewer.

“It was great talking to you guys, you look incredible together, good luck for tonight!” The final interviewer said, something all the others had said too. Despite denying the fact that you two were together multiple times tonight you knew people wouldn’t believe it.

-

“I’m sorry about that, I was only coming over to say hello.” Jake said once the two of you were in the venue and it had quietened down significantly.

“Oh please, don’t worry about it, we both know how fast paced these things are.” You said, causing him to nod in agreement. “It was great to finally meet you though.”

“It’s great to meet you too! I really am a big fan.” He told you and the two of you were more than content to talk with each other in an isolated corner of the room before you were all being directed to your seats.

“Are you going to the after party?” Jake asked before the two of you separated.

“Yeah, are you?” You really wanted to spend more time with the man. Somehow in the course of half an hour you had managed to become enchanted by him.

“I am. Would you, maybe, want to go with me?” You tried not to blush, you really did but failed miserably. The smile on your face spoke volumes about how much you wanted that anyway.

“I’d love to go with you.” You told him sincerely.

The two of you were forced to part ways after that as the staff insisted you go to your seats.

-

“Jake’s presenting best actress?” You whispered to your co-star as Jake took to the stage.

“Apparently the person who was supposed to be doing it got sick, so they asked him to step in.” Benedict explained, causing you to nod.

Jake’s opening speech was great and soon he was announcing the nominees.

“Here are the five, incredibly inspiring, women who are nominated tonight. Emma Stone, Melissa McCarthy, Margot Robbie, Scarlett Johansson and Y/F/N Y/L/N. And the Oscar goes to…” Here Jake paused to open the envelope, a grin spreading across his face, “Y/F/N Y/L/N!”

In seconds you were surrounded by people hugging and congratulating you. You heard cheering and barely registered the walk up to the stage. You did register Jake wrapping you in a hug,

“Congratulations, Y/N, you deserve it.” He whispered, causing you to blush again.

He pulled away from you to leaning down to press a kiss to your cheek before he handed you your award and gestured for you to approach the microphone.

“Wow, ok, um, hold on a sec.” You said, causing everyone to laugh. “Um, first of all, thank you Jake, I couldn’t have asked for anyone better to give me this award. God, this is an unbelievable honour. Um, I also want to thank Benedict Cumberbatch who pushed me and inspired me so much everyday, thank you. Thank you to all the amazing cast and crew for this movie, you have been so incredible to work with. Oh, I know I’m going to forget somebody. Thank you to my family for believing in me everyday. Thank you to the fans, you’ve been amazing to me for so many years. Um, yeah, thank you so much, have a great night!” You said before turning around. Jake held his arm out to you causing you to smile gratefully as he helped you down the stairs.

Backstage he tugged you into another hug, the two of you grinning like fools.

“I have to get back out there for my category but seriously, that was a well deserved win, congratulations.” He told you, the look in his eyes showing how sincere he was.

“Thank you so much!” You exclaimed, still feeling the adrenaline pumping through you. “Good luck!” And before you could stop yourself you leaned up and kissed his cheeks causing his smile to turn shy.

God, you couldn’t wait to see him again.

[curiousgalacticsoul]

Okay, so now it's clearly visible that Palmerstrange admirers are significantly growing. There were few since 2016, but after What If ep.4 and now DS:MoM teaser, the number is rapidly increasing. It's been proved that Stephen+Christine aren't some 'normal gf-bf' with 'temporary physical attraction etc' couple. They understand each other emotionally, have a special and unique place for each other in their hearts! They're basically soulmates!

Now the question is - are the makers/Marvel people/Kevin Feige seeing all the Palmerstrange content on Pinterest and Tumblr? Because this is where most of stuff is happening & not on Instagram and YouTube, where it actually should be happening for Marvel Studios to notice!

So my personal request - please make some Palmerstrange noise on IG & YT! Make videos, pictures, edits, graphics, gifs, etc. if not that, comment about them, use #palmerstrange, tag @marvel etc.

DS2 is roughly still in its reshoots phase, so if Marvel does notice our love for Palmerstrange, they might show some positive story for them, who knows!

[justthehiddleswrites]

Accidently Married | Tom Hiddleston x OFC | Chapter 5 | You practically whipped it out and peed on her.

A/N:  Tom makes certain comments about an ex (who is unnamed).  It is a fictional girlfriend, take from it what you will.  Keep your hate to yourself.  

SERIES MASTERLIST HERE

Pairing: Tom Hiddleston x OFC (Molly Bishop)

Summary: Tom is stuck in a news cycle from hell; Molly is stuck in the dead end job of bartending with a pile of student and credit debt.  Tom has an idea to solve all their problems.  Get married, get the paparazzi off his back, divorce after a year and Tom pays off Molly’s debts.  Tom has everything figured out, that is until he sees Molly as more than a just a friend and so does someone else.  In this vying for affections who will win, the handsome Brit or the boy from Boston?

This Chapter: Molly and Tom face their first big industry event, a Marvel party.  Tom finds himself unprepared for how he feels about Molly.  Particularly how he feels about Molly being friendly with a certain Captain. 

Warnings: fake marriage, smut (vaginal sex), mentions of:  child abuse/neglect, foster care, substance abuse, cheating.

TAGLIST IS OPEN! PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU WANT TO BE TAGGED!  THANK YOU FOR READING!

-

Molly made a quick recovery and things went back to the usual routine. For her. Tom found himself wearing his better workout clothes. The ones without the holes. And wearing cologne and shaving.

“Did you shave?” Molly asked one morning, running her hand over his chin.

“Yes.” 

“Shame, I kind of liked how you looked with the stubble.”

Tom’s smile faded, and he started shaving only once or twice a week from then on. 

-

“I need you to go shopping.” Tom mentioned one day on his way out. 

Molly didn’t glance up from her reading. “Just make a list and I’ll go to the grocery store today.”

“No.” Tom fidgeted. “There’s an event. A party.” He cleared his throat. “For Marvel.” Tom tugged at his hair.

Molly’s eyes bugged out. “This isn’t just some party, is it?”

“No. It’s a big deal. All the stars will be there. Kevin Feige and some other execs. Think you handle it?”

Molly smirked. “Piece of cake, I have been charming VIPs for years. What kind of look do you want? Sweet wife or damn that’s his wife?”

Tom pulled her close. “Somewhere in between. Have Emma help you. I have no idea where to buy women’s clothes.”

“Will do.” Molly kissed his cheek. “Have a good day.” She pressed her hand on his chest.

“You too.” He returned the kiss on the cheek and stepped out of the door. 

Molly grabbed her phone and dialed Emma.

“So where does someone go to get a cocktail dress in this town?”

-

Molly caught Tom digging in her wardrobe the morning before the event. 

“What are you doing in there?” Molly called out from the doorway. 

Tom jumped and hit his head on the door. “I… I… was… just looking to see… if…” he sputtered, searching for a story.

“If you could see my dress before tonight.” She waved a hand, gesturing Tom out of the room. “Out.”

“But I need to make sure we coordinate.” Tom whined. His fingers lingered on a garment bag.

“That’s my wedding dress.” she sighed. “If I give you a color, will you yield?”

“On my honor as a gentleman.” Tom smiled.

“Black. Now leave. Your sister is coming over in a few hours to do my hair.”

Tom wrinkled his nose. “How long does hair take?”

She patted his cheek. “Oh you sweet summer child.”

-

Tom did the best to ignore the giggles coming from Molly’s bathroom. He fiddled with his jacket and shirt sleeves. He selected a black tweed-like suit with a grey shirt and tie. They should coordinate, he thought. For photos. 

A loud burst of laughter came from the bathroom. Tom strolled over and knocked on the door. Emma popped her head out.

“She’s not ready yet.” 

“We need to leave in fifteen minutes.” Tom countered.

“Give me ten.” Emma shooed him away. “Now go away.”

Tom shoved his hands in pockets. “It’s my house, you know.” he muttered.

“Our house!” Molly piped up from behind the door.

Emma turned to her. “Don’t engage. It only encourages him to stick around.” Emma’s head snapped back to Tom. “Why are you still here?”

“I’m going! Ten minutes, Em!” 

 Tom paced the living room floor. Twelve minutes later, Emma stepped in and cleared her throat.

“I present your stunning wife.” 

Molly stepped into the room and Tom’s breath caught in his throat. This was unlike how he had ever seen her before. Her tiered ruffled black dress hit right above the knee. Cut low in the front and back, it was sexy but not scandalous. Her hair pulled back into a low chignon. 

“Yeah…” Tom breathed, staring at Molly, who fidgeted in place.

“Thanks.” She caught the time. “Shit! Tom, we need to get going. Thanks so much, Em.”

Emma hugged Molly. “My pleasure. Next time we use the big bathroom. Or maybe my brother will renovate that bathroom to a his and hers.”

“Huh?” Tom frowned, glancing at Emma.

Emma giggled. “That’s my cue to leave.” She hugged Tom. “She really is your match, Tom.” Emma whispered in his ear.

Molly waited until the door shut before reaching over, playfully smacking Tom’s chest. 

“Brilliant acting job there! You had me going for a moment there.” 

Tom chuckled. “Right. Right. Let’s go.” He wrapped his arm around her waist.

-

Molly wasn’t lying when she said the party would be a piece of cake. She charmed everyone she spoke to. Tom most of all. He beamed, watching her from across the room. 

“You are positively glowing, Thomas.” Benedict sidled up next to him. “I guess that means the rumours are true.” Ben sipped his drink.

“Hmmm?” Tom turned to his friend, lost in thought. 

“Earth to Tom.” Ben mocked. 

Tom frowned at him. “I’m sorry, something distracted me. What was the question?” 

“Would that something be that young lady charming Mark Ruffalo, who is sporting a pretty diamond on an important finger?”

“And they said you shouldn’t play Sherlock.” Tom mocked. “That young lady happens to be Molly.”

“And what would be Molly’s last name?”

“Hiddleston.” Tom muttered.

“Is this a mysterious third sister?”

Tom threw Benedict a derisive glare. “Why don’t you just come out and ask the question, Benedict? It’s not a sister, that’s my wife. I got married. There, happy?” Tom huffed, downing half his cocktail. 

“Yes. But more importantly, are you happy?” 

Tom glanced over at Molly, laughing at something Mark said. “I am. I really am.” 

“Then, congratulations.” Ben clinked his glass with Tom’s.

-

Molly sidled up to the bar to catch a breath. 

“Cranberry and soda with a twist of lime.” she ordered, leaning against the bar. 

“Finally a moment alone with the belle of the ball.” A deep voice said next to Molly.

She turned to face none other than Chris Evans. He sipped on a bottle of beer, wearing a black on black suit with a brown tie. It shouldn’t work, but it did. 

“Captain America, himself.” She smiled and extended a hand. Chris shook it. “Pleasure to meet you.”

“Most people just call me Chris. And you, what do people call you?” He flashed a smile which she returned.

“Molly.”

Chris took another swig of beer. Molly licked her lips, watching. “So what do you do, Molly, besides charming the pants off of everyone in the room?”

- 

Tom’s head snapped around at Molly’s laugh from across the room. 

“Excuse me for a moment, Ben. I think Molly needs me.”

Benedict’s furrowed at how Tom could know that. Then he spied where Tom was beelining. The bar where Molly and Chris Evans stood in quite the animated conversation. He snaked his way through the crowd to get a better view.

-

Molly giggled. “That is too funny, Chris. Is it true that…” she sensed someone behind her. It was Tom. “Tom!”

“Oh you met Molly.” Chris offered.

Molly snorted. Tom’s hand wrapped around her waist, squeezing tight. Her stomach fluttered at Tom’s touch. 

“I have.” Tom snapped back. “She’s my wife.”

“Oh shit!” Chris held up his hands. “I’m so sorry man. I had no idea. Congratulations. That’s quite a girl you got there.” 

Molly smiled and relaxed against Tom. He kept his death grip on her waist, but he did smile at Chris.

“Darling, Benedict is dying to meet you. Can I steal you away?” 

Molly twisted to gaze up at Tom, cupping his cheek. “Of course, love.” She reached out to touch Chris’s arm, not noticing Tom’s smile faltering. “Steal away.”

Tom leaned down and kissed her lips before leading her away. 

-

After a quick chat with Benedict, Molly excused herself to the bathroom. Ben leaned into Tom.

“What the hell was that?” Ben hissed.

“I don’t know what you are talking about.” Tom tugged on his jacket.

“I mean that little territory marking over there with Evans.” Ben commented. “You practically whipped it out and peed on her.” 

“Don’t be crude. I was just… making sure Molly met you.” Tom lied. 

“Bullshit. You were jealous. Why? She married you.”

Tom sipped his drink. “It’s complicated.” 

“Then explain it to me.”

“Not here.” Tom hissed. 

“Then lunch, tomorrow.” Benedict offered. “Just you and me and the truth.”

Tom paled. Molly came back and wrapped her arm around him.

“Did I miss anything?”

“Nothing. Other than me missing you.”

“Aww.” Molly leaned her head against Tom’s chest. “I’m going to the bar. Do you gentlemen want anything?”

Tom perked up. “I’ll come with you.” 

Ben mumbled into his glass, emptying it. “Just whipping it out.” Tom shot him daggers.

“What was that?” Molly questioned.

“I am just heading out.” Ben said, covering. “Sophie will be expecting me.”

Molly leaned over and kissed Ben’s cheek. “I can’t wait to meet her. She sounds delightful.”

“She is.” Ben nodded. “Tom.” He extended his hand, and the two gave a quick hug.

“Benedict.” Tom responded tensely. 

Tom stuck to Molly’s side for the rest of the event. She appreciated the attention but was a little sad she didn’t get to finish up her conversation at Chris. She could swear Tom was keeping her from Chris. Molly shrugged off the feeling. 

She chattered on the ride home. 

“That was a lot fun, Tom. Everyone was nice.”

“They were.” Tom responded, gripping the steering wheel tight.

“Mark, Ben, Chris, and Robert.” 

Tom bristled at Chris’s name. He plastered on a smile. “But I’m the one going home with you.”

She placed her hand on top of his and ran her thumb over his knuckles. Each swipe sent electricity through Tom. 

“I hope I was convincing. You don’t think anyone suspects?” 

“What?” Tom glanced over at her. His voice grew more tense.

“About us. The whole fake marriage.” 

“Oh. No, darling, you were perfect.” 

He lifted her hand to his lips, kissing the back of it. The first true thing he had said for most of the night. Molly wasn’t just lovely. She was perfect. Damning and infuriatingly perfect. And he was in love with her. And she wasn’t in love with him.

Tom feigned being exhausted once they got home. 

“I’m off to bed.”

“Me too.” Molly pulled off her black pumps. Tom headed towards his room. “Wait. I forgot! Will you get my zipper? Emma had to do me up.” She spun around.

Tom gulped. “Sure.” His fingers shook as he tugged the zipper down. His fingertips grazing across Molly’s back. Her skin soft and warm.

“Th.. thanks.” Molly stuttered.

“You’re welcome.”

She held the dress up by crossing her arms in front of her. She kissed Tom’s lips. “Night, Tom.”

He kissed her back, not how he wanted to. He wanted to rip that dress off of her and push her against the wall and kiss her until she lost her breath and then kiss her some more. Just for good measure. 

He leaned back. “Good night, Molly.” His voice low and soft as if he didn’t trust to speak too loud. As if he would spook her and ruin everything.

Molly’s head dropped, and she headed to her room, door clicking shut.

“Shit!” Tom yanked his tie off. “Real fucking smooth Hiddleston.”

-

Tom begged off their run that morning, claiming he was too tired from last night. In fact, he didn’t get up until he had to leave to meet Benedict for lunch. 

Molly sat up when Tom came into the living room.

“Are you feeling okay?” She beckoned him over and she pressed her hand to his forehead. “No fever.”

“I’m fine. Just tired.” He kissed her cheek. “I appreciate your concern, though. I’m off to meet Ben. Think you’ll be okay for a few hours without me?” 

“I think I can manage.” Molly mock pouted. “But hurry home.”

“Yes, darling.” Tom smiled and gave her a quick peck before walking out the door.

-

Ben was already seated when Tom arrived at the pub. 

“Look like shit, Tom.” Ben commented.

“I didn’t sleep well last night.” Tom grabbed a menu and ordered a coffee and water. 

“The wife keep you up?” Ben sipped his beverage.

“Not exactly.”

“Yeah, what is that all about? And why would you be jealous of Evans?”

Tom groaned. “Can I at least get my coffee?”

“Nope.” Ben grinned a wide grin.

Tom sighed. “Okay so here is what happened…”

Benedict sat there silently while Tom relayed the whole sordid tale. He left nothing out, not even Clive. 

Tom gazed up at his friend. “Say something, Ben. The silence is deafening.”

Benedict pressed his fingers to his lips. “And Luke doesn’t know?”

“No.”

“And not your mother?”

“No. Just you.” Tom huffed. “And Molly.”

“Obviously. Seems rather simple.”

“Simple?! How is anything simple?! I am in love with her, Ben.” Tom stabbed at his food. “She’s all I think about.”

“See, simple. Tell her how you feel.” Ben smiled. “The two of you are already married. Seems like you skipped all the hard stuff.” 

“And when she rejects me? Not so simple. I can’t lose her.”

Ben stared at his friend. “You really are blind, aren’t you? I saw how she looked at you last night. There is something there, and it is not you paying off her student loans. Molly genuinely cares for you.”

Tom’s brows raised. “You think so.”

“I know so. Now let’s come up with a plan for you to woo your wife.”

Tom grinned. 

-

Molly settled back onto the couch, only to be interrupted by a knock on the door. 

“Tom?” she called out while moving to answer the door. “Did you forget your key—” She stopped short upon seeing who it was. “Oh, Chris.”

Evans stood there wearing a plain tee that clung to his classic A-frame torso. Molly stared for a bit. 

“Hi!” He smirked at her.

“Um, Tom left to have lunch with Ben.”

“Actually, I am here to invite you out to lunch. We never got to finish our conversation.” 

“Let me grab my coat.” 

Chris grinned as Molly grabbed her purse and coat before locking up. He slung an arm over her shoulder. “Now where is a good place to eat around here?”

[morizoras-cave]

Trespasser (Request)

Tom Holland x gn!teen!co-star!reader, Jake Gyllenhaal x gn!teen!co-star!reader

Genre: angst, fluff

Request Description: tom holland x teen!costar!reader and jake gyllenhaal x teen!costar!reader (or just one of them lol) where they're at the red carpet for the premiere of their new movie. suddenly, a fan sneaks onto the red carpet and inappropriately touches/attacks the reader. tom and jake are super pissed and get super protective over the reader. thank you!

Warnings: harassment, inappropriate touching, creepy dude, language

(A/N): LMAO NOT @ ME FOR ACCIDENTALLY POSTING THIS BEFORE IT WAS DONE EYE,,, anyway this is my first gender neutral post. im very happy to be able to include more people in my fics, and i apologize for previously exclusively having female pronouns :) also thank you to @goblinsbones​ for bringing the whole gender neutral thing to my attention!

“Alright, you’re on soon!” someone yelled from the backstage area. The crowd of fans and journalists was already cheering from behind the curtain. 

You and the rest of the cast of Spiderman: Far From Home were standing in your gorgeous suits and dresses waiting for the red carpet. You had all worked so hard on the movie to give it your all, and it had finally payed off. You finally felt the pride as you stood at the premiere. 

You hadn’t had a huge role in the new Spiderman movie. At least not yet. Kevin Feige, Marvel’s boss and the Man With The Plan™ had informed you, that you small character would be much more important in the upcoming Spiderman movie. Of course, you had to keep shush about that.

Either way, you’d grown very close to the cast. You had first feared that it would be awkward and that you would be an outsider, given that you were quite a bit younger than them, but that hadn’t been the case. 

You and Zendaya basically texted or hung out everyday, you and Jacob pranked everyone together, you and Tom had heated discussion about movies, and you kept Jake informed on Gen Z culture. You loved each one of them dearly. 

“You nervous?” Jake asked. He was looking in the mirror one last time, adjusting his tie. You grimaced and shrugged. 

“A little bit, but I’m okay,” you said, “I’m mostly excited. I can’t wait to see all the fans. I hope I lived up to their expectations.”

“Well, I don’t know about them, but you lived up to my expectations, kid. And I actually know what I’m talking about!” Jake joked and finally turned to face you. You scoffed and giggled. 

“Alright, it’s starting now!” the same man who had yelled before informed, and you saw him scurrying off to a distant corner of the backstage area. 

“I guess we’re doing it,” Zendaya said. She was beautiful as always, her amazing taste in style showing through her butterfly dress. 

First she went through the curtains, the crowd screaming and roaring. You felt a little bit more nervous then, wondering if they would cheer as hard for you.

Then Jacob went through, and then a lady gestured for you to walk through, which you did. A smile immediately adorned your face. The people cheered for you. There were so many smiling fans further down the carpet and the sky was blue and bright. The sun beamed on your skin, as you took a couple of steps down the red carpet.

There was nothing to be nervous about, you realized. It was awesome.

Jake and Tom followed after you, and then began the slow decent down the carpet. First, past the photographers and then the area with the journalists (arguably the worst part), before arriving at the most exciting part. The fans. The long stretch where fans stood on either side, eyes gleaming in adoration. 

You smiled and waved, expressing your joy. Tom and Jake, walking behind you, smiled when they saw your excitement. It was your first big movie premiere. 

You were too caught up in the moment, so happy you could burst, to notice or hear the bustle and yelling happening just a little bit behind you, between you and Jake. 

No, you didn’t notice that at all, not until you felt a hand on your waist and your shoulder, making you jump. The hand kept you from scurrying away, and spun you around the face the person. 

You just assumed it was Jake or Tom or a bodyguard or something. You were wrong. Spinning around you came face to face with a random man, probably 20 or so years older than you. You’d never seen him in your life, and the moment you processed that, his touch on your body felt like a burning, blaring alarm. 

“Y/N!” he yelled over the sounds of the fans talking and screaming. His spit hit your face. You tried to grab his arms and pull them off you, but his hold only tightened. “I’m such a big fan! Please! Please, can you sign my shirt?” 

You were thrashing and desperately trying to pull him off you, every inch of you showing discomfort and disgust with his hold on you, but he seemed oblivious, or maybe he just didn’t care. 

“Get off of me!”

Finally, a hand roughly pulled the man from you, releasing you. You almost fell over, your body hurling away from him. Your vision blurred for a moment, but remembering where you were, you blinked back your tears.

Jake’s hand was digging into the guys shoulder, and you saw the guy twisting in pain. Jake was yelling something, something about “how dare you!” and “what gives you the right to touch them?” His jaw clenched and unclenched.

Tom was marching over as well, and angry look on his face. He got close to the man as well, yelling now too (”You fucking scum!”). Then, across the carpet, he turned his head and his eyes caught yours. He halted. He saw you, hugging yourself, chest heaving, as you struggled to hold back your tears. This was supposed to be fun.

Tom’s heart broke. It broke because he knew the experience was ruined. You’d been so excited. And for what? For some jerk to mess it up for you?

He suddenly felt no urge to yell at the guy, no, he just padded over to you, and brought you into a hug without a word. You stood there.

“I’m so sorry, N/n,” he whispered. With him so close, you could finally hear. “He had no right to hold you like that.” 

“It’s not your fault,” you muttered. Tom didn’t answer then and you both just stood there in a hug, warm and nice, holding each other.

You felt a hand gently placed on your back and looked up to see Jake. He smiled at you gently, although you could tell he was suppressing a lot of anger. He and Tom made eye contact for a moment, then both looked at you. 

“Alright guys, we better go,” Jake said and both you and Tom nodded. 

You begun to walk, but this time you felt Jake settle on one side of you and then Tom at the other. They both grabbed the hand of yours that was on their side, and then you started walking down the carpet again. 

You saw some fans awwing, some still outraged at the man’s actions, and some completely clueless. Either way, you held on to Tom and Jake. The warmth of their hands in yours, made a sense of security and safety swirl in your chest. You smiled. 

“Thank you!” you said to no one in particular, but the squeeze of your hands let you know that they heard. Although, if you asked them no thank you was needed. No one should be allowed to scare their little sib, and goddamnit they would make sure of that. 

___________________________

Tag List:

@hera-the-writer @marvel-madness @40srogcrs @whatthefuckimbisexual @snarky–starky @garbage-potato @eviemarvel @lozzypoz321 @allthecreativeonesaretaken @missamericana713 @rororo06 @shady80smusicsingercolor @ireadfanficforfun​

[9worldstales]

MCU “Thor”: Who’s to blame for Thor’s banishment?

So I’ve seen around people blaming Loki for Thor’s banishment and…

… I can’t help but wonder if they realize that, by saying so they aren’t just pinning the blame on the wrong person but they’re doing a HUGE, GIANT SIZE disservice to Thor.

But let's list sources used for this first.

SOURCES MENTIONED:

Movies: “Thor” (2011), “Thor – The Dark World” (2013)

Comics: None mentioned

Direct-to-video animated film: None mentioned

Motion comics: None mentioned

Books: None mentioned

Novels: “Marvel Cinematic Universe Phase One: Thor” by Alex Irvine (2015)

Webs: None mentioned

Others: “Thor” old movie script, Interview “Director Kenneth Branagh and Kevin Feige Interview THOR”, interview “EXCLUSIVE: Screenwriter Don Payne Talks Thor!”, Interview “SDCC 2010: Chris Hemsworth Interview THOR”, Video “Thor (2011) Chris Hemsworth Kill Count”

Although “Thor” is meant to be an origin story for both Thor and Loki…

Kevin Feige: The movie, very much, is an origin of Loki, almost as much as it is an origin of Thor. We had to ride that balance. There were drafts where Thor took over too much, and there were certainly drafts where Loki became too prominent, and I think we found a nice balance that is clearly the origin of both of those characters. [Director Kenneth Branagh and Kevin Feige Interview THOR]

…the focus was mostly on Thor and his journey to learn humility.

I mean, this is not MY interpretation of the story, it’s basically what everyone involved in the production says the story is about. Thor is unworthy, the banishment is just, from it he learns humility and becomes worthy again.

Don Payne: Whereas we’ve got an extra-dimensional being once worshipped as a god by the ancient Norse who’s banished to earth and stripped of his powers to learn humility, all set amidst the Shakespearean intrigue of a dysfunctional royal family. You just have to find the things that make Thor timeless and relatable as a character. It certainly helps that he’s charismatic and likeable, albeit flawed. He’s banished for good reason, but I think people will want to go on the journey with him and root for him to find redemption — particularly with Chris Hemsworth’s performance. [EXCLUSIVE: Screenwriter Don Payne Talks Thor!]

Kenneth Branagh: That story arc of the flawed hero who must earn the right to be king is in our piece, but what’s key is the stakes. There, it’s Europe and England, and here, it’s the universe. When that family has problems, everybody else is affected. If Thor throws a fit and is yelling at his father and is banished, suddenly the worlds are unstable. [Director Kenneth Branagh and Kevin Feige Interview THOR]

Chris Hemsworth: At the beginning of this film, he’s certainly a brash, cocky warrior who’s about to inherit the keys to the kingdom, and his father thinks that he’s not ready. It’s the journey of him learning some humility through the film. I think he’s one of those people who has his heart in the right place. He’s doing what he’s doing for his family and to protect the kingdom, and he thinks it’s the right way to do it. It just happens to be a very aggressive way of doing it, which probably isn’t the right way. It’s about tempering that raw emotion that he drives off most of the time, into the right direction. [SDCC 2010: Chris Hemsworth Interview THOR]

And in fact Thor makes a 180° turn from how he started.

The boy then man who insisted he wanted first to kill all the Jotun then give them a lesson is the one who sacrifices his chance to meet Jane again to save them.

Young Thor: When I’m king, I’ll hunt the monsters down and slay them all! Just as you did, Father.

and...

Thor: March into Jotunheim as you once did. Teach them a lesson. Break their spirits so they’ll never dare try to cross our borders again.

versus

Thor: You can’t kill an entire race!

The man who said his father was an old man and a fool, becomes the one who says there will never be a wiser king than Odin.

Thor: And you are an old man and a fool!

versus

Thor: There will never be a wiser king than you. Or a better father. I have much to learn. I know that now. Someday, perhaps, I shall make you proud.

The man who returning from Jotunheim was too busy to care for how Fandral got hurt so that it was Odin who had to say to get him to the healing room, is the one who, once back to Midgard, first worry about having his friends getting Heimdall on the healing room and then about what he’ll do with his brother.

Odin: You cannot even protect your friends! How can you hope to protect a kingdom? Get him to the healing room! Now!

versus

Thor: Get him to the healing room! Leave my brother to me.

The man who thought his father’s lessons were wrong, then admits his father was right.

Thor: While you wait and be patient, the Nine Realms laugh at us. The old ways are done. You’d stand giving speeches while Asgard falls.

versus

Thor: Neither did I. My father was trying to teach me something, but I was too stupid to see it.

The man who first was told by Loki going to Jotunheim was madness and did it anyway then tells Loki how destroying Jotunheim is madness.

Loki: Thor, it’s madness.

versus

Thor: Loki, this is madness.

The man who would start a fight just because he was called ‘princess’ versus the man who kept on refusing to start a fight with Loki even after the other hit him four times and only does so when Loki threatens Jane.

And then there are the comparisons that got lost because some scenes got cut. For start an even better comparison, in which another man calls Thor "Princess" and Thor this time refuses to fight.

Jotun: Run back home, little princess. [Thor stops in his tracks. Loki goes white. He knows what's coming.] Loki: Damn. [In one quick move, Thor pulls Mjolnir, swings it, and KNOCKS the Jotun clear across the plaza. The Asgardians reluctantly draw their weapons, gather into a circle around Thor. Volstagg looks around at the angry Jotuns approaching them.]

versus

Drunk townie: You were in the diner with that hot girl. [Thor doesn't like where this is going.] Drunk townie: I wouldn't mind her doing a little research on me. [He laughs. Thor is annoyed.] Thor: I have no quarrel with you. But she's a lady. You should be more respectful. Drunk townie: And you should shut the hell up, princess. [Selvig looks to Thor, concerned that he's going to lose it. But, to his surprise, Thor remains unaffected by the Townie's baiting.] Thor: I will not fight him. Drunk townie: Then it'll be easy to kick your ass.

Or like the deleted one in which Frigga said that Thor believed to be ready… when in the end Thor will realize he’s not.

Odin: Do you think he’s ready? Frigga: He thinks he is. He has his father’s confidence.

versus

Thor: There will never be a wiser king than you. Or a better father. I have much to learn. I know that now. Someday, perhaps, I shall make you proud.

You might remember Thor smashing a cup because he wanted another drink… well there’s a deleted scene in which, just before the Warriors Three and Sif reach Midgard, he brings a cup to Izzy in payback for the one he broke.

Thor: This drink, I like it. Darcy: I know. It’s great, right? [Thor hurls the empty mug at the ground, SHATTERING it.] Thor: (CALLS OUT) Another! [ISABELA ALVAREZ (60), the diner’s proprietor, glares at Thor from behind the counter.] Jane: Sorry, Izzy. Little accident. What was that? [He doesn’t understand. The other patrons stare at him.] Thor: It was delicious. I want another. Jane: Well, you could have just said so. Thor: I just did. Jane: No, I mean, ask nicely. Thor: I meant no disrespect. Jane: All right. Well, no more smashing. Deal? Thor: You have my word. Jane: Good.

Versus

As the group finishes breakfast, Thor looks at the mug in his hand, gets an idea. Thor: [About a cup] May I have this? Darcy: Sure. Thor: Thank you. Please, excuse me. [Thor leaves. In front of her diner, Isabela prepares to open for the day. Isabela sweeps the front porch. She looks up to see Thor approaching. She eyes him suspiciously. He offers her a MUG.] Excuse me, Isabela. Isabela: Oh my gosh. Thor: To replace the one I broke. Please, forgive me for my behavior. Isabela: Okay, thank you. Thor: if I may, I’d like to come back here for more of yours splendid "coffee". Isabela: Any time.

And then you might remember how Fandral was hurt in Jotunheim and it was Loki and Volstagg who helped him, while in a deleted scene we’ve Selvig being hurt and Thor helping him.

And so on and on and on.

Thor started one way, this caused his banishment and the banishment changed him.

If we go and say Thor didn’t deserve to be banished, that it was all Loki’s ploy, we ignore how Thor before was an unworthy person and after he became a worthy person. We turn Thor into a person who’s ALWAYS worthy, regardless of him acting one way or its exact opposite but for some reason was misjudged and punished unfairly and never really had to change because he was perfect as he was.

We turn Odin into a fool who punished a worthy son for crimes he didn’t do and then took the punishment back not because Thor changed, but because he realized he made a mess.

The idea Thor’s banishment is Loki’s fault is against the authors’ intentions, damages Thor by stripping him of his growth and, ultimately, it’s totally false, so trying to pin the blame on Loki so as to make him look bad is simply wrong.

Although Loki did some things that triggered Thor’s reactions, Thor wasn’t completely and utterly brainwashed. It was Thor’s decisions who ended up bringing those consequences and Loki had no idea Odin would go as far as banishing Thor.

In a deleted bit Loki says Odin normally ALWAYS forgive Thor.

Fandral: Well, if he doesn’t show up soon, he shouldn’t bother. Odin looks like he’s ready to feed him to his ravens. Loki: I wouldn’t worry. Father will forgive him. He always does.

From Thor’s reaction to his banishment it’s clear it’s the first time he got such a punishment and that he assumed all he had to do to be forgiven is to retrieve Mjolnir.

The novelization is not shy to say that:

Odin had always favoured Thor because Thor was a warrior, just like him… [“Marvel Cinematic Universe Phase One: Thor”]

The Warriors Three and Lady Sif clearly follow Thor because they don’t think it’ll end up in Thor being banished for disobeying Odin’s orders even though they know he shouldn’t have done it.

This proves it was the first time Odin reacted as such to Thor’s disobedience.

But let’s dig more into the story.

Loki yes, caused the coronation to be delayed by having three Frost Giants sneak into the vault and attempt to steal the Casket.

His purpose was:

Loki: That was just a bit of fun, really. To ruin my brother’s big day. And to protect the realm from his idiotic rule for a while longer.

Loki has no reasons to lie to Laufey about this. The ‘a while longer’ clearly imply he didn’t expect it was permanent. If he had said ‘to have him banished forever’, it would have affected Laufey just the same, he wouldn’t have judged him worse.

Thor’s reaction to the invasion is entirely Thor’s.

Thor: The Jotuns must pay for what they’ve done! Odin: They have paid, with their lives. The Destroyer did its work, the Casket is safe, and all is well. Thor: All is Well? They broke into the weapons vault! If the Frost Giants had stolen even one of these relics... Odin: They didn’t. Thor: Well, I want to know why! Odin: I have a truce with Laufey, King of the Jotuns. Thor: He just broke your truce! They know you are vulnerable! Odin: What action would you take? Thor: March into Jotunheim as you once did. Teach them a lesson. Break their spirits so they’ll never dare try to cross our borders again. Odin: You’re thinking only as a warrior. Thor: This was an act of war! Odin: It was the act of but a few, doomed to fail. Thor: Look how far they got! Odin: We will find the breach in our defenses and it will be sealed. Thor: As King of Asgard.... Odin: But you’re not king! Not yet.

Loki doesn’t even talk here. Thor, despite Odin thinking the opposite, insists they should just attack Jotunheim until Odin reminds him he’s no king.

This is relevant because if the coronation has concluded and the Jotuns had found on their own the way to get into the Vault, Thor would have waged war against them. This is what he wants to do and discussing things with Odin doesn’t change his mind, Odin merely forces him to shut up with his ‘I’m the king’ card.

Originally he would leave slamming the door behind himself, a sign he was still upset. We don’t see this, but we see him he’s still upset enough he turns a table upside down.

Then he has a discussion with Loki.

Thor: It’s unwise to be in my company right now, Brother. This was to be my day of triumph. Loki: It’ll come. In time. Thor: What’s this? Loki: If it’s any consolation, I think you’re right. About the Frost Giants, about Laufey, about everything. If they found a way to penetrate Asgard’s defenses once, who’s to say they won’t try again? Next time with an army. Thor: Exactly. Loki: There’s nothing you can do without defying Father. No, no, no. I know that look. Thor: That’s the only way to ensure the safety of our borders. Loki: Thor, it’s madness.

It’s true, if Loki had revealed he had been who orchestrated the break of the Frost Giants instead than telling him he also thought they were a threat, Thor might have calmed down. But this is not excuse enough for how Thor disobeyed Odin’s order, and only proves Thor wasn’t fit to be king right there because he insisted on going to Jotunheim even though Loki also reminded him this means defying Odin.

This is a serious matter but the key of it is that Thor wanted doing it before and still wants to do it now. He just can’t control his own wish to fight the Jotuns even if his father told him no. He’s not thinking. He’s not a common warrior, he’s the man who’s meant to be king.

If it takes him so little to wage war, then he’s unworthy of being king.

And does Loki really want for him to go to Jotunheim?

Not in the slightest, he knows it’s madness, in fact, believing Thor can’t be stopped, he tries to have him tattled out to his father.

Fandral: Well, at least he’s only banished, not dead. Which is what we’d all be if that guard hadn’t told Odin where we’d gone. Volstagg: How did the guard even know? Loki: I told him. Fandral: What? Loki: I told him to go to Odin after we’d left. He should be flogged for taking so long. We should never have reached Jotunheim. Volstagg: You told the guard? Loki: I saved our lives. And Thor’s. I had no idea Father would banish him for what he did.

In a deleted scene we see that as the group is about to ride toward the Bifrost Loki leaves them for a moment to talk with a guard. He’s not lying when he says he warned the guard.

The novelization digs a lot in how Loki didn’t want them to reach Jotunheim and in how Odin KNEW Thor would just do something, so it’s entirely possible Thor would have acted even if Loki had disagreed with him or had told him nothing.

“Why did he always seem to get into trouble because of his older brother? Wasn’t he supposed to be the wiser one? Odin has expressly forbidden that they enter Jotunheim. Yet it wasn’t the first time Thor had done something reckless. And it wouldn’t be the first time Loki was powerless to stop him.” [“Marvel Cinematic Universe Phase One: Thor”]

Loki had made a decision. True, he could not dictate his brother’s actions, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t continue to make plans of his own. As the others checked and double-checked that they had everything they would need for the journey to Jotunheim, Loki slipped away. When Loki rejoined the others, they were on their way to the Observatory. Hogun gave him a curious glance, but he ignored it. What he had done was none of their business. [“Marvel Cinematic Universe Phase One: Thor”]

They were on their way to Jotunheim. And what would happen once they got there was not in the hands of fate, but in the hands of his impulsive brother and his warrior friends. Loki would not be able to manipulate events there. He had to trust that the arrangements he had made would be enough for them all to survive. [“Marvel Cinematic Universe Phase One: Thor”]

Odin spent an uneasy night and felt no better in the morning. He had not seen Thor since their argument in the Vault. There had been shouting in the banquet hall as Thor told his friends what had happened, but Odin had heard nothing since. Frigga had tried to reassure him that Thor’s temper would ease and this would blow over, but Odin knew better. His son felt himself to be king already, whether the ceremony had been completed or not. He would take action. It was his nature. Odin hoped only that the action would not cause more problems than it solved. Just then, a guard rushed to him, and Odin’s misgivings were proved correct. Thor had taken his friends and journeyed into Jotunheim. Odin felt a deep well of fury rise up within him. Thor has deliberately disobeyed his orders. So, too, had Heimdall, who should not have let anyone pass on the Bisfrost – especially not a war party going to Jotunheim. “Tell the barn master to have Sleipnir and my battle gear to be readied immediately,” he ordered the guard. [“Marvel Cinematic Universe Phase One: Thor”]

Once in Jotunheim Laufey notices Thor wants to be there to wage war. He even warns him that if he keeps this up he would unleash something terrible… and it’s not Thor but Loki who accepts Laufey’s offer for them to leave, Thor doesn’t accept it even if they’re outnumbered and risk being all killed because, as Laufey said, he craved for battle.

Laufey: Your father is a murderer and a thief! And why have you come here? To make peace? You long for battle. You crave it. You’re nothing but a boy trying to prove himself a man. Thor: Well, this "boy" has grown tired of your mockery. Loki: Thor, stop and think. Look around you, we’re outnumbered. Thor: Know your place, Brother. Laufey: You know not what your actions would unleash. I do. Go now, while I still allow it. Loki: We will accept your most gracious offer. Come on, Brother.

Ultimately, even if Laufey and Loki had almost persuaded Thor to leave, all it takes is a small provocation and Thor starts attacking Frost Giants.

Jotun: Run back home, little princess. [Thor stops in his tracks. Loki goes white. He knows what’s coming.] Loki: Damn. [In one quick move, Thor pulls Mjolnir, swings it, and KNOCKS the Jotun clear across the plaza. The Asgardians reluctantly draw their weapons, gather into a circle around Thor.]

Loki is clearly not happy with his brother’s actions, he didn’t want this. It’s Thor who decided to do this anyway and, during the battle, we see that Thor is in a great spirit as he destroys a Frost Giant after another for a total of 145 Frost Giants (you can see the dead count in the Youtube video “Thor (2011) Chris Hemsworth Kill Count”).

Through the battle first Sif and then Loki TWICE will urge Thor to leave, they’re outnumbered they’ll end up getting killed if they remain there and it gets no better when Fandral gets wounded.

When Odin shows up Thor is all for continuing the battle.

Thor: Father! We’ll finish them together!

This is not Loki dictating his moves. This is all Thor and ultimately it’s Thor who argues with his father once they’re back, which is the last straw for Odin.

If Thor had kept quiet or had acted sorry Odin might have still forgiven him. He does not.

Thor: Why did you bring us back? Odin: Do you realize what you’ve done? What you’ve started? Thor: I was protecting my home. Odin: You cannot even protect your friends! How can you hope to protect a kingdom? Get him to the healing room! Now! Thor: There won’t be a kingdom to protect if you’re afraid to act. The Jotuns must learn to fear me, just as they once feared you. Odin: That’s pride and vanity talking, not leadership. You’ve forgotten everything I taught you about a warrior’s patience. Thor: While you wait and be patient, the Nine Realms laugh at us. The old ways are done. You’d stand giving speeches while Asgard falls. Odin: You are a vain, greedy, cruel boy! Thor: And you are an old man and a fool! Odin: Yes. I was a fool to think you were ready.

This is no Loki needling Thor, this is all Thor, this discussing matching the one he had in the Vault with Odin previously.

And, credits when it’s due, at this point Loki tried to interject.

Loki: FATHER-- [Odin turns with a growl and gives Loki a look which stops him in his tracks.]

Only at this point Thor will be banished and while yes, the way Loki chose to interrupt the coronation clearly had upset Thor and his words didn’t manage to calm him down, it’s also clear that not only Loki didn’t want for them to go to Jotunheim and almost get killed but that it’s Thor’s reaction to the situation that causes his banishment and that situation could have happened regardless of Loki having a hand in it or not.

Invasions happens.

The difference between “Thor” and “Thor: The Dark World” in which another invasion takes place, is that although Thor is always trying to disobey to his father in both movies, in the first he did it because he wanted to go at war with the Jotuns, in the second he did it because he hoped to spare Asgard from a war.

In the deleted scene for “Thor: The Dark World” even Odin acknowledges Thor was right.

Odin: I thought you’d been blinded by passion but in truth you were the only one who could see and you... did what needed to be done

His motive for disobeying his father in “Thor: The Dark World” is the exact opposite than it was in “Thor”, but if he’d been the old Thor he would have had no qualms to drag all Asgard into a war.

So yes, Loki set up the situation, but if Thor ended up being banished it was solely for his own reaction to the situation, a situation that could have happened in other circumstances.

Would Loki coming clear with Odin lift Thor’s banishment?

No, of course not, because none of Loki’s actions are what moves Odin to decide for Thor’s banishment. What pushes him to decide for such a punishment are Thor’s reactions to the situation. If Loki had confessed the most this could cause was for him too to also be banished.

And, to Thor’s credits, he grew in his banishment and became a better person. This is important, it doesn’t deserve to be underscored.

Also, as said before, Loki couldn’t predict the punishment would have been banishment and he didn’t control Odin either.

Not only Loki actually tried to stop Odin, but even Frigga in a deleted scene begged Odin to reconsider and he refused.

So yes, Thor’s banishment ultimately turned out to be convenient for Loki, but he didn’t deliberately orchestrated it, he didn’t plan that far.

So really, let’s just Thor have his moment of personal growth in which he becomes a better person in his own movie, let Odin have his own agency in deciding if to punish his sons or not and just accept the whole trip to Jotunheim wasn’t something Loki wanted nor Thor’s banishment something he could predict.

In short simply accept the story as its authors wanted it to be.

I get not everyone might be aware of interviews and deleted scenes but really, I would say the movie made the whole thing obvious enough to be understood just by watching it.

[inglorious-purpose]

The big questions

The Loki show posed some Big Questions: Where do we come from? What happens at the end of time? What makes a Loki a Loki? Can Loki change? Did Mobius have a jet ski? Will Loki ever get to wear a nifty outfit again?

And then there’s this, from the Loki-meister himself:

“Loki, as a show, has introduced so many complex ideas, and themes, and conversations,” Tom Hiddleston tells Marvel.com. “One of the things I've been so pleased and thrilled to see with the show is how deeply the audience is engaged with the big ideas, the ideas of fate versus free will, agency versus determinism. Do we have the capacity to genuinely choose our path through our lives? And in those choices, where do we derive meaning? To what extent are any of us free? To what extent are these characters free to choose their route through the universe and self-realize and determine the course of their lives?”

source

All of these “so many complex ideas” are really just the same idea: Do we have free will, or are we destined to follow some predetermined path? Which isn’t even an idea per se, but rather a question. And if the audience did indeed engage in deep discussions around this topic, one might be forgiven for having missed these conversations entirely, overshadowed as they were by the raging debates as to whether S*lki is incest or self-cest, whether Lok*us is a thing, or whether Loki should dump these losers entirely and get some real friends, because frankly both relationships are toxic af.

One might argue that the show doesn’t properly ask the question, so much as offer an answer that is as ridiculous as it is unsatisfying: apparently, from 2008 til now, every plot line in the MCU -- every decision, every action -- was dictated by a god-like puppeteer called Kevin Feige He Who Remains and enforced by his brain-washed minions, the bureaucrats of the TVA. The characters had no free will; they were locked into their fates up until the point that HWR stopped controlling the timeline. (Which is not, incidentally, the moment that Sylvie kills him, but a few minutes prior to that, during the long, eerie zoom-in/zoom-out sequence where HWR declares that they’ve crossed the threshold, and appears to be amazed when he drops an object and it, well, drops. The significance of this gesture was completely lost on me.)

The notion that this dude who we just met has been pulling the strings all along, orchestrating every heroic and villainous act, sending the TVA to prune anyone who dared to deviate from their preordained path, begs the question: if the characters had possessed free will, would they have made different choices? Would heroes still be heroes, and villains, villains? Would Tony still have sacrificed himself to save the universe? Would Steve still have gone back to Peggy? Would Odin still have been such a dick? Would Clint Barton have had a personality? 

Out here in the real world, the free will vs determinism debate has become the purview of neuroscientists and philosophers of mind. Moreover, the question has been redefined -- it’s not particularly relevant to ask whether we are “free” to choose. There’s no bogeyman reaching into our brain and tickling our neural circuits to make us do his bidding. In that sense, of course we have free will. It’s more a question of the role that our subconscious and conscious processes play when we make a decision. We feel more “in control” when we perceive our actions to be volitional. On the other hand, subconscious factors undoubtedly have a (sometimes very strong) influence over us. Yet this doesn’t indicate a lack of free will -- the subconscious parts of your brain are, after all, still parts of your brain. It’s all “you,” whether you’re aware of it or not. It’s simply a question of the balance between consciousness and subconsciousness -- an area of active research, in which we have much to learn. 

In any case, now that Loki presumably has free will, how will things play out? Will he stay a hero, or fall back into villainy? Will he be trustworthy? Mischievous? Unpredictable? Will he get his snark back? His wit? His good hair from TDW? And most pressing of all: will he choose S*lki, Lok*us, or neither? Stay tuned for season 2!

[littleabriel-blog]

My Problem with Loki

Loki is a character beloved by many people. He has been for a decade now, although some people who read comics before the Marvel Cinematic Universe was a thing were fans of him long before the first Thor came out. Over the years since his appearance in that movie the character has gone through a lot of changes, evolving from a villain to an anti-hero both in the MCU and in the comics, the latter even killing off his original incarnation to reincarnate him in a younger body resembling Tom Hiddleston in the hopes that the comics could capitalize on his popularity in order to sell more books. That move, unfortunately, did not bear fruit, with Loki’s solo series being canceled after only five issues. However, Loki remained popular in the movies, so much so that when he was killed off in Infinity War, people were pissed.

As a result of his enduring popularity, Kevin Feige and company decided to give Loki his own solo series on Disney+ when the decision was made to create a string of MCU tie-in shows to supplement the movies, and boost subscription numbers to Disney’s new streaming service. Fans of the character rejoiced. Finally, our favorite character was going to be in the spotlight, and not be merely a supporting character for Thor and hopefully not a butt monkey for the Avengers like he was in the third act of the movie of the same name. WandaVision and The Falcon and The Winter Soldier had previously had well-received and successful debuts on that same platform, and it was hoped that Loki would do the same. Loki turned out to be the most successful of the Disney+ MCU shows that have come out so far, scoring highest in the ratings. As of this writing, it holds a 93% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an 8.5 on IMDb.

Those numbers, however, don’t reflect the entire audience and there were a lot of people who were not altogether happy with the product we received. Many people who had been hardcore fans of Loki since Tom Hiddleston first put on the horned helmet were not pleased, myself included.  

The show wasn’t all bad. It did set up the multiverse, introduced Kang, introduced Mobius. The special effects were outstanding, a lot of the gags were hilarious, and we did get some character development from Loki before the spotlight fell away from him and he became all about panting after the real main character...more on that in a few.  

So many things, however, were wrong.  

If you liked the show, thought it was perfect, and were a fan of the romance, that’s perfectly fine. There is no such thing as a wrong opinion on a work of fiction. Everyone has their interpretations, everyone has their likes and dislikes, and there is nothing wrong with liking the show. There is also nothing wrong with not liking the show. This is a concept that people on both sides of the debate fail to understand, and I have witnessed flame wars, harassment from individuals on both sides, harassment of creators on social media from both sides, and various bits of biphobia, homophobia, transphobia, and other assorted types of phobias on display. I have seen people accuse people who have different opinions on the show than them of “not being a true Loki fan” and stating that people who have certain interpretations of the character don’t “truly know Loki”.

I’m not here to do that, and I assure you, if you liked the show, that’s fine. You’re allowed to. I’m allowed to not like it, and I’m allowed to explained why I didn’t like it just as you’re allowed to explain why you did. As long as both of us are being respectful, expressing an opinion is good. There is expressing an opinion and offering constructive criticism, however, and then there is namecalling, trolling, and having a tantrum and accusing someone of being “aggressive” when they don’t share the same opinion you do.

There is a huge difference between saying “I find the character of Sylvie to be problematic, and here is why” and “I think fans of Sylvie are sick and need therapy”, and people need to learn the difference between the two. Unfortunately, you have people who have become very protective of their favorite characters and tend to take any criticism leveled at said characters personally. It’s basically “You don’t like them? Well then you don’t like me, and since you don’t like me, I don’t like you.” Which is, frankly, a dangerous mentality to have. We are talking about fictional characters, not real people, and there is no need to jump to the defense of someone who does not exist. It is those people who tend to demonstrate that they have unstable personalities and immaturity, and they are the ones I have started blocking on Twitter because, being an adult woman, I don’t have the patience to deal with immature nonsense like that.

So, if you read this and then decide you want to hunt me down to give me a piece of your mind, tell me that I’m not a “true” fan of Loki, and accuse me of whatever, don’t bother. This piece isn’t here for that. It’s here because I wanted to compile my thoughts and feelings in a way that would better for me to articulate. It’s more or less a venting mechanism, purely for my benefit. If someone else gets something out of it, fine. If the creators of the show happen to see it, which is very unlikely because A) I’m not exactly going to push it onto them on their social media to get them to read it and B) they already get bombarded with tons of opinions on the show on a daily basis and aren’t going to care about one more voice added to the mix, even one who has basically compiled a novel, then alright.

And it is a novel, because I have a lot to say about Loki. I have been a huge fan of the character since long before Tom Hiddleston began playing him. My first encounter with Marvel’s Loki came in the form of the X-Men comics, specifically The Asgardian Wars run. It’s available in trade, and you should check it out. I read that run when I was around 10 years old, and I enjoyed Loki as the bad guy in the two stories that make up the collection. The first has him creating a special wish fountain that has a monkey’s paw effect in that it imbues mortals with special gifts and powers, and has the potential to make Earth a better place, but at the cost of killing every magical person and being on Earth. The X-Men and Alpha Flight find out about this after a plane piloted by the wife of one of the X-Men happens to crash in the general location the fountain is located. The two teams go to investigate, Shaman and Snowbird who are both magical beings begin dying, it’s discovered Loki created the fountain in order to score brownie points with The Ones Who Sit Above In Shadow (a pantheon of deities who are basically the Gods to the Asgardians), and after a lengthy battle Loki is defeated, he shuts down the fountain under pressure from The Ones, and slinks back to Asgard with tail between his legs.

In the second story, set after the heroes of Earth had helped Asgard defeat Surtur, Loki’s attention is caught by Storm, who at the time was depowered. He kidnaps her and brings her to Asgard intending to use her to replace Thor as the Goddess of the Storm, and use her as a pawn to, what else, conquer Asgard and seize the throne.  

I really enjoyed Loki then, and felt sorry that he never appeared in any other X-Men story, not even in an issue of the New Mutants, and that team boasted an actual Valkyrie (Danielle Moonstar) as one of its members. I was a kid at the time and read pretty much exclusively X-Men since those were the books my father purchased for me. I never felt right about asking him for other books since we were a family with money struggles and I didn’t want to be more of a burden by requesting Thor or Avengers comics--that, and I just didn’t find Thor or the Avengers all that interesting at the time, a sentiment shared by a lot of people until the first Iron Man made us actually care about Tony Stark. I wouldn’t have an opportunity to start reading more comics featuring Loki until I was an adult and able to visit comic book stores on my own. I read several runs that featured him as a character, including Ragnarok, the Broxton, OK run where Loki first appeared as a woman, Dark Reign, and finally Siege. I also went back and read Walt Simonson’s legendary run on The Mighty Thor, which I highly recommend.  

Suffice it to say, I’ve been a fan of the character for a long time, and in fact when Tom Hiddleston was cast in the role for Thor, I remember thinking that he was too young. But then I figured it was Hollywood, of course they’re going to deage Loki so that he appears closer in age to his adopted brother in contrast to the comics pre-Siege where Loki was often drawn to look like he was as old as Odin and therefore could be Thor’s uncle or even father as opposed to brother.  

Over the years I grew to enjoy the MCU’s version of the character, enjoy Tom Hiddleston in the role, and like most other people was greatly saddened by his death in Infinity War. Like other fans, I looked forward to his solo series and had high hopes for it. Hopes that were, unfortunately, dashed.

It Was Rushed

In the MCU, it took Loki years to go from troubled young god, to villain, to ambivalent ally, to anti-hero, to hero. Literally, years. Months had passed between the end of Thor and the beginning of Avengers during which Loki endured who-knows-what at the hands of Thanos. We don’t know exactly what still. The Loki series didn’t answer that, I guess because they didn’t want to devote precious screentime to an interesting backstory for what was supposed to be the main character when they could focus on something else instead. That something else will be elaborated on.

In Episode 1, Loki is still the villain from Avengers, something he would have remained as into The Dark World. It would take him being in Asgard’s prisons for a year and then him accidentally getting his adopted mother Frigga killed in order for him to begin to do a heel-face turn. From this, we can clearly see that a transition from ax-crazy bad guy to anti-hero is not going to happen overnight. For this person I shall call Ragnarok Loki, it was a process that took time. He suffered a complete mental breakdown while in Asgard’s prison, a fragile emotional state that was compounded by the anger and massive guilt he felt at Frigga’s death.  

Even after that, he still hadn’t completely abandoned his villainous ways. At the end of The Dark World we find out that after faking his supposed death earlier in the movie, Loki has assumed Odin’s form and taken his place on Asgard’s throne. In Ragnarok, Loki is still sitting on the throne in Odin’s form, and shows no indication at all that he feels any remorse for giving his adopted father amnesia, stripping away his magic, and abandoning him on Earth to whatever fate he might meet. Loki remains a selfish bastard throughout Ragnarok until the third act, after Thor had treated him to a taste of his own medicine by sticking a taser on him and then giving him a speech about becoming predictable and complacent.  

Loki’s arc was one that spanned four movies and six years, since in-universe there were a couple of years between The Dark World and Ragnarok. That meant that his character development took actual time and was realistic. It was one of the things that drew people to the character, the fact that he had a very relatable and believable redemption arc.

Compare that to Episode 1. In less than a day he goes from being the Loki that we saw in Avengers, batshit crazy, selfish, callous, and untrusting, to making personal confessions to a man he had just met only a couple hours previously and agreeing to help the organization that had arrested, stripped, imprisoned, tried, and almost executed him.

What?

I will give the show this: In Episode 2, he shows that he’s still up to his old tricks when he feeds Mobius and the agents all that horsecrap about how a Loki works in the Ren Faire tent, and then revealing that he plans to take over the TVA when he confronts his variant in the futuristic Wal-Mart. The weeping confession to Mobius, that I can’t really get over. How do you go from haughty, arrogant, and “trust is for children and dogs”, to “I don’t enjoy hurting people” in just a couple of hours? The show never indicated that it was a manipulation tactic on Loki’s part. Instead, we were basically told to believe that they became friends just that fast. That emotionally stunted and closed-off Loki made a connection with another person in a matter of hours. Makes sense. Don’t get me wrong, I like Mobius and feel he makes a good foil for Loki. I hope to see more of him in the future. I just have a tough time finding their friendship all that believable.

This would not be the only relationship in the show that happened too fast that we were forced to just buy, which leads me to Sylvie.

She’s the variant that the TVA had been hunting, that Mobius recruited Loki to help capture. And while I normally hate it when people ascribe a certain label onto a new female character because reasons (ones that are usually misogynistic), I think it fits rather well in Sylvie’s case.

Enter The Mary Sue

Mary Sue is a term that gets thrown around a lot. To sum up the meaning in very simple terms, it refers to a character who is too perfect to be believable. Mary Sues are often author-self inserts in fiction, they’re usually the love interest for at least one male hero and it’s usually the male hero the author will admit to having a crush on, their scenes usually are presented much more descriptively than those of the other characters, the story will revolve around them often at the expense of the development and plots for the other characters of the story, and they’re presented as beautiful, powerful, intelligent, beautiful, special, strong, beautiful, and desirable. Yes, beautiful is on the list more than once, and it’s deliberate.

The term comes from an old Star Trek parody fanfic, and while it is usually applied to original characters in fan fiction, the term has been used to describe characters in canon media as well. Some examples of characters who have been described as Mary Sues would include Bella from the Twilight books, Felicity from the show Arrow, Jaenelle Angelline from Anne Bishop’s The Black Jewel novels, Sookie Stackhouse from True Blood, Rey from the last Star Wars trilogy, and Jean Grey from the X-Men comics. Note I do not necessarily agree that those characters are Mary Sues, I have merely heard these characters referred to as Mary Sues, and when I look at them objectively I can kind of see where the accusations come from. Some other terms that can apply are Creator’s Pet and of course Author Self-Insert. Not all Mary Sues are Author Self-Inserts, but a lot of them are. Also, not all characters who can be labeled Mary Sues are female, though they often are. The male version of a Mary Sue is called a Marty Stu, and a couple of characters I’ve seen get ascribed that label include Harry Potter, Daemon Sadi from Anne Bishop’s The Black Jewel novels, Edward from Twilight, and Red Hulk from Marvel Comics. Even Batman and Wolverine haven’t been immune from the Marty Stu stamp, although you can argue that it does apply in their cases especially depending on who’s writing them. Sometimes it is painfully obvious they are author self-inserts...the aforementioned Bella is a good example. Others, you can only speculate on. And while there are theories going around that Sylvie is someone’s self-insert, we don’t have definitive proof of that.

There are good arguments, however, for her being labeled a Mary Sue and Creator’s Pet.

First are her powers. In the show we are told that Sylvie taught herself magic, especially her ability to “enchant”, the power to get into the minds of others and manipulate them. The fact that she taught herself would indicate that her education and skill in using magic should be lacking, right? She should not be as good as, say, someone who learned magic from his foster mother who herself was taught by Asgardian witches?

Yet in the show, Sylvie not only runs circles around Loki magically wise, she even teaches him a few tricks. This is startlingly in contrast to the comics. Loki’s Sylvie is partially based on the character Sylvie Lushton from the Young Avengers, a bad guy who was once a normal girl whom Loki imbued with powers before his death at the hands of the Sentry during the events of 2010’s Siege storyline. In the comics, Loki not only gave Sylvie her powers, but he was the one who taught her how to use them. Now, of course things in the MCU are not going to follow the way things are in the comics. MCU Loki is nowhere near as old as comics Loki and has so far not demonstrated the ability to give other beings powers. And MCU Sylvie is a composite of Sylvie Lushton and Lady Loki, which is also problematic, but we’ll get to that.

But the point is that Sylvie had no training. Her magic is some improvised slapped-together stuff that at best she picked up here and there and at worst she just pulled out of her ass. Now, knowing that, we’re supposed to buy that she can mop the floor magically wise with someone who was formally trained by a sorceress? And that furthermore, she can school him as well?

To make up for her lack of experience and knowledge, Loki is nerfed. Power wise and intellectually wise, he is nerfed. In Thor and Avengers Loki is smart, well-spoken, and a master manipulator. At one point he is able to turn all of the Avengers against one another, and while his magic has never been anywhere near the level it was at in the comics pre-Siege (after his resurrection, he was powered down and is currently nowhere near the powerhouse he had been prior to 2011) he was able to pull off some impressive displays of skill nonetheless. Shape shifting, illusion casting, it was a good repertoire.  

In Episode 3, however...well, he does use teleportation to some impressive affect during his fight with Sylvie, but he still doesn’t get the upperhand. And he should. Loki is a better trained fighter, better trained in sorcery, and realistically should have at the least managed to incapacitate his variant. He doesn’t however, because the moment he meets Sylvie his IQ drops about 20 points. He falls easily for her tricks, makes laughable plans, gets drunk and draws too much attention when he knows that is a bad idea, and manages to get them both stuck on a moon that will soon be dust courtesy of the rogue planet about to crash into it. Loki has made some blunders in the various MCU movies he’s been in, mostly due to his own arrogance and tendency to underestimate his foes, but he’s not that stupid. In fact, in The Dark World he screams at Thor and calls him an idiot for drawing attention to themselves by hijacking an elven ship and crashing into every column and statue within a fifty-foot radius.

Where exactly is that smart, calculating, more careful Loki we know from the films? He’s been transformed and dumbed down, in an attempt to prop Sylvie up. It’s a tired trope, making the male character a dumbass in order to make the female character look good. Well, I should say male-presenting and female-presenting characters in this case, but their supposed gender fluidity really is not represented well and it’s completely contradicted later on, but we’ll get to that.

Anyway, making the male character stupid in order to make the female character look better by comparison is not empowering. It’s insulting. It implies that women are not smart or capable enough to meet men on equal footing, that the only way we can shine is not by virtue of our own strengths, but merely by making us look better than the men.

She doesn’t just outshine Loki intellectually and power wise, she outshines him period. The show from Episode 3 on becomes about Sylvie. She is the show’s main focus, and Loki? He’s relegated to the role of supporting character in the series that’s named after him. Supporting character, and love interest. From Episode 3 on, the show might as well be called Sylvie.

Now, some people will say that since Sylvie is a Loki, the show was indeed focusing on Loki. The problem is, the show is very inconsistent as to whether or not Sylvie really is a Loki or a different person entirely. I will explain more later, but the writers seem to change Sylvie’s identity to suit whatever narrative they want to present to the audience, including the pre-Pixar Disney romance they foist upon us.

The Romance, and why some find it gross

One major characteristic of the Mary Sue is that she always draws the romantic and sexual interest of the main male character, who may or may not be a Marty Stu himself. Oftentimes he’s not, and Loki does not fit the criteria of a Marty Stu by any stretch of the imagination. These romances always happen fast with little to no buildup. There is no what writers of romance call “slow burn”, it’s just throw Mary at the male character, hook them up, and get the audience to buy it. Basically, it’s reminiscent of the romance stories in the Classical Era Disney animated films. Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, and Cinderella all fall madly in love with their princes within minutes of meeting them. There’s no getting to know each other, there is no preamble, there is no slow courtship, no real drama to speak of. It’s basically Love At First Sight or True Love. This trend continues even into the Disney Renaissance. In The Little Mermaid, Ariel is willing to make a deal with a witch to give up her fins for a prince she hasn’t even spoken to yet. He doesn’t even know she exists, and she leaves her home and family behind, gives up her voice, all for a mere shot at hooking up with him.

That’s not love, that’s lust. That’s hormones overruling your brain, and it’s an insulting trope, one that feminists have railed against for years. Disney has made a little progress. The movie Frozen took the mickey out of the Love At First Sight/True Love trope with the song “Love Is An Open Door” and the prince Anna wanting to marry turning out to be a major sleazebag who just wants to use her, but we still only have three Disney princesses (Elsa, Moana, and Merida) who have never had love interests and two (Anna and Rapunzel) whose love stories come close to being slow burns, out of 12 official Princesses. There’s still a long way to go, and boy is there a major step backwards in Loki.  

In Episode 3, Loki fights Sylvie and they end up on Lamentis 1. Sylvie spends a good portion of the time insulting and trying to kill Loki, and Loki finds himself having to defend himself from her. That changes once they get on the train going to the Arc. After sneaking aboard the train using a disguise and a flimsy story, the two Lokis sit in a booth, where Loki proceeds to drink champagne. It is then that, out of nowhere, the conversation shifts from how Sylvie learned her powers to the topic of love.

Why? Why would you bring that up in conversation with someone who was doing her best to kill you a couple hours prior?

Then Loki makes things worse by asking Sylvie if she has a beau waiting for her. Why? It doesn’t make sense. The two of you are at each other’s throats, she’s done her best to kill you, neither of you trusts the other, and, completely out of left field, you decide to basically ask “So...are you single?”

Now, enemies to lovers is a trope that can work when done right. Typically, it’s a very subtle, slow progression that the audience witnesses over time in a novel, movie or television series. Weeks and even months will go by in the narrative during which the two people go from wanting each other dead to developing feelings for one another. There’s usually a “will they, won’t they period” that lasts for some time that’s full of teases and flirting before the couple does hook up and gives the audience the resolution. Done in this way, enemies to lovers can work.

This...this is not the right way to do enemies to lovers. Within a couple of hours Loki and Sylvie go from hatred and doing their damnedest to stabbing one another in the backs, to having a connection that causes a nexus event?

By the way, that nexus event makes no sense. In Episode 2, it is established that it is impossible to create a nexus event in an apocalypse. It is why Sylvie was able to avoid capture by the TVA for so long. In fact, just minutes prior to the two of them almost dying in Episode 4, Sylvie flat-out says that she figured out that she needed to hide in apocalypses because she discovered she didn’t create a nexus event when she hid in them.

Now the two of them are able to create a nexus event in the midst of an apocalypse? Why? Their “connection” isn’t going to lead to any consequences...they were about to die. No one else need never have known about the “moment” the two of them shared. It’s very confusing and the only purpose it really serves is to paint Loki and Sylvie as soulmates, which doesn’t make sense in the context of the show. The concept of soulmates is that for every person, there is someone out there they are predestined to be with. Loki is a show that, at the core of it, is about rejecting predestination and embracing free will. In that context, the idea of soulmates is ludicrous and contradictory to the message that we make our own destiny. This is why True Love is unrealistic, and I hate to break it to you romantics out there, but Love At First sight does not exist.

Infatuation At First Sight exists, but that is not Love, no matter what your hormones are telling you. Love takes time to evolve, and it takes work to maintain. It sure as hell doesn’t happen after less than 12 hours of knowing each other, during which a huge chunk of time was devoted to trying to manipulate, outsmart, and murder the person you’re supposedly in love with. No one falls in love in less than 12 hours, period, unless it’s a Classical Era Disney animated movie. They basically turned Loki into a big Disney Romance trope. I have a very hard time buying that Loki, who we have established is emotionally stunted and closed off, would form a love connection in just a few hours, especially with someone who was doing her best to murder him in that timespan.

That is not the only reason this relationship is problematic. The term “Selfcest” has been thrown around, and a lot of defenders of this particular ship claim that the term was very recently made up in social media for the sole purpose of badmouthing this particular romance. That is not the case. Selfcest is a term that has existed among fiction writers for years, it’s just that more people have recently become aware of it thanks to this show. The trope has been used and referred to in various works of fiction, especially in fantasy and science fiction where cloning, alternative universes, and magic occur. A lot of the insults I get from people who can’t stand that I don’t like the romance basically go along the lines of saying selfcest doesn’t exist. No, it doesn’t...in reality. But this isn’t reality, is it? It’s fiction. It’s a fictional world where such a thing could be possible, and even in works where it’s not possible it’s often alluded to.

In A Song Of Ice And Fire, we have the infamous twincest relationship going on between Cersei and Jamie Lannister, and it is heavily implied that sleeping with her brother is the closest that Cersei can get to banging herself and that is why she does it. Jamie is basically everything she feels she should have been and was denied due to being born a woman. In fact, in later books when he reunites with her after having been away from King’s Landing for over a year, during which time he’s grown a beard and shaved his head, Cersei no longer finds him as attractive since they no longer look as much alike.

And with advances in cloning, selfcest might be possible in the future. We already have sex robots, and people with money are capable of making those robots look like themselves. There is nothing stopping them from doing it.

Knowing all of this, the argument of “selfcest doesn’t exist!” falls flat. And it especially falls flat when you’re referring to a fictional universe where a large purple man once killed off half the population of said universe with a snap of his fingers, where scientists turn into giant green monsters, the Norse gods not only exist but regularly interact with people on Earth, and there’s such a thing as a Sorcerer Supreme.

As I have said, the show has been rather inconsistent in stating what exactly Sylvie’s identity is. One moment, we are told Sylvie is a Loki and that she and Loki are the same person. Mobius says it, Kang says it multiple times, Judge Renslayer says it, the director and the writers state it in interviews. But then in the next breath, they contradict it by saying that she’s not a Loki, she’s Sylvie and a different person.  

You can’t have it both ways. Which is it? Either she’s a Loki, or she’s not. The narrative is very confusing and it changes depending on how they want us to see Sylvie, especially in relation to her romance with Loki. It’s so much easier to avoid the selfcest/incest accusations when you can say they are different people. But then they say they’re the same person. Make up your minds!

Since the show first established that Sylvie is a Loki, I’m going with that. Especially since we saw a bit of her backstory. She grew up in Asgard as a member of the royal family, which means she had Odin as a father, Frigga as mother, and Thor as brother. She may or may not have the same DNA as Loki. We never got confirmation either way, and there are people who argue that they don’t to which I have to ask: How do you know? The show never tells us! “Oh, well, there’s Alligator Loki, are you going to say he has the same DNA as well?” Well, we are never told how exactly Alligator Loki came to be. Is he actually an alligator, or is he Loki who somehow got permanently stuck when he shapeshifted? People tend to forget that he can do that. Ragnarok established that he can turn into a snake, and a deleted scene actually had the childhood story go that Loki turned into a rug to cover a hole in the ground and then dumped Thor into it. There is the scene where Doctor Strange drops Loki through a portal, and Thor is left poking at a business card, and it is clear that for a moment he thinks that Loki turned into that. We know Loki can shapeshift, so Alligator Loki can very well have the same DNA. We just don’t know, because the show never explains it for the same reason the show cut out the scenes with Throg fighting Loki...to devote more screentime to Sylki.

Even if they don’t have the same DNA, it’s still established that they are the same person, they have the same family, they’re both the God/dess of Mischief, and even Sylvie herself acknowledges that she is a Loki despite the fact that she changed her name. So selfcest very much applies here, and a good argument can be made that selfcest is the ultimate in incest...after all, there isn’t anyone else you’re more related to than yourself. It is very understandable, therefore, that a lot of people would be very, very uncomfortable with such a relationship. Having the same DNA would merely be the icing on the very gross cake.

Furthermore, just because selfcest does not exist in reality does not mean someone can’t find the concept distasteful. “It’s not real!” “It’s just fiction!” Yes, and people are allowed to have their own feelings and opinions on fiction. If they find the idea of selfcest hard to stomach, that’s their prerogative and you really have no right to tell them they are wrong for feeling that way. They should not have to justify to anyone why they feel that way either. No one owes you an explanation for why they find real world incest or cannibalism distasteful, so they don’t owe you an explanation for this.

“Well, of course Loki would fall for himself...he’s a narcissist!” Is he though? Is he really? Having dealt with my fair share of narcissists in my life, I have to wonder if the fans who say that, along with the writers, know what a narcissist really is.

Is Loki a narcissist?

Bringing up Cersei Lannister again, the novels she appears in establishes that she is an extreme narcissist. She sleeps with her twin brother because it’s the closest she can come to sleeping with herself, and she desires to do that because she is a narcissist. A narcissist is someone whose personality is defined by an inflated sense of self-importance, troubled relationships, lack of empathy for others, and an excessive deep-seated need for attention and admiration. It’s a very simplistic definition, and there are plenty of YouTube videos devoted to delving into narcissists into more depth, as well as videos on how to cope with the aftermath of abuse at the hands of narcissists. Narcissists are so devoted to themselves that they ignore the needs and the feelings of those in their lives, which often results in abusive behavior. There are entire support groups that exist for victims of narcissists.

At first glance, one can see why some might consider Loki a narcissist. He does engage in some pretty selfish behavior, he goes to great lengths to get attention, his relationships to his family are indeed fraught with drama, and he seems to have a pretty overinflated ego. He even goes so far as to write a play featuring himself as the central character, and build a giant golden statue of himself after taking over Asgard in the guise of Odin. But really, is his ego truly that big? Or he is overcompensating for his self-hatred and self-disgust?

Loki suffered quite the emotional blow when he found out his true heritage, a revelation that shook him to his very core. Of course, his relationship with his father suffered as a result...the man lied to him for his entire life. Their relationship really was not that great even before that since Odin found it easier to relate to Thor, who was more like him in personality, than to Loki, who was more cerebral and quieter. Loki’s relationship to Frigga fared much better. He’s quick to forgive her involvement in covering up the truth about his parentage, and it is obvious that they are close. Even his relationship with Thor prior to the events of the movie is not all that bad, the two brothers are affectionate and playful, and when Loki interrupts Thor’s coronation, it’s not just for the sake of creating trouble, but to postpone Thor taking the crown for another little while because he is not fit to rule. At the time Thor had yet to go through his character development arc on Earth and he was still an overly arrogant, bloodthirsty, elitist douchebag, so Loki really had a good point.

A true narcissist would have done what Loki did just for the sake of making life difficult for Thor. Also, he would have done it because he wanted the throne. Loki states repeatedly that he never wanted to rule. A true narcissist would have been all smiles about taking the throne instead of being reluctant about it as Loki was when Frigga handed him Gungnir.

Throughout the films, and in the first episode of the series, we see that Loki does indeed love his family and is capable of feeling guilt over the things that he does to them, intentionally or not. Narcissists typically don’t feel remorse. As far as they are concerned, they are perfect and can do no wrong, so they have nothing to feel bad about. If they hurt you, it’s because you deserved it. You shouldn’t have provoked their ire.

Loki feels bad for getting Frigga killed, and then later on Odin. Then he is in tears when Odin dies, and later at the mere thought of never seeing Thor again when the two brothers talk in an elevator on Sakaar. Those are not the actions of someone who is incapable of loving anyone but himself, as I’ve seen so many people claim about him. And the fact that he sacrificed himself to save his brother also kind of kills the whole “narcissist” narrative.

In Episode 1, Loki breaks down and confesses to Mobius that he doesn’t like hurting people. He does it because it’s part of the façade, and admits that he sees himself as weak. A few episodes later, he admits to a memory illusion Sif that he craves attention “because I’m a narcissist” and admits to being afraid of being alone. That is far more self-reflection than a typical narcissist is capable of in my experience. As I said, narcissists tend to think they are perfect. A true narcissist would never admit to having any flaws, and sure as hell would never admit that they are a narcissist. As far as the true narcissist is concerned, if you find them flawed in any way, that’s on you. The narcissist has no need for self-reflection because they honestly see nothing wrong with themselves, and believe that they don’t need to change...it’s everyone else who does.

A good real-life example from my past is a former friend I’ll call D. D was a self-proclaimed brat who was quite proud of the fact that she could be difficult to be in a relationship with and tended to go through men like tissue paper. She was demanding, self-centered, extremely jealous, manipulative, and prone to wild mood swings. She could and did go from zero to insane at the drop of a hat. In the time I knew her, she left a string of burnt guys behind, and according to her it was because they just weren’t man enough to handle her. She also left behind a string of broken former friends, to the point where there really needed to be a support group for former friends of D who suddenly had her turn them into Public Enemy Number 1 when they either started taking attention away from D, or...well, that was it really. As I said, she was a very jealous person and had a chronic need to be the center of attention, especially if there were men around. Anyway, instead of working on herself to become less self-involved, self-absorbed, and more empathetic, she double downed on her abrasiveness and constant need for attention until she finally wore the poor man down and he either ghosted her or outright dumped her. She never broke up with them, preferring to keep them around for as long as they were willing in order to toy with them as a cat does with a mouse.  I tried to talk to her about her horrible behavior, but instead of taking my constructive criticism and maybe using it to make some needed changes, she completely turned on me and did her best to make my life hell until I finally cut her out of it. I learned two things: Narcissists don’t want help because they don’t feel they need it and they are never going to change as a result, and never, ever try to confront a narcissist. It’ll only end badly.  

A more famous example? Former US President Donald Trump. I won’t get into that, because really all you need to do is perform a quick Google search to see what all he’s done and witness his narcissism on full display. But really, place him side by side with Loki. Do you see any similarities at all? Maybe on the surface, but when you go deeper...no. Loki is not a narcissist. He’s capable of deep self-reflection, owns his faults, is capable of loving others, and feels remorse. I would argue that anyone who says he is a narcissist, either does not know the character, or hasn’t ever actually dealt with a narcissist in real life, to which I can only say: Lucky you.  

I honestly would argue that calling Loki a narcissist is actually doing a disservice to victims of abuse from actual narcissists.

What about Sylvie? Well, in contrast to Loki who does show remorse while Mobius is playing that “This Is Your Life” reel for him, Sylvie shows no remorse or regret. She knows that the TVA agents she kills are as much victims as she is. They are innocent variants who were kidnapped from Earth and forced to work for the TVA after having their memories wiped. She knows this, yet the first time we see her she burns a bunch of TVA agents alive, and she just stands there watching as they scream in agony. In the next episode she says right out that she’s “having some fun” while possessing the body of C-90 and murdering more agents. She is not at all sorry about doing what she did, and we’re supposed to be understanding since she was kidnapped as a child. Okay, but the entire TVA didn’t do that. The agents she kills didn’t personally kidnap her. The only one we see who was directly involved in that is Renslayer. Sylvie “did what she had to do”, fine. But she doesn’t feel bad about it, at all. The flashback to her as a child takes great pains to try to show us what a good person she is when she cries out “Help him!” as another prisoner is being beaten, but I guess she grew out of it.

We don’t know if Sylvie has any other narcissistic traits besides lack of remorse because, well, the show really doesn’t do much to show her personality. Other than killing people, trying to kill Loki, and then flirting with Loki, we just don’t really see much to her. It’s another trait of a Mary Sue. Mary Sues often have bland, one-dimensional personalities. After all, their only purpose is usually to serve as love interests for one or more male characters. Mary Sues break the “show, don’t tell” rule by having the other characters verbally inform us about their traits, usually while singing their praises, but we don’t actually see those traits in the Mary Sue herself.

Loki calls Sylvie “amazing”, but how amazing is she, really? She kills people she knows are victims, she endangers the timeline just to sneak into the TVA, and then she kills Kang despite knowing that there is a very good chance that doing so could unleash something far, far worse than him. Then again, it doesn’t have to make sense when you’re pushing an unwanted and unasked for romance on an audience who was expecting a scifi show, not a romance.

I have spoken in a few places about this. Romance is fine, but in a show that blatantly places itself in the scifi genre, it really should only be the background, not center stage. When I expressed this opinion, I got accused of being dismissive of an essential part of the human experience. Well, first of all, congratulations: You just invalidated the existence of people on the asexual and aromantic spectrums, not to mention people who are celibate by choice. Second, that is why we have the romance genre. To tell stories centered around romance. I like romance, I read romance novels, and I sometimes write romantic fiction. But there are some places where it just is not appropriate.

There are people who say that adding romance makes things more interesting. Nope, in those cases it’s just a smokescreen, something used to hide plot holes and distract us from just how empty the story really is. Writers like to say that if you need a romance to make things more interesting, then you really don’t have much of a story in the first place. And sadly, Loki does have some plot holes. The nexus event on Lamentis is a good example, and the romance is definitely used to distract us from that. People were so focused on “oh wow, they’re having a moment, they’re soulmates!” that they didn’t think “waitaminute...didn’t they say that nexus events can’t occur in apocalypses?”

We really did not need a romance in Loki. Period. It was unnecessary, it was distracting, a lot of people found it disturbing, and it actively hurt a marginalized group.

Loki Is A Queer Icon!...maybe

I am not going to say that the relationship between Loki and Sylvie is not a bisexual one. A bisexual relationship is a bisexual relationship regardless of whether or not the person the bisexual person is with is the opposite sex. Saying otherwise is biphobic. Biphobic people in both the straight and the queer communities have been excluding bisexual people who happen to be in opposite sex relationships for years because apparently one stops being bisexual once they get into a relationship with someone of the opposite sex. This is horseshit. I’ve been in relationships with CIS men, did I stop being attracted to other men, women, nonbinary, genderfluid, agender, and other genderqueer people? No. No, I didn’t, because while I was entangled, I was not dead. Heterosexual people don’t stop being attracted to other members of the opposite sex when they are in relationships, it’s no different with queer people.

So, stop saying that Loki and Sylvie are not a bisexual relationship. You’re not doing us any favors at all, and in fact you’re only helping the biphobes who want to kick us out of Pride and other queer spaces for daring to date members of the opposite sex.

I will address the “Bit of both” line however. In Episode 3, Loki has that response to Sylvie’s questioning about whether there had been any would-be princesses or princes in his life. Again, a conversation that comes out of nowhere. She stated outright that she didn’t trust him, clearly wanted him dead, and now she’s asking if he’s single. Whatever.

Anyway, people went nuts when Loki answered “A bit of both”. It was confirmation that Loki was bisexual, it was celebrated on social media...and it is really biphobic and Kate Herron, who is bisexual herself, really should have known better.

Biphobic people have long tried to sow division between the bi and trans communities (unsurprisingly, biphobia and transphobia tend to go hand-in-hand) by saying that the concept of being bisexual is transphobic. “Bi” means two, ergo bisexual people are only attracted to two genders, specifically CIS men and CIS women. It never occurs to anyone that the “two genders” a bisexual person could be attracted to could be, say, women (and yes, I include trans women in that, since they are in fact women, get over it) and non-binary people, or agender and gender-fluid people, it’s always CIS men and CIS women. This despite the fact that the definition of bisexual has been “attraction to more than one gender” since long before the Bisexual Manifesto was put out in 1990.

Some people have tried to remedy this by adopting the moniker of “pansexual” instead, which A) is basically reinforcing what biphobes are saying about bisexuals and creating even more division and B) doesn’t just mean “attraction to trans people as well, I’m not transphobic, I promise!” “Pansexual” is not interchangeable with “bisexual”. Pansexual is attraction to all genders. Bisexual means attraction to more than one gender, but not necessarily to all genders. You can have a bisexual person, for instance, who is attracted to all genders except for men. If you are attracted to more than one gender, but not to all genders, you are bisexual, and labeling yourself pansexual is lying and basically caving in to the biphobes.

I’m not trying to police what people call themselves...if you want to use the two terms interchangeably, if you want to call yourself bisexual, or pansexual, it’s fine. But just evaluate the reasons why. Are you calling yourself pansexual because you really think you can be, or are you just calling yourself that out of fear of being labeled transphobic? The latter, in my opinion, is not a really good reason, and it only helps deliver the biphobic message that bisexual people are transphobic.

So, by saying “a bit of both”, Loki is really helping to reinforce that biphobic assertion that bisexual people are attracted just to CIS men and CIS women. It’s disappointing, but it is Disney so I suppose that is the best we can expect for now. It just shows that Disney really has a long way to go.

What’s more problematic is the supposed genderfluid representation. Now, I am a CIS woman. As such, I feel unqualified to really say that the representation is shitty and fluidphobic. However, if I’m not qualified to say that it is, then Kate Herron and the writers are unqualified to say that it isn’t. Rule of thumb: If members of a marginalized group are telling you that you did a poor job of representing them and that you are being transphobic or fluidphobic, instead of ignoring and dismissing their concerns like a good portion of the population already does, it’s a really good idea to listen to what they are saying and learn how you can do better.

There have been some genderfluid and trans people who expressed that they liked the show, and good for them. But I have seen a lot of very valid criticisms and concerns from genderfluid and trans people about the representation on the show, and I think they really should be listened to. Kate, you and I are queer, but we are still CIS women. Ergo, we have no say in whether or not the way you attempted to present Loki’s gender fluidity is transphobic. If genderfluid people say it’s fluidphobic or trans people say it’s transphobic, then it is indeed fluidphobic/transphobic. To say otherwise is gaslighting a marginalized community who already faces gaslighting on a daily basis.

I will touch on a couple of things.

First, in Episode 5, Loki asks a bunch of his variants if they have ever encountered a female version of themselves, a question that is met with varying levels of incredulousness and even disgust. If Loki was truly genderfluid, this question wouldn’t have been asked. Genderfluid means the person shifts genders along the spectrum. Loki does this in the comics. Comicbook Loki switches between masculine and feminine presenting on the drop of a dime, especially in his current incarnation. Loki in the MCU we are told is also genderfluid, and should also be able to hop along the gender spectrum on a whim. There should not be a “female variant” therefore, since they are all the same gender. There could be a female presenting variant, but that is not the same thing. They would still be all genderfluid in that case. Also, Sylvie’s nexus event would not have been “being born the Goddess of Mischief”. Okay, the show never actually says that is the nexus event that led to her being arrested, but it heavily implies it. If Sylvie is a Loki, and as a Loki is genderfluid, her being the “Goddess” of Mischief should never have been an issue since they can change genders anyway.

Second, making Lady Loki a separate person is problematic. A lot of genderfluid people felt that this move invalidated their identity by basically showing that the same person cannot indeed be different genders along the spectrum. I don’t feel I’m totally qualified to really get into this. I will just say that if you’re going to write a genderfluid character, maybe at least get an actual genderfluid person to advise in the writing room.

Third, there is a transphobic movement called trans exclusionary radical feminism. You might have heard of it. Unfortunately, it is a very widespread movement that has done a lot of harm to the trans community, successfully blocking funding to organizations that help trans people, blocking laws that would benefit trans people, and the movement includes celebrities like Graham Linehan and JK Rowling.

One of the weapons they like to use against trans women is the concept of “autogynephilia”. It is basically the sexual fetish of becoming aroused from thinking of oneself as a woman.  Many, many of these transphobic “feminists” love to say that trans women are merely men who have this particular sexual fetish.

It’s bullshit of course. Maybe there is a small segment of the male population that has that fetish, but trans women are not included in that. For trans women, things like dressing as women, changing their names, having state and federal issued IDs that say they are female, and being able to use the restrooms and change rooms that match the gender they actually are as opposed to the one they were assigned at birth is not a matter of sexual arousal. It’s a matter of making their external realities match their internal ones. It’s a matter of validation of their identities as women. Sexual gratification has nothing to do with it.

Now, Loki is not trans, but genderfluid people do tend to fall under the trans umbrella. We have Loki, a supposedly genderfluid individual and masculine presenting, falling head over heels in love with a feminine presenting version of himself. Maybe it’s just me, but it just seems like a form of autogynephilia to me.

Way to go, Kate...you just gave the TERFs more ammo.

One more note: At one point, Kate tweeted a list of the different Loki emojis, and “jokingly” included #FiretruckLoki with an emoji of a firetruck. Kate, you do realize that a “joke” transphobes love to harp on is that they can identify as an attack helicopter, right?

It’s his way of learning self-love!

That is not how you learn self-love.

First, the people who are making this argument often contradict themselves by then saying that Sylvie is a different person. Again, make up your minds. Either Sylvie is the same person as Loki, or she’s not. You can’t have it both ways, and you can’t continue to change the narrative to fit whatever it is you want to shove down the audience’s throats.

Second, romantic love and self-love are two different things entirely. Loki isn’t feeling self-love with Sylvie, he’s feeling romantic love. That’s not learning self-love. That's narcissism, and it’s character regression in his case. He’s supposed to be evolving past being a self-centered, egotistical shitweasel, and falling in love with a variant of himself makes him, as Mobius put it, “a seismic narcissist”. It’s not character development.  

Third, this argument tends to come in the same breath as saying that Loki is a narcissist so of course he would fall for a variant of himself. If Loki is a narcissist though, why would he need to learn self-love? Narcissists already love themselves, that is the very definition of the word. If Loki needs to learn self-love, that would imply that he actually hates himself, which is the opposite of narcissism. Again, the writers and the fans who make these arguments when they feel the need to defend this relationship need to make up their minds. Either he’s a narcissist and therefore already loves himself too much, or he hates himself and needs to learn to love himself. It’s once again changing the narrative to fill a plothole.  

Fourth, the whole learning self-love and trust narrative is completely thrown out the window in Episode 6 when Sylvie decides to toy with Loki’s emotions, using his feelings for her against him by kissing him as a distraction so she could grab Kang’s temp pad and toss Loki back to the TVA. To Sylvie, her revenge was more important than the bond she had with him. The move basically set Loki’s progress back several steps. What little progress he made anyway.

TL:DR, is there hope for Season 2?

Whew, this went on for a while, didn’t it? Told you I had a lot to say.

As I have said, if you liked the first season of Loki and think I am completely full of shit, that’s fine and it’s your prerogative. More power to you.  

But, and this is a huge but, that does not give you the right to harass and bully people who did not like it.

I have witnessed horrible things from both sides of the now split Loki fandom on social media. Harassment and even death threats towards the creators. Telling people who don’t like the Loki and Sylvie relationship that they need to drink bleach. Homophobic attacks. Gatekeeping.  

There’s constructive criticism and sharing your opinions, and then there is...this.

Both sides need to chill.

Anyway.

Even though Kate Herron has left the show, Michael Waldron is still the showrunner and as such I am not altogether optimistic for Season 2. I would like to see more emphasis on Loki himself for that season. Yes, it’s a novel thought, wanting a show that is called Loki to actually be about Loki, but here we are.

I would like to see actual character development in Loki rather than the old “true love transforms bad boy and conquers all” trope. There is a reason Disney has started to abandon that trope in their animated movies. They’ve been getting dragged about it for decades.

If Sylvie must return, there needs to be some actual consistency surrounding her character. The show needs to decide if she is a Loki or not and stick with whichever one they decide. And seriously, no more romance. Frankly, after what she pulled in Episode 6, I will be severely disappointed if the writers have Loki crawling back to her. That would make him pathetic, and Loki deserves better.

Really, Loki does not need a romance, period. He’s too emotionally immature, he has a lot of character growth to go through, and a romance would do nothing but be a distraction and an impediment to that growth. Anyone who got married too young can confirm that it is important to learn more about yourself and figure yourself out before you even think of getting involved with another person, who should not be your whole world. The Loki and Sylvie romance was reminding me of Classic Disney in another not-good way in that the two of them, especially on Loki’s side, were starting to revolve around one another and that does not make for a healthy relationship. Again, turning Loki into a Disney Prince (or, seeing as how he’s supposed to be genderfluid, Princess). Stop it.

Again, the romance was a smokescreen. It was a distraction from just how thin the plot was. Please, for the love of G-d, give more focus to the actual plot.

Do some research and talk to some psychologists for healthy ways Loki can “learn self-love" and develop as a character. If Ragnarok Loki can do it without relying on a romance with a variant with himself, then surely TVA Loki can pull it off.

Speaking of talking to people, listen to the concerns of the trans and genderfluid fans. Listen, talk to them, maybe get a couple in the writer’s room. CIS people should not write genderfluid people, and this season is a good example of why.

Please remember that Loki is not an idiot. Yes, he has pulled some fast ones and hasn’t been the greatest planner, but he is not downright stupid like he was in season 1.

And...really that’s all I have. As I have said, this thesis really wasn’t about making suggestions to the creators because I seriously doubt they will ever even see this. This was more less me screaming into the void, venting because I was that upset about what I saw as character assassination happening to one of my favorite characters. Keeping all of this in was proving to be bad for my blood pressure.  

I am attached to the character, have been for years. Loki is just one character in the MCU who I love, who I want to see done right. I had been looking forward to his solo series for a very long time, and the disappointment I felt was something that I just couldn’t keep in. I kept my mouth shut when they killed off Tony Stark for no reason other than that Ronnie Downey, Jr. didn't want to renew his contract. I didn’t say anything at the Russo Brothers’ “happy ending” for Steve Rogers, even though I feel it made no sense and is a massive plot hole.  

What they did to Loki, however...I couldn’t keep silent.

[macariawolf-owo]

I’m doing this to show some positivity✨💕✨💕✨ and to show what means to a director talk about a marvel project “they made”. And make you realize/remember some things that happen before we got more representation in the movies. (Black Panther and Captain Marvel). And how Kevin respects Stan Lee and everyone that has pass him(I mean in the the job as director of marvel)So first to all people that are doing discussion on the sambucky tag, to be mad about the recent interview with the director of the show, even if it is about them, please don’t tag, just do it with the marvel one and the Disney one. So the shippers can still go through the tag without feeling stressed. Because even if it’s not canon let the people ship peacefully.

—————————————————————

Okay,

First, the director some of you already hate for queer-baiting, was only hired because she’s good at her job and as a monster with the actions scenes. And even if the director think they have all the creative process, at the end Kevin and his team has the last word. And she is not the writer that says that Bucky is bisexual.

Second, I don’t know if you remember but after Feige there was a ****** (I don’t know the equivalent insult in English) and thanks to him we didn’t get a black widow movie or the reason black panther was delayed so many times, and until everyone was so done with him and was fired, Kevin didn’t have full control. Now it’s Kevin Feige that has the full creative process, to do everything he always wanted like a solo female movie (that ***** said that no one wanted to see a female superhero) and more important the young avengers and the X-men. Even the **** didn’t want to have Wanda and Pietro in AoU, knowing what a Wanda and Vision could lead to 😏.

But what means the young avengers and the X-men? Well, more lgtb+ characters. And we don’t have to go that far to have that, Loki series is confirmed (if I’m not wrong) to have two romantic interest a woman and a man.👀. And we are going to have Lady Loki that means genderfluid Loki 👀👀👀. And Loki will be very important because has already a second season confirmed.

Third, Kevin Feige loves marvel, he was involved with the first franchise superhero movies the X-men, like he really loves marvel and respects the big family that Stan Lee created. Where there’s a place for everyone.

And four, the head writer and the co-writer of the episode 5 would be the ones making the movie, so sambucky endgame 😌👏🏽. And now being serious, if I was the head writer and Feige only trust me with this secret I will tell the director that the scene with the tiger photos meant that he doesn’t understand technology for how old he is.🤷🏽‍♀️ Like he was the one addressing bisexual Bucky not the director THE WRITER.

Ask Sebastian Stan and Anthony Mackie reporters, and we will see the real truth 🔫😊

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And I did this because I wanted to everyone to stay calm and be positive. Maybe the first ones aren’t sambucky but we’re going to have lgtb representation and that’s impossible to discuss because it’s a TRUTH.