#ch: carter hall

[dcmultiverse]

BLACK ADAM (2022) Aldis Hodge as Carter Hall / Hawkman

[shayerathals]

↳ @pscentral event 26: minimalism

Aldis Hodge as Carter Hall/Hawkman

source: black adam (2022) dir. jaume collet-serra

[dailyhawkmates]

↳ The Unflappable Hawkman

Hawkman Announced for an upcoming unnamed Justice League project for DC

artist: jacob edgar

[friedbaekhyunandeggso]

Reason ~ ch. 2

Pairing: Female OC x Levi Ackerman

Tropes: Instructor x Cadet, Strangers to Lovers, Male MC fall first

Warnings: angst/slow-burn, strong language, upcoming smut(18+ readers only for those chapters pls 🙈), physical assault/violence, mentions of scars

Brief Summary:  This story takes place a few years after the Fall of Shiganshina. Devon Alba is in her final year of the 101st Training Corps (844-847), due to her success as a cadet she gets the chance to meet Captain Levi. She doesn’t think too much of him until he catches her in the midst of doing something that she isn’t entirely supposed to be doing. But surprisingly, this leads to something unexpected...

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 | Chapter 8 | Chapter 9 | Chapter 10 | Chapter 11  

“You just flipped a guy twice your weight—probably even three times your weight. How-I can’t even-you are amazing.”

Keith shoved the guy off their table.

“Okay, okay. Leave her alone now. No need to blow up her head.”

“Thanks, Leo!” Devon chuckled before looking at Keith across her.

“Blow up my head? You think I have an ego now?”

He shoved an extra tray of food towards her.

“I know I’d have one if I were you.”

She shook her head, “Then what makes you any better than Carter?”

He scrunched his nose in disgust, “Don’t compare me to that asshole.”

Monty slid into the seat beside Keith just as Imada slipped into the seat beside her. They both set their trays down.

Imada was smirking, “The fact that Carter didn’t come to the dining hall makes this so much better.”

Monty spoke while chewing, “He had it coming for him.”

“Eww Monty,” Imada complained, “Can’t you at least finish eating before talking.”

They all laughed. Keith shouldered Monty playfully.

“Who were you paired up with today?”

“Corinna.”

Keith wriggled his eyebrows, “She’s hot.”

Imada rolled her eyes before turning to Devon as the boys talked.

“Anyway, what did Chief Shadis say to you?”

“He was just mad that I almost twisted Carter’s arm,” she said dismissively before adding, “Did you see that guy standing with Chief?”

“Yeah, the short one? I saw him from afar. He showed up right before our hand-to-hand combat session.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, why?” Imada asked, suddenly curious. “Who is he?”

“That's Captain Levi.”

Imada gasped, “WHAT! No way.”

Keith was pulled out of his conversation at Imada's reaction. “What happened?”

Monty mumbled, “All I heard was Captain Levi.”

“Yeah, Chief Shadis introduced me to him.”

Imada looked stunned, “No way. Was he trying to recruit you?”

“No. He didn’t even say a word to me.”

Imada probed, “Does Chief Shadis know you want to be a scout?”

“I don't think so.” she answered hesitantly-suddenly lost in thought. She hadn’t considered the idea of being recruited. It wasn’t exactly a secret that she wanted to be a scout. And nor was it a secret that her skill at mostly everything-except classroom studies-was exceeding.

“I can't believe that you met him.” Imada said in awe.

“Wait-how?” Keith questioned-belatedly.

Imada faced the guys to rehash their conversation. Monty shared Imada's expressions of awe and curiosity while Keith's face grew pensive.

“You still want to be a scout?” Keith asked, his tone solemn.

Devon knew exactly where this conversation was going and couldn’t help but play into it anyway. She didn’t understand why he didn’t get it by now.

“Yes.” she answered-without hesitation.

He scoffed, “I thought you were over your stupid deathwish.”

She glared, “It’s not a deathwish. I just want to make a difference.”

“You can make a difference by joining the Military Police.”

It was her turn to scoff, “Yeah-sure, those money-loving corrupt bastards make all the difference.”

“It’ll be a lot better than adding another digit to the Scout’s body count.”

“I can handle myself.”

“Dealing with Titans is not a fucking joke. Dammit!” Keith yelled, his hand slamming down on the table.

She paused as she remembered that his family had been there in Shiganshina during the Fall of Wall Maria. Miraculously, his entire family had made it out alive. They’d all seen the Colossal Titan in real life. He rarely talked about it but she knew that although his family had survived, they were not the same. His little sister had partially impaired her eyesight and lost function in her legs.

They’d been in their first year of the training corps so they hadn’t been allowed to assist just yet. He’d gone berserk when he’d heard the news about the walls being breached in Shiganshina. He had to be restrained in order to not do anything foolish. To this day he still feels guilty about not being able to help his family. She knew he felt partially responsible for his sister’s disabilities.

“Keith.” Imada reproached.

Devon didn’t break under Keith’s sharp stare. His hazel eyes were ablaze with anger. She knew it was childish but she refused to look away first.

“I never said it was a joke.” she said curtly.

“Guys-stop.” Monty hissed.

Keith finally looked away. A frustrated sound left his lips as he stood up–his chair skidding behind him as he stalked out of the room without a second glance.

Devon kicked the stones on the road as she walked. Her and Monty had just walked Imada back to her house. She was one of the lucky ones whose family lived in Trost district so she didn’t have to sleep at the barracks. So was Keith but he didn’t walk home with them today-for obvious reasons.

They normally hadn’t allowed cadets who lived nearby to live with or visit their families but they’d become more lax with that rule over the years. Especially considering that once each cadet joined their respective regiment–seeing family became a rarity. For those with family, anyway.

“I just don’t get it.” she said before looking at Monty who was staring off at the sunset that was seconds away from disappearing behind the wall.

Monty sighed, “You know Keith, his dream is that we all join the military police together.”

“Yeah but what about my dream? Does it not matter?” she mumbled.

He placed his hand on her head and tousled her long brown locks. “You know it’s not that. He just doesn’t want you to die, that's all. None of us want you to.”

She wacked his hand off her head, “Do you even want to be in the Military Police?”

He blushed, “I-I don’t know.”

She squinted, “You're waiting on a specific someone to make a decision first aren’t you?.”

“No.”

“That blush says otherwise.” she smirked.

His amber eyes narrowed, “You know too much.”

Her smirk widened, “You really should just tell her.”

“Oh really? I wonder why I didn’t think of that earlier, genius.”

She snickered before poking at his side, “Monty’s shyyy.” she teased.

He ran up ahead to dodge her pokes.

“Race you to the barracks!” he yelled, before zipping away.

“HEY!” she barked before chasing after him, “You're cheating! You got a head start!”

He was too far ahead to hear her complaints.

“Asshole.” she muttered, slowing her pace down to a walk. He was going to make it to the barracks first anyway, so there was no point in getting sweaty on her way there.

She turned into a relatively empty street except for one lone man walking in her direction. Her girl radar went on high alert but she didn’t change her discourse.

Just before he passed by her, he gave her a crooked tooth smile. She didn’t return it. Instead, she cringed at the strong scent of alcohol that’d wafted through the air once he’d passed.

Suddenly a hand grasped her elbow and she was forced to turn around.

“Whas an ol’ man gots to do to get a ssmile outta pretty girl like yerself?”

Despite the old man’s voice being obviously slurred there was an unmistakable vicious glint to his eye.

She’d experienced vile men like him before. She shoved her arm out of his grip but his fingers only tightened.

“Let go.” she ordered.

“What? You ain’t like my hands on you, babygirl? These hands can do a whole lot-“

“If I have to say ‘let go’ one more time, it won’t end well for you.” she said calmly.

He sniggered, “Y-“

“Does she have to repeat herself?” A monotone male voice spoke up from somewhere behind her.

She swiveled around to see Captain Levi standing behind her. He had his hands in his pockets and his scout regiment jacket folded over one arm. Her eyes widened in astonishment.

The man immediately let go of her arm. “S-sorry.” he said, before scurrying away.

She dusted her arm off before facing him. “Thanks.”

He gave her an impassive onceover before saying, “Why’d you wait?”

She blinked-momentarily unfocused by his gravelly voice.

Focus, you fool. This is the Captain Levi.

She shook her head before thinking over his question. She assumed he was talking about why she didn’t just hit the old man straightaway. Levi knew she was more than capable due to her work on Carter earlier.

“Just thought I’d give him a chance to leave before I knocked his remaining teeth out.” she said, sounding a lot more confident than she really felt.

Why am I so goddamned nervous?

“How merciful of you.”

She blushed.

“Shouldn’t you be at the barracks?” he questioned.

“I was on my way there.”

“Hm,” he responded but made no move to leave.

She couldn’t decipher the look he was giving her. But she knew she had to leave because the longer she stayed under his scrutinous gaze the more jittery she felt.

“I should go…”

He nodded curtly. When he moved to walk around her she caught the faint whiff of fresh eucalyptus soap with a hint of cedarwood. Something about the scent coming off him made her dizzy.

“See you tomorrow.” he said, gruffly.

She faltered, turning back to see his retreating frame, “Tomorrow?”

He continued walking without looking back, “You heard me.”

[whatdoesshedotothem]

1836 Oct[obe]r Thurs[day] 27

7 55/..

12 40/..

V

V

L

N

N

No kiss fine morn[in]g – d[o]wnst[ai]rs at 8 3/4 – Ch[arle]s How[ar]th and W[illia]m Keigh[le]y h[a]d been wait[in]g for me 20 min[ute]s –

set the form[e]r w[i]th his son Ja[me]s to hang the gate at the top corn[e]r of Conery Ing and took W[illia]m K- [Keighley] to cut

off a few brok[e]n branches of an oak at the bot[tom] of Pearson Ing (n[ea]r the larch tree) and then w[e]nt

w[i]th h[i]m to Spa h[ou]se to shew h[i]m A-‘s [Ann] four larches to be cut d[o]wn -he will cut them d[o]wn

on Mon[day] – ho[me] at 9 55/.. Mr. Husb[an]d and Dobson (the stone merch[an]t) wait[in]g for me - told H- [Husband]

I w[oul]d ha[ve] a warm bath in the pres[en]t kitchen - alter the stab[le]s and turn the pres[en]t front stab[le]

int[o] a manserv[an]t’s bedr[oo]m – w[oul]d n[o]t ha[ve] the gr[ea]t oak King posts squar[e]d or alt[ere]d to ma[ke] mo[re]

r[oo]m at the end of the gall[er]y lead[in]g the red r[oo]m and north chamb[e]r - to be cas[e]d ov[e]r in their pres[en]t shape -

Dobson want[e]d to kno[w] the date of his last bill for insides (st[one] for the Long goit) –

Look[e]d ov[e]r my acc[oun]ts and ga[ve] him the informat[io]n he want[e]d – br[eak]f[a]st at 10 3/4 - Mrs. and

Miss Briggs call[e]d at 11 – wait[e]d 10 min[ute]s in the h[ou]sekeep[e]r’s r[oo]m till we h[a]d br[eak]f[a]st[e]d –

the 1st ti[me] of their com[in]g here s[in]ce they left us - we were ver[y] civ[i]l to them and I st[ai]d w[i]th

them till n[ea]r 12 - they remain[e]d so[me] ti[me] long[e]r w[i]th A- [Ann] - out fr[om] a lit[tle] bef[ore] 12 (ab[ou]t)

till 1, then n[ea]r an h[ou]r w[i]th A- [Ann] then out ag[ai]n till ca[me] in at 5 50/.. at the meer-drift and in the gard[e]n and ab[ou]t – dress[e]d –

wr[ote] 1 3/4 p[ages] to ‘Mrs. Lawton, Lawton hall, Lawton, Cheshire’ and s[e]nt it tonight – we

shall be delight[e]d to see h[e]r on the 2[n]d or 3[r]d of next m[on]th i.e. next Wed[nesday] or Thurs[day]

hope she will n[o]t disap[poin]t us if she can help it - she h[a]d best ta[ke] her pl[a]ce

in the mail to Bradford, - tell the guard to blow his horn, and let her alight at

the Lodge - will prepare her old fr[ien]d Matty Pollard for her arriv[a]l and I mys[elf] will

ta[ke] ca[re] she (M- [Mariana]) does n[o]t lose hers[elf] bet[ween] the Lodge and the h[ou]se – wr[ote] no[te] to ‘The Rev[eren]d Rob[er]t Wilkins[o]n Heath’

to ask h[i]m ‘to co[me] whenev[e]r m[o]st conven[ien]t to him bef[ore] Wed[nesday] (b[u]t n[o]t on Mon[day]) respect[in]g

the will of my late a[un]t - and wr[ote] no[te] to ‘Mr. Lister appraiser Halifax’ to ask him

to co[me] at 3 p.m. tomor[row] or Sat[urday] to val[ue] the wardrobe of my late a[un]t – seal[e]d and

direct[e]d all the ab[ov]e (let[ter] notes) at the din[ner] tab[le] and s[e]nt them off by Frank soon aft[e]r

7 – din[ner] at 6 35/.. – coff[ee] upst[ai]rs - A- [Ann] r[ea]d Fr[en]ch al[ou]d as us[ua]l – 1/2 asleep on the sofa

till 10 - then wr[ote] all the ab[ov]e of today - Booth here this morn[in]g - at Hilltop in the

aft[ernoo]n – settl[e]d - Mr. Carter h[a]s no object[io]n to the new barn and h[ou]se being in a line w[i]th his

moth[e]r’s cot[tage] and so it is to be - 2 masons (Amos and Jos[e]ph Sharpe) at the west tow[e]r –

2 d[itt]o flagg[in]g the new court – Rob[er]t Mann + 4 low[erin]g and level[in]g in front of the h[ou]se and g[o]t

the hall-cellar-drain dry out so as to drain off all the wat[e]r (6in. deep) out of the cellar –

Rob[er]t Schof[iel]d and his man Joseph help[in]g the masons at the west tow[e]r – pull[in]g d[o]wn the gard[e]n terr[a]ce

wall and dress[in]g the st[one] (Jos[e]ph w[a]s help[in]g the gard[ene]r in the morn[in]g) - the gard[ene]r and John Booth and Ch[arl]es

and Ja[me]s How[ar]th stubb[in]g up the old apple-trees in the orch[ar]d and clear[in]g the gr[ou]nd - Frank cart[in]g

st[one] for the dry arching 2 l[oa]ds rough throughs fr[om] Hipp[erholme] quarry and the rest st[one] fr[om] the gard[e]n wall –

Ch[arle]s and Ja[me]s H- [Howarth] at Hilltop all yest[erday] and Tues[day] aft[ernoo]n pull[in]g d[o]wn the old cot[tage]s and barn – Ingh[a]m + 2

men and a boy wall[in]g east parapet wall along the outside arch - 2 York joiners in the hall and 2

Hilltop cot[age]s and barn

pull[e]d d[ow]n

251

1836

Oct[obe]r

jobb[in]g as us[ua]l - the gallery all tak[e]n d[o]wn yest[erday] to the red r[oo]m and n[or]th chamb[e]r and no gett[in]g int[o] eith[e]r

b[u]t by a ladd[e]r int[o] the lit[tle] sq[uare] lobby open[in]g int[o] them - a new beam put up today for the fut[ure]

gall[er]y floor - Mark Hepw[or]th and the N[orth]g[a]te carts cart[in]g soil in front of the h[ou]se topp[i]ng up the gr[ea]t

embankm[en]t – ver[y] fine day F[ahrenheit] 32° now at 10 50/.. p.m. the 1st ti[me] this seas[o]n of being at the freez[in]g point –

my no[te]s tonight writ[ten] in the 1st pers[o]n - will n[o]t wr[it]e Miss L- [Lister] mean[in]g to ta[ke] the brevet

immed[iatel]y – No[te] fr[om] Mr. Wilkins[o]n to say comp[limen]ts and he will co[me] at 11 a.m. on Sat[urday] Mr. List[e]r

will try to co[me] tomor[row]

[3pirouette]

Fic: The Captain and the Missus (2/?)

Title: The Captain and The Missus

By: TriplePirouette/3Pirouette

Spoilers: AU of CA:TFA

Disclaimer: They're not mine.

Distribution: AO3 Anyone else please ask first :)

Story Summary: Instead of wanting to recreate the serum, Schmidt wants every trace of it wiped from existence so he can be the sole one to benefit from it. This means that Steve’s life is in danger, and Peggy’s new job is to keep him alive as he travels in hiding with the USO tour.

Story A/N: AU of CA: TFA, based on @roboticonography’s idea of having Peggy go on tour with Steve as “Mrs. America” This will satisfy both Steggy Week Day 1: Favorite Era (I love writing them in the 40’s even though I have to do massive amounts of research) and my Steggy Bingo Bash category “Slow Burn.”

(Robot’s post HERE)

Hold on to your butts. I feel like this might take a while.

Chapter 2: Planning and Packing

READ PROLOGUE/CH 1 HERE

Chapter Summary: Peggy tries to figure out how they're going to move forward as they get ready to leave the base as man and wife.

A/N: So, apparently, it’s been a year? There’s about 17k of this story and it’s barely started. I love it and it will get finished, it’s just going to take a while. Not sure if I’ll continue to post as a WIP or if I’ll wait until it’s eventually finished. Slow Burn INDEED. Please enjoy this next chapter.

Here it is, chapter 2 for Steggy Week ’22 Day 2: Favorite Era

~*~

Peggy spent the next day with her own contingent of privates that followed her around base, packing two very large, very non-descript looking trunks while Howard had Steve for one last day of testing. Good to her word, she packed everything they might need and more from the base. Keeping busy kept her mind from racing.

She was now officially married, like it or not, to the man she was having outrageously inappropriate feelings for given their current situation. She’d spent a sleepless night last night staring at the ceiling, thinking of all the things that could go wrong and all the things that could go right, neither of which brought her much peace.

Thinking of his lips kissing hers, of his arms wrapped around her, led to thoughts of her holding him, bleeding, after a sniper caught him on stage. Thoughts of them holding hands, taking long, slow walks along the waterfront led to thoughts of his hand reaching for hers as Hydra agents pulled them apart. Fantasies of what it would be like to feel him on top of her, her legs wrapped around his hips, dissolved into scenes of them being overwhelmed by Hydra forces, the two of them fighting until their deaths.

Needless to say, she hadn’t slept.

The bouncing back and forth of her emotions, from soft and happy and fantasizing to dark and scary and reliving the trauma of his blood literally pouring through her fingers, gave her quite the sense of whiplash as she moved through the halls. Having a task to focus on was her only saving grace as she led the privates from armory to storage and back again, checking items off her list as they went: firearms of all sizes, ammunition, spy cameras, bugs, decrypting machines, radios, and more. She filled the trunks efficiently, only starting to feel the anxiety creep in again as the trunks were filled and locked and sent on their way with the soldiers.

Peggy set her shoulders back, walking to Stark’s lab, her mind running through the list she’d completed just one more time. She couldn’t think of a single thing more they might need, but that didn’t mean needs wouldn’t arise in the field, that things couldn’t change on a dime still, and it didn’t escape her notice that instead of the rush of adrenaline she usually got with the thrill of an upcoming mission, she only felt cold fingers of fear wrapping around her spine.

She tried to shake it off with a deep breath as she pushed open the door to Stark’s lab, setting a smile on her face.

“Agent Carter! Perfect timing!” Howard looked up at her, giddy as a school boy. She guessed it was whatever he and Steve had been discussing, as Steve looked quite happy, as well.

She didn’t dare imagine that it was her arrival that put that smile on his face.

“Yes, well, I do tend to keep my appointments.” She stepped up to Steve’s side, giving him her own smile. “Rogers.”

Howard laughed and turned away from the table, sticking his arms into a closet and coming back out with a large box stacked on top of a smaller one. “Better start picking pet names, kids. No one’s gonna believe you’re married if you’re calling him Rogers.”

“Ah, yes, sorry,” she rolled her eyes at him, and caught Steve hiding his own smile. “Hello, cupcake.”

Steve did laugh at that as Howard dropped the boxes he’d been holding in his arms on the table. He set his hands on his hips and shook his head at her. “No. That’s just doesn’t sound right coming from you.”

“What? Calling Steve ‘cupcake’?” Peggy allowed herself the moment of levity, and even felt a warmth flood through her at Steve’s smile in her direction.

He shrugged, his neck just a little red. “I mean, it’s not the worst thing I’ve been called.”

Howard’s expression soured. “Look, it’s fun and games now, but I’m serious. You two are going to be out there, all alone, with only each other. We don’t know how far Hydra is willing to go on this, and how well you sell this cover is going to determine how much danger you’re in.”

Peggy sighed. She just couldn’t manage to get away from the truth of it, and the heaviness of his words settled deep in her stomach. “Howard, believe me, I know.” She looked between them both, unsettled that Steve seemed unsure and chastised at Stark’s words. “When the time comes, you’ll believe us.” She moved closer to Steve, leaning into his side and wrapping her arm around his waist. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders, looking down at her as she looked up at him. “Won’t they, darling?”

She wasn’t sure why she chose that endearment, but it felt right in that moment. It felt easy and natural, slipping from her lips as he looked down at her.

She felt him tense for just a moment before he relaxed, his eyes saying that he trusted her more than anything. “Absolutey, dearest.”

Peggy didn’t realize they’d been staring at each other until Howard cleared his throat. She pulled away from Steve slowly, like she was being pulled from a trance.

“Ok, maybe I’m wrong about that,” Howard mumbled, his eyebrows raising and falling, “but I’m not wrong about you two needing a little something extra out in the field. Ta-da!” He pulled the top off the top box and displayed what appeared to be an elaborate red, white, and blue costume in the style of a tactical suit.

“That’s… something.” Steve tried to hold back his disbelief.

Peggy did no such thing. “Howard, you did everything but paint a target on it!” Peggy pointed at the red and white striped mid-section.

“It’s a costume. I asked Brant’s guy to get me what his costume was going to look like. It’s reinforced, just like you’d get out in the field.” Howard pulled it out and showed them how thick it was. “Might be a little warm under the lights, but a knife ain’t getting through, it’ll stop most corrosives, and I reinforced across the chest with a metal plate, so it’ll stop at least a chest shot from a bullet.” He shrugged, handing Steve the top. “Putting that all over would be too heavy, for sure, but we know most of the Hydra guys are trained for the shot to the heart, so…”

Steve ran his hands over it, then shoved his arm through a sleeve. “And this is what Brandt wants me to wear?”

“It’s what some yokel costume designer wants you to wear.” Howard pulled out the pants and thick red boots. “I made some modifications. Tights were originally involved.”

Peggy fought hard to hold back her laugh at Steve’s face when Howard mentioned tights, and instead focused on the helmet in the box. “And that?”

Howard lifted it and juggled it in his hands for a second before he punched it, trying to prove its invincibility. “Enough to stop a headshot from a few meters away, but not point-blank range.”

“If someone’s made it to point blank range then we’re already in big trouble,” Peggy mumbled, pulling it from his hands. “Lightweight. Surprisingly. What’s the ‘A’ for?”

“America, naturally!” Howards false bravado fell flat. “I’m telling you, whoever designed this costume was out of his mind. They wanted a little fabric hood with wings on the side. Wings!”

Steve took the helmet from Peggy and set it on his head, moving around to see how it felt. “Well, this is a considerable upgrade from that. Thanks.”

“Don’t mention it.” Howard pushed the box forward, letting Steve slide his costume back in.

“So, what’s in the smaller box?” Steve asked, folding the top of his costume.

Howard didn’t say anything, but slid the box over in front of Peggy. She was nervous, knowing she’d have a costume and a role of her own to play. She wasn’t sure how much of that miracle reinforced fabric he could get in such a thin box, but she’d be grateful for anything she could get. She lifted the lid, peering in, and then gently put the lid to the side as what it was dawned on her. With two fingers, and a lot of annoyance, she pulled the black slip from the box. “Howard, is this women’s underwear?”

Steve coughed and looked away out of embarrassment, and Howard held his hands up. “I can explain.”

Peggy set the slip down and dug through the other pieces in there, lips pressed tight. “Please do.”

“You’ve got a lot more costumes!” Howard shrugged, slowly taking a step back. “I’m no Christian Dior here! They sent me drawings of five different dresses- we don’t have the time or the resources to set you up with five different dresses.”

“So, this is a joke?” Peggy pulled out a black thigh high stocking and waved it in his face? “Hum? Your idea of a joke? Steve gets full body armor and I get lingerie?”

“What?” Howard looked shocked. “You think that of me? No!” Howard rushed forward, pulling out the slip and handing it to her. “Feel that.”

“Rough and thick, not even good quality.” She rolled her eyes, almost completely forgetting Steve was standing next to her, turning a bright shade of red as she argued with Howard. “Least you could do for a newlywed woman is get her something nice!”

Howard huffed. “Jesus, woman, let me explain!” He pulled a pocket knife from his pants and flipped it open. “We’ve been working on this for two years. We had barely enough for a prototype for you, ok?” He took the slip from her and wound it over his hand before plunging the knife at his palm.

Steve and Peggy both jumped, but leaned forward as Howard showed them where the fabric had stopped the knife. “What is that?” Peggy asked, amazed.

“It’s a new fabric we’ve been developing. Inspired by the strength of spider silk and the concept of chainmail.” He pulled the knife away, revealing the unmarred fabric, and then showed his palm, where there was a small mark, but no bruise and no blood. “It’s still in prototype phase, and it won’t stop a bullet, from any distance, but it’ll give you some protection.”

“Why lingerie?” Steve asked, picking up the side of the slip and running his fingers over it.

“What the hell else were we supposed to do? She can’t be your ‘home-front missus’ running around in tactical gear, and they’ve got her changing dresses every five minutes.” He shook his head, looking at Peggy as she pulled the stockings out, examining them. “I know it ain’t much compared to what we were able to do for Steve, but this gives you at least a little protection in a one-on-one situation.”

Peggy softened as she looked through the box. A set of black and a set of nude stockings and matching slips. At the bottom, she dug out a single, white brassiere that was the most boxy, full coverage shape she’d ever seen. “Howard, this is atrocious.”

“I know,” he groused. “It’s an abomination and should never see the light of day, never mind be worn by a beautiful woman such as yourself.” He pulled it from her fingers and pressed against the cup, which didn’t fold as he pushed. “But it was the only way we could give you some body armor. Won’t be comfortable, but it’s the only thing we could make with anything near a chest plate in it… even if it’s a fashion crime.”

Peggy took the brassiere back and held it in her hands, pressing against the molded metal. “Well, then, I do appreciate it, Howard, though I’m not going to ask how you seemed to know my measurements.”

He let a cheeky smile split his face. “I estimated. I’m pretty good at that- lots of experience.” He sobered quickly when she didn’t laugh. “Like I said, best we can do.” He shrugged. “I’m shipping back out with Phillips, but if you guys think of anything else you need, I can get it to you in a few days, or whenever the next transport goes out. However,” Howard held up his pointer fingers and backed away, heading back to the closet, “there’s one more thing.” He came back with a small box this time, and opened it to reveal three rings.

Steve leaned forward, whistling. “Gonna be a hard sell that I could afford that on a soldier’s salary,” he looked at the sparkling diamond that was a size he only ever heard about.

Peggy huffed a laugh. “I’ll barely be able to hold my hand up! Howard, that’s excessive.”

“It needs to stand out, in real life and on stage,” he pulled the diamond engagement ring out and showed her the far edge. “It also had to be big enough for us to cut it right. This edge here will cut through glass and most thin steals. Should be flat enough that when you’re wearing it that it’s not dangerous, but when you take it off,” he turned it at an angle and pressed it to the steel work table, “Forty five to fifty five degree angle and a little bit of pressure,” he pulled it across the table for an inch and smiled when he left a thin gash behind, “and you’ve got a lot of options.”

“Genius!” Peggy pulled it from him, examining the edge and running her finger over it, excited about the possibilities.

“It’s also big enough that if you punch a guy in the eye with it, it should do some damage.” Howard shrugged. “Now, the wedding bands have their own advantages.” He pulled the larger one out and showed them the bevel cut edge. “Looks like a decorative pattern, right?”

“Right…” Steve replied, eyeing it carefully.

“Find the catch at the bottom and… voila!” Howard pulled at the edge and unwound a thin wire from inside the ring, “Hidden garrote wire!”

Steve reached out, plucking it until it vibrated in Howard’s hands. “And that’s for…”

“Strangling, disabling, slicing off fingers… it’s conductive and can be welded if you find yourself in need of some light tampering with electronics.” Howard gave a tiny tug and the wire wound itself back up into the ring, hiding from view. “Also good at cutting bread and cheese.”  He pulled at the latch once again, this time just pressing it so it stood out like a needle from the edge of the ring. “Can also be used as a puncture needle. Dip it in poison, knock out drops, or just to annoy your friends.” He snapped it back into place and twirled what now looked like any other ring between his fingers.

“That is impressive,” Peggy mused, reaching out to take her ring from the box. Steve’s hand snatched it away first, though. She looked up at him, but he held out his other hand, waiting for her to put the engagement ring in his palm.

“I think that’s my job, don’t you?” he asked, more confident than she knew he felt based on the sweat on his palm when she placed the ring in.

“Alright then,” she held her left hand out, hoping that her own sudden nervousness didn’t show. “Go ahead, Mr. Rogers.”

He licked his lips, and she could feel his hands shaking just a bit as he took hers, slipping the wedding band on her ring finger, followed by the faux diamond. “There you go, Mrs. Rogers.” He held her hand loosely, getting bolder by the second when she didn’t pull away.

She was only marginally aware of Howard as he held Steve’s ring out to her, taking it in her hand without looking at the scientist, and slipping it on Steve’s finger. “There you go, darling,” she whispered, entranced by his eyes and the feeling of their hands together, the metal of the rings slipping against their skin, not quite warm yet, not quite familiar, but feeling somehow so totally right that she could hardly breathe.

“Oh, no. No. Continue. Just pretend I’m not here,” Howard’s voice broke them apart, pulling their eyes to him where he was sitting on a stool a few feet away, smiling like the cat that ate the canary.

Peggy dropped Steve’s hand, but didn’t stop fidgeting with her rings. “Have you anything else for us, Howard?” She forced a strong tone, and thought she managed pretty well.

Howard, however, saw right through her. “Nah. Not for you, anyway. Steve and I have to go through some more testing before I give him up, and that’s a lot to fit in only a day.”

Peggy looked over at Steve, who seemed a mess of emotions all written on his face plain as day: confused, frustrated, embarrassed, tired… she ached for his plight. “You’re alright with that?”

“I have to be.” Peggy saw the exact moment he bucked up and shoved the emotions away in favor of duty. Her emotions must have shown on her face more than she wanted them to, because he smirked and shrugged, trying to placate her further. “Besides, we’re finding out some pretty neat things about what I can do.”

“Neat?” Howard nearly choked, “Buddy, if you call this neat, we seriously have to work on your vocabulary.” Howard looked at Peggy, dead serious. “He can bench press a tank.”

She was stunned at that. She knew he’d be strong, but that was far exceeding what even Erskine had predicted. In her surprise, she could say only one thing, “Neat.”

~*~

Peggy spent the next morning in her room, packing things in her trunk carefully. She didn’t have much since she couldn’t take her uniforms with her. She packed the handful of dresses she had, and the one good woolen coat that wasn’t army-issued. She packed every stocking she had with care, looking over them for runs and holes and even mending one before settling them down amongst her packed clothes. She layered things by usefulness, and carefully packed away the little make up and nail varnish she had left. She set her paperbacks on top, knowing she hadn’t managed more than a page or two over the course of the war and it was hope more than any real belief that she would read them that made her pack them.

She’d had another sleepless night, and wasn’t sure how she was going to make it through all of this if she couldn’t get a decent night’s rest.

Peggy was sure the fact that she’d already experienced leaning over his bloodied body, thinking he was dying, was the very thing fueling her dread.

She packed methodically, taking everything except the army-issue clothes. She even packed canteens and belts, knowing she could get away with fibbing some of them were Steve’s.

Anything she couldn’t take she packed in a duffel. Phillips said it would be stored for her, but she knew she was unlikely to ever see those things again, no matter if things went right or wrong. She ran her thumb over her SSR pin, shining bright on the last jacket as she packed it away.

Peggy wished she understood this swirl of emotion. She was used to the rush of excitement, the fear of the unknown that each new case brought, not this complicated mess of uncertainty.

She zipped the bag and left it on the bed, now stripped down to a bare mattress, with her sheets folded at the corner.

Some other woman would be taking her room now, some other agent or secretary would move in with a handful of crisp, fresh army linens and the relief of having her own room instead of a bunk in the barracks.

Peggy closed her trunk with a sigh and turned to the mirror one more time. She hadn’t put on this dress in months, and her pumps felt so high after so long in just the little army issue shoes that barely had any heel. She supposed she looked good enough for war time, though in her mind her mother was scolding her for even thinking of going out traveling without a hat and gloves.

Gloves, she thought, would be a travesty. She rubbed her thumb over her rings, smiling. She’d gotten used to them quickly, and even though she shared Steve’s assertion that the diamond was a touch big, something about them felt reassuring.

She was pulled from her musing by a knock at her door. “Yes?”

“Peg?”

She smiled, despite herself. Steve’s voice was warm and welcome.

“Perfect timing,” She called, moving the few feet to open the door. She smiled at him, dressed back in a full drab green dress uniform, though without all the valor pinned to his chest. “Still looks good on you.”

He blushed and dropped his head, shrugging. She nearly chuckled at how much of him he still was, and then felt a warm surge of happiness as she watched how he twirled his ring with his other hand, spinning it over and over on his finger. He finally lifted his eyes back up, one half of his mouth lifted and eyes bright. “You look beautiful. I’m not used to seeing you out of uniform.”

“Well, get used to it,” she stepped back and let him in. “I’ve had to leave behind all the regulation clothes except for a few blouses and odds and ends that might be useful. No more Army green for me.”

“You look better in red, anyway.” His voice was so quiet she might have missed it if she hadn’t been looking right at him as he said it. She couldn’t help but smile, and she could tell he struggled to find what to say next. He finally broke the silence by pointing at her trunk. “All packed?” he asked, full of bravado and reassured by the banality of the task.

“Yes, quite.” She felt an awkwardness settle about them that she had to make sure they moved past it. They knew each other so little, but in a just a few hours, no matter what this spark was that was lighting between them, they had to convince the world they were married. “I’ve packed it pretty tightly, so do be careful.”

Steve smiled, reaching down and lifting it easily. “It’s a little lighter than a tank, so I think I’ll manage.”

She rolled her eyes, teasing back. “Wires, I suspect. Can’t lift more than an ant without them.”

“Or so I’ve been told,” he retorted, showing off and holding it up with only one hand. “Come on,” He stepped forward, moving to the door. “There’s a car waiting for us, has the two trunks you filled yesterday and mine on it already. We’ll strap this on then get going for the train station.”

Peggy followed him out, looking over her little room one last time and grabbing her purse, closing the door swiftly and trying to imagine she’d locked up all her confused feelings about everything back in that room. “You know,” she began as they moved down the hall, “I’m not a very vain person, but the idea that people will believe I’m toting around three trunks of my own things when people are struggling with so little now does sting a little.”

She moved quickly to get in front of him and held open the door for him, following as he directed her to the car. “You know,” he started, gently setting down the trunk in the back of the jeep and making sure it wasn’t moving before he pushed the tailgate up, “my wife’s allowed to bring as much stuff with her as she wants.” He smiled, hands on his hips. “Anyone else be damned.”

Peggy managed to clock that the jeep and the driver were not from their camp or their regiment, and though she’d counted on the time during the drive to set some things about their past together straight, she realized they were out of time, and the charade began now. She took a few long strides and wound her arms around his neck. “How simply wonderful of you to say, darling.” She felt a shiver go up her spine when his hands lightly wrapped around her hips. She smiled to reassure him, and his grip tightened. “Especially considering you’re the one that has to carry them.”

She could tell Steve was struggling with what he wanted to do next. She could see indecision in his eyes: there was something he wanted to do, but he didn’t think he should.

If he was thinking the same thing she was, making out in the middle of the base was both a fabulous idea to keep up their cover and a horrible idea considering she could see Phillips and Stark watching them from across the camp. She pulled back, taking the choice from him. “Come along, darling. The train won’t wait for us!”

She pulled his hand along to the side of the jeep, letting him boost her up and then scooting over so he could sit next to her.

“Ready, sir?” The private in front asked.

“As ready as we’ll ever be,” Steve replied, and the jeep rumbled to life, driving them away from Lehigh and down to the train station.

[quickspinner]

Weekly Lukanette Link Roundup

What is the Weekly Roundup? | Previous Weekly Roundups

From @verfound: Princess Heartmaker Ch 9 | Ch 10

From @mintaka14: Don’t Go Down By Carter Hall Ch 1 | Ch 2 | Ch 3 (complete)

From @goldenlaurelleaveswrites: 100 Followers Celebration | Passionate kiss in the rain

From @sassyduckqueen: Rise of Anatis Ch 72

If I missed something that should be included, reblog, reply, DM, or drop the link in my asks and I’ll make sure it goes on next week’s roundup! If you prefer not to be included in these roundups for any reason please drop me a message, or if you post something that you would like to be sure I include, please drop a link in my asks and I’ll make sure it gets listed (Lukanette endgame only please - see what is the weekly roundup for more details). If you want to be sure I’ve flagged your work for inclusion you can check the quickroundup tag on my blog to see what I’ve got in the queue for this week.

If you find something you like please like/reblog the original post to let the author know you enjoyed their work!

[skyler10fic]

Reveal - Ch. 2: Encryption

Fic summary: It is time for Carol, Daisy, Jemma, and Fitz to finally find out the secret behind the Secret Warriors program they signed up for when they entered Carter Academy last year to become Shield agents. But Daisy and Carol have another secret they must share with each other—and the world—before it tears them apart.

Summary: Carol visits Professor Phil Johnson for Secret Warriors information but comes away emotionally shaken for a different reason, causing her to reevaluate the nature of her budding relationship with Daisy.

Read on Ao3 | Chapter 1

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

Walking across campus in the heat of the afternoon, Carol tried to think of an excuse for asking Professor Phil Johnson about the Secret Warriors selection process and was coming up empty. She didn’t know how she’d gotten herself into this. 

Well, that was a lie. She knew exactly how she’d gotten herself into it. Daisy Johnson had been upset. Specifically, the fire in Daisy sparked something in her that would do anything to burn in tandem. 

To use an old metaphor, Daisy wouldn’t even have to ask her to jump off a bridge, but if she got it in her mind to do it herself, Carol would be right there beside her in midair without looking back. And seeing Daisy’s smile, it wouldn’t be like falling; it’d be soaring in flight—“Ow!” Carol’s lovelorn imaginings were interrupted by bumping into a bike rack as she made her way to Professor Johnson’s office. Head in the clouds, her mother would have scolded with a tsk. 

It’s true, she admitted to herself, her crush on Daisy was a distraction. At least until she knew Daisy felt the same. She dared to hope and had come dangerously close to kissing her on multiple occasions, and it could be her imagination, but Daisy hadn’t shied away. That had to mean something. 

The more cautious side of her brought to mind Daisy’s high school dates to school dances: all boys. She’d even been pretty serious with Lincoln Campbell in 10th grade, before his family moved to China. It didn’t mean she wasn’t into girls too, but so far, Carol didn’t have any definitive proof and if she was assuming wrong… everything could go disastrously. Losing Daisy as a friend would be worse than anything. 

She navigated the grand marble halls of the history and tactics building, arrived at Professor Phil Johnson’s office, and took a breath before knocking on the door. If she had any shot with Daisy whatsoever, Carol needed to preserve Professor Johnson’s good opinion of her. Daisy adored her dad, and he was as perceptive as could be expected of a former high-ranking spy (and, what’s more, an educator with nearly 20 years experience of seeing through students’ bullshit).

“Ah!” He answered the heavy wooden door with a smile. “Miss Danvers. So nice to see you. Come in.” 

She sat across from his large desk and marveled at the array of trinkets that decorated his office. “Nice collection.” 

“I’m a bit of a collector. All Shield history.” He held up an ordinary-appearing clock paperweight. “This one is particularly interesting—”   

Before he could tell the story, his secretary, a jolly woman in her 60s, knocked on the doorframe and brought in his coffee. “Oh, don’t get him started,” she teased. “He could go on for hours.” 

Professor Johnson chuckled. “Miss Danvers, this is Rose Roberts, the magic behind the functioning of the department. Ms. Roberts, this is Cadet Carol Danvers.”

“Oh, this is THE Carol?” Ms. Roberts inquired. “Daisy talks about you all the time when she’s around. From what I hear, you’re practically sisters!” 

Carol knew Ms. Roberts was simply trying to put Carol at ease, help her feel more at home in the history department’s hustle and bustle. But Carol couldn’t help the way her hopeful smile fell and a fake one replaced it. Worse, Professor Johnson noticed, as he was watching her carefully. She’d spent enough time with their family to know he was gauging her reaction.

“Pretty much!” Carol responded with a forced giggle. “Like sisters.” 

Ms. Roberts smiled down at her affectionately. “Well, the department is like a big family too, and you’re always welcome here.”  

The kindness and sincerity in her tone was almost enough to loosen the pit in Carol’s stomach but not quite. 

The door closed behind Ms. Roberts as she left them to their discussion of Carol’s paper.

Professor Johnson was quiet for a moment, with an expression somewhere between curiosity and fatherly compassion. “So, your paper was good. Next up is to build out the individual sections, maybe interview a Shield pilot or two, some of the retired flight crew, but I could see this going to the undergrad awards committee.”

Carol had nearly forgotten they were there to discuss her schoolwork. She blinked in surprise. “Wow, thank you. That’d be an honor.” 

“You can pick up the form from Ms. Roberts, but besides that, keep up the good work. Unless there is something else you wanted to talk about, Ms. Danvers?” He tilted his head to the side just a smidge. A tell that he was holding back and wanted her to make the first move. 

“Actually,” she began, remembering her true purpose there, “I have an unrelated question, one that required meeting in person. It’s about the Program.”

Professor Johnson’s expression remained neutral. “Go ahead.” 

“I was wondering how the selection process…” She realized the question was too technical. Her developing spy instincts told her, Don’t ask about Shield procedure. Make it personal. Phil Johnson sees himself as a father figure helping his students not only in their classwork, but through life. Use that. “I mean, why me?” 

She let the question hang in the air. It wasn’t totally believable. She wasn’t normally one to doubt her place anywhere she went and tended to adapt to anything life threw her way. She’d spent enough time with him, with his family, in his home, to know he might not bite. 

“A lot of kids ask the same thing,” he sympathized. “They’ll say, ‘Why pick me?’ ‘I’m nobody special. I’ve never done big, heroic things.’ But that’s it. That’s the secret. It’s just ordinary people, choosing to sacrifice and to bear the weight of these gifts for the greater good.” 

“Like Captain America.” He was avoiding the question, but she could play ball too. She’d seen his card collection. 

Professor Johnson lit up. “Exactly. Just an ordinary kid from Brooklyn, a nobody, until he was given the chance to do something great. That’s what it’s about. It’s not the gift you’re given. It’s what you do with it.” 

Carol was picking up on a company line or slogan or something. It was true, and a catchy theme, but didn’t answer her question. Not only why them, but also, why not the other cadets? What made their group more special “ordinary kids” than the rest? But she didn’t get a chance to ask before Professor Johnson’s computer dinged with a calendar alert. 

“Unfortunately, we’re out of time. I’ve got Field Tactics and Strategy next. A class I hope you’ll consider taking next semester. You’d be good at it.” Professor Johnson stood and buttoned his suit jacket, then stuck out a hand. “Always good to see you, Carol.” 

She shook his hand and met his eyes. The fatherly compassion was back, but she didn’t have time to process that emotion: the way her own dad would never look at her like that. It was time to report back to the group that her mission had failed. 

Ms. Roberts smiled as Carol passed her desk.

“Tell your ‘sister’ I said hello. Good to meet you today, Miss Danvers!”

Carol forced a smile back. “You too!” 

She let herself get down the hallway and nearly out the door before the echo of Ms. Robert’s comment stung at her tear ducts, but she fought it back valiantly. Like sisters. Daisy had described their friendship to her dad’s secretary as being like sisters. Carol’s mind began to play back all the times she had thought there was something between them. Something romantic. 

Head in the clouds, she heard her mother’s voice say. Always full of impossible dreams. She shook her blond waves to clear her head. Instead of meeting up with her friends at the usual homework spot, she headed home. She dug out her earbuds and hit play on her gay heartache playlist once more.

[theart2rock]

Vor 40 Jahren - April 1984

Ich möchte mir vornehmen, jeden Monat 40 Jahre zurückschauen und einen kurzen Rückblick zu machen. Dabei auch einmal über den Tellerrand der Rockmusik zu schauen. Events - 01. April - Das New Yorker Magazin Trouser Press veröffentlicht nach einer Dekade der Existenz ihre 96. und letzte Ausgabe. - 01. April - Marvin Gaye wird bei einem Streit von seinem Vater erschossen. - 01. April - München startet ein Pilotprojekt mit Kabelfernsehen. - 04. April - Ronald Reagan setzt sich ein das chemische Kampfwaffen verboten werden sollen. - 05. April - Michael Tippet's The Mask Of Time wird in der Symphony Hall in Bosten uraufgeführt. - 06. April - Die unendliche Geschichte wird uraufgeführt. - 06. April - Die 11. Space Shuttle Mission (41C) startet, es ist der 5. Start der Challenger. Und zum ersten Mal sind 11 Personen gleichzeitig im All - 07. April - Die verflixte 7 mit Rudi Carrell feiert Premiere. - 09. April - Die Oskars werden zum 56. Mal vergeben. - 11. April - Chinesen marschieren in Vietnam ein. - 13. April - Die Challenger landet wieder auf der Erde. - 14. April - Die Pop-Ska Band Doe Maar geben ihr Abschiedskonzert - 15. April - Der Komiker Tommy Cooper stirbt live am Fernsehen an einem Herzinfark. Viele dachten erst es gehört zum Programm. - 19. April - Der Stern Nemesis taucht zum ersten Mal in den Medien auf als mögliche Ursache für das Artensterben zur Zeit der Dinosaurier. - 20. April - Im Terminal 2 des Londoner Flughafens Heathrow explodiert im eine Bombe, 22 werden verletzt. - 21. April - Michael Jackson's Thriller wird nach 37 Wochen vom Soundtrack zu Footloose vom Platz 1 der Billboard Charts gestossen. - 21. April - In Frankreich wird der Virus entdeckt, der AIDS auslöst. - 24. April - Auf der Sonne bricht ein massiver Sonnensturm aus, so stark dass Blackouts auf der Erde möglich waren. - 29. April - Die Serie Per Anhalter durch die Galaxy wird zum ersten Mal im deutschen Fernsehen ausgestrahlt. Wichtige Veröffentlichungen - Lament - Ultravox - Reckoning - R.E.M. - Grace Under Pressure - Rush - At War With Satan - Venom - Crusader - Saxon - Bananarama - Bananarama - Junk Culture - Orchestrael Manoeuvers In The Dark - The Pros And Cons Of Hitch Hiking - Roger Waters - The Top - The Cure - Vengeance - New Model Army - Caught In The Act - Styx - Keep Your Hans Off My Power Supply - Slade - New Sensations - Lou Reed - Self Control - Laura Branigan - Street Talk - Steve Perry Schweizer Hitparade Platz 1 Single Charts - Relax - Frankie Goes To Hollywood - Zu nah am Feuer - Stefan Waggershausen & Alice - Big In Japan - Alphaville Schweizer Hitparade Platz 1 Album Charts - Ammonia Avenue - The Alan Parsons Project - Victims Of Circumstance - Barclay James Harvest Schweizer Interpreten in den CH-Charts - Keine Schweizer Interpreten in den Single Charts US Billboard Single Charts - Footloose - Kenny Loggins - Against all Odds (Take A Look At Me Now) - Phil collins US Billboard Album Charts - Thriller - Michael Jackson - Footloose - Soundtrack UK Single Charts - Hello - Lionel Richie UK Album Charts - Can't Slow Down - Lionel Richie - Now 2 - Various Artists Happy Birthday - 06. April - Max Bemis (Say Anything) - 07. April - Belly (Rapper) - 08. April - Andrew Huang (Produzent) - 10. April - Mandy Moore - 22. April - Amelle Berrabah - Sugababes - 23. April - Lil Eazy-E - 24. April - Tyson Ritter (The All-American Rejects) - 27. April - Patrick Stump (Fall Out Boy) - 27. April - Frank Carter Farewell - 01. April - Marvin Gaye - 06. April - Jimmy Kennedy (Songschreiber) - 27. April - Z.Z. Hill Lesen Sie den ganzen Artikel

[newmusicradionetwork]

T.G. Sheppard Announces Crystal Gayle, Clint Black, Mark Wills & Jake Owen As Future Guests On The T.G. Sheppard Show

Country music legend and SiriusXM host T.G. Sheppard continues to bring some of the hottest names in country music as his special guests on The T.G. Sheppard Show on SiriusXM’s Prime Country (ch. 58). Airing weekly each Friday at 3 pm ET and again on Saturdays at 12 am ET and Wednesdays at 12 pm ET, Sheppard plays some of the biggest hits from the 80s and 90s and shares behind-the-scenes stories with the most recognizable names in country music from that era. With a different guest each week, Sheppard has recently shared exclusive interviews with Reba McEntire, Lee Greenwood, Tracy Lawrence, Barbara Mandrell, The Bellamy Brothers, and Travis Tritt, just to name a few, and is excited to announce his upcoming guests will include Crystal Gayle, Mark Wills, Clint Black, and Jake Owen. T.G. Sheppard fans will not want to miss this one-of-a-kind show, which can also be heard on-demand on the SXM App. “To be part of the SiriusXM Radio family with my own show is more exciting now than ever,” shares Sheppard. “I’m also amazed and appreciate so deeply how much my music is still being played on the radio and enjoyed by music fans everywhere. It seems like only yesterday that we were celebrating the release of “Slow Burn.“ It’s still one of my favorites even though it’s been 40 years. My Oh My! Where does the time go?” Due to his success throughout the 80s and 90s with a total of 21 #1 hits, The T.G. Sheppard Show’s popularity continues to soar on SiriusXM’s Prime Country. He is currently celebrating the 40th Anniversary of his hit album ‘Slow Burn’ which was released in 1983 and the title track became Sheppard’s thirteenth number-one hit. The album also included the popular singles “Make My Day” with Clint Eastwood and “Somewhere Down The Line.” How subscribers can listen: SiriusXM’s Prime Country is available to subscribers nationwide on SiriusXM radios, the SXM App, and with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or however they stream at home. Streaming access is included with all of SiriusXM’s trials and most popular plans. T.G. Sheppard Upcoming Tour Dates: FEB 11 – Dixie Carter Performing Arts Center / Huntingdon, Tenn. MAR 12 – Florida Strawberry Festival / Plant City, Fla. MAR 25 – Wharton County Youth Fair / Wharton, Texas APR 22 – Orange Blossom Opry / Weirsdale, Fla. MAY 27 – Real Life Amphitheater / Selma, Texas JUN 16 – Blue Gate Music Hall / Shipshewana, Ind. (With T. Graham Brown) AUG 05 – Sugar Creek Casino / Hinton, Okla. AUG 12 – Liberty Showcase Inc. / Liberty, N.C. NOV 03 – Private Event / Nashville, Tenn. For more information on T.G. Sheppard and his schedule, visit his website, YouTube page, or follow him on social media: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Website | YouTube About T.G. Sheppard: T.G. Sheppard has always had an unstoppable passion for music. That passion, combined with a steadfast dedication to entertainment, has made him one of the most popular live performers in country music today. With 21 #1 hit songs, his live concerts are chock full of his chart-topping tunes like “Last Cheater’s Waltz,” “I Loved ‘Em Every One,” and “Do You Wanna Go To Heaven.” Sheppard released his latest album, Midnight In Memphis, in 2019. With more than 40 years of show business under his belt, it’s only natural that Sheppard has developed a reputation as a solid performer who delivers exactly what audiences want. All this and more, combined with a steadfast commitment to entertainment, has truly made T.G. Sheppard one of the great legends in country music. About SiriusXM: Sirius XM Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: SIRI) is the leading audio entertainment company in North America and the premier programmer and platform for subscription and digital advertising-supported audio products. SiriusXM’s platforms collectively reach approximately 150 million listeners, the largest digital audio audience across paid and free tiers in North America, and deliver music, sports, talk, news, comedy, entertainment, and podcasts. Pandora, a subsidiary of SiriusXM, is the largest ad-supported audio entertainment streaming service in the U.S. SiriusXM’s subsidiaries Stitcher, Simplecast and AdsWizz make it a leader in podcast hosting, production, distribution, analytics, and monetization. The Company’s advertising sales arm, SXM Media, leverages its scale, cross-platform sales organization, and ad tech capabilities to deliver results for audio creators and advertisers. SiriusXM, through Sirius XM Canada Holdings, Inc., also offers satellite radio and audio entertainment in Canada. In addition to its audio entertainment businesses, SiriusXM offers connected vehicle services to automakers. For more about SiriusXM, please go to siriusxm.com. # # # Suggested post: .@TGSheppardMusic announces upcoming guests @TheCrystalGayle @MarkWillsMusic @Clint_Black and more on #TheTGSheppardShow on @SiriusXM’s @SXMPrimeCountry Channel 58 Read the full article

[dcmultiverse]

We’re the Justice Society.

BLACK ADAM (2022)

[shayerathals]

ALDIS HODGE as Carter Hall

Black Adam (2022)

[valwentinefics]

Altruism Ch. 3 - Zemo x F!reader x Bucky

A/n: So this chapter isn’t the best but I thought I’d give you Bucky fans something. I am benevolent. I can’t wait till I don’t have to type out what the characters say word for word in the show, its torture.

Warnings: Cannon typical violence

Translations: Liebling (Darling)

Series Masterlist

Madripoor - 2024

Y/n’s mind ran at a thousand miles an hour as the group walked down the hall, her hand still intertwined with Zemo’s. She longed to go to Bucky, to ask if he was okay and help him through whatever thoughts were bound to be swirling through his head right now, but she knew she couldn’t, it would jeopardize the whole mission. She was grateful to at least have Zemo to cling onto, despite her feelings about the man. His cool, confident demeanor was comforting to her during this time and his warm hand wasn’t that unpleasant to hold.

“You should know Baron, people don’t just come into my bar and make demands.” Stated a short white haired woman who lounged on a snakeskin patterned couch. Her presence was intimidating, Y/n felt uncomfortable being around her.

“Not a demand, an offer.” Zemo stated, sitting down in a chair and pulling Y/n into his lap which startled her. “Keep with the act Liebling.” He mumbled into Y/n’s ear. She wasn’t sure what he had called her, she had to remember to ask him what it meant later.

“A lot has changed since you were last here.” Selby glanced over to Bucky who was doing his best stoic stare. “By the way, I thought you were rotting away in a German prison. How did you escape?”

“People like us always find a way, don’t we?” He paused, looking smug. “I’m sure you already know what I’m here for.”

Selby seemed to be stalling, pointing to Sam. “You’re taller than I’ve heard, Smiling tiger.” Sam replied with a nod as always. Y/n considered herself lucky, unlike Bucky and Sam, attention was never on her, she just had to sit there and look pretty. However, that thought jinxed her.

“And who’s the girl? Never thought you were the meek and pretty type Baron.” She commented on Y/n’s frightened demeanor.

Zemo’s arm wrapped tighter around Y/n’s waist “I just call her my little bunny. But Selby, to what we were discussing.” Zemo said, putting the conversation back on track.

“Right then, what’s the offer?” She asked, looking around the room, her eyes lingering on Bucky.

“Tell us what you know about the super soldier serum, and I give you him.” Zemo gestured to Bucky. “Along with the code words to control him of course.”

A mischievous grin spread on her face, sending a chill down Y/n’s spine. “I’m glad I decided not to kill you immediately. The serum is here in Madripoor, Dr. Wilfred Nagel is the man you’d want to thank, or condemn. He was working on it for the power broker but things didn’t go as planned.”

“Is Nagel still in Madripoor?” Asked Zemo. Somehow his confident and cool demeanor never faltered. Y/n had to admit, in a way the man was quite attractive with the way he managed to navigate the criminal underworld without batting an eye.

“Oh” she said with mock sadness “The breadcrumbs you can have for free, but the bakery is gonna cost ya’ Baron. And before you get all cute, don’t think you can find Nagel without me.” She got up and began to approach Y/n and Zemo. The tense moment was interrupted by the ringing of Sam’s phone. “Answer it.” 

Sam tapped on his phone, a woman's voice coming out of it, the words she spoke making Y/n’s blood run cold. “Hey Sam-” Quickly Sam hung up, but not before the damage had been done.

“Sam? Who’s Sam? Kill them!” Selby commanded, that same instant a bullet came flying through the window and into her chest, a choked noise coming from her as she collapsed to the floor. 

Y/n sprung up as Sam and Bucky fought the guards, swiftly disarming them with precision. Bucky looked through the scope of the gun he had taken, looking around with the precise caution of a hawk. Y/n moved closer to him, not wanting to be near Zemo any longer. It wasn’t that she didn’t like being around him, it was the opposite. She found his touch comforting, and she knew she had to stay away for that reason.

“They’re gonna pin this on us!” Sam worried, standing by the door and gripping his gun. 

Zemo only sighed. “We have a real problem now, so leave your weapons and follow my lead.” Y/n was confused. Leave their weapons?  How would they defend themselves? Nonetheless Sam and Bucky did as they were told.

The sound of cellphones chiming rang out all around them as they quickly walked down the street. Y/n’s nerves were acting up, her whole body feeling as if it was in fight or flight mode. She was scared of what would happen next, never before had she been the target in a battle. They had just crossed under a bridge when a few lights went out without warning. Y/n looked at her comrades with a panicked look, moments before gunshots rang throughout the area. 

Zemo grabbed Y/n’s hand, pulling her away from the others. She stumbled after him as fast as she could, lucky she was somewhat adept at running in heels. Her breath was heavy as she resisted the urge to look back, her body aching to run after wherever Bucky and Sam went. Roughly Y/n was pushed against a wall in an alley, Zemo’s warm body flesh against her own. His breath was hot against her neck as they hid in the shadows until a set of headlights passed by. She barely had time to catch her breath before she was pulled away again. Zemo pulled a gun out of his coat as Sam and Bucky grew closer, shooting a man who was approaching them. Y/n watched in shock as he slumped to the ground. Two more men approached from the shadows, Y/n ran over to Bucky and tucked herself behind him, squeezing her eyes shut in fear before the sound of two more gunshots rang out. Hesitantly she opened her eyes, seeing the two men now dead.

“You seem to have a guardian angel.” Said Zemo, alarm showing on his face.

“Well this is too perfect!” A feminine voice stated, Y/n’s eyes widening as she realized it was Sharon Carter.

-

Sharon Carter was kind of awful now, but Y/n couldn’t complain as the woman agreed to help them out after she had the situation explained to her. Now Y/n and Bucky were alone in her apartment above her art gallery as a party raged downstairs. Zemo and Sam had been happy for the chance to let loose after everything that had happened and opted to join the party while Sharon looked for information. Y/n was glad to be out of that godforsaken dress and instead in an outfit of her choosing, no longer feeling like she was flashing someone every time she moved.

Y/n sat down next to Bucky on the green couch, leaning into him slightly. He didn’t seem to mind it, his arm resting around her body comfortably. Unlike Sam and Zemo, Bucky didn’t want to indulge himself in a fun night after the events that had happened earlier, and so as a good friend Y/n decided to stay with him to make sure he was okay.

“Bucky, how are you feeling?” Y/n broke the silence between the two, angling her body to face him.

“Fine… I’m fine.” He smiled at her, although Y/n could see through his façade.

“You don’t need to lie. What you had to do must have brought up a lot of feelings. You don't need to explain them to me, I just want to check up on you.” She looked at the man who’s steely blue eyes were filled with a deep sorrow she couldn’t even imagine feeling. Part of her wanted to hold him close, to let him know he’s loved and cared for, but she didn’t want to overstep right now.

Bucky exhaled, looking away. “I think Steve was wrong about me. Maybe I am just a monster.” His voice cracked as he explained, holding back tears. Bucky’s fear of being nothing but a coldblooded killer was a frequent discussion between the two during late night talks where they poured their hearts out to each other in Y/n’s apartment. So although this thought came as no surprise to Y/n, it still hurt her to see her friend and slight crush feel that way. “It was so easy to fall back into being the Winter Soldier… maybe it's because even after all this time that's who I still am. A killer.” He looked at his gloved metal hand with a sorrowful glare.

Y/n placed a comforting hand on his thigh, moving his gaze from his hand to Y/n, his eyes searching her face for comfort. “Bucky, that’s not who you are. You call yourself a monster but you’re the most caring and kind man I know.”

“I saw how you looked at me Y/n, you were terrified. You were clinging onto Zemo as if you were scared I lost control.” He looked away from her and down at the floor. “You’re the person I care for most now that Steve’s gone, and you were scared of me. I never wanted you to have to see me like that.”

Guilt bit at Y/n, blaming herself for her friend's state. “Yes I was scared. I was scared you would lose control, that you would revert back to the Winter Soldier. My fear was for you, not of you.” She explained. “Bucky, I could never truly be scared of you. Those late nights where we would watch movies or listen to music and just talk about our lives mean so much to me. I know you’re good in your heart, remember when I healed the wounds the Wakandans couldn’t fully fix before you went under again? If I thought you were a monster I wouldn’t have done that, I wouldn’t have wanted to handle your pain for you. But I knew you weren’t a monster, nothing you did was your fault. I know it, Sam knows it, hell even Zemo knows it! And Bucky, I’ll be here for you until you realize it too.” She held his hand between hers, her eyes studying the side of his face.

“Y/n.. I need to tell you something. I-” Bucky began hesitantly, only to pause when Sharon entered the room looking proud.

“Guys we’ve got to go, I found some information about the serum.” She said. The pair stood up, following her to find Zemo and Sam.

The question of what Bucky was going to say hung in Y/n’s mind as she navigated through the crowd of people, her hand reaching for Bucky’s to ensure she wouldn’t get lost. His hand firmly wrapped around hers, giving it a small squeeze as to let her know he would always be there for her. Through the security and safety she felt just by holding his hand, Y/n realized she didn’t need to find out what he was going to say right away. The two would have all the time in the world to tell each other things, because she knew Bucky would never let go, and she never wanted him to.

-

@yaskna​ @noavengers​ @lostghostgirl94​ @whatawildone​ @lady-latte​ @chipster-21​ @viviace​ @writeroutoftime​ @spookycereal-s​ @nadder37 @ajeff855​ @safiakillspop​ @thiccmemechicc​ @sgold If I missed you, added you on accident, or you would like to be added/removed let me know!

[pagesoflauren]

The Riveter Ch. 4

Steve Rogers x mechanic!reader

Summary: After escaping Hydra, you assist Dr. Erskine in helping Steve Rogers become Captain America. When Erskine is assassinated, you think your WWII career is over. Unfortunately, the SSR and Hydra are not done with you yet.

Warnings: swearing, angst, mentions of death, canon-typical violence, mentions of trauma, slow burn, dialogue-heavy chapters, comic book science

A/N: I hope you enjoy this. I had fun writing it!  Thank you to @seeevans and @dbnightingale24 for helping me with this! Major shoutout to @writeyourmindaway for creating such wonderful and beautiful dividers! 

Series Masterlist

Masterlist

You’re jostled awake, shaken as you lay at the end of a truck bed, spotting the shaky view of the road. The sky is filled with smoke, the bitter smell filling your lungs, beckoning you away from dreamland. 

Though, your sleep was dreamless nonetheless. 

You can’t recall anything immediately, only feeling the urgent need to get off the truck you’re on. As your senses slowly become acute, you can hear some soldiers speaking German behind you. 

“It’s amazing it’s still asleep,” one mutters. 

“I wonder what Herr Schmidt did,” another voice responds. 

“That’s not important,” the first one speaks up again. “We should not concern ourselves with such matters too much. All we need to know is it’s vital to us winning the war.”

You cringe at the pronoun they use for you, but ignore it as you begin to devise a plan to escape. 

Slitting your eyes open, you spy the switch used to drop the tailgate. Stretching your leg under the guise of fidgeting in your sleep, your toe just reaches the lever. You don’t hear or sense any movement from the men, so you keep your foot poised there. 

A few minutes later, you hear exactly what you were hoping for: “Hold on, men!” the driver calls from the cab. 

There’s a rough patch in the road and you kick. The other objects and the metal rack above the bed rattle too, masking the sound of the tailgate dropping. With it down, you’re exposed to the breeze.

You’re tossed this way and that and the men seem distracted with securing whatever else is being transported with you. You take that as your opportunity, rolling out and bracing yourself quickly. 

Falling on the bumpy dirt road knocks the breath out of you, but you gulp and turn to your front to get to your feet. Before the men can recognize that you’re gone, you’ve disappeared into the treeline. 

Leaning against a trunk, you catch your breath and try to orient yourself, but you don’t have much direction. What began as confusion between east and west grew into not knowing which way is up or down. Sliding down to sit, you lean your head back. When you close your eyes, you hear Zola’s voice echoing in your head. 

-----

Celebrations were underway, Steve still receiving congratulations while the captured men reunited with their friends, lovers, and commanders. He even received the Medal of Valor, which he didn’t attend the ceremony for. 

Not only was there so much to do in London, he knew in his heart he couldn’t accept it. While he succeeded in saving Bucky and the rest of the 107th, he failed to make sure his partner was safe as the two of you carried out your mission. 

In idle moments, he hears you screaming; behind shut eyes, he sees your face. When he doesn’t see you, he sees Peggy and Howard, somber expressions. Where Agent Carter is normally composed, her lip wobbles at the thought of you. Howard ran a hand down his face, eyes shiny and voice clogged as he asked if there was a chance you were alive. 

Steve didn’t know, and he still doesn’t. He was sent to England less than a day after returning from Austria. Peggy was called too but requested an extension to continue working with Howard in Italy. 

Work continued, but it was slower without her intelligence contributions in devising a plan to take down the Hydra bases he made note of. After a long day of nothing, Colonel Phillips dismisses the meeting. 

“Rogers, before you hit the hay,” the older man says, “You may want to visit the infirmary before their visiting hours end.” 

Confused and concerned, Steve nods and makes his way out of the situation room, navigating the narrow halls to the medical wing.

He sees Howard first, sitting across from a head of brown curls that Steve can deduce is Agent Carter. There’s a doctor at the foot of the bed relaying information to the patient. 

You lay there, scratches adorning your face and eyes heavily lidded. 

Steve’s heart is light with disbelief and repose for feeling calm at the sight of you safe in an Allied facility. 

“...I’ll leave you to rest.” 

“Thank you, doctor,” you smile. 

Howard spots him in the doorway, nodding in greeting, “Hey, Cap.”

Stepping in awkwardly, Steve feels shy seeing you. He stands in the place the doctor once occupied, hands folded behind your back. 

“I’d venture to say dress greens suit you better than tights,” you joke, voice gravelly. You laugh then groan and Steve is concerned again. 

“You can’t laugh, love,” Peggy reminds you.

“What happened?” he wonders.

You rattle off your injuries: scratches, dislocated shoulder from falling out of the truck, bruised ribs, and major fatigue from lack of food and water. 

“How’s your head?” Howard prods.

“Better now that I’ve rested.”

Steve likes hearing that you’ve been better, but he can’t imagine what you’ve been through that was worse. “When did you get here?” 

“We arrived at a little past noon. The doctor thinks she was out in the Austrian forest for a little over twelve hours before we found her,” Peggy answers for you. “We’ll give you two some time to catch up.” 

“Why do we have to--”

There’s a thud and Howard groans, face scrunching up in pain as he looks at Peggy. 

“Ouch! ...Okay. We’ll see you later, little miss,” he gets up, kissing your forehead. “Captain.” 

“Get some rest, love,” Peggy cradles your cheek.

“Thank you,” you say, grabbing her hand. “Thank you for finding me.”

“Of course,” she smiles. She turns back to Steve, regarding him with a nod.

When they both leave, your eyes are on him and he smiles nervously, pointing to the chair Peggy just vacated. You tilt your head towards it as if giving him permission to sit down.

“I’m glad you’re okay,” he tells you honestly. “Must’ve been hell...being in there alone.” 

Your shoulder lifts slightly; a shrug of some sort. “Could’ve been worse. I think it goes without saying, though.” 

Pursing his lips, he considers your words for a moment. “Do you remember anything?”

You close your eyes and inhale slowly, wincing a little at the pain when your ribs move as you take in air. “Plenty.” Eyes opening, you look a little perplexed. “But at the same time, not a lot.” 

Steve cocks an eyebrow. “Am I supposed to know what that means?”

Your mouth opens to speak, but you’re interrupted by nurses murmuring at a nearby table. “I’d explain but it’s classified.” 

“You’d keep secrets from me?” he smirks. “Thought we were friends.” 

You smile. “Only until we’re around people on a need-to-know basis. Phillips must’ve told you, right?” Steve tilts his head curiously. “Once I’m on my feet, I’m meant to debrief everything I remember.” 

He makes a mental note to ask Phillips about it. At the mention of you recovering, Steve thinks back to the injuries you mentioned. “Seems like you got outta Hydra with a lot of luck.” 

Your face doesn’t change, but he sees your eyes flick to the left. “Luck indeed.” 

“Could’ve been worse, like you said.” 

You purse your lips, nodding. 

Looking down, Steve decides to drop the subject. Howard and Peggy went all the way back to the factory to find you based on the slim chance that you were still alive. He can imagine them combing through dozens of trees before finding you. 

They trust you. Steve trusts you. 

But why wasn’t it worse for you?

“Captain Rogers, my apologies,” a nurse speaks as she approaches your bedside. “But it’s time for the infirmary to close to visitors.” 

Nodding to her, there’s an idle moment until she realizes she should give some space for him to say goodnight. 

“Well,” he says, standing up, “Feel better soon.” 

“Thanks, Steve.”

He pauses, fidgeting with the air as he contemplates bidding you goodbye in an additional way. You raise your eyebrows expectantly.

“Goodnight,” he blurts, turning on his heel and walking out. He can hear you saying it back as he leaves, a perplexed lilt in the word. 

Days later, Steve sits surrounded by other high-ranking officers. Howard is there too, studying a diagram of a Hydra weapon you drew. 

“...She suspects Schmidt is plotting something big, but she doesn’t know exactly what it is or where it could be headed,” Agent Carter concludes, standing at the head of the table. She debriefs the men while you continue to recover in the infirmary, not wanting the SSR to lose time while your body heals. “Questions, gentlemen?”

“This is everything she told you?” Colonel Phillips asks. 

“Yes. It’s all she remembers as well. That drawing is all we have of a blueprint that shows how the Hydra weapons work.” 

“Any information on where the power source is?” another man speaks up. 

“With power such as that, I think it’s safe to assume Schmidt would keep it close. Can’t imagine he’d want it possibly falling into the wrong hands.” 

“And she said it was a stone in a cube?” 

Peggy makes a show of looking at her notes, “Yes, those are Schmidt’s words to her.” 

“You think we can trust her?” he follows up quickly, speaking just as she finishes her sentence.

“I beg your pardon?” Her tone is taken aback as if the question was insulting to her. Steve can understand her offense, but if he’s honest, he wonders the same thing. 

How could someone fall out of a truck and get away with injuries like yours? He would’ve thought you had a head wound and broken bones.

“Why is she even alive?” His follow up question is accusatory. “This is Hydra we’re talking about. They built weapons that disintegrate men and captured a scientist to create a super-soldier serum. They’re led by a lunatic with a melted face. There’s no way they would have kidnapped a mechanic and keep her alive. She worked for them. She knows too much. Why would they risk her escaping and telling us what she knows?”

“If it’s her loyalty you’re questioning, sir, you have no reason to. Hydra has killed everyone she holds dear. She has no family and even her mentor was killed by them. You all saw it. She was taken from her home that didn’t even have any German connections other than the Hydra spy she fitted with a prosthetic arm. Hydra has done nothing for her.” She pauses, appearing to inhale deeply to gather herself. “I don’t think we have any reason to suspect she is undercover on their behalf. I believe Colonel Phillips knows this well; she refused coming to Europe for the SSR in fear that Hydra would find her.” 

He appears satisfied with her defense, raising his hands in surrender. 

“Any more questions?” she asks, crossing her arms, her tone somewhat challenging. 

After a moment, Colonel Phillips stands. “Thank you, Agent. Have a seat.” Nodding, she finds a chair next to Howard. “Now, we have decided to task our former mechanic with being Mr. Stark’s assistant in weapons and she’ll work with Agent Carter in tactics. She has good intel, but we don’t want her skills going to waste. I’m sure she can help think up some good ways to keep our boys safe. I will debrief with her again in the coming days to see if she remembers anything more.” 

After opening the floor to questions again, Phillips dismisses the meeting. Steve watches from his seat as everyone gets up, scattering to their respective workplaces. 

“Stark, Carter, get to work. We need to make sure Rogers and his men are well equipped and ready. Don’t wanna be sending our chorus girl into the fray in his little spangled suit.” 

Phillips looks proud of his joke as he smiles for a split second. His face straightens quickly and he nods before dismissing himself. 

“If you’ll excuse me, boys,” Peggy leaves shortly after. “Should attend to your tactics, Captain.” 

“I should get to working on your stuff,” Howard excuses himself and pats him on the shoulder. “I’ll make sure you don’t look as ridiculous as you do on the stage.”

“Actually,” Steve stops him, “I kinda liked that uniform.” 

Stark looks thoughtful for a minute before he laughs. “Well, I’ll find a compromise. The little miss absolutely hates that suit.” 

Tilting his head and squinting, Steve leaves and heads towards the canteen. 

-----

“I hear you hate my suit.”

The baritone of his voice pulls you from the pages you’re reading. 

He stands in his dress greens again, a dashing smirk on his face as the lights illuminate him from behind, making his hair look like a golden halo above his head. 

“Who told you that?” You close your book, looking at him curiously. Setting it on your bedside table, you sit up a little more. 

“Stark,” he states plainly.

You chuckle once, shaking your head. You expect him to be laughing too, but when you look back up at him, he’s shuffling from one foot to the other. 

“Um, did you--?” you begin, but he blurts out in the middle of your question, “Can I help you with anything?”

“I’m sorry?” you ask, confused. 

“Well, I just...I was wondering if you needed anything. Are you hungry? Or how’s your leg?”

“Oh--” 

“What about the pillow behind you, does that need to be fluffed? Maybe I could bring you another book.” 

“Steve--?”

“Just...anything you need?” 

You blink, waiting for him to continue. When he says nothing else, you pipe up. “Well, I’d love some water.” 

He’s quick to accommodate you, walking to the cart on the other side of the room to grab a pitcher and bring it over to your bedside. He picks up the glass next to your book and begins to pour. 

You’re not quite sure how it happened--perhaps some water got on the handle which made it slippery--but the metal vessel fell out of his grip and bounced on your mattress before clattering loudly on the floor. 

The water is making itself known as it seeps through your blanket and your hospital gown, making you cringe away. Steve’s eyes are wide and his cheeks are rosy, the bright color spreading all the way to his ears. 

“I’m so sorry!” He looks up at the hospital staff that heard the ruckus, “I’m sorry, it slipped. She needs a new gown...and bed.” 

They come to assist you, a nurse nudging him out of the way as she lays some rags down to soak up the puddle on the floor. 

“Excuse me, Captain,” she says politely. 

He steps back, watching as the team helps you out of bed to stand on your feet. His heart sinks at the pain you must be in from your ribs, but it doesn’t show on your face. 

“I’ll just,” he excuses himself, but no one is paying attention. 

Shaking his head, he goes to the canteen to sulk. 

---

“I’m back.” 

Steve’s next to your new bed, hands carrying a tray and you can imagine the precarious journey he took to get from the canteen to here. 

“You eat supper yet?” 

“No.” You’re a little relieved. Your nose detects the comforting scent of buttered mashed potatoes and baked chicken. Steve sets the tray in your lap and your eyes gobble the sight, bright orange carrots brilliant against your eyes and a warm bread roll with a pat of butter inviting you to take a bite. “This is the best,” you gush, “I’ve eaten ham sandwiches and Jell-O for the past five days.” 

You close your eyes at the feeling of airy, fluffy fresh bread in your mouth, loving the crunch of the crust between your teeth. 

You moan happily before turning to him. “Thank you,” you smile.

He nods, “Of course. I hope it makes up for my stupid blunder earlier. I’m really sorry about that.”

You observe him as you take another bite, watching him as he watches you. You can’t describe it, but his face manages to say it all.

“Somehow I feel like you’re not here to just apologize for the spilled water. It really wasn’t a huge problem, by the way. They just moved me and gave me a new gown.” 

“Well, I--” he gives a one-handed shrug before bringing his palm to the back of his neck, rubbing the skin there nervously. “I also just...wanted to say sorry.” 

You hum, reaching to the bedside table and sipping from the glass of water. “‘Sorry’ for what?” 

There’s a look in his eyes, something somber and guilt-ridden that makes the blue a little dull. “For leaving you. There. With them.” 

Your head stings, eyes squeezing shut. You can feel your body jolt and a word echoes as if it’s coming from above you. 

Befehl.

You shake your head vigorously, gasping a little. 

“Are you alright?” 

“Yes,” you breathe. “Sorry, I’m not sure what happened.” 

“Should I call the doctor?”

“No, no. I’m okay.” You gave your head another small jostle before addressing his apology. “Steve, you have nothing to be sorry about. I knew what I was getting into when I jumped out of the plane with you. I’m here now, I’m okay.” 

“But I--”

“Steve, it was my choice.” 

Your sentence seems to stun him into silence. He closes his eyes and gives a reluctant smile. “I guess you’re right.” 

The corner of your mouth twitches up as he concedes. You eat for a few minutes, a little self conscious as you notice his watching you. 

“So...uh, what’s your favorite color?” 

You laugh. “Captain Rogers, why are you here other than to bring me dinner, give me a completely unnecessary apology, and ask me what my favorite color is?” 

“Howard and Peggy are working tonight,” he uses his thumb to point to the door. “I didn’t want you to be alone.” 

There’s a flutter in your stomach, a surge of warmth and happiness that blooms in your chest, and you can’t help the smile that spreads across your mouth or the heat that gathers in your face. 

“Well, thank you,” you say as calmly as you can, trying to deflect your emotions by feeding yourself more supper. “How’s your friend? Bucky?” 

He smiles, too, before diving into a story about him. 

He stays as long as he can, telling you stories as you eat and try to not squirt water out of your nose when he makes you laugh. You forget there’s a battle raging on above your heads and across the English Channel. You forget there’s a chance of a Blitz in the evening, or even during the day. 

Forgetting is dangerous. It’s a distraction from what’s really important and demands your attention. 

But you don’t see anything wrong here when you’re on bedrest. 

“They’ll be working again tomorrow,” he says as he gets up when visiting hours are over. “I don’t know when they’ll be free to visit. I could…” He hesitates, looking down and pursing his lips. “I could come by again. Bring you more dinner.” 

You don’t mind being alone, but you don’t tell him that. 

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[whatdoesshedotothem]

Wed[nesday] 26 October 1836

7 3/4

12 1/2

V

No kiss fine morn[in]g and F[ahrenheit] 49° and out at 8 40/.. – Rob[er]t Mann + 4 low[erin]g in front of the h[ou]se and mak[in]g

(sink[in]g for) hall-cellar drain – Ingh[a]m + 2 men and a boy h[a]s tonight g[o]t the walls of the cross

arch up to the spring of the arch – Rob[er]t Schof[iel]d finish[e]d wall for the new court pillars to rest on –

his man Jos[e]ph w[i]th the gard[ene]r  mov[in]g soil etc. in the gard[e]n - 2 masons as yest[erday] at the west tow[e]r and 2

(Ja[me]s and Ab[raha]m) flagg[in]g und[e]r the serv[an]ts hall wind[ow]s and Ja[me]s cut one of the large ragst[one] n[ea]r the rock-bridge

in 2 - Mark Hepw[or]th levell[in]g aft[e]r the N[orth]g[a]te carts in front of the h[ou]se – h[a]d Mr. Husb[an]d

ab[ou]t the cross arch wind[ow]s etc br[eak]f[a]st at 9 1/2 - A- [Ann] d[i]d h[e]r Fr[en]ch - then h[a]d Mr. Husb[an]d ag[ai]n ab[ou]t the new gr[ea]t

r[oo]m and stabl[in]g at Mawson’s (Stump x Inn) - I propos[e]d an alterat[io]n in his plan that w[oul]d

ma[ke] the gr[ea]t r[oo]m m[u]ch bet[ter] proport[ione]d and handsomer - and to be wall[e]d a bricks’ length in thickness

  249

1836

Oct[obe]r

L

N

inst[ea]d of being ceiled off ag[ain]st the adjoin[in]g new r[oo]ms – propos[e]d carry[in]g the wall ov[e]r the stab[le]s and

c[oa]ch h[ou]se on arches - all this took till aft[e]r 11 - then off w[i]th Booth to Hilltop – Fletch[e]r the ten[an]t

there – exam[ine]d Mrs. Carter’s adjoin[in]g tenant[e]d by civil persons Mrs. Baxendale and her husb[an]d –

Mrs. B- [Baxendale] w[oul]d be gl[a]d to ha[ve] her out-door chang[e]d and then my new barn-wall might be set in

a line w[i]th Mrs. C-‘s [Carter] cot[tage] - set Mrs. B- [Baxendale] to Mrs. C- [Carter] to ask if she had any object[io]n - in

the meanwhi[le] Booth and Fletcher and I look[e]d r[ou]nd the new fence-wall[in]g well done by Ingham –

saw Mrs. Carter walk[in]g in h[e]r f[iel]d – spo[ke] to h[e]r – shew[e]d the fence part[l]y hedge part[l]y wall

that I [?] up and ta[ke] d[o]wn and replace w[i]th a good new wall, like the walls just done,

if Mrs. C- [Carter] h[a]d no object[io]n to my sett[in]g the wall 2ft. fr[om] the centre of the hedge, and if she w[oul]d

sell me wh[a]t mo[re] gr[ou]nd I might want a ft. or 2 farth[e]r int[o] her f[iel]d at a reasonab[le] price

then took to Hilltop – shew[e]d her the 2 propos[e]d lines of new barn-wall[in]g to the r[oa]d - in a line

w[i]th h[e]r cot[tage] or a lit[tle] farth[e]r b[a]ck - Mrs. C- [Carter] h[a]d no object[io]n to the form[e]r line, or to my

propos[e]d new fence wall and w[oul]d sell me the gr[ou]nd I want[e]d (perh[aps] 1000 y[ar]ds) b[u]t w[oul]d consult

her son Dan[ie]l - this ver[y] prop[e]r - I sh[oul]d be gl[a]d to ha[ve] his ans[we]r tomor[row] and wh[a]tev[e]r it might

be, it w[oul]d be right - all this took so long that I d[i]d n[o]t get away fr[om] Hilltop

till 3 40/.. - I h[a]d stop in go[in]g w[i]th Jos[e]ph Mann at the Trav[elle]rs’ Inn wat[e]r-drift whi[le] Booth

look[e]d ab[ou]t at Hipp[erholme] quarry – stopp[e]d ag[ai]n in ret[urnin]g, w[i]th Jos[e]ph M- [Mann] - and told h[i]m wh[a]t

I th[ou]ght w[oul]d be bet[ter] than the way ord[ere]d by Mr. Husb[an]d ab[ou]t convey[in]g the wat[e]r - the diff[eren]ce in exp[ense]

w[oul]d n[o]t be mo[re] than 40/. and A- [Ann] w[oul]d be secure ag[ain]st the waste of wat[e]r or anyone’s gett[in]g it

b[u]t her own peop[le] - the trough to supply the cot[tage]s being pit in the comb-tub place in front of

them alt[ere]d (enlarg[e]d) for the purp[ose] and made a sort of lock-up cellar - I h[a]d gone int[o] the

drift as I w[e]nt to Hilltop and ca[me] out a dirty fig[ure] b[u]t no matt[e]r - there will be 50 y[ar]ds

l[en]gth of drift that will stand full of wat[e]r damm[e]d up by the trough (20 y[ar]ds fr[om] the h[ou]se end)

in w[hi]ch the pipe is to be set - 50 y[ar]ds long x 2fr. 6in. high x 3ft.+ wide = say 50

cub[i]c y[ar]ds of wat[e]r to draw up[on] – en[ou]gh for the Inn and all A-‘s [Ann] adjoin[in]g cot[tage]s – ho[me] ab[ou]t

5 1/2 – loit[ere]d ab[ou]t - in the stab[le]s and in front of the h[ou]se and ca[me] in at 6 5/..- dress[e]d – din[ner] at 6 1/2 –

A- [Ann] r[ea]d Fr[en]ch – coff[ee] – h[a]d Oddy up - to go on Mon[day] and ret[ur]n to cook for us if we want her

on the go[in]g away of our pres[en]t temp[orar]y cook recomm[ende]d by Mr. Jubb – 1/2 asleep for 1/4 h[ou]r on

the sofa – Let[ter] 3 p[ages] and one end fr[om] M- [Mariana] Lawton she will co[me] for a week on the

2[n]d or 3[r]d of next m[on]th - her neph[ew] Duncan Milne to be marr[ie]d the 1st week in M[ar]ch

and sail the 1st week in June b[a]ck to India – no[te] by the post fr[om] Dr. Kenny H[alifa]x

1835 Dr. Kenny’s adv[an]ce to the late Mrs. Lister in Oct[obe]r one guinea        w[i]th Dr. Kenny’s

respects and condol[en]ce  Wards end Oct[obe]r 25 1836’ !!! h[a]d just writ[ten] all the ab[ov]e of

today at 11 p.m. at w[hi]ch h[ou]r F[ahrenheit] 47 1/2° fine day

 Hilltop.

Mrs. Carter

 Trav[elle]rs’ Inn wat[e]r drift etc.

vid[e] A-‘s [Ann] Journ[a]l

[invisibleanonymousmonsters]

Non-Sequential [Ch. 24]

Pairing: Pre-Serum Steve Rogers/Steve Rogers x Reader

One night, Steve Rogers met a beautiful dame named Y/N. He hadn’t intended on letting her get away. But fate had other ideas. Y/N appeared and disappeared in his life so hauntingly that Steve started to wonder if she was an angel meant to watch over him.

Word Count: 3,000

Chapter 23

1943 - Italy

Steve doodled as the rain poured down around him.

His pencil traced back and forth over the dancing monkey.

“Steve?” A voice said behind him.

He did a half glance over his shoulder and quickly did a double take when he found Y/N soaking wet with only an oversized military jacket around her shoulders.

He shot to his feet.

“Y/N!”

Steve rushed forward and pulled her into his arms. 

She was freezing. 

He immediately took off his coat and wrapped it on top of the other one that was the only thing keeping her from being completely naked.

“Are you OK? Are you hurt? How long have you been here? Were you looking for me long?” He rattled off question after question.

She smiled. “Take a breath, Steve. I’m fine.”

She pointed for him to sit back down and followed suit. 

He did as she said. Then he suddenly got bashful and embarrassed. He shifted his weight awkwardly as if he was trying to hide from her gaze.

Y/N caught on rather quickly. “How does it feel?”

Steve was speechless.

“This is your first time seeing me since your operation, isn’t it?” Y/N added, but she already knew the answer.

He just nodded, too uncomfortable to meet her gaze.

“I bet you can’t keep the girls off you,” Y/N teased.

Steve blushed. “Well, I don’t know about that – I mean, don’t be ridiculous.”

Y/N giggled.

His face dropped, “You were right. It did work.”

She gave him a warm grin. “Told you that you were the right man, didn’t I?”

Steve frowned. “Yeah, except now I’m just their show pony.”

“Now what would Agent Carter think of that?” Y/N teased.

It was such a strange game to play, pushing Steve toward Peggy when Y/N knew that she would be Steve’s second love because of her. 

Y/N respected Peggy, appreciated what she’d taught Steve about love – especially what she taught him about loving a strong, independent woman.

But there were still times when jealousy reared it’s ugly head. Y/N hated those times.

Steve’s eyes widened at the mentioning of Peggy.

“Don’t think I’ve forgotten about her,” Y/N smirked.

“How are you?” Steve changed the subject. His eyes were serious and genuine. “Last time I saw you, you were upset with me – future me, that is.” He cleared his throat. “I don’t know what I’m saying. You could be visiting me from before that time. This all gets rather confusing, huh?”

Y/N chuckled at his adorable frustration and confusion, and gave him a shy smile. “No, you were right the first time. I’m visiting from further into the future.” She nodded, “Things are better. I forgave you. Don’t think there will ever be a time when I can’t.”

Steve exhaled, relieved that there wouldn’t be a time when Y/N would stop being his friend, stop talking to him, stop visiting him through time.

Y/N’s eyes glanced at Steve’s sketchbook.

“Feeling like a dancing monkey, Steve?” Her tone was playful, but the question was serious.

He quickly closed the book. He cleared his throat. “I’m traveling with dancing girls, trying to get people to buy war bonds.”

Y/N nodded, “Wars are expensive.”

“But I could be doing more,” he snapped back.

“Then do more, Steve.”

“I can’t – I’m not even officially in the army.”

Y/N laughed, “Since when have you ever followed the rules?”

He laughed too.

She carefully reached out and took his sketchbook.

Steve tensed as flipped through it. She wasn’t surprised to see a portrait or two of Peggy. There was also some of his mother. Y/N was wondering why Steve hadn’t taken to sketching any of the girls in the dancing troop he’d been traveling with.

“You ever do any sketches of…” Y/N was about to tease him and ask about drawing her. But her words died out when she flipped to two pages of portraits. 

Both were of her.

She was in some form of Steve’s clothes in both of them. A ill-fitting shirt falling off her shoulder in one, pants bunching at her ankles in another.

“You weren’t ever supposed to see those…” Steve mumbled, scratching the back of his neck and lowering his head so she couldn’t see his blush.

“I’m flattered,” Y/N admitted. She took in all the details. “You made me rather beautiful, though.”

Steve scoffed without meaning to. “I only drew you how you are.”

It was Y/N who was blushing now.

Yes, in the present, where she was together with Steve, he told Y/N all the time how beautiful he found her.

But for some reason, hearing it from innocent, sweet Steve Rogers was different. He held no feelings for her and, as far as he knew, he never had a chance with Y/N. But that didn’t stop him from letting her know that she was indeed a beautiful woman.

Y/N flipped back to a drawing of Peggy. “You should tell her how you feel.”

“She doesn’t – I’m not – don’t be ridiculous, Y/N.” Steve fumbled around with his words.

No matter how long he knew Y/N, her direct way of speaking still caught him off guard every so often. The only times Y/N did not speak her mind clearly was when she could not tell Steve hints and secrets of the future.

“She does. Don’t be an idiot, Steve.” Y/N looked around. “You’re in the middle of a war. You need to make sure you find something worth fighting for.”

“And what about you?” Steve asked gently.

“I’m not fighting a war. At least… not yet.” Her eyes glazed over at the thought.

“That’s not what I meant.” Then he shifted his weight, trying to decide if he should say what he wanted to. “I meant… is there someone back where you’re from – uh – telling you – telling you that you’re beautiful.”

Y/N smirked at Steve’s awkwardness. He’d lost so much of it after all of his hardships. He’d gained so much more confidence; he was more self-assured now.

“I do,” she admitted softly.

She was going to make another joke about him drawing her, but the words got caught in her throat when she flipped to the next page.

Bucky.

Bucky standing with his crisp and clean and brand new military uniform. Hat tilted a little sideways. And that famous Bucky Barnes smirk on his lips.

Y/N’s fingers traced over the lines without even realizing it.

“He’s missing,” she blurted out.

“What?”

Her eyes shot up to him. “You’re going to find out in a few minutes. This is the 107th – or what’s left of it, I guess.”

“Y/N, you never tell – what are you saying? Bucky – is he – is he dead?”

“No, he’s alive. A prisoner of war, but alive.”

“You’ve never told me something like that before,” Steve said slowly, clearly still trying to process the news.

“Sometimes I get sick of fighting time,” Y/N sighed.

“I have to go after him,” Steve’s shoulders straightened and he was handling a surge of determination.

Y/N smiled, “Yes, you do.”

Then fear filled his gaze, “I know you can’t - or you won’t – tell me…but is he – will he be OK?”

Y/N stared into his eyes for a moment. “Yes, he will be fine.”

‘For now…’ she added in her mind.

Steve was surprised she continued to tell him of the future.

Y/N looked over her shoulder as if she could see something. But when Steve followed her gaze, not even his super-soldier sight spotted anything.

“I have to run before she finds you,” Y/N told him. “When it comes to her, you’re a terrible liar. And I don’t want you to have to explain how a naked, American woman got onto this base, completely undetected.”

Steve shot to his feet. “You’re leaving already.”

“I’m sorry, Steve. But you’ve got to go save Bucky and then you gotta get the girl.”

Then she quickly kissed him on the cheek, instantly making him go red.

He made a step for her, not wanting her to leave already.

But she was already quickly turning back to him, accidentally bringing their faces far too close to be considered just friendly.  

“Try not to kiss Private Lorraine,” Y/N breathed, caught off guard by their closeness that could easily be seen as intimate.

Steve’s brow furrowed. But he couldn’t stop his gaze from flicking down to her lips quickly. “I-I don’t even know a Private Lorraine.”

“Well, you will. And you should stay away from her. You should stay away from all women like her, OK?”

He nodded, not wanting to disappoint her.

“It’ll make sense soon. I promise.”

Lo and behold, Peggy was the next woman in his life to surprise him and show up out of nowhere.

—————-

PRESENT - Wakanda

Y/N quickly walked down the halls of the royal palace. She could hear the two kings guards tailing her.

One of them cleared their throat, “Ms. Y/L/N, if it is Sergeant Barnes you are heading toward, he is actually in the training facility.”

Her brow furrowed. She was going to find Bucky, just like she always did when Steve was gone and she was lonely.

However, he was alone at his hut less and less it seemed.

Y/N would’ve been happy, proud that he was socializing himself with new people more and more frequently. But that didn’t seem to be his motivation.

She didn’t want to jump to any ridiculous conclusions, but she started to feel like Bucky didn’t want to be alone with her.

Even when he had asked for him to teach her self-defense, Bucky insisted that they also enlist some of the Dora Milaje. He said it would help since he only had one arm and he didn’t want her education to suffer because of it. But Y/N knew Bucky could take down Steve with a single arm if he so wished, therefore it felt like weak reasoning.

Y/N had been in Wakanda for a year now and she’d found a routine in her life.

She no longer felt like a foreigner, but a proper member of Wakandan society – despite the fact that she lived in a royal palace.

Steve would need to leave to meet up with the team every so often, but he always tried his best not to return as quickly as possible.

Y/N still had nightmares of her kidnapping, her torture, her near death experience that she could only blame Hydra for. She was sick of hating her time traveling affliction.

When Steve asked her if she was having them when he was away, Y/N always lied. What good would it do either of them for him to worry and feel guilty about being away?

The nightmares were one of the main reasons she finally asked Bucky to teach her self-defense.

Y/N would’ve asked Steve, but she didn’t want to make him stay in captain mode any longer than he already did. He also was almost too patient with her. She needed to be pushed.

When Y/N walked into the gym, Bucky was doing one-armed pushups.

He had no shirt on and there was just a pair of black shorts and sneakers – which Shuri most definitely designed – covering his body.

Wakandan hip-hop was playing on the speakers, which was why Y/N didn’t recognize it. Shuri had taken it upon herself to help Y/N teach Bucky anything and everything pop culture.

The kings guards left Y/N to it. Whenever she was with Bucky, they didn’t see the need to linger. He would protect her.

Bucky heard their arrival and his head snapped up.

He quickly jumped to his feet when he spotted Y/N and gave a small nod of acknowledgement to her guards.

Y/N tried not to stare at Bucky’s ridiculously muscular and sweaty chest. She did. But it was damn near impossible.

His and Steve’s bodies were ridiculous. God-like is what most women would confess.

Furthermore, Y/N got to see how Steve put his to use… in ways no one else knew about.

“You wanna keep rubbing it in my face that you can do hundreds of pushups with one arm while I can’t even do 5 with both of mine?” Y/N greeted him.

Bucky chuckled, and Y/N swore she made him blush. Or maybe that was just from working out.

“You just gotta work at it, kid. I’ve got the advantage of a super-soldier serum.”

There it was again. That nickname. When he said it, Y/N realized he hadn’t used it in quite some time.

But Y/N pushed the thought out of her head and rolled her eyes teasingly.

“Yeah, I’m sure you wouldn’t be able to still do all of those without it.”

As soon as her feet stepped onto the padded flooring Bucky was waiting on, he kicked Y/N’s legs out from underneath her.

He did it so smoothly and quickly that Y/N could’ve blinked and missed it. The only proof being that she was now laying on her back, staring up at the ceiling. Her head was aching from hitting the ground hard. 

“Bucky! What the actual fuck!” She screamed.

He tried not to look too pleased with himself. “Last lesson, I told you that you needed to learn to always be prepared. Most attacks are going to be a surprise. If you don’t train your body to always be ready, all the other stuff is pointless.”

Y/N glared at him. “Way to build trust...” But then she quickly rolled back to her feet.

Without really thinking her plan through, Y/N lunged for him. She meant it to distract him from her actual intentions, which were to knee him right in the balls. 

Payback is payback.

But Bucky easily deflected all efforts. And he absolutely knew what she was trying to do.

“Ya trying to play dirty?” He asked with a smile.

“Just trying to get even,” Y/N snapped.

She knew she wasn’t going to get any damn hit in. She was a civilian jousting with the Winter Soldier. She didn’t stand a chance.

But Y/N did know is that Bucky wouldn’t ever hurt her. In fact, he would put himself in harms way to make sure that didn’t happen.

So, Y/N decided to use that to her advantage.

If she wanted to take him down, she had to go down with him.

Y/N lunged for him at a weird angle, hoping her own weight combined with gravity would be enough to drag him down with her.

Bucky’s eyes widened slightly as he realized Y/N’s body was about to hit the ground hard and quick, and at an angle that would easily dislocate her shoulder. 

He shifted his weight so his back hit the ground and he took all of the blow, Y/N having his body as a cushion to land on.

“You OK?” He asked hurriedly. Even though there was no way she could’ve harmed herself.

Y/N nodded and smiled mischievously. “Had to figure out a way to bring you down…”

Then Bucky snapped back to reality.

He was laying on his back with Y/N laying on top of him. Her chest pressed against his. Her hands were spread across his bare chest, able to feel his skin. Her warmth was enveloping him. When did his grip on her go so low on her hips? He could feel her heartbeat, and then he felt it quicken when a silence settled between them and they realized how unsuitably close they were.

But swore he didn’t mean. He tried with all of his might not to take a glimpse at her lips. But his eyes were no longer in his control.

Now he was panicked.

He quickly ushered her off of him, almost being rough about it.

Y/N misread his panic as irritation with her.

“I’m sorry,” she blurted out. “Did I hurt you?”

Of course she didn’t hurt him.

“I’m fine,” Bucky mumbled without looking at her.

Y/N was finally able to acknowledge that something was off between the two of them, and it had been for awhile. She wasn’t sure if she could put her finger on when it started, but it felt like it had been since she showed up at his doorstep after seeing him bleeding out in the snow. She’d killed a Hydra agent that day trying to protect him.

“You don’t call me ‘kid’ anymore,” she accused him.

Bucky’s brow creased as he finally looked up at her. “What are you talking about?”

“I mean, you did earlier. But that was the first time in months.” Then she gestured at the giant and empty training facility. “This is the first time we’ve actually been alone in months too. What’s going on, Bucky? Are you mad at me? Did I do something wrong?”

“No,” he muttered swiftly.

“Then what is it? Because something is – it’s off. We’re off.”

But Bucky just stared into her gaze.

He couldn’t tell her. He couldn’t explain what he was going through.

He couldn’t tell her that he was trying to keep his distance, trying to prove to his best friend that he wasn’t trying to steal his girl. But he couldn’t stay away from her either. He couldn’t leave her be when both of them were so alone here.

Bucky couldn’t tell her he was in love with her.

What would be the point?

The two kings guards returned. “Ms. Y/L/N?”

“Yeah,” she muttered without breaking her stare down with Bucky.

“Captain Rogers just landed. We thought you may wish to know.”

Y/N finally blinked and turned to them, “Thank you.” Then she turned and promptly left without saying another word to Bucky.

As soon as he was alone, Bucky rubbed his face and paced. “What the hell are you thinking, Bucky?” He whispered to himself.

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

Chapter 25

It only took me 2+ months, guys!  Please, please, please let me know how you feel and what you think. ❤️