#i'd super-extra-really appreciate if you reblogged/responded to this one

[carnivalcarriondiscarded]

Hi! Excuse my anonymity, you’re super cool and I’m super anxious

I’m an artist starting out on tumblr, do you have any advice for getting my work out there to more people?

I understand if you can’t really answer, but you’re one of my favorite Tumblr artists, so i figured I would come here!

Sorry if this caused any inconvenience-

hm... i think my best advice is to be consistent(ish), confident, and to tag accurately!

people tend to respond more to posts where the creator is positive about their own work - in the post body, and in the tags. even if it's something you're not sure you like, Someone will, and they'll be more likely to interact if the work has confidence (fake it till you make it! it) this also does wonders for mental health surrounding your own work - it's been my method for a while and it's not half bad!

with tags, make sure your search tags are within the first 20 (or they won't count) and that they're accurate. people Will get annoyed / report you as spam if you tag, say, a picture of a peach with "grapes" or "will smith". but thorough accurate tagging makes sure your work is in sight of as many people searching for the subject as possible

and another thing that can help is adding on a little "reblogs are appreciated" to the post body (or the first tag, but i'd suggest the post itself so that the phrase sticks with rb-s). it's a nice, non-pushy way of enticing people to reblog - a simple phrase like that can add a little extra delight to reblogging, & it makes rb-ers feel like they've helped out! which, yk. they have!

(and to anyone reading this who doesn't really post & is new to tumblr, reblogs do wonders - they keep tumblr running and creators creating. if you like a post, why not show it by reblogging too? it only takes a second to make someone's day!)

[clownsindresses]

Long fiber art post incoming!

Made my first ball of yarn!!!!!

So super excited about it, and perhaps the best part is that it was made completely out of scrap yarn, the reason I wanted to learn to spin in the first place

It's an acrylic blend, if not 100 acrylic because I couldn't find a few labels. It was so cool to make little rolags on my "carding combs" (dog brushes) and I think they look like cursed caterpillars

I learned a huge amount from this. I kinda got lazy in one of the singles so it's messy, and I had extra of the other single. But that just meant that I learned how to do a plying bracelet! I think I actually like plying that way more than just a normal ball. This also means that the smaller skein is made of the better, more even spun single

One of the singles also got to travel to Arizona with me when visiting family, where I also got some of my first truly ✨fancy✨ fiber that didn't come in my starting kit. It is so so pretty and I'm crazy excited to use it, especially because I've realized I really like the look of two separate colored singles plyed together, plus I got my first batt, which was super soft

The store was also my first experience ever being in a fiber shop. Everyone was super nice and they also apparently ship online which I'm super excited about, since I've been looking for a fiber shop and they seemed quite affordable with good quality. Plus they were super open to helping and talking about anything you needed or didn't understand. Also saw my first spinning wheel irl at a giant antique store. Way too expensive plus it would've been super hard to get home, but it was beautiful and I kinda wanted to cry about not getting it, even though I know it wasn't a good idea to buy it

I was hoping to find fiber or spindles there considering it was a huge place, but sadly, there was nothing. I did get some sewing patterns that were nice though

Lastly I want to ask for ideas. I have about 111 yards split between two skeins of my first handspun yarn, ( and , respectively), but no ideas of what to make with it. It's a nice combo of pastel green and pink with occasional brighter bits. It's generally thin, maybe a bit heavier than sock weight? But there are slubs and thicker pieces every so often, especially throughout the larger skein. I generally crochet amigurumi but I'm open to making most things. I'd love to make something to hold onto for a long time since I'm a sentimental person. All ideas are appreciated but Tumblr is glitched so I can't reply to any comments or make my own, on even my own posts, so reblogs are totally welcome since they make it easier for me to respond

Thank you for reading this excited, but very long, post! -Estar

[curestardust]

hiii~ i'm trying to migrate from tiktok to tumblr because i heard that the precure community is way larger here [and i refuse to use twitter] your blog and another blog are always posted on tiktok but the other one doesn't have anonymous questions or whatever on so i wanted to ask you!! what is the etiquette here for interacting with content creators and also what blogs are the ones to check out and which ones should i avoid because i'd really hate to follow someone and then find out all the tumblr girlies think they're a creep?? OTL sorry if this is like a dumb obvious rude question it's just i've never used tumblr before so i don't want to interact with a content creator the wrong way and end up blocked lol thank you if you respond and also i love your cure butterfly icon it's so pretty <3 <3

i...get posted on tiktok? wha- how does that even work oml

i do think tumblr might be the 2nd biggest platform for precure after hell twitter indeed

for CCs... it's a bit difficult to know whose stuff you'd be interested in. i don't think there's anyone who posts exclusively precure (i don't either) so if you only want to see that you can browse the precure tag. if you like someone's stuff give them a follow though! i don't know anything about "creeps" but i've been on this website for over 10 years so my blocklist and blocked words is massive lol. i'm just chilling over here making gifs.

tumblr etiquette:

i see a lot of new people be confused about this but reblog NEVER repost someone's content. there are those 2 arrows at the bottom of every post, that's a reblog. downloading someone's gif/art then posting it to your blog is a repost and it's VERY frowned upon.

generally people like to add extra commentary in the tags instead of on the post itself, though there's a sort of comment section under posts now but not many people use it.

general rule of thumb (for any social media site really) is to stay away from takes you disagree with. just scroll by, don't say anything, don't insult them. if you REALLY disagree with what they are saying, block them.

CC interaction is kinda odd here, most people are pretty introverted. usually creators will appreciate if you send them a nice ask that you really like their stuff (though they might not post your ask) but the most common way of doing that is by putting praises in the tags cause they'll see it in their activity feed.

hmmm, i dunno if i answered everything properly but it's super late here so mb, you can shoot me another ask if you have more questions~

[egg-sunyoulk]

up10tion sunyoul’s high notes & best singing: a compilation (2015-2017)

hey! new to up10tion? heard of them before but haven’t gotten the chance to get into them? long-time fan? no matter who you are, you might enjoy listening to our main vocalist’s pretty voice :) if you’re not a fan of up10tion, please do me a favour and listen to at least one of the performances on this list. you won’t regret it, i promise! anyways, happy birthday to our sweet bun sunyoul~

disclaimer: not here to argue about technique, or compare to other singers! i know that sunyoul isn’t the best in terms of technique, but his voice is lovely and unique and honey10s would love to share it :)

1. sunyoul on king of masked singer: so chanwhee’s “tears” highest note hit: G5 (at 1:48) date: january 2016

this is the one that most people know- i mean, tricking an entire audience into thinking that you’re female isn’t exactly the easiest thing to do yknow this performance is what got a lot of people into up10tion (including me) so it’s a pretty important + precious performance. (also those high notes like damn)

2. come back to me - up10tion highest note: F#5 (falsetto) date: october 2017  starting from 2:51. wow. going from that emotional heavy line to that soft pretty falsetto WOW this saved my grades  (i legitimately have 2:51 to 3:05 recorded on loop and i play it daily it’s that beautiful)

3. because - up10tion highest note: D5 when harmonizing with kogyeol date: november 2016

o fuck o fuck his lil melisma thing at 2:14 is so good u gotta listen and it’s LIVE starting at 2:03 sunyoul slays the song have i mentioned that this is like my fave live performance by up10tion ever o fuck help

4. up10tion - just like that highest note: C5 date: may 2017 PLEASE LISTEN TO THIS ONE !! here’s the performance, though it was so damn good i had to make a compilation of his voice in the performance. u gotta listen. u gotta. (if ur looking at the full performance, sunyoul’s best parts start at 1:12 and 2:02.) (he wasn’t even supposed to do the little trill at 2:15 lmao so extra i love it) alsdk

5. up10tion on immortal song: baek zyoung’s “dash” highest note: D5 (falsetto) date: november 2015

i have to admit, i only included this one for the C#5 to D5 starting at 4:24, bc like... the band behind them coming to a full halt... sunyoul’s voice alone ringing through the venue... that’s some good shit 

6. white night - up10tion highest note: E5 date: november 2016 damn, this must have been a hard era for sunyoul considering that the climax of the title track is him just him and his high notes (D#5 at 2:43, and going up to E5 at 3:08). anyways they’re high notes so there you go. rest in peace white night-era sunyoul. rest in peace his vocal cords.

7. once again - up10tion highest note: B4 fave performance: august 10, 2017 in osaka that A4 at 4:04... wow. skin cleared. crops fed. prob the least strained (i think? idk man) and clearest high note i’ve heard from him

8. up10tion for onstyle: hong jinyoung’s love battery (a capella) highest note: C5 date: may 2016 i mean when wei’s making this face you know it’s good:

9. sara bareilles’ “gravity” highest note: A4 date: september 2017 wow his pronounciation is so heckin good !! also his voice is so soothing man a perfect lullaby

10. sunyoul’s a capella cover of orion highest note: D5 date: may 2017 listen to the hush that falls over the fans when he sings that fifth to the D5 at 1:01... o boi my ears are swooning

11. duet with hwanhee: urban zakapa’s painting spring highest note: D#5 date: may 2016 best parts: - the C5s + climb to the D#5 starting at 2:45 - the C5 starting at 3:09 - 3:50 to 3:53 wow - sunyoul’s excessive hand movements ??? they did well considering it was like really late and their voices weren’t in good condition and they were cute nervous baby rookies :) 

12. sunyoul + sul undo on duet song festival: so risae’s “you and i” highest note: D5 date: september 2016 the performance starts at around 1:36:22 if you click the link.  u can listen to his low range in the beginning and then the high-ass harmonies with sul undo... wow the fact that he practiced and performed with such an esteemed senior vocalist in the music industry makes it sound so polished

13. up10tion’s a capella cover of sechskies’ “couple” highest note: A4 date: december 2015

the “hamkke” (around 1:17) is beautiful. i’ve never replayed a part so much (also he cute !! cutest boy)

14. dream you - up10tion highest note: B4ish? SUNYOUL SLAYING THAT CHORUS  the first time i heard that part i was so surprised and i hope u will be surprised too

15. UP’s “Puyo Puyo” highest note: D5 (falsetto) date: august 2016 we don’t talk about this one. (but if you’re willing... sunyoul’s parts are at 0:44 and 0:58.) (you have been warned.)

16. MAMAMOO’s “Decalcomanie” highest note: C#5 date: late 2016 - early 2017 shit i love this one starts around 0:49 and the real high note starts 0:59 what a cute mamamoo fanboy

17. duet with kuhn: akdong musician’s “don’t cross your legs” highest note: D5 date: july 2017

(wow look im great at screencaps) anyways this is cute and sunyoul raps so it’s great the lil thing in sunyoul’s voice when he comes in at 0:34... you can see hongki’s eyebrows rise up to his hairline

18. let it go from frozen highest note: D#5 date: june 2017 not a fan of the high notes but when he sings “the wind is howling like the swirling storm inside” or whatever the whole world stops to listen, angels descend from heaven, elsa herself steps out of the screen to bless him with magical ice powers

19. park hyoshin’s wild flower highest note: C#5  date: may 2016

this high note... powerful as HECK... the whole thing is 13 seconds between breaths... that vibrato throughout the song is honey to my ears he sounds sort of like he’s trying to deepen his voice near the start/middle but then it gets more relaxed and normal at the end 

20. national anthem, a capella, at the nexen vs. hanhwa sports game highest note: C5 at 0:42 date: may 2016 the one i think of every time an mc describes sunyoul’s voice as pretty. i mean. it’s the national anthem. a capella. with lovely-sounding reverb and echo and all that jazz. it sounds real pretty from like 0:44 on. enjoy yourself. rock out to the korean national anthem. idk

21. cheeze’s “mood indigo” (here, or here if u want to skip to timestamps) highest note: C5 date: october 2017 yo 0:25... <3 and the sweet-sounding falsetto... when 0:47 happened i was like “aww that’s pretty” but i was sobbing by the end what a precious bun

22. everything - up10tion highest note: C5 fave performance: comeback showcase, june 2017 just the way he sings his solo part... something abt it is so sweet and soft and cute and gentle

honorable mentions:

twice’s cheer up (oh god he’s so cute)

a thousand years (wow his pronounciation... stunning)

abba’s honey honey, probably recorded in a hotel bathroom (that high note... and the lil thing he does with his voice when he sings “movie star”)

王力宏’s 春雨裡洗過的太陽

naul’s memory of the wind (mmm yess my pretty)

that one time he saw a dog and his voice went from F4 to F5

obligatory high notes:

so dangerous - up10tion (making him scream an E5 in up10tion’s debut song? @ top media + their vocal trainers: wtf are you doing to his voice regardless it’s a high note so here it is, at 3:57. pls stop damaging his voice top media)

reblog/reply with the number of your favourite performance! (only if you want to ofc)

[lilulo-12fanfiction]

Nothing Breaks Like A Heart- 3

So this took me about 8 years to write. I’m not sure why. But it’s unedited so please ignore the mistakes. The spacing looks off but I’m posting this on mobile so I’ll look at it on my laptop mañana. Likes, comments and reblogs are much appreciated!

Masterlist

Tag List:

@fanfictionjunkie1112 @shreddedparchment

“Uncle Tony! Uncle Tony!” A 6 year old Nora ran to her Uncle and he scooped her up in his arms. “I missed you!” Nora repeatedly kissed her young uncle’s clean shaven face.

“I missed you too baby doll. Why don’t you go over and see Grandpa Obe. I think he has a present for you.” Tony set Nora down and she ran down the hall.

Nora was dreaming. She knew she was. She was standing there watching her memory unfold. It was the strangest dream. She had never had one like this.

“Hello Nora.” Nora slowly turned as her hands trembled. She knew the voice. She took a shaky breath and came face to face with Loki.

“How are you in my dream?” Loki gave Nora a smirk.

“I’m a God Nora Stark. There are many things I can do.”

“Then why are you here?”

“We had so little time together. There is much you don’t know. Things your father hid from you and your Uncle. I’m here to lead you to the truth. Pay attention to this.” Loki turned you back to the scene before you. This couldn’t be your memory. You had left the room.

“Grant- it’s her birthday and every year you leave her here and vanish for days. Eventually she’s not going to be okay with it. You lost your wife. But she lost her mother.”

“Her mother is gone and it’s my job to protect her from what’s to come. I leave to protect her. You don’t understand.”

“Then make me understand.”

“If Nora here infringes on your extra curricular activities, I can get a Nanny.”

“Don’t be stupid. This has nothing to do with her being here. I look forward to this all year. But I’m worried that some day she’s going to resent you and it will be too late.”

“She’s not you. And I’m not our father so just stop. I’ll see you in a week.” Tony stood staring blankly as his brother stormed out. He had no idea what he was hiding. He had left without even saying goodbye to Nora.

“Protect me from what’s to come? What does that mean?!” Nora demanded answers from Loki.

“You have to put it together on your own. I can guide you Nora but you must put the pieces together. “

Before Nora could respond she jolted awake. Her heart was pounding and she couldn’t catch her breath. She felt like she was in a bad version of a Dickens Novel

“That must have been some dream” A deep voice came from her right. She looked over and saw Steve Rogers sitting in the chair next to her bed in the med wing.

“It was intense.” Nora started to regain her bearings.

“Look. I know you don’t want to see me and you think I’m the bad guy. But I had to make that decision. Tony knew what he was doing. I couldn’t risk everything he was willing to sacrifice. I wouldn’t have made that choice if”

“Steve. Steve. I know. I was a bitch. I was emotional and upset and I took it out on you. I’m sorry I spoke to you like that. It was just a lot and I think the poison in my system is making me delirious or something but I know you made the right decision. My uncle wouldn’t able to live with himself if people died to save him.” Steve took Nora’s hand. He could tell she was getting upset again.

“It’s forgotten. It was a difficult day. I’m just glad you and Tony are okay.”

“I think okay is stretch.” Nora laughed.

"Well physically okay." Steve squeezed Nora's hand as the door to her room opened. Bruce walked in, seemingly surprised to see Steve sitting there.

"You ready to get out of here?" Bruce had a strange look on his face.

"I thought you said I'd be here for longer?" Nora furrowed her brow.

"Well, we originally thought you would need IV Antibiotics for longer. It seemed like a nasty infection. But apparently it is healing a lot quicker than anticipated. You aren’t out of the woods but we can switch you to oral antibiotics now. You're still going to be sore and the stitches may give you some trouble but we should be able to take them out soon. There's no reason for you to stay in this bed any longer. But Nora, you need to take it easy for a bit."

“Define take it easy” Bruce looked exasperated as he ran his palm down his face.

“You need to stay in the building for now. We don’t want you exposed to any other bacteria. We don’t know how this will affect your immune system. You’re going to have to keep your leg elevated and the swelling down and crutches to walk.

“So really just like being here but in my own bed or on my ass wheeling around. Bruce I have work to do. The tower is a mess. The city is a mess.”

“It’s not up to you to fix it. You need to take care of yourself.” Nora’s lips were pursed. “Don’t look at me like you’re trying to appease me. You have

to follow instructions.” Bruce was pleading. “Or I’ll call Tony and you’ll stay here.”

“She’ll follow directions Dr. Banner. I’ll make sure of it.” Steve had his arms crossed in front of his chest with authority. Nora’s nostrils flared. Before she could attempt to argue Steve continued talking. “You’re going to need help. Tony needs to recover himself. I, however, am already healed. Let me help you.”

“Must be nice being a Super Soldier, but fine.” Nora threw her hands up. “But don’t even think about trying to treat me like a child.” Nora pointed her finger at Steve with raised eyebrows.

"Wouldn't dream of it."

♾♾♾♾♾♾♾♾♾♾♾♾♾♾♾♾♾♾

Steve wheeled Nora into her apartment. Both he and Bruce insisted on her using it to get to her wing of the tower and use it to go anywhere else in the tower except around her loft.

"Now what?' Nora sighed. Steve could tell she was upset but was trying not to show it.

"Now, I'm going to order some dinner. I don't think you want to be poisoned by my cooking on top of everything else. And then we can watch a movie or whatever you want to do."

"I need to shower, I feel disgusting." Steve nodded and was about to wheel her down to her room. "No, give me the crutches. I'm not an invalid" Steve rolled his eyes and handed her the crutches. He didn't attempt to help her to her feet, he knew she wouldn't let him. He watched her hobble down the hall to her bedroom. He opened a few drawers in her kitchen until he found some menus and pulled them out to decide what to get them for dinner.

Behind the door of her bathroom, Nora let a sob escape from her mouth. She was trying so hard to keep her emotions tucked inside, but after what had just happened she was floored. Aliens, Gods, more aliens. She had no idea what she would have done if she had lost her Uncle. She let her tears flow as she hobbled over to her dresser and pulled out a grey t-shirt and a pair of lavender and grey striped shorts. She struggled for a few moments to figure out how to get changed. She couldn't put any pressure on her leg without horrifying pain. She took a deep breath to center herself and went to the door. "Steve?" she called out. She heard his heavy foot steps and soon he was at her door. "Can you see if you can get Nat or Pepper in here?"

"Nat isn't here, she's at SHEILD. Pepper is doing a press conference right now. Are you okay?" Nora didn't want to open the door for Steve to see her tear stained face.

"I just." She paused. "I can't get changed to get into the shower."

"Do you...do you want my help?" Nora groaned. She didn't want to wait until Pepper would be done. It could be hours. She'd have to swallow her pride and let him help her. She wiped her face as best she could and opened the door. "Nora...you're crying." She clearly she hadn't done a good enough job.

"I'm fine." She stepped back so Steve could walk in. He enveloped her in a hug. She stood there shocked for a moment and then hugged him back and then she felt the damn of tears burst open. He slipped his arm behind her knees and picked her up like she was a feather and walked over to her bed so they could sit. He held her as she cried. "I'm sorry. I don’t know why I’m so damn emotional” She sobbed. "I don't normally break down and cry in front of people. I just..."

"Shhh...don't you dare apologize. And don't hold this all in. I've got you. You're safe with me. These past couple of days have been a lot.” Nora took a deep breath. They sat like that for a while. Nora across Steve’s lap as he had his arms wrapped around her torso and hers around his neck. Finally Nora pulled back.

“I really need to shower but I need help.” Her face turned pink.

“I can help you. I won’t look. It’s okay.” Steve helped her stand up and into her bathroom. She grabbed a towel from her linen cabinet and set it on the counter. Steve opened her shower door and started the water. “How hot do you want it?”

“So hot it almost melts my face off?” Steve laughed.

“I’m not going to turn it that hot. You can adjust it once you get in.” Nora nodded.

“Okay, this is awkward, let’s just power through. I can’t balance to take my pants on or off.” Steve nodded. “I’m going to turn around. I feel like my bare ass is less embarrassing. I mean an ass is ass.”

“However you’re most comfortable “‘Steve laughed. Nora turned around and pulled her t-shirt off and threw it in the hamper. Steve felt his mouth go dry. Nora felt his hands on her hips. “Okay I’m going to slide them off.” Nora nodded. She felt the heat burning on her cheeks. She felt like someone was blowing bubbles in her stomach. She was painfully aware of how firm Steve was holding her waste. His calloused hands were hot against her skin. Suddenly she was painfully aware that she was completely naked. “Can you step in by yourself?” Nora nodded unable to speak. She stepped in and quickly shut the door behind her. “I’m going to go back into your room. The towel is right here. Call me when you’re ready for me.

“Okay. Thanks Steve.” Nora felt her heart pounding.

“Of course. I’ll be right outside”. Steve ran his hands down his face. He spent the entire time thinking of the most non-sexual thoughts he could to avoid being turned on. He was attracted to Nora, she was beautiful, but there was something about her that was magnatizing.

He looked around her room. The walls were a grayish purple. The room wasn’t as big as he thought it would be, but it was still bigger than any room he had ever slept in. There was a slanted ceiling near the bathroom that created a large alcove where an oak roll top desk and chair was located. She had a matching chest of drawers that matched the desk as well as a large bookshelf that was loaded with books. Nora being a bookworm made him smile. Her king sized bed was in the middle of the room with an oak nightstand on one side and on the other was an elaborate lamp. It was built like a tree and was covered with glass flowers that all had tiny light bulbs in the middle. There was a smaller black lamp on the night stand.

Parallel to the wall with the door was a set of glass french doors with trim painted the black. It led out to a substantial balcony. Steve imagined Nora spent a lot of time out there. Her glanced over at her bluish purple bed spread that was a soft chenille. It was simple and loaded with pillows. He wondered how she fit in the bed with that many pillows. He walked over to the bookshelf and took a picture off to study it. It had

to be her parents. Grant was the spitting imagine of Howard Stark, even more than Tony. He knew the woman was her mother, although her hair was blonde it hung in spirals like Nora’s. She also had the same captivating sea green eyes as her daughter. Next to that was a picture of an older Howard and he assumed Maria who was holding a little bundle he was sure was Nora. Steve knew they didn’t live much longer after the picture had been taken. He glanced at a few photos of Nora and Grant. There was one of Nora, maybe 12, with Pepper. There was then an onslaught of photos of Nora and Tony. Ones with a young Tony and a toddler Nora. He saw her grow up in the photos. Her High School graduation, prom, a Christmas photo. Despite all of her loss, Tony has given her the best life possible. Not with his money, but with how much he loved her. The pride in his eyes in each photo jumped out at you. His favorite picture was of her and Tony, she was holding a cello and happiness was radiating from her.

Steve jumped and put the photo with back when he heard the bathroom door open. Nora hobbled out wearing her towel and holding her clothes. “I’m all done.” Her voice was quiet and sheepish.

“Here, sit down on the edge of the bed.” Steve helped her over as she sat. He took the black cotton boy short panties and slid them up to her knees and did The same with her shorts. “If you stand will you be able to pull them up the rest of the way?” Nora nodded. Steve tried to ignore her blazingly red face. “Okay, I’ll help you stand and then you can finish getting dressed. Your crutches are right there on the bed.” Steve helped her stand and then headed towards her door.

“Steve?” He heard her say in almost a whisper. “Thank you.” He nodded at her with a smile and headed back out to the living room.

♾♾♾♾♾♾♾♾♾♾♾♾♾♾♾♾♾♾

Nora used her crutches to get back out to the main area. Her large apartment started with an open floor plan. The substantial kitchen and living room were what you saw when you walked in. Dark hardwood floors throughout. Parallel to her door was a long hallway with 5 doors. On the right hand side was first the guest bedroom and the master bedroom at the end of the hall. On the other side there were two more doors with a half bath in the middle. Each bedroom had its own bathroom.

“So I ordered some pizza and wings. I figured it was a safe bet.”

“That’s fine, but I’m not really hungry to be honest.”

“You definitely have to eat Nora. All of that medicine will kill your stomach.” She nodded and hobbled over to the living room. She had a large taupe microfiber couch with ottoman at each end and two over sized chairs on each side. There was an antique looking entertainment center and above it, mounted to the wall was a large flat screen TV. About 6 feet back from the couch was a large wooden table with a marble top. It had a long bench on the side closest to the wall with 3 large chairs Across from it and 2 on each end. There was a wall of floor to ceiling windows. Across from the large table right next to the windows was a baby grand piano. Nora sat on the couch propping her leg up on the ottoman.

“You really don’t have to stay Steve. I’ll be fine.” Nora finally said. Steve had been studying her profile after she sat down. She looked overwhelmed and slightly sad.

“I know you’d be fine but you really shouldn’t be alone. Something could happen and you’re not at 100%. Unless you don’t want me here, I could call Nat.”

“No that’s not it. I just feel bad that I’m hijacking your life.” Steve walked over and sat next to Nora and faced her.

“You’re not hijacking anything. There’s no place else I’d rather be.” His warm smile set her at ease. His hand was next to hers and she linked her pinky with his. Steve was amazed that a tiny little touch could send his heart racing. Before either of them could say or do anything else there was a knock on the door. Steve jumped up to open it and was greeted by Tony’s confused face. He walked past Steve into the apartment. Steve could tell he was trying to appear uninjured but his movements said otherwise. Even after a few days since the battle his face was bruised up.

“Wasn’t expecting to see you here Cap.” Tony glanced over his shoulder with a knowing look at Steve. He looked guilty and Nora looked flustered.

“Uh Dr. Banner had some stipulations on letting Nora out of the med bay so I told him I’d stick around to help.”

“Jarvis- have some clothes sent over for the Captain if he’s staying here. Don’t need him smelling up the place.” Tony ordered his A.I. He smiled at Nora and kissed her on the cheek and sat down next to her. “Hi babydoll, how’s my girl?” Steve stepped into the kitchen to give them some privacy. He sat at the large island on one of the stools. The marble top on the island and the rest of the counters matched the table. The color of the cabinets matched the color of her furniture. Her french door refrigerator and 6 burner stove as well as the dish washer were black. He looked at the walls of the entire area. The color was a very pale turquoise. Almost so pale it was white. One wall on the living room side behind the table and piano was exposed brick. Her tastes were simple and clean.

“I’m okay. Really tired still. How are you? Shouldn’t you be resting?”

“Oh honey I’m fine. I’ve had worse than this.”

Nora gave him a skeptical look. “I came over once I heard you were back over here to see if you wanted to stay on my floor so you weren’t alone, but I see you aren’t.”

“You need to take care of yourself and not worry about me. You fell out of the sky!”

“Banner broke my fall.” Tony gave his signature smirk. “But I see you’re in good hands here so I’m going to head back over before Pepper comes hunting for me. Call me if you need anything.” Tony kissed her forehead. “Love you Nori. Keep that leg up and don’t try to over do it.”

“Ditto, on all accounts.” She smiled adoringly up at her Uncle. He gave her a shrug.

“My legs are fine.” He turned to Steve and nodded “Captain.” After a second glance, he headed out the door.

Steve managed to get Nora to eat a piece of pizza and a couple of wings. He took it as a victory. He walked back over to the couch and handed Nora her antibiotics and some of her pain medication. She swallowed it quickly with her water. Steve sat down next to her as she picked another movie.

“You look exhausted. Why don’t we call it a night.”

“I don’t want to sleep” Nora confessed.

“You need some rest. It’ll help you heal.”

“If I sleep, I’ll dream and I’d like to avoid that.” Concern was draped over Steve’s face.

“Nightmares?”

“Among other things.”

“Here lean forward.” As Nora moved he slid behind her so she could rest her torso on his and stretch her legs out across the couch. It took Nora a moment to settle back, taken by surprise. Once she was resting against him Steve covered them with the large blanket that was on the back of the couch. “Rest, go to sleep. If you start having a nightmare I’ll wake you up.” Nora nodded and then started the movie. About 15 minutes after the movie started her head fell back against Steve’s shoulder. Steve leaned his head back and closed his eyes, the sweet smell of Nora’s shampoo helping him drift off to sleep.