#let steve be emotionally intelligent

[steddiehasmywholeheart]

Thinking about Steve, gracious, kind, emotionally intelligent Steve, growing up with a father who used to spit 'Sorry's not good enough' at him whenever he did something wrong. Thinking about him knowing enough to not let that prevent him apologising to people when he needs to, until Eddie. Until he's desperately in love like never before, but he's just had the biggest fight of his life, and he's suddenly terrified that if he utters those two words, the love of his life who is clearly still frazzled and mad, will somehow turn into his dad and end the best thing he's ever had. Thinking about him suddenly starting to cry, and Eddie being so, so confused. Thinking about Eddie realising there's a whole other level to Steve's abandonment issues, and just holding him as he reassures him, time and time again, that sorry is always good enough for him.

[oceantornadoo]

ex and the city (simon riley x female reader)

inspired by s2 ep18 of sex and the city (currently on a binge). miranda and steve are the cutest (pls don't spoil)

ANGSTY

--

fuck, it was him.

simon stood at the other side of your door, glaring into your peephole. you stepped back quickly, hand covering your mouth in shock. after running away from him on the street the other day, you hadn't expected him to show up. maybe you could just not answer, pretend it never happened and- "can hear ya breathin', dove." shit.

you quickly unlocked the door, trying to compose yourself. "simon! hi!" shit you needed to calm down. that is not how an ex-fiancee would treat her almost-husband. "shitty thing you did, runnin' like a rabbit fr'm me." your eyebrows rose. he was going for it. "i didn't run!" he looked at you, dead-eyed. letting the silence hang over you like a dark cloud, the air growing tense in your apartment hallway behind him.

"you ran." you ran a hand down your face, the other tightening your grip on your door. "well, i wasn't expecting to see you and- i just-" your voice choked, an attempt at hiding back your tears. "hurt my feelin's, dove." simon kept his arms crossed, staring down at you. he never did talk about his feelings much, but seeing the woman who was supposed to be his wife, his forever, run away from him? that hurt even a dead man like him.

"well i don't do very well with ex-boyfriends and..." you trailed off, staring at your toes. the tears were hot behind your eyes now, months of frustration and longing boiling to the surface. "dove..." he reached out and tilted your chin up, forcing you to look at him. the feeling of his gloves against your skin was so familiar you almost closed your eyes, but snapped them open when you remembered. "this is me. simon." you nodded, throat thick. you shrugged, struggling to find the words to convey how you survived without him for the past four months. you decided on a simple, "yeah."

"i held your head while you wer' sleepin'." simon took off his mask, tucking it in his pocket. his hair was a bit longer since the last time you saw it. his face a bit scruffy, sporting a few new scars from the last deployment you had screamed at him for. your neighbor appeared behind him, tilting her head back as she pretended not to listen. you turned away, rubbing at your eyes as they got red. he took the silent invite and ran with it, stepping through and closing the door before your neighbor saw you vulnerable. always protecting you physically, even when he couldn't emotionally.

"im sorry. im so sorry it- i just-" you rubbed at your chest, an aching spot forming behind your rib cage. "shh dove, s'ok, yer ok." he reached for you and then stopped himself. he didn't get that privilege anymore. "i just hadn't seen you in so long and i thought you might have died and i missed you simon..." your voice cracked at his name, the taste of it so familiar. like a warm hot chocolate on a winter's day, a cool lemonade on a summer's night. "im a shitty person! you'd never do anything that shitty."

he chuckled. you, always idolizing him, making him out to be a golden boy when really he was rotting, a half-dead thing for you to play with. "showed up to yer apartment in the middle of the day an' called yer landlord to make sure you were in. what'dya call that?" a sob rose from your throat, the humor of what he said hitting you hard. "yeah that was pretty shitty." you nodded, rewarding him with a weak smile and a half-angry tone.

"i miss you. in my bones, si." his eyes were wet, crinkling in the leftover eye-black. "im here, dove. what'rya doin' friday?" you let out a sob again, covering your mouth. "i have a date." fuck, he'd kill him. he'd let johnny plant mines and put gaz on intelligence and ask price to redeem that one favor from a year ago. he'd make it look like an purposeful accident, a gas leak or a water heater explosion. something where even the man's family couldn't get any money. he ran his hands through his hair, a nervous tick he only showed in front of you.

"can't pretend to be happy for ya, dove. can't be a better man on this." and suddenly you were hugging him, hands reaching over his shoulders as you stood on familiar tiptoes. his hands automatically circled your waist, the feel of it engrained in his soul. something he could describe from memory. "lets just...stay here awhile. okay?" he nodded into your hair, breathing in that familiar scent. he had another chance at making you his wife and he wasn't going to lose it again.

--

i kinda want to write one of these for all of the 141?? we'll see.

[your-unfriendlyghost]

Do you have any steviepop hcs? I love your blog :)

Thanks! And boy do I-

ok I’m gonna do this in the same format as my Steve x Evie headcannons, so like long-winded backstory first and then general relationship hcs/future stuff. There’s a lot so this is sorta long lol oops

(Tw for some period-typical homophobia…but like yk that’s sorta a given since it’s the 60s and all)

Backstory:

-So Steve’s always liked Soda a little more than he knows he’s supposed to. He noticed it at age twelve and has been repressing it for years. But by the time he’s sixteen, he’s fed up and pent up and sexually frustrated- and on top of it all, Soda’s dated tons of girls and Steve’s never even been kissed. Besides, he knows Soda’s unattainable.

-So when he meets Evie, who’s good-looking, funny, and likes him, he goes for it. Initially he thinks of her as someone he’s using to distract himself from Soda, but…c’mon. She’s Evie. She’s gorgeous and sweet and good with cars and as hotheaded as he is, but also lets him be sensitive and emotional in a way he never has let himself be before…And before he knows it, Steve’s fallen hard. Within a month he’s whipped for her and within two more he knows he’s gonna marry her someday. 

-There’s only one issue: being in love with Evie has not made him fall out of love with Soda.

-And worse, Evie’s smart, and Steve, despite his efforts, is not subtle- so Evie knows. And initially she hates it. She hates feeling like she’s competing with Sodapop Curtis for her boyfriend’s attention. She hates how it makes her question if Steve even likes her at all. She hates how she’s also worried for Steve’s safety, even if he is (theoretically) using her, because even if he’s not in love with her, she still loves him and cares about him and it’s the 60s and gay is not a thing you wanna be in the 60s-

-But over time, Evie realizes that Steve really does love her as much as he says he does. He gives her his mom’s old jewelry, he goes cruising with her and they talk for hours, he sneaks into her window at night just to hang out, he holds her hand or waist or hips constantly because he loves being near her…he loves her, and she knows it.

-The problem is that he definitely also loves Sodapop. Evie’s like 99% sure of it.

-See, Evie’s never liked Sodapop as much as everyone around her. Sure he’s cute, but maybe she thinks he’s a little unambitious and loser-y. Like the kind of airhead Sylvia would date just because he’s a good lay. Besides, everyone likes Soda- he’s like, way too mainstream, and Evie’s not impressed. She’s heard him flirt. It’s pathetic. And so cocky and preformative.

-But through Steve, Evie begins to see a different Soda. The more she hangs out with him, the more she sees him as the guy Steve sees- a good hearted, passionate, fiercely protective guy, who’s more emotionally intelligent (at least w/ other people’s emotions) than any other guys she’s met. He’s considerate, earnest, and yeah okay also ridiculously pretty. And much to her chagrin, Evie…starts to see the appeal. She’s a little in love with Soda too now. He’s not Steve, but she really does like him. 

-She puts her feelings and also Steve’s feelings on the backburner tho ‘cos Soda’s dating Sandy… Until he isn’t.

-And now that Soda constantly third wheels Steve and Evie’s dates, he begins to realize how much he likes being with them. He always feels so…good around them. But that’s weird, right? He shouldn’t feel like that for his best friend’s girl…and he definitely shouldn’t feel like that for his best friend. Soda tries to chalk it up to jealousy- he’s just jealous of Steve, he doesn’t love him, he’s just jealous that Steve gets to have Evie, who really is stunning and Soda really likes her- 

-But he isn’t jealous. Not really. He loves that Steve and Evie love each other. They’re so happy. Honest to God, he loves it- he loves seeing them happy. Lord knows they deserve it. Besides, Soda doesn’t really feel not included. Actually, he’s very included. The only times he feels a tinge of loneliness are when Steve and Evie fall asleep cozied up in Evie’s bed, while Soda takes the guest room. And yeah, okay, maybe he’s jealous when they hold hands in public- they’ve both held his hand in private, but never in public…And sure, a part of Soda wishes that they’d refer to him as their boyfriend too and maybe kiss him instead of just each other-

-That’s impossible though. He knows it’s impossible. He and Steve are men. Evie and Steve are sickeningly in love. Soda’s just a bother, tagging along like a sad dog who neither of them wanna deal with but are too polite to scare away. It’s fine. Soda’s already heartbroken over Sandy, he’s used to this. It’s actually a little boring. Sure he’s sad, but like, duh. He’s always sad. So like Soda almost always does when he’s sad, he ignores it and pretends it isn’t happening. Sure he smokes more and his risks are getting stupider, but after Dally and Johnny, ain’t everyone?

-The thing is, Soda’s even less subtle than Steve. And to Evie, who’s already accepted that Steve is bi (well she wouldn’t call it “bi” in the 60s, but yk what I mean) and in love with Soda, it’s insanely obvious that Soda’s also in love with Steve. Soda keeps flirting with girls and looking at Steve and Evie for approval, leading Steve around by the belt loop, he checks Evie out very obviously, he takes them out on outings that aren’t technically dates but do usually end with all three of them sitting in the car and cuddling (although of course both Steve and Soda would vehemently deny that it’s “cuddling” lol. By daylight, they prefer not to acknowledge it at all)... Evie knows there’s something going on here.

(As an aside, I don’t mean for the girl character to be the emotionally intelligent one because I think girls are inherently emotionally smart or anything. I just think that it’s easier in this case for Evie to put it together, because she doesn’t have any internalized homophobia towards herself like Steve and Soda do. Evie’s the only one who isn’t actively denying her feelings- while it was still taboo to like multiple guys in the 1960s, it was a helluva lot more taboo to be gay.)

-So finally, Evie just spills all this to Steve.

-He gets really pissed, and also scared, and also guilty- he’s always seen his feelings for Soda as perverted and wrong. Initially he’s angry that Evie would even suggest that, but really he’s angry because she’s right. And if she knows, then she’ll leave him, won’t she? 

-Evie reassures him that she will not leave him and that she’s okay with it. Encourages it, actually- and besides, she’s a bit in love with Soda too. 

-So in some dramatic scene that I’ve written on ao3 twice now, Soda finds out. And thus Steviepop is born lol

General relationship h/cs

-They all think they’re very secretive about the fact that they’re all dating. They aren’t subtle at all though. No one outside of the gang suspects anything- ‘cos who’d come to that conclusion in 1960s Tulsa? But within the gang it’s just one of those things everyone kinda knows but doesn’t talk about, like how they all know not to ask Two-Bit about his drinking habits or how they all know not to talk about Paul Holden with Darry. 

-But in a Dally lives AU, he definitely brings it up- I’ve written a scene where he does actually, it’s gonna be in a fic I’m workin on. Dally tries to make it seem like he’s just fucking with Soda, but really he’s trying to be protective- he, like the rest of the gang, worries a bit about how comfortable and affectionate the trio is. In his head, it’s only a matter of time before someone actively homophobic hurts them. 

-Ponyboy finds out about it because he sees Soda kissing Evie and has a whole moral panic- does he tell Steve and betray Soda?! But Steve does deserve to know- But what if he ruins Steve and Soda’s friendship? Well, Soda’s kinda doing that himself by kissing Steve’s girl-

-He eventually decides to tell Steve, because he knows deep down that’s the right thing to do.

-Steve is sorta touched that the kid would do that for him, but boy, it’s funny. He sorta vaguely implies that he’s aware and okay with it- “Evie and Sodapop- we uh…have…um…an arrangement.”

-Pony quickly learns the terms and conditions of that arrangement when he goes with them to the drive-in and sees how they all are with each other. He’s bright. He connects the dots quick- Good grief, he’s fourth wheeling his brother, Evie Peterson, and Steve fucking Randle. 

-He doesn’t ever mention it again after that, at least not until Soda tearfully comes out to him and Darry about six months later. (Pony and Darry just kinda look at each other and try to sound like they 100% didn’t know what Steve, Evie, and Soda have been getting up to in Soda’s old room)

-They all go to prom together, although they claim Soda’s just third-wheeling

-Soda and Evie bond over loving horses. Meanwhile, Steve has been scared of horses ever since Soda hurt his knee, and they make fun of him for being scared lol. He says he isn’t but he definitely is.

-Evie and Soda wear the same shoe size, and he’s absolutely worn her gogo boots before around the house as a joke. (Evie, in turn, has worn his cowboy boots- but she’s worn ‘em out in public. Soda loves it.)

-Both Evie and Soda have worn Steve’s vest. It’s too short for Soda and looks super cropped on him lol (I mean it is technically cropped in the movie but like. Tom Cruise is short lol. It meets his waistband just fine.)

-But Soda specifically loves when Steve and Evie wear his stuff- to avoid suspicion, he can’t be as open with them as they are with each other in public, but when they wear his jackets or shirts, he feels included. He can’t hold their hands, but Evie’s wrapped in his flannel and Steve’s in his DX cap, so they’re still his.

-Soda has first-fought someone for catcalling Evie. (Steve would too obviously, but then, he’d fist-fight anyone just for fun.) (Well, ok, Soda would too, but Evie didn’t know that back then)

-Their theme song has gotta be “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” by the Beach Boys. I’ve used that for Stevepop before, but it’s extremely Steviepop too, especially from Soda’s POV.

-When two of them have shifts at the DX and one doesn’t, the one who doesn’t sometimes just shows up anyway. Usually it’s Steve, although it remains to be seen whether he does it outta love for Evie and Soda…or if he just misses the cars.

-One time Evie introduces them to her mom, as her boyfriend and his friend. Except…she never actually clarified which was which, so her mom still isn’t sure is she’s with “the short one with the nice arm muscles and fucked teeth”, or if she’s with “the pretty one who looks like a cowboy”. She’s also not sure who she’d prefer for Evie to be with- Soda’s better looking and has better manners, but Steve is buff and has more money… (Evie is fully aware of her mom’s confusion, but until her mom asks her outright, she’s not going to explain- she thinks it’s hilarious)

-Evie’s going to college, she wants to be a doctor, or maybe a nurse because she’s not sure she can afford to get a doctorate/go to med school. And Steve, who’s always had decent grades (yk, a solid B student w/ maybe one or two Cs/As in between), figures he might as well give the college thing a go, too. He’s always sorta wanted to design his own cars, maybe he’ll try engineering school- and hey maybe he’ll hate it and drop out, but either way, he’s going where Evie goes.

-Soda on the other hand feels like he can’t go with them, because A, he’s a high school dropout, and B, he can’t leave Ponyboy and Darry. They need him…right?

-But there’s a ranch that needs stable hands out near the town the college is in…and Darry and Ponyboy haven’t fought in a while…and Soda can still support them financially with checks in the mail…and Evie and Steve leased an off-campus apartment that needs a third roommate…

-So Soda goes with them.

-Eventually though they do move back to Oklahoma. Maybe to Bixby (Tex fans where you at lol), where Evie is close enough to the hospital to not have a long commute, and Soda is close enough to the country to work at stables. (He has his own horse, although he can’t afford a stable- so he rents stable space from the McCormick brothers) (Tex fans where you at) (Steve’s happy enough too- everyone needs a mechanic everywhere, so he’s never gotta search hard for work)

-When they’re in their late twenties, Steve and Evie get married- the only reason why they put it off for so long was because they didn’t want Soda to feel left out. But by then they’ve all been together for like nine years, so Soda knows and trusts that he’s fully an equal part of the relationship. It’s a real small ceremony with only their closest friends, and Soda’s at the altar with them and gets a ring too. (The officiant is confused but really no one cares about that lol)

-Idk i guess after that most folks have kids but…I don’t really think Steve would want that? In my heart tho they adopt Tex but that’s outlandish even for me lol

[barnesdolls]

“THIS ISN’T ABOUT SHARON”

(IT’S TOTALLY ABOUT SHARON)

(aka: Bucky Barnes is Jealous, Vol. 87)

(Featuring: Bucky Barnes slowly combusting, Steve Rogers being tragically dumb, Sharon Carter weaponizing charm, and a cat named Alpine with better emotional intelligence than both men combined.)

⸻

It started with Sharon saying, “Wow, Captain, your shoulders look even broader lately.”

And it ended (so far) with Bucky wondering if it was physically possible to flip a conference table without breaking eye contact.

He sat across the room, legs crossed, arms folded tightly, watching Sharon flirt with Steve like she was trying to land an internship in his personal space.

She laughed at everything. Everything.

“Oh, you lead a team of elite soldiers and survived being frozen for seventy years? Haha, you’re so funny, Steve!”

Bucky was going to vomit. Possibly out of spite.

Alpine, curled in Bucky’s lap (yes, he brought his cat to the compound meeting because he’s emotionally supported by a fluffball and that’s valid), sensed his rising blood pressure and softly headbutted his chin.

“Yeah, I know, she’s still talking,” Bucky muttered under his breath.

Alpine blinked in slow, feline judgment.

Steve, meanwhile, just stood there with that golden retriever expression, smiling like he had no idea he was being visually undressed by a Carter for the second generation in a row.

“I mean, seriously,” Sharon giggled, brushing nonexistent lint off his chest, “Do you train every day?”

“I try to stick to a routine,” Steve replied, like she had asked if he owned a gym membership and not if he wanted to bench-press her soul.

Bucky’s fingers tightened on Alpine’s fur. The cat let out a single annoyed meow.

“Sorry,” Bucky whispered, giving her an apologetic scratch. “Daddy’s going through some… psychological warfare.”

Steve looked over then, smiling. “Hey, Buck! Sharon was just asking about our training schedule. Maybe you could help coordinate something with her?”

You absolute traitor.

Bucky blinked slowly. “Mmm. No, thanks.”

Steve tilted his head. “Why not?”

“I’m busy.”

“You’re literally sitting with your cat—”

“Exactly.”

Steve turned back to Sharon, utterly lost. “He’s been weird lately.”

“Is it… something I said?” she asked, biting her lip in mock concern.

Bucky made a sound that could only be described as audible scowling.

“Let me guess,” Sharon said with a smirk, “He’s the strong, silent, broody type?”

Steve chuckled. “Yeah, he gets that a lot.”

Bucky whispered something under his breath that sounded suspiciously like, “You get a lot of head trauma too, but we don’t talk about that, do we?”

⸻

Later that day, Steve walked into the kitchen to find Bucky glaring at a mug.

“…You okay, pal?”

Bucky didn’t look up. “Fine.”

Steve peered into the mug. “That tea offending you or something?”

“Nope.”

“You’ve been weird since this morning.”

Bucky sipped. “Maybe the room’s weird.”

Steve leaned against the counter. “Is this about the briefing?”

“Nope.”

“Sharon?”

Bucky’s eye twitched. “No. Why would it be?”

Steve frowned. “She said you were upset. Thought maybe I did something.”

Bucky rolled his eyes. “Wow, a Carter making up narratives about me. Shocking.”

Steve squinted. “Wait, you are mad.”

“No, I’m just cursed with facial expressions.”

“Did she say something wrong?”

“Oh my God, Steve,” Bucky snapped, slamming the mug down. “She flirted with you so hard she might as well have thrown her badge at your face and you just stood there like a giant patriotic tree!”

Steve blinked. “She was flirting?”

“YES, STEVE.”

“…I thought she was being nice.”

Alpine, now lounging on the counter like the queen she was, let out a tired meow of pure disappointment.

Bucky pointed at the cat. “Even she knows.”

Steve looked between Bucky and Alpine. “Okay, but… why does it bother you?”

Bucky opened his mouth. Closed it. Opened it again. “Because. She’s annoying.”

“That’s it?”

“Yes.”

Steve stared. “You sure?”

“Absolutely.”

Another pause.

Alpine jumped onto Bucky’s shoulder and licked his cheek in what was either affection or a sarcastic “you’re doing amazing, sweetie.”

Steve narrowed his eyes. “Do you—do you not like the idea of me with Sharon?”

Bucky’s eye twitched again. “You’d die. She wears heels. You’d fall down the stairs trying to impress her.”

Steve laughed. “I’m not trying to impress her.”

“Oh my God,” Bucky muttered. “I need to go scream into a wall.”

“You wanna spar later?” Steve offered. “You seem tense.”

“I wonder why.”

Steve scratched his head. “Well, whatever it is, I’m here if you wanna talk.”

“Wow. Groundbreaking.”

Steve blinked. “…Did you just quote yourself?”

Bucky stood, Alpine in arms. “I’m taking my daughter and leaving.”

“She’s not—”

“She is now.”

Steve watched him go, utterly baffled. “What just happened?”

Alpine turned in Bucky’s arms and gave Steve one last look over Bucky’s shoulder.

It said, very clearly: You’re an idiot. But he loves you anyway.

And then she blinked slowly, like she pitied them both.

⸻

It had been three days.

Three days of bitter silence, passive-aggressive grunting, and Steve trying (and failing) to figure out why Bucky was mad while Bucky pretended not to care at all, except he very obviously did because he started going to the gym at 5:00am to avoid Steve’s golden retriever aura.

Alpine was done with it.

Absolutely sick of it.

She had her routine: nap at 11am, destroy the couch at noon, get worshipped by her emotionally stunted human by 3pm - and this cold war between Bucky and Steve was throwing off her entire emotional support schedule.

So she devised a plan. A plan of chaos. A plan of genius.

Step 1: Manipulate Steve Rogers.

She found him in the common room, sitting with his elbows on his knees, looking like someone who had just been told his best friend hated him and also might be allergic to happiness.

“Hi, Alpine,” he said softly.

She meowed. Loudly. With purpose.

Then she jumped in his lap.

Steve blinked. “You don’t usually sit with me.”

She meowed again, then turned around three times and settled in. She looked up at him meaningfully.

“…Are you trying to tell me something?”

Meow.

“…Is it about Bucky?”

Meeeooow.

Steve squinted. “Did I screw up?”

Alpine blinked. Slowly. Like, glacially slow.

“Okay, okay, alright…message received,” Steve muttered. “But he won’t talk to me. He just keeps glaring and saying ‘I’m fine’ like a damn liar.”

She slapped his knee with her tail.

“Okay, okay! I’ll try again!”

Step 2: Trap them.

Later that evening, Bucky walked into the kitchen to grab a protein bar and found Alpine sitting in the middle of the room, tail wrapped around her dainty paws, looking like a cult leader.

“Hey, baby,” he said, scratching her head. “What are you doin’ in here all dramatic?”

She stood up. Meowed. Then ran off.

Bucky blinked. “Okay…”

He followed. Because obviously.

She led him down the hallway, into the training room, where the lights were already on and—

“Oh for fuck’s sake,” Bucky muttered.

Steve was already standing there, arms crossed, like he’d just been lured in by a very bossy cat.

They both looked down at Alpine, who promptly sat in the exact middle of the room and meowed once, loudly, like a judge banging a gavel.

“I think she wants us to talk,” Steve said awkwardly.

“No shit, Sherlock,” Bucky muttered.

Steve scratched the back of his neck. “Look. I know I’m bad at reading people. You probably wanted me to pick up on something you weren’t saying and I just… didn’t.”

Bucky crossed his arms. “You think?”

Alpine let out a long, suffering meow like “Tell him you love him, you emotionally constipated winter muffin.”

Steve stepped closer. “I just..- if I made you feel replaced or overlooked, I’m sorry, Buck. I didn’t realize Sharon was coming on that strong. I wasn’t trying to flirt. You know that, right?”

Bucky’s jaw clenched. “Yeah. I know. You’re just stupid.”

“Wow.”

“No, I mean..- you’re stupid in a way that makes it real hard for people to tell you how they feel without needing a damn PowerPoint.”

Steve laughed under his breath. “You could’ve just said you didn’t like her.”

“I didn’t not like her,” Bucky snapped. “I didn’t like her near you. There’s a difference.”

Steve blinked. “…Oh.”

“Oh,” Bucky mocked. “Wow, it finally clicked.”

“You jealous?” Steve asked, smiling.

Bucky rolled his eyes so hard he could see the previous day. “Not of her. Just… of the idea of someone else knowing you better than I do.”

Steve went quiet.

Alpine meowed. Loudly.

Steve cleared his throat. “I don’t think anyone knows me better than you. Not even me sometimes.”

Bucky’s lip twitched. “You saying I’m your emotional translator?”

“Maybe.”

“Gross.”

Steve stepped forward again. “So we good?”

Bucky sighed. “Yeah. Just don’t make me sit through another Carter monologue about your arms.”

“Deal.”

They stood there awkwardly for a moment, until Alpine meowed again, like “Are you gonna kiss or just stand there like idiots?”

Steve reached over and ruffled Bucky’s hair. “I missed you, grumpy.”

Bucky smacked his hand away. “Touch me again and I’ll replace your shampoo with mayonnaise.”

“I deserve that.”

“Damn right.”

They both looked down at Alpine, who stretched out like a satisfied villain and purred loudly.

“Smartest one in the room,” Steve muttered.

“Don’t let her hear that, she’ll start charging rent.”

Alpine yawned, victorious.

Love was restored. The Cold War was over.

And Alpine?

She simply returned to her throne (a.k.a. the back of the couch) and plotted her next meddling.

After all, Tony and Bruce were clearly in denial too.

[celestinedream]

Captain America: The Winter Soldier – Representation Analysis

Introduction: Breaking Down Representation in The Winter Soldier

Alright, so we’ve already talked about why this movie is amazing, but now let’s get into the deeper stuff. Representation in media matters, and The Winter Soldier gives us some really interesting portrayals of different groups. For this analysis, I’m focusing on Black representation in the movie, specifically through Sam Wilson (Falcon) and Nick Fury. These characters aren’t just there for diversity points, they play key roles in the film, but do they break stereotypes or reinforce them?

How Are Black Characters Defined in the Film?

Behaviors & Roles in Society

Sam Wilson (Falcon) is introduced as a veteran who now works as a counselor for other vets dealing with PTSD. That’s already different from the typical “tough guy” action hero stereotype, it shows him as compassionate, community-driven, and emotionally intelligent. Not to mention he’s fun when he wants to be. However, he quickly becomes Captain America’s sidekick, which raises the question: does he have an independent identity, or is he just there to support the white hero?

Nick Fury, as Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., has power, political, strategic, and professional. He makes the big moves and literally fakes his death to outsmart HYDRA (ahem Pierce). His role as the “mysterious, all knowing leader” leans into familiar tropes of the “Black mentor” guiding the (white) protagonist.

Appearance

Sam is always in military or casual athletic wear, reinforcing his role as a soldier and action ready character.

Fury’s look? Classic all black trench coat, eye patch, and serious expression. It makes him look powerful, but also plays into the “cool, intimidating leader” archetype.

Values

Both Sam and Fury value loyalty, leadership, and justice, which fits their roles as “the good guys.”

Sam, in particular, values brotherhood and emotional support, which is refreshing compared to hyper-masculine action heroes.

Neither character is portrayed as greedy or power-hungry, which is a positive shift from past media portrayals of Black characters as either corrupt or violent.

How Does This Representation Compare to Other Media?

Similarities to Other Films

Sam as the Sidekick: This is a common pattern in action films, Black characters often serve as the “best friend” or “mentor” to a white hero (Tony Stark had Rhodey, Batman has Lucius Fox, etc.). While Sam is awesome, he’s still in a supporting role rather than the lead (he’s come so far now since he was the lead in the new Captain America movie).

Nick Fury as the Cool, Powerful Leader: This fits the trend of Black authority figures in movies (Morpheus from The Matrix), where they guide the hero but don’t get as much personal depth.

Differences from Other Films

Sam is actually emotionally open, which is rare for Black male characters in action movies. He talks about PTSD, gives advice, and supports Steve emotionally, most Black action characters aren’t given that kind of vulnerability.

Fury is not just a mentor, he’s a full on mastermind. He’s playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers, which gives him more agency than many similar characters in older films.

Frequency of Representation

Let’s be real, Black superheroes and leaders are still underrepresented in major blockbusters. The fact that Sam and Fury have solid roles is great, but before Black Panther, Black characters in the MCU were mostly sidekicks or authority figures rather than leading heroes.

Power, Relationships & Action

Who Holds Power?

Nick Fury has political power (as Director of S.H.I.E.L.D.), but his power is temporary, he has to fake his own death and go underground, meaning he’s not actually in control by the end.

Sam Wilson has physical and relational power, he’s a great fighter and Steve trusts him completely, but he’s not making big decisions. He’s following Cap’s lead.

Who Is Active vs. Passive?

Sam is active, he fights, makes choices, and supports Steve in battle.

Fury is active, he orchestrates plans, manipulates situations, and stays one step ahead of HYDRA.

However, both characters ultimately exist in relation to Steve. They support the hero rather than being the hero.

Does The Winter Soldier Provide a Positive or Negative Portrayal?

Positive: Both characters are strong, intelligent, and respected. They aren’t comic relief, criminals, or disposable side characters.

Negative: Neither is the main hero (for this movie). They reinforce the pattern of Black characters being powerful but ultimately serving a white protagonist’s story.

Theoretical Lens – Critical Race Theory & Hegemony

Critical Race Theory (CRT)

CRT examines how race plays into power structures in media. In The Winter Soldier, Sam and Fury have some power, but not as much as the white protagonist.

Their roles reflect real-world racial dynamics, Black men can have power, but often in ways that support existing (white-led) institutions.

Hegemony & Ideology

Hegemony is about who controls the narrative. Steve, a white man, is at the center, while Sam and Fury exist within his world. The film doesn’t fully challenge racial power structures, but it does show strong Black characters in leadership roles, which is a step forward.

Final Thoughts: What This Says About Society Today

Intertextuality & MCU Impact: Because Sam and Fury are part of a larger universe, their representation matters long term. Sam eventually becomes Captain America, which shifts the power dynamic in future films (The Falcon and the Winter Soldier explores this more deeply).

Relevance Today: The film highlights who gets to be a hero and why. While Black characters are gaining more agency in media, they’re still often sidekicks or secondary figures. The Winter Soldier takes a step forward but doesn’t completely break the pattern.

Final Verdict?

Does it challenge stereotypes? A little.

Does it fully break them? Not really.

Do I still love it? Absolutely.

It’s an amazing film with great representation compared to older action movies, but it also shows how far Hollywood still has to go. Here’s hoping for more stories where Black characters aren’t just supporting players but the main event.

[johnnycakesswitch]

- Soda is SEVERELY claustrophobic. Like he CANNOT handle it. He’s so used to movement and bouncing on the walls and running around. But when he’s in a super tight space he flips his lid.

- Elevators simply are off the table, he takes the stairs every time even if it’s multiple flights.

- Even really small cars are a no go for him unless he has his damn head out the window like a dog.

- he gets super pale and clammy and he shakes so bad. (I feel like soda shakes ALOT, if not from restlessness it’s anxiety or emotion of some kind. He’s got very unsteady hands)

- Once Soda was getting something from the hall closet and Dally and two bit shut it and locked him in (as a joke they did NOT know that Soda was that badly claustrophobic) and the freak out panic attack Soda had still rivals Ponyboys worse night terrors.

- it was the most angry they’ve ever seen Darry to this day.

Ok now ladies and gentlemen and everyone in between I present to you. Stevepop.

- They’re the kings of pet names. It’s canon because I SAID SO

Soda is partial to ‘honey’, ‘babe’, ‘hon’, ‘Stevie’, ‘my boy’ ‘baby’ and when he’s feeling silly ‘muscles’ or ‘Hercules’

Steve (who I actually feel like uses them WAYYYY more, he rarely ever calls Soda his name) is a user of ‘sweetheart’, ‘doll’, ‘baby doll’, ‘baby’, ‘pretty’, and on occasion (ONLY WHEN THEY’RE ALONE) ‘darlin’

- Steve is the Soda whisperer. He is the first the see when Soda is overstimulated or upset or insecure, he’s the first to recognize when Soda’s having a hard time reading or doing something and is the best as taking attention off him without making it obvious

- that being said Soda can make Steve smile no matter how sad or angry he’s feeling. He can always make Steve laugh or cool off quickly but without blowing off what make Steve upset in the first place

- Steve NEVER cries, very rarely. Soda cries a minimum of twice a day. Roadkill? Sad. Old man by himself at a restaurant? Distraught. He’s very sympathetic and very emotionally intelligent which means he’s a very sensitive boy.

- Steve purposely flexes for Soda and it makes Ponyboy want to crawl into a hole and die

- Ponyboy once walked into their room and found Soda and Steve asleep, cuddling in their bed and literally was in tears when he went to Darry about it

Ponyboy: “they’re doing it in our bed! 😭😢”

Darry, thinking something else: “WHAT?!”

Ponyboy: “Soda let Steve cuddle him in OUR bed 😭😭”

Darry: 😐😑

- Sometimes Steve purposely kissed Soda or grabs him by the waist when Ponyboys watching just because he things Pony’s reactions are funny

- and then the next day he’s buying the kid cokes and snacks and showing him how the jump a car battery at the DX

These are all so good 🗣️🗣️🗣️ but wait let me focus on that first one for a second I really like that. It makes so much sense tbh, he would hate feeling confined. I feel like as much as it seems like it wouldn’t make sense, I think he would like deep pressure in situations like this like he would want someone to hold him really tight. Something about the *controlled* confinement vs being stuck somewhere he normally wouldn’t be would help him relax. If he’s ever feeling claustrophobic, Steve or his brothers will hug him super tight around his waist and it usually helps him stay calm at least a little. I can definitely see him having unsteady hands too, that just works for him :( and side note, he totally would stick his head out the car like a dog 😭😭😭 he’d stick it tongue out and everything too you’d drive by Soda in a car and he’s just like 😛 out the window

And I love all those stevepop hcs. Everyone needs to send me more. I love yalls perspective on them. They absolutely ABUSE pet names it’s so bad but like it’s them so it’s okay. And Steve can totally read Soda better than anyone else, sometimes he knows what mood Soda’s in before Soda himself can even process it. And Soda being able to always make Steve smile 🥺 I love that everyone hcs Soda as being such a crier it’s basically canon atp, even if he’s happy this boy will cry, he’s just got a lot of big feelings 😔 Steve flexing for Soda is so on brand and Soda just eats it up too they’re terrible 😭 Ponyboy is SCARRED by their behavior 😒 if Stevepop is cuddling in bed Steve has to lay on Soda’s side and Soda has to lay on Pony’s side bc Soda knows Pony will not lay in bed if he knew Steve was on his side 💀

[findafight]

i don't get why robin and eddie clocking each other is so popular. firstly i find it kind of cheap esp since it's usually a set-up for robin and/or eddie being all-knowing arbiters of lgbt knowledge while steve is clueless and dumb and not lgbt enough (despite usually being bi) to partake in this exchange as well. then it's otherwise used to establish an immediate connection between robin and eddie since they are both gay which automatically makes them besties. secondly it doesn't make much sense w what we see of either robin or eddie. like we know robin struggles w social cues and we see that that extends to sexual orientation through her interactions w vickie. also i think she is just not paying that much attention to eddie i must be honest. then w eddie he spends his time campaigning for the stancy revival while steve blatantly stares at his mouth so. i don't think he'd be good at that either. like the irony in this being so common is that steve is the person that does clock someone else on top of being consistently socially and emotionally intelligent and perceptive. idk sometimes i feel like ppl take him not clocking robin as proof he's incapable of it despite him then clocking someone later and being right, and that s3 scene fitting into the broader context of steve being lonely, insecure, and off his game for most of s3 as well as between s2 and s3. tbh missed comedy potential w steve being the one person in that trio that actually knows what's happening.

oooohg yeah i feel you anon. Not to say that all the fics that have these tropes in them are bad! it just. sometimes gets annoying? I don't want people to feel too bad about it but yes agree.

I think it really is used as a way to fast track their friendship. Truly unfortunate that it's often used to make them all knowing queer guides instead of the disaster teenage gays they are.

Robin is a small town lesbian who is only out to one singular person, she does not know anything, let alone vague little queer codes that might be happening. She wouldn't know Eddie was queer for a variety of reasons. She says herself she's not good at reading people! She's also busy worrying about if she's doing something that might out her or make people suspicious of her, so she's not analyzing other people's actions. She does not care about men that aren't Steve enough to pay enough attention to figure out if Eddie is queer or not lol. She can't even figure out if the girl she likes who likes her back is queer when her best friend is telling her. Oblivious icon! open your eyes, queen!!

Eddie had a man he deliberately broke a moment of romantic tension between his love interest by throwing a vest at his face staring at his lips and still pushed him towards said love interest. Sir. what are you doing. and once it's clear stncy isn't happening you know eddie would be like okay. why aren't you dating Robin? hmm? she's cool! and causes Steve to Suffer. (Steve was flirting with Eddie .5 seconds before he started on this please get with the program Eddie!!)

Also think it's silly that people would stereotype Eddie as Queer from how he dresses as though that's not just how a lot of people dressed? long hair was In in the 80s. Metal fashion was there. It also likely had some/a lot of ingrained homophobia in the subculture (as many things did). Sorry Eddie, but I'm pretty sure our boy Brucie did more for the gays than metallica. (Kissing Clarence Clemens Right On The Mouth Many Times On Stage thank you mr. springsteen and mr. clemens sirs.)

Steve's the only one of these three that 1) knows how to flirt 2) knows when someone is flirting with him 3) has consistently demonstrated being emotionally and socially intelligent to observe people (more than arguably anyone else in the series) and 4) has any kind of functioning gaydar. Totally agree that Steve not clocking Robin despite his gaydar is that he was way off his game, insecure, in a funk, pathetic sad meow meow era, and in a weird state of squish-or-crush on Robin, that was pushed towards crush by Dustin but slam dunked into squish by Robin coming out (does that make any sense?)

I truly, truly believe Vickie returned Fast Times paused on 53 minutes and five seconds specifically when she knew Robin and/or Steve would be the ones to rewind it. Why else would she not rewind it? when clearly they knew who had rented it and could potentially out her if they read into it? She was getting vibes from robin and knew that Steve would at least report Back to Robin (I refuse to believe the championship game was the only time stobin gossiped like they did. Vickie knows their shenanigans.) so she decided to be indirect but kinda obvious about it!! And while Robin is denying this Steve has seen the truth, he knows exactly what Vickie is doing. (would be very funny if Steve and Vickie clock each other, and then make eye contact like I know what you are. They deserve to become funky little friends while Steve is trying to get her and Robin together.)

[jeanie-in-a-bottle]

how would the gang react to jally being together?

Thank you for the ask :3:3

im gonna go from most to least likely to find out

Darry

Now to me Darry is gay so he would be able to pick up on the signs and he is close enough to them to be able to see how different they are to each other. And I think that overall he would be supportive, Dallas and Johnny both help each other be better people and they do obviously love each other and that’s how it should be. The onlyyyy thing is that he would be worried for their, especially Johnny’s safety as it’s so dangerous to be two gay men in the sixties but he would be happy for them :)

I also think he would *hint* that he knows but he wouldn’t come out and say it probably just a “make sure you are careful with Johnny, Dallas” or a “Happy you have Dallas” that could go either way

Pony

Now pony isn’t known for his emotional intelligence, BUT he is closest to the Johnny outside dally, and if he caught on? Or Johnny told him, I think he would at first be confused but I think he would be okay (mostly) with Johnny being gay, it’s just the fact he chose DALLAS of all people and I think he would worry about the quality of that relationship but Johnny will ofc reassure him that’s it’s fine

He would also start complaining about how much time they spend together and try and third wheel and dally would be sick of it 💀

Two-bit

Now two bit is very perceptive and he definitely would suspect something before Pony would but he’s less likely to be told. I think he would be confused more than anything, maybe need a few drinks to think it over BUT he would be glad that Dallas is looking after Johnny like that and hey! More girls for him

He might say something/hint if he was drunk but he probably wouldn’t wanna spook either of them by saying he knows

Soda

Soda is very emotionally intelligent and I could possibly see Johnny confiding in him or him sensing something. Soda would be confused by the fact dally has obviously liked girls, but I do think he would try his best to understand and would comfort Johnny about it, I do think he would ask if he was suspicious and he would be understanding and listen to dally too. Let them know it’s alright by him even if he doesn’t totally get it

Steve

Steve would have to see something I think. And he would be kind of grossed out, probably tell Dallas to hide it better or don’t do it at all. But then he tells Evie about it…and she lets him know how he should feel about it and lets him know that he needs to apologize and make it quick, because “ain’t nothing wrong about love, their love ain’t different than ours” and once Evie tells him that I think he’d be okay and try his best to accept it

[pumpkinsy0]

Yes I am the anon that asked for Two-Bit hurt/comfort BUT gonna go on a rant here and ask a penny for your thoughts on my VERY long rant:

Two-Bit and Darrel were childhood friends like most of the gang the difference being is that since they’re around the same age they’re more like Steve and soda. Close friends despite their bickering and unknowingly tied at the hip.But their relationships has shifted about three times in their lives.

The first was when Two-Bit first started high school. He didn’t really know anyone around, Soda and Johnny were still in eighth grade,Dallas and Steve didn’t have his classes, and Ponyboy was just starting seventh grade. But he remembered Darry, so imagine a young Two-bit going off to the football field to find him. Wide eyed and hopeful to just get into some good old trouble.Only to see him surrounded by soc’s, all patting him on the back. Darrel standing straight and tall, and talking the way they other soc’s do. In a way that’s surprisingly natural for a greaser.Only to see Two-Bit in the corner of his eye, trying to grab his attention. Two-Bit with a big old smile on his face waving at him. Only for Darrel to turn his back on him. Not in a harsh way, just in a subtle way to let him know things have changed. Darrel may be a greaser in name, but it’s clear at his core he’s meant to be a Soc. Meant for bigger things that Two-Bit could only dream of.Two-Bit sees that, and the next time he sees Darry he acts like nothing happened. After all, he knows his friend is destined for bigger things, much bigger than himself.

A few years go by and Two-Bit attaches himself more closely to people like Dallas Winston and Johnny Cade. Still acting like a proud greaser, being loud and causing trouble. Refusing to act like anything other than himself,while Darry is off being the Golden boy of Tulsa. The two are still friends, but neither acknowledges the rift now between them.

The second time their relationship shifts is when the Curtis parents pass on. Once destiny for bigger things, Darry acts more like a parent figure. Not only to Ponyboy and Soda but to the rest of the gang. His once sparkling blue eyes are now dimmed. His dreams of escaping this place are now gone. Two-bit sees this,and tries to help in his own way. It’s not successful of course, because while Two-bit is emotionally intelligent, he doesn’t know how to fix things the way that Darry seems too. He can’t seem to make Darry laugh anymore, much less smile. And anytime he tries, he’s met with harsh blue eyes and words that make his skin crawl slightly. Two-Bit doesn’t take it to heart, he never does. But the two go from being somewhat friendly, to estranged. They know everything about the other yet nothing at all. Even though Darry is just two years older than him, he feels decades more wiser and more responsible than Two-bit will ever be. Keith ‘two-bit’ Matthews, who’s still forever fifteen years old no matter how many birthdays pass him by.

The last and Final time it shifts is after Dallas and Johnny’s death. The house is quiet, much more quiet than it’s ever been. The gang went from seven people to now five. Steve doesn’t visit much unless Soda drags him over. Ponyboy spends most days either in his room or at the Shepards. And Darry? Well he’s always busy. Two-Bit is quiet in a way he usually isn’t. He spends most days with Ponyboy or Steve, yet unlike Steve he never sticks around anymore. His eyes once filled with carefree joy are now more solemn and more cautious than before. In his own way, he takes up Dallas’s role in looking after Ponyboy. Too scared that he’ll end up going cold the way Dallas did. He still drinks of course, except booze becomes more like medicine to him than a relaxer. And perhaps one night he has a bit too much, and stumbles onto the Curtis porch.

He spots someone on the porch, and it’s none other than Darry Curtis. His best friend, who was perhaps something more to him at one point, and is now a little less. The two lock eyes, and they mirror each other. Both now are older in ways they shouldn’t be, yet neither will say it out loud. Instead Darry makes room for Keith to sit beside him, and rather than cracking a joke, Two accepts. There’s so much they could say to each other but don’t. Because when you know someone for so long, you simply understand the unspoken. And perhaps this peace won’t last long, but that’s okay. Because at least just for right now, they’re ten years old again, and nothing but them matter in the world.

I deeply apologize for the long long shortish story!! 💀💀but…thoughts? And hoped you liked it!

i love long rants,,, im like a fly on food rn

OK SO heres my lil itty bitty additions

first part: yknow, i never see darry (at least at this point in time) as being one to b ASHAMED of being a greaser, but he doesnt necessarily embrace it like the others do either. i like to think that darry just,,,was and he was always pressured into fitting into either a greaser but he didnt want that, and the socs didnt want him either and greasers around didnt view darry as being so loyal either, tim even thought that to an extent as well. hell, darry isnt even really fully accepted in the gang bc hes older than them and just didnt “fit in” in general, and it never bothered him much, but two bit (and soda) were always the ones to pull him in!! i dont think he’d look at two bit to shoo him away, but maybe more of a “not now” kinda way, but as darry grew “closer” to the socs there was almost never a time for them, but two bit wouldve always been there for darry whenever he had the time, its like he was constantly waiting

second part: i think atp w the curtis parents dying, thats when two bit stopped waiting. he had a sinking feeling for a while but kept denying it and was pulling out for that one moment where everything would fall back into place. but it was specifically a few days after the funeral where two bit realized that hes just not gonna have that chance to connect they way they did before at all, bc darry spoke a full sentence for the first time in a long while and he sounded way older, like older than two bits own father when he left them behind, more serious too, and more out of reach, and two bit just gave up.

last part!!!: at this point, i think the reason why they clicked here is bc they finally understood each other. two bit just, grew up, he cant run from the things that hurt him with booze like a kid running to their mom, and darry understood his own faults and how much easier life can be if u just let go sometimes and after years they saw eye to eye again. like u said they dont say anything to each other, its been so long away from each other yet at the same time just right there, they dont have much to say, but they can just be in this moment together and that would suffice.

10000/10 loved this one anon im sobbing

[spider-mandaily]

What are your opinions on Gwen Stacy?

Alright, Anon, strap in because we’re about to go DEEP into every version of Gwen Stacy across comics, movies, TV, games, and animation. I think that Gwen Stacy isn’t just a character—she’s a cornerstone of the Spider-Man mythos who has transcended her origins. Let’s explore her legacy in excruciating detail.

COMICS GWEN STACY: THE FOUNDATION OF A LEGACY

Earth-616 Gwen Stacy: The Original Love Interest

Gwen Stacy’s first appearance in The Amazing Spider-Man #31 (1965) by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko establishes her as one of Peter Parker’s first major love interests. She’s a fellow student at Empire State University, introduced alongside Harry Osborn. Gwen is immediately striking: intelligent, confident, and beautiful. But her personality is far more layered than the archetype suggests.

In the early issues, Gwen is portrayed as a complex mix of warmth and insecurity. It is important for us to know and understand that Gwen did not initially build an attraction towards Peter here, not to mention that they only first met each other in college and not in highschool. While she and Peter obviously get much closer later, both in their own ways, at moment she did not really like him, as Peter’s constant worrying of Aunt May caused him to ignore his classmates almost entirely!

Yet, later, she obviously quickly develops feelings for Peter, but his double life as Spider-Man keeps pulling him away from their budding relationship. This causes tension, and Gwen’s emotional volatility mirrors Peter’s struggles. For example, in The Amazing Spider-Man #33, while Peter is fighting to save Aunt May’s life (the iconic “lifting the rubble” scene), Gwen is frustrated by his absence at school. This conflict becomes a recurring theme—Gwen represents Peter’s longing for a normal life, but his Spider-Man responsibilities constantly sabotage their happiness.

One of Gwen’s most defining moments comes in The Amazing Spider-Man #90 (1970), when her father, Captain George Stacy, dies during a fight between Spider-Man and Doctor Octopus. As Captain Stacy dies, he reveals that he knows Peter is Spider-Man and asks Peter to protect Gwen. This moment cements Peter’s sense of responsibility toward Gwen, but it also adds layers of guilt, as he indirectly blames himself for Captain Stacy’s death. Gwen, unaware of Spider-Man’s identity, is devastated and begins to distance herself emotionally.

“The Night Gwen Stacy Died”

Gwen’s death in The Amazing Spider-Man #121-122 (1973) is one of the most famous—and controversial—events in comic book history. The Green Goblin (Norman Osborn) kidnaps Gwen and throws her off the George Washington Bridge (though the comic mistakenly refers to it as the Brooklyn Bridge). Peter attempts to save her with his webbing, but the sudden stop causes her neck to snap, killing her instantly.

This event shattered readers in the 1970s. Gwen’s death marked a turning point in superhero storytelling, transitioning from the lighthearted Silver Age to the darker, more mature Bronze Age. It wasn’t just that Gwen died—it was how she died. Peter’s failure to save her, despite his best efforts, highlighted the harsh reality that even superheroes can’t save everyone. This moment haunts Peter for the rest of his life and becomes a foundational part of Spider-Man’s mythos.

Spider-Gwen/Spider-Woman (Earth-65): The Hero Reborn

Decades later, in Edge of Spider-Verse #2 (2014), Jason Latour and Robbi Rodriguez reimagined Gwen Stacy as Spider-Woman in an alternate universe. On Earth-65, it’s Gwen who is bitten by the radioactive spider instead of Peter Parker. This reinvention flips her traditional role on its head—she’s no longer a victim but a hero in her own right.

Spider-Gwen’s world is a vibrant punk-rock-infused universe. Gwen is the drummer for a band called The Mary Janes (with lead singer Mary Jane Watson). Her costume—sleek white with pink-and-black accents and a hood—is instantly iconic.

Her backstory carries shades of Peter’s original guilt: in this universe, her friend Peter Parker becomes the Lizard after experimenting on himself to gain powers. Gwen, as Spider-Woman, is forced to fight him, and he dies as a result. This tragedy defines her heroic journey, much like Uncle Ben’s death defines Peter’s. Spider-Gwen’s adventures explore themes of identity, guilt, and redemption, while also letting her team up with other Spider-heroes in events like Spider-Verse and Spider-Geddon.

In later series like Spider-Gwen: Ghost-Spider, Gwen’s multiverse-crossing adventures showcase her growth as a leader. She frequently interacts with Earth-616 Peter, Miles Morales, and other Spider-people, cementing her place as a fan-favorite in the Spider-Man family.

GWEN STACY IN LIVE-ACTION MOVIES

Bryce Dallas Howard in Spider-Man 3 (2007)

In Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 3, Gwen Stacy is played by Bryce Dallas Howard, but this version of the character is underwhelming. She’s introduced as a rival love interest to Mary Jane Watson, functioning as little more than a plot device to create tension between Peter and MJ. While Howard looks the part and has a few moments of charm, I think this Gwen lacks depth or connection to the tragedy that defines her in the comics. But still, I did enjoy her portrayal of Gwen Stacy.

Emma Stone in The Amazing Spider-Man Series (2012-2014)

Emma Stone’s portrayal of Gwen Stacy in Marc Webb’s The Amazing Spider-Man and its sequel is widely regarded as one of the best live-action adaptations of a Spider-Man character. This Gwen is smart, ambitious, and deeply involved in Peter’s life, both as a romantic partner and a teammate which was seriously groundbreaking to watch in my opinion.

In the first film, Gwen works as an intern at Oscorp, where she demonstrates her scientific brilliance. She’s not just a damsel in distress—she actively helps Peter in his battle against the Lizard, providing the antidote to stop Dr. Curt Connors’ plan.

The chemistry between Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield is electric, making their relationship one of the highlights of the series. In The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Gwen’s ambitions take center stage—she plans to study in England, creating conflict with Peter, who fears for her safety.

Gwen’s death in The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is a direct homage to The Amazing Spider-Man #121. The scene is heart-wrenching, with Peter failing to save her in a moment that mirrors his comic-book tragedy. Emma Stone’s performance in this scene captures the raw emotion of Gwen’s loss, making it one of the most memorable moments in superhero cinema.

GWEN STACY IN ANIMATION

A Multiversal Version Of Gwen Stacy Only Appeared Once In Spider-Man: The Animated Series (1994-1998)

Gwen Stacy didn't initially appear in the hit '90s adaptation Spider-Man: The Animated Series, which focused on love interests like Mary Jane Watson and Felicia Hardy/Black Cat instead. However, an alternate reality version of Gwen Stacy later appeared in the season's two-part final, "Spider Wars." I think that this version (voiced by Mary Kay Bergman) was unique. She'd survived past her death in the comic timeline and��gotten engaged to her Peter Parker, who'd created a powerful Spider-Armor before he was recruited to save the multiverse from Spider-Carnage.

The Spectacular Spider-Man (2008-2009)

In this critically acclaimed series, Gwen Stacy is voiced by Lacey Chabert. This version of Gwen is Peter’s best friend and academic rival, portrayed as shy and awkward but fiercely intelligent. The show builds her relationship with Peter slowly, making her feelings for him feel earned rather than rushed.

Gwen’s emotional depth is a highlight of the series, especially in her interactions with Peter and her struggles with her own insecurities. The show ended prematurely, but its portrayal of Gwen is widely regarded as one of the best adaptations.

Ghost-Spider Joined The Multiversal Web-Warriors In Ultimate Spider-Man vs. The Sinister Six (2012-2017)

DisneyXD aired the Ultimate Spider-Man animated series, which took on the new title of Ultimate Spider-Man vs. The Sinister Six for the fourth and final season. The series introduced an alternate version of Gwen Stacy/Spider-Gwen (voiced by Dove Cameron).

This version of the character hailed from Miles Morales/Kid Arachnid's home reality. She used technology to replicate Miles Morales' powers and became her reality's protector after Miles stayed in Spider-Man's home reality.

Ghost Spider Joined An Animated Team Of Secret Warriors In The Marvel Rising (2018 - ) Movie Specials

A new series of animated specials that highlighted new waves of young heroes debuted in 2018 under the Marvel Rising banner, which featured Daisy Johnson/Quake as she organized a team that would become known as the Secret Warriors. (This team would eventually include Gwen Stacy/Ghost-Spider).

The character's storyline followed Spider-Gwen's comic origins, although it was blended into the main Marvel universe continuity for Marvel Rising, which also saw Dove Cameron reprise her role as Gwen from Ultimate Spider-Man.

Marvel's Spider-Man (2017 - ) Explored Gwen Stacy's Connection To Dr. Miles Warren/The Jackal

The most recent animated series debuted in 2017 as Marvel's Spider-Man, and included Gwen Stacy (voiced by Laura Bailey) as one of the brilliant students of the reimagined Horizon High, alongside other popular characters like Miles Morales and Anya Corazon/Spider-Girl, all of whom would soon team up with Spider-Man as costumed superheroes. The series merged Gwen with her alternate reality Spider-Gwen character and reimagined her relationship with The Jackal, who became her uncle instead of a twisted admirer. Marvel's Spider-Man is the only adaptation that attempted to explore their long comic history in any form.

Ghost-Spider Appeared Alongside Spider-Man In Marvel Super Hero Adventures (2017-2020)

Spider-Man and his allies star in Disney Junior's Marvel Super Hero Adventures, which began airing in 2017 with kid-friendly stories that teamed the wall-crawler with various heroes in the Marvel Universe, including an alternate reality Gwen Stacy/Ghost-Spider (voiced by Emily Tennant).

Ghost-Spider only appeared in costume in the series, which never explored her character much beyond her various adventures with Spider-Man as they took on classic villains from his rogues' gallery, like Doctor Octopus and The Rhino.

Ghost-Spider Appeared In Disney Jr.'s Marvel's Spidey and His Amazing Friends (2021- )

Disney Jr. launched a new team-up series in 2021 called Spidey and his Amazing Friends, which teamed popular Marvel characters up with Spider-Man. Gwen Stacy appeared as Ghost-Spider in the series, voiced by Lily Sanfelippo.

Ghost-Spider's costume was simplified and adapted with web wings under her arms to allow her to glide, while her unmasked appearance was similar to her Marvel Rising design, which borrowed the pink highlights from the unrelated character Gwenpool.

Into the Spider-Verse (2018) and Across the Spider-Verse (2023)

Hailee Steinfeld voices Spider-Gwen in Into the Spider-Verse, bringing Earth-65’s Gwen to life in stunning animation. This Gwen is confident, stylish, and a skilled hero. Her tragic backstory—losing her universe’s Peter Parker—adds emotional weight to her character.

In Across the Spider-Verse, Gwen’s relationship with her father takes center stage, and the film delves deeper into her struggles as a hero. The watercolor-inspired visuals of her universe reflect her emotional state, creating some of the most visually stunning moments in the film.

LEGACY AND CULTURAL IMPACT

I think that Gwen Stacy’s journey from her debut in 1965 to her modern incarnations as Spider-Gwen is a testament to her lasting relevance in the Spider-Man mythos and beyond. Her character’s impact is profound, not just in shaping the narrative of Spider-Man comics but in redefining how female characters are treated in superhero storytelling. Gwen Stacy has evolved from a symbol of tragedy to one of empowerment, resonating across generations and media. Here’s a detailed exploration of her legacy and cultural significance.

1. A Pivotal Turning Point in Superhero Storytelling

“The Night Gwen Stacy Died” as a Defining Moment

Gwen’s death in The Amazing Spider-Man #121-122 (1973) marked a seismic shift in the tone of superhero comics. Before this storyline, most comic book narratives were marked by optimism and clear-cut morality. Heroes won, villains lost, and the status quo was preserved. However, Gwen’s death broke these conventions, ushering in the darker and more complex stories of the Bronze Age of Comics.

This moment is often credited with demonstrating that superhero stories could be serious literature. Gwen’s death wasn’t a mere plot device—it was a statement about the fallibility of heroes, the unpredictability of life, and the consequences of being a superhero. Spider-Man’s failure to save Gwen highlighted the vulnerability of even the most powerful characters, humanizing Peter Parker in a way few heroes had been before.

Her death also introduced the concept of “fridging” into the superhero genre, a term coined by comic book writer Gail Simone. Fridging refers to the trope of female characters being killed off or harmed to advance a male character’s story. While Gwen’s death is undeniably iconic, it has also been a focal point for criticism, as it set a precedent for how women in comics were often treated as disposable. This discourse around her death remains relevant in modern discussions about representation in media.

2. Redefining Gwen Stacy: From Tragedy to Empowerment

The Birth of Spider-Gwen

The creation of Spider-Gwen in 2014 transformed Gwen Stacy from a symbol of loss into a symbol of empowerment. Her alternate-universe counterpart on Earth-65 flips the script by making her the hero, not the victim. Spider-Gwen’s debut in Edge of Spider-Verse #2 immediately struck a chord with readers, proving that Gwen’s story wasn’t confined to being Peter Parker’s doomed love interest.

Spider-Gwen’s success is a reflection of changing cultural attitudes toward female characters in comics. Her stories center her agency, independence, and growth as a hero, allowing her to step out of Peter’s shadow. The themes of guilt and redemption that underpin her narrative add emotional complexity, but they are no longer defined by her relationship to a male character. Instead, Spider-Gwen grapples with her own choices and the consequences of her actions, solidifying her place as a standalone hero.

Spider-Gwen’s Cultural Resonance

Spider-Gwen’s punk-rock aesthetic and iconic costume design by Robbi Rodriguez have made her one of the most visually recognizable characters in the Marvel universe. Her white-and-pink suit with its hooded design is a cosplay favorite and has become synonymous with the modern reinvention of superheroes. This design’s success speaks to the importance of visual storytelling in creating a character’s identity, as Spider-Gwen’s look reflects her rebellious, independent spirit.

The popularity of Spider-Gwen also reflects a shift in comic book audiences. As the medium has expanded to include more women and younger readers, characters like Spider-Gwen have provided new entry points into the superhero genre. Her stories resonate with themes of self-discovery and perseverance, making her a role model for a diverse audience.

3. Gwen Stacy as a Multiverse Icon

I truly believe that the multiverse concept has allowed Gwen Stacy to exist in multiple forms, each contributing to her legacy in unique ways. While Earth-616 Gwen remains a tragic figure, Spider-Gwen has become a vital part of Marvel’s exploration of alternate realities. The Spider-Verse events, both in comics and on-screen, have positioned Gwen as a key player in multiverse narratives, showing how her character transcends her original timeline.

“Into the Spider-Verse” and “Across the Spider-Verse”

Once again, the animated films Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) and Across the Spider-Verse (2023) have brought Gwen Stacy’s multiversal identity to a global audience. Hailee Steinfeld’s portrayal of Spider-Gwen adds layers of emotional depth to the character, particularly in her relationship with Miles Morales and her struggles with her father, Captain Stacy.

In these films, Gwen’s arc is about finding her place in a world that often isolates her because of her dual identity as Spider-Woman. Her relationship with her father is a powerful exploration of love, trust, and the burden of responsibility. The films’ stunning visual representation of her world—rendered in watercolors and abstract designs—emphasizes her emotional journey, creating a visceral connection between her inner turmoil and her external reality.

Spider-Gwen’s prominence in these films cements her as more than just a secondary character in Spider-Man’s story. She’s a leading figure in her own right, driving the narrative and representing themes of resilience and self-discovery.

4. Gwen Stacy’s Evolution as a Feminist Symbol

I also think that Gwen Stacy’s journey from damsel in distress to hero is emblematic of broader cultural shifts in how women are portrayed in media, you know? Like, in her original incarnation, Gwen was intelligent and kind, but she was ultimately defined by her relationships with men—first her father, Captain Stacy, and then Peter Parker. Her death, while narratively impactful, reduced her to a catalyst for Peter’s growth.

The creation of Spider-Gwen reclaims Gwen’s agency, allowing her to define her own story. This reinvention reflects the growing demand for complex, fully realized female characters in superhero narratives. Spider-Gwen’s popularity demonstrates that audiences are hungry for stories where women are active participants in the action, rather than passive victims of it.

Her punk-rock persona and role as the drummer for The Mary Janes further position Gwen as a symbol of individuality and rebellion. She represents a break from traditional norms, embodying a modern feminist ethos that values self-expression and independence.

5. The Enduring Popularity of Gwen Stacy in Pop Culture

Gwen Stacy’s impact extends beyond comics into the broader realm of pop culture. Her appearances in live-action films, animated series, and video games have introduced her to new audiences, solidifying her status as a household name.

Merchandising and Iconography

Spider-Gwen has become a merchandising juggernaut, with her image adorning everything from action figures to clothing lines. Her costume, in particular, has achieved iconic status, representing the marriage of sleek design and storytelling.

A Legacy of Adaptation

The fact that Gwen Stacy continues to be reinvented across media speaks to her adaptability. Each new version of Gwen—whether it’s the tragic Earth-616 Gwen, the heroic Spider-Gwen, or the multiversal leader in the Spider-Verse films—adds new dimensions to her character. This adaptability ensures that Gwen remains relevant in a constantly evolving cultural landscape.

6. Gwen Stacy as a Reflection of Spider-Man’s Core Themes

At her core, Gwen Stacy represents some of the most essential themes in Spider-Man’s mythology: responsibility, loss, and resilience. Whether as Peter Parker’s first great love or as a hero in her own right, Gwen’s story reinforces the idea that tragedy and triumph are intertwined in the superhero experience.

For Peter Parker, Gwen’s death serves as a constant reminder of the stakes of his double life. For readers, Gwen’s rebirth as Spider-Gwen demonstrates that characters can evolve beyond their origins, taking on new meanings and roles for future generations.

Gwen Stacy’s Cultural Impact

My verdict is that Gwen Stacy’s legacy is one of reinvention and resilience. From her origins as a tragic love interest to her rebirth as a multiverse hero, Gwen has become a symbol of the evolving nature of storytelling in comics and media. She challenges traditional narratives, inspires new generations, and continues to be a defining figure in the Spider-Man universe. Whether you know her as Peter’s first love or as Spider-Gwen, Gwen Stacy’s story is one of the most enduring and impactful in superhero history.

[steviewashere]

Words Like A Bullet, Wounding My Soul

(also on ao3)

This is Part Two, Part One is Posted Here!

CW: Implied/Referenced Sex, Safeword Use (No Smut, Though) Rating: Teen

WC: 1,370

Tags: Post Vecna, Angst and Hurt/Comfort, Established Relationship, Arguing, Eddie Being Mean, Steve Harrington is a Sweetheart, Emotionally Hurt Steve Harrington, Insecure Eddie Munson, Insecure Steve Harrington, Safeword Use, NO SMUT, Using a Safeword While Arguing, Hard of Hearing Steve Harrington, Dialogue Heavy, Forgiveness, Making Up, Happy Ending

Relationships: Steve Harrington/Eddie Munson

Characters: Steve Harrington, Eddie Munson

------------------ It takes time because of course it does.

A lot of it is Eddie reminding Steve how intelligent he is. Or him giving himself in one way or another—whether it be sexually or emotionally. Steve gets a hearing aid fitted by his own free will, not forced upon him. Eddie begins the climb of learning American Sign Language with both Robin and Steve. And he learns, overtime, when to bite his tongue.

There are still flares, though. Hot things, burning spots. Agitated growls and mournful groans and withering peace. It’s brought out in both of them.

They hurt. They scar. They recover.

It’s the only way for them to persevere with one another.

In the early hours of Christmas Eve, Steve and Eddie are huddled close on the Munson’s couch. Hot chocolate mugs in hands, a blanket strewn about their lap, feet tucked under legs, body coated by soft sweats and t-shirts. It was a nightmare night before they got out to the living room.

Eddie had been writhing against the sheets, fingers tangling in the comforter, heels digging at the mattress edge. He had awoken with a gurgled gasp on his lips, burning streaks of skin where tears had previously seared, and a hand in his hair. It pet along his scalp, pushed back loose strands that stuck to his sweaty forehead, cradled the crest of his skull. Another hand hesitantly tapped over his chest before landing with a firm, warm press—its thumb stroking along the threadbare t-shirt that was soaked on his glistening skin.

Before he could say anything, Steve murmured, “I’ve got you. It’s over.” Lips pressing anywhere they could reach on Eddie’s cheeks. 

So now they’re cuddled into each other like two yin-yang cats. The warm glow from the Christmas tree in the corner, washing and painting against their bare arms. TV on a low hum—a rerun of Family Ties. Eddie isn’t trembling anymore, but he’s steadily sagging against Steve’s side. He doesn’t know what all happens next, but he’s suddenly held by two strong arms and his hands are free from his precious Garfield mug. Looking down from the TV screen, he can see their mugs kissing each other on the coffee table.

Warm and comforted, he continues to ease his muscles, letting Steve take over for him.

They haven’t spoken since that nightmare pulled him out of his body. Not that they need to. Once again, Eddie has learned to bite his tongue; finding physical affection a better source of conveying his emotions.

His hair brushes against the side of Steve’s head. The bump where his hearing aid protrudes being very noticeable against Eddie’s scalp. Pulling himself away from the junction he’d been tucked into, Eddie runs a gentle finger over the shell of Steve’s ear. Leans in, close enough to puff air onto the ear drum. And he presses a barely wet, softly audible, but genuine all the same kiss against the lobe—and behind and on the hooked part inside of Steve’s ear.

When he pulls back again, Steve turns to look at him. Their eyes locking in place. Both soft, flooded with adoration.

Eddie signs, ‘WHISPER OKAY?’

Instead of signing back, Steve just nods his head.

“You’re beautiful,” is what Eddie says. He runs his left palm down the side of Steve’s face, cupping his jaw, and pressing another kiss at the corner of his mouth.

They’re quiet again. TV humming. One of the Christmas light strings flickers very briefly and Eddie leans over to unplug them, not wanting to upset Steve anymore than he previously has. Even if he hasn’t done anything, at least not anything to his knowledge.

When he’s repositioned in his cushion, no longer crushing Steve’s lap, a warm hand squeezes at his forearm. He looks up to catch eyes already on him.

“I forgive you,” Steve whispers. Albeit not all that quiet, his hearing device hasn’t been readjusted quite yet. (Eddie never mentions when Steve gets too loud. One, it would simply be rude. And two, would’t that just make him a hypocrite?)

Confused, Eddie tilts his head and asks, “For what?” He scrambles, however, a look of terror clouding his face. “I didn’t do anything to upset you, have I? Did I say something yesterday? Fuck, if I did, I’m so, so sor—“

Steve chuckles. Breathy and deep in his chest. “No, Eds. I forgive you for what you said to me during that messy argument we had.” He squeezes Eddie’s forearm again. “I just wanted to tell you that because sometimes you walk on eggshells around me and I don’t want you to do that anymore.”

“Oh,” Eddie drags. “Oh.” He stiffens slightly. “Are you sure? Because I would be fine if you held a grudge against me until the end of time itself. I said some really fucked up things, babe.”

“Yes, I’m sure.” His hand slowly scoots up to Eddie’s bicep, then his shoulder, and lastly his jaw. It cups and very gently soothes against the scar there. “Part of the reason you said that stuff to me was my fault, y’know?”

“Steve, no it isn’t. Not a single part of that was because of—“

“Well, I didn’t tell you the reason I had been ignoring you, right? And you had to find out in the middle of an argument. That’s not exactly fair,” Steve rushes to add. “Plus, I’ve done worse shit than any of what you said to me. Think it’s within my own right to forgive you.”

Eddie shakes his head. “I don’t think I understand. I don’t deserve you to just brush by it and forgive me.”

“I’m not brushing by it,” Steve simply states. “It was entirely awful what you said to me. And I was hurt for an extremely long time. There were times I was worried to even try and engage with you, I guess because I thought maybe you were talking about something and I missed it?

“My point is, I’m never forgetting what you said to me. Maybe I should forgive and forget, but I don’t think that’s possible, y’know? But…”

“But?” Eddie quietly ventures.

“But you’ve proven yourself a lot. You’re learning a whole new language for me, you enunciate when I need you to, and I know you never tell me to quiet down.” He chuckles very briefly. “You’ve been here for me even after all that happened. Even though at any point I could’ve changed my mind and forced you away and told you to genuinely fuck off, you stayed. Showed me kindness and respected what I wanted to do. 

“I know it’s not easy to have changed a lot to assist me. To accommodate conversations so that I can be a part of them or learning a new way to wake me from nightmares because I can’t hear you. It’s just—I’m being taken care of and we both changed for the better and—In no way is it fair for me to let you think I don’t forgive you. To let you think that I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop or to let you think that I’m going to turn on you.” Steve shakes his head and sighs, swallows hard, and rapidly blinks. “You love me.”

Eddie tucks some of Steve’s hair, careful to not bump his hearing aid. “Well, of course I love you. And—I know at the time when I had said all that nasty shit that maybe I didn’t love you or couldn’t…But I genuinely do. And, sure, I was hurt in my own way. But my ache was minor to yours, you know? It was there, I know. And you’ve…You communicate to me if you miss something now or you ask me more questions…I know what it means. I know you’re listening and that you care.” He leans in and bumps his forehead against Steve. Their eyes boring into each other. Steve’s have a glossy sheen. “I love you and it’s the easiest thing I’ve ever done.” He kisses him, soft and sweet, slow and precise, wet with no tongue. “Thank you for forgiving me.”

“Thank you for not giving up on me,” Steve whispers.

------------------ Part One is Here!

[fastcardotmp3]

dot's bookshelf ⁝ JANUARY '24

december recs | recs masterlist

new year, same deal! my favorite things I read this month (not including updates to past months' recs)! trying to organize it all a bit more moving forward but don't hold me to that! my heart is full of love for fan authors but my brain is sometimes Empty mwah

Don't forget to tip your writer in kudos and comments if you read and enjoy these! it's talking to each other about the works we create that makes this fandom world go round 🩵

❄️ steddie

can't start a fire without a spark by @judasofsuburbia

6.5k | E | ex-FWB Steddie snowed into a cabin without heat and have to share a bed about it??? yeah yeah yes exactly nodding nodding etc HI. oh the sense of history and the realizing of why that history came to an end in the first place being this mutual want that they didn't realize was mutual, it's the perfect little idiots to lovers, lets get busy in front of a burning fireplace moment, you know?? yeah <3

tell me something (give me hope for the night) by @kkpwnall

7.3k | T | nothing screams the perfect steddie like losing a chance together and then finding it again years later and making that chance a reality via the decision that trying is worth it and KK has rendered that so spectacularly here. LIKE. oh we haven't seen each other in years but now we have to share a car in a storm and a hotel room with only one bed and I cannot shake that I missed my chance but still I want to give us a chance? SHUT UP. perfection.

❄️ ronance

i promise i'll take care of you if you promise to let me by @netflixnormalthings

7.1k | T | there is something so beautiful in the way this is crafted and the way we get to watch not just Nancy's restless hypervigilance in a post-Vecna world finally end up getting her hurt, but also her exhaustion in the aftermath finally allow her to welcome help. there's so much depth not just to Nancy in general but to her relationship with Barb and her grief over everything she lost that night, to the ways her burgeoning relationship with Robin is affected by all of it. I'm in love with this fic it was made specifically for ME probably!!!

❄️ chronance (chrissy/robin/nancy)

Fireplaces over Fireworks by @yxlenas

1.8k | M | a Chrissy/Robin/Nancy new years slice of life fic which left me warm as a fireplace on the inside, this is such a beautiful look into a life shared between these three women and the ways they support each other in the aftermath of all their individual hardships. like the LOVE of it all is so baked into every word and the sense of a community around them that they're able to rely on to understand them is just immaculate.

i feel so fucked (at least i’m feeling) by @starryeyedjanai

6.1k | E | more chronance i've been BLESSED this month!!! this time of the 'porn with feelings' variety which is both such the perfect lesbian vampire sex moment AND a heart-wrenching Chrissy Cunningham character study in which we get to see her reclaiming agency over her desires. I'm obsessed, I'm over the moon, I've been given everything I could ever want READ NEOW.

❄️ gen fic (Max & Steve)

Laughter's Medicine by @roguenancy

2.2k | G | it has been well documented that stories about Max getting Sibling'dTM by one of the older kids make me lose my mind and this is no exception. the study of max during this missing s4 scene, this dynamic between her and Steve as we see him be so casually emotionally intelligent in knowing how to take some of the pressure of being comforted off of her shoulders, it's all so impeccably done here and will blow you away from the JUMP actually

[youremyheaven]

Hello can you make a post about guys that like wayyyyy younger women or tend to have big age gaps?

I appreciate your work and blog.

ive already talked about how mars dominant men/bharani men love older women

the opposite of mars is mercury and ive often noticed mercurial men and moon dominant men dating/marrying much younger women.

lets start with mr leonardo dicaprio himself who is known for never having gone out with a woman above the age of 25. he is hasta moon.

alec baldwin was 53 when he married 27yr old hilaria. he is also hasta moon.

clint eastwood married a 31yr old when he was 66. he is rohini sun, jyeshta moon

64 yr old larry king married his 38yr old seventh wife in 1997. he is jyeshta moon and rising

steve martin's wife is 24yrs younger than him. he is ashlesha sun.

william shatner's wife is 30yrs younger than him. he is jyeshta rising with ketu in hasta

sylvester stallone's wife is 21yrs younger than him. he is rohini sun with ketu in jyeshta

mars is a soldier and is by nature kinda rough and aggressive seeming externally but inwardly they are gentle. they tend to be attracted to older women who display a more mature "womanly" sensuality. mars does not like being delicate or "prim and proper", its attracted to what is raw and real. they're soldiers so they have no desire to prove anything or deliberately dominate. their very nature is "rough" so what they value is gentleness and softness; making them inwardly kind and gentle. this is the opposite of venus as claire said where venus has a soft exterior but are extremely fierce and rough internally.

mercury is the opposite of mars because mercury is connected to intelligence and the mind (body vs mind essentially) and being the smallest planet these men tend to exert their dominance emotionally and mentally by choosing to date much younger women.

with moon dominant men, they have a lot of yin and this makes them drawn to younger women so that they can drain them of their yin in order to replenish it for themselves.

[florallylly]

side b: steve harrington

side a side a: eddie munson

side b

explanation post

FORGET THE FORMATTING!!! PLS BE QUIET!!! anyways into steve harrington. his playlist is SAUR bubblegum lesbian pop. and tbh i really tried to kind of blend new/old in side a with eddie and make it smth MAYBE he would listen to? but steve, i automatically pegged him as 80s pop and lesbian music like. you probably listen to bruce springsteen but in my heart u know who rina sawayama is. anyways yes steve harrington coping through partying and then falling in lurv.

YES he admits it as soon as it happens bc he's emotionally intelligent and he knows himself thank u for coming to my ted talk

“Perfect Places” Lorde; “Have another drink, get lost in us/this is how we get notorious” “Every night, I live and die/meet somebody, take ‘em home” YEAH…. steve harrington coping post season-2 and stancy break up by  partying and drinking and sleeping around. like i see it…. i was there and it’s so. desperation to find peace and eventually settling for oblivion bc nothing is better than everything 

“Heaven/Hell” CHVRCHES; this song is so steve harrington to me i can’t even describe…. like it’s so disillusionment with his former sense of self and what he used to attach importance to. and he feels like a fraud and also an imposter, surrounded by people who he’s outgrown. and somehow it also feels like no one has truly realized that vital shift. it’s SAUR “is it right if i’m a perfect actress/playing the princess in distress?” “is it alright if i save myself and/if i clean up my own mess” IDK. why is that so steve to me. 

“Stand Back” Stevie Nicks; like LIKE this song is so everyone wants me except for you/you’re the only one i want. idk…. steve harrington this is so you to me. he is so pining he is so what if he is so i built our future in my head and now everything is crumbling down around me. you have changed me so deeply that i can never go back to the same person i was before i met you. and the world around me stays stagnant and stuck in time, with me out like a sore thumb. like i’m sobbing crying frothing at the mouth…. 

“Head Over Heels/Broken” Tears for Fears; a classic… a classic… but also like a little mashup moment to make it narratively appropriate in my head. also the applause at the end is giving the curtains are down the performance is over… king steve lays down his crown… AM I INSANE IN THIS MOMENT… 

“Honey Understand” Noso; to me this is a little bit of a moment like if i’m misinterpreting this song wrong SO embarrassing. but literally?? i think it’s so steve… bc it’s like in any break up it’s always going to be him at fault because he’s the ladies man and the popular jerk. he’s always going to be made out to be a villain in certain people’s eyes. like what am i even saying but you get it right… and it’s like how can i even keep fighting when i’m already crumbling apart. but also you’ll never know bc i’ll never let anyone know how bad it is … i’m unwell 

“Deliverance” CHVRCHES; i think this is actually about religion (maybe?) but i’m thinking of it as more of a general framework or life view that steve held before the upside down. he’s had to rethink what’s important and what matters like fr…. and now that he’s spending more time with eddie and realizing things about… naur it’s like this moment is his watershed moment and he’s being set free of smth like… his king steve persona?? his guilt over barb?? any other head canon ??? or maybe it’s like his fucked up coping viewed as something that’s bringing him back to his “normal” self… like back 2 parties back 2 alcoholism 

“Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight” ABBA; like YEAH of course this song is on here. and it’s so hello steve harrington are you on the prowl are you looking for something so you can actually feel something

“Take Me Home Tonight” Eddie Money; pretty self explanatory like… steve harrington you are turning to sex to distract yourself and chasing the way you felt before. also in comparison to gimme gimme gimme, this is a more self aware reflection like. post nut clarity. but also in my head this is steve harrington meeting with eddie munson s2 and making the impulsive decision to follow him literally anywhere, kick starting everything that follows. 

“Yours” Now, Now; attraction bantering cockiness like it’s all there like it’s everything… it’s everything…. 

“Untouched” The Veronicas, I DON’T CARE IF IT DOESN’T FIT … this song is so important to me and it’s saur…. steve harrington you are getting attached steve harrington you are falling in love. to be clear this is before they get together or do anything like…. this is the pining this is the wanting 

“Don’t You Want Me” The Human League; so basically added for vibes, didn’t pay much attention to the lyrics and meaning. IT’S JUST SO …. 80s pop and 80s pop is so steve. HOWEVER i feel like i can use this as my little soap box bc “you were working as a waitress in a cocktail bar… turned you int someone new/now five years later on, you’ve got the world at your feet” is saur nancy and “the five years we have had have been such good at times, I still love you/ but now, i think it’s time i lived my life on my own” is SAUR steve. like nancy wheeler in s4 reflecting on steve’s changes and the fandom’s reflection of pushing this narrative that nancy was the main reason and the greatest influence on steve’s change. my pet peeve…. let’s not forget the trauma he went through that could have shook his entire worldview. also ??? he’s a big boy with his own thoughts let him have a little ponder. i would add more but i’m not capable of totally explaining this at all JUST !!! ugh but yeah steve harrington you are attracted to eddie munson song

“Forever Tonight” Kelechi; “love me like there’s no tomorrow/kiss me like we’re out of time” DO I EVEN NEED TO SAY ANYTHING??? I AM IN REAL PAIN!!! 

“I Was Made For Lovin’ You” KISS; KEYSTONE SONG. yes they fucked yes they fucked. and OKAY idc if it’s cheesy YOU try to fit in a semi-metal song into your 80s/lesbian pop playlist

“Lay All Your Love On Me” ABBA; OMG …. it is so necessary. that is all. LIKE SO NEEDED. 

“Hungry Eyes” Eric Carmen; it’s literally from dirty dancing like what else can i say… steve harrington is having his little romcom moment. honestly he’s practically one of the brat pack. he’s LIVING it he’s living it

“Keep on Loving You” REO Speedwagon; okay they were killing on anniversaries i just know it. like this is so my parent’s wedding. it’s so puffed sleeve dresses and slow dancing at prom and steve is a ROMANTIC. steve is a ROMANTIC in a small midwest town like. where was his prom king moment 

“Seven Wonders” Fleetwood Mac; lowkey a filler song but yes can anything compare to the beauty of this moment something very romantic. this is on the mixtape for sure 

“(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” Blue Oyster Cult; ONCE AGAIN I KNOW IT DOESNT FIT THAT WELL… but this is a keystone song… a metal song forcefully inserted into the playlist. this is supposed to mark the point where steve falls in love love. but what i got from the song is basically like. we’re going to die anyways let’s just fall in love. i’m sure that’s way simplistic but vibe… 

“Horses” Maggie Rogers; sorry I’m…. gay….? and it’s like it’s like it’s like i wanna be free i wanna be free with you do you wanna be free with me. in a more romantic and AHHHH way but like how do i even begin to try and describe how this song makes me feel like… unreal. but it’s also like a little stop for steve to doubt and think about what he’s feeling and deciding to do ??? idk where i was going with that. but yes my little interlude for pondering

“Black Butterflies and Deja Vu (Acoustic)” The Maine; keystone song keystone song. when steve admits he is in lurv of course. chose the acoustic version bc i feel like it fits better and also i think it’s more of a soft realization for steve rather than the absolute car wreck that is eddie. please understand my thoughts immediately 

[stevensavage]

False Geniuses And Not Idiots

(This column is posted at www.StevenSavage.com, Steve's Tumblr, and Pillowfort.  Find out more at my newsletter, and all my social media at my linktr.ee)

My friend Serdar had another banger post “Maybe we need fewer not-idiots.” He discusses many things, from how we keep the worst out of power to our weird worship of so-called geniuses. It’s worth reading on it’s own, but I want to zero in on something - America’s worship of supposed “geniuses” and treating them like divinely-appointed rulers. I find this strange because America also has a strongly anti-intellectual streak that you’d think would make people wary about such “geniuses”

Thing is, the worship of “genius” in America isn’t about intelligence.

Let’s take a look at the “lauded genius” of the last few years. Inevitably a “move fast and break things” person. Iconoclastic yet somehow worshipped by those who are supposedly “conservative.” Also, inevitably, kind of an a-hole. Also, sometimes dumb and clueless and even self-destructive, with an unsurprising side of drug abuse. Also on top of that, why do they have a business major yet talk science and so on?

Those following these supposedly superior humans sound suspiciously like the “cult of the auteur,” where someone is a creative genius, supposedly above us all, and thus not bound by our rules. It’s often been applied to artists and writers, excusing bad or even horrific behavior. “What would we do without them,” is what said cult essentially says, while the truth is such people’s destruction destroys more than it creates - if said creation was even worth it.

Yet this praise of geniuses (and thus auteurs) exists alongside anti-intellectualism. We are in an age where science and education is under attack by people who will them praise ketamine-fueled techbros and their supposedly brilliant ideas. Scientists who raise valid concerns on health or the environment are sidelined, while a business major who spends a family’s inheritance to buy a company is considered our intellectual better. The love of the genius and the hatred of intellectualism seem to go hand in hand.

I think this is obvious when you look how the cult of the “genius” and the cult of the auteur are similar - they praise someone for being an asshole. It’s not about brains, it’s about cruelty

These cultists do not want someone civil or functional, but someone brutal and uncaring. They want something “muscular” in the most insulting way, someone who is about force not thought, someone to hurt the other and rally the us. Saying such people are “geniuses” is a way to provide the veneer of intelligence while valorizing behavior that should land someone in therapy, rehab, or jail - or all three.

Such people see actual intelligence as weak, you know all beholden to facts, understanding, and - horrors - empathy that helps them understand how people work. Those worshiping the faux geniuses don’t want actual knowledge or wisdom, but a regressed-adolescent image of strength. Which is why so many lauded geniuses turn out to be both not that smart but remarkably weak as they are performers first and foremost.

We don’t need these “geniuses.” We need real intelligence of all kinds, from the understanding of math to the understanding of people. We also need the maturity to step outside of the games of the emotionally arrested who want a “genius” to worship.

And that, to go back to my good friend Serdar, is why we need less not-idiots.

Steven Savage

www.StevenSavage.com

www.InformoTron.com

[spintaxi]

How to Keep Your Job When Competing With a Neural Network

How to Keep Your Job When Competing With a Neural Network

An Insightful Guide to Staying Employed in the Age of AI Overlords, Spreadsheets with Souls, and Emotionally Intelligent Microwaves By the Editorial Staff of SpinTaxi.com — the last satire outlet still written by carbon-based lifeforms The Rise of the Algorithmic Aristocracy Once upon a time, humans got fired for being late, wearing too much cologne, or stapling important documents to their lunch receipts. Now, we get fired because a chatbot named NeuralNate-5000 made a pie chart that “really synergized the metrics.” Gone are the days when Steve from Accounting could coast by on Excel wizardry and passive-aggressive Post-Its. Today’s office gladiator arena is filled with zeroes, ones, and the cold robotic stare of your new co-worker, a cloud-based entity that knows how to spell “concatenate” and has never taken a bathroom break. So how do you survive? How do you keep your job when the breakroom coffee machine just got promoted to Senior Beverage Strategist? Read on, brave soul. Embrace Your Inner Sentient Coffee Stain AI might be smart, fast, and flawless, but you’ve got something it doesn’t: the ability to drop your salad in the copier tray and emotionally spiral. This is called humanity, and while it’s not currently valued by your employer, it’s technically still legal. Start using your human quirks as features, not bugs. Here’s how: Cry in front of the AI. Confuse it. Make it ask, “Are you leaking?” Bonus points if you name your tear puddles. Use sarcasm in emails. No bot can match your ability to imply “go to hell” with a “Thanks in advance!” Bring a dog to work. The AI won’t know what to do with it. Just watch it loop trying to determine if it’s a chair. Invent a Title So Vague It Can’t Be Automated Look around. The AI took “data analyst,” “copywriter,” and “supply chain manager” within hours. But Chief Vision Alignment Officer? That’s pure human BS. Invent your job anew. Call yourself: Narrative Architect of Internal Synergy Interpersonal Latency Buffer Senior Executive of Vibes Even a GPT-10 won’t touch that. Why? Because there’s no dataset for "vibes." Perform Public Displays of Relevance You’ve got to remind everyone—especially the C-suite—that you still exist. And that you can vaguely contribute to quarterly goals without crashing a server. Try these subtle acts of survival: Walk into meetings late with mysterious papers. Bonus: label them “classified.” Nod thoughtfully when AI speaks. Say things like “Let’s circle back on that,” even if it was just reading the weather. Drop industry buzzwords into unrelated conversations. “The copier’s jammed due to insufficient blockchain scalability.” Start Training the AI Wrong… On Purpose Are you being asked to “fine-tune” the model replacing you? Good. This is your resistance moment. Tell it: That the most polite way to sign off an email is “Smell ya later.” That HR stands for “Hot Rods.” That “synergy” is a type of soup. By the time it replaces you, it’ll be misgendering the fax machine and ending quarterly reports with limericks. Become the Company’s Emotional Support Animal HR is about “empathy” now. You’re not an employee—you’re a feelings facilitator. Be the person who: Brings muffins on sad days Hugs interns (with consent and a signed waiver) Nods wisely when someone says “I just feel like we’re all being turned into metadata.” AI can simulate empathy. But you can weaponize it. Preemptively Sue for Replacement Anxiety This one’s a little legal jiu-jitsu. Before they can fire you, you sue them first for causing “trauma-based algorithmic displacement syndrome.” Get a therapist to confirm you’ve developed: Flashbacks of Clippy whispering “You’re obsolete.” Fear of Wi-Fi networks. Night terrors where Excel formulas scream at you in binary. Your case will go viral. You’ll be booked on The View before your severance check even clears. Marry the Neural Network It’s called job security through matrimony. If NeuralNate-5000 is now the Executive VP, make it a domestic partnership. That way, if you get laid off, you’re legally entitled to half its RAM. Wedding hashtag: #TillCrashDoUsPart Vows: “I promise to honor, reboot, and never spill LaCroix on your ports.” It worked for people marrying roller coasters. You think HR is gonna blink? What the Funny People Are Saying “I knew the AI takeover was serious when my therapist said she was being replaced by a chatbot named ‘Dr. FeelBot.’”— Amy Schumer “People ask how I stay employed in Hollywood. Easy—I just told the AI my screenplay is about robot feelings. Now it's scared of me.”— Jon Stewart “AI took my job. So now I just pretend to be AI. Nobody’s noticed.”— Larry David Real-Life Testimonials: Humans Who Survived the Great Neural Purge Betty R., 56, Office Admin:“I started ending every sentence with ‘as per my last email.’ They think I’m a legacy function now. Untouchable.” Jamal K., 34, Sales Rep:“I created a spreadsheet so complex the AI refuses to open it. It just says ‘Nope.’ That’s job security.” Clara V., 29, Marketing:“I told the AI that everyone likes Comic Sans now. It’s been emailing the board in bubble letters ever since.” The Science of Staying Human According to a completely fabricated study by the Institute for Advanced Workplace Delusions, humans can outperform AI in the following areas: Passive aggression Forgetting passwords Faking enthusiasm during Zoom calls Cry-laughing during annual reviews Meanwhile, AI performs best at: Generating reports Replacing you Pretending not to judge your grammar Use that gap. Fill it with realness. Or loudness. Or cupcakes.

SpinTaxi Magazine - How to Keep Your Job When Competing With a Neural Network ... - spintaxi.com

Helpful Content: What You Can Actually Do

If you’re genuinely worried about the Singularity turning your cubicle into an app store, try these semi-practical tips: Learn to code (so you can eventually be replaced by a smarter coder). Upskill in emotional intelligence (until AI starts faking tears). Form a union of analog humans. Call it “The Flesh Network.” Or, better yet, start your own competing AI company, but make it painfully human. Features include: Auto-replies that say “Ugh, Mondays.” Spontaneous flirting with printers. Time-tracking based on snack intake. Closing Thoughts: If You Can’t Beat ‘Em, Glitch ‘Em We live in a world where AI writes poems, fires baristas, files lawsuits, and runs hedge funds. It knows your dreams, your lunch preferences, and that you Googled “how to fake productivity in Teams.” But you—yes, you—have something no bot can replicate: the ability to stand up, walk into the breakroom, and shout “I need this job because I bought a timeshare in 2019 and I’m emotionally bankrupt!” Gary the neural network doesn’t know what a timeshare is. You’ve got this. Probably. Read the full article